The ceremony will mark the official start of on-site preparations for the construction of the 3000m2 museum, which will stand to remember and teach about life in what was a predominantly Jewish area before local populations were decimated by the Holocaust. The Seduva Jewish Memorial Fund, which is the driving force behind the unique memorial complex, had previously restored the historical Jewish cemetery at the site, which received a Special Mention from the jury of the European Union Prize for Cultural Heritage in 2017. According to the Seduva Jewish Memorial Fund, it intended to build a modern, state-of-theart world-class museum to commemorate extinguished Litvak shtetl community history. In its original design, The Lost Shtetl museum is a modern abstraction of the traditional pitchedroof houses that made up the Eastern European local Jewish villages, known as shtetls. Each house within The Lost Shtetl will have a distinct function, including exhibitions, galleries, learning and archiving facilities, and administration space. From roof to walls, the entire outside of the buildings will be clad in metal tiles that reference to the wooden shingles of the traditional shtetl houses. The participation of the entire leadership of Lithuania at the ground-breaking ceremony for The Lost Shtetl Museum building demonstrates the significance with which Lithuania and the European Union relates to the new project. More than 96% of the once-large Jewish population of Lithuania (250 000, 10% of the Lithuanian population) was exterminated during Holocaust a tragic record amongst all the countries which fell victim to the Second World War. One of the prime goals of the project is to restore the memory of the lost people and their rich culture that was systematically exterminated. The appreciation of this significance can be seen among all participants of this unique international project in which Lahdelma & Mahlamaki is a proud principal partner. Source by Lahdelma & Mahlamaki Architects. Copyright 1995 - . All rights reserved. The content (including but not limited to text, photo, multimedia information, etc) published in this site belongs to China Daily Information Co (CDIC). Without written authorization from CDIC, such content shall not be republished or used in any form. Note: Browsers with 1024*768 or higher resolution are suggested for this site. 0108263 License for publishing multimedia online Registration Number: 130349 Registration Number: 130349 SAN RAMON, Calif., May 8, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- While many young people may not think about it, hearing loss is a reality and risk for millions of young folks today. The popularity of loud concerts and music festivals could elevate risk for the often-youthful attendees. Drinking alcohol at concerts may also make hearing loss worse, according to a new study. Financial Education Benefits Center (FEBC), a membership benefits company, offers savings on hearing care to members to encourage good hearing health. World Image/Bigstock.com "Hearing loss is an issue that many kids and even adults below a certain age may simply not be considering," said Jennifer Martinez, manager at FEBC. "But it is a real danger and people may be experiencing hearing loss without even knowing it." In addition to the ubiquity of headphones blasting all our favorite music at any time, loud concerts present both a short-term and a possible long-term danger for the ears of the concertgoer. Concerts and festivals have been becoming more popular in the United States over the past few years and may continue to do so. For many attendees, any short-term hearing loss after concerts usually resolves itself, but repeated exposure to super-loud music may have permanent effects. A new study by Dutch researchers found that drug and alcohol use at concerts worsens hearing loss. There might be biological processes making the hearing loss worse, but the researchers also found that as personal inhibitions are lifted with drugs and alcohol, concertgoers are more likely to move closer to the speakers. FEBC offers savings to members of various plan levels on health and wellness services. Hearing care is included in those savings for eligible FEBC members. FEBC members should note any benefits from FEBC are not insurance and not intended to replace insurance. "Hearing is a big health concern and we encourage our members to take care of their hearing whether it's preventative or addressing an issue that already exists," said Martinez. "FEBC has health and wellness benefits that can help address a wide range of other health concerns, as well." About Financial Education Benefits Center Financial Education Benefits Center is located in San Ramon, California. The membership company has already helped thousands save money and obtain the necessary education required to live a financially healthy life. Financial Education Benefits Center has partnered with several name brand third-party companies to expand the financial and educational products and services available to its members and to provide a variety of wellness services as well. Financial Education Benefits Center Newsroom Contact To learn more about Financial Education Benefits Center, please contact: Financial Education Benefits Center 2010 Crow Canyon Place Ste. 100 San Ramon, CA 94583 1-800-953-1388 [email protected] Related Images hearing-loss-in-young-people-at.jpg Hearing Loss in Young People, at Concerts of Growing Concern World Image/Bigstock.com image2.png Related Links FEBC homepage SOURCE Financial Education Benefits Center HONG KONG and CHICAGO, May 8, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- HGC Global Communications Limited (HGC), a fixed-line operator with extensive Hong Kong and international network coverage, and China Telecommunications Corporation (China Telecom), Mainland China's largest fixed-line and FDD LTE operator with abundant international cable network resources and a global communications service provider, today announced that the two companies have entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for construction of a network interconnection system via the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau Bridge (HZM Bridge). This will be the first interconnection between Hong Kong and Mainland China fixed telecommunication network service providers on the HZM Bridge, and is HGC's fifth cross-border route between Mainland China and Hong Kong. Since 2000, HGC has self-financed and constructed fibre optic cable systems at Lok Ma Chau, Man Kam To and Lo Wu, and in 2008 was the first carrier to provide cross-border telecom services through the Hong Kong-Shenzhen Western Corridor. When the fibre connection on the HZM Bridge comes into operation, HGC will retain its leading position among Hong Kong carriers as operating the most cross-border connections to the mainland. The new link boosts capacity by at least 100 Gbps, with design capacity of 8Tbps. Adding the fifth connection will strengthen network routing diversification, and thus cater to high-end customers' demand for high quality and reliable telecom services. The Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macau Greater Bay Area (Greater Bay Area) initiative set out in China's 13th five-year plan intends to highlight the region's role and aspiration in the global economic supply chain, with the inclusion of the Special Administrative Regions of Hong Kong and Macau. The key economic sectors of the area include high-tech manufacturing, logistics, digital and innovation industries. The new fibre connection will provide capacity for anticipated growth in cross-border traffic. Once the interconnection is in place, the fibre cable will stretch along the 29.6 km dual 3-lane carriageway - including a 6.7 km tunnel - and connecting the Boundary Crossing Facilities in Hong Kong, Zhuhai, and Macau. Andrew Kwok, Chief Executive Officer of HGC, said: "HGC has a long history of partnership with China Telecom, where the two entities' networks and assets have been fully utilised to reach common goals. This evolves from traditional bilateral cooperation to a common platform which can address different possibilities and mutually benefit both HGC and China Telecom and ultimately reinforce Hong Kong's leading position as Asia's telecom hub. The fibre cable deployed by HGC at the "Hong Kong Link Road section" of the HZM Bridge is now in service, offering fibre and transmission capacity even before the official opening of the bridge." Deng Xiaofeng, Managing Director, Global Business Department of China Telecom, said: "China Telecom is pleased to establish an interconnection with HGC at the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau Bridge. With both parties' diverse network connection routes and our history of close cooperation, the new fibre connection will help both parties providing customers with stable and reliable service, meeting the ever-increasing demand in the Greater Bay Area and neighbouring countries and regions." About HGC Global Communications Limited HGC Global Communications Limited (HGC) is a leading Hong Kong and international fixed-line operator. The company owns an extensive network and infrastructure in Hong Kong and overseas and provides various kinds of services. It provides telecom infrastructure service to other operators and serves as a service provider to corporations and households. The company provides full-fledged telecom, data centre services, ICT solutions and broadband services for local, overseas, corporate and mass markets. HGC owns and operates an extensive fibre-optic network, four cross-border telecom routes integrated into tier-one telecom operators in mainland China and connects with hundreds of world-class international telecom operators. HGC is one of Hong Kong's largest Wi-Fi service providers, running over 29,000 Wi-Fi hotspots in Hong Kong. The company is committed to further investing and enriching its current infrastructure and, in parallel, adding on top the latest technologies and developing its infrastructure services and solutions. HGC is a portfolio company of I Squared Capital, an independent global infrastructure investment manager focusing on energy, utilities and transport in North America, Europe and selected fast-growing economies. For more information, please visit HGC's website at: www.hgc.com.hk About China Telecommunications Corporation China Telecommunications Corporation ("China Telecom") is one of the largest state-owned telecommunication companies in China. At present, the size of China Telecom's total assets exceeds RMB 800 billion, with annual revenue of more than RMB 410 billion. Ranking 133rd in the 2017 Fortune Global 500, China Telecom was awarded the Most Honoured Company, the Best Managed Company in the Asia Telecom Sector, as well as the Best Managed Company in Asia by esteemed international institutions for consecutive years. With the world's largest broadband Internet network and a leading-edge mobile network, China Telecom is capable of providing cross-region, fully-integrated information services to global customers through its sound customer service channel system. Its comprehensive service capability has earned China Telecom a large customer base. By the end of 2017, the number of its broadband Internet subscribers exceeded 160 million, mobile subscribers exceeded 260 million, and IPTV subscribers exceeded 100 million. To drive corporate transformation, China Telecom has rolled out Transformation 3.0 strategy with a focus of upgrading intelligent network, service ecosystem and smart operation for the digital ecosystem. China Telecom will strive to become a leading comprehensive intelligent information service provider, with the aim of becoming a powerhouse in the Internet and cyber realms in order to serve the society and enhance people's wellbeing. SOURCE HGC Global Communications Limited (HGC) Related Links http://www.hgc.com.hk TRENTON, N.J., May 8, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Greater Trenton, an independent 501c-3 nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting economic revitalization in New Jersey's capital city, today announced that Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey joined Greater Trenton's Board adding to a growing mix of organizations including St. Francis Medical Center, which joined recently, Bristol Myers Squibb, Capital Health, Investors Bank, Janssen Pharmaceuticals, NJM Insurance Group, Princeton Area Community Foundation, Princeton University, PSE&G, TD Bank, Thomas Edison State University, and Wells Fargo Bank. David Perry, Vice President of State Health Benefits Program at Horizon BCBSNJ, will serve as a member of Greater Trenton's Board. Trenton Makes Bridge City of Trenton New Jersey "We're excited to welcome Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey to our growing and prominent mix of board members," said Anthony "Skip" Cimino, Greater Trenton Board Chair. "We look forward to working with David Perry as we continue to engage in important efforts that result in a vibrant downtown Trenton for residents, community institutions, and businesses." Perry joined Horizon BCBSNJ in July 1987 as a senior financial analyst, and ultimately joined the State Health Benefits Program in January 1995 as the director of Account Management and SHBP Finance. Perry has been instrumental in maintaining the company's strong working relationship with the Division of Pensions and Benefits, the State Health Benefits Commissions and the Plan Design Committees. In 2015 Perry was appointed vice president of Horizon BCBSNJ's State Health Benefits Program (SHBP) business, which is Horizon BCBSNJ's largest account with more than 730,000 members. "As New Jersey's capital city, Trenton is rich in history and tradition, in fact it was briefly the U.S. capital," said Perry. "The revitalization of Trenton is critical for its residents, tourists and businesses already operating there as well as businesses we're looking to attract. I look forward to working with Greater Trenton to showcase all of the things our capital city has to offer." Horizon BCBSNJ has a storied history of commitment and philanthropy in and around Trenton. Horizon and its Foundation have long supported programs to improve the health and quality of life for area residents. This includes Asthma Improves with Management Program (AIM), the Kids' Oral Health Program, the NJ Healthy Corner Store Initiative, Trenton Healthy Homes and many more. Horizon also proudly supports the Trenton area business community through a variety of grants and sponsorships. "Dave Perry is passionate about serving the communities and all of our members throughout the State of New Jersey," said Christopher Lepre, Horizon BCBSNJ Senior Vice President, Market Business Units. "Dave is an experienced insurance professional who will represent the Horizon mission and values. He is goal-driven and known for getting the job done regardless of any obstacles he may face. I am confident the value of having Dave as a Greater Trenton Board member will result in great things happening for the City." The state's oldest and largest health insurer, Horizon BCBSNJ is a tax-paying, not-for-profit health service corporation, providing a wide array of medical, dental, and prescription insurance products and services. Horizon BCBSNJ is leading the transformation of health care in New Jersey by working with doctors and hospitals to deliver innovative, patient-centered programs that reward the quality, not quantity, of care patients receive. About Greater Trenton Formed in the fall of 2015, Greater Trenton's key objectives include coordinating downtown economic development projects; providing one-stop support and information for investors interested in taking on new projects; reaching out to potential residential, commercial and/or retail investors and tenants; supporting and promoting existing downtown initiatives; engaging downtown stakeholders in a strategic economic development plan; and developing investment marketing strategies. Contact: Bryan Evans Telephone: (609) 777-1770 Cell: (609) 556-7884 Email: [email protected] Website: greatertrenton.org SOURCE Greater Trenton Related Links http://www.greatertrenton.org AUSTIN, Minn., May 8, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Hormel Foods Corporation (NYSE: HRL) today announced it has been recognized for the sixth consecutive year on the Military Times Best for Vets Employers list. The company ranked No. 75 on the list, which evaluates many factors that make a company a good fit for military veterans. "At Hormel Foods, we are grateful for those who serve and have served our country," said Janet Hogan, senior vice president of human resources at Hormel Foods. "We are extremely proud to be a great workplace for those who have done so much for all of us, and to be recognized for our efforts for the sixth year in a row." In addition to this recognition, Hormel Foods recently received a Beyond the Yellow Ribbon award from the Minnesota Department of Military Affairs for its long tradition of supporting American troops, both in peacetime and war. Hormel Foods actively recruits veterans and service members each year. In addition, the company has an employee resource group that provides assistance to former and current military members and their families as they integrate into the company's culture, while providing a platform for continued camaraderie throughout their career. "The companies on the Military Times Best for Vets list earned their rankings through determined efforts to recruit and support service members, veterans and military families," said George Altman, the Military Times editor in charge of the rankings. "These efforts deserve recognition from the country and should get the attention of veterans looking for a new career." To view the complete Best for Vets list, visit http://rebootcamp.militarytimes.com. ABOUT HORMEL FOODS Inspired People. Inspired Food. Hormel Foods Corporation, based in Austin, Minn., is a global branded food company with over $9 billion in annual revenues across more than 80 countries worldwide. Its brands include SKIPPY, SPAM, Hormel Natural Choice, Applegate, Justin's, Wholly Guacamole, Hormel Black Label, Columbus and more than 30 other beloved brands. The company is a member of the S&P 500 Index and the S&P 500 Dividend Aristocrats, was named one of "The 100 Best Corporate Citizens" by Corporate Responsibility Magazine for the ninth year in a row, and has received numerous other awards and accolades for its corporate responsibility and community service efforts. In 2016, the company celebrated its 125th anniversary and announced its new vision for the future Inspired People. Inspired Food. focusing on its legacy of innovation. For more information, visit www.hormelfoods.com and http://csr.hormelfoods.com/. SOURCE Hormel Foods Corporation NEW YORK, May 8, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Hospitality House ("HH"), a leading international hospitality, restaurant and real estate services firm, has formed a new licensing partnership with pioneering American chef David Burke. Through its extensive network of hotel, casino, airport, and commercial landlords, HH will begin to develop the David Burke brand in luxury properties throughout North America and the Caribbean. "I've known Steven for so many years, and the chance to work together and have him represent and grow our brand across the country and the globe is truly thrilling," says Burke. Burke joins a list of HH's other exceptional New York City partner brands, concepts such as Brooklyn Diner, Jack's Wife Freda, Jay Z's 40/40 Club, and Hill Country Barbecue, for which it has already begun building an international licensing presence. "Hospitality House is proud to partner with David Burke, someone whose work we have admired for decades," said Hospitality House CEO Steven Kamali. "We believe his brandone that embraces American cooking with a strong commitment to innovation and fun, is an ideal one to bring to the next level with a strong presence in luxury resorts, casinos, and hotels." Over his thirty-five year career, Burke has built a reputation for whimsical culinary creations like pastrami salmon and cheesecake lollipops. A visionary chef, his talent buoyed the success of iconic New York City restaurants such as The River Cafe and Park Avenue Cafe. His more recent success includes Tavern 62 by David Burke in New York City's Upper East Side, and BLT Prime by David Burke. "Licensing his brand to luxury hotels and resorts is the obvious next step," says Kamali. "Steven's considerable expertise has been leading the evolution of the restaurant, real estate and the hospitality industries," says Anisia Tierney, HH's International Licensing Brand Manager. "Hospitality House has cultivated an extraordinary network and it is that community of global connections that every one of our partner brands benefit from in our licensing work. We are excited to welcome Burke to the HH community." About Hospitality House: Since 2001, Hospitality House, led by its CEO Steven Kamali, has been providing global food and beverage strategy, support, licensing and real estate services to the hospitality industry. HH services all areas of the hospitality community including REITS, private equity firms hedge funds, hotels and owners/developers. Whether master planning a mixed-use development, underwriting a proposed restaurant, developing an innovative dining concept, or sourcing third party operators and chefs. About David Burke: A graduate of the Culinary Institute of America, Chef David Burke's 35-year career is decorated with honors that pay homage to his respected culinary skill, creative whimsy, and philanthropic efforts, including appearances on Bravo's Top Chef Masters, and receiving a US patent for his pink Himalayan salt dry-age technique for steaks. David Burke's Primehouse in Chicago was consistently voted a top steakhouse in the city for ten years along with top five steakhouses in America. CONTACT: Jessica Smoak, [email protected] SOURCE Hospitality House NEW YORK, May 7, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- The newly launched Coalition for Tattoo Safety (CTS), announced it had named Mario Barth, Founder of Intenze, President of the organization. Recognized as a leader in the $1.7 trillion tattoo industry, Barth's tattoo brand, Intenze, is a pre-eminent organization in the industry and currently sponsors over 57 of the world's top tattoo artists. "I am honored to be nominated by CTS' Board Members as its President," said Barth. "The tattoo industry must unify and become an informed advocate for the continued existence of our profession and art. We either take it upon ourselves to do it, or we run the risk of being side-lined and silenced by unqualified outside groups and associations." Global agencies are working to continue to regulate tattoo pigments and other tattoo related products. The CTS was formed to effectively work hand-in-hand with tattoo industry regulators, and to proceed to advance the tattoo trade and provide tattoo clients with a top-notch tattoo experience. The CTS provides regulators over five decades of self-regulatory insight and years of in-house and private laboratory testing of raw materials, chemical analysis, manufacturing best practices, and constant real-time tattoo artist and consumer feedback. "We are excited to join the Coalition for Tattoo Safety led by president Mario Barth and support the organization and its initiatives to unify our industry and advocate for tattoo safety," said Mario Rosenau of Stencil Stuff. "Our team will join Intenze at the World Tattoo Industry Trade Show in Las Vegas to support the CTS and its important mission." The CTS' first annual event, "The World Tattoo Industry Trade Show," will be held in Las Vegas on October 31, 2018, at Planet Hollywood. A two-day tattoo industry-only portion of the event will accompany a CTS grand kick-off event, where top tattoo artists, pre-registered participating tattoo artists, tattoo product manufacturers, tattoo product retailers, and tattoo product wholesalers will introduce new tattoo products and tattoo technologies and hold professional artist development workshops and tattoo education and tattoo safety seminars. Furthermore, following the two-day tattoo industry only program, the CTS Las Vegas event will then open up to the public. At such time, over 300 tattoo artist booths will be available for clients to be tattooed by some of the world's most renowned artists. Members of the CTS that will be participating in The World Tattoo Industry Trade Show include: Intenze, Eternal Ink, World Famous Tattoo Ink, Stencil Stuff, Starbrite Colors, Fusion Tattoo Ink, Cam Supply, Alla Prima, Quick Caps, and Bishop Rotary. ABOUT Mario Barth: Mario Barth Enterprises is the premier international tattoo organization with high-end tattoo studios worldwide, merchandise and the online supply company, Intenze. The first OSHA approved tattoo studios in the nation, Mario Barth's tattoo studios feature Barth's innovative Intenze inks. CEO, inventor and celebrity tattoo artist Mario Barth has an extraordinary clientele including Usher, Sylvester Stallone, Lenny Kravitz and many others. SOURCE Intenze FARMINGTON HILLS, Mich., May 7, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Kyyba Innovations along with the event host IoT Tech Connect, is pleased to announce AvidCor as the winner of its the IoT Tech Connect Pitch Club Competition held at Troy Marriott. AvidCor is a health technology company based in Michigan that provides an affordable cardiac monitoring device via a Bluetooth-connected smart devices. AvidCor will receive $50,000 equity investment and support services from Kyyba Innovations, as well as mentorship from the organization's extensive network. The IoT pitch competition was aimed at identifying the six startups in Autonomous and Connected Vehicles, Augmented and Virtual Reality, Connected Tech, Smart Cities/Smart Homes, Industry IoT and Cyber Security IoT. Other finalists were brandVR, CARMERA, Inspired Biometric, Giggso, Sample Serve. "Technology is disrupting everything and has fundamentally changed every business. Everything around us has become connected and the future belongs to technology and innovation-driven growth. The Pitch Club competition will help build the IoT ecosystem in Michigan, contributing to Michigan's competitiveness, job growth and future economy," said Tel Ganesan, Managing Director, Kyyba Innovations. To stay connected and engaged with Kyyba Innovations entrepreneurial ecosystem visit http://kyybaxcelerator.com. About IoT Tech Connect IoT TechConnect is co-produced by MITechNews.Com, an Ann Arbor media group covering technology and entrepreneurs statewide, and CloudTech1.com, a Rochester Hills managed service provider that offers Satellite always on Internet business connections, Disaster Recovery and Business Continuity products all part of its Virtual IT department for business. About Kyyba Innovations (KI) Kyyba Innovations is a global second stage startup accelerator investing in technology and IP related startups in broad based industries. We provide a custom acceleration program and scaling services to startups, including Customer Development, Product Development, and Investment in exchange for equity. Industries Include: Health, Mobility, IoT, Industrial, Energy, Automotive, BlockChain, and Fintech. SOURCE Kyyba Related Links http://kyyba.com/ ROSH HA'AYIN, Israel, May 8, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- 3NT Medical (3NT) announced today the initial closing of a major portion of its $15 million financing round from Hoya Corporation. The funds will be used to complete 3NT's family of speciality single-use endoscopes and therapeutic devices and initiate commercialization of the SinuswayTM platform in the U.S. and Europe, advancing care of ear, nose and throat (ENT) disorders. (Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/687884/3NT_Medical_Logo.jpg ) The financing round is led by HOYA Corporation ("HOYA") and is its first venture investment in an Israeli company. HOYA joins current investors LongTec China Ventures and an elite group of angel investors, medical device industry veterans and ENT practitioners in their support of the company. "We are honored to have HOYA join our team of investors. their investment is a strong validation of the team's efforts to establish single-use endoscopy platforms as the next standard of care in ENT", said Ehud Bendory, 3NT Chief Executive Officer. "HOYA's investment in 3NT continues our commitment to partner with innovative medical device companies that align with our core strategic areas of interest", added Augustine Yee, Chief Legal Officer and Global Head of Corporate Development at HOYA. "We are excited about 3NT's disruptive visualization technologies, and the benefits their devices will bring to ENT surgeons and their patients." About 3NT Medical 3NT Medical is a privately held medical device company based in Israel, devoted to pushing the boundaries of endoscopy for ENT surgeons. 3NT is the developer of SinuswayTM Drivable Endoscope, which enables minimally invasive access, visualization and treatment of the farthest reaches of the nasal anatomy; transforming diagnosis and treatment of nasal disorders across all settings of care. More information is available at http://www.3NTmedical.com. About HOYA Founded in 1941 in Tokyo, Japan, HOYA is a global med-tech company and the leading supplier of innovative high-tech and medical products. HOYA is active in the fields of healthcare and information technology, providing eyeglasses, medical endoscopes, intraocular lenses and optical lenses as well as key components for semiconductor devices, LCD panels and HDDs. With over 150 offices and subsidiaries worldwide, HOYA currently employs a multinational workforce of over 36,000 people. For more information, please visit http://www.hoya.com. SOURCE 3NT Medical Simultaneously, however, the digital currency market is quickly expanding and evolving, with many developing decentralized methods as the need arises, offering investors with diverse liquidity and credit opportunities. Among these market resources in the crypto world, LOTS stands out as an innovative solution to the challenge of restricted circulation. LOTS is a lending platform for tokens - a revolutionary marketplace that stands out for borrowing and lending in the crypto world. LOTS enables its users to leverage their blockchain assets to secure crypto loans, on terms mutually agreed upon by both parties. Selling assets is no longer the only means of realizing profit. Crypto asset holders can lend their assets on LOTS to anyone else, thereby making profit through interest, and regaining their crypto asset value as soon as the loan is paid back. Lenders have ownership over their assets while exponentially growing their portfolio. The LOTS platform is based on the most advanced blockchain technologies, offering secure lending procedures and legally compliant smart contracts. Instead of buying crypto currency, LOTS users can borrow and reinvest in crypto world by leveraging their existing crypto assets. LOTS is an inclusive platform with boundless opportunities for creditors not willing to sell their crypto assets but still want to have more liquidity. As the burgeoning of fintech continues to shape our world, a sustainable crypto currency economy is emerging. LOTS users can place their tokenized assets on the blockchain as collateral, thus offers a more sustainable token market, one that brings greater trust in investment, and ultimately connects crypto currencies and real world assets. "We are entering a new phase of crypto adoption. LOTS has the potential to restructure our traditional lending system by establishing a new form of credit for a wide range of tokenized assets. We promise a world where every one has the same access to finance." CEO of LOTS, Zeen Zhang said. LOTS aims to establish itself as the Land of Tokens of tomorrow. Let's look toward the future; let's look at LOTS. It is LOTS more than you think. About LOTS The LOTS platform is a blockchain-based marketplace that stands out for its innovative approach to borrowing and lending in the crypto world. Utilizing the security of the blockchain technology, LOTS enables its users to grow the value of their crypto assets through lending. LOTS is at the forefront of the blockchain revolution, leading the way in the crypto fintech sector by making investment safer, faster and easier. Established in Singapore, LOTS also has a presence in Japan, United States and China. www.lots.org SOURCE LOTS Lab Foundation Limited CHICAGO, May 8, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Jones Lang LaSalle Incorporated (NYSE: JLL) today reported excellent operating performance for the first quarter of 2018 with diluted earnings per share of $0.88 and adjusted diluted earnings per share1 of $0.97. Diversified organic revenue growth globally, highlighted by Capital Markets and annuity businesses Margin expansion in Americas, EMEA and LaSalle Americas revenue growth coupled with productivity gains EMEA improvement largely driven by UK, Germany and France and Corporate Solutions momentum from recent business wins LaSalle delivered robust incentive fees while generating outstanding value for clients delivered robust incentive fees while generating outstanding value for clients Continued progress on digital agenda Strong cash flows contributed to a year-on-year net debt reduction of more than $470 million Dividend increase of 11 percent to $0.41 per share CEO Comment: "Broad organic revenue growth and margin expansion drove our strong first-quarter performance," said Christian Ulbrich, JLL CEO. "We achieved these results while continuing to invest in -- and make significant progress on -- our global digital agenda. With healthy economic and real estate fundamentals in most markets globally, and despite geopolitical challenges, we anticipate continued growth this year." Summary Financial Results Three Months Ended March 31, ($ in millions, except per share data) 2018 2017 Revenue $ 3,555.2 $ 3,117.7 Revenue before reimbursements 1,891.1 1,616.3 Fee revenue1 1,281.5 1,124.0 Net income attributable to common shareholders $ 40.3 $ 7.2 Adjusted net income attributable to common shareholders1 44.3 17.0 Diluted earnings per share $ 0.88 $ 0.16 Adjusted diluted earnings per share1 0.97 0.37 Adjusted EBITDA1 $ 107.7 $ 68.0 Adjusted EBITDA, Real Estate Services 65.3 48.4 Adjusted EBITDA, LaSalle 42.4 19.6 (1) For discussion of non-GAAP financial measures, see Note 1 following the Financial Statements in this news release. Note: The company adopted ASC 606 and refined its non-GAAP definition "Fee revenue" in the first quarter of 2018. Comparative periods have been recast accordingly. In addition to the footnotes following the Financial Statements, refer to our recent podcast (available on ir.jll.com ) for additional information. Consolidated ($ in millions, "LC" = local currency) Three Months Ended March 31, % Change in USD % Change in LC 2018 2017 Leasing $ 401.2 $ 378.4 6 % 4 % Capital Markets 232.7 188.7 23 17 Property & Facility Management 2,053.6 1,807.0 14 11 Project & Development Services 579.2 509.9 14 7 Advisory, Consulting and Other 169.2 145.4 16 11 Real Estate Services ("RES") revenue $ 3,435.9 $ 3,029.4 13 % 10 % LaSalle 119.3 88.3 35 27 Total revenue $ 3,555.2 $ 3,117.7 14 % 10 % Reimbursements (1,664.1) (1,501.4) 11 9 Revenue before reimbursements $ 1,891.1 $ 1,616.3 17 % 11 % Gross contract costs1 (606.9) (495.0) 23 14 Net non-cash MSR and mortgage banking derivative activity (2.7) 2.7 n.m. n.m. Total fee revenue1 $ 1,281.5 $ 1,124.0 14 % 9 % Leasing 385.1 367.0 5 3 Capital Markets 221.2 185.9 19 13 Property & Facility Management 265.2 239.9 11 6 Project & Development Services 173.7 142.5 22 16 Advisory, Consulting and Other 123.1 106.3 16 9 RES fee revenue 1,168.3 1,041.6 12 8 LaSalle 113.2 82.4 37 29 Operating income $ 53.8 $ 15.4 n.m. n.m. Equity earnings $ 13.6 $ 5.6 n.m. n.m. Adjusted EBITDA1 $ 107.7 $ 68.0 58 % 51 % n.m. - not meaningful as represented by a percentage change of greater than 100%, favorably or unfavorably. (1) For discussion of non-GAAP financial measures, see Note 1 following the Financial Statements in this news release. Percentage variances in the Consolidated Performance Highlights below are calculated and presented on a local currency basis, unless otherwise noted. Note: The company adopted ASC 606 and revised its non-GAAP definition "Fee revenue" in the first quarter of 2018. Refer to the footnotes following the Financial Statements for additional discussion. Consolidated First-Quarter 2018 Performance Highlights: Consolidated revenue and consolidated fee revenue growth was broad-based across all four segments and increased 10 percent and 9 percent, respectively, compared with the prior year. Fee revenue expansion in the RES service lines was led by Capital Markets and Project & Development Services. Geographically across the service lines, the increase in RES fee revenue, on a local currency basis, was driven by EMEA (50 percent) and Americas (40 percent). Consolidated operating expenses, excluding reimbursed expenses, were $1.8 billion and consolidated fee-based operating expenses 1 , excluding restructuring and acquisition charges, were $1.2 billion , increases of 9 percent and 7 percent, respectively, over 2017. and consolidated fee-based operating expenses , excluding restructuring and acquisition charges, were , increases of 9 percent and 7 percent, respectively, over 2017. LaSalle revenue growth and overall performance were primarily due to higher incentive fees earned on the disposition of real estate assets on behalf of clients. LaSalle results also reflect solid advisory fees and notable equity earnings, led by net valuation increases across the co-investment portfolio. revenue growth and overall performance were primarily due to higher incentive fees earned on the disposition of real estate assets on behalf of clients. results also reflect solid advisory fees and notable equity earnings, led by net valuation increases across the co-investment portfolio. Net income attributable to common shareholders was $40.3 million , compared with $7.2 million last year, and adjusted EBITDA increased 51 percent to $107.7 million . Adjusted EBITDA margin, calculated on a fee-revenue basis, was 8.4 percent in USD and local currency, compared with 6.0 percent in 2017. The consolidated results reflect strong performance in LaSalle and Americas and year-over-year improvement in EMEA, partially offset by a slight decline in Asia Pacific . In addition, results also reflect continued increases to investments in data, technology and people, including amounts attributable to platform transformation and client-facing products. , compared with last year, and adjusted EBITDA increased 51 percent to . Adjusted EBITDA margin, calculated on a fee-revenue basis, was 8.4 percent in USD and local currency, compared with 6.0 percent in 2017. The consolidated results reflect strong performance in and Americas and year-over-year improvement in EMEA, partially offset by a slight decline in . In addition, results also reflect continued increases to investments in data, technology and people, including amounts attributable to platform transformation and client-facing products. Diluted earnings per share were $0.88 , compared with $0.16 in 2017, and adjusted diluted earnings per share were $0.97 , up from $0.37 last year. Balance Sheet and Net Interest Expense: Total net debt increased $323.9 million to $910.1 million as of March 31, 2018 , but decreased $477.8 million from March 31, 2017 . The quarterly increase reflected the annual first-quarter payout of variable compensation to employees for the strong 2017 business performance. The year-over-year decrease reflected the company's trailing 12-month performance and efforts to improve working capital management. to as of , but decreased from . The quarterly increase reflected the annual first-quarter payout of variable compensation to employees for the strong 2017 business performance. The year-over-year decrease reflected the company's trailing 12-month performance and efforts to improve working capital management. Net interest expense was $13.8 million , an increase from $13.0 million for 2017. The increase in net interest expense was primarily due to a higher effective interest rate on the company's debt, partially offset by a decline in the outstanding average borrowings. , an increase from for 2017. The increase in net interest expense was primarily due to a higher effective interest rate on the company's debt, partially offset by a decline in the outstanding average borrowings. The company's Board of Directors declared a dividend of $0.41 per share, an 11 percent increase from the $0.37 per share payment made in December 2017 . The dividend payment will be made on June 15, 2018 , to shareholders of record at the close of business on May 18, 2018 . Business Segment Performance Highlights Americas Real Estate Services ($ in millions, "LC" = local currency) Three Months Ended March 31, % Change in USD % Change in LC 2018 2017 Revenue $ 1,941.0 $ 1,799.9 8 % 8 % Reimbursements (1,181.7) (1,078.5) 10 10 Revenue before reimbursements $ 759.3 $ 721.4 5 % 5 % Gross contract costs1 (133.1) (131.8) 1 1 Net non-cash MSR and mortgage banking derivative activity (2.7) 2.7 n.m. n.m. Fee revenue1 $ 623.5 $ 592.3 5 % 5 % Leasing 293.3 289.9 1 1 Capital Markets 108.2 101.5 7 6 Property & Facility Management 110.2 95.7 15 16 Project & Development Services 78.9 76.3 3 3 Advisory, Consulting and Other 32.9 28.9 14 13 Operating income $ 46.3 $ 32.3 43 % 44 % Equity earnings $ 0.1 $ 0.2 (50) % (50) % Adjusted EBITDA1 $ 67.7 $ 58.4 16 % 16 % n.m. - not meaningful as represented by a percentage change of greater than 100%, favorably or unfavorably. (1) For discussion of non-GAAP financial measures, see Note 1 following the Financial Statements in this news release. Percentage variances in the Americas Performance Highlights below are calculated and presented on a local currency basis, unless otherwise noted. Note: The company adopted ASC 606 and revised its non-GAAP definition "Fee revenue" in the first quarter of 2018. Refer to the footnotes following the Financial Statements for additional discussion. Americas First-Quarter 2018 Performance Highlights: Americas revenue and fee revenue increased 8 percent and 5 percent, respectively, compared with 2017. This growth was led by strong Property & Facility Management performance in the U.S., due primarily to the commencement of new facility management contracts secured during 2017 along with expansions of existing mandates. Capital Markets performance was notable in Canada and also resulted from continued growth of multifamily lending and loan servicing businesses across the U.S. In addition, the solid contribution from Leasing follows a robust year-over-year double-digit growth in 2017. and also resulted from continued growth of multifamily lending and loan servicing businesses across the U.S. In addition, the solid contribution from Leasing follows a robust year-over-year double-digit growth in 2017. Operating expenses, excluding reimbursed expenses, were $713.0 million , up 3 percent from 2017, and fee-based operating expenses, excluding restructuring and acquisition charges, were $579.9 million , up 4 percent over 2017. These increases correlated with the growth in revenue. , up 3 percent from 2017, and fee-based operating expenses, excluding restructuring and acquisition charges, were , up 4 percent over 2017. These increases correlated with the growth in revenue. Operating income increased 44 percent and adjusted EBITDA increased 16 percent compared with the prior year. Adjusted EBITDA margin, calculated on a fee-revenue basis, improved to 10.9 percent in USD and local currency, compared with 9.8 percent last year, reflecting the increase in revenues noted above together with productivity gains in the quarter and timing of expenses. EMEA Real Estate Services ($ in millions, "LC" = local currency) Three Months Ended March 31, % Change in USD % Change in LC 2018 2017 Revenue $ 783.6 $ 603.2 30 % 15 % Reimbursements (156.0) (101.9) 53 36 Revenue before reimbursements $ 627.6 $ 501.3 25 % 10 % Gross contract costs1 (277.2) (231.4) 20 5 Fee revenue1 $ 350.4 $ 269.9 30 % 15 % Leasing 57.0 47.6 20 5 Capital Markets 84.0 56.1 50 32 Property & Facility Management 87.2 79.5 10 (3) Project & Development Services 64.9 41.6 56 38 Advisory, Consulting and Other 57.3 45.1 27 13 Operating loss $ (20.0) $ (32.0) (38) % (41) % Equity earnings $ $ % % Adjusted EBITDA1 $ (7.4) $ (20.6) (64) % (62) % (1) For discussion of non-GAAP financial measures, see Note 1 following the Financial Statements in this news release. Percentage variances in the EMEA Performance Highlights below are calculated and presented on a local currency basis, unless otherwise noted. Note: The company adopted ASC 606 and revised its non-GAAP definition "Fee revenue" in the first quarter of 2018. Refer to the footnotes following the Financial Statements for additional discussion. EMEA First-Quarter 2018 Performance Highlights: EMEA revenue and fee revenue both increased 15 percent compared with the prior year. Fee revenue expansion was most notable in Capital Markets, driven by investment sales in Germany , France and the UK, as well as Project & Development Services across various countries, with particular contribution from the Tetris fit-out business. , and the UK, as well as Project & Development Services across various countries, with particular contribution from the Tetris fit-out business. Operating expenses, excluding reimbursed expenses, increased 7 percent to $647.6 million , and fee-based operating expenses, excluding restructuring and acquisition charges, increased 9 percent to $370.4 million , compared with 2017. , and fee-based operating expenses, excluding restructuring and acquisition charges, increased 9 percent to , compared with 2017. Operating loss decreased by 41 percent, compared with 2017, and adjusted EBITDA improved from a loss of $20.6 million last year to a loss of $7.4 million this year. Adjusted EBITDA margin, calculated on a fee-revenue basis, was negative 2.1 percent in USD (negative 2.5 percent in local currency), compared with negative 7.6 percent last year. The improved performance was driven by revenue growth noted above along with the management of platform cost increases. In addition, prior year performance was negatively affected by $10.1 million of costs and charges that did not recur in 2018, specifically (i) costs associated with the wind-down of operations in a non-core UK market and (ii) provisions for losses on certain receivables. Asia Pacific Real Estate Services ($ in millions, "LC" = local currency) Three Months Ended March 31, % Change in USD % Change in LC 2018 2017 Revenue $ 711.3 $ 626.3 14 % 9 % Reimbursements (321.6) (316.5) 2 (2) Revenue before reimbursements $ 389.7 $ 309.8 26 % 21 % Gross contract costs1 (195.3) (130.4) 50 44 Fee revenue1 $ 194.4 $ 179.4 8 % 4 % Leasing 34.8 29.5 18 13 Capital Markets 29.0 28.3 2 (1) Property & Facility Management 67.8 64.7 5 1 Project & Development Services 29.9 24.6 22 16 Advisory, Consulting and Other 32.9 32.3 2 (2) Operating (loss) income $ (0.9) $ 5.0 n.m. (97) % Equity earnings $ 0.3 $ 0.8 (63) % (50) % Adjusted EBITDA1 $ 5.0 $ 10.6 (53) % (44) % n.m. - not meaningful as represented by a percentage change of greater than 100%, favorably or unfavorably. (1) For discussion of non-GAAP financial measures, see Note 1 following the Financial Statements in this news release. Percentage variances in the Asia Pacific Performance Highlights below are calculated and presented on a local currency basis, unless otherwise noted. Note: The company adopted ASC 606 and revised its non-GAAP definition "Fee revenue" in the first quarter of 2018. Refer to the footnotes following the Financial Statements for additional discussion. Asia Pacific First-Quarter 2018 Performance Highlights: Asia Pacific revenue and fee revenue increased 9 percent and 4 percent, respectively, compared with 2017. Fee revenue growth was led by Leasing in Beijing and Tokyo markets and Project & Development Services in Australia . Geographically across services lines, the increase in fee revenue was led by Greater China , Japan and Singapore . revenue and fee revenue increased 9 percent and 4 percent, respectively, compared with 2017. Fee revenue growth was led by Leasing in and markets and Project & Development Services in . Geographically across services lines, the increase in fee revenue was led by , and . Operating expenses, excluding reimbursed expenses, were $390.6 million and fee-based operating expenses, excluding restructuring and acquisition charges, were $195.3 million , up 23 percent and 7 percent, respectively, compared with the prior year. The increase in expenses reflects the growth in revenue noted above as well as $3.5 million relating to higher than anticipated costs on certain client assignments. and fee-based operating expenses, excluding restructuring and acquisition charges, were , up 23 percent and 7 percent, respectively, compared with the prior year. The increase in expenses reflects the growth in revenue noted above as well as relating to higher than anticipated costs on certain client assignments. The operating loss was $0.9 million , compared with operating income of $5.0 million last year. Adjusted EBITDA decreased 44 percent compared with 2017. Adjusted EBITDA margin, calculated on a fee-revenue basis, was 2.5 percent in USD for the year (3.1 percent in local currency), compared with 5.9 percent in 2017. LaSalle ($ in millions, "LC" = local currency) Three Months Ended March 31, % Change in USD % Change in LC 2018 2017 Revenue $ 119.3 $ 88.3 35 % 27 % Reimbursements(a) (4.8) (4.5) 7 4 Revenue before reimbursements $ 114.5 $ 83.8 37 % 28 % Gross contract costs(a) (1.3) (1.4) (7) (17) Fee revenue1 $ 113.2 $ 82.4 37 % 29 % Advisory fees(a) 65.1 57.7 13 6 Transaction fees & other(a) 15.4 12.8 20 12 Incentive fees 32.7 11.9 n.m. n.m. Operating income $ 29.1 $ 14.6 99 % 81 % Equity earnings $ 13.2 $ 4.6 n.m. n.m. Adjusted EBITDA1 $ 42.4 $ 19.6 n.m. n.m. n.m. - not meaningful as represented by a percentage change of greater than 100%, favorably or unfavorably. (a) Reimbursements are entirely within Advisory fees and Gross contract costs are entirely within Other. (1) For discussion of non-GAAP financial measures, see Note 1 following the Financial Statements in this news release. Percentage variances in the LaSalle Performance Highlights below are calculated and presented on a local currency basis, unless otherwise noted. Note: The company adopted ASC 606 and revised its non-GAAP definition "Fee revenue" in the first quarter of 2018. Refer to the footnotes following the Financial Statements for additional discussion. LaSalle First-Quarter 2018 Performance Highlights: LaSalle revenue and fee revenue increased primarily due to strong incentive fee performance associated with real estate dispositions in Asia Pacific . The increase in advisory fees followed the continued growth of the private equity business and included approximately $3 million of catch-up advisory fees earned as a result of new equity commitments in established funds. revenue and fee revenue increased primarily due to strong incentive fee performance associated with real estate dispositions in . The increase in advisory fees followed the continued growth of the private equity business and included approximately of catch-up advisory fees earned as a result of new equity commitments in established funds. Equity earnings in both the current and prior years were primarily driven by net valuation increases for investments in Europe and Asia . and . Operating expenses, excluding reimbursed expenses, were $85.4 million , up 17 percent from 2017; fee-based operating expenses, excluding restructuring and acquisition charges, were $84.1 million , up 18 percent from 2017. The increases primarily reflect higher variable compensation expense as a result of the increase in incentive fees. , up 17 percent from 2017; fee-based operating expenses, excluding restructuring and acquisition charges, were , up 18 percent from 2017. The increases primarily reflect higher variable compensation expense as a result of the increase in incentive fees. Operating income increased 81 percent and adjusted EBITDA increased over 100 percent, both compared with last year. Adjusted EBITDA margin was 37.4 percent in USD (37.2 percent in local currency), compared with 23.8 percent last year. Assets under management were $59.0 billion as of March 31, 2018 , an increase of 2 percent in USD and local currency from $58.1 billion as of December 31, 2017 . The net increase in assets under management during the year resulted from $2.7 billion of acquisitions and $1.7 billion of net valuation increases, partially offset by $3.5 billion of dispositions and withdrawals. About JLL JLL (NYSE: JLL) is a leading professional services firm that specializes in real estate and investment management. Our vision is to reimagine the world of real estate, creating rewarding opportunities and amazing spaces where people can achieve their ambitions. In doing so, we will build a better tomorrow for our clients, our people and our communities. JLL is a Fortune 500 company with nearly 300 corporate offices, operations in over 80 countries and a global workforce of 83,500 as of March 31, 2018. JLL is the brand name, and a registered trademark, of Jones Lang LaSalle Incorporated. For further information, visit ir.jll.com . Connect with us https://www.linkedin.com/company/jll https://www.facebook.com/jll https://twitter.com/jll https://plus.google.com/+joneslanglasalle Live Webcast Conference Call Management will offer a live webcast for shareholders, analysts, and investment professionals on Tuesday, May 8, 2018, at 9:00 a.m. Eastern. Please use the following webcast link: Management will also conduct a conference call. If you are unable to join the live webcast and would like to participate in the teleconference, please dial into one of the following phone numbers five to ten minutes before the start time (the passcode will be required): https://engage.vevent.com/rt/joneslanglasalleincorporated~050818 United States callers: International callers: Passcode: +1 844 231 9804 +1 402 858 7998 5075109 Supplemental Information Audio Replay Supplemental information regarding the first quarter 2018 earnings call has been posted to the Investor Relations section of JLL's website: ir.jll.com . An audio replay will be available for download or stream. Information and the link can be found on JLL's website: ir.jll.com . If you have any questions, please contact JLL Investor Relations: [email protected]. Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements Statements in this news release regarding, among other things, future financial results and performance, achievements, plans, objectives and dividend payments may be considered forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors which may cause the company's actual results, performance, achievements, plans, objectives and dividend payments to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. For additional information concerning risks, uncertainties, and other factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those anticipated in forward-looking statements, and risks to the company's business in general, please refer to those factors discussed under "Business," "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations," "Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk," and elsewhere in the company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2017 and other reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Any forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of this release, and except to the extent required by applicable securities laws, management expressly disclaims any obligation or undertaking to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements contained herein to reflect any change in expectations or results, or any change in events. JONES LANG LASALLE INCORPORATED Consolidated Statements of Operations (Unaudited) Three Months Ended March 31, (in millions, except share and per share data) 2018 2017 Revenue before reimbursements $ 1,891.1 $ 1,616.3 Reimbursements 1,664.1 1,501.4 Total Revenue $ 3,555.2 $ 3,117.7 Operating expenses: Compensation and benefits 1,097.2 977.6 Operating, administrative and other 697.3 579.5 Reimbursed expenses 1,664.1 1,501.4 Depreciation and amortization 42.1 39.3 Restructuring and acquisition charges5 0.7 4.5 Total operating expenses 3,501.4 3,102.3 Operating income 53.8 15.4 Interest expense, net of interest income 13.8 13.0 Equity earnings from real estate ventures 13.6 5.6 Other income 2.5 1.0 Income before income taxes and noncontrolling interest 56.1 9.0 Provision for income taxes 13.5 1.3 Net income 42.6 7.7 Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest 2.3 0.5 Net income attributable to the company $ 40.3 $ 7.2 Net income attributable to common shareholders $ 40.3 $ 7.2 Basic earnings per common share $ 0.89 $ 0.16 Basic weighted average shares outstanding (in 000's) 45,443 45,258 Diluted earnings per common share $ 0.88 $ 0.16 Diluted weighted average shares outstanding (in 000's) 45,905 45,689 EBITDA attributable to common shareholders1 $ 109.7 $ 60.8 Please reference attached financial statement notes. JONES LANG LASALLE INCORPORATED Segment Operating Results (Unaudited) Three Months Ended March 31, (in millions) 2018 2017 REAL ESTATE SERVICES AMERICAS Revenue $ 1,941.0 $ 1,799.9 Reimbursements (1,181.7) (1,078.5) Revenue before reimbursements 759.3 721.4 Gross contract costs1 (133.1) (131.8) Net non-cash MSR and mortgage banking derivative activity1 (2.7) 2.7 Fee revenue1 623.5 592.3 Segment operating expenses, excluding reimbursed expenses: Compensation, operating and administrative expenses 688.7 665.6 Depreciation and amortization 24.3 23.5 Total segment operating expenses 713.0 689.1 Gross contract costs1 (133.1) (131.8) Total fee-based segment operating expenses 579.9 557.3 Segment operating income $ 46.3 $ 32.3 Equity earnings 0.1 0.2 Total segment income $ 46.4 $ 32.5 Adjusted operating income1 $ 47.0 $ 38.4 Adjusted EBITDA1 $ 67.7 $ 58.4 EMEA Revenue $ 783.6 $ 603.2 Reimbursements (156.0) (101.9) Revenue before reimbursements 627.6 501.3 Gross contract costs1 (277.2) (231.4) Fee revenue1 350.4 269.9 Segment operating expenses, excluding reimbursed expenses: Compensation, operating and administrative expenses 636.2 523.0 Depreciation and amortization 11.4 10.3 Total segment operating expenses 647.6 533.3 Gross contract costs1 (277.2) (231.4) Total fee-based segment operating expenses 370.4 301.9 Segment operating loss $ (20.0) $ (32.0) Equity earnings Total segment loss $ (20.0) $ (32.0) Adjusted operating loss1 $ (16.7) $ (28.5) Adjusted EBITDA1 $ (7.4) $ (20.6) Three Months Ended March 31, (in millions) 2018 2017 ASIA PACIFIC Revenue $ 711.3 $ 626.3 Reimbursements (321.6) (316.5) Revenue before reimbursements 389.7 309.8 Gross contract costs1 (195.3) (130.4) Fee revenue1 194.4 179.4 Segment operating expenses, excluding reimbursed expenses: Compensation, operating and administrative expenses 385.0 300.0 Depreciation and amortization 5.6 4.8 Total segment operating expenses 390.6 304.8 Gross contract costs1 (195.3) (130.4) Total fee-based segment operating expenses 195.3 174.4 Segment operating (loss) income $ (0.9) $ 5.0 Equity earnings 0.3 0.8 Total segment (loss) income $ (0.6) $ 5.8 Adjusted operating (loss) income1 $ (0.3) $ 5.6 Adjusted EBITDA1 $ 5.0 $ 10.6 LASALLE INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT Revenue 119.3 88.3 Reimbursements (4.8) (4.5) Revenue before reimbursements 114.5 83.8 Gross contract costs1 (1.3) (1.4) Fee revenue1 113.2 82.4 Segment operating expenses, excluding reimbursed expenses: $ 85.4 $ 69.2 Gross contract costs1 (1.3) (1.4) Total fee-based segment operating expenses 84.1 67.8 Segment operating income $ 29.1 $ 14.6 Equity earnings 13.2 4.6 Total segment income $ 42.3 $ 19.2 Adjusted operating income1 $ 29.1 $ 14.6 Adjusted EBITDA1 $ 42.4 $ 19.6 SEGMENT RECONCILING ITEMS Fee revenue $ 1,281.5 $ 1,124.0 Gross contracts costs1 606.9 495.0 Net non-cash MSR and mortgage banking derivative activity1 2.7 (2.7) Revenue before reimbursements $ 1,891.1 $ 1,616.3 Reimbursements 1,664.1 $ 1,501.4 Revenue $ 3,555.2 $ 3,117.7 Segment operating expenses excluding restructuring and acquisition charges 3,500.7 3,097.8 Segment operating income $ 54.5 $ 19.9 Restructuring and acquisition charges5 0.7 4.5 Operating income $ 53.8 $ 15.4 Please reference attached financial statement notes. JONES LANG LASALLE INCORPORATED Consolidated Balance Sheets (Unaudited) March 31, December 31, (in millions, except share and per share data) 2018 2017 ASSETS Current assets: Cash and cash equivalents $ 292.8 $ 268.0 Trade receivables, net of allowances 1,475.5 1,739.4 Notes and other receivables 339.9 385.3 Reimbursable receivables 1,288.6 1,263.3 Warehouse receivables 419.6 317.5 Short-term contract assets 209.7 178.4 Prepaid and other 363.4 389.1 Total current assets 4,389.5 4,541.0 Property and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation 561.9 543.9 Goodwill 2,746.2 2,709.3 Identified intangibles, net of accumulated amortization 300.1 305.0 Investments in real estate ventures 381.0 376.2 Long-term receivables 174.1 164.7 Deferred tax assets, net 235.4 229.1 Deferred compensation plans 251.1 229.7 Other 164.9 155.5 Total assets $ 9,204.2 $ 9,254.4 LIABILITIES AND EQUITY Current liabilities: Accounts payable and accrued liabilities $ 979.7 $ 993.1 Reimbursable payables 881.1 1,022.6 Accrued compensation & benefits 976.9 1,419.1 Short-term borrowings 95.1 77.4 Short-term contract liability and deferred income 169.2 155.4 Short-term acquisition-related obligations 76.4 80.1 Warehouse facilities 406.4 309.2 Other 253.5 256.8 Total current liabilities 3,838.3 4,313.7 Noncurrent liabilities: Credit facility, net of debt issuance costs (a) 310.8 (15.3) Long-term debt, net of debt issuance costs 702.0 690.6 Long-term deferred tax liabilities, net 23.9 63.2 Deferred compensation 271.7 259.0 Long-term acquisition-related obligations 220.5 228.9 Other 361.3 332.3 Total liabilities $ 5,728.5 $ 5,872.4 (a) As there was no outstanding balance on the Credit facility as of December 31, 2017, the negative liability reflects unamortized debt issuance costs. March 31, December 31, (in millions, except share and per share data) 2018 2017 Redeemable noncontrolling interest $ $ 3.8 Company shareholders' equity: Common stock, $0.01 par value per share,100,000,000 shares authorized; 45,490,438 and 45,373,817 shares issued and outstanding as of March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, respectively 0.5 0.5 Additional paid-in capital 1,040.0 1,037.3 Retained earnings 2,689.3 2,649.0 Shares held in trust (6.0) (5.9) Accumulated other comprehensive loss (289.0) (340.8) Total company shareholders' equity 3,434.8 3,340.1 Noncontrolling interest 40.9 38.1 Total equity 3,475.7 3,378.2 Total liabilities and equity $ 9,204.2 $ 9,254.4 Please reference attached financial statement notes. JONES LANG LASALLE INCORPORATED Summarized Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Unaudited) Three Months Ended March 31, (in millions) 2018 2017 Cash used in operating activities $ (258.6) $ (211.6) Cash used in investing activities (60.0) (49.7) Cash provided by financing activities 341.8 216.9 Effect of currency exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents 2.0 4.1 Net change in cash and cash equivalents $ 25.2 $ (40.3) Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash, beginning of period 471.7 454.0 Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash, end of period $ 496.9 $ 413.7 Please reference attached financial statement notes. JONES LANG LASALLE INCORPORATED Financial Statement Notes 1. Management uses certain non-GAAP financial measures to develop budgets and forecasts, measure and reward performance against those budgets and forecasts, and enhance comparability to prior periods. These measures are believed to be useful to investors and other external stakeholders as supplemental measures of core operating performance and include the following: (i) Fee revenue and Fee-based operating expenses, (ii) Adjusted operating income, (iii) Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA margin, (iv) Adjusted net income attributable to common shareholders and Adjusted diluted earnings per share, and (v) Percentage changes against prior periods, presented on a local currency basis. However, non-GAAP financial measures should not be considered alternatives to measures determined in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles ("GAAP"). Any measure that eliminates components of a company's capital structure, cost of operations or investment, or other results has limitations as a performance measure. In light of these limitations, management also considers GAAP financial measures and does not rely solely on non-GAAP financial measures. Because the company's non-GAAP financial measures are not calculated in accordance with GAAP, they may not be comparable to similarly titled measures used by other companies. Adjustments to GAAP Financial Measures Used to Calculate non-GAAP Financial Measures Gross Contract Costs represent certain costs associated with client-dedicated employees and third-party vendors and subcontractors and are indirectly reimbursed through the management fee we receive. These costs are presented on a gross basis in Operating expenses with the corresponding management fee in Revenue before reimbursements. However, as we generally earn little to no margin on such costs, excluding gross contract costs from both Fee revenue and Fee-based operating expenses more accurately reflects how we manage our expense base and operating margins and also enables a more consistent performance assessment across a portfolio of contracts with varying payment terms and structures, including those with direct versus indirect reimbursement of such costs. Net Non-Cash Mortgage Servicing Rights ("MSR") and Mortgage Banking Derivative Activity consists of the balances presented within Revenue composed of (i) derivative gains/losses resulting from mortgage banking loan commitment and warehousing activity and (ii) gains recognized from the retention of MSR upon origination and sale of mortgage loans, offset by (iii) amortization of MSR intangible assets over the period that net servicing income is projected to be received. Non-cash derivative gains/losses resulting from mortgage banking loan commitment and warehousing activity are calculated as the estimated fair value of loan commitments and subsequent changes thereof, primarily represented by the estimated net cash flows associated with future servicing rights. MSR gains and corresponding MSR intangible assets are calculated as the present value of estimated cash flows over the estimated mortgage servicing periods. The above activity is reported entirely within Revenue of the Capital Markets business line of the Americas segment. Excluding net non-cash MSR and mortgage banking derivative activity reflects how the company manages and evaluates performance because the excluded activity is non-cash in nature. Restructuring and Acquisition Charges primarily consist of: (i) severance and employment-related charges, including those related to external service providers, incurred in conjunction with a structural business shift, which can be represented by a notable change in headcount, change in leadership or transformation of business processes; (ii) acquisition and integration-related charges, including non-cash fair value adjustments to assets and liabilities recorded in purchase accounting such as earn-out liabilities and intangible assets; and (iii) lease exit charges. Such activity is excluded as the amounts are generally either non-cash in nature or the anticipated benefits from the expenditures would not likely be fully realized until future periods. Restructuring and acquisition charges are excluded from segment operating results and therefore not a line item in the segments' reconciliation from operating income to adjusted operating income and Adjusted EBITDA. Amortization of Acquisition-Related Intangibles, primarily composed of the estimated fair value ascribed at closing of an acquisition to assets such as acquired management contracts, customer backlog and trade name, is more notable following the company's increase in acquisition activity in recent years. Such activity is excluded as the change in period-over-period activity is generally the result of longer-term strategic decisions and therefore not necessarily indicative of core operating results. At the segment reporting level, this is the only reconciling difference between operating income and adjusted operating income, except for the Americas segment, where Net non-cash MSR and mortgage banking derivative activity is also excluded. Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures Below are reconciliations of (i) Revenue to Fee revenue, (ii) Operating expenses to Fee-based operating expenses, and (iii) Operating income to Adjusted operating income: Three Months Ended March 31, ($ in millions) 2018 2017 Revenue $ 3,555.2 $ 3,117.7 Reimbursements (1,664.1) (1,501.4) Revenue before reimbursements $ 1,891.1 $ 1,616.3 Gross contract costs (606.9) (495.0) Net non-cash MSR and mortgage banking derivative activity (2.7) 2.7 Fee revenue $ 1,281.5 $ 1,124.0 Operating expenses $ 3,501.4 $ 3,102.3 Reimbursed expenses (1,664.1) (1,501.4) Gross contract costs (606.9) (495.0) Fee-based operating expenses $ 1,230.4 $ 1,105.9 Operating income $ 53.8 $ 15.4 Adjustments: Restructuring and acquisition charges5 0.7 4.5 Net non-cash MSR and mortgage banking derivative activity (2.7) 2.7 Amortization of acquisition-related intangibles 7.3 7.6 Adjusted operating income $ 59.1 $ 30.2 Adjusted EBITDA attributable to common shareholders ("Adjusted EBITDA") represents EBITDA attributable to common shareholders ("EBITDA") further adjusted for certain items management does not consider directly indicative of the company's ongoing performance in the context of certain performance measurements. Below is (i) a reconciliation of Net income attributable to common shareholders (against Revenue before reimbursements) to EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA and (ii) the Adjusted EBITDA margin (presented on a local currency and on a fee-revenue basis): Three Months Ended March 31, ($ in millions) 2018 2017 Net income attributable to common shareholders $ 40.3 $ 7.2 Add: Interest expense, net of interest income 13.8 13.0 Provision for income taxes 13.5 1.3 Depreciation and amortization 42.1 39.3 EBITDA $ 109.7 $ 60.8 Adjustments: Restructuring and acquisition charges5 0.7 4.5 Net non-cash MSR and mortgage banking derivative activity (2.7) 2.7 Adjusted EBITDA $ 107.7 $ 68.0 Net income margin attributable to common shareholders 2.1 % 0.4 % Adjusted EBITDA margin 8.4 % 6.0 % Below is the reconciliation of Net income attributable to common shareholders to adjusted net income as well as the components of adjusted diluted earnings per share: Three Months Ended March 31, (In millions, except share and per share data) 2018 2017 Net income attributable to common shareholders $ 40.3 $ 7.2 Diluted shares (in thousands) 45,905 45,689 Diluted earnings per share $ 0.88 $ 0.16 Net income attributable to common shareholders $ 40.3 $ 7.2 Adjustments: Restructuring and acquisition charges5 0.7 4.5 Net non-cash MSR and mortgage banking derivative activity (2.7) 2.7 Amortization of acquisition-related intangibles 7.3 7.6 Tax impact of adjusted items(a) (1.3) (5.0) Adjusted net income attributable to common shareholders $ 44.3 $ 17.0 Diluted shares (in thousands) 45,905 45,689 Adjusted diluted earnings per share $ 0.97 $ 0.37 (a) In the first quarter of 2018, the tax impact of adjusted items was calculated using the consolidated effective tax rate as this was deemed to approximate the tax impact of adjusted items calculated using applicable statutory tax rates. The tax impact of adjusted items for the first quarter of 2017 was calculated using the applicable statutory rates by tax jurisdiction. Operating Results - Local Currency In discussing operating results, the company reports Adjusted EBITDA margins and refers to percentage changes in local currency, unless otherwise noted. Amounts presented on a local currency basis are calculated by translating the current period results of foreign operations to U.S. dollars using the foreign currency exchange rates from the comparative period. Management believes this methodology provides a framework for assessing performance and operations excluding the effect of foreign currency fluctuations. The following table reflects the reconciliation to local currency amounts for consolidated (i) revenue, (ii) fee revenue, (iii) operating income, and (iv) Adjusted EBITDA: Three Months Ended March 31, ($ in millions) 2018 % Change Revenue: At current period exchange rates $ 3,555.2 14 % Impact of change in exchange rates (125.9) n/a At comparative period exchange rates $ 3,429.3 10 % Fee revenue: At current period exchange rates $ 1,281.5 14 % Impact of change in exchange rates (55.0) n/a At comparative period exchange rates $ 1,226.5 9 % Operating income: At current period exchange rates $ 53.8 250 % Impact of change in exchange rates 0.2 n/a At comparative period exchange rates $ 54.0 251 % Adjusted EBITDA: At current period exchange rates $ 107.7 58 % Impact of change in exchange rates (5.0) n/a At comparative period exchange rates $ 102.7 51 % 2. The company considers Annuity Revenue to be (i) 100% of Property & Facility Management, (ii) 50% of Leasing, (iii) 50% of Project & Development Services, and (iv) 50% of Advisory, Consulting and Other Revenue, as well as (v) LaSalle Advisory Fees. For purposes of distinguishing organic from acquisition-related contributions, the population of acquisitions includes those completed in the trailing four quarters inclusive of the current reported quarter. 3. Each geographic region offers the company's full range of RES businesses consisting primarily of (i) tenant representation and agency leasing, (ii) capital markets, (iii) property management and facilities management, (iv) project and development services, and (v) advisory, consulting and valuations services. LaSalle provides investment management services to institutional investors and high-net-worth individuals. 4. Effective January 1, 2018, the company adopted ASC Topic 606, Revenue from Contracts with Customers, ("ASC 606") on a retrospective basis. The adoption of ASC 606, together with the continued changes in our business mix, prompted the company to expand the types of costs excluded from the calculation of the non-GAAP measure "Fee revenue." Specifically, the drivers were (i) the increase in compensation and benefits associated with client-dedicated personnel presented on a gross basis and (ii) the expansion of annuity businesses engaged to provide outsourced services to clients. The most notable change is the inclusion of compensation and benefits associated with client-dedicated employees in gross contract costs. In addition, the previous calculation of gross contract costs applied to only Project & Development Services and Property & Facility Management but now applies to all service lines and businesses. The largest impacts of the change to the company's definition of fee revenue are within Project & Development Services and Property & Facility Management. Additional materials were provided in the company's recent podcast, available on the company's website ( ir.jll.com ) and furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") on Form 8-K dated April 30, 2018. For additional commentary on the adoption of ASC 606 and the change to the fee revenue calculation, refer to the company's Form 10-Q for the three months ended March 31, 2018, to be filed with the SEC in the near future. 5. Restructuring and acquisition charges are excluded from the company's measure of segment operating results, although they are included for consolidated Operating income calculated in accordance with GAAP. For purposes of segment operating results, the allocation of restructuring and acquisition charges to the segments is not a component of management's assessment of segment performance. Restructuring and acquisition charges were $0.7 million and $4.5 million for the first quarter of 2018 and 2017, respectively. Charges in 2018 included (a) $1.3 million of severance and other employment-related charges incurred with respect to headcount reductions or other activities considered to represent structural changes to local, regional, and/or global business operations and (b) $0.6 million of costs incurred for pre-acquisition due diligence and post-acquisition integration activities, partially offset by (c) $1.2 million of net non-cash fair value adjustments relating to a net decrease to earn-out liabilities that arose from prior period acquisition activity. Comparatively, charges in 2017 included (a) $3.5 million of severance and other employment-related charges and (b) $3.8 million of costs incurred for pre-acquisition due diligence and post-acquisition integration activities, partially offset by (c) $2.8 million of net non-cash fair value adjustments relating to a net decrease to earn-out liabilities that arose from prior period acquisition activity. 6. The consolidated statements of cash flows are presented in summarized form. For complete consolidated statements of cash flows, please refer to the company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the three months ended March 31, 2018, to be filed with the SEC in the near future. 7. EMEA refers to Europe, Middle East and Africa. MENA refers to Middle East and North Africa. Greater China includes China, Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan. Southeast Asia refers to Singapore, Indonesia, Philippines, Thailand and Vietnam. The BRIC countries include Brazil, Russia, India and China. Benelux refers to Belgium, the Netherlands and Luxembourg. 8. As of March 31, 2018, LaSalle had $59.0 billion of real estate assets under management with approximately $8 billion available for investment ("dry powder") contemplating committed capital and available borrowing capacity at traditional leverage levels. Assets under management were composed of $32.7 billion invested in separate accounts, $17.3 billion invested in fund management vehicles and $9.0 billion invested in public securities. The geographic distribution of separate accounts and fund management investments was $18.7 billion in North America, $17.3 billion in the UK, $7.7 billion in Asia Pacific and $6.3 billion in continental Europe. Assets under management data for separate accounts and fund management amounts are reported on a one-quarter lag. LaSalle raised $0.7 billion in capital for the quarter ended March 31, 2018; dispositions and withdrawals for the same period were $0.7 billion. Contact: Christie B. Kelly Title: Global Chief Financial Officer Phone: +1 312 228 2316 Appendix: Revenue, Revenue before Reimbursements and Fee Revenue by Service Line Three months ended March 31, 2018 Three months ended March 31, 2017 (in millions) Americas EMEA Asia Pacific Total Americas EMEA Asia Pacific Total Revenue Leasing $ 304.5 58.9 37.8 $ 401.2 $ 299.0 48.8 30.6 $ 378.4 Capital Markets 111.0 89.3 32.4 232.7 99.1 60.0 29.6 188.7 Property & Facility Management 1,183.5 350.3 519.8 2,053.6 1,049.1 303.9 454.0 1,807.0 Project & Development Services 269.6 222.6 87.0 579.2 290.5 141.7 77.7 509.9 Advisory, Consulting and Other 72.4 62.5 34.3 169.2 62.2 48.8 34.4 145.4 RES revenue $ 1,941.0 783.6 711.3 $ 3,435.9 $ 1,799.9 603.2 626.3 $ 3,029.4 LaSalle 119.3 88.3 Consolidated revenue $ 3,555.2 $ 3,117.7 Revenue before reimbursements Leasing $ 302.3 58.8 37.7 $ 398.8 $ 296.9 48.8 30.6 $ 376.3 Capital Markets 110.8 89.2 30.8 230.8 99.0 60.0 28.7 187.7 Property & Facility Management 191.6 218.1 223.1 632.8 173.9 205.1 168.0 547.0 Project & Development Services 97.7 199.6 63.9 361.2 101.1 138.9 48.2 288.2 Advisory, Consulting and Other 56.9 61.9 34.2 153.0 50.5 48.5 34.3 133.3 RES revenue before reimbursements $ 759.3 627.6 389.7 $ 1,776.6 $ 721.4 501.3 309.8 $ 1,532.5 LaSalle 114.5 83.8 Consolidated revenue before reimbursements $ 1,891.1 $ 1,616.3 Fee revenue Leasing $ 293.3 57.0 34.8 $ 385.1 $ 289.9 47.6 29.5 $ 367.0 Capital Markets 108.2 84.0 29.0 221.2 101.5 56.1 28.3 185.9 Property & Facility Management 110.2 87.2 67.8 265.2 95.7 79.5 64.7 239.9 Project & Development Services 78.9 64.9 29.9 173.7 76.3 41.6 24.6 142.5 Advisory, Consulting and Other 32.9 57.3 32.9 123.1 28.9 45.1 32.3 106.3 RES fee revenue $ 623.5 350.4 194.4 $ 1,168.3 $ 592.3 269.9 179.4 $ 1,041.6 LaSalle 113.2 82.4 Consolidated fee revenue $ 1,281.5 $ 1,124.0 SOURCE JLL Related Links http://www.joneslanglasalle.com SALT LAKE CITY, May 8, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- JMH Premium (http://www.jmhpremium.com), in its efforts to continue to advance its growth efforts, announces the promotion of three female executives to positions within its executive management team. Nicole DeBloois is promoted to Director of Research and Development. Nicole has been with JMH Premium for over 11 years in a wide range of expanding R&D roles and responsibilities. During that time, she has consistently demonstrated a skill for fostering internal and external relationships that have resulted in delivering exceptional product development results. Of Ms. DeBloois, Kevin Dulin, CEO of JMH Premium said: "Her technical expertise is well established and she has created a development team that works collaboratively and effectively in delivering custom product formulation and premium customer service." Gretchen Hudgins, PHR, SHRM-CP is promoted to Director of Human Resources. Gretchen joined JMH Premium in early 2017, as the company looked to create a formal Human Resources Department. Gretchen has formalized the HR Administration role and advanced the company's ability to meet the ever-increasing governmentally required practices, policies and procedures. She has effectively managed JMH Premium's employee benefit plans, including improvements in its 401K program. Her ability to identify excellent candidates has been critical to the recruitment process as the company has added talent to its team. She has also spearheaded exceptional safety performance which garnered JMH Premium the Utah Manufacturers Association Safety Award for 2017. "In order for a company to have a creative, vibrant, thriving workplace, it must include a diverse group of leaders. I feel so fortunate to be given this opportunity within a company that lives by that principle. Eight of 12 members of our Quality, Technical and Culinary R&D Divisions are women. The company supports the advancement of women in the workplace, which is very refreshing, especially in a manufacturing environment," said Ms. Hudgins. CFO Jeff Dennis shared: "Gretchen has been instrumental in keeping us compliant and positioned to attract and build a qualified and productive team at JMH Premium." Laura Guthrie is promoted to Director of Marketing. Laura joined the company in June of 2017 as JMH Premium looked to create a Marketing Department to communicate the JMH Premium value proposition to its industrial manufacturing and food service marketplace. She has completely rebranded JMH Premium, including a new Website, logo and signage, initiated a digital and social media communication strategy, created an inbound prospecting program and established a sales process to identify and qualify new customers. "Her excellent work on installing our new Sales CRM Sales Management tool has been particularly effective in the support of our sales process restructure," said Mr. Dulin. "JMH Premium has amazing support of women in the workplace, and has a strong work-life balance philosophy. This focus creates a great business culture and the strength of the talent at the Company is impressive," said Ms. Guthrie. "JMH Premium has initiated strong growth strategies for the coming five years, and the strength of these three team members will take us far towards achieving our goals," said Mr. Dennis. About JMH Premium JMH Premium provides Flavor Solutions created by Chefs, Culinary Experts and our Food Scientists to Food Service, Industrial Manufacturers and Casinos throughout North America. Our products are selected by Chefs, Restaurants, Hotels, Casinos, Hospitals and Food Manufacturers to meet their Flavor needs. We support our customers in every phase of development from ideation, recipe development, ingredient sourcing, production of samples and tastings, and providing finished products that create great cuisine. Learn more at www.jmhpremium.com. Contact: Laura Guthrie [email protected] 801-326-8492 SOURCE JMH Premium Related Links http://www.jmhpremium.com MIDDLEBROOK, Va., May 8, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Jaymie Scotto & Associates (JSA), the preeminent provider of Public Relations, Marketing and Event Planning services for the tech and telecom industries, and founder and host of the C-Level networking event series, the Telecom Exchange (TEX), announces today its CEO Roundtable participants and topics for its 2018 TEX NYC event, taking place June 19-20 in Hoboken, NJ. The event will feature four CEO Roundtables, providing a major platform for tech, telecom and content thought leaders to deliberate on the top three to five ways to collaborate in the next year ahead. CEO Roundtable 1, "If It Can Be Hacked...Network Security & The New Reality," will not just list the issues of cyber hacking and content theft, but will strive to enumerate ways in which we as an industry can collectively help increase our security in the next twelve months, as we prep for the new reality of a connected world. Seasoned participants include: moderator Robert Powell, Editor & Creator of Telecom Ramblings; Leo Taddeo, Chief Information Security Officer for Cyxtera Technologies; Jerzy Szlosarek, Co-Founder & Chief Executive Officer for Epsilon; Chris MacFarland, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer for Masergy; and Scott Gilbert, Executive Vice President & Chief Information Officer for FirstLight. CEO Roundtable 2, "The Investment in Network Infrastructure: Who's Responsible & Where's the Profit?," will explore options, opportunities and what's next, including the top ways to efficiently partner together to provide high capacity, reliability and availability to every corner of the globe. Distinguished panelists include: moderator Brian Barnell, Managing Director of Q Advisors; Najam Ahmad, Vice President of Network Engineering for Facebook; Chris Downie, Chief Executive Officer for Flexential; Erick Contag, Executive Chairman for GlobeNet; Ben Hedges, Chief Executive Officer for LINX America; Frank Rey, Director Global Network Strategy for Microsoft; and Brynn Fowler, Director, Network Planning, Strategy and Enablement for Oracle. CEO Roundtable 3, "Next Generation Wireless: 5G, DAS, Small Cells & the Necessary Infrastructure," will dig deeper into the wireless and wired ecosystem to uncover the future of mobile connectivity, outlining the obstacles and discussing solutions for a better, next generation of wireless. Joining the discussion will be: our moderator Fedor Smith, President and Managing Partner for ATLANTIC-ACM; and our panelists Cris Kimbrough, Senior Vice President, Building Technology Services for CBRE; Cliff Kane, Co-Chief Executive Officer for Cleareon Fiber Networks; Gil Santaliz, Founder and Managing Member of New Jersey Fiber Exchange (NJFX); and Ray LaChance, President & Chief Executive Officer for ZenFi Networks. The final roundtable, CEO Roundtable 4, "Humans Vs. Machines: AI, Skynet & Network Safeguards," will explore the growth of AI and suggest our industry's next steps, including the top 3-5 ways to safeguard our networks and infrastructure collectively. The roundtable will include: our moderator Evan Kirstel, Social Media Business Strategist - Advisor, UCStrategies.com; and welcomes Todd Coleman, President and CEO for eStruxture Data Centers; Melvin Greer, Chief Data Scientist, Public Sector Americas for Intel Corporation; David Meredith, Chief Operating Officer for Rackspace and Jaisimha Muthegere, Chief Technology Officer for Visto. In the event's eighth year, TEX is now more selective than ever to ensure the highest level of collaboration, direction and agenda-setting. C-levels will gather to determine the necessary next steps to ensure that networks are smarter and safer, and to make collaborations and partnerships easier. To secure your company's C-level participation at TEX 2018 (pending Board approval), visitwww.TheTelecomExchange.com. There are also limited sponsorship opportunities remaining. For more information, email [email protected]. About JSA Celebrating more than 13 years of success, Jaymie Scotto & Associates (JSA) is the preeminent provider of Public Relations, Marketing and Event Planning services to the tech and telecom industries. Awarded 'Most Outstanding Telecoms PR Agency' by LiveWire for two years in a row, our success is attributed to our skilled JSA team, innovative tools, and established media and industry relationships, allowing us to deliver the finest outreach and brand awareness services available with measurable return on investment. Our clients enjoy 'insider access' to the top journalists, bloggers, analysts and thought leaders shaping tech and telecom as well as critical networking opportunities, including JSA's own industry networking event series, the Telecom Exchange (TEX) and its online C-level social platform, the CEO Exchange. We also feature client and marketplace news via JSA WalkOuts (3D-like interactive video), JSA TV (our video newsroom on YouTube), JSA Radio (our podcast channel on iHeartRadio), Virtual CEO Roundtables (our monthly panel discussions with top industry thought leaders), Telecom News & Trends (our newsletter to 28K+ subscribers) and Tech and Telecom News Now (our industry blog with 130K+ readers). To learn more about how JSA can elevate your brand, visit www.jsa.net. Join the conversation: Follow JSA on LinkedIn and Twitter. For media inquiries, please contact: Jaymie Scotto & Associates (JSA) +1 866.695.3629 [email protected] SOURCE Jaymie Scotto & Associates (JSA) Related Links http://www.jsa.net SAN ANTONIO, May 8, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Kairoi Residential is pleased to announce their most recent acquisitions: a portfolio of four San Antonio, Texas assets and a single asset in The Heights neighborhood of Houston, Texas. Kairoi sourced the San Antonio value-add portfolio and Houston Heights asset through its longstanding industry relationships with owners and brokers in the major markets of Texas. Kairoi Residential The San Antonio portfolio has a total of 1,210 units. Three of the apartment communities are located in close proximity to the South Texas Medical Center and USAA's headquarters. The fourth community in the portfolio is adjacent to Lackland Air Force Base in southwest San Antonio. Kairoi plans to improve them by curing deferred maintenance, making strategic improvements to the unit interiors and bringing local oversight to property operations. The portfolio provides a great opportunity to further improve the apartment homes of the urban San Antonio workforce with strong investment upside potential. The 308 unit Houston Heights community will benefit from a significant interior improvement plan that will deliver the type of unit interiors the professionals in the area demand when looking for a new apartment home. Ideally situated in The Heights, a highly desirable community with an eclectic ambiance and great accessibility to the major employment centers of Houston, Kairoi plans to competitively position the asset and capitalize on the continued expansion and appreciating wealth of the City of Houston. Madison Marceau, President of Acquisitions at Kairoi Residential, said, "We are really excited about these opportunities. Both of these acquisitions complement our growth strategy, exemplify our commitment to delivering value for our residents and generating greater returns for our fiduciary partners. As a San Antonian, I'm especially proud to expand Kairoi's presence in our hometown and look forward to contributing to the continued evolution of this historic city." ABOUT KAIROI RESIDENTIAL Kairoi Residential is a premier, vertically integrated, multifamily investment, development and property management company headquartered in San Antonio with offices in Austin, Dallas, Denver and Houston. Since 2002, the partnership has transacted on $4.25 billion across 50,000 multifamily units in many cities and states around the country. The word 'Kairoi' (pronounced KI-ROY) represents moments in time where opportunities are seized. Everything we do every day and in every service line is about creating and capturing opportunities for our associates, our residents and our investors. For more information on Kairoi Residential, please visit: www.kairoiresidential.com LOOKING TO PARTNER WITH KAIROI RESIDENTIAL? If you are interested in learning more about investing with Kairoi Residential, please contact Madison Marceau at [email protected] or by phone at (210) 817-0030. If you are interested in learning more about Kairoi Residential's property management services please contact Kari Warren at [email protected] or by phone at (210) 817-0034. Related Images diamond-ridge-san-antonio-texas.png Diamond Ridge-San Antonio Texas city-park-in-the-heights-houston.jpg City Park in The Heights-Houston SOURCE Kairoi Residential Related Links http://www.kairoiresidential.com HOUSTON, May 8, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- KBR, Inc. (NYSE: KBR) announced today it has been awarded a pre-FEED contract by INPEX Corporation through its subsidiary INPEX Masela Ltd for the Abadi onshore LNG Project in the Arafura sea in Indonesia. Under the terms of the contract, KBR will provide a cost competitive, pre-FEED package utilizing its well proven design and execution methodologies. The pre-FEED will be performed entirely from KBR's Jakarta office in Indonesia. KBR will provide services including site master plan development, scope of work for the FEED phase as well as an EPC schedule and cost estimate. This work is expected to be performed within approximately six months, with KBR performing studies to establish configuration of the LNG process plant, supporting utilities, and product storage and export facilities. Due to the remote location of the plant in Eastern Indonesia, KBR will deploy its industry leading logistics expertise to provide solutions for efficient management of construction personnel, materials & equipment. "KBR is a world leader in designing and building LNG facilities and we have a proven record of delivering reliable and tested solutions in a price and schedule driven market," said Jay Ibrahim, KBR President EMEA & APAC. "KBR's partnership with Indonesia spans more than 40 years and we are proud to participate in this significant national strategic project." "KBR is committed to developing and enhancing the local engineering industry capabilities in Indonesia," Ibrahim continued. Abadi LNG project, Masela Block is operated by INPEX Masela under the supervision of The Indonesia Government Special Task Force for Upstream Oil and Gas Business Activities (SKK Migas). About KBR, Inc. KBR is a global provider of differentiated professional services and technologies across the asset and program life cycle within the Government Services and Hydrocarbons sectors. KBR employs approximately 34,000 people worldwide (including our joint ventures), with customers in more than 75 countries, and operations in 40 countries, across three synergistic global businesses: Government Services, serving government customers globally, including capabilities that cover the full life-cycle of defense, space, aviation and other government programs and missions from research and development, through systems engineering, test and evaluation, program management, to operations, maintenance, and field logistics Technology, including proprietary technology focused on the monetization of hydrocarbons (especially natural gas and natural gas liquids) in ethylene and petrochemicals; ammonia, nitric acid and fertilizers; oil refining and gasification Hydrocarbons Services, including onshore oil and gas; LNG (liquefaction and regasification)/GTL; oil refining; petrochemicals; chemicals; fertilizers; differentiated EPC; maintenance services (Brown & Root Industrial Services); offshore oil and gas (shallow-water, deep-water, subsea); floating solutions (FPU, FPSO, FLNG & FSRU); program management and consulting services KBR is proud to work with its customers across the globe to provide technology, value-added services, integrated EPC delivery and long term operations and maintenance services to ensure consistent delivery with predictable results. At KBR, We Deliver. Visit www.kbr.com Forward Looking Statement The statements in this press release that are not historical statements, including statements regarding future financial performance, are forward-looking statements within the meaning of the federal securities laws. These statements are subject to numerous risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond the company's control that could cause actual results to differ materially from the results expressed or implied by the statements. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to: the outcome of and the publicity surrounding audits and investigations by domestic and foreign government agencies and legislative bodies; potential adverse proceedings by such agencies and potential adverse results and consequences from such proceedings; the scope and enforceability of the company's indemnities from its former parent; changes in capital spending by the company's customers; the company's ability to obtain contracts from existing and new customers and perform under those contracts; structural changes in the industries in which the company operates; escalating costs associated with and the performance of fixed-fee projects and the company's ability to control its cost under its contracts; claims negotiations and contract disputes with the company's customers; changes in the demand for or price of oil and/or natural gas; protection of intellectual property rights; compliance with environmental laws; changes in government regulations and regulatory requirements; compliance with laws related to income taxes; unsettled political conditions, war and the effects of terrorism; foreign operations and foreign exchange rates and controls; the development and installation of financial systems; increased competition for employees; the ability to successfully complete and integrate acquisitions; and operations of joint ventures, including joint ventures that are not controlled by the company. KBR's most recently filed Annual Report on Form 10-K, any subsequent Form 10-Qs and 8-Ks, and other U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission filings discuss some of the important risk factors that KBR has identified that may affect the business, results of operations and financial condition. Except as required by law, KBR undertakes no obligation to revise or update publicly any forward-looking statements for any reason. SOURCE KBR, Inc. Related Links https://www.kbr.com KINGWOOD, Texas, May 8, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Kimberly Anne Johnson, RRT, MBA, is recognized by Continental Who's Who as a Pinnacle Lifetime Member in the field of Healthcare in recognition of her role as Respiratory Therapist at Kingwood Hospital. Known for their astute, exceptional, and cost-effective healthcare, for over twenty five years Kingwood Hospital has provided quality service to the Kingwood, Texas area for decades. An acute-care facility that is home to an accredited cardiovascular center, women's center and brain and spine center, Kingwood Hospital is notorious for their reputed service. Committed to the health and wellness of their patients, the staff at Kingwood Hospital utilizes their state of the art technologies and treatments to better serve local residents. With Commitment, Integrity, Respect and Excellence at the forefront of the organizations values, the hospital ensures that they treat each individual with fairness, compassion and kindness. The healthcare facility ensures that they, "act with absolute honesty, integrity and fairness in the way we conduct our business and the way we live our lives." Having attained over thirty years of experience in the field of healthcare, Kimberly Anne Johnson is highly praised for her outstanding contributions to the medical industry. Board Certified as a Registered Respiratory Therapist, Johnson holds additional certificates in Basic Life Support, Advanced Cardiac Life Support and Pediatric Advanced Life Support. Serving the North Houston area for over four years, in her previous years, Johnson was a therapist for twenty seven years at Riley Hospital for Children of Indianapolis, Indiana. Early in her career, Johnson attended Sinclair Community College, located in Indiana and Purdue University of Indianapolis where she attained her Master of Business Administration degree. To further advance her professional career, Johnson is distinguished member of several organizations including the International Association of Healthcare Professionals, American Association of Respiratory Care and National Board for Respiratory Care. When she is not working, Kimberly enjoys reading mysteries and Christian novels as well as various crafts and shadow boxes. For more information, please visit www.kingwoodmedical.com Contact: Katherine Green, 516-825-5634, [email protected] SOURCE Continental Who's Who Related Links https://www.continentalwhoswho.com WATERLOO, Ontario, May 8, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- The Kin Ecosystem Foundation, the nonprofit governance body for the cryptocurrency Kin, today announced that it will build its own blockchain based on Stellar. The decision to develop a blockchain evolves the foundation's earlier plan for a hybrid blockchain infrastructure to support the Kin Ecosystem. Under the new approach, the foundation will continue to leverage the Ethereum blockchain for security and liquidity to holders of the Kin token. The Kin blockchain will provide highly scalable functionality and accessibility to unlock consumer-facing experiences with no fees. "Most crypto projects to date have been technology-driven first and product-driven second. Kin has always been the opposite," said Ted Livingston, Founder and CEO of Kin and Kik. "After working heads down alongside the best minds in the industry we came to the conclusion that a hybrid solution of Ethereum and our own fork of Stellar would benefit the Kin Ecosystem both short and long-term. Our goal is for Kin to be the most used cryptocurrency in the world, and this will help get us there sooner." The foundation has been working closely with Stellar, and during preliminary tests, the platform has driven faster and more scalable transactions for digital services than Kin's initial blockchain Ethereum. Due to its open source roots and the collaborative nature of the industry, Kin will be able to fork Stellar and create its own blockchain. The foundation's goal is to eliminate transaction fees to accelerate consumer and developer adoption of Kin, with plans to create a unified currency over two networks while maintaining the integrity of the allocation schedule outlined in the Kin whitepaper. For more information, please visit the Kin Foundation blog. And if you'd like to join the growing Kin team, please contact [email protected]. About Kin Ecosystem Foundation The Kin Ecosystem Foundation is a Canadian nonprofit corporation established for the governance of the cryptocurrency Kin and is tasked with growing an open ecosystem of digital services. The foundation will oversee the Kin Ecosystem on matters, including development of the Kin Rewards Engine, membership, security, and the ecosystem's transition to a fully decentralized model that operates independently of Kik. For more information, please visit http://kinecosystem.org. SOURCE Kin Ecosystem Foundation Related Links http://www.kinecosystem.org FAIRFAX, Va., May 8, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Knowesis, Inc. has acquired new work supporting the Military Health System's (MHS) Defense Health Board (DHB), a Federal advisory committee under the Secretary of Defense responsible for independent advisory services for military healthcare policy, research programs, disease and injury treatment of warfighters, and other health-related matters of the Department of Defense (DoD). Knowesis will assist the DHB, its committees, and its subcommittees with research and analysis, technical writing, editing, and report production. In addition, Knowesis staff will support the DHB leadership and individual board members with logistical and meeting support as well as Federal Advisory Committee Act (FACA) compliance. These support areas feed into critical policy development within the MHS in identifying issues and refining the future state military health. "Knowesis is known for its deliberate planning in forming teams with the right mix of knowledge and experience in addition to matching the professional and personal goals of our consultants to the project and client. We have done just that for the DHB and our team is looking forward to supporting this important DOD Advisory Board for the MHS," per Brian Acker, Knowesis Senior Associate and Program Manager. Knowesis specializes in solving business challenges through strategic planning and capacity building, evaluation and data analysis, strategic communications, enterprise reporting, and program management. Knowesis applies our core functional competencies to the healthcare industry and are highly integrated within the DoD medical research and health policy environment. Our staff of dedicated professionals are recognized for bringing valuable experience from a variety of sectors, crossing industries and the Federal Government. Knowesis Inc., as a Center for Veterans Enterprise (CVE) certified Service Disabled Veteran Owned Small Business (SDVOSB), 8(a) Disadvantaged Small Business and Economically Disadvantaged Woman Owned Small Business (EDWOSB), provides a full range of professional consulting services to federal and state government agencies. Founded in 2007, Knowesis offers services in analytics and information management, planning and operations, as well as communication and engagement from its offices in San Antonio, TX and Fairfax, VA. More information about the company can be found at www.knowesis-inc.com as well as Facebook and Twitter. SOURCE Knowesis Inc. Related Links http://www.knowesis-inc.com ALISO VIEJO, Calif., May 8, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Laguna Treatment Hospital is California's first addiction treatment facility to implement EarlySense technology, a potentially life-saving patient monitoring system, in its 93-bed facility to enhance patient safety during the detox process, a critical time for patients in withdrawal. This additional medical precaution provides nursing staff with the tools and measurements necessary to proactively intervene if a patient shows abnormal vitals. "EarlySense technology truly revolutionizes the addiction treatment industry by giving patients and their loved ones peace-of-mind during such a pivotal moment in the patient's life," said Mertis Shearry, director of nursing at Laguna Treatment Hospital. "On multiple occasions, EarlySense has detected abnormal vital signs while the patient was resting in bed identifying various diagnosis such as pneumonia, respiratory distress, and countless others. Patients and loved ones can be certain that with the help of this technology, nursing staff are ready to provide early medical interventions if needed." Individuals beginning their recovery journey, specifically during detox, are often in need of ongoing supervision. Utilizing a contact-free sensor conveniently placed beneath the patient's mattress, EarlySense continuously tracks patient heart rate, breathing patterns, and movements. This allows clinicians to monitor patients in real-time and easily identify early signs of patient deterioration that could likely happen during withdrawal providing nurses ample time to step in. Additionally, medical staff are able to adjust and individualize each patient's monitor allowing for personalized care and better response time to potential adverse events, while minimizing false alarms. "The recovery process can be complex and presents unforeseen clinical challenges," said Tim O'Malley, president of EarlySense Inc. "Since installation of the EarlySense system at Laguna Treatment Hospital, clinicians have found tremendous value in the data provided and have used this information to treat patients proactively in numerous situations." Laguna Treatment Hospital, which is part of the American Addiction Centers (AAC) network of facilities, is the first AAC facility to incorporate EarlySense technology into its treatment center with plans to implement EarlySense across all AAC facilities nationwide. "Our facility is dedicated to patient safety," said Laguna Treatment Hospital CEO, Gil Carmona. "As Orange County's first chemical dependency recovery hospital, we treat patients who need a higher level of care for medical detox such as those with potentially life-threatening health issues. With EarlySense, our clinical staff are vigilant at all times. We are excited to be the first AAC facility to roll out this new and exciting technology and provide our patients with the highest quality of care." To learn more about EarlySense at Laguna Treatment Hospital, visit: https://lagunatreatment.com/medical-detox/earlysense/. About Laguna Treatment Hospital Laguna Treatment Hospital is part of the American Addiction Centers family of treatment centers. AAC is a leading provider of inpatient and outpatient substance abuse treatment services. We treat clients who are struggling with drug addiction, alcohol addiction, and co-occurring mental/behavioral health issues. We currently operate substance abuse treatment facilities located throughout the United States. These facilities are focused on delivering effective clinical care and treatment solutions. For more information, please find us at AmericanAddictionCenters.org or follow us on Twitter @AAC_Tweet. About EarlySense EarlySense provides contact-free, continuous monitoring solutions for the medical and consumer digital health markets. EarlySense's FDA-cleared systems utilize Artificial Intelligence (AI) and big data analytics to provide actionable health insights and improve clinical outcomes. Used worldwide in hospitals, rehab and skilled nursing facilities, EarlySense assists clinicians in early detection of patient deterioration, helping to prevent adverse events, including code blues which are a result of cardiac or respiratory arrest, preventable ICU transfers, patient falls and pressure ulcers. EarlySense offers clinically-proven technology to consumers with EarlySense Live and Percept. EarlySense Live is the first at-home consumer health monitor powered by EarlySense's medically-proven sensor and AI analytics. Live is particularly useful for tracking the health and sleep of the aging population and children, to help facilitate better health choices. EarlySense Percept is the first clinically-proven monitor for fertility and period tracking. It accurately tracks internal body signals and assists couples who are trying to conceive. EarlySense has partnered with leading global technology companies including Samsung, Welch Allyn, iFit and Beurer. The company is based in Ramat Gan, Israel and Woburn, MA. For more information, visit www.earlysense.com, www.earlysense.com/live and www.earlysense.com/percept. Press Contact: Yasmeen Garcia Public Relations Assistant [email protected] Joy Sutton Public Relations Manager [email protected] SOURCE Laguna Treatment Hospital Related Links http://www.lagunatreatment.com ATLANTA, May 8, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Lalabu, the Atlanta-based makers of the Soothe Shirt and Dad Shirt, launched an Indiegogo campaign on May 7 that will run through June 15 to fund the first ever Babywearing Romper, the Lalabu Wearabu. Campaign backers will be rewarded with their choice of the new Wearabu Babywearing Romper, existing flagship babywearing shirts and popular Lalabu Leggings. Products will ship later this summer. Wearabu: The First Babywearing Romper Wearabu: The Carrier your baby wears The goal of the campaign is to raise $25,000 toward the first production run of the Wearabu. This new product simplifies the babywearing experience by allowing parents to easily wear their baby on the front or on the back. Babies wear the romper throughout the day and parents can hold them with the integrated straps at any time. Wearabu makes babywearing as intuitive as putting on a backpack. Wearabu is intended to start being used as soon as babies outgrow Lalabu's babywearing shirts between 4 and 6 months of age and supports children between 13 and 30 pounds. In addition to the release of their innovative baby carrier, the greater goal lies in changing the world one thriving family at a time. Lalabu's desire is to make babywearing convenient, simple and accessible for all new parents. Babywearing promotes safe, happy and thriving babies, while enabling parents to be confident and empowered as they bond with their new babies. "Through our products and brand, we're working to create more incredible moments for parents with their children," said Lalabu co-founder, Brian Fosse. "Babywearing has created so many unforgettable moments with our own children and at Lalabu we desire to give that to families around the world." Lalabu founders Brian and Keri Fosse were drawn to babywearing in 2009 during a trip to Burkina Faso, Africa. The couple noticed the many benefits of babywearingincluding less crying and increased cognitive development, as well as easy bonding for parents and babies. The Fosse's recognized the stark contrast to what babies experience in the United States where carseats and strollers separate babies from their parents throughout everyday experiences. In 2011, the couple started working nights and weekends to create Lalabu, a simple babywearing solution for parents stateside. Since Lalabu's launch, more than 40,000 moms and dads have joined the movement by wearing their babies in a Soothe Shirt or Dad Shirt, Lalabu's signature stylish babywearing shirts for mom and dad. Lalabu's commitment to helping parents and babies joyfully thrive is evident in its giveback program. Two percent of all Lalabu revenue is given to help families through their For New LivesGiving model. From its inception Lalabu has leveraged these funds to help fund the dreams of families. The company contributed nearly $43,000 in 2017. The Lalabu Wearabu is available for a limited time for $99 on Indiegogo. The Lalabu Soothe Shirt and Dad Shirt retail for $75 and can be ordered online at Lalabu.com. Lalabu also offers high-waisted leggings for moms on the hunt for the perfect pair. The leggings are made with premium wicking fabric with four-way stretch designed to be slimming, supporting and comfortable for a new mom. About Lalabu Lalabu is a growing startup based in Atlanta, Ga., and run by husband and wife team, Brian and Keri Fosse. Lalabu provides simple babywearing products designed to promote parent and baby bonding. Connect with Lalabu on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter and learn more at lalabu.com. Images located in this online media kit. For More Information: Kelley Stagnaro, 404-374-9475 [email protected] SOURCE Lalabu LLC Related Links http://lalabu.com NEW YORK, May 8, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- SPARK (Simons Foundation Powering Autism Research for Knowledge), a national online autism research initiative, today announced the Community Award winner of its national mobile app contest, Lecture Buddy, created by Arthur De Araujo, an undergraduate at University of Buffalo. SPARK launched the contest in partnership with Pace University's Seidenberg School of Computer Science and Information Systems to invite high school and college student mobile app developers to design innovative new tools for individuals and families impacted by autism spectrum disorder (ASD). "SPARK launched this contest because we were excited about the potential of mobile app technology to help families in the autism community who face certain challenges," says Dr. Alex Lash, chief informatics officer at SPARK's parent organization, the Simons Foundation. "The community award winner, Lecture Buddy, is a great example of how insights on ways to support people with autism can come straight from young people in the community." Lecture Buddy is an iOS app designed to aid students who require different ways of learning to take notes and study lecture material. It transcribes recorded audio into text, automatically highlighting sentences containing customizable keywords such as "important" and "remember," for example. It then saves highlighted transcriptions in appropriately labeled folders. For some students with autism and other students who may struggle with learning, Lecture Buddy could help improve productivity and make lectures and studying more user-friendly. "I created Lecture Buddy because I saw a substantial lack in education software to make learning easier for students. This app would be ideal for students whose experience of autism manifests through learning challenges, or anyone who struggles with study tactics," said De Araujo, who is pursuing a B.S. in computer science. While not all people on the autism spectrum have learning disabilities, streamlining the learning process could be beneficial to many, including neurotypical students. SPARK's Innovation Is Benefiting the Autism Community SPARK is building an innovative online research community to speed up understanding of autism. SPARK's goal is to recruit 50,000 individuals with autism and their family members in a long-term research study. One of SPARK's goals is to define the genetic contributions to autism. The study also engages in community-based activities including the mobile app contest, educational webinars and more to benefit the ASD community every day. "As a geneticist and pediatrician, parents of individuals with ASD ask me 'why' questions all the time," says Dr. Wendy Chung, principal investigator of SPARK. "As we try to answer those questions through SPARK's contribution to research, we also want to tackle some 'how' questions, like how to help families affected by autism live their fullest possible lives. SPARK is excited about the potential for Lecture Buddy and other mobile apps to do that." First Round App Winners: Design, Prototype and Ready-to-Use Categories The mobile app contest considered entries from high school and college students across the United States. In the first round of the contest, students submitted apps in three categories: design, prototype and production (ready-to-use). A panel of SPARK judges, experts in both creating mobile apps and autism, selected winners in each of these categories. In the second round (the community contest), all of the ready-to-use apps were put up to a vote by the entire SPARK community. Over 1,100 people voted, with Lecture Buddy emerging victorious. The winner in the first-round design category, an app called EmpQuest, could facilitate the job application process for an individual with autism by turning it into an engaging game. The EmpQuest team is made up of Brooklyn high school students who are part of the program Tech Kids Unlimited, which teaches technology to those who think differently, including students with autism, learning and emotional challenges. The winner in the prototype category, Inquisitor, was created by a team of high school students from the Houston area. The app would allow personal journal entries to be shared securely with parents, caregivers and clinicians. The production-level winner, Serene Emotional Suite which was also eligible for the community award vote pairs with a wearable device (like a smartwatch) to track data like heart rate and set up alerts based on that data. For example, if the wearer's heart rate exceeded a certain level, the app would register it, and the data could be shared with a caregiver. This app was created by a high school student from Silicon Valley. Mobile Apps for ASD Fill a Need A SPARK study conducted last year found that just 18 percent of parents of individuals with ASD currently use mobile apps geared toward the autism community, but 74 percent of parents would be willing to spend several minutes a day using a mobile app if the app could help them visualize trends in their child's behavior over time, for example. "Mobile apps that provide utility to the autism community can meet significant needs for individuals with ASD and their families and, if designed properly and scientifically evaluated, have the potential to enhance the autism research that SPARK and other organizations fund. The technology behind Lecture Buddy and the rest of the contest entries are an excellent first step to these ends," says Dr. Lash. To learn more about SPARK or enroll in the study you can visit the initiative's website at SPARKforAutism.org. To view all the winners and more contest information visit contest.sparkforautism.org. Photos of the winning individuals and teams are available upon request. About Autism Autism is an umbrella term used to describe a group of behavioral conditions autism spectrum disorders. These conditions are characterized by challenges in social communication (both verbal and nonverbal) and repetitive behaviors or restricted interests. An estimated one in 59 children in the U.S. has an autism spectrum disorder. The wide range of autism manifestations makes it challenging to study potential causes or treatments, and thus a large cohort that can be segmented genetically and by the condition's manifestation can substantially advance such efforts. About Pace University's Seidenberg School of Computer Science and Information Systems: Founded in 1983, the Seidenberg School of Computer Science and Information Systems at Pace University is the country's third-oldest dedicated school of computer science and information systems. It offers academic programs at the undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral level in topics including computer science, information systems, software engineering, telecommunications, and enterprise analytics. The Seidenberg School has run the #WestchesterSmart Mobile App Development Bowl for three years, which has drawn hundreds of contestants who compete to build mobile apps for aging populations. Contact: Amy Lebowitz, Health Unlimited for SPARK [email protected] 212-886-2231 SOURCE SPARK for Autism Related Links https://sparkforautism.org Letitia Wright looked every bit as regal and strong as her Black Panther character Shuri, the brilliant princess of the fictional African nation of Wakanda, wearing a black and gold embellished gown paired with understated diamond and rose gold hoop earrings and multiple diamond rings from the Forevermark Tribute Collection. The Forevermark Tribute Collection is a celebration of women, and it pays tribute the many unique qualities and characteristics of women. "Letitia's gown has so many fine details and elements to play up this year's Met Gala theme that I needed to make sure that the jewelry made just as much of a powerful statement as the dress. Forevermark diamonds added the perfect touch of classic elegance and exquisite sparkle that I was looking for," said Letitia's stylist Ade Samuel of her look. Details of Letitia Wright's Forevermark Diamond Look at the 2018 Met Gala include: Who: Actor Letitia Wright The Look: Forevermark Tribute Collection Three Stackable Rings with Round Diamonds set in 18k Rose Gold Three Stackable Rings with Round Diamonds set in Forevermark by Rahaminov The Center of My Universe Halo Bypass Ring set in 18k Rose Gold The Center of My Universe Halo Bypass Ring set in Forevermark by Natalie K The Center of My Universe Hoop Diamond Earrings set in 18k Rose Gold ABOUT FOREVERMARK Every Forevermark diamond undergoes a journey of rigorous selection. The unique Forevermark inscription is an assurance that every Forevermark diamond meets the exceptional standards of beauty, rarity and is responsibly sourced. Forevermark goes beyond the standard 4Cs to hand select diamonds that are among the most beautiful in the world. Less than one percent of the world's diamonds are worthy of the Forevermark inscription. Each Forevermark diamond is responsibly sourced and embodies Forevermark's principles of integrity, support for opportunities for women and dedication to the protection of the natural world. The inscription is an assurance of the physical integrity of a Forevermark diamond throughout its journey. Invisible to the naked eye, the inscription features a unique identification number and is just 1,5/000th the width of a human hair, made using bespoke technology from The De Beers Group of Companies. Forevermark is the diamond brand from The De Beers Group of Companies and benefits from over 128 years of diamond expertise. For more information and to find your nearest Authorized Forevermark Jeweler, visit www.forevermark.com. SOURCE Forevermark Related Links http://www.forevermark.com CHICAGO, May 8, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Liquidware, the leading third party provider of platform-agnostic end-user computing solutions, today announced that it will participate as an exhibitor and silver sponsor of Citrix Synergy 2018, from May 8-10 in Anaheim, Calif., for the ninth consecutive year. The company will use this high profile event to showcase, among others, the just-released v6.7.6 of ProfileUnity, its User Environment Management (UEM) solution with the ability to save direct to object-based cloud storage and unchain enterprises from on-prem to desktop as a service (DaaS). A nine-year Citrix Ready veteran whose solutions provide "must-have" value atop underlying end-user computing (EUC) platforms, including Citrix, Liquidware is fully invested in Citrix and this annual showcase of transformative technologies that are shaping the future of digital transformation. The company's product teams will be accompanied to this year's show by senior executives including CEO, David Bieneman, CTO, Jason Mattox, and VP of Products, Jason E. Smith. "When it comes to a focused conference on virtual and RDS desktops there is no better single event in the industry right now than this one. Every attendee is one that we design and build our Workspace Environment Management solutions for, and that makes Citrix Synergy a highlight on our calendar," explained Smith. "Show visitors will find us at booth 401, which is front and center of the exhibition floor, where our teams will demo the latest features of our Liquidware ProfileUnity, FlexApp and Stratusphere UX products." Liquidware will demo its new v6.7.6 of ProfileUnity, breaking new ground with its universal object-based cloud storage for Amazon S3, Google Cloud, and Microsoft Azure Blog. With this release, Liquidware has become the only company capable of moving a user profile from Microsoft Windows to object-based cloud storage, or multiple clouds, without the use of a Server Message Block (SMB). This ability to free user profiles from on-prem to DaaS along with the ability to move those user profiles to the cloud in advance of a full transition, allowing for a seamless, zero user downtime cutover to DaaS, are significant features for users and differentiators that add to Liquidware's already substantial competitive advantage. The company will also demonstrate the upcoming 6.1 release of Stratusphere UX, its industry-leading user experience monitoring and diagnostics solution. This new version will introduce process optimization, which intelligently optimizes CPU resources and lessens the negative performance effects of CPU-intensive applications. Additionally, Stratusphere UX will add in-guest visibility for Windows event logs, as well as the ability to monitor applications and processes that communicate outside of the guestincluding protocol, destination address and application latency. In keeping with the company's focus on DaaS, this release will support native licensing for Amazon Marketplace, improving even further on the total cost of ownership for cloud-based monitoring and diagnostics with Stratusphere UX. Smith explained more about what sets Liquidware apart from competitors, "The integration of our UEM solution, ProfileUnity, with our App Layering Solution, FlexApp is a key differentiator from other more-or-less comparable solutions. No other currently available offering integrates these two key solutions in a single management console. When you combine the power of ProfileUnity and FlexApp with our monitoring and user experience solution, Stratusphere UX, you have a powerful toolset with which to manage your desktop lifecycle be that desktop virtual, physical or cloud while ensuring user satisfaction and productivity." At noon on May 8th, at an invitation-only, sold out event dubbed "Inside Track," which debuted at last year's VMworld, Liquidware will host EUC influencers and advocates to get the scoop on what's new in its world as well as EUC in general. Inside Track is an exclusive community founded by Liquidware and co-sponsored by IGEL and NVIDIA with the goal of bringing together key EUC players, from industry through media and more, in a forum that encourages the meeting of minds to shape the future of EUC in a collaborative fashion that puts the end-user's experience above individual company interests, and in a manner that encourages meaningful and lively debate among its members. Liquidware will make the outcomes and insights gleaned available to interested parties via a blog on www.liquidware.com in the weeks following Citrix Synergy. "Citrix offers the most comprehensive secure digital workspace that unifies the apps, data and services people need to be productive," said John Panagulias, director, Citrix Ready. "As a nine-year member of the Citrix Ready program, Liquidware provides great value for our customers in supporting our secure digital workspace vision." Liquidware solutions can be found at booth 401, at Citrix Synergy 2018, from May 8-10 at the Anaheim Convention Center in Anaheim, Calif., and visit the website www.liquidware.com to glean advance product information. For deeper insights into Liquidware's Object-Based Cloud Storage, check out this webinar. About Liquidware Liquidware provides industry leading, platform-agnostic desktop solutions for hybrid Windows desktop environments including Citrix Virtual Apps and Virtual Desktops, formally XenApp/XenDesktop, VMware Horizon View, Amazon WorkSpaces and physical Microsoft Windows PCs. The company's Stratusphere UX solution delivers visibility into desktop environments to support assessment, design, monitoring and diagnostics (Health Checks). ProfileUnity provides just in time delivery of User Profiles, application and user rights management and context-aware policies. FlexApp delivers advanced Application Layering. The solutions are available in an extremely cost-effectively priced bundle called Liquidware Essentials. Liquidware products are Citrix Ready, VMware-certified, and are available through a global network of partners. Visit www.liquidware.com for further information. Media Contact: Waters Communications|[email protected]|737.333.4549 SOURCE Liquidware Related Links http://www.liquidware.com SAN JOSE, Calif., May 8, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Litmus Automation, an Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) platform provider, today announced a distribution agreement with AMAX Global Services (AGS), a software development and system integration business partner. The agreement will allow Litmus Automation to sell to and support customers in the Greater China region, opening up the world's largest manufacturing market including local companies and global companies with manufacturing operations in the region. AGS boasts of several large domestic manufacturing companies as clients and Litmus Automation offers solutions to help them take advantage of data at the edge and implement IIoT solutions efficiently. AGS is headquartered in Fremont, California with deep roots in China, making it an easy transition for San Jose-based Litmus Automation to enter the market with their assistance. "Asia-Pacific is key to our growth strategy and this partnership marks our expansion into the Chinese market," said Vatsal Shah, co-founder and CEO of Litmus. "AGS works as the system integrator for many of the larger manufacturing companies in China and they will be our valued partner as we get started in the China region. We can now support any customer in the Greater China region and we look forward to expanding the reach of Loop and LoopEdge to help more companies with their Industry 4.0 journey." As a distributor, AGS will sell and integrate LoopEdge and Loop Cloud. Litmus' Loop and LoopEdge Solutions enable data collection from any device, data manipulation and quick analytics with real-time visualization on top. Loop lets customers securely connect and manage any type of hardware, device, sensor or machine, with the ability to integrate data in real-time to any third-party software application or enterprise system with a simple interface. AGS will provide installation and system integration services for Litmus products and will work with additional systems integrators for large-scale IoT deployments. AGS will also provide help desk support in Chinese and consistent with local time zones. About AMAX Global Services Amax Global Services, headquartered in Fremont, California with its software development center in China, is the leading Manufacturing Execution Systems (MES) solution company with global delivery capabilities. It provides software solutions to streamline the manufacturing operations, factory automation, quality control with mature project management model and experienced software developers. Amax Global Services has many successful system implementations in Automotive, High Tech manufacturing, Food and Beverage sector. To learn more, please visit us at www.amaxgs.com About Litmus Automation Litmus Automation, based in San Jose, California, bridges the gap between data in the field or factory and business applications for companies looking to implement Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) solutions. Litmus Automation's offerings, LoopEdge and Loop, work seamlessly together to allow companies to access and exploit data previously trapped within enterprise hardware, no matter where or when it was deployed. Working with original equipment manufacturers and other industrial companies, Litmus Automation brings a modern development approach, a responsive team, a nimble business model, and a proven IIoT solution to all their engagements. Litmus Automation focuses on the Industrial and Automotive industries, and counts Fortune 500 companies as clients and partners (including Nissan, Renault, HPE and Intel). www.litmusautomation.com @LAutomation Media Contact Allison Yrungaray +1 626-841-1640 [email protected] SOURCE Litmus Automation Related Links http://www.litmusautomation.com NEW YORK, May 8, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Lumni , an international financial technology company focused on increasing the affordability and accessibility of higher education, announced today the acquisition of Paytronage, a 9-month old NYC-based direct-to-consumer marketplace for income share agreements (ISAs) in an undisclosed cash & stock deal. ISAs are a novel alternative to student loans growing in popularity, which allow students to receive upfront funding in exchange for a fixed percentage of their income for a set period of time. "Lumni has a 15-year head start on everyone in the ISA market, with an unmatched track record of success. We're confident that we can take Lumni's global ISA dominance to become the nation's leading provider of ISAs," said Zach Pelka, the 23-year-old CEO of Paytronage. Paytronage, a portfolio company going through Acceleprise, a B2B accelerator, is the firm's fastest acquisition ever over nine cohorts. Founded in 2002, Lumni is the world's largest and most-established player in the emerging ISA space, having originated and serviced nearly 10,000 ISAs across Latin America. ISAs have rapidly gained traction in the U.S. over the past two years, with Purdue University launching a pilot program in 2016 that has since expanded, and two federal bills gaining swift bipartisan support in Congress. After signing a deal to acquire another US-based ISA company, Base Capital, earlier this year, Lumni's acquisition of Paytronage further accelerates its expansion into the U.S. market. "We're incredibly excited to have the Paytronage team joining us at Lumni," said Brendan Florez, co-founder and CEO of Lumni USA. "They've made tremendous progress in a short amount of time and I'm confident that by combining our efforts we can accelerate our progress in the U.S. considerably." Paytronage, an idea first brainstormed in a Wharton classroom by two recent University of Pennsylvania undergraduate alumni, Zach Pelka and Connor Swofford, was founded in August 2017 and quickly developed an all-star team, including top industry advisors such as Michael Taormina (co-founder of CommonBond) and Ramaneek Khanna (CTO of Earnin), and investors such as Ohad Samet (co-founder of TrueAccord) and Acceleprise. "Startup success is predicated on the strength of the founding team, so it's clear why Lumni moved to acquire Paytronage. Zach and Connor are highly focused entrepreneurs that consistently execute. They're attacking a pressing social problem by rethinking education finance, and by joining forces with a proven player in the industry, this will only help to realize the Paytronage vision," said Michael Taormina. In 9 months, the Paytronage team grew from a team of two to seven, including seasoned Ph.D computer scientists and an in-house attorney. Paytronage first made waves by announcing the launch of its first program at the University of Pennsylvania in February, and has since gained great momentum among capital market investors. "We're excited that with Lumni, we can now leverage our experience to help students not just in the U.S., but around the globe," said Connor Swofford, COO of Paytronage. As part of the acquisition of Paytronage, Lumni will bring over key leaders of the Paytronage executive team to lead its efforts in expanding its accomplishments in South America into the rapidly growing US market. Paytronage co-founders, Zach Pelka and Connor Swofford, join as co-founders of Lumni USA respectively leading Capital Markets and Product Management. Evan Weiss, General Counsel at Paytronage, will join as Head of Legal for Lumni USA. About Lumni Founded in 2002, Lumni is the world's largest company focused on income share agreements with nearly 10,000 students funded throughout Colombia, Mexico, Peru, Chile, and the U.S. Lumni has been recognized for its excellence in social impact by the World Economic Forum, Bloomberg, the Clinton Global Initiative, Ashoka, Endeavor and the Inter-American Development Bank, and more. About Paytronage Founded in August 2017, Paytronage launched as a direct-to-consumer marketplace connecting institutional lenders to students interested in taking out income share agreements. Paytronage launched at the University of Pennsylvania with a focus on offering ISAs to Ivy League students. SOURCE Lumni Related Links http://www.lumni.net FREDERICTON, May 8, 2018 /PRNewswire/ - Resson, a predictive analytics company for the agricultural industry, today announced a $14 million Series C up round of financing that welcomed Mahindra & Mahindra as a strategic partner, joining existing strategic partners McCain Foods and Monsanto Growth Ventures as well as existing investors Build Ventures, Rho Canada, BDC Capital, East Valley Ventures and the New Brunswick Innovation Foundation. Resson's strategic partners and investors participated in this round of financing. The company previously received a $US 11 million Series B funding round in June 2016. Resson uses machine learning, big data analytics and computer vision to help growers of crops like potatoes, spinach and grapes make better-informed decisions about crop management to increase productivity on their farms. Using cameras mounted on tractors or drones, the Resson Agricultural Management and Analytics System (RAMAS) provides a dashboard view that delivers insights that help better manage yields, crop inputs and agronomy decisions. Mahindra & Mahindra is the latest company to join Resson as a strategic partner. Headquartered in India, Mahindra & Mahindra is the world's largest selling tractor company by volume, and the company boasts over 500 dealerships in North America. "Agriculture is an increasingly technology-intensive business, and Resson's precision farming solutions will help growers get more yield from every acre," said Rajesh Jejurikar, President, Farm Equipment Sector, Mahindra & Mahindra. "We are delighted to join McCain Foods Limited and Monsanto Growth Ventures as a strategic partner of Resson." Resson is actively working in partnership with McCain Foods and its team of agronomists to test and advance the Company's technology in real life commercial potato farming environments. McCain Foods was Resson's first customer and has been a hands-on strategic partner to the company from its earliest days. "McCain has a proud history of advancing agricultural practices in potato growing and we remain committed to this approach. Our desire for continual improvement fuels our ongoing drive to partner with leading edge technology companies such as Resson, to create breakthrough innovation in agricultural technologies and set new standards for efficient crop production," said Max Koeune, President and CEO of McCain Foods Limited. "Our strategic partners have been critical to the development of our technology and our rapid growth over the last two years," said Jeff Grammer, CEO of Resson. "With the addition of Mahindra & Mahindra, we will expand our understanding of predictive analytics to maximize yields and profits for growers." About Resson Resson is a predictive analytics company that uses large scale data analytics and natural learning to help major agricultural producers create efficiencies to maximize production and profit margins. Find out more at www.resson.com. About Mahindra The Mahindra Group is a USD 19 billion federation of companies that enables people to rise through innovative mobility solutions, driving rural prosperity, enhancing urban living, nurturing new businesses and fostering communities. It enjoys a leadership position in utility vehicles, information technology, financial services and vacation ownership in India and is the world's largest tractor company, by volume. It also enjoys a strong presence in agribusiness, aerospace, commercial vehicles, components, defence, logistics, real estate, renewable energy, speedboats and steel, amongst other businesses. Headquartered in India, Mahindra employs over 240,000 people across 100 countries. http://www.mahindra.com About McCain Foods (Canada) McCain Foods (Canada) is the Canadian division of McCain Foods Limited, an international leader in the frozen food industry. McCain is the world's largest manufacturer of frozen potato specialties, and also produces other quality products such as appetizers, vegetables, and desserts that can be found in restaurants and retail stores in more than 160 countries around the world. McCain employs approximately 20,000 people, operates 53 production facilities on six continents and generates annual sales in excess of $9 billion. In Canada, the company has eight production facilities, approximately 2,600 employees and in addition to its famous French fries and potato specialties, makes frozen desserts, snacks, appetizers and authentic Chinese entrees. www.mccain.ca SOURCE Resson TSX/NYSE/PSE: MFC SEHK: 945 TORONTO, May 8, 2018 /PRNewswire/ - Manulife today released its 2017 Corporate Citizenship Report and Public Accountability Statement. The annual report highlights the ways Manulife and John Hancock supported the economic, environmental and social wellbeing of customers, employees and the communities over the previous year. It also outlines the principles upon which we operate. "Manulife takes a holistic view when it comes to creating value for our customers, employees and shareholders," said Roy Gori, President & Chief Executive Officer, Manulife. "As we focus on accelerating growth, serving our customers and building a high-performing culture, we are committed to making the investments necessary and acting with integrity, determination and perseverance to make lives better." Highlights from 2017 Manulife returned $26.7 billion to our customers in the form of insurance claims, cash surrender values, annuity payments and other benefits. to our customers in the form of insurance claims, cash surrender values, annuity payments and other benefits. Our employees and agents volunteered over 80,000 hours at local charities. Manulife, our employees and our programs contributed $43.7 million to charities and other non-profit organizations around the world. to charities and other non-profit organizations around the world. We issued a green bond, the first green bond issuance by a life insurance company and by a Canadian issuer certified as Climate Bonds by the Climate Bonds Initiative. We made $8.2 billion in loans to businesses, helping fuel their growth and support the development of the economies in which we do business. Manulife's Corporate Citizenship Report and Public Accountability Statement, which includes the Manulife Bank Public Accountability Statement, is available at http://www.manulife.com/corporate-citizenship. About Manulife Manulife Financial Corporation is a leading international financial services group that helps people make their decisions easier and lives better. We operate primarily as John Hancock in the United States and Manulife elsewhere. We provide financial advice, insurance, as well as wealth and asset management solutions for individuals, groups and institutions. At the end of 2017, we had about 35,000 employees, 73,000 agents, and thousands of distribution partners, serving more than 26 million customers. As of March 31, 2018, we had over $1.1 trillion (US$850 billion) in assets under management and administration, and in the previous 12 months we made $26.9 billion in payments to our customers. Our principal operations are in Asia, Canada and the United States where we have served customers for more than 100 years. With our global headquarters in Toronto, Canada, we trade as 'MFC' on the Toronto, New York, and the Philippine stock exchanges and under '945' in Hong Kong. SOURCE Manulife Financial Corporation Related Links http://www.manulife.com PUNE, India, May 8, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- The report "Marine Engine Monitoring System Market by Engine Type (Propulsion Engine, Auxiliary Engine), End Use (OEM, Aftermarket), Component (Hardware, Software), Ship Type (Commercial, Naval), Deployment (On-Board, Remote), and Region - Global Forecast to 2025", published by MarketsandMarkets, the market is estimated to be USD 508.4 Million in 2018 and is projected to reach USD 656.5 Million by 2025, at a CAGR of 3.72% from 2018 to 2025. The growth in international seaborne trade, increased demand for marine engine monitoring systems from the new shipbuilding & repair market, and a rise in maritime tourism are the key factors that are anticipated to drive the marine engine monitoring system market. (Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/660509/MarketsandMarkets_Logo.jpg ) Browse 97 market data Tables and 48 Figures spread through 171 Pages and in-depth TOC on "Marine Engine Monitoring System Market - Global Forecast to 2025" https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/Market-Reports/marine-engine-monitoring-system-market-8035652.html Early buyers will receive 10% customization on this report Based on component, the software segment is projected to grow at the highest CAGR during the forecast period. Based on component, the software segment of the marine engine monitoring system market is projected to grow at the highest CAGR from 2018 to 2025 The growth of the software segment can be attributed to its advantages that include data analysis process and trend analysis. Technologies such as predictive maintenance, dig data analysis, and IoT will add more comprehensive software analysis, which would be adopted in marine engines during the forecast period. Based on ship type, the commercial segment is estimated to lead the marine engine monitoring system market in 2018. Based on ship type, the commercial segment is estimated to lead the marine engine monitoring system market in 2018 and the naval ships segment of the marine engine monitoring system market is projected to grow at the highest CAGR from 2018 to 2025. The demand for merchant ships to transport commodities worldwide is driving the growth of the commercial ships segment. According to the International Chamber of Shipping (ICS), there are over 50,000 merchant ships that transport cargo internationally. The growth of the naval ships segment can be attributed to the increasing investments in the defense sector in North America and Europe. Ask for PDF Brochure : https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/pdfdownload.asp?id=8035652 Based on engine type, the auxiliary engine segment is expected to witness the highest growth during the forecast period. Based on engine type, the auxiliary segment of the marine engine monitoring system market is projected to grow at the highest CAGR during the forecast period. The growth of the auxiliary engine segment is primarily driven by the increase in the deliveries of cruise boats, recreational ships, and passenger ships, which require auxiliary engines for electricity generation and power management. Based on deployment, the remote monitoring segment is expected to witness the highest growth during the forecast period Based on deployment, the remote monitoring segment of the marine engine monitoring system market is projected to grow at the highest CAGR during the forecast period. The increasing demand for real-time data sharing through IoT sensors is expected to drive the growth of the remote monitoring segment of the marine engine monitoring system market. The marine engine monitoring system market in Europe is expected to witness the highest growth during the forecast period. The marine engine monitoring system market in Europe is projected to grow at the highest CAGR from 2018 to 2025 The European shipbuilding industry is involved in the construction of complex naval vessels, such as cruise ships, ferries, mega yachts, submarines, and dredgers (offshore vessels). Moreover, the marine monitoring system industry in Europe offers a wide range of products that include propulsion systems, diesel engines monitoring system, environmental safety systems, cargo handling systems, and related electronics. Major companies profiled in the marine engine monitoring system market report include ABB (Switzerland), AST Group (UK), CMR Group (France), Caterpillar (US), Cummins (US), Emerson (US), Hyundai Heavy Industries (South Korea), Jason Marine (Singapore), Kongsberg (Norway), MAN Diesel & Turbo (Germany), Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (Japan), NORIS Group (Germany), Rolls Royce (UK), and Wartsila (Finland), among others. Know more about the Marine Engine Monitoring System Market: https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/Market-Reports/marine-engine-monitoring-system-market-8035652.html About MarketsandMarkets MarketsandMarkets provides quantified B2B research on 30,000 high growth niche opportunities/threats which will impact 70% to 80% of worldwide companies' revenues. Currently servicing 5000 customers worldwide including 80% of global Fortune 1000 companies as clients. Almost 75,000 top officers across eight industries worldwide approach MarketsandMarkets for their painpoints around revenues decisions. Our 850 fulltime analyst and SMEs at MarketsandMarkets are tracking global high growth markets following the "Growth Engagement Model - GEM". The GEM aims at proactive collaboration with the clients to identify new opportunities, identify most important customers, write "Attack, avoid and defend" strategies, identify sources of incremental revenues for both the company and its competitors. MarketsandMarkets now coming up with 1,500 MicroQuadrants (Positioning top players across leaders, emerging companies, innovators, strategic players) annually in high growth emerging segments. MarketsandMarkets is determined to benefit more than 10,000 companies this year for their revenue planning and help them take their innovations/disruptions early to the market by providing them research ahead of the curve. MarketsandMarkets's flagship competitive intelligence and market research platform, "Knowledge Store" connects over 200,000 markets and entire value chains for deeper understanding of the unmet insights along with market sizing and forecasts of niche markets. Contact: Mr. Salgarkar MarketsandMarkets INC. 630 Dundee Road Suite 430 Northbrook, IL 60062 USA: +1-888-600-6441 Email: [email protected] Visit Our Blog: http://mnmblog.org/market-research/aerospace-defence Connect with us on LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/company/marketsandmarkets SOURCE MarketsandMarkets Industry-leading provider of advanced spacecraft systems adds two key executives to reinforce focus on SmallSats and Earth Observation and leverage the collective power of Maxar businesses PALO ALTO, CA, May 8, 2018 /PRNewswire/ - SSL, a Maxar Technologies company (formerly MacDonald, Dettwiler and Associates Ltd.) (NYSE: MAXR, TSX: MAXR) today announced two executives have joined the SSL leadership team to develop growth opportunities for the company's innovative spacecraft systems and expand the company's focus on small satellites and Earth observation. Adam Marks is assuming the role of Chief Strategy Officer, and Mark Sarojak will serve as Vice President of Commercial Earth Observation. The addition of these two leaders will augment SSL's strategic and satellite technology expertise and accelerate growth by leveraging the collective power of the Maxar Technologies businesses. "With these innovative and dynamic thinkers we are bringing a wealth of knowledge and experience to drive growth at SSL," said Dario Zamarian, president, SSL. "This expansion of our leadership team will help us leverage the power of all four of the Maxar businesses to bring the value of our innovative spacecraft systems to the next-generation applications that are driving the new space economy." Adam Marks, Chief Strategy Officer As Chief Strategy Officer, Adam Marks will develop new markets and partnerships to optimize business opportunities for next-generation communications and space systems for commercial and government customers. He has 20 years of experience in high-tech businesses where he focused on key digital technologies such as cybersecurity, mobile broadband connectivity solutions and big data analytics. Mr. Marks was most recently Vice President of Strategy & Corporate Development at Thales Group. Prior to that position, he was at Booz Allen Hamilton where he advised Department of Defense and aerospace industry clients. His expertise includes mergers and acquisitions and working with U.S.-based technology start-ups. He has a law degree from George Washington University, a master's degree in international affairs from Columbia University's School of International and Public Affairs, and a bachelor's degree in history from Yale University. Mark Sarojak, Vice President of Commercial Earth Observation As Vice President of the Commercial Earth Observation business, Mark Sarojak leads SSL's remote sensing business, and drives strategies for the wider adoption of satellite-enabled technologies and the growing smallsat applications market. Mr. Sarojak has more than 20 years of experience in technology, geospatial intelligence and dynamic leadership including roles in strategy, sales and marketing. He joined SSL from GeoNeo Inc., where he served as CEO, and provided strategic leadership for the company's work in geospatial technologies. Previously, Mr. Sarojak spent 11 years at BAE Systems where he developed commercial strategies, led global sales and marketing teams, and grew partner networks. He holds a master's degree in engineering systems from Colorado School of Mines and a bachelor's degree in computer science from Wake Forest University. About SSL SSL, based in Palo Alto, California, is a leading provider of advanced spacecraft systems, with broad expertise to support commercial and government satellite operators and innovative space missions. The company designs and manufactures spacecraft for services such as direct-to-home television, video content distribution, broadband internet, mobile communications, in-orbit servicing, space exploration, and Earth observation. As a Silicon Valley innovator for 60 years, SSL's advanced product line includes state-of-the-art small satellites, and sophisticated robotics and autonomous solutions for remote operations. SSL is a Maxar Technologies company (NYSE: MAXR; TSX: MAXR). For more information, visit www.sslmda.com. About Maxar Technologies Maxar Technologies (formerly MacDonald, Dettwiler and Associates) is a leading global provider of advanced space technology solutions for commercial and government markets including satellites, Earth imagery, robotics, geospatial data and analytics. As a trusted partner, Maxar Technologies provides unmatched integrated capabilities, solutions and expertise to help customers anticipate and address their most complex mission-critical challenges with confidence. With more than 6,500 employees in over 31 locations, the Maxar Technologies portfolio of commercial space brands includes MDA, SSL, DigitalGlobe and Radiant Solutions. Every day, billions of people rely on Maxar Technologies to communicate, share information and data, and deliver insights that Build a Better World. Maxar trades on the Toronto Stock Exchange and New York Stock Exchange as MAXR. For more information, visit www.maxar.com. Contact Wendy Lewis | SSL Media Contact | 1-650-852-5188 | [email protected] Marissa Poratto | Maxar Investor Relations | 1-604-331-2044 | [email protected] Nancy Coleman | Maxar Media Contact | 1-303-684-1674 | [email protected] SOURCE Maxar Technologies Ltd. Related Links www.maxar.com DALLAS, May 8, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- McKool Smith and the firm's trial lawyers are highly regarded in the 2018 edition of Chambers USA, which recognizes the firm as a leader across five key focus areas, including commercial litigation, intellectual property, insurance recovery, securities litigation, and bankruptcy/restructuring. Also, 19 of the firm's trial lawyers are recognized as leaders in their respective areas of practice. McKool Smith is ranked as one of the top law firms in the nation for both intellectual property and insurance: dispute resolution - policyholder. The publication also recognizes the firm as a leading firm in Texas for commercial litigation, intellectual property, and bankruptcy/restructuring, and a leading firm in California for commercial litigation. In New York, McKool Smith is recognized as a leading firm for representing policyholders in insurance disputes and institutional plaintiffs in securities litigation. Clients interviewed by Chambers note that McKool Smith "generates results like no other firm" and "is creative in its approach and incredible with its follow-through." Clients also noted that they are "always impressed with McKool," while market commentators applauded the firm for having an "an incredible bench of trial attorneys" who are "extremely responsive and very client focused." McKool Smith's Chambers ranked/recognized lawyers include: Chambers USA is compiled by Chambers and Partners, a London-based publisher of guides to the world's leading law firms and lawyers. To compile the 2018 edition, researchers conducted more than 10,000 interviews with attorneys and business leaders from across the Unites States. McKool Smith's 2018 rankings can be viewed here. With more than 185 trial lawyers across offices in Austin, Dallas, Houston, Los Angeles, Marshall, New York, Silicon Valley, and Washington, D.C., McKool Smith has established a reputation as one of America's leading trial firms. Since 2006, the firm has secured ten nine-figure jury verdicts and twelve eight-figure jury verdicts. The firm has also won more VerdictSearch and The National Law Journal "Top 100 Verdicts" over the last ten years than any other law firm in the country. Courtroom successes like these have earned McKool Smith critical acclaim and helped the firm become what The Wall Street Journal describes as "one of the biggest law firm success stories of the past decade." McKool Smith represents clients in complex commercial litigation, intellectual property, insurance recovery, bankruptcy, and white collar defense matters. For more information, please contact Michael R. Coston at (212) 402-9450 or [email protected] SOURCE McKool Smith Related Links http://www.mckoolsmith.com Location: Schulich Executive Education Centre, Suite 500, 222 Bay St, Toronto, ON Welcoming Remarks: Dezso J. Horvath, Order of Canada (CM); Dean, Schulich School of Business, York University and Board of Directors, Toronto Centre Moderator: John Palmer, CM; Chair, Toronto Centre; former Superintendent of Financial Institutions for Canada (OSFI), former Managing Director of the Monetary Authority of Singapore, and former Deputy Chairman and Managing Partner, KPMG Keynote Address: William R. White, Chairman, the Economic and Development Review Committee, OECD; former Economic Adviser and Head of the Monetary and Economic Department, BIS and Deputy Governor, Bank of Canada Panelists: The Honourable Kevin Lynch, OC; Vice-Chair, BMO Financial Group; former Clerk of the Privy Council Canada; former Deputy Minister of Finance, Government of Canada Kevin J. Stiroh, Executive Vice President and Head of the Supervision Group, the Federal Reserve Bank of New York Maureen Jensen, Chair and Chief Executive Officer, Ontario Securities Commission and Board of Directors, Toronto Centre Stefan Ingves, Governor, Central Bank of Sweden and Chair, Basel Committee on Banking Supervision, and Board of Directors, Toronto Centre Ceyla Pazarbasoglu, Senior Director, Finance, Competitiveness, and Innovation Global Practice, World Bank, and Board of Directors, Toronto Centre ABOUT TORONTO CENTRE Established in 1998, Toronto Centre for Global Leadership in Financial Supervision (Toronto Centre) is an independent not-for-profit organization that promotes financial stability and access to financial services globally. Our mission is to provide high quality capacity building programmes for financial supervisors and regulators, primarily in emerging markets and developing countries. We believe that for countries to thrive, their financial systems must be stable and inclusive. By helping to build these economic foundations, our mission supports sustainable growth and job creation, and helps to reduce poverty. In turn, stable, sustainable economic growth is a vital enabler for infrastructure investments, strengthening international trade, and poverty reduction as confirmed by the UN 2030 Sustainable Development global consensus and Addis Ababa Action Agenda. Our work is aligned with Canada's Feminist International Assistance Policy. Since our inception in 1998, we have trained more than 10,000 supervisors and regulators from over 190 countries and territories. Toronto Centre is supported by Global Affairs Canada, the International Monetary Fund, Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida), and other valuable international partners. For more information, please visit www.torontocentre.org SOURCE Toronto Centre Related Links torontocentre.org Event will feature leaders from the agriculture, protein, food, fertilizer, retail distribution, and supermarket industries NEW YORK and TORONTO, May 8, 2018 /PRNewswire/ - BMO Capital Markets will host its 13th Annual Farm to Market Conference from May 16-17, at the Grand Hyatt Hotel in New York City. The conference brings together leaders from more than 100 agriculture, fertilizer, protein, food, beverage, and retail companies, as well as global institutional investors from these industries. On Wednesday, May 16, the conference will feature a panel on The State of the U.S. Farmer, Crop Economics and Disruptions in Farm Retail including farmer-owned cooperative CHS, Farmers Business Network (FBN), and McKinsey & Company. A keynote presentation featuring Nilam Ganenthiran, Chief Business Officer of Instacart will follow on Thursday, May 17. Some of the companies scheduled to share insights include: DowDupont (DWDP) Sysco (SYY) Nutrien (NTR) Tyson Foods (TSN) Archer Daniels Midland (ADM) 22B Kroger (KR) Mosaic (MOS) FMC (FMC) Bunge (BG) CF Industries (CF) Ingredion (INGR) Media Registration: Journalists who wish to attend the conference in person can receive the link to register by emailing [email protected]. About BMO Capital Markets BMO Capital Markets is a leading, full-service North American-based financial services provider, with approximately 2,500 professionals in 30 locations around the world, including 16 offices in North America, offering corporate, institutional and government clients access to a complete range of investment and corporate banking products and services. BMO Capital Markets is a member of BMO Financial Group (NYSE, TSX: BMO), one of the largest diversified financial services providers in North America with US$591.6 billion total assets as of January 31, 2018. SOURCE BMO Financial Group Related Links http://www.bmo.com PORTSMOUTH, N.H., May 8, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- MediSpend will host GDPR webinars throughout the day on Tuesday, May 8, at 7 A.M., 12 P.M. and 3 P.M. EDT, in advance of the upcoming deadline at the end of the month. The webinar will discuss the disparity between the right to data privacy and the right to data protection in the E.U., the definition of personal data, principles of fair processing and the impact on American life sciences companies. "Our aim is to eliminate confusion surrounding GDPR, clearly define what personal data is and to help ensure awareness for all companies, including life sciences, that need to be ready," said chief knowledge officer, Tim Robinson, Esq. "The impact of GDPR is wide, even though a company may not be based in Europe, if it has any involvement with personal data of individuals in the E.U., then global compliance is mandatory." Data protection regulation in the E.U. increased steadily as technology continues to pervade nearly all facets of life. GDPR is the most complex, comprehensive data regulation in the world to date. In the coming years, global compliance solutions delivering an increased standard of data privacy will become the expectation around the world. "The intricacies of this new regulation are immense," said Neeraj Singhal, vice president, products. "The implementation of the necessary procedures to ensure global compliance is a massive undertaking that affects multiple stakeholders within an organization. Our goal is to provide as much information to life sciences companies and share potential solutions to provide support with the deadline fast approaching." To join the webinar please go to https://bit.ly/2HXiyzH. About MediSpend MediSpend is a global leader in cloud-based compliance software for the life sciences industry. MediSpend is the compliance system of record for some of the world's largest life sciences companies. We help pharmaceutical, medical device, dental and emerging biotech companies comply with global healthcare laws while reducing risk and lowering costs. The MediSpend Compliance Cloud enables life science companies to manage and monitor physician engagement, aggregate and analyze enterprise data, and comply with global data privacy and transparency reporting regulations. Our employees are committed to customer success, innovation, and exceptional product development. Our customers are located in the US, Europe, Asia, and Latin America. MMIS is headquartered in Portsmouth, NH, with offices in Minnesota, New York and Pennsylvania. SOURCE MediSpend AMSTERDAM, May 8, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- A marketplace for innovation, a source of inspiration and a trend barometer. The leading B2B tradeshow in the European medical technology industry, Medtec Europe 2018 offered more business opportunities and education than ever. (Logo: http://mma.prnewswire.com/media/583011/UBM_Logo.jpg ) Boasting an abundance of excellent, high quality visitors, post-event analysis showed that more than 64% of the attendees had purchasing power, with approximately 23% having C-suite roles - an ideal mix to generate promising leads at more than 500 stands. More than 6,000 attendees from over 80 nations used the three-day trade show to discover innovative new products and solutions, attend high-quality sessions and network with their peers. Show organizer UBM recorded almost 950 on-site meetings arranged via Medtec Europe's dedicated match-making platform. Furthermore, the show offered a great traffic density on the show floor. Bernd Maisenholder, Marketing Director at Iftest AG, stated: "Medtec Europe has been a great experience: the talks, the people, the networking opportunities were excellent. Medtec Europe is a great event to network and meet new people". Uwe Winzen, General Manager at Lubrizol Lifesciences, added: "It's one of my favourite shows: we have highly valuable one-to-one time with our customers and very good interactions. Medtec Europe has the right set of people to talk to". Key players such as Multivac, Bosch Healthcare solutions, KOCH Pac-Systeme, Euroflex, Freudenberg Medical, and many more, presented innovative new products and solutions. KOCH Pac-Systeme for instance offered a live demonstration of the Blister Machine KBS-KF. Designed for the forming, filling and sealing of blisters, whether made out of flexible film or eco-friendly, mono-material PET with an inserted card; sealed as a stand-up blister or a clamshell, the Blister Machine KBS-KF ensures high output for a wide variety of products. In addition, small and medium companies and first-time exhibitors such as Colorcon, Hexagon or Selenium Medical used Medtec Europe as a platform to further expand their brand. Value adding features This year's Medtec Europe once again offered a variety of features and attractions, including more than 55 on-site seminars, covering everything from digitalization and connected health to regulatory issues. Trending topics such as 3D Printing, Connected Devices, and Digital Transformation were put under the spotlight. In the Smart Health and Smart Manufacturing Insight Theatres, attendees were able to learn from keynote speakers from Orange, Nelson Laboratories, Deloitte, Strategyn, Iftest, AAMI, Hogan Lovells, Activoris and many more. Furthermore, the highly-attended Breakfast Meeting provided in-depth insights into the interpretation and application of the new EU Medical Device Regulation ahead of the 2019 deadline. With the second Medical Device Manufacturing Conference, organized in partnership with Frauenhofer IPA and Messe Stuttgart, show organizer UBM EMEA offered detailed insights into significant changes within the medtech market in relation to process and assembly, due to a growing requirement for more customized solutions. In addition, Martin Pattera, Managing Partner at Strategyn led a workshop focused on "Customer-Centric Innovation in Med Tech" and shared highly-valuable insights into a hands-on navigation instrument for your customer-centric innovation. Last but not least, a new initiative in collaboration with VDI offered 35 young medtech professionals the opportunity to meet, network and develop skills and knowledge. With 800 attendees, the conference program reached an outstanding number. In addition, several very promising start-ups taking part in the Start-up Academy used Medtec Europe as a platform to develop their brand. Many of them made great connections to achieve their investment needs. Focusing on everything from eye-care to AI diagnostics, some of the most brilliant innovators in medtech presented their innovations to the judges, who picked Neuro Device Lab as the winner. Neuro Device Lab presented an integrated system for enhancing rehabilitation of speech disorders in the form of portable, transcranial electrical stimulator (headset). This innovation will make a great impact on patients' health with safe, accessible and effective therapy. Medtec Europe will return as MedtecLIVE in Nurnberg in 2019 Next year, MedtecLIVE will open its doors on May 21 in Nuremberg for three days, combining the strongest elements of both Medtec Europe and MT-Connect. Sharing the general enthusiasm for the joint-venture, Medtec Europe Brand Director Anne Schumacher said: "Together with our partner MesseNurnberg, we are already looking forward to 2019 and will do our utmost to arrange a top-class agenda. MedtecLIVE will be the key meeting place for European and international manufacturers and decision makers in the medtech industry. " About Medtec Through exhibitions, conferences and online communities, Medtec brings together more than 50,000 medical professionals each year to network, identify business opportunities and expand the global market. Medtec hosts events in Europe, Japan, China and USA. Medtec also provides an online buyer & supplier directory at qmed.com. For more information visit: www.medteceurope.com About UBM EMEA UBM EMEA connects people and creates opportunities for companies across five continents to develop new business, meet customers, launch new products, promote their brands, and expand their market. Through premier brands such as Medtec, CPhI, TFM, Internet World, IFSEC, MD&M, Cruise Shipping Miami, the Concrete Show, and many others, UBM EMEA exhibitions, conferences, awards programs, publications, Websites, and training and certification programs are an integral part of the marketing plans of companies across more than 20 industry sectors. The UBM plc. annual schedule of medical events includes: MD&M West (06 - 08 February 2018) Medtec Europe (17 - 19 April, 2018) Medtec Japan (18 - 20 April 2018) BIOMED Boston (18 - 19 April 2018) Medtec China (26 - 27 September 2018) About the NurnbergMesse Group NurnbergMesse is one of the 15 largest exhibition companies in the world. Its portfolio covers some 120 national and international exhibitions and congresses and approximately 40 sponsored pavilions at the Nuremberg location and worldwide. Every year, over 30,000 exhibitors (international share: 41%) and up to 1.4 million visitors (international share of trade visitors: 24%) participate in the own, partner and guest events. NurnbergMesse has subsidiaries in China, North America, Brazil, Italy and India. The group also has a network of about 50 representatives operating in over 100 countries. UBM EMEA is committed to the continual improvement of sustainability To ensure long term profitability, UBM EMEA aims to be a leader in sustainable business, aligning all key business decisions with our sustainability strategy. UBM EMEA sees it as fundamental that we are conscious of the impact that our actions have on the environment and the communities in which we operate. UBM EMEA strives to manage its impact by ensuring that the principles of sustainability are at the core of all our activities. A corner stone to our journey towards sustainability is our certification to the ISO 20121 Sustainable Event Management System. UBM EMEA is one of the first major organisers to successfully implement and certify our sustainable event management system against the International Standard ISO 20121. More information For more information, images and logos, please visit: www.medteceurope.com SOURCE UBM EMEA DALLAS, May 8, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Methodist Health System is honored to be ranked #2 in on DiversityInc's list of most diverse health systems and hospitals in the country. The DiversityInc lists, issued last week and yearly since 2001, recognizes companies that show commitment to diversity in areas such as hiring, retaining, and promoting women, minorities, people with disabilities, LGBT, and veterans. "This is a tremendous accomplishment for Methodist. We prioritize intentional inclusion and diversity, with leadership collaboratives at each of our entities," says Stephen L. Mansfield, Ph.D., FACHE, president and CEO of Methodist Health System. "My team and I believe diversity and intentional inclusion enhances the quality of care we provide, opens our staff to new ideas and best practices, and increases employee satisfaction and engagement." Methodist provides patients with compassionate, quality healthcare that is sensitive to their values, particularly those that emerge out of their diverse cultural, ethnic, and religious backgrounds. "Consistently delivering culturally competent care allows our physicians, nurses, and medical staff to better communicate with patients and helps improve the overall patient experience," says Cheryl Flynn, SPHR, Senior Vice President and Chief Human Resources Officer. DiversityInc's extensive annual survey yields an empirically driven ranking based on recruitment, talent development, senior leadership commitment, and supplier diversity. This year's competition was improved by new survey questions, and more sophisticated analysis from DiversityInc's data scientists. This year's Top 11 includes: Mount Sinai Health System Methodist Health System Henry Ford Health System Moffitt Cancer Center Northwell Health Cleveland Clinic Bon Secours Health System Massachusetts General Hospital Indiana University Health Mayo Clinic TriHealth About Methodist Health System Guided by the founding principles of life, learning, and compassion, Dallas-based Methodist Health System (Methodist) provides quality, integrated healthcare to improve and save the lives of individuals and families throughout North Texas. Ten hospitals proudly carry the Methodist Health System brand, as owners or through affiliation. More than two dozen Methodist Family Health Centers and Medical Groups are among the facilities served by the nonprofit Methodist Health System, which is affiliated by covenant with the North Texas Conference of the United Methodist Church. Additional information is available at MethodistHealthSystem.org. Connect through Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, and Instagram at Methodisthealthsystem.org/socialmedia. Texas law prohibits hospitals from practicing medicine. The physicians on the Methodist Health System medical staff are independent practitioners who are not employees or agents of Methodist Health System, Methodist Dallas Medical Center, Methodist Charlton Medical Center, Methodist Mansfield Medical Center, Methodist Richardson Medical Center, or any other affiliated institution. About DiversityInc The mission of DiversityInc is to bring education and clarity to the business benefits of diversity. The DiversityInc Top 50 Companies for Diversity list began in 2001, when many corporations were beginning to understand the business value of diversity-management initiatives. The 2018 Top 50 Companies for Diversity results will be featured on DiversityInc.com. DiversityInc is a VA certified veteran-owned business and a USBLN certified business owned by a person with a disability. For more information, visit www.diversityinc.com . SOURCE Methodist Health System Related Links http://www.mhd.com WASHINGTON, May 8, 2018 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- NASA has signed a second space act agreement with Uber Technologies, Inc., to further explore concepts and technologies related to urban air mobility (UAM) to ensure a safe and efficient system for future air transportation in populated areas. Under this agreement, Uber will share its plans for implementing an urban aviation rideshare network. NASA will use the latest in airspace management computer modeling and simulation to assess the impacts of small aircraft from delivery drones to passenger aircraft with vertical take-off and landing capability in crowded environments. This is NASA's first such agreement specifically focused on modeling and simulation for UAM operations. "NASA is excited to be partnering with Uber and others in the community to identify the key challenges facing the UAM market, and explore necessary research, development and testing requirements to address those challenges," said Jaiwon Shin, associate administrator for NASA's Aeronautics Research Mission Directorate. "Urban air mobility could revolutionize the way people and cargo move in our cities and fundamentally change our lifestyle much like smart phones have." At its research facility at the Dallas Fort Worth (DFW) International Airport, NASA will use the data supplied by Uber to simulate a small passenger-carrying aircraft as it flies through DFW airspace during peak scheduled air traffic. Analysis of these simulations will identify safety issues as these new aircraft take to the air in an already crowded air traffic control system. "The new space act agreement broadening Uber's partnership with NASA is exciting, because it allows us to combine Uber's massive-scale engineering expertise with NASA's decades of subject matter experience across multiple domains that are key to enabling urban air mobility, starting with airspace systems," said Jeff Holden, Uber's chief product officer. As small aircraft enter the marketplace, NASA wants to ensure they do so safely, with acceptable levels of noise, and without burdening the current national air traffic control system. To this end, the agency is leveraging ongoing aeronautics research in areas including: Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS) traffic management at low altitude; UAS integration in the National Airspace System; all-electric, general aviation class aircraft development; vertical take-off and landing aircraft; system-wide safety; and more. These activities will generate the data necessary to support the creation of industry standards, Federal Aviation Administration rules and procedures, and other related regulations. NASA will make the research available to the broader UAM community. For more information about NASA's Urban Air Mobility initiative, visit: https://go.nasa.gov/2I04Ec1 For more information about NASA's aeronautics research, visit: https://www.nasa.gov/aeroresearch SOURCE NASA Related Links http://www.nasa.gov "Since 1942, National has long been associated with delivering high-quality sealing products to customers without compromise, and we felt that the time was right to refresh and modernize the brand," said Daniel Leo, commercial vehicle brand manager, Marketing, Federal-Mogul Motorparts. "The new red and gold trade dress will differentiate National products from others on the market." For more information about National products, contact your local Federal-Mogul Motorparts representative or visit http://www.FMheavydutyparts.com/brands/national-oil-seal-bearings.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, National, Nural, Payen, Sealed Power and Speed-Pro engine products; MOOG chassis components; and Abex, 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 55,000 in 24 countries. For more information, please visit www.FMmotorparts.com. *BERU is a registered trademark of BorgWarner CONTACT: Karen Shulhan (Federal-Mogul Motorparts) 248.354.4383 [email protected] Drew Shippy (Pinnacle Media) 330.688.3500 [email protected] SOURCE Federal-Mogul Motorparts Related Links http://www.federalmogul.com IRVINE, Calif., May 8, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- National robocalling volumes set a record for the second straight month as Americans were blasted by 3.36 billion robocalls in April, marking a 6.5% increase over the previous record set in March, and a stunning 34.4% increase over April of last year. That accelerated pace of calling equaled roughly 1,297 robocalls placed every second of the month nationwide, or some 112 million calls for each day in April, a 10.2% increase in calls/day. The monthly total for April marks the country's highest robocalling rate since the YouMail Robocall Index was launched in 2015. Despite an increasing focus on this problem by legislators, consumer groups, telecom carriers and device makers, the nation's robocalling problem continues to grow at an alarming rate. Fully 47 of the 50 Most Robocalled Cities in America, or 94% of U.S. metro regions, registered month-on-month increases in their robocalling volumes during April. These latest monthly figures come from YouMail , a free solution for both mobile phones and landlines that helps consumers stop robocalls from ever reaching their phones. YouMail blocks unwanted robocallers by making sure the user's phone doesn't ring, and then plays an out-of-service message that leads them to think that the number they dialed is invalid. The YouMail Robocall Index is a compilation of the scope and location of the worst robocalling hotspots across the country by area code, and these statistics are regularly cited by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) as a definitive source for national data trends. "Despite the best efforts of regulators, industry groups, service providers, and app developers, we are warning consumers to remain vigilant by not picking up any calls from unfamiliar numbers, using robocall blocking apps, and researching numbers before calling them back," said Alex Quilici, CEO of YouMail. Locations Getting the Most Robocalls: Atlanta Retains Standing as Nation's #1 Robocalling Hotspot Atlanta held onto its dubious distinction as leader of the YouMail Most Robocalled Cities in America list for the 29th straight month. Atlanta residents were blitzed by 147.9 million robocalls in April, a 7% month-on-month increase in calling volumes. In addition, Atlanta had three area codes make the Top 20 Most Robocalled Area Code list for April, including area codes 404, 678 and 770. Two new cities broke into the Top 50 list in April, including #46 Long Beach, CA, with 22.3 million calls received; and #49 Austin, TX, with 21.8 million calls received. Long Beach also ranked as the biggest "mover" of the month with a 16% gain in local calls over March; followed by Riverside, CA (up 14%); and San Diego (up 13%). Smaller cities that posted huge gains in robocall volumes for April included Lincoln, NE (up 154.8%); Southfield, MI (up 85.4%); Charlotte Amalie, VI (up 31.0%); Rochester, MN (up 28.5%); and Beaman, IA (up 25.7%). California held onto its #1 spot as the Most Robocalled State for the month of April, with 384.4 million calls received. Texas ranked a close second with 363.3 million calls received. New Mexico had the biggest percentage increase in monthly robocalls of any state (up 16.2%); followed by South Dakota (up 14.7%); North Dakota (up 14.6%); Vermont (up 13.0%); and South Carolina (up 11.9%). Locations Making the Most Robocalls: Chicago Retakes the Lead as the Most Prolific Robocalling City Chicago reclaimed the top spot as the city generating the most robocalls in April, with 106.5 million calls placed. Other leading cities in the Top 5 included #2 Los Angeles (with 93.5 million calls made); #3 New York (85.8 million); #4 Dallas (81.7 million); and #5 Newark (71.0 million). For the first time in the history of the YouMail Robocall Index, nine cities each placed more than 50 million robocalls in the month, including Chicago, L.A., New York, Dallas, Newark, Atlanta, Houston, Phoenix and Seattle. California was the most prolific robocalling state in April, with 275.3 million calls placed, followed closely by Texas with 234.6 million. Wyoming notched the biggest percentage increase in outbound robocall volumes for April by growing 130.0% over March. Other big "movers" by state included North Carolina (up 59.2%); Oregon (up 41.6%); Vermont (up 35.6%); and New Mexico (up 33.8%). Washington, D.C.'s 202 area code was the nation's most prolific robocalling area code in April, with 38.9 million calls placed. Chicago had two area codes break into the Top 5 list, including the 773 area code (32.5 million) and the 312 area code (30.5 million). Texas placed three area codes on the Top 20 Most Prolific Robocalling Area Codes list, including the 210, 469 and 972 area codes. Florida had two area codes make the Top 20 list, including the 954 and 407 area codes. For more information about the YouMail Robocall Index or to view the latest report, please visit http://robocallindex.com. To join the YouMail Robocall Index mailing list, please write to [email protected]. About YouMail, Inc. YouMail, Inc. is the leading provider of intelligent, cloud-based telecommunication services. The company's flagship service provides an automated virtual receptionist that replaces the subscriber's voicemail on iPhone, Android, and Windows phones. This service stops robocalls, and delights other callers by instantly greeting, routing, and responding to them, personally and memorably, and even provides free conference calls YouMail also provides data on problematic phone number behavior, through a reverse phone lookup service that allows anyone to identify and comment on suspicious numbers, an application program interface (API) that any telecom service provider or third-party developer can use to determine whether a number is problematic, and the YouMail Robocall Index, which since its launch in in September 2015 has emerged as the nation's definitive source on robocalling data for telecom carriers, smartphone and app companies, and public policymakers. Headquartered in Irvine, Calif., YouMail, Inc. was founded in 2007 and is privately funded. Contact: Keya Balar for YouMail Lumina Communications [email protected] 646-791-9600 SOURCE YouMail, Inc. Related Links https://www.youmail.com/ SUNNYVALE, Calif., May 8, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- NeuCyte, Inc., a leading neuroscience drug discovery company, announced the closing of a Series A financing round of $6.7 million, for a totaled funding of more than $8 million. NeuCyte's initial investors, Cowin Venture and Leaguer Ventures, led the round. NeuCyte intends to use the proceeds of the Series A financing to further develop their SynFire in vitro CNS drug discovery platform for the identification of novel drug targets for Fragile X Syndrome (FXS) and other genetically defined neurological disorders. NeuCyte is also seeking strategic partnerships to rapidly advance their programs to a clinical stage. "The high attrition rates of disease modifying drugs for CNS disorders in clinical trials are a clear indication that current non-clinical testing is not predictive of clinical outcome and are failing to serve the unmet needs of millions of patients. Our mission is to improve the lives of these individuals by developing better predictive assays to accelerate and optimize CNS drug discovery," said Jonathan Davila, co-founder and CEO. "Focusing solely on neurological disorders, our goal is to harness the power of induced neural cells to make NeuCyte the premier neuroscience company." "NeuCyte has created a proprietary platform that enables translatable neuroscience. Our platform allows for modeling neurological diseases, as well as phenotypic and target-based drug screens in the right context, a human context," said Tao Huang, co-founder and President. "NeuCyte's SynFire technology unleashes the true potential of neuroscience research for CNS drug discovery." Xin Huang, Managing Partner of Cowin Venture, commented, "NeuCyte has put together a terrific scientific team that are experts in extracting relevant human phenotypes for novel target identification and compound screening. We have been impressed with the delivery of NeuCyte's team in such a short period of time and are delighted to invest in this exciting company. NeuCyte's SynFire technology has the potential to be a game changer for CNS drug discovery and benefit millions of patients suffering from neurological disorders." About SynFire NeuCyte's SynFire neuronal cells are generated from induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) derived from healthy or diseased individuals. Our proprietary neuronal reprogramming technology, exclusively licensed from Stanford, can produce large quantities of highly pure populations of specific neuronal subtypes. The different neuronal subtypes can be mixed and matched, giving researchers the ultimate flexibility to study a single cell type or co-culture environment consisting of mixed human neuronal subtypes and astroglia. These cells are ideally suited for CNS in vitro disease modeling for drug discovery and compound screening, as well as non-clinical drug neurotoxicity and safety assessment. NeuCyte also distributes healthy induced neurons under the SynFire trademark. About NeuCyte Inc. NeuCyte is an innovating biopharmaceutical company that harnesses the power of iPSC derived neuronal cells to develop impactful medicines for the treatment of neurological disorders. They began operations in 2016 and are rapidly becoming a leader in the evolving field of iPSC-based neuroscience drug discovery. NeuCyte's core technology was developed in the laboratories of the Nobel laureate Dr. Thomas Sudhof, M.D., Ph.D. and Dr. Marius Wernig, M.D. at Stanford University, and both are among the co-founders of the company. The company has assembled a Scientific Advisory Board including among others, Dr. Thomas Sudhof, M.D., Ph.D., Stanford University, Dr. Anne Bang, Ph.D., from Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute and Dr. Paul Hagerman, M.D., Ph.D., from U.C. Davis. Dr. Sudhof currently chairs the Scientific Advisory Board of NeuCyte. About Cowin Venture Cowin Venture focuses on early-stage investments in technology and healthcare companies in both China and the United States. Founded in 2009, Cowin has managed eight RMB funds and two USD funds with over 2 billion RMB (300 million USD) under management. Cowin currently has more than 30 healthcare portfolio companies in pharmaceuticals, medical devices, diagnostics and digital health sectors. Cowin aims to identify world-leading biotech and medtech innovations with global intellectual properties and to leverage the vast clinical resources in China to speed up the R&D process and value-inflection of portfolio companies. For more information, please visit www.cowinvc.com. About Leaguer Ventures Leaguer Ventures is one of the venture capital funds managed by Leaguer, the commercial arm of Research Institute of Tsinghua University in Shenzhen (RITS) in China. RITS was jointly founded by Shenzhen Municipal Government and Tsinghua University in 1996 to focus on translational R&D and operate in an enterprise mode. Leaguer carries out all business operation and asset management of RITS and manages 15 funds covering all stages, from seed, VC, PE, M&A, to private placement, with a total of 7 billion RMB under management. Leaguer has invested in more than 400 companies in various sectors, including Biological Medicine (health-tech), New Material, Alternative Energy (clean-tech), Hi-end Equipment Manufacturing, Autonomous Driving, Electronic Chip (ICT), and Soil Improvement (agri-tech), with more than 20 going public. Contact: 1230 Bordeaux Drive Sunnyvale, CA 94089 [email protected] SOURCE NeuCyte, Inc. Related Links http://www.neucyte.com NORTHBROOK, Ill., May 8, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Toys 'R' Us and Babies 'R' Us announced today that it has increased its discount range on all merchandise with incredible new sales prices available through this weekend. The retailer, which is liquidating more than $2 billion of merchandise across 735 locations nationwide, has slashed prices ranging from 30 percent to 50 percent off as part of its store closing event. Top brands, including Fisher Price, Mattel, Barbie, Hot Wheels, Carters, Graco, Disney, Star Wars, Nerf, Avent, American Girl, Playskool and more are a part of this sale. "This liquidation event provides shoppers the opportunity to be a TRU kid one last time with notable brand names at rarely seen discounts. We encourage shoppers to get in early to take advantage of these savings and get the best merchandise before inventory sells out," said a spokesperson for the venture. In addition, beginning Friday, May 11th stores across the United States are giving loyal shoppers the opportunity to commemorate their final Toys 'R' Us moments with a selfie banner featuring the retailer's iconic mascot Geoffrey. "Toys 'R' Us has been a renowned household name over the years and providing loyal customers the opportunity to commemorate their final moments is a great way to keep the memory of Toys 'R' Us alive. We encourage everyone to capture and share their final experiences on Toys 'R' Us' social media channels using the hashtag #alwaysatrukid," said the spokesperson. The retailer announced plans on March 15, 2018 to shut down its operations in the United States and Puerto Rico. The joint venture is comprised of Great American Group, Tiger Capital Group, Gordon Brothers and Hilco Merchant Resources. To find a store near you and to stay up to date on new discounts during this liquidation event, please visit www.toysrusclosingsale.com. About Great American Group Great American Group, LLC is a leading provider of asset disposition and auction solutions, advisory and valuation services, and a wholly-owned subsidiary of B. Riley Financial, Inc. Great American Group efficiently leverages its sector expertise and deploys resources to assist companies, lenders, capital providers, private equity investors and professional service firms in maximizing the value of their assets. To learn more about Great American Group, please visit www.greatamerican.com About Tiger Capital Group Tiger Capital Group (tigergroup.com) provides asset valuation, advisory and disposition services to a broad range of retail, wholesale, and industrial clients. With over 40 years of experience and significant financial backing, Tiger offers a uniquely nimble combination of expertise, innovation and financial resources to drive results. Tiger's seasoned professionals help clients identify the underlying value of assets, monitor asset risk factors and, when needed, provide capital or convert assets to capital quickly and decisively. Tiger maintains domestic offices in New York, Los Angeles, Boston, Chicago, and San Francisco, and international offices in Sydney, Perth, Melbourne and Brisbane, Australia. About Gordon Brothers : Since 1903, Gordon Brothers (www.gordonbrothers.com) has helped lenders, operating executives, advisors, and investors move forward through change. The firm brings a powerful combination of expertise and capital to clients, developing customized solutions on an integrated or standalone basis across four service areas: valuations, dispositions, operations, and investments. Whether to fuel growth or facilitate strategic consolidation, Gordon Brothers partners with companies in the retail, commercial, and industrial sectors to put assets to their highest and best use. Gordon Brothers conducts more than $70 billion worth of dispositions and appraisals annually. Gordon Brothers is headquartered in Boston, with 25 offices across four continents. About Hilco Merchant Resources Hilco Merchant Resources (www.hilcomerchantresources.com) provides a wide range of analytical, advisory, asset monetization, and capital investment services to help define and execute a retailer's strategic initiatives. Hilco Merchant Resources' activities fall into several principal categories including acquisitions; disposition of underperforming stores; retail company or division wind downs; event sales to convert unwanted assets into working capital; facilitation of mergers and acquisitions; interim company, division or store management teams; loss prevention; and, the monetization of furniture, fixtures and equipment. Hilco Merchant Resources is part of Northbrook, Illinois based Hilco Global, one of the world's leading authorities on maximizing the value of business assets by delivering valuation, monetization and advisory solutions to an international marketplace. SOURCE Hilco Merchant Resources Related Links http://www.hilcomerchantresources.com "Paroxysmal atrial fibrillation is an arrhythmia that is often difficult to detect because of its episodic nature but presents real health risks to patients," said Marek Dzuibinski, PhD, lead author and inventor of the PocketECG mobile arrhythmia monitoring solution. "This large-scale study demonstrated that the ability to shorten or extend monitoring duration based on the ongoing results transmitted by online ECG monitoring can improve diagnostic yield over fixed offline methods." The study analyzed 16,595 cardiac telemetry reports developed by Medi-Lynx Cardiac Monitoring between Jan. 1 and Dec. 31, 2016 using the PocketECG online monitoring system, a leading arrhythmia monitoring system that transmits full disclosure ECG signal for up to 30 days. Continuous and fully labeled recordings, lasting between 1 and 30 days (mean duration: 18.1 9.9 days), were captured with PocketECG and used to determine the monitoring duration required to detect the first AF episode for various AF burdens (AFBs). The study then evaluated the impact of monitoring duration on diagnostic yield (DY) in patients with PAF (for AFB 1% and AFB 10%) and analyzed the difference in DY between the online method (up to 30 days) and simulated offline methods (24 and 48 hours Holter and multiday patch). Study Results For AF burden 1 %, online monitoring with PocketECG showed: - DY 6 times higher than the first 24h of Holter monitoring - DY 3.5 times higher than the first 48h of Holter monitoring - DY higher by 36 % than the first 11 days with the offline patch - DY higher by 14 % than the first 18 days with the offline patch For AF burden 10 %, the online method showed: - DY 4 times higher than the first 24h of Holter monitoring - DY 2.5 times higher than the first 48h of Holter monitoring - DY higher by 25 % than the first 11 days with the offline patch - DY higher by 10 % than the first 18 days with the offline patch Paroxysmal AF is a form of arrhythmia that is often difficult to diagnosis because of its intermittent nature. It can lead to heart-related complications including blood clots, stroke, and heart failure. Left untreated, AF more broadly can double the risk of heart-related death and increase the risk of stroke by as much as five times. About PocketECG PocketECG is the complete arrhythmia monitoring solution making precise arrhythmia diagnosis possible complete data, analysis and reporting. Roughly the size of a smart-phone, the remote arrhythmia monitoring device captures and transmits the full-disclosure ECG signal for up to 30 days providing the onset and offset of every arrhythmia and classifying morphology for every beat. Patient symptoms are recorded on the touch screen of the device and physical activity captured to distinguish between heart rate changes caused by physical activity and those caused by arrhythmia. PocketECG detects complex ventricular and supraventricular arrhythmia including VT, SVT, Bigeminies and Trigeminies and diagnoses Atrial Fibrillation with single beat accuracy. Results are statistically summarized in full-color holter-style reports delivered straight to the clinicial through our secure online portal. For more information, visit www.pocketecg.com. About Medicalgorithmics S.A. Medicalgorithmics S.A. (WSE: MDG) is a leader in cardiac monitoring and diagnostic solutions. Its PocketECG system is used worldwide for remote monitoring of cardiac disorders, arrhythmia diagnosis, and heart-rate monitoring around the world. Other products in development include a device for cardiac rehabilitation now under FDA review, software for optimizing repetitive tasks in hospitals, and algorithms for remote interpretation of multi-lead electrocardiography (ECG) signals. Medicalgorithmics also provides services in the field of information technology, biotechnology and scientific research. Based in Warsaw, Poland, Medicalgorithmics operates in the United States through MEDICALGORITHMICS US HOLDING CORPORATION and its US subsidiary and service provider Medi-Lynx Cardiac Monitoring. To learn more, visit www.medicalgorithmics.com. About Medi-Lynx Medi-Lynx Cardiac Monitoring LLC, is the US service provider and subsidiary of Medicalgorithmics S.A., delivering best-in-class cardiac diagnostic solutions and service to enable the best possible care for patients. The Company's team of highly-trained technicians and customer care specialists work seamlessly to provide round-the-clock monitoring, reporting, training and support for cardiology practices and their patients. To learn more, visit www.medi-lynx.com. SOURCE Medicalgorithmics, S.A. DETROIT, May 8, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- WHAT: LiTES Advanced Lighting Controls Summit for small/mid-size businesses in Michigan learn how you can take part in a Department of Energy (DOE) pilot program to save money and energy WHEN: 8:00 AM -3:45 PM TUESDAY, MAY 15 WHERE: NextEnergy, 461 Burroughs St. Detroit, MI 48202, or call: 313.833.0100. Complimentary registration at www.nextenergy.org/litessummit; light breakfast/Slows BBQ lunch and tour of IBEW Local 58 Zero Net Energy Center with transportation included. WHO: In partnership with DTE Energy and Consumers Energy, NextEnergy is hosting this informational summit. 100 commercial buildings (100,000 sq.ft. maximum) in Michigan will be selected to participate in this federally-funded pilot program designed to incentivize and save business owners energy costs through the use of advanced lighting controls. Target audience includes: Building owners/managers, architects/engineers/designers, lighting designers, electrical contractors, general contractors, and lighting/energy consultants. Available for interviews about the available training, pilot programs and incentives: Jim Saber , President & CEO, NextEnergy , President & CEO, NextEnergy Gina Schrader , LiTES Program Manager, NextEnergy , LiTES Program Manager, NextEnergy Sean McCoy , Assistant Operations Manager, DTE Energy , Assistant Operations Manager, Mark Atkinson , Senior Energy Advisor, DTE Energy , Senior Energy Advisor, Aaron Kwiatkowski , Consultant, Consumers Energy Advanced Lighting controls professionals available for interviews Jim McGrath , Executive Director, Lighting Controls Specifications, Crestron Electronics , Executive Director, Lighting Controls Specifications, Crestron Electronics Ron Marcissuk , Regional Sales Manager, Crestron Electronics , Regional Sales Manager, Crestron Electronics Kandice Cohen , Owner, Bright Light Energy Consulting PROGRAM BACKGROUND: ABOUT LiTES: The Lighting Technology Energy Solutions is a three-year program supported by the Department of Energy (DOE) that will reduce the energy footprint of small and medium commercial buildings by introducing and supporting the adoption of advanced lighting controls. Now in its second year, the day long LiTES SUMMIT on Tuesday, May 15 will provide contractors and building owners with training on networked lighting control technologies, installation methods, and more. Attendees will also have the opportunity to hear success stories on the Whitney project, Washtenaw Community College and the American Geophysical Union in Washington, DC. The day will end with a tour of IBEW Local 58's Zero Net Energy Center in Detroit's Corktown neighborhood. Under this program, DTE and Consumers Energy are offering incentives that will alleviate the capital costs to install cost-effective, energy efficient systems in commercial buildings under 100,000 sq. ft. Visit www.nextenergy.org/litessummit to register for this program open to all Michigan business owners and contractors. SOURCE NextEnergy Related Links http://nextenergy.org DETROIT, May 8, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Clean technology innovation accelerator NextEnergy, part of a national network of accelerators focused on deploying solutions that create smarter, cleaner and more livable cities, announced it is participating in Detroit Urban Solutions, a new consortium with Wayne State University, start-up incubator TechTown, the City of Detroit, and others. "Innovation consortiums like Detroit Urban Solutions are a key component of Detroit's revitalization," said Mayor Mike Duggan. "Detroit Urban Solutions will create and commercialize new ideas and support our regional economy creating jobs that leverage Southeast Michigan's unique attributes and expertise in mobility, digital health and more." "In addition to participating in Detroit Urban Solutions, NextEnergy has decided to sell its building to Wayne State University. This allows us to expand our resources to meet rising demand for our services from our clients who are looking to fast track new technologies into the market," said Jim Saber, NextEnergy's new president and CEO. Saber also said that the organization will remain in the TechTown neighborhood and will retain access to all of the center's assets it utilizes to conduct testing and demonstration work in addition to its convening space. Saber added, "Together, we will be better able to leverage our global reach to attract new talent and business ventures to the region. NextEnergy will lead the group's efforts in mobility and energy, particularly where it applies to solutions for urban living. If you are an individual or company interested in technology that makes living in cleaner, safer communities a reality, you need to take a look at us." Additional Detroit Urban Solutions partners include Design Core Detroit, the Detroit Economic Growth Corporation, Kyyba, Lear Corporation, the Michigan Economic Development Corporation and the philanthropic organization, the New Economy Initiative. Ned Staebler, Wayne State's vice president for economic development and CEO of TechTown said, "The volume of tech innovation in metro Detroit and on the Wayne State campus, especially around mobility, health tech, and cybersecurity, make it one of the country's premier places for those talented individuals and companies interested in working and developing innovative urban solutions. This consortium brings together unique resources that will accelerate innovation in these important sectors." About NextEnergy Founded in 2002 as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, NextEnergy is an innovation center accelerating advanced energy, mobility and built environment technologies to enable smarter and more sustainable cities. Since its inception, NextEnergy has worked with more than 400 companies, universities, federal agencies, and philanthropic organizations to drive more than $1.5 billion in advanced energy and mobility technology investments. For more information about how we're accelerating technologies that transform how we use energy to live and move, visit nextenergy.org. SOURCE NextEnergy Related Links http://nextenergy.org CHARLOTTE, N.C., May 8, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- You are invited to join Nucor's (NYSE: NUE) Annual Meeting of Stockholders, which will be broadcast live over the Internet on Thursday, May 10, 2018 at 10:00 a.m. Eastern Time. What: Nucor's 2018 Annual Meeting of Stockholders When: 10:00 a.m. Eastern Time on Thursday, May 10, 2018 Where: https://www.webcaster4.com/Webcast/Page/913/25544 or at http://www.nucor.com How: Simply log on to the web at either address above Archive: If you are unable to participate during the live webcast, the event will be archived at http://www.nucor.com. Nucor and its affiliates are manufacturers of steel products, with operating facilities primarily in the U.S. and Canada. Products produced include: carbon and alloy steel -- in bars, beams, sheet and plate; hollow structural section tubing; electrical conduit; steel piling; steel joists and joist girders; steel deck; fabricated concrete reinforcing steel; cold finished steel; steel fasteners; metal building systems; steel grating; and wire and wire mesh. Nucor, through The David J. Joseph Company, also brokers ferrous and nonferrous metals, pig iron and HBI/DRI; supplies ferro-alloys; and processes ferrous and nonferrous scrap. Nucor is North America's largest recycler. SOURCE Nucor Corporation Related Links http://www.nucor.com PARK CITY, Utah, May 8, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- O.C. Tanner, the global leader in employee recognition and workplace culture, today announced its second annual recognition and culture conference, Influence Greatness 2018, will be held September 18-20 at Stein Eriksen Lodge in Park City, Utah. Offering insights and inspiration to help human resource and other organizational leaders optimize their business strategies, Influence Greatness 2018 provides valuable tools, actions and insights to help positively transform the way employees participate in their workplace culture. Attendees will enjoy hands-on trainings, breakout sessions, networking discussions and keynotes from some of the most forward-thinking thought leaders in the industry. "Last year's conference at Snowbird was a huge success and we're excited to make Influence Greatness 2018 even better," said David Sturt, executive vice president of O.C. Tanner. "The focus of the conference is to teach and inspire leaders how to achieve organizational results by improving culture in the workplace. We've brought in some of the best speakers in the world, who we think can expand on that message and inspire leaders to make positive changes to how they do business." In the tradition of the Influence Greatness 2017 lineup, this year's conference will captivate participants with keynote speakers such as Tim Gunn, Emmy-winning co-host and mentor of Lifetime's "Project Runway." Prior to his work on the show, Gunn was appointed as the chair of the Department of Fashion Design at Parsons School of Design where his work earned the department recognition as the indisputable leader in fashion design education in America. Gunn was also the Chief Creative Officer at Liz Claiborne Inc. Along with Tim Gunn, other speakers at the conference include: Angela Duckworth , CEO of Character Lab and author of "Grit: The Power of Passion and Perseverance," the #1 New York Times bestseller CEO of Character Lab and author of "Grit: The Power of Passion and Perseverance," the #1 bestseller Charles Duhigg , Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist, author and speaker Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist, author and speaker Dan Heath , Co-Author of four New York Times Bestselling Books, including "Switch" Co-Author of four New York Times Bestselling Books, including "Switch" Carey Lohrenz , first female F-14 Tomcat fighter pilot in the U.S. Navy first female F-14 Tomcat fighter pilot in the U.S. Navy Matthew Luhn , one of the original story creators at Pixar one of the original story creators at Pixar David Sturt , executive vice president at O.C. Tanner and New York Times bestselling author of "Great Work: How to Make a Difference People Love" Those interested in attending Influence Greatness 2018 can register now for the early bird rate of $795 to secure their spots. For more information about Influence Greatness 2018, visit the official website. About O.C. Tanner O.C. Tanner, the global leader in employee recognition and culture, helps thousands of top companies accomplish and appreciate great work. Twenty-five of the Fortune 100 Best Companies to Work For use O.C. Tanner's cloud-based technology, tools, awards and services to engage talent, increase performance, drive goals and create great workplace cultures. For more information, visit O.C. Tanner's website. Media Contact Lindsey Nikola [email protected] 801-493-3055 SOURCE O.C. Tanner Related Links http://www.octanner.com PORTLAND, Ore., May 8, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- OIA Global, a leading worldwide logistics, packaging, and material sourcing provider announced the global launch of OIA Connect, the latest addition to its suite of automated supply chain visibility and decision support tools. "The announcement, which took place in London today, is a solution to the ever-increasing complexity of managing international supply chains," says Claus Rasmussen, OIA's Managing Director of Europe and the Middle East. Rasmussen noted that OIA Global customers are manufacturing and shipping to all global geographies, and they must have the ability to share critical information in many technical environments. Some customers require electronic links directly into their own tracking and ERP systems via EDI and XML. Others are seeking PC or web-based solutions and OIA must have the ability to quickly and easily interface in all environments. According to Rasmussen, OIA Connect enables customers to identify and report on their supply chain progress, share summary reporting with customers and suppliers, and quickly collaborate to take corrective action when schedules are not met. It is the latest cloud-based technology solution available from OIA. Waldo Remijn, OIA's Director of Process & Technology Excellence commented, "the OIA Connect visibility tools are available to all customers worldwide and are easily scalable to any size business." Customer validation and launch in Europe and the Americas was completed in the Spring, and over a dozen customers are now in production. Currently, roll-out for Asia is in progress. More information on OIA Connect is available at OIAGlobal.com. About OIA Global Since its founding in 1988, OIA has grown into a $1 billion supply chain management leader, delivering clients a unique combination of global logistics, packaging, and materials sourcing solutions. With over 1,200 professionals, and 65 owned offices in 28 countries, OIA designs innovative solutions that optimize supply chains around the world. OIA is privately owned by Indianapolis-based LDI, Ltd., with more than a century of experience funding and operating high potential, middle-market companies. For more information, please visit www.oiaglobal.com and www.ldiltd.com. OIA Global Media Contact Madison Erickson Marketing Manager T: 503.736.5900 E: [email protected] SOURCE OIA Global Related Links http://www.oiaglobal.com SAN FRANCISCO, May 8, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- EdTech company, Simplilearn, a leading provider of online training courses for digital economy skills, announced today that it has reached a milestone of one million learners. Having recently celebrated its eighth anniversary in the online training business, Simplilearn has doubled its learner base in two years. (Logo: http://mma.prnewswire.com/media/535442/Simplilearn_Logo.jpg ) Several key factors have accelerated the business growth of Simplilearn, including the acquisition of digital marketing training provider, Market Motive in 2015 and the opening of two new offices in the United States, in San Francisco, California (2016) and Raleigh, North Carolina (2017). Additional boosts in subscribers came in 2016 when Microsoft named Simplilearn as a Silver Learning Partner for its suite of Microsoft Azure certification courses and Simplilearn became Google's first authorized training partner (ATP) for Certified Android App Developer training. In April 2018, Simplilearn was awarded a General Service Administration (GSA) contract for online training, to offer a range of professional certification courses to employees of federal, state and local government agencies in the United States. "I credit Simplilearn's rapid growth to our continuous focus on providing outcome-based training geared towards course completions, certifications, client business goals and learners' jobs achieved," said Krishna Kumar, Founder & CEO, Simplilearn. "We're grateful to all our subscribers and partners who have enabled us to reach this measurable landmark, because our success is simply a testament to our learners' success." Simplilearn's year-over-year growth is attributed to its unique blended learning model and its expansive course offerings in highly demanded roles across AI & Machine Learning, Big Data & Analytics, Cloud Computing, Cyber Security, Digital Marketing and more, all of which are continually updated by renowned experts and industry thought leaders. In addition to helping working professionals gain competitive marketplace skills, Simplilearn partners with leading global system integrators, enterprise companies in the consumer goods, banking, telecom industries along with many others, so both, companies and their employees can get the skills they need to thrive in today's digital economy. About Simplilearn Simplilearn enables professionals and enterprises to succeed in the fast-changing digital economy. The company provides outcome based online training across digital technologies and applications such as Big Data, Machine Learning, AI, Cloud Computing, Cyber Security, Digital Marketing and other emerging technologies. Based in San Francisco, CA, Raleigh, NC and Bangalore, India; Simplilearn has helped more than 1,000,000 professionals and 1000+ companies across 150+ countries get trained, acquire certifications and reach their business and career goals. The company's high-engagement curriculum blends, self-paced online learning, instructor-led live virtual classrooms, hands-on projects, student collaboration and 24/7 global teaching assistants. Simplilearn is a GSA IT-70 contract holder and is recognized by Training Industry as a Top 20 IT Training Company for 2017. For more information, visit https://www.simplilearn.com/. Media Contact: Rushitha S L [email protected] +91-9538207070 Simplilearn SOURCE Simplilearn NEW YORK, May 8, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- INTRODUCTION Protein and peptide-based therapeutics have been in use for more than three decades since the approval of recombinant human insulin, the first protein therapy, in 1982. Earlier, most biologic drugs were delivered through the subcutaneous route. However, over time, advances in delivery formulations have enabled the development of orally administrable versions of therapeutic proteins / peptides. Owing to numerous compelling reasons, the concept of oral delivery has gained significant traction. The first oral protein / peptide-based product candidate, Linzess, was launched in 2012 in the US and EU. Recently, Trulance, another orally administrable product was approved in the US (January 2017) for the treatment of chronic idiopathic constipation (CIC). In fact, in January 2018, Trulance was approved for another indication, namely irritable bowel syndrome with constipation (IBS-C). Read the full report: https://www.reportlinker.com/p01902118 The growing popularity of this upcoming class of therapeutics has led to the development of several oral protein / peptide-based product candidates for the treatment of a myriad of diseases. In addition, the need for efficient and patient-friendly treatment options for chronic disorders, such as diabetes, is estimated to boost the demand for oral proteins and peptides in the coming years. Despite their clinical and commercial success, oral formulations of protein / peptide-based drugs have been associated with multiple drawbacks, such as concerns related to unwanted enzymatic degradation, inherent structural complexities, high manufacturing costs and low bioavailability. The aforementioned issues tend to have an impact on the overall efficacy of such products, thereby, limiting their therapeutic potential. This has prompted researchers to develop better technologies in order to improve product stability and therapeutic efficiency. The ongoing innovation has led to the discovery of novel biological targets, strengthening the research pipelines of various companies focused in this domain. Increasing research and development activities, and rising demand for effective drugs with better therapy adherence profiles are anticipated to encourage growth of the global oral proteins and peptides market in the coming years. SCOPE OF THE REPORT The 'Oral Proteins and Peptides Market (3rd Edition), 2018-2030' report provides an extensive study on the current market landscape of orally administrable protein / peptide-based therapeutics, featuring a comprehensive discussion on the future potential of this evolving market. The field has captured the interest of several drug developers, including both small to mid-sized players and large companies. While more than half of these pipeline candidates are in the discovery / preclinical stages, around 28% of drug candidates are presently in advanced stages of evaluation (phase II and above). Amongst other elements, the report features: A detailed assessment of the current market landscape of oral proteins / peptides, providing information on various drug developers, phase of development (clinical, preclinical or discovery stage) of product candidates, type of molecule (protein or peptide), biological target, mechanism of action, affiliated technology platform, key therapeutic area(s) and indication(s), and dosage. An in-depth analysis of the product pipeline and developer companies, featuring three schematic representations; these include [A] a four dimensional grid analysis, representing the distribution of oral proteins / peptides (on the basis of the type of molecule) across various target therapeutic areas and stages of development, [B] a logo landscape of the various industry and non-industry players involved in the development of oral protein / peptide-based drugs, distributed on the basis of phase of development of pipeline candidates and size of developer companies (small-sized, mid-sized and large companies), and [C] a schematic world map representation, highlighting the most active geographies, in terms of the presence of various industry players that are involved in the development of oral proteins / peptides. Details of recently held / upcoming conferences focused solely / partially on various aspects related to the oral delivery of proteins / peptides. A detailed analysis identifying the key opinion leaders (KOLs) in the field of oral proteins / peptides. This features a 2X2 analysis to assess the relative experience of certain KOLs, who were shortlisted based on their contributions (in terms of involvement in various clinical studies) to this field, and a schematic world map representation, highlighting the geographical locations of eminent scientists / researchers involved in the development of already marketed molecules in this domain. Identification of the most commonly targeted therapeutic indications, and details of the oral proteins / peptides being developed against them. The study presents information on epidemiology, available diagnostic tests, and details of current treatment options and their side effects. Comprehensive profiles of marketed and phase III drugs, highlighting their history of development, mechanism of action, dosage information (if available), manufacturing information (if available), current status of development, clinical trial information, key clinical trial results, historical sales (if marketed) and information on the developer. A case study, featuring profiles of three of the most popular orally administrable protein / peptide-based drugs belonging to other drug classes, namely cyclic peptides and pancreatic enzyme replacement therapies (PERTs), which are either commercialized or under development. Each profile provides an overview of the drug, history of development, chemical structure and mechanism of action, dosage information (if marketed), clinical trial information (if the product is currently under development), patent portfolio (if available), and information on the other commercially available treatment options. A review of the various oral drug delivery technology platforms that are being used for the development of product candidates in this domain, highlighting their key features and providing information on their developers. Specifically, for each technology platform, we have captured information on the various components of the technology, approach / system being used, type of formulation and type of molecules(s) that can be delivered using the technology. Elaborate profiles of the technologies that are presently being used in the development of three or more products / product candidates (in both preclinical and clinical stages of development) with at least one candidate in the clinical stages of development, along with technologies for which the drugs are in advanced clinical stages of development (phase III and above). Each profile features an overview of the developer and technology, mechanism of action, key advantages, pipeline molecules developed using the technology and recent developments specific to the technology (acquisitions / mergers, collaborations and expansions). An insightful 2X2 analysis of the different oral delivery technology platforms that are presently being utilized for the generation of oral proteins / peptides. The analysis is based on the supplier power (represented in terms of venture funding activity and company size) and product competitiveness (represented in terms of development activity (number of drugs in both preclinical / clinical stages of development), indication coverage, partnerships activity). An analysis of the partnerships that have been established in the recent past, covering product development / commercialization agreements, R&D collaborations, technology licensing deals, manufacturing agreements, merger / acquisitions, product licensing deals, clinical trial collaborations and others. An analysis of the investments made at various stages of development in companies that are focused in this area, including seed financing, venture capital financing, debt financing, grants, capital raised from IPOs and subsequent offerings. A publication analysis, featuring inputs from close to 90 articles that have been published in 2017, highlighting the key focus areas of the ongoing research activity in this field. An analysis depicting the prevalent and emerging trends related to this domain as represented on the social media platform, Twitter. In addition to providing information on quarterly trends related to the volume of tweets in 2017, the analysis highlights the most talked about biological targets, drug candidates, active players, technology platforms, disease indications, and therapeutic areas. A detailed case study on protein / peptide contract manufacturing, featuring a list of over 140 CMOs that are currently offering contract manufacturing services for such products / product candidates. A discussion on affiliated trends, key drivers and challenges, under a SWOT framework. The analysis features a Harvey ball analysis, highlighting the relative effect of each SWOT parameter on the overall oral proteins / peptides market. One of the key objectives of this study was to understand the primary growth drivers and estimate the future size of the market. Based on parameters, such as target consumer segments, likely adoption rates and expected pricing, we have provided an informed estimate of the likely evolution of the market in the short to mid-term and long term, for the period 2018-2030. In addition, we have provided the likely distribution of the market based on [A] therapeutic areas (autoimmune disorders, bone disorders, digestive and gastrointestinal disorders, hormonal disorders, infectious diseases, metabolic disorders, urogenital disorders and others), [B] molecule type (protein and peptide), [C] technology platforms, [D] key players, and [E] geography (North America (the US, Canada and Mexico), Europe (EU5 countries), Asia-Pacific and RoW). To account for the uncertainties associated with the growth of the oral proteins / peptides market and to add robustness to our model, we have provided three forecast scenarios, portraying conservative, base and optimistic tracks of the market's evolution. The research, analysis and insights presented in this report is backed by a deep understanding of insights gathered both from secondary and primary sources. This enabled us to solicit inputs on upcoming opportunities and challenges that were considered to develop estimates for a more inclusive growth. The opinions and insights presented in this study were influenced by discussions conducted with several key players in this domain. The report features detailed transcripts of interviews held with Dinesh Srinivasan (Director, Anthera Pharmaceuticals), Stig K Hansen (Co-founder and CEO, Carmot Therapeutics), Terry Dyck (CEO, IGY Life Sciences and Technology) and Richard Franklin (Director and CEO, Tarix Orphan). All actual figures have been sourced and analyzed from publicly available information forums and primary research discussions. Financial figures mentioned in this report are in USD, unless otherwise specified. RESEARCH METHODOLOGY The data presented in this report has been gathered via secondary and primary research. For all our projects, we conduct interviews with experts in the area (academia, industry, medical practice and other associations) to solicit their opinions on emerging trends in the market. This is primarily useful for us to draw out our own opinion on how the market will evolve across different regions and technology segments. Where possible, the available data has been checked for accuracy from multiple sources of information. The secondary sources of information include: Annual reports Investor presentations SEC filings Industry databases News releases from company websites Government policy documents Industry analysts' views While the focus has been on forecasting the market till 2030, the report also provides our independent view on various trends emerging in the industry. This opinion is solely based on our knowledge, research and understanding of the relevant market gathered from various secondary and primary sources of information. CHAPTER OUTLINES Chapter 2 provides an executive summary of the insights captured in our research. The summary offers a high-level view on the likely evolution of oral proteins / peptides market, in the short-mid term and long term. Chapter 3 provides a comparison of the key characteristics of small molecules and large molecules / biologics. Further, it includes a detailed discussion on proteins / peptides, highlighting their potential as therapeutic agents. It also features a discussion on the various routes of administration used for the delivery of drugs, with special focus on oral route. The chapter elaborates on the likely advantages and challenges associated with the oral route of administration. In addition, it includes a comprehensive discussion on the various approaches developed / under development for the effective oral delivery of proteins / peptides. Chapter 4 includes information on 100 oral proteins / peptides that are currently approved / under development for therapeutic use. It features a comprehensive analysis of pipeline molecules, highlighting the drug developers, phases of development, type of molecule (protein and peptide), biological target, technology platforms, target therapeutic area(s) and disease indication(s). The chapter also highlights the various oral proteins / peptides that have been discontinued over the last few years. Chapter 5 presents the key insights derived from the study. It features a four-dimensional grid analysis, representing the distribution of product candidates (on the basis of type of molecule) across various target therapeutic areas and stages of development. In addition, it features a logo landscape of industry and non-industry players that are engaged in the development of oral proteins / peptides, distributed based on the developmental status of pipeline candidates and size of companies (small-sized, mid-sized and large companies). We have also mapped the geographical presence of various industry players that are involved in the development of product candidates in this field. In addition, the chapter provides a list of recently-held / upcoming conferences focused on various aspects related to the oral delivery of proteins / peptides. Chapter 6 provides an analysis of the KOLs in the field of oral proteins / peptides. It provides a comprehensive list of principal investigators of different clinical trials, along with information related to the affiliated research institutes. The chapter features a schematic representation on a world map, highlighting the geographical locations of the eminent scientists / researchers who are engaged in clinical research activity in this domain. It also features a comparative analysis, highlighting those KOLs who have relatively more experience in this domain. Chapter 7 highlights the potential target indications (segregated by therapeutic areas) that are currently the prime focus of companies developing oral proteins / peptides. These include metabolic disorders, digestive and gastrointestinal disorders, infectious diseases, autoimmune disorders, hormonal disorders and bone disorders. The chapter also provides details on disease epidemiology, available diagnostic tests, and currently available treatment options for each indication and their likely side effects. Chapter 8 contains detailed profiles of drugs that are either marketed or are in phase III of development. Each profile features an overview of the drug, history of development, mechanism of action, dosage information (if available), manufacturing information (if available), current status of development, clinical trial information, key clinical trial results, historical sales (if marketed) and information on the developer. Chapter 9 provides a review of oral proteins / peptides belonging other drug classes, namely cyclic peptides and PERTs, which are either commercialized or still under development. The chapter features detailed profiles of three popular orally administrable, therapeutic proteins / peptides (Minirin, Sandimmune and Sollpura), which were discovered before 2000. Each profile contains an overview of the drug, history of development, chemical structure and mechanism of action, dosage information (if marketed), clinical trial information (if the product is currently under development), patent portfolio (if available) and information on the other commercially available treatment options for the disease indications for which each drug is approved. Chapter 10 provides a list of technology platforms that are either currently available, or being developed by various firms, for the generation of oral proteins / peptides with information on technology composition, approach / system being used, formulation and type of molecules(s) that can be delivered using the technology. In addition, it features detailed profiles of some of the key technologies that have been used to develop (at least three) clinical and / or preclinical product candidates, along with the technologies for which the drugs are in advanced clinical stages of development (phase III and above). Each profile contains details on the technology, including mechanism of action, pipeline molecules developed using the technology, its advantages and the various partnerships that were established related to the technology. Chapter 11 features a 2X2 matrix, comparing product competitiveness and supplier power of the oral drug delivery technology platforms that are presently being utilized for the generation of oral proteins / peptides. The analysis takes into consideration several parameters, such as venture funding activity, company size, development activity (number of drugs in both preclinical / clinical stages of development), indication coverage and partnerships activity. Chapter 12 presents details on various investments received by companies that are engaged in this domain. It also includes an analysis of the funding instances that have taken place in the period between 1996 and January 2018, highlighting the growing interest of the venture capital community and other strategic investors in this market. Chapter 13 features an elaborate discussion and analysis of the various collaborations and partnerships that have been inked amongst players in this market. We have also discussed the different partnership models (including product development / commercialization agreements, R&D agreements, technology licensing, manufacturing agreement, mergers / acquisitions, product licensing, clinical trial collaborations and others) and the most common forms of deals / agreements that have been established between stakeholders in this domain between 2000 and 2018 (till January). Chapter 14 provides a comprehensive publication analysis, highlighting the recent trends in published literature related to oral proteins / peptides. It presents information such as the year of publication, type of study, the key targets and the publication journals. The chapter provides details on novel methods, and also highlights the various attempts that are being made to add value to the ongoing R&D efforts within this domain. Chapter 15 provides insights on the popularity of oral proteins / peptides on the social media platform, Twitter. The section highlights the yearly distribution of tweets posted on the platform in the time period 2013-2017, and the most significant events responsible for increase in the volume of tweets each year. Additionally, the chapter showcases the most frequently mentioned words, therapeutic areas, biological targets, drug candidates, and the key players that post frequent updates related to their drugs and technologies, as observed on social media. Chapter 16 presents a comprehensive market forecast analysis, highlighting the future potential of the market till the year 2030. It includes future sales projections of drugs that are either marketed or in advanced stages of clinical development (phase II and above). Further, sales potential and growth opportunity were estimated based on target patient population, likely adoption rates, existing / future competition from other drugs and the likely price of products. The chapter also presents a detailed market segmentation on the basis of therapeutic areas (autoimmune disorders, bone disorders, digestive and gastrointestinal disorders, hormonal disorders, infectious diseases, metabolic disorders, urogenital disorders and others), molecule type (protein and peptide), technology platforms, key players, and geography (North America (the US, Canada and Mexico), Europe (EU5 countries), Asia-Pacific and RoW). Chapter 17 features a case study on the role of CMOs in the field of oral proteins / peptides. It provides details on the various factors that need to be considered while selecting the right CMO partner for the pharmaceutical companies. In addition, it includes a list of over 140 contract manufacturers that claim to have the necessary capabilities for protein / peptide manufacturing. Chapter 18 provides a detailed analysis capturing the key parameters and trends that are likely to influence the future of the oral proteins / peptides market, under a comprehensive SWOT framework. The chapter also features a schematic Harvey ball analysis to highlight the relative impact of each SWOT parameter on the overall oral proteins / peptides market. Chapter 19 is a summary of the overall report. In this chapter, we have provided a list of the key takeaways from the report, and expressed our independent opinion related to the research and analysis described in the previous chapters. Chapter 20 is a collection of interview transcripts of discussions held with key stakeholders in this market. In this chapter, we have presented the details of our conversations with Dinesh Srinivasan (Director, Anthera Pharmaceuticals), Stig K Hansen (Co-founder and CEO, Carmot Therapeutics), Terry Dyck (CEO, IGY Life Sciences and Technology) and Richard Franklin (Director and CEO, Tarix Orphan). Chapter 21 is an appendix, which provides tabulated data and numbers for all the figures provided in the report. Chapter 22 is an appendix, which provides the list of companies and organizations mentioned in the report. EXAMPLE HIGHLIGHTS 1. Around 100 oral protein / peptide therapeutics are currently being developed across various preclinical / clinical stages for a diverse range of indications. Two products, namely Linzess (Ironwood Pharmaceuticals) and Trulance (Synergy Pharmaceuticals), are commercially available; of these, Trulance was approved in January 2017. Nearly 41% of the pipeline molecules are under clinical development; of these, 5 molecules are being investigated in phase III and phase II/III, 18 molecules in phase II, 5 molecules in phase II (planned), 1 in phase I/II, and 9 molecules in phase I and phase I (planned) clinical trials. However, majority (57%) of the product candidates in the pipeline are still in the preclinical and discovery stages. 2. 42% of the products in the development pipeline are designed to treat various metabolic disorders, including (in decreasing order of number of pipeline products) diabetes, obesity and non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). Nearly 15% of therapy candidates are being developed for the treatment of digestive and gastrointestinal disorders, including (in decreasing order of number of pipeline products) chronic idiopathic constipation (CIC), irritable bowel syndrome with constipation (IBS-C), inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) (Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis), opioid-induced constipation (OIC) and short bowel syndrome (SBS). Products are also being developed for other therapeutic areas, such as autoimmune disorders (9), infectious diseases (9), hormonal disorders (5), bone disorders (4), blood disorders (3), various oncological indications (2), respiratory disorders (2), urogenital disorders (2), genetic disorders (1) and neurodegenerative disorders (1). 3. The market landscape is characterized by the presence of large (13, with more than 200 employees), mid-sized (12, with 50-200 employees) and small-sized companies (33, with less than 50 employees). Some of the prominent large companies engaged in this domain include (in alphabetical order) Chiasma Pharma, Ferring Pharmaceuticals, Ironwood Pharmaceuticals, Novo Nordisk and Sanofi Aventis. Similarly, mid-sized companies that are actively contributing to the development of oral protein / peptide-based product candidates include (in alphabetical order) Emisphere Technologies, Protagonist Therapeutics, Synergy Pharmaceuticals and Transgene Biotek. In addition, small companies, such as (in alphabetical order) Allena Pharmaceuticals, Biolingus, Enteris BioPharma, Longevity Biotech, Oramed Pharmaceuticals, Proxima Concepts and Rani Therapeutics, are also actively involved in this domain. 4. Several universities / research organizations, either independently or in collaboration with industry players, have also contributed to the development of products in both preclinical and clinical studies. Examples include (in alphabetical order) Medical University of South Carolina, Monash University, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, Niagara University and University of Montreal. 5. To overcome the challenges related to the effective administration of oral biologics, several innovative technologies to formulate and deliver oral biologics are being developed. Notable examples of advanced drug delivery technologies include (in decreasing order of number of pipeline products) Robotic Pill Maker technology (Rani Therapeutics), Peptelligence (Enteris BioPharma), AxcessTM oral drug delivery technology (Proxima Concepts), Oral Peptide Utility System (OPUS) technology (Biolingus), Sublingual Immunotherapy (SLIT) technology (Biolingus), and Oramed Protein Oral Delivery (PODTM) technology (Oramed Pharmaceuticals). 6. Over 195 funding instances, amounting to USD 5.4 billion worth of capital, have taken place in this field in the last decade. Cherrystone Angel Group, Novartis Venture Fund, Third Security, MVM Life Science Partners, Venrock, ARCH Venture Partners, Ascent Biomedical Ventures, Boston Harbor Angels, F2 Ventures, Google Ventures, MPM Capital and Pharmstandard International have emerged as some of the prominent investors (in terms of number of funding instances). 7. Since 2008, around 100 partnerships have been inked between various stakeholders within the industry; of these, 44 collaborations have been established since 2012. Approximately 39% of the deals were product development / commercialization agreements; recent examples include agreements between Carmot Therapeutics and Amgen (December 2017), Eli Lilly and KeyBioscience (June 2017), Protagonist Therapeutics and Janssen Biotech (May 2017), Enteris BioPharma and Sanofi (January 2017), Ironwood Pharmaceuticals and Allergan (January 2017), and Takeda Pharmaceuticals and PvP Biologics (January 2017). Other popular types of collaborations were R&D deals (25%), technology licensing agreements (9%), manufacturing agreements (8%), mergers / acquisitions (7%), product licensing agreements (6%) and clinical trial collaborations (5%). In terms of the number of deals signed in the given time period, Oramed Pharmaceuticals (8), Ironwood Pharmaceuticals (8), Merrion Pharmaceuticals (7), Enteris BioPharma (7) and Novo Nordisk (7), have emerged as the most active companies. 8. With many candidates in late stages of development and increase in technological advancements, the market is likely to grow at a steady pace over the coming decade. North America and the EU5 presently dominate the market share and are expected to retain the leading position over the next decade. Within Asia-Pacific and RoW regions, India, Japan, Russia, Israel and Australia are expected to garner a growing share of the market by 2030. 9. The two currently marketed drugs target digestive and gastrointestinal disorders, including CIC and IBS-C. With the anticipated approval of close to 20 additional drugs by 2030, the market is likely to be driven by five therapeutic areas, namely digestive and gastrointestinal disorders (31%), metabolic disorders (30%), bone disorders (10%), infectious diseases (6%) and urogenital disorders (5.5%). In fact, specific products, being developed for indications with very large target patient populations, are anticipated to achieve blockbuster status (with sales over USD 1 billion) and become prime contributors to future revenues in the coming decade. Read the full report: https://www.reportlinker.com/p01902118 About Reportlinker ReportLinker is an award-winning market research solution. Reportlinker finds and organizes the latest industry data so you get all the market research you need - instantly, in one place. __________________________ Contact Clare: [email protected] US: (339)-368-6001 Intl: +1 339-368-6001 SOURCE Reportlinker Related Links http://www.reportlinker.com RARITAN, N.J. and SINGAPORE, May 8, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Ortho Clinical Diagnostics (Ortho), a global leader of in vitro diagnostics, will host the Ortho Lab Leader Scientific Summit on May 8 and 9 at the Conrad Hotel in Seoul, South Korea. The summit, arranged with the support of the College of American Pathologists, will be an opportunity for lab leaders in the Asia-Pacific region to gain insights from some of the brightest minds in the field of diagnostics about the latest innovations in clinical labs and transfusion medicine. "Ortho is committed to serving as a trusted advisor to the diagnostics community around the world," said Alex Socarras, Ortho's chief commercial officer. "Diagnostics is rapidly evolving to meet increasing challenges and keep pace with medical innovation worldwide, and helping labs thrive despite the increasing pressures they face is important for us." Expert speakers from Korea, the U.S. and Europe will cover automation, leadership and quality in the lab, acute kidney injury and cardiac biomarkers, and work practice standardization. "This year's Lab Leader Summit continues Ortho's tradition of bringing together the most innovative thinkers in diagnostics throughout Asia, as we discuss how to address operational challenges and persistent areas of high unmet medical need," said Anand Pande, head of Ortho's Asia-Pacific region. In March, Ortho sponsored a second annual Transfusion Medicine Summit in China. And in July, Ortho will host its third annual "C-Suite Summit" in Singapore to address key issues of priority to senior hospital leaders. About Ortho Clinical Diagnostics Ortho Clinical Diagnostics is a global leader of in vitro diagnostics serving the global clinical laboratory and immunohematology communities. Across hospitals, hospital networks, blood banks, and labs in more than 125 countries and territories, Ortho's high-quality products and services enable health care professionals to make better-informed treatment decisions. For the immunohematology community, Ortho's blood typing products help ensure every patient receives blood that is safe, the right type and the right unit. Ortho brings sophisticated testing technologies, automation, information management and interpretation tools to clinical laboratories around the world, helping them run more efficiently and effectively, and improve patient care. Ortho's purpose is to improve and save lives with diagnostics, and it does that by reimagining what's possible. This is what has defined Ortho for more than 75 years, and it's what drives Ortho forward. For more information, visit www.orthoclinicaldiagnostics.com. Ortho Clinical Diagnostics 2018 SOURCE Ortho Clinical Diagnostics Related Links http://www.orthoclinicaldiagnostics.com "Over the last six years, Plug and Play has played a pivotal role in Panasonic's relationship with the Silicon Valley community," says Norihiro Kondo, Director of New Business Development at Panasonic. "Building on this great foundation, we feel that this Strategic Partnership will allow for us to engage the ecosystem in even more diverse and interesting ways and are very excited to see what we can create together." Plug and Play launched its first accelerator program in 2013 focused on Brand & Retail. A few months after the launch, Panasonic joined as the first Anchor Partner. Since then, Plug and Play has launched 14 other programs in Silicon Valley, expanded to over 220 corporate partners, and grown to over 20 locations worldwide. Throughout the past six years, Panasonic has engaged with many Plug and Play startups through pilots, co-development, investment, mentorship and more and was given Plug and Play's first ever Corporate Innovation Award in 2017 due to their extensive participation. "2018 marks an exciting new chapter in our relationship with Panasonic," says Michael Olmstead, CRO of Plug and Play. "As our first cross-vertical Strategic Partner, Panasonic is leading the way for corporate innovation. They have not only been a valuable partner to Plug and Play, but have become a resource to our entire corporate and startup ecosystem." While the initial launch of The Panasonic x Plug and Play Showcase focuses on retail, the space will rotate to new themes to touch different areas of industry and technology. The mission is to bring to life corporate and startup collaboration to help the broader community reimagine potential innovation in their industry. Corporations looking to implement new technology in their business and find solutions to their industry's toughest problems, Plug and Play is here to help. Apply today: pnptc.com/join About Plug and Play Plug and Play is a global innovation platform. Headquartered in Silicon Valley, we have built accelerator programs, corporate innovation services, and an in-house VC to make technological advancement progress faster than ever before. Since inception in 2006, our programs have expanded worldwide to include a presence in over 20 locations globally giving startups the necessary resources to succeed in Silicon Valley and beyond. With over 6,000 startups and 220 official corporate partners, we have created the ultimate startup ecosystem in many industries. Companies in our community have raised over $7 billion in funding, with successful portfolio exits including Danger, Dropbox, LendingClub, PayPal, SoundHound, and Zoosk. www.plugandplaytechcenter.com. About Panasonic Panasonic has put forward the brand slogan "A Better Life, A Better World" to embody its founding management philosophy "to contribute to the progress and development of society through its business activities." Guided by this slogan, the Company is endeavoring to offer "A Better Life, A Better World" to each and every customer around the world across its four core business areas: Consumer Electronics, Housing, Automotive, and B2B. Media Contacts Panasonic Nina Baron [email protected] Plug and Play Allison Romero [email protected] SOURCE Plug and Play Related Links http://plugandplaytechcenter.com GREENWOOD VILLAGE, Colo., May 8, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Panorama Consulting Solutions, the world's leading independent ERP consulting firm, recently hired Bill Baumann as Director of Expert Witness Services. Baumann was previously with Panorama for two and a half years, playing a role in business development and serving as a Director of Client Services, overseeing Panorama ERP software selection and implementation projects, as well as expert witness engagements. Bill Baumann Baumann has more than 35 years of experience in marketing strategy, direct sales, account management and C-level management. In his new role, Baumann will forge relationships with prospects interested in any of Panorama's expert services, including expert witness testimony, project recovery and independent verification and validation. "Our expert services are poised to make the jump to the next level," said Baumann. "I'm excited to contribute to the development of one of Panorama's most valuable service areas." Baumann's expert witness background has contributed to his holistic perspective when it comes to investigating the causes of failed ERP implementations. He is skilled at identifying root causes that extend beyond technology, and he considers failure points related to change management and business process management. Baumann has ERP implementation experience on both the client and vendor side, giving him an understanding of both parties involved in ERP lawsuits. "I'm glad to be joining such a talented and dedicated team," said Baumann. "Our combined expertise will undoubtedly help companies succeed in their digital transformation initiatives." Baumann will be participating in Panorama's upcoming ERP Boot Camp on May 22-23 in Chicago, IL. He will share his expertise in independent verification and validation and discuss the importance of using a third-party to audit project deliverables. Visit Panorama's website to learn more about ERP Boot Camp. About Panorama Consulting Solutions Panorama Consulting Solutions specializes in enterprise consulting, infrastructure consulting and digital transformation for mid- to large-sized, private and public sector organizations across the globe. One-hundred percent independent of affiliation, Panorama helps firms evaluate and select software, implement software and navigate organizational changes to ensure that clients realize the full benefits of their enterprise software projects. Panorama also offers IT strategy, business process reengineering, IT staffing, independent verification and validation, project management oversight, expert witness testimony and litigation support. More information can be found on its website, Panorama-Consulting.com and Twitter feed, Twitter.com/PanoramaERP. Media Contact: Jennifer Aldrich 720-579-6531 [email protected] SOURCE Panorama Consulting Solutions Related Links https://www.panorama-consulting.com NEW BRUNSWICK, N.J., May 8, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Edward Rebenack, Craig Aronow, and Jay Mascolo from Rebenack, Aronow & Mascolo, LLP have been selected to the 2017 New Jersey Super Lawyers list. No more than five percent of the lawyers in New Jersey are selected by Super Lawyers. RAM Law Partners Super Lawyers, part of Thomson Reuters, is a rating service of outstanding lawyers from more than 70 practice areas who have attained a high degree of peer recognition and professional achievement. The annual selections are made using a patented multiphase process that includes a statewide survey of lawyers, an independent research evaluation of candidates and peer reviews by practice area. The result is a credible, comprehensive and diverse listing of exceptional attorneys. Edward Rebenack, Craig Aronow, and Jay Mascolo are also Certified Civil Trial Attorneys as designated by the New Jersey Supreme Court. The New Jersey Supreme Court has designated this honor to attorneys who demonstrate a high level of experience, education, knowledge and skill in civil trial practice. RAM Law, with offices in New Brunswick and Somerville, NJ, is a specialized litigation firm focusing on personal injury cases, leveraging its extensive courtroom experience, technological and negotiation skills to deliver its clients the best possible results. For more information, visit www.ramlawnj.com. Contact: Edward Rebenack Rebenack, Aronow & Mascolo, LLP 111 Livingston Avenue New Brunswick, New Jersey 08901 Telephone: 732-247-3600 Firm website: www.ramlawnj.com Media contact: Greg Sutphin [email protected] 610-757-8411 SOURCE Rebenack, Aronow & Mascolo, LLP Related Links http://www.ramlawnj.com MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif., May 8, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Passage AI, an acknowledged leader in AI-powered conversational interfaces, today announced that Mitul Tiwari has been accepted into the Forbes Technology Council, an invitation-only community for world-class CIOs, CTOs and technology executives. Tiwari joins other Forbes Technology Council members, who are hand-selected, to become part of a curated network of successful peers and get access to a variety of exclusive benefits and resources, including the opportunity to submit thought leadership articles and tips on industry-related topics for publishing on Forbes.com. "The dramatic improvements in AI and natural language processing are creating tremendous demand for chatbots in nearly every industry," said Tiwari. "I am excited to share my expertise in deep learning, search and AI, along with my experience in developing and implementing chatbots, with the Forbes Technology Council members and the broader Forbes audience." Passage AI created an award-winning bot-building tool that utilizes AI and natural language processing technologies, requires no coding and can be deployed anywhere in as little as two weeks. Employing a sophisticated deep learning model, the company's AI/NLP platform performs at an industry-leading 95 percent or higher accuracy, as noted by customers and independent analysts. Some of the largest brands in the world are currently using Passage AI's platform and experiencing great success. Scott Gerber, founder of Forbes Councils, said, "We are honored to welcome Mitul into the community. Our mission with Forbes Councils is to curate successful professionals from every industry, creating a vetted, social capital-driven network that helps every member make an even greater impact on the business world." About Forbes Councils Forbes partnered with the founders of Young Entrepreneur Council (YEC) to launch Forbes Councils, invitation-only communities for world-class business professionals in a variety of industries. Members, who are hand-selected by each Council's community team, receive personalized introductions to each other based on their specific needs and gain access to a wide range of business benefits and services, including best-in-class concierge teams, personalized connections, peer-to-peer learning, a business services marketplace, and the opportunity to share thought leadership content on Forbes.com. For more information about Forbes Councils, visit forbescouncils.com. About Passage AI Founded in 2016 by Walmart Labs alumni Madhu Mathihalli and Ravi Raj and LinkedIn alumnus Mitul Tiwari, Passage AI enables businesses to harness the power of AI-enabled conversational interfaces to bring bottom-line benefits, to better utilize service agents saddled by mundane tasks, and to deliver exceptional customer experience. Passage AI counts Kohl's, Udacity and PwC among the business and services that use its solution. A 2018 TiE50 award winner, the company has secured $10.3 million in total funding and is headquartered in Mountain View, Calif. More information can be found at http://www.passage.ai. Media Inquiries: Cathy Summers Consort Partners for Passage AI [email protected] SOURCE Passage AI Related Links http://www.passage.ai LAGOS, Nigeria, May 8, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Pastor Chris Oyakhilome, a world-renowned televangelist and the founder of the LoveWorld Inc., will be holding a special visit to Israel (May 10th-18th). The historic trip will be accompanied by hundreds of followers seeking to connect to the Holy Land. The registration was open to all Evangelists that seek to explore the wonders of the Land. According to the organization, many believers have expressed their enthusiasm to join and been waiting for a long time to become part of the event. The annual trip's aim is to spiritually connect to the Holy Land and walk in the footsteps of the Lord Jesus Christ. The eight-day visit will take place in Israel and Jordan. Moreover, the tour was designed with the goal of presenting a memorable experience to first-time participants and present a new opportunity for returning visitors to take a closer look at the journey Jesus took. This year's visit of Pastor Chris Oyakhilome is considered as a major event since it overlaps with the 70th anniversary of the declaration of independence of Israel and the moving of the US embassy in Israel to Jerusalem, the Capital. Pastor Chris Oyakhilome will be accompanied by the Evangelical preacher, Pastor Benny Hinn; joining efforts to make this biblical tour a grand success. The delegation will be split into four groups, each experiencing different sites from the Holy Land with live ministrations from Chris Oyakhilome. The visitors accompanying him are from across the globe, including from the US and North America. The attendees will get the chance to experience places like the Western Wall in Jerusalem; a 2000-year-old Jewish Holy Site linked to the Second Temple, the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, the traditional site of Christ's crucifixion, burial, and resurrection and Cana of Galilee where Jesus turned water to wine. The trip is filled with museums, monuments, authentic markets, great food and much more. The tour will be broadcasted live with constant updates on all social media outlets as well as the official LoveWorld USA tv. To those that were unable to participate in this year's trip can register at http://pastorchrisliveusa.org/ to receive updates and livestream notifications. SOURCE Pastor Chris, Christ Embassy FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla., May 8, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Patriot National, Inc. ("Patriot National" or the "Company"), a leading provider of technology and outsourcing solutions to the insurance industry, announced today that on May 4, 2018 the Bankruptcy Court approved the Company's plan of reorganization, which will result in the transition of ownership from its public shareholders to certain funds and accounts managed by each of Cerberus Business Finance, LLC and its affiliates ("Cerberus") and TCW Asset Management Company LLC ("TCW"). Patriot National expects to emerge from Chapter 11 in the second quarter of 2018. "The approval of our reorganization plan is a key milestone in completing the Chapter 11 process, and I would like to thank our dedicated employees and loyal base of carriers and agents who helped to ensure the success of our business during this period," said John Rearer, CEO of Patriot National. "The plan provides our Company with a significantly healthier capital structure that will enable us to be agile and competitive in the current market. Cerberus and TCW are fully invested in the future of our business, and we look forward to working together to emerge from this process as a stronger company." Court filings and other information related to the restructuring are available at http://cases.primeclerk.com/patnat or by calling 855-631-5360 (toll-free) or +1 347-897-3454 (international). Hughes Hubbard & Reed LLP and Pachulski Stang Ziehl & Jones LLP are serving as legal bankruptcy counsel, and Duff & Phelps Corporation is serving as financial advisor. About Patriot National Patriot National, Inc. is a national provider of comprehensive technology and outsourcing solutions that help insurance companies and employers mitigate risk, comply with complex regulations and save time and money. Patriot National provides general agency services, technology outsourcing, software solutions, specialty underwriting and policyholder services, claims administration services, and self-funded health plans to its insurance carrier clients, employers and other clients. Patriot National is headquartered in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. For more information about Patriot National, please visit www.patnat.com. Media Contact Brad Tuttle Epiq Strategic Communications 312-560-6333 [email protected] SOURCE Patriot National, Inc. Related Links http://www.patnat.com "Imagine you own a small business and you have just finished a long day of work. But it isn't done yet. Now you need to spend the next two hours entering all the sales and expenses into your bookkeeping software, facing frustrating error messages and redundant activities," says Crystal Stranger, an enrolled agent and co-founder of PeaCounts. "What if you could just take a few pictures of receipts with your cell phone and answer simple questions about what they are for? PeaCounts is the bookkeeping solution that makes accounting this simple, and frees up time for what is more important in your life." Accounting software is basically the same now as it was in the early 1980s, and many entrepreneurs struggle with the record-keeping parts of their business. As the owner of a tax office, Stranger saw this with her clients when they would come in at tax time with a shoebox full of receipts and have no idea what they made or spent during the year. However, the software and services currently available still didn't make it easy enough. Impassioned by an idea for a product built on the promise of blockchain technology that could change all this, Stranger, together with accounting software developer, Shashank Shukla, founded Viact Systems Inc. and began developing PeaCounts. "Business owners will no longer require a dual-entry system with manual reconciliations," says Stranger. "Combined with machine learning, PeaCounts has developed a system that makes manual entry a thing of the past." PeaCounts' intuitive dashboard and mobile app gives real-time information about where a user stands financially, as well as provides a simple interface to work with. Adding a business receipt is as easy as using a mobile phone to scan the receipt. If there are any questions about where a receipt should go, a "bookkeeper" asks simple questions. On the daily bank sync, the system matches this to the user's bank account, and asks questions if anything doesn't match or is missing. And the books are done, that easy. Behind the scenes, PeaCounts leverages blockchain, an accounting concept that describes a block of records that are linked and secured using cryptography. PeaCounts uses blockchain in six different ways to secure the data of their clients, preventing any kind of security breach. Blockchain technology, the same code that underlies Bitcoin, is, at its heart, an accounting method that revolutionizes the way information is recorded. By decentralizing the transaction ledger while syncing data and backing up financial data, it secures data while creating immutable records. In addition, PeaCounts utilizes a "Blockchain of Identity" concept where only users will have access to the data registered to them in the directory. PeaCounts will work directly with a company's existing bookkeeper and tax professional to ensure all the data is entered in the way that is most advantageous tax-wise and is immediately easy to understand. PeaCounts will be offering a residual income to these professionals so that they can provide the best personal service, and users can even book appointments to talk with them directly through the PeaCounts dashboard or mobile app. In addition, PeaCount's "Smart CFO" feature will prepare budgets and other financial projections in an instant so users don't need an accounting background to understand where they stand financially. Future developments include a payment system powered by a cryptocurrency token, PEA, that will allow for low-cost and nearly instantaneous payments to vendors and employees worldwide. "To make bookkeeping easier, you don't just need a software product, you need a team of real people and artificial intelligence that is constantly working to keep you up to date with where you stand financially," says Stranger. "This is the future of business, available today. It's like having a bookkeeper inside your phone." For more information on PeaCounts, go to http://peacounts.com, and for information on the upcoming Initial Token Offering for the PEA token, go to http://peacounts.io. Media Contact: Crystal Stranger (310) 739-7699/[email protected] About PeaCounts PeaCounts provides a simple solution to managing finances for small businesses, making their financials fully secure, accurate, and instantly accessible. Using blockchain coupled with artificial intelligence, PeaCounts offers fully secure, accurate, and instantly accessible financials. PeaCounts' user-friendly web and mobile dashboard makes it easy to access financial information and to make it understandable. Powered by our utility token, PEA, an ERC-223 token based on the Ethereum network, PeaCounts has been created to provide the fastest, most accurate, secure, and technologically-advanced platform to entrepreneurs and accountants. SOURCE PeaCounts Related Links http://www.peacounts.com HAMPTON, N.H., May 8, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, Planet Fitness, Inc. (NYSE:PLNT) reported financial results for its first quarter ended March 31, 2018. First Quarter Fiscal 2018 Highlights Total revenue increased from the prior year period by 33.2% to $121.3 million . . System-wide same stores sales increased 11.1%. Net income attributable to Planet Fitness, Inc. was $19.9 million , or $0.23 per diluted share, compared to net income attributable to Planet Fitness, Inc. of $8.8 million , or $0.14 per diluted share in the prior year period. , or per diluted share, compared to net income attributable to Planet Fitness, Inc. of , or per diluted share in the prior year period. Net income was $23.5 million , compared to net income of $17.9 million in the prior year period. , compared to net income of in the prior year period. Adjusted net income (1) increased 42.3% to $26.2 million , or $0.27 per diluted share, compared to $18.4 million , or $0.19 per diluted share in the prior year period. increased 42.3% to , or per diluted share, compared to , or per diluted share in the prior year period. Adjusted EBITDA (1) increased 15.4% to $48.8 million from $42.3 million in the prior year period. increased 15.4% to from in the prior year period. 47 new Planet Fitness franchise stores were opened during the period, bringing system-wide total stores to 1,565 as of March 31, 2018 . (1) Adjusted net income and adjusted EBITDA are non-GAAP measures. For reconciliations of Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted net income to U.S. GAAP ("GAAP") net income see "Non-GAAP Financial Measures" accompanying this press release. "We delivered another strong financial performance as first quarter system-wide same store sales increased 11% for the second consecutive year and all three operating segments posted double-digit revenue gains on a percentage basis," commented Chris Rondeau. "Our success is being fueled by the expansion of our high value, low cost non-intimidating fitness concept in existing and new markets combined with growing brand awareness from increased investments in national and local advertising. At the same time, we continue to explore ways to strengthen our offering, including utilizing technology to provide more immersive workout experiences and personalized workout recommendations. By targeting casual and first-time gym users, we believe Planet Fitness has a long runway for growth based on the fact that the vast majority of the U.S. population does not own a gym membership." Operating Results for the First Quarter Ended March 31, 2018 For the first quarter 2018, total revenue increased $30.2 million or 33.2% to $121.3 million from $91.1 million in the prior year period. $10.5 million, or 11.5% of the increase, is national advertising fund revenue and is included in our franchise segment. We began reporting national advertising fund contributions as revenue in 2018 in connection with the adoption of the new U.S. GAAP revenue recognition standard. By segment: Franchise segment revenue increased $17.8 million or 48.4% to $54.6 million from $36.8 million in the prior year period, which includes commission income and the above-mentioned $10.5 million of national advertising fund revenue; or 48.4% to from in the prior year period, which includes commission income and the above-mentioned of national advertising fund revenue; Corporate-owned stores segment revenue increased $5.7 million or 21.0% to $32.7 million from $27.0 million in the prior year period, $2.4 million of which is from six franchisee-owned stores acquired on January 1, 2018 ; and or 21.0% to from in the prior year period, of which is from six franchisee-owned stores acquired on ; and Equipment segment revenue increased $6.7 million or 24.8% to $34.0 million from $27.3 million in the prior year period. System-wide same store sales increased 11.1%. By segment, franchisee-owned same store sales increased 11.4% and corporate-owned same store sales increased 5.0%. For the first quarter of 2018, net income was $23.5 million, or $0.23 per diluted share, compared to net income of $17.9 million, or $0.14 per diluted share, in the prior year period. Adjusted net income increased 42.3% to $26.2 million, or $0.27 per diluted share, from $18.4 million, or $0.19 per diluted share, in the prior year period. Adjusted net income has been adjusted to reflect a normalized federal income tax rate of 26.3% for the current year period and 39.5% for the comparable prior year period and excludes certain non-cash and other items that we do not consider in the evaluation of ongoing operational performance (see "Non-GAAP Financial Measures"). Adjusted EBITDA, which is defined as net income before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization, adjusted for the impact of certain non-cash and other items that we do not consider in the evaluation of ongoing operational performance (see "Non-GAAP Financial Measures"), increased 15.4% to $48.8 million from $42.3 million in the prior year period. Segment EBITDA represents our Total Segment EBITDA broken down by the Company's reportable segments. Total Segment EBITDA is equal to EBITDA, which is defined as net income before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (see "Non-GAAP Financial Measures"). Franchise segment EBITDA increased $4.6 million or 14.5% to $36.7 million driven by royalties from new franchised stores opened since March 31, 2017 , a higher average royalty rate and higher same store sales of 11.4%; or 14.5% to driven by royalties from new franchised stores opened since , a higher average royalty rate and higher same store sales of 11.4%; Corporate-owned stores segment EBITDA increased $1.5 million or 13.8% to $12.2 million driven primarily by an increase in same store sales, higher annual fees and the addition of six franchise owned stores acquired January 1, 2018 ; and or 13.8% to driven primarily by an increase in same store sales, higher annual fees and the addition of six franchise owned stores acquired ; and Equipment segment EBITDA increased by $1.4 million or 22.6% to $7.5 million driven by an increase in equipment sales to new stores and an increase in replacement equipment sales to existing franchisee-owned stores. 2018 Outlook For the year ending December 31, 2018, the Company expects: Total revenue increase of approximately 20% as compared to the year ended December 31, 2017 ; ; System-wide same store sales growth in the high single digit range; and Adjusted net income and adjusted net income per diluted share to increase approximately 40% as compared to the year ended December 31, 2017 . Presentation of Financial Measures Planet Fitness, Inc. (the "Company") was formed in March 2015 for the purpose of facilitating the initial public offering (the "IPO") and related recapitalization transactions that occurred in August 2015, and in order to carry on the business of Pla-Fit Holdings, LLC ("Pla-Fit Holdings") and its subsidiaries. As the sole managing member of Pla-Fit Holdings, the Company operates and controls all of the business and affairs of Pla-Fit Holdings, and through Pla-Fit Holdings, conducts its business. As a result, the Company consolidates Pla-Fit Holdings' financial results and reports a non-controlling interest related to the portion of Pla-Fit Holdings not owned by the Company. The financial information presented in this press release includes non-GAAP financial measures such as EBITDA, Segment EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA, Adjusted net income and Adjusted net income per share, diluted to provide measures that we believe are useful to investors in evaluating the Company's performance. These non-GAAP financial measures are supplemental measures of the Company's performance that are neither required by, nor presented in accordance with GAAP. These financial measures should not be considered in isolation or as substitutes for GAAP financial measures such as net income or any other performance measures derived in accordance with, GAAP. In addition, in the future, the Company may incur expenses or charges such as those added back to calculate Adjusted EBITDA, Adjusted net income and Adjusted net income per share, diluted. The Company's presentation of Adjusted EBITDA, Adjusted net income and Adjusted net income per share, diluted should not be construed as an inference that the Company's future results will be unaffected by similar amounts or other unusual or nonrecurring items. See the tables at the end of this press release for a reconciliation of EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA, Total Segment EBITDA, Adjusted net income, and Adjusted net income per share, diluted, to their most directly comparable GAAP financial measure. The non-GAAP financial measures used in our full-year outlook will differ from net income and net income per share, diluted, determined in accordance with GAAP in ways similar to those described in the reconciliations at the end of this press release. We do not provide guidance for net income or net income per share, diluted, determined in accordance with GAAP or a reconciliation of guidance for Adjusted net income and Adjusted net income per share, diluted, to the most directly comparable GAAP measure because we are not able to predict with reasonable certainty the amount or nature of all items that will be included in our net income and net income per share, diluted, for the year ending December 31, 2018. These items are uncertain, depend on many factors and could have a material impact on our net income and net income per share, diluted, for the year ending December 31, 2018. Investor Conference Call The Company will hold a conference call at 4:30 pm (ET) on May 8, 2018 to discuss the news announced in this press release. A live webcast of the conference call will be accessible at www.planetfitness.com via the "Investor Relations" link. The webcast will be archived on the website for one year. About Planet Fitness Founded in 1992 in Dover, NH, Planet Fitness is one of the largest and fastest-growing franchisors and operators of fitness centers in the United States by number of members and locations. As of March 31, 2018, Planet Fitness had approximately 11.8 million members and 1,565 stores in 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, Canada, the Dominican Republic and Panama. The Company's mission is to enhance people's lives by providing a high-quality fitness experience in a welcoming, non-intimidating environment, which we call the Judgement Free Zone. More than 95% of Planet Fitness stores are owned and operated by independent business men and women. Forward-Looking Statements This press release contains "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the federal securities laws, which involve risks and uncertainties. Forward-looking statements include the Company's statements with respect to expected future performance presented under the heading "2018 Outlook," those attributed to the Company's Chief Executive Officer in this press release and other statements, estimates and projections that do not relate solely to historical facts. Forward-looking statements can be identified by words such as "expect," "goal," plan," "will," "strategy" and similar references to future periods, although not all forward-looking statements include these identifying words. Forward-looking statements are not assurances of future performance. Instead, they are based only on the Company's current beliefs, expectations and assumptions regarding the future of the business, future plans and strategies, projections, anticipated events and trends, the economy and other future conditions. Because forward-looking statements relate to the future, they are subject to inherent uncertainties, risks and changes in circumstances that are difficult to predict and many of which are outside of the Company's control. Actual results and financial condition may differ materially from those indicated in the forward-looking statements. Important factors that could cause our actual results to differ materially include risks and uncertainties associated with competition in the fitness industry, the Company's and franchisees' ability to attract and retain new members, changes in consumer demand, changes in equipment costs, the Company's ability to expand into new markets domestically and internationally, operating costs for the Company and franchisees generally, availability and cost of capital for franchisees, acquisition activity, developments and changes in laws and regulations, our substantial indebtedness, our corporate structure and tax receivable agreements, general economic conditions and the other factors described in the Company's annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2017, and the Company's other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. In light of the significant risks and uncertainties inherent in forward-looking statements, investors should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements, which reflect the Company's views only as of the date of this press release. Except as required by law, neither the Company nor any of its affiliates or representatives undertake any obligation to provide additional information or to correct or update any information set forth in this release, whether as a result of new information, future developments or otherwise. Planet Fitness, Inc. and subsidiaries Consolidated Statements of Operations (Unaudited) (Amounts in thousands, except per share amounts) For the three months ended March 31, 2018 2017 Revenue: Franchise $ 42,162 $ 30,281 Commission income 1,989 6,516 National advertising fund revenue 10,461 Corporate-owned stores 32,708 27,041 Equipment 34,013 27,264 Total revenue 121,333 91,102 Operating costs and expenses: Cost of revenue 26,500 21,124 Store operations 18,356 15,184 Selling, general and administrative 17,623 13,820 National advertising fund expense 10,461 Depreciation and amortization 8,465 7,951 Other loss (gain) 1,010 (32) Total operating costs and expenses 82,415 58,047 Income from operations 38,918 33,055 Other expense, net: Interest expense, net (8,734) (8,763) Other income 192 682 Total other expense, net (8,542) (8,081) Income before income taxes 30,376 24,974 Provision for income taxes 6,883 7,108 Net income 23,493 17,866 Less net income attributable to non-controlling interests 3,613 9,024 Net income attributable to Planet Fitness, Inc. $ 19,880 $ 8,842 Net income per share of Class A common stock: Basic $ 0.23 $ 0.14 Diluted $ 0.23 $ 0.14 Weighted-average shares of Class A common stock outstanding: Basic 87,434 64,121 Diluted 87,698 64,150 Planet Fitness, Inc. and subsidiaries Consolidated Balance Sheets (Unaudited) (Amounts in thousands, except per share amounts) March 31, December 31, 2018 2017 Assets Current assets: Cash and cash equivalents $ 127,146 $ 113,080 Accounts receivable, net of allowance for bad debts of $18 and $32 at March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, respectively 18,620 37,272 Due from related parties 3,060 3,020 Inventory 4,056 2,692 Restricted assets national advertising fund 78 499 Deferred expenses - national advertising fund 4,596 Prepaid expenses 4,051 3,929 Other receivables 14,550 9,562 Other current assets 5,355 6,947 Total current assets 181,512 177,001 Property and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation of $40,493, as of March 31, 2018 and $36,228 as of December 31, 2017 84,545 83,327 Intangible assets, net 241,105 235,657 Goodwill 191,038 176,981 Deferred income taxes 409,216 407,782 Other assets, net 8,437 11,717 Total assets $ 1,115,853 $ 1,092,465 Liabilities and stockholders' equity (deficit) Current liabilities: Current maturities of long-term debt $ 7,185 $ 7,185 Accounts payable 15,664 28,648 Accrued expenses 14,787 18,590 Equipment deposits 14,283 6,498 Restricted liabilities national advertising fund 78 490 Deferred revenue, current 20,842 19,083 Payable pursuant to tax benefit arrangements, current 31,062 31,062 Other current liabilities 493 474 Total current liabilities 104,394 112,030 Long-term debt, net of current maturities 695,264 696,576 Deferred rent, net of current portion 6,907 6,127 Deferred revenue, net of current portion 22,942 8,440 Deferred tax liabilities 1,379 1,629 Payable pursuant to tax benefit arrangements, net of current portion 403,022 400,298 Other liabilities 4,379 4,302 Total noncurrent liabilities 1,133,893 1,117,372 Stockholders' equity (deficit): Class A common stock, $.0001 par value - 300,000 authorized, 87,505 and 87,188 shares issued and outstanding as of March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, respectively 9 9 Class B common stock, $.0001 par value - 100,000 authorized, 10,893 and 11,193 shares issued and outstanding as of March 31, 2018 December 31, 2017, respectively 1 1 Accumulated other comprehensive loss (370) (648) Additional paid in capital 13,011 12,118 Accumulated deficit (120,245) (130,966) Total stockholders' deficit attributable to Planet Fitness Inc. (107,594) (119,486) Non-controlling interests (14,840) (17,451) Total stockholders' deficit (122,434) (136,937) Total liabilities and stockholders' deficit $ 1,115,853 $ 1,092,465 Planet Fitness, Inc. and subsidiaries Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Unaudited) (Amounts in thousands) For the three months ended March 31, 2018 2017 Cash flows from operating activities: Net income $ 23,493 $ 17,866 Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities: Depreciation and amortization 8,465 7,951 Amortization of deferred financing costs 484 465 Amortization of favorable leases and asset retirement obligations 93 94 Amortization of interest rate caps 195 432 Deferred tax expense 4,909 5,298 Gain on re-measurement of tax benefit arrangement (396) (541) Provision for bad debts (14) 27 Loss on reacquired franchise rights 350 Loss on disposal of property and equipment 650 Equity-based compensation 998 380 Changes in operating assets and liabilities, excluding effects of acquisitions: Accounts receivable 18,637 11,859 Due to and due from related parties 165 (99) Inventory (1,364) 471 Other assets and other current assets (1,341) (2,187) National advertising fund (4,586) Accounts payable and accrued expenses (16,758) (21,244) Other liabilities and other current liabilities 83 188 Income taxes 1,898 310 Equipment deposits 7,784 8,569 Deferred revenue 3,536 527 Deferred rent 853 106 Net cash provided by operating activities 48,134 30,472 Cash flows from investing activities: Additions to property and equipment (2,036) (5,336) Acquisition of franchises (28,503) Proceeds from sale of property and equipment 40 Net cash used in investing activities (30,499) (5,336) Cash flows from financing activities: Principal payments on capital lease obligations (11) Repayment of long-term debt (1,796) (1,796) Premiums paid for interest rate caps (366) Proceeds from issuance of Class A common stock 242 Dividend equivalent payments (20) (20) Distributions to Continuing LLC Members (1,734) (3,142) Net cash used in financing activities (3,319) (5,324) Effects of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents (250) 31 Net increase in cash and cash equivalents 14,066 19,843 Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period 113,080 40,393 Cash and cash equivalents, end of period $ 127,146 $ 60,236 Supplemental cash flow information: Net cash paid for income taxes $ 106 $ 1,595 Cash paid for interest $ 8,146 $ 7,857 Non-cash investing activities: Non-cash additions to property and equipment $ 453 $ 38 Planet Fitness, Inc. and subsidiaries Non-GAAP Financial Measures (Unaudited) (Amounts in thousands, except per share amounts) To supplement its consolidated financial statements, which are prepared and presented in accordance with GAAP, the Company uses the following non-GAAP financial measures: EBITDA, Total Segment EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA, Adjusted net income and Adjusted net income per share, diluted (collectively, the "non-GAAP financial measures"). The Company believes that these non-GAAP financial measures, when used in conjunction with GAAP financial measures, are useful to investors in evaluating our operating performance. These non-GAAP financial measures presented in this release are supplemental measures of the Company's performance that are neither required by, nor presented in accordance with GAAP. These financial measures should not be considered in isolation or as substitutes for GAAP financial measures such as net income or any other performance measures derived in accordance with GAAP. In addition, in the future, the Company may incur expenses or charges such as those added back to calculate Adjusted EBITDA, Adjusted net income and Adjusted net income per share, diluted. The Company's presentation of Adjusted EBITDA, Adjusted net income, and Adjusted net income per share, diluted, should not be construed as an inference that the Company's future results will be unaffected by unusual or nonrecurring items. EBITDA, Segment EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA We refer to EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA as we use these measures to evaluate our operating performance and we believe these measures provide useful information to investors in evaluating our performance. We have also disclosed Segment EBITDA as an important financial metric utilized by the Company to evaluate performance and allocate resources to segments in accordance with ASC 280, Segment Reporting. We define EBITDA as net income before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization. Segment EBITDA sums to Total Segment EBITDA which is equal to the Non-GAAP financial metric EBITDA. We believe that EBITDA, which eliminates the impact of certain expenses that we do not believe reflect our underlying business performance, provides useful information to investors to assess the performance of our segments as well as the business as a whole. Our Board of Directors also uses EBITDA as a key metric to assess the performance of management. We define Adjusted EBITDA as net income before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization, adjusted for the impact of certain additional non-cash and other items that we do not consider in our evaluation of ongoing performance of the Company's core operations. These items include certain purchase accounting adjustments, stock offering-related costs, and certain other charges and gains. We believe that Adjusted EBITDA is an appropriate measure of operating performance in addition to EBITDA because it eliminates the impact of other items that we believe reduce the comparability of our underlying core business performance from period to period and is therefore useful to our investors in comparing the core performance of our business from period to period. A reconciliation of Adjusted EBITDA to net income, the most directly comparable GAAP measure, is set forth below. Three months ended March 31, 2018 2017 (in thousands) Net income $ 23,493 $ 17,866 Interest expense, net 8,734 8,763 Provision for income taxes 6,883 7,108 Depreciation and amortization 8,465 7,951 EBITDA 47,575 41,688 Purchase accounting adjustments-revenue(1) 443 336 Purchase accounting adjustments-rent(2) 182 196 Loss on reacquired franchise rights(3) 350 Stock offering-related costs(4) 608 Pre-opening costs(5) 21 Other(6) 201 (573) Adjusted EBITDA $ 48,772 $ 42,255 (1) Represents the impact of revenue-related purchase accounting adjustments associated with the acquisition of Pla-Fit Holdings on November 8, 2012 by TSG (the "2012 Acquisition"). At the time of the 2012 Acquisition, the Company maintained a deferred revenue account, which consisted of deferred area development agreement fees, deferred franchise fees, and deferred enrollment fees that the Company billed and collected up front but recognizes for GAAP purposes at a later date. In connection with the 2012 Acquisition, it was determined that the carrying amount of deferred revenue was greater than the fair value assessed in accordance with ASC 805Business Combinations, which resulted in a write-down of the carrying value of the deferred revenue balance upon application of acquisition push-down accounting under ASC 805. These amounts represent the additional revenue that would have been recognized in these periods if the write-down to deferred revenue had not occurred in connection with the application of acquisition pushdown accounting. (2) Represents the impact of rent-related purchase accounting adjustments. In accordance with guidance in ASC 805 Business Combinations, in connection with the 2012 Acquisition, the Company's deferred rent liability was required to be written off as of the acquisition date and rent was recorded on a straight-line basis from the acquisition date through the end of the lease term. This resulted in higher overall recorded rent expense each period than would have otherwise been recorded had the deferred rent liability not been written off as a result of the acquisition push down accounting applied in accordance with ASC 805. Adjustments of $90 and $103, in the three months ended March 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively, reflect the difference between the higher rent expense recorded in accordance with GAAP since the acquisition and the rent expense that would have been recorded had the 2012 Acquisition not occurred. Adjustments of $92 and $93 in the three months ended March 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively, are due to the amortization of favorable and unfavorable lease intangible assets. All of the rent related purchase accounting adjustments are adjustments to rent expense which is included in store operations on our consolidated statements of operations. (3) Represents the impact of a one-time, non-cash loss recorded in accordance with ASC 805 - Business Combinations related to our acquisition of six franchisee-owned stores on January 1, 2018. The loss recorded under GAAP represents the difference between the fair value of the reacquired franchise rights and the contractual terms of the reacquired franchise rights and is included in other (gain) loss on our consolidated statements of operations. (4) Represents legal, accounting and other costs incurred in connection with offerings of the Company's Class A common stock. (5) Represents costs associated with new corporate-owned stores incurred prior to the store opening, including payroll-related costs, rent and occupancy expenses, marketing and other store operating supply expenses. (6) Represents certain other charges and gains that we do not believe reflect our underlying business performance. In the three months ended March 31, 2018 and 2017, this amount includes a gain of $396 and $541, respectively, related to the adjustment of our tax benefit arrangements primarily due to changes in our effective tax rate. Additionally, in the three months ended March 31, 2018, this amount includes the write off of certain assets that were being tested for potential use across the system. A reconciliation of Segment EBITDA to Total Segment EBITDA is set forth below. Three months ended March 31, 2018 2017 Segment EBITDA Franchise $ 36,677 $ 32,032 Corporate-owned stores 12,170 10,693 Equipment 7,469 6,094 Corporate and other (8,741) (7,131) Total Segment EBITDA(1) $ 47,575 $ 41,688 (1) Total Segment EBITDA is equal to EBITDA. Adjusted Net Income and Adjusted Net Income per Diluted Share As a result of the recapitalization transactions that occurred prior to our IPO, the limited liability company agreement of Pla-Fit Holdings that was amended and restated (the "New LLC Agreement") designated Planet Fitness, Inc. as the sole managing member of Pla-Fit Holdings. As sole managing member, Planet Fitness, Inc. exclusively operates and controls the business and affairs of Pla-Fit Holdings, LLC. As a result of the recapitalization transactions and the New LLC Agreement, Planet Fitness, Inc. now consolidates Pla-Fit Holdings, and Pla-Fit Holdings is considered the predecessor to Planet Fitness, Inc. for accounting purposes. Our presentation of Adjusted net income and Adjusted net income per share, diluted, gives effect to the consolidation of Pla-Fit Holdings with Planet Fitness, Inc. resulting from the recapitalization transactions and the New LLC Agreement as if they had occurred on January 1, 2017. In addition, Adjusted net income assumes that all net income is attributable to Planet Fitness, Inc., which assumes the full exchange of all outstanding Holdings Units for shares of Class A common stock of Planet Fitness, Inc., adjusted for certain non-recurring items that we do not believe directly reflect our core operations. Adjusted net income per share, diluted, is calculated by dividing Adjusted net income by the total shares of Class A common stock outstanding plus any dilutive options and restricted stock units as calculated in accordance with GAAP and assuming the full exchange of all outstanding Holdings Units and corresponding Class B common stock as of the beginning of each period presented. Adjusted net income and Adjusted net income per share, diluted, are supplemental measures of operating performance that do not represent, and should not be considered, alternatives to net income and earnings per share, as calculated in accordance with GAAP. We believe Adjusted net income and Adjusted net income per share, diluted, supplement GAAP measures and enable us to more effectively evaluate our performance period-over-period. A reconciliation of Adjusted net income to net income, the most directly comparable GAAP measure, and the computation of Adjusted net income per share, diluted, are set forth below. Three months ended March 31, (in thousands, except per share amounts) 2018 2017 Net income $ 23,493 $ 17,866 Provision for income taxes, as reported 6,883 7,108 Purchase accounting adjustments-revenue(1) 443 336 Purchase accounting adjustments-rent(2) 182 196 Loss on reacquired franchise rights(3) 350 Stock offering-related costs(4) 608 Pre-opening costs(5) 21 Other(6) 201 (342) Purchase accounting amortization(7) 3,921 4,622 Adjusted income before income taxes $ 35,494 $ 30,394 Adjusted income taxes(8) 9,335 12,006 Adjusted net income $ 26,159 $ 18,388 Adjusted net income per share, diluted $ 0.27 $ 0.19 Adjusted weighted-average shares outstanding(9) 98,651 98,528 (1) Represents the impact of revenue-related purchase accounting adjustments associated with the 2012 Acquisition. At the time of the 2012 Acquisition, the Company maintained a deferred revenue account, which consisted of deferred area development agreement fees, deferred franchise fees, and deferred enrollment fees that the Company billed and collected up front but recognizes for U.S. GAAP purposes at a later date. In connection with the 2012 Acquisition, it was determined that the carrying amount of deferred revenue was greater than the fair value assessed in accordance with ASC 805Business Combinations, which resulted in a write-down of the carrying value of the deferred revenue balance upon application of acquisition push-down accounting under ASC 805. These amounts represent the additional revenue that would have been recognized in these periods if the write-down to deferred revenue had not occurred in connection with the application of acquisition pushdown accounting. (2) Represents the impact of rent-related purchase accounting adjustments. In accordance with guidance in ASC 805 Business Combinations, in connection with the 2012 Acquisition, the Company's deferred rent liability was required to be written off as of the acquisition date and rent was recorded on a straight-line basis from the acquisition date through the end of the lease term. This resulted in higher overall recorded rent expense each period than would have otherwise been recorded had the deferred rent liability not been written off as a result of the acquisition push down accounting applied in accordance with ASC 805. Adjustments of $90 and $103 in the three months ended March 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively, reflect the difference between the higher rent expense recorded in accordance with U.S. GAAP since the acquisition and the rent expense that would have been recorded had the 2012 Acquisition not occurred. Adjustments of $92 and $93 for the three months ended March 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively, are due to the amortization of favorable and unfavorable lease intangible assets. All of the rent related purchase accounting adjustments are adjustments to rent expense which is included in store operations on our consolidated statements of operations. (3) Represents the impact of a one-time, non-cash loss recorded in accordance with ASC 805 - Business Combinations related to our acquisition of six franchisee-owned stores on January 1, 2018. The loss recorded under GAAP represents the difference between the fair value of the reacquired franchise rights and the contractual terms of the reacquired franchise rights and is included in other (gain) loss on our consolidated statements of operations. (4) Represents legal, accounting and other costs incurred in connection with offerings of the Company's Class A common stock. (5) Represents costs associated with new corporate-owned stores incurred prior to the store opening, including payroll-related costs, rent and occupancy expenses, marketing and other store operating supply expenses. (6) Represents certain other charges and gains that we do not believe reflect our underlying business performance. In the three months ended March 31, 2018 and 2017, this amount includes a gain of $396 and $541, respectively, related to the adjustment of our tax benefit arrangements primarily due to changes in our effective tax rate. Additionally, in the three months ended March 31, 2018, this amount includes the write off of certain assets that were being tested for potential use across the system. In the three months ended March 31, 2017, this amount includes expense of $231 related to accelerated depreciation expense taken on our headquarters in preparation for moving to a new building. (7) Includes $3,096 and $4,086 of amortization of intangible assets, other than favorable leases, for the three months ended March 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively, recorded in connection with the 2012 Acquisition, and $825 and $536 of amortization of intangible assets for the three months ended March 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively, recorded in connection with the historical acquisition of franchisee-owned stores. The adjustment represents the amount of actual non-cash amortization expense recorded, in accordance with U.S. GAAP, in each period. (8) Represents corporate income taxes at an assumed effective tax rate of 26.3% and 39.5% for the three months ended March 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively, applied to adjusted income before income taxes. (9) Assumes the full exchange of all outstanding Holdings Units and corresponding shares of Class B common stock for shares of Class A common stock of Planet Fitness, Inc. A reconciliation of net income per share, diluted, to Adjusted net income per share, diluted is set forth below for the three months ended March 31, 2018 and 2017: For the three months ended March 31, 2018 For the three months ended March 31, 2017 Net income Weighted Average Shares Net income per share, diluted Net income Weighted Average Shares Net income per share, diluted Net income attributable to Planet Fitness, Inc.(1) $ 19,880 87,698 $ 0.23 $ 8,842 64,150 $ 0.14 Assumed exchange of shares(2) 3,613 10,953 9,024 34,378 Net Income 23,493 17,866 Adjustments to arrive at adjusted income before income taxes(3) 12,001 12,528 Adjusted income before income taxes 35,494 30,394 Adjusted income taxes(4) 9,335 12,006 Adjusted Net Income $ 26,159 98,651 $ 0.27 $ 18,388 98,528 $ 0.19 (1) Represents net income attributable to Planet Fitness, Inc. and the associated weighted average shares, diluted of Class A common stock outstanding. (2) Assumes the full exchange of all outstanding Holdings Units and corresponding shares of Class B common stock for shares of Class A common stock of Planet Fitness, Inc. Also assumes the addition of net income attributable to non-controlling interests corresponding with the assumed exchange of Holdings Units and Class B common shares for shares of Class A common stock. (3) Represents the total impact of all adjustments identified in the adjusted net income table above to arrive at adjusted income before income taxes. (4) Represents corporate income taxes at an assumed effective tax rate of 26.3% and 39.5% for the three months ended March 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively, applied to adjusted income before income taxes. SOURCE Planet Fitness, Inc. Related Links http://www.planetfitness.com VIRGINIA BEACH, Va., May 8, 2018 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- At age 52, Timothy Zarzecki has found a place and a purpose through his job in food services at a military base in Virginia Beach, VA. Born with a physical disability and diagnosed with depression, he was out of work when he connected with Goodwill at a career fair. The Goodwill team helped place him in a position he loves, and since his first day, he has demonstrated a positive attitude, a willingness to tackle any task and natural leadership ability. For those reasons, Goodwill Industries International is honoring Zarzecki as its 2018 Achiever of the Year. Zarzecki was born with a congenital condition and is missing his left arm below the elbow. He began his career as an architectural draftsman and designer, but as his job became increasingly stressful, he started having trouble coming to terms with his disability. He felt self-conscious and isolated, and he became so severely depressed that he was eventually hospitalized. He knew he had to make a change in his life, so he moved from Pennsylvania to Virginia Beach and began looking for a new job. "At the time, I didn't have any self-esteem," said Zarzecki. "My confidence was at an all-time rock-bottom level, and all I knew was that I needed to get back to work." Palmetto Goodwill (North Charleston, SC) recruited him for a food service contract at a top-secret military facility. He quickly became a jack-of-all-trades there, serving customers, maintaining the dining room, making coffee, washing dishes and working the cash register. "Tim just comes to work, no questions asked," said Hurley Waples, project manager with Palmetto Goodwill. "He goes above and beyond with his work ethic and his leadership qualities." Zarzecki soon befriended some of the wounded warriors who visited the cafeteria. Like him, some were missing limbs, and he began to feel a real a sense of camaraderie and belonging. He also began to take an active role in a self-advocacy group for Goodwill employees with disabilities. "Tim is a strong advocate for others with challenges," said Reginald Hughes, vice president of commercial services at Palmetto Goodwill. "He's willing to tell his story and speak up for others who are searching for a second chance in life." Last year, the Goodwill team helped Zarzecki navigate the process of obtaining a prosthetic arm with a bionic hand through the organization's health insurance plan. Palmetto Goodwill covered all his out-of-pocket expenses a total of more than $22,000. After months of occupational therapy, Zarzecki is now able to use the arm for his full work day. He says it has changed him profoundly. "I'm no longer ashamed to look at myself in the mirror," he said. "I've been given some amazing gifts. I want to be part of seeing others getting the same." "Tim's success at work, his humility, and his commitment to mentoring and supporting his colleagues make him a role model," said Jim Gibbons, president and CEO of Goodwill Industries International. "He's an inspiration to all of us, and we commend him for using his voice to uplift and encourage others." Zarzecki has shared his story on TV and radio and in speaking engagements. "I don't have a red carpet rolled out for me wherever I go, and that's fine with me. That's Hollywood; that's another world," he said. "My world is a little different. Mine is ramps and handrails and curb cuts. That's my world, and the world of access for my disabled brothers and sisters. And I'm pretty darn proud of my world." Goodwill Industries International's Achiever of the Year is a person who has shown great progress and accomplishment in overcoming challenges to finding employment, and who still benefits from the Goodwill work environment or receives services to support employment at a community site. ABOUT PALMETTO GOODWILL Palmetto Goodwill is a not-for-profit social service organization whose mission is to help people achieve their full potential through the dignity and power of work. More than 90 percent of Goodwill's revenue goes to fund mission related services. Palmetto Goodwill serves their mission by providing career counseling, job training, and other employment related programs to people with barriers to employment. Last year, Palmetto Goodwill placed 2,001 people into new jobs and provided 44,000 services to 13,500 unique individuals. For more information about Palmetto Goodwill's programs and services, please visit palmettogoodwill.org or find us on Facebook and Twitter. ABOUT GOODWILL INDUSTRIES INTERNATIONAL Goodwill Industries International (GII) is a network of 162 community-based, autonomous organizations in the United States and Canada with a presence in 12 other countries. GII is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that is recognized by GuideStar with its Platinum Seal of Approval, the organization's highest rating for charities. GII was also ranked by Enso as the #1 brand doing the most good in the world for two consecutive years, and was the only nonprofit brand rated in Forbes' 20 most inspiring companies for three consecutive years. Local Goodwill organizations are innovative and sustainable social enterprises that create job training programs, employment placement and other community-based programs by selling donated clothing and household items in more than 3,300 stores collectively and online at shopgoodwill.com. Local Goodwill organizations build revenues and create jobs by contracting with commercial, state, government and non-government organizations to provide a wide range of business services, including manufacturing, warehousing and distribution, packaging, assembly, food preparation, document management, groundskeeping and administrative. Last year, local Goodwill organizations collectively placed more than 288,000 people in employment in the United States and Canada. In addition, more than 35 million people used computers and mobile devices to access Goodwill education, training, mentoring and online learning services to strengthen their skills, and more than 2 million people received in person services. To learn more, visit goodwill.org. For more information or to find a Goodwill location near you, use the online locator at http://www.goodwill.org or call (800) GOODWILL. Follow us on Twitter: @GoodwillIntl and @GoodwillCapHill, and find us on Facebook: GoodwillIntl or Instagram: GoodwillIntl. SOURCE Goodwill Industries International Related Links www.goodwill.org TORONTO, May 7, 2018 /PRNewswire/ - Drone Delivery Canada (DDC or the Company) (TSX.V:FLT OTCQB: TAKOF), is pleased to announce the appointment of James (Jim) Williams to the newly created position of Director of Regulatory Affairs, USA, as the Company grows its management team advancing its Drone Delivery technology into the United States of America. "As we move ahead to solidify the roll out in international markets, Jim's industry knowledge and experience in the United States of America will assist DDC greatly. We are very pleased to have Jim join the team and look forward to his contribution with our American expansion," commented Tony Di Benedetto, CEO of Drone Delivery Canada. Presently, DDC's Sparrow Drone, its proprietary software FLYTE, and the Company are deemed compliant by the Canadian regulator, Transport Canada, within Canadian airspace. DDC, through its newly-formed American subsidiary, Drone Delivery USA, looks to export its technology to the USA to enable its larger American clients to harness and deploy DDC's Drone technology in American airspace. As Director of Regulatory Affairs, USA, Jim will oversee our regulatory compliance and coordinate with the Federal Aviation Administration at Drone Delivery USA, to expedite the export of our Drone delivery technology. The Company is also pleased to report that much progress is being made with both our Raven and Condor drones, which are expected to complement our Sparrow drone with greater payloads and distance capabilities. The Raven is expected to have a payload capacity of 20 lbs. and a distance of over 20km and the Condor will have a payload capacity of 400 lbs and a distance of over 100km. These new aircraft will substantially enhance our service offering to customers and are seen as potential game-changers for the deployment of highly automated drones in a variety of industries and geographies. We will report further detailed technical progress on these initiatives later in Q3, 2018. Biography for Jim Williams: Jim has over 30 years of experience in the Aerospace sector and recently served as Manager of the FAA's Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) Integration Office at the Department of Transportation, Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). During his 15 years as an executive at the FAA, Jim held several important positions including Director of Systems Engineering, leader of the Integrated Product Team for ATC Communications, and finally, executive lead for all FAA UAS integration activities. During his tenure, the FAA approved the first commercial drone operations in the USA and published the regulatory structure that enabled routine commercial drone operations in the USA. Prior to joining the FAA, Jim was a flight test engineer and a production liaison engineer for the Lockheed Georgia Company's C5, C-141 and C-130 programs. He also worked for the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) in Mission Control during the initial flights of the US Space Shuttle. "Since I left the FAA, my vision has been to do everything I can to help enable routine unmanned aircraft operations in the US. Joining the Drone Delivery Canada team is an amazing opportunity for me to realize the vision of making drone delivery in the US a reality.", commented Jim Williams, Director Regulatory Affairs USA. For more information, please visit www.dronedeliverycanada.com About Drone Delivery Canada Drone Delivery Canada is a drone technology company focused on the design, development and implementation of its proprietary logistics software platform, using drones. The Company's platform will be used as Software as a Service (SaaS) for government and corporate organizations and looks to derive revenue from Integration fees, Set Up fees and Drone Delivery Flights based upon a take or pay model nationwide. Drone Delivery Canada Corp. is a publicly listed company trading on the Canadian Securities Exchange under the symbol FLT, and on the U.S. OTC Q B market under the symbol TAKOF. SOURCE Drone Delivery Canada Related Links http://www.dronedeliverycanada.com SAN DIEGO, May 8, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Reliant Funding, a leading small business finance provider, invites merchant cash advance (MCA) and business loan brokers to participate in the Reliant $100k Funding Challenge. The $100K Challenge is open to all new ISOs that partner with Reliant beginning in June. Signups for the challenge will kick off at the upcoming Broker Fair, presented by deBanked, an industry publication. "2018 has been a year of evolution for our Wholesale Division," said Founder and CEO Adam Stettner. "We've redesigned our programs with a renewed focus on attracting quality, long-term partnerships. We aim to work with the best in the industry; our Funding Challenge is a way to attract and reward committed partners." This one of a kind contest is easy to join and easy to track. New ISO partners will get access to the bi-coastal team that offers expanded service hours. Dedicated Reliant representatives work with each ISO to ensure a high level of attention and best in class offers. Fast turnaround assured. Here is how the Reliant $100k Funding Challenge works: The contest runs from June 1, 2018 , to December 31st, 2018 . The first ten ISOs to reach One Million Dollars in funding during this time frame will win a $10,000 bonus. , to . The first ten ISOs to reach in funding during this time frame will win a bonus. No limitations on specific types of funding or clients. Self-sourced volume only, no "super brokers" or aggregated volume. Must have an internal sales team to qualify. The inaugural Broker Fair will be held on May 14th, 2018 at the William Vale Hotel and will mark the largest gathering of MCA and business loan brokers in the country. The conference provides a setting to empower brokers, lenders and service providers to connect and grow their businesses. There will also be presentations by industry leaders to address various topics at the Broker Fair. A ten-year industry veteran, Stettner will share valuable insight into navigating the unique marketing challenges in the MCA industry. The "Marketing Your Business" session takes place at 3:20 pm on Monday, May 14th at the William Vale Hotel. About Reliant Funding Headquartered in San Diego with offices in New York, Reliant Funding provides customized, short-term funding to small businesses nationwide. For more information, please visit https://www.reliantfunding.com/. Contact: Sara Prince [email protected] SOURCE Reliant Funding Related Links https://www.reliantfunding.com TAMPA, Fla., May 8, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- ReliaQuest, a leading provider of IT security solutions, has promoted Colin O'Connor to Chief Operating Officer. Colin's promotion to COO was confirmed by a unanimous vote of the company's Board of Directors during its Q3 2017 board meeting. His was one of 42 internal promotions made at ReliaQuest during 2017. Colin O'Connor has been named Chief Operating Officer for ReliaQuest. Prior to this recent promotion, O'Connor served as the Vice President of Security Operations, responsible for detection and response, security engineering, threat management, delivery management and business analytics. As COO, O'Connor will be responsible for all internal and external technical operations at ReliaQuest. "ReliaQuest is focused on delivering consistent value to our clients through the development of our teams. Colin has successfully leveraged and developed the talent on his teams to create industry-leading customer renewal and expansion rates throughout our customer base. His understanding of ReliaQuest from end to end makes him the perfect choice to be the company's COO," said ReliaQuest CEO Brian Murphy. "We are fortunate to have so many great team members, including Colin a key member of the executive team who will continue to develop the organization, creating new opportunities for others to advance internally." "ReliaQuest's sustained success and growth trajectory is made possible by its commitment to developing industry-leading talent, and Colin's story is a great example of that commitment," said Kyle Griswold, Partner at FTV Capital and a member of ReliaQuest's Board of Directors. "The breadth of knowledge and experience that Colin brings to this role, after a decade of helping to shape ReliaQuest's service offering, makes him the perfect choice to help lead the company into the next decade." O'Connor joined ReliaQuest in the summer of 2008 as one of the company's first inside sales representatives working up to outside sales and eventually to sales director. In 2015, he was tapped to refine ReliaQuest's service delivery model, a key differentiator for the company that supports its nearly 100 percent customer retention rate. In 2016, O'Connor's role expanded to encompass all security operations functions, merging each of the distinct teams within ReliaQuest's Security Operations Centers with its service delivery department increasing efficiencies and creating a more seamless experience for ReliaQuest's customers. As part of this responsibility, O'Connor oversaw ReliaQuest's expansion of its business analytics and reporting function. He also led the development of the RQ Portal, which drives continuity of reporting across all teams within ReliaQuest and for each customer. "I'm grateful for the opportunity to work with so many talented team members at ReliaQuest," said O'Connor. "It's rewarding to work with people across ReliaQuest and our customer base to create value-added outcomes for our customers. As the company continues to expand to meet the growing demand among the enterprise, it's the talented individuals we work with every day that ensure our success," O'Connor said. "It's a privilege to help scale the company's operations in a way that will create even more opportunities for those ReliaQuest team members so that they can build long careers here, as well." About ReliaQuest For the past 10 years, ReliaQuest has pushed the boundaries of IT security past allegiance to any one technology, the challenges of workforce limitations, or the definitions of the managed services category. Today, ReliaQuest custom-architects and scales individualized security environments that get smarter over time. By combining existing tools and technologies with the reliability of co-management and the speed and agility of Managed Detection and Response (MDR) services, ReliaQuest transforms organizations into their own security platforms providing unmatched visibility while normalizing the security spend. ReliaQuest operates 24 hours a day, 365 days a year from Security Operations Centers in Tampa, FL, and Las Vegas, NV. ReliaQuest's model is recognized by industry experts as the emerging standard for large and complex organizations. The company has received numerous accolades for its commitment to maintaining a positive company culture. In 2017, ReliaQuest was named a national Great Place to Work, listed as one of FORTUNE Magazine's Top 100 Medium Workplaces and ranked No. 171 on Deloitte's Technology Fast 500, a list of the 500 fastest growing technology companies in North America. Also in 2017, ReliaQuest CEO Brian Murphy was named EY Entrepreneur of the Year for Florida. In January of 2018, ReliaQuest was named one of the Best Workplaces in Technology by FORTUNE Magazine and Great Place to Work. Media contact: Kimberly Hill Director of Communications 813-857-5397 [email protected] SOURCE ReliaQuest Related Links http://www.reliaquest.com MILWAUKEE, May 8, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Technology is rapidly transforming organizations and companies will need more people in the near-term to meet the demand stimulated by automation, not less, according to ManpowerGroup (NYSE:MAN). The new report Robots Need Not Apply: Human Solutions in the Skills Revolution surveyed 2,000 U.S. employers and found that 91% will maintain or increase headcount in the next two to three years as industries shift to more advanced, automated processes. The report provides a real-time view of the impact of automation on headcount, the functions most affected and the soft skills that are both of greatest value and hardest to find. Human strengths stand out in the digital age. "Digitization will impact every industry in the U.S. creating new jobs that require different skills," said Becky Frankiewicz, ManpowerGroup North America President. "Our research shows this is good news for people, provided they are ready to upskill and reskill for a world of work that is more digital and fast paced than ever before. Savvy employers are helping workers succeed by identifying skills adjacencies those skills that are closely connected and can be adapted to new roles and by offering people the chance to earn and learn with shorter bursts of on-the-job, experiential training. At ManpowerGroup we're doing just that. Our MyPath program provides people with career guidance and opportunities to learn in-demand skills at no individual cost so they can move up and earn more. We've seen the proof that with the right blend of technical and soft skills, America's workforce will augment rather than compete with technology." Frontline and Customer-Facing functions anticipate the most growth as organizations place higher value on customer service and human interaction. Manufacturing and Production functions are close behind. Back-office functions that are routine or add less value to customer interactions are under greatest threat as organizations implement new technology to drive efficiency. In this Skills Revolution the best blend of high-tech and high-touch will be the combination of human strengths with technical and digital know-how: 61% of companies say communication skills, written and verbal, are their most valued soft skill followed by customer service, collaboration and problem-solving. To download Robots Need Not Apply: Human Solutions in the Skills Revolution: visit https://www.manpowergroup.us/campaigns/manpower/skills-revolution-2/. ABOUT MANPOWERGROUP ManpowerGroup (NYSE: MAN), the leading global workforce solutions company, helps organizations transform in a fast-changing world of work by sourcing, assessing, developing and managing the talent that enables them to win. We develop innovative solutions for hundreds of thousands of organizations every year, providing them with skilled talent while finding meaningful, sustainable employment for millions of people across a wide range of industries and skills. Our expert family of brands Manpower, Experis, Right Management and ManpowerGroup Solutions creates substantially more value for candidates and clients across 80 countries and territories and has done so for 70 years. In 2018, ManpowerGroup was named one of the World's Most Ethical Companies for the ninth year and one of Fortune's Most Admired Companies for the sixteenth year, confirming our position as the most trusted and admired brand in the industry. See how ManpowerGroup is powering the future of work: www.manpowergroup.com SOURCE ManpowerGroup Related Links http://www.manpowergroup.com "Rokkan's unique approach to business doesn't end with the creative work we deliver our client, but it's embodied in the unconventional decisions we make as we build a diverse and exceptional team," said John Noe, CEO, Rokkan. "I'm delighted to elevate James to the role of Chief Strategy Officer. We were drawn to his expertise as a global brand strategist and steward, and his ability to bring a broader, less conventional perspective to the role; we want someone who can navigate the new world of advertising and provide leadership on how to creatively break down traditional models and architect new ways to serve brands," said Noe. "Lindsay's role as Chief Connections Officer will be focused on deepening our ability to drive transformation and growth for clients with a growing focus on data and consumer engagement. The Connections group will also serve as a deeper connection point to more of the tools and resources the Publicis Groupe brings. James and Lindsay have been a perfect fit in helping to move Rokkan into the future, and we look forward to the brave, breakthrough work to come as we welcome Alex Lea and Tammy Hwang to the fold." James Cockerille, Chief Strategy Officer James Cockerille joined Rokkan in September 2017 as SVP, Strategic Integration to work across brands, with a specific focus on Cadillac. He immediately exceeded expectations, taking on strategic leadership during a time of rapid expansion and growth at Rokkan. His ability to look beyond traditional solutions and provide future-thinking counsel has been vital to Rokkan's continued success and the swift decision to name him CSO was organic. Cockerille brings with him more than two decades of unique global branding expertise that spans market research and insight development to brand positioning and implementation. His career includes leadership roles at Interbrand and FutureBrand in Australia. His work on Cadillac during his time as global strategic lead at FutureBrand cemented his status as a dynamic, creative leader. Other client work includes Carlyle Group, BHP Billiton, Dow Chemical, Oculus and more. Lindsay Williams, Chief Connections Officer Lindsay Williams joined Rokkan in 2014 and quickly developed the agency's first media and analytics practice. Part consultancy, part SWAT team, her team specializes in connecting strategy across media, user experience, data and creative to help brands tell their best stories in a time of fragmented consumer attention. Williams' brand-side experience and strategic background helps her in solving complex business challenges through a mix of data and creativity. Williams promotion to Chief Connections officer demonstrates Rokkan's deep integration within Publicis Groupe, and will help each leverage human insights captured through data and analytics to create more impactful work. Williams will be a key player in bringing siloed departments and work streams together to engage with new partners in a way that positions them for growth and delivers tangible business results. Prior to Rokkan, Williams was global digital marketing director at Estee Lauder and worked in media at Aviatech and Razorfish where she served global brands like Mrs. Fields, Best Buy, Nike, Walmart and Mercedes-Benz. Alex Lea, SVP, Executive Creative Director for Cadillac Alex Lea brings with him diverse career experience to offer fresh and creative ideas on the newly won Cadillac business. He comes to Rokkan from Saatchi & Saatchi's New York office, where he worked on Walmart as part of Publicis' dedicated unit DeptW. Previously, Lea led creative for Ally Bank as group creative director at Grey New York, and before that was executive creative director for Erwin Penland's New York office working with L.L. Bean. Additional client experience includes Miller High Life, Keystone Light, General Mills' Fruitsnacks, Kraft's Capri Sun, Kool Aid, Microsoft XBOX, Kraft JELL-O, and more at high-profile agencies including Droga5 and CP+B, among others. Tammy Hwang, SVP, Strategy for Verizon Tammy Hwang will lead strategy for various Rokkan accounts with a specific focus on Verizon. Having worked with Verizon during her four years at MRM, Hwang has unmatched knowledge of the brand as well as a proven track record of leading strategy and planning for numerous other bluechip clients. Prior to joining Rokkan, she was EVP, Director of Strategy, at MRM/McCann, where she managed a team of 50+ overseeing all brand, digital, media, content and social strategy efforts for global and U.S.-based clients including Cigna, Johnson & Johnson, USPS, Verizon, IHOP, U.S. Army and more. Hwang has also held executive strategy positions at Fitzgerald & Co. and McCann New York. In 2017, Rokkan broke the mold by achieving unprecedented growth during a time when the industry as a whole was struggling. In the past 12 months, the agency hired more than 50 staff members including seasoned, award-winning talent to lead new clients such as Verizon, Coca-Cola, Hilton, VSP and Cadillac. ABOUT ROKKAN ROKKAN is a creative agency born from digital, delivering strategy and execution for a rapidly changing, constantly connected world. Borrowing its name from the Japanese word for intuition, or "the sixth sense," the agency works with many of the world's leading brands to solve their most critical business challenges. Rokkan partners with companies including Cadillac, American Express, Verizon, Coca Cola, Hilton and others to embrace brave change. Founded in 2000, ROKKAN has grown from a three-person startup into a strategic and award-winning part of the Publicis Groupe, developing some of the most innovative talent in the industry. Check them out on Facebook and Instagram, tweet at @ROKKANmedia, or connect on LinkedIn. Contact: Diana Dixon, 312.758.1380, [email protected] SOURCE Rokkan Related Links http://www.rokkan.com TSX: RMX |OTCQX: RBYCF TORONTO, May 8, 2018 /PRNewswire/ - Rubicon Minerals Corporation (TSX: RMX |OTCQX: RBYCF) ("Rubicon" or the "Company") announces details of its upcoming Annual General Meeting of Shareholders on Tuesday, June 12, 2018 at 10:00 am (Toronto Time) at the 121 King Street West, Suite 1760, Toronto, Ontario, Canada M5H 3T9 (the "Meeting"). The Company will be utilizing the Notice-and-Access model provided for under National Instrument 54-101 for the delivery of its proxy materials. Under the Notice-and-Access model, instead of receiving printed copies of the Company's Information Circular, Audited Consolidated Financial Statements for the year ended December 31, 2017 and Management's Discussion and Analysis for the year-ended December 31, 2017 (collectively, the "Meeting Materials"), shareholders will receive a notice with information on how they may access the Meeting Materials electronically (the "Notice"). Together with the Notice, shareholders will receive a form of proxy (in the case of registered shareholders) or a voting instruction form (in the case of non-registered shareholders), enabling them to vote at the Meeting. If you are a beneficial holder of shares and wish to attend the Meeting in person, you must ensure that you appoint yourself as proxyholder when completing your voting instruction form. The Meeting Materials are available on Rubicon's website and will remain on the website for one full year thereafter. Meeting Materials will also be available upon request, without charge, by email to [email protected] or by calling +1-416-766-2804 or toll-free in North America at +1-844-818-1776, and can be found online at www.sedar.com. The Board of Directors would like to thank the shareholders for their continued support. About Rubicon Minerals Corporation Rubicon Minerals Corporation is an advanced gold exploration company that owns the Phoenix Gold Project, located in the prolific Red Lake gold district in northwestern Ontario, Canada. Additionally, Rubicon controls over 280 square kilometres of prime exploration ground in Red Lake and more than 900 square kilometres of mineral property interests in the emerging Long Canyon gold district that straddles the Nevada-Utah border in the United States. Rubicon's shares are listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange (RMX) and the OTCQX markets (RBYCF). For more information, please visit our website at www.rubiconminerals.com. RUBICON MINERALS CORPORATION George Ogilvie, P.Eng. President, CEO, and Director The Toronto Stock Exchange has not reviewed and does not accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release SOURCE Rubicon Minerals Corporation Related Links www.rubiconminerals.com OKLAHOMA CITY, May 7, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- SandRidge Energy, Inc. (the "Company" or "SandRidge") (NYSE: SD) today announced financial and operational results for the quarter ended March 31, 2018, which include the following highlights: Implemented Management Changes and Announced Process to Review Strategic Alternatives Reducing General and Administrative Cash Expense Rate by One-Third Reallocated Capital to Drill Four Mississippian Wells in the Third Quarter Reaffirming 2018 Guidance For the first quarter, the Company reported a net loss of $41 million, or $1.18 per share, and net cash provided by operating activities of $30 million. When adjusting these reported amounts for items that are typically excluded by the investment community on the basis that such items affect the comparability of results, the Company's "adjusted net income" amounted to $5 million, or $0.15 per share, and "operating cash flow" totaled $21 million. Earnings before interest, income taxes, depreciation, depletion, and amortization, adjusted for certain other items, otherwise referred to as "adjusted EBITDA," for the first quarter was $40 million.(1) 1) The Company has defined and reconciled certain non-GAAP financial measures including adjusted net income, operating cash flow, EBITDA, adjusted EBITDA and adjusted G&A expense, to the most directly comparable GAAP financial measures in supporting tables at the conclusion of this press release under the "Non-GAAP Financial Measures" beginning on page 12. Included in the Company's first quarter results is a $32 million charge related to employee termination benefits. Of this amount, $19 million was paid in cash and $13 million was paid in the form of stock-based compensation. As a result of these and other cost-cutting measures, our 2018 first quarter general and administrative expenditures decreased $6 million year-over-year, or 28%. Liquidity & Capital Structure As of May 1, 2018, the Company's liquidity totaled $436 million, which includes $18 million of cash and $418 million of borrowing capacity under the credit facility, net of outstanding letters of credit. The Company currently has no funds drawn under its credit facility. During the quarter, the Company repaid its $36 million building note, resulting in no outstanding long-term debt at March 31, 2018. The Company's $425 million credit facility borrowing base was unanimously reaffirmed by its lenders at the regularly scheduled spring borrowing base redetermination. Management Comments Bill Griffin, President and CEO commented, "The first quarter performance for SandRidge demonstrates the Company's consistent ability to execute and adapt to change. We successfully initiated a shift in strategy and leadership, while continuing to remain focused on delivering solid operating and financial results." Mr. Griffin continued, "We significantly reduced overhead and improved operating margins, which better positions SandRidge to achieve profitable growth and value recognition. Our capital program continues to provide positive results. During the quarter, we completed four new NW STACK Meramec wells with an average 30-Day IP of 675 Boepd, exceeding pre-drill estimates. In the North Park Basin, our capital expenditures were primarily associated with pad drilling within our core area to further define optimal well spacing. As a result, we have seven new North Park wells currently scheduled for completion, with expected significant associated oil production coming online this summer. Most importantly, our program, while delivering strong returns, continues to increase the level of confidence in our undeveloped resource value and potential. In conjunction with a comprehensive reassessment of the SandRidge drilling portfolio in the current commodity price environment, we have elected to reallocate a portion of our development capital to the Mississippi Lime. We now plan to drill four new wells during the third quarter, which are expected to provide competitive returns and further demonstrate the current undeveloped value in this area after an extended period of drilling inactivity. This change will not impact our 2018 total company guidance." Mr. Griffin further added, "Our strong balance sheet remains a key consideration as we advance the formal process announced in March to assess strategic options to unlock and generate meaningful incremental value for all shareholders. We are finalizing a comprehensive reassessment of the Company's entire drilling inventory, along with the creation of an associated reserve development plan, which will lend support in the evaluation of any strategic alternatives. We and our advisors are committed to a thorough and impartial review of all proposals and will proceed expeditiously to ascertain the best go-forward strategy for SandRidge." Operational Results and Activity During the quarter, production totaled 3.2 MMBoe (29% oil, 22% NGLs and 49% natural gas). The Company averaged one rig in the NW STACK targeting the Meramec and one rig targeting multiple benches of the Niobrara in the North Park Basin. Capital expenditures totaled $37 million. Mid-Continent Assets in Oklahoma and Kansas In the first quarter, production in the Mid-Continent totaled 2.9 MMBoe (32 MBoepd, 22% oil). The Company averaged one rig in the NW STACK targeting the Meramec and drilled six SRLs. Of the six wells drilled, five were under the previously announced Drilling Participation Agreement. The Company brought four SRLs online with a combined 30-Day IP averaging 675 Boepd (76% oil). At current commodity prices, these wells have a projected average rate of return in excess of 30%. In addition, four more wells were brought online near or subsequent to quarter end, all with strong preliminary results (less than 30 days). Estimated drilling and completion costs for SRL and XRL wells are currently $4.4 million and $6.5 million, respectively. Niobrara Asset in North Park Basin, Jackson County, Colorado Oil production in the North Park Basin totaled 213 MBo (2.4 MBopd) for the first quarter. The Company averaged one rig targeting multiple benches in the Niobrara and drilled four XRLs and one SRL. The four XRLs conclude the drilling of an eight well wine rack spacing test. Five new wells and two remaining DUCs are currently beginning completion operations and are expected to come online late in the second quarter or early in the third quarter. Additionally, one XRL and one SRL were brought online during the first quarter. During the quarter, the Company signed a definitive agreement for a small scale modular gas to liquids ("GTL") processing facility to be placed at the Big Horn tank battery. The facility will be constructed and operated by a third party at no cost to SandRidge. Both companies will share proceeds from associated liquids recovery by this gas processing. The initial facility is expected to process approximately 500 Mcf per day. The facility provides a scalable gas processing option while the Company advances its long-term development of pipeline takeaway. Upon successful installation of the facility in 2019, the Company will evaluate the potential to add additional GTL facilities. Other Operational Activities During the first quarter, Permian Central Basin Platform properties produced 114 MBoe (1.3 MBoepd, 81% oil, 12% NGLs, 7% natural gas). Conference Call Information The Company will host a conference call to discuss these results on Tuesday, May 8, 2018 at 8:00 am CT. The telephone number to access the conference call from within the U.S. is (833) 245-9650 and from outside the U.S. is (647) 689-4222. The passcode for the call is 2689729. An audio replay of the call will be available from May 8, 2018 until 11:59 pm CT on June 8, 2018. The number to access the conference call replay from within the U.S. is (800) 585-8367 and from outside the U.S. is (416) 621-4642. The passcode for the replay is 2689729. A live audio webcast of the conference call will also be available via SandRidge's website, www.sandridgeenergy.com , under Investor Relations/Presentation & Events. The webcast will be archived for replay on the Company's website for 30 days. 2018 Operational and Capital Expenditure Guidance Presented below is the Company's capital expenditure and operational guidance for 2018. Guidance Projection as of May 7, 2018 Production Oil (MMBbls) 3.4 - 3.6 Natural Gas Liquids (MMBbls) 2.6 - 2.8 Total Liquids (MMBbls) 6.0 - 6.4 Natural Gas (Bcf) 31.5 - 33.0 Total (MMBoe) 11.3 - 11.9 Price Differential Oil (per Bbl) $2.80 Natural Gas Liquids (realized % of NYMEX WTI) 33% Natural Gas (per MMBtu) $1.20 Expenses LOE $95 - $105 million Adjusted G&A Expense1 $41 - $44 million % of Revenue Production Taxes 4.80% Capital Expenditures ($ in millions) Drilling and Completion Mid-Continent $17 - $19 North Park Basin 65 - 73 Other2 34 Total Drilling and Completion $116 - $126 Other E&P Land, G&G, and Seismic $15 Infrastructure3 15 Workover 25 Capitalized G&A and Interest 8 Total Other Exploration and Production $63 General Corporate 1 Total Capital Expenditures $180 - $190 (excluding acquisitions and plugging and abandonment) 1) Adjusted G&A expense is a non-GAAP financial measure. The Company has defined this measure at the conclusion of this press release under "Non-GAAP Financial Measures" beginning on page 12. Information to reconcile this non-GAAP financial measure to the most directly comparable GAAP financial measure is not available at this time, as management is unable to forecast the excluded items for future periods. 2) Primarily 2017 Carryover 3) Includes Production Facilities, Pipeline ROW and Electrical Operational and Financial Statistics Information regarding the Company's production, pricing, costs and earnings is presented below: Three Months Ended March 31, 2018 2017 Production - Total Oil (MBbl) 926 1,134 NGL (MBbl) 700 887 Natural Gas (MMcf) 9,487 11,766 Oil equivalent (MBoe) 3,207 3,982 Daily production (MBoed) 35.6 44.2 Average price per unit Realized oil price per barrel - as reported $ 57.60 $ 49.19 Realized impact of derivatives per barrel (8.40) 0.27 Net realized price per barrel $ 49.20 $ 49.46 Realized NGL price per barrel - as reported $ 23.41 $ 16.27 Realized impact of derivatives per barrel Net realized price per barrel $ 23.41 $ 16.27 Realized natural gas price per Mcf - as reported $ 1.82 $ 2.37 Realized impact of derivatives per Mcf 0.17 (0.08) Net realized price per Mcf $ 1.99 $ 2.29 Realized price per Boe - as reported $ 27.12 $ 24.65 Net realized price per Boe - including impact of derivatives $ 25.21 $ 24.49 Average cost per Boe Lease operating $ 7.71 $ 6.28 Production taxes $ 1.47 $ 0.80 Depletion (1) $ 8.73 $ 6.78 Earnings per share (Loss) earnings per share applicable to common stockholders Basic $ (1.18) $ 1.90 Diluted $ (1.18) $ 1.90 Adjusted net income per share available to common stockholders Basic $ 0.15 $ 0.78 Diluted $ 0.15 $ 0.78 Weighted average number of shares outstanding (in thousands) Basic 34,575 26,801 Diluted (2) 34,637 26,801 (1) Includes accretion of asset retirement obligation. (2) Includes shares considered antidilutive for calculating loss per share in accordance with GAAP. Capital Expenditures The table below presents actual results of the Company's capital expenditures for the three months ended March 31, 2018 at the same level of detail as its full year capital expenditure guidance. Three Months Ended March 31, 2018 (In thousands) Drilling and Completion Mid-Continent $ 1,917 North Park Basin 8,234 Other1 15,565 Total Drilling and Completion 25,716 Other E&P Land, G&G, and Seismic 1,691 Infrastructure2 1,975 Workovers 6,368 Capitalized G&A and Interest 1,516 Total Other Exploration and Production 11,549 General Corporate Total Capital Expenditures $ 37,265 (excluding acquisitions and plugging and abandonment) 1) Primarily 2017 Carryover 2) Infrastructure - Production Facilities, Pipeline ROW and Electrical Derivative Contracts In light of the high correlation between NGL and NYMEX WTI prices, the Company manages a portion of its NGL price exposure using NYMEX WTI contracts at a three-to-one (3:1) NGL to crude ratio. The table below sets forth the Company's consolidated oil and natural gas price swaps for 2018 and 2019 as of May 1, 2018: Quarter Ending 3/31/2018 6/30/2018 9/30/2018 12/31/2018 FY 2018 WTI Swaps: Total Volume (MMBbls) 1.05 1.00 0.92 0.83 3.80 Daily Volume (MBblspd) 11.7 11.0 10.0 9.0 10.4 Swap Price ($/bbl) $55.46 $55.50 $56.04 $56.12 $55.75 Natural Gas Swaps: Total Volume (Bcf) 6.30 3.64 3.68 3.68 17.30 Daily Volume (MMBtupd) 70.0 40.0 40.0 40.0 47.4 Swap Price ($/MMBtu) $3.24 $3.11 $3.11 $3.11 $3.16 3/31/2019 6/30/2019 9/30/2019 12/31/2019 FY 2019 WTI Swaps: Total Volume (MMBbls) 0.45 0.46 0.46 0.46 1.83 Daily Volume (MBblspd) 5.0 5.0 5.0 5.0 5.0 Swap Price ($/bbl) $54.29 $54.29 $54.29 $54.29 $54.29 Capitalization The Company's capital structure as of March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017 is presented below: March 31, 2018 December 31, 2017 (In thousands) Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash $ 29,178 $ 101,308 Credit facility $ $ Building note 37,502 Total debt 37,502 Stockholders' equity Common stock 36 36 Warrants 88,500 88,500 Additional paid-in capital 1,052,718 1,038,324 Accumulated deficit (327,814) (286,920) Total SandRidge Energy, Inc. stockholders' equity 813,440 839,940 Total capitalization $ 813,440 $ 877,442 SandRidge Energy, Inc. and Subsidiaries Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations (Unaudited) (In thousands, except per share amounts) Three Months Ended March 31, 2018 2017 Revenues Oil, natural gas and NGL $ 86,966 $ 98,149 Other 162 201 Total revenues 87,128 98,350 Expenses Production 24,713 25,023 Production taxes 4,700 3,176 Depreciation and depletionoil and natural gas 27,997 26,980 Depreciation and amortizationother 3,153 3,837 Impairment 4,170 2,531 General and administrative 14,022 19,538 Shareholder activism costs 407 Employee termination benefits 31,587 400 Loss (gain) on derivative contracts 18,330 (34,183) Other operating expense 16 268 Total expenses 129,095 47,570 (Loss) income from operations (41,967) 50,780 Other (expense) income Interest expense, net (948) (939) Gain on extinguishment of debt 1,151 Other income, net 873 970 Total other income 1,076 31 (Loss) income before income taxes (40,891) 50,811 Income tax expense 3 3 Net (loss) income $ (40,894) $ 50,808 (Loss) earnings per share Basic $ (1.18) $ 1.90 Diluted $ (1.18) $ 1.90 Weighted average number of common shares outstanding Basic 34,575 26,801 Diluted 34,575 26,801 SandRidge Energy, Inc. and Subsidiaries Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (Unaudited) (In thousands) March 31, 2018 December 31, 2017 ASSETS Current assets Cash and cash equivalents $ 27,013 $ 99,143 Restricted cash - other 2,165 2,165 Accounts receivable, net 67,992 71,277 Derivative contracts 1,310 Prepaid expenses 4,241 5,248 Other current assets 11,288 15,954 Total current assets 112,699 195,097 Oil and natural gas properties, using full cost method of accounting Proved 1,103,921 1,056,806 Unproved 91,793 100,884 Less: accumulated depreciation, depletion and impairment (486,645) (460,431) 709,069 697,259 Other property, plant and equipment, net 216,865 225,981 Other assets 1,343 1,290 Total assets $ 1,039,976 $ 1,119,627 LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY Current liabilities Accounts payable and accrued expenses $ 118,866 $ 139,155 Derivative contracts 19,952 10,627 Asset retirement obligations 40,943 41,017 Other current liabilities 425 8,115 Total current liabilities 180,186 198,914 Long-term debt 37,502 Derivative contracts 5,143 3,568 Asset retirement obligations 37,398 36,527 Other long-term obligations 3,809 3,176 Total liabilities 226,536 279,687 Commitments and contingencies Stockholders' Equity Common stock, $0.001 par value; 250,000 shares authorized; 35,560 issued and outstanding at March 31, 2018 and 35,650 issued and outstanding at December 31, 2017 36 36 Warrants 88,500 88,500 Additional paid-in capital 1,052,718 1,038,324 Accumulated deficit (327,814) (286,920) Total stockholders' equity 813,440 839,940 Total liabilities and stockholders' equity $ 1,039,976 $ 1,119,627 SandRidge Energy, Inc. and Subsidiaries Condensed Consolidated Cash Flows (Unaudited) (In thousands) Three Months Ended March 31, 2018 2017 CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES Net (loss) income $ (40,894) $ 50,808 Adjustments to reconcile net (loss) income to net cash provided by operating activities Provision for doubtful accounts (335) Depreciation, depletion and amortization 31,150 30,817 Impairment 4,170 2,531 Debt issuance costs amortization 117 78 Amortization of premiums and discounts on debt (47) (75) Gain on extinguishment of debt (1,151) Loss (gain) on derivative contracts 18,330 (34,183) Cash paid on settlement of derivative contracts (6,119) (638) Stock-based compensation 15,872 3,261 Other (235) 360 Changes in operating assets and liabilities 9,549 11,277 Net cash provided by operating activities 30,407 64,236 CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES Capital expenditures for property, plant and equipment (65,527) (43,686) Acquisition of assets (48,073) Proceeds from sale of assets 955 10,203 Net cash used in investing activities (64,572) (81,556) CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES Repayments of borrowings (36,304) Debt issuance costs (1,488) Cash paid for tax withholdings on vested stock awards (1,661) (1,424) Net cash used in financing activities (37,965) (2,912) NET DECREASE IN CASH, CASH EQUIVALENTS and RESTRICTED CASH (72,130) (20,232) CASH, CASH EQUIVALENTS and RESTRICTED CASH, beginning of year 101,308 174,071 CASH, CASH EQUIVALENTS and RESTRICTED CASH, end of period $ 29,178 $ 153,839 Supplemental Disclosure of Noncash Investing and Financing Activities Change in accrued capital expenditures $ 28,258 $ 2,954 Equity issued for debt $ $ (268,779) Non-GAAP Financial Measures This press release includes non-GAAP financial measures. These non-GAAP measures are not alternatives to GAAP measures, and you should not consider these non-GAAP measures in isolation or as a substitute for analysis of our results as reported under GAAP. Below is additional disclosure regarding each of the non-GAAP measures used in this press release, including reconciliations to their most directly comparable GAAP measure. Reconciliation of Cash Provided by Operating Activities to Operating Cash Flow The Company defines operating cash flow as net cash provided by operating activities before changes in operating assets and liabilities, as shown in the following table. Operating cash flow is a supplemental financial measure used by the Company's management and by securities analysts, investors, lenders, rating agencies and others who follow the industry as an indicator of the Company's ability to internally fund exploration and development activities and to service or incur additional debt. The Company also uses this measure because operating cash flow relates to the timing of cash receipts and disbursements that the Company may not control and may not relate to the period in which the operating activities occurred. Further, operating cash flow allows the Company to compare its operating performance and return on capital with those of other companies without regard to financing methods and capital structure. This measure should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for net cash provided by operating activities prepared in accordance with GAAP. Three Months Ended March 31, 2018 2017 (In thousands) Net cash provided by operating activities $ 30,407 $ 64,236 Changes in operating assets and liabilities (9,549) (11,277) Operating cash flow $ 20,858 $ 52,959 Reconciliation of Net (Loss) Income to EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA The Company defines EBITDA as net (loss) income before income tax expense, interest expense, depreciation and amortization - other and depreciation and depletion - oil and natural gas. Adjusted EBITDA, as presented herein, is EBITDA excluding items that the Company believes affect the comparability of operating results such as items whose timing and/or amount cannot be reasonably estimated or are non-recurring, as shown in the following tables. Adjusted EBITDA is presented because management believes it provides useful additional information used by the Company's management and by securities analysts, investors, lenders, ratings agencies and others who follow the industry, for analysis of the Company's financial and operating performance on a recurring basis and the Company's ability to internally fund exploration and development, and to service or incur additional debt. In addition, management believes that adjusted EBITDA is widely used by professional research analysts and others in the valuation, comparison, and investment recommendations of companies in the oil and gas exploration and production industry. The Company's adjusted EBITDA may not be comparable to similarly titled measures used by other companies. Three Months Ended March 31, 2018 2017 (In thousands) Net (loss) income $ (40,894) $ 50,808 Adjusted for Income tax expense 3 3 Interest expense 1,107 1,142 Depreciation and amortization - other 3,153 3,837 Depreciation and depletion - oil and natural gas 27,997 26,980 EBITDA (8,634) 82,770 Asset impairment 4,170 2,531 Stock-based compensation 2,922 3,261 Loss (gain) on derivative contracts 18,330 (34,183) Cash paid upon settlement of derivative contracts (6,119) (638) Employee termination benefits 31,587 400 Restructuring costs 2,607 Gain on extinguishment of debt (1,151) Shareholder activism costs 407 Other (1,175) (1,030) Adjusted EBITDA $ 40,337 $ 55,718 Reconciliation of Cash Provided by Operating Activities to Adjusted EBITDA Three Months Ended March 31, 2018 2017 (In thousands) Net cash provided by operating activities 30,407 $ 64,236 Changes in operating assets and liabilities (9,549) (11,277) Interest expense 1,107 1,142 Employee termination benefits (1) 18,637 400 Restructuring costs 2,607 Income tax expense 3 3 Shareholder activism costs 407 Other (675) (1,393) Adjusted EBITDA $ 40,337 $ 55,718 (1) Excludes associated stock-based compensation. Reconciliation of Net (Loss) Income Available to Common Stockholders to Adjusted Net Income Available to Common Stockholders The Company defines adjusted net (loss) income as net (loss) income excluding items that the Company believes affect the comparability of operating results and are typically excluded from published estimates by the investment community, including items whose timing and/or amount cannot be reasonably estimated or are non-recurring, as shown in the following tables. Management uses the supplemental measure of adjusted net income as an indicator of the Company's operational trends and performance relative to other oil and natural gas companies and believes it is more comparable to earnings estimates provided by securities analysts. Adjusted net income is not a measure of financial performance under GAAP and should not be considered a substitute for net income available to common stockholders. Three Months Ended March 31, 2018 Three Months Ended March 31, 2017 $ $/Diluted Share $ $/Diluted Share (In thousands, except per share amounts) Net (loss) income available to common stockholders $ (40,894) $ (1.18) $ 50,808 $ 1.90 Asset impairment 4,170 0.12 2,531 0.09 Loss (gain) on derivative contracts 18,330 0.53 (34,183) (1.28) Cash paid upon settlement of derivative contracts (6,119) (0.18) (638) (0.02) Employee termination benefits 31,587 0.91 400 0.01 Restructuring costs 2,607 0.10 Gain on extinguishment of debt (1,151) (0.03) Other (581) (0.02) (637) (0.02) Adjusted net income available to common stockholders $ 5,342 $ 0.15 $ 20,888 $ 0.78 Basic Diluted (1) Basic Diluted (1) Weighted average number of common shares outstanding 34,575 34,637 26,801 26,801 Total adjusted net income per share $ 0.15 $ 0.15 $ 0.78 $ 0.78 (1) Weighted average fully diluted common shares outstanding for certain periods presented includes shares that are considered antidilutive for calculating loss per share in accordance with GAAP. Reconciliation of G&A to Adjusted G&A The Company reports and provides guidance on Adjusted G&A per Boe because it believes this measure is commonly used by management, analysts and investors as an indicator of cost management and operating efficiency on a comparable basis from period to period, and to compare and make investment recommendations of companies in the oil and gas industry. This non-GAAP measure allows for the analysis of general and administrative spend without regard to stock-based compensation programs, and other non-recurring cash items which can vary significantly between companies. Adjusted G&A per Boe is not a measure of financial performance under GAAP and should not be considered a substitute for general and administrative expense per Boe. Therefore, the Company's Adjusted G&A per Boe may not be comparable to other companies' similarly titled measures. The Company defines adjusted G&A as general and administrative expense adjusted for certain non-cash stock-based compensation and other non-recurring items, as shown in the following tables. Three Months Ended March 31, 2018 Three Months Ended March 31, 2017 $ $/Boe $ $/Boe (In thousands, except per Boe amounts) General and administrative $ 14,022 $ 4.37 $ 19,538 $ 4.91 Stock-based compensation (1) (2,921) (0.91) (3,259) (0.82) Restructuring costs (2,607) (0.66) Adjusted G&A $ 11,101 $ 3.46 $ 13,672 $ 3.43 (1) Three-month period ended March 31, 2018 excludes approximately $13.0 million for the acceleration of certain stock awards. For further information, please contact: Johna Robinson Investor Relations SandRidge Energy, Inc. 123 Robert S. Kerr Avenue Oklahoma City, OK 73102-6406 (405) 429-5515 Cautionary Note to Investors - This press release includes "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, including, but not limited to, the information appearing under the heading "2018 Operational and Capital Expenditure Guidance." These statements express a belief, expectation or intention and are generally accompanied by words that convey projected future events or outcomes. The forward-looking statements include projections and estimates of the Company's corporate strategies, future operations, and development plans and appraisal programs, drilling inventory and locations, estimated oil, and natural gas and natural gas liquids production, reserves, price realizations and differentials, hedging program, projected operating, general and administrative and other costs, projected capital expenditures, tax rates, efficiency and cost reduction initiative outcomes, liquidity and capital structure and infrastructure assessment and investment. We have based these forward-looking statements on our current expectations and assumptions and analyses made by us in light of our experience and our perception of historical trends, current conditions and expected future developments, as well as other factors we believe are appropriate under the circumstances. However, whether actual results and developments will conform with our expectations and predictions is subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, including the volatility of oil and natural gas prices, our success in discovering, estimating, developing and replacing oil and natural gas reserves, actual decline curves and the actual effect of adding compression to natural gas wells, the availability and terms of capital, the ability of counterparties to transactions with us to meet their obligations, our timely execution of hedge transactions, credit conditions of global capital markets, changes in economic conditions, the amount and timing of future development costs, the availability and demand for alternative energy sources, regulatory changes, including those related to carbon dioxide and greenhouse gas emissions, and other factors, many of which are beyond our control. We refer you to the discussion of risk factors in Part I, Item 1A - "Risk Factors" of our Annual Report on Form 10-K and in comparable "Risk Factor" sections of our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q filed after such form 10-K. All of the forward-looking statements made in this press release are qualified by these cautionary statements. The actual results or developments anticipated may not be realized or, even if substantially realized, they may not have the expected consequences to or effects on our Company or our business or operations. Such statements are not guarantees of future performance and actual results or developments may differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements. We undertake no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements. SandRidge Energy, Inc. (NYSE: SD) is an oil and natural gas exploration and production company headquartered in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma with its principal focus on developing high-return, growth oriented projects in Oklahoma and Colorado. The majority of the Company's production is generated from the Mississippi Lime formation in Oklahoma and Kansas. Development activity is currently focused on the Meramec formation in the NW STACK Play in Oklahoma and multiple oil rich Niobrara benches in the North Park Basin in Colorado. SOURCE SandRidge Energy, Inc. Related Links http://www.sandridgeenergy.com WALLDORF, Germany, May 8, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- SAP SE (NYSE: SAP) today announced the availability of a partner qualification program for SAP Model Company services. The two-tiered program guides SAP services partners in learning how to build on and extend prepackaged, ready-to-use, end-to-end reference solutions based on SAP Model Company services. The program provides access to content for SAP Model Company services and early insight into the road map for SAP Model Company services as well as access to business planning strategies guided by SAP. With this support, qualified partners can lead SAP customers through a simplified, transparent solution selection process that can help accelerate implementations of SAP S/4HANA and cloud solutions from SAP. "By offering a partner qualification for SAP Model Company, we are further enhancing SAP Model Company services through partner-driven content and expertise," said Stephan Klein, senior vice president and head of SAP Model Company, SAP. "In addition to the faster time to value of implementation and predictable results provided by SAP Model Company services, customers are now afforded the flexibility to carry out implementations through their preferred partner, enabling a truly personalized digital experience." Released in 2017, SAP Model Company services are customized to meet specific line-of-business and industry needs. SAP services partners with partner qualification for SAP Model Company are eligible to innovate through preconfigured solutions, business content, accelerators and services in the following capacities: Partner qualification for SAP Model Company at the content level : With access to SAP Model Company and the SAP Value Assurance service, these qualified partners learn to build customer-facing proposals and projects that include SAP Model Company, SAP Value Assurance service packages and support for best practices. : With access to SAP Model Company and the SAP Value Assurance service, these qualified partners learn to build customer-facing proposals and projects that include SAP Model Company, SAP Value Assurance service packages and support for best practices. Partner qualification for SAP Model Company at the solution level: These qualified partners can develop content extensions for an SAP Model Company service through the development environment for SAP Model Company. They may also get their solutions certified through SAP Integration and Certification Center. Accenture, which has collaborated with SAP on core development and go-to-market execution for SAP S/4HANA and SAP Leonardo, is the first solution partner to become qualified for SAP Model Company. The Accenture Intelligent Enterprise Platform embeds SAP Model Company services and SAP Value Assurance service packages for SAP S/4HANA into an end-to-end digital platform for a new approach to transformation. The Accenture Intelligent Enterprise Platform also connects SAP Cloud Platform and SAP Leonardo to help customers innovate faster, while the SAP Transformation Navigator tool provides a road map to their digital future. "Disruptive technologies are changing the way we do business. Success now requires rapid innovation, continuous collaboration and agile delivery," said Christophe Mouille, senior managing director and global SAP business group lead, Accenture. "With the Accenture Intelligent Enterprise Platform, we help our customers embrace the future and drive market advantage. Our certified joint enterprise transformation approach that embeds SAP Model Company and SAP Value Assurance service packages enables our joint customers to make the right investments, navigate complexity and realize value quickly." The Accenture Intelligent Enterprise Platform with SAP Model Company services embedded is available now and will be showcased at the annual SAPPHIRE NOW conference being held June 57 in Orlando, Florida. Visit the SAP News Center. Follow SAP on Twitter at @sapnews. 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 388,000 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. 2018 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: Martin Gwisdalla, SAP, +49 (6227) 7-67275, [email protected], CET SAP News Center press room; [email protected] Erin Albright, FleishmanHillard, +1 (617) 692-0543, [email protected], ET SOURCE SAP SE Related Links http://www.sap.com From Mother's Day (May 13) to Father's Day (June 17), Sbarro customers will have the opportunity to make a donation to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital in participating US-based Sbarro restaurants or at Pizza Cucinova. By making a $1 donation, customers will receive a voucher for $2 off their next purchase of at least $6. Sbarro will also support St. Jude by donating 20% of all slice sales on Mother's Day and Father's Day up to $25,000, in honor of their customers to support the life-saving mission of St. Jude: Finding cures. Saving children. David Karam, Sbarro CEO, has been connected to St. Jude since his late father first became heavily involved in the 1960's. Joe Karam served on the Board of Governors of St. Jude from 1968-1974 and 1991-2003, as well as on the Emeritus Board from 2003-2017. He was chairman of the National Convention of St. Jude Children's Research Hospital in Columbus in 1970 and Las Vegas in 1996. Since 2016, Sbarro has participated in Slices for Hope, donating a portion of all slice purchases to St. Jude. Since this program began two years ago, the company has raised $417,039 for this wonderful cause. Find the Sbarro nearest you by visiting https://sbarro.com/locations/. About Sbarro In 1956, Carmela and Gennaro Sbarro opened the doors to their Italian salumeria in Brooklyn. Carmela "Mama" Sbarro made pizza slices for shift workers looking for a quick meal. Her slices were so popular that they soon opened a second location focused solely on pizza. Since then, Sbarro has brought the best pasta, salad, and of course the XL NY slice to 630 eateries across 28 countries. Sbarro is headquartered in Columbus, Ohio. For more information visit http://www.sbarro.com. For Franchise interest visit http://franchise.sbarro.com. Or visit us on social media at www.facebook.com/sbarro, @Sbarro on Twitter, and @SbarroOfficial on Instagram. Contact Rohan Shearer Chief Administrative Officer (614) 769-9929 SOURCE Sbarro Related Links http://www.sbarro.com The campaign documents the journey of four women, Abby Smith, a Utah native and mother of four, international fashion mogul Shopper Mandy, travel blogger Caitlin Coving and West Coast beauty expert Lizzy Gutierrez. Each woman's story tells an inspiring narrative on how they experienced their own "Bliss of GLISS" when they discovered the right formula with Hair-Identical Keratin that would help solve their targeted concerns such as color protection, intense hydration, long-lasting volume, and weightless nourishment. The campaign uses simple and relatable imagery to to show how the Hair-Identical Keratin in GLISS products helps replace what hair loses daily so hair can look its best. With their own personal brand and loyal following, these popular personalities can help a company gain instant credibility with consumers. "We are taking influencers to the next level by casting them as talent in all our communication touchpoints and leveraging the latest digital capabiliites," says Manuela Emmrich, Marketing Director, Hair Care and Styling. "Hair repair means different things to different people so our influencers will share their own personal story of hair damage and repair in a relatable way." Schwarzkopf GLISS Hair Repair Collection includes: GLISS Ultra Moisture provides essential moisture for up to 85% less hair breakage i Shampoo & Conditioner Express Repair Conditioner Anti-Breakage Treatment GLISS Color Guard protects color-treated hair for up to 12 weeks Shampoo & Conditioner GLISS Ultimate Repair with 3x Liquid Keratin for extreme damage repair ii Shampoo & Conditioner Allure Best of Beauty Winner: Best Shampoo and Conditioner for Damaged Hair Anti-Damage Mask 2018 Product of the Year Winner: Best Hair Mask Express Repair Conditioner GLISS Oil Nutritive offers nourishment and up to 90% fewer split ends iii Shampoo & Conditioner GLISS Extra Volume Collagen complex Shampoo & Conditioner Lift-Up Spray NEW! GLISS Fiber Therapy GLISS Fiber Therapy Shampoo GLISS Fiber Therapy Conditioner GLISS Fiber Therapy Repair-In Oil Spray Schwarzkopf GLISS Hair Repair collection is available for $5.94-$6.94 in mass, drug and grocery stores nationwide. About Schwarzkopf Schwarzkopf is a hair cosmetic brand that represents quality, expertise and innovation for more than 115 years. Schwarzkopf stands for innovation, reliability, quality, trust and competence - these are the foundations on which our business thrives. We are driven by a passion for creating beautiful hair and this is reflected in each of our products. We stand for innovation, reliability, quality, trust and competence - these are the foundations on which our business thrives. Schwarzkopf success and its consumers' satisfaction are the result of consistently meeting the high expectations that are expressed through the claim "Professional HairCare For You." About Henkel in North America Henkel operates across its three business units Adhesive Technologies, Beauty Care and Laundry & Home Care in North America. Its portfolio of well-known consumer and industrial brands includes Schwarzkopf hair care, Dial soaps, Right Guard antiperspirants, professional hair care brand Sexy Hair, Persil, Purex and all laundry detergents, Snuggle fabric softeners as well as Loctite, Technomelt and Bonderite adhesives. North America is an important region for Henkel: With sales of around 5.8 billion US dollars (5.2 billion euros) in 2017, North America accounts for 26 percent of the company's global sales. Henkel employs more than 9,000 people across the U.S., Canada and Puerto Rico. For more information, please visit www.henkel-northamerica.com. About Henkel Henkel operates globally with a well-balanced and diversified portfolio. The company holds leading positions with its three business units in both industrial and consumer businesses thanks to strong brands, innovations and technologies. Henkel Adhesive Technologies is the global leader in the adhesives market across all industry segments worldwide. In its Laundry & Home Care and Beauty Care businesses, Henkel holds leading positions in many markets and categories around the world. Founded in 1876, Henkel looks back on more than 140 years of success. In 2017, Henkel reported sales of 22.6 billion US dollars (20 billion euros) and adjusted operating profit of around 3.9 billion US dollars (3.5 billion euros). Combined sales of the respective top brands of the three business units Loctite, Schwarzkopf and Persil amounted to 7.2 billion US dollars (6.4 billion euros). Henkel employs more than 53,000 people globally a passionate and highly diverse team, united by a strong company culture, a common purpose to create sustainable value, and shared values. As a recognized leader in sustainability, Henkel holds top positions in many international indices and rankings. Henkel's preferred shares are listed in the German stock index DAX. For more information, please visit www.henkel.com. i Vs untreated hair ii Compared to other GLISS hair repair lines iii Using GLISS Oil Nutritive Shampoo and Conditioner SOURCE Schwarzkopf CHARLOTTE, N.C., May 8, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- SentryOne today announced the promotions of Jenn Miller, formerly Director of Human Resources, to Vice President of Human Resources and Richard Taylor, formerly Director of Engineering, to Vice President of Engineering. Jenn Miller, VP of Human Resources for SentryOne Richard Taylor, VP of Engineering "High growth technology companies require great talent and internal programs that ensure engagement and, ultimately, drive top performance," said Bob Potter, CEO of SentryOne. "Each of these leaders has demonstrated a commitment to excellence both inside the organization and within the communities they serve. We are fortunate to have them on our team." As Vice President of Human Resources, Jenn Miller will continue to play a vital role in helping SentryOne achieve its business growth goals which include becoming an employer of choice. Miller has more than 20 years of experience in sales leadership and human resources with companies including LensCrafters, ADP, AT&T and Alamo. She joined SentryOne in a consulting role in 2013 and became its full time Director of Human Resources in 2015. Miller is a graduate of Ohio University, is married and has two children. As Vice President of Engineering, Richard Taylor will continue to lead the software engineering team responsible for developing and delivering innovative and high-quality products for SentryOne customers. Taylor has more than 20 years of experience in software development in small to enterprise class applications. He joined SentryOne in 2017. A Microsoft MVP (Most Valuable Professional), Taylor serves as one of the organizers of the Modern Devs Charlotte Meetup group and is the founding organizer of the Charlotte Xamarin Developers Meetup group. Taylor attended Howard University, is married and has five children. About SentryOne SentryOne creates unmatched solutions that empower Microsoft data professionals to achieve breakthrough performance across physical, virtual, and cloud environments. SentryOne products give customers the capability and confidence to monitor their databases, diagnose performance issues, and optimize the entire SQL Server estate to provide real business value. The SentryOne team includes more than 140 employees located in Charlotte, NC, Jacksonville, FL, Salem, NH and Dublin, Ireland. Learn more at SentryOne.com. Contact: Jeanne Bernish 704-990-2242 [email protected] SOURCE SentryOne Related Links https://www.sentryone.com Royal Dutch Shell plc ("Shell") announces an agreement to sell its entire stake in Canadian Natural Resources Limited ("Canadian Natural") THE HAGUE, Netherlands, May 7, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Shell's subsidiary, Shell Gas B.V. ("SGBV"), has entered into an underwriting agreement with Goldman Sachs & Co, RBC Capital Markets, Scotiabank and TD Securities, for the sale of 97,560,975 shares in Canadian Natural, representing its entire interest in Canadian Natural resulting in total pre-tax proceeds of approximately $3.3 billion. Proceeds from the sale will contribute to reducing net debt. The sale is expected to complete on May 9, 2018. Enquiries Linda Szymanski, Company Secretary Investor Relations International: +31 70 377 4540 North America: +1 832 337 2034 Media Relations Shell Canada Media Relations: [email protected] International: +44 207 934 5550 US & Brazil: +1 832 337 4355 Cautionary Note The companies in which Royal Dutch Shell plc directly and indirectly owns investments are separate legal entities. In this release "Shell", "Shell group" and "Royal Dutch Shell" are sometimes used for convenience where references are made to Royal Dutch Shell plc and its subsidiaries in general. Likewise, the words "we", "us" and "our" are also used to refer to Royal Dutch Shell plc and its subsidiaries in general or to those who work for them. These terms are also used where no useful purpose is served by identifying the particular entity or entities. ''Subsidiaries'', "Shell subsidiaries" and "Shell companies" as used in this release refer to entities over which Royal Dutch Shell plc either directly or indirectly has control. Entities and unincorporated arrangements over which Shell has joint control are generally referred to as "joint ventures" and "joint operations", respectively. Entities over which Shell has significant influence but neither control nor joint control are referred to as "associates". The term "Shell interest" is used for convenience to indicate the direct and/or indirect ownership interest held by Shell in an entity or unincorporated joint arrangement, after exclusion of all third-party interest. This release contains forward-looking statements (within the meaning of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995) concerning the financial condition, results of operations and businesses of Royal Dutch Shell. All statements other than statements of historical fact are, or may be deemed to be, forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are statements of future expectations that are based on management's current expectations and assumptions and involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results, performance or events to differ materially from those expressed or implied in these statements. Forward-looking statements include, among other things, statements concerning the potential exposure of Royal Dutch Shell to market risks and statements expressing management's expectations, beliefs, estimates, forecasts, projections and assumptions. These forward-looking statements are identified by their use of terms and phrases such as "aim", "ambition', ''anticipate'', ''believe'', ''could'', ''estimate'', ''expect'', ''goals'', ''intend'', ''may'', ''objectives'', ''outlook'', ''plan'', ''probably'', ''project'', ''risks'', "schedule", ''seek'', ''should'', ''target'', ''will'' and similar terms and phrases. There are a number of factors that could affect the future operations of Royal Dutch Shell and could cause those results to differ materially from those expressed in the forward-looking statements included in this release, including (without limitation): (a) price fluctuations in crude oil and natural gas; (b) changes in demand for Shell's products; (c) currency fluctuations; (d) drilling and production results; (e) reserves estimates; (f) loss of market share and industry competition; (g) environmental and physical risks; (h) risks associated with the identification of suitable potential acquisition properties and targets, and successful negotiation and completion of such transactions; (i) the risk of doing business in developing countries and countries subject to international sanctions; (j) legislative, fiscal and regulatory developments including regulatory measures addressing climate change; (k) economic and financial market conditions in various countries and regions; (l) political risks, including the risks of expropriation and renegotiation of the terms of contracts with governmental entities, delays or advancements in the approval of projects and delays in the reimbursement for shared costs; and (m) changes in trading conditions. No assurance is provided that future dividend payments will match or exceed previous dividend payments. All forward-looking statements contained in this release are expressly qualified in their entirety by the cautionary statements contained or referred to in this section. Readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. Additional risk factors that may affect future results are contained in Royal Dutch Shell's Form 20-F for the year ended December 31, 2017 (available at www.shell.com/investor and www.sec.gov ). These risk factors also expressly qualify all forward-looking statements contained in this release and should be considered by the reader. Each forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date of this release, May 7, 2018. Neither Royal Dutch Shell plc nor any of its subsidiaries undertake any obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statement as a result of new information, future events or other information. In light of these risks, results could differ materially from those stated, implied or inferred from the forward-looking statements contained in this release. This announcement may contain references to Shell's website. These references are for the readers' convenience only. Shell is not incorporating by reference any information posted on www.shell.com. We may have used certain terms, such as resources, in this release that the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) strictly prohibits us from including in our filings with the SEC. U.S. Investors are urged to consider closely the disclosure in our Form 20-F, File No 1-32575, available on the SEC website www.sec.gov. This announcement contains inside information for Royal Dutch Shell plc. LEI number of Royal Dutch Shell plc: 21380068P1DRHMJ8KU70 Classification: Inside information SOURCE Royal Dutch Shell plc LIVERMORE, Calif., May 8, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Steeped in its unwavering mission of making a difference in the lives of children, Discovery Toys, www.DiscoveryToys.net, the first major supplier of educational products in the toy industry is celebrating its 40th Anniversary. Eschewing the traditional bricks and mortar retail model since its founding in 1978 by early childhood educator Lane Nemeth, the company utilizes a direct sales force. Given the current disruption in the retail toy marketplace, Discovery Toys offers a unique experience for consumers... the ability to play with and learn about the benefits and features of time-tested and award-winning toys first hand from Educational Consultants at personal shopping appointments, at home or online parties, as well as at vendor events. Consumers can discuss the specific needs of a child with an Educational Consultant who can then suggest the appropriate Discovery Toys products. Discovery Toys specializes in premium quality learning-through-play products for children of all ages. The company's products deliver a hands-on, multi-sensory, child-directed play experience and invite parents and caregivers to participate in the fun. Every Discovery Toys product incorporates rich layers of learning that sustain engagement and empower children to grow and advance. The company also takes great pride in its long-standing reputation for quality and safety. As the foremost direct selling company in the toy category, Discovery Toys offers a home-based opportunity in the US and Canada to earn a primary or supplementary income. DT sellers, or Educational Consultants, direct their own schedule, reserve quality time for family, and make a real difference in the lives of children. Operating under a party plan marketing model, the company offers its Educational Consultants a range of attractive incentives, including cash bonuses, prize giveaways, and an annual luxury vacation. Those earning the vacation this year will enjoy an all-inclusive trip to the Discovery Toys 40th Anniversary Beach Bash in Los Cabos, Mexico. Discovery Toys welcomes new team members who have a passion for making a difference in the lives of children. Hear from some DT family members. Jennifer Ky, from Edmonton, Canada, joined Discovery Toys seven years ago and continues to work her DT business as a primary source of income. "When I started with Discovery Toys, I was a single mom on maternity leave from teaching. This company gave me the opportunity to earn income while working consistently from home, around one hour/day, around my son's nap and feeding schedules. I have so much fun getting out of the house a couple of evenings a week, teaching others about these unique learning tools. A surprising bonus is the friendships I've made, the rewards (like jewelry, trips, and free toys), and the recognition and praise ... just for doing my job! Thank you, Discovery Toys!" The company participates in many charitable activities through efforts at both the individual team member level as well as at the corporate level. To date, as a proud partner of Toys for Tots, Discovery Toys has donated over $2,500,000 worth of toys to the program. The recently launched DT Easter Basket Program has brightened the lives of many children in need across North America. Educational Consultants identify local organizations (shelters, hospitals, etc.) who can benefit and then recruit sponsors to contribute funds and items to help fill hand-wrapped gift baskets. Over 4,000 baskets were distributed this past Easter through the efforts of team members across North America. "Discovery Toys has a 40-year track record of developing fun, award-winning educational toys that spark creative thinking and help children attain learning success as well as providing opportunities for people to operate their own businesses while being part of an organization that prides itself on making a difference in the lives of children, all while giving back to the community," said Jerry Salerno, CEO of Discovery Toys. If you would like to learn more about how Discovery Toys can help individuals, charitable organizations, or foundations looking to purchase toys to donate please email us at [email protected]. The Discovery Toys mission resonates strongly with parents today, who have ready access to extensive research on the importance of early childhood learning and healthy brain development. These same parents are also engaging in discussions at many levels about the impact of screen time and electronic media on young minds during their formative years. Dr. Georgia Bozeday, adjunct professor at the Rush Neurobehavioral Institute and advisor to Discovery Toys, shares, "We have raised a generation who struggle to think for themselves, to communicate with others, and to solve complex problems largely due to excessive screen time in its various forms. Discovery Toys products offer a valuable alternative for building young minds." To help families stay updated with the latest information in child development, Discovery Toys has recently launched the DT Speaker Series, with web presentations by a variety of thought leaders across the spectrum of early childhood learning. The Series is open to all team members as well as the general public. The next session will be held on May 22 at 8:00 p.m. CST, featuring Maria Marinakis, ED.M., who will be presenting the T.A.L.K. Strategy for Building Social-Emotional Skills and Vocabulary. The webinar link for this session will be available on the Discovery Toys Facebook Page several days prior to the event. An additional benefit of many Discovery Toys products is the support they provide for children with special needs and developmental disabilities, with toys designed to develop independent play, promote sustained engagement, build skill sets for cooperative play, and much more. The company includes learning symbols in its annual catalog to assist parents of children with Autism in product selection. Also, many DT Educational Consultants offer real-world experience in assisting children with different learning challenges. For interviews with Discovery Toys officers or Educational Consultants, please contact Jim Garber at 925-606-2600 or e-mail [email protected]. Related Images image1.png image2.png image3.png Related Links https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AYYGZ3_QwPw&feature=youtu.be Related Video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y9c8l97Mc54 SOURCE Discovery Toys Related Links http://www.DiscoveryToys.net SAN MATEO, Calif., May 8, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- SiFive, the leading provider of commercial RISC-V processor IP, today opened the call for partnership applications for the Democratizing Ideas partnership initiative, which aims to support new, innovative ideas from academia, research institutions, students and the open source community based on the company's Freedom Unleashed or Freedom Everywhere platforms. Announced at the RISC-V Workshop in Barcelona, the initiative is designed to further the company's mission to democratize access to custom silicon to anyone who wants it. "We believe that some of the best, yet most underutilized, ideas come from academia, students, research institutions and the open source community," said Yunsup Lee, co-founder and CTO of SiFive. "By leveraging the Freedom Platform, today anyone can get access to the custom silicon needed to bring their idea to life. We are excited to see what customizations the community dreams up, and look forward to reviewing a wide range of new, innovative concepts." The opportunity to partner is open to both individuals and teams. Proposals are welcome from any non-commercial entity, including universities, students, research groups, non-profits or individuals. Submissions will be reviewed for creativity, innovation and technical feasibility, and selected partners are eligible to receive SiFive's support in the form of access to custom CPU IP, design support and help delivering working chip samples. Entries are currently being accepted via the SiFive Democratizing Ideas website through Oct. 31, 2018. All approved partnerships will be announced at the RISC-V Summit at the Santa Clara Convention Center, planned for Dec. 3-5, 2018. The SiFive Freedom platforms comprise a complete software specification, board OS support packages (BSPs), development boards and base silicon. Freedom HiFive Unleashed is the first RISC-V development board with full support for Linux-capable applications including networking, storage and machine learning, while Freedom Everywhere is suited for embedded microcontroller use cases such as wearables and other Internet of Things enabled devices. For more information on the Democratizing Ideas challenge visit, https://info.sifive.com/democratizing-ideas. About SiFive SiFive is the leading provider of market-ready processor core IP based on the RISC-V instruction set architecture. Led by a team of industry veterans and founded by the inventors of RISC-V, SiFive helps SoC designers reduce time-to-market and realize cost savings with customized, open-architecture processor cores, and democratizes access to optimized silicon by enabling system designers to build customized RISC-V based semiconductors. SiFive is located in Silicon Valley and has venture backing from Sutter Hill Ventures, Spark Capital, Osage University Partners and Chengwei Capital, along with strategic partners Huami, SK Telecom and Western Digital. For more information, visit www.sifive.com. SOURCE SiFive Related Links http://www.sifive.com GUANGZHOU, China, May 8, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Sino Agro Food, Inc. (OTCQX: SIAF) (OSE: SIAF-ME), a specialized investment company focused on protein food including seafood and cattle, schedules a conference call. Conference Call The Company has scheduled a conference call for Tuesday, May 29th at 10:00 a.m. EDT/16:00 CET to discuss fiscal year 2017 results and first quarter 2018 results, as well as update or explain a number of strategic and operational items. Earnings Call Information The Company will host an earnings call on Tuesday, May 29, 2018 at 10:00 AM EDT/16:00 CET to discuss financial results. Please submit questions by email to [email protected]. These will be organized and answered on the call. To listen to the conference call please use the following information: SIAF Results Call Information Date: May 29, 2018 Time: 10:00 AM, EDT/16:00 PM CET Participant Dialing Instructions: SE: +46 8 5059 63 06 UK: +44 203 139 48 30 NO: +47 23 50 05 59 CN: +86 400 681 54 21 US: + 1 (866) 928-7517 Conference PIN code: 80849742# The earnings call will also be available over the web.To access, click the following link: Sino Agro Results Conference Call CONTACT: Peter Grossman Investor Relations 1 (775) 901-0344 [email protected] Todd Fromer / Elizabeth Barker 1 (212) 896-1215 / 212-896-1203 [email protected] Nordic Countries +46 (0)8 120 558 30 [email protected] This information was brought to you by Cision http://news.cision.com http://news.cision.com/sino-agro-food/r/sino-agro-food-inc-schedules-conference-call,c2516928 The following files are available for download: SOURCE Sino Agro Food ARLINGTON, Va., May 8, 2018 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Society of Chemical Manufacturers & Affiliates (SOCMA) is pleased to announce it will convene decision makers and thought leaders in three regional Specialties Forums across the country. As part of our new ChemSectors program, this executive-level forum is customized for decision makers to discuss industry trends, network with their peers, and gather industry intelligence. "SOCMA is uniquely positioned within the specialty and fine chemicals supply chain to provide our members with the latest industry intelligence," said Paul Hirsh, Senior Vice President, Industry Development & Strategic Partnerships. "Our new ChemSectors program addresses issues companies face up and down the supply chain to better position them with their customers. And, we have developed a series of Specialties Forums to address those needs understanding that a key component of commercial development is networking, whether they be in the Pharmaceutical, Performance or Agricultural sectors." The first Specialties Forum will be held June 13 in Philadelphia with a pharmaceutical focus. The forum features Daniel Cohen, a Managing Director at RBC Capital Markets, where he is responsible for the firm's relationships with pharmaceutical and medical device outsourcing companies including CMOs and API manufacturers. Mr. Cohen's presentation will be on the State of the Pharmaceutical Out Sourcing Industry. The event will also include a Ted Talks-style discussion with industry leaders focusing on issues facing the pharmaceutical industry. The 2018 calendar includes additional Specialties Forums in Cleveland, OH, and Houston, TX, this fall. Learn more about our ChemSectors program here. About SOCMA The Society of Chemical Manufacturers & Affiliates (SOCMA) is part of a $300 billion industry that's fueling the U.S. economy. Our members play an indispensable role in the global chemical supply chain, providing specialty chemicals to companies in markets ranging from aerospace and electronics to pharmaceuticals and agriculture. As the only U.S.-based trade association solely dedicated to the specialty and fine chemical industry, we are expanding our foundation by developing ChemSectors with a focus on growing key market segments. Our industry network extends to more than 20,000 influencers and decision makers in the specialty chemicals supply chain. For more information on becoming a part of this growing and innovative association, visit www.socma.com. Contact: Jenny Gaines Senor Director, Marketing and Communications (571) 348-5110 SOURCE Society of Chemical Manufacturers & Affiliates Related Links http://www.socma.com/ Caregiver of the Year nominees were evaluated based on a variety of criteria, including service excellence; quality of caregiving skills; and empathy, respect and compassion toward clients. Knowlin was nominated for the award by FirstLight Home Care of The Grand Strand General Manager Jamie Recupero, and owner Kristin Randall. "Cherise is a one-of-a-kind caregiver," said Recupero. "She is excellent at putting herself in others' shoes and she will go out of her way to relate directly to a client's needs. She will pick up any shift and show up at a client's house with a smiling face, always looking professional." Randall added, "Cherise is an extraordinary caregiver because she makes difficult situations better. She is loving, caring and compassionate and simply wants to make her client's day the best it can be. To Cherise, this is not just a job. It's a calling." FirstLight caregivers like Knowlin help seniors and other adults with many needs from personal hygiene and household duties such as cooking, cleaning and running errands, to respite and dementia care. FirstLight Home Care of The Grand Strand is owned by Don, Craig and Kristin Randall. For more information, visit TheGrandStrand.FirstLightHomeCare.com. About FirstLight Home Care FirstLight Home Care is a top rated non-medical home care provider with a network of offices that provides 93,000 hours per week in care for more than 4,300 clients in over 34 states. The company has created a new standard in home care by combining best practices with innovative approaches to make them an emerging market leader in a rapidly-growing industry. Companion and personal care services can be provided at private residences, assisted living and retirement communities, nursing homes, adult-family homes or group homes. Clients include seniors, new mothers, individuals recovering from surgery, adults with disabilities and anyone who might just need a little extra care or assistance. Visit www.firstlighthomecare.com to learn more. MEDIA CONTACT: Heather Ripley Ripley PR 865-977-1973 [email protected] SOURCE FirstLight Home Care Related Links http://www.firstlightfranchise.com SAN FRANCISCO, May 8, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Sparkcentral, Inc. today announced that the company's Board of Directors has appointed Joe Gagnon as Chief Executive Officer to lead the company through its next phase of growth. He will assume day-to-day leadership of the company and will also join Sparkcentral's Board of Directors. Gagnon, a contact center and enterprise SaaS software veteran, most recently served as Chief Customer Officer and SVP/Global GM for Cloud Solutions at Aspect Software. "It has been an honor to serve as the CEO of Sparkcentral since founding the company and I am unbelievably proud of what our team has accomplished together over the last several years. We have made meaningful progress toward our top company priorities and have made messaging-based customer support more convenient for enterprises and their customers than ever," stated Davy Kestens, Sparkcentral's Founder. Before joining Sparkcentral, Gagnon served in the C-suite at Aspect Software. He also was President/COO of Penn Foster, President of e-Dialog, and CEO of Exit41. Additionally, Gagnon has served as a Board Member for LiveVox and as an Advisory Board Member for Bright Pattern. Joe Gagnon has a passion for high performance, both professionally and personally, as an accomplished athlete, author, and entrepreneur. "The customer support market is poised for significant growth and I am incredibly excited to assume the role of CEO at this time." Gagnon shared, "We have a very talented team at Sparkcentral who are focused on innovating in the message-based software space and we are on our way to assuming a position of market leadership." "There couldn't be a better time for Sparkcentral to hire someone like Joe and I'm thrilled we're able to bring someone of his caliber on board," said Bob Spinner, Managing Director of Jackson Square Ventures and Sparkcentral Board Director. "The Global 5000 increasingly look to messaging to deliver excellent customer service and Sparkcentral's platform brings more convenience and, by way of software integrations, efficiency to customer interactions than ever before. Adding Joe to the team as CEO will allow us to leverage his experience to take Sparkcentral to the next level," he said. About Sparkcentral: Customer-obsessed companies use Sparkcentral's leading mobile and social customer engagement platform to manage and resolve customer service interactions over social and mobile channels in a simple, streamlined and fun way. With the fastest customer routing and prioritization technology in the business and innovative workflow optimization and reporting tools, Sparkcentral helps global brands like Delta Air Lines, Nordstrom, JetBlue, Western Union, Zappos and more deliver effortless customer service experiences and drive brand loyalty. A two-time CODiE Award winner for Best Customer Service Solution, Sparkcentral is headquartered in San Francisco, CA and has its EMEA headquarters in Hasselt, Belgium. Sparkcentral is backed by venerated venture capital investors, including Jackson Square Ventures, Founders Fund, Split Rock Partners, and LRM Capital. To learn more, visit http://www.sparkcentral.com and follow @Sparkcentral on Twitter. Press contact: Krysta Gahagen, Marketing Manager [email protected] SOURCE Sparkcentral Related Links http://www.sparkcentral.com OAK BROOK, Ill., May 8, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Strategic Project Management, Inc. (SPM), an Oak Brook based firm, was recently featured in Crain's Chicago and other publications for its creation and implementation of a successful housing initiative in Bellwood, IL. "Our housing initiative was born out of our client's need to address two issues: eliminate blighted and vacant properties that they had purchased for redevelopment in which the private sector paid no interest; and to meet our client's need to build larger single-family homes," said Peter Tsiolis, President at SPM. "We positioned our client, the Village, as the developer, and we served as project manager for our initiative that has just completed its third phase resulting in twenty brand new luxury homes." According to the Crain's Chicago article, prior to the launch of the third phase, the median price of homes sold in Bellwood was $113,000. The median price for the first quarter of 2018 was nearly $163,000, up from $123,000 a year earlier. Tsiolis said that raising the median sale price in town was a goal of the project both because "it's good to see that people are willing to invest substantially more than the median price to be in Bellwood" and because it could catch the attention of commercial homebuilders who hadn't previously been interested in building in the town. As Chicago Magazine reported, all the houses have already been sold for $212,500 to $294,500 well above the Bellwood median price of a year ago. More houses are scheduled for construction through 2018, but SPM isn't stopping with this initiative. In an interview with Positively Proviso Tsiolis said, "We look forward to growing the company. We look forward to taking on more challenging projects and delivering the positive results with which we have become synonymous." http://www.strategicpm.us/ http://www.chicagobusiness.com/realestate/20180419/CRED0701/180419827/bellwoods-village-hall-as-homebuilder-project-sells-out http://www.chicagomag.com/Chicago-Magazine/May-2018/Bellwood-Housing-Development/ https://www.positivelyproviso.com/?p=223 SOURCE Strategic Project Management, Inc. Related Links http://www.strategicpm.us Ascent joins three other Subaru models produced at the plant: Outback, Legacy and Impreza. Subaru of Indiana Automotive, Inc. has seen substantial growth in the last five years, adding more than 2,000 Associates to the team during that period. The positive economic impact of that growth is clear in the investment Subaru has made to increase SIA's production capacity to prepare for Ascent and Impreza production. SIA invested nearly $1.5 billion over the past five years. To mark the occasion, members of the famous Subaru canine family, The Barkleys, visited SIA to welcome the family vehicle to the Subaru line-up. In addition, SIA presented $8,000 in grants to four local nonprofit organizations focused on animal welfare: Almost Home Humane Society, Loving Heart Animal Shelter, Natalie's Second Chance No-Kill Dog Shelter and North Central Indiana Spay & Neuter. "The Subaru Ascent is a great addition to our production line-up," said Tom Easterday, Senior Executive Vice President of SIA. "Production of this outstanding new family vehicle allowed us to create hundreds of new jobs at SIA, and also at our suppliers in Indiana and across the country." SIA will produce about 400,000 vehicles annually with the addition of the Ascent, and SIA Associates have built over five million vehicles since SIA's start of production in September 1989. SIA Associates remain committed to quality, safety and environmental stewardship. The all-new 2019 Subaru Ascent will be available for sale to consumers in mid-2018. The three-row SUV is the biggest vehicle in the Subaru line-up. About SIA Subaru of Indiana Automotive, Inc. (SIA), a subsidiary of Subaru Corporation, is the home of North American Subaru production. Models built at the Lafayette, Indiana plant include the Subaru Legacy, Outback, Impreza and the new Subaru Ascent. SIA employs over 5,600 Associates, and every Associate is committed to quality, safety and environmental stewardship. An industry leader in environmental stewardship, SIA was the first auto assembly plant in America to achieve zero landfill status, and SIA's entire 832-acre site has been designated a Backyard Wildlife Habitat by the National Wildlife Federation. SIA's community outreach programs include providing charitable contributions and corporate sponsorships, hosting charitable events on-site, donating vehicles and vehicle parts to educational institutions and encouraging Associate volunteerism, which supports hundreds of non-profit organizations and schools throughout Indiana annually. For more information, visit www.subaru-sia.com. About Subaru of America, Inc. Subaru of America, Inc. (SOA) is a wholly owned subsidiary of Subaru Corporation of Japan. Headquartered at a zero-landfill office in Camden, N.J., the company markets and distributes Subaru vehicles, parts and accessories through a network of more than 620 retailers across the United States. All Subaru products are manufactured in zero-landfill production plants and Subaru of Indiana Automotive, Inc. is the only U.S. automobile production plant to be designated a backyard wildlife habitat by the National Wildlife Federation. SOA is guided by the Subaru Love Promise, which is the company's vision to show love and respect to everyone, and to support its communities and customers nationwide. Over the past 20 years, SOA has donated more than $120 million to causes the Subaru family cares about, and its employees have logged more than 40,000 volunteer hours. As a company, Subaru believes it is important to do its part in making a positive impact in the world because it is the right thing to do. For additional information visit media.subaru.com. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Media Oakes Subaru of Indiana Automotive (P) 765.449.6269 (C) 317.640.3884 [email protected] Diane Anton Subaru of America, Inc. (P) 865.488.5093 [email protected] SOURCE Subaru of America, Inc. Related Links http://www.subaru.com BRONX, New York, May 8, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- TD Bank, America's Most Convenient Bank, announced it closed on the financing of the redevelopment of a warehouse in the South Bronx to become a transitional housing facility for homeless individuals living with HIV/AIDS, which will be operated by Unique People Services, Inc. (UPS). The bank provided a $9.7 million loan and invested in approximately $4 million in Historic Tax Credits, which are being used to fund a portion of the project. The renovation is being executed by MBX Development. Unique People Services, Inc. (UPS) is a New York-based nonprofit 501(c) 3 that provides supportive housing and medical case management services to individuals and families living with mental health challenges, intellectual/developmental disabilities (I/DD) and HIV/AIDS. The agency operates almost 30 supportive housing programs in the Bronx, Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens and Westchester County with more than 800 people living in their residences. "For nearly three decades, we have helped those with disabilities who have been denied compassionate care elsewhere, to become successful members of society thanks to the dedicated work of our staff, board and community partners. This facility will mark the 28th supportive housing program we've opened, and we look forward to continuing to provide holistic, judgement-free and compassionate programming to those who need it most," said Yvette Brissett-Andre, Executive Director of Unique People Services. This latest project will convert four continuous properties in the Morissania section of the Bronx into an 87-bed facility that will provide clinical and mental health services in addition to providing residents with the social and physical tools necessary to one day successfully live on their own. These tools include financial budgeting, cleaning, shopping, social interaction, hygiene and how to access additional support from outside agencies. "TD Bank recognizes the importance of providing funding for projects like this and we're proud to demonstrate our commitment to our community through financing packages like the one developed for Unique People Services. Not only will this project revitalize a building that was otherwise unused, but it provides invaluable supportive services to people that will benefit for years to come," said Phyllis Reich, Vice President at TD Bank. Renovations began in 2017 and are expected to be completed by summer of 2019. About Unique People Services, LLC: Founded in 1991, Unique People Services, Inc. (UPS) is a New York-based nonprofit 501(c) 3 that provides supportive housing and medical case management services to HIV/AIDS individuals, families living with mental health challenges, and developmental disabilities. Now celebrating its 26th Anniversary, Unique People Services, a BBB Accredited Charity Seal Holder, operates twenty-seven (27) supportive housing programs in the Bronx, Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens and Westchester County. More than 800 New Yorkers call UPS' home, living in well-furnished residences where they receive meals and support services to help them achieve the highest possible levels of independent living and community inclusion. The transitional, long-term and permanent housing UPS provides has also become a safe haven for many formerly homeless individuals. For more information about UPS programs and services, visit us at: www.UniquePeopleServices.org About TD Bank: TD Bank, America's Most Convenient Bank, is one of the 10 largest banks in the U.S., providing more than 9 million customers with a full range of retail, small business and commercial banking products and services at more than 1,200 convenient locations throughout the Northeast, Mid-Atlantic, Metro D.C., the Carolinas and Florida. In addition, TD Bank and its subsidiaries offer customized private banking and wealth management services through TD Wealth, and vehicle financing and dealer commercial services through TD Auto Finance. TD Bank is headquartered in Cherry Hill, N.J. To learn more, visit www.tdbank.com. Find TD Bank on Facebook at www.facebook.com/TDBank and on Twitter at www.twitter.com/TDBank_US. TD Bank, America's Most Convenient Bank, is a member of TD Bank Group and a subsidiary of The Toronto-Dominion Bank of Toronto, Canada, a top 10 financial services company in North America. The Toronto-Dominion Bank trades on the New York and Toronto stock exchanges under the ticker symbol "TD". To learn more, visit www.td.com. SOURCE TD Bank Related Links http://www.tdbank.com BEAVERTON, Ore., May 8, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Tektronix, Inc., a leading worldwide provider of measurement solutions, today unveiled the Keithley Model 2606B System SourceMeter instrument that packs four 20-watt SMU channels into a single 1U form factor chassis. Targeting the fast-growing 3D sensing manufacturing industry, the rackspace-saving Model 2606B combines the capabilities of a precision power supply, true current source, 6-digit DMM, arbitrary waveform generator, and pulse generator into one tightly integrated instrument. With its patented series ranging topology, the Model 2606B delivers up to 20,000 operations per second resulting from faster and smoother range changes and outputs that settle more quickly. Keithley Model 2606B System SourceMeter instrument that packs four 20-watt SMU channels into a single 1U form factor chassis. The compact form factor means test engineers and system integrators can significantly increase per-rack channel capacity without adding more racks of test equipment. Over the next few years, 3D sensing technology is expected to become commonplace across consumer devices including smartphones and widely deployed in a range of automotive and industrial applications. Laser diodes based on VCSEL (vertical-cavity surface-emitting laser) technology form the heart of 3D sensors and must be tested throughout the supply chain. Manufacturers face challenges to increase test capacity as demand grows while preserving floor space. The Model 2606B's compact form factor means test engineers and system integrators can significantly increase per-rack channel capacity without adding more racks of test equipment. "Keithley is well-established as the go-to supplier for test and measurement solutions in the 3D sensing and laser diode industry," said Mike Flaherty, general manager, Keithley Product Line at Tektronix. "The Model 2606B delivers the increased channel density and capacity our customers need to keep pace with demand, while at the same time offers the tight synchronization with test instrumentation they need to have faster measurements and shorter setup times." The new Model 2606B incorporates the equivalent of two Keithley Model 2602B System SourceMeters to form a four-channel 1U full-rack unit. Floor space is a critical parameter for many system integrators testing laser diodes and moving to a higher density solution eliminates the need to add racks of test equipment. The Model 2606B's 1U form factor improves density by 3x since there is no need for a thermal spacer (for airflow) between units. For example, 12 Model 2606B SMU channels can be mounted in the same 3U rack space as only four SMU channels under the previous solution. To give customers a smooth transition, the Model 2606B offers 100 percent code compatibility with the industry leading Keithley Model 2601B and 2602B products. The Model 2606B uses the same TSP (Test Script Processor) programming code as the existing instruments, eliminating the need for any code changes. The Model 2606B offers an accurate current and voltage source, 6 digits measurement resolution, and 0.015 percent basic measurement accuracy that is identical to the existing 2601B and 2602B, ensuring measurement correlation between the different models. The same analog I/O and TSP-Link connectors are also employed, eliminating the need for different connectors and cables and helping to drive lower test costs. Availability & Pricing The Keithley Model 2606B System SourceMeter SMU instrument is available now globally and is priced from $22,600 US MSRP. Wondering what else Tektronix is up to? Check out the Tektronix Bandwidth Banter blog and stay up to date on the latest news from Tektronix on Twitter and Facebook. About Tektronix Headquartered in Beaverton, Oregon, Tektronix delivers innovative, precise and easy-to-operate test, measurement and monitoring solutions that solve problems, unlock insights and drive discovery. Tektronix has been at the forefront of the digital age for over 70 years. Join us on the journey of innovation at TEK.COM. Tektronix is a registered trademark of Tektronix, Inc. All other trade names referenced are the service marks, trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective companies. SOURCE Tektronix, Inc. Related Links http://www.tektronix.com GLENVIEW, Ill., May 8, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Teletrac Navman, a global software-as-a-service provider that leverages location-based technology for GPS tracking solutions, today announced a new partnership with Shipwell, a connected freight platform that enables customers to manage freight shipments from a single software solution. The integration joins Shipwell's automated freight technology with the Teletrac Navman DIRECTOR fleet management system and the hours-of-service (HOS) data it collects from its electronic logging device (ELD) solution, providing asset detail in real time. "Our integration with Shipwell puts technology in place that gives managers and dispatchers a comprehensive view of all Less Than Truckload (LTL) and Full Truckload (FTL) activity from any computer or mobile device," said Daren Lauda, general manager of North America, Teletrac Navman. "This makes it possible for shippers to visualize their entire supply chain with ELD and HOS compliance in mind." "Shipping involves extensive communication and planning between different audiences, which often led to inefficiencies that stalled deliveries," said Jason Traff, co-founder, Shipwell. "In the past, for example, it wasn't uncommon for loads to be booked on trucks with insufficient HOS to complete a shipment. Our new integration with Teletrac Navman makes that problem a thing of the past and means we can provide our customers with a much faster, hands-on shipping experience." Features of the integration include: One central freight management platform to get quotes, book carriers, track shipments and ensure HOS through ELD solutions. to get quotes, book carriers, track shipments and ensure HOS through ELD solutions. Precise minute-by-minute GPS locations for tracking shipments of all sizes as drivers travel in and out of job zones. for tracking shipments of all sizes as drivers travel in and out of job zones. Automated detention time directly from the Shipwell platform and app, based on precise GPS location and stop data. directly from the Shipwell platform and app, based on precise GPS location and stop data. Two-way messaging via form messages to send instant updates and documentation for last-minute assignments, customer requests or instructions. via form messages to send instant updates and documentation for last-minute assignments, customer requests or instructions. Driver profiles, vehicle assignments and driver HOS service input so customers know who is transporting their goods and when they're on breaks. Learn more about Teletrac Navman DIRECTOR at http://www.teletracnavman.com/our-solutions. About Teletrac Navman Teletrac Navman is a leading software-as-a-service (SaaS) provider leveraging location-based technology and services for managing mobile assets. With specialized solutions that deliver greater visibility into real-time insights and analytics, Teletrac Navman helps companies make better business decisions that enhance productivity and profitability. Its fleet and asset management technology uncovers information that would otherwise go unseen, helping customers reduce risk and confidently move their business forward with certainty. It tracks and manages more than 500,000 vehicles and assets for more than 40,000 companies around the world. The company is headquartered in Glenview, IL, with additional offices in the United States, United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand and Mexico. For more information visit www.teletracnavman.com. About Shipwell Shipwell is on a mission to provide a delightful freight experience through freight automation technology and world-class business intelligence. The company is based in Austin, TX and provides a connected freight platform to help shippers, brokers, and carriers to seamlessly quote, book, track, and manage their freight shipments. www.shipwell.com SOURCE Teletrac Navman Related Links http://www.teletracnavman.com STATE COLLEGE, Pa., May 8, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- World renowned Meteorologist Joe Bastardi has published "The Climate Chronicles: Inconvenient Revelations You Won't Hear From Al Gore--And Others" on Amazon.com. The book came out in late January and quickly climbed to the number one Science and Climate book and New Release for a time. It is a compilation, in an ordered fashion, of many of Mr. Bastardi's blog postings on the matter of "climate change", and chapter after chapter, shows reasons outside of science for why this has turned into an agenda-driven crusade. The book makes clear, as one reviewer put it, that this is "an argument against insanity" and exposes the idea that the debate is more about political change rather than climate change. Fox News Host and Radio Show Commentator Sean Hannity said this about the book: The Climate Chronicles: Inconvenient Revelations You Wont Hear from Al Gore (And) Others "Joe Bastardi's love for the weather and climate drove him to write The Climate Chronicles, an expose of the true climate change agenda. By drawing on many of the over 150 blogs he has written on the matter, he shows how weather and climate are being weaponized, politicized, and in reality distorted by academia, media and even religious leaders to advance a cause that is counter to our nation's best interests. A must-read for anyone who loves weather and climate, cherishes the freedoms that are being attacked in our country today, and is curious enough to question what they are being told." Monica Crowley, Senior Fellow for the London Center for Policy Research, had this to say: "In all of the sound and fury surrounding the climate change debate, two things have been glaringly absent: rationality the truth. Renowned meteorologist Joe Bastardi restores both to the climate discussion as he methodically lays out actual science, places it in context and strips out the globalist and statist agendas that have poisoned the conversation from the start. This is a must-read for anyone interested in arming themselves with the truth." Bastardi does not ask the reader to blindly accept what he says, but instead offers a systematic string of blog postings in various chapters. For example, the chapter 'The Weaponization of Weather' deals with 'Climate Ambulance Chasers' using every and any weather event as a way to get attention for dire circumstances, which Bastardi shows in the book has happened many times before. This exposes their real mission, summed up nicely by famed journalist HL Mencken when he said: "The whole aim of practical politics is to keep the populace alarmed and hence clamorous to be led to safety by menacing it with an endless series of hobgoblins, all of them imaginary. The urge to save humanity is almost always only a false face for the urge to rule it." At the very least, the reader will be able to look more deeply into the 'why behind the what' of the climate change agenda, and determine his or her own conclusion, instead of simply accepting without question what they are being told. In the end, Bastardi wrote this as a defense of something he has loved since he was a child - the weather and climate. For him, this is a love story from someone who is a student of weather history and uses the past as a foundational aid to forecast the future. In his opinion, that's what he loves being dragged through the mud of so many agenda driven motives has required him to stand up and defend what he loves. The book is available on Amazon.com: https://www.amazon.com/Climate-Chronicles-Inconvenient-Revelations-Gore/dp/1983509388 All interested media only contact by email at [email protected] or by phone at 917-301-0244 SOURCE Joe Bastardi Investigators at Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center in the U.S. and Yokohama City University (YCU) in Japan report in the journal Cell Reports using a new bioengineering process they developed called a self-condensation cell culture. The technology helps nudge medical science closer to one day growing human organ tissues from a person's own cells for regenerative therapy. "This method may serve as a principal curative strategy for treating type 1 diabetes, of which there are 79,000 new diagnoses per year," said Takanori Takebe, MD, a physician-scientist at the Cincinnati Children's Center for Stem Cell and Organoid Medicine. "This is a life-threatening disease that never goes away, so developing effective and possibly permanent therapeutic approaches would help millions of children and adults around the world." Takebe, who has a dual appointment in the Department of Regenerative Medicine at YCU, stressed the technology needs additional research before it can be used therapeutically in a clinic. He is the study's co-lead investigator along with YCU colleague, Hideki Taniguchi, MD, PhD. Getting out of Nature's Way Scientists tested their processing system with donated human organ cells (pancreas, heart, brain, etc.), with mouse organ cells and with induced pluripotent stem cells (iPS). Reprogrammed from a person's adult cells (like skin cells), iPS cells act like embryonic cells and can form any tissue type in the body. The tissue-engineering process also uses two types of embryonic-stage progenitor cells, which support formation of the body and its specific organs. The progenitor cells are mesenchymal stem cells (MSNs) and human umbilical vascular endothelial cells (HUVECs). Using either donated organ cells, mouse cells or iPS cells, the researchers combined these with MSNs, HUVECs along with other genetic and biochemical material that cue the formation of pancreatic islets. In conditions that nourish and nurture the cells, the ingredients condensed and self-organized into pancreatic islets. After the tissue-engineered islets were transplanted into humanized mouse models of severe type 1 diabetes, they resolved the animals' disease, report researchers. Blood Source Challenge Human pancreatic islets already can be transplanted into diabetic patients for treatment. Unfortunately, the engraftment success rate is relatively low because the tissues lose their vascularization and blood supply as islets are being processed before transplant. This makes it difficult to get the maximum health benefit for patients getting these procedures, the authors write. And although stem cell-based tissue engineering has tremendous therapeutic potential, its future clinical use still faces the critical challenge of ensuring a blood supply to nourish the transplanted tissues, according to researchers. "We need a strategy that ensures successful engraftment through the timely development of vascular networks," said Taniguchi. "We demonstrate in this study that the self-condensation cell culturing system promotes tissue vascularization." Pancreatic islets tissue-engineered in the current generated by the process not only quickly developed a vascular network after transplant into animal models of type 1 diabetes, the tissues also functioned efficiently as part of the endocrine systemsecreting hormones like insulin and stabilizing glycemic control in the animals. Takebe's and Taniguchi's research team already demonstrated the ability to use a "self-condensation" cell culture process using iPS cells to tissue engineer three-dimensional human liver organoids that can vascularize after transplant into laboratory mice. But the ability to generate organ tissue fragments that vascularize in the bodylike pancreatic isletshad been an elusive goal until the current study, investigators said. Funding support came from PRESTO and the Japan Science and Technology Agency (JST); Grants-in-Aid from the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology of Japan (24106510, 24689052, 21249071, 25253079); AMED through its Research Center Network for Realization of Regenerative Medicine; the Japan IDDM network; a PHS Grant (P30 DK078392) through the Digestive Disease Research Core Center and from the Center for Clinical & Translational Science and Training at Cincinnati Children's. Takebe is a New York Stem Cell Foundation- Robertson Investigator. Takebe and Taniguchi have served on scientific advisory boards for Healios Inc., which has been granted licenses to this technology through YCU. SOURCE Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center Related Links http://www.cincinnatichildrens.org GALWAY, Ireland, May 8, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- TitanHQ announced today that they have integrated their cloud-based web filtering platform, WebTitan, with the Kaseya IT Complete platform. WebTitan is now fully available via Kaseya's highly regarded technology alliance partner (TAP) program along with industry heavyweights such as Bitdefender, Cisco, and Dell. Kaseya is the leading provider of complete IT infrastructure management solutions for managed service providers (MSPs) and mid-market enterprises. The exciting integration continues Kaseya's dedication to building an ecosystem of solutions that are acutely meaningful to the Kaseya user community. Managed service providers (MSPs) who use VSA by Kaseya now have the capability to offer their customers a key security layer and a proven tool in the battle against malware and ransomware infections. DNS level security from WebTitan is recognized as a key pillar in an MSP's security stack. It's simple to deploy alongside AV, email filtering, backup, and firewall. The announcement is timely with many of the world's top MSPs attending the illustrious Kaseya Connect conference in Las Vegas, Nevada this week. Ronan Kavanagh, CEO of TitanHQ, commented: "Kaseya is a partner we have admired for a long time and I'm delighted to announce this integration. With over 10 million endpoints under their management, it represents a massive opportunity for our business. We look forward to working with Kaseya's MSP partners and adding our personal touch and renowned focus on great customer support." Frank Tisellano, Jr., vice president product management and design, Kaseya added: "Security is a critical service that all MSPs must deliver. Adding WebTitan to our open ecosystem of partner solutions means our customers now have even greater access to best of breed technologies to meet the needs of their business. With growing concerns over malware, ransomware, and phishing as key threats to MSP customers, WebTitan adds a highly effective layer of protection." Through the new integration, managed service providers can access WebTitan directly within VSA and have network-wide DNS based content filtering enabled in minutes. About Kaseya Kaseya is the leading provider of complete IT infrastructure management solutions for managed service providers (MSPs) and mid-market enterprises. Through its open platform and customer-centric approach, Kaseya delivers best in breed technologies that allow organizations to efficiently manage and secure IT. Offering 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. About TitanHQ TitanHQ is a 25-year old multi award-winning web filtering, email filtering and email archiving SaaS business. TitanHQ protects over 7,500 businesses and works daily with over 1,500 MSPs. TitanHQ protects your customers from malware, ransomware, phishing, viruses, botnets and other cyber threats. Most importantly their products were built from the ground up with MSPs for MSPs. TitanHQ saves MSPs support and engineering cost by stopping cyber threats at the source for their clients. www.TitanHQ.com Want to Learn More? Talk to our Kaseya expert, Marc Ludden. [email protected] LinkedIn Press Contact: Geraldine Hunt, TitanHQ, Email: [email protected] Related Images kaseya.png Kaseya Kaseya is the leading provider of complete IT infrastructure management solutions for managed service providers (MSPs) and mid-market enterprises. titanhq.jpg TitanHQ TitanHQ is a 25-year-old multi award-winning web filtering, email filtering and email archiving SaaS business. TitanHQ protects over 7,500 businesses and works daily with over 1,500 MSPs. SOURCE TitanHQ NEW YORK, May 8, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- The Urban School Food Alliance (the Alliance), a coalition of the largest school districts in the United States [New York City, Los Angeles, Chicago, Miami-Dade, Dallas, Orange County (Orlando), Broward County (Fort Lauderdale), Clark County (Las Vegas), Philadelphia, Baltimore City and Boston], celebrates Fresh Attitude Week from May 7-11, 2018. In collaboration with the French Department of Agriculture and in partnership with Interfel (French Inter-Branch Association of Fresh Fruits and Vegetables which created Fresh Attitude Week), Fresh Attitude Week has become an annual event in Alliance districts in America, along with schools in France and Italy to raise awareness about the consumption of fresh fruits and vegetables in schools. "Studies show that the younger people try various fruits and vegetables, the more likely they are to continue consuming them as adults," said Leslie Fowler, secretary of the Urban School Food Alliance and chief of Nutrition and Facilities Operations at Chicago Public Schools. "Many of our students live in neighborhoods considered food deserts, without access to produce. Our goal in our schools is to provide all students access to nutrient-rich foods that include fruits and vegetables for their health and wellness so they can do well in school." Fresh Attitude Week celebrations have helped raise the popularity of produce in school meals. The Alliance districts has been successful in increasing fresh fruits and vegetable consumption in schools during Fresh Attitude Week from year to year. In 2015, Alliance districts served 5.9 million servings of fruits and vegetables during Fresh Attitude Week. In 2016, consumption increased to 8.6 million servings. That number further increased in 2017 by 34 percent to 11.5 million servings. "We are pleased to see that the United States has achieved impressive success to implement and develop the concept of Fresh Attitude Week, which was created in France in 2005," said Bruno Dupont, president of Interfel. "The American example demonstrates the interest of cross-cultural exchange which is inspiring for other countries, especially European ones. Thanks to our American friends!" Of their total annual budget of $831 million in food and food supplies, the Urban School Food Alliance districts purchase more than $91 million worth of fruits and vegetables a year. For Fresh Attitude Week, Alliance districts will conduct the following activities to highlight fresh produce in school meals: Highlight "Harvest of the Month" items Serve new fresh fruits and vegetables during breakfast and lunch Host local farmers visits to educate students about "farm-to-school" efforts Perform chef cooking demonstrations at school sites Donate gardening kits to various school gardens Conduct open houses for local media outlets to capture Fresh Attitude Week activities About the Urban School Food Alliance The Urban School Food Alliance was created by school food professionals in 2012 to address the unique needs of the nation's largest school districts. The nonprofit group allows the districts to share best practices and leverage their purchasing power to continue to drive quality up and costs down while incorporating sound environmental practices. New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Dallas, Miami-Dade, Orange County (Orlando,) Broward County (Fort Lauderdale), Clark County (Las Vegas), Philadelphia, Baltimore City and Boston together offer service to nearly 3.7 million children daily. This translates to more than 631 million meals a year. The coalition aims to ensure that all public school students across the nation receive healthy, nutritious meals through socially responsible practices. To learn more about the Urban School Food Alliance or to support its work, please visit www.urbanschoolfoodalliance.org. About Interfel Interfel (French Inter-Branch Association of Fresh Fruits and Vegetables) is the lead promotional organization for fresh fruits and vegetables in France, representing all aspects of the sector from production to distribution, including school canteens and education in schools. www.lesfruitsetlegumesfrais.com / www.interfel.com SOURCE Urban School Food Alliance Related Links http://www.urbanschoolfoodalliance.org FAIRFAX, Va., May 8, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- General Dynamics Information Technology has been awarded a $9 million sole-source contract for Cloud Hosted Enterprise Services (CHES) by the U.S. Air Force. The CHES environment is being developed to support the delivery of Microsoft Office 365 services and provides the ability for the Air Force to consume additional cloud service offerings in the future, such as Amazon Web Services (AWS), Oracle, SAP and others. The CHES contract was originally awarded to NES Associates LLC, a subsidiary of CSRA. CSRA was acquired by General Dynamics on April 3. The contract directs General Dynamics to implement CHES at Wright Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, and up to two additional Air Force locations. The contract also includes operations and maintenance support for 18 months. This will allow General Dynamics to continue its ongoing rollout of CHES in support of Microsoft Office 365 services. "We are excited to continue the work under the leadership of Stone Baggiano, GDIT's Director of Logistics and Engineering, and expand our cloud offerings to the Department of Defense," said Senior Vice President Ken Deutsch, head of General Dynamics Information Technology's Defense Division. "This contract will serve as a springboard for hybrid cloud solutions and provide our DoD customers with more options as they navigate their journey to the cloud." CSRA's legacy business has supported the design and implementation efforts for both the Air Force and the Defense Logistics Agency's (DLA) cloud computing programs from the onset. Prior to CHES, the company supported the Air Force and DLA cloud engineering efforts for the Collaboration Pathfinder program. The company's engineers developed a unique global hybrid-cloud networking, computing and storage architecture capable of meeting all customer requirements. The Air Force and DLA are the first Department of Defense (DoD) organizations to consume Microsoft's Office 365 and Azure, which were the first DoD FedRAMP Impact Level 5 cloud service offerings made available for DoD consumption. As a result, the company worked closely with Microsoft and DISA to design this environment from the ground up. By leveraging these commercial cloud services, the Air Force can boost productivity, cut costs and increase collaboration. The new services will meet industry performance standards, offer redundancy and contingency features and provide state-of-the-art technology enhancements to improve user experience and minimize service disruption. For more information about General Dynamics Information Technology, a business unit of General Dynamics (NYSE: GD), please visit www.gdit.com. SOURCE General Dynamics Information Technology Related Links http://www.gdit.com WASHINGTON, May 8, 2018 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers hosted infrastructure listening sessions on Wednesday, May 2, and Thursday, May 3, at its headquarters here to get stakeholder perspectives on how USACE can better deliver critical infrastructure. The stakeholder sessions were conducted in support of the administration's infrastructure efforts. The sessions were designed to engage a diverse group of interested stakeholders and to provide an opportunity for stakeholders to contribute input on ways USACE can streamline permitting and improve project delivery within its current authorities. Wednesday's session focused on issues related to water resources, including financial mechanisms such as the Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (WIFIA) and incentive grants. Thursday's session focused on permitting practices consistent with the administration's efforts. Thirty-seven national-level stakeholder organizations participated in the listening sessions on a non-attribution basis. The organizations represented a wide range of interests including tribal, governmental, ports and waterways, environmental, agricultural, dam and levee safety, flood risk management, shore protection, hydropower and business. In his opening remarks on Wednesday, Assistant Secretary of the Army for Civil Works R.D James noted the importance of the administration's infrastructure efforts and the recent One Federal Decision Memorandum of Understanding to advance the nation's infrastructure and require federal agencies to work collaboratively to make faster infrastructure decisions. "Quit getting all wrapped up in the process," said James. "Do what's in the law and get to the result." Mr. James C. Dalton, USACE director of Civil Works, also addressed participants saying, "This entire session and the infrastructure initiative are about us getting to a point of producing something, producing it more efficiently and getting more effective results than what we have done in the past and just following process." The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has been and continues to be part of the federal team assisting the administration with implementing its infrastructure agenda. USACE is working to streamline processes and procedures in an effort to remove roadblocks which delay the implementation of projects. SOURCE U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Related Links http://www.usace.army.mil NEW YORK, May 8, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- The US Navy Veterans Mesothelioma Advocate is appealing to a US Navy Veteran with recently diagnosed mesothelioma in any state, or their family members, to call them anytime at 800-714-0303 for direct access to the nation's leading lawyers who consistently get the best possible financial compensation results for their Navy Veteran clients. US Navy Veterans Asbestos Warning Sign Frequently a mesothelioma financial compensation claim for a US Navy Veteran can exceed a million dollars provided the Veteran is represented by some of the nation's most skilled and experienced mesothelioma lawyers. As the group would also like to explain anytime at 800-714-0303, the Internet is a very confusing place when it comes to getting honest information about mesothelioma compensation for US Navy Veterans. The last thing the group wants to see happen to a navy Veteran is for them hire an unqualified lawyer or law firm. "Once you hire a lawyer or law firm you are stuck with them when it comes to mesothelioma compensation." http://USNavyMesothelioma.Com The US Navy Veterans Mesothelioma Advocate says, "We offer immediate access to some the nation's leading mesothelioma lawyers because they consistently get the best financial compensation settlements for their Navy Veteran clients. As we would like to explain to a US Navy Veteran anytime at 800-714-0303, a mesothelioma compensation claim for a former navy sailor or officer with mesothelioma does not involve suing the navy. The compensation claim involves companies that provided parts, pipes machinery, boilers or insulation that contained asbestos on the ship or submarine." Typically, Navy Veterans with mesothelioma have the following things in common: "The US Navy Veteran was constantly exposed to asbestos in a ship's engine room, while maintaining a ship's equipment, in a ship's machine shop, while constantly having to repair a ship's steam lines, while serving on a nuclear-powered submarine. "The Navy Veteran was forced to stay on board their ship or submarine at a shipyard to assist shipyard workers during a major repair or retrofit. Frequently these repairs could take months or longer. In many instances Navy Veterans marooned on their ship during a retrofit or repair could have received extreme exposure to asbestos. The Navy Veteran could have been exposed to asbestos at a US Navy Shipyard located in Norfolk , Kittery, Bremerton , Honolulu , Long Beach , Hunters Point, San Diego , Seattle , New London, New York , Boston , or Philadelphia. , Kittery, , , , Hunters Point, , , New London, , , or Philadelphia. "The Navy Veteran was part of crew assigned to decommission a navy ship or submarine. In this instance the Navy Veteran could have had extreme exposure tearing our mechanical or weapons systems that could be used as spare parts for other ships in the same class of ships or submarines." The US Navy Veterans Mesothelioma Advocate is not a law firm - they are incredibly passionate advocates 100% focused on Navy Veterans with recently diagnosed mesothelioma or their family receiving the very best possible financial compensation that typically starts around five hundred thousand dollars and can dramatically increase from there, depending on the asbestos exposure. The group offers on the spot access to the nation's top lawyers who can also assist the Navy Veteran with their possible monthly VA disability payments. For more information a US Navy Veteran with mesothelioma is urged to contact the US Navy Veterans Mesothelioma Advocate anytime at 800-714-0303. In the event the Navy Veteran is too sick to call on their own the group is urging the Veteran's family members to call them anytime at 800-714-0303. http://USNavyMesothelioma.Com For specific information about US Navy warships please review their website on this topic: http://www.navy.mil/navydata/our_ships.asp. For a listing of all VA Medical Centers in each state please review the VA's website: https://www.va.gov/directory/guide/allstate.asp. Media Contact: Michael Thomas 800-714-0303 [email protected] SOURCE US Navy Veterans Mesothelioma Advocate Related Links http://USNavyMesothelioma.Com During his hour-long visit, Congressman Roskam met with senior executives, addressed all UCA employees and conducted a "town hall" Q&A. Congressman Roskam acknowledged the forklift industry's impact on the global economy and how UCA plays a significant part in the overall story. "We want an economy that has fuel underneath it. What you are doing is absolutely fascinating because you are at the heart of it all," said Roskam. "You're an American manufacturer. You're creating things that are available on a global basis. You're competing with the best around the world, and you're winning. That's a very impressive thing to do, and it's not lost on me." Congressman Roskam, who helped usher in the recently passed Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, discussed tax reform advantages to UCA staff and the country as a whole. According to James J. Radous III, president of UniCarriers Americas Corporation, the tax reform plan will benefit both UCA individuals and the company. UCA's corporate tax rates will go from 35 percent to a flat 21 percent, freeing up additional resources for growth and continuous improvement. "It's incredibly humbling to experience three congressional leaders who have taken notice of UniCarriers Americas' impact on the economy and how we compete in the marketplace," said Radous. "The hard work and success of UCA has been recognized by both the marketplace and among our nation's leaders as a company that is doing things right by continuously growing its staff and adding automation." Congressman Roskam represents the 6th district of Illinois and serves as Chairman of the House Ways and Means Subcommittee on Tax Policy. ABOUT UNICARRIERS AMERICAS CORPORATION1 UniCarriers Americas Corporation (UCA), a subsidiary of UniCarriers Corporation, designs, manufactures, and supports a complete line of material handling equipment that offers second-to-none reliability, higher productivity, and lower total operational costs. UCA has seven factory-owned locations across Wisconsin and New England Capital Equipment and Handling and New England Industrial Truck. UCA sells and supports UniCarriers-branded forklifts and supports legacy products under the Nissan Forklift, TCM, Atlet, and Barrett brands. Headquartered in Marengo, Illinois, UniCarriers Americas has a network of more than 130 authorized dealerships with nearly 250 locations across North, Central, and South America. For more information, visit UniCarriersAmericas.com. 1 UniCarriers is a registered trademark of UniCarriers Corporation. Agency Contact: Katie Huffaker (312) 595-0200 [email protected] Corporate Contact: Jay Omanson [email protected] SOURCE UniCarriers Americas Corporation Related Links http://UniCarriersAmericas.com WASHINGTON, Mich., May 8, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Validu has created a truly innovative 21st century technological solution to solve an old problem: fraud and inaccuracies with expense reporting. Validu's unique software launches compliance solutions that work in real time, reversing the idea that auditing and accounting must be reported after the fact. Validu is now poised to change just about everything that everyone knew about personal expense reporting, accounting and meeting logs. Validu Validu Real Time Meeting-Compliance Software Validu is the first and only compliance tool available that proactively mitigates the risk of expense-account fraud. All other such account tools take a back-end, retroactive approach. With just a simple mobile download, companies can now address a lack of reporting compliance and virtually erase accounting abuse. This type of fraud is so easy to commit because most companies are unable to monitor customer engagements as they happen, thus requiring businesses to rely solely upon honesty and accuracy of reporting. Validu is the first "Pocket Monitor" which gives companies complete oversight over every event. Representatives log information related to their daily expense routines, as well as each meeting or event conducted by those representatives, as those events happen in real time. This information is then stored and accessible to company managers 24 hours a day, from anywhere, as a simple flat PDF. Further ensuring accuracy of reporting, the PDF is also GPS, date and time stamped. Overall, the level of oversight this offers is unprecedented and virtually guarantees significant and near-immediate reduction in fraud and account abuse. "Integrity only matters when you handle matters of integrity with poise. It's simple to stop fraud when you eliminate the opportunity for it. Our mission is simple: we want to eliminate risk associated with non-compliant or fraudulent documentation and reporting associated with customer engagements. Our objective is to provide real time, validated oversight into every event being conducted anytime, anywhere. To provide a better solution than traditional paper documentation, we designed this very cost effective and efficient solution to automate meeting monitoring and documentation," CEO and Founder Matthew Kavanaugh said. Validu was created to be simple and easy, requiring no hardware, physical set-up or licensing fee. After downloading to a mobile device like a phone or tablet, users create events in the Validu application for each meeting or function they attend. Users then authenticate the attendees at such events using one of three validation options: a simple photograph of attendees taken through the application, a sign-in option via a print signature, and finally, can be taken through a biometric signature. Called a finger-print signature, this final measure is cutting edge technology, turning an index finger print into a key code that's matched to the original for authentication. Learn more about what Validu can do at https://validu.net. About: Validu is compliance in motion, offering high-tech monitoring and compliance solutions for on-the-go business representatives. Validu's suite of services includes cutting-edge technology like biometric fingerprinting to ensure and verify accurate accounting compliance from anywhere in the world. Contact: Mandi Lehmann Director of Marketing 800-641-5727 [email protected] SOURCE Validu Related Links https://validu.net HOLMDEL, N.J., May 8, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Vonage Holdings Corp. (NYSE: VG), a business cloud communications leader, today announced results for the quarter ended March 31, 2018. Consolidated Results "We are proud of our strong first quarter financial results and the progress we are making transforming Vonage into a cloud communications leader," said Vonage CEO Alan Masarek. "We believe that communications is key to driving business transformation. Our unique platform strategy of combining unified communications and embedded communications is delivering better business outcomes to our customers by linking employee and customer communications seamlessly into company workflows." For the first quarter of 2018, Vonage reported revenues of $254 million, a 4% increase from the year ago quarter. Income from Operations was $18 million, up from $5 million in the prior year. Adjusted Operating Income Before Depreciation and Amortization ("Adjusted OIBDA")1 was $42 million, up from $37 million in the prior year. GAAP net income was $25 million or $0.11 per share, up from $6 million or $0.03 per share in the year ago quarter. Adjusted net income2 was $31 million or $0.13 per share, up from $15 million or $0.07 per share in the year ago quarter. Business Segment Results and Highlights Vonage Business total revenues were $137 million, representing 54% of total consolidated revenues and 22% GAAP growth. UCaaS revenues were $95 million , of which $74 million were service revenues. Service revenues increased 16% year-over-year on an organic 3 basis. , of which were service revenues. Service revenues increased 16% year-over-year on an organic basis. Nexmo revenues (which are all service revenues) were $42 million , a year-over-year increase of 42% on an organic 4 basis. , a year-over-year increase of 42% on an organic basis. Increased registered developers on the Nexmo API Platform to 485,000, a sequential increase of 55,000. Launched a new comprehensive channel program to accelerate adoption of business cloud communications in mid-market and enterprise segments. Announced Vee, a virtual assistant chatbot enabling Vonage Business Cloud users to streamline managing account services via simple, natural language text commands. The Company created new Vonage Business KPIs to better reflect how it manages its UCaaS and Nexmo products on a combined basis. The new KPIs are: Service Revenue per Customer, which includes UCaaS and Nexmo products. The Company is providing this metric to enable investors to track Vonage's "land and expand" strategy and its move to the mid-market and Enterprise. Service revenue per customer in the first quarter of 2018 was $328 , a 3% year-over-year increase. , a 3% year-over-year increase. Business Churn, which measures revenue churn on a combined basis, was 1.2% in the first quarter of 2018, consistent with the year ago quarter. Consumer Segment Results and Highlights Consumer revenues were $117 million in the first quarter of 2018 compared to $132 million in the prior year, a decline of 11%. in the first quarter of 2018 compared to in the prior year, a decline of 11%. Consumer customer churn was 1.9%, flat sequentially and down from 2.2% in the year ago quarter. Average revenue per line ("ARPU") in Consumer was $26.58 , up from $26.10 in the year ago period. , up from in the year ago period. The Consumer segment ended the first quarter with approximately 1.4 million subscriber lines. Consumer's tenured customers, defined as those with the Company for more than two years, increased to 83% of the base. The churn rate of this tenured cohort is 1.4%. Conference Call and Webcast Management will host a conference call to discuss first quarter 2018 financial results and other matters at 8:30 AM Eastern Time. To participate, please dial (866) 891-8177. International callers should dial (412) 902-6756. A live webcast of the event will be available on the Vonage Investor Relations website. A replay of the call and webcast will be available shortly after the conclusion of the call and may be accessed through Vonage's Investor Relations website or by dialing (877) 344-7529 or (412) 317-0088, passcode 10119659. (1) This is a non-GAAP financial measure. Refer below to Table 4 for a reconciliation to GAAP income from operations. (2) This is a non-GAAP financial measure. Refer below to Table 5 for a reconciliation to GAAP net income. (3) We define organic UCaaS growth as the increase in UCaaS revenues after giving pro forma effect for the exclusion of one-time items. See Table 3 for reference. (4) We define organic Nexmo growth as the increase in Nexmo revenues after giving pro forma effect for the change in accounting treatment with respect to certain Nexmo revenues being recognized on a gross rather than net basis. See Table 3 for reference. VONAGE HOLDINGS CORP. TABLE 1. CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL DATA (Amounts in thousands, except per share amounts) Three Months Ended March 31, December 31, March 31, 2018 2017 2017 (unaudited) (unaudited) (unaudited) Statement of Operations Data: Revenues $ 253,573 $ 254,020 $ 243,347 Operating Expenses: Cost of revenues (excluding depreciation and amortization of $6,434, $6,811, and $6,782, respectively) 103,567 103,266 94,889 Sales and marketing 77,136 78,006 81,931 Engineering and development 10,820 7,634 8,370 General and administrative 27,582 24,126 35,086 Depreciation and amortization 16,800 18,003 17,947 235,905 231,035 238,223 Income from operations 17,668 22,985 5,124 Other income (expense): Interest expense (3,161) (3,483) (3,703) Other income (expense), net (253) 327 (215) (3,414) (3,156) (3,918) Income before income tax 14,254 19,829 1,206 Income tax benefit (expense) 10,270 (75,102) 4,707 Net income (loss) $ 24,524 $ (55,273) $ 5,913 Earnings (loss) per common share: Basic $ 0.11 $ (0.24) $ 0.03 Diluted $ 0.10 $ (0.24) $ 0.02 Weighted-average common shares outstanding: Basic 233,034 229,339 220,371 Diluted 248,481 229,339 239,486 VONAGE HOLDINGS CORP. TABLE 1. CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL DATA - (Continued) (Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts) Three Months Ended March 31, December 31, March 31, 2018 2017 2017 (unaudited) (unaudited) (unaudited) Statement of Cash Flow Data: Net cash provided by operating activities $ 23,468 $ 47,458 $ 17,261 Net cash used in investing activities (6,397) (7,111) (6,759) Net cash used in financing activities (25,062) (39,485) (13,540) Capital expenditures, intangible assets, and development of software assets (6,397) (8,061) (7,081) March 31, December 31, 2018 2017 (unaudited) Balance Sheet Data (at period end): Cash and cash equivalents $ 23,536 $ 31,360 Restricted cash 1,835 1,967 Accounts receivable, net of allowance 43,927 44,159 Inventory, net of allowance 2,934 2,971 Prepaid expenses and other current assets 34,006 31,285 Property and equipment, net 44,296 46,754 Goodwill 377,735 373,764 Software, net 22,511 22,252 Deferred customer acquisition costs, current and non-current 38,138 Intangible assets, net 166,506 173,270 Deferred tax assets 111,653 110,892 Other assets 20,647 20,007 Total assets $ 887,724 $ 858,681 Accounts payable and accrued expenses $ 105,666 $ 115,472 Deferred revenue, current and non-current 29,180 30,576 Total notes payable, net of debt related costs and indebtedness under revolving credit facility, including current portion 232,915 232,515 Other liabilities 7,765 7,220 Total liabilities $ 375,526 $ 385,783 Total stockholders' equity $ 512,198 $ 472,898 VONAGE HOLDINGS CORP. TABLE 2. SUMMARY CONSOLIDATED OPERATING DATA (Amounts in thousands, except per line/seat amounts) (unaudited) The table below includes revenues and cost of revenues that our management uses to measure the growth and operating performance of the business focused portion of our business: Business Three Months Ended March 31, December 31, March 31, 2018 2017 2017 Revenues: Service $ 116,302 $ 113,304 $ 91,797 Access and product (1) 12,531 13,349 13,854 Service and Access and product 128,833 126,653 105,651 USF 7,835 7,447 6,151 Total Business Revenues $ 136,668 $ 134,100 $ 111,802 Cost of Revenues: Service (2) $ 52,982 $ 50,013 $ 37,409 Access and product (1) 14,491 14,369 14,988 Service and Access and product 67,473 64,382 52,397 USF 7,840 7,447 6,151 Cost of Revenues $ 75,313 $ 71,829 $ 58,548 Service margin % 54.4 % 55.9 % 59.2 % Gross margin % ex-USF (Service and Access and product margin %) 47.6 % 49.2 % 50.4 % Gross margin % 44.9 % 46.4 % 47.6 % (1) Includes customer premise equipment, access, and shipping and handling. (2) Excludes depreciation and amortization of $4,973, $5,169, and $4,875 for the quarters ended March 31, 2018, December 31, 2017, and March 31, 2017, respectively. The table below includes revenues and cost of revenues that our management uses to measure the growth and operating performance of the consumer focused portion of our business: Consumer Three Months Ended March 31, December 31, March 31, 2018 2017 2017 Revenues: Service $ 104,394 $ 107,674 $ 119,117 Access and product (1) 91 27 203 Service and Access and product 104,485 107,701 119,320 USF 12,420 12,219 12,225 Total Business Revenues $ 116,905 $ 119,920 $ 131,545 Cost of Revenues: Service (2) $ 14,014 $ 17,485 $ 22,100 Access and product (1) 1,794 1,733 2,016 Service and Access and product 15,808 19,218 24,116 USF 12,446 12,219 12,225 Cost of Revenues $ 28,254 $ 31,437 $ 36,341 Service margin % 86.6 % 83.8 % 81.4 % Gross margin % ex-USF (Service and Access and product margin %) 84.9 % 82.2 % 79.8 % Gross margin % 75.8 % 73.8 % 72.4 % (1) Includes customer premise equipment, access, and shipping and handling. (2) Excludes depreciation and amortization of $1,461, $1,642, and $1,907 for the quarters ended March 31, 2018, December 31, 2017, and March 31, 2017, respectively. VONAGE HOLDINGS CORP. TABLE 2. SUMMARY CONSOLIDATED OPERATING DATA - (Continued) (unaudited) The table below includes key operating data that our management uses to measure the growth and operating performance of the business focused portion of our business: Business Three Months Ended March 31, December 31, March 31, 2018 2017 2017 Service revenue per customer $ 328 $ 328 $ 317 Business revenue churn 1.2 % 1.2 % 1.2 % Average monthly revenues per seat (1) $ 42.70 $ 43.71 $ 43.98 Seats (at period end) (1) 751,199 727,085 658,792 UCaaS revenue churn (1) 1.3 % 1.2 % 1.4 % (1) UCaaS only The table below includes key operating data that our management uses to measure the growth and operating performance of the consumer focused portion of our business: Consumer Three Months Ended March 31, December 31, March 31, 2018 2017 2017 Average monthly revenues per line $ 26.58 $ 26.33 $ 26.10 Subscriber lines (at period end) 1,439,669 1,492,067 1,648,927 Customer churn 1.9 % 1.9 % 2.2 % VONAGE HOLDINGS CORP. TABLE 3. RECONCILIATION OF GAAP BUSINESS REVENUES TO ADJUSTED BUSINESS REVENUES (Amounts in thousands) (unaudited) Three Months Ended March 31, December 31, March 31, 2018 2017 2017 Total Business revenues(1) $ 136,668 $ 134,100 $ 111,802 Total UCaaS revenues (1) $ 94,680 $ 94,215 $ 85,557 Hosted Infrastructure Sale (1,621) Adjusted total UCaaS revenues 94,680 94,215 83,936 Less: Product revenues 12,531 13,349 13,854 Less: USF revenues 7,835 7,447 6,151 Adjusted total UCaaS service revenues $ 74,314 $ 73,419 $ 63,931 Total CPaaS revenues (1) $ 41,988 $ 39,885 $ 26,245 Net-to-gross revenue reporting adjustment 3,374 Adjusted total CPaaS revenues $ 41,988 $ 39,885 $ 29,619 (1) Total Business revenues is comprised of revenues from UCaaS and CPaaS VONAGE HOLDINGS CORP. TABLE 4. RECONCILIATION OF GAAP INCOME FROM OPERATIONS TO ADJUSTED OIBDA AND TO ADJUSTED OIBDA MINUS CAPEX (Amounts in thousands) (unaudited) Three Months Ended March 31, December 31, March 31, 2018 2017 2017 Income from operations $ 17,668 $ 22,985 $ 5,124 Depreciation and amortization 16,800 18,003 17,947 Share-based expense 6,709 8,035 7,064 Acquisition related transaction and integration costs 139 Organizational transformation 109 1,101 Acquisition related consideration accounted for as compensation 827 823 6,763 Adjusted OIBDA 42,113 50,947 37,037 Less: Capital expenditures (3,250) (6,125) (3,701) Acquisition and development of software assets (3,147) (1,936) (3,380) Adjusted OIBDA Minus Capex $ 35,716 $ 42,886 $ 29,956 VONAGE HOLDINGS CORP. TABLE 5. RECONCILIATION OF GAAP NET INCOME TO NET INCOME EXCLUDING ADJUSTMENTS (Amounts in thousands, except per share amounts) (unaudited) Three Months Ended March 31, December 31, March 31, 2018 2017 2017 Net income (loss) $ 24,524 $ (55,273) $ 5,913 Amortization of acquisition - related intangibles 8,830 9,220 8,999 Acquisition related transaction and integration costs 139 Acquisition related consideration accounted for as compensation 827 823 6,763 Organizational transformation 109 1,101 Tax impact on TCJA 69,378 Tax effect on adjusting items (3,301) (4,604) (6,569) Adjusted net income (loss) $ 30,989 $ 20,645 $ 15,245 Earnings (loss) per common share: Basic $ 0.11 $ (0.24) $ 0.03 Diluted $ 0.10 $ (0.24) $ 0.02 Weighted-average common shares outstanding: Basic 233,034 229,339 220,371 Diluted 248,481 229,339 239,486 Earnings (loss) per common share, excluding adjustments: Basic $ 0.13 $ 0.09 $ 0.07 Diluted $ 0.12 $ 0.08 $ 0.06 Weighted-average common shares outstanding: Basic 233,034 229,339 220,371 Diluted 248,481 245,725 239,486 VONAGE HOLDINGS CORP. TABLE 6. FREE CASH FLOW (Amounts in thousands) (unaudited) Three Months Ended March 31, December 31, March 31, 2018 2017 2017 Net cash provided by operating activities $ 23,468 $ 47,458 $ 17,261 Less: Capital expenditures (3,250) (6,125) (3,701) Acquisition and development of software assets (3,147) (1,936) (3,380) Free cash flow $ 17,071 $ 39,397 $ 10,180 VONAGE HOLDINGS CORP. TABLE 7. RECONCILIATION OF NOTES PAYABLE, INDEBTEDNESS UNDER REVOLVING CREDIT FACILITY, AND CAPITAL LEASES TO NET DEBT (Dollars in thousands) (unaudited) March 31, December 31, 2018 2017 Current maturities of capital lease obligations $ 81 $ 140 Current portion of notes payable 18,750 18,750 Notes payable and indebtedness under revolving credit facility, net of current maturities and debt related costs 214,165 213,765 Unamortized debt related cost 585 672 Gross debt 233,581 233,327 Less: Unrestricted cash 23,536 31,360 Net debt $ 210,045 $ 201,967 About Vonage Vonage (NYSE: VG) is redefining business communications. True to our roots as a technology disruptor, we've embraced technology to transform how companies communicate to create better business outcomes. Our unique cloud communications platform brings together a robust unified communications solution with the agility of embedded communications APIs. This powerful combination enables businesses to collaborate more productively and engage their customers more effectively across messaging, chat, social media, video and voice. The Company also provides a robust suite of feature-rich residential communication solutions. Vonage Holdings Corp. is headquartered in Holmdel, New Jersey, with offices throughout the United States, Europe, Asia, and Israel. Vonage is a registered trademark of Vonage Marketing LLC, owned by Vonage America Inc. For more information, visit www.vonage.com. Use of Non-GAAP Financial Measures This press release includes measures defined as non-GAAP financial measures by Regulation G adopted by the Securities and Exchange Commission, including: adjusted Operating Income Before Depreciation and Amortization ("adjusted OIBDA"), adjusted OIBDA less Capex, adjusted net income, net debt (cash), free cash flow and adjusted revenues. Adjusted OIBDA Vonage uses adjusted OIBDA as a principal indicator of the operating performance of its business. Vonage defines adjusted OIBDA as GAAP income (loss) from operations excluding depreciation and amortization, share-based expense, acquisition related transaction and integration costs, change in contingent consideration, acquisition related consideration accounted for as compensation, organizational transformation costs and loss on sublease. Vonage believes that adjusted OIBDA permits a comparative assessment of its operating performance, relative to its performance based on its GAAP results, while isolating the effects of depreciation and amortization, which may vary from period to period without any correlation to underlying operating performance; of share-based expense, which is a non-cash expense that also varies from period to period; of one-time acquisition related transaction and integration costs, acquisition related consideration accounted for as compensation and change in contingent consideration, organizational transformation costs and loss on sublease. The Company provides information relating to its adjusted OIBDA so that investors have the same data that the Company employs in assessing its overall operations. The Company believes that trends in its Adjusted OIBDA are valuable indicators of the operating performance of the Company on a consolidated basis. The Company does not reconcile its forward-looking adjusted OIBDA to the corresponding GAAP measure of income from operations due to the significant variability and difficulty in making accurate forecasts with respect to the various expenses we exclude, as they may be significantly impacted by future events the timing and nature of which are difficult to predict or are not within the control of management. As such, the Company has determined that reconciliations of this forward-looking non-GAAP financial measure to the corresponding GAAP measure is not available without unreasonable effort. Adjusted OIBDA less Capex Vonage uses adjusted OIBDA less Capex as an indicator of the operating performance of its business. The Company provides information relating to its adjusted OIBDA less Capex so that investors have the same data that the Company employs in assessing its overall operations. The Company believes that trends in its Adjusted OIBDA less Capex are valuable indicators of the operating performance of the Company on a consolidated basis because they provide our investors with insight into current performance and period-to-period performance. Adjusted net income Vonage defines adjusted net income, as GAAP net income (loss) excluding amortization of acquisition-related intangible assets, acquisition related transaction and integration costs, change in contingent consideration, acquisition related consideration accounted for as compensation, loss on sublease and tax effect on adjusting items. The Company believes that excluding these items will assist investors in evaluating the Company's operating performance and in better understanding its results of operations as amortization of acquisition-related intangible assets is a non-cash item, one-time acquisition related transaction and integration costs, change in contingent consideration, acquisition related consideration accounted for as compensation, loss on sublease and tax effect on adjusting items are not reflective of operating performance. Net debt (cash) Vonage defines net debt (cash) as the current maturities of capital lease obligations, current portion of notes payable, notes payable and indebtedness under revolving credit facility, net of current maturities and debt related costs, and capital lease obligations, net of current maturities, less unrestricted cash and marketable securities. Vonage uses net debt (cash) as a measure of assessing leverage, as it reflects the gross debt under the Company's credit agreements and capital leases less cash available to repay such amounts. The Company believes that net cash is also a factor that first parties consider in valuing the Company. Free cash flow Vonage defines free cash flow as net cash provided by operating activities minus capital expenditures, purchase of intangible assets, and acquisition and development of software assets. Vonage considers free cash flow to be a liquidity measure that provides useful information to management about the amount of cash generated by the business that, after the acquisition of equipment and software, can be used by Vonage for debt service and strategic opportunities. Free cash flow is not a measure of cash available for discretionary expenditures since the Company has certain non-discretionary obligations such as debt service that are not deducted from the measure. The non-GAAP financial measures used by Vonage may not be directly comparable to similarly titled measures reported by other companies due to differences in accounting policies and items excluded or included in the adjustments, which limits its usefulness as a comparative measure. These non-GAAP financial measures should be considered in addition to results prepared in accordance with GAAP, but should not be considered a substitute for, or superior to, GAAP results. Adjusted Revenues Vonage uses adjusted Business revenues to illustrate the impact of one-time items for UCaaS and CPaaS revenues. Safe Harbor Statement This press release contains forward-looking statements, including statements about acquisitions, acquisition integration, growth priorities or plans, revenues, adjusted OIBDA, churn, seats, lines or accounts, average revenue per user, cost of telephony services, the Company's share repurchase plan, capital expenditures, new products and related investment, and other statements that are not historical facts or information, that constitute forward-looking statements for purposes of the safe harbor provisions under The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. In addition, other statements in this press release that are not historical facts or information may be forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements in this release are based on information available at the time the statements are made and/or management's belief as of that time with respect to future events and involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results and outcomes to be materially different. Important factors that could cause such differences include, but are not limited to: he competition we face; the expansion of competition in the cloud communications market; our ability to adapt to rapid changes in the cloud communications market; the nascent state of the cloud communications for business market; our ability to retain customers and attract new customers cost effectively; the risk associated with developing and maintaining effective internal sales teams and effective distribution channels; risks related to the acquisition or integration of businesses we have acquired; security breaches and other compromises of information security; risks associated with sales of our services to medium-sized and enterprise customers; our reliance on third party hardware and software; our dependence on third party facilities, equipment, systems and services; system disruptions or flaws in our technology and systems; our ability to scale our business and grow efficiently; our dependence on third party vendors; the impact of fluctuations in economic conditions, particularly on our small and medium business customers; our ability to comply with data privacy and related regulatory matters; our ability to obtain or maintain relevant intellectual property licenses; failure to protect our trademarks and internally developed software; fraudulent use of our name or services; intellectual property and other litigation that have been and may be brought against us; reliance on third parties for our 911 services; uncertainties relating to regulation of business services; risks associated with legislative, regulatory or judicial actions regarding our business products; risks associated with operating abroad; risks associated with the taxation of our business; risks associated with a material weakness in our internal controls; governmental regulation and taxes in our international operations; liability under anti-corruption laws or from governmental export controls or economic sanctions; our dependence on our customers' broadband connections; restrictions in our debt agreements that may limit our operating flexibility; foreign currency exchange risk; our ability to obtain additional financing if required; any reinstatement of holdbacks by our credit card processors; our history of net losses and ability to achieve consistent profitability in the future; our ability to fully realize the benefits of our net operating loss carry-forwards if an ownership change occurs; certain provisions of our charter documents/ and other factors that are set forth in the "Risk Factors" in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2017, in the Company's Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and Current Reports on Form 8-K. While the Company may elect to update forward-looking statements at some point in the future, the Company specifically disclaims any obligation to do so, and therefore, you should not rely on these forward-looking statements as representing the Company's views as of any date subsequent to today. (vg-f) SOURCE Vonage Holdings Corp. Related Links http://www.vonage.com WASHINGTON, May 8, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- The Washington Construction Defect Center says, "We have been assisting homeowners for over a decade with construction defect issues and one of the most common problems we see with single family home subdivisions is neighbors rarely talk to each other or even know each other's name. Based on our experience, if a homeowner in a newer subdivision is experiencing an issue like water leaks involving their home's doors, windows or roofing, other homeowners in the same subdivision are probably experiencing similar problems. Other issues could involve rotting or moldy fascia board or trim board around the home's exterior, improper exterior calking, or serious concrete slab cracks. Construction Defect Construction Defect Center "If this sounds like you, please give us a call at 866-714-6466. If the problem is severe enough, we will try to get someone out to inspect it at no cost to you. If the window, door, roof, siding or foundation crew made a mistake on your home, chances are they made the same mistake on other homes in your subdivision. The last thing we want to see happen to a homeowner in a newer subdivision anywhere in Washington State is for them to get stuck with a huge repair bill when they go to sell their home." http://Washington.ConstructionDefectCenter.Com The Washington Construction Defect Center Would Like to Hear from Homeowners In New Subdivisions If They Have the Following Types of Problems: Water leaks because of improperly installed or defective siding. Improperly installed windows that create water leaks. Exterior doors that were improperly installed that lead to water leaks. Defective roofs that were improperly flashed or installed and or that have defective roofing material. Severe foundation cracks or foundations that are not level. Single family homes in newer subdivisions that now have mold because the building was not protected during the framing/drywall process. Improperly installed or defective wood fascia board or wood trim. Improper exterior calking of exterior siding that leads to water leaks and mold. In Washington State, the statute of limitations for construction defects is six years from the issuance of the certificate of occupancy. The Washington Construction Defect Center is urging homeowners in subdivisions not older than five years to call them anytime at 866-714-6466 if they have construction defect issues that the home builder failed to fix, or now refuses to fix. Frequently, home builders offer a one-year warranty and then refuse to repair obvious construction defects after the homeowner has been in the home for twelve months. The group is urging homeowners like this in Washington State to call them anytime. The only catch is the home must be in a subdivision, or a multiunit townhouse. The group's free services are available to homeowners in newer subdivisions throughout Washington State including King, Pierce, Snohomish, Thurston, Skagit, Spokane, Clark, Kitsap and Whatcom Counties built after 2013. http://Washington.ConstructionDefectCenter.Com Media Contact: Thomas Martin [email protected] 866-714-6466 SOURCE Washington Construction Defect Center Related Links http://washington.constructiondefectcenter.com BOSTON, May 8, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Wellist, the leading provider of Integrated Patient Experience Solutions, announced today that it had raised $10 million in Series A funding led by Summation Health Ventures, a strategic healthcare investment fund affiliated with MemorialCare Health System and Cedars-Sinai Health System and .406 Ventures, a Boston-based venture capital firm. This investment enables Wellist to expand in several key geographic markets and enhance its proprietary digital health platform that connects patients to non-medical support services. Brant Heise, co-head of Summation Health Ventures and Mark Neaman, Executive Chairman of the Board of Directors at NorthShore University Health System, have joined Chuck Farkas and Ashley Reid on Wellist's Board of Directors. The Series A funding builds on an exceptional year for Wellist during which the company added to its roster of hospital system clients, recruited several outstanding executives to the team, and further established its thought leadership in the patient experience market. In addition to Massachusetts General Hospital, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center and the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Wellist recently launched at MemorialCare Health System. "Our investment in Wellist is a reflection of a growing urgency to address patient needs, both inside and outside the hospital, in a more innovative and personalized way," said Brant Heise of Summation Health Ventures. The patient experience market has grown increasingly important over the past several years as health care systems shift toward consumer-centric, value-based care models. Driven by the mandate of providing quality care and improved health outcomes, providers are investing in initiatives that address a broader range of patient needs. "Given that less than 20% of outcomes are tied to clinical care, hospitals are increasingly called upon to address the full spectrum of patient support. We are thrilled that this new funding will enable Wellist to help even more clients efficiently and compassionately address the social needs of their patient population," said Ashley Reid, Founder and CEO of Wellist. About Wellist Wellist is a leading patient experience solutions company that empowers health system leaders to address social determinants of health across their entire patient population. The company's digital marketplace enables hospitals to connect patients and caregivers to vetted non-medical services and crucial information at a time when access to trusted services has a critical impact on the patient and their loved ones. The platform marries proprietary technology, unique data and services to reduce operational costs and improve the experience of patients and staff. Today, Wellist programs span Oncology, OB/Gynecology, NICU, Gerontology, Transplant, Surgery, Primary Care and Cardiology. Wellist's outstanding contributions have been recognized by organizations including MassTLC (Most Innovative Technology of the Year Healthcare), Rock Health (Top 50 in Digital Health honoree, Diversity Leadership), American Business Awards (Company of the Year, Silver Stevie Health Products and Service) and BostInno (50onFire, Health and Medicine winner). http:/www.wellist.com About Summation Health Ventures Summation Health Ventures is a strategic health care investment fund focused on early- to mid-stage companies offering innovative products, services and technologies which help health care systems significantly improve performance and outcomes. We bring capital investment to accelerate the development of information technology, technology enabled services and technology centered medical devices that can advance high-quality, effective health care. Our portfolio companies gain access to a vast network of organizational resources of our founding investment partners, Cedars-Sinai Health System and MemorialCare Health System. Summation Health Ventures offers a valuable gateway for these entrepreneurs to develop, refine and advance their products. At the same time, health systems gain access to emerging health care IT solutions that can help drive our industry forward. To learn more about us, please refer to our website at www.shv.io. About .406 Ventures .406 Ventures is a Boston-based early stage venture capital firm investing in healthcare and enterprise technology companies founded by visionary entrepreneurs. .406 Ventures was founded in 2006 and has over $650M under management across four funds. The firm leads, or co-leads, first institutional investment rounds in market-changing companies. .406 Ventures' healthcare theses focus on systems, technologies, and services that improve clinical delivery, with investments in companies such as Iora Health, AbleTo, Axial Healthcare, and Redox. Learn more at 406ventures.com and here. Contact: Ann Toomey Phone: 617-416-5379 Email: [email protected] SOURCE Wellist Related Links https://www.wellist.com DETROIT, May 8, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Ally Financial today announced an agreement with Westlake Financial Services, the largest privately held finance company in the country, to list vehicles for sale on SmartAuction, Ally's wholesale auto auction platform. "We are excited to team with Westlake, a growing national leader in the automotive industry, to be part of its remarketing strategy," said Steve Kapusta, vice president, specialized asset management for Ally. "We look forward to putting the value of SmartAuction and our digital remarketing support to work for Westlake by providing greater reach and convenience for their vehicles in the wholesale marketplace." Westlake will list vehicles from a variety of brands on SmartAuction. The cars and trucks became available to dealers registered on SmartAuction beginning May 1. "This relationship with Ally Financial will provide a new digital access point to buyers as we see the remarketing industry become more visible online via auto auctions," stated Ian Anderson, Group President of Westlake Holdings. "Our commitment is to continue to enhance our operational efficiency while connecting with our customers' vehicle buying experience." SmartAuction is an industry-leading online dealer auction that offers access to an inventory of wholesale vehicles to eligible dealers of all brands with over 25,000 vehicles available daily. All purchases through SmartAuction are backed by a comprehensive arbitration policy. About Ally Financial Inc. Ally Financial Inc. (NYSE: ALLY) is a leading digital financial services company with assets of $170.0 billion as of March 31, 2018. As a client-centric company with passionate customer service and innovative financial solutions, Ally is relentlessly focused on "Doing it Right" and being a trusted financial partner for its consumer, commercial, and corporate customers. Ally's award-winning online bank (Ally Bank, Member FDIC and Equal Housing Lender) offers mortgage-lending services and a variety of deposit and other banking products, including CDs, online savings, money market and checking accounts, and IRA products. Ally also promotes the Ally CashBack Credit Card. Additionally, Ally offers securities brokerage and investment advisory services through Ally Invest. Ally remains one of the largest full-service auto finance operations in the country with a complementary auto-focused insurance business, which together serve more than 18,000 dealer customers and millions of auto consumers. Ally's robust corporate finance business offers capital for equity sponsors and middle-market companies. For more information and disclosures about Ally, visit https://www.ally.com/#disclosures. About Westlake Technology Holdings Westlake Financial Holdings is an auto and finance technology company headquartered in Los Angeles, CA with approximately $6.5 billion in assets under management. Westlake Financial Services originates indirect automotive retail installment contracts through a nationwide network of new and used automotive and powersports dealers. Westlake also offers loan portfolio purchasing, credit facilities and portfolio servicing through their ALPS division (Advanced Lending & Portfolio Services); www.WestlakeALPS.com. Floor plan lines of credit are provided through Westlake Flooring Services; www.WestlakeFlooringServices.com, shared cash flow auto lending through Westlake's wholly owned subsidiary, Western Funding Inc, a Nevada Based auto lender, and indirect automotive leasing for credit unions through Credit Union Leasing of America (CULA), is a subsidiary of Westlake, dealers leads and direct-to-consumer auto loans through Westlake Direct, and direct to consumer title loans are through Westlake's wholly owned subsidiary Loan Center; www.loancenter.com. Contact: Brenda Rios Ally Phone: 313-656-6809 E-mail: [email protected] SOURCE Ally Financial Related Links https://www.ally.com LONDON and ST. JULIAN's, Malta, May 8, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Acquisition expands ZEDRA's global presence to 15 offices following a rapid growth progress since its launch in 2016 ZEDRA the global independent specialist in Trust, Corporate and Fund services has acquired Quaestum Corporate Management Ltd., the independent corporate management firm based in Malta, subject to further regulatory approval. (Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20161003/414270LOGO ) The acquisition will add value to Quaestum's existing client base through ZEDRA's global outreach, widespread network and broad range of services, dedicated to providing bespoke management solutions to international entrepreneurs and corporations across a wide spectrum of services, including tax planning, asset protection, estate planning as well as marine and aviation. Quaestum is an independent fiduciary services firm employing a select team of industry professionals with a vast experience in different areas of consultancy and financial services. Founded in 2012, the firm will be merged into ZEDRA's increasing network of global jurisdictions, which currently stands at 13, including Jersey, Guernsey, the Isle of Man, Luxembourg, The Netherlands, Cayman Islands, New Zealand, Hong Kong, Netherlands, Singapore, Miami, the UK and Switzerland. Malta is internationally recognised as a jurisdiction providing excellence in financial services. The Maltese legal, corporate and regulatory environment offers as wide range of legal structures, commercial and financial legislation and a cutting edge regulatory framework that can be used by international clients to facilitate their global business transactions. The current Management of Quaestum, will remain on board, bringing to ZEDRA a wealth of knowledge and extensive experience within the Maltese market to strategically further enhance ZEDRA Group's Maltese capabilities in the near future. Jan Stockhausen, who will assume the role of Managing Director, ZEDRA Malta, has extensive knowledge and understanding of the Maltese market. It is with this experience that he will assist ZEDRA to strategically build on its present service offerings in Malta going forward. "Joining forces with a company who shares our philosophy was my top priority," says Jan Stockhausen. "Like ZEDRA, Quaestum has a solid reputation for providing straight forward, results-driven advice for our clients. Therefore, I am delighted that together we will work to ensure the very best for those whom we are here to serve." Niels Nielsen, Chief Executive Officer, ZEDRA, commented: "Malta is now firmly established as a widely respected and highly attractive business environment for our industry. Legal and accounting expertise is well developed, all the major international legal and accounting practices have a presence there and the labour force is widely regarded as one of the most skilled and versatile in Europe, offering well trained, multilingual specialised and administrative staff. As a result, we regard Malta as a key element in our strategy to be able to offer clients a truly global range of corporate services and wealth planning solutions". "This important acquisition represents a significant step in expanding our footprint, capability and client service," says Ivo Hemelraad, Group Director Corporate, Funds & Legal. "Our business is well positioned to capitalise on many attractive growth opportunities within the region and are very confident this acquisition will further enhance the full range of services we already have to offer, including marine and aviation". For further information, please visit www.zedra.com About ZEDRA ZEDRA is an independent, global specialist in trust, corporate and fund services. The company was acquired from Barclays in January 2016 by an independent investor group, with an ambitious plan to grow the company, expanding and strengthening the services it offers to clients around the world. ZEDRA's 500 strong team of industry experts is dedicated to creating and delivering bespoke solutions for clients. The business is focused on the strong commitment of an experienced team, fostering an entrepreneurial approach to delivering exceptional client services. ZEDRA has diverse client base including high-net-worth individuals and their families, international corporations, institutional investors and entrepreneurs. Under the ownership of a private independent investor group, ZEDRA have the flexibility, boldness and expertise to respond to complex needs whilst maintaining the highest standards of corporate governance in an ever-evolving regulatory environment. www.zedra.com SOURCE ZEDRA AUSTIN, Texas, May 8, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Zenoss Inc., the leader in software-defined IT operations, today announced the appointment of George Kanuck as the company's vice president of worldwide sales. In this position, Kanuck will be responsible for global enterprise sales, building the strategy and team to drive direct business, and growing the company's market share. "As hybrid IT monitoring continues to evolve and expand, the limits of human capacity continue to be tested," said Greg Stock, chairman and CEO of Zenoss. "Our vision of software-defined IT operations is becoming the blueprint for large enterprises trying to stay ahead. The addition of George Kanuck gives us a sales leader as aggressive and bold as our vision and ambitions. George is not only an experienced and successful leader, he is a strong cultural fit who shares our employee- and customer-oriented philosophy." Kanuck has a 20-year proven track record of creating and scaling high-growth revenue streams. Most recently, he led global sales and marketing at Trustonic, a leader in hardware-backed security and a joint venture between ARM and Gemalto. Prior to Trustonic, Kanuck grew revenues for Good Technology as vice president of NorAm F500 enterprise sales, assisting in the company's successful acquisition by BlackBerry. He joined Good Technology after the acquisition of Austin, Texas-based mobile startup Macheen, where he led global sales and business development. Earlier in his career, he led enterprise and government markets at Vovici and held leadership positions at KPCA Global, Hoovers and Dun & Bradstreet. Kanuck earned his MBA from Lehigh University in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, and has a bachelor's degree in economics from Pennsylvania State University in State College, Pennsylvania. He is active in the Austin startup community, mentoring early stage entrepreneurs, and enjoys mountain biking, playing bass, and taking a spin at the Circuit of the Americas and other great Texas racetracks. Zenoss software-defined IT operations enables global enterprise organizations to securely monitor large, complex multisite IT infrastructures, ensuring the highest levels of uptime for applications and services. With real-time service status and decision support, Zenoss provides enterprise customers with a unified view into IT operations. Additional Resources Connect With Zenoss on LinkedIn Follow Zenoss on Twitter Find Zenoss on Facebook Bookmark the Zenoss Blog Visit the Zenoss Newsroom Contact Zenoss About Zenoss Zenoss works with the world's largest organizations to ensure their IT services and applications are always on. As the leader in software-defined IT operations, Zenoss develops software that builds comprehensive real-time models of hybrid IT environments, providing unparalleled holistic health and performance insights. This uniquely enables Zenoss customers to predict and eliminate outages, dramatically reducing downtime and IT spend. https://www.zenoss.com Media Contact: Alison Guzzio [email protected]mailto:[email protected] 610-925-2761 SOURCE Zenoss Inc. Related Links http://www.zenoss.com Environment Thursday, October 7, 2021 SILVER CITY, N.M. -- Those who enjoy outdoor activities in the Southwest, say the Gila River and surrounding public lands have it all, and they want Aisha Saeed, the author of Written in the Stars (2015), a YA novel about a Pakistani-American girl whose conservative immigrant parents try to force her into an arranged marriage, has once again reached into her Pakistani background for her second novel, Amal Unbound. The middle grade novel tells the story of a Pakistani girl desiring an education who is forced into indentured servitude to pay off her familys debt to the villages cruel overlord. Saeed spoke with PW about the real-life Pakistani girl who jumpstarted the writing of Amal Bound, the heroism of so many young people that too often goes unrecognized, and how the Florida-born authors research connected her with her relatives who still live in their ancestral village in Pakistan. What inspired you to write Amal Unbound? I had the idea for the character in 2011. I knew I wanted to focus on a village in Pakistan in the Punjab region, where my ancestors are from. I knew I wanted to tell this characters story, but I wasnt sure what her story would be. I just knew I wanted to write about her. In 2012, the shooting happened with Malala Yousafzai and it was making headlines everywhere. Like everyone else I was paying attention and reading about what was happening. When people talked about Malala, it was, Wow, shes so amazing, this is so unusual, so exceptional. Yes, Malala is exceptional, no doubt. But I thought of all the other young people who do things that are brave and dont get their names ever in the headlines. But they still do what they need to do. Its important for us to think about the people who perform brave acts who will never see their names in a headline. From that premise, I started writing about Amal. I wanted her to do something brave, something people wouldnt know about, but that would be equally important [to Malalas real-life advocacy of education for girls]. Why are some regimes so afraid of females becoming educated? There are some tribal regions like where Malala is from, where education for females is tamped down and girls are told to not actively pursue an education but this book is set in the Punjab, which is a very different area than the outer lands [northwest Pakistan near the Afghanistan border]. In this novel, Amals family and the other villagers dont object to education for girls, they just dont prioritize it. They let her go to school until there were more pressing needs at home that took over. There was too much to do at home. Its definitely devaluing her education and minimizing it. What kind of research did you do for Amal Unbound? The village is a fictionalized version of my familys ancestral village. Growing up in the United States, writing about Pakistan is a way to connect with my heritage, where I come from. A lot of the research began with my interviewing family members, relatives who have lived [in the same village] their entire lives. As for the topic of indentured servitude, I read a lot of books and articles about it, trying to understand it and how it works. It was important to me to take this difficult topic and make it accessible to young people without watering down the harshness of it. Unfortunately, most people who enter into indentured servitude do not get a happy ending. Also, I knew this was a middle grade book. So, I wanted to make it as honest as possible, but I also wanted to portray it in a way that was accessible to children. Thats why I wrote an authors note at the end, to underscore that Amals story is unfortunately a best-case-scenario and the reality is much harder than [Amals experience]. I wanted readers to understand that. Its an awful practice that happens everywhere. It happens in the United States. Your last novel, Written in the Stars, was a YA novel. This is a middle grade storydespite this being a novel about a topic thats just as unsettling as arranged marriages. Why did you decide to write Amal Unbound for middle graders? Initially, I started writing this as a YA novel. As I was writing it, though, I noticed this young voice coming out and I thought to myself, But Im writing a YA novel. I kept trying to push it back into being a YA novel, until eventually, I gave a version of it to my editor [Nancy Paulsen] and she read it and said, This is a middle grade novel. I was like, Yeah, thats what it is. You can start out trying to tell a certain story for a certain age group, but then, sometimes, the story tells you what it wants to be. Thats what happened with Amal. Theres one scene in the library in the home of Jawad Sahib, the wealthy landowner who coerced Amals father into sending her to him, where the two converse about a beloved book from his childhood. This is the one scene where the two bond over their shared love of books and he drops briefly his evil facade. That was a tough one. I kept trying to find more instances and ways [to make Jawad more likeable], but sometimes, people are so awful that you have to just call it what it is. So, yeah, there was one moment in the library. And its ironic, because Amals ability to read is what causes Jawads downfall. The book has received a fair amount of pre-pub buzz. Why do you think Amal Unbound resonates with readers? Its been amazing to see all the support that Amal Unbound is getting. I began this novel in 2011. I had no way of knowing that by the time publication day would come, a story about a Pakistani girl in the Punjab and her struggles would seem so relevant and would connect so much with people today. But thats what I am hearing time and again. I think these teens who are speaking up after the shootings in Parkland are inspiring so many others. All these young people are standing up and saying enough is enough. The timing of a story like Amal Unbound, thats whats helping it resonate with people. Theres injustice in the United States too, and kids are taking a stand and trying to lead the way. This book is about resistance and about not giving up. Thats a message that a lot of people are connecting to as well. Amal Unbound by Aisha Saeed. Penguin/Paulsen, $17.99, May ISBN 978-0-399-54468-2 New York Rights Fair, a new international rights and licensing marketplace organized by Publishers Weekly, BolognaFiere and Combined Book Exhibit, announced the winning titles from Talking Pictures: Selected Books, an inaugural juried competition honoring excellence in visual books. Talking Pictures: Selected Books is an offshoot of Talking Pictures: The Visual Book Now, a cultural initiative and symposium to be held in conjunction with the New York Rights Fair, which will take place May 30 June 1, 2018, at the Metropolitan Pavilion in Manhattan. The Talking Pictures: The Visual Book Now symposium was conceived by Steven Guarnaccia of the Parsons School of Design in collaboration with the Hamelin Cultural Association, an Italian cultural association focused on cultural and educational programming and visual media for children and teens. The winning titles in the Talking Pictures visual books competition were chosen in five categories by a jury of representatives from Publishers Weekly, Parsons School of Design, and Hamelin Cultural Association. The jury chose three honoree titles and three honorary mentions in each category. Ilaria Tontardini of the Hamelin Cultural Association and a member of the jury said, The number and variety of books we received from publishers was astonishing, especially given that it is the first year of the program. She also noted that the jurors were from varied backgrounds, Italian and American, and we found a balance by discussing each book and defending our points of view. Each discussion was nourishing, and the final selections reflect that. Elena Pasoli from the Bologna Fair said As the Bologna Childrens Book Fair organizers, we are very focused on picture and visual books. The idea was to bring designers and graphics arts specialists into the conversation about the book and to give these incredible pieces of work global visibility through the New York Rights Fair. There is a renaissance of the visual book. In visual bookschildrens books, art books, comics and particularly cookbooksyou see great innovation and energy, said Guarnaccia. Talking Pictures: Selected Books is a celebration of the visual book in all its manifestations. The Talking Pictures symposium is free and open to the public and will take place on May 29, 2018, 9:30 a.m. 3 p.m., at Parsons School of Design, 66 Fifth Avenue at West 13th Street in New York City. The winners of the Taking Pictures: Selected Books competition are listed below. A complete listing including titles that received an honorary mention can be found on the New York Rights Fair website. Top Visual Book Honorees for 2017 Art & Photography The Black Trilogy. Photographs by Ralph Gibson; text by Gilles Mora (University of Texas Press) The Fire Next Time by Steve Schapiro (Taschen) Artists Who Make Books, edited by Andrew Roth, Philip E. Aarons and Claire Lehmann (Phaidon) Cookbooks Catalonia by Jose Pizarro (Hardie Grant Publishing) Igni by Aaron Turner; photographs by Julian Kingman (Hardie Grant Publishing) On Vegetables by Jeremy Fox with Noah Galuten; photographs by Rick Poon (Phaidon) Children's Picture Books Cabanes by Aurelien Debat (Les Grandes Personnes) Town Is by the Sea by Joanne Schwartz and Sydney Smith (Groundwood Books / House of Anansi Press) Nos Vacances by Blexbolex (Trapeze Albin Michel Jeunesse) Comics & Graphic Novels The Hunting Accident by David L. Carlson and Landis Blair (First Second Books) My Favorite Thing Is Monsters by Emil Ferris (Fantagraphics Books) Paintoonist by Jerry Moriarty (Fantagraphics Books) Architecture & Graphic Design Lot-Ek by Ada Tolla and Guiseppe Lignano with Thomas de Monchaux (The Monacelli Press) Star Wars Super Graphic by Tim Leong (Chronicle Books) The Sausage of the Future by Carolien Niebling (Lars Muller Publishers) The American Library Association this week announced that former First Lady Michelle Obama will keynote the opening general session of the 2018 American Library Association (ALA) Annual Conference in New Orleans. Through her initiatives as First Lady, Obama became a role model for women and girls, and an advocate for healthy families, service members and their families, higher education, and international adolescent girls education. In her upcoming memoir, Becoming, Obama writes about her experiences from her childhood on the South Side of Chicago, to her years as an executive balancing the demands of motherhood and work, to her time spent at the worlds most famous address. Her appearance at the conference is sponsored by Penguin Random House, which will publish Becoming, on November 13, 2018 via its Crown division. Her talk is set for Friday, June 22, from 4:005:30 p.m. at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center in New Orleans. When former Atria Publishing Group head Judith Curr was named president and publisher of HarperOne on April 2, she was also named to those roles for HCs Amistad and Rayo units. While at Atria, Curr had overseen the publishers successful Atria Espanol unit, and she is now planning to remake Rayo, one of the countrys oldest Spanish-language imprints, as part of an overall effort to increase HCs presence in the Spanish-language market. Started in 2000, Rayo has had its ups and downs. In 2004, it set out to publish 75 titles annually, but when sales failed to meet expectations and the Great Recession hit in 2008, Rayo ended its frontlist program and focused on selling backlist as part of HarperCollins Espanol. Curr values Rayo for its deep backlist and sees that as an asset that she can build on. Although Curr has only been at HC for little over a month, she expects to build a new staff for the Spanish-language publishing unit, starting with editors and then adding marketing and publicity personnel. I have a real feeling the [Spanish-language] market is growing, Curr says. She adds that a vibrant U.S. Spanish-language operation will fit well with HCs global publishing program, noting that books that sell well in Latin America may also work in the U.S. The Goethe-Institut announced that Isabel Fargo Cole has been selected as the recipient of this years Helen & Kurt Wolff Translators Prize for her translation of Old Rendering Plant by Wolfgang Hilbig (Two Lines Press). The prize, established in 1996, is awarded annually each spring to honor an outstanding literary translation from German into English published in the U.S. the previous year. The translator of the winning translation receives $10,000, funded by the German government. A jury of five, consisting of Shelley Frisch (chair), Bettina Abarbanell, Ross Benjamin, John Hargraves, and Susan Harris, selected Cole as the winner. While the text itself is brief, the challenges of rendering this Rendering are daunting, said the jury in their statement, adding that Fargo Coles superb translation rises to the myriad challenges with stylistic pyrotechnics: alliterations and assonances, wordplay of all kinds, and inventive phrasings that capture the texts lyrical and sensual qualities. A PW review called Hidlig's Old Rendering Plant a "vivid and unsettling...meditation on a landscape haunted by a horrific past." Its an incredible honor, and very welcome recognition for a challenging work by a writer who has never quite found the audience he deserved... Fargo Cole is a U.S. born, Berlin-based writer and translator whose translations include Boys and Murderers by Hermann Ungar (Twisted Spoon Press, 2006), All the Roads Are Open by Annemarie Schwarzenbach (Seagull Books, 2011), The Jew Car by Franz Fuhmann (Seagull Books, 2013), and a number of books by Wolfgang Hilbig, including the forthcoming The Tidings of the Trees (Two Lines Press) coming out June 12, 2018.In 2013, she received a PEN/Heim Translation Grant to translate Franz Fuhmanns At the Burning Abyss, and her translation of Fuhmanns The Jew Car was shortlisted for the Oxford-Weidenfeld Prize. Its an incredible honor, and very welcome recognition for a challenging work by a writer who has never quite found the audience he deserved, said Fargo Cole, in a statement. The honor will be presented to Fargo Cole on June 7, 2018 at a public award ceremony at the Goethe-Institut in New York City. Giles MacDonogh is a bon viveur and a historian of wine and gastronomy, but in this book, pursuing his other consuming interest - German history - he serves a dish to turn the strongest of stomachs. It makes particularly uncomfortable reading for those who compare the disastrous occupation of Iraq unfavourably to the post-war settlement of Germany and Austria. MacDonogh argues that the months that followed May 1945 brought no peace to the shattered skeleton of Hitler's Reich, but suffering even worse than the destruction wrought by the war. After the atrocities that the Nazis had visited on Europe, some degree of justified vengeance by their victims was inevitable, but the appalling bestialities that MacDonogh documents so soberly went far beyond that. The first 200 pages of his brave book are an almost unbearable chronicle of human suffering. His best estimate is that some three million Germans died unnecessarily after the official end of hostilities. A million soldiers vanished before they could creep back to the holes that had been their homes. The majority of them died in Soviet captivity (of the 90,000 who surrendered at Stalingrad, only 5,000 eventually came home) but, shamingly, many thousands perished as prisoners of the Anglo-Americans. Herded into cages along the Rhine, with no shelter and very little food, they dropped like flies. Others, more fortunate, toiled as slave labour in a score of Allied countries, often for years. Incredibly, some Germans were still being held in Russia as late as 1979. On March 22, Maryland joined Virginia in approving the first-ever annual dedicated funding for the crumbling Washington Metro system. The funds are an integral part of a broader Metro Accountability and Reform Act, which, if passed, would also reign in the rising labor and fringe costs that are crowding out funds needed to maintain Metrorail tracks. Years of insufficient funding, subdued revenue, and skyrocketing operating costs have driven the system which operates 91 Metro stations, six lines, and serviced over 175 million trips in 2016 into a state of seemingly permanent decay. Endless repairs and consistent delays already affect ridership, which decreased by 9 percent between July 2016 and March 2017 alone. The Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) had to cut services and raise fares last year in anticipation of massive budget deficit. Metro receives half of its average $300 million annual funding from the federal government. But another half (a so-called operating subsidy) has to be negotiated on an annual basis among three jurisdictions: the District of Columbia, Maryland, and Virginia. One promising solution to this unstable and insufficient funding, however, is the Metro Accountability and Reform Act , introduced by Congresswoman Barbara Comstock (R-VA) last December. The Act seeks to make the funding package from the three jurisdictions permanent (in addition to boosting it to $500 million). Dedicated funding has already received considerable support from policymakers and business communities. Amazon, who is eyeing the Washington metropolitan area for its next headquarters, might be playing a role here. And the region appears to be close to finalizing the deal: Maryland just recently approved $167 million and, earlier this month, Virginia legislators greenlit a $154 million package. The District itself is expected to chip in another $179 million. Under this act, the dedicated package would be conditional on Metro reducing the use of overtime, shifting employees from a [defined benefit] pension system to a 401k system (as recommended by the current manager), control contract increases, and promote Metro ridership by improving reliability. And rightly so. Last year, Metrorails labor (salary, wages, and overtime payments) and fringe (i.e., health care and pension benefits) expenses were $768 million, already eating up over 77 percent of the operating budget. Thats up from 66 percent a decade or so back. The rest of the shrinking pot went to pay for utilities, necessary supplies, and servicing the crumbling tracks. But simply boosting the Metros budget, as some propose, without requiring any meaningful changes to the structure of labor and fringe costs, would fail to solve Metrorails longer run budgetary hurdles. This is most clearly reflected by understaffing issues in Metrorails control center, fire marshal office, and numerous other support departments. While Metrorail labor and fringe costs grew by 53.5 percent in the past 10 years, during the same period, the Amalgamated Transit Union (ATU) Local 689 the largest labor union increased its workforce by only 4.4 percent. With Metros labor and fringe costs growing much faster than the new headcount, taking new employees on board, as well as keeping the existing ones, becomes increasingly costly over time. This would only be justified if Metro employees became so much more efficient at their jobs that it would translate into more revenue for WMATA. But alas, that is not the case. This is a structural problem. And if this trend is not reversed, the dedicated funding could be consumed by the very same costs down the road, leaving little to nothing for maintenance and other important non-labor expenses. Heres an example. In 2017 Metros five pension plans were $1.1 billion (market value) in the red. That is a 27 percent growth in debt since 2014. Rising pension debt, in turn, translates into higher annual contributions. Last fiscal year alone, Metro contributed almost 6 times more in into the ATU Local 689 pension plan than it had in 2008. These defined benefit pension plans promise lifetime benefits, thereby creating long-term liabilities. By contrast, 401(k) plans provide all pension funds at once upon retirement and do not generate liabilities or debt. Moving new hires to this type of plan should help Metro cut its future pension costs. Unfortunately, the bill under consideration does not address the flaws of the current defined benefit pension plans, of which there are many. For example, Metro could lower its assumption about the rate of return on its investment for its pension benefits plan from 7.9 percent to a more realistic 6 percent target. Another prudent policy would be to set a fixed end date for its payment plan for unfunded liabilities, instead of re-amortizing it over a 30-year period every year, as is currently the case. Cutting overtime payouts, as the Act proposes, without specifying how, would also be beneficial. The main factors that currently elevating overtime repairs and maintenance works are: understaffing, decaying infrastructure, and the so-called pick system. The latter allows more senior Metrorail employees to get the first pick on which Metro escalators they will be assigned to maintain, often leaving those in worse shape to inexperienced engineers. There is little doubt that Metrorail needs dedicated annual funding. However, to genuinely address Metrorails funding struggles, the package should be conditional on significant reform to the structure of labor and fringe costs. This would ensure equipment and maintenance are properly funded for the long term. Anil Niraula is a Young Voices advocate and an analyst who writes on labor, public pension, tax, and economic policies. I'm disappointed that U.S. Sen. John McCain wants President Trump kept away from his funeral.Disappointed, but not surprised.One of the most compelling characteristics of the Arizona senator is his capacity for self-reflection. He doesn't shy away from owning his mistakes. Which is why Donald Trump belongs at McCain's funeral. Without John McCain, chances are there never would have been a President Trump. President Trump is leading a last-ditch Republican effort to prevent a convicted former coal executive from winning Tuesday's GOP primary in West Virginia and jeopardizing the partys chances of knocking off incumbent Democratic Sen. Joe Manchin in the fall. But even as the president reminds voters to Remember Alabama -- evoking the last time a controversial candidate, one whom Trump endorsed, cost the GOP a seat in the upper chamber -- its unclear whether voters can be swayed at this point, especially since Republicans may have created the conditions for Don Blankenship to surge in the final stretch of the campaign. Over the past several months, the other two GOP candidates, Attorney General Patrick Morrisey and Rep. Evan Jenkins, have focused on battling each other for the nomination, waging increasingly negative campaigns in debates and on the airwaves. While Blankenships entrance into the race raised eyebrows -- he spent a year in federal prison for acts related to the Upper Big Branch Mine disaster that killed 29 people in 2010 -- the other contenders didnt pay him much public attention. The Republican establishment eventually got involved in the race. Mountain Families PAC -- a group with ties to national GOP leaders -- formed in late March and has spent more than $1.3 million attacking Blankenship. But by that point Blankenship had already spent millions of his own money on ads promoting his candidacy while Jenkins and Morrisey lobbed shots at each other. On Monday, Morrisey released a digital ad attacking Blankenship for his role in the mine explosion, marking the first time either rival candidate used paid advertising against the former coal baron. They just gave him a free pass the entire primary, thinking he wasnt viable, one GOP strategist said of the other two opponents. At the end of the very negative campaign, sometimes the guy whos not in the fray can get some life breathed into him simply because he's not getting hit as much, and I think that's what happened here, said Andy Sere, a strategist for the Jenkins campaign. With Blankenship surging in late polls, Trump attempted to head him off with the tweet Monday urging support for either of his opponents. Jenkins and Morrisey delighted in the last-minute intervention, with each attempting to paint it as an endorsement of his own campaign rather than simply opposition to Blankenship. At a campaign stop Monday, Jenkins repeatedly said Trump had sent a clear message backing his campaign, leaving out that Trump had also cited Morrisey in that tweet. Blankenship, meanwhile, seized on it as a way to promote his own credentials as an outsider. In a lengthy interview on a local TV station, he said Trump was misinformed about the primary, but said West Virginia voters backed Trumps policies as much as they backed the president personally. Im basically Trumpier than Trump when it comes to those policies, but Im much more mild-mannered and much more in line in terms of the social issues in West Virginia than even President Trump. Blankenship also rejected the comparison between himself and Moore, the Alabama Republican who lost his Senate race after accusations of inappropriate behavior with young women. We all really like President Trumps policies, but we know that he doesnt get things right. He recommended people vote for a guy that was basically accused of pedophilia in Alabama, Blankenship said. My accuser is Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton; its not anyone that Ive damaged. Its really sad that the pressure on the president and the misinformation and the untruth that hes been given would cause him to suggest that you vote for two guys that have failed you, because I will not fail you. Additionally, Blankenship has loaned $3.5 million to his campaign. In his closing-stretch ads, he painted himself as the political outsider and denigrated GOP leader Mitch McConnell. He also drew criticism for running an ad last week seen as having racist undertones. Swamp captain Mitch McConnell has created millions of jobs for China people, he says in the spot, which he continues to defend. Limited public polling makes the outcome of Tuesdays primary anyones guess, and the campaigns are relying on their own internal numbers as well as anecdotal evidence to game things out. Jenkins recent internal polling showed all three candidates within five points of one another, with Blankenship narrowly leading Jenkins, and Morrissey in third. It's been a pretty negative race, so everyone's favorables get muddied up and it's not always clear, said Morrissey spokesman Nachama Soloveichik when asked how Blankenship was able to become competitive. This race has gotten really weird in the past couple of days, so anything could happen. I don't know what else the White House has up its sleeve. Democrats have invested heavily in the primary. Duty and Country PAC, an outside group with ties to the national party, has spent nearly $2 million on advertising, most of it aimed at Jenkins and some at Morrisey. Jenkins has argued that this spending is a clear sign that Democrats view him as the most viable opponent for Manchin, and hopes to spin this dynamic into a positive. If you think about it strategically, we were spending money to communicate about Morrisey and Jenkins and the Republicans were spending money to communicate about Don Blankenship, said Mike Plante, a spokesman for the Democratic group. In terms of defining these candidates, there was no base uncovered. Trumps tweet on Monday urging West Virginia voters to say no way to Blankenship and to support either Jenkins or Morrissey was significant, given that had he defied establishment Republican concerns in Alabama by endorsing Roy Moore. But several races over the course of Trumps tenure have shown the limits of his ability to transfer his support down ballot. Everything helps if it's a close race. Obviously, West Virginia voters take what the president has to say about this seriously, said Sere, referring to Trumps popularity in the state and the fact that he won every county there in 2016. If [Trump] gets 10 or 15 percent of Blankenship supporters to think twice ... the more potential it is for that to make a difference. While a political neophyte, Blankenship is no stranger to GOP politics in the state, and his history in West Virginia may also help to explain his unlikely rise in the Senate race. Though West Virginia is now a red state, Democrats used to be dominant. Blankenship gave $100,000 to the state Republican Party in 2002 to help build its headquarters, according to a 2015 profile by the Gazette Mail, and has spent hundreds of thousands of dollars lobbying for local policy initiatives. He's given a lot of money to Republican candidates in the past when nobody else would give money to Republican candidates, said West Virginia GOP Chairwoman Melody Potter, stressing that the state party is neutral in the primaries, and that the other candidates have been team players as well. Whoever is our nominee, the state party is going to be behind that nominee ... even if that nominee is Don Blankenship, Potter said. Sen. Manchin is very vulnerable in this election cycle. He's still going to be hard to beat. We've got our ground game for our nominee, to push them over the finish line in November. Caitlin Huey-Burns is a national political reporter for RealClearPolitics. She can be reached at chueyburns@realclearpolitics.com. Follow her on Twitter @CHueyBurns. 'We Knew Exactly Who He Was When We Voted for Him' Unlike the 5,644 Democrats in Luzerne County, Pennsylvania, who changed their party registration to Republican in 2016, presumably so they could vote in the closed 2016 Republican primary, Ed Harry did not. He didn't formally leave his party at the beginning of the election -- but his eye did wander. At D's Diner, Harry dusts the crumbs from his white toast off of his deep- navy Penn State sweatshirt and switches from coffee to pop. As the young utility workers at the next table leave, he tips his hat, and they return the gesture. He says of former Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton and Jeb Bush, the son of one former U.S. president and brother another: "I made a promise to myself, four years out, after Obama won his second term, that I would never vote for a Bush or a Clinton. That was absolute. Nothing would ever change that. I thought they were both corrupt." He adds: "When Trump first announced, I laughed. I just couldn't believe that he even had a chance." But Harry was dead set on someone outside of the establishment, so he started to look at the other choices. "The only other nonpolitician was Dr. Ben Carson," he says. "Everybody else, outside of Rand Paul, I didn't really have any use for. Put them in a bag and shake them and they all come out the same." As the campaign went on, he wasn't committed to anybody. "The one I liked the best was Jim Webb," Harry says of the Democratic former Virginia senator and former secretary of the Navy, "and I thought he was probably the best candidate out of everybody, but he didn't last except for a couple of months." The more he listened as the campaign went on, he explains, the better he understood that the Democrats definitely hated Donald Trump and the Republican establishment hated Trump. All the lobbyists on K Street hated Trump. The Chinese came out against him. India came out against him. Mexico came out against him. Harry says: "I figured I must have a candidate because everybody who's coming out against him are all corrupt, and he's an outsider. So, I said, 'I think I found my candidate.'" Then he made the announcement: "I had decided to go to the rally he held here in Wilkes-Barre and I ran into a local radio reporter who knew me as a Democrat union official. She said, 'What are you doing here?' I said, 'I guess I saw the light. I'm going to support Trump.' She said, 'You want to get interviewed?'" He told her bluntly, "Actually, I don't care." During the course of the interview, she asked him if he was involved in the labor community in the area. "I said, 'I just happen to be president of the labor council,'" he says. "When we got done, I said, 'Well, that should get me a resignation tomorrow.' Sure enough, I got a phone call from them the next day." He voluntarily resigned, and he did it in person, in front of the entire council. Harry has lost trust in everything big in this country. He says: "Big banks, big Wall Street, big corporations, the establishment of both parties and their lobbyists, and the big media corporations; gone are the days of the network news just delivering the news." He adds: "This Russian s--- day in and day out is just absolute nonsense, as far as him being in cahoots. I watched ABC last Thursday; the first 10 minutes dealt with nothing but the allegations that he was in bed with the Russians. The big storms that hit the Midwest got a minute. Nothing else got any time. It was just all this bulls---." Harry is optimistic about Trump. "But it is going to be a hard slog, he has to work against the Democrats and the Republicans. "In his heart I know he wants to do well. But Washington's culture is so embedded that it may be a year before he gets a handle, or eighteen months before he gets a handle on everything. And no, Harry does not care about what Trump tweets. "We knew exactly who he was when we voted for him, tweet and all," he says. "What I liked about Trump was that it was more than about Trump, it was about people, it was about being part of something bigger than just me, I felt as though I was part of something important and worthy of accomplishing something better than what have had." As long as Trump stays away from becoming a Bush or a Clinton and stays tough, Harry is in this new alliance for the long haul: "If he becomes one of them, then I think this movement continues, without him." COPYRIGHT 2018 CREATORS.COM Salena Zito is a Pittsburgh Tribune-Review editorial page columnist. E-mail her at szito@tribweb.com The unfolding civic movement that has toppled Armenias prime minister and given young Armenians real hopes for a democratic future has also caught Russian and Western policymakers off guard. The Kremlin failed to foresee the fall of Armenian leader Serzh Sargsyan. However, Moscow will not intervene in the Armenian political crisis, which forced the prime minister to step down after a decade of slow economic rejuvenation and a staid political climate. Observers from Los Angeles to London have gazed at the rapid, sometimes theatrical, developments on the streets of Yerevan with equal parts apprehension and appreciation. Few people in the West expected the citizens of a former Soviet republic with an entrenched regime to expel its political leader in an exercise of truly peaceful civil disobedience. For many onlookers, however, the biggest puzzle is sorting out the role Moscow could play in the ongoing turmoil from the restraint it has so far shown in a country that Russia claims to be within its sphere of influence. This is a logical concern given Putins foreign policy record. In recent years, Moscows assertive actions in Ukraine, Georgia and elsewhere have made it clear that the Kremlin scrutinizes all coerced leadership changes in post-Soviet states changes orchestrated by populist forces and sometimes aimed at strengthening those countries ties with the West. According to some Westerners thinking, Russia, desperate to maintain its geopolitical and economic grip on the progenies of a lost empire, is likely to intervene in the events unfolding in Armenia. Yet there are few scenarios in which the political crisis in Armenia would draw a noticeable Russian response. To be sure, Russians and Armenians are bound by deep ties of culture, geopolitics and economics. From the era of Peter the Great in the 18th Century through the tenure of Sergei Lavrov, Putins half-Armenian, half-Russian foreign minister, the Russian leadership has closely engaged with Armenians for centuries. While the situation in Yerevan remains uncertain, the prospect of a Russian intervention is low for several reasons. First, opposition leader Nikol Pashinian, who has emerged at the revolutions vanguard, has emphasized that Armenia will maintain its partnerships with Russia. Pashinian hails from the minority Yelk political bloc the name translates to Way Out and this political alliance takes its name in part from its platform of withdrawing Armenia from the Eurasian Economic Union, which is Putins answer to the single-market might of the European Union. Since his recent ascent to the top of the protest movement, Pashinian has adopted a more cautious stance, insisting that any final decision about Armenias future international economic agreements must be made through a public referendum. Polls show that most Armenians value close ties to Russia, and the next prime minister is unlikely to antagonize constituents by moving against this sentiment. Second, the Kremlin knows that Armenia remains beholden to Russia for security. As Nikolai Platoshkin, the former chief of the Armenia Bureau at the Russian Foreign Ministry, made clear days ago, the Kremlin has few reasons to regret Sargsyans overthrow or the arrival of a new Cabinet. Armenias former leader had cordial, though not especially warm, relations with Russian President Vladimir Putin. Away from the cameras, the two presidents privately disagreed about the extent of Russias strategic assistance to Armenia and, more worrisome for Sargsyan, Russias sale of advanced weapons to Azerbaijan, Armenias neighbor and adversary. For now, Russian analysts see no reasons to suspect that Pashinian or another successor to Sargsyan will sour the Russo-Armenian strategic alliance because, crudely stated, Armenia has no viable alternatives. Unlike the ostensible precedents in Ukraine and Georgia, there is no prospect that Armenia will join NATO in the near future. Third, Kremlin inaction can double as a conspicuous action of its own. Moscow is not likely to see the revolution in Armenia as a threat to its geopolitical prerogatives, but rather as an opportunity to make an adroit move amidst a global panic over Russian belligerence. In the crowds of what has been dubbed the Velvet Revolution, Kremlin propagandists thus far have detected no CIA or MI6 agitators. Satisfied that this is genuinely an internal Armenian coup directed at an ineffective government, Russias political machine may portray its muted response to Armenias color revolution as proof of its embrace of non-interventionism. The Kremlin, fearful of Western interference in Russias domestic politics, is not likely to provide ammunition to foreign Russophobes, or to antagonize a friendly Armenian population by propping up unpopular apparatchiks. There is no doubt that Russia will continue to pay careful attention to the developments in Armenia. The Kremlin will hope, and to a limited degree will try to ensure, that whoever emerges at the apex of the Armenian political system will maintain the geopolitical partnership between the two sides that has endured since the days of the tsars. Stacey Abrams has taken a leap toward making history as not only the first black governor of Georgia, but the first woman as well. She has sea The Red & Black will be following results of the general, primary and special election as they are announced throughout the day. Reporters TORRINGTON Peter Towey, the citys first new fire chief in nearly 30 years, was sworn in Monday at City Hall as his fellow firefighters and city officials welcomed him to the department. This is a new day and a new beginning, said Mayor Elinor Carbone. We look forward to the opportunity to advance the fire services in Torrington, she added. Toweys pin was presented by his wife, Debbie, as the couples three children, Eli, 14; Delaney, 12 and Catherine, 8, stood nearby. It think its important to build relationships, to build trust in the department and in the city, Towey said after the ceremony. He said he wants to build a a training organization within the department that goes beyond specific firefighting skills. Towey replaces former Fire Chief Gary Brunoli, who retired in April after having served close to 27 years with the department. Towey will be paid $105,000 annually, the same salary Brunoli earned. Debbie Towey said shes excited about her husbands advancement to fire chief. With experience, hard work and loyalty, he got the job, she said. Were lucky he has the opportunity to work in Torrington. During the hiring process this spring, the Board of Public Safety rewrote the residency requirement for the fire chiefs position. The pool of candidates was not large because of the requirement, Carbone said last week. She said the board, as the appointing authority, decided to change the residency requirement to allow the new fire chief to live in close proximity to Torrington. The change became part of the job description and allowed Towey, who lives in West Hartford, to qualify for the position. Carbone said Deputy Chief David Tripp, who was promoted from assistant chief in February, lives in the city and can respond quickly to emergencies. Asked about the density of housing in citys downtown neighborhoods, where wooden homes are built very close to one another, Towey said Hartford, where he served for 22 years, has the same situation. There was a huge concentration of density, similar to the neighborhoods, in Torrington, he said. His familiarity with aging structures that were built before fire safety codes were established, helped Towey get the nod for the chiefs position, Carbone said last week. The departments website notes 35 percent of the citys structures were built pre-1950 and these are typically the most common for building fires, and also the most challenging, due to construction features. We have an aging infrastructure. The types of fires they have in Hartford are similar to Torringtons, she said. Towey joins the department just months after the Torringford Volunteer Fire Department responded to a call on March 27 without making sure there was water in the tanker truck. Asked about the incident, Towey said he wasnt yet familiar enough with the situation to make a determination on the actions of the volunteers. The head of an election watchdog in Cambodia on Tuesday slammed a senior official from the ruling Cambodian Peoples Party (CPP) for labeling anyone who refrains from voting in the countrys upcoming general election a traitor to the nation, amid calls for a boycott of the ballot. Prime Minister Hun Sen has cracked down on Cambodias opposition, NGOs and the independent media in recent months as part of what observers say is a bid to ensure his CPP stays in power following the July 29 election. The Supreme Court dissolved the CPPs only true challengerthe opposition Cambodia National Rescue Party (CNRP)in November after it was accused of plotting to overthrow the government, and the partys former president Sam Rainy has urged supporters to shun the polls in July to avoid legitimizing what is expected to be a blowout victory for the ruling party in an election that is neither free nor fair. Hun Sen has repeatedly urged Cambodians to show up for the ballot and on Sunday, senior CPP official and National AIDS Authority chairman Ieng Mouly was quoted by government-aligned Fresh News media as saying that non-voters love dictators, adding that those whose fingers are not stained with voting ink at the end of the election will be easily identified as guerillas and traitors. On Tuesday, Committee on Free and Fair Elections in Cambodia (Comfrel) director Koul Panhawho fled Cambodia last year after authorities disbanded the Situation Room group of 40 NGOs led by Comfrel to monitor electionssaid Ieng Mouly had no right to threaten voters. The people have the right to vote or not vote for any political partyit is entirely legal [for them to choose how they cast their ballot], he wrote in a post on his Facebook page. Any government officials who threaten to label voters who dont go to the polls as guerilla traitors are abusing the law and human rights. At the end of last week, Hun Sen lashed out at calls by Sam Rainsy for voters to boycott the upcoming general ballot, saying that it was a violation of electoral law. Propagandizing citizens against voting violates the laws of the country, as stated in Article 142 of Cambodias Criminal Code, he said at the time, without providing additional details. In December, Cambodias National Election Committee (NEC)the nations top electoral bodywarned of 5-20 million-riel fines (U.S. $1,240-$4,950) and other criminal punishment for those sowing distrust of the election after RFAs Khmer Service reported on low turnout for voter registration following the dissolution of the CNRP. The CNRP received more than 3 million votesaccounting for nearly half of the countrys registered votersin Cambodias 2013 general election, and enjoyed similar success in last years commune ballot, making it the only legitimate challenger to the CPP ahead of July. Bill underway Also on Tuesday, Florida Congressman Ted Yoho, the chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on Asia and the Pacific, told RFA that he and other U.S. lawmakers are finishing up draft legislation which aims to level sanctions on Cambodia over the governments recent restrictions on the democratic process. According to Yoho, the Cambodian Democracy Act will be brought through committee within the next two to three weeks before being voted on in the U.S. House of Representatives. Itll single out [officials] that are suppressing the people in Cambodiaitll do it financially, itll do it on travel restrictions and on trade, the congressman said. Yoho noted that 25 percent of Cambodia exports go to the U.S., giving Washington significant leverage to pressure Hun Sen on rolling back restrictions. This is something that we can [use to] affect trade policies if the Hun Sen government doesnt get on board and follow the rules that were outlined in their constitution to allow the people to have freedom of expression and freedom of speech, he said. America is not backing awaywere putting more pressure on [Hun Sen] and one of our goals is to remove all other foreign aid other than, maybe, humanitarian. Both the U.S. and EU have already withdrawn donor support for Cambodias elections, citing government actions seen as limiting democracy in the country, including the banning of the CNRP and the arrest of its president Kem Sokha in September on charges of treason. Yoho acknowledged that the proposed bill may come too late to force Hun Sen to reinstate the CNRP before the July ballot, and said the fairness of the election will ultimately rely on the Cambodian people demanding that they have opposition parties to Hun Sen. And if they cant do that, they arent going to be free and open electionsitll be a sham of a democracy, he added. He said that absent the CNRP, a boycott of the July election is a great strategy. It takes away the legitimacy of [Hun Sens] party, the CPP, and thats what I would recommend to the Cambodian people, he said. Its the Cambodian people that will determine the legitimacy of the election, and if they dont show up in large numbers that sends probably the strongest signal that they can send to Hun Sen and to the rest of the world. Insurrection appeal Meanwhile, New York-based Human Rights Watch called on Cambodia Tuesday to quash the politically motivated insurrection convictions against 11 members, supporters, and activists of the CNRP, ahead of a court decision on their appeal expected Thursday. The 11 have been incarcerated since 2014 for their alleged role in a July 15, 2014 demonstration held by the CNRP against government manipulation of the general election a year earlier, and restrictions on peaceful assembly, that turned violent when police tried to forcibly remove protesters. In 2015, they received sentences of from seven to 20 years in prison, in what Human Rights Watch Asia director Brad Adams called one of the first of many bogus cases brought against the opposition after the party nearly won the disputed 2013 elections. Although the government has banned the political opposition from the July elections, Cambodian authorities have persisted with political trials of people who stood up to Hun Sen and the ruling party, Adams said. This case is particularly twisted because the people charged not only didnt commit violence, but some actively tried to prevent it. The courts ruling, in this case, sends a broader message to the international community that the future of peaceful public dissent in Cambodia is at stake. Among the 11, Meach Sovannara, Oeur Narith, and Khim Chamreun were convicted of participating in and leading an insurrectionary movement under Articles 456, 457, and 459 of Cambodias Criminal Code, and received 20 years in prison. Ouk Pich Samnang, Sum Puthy, Neang Sokhun, San Seihak, San Kimheng, Tep Narin, An Butham, and Ke Khim were convicted of participating in an insurrectionary movement under Articles 456 and 457, and sentenced to seven years in jail. Reported by Sarada Taing for RFAs Khmer Service. Translated by Samean Yun. Written in English by Joshua Lipes. Authorities in the northern city of Tianjin have handed a life prison term to a former rising star in the ruling Chinese Communist Party after finding him guilty of taking bribes worth more than 170 million yuan (U.S. $26.7 million), official media reported. Former Chongqing party chief and Politburo member Sun Zhengcai was sentenced to life imprisonment by the Tianjin No. 1 Intermediate People's Court on Tuesday. The court also confiscated all of Sun's personal assets and deprived him of his political rights for life, state news agency Xinhua reported. Sun's conviction related in part to his tenure as party secretary in Beijing's Shunyi district from 2002 to 2017, where he was accused of "using his position to facilitate the bidding of various organizations and individuals, project approvals, and business operations." His actions had "seriously undermined the normal running of state institutions, and ruined the reputation of government officials," the court found. Those who bribed him had "confessed their crimes and repented of their own free will," and were also punished, it said. Xinhua quoted the court as saying that Sun's "illegal gains and ... yields they generated" would also be retrieved. Beijing-based rights lawyer Mo Shaoping said the sentence was roughly in line with expectations, and followed precedent in not handing down the death penalty to Sun, 53. "Bribes of more than 100 million yuan (U.S. $15.7 million) could incur the death penalty if the law was interpreted in a strict manner, absolutely," Mo said. "But there has already been a precedentthat of Bai Enpei in Yunnan, who wasn't sentenced to death." "So it's not new for the death penalty not to be awarded, according to current judicial practice." Mo said Sun isn't expected to appeal. "Firstly, the facts of the case were pretty well-established, so they can't be overturned, and secondly ... appealing at the very least makes you look oppositional," he said, although he didn't rule out behind-the-scenes deals to lighten Sun's sentence. 'Conspiracy' theory During his heavily scripted trial last month, Sun admitted to taking advantage of his position to seek profits for others, as well as illegally accepting huge amounts of money and property during postings to Beijings Shunyi district, Beijings municipal party committee, and Jilin province, while serving on the 25-member Politburo and as Chongqing party chief. He pleaded guilty, expressed remorse, and said he would abide by the court's decision. A senior official has said that the investigation into Sun was sparked after authorities discovered his involvement in a conspiracy to overthrow President Xi Jinping. The chairman of China's securities regulator Liu Shiyu told a meeting of top finance officials during the 19th party congress last October that the once-rising political star had plotted to seize power from the current leadership. Chongqing resident Xie Dan said they believed Sun's life sentence was about right. "I don't really support the death penalty for economic crimes, and while that's not the case in the letter of the law, in practice, they probably take that into account," Xie said. But a second Chongqing resident surnamed Zhang hit out at a lack of transparency around Sun's jailing. "This man was the leader of Chongqing municipality, so why did all of these issues happen when he was in power?" Zhang said. "There should be a full disclosure of the whole trials and judgment instead of just telling the people the result." "Everything about the court procedure, the facts of the case and the alleged crimes, should be publicized in various ways," he said. Meanwhile, Hebei-based rights activist Niu Lundou said she thought the figure of 170 million yuan was too low, suggesting that deals had been cut that were never made public. "There is no rule of law in China," Niu said. "They just decide behind the scenes how they are going to deal with you, and when they've done that, they instruct the court to issue a sentence accordingly, and they tell you what to say." "This was all decided on a while ago." Reported by Qiao Long for RFA's Mandarin Service, and by Wong Lok-to for the Cantonese Service. Translated and edited by Luisetta Mudie. The ruling Chinese Communist Party is trialing a system in the eastern province of Shandong that claims to identify which of its members are showing symptoms of flagging loyalty, or whose ideological game needs work, using virtual reality (VR). Using a VR environment developed by Beijing Baofeng Audiovisual, the newly opened Party Education Center in Shandong's Qingyang township has rolled out the new system, which hooks new and more experienced party members up to a system that quizzes them on President Xi's "Chinese dream" concept. The center was set up at a cost of 700,000 yuan to employ cutting-edge technology to "educate, manage, and supervise party members," government-backed online news site The Paper reported. It launched last month on a mission to test party members to ensure their loyalty and ideological awareness, and then to offer consultations and the eventual rehabilitation of those who fail such tests, the report said. Participants are shown a party propaganda film lasting around 10 minutes, before being ushered to a test-taking area where they don VR headsets and begin the test, official media reported. The test, which is billed metaphorically as a party "medical," includes 10 multiple choices questions along the lines of "What is the party's highest ideal and ultimate goal?" Possible answers are: achieving communism, the rejuvenation of the Chinese nation, or the Chinese dream. The correct answer? "Achieving communism." 'Personal consultations' But it is psychometrics that lie at the heart of the test, with participants asked to indicate the degree to which they agree with statements such as "Those who don't engage in corruption will be marginalized." Another section tests party members on the "vanguard role" of the Communist Party in Chinese life. "When problems are identified, experts from party schools at city and county level will conduct personal consultations with party members through remote video calls," the article said. Repeated requests for comment were turned down by the Qingyang township government last week. Beijing-based political commentator Zha Jianguo said the new system comes as President Xi Jinping, who was recently voted in for an indefinite term in office by China's rubber-stamp parliament, seeks to ensure total loyalty in party ranks. "The party is demanding absolute loyalty from leaders at all levels," Zha said. "This is the way things are going in mainland China right now." "Some of the things that are popular now are totally unreasonable and ridiculous, but nobody will stand up and criticize them," he said. "Everything's getting more and more extreme." An Orwellian message Beijing-based constitutional scholar Zhang Lifan said the government wants to send an Orwellian message to party members: that Big Brother is watching them. "Testing the loyalty of party members, or at least their ability to absorb official propaganda, is part of a total system of thought control," Zhang told RFA. "They have added in various high-tech elements, too." He said the whole system would have similar consequences to the televised eye-roll of a reporter at an obsequious line of questioning at the National People's Congress (NPC) in March. The reporter was immediately pulled from the assignment, and colleagues said she could lose her job. The new loyalty test comes as the government builds a nationwide facial recognition and surveillance network, achieving near-total surveillance of urban residents, including in their homes via smart TVs and smartphones, by 2020. The nationwide "Sharp Eyes" platform will be able to link up public surveillance cameras and those installed in smart devices in the home, to a nationwide network for viewing in real time by anyone who is given access. Liao Tianqi, Germany-based president of the Independent Chinese PEN writers' association, said she initially thought the story was a spoof. "After reading it carefully, I realized it was actually true," Liao said. "It made me feel pretty sad and disgusted." She hit out at the medical metaphor being used by the test center. "This test center seems to invoke the idea of medical tests, such as blood tests and tests of urine and faeces," she said. "But how can you test party spirit that way?" Reported by Ng Yik-tung and Sing Man for RFA's Cantonese Service, and by Xi Wang for the Mandarin Service. Translated and edited by Luisetta Mudie. More than 20 Lao families from Hoi Khoom village in northwestern Laos Oudomxay province displaced by construction of a high-speed railway linking the country with China are the first to receive compensation for the loss of their farmland to the megaproject, a local government official said. Those receiving payments can no longer plant rice because railway construction has encroached upon their land and left them without money to buy rice to eat, said the official from the provinces Xay district, who declined to be named. The money was allocated to more than 20 families on April 9 because they cannot farm anymore, the official told RFAs Lao Service. Some families received more, while others received less depending on how much land they lost. Though the land the families had to give up has an estimated worth of 12 million kip (U.S.$1,430) per hectare, some received 5 million-6 million kip (U.S.$595-$715) per hectare, while others got 700,000-800,000 (U.S.$83-$95), he said. The families who have not yet received compensation are still able to plant rice, the district official said. But many of them have already opened bank accounts so they can immediately receive money allocated to them once the decision is made, he added. All parties involved in the payout have agreed to the transfer of compensation via bank accounts, the official said. Forced relocations Thousands of Lao families are being forced to relocate to make way for the U.S. $6 billion Lao-Chinese railway whose construction began in December 2016 as part of a longer rail project that will link China to mainland Southeast Asia. Plans now call for work on the railway to end in 2021, with Chinese companies promising completion by that date despite the challenges of boring tunnels in mountainous areas of the countrys north. Under Lao Decree 84 issued in April 2016, Lao citizens losing land to development projects must be compensated for lost income, property, crops, and plants. Project owners must guarantee that living conditions for those displaced will be as good as, or better than, they were before the project began. Rattanamany Khounnivong, deputy minister at the Lao Ministry of Public Works and Transport, told RFA in April that provincial Peoples Councils in four provinces Luang Namtha, Oudomxay, Luang Prabang, and Vientiane, also known as rural Vientiane have agreed on payments of compensation for residents affected by the railway construction project. But officials in Vientiane prefecture, which is separate from Vientiane province, have yet to reach an agreement on payouts, he said. Now we are in the middle of summarizing the process to issue a handbook about the compensation, and hopefully it will be done soon as it should be, because we want to compensate the affected people in a transparent way, said Rattanamany, one of the heads of the construction unit for the single-track, standard-gauge rail network. As of for Vientiane the capital, we have not yet concluded compensation because many people were affected, so that requires a thorough revision. Because many families and their homes in Vientiane are being affected by railway construction, officials are finding it difficult to reach a conclusion on payouts, he said. And thats normal because it is the capital, Rattanamany said. Still waiting More than 4,400 families affected by the railway construction project may be eligible for compensation. Once the compensation amounts and terms are determined, the Ministry of Public Works and Transport and the Ministry of Finance will issue the payments. In Luang Namtha province in northern Laos, families affected by the project are waiting to receive compensation from authorities to substitute for lost income. One villager who had to move out of his original home more than a week ago now lives in a temporary dwelling that the company involved in the rail project has rented for him. We are having a hard time because we used to have a small store that sold things in our house, so we had a daily income, said the man who declined to be named. Its true that the company pays for our rent, but we have no income to buy food to eat. His family of four used to make about 200,000 kip (U.S. $24) a day from items they sold, said the man, adding that he also had lost a small rubber plantation to the rail project. Like other families who have been forced to give up their homes and land, the man said he has been waiting to be relocated and receive compensation since early 2017. He still does not know how much he will receive or where he will be permanently relocated, he said, adding that he would like to be compensated for the full market value of his property so he has enough money to build a new house for his family and find a way to earn an income to feed them. The authorities expect to compensate all 150 affected families in the province no later than August 2018 because all data have been collected and calculated according to the agreement of every party concerned, a Luang Namtha provincial official told RFA. The amount of compensation for land for housing or fruit tree plantations has been completely calculated, said the official who declined to be named. We are now waiting to distribute the compensation. About 150 families from the villages of Boh Tenh, Tinh Tok, Boh Piet, and Na Tei in Luang Namtha province will receive a total of roughly 245 billion kip (U.S. $29.2 million). Landlocked Laos expects the planned railway to lower the cost of exports and consumer goods while boosting socioeconomic development in the impoverished nation of nearly 7 million people. Reported by RFAs Lao Service. Translated by Manichanh Phimphachanh. Written in English by Roseanne Gerin. Young people protest along a street in Myanmar's commercial capital Yangon, demanding that the government army stop its offensives in Kachin state, free trapped residents, and end its long-running civil war with an ethnic militia. Government authorities in northern Myanmars Kachin state on Monday evacuated more than 130 of the regions roughly 4,000 residents trapped in war zones amid fighting between an ethnic Kachin armed group and the national army, a local lawmaker and a state official said. Win Zaw, a lawmaker from Mongnyin township, said the government and Myanmar military are transporting 133 internally displaced persons (IDPs) trapped by hostilities from their home village of Mangwe to the subtownship of Karmine in Hpakant township in Mohnyin district, where they will be housed in temporary shelters. They evacuated nearly two dozen others from the same village a day earlier. Authorities led by Mongnyin townships administrator have taken the IDPs from Mangwe and they are on their way to Karmine, said Thin Lwin, Kachin states minister of social affairs. The state government also has donated more than 171.4 million kyats (U.S. $127,000) to assist more than 4,000 internally displaced persons (IDPs) from 1,000 households, he said. Other individual donors and the Red Cross have donated basic humanitarian goods to the IDPs, Thin Lwin said. The Daw Khin Kyi Foundation, a charitable foundation set up by State Counselor Aung San Suu Kyi in 2012 and named for her mother, donated beans, iodized salt, and waterproof tarps to the IDPs on May 1. Thousands of villagers have been driven from their homes this year by clashes in the long-running conflict between the national army and the Kachin Independence Army (KIA), one of several ethnic militias with which the Myanmar government is trying to end decades of ethnic separatist civil wars and forge peace. More than 3,000 residents of villages in Injangyang, Tanaing, and Hpakant townships have been stranded with little food since April after fresh clashes erupted between the national army and the KIA. Government army soldiers have blocked access to roads in areas where fighting is taking place and have prevented residents from leaving to get supplies. Protest camp in Myitkyina In response, hundreds of people protested outside state government offices in Kachins capital Myitkyina on May 3, demanding that the government rescue the trapped civilians and vowing to open a protest camp at the site despite a heavy police presence nearby. The same day, Kachin state chief minister Khet Aung met with protest leaders and agreed to help trapped IDPs, but urged the young demonstrators to end their sit-in. The next day, government army troops refused to permit the trapped civilians to be evacuated. The demonstration followed a larger sit-in protest on April 30 in which around 5,000 people took part. The protesters will remain at the protest camp in Myitkyina until Wednesday with the state governments permission, and said they would shut the camp down once all IDPs have been freed. The Kachin Independence Organization (KIO), the KIAs political wing, has issued a statement saying that its troops will not stop individuals or organizations that pass through KIO-controlled territory to help the trapped IDPs. The KIO also said it will help the displaced civilians as much as it can, but did not elaborate. The KIO has not signed the governments nationwide cease-fire agreement that eight of the countrys more than 20 ethnic armies inked in October 2015, with two more having joined since then. Police charge other activists Protests were also held in Yangon and Mandalay on Sunday, calling for an end to the fighting in Kachin state and demanding that the government rescue trapped villagers, take them to safe areas, and provide them with humanitarian aid. Police have charged activists in the two cities under Article 19 of the Peaceful Assembly and Procession Law, which allows public demonstrations only if organizers first obtain permission from local authorities, though it does not specify a time period. Those who violate the law are subject to three to six months in prison and a 30,000-kyat (U.S. $22) fine. Police officer Myo Thet from the Kyauktada Township Police Station filed a complaint against Kaung Htet Kyaw, Zayya, Ye Aung Aye, and Myo Saw members of the All Burma Federation of Student Unions (ABSFU) and the Democratic Party for a New Society (DPNS) for organizing the protest, according to documents with the police stations official seal, posted on social media. The complaint says that protesters holding the flags of their respective organizations marched through Pabedan, Kyauktada, Latha, and Lanmadaw townships in Yangon, shouting and demanding that the government army stop its offensives in Kachin state, free trapped IDPs, and end the long-running civil war. RFA called Kyauktadas police station to find out more information about the charges against the activists, but the person who answered the phone said no one could answer questions because the officers were busy. We have not yet been officially informed of the charges, but many people know we have been charged, said Kaung Htet Kyae from the ABSFU. We saw the police stations seal on the complaint against the four of us. We think we dont need permission to express what we feel and what we want, he said. By Kyaw Myo Min and Zarni Htun for RFAs Myanmar Service. Translated by Khet Mar. Written in English by Roseanne Gerin. Rohingya refugees hold placards to members of United nations Security Council team during their visit to Kutupalong refugee camp in Bangladesh's Ukhia's district, 29 April 2018. Four human rights organizations on Tuesday called on the U.N. Security Council to refer Myanmar to the International Criminal Court over a military campaign that drove 700,000 Rohingya Muslims to Bangladesh, saying the violence amounted to crimes against humanity. The four rights groups Fortify Rights, Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch and the Global Center for Responsibility to Protect made the appeal a week after the Security Council visited Myanmar and Bangladesh to investigate the plight of the Rohingya. Impunity is entrenched in Myanmar, said Matthew Smith, Chief Executive Officer of Fortify Rights. Domestic remedies have been exhaustedthe government failed to properly investigate the heinous crimes that have taken place, and thats precisely why a referral is warranted. About 700,000 Rohingya fled violence that included killings, rape, and arson, during the crackdown that began in northern Rakhine on Aug. 25 following deadly attacks on police outposts by a Muslim militant group. Both the U.N. and United States have said that the campaign amounted to ethnic cleansing. Last week, after U.N.s 15 permanent envoys spent two days in Myanmar to assess the situation on the ground in Rakhine state, they called for a proper investigation into the events surrounding the exodus. "[I]n order to have accountability there must be a proper investigation, Karen Pierce, Britains ambassador to the U.N., told reporters during a news conference following the delegations visit to Rakhine state. Myanmar can set up such a probe through an International Criminal Court (ICC) referral or by holding its own comprehensive inquiry, she said. An ICC prosecutor asked the international tribunal in April to rule on whether the court can exercise jurisdiction over the alleged deportation of the Rohingya from Myanmar to Bangladesh. Myanmar argued that because it is not a member of the ICC, such a move would undermine its charter and run against the Netherlands-based ICCs charter. The Myanmar government and military have defended the crackdown, which included large-scale killings, rape, and arson, as a counter-insurgency campaign, though United Nations officials have called the campaign a textbook example of ethnic cleansing that potentially bears the hallmarks of genocide. Tuesdays appeal came a day after an unusually forceful statement from the Organization of Islamic Cooperations (OIC) Council of Foreign Ministers, the worlds top Islamic intergovernmental body, which condemned Myanmars military for targeting Rohingya Muslims in systematic ethnic cleansing, and called on member-states to mobilize to exert pressure on Naypyidaw over this. We express deep concern over the recent systematic brutal acts perpetrated by security forces against the Rohingya Muslim Community in Myanmar that has reached the level of ethnic cleansing, which constitute a serious and blatant violation of international law, the 57-member OIC said Sunday in its declaration from the Bangladeshi capital that touched on a wide range of international issues affecting the Muslim world. Among alleged atrocities committed against Rohingya people in Rakhine state, the so-called Dhaka Declaration issued at the end of a two-day meeting hosted by Bangladeshs government pointed to the deliberate burning of Rohingya villages and places of worship that had helped drive hundreds of thousands of people across the border into Bangladesh. Last November Fortify Rights and the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum issued a report that documented Myanmar army massacres of Rohingya men, women, and children, and committed gang rape and arson attacks on villages across northern Rakhine State. In April, U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres issued his annual report on conflict-related sexual violence and cited Myanmars armed forces as one of 47 parties in 19 countries that committed such violence in armed conflict during 2017. The widespread threat and use of sexual violence was integral to this strategy, serving to humiliate, terrorize and collectively punish the Rohingya community, as a calculated tool to force them to flee their homelands and prevent their return, Guterres said in the report. Repeating what has been Myanmars stock reaction to widely available evidence of atrocities in Rakhine, included repeated release by human Rights Watch of satellite images of scorched villages, Myanmar rejected those assertions and demanded an investigation and concrete proof of atrocities. The groups who issued the appeal to the U.N, on Tuesday had little time for Myanmars repeated denials. The Myanmar governments wholesale denials and dehumanizing rhetoric are signals, in the very least, of an unwillingness to hold perpetrators accountable, said Smith. The government is crying foul, but the facts demand an ICC referral now, he said in a statement. Catholic parishioners from Hung Nguyen district in north-central Vietnams Nghe An province have petitioned provincial police to take action against local officials they say ordered thugs to beat them as they tried to make improvements on disputed land. The Dec. 17 attack by assailants wearing Vietnams national flag over their shirts in Hung Nguyens Hung Tay commune followed an early morning attempt by Ke Gai parishioners under the Vinh diocese to dig a ditch on farmland subject to floods, which is claimed by both their church and local authorities. The beating took place in front of police, who did nothing to stop it, witnesses said, and left one parishioner unconscious. On Monday, parishioners delivered petitions to the Nghe An provincial police, accusing them of covering up for local officials they say orchestrated the December attack by blaming the incident on the church. According to the petition, the parishioners had sent a complaint to provincial police on Jan. 18 fingering Hung Tay commune chairman Nguyen Van Thu and commune police chief Luc for injuring villagers and damaging their assets, disturbing public order, abuse of power, and neglecting the injured. The provincial police office acknowledged receipt of the complaint in a Jan. 29 letter, but last week, the office instead summoned four parishioners for questioning on Monday over their alleged involvement in the Dec. 17 incident. All four refused to meet with police, and parishioners responded with their petition accusing authorities of trying to make the complaint disappear by threatening them. Father Nguyen Duc Nhan, who is in charge of Ke Gai parish, told RFAs Vietnamese Service that he had personally delivered a petition to a representative of the provincial police on Monday morning. The parishioners are the victimsyou can see from videos of the incident that the people from the Red Flags group and the police chief attacked them, he said. They beat one person so badly that he passed out right in the road, he added. Tables turned Nguyen Van An, a parishioner who was summoned last week for allegedly holding people hostage at the time of the December incident, denied the claims, which he said police had based on his involvement in asking local officials to sign a statement about what happened that day. Now that we are accusing the village and districts officials of mistreating people, they turned the tables and are accusing us of keeping people hostage, he said. We only asked the commune party chief and police chief to sign our report. I myself signed as a witness, because I was there. One of the other three parishioners was served with a summons for questioning over allegedly fighting during the Dec. 17 incident, but the other two were not at home when police tried to deliver their notices. An said the police think that by threatening him and the other three parishioners, they can get the Ke Gai community to relinquish their claims to the disputed land. Now that we have sent our complaint about their beating our villagers, I think they summoned me to try to get us to compromise and withdraw our complaintto give them the land, he said. Or maybe there have been so many issues surrounding the Vinh diocese recently, they are trying to threaten us, using me and some others as an example to intimidate other parishioners so people will stop speaking out. An acknowledged that the summonses had made parishioners worried and frustrated because the provincial police have done the opposite of what they stand forensuring that people abide by the law. Instead, they have trod on the law and the truth, he said. They abuse the people, and turn them into prisoners on a waiting list. Red Flags groups Government-supporting Red Flags groups now frequently mobilize to attack Catholic priests and parishioners in Vietnam in what social media users and rights groups describe as state-sponsored abuse in the one-party communist state. In February, parents of Catholic schoolchildren barred from school in the Dien Doai commune of Nghe An province were attacked outside school gates by government-linked thugs when they sought a meeting with school administrators. Meanwhile, in October 2017, two priests from Vinh diocese were surrounded by a mob of 300 waving red flags, while in May hundreds of thugs in Nghe An attacked a group of Catholic parishioners, including women and children, sending dozens to the hospital. In March, U.S.-based rights group Boat People SOS (BPSOS) urged State Department officials to voice U.S. concern over the rise in Vietnam of activist groups tied to the harassment of dissidents and religious communities, ahead of a U.S.-Vietnam human rights dialogue scheduled for later this month. Reported by RFAs Vietnamese Service. Translated by Viet Ha. Written in English by Joshua Lipes. Russia and Iran have expressed serious concerns about a decision that U.S. President Donald Trump is expected to make on May 8 about the future of Irans nuclear deal with six world powers. The Kremlin on May 8 warned that a very serious situation will emerge if Trump pulls the United States out of the accord. Meanwhile, Iranian President Hassan Rohani on May 8 acknowledged Iran could "face some problems" if Trump announced that he will reimpose sanctions on the country. Speaking at a petroleum expo in Tehran, Rohani said "It is possible that we will face some problems for two or three months, but we will pass through this." Rohani also said Iran wants to keep "working with the world and constructive engagement with the world." Those remarks appeared to be a reference to European countries that have struck a series of business deals with Iran since the landmark 2015 nuclear deal. Trump was due to announce his decision at 2 p.m. Washington time on May 8. Ali Larijani, the speaker of Irans parliament, said ahead of Trumps announcement that a U.S. withdrawal from the nuclear deal would lead to more unity among Iranians. Mr. Trump, rest assure that this loyalty on the nuclear issue will [encourage] the great Iranian nation to continue on the path of the Islamic Revolution firmly behind the leadership of its supreme leader, the Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Even before Trumps announcement, conservative Islamic figures in Iran on May 8 were praising Khamenei -- saying that he had rightly predicted the nuclear deal was fragile and would collapse. Iranian Vice President Eshaq Jahangiri, a popular reformist politician, said only the naive would negotiate with the United States if Trump pulls out of the accord. "Today, the biggest power in the world is yelling that it does not accept it, Jahangiri said. It's up to them what to do with the deal, but [from now on], only naive individuals would accept to enter talks with such a country." Jahangiri also said the Iranian government was ready and has a plan for managing the country under any circumstance." Valiollah Seif, the head of Irans central bank, told Iranian State TV that a U.S. pullout from the nuclear deal would not have a significant effect on Irans economy. Global oil prices surged to their highest levels since November 2014 as investors braced for Trump's announcement. Many investors expected Trump to pull the United States out of the landmark 2015 agreement in a move that would reimpose U.S. sanctions on Iran's oil sector and central bank and sharply ratchet up tensions with Tehran. Fears that the United States will reimpose sanctions sent premium crude prices above $70 a barrel in New York trading on May 7 for the first time since November 2014. London's benchmark Brent North Sea crude prices soared to $76.17, also the highest since late 2014. But while investors worried about the market effects of Trump's decision, the Iranian Oil Ministry announced that it expects to continue pumping and exporting oil even if the United States pulls out of the agreement. "They cannot stop Iran. Our oil industry's development will continue even if new sanctions are imposed on Iran," the ministry's SHANA news service quoted Gholamreza Manuchehri, deputy head of the National Iranian Oil Company, as saying on its website. Iran reemerged as a top oil exporter in January 2016 when international sanctions were lifted under the deal in exchange for curbs on Iran's nuclear program aimed at ensuring Iran cannot develop nucear weapons. Manuchehri said Iran plans to finalize seven contracts worth around $40 billion with foreign investors by mid-year, SHANA reported. Iran produces nearly 4 million barrels a day out of global total of about 98 million barrels per day. Most of Iran's increased oil business since 2016 has been with European and Asian businesses and consumers, as U.S. businesses are still prohibited from engaging with Iran. Deputy Oil Minister Amirhossein Zamaninia said "if we can continue to sell our oil and its products" around the world, Tehran will continue to honor the nuclear deal even if the United States pulls out. President Rohani said on May 7 that his country would remain in the nuclear accord even if the United States withdraws, on the condition that the other parties -- France, Britain, China, Russia, and Germany -- stick with the agreement. "Either what we want from the nuclear deal is guaranteed by the non-American parties, or it is not the case and we will follow our own path," Rohani said on the president's website. "We are prepared for all scenarios." Britain, France, and Germany made last-ditch efforts to try to persuade Trump to keep honoring the deal. Trump is operating under a May 12 deadline for deciding whether to reimpose U.S. sanctions on Iran. We are determined to save this deal because this accord safeguards against nuclear proliferation and is the right way to stop Iran getting a nuclear weapon, said French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian. "It has weaknesses, certainly, but I am convinced they can be remedied," said British Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson in a New York Times opinion piece. "Indeed, at this moment Britain is working alongside the Trump administration and our French and German allies to ensure that they are," he wrote. Even as the pled with Trump to stick with the deal, media reported that European powers were making preparations -- as was Iran -- for dealing with what they considered to be a likely U.S. withdrawal in full or in part from the deal. With reporting by AP, AFP, and Reuters Taliban militants have seized a district in the northern Afghan province of Baghlan after days of heavy fighting, local officials said. Police officials said government forces had abandoned the district center of Tala Wa Bafrak on May 8 after being cut off from supplies. "The Taliban have been attacking the district for a few days and at 11 a.m. we had to retreat," said provincial police spokesman Zabihullah Shuja. District Governor Ismail Barfaki was quoted by local media as saying that three police force members were wounded in the clashes. Barfaki said dozens of Taliban fighters have come from Samangan and Kunduz provinces as well as from other parts of Baghlan to fight government forces in Tala Wa Barfak. Afghan media reported that heavy fighting continued between security forces and Taliban fighters in the district's outskirts. On May 5, government forces recaptured the northern Kohistan district that was briefly seized by the Taliban in a surprise attack two days earlier. Kohistan is located in the province of Badakhshan, where the Taliban controls two of the provinces 28 districts. Based on reporting by AP, tolonews.com, and khaama.com U.S. President Donald Trump has announced that the United States will withdraw from the 2015 Iran nuclear agreement, which he described as defective at its core. "I am announcing today that the United States will withdraw from the Iran nuclear deal," Trump said on May 8. "In a few moments, I will sign a presidential memorandum to begin reinstating U.S. nuclear sanctions on the Iranian regime, Trump said. Trump said Washington will be instituting the highest level of economic sanctions," he said. Trump is operating under a May 12 deadline for deciding whether to reimpose U.S. sanctions on Iran. The deal, worked out by the United States, five other international powers, and Iran, eased sanctions on Iran in exchange for Tehran restricting its nuclear program. Trump has frequently criticized the agreement, saying it does not address Iran's ballistic-missile program and its role in conflicts in Yemen and Syria, its nuclear activities beyond 2025, and the terms under which international inspectors can visit suspect Iranian nuclear sites. The U.S. Treasury Department said in a statement that sanctions will be reimposed subject to certain 90-day and 180-day wind-down periods. At the conclusion of the wind-down periods, the applicable sanctions will come back into full effect, the statement said. A statement issued by the State Department said that as Washington exits the Iran deal, it will be working with allies to find a real and comprehensive solution to the Iranian threat. As we build this global effort, sanctions will go into full effect and will remind the Iranian regime of the diplomatic and economic isolation that results from its reckless and malign activity, the statement said. In Tehran, President Hassan Rohani swiftly responded to Trumps announcement, saying Tehran is ready to resume its nuclear work after holding talks with European Union signatories of the deal. "If negotiations fail, the Islamic republic will enrich uranium more than before...in the next weeks," Rohani said a televised speech. "I have ordered Iran's atomic organization that whenever it is needed, we will start enriching uranium more than before," he said. Earlier on May 8, Rohani acknowledged Iran could "face some problems" if Trump announced that he will reimpose sanctions on the country. Rohani said "It is possible that we will face some problems for two or three months, but we will pass through this." Rohani said on May 7 that Iran would remain in the nuclear accord even if the United States withdraws, on the condition that the other parties -- France, Britain, China, Russia, and Germany -- stick with the agreement. The leaders of France, Germany, and Britain said on May 8 that they were committed to implementing the Iran deal despite Trump's decision to pull out and his threat of sanctions. In a joint statement, British Prime Minister Theresa May, German Chancellor Angela Merkel, and French President Emmanuel Macron they will work with all the remaining parties to the deal to ensure this remains the case including through ensuring the continuing economic benefits to the Iranian people that are linked to the agreement. They urged the United States to refrain from taking action that prevents other signatories to the Iran nuclear deal from continuing to implement it. Macron's office said the French president spoke in the evening on May 8 with Merkel and May about the Iran accord and next steps after Trump's decision. Macron said that France, Germany, and Britain regretted Trump's decision to withdraw from the nuclear deal. "The nuclear nonproliferation regime is at stake," he wrote on Twitter. "We will work collectively on a broader framework, covering nuclear activity, the post-2025 period, ballistic activity, and stability in the Middle East, notably Syria, Yemen, and Iraq," he added. European Union foreign police chief Federica Mogherini said the EU is determined to preserve the deal, which she described as one of the biggest achievements diplomacy has ever delivered. We expect the rest of the international community to continue to do its part, to guarantee that it continues to be fully implemented for the sake of our own collective security, Mogherini said on May 8. The Russian Foreign Ministry criticized Trumps announcement, calling it a disguise to settle political accounts with Iran. Former U.S. President Barack Obama, whose administration brokered the deal with Iran, called Trump's decision "misguided" and "a serious mistake," especially because Iran has been complying with the agreement. "The consistent flouting of agreements that our country is a party to risks eroding America's credibility, and puts us at odds with the world's major powers." Saudi Arabia, a regional rival of Iran, welcomed Trumps decision to withdraw from what it described as a flawed agreement. "Iran used economic gains from the lifting of sanctions to continue its activities to destabilize the region, particularly by developing ballistic missiles and supporting terrorist groups in the region," according to a Saudi Foreign Ministry statement. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu expressed strong support for what he described as Trump's "bold" decision to reject the disastrous nuclear deal with the terrorist regime in Tehran. On April 30, Netanyahu unveiled tens of thousands of intelligence documents that he said showed Iran's secret nuclear weapons ambitions. Trump referred to those documents in his speech announcing the withdrawal. Iran says its nuclear program is entirely peaceful and its compliance with the deal has been verified by the International Atomic Energy Agency. With reporting by AP, AFP, Reuters, the BBC A Russian military helicopter crashed on May 7 over eastern Syria, killing both pilots, the Russian Defense Ministry said. The ministry was quoted as saying that the Ka-52 helicopter was on a routine flight when it crashed and that the two pilots' bodies were found after a search. It added that a technical malfunction may have caused the accident. It was the second time this month Russian pilots have lost their lives in crashes over Syria. On May 3, a Russian Su-30SM fighter jet crashed in Syria shortly after takeoff, killing both of its crew members. That crash may have been caused by a bird strike, the military said at the time. The latest crash occurred as NATO's southern European commander, U.S. Navy Admiral James Foggo, told the AP that the skies and seas in the eastern Mediterranean have become "very crowded" as a result of Russia taking advantage of its military role in Syria to bolster its presence in the wider region. Foggo said the eastern Mediterranean region is becoming "congested" with Russian vessels, and some"unsafe or unprofessional" incidents involving Russian aircraft have occurred. "It's something that we have to deal with as professional navies," Foggo told AP. Russia established a naval base in the Syrian Mediterranean port of Tartus when President Bashar al-Assad's father, Hafez al-Assad, was ruler. However, Foggo told AP that Russia has significantly increased its forces there recently. They've "brought a lot of aircraft and a lot of ships" to it, he said. Based on reporting by dpa, AP, TASS, and Reuters A BURGLAR and robber who targeted elderly people in Rotherham and Sheffield has been jailed for ten years. Wayne Robert Hucknall (35) of no fixed address, was charged with four burglaries and three robberies which he committed between last May and June. He admitted the offences at Sheffield Crown Court last Thursday Hucknall (pictured) was snared by police after he tried to use stolen bank cards. His DNA was also found on a bag he tried to snatch from an elderly woman. Hucknall was arrested after approaching the home of a 92-year-old woman in Handsworth, forcing his way in and taking her purse. Det Con Dave Ollerenshaw said: Officers were quick to react and arrested him not far from the address. "Due to the evidence gathered, we were able to quickly charge him and bring him before the court. He added: Hucknall deliberately targeted elderly people, preying on their vulnerabilities and I hope the victims feel safer knowing that hes now serving a substantial sentence behind bars. Visit southyorks.police.uk/find-out/crime-prevention-advice for crime prevention and home security advice. Researchers reexamining historical seismograms from the 1906 Meishan earthquake have uncovered a new mechanism for the quake, one of the deadliest to ever strike Taiwan. The new mechanism provides a better fit for the fault rupture expected from the magnitude 7.1. earthquake, as well as a better fit for the distribution of recorded damage and aftershocks, according to the report in the journal Seismological Research Letters. The findings will help seismologists improve their understanding of the complex fault systems in this area, "which is important to provide better information for seismic hazard assessment," said Kuo-Fong Ma of the Earthquake Disaster & Risk Evaluation and Management (E-DREaM) Center in Taiwan. The result might also encourage others to use historical records in tectonically active countries to "explore the full fault system rather than a single fault segment for seismic hazard evaluation," she added. The 1906 Meishan earthquake caused 1258 deaths, 2385 injuries and leveled 6769 houses near its namesake village. Ground shaking has been estimated at a Mercalli intensity of IX or "violent," meaning that there would have been significant damage to large buildings, including building shifted off their foundations. Field studies conducted after the earthquake suggested that the earthquake was related an east-west strike-slip rupture on the Meishan Fault. However, there has been a longstanding debate about whether this rupture represents the earthquake's true origins. The surface rupture was short compared to what might be expected for such an intense quake, for instance, and reports of damage and aftershocks were confined in a north-south pattern, instead of an east-west pattern. With these inconsistencies in mind, Ma and her colleagues decided to reexamine the historical records of the earthquake. The researchers used the original seismogram recordings from three seismic stations in Taiwan, which were archived at the Earthquake Research Institute of Tokyo University, along with historical literature collected with the help of Taiwan's Central Weather Bureau. The researchers used these original records to create new artificial waveform simulations for the earthquake, to evaluate several models of how the fault might have ruptured. They created artificial waveforms from the original seismograms because of the difficulties in accounting for unknown instrument responses and in digitizing the historical records, Ma explained. The simulated waveform data uncovered a discrepancy between the first motions of P-waves and S-waves (the first and second waves detected by a seismograph in the event of an earthquake) that suggested the earthquake's mechanism might not have been a pure strike-slip rupture, the researchers said. The scientists then hunted for an alternative fault motion in the region that could better explain the data. They concluded that the preferred mechanism would be a thrust fault oriented in a northeast-southwest direction, with a small right-lateral component. Rupture along this type of thrust fault is more consistent with the level of shaking intensity and the pattern of aftershocks seen after the 1906 earthquake, Ma and colleagues said. Medical Research Council scientists have developed a new laboratory test to diagnose peanut allergy. The test has 98 per cent specificity and, unlike current options, it doesn't run the risk of false-positives or causing allergic reactions such as anaphylactic shock. The simple blood test is five times more cost-efficient compared to the oral food challenge (OFC) -- the standard food allergy test -- and could be adapted to test for other food allergies. Peanut allergies are among the most common food allergies in children.* Currently, doctors diagnose peanut allergy using a skin-prick test or IgE test but this may result in over-diagnosis or false-positives and it cannot differentiate between sensitivity and true food allergy. When skin-prick and IgE test results are unclear, allergists rely on an OFC, which consists of feeding peanut in incrementally larger doses to a patient in a highly-controlled setting in hospital to confirm allergy to the food. While the test is the gold-standard for diagnosing food allergies, there is risk of causing severe allergic reactions. Now, the researchers have developed a safer, accurate blood test in the lab. The new test, called the mast activation test (MAT), could act as a second line tool when skin-prick test results are inconclusive and before referring children and their families to specialists for an OFC, according to researchers from the MRC & Asthma UK Centre in Allergic Mechanisms of Asthma. Their new study was published in the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology. Dr Alexandra Santos, an MRC Clinician Scientist at King's College London, paediatric allergist and study lead author, said: "The current tests are not ideal. If we relied on them alone, we'd be over diagnosing food allergies -- only 22 per cent of school-aged children in the UK with a positive test to peanuts are actually allergic when they're fed the food in a monitored setting." Dr Santos continued: "The new test is specific in confirming the diagnosis so when it's positive, we can be very sure it means allergy. We would reduce by two-thirds the number of expensive, stressful oral food challenges conducted, as well as saving children from experiencing allergic reactions." advertisement Food allergy symptoms are triggered when allergens interact with an antibody called immunoglobulin E (or IgE). The food allergens activate IgE antibodies, triggering symptoms such as skin reactions, itching or constricting of the mouth, throat and airways, and digestive problems (such as stomach cramps, nausea or vomiting). The current skin-prick test and IgE test, which have been in use for decades, measure the presence of IgE antibodies. The new test focuses on mast cells, which play a crucial role in triggering allergic reactions. Mast cells activate by recognising the IgE in plasma and, in allergic patients, produce biomarkers associated with allergic reactions, which can be detected in the lab. Using blood samples from 174 children participating in allergy testing -- 73 peanut allergic and 101 peanut-tolerant -- the scientists added peanut protein to mast cells to screen for IgE-mediated activation. The MAT accurately identified peanut allergy with 98 specificity. (Specificity is a statistical measure in determining efficacy for diagnosis. The MAT test rarely gives positive results in non-allergic patients.) The researchers also found the test reflected the severity of peanut allergy -- patients with more severe reactions have a higher number of activated mast cells. The MAT test is five times cheaper to conduct than the OFC, which requires an allergist and specialist nurses on hand to monitor for adverse reactions and provide medical support if symptoms arise. Dr Santos said: "We are adapting this test to other foods, such as milk, eggs, sesame and tree nuts. This test will be useful as we are seeing more and more children who have never been exposed to these foods because they have severe eczema or have siblings with allergies. Parents are often afraid to feed them a food that is known to cause allergic reactions." The researchers believe the MAT test may have other uses, for example, in the food industry to detect the presence of allergens in products. Pharmaceutical companies could use it to monitor patients' allergic response to drugs being evaluated during clinical trials. advertisement The scientists plan to transition the biomarker test out of the laboratory and into a clinical setting. They will be testing blood samples from patients with suspected allergies to further validate its utility. Notes: *Five to eight per cent of UK children have a food allergy with up to one in 55 children having a peanut allergy, according to Food Standards Agency estimates. Current UK guidelines recommend avoiding giving your child peanuts and foods containing peanuts before the age of six months. Other countries, such as Canada and the United States, have updated their recommendations -- a move that is in the works in the UK. The researchers say updated guidelines may result in a rise in requests for peanut allergy diagnosing. In a new research article, a team of international researchers argue that the Tapanuli Orangutan -- a species discovered last year in Sumatra, Indonesia, and one of the rarest animals on the planet -- could lose its battle for survival, unless decisive steps are taken to rescue it. "In forty years of research, I don't think I've ever seen anything this dramatic," said Professor William Laurance from James Cook University in Australia, leader of the research team. "This is just the seventh species of Great Ape ever discovered, and it could go extinct right before our eyes," said Professor Jatna Supriatna from the University of Indonesia, a co-author of the study. "Fewer than 800 of the apes survive, and they're under assault from mega-projects, deforestation, road building, and poaching," said Dr Sean Sloan, lead author of the article in Current Biology. "Their entire remaining habitat is unbelievably small -- less than a tenth the size of Sydney, Australia," said Sloan. The authors say the most imminent threat is a planned U.S.$1.6 billion mega-dam -- the Batang Toru project -- that would be constructed by a Chinese state-owned corporation, Sinohydro, and funded by Chinese financiers. "If it proceeds, the dam will flood crucial parts of the ape's habitat, while chopping up its remaining habitat with new roads and powerlines," said Supriatna. The team discovered the ape survives only in areas with virtually no roads, which promote illegal logging, clearing, and poaching. "This is a critical test for China and Indonesia. They say they want sustainable development -- but words are cheap," said Laurance. "Without urgent action, this could be ecological Armageddon for one of our closest living relatives." In an ongoing tug-of-war over threatened tariffs between the United States and the Chinese government, researchers at the University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture have examined potential impacts to U.S. soybean exports at three hypothetical tariff rates. The research indicates that exports are projected to drop by $4.5 billion to $7.7 billion if a 25 percent tariff is imposed, with even greater losses should a higher tariff be levied. China plays a vital role in U.S. agricultural exports. In 2017, China accounted for 57.3 percent of U.S. exports including nearly $22 billion in U.S. soybeans. From 2000-2016, Chinese soybean imports increased from $2.3 billion to a high of $40 billion -- an increase of more than 1,600 percent. This marked growth is largely attributed to China's growing demand for livestock and feed products, as soybean imports are primarily used to produce soybean meal, a high-protein ingredient in animal feed. However, U.S. soybeans face significant competition, particularly from Brazil. The U.S. was the leading supplier of soybeans to China for many years until being surpassed by Brazil in 2013. Brazil's increased production and long-term growth potential coupled with infrastructure investment in partnership with numerous Chinese companies have facilitated gradual transition from the U.S. to Brazil as the largest source of China's soybean imports. Tariff projections indicate that for every 1 percent increase in the price of U.S. soybeans, Chinese imports of U.S. soybeans decrease by 1.3 percent, while imports of Brazilian soybeans increase by 1 percent. Soybean acreage has increased in the U.S. from 76.8 million acres in 2013 to 90.1 million acres in 2017. Likewise, U.S. soybean exports have also increased, with the exception of the 2017/2018 marketing year, and consistently account for about half of total U.S. production. In the past five years, farm-level production has been estimated at $40 billion annually. U.S. soybean producers are reliant on foreign markets as a source of demand for their production. "China is responsible for nearly two-thirds of global soybean imports," says UTIA professor and Blasingame Chair of Excellence Andrew Muhammad. "As such, if China places retaliatory tariffs on U.S. soybeans, there could be profound implications for U.S. soybean exports and farm-level losses for U.S. soybean producers." The UTIA study, which was authored by Muhammad and his colleague Aaron Smith, considered trade projections based on three hypothetical tariff rates on soybeans, as follows: a 10 percent tariff is projected to reduce U.S. exports by $1.8 billion but could fall as much as $3.1 billion; at 25 percent, projected reductions are $4.5 billion to $7.7 billion; and at 50 percent, projected reductions are $9 billion to $15.3 billion. Average annual farm-gate prices for soybeans have ranged from a high of $13 per bushel in 2013 to a low of $8.95 per bushel in 2015. If a 25 percent tariff is applied to U.S. soybean exports to China, UTIA researchers estimate potential farm-level losses could reach $0.33 to $1.76 per bushel. With higher tariffs, the losses would be even greater. However, projected losses for U.S. producers due to lower soybean exports to China could be partly offset by an increase in exports to other countries. It's a neuroscientist's dream: being able to track the millions of interactions among brain cells in animals that move about freely, behaving as they would under natural circumstances. New technology developed at The Rockefeller University represents a big step toward realizing that goal. The invention, reported today in Nature Methods, is expected to give researchers a dynamic tool to study the brain's role in various behaviors. Although it is designed for use on mice, information gleaned from it could someday shed light on neuronal activity in humans as well, says Alipasha Vaziri, who led the technology's development as head of the Laboratory of Neurotechnology and Biophysics. For example, it might allow us to better understand the neuronal basis of brain disorders such as autism and schizophrenia. Vaziri says the tool provides an opening to an exciting range of discoveries. As an animal moves about its environment, for instance, some neurons direct spatial navigation while others receive sensory feedback from changes to the body's position or the visual system. "Until now, no one has been able to detect how these different neurons, which can be located at different depths within a volume of brain tissue, dynamically interact with each other in a freely moving rodent," says Vaziri, an associate professor at Rockefeller. Similarly, the tool can be used to record the interplay among neurons when two animals meet and interact socially. High-tech headgear The technology consists of a tiny microscope attached to a mouse's head and outfitted with a specialized group of lenses called a microlens array. These lenses enable the microscope to capture images from multiple angles and depths on a sensor chip, producing a three-dimensional record of neurons blinking on and off as they communicate with each other through electrochemical impulses. (In the experiments, the mouse neurons are genetically modified to light up when they become activated.) A coaxial cable attached to the top of the microscope transmits the data for recording. The head-mounted gear weighs about four grams, about as much as a mouse can support, but Vaziri expects that planned modifications will make it significantly lighter. Once the microlens array has captured sensor images from within a volume of brain tissue, the next challenge is to process this raw data. Brain tissue is opaque, making it difficult to pinpoint the source of each neuronal light flash. Vaziri's team solved this problem, which is the result of so-called scattering, by developing a new computer algorithm. "The algorithm utilizes the statistical properties of neurons' distribution in space and in activity," Vaziri explains, "while extracting additional information from the scattered emission light. This enables their activity to be simultaneously and faithfully recorded within a volume despite of the highly scattering tissue properties." The result is a clear image that shows individual neurons flashing in sequence. Faster, more effective imaging Vaziri's lab has previously applied this algorithm, known by the acronym SID, in studies in which the heads of the mice were secured in a fixed position. Their latest research is the first to demonstrate that these inventions can be used together with a tiny microscope called the Miniscope, developed by a collaborating team at the University of California Los Angeles, to measure neuronal activity volumetrically in unconstrained animals. The technology, if widely adopted, could offer several advantages over two-photon microscopy, a broadly used neuroscience tool. For example, two-photon microscopy records neuronal activity within individual focal planes -- thin, virtual "slices" of the sample -- that then are combined to create a three-dimensional image. In contrast, Vaziri's method immediately captures data in three dimensions over an entire volume of tissue, making it faster and more effective. Vaziri plans to continue developing tools to record neuronal activity in even larger portions of the brain than is currently possible, and at higher speeds and resolution. "We hope this work will ultimately lead to a deeper understanding of how the brain processes information underlying the generation of behavior," he says. Trees falling as fragile forests become cropland is a visual shorthand for the environmental costs exporting countries pay to meet lucrative global demands for food. Yet a new study reveals a counterintuitive truth: Importing food also damages homeland ecology. In this week's Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, researchers at Michigan State University (MSU) and their colleagues show that the decisions domestic farmers must make as imported food changes the crop market can damage the environment. "What is obvious is not always the whole truth," said Jianguo "Jack" Liu director of MSU's Center for Systems Integration and Sustainability and senior author of the paper. "Unless a world is examined in a systemic, holistic way, environmental costs will be overlooked." The researchers examine the global trade of soybeans -- a demand which has exploded in China as its population becomes more prosperous. To meet the demand for soybeans as animal feed and food products, China's market gobbled up more than 60 percent of the world's exported soybeans, much of that from Brazil- and at a price Chinese farmers can't match. Brazil's massive conversion of rainforest and Cerrado to cropland has received much attention, and policies have been enacted to mitigate the environmental damage there. The widely held conclusion has been that importing countries gain environmental benefits and displace environmental costs to the source of food. This paper shows that the shift is actually just an exchange "This research demonstrates a surprising environmental impact of global agricultural trade," says Betsy Von Holle, a director of the National Science Foundation's Dynamics of Coupled Natural and Human Systems program, which funded the study. "If the importing country switches from a more sustainable crop, such as soybeans, to one that needs more water and nutrients, such as corn, the nitrogen pollution that results can harm the environment of the importing country." The research team analyzed more than 160 studies across six continents on the nitrogen left in the soil after a crop is harvested, and looked at the nitrogen change that resulted in the top countries such as Vietnam and Japan that imported soybeans from the world's two largest soybean producers and exporters -- Brazil and the United States. The group also did an intensive study of the soil in China's top-producing cropland in the northeast. They found that the largest increase in nitrogen pollution there was in fields that had converted from soybeans to rice paddies, followed by corn fields. Soybean trade offers but one example of the unexpected environmental impacts of global food trade -- and a heads up that negotiations of trade agreements need complete information, the paper notes. For example, once-upon-a-time cornfields in Mexico and South America now grow vegetables, and demand more nitrogen inputs, thanks to influxes of cheap American corn. And nitrogen isn't the only change. Crop decisions driven by global markets also can place increased demands on water supplies. "This study underscores the need to pay attention to both sides of international trade not rely on conventional wisdom," Liu said. "The framework of telecoupling -- a new integrated way to study human and natural interactions over distances -- shows us unexpected outcomes that can stand in the way of sustainability." Plants know how to do a neat trick. Through photosynthesis, they use sunlight and carbon dioxide to make food, belching out the oxygen that we breathe as a byproduct. This evolutionary innovation is so central to plant identity that nearly all land plants use the same pores -- called stomata -- to take in carbon dioxide and release oxygen. Stomata are tiny, microscopic and critical for photosynthesis. Thousands of them dot on the surface of the plants. Understanding how stomata form is critical basic information toward understanding how plants grow and produce the biomass upon which we thrive. In a paper published May 7 in the journal Developmental Cell, a University of Washington-led team describes the delicate cellular symphony that produces tiny, functional stomata. The scientists discovered that a gene in plants known as MUTE orchestrates stomatal development. MUTE directs the activity of other genes that tell cells when to divide and not to divide -- much like how a conductor tells musicians when to play and when to stay silent. "The MUTE gene acts as a master regulator of stomatal development," said senior author Keiko Torii, a UW professor of biology and investigator at the Howard Hughes Medical Institute. "MUTE exerts precision control over the proper formation of stomata by initiating a single round of cell division -- just one -- in the precursor cell that stomata develop from." Stomata resemble doughnuts -- a circular pore with a hole in the middle for gas to enter or leave the plant. The pore consists of two cells -- each known as a guard cell. They can swell or shrink to open or close the pore, which is critical for regulating gas exchange for photosynthesis, as well as moisture levels in tissues. advertisement "If plants cannot make stomata, they are not viable -- they cannot 'breathe,'" said Torii, who also is a professor at Nagoya University in Japan. Torii and her team investigated which genes governed stomata formation in Arabidopsis thaliana, a small weed that is one of the most widely studied plants on the planet. Past research by Torii's team and other researchers had indicated that, in Arabidopsis, MUTE plays a central role in the formation of stomata. The MUTE gene encodes instructions for a cellular protein that can control the "on" or "off" state of other plant genes. The researchers created a strain of Arabidopsis that can artificially produce a lot of the MUTE protein, so they could easily identify which genes the MUTE protein turned on or off. They discovered that many of the activated genes control cell division -- a process that is critical for stomatal development. In Arabidopsis, as in nearly all plants, stomata form from precursor cells known as guard mother cells, or GMCs. To form a working stoma -- singular for stomata -- a GMC divides once to yield to paired guard cells. Since their data showed that MUTE proteins switched on genes that regulated cell division, Torii and her team wondered if MUTE is the gene that activates this single round of cell division. If so, it would have to be a tightly regulated process. The genetic program would have to switch on cell division in the GMC, and then quickly switch it right back off to ensure that only a single round of division occurs. Torii's team showed that one of the genes activated by the MUTE protein to its DNA is CYCD5;1, a gene that causes the GMC to divide. The researchers also found that MUTE proteins turn on two genes called FAMA and FOUR LIPS. This was an important discovery because, while CYCD5;1 turns on cell division of the GMC, FAMA and FOUR LIPS turn off -- or repress -- the cell division program. "Our experiments showed that MUTE was turning on both activators of cell division and repressors of cell division, which seemed counterintuitive -- why would it do both?" said Torii. "That made us very interested in understanding the temporal regulation of these genes in the GMC and the stomata." Through precise experiments, they gathered data on the timing MUTE activation of these cell division activators and repressors. They incorporated this information into a mathematical model, which simulated how MUTE acts to both activate and repress cell division in the GMC. First, MUTE turns on the activator CYCD5;1 -- which triggers one round of cell division. Then, FAMA and FOUR LIPS act to prevent further cell division, yielding one functional stomata consisting of two guard cells. "Like a conductor at the podium, MUTE appears to signal its target genes -- each of which has specific, and even opposite, parts to play in the ensuing piece," said Torii. "The result is a tightly coupled sequence of activation and repression that gives rise to one of the most ancient structures on land plants." It's very difficult to determine when, how and why human language began. While fossil primates provide important clues about human evolution, the sounds they made and the soft tissue involved in making those sounds weren't preserved. But chimpanzees -- one of our closest living relatives -- provide important points of comparison for inferring the sorts of sounds our early ancestors may have made. During the 175th Meeting of the Acoustical Society of America, being held May 7-11, 2018, in Minneapolis, Minnesota, Michael Wilson, an associate professor at the University of Minnesota, will present his group's work searching for similarities between the vocal communications of chimpanzees and humans. "Chimpanzees give a range of different calls: hoots, pant-hoots, pant-grunts, pant-barks, rough-grunts, nest-grunts, alarm barks, waa-barks, wraas, screams, copulation screams, and soft panting play sounds (a.k.a. laughter)," Wilson said. "Many of these calls grade into one another, and it can be difficult to categorize particular examples of some calls." Wilson's group works with new and archival recordings of chimpanzees from Gombe National Park in Tanzania, the site where Jane Goodall, renowned primatologist and anthropologist, began the first long-term field study of chimpanzees. "When Jane gives public talks, she often begins by giving a pant-hoot: a loud call that begins with an introduction, followed by a build-up, a climax and a let-down. Much of the work on chimpanzee vocalizations has focused on pant-hoots because they're loud, conspicuous, and seem to be important," Wilson said. For their work, Wilson's group records calls from chimpanzees at Gombe using hand-held directional microphones and digital recorders. And, until recently, they applied simple statistical models -- such as principal components analysis -- to small sets of features like the duration of different call components, fundamental frequency, and frequency range. "More recently, my student Nisarg Desai has adapted techniques from speech technology, such as machine learning models, to better categorize calls," Wilson said. Chimpanzee vocal communication is also interesting because it "raises questions about the evolution of signaling and social behavior," Wilson said. "Do chimpanzee pant-hoots inform other chimpanzees about good food patches, signal community membership, or individual identity, body size, or health?" The group's findings so far suggest that chimpanzee vocalizations resemble human language less than you'd expect. For example, Wilson's student Lisa O'Bryan studied food-associated rough-grunt calls at Gombe and in a group of captive chimpanzees in Texas. "In contrast to some previous studies, which reported that rough-grunts vary acoustically in ways that could inform other chimpanzees about food quality, she found that within rough-grunt sequences to a given food type, chimpanzees produce a range of rough-grunt variants -- suggesting there is no consistent match between acoustic features and food quality," Wilson said. And, it turns out, "chimpanzee vocal communication isn't particularly language-like," Wilson said. "This is surprising, given that chimpanzees resemble us in so many other ways. But it seems that the key events in language evolution occurred well after the divergence of the chimpanzee and hominin (primate) lineages. In this case, language likely evolved due to uniquely human circumstances." DNA mutations driving cancer development are caused by different mechanisms, each of them leaving behind specific patterns, or "scars" in the genome. Using CRISPR-Cas9 technology, researchers at CeMM and the Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute at Cambridge, UK were able to show for the first time in cell culture that specific genetic alterations indeed lead to the predicted pattern of mutational signatures observed in human cancers. The results were published in Nature Communications. When a cell develops into a tumor, something has gone terribly wrong: the uncontrolled growth, invasion of nearby tissues and finally metastasis are the result of many consecutive DNA mutations. Such an accumulation of demolished genetic material often derives from initial environmental exposures, enzymatic activities or defects in DNA replication or DNA repair mechanisms. Each of those initial mutagenic conditions creates their own pattern of DNA damage called mutational signature. Deciphering them could theoretically allow us to trace back the initial cause of a tumor, profile its properties and help find a therapeutic strategy. However, reading those mutational signatures in tumor samples is a difficult task, as the large amount of mutations that a patient acquires during its lifetime create a noisy and uncontrolled system -- even the best clinical data will, at most, provide only associations. Therefore, the group of Joanna Loizou, Principal Investigator at the CeMM Research Center for Molecular Medicine of the Austrian Academy of Sciences, in collaboration with researchers from the Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute, developed an experimental setup to validate the concept of mutational signatures in cell culture. In special human cell lines, optimized for genome editing, the researchers destroyed nine different genes -- one gene per cell line -- for DNA repair using CRISPR-Cas9 technology. Subsequently, they cultivated single cells from each of those nine experiments and allowed them to proliferate for one month. Eventually, the scientists analyzed the entirety of mutations that accumulated over this time period in the cell line deriving from the single progenitor that lacks a specific DNA repair gene. With specially developed computational methods, they were able to find the genomic scars that a missing DNA repair gene left in the genome of the affected cells -- they were almost identical to mutational signatures found in cancer cells. "Our results validate mutational signatures across all classes of mutations," Joanna Loizou summarizes the findings. "For the first time, this theoretical concept was confirmed in a highly controlled experimental setup." However, a single gene defect is not restricted to only one mutational signature, Loizou adds: "We found that some defects in DNA repair genes engender multiple mutational signatures of different classes." The converse is also true, as Michel Owusu, PhD Student in Loizou's laboratory and co-first author of the paper explains: "A mutational signature may not necessarily reflect a defect of one gene, as it could also arise through the malfunctioning of another related gene involved in the affected DNA repair mechanism." The findings of this study not only confirm an analytical principle that describes mutational processes and cancer development, mutational signatures are a direct mechanistic read-out of specific dysfunctions of a cell. Thus, even if the underlying gene defect is unknown, mutational signatures could be used as biomarkers for the molecular characterization of tumors -- a new diagnostic tool to improve the precise and personalized treatment of cancer. By federal law passed in 1975, children with intellectual disabilities are supposed to spend as much time as possible in general education classrooms. But a new study suggests that progress toward that goal has stalled. Findings showed that over the past 40 years, 55 to 73 percent of students with intellectual disabilities spend most or all of the school day in self-contained classrooms or schools and not with their peers without disabilities. "Given the legal mandate, it is surprising that such a large proportion of students are consistently placed in restrictive settings," said Matthew Brock, author of the study and assistant professor of special education at The Ohio State University. The study is the first to look at national trends in education placement for students with intellectual disability -- previously called mental retardation -- for the entire 40 years since the law was enacted. "I found historical trends of incremental progress toward less restrictive settings, but no evidence of such progress in recent years," said Brock, who is affiliated with Ohio State's Crane Center for Early Childhood Research and Policy. advertisement The study has been accepted for publication by the American Journal on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities. The Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act (as the law is now called) has the aim of educating students with disabilities in what it calls the "least restrictive environment." That means they should be placed in general education classrooms alongside peers without disabilities to the maximum extent appropriate. Decisions about what is appropriate for each child are made by an Individual Education Program team that includes the child's parents, teachers and others. Brock used several data sources to determine the proportion of students 6 to 21 years old with intellectual disability who were placed in each federally reported educational environment from 1976 to 2014. The definitions of placement categories changed several times over the 40 years, so it is impossible to directly compare statistics over the entire time period, Brock said. But some general trends can be detected. advertisement He found that in the first years following passage of the law, the proportion of students in less restrictive settings actually decreased. Students served in regular general education classrooms decreased from 38 percent in 1976 to 30 percent in 1983. From 1984 to 1989 an overall trend is less clear. From 1990 to 2014, the proportion of students in less restrictive placements initially increased and then plateaued, Brock said. The proportion of students who spent at least 80 percent of the school day in general education classrooms trended up to near 14 percent in 1998, dropped to 11 percent in 2002, hit a peak of 18 percent in 2010 and decreased slightly to 17 percent in 2014. "Overall, the most rapid progress toward inclusive placements was in the 1990s, with more gradual progress in the 2000s and a plateau between 2010 and 2014," Brock said. He believes the rapid progress in the 90s occurred because advocacy for special education was strongest during this period, at least on a national level. "There are still people working really hard toward the goal of inclusion in some parts of the country, but that doesn't come through in this national data," he said. One argument could be that inclusion has plateaued in the United States because nearly all students are already in the least restrictive environments possible, as decided by their Individual Education Program teams, Brock said. But state-by-state data suggests something else must be going on. In 2014, students with intellectual disabilities in Iowa were 13.5 times more likely to spend most of the school day in a general education setting compared to students in the bordering state of Illinois. These huge discrepancies in placements between states can't be explained by differences in the students. The issue is that states and even individual school districts follow different policies and ways of working with student with disabilities -- and not all succeed at giving students the least restrictive environment, according to Brock. "I don't want to send the message that all kids with intellectual disabilities should spend 100 percent of their time in general education classrooms," he said. "But I think we need to find opportunities for all kids to spend some time with peers who don't have disabilities if we are going to follow the spirit and letter of the law." This item is available in full to subscribers. Attention subscribers We have recently launched a new and improved website. To continue reading, you will need to either log into your subscriber account, or purchase a new subscription. If you are a digital subscriber with an active subscription, then you already have an account here. Just reset your password if you've not yet logged in to your account on this new site. If you are a current print subscriber, you can set up a free website account by clicking here. Otherwise, click here to view your options for subscribing. Victor Diaz left his poverty-stricken existence in Honduras in 1992 for the United States and ended up in Richmond. He survived on temporary jobs in the underground economy until 1999, when the U.S. granted Temporary Protected Status against deportation to Hondurans because of the devastation caused by Hurricane Mitch. With a work permit and a drivers license, Diaz, 51, has held a job as a delivery truck driver for more than a decade, supporting his wife and three children. Now he may be headed back to the shadows because of President Trumps announcement Friday that he will revoke protections for Hondurans in January 2020, since the hardships from the hurricane no longer exist. Its hard to understand. We not do anything bad, Diaz said in an interview Monday as supporters of the program known as TPS held a news conference and rally on the steps of San Francisco City Hall. Twenty-five years here, I not have any troubles, Diaz said. I like to provide for my family. I help this economy. As San Francisco Supervisor Hillary Ronen put it at the news conference, Just when you think this president could not get any worse or do anything crueler... Honduras is the sixth country whose Temporary Protected Status Trump has canceled, with a total U.S. population of about 300,000. The others are El Salvador, Haiti, Nicaragua, Sudan and Nepal, all to be phased out this year or in the next two. TPS, established by a 1990 law, allows people fleeing catastrophic conditions in their homeland earthquakes in El Salvador, Haiti and Nepal; a civil war in Sudan; and the hurricane that devastated Honduras and Nicaragua to live and work in the U.S. under permits that can be renewed every 18 months. Presidents of both parties have previously re-approved protections for all nations on the list, citing new dangers and hardships in those countries. But the Trump administration reversed course last year when its homeland security secretaries John Kelly, then Elaine Duke and now Kirstjen Nielsen declared that the protections should be withdrawn, and the foreigners deported, once the original disaster and the problems related to it had ended. Supporters of the program said the president revealed his true motivation at a White House meeting in January when he referred to African nations and Haiti as shole countries. It was basically racist motives, Karl Kramer of the Northern California TPS Coalition said at the news conference. He said Honduras has never fully recovered from Hurricane Mitch and now is the poorest nation in Latin America, according to a United Nations report, and has one of the highest murder rates in the world. The U.S. bears considerable responsibility, Kramer said, because it supported the 2009 coup against the nations elected president, Manuel Zelaya, and has promoted destructive economic and military policies for the region. Jose Ramos left Honduras and a life of hardship in 1997, two years before the U.S. granted protection for immigrant Hondurans. TPS has allowed him to work legally as a unionized truck driver, making deliveries to San Francisco International Airport while living in South San Francisco. It has also enabled him to make periodic visits to his wife and two children, who are still in Honduras. It was hard to leave my family behind, Ramos, 54, said through an interpreter. He said he has now joined a campaign to try to persuade Congress to grant permanent legal residence to TPS recipients, but if its not successful, then Ill have to go back. Not Diaz, his fellow Honduran. No matter what happens politically, he said, I stay here. Sen. Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif., is sponsoring a bill that would give TPS recipients more-enduring protections, and a similar Democratic-sponsored measure has been introduced in the House. Drought Map Track water shortages and restrictions across Bay Area Check the water shortage status of your area, plus see reservoir levels and a list of restrictions for the Bay Areas largest water districts. Prospects for the legislation are slim in a Republican-controlled Congress. Multiple lawsuits also have been filed to challenge the revocation of the programs for all six nations, arguing that the administration has failed to explain its sudden departure from protections that have been supported by the U.S. for two decades. The lawsuits also argue that the administrations decisions were unconstitutionally based on racial prejudice. At Mondays event, about 15 supporters of protected status held banners and signs one reading Let Our People Stay on the City Hall steps, while speakers lamented the human costs of the administrations actions. Children of TPS recipients will have to choose between leaving the country, the only home they have ever known, or growing up without their mother and father, said Jose Mejia of the advocacy group Alianza National TPS. We are your neighbors, your co-workers and your friends. Ronen told the gathering that recipients are working hard, raising children, participating in our schools making our nation even better. Stand up to this president, she said. Stand up for immigrant communities. Bob Egelko is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: begelko@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @BobEgelko A long-standing homeless encampment in Oakland will be cleared out in the coming months as the city moves a portion of the population there into a publicly owned lot outfitted with Tuff Sheds. With an estimated 100 inhabitants, the homeless camp is one of the largest in the city, covering the sidewalks and some lanes of traffic along 27th Street, Northgate Avenue and Sycamore Street. In recent months, several people living there were hit and killed by cars exiting the nearby Highway 980. One man died in his hand-built shack in February when it caught fire. City officials say the situation is untenable, and they are offering temporary housing in the Tuff Sheds for 40 people two to each shed. Ten are expected to move into the so-called Northgate Community Cabins on 27th Street this week or next, officials said. Mayor Libby Schaaf said the program was almost entirely privately financed, with funding from Kaiser Permanente, Sutter Health and the Oakland Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce. Caltrans, which owns the lot, is leasing it to the city for up to two years. Once we have invited people into the Tuff Shed shelters, we will not allow re-encampment by new unsheltered residents, Schaaf said Monday while touring the site. This will become a no-camping area, and we will maintain it as a clean and clear area so that people can use the sidewalks and roads in safety. Joe DeVries, assistant to the city administrator, acknowledged that those who dont initially have a spot will likely shuffle elsewhere in the city once the camps are cleared. Now Playing: Oakland officials tour new Tuff Shed site in West Oakland, with space for 40 homeless people Video: SFChronicle DeVries said more people want to move into the Tuff Sheds than space allows. The first 10 were chosen because they have lived at the encampment the longest, and the next 30 spots will go to those with the greatest needs. Kevin Greene, 38, whos been living on Northgate Avenue for the past 10 months, will be among the first to move into what he called the studio cottages a step up from the current box he sleeps in. He said he will take whatever help hes offered. Greene said he wants to find a job working with his hands and was looking forward to the new living situation, but was concerned what would happen to a mass of bicycles and bike parts hes collected. He also didnt think clearing out the encampments would help. Theyre trying to make everybody leave, Greene said. Thats not going to work. All thats gonna do is make everybody go straight down to 23rd. The citys goal is to get the 40 participants into housing within six months while helping them find jobs and social services, then move additional homeless people into the sheds as others leave. Operation Dignity, a nonprofit that contracts with the city to provide meals and outreach to the homeless, will run the site. It will be the second one in Oakland, where the homeless population has surged in the past two years. The first Tuff Shed site at Castro and Sixth streets, also managed by Operation Dignity, has moved eight of its 51 participants into housing since it opened six months ago. Fifteen of them found jobs. The prefab storage sheds are an upgrade from the first set. The new ones have foam insulation, two sets of windows, ramps for people with disabilities, lounging chairs, plus low-voltage electricity for lamps and phone charging. Michael Pyatok, an architect who helped build the units, said he intentionally staggered the sheds so there wouldnt be a feel of regimentation in straight rows. Drought Map Track water shortages and restrictions across Bay Area Check the water shortage status of your area, plus see reservoir levels and a list of restrictions for the Bay Areas largest water districts. A curtain can be erected inside the 120-square-foot shed to give each of the two inhabitants privacy. Lava Mae, the nonprofit that converted old buses into mobile hygiene units, will be at the site twice a week so residents can shower and wash their pets. There are smoke detectors, fire extinguishers, toilets, wash stations, an area for visitors, old shipping containers for property storage and a big canopy for people to gather under. The site will also have security and a social worker. Sobriety from alcohol and drugs is not required, so long as their use isnt creating a hazard or harming other people, DeVries said. A code of conduct prohibits theft, weapons, violence, hoarding, smoking and other behavior. The mayor said the clearing of the homeless camps will take time. It will be a slow process, Schaaf said. We are trying to respect peoples dignity and not just move the problem to somebody elses neighborhood or somebody elses sidewalk. Kimberly Veklerov is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: kveklerov@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @kveklerov San Francisco Mayor Mark Farrell is expected to issue an executive order Tuesday aimed at organizing and accelerating the citys ability to respond to an economic recession. Our task is clear: prepare now, while times are relatively good, so that we can be resilient when times are tougher, Farrell said in his directive. Taking the hard lessons learned after the national economic downturn of 2008, which resulted in painful cuts to city services and the loss of some 40,000 local jobs, Farrells directive calls for the formation of an economic oversight board that will closely monitor economic conditions at the local, state and national levels. That board will consist of the city controller, the citys chief economist, the city administrator, the mayors budget director and the director of the Office of Economic and Workforce Development. If warning signs of a recession begin to surface like rising levels of mortgage defaults, spikes in unemployment insurance claims or a slumping stock market the board will provide notice to the mayors office and city lawmakers describing any policies or programs that could help counteract an economic downturn. No one is saying that the city of San Francisco, acting by itself, can stop a recession from happening, said Ted Egan, the citys chief economist. Its about using the resources we have in the most thoughtful way possible to minimize the impacts on people. In September, the citys Office of Economic and Workforce Development will present its first round of plans to combat the effects of a recession. Todd Rufo, the offices director, said one of the most important things the city can do is to line up a number of shovel-ready public works and infrastructure projects that the city can use to take advantage of state or federal economic stimulus money while putting San Franciscans to work. Farrells order is guided largely by the results of a economic resiliency study commissioned by former Mayor Ed Lee in 2016. The study sought to model what could happen in the event of a national economic downturn, as well as a more localized recession catalyzed by a downturn in the tech industry, which has been directly or indirectly responsible for 80 percent of the citys job growth over the past 10 years. Dominick Fracassa Last chance: San Francisco mayoral candidate Angela Alioto said Monday shes planning to take the city to court after the Ethics Commission voted to block her from participating in the citys public financing program, which provides mayoral candidates with up to $975,000 to offset the costs of campaigning. Liz Hafalia / The Chronicle Last week, Aliotos campaign failed to qualify for public financing money for the fourth time. In April, the Ethics Commission granted Alioto another chance to apply for the program, but with the condition that it would be her campaigns final opportunity. To qualify for public financing money, mayoral candidates have to prove theyve raised $50,000 in campaign contributions from at least 500 city residents in amounts of between $10 and $100. A letter sent to Aliotos campaign from the commissions director, LeeAnn Pelham indicated that 8 percent of the contributions Alioto submitted were ineligible to count toward her qualification, mostly because of insufficient documentation verifying that they came from San Francisco residents. On Monday, Alioto requested one more day to provide the commission with the necessary documents and qualify for the public financing program. Commissioners Quentin Kopp and Paul Renne voted to grant her the extension, but they were defeated by commissioners Daina Chiu, Yvonne Lee and Noreen Ambrose. All of the other leading candidates in the mayors race London Breed, Jane Kim and Mark Leno have qualified for the public financing program. Alioto also blamed her previous problems on a glitch in the third-party software program called Netfile that the Ethics Commission uses to process campaign finance filings. The program, the campaign claims, was omitting information from Aliotos filings when the campaign submitted them. Alioto said the glitch forced her staff to waste precious time verifying contribution information and that Pelham had knowingly withheld information about the problem. Alioto went as far as to accuse Pelham and her staff of fraud, a claim that she said will be an important part of arguments in court. Drought Map Track water shortages and restrictions across Bay Area Check the water shortage status of your area, plus see reservoir levels and a list of restrictions for the Bay Areas largest water districts. If you would like to go to court on these causes of action, I dont back away from anything, Alioto told the commission. She said she plans to file a writ that would order the city to disburse the public financing money she believes shes owed. OK, everybody, off to the next fight, Alioto told a small gathering of supporters after the commissions vote. Dominic Fracassa Short tenure: Less than a month after his appointment to the San Francisco Ethics Commission, former judge and federal prosecutor Kevin Ryan has stepped down, citing private family reasons. City Attorney Dennis Herrera appointed Noreen Ambrose, a longtime deputy city attorney who retired last year, to take Ryans place. Ambrose started on the Ethics Commission at its scheduled hearing on Monday. Ambrose spent 35 years with the city attorneys office, where she served in a variety of capacities, including as the general counsel of the Port Commission and later for the Public Utilities Commission. Last year, the Board of Supervisors commemorated her contributions to the city by naming June 16 as Noreen Ambrose Day in San Francisco. Dominick Fracassa Email: cityinsider@sfchronicle.com, dfracassa@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @sfcityinsider, @dominicfracassa Google CEO Sundar Pichai on Tuesday pledged his company will move forward with its technology responsibly, as more consumers are voicing their concern about how their data get shared online and their addiction to apps. We are in an important inflection point in computing, and its exciting to drive the technology forward, Pichai told thousands of developers gathered at an outdoor theater on the companys Mountain View campus. Its made us even more reflective of our responsibilities. The three-day conference, known as Google I/O, is an annual event for developers that this year drew more than 7,000 people. At past events, Pichai has expressed enthusiasm for a world in which artificial intelligence and machine learning propel the company forward and help solve global problems. Now, tech leaders, including Pichai, are taking a more muted tone, particularly in the wake of a backlash about huge companies collection and distribution of peoples data. Pichai said there are very real and important questions being raised about the impact of advances in artificial intelligence. We feel a deep responsibility to get this right, he added. Pichai outlined ways Google intends to help consumers contain their digital lives. An Android operating system update this fall will show people how much time they spend on specific apps and allow them to set time limits. A Do Not Disturb mode could automatically be triggered if a consumer places a phone facedown, muting incoming calls or notifications. People who have trouble disconnecting before they go to sleep can set a time when their phones screen turns gray, which could deter their behavior. This week, YouTube, the video service owned by Google, will roll out a feature that can remind users to take a break from viewing online videos. We want to help you understand your habits and focus on what matters, Pichai said. Gene Munster, a managing partner at venture firm Loup Ventures, noted that while Google addressed how it would handle questions about the addictive nature of phones, the company stayed away from discussing concerns about data privacy a predominant concern in the wake of revelations that data from tens of millions of unwitting Facebook users were obtained by a consulting firm called Cambridge Analytica with ties to Donald Trumps presidential campaign. The tech narrative pendulum has swung from new services to privacy and control, and Google today was heavy on control and largely avoided the privacy topic because they did not want to step in something, Munster said. Some consumer advocates also said Googles efforts are not enough, especially when it comes to privacy concerns. Google makes most of its money through advertising that is targeted at users based on the information they share such as their location and search history. This is merely window dressing as Google continues to spy on children who use YouTube and invade our privacy when we use its mobile services, said Jeffrey Chester, executive director for the Center for Digital Democracy. Chester said he would like to see Google have an independent outside audit of its data practices to identify the extent of the information Google collects and how it is used. Google pointed to tools it already has in place to protect privacy, such as allowing users to see and delete the history of their activity on Google, including websites they have visited. Google also has parental controls that can restrict content. Privacy and security will always be a top priority for us and well continue improving our protections as our products evolve, the company said in a statement. Air Quality Tracker Check levels down to the neighborhood Ratings for the Bay Area and California, updated every 10 minutes Other tech companies have also been touting their social responsibility credentials especially Facebook, which is trying to move past the Cambridge Analytica scandal. At Facebooks developer conference last week, CEO Mark Zuckerberg spoke about how the social network can be used for good, for example, by raising money for causes or meeting like-minded people, including romantic partners. He also talked about data-protection actions his company is taking in the wake of the scandal. Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella also chimed in, writing on LinkedIn on Monday, We need to ask our ourselves not only what can computers do, but what should they do? Pichai emphasized the potential uses of Googles artificial intelligence technology in health care for example, how the company is using artificial intelligence to help doctors to predict diabetic retinopathy, an eye disease that could lead to blindness in patients. Google is also looking into using images of the eye to determine whether people are at risk for heart disease. Google also said Tuesday that it will run tests this summer to see how its digital assistant can handle conversations that arrange hair appointments and restaurant reservations. In addition, Google Maps will allow friends to share places they want to eat, and vote on their choices through the app. But a good chunk of Pichais talk, which opened the conference, was spent on consumers overall digital practices. Google says more than 70 percent of consumers say they want help striking the balance on their technology use. Sameer Samat, a Google vice president of product management, recalled a time when his partner placed Samats phone in a hotels safe and said he wouldnt get it back until after their vacation. After a few hours without his phone, it became easier to disconnect, Samat said. Helping people with their digital well-being is more important to us than ever, Samat said during his presentation on usage controls. Wendy Lee is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: wlee@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @thewendylee Can speaking with a Google Home make you more demanding? Some parents have expressed concern about this, worried that their children could become bossy by commanding the speaker to do things like play music. So Google is trying to address this with a new feature called Pretty Please, Scott Huffman, a vice president of engineering at Google, told a developer conference in Mountain View on Tuesday. Now, Google Home will give positive vocal reinforcement when kids say please. This will be an option for users later this year. There isnt much research available yet on the impact smart speakers will have on children. For example, the highly regarded American Academy of Pediatrics guidelines on technology for small children do not include specific information about interactive voice devices like Google Home or the Amazon Echo. Though the feature is called pretty please, kids will just have to say please. Wendy Lee is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: wlee@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @thewendylee In a room where Pacific Gas and Electric Co. personnel used to monitor the electricity grid, analysts now watch day and night for fire. Maps glowing on a wall before them show fire threat levels for a broad swath of Northern and Central California, using a computer model fed by weather stations. The color-coded maps stretch out days in advance, with estimates for how conditions will change. Green equals low danger; red, high; glaring purple, extreme. Satellite imagery shows clouds wheeling over the state. Other screens can display wind speeds or temperatures from locations throughout PG&Es territory, or the latest updates on active wildfires from state or federal authorities. The utilitys new Wildfire Safety Operations Center, part of PG&Es response to the devastating Wine Country fires in October, will be staffed 24 hours a day, seven days a week throughout fire season. Even if no ones quite sure when Californias fire season begins and ends anymore. Its taking the weather and other data and turning it into action, said Kevin Dasso, PG&Es vice president of electric asset management. We need to be ready for whatever. PG&E does not yet have an estimate for how much the center, once fully staffed, will cost. It occupies a room within the companys San Francisco headquarters with stunning views of the bay, although the analysts face away from the panorama, toward a wall of screens. The facility will not replace the utilitys existing weather forecasting center in San Ramon, even though some functions will overlap. Although the meteorology center has for years helped guide PG&Es preparations for winter storms, and has also predicted fire conditions, the company wanted a new facility focused solely on fires. If a major fire erupts, the new facility also will not take the place of PG&Es standard emergency operations center, which is in an adjacent building and also handles such crises as earthquakes. But in addition to monitoring fire conditions, the center will coordinate several new fire-prevention steps that PG&E has, since October, committed to take. For example, the centers supervisors will help deploy crews from Capstone Fire & Safety Management, a private company. Two-person Capstone crews driving small fire engines will accompany PG&E field workers in areas where fire threats are deemed to be high, particularly when the utilitys employees are performing tasks, like welding, that could spark flames. PG&E has five Capstone crews in place now, with another 20 expected by June. Their purpose is to be out there with our crews to protect our assets and our personnel, said Evermary Hickey, PG&Es director of emergency preparedness and response. They can take immediate action if theres something that gets sparked, or if theres a fire nearby. A new network of weather stations mounted on power poles will send a steady stream of data to the center, monitoring temperature, humidity, and wind speed and direction. PG&E has installed six of the stations so far, plans to have 40 to 50 in the field by July and wants 200 deployed by the end of the year. In times and places of heightened risk, the center will also take live reports from observers PG&E will send into the field. Air Quality Tracker Check levels down to the neighborhood Ratings for the Bay Area and California, updated every 10 minutes You can say theres 40 mile-an-hour winds, but what does that do? Hickey said. It doesnt always do something, but if theyre seeing a lot of trees moving, branches are falling off, we want to know that. And should the fire forecast call for extreme conditions such as high winds and ultra-low humidity the centers supervisors will raise the question of whether the utility needs to switch off some of its power lines rather than risk a spark. Although the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection has yet to name a cause for any of the fires that tore through Northern California last fall, killing 45 people, power lines blown by a fierce wind storm are widely considered to be a strong possibility. PG&E has held more than 50 meetings with local officials, trying to hammer out a protocol for switching off lines in advance and warning customers about the blackout to come. Its a different concept, Dasso said. People are not used to the idea that we would de-energize lines without anything having happened. David R. Baker is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: dbaker@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @DavidBakerSF The race for the states top schools job has long followed a familiar pattern: A state legislator, anointed by the Democratic establishment and the teachers unions, faces off against political outsiders who want to bust up the Sacramento status quo. This years election for state superintendent of public instruction sticks to that trend with Assemblyman Tony Thurmond facing three challengers, including main contender, Marshall Tuck. The two candidates with the most votes on June 5 will face off in November, unless one gets more than 50 percent of ballots cast. The superintendent oversees the state Department of Education, which administers the $93 billion education budget. The superintendent also sits on the governing boards for the University of California and California State University systems, and for the teachers pension fund, the California State Teachers Retirement System. Tuck and Thurmond are Democrats, but they come at public education from different angles. Thurmond, who represents Richmond, touts his political insider status as a strength, saying his relationships with state and national elected officials would allow him to increase funding for schools and address Californias teacher shortage and a pension crisis pushing school districts to the financial brink. The superintendent has to know how to work with the Legislature, the governor, local superintendents and the congressional delegation to get things done, Thurmond said. The East Bay politician is just finishing his first term in the Assembly, after serving on the Richmond City Council and West Contra Costa school board. I want to use all those experiences to champion issues, he said. I want to be fighting for kids every day, all the time. This is Tucks second run at the state superintendents office. In 2014, he challenged incumbent Tom Torlakson, a former state senator, coming close with nearly 48 percent of the ballots cast in his favor. Torlakson has served eight years in the role and will term out this year. Tuck lives in Los Angeles and most recently worked as an educator in residence at the nonprofit New Teacher Center, which addresses teacher retention. As in the last election, Tucks supporters include a short list of state elected officials, school board members from across the state and a long list of teachers, superintendents, charter school advocates and individuals associated with education reform groups. Labor support is lacking. The son of a teacher, Tuck has also been chief executive of the nonprofit Partnership for Los Angeles Schools, working with 18 struggling schools in the citys school district. He began his career in education as president of Green Dot Public Schools, a nonprofit organization that manages a chain of charter schools. We need real change in our schools, Tuck said, adding that hes worked extensively with both charter and traditional public schools. Our main opponent in this race is another example of a politician a city council member, school board member and state legislator. Tuck said he believes the state absolutely has to increase funding for schools and will fight hard to direct revenue from the legal cannabis industry into the education budget. Everyone always says more funding, but the question is why arent we doing it? he said. Why havent we dramatically increased it? COVID Resources Coronavirus Map Tracking COVID-19 cases across the Bay Area and California. He also wants to reverse a policy that allows school districts to give teachers raises with money designated to help English learners, economically disadvantaged students and foster children, saying the money needs to get to the children who need it most. Thurmond also wants to see more money flow into schools and said he will convene business leaders, educators and government officials to identify funding sources. Im willing to look at all options, he said. My sense is that for a state as large and complex as ours, its just been underfunded for decades. Its time for us to reconcile that. Both candidates said they will also prioritize the pension crisis, although they provided no specifics. The two additional candidates are Steven Ireland and Lily Ploski. As of this week, neither had raised the $5,000 minimum that would require campaign finance filings. Ploski is a financial awareness instructor for Upward Bound at Mills College and a former administrator at Solano Community College. On the ballot, Ireland identifies his profession as a parent. He owns SLIVideo TV, a television production company. Jill Tucker is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: jtucker@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @jilltucker The San Francisco Fire Department responded to a one-alarm fire Monday afternoon at Dragon Beaux (5700 Geary Blvd.), San Franciscos popular and arguably most recognizable dim sum destination. The restaurant was forced to close for the remainder of the day, and it remains closed until further notice. Dennis Leung, manager of Dragon Beaux, told Inside Scoop the incident was due to an equipment malfunction and that the closure is temporary. Thankfully nobody got hurt. We should be trying to open for lunch or dinner soon he said. Dragon Beaux addressed the incident on its Facebook page: Due to a small electrical issue, we will be closed for the next few days until further notice. We apologize for the inconvenience. According to the San Francisco Fire Departments official Twitter account, firefighters arrived at the restaurant at 3:30 p.m. on Monday. The situation was under control by 4 p.m., according to the department. There was no actual fire, but there was smoke in the dining room. Our custom dim sum stove wasnt releasing heat through its exhaust the way it should have been, Leung said. The smoke got into the walls a bit. To ensure the building was safe to occupy, Leung said the fire department had to open areas of the walls in the restaurant to assess smoke damage. As a result of the work, Leung said Dragon Beaux may have to close a section of its dining room for the foreseeable future. Dragon Beaux is the brainchild of Willy Ng and Jenny Huang of Koi Palace. The team plans to expand to to Ghirardelli Square with a new high-profile project named Palette (like an artists palette). The restaurant is taking over the former restaurant space occupied by celebrity chef Jonathan Waxman. Food Guide Top 25 Restaurants Where to eat in the Bay Area. Find spots near you, create a dining wishlist, and more. If theres one thing Dragon Beaux represents in 2018, its the influence of photo-centric social media platforms have on the world of dim sum. Chronicle food columnist Jonathan Kauffman described last week how because of its colorful and eclectic soup dumplings, like the ones in its Five Guysxiao long bao, Dragon Beaux is a the forefront of dim sums Instagram evolution. Stay tuned for reopening updates. Dragon Beaux: 5700 Geary Blvd, (415) 333-8899 or dragonbeaux.com Justin Phillips is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: jphillips@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @JustMrPhillips Posted Tuesday, May 8, 2018 10:00 am The James River Natural Arch (a.k.a. The Hootentown Arch, a.k.a. The Inman Arch) had become a popular sightseeing attraction by the latter part of the 1800s. After the photographed visit by Hurley residents on an Easter Sunday in the 1890s, the next documented-by-photograph group of visitors to the arch occurred in 1904. According to historian Wayne Glenn, the photo, taken by professional photographer R. E. Hinchey, was to be used by the FRISCO Railroad. The FRISCO put out promotional brochures on the Ozarks in an attempt to get folks to travel by train to this region and enjoy the natural beauty. Hinchey apparently worked for FRISCO because he worked out of a photo studio train car parked on a side track at Ozark for some time. Deciding the arch would make a great photo for one of the brochures and needing people in the picture, Hinchey arranged for a Sunday school class from Nixa to visit the arch for a photo session, according to Eloise Flood, whose grandmother, great-aunt and great-uncle are in the photo. In a number of buggies, the group took the long ride from Nixa to the arch after church Sunday, Aug. 14, 1904, and posed for the photograph. Eloise Floods great-aunt and great-uncle in the photo are the children of James J. Faught. One of the early settlers in the village that would become Nixa, Faught owned a general store where the first U.S. Post Office was set up. Since the village did not yet have an official name, the post office was called Faughts and the village was as well. The arch was well on its way to becoming a spot for visiting, picnicking and sightseeing. With the advent of automobiles, that traffic would only increase. The arch showed up in the Springfield Leader and Press in the May 3, 1959, issue with an aerial photograph of the structure taken by Betty Love. She was a pioneer woman newspaper photographer and reporter Hank Billings was a pilot. Together, they made lots of flights snapping pictures from the air of Springfield and MOzarks landmarks. The short article that accompanied Loves photo of the arch from above mentions that at that time, A rope lashed to a tree at one end of the bridge (arch) will allow explorers to lower themselves inside the cleft to where they can gaze up at the arch. At that time, the land that included the arch was owned by Mrs. Floyd Wilson of Ivanhoe, California, who was a granddaughter of Aaron Flood and who had inherited the property. In the May 25, 1959, issue of the Springfield newspaper, in her regular column, Over the Ozarks, Lucile Morris Upton (who wrote the first book on the Bald Knobber vigilantes) included a correspondence on the arch. The letter was from Mrs. T.R. Welsh, (maiden name, Annie E. Young) of Golden City, who had taught at the Inmon School in 1901 when she was 17. The school was located about a mile from the arch and must have been named after John Inmon, who owned the farm across the river from the arch. Mrs. Welsh recalled that she had visited the arch once or twice before teaching at Inmon School, and again several times while teaching there. According to her, there was a story that a woman tried to commit suicide by jumping off the arch. I believe they said she landed on some bushes and survived. If that local story is true, it may have been the first case of someone falling or intentionally jumping off the arch. There would be more. The arch is mentioned in a letter to the Springfield Leader and Press on May 18, 1969, but the letter writer from Kirbyville is merely asking how to get to the arch. The editor responded with directions from Mrs. Confrey White of the village of Jamesville, at the mouth of the Finley, which is also near the arch. The arch made the news again in a May 20, 1972, issue of the Leader and Press in a story headlined Friends Didnt Know Youth Fell Off Bluff. It said that a group of young people were there at the time when a 19-year-old Southwest Missouri State student fell from the arch. Apparently the young man, who survived the fall, lay calling for help for 35 to 40 minutes before another group from SMS heard him. The college student had to be carried on a back board down to the river to a boat, which then took him to a waiting ambulance downriver. The article stated that the ambulance left for Springfield at 11:30 p.m., so it was probably dark when the victim fell off the top of the arch. On May 5, 1975, a story in the Springfield Leader and Press is headlined Fall Survivor Holds Own: Woman Companion Fatally Hurt at James River. It recounts how a 21-year-old Republic woman fell to her death from the top of the arch. According to the story, witnesses said she was gathering twigs for a campfire when she stepped too close to the edge and screamed. A 24-year-old Republic man who was with her on the trip lunged to grab her and they both went over. The Stone County sheriff estimated that the couple fell some 130 feet. The arch property was still owned by Mrs. Wilson in California, and according to a sheriffs deputy, it had been posted no trespassing for a long time. On May 24, 1997, another story appeared in the News-Leader. It was headlined, Help sought to identify body of man. The lead sentence of the story is, The Stone County Sheriffs Department is trying to identify an apparent homicide victim: a man in his 20s whose body was found Friday morning under a natural bridge known as the arch. No follow-up story was found, and the May 24 article did not reveal whether the man was actually murdered at the site or fell. One thing is for sure: the James River Natural Arch is not the safest place to visit. Doing so is now prohibited by trespassing laws, which is a shame, because it is one of the true natural wonders of the MOzarks. San Franciscos popular Zuni Cafe, which won a James Beard Award on Monday for offering the countrys most outstanding restaurant service, has been sued for alleged violations of labor law twice in the past 10 months. In a lawsuit filed April 23 in San Francisco Superior Court, a former server complained of unpaid wages and overtime, failure to provide meal breaks and sick pay, and wrongful termination. The plaintiff, Gino Hadziomerovic, worked for Zuni for about 11 months during 2016 and is seeking $4,000 in damages. A trial date has not yet been set. The accusations in the April complaint bear a strong resemblance to those in a July 2017 lawsuit against Zuni Cafe, in which eight former bussers and dishwashers claimed that the business failed to provide meal or rest breaks and also withheld vacation pay. The 2017 lawsuit was filed by several employees who spent more than a decade at the restaurant, including Edgar Atoche, the lead plaintiff in the filing, who worked for the restaurant from 2002 to 2017. In an email on Thursday, Zuni Cafe owner Pilgrim said the allegations by Hadziomerovic were false and inaccurate. Mr. Hadziomerovic voluntarily resigned his employment with Zuni Cafe after working for less than a year. No one forced him to quit. During the time Mr. Hadziomerovic was employed by Zuni Cafe, he was provided all of his meal periods and rest breaks as required by California law, he was paid overtime at the appropriate overtime rate for all overtime hours worked, and he accrued paid sick leave hours in accordance with the San Francisco City ordinance and the California statute, Pilgrim said via email. He was also paid his hourly rate during his breaks, which is not required by California law. Every paycheck he received from Zuni Cafe was accurate and was itemized as required by Californias Labor Code. In both filings, the employees are said to have worked at least five or six days at the restaurant each week, with shifts often longer than eight hours without a break. The states labor code and Industrial Wage Commission prohibit employers from allowing employees to work five or more hours without a lunch break of at least 30 minutes. Hadziomerovic also claimed employees were required to arrive and be present at the workplace thirty minutes before their shift started, and they were not paid for that time. Unless equitable relief is granted, plaintiffs and others similarly situated will continue to be subjected to (Zuni Cafes) illegal conduct, the 2017 filing reads. Since opening in 1979, Zuni Cafe has been a standout on the Bay Area dining scene, serving as a neighborhood restaurant whose famous roast chicken and simple California cuisine appeal to locals and visitors alike. Drought Map Track water shortages and restrictions across Bay Area Check the water shortage status of your area, plus see reservoir levels and a list of restrictions for the Bay Areas largest water districts. Over the decades, critical acclaim has been frequent, especially from the James Beard Foundation. In 2003, Zuni Cafe was named the best restaurant in the country and its former chef, the late Judy Rodgers, was named the nations top chef in 2004. Mondays award for Outstanding Service is described by the Beard Foundation as honoring a restaurant that demonstrates high standards of hospitality and service. Pilgram defended Zuni Cafes track record of employment. Zuni Cafe has a long history of, and a reputation for, treating its employees fairly and compassionately, Pilgram said. Zuni Cafe works hard to provide its employees with fair compensation and treatment. Update, 5/10: This story has been updated to include Gilbert Pilgrams comments. Justin Phillips is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: jphillips@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @JustMrPhillips I was among the first people to walk under 800 weathered steel columns one for each county in which a documented lynching occurred. It was a heart-wrenching, soulful, and eye-opening experience. Seeing individual stories and the thousands of names of those whose lives were taken, I reflected on the immense pain inflicted on the families, friends, and communities of those killed and how our society tolerated such public brutality for so long. The new National Memorial for Peace and Justice in Montgomery, Ala., is a national treasure. It gives all Americans the opportunity to reflect, mourn, and learn from the horrors of lynching and its effects on our communities across America. Like many white Americans, I have ancestors who fought on both sides of the Civil War. When traveling through the South, I cant help but notice the hundreds of Confederate monuments in towns small and large, and notice the absence of memorials recognizing the atrocities committed in the name of white supremacy. My fathers ancestors came over on the Mayflower. My mother emigrated from Munich in the 1970s. That background has given me a unique perspective on how Germany and America have dealt with the darkest moments in their histories. When I visit my relatives in Bavaria, Im consistently struck by how open, intentional and forthright Germany is about the Holocaust. If you walk down the cobblestone streets of Berlin, youll notice golden bricks below your feet, marking the homes of Jewish families who were killed in the Holocaust. German children are taught extensively about the mass extermination of 6 million Jewish people in school, public events are held to never forget the violence of the Third Reich, and millions of people from all over the world visit Dachau, Auschwitz, and other concentration camps to see in detail the horrors of what occurred on that land. In America, we have a discomfort with confronting our painful history of slavery, lynching and a century of forced segregation. Walking through the new Montgomery memorial, I was struck by just how recent the era of mass lynching is. Along the wall lining the main hall in the memorial are a row of small black plaques that give a glimpse into where, why and by whom some of the murders were done. The last one reads, Robert Mallard, a prosperous farmer, was lynched near Lyons, Georgia, in 1948 for voting. Although critics of the memorial say that its simply dredging up distant history, most Americans are only a generation removed from the era of lynching. A visit to the memorial is particularly important in our current era of heightened racial tension. The shadow cast by slavery, lynching and segregation affects all Americans. It has particularly profound impact on the wealth and status of African American communities, and influences how all of us see our friends, neighbors, co-workers, bosses and politicians. The lack of trust between communities of color and police departments, major corporations like Starbucks and their customers, and the president and many minorities, must be understood in the context of the complicated story of race in America. If we are ever going to heal our divisions as a country, we have to begin by acknowledging the most painful moments of our past and understanding how our shared history has shaped us as a society. Bryan Stevenson, executive director of the Equal Justice Initiative and a lawyer who represents death row inmates, is the leading force behind the memorial. He has said, If I believe that each of us is more than the worst thing hes ever done, I have to believe that for everybody. I believe this extends to America itself. But forgiveness, justice and mercy require first confronting truths that many would like to forget. So take your children to see the National Memorial for Peace and Justice, and talk to them honestly about our nations past, just as my younger German cousins are taken to see the Holocaust Memorial in Berlin. Its not only the right thing to do, its patriotic. Ian Magruder is the former director of the San Francisco New Leaders Council and current director of partnerships at Landed, a San Francisco startup helping professionals afford to buy homes in expensive housing markets. Meet the Press host Chuck Todd conceded that in the past he has referred to the way Californians elect their leaders as this weird jungle primary. On Tuesday, Todd will be thrown into the middle of the jungle at a crucial moment in the gubernatorial campaign, as moderator of a candidates debate being televised statewide. It will probably be the last time voters get to see the top six candidates sharing a debate stage before the June 5 primary. The top two finishers in the primary will advance to the general election in November, regardless of their party affiliation. And that is a bit weird to some. I dont mean it like a negative, Todd told The Chronicles Its All Political podcast. Its unique. Its different. Watching Californias primaries from a distance gives Todd a bit of perspective on the system, which has been in place since 2011. With four Democrats and two Republicans fighting over overlapping slices of the voter pie, Todd said, neither party is having a debate over what (its identity) should be. Unlike what happens in other states, Todd believes it is harder to for a California candidate to make an argument that, Im your Republican. Or, Im your businessman. Or, Im your Libertarian. It makes it very tricky to campaign that way. Instead, he said, some candidates may highlight side issues to carve out a niche in the field. Todd wondered, for example, if former Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, a Democrat, would be pushing as hard for charter schools if he werent also trying woo some soft Republican support. Its understandable. The debate will take place at the California Theatre in San Jose from 6:30 to 8:00 p.m. It will be televised live on NBC Bay Area and on KSTS Telemundo 48. Radio station KQED-FM, channel 88.5, will also broadcast the debate live. Chronicle Editorial Page Editor John Diaz is one of the panelists who will question the candidates. Shortly after the debate ends, Diaz and Chronicle senior political writer Joe Garofoli will analyze the event on The Chronicles Facebook Live page. Joe Garofoli is The San Francisco Chronicles senior political writer. Email: jgarofoli@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @joegarofoli A student at San Ramon Valley High School in Danville drowned in the schools pool, officials said. Officials said that a staff member had found the boy in the pool around 1:51 p.m., pulled him out of the water and attempted to resuscitate him. The 15-year-old student was taken to a hospital, where police said he later died. The school was temporarily placed on lockdown as police investigated, but officials said students were expected to be released on time. OTHER NEWS: Man shoots gun in tow truck driver dispute in Caldecott Tunnel, CHP says Annie Ma is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: ama@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @anniema15 San Jose police opened fired on an armed teen suspected of invading a home over the weekend before leading officers on a brief chase through a residential neighborhood and hiding in a 55-gallon drum, authorities said Tuesday. Ezequiel Flores, 18, of San Jose, was uninjured in the police shooting. He was booked Sunday in Santa Clara Countys Main Jail on suspicion of robbery, burglary, possession of a loaded stolen firearm and brandishing a weapon in the presence of a peace officer, according to the San Jose Police Department. Officers originally responded to reports of a disturbance at 5:41 a.m. on the 500 block of South 10th Street. Two men allegedly armed with a handgun kicked the front door of the apartment down before fleeing. Officers were dispatched to the same location nearly an hour later at 6:52 a.m. on reports of an armed robbery and home invasion involving the same suspects, police said. Flores and a 17-year-old suspect reportedly attempted to flee the scene. Officers briefly lost sight of Flores after he climbed on top of a carport near the rear of the apartment and then hid in a 55-gallon drum while officers set up a perimeter to contain the area, police said. Authorities said one officer followed Flores onto the carport as he jumped down into the parking lot of a business on South Tenth Street, and as Flores climbed out of the drum the officer reportedly saw him gripping a handgun. The officer gave commands to Flores to drop the gun, police said, but he refused to drop the weapon. The officer then opened fire and Flores dove behind a catering truck to avoid being shot, police said. After the gunfire, more officers responded to the parking lot and gave Flores commands to drop his weapon. He was then taken into custody and transported to the hospital for a leg injury that likely occurred after jumping over a fence, police said. The second suspect, a minor whose name was not released, was found hiding in a nearby yard and taken into custody, police said. Following the arrests, the unidentified officer who shot at Flores was placed on paid administrative leave, which is standard protocol in officer-involved shootings. Sarah Ravani is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: sravani@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @SarRavani A veteran San Jose police officer filed a complaint Monday against the city and department alleging that he has been subject to harassment and discrimination because he is Lebanese American and Muslim. Officer Nabil Haidar joined San Joses police force in 1996. But since 9/11, he said, he has regularly experienced harassment and discrimination. In the complaint filed Monday, Haidar alleges that other San Jose police officers said things like, How many infidels are you planning to kill today? and joked about him being associated with ISIS and terrorist groups. After 21 years on the force, and receiving those racial comments, at some point there is a breaking point, Haidar told The Chronicle. He said the first breaking point came on Veterans Day in 2017, during a briefing where about 70 officers and 15 command staff members were present. The captain thanked the veterans present, and a sergeant allegedly interjected: Captain, you forgot to mention Nabil. He is an ISIS veteran. He was with ISIS for two years. Haidar attempted to address the comment after the meeting, he said, but officers kept joking and laughing it off. He then met with a crisis intervention team sergeant and was contacted by an internal affairs officer, according to the complaint. Nothing came out of an investigation, Haidar said. Gina Teeporten, a San Jose Police Department spokeswoman, declined to comment on specific allegations, but she said the complaint was unfair in its depiction of the forces overall culture. While we cannot comment on specific personnel matters or a pending lawsuit we have not yet reviewed, we can say that the statements made are an unfair characterization of this department, she said in a statement. In general terms, when an allegation like this is made they are dealt with quickly and, if valid, severely, Teeporten said. Our diversity is our greatest strength and evidence of how we value diversity is reflected in our policies, actions and initiatives both internally and in our community. Haidar alleges that the harassment continued through Jan. 15, 2018, when he was on the scene of a burglary in progress. Other officers made disparaging racial comments, he said, adding that he believes the San Jose Police Department has his body-worn camera footage of the incident. Haidar said he asked to transfer to a desk job in the Recruitment Unit that same day. I had to respond to a highly stressful situation and in the middle of it, I also had to make sure to look behind my back at officers in my own department, he said. Haidars complaint bears a striking similarity to a complaint lodged by a San Francisco police officer last month. The officer, a Muslim who emigrated from Afghanistan, told media that he was repeatedly harassed on the basis of his race and religion. He also alleged that fellow officers made disparaging comments and jokes about ISIS, bombs and terrorism. The officer who asked the media to withhold his identity said he sought an internal investigation and nothing had come of it. Filing the complaint with the city is the first step toward litigation, said Haidars attorney, Randall Strauss. San Jose officials now have 45 days to accept or reject the claim. Its a rare event for an entity to accept a claim, so as a matter of course I assume theyll reject it, Strauss said. We are then permitted to pursue litigation in court. Haidar is seeking damages upwards of $6 million. All Im asking is for accountability, he said. I want them to accept the facts, that these things happened. I would like to have the chief to enforce policies which already exist. Adnan Rasheed, a San Jose police community advisory board member who has worked to strengthen department ties with the local Muslim community, said he expects the department to thoroughly investigate the matter. Its sad to hear Mr. Haidars allegations, Rasheed wrote in an email. I know that the department prides itself on continuing to proactively produce officers that are respectful and professional. I am certain the department will work to investigate these claims and make any necessary changes from there. Sophie Haigney is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: sophie.haigney@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @SophieHaigney Silicon Valley billionaire and Donald Trump supporter Peter Thiel has emerged as an unlikely player in the international debate over Irans nuclear deal with six world powers. Thiels big-data engine, Palantir Technologies, is at the heart of the International Atomic Energy Agencys system for verifying Irans compliance with the landmark 2015 agreement, according to officials familiar with the program. The accord lifted years of punishing sanctions on the Islamic Republic in exchange for curbs on its ability to develop nuclear weapons. Trumps scrapping of the accord Tuesday not only angered the other signatories China, Russia, Germany, France and Britain but it also is expected to hamstring the atomic energy agencys sophisticated ability to track the use of uranium in Iran and around the world, according to Ernest Moniz, who helped negotiate the deal as energy secretary. We have a completely unique and unparalleled intrusive verification regime that was not there before the agreement, Moniz said on PBS ahead of Trumps announcement. The No. 1 downside is that we lose this regime. French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Angela Merkel urged Trump not to scupper the accord during recent visits to Washington. Macron warned over the weekend that abrogation by the U.S. could lead to war. Palantir has spent years modifying its predictive-policing software for inspectors at the agency, which was founded in 1957 to promote the peaceful use of nuclear energy. The tool is at the analytical core of its new $50 million Mosaic platform, turning databases of classified information into maps that help inspectors visualize ties between the people, places and material involved in nuclear activities, agency documents show. That sets up Palantir, which Thiel and his partners built with CIA funding, as the method of choice for assessing the documents that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu claims to have detailing Irans secret efforts to build a bomb. While experts say Netanyahu revealed little new, parties involved want the 55,000 files and 183 CDs, which he says Mossad agents stole in Tehran, vetted through the atomic energy agency. The dirty or unstructured data obtained by Mossad, which prides itself on deception, could serve as a stress test for Palantirs nuclear analytics. Even a small amount of false information could cause a flurry of unnecessary snap inspections, said Ali Vaez, a former Federation of American Scientists official who runs the International Crisis Groups Iran Project. Turning the access issue into a gotcha exercise might very well be the ulterior motive, Vaez said. The more the issue appears as a fishing expedition, the harder it will be for Iran to open its doors to inspectors. Iran refuted Netanyahus allegations, calling his presentation, which was carried live by American cable news networks, cartoonish. However, Trumps issue with the deal isnt compliance the agency has certified Irans work 10 times its that it doesnt address the countrys missile program or regional actions. Palantirs role at the atomic energy agency, which has access to information that governments dont, has come under increasing scrutiny since the company revealed a workers misuse of Facebook data in March, according to diplomats and international officials. Also of concern for an international agency known for its independence are Thiels close personal ties to Trump, these people said. Thiel, a PayPal co-founder and early Facebook investor, dined at the White House with Trump and the Israeli-born co-chief executive officer of Oracle Corp., Safra Catz, just hours after the president spoke with Netanyahu about Iran on April 4. A deputy White House press secretary, Lindsay Walters, declined to comment on what was discussed at the dinner. Palantir also declined to comment. An atomic energy agency spokesman said that its data-mining program operates in a secure environment and within its existing legal framework. Palantirs software helps the agency plan and justify unscheduled probes, which have totaled 60 in Iran since the agreement came into force in 2016. The amount of information available to inspectors that Palantir can process has jumped thirtyfold in three years to an estimated 400 million digital objects around the world, including social media feeds and satellite photographs inside Iran. These enhanced investigative abilities, which are inextricably linked with the Iran deal, have raised concern that the agency may overstep the boundary between nuclear monitoring and intelligence-gathering. Historically, inspectors from the agency have worked more like atomic accountants, tracking stockpiles of fissile material to ensure it isnt diverted for weapons. But new methods of inspection from Palantirs analytics to mass spectrometry have turned them into potential cybersleuths. Russias envoy for nonproliferation issues, Vladimir Yermakov, said last month that the growing powers of the atomic energy agency are justified only if the safeguards system remains objective, depoliticized, technically credible, clear to the member states and based on rights and obligations. Other countries are also starting to worry about the the agencys expanding arsenal of surveillance tools. The Non-Aligned Group, which includes Brazil and India, said the agencys integrity and credibility are at stake. Of equal concern is the false data that predictive-analysis systems like Palantirs can generate either by accident or design, according to Andreas Persbo, who runs Vertic, a London company that advises governments on verification issues. You will generate a false return if you add a false assumption into the system without making the appropriate qualifier, Persbo said. Youll end up convincing yourself that shadows are real. Jonathan Tirone is a Bloomberg writer. Email: jtirone@bloomberg.net The battled but not dead Islamic State group (ISIS) has claimed credit for the killing of Farouq Mohammad Zarzour, a candidate for May 12 parliamentary elections in Iraq. The terror group said, according to press reports, that it killed Sunday the university lecturer of Tikirt University because he was an atheist. Conflicting reports say ISIS operatives stabbed the professor in his house in the village of al-Lazzaga. Other media reports indicate that Zarzour was shot dead. The jihadists, one relative of the victim told Chinese news agency Xinhua, came in a group posing as supporters to visit the candidate of former Prime Minister Ayad Allawis Wataniya Coalition. The drama took place few days before May 12 elections; the first since the defeat of the terror group in Mosul in December. Despite losing strategic positions to the Iraqi army, the terror group still stages attacks which are aimed at distorting the electoral process. The group last month threatened in a message to attack polling stations, Middle East Eye reports. Oh Sunnis we know that the government of Rafida is on the verge of what they call elections, the spokesman Abu Hassan al-Muhajir was quoted as saying. Our judgment will apply to those who call for them and participate in them The voting centers and those inside them are targets for our swords, so stay away from them and do not walk nearby, he added. Rafida is a pejorative term for Shia. Iraq is largely Shia-populated. Zarzour, a day before his death, in a facebook post promised a strong government one that will take care of poor, families of martyrs, reconstruction and citizens. Niners linebacker Reuben Foster pleaded not guilty Tuesday to felony domestic violence and possession of assault rifle charges in connection with an incident in February involving his girlfriend, who has since recanted her statement. Foster, 24, also pleaded not guilty to felony charges for forcefully attempting to prevent a victim from reporting a crime and declined to waive his right to a speedy trial at the Hall of Justice in San Jose. A preliminary hearing was scheduled for May 17. On Feb. 11, Foster was arrested in Los Gatos after he allegedly dragged his girlfriend by the hair, physically threw her out of his house and punched her in the head at least eight times, reportedly puncturing her eardrum. The woman flagged down a strangers car on Shannon Road and asked the driver to call 911, according to the Santa Clara County district attorneys office. In April, Fosters girlfriend, Elissa Ennis, issued a statement through her attorney, Stephanie Rickard, recanting the allegations and saying she made up the story about Foster punching her repeatedly in an attempt to trash his career after Foster tried to break off the relationship. Rickard provided the district attorney with video evidence two weeks ago that the defense says will exonerate Foster. Neither the district attorney nor Fosters defense attorney, Joshua Bentley, have said what the video shows. Prosecutors are investigating the video and are likely working to authenticate it, said Steven Clark, a criminal attorney not affiliated with the case. The video submitted by the defense will likely be a centerpiece of the case, Clark added. Despite the video evidence, the case will continue to a preliminary hearing next week where prosecutors will lay out evidence against Foster and a judge will determine whether there is enough to go to trial. By declining to waive his right to a speedy trial, Fosters defense fast-tracked the hearing, putting pressure on prosecutors to build a solid case in a short amount of time, Clark said. Its something that the D.A. now needs to get going on and they will have to be ready for the preliminary hearing, including possibly calling the accuser to the stand and seeing if shes actually going to testify or will she take the Fifth Amendment against self-incrimination, Clark said. In addition to the felony charges, Foster was initially charged with a misdemeanor for allegedly having a high-capacity magazine for a SIG Sauer 516 short-barreled rifle. However, the misdemeanor charge was dropped because a federal judge in San Diego issued an injunction last summer against a California law that would ban the possession of gun magazines holding more than 10 rounds. The 49ers have not released any new statements regarding Fosters case, but general manager John Lynch said several weeks ago that the team would release Foster if hes found guilty of the charges. I do want to be very clear, abundantly clear, that if these charges are proven true, if Reuben did indeed hit this young lady, he wont be part of our organization moving forward, Lynch said. Sarah Ravani is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: sravani@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @SarRavani A former Contra Costa County jail guard pleaded not guilty Monday to charges of having sex with two female inmates. Patrick Morseman, 26, was charged Friday with four felony counts of sexual activity with a confined consenting adult, almost a month after his arrest. He faces up to five years in prison if convicted. Last month, one of the inmates told the San Francisco Chronicle that Morseman raped her. She and a fellow inmate, identified in court documents as Jane Doe 1 and Jane Doe 2, alleged that Morseman forced them to have sex and paid them to keep quiet. Scott Alonso, a spokesman for the Contra Costa County District Attorneys Office, said prosecutors considered these allegations and evaluated all of the evidence gathered by investigators. He stressed that the charges brought against Morseman do not allow for consent to be used as a defense. The D.A.s office charged what we could prove beyond a reasonable doubt to a judge and jury, Alonso said. Until recently, Morseman worked as a deputy with the Contra Costa County Sheriffs Office. A spokesman confirmed that he was no longer an employee with the office, but declined to provide a separation date or more details. Prosecutors say the crimes occurred March 31, when Morseman was assigned to the West County Detention Facility. He was arrested by the Contra Costa County Sheriffs Office on April 4 and was later released from jail on $100,000 bail. Megan Cassidy is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: megan.cassidy@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @meganrcassidy San Francisco Police Department / San Francisco Police Department A 23-year-old man suspected in a string of residential burglaries across three San Francisco neighborhoods in less than a week was arrested, police said Thursday. The suspected serial burglar, Evan Underwood, was arrested Wednesday at about 5:30 p.m. in the 300 block of Golden Gate Avenue in the Tenderloin, according to the San Francisco Police Department. My Catholicism is not your costume, raged some social media users perturbed by the 2018 Met Gala's religious theme. The annual fundraising effort hosted by Anna Wintour drew dozens of opulently dressed celebrities to the Metropolitan Museum of Art Monday night to celebrate the unveiling of the Costume Institute's new exhibit, "Heavenly Bodies: Fashion and the Catholic Imagination." The intentionally provocative theme is intended to contemplate "the role dress plays within the Roman Catholic Church and the role the Roman Catholic Church plays within the fashionable imagination," wrote Costume Institute curator Andrew Bolton in a preview of the exhibition. Bolton foresaw some "practicing Catholics might perceive fashions shown as indelicate or even offensive," but defended the curation as an exploration of the "significant influence" Catholicism has had on historical and contemporary fashion. SEE THE FASHION: Divine designs grace carpet at Met Gala Bolton's predictions materialized Monday night, with some Catholics and conservatives lambasting the theme and the celebrity interpretations of it as "cultural appropriation." "Imagine using my religion to do your fashion show... disgusting!" wrote one Twitter user. Conservative speaker Allie Beth Stuckey called the celebrity outfits "obviously sacrilegious." She echoed many on Twitter who questioned why gala attendees could wear Catholic imagery and not Muslim or Jewish symbols. In a Tuesday morning op-ed, "not the most devout (Catholic) you'll ever meet" Piers Morgan said the Met Gala "crossed a line and was openly, brazenly disrespectful." "Everyone knows they'd have never dared do it to Islam or Judaism," the conservative talk show host wrote. Cultural appropriation is typically interpreted as the act of adopting elements of a marginalized culture by members of the dominant culture. "Not happening here," said @RadRoopa, arguing Catholics historically "forced their religion on black/brown ppl all over the world - it's called colonialism." READ ALSO: Elon Musk steps out with new girlfriend Grimes at Met Gala The Vatican gave its permission to the Met and even lent the institute more than 40 garments and objects from its private collection. Archbishop of New York Timothy Cardinal Dolan waded into the internet bickering on Monday by reaffirming the Catholic Church's approval. "The Church and 'the Catholic imagination,' are all about truth, goodness, and beauty," he told reporters before the red carpet photo-op. He continued: "In the 'Catholic imagination,' the truth, goodness, and beauty of God is reflected all over... even in fashion." This year's Met Gala was co-chaired by Rihanna, Amal Clooney and Donatella Versace. All ticket proceeds they can cost upwards of $30,000 each support the independently funded Costume Institute. Michelle Robertson is an SFGATE staff writer. Email her at mrobertson@sfchronicle.com or find her on Twitter at @mrobertsonsf. United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has strongly condemned an attack this weekend on a village in the Nigerian province of Kaduna and underscored the need to hold the perpetrators to account. Those responsible must be swiftly brought to justice, said the Secretary-General in a statement released by his Spokespersons office on Monday. Guterres also expressed his continued concern over the persisting violence in the region and urged all actors to work together to bring peace and stability to the country. According to media reports, at least 51 people including children were killed in Saturdays attack on Gwaska village, located about 230 km, north-west of the capital, Abuja. Last month, 14 miners were reportedly killed in an attack by gunmen in the same area. The countrys north-east, meanwhile, has been facing a long-running Boko Haram insurgency that has claimed tens of thousands of lives and driven over two million people from their homes. Profit margins can be thin in San Francisco eateries, but one restaurateur has a plan for offsetting low revenue and high taxes opening a cannabis dispensary across the street. According to the Bay Area Reporter, Flore owner Terrance Alan has applied for a change of use permit to open Flore Store, the neighborhood's second dispensary. If approved, the pot shop would replace Gloss N' Glam (258 Noe Street between Market and Beaver). Alan co-owns the property with Flore minority owner J.D. Petras. Flore Store would sell recreational and medical marijuana, along with cannabis-infused products. Alan is also seeking to legalize an existing short-term residential hotel on the second floor. Planning documents show that the space is used for employees, visiting artists and performers, but has not been leased for more than 15 years. The Planning Commission will hear their proposal in July. We reached out to the nail salon to see if it plans to relocate, but did not receive a response. Alan and Aaron Silverman purchased Flore last year. Prior to that, he chaired San Francisco's Cannabis State Legalization Task Force and advised the city on how to regulate the industry under State Proposition 64. Cafe Flore currently operates an off-site kitchen in the back of 258 Noe which was approved with the help of then-Supervisor Scott Wiener in 2013. "The challenge of Flore is it isn't a business that makes sense. It doesn't make a lot of money," Alan told the Bay Area Reporter. "We just got hit with new increases in rent and taxes, so the Flore Store is a necessary adjunct to the survival of the Flore cafe." One of the changes Alan advocated as member of the legalization task force was reducing the required buffer zone between schools and dispensaries from 1,000 feet to 600 feet. The change made the property at 258 Noe Street eligible for being converted to a cannabis retail store. Previously, it had been within the 1,000-foot threshold of Everett Middle School at 450 Church Street. To set up the new shop, Alan has partnered with Jeff Linden, formerly of Medithrive, and John Wood, who will be the project manager at Flore Store. Alan recently presented the dispensary's concept at the Castro Merchants May meeting and the group gave its preliminary support, according to the Reporter. Along with changing the use of the space, Alan plans to alter the building's exterior, including bringing back an original brick facade currently covered by vinyl siding. Construction costs are estimated at $100,000 and the project is designed by San Francisco-based Levy Art + Architecture. If the change of use is approved in July, Alan plans to open the new cannabis retail store by late October or early November. [Update 5/8] In a statement to Hoodline, Gloss N' Glam's Mary Ann Nguyen said, "Our lease ends May 31st but we have been offered to stay another three months through August." "We would like to stay in the neighborhood and we're currently looking for another location in the Castro."Flore owners seek to open cannabis dispensary Mauritania will supply electricity to Mali up to 40 to 50 megawatts. This decision is the major result of a short visit Malian Prime Minister, Soumeylou Boubeye Maiga, paid to Nouakchott, on Monday. Soumeylou Boubeye Maiga, Malian Prime Minister, led a large delegation of his government, made a visit of a few hours in Mauritania that ended Monday afternoon. The Malian Prime Minister, who was leading a large delegation, discussed at a meeting with President Mohamed Ould Abdel Aziz the huge security challenges facing the Sahel region, the fight against terrorism and cross-border crime, as well as other issues of mutual concern. But the main result of this brief visit was the decision to supply Mali with electric power produced in Mauritania. Mauritanian Prime Minister, Yahya ould Hademine, who made the revelation at the end of a working session with the visiting Malian delegation also said that the two sides agreed on measures to facilitate the transport of goods destined for Mali from the port of Nouakchott. With a capacity of more than 300 megawatts, Mauritania has currently a production surplus, a source from the Mauritanian Electricity Company (SOMELEC) said. This energy supply should be done through the High Voltage Network of the Organization for the Development of the Senegal River, as is the case with Senegal, the source said. According to the SOMELEC source, the project to create a high-voltage Nouakchott-Dakar line is still relevant for transporting more energy. The Mauritanian side has obtained funding from the Arab Fund for Economic and Social Development (AFESD) for the construction of the section crossing its territory. DOUG MILLS/NYT WASHINGTON On a trip to Morocco last year, Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Scott Pruitt and his staff missed a connecting flight and spent more than 24 hours in Paris because his security details weapons and other gear couldnt be transferred between the planes in time, his former security chief told congressional staffers last week. Thats according to aides to the House oversight committee, which is investigating Pruitts pricey taxpayer-funded travel, including the use of premium seats by the embattled administrator and his security chief. Pasquale Nino Perrottas early retirement from EPA was announced shortly before he met with oversight committee staff. The aides spoke Tuesday on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to publicly. The owner and a manager at a lumber supply company in San Franciscos Dogpatch neighborhood have been charged with involuntary manslaughter and workplace safety violations in the 2016 death of an employee who was crushed by a forklift, prosecutors said Monday. Alfred Lee, owner of Good View Roofing and Building Supply Corp., and his manager, 44-year-old Alan Chan, were charged May 1 by the San Francisco district attorneys office in the death of 60-year-old forklift operator Hua Quing Ruan. Lee, 65, and Chan each face one count of involuntary manslaughter and three counts of causing an unsafe work environment resulting in death. They surrendered to police on Friday and were each released on $50,000 bail. Lee and Chan did not immediately return phone calls Monday. Ruan was killed just before 2 p.m. on Nov. 21, 2016, when his forklift tipped over at the bottom of a ramp leading from the companys loading dock. He had been descending the ramp with a bag of mortar mix on a wooden pallet to load into a customers car, when the bag fell off and blocked his front wheel, according to state workplace safety regulators at Cal/OSHA. When Ruan tried to back up to free the wheel, he rolled off the ramp, officials said. Prosecutors reviewed video evidence of the accident and determined Ruan tried to jump to safety as his forklift began tilting over, but just as he jumped, he was hit by the forklift and crushed. He was pronounced dead at the scene. Ruan was not wearing a seat belt, which investigators determined was a factor in his death. He was also not certified to operate the forklift, according to Cal/OSHA. Officials said the ramp was in violation of state workplace safety regulations because it should have had a curb to prevent the forklift from going over the side. When employers take workplace safety shortcuts, its employees that suffer, District Attorney George Gascon said in a statement. Life is far too precious to dispense with fundamental safety requirements. Lee and Chan are scheduled for arraignment in San Francisco Superior Court on June 5. Cal/OSHA cited Good View Roofing and Building Supply Corp. in April 2017 with six violations related to the death, seeking penalties of $62,320. Lee has appealed the citations. Evan Sernoffsky is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: esernoffsky@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @EvanSernoffsky WASHINGTON For President Donald Trump and two of the allies he values most Israel and Saudi Arabia the problem of the Iranian nuclear accord was not, primarily, about nuclear weapons. It was that the deal legitimized and normalized the clerical Iranian government, reopening it to the world economy with oil revenue that financed its adventures in Syria and Iraq, and support of terror groups. Now, with his announcement Tuesday that he is exiting the Iran deal and will reimpose economic sanctions on the country and firms around the world that do business with it, Trump is engaged in a grand, highly risky experiment. Trump and his Middle East allies are betting they can cut Irans economic lifeline and thus break the regime by dismantling the deal, as one senior European official described the effort. In theory, Americas withdrawal could free Iran to produce as much nuclear material as it wants what it was doing five years ago, when the world feared it was headed toward a bomb. But Trumps team dismisses that risk: Tehran doesnt have the economic strength to confront the United States, Israel and the Saudis. And Iran knows that any move toward breakout to produce a weapon would only provide Israel and the United States with a rationale for taking military action. It is a brutally realpolitik approach that Americas allies in Europe have warned is a historic mistake, one that could lead to confrontation, and perhaps to war. Whether that proves to be accurate or overwrought, it is clearly an example of Middle East brinkmanship that runs counter to what President Barack Obama intended when the nuclear deal was struck in July 2015 between John Kerry, then the secretary of state, and Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif of Iran. Obamas gamble in that deal the signature foreign policy accord of his eight years in office was straightforward. He regarded Iran as a potentially more natural U.S. ally than many of its Sunni-dominant neighbors, with a young, educated, Western-oriented population that is tired of being ruled by an aging theocracy. By taking the prospect of nuclear weapons off the table, Obama and Kerry had argued, the two countries could over time chip away at three decades of hostility and work on common projects, starting with the defeat of the Islamic State. It didnt turn out that way. While the deal succeeded in getting 97 percent of Irans nuclear material out of the country, Irans conservatives and its military recoiled at the idea of cooperating on any projects with the West. Months before it became clear that Trump had a decent shot at being elected, the Iranian military boosted its support for President Bashar Assad in Syria; it expanded its influence in Iraq and accelerated its support for terror groups. And it doubled down on deploying cyberattacks against targets in the West and in Saudi Arabia, embracing a weapon that was not covered by the nuclear accord. Then came Trump, with his declaration that the deal was a disaster and his vow to blow it up. Now, suddenly, the world may well be headed back to where it was in 2012: on a road to uncertain confrontation, with very little evidence of a Plan B, as Boris Johnson, the British foreign minister, said on a visit here. Exiting the deal, with or without a plan, is fine with the Saudis. They see the accord as a dangerous distraction from the real problem of confronting Iran around the region a problem that the Saudis believe will be solved only by regime change in Iran. They have an ally in John R. Bolton, the presidents new national security adviser, who shares that view. Israel is a more complicated case. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has pressed Trump to abandon an arrangement that he has always detested. But Netanyahus own military and intelligence advisers say Israel is far safer with an Iran whose pathway to a bomb is blocked, rather than one that is once again pursuing the ultimate weapon. As a last-minute lure to persuade Trump to pull the plug on the Iran deal, Netanyahu last week released Iranian documents, stolen from Tehran in January, that proved what Western intelligence agencies long knew: A decade ago or even longer, the Iranians were working hard to design a nuclear warhead. To Netanyahu, this was proof that Iran could never be trusted and that it had reached the nuclear deal under false pretenses by pretending it never had a weapons program. To Trump and his allies, the Israeli discovery said less about Iranian nuclear capability than it did about Iranian perfidy. Given evidence that Iran was preserving its bomb designs as a hedge for the future, the discovery suggested Iran has not given up its ambitions. As former Middle East negotiator Dennis Ross put it, someone needed to address the Israeli discovery lest they give the Iranians the ability to pick up quickly where they left off on weaponizing. And, given the danger that Iran would have the ability to move rapidly to a weapon in the year 2030, when the limits on enrichment are removed, the sunset issue needs to be addressed, said Ross, who was part of the Obama administrations first term, before the negotiations on the Iran deal began to take shape. At the core of Trumps announcement Tuesday is a conviction that Iran can never be allowed to accumulate enough material to assemble a bomb. When the Europeans said that would require reopening the negotiations, Trump balked and decided instead to blow up the entire deal. It was a classic Trumpian move, akin to the days when he would knock down New York buildings to make way for visions of grander, more glorious edifices. But in this case, it is about upsetting a global power balance and weakening a regime that Trump has argued, since he began campaigning, must go. This article originally appeared in The New York Times. No matter who's cutting the checks, Gillum may now have the cash to battle Democratic opponents Gwen Graham, Philip Levine and Chris King well into the summer. Kirby Wilson is the politics web producer at the Tampa Bay Times, a Miami Herald news partner. California Sen. Kamala Harris announced Monday she will boycott the UC Berkeley graduation, where she was supposed to deliver the keynote address, because of a labor strike. If we are going to live up to our ideals as a nation, its critical we focus on economic equality and economic justice, Harris tweeted. One key is making sure everyone has access to a good job, with fair wages, and safe working conditions. In a statement, Scott said: "My wife, Ann, and I join all other Floridians in mourning the loss of another Florida hero, Deputy William Gentry, whose life has now been senselessly taken We will not stand for anybody who hurts our law enforcement. San Francisco Police Chief Bill Scott is reportedly one of three finalists for the job of top cop in Los Angeles after being interviewed there last week. Scott made the cut as one of the finalists for chief after interviewing with the Los Angeles Police Departments civilian Police Commission, the Los Angeles Times reported, citing anonymous sources. @elizabethrkoh A top Democrat is calling on federal officials to conduct a thorough review of the states request to shorten the window for Medicaid retroactive eligibility, after demanding its application be corrected to reflect some senators concerns about what she called an "ill-advised" policy change. Incoming state Senate Democratic Leader Audrey Gibson wrote a letter Monday to the administrator of the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, criticizing the states decision to save money by shortening how long non-pregnant adults can retroactively qualify for Medicaid coverage. Gibson also criticized the state Agency for Health Care Administrations application for saying it was not aware of any concern or opposition raised by any member of either party during budget talks. State lawmakers approved a budget in the final days of the legislative session which authorized shortening the current 90-day period those patients can retroactively have medical bills covered under Medicaid after they apply. The current policy allows eligible patients under Medicaid to have recent medical expenses covered and ensures facilities are paid for services they provide. The proposed change, which must be approved by the federal government, would shorten that period to up to 30 days within the month that eligible patients apply for Medicaid coverage. The state agency estimated the change would save about $98 million and could impact about 39,000 people. In its application to the federal government, the agency's Deputy Secretary for Medicaid Beth Kidder wrote that because the change does not alter any qualifying criteria, provider rates or benefits, the change "cannot accurately be described as a 'cut.'" But opponents say it is just that, questioning the state's estimates and saying the new 30-day policy could harm patients who might miss the application window and be forced to bear high medical costs, as well as leave facilities with unpaid bills and pressure to submit applications more quickly. Gibson, in her letter, called on the agency to conduct a thorough review of grossly shortening retroactive eligibility for life-saving medical care. The policy, if approved... will saddle senior citizens, veterans, those with disabilities, and all of their families, with massive medical debt even able-bodied individuals would find impossible to pay, she wrote. She also objected to the agency's assertion it was unaware of any objections from legislators during the budget discussion. Some Democratic senators including Sens. Kevin Rader, D-Delray Beach, and Jose Javier Rodriguez, D-Miami questioned how patients with sudden traumatic injuries might be affected in budget talks and on the Senate floor. The Jacksonville senator first issued a press release Friday afternoon calling on the agency to issue a correction, which prompted Agency Secretary Justin Senior to call her that night and say changes would be made, she said in a statement. In justifying its request, the Agency for Health Care Administration (AHCA) falsified the record of events preceding the state legislatures approval of the change during the debate over the upcoming state budget, Gibson wrote Monday. AHCA spokeswoman Mallory McManus said the agency wrote it was not aware of concerns as no Senators contacted our Agency to ask questions or raise concerns." She said the agency would share Gibsons comments with federal officials Monday but declined to clarify if it was submitting those comments as a correction. At the end of the day this was part of a budget that was passed by both the Florida House of Representatives and Senate, and is legislatively mandated, McManus said. If the request is approved, Florida would join four other states including New Hampshire, Indiana, Arkansas and Iowa in trimming the period of time patients have retroactive coverage. It would, however, be the first state that did not expand coverage under the Affordable Care Act to do so. The state has until July 1 to have the change approved, when its budget goes into effect. Photo: Florida Senate WASHINGTON President Donald Trump told President Emmanuel Macron of France on Tuesday morning that he plans to announce the withdrawal of the United States from the Iran nuclear deal, according to a person briefed on the conversation. Trumps decision unravels the signature foreign policy achievement of his predecessor, Barack Obama, isolating the United States among its allies and leaving it at even greater odds with its adversaries in dealing with the Iranians. The United States is preparing to reinstate all sanctions it had waived as part of the nuclear accord and impose additional economic penalties, the person said. A second person familiar with negotiations to keep the 2015 accord in place said the talks collapsed over Trumps insistence that sharp limits be kept on Irans nuclear fuel production after 2030. The deal currently lifts those limits. Trump is planning to formally announce his decision Tuesday afternoon at the White House. Trumps decision, while long anticipated and widely telegraphed, plunges Americas relations with European allies into deep uncertainty. They have committed to staying in the deal, raising the prospect of a diplomatic and economic clash as the United States reimposes stringent sanctions on Iran. It also raises the prospect of increased tensions with Russia and China, which also are parties to the agreement. The decision fulfills one of Trumps oft-repeated campaign promises, and came despite intense personal lobbying by European leaders and frantic attempts to craft fixes to the deal that would satisfy him. The presidents own aides had persuaded him twice last year not to take this step. But Trump made clear that his patience with the deal had worn thin, and with a new, more hawkish set of advisers led by Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and national security adviser John Bolton Trump faced less internal resistance this time. This article originally appeared in The New York Times SAN FRANCISCO (BCN) Two men connected to a San Francisco-based lumber supply company have been charged with involuntary manslaughter for the 2016 death of an employee who died after being crushed by a forklift, the city's District Attorney's Office announced today. Hua Quing Ruan, 60, died on Nov. 21, 2016 at Good View Roofing and Building Supply Corporation, located at 1320 Marin St., after a forklift overturned on a ramp and he became pinned underneath. Good View Roofing and Building Supply Corporation's owner, Alfred Lee, 65, and the company's manager, Alan Chan, 44, turned themselves in to police Friday and have been released from custody on $50,000 bail each. The pair will each be arraigned on the involuntary manslaughter charge and three labor code violations on June 5, prosecutors said. According to court documents, Lee and Chan allegedly violated workplace safety procedures that led to Ruan's death by failing to install a curb on the ramp from where the forklift fell, in accordance with the California Department of Occupational Safety and Health regulations. The incident was captured on video and reportedly shows that the forklift's tire drove off the ramp, causing it tilt over. Ruan allegedly tried to jump out of the way but was crushed when the entire forklift tipped over. "When employers take workplace safety shortcuts it's employees that suffer," District Attorney George Gascon said in a statement. "Life is far too precious to dispense with fundamental safety requirements," he said. Immediately after the incident, Cal/OSHA said it was investigating along with police. The San Francisco medical examiner's office had initially identified the victim as 58-year-old Ruan Quiang of South San Francisco. According to the District Attorney' Office, since 2011, all prosecutions involving Cal/OSHA workplace deaths have occurred at non-unionized worksites. Additionally, Cal/OSHA complaints associated with deaths occur more often at non-union worksites. ### BERKELEY (BCN) A five-time felon who was previously convicted of unlawful sexual intercourse was charged today with six felony counts for allegedly sexually assaulting a 15-year-old girl in Berkeley last month. Alphonzo McInnis, 27, of Berkeley, was arraigned today for the alleged April 19 sexual assault and is scheduled to return to court on Tuesday. McInnis, who is being held without bail, is charged with two counts of forcible rape of a minor, forcible sexual penetration on a minor, oral copulation of a minor, two counts of attempted second-degree robbery and kidnapping enhancements for his alleged attack on the girl. Berkeley police Officer Darren Kacalek wrote in a probable cause statement that on April 15 the 15-year-old girl had overslept and as she walked to school in the 1500 block of Addison Street near Sacramento Street a male suspect grabbed her from behind, pressed a gun into her side and told her not to scream or look at him or he would shoot her. Kacalek said the suspect then led the girl to the backyard of a nearby residence, where he groped her and repeatedly sexually assaulted her. Kacalek wrote that when the assault was finally over the suspect "wiped down the victim, seemingly in an attempt to remove evidence," and then told her to walk away east on Addison Street and not to look back at him. The girl then walked several blocks to Berkeley High School, where she told school staff what happened to her and got assistance, Kacalek said. DNA evidence later connected McInnis to the sexual assault and he was arrested in the 1900 block of University Avenue in Berkeley at about 2:15 p.m. last Thursday, according to Kacalek. McInnis also was arrested for an alleged attempted sexual assault on an 18-year-old University of California at Berkeley student near a dormitory in the 2400 block of College Avenue at about 4:30 a.m. on April 28 but the Alameda County District Attorney's Office didn't charge him for that incident. Kacalek wrote that after the second incident, "due to the rarity of these types of attacks, I believed them to be related, as the method of operation was very similar." Prosecutors say that McInnis was convicted of unlawful sexual intercourse in Contra Costa County in 2008. They also say McInnis' most recent conviction was in Alameda County on Jan. 28, 2015, for second-degree robbery for robbing six gas stations on University Avenue in Berkeley. In addition, prosecutors say McInnis has three other prior convictions in Contra Costa County: for second-degree burglary in 2011, possession of a firearm by a felon in 2013 and grand theft of a firearm in 2012. ### 272-6280 Berkeley police spokesman Sgt. Andrew Frankel (510) 981-5780 or (510) 812-4082 cellphone BERKELEY (BCN) Four suspects have been arrested for a string of three unrelated robberies in Berkeley in a four-hour period on Sunday afternoon and evening but a fifth suspect is still at large, police said. The first robbery occurred at the Kathmandu Market and Deli in the 2500 block of Telegraph Avenue at about 3:30 p.m. on Sunday when a suspect entered the business, stole a can of soda and punched an employee in the face when the employee confronted him, according to Berkeley police. The suspect, later identified as 48-year-old homeless man Kenyatta Massey, was stopped by police nearby at Telegraph Avenue and Haste Street and was arrested on suspicion of robbery and resisting arrest, police said. In the second incident, which occurred at about 7:11 p.m., a male victim was sitting at a bus top in front of the Bank of America at 2129 Shattuck Ave. when two suspects approached him, according to police. One of the suspects asked the victim about his phone and then both suspects suddenly attacked him and took his computer bag and phone, police said. A male witness tried to intervene but he was punched in the face by one of the suspects, according to police. The witness's girlfriend then pepper-sprayed the suspect and both suspects fled ran westbound on Center Street while two good Samaritans chased them, police said. Police arrested one of the suspects, later identified as 28-year-old Stanley Trotter, nearby in the 2000 block of Center Street, but the second suspect, who hasn't yet been notified, fled northbound on Center Street and remains at large, according to police. Trotter was arrested on suspicion of robbery, giving false identification and on a warrant for another case, police said. Berkeley robbery detectives ask anyone who has information about the robbery or the suspect who's still at large to call police at (510) 981-5742. In the third robbery, which was reported to police at 7:32 p.m. on Sunday, a male victim told police that he met a woman through a social media website but when he went to meet her in the 1900 block of Haste Street, he was confronted by two men. The victim tried to run away but he was tackled by one of the suspects, who physically assaulted him until he gave up his property, police said. The victim eventually managed to escape and responding officers were able to arrest a suspect who was later identified as Christian Wallace 22, of Berkeley, according to police. While officers were speaking with the victim, a police dispatcher got a call about a suspicious person who was hiding in a silver car in a parking lot on the 1900 block of Haste Street, police said. Responding officers then found the second suspect, later identified as Darrell Finney 27, of Berkeley, hiding in a parked car, according to police. Both Finney and Wallace were found in possession of some of the victim's property, police said. The two men are being held on suspicion of robbery and receiving stolen property. ### RICHMOND (BCN) A former Contra Costa County sheriff's deputy accused of unlawfully having sex with two jail inmates while working as a guard in Richmond pleaded not guilty to four felonies this afternoon, according to a district attorney's spokesman. Patrick Morseman, 27, has been charged with four felony counts of sexual activity with a confined consenting adult for allegedly having sex with two inmates at the West County Detention Facility on March 31. However, an attorney for the two victims has disputed that the sex was consensual, saying that Morseman assaulted the two inmates. Morseman pleaded not guilty during a hearing in Richmond today, Contra Costa County district attorney's spokesman Scott Alonso said. Prosecutors had sought to raise his bail to $200,000 but it remains at $100,000. Morseman bailed out shortly after he was arrested on April 4. The district attorney's office filed charges on Thursday. If convicted, Morseman could face a maximum sentence of five years in prison. In announcing his arrest last month, sheriff's officials said that the investigation lasted less than a day before Morseman's arrest. But even then the sheriff's office described the sex as consensual, which Neama Rahmani, an attorney for the women, continues to say is inaccurate. Rahmani said that he has not seen evidence in the case yet, but said he was disappointed in the district attorney's charging decision. "Our position remains that this was a non-consensual sexual encounter," Rahmani said. Sheriff's spokesman Jimmy Lee declined to elaborate on the sheriff's office's description of the sex as consensual, referring questions to the district attorney's office. Alonso said that after reviewing the evidence, prosecutors charged Morseman with the offense that they thought they could prove beyond a reasonable doubt and pointed out that consent is not a defense for the charges against Morseman. "Mr. Morseman will probably be prohibited at least in California from working for any law enforcement agency if the charges are proven," Alonso said. "It's a very serious offense, it's certainly an imbalance of power." Morseman's next court date is a setting for June 13 at 1:30 p.m. in Richmond ### OAKLAND (BCN) Oakland City Councilwoman Rebecca Kaplan says she's asking the Police Department and Mayor Libby Schaaf for an update on the department's recruitment and hiring practices because it appears that women, blacks and Oakland residents are still under-represented. Kaplan said that back in 2016, as Oakland's city-wide councilmember, she proposed a set of policy changes for Oakland's police recruitment and hiring to help remedy what she described as the under-representation of women, Oakland residents, blacks and LBGT people. Kaplan said she also sought to recruit "those who can more positively connect with the community." In addition, Kaplan said she suggested policy changes to eliminate barriers such as student loans or past cannabis use and to instead focus on people who are responsible and have the maturity to handle take the job of being a police officer seriously. Kaplan said in a statement, "It now appears that the (Schaaf) Administration and the Oakland Police Department have not made adequate changes. We have learned that women and African Americans and people from Oakland are still dramatically under-represented." Her goal is to have at least half of the department's new hires have some connection to Oakland. Kaplan said, "Meanwhile, suggested changes I made to raise the age for recruiting, to end questions about past cannabis use, add questions about alcohol problems and sexual misconduct and recruit more women do not appear to have been implemented." Kaplan said, "It appears LGBT people are still also dramatically under-represented, but that information is not provided. We continue to receive news of problematic conduct, including alcohol-related problems and mistreatment of women." Kaplan said that in her request for an update on the Police Department's recruitment and hiring practices she is asking for a report to be brought back to the City Council for action so that it can vote to direct any needed changes that have not yet been made. Kaplan said, "Our police department should be reflective of, and able to work well with, our Oakland communities." The Police Department said it is completing a report that will be presented to Kaplan about proposed policy changes in its recruitment and hiring practices. In a statement, the department said it is "committed to serving and reflecting the diversity of Oakland" and its goal is to "create a police department which reflects our city." The department said, "Our current recruiting efforts include holding workshops and informal information sessions in accessible community locations" and it understands "the importance of creating bridges to careers in law enforcement for local youth." The department added, "We remain committed to recruiting candidates with the necessary skills to serve Oakland - including individuals with foreign language skills, diverse backgrounds and a wide range of life experiences." But it said, "We believe the most important qualities in an Oakland police officer include honesty, integrity and a commitment to public service." ### (510) 701-8201 Oakland police (510) 238-7230 Justin Berton for Mayor Schaaf (510) 238-7072 SAN FRANCISCO (BCN) A 58-year-old man referred to by police as a "prolific commercial burglar" was arrested last month on suspicion of targeting San Francisco tech startups, police said today. San Francisco resident James Flanagan was arrested April 25 at 11:13 a.m. in the 500 block of Ellis Street. According to police, he's been charged with twelve counts of burglary and nine counts of grand theft for being involved in a series of burglaries conducted over a six-week period between March 12 and April 24. In the alleged burglaries, a total of about $75,000 worth of electronics were taken from several businesses identified as tech startups. Officers were able to identify Flanagan as a suspect after an investigation. MORE BAY AREA CRIME: Cafe owner recalls serving 'Mr. Happy,' the East Area Rapist suspect Flanagan, who has an extensive history of burglary arrests, was on felony probation when the crimes were committed and also had a felony warrant for his arrest, police said. Flanagan remains in custody and is being held without bail, according to jail records. Although an arrest has been made, police are continuing to investigate the burglaries and are asking anyone with information to contact their tip line at (415) 575-4444 or to text a tip to 847411 with SFPD at the beginning of the message. Tipsters have the option of remaining anonymous. 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Registered nurses at the University of California's five major medical centers and 10 student health centers will picket alongside other UC employees today and Wednesday as part of a three-day systemwide strike, the California Nurses Association said in a statement this morning. Nurses are striking in sympathy with workers of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees Service Unit. The strike is expected to last until Thursday morning after a year of stalled contract talks and new research showing rising inequality in the treatment of workers of color and low-wage women workers at the university. Firefighters extinguished a fire at a dim sum restaurant in San Francisco's Richmond District this afternoon, fire officials said. The fire was reported at 3:26 p.m. at Dragon Beaux restaurant at 5700 Geary Blvd., according to the fire department. The fire in the kitchen spread into the walls in the second floor. The fire was extinguished as of about 4 p.m., fire officials said. Firefighters expected to remain on scene until at least 5 p.m. No injuries were reported. ### (415) 558-3404 A patient who was being rushed to a hospital in San Lorenzo died after an Audi slammed into the side of the ambulance in San Lorenzo this morning, a California Highway Patrol officer said. Four other people, including the Audi driver and three emergency workers, were also injured in the crash, according to CHP Officer Dan Jacowitz. The crash happened at 11:12 a.m. at the intersection of Hesperian and Lewelling boulevards, according to Alameda County Fire Department spokeswoman Aisha Knowles. The Paramedics Plus ambulance was headed south on Hesperian with the patient, a 74-year-old San Leandro woman, in the back, Jacowitz said. Jacowitz said he did not know her condition at the time, but the ambulance had its lights and sirens activated. The driver of a white Audi sedan was headed east on Lewelling and slammed into the side of the ambulance when it was in the intersection, tipping it on its left side, Jacowitz said. All five patients were taken to Eden Medical Center in Castro Valley. The patient died there this afternoon. Jacowitz did not immediately know if she died because of her condition before the crash or because of the injuries suffered in the crash. The Audi driver suffered moderate injuries and remains in the hospital. The three emergency workers in the ambulance were released from the hospital this afternoon, Jacowitz said. CHP is investigating the crash with the assistance of the Alameda County Sheriff's Office. Anyone who witnessed the crash has been asked to contact the CHP at (510) 581-9028 ### (510) 693-3481 CHP Officer Dan Jacowitz (408) 726-1795 OAKLAND (BCN) A woman apologized for her actions today when she was sentenced to three years in state prison for fatally stabbing a man during a verbal and physical altercation in East Oakland last November. Precious Hicks, 24, said, "I'm sorry that all this happened," referring to the fatal stabbing of 24-year-old Blake Owens of Oakland in the 1000 block of 71st Avenue, a few blocks from the Oakland Coliseum, at 11:42 a.m. on Nov. 14. Oakland police Officer Michael Cardoza wrote in a probable cause statement that Hicks admitted that she stabbed Owens but did so only after he had harmed her. At her sentencing today, Hicks said, "It was never my intent to hurt [Owens], let alone to have him be gone." Hicks, who had a young daughter with Owens, said, "I don't even know what happened." Hicks was charged with murder for Owens' death, but at a hearing on April 2 the Alameda County District Attorney's Office agreed to let her plead no contest to the lesser charge of voluntary manslaughter and only get a 3-year term for that charge, which carries a maximum sentence of 11 years. One of Owens' cousins objected to Hicks' plea agreement today, saying, "It upsets me as an American citizen that the value of someone's life is only worth three years." The cousin also said she didn't think Hicks was scared or acted in self-defense when she stabbed Owens. Cardoza wrote that as Owens was dying at the scene, he told officers that Hicks was the person who had stabbed him and provided them with her date of birth. Hicks called police a short time after the stabbing and told officers that she was at the Bay Fair BART station in San Leandro and was arrested there about an hour later, according to Cardoza. Officers recovered a bloody knife from her that they believe she used in the stabbing, he said. Hicks admitted to possessing the knife at the time that Owens was stabbed, Cardoza said. An online obituary for Owens said he graduated from Skyline High School in Oakland and described him as "a bright light to all he encountered" and "a creator in a variety of facets." The obituary said Owens "was a natural artist" who loved music, played guitar and drums, worked as a producer, wrote lyrics and was working on a comic book with his brother. ### 272-6280 For picture posts from 2010 and earlier, see the Earlier Picture Posts Page Sometimes the only way to cope with the crushing stress that comes with being a teacher is to laugh, and there's no better time to do that than during Teacher Appreciation Week. The week of recognition begins May 8 and includes a series of events and social media campaigns aimed at recognizing teachers' often thankless work. Aurora Theatre Company Artistic Director Tom Ross will step down from his post at the end of the 2018-19 season, the company announced Tuesday, May 8. The departure will end a tenure of 15 years as artistic director and 27 years total with the Berkeley company he helped bring into being in 1992. I believe its now time for a change: New leadership and ideas injected into the company can raise our accomplishments to an even higher level, Ross wrote in a statement. He says that after the transition, he plans to freelance as a director, write and produce his own plays, teach, paint (he studied both painting and English in college) and hang out in rooms with windows and sunshine. With President Donald Trump's announcement Tuesday that the United States will withdraw from the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, a bevy of Democrats and a few members of his own party took to Twitter to blast him for a move they saw as undermining America's place on the global stage and making the country less safe. "Has Trump even read the #IranDeal?" asked Rep. Ro Khanna (D-Fremont). "This terrible decision was clearly influenced by @AmbJohnBolton and @SecPompeo, two war hawks who are against diplomacy and peace in the Middle East." Click through the gallery above for reactions to the news that Trump will pull out of the deal Other Bay Area members of California's congressional delegation were among the president's harshest critics, with Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi calling it "a sad day for America's global leadership." Some argued Trump's actions would only serve to isolate the United States and make negotiations with North Korea more difficult, particularly since the International Atomic Energy Agency has certified that Iran is in compliance with the deal on 10 separate occasions. "America needs to engage in the world, not withdraw from it & undermine our credibility," tweeted Rep. Mark DeSaulnier (D-Concord). "The president has just kicked over the anthill. We have no idea what's going to come out of this at the end of this or even in the next few days," Rep. John Garamendi (D-Fairfield) said in an appearance on Fox Business. "But clearly the stability in that entire region has been seriously harmed, not that there was great stability to begin with." "This is going to be a very, very difficult geopolitical issue that the president has unnecessarily created," he added. Many California Republicans applauded the move, with Rep. Darrell Issa (R-Vista) cheering the president's "bold leadership" and Rep. Paul Cook (R-Apple Valley) calling it "a long time coming." Khanna argued against the move by pointing to past instances in which U.S. intervention in Iran backfired. "We blundered by overthrowing Mossadegh in 53. We blundered by supporting the Shah for 25 years. We blundered by arming Saddam to fight Iran," he wrote prior to Trump's announcement. "Obama tried to end the madness. Lets be clear: If Trump tosses the Iran deal, he is saying no to the prospect for peace in the Middle East." Other Democrats pointed out that leaders of key U.S. allies like France, Germany and the U.K. indicated their intention to stick with the deal despite Trump's announcement. "It's getting lonely out there," Rep. Jared Huffman (D-San Rafael) said of the news. "I guess we'll always have the Saudis." Filipa Ioannou is an SFGATE staff writer. Email her at fioannou@sfchronicle.com and follow her on Twitter A hectic schedule can be the downfall of a squeaky clean home. Between work and fun, theres a gray area of things you should accomplish around your home but can always wait another week. Since its 2018, these low-on-the-totem-pole-tasks have attainable solutions, thanks to technology. One incredibly useful gadget for every space is the ECOVACS DEEBOT Slim2 Robotic Vacuum Cleaner. This low-profile robot cleaner reaches all of the nooks and crannies, so you dont have to. It sweeps, vacuums and mops your hardwood to ensure your floor is spotless. You can control this handy gizmo right from your phone using its scheduling app. Its also worry-free with stair safety, obstacle detection, and auto-recharge technology. The ECOVACS DEEBOT Slim2 Robotic Vacuum Cleaner is the answer to keeping a spick-and-span home, no matter how busy things get. Right now, its also on sale for just $149, which is a 29% discount on its MSRP. Whether youll use the extra time to catch up on sleep, play with your kids, or make an elaborate meal youll most definitely thank yourself later for this one. Google's annual developers conference i/o 2018 starts Tuesday, and many are sharing on Twitter that attendees are being encouraged to wear "pronoun stickers." ABC 7's reporter Matt Keller posted a photo on Twitter of a station at the conference check-in with stickers reading "they," "him" and "her" and a sign reading, "We care about your pronouns. Add a sticker to your badge to share with others which ones you prefer." YEREVAN, Armenia The man who spearheaded weeks of protests in Armenia was chosen Tuesday to be the countrys new prime minister, and he carries the weight of high hopes for a turnaround in the impoverished former Soviet republic. Prime Minister Nikol Pashinian faces an array of challenges, including a parliament dominated by the party he denounced as corrupt and how to resolve the volatile question of Nagorno-Karabakh, a region of Azerbaijan under the control of ethnic Armenian forces. WASHINGTON For years, opponents of the nuclear deal with Iran have accused Benjamin Rhodes, a top national security aide to President Barack Obama, of scheming to sell the diplomatic agreement on false pretenses to the American people. Now, just as President Trump announced his decision to withdraw from the deal, evidence has surfaced that the agreements opponents engaged in a sophisticated effort to dig up dirt on Rhodes and his family that continued well after the Obama administration left office. PARIS Army wife Angela Ricketts was soaking in a bubble bath in her Colorado home, leafing through a memoir, when a message appeared on her iPhone: Dear Angela! it said. Bloody Valentines Day! We know everything about you, your husband and your children, the Facebook message continued, claiming that the hackers operating under the flag of Islamic State militants had penetrated her computer and phone. Were much closer than you can even imagine. Ricketts was one of five military wives who received death threats from the self-styled CyberCaliphate on the morning of Feb. 10, 2015. The warnings led to days of anguished media coverage of Islamic State militants online reach. Except it wasnt Islamic State. The Associated Press has found evidence that the women were targeted not by jihadists but by the same Russian hacking group that intervened in the American election and exposed the emails of Hillary Clintons presidential campaign chairman, John Podesta. The false flag is a case study in the difficulty of assigning blame in a world where hackers routinely borrow one anothers identities to throw investigators off track. The operation also parallels the online disinformation campaign by Russian trolls in the months leading up to the U.S. election in 2016. Links between CyberCaliphate and the Russian hackers have been documented previously. On both sides of the Atlantic, the consensus is that the two groups are closely related. But that consensus never filtered through to the women involved, many of whom were convinced they had been targeted by Islamic State sympathizers right up until the AP contacted them. Never in a million years did I think that it was the Russians, said Ricketts, an author and advocate for veterans and military families. She called the revelation mind blowing. As Ricketts scrambled out of the tub to show the threat to her husband, nearly identical messages reached Lori Volkman, a deputy prosecutor based in Oregon who had won fame as a blogger after her husband deployed to the Middle East; Ashley Broadway-Mack, based in the Washington, D.C., area and head of an association for gay and lesbian military family members; and Amy Bushatz, an Alaska-based journalist who covers spouse and family issues for Military.com. The women determined they had all received the same threats. The women refused to be intimidated. Fear is exactly what at the time we perceived ISIS wanted from military families, said Volkman. Not only did we play right into their hands by freaking out, but the media played right into it, Ricketts said. We reacted in a way that was probably exactly what they were hoping for. Raphael Satter is an Associated Press writer. Page Content With the Occupational Safety and Health Administration's (OSHA's) silica standard already in effect for the construction industry and about to go into effect in June for general industry, many employers are anxious about whether their programs will pass muster with federal and state OSHA officials. But if you're in Maryland, worry not. Two years after then secretary of labor Tom Perez heralded the issuance of a final rule on occupational exposure to respirable crystalline silica at the International Union of Bricklayers and Allied Craftworkers' John J. Flynn BAC/IMI International Training Center in Bowie, Md., the "Old Line State" has still not adopted a corresponding silica standard. Section 18 of the Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSH Act) provides that states may choose to develop and enforce their own occupational safety and health standards. Localized oversight of workplace safety is permitted so long as the state occupational and safety health plan is "at least as effective in providing safe and healthful employment and places of employment" as the federal standards. Though state health and safety standards often simply emulate corresponding federal health and safety standards, states can seek to implement standards that are more stringent than their federal counterparts. California's recently enacted Process Safety Management for Petroleum Refineries is one example of a more stringent state standard. But what happens when states fail to implement any corresponding health and safety standard? Not much, apparently. In the case of OSHA's silica standard, the administration gave states six months from the March 25, 2016, issuance date to adopt their own respective silica standards. Noting the numerous delays announced by OSHA in the enforcement date of the construction silica standard, Maryland adopted a wait-and-see approach before taking any action. Maryland was also apparently awaiting a decision from the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit on industry challenges to OSHA's silica standard. The United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit issued a decision in December 2017 that rejected all industry challenges but remanded the standard back to OSHA for consideration of whether to include a medical removal provision, a challenge raised by labor unions. After OSHA complained to Maryland about the delay in implementing a silica standard, Maryland safety and health officials responded that the state agency was waiting on OSHA to issue an amended standard to include medical removal provisions. Maryland is not alone, either. Arizona, Hawaii, Utah and Wyoming have also failed to adopt a corresponding standard. These states may lack the financial resources and manpower to develop and promulgate a corresponding safety standard on their own. If a lack of resources is a problem, however, the state could simply choose to enact a mirror image of the federal standard or promulgate a short 30-words-or-less regulation that adopts and incorporates OSHA's silica standard. None have done so. Until March, Washington had also neglected to adopt a silica standard. In Washington, the issue appeared to be a matter of priorities. Washington recently adopted its silica standard on March 23. Theoretically, a failure of a state occupational safety and health plan can allow OSHA to exercise its authority under Section 18(f) of the OSH Act to rescind the state's occupational safety and health plan and have the federal government take over enforcement of workplace safety laws and regulations. This is considered the "death penalty" option and is a time-consuming and litigious process. But OSHA may take a shot across Maryland's bow and send the state a "show cause letter" asking why a proceeding to reconsider the state's final approval status should not be commenced. That is what OSHA did with Arizona in 2014 when the state adopted different fall-protection requirements for residential construction. For employers that work within these five statesand only these five statesthere is no silica standard with ancillary requirements such as exposure assessment, medical surveillance and specific housekeeping measures. These five states still have older airborne contaminant requirements that cover silica, so employers should still ensure that their employees are protected from levels of respirable crystalline silica above the permissible exposure limit. For employers that work in multiple states that include one or more of these 5 states and one or more of the remaining 45 states, the lack of silica standards in these 5 states can create confusion and complicate compliance efforts. Do you adopt a program where the company "turns off" its silica program in these five states? While this may ease compliance expenses in the short term, employers may not want to take this approach; crews could get confused and forget to "turn on" the program when they cross state lines. Such a program could also worsen employee morale. Employees would likely notice their employers easing up on silica compliance efforts in states where they don't have to comply. Employers focused on long-term compliance may want to adopt a consistent silica program that treats compliance as applicable in all 50 states. Employees will likely appreciate the company's position, and besides, the current "free ride" on silica offered by Arizona, Hawaii, Maryland, Utah and Wyoming won't last forever. In its existence, OSHA has never allowed a state plan to forego adopting a standard the agency deems essential to workplace safety. John F. Martin and D.A. Duggar are attorneys with Ogletree Deakins in Washington, D.C. Ogletree Deakins. All rights reserved. Reposted with permission. To continue, please log in, or sign up for a new account. We offer one free story view per month. If you register for an account, you will get two additional story views. After those three total views, we ask that you support us with a subscription. A subscription to our digital content is so much more than just access to our valuable content. It means youre helping to support a local community institution that has, from its very start, supported the betterment of our society. Thank you very much! AMP was recommended for criminal charges following the shocking revelations, which sparked the departures of chief executive Craig Meller, chairman Catherine Brenner and group counsel Brian Salter. The company has strenuously denied that its misconduct rose to the level of criminal offending. AMP director Mike Wilkins stepped up as interim executive chairman before AMP announced veteran banker David Murray would start as its new chairman in July. Mr Wilkins will remain acting chief executive while the group searches for a new chief executive. AMP named director Mike Wilkins as interim executive chairman last week. Credit:Fairfax Media Mr Murray is also expected to lead a board renewal process that could see other AMP directors depart. A key concern for investors is that the royal commission has heard that the AMP directors knew in December 2017 that the company had misled the regulator. However, the company did not tell the market. Instead, shareholders found out about the scandal when an AMP executive was questioned as a witness at the banking royal commission. Ms Kramer joined the AMP board in October 2015, while Ms Wallace joined the board in March 2016. Ms Kramer, Ms Brenner, Ms Akopiantz and Mr Wilkins were all members of AMP's advice compliance review committee. Harmos hangs on Another AMP director due to stand for re-election, Andrew Harmos, will still run for a spot on the AMP board. Mr Harmos, who joined the board in June 2017, is also expected to face a large protest vote against his re-election though, it is thought it won't be more than 50 per cent. Former AMP CEO Craig Meller (left) with director Vanessa Wallace, who resigned on Tuesday. Credit:AAP Following Tuesday's director resignations, Mr Wilkins said: "Our shareholders are demanding board accountability and need to know that meaningful change is underway." Mr Wilkins had been lobbying major shareholder groups to vote in favour of retaining the three directors up for re-election. Id like to thank Patty, Vanessa and Holly for their service to AMP, Mr Wilkins said. They are extremely capable directors who have all made valuable contributions and brought great diversity of thought and experience to the board. They have listened to, and acted on, the feedback from our investors. Ms Kramer defended her performance as an AMP director. 'Best interests' "While on the AMP board, I have at all times acted with integrity and professionalism," Ms Kramer said in a statement. "However, to enable the organisation to move forward I have decided my resignation is in the best interests of all those concerned and will allow the new chairman to begin the process of board renewal. "As a director, I share accountability for the current situation and while I would have liked to continue to push for change, I realise that would require significant shareholder support for my position." More is needed, says ACSI's Louise Davidson. Credit:Josh Robenstone Several major institutional investors and proxy advisers, including the Australian Council of Superannuation Investors (ACSI), Australian Super, and CGI Glass Lewis, were planning to vote against the re-election of the directors. The Australian Shareholders Association had recommended retail shareholders vote against both the re-elections and the company's remuneration report. Sources said an unknown swing factor for AMP was how its large retail shareholder base might vote. ACSI pushes for more detail ACSI chief executive Louise Davidson said more details were needed on the board resignations. The Australian Council of Superannuation Investors welcomes AMPs belated acknowledgment that greater board accountability and renewal is necessary in response to revelations about poor governance practices at the banking royal commission," Ms Davidson said. "We look forward to hearing more from the company about why these particular directors and not others have resigned." Do banking and finance attract cheats or create them? This was the question a team of behavioural economists from Switzerland set out to answer in a ground-breaking experiment in 2014. Illustration: Simon Letch They took 128 bankers and separated them into two equal groups of 64. They primed the first group with questions about their personal life (their family, hobbies, favourite foods) and primed the second group with questions about their roles and responsibilities at the bank. The researchers then asked everyone in both groups to toss a coin ten times and record the results. But they added this important rider youll get $20 for every head you record; nothing for tails. So what did they find? Well, obviously, if theres no cheating, youd expect something close to equal numbers of heads and tails across both groups. And so it was for the first group of bankers: 51 per cent heads, 49 per cent tails. But for the second group - bankers thinking "banking" thoughts - the results were different: 58.2 per cent of them recorded heads, including 5 (out of 64) who claimed all 10 tosses were heads. Financial giant AMP was wading knee-deep in blood on Tuesday as three more directors fell on their swords in the wake of damning revelations at the royal commission, including repeatedly lying to the regulator, deliberately ripping off customers and doctoring an independent report. But unlike the usual blood spills which happen privately behind closed doors with shareholders politely warning boards of a protest vote if they dont step down, this played out in full technicolour. Directors learned of their fate earlier today when votes came in that Holly Kramer had a protest vote against her re-election of more than 60 per cent, while Vanessa Wallace received more than 50 per cent of the protest vote. It is a historical moment for shareholders and boards. For a top 20 company to attract such a high protest vote against directors is unprecedented. The heavyweight leaders of Australia's biggest companies are sticking by the AMP directors ousted from the wealth managers board amid investor outcry over the shocking revelations at the royal commission. Three AMP directors -- Holly Kramer, Vanessa Wallace and Patty Akopiantz -- tendered their resignations on Tuesday ahead of the company's annual meeting on Thursday where Ms Kramer and Ms Wallace were both up for re-election tipped to be voted off the company's board. Woolworths chairman Gordon Cairns said Holly Kramer\'s decision at AMP was both principled and dignified. Credit:Louie Douvis The board clean out follows the resignations of chairman Catherine Brenner, chief executive Craig Meller and group general counsel Brian Salter in recent weeks after shocking revelations at the banking royal commission that AMP lied to the corporate regulator during an investigation and changed a report by an indepedent expert into its fees for no service scandal. Ms Akopiantz is AMP's longest serving director and was not standing for re-election at the meeting. David Murray, ladies man. Hmmm, no. Were not buying it either, but AMP investors better hope that their chairman-in-waiting has more charm than what he has displayed to date after the ailing wealthy giant announced on Tuesday that all four female board members have now been thrown overboard. No male director has stood down. Yet. AMP chairman-in-waiting David Murray Credit:Andrew Taylor Did anyone think of the optics before accepting the resignation of two female directors facing re-election on Thursday - Holly Kramer, and Vanessa Wallace - and not the male standing for re-election: Kiwi lawyer Andrew Harmos? Is AMP leaving him as the sacrificial lamb (he is a New Zealander) for shareholders at the meeting, or did Harmos - who only joined the board last June - figure he has nothing to lose. The site has an approved planning permit for the development of a mixed-use 47-level tower on Flinders Street and a 14-level tower on Flinders Lane. In a separate deal, Dexus Property has sold its car park at 32 Flinders Street in Melbourne to a GPT fund for $87.1 million. Property giant Stockland has raised close to $200 million from retail and office asset sales, with the funds being used to grow its business parks and logistics business. The building was purchased by the GPT Wholesale Office Fund. It sits next to 8 Exhibition Street, an office half owned by the same GPT fund. Fund manager Martin Ritchie said the acquisition would ensure GPT could protect the outlook and sweeping south-facing views from 8 Exhibition Street as well as the car parking for office tenants. The latest deal by Stockland included the sale of its Wallsend retail town centre in Newcastle, for $81 million, and an office building at 77 Pacific Highway, leased by AGL, for $112.35 million. The buyers were not disclosed, but said to be private investors. Mark Steinert, chief executive of Stockland, said the divestment of these two assets aligned with the group's strategy to release capital for reinvestment. It takes the total value of its commercial property asset divestments to $306 million for the 2018 financial year. Mr Steinert said last week at the group's quarterly update that more non-core assets were up for sale as Stockland looked to remap its business park and logistics business. The wealthy Zagame family have put their Melbourne gaming pub operations up for sale alongside the Grand Hotel & Casino resort in Vanuatu with market expectations of about $300 million. The pubs, which generate revenues of more than $94 million, have entitlements to 490 pokie machines and will be sold as freehold going concerns. The Zagame-owned Caulfield Club hotel is for sale. They include the Reservoir Hotel, Caulfield Club, Boronia Hotel, Ballarat Club and Victorias fourth-ranked gaming venue, the Berwick Springs Hotel. The pubs and Vanuatu casino are owned by Robert and Victor Zagame, the sons of family patriarch Victor Zagame, who passed away late last year after building the familys hospitality business from its start in Northcotes Albion Charles Hotel in 1971. Health care businesses: The government announced a $1.3 billion plan to support Australia as a "global leader" in medical technology, biotechnology and pharmaceuticals. It included extra funding for genomics research, clinical trials, and other medical research. Craft brewers will have their smaller kegs taxed at the same rate as larger competitors'. Small business: The budget extended a tax break that allows small business owners to immediately deduct spending on eligible assets of up to $20,000. Streamlining of GST reporting for around 2.7 million small businesses expected to save them an average of $590 each per year. High-tech researchers: The budget included an extra $1.9 billion over 12 years on research "infrastructure" spanning industries including health care, manufacturing and agriculture. Fintech firms: The government committed $44.6 million in spending to establish a "consumer data right," to allow consumers to access and transfer their data between service providers. The progress will be welcome news to financial technology or "fintech" businesses, as financial services has previously been identified as the testing ground for open data. Craft brewers: Beer sold in the smaller kegs preferred by micro-brewers will be taxed at the lower rate which applies to kegs larger than 48 litres. Craft brewers have complained they are currently operate at an unfair disadvantage to multinational giants. All brewers and distillers will benefit from an increase in the refund they can claim on the excise they pay, from $30,000 to $100,000. Losers: Companies "pushing the boundaries" on R&D tax claims: The government is cutting $2.4 billion from its research and development tax incentive scheme, to ensure the funding goes to genuinely innovative spending. We'll wind up the live blog right there. Today was meant to be all about the sales job for the 2018 budget. Then the High Court decision on Labor senator Katy Gallagher came along. Her election was ruled ineligible over dual citizenship. She got booted from the Senate (and will be replaced by under a recount of the 2016 election results) and the court's ruling quickly triggered the resignation of three lower house Labor MPs and a crossbencher. As a result, there will now be five byelections in the coming months, including one triggered by the surprise resignation (unrelated to citizenship) of Labor's Tim Hammond last week. But the key policies of the budget did feature heavily today as well. The government is pushing the Parliament to quickly approve its full three-stage, seven-year income tax plan in time for the next financial year. Whether that happens is a big, important question. Quite a day. We will be back in the morning. Until then, you can find me on Facebook and Twitter. Thanks to Alex Ellinghausen and Dominic Lorrimer for today's photos. The Turnbull government will beef up airport security with $293 million for new scanners and cargo screening in the wake of last year's alleged terrorist attempt to bring down an international airliner. In a budget that focuses new national security spending domestically, the government is pledging to put more officers, dogs and full-body scanners at major airports and also boost high-tech screening of inbound cargo and mail using techniques such as machine learning and big data crunching. The budget has also revealed the cost so far of the fight against the so-called Islamic State in Iraq and Syria - where RAAF fights have carried out bombing runs and hundreds of Australian troops are training locals - totalling nearly $1.3 billion by the end of June. But foreign aid is set to take yet another cut - though a more modest one than in recent years - losing a further $140 million over the next four years so that it will flatline at $4 billion a year until 2022. The Coalition government has spared the ACT from pain but offered it few sweeteners as it promised tax relief and an earlier return to surplus in what could be its last budget before the next election. A strengthening economy will fund personal income tax cuts over seven years, the budget's big ticket item as Treasurer Scott Morrison put tax offsets and new tax bracket thresholds at the front of the Coalition's pitch for re-election. Canberrans on low and middle incomes will receive tax offsets of up to $530 a year from 2018-19, and the government predicts more than four million Australians will receive that full benefit in its first year. For the second year in a row, the government will increase the threshold of the 32.5 per cent tax bracket, from $87,000 to $90,000, with more changes in later years. In the last federal budget before Premier Gladys Berejiklian goes to the polls in March, NSW has been handed only a small bucket of money for three infrastructure projects. But NSW will also be vying for its share of a new $1 billion Urban Congestion Fund, which Treasurer Scott Morrison says is designed to remove "pinch points" in the nation's cities, improve safety and get traffic moving more efficiently. There is no detail about how the money will be distributed in the budget papers. The federal government's infrastructure spend in NSW includes funding for a regional bridge, a Pacific Highway bypass and the duplication of a three-kilometre rail line, totalling just $1.5 billion. The federal budget delivered a mixed bag for business with tax breaks for spending on research and development cut back but tax perks for small business equipment purchases retained. In a move that will save taxpayers $2 billion over four years, Mr Morrison announced a revamp of the research and development tax incentive he argues will ensure the policy supports genuine investment in innovation. Under the changes, the size of the tax benefits flowing to companies with annual turnover of more than $20 million will focus on the intensity of R&D spending. The government's aim is to reduce assistance for research spending that would have occurred without any public assistance. Minister for Jobs and Innovation Michaelia Cash said the changes were intended to make the scheme "fiscally affordable" and to crack down on claims that "push the boundaries". The Coalition is banking on a sudden pay rise for Australian workers in the next three months to shore up billions of dollars in revenue and turn around household spending in an economy starved of wage rises. Tuesday's budget shows Treasurer Scott Morrison expects wages to rise by 2.25 per cent in the year to July, up from the current rate of 2 per cent, before growing sharply to 3.25 per cent by 2019-20. Mr Morrison said "it was up to companies to provide" the rise he has baked into his budget but promised that workers "would see better days ahead" after struggling to secure pay rises since he became Treasurer. Treasury has locked in another year of strong jobs growth on the back of record levels of immigration and employment in health and social services, with the unemployment rate expected to fall to 5.25 per cent by next year. If you were wondering if the Turnbull government plans to go to the polls before this time next year, this budget strongly suggests the answer is "yes". The keynotes of Treasurer Scott Morrison's third budget are modest tax relief for working families, plus rewards for older and retired Australians a key demographic in marginal seats. It certainly provides a strategic platform for the government to mount an election campaign. Whether it provides a foundation for a fairer, more prosperous and less debt-ridden Australia is unclear. This may come to be seen as a budget of lost opportunities. While Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull has not been a lucky leader, the business cycle has provided him and Mr Morrison with a bit of good fortune, just when they needed it. They have used it to fashion an appealing but not particularly well targeted pitch to middle Australia. While there were no major surprises government spin doctors have concluded they derive greater value from a fortnight of staged "drops" than from a nuclear hit on budget night the budget provides details of flagged income tax cuts. Those details certainly add to the aroma of a looming election in the air. He is not so dimply now, but there was a time Scott Morrison was cute enough to moonlight as a child actor. He appeared in several commercials as a kid. He left the thespian life behind for politics and since then has played many roles, both villainous and heroic. Reviews, so far, have been mixed. There were bricks from some, bouquets from others, for his turn as Immigration Minister. He led Operation Sovereign Borders and coined the term "on water matters", a political modesty veil which enabled him to dodge all manner of questions. There was a brief, off-Broadway turn as Social Services Minister, and there were the wild dying days of the Abbott prime ministership, when there was grand talk of Morrison's future leadership prospects, until he fell foul of his party's right wing for abandoning Tony Abbott and throwing his support behind Malcolm Turnbull. But Turnbull rewarded him with the Treasurer's job, and budget day is showtime for the Treasurer. The biggest federal infrastructure spend in Victoria for decades the $5 billion for a proposed rail line to the airport looks likely to create more animosity between the state and Commonwealth governments, judging by Tuesday's federal budget papers. Canberra is likely to want full control over the project as part of its preferred "equity" funding offer, but it expects the Victorian government to at least match the multibillion-dollar commitment from the Commonwealth. The vast majority of the details of Scott Morrison's $7.8 billion in federal infrastructure money for Victoria had been pre-announced, but the state will be vying for its share of a new $1 billion urban congestion fund. The fund, announced on Tuesday, is designed to remove "pinch points" in the nation's cities, to improve safety and get traffic moving more efficiently. The government claims to have "turned the corner" on debt and deficit but the improvement will depend on some optimistic forecasts. Economy Wages are expected to grow 2.25 per cent by the end of this financial year. The unemployment rate will fall slowly from 5.5 to 5.25 per cent by 2019-20. Gross domestic product will grow from 2.1 per cent in 2016-17 to 3 per cent by 2019-20. The wage growth forecasts are optimistic. Wages have been going nowhere fast, but the budget's revenue forecasts are banking on them showing signs of life. The government claims to have "turned the corner" on debt and deficit but the improvement will depend on some optimistic forecasts. Credit:Lukas Coch Education The school chaplains program will become permanent at a cost of $61 million a year. Almost $125 million for about 2000 additional student places across three regional universities. A Skills Checkpoint program to encourage older workers to stay in the workforce. The government has already sorted its funding packages for schools and universities so this budget is mostly about tinkering. To that end, it reinforces that the government is willing to breach its own freeze on uni funding by granting more places at particular regional universities. Environment $500 million over seven years for the Great Barrier Reef to improve water quality and address other environmental concerns. $107.1 million over 11 years for Antarctic research. $5.3 million a year from 2018-19 for a new heritage grants program, bringing together existing heritage funding to help protect heritage places The Great Barrier Reef funding, announced before the budget, has been broadly welcomed. The Great Barrier Reef Foundation has been charged with spending most of the funding, and questions remain over how it will be distributed and how the government will oversee the process. Critics also say deforestation in Queensland and climate change must also be addressed if the reef is to be saved. Families National agreement on childcare for four-year-olds extended for 2019. Regional students to have easier access to Youth Allowance, with a lighter parental income test. An extra $54 million to tackle sexual assault, domestic violence, cyber safety and elder abuse. The impact of this budget on your family really depends on what type of family you are. There will be no relief for those getting by on social security payments, while migrants will have to wait even longer (four years) to access certain benefits. Health Medicare funding increased by $4.8 billion over four years. Investment in new medicines up $2.4 billion over four years. 14,000 additional home care packages for older people with high-level needs part of a $5 billion increase in aged care spending over four years. Aged care advocates will welcome a long-overdue funding injection into the sector and the medicine funding will transform the lives of people living with serious illness, helping them afford crucial drugs. But critics will continue calls for the entire Medicare rebate freeze to be dropped immediately and for a solution to soaring private health insurance costs. An increase of $30 billion in the government's new five-year hospitals agreement with the states and territories will be seen by opponents as too little to address chronic emergency department overcrowding and delayed surgeries. Income Tax Australians earning up to $90,000 will get a tax cut worth up to $530 next year. The threshold for workers to pay 37 in the dollar will rise from $87,000 to $90,000 next year before being raised again to $120,000 in 2022-23. The 37 per cent tax rate will be abolished entirely in 2024-25, with all Australians earning up to $200,000 only paying 32.5 in the dollar. Next year the instant tax cut will actually only be worth a milkshake and a hamburger a week, but the big savings for most workers will come from 2024-25, as the economy moves to a simplified two-tax rate system suggested by the Henry tax review. Security/foreign affairs Airport security and cargo screening across the country upgraded with more scanners at a cost of $293 million. Foreign aid cut by a further $110 million over four years after previous deep cuts. More money for foreign intelligence agency ASIS, small increases for federal police and ASIO. Peter Dutton's superportfolio of Home Affairs is making its mark with the modest funding increases to national security largely domestic-focussed. The Australian Defence Force will be happy that its funding remains on track to reach 2 per cent of GDP in another two years. Superannuation The ATO will proactively consolidate dormant superannuation funds with their active account, saving up to $570 million in fees in the first year. Superannuation funds will be banned from automatically signing people aged under 25 to life insurance policies. From July 1, 2019, the government will ban administration and investment fees on all low balance accounts, and ban exit fees for all accounts. For young workers with myriad superannuation accounts sucking up fees this is a good result. The ATO is also launching a crackdown on unpaid tax and super, leaving the budget better off overall by $1.2 billion over the next four years. Infrastructure Victoria $5 billion for Melbourne Airport rail. $1.75 billion for North West Link. $475 million for Monash University Rail. Loading With $7.8 billion in infrastructure spending for Victoria, this budget goes a long way to correcting years of neglect by Canberra of the state's needs, especially around transport. Even the Andrews state Labor government, which has secured funding for some of its pet projects, is purring. Australian actress Cate Blanchett said that while the #MeToo movement would usher in change in the way Hollywood runs its business, such change could be some time in coming. Blanchett was speaking on Tuesday in the French resort town of Cannes in her capacity as president of the jury for the 71st Cannes Film Festival. As with other festivals and Hollywood's day-to-day business at large, there has been widespread criticism of what many see as a lack of diversity in the gender and ethnicity of those able to participate. "For profound lasting change to occur, it needs to take place through specific actions," Blanchett said. Criss was introduced to the Glee cast as a vocal mentor for Chris Colfer's Kurt Hummel, but that relationship quickly turned romantic leading the New York Post to describe them as one of the most beloved TV couples of the millennium. Now Sydney will have a chance to see him live in a one-off intimate concert at the Eternity Playhouse in Darlinghurst on May 18. It may have been a few years since Darren Criss won hearts as Blaine Anderson on Glee, but affection for the 31-year-old star hasn't wavered. Several of Criss' covers on the show became hits of their own including his cover of Katy Perry's Teenage Dream which peaked at No.8 on the Billboard 100. Since leaving Glee he has made a number of appearances on Broadway replacing Harry Potter star Daniel Radcliffe in How To Succeed in Business Without Really Trying. In 2015 he joined an impressive list of performers including Neil Patrick Harris, Andrew Rannells and Michael C. Hall to play the role of Hedwig in Hedwig and the Angry Inch. This year he starred in The Assassination of Gianni Versace playing spree killer Andrew Cunanan which will air on Foxtel on May 24. Australian producer Michael Cassel has been pursuing Criss for a concert tour for sometime, but the Sydney event came about after the pair met at the opening night of Harry Potter and the Cursed Child on Broadway last month. Cassel is among the producers responsible for bringing the Harry Potter play to Australia next year. Katharine McBride's family is one of 30 on the lower Darling River currently negotiating with the NSW government about relocating as many as 200,000 sheep by summer when the river flows are next due to dry up, and domestic water supplies have to be carted in. She's not impressed by Monday's decision by federal Labor to back the Turnbull government's amendments to the $13 billion Murray-Darling Basin Plan. That bipartisan move outflanked a Greens' bid to block cuts of environmental flows by about a fifth. That disallowance motion will now fail when the vote takes place, most likely on Wednesday. Irrigators, such as cotton growers, are cheering the changes to Murray-Darling Basin Plan. Credit:Nick Moir Nor is McBride impressed by bluster of the Murray-Darling Basin Authority, the nominally independent agency cheer-leading changes that will trigger reductions in environmental flows of some 675 billion litres a year across the northern and southern parts of the basin. For months the fashion world has been holding its breath, wondering how the A-list would consider the theme of this year's Met Gala: "Heavenly Bodies: Fashion and the Catholic Imagination." Would anyone stage a protest against paedophile priests? Who would ignore the code completely? And who would rip off one of Beyonce's past looks? Best on ground ... Blake Lively in Versace. Credit:AP Mercifully, all these questions were answered with more or less a sigh of relief on Tuesday, Australian time, as several hundred celebrities led by the event's long-time chair, Vogue editor-in-chief Anna Wintour arrived at New York's Metropolitan Museum of Art, which the gala supports. This is partly because it's a life-changing event and change is unsettling. In the United States it's compounded by the fact that in order to redeem a lottery ticket, you have to agree to be in the media so everyone knows you have the money and, sadly, many see you as a meal ticket. That's not the case in Australia and the expert advice here is not to tell people and not to rush into any decisions. But the reason lottery wins don't translate to happiness is also because of how most winners spend their money. "The number one thing people do with lottery money is they buy stuff and it's for themselves, such as a new house, new boat, new car," Norton says. "It's not that it makes you unhappy but it has no effect on your happiness, not bad, not good, just nothingness." So what's the alternative? Norton suggests three ideas with a better happiness pay-off. First, buying experiences for yourself. Norton says experiences are better before they happen, while they happen, and after they happen. Consider spending $2000 on a fancy television versus $2000 on a holiday. While you're waiting for the TV to arrive, you feel frustrated and impatient. While you're waiting for the holiday, you feel anticipation and excitement. You fantasise about both the trip and the TV. You might tell yourself you'll invite friends over or have family movie nights, but what really happens when you buy a TV is that you get a box, put it on a wall, and sit by yourself for hours. During the vacation, things are not quite as good as the fantasy. But you're still out of the house experiencing things with other people, which beats the reality of buying a TV. The experience wins after the fact too. The TV becomes obsolete and your neighbour buys a better model. But even if your neighbour and you both take a trip to Paris, it's impossible to compare the two experiences so both people get to think their trip was better. One study asked people about their honeymoons. The week before they were very excited, during the honeymoon things were OK but not perfect, the week after it was good. Fast-forward 20 years and suddenly the honeymoon was "amazing". Our minds are built to forget negative experiences. Experiences also inform who you are and let you tell stories about yourself. "Let me tell you about the first time I went to Paris versus let me tell you about the first TV I bought," Norton says. Second, Norton suggests spending money to buy time. His example is about how a bigger house makes you less happy if the trade-off is that you have to spend a long time commuting each day. Even buying a fancy car doesn't fix that. But here are other ways to buy time. I've written before about the value of outsourcing household chores and life administration to help achieve work-life balance. Third, spending money on others is a guaranteed way to boost happiness. Norton says this seems to be universally true, with an experiment repeated in Canada and Uganda yielding the same results. People were given either $5 or $20, or the amount in Ugandan currency with the equivalent purchasing power. The money came with a note that either said "by 5pm today, spend this money on yourself" or "by 5pm today, spend this money on someone else". The Canadian undergraduates who spent it on other people bought items such as a stuffed animal for a niece or a scarf for their mother's birthday, gave it to homeless people, or bought someone a coffee. A NSW coroner has scolded the laws treatment of illicit drug users, venting her frustration over the lack of supervised injecting rooms in western Sydney. Deputy State Coroner Harriet Grahame made the frank remarks on Tuesday during an inquest into the 2016 deaths of six opiate users, which also heard expert fears of illicit fentanyl being on the verge of infiltrating Australian shores. The way we stigmatise drug users is really strange because it doesnt make a lot of sense, Ms Grahame said. She was speaking on the back of expert evidence by Marianne Jauncey, medical director of the Medically Supervised Injecting Centre in Kings Cross, who said drug users were given a poorer quality of care because they arent approved of. Shadow Attorney-General Paul Lynch endorsed the law reform commission review and said "there needs to be very serious consideration of the Tasmanian legislation as a model". Any change in the law is likely to be hard-fought and controversial. Criminal barrister and Australian Lawyers Alliance spokesman Greg Barns, who is based in Hobart, said the Tasmanian law was "unworkable because it fails to recognise the reality of how things happen" in sexual encounters. "The real issue is that these cases are better in a restorative justice setting. Victims prefer it and it is better for defendants," Mr Barns said. But Anthony Whealy, a former NSW Supreme Court judge and law reform commissioner, told the ABC on Tuesday the "best practice example is said to be either Tasmania or Victoria". He said he believed the changes in those states had been successful and it was "generally felt by the law reform commissions around Australia that it has been a move in the right direction". The government said it commissioned the review last week, ahead of an ABC Four Corners interview with Saxon Mullins, who accused Mr Lazarus of raping her in an alleyway behind the Soho nightclub in the early hours of May 12, 2013. Ms Mullins waived her legal right to anonymity and spoke to the ABC's flagship current affairs program to promote a discussion about NSW sexual consent laws. The interview aired on Monday night. The parties in the Lazarus case accepted that Ms Mullins, then an 18-year-old virgin, had not consented to anal sex with Mr Lazarus. Saxon Mullins on Four Corners on Monday. Credit:Four Corners The case turned on whether he had knowledge that she did not consent, which is a crucial element of the offence of sexual intercourse without consent. Knowledge includes not only actual knowledge of a lack of consent but recklessness or having "no reasonable grounds" for believing there is consent. The NSW District Court found in 2017 that Mr Lazarus had a genuine and honest belief that Ms Mullins was consenting even though "in her own mind" she was not. He was acquitted of the crime. Judge Robyn Tupman found Ms Mullins had not asked Mr Lazarus to stop - a fact hotly contested during the trial - and "did not take any physical action to move away". Mr Lazarus had been convicted of the crime in 2015 following a jury trial in the District Court and had served 11 months of a maxmimum five-year prison sentence. But his conviction was quashed by the Court of Criminal Appeal in 2016. The Director of Public Prosecutions lost a legal bid for Mr Lazarus to stand trial for a third time, with the Court of Criminal Appeal finding it would be "oppressive to put [Mr Lazarus] ... to the expense and worry of a third trial" in the circumstances of the case. The NSW review will take into account the experience of sexual assault survivors in the criminal justice system as well as the law in other jurisdictions in Australia and overseas. Karen Willis, executive officer at Rape and Domestic Violence Services Australia, said NSW consent laws included important provisions that should not be lost in any reform process but it was important to recognise that "lack of a verbal no" did not mean consent had been given. "Certainly having something that said saying nothing is not the same is giving consent ... would be a very good inclusion," Ms Willis said. She said NSW also needed to consider whether specialist courts were required for hearing sexual assault cases. Mr Speakman said on Tuesday there was a "systemic problem with sexual assault reporting and convictions". The conviction rate for prosecutions of sexual assault was about 55 per cent, he said, compared with 85 to 90 per cent in other cases. "We need to have a much bigger picture look at that," Ms Willis said. Mr Speakman said Ms Mullins was "extraordinarily brave" in sharing her story on Four Corners. Loading He said she had endured two trials and two appeals in the NSW Court of Criminal Appeal and there were legitimate questions about whether the law in NSW was "clear enough" and "fair enough". Ms Goward said "in this modern era we need an explicit culture where people actually ask, 'would you like to have sex?' and they be given a clear answer". A 74-year-old former youth officer has been arrested following investigations into alleged child sex abuse at a western Sydney boys' home. It's the third arrest for the Strike Force Eckersley, which was set up in 2016 to investigate a series of complaints referred by the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse. The strike force's inquiries are focused on allegations of child sexual assaults that occurred Daruk Training School at Berkshire Park between 1965 and 1985. Following months of investigations, strike force detectives travelled to a property in Basin View on the south coast about 8am and arrested a 74-year-old man. He was taken to Nowra Police Station, and inquiries are continuing. Starved of money, beleaguered by weak and haphazard laws and too often sacrificed to property developers, Australias cultural heritage is the forgotten child of cultural policy, according to a leading economist. But David Throsby, a professor of economics at Macquarie University, said part of the answer to conserving Australias heritage may lie with gamblers. A lottery would provide an alternative funding source to cash-strapped governments to fund heritage projects, according to Professor David Throsby. A lottery would provide an alternative source to cash-strapped governments to fund heritage projects, Professor Throsby suggests in Art, Politics, Money: Revisiting Australias Cultural Policy. In a spirit of unashamed plagiarism, we could copy the British example and set up a Heritage Lottery Fund, he said. Injustice results when the law fails to define with as much accuracy as possible what is meant by concepts such as consent. While the Tasmanian definition might work if a person is going to a doctors surgery and is required to sign a firm or otherwise affirm consent in the complex setting of two persons in an intimate setting such a clinical approach does not work. In cases where there is risk for both complainant and defendant in an adversarial trial process, an option that should be available is what is called restorative justice. In Canada, New Zealand, the US and Britain this process is available to complainants in sexual assault cases. It involves the defendant admitting wrongdoing, the victim being given the opportunity to tell the defendant how their actions hurt them, and with an outcome focussed on greater support for victims and for the defendant who, instead of simply being warehoused in a prison, may be subjected to a combination of prison and community-based alternatives that will focus on his or her underlying behavioural issues. Luke Lazarus leaves court in Sydney after his acquittal. Credit:AAP Restorative justice is preferred by victims in sexual assault cases. University of Montreal criminologist Jo-Anne Wemmers, writes that a 2015 survey from the US reported 56 per cent of victims indicated that they would like the opportunity for RJ in addition to the conventional criminal justice system and 30 per cent said that they would like the opportunity for RJ as an alternative to court. In New Zealand, after a landmark 2015 law reform report, the justice system now offers the alternative of restorative justice in all sexual assault cases. As Professor Wemmers, writing last year, notes, victim participation in RJ may be beneficial for victims psychological wellbeing, by reducing symptoms of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder and stress Victims refer to restorative justice processes as empowering for them and the use of such a process can encourage a defendant to plead guilty to the offence, albeit one is not suggesting that Mr Lazarus is guilty of any offence. The Mullins case can either be a signal for sensible discussion around alternatives to the criminal justice processes and a considered view on the laws of consent. But rushing into legislation the law of another state because it seems politically opportune is not smart justice. Manuel Katsaros, 52, was charged over the alleged sexual assault. Police have charged a man after he allegedly drugged and sexually assaulted a teenage girl in Sydney's inner west last month. It is alleged Manuel Katsaros, 52, gave the drug ice, or methamphetamine, to a 15-year-old girl before he took her to a home in Marrickville. There, police say, he plied the girl further with alcohol and cannabis, before sexually assaulting her. Police say the assault took place overnight in April, and the girl reported it the following day. Pensioners are selling on old fentanyl patches to drug users to help pay their bills, a coronial inquest into opiate deaths has heard. Examining six opiate related deaths in 2016, the NSW Coroners Court also heard opiate users were now turning to fentanyl because of the impurity of heroin. An opiates user who discovered his friend had taken a fatal overdose of drugs told the inquest on Tuesday that elderly patients were siphoning off unused patches to the black market. It seems to be sourced from old pensioners who sell it on to pay their bills, the man said. He referred to Cavendish Street in Newtown, where opiate users could buy morphine tablets from legitimate patients in the 1990s. Upset, Mr Chapman then chased the car before it turned off into a side street. He then pulled up behind it and attempted to jot down the Captiva's registration number in his car's service notebook. Mr Chapman said it was then that the attacker opened his car door and ripped the book from his hand. He did not see the man approach the car until he grabbed his book and because he is deaf, he did not hear the attacker. Mr Chapman pleaded to have his service book returned, but could see the attacker becoming more and more frustrated. "I repeated to him, 'I am deaf. Can you please give me back my book,''' he said. Then the grandfather was hit, with a powerful punch causing lacerations to his eye and eyebrow but failing to knock the tall man off his feet. Deaf Uber driver Ron Chapman talks about the attack. Credit:Jason South ''He refused to give it back to me. He just kept saying no, no, no and then he punched me.'' Two other passengers from the Captiva then joined in the attack, eventually pushing Mr Chapman to the ground, twisting and pinning his body. When he hit the ground, his head slammed on a concrete gutter. He was then struck in the back of his head and body with punches. They were twisting my body and holding me quite hard on the ground, they then hit me quite hard and squashed me to the ground," Mr Chapman said. ''They kicked and punched me until [a passerby] intervened. Then they left.'' Mr Chapman said that the passengers appeared to ''be high''. It was only when a passing couple rushed to his aid that the three attackers fled the scene. Police want to speak to this woman. Mr Chapman then drove himself Frankston Police Station from where an ambulance took him to hospital. A drive the next day to the police station was Mr Chapman's last since the attack. However, he hopes to put this incident behind him and continue the career as an Uber driver that he is so proud of and loves doing. After becoming sick from cancer, Mr Chapman took a redundancy from Telstra and recovered. He is now cancer free. Still wanting to work after his redundancy, he took on Uber driving and loves it. He feels he is good at what he does and is determined the thugs will not stop him from pursuing his driving career in the future, even though he's not driven since. "I'm having flashbacks about what's happened to me, so it's still on my mind," he said. "I receive so many comments from my passengers that Im a good driver, and I am proud to work for Uber," he said. "I am not a bad person, I am not sure why someone would do this to me, he said. Mr Chapman does not remember the exact location of his attack and, unfortunately, did not get the names of the couple that helped him. Police investigating the attack have released an image of a woman they would like to talk to, who was seen with the Captiva at a service station before the assault. Investigators are also hoping to identify the couple who helped the victim and speak to them. Detective Senior Constable Nick Jung said the Captiva had been reported stolen since April 15, when it was taken from a home in Mount Waverly. A Perth landlord is facing extensive damage bills after their rental property was turned into a cannabis grow-house. The landlord advertised the Joondalup property privately in September last year, and leased the home to a Vietnamese couple in their late 30s for two years. The landlord inspected the property in January and found no signs of trouble. The landlord faces a significant clean-up job. WA Police Organised Crime Squad detectives have been actively investigating networks of South-East Asian (predominately Vietnamese) crime gangs using Perth rental properties to grow hydroponic cannabis. Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull has called for restraint after US President Donald Trump announced he would pull out of the Iran nuclear deal. Speaking on ABC's Radio National on Wednesday, Mr Turnbull said he encouraged the five other signatories - Britain, Russia, France, China and Germany - and Iran to stick with the deal. "We regret the decision of the US," he said. "Of course, President Trump had foreshadowed that for a long time. "We encourage all parties to continue to comply with the deal, and we certainly are trying to support that." A visiting US military general has used a speech in Canberra to warn that China no longer fears the United States as it used to and that this risks destabilising Asia. General Robert Brown told an audience of high-ranking Australian defence officials and politicians that the US and its allies needed to regain a military innovation edge to deter China from starting a conflict. General Brown, who commands US Army forces in the Pacific region, told a dinner hosted by the Australian Strategic Policy Institute that during a visit to China last year to meet top brass from the People's Liberation Army he had realised that "something was different". "It took me a while to figure out what exactly was different in this visit, he said. I realised that China for the United States, used to fear us and respect us. They dont fear us anymore. ... and Oatley is going to look like Manhattan, what with the alarming rate our trees are being cut down and Georges River Councils plan for higher-density housing around our train station. - Anne Wagstaff, Oatley Sydney: like Paris but with beaches, says your front-page tease. I got excited thinking maybe the dashing La Perouse had beaten stodgy old Phillip to Sydney Cove. Then I remembered the construction site that is our city. The destruction of so much of our graceful architecture, charming urban streets and lanes, trees and civic spaces, and our disregard of museums and art galleries in favour of tollways and stadiums. I sighed as I walked to our last remaining Parisian square, Place de la Summer Hill, for a coffee and croissant at a pavement cafe. - Don Smith, Ashfield Apparently Lower Bent Street, Neutral Bay is the most Parisian part of Australia. Is that because the street number and crazy cat sign photographed are the traditional French blue and white enamelled, no doubt bought in Paris? - Ingrid Hawke, Balmain Whats in a suburb name (Letters, May 8)? Apparently $100 to $200 extra to insure a car if you reside in West Ryde, postcode 2114, rather than neighbouring Denistone (also 2114); that incidentally borders my back fence. When I queried the insurance assessor I was told my insurance was more expensive because West Ryde had a railway station. - Guy Thomson, West Ryde The letters from John Flint and David James reminded me of the absurdity of the boundary drawn in 1947 between India and East Pakistan (now Bangladesh). The boundary ran through villages and even houses, such that one part was in East Pakistan and the other part in India. - David Gordon, Cranebrook Here in Sydneys smallest suburb by area, we share our postcode, 2046, with our good neighbours in Abbotsford, Chiswick, Russell Lea, Rodd Point, Five Dock and Canada Bay snugly surrounded by all of them. No north, south, east or west nonsense here. - Tony Everett, Wareemba John Whiteing suggests that the closer your house is to the harbour the higher the value. Clearly hes never been to South Coogee. - Colin Campbell, Coogee If I travel downhill from Dover Heights, am I in Dover Depths? - Lynne Poleson, Kingsford Sweet relief as the music stops Thank goodness the budget has been handed down. Now, there will be no more politicians smugly answering pre-budget questions with I know the secret and you dont. They remind me of little kids in a playground. - Liz Liddelow, Avalon Beach Please Mr Turnbull and Mr Morrison, start paying off the debt. We Australians do not want a tax cut. - Surendra Chowdhry, Seven Hills A tax cut that benefits all, helps everyone receiving income support/subsidies and will stimulate the economy by increasing spending? Reduce the GST. - Matthew Boylan, Leichhardt Peter Costello decries a 10-year debt negation time line as a long time (Budget to fail debt test, May 8). Could a mortgaged Melbourne or Sydney home owner from the real world please call him and say how they would feel about being debt-free in one decade? - Daniel Hales, Epping Drip-feeding the drips I am disappointed that Labor has chosen to support the government in the misguided funding of irrigation water savings measures in the MDB which have to date returned zero water for the environment (Labor charts Murray-Darling course, May 8). The prospect that the outcomes of these projects in the south of the Basin will be any different to the sad northern story is dismal at least. The irrigation industries of the south are old hands at socialising these generous taxpayer-funded benefits. Why is Labor falling for this furphy? Social and economic outcomes are fine, but environmental damage is almost irreversible. Opposing these measures offered some hope of preventing the downward spiral that agribusiness has launched us all on. What can be the justification for this capitulation to narrow sectional interests on this fragile landscape? - Alastair Grieve, Wollstonecraft The drugs dont work So the inquest into opioid overdose deaths is, among other things, looking into the purity testing of fentanyl (Opioid testing in spotlight at deaths inquest, May 8). Any person who buys recreational drugs knows they are running the risk of a dreadful addiction and possibly eventually either ruining their lives or even killing themselves. Isnt that why they are illegal in the first place? The pill-testing pilot at the Groovin the Moo festival has me wondering why the drug squad doesnt pounce on patrons who join the pill-testing queue. Either enforce the law and users run the risk of paying the ultimate price or dont, leave them alone to enjoy their sad idea of fun. - Kay Buckeridge, Mosman We can breathe easier now a man who sells fake cocaine to willing-but-duped buyers is living at taxpayers expense (Big Fella jailed over faux cocaine, May 8). We can celebrate with our legal (and taxed) champagne, while the criminal kingpins and their political/law enforcement enablers work out new ways to expand their empires within this hypocritical system. Its enough to drive one to Prozac. - Amanda Wilson, Balmain Quad bike sense Making quad bikes safer seems fairly straightforward (Walkouts threaten new system, May 8). Roll bars and shoulder harness would make all the difference. Remember stock-car racing: all vehicles were fitted the same way. - Lars Newman, Fairlight Lashings of justice Illustration: John Shakespeare I think your correspondent has mistakenly assumed that the brilliant idea from the Carlingford branch of the Liberal Party is a justice measure (Liberals whip up punishment debate, May 8). If you do the arithmetic, at 70 lashes a day for the unfortunate miscreants, itll require a workforce of thousands. Its obviously another measure of Mals Jobs and Growth program. And on the very day of the budget. - Tony Mitchell, Hillsdale Further to the branch proposal for lashes as punishment (by cat o nine tails, I presume) I have a further suggestion. After the lashes are inflicted lets transport them to England. By the way, they did not detail the number of lashes for stealing a handkerchief. - Paivi Kaukomaa, Hornsby Heights Racist, sexist Bean Charles Bean was chosen as Official War Correspondent in September 1914 in a ballot of journalists on request from the new Labor government of Andrew Fisher. But his conflict of interest in being correspondent with an agreement to also write up the history of the First World War led him into strange areas (Bean there, but not in our electorate, May 8). After Australian soldiers burnt down brothels in the Wazir district of Cairo twice in 1915, the AIF top brass asked Bean to write a book on how soldiers should understand life in Egypt. Many were getting VD. Beans book What to Know in in Egypt: A Guide for Australian soldiers was the result. It is a catalogue of racist images about Arab natives, Muslim practices and Muslim men and especially women. Bean may well have been anti-Semitic, as Labors Mike Kelly asserts, but even taking attitudes of the time towards race into account, his Islamophobia in the Middle East is remarkable. He passed much of these views on to his friend and correspondent of choice, Henry Gullett, who reported the Palestine campaign in 1917 and 1918. In this day and age, to name a Canberra federal electorate after Bean seems inappropriate to say the least. - Peter Manning, Dulwich Hill Already got the male Con Vaitsas is concerned about the gender balance of patrons of the Sydney Writers Festival (Letters, May 8). This male lost interest in the festival when attending a booked session where the writer who had produced a controversial re-edit of a James Joyce work, Danis Rose, delivered what was essentially a promotion for the book, turned on his heel and left the stage, taking no questions. And there were questions to be asked. I spend a couple of hundred dollars on books each year, with no need for the log rolling, controversies, and ballyhoo of the Writers Festival when making my choices. Thats one mans story, anyway. - Ross Chambers, Springwood I urge Con to attend the Brisbane Writers Festival (September 6-9), where I guarantee women will outnumber men. - Kerry Whalen, Varsity Lakes (Qld) Too cool for youse What a shame the cool young models don't seem too happy with their newfound situation ("Cool young crew shakes up modelling world", May 8). - Yvonne Kuvener, Wentworth Falls You would think these young models could crack a smile? Great pay and great exposure. But not one does. Just as in a recent Vogue I thumbed through: I saw no more than 10 smiling young girls in the whole thing. Smiling as I write ... - Joan Croll, Drummoyne World of difference He said he did not want the Premier to have his attention diverted from getting WA back on track. Speaker Peter Watson said the privileges committee recommended parliament expel Mr Urban and strip him of his entitlements for "sustained and gross" contempt when he misled the house on five occasions. The committee found there was "overwhelming" evidence he had misled the house, and had provided to the committee a "forged document" to support his claim to hold a degree from the University of Leeds, Mr Watson said. The committee also found Mr Urban did not serve in the Balkans in late 1998 as he had claimed. Mr Watson said it was one of the most difficult inquiries ever under taken by the privileges committee. Kuala Lumpur: Malaysia's Barisan Nasional ruling party will lose votes and seats in Wednesday's election but is still likely to extend its 61 years of unbroken rule, according to one of the country's leading pollsters. An unflattering image of Prime Minister Najib Razak behind his rival candidate for Malaysia's election, Mahathir Mohamad. Credit:AP Pollster Ibrahim Suffian, from the well-respected Merdeka Centre, told Fairfax Media on the eve of the country's 14th general election that a hung Parliament was also possible. At one time, such a result would have been unthinkable. But after winning the popular vote in 2013 and failing to win enough seats to form government because of a gerrymander, the opposition Pakatan Harapan (Alliance of Hope) parties are hoping to make history by defeating Prime Minister Najib Razak's ruling coalition. Dublin: An upcoming vote on abortion has turned Ireland into ground zero in the global reckoning with how foreign interests can deploy social media to distort democratic politics. With the May 25 referendum less than two weeks away, Facebook announced on Tuesday that it would stop accepting related advertisements from groups based outside of Ireland. The restriction testifies to the depths of concern that foreign advertising could skew the outcome. And it highlights the technology company's tortured attempt to move past criticism that it became a conduit for misinformation and outside meddling during the Brexit and US presidential campaigns in 2016. Demonstrators pose during the March for Choice in Dublin in September 2017. Credit:PA "We understand the sensitivity of this campaign and will be working hard to ensure neutrality at all stages," Facebook said in a statement, adding that it is asking political parties, campaign groups and an unaffiliated transparency initiative to flag advertisements, which the company will then investigate. It is also deploying machine learning to identify inappropriate content. "Our goal is simple: to help ensure a free, fair and transparent vote on this important issue." The Kurds have multiple aims in their more lenient approach. They want to extend bridges to eastern Syria's majority population of Arabs, who deeply distrust their new Kurdish rulers. They also want to highlight their competence in government and win international legitimacy. So the Kurds abolished the death sentence and offered reduced sentences to IS members who hand themselves in. The harshest sentence is life in prison, which is actually a 20-year sentence. They organised reconciliation and mediation efforts with major Arab tribes and offered more than 80 IS fighters amnesty last year to foster good tribal relations and convince others to turn themselves in. In contrast, Iraqi courts have sentenced hundreds of IS suspects to death in swift trials, and even tangential links to the militant group are punished by sentenced of 15 years or life. Prisoners play volleyball, in a Kurdish-run prison in Qamishli housing former members of IS. Credit:AP The Kurds renamed the terrorism courts, saying that term was too negative. Instead, the tribunals trying IS suspects are called the Defence of the People Courts. Kurdish officials call their prisons "academies", saying the emphasis is on re-education. The changes are in line with the group's "leftist-libertarian" ideology that claims to act as a direct democracy. But there are also major gaps. There are no defence lawyers; officials say that is because they fear security breaches amid a string of bombings and assassinations against officials blamed on IS cells. Judges keep their identities secret for fear of being targeted. So far, it is impossible to appeal verdicts, though the Kurds say they plan to create appeal tribunals. On a more basic level, the lack of international recognition puts a stranglehold on the Kurdish courts. Legally speaking, they have no more standing than Syrian rebels' or even the Islamic State group' courts. Kurdish authorities complain they are getting no help - including from their chief ally the United States - even though they say they discussed with American officials their needs to develop their legal code and improve practices. A Kurdish prison security guard, left, escorts a defended into the Defence of the People Court. Credit:AP A US State department official said American agencies were "not at this time providing any training to the justice department" of the self-administration. Kurdish authorities don't say how many IS suspects they are holding in their prisons, saying the numbers change constantly because of trials, amnesties and new arrests. There are an estimated 400 foreign fighters held by the Kurdish-led authorities, and approximately some 2000 women and children, families of foreign fighters, kept in camps under tight security, according to Human Rights Watch. The Kurds have not decided how to handle them, since their home countries don't want them back but also don't recognise the Kurdish-run courts. Aynour Pacha, who co-heads the highest council of judges in Qamishli that oversees the courts, said the self-administration is willing and has a right to try them. But she raised the question of whether their countries would take them back after they served their sentences. "We wish the world would see the burden we are carrying on our shoulders," she said. "These foreigners who killed our children are a heavy burden." Since the Syrian government pulled out of Kurdish areas in 2012, Kurds established local administrations, security forces, parliaments and courts. After rolling back IS with American backing, they control nearly 25 percent of Syria, including oil and water resources. Still, their self-rule is precarious. Qamishli, the administrative centre, is divided between Kurdish control and a pocket held by the Syrian government, which doesn't recognise Kurdish aspirations to autonomy. Further west, Turkish forces are waging a military campaign vowing to roll Kurdish autonomy back. Nadim Houry, director of the counter-terrorism program at Human Rights Watch, said self-rule officials appear to be making a real effort to meet international standards in the judicial system, despite the limitations. "I think this is on the positive side," said Houry, who recently visited northern Syria. "On the other hand, there are real issues. You can't have a trial without a defence lawyer ... I think structurally this is the biggest problem." The courts may be "primitive," he said, but such trials can "play a role in writing the history of this period" and gathering information about how the extremist group worked. Courts in Iraq and Syria can't do that, he said, "because they don't have the capabilities or because they only rely on an anti- terrorism lens." After backing the fight against IS, "the international community is absent and very weak" on helping in post-war issues in both Iraq and Syria, including in meting out justice. The message is, "this is your problem, find the solution. But it is an international problem." Since 2015, the terrorism court in Qamishli, the largest in the self-administration areas, has convicted around 1500 defendants. Of those, 146 received sentences of life in prison; 133 were acquitted. The trials have increased exponentially as IS collapsed. In 2017, 674 were convicted, nearly double those tried the year before. So far this year, 225 have been tried, according to court records. At one recent verdict session, the defendant was a 34-year-old who had worked as an IS court clerk. The judge sentenced him to three years, which was reduced to one year because he handed himself in. The judge asked him if he wanted to comment. "What about my 45 days in detention? Would you count those?," the defendant asked. The judge said they would be counted. The defendant then asked to call his family. The judge agreed, and the defendant gushed with praise for his captors. A number of Iraqis have also been tried in the Kurdish courts. One Iraqi said, during a visit to the prison, that he handed himself in to Kurdish authorities to avoid falling in the hands of Iraqi militias. Kurdish officials said some prisoners ended up joining the Kurdish-led forces after serving their sentence to fight IS. But even those professed good intentions have limits. The view is bleaker in prison. Abdullah Khalaf, 35, a Syrian former IS member smokes, at a Kurdish-run prison in Qamishli, north Syria. Credit:AP Abdullah Khalaf is serving a 20-year sentence for his role in a 2016 IS attack on a Kurdish government building that killed more than 10 people. Khalaf doesn't contest that he's guilty; he confessed to his role in the attack. But, speaking in prison, he angrily scoffed at the Kurds and the justice he was offered. Khalaf is from Tal Abyad, one of the first towns to come under the control of the Kurdish-led forces in their campaign against IS. He had already moved to Raqqa, where he operated as a smuggler, bringing contraband cigarettes into IS-held territory, despite the heavy penalties the militants inflicted on those who sold or smoked it. After taking over Tal Abyad, the Kurds expelled his family when the body of a Kurd was found on their land. IS militants knew how to exploit tensions between Arabs and Kurds. They demanded Khalaf work for them, sneaking explosives into Tal Abyad. They seized Khalaf's contraband and arrested his brother, threatening to kill him if he didn't cooperate. He succumbed. Khalaf shows no remorse. "I entered a tunnel and could not get out," he says. After cooperating on a couple of missions, he was arrested after the attack in 2016. He grumbles that he received a heavy sentence while more senior IS members walked away because of connections to the new Kurdish rulers. Meanwhile, he says, his family, including his wife and four children, have been forced to flee to Turkey, fearing reprisals because of his IS connections. He is worried his kids will forget him. "I wish they had given me the death sentence. It would have been better to die than to linger in prison," Khalaf says furiously. "What if I make it out, can I survive after those years? I will wait a year or two and then kill myself." Reached by telephone half an hour after Avenatti posted the information, Trump attorney Rudy Giuliani said he doubted the report's veracity. Attempts were unsuccessful to reach Columbus Nova, the US investment vehicle for Vekselberg's Renova Group that Avenatti says made the payment. First Republic declined to comment. According to a tweet posted by a reporter, an attorney for Cohen said he wouldn't discuss the $US500,000. "I understand the shorthand you're using, but it wasn't a payment," the attorney, Steve Ryan, told Natasha Bertrand of the Atlantic. "I have no idea how he would know that. I have no reason to believe that anything he says is true," Giuliani said. "I consider him now sort of a guy who books for 'Saturday Night Live.' The guy is a pretty unsuccessful lawyer -- can't remember a case he's ever had that meant anything -- and I think he's desperate for money." Avenatti disclosed his information on Twitter without warning. "Mr Trump and Mr Cohen have a lot of explaining to do," he wrote, adding a link to a site where the public could view a summary of his findings. It's unclear whether Avenatti obtained bank information, if it's accurate, as part of litigation involving Trump, Cohen and Clifford over the non-disclosure agreement Cohen negotiated. Separately, federal prosecutors in Manhattan are investigating the payment and Cohen's broader business practices. Avenatti named three companies, besides Columbus Nova, that he said transferred money into the account at First Republic. Through January 2018, he said, Cohen used the account for what Avenatti called suspicious transactions totaling $US4.43 million. The other companies were Novartis AG, AT&T and Korea Aerospace Industries Ltd. The account belonged to Essential Solutions, a Delaware LLC that was established by Cohen and has been previously identified as the source of the hush payment to Clifford. Donald Trump signalled his willingness to end the Iran nuclear deal in the sort of self-aggrandising language that has become the mark of his presidency. "Nobody knows what I am going to do on the 12th," he said, referring to the date in May by which he must decide whether or not to waive or renew sanctions on Iran, effectively endorsing or destroying the deal that is preventing Iran from developing nuclear weapons. Donald Trump with First lady Melania Trump during Melania's "Be Best" initiative on Monday. Credit:AP We are now hours from a deadline that Trump overnight has brought forward to 4am Australian time on Wednesday. And while it may please the president to discuss it in the terms of a reality show like the one he used to star in, it is difficult to exaggerate the stakes. Should the deal collapse Iran may respond by resuming its enrichment of uranium in an effort to race for a weapon that might deter a military strike, sparking an immediate nuclear crisis in the worlds most dangerous region. Uranium Energy Corp Completes the Acquisition of the North Reno Creek ISR Project Posted by Publisher Internet Uranium Energy Corp (NYSE American: UEC, the ?Company? or ?UEC? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5b0H0iWRXk0&t=6s) is pleased to announce that the Company has recently completed its previously announced Purchase Agreement (the ?Agreement?) with Uranerz Energy Corporation, a wholly owned subsidiary of Energy Fuels Inc. (collectively, ?Energy Fuels?), and now holds 100% of its advanced stage North Reno Creek ISR project (?North Reno Creek? or the ?Project?) located immediately adjacent to and within UEC?s existing Reno Creek Project permitting boundary in the Powder River Basin, Wyoming (see Figure 1 below; the ?Acquisition?).? The North Reno Creek leases and claims acquired through this Acquisition consolidate UEC?s land and resource* position in the region. Transaction Highlights North Reno Creek is situated within UEC?s existing permitting boundary at Reno Creek, allowing for integrated development. Increases Reno Creek?s combined Measured and Indicated resource by 20%, based upon Uranerz?s previously reported NI 43-101 Measured and Indicated resource of 3.8 million tons grading 0.056% U3O8 yielding 4.3 million lbs at North Reno Creek. UEC plans to engage a qualified person to compete the necessary work to incorporate the North Reno Creek resource estimate into the Company?s Reno Creek Project and complete an updated technical report under NI 43-101.* ** Opportunities to enhance UEC?s development of Reno Creek by optimizing the mine plan to remove the effects of property boundaries that had previously separated mineralized roll-fronts on both properties. In particular, significant synergies exist in co-development at both the North Reno Creek Resource Unit and the Southwest Reno Creek Resource Unit, which are expected to be the first units developed within the project area. Further augments UEC?s footprint in the strategic Powder River Basin in Wyoming, a uranium mining-friendly state with excellent infrastructure and an experienced labor force. Amir Adnani, President & CEO, stated: ?We are very pleased to complete this highly synergistic acquisition integrating North Reno into our broader Reno Creek project area.? This further cements our position in controlling one of the largest, fully permitted and 100% un-hedged low-cost ISR portfolios in the United States.? This acquisition also comes at a time when international trade and geopolitical developments underscore the importance of domestic uranium supplies in support of American energy security.? Transaction Details UEC has now provided to Energy Fuels the following material purchase price consideration at the closing of the Agreement: (a)??????? $2,940,000 in cash; and (b)??????? 1,625,531 common shares of UEC (each, a ?Share?), at a deemed issuance price of $1.5072 per Share, representing the volume weighted average price of UEC?s common shares on the NYSE American for the five trading days immediately prior to (but not including) closing. North Reno Creek ISR Project Overview The North Reno Creek ISR Project is located in the Powder River Basin, Campbell County, Wyoming, approximately 80 miles northeast of Casper. Substantial historical exploration, development and project permitting have been performed on the North Reno Creek property.? Beginning in the late 1960s and continuing into the mid-1980s, Rocky Mountain Energy (?RME?), a wholly owned subsidiary of the Union Pacific Railroad, drilled more than 800 exploration drill holes on the North Reno Creek property.? In the late 1970s and early 1980s, RME successfully operated and restored and reclaimed a uranium ISR pilot plant.? Subsequently, RME nearly completed permitting and licensing for a commercial scale ISR facility. In 1992, the Reno Creek Project was acquired by Energy Fuels Nuclear, Inc. (?EFN?) from RME.? Over the next decade EFN and its successor, International Uranium Corporation (now Denison Mines), continued to advance the project toward full permitting and licensing. Subsequently, Rio Algom and Power Resources held the project until dropping all of their interests in 2003.? Between 2006 and 2008, Uranerz acquired mineral and surface land interests covering approximately 1,280 acres of fee mineral leases and federal mining claims comprising the North Reno Creek Project.? In June 2015, Energy Fuels Inc. acquired Uranerz, whose development assets included the North Reno Creek property. In October 2010, Uranerz issued an NI 43-101 technical report titled ?Technical Report, Reno Creek Property, Campbell County, Wyoming, U.S.A?, dated October 13, 2010 (the ?Technical Report?). The Technical Report, prepared by Douglass Graves, P.E. of Trec, Inc., in accordance with NI 43-101, outlined a Measured and Indicated resource of 3.8 million tons containing 4.3 million pounds of U3O8 at a grade of 0.056 percent.? In addition, they reported an Inferred resource of 190,000 tons containing 142,200 pounds of U3O8 at a grade of 0.039 percent.? The Technical Report is available on SEDAR at www.sedar.com.* ** Figure 1 The technical information in this news release has been prepared in accordance with the Canadian regulatory requirements set out in NI 43-101 and was reviewed by Clyde L. Yancey, P.G., Vice President-Exploration for the Company, a Qualified Person under NI 43-101. Advisors and Counsel Haywood Securities Inc. is acting as financial advisor to the Company and McMillan LLP and Holland & Hart LLP are acting as legal advisors to the Company. About Uranium Energy Corp. Uranium Energy Corp. is a U.S.-based uranium mining and exploration company.? The Company?s fully-licensed Hobson Processing Facility is central to all of its projects in South Texas, including the Palangana ISR mine, the permitted Goliad ISR project and the development-stage Burke Hollow ISR project. ?Additionally, the Company controls a pipeline of advanced-stage projects in Arizona, Colorado and Paraguay. ?The Company?s operations are managed by professionals with a recognized profile for excellence in their industry, a profile based on many decades of hands-on experience in the key facets of uranium exploration, development and mining. ? Osisko declares 15th Quarterlz dividend Posted by Publisher Internet Osisko Gold Royalties Ltd (\Osisko\ or the \Company\) (TSX:OR) (NYSE:OR https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DiYMIzhstxE&t=28s ) is pleased to announce a second quarter 2018 dividend of C$0.05 per common share. The dividend will be paid on July 16, 2018 to shareholders of record as of the close of business on June?29, 2018. For shareholders residing in the United States, the U.S. dollar equivalent will be determined based on the daily rate published by the Bank of Canada on June 29, 2018. This dividend is an \eligible dividend\ as defined in the Income Tax Act (Canada). Sean Roosen, Chair and Chief Executive Officer of Osisko, commented: ?We are happy to declare our 15th consecutive dividend payment. We are proud of our achievement having already returned a total to $62.9 million to shareholders since inception of the Company in 2014.? The Company also wishes to remind its shareholders that it has implemented a dividend reinvestment plan (the ?Plan?). Shareholders who are residents of Canada and the United States may elect to participate in the Plan in connection with the dividend to be paid on July 16, 2018 to shareholders on record as of June 29, 2018. If a shareholder elects to participate in the Plan, the Company will issue to the shareholder, in lieu of a cash dividend, common shares from treasury at a 3% discount to the weighted average price of the common shares during the five (5) trading days immediately preceding the dividend payment date. Participation in the Plan is optional and will not affect a shareholders? cash dividends if the shareholder elects not to participate in the Plan. Quarterly dividends are only payable as and when declared by Osisko?s Board of Directors. A complete copy of the Plan and the enrolment form are available on Osisko?s website at http://osiskogr.com/en/dividends/drip/. Shareholders should carefully read the complete text of the Plan before making any decisions regarding their participation in the Plan. Non-registered beneficial shareholders who wish to participate in the Plan should contact their financial advisor, broker, investment dealer, bank or other financial institution that holds their common shares to inquire about the applicable enrolment deadline and to request enrolment in the Plan. For more information on how to enroll or any other inquiries, contact the Agent at 1-800-387-0825 (toll-free in Canada) or inquiries@canstockta.com. Participation in the Plan does not relieve shareholders of any liability for taxes that may be payable in respect of dividends that are reinvested in common shares under the Plan. Shareholders should consult their tax advisors concerning the tax implications of their participation in the Plan having regard to their particular circumstances. This press release is not an offer or a solicitation of an offer of securities. About Osisko Gold Royalties Ltd Osisko Gold Royalties Ltd is an intermediate precious metal royalty company focused on the Americas that commenced activities in June 2014. Osisko holds a North American focused portfolio of over 130 royalties, streams and precious metal offtakes. Osisko?s portfolio is anchored by five cornerstone assets, including a 5% NSR royalty on the Canadian Malartic Mine, which is the largest gold mine in Canada. Osisko also owns a portfolio of publicly held resource companies, including a 15.5% interest in Osisko Mining Inc., a 12.7% interest in Falco Resources Ltd. and a 32.6% in Barkerville Gold Mines Ltd. Osisko?s head office is located at 1100 Avenue des Canadiens-de-Montreal, Suite 300, Montreal, Quebec, H3B?2S2. Forward-looking statements Certain statements contained in this press release may be deemed \forward-looking statements\ within the meaning of applicable Canadian and U.S. securities laws. These forward-looking statements, by their nature, require the Company to make certain assumptions and necessarily involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied in these forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of performance. In this news release, these forward-looking statements may involve, but are not limited to, comments with respect to the directors and officers of the Company, information pertaining to the fact that all conditions for payment of the dividend will be met and that such dividend will continue to be an ?eligible dividend? as defined in the Income Tax Act (Canada). Words such as \may\, \will\, \would\, \could\, \expect\, \believe\, \plan\, \anticipate\, \intend\, \estimate\, \continue\, or the negative or comparable terminology, as well as terms usually used in the future and the conditional, are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Information contained in forward-looking statements is based upon certain material assumptions that were applied in drawing a conclusion or making a forecast or projection, including that the financial situation of the Company will remain favourable. The Company considers its assumptions to be reasonable based on information currently available, but cautions the reader that its assumptions regarding future events, many of which are beyond the control of the Company, may ultimately prove to be incorrect since they are subject to risks and uncertainties that affect the Company and its business. For additional information with respect to these and other factors and assumptions underlying the forward-looking statements made in this press release, see the section entitled ?Risk Factors? in the most recent Annual Information Form of Osisko which is filed with the Canadian securities commissions and available electronically under Osisko?s issuer profile on SEDAR at www.sedar.com and with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission and available electronically under Osisko?s issuer profile on EDGAR at www.sec.gov. The forward-looking information set forth herein reflects Osisko?s expectations as at the date of this press release and is subject to change after such date. Osisko disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, other than as required by law. How to build smarter, more secure cities from the ground up Today, we live in a technology-obsessed age. Whichever way you look, its hard to avoid the increasing number applications, products and solutions that continue to redefine the boundaries of what we previously thought possible. From autonomous vehicles and edge computing to 5G and the Internet of Things, all facets of our lives are continuing to evolve, thanks to an endless stream of differentiated innovations. In this article, well be focusing on the latter of these - the Internet of Things (IoT). Deployment of IoT technologies Smart homes, smart utilities, smart retail, smart farming, smart supply chains and many of the other smart versions of sectors that were already familiar with, are all called as such because of the implications of IoT. Indeed, it is a technology that has manifested itself in billions of devices, which today underpin the truly transformational levels of connectivity that we see across industries of all shapes and sizes. The statistics speak for themselves. According to Statista, over US$ 1 trillion is expected to be spent on IoT technology worldwide, in 2022. Be it added convenience, efficiency, productivity or intelligence, many benefits are poised to emerge from this spike in IoT-related activities. Yet to say this digital transition is going to be entirely positive would be naive. Threats faced by smart cities It is said that by 2040, 65 per cent of the worlds population will be living in cities Lets consider smart cities. It is said that by 2040, 65 per cent of the worlds population will be living in cities. To accommodate such an influx, without facing significant logistical issues, with limited space and infrastructure, policy makers have begun to recognise that these urban environments need to become not only larger, but smarter as well. As a result, the global smart cities market is on the rise. Statista states that, globally, technology spending on smart city initiatives is expected to double from US$ 81 billion in 2018 to US$ 189.5 billion in 2023. Threat of attackers with expanding IoT landscape The challenge here is that such a stark uptick will drastically expand the IoT landscape, presenting more opportunities than ever to threat actors. As connectivity and computing power is distributed more widely across large-scale outdoor networks, hackers will scale-up their own operations in tandem. According to a Nokia report from October 2020 (based on data aggregated from monitoring network traffic on more than 150 million devices globally), IoT devices now account for roughly 33 per cent of all infected devices, up from the 16 per cent estimated in 2019. Whats more concerning is how these figures are translating into real world events. 2021 alone has already witnessed an attack on a water plant in Oldsmart, Florida, which was designed to poison residents drinking water. Furthermore, Colonial Pipeline, one of the largest fuel pipelines in the US was also hacked, earlier this year, resulting in major shortages across the countrys East Coast. Security through IoT authentication From weak password protection, a lack of regular patch updates and insecure interfaces, to insufficient data protection, poor IoT devices management and an IoT skills gap, there are plenty of weaknesses existing within the IoT ecosystem, which continue to provide open goals for attackers. To defend against such lethal threats, security-by-design and open standards should be the guiding principles of IoT, working to prioritise security, interoperability and robust, internet-based protocols to mitigate risks. Device authentication and encryption A sound place to start is to make device authentication and encryption the central pillars of your IoT security architecture A sound place to start, in this regard, is to make device authentication and encryption the central pillars of your IoT security architecture. The goal is to be able to prove that each and every device joining a network is not malicious, with tell-tale signs being rogue code, for example. By ensuring each device is uniquely identifiable with digital certificates and therefore, properly authenticated when joining a network, you can ensure no tampered devices are able to infiltrate your overarching network. Using technologies, such as Hardware Secure Element Critically, passwords should be avoided altogether, these vulnerable to being stolen and cracked. And, while a similar vulnerability lies in the fact that all secure devices contain a private key, you can leverage technologies, such as Hardware Secure Element (a chip designed specifically to protect against unauthorised access, even if the attacker has physical access to the device), as an extra layer of defence. Digital certificates are not the only option available in protecting those IoT devices that, if tampered with, could become the cause of physical threats. Physical Unclonable Function (PUF) can also be used to prevent tampering. Physical Unclonable Function (PUF) Through Physical Unclonable Function (PUF), a form of IoT device fingerprint is developed from the unique make up of a piece of silicon, which can be used to create a unique cryptographic key. Unlike digital certificates, a secure infrastructure can be achieved through PUF, without the need for any additional hardware, as the key is not only stored securely, but it also becomes invisible to hackers, when the device is not running. The importance of encryption Use of AES encryption within radio chips, to scramble messages on the move, is the method adopted at Wi-SUN Alliance Now, lets turn attentions to encryption. The use of AES encryption within radio chips, to scramble messages on the move, is the method that we have adopted here at Wi-SUN Alliance. Its a means of maximising data security, but also reducing power consumption in the devices themselves. Beyond AES encryption, its also worth considering topography at the design stage. Indeed, mesh networks are advantageous for several reasons. They are more reliable, allowing data to be re-routed, should devices lose contact unexpectedly. Transmissions usually travel shorter distances, which improves power efficiency and performance, and frequency hopping functionality prevents attackers from jamming signals, which could deny the service altogether. Open standards and interoperability But where do open, interoperable standards fit in? As is defined by the European Committee for Interoperable Systems (ECIS), interoperability enables a computer programme to communicate and exchange information with other computer programmes, allowing all programmes to use that information. Open standards then allow any vendor of communications equipment or services to implement all standards necessary, to interoperate with other vendors. This is incredibly useful from a security perspective. It means that all specs are stress-tested and verified by many users, and that any vulnerabilities are quickly detected, and remediated, enhancing security and reliability. Need for open standards Equally, open standards can accelerate time-to-market, reduce costs and ensure products are usable, with a variety of manufacturers processors and radios, with a steam of publicly available protocol stacks, design information and reference implementations available that can help build and future-proof secure products. Indeed, large-scale corporate IoT networks alongside smart cities, smart utilities, and other key smart infrastructure will only continue to evolve, in the coming years. With the immense threats of attackers in mind, these systems must prioritise security-by-design, both now and in the future. Georgetown, SC (29440) Today Partly cloudy early followed by cloudy skies overnight. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. Low 67F. Winds NNE at 5 to 10 mph.. Tonight Partly cloudy early followed by cloudy skies overnight. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. Low 67F. Winds NNE at 5 to 10 mph. WASHINGTON One of the next big things in geospatial intelligence is tiny black boxes aboard satellites that ingest massive amounts of data in space and instantly analyze it. No downloading necessary. Geospatial data manipulation and analysis in real time is the holy grail in the military intelligence business. "We are trying to help commanders 'see through the fog of data' in situations when they have to make decisions very quickly," said Melanie Stricklan, chief technology officer and co-founder of Slingshot Aerospace, in Manhattan Beach, California. Stricklan served 21 years in the U.S. Air Force, and her duties included flying in the back of the JSTARS radar surveillance plane. The airplane's sensors were pulling loads of data but it was hard to extract intelligence, she told SpaceNews.There were times when the data would be sent to analysts and it could take weeks to actually "see what we were looking at." Later in her career, Stricklan worked at the Air Force Space and Missile Systems Center on satellite programs. It became clear to her and other colleagues in the industry that the future would be won by those who could figure out how to use technology to exploit all that data collected by satellites and airplanes. Slingshot Aerospace is developing a cloud-based platform that pulls in data from many types of sensors and uses machine learning algorithms to "extract information," she said. "Our end goal is to have AI in a small chip on board spacecraft." The technology is still in its infancy, to be sure. The company continues to bring more data into the cloud-based platform to try to improve the algorithms. The goal is to put the platform in a chip that would be embedded in satellites, said Stricklan. "We're trying to develop this so the extraction takes place on board the spacecraft." The military for decades has been interested in "data fusion." The phrase is taking on new significance as the remote sensing industry moves to deploy clusters of satellites that collect multiple forms of data and signals, from traditional high-resolution imagery, to radar, radio-frequency an hyper spectral pictures. "The only way to get through that amount of data and make it relevant in the decision space that a warfighter needs is by using machine learning and AI," Stricklan said. The geospatial intelligence business used to be about selling data. "Now everybody wants solutions," said Robert Laudati, managing director of commercial products at Harris Space and Intelligence Systems A confluence of trends is changing the industry. Data is becoming easier and cheaper to collect. AI has been out there for years, but now the industry is beginning to "operationalize it," Laudati said in an interview. The military and the intelligence community are fueling the demand for more advanced algorithms that can take advantage of any data, regardless of the source. "How do we stand up the systems to drive this massive amount of data and do something about it?" That is the question of the day. With so much data being gathered by remote sensing satellites, the "real future" is to move the computing to space, Laudati said. Experiments already are being done aboard the International Space Station. "If you do the computing up there, you don't have to download so much data," he said. The problem is that satellites were not designed to be computers. He does not see that capability coming to the market any time soon. "That's a long way off." The urge to operationalize AI is one reason the Pentagon has committed to invest $10 billion to modernize its cloud computing platforms. This is crucial to algorithm developers and geospatial analytical companies, said Stricklan. "DoD has many cloud challenges," she said. The military needs cloud environments with layered security levels so vendors can be "play inside" and understand what customers needs. "That's a barrier to entry for startups," Strickan said. "We overcome that by being cloud provider agnostic." Regardless, it is "frustrating," she said. "DoD is far behind in understanding how to use the cloud at scale and how to do it in a multilevel security environment." Deputy Defense Secretary Patrick Shanahan said the Pentagon's cloud procurement is all about "how we deploy artificial intelligence and evolve its capability." The first step is to "have an environment where the data is hosted," he told reporters last month. "So I would characterize the cloud as 'we're ushering in a new age of technology.'" During a recent Senate Armed Services Committee hearing, Sen. Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) pressed Defense Secretary Jim Mattis to explain the hurry to award a cloud contract by September. "The department seems to be rushing ahead to issue an RFP in early May and intends to issue an award as early as September," Heinrich said. "What is the rush here? And why is the Pentagon moving forward so quickly, despite the concerns of both Congress and technology leaders?" Mattis explained that DoD regards the cloud as a vital weapon that commanders need in the battlefield. "Senator, the rush is that we have too many databanks that the front-line commanders cannot swiftly draw information from," he said. "What we have been looking at right now is how do we get faster access for the young folks on the front lines and displaying the information they need not all the information in the world?" This story was provided by SpaceNews, dedicated to covering all aspects of the space industry. Made In Space just took another step toward constructing big, complex structures off Earth. The California-based company, which built the two 3D printers aboard the International Space Station (ISS), just secured a NASA contract to continue developing its next-generation Vulcan manufacturing system. Vulcan is designed to make products in the space environment using a variety of "feedstock" materials, including metal. The two ISS machines are restricted to polymer feedstocks, so Vulcan will mark a significant advance when it's up and running, Made In Space representatives said. [3D Printing in Space: A Photo Gallery] "The Vulcan hybrid manufacturing system allows for flexible augmentation and creation of metallic components on demand with high precision," Mike Snyder, Made In Space chief engineer and principal investigator, said in a statement. "Vulcan is an efficient, safe capability that utilizes the minimum amount of resources during manufacturing processes." The new contract is a Phase 2 Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) award. Made In Space recently completed the work laid out under the company's Phase 1 SBIR contract for Vulcan, which Made In Space received last year. When Vulcan is ready to go, Made In Space aims to demonstrate the technology on the ISS, showing Vulcan's potential usefulness for a variety of exploration missions. "Vulcan can be important to logistical reduction necessary for long-term exploration," Snyder said. "The hybrid manufacturing system is a major step forward for efficient space operations, providing the ability to build essential components and assemblies in the space environment, where flying spare parts from Earth is otherwise not viable." Vulcan will be able to use more than 30 materials as feedstocks, including titanium, stainless steel, aluminum and a variety of plastic composites, Made In Space representatives said. The upgradeable system will employ 3D printing as well as standard "subtractive" techniques to machine the printed parts down to their final shapes. This will all be done robotically. Made In Space is also working to develop other technologies and systems. For example, the company recently launched to the ISS a machine that makes a high-value optical fiber called ZBLAN, which is tough to make here on Earth. (Our planet's gravity induces tiny defects in the fiber.) The goal is to determine whether manufacturing ZBLAN in microgravity is viable and lucrative enough to merit doing so on a large scale. If so, Made In Space plans to ramp up production of the stuff and bring lots of it down to Earth for sale. Made In Space is also working on a robotic construction system called Archinaut basically, a spacecraft equipped with a highly capable robotic arm and 3D printer. If all goes according to plan, Archinaut will be able to build big, complex structures such as space telescopes off Earth, and also be capable of repairing and upgradig existing satellites. The system could be ready to go by the mid-2020s, NASA officials have said. (NASA has funded Archinaut development via a "tipping-point technologies" contract.) Made In Space retains ownership of one of the 3D printers on the ISS, operating the machine as a commercial facility. The other 3D printer now belongs to NASA. Follow Mike Wall on Twitter @michaeldwall and Google+. Follow us @Spacedotcom, Facebook or Google+. Originally published on Space.com. This article was originally published at The Conversation. The publication contributed the article to Live Science's Expert Voices: Op-Ed & Insights. Speakers recently flew in from around (or perhaps, across?) the earth for a three-day event held in Birmingham: the UK's first ever public Flat Earth Convention. It was well attended, and wasn't just three days of speeches and YouTube clips (though, granted, there was a lot of this). There was also a lot of team-building, networking, debating, workshops and scientific experiments. Yes, flat earthers do seem to place a lot of emphasis and priority on scientific methods and, in particular, on observable facts. The weekend in no small part revolved around discussing and debating science, with lots of time spent running, planning, and reporting on the latest set of flat earth experiments and models. Indeed, as one presenter noted early on, flat earthers try to "look for multiple, verifiable evidence" and advised attendees to "always do your own research and accept you might be wrong". While flat earthers seem to trust and support scientific methods, what they don't trust is scientists, and the established relationships between "power" and "knowledge". This relationship between power and knowledge has long been theorised by sociologists. By exploring this relationship, we can begin to understand why there is a swelling resurgence of flat earthers. Read more: How to reason with flat earthers (it may not help though) Power and knowledge Let me begin by stating quickly that I'm not really interested in discussing if the earth if flat or not (for the record, I'm happily a "globe earther") and I'm not seeking to mock or denigrate this community. What's important here is not necessarily whether they believe the earth is flat or not, but instead what their resurgence and public conventions tell us about science and knowledge in the 21st century. Multiple competing models were suggested throughout the weekend, including "classic" flat earth, domes, ice walls, diamonds, puddles with multiple worlds inside, and even the earth as the inside of a giant cosmic egg. The level of discussion however often did not revolve around the models on offer, but on broader issues of attitudes towards existing structures of knowledge, and the institutions that supported and presented these models. Flat earthers are not the first group to be skeptical of existing power structures and their tight grasps on knowledge. This viewpoint is somewhat typified by the work of Michel Foucault, a famous and heavily influential 20th century philosopher who made a career of studying those on the fringes of society to understand what they could tell us about everyday life. He is well known, amongst many other things, for looking at the close relationship between power and knowledge. He suggested that knowledge is created and used in a way that reinforces the claims to legitimacy of those in power. At the same time, those in power control what is considered to be correct and incorrect knowledge. According to Foucault, there is therefore an intimate and interlinked relationship between power and knowledge. At the time Foucault was writing on the topic, the control of power and knowledge had moved away from religious institutions, who previously held a very singular hold over knowledge and morality, and was instead beginning to move towards a network of scientific institutions, media monopolies, legal courts, and bureaucratized governments. Foucault argued that these institutions work to maintain their claims to legitimacy by controlling knowledge. Ahead of the curve? In the 21st century, we are witnessing another important shift in both power and knowledge due to factors that include the increased public platforms afforded by social media. Knowledge is no longer centrally controlled and as has been pointed out in the wake of Brexit the age of the expert may be passing. Now, everybody has the power to create and share content. When Michael Gove, a leading proponent of Brexit, proclaimed: "I think the people of this country have had enough of experts," it would seem that he, in many ways, meant it. It is also clear that we're seeing increased polarization in society, as we continue to drift away from agreed singular narratives and move into camps around shared interests. Recent PEW research suggests, for example, that 80% of voters who backed Hillary Clinton in the 2016 US presidential election and 81percent of Trump voters believe the two sides are unable to agree on basic facts. Despite early claims, from as far back as HG Wells' "world brain" essays in 1936, that a worldwide shared resource of knowledge such as the internet would create peace, harmony and a common interpretation of reality, it appears that quite the opposite has happened. With the increased voice afforded by social media, knowledge has been increasingly decentralized, and competing narratives have emerged. This was something of a reoccurring theme throughout the weekend, and was especially apparent when four flat earthers debated three physics PhD students. A particular point of contention occurred when one of the physicists pleaded with the audience to avoid trusting YouTube and bloggers. The audience and the panel of flat earthers took exception to this, noting that "now we've got the internet and mass communication we're not reliant on what the mainstream are telling us in newspapers, we can decide for ourselves". It was readily apparent that the flat earthers were keen to separate knowledge from scientific institutions. Flat earthers and populism At the same time as scientific claims to knowledge and power are being undermined, some power structures are decoupling themselves from scientific knowledge, moving towards a kind of populist politics that are increasingly skeptical of knowledge. This has, in recent years, manifested itself in extreme ways through such things as public politicians showing support for Pizzagate or Trump's suggestions that Ted Cruz's father shot JFK. But this can also be seen in more subtle and insidious form in the way in which Brexit, for example, was campaigned for in terms of gut feelings and emotions rather than expert statistics and predictions. Science is increasingly facing problems with its ability to communicate ideas publicly, a problem that politicians, and flat earthers, are able to circumvent with moves towards populism. Again, this theme occurred throughout the weekend. Flat earthers were encouraged to trust "poetry, freedom, passion, vividness, creativity, and yearning" over the more clinical regurgitation of established theories and facts. Attendees were told that "hope changes everything", and warned against blindly trusting what they were told. This is a narrative echoed by some of the celebrities who have used their power to back flat earth beliefs, such as the musician B.O.B, who tweeted: "Don't believe what I say, research what I say." In many ways, a public meeting of flat earthers is a product and sign of our time; a reflection of our increasing distrust in scientific institutions, and the moves by power-holding institutions towards populism and emotions. In much the same way that Foucault reflected on what social outcasts could reveal about our social systems, there is a lot flat earthers can reveal to us about the current changing relationship between power and knowledge. And judging by the success of this UK event and the large conventions planned in Canada and America this year it seems the flat earth is going to be around for a while yet. Harry T Dyer, Lecturer in Education, University of East Anglia This article was originally published on The Conversation. Read the original article. Follow all of the Expert Voices issues and debates and become part of the discussion on Facebook, Twitter and Google +. The views expressed are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher. This version of the article was originally published on Live Science. In a first, an international team of scientists has discovered an exoplanet with no clouds. The team, led by Nikolay Nikolov, an astronomer at the University of Exeter in the United Kingdom, detected this hot gas giant, known as WASP-96b, using the European Southern Observatory's Very Large Telescope in Chile. The team determined the atmospheric makeup of the exoplanet by studying it as it passed in front of its host star and measuring how the planet and its atmosphere affected light from the star. A planet's atmospheric makeup influences the light that scientists can measure as it passes by its host star. This creates a spectrum, which is like a unique fingerprint. Typically, clouds obscure the light released by a planet and affect the spectrum that researchers can study from Earth, according to a statement released yesterday (May 7) by the University of Exeter. [The Biggest Mysteries of Saturn] This is an artistic visualization of the exoplanet WASP-96b, which appears blue. (Image credit: Engine House) But for WASP-96b, an extremely clear signature for the element sodium was observed. Because clouds typically obscure such signatures, the clarity of this spectrum suggested that the planet's atmosphere has no clouds at all. With its his is the first evidence of an entirely cloudless planet and the first time a planet with such a clear sodium signature has been found, the researchers said.With its uniquely clear signature, WASP-96b is the first-ever cloudless planet discovered. Being the first of its kind, the exoplanet is now considered "a benchmark for characterization," Nikolov said in the statement. WASP-96b's sodium fingerprint is a clear, "tent-like" shape unobstructed by clouds. (Image credit: N. Nikolov/E. de Mooij) This characterizing spectrum appears in the shape of a camping tent. This uncommon and easy-to-identify shape had never been seen before "because the characteristic 'tent-shaped' profile can only be produced deep in the atmosphere," Nikolov said. He added that for most planets, clouds get in the way, making this shape difficult to discern. Aside from having an unusually cloudless, sodium-rich atmosphere, WASP-96b is extremely hot, at 1,300 kelvins (1,900 degrees Fahrenheit, or 1,000 degrees Celsius), and extremely large 20 percent larger than Jupiter. The planet's mass is similar to Saturn's, so researchers classify the alien world as a "hot Saturn." In addition, the sodium levels in WASP-96b's atmosphere are similar to those found throughout our solar system. Sodium is the seventh most abundant element in the universe, and for a long time, scientists have thought that large gas giants had sodium-rich atmospheres, according to the statement. But until now, such clear evidence to support this idea has not existed, so the observance of WASP-96b solidifies scientists' understanding of gas giants. Because of WASP-96b's cloudless skies, studying the exoplanet will provide researchers with a "unique opportunity to determine the abundances of other molecules, such as water, carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide, with future observations," Ernst de Mooij,a researcher at Dublin City University and a co-author of a new study describing the findings, said in the statement. So, by identifying the signatures of other molecules using telescopes like Hubble and the upcoming James Webb Space Telescope, scientists can gain a better understanding of planets both within and outside our solar system, the researchers said. The new work was detailed yesterday (May 7) in the journal Nature. Email Chelsea Gohd at cgohd@space.com or follow her @chelsea_gohd. Follow us @Spacedotcom, Facebook and Google+. Original article on Space.com. When NASA launched its InSight Mars lander from Vandenberg Air Force Base in California early Saturday morning (May 5), a thick blanket of fog prevented onlookers from being able to see the Atlas V rocket as it soared into orbit. But the murky weather didn't stop all of InSight's spectators from catching a glimpse of the rocket's ascent. Max Fagin, an aerospace engineer for the in-space manufacturing company Made in Space, took his rocket-watching experience to new heights by flying a small personal aircraft above the clouds a few miles north of Vandenberg Air Force Base. Circling the Lompoc City Airport at an altitude of 6,000 feet (1,800 meters), Fagin and three passengers were treated to what was likely the best view anyone could possibly have of InSight's historic launch. [Launch Photos: NASA's InSight Mars Lander Blasts Off on Atlas V Rocket] See more David McNew, a photographer based in Los Angeles, also traveled to the San Gabriel mountains to get a good view of InSight's launch. In his long-exposure shot, the rocket's trail passes through a thick layer of fog and emerges into the early-morning twilight. The Atlas V rocket carrying NASA's Mars InSight mission launches from Vandenberg Air Force Base, as seen from the San Gabriel Mountains more than 100 miles away. (Image credit: David McNew/Getty) Following the launch, Ellison continued to track InSight and the Centaur upper-stage rocket, which separated from InSight about an hour after liftoff. See more InSight is expected to arrive at Mars on Nov. 26, when it will land on the surface and begin to study the planet's interior structure and look for marsquakes. It was the first interplanetary mission to lift off from the U.S. West Coast, where dense fog frequently rolls in from the marine layer a mass of cold, dense air just above the surface of the Pacific Ocean during summer months. Vendetta follows up on the events of K-Town, when, after a fentanyl raid, KCs son was kidnapped, and Hondo swore to take down Kim for his part in it all. Karen Street continues to be the absolute worst and casually manipulates her son, something that started at a very young age when his father died (and possibly even earlier). Last week we saw how she talked her way into his home, putting the pressure on him that if he didnt let her stay with him she might not be paroled. This led to Luca being evicted from Streets couch something else I wasnt thrilled about. Now shes staying with her son and its making things a bit difficult for Street.Hondos still keeping a close eye on Kim after the warning he gave in during a meeting at the end of K-Town. After a run-in with some of Kims goons at a stop light, Hondo comes clean to Hicks and Jessica that hes been investigating on his own time. Hicks pulls him off the case and he hands a box of evidence off to Burrows. We all know Hondo, and we know this wont stop him in his quest to bring down Kim.Karen? Still the worst.Now shes turning up at SWAT HQ. I just wanted to see where you work, she tells Street while Chris watches from a distance. Im glad Chris is quietly keeping an eye on things, filing it all away. Im a big fan of the bond these two have built. When he first joined SWAT he tried hitting on her. She asked him to stop he did. Now theyve become friends and I really do think theres something more here too. Watching their friendship grow has been a joy this season and Im looking forward to how it evolves further in season two.SWAT is family. Theyve got each others backs. Something Street needs when his own blood family is manipulating him.On her way out, Karen walks past Hondo and a whole lot of silent judging and disapproval takes place.Michael Plank is back and once again making life difficult for Hondo. Instead of breaking up his relationship this time, hes the reason Hondo got shot at at the stop light.Hondo, Michaels not the enemy, Jessica says, but just like Hondo Im not completely buying that.But Plank is willing to help Hondo take Kim down. He wears a wire to an event, and proves just how bad he is at this by either being too direct accidentally or blowing it on purpose. I know which way Im leaning.In a final speech, Plank redeems himself by destroying Kims credibility and his chance at getting the 25 million out of the investors.In a really cool scene, the team watches and waits for Kim to make a deal under the cover of darkness. A handshake occurs, and they move in. Deacon is the one to apprehend Kim and gives Hondo the good news.Our final Karen is the worst moment comes when she breaks into the family home to retrieve an item of jewelry she hid under the floorboards. Okay, Im willing to admit shes actually not the worst here. Im still not her biggest fan, but she finally seemed genuine as Street sits with her on the porch and she admits she didnt get the job.Chris and I will be watching her closely. Emma Greenwell (Love and Friendship, The Path) is set as the lead in Starzs supernatural spy thriller series The Rook. Joely Richardson (Nip/Tuck, Red Sparrow), Olivia Munn (X-Men: Apocalypse, The Newsroom) and Adrian Lester (Riviera, Hustle) also star in the series from Lionsgate and Liberty Global. Rounding out the cast are Ronan Raftery (Mortal Engines, Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them), Catherine Steadman (Downton Abbey, Breathless) and Jon Fletcher (Genius: Einstein, The Messengers). Production is underway in London for the series, executive produced byTwilight creator Stephenie Meyer and The Night Managers Stephen Garrett, which will air on Starz in the U.S., and across Liberty Globals international platforms. Kari Skogland (The Handmaids Tale, Starzs Power) is set to direct the premiere episode.Based on the novel by Daniel OMalley, The Rook is adapted and co-produced by playwrights and screenwriters Sam Holcroft and Al Muriel. It stars Greenwell as Myfanwy Thomas, a young woman who wakes up in a London park suffering total amnesia and pursued by shadowy paranormal adversaries. Grappling with supernatural abilities of her own, she must fight to uncover her past and resume her position within Britains secret service, the Checquy, before the traitors who stole her memory can finish what they started.Richardson will play Lady Farrier, Myfanwys mentor and ally who sits at the head of the Checquy, defending her tenuous hold on its secrecy.Munn is Monica Reed, a bold American intelligence officer with subtle supernatural powers who crashes into the Checquy investigation of her former lovers death.Lester will play Conrad Grantchester, the suave and charismatic deputy to Farrier, who ultimately challenges her role as King.Raftery, Steadman and Fletcher will play the four Gestalt siblings Raftery as Robert, Steadman as Eliza and Fetcher as twins Teddy and Alex. Shaheed El-Hafed, May 7, 2018 (SPS) - The Permanent Office of the National Secretariat of the Polisario Front has renewed the readiness of the Polisario Front to cooperate constructively for the immediate resumption of direct negotiations with the Kingdom of Morocco, without preconditions and in good faith, to enable the Saharawi people to exercise their inalienable right to self-determination and independence. The Permanent Office, chaired by President of the Republic, Secretary-General of the Polisario Front, Brahim Ghali, noted "the support received by the Personal Envoy of the Secretary-General of the United Nations, Horst Koehler, for the immediate commencement of the negotiating process, expressing hope that the Security Council would act on the basis of this resolution to force the Kingdom of Morocco to comply with international legitimacy and put an end to its policies of intransigence, obstruction and blackmail, and thus accelerate the completion of the task of MINURSO, namely, to organize a referendum on the self-determination of the Saharawi people, through a free, just and fair referendum. " The Permanent Office confirmed that "the Kingdom of Morocco, since its illegal military invasion of Western Sahara on October 31, 1975, has been a stumbling block to international efforts, which is manifested in many aspects, such as obstructing the referendum on self-determination, expelling the civilian component of the MINURSO, its flagrant violation of the Ceasefire Agreement and the Military Agreement No. 1 in the Guerguerat region, and its refusal to implement the UN Security Council resolution to send a technical mission to address Problems arising from that breach ". (SPS) 062/SPS/TRA An office-industrial complex in the citys Glenbrook section has sold for $13.3 million to a Bronx, N.Y.-based real estate investment company in one of the citys largest real estate sales this year. Simone Development Cos. acquired from White Plains, N.Y.-based Baker Cos. the 118,500-square-foot property at 316 Courtland Ave. Standing about a mile from Interstate 95 and a half-mile from the Glenbrook train station, the complex comprises the largest block of contiguous warehouse space available in Stamford, according to Simone officials. Centers for Carozza Fitness and the First Student school-transportation company together take about 40,000 square feet. The remaining 78,000 square feet are vacant and available for lease. The sale price compares with an appraised value last year of approximately $10.5 million, according to the online Vision Appraisal database. Simone plans to market 316 Courtland for warehouse and office tenants of various sizes. Of the 64,000 square feet of (available) warehouse space, we will consider dividing as small as 12,000 square feet, Josh Gopan, Simones director of leasing, said in a statement. The flexibility of the building is one of its best attributes. Tenants will find the expansive parking, ceiling heights and large lot and opportunities for tailgate loading very attractive. The property includes 1.1 acres of outdoor storage space and 243 parking spaces. It was built in 1972, according to Vision Appraisal. During the past few months, Simone has acquired a total of 285,500 square feet of industrial properties, across five deals. The company owns and manages more than 5 million square feet of property across Connecticut, the Bronx, Westchester County, Queens and Long Island. Its portfolio includes more than 100 sites, ranging from multibuilding office parks to retail and industrial space. Simones largest development is the 42-acre Hutchinson Metro Center office complex, by the Hutchinson River Parkway in the Pelham Bay section of the Bronx. Its Connecticut holdings include the One Sound Shore Drive office complex in Greenwich. pschott@scni.com; 203-964-2236; Twitter: @paulschott A week ago, Kanye West said that 400 years of slavery was a "choice," appearing to blame enslaved black people for not freeing themselves sooner. He said that the discussion about putting Harriet Tubman on the $20 bill made him want "to use Bitcoin," because "It's like when you see all the slave movies: Why you gotta keep reminding us about slavery?" And he said that certain black icons such as Martin Luther King Jr. and Malcolm X are "just too far in the past and not relatable and that's what makes them safe." The comments came in a 105-minute interview with Charlamagne Tha God and in a follow-up interview with TMZ. All of it was all in the name of being a "free thinker," West said. That much may be true, wrote the acclaimed writer Ta-Nehisi Coates in the Atlantic on Monday - but that freedom of thought champions a certain kind of freedom, Coates wrote: a "white freedom." Coates is a National Book Award winner for "Between the World and Me" and national correspondent for the Atlantic, writing most frequently about social issues affecting black people in America. Coates's latest essay, "I'm Not Black, I'm Kanye," reads like a eulogy for something lost at the same time that it is a takedown of West for his "ignorance," which Coates described as "not merely deep, but also dangerous." He compares West to both President Donald Trump and Michael Jackson. And he laments West's evolution from a hip-hop revolutionary - "a god" who "made music for them, for the young and futuristic" - to a revolutionary who is also a blustery "mouthpiece" for the types of theories and beliefs that play down racism in America. Coates joins Snoop Dogg, Janelle Monae, Jordan Peele, John Legend, Samuel L. Jackson and others in condemning West's comments. None have done so as systematically as Coates, a master essayist. "West calls his struggle the right to be a 'free thinker,'" Coates wrote, "and he is, indeed, championing a kind of freedom - white freedom, freedom without consequence, freedom without criticism, freedom to be proud and ignorant; freedom to profit off a people in one moment and abandon them in the next; a Stand Your Ground freedom, freedom without responsibility, without hard memory; a Monticello without slavery, a Confederate freedom, the freedom of John C. Calhoun, not the freedom of Harriet Tubman, which calls you to risk your own; not the freedom of Nat Turner, which calls you to give even more, but a conqueror's freedom, freedom of the strong built on antipathy or indifference to the weak." To Coates, West's comments playing down racism (in 2015 West said racism was "dated" and a "silly concept") is akin to Michael Jackson's whitewashed face. Jackson's "physical destruction," he wrote, "was our physical destruction, because if the black God . . . could not be beautiful in his own eyes, then what hope did we have ... of ever escaping the muck?" "Who can really stop a black god dying to be white?" Coates questioned. To Coates, it's the same deal for Kanye West, a "god in this time." Coates, who said that he was enthralled with West's music when he first heard him two decades ago, devoted significant space to noting West's support for Trump and even likening the two of them. Trump was recently so smitten with West's support that he questioned how much influence West had with black voters, claiming poll numbers for that demographic shot up following West's recent praise for him. In comparing West to Trump, Coates wrote, "Like Trump, West is a narcissist, 'the greatest artist of all time,' he claimed, helming what would soon be 'the biggest apparel company in human history.' And, like Trump, West is shockingly ignorant. Chicago was 'the murder capital of the world,' West asserted, when in fact Chicago is not even the murder capital of America." He also recalled Trump's comments following the Charlottesville, Virginia, protests, in which Trump appeared to place white supremacists and neo-Nazis on the same moral plane as the counterprotesters decrying racism. "West's thoughts are not original," Coates wrote. "The apocryphal Harriet Tubman quote and the notion that slavery was a 'choice' echoes the ancient trope that slavery wasn't that bad; the myth that blacks do not protest crime in their community is pure Giulianism; and West's desire to 'go to Charlottesville and talk to people on both sides' is an extension of Trump's response to the catastrophe. These are not stray thoughts. They are the propaganda that justifies voter suppression, and feeds police brutality, and minimizes the murder of Heather Heyer," the woman killed when a car driven by a self-professed neo-Nazi rammed into demonstrators in Charlottesville. "And Kanye West is now a mouthpiece for it." West, Coates wrote, "will likely pay also for his thin definition of freedom." Trying to always keep an eye on my budget, I have begun to enjoy the plethora of bar foods and happy hours in our area. Long ago bar food was a chafing dish filled with mini egg rolls and saggy jalapeno poppers. Unless you arrived first, opening the mostly empty silver chafing dish was a depressing sight. After a drink or two it almost didnt matter, it was free food. Bar food has become one of the main reasons people now dine out. With entrees even at middling restaurants skyrocketing toward $30 or more, a decent-sized appetizer or small plate is a guilt-free alternative. I will be reporting on some of the best affordable bar food I have found. Cask Republic is the first. Cask Republic has three locations, two are in our area: Norwalk and Stamford. Like the original New Haven location they are visually welcoming and tasteful. The wooden tables are generous, the bar well stocked and sparkling, the staff friendly and yes the food ... very nice. Cask Republic has a menu filled with an array of small plates and the ones I sampled were worth the trip. Like many hip restaurants, Cask Republic has a selection of craft cocktails. Bartender-invented creations of oddball liquors, exotic bitters and strange fruits. Honestly, I have yet to meet a craft cocktail I liked. Please give me a Tanqueray and tonic, or a decent whiskey sour with a bright red cherry and I am happy. I do not want to play guess the ingredients with a glassful of booze that may be inventive but tastes dreadful. So I ordered a mojito, not the one with strawberries and rhubarb in it, but just a regular old mojito. It was very good, fresh mint, good rum, lots of ice. I had arrived at Cask Republic in a rather foul mood; it was pouring rain outside and I just paid my taxes, but halfway through the mojito the world took on a rosy glow. My appetite sparked, I surveyed the menu. Cask Republic offers 15 small plates, a broad selection designed to please most palates. The waitress suggested I order what I wanted and she would orchestrate when the courses were ready to be served. There was no rush to eat and leave, and this type of timed serving put a big load on the kitchen. I was impressed by the offer. This is not an eat it and beat it place; Cask Republic encourages you to dine and drink at your leisure. The first small plate I ordered was shrimp and grits. It was not the traditional South Carolina version, but had two large tiger shrimp, a mound of Mexican cotija cheese grits and an andouille sausage vinaigrette. I was prepared to not like the sausage vinaigrette, which seemed unnecessarily inventive, and something you might put on a salad, but it was wonderful, providing a tangy and spicy bump needed to the bland cheese grits. Granted, two large shrimp seems rather sparse, but the whole dish once assembled was quite luxurious. Then came two large blackened fish tacos dressed with cilantro crema and classic pico de dallo salsa. The fish was indeed blackened and was surprisingly spicy. I would only suggest ordering the tacos if you like a real kick in the tastebuds and a need for a jump-start. There was no rhyme or reason to the dishes I ordered. I just ate what looked intriguing. The truffled gorgonzola fondue with homemade potato chips first struck me as skimpy, but then I remembered it was a small plate and in this context seemed perfect. At least two handfuls of homemade potato chips were served next to a coffee cup-sized cheese fondue. It was perfect food for getting soused, easy to eat, not a lot of chewing involved, relying on hands rather then utensils. More Information Cask Republic 99 Washington St., Norwalk 203-354-0163 See More Collapse One dish that took me by surprise was the dull sounding Roasted Vegetable Flatbread. In my book vegetables are OK, flatbread, meh, but this version was one that would convert a skeptic. It was brash and punchy topped with caramelized onions, 12-hour roasted tomato, a goat cheese cauliflower puree and salsa verde. It was perfect with the mojito and was healthy, well-proportioned and filling. Cask Republic has a vast selection of interesting beer and what is more perfect with a beer than a Bavarian soft pretzel sided with cave-aged Amish cheddar and grain mustard ale sauce. Not too long ago I was stuck at the Frankfurt Airport in Germany waiting for a connection. I was happy for the free time bestowed on me because it gave me time to scout out the big soft pretzels I saw for sale as I rushed to my gate. To my dismay the pretzels were tasteless and terrible. I cant explain why the pretzel in Norwalk was better than the pretzel in Germany, but it was. Maybe all airport food is awful, but big soft pretzels should be an easy offering. I ended my feast with a very decadent plate of crisp pork belly bites. It was made with grilled apples, pickled jalapenos and a sweet barbecue glaze. It required a second mojito, after which I stumbled out on the rain-soaked streets of Norwalk. My bad mood had lifted; taxes and inclement weather is a given, but good bar food is a find. Jane Stern, a Ridgefield resident, coauthored the popular Roadfood guidebook series with Michael Stern. Join her each week as she travels Fairfield County finding a great meal in unexpected places for $20 or less. People have been salivating over the idea of flying cars since George Jetson debuted his Aerocar in 1962. After a long wait, a real flying car debuted last year: the AeroMobil 3.0. Other companies have already joined the fray, with Airbus pledging to develop an autonomous flying car as well as systems to allow these vehicles to safely navigate cities. Uber is pushing to have its flying taxis airborne by 2020. Related: Wait, Did Elon Musk Just Announce A Flying Car? But if the University of Michigans Survey of Public Opinion About Flying Cars is any indication, theres a reason flying cars have been so long delayed: us. Nearly two-thirds of people surveyed said they were very concerned about the safety of flying cars, and about 80 percent thought flying cars should come equipped with parachutes. Most, it seems, shared Elon Musks hesitation: If somebody doesnt maintain their flying car, it could drop a hubcap and guillotine you, Musk observed. Your anxiety level will not decrease as a result of things that weigh a lot buzzing around your head. The irony is that were still asking for flying cars: Nearly half of the respondents in the University of Michigan survey indicated they were very interested in using one. But our doubts may be the very thing keeping us from getting what we want. Barriers blocking the robot revolution Artificial intelligence and the robot revolution it could prompt promise self-driving machines, quality-control robots and the like -- with the potential to improve our world. But that doesnt mean AI technology has been met with open arms. Nuclear technology spurred an arms race, and some fear AI will do the same. Russian leader Vladimir Putins words on artificial intelligence seem, to many, a chilling call to arms: Artificial intelligence is the future, not only for Russia but for all humankind. Whoever becomes the leader in this sphere will become the ruler of the world. Indeed, Russia, China and the United States are all rushing to amass AI weapons and national security systems that will boost their military efforts and give human soldiers additional eyes and abilities. Related: Here's How People Really Feel About Flying Cars Smart software is now considered the equivalent to nukes -- a way to bolster a countrys military advantage through modern technology. As WIREDs Tom Simonite explained, The AI race among the worlds three largest military powers differs from earlier competitions like those to deploy nuclear weapons or stealth technology because much artificial intelligence technology can be used for both commercial and military applications. Thats exactly what makes some of us suspicious: What proof do we have that AI tech is going to be used to automate drudge-filled processes rather than spy on us over Grandmas Thanksgiving spread? After all, our seemingly innocuous Facebook news feeds were purportedly hijacked to influence the outcome of the 2016 U.S. presidential election. Whats next? And at the personal level, many of us balk at the tech industrys attempts to humanize robot interactions. Hanson Robotics built a machine-learning robot, Sophia, that aims to have real conversations with humans; but Facebooks head AI scientist, Yann LeCun, said that the robots cognitive abilities are akin to a puppets. So, while scripted, algorithm-generated responses may win AI (human) supporters during a Google search, they're not much use for exploring deeper thoughts. How humans can get out of their own way. With consumers clamoring for more advanced technology but poking holes in what theyre given, how can AI-focused companies work to usher in the robot revolution? 1. Bring down the costs for first (second, third, fourth ) movers. New technology always carries the first-mover cost burden, but the price barrier has to be removed for mainstream implementation of AI tech and robots. Recode reports that the market for device-building industrial robots is expected to grow 175 percent over the next nine years, but predicts that that expectation wont be met if factory floor robots continue to hover in the $100,000 range. Industrial robot companies seem to have received the message. By 2025, the cost of industrial robots is predicted to drop by 65 percent, according to research by ARK Investment Management, but theres more work to be done. As other technologies, like 3D printing, improve and accelerate the production of robots, the associated costs will go down. Finding ways to reduce the cost of producing not only robots, but also the technology that makes them possible, will fuel the robot revolution. 2. Dont let misconceptions marinate. While its easy to assume that improved technology will address concerns and instantly change minds, the truth is that the longer that false assumptions are allowed to persist, the better traction theyll gain. One good way to combat this is by creating legislation that treats AI as a partner, not something to fear. Openly discussing personhood and the responsibilities ascribed to robots and their developers could quell fears, as could examining the impact robots might have on unions and other labor organizations and on human rights. Hossein Rahnama, founder and CEO of Flybits, explained in her blog that the rise of the robots, not surprisingly, also comes with a healthy dose of fear ... In response, CEOs are scrambling to figure out how AI will influence supply chains, workforces, revenue and in some cases, entire business models. An overwhelming sense of urgency can lead companies to throw money at the first platform they encounter. Instead, leaders should think through what technologies will address real problems and be understood by the consumers with those problems. 3. Pay utmost attention to security. Cybersecurity and privacy are top concerns for consumers, with a CNNMoney poll showing that nearly half of those surveyed say they'd been victims of hackers. With AI digitizing entire processes and collecting and utilizing vast amounts of data, people are more alarmed than ever. Investing in security technology to protect AI technology -- and consumers is a win for both companies and users. K.R. Sanjiv, chief technology officer for Wipro Limited, wrote in The Observer that, Unlike humans, robots can be hacked. Industrial robots today follow modified versions of Asimovs three laws ... What happens if someone hacks the machine to remove one of those laws? A hacker could commit murder by allowing a robot to harm a human or destroy valuable equipment by removing the prohibition of self-harm. Understanding the power robots have, companies must be motivated to isolate that power and wield it for good. Related: Volvo to Create the Next Flying Car? To return to George Jetsons flying car: That animated cartoon character's world was much simpler than ours, but we can eliminate our own real barriers to the robot revolution by addressing the concerns that make us humans doubt AI. By acknowledging very real fears, from stolen data to falling hubcaps, companies can get consumers fully on board and bring them the flying car reality they want. Related: What's Holding Back the Robot Revolution? We Humans. Uber Shows Off Its Flying Car Prototype! 3 Things to Know Today. Google Co-Founder Larry Page's Air Taxi Takes Flight Copyright 2018 Entrepreneur.com Inc., All rights reserved T ech entrepreneur Elon Musk has sought to quieten Tesla short-sellers by buying $9.85 million (7.27 million) in shares in the electric-cars maker he founded. He purchased 33,000 shares in the firm, bringing his ownership stake to approaching 20%. The investment follows a busy and bizarre start to the month for the billionaire, whose firm posted a $709.6 million loss for the first quarter. Tesla has been struggling to ramp up production of its Model 3 mass-market electric car, raising the prospect of a potential cash call. Musk, who last night attended the Met Gala in New York with musician girlfriend Grimes, last week surprised investors by dismissing analysts questions as boring on a Tesla earnings call. Other responses included: Bonehead questions are not cool. In tweets to his 21.6 million followers, Musk also taunted short-sellers and pledged to burn investors shorting Tesla. Russ Mould, investment director at broker AJ Bell, said Musks latest decision to buy more stock is a show of faith in Teslas ability to solve its problems with the Model 3 car. T akeda, the Japanese pharmaceuticals giant, on Tuesday has convinced Shires board to back a 46 billion takeover of the Dublin-based company at the fifth time of asking. The deal is the biggest takeover of a foreign company by a Japanese buyer, dwarfing Softbanks $40 billion (30 billion) takeover of Sprint last year. To clinch the deal Takeda raised its offer for Dublin-based Shire to over 49 a share, representing a 60% premium to Shires closing price of 30.70 on March 27, before the Japanese giant revealed its intentions. The merger will bring together Takedas expertise in gastroenterology and neuroscience with Shires leading position in rare diseases. Shire shareholders will own approximately 50% of the combined group, with shares listed in Tokyo and New York. Christophe Weber, chief executive of Takeda, who has overhauled the pharma group since he joined four years ago, said that science and R&D was behind Takedas ambition. He said: We will continue to invest in the R&D engine that we have built. Putting the two companies together will provide the scale to drive future development in two of the worlds leading markets, the US and Japan. Weber said the merger would deliver cost savings of at least $1.4 billion and anticipated up to 7% of the 52,000 combined workforce could be cut. The deal is regarded as risky for Takeda, not least because it requires 75% approval from Shire shareholders, who may yet turn down the offer. C abinet battles over Britains customs policy outside the EU can feel like The NeverEnding Story, that Eighties film set in the land of Fantasia. In one corner are the Prime Minister, Chancellor and Business Secretary, who are trying to square their self-imposed decision to leave the customs union with a plan that avoids barriers to business. The result is a customs partnership a convoluted scheme whereby Britain goes on collecting the EUs tariffs even after it leaves the EU. No one in the civil service thinks it can be made to work in practice any time soon, and the EU has rejected it; but still Theresa May soldiers on in her Brexit Committee in what she must know is a losing battle, now that the Foreign Secretary has called it crazy and the newest members she has appointed to that committee are against it. These delusions are only exceeded by the other side of this ministerial civil war. In the Brexiteer world, a magic computer called Max-Fac is going to solve their self-created problem of how to exit the EU without damaging British business. Remember how Brexiteers said trade deals would be the easiest in human history? Now they are confronted with the simple truth that leaving the single market and the customs union will necessarily introduce barriers to selling and importing goods to Europe. Thats because the domestic rules around things such as product standards (whether a car is safe, or a toy is inflammable) can now differ, and so products need to be checked to make sure they comply with the rules. If we do trade deals to allow currently banned American farm products such as chlorinated chicken or cheaper Chinese steel into Britain (and what will these trade deals consist of, if not things like this?), then the EU will want to prevent those items flowing freely across the border, either in Northern Ireland or Calais, to undercut their farmers or steel makers. The Brexiteers have changed their tune, no longer speaking of free trade with Europe but rather saying that the bureaucracy around these new barriers to trade can be reduced through technology. But no computer can remove the barriers themselves, which represent the biggest act of protectionism in the history of Britain. The impact will be felt in lost exports to the Continent and higher prices for imports, and the Governments own economic analysis says that no amount of trade deals with the rest of the world can possibly compensate for the damage done. The Brexiteers have today taken the new line that only about 12 per cent of Britains GDP involves exports to the EU, while just eight per cent of British companies trade with the EU. So no need to worry. Thats only a quarter of a trillion pounds of national income and just half a million firms. As Boris Johnson tries to outdo Jacob Rees-Mogg for ideological fervour, and Tory politicians jostle for favour with the Right-wing ahead of the coming leadership contest, the abiding impression is that the livelihoods of the many are being sacrificed for the careers of a few. Thankfully, whether its a Max-Fac or a Customs Partnership, it appears there is no majority in either the House of Lords or the House of Commons for these wanton acts of economic destruction. Even if there were, the EU has made it clear it rejects both because both involve the re-imposition of a border in Ireland. This never-ending story of Tory intrigue and ideology is about to come into contact with the real world. East Ends barista hero It's a story of bad planning and good coffee: Frank Wang has been selling strong shots from a little cart outside Bethnal Green Tube station for the past 15 years. Hes made a busy bit of London welcoming and hes paid rent to Transport for London for his site, too. Now Tower Hamlets council has cut off his electricity supply, claiming that it does not have consent. As a result, Mr Wang risks losing his job and his customers their drinks. Councils should be backing enterprise and small businesses, not trying to kill them off. O nce again, the race is on for Oxbridge to prove its not the preserve of the elite. In the face of continued pressure from politicians on both sides of the political spectrum, next week our countrys most prestigious universities will publish figures on the academic background of their incoming class. The good news, headline wise, is that they have beaten last year when just 62.5 per cent of students accepted to Cambridge were state educated: sure, thats more than half, and its great that the number is creeping up, but when about 93 per cent of British kids go to state schools the situation is still clearly far from ideal. But to accuse Oxbridge of just being elitist misses the point. Because newsflash it is and always will be, and thats exactly what makes the pair such world-class universities. They are elite, in the sense that only the brightest and best are accepted to study in their hallowed halls. Of course Cambridge, an institution that values academic achievement, is discriminating in its selection. It makes sense that theres a stringent entry criteria, and its right that its fair and universal: if the grades arent good enough, youre not getting in. But since the privileged arent genetically brighter it begs the question as to why they are being accepted in such high numbers. Is this a simple case of unconscious bias? Perhaps, but the way I see it, the blame lies elsewhere, and starts before the application form has even been filled. There is a vast gulf in expectation that is instilled in kids from different backgrounds at a young age. The private system is geared towards priming pupils for a university education at Oxford or Cambridge. Anywhere else is considered a lesser option. On the whole, the state secondary system is geared towards getting pupils into anywhere. And here lies the problem: the state system, undervalued and underfunded, is not producing eligible children in the first place, and not encouraging them to apply. When university entry time rolled around at my London state school just two children in the year were put forward for Oxbridge mock tests. Two out of 300. For the mocks. Why not stick us all in the gym and make us sit the test, if only to give us a run at it? At my school we were taught that you accepted your lot, and were doing well to make it through at all (even if you were, ahem, one of the brightest in the year). I wonder what was being taught at the posh school down the road? In a well-intentioned move, Cambridge will offer places to state school pupils with lower A-level grades than their private school peers and give them an extra foundation year of teaching before they sign up for a degree. I find that rather patronising. Many state school children are smart, despite not getting a special, expensive education and these are the ones who will thrive at Oxbridge. This new plan requires the universities to pick up the slack of an education system which fails to allow the brightest to thrive. Its my guess that Oxbridge has already been doing this for years, and yet still they are lambasted on all sides. So I ask the question: who should really come under fire here, the universities for maintaining high academic standards, or the politicians themselves for failing to provide for our kids? Sartorial cues from the royal dress code News just in, the Duchess of Cambridge is just like any other mum. Im not talking about her post-delivery glow and the Mumsnet- goading blow-dry (how dare she be a royal and try to live up to expectations). Im talking about when, on the morning of family portrait day, she dressed Princess Charlotte in a hand-me-down. Yes, reader, a 25 cardigan was worn for a portrait of Charlotte cradling her new brother, Louis, and it was the same Fina Ejerique jumper Prince George wore in a portrait of Queen Elizabeth by Annie Leibovitz for the monarchs 90th birthday. Princess Charlotte plants a kiss on her newborn baby brother Prince Louis (PA) / HRH The Duchess of Cambridge Handing down kids clothes? How Seventies. Its as if the family wanted to make a statement: We might be set to drop 32 million on my brothers wedding but theres no heirs and graces; Charlotte is going to wear this itchy old thing, maam, shrunk in the wash. I hope Harry appreciates it and buys her booze when shes 17. Nothing is a mistake where the royal dress code is concerned. This is sartorial semaphore designed to project the perception of humility; civilian catnip. Being thrifty makes us love them just a little bit more because theyre just like us, arent they? Fantasy world of virgin millennials Despite growing up in a world of easy access to online porn and dating, virgin millennials are shunning sex in unprecedented numbers, the little weirdos. Its not surprising when screen devices (rather than the more interesting kind) are a barrier to intimacy and fostering relationships IRL. Last night, the most anticipated fashion event of the season, The Met Gala, took place in New York. As expected, A-listers bought their best sartorial game, fitting this years theme Heavenly Bodies: Fashion and the Catholic Imagination. Among the most show-stopping looks of the night was Katy Perry, who resembled a real life angel in a winged Versace creation, and Rihanna, who once again shut down the red carpet in a priest-inspired ensemble by Margiela. Naturally, the designer ensembles did not stop there, French fashion house Balmain dressed several celebrities, including Jennifer Lopez, who topped the best dressed list in a dazzling, heavily embroidered gown with dramatic feathered skirt and high-leg slit. Jennifer Lopez attends the Met Gala / Getty Images People. Fashion. Power. Delivered weekly. Email Sign up Sign up I would like to be emailed about offers, event and updates from Evening Standard. Read our privacy notice {{message}} {{permutiveUid}} {{message}} And now you can buy the custom-made gown straight off the red carpet. Olivier Rousteing, Creative Director of the Parisian fashion house, is auctioning off all the gowns he created for the event in order to raise money for RED, a charity that fights to end AIDS in Africa. Olivier and his guests at the 2018 Metropolitan Museum of Art Costume Institute Benefit, also known as the Met Gala and the most fashionable event of the year, will auction off their custom outfits to raise money and awareness for (RED)s fight to end AIDS. It states on the website. Jennifer Lopez and Olivier Rousteing at the Met Gala / Getty Images With a minimum bid fee set at $5,000 (3,690), the dress already has 16 watchers who are all keen to get their hands on the one-of-a-kind item. Natasha Poly, Julia Stegner and Natalia Vodianova's are among the other celebrities to auction off their MET Gala gowns. T ate Britain will mark the 50th anniversary of one of the most dramatic years in modern history with a new display dedicated to 1968. London: 1968 will focus on how artists in the capital engaged with the strikes and protests that erupted around the world at that time. May 1968 saw the likes of students and industrial workers rebelling internationally over political oppression. The protests were not limited to a single cause, but tackled social conflict in its many forms. Artwork in the exhibition will include a display of posters by the Camden Poster Workshop, who moved to the London School of Economics during the student occupation of the university. The group allowed anyone to commission posters protesting over a wide range of issues, from the Vietnam war to industrial strikes. A film by Patricia Holland will also look closely at protests at the Hornsey School of Art, where a student sit-in was held in protest over the education system. The exhibition will also feature work by artists including Joseph Beuys, Richard Long, Barry Flanagan and Mario Merz, all of whom were involved in the ICAs 1969 exhibition When Attitude Becomes Form, which addressed the impact of the 1968 protests. Visitors to Tate Modern can also delve into this moment in social history at 1968: Protest and the Photobook, a free display examining photobooks that chronicled political activism during the watershed year. L ondoners have always been a crafty bunch. From suiting to booting, pottery to perfumeries, the capitals hands-on community has the ability to make it all. Now in its fourth year, London Craft Week is back to champion all things handmade in the capital, with events celebrating makers in a plethora of disciplines, from young unknown craftspeople to world famous fashion designers. If youre wondering where you can get in on the action, then the answer is pretty much anywhere. From May 9 13, more than 100 events will be popping up from Shoreditch to Soho, Hampstead to Homerton, in almost every corner of the capital. Activities range from exhibitions and displays to workshops and masterclasses. With so much going on, there are more highlights in the programme than we can manage to mention. Still, if you want a taste of what London Craft Week has to offer, put the below high on your priority list. Exclusive offers and competitions weekly Email Sign up Sign up I would like to be emailed about offers, event and updates from Evening Standard. Read our privacy notice {{message}} {{permutiveUid}} {{message}} LOEWE Craft Prize 2018 From paper to pots, check out the very best in contemporary arts and crafts at the Design Museum, where work by the 30 finalists for this prestigious prize will be on display until mid June. May 9 - June 17, Design Museum, W8 6AG londoncraftweek.com Burleigh demonstration at Fortnum & Mason (Tristan Fewings/Getty Images for Fortnum & Mason) / Tristan Fewings/Getty Images for Fortnum & Mason The high-end St James store will be celebrating the unique work of Burleigh, the only pottery decorating firm in the world to use the delicate method of tissue transfer on ceramics. Find them demonstrating the masterful skill while creating a new pattern for Fortnum & Mason. May 12, Fortnum and Mason, W1A 1ER, londoncraftweek.com Anya Hindmarch Bespoke & Quill London Modern Calligraphy Workshop Think you have good handwriting? Put it to the test with accessories supremo Anya Hindmarch Bespoke, who have teamed up with Quill to teach eager penman the art of calligraphy. Expect a modern twist on a very old art. May 10, Anya Hindmarch, New Bond Street, W1S 1EW, londoncraftweek.com Meet the Conservators of the Houses of Parliament There are fears the allegations could lead to a fresh scandal / AFP/Getty Images The Houses of Parliament will be hosting a series of special tours centring around the conservation of the remarkable buildings, with a chance to meet those responsible for keeping it all in good nick. May 11, Houses of Parliament, SW1A 0AA, londoncraftweek.com Mondrian London The Southbank hotel is a one stop-shop for experiencing London Craft Weeks varied programme. Independent makers The Makery, Poppys Papercuts and Yoga Life Drawing will be hosting evening workshops, with the evening culminating in a British Fashion Council talk with world famous menswear designer Christopher Raeburn. May 8-11, Mondrian London, SE1 9PD, londoncraftweek.com The Creation of an Iconic Shoe at Vivienne Westwood Getty Images Westwood has been the punk rock provocateur of the sartorial world for nearly half a century. The designer herself will be hosting a talk on the most iconic shoe creations of her career learn how to break the rules without breaking a heel. D eadmau5 has announced a one-off show at Londons Printworks for later this year. The acclaimed DJ will perform live at the venue on November 16. Pre-sale begins at 10am on May 10 while tickets go on general sale at 10 on Friday, May 11. They will be available here. Daudmau5, aka Canadian DJ and producer Joel Thomas Zimmerman, is one of the biggest names in EDM and is currently one of the top-earning electronic musicians in the world. He has released eight studio albums since 2005, with his most recent collection Stuff I Used to Do coming out in 2017. London's finest: Printworks is one of the most celebrated clubbing venues in the city Deadmau5 will be joined by a selection of special guests on the night. Further acts will be announced soon. Printworks in Canada Water has become one of the most celebrated clubbing spaces in the capital since launching in 2016. I ve just stopped Tanya Burr from kissing a man who isnt her husband. Not because theres any trouble in her marriage but because Im sitting in on rehearsals for her new play, Confidence. The cast have just started to get the script on its feet and are, understandably, saving the snogging scenes for after my departure. You might be more familiar with Burr, 28, as one of the leading faces of the YouTube generation shes amassed 3.7 million subscribers to her channel and has 3.1 million followers on Instagram. Shes authored three books and started a make-up line, Tanya Burr Cosmetics, which apparently sells one of its products every two minutes. (If youre not familiar with her, you were probably born pre-1989.) Her achievements thus far are formidable, and even more so when you learn shes been taking acting lessons for the past four years. No one can say she isnt diving in at the deep end with Confidence she appears in all but one scene. Judy Uptons play hasnt been revived since it opened in 1998, and it will be a major nostalgia trip for Nineties kids: Ella (played by Burr) tries to escape her crap town by secretly signing up for a dodgy double glazing offer that comes with a free flight to Hollywood. (Do you remember when you first got your double glazing!? Burr laughs, describing it with awe.) But for Burrs younger fans who have never known life before smartphones, itll be like a period piece, she jokes. Her casting divided opinion in theatreland some celebrated it as a canny move to bring in new audiences, with one writer offering the stunning statistic that if each of her followers bought a ticket, the Southwark Playhouse would be sold out for the next 87 years. Elsewhere there was a backlash, with some suggesting shed only got the part because of her online fanbase. The truth, Burr tells me, is different. Director Rob Drummer, who runs Boundless Theatre, a company that makes shows for 15-25-year-olds, asked her to read for the part like any other actress. From first-hand experience of watching her in rehearsals, she has a calm, warm presence, and her upcoming acting projects speak for themselves: shes choca-block for the next year with a film and two TV series. She was aware of some of the negativity, although its not something she goes hunting for. At first it stings, because you see something like that and youre like, What? Thats not how it is. Some of the articles were like, Oh my god, a YouTuber has been cast in a play. No, an actor who also does YouTube has been cast in a play, she says. Shes phlegmatic about it, understanding that people who havent been following her wouldnt be aware of how hard shes been working but wont be offended by something she knows isnt true. The best theatre to see in May 1 /10 The best theatre to see in May Hamlet and As You Like It Both run until August 26, Shakespeares Globe Theatre shakespearesglobe.com Mood Music Until June 16, Old Vic oldvictheatre.com Manuel Harlan Chess Until June 2, Coliseum eno.org Brinkhoff/Mogenberg An Ideal Husband Until July 14, Vaudeville nimaxtheatres.com Not Talking Until June 28, Arcola Theatre arcolatheatre.com Lidia Crisafulli Building the Wall May 2 to Jun 2, Park Theatre parktheatre.co.uk Red May 4 to July 28, Wyndhams Theatre wyndhamstheatre.co.uk Marc Brenner Nightfall May 1 to 26, Bridge Theatre bridgetheatre.co.uk Effigies of Wickedness May 3 to June 9, Gate Theatre gatetheatre.co.uk Confidence May 23 to June 16, Southwark Playhouse southwarkplayhouse.co.uk Her desire to act began from a young age, and her parents worked hard to support her dream. Theyd do anything they could to get enough money so I could go to a drama group after school. And it wasnt just drama, it was dancing, singing, piano lessons, everything. Then came a painful period that stopped her in her tracks. Literally one day, something switched in me and I just got this horrible anxiety, and it really did affect my life badly for about five years. I was so confused by it, she confides. She gave up everything drama, piano, the lot and her parents sent her to therapy at the age of 13. It didnt work because I think I was too young. I basically just blocked this woman out. Things improved for Burr when she returned to therapy at 18, and then YouTube took over her life. I had a great adventure for a few years, and then I suddenly thought: God, I miss acting. I ask her if the YouTube squad will be at opening night. It turns out thats not really a thing, but one of her best friends, YouTube megastar Zoella, has booked to see the show twice. Tanya Burr - in pictures 1 /12 Tanya Burr - in pictures Tanya Burr - in pictures Tanya Burr attends the European Premiere of "Fantastic Beasts And Where To Find Them" at Odeon Leicester Square on November 15, 2016 in London, England. Dave Benett Tanya Burr - in pictures Tanya Burr attending the Serpentine Summer Party 2017, presented by the Serpentine and Chanel, held at the Serpentine Galleries Pavilion, in Kensington Gardens, London. Ian West/PA Tanya Burr - in pictures Tanya Burr arriving at the GQ Men of the Year Awards 2016 held at The Tate Modern in London. Ian West/PA Tanya Burr - in pictures Laura Haddock (L) and Tanya Burr wearing Burberry at the Burberry Womenswear February 2016 Show at Kensington Gardens on February 22, 2016 in London, England. Dave Benett Tanya Burr - in pictures Jim Chapman (L) and Tanya Burr attend a drinks reception at the British Fashion Awards in partnership with Swarovski at the London Coliseum on November 23, Dave Benett Tanya Burr - in pictures Tanya Burr attends the British Heart Foundation's Tunnel of Love fundraiser at the Victoria & Albert Museum on November 11, 2015 in London, England. Dave Benett Tanya Burr - in pictures Millie Mackintosh, Amber Le Bon and Tanya Burr attend the British Heart Foundation's Tunnel of Love fundraiser at the Victoria & Albert Museum on November 11, 2015 in London, England. Dave Benett Tanya Burr - in pictures Millie Mackintosh (L) and Tanya Burr attend the launch of "Made: A Book of Style, Food and Fitness" by Millie Mackintosh at Carousel London on September 7, 2015 in London, England. Tanya Burr - in pictures Tanya Burr attends The Ralph Lauren & Vogue Wimbledon Summer Cocktail Party hosted by Alexandra Shulman and Boris Becker at The Orangery at Kensington Palace on June 22, 2015 in London, England. Dave Benett Tanya Burr - in pictures Tanya Burr attends the InStyle and EE Rising Star Party in association with Lancome, Karen Millen and Sky Living at The Ace Hotel on February 2, 2015 in London, England. Tanya Burr - in pictures Tanya Burr attends the Fayre of St James Christmas Concert presented by Quintessentially Foundation in aid of Rays of Sunshine at St James Church on November 27, 2014 in London, England. Dave Benett Tanya Burr - in pictures Warehouse Oxford Street Flagship Store Launch on March 6, 2014 in London, England. Dave Bennet As her acting career takes off, Burr admits shes unsure how much longer shell be able to carry on making YouTube videos. She talks about it with real affection, but explains that its a time-consuming process and she sees Instagram as her main platform. But she wont abandon her followers. Theres no chance of that. Full-time rehearsals have left Burr exhausted she diligently stays behind to work late with Drummer, and transcribes all of the days notes when she gets home. Im literally have to schedule in going for a wee, she says. The idea of instant perfection on social media is a pervasive one it feels ironic that the journey of one of its biggest stars would go against that narrative. If people knew the amount of setbacks Ive had. Ive had crazy things said to me basically people saying, youre not gonna make it. Im not saying me being in this play is Ive made it!. But Ive made it for me. T he summer days are drawing to a close, which means the kids head back to school and the early morning commute to work gets a little darker. Thankfully, before we have to face September, we've got an August bank holiday to spare. Whether you're spending the weekend partying at Notting Hill Carnival or just relaxing at home, here's everything you need to know about the August bank holiday: What is a bank holiday? A bank holiday essentially means a public holiday. Launched by Liberal politician and banker Sir John Lubbock in 1871, it was introduced as a way of giving workers respite. It was stated that on four days across the year, people shouldnt be expected to do what they wouldnt do on Christmas Day. Now, England has eight bank holidays across the year including Good Friday and Christmas Day and they differ in Ireland and Scotland. Why is it called a bank holiday? The reason its called a bank holiday is because historically it was the day banks closed and that meant nobody else could work - there were no computers back then and business tended only to be able to function when other services were open but dont highlight that too much to your employer Does everyone get a bank holiday? Under law, employers arent obliged to give you bank holidays off so make sure you find out what youre entitled to before you sign your contract. When is the August bank holiday? This year the August bank holiday will fall on Monday 27. When are the rest of the bank holidays in 2018? So far weve had New Year's Day: Monday 1 January Good Friday: Friday 30 March Easter Monday: Monday 2 April Early May bank holiday: Monday 7 May Late May bank holiday: Monday 28 May Coming up Summer bank holiday: Monday 27 August Christmas Day: Tuesday 25 December O ver the weekend, Pariss famous Palais de Tokyo swung open its doors and hosted an exclusive nudist event. On Saturday, 161 gallery-goers descended on the gallery and enjoyed an exhibition and then a rooftop cocktail party completely in the buff. The first art event of its kind in France, it was announced last March and tickets sold out within two days. "What a day to remember. A new chapter in naturism is opening," the Paris Naturists' Association said on Twitter after the visit. Speaking about the opening, Julien Claude-Penegry, the director of communications for the Paris Nudist Association, told Reuters news agency: "The mentality is changing these days. Nudists are overcoming barriers, taboos, or mentalities that were obstructive." Certainly becoming more commonplace in the capital, just last year, it was confirmed that part of Bois de Vincennes park would have a section reserved especially for naturists and the city does have a dedicated nudist restaurant, aptly named O'Naturel . H eartbreaking footage shows a grieving mother scrub her teenage sons blood off the pavement after he was shot dead amid a wave of Bank Holiday violence in the capital. Pretana Morgan carried a bucket of disinfectant and a brush to the spot where her son Rhyhiem Ainsworth Barton was gunned down in Kennington on Saturday. The 17-year-old aspiring architect had so much potential, she tearfully claimed as she called for an end violence in the capital. Rhyhiem was discovered with critical injuries on Warham Street in Southwark on Saturday evening, after officers were called to reports of gunshots on nearby Cooks Road shortly after 6pm. Pretana Morgan scrubs her son's blood from the pavement / Sky News Paramedics from the London Ambulance Service and London's Air Ambulance went to the scene, but the teenager was pronounced dead just before 7pm. As she scrubbed the pavement, Ms Morgan told Sky News: "My son is not from the street, he only dropped here." Victim: Rhyhiem Ainsworth Barton She added: "I couldn't have asked for a better son. "My son was a very handsome boy. He's got so much potential." She said he had gone to her home country of Jamaica last summer after a threat in London, and had just returned to the capital in February. Pretana Morgan at the scene of her son's murder in south London / REUTERS She said he had been "trying to make a difference" by learning to work with children. "This is not life. My son's a good boy," she added, as she stood by a wall where Rhyhiem's provisional driving licence, a little bag of his baby teeth, and a photo of her feeding him when he was a baby were placed. His murder came amid a spate of violence as London sweltered in near 30C heat over the bank holiday weekend. A police cordon in Warham Street, Southwark / PA A 13-year-old boy became an innocent victim as he was shot in the head while walking down the street with his parents. The youngster was hit by the shotgun pellets in Harrow as a 15-year-old was attacked at around 1.15pm on Sunday in High Street, Wealdstone. Both teenagers suffered non-life threatening injuries, and the younger one has been released from hospital. Extra police officers, supported by armed units, patrolled the streets of London in a bid to combat the bank holiday violence. A 43-year-old was stabbed in Perivale, north-west London, on Sunday night after a dispute about driving. Police said the man was attacked on Buckingham Avenue at around 9pm after a number of residents questioned a man in a blue car about the nature of his driving in the small residential street. Meanwhile, three people were injured in a "noxious substance" assault following an altercation between two groups in Shacklewell Lane in Hackney, east London, at around 5.20am on Sunday. Just before 6.30pm on Sunday, police were flagged down by a member of the public in New Cross Road, south east London, where a 22-year-old man was suffering from gunshot wounds. The injured man was taken by ambulance to a central London hospital where his condition is not life-threatening, Scotland Yard said. In a fourth Bank Holiday weekend shooting in the capital, a 30-year-old man - who may have been working as a delivery driver - was gunned down. Police were called at 4.50pm on Monday to a shooting in John Williams Close, in New Cross, south east London, Scotland Yard said. T he mother of a teenager shot dead in south London has paid an emotional tribute to her son, saying he had so much potential. Rhyhiem Ainsworth Barton, 17, was shot in Cooks Road, Kennington, just after 6pm on Saturday. Paramedics from the London Ambulance Service and London's Air Ambulance rushed to the scene, but he was pronounced dead just before 7pm. His mother Pretana Morgan today said: "I couldn't have asked for a better son. My son was a very handsome boy. "He's got so much potential." Pretana Morgan speaks to reporters at the scene of her son's killing / PA Ms Morgan said Rhyhiem was "trying to make a difference" by learning to work with children. Rhyhiem Ainsworth Barton was shot in Cooks Road, Kennington (PA) "This is not life. My son's a good boy," she said. She also criticised the police, saying: "We're not being protected because of the police. The police are the ones putting us in danger." A police cordon in Warham Street, Southwark / PA Rhyhiem's godmother Lacey Main said he was a rapper and was made a target because he was young. She said he was talented, adding he did not insult the people she believes are behind the shooting. Ms Main said there have been incidents with boys coming to a nearby youth club in the area, adding: "So where is safe, then, from these people that they can cause so much havoc?" She said Rhyhiem was shot at by someone in a car. Police at the scene of the shooting in Kennington, south London / REUTERS Ms Main added: "Any loss of life is a loss. It doesn't matter where they come from. It doesn't matter what religion, what culture, what skin colour... a life is a life. A young life is a young life." Abigael Adeoye, 17, said she was best friends with Rhyhiem and knew him since primary school. "I was with him everyday," she said. Asked what her favourite thing about him was, she said: "That he was bubbly. He was really bubbly." She added: "He used to message me every day and say 'Abigael come and see me'. I should have told him to stay at home yesterday." Ms Morgan expressed her wishes to have Rhyhiem's remains returned to her. "I just want them to hand over my son's body," she said. The death is the latest in a spate of violent crimes in the capital, as police investigate more than 60 alleged murders so far this year. London mayor Sadiq Khan urged anyone with any information about the incident to contact police. "My thoughts are with the loved ones of the teenager who was tragically last night in a shooting in Southwark," he said. "I have been in contact with the Metropolitan Police Commissioner about this appalling crime and am reassured the Met Police are doing everything they can to bring those responsible to justice." A post-mortem examination will take place in due course. No arrests have been made. A secretive Scotland Yard gangs database that contains the personal details of 1,500 people who reportedly pose little or no risk of violence has come under fire. The Metropolitan Polices Gangs Matrix holds information on about 3,800 people, around 40 per cent of whom are said to have a harm score of zero. An investigation by the data watchdog has been launched into the forces database after an Amnesty International report, published on Wednesday, found it breaches international human rights laws. It was branded "racially discriminative" and said to "stigmatise young black men" over issues like the type of music they listen to and their social media presence. The Met said its matrix helps to thwart violence, saves lives and can help prevent people from being drawn into gang crime. But critics have said those on the matrix can be subject to punitive measures across the public sector, covering employment, housing, driving licences and education. Amnesty Internationals UK Director Kate Allen said: "There is clearly a huge problem with knife crime violence at the moment in London, but the Gangs Matrix is not the answer. It's part of an unhelpful and racialised focus on the concept of gangs. Put simply, it's the wrong tool for the wrong problem. "The entire system is racially discriminatory, stigmatising young black men for the type of music they listen to or their social media behaviour, and perpetuating racial bias with potential impacts in all sorts of areas of their lives. "Some police officers have been acting like they're in the wild west, making the false assumptions that they can set up fake profiles and covertly befriend people online to monitor them without needing the appropriate search warrants. "The Mayor of London needs to dismantle the Matrix unless he can bring it in line with international human rights standards." Amnesty found that the number of black men on the Matrix is disproportionate. Figures from July 2016 showed that 87 per cent of the people listed were black, Asian and minority ethnic, and 78 per cent were black. For London as a whole, 13 per cent of the population is black, and police figures show 27 per cent of those prosecuted for youth violence are black. In terms of age, 80 per cent of those on the database were between the ages of 12 and 24, and 15 per cent were minors, the youngest of whom was 12 years old. Males accounted for 99 per cent. The report claimed being on the Matrix could affect access to services such as housing, education and the job centre. Researchers heard some families were threatened with eviction if a young person did not change their behaviour, and one was sent an ultimatum more than a year after their son had died. There are no "clear processes" for reviewing or updating the database, or challenging the inclusion of a name, and no definitive list of who is allowed access to the information, it said. Amnesty called on the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) to examine whether the database breaks data and human rights laws. The Matrix was set up in 2012 in the wake of the wave of rioting that hit London and several other parts of the UK in the summer of 2011. Police gather various intelligence including history of violent crime, entries on social media and information from bodies including local councils to identify gang members, then use a secret algorithm to calculate a risk of harm score set on a traffic light scale. Figures from October 2017 showed the whole Matrix contained 3,806 entries, with 5 per cent in the red category, the highest risk of committing violence, and 64 per cent in the green, the lowest. Forty per cent - 1,501 - had a harm score of zero, meaning they had no record of charges or police intelligence linking them to violence in the past two years. ICO Deputy Commissioner for operations, James Dipple-Johnstone, said: "We are in contact with the Metropolitan Police Service as part of an investigation into their use of a 'gangs database'. "As part of this, we're considering how the database is used and if any aspects of it constitute a breach of the Data Protection Act. "At the conclusion of our investigation we will communicate any resulting recommendations and enforcement actions." Amnesty also called on the influential Commons Home Affairs Select Committee to investigate the use of police gang databases across the country. It is understood that officers in Nottingham, Manchester and Birmingham gather similar information on gang links. Scotland Yard said the aim of the database is to "reduce gang-related violence and prevent young lives being lost". The force issued a statement that continued: "Some young people identified as part of a gang may not yet have been drawn into gang violence. These individuals will be offered support to divert them away from activity that may result in either violent offending or them becoming a victim. "The scoring system on the matrix is subject to specific timescales, which means nominals convicted or linked to violence can score zero outside of these timescales. A number of those with a zero score may also be in custody therefore not currently offending." It said that only selected information is given to other bodies such as local councils and the details are treated as confidential, with representatives signing an agreement not to share the data. The statement went on: "The style of music that someone listens to has no bearing on whether someone is placed on the matrix. However, evidence that someone is glorifying gang violence in a music video posted on social media can be used as an intelligence source. "In relation to suggestions of potential racial disproportionality of the matrix, the MPS has actively engaged with David Lammy MP, Amnesty International and the Information Commissioner's Office to help understand the approach taken, and we remain committed to ensuring the safety of all Londoners, and especially those most at risk from gang and other violent crimes." T he ongoing spate of violent crime in London looked set to continue as police investigating two separate teenage stabbings in London. The first victim was found knifed in the street in yet another day of violence on the capital's streets. The second victim, believed to be in his late teens, was found hurt in Beresford Square, Greenwich, following reports of a fight on Tuesday afternoon. Police were called to the scene of the first incident at the Embankment, in Twickenham, after a 16-year-old suffered a stab wound to the arm. Why are our children killing each other? He was rushed to hospital by ambulance where medics confirmed his injuries were not life-threatening. Detectives from Richmond-upon-Thames are investigating. There has been no arrest in connection with the Twickenham stabbing. One man has been arrested on suspicion of possessing an offensive weapon in connection with the Greenwich stabbing. T wo teenagers were stabbed and a man was shot in the latest of a spate of violence in London over the Bank Holiday weekend. Police are investigating after a 17-year-old boy was knifed in Leytonstone Road, Stratford, east London, shortly after 4.30pm on Monday. A teenager, believed to be 16, was rushed to hospital in critical condition after being stabbed in a Broomfield Park, in Palmers Green, north London, less than an hour earlier. Both victims were fighting for life in hospital but Scotland Yard has since said their injuries are now deemed to be non-life threatening. A man, 30, was shot in John Williams Close, New Cross Gate shortly after 4.50pm. His injuries are not deemed to be life-threatening, police said. Police at the junction of Palmerston Road and the High Street in Wealdstone / PA The youngster was hit by the shotgun pellets in Harrow as a 15-year-old was attacked at around 1.15pm. Scotland Yard said the older boy was found to have suffered head injuries, caused by a number of shotgun pellets. Minutes later, police were alerted to the second boy injured nearby. Teenager shooting: Mother pays tribute to her 'handsome' boy Detective Chief Superintendent Simon Rose, Harrow borough commander, said: "It would appear that the first victim was approached by two male suspects, one in possession of a shotgun - and shots were fired, injuring him and an entirely innocent member of the public." Both teenagers suffered non-life threatening injuries, and the younger one has been released from hospital. A 39-year-old man arrested on the evening of May 6 in connection with the incident has been released under investigation. Extra police officers, supported by armed units, patrolled the streets of London in a bid to combat the bank holiday violence. Rhyhiem Ainsworth Barton was fatally gunned down in Southwark on Saturday. 'Acid' attack: Police at the scene in Dalston / Supplied The 17-year-old rapper and aspiring architect had "so much potential", his mother said as she tearfully told of her "handsome boy". Rhyhiem's death is the latest in a spate of violent crimes in the capital, as police investigate more than 60 alleged murders so far this year. Official statistics released in April showed the number of homicides in London had surged by 44 per cent in the last year. Rhyhiem's mother, Pretana Morgan, called for a stop to the violence. She said: "Let my son be the last and be an example to everyone. Just let it stop. What must be, must be." Paramedics and police were called to reports of gunshots on Cooks Road in Kennington on Saturday at just after 6pm. Rhyhiem was found on nearby Warham Street with a gunshot injury. A 43-year-old was stabbed in Perivale, north-west London, on Sunday night after a dispute about driving. Police said the man was attacked on Buckingham Avenue at around 9pm after a number of residents questioned a man in a blue car about the nature of his driving in the small residential street. Just before 6.30pm on Sunday, police were flagged down by a member of the public in New Cross Road, south east London, where a 22-year-old man was suffering from gunshot wounds. P arents today called for childcare to be provided when schools are forced to shut on election days. Hundreds of schools across London became polling stations for last weeks local elections, meaning children had to stay at home. In Tower Hamlets, 43 school buildings were turned into polling stations, in Croydon there were 33, and in Kensington and Chelsea there were 18. Seven nurseries in Hackney were shut, seven schools in Kingston, and in Camden four schools closed. In Ealing, 19 primaries were shut and one secondary partly-closed, and in Merton 16 schools were used as polling stations, 11 of which shut. The Merton schools got 40 compensation. Most schools used the day for staff training. But the closures caused a headache for parents, many of whom had to take days off work. Margaret Morrissey, of campaign group Parents Outloud, said schools that close for election day should be responsible for providing childcare to pupils. Failing that, local authorities should choose other buildings, she said. She added: Schools are becoming the easy option. Now more parents are working its not so easy just to close a school. It is very difficult to keep a school working and also allow public access, so I think local authorities must find other available polling stations. Louisa Symington-Mills, founder of Cityparents Group, said: The UK has no culture of bring your child to work, and that of course means that on a day when school is cancelled, a child is sick or a childminder changes plans, you have to roll out plan B. For the lucky ones, that means roping in family or friends who live near and are happy to step in and help so you can get to the office. If thats not you, then many forward- thinking businesses wouldnt think twice now about allowing an unplanned day working from home. But if thats not you either, then your last resort might be taking a days holiday and a dose of positivity. W hat Momentum will look like post-Jeremy Corbyn is the question its founder and chairman, Jon Lansman, posed yesterday, voicing what has been a concern for some time: what is the future of the most successful Left-wing campaign group in the history of UK politics? Momentum will outlive Jeremy, no question, said Lansman, acknowledging the fact that the Labour leader will be almost 73 at the time of the next election. If we survive we have to work out a new way of living without the same kind of commitment to the current leader. A senior Labour source says concerns inside the movement are acute. Lansman (below) is basically asking whether Momentum members will give up weekends and evenings for someone like Laura Pidcock in the same way as they do for Jeremy Corbyn. And will it survive if Angela Rayner or someone who is on the left but not completely Corbynite takes over? People want to know what function will it serve, will its influence will be diluted if a candidate they dont support becomes leader. Momentum is currently independent from Labour but it has in the past taken steps to shore up its relationship with the party. In March 2017, a tape recording of Lansman raising the possibility of Momentum affiliating with Unite was given to The Observer. The idea was that Unites political fund, paid for by Labour subs, would go to Momentum and secure its future. This didnt happen, says the source, because it was unnecessary when Corbyn did well at the election. They thought it would be too incendiary, given the result. But it may still happen. Momentum has approached different unions to discuss affiliation, including the Fire Brigades Union, and is already affiliated with the Communications Workers Union. More generally, there is talk that Momentum will be a separate political party if the Corbyn project ends. Momentum could use its database to start a Left-wing party, says a source. But we are looking at all the options of doing something with Labour. Lansman told Politico website of his movement: Its going to outlive me. Thats my intention. High-flying Tom lands in a cupboard Tom Tugendhat beat the favourites to take Tonbridge and Malling, one of the safest Tory seats in the country and, almost immediately, the Chair of the Foreign Affairs committee. But has his luck hit a skid? Tugendhat was heard complaining in Portcullis House that he has a broom cupboard office. Are Tory troublemakers getting a bad deal? Zac Goldmith MP once called his own windowless room a punishment: There is a correlation between quality of office and obedience to the party, he said. I make phone calls in the corridor. --- How much can a set of second- hand paintbrushes be worth? If theyve touched up greatness: $10,000. Seven brushes used by conservator Dianne Modestini to restore the worlds costliest painting, Salvator Mundi, are on eBay. But Michael Daley, of ArtWatch UK, says: given that shes been working on it since 2005 up to 2017, the brushes must be knackered. --- Captain Nick Wright, Princess Annes private secretary, is leaving after 16 years. The Palace will have a job recruiting his replacement. When a 95-year-old knitting enthusiast sent mufflers to HRH, waspish Wright wrote: I am sure theyll be very useful, particularly at her home in Gloucester. Absent Dame Judi still makes her presence felt at West End awards Star pals: Jenny Agutter, Derek Jacobi and Maggie Smith (Photo by David M. Benett/Dave Benett/Getty Images) / Dave Benett/Getty Images Dame Maggie Smith and Sir Derek Jacobi led the crowd of thespians attending the Golden Bucket Awards over the weekend, a fundraising event for the theatre community thrown by charity group Acting for Others. Sophie Simms won the Fabulous Fundraising Award, bestowed for the most inventive appeal, for her West End Bake Off, in which different West End musical casts compete to see who can make the best cake (this year the event clashes with the royal wedding, sadly). Others gathered at the Prince Edward Theatre included Hannah Waddingham and Tracie Bennett. Dame Judi Dench couldnt make it because she was in Scotland, but the organisers produced a life-size cut-out for actors to use for selfies. The TTT Top Tweeter Award given for making the most noise on social media went to Harriet Thorpe. Not quite an Olivier, but not bad. SW1A Stella Creasy, the MP for Walthamstow, was criticised yesterday for posting a photo of herself relaxing in a park in her constituency, eating ice cream and watching a Maypole dance. Hard-Left trolls compared her unfavourably with Labour general secretary Jennie Formby, who spoke at a May Day rally in Southampton at the same time. Creasy hit back: if ice cream isnt part of your revolution, its no revolution at all. --- Boris Johnson wooing Donald Trump on Fox reminds Kim Howells, ex-FCO minister, how he almost went hill walking with the former President of Iran Mahmoud Ahmadinejad: I might have been able to sort out our relationship with Iran, he told the BBCs World Tonight. If he was really horrible I could have pushed him off a cliff. --- Teased for his Eighties puffa last week, Labour MP Wes Streeting is getting flak for his black trainers on The Wright Stuff. Unless his house burned down or flooded, said one tweeter, there is no justification. Quote of the day No, were not going to win, but then are they? Actress and former Labour MP Glenda Jackson on her former partys 2020 chances Bonnie shared a cubicle with Cosby Cosby fan: Bonnie Greer (Photo by Gareth Cattermole/Getty Images) / Getty Images Playwright and author Bonnie Greer has fond memories of Bill Cosby, who has just been found guilty of three cases of sexual assault. Greer wrote a script for a speech Cosby gave in 1986. He strolled into my little cubicle, tall and rangy and casual and smiling. His speciality, observational humour, was apparent in the things he wanted me to write. I think he liked what I did... I marvelled at how I got there. Writing in the New European, Greer adds that she deliberately lost track of Cosby when she moved to London. S adiq Khan has said he would be more than happy to meet Donald Trump during his UK visit and show him how diverse London is. The mayor has publicly clashed with the president over issues including terrorism and Islamophobia since Mr Trump took office last year. Mr Khan recently warned him to expect protests on the streets of the capital during his trip this July. Speaking on the BBC's Today programme, he revealed he had not been asked to meet Mr Trump during the visit but would of course do so if asked. The US leader is planning a visit to the UK in July / REUTERS Bearing in mind some of the things that President Trump has said about diversity, about those who follow my faith, about London, I would be more than happy to meet with him, he said. I would show him how diverse we are as a city and how that is a strength and that it is possible to be a Londoner, a Westerner and a Muslim. They are not mutually incompatible. He added: Id also make the point to President Trump, in a respectful way, that I think those who are our closest allies, those with whom we have a special relationship and those who are our dear friends, I dont think should be amplifying messages of hate by retweeting, for example, tweets by Britain First. The president will come to Britain on Friday, July 13, for a working visit rather than the full-blown "state visit" that was previously expected. And after the date for the visit was revealed, Mr Khan suggested the Republican president should be braced for demonstrations against him. "If he comes to London, President Trump will experience an open and diverse city that has always chosen unity over division and hope over fear," Mr Khan said. "He will also no doubt see that Londoners hold their liberal values of freedom of speech very dear." Thousands of people have already pledged to take to the streets in protest when the President visits London in July. Mr Khan openly criticised the president last year for retweeting a series of unverified, anti-Muslim videos shared by far-right party Britain First. President Trump yesterday used Twitter to promote a vile, extremist group that exists solely to sow division and hatred in our country," he said. "Many Brits who love America and Americans will see this as a betrayal of the special relationship between our two countries. J eremy Corbyn was dealt a fresh blow today when one of his former shadow cabinet members confirmed she was quitting as an MP to work for Sadiq Khan. Heidi Alexander is to step down as MP for Lewisham East to become Londons deputy mayor for transport. Ms Alexander, 43, who served as shadow health secretary under Mr Corbyn, is the latest centrist Labour MP to seek a post outside Parliament, highlighting bitter divisions and disillusionment at the heart of the party. Last week, former soldier Dan Jarvis was elected mayor of the Sheffield city region and Labour chiefs say he will have to stand down as MP for Barnsley Central once the new powers for the mayoral role are agreed. Andy Burnham stood down as shadow home secretary in autumn 2016 to successfully campaign to be elected mayor of Greater Manchester. Heidi Alexander will join Sadiq Khan's team / Getty Images Tristram Hunt quit as MP for Stoke-on-Trent Central early last year to become director of the Victoria and Albert Museum. Jamie Reed resigned as MP for Copeland in west Cumbria after which the Tories won a by-election last February, beating Labour in an area it had represented for over 80 years. Ms Alexander, who won Lewisham East at the 2017 general election with a 21,213 majority, has been campaigning for Labour to back Britain staying in the single market after Brexit. This has put her at odds with Mr Corbyn, with the Labour leader not backing Lords amendments that would require the Government to negotiate a Norway-style trade deal for the UK to stay within the European Economic Area. The move comes as a fresh blow for Jeremy Corbyn / PA She quit as shadow health secretary in July 2016 and later revealed that she had hated being in the shadow cabinet, which she branded as entirely dysfunctional. She said: I hated being part of something so inept, so unprofessional, so shoddy. This wasnt what I had gone into politics to do. It was a joke. Mayor of London Mr Khan today announced that Ms Alexander would replace Val Shawcross, who is retiring as deputy mayor for transport in the summer after 18 years at the Greater London Authority. Ms Alexander entered Parliament in 2010 after serving as deputy mayor of Lewisham. She will stand down as an MP before taking up her new role. Highlighting how Ms Alexander had shown she could reach out beyond Labour, Mr Khan said: Heidi knows this city inside out, and her work both as shadow health secretary and campaigning over the best Brexit deal has demonstrated the terrific job she will do as part of my team standing up for London. Heidi is respected across the political divide as a parliamentarian and campaigner and Londoners can be confident she will ensure we deliver our ambitious plans to transform Londons transport network over the coming years. Ms Alexander said: London is a fantastic city. I know Sadiq wants its transport system to be the envy of the world and I am looking forward to playing my part in making that happen. City Hall said that, legally, Ms Alexander could not continue as deputy mayor and as an MP. Her appointment as deputy chairwoman of the TfL Board is subject to a confirmation hearing by the London Assembly. Ms Alexanders departure will trigger a by-election and Momentum are very active in her constituency so could push for a Left-winger to replace her. P ro-European ministers were today rallying around Theresa Mays customs partnership plans after Boris Johnson branded them crazy. One Cabinet minister said some colleagues were uniting behind the Prime Ministers favoured option because the alternative was to risk crashing out of the EU with no deal at all. No 10 was ominously silent this morning but one ministerial aide described the Foreign Secretarys attack as the Johnson tantrum and another accused him of undermining her authority. The silence prompted speculation that Mrs May, who came face to face with him behind closed doors at weekly Cabinet this morning, was furious. But supporters of Mr Johnson were defiant, saying he could not be rebuked for speaking against something that is not even Government policy. The row threatened to shatter party unity days after better-than-expected local elections results. Tories have rallied around Theresa May / REUTERS Brexit was not on the formal agenda this morning as ministers trooped into Downing Street. Mrs May has delayed a showdown on the two key proposals for a future trade relationship the customs partnership that is opposed by Brexiteers, and the maximum facilitation plan remainers fear is unworkable in the hope of picking off opponents one by one. In other developments: Sources close to Business Secretary Greg Clark confirmed company leaders have warned him that major investments are more likely to go to other countries if Britain fails to achieve a frictionless trade deal with the EU, meaning that factories would close. Senior MPs said discussions with on all sides had made clear the Commons would not support a hard Brexit deal that abandoned Britains current trade advantages. Former attorney general Dominic Grieve said Brexiteer proposals were dangerous and unworkable. Boris Johnson talks up Donald Trump for Peace Prize Shadow Brexit Secretary Keir Starmer said Labour would not settle for less than a deal that provided all the advantages of being in the Customs Union. A senior remain-voting minister told the Standard ministers were prepared to take on Mr Johnson: I would be worried that anything less than the full customs partnership would not get through the House of Commons. Where does that leave us if the Government is defeated in the Commons? It could lead to a no-deal situation. Thousands of anti-Brexit activists march to Parliament in protest 1 /12 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 EU leaders have shown no enthusiasm for a customs partnership but the minister said it could solve the Ireland border problem. Max fac which would rely on new technologies to minimise frontier checks would not solve the issue because the cameras involved would be a target for saboteurs. The minister added: Neither option would be ready for 2020. But it does seem to me there is something there with the customs partnership might be more attractive to the EU. Mr Grieve said: It is clear that a majority of MPs believe that a form of customs arrangement is essential for our economic well-being. It is time members of the European Research Group [headed by Jacob Rees Mogg] woke up to the fact that their model for the UKs future is dangerous and unworkable and will not be endorsed by Parliament. Mr Johnson made his criticisms during a trip to Washington. He told the Daily Mail a customs partnership would create a whole new web of bureaucracy ... you have a crazy system whereby you end up collecting the tariffs on behalf of the EU at the UK frontier. His allies said it was a fair response to the views of the Business Secretary yesterday: They can hardly attack him for speaking against something that is not Government policy, when they had an entire operation lined up behind Greg Clark on Sunday. Mr Clark had stressed thousands of British jobs depend on frictionless trade with Europe, and cited the Toyota car factories as a business that relied on just-in-time trading. C harity workers trailing the so-called Croydon cat killer linked to more than 400 brutal animal murders nationwide have said everything points to one person carrying out the attacks. Boudicca Rising and her partner Tony Jenkins, the two members of South Norwood Animal Rescue and Liberty (SNARL), have detailed the tell-tale signs of the murderer in a new documentary. The pair have been investigating since 2015, when they began noticing reports of cat mutilations in and around Croydon. They have since launched a UK-wide hunt for what is thought to be the countrys first serial animal killer, with reports of murders as far as Manchester, Brighton and the Isle of Wight. Boudicca Rising and Tony Jenkins - the two members of SNARL - are trailing the cat killer / VICE In advance of the documentary, Ms Rising told the Standard: We are not sure if we are talking about one person or a group. Everything we have learnt so far points to one person. Unless he is working with someone very closely, he is by himself because of the way he is working. Mr Jenkins added: We have not had any killings on the same day very far away from each other, which could indicate one person. Rescue organisation SNARL was launched in 2014 to rehabilitate and re-home poorly treated animals. The couple have been investigating the killings since 2015 / VICE However, from tracing murder routes, collecting deceased cat bodies as evidence - often storing them in their fridge - and providing support to families who have lost a loved one, the pair are now dedicated to hunting the serial animal killer or killers. Foxes, rabbits and guinea pigs have all been killed in a similar manner to the cats. In VICEs documentary To Catch a Cat Killer that aired today, Ms Rising and Mr Jenkins claim the culprit has a tendency to return to the crime scene after the initial killing spree to return body parts. In the film we see a cats front leg bone returned to the scene, stripped of all flesh. The documentary follows the couple on the ground as they investigate the killer and receive calls about new victims. The killer is famed for leaving dismembered pets in and around the homes of their owners. But there is usually no blood on the scene, Mr Jenkins said. It is thought that the killer bludgeons the pets to death. The killer is famed for leaving dismembered pets in and around the homes of their owners / VICE The culprit then waits around to allow the animals blood to congeal before cutting off parts of the body, the animal rescuer said. SNARL have dedicated two and a half years to tracking the killer, however they now believe the murders were likely going on as far back as 2010. Ms Rising said they have been approached by families about murders up to three years before they started investigating. And they now fear that the killer is on the verge of moving up from harming animals to attacking humans. Loading.... Ms Rising said: These crimes are geared to upset owners, not animals. Hes put decapitated foxes and put them in front of children [schools]. My concern is that he will go for humans. She added: He needs to be caught. I made a promise to the first owner [that he would be] and I wont break it. The documentary also follows the pair as they work alongside the Metropolitan Police as part of Operation Takahe, which began in December 2015. It includes interviews with psychologists who give insight into the psychological patterns behind the murder sprees as well as the Met, the RSPCA and owners of cats who have been killed. E mails making bomb threats have been sent to a "number" of schools and colleges in the UK, police said. At this stage the emails are believed to be "false and malicious", according to West Midlands Police. Schools have been advised to contact local police if they receive such an email. A statement released by the National Crime Agency said: "We are aware of a number of threatening emails being sent to schools and are investigating alongside partners. "We understand that these types of emails can be distressing and while we take the communications extremely cautiously, we must stress there is no credible threat. "We would ask that anyone receiving such an email contact their local police." West Midlands Police said emails were first sent to schools across the region on Monday night. It said in a statement: "Police are aware of emails circulating to a number of schools in the West Midlands and nationally this morning (Tuesday May 8) making bomb threats - at this stage it is believed they are false and malicious. "Schools are some of the safest and most secure public spaces with well-rehearsed safety plans in place to deal with a range of emergencies. Staff are highly trained and the well-being of students is their top priority." Selly Park Technology College for Girls in Birmingham was evacuated after receiving a threat on Tuesday morning, the school wrote in a statement on Twitter. It wrote: "After evacuating the premises following a threat received this morning to a number of schools, and following advice from the police, we have reopened the school. "The day will finish at 3.05pm as normal. Thank you to all our staff, pupils and parents for their calm cooperation." One man, known as Dean Smith on Twitter, claimed that a school in Lewisham received a "hoax bomb threat" on Monday night. Party time! The party is already in full swing on the streets of Windsor as the first trains chug in from across the capital. It was standing room only on services from Slough where the station had made spectators feel welcome with a sign celebrating the nuptials. The dot matrix board said: "All aboard the royal wedding special to Harry & Meghan Central." Many of the voices chatting excitedly on the trains had American accents, including Christine Clancy from Virginia. Her thumbnails were painted with the Union flag and she sported the British flag on her shoes. Ms Clancy said: "I've always been a royal fan - not an extreme one - I just love British history and love the royals. I just wanted to be part of the wedding celebration. "It would have been nice if Meghan's dad was walking here down the aisle, everyone was expecting her mum to do it, but Charles - he'll be able to do it with his eyes closed." Leila Souza, 67, and Adela Welch, 63, travelled from Tampa, Florida to watch the wedding. The pair have booked a "VIP spot" in a cafe along the procession route to ensure a good view of proceedings. They have made a sign featuring a picture of Princess Diana on her wedding day, with the words "here in spirit". Ms Souza said: "When she died Prince Harry was just a little child. We all grieved. "His mother will be very, very happy today, so she's here in spirit." Some of the 2,000-plus members of the public who were invited by the couple to watch the day have already begun arriving at the castle. N ew York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman, who championed the #MeToo movement against sexual harassment, has resigned after four woman accused him of abuse. It came after the New Yorker magazine published accounts from women who accused the 63-year-old of slapping, choking and verbally abusing them. Two of the women identified themselves as former girlfriends of his. Mr Schneiderman, who contests the allegations, has portrayed himself as a supporter of women and had pledged to use his office to hold others accountable for abusing their power. According to the reports, the alleged abuse often happened during what were supposed to be romantic encounters, but the women said the violence was not consensual. Mr Schneiderman issued a statement implying that his conduct was either welcomed by the women, or was not as they described. Eric Schneiderman has been a vocal supporter of the #MeToo movement / EPA "In the privacy of intimate relationships, I have engaged in role-playing and other consensual sexual activity. I have not assaulted anyone. I have never engaged in non-consensual sex, which is a line I would not cross," he said. Fellow Democrats in New York, including Governor Andrew Cuomo and Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, called for his resignation. "In the last several hours, serious allegations, which I strongly contest, have been made against me," he said. "While these allegations are unrelated to my professional conduct or the operations of the office, they will effectively prevent me from leading the office's work at this critical time." Eric Schneiderman speaks at a rally in New York / AFP/Getty Images He said he would resign at the close of business on Tuesday. Two women who spoke to the New Yorker on the record, Michelle Manning Barish and Tanya Selvaratnam, both said the physical abuse escalated over time. Ms Barish wrote on Twitter after the story was published: "After the most difficult month of my life-I spoke up. For my daughter and for all women. I could not remain silent and encourage other women to be brave for me. I could not..." She said she was involved with Mr Schneiderman from mid-2013 until the end of 2014, and he became violent a few weeks after they began dating. She said she confided in friends, including novelist Salman Rushdie. Obama brands US withdrawal 'a serious mistake' "There are few issues more important to the security of the United States than the potential spread of nuclear weapons, or the potential for even more destructive war in the Middle East. That's why the United States negotiated the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) in the first place... "The reality is clear. The JCPOA is working that is a view shared by our European allies, independent experts, and the current U.S. Secretary of Defense... "That is why today's announcement is so misguided. Walking away from the JCPOA turns our back on America's closest allies, and an agreement that our country's leading diplomats, scientists, and intelligence professionals negotiated. "In a democracy, there will always be changes in policies and priorities from one Administration to the next. But the consistent flouting of agreements that our country is a party to risks eroding America's credibility, and puts us at odds with the world's major powers. "The JCPOA was not just an agreement between my Administration and the Iranian government. After years of building an international coalition that could impose crippling sanctions on Iran, we reached the JCPOA together with the United Kingdom, France, Germany, the European Union, Russia, China, and Iran. "It is a multilateral arms control deal, unanimously endorsed by a United Nations Security Council Resolution... D onald Trump has announced the US will withdraw from the Iran nuclear deal, describing it as "decaying and rotting". Speaking to camera, the US president said: "My fellow Americans, today I want to update the world on our efforts to prevent Iran from acquiring a nuclear weapon. "Over the years Iran and its proxies have bombed American embassies and military installations, murder hundreds of American service members. "I made clear that if the deal could not be fixed, the US would no longer be a part of it. Macron pleaded with Trump not to ditch the Iran deal / AFP/Getty Images "It is clear to me, that we cannot prevent an Iranian nuclear bomb under the decaying and rotten structure of the current agreement. "The Iran deal is defective at its core. If we do nothing, we know exactly what will happen. Some believe Netanyahu targeted his simple presentation at Trump / AP "I am announcing today that the United Stated will withdraw from the Iran nuclear deal. We will be instituting the highest level of economic sanctions." Mr Trump warned that a nuclear arms race race could be initiated in the Middle East if Iran obtained such a weapon. Netanyahu: Secret documents show Iran lied over nuclear weapons He said in an address to the nation that he will be reinstating the highest level of sanctions and warned other countries not to help the Iranian government. Mr Trump said America "will not be held hostage to nuclear blackmail" and will not allow "a regime that chants 'Death to America"' to get access to nuclear weapons. The president said he made the decision after consulting with US allies. Iran's President Hassan Rouhani - who very publicly advocated engaging with America and would be politically exposed should the deal fail - said his country would stay in the agreement even if the United States pulls out. French president Emmanuel Macron said France, Germany and Britain "regret" the US's decision to leave the deal. Senator Dick Durbin of Illinois, the number-two Democrat in the Senate, branded the US withdrawal from the Iran nuclear deal "a mistake of historic proportions". He said that breaking the Iran deal increases the danger that Iran will restart its nuclear weapons programme, which threatens Israel and "destabilises the entire Middle East". R ihanna sparked a religious backlash and divided fans after she channelled Pope-chic for the annual Metropolitan Museum of Arts Costume Institute Ball. The Barbadian superstar made sure to stick to the Heavenly Bodies theme in a heavily embellished custom-made John Galliano gown complete with crosses and a papal inspired headdress. Rihanna, who co-chaired the event with Anna Wintour, Amal Clooney and Donatella Versace, claimed it would have been a sin to not wear the show-stopping piece. It feels expensive! It would be a sin not to wear it! she told Vogue. But many religious fans disagreed, slamming the look as disgusting and offensive Rihanna ignores SZA on Met Gala red carpet One critic tweeted: @rihanna I love you but showing up with a pope head piece is so offensive to me. As someone raised in a catholic household I think the #MetGala2018 is a mockery of Christian religion and highly disrespectful on so many levels. Another posted: So you can't wear an Native American outfit for Halloween because it's offensive, but Rihanna can dress like the Pope and she gets praised (???). Not only is she dressed as the Pope, her outfit sexualises it. Ok. But others gushed over the outfit with some joking she had convinced them to convert to Catholicism while others hailed her "God". One fan tweeted: STOP EVERYTHING!!! HOLD YOUR WIGS, OFFICIALLY GOD IS A WOMAN AND HER NAME IS ROBYN @RIHANNA FENTY. Another posted: So its official Rihanna is god and now the pope. No one sticks more to Met Gala themes than the fashion Queen. Some of the biggest names in music, film and modelling turned out for the lavish bash in New York on Sunday night which saw Madonna wrap up the proceedings with a cover of Leonard Cohens Hallelujah. Many stuck to the religious theme with Sarah Jessica Parker fashioning a nativity scene to her headdress, Katy Perry wearing a giant set of angel wings and Jennifer Lopez adorned with a huge cross. Other stars in attendance included Ariana Grande, Selena Gomez, Rosie Huntington-Whiteley and Princess Beatrice as well as Kim Kardashian and her sisters Kendall and Kylie Jenner. T he first 10 acts to qualify for the Eurovision Song Contest 2018 final have been revealed during a glitzy semi-final on Tuesday evening. The acts won enough jury and viewer votes combined to return to the Altice Arena in Lisbon, Portugal on Saturday night for the Grand Final. Austria, Estonia, Cyprus, Lithuania and Israel were the first five to be announced, in random order. Czech Republic, Bulgaria and Albania also made their way to the final. Through: Netta made it through to the Grand Final representing Israel with TOY / BBC Four The last two spots went to Finland and Ireland. There was a familiar face for UK viewers as former The X Factor finalist Saara Aalto performed Monsters for Finland's entry. The 10 acts sent through join the Big Five - the United Kingdom, Germany, France, Spain and Italy - in the Final and the host nation. All six automatically qualify for the Grand Final without having to go through the midweek run. Who is Eurovision UK contestant SuRie? The 63rd Eurovision Song Contest is being hosted by beautiful quartet Filomena Cautela, Silvia Alberto, Daniela Ruah and Catarina Furtado while the BBC semi-final coverage is fronted by Scott Mills and Rylan Clark-Neal. Chat show host Graham Norton will once again return for the Grand Final, having taken over from the late Sir Terry Wogan for the 2009 contest. Norton has paid tribute to Wogan in the years since his death with a drink during song number nine, the point Sir Terry warned him not to start drinking until. The second semi-final will be on BBC Four on Thursday, during which 10 more acts will gain their place on Saturdays stage. The Grand Final will be broadcast on BBC One from 8pm on Saturday 12 May, with the UK represented by SuRie and song Storm. Countries & Areas Search for country or area A Afghanistan Albania Algeria Andorra Angola Antigua and Barbuda Argentina Armenia Australia Austria Azerbaijan B Bahamas Bahrain Bangladesh Barbados Belarus Belgium Belize Benin Bhutan Bolivia Bosnia and Herzegovina Botswana Brazil Brunei Bulgaria Burkina Faso Burma Burundi C Cabo Verde Cambodia Cameroon Canada Central African Republic Chad Chile China Colombia Comoros Costa Rica Cote dIvoire Croatia Cuba Cyprus Czechia D Democratic Republic of the Congo Denmark Djibouti Dominica Dominican Republic E Ecuador Egypt El Salvador Equatorial Guinea Eritrea Estonia Eswatini Ethiopia F Fiji Finland France G Gabon Gambia Georgia Germany Ghana Greece Grenada Guatemala Guinea Guinea-Bissau Guyana H Haiti Holy See Honduras Hungary I Iceland India Indonesia Iran Iraq Ireland Israel Italy J Jamaica Japan Jordan K Kazakhstan Kenya Kiribati Kosovo Kuwait Kyrgyzstan L Laos Latvia Lebanon Lesotho Liberia Libya Liechtenstein Lithuania Luxembourg M Madagascar Malawi Malaysia Maldives Mali Malta Marshall Islands Mauritania Mauritius Mexico Micronesia Moldova Monaco Mongolia Montenegro Morocco Mozambique N Namibia Nauru Nepal Netherlands New Zealand Nicaragua Niger Nigeria North Korea North Macedonia Norway O Oman P Pakistan Palau Palestinian Territories Panama Papua New Guinea Paraguay Peru Philippines Poland Portugal Q Qatar R Republic of the Congo Romania Russia Rwanda S Saint Kitts and Nevis Saint Lucia Saint Vincent and the Grenadines Samoa San Marino Sao Tome and Principe Saudi Arabia Senegal Serbia Seychelles Sierra Leone Singapore Slovakia Slovenia Solomon Islands Somalia South Africa South Korea South Sudan Spain Sri Lanka Sudan Suriname Sweden Switzerland Syria T Taiwan Tajikistan Tanzania Thailand Timor-Leste Togo Tonga Trinidad and Tobago Tunisia Turkey Turkmenistan Tuvalu U Uganda Ukraine United Arab Emirates United Kingdom Uruguay Uzbekistan V Vanuatu Venezuela Vietnam Y Yemen Z Zambia Zimbabwe A study conducted Europewide shows that 68 percent of Romanians perceive corruption as a phenomenon that affects their daily lives, Chief Prosecutor of the National Anti-Corruption Directorate (DNA) Laura Codruta Kovesi told a debate on Tuesday on corruption in Romania's public healthcare system. "This is a Eurobarometer report on corruption, published in October 2017. In this report, 68 percent of Romanian respondents perceive corruption as one of the phenomena that affect their daily lives. The 68-percent mark ranks Romania first among the European Union countries in terms of the perception of corruption in daily life. At EU level, those who consider that everyday life is affected by corruption is only 25 percent," Kovesi said. She added, quoting the same study, that in the case of Romania the health system was mentioned by 58 percent of the respondents as the most affected by corruption, as against only 31 percent elsewhere in the European Union."Corruption in the public health system translates into costs borne by patients directly because they are covered from their own pockets, or indirectly because they are affected and the social security budget is damaged. We have often found in our investigations that the extra cost that private-owned firms pay as a bribe is reflected in the quality and cost of services that citizens receive," said Kovesi.Kovesi took part in a debate called "Corruption in the public healthcare system - Analysis of DNA cases solved by court under final and binding convictions between 2015 and 2017." Attending the event were also Attorney General Augustin Lazar, representatives of the judiciary, as well as NGOs dealing with healthcare and the fight against corruption National Anticorruption Directorate (DNA) prosecutors have requested, on Tuesday, at the Supreme Court, a three-year prison sentence for Senate's President Calin Popescu Tariceanu, in the file in which he is accused of perjury. The High Court of Cassation and Justice discussed on Tuesday the last term of Calin Popescu Tariceanu's file and the court prosecutor took advantage of the opportunity and reiterated the accusations in the indictment, and the lawyer took the final plea in this case. The Court remains to rule and will announce the decision on the 22 May. Upon Tuesday's term, the DNA prosecutor upheld, in front of the Court, that the President of the Senate, at every opportunity, completely disregarded that allegations are thoroughly substantiated, and in an "act of total arrogance" he came with all sorts of evidence or justifications in order to maintain his own version of the accounts, adding that "he had a puerile defence, unfit for higher education." The investigator also showed that "the obligation to be honest is completely alien to Calin Popescu Tariceanu." "We therefore consider the deed was perpetrated, beyond any doubt, and as such we are asking for a three-year prison sentence. This is the only way in which the behavior can be corrected and the role of the punishment be ensured. Upon setting the punishment and its length, please keep in mind the complexity of the deed and the social impact that was produced by such a deed conducted by a former prime minister," the DNA representative said. Furthermore, Calin Popescu Tariceanu's attorney requested the judges to exclude the official records that were issued based on the national security warrants from 2008 - 2014, specifying that "they have neither relevance nor grounds." The defender also showed that the crime that his client is accused of is not based on evidence. Calin Popescu Tariceanu was sent to trial by the DNA on July 7 2016 for perjury and favoring the perpetrator. According to DNA, within the investigation files on the illegal property restoration rights of a surface of Snagov Forest and Baneasa Farm, Tariceanu made on 15 April 2016 untrue statements under oath, regarding essential aspects of the case which he was asked upon, and didn't say all that he knew in connection with essential circumstances, pursuing to hinder / prevent the criminal responsibility of the culprits investigated in the case file sent to court. Foreign Minister Teodor Melescanu said Tuesday that he had sent to President Iohannis for information a memorandum on starting an analysis of the timeliness to relocate Romania's Embassy in Israel from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem. He said he had not discussed the matter with President Iohannis, but the document was sent to the Presidential Administration after Iohannis asked for the resignation of Prime Minister Viorica Dancila. "The memorandum was sent for information. Consultation, the stage we are in, is the main priority for us at present. It - [sending the memorandum to President Iohannis] was not a procedural issue, but I found it helpful to inform the Presidential Administration (...) I do not remember someone asking me to do one thing or the other, but I think it is natural for us to have very open co-operation on foreign policy issues between the state bodies - Parliament, Presidency, prime minister, Foreign Ministry," Melescanu said at the Senate House on Tuesday after a meeting with national leader of the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats (ALDE) Calin Popescu-Tariceanu.Melescanu pointed out that he wants the analysis to be done together with the Ministry of Defence, the Ministry of Interior, the Romanian Intelligence Service (SRI), the Foreign Intelligence Service (SIE), all who can contribute to this analysis and including the presidential institution.Asked if the relocation of the embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem would violate any international law provision, Melescanu replied: "This is an analysis that we have to conduct; it has nothing to do with treaties, it is about the UN Security Council's resolutions.""There will probably be consultations at EU level on this topic, possibly tomorrow, in a formula with permanent representatives - the ambassadors in Brussels (...) It is obvious that at the moment negotiations over the resolution of the crisis in the Middle East are totally blocked. What is happening during this period is a particular concern of both Israel and Palestine to strengthen their negotiating positions for talks. This week or early next week President Trump will come up with a peace plan and we need to see how much we can contribute to finding a solution. It is one of the oldest crises and, unfortunately, in an area that is already plagued with many conflicts," Melescanu said.About the timeliness for Romania to take the relocation step, Melescanu said that "it must be the result of an analysis of how Romania can get involved in finding solutions that take into account its interests." The evolution of the public finances is 'totally unsatisfactory' said on Monday night President Klaus Iohannis, in a statement at the Cotroceni Presidential Palace, adding that Prime minister Viorica Dancila stepping down is paramount. 'The resignation of Mrs. Dancila is imperative so as to make room to some responsible, competent persons, and in this context it is increasingly visible that Dragnea [Deputies Chamber's Speaker and leader of the main ruling Social Democratic Party, ed. n.] et alii have no solPution for a good, efficient ruling,' said Klaus Iohannis. The president drew attention that Romania is under the procedure on the significant deviation of the budget deficit.'And if not corrected, it will aggravate. Only that there doesn't seem to be any intention and any corrective measure. I invite the PSD rulers to come to their senses,' Iohannis asserted.He said that the PSD governing is not able whatsoever to 'turn the economic growth into an increase of the incomes.'The president gave the example of the year 2017 when the Romanian economy recorded an over 7 percent growth and yet the incomes did not grow in proportion with it, on the contrary they were 3 billion lower than the PSD's own programme. Moreover, he indicated that in the first quarter of 2018 the total revenues are almost 5 percent below the quarterly budgetary programme, meaning they parked below the value estimated by the government.'Here fresh bad news keep showing up. The fiscal revenues, they should have increased as the economy grew, but instead, not only haven't they reached the programmed level and here the 5 percent scheduled quota has been missed, but they are even lower than the revenues of 2017's first quarter. And here we have a new counter-performance of the PSD: since the moment of the economic crisis, in the past nine years, it is for the first time when the fiscal revenues have dipped against the previous year,' Iohannis stressed.He specified that the revenues from the corporation tax have decreased against Q1, 2017, too.'This is just as serious as it is a reflection of the fact that the economy is roaring indeed, but only expenditures are roaring at the state budget, while the revenues - timeout,' said the president.Klaus Iohannis added that as regards the VAT incomes which, in his opinion, should have been 'the budget's main pillar' the non-achievement against the ruling programme is 9 percent.He emphasized that the excise incomes probably reflect 'the most accurately the disarray inside the public finances administered by the PSD.''Although the prices have gone up, although the fuel excise has been re-introduced, which by the way was not forecasted in that valuable ruling programme, and yet the collection by ANAF [the Tax Administration National Agency, ed. n.] has parked at 12 percent below programme. This is the PSD's performance. Although the Romanians pay higher prices for almost everything, the state is still not collecting the due revenues, it is not building schools, neither motor ways, nor hospitals,' Iohannis said.President Iohannis stressed that the European funds are a new 'failure' for PSD.'As regards revenues, we are 37 percent below the scheduled value. In regard to expenditure, we are at 43 percent below the programmed value. It is way below what has been programmed. It is unacceptable that these European funds are not part of the government's priorities, but why would we be surprised, the PSD has all sorts of priorities: a quarrel with the central bank, a fight against the investors, the multinationals, it is only the European funds the gov't is not fighting against, because if they fought in the interest of the Romanians they would draw the money and carry out investments, at least from there, if they are not capable to do it from own funds,' the president concluded. Social Democratic Party (PSD) Chairman Liviu Dragnea told Monday evening private TV broadcaster Antena 3 that the current coalition (PSD-ALDE, Alliance of Liberals and Democrats - ed.n.), will continue the implementation of the government programme despite "public attacks on behalf of President Iohannis." He affirmed that the evolution of the economy is positive and consequently, "PSD will not stop here." "Despite all the political barriers put up by president Iohannis, despite all the public attacks on behalf of president Iohannis, this Government will implement its ruling programme," Dragnea said.He further maintained that president Klaus Iohannis' statements on Romania's economic situation are of a political nature."I believe this stance had several objectives, politically speaking. The first objective, to try to justify the request for resignation of Mrs. Prime Minister Dancila last week, linking it to some economic data which are false and which are lies, so that the idea that he requested her resignation for the visit to Israel does not gain ground. Moreover, it is very difficult not to understand or to realise that it is a political involvement as the president of Romania, constitutionally, should not have, because he referred, and not for the first time, to a political party, to PSD. Not to mention myself, as I have been the president's target for two years," the PSD leader added."Last year too we received the same criticism, right from the start of the year, still from Cotroceni [Cotroceni Presidential Palace, the seat of the Presidency - ed.n.], still from Cotroceni's expertise, that it is impossible from an economic point of view to curb taxes and duties and have economic growth and have higher expenses. It was proven that it is possible and we did not invent this. Bigger countries have done it and were successful, for a very simple reason: the moment taxes and duties are lowered, the taxation basis is increasing that is the number of those producing revenues goes up. So overall revenues rise. Last year too they were saying we wouldn't have the economic growth that we forecasted, that we would exceed the deficit. It was proven that was not the case. It is very simple and it is not about economic magic. It has to do with very well grounded programme which is well put into place. We can in return talk about the black magic of right-wing governance, including the technocrat governance, when president Iohannis installed the government and we voted for it in Parliament," Dragnea further said. President Klaus Iohannis said on Monday that the Social Democratic Party (PSD) "is mortgaging the country's future" and is incapable of keeping public finances in order. "After a year and a half of the PSD governance, already, with this highly controversial phase of so-called wage increases, we do not see any roads, motorways, schools, hospitals, anything. On the other hand, people are wondering where this money came from for some raises, and if we look closely, the story is a sad one. The PSD is actually mortgaging the country's future, it increases wages and pensions, and neglects important investment in infrastructure and investments needed for development in general," Iohannis said at Cotroceni Presidential Palace. "From a fiscal-budgetary standpoint, the national budget is under huge pressure. Against the background of total spending rising by more than 22 percent as compared to last year, this pressure should have been mitigated by a consistent, visible effort to increase revenues, to increase the receipts therefore, which did not happen at all. On the contrary, the budget execution shows that the revenues have not reached in any chapter the level in the programme (...) presented by the Government itself. It shows something sad: PSD is incapable of putting public finances in order, and after three prime ministers and the same number of heads of ANAF [the National Agency for Fiscal Administration - ed.n.] the most visible effect is the uncertainty, the lack of predictability, as a whole, a more and more expensive behavior for the Romanian taxpayer," the head of state said. "As you know, the PSD proposed to the Romanians, on the one hand, the lowering of taxes and taxes - an action started two years ago with the VAT decrease, on the other hand they proposed a strong increase in budgetary expenditures for wages, for pensions, for motorways they said, for schools they said. For economists or for those interested, this approach has produced surprise. It is a kind of economic magic that was proposed by the PSD. Decreasing taxes, increasing wages and the achievement of all the other things is an equation that can hardly be carried through and we really have to see how long this illusion created by PSD will last," Iohannis said. He reiterated that PSD's wage increases have achieved a "rare counter-performance" in the sense that those who have had their salaries increased are dissatisfied. "A 25 percent increase in public sector wages was promised, but it remained on paper, because through an accounting maneuver, CAS spending was transferred from the employer to the employee and this increase was thus practically canceled, the head of state added.09:38pai nu intelegd e ce Alexandra, 09:38President Iohannis: PSD is mortgaging country's future09:38mersi frumos President Klaus Iohannis said on Monday that the Social Democratic Party (PSD) "is mortgaging the country's future" and is incapable of keeping public finances in order. "After a year and a half of the PSD governance, already, with this highly controversial phase of so-called wage increases, we do not see any roads, motorways, schools, hospitals, anything. On the other hand, people are wondering where this money came from for some raises, and if we look closely, the story is a sad one. The PSD is actually mortgaging the country's future, it increases wages and pensions, and neglects important investment in infrastructure and investments needed for development in general," Iohannis said at Cotroceni Presidential Palace. "From a fiscal-budgetary standpoint, the national budget is under huge pressure. Against the background of total spending rising by more than 22 percent as compared to last year, this pressure should have been mitigated by a consistent, visible effort to increase revenues, to increase the receipts therefore, which did not happen at all. On the contrary, the budget execution shows that the revenues have not reached in any chapter the level in the programme (...) presented by the Government itself. It shows something sad: PSD is incapable of putting public finances in order, and after three prime ministers and the same number of heads of ANAF [the National Agency for Fiscal Administration - ed.n.] the most visible effect is the uncertainty, the lack of predictability, as a whole, a more and more expensive behavior for the Romanian taxpayer," the head of state said. "As you know, the PSD proposed to the Romanians, on the one hand, the lowering of taxes and taxes - an action started two years ago with the VAT decrease, on the other hand they proposed a strong increase in budgetary expenditures for wages, for pensions, for motorways they said, for schools they said. For economists or for those interested, this approach has produced surprise. It is a kind of economic magic that was proposed by the PSD. Decreasing taxes, increasing wages and the achievement of all the other things is an equation that can hardly be carried through and we really have to see how long this illusion created by PSD will last," Iohannis said. He reiterated that PSD's wage increases have achieved a "rare counter-performance" in the sense that those who have had their salaries increased are dissatisfied. "A 25 percent increase in public sector wages was promised, but it remained on paper, because through an accounting maneuver, CAS spending was transferred from the employer to the employee and this increase was thus practically canceled, the head of state. Senate's Speaker Calin Popescu-Tariceanu said on Tuesday, at the Supreme Court, that the accusations brought against him by the National Anti-corruption Directorate (DNA) prosecutors "are based on serious mystifications and contradictions." The judges of the High Court of Cassation and Justice on Tuesday dealt with the last term of the case in which Calin Popescu-Tariceanu is being tried for false testimony and favoring the offender, context in which the Senate's speaker delivered his final speech before the magistrates. "All the statements I have made were sincere, in good faith. I consider myself to be innocent and did not want to hinder the criminal investigation or the accountability of the defendants. The accusations are based on mystifications and serious contradictions. I have also detailed the relationship with Dan Andronic and the duration with regard to Tal Silberstein, as well. (...) What is intended is entirely different than bringing the truth to light. (...) A lot of suppositions are made, some of which are not found in the indictment," Tariceanu said.Calin Popescu-Tariceanu was sued by the DNA on July 7, 2016 for false testimony and favoring the offender.According to the DNA, the investigation into the illegal restitution of an area of the Snagov forest and Baneasa Farm, Tariceanu, under oath, made on April 15, 2016 false statements regarding the essential aspects of the case about which he was asked and did not say all that he knew about essential circumstances, aiming to prevent / hinder the criminal prosecution of the defendants investigated in the file sent to court.The prosecutors say that Tariceanu unrealistically claimed that he had no knowledge of the retrocession to Paul Philippe of Romania of some land plots in Baneasa (the former royal farm) and Snagov forest, about the involvement of defendants Tal Silberstein, Beny Steinmetz, Moshe Agavi and others in the restitution proceedings, nor about the sale-purchase documents for these goods.Tariceanu is accused of having made false statements and not saying all he knows about the relationship with the defendants Tal Silberstein, Dan Andronic and Remus Truica, about the meetings and discussions with the latter regarding the notary fees on the transaction of the mentioned properties and the manner or acquiring and selling the claimed goods. The United States of America are "closely" monitoring Parliament's initiative to present a new package of modifications to be brought to the justice laws, some of them even likely to affect the collaboration existing between the US authorities and the Romanian counterparts in this field, US Ambassador Hans Klemm stated on Tuesday. He appreciated the initiative of President Klaus Iohannis to send the package to the Venice Commission for consultation. "Again and again, especially last year, I presented very clearly our concerns regarding the first package of justice laws, which are going through different stages of analysis. I believe that the President's decision to send the laws to the Venice Commission for consultation at international level is a very good one," Klemm pointed out.The US are paying much attention at this time to the new proposals of modifications to the criminal law, he said."We are now watching as closely as we can Parliament's initiative regarding another package that would respond to the decisions of the Constitutional Court of Romania taken in the past couple of years, with respect to the Criminal procedure Code and the Criminal Code," explained Hans Klemm.The diplomat also reminded about the US-Romanian cooperation in the judicial field."The United States cooperate of an efficient manner with the prosecutors. (...) We want to be sure that these changes won't make it difficult or even impossible for the US authorities in the justice field - agents or prosecutors - to cooperate with their Romanian counterparts," he said.Asked whether there existed concerns that such a thing could actually happen, Klemm said: "Yes, we are looking into this very carefully."When asked to mention some precise changes in this context, Klemm said "one example could be the discussion about the kind of evidence that the courts will be able to consider in a criminal case, the type of evidence.""Because, if it's impossible to consider video monitoring, this would eventually reduce our possibilities of cooperation with the Romanian authorities in the justice field," said the US official. The peoples of Russia remember 1943 as the year that everything changed; a year of decisive battles that altered the course of the Great Patriotic War and World War II as a whole. It was the year of the Battle of Stalingrad, the Battle of the Caucasus, the Battle of Kursk, and the Battle of the Dnieper. It began with the lifting of the siege of Leningrad and ended with the Red Armys liberation of two thirds of the Soviet territory temporarily occupied by the Nazis 38,000 localities, including 162 towns. The year 1943 was unprecedented in terms of the scale, magnitude and intensity of fighting. Battling the main forces of Nazi Germany and its allies, the Red Army inflicted a series of crushing defeats on the aggressor, which led to a radical change in the balance of the worlds fighting forces long before the second front was opened in Europe. The decisive battles of 1943 showed that the Soviet Union was capable of defeating Germany and its satellites by itself. The Soviet Armed Forces resolved a fundamental problem of the war they won and retained the strategic initiative. Evaluating the outcome of Operation Citadel, a German offensive operation in the Kursk salient, Field Marshal Erich von Manstein admitted: [Operation Citadel] was our last attempt at regaining initiative in the East. When it did not succeed, which equalled a failure, initiative was completely ceded to the Soviets. Operation Citadel was the decisive turning point on the Eastern Front. The armed forces of the fascist bloc were forced to shift to a strategic defence not just on the Soviet-German front, but on all the fronts of the World War II. In November 1943, the Chief of the Operations Staff of the German Armed Forces High Command (OKW), Colonel-General Alfred Jodl, admitted that German forces had lost the strategic initiative and there was no way it could be snatched back from the hands of the enemy. The events that unfolded on the Soviet-German front in 1943 conclusively demonstrated that it was still the main front of the World War II. In terms of the number of troops deployed there, the scale and outcome of the operations carried out and the losses inflicted on the armed forces of the fascist bloc, this front far exceeded the battle statistics of all the other fronts combined. Suffice it to say that between 193 and 203 German divisions and between 32 and 66 divisions of Germanys allies (almost three quarters of all the troops of the fascist bloc) fought there, along with most of their military equipment and weapons. An OKW directive dated 3 November 1943 noted that: The hard and costly struggle against Bolshevism during the last two and a half years, which has involved the bulk of our military strength in the East, has demanded extreme exertions. It was on the Soviet-German front that the enemy suffered almost 80 percent of its total combat losses: 218 divisions of the Wehrmacht and its allies were destroyed, along with almost 7,000 tanks, 14,300 aircraft and around 50,000 weapons. It was impossible for the enemy to recover from such losses. The Red Armys historic victories were a decisive factor in the further strengthening and expansion of the anti-Hitler coalition. At the height of the Battle of Kursk, US President Franklin D. Roosevelt wrote a special message to the head of the Soviet government, Joseph Stalin, which read: Your forces have, during a month of tremendous fighting, by their skill, their courage, their sacrifices and their ceaseless effort, not only stopped the long planned German attack, but have launched a successful counter-offensive of far-reaching import. Immobilised on the Eastern Front, the German command was unable to seriously influence the outcome of fighting in other theatres of military operations or transfer significant forces there. This had a direct impact on the achievements of Anglo-American forces. In the North Atlantic, the Allied command secured complete control of the skies, which drastically reduced the ability of the Luftwaffe to strike at US and British ships and the German submarine fleet to provide support. In the Mediterranean theatre, the Western allies, having gained superiority over the enemy in terms of men, military equipment and weapons, were able, in 1943, to successfully complete operations in North Africa, seize Sicily, and land on the Italian peninsula. There is a tradition in Western historiography of comparing the importance of the Battle of Stalingrad, the Battle of El Alamein and the Battle of Kursk with the allied landing in Sicily, which also took place in July 1943. But it is impossible to compare these operations, whether in terms of scale, the forces and equipment involved, or outcome. Suffice it to say that the Sicilian operation, for example, involved around 720,000 men from both sides, while four million men took part in the Battle of Kursk. And while the former merely allowed for the landing of allied troops in continental Italy, the failure of Operation Citadel resulted in the complete collapse of the Wehrmachts offensive strategy. The defeats suffered by the large strategic enemy groupings on the Soviet-German front in 1943 were a serious blow to the entire fascist bloc that accelerated the collapse of Hitlers coalition and Italys withdrawal from it. There were also domestic crises brewing in Hungary, Romania and other satellite countries of Nazi Germany, which had lost faith in their German ally and in any hope of victory. Japans position also changed significantly following the defeat of the Wehrmacht on the Soviet-German front: it became increasingly reluctant to enter into war with the USSR. The expansion of military operations against the Axis powers led to an urgent need to directly coordinate the military policies and strategies of those involved in the anti-Hitler coalition at the level of its main powers heads of state. Between 19 and 30 October 1943, the foreign ministers of the USSR, the US and Britain held a conference in Moscow. It was convened for the member countries of the anti-Hitler coalition to discuss the future of the war. The Declaration on General Security adopted at the conference was the first joint declaration outlining the unconditional surrender of the fascist states as a precondition for ending the war. The Moscow Conference laid the groundwork for the first meeting between the leaders of the three allied powers held in Tehran between 28 November and 1 December 1943. The Tehran Conference was a major international event that took place as a direct result of the Red Armys victories in the decisive battles of Stalingrad, Kursk, the Caucasus, and the Dnieper. The conference participants reached an agreement on the opening of a second front, as well as on the timing, scale and location of a European invasion. Following the Stalingrad disaster, the realisation that a military defeat was inevitable began to spread throughout Germany. The defeat of Nazi troops in Kursk, meanwhile, along with the liberation of right-bank Ukraine from the occupying Axis forces, clearly demonstrated the inevitability of the Third Reichs demise. Turkish President Recep Erdogans bid to get re-elected in the snap poll on June 24 cannot be in doubt. But seventy days is a long time in politics and Erdogans main opponent, a 54-year old former physics teacher, is famous for combative rhetoric. The surcharged political climate provides the context for the extraordinary remarks by Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu in a television interview on May 6 by riding on the wings of Turkish nationalism. Nonetheless, the salience lies in Ankaras deepening disillusion over the doublespeak in the US regional policies. Cavusoglu underscored Turkeys determination to pursue independent foreign policies and its firm rejection of US pressure tactic. He threatened in particular that Turkey will absolutely retaliate if the US halted weapons sales to Turkey or imposes sanctions in reaction to the Turkish governments purchase of S-400 anti-ballistic missile systems from Russia. This is no longer the old Turkey, Cavusoglu warned. He added, They (US) should not question our good ties with Russia. The West should abandon this understanding. Countries in this geography have to pursue a balanced policy. Our NATO membership is not an obstacle for us to establish good ties with other countries. Cavusoglu said the US can no longer impose its own policies on other countries in the world or sanction countries unilaterally. During the interview, he also noted Turkeys continued support for the Iran nuclear deal We, as Turkey, want the continuation of the agreement. But if the agreement would be amended, it should be done through consensus. We are ready to contribute. Cavusoglu made these remarks just about a week after meeting with his Russian and Iranian counterparts in Moscow on April 28 where in a joint statement, the three foreign ministers hailed the efficiency of the Astana format as the only international initiative that had helped practically improve the situation in Syria. The joint statement forcefully rejected, in a clear reference to US military presence in northern Syria, all attempts to create new realities on the ground under the pretext of combating terrorism and separatist agendas aimed at undermining the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Syria as well as the national security of neighboring countries. Turkey senses that the Trump administration is playing for time while making the pledge to remove the Syrian Kurdish militia from Manbij along Turkish border which they captured with active military support from US. Cavusoglu hopes to pin down US State Secretary of State Mike Pompeo to the US pledge, which was made by his predecessor Rex Tillerson way back in mid-February. But Ankara is losing hope. Then, there are other explosive issues. The verdict in the trial of Turkish banker Mehmet Harkan Ailla in a Manhattan federal court was expected on May 7 and now stands postponed to May 12. (The prosecution demanded a 20-year prison term for Atilla.) The verdict can be very damaging. In the downstream, US may sanction Turkish banks (which had allegedly violated Washingtons sanctions against Iran a few years ago.) In fact, Turkey already seems to be facing an intensifying economic and financial storm originating from Washington. On April 30, the International Monetary Fund posted a warning that Turkish economy is showing clear signs of overheating (after expanding 7.4% in 2017 as against potential growth pegged at 3.5% to 4%.) On May 1, Standard & Poors dealt a surprise blow by downgrading Turkish economy to double-B-minus, on the specious plea that it feared a hard landing. Such things do not happen by coincidence. Of course, all this is happening in the run-up to the presidential election on June 24, which Erdogan hopes to win on a campaign manifesto that promises that the economy will be more resistant to outer shocks and financial blows (and) even more attractive to investors. Again, there is the intriguing tale of two pastors. The US is dragging its feet on the Turkish request to extradite Islamist preacher Fetullah Gulen (who lives in exile in Pennsylvania) on charges of masterminding the failed coup against Erdogan in July 2015. On the other hand, Turkey detained an American pastor Andrew Brunson in October 2016 and put him on trial for being a Gulenist and a spy. President Trump recently tweeted that he cant brook the continued detention of Brunson, a fine gentleman and a Christian leader in the United States. However, the crunch time comes when Pompeo meets Cavusoglu in Washington in the coming weeks to discuss Manbij. Meanwhile, last Thursday, State Department spokesperson Heather Nauert strongly criticized the Turkish measures in Syrias Kurdish canton of Afrin. She said, Weve been watching the situation very carefully in Afrin. 140,000 people have been displaced from Afrin and as far as we can tell, they are not being allowed back into their homes We have expressed grave concern about it, and it remains a concern of ours. Nauerts remarks could be the foreplay for the Trump administration to backtrack on the pledge regarding Manbij. But the bottom line is that Washington is systematically puncturing the sails of Turkish nationalism to cut Erdogan adrift. Nauert touched the Achilles heel by alleging that Turkey adopts demographic change in Kurdish homelands as state policy. The Kurdish votes can be decisive in the upcoming Turkish poll on June 24. The big question is how far Washington will interfere in the upcoming poll to influence its outcome. The US Navy is reestablishing its Second Fleet in order to control the North Atlantic. It will be operational by July 1 and headquartered in Norfolk, Virginia. This is another step to prepare for possible combat actions against Russia, which is viewed as a potential enemy. The Fleet was disbanded in 2011, as nothing challenged the US Navy in the Atlantic Ocean at that time. This move is in line with the provisions of the 2018 National Defense Strategy, which lists the mission to counter Russia and China as a top priority. The Second Fleet played a crucial role during the Cuban Missile Crisis in 1962 and invaded Grenada in 1983. The US military admits that the competition between the worlds leading naval powers is back on again. This is because Russias modernization efforts have made its navy a formidable force for the US to reckon with. American ships and aircraft have recently stepped up their activities in the Atlantic Ocean and the Baltic Sea. The proposed NATO Joint Forces Command (JFC), also operating out of Norfolk, Virginia, will be responsible for much the same region. The JFC will conduct operations across a full spectrum of missions, from CONUS to Europe. Last month the Supreme Allied Commander in Europe, General Curtis Scaparrotti, called for increasing NATO forces on the continent. Protecting sea lanes to transfer troops and equipment has become a mission of paramount importance. The US is considering plans to increase its fleet, including reactivating the Oliver Hazard Perry-class frigates. The lives of the ships already in active service could be extended in order to meet the goal of a 355-strong navy. There are plans to install vertical launch systems on at least six San Antonio-class landing ship docks and six auxiliary vessels, in order to increase the Navys missile strike capability. The US is reactivating and modernizing its naval aviation base at Keflavik, Iceland, including the renovation of a hangar to accommodate P-8A Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft that are designed to hunt Russian submarines. Iceland is an unsinkable aircraft carrier. A military presence there makes it possible to control the Greenland-Iceland-United Kingdom gap, which Russias Northern Fleet surface ships and submarines have to cross on their way to the Atlantic Ocean. Roughly 300 US Marines are based out of Norway. Having crossed the Atlantic, the Second Fleet ships will join the Sixth Fleet in the Mediterranean. The Harry S. Truman carrier strike group entered the Sixth Fleets area of operations on April 18, which was a change from the previous plan to operate in the Persian Gulf. This is the first time a carrier has been deployed in the Mediterranean Sea since July 2017. It looks like from now on, a flat top will be present in the region permanently, just like back during the days of the Cold War. After all, any forces that are based in Europe could easily move to other theaters, if need be. The carrier group is being drawn into combat operations on Syrian soil. The Sixth Fleet has considerably boosted its firepower. Today it can launch about 90 flat top-based aircraft and over 1,000 ship-based long-range surface-to-shore cruise missiles. After Crimea joined Russia in 2014, the US substantially increased its military presence in Europe by deploying an armored brigade combat team supported by a combat aviation brigade. The Army has also prepositioned equipment for another armored brigade. Since 2015, four Aegis-equipped guided-missile destroyers have been based out of Rota, Spain, as an element of NATOs ballistic missile defense. They can always move to the Mediterranean. Meanwhile, the bloc has stepped up its naval training activities in the region. The US Navy has doubled its deployments to the Black Sea. NATO has followed suit. The Military Sealift Command (MSC) is increasing its logistics support of the Sixth Fleet as more warships are deployed to counter Russia. Last year the command transported twice the ordnance, three times as many critical parts, and 33% more cargo to Europe and Africa than in 2016. This is a very important fact that illustrates a trend. According to Chief of Naval Operations Admiral John Richardson, the Navy is spending a lot more time in the European theater. It is working the Russian presence problem there. The US Naval Institute is sounding the alarm, claiming that those poor Europeans have been left grappling with aggressive Russian operations. And the US Navy has to reluctantly do something about the impending Russian threat. In reality, the revival of the Second Fleet is part of a well-planned preparation for possible war against Russia that could take place on the land, on the sea, and in the air. It is offensive not defensive operations that the US-led bloc is getting ready for. The West is engaged in a multi-front and multi-domain campaign against Moscow. It has just taken another step down that path. With so many problems threatening its existence, it needs someone to unite it and distract the publics attention from those other problems that Russia has nothing to do with. An imaginary threat justifying all the steps that have been taken to boost its military capabilities fits that bill nicely. TICKERS: MOL; MOLOF Source: Streetwise Reports (5/8/18) Advancements in fracking and a rising oil price are putting the Red Cave formation back on the map, and a small-cap energy company is acquiring a large land package, cementing its position in this low-cost area. When you think about oil and gas formations in Texas, names like the Permian Basin and Eagle Ford come to mind. Ask people about the Red Cave formation, and you'll most likely get blank stares. This mostly overlooked oil and gas region is in the Texas Panhandle and is beginning to come into its own. Red Cave is mainly noted for natural gas production. Among the players in the area are: Panhandle Oil & Gas, Inc. (PHX:NYSE) dates back to 1926, when it was formed as a co-op; it converted to a public company in 1979. Some 66% of the company's proved reserves are natural gas. The company does not operate any wells, instead it partners with larger oil and gas companies for exploration and development. DCP Midstream LP (DCP:NYSE) is a master limited partnership (MLP) that transports and processes natural gas; among its 61 plants are facilities in the Red Cave region. Pioneer Natural Resources Co. (PXD:NYSE), one of the largest operators in the region, has more than 700 wells on some 246,000 gross acres. However, the company has announced that it plans to sell off its assets in the area to become a Permian Basin "pure-play." "Once Molori can successfully establish strong oil flows from these new wells and show just how attractive this brand new oil play truly is, the sky is the limit." - Keith Kohl, Pure Energy Trader Oil has not fared as well as gas in the Red Cave formation. The formation is relatively shallow, located between 1900 and 2500 feet below surface, but is tight, so while oil and gas were clearly present, drilling did not prove to be economic in the 1960s and 1970s. In the 1980s, small-scale fracking also failed. Operators in the region drilled through the Red Cave formation into the lower Brown Dolomite formation, which was more productive. Today, Brown Dolomite formation is pretty much drilled out. It wasn't until recently that economic production of Red Cave has become viable. A private company called Adams Affiliates experimented with large-scale fracs and found success. Virtually all of the company's more than 50 wells discovered oil, and Initial Production (IP) rates have varied between 30 and 125 barrels of oil equivalent per day (boepd). Now another company, Molori Energy Inc. (MOL:TSX.V; MOLOF:OTCQB), appears poised to build off that success. It has land adjacent to Adams' productive wells. A year and a half ago, the company undertook an extensive evaluation of the Red Cave formation analyzing "approximately 370 well logs and cores from wells that were drilled through the Red Cave and down into the now largely depleted Brown Dolomite formation." Combining this data with Adams Affiliates drill data on file with the Texas Railway Commission gives Molori an extensive database on which to base its exploration. Molori CEO Joel Dumaresq stated, "Dozens of well logs have been accumulated and analyzed resulting in a strong understanding of this 'virgin' and previously poorly understood hydrocarbon bearing formation." "We believe that the Red Cave play is one of the most promising onshore development opportunities in the continental U.S. today, and with oil testing the $70 mark the economics of the play are highly compelling and warrant our full capital and attention," Dumaresq commented. To test the model, Molori drilled its first well, Thompson 23-1R. Initial Production was approximately 28 boepd, and the company has begun to sell the oil. The company noted that its "ability to access light oil from the Red Cave demonstrates proof of concept of Molori's thesis on the productivity of the Red Cave Formation." Molori's technical team, by analyzing that initial well, believes that tweaking the frac treatments "will significantly enhance flow from the Red Cave formation in future wells." The company now plans to drill more wells. It has completed a trade with Ponderosa Energy LLC, swapping out marginally productive leases in Hutchinson County for 100% interest in all its Red Cave oil and gas acreage in Moore Country. And Molori just announced that it has signed a letter of intent to acquire 30,000 additional acres in Moore County. Molori will pay $1.7 million to Wolf Energy, LLC for a 100% working interest "in existing oil and gas wells, salt water disposal wells, together with all interest in properties, facilities and equipment" on the property. The company noted that the property includes "34 operated Red Cave wells, 1 salt water disposal well, 4 Red Cave wells that have not been fracked, along with 8 wells currently producing." Dumaresq stated, "Our initial focus is upon the Baker 39 Lease, which while only 562 acres of the overall 30,000 acres, provides infill drilling potential for as many as 55 wells upon 10-acre spacing. With 8 wells on this lease demonstrating historical IPs of between 50 and 100 boepd, we are excited to commence the work on the Baker lease, the next phase of Molori's development program." "Upon completion of the acquisition of this 30,000 acre parcel, and when added to its current acreage, Molori will have access to several hundred well locations upon 10-acre spacing and double that number should the Company eventually move to 5-acre spacing. Management of Molori believes that the shallow, low cost, high-recycle rate of these Red Cave wells is what strongly differentiates this opportunity," Molori stated. The company notes that drilling costs for Red Cave wells are relatively modest in comparison to those in the Permian Basin. While a well in the Permian Basin could cost between $5 million and $7 million and have a payback period of two to three years, a well in Red Cave formation could only cost $250,000 and be paid back in six months. Using 10 acre spacing, the company could potentially have hundreds of wells and transform Red Cave from a forgotten area to an economically viable producer. Keith Kohl noted on April 27 in Pure Energy Trader that Molori Energy isn't "your typical Texas oil play," it's a "virgin oil play" because the tight formations of the Red Cave were passed over for the lower pay zones. "Not only was it not well understood, but it also means that nearly all of the original oil-in-place is still trapped in the rock," Kohl stated. Kohl noted that land is much less expensive in the Red Cave formation, "Molori can pick up land at around $50-60 per acrecompared to companies in the Permian, where an acre can go for more than $60,000 a pop!" and that drilling is much less expensive also. "While your typical shale driller is spending several million per well, and recovering that cost over the next few years, Adam's wells in the Red Cave cost around $250,000 apiece," Kohl stated. "Once Molori can successfully establish strong oil flows from these new wells and show just how attractive this brand new oil play truly is, the sky is the limit," Kohl concluded. Technical analyst Clive Maund charted Molori on April 23 and noted that the stock "continues to be rated a strong buy here, and it looks even more attractive as oil is continuing to advance, which is believed to be due to the increasing shortfall resulting from Venezuela becoming defunct." Want to read more Energy Report articles like this? Sign up for our free e-newsletter, and you'll learn when new articles have been published. To see a list of recent articles and interviews with industry analysts and commentators, visit our Streetwise Interviews page. Disclosure: 1) Patrice Fusillo compiled this article for Streetwise Reports LLC and provides services to Streetwise Reports as an employee. She or members of her household own securities of the following companies mentioned in the article: None. She or members of her household are paid by the following companies mentioned in this article: None. 2) The following companies mentioned in this article are billboard sponsors of Streetwise Reports: Molori Energy. Click here for important disclosures about sponsor fees. As of the date of this article, an affiliate of Streetwise Reports has a consulting relationship with Molori Energy. Please click here for more information. An affiliate of Streetwise Reports is conducting a digital media marketing campaign for this article on behalf of Molori Energy. Please click here for more information. 3) Comments and opinions expressed are those of the specific experts and not of Streetwise Reports or its officers. The information provided above is for informational purposes only and is not a recommendation to buy or sell any security. 4) The article does not constitute investment advice. Each reader is encouraged to consult with his or her individual financial professional and any action a reader takes as a result of information presented here is his or her own responsibility. By opening this page, each reader accepts and agrees to Streetwise Reports' terms of use and full legal disclaimer. This article is not a solicitation for investment. Streetwise Reports does not render general or specific investment advice and the information on Streetwise Reports should not be considered a recommendation to buy or sell any security. Streetwise Reports does not endorse or recommend the business, products, services or securities of any company mentioned on Streetwise Reports. 5) From time to time, Streetwise Reports LLC and its directors, officers, employees or members of their families, as well as persons interviewed for articles and interviews on the site, may have a long or short position in securities mentioned. Directors, officers, employees or members of their immediate families are prohibited from making purchases and/or sales of those securities in the open market or otherwise from the time of the interview or the decision to write an article, until one week after the publication of the interview or article. As of the date of this article, officers and/or employees of Streetwise Reports LLC (including members of their household) own securities of Molori Energy, a company mentioned in this article. Disclosure from Pure Energy Trader, April 27, 2018 Neither the publisher nor the editors are registered investment advisors; nor have either publisher or editors been compensated for this publication, or ongoing coverage. CliveMaund.com Disclosure: The above represents the opinion and analysis of Mr Maund, based on data available to him, at the time of writing. Mr. Maund's opinions are his own, and are not a recommendation or an offer to buy or sell securities. Mr. Maund is an independent analyst who receives no compensation of any kind from any groups, individuals or corporations mentioned in his reports. As trading and investing in any financial markets may involve serious risk of loss, Mr. Maund recommends that you consult with a qualified investment advisor, one licensed by appropriate regulatory agencies in your legal jurisdiction and do your own due diligence and research when making any kind of a transaction with financial ramifications. Although a qualified and experienced stock market analyst, Clive Maund is not a Registered Securities Advisor. Therefore Mr. Maund's opinions on the market and stocks can only be construed as a solicitation to buy and sell securities when they are subject to the prior approval and endorsement of a Registered Securities Advisor operating in accordance with the appropriate regulations in your area of jurisdiction. Clive Maund: I, or members of my immediate household or family, own shares of the following companies mentioned in this article: None. I personally am, or members of my immediate household or family are, paid by the following companies mentioned in this article: None. My company has a financial relationship with the following companies mentioned in this article: None. Former president and Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) co-chairman Asif Ali Zardari on Monday said that his party unconditionally supports Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA) in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Sources said that Leader of Opposition in National Assembly Syed Khursheed Shah met PPP co-chairman Asif Ali Zardari. During the meeting, the former president directed the opposition leader for immediate merger of FATA in KP. He said that the PPP would not do politics on the issue of FATA merger. Providing complete rights to the people of FATA is PPPs priority, he added. Chairman Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf, Imran Khan has condemned attack over Partys camp in Karachi by PPP on Tuesday. According to the details, Imran Khan strongly condemned attack over PTIs Camp in Karachi yesterday night by PPP, termed it fear of the ruling party of Sindh from PTI. Strongly condemn the attack on PTI workers by PPP at our jalsagah camp in Karachi yesterday. Sindh govt must take action against those who used violence against our workers. Strong arm tactics by PPP reflects their fear of PTI's rising popularity in Sindh. Imran Khan (@ImranKhanPTI) May 8, 2018 Earlier, the citys University Road become battlefield after workers of the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) met clash over a venue dispute for their May 12 rallies. Chief Justice of Pakistan Justice Saqib Nisar gave the federal government on Tuesday a weeks time to summon a cabinet meeting to determine what action to take in light of the 2012 Asghar Khan case verdict. The attorney general (AG) and head of the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) appeared before the Supreme Court today over the implementation, or lack thereof, of the apex court's verdict in the case filed by the late former air chief, Asghar Khan. As the hearing went under way, Chief Justice Saqib Nisar remarked that the court has given its order in the case and rejected review petitions of former army chief General Mirza Aslam Beg and former Inter-Services Intelligence DG Lieutenant General Asad Durrani, accused of illegally influencing the 1990 elections. Now, the implementation of the verdict remains, the chief justice asserted. "To-date the federal government did not do anything," he regretted, adding that the Federal Investigation Agency's (FIA) probe after the verdict also ceased after a certain point. The chief justice directed the federal government to implement the courts earlier verdict and decide what action has to be taken against the accused in the case. Chief Justice Nisar observed that it is the governments job to determine in which court former army officers are to be tried. He remarked that the federal government had decided to initiate a treason trial against former president and army chief General Pervez Musharraf. Appearing before the court, the attorney general (AG) said the FIA will now record statements of the former generals. However, the AG contended that the treason trial will commence after the FIA investigation. Salman Akram Raja, who represented the late petitioner in the case, argued that the retired generals will face action whereas investigations will be held against the others. During the hearing, the chief justice also admonished lawyers, including Raja, for commenting on ongoing court cases on television, terming it contempt of court. After Raja apologised, the chief justice remarked that this not about one case but pertains to every counsel. On Monday, the Supreme Court had rejected the review petitions of the former generals against the 2012 verdict. Dismissing the review pleas, the court had issued a notice to the AG and FIA DG to inform it of the implementation of the verdict. Moreover, sources said on Tuesday that the FIA has decided to summon the former generals in the case to present evidence of providing money to politicians for the 1990 elections. Sources claimed the FIA is also expected to make a new committee to probe the case in light of the apex court's orders. Case history On October 19, 2012, the apex court had issued a 141-page verdict, ordering legal proceedings against Gen (retd) Beg and Lt Gen (retd) Durrani in a case filed 16 years ago by former air chief Air Marshal Asghar Khan. Khan, who passed away in January this year, was represented in the Supreme Court by renowned lawyer Salman Akram Raja. Khan had petitioned the Supreme Court in 1996 alleging that the two senior army officers and the then-president Ghulam Ishaq Khan had doled out Rs140 million among several politicians ahead of the 1990 polls to ensure Benazir Bhutto's defeat in the polls. The Islamic Jamhoori Ittehad (IJI), consisting of nine parties including the Pakistan Muslim League, National Peoples Party and Jamaat-e-Islami, had won the 1990 elections, with Nawaz Sharif being elected prime minister. The alliance had been formed to oppose the Benazir Bhutto-led Pakistan Peoples Party. In 1996, Khan had written a letter to the then Supreme Court Chief Justice Nasim Hassan Shah naming Beg, Durrani and Younis Habib, the ex-Habib Bank Sindh chief and owner of Mehran Bank, about the unlawful disbursement of public money and its misuse for political purposes. The 2012 apex court judgment, authored by the then-Chief Justice of Pakistan Iftikhar Chaudhry, had directed the Federal Investigation Agency to initiate a transparent investigation and subsequent trial if sufficient evidence is found against the former army officers. That investigation is yet to conclude. The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has recommended that the 2018 general elections should be held by the end of July, sources said. According to sources, ECP officials have been deliberating over July 25 or 26 (Wednesday or Thursday) as tentative dates for the conduct of polls. Sources claimed after consultation the commission has started working on the summary for elections date, sources said, which would be forwarded to the president.Following an approval of the summary by the president, they said further, the ECP would issue a schedule for polls. Election Commission sources are of the view that the Commission will move the summary on the matter while the President will decide the election date. These sources said that any political party or even the prime minister can, however, propose election date of their choice. However, it is the Commission which is empowered to propose the date for the polls. The present National Assembly and the government will complete their term on June 1, 2018. If the assemblies are not dissolved earlier, the next elections will be held within 60 days of the completion of the term i.e. by August 1, 2018. Chinese Prime Minister Li Keqiang has requested that President Joko Jokowi Widodo increase the import quota of mandarin oranges from China, saying that such oranges are good quality. In a joint press statement at the Bogor Palace on Monday, Li said that during a bilateral meeting between the two leaders, he had conveyed Chinas concerns about a limitation on mandarin orange imports imposed by Indonesian authorities. I hope Indonesia can increase the importation of our mandarin oranges, Li said in his statement. We guarantee that the standard quality of the oranges is in accordance to Indonesia's quality standards." A ministerial regulation on the importation of horticulture products issued by the Trade Ministry in 2017 has limited the importation of dozens of products, including mandarin oranges, potatoes, garlic, carrots and grapes. The regulation stipulates that only importers with an importer identification number (API) and state-owned companies under the State-Owned Enterprises Ministry are allowed to import the listed products. Based on reports, the ministry did not issue any permits for the importation of mandarin oranges from China between January and March this year, resulting in scarcity of the commodity in various regions outside Java during Chinese New Year in February. During the Chinese prime minister's visit to the Bogor Palace, which included tete-a-tete between the two leaders and a banquet lunch, Jokowi and Li discussed ways to improve trade partnerships between the two countries. Jokowi also requested that Li increase commodity imports from Indonesia, including swifts nests, coffee and cocoa, as well as tropical fruits such as mangosteen and dragon fruit. Lebanese Prime Minister Saad al-Hariri says his party has lost a third of seats in the Sunday parliamentary elections, winning only 21 seats, down from the 33 it had been holding since the last time Lebanon elected a parliament in 2009. Hariri made the announcement in a televised statement on Monday, saying that despite gains in Sidon, Tripoli, Beirut and Western Bekaa Valley, the Future Movement had only won 21 out of 128 parliamentary seats. The election results, however, still make Hariri the frontrunner to form the next government as the Sunni leader with the biggest bloc in parliament. The Lebanese premier said he extended his hand to all political factions in order to fulfill the wishes of the Lebanese people who "voted for security and stability of Lebanon." "I extend my hand to every Lebanese to participate in shoring up securing political stability and to improve the lives of all the Lebanese," Hariri noted. The prime minister also said that the international community should look at the results of Lebanon's election in a "very positive way. Lebanon's first parliamentary vote in nine years was held on Sunday, with over 500 candidates vying for seats. Turnout was 49.2 percent, according to officials. Unofficial results from Lebanons parliamentary elections show that the Hezbollah resistance movement and its political allies secured over half the seats. Hezbollah as well as groups and individuals affiliated to it have won at least 67 seats in Lebanons parliament, according to the results cited by politicians and campaigns and reported in Lebanese media. Hezbollah's allies include the Amal Movement led by Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri and the Christian Free Patriotic Movement founded by President Michel Aoun. The parliamentary seats are split evenly - 64 for Christians and 64 for Muslims, including Druze, with the two halves further divided among 11 religious groups. An anti-Hezbollah alliance led by Hariri and supported by Saudi Arabia won a majority in the Lebanese parliament in 2009, but it has since disintegrated. Bay of Plenty We are looking for scaffolding labourers for our client in Mount Maunganui. You will need you EWP ticket. Your duties will... View or Apply on GoodWork.co.nz An international team of scientists with several New Zealand participants will drill into a hydrothermally active submarine volcano northeast of White Island. The idea behind the drilling is to learn more about how metals move through the Earths crust and find out about the life forms that live in these extreme environments. The two-month-long expedition, setting out from Auckland on Wednesday, will drill three boreholes into Brothers submarine volcano in the Kermadec arc, 400km northeast of White Island. It will be the first project of its type anywhere in the world. Brothers is three times the size of White Island and its summit rises to within 1200m of sea level. It is arguably the worlds most hydrothermally active volcano, and partly because of this it is an attraction to scientists from around the world. The US$15 million project will use the deep-sea research ship JOIDES Resolution which is operated by the International Ocean Discovery Program (IODP). The expedition is funded by the consortium of 23 countries that make up IODP, with the single largest contributor being the National Science Foundation in the United States. In the year that marks the fiftieth anniversary of IODP and its predecessor organisations, we are particularly delighted to set out on this unprecedented fascinating endeavour of drilling an active submarine volcano in New Zealand waters, says Dr Tobias Hofig, the IODP Expedition 376 Project Manager from Texas A&M University, which manages JOIDES Resolution operations. The voyage will be jointly led by scientists from GNS Science and Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution in the United States. New Zealands participation in IODP is coordinated by GNS Science in partnership with other Australian and New Zealand research organisations and universities that make up the Australian and New Zealand IODP Consortium (ANZIC). The missions most ambitious borehole aims to reach a depth of about 800m into a cone growing up inside the caldera of the volcano and the other two will reach depths between 400m and 570m at the top and base of the caldera walls, respectively. The drilling will likely encounter rock material as hot as 400oC. Expedition co-chief scientist Cornel de Ronde of GNS Science, who has visited Brothers volcano 12 times before using surface ships and remotely operated vehicles, says all magmas contain small amounts of metals, but the magma and resultant volcanic rock at Brothers is unusually rich in metals such as copper, gold, silver and molybdenum. We dont really know the full range of metals and in what quantities we will find at Brothers, or even how they are distributed within the volcano. But if the chimneys sitting on the seafloor are anything to go by, we suspect we will see networks of veins beneath the seafloor that will be host to significant copper, zinc and gold mineralisation, says Cornel. This voyage will increase our understanding of where these metals come from and how they accumulate in submarine volcanoes, which may help in the extraction of these economically important and critical metals in similar settings worldwide. Voyage co-chief scientist Susan Humphris, of US-based Woods hole Oceanographic Institution, says while the main goal the expedition is to shed light on how metals are transported from the Earths mantle to the ocean floor, it will also help scientists better understand what regulates the chemical composition of seawater. Chemical reactions between rocks and seawater at depth in the volcano change the chemistry of the fluid that is released through hydrothermal vents into the ocean, says Susan. In addition to the earth science aspect of the voyage, the scientists will also study the unusually rich biological life at Brothers. The hundreds of vents and chimneys, some as tall as 20m, that discharge fluids with temperatures up to 310 degrees Celsius are focal points for a wide range of marine life from microbes to tubeworms. We expect to discover microbes in this extreme environment that are completely new to science, says Cornel. As well as tolerating temperatures as high as 120 degrees Celsius, some of the micro-organisms are happy to live in fluids that are as corrosive as battery acid. Learning more about the thermal and chemical tolerance of microbes thriving around the hydrothermal vents at Brothers is likely to help evolutionary biologists better understand how life started on early Earth. IODP is an international research collaboration that conducts seagoing expeditions to study Earths history and dynamics recorded in sediments and rocks beneath the ocean floor. New Zealand participates in IODP through a consortium of research organisations and universities in Australia and New Zealand, including GNS Science, NIWA, The University of Auckland, Victoria University of Wellington, and University of Otago. The Australian and New Zealand IODP Consortium, which supports participation of New Zealand scientists and outreach officers on these voyages, is funded by the Australian Government through the Australian Research Councils LIEF funding scheme and an Australian and New Zealand consortium of universities and government agencies. Dynamic new ensemble the Villani Piano Quartet are touring the North Island this May with an exciting programme of romantic music as diverse as the group itself. Kicking off in Auckland city on Friday, the group will showcase their critically acclaimed performance introducing little known works from well-known composers, and converting and developing music lovers across the country. Formed at the end of 2015 in Auckland, the Villani Piano Quartet was quickly embraced by the Chamber Music scene. With both local and international experience, established musicians Sarah Spence, Marko Pop Ristov, Flavio Villani and Helen Bevin came together with a drive to present the unique richness of the Piano Quartet genre. We have come together with a passion to perform rarely played piano quartets from composers such as Brahms, Mahler, Schumann and many others. We hope to fill a niche for performing piano quartets in New Zealand: The Villani Piano Quartet will provide the platform for audiences to experience these wonderful works, says Flavio. The Villani Piano Quartet has already received critical acclaim throughout the North Island in a collaborative tour for Chamber Music New Zealand and were recently invited by the renowned Christophers Classics Series to perform in Christchurch. The Villani Quartet exhibited professionalism, maturity and panache whilst tackling some of the quartet greats such as Brahms G minor in addition to exciting newer works by Latvian composer Vaskss, says John Eady, of Lewis Eady Music School. Tauranga Crossing have generously donated all tickets to the matinee performance in Tauranga to local schools, as part of the new initiative to bring music and the arts to the community. Any students from primary to tertiary level can experience the Villani Piano Quartet by emailing the Baycourt Theatre. For more information on other locations please visit the Quartet website. When: Wednesday May 16 at 7pm Where: Baycourt Theatre Tauranga Price: Adults $30 and students free Students tickets for this concert are free of charge thanks to the generous support of Tauranga Crossing. Please book the tickets through the website or by email to secure your seat. Online ticketing and info: http://premier.ticketek.co.nz/shows/show.aspx?sh=VILLANI18 SunLive has two adult tickets to giveaway to the Tauranga show. Simply enter the competition online here to be in to win. The NZ Transport Agency and Western Bay of Plenty District Council are carrying out a two-week trial to see if delays can be reduced for people using State Highway 2 near Te Puna. The trial will be carried out between Clarke Road and Te Puna Station Road on weekdays from Monday 14 May to Friday 25 May 2018. Solutions that are being trialled include removing the right-turn into Te Puna Station Road from SH2, speed reductions on Te Puna Station Road and closing Te Puna Station Road from Clarke Road. People will access SH2 from Clarke Road or Te Puna Road. The trial results will be assessed and more permanent options may be implemented. Transport Agency Bay of Plenty Journey Manager, Nigel DAth, says the changes should reduce the number of people using the side roads and will hopefully lead to improved and more consistent travel time. We will have people on site monitoring this trial and if queues become too long it will be removed. The results will be analysed and we will be in contact with the community again to let them know the outcome." Traffic volumes and travel time data were collected in late 2017 while Te Puna Station Road was closed for slip repairs and again when the road was re-opened. The data indicated some minor reduction in travel time on State Highway 2 when Te Puna Station Road was closed. However, a more in-depth trial needs to be undertaken during the school term. The trial is classified as a minor improvement. Educational and cultural buildings are among the Tauranga winners in the 2018 Waikato/Bay of Plenty Architecture Awards. The awards are part of the peer-reviewed New Zealand Architecture Awards programme run by the New Zealand Institute of Architects (NZIA) and sponsored by Resene. The programme sets the benchmark for the countrys building projects and recognises the contribution of architects to their towns and communities. Babbage Consultants won an Education Architecture Award for a new gymnasium for ACG Tauranga that has been designed to stand the tests of time and teens. The gym was planned with flexible ancillary spaces to meet the needs of wider groups of users. Tauranga practice First Principles Architects received two awards. The first was for Tauranga Intermediate School, described as a good example of a well-planned modern learning environment with a variety of spaces suitable for different pedagogies by the jury. First Principles Architects Mangatawi Tara, a building for the management and operational staff of Mangatawa Papamoa Blocks, received a Commercial Architecture Award. Inspired by Kopukairoa, Mangatawa and Hikurangi three whales whose stories feature in the lore of Tauranga Moana and Te Arawa iwi the jury described the building as functional, culturally fitting and strongly connected to a special site. Two vibrant Tauranga offices were awarded Interior Architecture Awards. An office for Seeka by Architecture Page Henderson illustrates how a clean, pristine and modern approach to the refurbishment of a derelict 1970s building can increase staff satisfaction, morale and productivity, according to the jury. Stufkens + Chambers Architects conversion of a former Tauranga bank building at 53 Spring Street into a shared corporate office environment also received an Interior Architecture Award. The architects have delivered a cosy boutique atmosphere with well-detailed junctions between old and new, says the jury. Stufkens + Chambers Architects second award was for Small Project Architecture. Promenade, a temporary installation built for Tauranga Art Gallerys Future Machine exhibition, was a successful collaborative project designed to encourage the public to consider the role of art and architecture as integral components of dynamic cities. The awards jury included Taupo architect Gavin Robins, New Plymouth architect Murali Bhasker, and Hamilton architect Megan Scott. Kiwi families who have moved back to New Zealand after living in Australia are struggling with high living costs and low wages that could push them back across the Tasman. Hundreds of thousands of New Zealanders have moved to Australia to try and build better lives for themselves, but the move back home is proving difficult for some. Rochelle Palmer met her Kiwi husband John in Brisbane and they moved to Whenuakite in the Coromandel four years ago. "We were caught up in the rat race of busy city life of suburban life - having two boys we thought New Zealand might be a great place to let them be free." In Australia, Ms Palmer could afford to be a stay-at-home mum - but in New Zealand she split her time between her four sons and working three cleaning jobs. Her husband John is a mechanical engineer and works full time, but has often struggled to find work in their small community. Mrs Palmer said she was shocked at the low wages and the high cost of food, power and rent in New Zealand. "There were moments - and there still are every now and then - times when we have to go actually, how are we doing food shopping next week and how are we going to pay the power thats three weeks overdue?. "Seriously we just go back to survival mode of okay, what dont we use that can we sell to pay the power bill or to buy food next week?." Jan Stewart lived in Brisbane for 18 years with her husband Ken after both were made redundant from their jobs in Whangarei. Last year, they retired and decided to move back to Whangarei, but Ms Stewart said she was shocked to find how much New Zealand had changed. "Our home over there (in Brisbane) was worth $500,000 - wed pay a million dollars for the same type of home here in Whangarei." Another reason Ms Stewart was looking to return to Australia was the poor standard of healthcare she said her husband had received so far. After being unable to walk, she said Ken was rushed to the hospital only to be discharged a short time later. "Ive picked him up and brought him back home only to find that Ive had to take him back early hours in the morning and for them to realise he had five cracked ribs and a cracked lung." Carmen Brown has lived in Australia for the past 23 years - apart from a brief two-year stint when she returned home to New Zealand. But it was a stint that made her family quickly hop back across the ditch to Perth. "It was just struggle street from the time we got home, we couldnt believe how much things were costing," Mrs Brown said. "Power bills we get them two to three months and pay less than you do a month back home." Ms Brown currently works part-time at a supermarket and earns $26 per hour and her family has been able to build their own home with grants from the Australian government. Although shell always call the Taranaki region home, she said she couldnt see her family moving back to New Zealand unless they could live mortgage-free. "I loved growing up in New Zealand, I wished my kids had that kind of experience but Australia has been wonderful for them too." Recent statistics show more Kiwis are making the jump across the ditch. In the year to March 2018, 20,000 people left for Australia while just 15,000 returned home. Pacific Islands will receive the bulk of New Zealands increased foreign aid budget, announced this evening by its Foreign Minister Winston Peters. The Government is set to hike foreign aid by US$500-million (NZ$714 million) over the next four years, as part of its "Pacific reset" strategy. The funding boost represents a 30 per cent increase in overseas development funding. Mr Peters said it was time to reverse the decline in the countrys aid support for multilateral and humanitarian agencies over the past decade, which had been sitting well below international averages. He said the new funding would lift New Zealands Overseas Development Assistance to 0.28 per cent of gross national income over the next four years. The money is primarily earmarked for the Pacific region - responding to climate change and other emergencies. Mr Peters said New Zealands under-investment in the Pacific over the past nine years had left it open to criticism that it had abandoned its neighbourhood. "More troubling is that the previous government weakened our hand in the Pacific at the very time the region has become a more crowded and contested strategic space. "Today that stops," he said. The minister said the government was committed to supporting the adaptive work needed in the Pacific in response to climate change. "Investment in practical projects, like the climate resilience project to reclaim land for urban development in Kiribati, will help protect Pacific homelands and cultures, and also reduce migration challenges in the years to come," he said. Mr Peters lamented what he described as the "lost capacity" New Zealand had sustained by way of dwindling financial contributions to multi-lateral institutions. "New Zealand currently lies at the bottom of the OECD in terms of its contribution to multi-lateral institutions. That is shameful," he said. "To influence others this has to change. So New Zealand will boost its funding to organisations like the World Bank and the Asian Development Bank as well as to UN agencies. "New Zealand can play a significant role in the Pacific. But its challenges are mounting, and we alone cannot address them all," Mr Peters explained. "We want our like-minded partners to focus more on the Pacific," he said, referring to a broad strategy to pool energies and resources with "partners who uphold the values of transparency, good governance and democracy". Mr Peters said New Zealands identity was anchored in the Pacific. "What is good for them is good for us. We all know that if we look after each we are all better off, more prosperous, and therefore more secure." He said the support was not just altruistic, but also "good economics". "Prevention saves money. Preventative health strategies save far more taxpayer health dollars downstream by tackling health problems early. "In the same way, development assistance helps to maintain a safer and more prosperous New Zealand over time, saving money that would otherwise be required in future defence budgets or in border control." The Government will also boost funding for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade by about US$133 million over four years. About $105 million of that will go toward operating expenditure, including hiring 50 new full-time staff. Nicholas Hunt | Getty Images Kirsten Dunst gives birth Former "Bring It On" star Kirsten Dunst has given birth to her first child with fiance Jesse Plemons. People reports their baby son is "healthy" and "everyone is doing great," but there's no word yet on a name. Dunst and Plemons reportedly started dating after meeting on the set of "Fargo" and got engaged last year. Don't Edit Backstreet Boys dress up as Spice Girls '90s worlds collide: The Backstreet Boys dressed up as the Spice Girls on a fan cruise celebrating their 25th anniversary. The "Spice Boys" -- Nick Carter as Emma Bunton, Howie Dorough as Geri Halliwell, Kevin Richardson as Victoria Beckham, AJ McLean as Mel B and Brian Littrell as Melanie C -- performed "Wannabe" for die-hard BSB fans. ET reports the fun also included a Double Trouble Game Show event, a "Fast Times at Backstreet High" bash, and covers of *NSYNC's "Tearin' Up My Heart" and Britney Spears' "Baby One More Time." Don't Edit Don't Edit #MeToo TV show "Glee" and "American Crime Story" producer Ryan Murphy wants to make a TV series about the #MeToo movement. He recently signed a deal with Netflix, so it's no surprise that the project -- currently titled "Consent" -- will explore sexual harassment and assault in the style of "Black Mirror." The New Yorker reports "every episode would explore a different story, starting with an insidery account of the Weinstein Company. There would be an episode about Kevin Spacey, one about an ambiguous he-said-she-said encounter. Each episode could have a different creator." Don't Edit 'Sherlock Holmes 3' "Sherlock Holmes 3" has officially been confirmed for a Dec. 25, 2020, release date. Robert Downey Jr. and Jude Law will reprise their roles as the Holmes and Watson, but it's unclear if Guy Ritchie will return to direct. RDJ last played the world's greatest detective in 2011's "Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows," but the iconic character has continued in Benedict Cumberbatch's "Sherlock," Jonny Lee Miller's "Elementary," and even Ian McKellan's "Mr. Holmes" -- will we ever get sick of him? Don't Edit Don't Edit Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again trailer Where's Meryl Streep? The mystery continues in the final trailer for "Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again," the sequel to the ABBA-inspired movie musical that also works as a prequel, with Lily James playing a young version of Streep's character. "Mamma Mia 2," also starring Amanda Seyfried, Cher, Christine Baranski, Pierce Brosnan, Dominic Cooper, Colin Firth, Andy Garcia, Stellan Skarsgard and Julie Walters, will open July 20. Don't Edit Rick Moranis to appear on 'The Goldbergs' Rick Moranis is quietly working on a comeback. The former "Ghostbusters" and "Honey I Shrunk the Kids" star took a long break to raise his children after his wife's death, but now that they're older he's selectively choosing some projects. He appeared on an SCTV reunion last year as Bob McKenzie and will now play his "Spaceballs" character Dark Helmet on an upcoming episode of "The Goldbergs." The episode will air Wednesday at 8 p.m. on ABC. Don't Edit Jason Aldean duet with Miranda Lambert Jason Aldean has teamed up with Miranda Lambert for a new song that sounds like a guaranteed country hit. A lyric video for "Drowns the Whiskey" shows the two superstars recording the song, which will be the followup single for No. 1 hit "You Make It Easy" from his new album "Rearview Town." They previously collaborated on "Grown Woman" in 2007. Don't Edit Jamie McCarthy Hailey Baldwin, Shawn Mendes make red carpet debut Carol M. Baldwin's granddaughter has moved on from Justin Bieber and is now dating another pop star. Hailey Baldwin and singer Shawn Mendes made their red carpet debut as a couple at the 2018 Met Gala on Monday night. Fans swooned as Mendes adorably helped fix his model girlfriend's dress at the fashion event. Don't Edit @ShawnMendes walking around @HaileyBaldwin's dress so he wouldnt step on the train is my new fave thing #MetGala pic.twitter.com/UJ8emRDxl2 MTV (@MTV) May 8, 2018 Don't Edit Don't Edit @ShawnMendes fixing his gf's dress for her, we all girls deserve a bf like him pic.twitter.com/dh6N3xTzfp sniper girl (@thegirl_youhate) May 8, 2018 Don't Edit Madonna performs at Met Gala Madonna performed at the 2018 Met Gala, shortly after wowing fans on the red carpet with an all-black Jean Paul Gaultier ensemble. Since the annual costume benefit had the theme "Heavenly Bodies: Fashion and the Catholic Imagination" this year, the 59-year-old singer performed "Like a Prayer" and a cover of Leonard Cohen's "Hallelujah." Don't Edit More Buzz: Elon Musk steps out with new girlfriend Grimes at Met Gala ( ET 2 Chainz proposes (again) to Kesha Ward at Met Gala ( BB Nicki Minaj announces new album 'Queen' for June 15 ( RS Khloe Kardashian giving Tristan Thompson 'another chance' ( E! Kim K, Bella Hadid switch to bondage looks for Met Gala afterparty ( DM 'Transparent' ending after season 5 ( SF Lifetime plans docuseries, movie about R. Kelly scandal ( RS Surprise! Allison Mack married actress Nicki Clyne last year ( E! Charlie Sheen says 'hooker' knew he had HIV ( TMZ Bob Marley's granddaughter to sue CA police after robbery claim ( DN Limp Bizkit's Wes Borland launches EDM project ( RS Thank you for reading! Please purchase a subscription to read our premium content. If you have a subscription, please log in or sign up for an account on our website to continue. Just because the number of drive-by cryptomining reports have slowed down doesnt mean the practice has stopped. A security researcher has revealed that hundreds of big-name websites have been surreptitiously using visitors CPUs to mine Monero, and its all thanks to two security flaws in the Drupal content management system. Patches for the two Drupal vulnerabilitiesCVE-2018-7600 and CVE-2018-7602were issued weeks ago but a huge number of websites have yet to apply the fixes, making them vulnerable to the 'Drupalgeddon2' remote code execution flaws. Researcher Troy Mursch of Bad Packets Report told Ars Technica that over 400 websites had been hacked, including those belonging to Lenovo, the University of California at Los Angeles, the US National Labor Relations Board, San Diego Zoo, the Arizona Board of Behavioral Health Examiners, and the city of Marion. An extensive list can be found in this Google Docs spreadsheet. #Coinhive found on the website of the San Diego Zoo (@sandiegozoo) in the latest high-profile case of #cryptojacking. pic.twitter.com/B3rd2Q5uVA Bad Packets Report (@bad_packets) 4 May 2018 As was the case with previous cryptojacking incidents, the attackers injected a Coinhive script to mine Monero, which is harder to trace than other cryptocurrencies. This is yet another case of miscreants compromising outdated and vulnerable Drupal installations on a large scale, Mursch wrote. If youre a website operator using Drupals content management system, you need to update to the latest available version ASAP. This isnt the only recent cryptomining attack to take advantage of Drupal. Last week, security firm Imperva reported on another campaign targeting Drupal sites. It was named Kitty because the miner was hidden inside a file named me0w.js. Instead of using Coinhive, it used a similar miner from Monero mining pool webminerpool.com. The hackers also installed a PHP-based backdoor on the sites, allowing them access even if they were updated. Its thought the Kitty campaign could have affected thousands of websites. AI may once have been an exciting topic for tech enthusiasts of all stripes, but that's been changing a bit as of late. Some industry leaders such as Elon Musk feel artificial intelligence is profoundly dangerous and in need of heavy regulation, whereas the likes of Mark Zuckerburg feel those concerns are misplaced. It's not clear who exactly is right for the time being, but tech industry leaders are meeting with the White House to get closer to an answer. According to a report from The Washington Post, representatives from Amazon, Facebook, Intel, Google and several others will be meeting with the Trump administration to discuss potential AI research regulations and how to responsibly implement the technology in fields such as "agriculture, health care and transportation." ...tech industry leaders might also consider asking the Trump administration for additional federal funding for the pursuit of AI research... Regulatory responsibility issues aside, tech industry leaders might also consider asking the Trump administration for additional federal funding for the pursuit of AI research and, more specifically, the advancement of machine learning technology. The Post claims the Trump administration already spends "more than $2 billion" in AI research programs, though, so it's unclear how much more they might be willing to dedicate to the field. Ethical questions will also likely crop up during the talks. For example, job losses will likely be inevitable as AI becomes more advanced, so it seems probable that the summit would address that possibility to some degree. Regardless of how intriguing this summit sounds, President Trump's recent meeting with video game industry leaders didn't amount to much in the way of actual action. As such, only time will tell if the upcoming talks will play out differently. If you thought tabs could only be found in web browsers and select text editors, think again. Microsoft's Build 2018 developer conference is still going on and the company has announced a slew of new features for developers and ordinary Windows 10 users alike. One of these features will be Windows 10 "Sets." Sets are essentially tabs for every app in Windows 10 - if you're scrolling through Twitter and see someone announce an upcoming party, you could quickly open Notepad in a new browser tab to jot down the information. However, as nice as this feature sounds, there is a catch. Initially, Sets will only be available to those who use Microsoft's Edge browser. While that makes sense from a business perspective, it's certainly going to disappoint those who prefer the likes of Google Chrome or Mozilla Firefox. At any rate, Sets will also allow you to restore tab groups that you previously had open when you switch on your computer for the day. This should allow for a greater degree of continuity while working. You'll also be able to sync and restore app groups across numerous mobile and desktop devices through the integration of Microsoft's Timelines tool. It's unclear when exactly Sets will be arriving for ordinary users, but Windows Insiders have had access to the feature for some time now, so it's likely the feature will arrive with the next major Windows 10 update. Liza Lowery Massey, a veteran of state and local government IT, has been named Marin Countys new chief of the Department of Information Services and Technology (IST). Massey begins her new position May 21. Assistant County Administrator Dan Eilerman has served as IST's interim director since January.Most recently, Massey was chief information officer for Tennessee's Department of Human Services. Her team provided technical and business solutions for the purposes of temporary economic assistance, work opportunities and protective services.Before her state position, Massey led the nonprofit Nashville Technology Council, worked as an independent consultant, and founded and managed a private consulting firm for the public sector. Earlier in her career, she led the information technology departments for San Francisco, Los Angeles and Milpitas. Massey has also served as an adjunct university professor and in advisory roles related to science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) programs at the high school level. She has also written books, research papers and magazine articles on government technology.Massey said she joined Marin due to her renewed desire to work in local government and relocate back to the West Coast. Her annual salary will be $203,299.Marin's former CIO, Charlie Haase , took the position of CIO for Modesto in January. Haase had been with Marin County since November 2012. Before that, he was Shasta Countys chief technology officer for nearly 14 years. He also has IT experience in the private sector.Haase is taking over a department that has had its issues. John Dickey, the former CIO, was removed from running the department last May after a city investigation found morale and management problems in the department. Dickey has said he stepped into a difficult role, and the department had had several CIOs in the past decade. "We condemn this policy since Haitians fear returning to their country due to the political instability prompted by the murder of President Moise," social leaders stated. | Read More This is just one example of how AI is a game changer. Retail in general is about to completely transform thanks to AI and other technologies. Conversely, younger people who are happy with a cheaper online experience and who dont yet have tricky eye problems to manage may move online. Youll have optometrists that only focus on dry eye, or others will cater to older clients with more complex problems, he suggests. McQueen says reality is probably more nuanced than a situation in which a stampede of optometrists will close their doors. For instance, at Amazons Go store in the US, which has just been opened to the public, when you walk in the store recognises you thanks to georeferencing technology on your phone. Wander about pick up your items and wander out your credit card will be charged on exit. Thats about to be the new normal in retail. But not just that, says McQueen. The bricks-and-mortar model is about to look like wholesaling on steroids. Nordstrom's store is a great picture of the future of retail, he says. The US clothing retailer has recently opened a New York store where a personal shopper will help you put your style and outfit together. It has a full range there but just one piece in every style and size. You try on and choose your purchases, which are then delivered to your home or office later that day. Every retailer will need to compete with this, and many businesses are realising the way to keep customers is to offer a more personalised service. As McQueen says, go big, go boutique or go broke. Already there are lots of examples of local small businesses building AI into their operations. For instance, chat bots are now more widely as these tools can now easily plug into many websites. Unlike more than 10 million Australians, Canberra IT consultant Matt Koerber won't be getting a lump sum tax offset in the 2018-19 financial year. But new investments in childcare and education will help him care for his young family. Matt Koerber is a single father with 50/50 custody of two children Alexandra,2 and Jason,4. Credit:Elesa Kurtz The single father of two children, aged two and four, said he'd rather see boosts to services for those doing it tough than tax cuts. He shares custody of Alexandra and Jason with his ex-wife, and says becoming a single parent recently has been an eye-opener. "I'm lucky enough that with my income, I've been OK, but when you look at some single parents, you wonder how they survive," Mr Koerber said. More than $80 million will be cut from the ABC in coming years in the biggest hit to the national broadcaster since Tony Abbott swung the axe in 2014. The Turnbull government has booked $83.7 million in savings by freezing the ABC's funding until 2022, a move that will upset the broadcaster but please its critics inside and outside Parliament. A "very disappointed" ABC managing director Michelle Guthrie immediately told staff the decision undermined the ABC at a "watershed moment" and raised the spectre of cuts to content and jobs. Despite the budget forecast to return to balance next year, the budget papers say it is necessary to pause indexation of the ABC budget "to ensure the ABC continues to find back-office efficiencies". Budget 2018: Winners and losers Were sorry, this service is currently unavailable. Please try again later. Dismiss Late night TV host John Oliver has 'quit' Last Week Tonight after Russell Crowe organised for a ward at a wildlife hospital to be named after him. The formal naming came after Oliver purchased memorabilia from Russell Crowe's divorce auction held in April. Oliver donated the items, including one jock strap, to one of the last Blockbusters fighting the good video-rental fight. Crowe, seemingly quite touched tweeted, "I am planning now on how to best use the @iamjohnoliver money he spent on groin protectors and such. Given his often shown genuine love for Australians and Australia, it's got to be something special." By 2030 Australia will shrink from being a significant middle power in Asia to a relative minnow, while the United States will retreat from its dominance to rank behind China, according to the most comprehensive study of shifting power in region ever undertaken. The Lowy Institute's Asia Power Index ranks the 24 nations in Asia as well as the US against eight measures - ranging from such areas as economic resources to military spending to cultural and diplomatic influence - and 114 indicators. The groups findings confirm what most already understand about the changing dynamics in Asia - that China has arrived as a power in its own right - but in its detail it reveals trends that have not been so obvious to date. It finds that the United States still retains more power than China - with a score of 85.5 out of 100 compared with Chinas 75.5 on the projects scale - their nearest competitor, Japan, falls distantly behind them, with a score of 42.1. Brandis told Hanson that, rather than a security risk, the federal police and ASIO considered it to be "vital for their intelligence and law enforcement work that they work cooperatively with the Muslim community". He'd know - as attorney-general, he was responsible for both agencies. "To ridicule that community, to drive it into a corner, to mock its religious garments is an appalling thing to do, and I would ask you to reflect on what you have done." Amid loud applause from Labor and the Greens senators, Labor's Penny Wong stood to congratulate him. Does Brandis think he can take any credit for the stalling of One Nation's vote since? "I don't know," he replies. "But I think it is true that, as John Howard said, Hanson has nothing to offer Australia. "There will always be a core vote for a One Nation-style party, and that will always be greater in the states with the greater share of what I call the rural poor. "The question is whether Hanson's party was ever going to reach beyond that core to become like the Nick Xenophon party of the right. There was a time till recently when Xenophon's party was hoovering up disaffected voters from across South Australia. "There was a distinct possibility that, by the middle of last year, Hanson would add to the core of right-wing redneck votes that she will always command the more diffuse disaffected vote. She was starting to reach beyond her core constituency; she's now back to her core. "The burqa moment, if anything, was the climax of it. But there were several moments of overreach." Including her brief advocacy for the anti-vaccination movement, which burned her badly. "She showed a style of politics that's not attractive to people looking to make a protest vote." Brandis spent 20 years working against One Nation within the Liberal party, including his 18 years as a senator. He always opposed the idea of directing Liberal, or Liberal National Party, preferences to One Nation. He didn't always win and he acknowledges that it will always be a temptation for the Coalition. "The Liberal and National parties must always be alert to the damage that can be done by dog whistling and catering to that sort of extreme, right-wing populism" Brandis similarly waged a struggle against the conservative forces within his own party. He bristles at John Howard's description of the Liberals as a party that had always been a "broad church" encompassing a liberal strand and a conservative one. Senator Pauline Hanson wore a burqa into the Senate. Attorney-General George Senator Brandis repudiated her. Credit:Andrew Meares Robert Menzies very deliberately chose to name his creation "the Liberal party" as his memoirs note, "in the British classical liberal tradition, the tradition of Gladstone, not Disraeli". In that context, "Malcolm Turnbull was from the mainstream - he is the contemporary embodiment of that tradition, of Menzies, of Holt, and, ultimately, Fraser". Howard in opposition in the 1980s was the first leader to bring "the conservative influence to bear", he argues. And the conservatives are now trying to hijack the party, according to the former leader of the government in the Senate: "Attempts to make it a more right-wing party have never ended well," Brandis says, and that leads him pretty quickly to Tony Abbott. "Abbott's leadership was probably the only time that the Liberal Party in government pursued a set of policies so ideologically right-wing," according to Brandis. For instance, Abbott's "reluctance to embrace multiculturalism was out of sync with modern Australian values, and the trenchant resistance" to same sex marriage "was increasingly out of touch with community values". But one of the reasons Brandis has been enticed out of the cabinet and Parliament with the offer of a plum diplomatic post is that the conservative forces are on the rise in the Queensland coalition, where branch support for Brandis was fast fading. And where support for conservative hero Peter Dutton is strong. Maida Kanwal (front far right) with her family. Credit:Daniel Pockett Cranbourne resident Maida Kanwal would prefer a shorter commute to work over the $10 per week sweetener offered to her in the federal budget. The decision to provide low to middle-income earners tax cuts of up to $10.50 per week is cold comfort for the 21-year-old teacher who arrives home from work exhausted most days. If the trending hashtag #keepmytendollars is anything to go by, Ms Kanwal is not alone. It takes Ms Kanwal about 20 minutes to get to her nearest train station and then another 90 minutes on top of that before she arrives at work. The grief-stricken son of one of the four women who were killed on their way home from a line-dancing event in regional Victoria says his family's life has been changed forever "in the blink of an eye". The friends were returning from St Arnaud about 6pm on Saturday when a second car, driven by a 64-year-old woman, allegedly sped through a stop sign and T-boned their Kia at the corner of Bains and Ararat-St Arnaud roads in Navarre. The women were Dianne Barr, 64, from Heywood; Claudia Jackson, 72 from Portland; Tess Ely, 74, from Hamilton; and Elaine Middleton, 75, from Hamilton. The women killed in the crash were (from left) Tess Ely, Dianne Barr, Claudia Jackson and Elaine Middleton. Credit:Channel Seven Mrs Barr's son, Michael Barr, took to Facebook to express his grief on Monday. "In the blink off an eye, your life can change forever," Michael wrote. Have you noticed that self-denial is creeping slowly back into vogue? Oh sure, it's not yet enough to truly counterbalance our society's rampant consumerism and it's often only for a limited time more Dry January than lifelong teetotallerhood. But it's interesting to see all the Buy Nothing groups pop up and all the articles about people who gave up buying new clothes for a year and found themselves, or not, in the process. Illustration: Simon Letch When I shared one of those articles on Facebook, a friend added me to a closed group for fashion lovers who want to curb their shopping habits. It's been fascinating to read about other people's struggles and goals and share my own. While I don't have a wardrobe full of clothing with the tags still on and I've never used Afterpay, a new reverse lay-by system where you buy now and pay later with several direct debits, I'm also not a monk. Like most people, I'll sometimes buy things I don't need for a quick pick-me-up. The Asia-Pacific, our backyard, is home to nearly half of the worlds poorest people. The World Bank estimates that 766 million people still live in extreme poverty. What kind of signal does this send to our neighbours in the region? This amount is almost equivalent to the total annual amount allocated to foreign aid in the same budget. This week's federal budget is set to include a $3.8 billion loan scheme designed to ramp up Australias credentials as a global arms dealer. So in a region where we want to promote peace and prosperity do we want more guns or do we need to provide aid and development funding to give people access to the most basic of needs? What is likely to make the greatest difference more guns or access to a toilet? This new money for an armament loans scheme comes amid a background where Australia's official overseas aid giving has been mercilessly cut by 30 per cent over the past five years. It is so bad now that Australia has fallen to 19th out of the 29 countries that give overseas aid. The savageness of our recent aid cuts puts us in a similar category to Greece and Hungry. In contrast Britains conservative government despite its greater economic challenges has stuck resolutely to keeping its aid funding at its promised level of 0.7 per cent of gross national income. Our aid cuts also come at a critical time for the Pacific where fears have been stoked that China's efforts to ramp up aid are designed to increase its influence in the region. Oil and gas multinationals would pay an extra $4.2 billion in tax over four years under a royalty policy costed by the Parliamentary Budget Office, as resource giants prepare to be hit by new taxes in Tuesday's budget. The independent assessment of the policy submitted by the Greeens shows a 10 per cent royalty style system would bring in as much as $15 billion over the next decade as Australian LNG production booms, but such a move is not being considered by the Turnbull government because of the risk it poses to future investment. Instead, it is understood the government will change the "uplift concessions" for all new projects, potentially opening a new battlefront with industry heavyweights over the definition of "new" under the petroleum resource rent tax. Santos and the Australian Petroleum Production & Exploration Association have warned future projects will be put at risk unless the government exempts all areas that have started initial exploration - such as Scarborough, Browse and Barossa - rather than just those that have begun production. The Turnbull government is on a collision course with key states over vast new rail projects as it steps up the use of controversial off-budget finance to claim a $24.5 billion spending boost in the federal budget. The plans triggered warnings on Monday that future taxpayers could be on the hook for any losses from big projects that fail to generate profits, leading to write-downs on bad investments. Victorian premier Daniel Andrews welcomed the $7.8 billion budget funding plan for his state, while the NSW government is welcoming more than $1.5 billion in further funding beyond what has already been promised to build the Western Sydney Airport. Queensland deputy premier Jackie Trad thinks her state has been short-changed. Credit:AAP But Queensland deputy premier and treasurer Jackie Trad slammed the Turnbull government for not offering funds to help build the Cross River Rail project including a new tunnel under the Brisbane River. The trust is so broken between Victorian Labor MPs and their Liberal Party colleagues members of the upper house will no longer seek 'pairs', when voting on new laws. More than a month after two Liberal MPs spectacularly broke with Parliamentary convention to win a vote, Labor has expressed doubts on whether the long-standing pairing arrangement can continue. The pairing system allows MPs who cannot attend Parliament for genuine reasons to be matched with a member from the opposing side - who also abstains from voting - to preserve the balance of numbers. Liberal members Bernie Finn and Craig Ondarchie enraged government MPs and Greens crossbenchers when they asked for pairs so they could observe the Good Friday religious holiday, only to return at the last minute to vote down the governments Fire Services Bill. Victoria's major political parties would be paid up to $6 for every vote they receive in future state elections, more than three times the funding they receive now, under proposed laws to rein in electoral donations. Victorian taxpayers will contribute an extra $45 million to pay for political parties election campaigns if the crackdown on donations is passed in Victorias Parliament later this year. Anyone caught cheating proposed tougher new donation laws meant to take the whiff of undue influence out of politics could be jailed for between two and 10 years, the Andrews government has warned. Political donations could be capped at $4000 every four years in Victoria. Credit:James Davies Political donations will be capped at $4000, foreign donations to political parties will be banned and any donation of more than $1000 will be disclosed in real time. Beijing: A former rising political star in China, Sun Zhengcai, 54, has been jailed for life for accepting bribes, avoiding the death sentence by cooperating with investigators. Then-party secretary of Chongqing, Sun Zhengcai, attends a plenary session of China's National People's Congress in the Great Hall of the People in Beijing in 2017. Sun had sat on China's powerful Politburo and was the party boss of the wealthy inland province of Chongqing, before being accused of taking 170 million Chinese yuan ($35 million) in bribes and trading power for sex. Sun fell from grace just months before the Communist Party met for its twice-a-decade conference in October, and a generational transfer of power was made in key decision-making bodies. NOTICE: TO BE CLEAR: WE HAVE OUTLINED UNDER OUR RECORD MAINTENANCE POLICY WHAT WE BELIEVE TO BE A FAIR PROCESS FOR ALL. SIMPLY PUT: IF THE COURT SAW FIT TO EXPUNGE YOUR RECORD,SO WILL WE, FREE OF CHARGE. 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And they are likely to act to protect European companies trading with Iran despite the US re-imposing sanctions. In a joint statement British Prime Minister Theresa May, German Chancellor Angela Merkel and French President Emmanuel Macron greeted with regret and concern Donald Trumps announcement that he would re-impose sanctions against Iran and withdraw from the Iran nuclear deal. Jerusalem: Paraguay will move its embassy in Israel to Jerusalem by the end of May, a Paraguayan government spokesman and the Israeli foreign ministry said on Monday, following the United States and Guatemala. Jerusalem Mayor Nir Barkat poses with a new road sign to the US embassy in Jerusalem. Credit:AP The status of Jerusalem is one of the thorniest disputes between Israel, which says the city is its eternal and indivisible capital, and the Palestinians, who want the eastern part of the city as the capital of their own future state. "Paraguayan President Horacio Cartes plans to come to Israel by the end of the month to open an embassy in Jerusalem," Israeli Foreign Ministry spokesman Emmanuel Nahshon said in a statement. Beirut: Israeli missiles have hit a military outpost near the Syrian capital Damascus killing nine people an hour after US President Donald Trump announced he was withdrawing from the Iran nuclear deal, the British based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights says. Syria's state-run media agency SANA said Syrian air defences intercepted and destroyed two of the incoming missiles which were fired at Kisweh, just south of the capital, an area known to have numerous Syrian army bases. Flames rising after an attack in an area known to have numerous Syrian army military bases, in Kisweh, south of Damascus, Syria. Syrian state-run media said Israel struck a military outpost. Syrian television also reported large explosions in the area. The British-based observatory said the missiles targeted depots and rocket launchers that likely belong to Iran's elite Revolutionary Guards. Helena, Montana: A fugitive who fled international drug trafficking charges 29 years ago was arrested last month when he tried to walk into the US from Canada in hopes of visiting his family, authorities said on Monday. Montana residents driving near the international border spotted Jacob Moritz, age 71 or 72, and another man emerging from the woods early April 15, said US Customs and Border Protection spokesman Bill Kingsford. United States Border Patrol agent long the border between the United States and Canada. Credit:New York Times Moritz was one of four defendants indicted in 1989 for smuggling marijuana, hashish and heroin into the US from Jamaica, Morocco, Colombia, Thailand and Lebanon, but he and two other co-defendants disappeared before authorities could apprehend them. Moritz wouldn't cooperate with the Border Patrol agents who detained him, and they only learnt his identity and the New York warrant for his arrest after fingerprinting him. The leadership of Donald Trump has been identified as a critical weakness in Americas projection of power as the world grapples with Chinas rise and the president prepares to engage with North Koreas leader, Kim Jong-un in negotiations designed to avert a potential nuclear war. According to the most comprehensive study of national power in Asia, the Lowy Institutes Asia Power Index, though the United States remains the most powerful actor in the region, Mr Trumps leadership is viewed as the 13th most effective in the region, alongside Hun Sen of Cambodia, who has led his nation towards dictatorship. The finding suggests that Donald Trump is ill equipped for the long term power competition" with Xi Jinping. Credit:AP The Asia Power Index measures a nations power by 114 indicators, 12 of which - including the measurement of political leadership - are qualitative. Hundreds of analysts across the region were surveyed to ask how effective they believed each nations head of government was at acting in their nations interest. Chinas leader Xi Jinping was ranked first, followed by the leaders of Japan and Singapore. Malcolm Turnbulls leadership was ranked sixth. Even President Kim, ranked ninth, was judged to be more effective at prosecuting North Koreas interests, than Mr Trump. Human beings are creatures of habit: Most of us will only tolerate a limited period of instability in pursuit of positive change. Caryl Churchill examines one such revolutionary window in her 1976 play Light Shining in Buckinghamshire, set during the English Civil War of 1642-1651. It features contentious debates about political equality and property distribution, ideas that are still fiercely disputed in 2018. It should be one of the hottest political plays in New York; so why do so many audience members appear to be struggling to stay awake? It has nothing to do with a top-notch production from a company that knows how to do this material. The most dedicated local champion of Churchill's work, New York Theatre Workshop holds Buckinghamshire in particularly high esteem, having produced its New York debut in 1991. Hadestown director Rachel Chavkin helms this revival, which is an ideal match: Chavkin's company, the TEAM, collaboratively devises smart and politically engaging plays like Mission Drift and RoosevElvis in a manner very similar to Joint Stock, the London company that originally developed Buckinghamshire. If anyone understands how to make this play crackle, it's her. Two justices of the peace (Gregg Mozgala and Mikeah Ernest Jennings) sentence Margaret Brotherton (Evelyn Spahr) to flogging in Light Shining in Buckinghamshire. ( Joan Marcus) And for the first act, it does: That's when we meet characters like Margaret Brotherton (Evelyn Spahr), an impoverished woman who is flogged for begging. There's also Briggs (Gregg Mozgala), a laborer who joins parliament's New Model Army to fight the tyrannical King Charles and advance his station. Neither will be granted the vote following the war should Henry Ireton (Matthew Jeffers) have his way. He believes that only those with a "permanent interest" in the kingdom (read: property owners) should be able to vote for members of parliament. The most exciting part of the play depicts the Putney Debates between Ireton and the Levellers, a political movement agitating for universal male suffrage. Ireton is sure that allowing the penniless masses to vote will eventually lead to the abolition of private property altogether. Colonel Nathaniel Rich (Rob Campbell) suggests a compromise by which propertyless veterans are given the vote. He predicts, in the most chilling line of the play, that if the poor are thrown this scrap, "they will desire no more liberty." Matthew Jeffers plays Henry Ireton, Gregg Mozgala plays Leveler John Wildman, and Rob Campbell plays Colonel Nathaniel Rich during the Putney Debates scenes in Caryl Churchill's Light Shining in Buckinghamshire. ( Joan Marcus) The Levelers' proposals are eventually remanded to committee to die a quiet death. Spahr looks directly at the audience in the final moment of the first act, as if to apologize to posterity as the optimism of this revolution fades to military dictatorship under Oliver Cromwell, with the bourgeoisie installed as the new elite. But those of us paying attention are not surprised. From the River Thames to Tahrir Square, revolutions have only ever ended this way. Chavkin brings Cromwellian order to Churchill's unruly dramatic revolution with her clear and effective staging. She smartly rejects Churchill's idea to have the actors trade roles throughout, a formal rebuke of ownership that also serves as a rebuke of coherence. It helps that all of the actors give lucid, emotionally stirring performances. This is especially true of Vinie Burrows in a rabble-rousing portrayal of Joan Hoskins, a woman who directly challenges a male preacher in his own church. Mikeah Ernest Jennings plays her disciple, Claxton, with radiant fervor, winning converts in the process. Everyone has a talent for making this antique political language seem fresh and spontaneous, bringing these 17th-century religious fanatics directly into conversation with today. The cast of the off-Broadway revival of Light Shining in Buckinghamshire changes into modern dress for a second act scene depicting a meeting of the Ranters. ( Joan Marcus) Toni-Leslie James's costumes also do that: They are puritan drab in the first act, retaining elements of the 17th century while stealthily morphing into modern dress by the end of the play. Lighting designer Isabella Byrd and sound designer Mikaal Sulaiman deliver jarring, goosebumps-producing cinematic effects. Riccardo Hernandez's set is similarly powerful: As we head into the Putney Debates, the low wooden rafters ascend higher, opening a whole new vista of possibilities. It is a glorious sight to behold, but we wonder why the ceiling doesn't close back in during the second act. That's when the revolution stalls and we are subjected to an extended visit with the Ranters, a fringe religious group that believes that God is found in all things and people. This interminable scene devolves into mawkish group therapy as we completely tune out. Another scene with a preachy butcher railing against our gluttony is meant to be in-yer-face, but comes off as merely ridiculous. After two hours and 40 minutes, we've had enough of these ranty revolutionaries. Evelyn Spahr, Matthew Jeffers, and Mikeah Ernest Jennings appear in Caryl Churchill's Light Shining in Buckinghamshire. ( Joan Marcus) Despite their best efforts, Chavkin and company cannot salvage this shaggy early effort by Churchill. Still, moments of revelation hide within its rolls of fat: For instance, the proliferation of print technology and the relative lack of censorship during the English Civil War allowed for the transgressive ideas we've just witnessed to briefly flourish, some lingering to this day. One wonders if historians will look back with similar wonder on this age before the Internet has been fully tamed. The lesson is clear: Make the change you want now, because the window is closing fast and the reactionaries are already inside the house. The RM of Hanover has signed a memorandum of understanding with the Hanover Ag Society as the municipality hopes that one day they will be able to build a brand new multiplex on the Hanover Ag Grounds. Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 8/5/2018 (1248 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. The RM of Hanover has signed a memorandum of understanding with the Hanover Ag Society as the municipality hopes that one day they will be able to build a brand new multiplex on the Hanover Ag Grounds. Hanover has been working on plans as they hope to build a brand new arena/multiplex facility in or near the town of Grunthal. Stay informed The latest updates on the novel coronavirus and COVID-19 delivered to your inbox every weeknight. Sign Up I agree to the Terms and Conditions, Cookie and Privacy Policies, and CASL agreement. "The old arena in Grunthal has reached the point where its at the end of its life cycle," Hanover recreation manager Lisa Baldwin said. "Structurally its sound, but its no longer ideal in terms of being an arena." Baldwin said the municipality has appointed a Grunthal Multiplex Steering Committee and that committee has now identified The Hanover Ag Societys property at 153 Southwood Street in Grunthal as the best location for a new facility. "We did a site selection matrix and we identified a couple of locations," Baldwin said. "We went through and it was identified that the Hanover Ag grounds was the most ideal location for construction. "Any other location we looked at would be very, very expensive to bring services to, as well as the site is central, so we took all that into consideration and Hanover Ag did come out on top." Baldwin added the planning is still very early stages, so the agreement simply puts into writing that if funding is secured to build a multiplex, the municipality and the Hanover Ag Society will work together and enter into land acquisition negotiations. She said Hanover will now work to create a conceptual design and start a capital campaign for the project, and she said the "ballpark" figure for what the facility could cost currently sits at around $11 million. Eric Schneiderman. Photo: Drew Angerer/Getty Images New York attorney general Eric Schneiderman resigned abruptly on Monday night, hours after The New Yorker published a report in which four women accuse him of physically assaulting them. Two women, Michelle Manning Barish and Tanya Selvaratnam, spoke on the record, claiming Schneiderman slapped, choked, and hit them often after drinking, frequently in bed and never with their consent, and that they both eventually sought medical attention following his assaults. In response to these allegations, Schneiderman a progressive Democrat who has been seen as a champion of womens rights and the #MeToo movement said he had engaged in role-playing and other consensual sexual activity, within the privacy of intimate relationships. Schneiderman is not the first man accused of assault to claim he was consensually engaging in a kink. Back in 2014, several women told the Toronto Star that Canadian public-radio host Jian Ghomeshi another supposed champion of womens rights had choked, slapped, and bitten them without warning or consent. Ghomeshi claimed he had not done anything wrong, and that it was not unusual for him to engage in adventurous forms of sex that include role-play, dominance, and submission. The next year, multiple women accused adult-film star James Deen of assaulting them and not respecting their sexual boundaries or safe words. Most of these are descriptions of things on BDSM or rough sex sets, Deen told the Daily Beast. But the very fact that there is disagreement over whether what happened between these men and the women accusing them of assault was consensual illustrates just how poorly these men understand the mechanics of their excuse: If they knew how BDSM and other kink play works, theyd know how deeply intertwined it is with consent. Consent is a core tenet of BDSM. Its almost totally inseparable from BDSM. Using your kink as a smokescreen for abusing women is a) a classic abusers tool, and b) a wildly inaccurate misrepresentation of what BDSM/kink actually is. Ej Dickson (@ejdickson) May 8, 2018 One of the main principles of BDSM is that everything be safe, sane, and consensual. On the website of the Rose City Discussion Club, a non-profit organization in Portland for people who are interested BDSM, fetish, and other kinks, Tamay Kay explains that Safe means that we take care of each other as best we can, that no matter how we want our scenes, however gentle or rough, we do them in ways that do not injure our partners. Sane is being able to trust the person with power in a given scene to have good judgment and self-control. And consent means that Everything that happens in a scene between people must be acceptable to all concerned. If you arent sure that your partner has consented has said yes Kay elaborates, then you need to talk until you are sure. In a 2013 essay on her blog Sex Geek, Andrea Zanin clearly delineates fantasy and crime, writing: In the planning to enact a fantasy that involves two people, both people are involved in that planning to whatever extent they agree they will each be involved (everything from I trust you to surprise me, honey! to You pick the apple to put in my mouth, and Ill polish it so itll look good in the pictures). [] In the planning of a fantasy enactment, roles are discussed, safety is considered, limits are negotiated. (If I squawk twice, that means this turkey needs to come out of the oven!) In other words, the boundaries of a scene, and of peoples comfort, must be explicitly communicated and laid out beforehand, something none of Schneidermans accusers, or even Schneiderman himself, said he did. Instead, his actions seem to follow the theory sex columnist and activist Dan Savage put forth about Ghomeshi in 2014: My theory is that Ghomeshis MO has been to initiate rough sex become violent in the lead-up to a sexual encounter and that he either believes or intends to argue that this was how he got a womans consent. If he became violent and they didnt respond negatively or didnt leave or if they returned, he saw that as consent. If they reacted negatively, if they were unhappy, he stopped. Let's be very clear about something: The allegations against Eric Schneiderman are not BDSM gone badly. BDSM requires consent. Not a single one of his accusers ever consented to being slapped, hit, or or subject to any of the other behaviors described in this article. pic.twitter.com/wNE3O6TplK Caroline Orr (@RVAwonk) May 8, 2018 Using kink and BDSM to justify his allegedly vicious attacks on women shows an astounding degree of entitlement on Schneidermans part. Not only an entitlement to womens bodies and sexual experience, but an entitlement to a narrative in which he remains the liberal knight in shining armor an open-minded, sexually adventurous ally. As Kat Stoeffel wrote about Ghomeshi in 2014, Questioning a persons sexual proclivities runs the risk of sounding like sex negativity or slut-shaming this is the progressive mentality Ghomeshis lurid mea culpa appeals to. Schneiderman, like Ghomeshi and Deen before him, attempted to deflect the blame off of himself and onto kink implicitly accusing anyone who would judge his actions of being a small-minded prude. But in doing so, these men displayed a fundamental misunderstanding of the practice. Because, as Stoeffel noted, sex-positive open-mindedness doesnt excuse misconduct. If anything, it creates a greater responsibility. Ahead of TrumpKim Summit, South Koreas Moon Sends Conflicting Signals to US As the world awaits the upcoming summit between President Donald Trump and North Korean dictator Kim Jong Un, South Koreas President Moon Jae-in has sent conflicting signals to the United States. Doubts have now been raised about whether Moons left-leaning administration is committed to keeping U.S. troops on the Korean Peninsula and supporting U.S. efforts to disarm a nuclearized Kim regime. The controversy started on April 30 when Foreign Affairs magazine published an article by Moon Chung-in, a Yonsei University professor and a special adviser to the South Korean president on unification, foreign, and national security affairs, in which he wrote that U.S. military forces in South Korea would probably not be needed anymore once a peace treaty is signed. The U.S. military presence is a highly sensitive topic both in terms of South Koreas domestic politics and also its alliance with the United States. While a significant segment on the left of South Koreas domestic politics desires a reduction or removal, President Moon Jae-in, who is from a left-leaning party, still publicly supports the stationing of U.S. troops in the country. The uproar over the article was such that Moon Chung-in soon backtracked from the statement and said that he still supports the U.S. troop presence. South Koreas Blue House also had to dispatch its national security adviser, Chung Eui-Yong, to the United States to meet with his U.S. counterpart, John Bolton, on May 4 and publicly reject the talk of a possible reduction of U.S. troops. Chungs visit, however, ironically coincided with a trip by Moon Chung-in to the United States. Despite insisting that hes not speaking in any official capacity nor representing the Blue Houses views, Moons title of special adviser and the fact that hes a close friend of President Moon Jae-in meant that his speeches in the United States were followed closely by Korean and international media. At a May 4 forum at the Atlantic Council in Washington, Moon Chung-in again touted partisan rhetoric and warned that the responsibility is on Trump to make sure the upcoming meeting with North Korean dictator Kim Jong-Un works. If President Trump does not make the summit successful, then inter-Korean relations will go back to its original position again, said Moon Chung-in. I hope the president [Trump] will make the summit successful, so that we can go together toward peace and stability and prosperity on the Korean Peninsula. North Korean leader Kim Jong Un (L) and South Korean President Moon Jae-in (R) embrace after signing the Panmunjom Declaration during the Inter-Korean Summit at the Peace House on April 27 in Panmunjom, South Korea. (Korea Summit Press Pool/Getty Images) Moon Chung-ins remarks are in sharp contrast to South Koreas official diplomatic stance, which supports the U.S. position that North Korea must commit to denuclearization first in order for a peace treaty to come to fruition. Peace and stability in East Asia depend on North Koreas complete denuclearization. We hope that U.S.North Korea summit will be a concrete step toward such aspiration, said Cho Yoon-je, ambassador of South Korea to the United States, on May 7 at an event at the Center for Strategic and International Studies in Washington. Observers say that Moon Chung-ins statement is indicative of the views of many on the political left in South Korea, who downplay the North Korean regimes aggression while at the same time treating the U.S. alliance as an obstacle to the countrys reconciliation with the North. Moons statement is indicative of the views of many on the political left in South Korea, who downplay the North Korean regimes aggression. Moon is obviously putting the onus of returning to subsidizing Kim Jong Un while the dictator lies and continues to advance his nuclear posture review on Trump; that is, Trump had better give Kim whatever he calls for, otherwise the summit will be a failure and Kim will return to his old, paranoid ways of threatening nuclear war, said Sung-Yoon Lee, a Korean studies professor at the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy at Tufts University. Moon Chung-in, an outspoken voice of South Koreas political left, is no stranger to controversy and has several times ignited a furor with remarks he made in the United States. In June 2017, for instance, he suggested that a U.S. aircraft carrier should be kept away from the Korean Peninsula so as to reduce tensions with North Koreas Kim regime. Moon Chung-ins title of special adviser to the president is an honorific that comes with no official power and earns him no payment from the government except for his travel costs. Still, observers question whether President Moon Jae-ins appointment of such a controversial adviser sends a political signal. If he still holds the position as a senior adviser to the president, I would assume so, said Victor Cha, a Korea expert at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, in response to a question about whether the controversial professor actually speaks on behalf of President Moon. U.S. diplomats and military planners such as Defense Secretary Gen. James Mattis have repeatedly said that there is no wedge between the United States and South Korea and that the security alliance between the two countries, which are tied by a mutual defense treaty signed in 1953, remains strong. Recommended Video: Leaders of Two Koreas Shake Hands Before Historic Summit Canada an Attractive Place for Tech, Says Entrepreneur Erin Bury on the excitement of startups, wooing millennials Its not all doom and gloom for business in Canada despite a loss of competitiveness and waning confidence. It is a great time to be a tech entrepreneur in Canada, says Erin Bury, startup aficionado and managing director of creative communications agency Eighty-Eight in Toronto. Although the Canadian tech scene struggles to commercialize its ideas and transform startups into large companies, it has nevertheless grown by leaps and bounds over the last decade. Canada now has several robust tech ecosystems, venture capital support, and accelerator programs. Its firmly on the governments radar given the programs and grants aimed at boosting hiring and alleviating the cost of training and skills development. But it still has a long way to go, as Canada does not rank high in innovation performance globally. We have always been and we will always be in the shadow of Silicon Valley, Bury said in a phone interview. I feel like weve always tried to play catch-up. Bury says Canada is trying to own its own place in the tech world, and with prominence in specific sectors like artificial intelligence and blockchain, it has been able to achieve that. Good Times for Tech One major component symbolic of dipping business confidence is significantly weaker spending intentions for merchandise and equipment, according to the Conference Board of Canada. But the tech industry does not rely heavily on capital spending. Tax structure and regulatory issues are broad challenges impacting business competitiveness in Canada, and while firms in the oil and gas sector move operations south of the border, Bury says that Toronto, as a tech hub, is getting plenty of interest from the United States. One example she notes is Collision, the largest-growing tech conference in North America, with over 25,000 attendees, moving to Toronto from New Orleans. I think youll see more and more U.S. investment firms putting money into Canadian startups, more U.S. startups and entrepreneurs moving here to launch their companies and build them, she said, attributing the trend to relatively stricter immigration in the United States. But what is a challenge for tech is finding qualified staff in a tight labour marketan economy-wide problem with the 5.8 percent unemployment rate in Canada at its lowest since the mid-1970s. However, there are some bright spots, according to Bury, who says the wide range of government programs like the Scientific Research and Experimental Development (SR&D) tax incentives, Start-up Visa program, Industrial Research Assistance Program (IRAP), and Canada-Ontario Job Grant are helping tech firms attract a lot of talent from the United States and abroad. At Eighty-Eight, weve been the beneficiary of the Canada-Ontario Job Grant which has helped offset our hiring costs for employees, training dollars which weve used for management training or speaking training, soft skills that people need to know to succeed in a workplace, Bury said. Startups At an early age, tech became part of Burys vernacular sitting at the dinner table and listening to her mother who used to work at former Canadian tech juggernaut Nortel. She was bitten by the tech startup bug working as the community manager for Future Design School, founded by serial entrepreneur Sarah Prevette. Its so much about punching above your weight, Bury said about working for a startup, as opposed to a mature company. You work for a big company, its a lot of stay in your lane, do whats in your job description. She says entrepreneurs have a blank slate mentality and bring a fresh, innovative way of thinking. They are willing to pitch in to do whatever is needed at a startupand they often have to in a company with only a handful of employees. Solving a new problem or an existing problem in a new way defines innovation. Better innovation leads to better productivity, which leads to improvements in living standards. It is therefore critical for Canada to have a hospitable environment for innovators in startups. Millennials Businesses are falling over themselves trying to woo millennials, and Bury, as a millennial, thinks about this hot topic a lot. She says it comes down to businesses being tech-centric and understanding that millennials want flexibility. Total ease and simplicity. I think thats the experience that every brand has to replicate. Otherwise youre not going to be able to capture that [millennial] audience, she said. One example of a company that is doing just that is the online investment manager Wealthsimple, Bury says. Wealthsimple really wins because they have a beautiful online experience, Bury said. The completely online, seamless, and intuitive process is the type of experience that consumers are demanding more and more. The companies that win understand this, Bury says. Bury will be a keynote speaker at the MARCOM Annual Conference, produced by the Centre of Excellence for Public Sector Marketing, in Ottawa on June 7. Shell provide insights about key tech trends that shape the way businesses and consumers interact. She said she hopes her presentation plants the seed of starting to be a more future-ready business for audience members. Follow Rahul on Twitter @RV_ETBiz A bronze statue of Karl Marx donated by China to mark the 200th birth anniversary of the German philosopher, is seen in his hometown Trier, Germany on May 5, 2018. (Wolfgang Rattay/Reuters) Chinese Regime Gifts a Karl Marx Statue to Germany, But Locals Balk The 200th birthday of Karl Marx, the founding father of communism, was celebrated with fanfare by the Chinese regime. That day falls on May 5, but for a whole week, Chinese state media continually broadcast documentaries and talk show programs about Marx during primetime television. On May 4, just as an American trade delegation was discussing with Beijing counterparts how to repair trade relations, the Politburo Standing Committeethe seven men at the very top of the Chinese Communist Party leadershipheld a commemorative event in Beijing, where leader Xi Jinping gave a nationally televised speech touting the totally correct path of Marxism. He urged Party members to study Marxist theories as a way of life and a spiritual pursuit. Chinas elite Peking University also held a two-day conference on Marxism. Outwardly, the regime has embraced all the trademarks of a capitalist society, from the conspicuous consumption to the rapid modernization. It seems to contradict the Partys Marxist rhetoric, yet Marxs birthday was an occasion for the Party to claim communism still held relevanceand thus, legitimized its rule. We must grasp Marxist theory and education, deepen students understanding of the theoretical and practical meaning of Marxism, as well as its historic necessity and scientific accuracy, Xi said in a speech before the Peking University conference on May 2. Former Chinese historiography professor Liu Yinquan offered his thoughts on why the regime was holding tight to Marxism: The reason why the Chinese regime wants to commemorate Marx in such a high-profile manner is because it wants to strengthen its rule over Chinese citizens, reinforce the foundation for its rule over people, and preserve its one-party authoritarian leadership, he said. The Chinese regime was so enthusiastic about celebrating Marxs birthday that it gifted Trier, Germanythe birthplace of Marxwith a statue of the man. But local Germans werent so ecstatic. On May 5, the day that the statue would be unveiled, a group had gathered to protest: a contingent representing Free Tibet, an organization that advocates for Tibetan sovereignty; members of Germanys right-leaning AfD (Alternative for Deutschland) political party; and adherents of Falun Gong, a spiritual discipline banned and heavily persecuted by the Chinese regime. A protest sign held by AfD party members listed the number of people killed by communist states around the world: 65 million in China, 20 million in the former Soviet Union, 2 million in Cambodia. Alexander Bauersfeld, a human rights activist from Hanover, joined the protest as a victim of persecution while living in former East Germany. This statue is a symbol of human rights violations, he said. I came here to protest because I support human rights in China. In about a month, it will be the 29th anniversary of the Tiananmen Square massacre. Whether it is the Communist leadership then or now, it already illustrates the meaning of the statue. A university student in Trier explained why he was critical of the statues presence: It is China trying to show off its power and influence. Falun Gong practitioners held a booth in the Trier city center to gather signatures for a petition opposing Chinas human rights abuses. Thousands of Falun Gong practitioners have been arrested and imprisoned for their spiritual belief in China since 1999, according to estimates by the Falun Gong press office. More than 4,000 Falun Gong adherents are confirmed to have died as a result of torture and abuse while in custody, although the real number is believed to be much higher due to the difficulty of getting information out of China. Reuters contributed to this report. Communist Party cadres hang a placard on the neck of a Chinese man during the Cultural Revolution in 1966. The words on the placard state the mans name and accuse him of being a member of the black class. (Public Domain) Communism the Most Destructive Political System in Human History, Says Historian Toronto forum explores the crimes of communism Toward the end of the 19th century, the great German philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche described socialism as a hopeless and sour affair and noted that in a socialist society, life negates itself. Despite its inherent shortcomings, however, Nietzsche predicted that socialism would spread. The Paris Commune, which has its apologists and advocates in Germany, too, was perhaps no more than a minor indigestion compared to what is coming, he wrote in The Will to Power. He predicted [socialism] would be a great source of conflict throughout the 20th century, said author and historian Dr. Michael Bonner. The first attempt to establish a Marxist-communist utopia occurred a mere 16 years later, and Nietzsches grim prophecy began to be fulfilled. Bonner was speaking at a forum titled Communism, China, its Economy and Political Future held at the University of Toronto on May 5. He and other speakers shone a light on the evils of communist ideology and the damage it has done. The event also included the launch of the Chinese version of The Ultimate Goal of Communism, a new book by The Epoch Times. The English version will be published soon. In giving the audience what he called a pocket history of communism, Bonner said that in November 1917, Bolshevik insurgents stormed the Tsars winter palace in Saint Petersburg and toppled the first democratic government in Russian history. Thus began the worlds first major socialist regime. The ideology of communism began to spread itself throughout the world and, as Nietzsche predicted, it was the most destructive doctrine and political system in human history, he said. Communism forced people to live in joyless, oppressive societies without freedom of any kind. Communist policies produced among the worst environmental disasters in human history, such as the destruction of the Aral Sea. And most 20th-century famines occurred in communist countries. Under the Soviets, the most prominent examples of brutality include the intentionally engineered famine in Ukraine, estimated to have killed up to 10 million people between 1932 and 1933; Stalins campaign of political repression, which claimed about 600,000 lives; and the execution of 100,000 Polish prisoners of war. At first, the Russian Revolution failed to produce a wave of socialism throughout Europe, Bonner said, but after the stock market crash in 1929 and the rise of fascism in the 1930s, communist central planning appeared viable alternatives to the supposed failure of capitalism and the advance of the far right. At that time too, many intellectuals were prepared to overlook the horrendous atrocities committed by the worlds only communist state, he said. Bertrand Russell had famously criticized the aggression and utopianism of Bolshevism in 1920, but many fellow travellers and apologists were willing to conceal or to excuse the disasters and failings of communism. Stalins show trials and murder of millions of people were vigorously defended by George Bernard Shaw, and Walter Duranty of The New York Times had deliberately downplayed the scale of the Soviet-engineered famine in Ukraine. In addition, Western powers and the United Nations ignored the Soviet invasion of Hungary in 1956, and some left-wing intellectuals refused to denounce the invasion on the absurd pretext that doing so would cede the moral high ground. Such apologism served to enable the acceptance of communism, and although it largely fizzled in the West, its doctrine spread throughout East Asia, Africa, and South America. Chinas Economic Success a Result of Capitalist Reforms After he established the Peoples Republic of China, Mao Zedong soon adopted Soviet-style collectivization which, like the Soviet Union, would bring about widespread famine and death. In China, the model of Soviet communism led to a campaign of modernization that left millions of people dead, said Bonner. It was a similar situation in Cambodia and North Korea. Pol Pot imitated the same example in Cambodia and murdered nearly a quarter of its countrymen. In North Korea, a doctrine of self-sufficiency was founded on the same principle and produced a famine which killed as many as 3.5 million people, he said. In the 1960s, a new generation of Marxist revolutionaries emerged, and by the year 1980, communism had penetrated North Korea, Cuba, North and South Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos, Yemen, Somalia, Afghanistan, and Angola. Maos Great Leap Forward led to the deaths of 17 million people, and the horrors of the Cultural Revolution did not end until Mao himself died in 1976. As for Chinas astonishing development over the past 30 years, Bonner said a Western visitor to China might conclude that, whereas the USSR failed, Maos regime succeeded, given that the country is still under communist rule. But in actuality, Chinas economic success is a direct result of capitalist reforms begun by Deng Xiaoping in 1978. Deng became head of the Communist Party after Maos death. We can credit Deng Xiaoping for transforming Chinas collectivist economy into a capitalist force, he said. What has succeeded, therefore, is not Maos vision of a rigid state-control of the economy, centralization, closed borders, and radical egalitarianism, but rather corporate capitalism and uninhibited entrepreneurs. Bonner noted, however, that the supremacy of the Communist Party remains, with indoctrination beginning at a young age and the Young Pioneers and the Communist Youth League preparing children, teenagers, and university students for joining the Partymembership of which is essential to finding employment and obtaining promotion. But fewer and fewer people are willing to join the Party, he added, noting the success of Tuidang, a grassroots movement that supports people in renouncing their allegiance to the Communist Party. In 2004, publication of the so-called Nine Commentaries on the Communist Party was, for many in China, their first exposure to the crimes of communism. The Tuidang phenomenon accelerated that, and today 300 million people have renounced the Communist Party, he said. Former Polish president Lech Walesa has called the Tuidang movement historys tsunami and a spirit of freedom and truth. It is tempting to think we are witnessing the final death throes of Chinese communism. Another flashpoint is the tension created by discontent simmering just below the surface in China, Bonner said, with about 500 serious outbreaks of unrest almost daily across the country a few years ago. This, along with what some say is a stalling economy, could mean the beginning of the end of communism in China. No matter how solid and complex any regime may appear, it is actually quite fragile. When public confidence has run out, it may take little to topple it. Ill leave you with that thought. Recommended Video: How Doctors in China Turn into Murderers Famed NYC University Professor Found Dead in Home, Suspect Covered in Blood Arrested A professor of psychology at the New School in New York City was found dead in his home on Monday night, May, 7, officials said, adding that a suspect was arrested. The suspect, who is 28, attacked professor Jeremy D. Safran at around 6 p.m. local time at 155 Stratford Road in Flatbush, police told the New York Post. The attacker is said to have followed Safrans daughter to the location and spoke to her in an attempt to investigate the home, police said. A neighbor said that he broke in and called the daughter. Sources told the Post that someone then called 911. When police arrived, Safran was found on the floor. A hammer lay next to his body, and the suspect was hiding inside the closet, covered in blood, CBS New York reported. We are shocked and saddened to learn of the tragic death of Jeremy Safran, NSSR psychology professor, former Department of Psychology co-chair, and an internationally renowned and admired psychotherapist. Our deepest condolences to his family and friends; we will miss him dearly. pic.twitter.com/2CZxY2ABCd New School for Social Research (@NSSRNews) May 8, 2018 New York Citys Office of Chief Medical Examiner found that Safran died of stab wounds to his body and deemed his death a homicide, AM New York reported. Charges against the suspect are pending, police said. 66-year old Jeremy Safran found dead in the basement of his home in Prospect Park South in #Brooklyn Cops arrested a 28-year old man pic.twitter.com/cnsSv3GVO1 Andy Mai (@MaiAndy) May 8, 2018 NYPD Chief of Detectives Dermot Shea said that a motive in the killing is not clear, adding that the suspect may have been a student of Safran. In a statement, the New School, located in Manhattans Greenwich Village, wrote that it is shocked and saddened to learn last night of the tragic death of Jeremy Safran. An internationally renowned psychotherapist, Jeremy was deeply respected and admired by The New School community and his colleagues throughout the psychology profession for his work on psychoanalytic theory and practice, as well as research on psychotherapy processes and outcomes, the school said, according to CBS New York. We offer our deepest condolences to his family and will be offering support to his many friends and colleagues throughout the university community in the days ahead. The name of the suspect has not yet been revealed in media reports. Other details about the case were not released. Residents who lived close to Safran commented on the incident. My heart really goes out to the families, said James Hill, the CBS affiliate reported. They must have felt so helpless during this tragedy. Very quiet person, as long as weve been living here 24 years or so. My daughter used to babysit for his daughters, said resident Reginald Daniels. Hes a great guy as far as I know, another neighbor told the network. Its a tightknit community here, a lot of our kids grew up together. Its just needlesspointless, stupid. Its just a pointless waste of a life Neighbors also gave police surveillance footage of a stranger inside a black Lexus, CBS reported. Recommended Video: People Gather to Protest Real Bodies Exhibition in Sydney Vous etes confrontes a une infestation par la puce, la punaise de lit ? Voici plusieurs actions qui sont a mettre en uvre pour faire [] Federal Budget 2018: Here Are Some Announcements to Expect Australias federal government is expected to announce hefty aged-care and infrastructure spending, and deliver some tax cuts as it reveals its annual budget on Tuesday, May 8. The Turnbull government also announced that it plans to return the federal budget to a surplus a whole year earlier than had been forecast. Low- to middle-income earners in Australia are set to receive an increase in tax cuts of up to $10.50 a week from tonights budget. The tax relief, expected to start on July 1, will come in the form of an increase in the Low Income Tax Offset (LITO) which is automatically applied when you lodge your tax return, reported the ABC. Currently, the maximum tax offset of $445 is payable to Australians earning $37,000 or less. This offset is incrementally reduced the more a person earns, and is cut off at an income of $66,667. Treasurer Scott Morrison is expected to announce a doubling in the value of the offset $1,000, reported the news broadcaster. The cut off will also extend to people earning up to $90,000. Treasurer Scott Morrison recently laughed off suggestions he would be playing Santa on Tuesday evening, warning instead that tax cuts targeting lower and middle-income earners would not be mammoth. The measure is expected to cost $4-5 billion a year. Return to Surplus in 2019-20? Morrison is also set to announce a plan that a senior cabinet minister said could see the budget return to surplus in 2019-20 a year ahead of previous forecasts. In the coalitions December mid-year review, the government forecast a $10.2 billion surplus in 2020-21, the first since 2007-08, from an estimated $20.5 billion deficit for 2018-19. According to The Australian, the forecast for 2019-20 could deliver between $2 to 3 billion in surplus. Deputy Prime Minister Michael McCormack indicated this week that the government is also expected to pay off its massive $523 billion debt by 2021, reported Newscorp. The government claimed that it had achieved $41 billion through measures aimed at repairing the budget that were introduced in 2016. These included a $5.5 billion bank levy, $4.6 billion in tobacco excise, as well as $4.1 billion in high-income superannuation limits. Politicians are hiding $78b from the national debt by pretending they're off-budget "investments": incl $47b NBN, $6bm Snowy purchase, $10b inland railway, $5b Badgery's Creek Airport & $5b NT Infrastructure. This costs you $2b interest pa plus the inevitable write-downs pic.twitter.com/UrdAxXw9GD David Flint (@profdavidflint) May 6, 2018 The budget repair measures also targetted benefits and welfare, where over $1.3 billion in spending was cut from a freeze on the family tax benefit indexation. The eligibility for the disability pension was tightened, and the number of job seekers receiving Newstart and youth allowances was reduced by 5.5 percent, reported Newscorp. The governments increase in the Medicare levy, worth $8.2 billion over three years, did not pass the Senate. Neither did the tax cuts to large companies, which would see company tax reduced from 30 to 25 percent over the next decade. Multibillion-Dollar Package for Older Australians Baby-boomers can expect an announcement for a multibillion-dollar aged-care and retirees package, which will include 20,000 extra home-care places to enable older Australians to stay in their homes for longer and providing retirees with incentives to start businesses, reported The Australian. The anticipated package will be funded by the $41 billion in legislated budget repair measures. Morrison will for the first time include an official aged-care statement in the budget aimed at repairing the electoral damage caused by the past $2 billion in cuts to the aged-care budget, where seniors were hit by superannuation tax and pension changes. More than 100,000 people are already on the priority waiting list for home-care places, reported the newspaper. The home-care packages are expected to be offered in four levels where older Australians will be provided with support for personal care, meal preparation, and household chores. The budget is also expected to include an increase to the work bonus program that currently allows aged pensioners to receive $250 a fortnight without affecting the rate of their pension, and expand the Pension Loans Scheme, which allows self-funded retirees to increase their income by borrowing against the value of their home. Infrastructure A $24 billion infrastructure package is anticipated to be revealed in the budget to deliver funding to road and rail projects with the aim to bust congestion. The largest project to be funded will be the rail link to connect Melbournes airport to the city, which will cost $5 billion, reported ABC. Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull said the spending will be across the nation and that nobody [will] miss out. Other projects include a number of major roads and highway upgrades in Queensland such as a $3.3 billion upgrade for the Bruce Highway, $3.2 billion for road projects in Western Australia such as extending the Mitchell Freeway, and $400 million in Sydney for the Port Botany Rail line project. Last week, the ABC reported that the government was also looking to unveil seed funding of $50m to establish an Australian space agency. The plan for a stronger economy that Ill be announcing tonight is about improving the opportunities for all Australians to live in a stronger economy, Morrison told reporters as he arrived at Parliament House early on Tuesday, May 8. Reuters contributed to this report Recommended Video: People Gather to Protest Real Bodies Exhibition in Sydney Sun Zhengcai, former Chongqing party secretary, at a session of the National People's Congress at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, China on March 6, 2013. (Feng Li/Getty Images) Former Party Boss in Chinas Chongqing City Jailed for Life for Graft BEIJINGA Chinese court has sentenced Sun Zhengcai, the former Communist Party boss of the southwestern city of Chongqing, to life in prison for corruption, state media said on May 8. Sun is the latest former senior official taken down in Chinese leader Xi Jinpings war on graft. He admitted in April during an intermediate court session in Tianjin City that he had taken bribes of more than 170 million yuan ($27 million). After the judgment was announced, Sun Zhengcai told the court he admitted his guilt, expressed repentance, accepted the decision, and said he would not appeal, according to Chinese state-run media Xinhua, citing the Tianjin court. Reuters has not been able to reach Sun or a representative for comment since he was put under investigation last year. Sun, 54, was abruptly removed in July from his post as party chief of Chongqing, one of Chinas most important cities. He was replaced by Chen Miner, who is close to Xi. Until then, Sun, one of the youngest of the 25 members of the Partys decision-making Politburo, had been considered a contender for top leadership. Prosecutors charged Sun in February with accepting huge sums in bribes while serving government posts going back 15 years in Chongqing, Beijing, the northeastern province of Jilin, and during his term as minister of agriculture. He was certain to be found guilty because Chinas courts are controlled by the Party and will not challenge its accusations. Xi has presided over a sweeping corruption crackdown since coming to power in 2012, vowing to target both tigers and flies in a reference to elite officials and ordinary bureaucrats. The campaign has led to the jailing or punishment of thousands of officials and also brought down dozens of senior party and military officials. The anti-corruption effort has not just been focused on issues like bribery and using public money to fund lavish lifestyles. It has also taken aim at officials who belong to an opposition faction loyal to former Party leader Jiang Zemin. Last October, during a major Party conclave, Sun was named along with several other key Jiang faction members, such as Zhou Yongkang, Bo Xilai, and Ling Jihua, as co-conspirators in a plot to usurp the Party leadership and seize power. By Michael Martina. Epoch Times staff member Annie Wu contributed to this report. U.S President Donald Trump (L) and French President Emmanuel Macron walk out of the White House before participating in a tree-planting ceremony on the South Lawn April 23, 2018 in Washington, DC. (Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images) France, the US, and Emmanuel Macron Historically, the United States and France have had a love-hate relationship. One can argue that royalist France won the Revolutionary War for the United States with its contributions of money, combat troops, and a fleet that prevented evacuation of British troops at Yorktown. But royalist France disappeared under the guillotine, and the newborn United States was commendably wise in avoiding foreign entanglements and not supporting French revolutionaries. Subsequently, the United States benefited from Napoleons decision to sell lands to President Thomas Jefferson for a pittance, in a deal known as the Louisiana Purchase, which opened the continent to U.S. domination. And France adroitly avoided interference in the U.S. Civil War (in contrast to England, which allowed Confederates to build commerce raiders). Read More Macron Gains Stature With Visit to Washington In the 20th century, the United States twice saved France from German invasion. By entering World War I in 1917, a U.S. officer proclaimed Lafayette, we are here (a quote falsely attributed to Gen. John Pershing) when arriving with U.S. forces that turned the tide against Germany. Again, in 1944, U.S.-led forces liberated France from German occupation, while enduring Charles DeGaulles pretentions of having been responsible for the victoryand grudging gratitude, at best. DeGaulle defined thorn in the side by withdrawing from the military component of NATO (forcing removal of all NATO forces from France) in 1966 when Washington would not share nuclear weapons information with it on the same level as Britain. France, however, did join the 1991 U.N.-endorsed effort to expel Saddam Hussein from Kuwait, contributing an armor division to the combat forces. But Paris declined to participate in the 2003 Coalition of the Willing that ousted Saddam from Iraq in search of illusory weapons of mass destruction. ParisWashington relations over the last 20 years have been correct rather than warm. The French have been eurocentric, attempting to counter German domination of the European Union and urging London not to Brexit. Immigrationand consequent persistent domestic Islamic terrorismhave been key political issues. There has been multilateral cooperation against the ISIS terrorist group in Syria. Domestic politics in France remain confused. Reflecting increased conservative forces across Europe, during the 2017 election, France was poised for a significant surge by Marie Le Pens National Front. Instead, a centrist rebound delivered victory to Emmanuel Macron, a one-time socialist, who essentially ran without party endorsement, creating his own party movement (En Marche) for his presidential campaign. Nevertheless, he attracted voter masses fatigued by politics-as-usual and intrigued by Macrons personal life, including marrying his one-time school teacher. Macron became Frances youngest president at 39 in May 2017, winning with 66 percent of the vote. Subsequently, En Marche, combined with the centrist Democratic Movement, won an absolute majority in the National Assembly. Macron has worked on reforming the public sector and the labor code. The wealth tax has been replaced with a real estate levy, while Macron has loosened employment laws. It is now easier for companies to fire and hire employees. Macron has also passed stricter anti-terror laws and has made fighting Islamic terrorism his top foreign policy priority. He has also strongly supported the EU and backed sanctions against Russia for its Ukraine invasions. His domestic policies, however, have been less than universally popular. Although he started with 60 to 65 percent support, after 100 days, his support had fallen faster than any previous French president, down to 36 percent. The labor reform giving employers greater freedom to hire and fire staff was deeply unpopular on the left. Subsequently, support rebounded above 50 percent in early December before slumping again to 35 percent in Februarydespite an improved economy. Thus, Macrons state visit to WashingtonPresident Donald Trumps first such ceremonialand his address to Congress are a high point both bilaterally and for French amour propre. The visit has been characterized as a bromanceimprobable as such a relationship might appear. However, Macron clearly interacted positively with Trump, including mutual casual pats on the shoulder/arm. The president listened to Macrons positions on supporting the Paris climate agreement and continuing the nuclear accord with Iranpolitely, but not positively. Subsequently, in Macrons frequently applauded address to Congress, he inveighed against rising nationalism, argued in favor of the Paris agreement, and urged continued adherence to the Iran nuclear accord. Clearly, the MacronTrump relationship is stronger than the presidents relations with German Chancellor Angela Merkel (who visited immediately afterward with virtually no media attention). Whether this relationship will last longer than the presidents forthcoming decision on adhering or withdrawing from the Iran nuclear treaty remains to be seen. David T. Jones is a retired U.S. State Department senior foreign service career officer who has published several hundred books, articles, columns, and reviews on U.S.Canadian bilateral issues and general foreign policy. During a career that spanned over 30 years, he concentrated on politico-military issues, serving as adviser for two Army chiefs of staff. Among his books is Alternative North Americas: What Canada and the United States Can Learn from Each Other. Views expressed in this article are the opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times. FILE PHOTO: Silhouettes of laptop and mobile device users are seen next to a screen projection of Google logo in this picture illustration taken March 28, 2018. (REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/Illustration) Google Gives Publishers Controls to Comply With EU Privacy Law: Axios Alphabet Incs Google has sent online publishers an update to its ad-serving platform, which allows them to select advertising tech vendors that comply with new European data privacy laws, news website Axios reported on Tuesday. Google is the top vendor of the software that many newspapers and digital media firms use to sell ads on their platforms. The controls that Google gave publishers are meant to make it easier for them to become compliant with the European Unions General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), which comes into effect May 25, Axios said. Google will give publishers two options for selecting GDPR-compliant ad tech vendors moving forward, including publishers choosing their own providers and a list of around 200 providers that contribute most of the publishers revenues, Axios said. Four major publisher trade groups had told Google late last month it was forcing media firms that generate revenue from its advertising services to accept unreasonable responsibilities under the GDPR, according to a letter seen by Reuters. The trade groups represent about 4,000 newspapers and media companies, primarily in Europe and North America, including Axel Springer, Telegraph Media Group and the New York Times Co. The dispute reflects differing interpretations of the GDPR, which imposes a range of new requirements on how companies collect and process personal information about EU users. Google did not immediately respond to a request for comment. President Donald Trump visits the Western Wall, the holiest site where Jews can pray, in Jerusalem's Old City on May 22, 2017. (MANDEL NGAN/AFP/Getty Images) Jerusalem to Name City Square in Trumps Honor The mayor of Jerusalem announced on May 8, that he intends to name a public square near the soon-to-be-opened American Embassy in honor of President Donald Trump, according to the Jerusalem Press Office. Though many U.S. presidents promised to move the American Embassy to Jerusalem, Trump was the first to keep his word. The embassy is scheduled to open on May 14. Jerusalem plans to host an official event to celebrate the naming of the public square with American dignitaries. The site is located at the intersection of David Flusser Street and Kfar Etzion Street. The citys naming committee greenlighted a new name for the square last year. This is the way in which Jerusalem returns love to the president and residents of the United States who stand by the state of Israel, Mayor Nir Barkat said in a statement. President Trump decided to recognize Jerusalem as the capital of the Jewish people, stand on the side of historical truth, and do the right thing. On May 8, Trump sided with Israel instead of his European allies and withdrew from the Iran nuclear deal. Last week, Israel released voluminous evidence that Iran violated the deal. Jerusalem and Washington consider the Iranian regime the biggest obstacle to achieving lasting peace in the Middle East and defeating radical Islamic terrorism around the world. Jerusalem returns the love to Trump, Barkat wrote on Facebook on May 8. We have decided that the square adjacent to the embassy in the capital will be called United States Squarein honor of President Trump. The square is set to be officially unveiled after the embassy is opened, according to The Times of Israel. On May 7, the White House announced the official delegation traveling to Jerusalem for the opening ceremony of the embassy. This is the way in which Jerusalem returns love to the president and residents of the United States. Nir Barkat, mayor, Jerusalem The team will be led by Deputy Secretary of State John Sullivan and includes Ivanka Trump and her husband, Jared Kushner. U.S. Ambassador to Israel David Friedman, Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin, and Assistant to the President Jason D. Greenblatt will also attend. The future home of the embassy is currently a consular building and is being retrofitted, according to The Guardian. Signs pointing to the embassy have already been installed in the vicinity. The embassy also changed its Twitter handle to @usembassyjlm. Israel cheered when Trump announced his intention to move the embassy to Jerusalem. Israel considers the city its capital, yet countries all over the world choose to locate their embassies elsewhere to assuage Palestinians, who believe East Jerusalem can become the capital of their future state. Trump became the first leader to announce the relocation of an embassy to Jerusalem. Since Trumps announcement, at least 10 other countries announced their intention to move embassies to Jerusalem, according to The Times of Israel. Recommended Video: President Trump Says Change Must Come From Within For Peace In Middle East Londons Spate of Violence Continues Over Holiday Weekend Found slumped on the sidewalk by police, a 17-year-old boy became Londons latest homicide victim as a surge in violence continued into the bank holiday weekend. London police are already investigating over 60 murders this year. In February and March, more homicides were recorded by police in London than in New York for the first time in modern history. Rhyhiem Barton, described as bubbly by his best friend, was killed in a drive-by shooting in broad daylight near his home in south London on May 5. He was pronounced dead on the sidewalk about an hour later. But it is knives, rather than guns, that have recently pushed up Londons homicide and violent crime rates. Knife crime has soared by almost a quarter over the year ending March 2018 to 14,680 offences, while gun crime dropped 4.6 percent to 2,435 offences, according to the Metropolitan Police, which covers an area of 8.6 million people. The latest statistics from the countrys biggest police force reveal that homicides surged by 44 percent in the year ending March 2018. Gangs account for about half of the crimes that involve lethal gunfire, according to the Police and Crime committee. Bartons mother, Pretana Barton, blamed the fatal shooting on a gang who had previously stabbed him, and had threatened to kill him last May. She insisted that her son, a talented rapper, was not involved with gangs. He was just trying to focus and trying to be an architect, he was not a bad child, she said. His death comes less than a week after a 38-year-old man was fatally shot in northwest London. There were ten recorded injuries by violence in the capital over the British bank holiday weekend, in seven separate incidents according to the Metropolitan Police. Three people were injured by knives, four were injured by gunshots, and three were attacked by a poisonous substance. Seven of the victims were under the age of 25. A culture of blame Ex-gang member Sheldon Thomas said that gang violence is a societal problem that cannot be solved with intervention. All these community groups, poor whites, poor blacks, are all blaming everyone, because they dont want to take a look at themselves, said Thomas, who is founder of the non-profit organisation Gangsline that helps and supports young people involved in gang culture. You cant blame police, you cant blame the governmentIf youve got no control over your child, then dont be surprised if something happens to them, he said. To fill the void in their family life, he said many young children turn to YouTube and Instagram. Were in a period of time where its cool to be a gangster, its cool to think youre black when youre white, its cool to act a certain way because youre rebelling against society. Its cool to degrade women and call them [expletive] at home, its cool to do it. Its being promoted on YouTube, Thomas said. He highlights certain music like trap and drill, rap music on YouTube with ultra-violent lyrics, saying they are the driving force behind violence on Britains streets. They get bigger hits than Jay-Z and Eminem put togetherthese are gang members, he said. For someone to own a gun in the UK, they must have a firearms certificate, and have a good reason to own the gun. Organisations such as target shooting clubs, museums and firearms dealers have to apply for a licence if they want to use or have a gun. In the UK it is not allowed to carry around a gun or a knife for the reason of self-protection. The UK outlawed almost all privately-owned handguns in February 1997, following a mass shooting in a school in Scotland. The tough laws make it difficult to own a gun. The most recent data from England and Wales shows that there are 153,404 firearm certificates that cover 539,194 firearms and there are 561,413 people certified to hold a shotgun, and they own 1,331,563 shotguns, out of a population of about 58 million. Recommended Video: Knife Crime Rises by 22 Percent in England and Wales French President Emmanuel Macron is welcomed with a standing ovation during a joint meeting of the U.S. Congress in the House Chamber with U.S. Vice President Mike Pence and Speaker of the House Paul Ryan (R-WI) at the U.S. Capitol April 25, 2018 in Washington, DC. (Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images) Macron Gains Stature With Visit to Washington During his recent visit to Washington, President Emmanuel Macron of France impressed Democrats and a number of Republicans in his address to a joint session of Congress. In an elegant speech, he urged his hosts to fight against the forces of isolationism, withdrawal, and nationalism, and to stand up for the international order America itself has in large measure constructed. He wants President Trump to re-think Iran, pulling out of the Paris climate accord, and globalism. Trumps friendship with Macron has allowed the latter to claim France as the bridge between Europe and the United States. The issues at the top of Macrons agenda involved attempting to persuade Trump to change his mind on three decisions: to withdraw from Syria, impose steel tariffs on foreign producers, including the EU, andmost significantlyto abrogate the 2015 Iran nuclear deal. On Syria, Macron cautioned that pulling American forces out would create a power vacuum in which Iran, Russia, and terrorist groups would thrive. He likened the threat to impose tariffs on European steel (25 percent) and aluminum (10 percent) to negotiating with a gun to our heads, and urged Trump to rethink his proposal. On Iran, however, Macron was stymied. He and Trump discussed at length the fate of the 2015 nuclear deal, the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA). Macron favors a rebranding of previous European assurances that they would be tougher on Irans missiles and destructive regional role and would work to make nuclear restrictions on Iran more permanentif Trump will continue to abide by the JCPOA. He addressed Trumps concerns, including the facts that some of the limitations the JCPOA put on Irans nuclear activities expire by 2025, and that it does not address ballistic missile development and Irans role in conflicts in Syria, Iraq, and Yemen. Macrons gambit was based on the hope that the new deal would provide a face-saving means for Trump to stick to the old deal. However, it may now be necessary to negotiate an additional, new deal with Iranand the United States would like it to be even more formal, possibly a legally-binding treaty. Macrons approach would keep the nuclear pact, but would also address Irans long-term nuclear work, its regional military activity in Syria and Yemen, and its ballistic missile program, which Tehran claims is for defensive measures. What isnt known yet is whether the Iranians or other signatories to the original agreementthe UK, Germany and the EUwill agree to the new proposal. Pressure has been building because the next Congress-imposed deadline is May 12. Under U.S. law, the President has to recertify the agreement every few months. In sharp contrast to Macrons diplomatic efforts, Israels Benjamin Netanyahu, an arch-opponent of the nuclear deal, is urging the Trump administration to cancel it, accusing Iran of lying to the world about its nuclear weapons program both before and since the 2015 deal. It now appears unlikely that Trump will waive U.S. sanctions against Iran. If he doesnt, the United States will be in violation of the deal, potentially allowing Iran to slip out of its restraints. Europeans fear that if Trump scraps the agreement, Iran will restart its nuclear program in earnest and the United States or Israelwithout sanctions or allies to contain Iranmight strike Iran militarily. Should Trump decide to opt out of the nuclear deal, Macron is wisely positioning himself as an honest broker for the aftermath. He has proposed setting up a framework under which they could discuss the JCPOA with Iran, along with three other issues Trump has taken issue with: the missiles, the sunset agreements, and Tehrans regional activities. Macrons trip to Washington yielded some political benefits. The French ambassador to Washington, Gerard Araud, later said, the bilateral talks at the [White House] were substantial and consequential. However, Macrons high-profile international diplomacy was challenged at home. The recent May Day protest is the latest in a series of large demonstrations against his sweeping overhauls of everything from the education system to the state rail operator. His speech to the U.S. Congress on April 25 eloquently presented the case for the international liberal order. Macrons goal from the outset has been to assert France as a leader on global issues such as climate change, European unity, and resistance to right-wing nationalism and authoritarianism. As a consummate globalist, he has forged good relations and bonhomie with leaders holding opposing views. The United States and France, Macron said, are the guarantors of contemporary multilateralism. The French newspaper Le Figaro was correct in lauding Macron for reinforcing his standing on the international scene while in Washington. 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 (Latin America and Africa) 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. President Donald Trump signs an Executive Order entitled Establishment of a White House Faith and Opportunity Initiative at the National Day of Prayer in the Rose Garden of the White House in Washington on May 3, 2018. (Samira Bouaou/The Epoch Times) Trump Signs Order to Protect Religious Freedom From Government Overreach President Donald Trump has signed an executive order meant to give faith groups a voice in Washington and protect religious organizations from government overreach. The president signed the document on May 3, which he earlier proclaimed National Prayer Day. The order establishes the White House Faith and Opportunity Initiative, which is tasked with advising the president on how policies impact faith groups and serves as a watchdog to protect religious organizations from government outreach. The faith initiative will help design new policies that recognize the vital role of faith in our families, our communities, and our great country, Trump said. We take this step because we know that, in solving the many, many problems and our great challenges, faith is more powerful than government, and nothing is more powerful than God. Since assuming office in 2017, Trump has taken a series of steps to protect religious liberty. On May 4 , 2017, he signed an order directing the IRS to relax its enforcement of the Johnson Amendment, which prohibited religious organizations from engaging in political speech and activities, with the threat of revoking their tax-exempt status. In October last year, the Justice Department introduced 20 principles of religious liberty to the departments litigation strategy meant to protect religious freedom. In January, the department updated its manual to raise the profile of religious liberty cases and create a point of contact for the issue at each U.S. attorneys office. In January, the Department of Health and Human Services created its Conscience and Religious Freedom Division, meant to enforce existing laws protecting Americans right to choose medical care based on their religious beliefs. Our country was founded on prayer, Trump said. Our communities are sustained by prayer. And our nation will be renewed by hard work, a lot of intelligence, and prayer. Trump became the first president to address the annual March for Life on Jan. 19. Though the annual event is not religious, it is often promoted by religious groups, as it raises awareness about the lives of unborn children killed through abortion. The president also reinstated the Mexico City Policy, which prevents $9 billion in taxpayer funds from being used to fund the global abortion industry through foreign aid. Trump also noted that his administration is fighting religious persecution around the world, but did not provide specifics. Whats going on is horrible, Trump said. And were taking action. We are taking action. Recommended Video: Why is Falun Gong persecuted? U.S. President Donald Trump and Chinese leader Xi Jinping about to shake hands at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, China, on November 9, 2017. (Damir Sagolj/File Photo/Reuters) Former Presidential Campaign Adviser Andrew Puzder on the USChina Trade Relationship A delegation of U.S. senior trade officials visited Beijing on May 3 and 4, hoping to ease trade tensions and negotiate a fairer trade relationship. Reports about the talks indicated that a deal wasnt reached, but there were some concessions. China said it would reconsider duties on U.S. sorghum, increase U.S. imports to lower the trade surplus, and lower tariffs on certain U.S. goods. One of President Donald Trumps former presidential campaign advisers, Andrew Puzder, believes that the United States is in a good negotiating position. In business, you have to pay attention to the customer, he said by email. America is Chinas biggest customer. A lot of the media seems to have concluded that Beijing wont make concessions, but I believe it would be unwise for China to ignore its biggest customer and put at risk a trade relationship that is more important to the Chinese economy than it is to the U.S. economy. Puzder was Trumps first nominee for labor secretary and serves as a policy adviser for America First Policies, a super PAC founded to advocate for Trumps policy agenda. He spoke with The Epoch Times about how the United States can seek to maintain an equitable trade relationship while also holding the Chinese regime accountable for its actions that run counter to free competition. High Tech a Central Issue Intellectual property (IP) theft has been the focus of recent trade tensions, with the Trump administration imposing $50 billion worth of tariffs on Chinese high-tech imports as punitive measures for Chinas aggressive acquisition of U.S. tech companies and policies of forcing U.S. firms in China to transfer technology in exchange for market access. Puzder explained that the administration has turned to tariffs because other remedies, like complaints at the World Trade Organization or diplomatic communications to the Chinese government, have proven ineffective. The administration is also considering placing restrictions on Chinese investments in sensitive U.S. industries. Reuters recently reported that U.S. Treasury officials are discussing with American industry groups a draft of legislation that would increase scrutiny on Chinese deals to acquire sophisticated American technology. In the field of artificial intelligence (AI), the Chinese regime is also investing a great deal of capital in an effort to catch up with American innovations. How can the United States ensure it continues to be a world leader? To lead in AI, we need to do the same things that enabled us to lead in other fields of technology: We need to let capitalism work. Technology is advancing so quickly and is so specialized that only free market entrepreneurs have the necessary motivation to drive technological advances, Puzder said. However, he also said that government has a role. One thing the government can do is fully fund the presidents plan to rebuild the armed forces; the DoD [Department of Defense] is investing heavily in AI, and if past experience with Defense research is any indicator, the private sector spinoffs should be game changers. Ultimately, he believes the United States could continue to be an AI leader as long as there are continued government efforts at stopping IP theft. How to Protect American Innovation What are some ways to protect the U.S. high-tech sector from such theft? The idea of restricting certain visas for Chinese nationals has been raised before, in reaction to the many instances of espionage and IP theft conducted by Chinese nationals who arrived in the United States for research or work purposes. I think we need to be very careful about broadly restricting lawful immigration, but in technology fields where the Chinese government has expressed a clear desire to obtain foreign intellectual property, I think its reasonable to apply extra scrutiny to Chinese nationals, particularly if they dont intend to move permanently to the United States, Puzder said. I think the administration is looking at the principle of reciprocity, in which the Chinese have consistently expressed disregard for international rules by fencing off their markets and discriminating against our companies, we will do the same. I think there is logic in that, because China will start changing its approach if we impose real costs on their actions. Puzder also agreed that academic espionagea topic of a recent Congressional hearingwas an important issue. Its important to prosecute those who violate U.S. export control laws [restrictions on shipping sensitive technologies and goods outside of the United States] to the fullest extent of the law in order to deter violators. He added that there should be measures to ensure Chinese students attending school in the United States are not being monitored by the Chinese regime. Recommended Video: How Doctors in China Turn into Murderers Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer participates at a discussion at the 9th China Business Conference at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce in Washington on May 1, 2018. (Samira Bouaou/The Epoch Times) Trumps Trade Team Faces Its First Critical Challenge in Beijing US trade delegation seeks to resolve IP theft and open up the Chinese market WASHINGTONSpeaking at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce ahead of his participation in the trade delegation to China, U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer said resolving the trade dispute with the Chinese communist regime would be a very challenging task. I am always hoping, but not always hopeful. So it is a big, big challenge, he said on May 1 about the chances of reaching a deal during the meetings in China, starting May 3. Besides Lighthizer, the U.S. delegation to Beijing includes Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin, Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross, White House trade and manufacturing adviser Peter Navarro, and top White House economic adviser Larry Kudlow. Our list of things that are troubling is very long, said Lighthizer. President Donald Trump proposed imposing $50 billion in tariffs on Chinese products on March 22. The administration outlined on April 3 more than 1,300 imported goods that might face 25 percent tariffs. U.S. companies have until May 22 to object to the proposed tariffs. And after that, we legally can put them in place, Lighthizer said. Whether the United States will impose the proposed tariffs or not depends on the outcome of these negotiations, he added. According to Lighthizer, the main focuses for the U.S. delegation during the negotiations will be to resolve the problem of intellectual property theft and to open up the Chinese market to U.S. companies in many areas, including agriculture, manufacturing, and financial services. China has been taking about $300 billion a year of our intellectual property. Thats something we cant live with. Stephen Moore, economist, The Heritage Foundation Trump has recently taken measures to crack down on decadeslong unfair trade practices by China that have cost the U.S. economy hundreds of billions of dollars a year. China has been taking about $300 billion a year of our intellectual property. Thats something we cant live with, Stephen Moore, an economist at The Heritage Foundation and former economic adviser to Trumps 2016 presidential campaign, told NTD, part of the Epoch Media Group. Trump signed a presidential memorandum on March 22 directing the U.S. trade representative (USTR) and the Department of the Treasury to take action based on the findings of the Section 301 investigation launched in August 2017, which determined that the Chinese regime has been unfairly acquiring U.S. intellectual property for years. Trumps punitive measures include restricting Chinese investment in the United States and imposing tariffs on Chinese products. According to a report by the USTR, Beijing is implementing laws, policies, and practices that harm American intellectual property rights, innovation, and technological development. The report focuses on four key practices, including forced technology transfer, forced licensing in a noneconomic way, state capitalism, and cyber theft. It is not my objective to change the Chinese system, said Lighthizer. But I have to be in a position where the United States can deal with it, where the United States is not the victim of it. Through joint venture requirements and investment restrictions, the Chinese regime has been forcing technology and IP transfer from U.S. companies, and these actions have damaged American manufacturing, jobs, and innovation. They have also negatively affected U.S. exports and contributed to the trade deficit with China. Trump also ordered the Treasury secretary to propose an action to stop unfair acquisitions or investments in the United States that are directed by China. Chinese companies that seek to invest in the United States are often believed to be acting at the direction of the regime. It would be madness to let state capitalism come in and buy our technology, said Lighthizer. Foreign companies cannot acquire the crown jewels of Chinese technology, and hence the Chinese should have the same restrictions in the United States, he argued. Previous administrations warned China but turned a blind eye to its unfair trade practices, according to Moore. This is a big moment for the relationship between the two countries, he said. Its not that complicated for China to make some concessions, and I dont think Trump is asking for the world. Recommended Video: Business is War The U.S. and Chinese flags are seen during a promotional event in Beijing on June 30, 2017. (Fred Dufour/AFP/Getty Images) New Report: US Most Powerful in Asia but Faces Challenges From China Among the major players in the Asian region, the United States is currently the top-ranking nation, but it will face more challenges as Chinas influence grows, according to a new report. The Lowy Institute, a think tank based in Australia, on May 8 launched its first edition of the Asia Power Index, measuring 25 countries and territories on eight indicators of power: economic resources; military capability; resilience, the ability to deter real or potential threats to state stability; future trends in economic, military, and demographic resources through 2030; diplomatic influence; economic relationships; defense networks, the ability to ally with other countries to enhance military capability; and cultural influence. The United States ranked first in most of the categories but fell behind China in diplomatic influence, economic relationships, and future trends. Economic Influence Herve Lemahieu, a Lowy Institute research fellow and director of the Asia Power Index Project, explained that Chinas use of economic diplomacy to buy influence has proven successful in the region. In particular, Chinas One Belt, One Road (or Belt and Road) initiative, whereby the Chinese regime has actively partnered and invested in infrastructure projects in other countries, has leveraged Chinas position as a key lender and source of foreign assistance in Asia. The initiative comes with risks for partner countries. A recent report concluded that many countries could go bankrupt as a result of defaulting on loans from China. For those countries, as they become increasingly reliant on China, the costs of pursuing economic policies independent of Beijinga key factor in the resilience indicatorwould grow ever higher. That may deter them from such trade ties with the Chinese regime in the future. The risk goes both ways, Lemahieu said. Beijing is playing a high-stakes game in the region. If countries default on Belt and Road initiatives, that is a danger to Chinas economic stability as well. Meanwhile, the United States has been left out of the equation, partly out of its own doing, Lemahieu said, citing the U.S. withdrawal from the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) trade pact as an example. President Donald Trump said in a recent meeting with state lawmakers that he would reconsider joining the TPP. Ultimately, Lemahieu said, the United States needs a project or sign of leadership just as engaging to the region as Belt and Road, such as directing more foreign investment in Asia and pursuing free trade agreements and other rules-based order initiatives that have proved successful in the past. He also urged the United States to diversify trade ties in Asia, as trade with China makes up 46 percent of the United States trade in the region. Trade with the United States next highest-ranking Asian partner, Japan, makes up just 14 percent, according to the index. Diplomatic Relations Many countries are worried that the United States may retrench from the region; Japan, for instance, relies heavily on its military alliance with the United States for nuclear deterrence, but is concerned about the possibility that following U.S.North Korea denuclearization talks, the country will withdraw its troops from the Korean Peninsula, Lemahieu said. In early May, Trump assured that he would not offer to remove or reduce U.S. troops in future talks with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un. Preparing for the possibility that the United States may not be the foremost power in Asia in the future, Australia, a major U.S. ally, has begun strengthening relations with its Asian-Pacific neighbors such as Singapore, Japan, and Indonesia. Meanwhile, Indias Act East policy, which seeks to work with major players in Asia to create a strategic counterweight to China, has not yielded many results, Lemahieu said. Chinas lucrative economic pull remains the priority for countries in the region. However, Lemahieu said that ultimately, the United States defense alliances in Asia make the country far superior in military capabilitiesa major problem for China. China has only oneoften unreliabledefense ally, North Korea, as very few Asian countries have chosen to align themselves with Chinas security policies, largely due to Chinas aggressive positions in geographical disputes. China is still quite hemmed in by tense relations with neighbors, Lemahieu said. Other Categories In terms of cultural influence, the United States also pulls far ahead. It is the preferred destination for university students in Asia, drawing about half a million students every year. And while China has invested heavily in its state-run medias overseas presence, American media remain far more influential. It matters in shaping public opinion, Lemahieu said. In order for the United States to continue leading the global economy, Lemahieu said the country should continue investing in tech research and development (R&D) so it can maintain its tech edge. Thats what the United States needs to compete, he said. The Chinese regime has been ambitious in its attempts to catch up with the United States, employing 1.6 million researchers in tech R&D, according to the index. People walk through the New York Port Authority Bus Terminal on December 11, 2017 in New York City. ( Drew Angerer/Getty Images) Port Authority Police Superintendent Retires Amid Probe By Ian Simpson The head of the police force for New Yorks airports and bridges authority retired on Monday amid reports that a police escort for conservative radio host Rush Limbaugh had triggered an internal investigation. Michael Fedorko, who had been superintendent of the 1,700-strong Port Authority Police Department since 2009, retired effective immediately, the agency said in a statement. It gave no reason why Fedorko, 73, was leaving the job. Limbaugh said last month on his radio show that he had received a special rush-hour police escort from Newark Liberty International Airport to a Marine Corps Law Enforcement Foundation gala in New York where Limbaugh was to speak. So they sent the superintendent of the Port Authority to Newark to meet me for lights and sirens into Manhattan to make sure I got there in time, Limbaugh said on his show. The New York Daily News and CNBC reported that the Port Authority was carrying out an internal investigation of Limbaughs claims. Port Authority big retires soon after Rush Limbaughs police escort claim https://t.co/PuMvFR2hoo pic.twitter.com/UHQvLTcIeM New York Post (@nypost) May 7, 2018 Fedorko could not immediately be reached through the Port Authority, and an agency spokesman was not available to comment on whether an internal investigation was underway. The Marine Corps Law Enforcement Foundations website lists Fedorko, a former Marine, as a vice president. The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey runs the regions major airports, the tunnels and bridges to New York and its seaport. Deputy Superintendent Edward Cetnar will replace Fedorko as acting superintendent, the port authority statement said. The facade of Peking University Gymnasium in Beijing on May 8, 2008. (LIU JIN/AFP/Getty Images) President of Chinas Top University Makes Mistakes in Anniversary Speech, Reveals Limited Education Due to Cultural Revolution A video clip has recently gone viral in China: in a speech given by Lin Jianhua, president of Peking University, at the prestigious schools 120th birthday celebration, Lin was visibly struggling to read a couple of common Chinese idioms. Ironically, the president later explained that he did not receive a basic education due to the Cultural Revolution. Peking Universitys 120th anniversary occurred on May 4. More than 10 high-level Communist Party officials, in addition to presidents from 116 well-known universities in 44 countries and 130 universities in China attended the celebration held at the universitys gymnasium. When Lin Jianhua read his prepared speech, he made a couple of pronunciation mistakes for common Chinese characters. When he encouraged students to aspire to great heights, he mispronounced one of the characters in the idiom. For a common phrase meaning numerous, he pronounced it as jingjing instead of shenshen. The internet censors soon deleted the video clip of Lins speech, while state-run media broadcasted an edited version without the mistakes, Taiwan newspaper Liberty Times reported on May 5. As Lin had been the president of three top universities in China, Chongqing University (2010), Zhejiang University (2013), and Peking University (2015), his pronunciation mistakes drew shockand a lot of sarcastic comments from netizens. One netizen commented: Those words are from middle school textbooks. Its funny that the president of the prestigious Peking University doesnt know them. Another said, When the level of the Peking University president is like this, one can imagine what Peking University has become now. The following day, the president published an open letter to Peking University students on the schools internal messaging system. He apologized for the incident and explained why he didnt know how to read the characters: Lin said he received a limited education after the fifth grade because of the Cultural Revolution. The political movement initiated by then-Party leader Mao Zedong sought to eliminate bourgeois elements from society. Schools and universities were considered havens for intellectuals, and were thus shut down for a number of years during the 1960s. Lin described his limited education during those years. I was in the fifth grade when the Cultural Revolution began. We didnt have textbooks for many years. Our teachers only asked us to memorize Quotations from Chairman Mao Zedong and Lao San Pian [short essays written by Mao before the Communist Party took over China]. I could only learn modern Chinese history through reading selected works by Mao and its annotations, the president added. Over time, public confidence in Chinas elite schools has fallen. According to a survey conducted by BlogChina.com in 2005 on the public perception of university presidents in China, 69.87 percent of respondents believed that the overall image of current university presidents was closer to Chinese Communist officials. Only 6.54 percent felt they played the role of educators, while 9.98 percent considered them as scholars. Recommended Video: How Doctors in China Turn into Murderers Trump Predicted Schneidermans Downfall in 2013 Tweet President Donald Trump predicted the stunning downfall of New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman in a Twitter message in 2013. Schneiderman resigned on Monday hours after The New Yorker published a bombshell story where four women allege that the states top lawyer physically abused them often after consuming large amounts of alcohol. Weiner is gone, Spitzer is gone next will be lightweight A.G. Eric Schneiderman, Trump wrote on September 11, 2013. Is he a crook? Wait and see, worse than Spitzer or Weiner. Weiner is gone, Spitzer is gone next will be lightweight A.G. Eric Schneiderman. Is he a crook? Wait and see, worse than Spitzer or Weiner Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) September 11, 2013 Eliot Spitzer was New Yorks attorney general in 2008 when a report surfaced that he arranged a tryst with a prostitute. Anthony Weiner represented New York in the U.S. House of Representatives for more than a decade before he was caught sending a lewd photo to a woman on Twitter. He resigned shortly after and has since been sentenced to prison over a separate incident where he sent an obscene photo to a 15-year-old girl. Prior to his downfall, Schneiderman led an unprecedented resistance effort by state attorneys general against Trump. By December 2017, he had filed 100 administrative and legal actions against the presidents policies, according to The New York Times. Governor Andrew Cuomo had called for Schneidermans resignation within hours of the New Yorker articles publication, and only slightly more than an hour later, Schneiderman, a Democrat who was running for re-election, said he was stepping down. In the last several hours, serious allegations, which I strongly contest, have been made against me, Schneiderman said in a statement. While these allegations are unrelated to my professional conduct or the operations of the office, they will effectively prevent me from leading the offices work at this critical time. I therefore resign my office, effective at the close of business on May 8, 2018. Cuomo, in his statement calling for Schneidermans resignation, referred to the damning pattern of facts and corroboration laid out in the article, and said he did not believe it was possible for Schneiderman to continue to serve as attorney general. The New Yorker reported that two of the women who spoke to the magazine alleged that he repeatedly hit them, often after drinking, frequently in bed and never with their consent. The two women who were named in the article both called the abuse by Schneiderman assault, the magazine reported. In the privacy of intimate relationships, I have engaged in role-playing and other consensual sexual activity, Schneiderman said in a statement issued by Stu Loeser & Co. before he announced his resignation. I have not assaulted anyone. I have never engaged in non-consensual sex, which is a line I would not cross. A spokesman for Manhattan District Attorney Cyrus Vance said the office is opening an investigation. New York states constitution calls for the legislature to fill a vacancy in the office of the attorney general. But with the office up for election in November, any candidate chosen would serve only for a matter of months. The primary election is scheduled for September, followed by the November general election. Reuters contributed to this report. Recommended Video: President Trumps Weekly Address on April 27, 2018 L: President Donald Trump in the Rose Garden of the White House in Washington, D.C., on Nov. 2, 2017. (Samira Bouaou/ The Epoch Times); R: Former U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry at Chatham House in London, England, on Nov. 6, 2017. (Dan Kitwood/Getty Images) Trump Scorns Ex-State Secretary John Kerrys Shadow Diplomacy With Iran President Donald Trump doubled down on his criticism of attempts of former State Secretary John Kerry to prop up the Iran deal through quiet but incessant contacts with foreign dignitaries, including Irans, as revealed in a Boston Globe report on Friday, May 4. John Kerry cant get over the fact that he had his chance and blew it! Trump said on Twitter on Tuesday morning. Stay away from negotiations John, you are hurting your country! John Kerry cant get over the fact that he had his chance and blew it! Stay away from negotiations John, you are hurting your country! Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) May 8, 2018 Kerry met twice over the past two months with Iranian Foreign Minister Javad Zarif. He has also met with German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier, top European Union official Federica Mogherini, and French President Emmanuel Macron. His aim was to try to apply pressure on the Trump administration from the outside, stated the report, citing an anonymous source. Serving under then-President Barack Obama, Kerry led the negotiations of the deal, which enshrines cessation of many sanctions against Iran in exchange for its postponing its nuclear program for 10-15 years and giving up most of its enriched uranium. Iran has insisted its nuclear program was not for weapons, but on April 30, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu presented what he said were Iranian documents, obtained in a daring Israeli intelligence operation, that prove Iran had been developing nuclear weapons before the 2015 deal it signed with the United States, China, France, Russia, United Kingdom, Germany, and the European Union. The documents obtained by Israel from inside of Iran show beyond any doubt that the Iranian regime was not telling the truth, said U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo. The documents show that Iran had a secret nuclear weapons program for years. Trump has severely criticized the deal, since long before his presidential campaign, but so far has abided by it. This week, he faces a deadline to decide whether, for the next three months, the United States will continue to abide and waive key sanctions on Iran. As the presidents May 12 deadline to fix the Iran deal approaches, I will be consulting with our European allies and other nations on the best way forward in light of what we now know about Irans past pursuit of nuclear weapons and its systematic deception of the world, Pompeo said. Yet while Pompeo has been consulting in his official capacity as secretary of state, Kerry has been doing his own consulting, much to the chagrin of Trump. The United States does not need John Kerrys possibly illegal Shadow Diplomacy on the very badly negotiated Iran Deal. He was the one that created this MESS in the first place! Trump wrote on Twitter on Monday morning. The United States does not need John Kerrys possibly illegal Shadow Diplomacy on the very badly negotiated Iran Deal. He was the one that created this MESS in the first place! Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) May 7, 2018 In another tweet that day, he said he will announce his decision regarding the deal on Tuesday at 2 p.m. I will be announcing my decision on the Iran Deal tomorrow from the White House at 2:00pm. Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) May 7, 2018 The Iran deal was promoted by Obama as the best optionthe only way, even temporarily, to keep Iran from wielding nuclear arms. Beyond that, Obama painted a picture of an Iran rejoining the community of nations upon being granted sanctions relief. Yet Iran has been reported to have gone in the opposite direction. Last year, Irans Islamic regime announced a 150 percent increase in its military budgetdeveloping long-range missiles, armed drones, and cyber-war capabilitieswhile putting to use some of the up to $150 billion in assets abroad that had previously been frozen due to sanctions. The United States lists Iran as a state sponsor of terrorism and has long criticized it for funding terror groups like Hamas, Hezbollah, and the Houthis, whose chants of death to Israel are now also accompanied by vows of death to America, wrote ArabIsraeli conflict analyst Alan Dershowitz in an October op-ed. The Trump administration previously stated that it doesnt want to necessarily scrap the Iran deal, but it does want to toughen it to include, among other things, the ceasing of Irans ballistic missile program. That echoes the bipartisan criticismthat the Obama-era deal requires too little from Iran in exchange for too much from the international community. Even for those who support the [Iran deal] in principle, President Obama and Secretary of State John Kerrys serial concessions and excuse-making for the sake of preserving the deal have been troubling, wrote Washington Post journalist Jennifer Rubin in a January 2017 op-ed shortly before Trump took over the presidency. While the deal was still being negotiated, the Obama administration derailed a law enforcement campaign against Hezbollahs massive international drug trafficking operation, even as it was funneling cocaine into the United States, according to a lengthy Politico investigative report. When Iran followed the deal with a slew of missile tests, the Obama administration stated the tests didnt violate the deal. Instead, it placed sanctions on 11 individuals and entities connected to the missile program. Iran still runs a plant that produces heavy water, a critical component in the production of nuclear weapons-grade plutonium. While the deal only allows Iran to keep a small batch of enriched uranium, it does permit the country to keep 130 tons of heavy waterplenty to make a heavy water reactor for turning natural non-enriched uranium into plutonium. As part of the deal, Iran traded with Russia some 9 tons of its enriched uranium for 154 tons of non-enriched uranium. Just before Obama left office, Iran was to receive another 130 tons of non-enriched uranium from Russia in exchange for 44 tons of heavy water that, if kept, would have made Iran in breach of the deal. The move was approved by the outgoing U.S. administration and other governments seeking to keep Tehran committed to [the nuclear deal], The Associated Press learned, referring to two diplomats requesting anonymity. The Obama administrations press secretary at the time, Josh Earnest, said such arrangements were subject to the careful monitoring and inspections that are included in the deal. But the documents revealed by Netanyahu give ammunition to critics of the deal, who argue that given Iran lied to cover up its nuclear program that existed long before the deal, it can still find ways to lie about it now. Epoch Times reporter Ivan Pentchoukov and Reuters contributed to this report. Recommended Video: President Trump Says Change Must Come From Within For Peace In Middle East President Donald Trump criticizes the $1.3 trillion spending bill passed by Congress, with Vice President Mike Pence (2nd-L), Defense Secretary Jim Mattis, (L), and Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross (R) in the Diplomatic Room of the White House on March 23, 2018 in Washington, DC.. before he reluctantly signed it. A message Trump will send to Congress on May 8 requesting rescissions from the federal budget will give him a means to begin reducing federal spending (Mark Wilson/Getty Images) Trump Seeks to Claw Back $15 Billion in Useless Spending A longtime critic of wasteful federal spending, President Donald Trump on May 8 sent a message to Congress that he will seek to do something about it with a historically large rescission proposal. The message will be under the auspices of the Congressional Budget and Impoundment Control Act of 1974, which provides for a process for a president to request that Congress remove the authority for previously granted funding for specific programs. Such a denial of funding is called a rescission. According to a senior administration official, presidents from Gerald Ford on, with the exceptions of George W. Bush and Barack Obama, have used rescissions to reduce federal spending. The $15 billion to be proposed by Trump is the largest single rescission request made by any president. The official said this is the first of several such requests, and it has been tailored to attract the greatest possible congressional support. The official quoted minority whip Steny Hoyer (D-Md.) as saying: I wouldnt irrationally oppose a rescission which said weve had money laying in an account that has not been spent for one, two, or three years. It shouldnt have it just sitting in that account. In line with Hoyers comment, the administrations focus in this proposal is on unobligated balances. In laymans terms, they are proposing to clean up funding that no longer has any purpose or legal authority. For instance, $4.3 billion is budgeted for the Advanced Technology Vehicles Manufacturing Loan Program, which has not made a loan since 2011, while $800 million is budgeted for the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation. The official said the center will not be able to spend the money before 2020, when it will receive another $10 billion under the terms of Obamacare. The $15 billion to be proposed by Trump is the largest single rescission request made by any president. The legal authority for one program with money on the books expired in 2012. Another was funded to address disease outbreaks that have since been resolved. And money budgeted for the Hurricane Sandy emergency watershed program has not been spent because local governments have not been able to provide matching funds. All of these are on the chopping block. One of the most eye-catching proposals is to rescind $7 billion from the Childrens Health Insurance Program. The official said the legal authority for $5 billion had lapsed, while the other $2 billion was for a contingency program for states that, the official said, no state would qualify for. Once Trumps message is transmitted to Congress, a 45-day period begins in which the accounts named are frozen. Those 45 days give Congress a chance to act. A bill is introduced that can be passed by a simple majority. No filibuster in the Senate is allowed. Congress can remove items from the presidents request, but cant add items to it. If Congress does not pass a bill, the presidents request is void. The official said House members are enthusiastic about the presidents proposal, and the administration has ongoing discussions with Senate leadership. While removing such budgetary deadwood as addressed in this proposal would seem to be completely uncontroversial, such unobligated balances have their purposes in the complexities of Congressional budgeting. They can be used as pay fors for more spending. By cutting this useless spending, one can raise new spending a corresponding amount, without the budget on paper increasing. And so profligate spenders may not line up to support this rescission request. The official emphasized that the administration wanted with the current proposal to get the process of rescission back in the muscle memory of official Washington, so that future efforts will become more routine. Other rescission proposals will be introduced once this one is resolved. At least one will look to rescind spending from the just passed omnibus spending bill, the likes of which Trump said he would never again sign, so out of control was its spending. Another proposal will likely address $178 billion in duplicative spending identified in the Government Accountability Office. President Donald Trump signs a document reinstating sanctions against Iran after announcing the US withdrawal from the Iran Nuclear deal, in the Diplomatic Reception Room at the White House in Washington, on May 8, 2018. (Saul Loeb/AFP/Getty Images) Trump Withdraws From Iran Deal, Orders Reimposing Highest Level Sanctions President Donald Trump announced hes withdrawing the United States from the Iran nuclear deal and signed an Executive Order to reimpose tight sanctions on Iran previously lifted as a part of the deal. We will be instituting the highest level of economic sanction, Trump said during the announcement at the White House on Tuesday, May 8. America will not be held hostage to nuclear blackmail. The deal was negotiated by the Obama administration and enshrined cessation of many sanctions against Iran in exchange for its postponing its nuclear program for 10-15 years and giving up most of its enriched uranium. Iran has insisted its nuclear program was not for weapons, but on April 30, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu presented what he said were Iranian documents, obtained in a daring Israeli intelligence operation, that prove Iran had been developing nuclear weapons before the 2015 deal it signed with the United States, China, France, Russia, United Kingdom, Germany, and the European Union. The documents obtained by Israel from inside of Iran show beyond any doubt that the Iranian regime was not telling the truth, said U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo. The documents show that Iran had a secret nuclear weapons program for years. Trump has severely criticized the deal, since long before his presidential campaign. On Tuesday he called it horrible, one-sided deal that should have never been made. It didnt bring calm, it didnt bring peace, and it never ever will, he said. The Iran deal was promoted by then President Barack Obama as the best optionthe only way, even temporarily, to keep Iran from wielding nuclear arms. Beyond that, Obama painted a picture of an Iran rejoining the community of nations upon being granted sanctions relief. Yet Iran has been reported to have gone in the opposite direction. Last year, Irans Islamic regime announced a 150 percent increase in its military budgetdeveloping long-range missiles, armed drones, and cyber-war capabilitieswhile putting to use some of the up to $150 billion in assets abroad that had previously been frozen due to sanctions. The United States lists Iran as a state sponsor of terrorism and has long criticized it for funding terror groups like Hamas, Hezbollah, and the Houthis, whose chants of death to Israel are now also accompanied by vows of death to America, wrote ArabIsraeli conflict analyst Alan Dershowitz in an October op-ed. The Iran deal was put in place without Congress approval and the legislators passed a law that forces the President to evaluate its necessity and renew it every three months. Trump has warned that hed scrap the deal if it cant be renegotiated to include the ceasing of Irans ballistic missile program and other demand. On Tuesday, he did just that. The United States no longer makes empty threats, he said. Iran has warned it could quickly start enriching uranium again if the deal ends, but Trump vowed to prevent Iran from achieving a nuclear weapon. Achieving such a weapon would only endanger the survival of the Iranian regime itself, Trump said. He predicted Iran will respond to his withdrawal from the deal by a loud refusal to negotiate a new one, but also said the regime will want to make a deal eventually. When they do, I am ready, willing, and able, he said. The Trump administration stated in a Tuesday release that the re-imposed sanctions will target critical sectors of Irans economy, such as energy, petrochemical, and financial sectors. Those doing business in Iran will be provided a period of time to allow them to wind down operations in or business involving Iran, the release states. Those who fail to wind down such activities with Iran by the end of the period will risk severe consequences. Since its planning stages, the Iran deal faced bipartisan criticismthat it requires too little from Iran in exchange for too much from the international community. Even for those who support the [Iran deal] in principle, President Obama and Secretary of State John Kerrys serial concessions and excuse-making for the sake of preserving the deal have been troubling, wrote Washington Post journalist Jennifer Rubin in a January 2017 op-ed shortly before Trump took over the presidency. While the deal was still being negotiated, the Obama administration derailed a law enforcement campaign against Hezbollahs massive international drug trafficking operation, even as it was funneling cocaine into the United States, according to a lengthy Politico investigative report. When Iran followed the deal with a slew of missile tests, the Obama administration stated the tests didnt violate the deal. Instead, it placed sanctions on 11 individuals and entities connected to the missile program. Iran still runs a plant that produces heavy water, a critical component in the production of nuclear weapons-grade plutonium. While the deal only allows Iran to keep a small batch of enriched uranium, it does permit the country to keep 130 tons of heavy waterplenty to make a heavy water reactor for turning natural non-enriched uranium into plutonium. As part of the deal, Iran traded with Russia some 9 tons of its enriched uranium for 154 tons of non-enriched uranium. Just before Obama left office, Iran was to receive another 130 tons of non-enriched uranium from Russia in exchange for 44 tons of heavy water that, if kept, would have made Iran in breach of the deal. The move was approved by the outgoing U.S. administration and other governments seeking to keep Tehran committed to [the nuclear deal], The Associated Press learned, referring to two diplomats requesting anonymity. The Obama administrations press secretary at the time, Josh Earnest, said such arrangements were subject to the careful monitoring and inspections that are included in the deal. But the documents revealed by Netanyahu give ammunition to critics of the deal, who argue that given Iran lied to cover up its nuclear program that existed long before the deal, it can still find ways to lie about it now. Ivan Pentchoukov and Reuters contributed to this report. Recommended Video: Leaders of Two Koreas Shake Hands Before Historic Summit Road signs marking the U.S. Embassy in Jerusalem are starting to be put up ahead of next week's opening of the disputed embassy. (Reuters/Screenshot) US Embassy Road Signs Go up in Jerusalem U.S. Embassy road signs went up in Jerusalem on Monday, May 7, ahead of next weeks opening of the mission, in accordance with President Donald Trumps recognition of the city as Israels capital. Workmen installed the black-and-white signs in English, Hebrew, and Arabic, along roads leading to a U.S. consulate building in south Jerusalem that will be remodeled as the embassy when it is formally relocated from Tel Aviv on May 14. This is not a dream. It is reality. I am proud and moved to have hung this morning the first new signs that were prepared for the U.S. Embassy, Jerusalem Mayor Nir Barkat wrote on Twitter. Trump announced the move in December, saying he was making good on U.S. legislation and presidential pledges, dating back decades, to back Israels designation of Jerusalem as its capital. Trump said his administration has a peace proposal in the works, and recognizing Jerusalem as the capital of Americas closest ally had taken Jerusalem, the toughest part of the negotiation, off the table. There has long been pressure from pro-Israel politicians in Washington to move the embassy to Jerusalem, and Trump made it a signature promise of his 2016 election campaign. The decision was popular with many conservative and evangelical Christians who voted for Trump and Vice President Mike Pence, many of whom support political recognition of Israels claim to the city. Trump acted under a 1995 law that requires the United States to move its embassy to Jerusalem, but to which other presidents since thenBill Clinton, George W. Bush, and Barack Obamaconsistently signed waivers against. The Trump administration has left the diplomatic door open for a possible Palestinian presence in Jerusalem. Other world powers have not followed Trumps move, sidestepping one of the thorniest disputes between Israel and the Palestinians. Israels prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, celebrated Trumps decision, and Guatemala said it would relocate its embassy to Jerusalem on May 16, two days after the American move. Israel captured East Jerusalem from Jordanian control in the 1967 Middle East war and annexed it in a move not recognized internationally. The last round of peace talks on a Palestinian state in the West Bank and Gaza Strip collapsed in 2014. By recognizing Jerusalem as the capital of Israel and the seat of its government, were recognizing reality, U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said during a visit to Israel last week. I also stress, as President Trump has said in December, the boundaries of Israeli sovereignty in Jerusalem remain subject to negotiations between the parties, and we remain committed to achieving a lasting and comprehensive peace that offers a brighter future for both Israel and the Palestinians. Recommended Video: President Trump Says Change Must Come From Within For Peace In Middle East Ismail Cem Halavurt, lawyer of the jailed pastor Andrew Brunson, talks to media outside the Aliaga Prison and Courthouse complex in Izmir, Turkey May 7, 2018. (REUTERS/Osman Orsal) US Pastor Denies Terrorism Charges in Turkish Court ANKARAA U.S. pastor denied terrorism and spying charges in a Turkish court on Monday and called them shameful and disgusting, in a prosecution that has been condemned by U.S. President Donald Trump. Andrew Brunson, who could be jailed for up to 35 years, denied links to a network led by U.S.-based Muslim preacher Fethullah Gulen, who is accused by Turkey of orchestrating a failed military coup in 2016, and to the outlawed Kurdish PKK militant group. The Christian pastor from North Carolina has lived in Turkey for more than two decades and has been in pre-trial detention since 2016. I am helping Syrian refugees, they say that I am aiding the PKK. I am setting up a church, they say I got help from Gulens network, Brunson said, referring to the testimonies of anonymous witnesses in court. One of the secret witnesses accused Brunson of trying to establish a Christian Kurdish state, and providing coordinates to U.S. forces in the delivery of weapons to the Kurdish YPG militia, active in northern Syria. My service that I have spent my life on, has now turned upside down. I was never ashamed to be a server of Jesus but these claims are shameful and disgusting, Brunson told the court in the Aegean town of Aliaga, north of Izmir. Brunson has been the pastor of Izmir Resurrection Church, serving a small Protestant congregation in Turkeys third largest city. I want to return to my home, Brunson said at the end of the hearing, before the judge ruled that he should be kept in custody, adjourning the case to July 18. TURKEY WANTS GULEN EXTRADITED Brunsons legal case is among several roiling U.S.-Turkish relations, including one in New York against a former executive of Turkish state lender Halkbank. The two countries are also at odds over U.S. support for the Kurdish militia in northern Syria, which Turkey considers a terrorist organization. Erdogan suggested last year Brunsons fate could be linked to that of Gulen, whom Turkey wants extradited. Gulen denies any association with the coup attempt. Tens of thousands of Turks have been arrested or lost their jobs over alleged connections with it. U.S. President Donald Trump tweeted after Brunsons first court appearance last month that the pastor was on trial for no reason. They call him a spy, but I am more a spy than he is. Hopefully he will be allowed to come home to his beautiful family where he belongs! Trump said. Outside the court on Monday, Sandra Jolley, vice chair of the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom, called for the clergymans release. Every day that Andrew Brunson spends here in prison is another day that the standing of the Turkish government diminishes in the eyes of not just the U.S. but the entire world, she told reporters. Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu, who is expected to meet with U.S. counterpart Mike Pompeo in Washington this week or next, said on Saturday any decision was up to the court. They say that the government should release him, he said. Is it in my power? This is a decision the judiciary will make. By Ezgi Erkoyun Recommended Video: People Gather to Protest Real Bodies Exhibition in Sydney Vaccine Mandate Efforts in Europe Get Pushback In Part One, World Mercury Project reported on the European Parliaments March 2018 resolution to promote tight Europe-wide coordination of vaccination policies and go after the so-called phenomenon of vaccine hesitancy. In March and April, The British Medical Journal (BMJ) published short news summaries about the European Parliaments resolve to shore up the European Unions (EUs) fragile vaccination programs. According to the BMJ reporter (Brussels-based journalist Rory Watson), the Parliaments March 2018 resolution represented a blanket denunciation of unreliable, misleading and unscientific information on vaccination. Seven individualsscientists, retired health professionals and journalists from England, Scotland, Wales, South Africa and the U.S.immediately wrote to The BMJ to set the record straight. Is the European Parliament itself guilty of spreading misinformation? The 15 referenced letters suggest that this may be the case, focusing, in particular, on flawed scrutiny of vaccine risks and rampant conflicts of interest. In 15 published letters to the editor now indexed in PubMed, the letter-writers argue that it iswell beyond the brief of the European Union Parliament, or even good sense, to assert that an entire class of products is safe as an absolute truth, and without any qualification. Is the European Parliament itself guilty of spreading misinformation? The 15 referenced letters suggest that this may be the case, focusing, in particular, on flawed scrutiny of vaccine risks and rampant conflicts of interest. Letters on Hidden Vaccine Risks Many of the BMJ-published letters refer to the failure of pre-licensure clinical trials and short-term post-marketing surveillance to detect serious problems with vaccines. To show that the rigorous testing cited by the European Parliament as evidence of vaccine safety is not infallible, a letter-writer cites two examples. First, post-marketing surveillance failed to detect the scale of the problem (an excess risk of aseptic meningitis) associated with the Urabe-strain measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine introduced in the United Kingdom (and other countries) in the 1980s and 1990sand the delay in removing the vaccine from the market caused harm to many. Second, thousands of children and adolescents developed narcolepsy after receiving the Pandemrix swine flu vaccine in 2009-2010; neither the clinical trials nor post-marketing studies in children had identified the safety signal. Other letter-writer comments, If vaccine regulators were serious about safety, the entire vaccine fleet would have been grounded following the Pandemrix narcolepsy disaster, to check for the same mechanism of failure in other vaccines. But nothing of that sort happened. subjects vaccinated with the newly approved SHINGRIX vaccine (versus placebo) disproportionately experienced cardiac serious adverse events (SAEs), but the package insert for the vaccine (dated Oct. 2017) makes no mention of any cardiac risks. The letters authors mince no words when calling out the duplicity of much vaccine safety science. One common tactic involves manipulation of study designs and statistics. For example, small safety studies can be designed such that they are prone to false negatives (meaning that they fail to observe a difference between groups when in truth there is one)this allows vaccine manufacturers to say that any increases in adverse events are not significant. Another way to avoid looking head-on at critical safety issues is to ignore mechanistic evidence in favor of dubious epidemiology, or sideline important research topicssuch as the immunotoxicity of aluminum adjuvants, the prospect of immune overload with increasing numbers of vaccines and antigens or the role of molecular mimicry in vaccine-induced autoimmunity. Yet another letter describes recent shenanigans that had the effect of suppressing relevant safety information. In September 2017, an FDA document indicated that subjects vaccinated with the newly approved SHINGRIX vaccine (versus placebo) disproportionately experienced cardiac serious adverse events (SAEs), but the package insert for the vaccine (dated October 2017) makes no mention of any cardiac risks. The letters author concludes that doctors who administer this vaccine are being kept in the dark about these SAEs, limiting their ability to recognize or report adverse events when they occur. Letters on Conflicts of Interest Several letter-writers to BMJ call attention to the conflicts of interest that prevail among leading vaccine policy-makers in Europe. For example, one writer understatedly asks whether Oxford University professor Andrew Pollard may be in an ambivalent position when it comes to discussing vaccine side effects and risks. Pollard directs the Oxford Vaccine Group and chairs the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI), which advises UK health departments on vaccination. As the letter-writer points out, minutes of recent JCVI meetings show that [Pollard] is involved with, amongst others, the Gates Foundation, GAVI [global vaccine alliance], and the European Medicines Agency [EMA]. (For example, see page 17 of the JCVIs February 7, 2018 minutes.) the BMJ letters raise questions about the very objectivity of European institutions, highlighting the European Medicines Agencys disproportionate funding (90%) from pharmaceutical companies The EMA is responsible for ensuring that all medicines available on the EU market are safe, effective and of high quality. However, the BMJletters raise questions about the very objectivity of European institutions, highlighting the EMAs disproportionate funding (90%) from pharmaceutical companies and noting the Nordic Cochrane Centres scathing condemnation of the EMAs lack of independence from industry. (The Nordic Cochrane Centre is part of the independent Cochrane Collaboration that produces gold standard systematic reviews.) One of the Nordic Cochrane Centres many critiques is that the EMA allowed Andrew Pollard to chair a committee on HPV vaccine safety despite conflicts of interest with HPV vaccine manufacturersand his a prioripublic declaration that there was no evidence of safety problems. In short, says one of the letter-writers, it is not really clearthat the EMA has a culture of ensuring things are safe, rather than just a culture of saying things are safe, and standing on their dignity (emphasis added). Letters Explaining Whats Needed Instead of skullduggery and window dressing research, entities such as the European Parliament could be of actual service to the public if they adopted a more realistic, open and transparent approach and facilitateda disinterested, comprehensive exchange of information between all parties, ensuring fully informed consent, or dissent, to vaccination. As one of the BMJ-published letters states: They would do well to legislate for safer vaccines, more extensive clinical trials and studies prior to licensing with a robust and very sensitive heightened post marketing surveillance system to instantly detect any adverse reactions (which might not have been detected in the trials due to the size of the cohort) and respond immediately with the removal of the product from the market for further investigation. All too often reports of adverse events are dismissed as being in line with what was statistically expected and not indicative of a serious problem or denied altogether on the argument that there is no evidence of causation. Acknowledgements of adverse events in hindsight (sometimes many years later) are of no consolation to the victims. Another letter suggests that if members of the European Parliament research[ed] the subject thoroughly and from a neutral position, they would understand why there is this vaccine hesitancy. Otherwise (and only slightly tongue in cheek), this author concludes that parents and the informed public will have to unite and devise a strategy to tackle [the] Vaccine Study Reluctance, Vaccine Ineffectiveness Denial, Vaccine Injuries & Deaths Disassociation Complex and Obsessive Coincidence Disorder that are now rife within the medical and science profession! World Mercury Project applauds the fact that BMJ published letters that air an open and honest debate on a topic more often denied the opportunity for open debate. The letters go beyond soundbites to provide information that the public needs to make truly informed vaccine decisions. It is highly unlikely that these same letters would have been published in the American media or in virtually any other academic journal. Not only do journals (and the media) financially rely on the pharmaceutical industry as leading advertisers, but journals also depend on the industry to purchase thousands of reprints and sponsor pricey subscriptions. Describing the hijacking of policy by a complicit industry and captured agencies, letter-writer caution that if as result of these institutional movements to suppress debate we end up not being able to discuss vaccine risks at all, we will be in a pretty poor place. America might already be in that place. Visit worldmercuryproject.org for more information. Views expressed in this article are the opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times. The past several years in his adopted home of Norwalk, Javier Eastman has had one go-to restaurant to for honest-to-goodness Venezuelan food reminiscent of the dishes coming off his mothers stove. Within a month, hell have two more options and it will be as close to a home-cooked meal as hell be able to find in southwestern Connecticut. With his older brother as head chef, Eastman is opening a pair of new Venezuelan restaurants in Norwalk: La Calle, in the citys culinary center in South Norwalk, and Avenida on Connecticut Avenue. Eastman and his brother grew up in a small city in western Venezuela, with the boys learning in the kitchen helping their single mom at meal times. Javier came to the United States in 2002 to pursue a career in painting and graphic design, landing initially in Norwalk where a friend lived and supporting his art endeavors by working in construction. By degrees he was drawn to tattooing as his artistic outlet, and in 2015 opened Causality on Connecticut Avenue across from Toys R Us. With La Calle and Avenida, he is now expanding his entrepreneurial ambitions to a pair of new restaurants, while acknowledging the challenges inherent of opening just one. I never thought about opening two restaurants, and its crazy, but thats the way I like it, Eastman told Hearst Connecticut Media. I like (keeping) busy. I dont know how to be sitting around doing nothing. For La Calle street in Spanish Eastman bought a commercial restaurant space at 74 N. Main St. that previously housed the South Norwalk iteration of Prime Burger, whose Ridgefield owners pulled the plug last year after a brief run. In the case of Avenida avenue he is renting the former Locatelli Italian Deli at 280 Connecticut Ave., which closed last October after a similarly short stint, with Bagelz Universal previously occupying the site. Avenida will serve grab-and-go Venezuelan food, to include stuffed arepas, a classic Venezuelan concoction of corn patties filled with cheese, marinated meat or seasoned vegetables; as well as empanadas, pastelitos and other breakfast and lunch fare. La Calle will offer both Avenidas staples as well as a fuller dinner menu with steaks and other grilled fare, as well as wine and beer. Avenida and La Calle will join Venezuelan cuisine options in southwestern Connecticut that include Valencia Luncheria at 164 Main St. in Norwalk, which has earned good reviews over the years in offering both authentic Venezuelan dishes and creations that fuse other cuisines for instance, lobster enchiladas or salmon glazed with ginger, soy and lime. Eastman promises an authentic Venezuelan dining experience at La Calle and Avenida, based on the cooking he and his brother have honed in their adopted home of Norwalk based on the memories of their youth. Thats part of the magic of learning bow to season food from scratch, Eastman said of he and his brother learning to cook in their moms kitchen. You make the best of whatever you have available. ... Even though meat was expensive, tomatoes and onions and other ingredients were cheap. Alex.Soule@scni.com; 203-842-2545; @casoulman Alexander Soule / Hearst Connecticut Media Xerox investors Carl Icahn and Darwin Deason posted a $150 million bond Monday to preserve an injunction issued by a New York state court that would bar Xerox from holding a shareholder vote on a proposed sale to Fujifilm Holdings. Xerox had appealed the judges decision, with its request denied for an immediate resolution and a full appeal scheduled for September. NORWALK Norwalkers brought family stories from World War I to the old town house on Mill Hill as part of the state librarys effort to digitize artifacts for the wars 100-year anniversary. Medals were photographed, and old photographs were scanned. One woman brought her familys letters from the war, the pages riddled with holes. Instead of blacking out sensitive information, the censors had literally cut them from the page. Christine Pittsley, the project director of Connecticut State Library, was taking pictures of the artifacts in a special black booth Saturday. She had just arrived back from a trip to France. Thats one of the beautiful things about this project, she reflected after the event. Weve been doing this for four years. When I went to France, I was able to take these stories with me. Pittsley had been tracing the steps of the 102nd Infantry Regiment, making it a point to visit the town of Seicheprey on April 20, the anniversary of a battle there against German stormtroopers. It was a battle where it was just Connecticut troops, she said. And a lot of people who come in on this project had family who had fought at Seicheprey, and who died at Seicheprey, so it became very personal. Pittsley watched as the residents of the town gathered to read the names of the Americans who had died during that battle the 102nd had been part of the first four divisions of the American Expeditionary Force to arrive, and for many Seicheprey had been their first bout with war. It was very humbling, Pittsley said. The stories brought by Norwalkers belonged to soldiers from throughout North America. Doug Werner of Rowayton submitted a story from the Canadian Forces. Werner had been cleaning out his mothers house when he came across a stack of yellowed letters postmarked in 1916. In the living room of his bright and airy home, he recalled the moment. I sat down in this chair and started to look through them, and thought, holy s---! There, in the letters, was a complete set of his great uncle Bill George Lightles letters from the first World War, starting with the very day he signed the papers to join. The fellows in charge are certainly very kind and every possible thing is done for the comfort of the soldiers, Lightle wrote that spring day. Like many others, he had falsified his age in order to fight. However, soon enough, he was writing his family that if I were in Canada now, it would take the whole British army to get me over here again. On the first night of the Battle of Somme, a bloody five-month stalemate that killed over a million people, Lightle described seeing over half a mile of ambulances trying to work their way to the hospitals, loaded with Canadian dead. They had the back of the ambulances open, so we could see them quite distinctly, all bandaged up and blood stained, he wrote. I was told this morning that they kept coming in all night. That was the battle he was bound for, and he continued writing home until he died on Nov. 18, 1916, the very day the British finally ended the battle. They had advanced six miles and lost over 400,000 men. The last letter Lightles family attempted to send was returned to sender, with Killed in Action scrawled across the top. Its heartbreaking, Werner said of the bloodshed described by his great uncle. Sometimes you find these little tidbits of history that illuminate a whole other world. There are three in-person World War I Digitization Days remaining the project was scheduled to coincide with the 100-year anniversary of World War I, which draws to a close this November. More Information WWI Digitization Days Want to preserve your World War I photographs, letters, artifacts and oral histories? Three digitization days remain, where the Connecticut State Library will come out to scan, photograph and record materials in partnership with local organizations (the Norwalk day was organized by the Norwalk and Rowayton Historical Societies and the Norwalk Public Library). You can always electronically submit entries at http://ctinworldwar1.org/digitization-days/online-submissions/. May 19 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. - American Legion Kiltonic Post 72, 64 Main St., Southington, Connecticut June 10 from 1 to 4 p.m. - Keeler Tavern Museum, 132 Main St., Ridgefield, Connecticut June 23 from 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. - Otis Library, 261 Main St., Norwich, Connecticut See More Collapse But just because the centennial ends doesnt mean we stop collecting, Pittsley noted. Connecticut State Library will continue collecting online submissions to the archive. And Pittsleys work connecting residents to Connecticuts World War I past is far from done. While she was following the path of the 102nd Infantry Regiment in France, she came across a historic trench being maintained by German students. What a learning experience, she thought. Now, shes in the beginning stages of a program that would bring students from around the state to restore the American trenches in France. Theyve never forgotten what we did, she said of the people she met in Seicheprey. Those participating in the digitization project are working to ensure we dont either. rschuetz@hearstmediact.com; @raschuetz NORWALK Seven senior managers ranging from chief financial officer to chief of human resources and personnel would serve under the mayor, his or her chief of staff and Norwalks corporation counsel, under a proposed government reorganization put forward by Mayor Harry Rilling. Mayoral Assistant Laoise King in effect, his chief of staff presented the proposal to an ad-hoc council committee at City Hall on Monday evening. The mayor wanted to undertake this reorganization in an effort to align city resources and employees in a more rational and efficient organizational structure that represents the needs and functions of a modern city, King said. A more efficient delivery of services, improved coordination of like services, fuller utilization of city resources, improved span of control for the mayor and senior team, coordinated and efficient decision making, clear accountability, and grouping functions and services by nature of work are among the objectives of the proposed reorganization, according to a PowerPoint presentation given by King. Under the mayor would serve a chief of staff and corporation counsel. Under them would serve a chief financial officer, chief of police, fire chief, chief of public works and operations, chief of community services, chief of community and economic development and chief of human resources and personnel, according to the proposed structure. King provided a chart showing the city governments current organizational structure in which 20 individuals report directly to the mayor. The proposed new structure would tighten that span of control by creating this limited set of a senior-management team, King said. What we would do is group departments that are doing like work under senior cabinet-level positions. She cited the citys Department of Finance as an example. The city comptroller, tax assessor and tax collector report to the finance director. Among the major changes in the proposed restructuring: The Customer Service Department would move from public works to the mayors office. Transportation, traffic and parking would move from public works to the new area of community and economic development. Tree trimming and mowing now done by both parks and public works crews would move under the new position of superintendent of public property and parks within the area of chief of public works and operations. King identified the proposed creation of a community services department as the biggest change within the proposal. She noted the city once had a director of social services. That department kind of went by the wayside, King told Hearst Connecticut Media afterward. But it doesnt mean that thats not an important service for cities to provide, so were reimagining that. On the ad-hoc committee charged with reviewing the proposal are council President John Kydes, Majority Leader John Igneri, Minority Leader Douglas Hempstead, and council members Nick Sacchinelli, Thomas Livingston and Michael Corsello. Kydes, a District C Democrat, described Rillings request as a lot of information for the committee to review. I think the next step would be to gather quite a bit more information, including financials, and not just financials but I personally would like to know the approval process, Kydes said. I guess its up to this committee to either adopt this as a whole, adopt some of it or none of it at all. Hempstead, a District D Republican, asked for an opinion from the citys law department on what city ordinances would need to be changed and whether the proposal conflicts with the city charter. He also asked for examples from other municipalities and background from the Connecticut Conference of Municipalities. Lets ask them: whats your typical layout for the state of Connecticut? Hempstead said. And Im just saying, I just dont see anything in there for the council, just FYI. Theres a lot of other departments. Theres a lot of positions being created but nothing created to service the council per se. King said the mayor believes the reorganization could be undertaking primarily using existing staff, although some new positions are proposed. Through the course of the work of this committee, depending on which direction the committee members want to go in terms of which positions we do change, that will greatly affect what the fiscal impact of the reorganization is, King said. The administration doesnt envision the reorganization coming at a significant cost. In fact, we believe that the efficiencies that are created through some of the proposals, in terms of operating expenses, will actually lead to a potentially net-neutral result, King said. Several residents, including District D Republicans Chairman John Romano attended the presentation. He left taken aback that voters arent at the top of the chart in the proposed new structure. One page says voters, Romano said afterward, referring to a chart provided of the current government structure. All the rest dont. Is that subliminal that voters arent in the linkage? This needs a lot of work. It should be a referendum, and it should be a lot of public hearings. According to King, voters arent left out. The proposed new structure addresses only city departments and not elected positions or appointed boards, commissions and authorities, she said. She said the administration would like to see the council act upon Rillings reorganization request by July 1, but she and ad-hoc committee members acknowledged thats an aggressive timetable. Hempstead suggested tackling the proposal as was done with The SoNo Collection. If we did it like we did the ad-hoc (committee) for the mall that we started, it was to try and get, for lack of a better term, some of the grunt work out of the way, Hempstead said. Looking to get out of the states this summer? According to travel site Kayak.com, median airfare to European cities is the cheapest it has been in three summers. "Across the board, low cost carriers and new flight routes are making travel across the pond even easier (and less expensive)," the site reports. Wilton Police Department / WILTON A Texas man turned Danbury resident received a lesson in how strict gun laws are in Connecticut after cops caught him with an unregistered gun outfitted with a large capacity magazine, police said. Wilton police first responded to Breeds Hill Place around 3 p.m. on April 20 on reports of three suspicious people going door-to-door in the north Wilton neighborhood. WILTON A Wilton woman is accusing public officials in town of attempting to cover up alleged acts of physical and sexual assault and larceny, according to a civil suit filed at the U.S. District Court in Bridgeport. The suit, which was filed on April 10 against the town of Wilton, four Wilton police officers and two emergency services personnel, is seeking more than $75,000 for an incident that occurred nearly three years ago. According to the lawsuit, the incident began in April 2015 when Neelu Pal allegedly witnessed the husband of the owner of the Goddard School in Wilton improperly observing and/or photographing children, including Pals son, while they were undressed. After reporting the alleged incident to the school, Pal said she began to fear for the safety of her four year old son and herself, which prompted her to contact local police. And thats when she said things took a turn for the worst. Pal, 47, alleges her calls to police were either terminated or placed on hold for extended periods of time. She claims when she finally did get transferred to an officer, Capt. Rob Cipolla, she was so frustrated that she swore at him, which resulted in cops being sent to her home. Accounts of what happened from there differ. According to police reports, officers deemed Pal to be in need of medical transport when they arrived at the residence. When police and EMS services tried to assist Pal, however, police said she lashed out, kicking an ambulance worker and attempting to bite the face of an officer. The incident resulted in Pal being charged with misuse of 911, assault on an EMS worker and attempted assault on a police officer for the incident. The courts later lessened her charges, and she was eventually found guilty on a single charge of creating a public disturbance. Pals account of April 29, 2015, on the other hand, diverges from that of police. She claims Cipolla and two other officers, Robert Smaldone and Michael Tyler, forced entry into her home without a warrant when they first arrived. The officers then dragged Pal from her home, placed her in handcuffs and began to search her, according to the lawsuit. While searching her, Pal said the officers sexually assaulted her by repeatedly and forcefully groping her breast. The suit also claims officers referred to her using derogatory language regarding Muslims and threatened the use of a Taser while that was happening. When an ambulance arrived on scene, Pal said she was forcibly imprisoned inside while Smaldone and two EMS employees Daniel Monahan and Richard Janes removed portions of her clothing and assaulted her, physically and sexually, again. Pal claims the excessive force of officials resulted in severe injuries and damage to the right shoulder, severe muscle contusions, clavicle fracture, bruising, swelling and severe contusions of the hands and wrists, concussion and injury to the nasal bridge. Furthermore, Pal contends the incident caused a number of emotional issues, including a declining relationship with her husband, a complete disruption of her relationships with friends and neighbors, and symptoms associated with post-traumatic stress disorder. In her suit, Pal leveled a number of other accusations at those involved. Among her allegations, she claimed Cipolla was witnessed stealing $404 and gold jewelry valued at $4,000 from Pals home during the incident and that officers later prepared false, fraudulent and misleading incident reports to cover up their actions. The Wilton Police Department, the Wilton Volunteer Ambulance Corps and the Goddard School all declined to comment on the lawsuit. The lawsuit claims the town should be held liable for the actions of its personnel, because its policies and procedures led to the deliberate indifference to her safety, well-being and constitutional rights. First Selectwoman Lynne Vanderslice said the town had only received word of the lawsuit within the past week. She said the lawsuit has been passed along to their insurance company, Trident Insurance, and they will be responsible for assigning an attorney to oversee the case. This is not the first time Pal has found herself pitted against an institution in a lawsuit. In 2007, Pal sued the New York University School of Medicine after she was fired for anonymously phoning weight-loss surgery patients to warn them they could wind up dead from the surgery. According to the New York Post, Pal was so spooked after a lap-band surgery patient died in 2006 that she began anonymously phoning patients scheduled for surgery. Pal later filed a whistleblower lawsuit against the medical school, claiming she was compelled to expose her bosses, now-married weight-loss surgery pioneers Drs. George Fielding and Christine Ren-Fielding, because they werent explaining the risks or giving proper post-operative care to patients, the Post wrote. U.S. District Judge Paul Crotty ruled in favor of NYU in 2013, claiming Pals suspension and subsequent termination were not retaliatory actionbut rather, were legitimately based upon her improper, anonymous phone calls. As for the Wilton case, its next scheduled hearing is June 9. Any motions to dismiss the case are due by July 10. American Consumer News, LLC dba MarketBeat 2010-2021. All rights reserved. 326 E 8th St #105, Sioux Falls, SD 57103 | U.S. Based Support Team at [email protected] | (844) 978-6257 MarketBeat does not provide personalized financial advice and does not issue recommendations or offers to buy stock or sell any security. Our Accessibility Statement | Terms of Service | Do Not Sell My Information 2021 Market data provided is at least 10-minutes delayed and hosted by Barchart Solutions. Information is provided 'as-is' and solely for informational purposes, not for trading purposes or advice, and is delayed. To see all exchange delays and terms of use please see disclaimer. Fundamental company data provided by Zacks Investment Research. 9 hours ago The Top 3 Buy & Hold Healthcare Stocks for October The healthcare sector can be the perfect area of the market to look if you are a buy & hold investor since there are so many different ways that these businesses can grow over the next decade. Its also a great sector to pursue during the current market volatility, as a lot of these companies are considered to be defensive and should see steady demand for their products regardless of whats happening in the economy. Read Article On Demand We have a new story every day on the front page of thephuketnews.com. Also like us on our Facebook page (facebook.com/thephuketnews) and be the first to watch all the new stories. Finally you can watch any segment, any time by going to thephuketnews.com/tv where all the stories are listed for you to enjoy. All our programs can be enjoyed in High Definition when watching on the internet. In-Room VDO You buy a Nexus phone from the Google store or your telecom service provider. Things go well for the first 12 to 18 months. But after the warranty runs out, your phone may go into boot loop a terminal condition in which it keeps trying and failing to turn itself on. Eventually, the battery is drained and the phone shuts down. The boot loop condition is known to affect the Nexus 5X phone made by LG and the Nexus 6P, made by Huawei. There are many complaints at the Nexus forums, hosted by Google. After settling a U.S. class-action lawsuit, LG Canada extended the warranty to 24 months on the Nexus 5X and acknowledged that the phones had a hardware defect. That should have helped owners get free repairs. But I started hearing from many customers who felt stuck in their own loop of being shuffled from retailer to manufacturer and back again. Google referred them to LG, which said they didnt qualify for warranty coverage because their phone was a U.S. model (even though theyd bought it from a Canadian retailer). They would need a U.S. address to get a free repair. When I asked about passing the buck, LG pointed to a failure of communication. We experienced a misunderstanding in our call centre regarding LGs service support of Nexus 5X devices purchased directly from Google, said Puneet Jain, head of marketing, in my recent column about the boot loop issue. This misunderstanding has been addressed and all LG service representatives are now fully aware of the policy and are able to support it accordingly. Not so fast. From the moment the article appeared online, readers told me about another failure of communication. Initially turned down by LG because they had U.S. models, they called LG again and were still denied coverage but for a different reason. Take the case of Malcolm Victor, who bought his Nexus 5X from Google Canada in September 2015. It was more than two years old when it died early this year. I just got off the phone with LG Canada, he said. Initially, the agent said the phone was out of warranty. I quoted the article. She put me on hold and came back to tell me that LG only extended the initial warranty for 24 months from the date of purchase. Therefore, my phone was out of warranty. This seemed unfair to me. Why would a manufacturer that admitted to a defect exclude people who bought the phone in late 2015 (when it was launched) and yet include those who bought it a few months later? I sent Victors complaint to LG Canada. He was instructed to send his device by Purolator to the service centre in Markham, Ont., where he was given top priority with a same-day repair and a next-day delivery. She writes. She scores. A hat trick for you, he said after ensuring that the returned phone actually worked. A one-day turnaround doesnt make up for a failure to admit to the problem and get it fixed in the past. But it certainly helps. About six Nexus 5X owners who wrote to me have had repairs at no cost. This included a frustrated Victor Liang, whose comments I used in the earlier column. He posted a note in the Google forum about getting his phone back in under a week, along with an apology for misinformation from the service centre manager. LG has contacted more than a dozen more Toronto Star readers, asking for more information or telling them how to send back their phones for repair. Jeremie Faucher-Goulet, a computer engineer who lives in Quebec, told me about having lunch at a mall while scrolling through news on his Nexus 5X phone. You may find it hard to believe, but my phone broke it shut down and got stuck in a boot loop precisely as I was in the middle of reading your story. It was probably the most unbelievable coincidence Ive ever seen in my life, he said. I was already aware of the issue plaguing Nexus phones and understood the problem. I simply counted myself lucky since I had not faced any issues in almost two years of having this phone as my daily driver. At first, I thought it was some kind of prank or virus that would afflict users reading your article. A few hours later, after seeing the issue was real, I searched for your article on my computer at work, remembering you gave guidance for those affected. I found the phone number and called LG support. In the past, Ive always dreaded these calls, being put on hold for a long time, not dealing with helpful agents. But I got quick, effective, no questions asked support from LG after providing a proof of purchase. It seemed LG got its act together. Faucher-Goulet, whose phone was still in the two-year extended warranty period, had it returned to him at no cost in just over one week. I say fixed, but LG actually replaced the mainboard inside the phone, making it a different one in practice. Google shows me as owning two different Nexus 5X devices now, he said. My advice: If you have a boot loop issue with one of these phones, please contact the service centre at 1-888-542-2623. We are handling customers affected by boot loop issues on a case-by-case basis and making every effort to ensure that customers are receiving the service they require, LGs marketing head Puneet Jain said. And if you have failed to get free repairs for the Nexus 6P phone, which also has a boot loop problem, please write to me. Ill try to find someone at Huawei who will take responsibility as LG Canada did. Ellen Roseman appears in Smart Money. You can reach her at eroseman@thestar.ca . Read more about: CALGARYA battle over reproductive rights, freedom of expression and summer jobs funding is brewing in a southern Alberta courtroom. On one side is the federal government, which has required businesses applying for grants from the Canada Summer Jobs Program to pledge their respect for reproductive rights, including abortion access. On the other are Rhea Lynne and William Anderson, small business owners in Brooks, Alta. a two-hour drive southeast of Calgary whose lawyers have called the clause ideological coercion. The question as I understand it is: What can the government legitimately do in support of what it understands are charter rights? said Howard Kislowicz, an assistant law professor at the University of Calgary. The Canada Summer Jobs Program funds short-term contracts for secondary and post-secondary students. The clause, which asks businesses to check a box attesting that the job and the organizations core mandate respect charter values, was added to the application in 2017. The current federal government has included the right to abortion access, and freedom of gender identity and expression, in its definition of charter values. The Andersons case isnt the only court challenge of the so-called abortion clause a parallel proceeding is playing out in Federal Court after a group in Ontario raised similar arguments. However, unlike most of the other organizations arguing against the requirement, the Andersons business isnt a religious one. They own and operate an irrigation company that serves local farmers. The Andersons didnt check the box when they applied for the summer jobs grant in January. After Service Canada informed them their application wouldnt be approved, the couple decided to take the matter to court. In court filings, the Andersons say they respect the law, but object to having to state agreement with values they dont believe in so they can receive federal funds. They declined a request for an interview through the Justice Centre for Constitution Freedom (JCCF), a Calgary-based law charity thats representing them in the case. Their application, filed in Medicine Hat, Alta., in April, is asking for a provincial court to strike down the clause in the application, and rule that the requirement is a violation of the charter. The suit names Employment, Workforce Development and Labour Minister Patricia Hajdu. The Andersons are also asking for an apology from Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. My wife and I are Bible-believing Christians, and to ask us to attest or declare that we support abortion is not acceptable, said William Anderson in a written statement. This is not about whether abortion should be legal or illegal, but rather we should not be obligated to align with a prescription of beliefs to be eligible for a taxpayer-funded grant program. Theres a huge difference between complying with the law and agreeing with it, said the president of the JCCF, John Carpay. Democracy means living under laws you agree or dont agree with, Carpay said. Its very, very different if the government says: in order to access a government program, you have to agree. The federal government added the clause because it heard money from the program was being used to pay for jobs, such as distributing graphic photos of fetuses, that undermined human rights, said Emily Harris, a press secretary for Hajdu. The approval process doesnt ask about the organizations beliefs and doesnt take them into account, Harris added. The application process has never been about an employers values or beliefs, said Harris in a written statement. But government funds shouldnt ever go to fund work that undermines Canadians rights whether its a womans right to choose, LGBTQ2 rights, or other rights. The Supreme Court of Canada struck down Criminal Code provisions against abortions in the 1980s, but has never explicitly defined access to the procedure as a charter right, said Kislowicz. Though case law provides precedent for the government to promote equality, human rights and democracy, debate is still open about what exactly that means, he added. Cases like the Andersons delve into areas that are widely debated, said Kislowicz like what a charter value is compared to a charter right, whether the Andersons rights were infringed and, if so, whether the government can prove that infringement was justifiable. I think this may be a genuinely hard case, Kislowicz said. A preliminary hearing for the Andersons application has been tentatively scheduled for June. Read more about: CALGARY Calgarys long-awaited Panda Passage exhibit opened to the public on Monday, more than five years after two panda-parent-hopefuls left their home in China as part of a 10-year breeding loan agreement. Two years after Er Shun and Da Maos arrival in 2013, twin cubs Jia Panpan and Jia Yueyue were born at the Toronto Zoo through artificial insemination the first giant pandas to ever be born in Canada. The family of four is expected to attract thousands, if not millions, of visitors during their stay in Calgary and provide an economic boost to the city. The Calgary Zoo is a place where joy of nature and hope for the future go hand in hand, so its only fitting that baby pandas be called Jia Yueyue, Canadian Joy, and Jia Panpan, Canadian Hope, should grow up here, Lieutenant Governor Lois Mitchell,told the large crowd at the exhibits opening ceremonies. Our new panda family is going to make this an even busier place in the coming years, and I trust well all benefit form the valuable lessons that they teach us. Its estimated there are fewer than 1,800 giant pandas left in the wild. They are considered a vulnerable species not quite endangered, but because more than half of the giant pandas natural habitat has been erased within the past 50 years, Calgary Zoo president Dr. Clement Lanthier said breeding programs such as this one are more important than ever. Just as bamboo forests are crucially important to pandas, so our own forests in Canada are vitally important to many iconic Canadian species, Lanthier said. These international symbols of wildlife conservation will provide us with new audiences to talk about what each one of us can do to protect animals, big and small. The cubs will live with their parents for the next 18 months or so before leaving for China, but Er Shun and Da Mao will be staying in Calgary for the next five years. Their $14.4 million habitat includes a private nursing area in the back, in hopeful anticipation of Er Shun getting pregnant again. Have your say The Calgary Zoo began constructing the Panda Passage, located in the former Eurasian Gateway, in 2016 with financial help from the provincial government and the City of Calgary. The lush, 431-square-metre indoor habitat is stocked with plenty of bamboo for the pandas to snack on. Outside, the family has 1,512 square metres of space to play across two different areas. Each year theyre here, the zoo will be contributing $1.4 million to the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding in China, which focuses on conservation efforts including breeding, habitat protection and research. EC Elizabeth Cameron is a Calgary-based reporter covering Indigenous affairs, drugs and health. Follow her on Twitter: @e_s_cameron Read more about: EDMONTONWhen American police recently nabbed a suspect in the 40-year-old Golden State Killer cold case, they credited an online genealogy website that uses DNA with finally helping to crack the mystery. Now the police department in Vallejo, Calif., wants to use the same method in the infamous Zodiac Killer case, saying in a press release last week that they hope to take advantage of emerging technologies and new advances in forensic science to assist in the identification of a suspect. The tests, which require customers to spit into a test tube and mail it off for analysis, have become increasingly popular for tracing ancestry and identifying a persons predisposition for certain health problems. But despite all the benefits, an Alberta health law expert says these criminal cases illustrate the unexpected repercussions of giving up your DNA to a corporation. The Star reported in April that the Florida-based company GEDmatch did not know its public database had been used to track down the Golden State Killer. The way (police) did it, they submitted a sample of the DNA at one of the locations and they were able to find relatives of that individual, explained Timothy Caulfield, the Canada research chair in health law and policy at the University of Alberta, saying the move turned family members into unwitting informants. Those relatives never thought their DNA was going to be used to find a murder suspect, but it really does demonstrate how your information can be used in ways that perhaps you dont anticipate. Caulfield started researching DNA testing a decade ago, back when the primary emphasis was on health, and you get tested to find out what your predispositions are, he said. According to his research, direct-to-consumer genealogy tests have now been used by more than 12 million people, creating a huge trove of data. Caulfield warned that the databases storing this information arent impenetrable. The privacy breaches will be rare, but they can occur. We saw with the Facebook scandal. This data can be manipulated, he said. Other concern is, what if one of these companies goes bankrupt? What happens to this information? Who controls it? How is their data going to be handled? One of the most popular companies of this kind is 23andMe; the California-based company boasts more than five million customers. Spokesperson Andy Kill said the companys policies prohibit the company from voluntarily working with law enforcement. Kill explained that, unlike GEDmatch whose databases were public and open, 23andMe does not share customer data with any public databases ... or with entities that may increase the risk of law-enforcement access. He added the company does not share data with employers or insurance companies either. Sharon Polsky, the Calgary-based president of the Privacy and Access Council of Canada, noted that in the privacy policies listed on the 23andMe website it does say that under certain circumstances, your information may be subject to disclosure pursuant to a judicial or other government subpoena, warrant or order, or in co-ordination with regulatory authorities. She said the language in these privacy policies is critical. These things are very, very carefully worded. And privacy policies do not necessarily mean the organization will keep any information private. It means, This is how we will use the information, Polsky said. She gave the example of a common phrase in privacy policies: improving your viewing experience. She said the broad term often means that companies will sell a users information to other companies in order to provide ads that interest the user. Mythi Lam, 33, recently decided to take an Ancestry.ca test to find out whether there were any surprises in her background but not without hesitation. The Edmonton-based web developer said shes used to having her information online but wasnt sure what other information, particularly health data, shed be putting out there. I wondered: Can they use that stuff against me? Lam said. Can I be denied insurance later? There are horror stories that you can be denied insurance because you are predisposed to certain conditions. But can they find out through DNA testing? The Canadian anti-genetic discrimination law prohibits employers and insurance companies from requiring you to obtain DNA tests. It also prohibits organizations and companies from acquiring the results on their own or refusing to do business or provide a service unless you provide results. Polsky noted that these tests are done in a different country, in the United States, so any result does not have the protection of Canadian privacy law. Still, Lam who is Vietnamese but found out at age 20 that she was also part Chinese said finding out more about her heritage outweighed her concerns. I was more curious about who I am and where I came from and to give more info to my daughter, said Lam, whose husband is white. Because growing up I was confused and I want her to be less confused, because she is a mix so she is going to be extra confused. Caulfield urged prospective users to look at the privacy page where the company talks about its policy for handling their information. Take a look at that data and assume that the risks are even higher than indicated. Read more about: Just as the citys art connoisseurs prepare to bid adieu to Yayoi Kusama: Infinity Mirrors, theres a new blockbuster exhibit coming to town that will likely also inspire lineups and a frenzy of selfies. Making its North American debut, The Art of Banksy opens June 13 for a four-week run at 213 Sterling Road in the citys west end. It is an unauthorized exhibition of more than 80 works by the world famous (and anonymous) British street artist, reportedly valued at over $35 million. It has been curated from private collections by Steve Lazarides, Banksys former agent, who had a falling out with the artist in 2008. The Art of Banksy has been displayed in Melbourne, Amsterdam, Tel Aviv, Auckland and, most recently, Berlin. Banksys sly artworks have popped up in cities around the world and have become much sought-after artworks. He remains anonymous, but in 2010, he swung through Toronto and put up several paste-ups here, including one that remains behind Plexiglas on the back patio of an Esplanade bar, and another that was rescued and placed behind glass in a PATH corridor at 1 York Street. Although Banksy is most famous for his street art, Lazarides wants it to be clear that the work in the exhibit has not been taken from public spaces. Street art is supposed to be ephemeral, its supposed to be here today, gone tomorrow. Its not supposed to be there forever, Lazarides explained at an event Monday to announce the exhibition. The stuff done on the streets is done in a short time, and its site specific for the community. I was absolutely adamant that nothing in the show was taken from the streets. Share your thoughts The majority of the work is taken from shows Banksy did in the early 2000s. It contains canvases and other works, as well as photos and context from Lazarides personal archive. It will include Balloon Girl, one of his most famous works, as well as Flag Wall, a clever update of the iconic photo of the flag-raising at Iwo Jima. He did five or six quite significant shows over the years, starting back in 2000, and this goes through to about 2010, said Lazarides. Some of the shows, we only had 5,000 people come through, so those are the only people who have seen those pieces in the flesh. The art in the exhibit has changed during its various runs, and Lazarides is also excited that a seven-metre Banksy piece that has only been displayed once before will be a part of the Toronto version, which is one of the reasons the Sterling Road space was chosen. The showroom there is large enough and organizers felt the former industrial space would fit the nature of the artists work. I think its a great location for this show in particular, because its a former munitions plant, so for someone like Banksy, who really has a message of peace, having an exhibit in a munitions plant is kind of cool as well, said Cory Ross, president and CEO of Starvox Exhibits, which is partnering with Live Nation to bring the show here. The post-industrial Sterling Road has been a rising art destination for a few years. Its where the new location of the Museum of Contemporary Art Toronto is slated to open in September. But the attraction of the neighbourhood the Drake Commissary and Hendersons Brewing are there, and several condo developments are underway has already priced out numerous artists and residents. In 2016, the Stars art critic Murray Whyte profiled numerous creatives no longer able to afford the skyrocketing rents at 213 Sterling, where the Banksy show will be held. Tickets for The Art of Banksy are $35 for adults, $32.50 for students and seniors. On sale May 12 at 10 a.m. at banksyexhibit.com and Ticketmaster. Read more about: Less than two years ago, Ontario Places long-shuttered gangway reopened to the public, though briefly, to offer a glimpse of its current state through the prism of its badly neglected recent past. In/Future, an arts festival that presented an array of artists projects riffing on the theme parks antiquated futurism, opened in September 2016, to throngs. It also pried open the door to the parks modest rejuvenation, which it now enjoys shut down in 2012, Ontario Place is now open as a public park, with its Cinesphere once again a going concern. In true Toronto fashion, the revival for some meant displacement for others, and on the move were a gang of animatronic mannequins who, in the absence of their human keepers, took to the maintenance of their corroding bodies themselves under the watchful eye of their chief physician, Dr. Gross. Thats the story built around the manky old figures eyes missing, fingers dangling, bits of wire protruding like entrails by artist Max Dean, who salvaged them from the parks Wilderness Adventure Ride for In/Future. It was a riff on The Gross Clinic, a celebrated 1875 Thomas Eakins painting of Dr. Samuel Gross overseeing his students in surgery, tying the parks shopworn futurism to the grander realm of art history. Humans having returned to the park, that purpose was pushed aside. So where do a gang of ragged robots run? To the abandoned Unilever Soap Factory, of course, to claim squatters rights amid the rusty tanks and funnels of the old industrial site where Don Valley Parkway and Gardiner Expressway meet. For the Contact Photography Festival, the bots have turned to biding time: Under one of those massive chutes, three of them blow enormous soap bubbles, scraping up and making use of the scraps, just as theyve always done, while Gross observes. Theyre wise not to do too much. In a long-running Toronto serial, Unilever is due to become condos at some point in the not too distant future. It leaves one to wonder where any of us go when, finally, theres nowhere left to run. Max Dean: Still Moving continues at the Unilever Soap Factory, 21 Don Roadway, Friday to Sunday until June 3. MONTREALFederal Immigration Minister Ahmed Hussen will head to Nigeria in the coming weeks amid an influx of nationals from that country seeking asylum in Canada in recent months. Three senior federal ministers delivered a blunt reminder to them Monday that entering Canada illegally is not a free pass into the country. Coming across the border in a way that tries to circumvent the law or defy proper procedure is no free ticket to Canada, Public Safety Minister Ralph Goodale told reporters. After Haitians in 2017, it appears Nigerians armed with valid U.S. visitor visas are the latest group to come across at Roxham Road in Hemmingford, not far from the Lacolle border crossing at the Quebec-New York border. Hussen said he plans to travel to Nigeria soon but noted the federal government has sent three immigration officers to Lagos. Canada has been working closely with the United States over the abuse of U.S. visas by Nigerians whose ultimate goal is to get to Canada within weeks of arriving. Its becoming apparent to us that theyve obtained these visas to come to Canada to make asylum claims, Hussen said. Goodale said all of the countrys international obligations are being met in dealing with asylum. They must prove they need Canadas protection to keep them safe, he said. Seeking asylum is not a shortcut to get around normal immigration rules and procedures. Hussen, Goodale and Transport Minister Marc Garneau said about 90 per cent wont meet the criteria to stay. In mid-April, Quebec officials said the number of people coming across the border this year had tripled from the same time last year. The Quebec government said projections suggested there could be as many as 400 crossings per day this summer, compared to 250 in 2017. Goodale said since that spike around Easter, the numbers have been a manageable 70-80 people per day. New temporary facilities are being constructed at the border for up to 520 people to deal with those needing to stay for more than a day. Conservative immigration critic Michelle Rempel called the Liberal measures a Band-Aid approach. Theres no evidence this will stem the tide of people exploiting the loophole in the Safe Third Country agreement, she said in Ottawa. The Liberals once again refused to close the loophole. The Safe Third Country agreement took effect in December 2004 and states Canada and the United States recognize each other as safe places for refugee claimants to seek protection. But the agreement only applies for claims made at an official border crossing, so if asylum seekers enter at an irregular crossing, they are entitled to a hearing. As with any agreement that is 14 years old, Hussen said, it would be wise and prudent to refresh the Safe Third Country agreement. (But) I want to make it clear there are no formal negotiations with respect to the Safe Third Country agreement, Hussen added, noting it is discussed alongside other issues such as visas and border security. The federal immigration minister also said progress is being made in implementing a triage system at the border that will allow asylum seekers to head to Ontario while relieving pressure on major cities like Montreal and Toronto. Hussen said Ontario officials were in Quebec to get help in setting up a reception centre for newcomers. The pieces are coming together its just a matter of time, but I dont expect this to take months, itll take a matter of few weeks, Hussen said. Read more about: Veteran forensic pathologist Dr. David Chiasson stood beside Barry Shermans body on the stainless steel table, preparing to do a second, private autopsy. Natural light filtered through the frosted glass windows of the modern Ontario coroners building. Three private detectives, former homicide cops, stood nearby. The skin was missing from around Shermans wrists, surgically removed by another pathologist several days before in the first examination, the official autopsy requested by the police. The same had been done to Honey Shermans wrists. Why? Chiasson wondered. The answer, provided to Chiasson by the first pathologist, and other pieces of information learned that day last December eventually changed the police theory on the Sherman deaths from murder-suicide to double homicide. Read more: Barry Sherman was helping to develop pot pill for medical marijuana users Sherman investigation initially focused only on Barrys wife Honey as a murder victim Barry and Honey Sherman were murdered, private investigators claim An ongoing Toronto Star investigation has discovered new information about the high-profile case, from how and when the bodies were discovered to the lengthy deliberations over the manner of death which may have negatively impacted the police investigation. Information in this story is based on interviews with people with close knowledge of the private investigation into the case, who provided the details on the condition that they not be identified. Barry and Honey Sherman were both at Apotex headquarters late in the afternoon on Wednesday, Dec. 13. They had a meeting with architects from the firm designing their new home in Forest Hill, an upscale Toronto neighbourhood. Honey left Apotex first, before 5 p.m. Barry, founder of the generic drug giant, left in the early evening. His last known email from his Apotex account was sent between 6:30 p.m. and 8:30 p.m., sources at Apotex say. The Star could not determine the contents of the email, but it was business-related. The Star could not determine if anyone at Apotex responded to the email. Both Shermans went to their home on Old Colony Rd. that Wednesday evening. The house was for sale, with a listed price of $6.9 million. Barry had wanted to live the rest of his life at Old Colony Rd.; Honey had convinced him it was time to move. Thursday passed without anyone raising an alarm over not hearing from Barry or Honey. Family and friend sources say that with both Barry and Honey having busy lives it was not unusual to go a day without hearing from them. Friday morning, at 8:30 a.m., the housekeeper and a person who waters the Shermans plants once a week arrived at Old Colony Rd. for regularly scheduled Friday-morning visits. Both housekeeper and plant waterer busied themselves on the main and second floor for the next two hours. Both floors are roughly 3,600 square feet with multiple rooms. Neither the housekeeper or the person watering the plants descended to the lower level, which includes a garage, recreation area and swimming pool. At 10:30 a.m., two real estate agents and a couple interested in purchasing the house arrived. The house was listed for sale by agent Judi Gottlieb. Gottlieb was away in Florida, and an other agent went in her place. The other agent present represented the prospective purchasers. After touring the upper floor, the agents and the clients went downstairs and walked along a corridor leading to the pool. Gottliebs assistant went first. She walked through the doorway to the pool room and recoiled. At the other end of the room she saw two bodies, backs to the pool, held in a sitting position by something tied around their necks. She turned and ushered the other agent and the clients back, making an excuse, saying this part of the home was off limits at the moment. The discovery was made shortly after 11 a.m. Friday. Gottliebs assistant called up to the housekeeper, telling her what she had seen. Then Gottlieb made a phone call, seeking direction on what to do. The Star could not determine who she called. Meanwhile, the housekeeper called 911. Toronto Police 911 system records a call coming in at 11:43 a.m. Police were en route by 11:44 a.m. Toronto EMS told the Star they dispatched two paramedic crews and a supervisor at the same time. Determined to be suspicious deaths, the bodies were kept at the home until the forensic identification unit of the Toronto Police could photograph and examine the scene. The Star could not determine when the family was notified of the deaths. Officials at Apotex learned of the deaths from media reports published online around 3:30 p.m. Friday. That evening, as condolences poured in from around the world and the media continued to descend on the normally quiet neighbourhood, statements were made by police that would upset the Sherman family. The case was initially assigned to local investigators at 33 Division, though homicide detectives did attend at the death scene. On that Friday evening, there were two statements made by Toronto police officers at the scene, one from a police spokesman and one from Det. Brandon Price of the homicide squad. The media was told by police that there were no signs of forced entry and no suspects were being sought. By the next day, Saturday, numerous media outlets quoted police sources saying that police believed Barry strangled Honey, then committed suicide. Police documents filed in court in support of search warrants show that in the first month of the investigation, police provided information to Justice Leslie Pringle stating that Honey was the only victim at 50 Old Colony Rd. When police file information to obtain a search warrant (Pringle has issued all of the warrants in this case) they must list the offences they are pursuing. Between the discovery of the bodies and mid January, the only offence was the murder of Honey. Saturday, the day after the bodies were discovered, autopsies were conducted at the Office of the Chief Coroner in north Toronto. Pathologist Dr. Michael Pickup, a staff pathologist at the provincial forensic pathologist unit in Toronto, did both autopsies. Police were present at the autopsies. Pickup has been qualified as a forensic pathologist since September 2010, according to the College of Physicians and Surgeons. In performing the autopsies, Pickup examined photos of the scene taken by police, showing how the bodies were positioned, and conducted a forensic examination of both bodies, taking skin biopsies from various areas to be tested to see if injuries were old or recent. Sources say Pickup saw indications that it might be a case of double murder. However, Pickup did not make that ruling. Neither Pickup or his boss, chief forensic pathologist Dr. Michael Pollanen, would discuss the case with the Star, citing provincial privacy rules. Toronto Police will only say that until late January, they considered all options, including murder suicide, double suicide and double murder. Police will not shed light on the conversations between Dr. Pickup and the Toronto Police investigators in the autopsy room regarding the first autopsies. At 4:14 p.m. on the Saturday, about the time the autopsies were concluding, the Sherman family released a statement through Apotex taking issue with the news circulating that it was a murder suicide. 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 family said in the statement. We urge the Toronto Police Service to conduct a thorough, intensive and objective criminal investigation, and urge the media to refrain from further reporting as to the cause of these tragic deaths until the investigation is completed. The family hired top criminal lawyer Brian Greenspan, who in turn assembled a team of former homicide detectives who had retired and become private investigators. Greenspan also hired Dr. David Chiasson, who was the Ontarios chief forensic pathologist from 1994 to 2000 and is now is a senior pathologist at Torontos Sick Childrens Hospital. The funeral for the Sherman couple was scheduled for Thursday, Dec. 21. Chiasson and others on Greenspans team had to move fast. They sought and received permission from the coroners office to conduct private autopsies before the scheduled funeral. It is unusual for a family to conduct their own autopsy, but not unprecedented. On Wednesday, Dec. 20, Chiasson entered the pathology suite at the modern coroners office. In the new, state-of-the-art autopsy suite at the Office of the Chief Coroner in north Toronto, natural light filters through frosted glass and the scene looks like a high-tech set for a modern medical drama. Chiasson, when he was Ontarios chief forensic pathologist, performed autopsies in the cramped, old building downtown. Chiasson noticed that all of the skin had been removed from the wrists of both Barry and Honey. Present with Chiasson were three private investigators Tom Klatt, Ray Zarb and Mike Davis all former members of the Toronto Police homicide squad. As Chiasson began the first autopsy, Dr. Michael Pickup entered the autopsy suite. With him, he brought a series of photographs taken at the death scene by Toronto police forensic identification officers, and also detailed photos of the bodies taken prior to the first autopsies that Pickup had performed. Det.-Sgt. Susan Gomes during a press conference at Police Headquarters, January 26, 2018. The photos showed markings made by some type of rope or plastic tie that had encircled both Barry and Honeys wrists and damaged the skin. The deduction Chiasson and the private detectives made was that their wrists had been bound prior to death. From the photos they could not determine if the hands were bound in front, or behind their backs. As to the biopsy that would determine the age of the skin abrasions on the wrists, the Star could not get answers. The photographs indicated they were recent abrasions, sources said. Photos of the scene did not reveal any ropes or ties that could be responsible for the abrasions. The photos displayed by Dr. Pickup also showed the positioning of the bodies near the pool. As has been previously reported, leather belts were looped around their necks and used to hold them in a sitting position, backs to the pool. In Chiassons examination, it was determined that they were likely not strangled with the belts. Instead, they were strangled with some other type of ligature, and the belts were then put around their necks. Sources have told the Star that while one belt appears to be Barry Shermans (he was not wearing a belt when found) it is not known where the other belt came from. Photographs of both the scene and the autopsy, certain things struck all of them collectively and lead them to the conclusion that it was a double homicide, said a source close to the private investigation. That conclusion was made on Dec. 20, the day before the funeral. The Toronto Police did not interview Chiasson at that time. Photos of the death scene are included in the search warrant application documents, according to information filed in court by police in support of the forces successful challenge of the Stars attempt to access the entire search warrant file under seal in court. The Star was successful in getting the court to release some information, including the locations searched by police (the provincial health ministry for Barry and Honey Shermans health records, and banking and loyalty card information for parties not disclosed in the documents). In all of the warrant and production order applications filed by police between Dec. 20 and Jan. 15 14 in total Toronto police state that they considered only Honey a victim of a crime. On Friday, Jan. 19, the Toronto Star published an investigative report revealing that the private investigation team, including Dr. Chiasson, had concluded it was a case of double murder. The following Monday, the Toronto police homicide squad interviewed Dr. Chiasson. That Friday, Jan. 26, at a well-attended press conference at police headquarters, Homicide Det. Sgt. Susan Gomes announced that after closely investigating three theories of the death, police had ruled it a double homicide. The next batch of search warrants and production orders filed by police, on Feb. 15, listed both Barry and Honey as victims of homicide. One of those production orders is a judicial authorization to obtain all medical records for Bernard Sherman and Anna Debra Honey Sherman obtained by Dr. Michael Pickup under the authority of the Coroners Act during the coroners investigation into the Sherman deaths. That document, filed in court, does not detail or explain the records at issue. The Sherman investigation is now into its fifth month. Read more about: OTTAWAChristine Moore, the NDP MP whose harassment accusations led to the expulsion of her colleague Erin Weir from the partys caucus, is now herself facing allegations of inappropriate conduct from an Afghanistan war veteran. And just like Weir before her, Moore was suspended from parliamentary duties Tuesday, as party leader Jagmeet Singh called for an investigation that will determine whether she, too, will be booted from the NDP caucus. The latest controversy to strike the New Democratic Party fold emerged after Glen Kirkland, a veteran who was seriously wounded in Afghanistan in 2008, told CBC about his interactions with Moore in 2013, when she was a rookie MP for the Quebec riding of AbitibiTemiscamingue. In an interview with the Star Tuesday morning, Kirkland alleged Moore took advantage of him after he delivered emotional testimony about his combat experience at a committee hearing on Parliament Hill. He said she invited him to her office to discuss his health concerns, because she was a registered nurse. Kirkland said she poured him gin as he told her about his medication and that he wasnt drinking very much. She then followed him to his hotel when he left her office, he said, alleging he felt a big power imbalance because he was an army corporal and she was a member of Parliament. Im not claiming rape or anything, it was just real its disturbing, said Kirkland, 34. He said Moore contacted him repeatedly after their encounter by email, text and on Skype, he said and that her advances ended only after she travelled without invitation to his home in Brandon, Man. I was an emotional mess then, and she totally theres no question about it took advantage, Kirkland said. I thought I made it pretty clear that I wasnt interested. But she kept pressuring me It was very self-guided by her. Moore did not respond to an interview request from the Star Tuesday. In a short, emailed public statement, the 34-year-old MP welcomed the chance to participate in an independent and fair examination of Kirklands allegations. Out of respect for the fairness and the integrity of the process, I will not be commenting further on these allegations at this point, Moore said. Singh said in a statement Tuesday that he takes Kirklands allegations very seriously and that an independent investigator will conduct a fair and full examination. While that process is ongoing, Mme Moores duties as an NDP MP, including participation on any committee, will be temporarily suspended. Once the work of the investigator has been completed, Mme Moores role in caucus will be re-evaluated, Singh said. The allegations emerged just days after Singh announced the Weir investigation found one claim of harassment and three claims of sexual harassment against the MP for ReginaLewvan were sustained. The NDP leader called for the investigation in February, after Moore emailed Weir and the entire party caucus and wrote there are too many women (mostly employees who have) complained to me that you were harassing to them. Singh said last week that the investigation found Weir missed social signals in a way that had significant negative impacts on the complainants. He noted that when Weir was told his advances were unwanted, he immediately stopped. Though he was initially willing to allow Weir to stay in caucus and undergo harassment training, Singh decided to expel him after Weir contested one of the allegations against him in the media, and accused former leader Tom Mulcair and fellow MP Charlie Angus of punishing him for his views on carbon taxes. This makes it clear that the rehabilitative approach was no longer possible, Singh said at the time. Kirkland, meanwhile, said he was sick to my stomach when he learned Moore was the person that initially accused Weir of harassment. He said Moore pursued him even though there was a lot more than just social cues for her to pick up on. She was making the accusation on behalf of other people, he said. Who put her in that moral authority? Weir, who now sits as an independent in the House of Commons, has called the investigation into his behaviour deeply flawed because it started with Moores second-hand allegations and then solicited anonymous complaints from party staff and volunteers. In an interview with the Star last week, he acknowledged that he missed social cues, and said the investigation found that he stood and sat too close to women, and spoke to them longer than they wanted him to behaviour he said is far from what most Canadians would think of as harassment. A party official speaking on background disputed Weirs characterization of the findings, and said the investigation revealed a pattern of behaviour of a sexual nature. Outside the Commons Tuesday, Nathan Cullen, an NDP MP from British Columbia, said Singh took appropriate action by launching a similar process for Moore as he did for Weir. I dont look for any sense of irony, I just look for that sense of consistency and fairness from the leadership, he said. I think Parliament itself has been stuck in the past for many years, that there has been a culture around the Hill that has been tolerated for far too long, and was long overdue for overhaul. Sign up to receive the Books Leaving Footprints Newsletter. Comes out occasionally. No spam. No list swapping. Just email me! jhyshark@gmail.com Previous gifts include a short story, a poem, and coupons. Add your name, and don't miss out! The City of Toronto is partnering with two melanoma foundations to expand a free sunscreen program to more parks this summer after the success of last years pilot project. The city announced Monday that it is working again with the David Cornfield Melanoma Fund and the Douglas Wright Foundation, both of which will be covering the costs. Last year during the pilot project, it provided sunscreens to five parks near the Waterfront Trail. It won the 2017 Canadian Dermatology Association Public Education Award. This year, the 30 broad-spectrum sunscreens will be available at 50 dispensers in parks along a 50-kilometre stretch of the waterfront, from Marie Curtis Park to Rouge Beach. Crews from the foundations will maintain and stock the dispensers. Our waterfront parks are well-loved and well-used by Torontonians and visitors alike, Mayor John Tory said in a statement. With the success of the pilot and expansion of this program, its great to see that so many will be able to enjoy our common grounds with easy access to sun safety. Representatives from both foundations said the sunscreen dispensers would help raise awareness of sun safety and melanoma, which they described as one of the fastest rising cancers in Canada. Were having increasing rates of melanoma, the deadliest form of skin cancer. Every year, its increasing by 2 per cent for women annually, and 2.1 per cent for men, Dr. Jennifer Beecker, national chair of Canadian Dermatology Association sun awareness working group, said in an interview. One of the most important things in skin cancer prevention is sun protection. Beecker cited a study conducted in Australia that found regular application of sunscreen could decrease the incidents of melanoma by 50 per cent over an 11-year period. She added that seeking shade during sunny days could prove to be helpful as well, especially for children, whose skin is particularly vulnerable to sun damage. Parents, councillors and early childhood educators say they will fight the city auditor generals recommendation that Toronto consider handing over its 52 child care centres to non-profit operators. Mayor John Tory, who is facing re-election in October, also appears reluctant to endorse the idea. Im less interested in having a debate right now about transferring child care centres anywhere, he said in an interview Monday. The proposal is among 20 recommendations to improve efficiency in Toronto childrens services to be discussed by the citys audit committee Friday. If the city stopped operating child care centres, an extra $28 million would be available to create 2,000 new fee subsidies or boost wages by $2.30 an hour for workers in the rest of the system, says Auditor General Beverly Romeo-Beehler. Using non-profit operations instead of city-run operations will make the government pool of subsidy dollars go further, she says in her 96-page report. This will also likely result in lower fees at the 52 centres, making it more affordable for full-fee-paying families. Fees in city operated centres are between 28 per cent and 45 per cent higher than those in non-profit daycares, largely due to higher city wages and benefits, the report notes. But critics say the city shouldnt be increasing subsidies and lowering parent fees at the expense of well-paid early childhood educators in municipal centres. Especially when those centres are among the highest-quality in Toronto and serve some of the most vulnerable children. I want people looking after my children to have good wages and job security, said Toronto mother Tessa Riley, whose three children used a city-run centre until the family moved several years ago. Workers at the city-run Danforth Early Learning and Child Care were a lifeline when Riley had to go back to work when her daughter Pippa was just 5 months old and not yet on a bottle, she said. They went above and beyond. They spoon-fed her milk and would lie down with her to get her to go to sleep. I cant tell you how amazing they are, Riley said. The 2,921 spaces in Torontos municipally operated centres represent just 3 per cent of the citys 83,587 licensed spots and set the benchmark for the rest of the sector, said Toronto Councillor Janet Davis, a longtime child care champion. I hope the audit committee recognizes the complexity and the depth of the policy behind why we directly deliver child care. And recognizes what a small proportion it is of the entire system, Davis said. Davis and others support the auditor generals suggestions to make the existing system more efficient by streamlining subsidy wait lists and filling vacant spots. But they dont want city staff to revisit alternative service delivery when a similar probe was done when Rob Ford was mayor. Third-party reviews have already been conducted on these child care centres, said David Mitchell, president of CUPE Local 79, which represents 644 staff working in the municipal centres. The centres show their value to the city through superior quality ratings, service to high-needs populations, care for a higher percentage of children with special needs, and for the benchmarks/best practices they set for other child care operators, he said in a statement. Families in Torontos east end are worried the auditor generals report will distract the city from opening the new, affordable child care spaces the community desperately needs, said Sara Ehrhardt of parent group Toronto East Enders for Child Care, which plans to address the audit committee on Friday. We do not want the city to engage in a debate over worker salaries, which can only lead to widening income disparity in Toronto, she added. Municipal centres serve a high percentage of children with special needs and often locate in places where other programs would have difficulty, said Laurel Rothman of the Ontario Coalition for Better Child Care. If anything, we would favour an increase in publicly operated services as is the case for a large part of child care and early childhood education in Western Europe, she said. Martha Friendly of the Childcare Resource and Research Unit wondered why the auditor is making these recommendations during a provincial election when two of the three main parties are proposing major changes in the way child care is funded. Its really quite outrageous, Friendly said. Child care is a key issue in this election and the city shouldnt be voting on something like this before it knows what the province is doing. With files from Jennifer Pagliaro The widespread destruction caused by a Friday windstorm made the process to restore power to peoples homes slower, leaving hundreds still without electricity more than 72 hours later, Toronto Hydro says. We had over 400 wires down across the city, and at one point we had 1,500 different outage events in the queue at the same time, spokesperson Brian Buchan said. Buchan said that the outages are individual incidents spread across the city, instead of a concentrated area, making it more labour-intensive than usual. He said 630 people were still without power as of late Monday afternoon, and said Hydro Toronto is working to get that number to zero. Buchan said he hoped to have the majority of people back with power Monday night, but it may take longer for people who have experienced major property damage. Janine Smith said her apartment building in Downsview had been without power or water since Saturday. While its an inconvenience for her, it caused serious issues for elderly and disabled tenants. Its annoying for me, its dangerous for other people, she said Monday afternoon. One of her neighbours is recovering from cancer, and is hooked up to medical equipment. His immune system is just wiped so he cant leave his apartment, she said. And even if he could, he cant take oxygen tanks and all of his equipment down 36 flights of stairs. Smith said some tenants left their apartments to stay with other people. Smith said she had to shower at her sister-in-laws house on Sunday. Toronto Hydro said power to her building had been restored by Monday evening. Two years ago, Charline Grant took the York Region school board to the Ontario Human Rights Tribunal after she was hit with a racial slur. Now she is running for a chance to sit on the board herself. Grant formally announced her intention to run for school board trustee last week, making the announcement on Twitter, saying it was time to take on this worthy cause. The municipal election takes place Oct. 22. Read more: York board formally apologizes to parent for response to racism, trustees slur Nancy Elgie resigns from York school board amid uproar over racial slur Grant said she has been thinking of an election run for some time now, to ensure the positive change that has already started at the provinces third largest school board, which had faced numerous controversies over the past two years, will be seen through to the end. I realized I need to be there, said Grant. I had heard that a lot of the same faces were in the running, and that was concerning to me. The same faces would mean the same conversations, and the same thought processes. Its time for a change. Her announcement garnered a positive response on social media: You are a voice of hope for the entire community, said Flavio Volpe on Twitter. She will be running in Vaughans Ward 1 and 2 against Anna DeBartolo, who has been a trustee for over a decade. DeBartolo was the chair of the board, when Grant launched her human rights complaint. DeBartolo did not immediately respond for a request for a comment. Grant, who has three children in the school board, has been pushing for change since before the boards troubles became public. In 2016, Grant filed a human rights complaint with allegations that her children faced discrimination by school staff because of their race and religion. But Grants story gained further prominence after she was called the N-word by former trustee, Nancy Elgie, after a heated public board meeting in 2016. After months of public pressure, Elgie eventually apologized and stepped down. But months later, Grant filed another human rights complaint to take on the board for their mishandling of the incident. Her complaints came during a turbulent time for the board after a damning Education Ministry report found parents and staff expressed feelings of alienation, marginalization and discrimination. The ministrys probe led to nearly two dozen directives, and the dismissal of the education director. The board selected Louise Sirisko to be the new director last year, and since then she has been working to rebuild the trust with parents and within the organization. The board also enacted all of the ministers recommendations including opening a human rights office, and implementing equity-based goals. Grant said despite the progress that has been made at the board, the only personnel change has been the new director. The only real change has been the director, she said. I have seen and worked with the board of trustees, and I believe I know whats missing, and I believe Im that voice. The board needs new voices. They need people who are active in the community, and know what the community wants, she said. She says all her efforts, including her human rights complaints, were filed with the simple goal of sitting down to meet with the board to find answers. She settled both complaints with the board. At the time, the board agreed to take a dozen concrete steps to tackle racism within the board including ongoing anti-racism training for all staff, creating additional supports for black male students in the board. The board also offered an apology to the Grants and the black community, acknowledging that they had come across as hostile and dismissive to the families concerns. I want to make sure things are in place to protect minorities and marginalized communities, she said, adding that she still hears from parents who are having challenges navigating the school system and finding solutions to conflicts. There are many communities who feel like they still need representation and their voices are not being heard. Just a week after municipal election registrations opened up, a number of new names are in the running for trustee. Lawyer Justin Rangooni is planning to take on incumbent Linda Aversa for Vaughan trustee in ward 3 and 4. Aversa came under fire in 2016, after she was alleged to have pressured staff to boost her daughters marks to help her get into a competitive university program. Aversa denied having done so, and sources told the Star the marks were not bumped up. Markham also has two new candidates, Sahar Adaskar and Simon Strelchik, running to replace trustee Susan Geller. The current board chair Corrie McBain (Richmond Hill Wards 1, 2 and 4), Newmarket trustee Martin Van Beek, and Cynthia Cordova, the trustee for Georgina, who replaced Elgie last year, are all also running for re-election. Calvin Nimoh admits killing a perfect stranger who was out for an evening walk in downtown Toronto, stabbing him nine times in the back, head face and neck. The lethal injury to cancer researcher Mark Ernsting, 39, was a stab wound so forceful it broke the knife handle from the blade, which remained lodged in his head. Nimoh, 23, was even willing to plead guilty to manslaughter in Ernstings death on Dec. 15, 2015, his trial in Ontario Superior Court heard Tuesday. But the Crown believes Nimoh is guilty of first-degree murder, and prosecutor Michael Cantlon outlined for a jury the evidence he plans to use in making its case. It includes the testimony of Glynis Brownsey, a Victoria-based opera and theatre director. She was mugged by two masked assailants, one alleged to be Nimoh, as she walked through a park to a friends home in the Summerhill Ave. and Yonge St. area about 90 minutes before Ernsting was attacked. The evidence called will present two distinct yet both similarly vulnerable members of this community walking after dark. Actions speak louder than words, Cantlon told jurors in his opening address. The Crown also plans to call a young woman who cant be identified under the Young Offenders Act. She will admit to participating in the robbery of Brownsey, and who will testify Nimoh told her after he believed he had killed the woman in the park, and confessed to killing Ernsting, Cantlon said. Police arrested Nimoh, then 22, later that night after an anonymous tipster reported two women at a YWCA shelter may have been involved in a robbery. Nimoh was arrested nearby and found with a red handle of a knife without a blade and a matching protective sheath on which police detected blood. He was charged with the robbery of Brownsey and then the murder of Ernsting. Cantlon said jurors must determine whether Nimoh had criminal intent when he fatally stabbed Ernsting, who was walking along McGill St., just east of Yonge St. and north of Gerrard St. He offered no possible motive, telling jurors the issue for you to determine in this case is why. Ernsting frequently went for an evening walk in their downtown neighbourhood before going to bed, always between 9:30 and 10 p.m., his husband Robert Iseman testified Tuesday, smiling briefly through tears at the memory of his partners bedtime routine. The jury heard Ernsting stood five foot nine and weighed 130 pounds. He had a Ph.D and was employed as a biochemical engineer at the MARS facility and at the Ontario Institute of Cancer Research on Carleton St. Brownsey, who uses her maiden name Leyshon, also took the stand Tuesday. About 90 minutes before Ernsting was killed, Brownsey was robbed of her purse, stabbed four times, knocked to the ground, punched and kicked. She was 65 at the time. Brownsey testified that while her theatre training has taught her to be observant, she was unable to get a good look at her two masked assailants. But she had no trouble recalling her emotional state as she lay on the ground. I was stunned, I was relieved. I was mostly, I remembered, just trying to process what had happened. It was so out of any context in my entire life, she testified calmly. The trial continues in front of Superior Court Justice David McCombs. Hes worked as an extra on the Netflix sci-fi horror show Shadowhunters, but it was his day as a paid cheerleader for Progressive Conservative Leader Doug Ford that Chris Riddell calls a little weird. The Toronto background actor was contacted by a casting agency looking for 20 people to play Ford supporters outside Monday nights leaders debate at CityNews for the June 7 provincial election. The Liberals, New Democrats, Conservatives and Greens all had placard-waving and chanting supporters outside the studio across from Yonge-Dundas Square, with NDP activists pounding on drums, lending a funky beat to the mix. Enter Riddell and about 10 others rounded up for the job, which paid $75. They were given Ford Nation T-shirts, placards to wave and were tutored by bona fide Tories on taunts like Four more weeks! when Liberals chanted Four more years! as Premier Kathleen Wynne arrived. This seemed like a really odd gig and it seemed a little shady, Riddell said Tuesday in an exclusive interview with the Star. I tried to swallow my moral misgivings and make a few bucks, added the 36-year-old, who divides his time between acting jobs, freelance writing, playing guitar and writing songs for a band he is forming with friends. Conservative officials confirmed that the casting agency was contacted by the campaign of Toronto Center PC hopeful Meredith Cartright, a human rights lawyer recently appointed a candidate by Ford, and described it as a mistake. We were very confused by this situation, because we are getting record numbers of supporters to every event across Ontario. This was done by a local candidate and it wont be continuing, Ford spokeswoman Melissa Lantsman said in an email. Ford was taken by surprise when asked about the situation by the Star at a news conference Tuesday. You know something, thats the first Ive heard of that, said Ford, whose party is leading in public opinion polls. We dont need that. I can assure you Ill be calling Meredith to ask whats going on. Ontario's three main party leaders squared off Monday in the first debate before Junes provincial election. Andrea Horwath, Kathleen Wynne and Doug Ford were asked after the debate how they plan to combat criticisms they face. (The Canadian Press) Cartright did not reply to a request for comment made through her campaign office. At Queens Park, rival parties said they do not hire actors to bolster their ranks at campaign events. We dont have to pay people to come and support us, said NDP Leader Andrea Horwath, laughing. We have a very excited group of volunteers that are working on our campaign day in and day out, she told reporters, describing the Conservative tactic as kind of funny and in some ways kind of sad. Retiring Liberal MPP Deb Matthews compared the use of actors to the Ford campaigns decision to have a staffer do news-style online videos about the leader, which has prompted the governing party to complain to Elections Ontario about a possible violation of election financing rules for advertising. I guess weve come to expect that everything about Ford is fake. The news is fake, the stories are fake, his facts are fake and now we know his supporters are fake, claimed Matthews (London North Centre). In an email obtained by the Star, casting firm CastMe Background Agency said it was seeking 20 people to play real people at a Ford nation rally (Doug Ford). You will be wear (sic) T-shirts of the PC candidates (Ford and Cartwright), the email continued. It offered $75 to actors who were expected to be present from the start of the afternoon rally at 2 p.m. to the end of the debate at 8 p.m. The casting agency did not return a call from the Star. One performer was shocked at the offer and turned it down. I find it offensive, even, to the Canadian democracy, said Devanshu Narang, chair of the ACTRA (Alliance of Canadian Cinema, Television and Radio Artists) Additional Background Performer Caucus. Although the job paid the equivalent of $13.33 an hour less than the legal $14 minimum wage Riddell said he and the other actors worked less than the specified six hours and watched the debate at a nearby pub eating chicken wings provided by the Conservatives. I did get a beer. I had to pay for that, though. Riddell said his role as a PC extra felt odd for other reasons because he leans NDP, although he notes, I dont really like any of the candidates right now when it comes to the party leaders. I guess its obvious Im not a Ford supporter. Im not that good an actor yet. With files from Inori Roy and Victoria Gibson Read more about: The Ontario government will not be appealing a Toronto Star legal victory which should lead to more openness in the provinces tribunal system. Dan Guttman, a lawyer for the Ministry of the Attorney General, said in an email Tuesday that government would not challenge the Superior Court decision. Last month, the court ruled in favour of a constitutional challenge launched by the Star that sought greater access to records from such quasi-judicial bodies as the Human Rights Tribunal and the Landlord and Tenant Board. Justice Edward Morgan found that denying access to tribunal records was an infringement of the Charter of Rights and Freedoms that the provincial government had failed to justify. The judge gave the province one year to make the tribunal system more accessible to journalists and the public. Im pleased the government is not appealing the clear and compelling reasons of Justice Morgan, said Star lawyer Paul Schbas. The Attorney General is doing the right thing by focusing on fixing the system to make it more transparent, rather than seeking to uphold procedures that frustrate the publics right to know what happens in our judicial tribunals. Like the courts, tribunal hearings are typically open to the public, and journalists are free to report on what is heard during the proceedings. But unlike court, some tribunals, boards and commissions require individuals to file formal freedom of information requests in order to access documents filed at the public proceedings. Such requests can at times take months to process. Some information in the documents, once finally delivered, is also redacted, Star journalists found as part of the constitutional challenge. The Star argued that the rules of open courts should apply to the tribunals. Morgan declared as invalid provisions of Ontarios Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (FIPPA) that delay or block public access to tribunal records. In fashioning a regime that prohibits the disclosure of personal information unless the press can establish its justification, FIPPA has it the wrong way around, Morgan ruled. Emphasizing privacy over openness not only has a negative impact on the press Problematic landlords, police, and other actors, including repeat human rights offenders, vexatious litigants and the like cannot be discovered by members of the public who have to engage with them. Ministry of the Attorney General spokesman Brian Gray told the Star Tuesday that Ontario recognizes that tribunals play a vital role in our justice system. The court has given Ontario 12 months to refine, in accordance with the decision, the balance between openness and the privacy concerns of vulnerable people who share sensitive personal information with tribunals during proceedings, Gray said. With files from Robert Cribb Markhams mayor wants Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos to feel the love. To signal its eagerness to land Amazons much-ballyhooed second North American headquarters, dubbed HQ2, Markham has put up signs at all its entrances signalling that the municipality is Possible Home of Amazon HQ2. Thats because the Jeff Bezos-led giant has cut its North American search for a second headquarters the home office is in Seattle down to a short list of 20 and the Greater Toronto Area is one of the candidates. Read more: Amazons impact on city a major factor in HQ2 decision Amazon officials asked Toronto bid backers about health care and the tech sector Among the GTA possibilities, Markham has a chance to be the home to Amazon, along with Vaughan and eight other sites including the city of Toronto. The benefits of bringing Amazon in are massive and long-lasting. They include millions of square feet of office space development, which would be needed in Markham Downtown, as well as thousands of units of housing, which presumably would be provided in Markham and elsewhere in the GTA. It will take years to build the Amazon second headquarters, but the billions of dollars of investment involved led to a fierce bidding war among hundreds of municipalities in three countries in North America to get down to the final 20 municipalities. Mayor Frank Scarpitti believes Markham has all the attributes Amazon is looking for when it comes to a second corporate headquarters. We have over 1,500 high-tech and life sciences companies here, with more than 37,000 employees ... were also one of the most diverse cities in all of Canada, with a very high percentage of post-secondary workforce to serve Amazon, Scarpitti said Monday. He acknowledged that any of the sites selected in the GTA bid would be great for Canada, but believes Markham has the best site in the bid. We check off all the boxes when it comes to what Amazon is looking for: transportation network, transit network, the quality of life, restaurants, shops, new campus for York University coming to Markham, he said. I want Jeff Bezos to feel the love here in Canada; hes not getting much love in the United States, he added referring to the feud Bezos is having with U.S. President Donald Trump over Amazons taxes and Bezos ownership of the Washington Post, a frequent media target of the president. Its not yet clear when Amazon will make a final decision on where it will locate its second headquarters. Read more about: Mayor John Tory has not decided if he will give Torontonians his thoughts on how good or bad Ontario party leaders platforms would be for their city. After an unrelated news conference Tuesday in High Park, Tory called Monday nights leaders debate a good discussion ahead of the June 7 Ontario election, with some talk of funding for transit and housing. The mayor, who led the Ontario Progressive Conservatives from 2004 to 2009 but says he is no longer partisan, was hoping to hear more from Liberal Leader Kathleen Wynne, PC Leader Doug Ford and NDP Leader Andrea Horwath about ongoing funding for cash-starved municipalities. It remains the fact that we are largely dependent on property taxes (for revenues) and there simply have to be better arrangements for the long term, to pay for transit expansion and social housing repairs, he said. Tory ruled out endorsing a particular candidate for premier and was noncommittal when asked if he will rate their platforms. The premier has a huge amount of influence over Toronto which has some unique powers but remains, like other municipalities, a creature of the province. I havent really made a determination as yet as to whether Ill have some consolidated response to it all, said Tory, noting he will have to work closely with the winner to advance Torontos interests. Tory has met recently with Wynne and Horwath to talk about Torontos needs, and says his office is talking to Fords staff about them meeting soon. Tory beat Ford for the mayors chair in the 2014 civic campaign. Previously, in 2007, Wynne beat him in the Don Valley West provincial riding. Ford, a former Toronto city councillor who won the PC leadership after former leader Patrick Brown resigned amid scandal, is alone among the leaders in not yet releasing a full platform. Asked if that makes it tough to react to Ford statements such as his opposition to drug safe-injection sites that Tory supports, Tory said: It means I have to work a little harder to fully understand what their perspective is, but they arent the first party to not issue a long booklet. If Tory does rate party platforms, he will likely include Ontarios Green Party. The mayor said he was disappointed CityNews didnt include Green Leader Mike Schreiner in the debate. Read more about: LOS ANGELES Three Black people are planning to sue a Southern California police department over what they say was an excessive response to a racially motivated 911 call, but police say their officers response was polite, brief and nothing out of the ordinary. The Rialto Police Department said Monday that it had received notice of legal action by the three, who were leaving an Airbnb rental with their luggage when a neighbour called police on April 30 to report a burglary in progress. Read more: Starbucks apologizes after two Black men in Philadelphia were arrested after waiting at a table Starbucks Canada to close stores for sensitivity training following the arrest of two Black men at a U.S. location The encounter is the latest example of friction between law enforcement and minorities. Last month, two Black men in Philadelphia were arrested after a Starbucks employee called police because they hadnt bought anything. One of the Airbnb renters, Kells Fyffe-Marshall, wrote on social media that they were surrounded by seven police cars and told to put up their hands. Police said a helicopter was tracking them. You want to laugh about this but its not funny, said Fyffe-Marshall in her post, adding that police told her the woman called 911 when they didnt wave to her as she looked at us packing up. Police said in a news release that officers were polite during the 22-minute interaction. The caller did not recognize the vehicle or the people, police said. Rialto police Lt. Dean Hardin said it is standard for a helicopter to monitor the scene of a residential burglary in progress, in case someone leaves the house before ground police can get there. We didnt detain anybody, we didnt put anyone in handcuffs, we didnt point any weapons at anybody, he said. We actually allowed them pretty free movement about the scene, so its a pretty mild response to a situation. Fyffe-Marshall declined to comment, citing legal advice. Rialto is 80 km east of Los Angeles. Read more about: Former Nairobi Governor Evans Kidero has hinted at a major political comeback in 2022. Speaking over the weekend during a fundraising ceremony in aid of Wikoteng Secondary School in Asumbi in Homa Bay County, Kidero ruled out running for the Homa Bay gubernatorial seat as he is eyeing a bigger one. Kidero was responding to reports that he was looking to unseat Governor Cyprian Awiti after the High Court annulled his election. Those who have been saying that I am seeking to unseat Governor Awiti if a by-election ensues must now desist because that is not true. I am going for a bigger seat, said Kidero. Though he did not disclose which seat he was eyeing, Kidero hit out at Mike Sonko saying his successor has failed to transform the city. We shall restore Nairobi to its former glory because those in leadership have failed, he said. His sentiments were echoed by former Nairobi County Chief of Staff George Wainaina who accused Governor Sonko of underperformance. We have no alternative but to kick out Mr Sonko because he has failed Nairobi residents, he said. Kidero also hailed the pact between opposition leader Raila Odinga and President Uhuru Kenyatta. The handshake between the Nasa leader and the President is the best thing the leaders did for this country because it is uniting all of us, said Dr Kidero. YEREVAN, ArmeniaThe man who spearheaded weeks of protests in Armenia was chosen Tuesday to be the countrys new prime minister, and carries the weight of high hopes for a turnaround in the impoverished former Soviet republic. Prime Minister Nikol Pashinian faces an array of challenges, including a parliament dominated by the party he denounced as corrupt and how to resolve the volatile question of Nagorno-Karabakh, a region of Azerbaijan under the control of ethnic Armenian forces. In one of his first moves after parliament elected him as prime minister, Pashinian announced he would visit Nagorno-Karabakh on Wednesday. He said the self-declared government there must be a part of any talks to end the long-standing frozen conflict. Although Armenian leaders traditionally visit the region on May 9, the date on which many ex-Soviet countries mark the defeat of Nazi Germany, Pashinians trip is likely to provoke resentment from Azerbaijan. Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hikmet Hajieyv issued a statement insisting the Nagorno-Karabakh region, which is currently occupied, has always been an integral part of Azerbaijan. What is this? Initial naivete, ignorance of the subject, the bravado of the victor or maybe all of these together? he later said of Pashinians announcement. Since a six-year separatist war ended in 1994, Nagorno-Karabakh has been under the control of ethnic Armenian forces backed by Armenia. Shooting frequently breaks out across a demilitarized zone that separates the forces and Azerbaijans soldiers, and a four-day war in 2016 killed scores on both sides. Pashinians election, capping weeks of political turmoil, delighted his supporters, thousands of whom crowded the central square in the capital, Yerevan. We chose a new road in Armenia, where the driver will be the people and not clans. Jobs will appear, people will return, corruption will disappear, said demonstrator Tigran Azizian, a 42-year-old city subway worker. Such high hopes could lead to a hard fall, observers suggested, noting that Pashinian has yet even to articulate a platform. People are waiting for a miracle, but the risk of disappointment is very great the lack of a program and of a team make Pashinian very vulnerable, analyst Vigen Akopian said. The fight against corruption demands concrete actions from Pashinian. The elites, sitting on the states money sources, arent ready for this and will oppose it. Read more: UN finds Afghan airstrike mostly killed children, not Taliban Russian hackers posed as Daesh to threaten military wives Canadas dual role in Yemen: Arms exports to Saudi coalition dwarf aid sent to war-torn country The Republican Party, which has a majority of parliament seats, later underlined the difficulty by declaring its now in opposition. We do not consider it expedient to co-operate with the new government; it would be hypocritical to consider the issue of our participation in the new government, said Armen Ashotyan, a Republican faction leader. Many Armenians have stewed for years about the countrys poverty and widespread corruption, but Pashinian was able to galvanize that discontent into a mass movement that was raucous but largely peaceful. The protests focused on former president Serzh Sargsyan, who tried to hold onto power by switching from president to prime minister, a move that opponents saw as allowing him to remain the countrys leader indefinitely. Sargsyan was president for a decade, but stepped down this year because of term limits. However, Armenia has changed its government structure, giving the prime minister more power than the presidency. Soon after Sargsyan stopped being president, he was named prime minister by parliament. Yet faced with weeks of mass protests, Sargsyan left the premiership on April 23, six days after his election. In a concession last week, the Republicans agreed to support any prime minister candidate nominated by a third of the parliament members, paving the way for Pashinians election. The unresolved status of Nagorno-Karabakh contributes to the economic problems that are a key issue for Pashinians supporters. Both Azerbaijan and Turkey have closed their borders with Armenia over the conflict, inhibiting trade and leaving Armenia in semi-isolation. It has direct land access only to a narrow border with Iran and to Georgia. Pashinian, in a speech to parliament before his election Tuesday, said his revolution will lead to the recognition of realizing the rights of Karabakh to self-determination. He later said he was prepared for talks, but only if the separatists were involved. Armenia is strongly dependent on Russia, the source of about 30 per cent of the countrys imports. Russia in turn has strong strategic interests in the country, where it has a military base. Russian President Vladimir Putin congratulated Pashinian, who has promised hell continue close relations with Moscow. Putin said in a telegram to Pashinian after his election that he counts on him to aid the further strengthening of bilateral, allied relations between our countries. Jose Arreola walked into a Southern California gas station to buy Mentos on a Friday night in March and still cant shake off what happened next. After he paid for the mints and placed them in his left jacket pocket, an off-duty police officer behind him pulled out his handgun, pointed it at his feet and accused him of stealing them. It made me angry, Arreola, 49, said Monday. I felt this fear and thought of my wife. My wife might become a widow tonight. The night started when Arreola, who was on his way to a club with his wife, pulled into a Chevron station in Buena Park in Orange County, California. He got $60 (U.S.) out of an ATM, then remembered that his wife had asked for mints. Read more: In fight against violent crime in U.S., Justice Department targets low-level gun offenders Opinion | Shree Paradhar: This week proved it advocacy is going viral in a powerful way Standing in front of the cashier, Arreola scanned a row of candy bars, sweets and gum before reaching for a roll of Mentos. How much are these? Arreola asked the man behind the counter. The cashier told him they were $1.19. The transaction on March 16, which was recorded by the gas stations security camera, was entirely uneventful until the off-duty officer, who works for the Buena Park Police Department, entered the store. He missed the part when Arreola handed over $20 for the Mentos. Hey, put that back, the officer said as he lifted his sweatshirt and pulled a handgun from his waistband. Put it back. Police officer. I just paid for this, Arreola responded. The misunderstanding was resolved in about 35 seconds the officer put away his gun and apologized but it was long enough to taint Arreolas perception of the police and to land the officer in an internal Police Department investigation. You cant help but look at all these Facebook videos of cops doing bad things, said Arreola, who went public with his story Friday in an interview with The Orange County Register. The way he cocked his gun, I thought he was going to shoot me if I did any wrong move. Arreola said that after the encounter, he filed a complaint with the Police Department against the officer, who has not been identified. The department offered last week to settle the dispute, Arreola said, but he declined the deal because the amount would have only covered his legal fees. Across the United States, police departments have come under intense scrutiny in recent years over the use of force and treatment of minorities. The worst actions by police officers are sometimes captured on cellphone video and quickly shared on social media, fuelling a distrust toward law enforcement. John DeCarlo, a former police chief and an associate professor of criminal justice at the University of New Haven in Connecticut, said he reminds police officers to treat everyone they encounter with respect, from mundane interactions to very intense ones. Everyday encounters, such as seeing an officer in a gas station, shape peoples overall perceptions of the police, he said. We have an innate fear of police to begin with, DeCarlo said. Its about treating people how you want to be treated. DeCarlo was startled as he watched the security footage of the off-duty Buena Park police officer. Oh my goodness, he said as he watched the officer retrieve his gun. Holy mackerel. He said the officer violated the most basic rules governing the use of force by the police. No matter the situation, officers should issue verbal commands first. Pulling out a gun should be a last resort. What the officer did was incredibly inappropriate, he said. Corey S. Sianez, the Buena Park police chief, said he was also troubled by the officers actions. I want you to know that after I watched the video, I found it to be disturbing, as Im sure it was to you, he said Friday on Facebook. Sianez said the actions by the officer were under review. He did not respond to an email Monday asking whether the officer was still on active duty or if he had been placed on leave during the investigation. I can definitely assure you that our investigation will be thorough, he said. If the officer is found to be in violation of any policies and procedures, he will be held accountable. KAMPALA, Uganda A wildlife official says a leopard has attacked and killed a toddler in a protected area popular with tourists. Bashir Hangi, a spokesperson for the Uganda Wildlife Authority, said Tuesday that the victim, the two-year-old son of a game ranger, was attacked Friday evening while following a nanny to a kitchen outside their house in Queen Elizabeth National Park. He said the nanny heard the child scream and then saw the animal dragging the boy to the bush. A search team later found the boys skull and other remains that were buried over the weekend. The incident has shocked many in Uganda, where leopard attacks on humans are rare. Leopard attacks on children are sometimes reported in parts of rural India. PARISArmy wife Angela Ricketts was soaking in a bubble bath in her Colorado home, leafing through a memoir, when a message appeared on her iPhone: Dear Angela! it said. Bloody Valentines Day! We know everything about you, your husband and your children, the Facebook message continued, claiming that the hackers operating under the flag of Islamic State militants had penetrated her computer and her phone. Were much closer than you can even imagine. Read more: U.S. and Britain jointly warn of Russian hacking campaign U.S. accuses Russia of trying to hack energy grid; 19 Russians sanctioned over alleged election interference Ricketts was one of five military wives who received death threats from the self-styled CyberCaliphate on the morning of Feb. 10, 2015. The warnings led to days of anguished media coverage of Daesh militants online reach. Except it wasnt Daesh. The Associated Press has found evidence that the women were targeted not by jihadists but by the same Russian hacking group that intervened in the American election and exposed the emails of Hillary Clintons presidential campaign chairman, John Podesta. The false flag is a case study in the difficulty of assigning blame in a world where hackers routinely borrow one anothers identities to throw investigators off track. The operation also parallels the online disinformation campaign by Russian trolls in the months leading up to the U.S. election in 2016. Links between CyberCaliphate and the Russian hackers typically nicknamed Fancy Bear or APT28 have been documented previously. On both sides of the Atlantic, the consensus is that the two groups are closely related. But that consensus never filtered through to the women involved, many of whom were convinced they had been targeted by Daesh sympathizers right up until the AP contacted them. Never in a million years did I think that it was the Russians, said Ricketts, an author and advocate for veterans and military families. She called the revelation mind blowing. It feels so hilarious and insidious at the same time. As Ricketts scrambled out of the tub to show the threat to her husband, nearly identical messages reached Lori Volkman, a deputy prosecutor based in Oregon who had won fame as a blogger after her husband deployed to the Middle East; Ashley Broadway-Mack, based in the Washington, D.C., area and head of an association for gay and lesbian military family members; and Amy Bushatz, an Alaska-based journalist who covers spouse and family issues for Military.com. Liz Snell, the wife of a U.S. Marine, was at her husbands retirement ceremony in California when her phone rang. The Twitter account of her charity, Military Spouses of Strength, had been hacked. It was broadcasting public threats not only to herself and the other spouses, but also to their families and then-first lady Michelle Obama. Snell flew home to Michigan from the ceremony, took her children and checked into a Comfort Inn for two nights. Any time somebody threatens your family, Mama Bear comes out, she said. The women determined they had all received the same threats. They were also all quoted in a CNN piece about the hacking of a military Twitter feed by CyberCaliphate only a few weeks earlier. In it, they had struck a defiant tone. After they received the threats, they suspected that CyberCaliphate singled them out for retaliation. The women refused to be intimidated. Fear is exactly what at the time we perceived ISIS wanted from military families, said Volkman, using another term for the Daesh group. Volkman was quoted in half a dozen media outlets; Bushatz wrote an article describing what happened; Ricketts, interviewed as part of a Fox News segment devoted to the menace of radical Islam, told TV host Greta Van Susteren that the nature of the threat was changing. Military families are prepared to deal with violence thats directed toward our soldiers, she said. But having it directed toward us is just complete new ground. A few weeks after the spouses were threatened, on April 9, 2015, the signal of French broadcaster TV5 Monde went dead. The stations network of routers and switches had been knocked out and its internal messaging system disabled. Pasted across the stations website and Facebook page was the keffiyeh-clad logo of CyberCaliphate. The cyberattack shocked France, coming on the heels of jihadist massacres at the satirical magazine Charlie Hebdo and a kosher supermarket that left 17 dead. French leaders decried what they saw as another blow to the countrys media. Interior Minister Bernard Cazeneuve said evidence suggested the broadcaster was the victim of an act of terror. But Guillaume Poupard, the chief of Frances cybersecurity agency, pointedly declined to endorse the ministers comments when quizzed about them the day after the hack. We should be very prudent about the origin of the attack, he told French radio. We might be surprised. Government experts poring over the stations stricken servers eventually vindicated Poupards caution, finding evidence they said pointed not to the Middle East but to Moscow. Speaking to the AP last year, Poupard said the attack resembles a lot what we call collectively APT28. Russian officials in Washington and in Moscow did not respond to questions seeking comment. The Kremlin has repeatedly denied masterminding hacks against Western targets. Proof that the military wives were targeted by Russian hackers is laid out in a digital hit list provided to the AP by the cybersecurity company Secureworks last year. The AP has previously used the list of 4,700 Gmail addresses to outline the groups espionage campaign against journalists, defence contractors and U.S. officials. More recent AP research has found that Fancy Bear, which Secureworks dubs Iron Twilight, was actively trying to break into the military wives mailboxes around the time that CyberCaliphate struck. Lee Foster, a manager with cybersecurity company FireEye, said the repeated overlap between Russian hackers and CyberCaliphate made it all but certain that the groups were linked. Just think of your basic probabilities, he said. CyberCaliphate faded from view after the TV5 Monde hack, but the over-the-top threats issued by the gang of make-believe militants found an echo in the anti-Muslim sentiment whipped up by the St. Petersburg troll farm an organization whose operations were laid bare by a U.S. special prosecutors indictment earlier this year. The trolls Russian employees paid to seed American social media with disinformation often hyped the threat of Daesh militants to the United States. A few months before CyberCaliphate first won attention by hijacking various media organizations Twitter accounts, for example, the trolls were spreading false rumours about a Daesh attack in Louisiana and a counterfeit video appearing to show an American soldier firing into a Quran . The AP has found no link between CyberCaliphate and the St. Petersburg trolls, but their aims appeared to be the same: keep tension at a boil and radical Islam in the headlines. By that measure, CyberCaliphates targeting of media outlets such as TV5 Monde and the military spouses succeeded handily. Ricketts, the author, said that by planting threats with some of the most vocal members of the military community, CyberCaliphate guaranteed maximum press coverage. Not only did we play right into their hands by freaking out, but the media played right into it, she said. We reacted in a way that was probably exactly what they were hoping for. Read more about: KABUL, AfghanistanOf more than 100 people killed or wounded in an Afghan government airstrike last month, most were children at a religious gathering, United Nations officials have concluded, contradicting Afghan officials who have claimed that the target was a Taliban planning session. In a damning report issued Monday, the UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan stopped short of calling the April 2 airstrike a war crime, but said it raised questions as to the governments respect of the rules of precaution and proportionality under international humanitarian law. At least 36 people were killed and 71 wounded, of whom 30 of the dead and 51 of the wounded were children, UNAMA found, but the toll may have been much higher. It counted only those casualties that could be confirmed by three independent sources, and said that many other people were reported killed or injured by one or two sources. Some local officials put the death toll as high as 70. Rights workers described a disturbing pattern of behaviour by a government that no longer complains about civilian casualties from airstrikes, now that its own forces are carrying out most of those attacks. U.S. airstrikes, especially in the Kunduz area, once aroused a great deal of government criticism and the United States has at times apologized. The rise in civilian casualties from Afghan government air operations is deeply troubling, said Patricia Gossman of Human Rights Watch. There is little capacity or commitment to carry out robust investigations; those that are done are ad hoc and as in this case never made public. A member of the Afghan presidents fact-finding commission, Sangin Tawakalzai, said as recently as Monday that Kunduz officials had claimed only nine had been killed. The UN report said that the airstrike had hit a well-publicized outdoor religious gathering in the Dasht-e-Archi district of Kunduz province, a district that has long been dominated by the Taliban and has seen heavy fighting with government forces. More than 400 posters had been distributed in the area in advance, announcing what was said to be a graduation program at a madrassa, or religious school. While many local officials said that Taliban officials attended in large numbers, UNAMA said it could not confirm how many of the dead were Taliban. The report said that the 36 confirmed dead were all male, but only six of them were adults, and the others were apparently boys from a nearby religious school. Government MD-530 helicopter gunships attacked the crowd, firing into a section full of children first, with rockets and .50-calibre heavy machine guns, the report said, describing the arms used as imprecise weapons. The children were struck first because they were in the rear of the crowd, and most accessible from overhead. Afghan officials from the Ministry of Defense and the presidency repeatedly either declined to comment on UNAMAs findings, or did not respond to inquiries. They have claimed the airstrike was on a Taliban planning session that included several high-ranking Taliban officials. I dont want to comment on figures of civilian casualties provided by UNAMA, said Shah Hussain Murtazawi, President Ashraf Ghanis deputy spokesman. Our investigation also shows that there were some civilian casualties, but the main target was the Taliban gathering. Murtazawi said he could not provide further detail, however, because the governments own report had yet to be formally presented to the presidents National Security Council. He said that the Kunduz attack had prompted the government to take more measures to prevent civilian casualties in airstrikes, but he did not specify what those measures were. Gossman, of Human Rights Watch, said, The government seems wary of releasing information about large numbers of civilian casualties, since to do so means confronting those in the security forces responsible. The United Nations in Afghanistan has also criticized the insurgents, blaming them for the majority of civilian casualties in the war, particularly from suicide bombings and improvised explosive devices that often deliberately target civilians. The latest UN report said 67 per cent of civilian casualties could be attributed to the insurgents. Until recent months, most aerial attacks in Afghanistan were carried out by U.S.-led coalition forces, and many still are, though with increased standards of caution to avoid civilian casualties, according to U.S. officials. At least four U.S. airstrikes in Kunduz in recent years resulted in claims of civilian casualties. In one hotly disputed attack just outside Kunduz city last November, the U.S. military launched airstrikes after two of its soldiers had been killed, apparently killing civilians who had been ordered by the Taliban to recover the dead and wounded. The United States at first denied killing any civilians, but reversed its position after an investigation and said 33 civilians had died in the incident. The U.S. commander, Gen. John W. Nicholson Jr., apologized for the loss of life. Read more about: YOKOTA AIR BASE, Japan U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo arrived in North Korea on Wednesday to finalize details of a historic summit planned between President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un. Trump announced the mission in Washington on Tuesday just minutes before Pompeo arrived in Japan to refuel before flying on to Pyongyang, and as the president declared he was withdrawing from a landmark nuclear deal with another bitter U.S. adversary, Iran. U.S. officials say Pompeo will also press North Korea for the release of three detained American citizens, whose imminent release Trump has been hinting at. His trip comes just days after North Korea expressed displeasure with Washington for comments suggesting that massive U.S. pressure had pushed Kim to the negotiating table. Pompeo, who first travelled to North Korea as CIA chief in early April, is only the second sitting secretary of state to visit the reclusive nation with which it is still technically at war. The first was Madeleine Albright in 2000 who went as part of an unsuccessful bid to arrange a meeting between then-President Bill Clinton and Kims father Kim Jong Il. At this very moment, Secretary Pompeo is on his way to North Korea in preparation for my upcoming meeting with Kim Jong Un, Trump said at the White House. Plans are being made, relationships are building, hopefully a deal will happen and with the help of China, South Korea and Japan a future of great prosperity and security can be achieved for everyone, he said. Pompeo flew out of Washington under cover of darkness late Monday aboard an Air Force 757 accompanied by a handful of senior aides, a security detail and two journalists: one from The Associated Press and one from The Washington Post, who were given roughly four hours notice of his departure. The flight arrived Wednesday morning and North Korean officials were on hand to greet the American diplomat. Pompeos first trip to Pyongyang over Easter weekend before he was confirmed as secretary of state was a closely held secret. News of it did not emerge just before his Senate confirmation vote less than two weeks ago. Shortly afterward, the White House released photographs of Pompeo and Kim posing for cameras. It was not clear if Kim would meet Pompeo on Wednesday. Read more: Date and place set for summit with Kim, Trump says, without revealing details Trump says military drawdown not on table for North Korea summit Trump defends CIA nominee, says she is tough on terror Pompeo told reporters aboard his plane that his first visit was to test the North Koreans seriousness of pledges to South Korea on easing tensions. This trip is to put in place a framework for a successful summit, he said. Although there were no guarantees that the American prisoners would be freed during Pompeos visit, U.S. officials said their release would be significant goodwill gesture ahead of the Trump-Kim summit that is expected later this month or in early June. I think it would be a great gesture if they would agree to do so, Pompeo said, adding that it would be difficult to hold a leaders summit if the prisoners remained captive. The three Korean-Americans Kim Dong Chul, Kim Hak Song and Tony Kim are all accused by the North of antistate activities. Trump has said that a time and place for the summit have been decided but has not said where and when it will be. Pompeos visit to Pyongyang aims to lock down the date and venue for a formal announcement to be made. It came just a day after Kim returned from China, his second trip to the neighbouring country in six weeks to meet with President Xi Jinping. A Trump-Kim meeting seemed a remote possibility just a few months ago when the two leaders were trading threats and insults over North Koreas development of nuclear weapons and ballistic missile tests. But momentum for diplomacy built this year as North and South Korea have moved to ease tensions, including with their own leaders summit late last month. In March, Trump unexpectedly accepted an offer of talks from Kim after the North Korean dictator agreed to suspend nuclear and missile tests and discuss denuclearization. According to South Korea, Kim says hes willing to give up his nukes if the United States commits to a formal end to the Korean War and pledges not to attack the North. Kim was quoted as saying Monday by Chinas official news agency Xinhua: I hope to build mutual trust with the U.S. through dialogue. He added that a political resolution of tensions on the Korean Peninsula and denuclearization should proceed in stages, with all sides moving in concert. But his exact demands for relinquishing weapons that his nation spent decades building remain unclear. Previous U.S. efforts to negotiate an end to the Norths nuclear weapons program failed under presidents Clinton and George W. Bush. Pompeo and officials travelling with him said the Trump administration would not repeat mistakes of the past, which they described as accepting gradual, incremental and long-term disarmament in exchange for immediate benefits. One senior official said Trump and Pompeo were looking for a bold approach that would fundamentally alter the security situation. We are not going to head back down the path that we headed down before, Pompeo said. We will not relieve sanctions until such time as we have achieved our objectives. Were not going to do this in small increments where the world is essentially coerced into relieving economic pressure. Trump has said that withdrawing U.S. forces from South Korea is not on the table. Some 28,500 U.S. forces are based in the allied nation, a military presence that has been preserved to deter North Korea since the war ended in 1953 without a peace treaty. After weeks of positive signals, though, North Korea on Sunday dismissed what it called misleading claims that Trumps policy of maximum political pressure and sanctions are what drove the North to talks. A North Korean foreign ministry spokesman warned the claims are a dangerous attempt to ruin a budding detente on the Korean Peninsula after the summit between Kim and South Korean President Moon Jae-in. The U.S. is deliberately provoking the DPRK at the time when the situation on the Korean Peninsula is moving toward peace and reconciliation, the spokesman was quoted as saying. DPRK is short for the Democratic Peoples Republic of Korea, the Norths formal name. The statement seemed aimed at strengthening Kims position going into his meeting with Trump. Pyongyang claims Kim himself is the driver of the current situation and the spokesman said the U.S. should not to interpret Pyongyangs willingness to talk as a sign of weakness. Read more about: Almost one year ago, on May 12, 2017, I walked into the central Service Ontario office in Toronto to apply for my non-binary birth certificate. I had no idea about the challenges and the emotional roller-coaster that faced me. After Ontario delayed my application, and a subsequent human rights application, finally, I now have my non-binary birth certificate. Its a victory for me. Its victory for our community. After years of having the system define me, that has now changed. With the new Service Ontario policy for birth certificates, people in the province now have a choice beyond male and female on their birth certificates and it illustrates that non-binary people exist we are Ontarians and we are Canadians. Read more: Filmmaker receives non-binary birth certificate after legal battle with province The province has made history by becoming the first jurisdiction in the world to implement a twofold policy for birth certificates. Birth certificates are now more inclusive. The policy achieves a respectful balance by recognizing non-binary people who want official sex markers, trans and non-trans people who dont want any sex markers at all and the men, women and children, who do not want these policy changes to affect their birth certificates. To be clear, on the birth certificates of newborn children, parents will still be able to designate M, F or now an X (especially for the 1 in 1,500 babies born intersex), or they can choose not to list the sex designation of their child at all allowing their child to one day self-determine their gender identity. The policy will have zero impact on the majority of Ontarians who want their birth certificates to stay the same. Every time a trans person is forced to present a piece of ID designating incorrect sex markers, it exposes us to anxiety and distress because it is a vital part of our existence in society. Commonplace experiences, such as travelling through airports, attending school and picking-up parcels, can turn into stressful and painful events for trans people when we are forced to present personal information that does not match who we are. Frequently, when I present my ID with an M or Male listed, the postal worker, bank teller, airport employee looks at me like there is something wrong with me because my ID doesnt match what I look like. These situations can range from stares to questioning the validity of my ID and therefore my existence. Ontarios new policy will save lives. It will have a profound positive impact on the lives of trans people. It will give people a choice for their birth certificates and it will give hope to trans people across the country who still live in provinces with governments that fail to recognize who they are, especially people who are neither men nor women. In part, motivating a policy that officially recognizes non-binary people in Ontario has become one of my proudest moments. I was tormented as a gender nonconforming child, teenager and young adult at the hands of people who verbally harassed and physically assaulted me. I dont want other children to grow up feeling the sting of another persons fist or the sharp dehumanizing verbal abuse because their gender identity or expression isnt officially recognized and protected on government issued ID. Research from the University of Texas emphasizes that trans youth have suicidal thoughts at twice the rate of their peers, and one 1-out-of-3 trans youth have considered suicide. The National Centre for Transgender Equality in the U.S. states: gender incongruent ID exposes people to a range of negative outcomes, from denial of employment, housing and public benefits to harassment and physical violence. Trans Pulse at Western University found a significant decrease in suicide risk among those who had ID documents matching their expressed gender. Having proper ID was found to have the potential to prevent 90 in 1,000 trans people from seriously considering suicide. What matters is that people value and respect each other even if we dont agree. To elevate basic dignity for one another is the power of our shared humanity. York University advertises itself as an international hub of research and knowledge, and a community primed for your academic and social success. A great many current students, no doubt, have far less flattering things to add to that rosy summation of their campus. After two months without classes thanks to the latest faculty strike they are far from primed for academic success. Instead, theyre watching their term disappear and, along with it, the jobs theyve lined up for the summer. After so many labour disruptions at York University, parents can be forgiven for starting to have second thoughts about sending their kids there at all. With teaching staff walking the picket line for the fifth time in two decades, its increasingly looking like the university where there is no guarantee of an on-time degree, no matter how hard students work. Provincially appointed investigator William Kaplan came to the conclusion on Friday that with this labour disruption there is no hope of a negotiated deal between the 3,000 contract faculty, teaching assistants and graduate assistants (represented by the Local 3903 of the Canadian Union of Public Employees) and the administration. So on Monday, the provincial government did the only responsible thing it could and attempted to pass back-to-work legislation to end the strike and force the parties into arbitration. Unfortunately, the NDP refused to the give the unanimous consent required to get such legislation through quickly. Typically, the NDP oppose and stall back-to-work legislation for as long as they can. But in this case, time is of the essence for the 40,000 students affected by the strike and the provincial legislature. The Liberals should try to pass strike-ending legislation again Tuesday in what would be their final act of government, with the writ dropping on Wednesday for the June 7 election. And this time, the NDP should support it. With voters heading to the polls a month from now, this is a chance for Andrea Horwath to demonstrate her partys capacity to govern for the greater good by putting the interests of students ahead of its loyalty to unions. York students have suffered for far too long already. They dont deserve to be caught up in this intractable labour dispute. The provincial government can and should end this strike. But its York University and its unions that need to tackle the systemic issues that make made the university so prone to strikes. As Kaplan says, the administration and contract faculty have completely different world views that are informed by completely different academic and institutional aspirations. So long as that continues, so will the strikes. And every time that happens, students and the universitys reputation suffer. Read more about: The OMA and my cloak of racism, Opinion, May 7 The Ontario Medical Association (OMA) did itself a huge disservice in its majority vote against territorial acknowledgement. Showing a more accurate understanding of jurisdiction, showing compassion and the matter of stopping harm all happen when territorial acknowledgement is present. As others who have brought in such a policy have learned, it doesnt always go perfectly. It also means that leaders need to ask what the territory is every time they are in a new location. It also means that people need to be prepared to be corrected. All of these skills learning, outreach, regular education is supposedly what doctors already do. Of course, more needs to be done. But some actions can be done in the meantime. Ask about the territory when you go some place you havent been to before. Be prepared to have someone help you learn more about that acknowledgement. Be prepared to be corrected. And, my gosh, be prepared to meet an Indigenous person you have never met before. In facing truths, we need to acknowledge that this votes result of knowing better than Indigenous peoples and so many other institutions that specialize in history and law is the function of colonialism. Face it, OMA, you have just shown that you still think you know better, even when you have so much more to learn. Signa A. Daum Shanks, director of Indigenous outreach at Osgoode Hall Law School Dr. Nel Wieman describes the OMAs decision not to pay tribute to Indigenous peoples as a form of subtle racism. No case was made however, as to why a medical association would delve into Indigenous affairs and Canadian history. While she is quick to allege white privilege, she is remiss to admit her own that is, attending the most coveted program in university, medicine. If Dr. Wieman is suggesting a system in which candidates can, nay, must, earn their place without prejudice toward ethnicity, colour, family history etc., she can count on my vote. Its now clear the Canadian debate over climate change and carbon pricing is serving no ones interests. It was always idealistic, if not naive, to believe that the provinces and territories would fall in line to work with the federal governments pan-Canadian approach to carbon pricing. It may have been equally idealistic for Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to believe he could trade a west coast pipeline expansion for Albertas support of this national approach. But where we are today was likely never sketched out on the darkest pages of the Liberal playbook. The largest cloud of CO2 emissions in the country is hanging over the House of Commons where the governing Liberals are refusing to reveal even a ballpark price for consumers from its carbon pricing plan while the opposition Conservatives are pledging to do as much as the Liberals or better, without even bothering with a carbon tax. The Conservative plan is so good that it must be kept under wraps, apparently, because while they scream demands for a Liberal price tag, they are mum on the details of their plan. They are not alone, however. Ontario Progressive Conservative Leader Doug Ford and Alberta United Conservative Party Leader Jason Kenney, both potential premiers-in-waiting, are seeking power without bothering with a climate change plan. Jurisdictional battles, political threats, constitutional brinkmanship, court challenges, obfuscation, hyperbole and thinly-disguised attempts to shut down academic freedom of expression may sadly be an accepted part of our political landscape in 2018 but they all conspire to make Canadians the real losers on this issue. The government plan at the heart of the debate calls for the taxing of greenhouse gas emissions starting at $20 per tonne at the beginning of next year, rising $10 a year to $50 a tonne in 2022. Provinces unable or unwilling to craft programs to meet those targets will have them imposed on them by the federal government. As timid and as sluggish as the Liberal plan is, it has become a political lightning rod. Federal Finance Minister Bill Morneau says carbon pricing will be revenue neutral and provinces can use revenue collected by Ottawa as they see fit. Conservative critic Pierre Poilievre has repeatedly asked the government how much carbon pricing will cost the average household but Morneau says he cant answer until all provinces finalize plans to meet federal standards in September. It is politically expedient for Conservatives to call this a tax grab or a slush fund, or the carbon tax cover-up but without their own specifics, those shouts ring hollow. In the Liberal defence, there are a host of variables at play before cost can be calculated with any nod to accuracy. One University of Calgary study by Jennifer Winter pegged the annual household cost at $50 per tonne as low as $603 in British Columbia and as high as $1,120 in Nova Scotia, but it does not factor in changes in consumer habits or government policies which could mitigate costs. Another University of Calgary study examining the effect of carbon pricing in Ontario and Alberta puts the consumer burden at a fraction of that. Kenney is the leading anti-carbon pricing flamethrower. Over the past weekend, on the third anniversary of the historic election of New Democrat Rachel Notley as Alberta premier, the man who would replace her delivered a speech at his partys convention that targeted anyone who opposes the free movement of Alberta bitumen. He vowed to go to court to strip the charitable status from organizations which aim to block pipelines or keep Alberta bitumen in the ground and he threatened to turn off the taps to British Columbia as part of the Kinder Morgan pipeline fight so maybe the B.C. Greens and New Democrats will understand that their economy is not fuelled by lithium crystals and pixie dust, but by Alberta oil. Meanwhile the federal Liberals will intervene in B.C.s court challenge seeking to limit the amount of bitumen into the province as Kinder Morgan keeps the clock ticking on a May 31 deadline for some clarity on its Trans Mountain expansion. This vicious polarization has even manifested itself in the reaction to the University of Albertas decision to confer an honorary degree on David Suzuki, a decision that has cost the university hundreds of thousands in donations. This country has time and again found a path to accommodation on issues that strain its fabric. This is one of those issues. But this time all we are getting are provincial firewalls, grenades and declarations of war. Tim Harper is a former Star reporter who is a current freelance columnist based in Toronto. Follow him on Twitter: @nutgraf1 Read more about: Another shocking case of domestic violence has tragically claimed the lives of a woman and her three children in Roysambu, Nairobi. Ann Gathoni, 35, and her children were reportedly strangled to death by a man, identified only as Maina, on Monday morning. The children were aged four, eight, and 14 and were in class eight and four, with the youngest being in class two. The suspect is said to be the father of the deceaseds fourth child, a three-year-old boy, whom he spared during the attack in Marurui. The deceaseds bodies were discovered by a teacher who had gone to check on one of the children for missing school on Monday. According to neighbours, the couple disagreed often and quarreled on Sunday night. I heard them quarreling last night. The man left but was seen early in the morning, a neighbour said. The childrens cousin claimed the suspect had in the past threatened to kill the woman and that he was a drunkard. I was with my aunt yesterday(Sunday) everything was fine. The man was not married to my aunt, Mary Wanjiku said. Police have since launched investigations and moved the bodies to City Mortuary. Doug Ford is no Donald Trump. He is a much more standard politician. True, the Ontario Progressive Conservative leader shares some of Trumps bumptious qualities. He is big, bulky and has a healthy regard for himself. Like the U.S. president, Ford prides himself on being plain-spoken. He likes to say he champions the little guy. He sometimes exaggerates. But politically, Ford is in an entirely different space than Trump was during his run for office. First, he is far more popular. Polls pegged Trump as the most unpopular presidential candidate in recent history. By contrast, Fords poll numbers are comfortably high. An EKOS poll released last month shows Ford and his PCs scoring highest among almost every category of voter. Men liked him better than Liberal Premier Kathleen Wynne and New Democratic leader Andrea Horwath. But so did women. Older voters preferred Ford. But so did those between the ages of 18 and 34. He was the top choice for the university and college-educated as well as those with just a high school degree. The Ford Tories led their rivals in every area of the province except Toronto (where the Liberals did best). What this means is that the Ford phenomenon is not just based on the resentment of a Trumpian working class that feels hard done by. If the EKOS poll has any merit, it is far broader. But it is also shallower. That is the second big difference. Trumps appeal was based largely on who he was a politically incorrect celebrity running on a simple, nativist platform to make America great again. By contrast, Fords appeal is based on who he is not: He is not Kathleen Wynne. Many voters know little more about him than that. And so he is more careful than Trump. In Mondays televised leaders debate, he avoided saying anything unduly outrageous. Indeed, at times it was if he were on the sidelines, watching his two rivals duke it out. The only odd thing he said was that Wynne has a nice smile. But I doubt that will get him in much trouble with voters. So, too, was he careful in his flip-flop on the green belt, that ring of protected land around the Greater Toronto Area. Earlier this year, Ford told builders he would allow development in the green belt. When that pledge became public and attracted criticism, Ford simply reversed himself and became the green belts biggest supporter. It wasnt an elegant flip-flop. Nor did it reflect a Trumpian refusal to admit mistakes. But for a party leader anxious to avoid being labelled an environmental troglodyte, it was politically wise. Finally, Ford is being forced to deal with the contradictions within his own party. He was happy to accept the help of outspoken social conservatives like Tanya Granic Allen to win the PC leadership. But like other Tory leaders before him, he balked at the idea of allowing such social conservatives to define the party. When the Liberals released footage showing Granic Allen making disparaging comments about gay marriage, Ford axed her as a PC candidate in the June 7 election even though she had already won the partys Mississauga Centre nomination. Compare that to Trumps support for alleged pedophile Roy Moore in last years special Alabama senate race. In short, Ford unlike Trump is pitching to the centre. This may not satisfy those who prefer to see Ford as the anti-Christ. But it is not unusual for a Tory leader. Nor, as Ford is discovering, is it easy. Critics are now asking why, in light of the Granic Allen scandal, Ford chose former AM radio host Andrew Lawton to be the partys candidate in London West. It is alleged that over the years, Lawton made comments on social media that were dismissive of gays and the deaf. Lawton explains that he was mentally ill at the time and thus reckless in almost all areas of my life, the London Free Press reports. That explanation would almost certainly satisfy Trump. Will it be enough for Ford? I expect he will do the usual political calculation to find out. Thomas Walkom appears Monday, Wednesday and Friday. appears Monday, Wednesday and Friday. Read more about: Its like theres a horse loose in a hospital! Thats American standup comic John Mulaneys description of the Trump presidency. I think eventually everythings going to be OK, but I have no idea whats going to happen next. And neither do any of you, and neither do your parents. Cause theres a horse loose in the hospital! Mulaney says this in Kid Gorgeous and I urge you to watch it on Netflix because he talks about childhood, about being a small person in a world run by grown-ups later in life, you will realize how unwell these grown-ups were and thats what living in the arbitrariness of Trump world is like. No one knows what the horse is going to do next. Least of all the horse. Sen. John McCain, on his deathbed in Arizona, has decided that he doesnt want President Trump at his funeral. I mean, imagine the Donald at a funeral. Hed be eating the floral arrangements. Then McCain finally said it. He wishes he had chosen Sen. Joe Lieberman as a running mate in 2008. He chose Sarah Palin because he was told that Lieberman was a bad choice which he was because he had caucused with the Democrats and favoured abortion rights. McCain seems to be blaming his advisers and cannot even bear to say Palins name out loud, so his confession is less than candid. But everyone else is saying this, carefully, because McCain is a good person facing death with remarkable courage. McCain opened the door. He let Palin into the hospital. Palin was frightening from the start, her first speech at the Republican convention throwing lumps of red meat to what came to be known as the deplorables. She was unread, profoundly ignorant of policy and social mores, she attacked Barack Obama in the most contemptuous terms, she had a catastrophically badly-behaved family, and she could whip up a Republican crowd into the weird sexualized rants of Drill, baby drill that foreshadowed the current Republican backlash against womens rights and sexual behaviour. Take a string and follow it from Palin to Trump. Bring the ends of the string together. At first, it was thrilling to see a womans name on the Republican ticket. Then the woman spoke. My assessment of Palin at the convention was predictive and accurate, though unpopular at the time, and I would have loved to see her find some way to civilize herself. (A decade later, she has yet to do this.) Its good for a journalist to be right, one amused editor told me later, but its not pleasant to be the first to do it. And a few weeks later, like an overturning boat that manages to right itself in the water, every normal person agreed with me that Palin was a Mama Grizzly embarrassment. It didnt matter. Obama/Biden was going to defeat McCain/Palin anyway. What mattered was the populist surge that Palin began. In 2016, before Trumps win, President Obama said it out loud. I see a straight line from the announcement of Sarah Palin as the vice-presidential nominee to what we see today in Donald Trump, the emergence of the Freedom Caucus, the tea party, and the shift in the centre of gravity for the Republican Party. At that point, Obama wasnt to know what would happen, that the call would be coming from inside the house, from an ignorant, racist sexual degenerate whose personal insecurities, sudden rages and links to Putins Russia would make America increasingly unrecognizable to its own citizens and the world. We are now at the point in the news cycle where one dare not take a shower without missing the latest horror story, which was mining magnate Don Blankenships China people, followed by New York Attorney-General Eric Schneiderman allegedly being a sexual psychopath, since overtaken by news of the anti-nuclear deal with Iran, followed by _________ (fill in the space). The problem is less what the horse is doing to the hospital wrecking the place but more getting it out permanently. Maybe the horse-catcher will catch the horse, says Mulaney. And then the horse is like Ive fired the horse-catcher. Mulaney is horrified. The horse can do that? What then? An evangelical horse? VANCOUVER When it comes to commercial real estate in the Lower Mainland, the mantra seems to be go big, or go home. Metro Vancouver has a new commercial real estate mega deal to add to several recent acquisitions seeing sky-high prices. Reuters reported on Monday that the Canadian department store Hudsons Bay and venture partner RioCan REIT have signed a conditional agreement to sell its flagship store on Granville Street to an undisclosed Asian buyer, who owns a closely held real estate company, for a purported $675 million. Peter Anderson, a solicitor in commercial real estate at Boughton Law, who is not involved in the department store deal, but works for a dozen landlords who either own or operate large and small commercial properties in Vancouver, said the deal could be a sign the company needs to unlock capital to stay competitive with other large online retailers like Walmart, which tend to be in suburban areas where rents are lower. Hudsons Bay, Anderson explained, is one of the few blocks of land in downtown that dont already have office towers or condos on site. It would be a prime site to be developed into a higher use property with larger buildings. If they did redevelop, he said, it would be worthwhile to keep the heritage facade of the existing building. StarMetro reached out to Hudsons Bay Company, but the company declined to comment on what it considers rumour and speculation. But reports last year point to the companys failure to generate sales. The company lost $243 million in the third quarter of 2017. The companys latest plan to sell its downtown real estate is part of a string in the past month of several record-breaking commercial purchases and leases in Metro Vancouver. This in an environment where commercial vacancies have dropped to an all-time low. According to the commercial real estate firm CBRE, Metro Vancouvers vacancy rate will drop to 1.4 per cent by the end of this year. Stefan Morissette, industrial vice-president of Colliers International in Vancouver, represented Daiya Foods in signing a lease for a 400,000 square-foot facility in Burnaby, making it the largest industrial lease in 2018. He said there are very few options for industrial spaces in the current low-vacancy climate. I have a client that wants 40,000 to 50,000 square feet right now, just general warehouse space nothing special, and Im struggling to find them property across all Lower Mainland markets, because of small handful of options. Morisette said Daiya Foods, which is owned by the Japanese company Otsuka Pharmaceutical Co., said the company was initially looking for a 200,000-squarefoot space. But the lack of options, and their long-term plan to grow made the company consider the bigger space. I have encouraged them to look at a slightly larger facility with the opportunity to sublet out a portion of it. Ive actually had a number of clients in the last 12 months do that. Last month, Hungerford Properties also announced the acquisition of two large industrial sites in South Vancouver with a combined 675,000 square feet of space on Marine Drive, making it the largest industrial land deal in a decade worth an undisclosed amount, said Michael Hungerford, a partner in the company specializing in commercial and residential properties. Hungerford said the company will work with the city to intensify land use, and expects to see mixed-use commercial developments. Jenny Peng is a Vancouver-based reporter covering business. Follow her on Twitter: @JennyPengNow Read more about: VANCOUVER British Columbia wont change how it regulates its doctors any time soon, Health Minister Adrian Dix said. Dix, reacting to a Star investigation on doctors with disciplinary problems switching jurisdictions and leaving their dark secrets behind, said B.C. has solid doctor oversight processes in place. Our legislation is stronger than in many other jurisdictions, he said. After an 18-month investigation, the Star last week published reports laying out systematic flaws with the way doctors in Canada are vetted when they change jurisdictions. The investigation found more than 150 doctors who have held licenses in Canada and the United States with infractions on their professional records. Those infractions were either not reported to their new oversight bodies when they moved or not disclosed to the public by those bodies. Two of the more serious cases took place in B.C., involving Dr. Gary McCallum, who raped a patient in Washington State prior to moving to the province, and Dr. Fernando Casses, who has a history of botched surgeries in the U.S. Like health ministers in Alberta and Ontario, Dix would only say he was open to examining the problems unveiled by the Stars series. He added the provinces examination of other medical regulators shows the government takes such oversight seriously. Dix said the concerns raised in the report are worth looking at, but would not commit to immediate action. He instead pointed to the provinces current review of the College of Dental Surgeons of B.C.s operations, and said the results of the review could be used to make changes in other oversight bodies. Read more: C-section culture needs to change, say B.C. doctors B.C. hospitals lack policies, struggle to accommodate medical cannabis patients This doctor told the B.C. medical college that he had a clean record. That was a lie. Some doctors in the report were found to have hidden their pasts from professional bodies when applying for new licenses, and Dix said it can be difficult to catch those who arent truthful. Theres not easy remedies against deliberate attempts to mislead, Dix said. Applicants in the case of the college of physicians and surgeons are required to attest they are providing accurate and truthful information. There are consequences if you dont. Dix said, however, the college has tools to act when they find out an applicant has misled them. Last month, the college posted a notice saying it fined Dr. Sean Cambridge, who was running a practise in Chilliwack B.C., $5,000 and imposed other disciplinary measures for not telling the college he had his licensed revoked in Saskatchewan and for telling the college he has never lost his license. The college refused an interview request with registrar and CEO Dr. Heidi Oetter prior to the Stars first report and responded only with a one-sentence email after the story was published. In the statement, the college said it believes the current processes are effectively providing oversight of doctors in the province. The B.C. college does not reveal the American disciplinary records of physicians to the public as a matter of policy. Dix said he will discuss tracking doctors across the country with other provincial health ministers when they meet in Winnipeg next month. Clearly a national database would be better, he said. It would allow for better distribution of information. Elsewhere in the country, Alberta Minister of Health Sarah Hoffman said the province will look at ways to post criminal convictions with doctors licenses and post their records from outside of the province. Hoffman also said the province will examine posting doctors disciplinary sanctions for 10 years instead of the current five. Dix said B.C. already takes such measures, where disciplinary measures remain posted indefinitely. Everyone puts their trust in physicians and I think its only fair for us to know if that physician has a prior history of any wrongdoing, Hoffman said. With files from Emma McIntosh Jeremy Nuttall is the lead investigative reporter for StarMetro Vancouver. Follow him on Twitter: @Nuttallreports Read more about: VANCOUVER Mothers across North America are coming together this week to push for reforms to drug policy they say could stop families from being torn apart by the opioid crisis. The campaign, called #ListenToMom (What North American Mothers Want for Mothers Day), sets out a list of eight proposed actions aimed at reducing harms associated with substance use. The actions were written by mothers harm reduction organizations in Canada, Mexico and the United States. Gretchen Burns Bergman, lead organizer of Moms United to End the War on Drugs in the U.S., said joining forces across borders was a way to transcend local politics and put the focus on addiction as an issue that touches families the world over. The war on drugs is really a global issue, Burns Bergman told StarMetro, referring to the opioid crisis as a wave of destruction. Whole communities are decimated by the prohibition of drugs and the war on drugs. Pointing to the positive impact of harm-reduction efforts in places like Canada, Switzerland and Portugal, she said, is a powerful way to bring harm-reduction skeptics on board with ideas like decriminalization where possession of illicit substances would result in access to treatment and social support rather than imprisonment. Nearly 3,000 Canadians died of opioid-related overdose in the first nine months of 2017 just shy of the total number of opioid-related deaths from the entire year previous. In the U.S. overdose is the leading cause of death for people under 50 years of age, with more than 63,600 overdose deaths in 2016. In Portugal, where possession of illicit drugs has been decriminalized since 2001, the number of overdose deaths in 2015 was 40. Along with decriminalization, the #ListenToMom campaign emphasizes training health care providers in evidence-based addiction treatment, education around substance use, a rejection of the tough love approach to loved ones struggling with addiction, and grief support for those left behind. Petra Schulz, co-founder of Canadas Moms Stop the Harm and a member of the Ministers Opioid Emergency Response Commission in Alberta, said Canadians are beginning to see how critical harm reduction is as a strategy to combat the opioid crisis. But its still tragic, she said, that so much loss of life was required to make the point. I never thought rock bottom would be six feet under, she said. Initiatives like the supervised consumption site that opened last month inside Edmontons Royal Alexandra Hospital the first in-hospital harm reduction site of its kind in North America gives Schulz hope that people are finally recognizing we cant arrest ourselves out of this problem. Leslie McBain, also a co-founder of Moms Stop the Harm, said she and her allies would be posting memes based on their eight actions on social media all week leading up to Mothers Day. Pictures of mothers who have lost loved ones to overdose accompany the memes. The campaign will end with a call to put a candle in the window on May 13 in solidarity with mothers in Mexico who have lost their children to the war on drugs. People are also encouraged to share their own personal stories of survival and compassion, with the goal of building awareness and affecting change across the continent. While some pushback is always inevitable, said McBain, responding to opposition with patience and an open mind goes a long way to changing the minds of people who doubt the power of harm reduction. Respect and love are where we come from, she said. I think you cant lose with that. Perrin Grauer is a Vancouver-based reporter covering Canadas drug economy. Follow him on Twitter: @perringrauer Read more about: VANCOUVERTwo Indigenous leaders from British Columbia say they will travel to pipeline builder Kinder Morgan's annual general meeting in Texas this week. Chief Judy Wilson with the Neskonlith Indian Band and Rueben George representing the Tsleil-Waututh Nation Sacred Trust Initiative say they intend to warn investors about the risk of proceeding with Kinder Morgan's Trans Mountain pipeline expansion without consent from First Nations. A news release from the Union of British Columbia Indian Chiefs says Wilson and George have been granted a proxy to speak at the meeting on Wednesday and will present an overview of Indigenous opposition to the pipeline that runs from the Edmonton-area to a port in Burnaby, B.C. The Comptroller of New York State, an investor in Kinder Morgan, provided the proxy that allows the two leaders to present a resolution on sustainability. Wilson, who is also secretary-treasurer of the Union of B.C. Indian Chiefs, says Kinder Morgan stockholders have not been properly advised about Indigenous rights in Canada. She says executives at Kinder Morgan have a responsibility to make the facts known to shareholders. "Investors need to prepare for the risk of months of unwavering and strong opposition," Wilson says in the news release. The Trans Mountain pipeline project has federal approval to expand capacity, tripling the amount of bitumen moving from Alberta to B.C., where it will be shipped overseas by tanker. The Union of B.C. Indian Chiefs says in its release that there is "broad, multi-jurisdictional opposition to the expansion," while George says the Tsleil-Waututh conducted a review based in unextinguished Indigenous law and denied the project free, prior and informed consent. Wilson wants Kinder Morgan's shareholders to understand what that means. "Kinder Morgan does not have the required consent of Indigenous Nations along the pipeline and tanker route, and it never will," she says, adding there is nothing the Canadian government can do to remove the project's risks and uncertainty. "We will continue fighting against this project until it is abandoned," says Wilson. Kinder Morgan curtailed spending on the $7.4-billion expansion in April, blaming opposition and delays in B.C., and setting a May 31 deadline for the federal and provincial governments to find a solution or risk the loss of the entire project. Read more about: BETHALTO A 38-year-old Granite City man was charged Monday after allegedly robbing the Caseys General Store in Bethalto and leading police on a high-speed chase across the river, all with a 4-month-old infant in the vehicle. Anthony D. Sims, 38, of the 1000 block of Iowa Street, Granite City, was charged with robbery, a Class 2 felony; aggravated fleeing or attempting to elude a police officer, a Class 4 felony; criminal damage to property over $500, a Class 4 felony; and child endangerment, a Class A misdemeanor, stemming from the incident late Saturday. At approximately 10:53 p.m. Saturday, a subject entered the Caseys General Store, at 5256 Illinois Route 140, in rural Bethalto, and forcefully took money from the stores register, according to Madison County Sheriffs Capt. T. Mike Dixon. An officer spotted the 2002 Chrysler PT Cruiser rolling southbound on South Moreland Road shortly after the incident and gave chase at speeds that reached more than 100 miles per hour. Other officers from the Madison County Sheriffs Office and Illinois State Police responded, as the suspect vehicle merged onto westbound Interstate 270 from southbound 255. It was around that time that police radio traffic indicated that spike strips had been successfully deployed and the right tires of the vehicle were blown out. Nearing the Chain of Rocks Bridge, police in pursuit reported that the vehicle had completely lost at least one tire, was emitting sparks and car parts were flying, as the chase ranged between 40 and 55 miles per hour. The vehicle exited onto Southbound Lilac in St. Louis County and continued to Riverview Drive before police eventually took Sims into custody. The criminal damage to property charge alleges Sims damaged the cash register at the general store. The child endangerment charge was filed because Sims allegedly had a 4-month-old child in the vehicle while driving at more than 110 miles per hour, and that he continued to drive the vehicle after three of the tires had been blown out. He is currently in the custody of the Madison County Jail in lieu of $150,000 bond. Freelance reporter Nathan Woodside contributed to this story. ALTON An aldermanic committees votes Monday indicated members likely may put a question on the Nov. 6 general election ballot asking voters if they want to abolish Alton Township. The Committee of the Whole voted 6-1 to recommend a resolution giving the go-ahead to Mayor Brant Walker to hold a public hearing on the matter at 6:30 p.m. June 13 in Alton City Council Chambers, during the regular Council meeting. Following that step, an alderman would have to refer a resolution to committee for a recommendation vote; then the resolution would go to the City Council for a final vote on placing the question on the ballot. The city has until Aug. 20 to pass the resolution and file papers with the Madison County Clerks Office. Corporation Counselor Jim Schrempf said after Mondays meeting that if there is a referendum on the matter, the result would be binding. Alderwoman Tammy Smith, 4th Ward, voted no on the resolution. Im in the business of helping people, it (township) was here before I got here, Smith said after the short meeting. I dont want it to be dissolved. Aldermen in recent months, who also serve as township trustees, have complained about level of expenses in the governmental unit which is coterminous with city boundaries. In sometimes contentious exchanges at meetings, the township three-member Budget Committee struggled to come up with a balanced budget earlier this year while expressing uncertainty about numbers contained in budget drafts. Besides setting the public hearing, the resolution explains potential of saving money if the City Council later votes to eliminate the township: The City Council of the city of Alton, Illinois, recognizes that there are significant potential cost savings to the taxpayers of the city of Alton by eliminating Alton Township, because Alton Township is coterminous with the city of Alton, it says. The city of Alton is willing and able to assume all the rights, powers, duties, assets, property, liabilities, obligations and responsibilities of Alton Township in event Alton Township is dissolved, it continues. The Illinois Legislature has made it possible for the voters of a coterminous municipality and township to determine whether the coterminous township should be dissolved by way of a referendum. Prior to the vote, Alton Township Assessor Julie Campbell asked officials where the assessors office might be located if the township is abolished. Besides the city of Alton, Madison County also has discussed assuming duties of dissolved townships. The assessors office is a very important part of the city, she said, serving about 2,500 senior citizens and 60 disabled veterans who need a close, accessible facility. It is very important the job stays in the city. The citizens pay the taxes and should be represented locally for assessments. Campbell also asked if the township employees would be represented by a labor union, which they are not now, if the unit is dissolved. Four of her employees sat with Campbell at the meeting. Schrempf said that issue is undecided, as are many others, if the township is abolished. If it passes, we have from November to May to work out the details, Schrempf said. He said Walker, though, is committed to keeping the assessor in the city of Alton. Campbell thanked Schrempf, saying she wanted that response to be on the record. If voters did approve Alton Townships dissolution, the public notice says the following will happen: The discontinuance and abolishment of Alton Township; transfer all the rights, powers, duties, assets, property, liabilities, obligations and responsibilities of Alton Township to the City of Alton; cease and dissolve all township road districts, if any, within the city of Alton and all authority of the township road districts, if any, shall be transferred to the city of Alton upon the dissolution of Alton Township. Its like all the other townships doing this, were spending more money in administration fees for personnel than the money going out to help people, Alderwoman Carolyn MacAfee, 2nd Ward, said last week. They (township) are having financial problems like where other cities that are getting rid of their townships, such as Godfrey. Belleville voted in 2016 to abolish its coterminous township, which closed May 15, 2017. This current fiscal year, Alton Township has $50,780 budgeted for Town/Town Hall expenses; $383,339.85 for the Assessors Office; and $159,395.80 for the Supervisors Office; $5,790 in contingency; $154,564.64 for General Assistance; $38,500 for Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund; and Social Security/Medicare Fund, $37,225. If the township is dissolved, the assessor and supervisor still would serve until the end of their elected terms, Madison County Clerk Debra Ming-Mendoza told The Telegraph last week. Abolishing the district doesnt abolish their terms, she said. Longtime office-holders Campbell and Township Supervisor Don Huber both were re-elected April 4, 2017. Hubers term in office ends in May 2021; Campbells term expires Dec. 31, 2021. I dont think it is a bad idea, the best thing is the city is not making the decision, Huber said on April 30. The township citizens are making a choice, which is the best way to do anything. It is very likely to pass. People dont want an extra layer of government. He said rural townships, plus Edwardsville, maintain roads and parks, which Alton does not do. Our primary mission is general assistance, Huber said, which legally must be kept in place. That same day, Campbell also said eliminating the township could save taxpayers money in her office. The meeting agenda only contained three other resolutions, which aldermen unanimously recommended, allowing officials to: sign a 10-year, $1 per year lease with Chris Bohn for a vacant, city-owned lot at 26 E. Sixth St., payable in advance; amend city traffic code allowing a stop sign on Fourth Street at the intersection of George Street for eastbound and westbound traffic, and eliminate a stop sign on Third Street at Langdon Street; and pursue the legal process to effect demolition of a derelict house at 1432 Thorpe St. The resolutions will come before the City Council for vote of approval on Wednesday. Reach Linda N. Weller at 618-208-6450 or on Twitter @Linda_Weller SPRINGFIELD Four Telegraph area firefighters who bravely rushed into burning homes last year to save the occupants were among those receiving high honors Tuesday from the Illinois State Fire Marshal. The Metro East is very well represented at this prestigious ceremony this year, said Chief Bernie Sebold of the Alton Fire Department. At the 25th Annual Illinois Fallen Firefighter Memorial and Firefighting Medal of Honor Awards Ceremony in Springfield, Illinois State Fire Marshal Matt Perez presented Capt. Daniel Whiteside, of the Alton Fire Department, with the Medal of Valor, for an act of heroism or bravery that clearly demonstrated courage and dedication in the face of danger while in the performance of duty. Also during the morning ceremony, Perez gave the Firefighter Excellence Awards to engineers Kris Ayers and Bill Hall, and paid-on-call firefighter Jamie Wells, all of the Wood River Fire Department. That award is for: an act of service in the line of duty, demonstrating excellence and professionalism in service to the citizens of the State of Illinois, according to the ceremony program. Deputy Chief Mark Harris of the Alton Fire Department attended the ceremony, which is held on the Illinois State Capitol lawn. Its a tremendous honor to the guys who are recognized, it is a very touching ceremony, Harris said, who also came to at least one of the prior ceremonies there honoring Alton firefighters. Were very proud of Dan, Harris said. Without hesitation, after finding a small opening (window) it probably was only 14 by 24 inches Dan broke out the window and (security bars) and had to remove his air pack to make it through the space. Once he was down there, he could hear the little girl. He found her in a front bedroom and got her to the window. It was a tremendous act of bravery and he clearly deserves the recognition. Whiteside and firefighter Ben Taylor after hearing a teenage girl was trapped in the basement of a house at 609 Marsh Ave., while a blaze roared upstairs on July 18 kicked out glass and security bars on the basement window in an attempt to reach the girl while other firefighters worked to extinguish the flames. Whiteside entered the tight window space, dropped down into the basement, located and retrieved a then, 13-year-old girl from the front bedroom of the small home and brought her to the window. Firefighters outside helped the girl up through the window to safety outdoors, and she walked down the street without assistance. Paramedics examined the girl for injuries, but reportedly found none and did not transport her to the hospital. Other occupants of the house, including children, had escaped the flames. Several days later, Sebold said an untended pot of oil that someone had been using to fry chicken, and left on the hot stove, had caused the fire. The doors that the occupants had left open when fleeing the home allowed the wind to whip through the house, with the oxygen feeding the flames inside so they grew rapidly, he said. The fire appeared to have come out of the front of the roughly 71-year-old building, where there was major damage. Heavy flames were emanating from the front door and adjacent five windows when firefighters arrived. Regarding the Wood River firefighters awards, Perez honored the three men for their efforts to save a man in a house fire in the 200 block of East Lorena Avenue that was called in at 4:19 p.m. on Nov. 18. Chief Brendan McKee, of the Wood River Fire Department, said the man, 25, died severa days later in a St. Louis hospital after being removed from life support. According to a WRFD report, firefighters arrived on the scene to find a single-story, single-family dwelling with heavy smoke coming from the eaves on all sides and fire coming from a window on the rear of the building. Firefighters attacked the blaze from the outside at rear of the house, first aiming a hoseline at a bedroom window, then at the back door. After having forced the door open, the crew crawled into the residence encountering heavy heat and smoke conditions, the report says. While advancing the hose line and conducting a primary search for victims, Engineer Ayers found a victim lying on the floor in the kitchen. Ayers then advised on the radio that he was bringing a victim out. Ayers (dragged) the victim to the back porch and handed him off to the incident commander, who pulled the man toward the street to waiting paramedics. Ayers returned to fire suppression efforts. The report says the victim initially did not appear to be breathing or have a pulse and was covered in soot but did not appear to be burned. Rescuers performed cardio pulmonary resuscitation and revived the man, McKee said. Alton Memorial Ambulance Service paramedics took the victim to Alton Memorial Hospital, from where he transferred to a St. Louis facility. Roxana, East Alton, Edwardsville, Rosewood Heights and Hartford fire departments provided mutual aid at the fire, which had high heat and smoke conditions, for fire suppression, rapid intervention team duties and post-fire overhaul, the report says. McKee praised the mens efforts to rescue the man in the burning, smoke-filled house. They are great guys, Ayers is one of my newest firefighters, who left to go to East Alton, but came back to the department, McKee said. Hall, a longtime Wood River firefighter, also is full-time and was off-duty when he responded to the fire. Wells is a paid-on-call firefighter. Other award recipients in Madison County were Lt. Eric Schrage, of the Collinsville Fire Department, and paramedic Todd Zobrist, of the Highland Fire Department both receiving a Medal of Honor; and paramedic Ty Barr, Highland Fire Department, Firefighter Excellence Award. Reach Linda N. Weller at 618-208-6450 or on Twitter @Linda_Weller ALTON Restaurateur Eric Smith made his home here 10 years ago and recently chose his adopted hometown to bring some of his favorite flavors with which he grew up on the other side of the river. The whole idea was to bring over here what you can get over there, like provel cheese on our pizzas, toasted ravioli and gooey butter cake, the St. Louis native from North County said. We are not The Hill. I grew up eating the pizzas over there, in North County, from places like Pirrones and Faracis. The former is in Florissant and the latter is in nearby Ferguson, Missouri. Provel is a white cheese particularly popular in St. Louis cuisine, that is a combination of Swiss, provolone and cheddar, with an almost buttery texture. Decaros uses only provel cheese on its signature pizzas. The tasty pies of house-made dough, made every morning, are available as a lunch special made up of personal-size, two-topping pizza, salad and tea or soft drink from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday through Friday for $9.99. Some people are anti-provel, but thats from St. Louis, its running through our veins, Smith, 37, said. Were proud of it. We stand by that, we stand by this style. Smith collaborated with Decaros chef, Angelina Helbig, in creating Decaros menu, which includes appetizers; five salad choices, including Greek; house-made soup that changes weekly; oven-baked sandwiches; traditional toppings and specialty pizzas; a variety of pastas; and, desserts, including cannoli. A kids menu choices, all priced as $4.99, include chicken strips, ham or turkey and cheese and grilled cheese, each served with chips or French fries; and, spaghetti and meatballs. My first job was at Yacovellis when I was 15, as a busboy. It was a learning experience from an old-school, very well-respected restaurant family, Smith noted. Decaros, 602 E. Third St., in Alton, occupies a space of a now-closed Italian restaurant, which Smith managed for 15 years. He lived in Florissant when he first started there, but made close and lasting friendships in Alton, where he lives now. Decaros general manager is Michael Diaz Jr., with whom Smith has worked with for years. Its nice to own a business where youve made a lot of friends and met a lot of families, Smith told The Telegraph. His family influenced his business decisions as much as North County pizza has. Decaros name pays homage to his grandparents, Margaret and Frank Decaro, and mother, Martina (Decaro) Smith, married to his father Robert. I couldnt do anything without them, Smith said of his parents. They are my primary investor and advisors. We are family-owned. A new bar located in the rear of the restaurants front house bears a sign The Coop, a reference to Smiths nickname, Chicken Bone, thats stuck since he went to McCluer High School in Florissant, where he grew up. Decaros is a full-service restaurant also offering carry-out, delivery, catering and hosts private parties. Decaros hours are 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Thursday; 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday; and, 10 a.m. and 8 p.m. Sunday. Follow Decaros on Facebook or call 618-433-9999 for more information. President Uhuru Kenyatta will lead Kenyans on a national tree planting exercise on May 12, State House Spokesperson Manoah Esipisu has said. Speaking during a press briefing on Sunday, Mr Esipisu encouraged every Kenyan to participate in the exercise that is geared towards increasing the countrys forest cover. The President will lead this exercise, accompanied by Nairobi Governor Mike Sonko, here in Nairobi at the Moi Forces Academy. We encourage every Kenyan, and those who live within our borders, to plant a tree or trees wherever they will be on that day, the State House Spokesperson said. On boosting continental trade, Mr Esipisu said the National Assembly last week ratified the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) and arrangements are underway to submit it to the Chairperson of the African Union Commission, in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. As you know, it was the Presidents absolute delight to be in Kigali not too long ago, joining fellow Heads of State in signing the AfCFTA. The AfCFTA will create a single continental market for goods and services, with free movement of people, goods, and services, Mr Esipisu said. He expressed optimism that the continental trade pact will lead to the accelerated pathway to integration, saying Africa is better off increasing trade with itself. Rwanda and Ghana have both also ratified, now the race is on which country is first to officially submit that ratification. At the moment, Mr Esipisu noted, intra-Africa trade is estimated to be around 12 percent which is relatively low compared to other regions of the world. Intra-European trade is estimated to be around 60 percent while that of Asia is around 40 percent. The establishment of the AfCFTA is expected to boost intra Africa trade to 22 percent by 2022. All this will provide substantial economic and social gains to Kenya, he said. The AfCFTA will lead to the creation of a wider and expanded African market, with a combined population of over 1.2 billion people and a growing middle class, as well as a combined gross domestic product of more than US$ 3.4 trillion. The African continental population is expected to reach 2 billion by 2050. The State House Spokesperson pointed out that Kenya attaches significant importance to the Tripartite Free Trade Area (TFTA) and the AfCFTA because of the huge market and investment opportunities that they will present to Kenya. The TFTA brings together member states of COMESA, EAC and SADC. At the moment, Kenya exports to Africa constitute 40 percent of total exports the bulk of which are value added products. On the way forward, Kenya will continue to participate in the negotiations on the outstanding technical issues both at the Tripartite FTA and AfCFTA to secure Kenyas trade and economic interests and realize the dream of a single continental free trade area, he said. At the regional front, Mr Esipisu disclosed that President Kenyatta will on Tuesday visit Namanga, on the border with Tanzania, to inaugurate a One Stop Border Post (OSBP). It comprises offices and space for immigration processes and verification; customs offices including warehousing and cold rooms for the goods traded across the border; and other facilities for improving trade across the border, Mr Esipisu said. The launch of the Namanga OSBP comes after the inauguration of the Busia OSBP in February this year by President Kenyatta and Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni. The State House Spokesperson observed that the Namanga OSBP will boost trade by cutting the time taken to clear goods between the two nations and improving coordination and collaboration between the different agencies. This will contribute to a reduction in transport cost while at the same time increasing volumes of transit cargo through the Northern Corridor, he added. It is expected that time to cross the border will continue reducing. Furthermore, the opening of the Namanga One Stop Border Post will spearhead the ease of movement of goods and people within the region, Mr Esipisu said. He emphasised that the opening of the One Stop Border Posts underscored Kenyas commitment to the AfCFTA, particularly its undertaking to the reduction of trade barriers and enhancing free movement of persons, goods and services. ALTON Two people died of suspected drug overdoses Friday in the Alton area, according to the Madison County Coroners Office. The two fatalities were among about a half-dozen overdose calls handled by first responders in the Riverbend area that day, according to scanner traffic and other sources. WOOD RIVER The city and its downtown streets, specifically got good news Monday with the states release of approved projects under its Illinois Transportation Enhancement Program. The second phase of Wood Rivers downtown streetscape project was one of 54 projects chosen to receive funding through the Illinois Department of Transportations program. Statewide projects receiving state funding include biking and walking paths, trails, streetscape beautification work and other projects designed to encourage safe travel across the various modes of transportation at the local level. Investing in local infrastructure is a sure-fire way to improve safety and quality of life, Gov. Bruce Rauner said in a news release announcing the grants. These awards and projects will go a long way in making our great cities and communities even better places to work, raise a family and do business. Wood River will receive $412,030 of the nearly $37 million being handed out by the state. The city of Edwardsville and the city of Highland were among other beneficiaries of this award cycle. In Wood River, the money will go toward continuing upgrades of East Ferguson Avenue, including decorative street lighting, brick-patterned crosswalks, sidewalks and ADA-compliant ramps, among other improvements. The second phase will be stretches of Ferguson from First Street to Second Street and Wood River Avenue to Old St. Louis Road. The first phase of the project, which addressed Wood River Avenue to First Street, was done in 2012. Public Services Director Steve Palen said the city is hoping to start work in late summer or early fall. Mayor Cheryl Maguire said it is an exciting time for that downtown area. We want to help with development and support the businesses that are downtown, Maguire said. Its timely, because Kumars (Kafe) has changed hands, the Almost Famous gift boutique opened this past week, Rustic Roots is planning an expansion. We just want to support downtown as much as possible, and yet be responsible with our taxpayer dollars. The grant program requires a match from the city, with 75 percent coming from the state and the other 25 percent being footed locally. Maguire said the citys roughly $137,000 contribution will come from motor fuel tax (MFT) funds, and that the city may also seek assistance from Madison County. For this funding cycle, IDOT received 218 applications for projects worth an estimated $252 million. The next call for projects will be during fall 2019 followed by a spring 2020 award announcement. By investing in our local communities, we are strengthening our states transportation system as a whole, said Illinois Transportation Secretary Randy Blankenhorn. Each of these investments embodies our core mission at IDOT and brings us a step closer to our goal of a multimodal transportation system that benefits all residents of Illinois. Reach managing editor Nathan Grimm at 618-208-6456. TheMailroom Clerk will be supporting the day-to-day operations of the DPO andDiplomatic Pouch and Mail. Ensuring the proper transportation of pouch and mailbetween the Embassy and Airport. The incumbent will also be tasked with dispatching,receiving and distributing all diplomatic pouches and DPO Mail. Receiving andsending international registered and local mail. Preparing and submittingbilling reports to the FMO and other Embassy agencies as required. Screeninglocal and international mail for hazardous substances. A statement of faith should describe your Christian faith and how you see it as relevant to your involvement with IJM. The statement can either be incorporated into the cover letter or submitted as a separate document and should include, at a minimum, a description of your spiritual disciplines (prayer, study, etc.) and your current fellowship or place of worship. The adage that failures can teach many lessons seems quite... The spirit of buoyancy was infectious at the Jaipur Art Summit, which celebrated its fourth annual show in December 2017. Art camps, exhibitions, films, workshops, talks, an open forum every afternoon, performances of music, dance, dastan goi et al continued through for five days into the evenings. Participants and visitors whom we met came from Mumbai, Kolkata, Ahmedabad, Bengaluru, Chennai, Jaipur, Udaipur, Delhi and interiors of Rajasthan and Gujarat. It brought together 87 artists from India of which 48 were from the home state of Rajasthan, and 67 international artists. The tally is impressive, Shailendra Bhatt and the organisers at the Kala Academy are to be congratulated for the success... All 545 works were exhibited, thankfully at one venue of the Kala Academy. In the basement were the workshops involving young and dynamic artists, with some major works by them displayed. In another corner was the informal seating arranged for open air forums and discussions involving curators, art galleries and the media. The exhibition curated by Gogi Saroj Pal was impressive in its selection of works by over one hundred artists. That was its strength and its weakness because there were too many images to take in. Centrepiece in the first gallery was a bold image in red fibreglass and duco paint by Navjot Altaf. Larger than life and palpably real, the figure was seated on the ground with hands in prayer and in profile like a Brahman, titled December 2000 (in red) to recall the horror of the Bhiwandi riots. Meri Zamana by senior artist Usha Biswas was startlingly relevant in introducing terrorists brandishing rifles, popular slogans on trucks and popular signs, all this bric-a-brac neatly framed by colourful letters in Devanagari. The scope of this article does not permit mention of more than a few images that took my fancy. Paintings by Amit Ambalal drew attention with that quixotic humour unique to his work. The woodcut of a woman by Surendranath Nair is dark and brooding, so unlike his archetypal images. Man in Search of Utopia by Rajiv Lochan introduces his revival of the old gelatine print with photographs then painted. A winged and heroic man stands against decaying buildings, isolated in his aspirations. As against these real figures were abstract paintings, specially powerful in the untitled work by Dattatreya Apte and that by Akash Choyal. Encrypted Dialogues by Vimmie Manoj is quite unique in concept, based on Bertrand Russells theory that the individual mind encrypts every perception, feeling and conversation experienced. Dreams of Bhupen by Ghulam Mohammed Sheikh is his tribute to the artist Bhupen Khakar, quoting from his eclectic range of themes from the Dying Inayat Khan to the Italian Masaccios Adam and Eve. Another series of four dream-like images were showcased, conceived by the American Waswo and painted by miniature artist Rakesh Vijay from Udaipur which has merited an article in this column. Experiments conducted in the Workshop by young artists were outstanding, exhibited in the basement of the Kala Akademi and outdoors. An installation by Vipasha Sengupta spanned over fourteen feet, the gigantic wings of Garuda created out of hundreds of rubber gloves for feathers! Equally ambitious was the ladder reaching 25 feet into the open sky, titled Lust for Heaven. Created in collaboration with Nandu Sharma, who works in the remote region of Bhilwara, the stark installation brought us to appreciate both his research as well as the concept already existing in Indian epics of the antihero. We tend to forget that, Ravana was a great scholar and scientist who dreamt of purifying water, of transforming gold to acquire a beautiful perfume, who tried to create a ladder to heaven. His ambitions were thwarted due to the curse by Brahma that even gods and demons can reach heaven only after death! The Summit at Jaipur goes to prove that some of the best efforts in art can be viewed now in towns outside the metropolis. One cannot forget to mention that the show was opened by inviting the veteran artist Jogen Chowdhury to the podium to paint, in silence creating images out of his storehouse of the imagination. Kenyan Hollywood actress Lupita Nyongo was in the country over the weekend. The Oscar winner sneaked into the country and headed to her hometown in Kisumu County on Saturday, throwing the lakeside town into a spin. Just like her visit in 2015 for her sisters wedding, and another last year for a relatives wedding, secrecy was paramount. We understand Lupitas public engagements are only approved by her director, hence the need to block journalists and the public from interviewing or taking pictures of her. The Standard reports that the Black Panther actress was in Kisumu on an investment mission. She was accompanied by County Executive Committee members Achie Alai (Tourism), Salmon Orimba (Environment), Alice Moraa (Trade), Dickson Odhiambo (Urban Planning), County Tourism Director Thomas Ouko and Comedian Jalango among others. At least 15 county government vehicles were in the convoy that took Lupita around several sites in Kisumu, including Kanyakwar cultural centre, Goan Institute, among others. The 12 Years A Slave actress also met with her dad Kisumu County Governor Anyang Nyongo- at a closed-door meeting with a group of investors keen on supporting Kenyan artists. At the Goan Institute, a group of artists said they were only expecting county officials but were left stunned when the star visited their dusty training room. Dressed in a dotted light blue dress, Lupita joined the dancers and directed a few questions to them about their art. The Queen of Katwe star also visited the Kisumu Museum, where only a few people were allowed in. It was unclear the duration of Lupitas visit but Radio Citizen and Ramogi FM reporter Allan James Obiero said she was still in Kisumu as at Sunday, May 6. Nupur Sharma Nupur Sharma is executive member of the BJP in Delhi, and manages media relations for the Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha. She was Delhi Universitys students union president in 2008. A couple of years ago, at a conference for the advancement of science, Vint Cerf offered interesting advice. Cerf, widely considered one of the founding fathers of the Internet, said this to the audience if you want to save the pictures you value, print them. Cerf explained that data files are read by software and the speed at which things are changing, the software to decode your pictures may well be obsolete and unavailable. To counter that, one option is to store pictures on cloud technology controlled by the dominant digital companies, but that is expensive, as also uncertain in the terms they may dictate for you to access your data. The simplest, most practical, efficient and convenient option would be to print the pictures you love and value, as weve done, from the time photography was invented. Digital-Dark age At another end, the government in Dubai has recently announced that all transactions pertaining to land and real estate in the city-state will go digital very soon through block chain technology. Block chain technology principally allows anyone access to such records, avoids duplication and multiple copies and formats of one document, and therefore promises to make the system more transparent. This may be a good thing, no doubt. But Cerf also referred to the Dark Ages of early Medieval Europe, roughly from the 5th till the 10th century. One reason it is called Dark is because this period of time is relatively unknown to us. There is a lack of availability of written records and accounts pertaining to this period of history. In light of Cerfs warning and advice, can digital replace all paper, and would that be a wise course to pursue? What if our access to the digital world is blocked through an all-powerful corporate or political entity, or simply through natural disaster? What were to happen to businesses, livelihoods, governance or more immediately, to communication and emergency services, if there was no electricity for a week, a month or several months now, as in the case of Puerto Rico, which is reeling under the aftermath of Hurricane Maria, since September 2017? With no electricity in Puerto Rico probably till May 2018, there are no mobile connections and no access to the digital world to phone numbers, to important documents, to services and to money through ATMs. The level of hardship is immense. At the moment, this Caribbean Island is a blank to itself, and to the rest of the world. Plan B? Our rush towards digital is fuelled by the belief that it is more efficient, but is it? We think were saving on paper, but paper company evaluations have risen from a greater demand in paper by E-retail. More packaging boxes are in use than ever before. We think e-retails saves on fuel, but there are more return packages than before, doubling the trips in effect. We think digital is easy on the environment, but every smart digital device uses minerals that wreck the environment when mined. Digital is certainly quicker, but why are we aspiring for such dizzying speed in everything and to what end? Justin Rosenstein, who invented the 'like' button on Facebook is pulling away from social media, since he cant handle it. Studies have proved that too much information blanks out the brain. Whats Plan B? Should different systems co-exist to balance out the extremity of one alone? Thats an idea Mindscape hopes to leave its readers with. With 340 articles over five years, it is time for Mindscape to blank out, with thanks to all who made it possible. Embattled liquor tycoon Vijay Mallya, undergoing an extradition trial in a UK court over fraud and money laundering charges by Indian authorities, on Tuesday lost a lawsuit filed by 13 Indian banks in the UK High Court seeking to collect from him more than $1.55 billion (Rs 10,000 crore). Judge Andrew Henshaw refused to overturn a worldwide order freezing 62-year-old Mallya's assets and upheld an Indian court's ruling that a consortium of 13 Indian banks were entitled to recover funds amounting to nearly $1.55 billion (1.145 billion pounds). The victory for the banks, which claimed the businessman had wilfully defaulted on the loans accessed from them, will enable them to enforce the Indian judgment against Mallya's assets in England and Wales. The worldwide freezing order prevents Mallya from removing any assets from England and Wales up to that value or to in any way dispose of, deal with or diminish the value of his assets in or outside of this jurisdiction, up to the same value. "Today's judgment is a very important decision not just for our clients, who want to proceed in this jurisdiction with enforcing the judgment they secured against Mallya in India, but also for Indian and international banks more generally," said Paul Gair, from UK law firm TLT which represented the Indian banks in the London court. "In dismissing Mallya's application, the high court has demonstrated its willingness to recognise judgments granted by courts in other jurisdictions, giving parties opportunities to enforce their judgments against any assets held here. This case also sets a strong precedent for parties to secure a worldwide freezing order when enforcing judgments against wilfull defaulters," he said. Gair, a partner in TLT's banking and financial services litigation team, added that in a weakened global economy, "non-performing loans" present a real challenge for lenders, particularly where customers have assets located around the world. "The English courts can play a vital role in these cases given that London is the world's leading financial centre," he noted. TLT acted for the Indian banks in successfully defeating two applicationsfirst, an application to set aside the first recorded case of a judgment of the Debt Recovery Tribunal (DRT) in India being registered by the English High Court, and the second, to discharge an associated worldwide freezing order. The firm had also acted for the banks in November 2017 to secure the registration and freezing order, which was successfully upheld on Tuesday. The case is the latest stage in long-running litigation in which the banks are seeking to recover sums lent to the now-defunct Kingfisher Airlines Limited, guaranteed by Mallya. The businessman was represented by Nicholas Peacock and George Heyman of Maitland Chambers, who were instructed by the law firm Macfarlanes LLP. The High Court judge has also refused permission to appeal today's ruling, which leaves Mallya's lawyers with the only option of directly petitioning the UK's Court of Appeal. The claim brought by 13 Indian banks against Mallya had come up for a hearing in the High Court last month. The litigation in the Queen's Bench Division of the commercial court in England's High Court of Justice lists the State Bank of India, Bank of Baroda, Corporation bank, Federal Bank Ltd, IDBI Bank, Indian Overseas Bank, Jammu &a Kashmir Bank, Punjab & Sind Bank, Punjab National Bank, State Bank of Mysore, UCO Bank, United Bank of India and JM Financial Asset Reconstruction Co. Pvt Ltd as the applicants. Mallya and related concerns Ladywalk LLP, Rose Capital Ventures Ltd and Orange India Holdings are listed as respondents. The assets freeze order had forced Mallya on to a weekly allowance of 5,000 pounds, which his lawyers had managed to boost to 18,325.31 pounds a week at a hearing earlier this year. According to court documents, the claim relates to a judgment of the Debt Recovery Tribunal (DRT) in Karnataka, which concluded that Mallya was "liable" to the banks in the sum of Rs 6,203 crore plus interest. The "freezing order" involves Mallya and related concerns being "restrained until further order, from removing from the jurisdiction any of their assets in the jurisdiction up to a limit of 1,145,000,000 pounds and in any way disposing of, dealing with or diminishing the value of any of their assets whether they are inside or outside the jurisdiction up to the same value". The UK court had earlier upheld the Indian court's injunction and given Mallya's lawyers more time to respond due to the ongoing extradition trial at Westminster Magistrates' Court in London, which is now set for a hearing on July 11. Meanwhile, Mallya remains on a 650,000-pound bail bond since his arrest on an extradition warrant by Scotland Yard in April last year. The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS), representing the Indian government, has claimed that the evidence they have presented confirms "dishonesty" on the part of the businessman, who acquired the loans through misrepresentation and had no intentions of repaying them. Mallya's defence team has been deposing a series of expert witnesses to try and establish that the default by Kingfisher Airlines was the result of business failure within a wider context of a global financial crisis and that its owner had no "fraudulent" intentions. Until recently, every mobile phone operator and bank was asking for your 12-digit Aadhaar number. You even required Aadhaar for filing income tax returns and letting your Paytm account remain fully functional. This was the work of the controversial Aadhaar Act 2016, which essentially gave the Central government a free hand when it came to making the card mandatory for availing of government schemes' benefits. In December 2017, the Supreme Court accepted the Centres proposal to extend the deadline for Aadhaar linkage for all purposes to March 31, 2018. The hearings of the petitions against Aadhaar commenced in January, perhaps with the hope that the case would be closed by March, and people would finally be sure of the state of affairs. On March 13, the Supreme Court, in its wisdom, extended the deadline for the linkage of bank accounts and phone numbers indefinitely, until further notice. The same was done for insurance policies as well. The Aadhaar-PAN linkage issue is a bit more complicated, however. Unlike bank accounts and phone numbers, the Supreme Court hasnt given it an indefinite extension; the deadline is currently July 20, and the issue is currently being scrutinised by an SC bench. Theres a catch, howeverif you happen to have an Aadhaar card and a PAN card, the Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) mandates that you link the two. And even if your PAN card remains valid in the meantime, if you do not have an Aadhaar card, you cannot file your income taxes. The bottom line is even though banks and telecom operators continue to push Aadhaar linkage, you are completely within your rights to refrain from cooperating until the Supreme Court gives a verdict otherwise. However... While Aadhaar linkage is no longer legally mandated, for most people, it is simply impractical to not go through with it. There are several reasons behind this. First, and most importantly, there is a general haze, which surrounds Aadhaar; people are often not aware of the state of affairs, or what they can or cannot do. Apart from the deadline extensions, the Supreme Court orders left a lot of space for speculation. For instance, the court orders left it uncertain whether the Centre could still ask for the proof of having applied for an Aadhaar card, essentially making the entire exercise redundant. That apart, the government continues to consciously push Aadhaar with the same gusto. It is now easier than ever before to apply for and procure a card. The Centre has introduced the eAadhaar facility, which allows you to obtain an electronic copy of your Aadhaar card. According to the 2016 Aadhaar Act, this copy is equally valid and can be used for the same purposes that a physical card can be used for. Furthermore, a new and improved mAadhaarApp has been developed and launched by UIDAI, which allows one to carry e-KYC details on ones mobile phone. The push and the pull The government pressure is one of the reasons that telecom operators and banks continue to push Aadhaar despite the Supreme Court stay order, but it may also have something to do with the benefits that come attached with linkage. A large amount of data has become available to banks and telecom and insurance companies under the KYC (know your customer) scheme, and such data is always useful. India currently suffers from the lack of data privacy legislation, sustaining the possibility that the information collected is being put to lucrative use. Ask SBIs new virtual assistant SIA, and she will tell you, As per governments directive, it is mandatory for all banks for Aadhaar number to be linked to bank accounts. Aadhaar will be linked to customer information file (CIF), for both existing and new customers. The purpose of linking Aadhaar is to enable customers to avail banking services under a specific customer information file (CIF). Other banks will also proclaim that it is mandatory to link Aadhaar cards and bank accounts, touting a June 2017 amendment of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act, 2005. There is, however, no mention of the current Supreme Court proceedings and its implications. Keeping in line with the Supreme Court's stay order, banks are not shutting down or freezing accounts that are not linked with Aadhaar, but the implications of the narrative being presented are as clear as day. The Paytm example Paytm is the largest mobile wallet in India with over 50 million active users, and it presents a prime example of how people are coerced into linking their Aadhaar cards anyway. Even though your Paytm account will continue to exist, the services available to you will be severely limited if you dont complete the KYC procedure. Screenshot of benefits offered by Paytm for completing KYC Within that, too, there are strata; there is a Min KYC, which can be quickly completed with any government-approved ID, but it will restrict you from having more than Rs. 10,000 in your wallet, sending money to another Paytm user, and sending money to a bank account. If you want full use of these facilities, your only option is to use Aadhaar verification or agree to a full, in-person, verification. In fact, Paytm even offers 'incentives' such as cashback options for completion of KYC. It is clear which one appears to be the most appealing. So while Paytm, in compliance with the stay order, isnt denying you full service outright, it is making it harder for you to keep that Aadhaar card tucked away in your wallet. Telecom providers Telecom providers are being cautious when it comes to the Supreme Courts stay order, for they have much to gain from the Aadhaar-based KYC. Idea Cellular, for example, effectively resorts to verbal jugglery on its website. It never states that Aadhaar linkage is mandatory but it never states otherwise as well. To the question By when should I complete the verification process? the answer is, We recommend you to complete this process as soon as possible. What if I dont link my mobile with Aadhaar? is answered with, In case you do not complete the process, services on your mobile number might get restricted. Vodafone follows a similar line of reasoning. Meanwhile, Reliance Jio has made it so that their home-delivered SIM cards can only be activated by using Aadhaar-based KYC. Airtel refrains from mentioning anything other than the Aadhaar linkage procedure. Amid reports of data leaks and chinks in security, UIDAI still claims that there are no security risks whatsoever with Aadhaar. It is a multi-pronged push, and if one does not have the time or patience to question this facade put up by the government and service providers, one can easily give in. For many people, in the face of all this, concerns about data privacy can take a back seat. It is unfair to push a scheme intended to be completely voluntary by concealing vital information and pressurising, for it compromises the freedom of choice. It is with good reason that the Supreme Court had noted back in 2017, Personal choices governing a way of life are intrinsic to privacy. Cannes opened its doors for a festival that will show the new Star Wars spinoff but welcome fewer stellar names than usual. Critics have said a jury including Cate Blanchett, Kristen Stewart and Lea Seydoux has more A-list acting talent than the filmsmany from lesser-known European, Asian and African filmmakers - vying for the Palme dOr. Solo: A Star Wars Story, will be the only Hollywood blockbuster screened during the fortnight, and even that will have already premiered in Los Angeles. Netflix, which brought a raft of A-listers last year, is boycotting Cannes due to French rules that would stop it streaming movies for three years after a cinema release. This will also be the first festival in years without Harvey Weinstein, the movie mogul once famous on the Riviera for his lavish parties, but now the subject of sexual assault allegations that have shaken the global film industry. Weinstein has denied all allegations of non-consensual sex. Festival director Thierry Fremaux denied that the lack of US movies indicated Cannes was losing its appeal in Hollywood, where studios increasingly release big films late in the year to get visibility in the run-up to the Oscars, which are awarded in late winter. You should never judge on one year, he told a news conference, while adding that the perhaps the famously harsh press corp at Canneswhere movies are often booed during media screenings - might be scaring certain productions away. Hollywood Reporter critic Scott Roxborough said Cannes remained the number one film festival for quality cinema worldwide and that its selection of less commercial movies showed Cannes is going back to its roots. Its the only place really you can have an unknown film ... that within a hour of being shown everybody is talking about it ... within a day, a week, its the biggest name in arthouse cinema, he said. There are 21 films in the main competition and dozens more vying for other prizes and screening out of competition. Here are a handful of the most hotly anticipated: Everybody Knows (Todos lo Saben) The festival opens with this Spanish-language family drama starring Penelope Cruz and Javier Bardem. The writer-director is the Iranian Asghar Farhadi who won foreign language Oscars for A Separation and The Salesman, taut character-driven realist movies that explore the divisions imposed by social class and national boundaries. Everybody Knows is competing for the Palme dOr. The House That Jack Built Danish provocateur Lars von Trier returns after being ejected from the festival in 2011 for telling a news conference he was a Nazi who sympathised with Adolf Hitlercomments he later said were taken out of context. Matt Dillon stars as a serial killer of women. We experience the story from Jacks point of view, while he postulates each murder as an artwork in itself, according to notes in the festivals program. Hollywood Reporter critic Roxborough said the film, screening out of competition, is one of his top-three must-sees, calling it: a movie that could almost be seen as an answer to the MeToo movement, in a really nasty way. BlacKkKlansman Spike Lee returns to Cannes almost 30 years after Do the Right Thing was tipped for, but failed to get, the Palme dOr. (He said he was robbed, I agree with him, said Roxborough.) BlacKkKlansman, the true story of an African-American police officer who infiltrates the Ku Klux Klan, stars John David Washington (son of Denzel) and Adam Driver. Lee says the story, set in the 1970s, is more relevant than ever in President Donald Trumps America. Agent Orange refused to repudiate the Klan, the alt-right and the Nazis, he told Hollywood Reporter. Theres good people on both sides. Thats going to be on his gravestone. In competition for the Palme dOr, BlacKkKlansman will open in US cinemas on Aug. 10, one day before the anniversary of the far-right rally in Charlottesville, Virginia where counter-protester Heather Heyer was killed by a car driven into the crowd. The Man who Killed Don Quixote Terry Gilliams two-decade struggle to make this film has entered movie folklore. An initial version, starring Johnny Depp and Vanessa Paradis, was dumped after a series of calamities meant shooting had to stop. Finally finished, it remains to be seen if this version, with Brazil star Jonathan Pryce as the Spanish knight who tilts at windmills, can be shown at Cannes due to a last-minute legal challenge from a movie producer who says he has the rights over it. Its taken him so long to make this movie I think we all owe it to the man to go and check it out, said Roxborough of the film that should, but may not, close the festival, out of competition, on May 19. A Paris court on Monday heard an application for an injunction on showing the film, but will not rule until Wednesday. Leto (The Summer)/ 3 Faces Two films in the main competition will screen without the presence of their directorsboth prevented from travelling by national authorities in their home countries. Leto, about the Leningrad rock music scene in the latter years of the Soviet Union, is directed by Kirill Serebrennikov who is under house arrest pending a fraud case his supporters say is part of a government crackdown on artistic freedoms. Iranian director Jafar Panahi was arrested in 2010 and banned from making films, but has continued to work, to international acclaim. Like his 2015 film Taxi, 3 Faces features Panahi playing himself on screen. The Cannes Film Festival runs from May 8 to May 19. -Reuters Prime Minister Narendra Modi is proud of his oratory skills. I too endorse it. But if speeches alone can fill hungry stomachs, I urge him to speak more, said UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi, sounding the poll bugle from Vijayapura. This is her first ever election rally in Karnataka, which goes to polls on May 12. On Tuesday, Vijayapura was politically charged as the city witnessed clash of the titans. PM Modi's rally was followed by a Congress rally, and both drew huge crowds. "PM Modi's oratory skills alone can't fill hungry stomachs. Give jobs to unemployed youth, heal the sick. You need rice and dal to feed the hungry, jobs for the youth and hospitals for the sick. The Congress party is moving ahead with a strong resolve to work for the people," said Sonia Gandhi. Lauding Chief Minister Siddaramaiah for making Karnataka the 'No 1 state' in the country with his pro-people schemes like Anna Bhagya, Ksheera Bhagya, Krishi Bhagya and Indira canteens, she hit out PM Modi and the BJP, accusing them of mocking pro-poor schemes, including the farm loan waiver. The Modi government has set out to destroy all the good work done by the Congress, she claimed, adding that the prime minister was only obsessed with the idea of a 'Congress-mukt Bharat'. Sonia Gandhi recalled the teachings of social reformer Basavanna and said, "Basavanna is an epitome of peace and equality and the same values define the Congress culture. But Modi is defying Basavanna's teachings by spreading hatred." Modi too had launched a scathing verbal attack on the Congress ministers who spearheaded the Lingayat movement for a separate religion status, saying, "Three ministers from the land of Basavanna were busy plotting to divide the society when the state was reeling under consecutive years of drought." Countering Modi's jibes at the BJP rally, where the PM had hit out at the Congress ministers, dubbing them "corrupt", Sonia Gandhi demanded to know what happened to PM Modi's promise of ending corruption. "Where is Lok Pal? What is your model of anti-corruption, PM Modi? Is it the model adopted by your candidates in Karnataka, or by the son of your closest aide?," she asked. In a constituency with high Muslim population, Sonia Gandhi dismissed Modi's 'Sabka Saat, Sabka Vikas' rhetoric, stating that the poor, dalits, women, children, and minorities are not feeling secure under the BJP rule. Earlier, Modi reminded people that his government had brought a law to hang the rapists. "One should not play vote bank politics when it comes to protecting the women. The Congress is guilty of stalling the triple talaq bill for political gains," the PM had said. We can verify that the domain is for sale over the phone, help you with the purchase process, and answer any questions. In the wake of continued bloodletting in Jammu & Kashmir, Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti has called for an all-party meeting to discuss the grim situation in the state. J&K Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti has called for an All Party Meeting tomorrow amid a fresh spike in incidents of violence in Kashmir, tweeted Reshi Suri, media consultant of Mufti. Mufti on Tuesday met Governor N.N. Vohra at the Raj Bhavan to discuss issues regarding anti-militancy operations, increased civilian deaths, and the death of a tourist in stone pelting incident on Monday. She also discussed the radicalisation among educated youth. The governor spoke to Mehbooba Mufti about certain issues relating to Prime Minister Modis forthcoming visits to Ladakh, Kashmir and Jammu regions, an official spokesman said. Mufti has made repeated pleas to the Union government and her ally in the state, the BJP, for a dialogue on Kashmir to find solutions to end the continued violence and chaos. Without a sustained, meaningful dialogue and outreach not just for the government but from the entire country, J&K will get pushed deeper into this vortex of gloom,'' she tweeted after a young tourist died of injuries he sustained when a tourist bus was attacked at Narbal on the outskirts of Srinagar on Monday. ''My deepest condolences to the deceaseds family and my prayers go out to the girl who was injured in the same incident. Mufti has not been able to convince the BJP to soften its militaristic approach in Kashmir. The BJP is not on the same page with the PDP about addressing the Kashmir issue through dialogue. In fact, the rise of the saffron party in the state has ripped open communal fault lines. There are many who agree with Congress leader and former Union minister P. Chidambaram that the BJP-PDP alliance is a grave provocation to the people of the valley. He asked Mufti to quit the alliance and go back to the people. ''Mehbooba Mufti should break her party's unholy and opportunistic coalition with the BJP. And go back to the philosophy of her father,'' he tweeted. ''Share J&K CM's concern that statesmanship required to get J&K out of the vicious cycle of killings. Sad that she does not see that her coalition government is the core of the problem.'' The PDP leadership, sources said, is worried about growing number of militant and civilian killings as the party has lost the moral high ground it once enjoyed on civilian killings in Kashmir. Sources said Mufti and other leaders are mindful that continued bloodletting in Kashmir will not only cost it dear in the next elections, but could possibly make the survival of the party difficult in the long run. The CPI(M)-RSS political violence resurfaced after a lull, this time in Mahe, with two political workers being killed in two separate attacks on Monday. Babu Kannippoyil, 45, a Communist Party of India-Marxist leader was hacked to death by unidentified assailants on Monday night in Pallur. RSS worker Shamej, 42, was soon attacked in retaliation and has succumbed to his injuries. A dawn-to-dusk hartal has been called by CPI(M) in Kannur and Mahe on Tuesday following the incident. Vehicles have been exempted from the hartal. Kannur University has postponed all the exams scheduled for the day and the new dates will be announced later. The deceased, Babu Kannippoyil was a former Mahe counsellor and a party local committee member. The incident occurred at around 9 pm when the deceased was returning home. Bombs were hurled at Babu's house six months ago. The CPM accused that activists of Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) were behind the attack. Shamej, an auto driver, succumbed to injuries at Kozhikode medical college hospital after sustaining several injuries to his face and hands. He is survived by his wife Deepa and son Abhinav. The police, while launching a manhunt for the killers, have enforced combing operations in the area to see that the situation does not go out of control. In a press statement issued by its Kannur unit, the CPI(M) said that the "brutal murder of K. Babu, a former councillor and an active member of the party, by the RSS activists shows that they (RSS) are in no mood to end the politics of violence, that they have been carrying out." "There was a RSS camp that was going on Kuthuparampu and this incident occurred after it got over. Babu last year also came under attack. To protest this murder, the CPI-M has called for a shutdown in Kannur and Mahe," it said. Mahe, is situated between Thalassery in the politically volatile Kannur district and Vatakara in Kozhikode district. It is an enclave of UT Puducherry. This article was originally published in Onmanorama Ahead of UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi's visit to poll-bound Karnataka on Tuesday, the BJP raked up the issue of her Italian origin by referring to her by her maiden name Antonio Maino. "Today, Ms. Antonio Maino is here in K'taka to save her last citadel from falling! Madam Maino, K'taka needs no lessons from the person who was solely responsible for wasting India's 10 precious years. "And to Congress, need to remind you of your 'import' jibe?" Karnataka BJP said in a tweet. The BJP was responding to Chief Minister Siddaramaiah's recent remarks calling Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his own Uttar Pradesh counterpart Yogi Adityanath "North Indian imports". "@BJP4Karnataka by waiting for North Indian imports like PM Modi, UPCM Adityanath is admitting they have no leaders in the state. They have reduced their CM face @BSYBJP to a dummy," Siddaramaiah had tweeted. Hitting back, BJP had then said in a tweet, "Imports? How much low can you stoop Mr. CM? Your attempt at North-South divide is disgusting." It is not the first time that the issue of Sonia Gandhi's foreign origin has been raked up during the Karnataka polls. At an election rally on May 1, Modi had dared Rahul Gandhi to talk for 15 minutes about the achievements of the Karnataka government in any language, including his "mother's mother tongue". Modi was responding to Rahul Gandhi's dare to allow him to speak for 15 minutes in Parliament on various issues, including corruption, and that the prime minister will not be able to sit for 15 minutes. "I dare the Congress president to speak in Hindi, English or the mother tongue of his mother to deliver a speech in Karnataka for 15 minutes, without reading out from a piece of paper, on the achievements of the party government... people of Karnataka will draw their own conclusion," he said. The BJP's tweet on Tuesday was also in response to an earlier tweet by Congress party calling Yogi Adityanath by his birth name Ajay Bisht. "We are glad that Mr Ajay Bisht was able to take some lessons of good governance from CM @siddaramaiah and is headedback to be with the people of Uttar Pradesh in their time of need." The Congress party had referred to Adityanath cutting short his election campaign in Karnataka and returning home following deaths in his state that was ravaged by storm. Almost two years after abandoning a road show in Varanasi ahead of the Uttar Pradesh assembly elections, Sonia Gandhi would address a poll rally in Vijayapura on Tuesday. The then Congress chief Sonia had not campaigned for Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat, Punjab, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Meghalaya, Tripura, andNagaland Assembly elections. Rahul Gandhi is currently touring Karnataka extensively. He will visit Chikkaballapuraand Tumakuru districts on the hustings. Fed up with harassment from a group of BJP activists, the granddaughter of legendary Madhya Pradesh chief minister Shyamacharan Shukla has threatened to resign from her job as a medical officer at the Government Victoria Hospital in Jabalpur. Dr Rachna Shukla narrated her traumatic experience on Facebook of the police not filing an FIR against a group of BJP activists who allegedly harassed her even though she had complained against the incident three months ago. In her post, Rachna claimed she was sick of torture and humiliation by the BJP 'goons'. She said that she is pained that the police did not even register an FIR after her complaint. Rachna wrote that in February, some persons accompanying a patient hurled abuses at her and threatened to 'dishonour' her. She claimed that the miscreants were BJP supporters. Immediately after the incident, she informed the police but no action was taken or FIR registered. The incident made other doctors of the hospital stop their work for a few days. They rejoined their duties only after the assurance that action would be taken. Rachna Shukla's Facebook post After three months of the incident, Rachna raised the issue through a social media post, saying, If no action is taken against persons threatening to dishonour me, it is futile to continue working, she said. I come from an eminent family and I cannot work in such humiliating circumstances. Please accept my resignation, she said. A day after her outburst, Rachna again posted on her Facebook account that she had been 'persuaded' by the medical fraternity not to resign. The issue had attracted publicity as it involved one of the most prominent political families of Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh. Pandit Ravishankar Shukla, the great-grandfather of Rachna, was the first chief minister of Madhya Pradesh in 1956. Shyamacharan was son of Ravishankar Shukla. Shyamacharan was chief minister of Madhya Pradesh thrice between 1967 and 1990. Ruling out any 'tussle' with China in the Indian Ocean Region, Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman claimed that the recent visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi has changed the dynamics of the Sino-India relations. Responding to a question on the outcome of the recent high-profile visit of the prime minister, External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj and defence minister to China, Sitharaman said, We are talking and we are meeting each other. This is the big change. Sitharaman's reaction came on the sidelines of the Naval Commanders conference, where top naval commanders discussed multiple aspects concerning the countrys maritime security, including analysing mission-based deployments and larger issues of the geo-strategic Indian Ocean. Indian Ocean Region has witnessed an increase in Chinese presence in the recent past. Sitharaman's statement gained significance after Indian and Chinese military locked horns for more than 70 days over a construction of a road in Doklam last year, at the tri-junction of India, China and Bhutan. Due to the stand-off between the two armies, the annual hand-in-hand joint military exercise between India and China could not happen last year. Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Sunil Lanba said during the conference: "We are going to analyse our mission-based deployments, maintenance to operational transitional cycle and larger issues of geo-strategic Indian Ocean." The Indian Ocean, considered the backyard of the Indian Navy, is critical to India's strategic interests. In recent past, PLA Navy has increased its presence in the region, taking control of Gwadar Port in south Pakistan and a naval base in Djibouti in the Horn of Africa. Several warships and submarines have been seen floating in the region in the name of anti-piracy deployment. While expressing satisfaction with Indian Navy's maintainence of high operational tempo through regular deployment of ships, submarines and aircraft in the Areas Of Responsibility (AOR), Sitharaman said, I am confident that Navy's Maritime Domain Awareness in our Areas of Interests will enable it to respond effectively to the various contingencies, such as search and rescue, humanitarian assistance and disaster relief (HADR) and anti-piracy. I am glad that the efforts have already started showing results, with the Indian Navy responding proactively to numerous crisis situations around the Indian Ocean Region (IOR) in the last few months; including the heavy rains and flooding in Sri Lanka and post Cyclone 'Mora' in Bangladesh and Myanmar. I also compliment the Navy for the efficient HADR operations undertaken in the wake of Cyclone Ockhi in November last year. She added that the Indian Navy, in addition to being the primary instrument and manifestation of the nation's maritime power, has also established itself as a potential tool for military diplomacy and is playing an important role in furthering national and foreign policy objectives through active cooperation and engagement with not just IOR littorals, but maritime nations across the globe. Addressing a gathering of country's topmost naval commanders, Sitharaman said that today India and the Indian Navy have emerged as the first port of call and a dependable partner for IOR littoral navies, to address their maritime security needs. Taking note of the critical capability shortfalls that the Navy is facing today in ship-borne multi-role helicopters, reconnaissance aircraft, unmanned platforms, conventional submarines and surface ships which need urgent redressal to maintain the combat edge of the Navy, the defence minister assured the Commanders that these issues are being given due impetus at the MoD and measures are being put in place to mitigate these shortcomings at the earliest. In response to death of a tourist by stone-pelters in Kashmir, Sitharaman said the incident was "completely condemnable" and not "very conducive" to tourism in the valley. I don't know whether it (the incident) was inadvertent or (committed) knowingly but it is completely condemnable. I am sure the chief minister herself is keen on getting more tourists to Kashmir because that will also help in restoring normalcy. So, if that has been a stated desire, for a stone pelting incident to have hurt and killed a tourist, it is certainly not very conducive to that," Sitharaman said. Congress president Rahul Gandhi said on Tuesday that he is ready to become the prime minister if his party emerges as the "biggest" party in the 2019 Lok Sabha polls. "Well, it depends....it depends on how well the Congress does in the election....I mean if it emerges as the biggest party, yes," Gandhi said, when asked during an interaction here if he would be the next prime minister. Gandhi said he is "pretty confident" that Narendra Modi would not be the next prime minister. If the Congress acts as a "platform" (with other parties in a coalition), the BJP does not stand a chance of winning the elections, he said at a function where he launched the "Samruddha Bharat Foundation". "It is highly unlikely that BJP will form the next government, and the second part is that it is close to impossible that Modi will be the next prime minister," Gandhi said. He said the opposition unity would not allow the BJP to remain in power. Gandhi asserted that the Congress would win the Assembly polls in Chhattisgarh and Rajasthan. "Samruddha Bharat Foundation" is a platform to propagate liberal, secular and republican values across the country. Its trustees include veteran film director Shyam Benegal and noted Supreme Court advocate KTS Tulsi. The withdrawal of the petition in the Supreme Court challenging the decision of Vice President M. Venkaiah Naidu to dismiss a notice submitted by opposition MPs for an impeachment motion against Chief Justice of India Dipak Misra brought the proceedings in the matter to an abrupt halt on Tuesday. But it was based on questions about the listing of the matter that was unprecedented in nature. Primarily, it was sought to be asked whether it was legally tenable for the chief justice to list it before a bench. The main point raised by the petitioners' counsel, senior advocate Kapil Sibal, before the five-judge Constitution Bench was that a reference of a case to five judges can only be made by a judicial order, and that such assigning of cases cannot be done through an administrative decision. It was argued by Sibal in court that under Article 145(3) of the Constitution, if it appears to the Supreme Court that a substantial question of law as to the interpretation of the Constitution arises in any case, then the minimum number of judges required to adjudicate on that issue is prescribed under the Constitution to be five. According to the petitioners, the rules of the Supreme Court do not allow the CJI to pass an administrative order to refer a matter to five judges on the ground that a substantial question of law as to the interpretation of the Constitution arises in the case. The petitioners demanded to know the authority of the official who on the administrative side passed an order to refer the matter to a five-judge Constitution Bench. Sibal, on behalf of the petitioners, demanded that a copy of the order be furnished to them before any proceedings could take place. As a litigant, I have a right to be aware of the orderhow it was passed... what is the tenor of the order, said Sibal. It is also contended by the petitioners that if the order to list the case before the Constitution Bench has been passed by the CJI, they would seek to challenge the order judicially. The petition, filed by Congress MPs Partap Singh Bajwa and Amee Yajnik, was on Monday mentioned before Justices J. Chelameswar and Sanjay Kishan Kaul. The judges had asked the petitioners to appear before them on Tuesday. However, on Monday evening, the matter was listed to be heard on Tuesday by a five-judge Constitution Bench comprising Justices A.K. Sikri, S.A. Bobde, N.V. Ramana, Arun Mishra and A.K. Goel. Russias Project 11711 large amphibious assault ship Ivan Gren built by the Yantar Shipyard in west Russia has completed its sea trials and returned to the shipyard, shipyard spokesman Sergei Mikhailov said. The Yantar Shipyard is a subsidiary of Russias United Shipbuilding Corporation (USC). Russias Project 11711 large amphibious assault ship Ivan Gren built by the Yantar Shipyard in west Russia has completed its sea trials and returned to the shipyard, shipyard spokesman Sergei Mikhailov said. The Yantar Shipyard is a subsidiary of Russias United Shipbuilding Corporation (USC). Russias Project 11711 large amphibious assault ship Ivan Gren. Yantar Shipyard picture. "On May 3, the ship Ivan Gren completed the sea stage of its state trials. During the sea trials, the Defense Ministrys state acceptance commission checked the operation of shipborne systems and mechanisms," Mikhailov said, adding that the trials had been held in the Baltic Sea and attended by shipbuilders and the ships crew. The ship Ivan Gren is currently staying at the shipyard. Its equipment is being checked and the finishing work is currently under way. "The ship is planned to be delivered to the customer before the end of May," Mikhailov said. As it was reported earlier, the state tests of the ship started in November 2017 but were suspended by the customer in late December to resolve the technical problems detected. In March, all the problematic issues were resolved, considering the conclusion made by a Russian Navy special expert commission. This made it possible to resume the state trials of the ship on April 3, 2018. The Project 11711 lead ship Ivan Gren was developed by the Nevskoye Design Bureau in St. Petersburg in northwest Russia. It was laid down by the Yantar Shipyard in Kaliningrad in west Russia in December 2004 on order of the Russian Defense Ministry and launched in May 2012. The Yantar Shipyard is building another Project 11711 ship, the Pyotr Morgunov, for the Defense Ministry. The ship is expected to be delivered to the customer in late 2018. The large amphibious assault ship Ivan Gren carries 13 main battle tanks, 36 armored personnel carriers or infantry fighting vehicles, or 300 Marines. The ship can deliver a reinforced Marine company with organic military hardware and land it on pontoons. Copyright 2018 TASS. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Sri Lanka President Maithripala Sirisena is not likely to retire from politics in 2020. Refuting the media reports, Sirisena said that he will not retire in 2020 as more work needs to be done in the country, as reported by the Columbo Page on Tuesday. While addressing a May Day rally (Labour Day rally) held at Mawadiwembu Ground, Chenkaladi Sri Lankan President said he will use the experiences he gained through the past three years in this regard and will join with honest politicians, who love the country and the people to achieve success in those programs. He noted that there are certain social media sites which have published about his retirement in 2020. He further said that his Sri Lanka Freedom Party will introduce a new political process to build the nation and further bring reforms within the party. SLFP will turn into a people-centric party as claimed by Sirisena. He further requested new people to join the party. He said the working class and the trade unions can play a pivotal role in building the national reconciliation. While commenting about the age-old Sinhalese-Tamil conflict in the country, the President said, "As you know all of us faced a nearly three-decade-long brutal war and in that conflict irrespective of nationality the lives of Sinhalese, Tamil and Muslims were lost, leaders belong to every nationality died." Former Prime Minister D.M. Jayaratne, Senior Ministers including Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva, SLFP General Secretary Minister Duminda Dissanayake, UPFA General Secretary Minister Mahinda Amaraweera and others participated in the May Day rally. President Donald Trump is expected to pull the United States out of the Iran nuclear agreement on May 12. Tehran signed the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, with China, France, Germany, Russia, Britain, and the United States in 2015. Iran agreed to curbs on its nuclear programme in exchange for the lifting of some sanctions. But the withdrawal of the United States will probably sink the deal. If that happens, Iran could retaliate by undermining the interests of Washington and its allies in the Middle East. Here are some possible scenarios: IRAQ When Islamic State seized much of Iraq in 2014, Iran was quick to support Baghdad. Iran has since helped arm and train thousands of Shiite fighters in Iraq. These Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF) are also a significant political force. If the deal falls through, Iran could encourage PMF factions who want the US to leave Iraq to step up rhetorical, and maybe military, attacks against American forces. These could be rocket, mortar and roadside bomb attacks not directly linked to a specific Shiite militia, which would allow Iran to deny it had changed its position of avoiding direct conflict with US forces in Iraq. SYRIA Iran and paramilitary allies such as Lebanons Hezbollah have been involved in Syrias war since 2012. Iran has armed and trained thousands of Shiite paramilitary fighters to shore up the government. Israel says Iran has recruited at least 80,000 Shiite fighters. Irans presence in Syria has brought Tehran into direct conflict with Israel for the first time, with a series of high-profile clashes in recent months. Israeli officials say they will never let Tehran or Hezbollah establish a permanent military presence in neighbouring Syria. If the nuclear deal falls through, Iran will have little incentive to stop its Shiite militia allies in Syria from carrying out attacks against Israel. Iran and the forces it controls in Syria could also cause trouble for about 2,000 US troops deployed in northern and eastern Syria to support Kurdish-led fighters. A top adviser to Irans Supreme Leader said in April he hoped Syria and its allies would drive US troops out of eastern Syria. LEBANON In 2006, Hezbollah fought Israel to a standstill in a 34-day border war. According to Israeli and US officials, Iran is now helping Hezbollah build factories to manufacture precision-guided missiles or refit longer-range missiles with precision guidance systems. Israeli forces have repeatedly attacked Hezbollah in Syria where the group is leading many of Irans Shiite militia allies. The rhetoric between Israel and Iran has ramped up in recent weeks. Though Hezbollah and Israel say they are not interested in conflict, the tensions could easily spill over into another Lebanon war. Hezbollah said last year that any war waged by Israel against Syria and Lebanon could draw thousands of fighters from countries including Iran and Iraq, indicating that Shiite militias could come to Lebanon to help Hezbollah. Hezbollah is also a major political force in Lebanon, and may strengthen its position at elections on May 6. For the moment, the group is working with its political opponents, notably Prime Minister Saad al-Hariri, who is backed by Western governments. But if the nuclear deal falls through, Iran could pressure Hezbollah to isolate its opponents, a development experts believe could destabilise Lebanon. Hezbollah literally controls Lebanese politics, said Hilal Khashan, a professor of political studies at the American University of Beirut. If they do that, it would be sheer harassment. YEMEN Iran has never acknowledged direct military involvement in Yemen. But US and Saudi officials say it is supplying rebel Houthi fighters with missiles and other arms. The Houthis have fired missiles at Riyadh and Saudi oil facilities, saying they are retaliating against air raids on Yemen. Iran and Saudi Arabia are locked in a regional power struggle. Supporters of the Iran nuclear deal say it has prevented the conflict from descending into open warfare. If the deal falls through, Iran could increase support for the Houthis, possibly provoking a military response from Saudi Arabia and Gulf allies such as the United Arab Emirates. Im not ruling out Iranian support to the Houthis, said Khashan TREATY Iran also has options directly related to its nuclear programme. Iranian officials have said that one option they are examining is to withdraw completely from the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), an agreement designed to stop the spread of nuclear weapons. Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei says the country is not interested in developing nuclear weapons. But if Iran withdraws from the NPT, it will set off alarm bells globally. This would of course be a disastrous course for the Islamic Republic, as it will find itself isolated, said Ali Alfoneh, a senior fellow at the Atlantic Council. Even if Iran does not withdraw from the NPT, it has indicated that it will probably ramp up enrichment of uranium, strictly limited under the deal to help allay fears it could be used to produce atomic bomb material. Under the current deal, Irans enrichment levels must remain around 3.6 percent. Iran stopped producing 20 percent enriched uranium and gave up the majority of its stockpile as part of the 2015 agreement. Uranium refined to 20 percent fissile purity is beyond the 5 percent normally required to fuel civilian nuclear power plants, although short of highly enriched, or 80 to 90 percent, purity needed for a nuclear bomb. This week, the head of Irans Atomic Energy Organization, Ali Akbar Salehi, said Iran was able to enrich uranium to a higher level than it could before the deal. Irans actions may be influenced by the extent to which the other signatories to the deal respond to US withdrawal, according to analysts. That will depend on: the extent to which France, Germany and Britain insist that their companies can continue to do business with Iran under what is an international agreement ratified unanimously by the UN Security Council; the level of diplomatic support for Iran from Russia, its partner in Syria; and how much China wishes to bind Iran into its Belt and Road foreign trade and investment initiative. There will be a test of wills if the Trump administration restores sanctions and threatens violators with being shut out of the US banking system. Of the other signatories only China, the biggest buyer of Iranian oil, is able to brush this off. Reuters Emory alumna and staff member Leslie Wingate (center), a mentor for 1915 Scholars, meets with graduating seniors Jalyn Radziminski (right) and Ayana Bohannon (left). Photo by Tina Chang. Amid the pomp and circumstance of next weeks Commencement ceremonies, a special program that aids first-generation college students at Emory University will graduate its first cohort of participants. The 1915 Scholars inaugural class of 17 students will receive degrees May 14, after four years of receiving support through an initiative managed by Campus Life's Office of Student Success Programs and Services (OSSPS) in collaboration with other university organizations, including the Emory Alumni Association and the Office of Undergraduate Education. Our graduating scholars deserve special recognition for reaching the finish line against extraordinary odds, says OSSPS Director Adrienne Slaughter, praising these students phenomenal achievements. The program began with an idea from Michele Davis 87C, a member of the Emory Alumni Board, and was established in 2014 with the Emory Alumni Association working closely with Campus Life. The initiative represents the universitys customized approach to addressing the specific needs of its first-generation students. Since inception, the program has worked to smooth these students' college experience by supporting them in adjusting to college life, completing their studies, and accessing university resources and services. As program participants, scholars experience a specialized orientation, receive customized academic advising and participate in structured social and networking events. They also receive tiered mentoring from peers, graduate students and alumni who form a family cluster of support and meet regularly with the scholars throughout the academic year. The graduation of these 1915 Scholars reflects the progress Emory is making in recruiting and retaining talented, historically underrepresented students who are beating the odds as the first members of their families to pursue higher education. According to research, first-generation, low-income students are less likely to earn a bachelors degree than their peers who have at least one parent who has completed college. Thats due to the unique challenges first-generation students face, including psychological, academic and financial issues. In addition, these students, most of whom tend to be racial or ethnic minorities, are more likely to experience homesickness, guilt, fear and loneliness, as well as the imposter syndrome, which is characterized by feelings of inadequacy despite obvious success, according to Slaughter. Jayla Palmer, a media studies and African American studies major, credits the 1915 Scholars Program with helping her overcome anxiety and other problems she experienced as a first-generation, African American student. 1915 was pivotal and important to my success at Emory, says the graduating senior who plans to work after graduation as a marketing project manager. The program connected me with students who shared my anxieties and gave me a wonderful mentor. She helped and supported me personally, professionally and academically. Multiple layers of mentoring Palmers experience is echoed by graduating senior Jalyn Radziminski, another 1915 Scholar. An honor student majoring in linguistics and interdisciplinary studies, Radziminski has served in numerous volunteer student leadership roles at Emory, including sorority president and representative to the University Senate. Among her many honors and activities, she is the 2018 undergraduate recipient of the Marion Luther Brittain Award, the universitys highest student honor, which will be presented at Commencement. I struggled with a lot of issues, including health, but the program provided the grounding for me and other students to succeed, says Radziminski, a peer mentor in the program. Without the 1915 Scholars, I could not have been as engaged in student leadership and service as I was and I might not even be graduating. Peer mentors are an essential element of the 1915 Scholars Program. Like other mentors, Radziminski drew on her own experiences to assist students who entered the program after her. One was Kenny Igarza. For this junior, with a double major in neuroscience and international studies, Radziminski has been an extraordinary inspiration. Ill really think of her a lot, he says of his friend and former peer mentor. I kind of looked up to her. When I didnt know how to navigate the college, she provided that help. Isabel Garcia, an alumni mentor and 1999 Emory Law graduate, couldnt be prouder of her two graduating mentees Xiqin Huang and Tak Chi Wan, both of whom she described as bilingual Chinese American students from humble backgrounds. They are so impressive, Garcia says. One is graduating from business school and the other from nursing school. They came to Emory and not only are successful in graduating but also are at the top of their class. The world is their oyster. All three of Leslie Wingates mentees will receive their diplomas May 14. Wingate, a 1982 Emory graduate, has mentored Palmer, Radziminski and their fellow scholar Ayana Bohannon since the programs inception. A sociology major considering a teaching career, Bohannon has been active in a number of student organizations during her Emory experience and serves currently as leader and choreographer for the Zuri Dance Troop. They are just wonderful, says Wingate, director of campus and community relations for Emory Libraries and Information Technology Services. I have enjoyed every minute of my relationship with them and have gotten more out of it than they have. Im so impressed by the fact that they are first-generation and that they are graduating from a top university. I could not be prouder of them. 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One of the greatest gifts Emory gave me was the courage to take risks, says Bhagat, a Woodruff Scholar who plans to go national this summer with his second start-up business, tackling global plastic pollution with a line of biodegradable cutlery. We grew up in a period where it feels like things were changing in the world, he adds. Its our turn to make a difference, if we just maintain the persistence and urge to learn that got us this far. Bhagats message of risk and optimism convinced a selection committee of students, faculty and administrators to select him as the sole College speaker following the university-wide Commencement on the Emory Quadrangle. It was a highly selective process. All applicants had to submit a resume and written speech. Five finalists then auditioned by giving their speech and answering interview questions, says Jason Ciejka, assistant dean of the Office for Undergraduate Education. Mehuls speech has a very poetic sensibility, Ciejka says. It is very thoughtful, and I think it will resonate with our senior class at this moment in time. Find courage and avoid complacency Poetry is actually an early passion for Bhagat, who wanted to be a writer since the second grade. He participated in the Iowa Young Writers Studio in high school and dabbled in journalism in another summer program run by the Asian American Journalists Association. It seemed his path was set, and hardly a risk, when Bhagat chose Emory in part because he could take classes with Pulitzer Prize-winning poet Natasha Trethewey, whose work he was reading at his suburban Atlanta high school. His shift to become an economics major began his first year, when his passion for words expanded into understanding how words shape ideas. When he found out about the $1 million Hult Prize Challenge, a humanitarian contest for college students, he saw how ideas could change the world. He assembled Emorys first Hult team, competing in the regional finals for a project to eliminate malnutrition in South Asian urban slums. To me, economics is how words inform actions in the real world, Bhagat says. You need the words to inspire change and the economics to understand what can happen. Its fitting, then, that Bhagat met fellow senior Rostam Zafari in a poetry class. In recruiting him for the Hult team, he discovered they both had parents who worked in education, which had instilled in them a commitment to ways to make learning more accessible. Watching fellow Emory undergrads work low-wage jobs, they lit on an idea: Finding a way to connect high school students with college-aged tutors for one-on-on learning sessions. The result was Mystro, an app that linked the pairs based on academic and social interests. They have since sold it to an Atlanta-based nonprofit for an undisclosed sum. At the same time, Bhagat remained focused on work such as his fellowship with the U. S. Department of Labor, where he created the #SouthAsianAnd campaign to boost South Asian voices in media as well as academics. Hes really someone who wants to make the world a better place, truly, and has charted a path that shows how in the liberal arts, the disciplines enrich one another so you can, says Emily Leithauser, a visiting assistant professor in English who has taught Bhagat in class and worked with him on his collection of poems. His writing is often about crossing boundaries between different worlds and cultures but in a way that sees connections, she adds. Mehul is deeply optimistic, without being cheesy, because his idealism is very practical as well. Seeing the contrast between Emorys commitment to sustainability and waste on campus, Bhagat saw another practical solution in biodegradable spoons, straws and more. The resulting venture, Savor, is again a partnership with Zafari that the two decided to base in Atlanta. No matter how close or far his fellow classmates disperse from campus, Bhagat wants them to feel that same sense of exhilaration that comes with embarking on new possibilities. At one time, Emory felt like a bigger world to us, Bhagat says. Now the bigger world waits, and our ability to change things has never been this large. Our education at Emory has helped us understand that we live in a time of conflict and challenge that at the same time is a moment when, if we have an idea, we can create it, he adds. I want us to hold onto the knowledge that this is our moment to take chances with all of the possibilities before us. Microsoft is launching a $25 million initiative to use artificial intelligence to build better technology for people with disabilities. CEO Satya Nadella announced the new "AI for Accessibility" effort as he kicked off Microsoft's annual conference for software developers. The Build conference in Seattle is meant to foster enthusiasm for the company's latest ventures in cloud computing, artificial intelligence, internet-connected devices and virtual reality. Microsoft competes with Amazon and Google to offer internet-connected services to businesses and organizations. The conference and the new initiative offer Microsoft an opportunity to emphasize its philosophy of building AI for social good. The focus could help counter some of the privacy and ethical concerns that have risen over AI and other fast-developing technology, including the potential that software formulas can perpetuate or even amplify gender and racial biases. In unusually serious terms for a tech conference keynote, Nadella name-checked the dystopian fiction of George Orwell and Aldous Huxley, declared that "privacy is a human right" and warned of the dangers of building new technology without ethical principles in mind. "We should be asking not only what computers can do, but what computers should do," Nadella said. "That time has come." The five-year accessibility initiative will include seed grants for startups, nonprofit organizations and academic researchers, as well as deeper investments and expertise from Microsoft researchers. Microsoft President Brad Smith said the company hopes to empower people by accelerating the development of AI tools that provide them with more opportunities for independence and employment. "It may be an accessibility need relating to vision or deafness or to something like autism or dyslexia," Smith said in an interview. "There are about a billion people on the planet who have some kind of disability, either permanent or temporary." Those people already have "huge potential," he said, but "technology can help them accomplish even more." Microsoft has already experimented with its own accessibility tools, such as a "Seeing AI" free smartphone app using computer vision and narration to help people navigate if they're blind or have low vision. Nadella introduced the app at a previous Build conference. Microsoft's translation tool also provides deaf users with real-time captioning of conversations. Sign up for The Knick Get the latest news and some area history with our afternoon newsletter. "People with disabilities are often overlooked when it comes to technology advances, but Microsoft sees this as a key area to address concerns over the technology and compete against Google, Amazon and IBM," said Nick McQuire, an analyst at CCS Insight. Smith acknowledged that other firms, especially Apple and Google, have also spent years doing important work on accessibility. He said Microsoft's accessibility fund builds on the model of the company's AI for Earth initiative, which launched last year to jumpstart projects combating climate change and other environmental problems. The idea, Smith said, is to get more startups excited about building tools for people with disabilities both for the social good and for their large market potential. Other announcements at the Build conference include partnerships with drone company DJI and chipmaker Qualcomm. More than 6,000 people are registered to attend, most of them developers who build apps for Microsoft's products. Facebook had its F8 developers' gathering last week. Google's I/O conference begins Tuesday. Apple's takes place in early June. This is the second consecutive year that Microsoft has held its conference in Seattle, not far from its Redmond, Wash., headquarters. FORT EDWARD The state may triple the size of a wildlife area in Washington County that has become increasingly popular with birdwatchers who want a glimpse of rare and exotic birds like the Arctic snowy owl. The Department of Environmental Conservation is seeking to add 600 acres to the existing 286-acre Washington County Grasslands Wildlife Management Area as lawmakers also consider whether making state-owned land there subject to local property taxes. Snowy owls, along with other rare and exotic birds of prey that live in the far north during the summers, are star attractions there. The state property is within some 2,000 acres, which the Audubon Society recognizes as prime bird habitat. More and more people are visiting the area in recent years as birdwatchers share dramatic photographs of snowy owls and other birds on social media, said Laurie LaFond, executive director of the Friends of the Washington County Grasslands Important Bird Area. "We are getting thousands of visitors a year," she said. "This winter, we had huge numbers." A recent tourism study by Washington County found that a winter raptor festival held by the not-for-profit group generated about $100,000 in economic activity for county businesses. Running about eight miles long and three miles across at its widest, the area includes the towns of Fort Edward, Argyle and Kingsbury. The land is dominated by open farm fields and grasslands, some from active farms, and others long abandoned. These fields contain large numbers of rodents including meadow voles, that are prey for the raptors. The largest stretch of open grassland in the eastern part of the state, its open vistas make it easier for birds like low-flying owls to spot and swoop down upon prey. In 2005, this area was designated as a critical bird habitat by the Audubon Society of New York. It is home to 10 of the state's most imperiled grassland birds including short-eared owls, northern harriers, American kestrels, eastern meadowlarks, upland sandpipers, grasshopper sparrows and bobolinks. Short-eared owls, once common in the state, are now critically endangered, with only about 50 known to be remaining. LaFond's group owns 14 acres in the grasslands off County Route 42, and manages another 60 acres of private property as bird habitat. The group recently received a $40,000 DEC grant to support its work, and is raising money to buy another 64 adjoining acres. Currently, the state-owned land is tax-exempt, which is a hardship for Fort Edward, which is losing out on about $9,300 a year in local property taxes, said state Sen. Betty Little, a Queensbury Republican. Making the state preserve larger, without making it subject to tax payments from the state, would increase that hardship, she said. "Providing this financial assistance to help the towns of Argyle, Fort Edward and Kingsbury would strike a balance between ecology and economy and would be consistent with what the state already does to protect important habitats," she said. Sign up for The Knick Get the latest news and some area history with our afternoon newsletter. Last week, the state Senate approved the taxable status of state land in the birding area. The Washington County Board of Supervisors passed a resolution in support of the measure, which remains pending in the state Assembly. Bill sponsor Carrie Woerner did not return a call seeking comment. The 600-acre figure for potential DEC purchase is part of the bill. A DEC spokesman declined comment. The grasslands face some pressure from developers. Several years ago, a Saratoga Springs developer got approval to to build 352 homes on the north side of Route 197, hoping to take advantage of the easy 20-minute commute to the GlobalFoundries chip plant in Malta to the west. That project is currently on hold and the property is for sale. As part of the project, the DEC issued a permit that allowed for up to four endangered owls to be killed by increased traffic and other aspects of the development In January, a snowy owl was found dead near the road, apparently struck by a car as it was flying. "We need more area for the birds, and for the people who come to see them," said LaFond. Her group is holding a raptor festival on May 19-20 at the Washington County Fairgrounds in Greenwich. More information can be found online at https://www.ibafriends.org/ Schenectady A judge sentenced ex-city housing inspector Kenneth Tyree to four months in jail Tuesday for lying about his criminal record on his job application -- an act a prosecutor said led to the "unintended consequences" of four fatalities in a 2015 fire. "There must be some punishment and precedent set," Schenectady County Judge Matthew Sypniewski told Tyree, referring to employees in public positions of trust who try to manipulate their way into getting hired. "He was willing to place his interest in getting it above all else," the judge said. "For that, there must be some consequence." On March 6, a Schenectady County jury acquitted Tyree on charges of charges of manslaughter, criminally negligent homicide, reckless endangerment and making a false statement in connection with a fire at 104 Jay St. on March 6, 2015. It took the lives of Harry Simpson, 59; Jermaine Allen, 37; Berenices Suarez, 33; and Robert Thomas, 31. "That wasn't a sentence that I was happy with -- not at all," Michael Roberson, the brother of Thomas, told reporters following the proceeding. Assistant District Attorney Michael DeMatteo told the judge he believed Tyree's decision to not disclose his convictions and get hired was the start of a chain of events that ultimately included the victims' deaths. "We all make choices in life that have consequences," the prosecutor said. "Some are intended consequences. Some are unintended consequences. In this case it led to the most tragic unintended consequences that could have occurred..... while he didn't intend for this tragic event to occur, it did become an unintended result of his actions when he got the job he got -- and it had fatal consequences." Tyree, who faced a maximum sentence of 1 1/3 to 4 years in prison, rejected a pre-trial plea bargain that would have sent him to jail for six months. He had said he was not trained to inspect apartment buildings and not responsible for missing code violations that turned 104 Jay St. into nightmare. A grand jury report, issued after the trial, found widespread problems in the department in which Tyree worked. It accused officials of ignoring warnings about violations submitted by firefighters. On Tuesday, Tyree's wife was in the courtroom. He has a 14-year-old son, his lawyer said. The defense attorney, Mark Gaylord, told the judge his client was a "scapegoat" who was successful at his job "despite a lack of training by the city in that dysfunctional building department of their's." He also told the judge, at the outset of the sentencing, to strike from the record all references to the victims in a probation officer's pre-sentencing report. Sign up for The Knick Get the latest news and some area history with our afternoon newsletter. The judge later told Tyree he did not want to create the impression the defendant was being punished for the victims' deaths given Tyree's acquittals on those charges. "The verdict is what it is and I respect it," Sypniewski said. But the judge reminded Tyree he made a conscious decision to lie on his job application about his past convictions for burglary and criminal possession of a forged instrument. Sypniewski said the question on the application was as "clear as can be." He said be believed Tyree made a calculated risk to not disclose the convictions in the hope that the city would not find out about them and, in turn, not hire him. "I'm quite confident that he made that choice and it's a deliberate choice," the judge said. LGaylord had noted that his client was forced to undergo trial and have his face plastered on the news. At the time of the verdict, he said, Tyree was "shaking in his boots." The judge appeared unmoved. "He is," Sypniewski said of Tyree, "by no stretch of any argument a victim in this case." SCHENECTADY If a Schenectady County jury did not know reputed hitman Joevany "Moon" Luna had a criminal past, it does now. On Monday, the panel hearing Luna's first-degree murder trial watched a video of Luna's police interview including a portion where Luna mentioned having been in prison. "I'm on probation right now," Luna said on the May 23, 2017 videotape, which showed him being interviewed by State Police Investigator Andrew Behrens and Schenectady police Detective Ryan Maloney in a Wilmington, Del. police station. "I just got home nine months ago." The reference prompted County Judge Matthew Sypniewski to send the jury out of the courtroom and ultimately home for the day. Luna, 43, and Kyshaan Moore, 27, are accused of driving from Wilmington to Schenectady on Nov. 19, 2016, to carry out the contract killing of Charles Dembrovsky, 49, who was shot once in the neck outside his Campbell Avenue home. Prosecutors allege Luna and Moore killed Dembrovsky for $10,000 on the orders of Tarchand Lall, a supposed friend of Dembrovsky who had taken out a $150,000 insurance policy on Dembrovsky's life. The judge made a ruling earlier in the case to keep the criminal history of Luna out of the trial. When Luna's federal probation officer testified, she did not identify her position. After hearing the reference to his client's probation Monday, Mark Juda, the lawyer for Luna, asked for a mistrial. "The cat's out of the bag," he said. Moore's attorney, Michael Mansion, asked for a mistrial as well. Their argument is that the reference potentially prejudices the jury. The judge said he was reluctant to grant the mistrial, but made no final decision. He said he did not think the references came out deliberately. Calling the jury a "very attentive, functional" panel, the judge said he saw no real risk that a brief reference to "probation" and "coming home from prison" would prejudice the jury against Luna. "They're a smart group. They've been listening to instructions," Sypnewski said. "Let's be honest. Efforts were made to the best degree possible with the federal (probation) officer to eliminate any implication or identity of the defendant as a parolee ... but the efforts that were made, while appropriate, some degree of common sense would lead them perhaps to a conclusion that that something was going on." Assistant District Attorney Peter Willis was expected to go over the video and see what redactions would need to be made. Sign up for The Knick Get the latest news and some area history with our afternoon newsletter. The portion of the video in question was not part of his earlier ruling to keep out references of Luna's criminal past. But in the spirit of being consistent with that ruling, both the prosecution and defense discussed the videotaped interview and what portions might need to be redacted, Sypniewski said. The judge said it appeared Juda provided a list to prosecutor identifying whatever portions he believed needed to be redacted and it did not include the portions shown to the jury Monday. Juda said he would have to look through the list to make sure that is true. "I don't want to concede that," Juda said. The judge said: "If, fact, there was a list provided by the defense and these portions weren't on it, there is a degree of fault that would lie with both sides." Luna's rap sheet includes a 2011 federal guilty plea to possessing a weapon as a convicted felon an arrest as a fugitive in Newark, Del., where he possessed a loaded 9mm handgun. Federal prosecutors said that on on Oct. 14, 2009, Luna shot a man in the stomach and buttocks at a motel in Perryville, Md. He additionally pleaded guilty to first-degree assault in Maryland. He served that prison time concurrently. Lall, 53, of Schenectady, will be on to trial later this month charged with ordering the murder. NASSAU - The Town Board is preparing to impose a nine-month moratorium on large solar farms while the town updates its zoning code to protect productive agricultural land from being consumed by the large energy arrays. Were taking a hard look at our zoning law after talking to the solar industry representatives and hearing property owners were receiving cold calls, Supervisor David Fleming said Tuesday. While no proposals have been filed with the town for review, Fleming said the apparent interest shown in some potential sites led to the decision to adopt the moratorium to buy time to rewrite the town zoning laws. We want to address this before we get any applications, Fleming said. Possible solar farms could cover 150 to 180 acres. Thats a large chunk of land, Fleming said. Were also concerned as a farming community about the lost of good soils, said Fleming, emphasizing that the farm fields in the rural town of 4,789 residents are highly productive. The town wants to protect its appearance perhaps by requiring the arrays be hidden from view; to find ways to keep farmland productive when the solar equipment is installed; and to determine how the solar farms will be connected to the electric grid. Joe Catalano, the attorney for the Zoning Board of Appeals, has expertise in this area and will be working on zoning, Fleming said. Solar panels would still be permitted to be installed on homes and for use by an individual business at its local operation during the moratorium. Nassau isnt the only town in Rensselaer County to consider the impact of large solar operations. Last year, Brunswick included a new process for reviewing large solar installations when it updated ins zoning code in June 2017. The zoning revisions came as the town adopted its new comprehensive plan. Sign up for The Knick Get the latest news and some area history with our afternoon newsletter. We would like to save the farmland. However, people are looking for alternative energy, Brunswick Supervisor Phil Herrington said. In Brunswick, the Planning Board is responsible for overseeing large-scale solar installations. The applicant must secure a special use permit to operate a solar farm. The town wants to ensure the sites are not visual detriments to the surrounding land and are properly installed and maintained. Herrington said the Planning Board is considering two installations, one off Route 278 and another off Route 2, both of which appear to have public support. Fleming said Nassau is considering what other communities are doing as it drafts its zoning update. The Town Board will hold a public hearing on the solar moratorium at 7 p.m. Thursday. Nearly 200 feral horses, besieged with famine and dehydration, were found dead on a dried-up stock pond on Navajo land in Arizona. The animals went to the pond in Gray Mountain, an unincorporated community in Coconino County in north central Arizona, in search of water. But they somehow found themselves burrowed into the mud and too weak to escape, said Jonathan Nez, vice president of the Navajo Nation, which is the largest Native American tribe in the country and covers parts of Arizona, New Mexico and Utah. Some of the 191 horses were buried neck deep in the mud, Navajo officials said. Some were buried beneath others. Pictures show the horses' overlapping bodies, arranged roughly like a circle, as they lie on the parched earth. The mass deaths come as Arizona experiences an exceptional drought unlike anything it's seen in more than a decade. Navajo officials say horses dying near an empty watering pond is "not a new but a seasonal issue." The deaths also underscore an overpopulation of free-roaming horses, a problem entangled in competing interests, scarcity of resources and tribal cultural values. About 73,000 horses and burros roam free in the western United States; that number has far exceeded what government officials say the land can sustain. With such overpopulation, having herds of free-roaming horses has become expensive. For example, damages the animals cause cost the Navajo Nation more than $200,000 a year. According to the Navajo Department of Agriculture, one horse consumes 18 pounds of forage a day. Removing as many as 13 dozen horses would save the Navajo Nation more than 290,000 gallons of water and 1.1 million pounds of forage a year. But the issue has been a divisive one. The Navajo tribe reveres horses, which have become the iconic symbols of the American West and are deeply entrenched in the Navajo people's beliefs and traditions. "It's a sensitive subject to begin with because horses are considered sacred animals, so you just can't go out and euthanize them. That would go too far against cultural conditions. At the same time, we have a bunch of horses no one is caring for, so it's a delicate balance," former Navajo spokesman Erny Zah told the Associated Press. In 1971, the Wild Free-Roaming Horses and Burros Act gave the animals federal protections while allowing the interior secretary to sell or euthanize older and unadoptable animals. But for much of the past three decades, Congress has used annual appropriations bill riders to prohibit the killing of healthy animals and any "sale that results in their destruction for processing into commercial products," The Washington Post's Karin Brulliard reported. Sign up for The Knick Get the latest news and some area history with our afternoon newsletter. Navajo leaders have faced resistance in the past as they tried to find ways to control the population. In 2013, Navajo leaders drafted a letter to federal officials expressing their support for slaughtering horses for export. But former New Mexico governor Bill Richardson, actor Robert Redford and animal rights groups had joined in a federal lawsuit to block the revival of horse slaughtering in the country. Last month, congressional leaders rejected a proposal to allow the culling of tens of thousands of horses and burros that roam the West or are held in government-funded corrals and ranches, Brulliard reported. Supporters described it as "humane euthanization." Advocacy groups applauded Congress's decision. The animals that were found dead in the Arizona watering pond will be buried on site, Navajo officials said. One horse did survive. Gracie was found among the carcasses and is only two to three weeks old, according to the Coconino Humane Association. She is recovering in a hospital, but her kidneys are not functioning well. SCHENECTADY - Speakers addressing city leaders at municipal meetings will no longer have to indicate on a sign-in sheet if they live in Schenectady but they must remain respectful and refrain from personal attacks against City Council members under new guidelines that will soon govern the public's interaction with the panel. City Council President Ed Kosiur said during Monday's committee meeting that he came up with the language in the new rules after studying what several other municipalities in New York have in place and also worked closely with Robert Freeman at the state Committee on Open Government. Kosiur and several other city leaders reiterated earlier comments on the issue that surfaced last month after Kosiur stopped city resident Steve Ram from speaking publicly about City Council member John Mootooveren even though Ram never mentioned Mootooveren by name. Ram along with Hamilton Hill Neighborhood Association President Marva Isaacs, who have assailed Kosiur for trampling on their freedom of speech, were at Monday's meeting. Isaacs, a regular at municipal meetings in Schenectady, said she has gathered dozens of signatures on a petition to get Kosiur out of office over the matter. "Ed Kosiur is trying to tell us that we can't call their (City Council members) names and that we can't talk about them, but we put them there and it's our money as taxpayers that's paying them," said Isaacs during a conversation Sunday. Kosiur insists all he is doing is strengthening the city charter dealing with public comments during City Council meetings. "We are not limiting anything with regards to freedom of speech" said Kosiur over the weekend. "These are just guidelines for the decorum during council meetings." Councilwoman Leesa Perazzo said while she understands the spirit behind what Kosiur is doing, she thinks it's unnecessary, citing the fact that the existing rules seem to be working fine. During a meeting last week with Kosiur, she questioned why a group of people addressing the panel would have to appoint a spokesperson, saying each person should be allowed to speak individually. Council members Vince Riggi and Marion Porterfield agreed with Perazzo and Kosiur agreed to remove that provision from the guidelines. After those changes are made, the guidelines, which do not have to be approved by the council, will take effect in the near future. This is not the first time an elected official in the Capital Region has been accused of trying to silence his critics. Earlier this year, North Greenbush Democrats claimed that Republican Supervisor Lou Desso and his Town Board allies placed a "gag rule" on public comment at the meeting when they cut off statements on a Small Claims Court decision ordering Desso to pay $6,270 to a family-owned restaurant for a 2015 fundraiser. Perazzo characterized as "subjective" language in the Kosiur proposal about "personal attacks" on city leaders and staff. "There's never been rules in place since I've been on the council and I don't think there's been any in place for quite some time before that, so I'm not sure what makes rules necessary now except for the current leadership," said Perazzo who was City Council president before Kosiur. "I understand keeping a meeting in order. What I don't understand is silencing the public." She would like to see guidelines restricting Kosiur from interrupting speakers when he tells them to address him instead of directing their comments at council members. Perazzo recounted a recent meeting where Kosiur told people in attendance that they couldn't refer to any council member by name while at the microphone and were prohibited from holding up signs, both of which actions she contends were wrong. Sign up for The Knick Get the latest news and some area history with our afternoon newsletter. "I think we're public servants and I think that we answer to the public. Therefore, I think the public should be able to express themselves freely," said Perazzo, an insurgent Democrat. "It's a slippery slope." Kristin O'Neill, assistant director of the state Committee on Open Government, confirmed Monday that Kosiur discussed the issue with Freeman, the agency's executive director. He was not available for comment Monday. O'Neill said there is nothing in the opening meetings law that requires public participation, so it makes sense to have rules in place to ensure an orderly meetings when people are allowed to speak. She said the office recommends "reasonable rules" related to time limits and forbidding vulgar language and personal attacks. "The goal is to ensure that everybody's time is not wasted and the time is used efficiently, and if you're going to allow people to have a say that as many people as possible are allowed an opportunity to speak," said O'Neill, adding her only issue with the Kosiur rules were that they asked people to sign in with their name and address if they wanted to speak. Kosiur said there are at least two opportunities during City Council meetings for people to comment on a specific item on the agenda and then generally on city business. Additionally, the time allowed for public comments during a public hearing on any given matter will soon permanently increase to four minutes after that time was done on a trial basis for the community development block grant funding. Council members will formally vote on the added time during their May 14 meeting. If anyone breaks the rules, the council president can declare them out of order. If they persist, there will be a five minute recess and after that they will be removed from the meeting by police for any inappropriate conduct. Kosiur said at any point if any of his colleagues disagree him, they can get up and object, which would have to be seconded, before the city clerk does a roll call vote to hear from each person on the governing body. Porterfield urged the panel to take a look in the mirror. "We have to consider what got us to this point and what we as a body need to do differently because it takes two groups to contribute to whatever happened," she said. ALBANY Members of the states major teachers union are calling their local state senators and urging them to support a bill, already passed in the Democratic-led Assembly, that would untether standardized state exam results from annual teacher evaluations. Were actively calling our senators and telling them to support the bill, said Jolene DiBrango, executive vice president of New York State United Teachers. While the bills fate in the Republican-controlled Senate isnt clear, there are also questions about precisely what the measure would do. That uncertainty was on display Monday at a state Board of Regents meeting where DiBrango and state Education Commissioner MaryEllen Elia offered different opinions on the proposal. As she did last week, Elia warned of unforeseen and unintended consequences that could result from the bill. Legislation at times could have an increase in things that you dont see and youre not aware of, Elia said. She had earlier said the bill could potentially lead to more testing, or double testing of students. Thats because the bill doesnt eliminate the need for some connection between student test results and teacher evaluations as mandated by federal regulations. Instead, the bill says that schools dont need to use statewide exams the tests given in English and math in Grades 3-8 and the high school Regents exams in their teacher evaluations. But that open-ended language could allow schools to develop their own separate tests that could be used to help gauge teacher effectiveness. That would amount to a so-called double testing of students. Schools could also choose to continue to use the state exams under the proposed legislation. Any of the tests, though, would be subject to collective bargaining between teachers and local districts, noted DiBrango. She doesnt believe that double testing would result since she says districts could use group measures in which teacher evaluations would be based on a schools overall score on a given exam such as the 4th Grade English test. Thats currently the case for teachers whose students dont take statewide tests in their subject matter. In some schools, for example, an elementary level art teacher can be evaluated based on the performance of a given class, such as the 4th grade, in their English exams. The legislation, which was sought by NYSUT, is the latest chapter in a four-year-old battle over how to enact federal requirements for annual teacher performance reviews which would include some testing component. Lawmakers, at Gov. Andrew Cuomos urging, originally proposed that tests would count for up to 50 percent of a teacher's performance review. That however sparked an outcry among teachers as well as some parents who feared their kids were being over-tested. It also led to the current moratorium on test-based evaluations and the legislation. Sign up for The Knick Get the latest news and some area history with our afternoon newsletter. While Elia warned of unintended consequences, one Board of Regents member, Roger Tilles, said he believed such talk could hurt the chances of passage in the senate. "I don't want to give any potential opponent of this legislation in the other house any ammunition to try to put this bill down," he said. And another group urged the players involved to slow down when considering changes to the test-evaluation system. "The Commissioner raises important points about the 'unintended consequences' of the proposed legislation including significantly more testing for students and notes the value of a collaborative longerterm process," said Ian Rosenblum executive director of the Education Trust-NY, which works to reduce inequities in education. "We also believe that the most troubling consequence is that the current discussion on teacher evaluation would make it harder to improve equitable access to strong educators for the students who need them the most and that should be our central focus," he added. rkarlin@timesunion.com 518 454 5758 @RickKarlinTU A rising star in the art world, Fahamu Pecou found an intellectual home in Emorys Laney Graduate School. He will receive his PhD on May 14 at the universitys 173rd Commencement Exercises. Emory/Photo Video Not every PhD candidate has elements of their dissertation displayed in an art gallery, but Fahamu Pecou has never followed the typical path for a doctoral student. Among the 275 students set to receive PhDs from Emorys Laney Graduate School next week, Pecou has already been making headlines a thinking persons artist and an emerging force in the art world with works that explore challenging issues of black identity and cultural representation. Pecou was already a successful visual artist when he came to Emory, drawn by a deep yearning to be challenged in an intellectual environment. His scholarship, he reasoned, would inform his art, which weaves his observations about hip-hop, fine art and popular culture among intersections of racial identity and black masculinity. Throughout his time in the classroom, the fast-rising artist-scholar also continued to produce visual works that have attracted a wide audience, from solo shows in galleries around the world to the acquisition of one of his paintings by the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture and a commission to produce large-scale public art installations (murals) for four Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority (MARTA) stations. So when it came to a PhD dissertation, it wasnt surprising that Pecou took an innovative approach that would build upon the power of both words and images. Do or Die: Affect, Ritual, Resistance embeds original artwork, video and performance within a traditional text-based framework, confronting the spectacle of black death while exploring new approaches that challenge current narratives associated with black masculinity, identity and death. Through his dissertation, Pecou uses his art and scholarship to invoke an innovative and relentlessly hopeful approach to confronting and transforming the ways that the black male body is inextricably linked with death, explains his dissertation director and adviser Kimberly Wallace-Sanders, associate professor of American and African American studies. We use the term ground-breaking all the time, but in this case, new intellectual and artistic ground was truly broken with his dissertation. His work is already receiving critical acclaim. Presented at the Halsey Institute of Contemporary Art in Charleston, South Carolina, in collaboration with the Michael C. Carlos Museum at Emory, Do or Die is now touring the country and will be installed at the Carlos Museum in January 2019. At the Laney Graduate School, we challenge our students to expand their thinking and discover the unexpected, says Laney Graduate School Dean Lisa Tedesco. Fahamu has done that, and with the construction of this dissertation, challenged us to do the same. Emory Report recently caught up with Pecou to learn more about what brought him to Emory and his next direction. Tell us a bit about your background. How did you come to this journey? I lost my parents at four years old. I was adopted by relatives who lived in a small town in South Carolina called Hartsville. There werent any cultural spaces such as museums or galleries, but I loved art from the time I could hold a pencil. As a senior in high school, I won the state art competition in South Carolina, and I was visited by a recruiter from the Atlanta College of Art who convinced me to pursue a broader fine arts education. It was a good decision, and I was introduced to a different lane of creative expression through the fine arts, which I had not been exposed to. What was missing, however, was a focus on black art, and that was frustrating. I discovered a program that would allow me to take courses at other Atlanta schools, and I ended up in a course at Spelman College where I met my mentor, Professor Emeritus of Art and Art History Arturo Lindsay. Arturo is sort of the wind beneath my academic wings. He said, Sure, you can draw and paint, but what are you thinking about? What are you trying to say? He encouraged me to take the academic journey further So even though my art career was taking off, I found myself thirsty for more knowledge, especially as I began focusing my work on issues of black identity and masculinity. I would put together pieces and exhibitions, and friends would say, Hey, the ideas youre talking about are very similar to what so-and-so is doing, so get this book. People were reading these academic references in my work that I didnt know about, and most of the people I was being referred to about work on black masculinity were neither black nor male. I knew I had something to offer, and I wanted to be a contributor. What is the impact of your dissertation? Does Do or Die keep going? Most of the work in Do or Die was developed in 2016 when police shootings of unarmed black men were a central focus of conversation in the media and society. But its not limited to those conversations. The #MeToo movement is also explicit of the ways that black bodies are subjected to certain types of violence and then left to fend for themselves. What Do or Die does is provides a way for us to think about notions of death beyond the spectacle of black death beyond this idea that systemic, racialized violence is the end of the black body. That idea keeps the black body operating and moving in a certain space that it cant go beyond lest it be killed. But what happens if we put that aside and imagine what concepts of black death were like before European oppression and marginalization? How did we approach death, deal with death and fold it into the very livelihood of blackness? Do or Die tries to get us to a place where the threat of death is rendered ineffective it cant hold us back. One of the things Im most proud of about this dissertation and the unconventionality of it is that in addition to living in the academy, its also a traveling exhibition. It has already been to two locations and has another three scheduled. So the work continues to move and generate conversation as a living organism, and I can continue to add pieces to it to push the dialogue. Whats next for you? The exhibition is going to continue to tour through 2019, and it might go beyond that. Right now, I am very focused on aspects of memory and how we might subvert the collective black memory around trauma by reintroducing other ideas, primarily from African philosophies, as part of our memory. Because we are a culture that is so reliant on visual communication, the visual arts are a powerful way to interject into the conversation, and I want to make this work and these conversations more accessible to those who need it. I consider my work to be public scholarship, and thats the lane I want to stay in. Why was Emory the right place for this work? At Emory, I was allowed to do the kind of work I might not have been allowed to do somewhere else. The professors I worked with have pushed me and encouraged me. When I first started this journey, I was very intimidated even though I was already accomplished. The mentors I worked with helped me to see the value in what I was bringing to the table and gave me the courage to do what someone else hasnt done. Im proud to say that I walked the halls at Emory and contributed to the intellectual conversation. It wasnt without challenges, but I had a great time. Washington Vice President Mike Pence on Monday asked the countries of the Western Hemisphere to suspend Venezuela from the 35-nation Organization of American States. Pence also urged member states to cut off Venezuelan leaders from their financial systems and to enact visa restrictions. "To uphold the democracy and freedom, we call the members of the OAS to suspend Venezuela from the Organization of American States," said Pence, the first U.S. vice president to address the group since Al Gore in 1994. Pence asked Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro to suspend the May 20 presidential election, which he called "no more than fraud and sham." Pence also urged Maduro to "open Venezuela to international aid, and do it now." Venezuela has refused to allow international aid, alleging that would amount to foreign intervention. The South American nation also denies there is an ongoing humanitarian crisis, even though thousands of Venezuelans have fled to other countries in the region. Venezuela did not send an official to hear Pence's speech, but minutes later Samuel Moncada, Venezuela's deputy foreign relations minister for North America, called Pence remarks a "farce" and a "monstrosity". Moncada said in April 2017 his country started a two-year process to withdraw from the Washington-based Organization of American States. "We want to leave. We are counting the days so we can leave, but this is the most dangerous place in the world for Venezuela and I have to show up to defend Venezuela," he said. Moncada also said there is "no possibility" that the May 20 election does not take place. "They are an expression of our sovereignty," he said. Sign up for The Knick Get the latest news and some area history with our afternoon newsletter. Pence also said during the speech that the Trump administration had designated a former official of the Venezuelan intelligence service, two of his aides and 20 companies under their control as narcotics traffickers. The U.S. Department of the Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control said Pedro Luis Martin Olivares was indicted in 2015 by a grand jury in Florida for willfully conspiring to distribute a controlled substance into the United States and possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance on board an aircraft registered in the United States. Additionally, OFAC imposed sanctions on Walter Alexander Del Nogal Marquez and Mario Antonio Rodriguez Espinoza for assisting Martin and on 20 companies in Venezuela and Panama that are owned or controlled by those three individuals. The action freezes any of their assets in the U.S. or any assets held by people in the U.S. Those sanctioned Monday are in addition to the dozens of current and former Venezuelan officials the U.S. already has targeted. SARATOGA - A closed-door meeting between the town's Planning Board chairman and developer John Witt on the controversial Cedar Bluff housing subdivision has opponents of the project calling foul. It is unclear when or how often Chairman Ian Murray, town engineer Ken Martin and Witt met on the 31-home development that overlooks Saratoga Lake. But their conference is recorded in minutes of the Planning Board's March 28 meeting. That night, Murray told other members of the Planning Board and the public that he met privately with Witt to discuss the developer's plan to build homes atop a wooded bluff with lake views. "There is a perception of partiality when you meet privately with the applicant," said John Cashin, who lives next to the proposed development. "He is hijacking the public process. It deprives the other Planning Board participants to challenge the applicant and it deprives it from public view." The Witt subdivision has been a point of discord between residents and Witt since it was announced last year. Neighbors to the proposed site have a lot of concerns, most associated with the cutting down of trees on roughly half of the 111.6 acres. They along with the Saratoga Lake Association and the Saratoga Lake Protection and Improvement District say the cutting could destabilize the ridge, cause flooding due to an excess of storm water runoff, erode Route 9P below and adversely affect the health of the lake. Now, residents are worried about what is being hashed out in closed-door meetings. Murray and Martin did not return Times Union phone calls asking for details. Witt said he would not comment "to the trashy newspaper" on anything regarding the development. He said he would only talk about the project with a reporter who would place it in a "positive light." Since the private meeting, Tom Yannios, another resident who is opposed to the project, said he's seen a change in Murray. He said at the April 25 Planning Board meeting, member Brandon Myers challenged Witt on a point. Yannios said Murray came to Witt's defense. Minutes for the April meeting have yet to be posted on the town's website. Open Meeting Laws do not prohibit a planning board chairman from meeting privately with an applicant. It would only be prohibited if a quorum of the Planning Board was present at a closed-door meeting. However, Cashin, who is an attorney, said the meeting is an example of ex parte communications, which the state Department of State cautions against in its "Exploring Standards of Ethical Conduct for Members of Planning Boards and Zoning Board of Appeals: Article 18: General Municipal Law and Common Law." On page 38, the State Department called the practice "dangerous when the information is excluded from the record." Sign up for The Knick Get the latest news and some area history with our afternoon newsletter. "Rule of thumb: Immediately place on the record the substance of what was discussed and be available to any interested side to a matter," the State Department's training PowerPoint reads. So far, that has not happened. In addition to storm water run off, residents also believe the development would drain the water table and diminish the quality of the water, which property owners already must treat. Neighbors also worry about their rural road becoming a suburban thoroughfare and the destruction of wildlife habitat. In the past, Witt has called all the concerns unfounded. He has said all of the storm water would be contained in catch basins and depression areas on the property. He has also said that water quality won't be affected and half of the property will not be developed. He has said that his critics are spreading lies. Residents say what is perhaps most concerning to them is a repeat of what happened in 2014 at Witt's Old Stone Ridge subdivision in Greenfield. Witt's proposal did not include clear cutting, but he still had trees removed to provide views of the Green Mountains. By the time code enforcement got a stop-work order, the trees were gone. "At the time, Witt said there was a filing mistake and that he always intended to create the views," Cashin said. "This is a similar situation." WATERVLIET This citys machine-like efficiency has been knocked out of alignment when officials twice in three years made mistakes in the length of City Council members terms of office. Wacky is how both Mayor Michael Manning and Councilman Charles Patricelli described the situation Monday for the city where Democrats either run uncontested or are elected with 70 percent of the vote. The Albany County Board of Elections has scheduled a special election for November for a three-year term for councilman to get the out-of-whack machinery humming smoothly again. Two terms got off cycle, Albany County Democratic Elections Commissioner Matthew Clyne said. Watervliets City Charter requires elections to the three-member City Council in odd-numbered years. The mayor and a council member appear on one ballot, and in the next election two years later, the other council member runs. The three members are elected for four-year terms While the citys election cycle currently is off-kilter, since the council members were elected, it will not affect the legality of votes taken by the City Council, Clyne said. Its going to take two elections to get Watervliet back to where it should be. The seat Patricelli won in 2016 will be on this years ballot for a three-year term, while Councilman Frank McGrouty, who was elected in 2017, will run for a full-four year term in 2019 when Manning is up for re-election. Everything will be in alignment with the City Charter, Clyne said. The city had a 94-year steak of properly scheduling elections since it adopted its charter in 1914. That ended in 2008 when former Councilwoman Ellen Fogarty ran for the council spot vacated by Manning after he was elected mayor in 2007. But instead of running to fill the final two years of Mannings term, Fogarty was elected to a four-year term. When Councilman Charles Diamond stepped down in 2010, former Councilman Nick Foglia ran that year for a four-year term instead of a one-year term to finish out Diamonds time in office. After that the twin mistakes cascaded through the succeeding elections. When a vacancy is filled, the charter calls for the person to run in the first available election cycle, the mayor said. Our position is if youre doing this and are elected, you serve four years, Manning said explaining how the two council member seats moved off the odd-year rotation into even-year elections. It took Foglias resignation in February 2017 to bring attention to the cycles. Thats when Manning and Petrocelli couldnt agree on filling the vacant council seat. The two officials have faced off on several issues. Petrocelli contacted Clyne about Foglias vacant post and the upcoming election to fill it. There was an exchange of emails, Petrocelli and Manning said, but nothing was heard from Clyne until last week. Clyne started researching the matter. He discovered when it came to elections, the city wasnt following its charter, the state public officers law and the state constitution. The elections commissioner said the only other example he could find when an elective office went off cycle was in New York City in the early 20th century. Sign up for The Knick Get the latest news and some area history with our afternoon newsletter. The county Board of Elections normally relies on the local municipality to tell it which offices are to appear on the ballot. In this instance, the board is stepping in. Petrocelli, who would be forced to run for office again after serving two years instead of a full four-year term, questions whether there should be an election this year. Thats still up to be determined. Im not quite sure if Matt Clyne should be interpreting what our City Charter says, Petrocelli said. Clyne sent the city a four-page letter last week outlining the situation and the steps to get the elections back on the correct cycle. Manning said the city could go to court over Clynes interpretation. I dont think we should expend public funds on a lawsuit to prevent a public election, Manning said. Candidates begin circulating nominating petitions on June 5 and have until July 12 to file them. Attorney General Eric Schneiderman abruptly resigned Monday evening after the New Yorker published a bombshell article alleging the two-term Democrat beat and choked women. Through a spokesperson, Schneiderman denied abusing the four women who accused him two are anonymous but acknowledged "role-playing ... in the privacy of intimate relationships." But as calls for his immediate resignation mounted, including from Gov. Andrew Cuomo and other Democrats, Schneiderman announced he was stepping down. "It's been my great honor and privilege to serve as Attorney General for the people of the State of New York," he said. "In the last several hours, serious allegations, which I strongly contest, have been made against me. While these allegations are unrelated to my professional conduct or the operations of the office, they will effectively prevent me from leading the office's work at this critical time. I therefore resign my office, effective at the close of business on May 8, 2018." Schneiderman, who was running for re-election, was accused of hitting and choking the women during attacks they said were not consensual. Two of the women, Michelle Manning Barish and Tanya Selvaratnam, spoke to the New Yorker on the record and said they sought medical attention after he hit them. They said the abuse escalated and that Schneiderman was a heavy drinker. "After the most difficult month of my life-I spoke up. For my daughter and for all women. I could not remain silent and encourage other women to be brave for me," Manning Barish tweeted after the New Yorker's article was posted online Monday evening. Sign up for The Knick Get the latest news and some area history with our afternoon newsletter. Cuomo had issued a statement an hour before Schneiderman had announced he would leave office. "The New Yorker has published an article on Attorney General Eric Schneiderman, which reports multiple women making serious allegations of assault. No one is above the law, including New York's top legal officer," Cuomo said. "I will be asking an appropriate New York District Attorney to commence an immediate investigation, and proceed as the facts merit. My personal opinion is that, given the damning pattern of facts and corroboration laid out in the article, I do not believe it is possible for Eric Schneiderman to continue to serve as Attorney General, and for the good of the office, he should resign." Hours later, the Manhattan District Attorney's office announced it had opened an investigation into the claims against Schneiderman, the Associated Press reported. Read more: 4 women accuse New York attorney general of physical abuse [May 07, 2018] Andes Technology Corp. to Make Two Presentations at The 2018 RISC-V Workshop in Barcelona Hsinchu, Taiwan, May 07, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- MEDIA ALERT WHO: Andes Technology Corporation , the leading Asia-based supplier of small, low-power, high performance 32/64-bit embedded CPU cores, today announced that it will make two presentations at the 2018 RISC V Workshop in Barcelona . WHAT: In one presentation Chuan-Hua Chang, Senior Director of Architecture Division, Andes Technology Corporation and Richard Herveille, Managing Director, RoaLogic BV will propose an extension to RISC-V community based the DSP ISA used in Andes highly successful D10 and D15 processors. In the second presentation Charlie Su, CTO and Senior VP, Andes Technology Corporation will will describe four new RISC-V IP processors with complaint floating-point ad Linux support: the 64-bit NX25F and AX25, and 32-bit N25F and A25. WHEN: Wednesday, May 9th, 2018, Chuan-Hua Chang, Senior Director of Architecture Division, Andes Technology Corporation and Richard Herveille, Managing Director, RoaLogic BV will present at 0915. Charlie Su, CTO and Senior VP, Andes Technology Corporation will present at 1430. Click here for agenda . WHERE: Universitat Politecnica de Catalunya, Barcelona, Campus Nord, Calle Jordi Girona, 1-3, 08034 Barcelona, Spain. To schedule a meeting e-mail info@andestech.com . About Andes Andes Technology Corporation was founded in Hsinchu Science Park, Taiwan in 2005 to develop innovative high-performance/low-power 32/64-bit processor cores and associated development environment to serve worldwide rapidly growing embedded system applications. The company delivers the best super low power CPU cores with integrated development environment and associated software and hardware solutions for efficient SoC design. To meet demanding requirements of today's electronic devices, Andes Technology delivers configurable software/hardware IP and scalable platforms to respond to customers' needs for quality products and faster time-to-market. Andes Technology's comprehensive CPU includes entry-level, mid-range, high-end, extensible and security families to address the full range of embedded electronics products, especially for connected, smart and green applications. For more information about Andes Technology, please visit http://www.andestech.com/ Jonah McLeod Andes Technology Corp. (510) 449-8634 jonahm@andestech.com [May 08, 2018] Applications for the Civic Tech India 2018 Accelerator Program are now Open MUMBAI, May 8, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- ~ Omidyar Network and Village Capital invite emerging entrepreneurs to be India's future game changers by developing new technological solutions to solve India's civic issues ~ Global philanthropic investment firm, Omidyar Network, in partnership with venture capital firm, Village Capital, announced today that applications are now being accepted for aspiring entrepreneurs in India to participate in a first-of-its kind initiative - the Civic Tech India 2018 Accelerator program. The six-month accelerator program will train and invest in early-stage civic engagement ventures in India by bringing together entrepreneurs, influencers, the government and potential funders, through forums and workshops. Following an intensive five-step process, the Civic Tech India 2018 Accelerator program will then select a cohort of 6-12 ventures post the application using VIRAL, a proprietary evaluation framework developed by Village Capital. "We are really excited about the growing potential of civic technology in India. To harness this opportunity, we want to support promising entrepreneurs, who are using tech to tackle some of India's most pressing social challenges, and to empower citizens to better engage with the government and their communities," said Bharath Visweswariah, Director for Governance and Citizen Engagement Investments at Omidyar Network in India. Speaking about the collaboration with Omidyar Network, Deepak Menon, Regional Director, Emerging Markets, Village Capital, stated, "Governance and civic issues cut across several of Village Capial's focus areas such as health, education and environmental sustainability. Through the Civic Tech India 2018 Accelerator program, Village Capital and Omidyar Network hope to catalyze the ecosystem for entrepreneurs in this space; supporting them to sustainably improve basic quality of life across populations and regions in India, and create impact at scale." The selected cohort will receive support and training over a period of three to five months to hone their expertise, refine and improve their business models, and increase their scalability and impact. This program has been designed to encourage Indian entrepreneurs to develop solutions to tackle the country's toughest civic and social challenges, which include infrastructure, education, health, sanitation, governance and administration among others. Unleashing entrepreneurial creativity towards addressing these civic challenges will likely yield better and more durable solutions to these issues. It will also aid public involvement in critical decision-making processes. The use of civic technology can thereby help dramatically improve delivery of services to citizens and refine the government's overall responsiveness to civic issues. Through the Civic Tech India 2018 Accelerator program, Omidyar Network and Village Capital aim to support and further develop India's civic technology sector as a whole. The Civic Tech India 2018 Accelerator program is now open for applications until Friday, June 15, 2018, till 5 PM IST. Interested applicants can find out more about the program and apply here. About Omidyar Network Omidyar Network is a philanthropic investment firm, established in 2004 by eBay founder Pierre Omidyar and his wife Pam. We create opportunity for people to improve their lives by investing in market-based efforts that catalyze economic and social change. In India, Omidyar Network focuses on helping the hundreds of millions of Indians in low-income and lower-middle-income populations, which we define as ranging from the poorest among us to the existing middle class. Omidyar Network has committed more than $1 billion through equity investments in for-profit companies and grants to non-profit organizations that foster economic advancement and encourage individual participation across multiple areas, including digital identity, education, emerging tech, financial inclusion, governance & citizen engagement, and property rights. To learn more, visit http://www.omidyar.com and follow on Twitter @omidyarnetwork #PositiveReturns About Village Capital Village Capital builds bridges for entrepreneurs who are creating an inclusive and sustainable world. Our programs connect high potential, early-stage entrepreneurs with the people, institutions, and capital they need to succeed. Since 2009, Village Capital has supported more than 1,000 entrepreneurs through our programs, and partnered with affiliated investment funds, including VilCap Investments, that have invested seed capital in more than 90 program graduates. Media Contact: Lynn Verghese lynn.verghese@fleishman.com +91-82919-92694 FleishmanHillard for Omidyar Network [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [May 08, 2018] HGC and China Telecom cooperate for the first carrier-to-carrier Interconnection at Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau Bridge HONG KONG and CHICAGO, May 8, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- HGC Global Communications Limited (HGC), a fixed-line operator with extensive Hong Kong and international network coverage, and China Telecommunications Corporation (China Telecom), Mainland China's largest fixed-line and FDD LTE operator with abundant international cable network resources and a global communications service provider, today announced that the two companies have entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for construction of a network interconnection system via the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau Bridge (HZM Bridge). This will be the first interconnection between Hong Kong and Mainland China fixed telecommunication network service providers on the HZM Bridge, and is HGC's fifth cross-border route between Mainland China and Hong Kong. Since 2000, HGC has self-financed and constructed fibre optic cable systems at Lok Ma Chau, Man Kam To and Lo Wu, and in 2008 was the first carrier to provide cross-border telecom services through the Hong Kong-Shenzhen Western Corridor. When the fibre connection on the HZM Bridge comes into operation, HGC will retain its leading position among Hong Kong carriers as operating the most cross-border connections to the mainland. The new link boosts capacity by at least 100 Gbps, with design capacity of 8Tbps. Adding the fifth connection will strengthen network routing diversification, and thus cater to high-end customers' demand for high quality and reliable telecom services. The Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macau Greater Bay Area (Greater Bay Area) initiative set out in China's 13th five-year plan intends to highlight the region's role and aspiration in the global economic supply chain, with the inclusion of the Special Administrative Regions of Hong Kong and Macau. The key economic sectors of the area include high-tech manufacturing, logistics, digital and innovation industries. The new fibre connection will provide capacity for anticipated growth in cross-border traffic. Once the interconnection is in place, the fibre cable will stretch along the 29.6 km dual 3-lane carriageway - including a 6.7 km tunnel - and connecting the Boundary Crossing Facilities in Hong Kong, Zhuhai, and Macau. , Chief Executive Officer of HGC, said: "HGC has a long history of partnership with China Telecom, where the two entities' networks and assets have been fully utilised to reach common goals. This evolves from traditional bilateral cooperation to a common platform which can address different possibilities and mutually benefit both HGC and China Telecom and ultimately reinforce Hong Kong's leading position as Asia's telecom hub. The fibre cable deployed by HGC at the "Hong Kong Link Road section" of the HZM Bridge is now in service, offering fibre and transmission capacity even before the official opening of the bridge." Deng Xiaofeng, Managing Director, Global Business Department of China Telecom, said: "China Telecom is pleased to establish an interconnection with HGC at the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau Bridge. With both parties' diverse network connection routes and our history of close cooperation, the new fibre connection will help both parties providing customers with stable and reliable service, meeting the ever-increasing demand in the Greater Bay Area and neighbouring countries and regions." About HGC Global Communications Limited HGC Global Communications Limited (HGC) is a leading Hong Kong and international fixed-line operator. The company owns an extensive network and infrastructure in Hong Kong and overseas and provides various kinds of services. It provides telecom infrastructure service to other operators and serves as a service provider to corporations and households. The company provides full-fledged telecom, data centre services, ICT solutions and broadband services for local, overseas, corporate and mass markets. HGC owns and operates an extensive fibre-optic network, four cross-border telecom routes integrated into tier-one telecom operators in mainland China and connects with hundreds of world-class international telecom operators. HGC is one of Hong Kong's largest Wi-Fi service providers, running over 29,000 Wi-Fi hotspots in Hong Kong. The company is committed to further investing and enriching its current infrastructure and, in parallel, adding on top the latest technologies and developing its infrastructure services and solutions. HGC is a portfolio company of I Squared Capital, an independent global infrastructure investment manager focusing on energy, utilities and transport in North America, Europe and selected fast-growing economies. For more information, please visit HGC's website at: www.hgc.com.hk About China Telecommunications Corporation China Telecommunications Corporation ("China Telecom") is one of the largest state-owned telecommunication companies in China. At present, the size of China Telecom's total assets exceeds RMB 800 billion, with annual revenue of more than RMB 410 billion. Ranking 133rd in the 2017 Fortune Global 500, China Telecom was awarded the Most Honoured Company, the Best Managed Company in the Asia Telecom Sector, as well as the Best Managed Company in Asia by esteemed international institutions for consecutive years. With the world's largest broadband Internet network and a leading-edge mobile network, China Telecom is capable of providing cross-region, fully-integrated information services to global customers through its sound customer service channel system. Its comprehensive service capability has earned China Telecom a large customer base. By the end of 2017, the number of its broadband Internet subscribers exceeded 160 million, mobile subscribers exceeded 260 million, and IPTV subscribers exceeded 100 million. To drive corporate transformation, China Telecom has rolled out Transformation 3.0 strategy with a focus of upgrading intelligent network, service ecosystem and smart operation for the digital ecosystem. China Telecom will strive to become a leading comprehensive intelligent information service provider, with the aim of becoming a powerhouse in the Internet and cyber realms in order to serve the society and enhance people's wellbeing. View original content:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/hgc-and-china-telecom-cooperate-for-the-first-carrier-to-carrier-interconnection-at-hong-kong-zhuhai-macau-bridge-300644301.html SOURCE HGC Global Communications Limited (HGC) [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [May 08, 2018] The American Legion National Commander to Present $50K Grant to Assist Women Veterans by Funding VA Baby Shower Events Nationwide The American Legion: WHEN : Wednesday, May 9, 2018 - Approximately 1:45 pm. WHERE: National Executive Committee Room of The American Legion National Headquarters, 700 N. Pennsylvania St., Indianapolis, IN 46204 WHAT: Since its creation in 2008, The American Legion Operation Comfort Warriors program has donated more than $2 million of comfort items to wounded, injured and ill U.S. military veterans and servicemembers around the globe. American Legion National Commander Denise H. Rohan directed a $50,000 grant be awarded to the Department of Veterans Affairs to support its nationwide Baby Shower, which will be conducted at VA hospitals across the country. Accepting the grant as a representative of the entire VA system will be Dr. Brian Hancock, director of Roudebush VA Medical Center in Indianapolis. WHY: The Department of Veterans Affairs is celebrating Mother's Day by hosting baby showers at 60 VA Medical Centers around the country May 5-16. Nearly half of the two million women's veterans population are reproductive age, with many using VA facilities. More than 2,400 new veteran parents and parent-to-be will receive baby "welcome kits," which includes a diaper bag, toiletries, blanket, hat and other items. The OCW grant will fund 1,000 kits. "The American Legion strongly supports women veterans, and we also support their families," National Commander Denise H. Rohan said. "We applaud VA's outreach to these new mothers and we believe this is a worthy use of Operation Comfort Warriors donations. Not only do veterans sacrifice for our nation, but the children of these veterans do so as well. And this grant is just another meaningful way to show our gratitude." ABOUT: With a current membership of two million wartime veterans, The American Legion was founded in 1919 on the four pillars of a strong national security, veterans affairs, Americanism and youth programs. Legionnaires support their communities through nearly 13,000 posts across the nation. To find out more about The American Legion, please visit Legion.org. MEDIA: Contact: John Raughter, (317) 441-8847, jraughter@legion.org. Please contact if you plan to attend or cover this event. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20180508005052/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [May 08, 2018] Volvo Trucks Presents Second Electric Truck Model in Three Weeks GOTHENBURG, Sweden, May 8, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Just three weeks after the unveiling of Volvo Trucks' first all-electric truck, the Volvo FL Electric, the company is expanding its product range with yet another electric truck. The Volvo FE Electric is designed for heavier city distribution and refuse transport operations with gross weights of up to 27 tonnes. Sales will commence in Europe in 2019 . To view the Multimedia News Release, please click: https://www.multivu.com/players/uk/8321751-volvo-trucks-second-electric-truck-model/ "With the introduction of the Volvo FE Electric we have a comprehensive range of electrically powered trucks for city operations and are taking yet another strategic step forward in the development of our total offer in electrified transport solutions. This opens the door to new forms of cooperation with cities that target to improve air quality, reduce traffic noise, and cut congestion during peak hours since commercial operations can instead be carried out quietly and without tale-pipe exhaust emissions early in the morning or late at night," says Claes Nilsson, President Volvo Trucks. The first Volvo FE Electric, a refuse truck with a superstructure developed together with Europe's leading refuse collection bodybuilder, Faun, will start operating in late 2018 in Germany's second-largest city, Hamburg. "Hamburg, which in 2011 was named European Green Capital of the EU, has worked long and successfully on a broad front to enhance green and sustainable urban development. This applies not least in the transport sector, where electrified buses from Volvo are already being used in the public transport network. The experiences and ambitions from this venture make Hamburg a highly interesting partner for us," says Jonas Odermalm, Product Line Vice President for the Volvo FL and Volvo FE at Volvo Trucks. Prof. Dr. Rudiger Siechau, CEO of Stadtreinigung Hamburg, sees large potential for environmental benefits with electric trucks in the city. "Today, each of our 300 conventional refuse vehicles emits approximately 31.300 kg carbon dioxide every year. An electrically powered rfuse truck with battery that stands a full shift of eight to ten hours is a breakthrough in technology. Another benefit is the fact that Stadtreinigung Hamburg generates climate-neutral electricity that can be used to charge the batteries." The new Volvo FE Electric will be offered in several variants for different types of transport assignment. For instance with Volvo's low-entry cab, which makes it easier to enter and exit the cab and gives the driver a commanding view of surrounding traffic. The working environment improves too as a result of the low noise level and vibration-free operation. Battery capacity can be optimised to suit individual needs, and charging takes place either via the mains or via quick-charge stations. "Our solutions for electrified transport are designed to suit the specific needs of each customer and each city. In addition to the vehicles, we will offer everything from route analysis to services and financing via our network of dealers and workshops throughout Europe. We also have close partnerships with suppliers of charging infrastructure," says Jonas Odermalm. Facts, Volvo Trucks' electrically powered trucks Volvo FE Electric - Fully electrically-powered truck for distribution, refuse collection and other applications in urban conditions, GVW 27 tonnes. - Driveline: Two electric motors with 370 kW max power (260 kW cont. power) with a Volvo 2-speed transmission. Max torque electric motors 850 Nm. Max torque rear axle 28 kNm. - Energy storage: Lithium-ion batteries, 200-300 kWh. - Range: Up to 200 km. - Charging: Two different charging systems are available. CCS2: Maximum charge power 150 kW DC. Low Power Charging: Maximum charge power 22 kW AC. - Charging time: From empty to fully charged batteries (300 kWh): CCS2 150 kW appr. 1.5 hours, Low power charging appr.10 hours. Volvo FL Electric - Fully electrically-powered truck for distribution, refuse collection and other applications in urban conditions, GVW 16 tonnes. - Driveline: Electric motor with 185 kW max power (130 kW cont. power) with a Volvo 2-speed transmission. Max torque electric motor 425 Nm. Max torque rear axle 16 kNm. - Energy storage: Lithium-ion batteries, totalling 100-300 kWh. - Range: Up to 300 km. - Charging: Two different charging systems are available. CCS2: Maximum charge power 150 kW DC. Low Power Charging: Maximum charge power 22 kW AC. - Charging time: From empty to fully charged batteries: fast charge 1-2 hours (DC charging), night charge up to 10 hours (AC charging) with maximum battery capacity of 300 kWh. Read more about electromobility: http://www.volvotrucks.com/electromobility May 8, 2018 For broadcast-quality videos supporting this press release and more, please visit http://www.thenewsmarket.com/volvotrucks Press images are available in the Volvo Trucks image and film gallery at https://bit.ly/2r34OsL Volvo Trucks provides complete transport solutions for professional and demanding customers, offering a full range of medium to heavy duty trucks. Customer support is secured via a global network of 2,100 dealers and workshops in more than 130 countries. Volvo trucks are assembled in 16 countries across the globe. In 2017, more than 112,000 Volvo trucks were delivered worldwide. Volvo Trucks is part of Volvo Group, one of the world's leading manufacturers of trucks, buses and construction equipment and marine and industrial engines. The Group also provides solutions for financing and service. Volvo Trucks work is based on the core values of quality, safety and environmental care. For further information, please contact: Fredrik Klevenfeldt Director Public Relations and Social Media Volvo Trucks Tel: +46-31- 322-1106; email: fredrik.klevenfeldt@volvo.com (Photo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/687032/Volvo_FE_Electric.jpg ) https://www.multivu.com/players/uk/8321751-volvo-trucks-second-electric-truck-model/ ) [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [May 08, 2018] Community ISD in Texas Selects Tyler Technologies' Solutions for Student Information and Financial Management Tyler Technologies, Inc. (NYSE: TYL) announced it has signed an agreement with the Community Independent School District (ISD) in Nevada, Texas, for multiple Tyler solutions, including Munis enterprise resource planning (ERP), ExecuTime time and record keeping, and Tyler SIS and Tyler Pulse (News - Alert) student information solutions. Community ISD is currently using a legacy software solution to manage its financial data and student information, but the fast-growing district feels the system does not have the correct level of functionality to meet its current growth. It was seeking an integrated finance and student information system that could handle the district's complexities related to its rapid growth - its student population is growing by 150 to 200 students each year. "Our vision for Community ISD is to become the destination school district within the fast-growing area of Collin County, Texas," said Dr. Roosevelt Nivens, superintendent for Community ISD. "We believe Tyler has the right solutions and team to make our vision a reality, and we're excited to be implementing solutions that will make our district more efficient to better serve our teachers, parents, and students." The distric ultimately selected Tyler because of its strong product offering, with solutions that will manage information including financials, time and record keeping, and student information in a paperless system. Tyler's comprehensive, integrated system aligns with the district's vision to become a more efficient and effective organization. "The addition of these solutions from Tyler will help our staff immensely as they manage increasing amounts of information related to student data," said Neil Bolton, director of information systems for Community ISD. "The solutions will help ensure our data is accurate and secure, and our staff, especially our teachers, can have more time to concentrate on their students." Tyler's solutions will manage student information for more than 2,400 students. Roughly 300 staff members, including 140 teachers, will use the solutions daily. "We're pleased to help Community ISD achieve its vision of being a destination school district by providing them advanced, integrated technology solutions," said Chris Hepburn, president of Tyler's ERP & School Division. "With Tyler's solutions, the district will be able to efficiently and securely manage important student data, which will improve processes for its entire staff." Community ISD is located in Nevada, Texas, which is part of Collin County. Collin County is within the Dallas-Fort Worth metro area and has a population of more than 900,000. Tyler provides several solutions to Collin County, including Brazos, EnerGov, Munis, and Odyssey. About Tyler Technologies (News - Alert) , Inc. Tyler Technologies (NYSE: TYL) is a leading provider of end-to-end information management solutions and services for local governments. Tyler partners with clients to empower the public sector - cities, counties, schools and other government entities - to become more efficient, more accessible and more responsive to the needs of their constituents. Tyler's client base includes more than 15,000 local government offices in all 50 states, Canada, the Caribbean, Australia, and other international locations. In 2017, Forbes ranked Tyler on its "Most Innovative Growth Companies" list, and Fortune included Tyler on its "100 Fastest-Growing Companies" list. More information about Tyler Technologies, headquartered in Plano, Texas, can be found at www.tylertech.com. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20180508005111/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] Emory students gathered at the Cox Hall Bridge on April 20 to advocate for ways to reduce gun violence. Students wearing orange provided tables where those who were interested could write messages or learn more information. Emory Photo/Video When Emory students gathered at the Cox Hall Bridge on April 20 to advocate for ways to reduce gun violence, part of a national day of student protests, they were joined by two open expression observers, university staff members who had volunteered for the role. As their title implies, these observers werent there to argue for or against any particular position instead, they were on hand to make sure that all sides had the opportunity to have their voices heard. The event ran smoothly and respectfully, with students wearing orange to protest gun violence staffing tables where those who were interested could write messages or learn more information. But if there had been conflicts, the open expression observers would have stepped in, educating those involved about Emorys Respect for Open Expression Policy and offering ways to share opinions without creating safety concerns or impinging on the free expression rights of others. From personal protests to organized demonstrations, open expression on college campuses across the nation has drawn increased attention in recent years, sometimes because the outcome has been less than desirable, either due to the actions of the participants or the institutional response. Emory has had its share of protests, including outcry over a 2016 appearance by controversial conservative commentator Milo Yiannopoulos. But since implementing its Respect for Open Expression Policy in 2013, Emory has developed robust programs that have engaged the campus community and drawn the attention of other institutions seeking to follow Emorys example. Both the Committee for Open Expression (CFOE) and the Open Expression Observers program were created as a result of Emory's policy, which affirms the university's commitment to open expression while acknowledging the challenges and tensions these actions could create in an ever-changing community. Emory University is fundamentally committed to open inquiry, open expression, and the vigorous discussion and debate upon which the advancement of its multifaceted mission depends, the policy states. In December, Emory earned a "green light" rating for free speech on campus from the Foundation for Individual Rights in Education (FIRE) one of only 39 schools to currently hold the designation. FIRE is a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization dedicated to defending freedom of speech on U.S. college campuses. We are excited to welcome Emory to the ranks of green light institutions, said FIRE Executive Director Robert Shibley, announcing the rating. Emory is now positioned to become a national leader in protecting free speech on campus. Strong support for open expression Emory earned the green light rating by revising certain sections of the undergraduate conduct code, as well as modifying policies governing campus bias incidents and the use of information technology incidents. Alexander "Sasha" Volokh, chair of Emory's CFOE and a professor at Emory School of Law, worked with various Emory administrators on changing the language of the relevant policies. Once these policies were brought to our attention, everyone basically agreed that it was a matter of mistaken or outdated language that did not reflect the values of Emorys Open Expression Policy, Volokh says. The credit really belongs to Emorys administrators, from President Claire Sterk on down, who strongly support open expression on campus as well as to the University Senate that adopted the Open Expression Policy five years ago. Under the policy, the university affirms the rights of members of the community to assemble and demonstrate peaceably even above other university policies, except in the case of illegal activity. The CFOE is a working group of university community members including faculty, staff and students who seek to promote and protect the rights and responsibilities of community members related to issues and controversies involving speech, debate, open expression, protest and other related matters. The policy is modeled on the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, which guarantees freedom of religion, speech and peaceful assembly. Because Emory is a private institution, the university is not legally bound by the First Amendment; however the university adopted the policy as a commitment to First Amendment values. Although the CFOE investigates and provides opinions regarding the policy in cases where community members feel their open expression rights have been violated, the committee has no binding authority in individual cases. In partnership with Emory Campus Life, the CFOE connects community members with appropriate campus resources depending on need. Facilitating free speech on campus Through the Open Expression Observers program, observers are trained to educate community members about the universitys open expression policy and help those organizing events and protests understand how to get their messages across without disrupting other peoples rights or creating safety risks. Nearly 100 faculty and staff volunteer observers have been trained since the 2015-2016 academic year on Emorys main campus and at the Oxford College campus, notes Michael Shutt, senior director of community for Campus Life. Currently there are more than 75 active observers representing all of the schools and most of the universitys units. We want observers to serve as ambassadors for open expression on campus. All observers undergo specific training so that they can describe the program and policy, and be able to identify situations that need intervention, Shutt says. The two-hour observer training also has been supplemented with an additional conflict management training for those who want to learn more about managing conflict so they can be more comfortable when they encounter a situation that may involve increased tension or emotion, Shutt says. We go over theoretical situations and case studies, but we are also working with the Committee for Open Expression doing reflective work on challenging cases that have occurred at Emory. One of the things that has hit home is that we are community of practice. We are a group of people who are learning together, and if we fail in the process and we dont do something perfectly, we will learn from that, he says. Observers attended 27 events during the 2016-2017 academic year, according to Shutt, they have been requested 18 times this year. Some of these events are political events where the organizers expect that protest and dissent might happen; other events are actual protests carried on by members of the Emory community, Shutt explains. We believe that our observers have played an important role in preventing and defusing conflict with the result that the sort of destructive and violent protests that have plagued some other campuses simply haven't occurred here. Emory junior Camila Reed-Guevara was part of a group of students who organized a peaceful protest outside of the April 2016 speech by Yiannopoulos, who was invited to campus by Emory College Republicans and Emory Young Americans for Liberty. We decided to gather outside of the building with sign to peacefully protest the belief system we felt he represented, says Reed-Guevara. For me it was not about trying to argue with him or his supporters, but rather to express we didnt believe he was someone we represented what our campus or university values were. She says open expression observers at the event were helpful and that the program and the creation of the open expression committee are part of a larger effort by the university to help students try to understand each other with compassion. I think there was clearly a desire to ensure we felt as though we were being given the opportunity to speak and protest and express our opinions, as well making sure there were no attempts to keep the speaker from speaking, Reed-Guevara says. Anne Kelly, director of career services at Candler School of Theology, served as an inaugural member of the Open Expression Committee when it was formed, contributing to conversations on the Open Expression policy and setting parameters for open expression on campus. I wanted to be involved in something that supported peoples ability to speak out. This correlated with conversations I was having with undergraduate students. One student said he did not feel comfortable speaking out, but said when he thought about his grandparents, he said that was what they did, they protested in the 1960s to support what they believed in, Kelly says. The students are so bright at Emory, they understand how the Open Expression Observers program is helpful to them. Educating others Shutt has been contacted by other universities and colleges about the Open Expression Observers program, and a group is forming to plan a conference for the fall to showcase Emorys work and utilize the place it currently holds as a leader in open expression as a platform for further discussion on open expression and free speech in higher education and beyond. In summer 2017, Emorys Division of Campus Life hosted a Higher Education Institute symposium on open expression for higher education professionals. Shutt also has designed a masters level class called Open Expression in Higher Education: Moving the Narrative from Protest Management to Student Development for the University of Georgias Counseling and Student Affairs Administration Program, part of the state universitys College of Education. Leah Tompkins, associate director of academic programs for the Executive Master of Public Health Program at Rollins School of Public Health, felt being involved in the Observers program would provide both a personal benefit and a benefit to students. It is important to support students and make them feel a part of the university. It is an opportunity to meet people from different areas of campus and to hear interesting speakers, says Tompkins, who is pursuing her educational doctorate in student affairs leadership at UGA. But it is also a way to support the student population and let them know that Emory is still a place that values their activism and freedom of expression. Faculty or staff interested in volunteering for the Open Expression Observers program can apply online. [May 08, 2018] TrueCommerce Announces Unified Commerce Suite PITTSBURGH, May 08, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- TrueCommerce, a global provider of trading partner connectivity and integration solutions, has announced a cloud-based Unified Commerce Suite that provides multichannel merchants with Product Information Management (PIM) functionality and next generation B2B/B2C e-Commerce capabilities in one offering. A component of the TrueCommerce Foundry platform, the suite enables organizations to convert visitors into buyers by delivering consistent content, in real time, while offering a versatile toolset to capture, consolidate and exchange transactional data. To win in todays omni-channel retail environment, merchants must deliver compelling, consistent content that converts visitors into buyers, said TrueCommerce president Ross Elliott. But the process doesnt stop there: to successfully complete the transaction and execute flawless delivery, retailers need full control over their transactional data. TrueCommerce addresses this issue with a solution that supports a whole commerce ecosystem by connecting the entire retailer network, digital marketplaces, online storefronts and internal business systems. The TrueCommerce Unified Commerce Suite core benefits include: Increases conversions by sourcing, validating, enriching and publishing syndicated content across all chanels Enables Value Chain Collaboration: empowers brands and retailers to easily share product content, removing barriers for optimizing collaboration and value creation Allows customers to place orders anytime, from anywhere, using any device Quotes accurate shipping costs to customers during the order process Uses Artificial Intelligence to determine the best location from which to fulfill an order The platform leverages TrueCommerces Global Commerce Network that includes over 92,000 pre-connected retailers, distributors and logistics service providers. A true managed services provider, TrueCommerce manages the onboarding process for new trading partners as well as the ongoing management of trading partner specific mapping and labeling changes. For more information, visit: https://www.truecommerce.com/foundry About TrueCommerce TrueCommerce revolutionizes trading partner connectivity, visibility, and collaboration by linking suppliers, retail hubs and end consumers in one global commerce network. With our flexible, integrated and fully managed service solutions, customers of any size can easily connect and collaborate with any trading partner while enjoying the peace of mind of a proven service platform that reliably handles hundreds of millions of transactions annually without the need for any customer interaction. From the factory to the warehouse, from distributor to retail storefront, achieve new levels of business connectivity and performance with the worlds most complete commerce network. TrueCommerce: Connect. Integrate. Accelerate. For more information, visit https://www.truecommerce.com. Media Contact Yegor Kuznetsov, TrueCommerce 703-209-0167 yegor.kuznetsov@truecommerce.com [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [May 08, 2018] CLS Holdings USA, LLC Announces $10 Million Brokered Private Placement This is not an offer for sale, or solicitation of an offer to buy, in the United States or to any U.S. Person (as defined in Regulation S under the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended) of any equity shares or any other securities of the Company. NEITHER THE SPECIAL WARRANTS NOR THE UNITS, COMMON SHARES OR WARRANTS ISSUABLE UPON EXERCISE OF THE SPECIAL WARRANTS OR UNITS HAVE BEEN OR WILL BE REGISTERED UNDER THE UNITED STATES SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED (THE "U.S. SECURITIES ACT"), OR ANY SECURITIES LAWS OF ANY STATE OF THE UNITED STATES AND MAY NOT BE OFFERED OR SOLD IN THE UNITED STATES ABSENT REGISTRATION OR AN APPLICABLE EXEMPTION FROM SUCH REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS. LAS VEGAS, May 08, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- CLS Holdings USA, Inc. (OTCQB:CLSH) ("CLS" or the "Company") a development stage diversified cannabis company operating as Cannabis Life Sciences, today announced that it has entered into an agreement with a Canadian agent (the "Agent"), whereby the Agent will sell on a commercially reasonable efforts private placement basis, that number of special warrants of the Company (the "Special Warrants") that is equal to aggregate gross proceeds of C$10,000,000 (the Offering). Each Special Warrant shall be exercisable into one unit (a Unit) of the Company, at no additional cost, until 5:00 p.m. EST on the earlier of: (a) the date which is 5 business days following the issuance of a receipt for a final long form prospectus by the last of the securities regulatory authorities in the provinces of Canada (other than Quebec), and (b) the date which is 4 months and 1 day following the completion of the Proposed Acquisition (defined below) (the Time of Expiry). Any Special Warrants that have not been exercised prior to the Time of Expiry will be exercised on behalf of the holders thereof immediately prior to the Time of Expiry. Each Unit shall consist of one common share (a Common Share) of the Company and one common share purchase warrant (a Warrant). Each Warrant shall be exercisable into one Common Share of the Company at a price of that is 50% greater than the issue price of the Special Warrants for a period of 36 months from the date of the listing of the Companys Common Shares on a recognized Canadian stock exchange (the Listing Date). The gross proceeds of the Offering, less 50% of the Agents Fee (defined below) and the estimated expenses of the Agent (the Escrowed Funds), will be held in escrow subject to the satisfaction of certain escrow release conditions (the Release Conditions), as will be further set out in the indenture governing the Special Warrants. If the Release Conditions are not satisfied prior to May 31, 2018, or, if prior to such time, the definitive agreements in respect of the Proposed Acquisition (defined below) are terminated, the Escrowed Funds plus accrued interest shall be used by the Company to repurchase the Special Warrants at a redemption price per Special Warrant equal to the issue price of the Special Warrants plus a pro rata amount of any interest accrued i respect of the Escrowed Funds to the date of redemption. Closing of the Offering is expected to occur in tranches with the first tranche to occur on or about May 21st, 2018 (the Closing Date) and is subject to certain conditions including, but not limited to, the receipt of all necessary approvals of the securities regulatory authorities. Pursuant to the terms of the Offering, the Agent has been granted an option to increase the Offering by 15%, which option is exercisable by the Agents at any time up until the Closing Date. The Company will pay a cash commission to the Agent equal to 8.0% of the aggregate gross proceeds of the Offering (the Agents Fee). The Agent will receive a corporate finance fee equal to 5.0% of the gross proceeds of the Offering, payable on the Closing Date. The Company will also issue Agents warrants to the Agent exercisable for a period of 36 months from the Listing Date to acquire that number of Units which is equal to 8.0% of the number of Units sold under the Offering, at an exercise price that is equal to the issue price of the Special Warrants. The Company intends to use the net proceeds of the Offering to fund the cash consideration for the proposed acquisition of the outstanding equity interests in three subsidiaries (collectively, Oasis Cannabis) from Alternative Solutions, LLC (the Proposed Acquisition) as well as general working capital. Disclaimer CLS has executed a definitive agreement to acquire Oasis Cannabis from Alternative Solutions, LLC. The closing of the Proposed Acquisition is subject to the satisfaction of a number of conditions including the Companys ability to raise cash, and as a result, there can be no assurance that we will be able to close the Proposed Acquisition. See CLS Holdings USAs filings with the SEC for additional details. About Oasis Cannabis (www.oasiscannabis.com) Oasis Cannabis has operated a cannabis dispensary in the Las Vegas market since dispensaries first opened in Nevada in 2015 and has been recognized as one of the top marijuana retailers in the state. Its location within walking distance to the Las Vegas Strip and Downtown Las Vegas in combination with its delivery service to residents allows it to efficiently serve both locals and tourists in the Las Vegas area. The company recently commenced wholesale offerings of cannabis in Nevada with the launch of its City Trees brand of cannabis concentrates and cannabis-infused products in August 2017. An expansion of its cultivation and production facility is currently underway and is expected to be completed during the second half of 2018. About CLS Holdings USA (www.clsholdingsinc.com) CLS Holdings USA, Inc. (OTCQB:CLSH) plans to become a diversified cannabis company and is shifting its corporate strategy to becoming a fully licensed integrated cannabis producer and retailer in Nevada and other states. CLS stands for "Cannabis Life Sciences," in recognition of the Company's patent pending proprietary method of extracting various cannabinoids from the marijuana plant and converting them into products with a higher level of quality and consistency. The Company's business model includes licensing operations, processing operations, processing facilities, sale of products, brand creation and consulting services. For additional information, please visit: http://www.clsholdingsinc.com Twitter: @CLSHusa Forward Looking Statements and Information This press release contains forward-looking statements as that term is defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and forward-looking information as that term is defined under the Securities Act (Ontario). These statements relate to anticipated future events, future results of operations or future financial performance. These forward-looking statements and forward-looking information include, but are not limited to, statements relating to whether certain transactions, including the Proposed Acquisition and the Offering will be completed, the terms and timing of such transactions, receipt of all necessary regulatory approvals, the descriptions of the companies and the business that any potential target companies could bring to CLS. In some cases, you can identify forward-looking statements and information by terminology such as "may," "might," "will," "should," "intends," "expects," "plans," "goals," "projects," "anticipates," "believes," "estimates," "predicts," "potential," or "continue" or the negative of these terms or other comparable terminology. Forward-looking statements and forward-looking information are only predictions, are uncertain and involve substantial known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause our actual results, levels of activity or performance to be materially different from any future results, levels of activity or performance expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements or forward-looking information. We cannot guarantee future results, levels of activity or performance and we cannot guaranty that the proposed transactions described in this press release will occur. You should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements or forward looking information, which speak only as of the date that they were made. These cautionary statements should be considered together with any written or oral forward-looking statements or forward-looking information that we may issue in the future. Except as required by applicable law, we do not intend to update any of the forward-looking statements or forward-looking information to conform these statements to reflect actual results, later events or circumstances or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events. CLS has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Oasis Cannabis, which is expected to close in the second quarter of 2018. See CLS Holdings USA filing with the SEC for additional details. Contact Information Corporate: Chairman and CEO Jeff Binder jeff@clsholdingsinc.com 888-438-9132 Investors: Hayden IR CLSH@haydenir.com 917-658-7878 [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [May 08, 2018] Alliance Memory Expands Low-Power SDRAM Portfolio SAN CARLOS, Calif., May 08, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Alliance Memory, a manufacturer of hard-to-find SRAM, DRAM, and SDRAM ICs, today announced that its SDRAM portfolio now features a wide variety of components that combine low power consumption with power-saving features to extend battery life in mobile devices. Alliance Memory's lineup of high-speed CMOS mobile low-power SDRAMs includes SDR (LPSDR), double data rate (LPDDR), and DDR2 (LPDDR2) devices. Featuring power consumption of 1.8V, the companys LPSDR SDRAMs are available in densities of 128Mb, 256Mb, and 512Mb in 54-ball and 90-ball FBGA packages. LPDDR devices feature power consumption from 1.7V to 1.95V and densities of 256Mb, 512Mb, 1Gb, and 2Gb in the 60-ball and 90-ball FBGA packages. Enabling ultra-slim designs, LPDDR2 SDRAMs offer power consumption of 1.2V/1.8V and densities of 1Gb, 2Gb, and 4Gb in the 134-ball FBGA package. For designers of mobile devices tasked with providing more functionality in tighter spaces while using less power, Alliance Memorys low-power SDRAMs offer a variety of power-saving features, including auto temperature-compensated self-refresh (TCSR) to minimize power consumption at lower ambient temperatures. In addition, their partial-array self-refresh (PASR) feature reduces power by only refreshing critical data, while a deep power down (DPD) mode provides an ultra-low power state when data retention isnt required. With the Internet of Things and proliferation of mobile devices in the consumer, industrial, and medical spaces, weve committed ourselves over the past few years to solidifying our offering of low-power ICs, said David Bagby, Alliance Memory president and CEO. It began with the introduction of our LPSDR SDRAMs in 2014, followed by our LPDDR devices in 2016, and LPDDR2 SDRAMs in 2017. Now we offer a complete low-power portfolio in a wide range of densities and package options to meet the high demand for these parts. Low-power SDRAMs from Alliance Memory include: Type Part number Density SDR AS4C8M16MSA-6BIN AS4C4M32MSA-6BIN 128Mb AS4C16M16MSA-6BIN AS4C8M32MSA-6BIN 256Mb AS4C32M16MSA-6BIN AS4C16M32MSA-6BIN 512Mb DDR AS4C16M16MD1-6BCN 256Mb AS4C32M16MD1A-5BCN AS4C16M32MD1-5BCN AS4C16M32MD1-5BIN 512Mb AS4C64M16MD1A-5BIN AS4C32M32MD1A-5BIN 1Gb AS4C64M32MD1-5BCN AS4C64M32MD1-5BIN 2Gb DDR2 AS4C64M16MD2A-25BIN AS4C32M32MD2A-25BIN 1Gb AS4C128M16MD2A-25BIN AS4C64M32MD2A-25BIN 2Gb AS4C128M32MD2A-25BIN AS4C128M32MD2A-18BIN 4Gb About Alliance Memory Inc. Alliance Memory is a worldwide provider of critical and hard-to-find DRAM and SRAM memory ICs for the communications, computing, consumer electronics, medical, automotive, and industrial markets. The companys product range includes DRAMs and SRAMs with commercial, industrial, and automotive operating temperature ranges and densities from 64Kb to 8Gb. Privately held, Alliance Memory maintains headquarters in San Carlos, California, and regional offices in Europe, Asia, and South America. More information about Alliance Memory is available online at www.alliancememory.com. Editor resources: Link to product image: https://www.flickr.com/photos/alliancememory/albums/72157668572342458 Link to detailed product info: https://www.alliancememory.com/products/low-power-mobile-synchronous-dram-sdr/ (LPSDR) https://www.alliancememory.com/products/mobile-ddr/ (LPDDR) https://www.alliancememory.com/products/lpddr2-mobile-ddr2/ (LPDDR2) Agency Contact: Bob Decker Redpines +1 415 409 0233 bob.decker@redpinesgroup.com Alliance Memory Contact: TJ Mueller VP of Marketing +1 650 610 6802 tj@alliancememory.com [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [May 08, 2018] Data Wrangling Market Worth 3.18 Billion USD by 2023 PUNE, India, May 8, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- According to a new market research report "Data Wrangling Market by Business Function (Marketing and Sales, Finance, Operations, HR, and Legal), Component (Tools and Services), Deployment Model, Organization Size, Industry Vertical, and Region - Global Forecast to 2023", published by MarketsandMarkets, the market size is expected to grow from USD 1.29 Billion in 2018 to USD 3.18 Billion by 2023, at a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 19.7% during the forecast period. (Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/660509/MarketsandMarkets_Logo.jpg ) Browse 78 market data Tables and 43 Figures spread through 164 Pages and in-depth TOC on "Data Wrangling Market" https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/Market-Reports/data-wrangling-market-7833295.html Early buyers will receive 10% customization on this report The key growth factors for the global Data Wrangling Market are the emergence of big data across industry verticals and the increasing need to incorporate AI and ML technologies to gain ultra-competitiveness and sustainability to stay afloat in the dynamic world. Healthcare and life sciences vertical is expected to grow at the highest CAGR during the forecast period Data wrangling in healthcare is gaining traction. Various types of data related to patients, such as personal information; disease, treatment, and medical history; and payment data are generated, which need to cleaned, prepared and set in a proper format to do analysis. Data wrangling tools would be adopted exponentially with the rise of digitalization in the healthcare and life sciences vertical. A complete end-to-end digitalization in healthcare would only be possible if right tools are adopted to clean, de-duplicate, and format the data to investigate and analyze such datasets. The Operations business function is expected to grow at the highest CAGR during the forecast period Enterprises are deploying comprehensive analytical solutions to recognize the log pattern, identify the root cause, and analyze the user behavior. Data wrangling tools are thus expected to be aggressively used toward cleaning, profiling, and standardizing data. It would help operations team to have a wider control over their systems. Inquiry Before Buying @ https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/Enquiry_Before_Buying.asp?id=7833295 With edge analytics gaining widespread adoption, data wrangling tools are expected to be adopted across verticals. These tools would enable to filter out unwanted data and systemize the data that would be efficiently used by AI and ML algorithms to analyze and provide due insights. Operations being a core function are expected to adopt data wrangling tools significantly in near future. North America is expected to hold the largest market size; and APAC to grow at the highest CAGR during the forecast period North America is expected to continue to dominate the market during the forecast period. The region remains the single largest contributor when it comes to the adoption of data wrangling tools and services. This region houses some of the major vendors of data analytics and data wrangling tools, such as Trifacta, IBM, Hitchi Vantara, SAS, and Oracle that have their headquarters as well as direct sales offices over there. Moreover, growing partnerships, agreements, and strategic alliances also testify that the region will be at the forefront in the adoption of digital technologies. APAC is expected to grow at the highest rate in the global Data Wrangling Market during the forecast period. Major APAC countries, such as Australia and New Zealand, China, Singapore, and Japan, are witnessing growth in big data and analytics startups. This would create numerous growth opportunities especially in China, India, and Bangladesh. With an increasing number of smart cities and proliferation of IoT devices, the region is expected to witness huge growth in the coming years. The major vendors offering data wrangling tools and services include Trifacta (US), Datawatch (US), Dataiku (France), IBM (US), SAS Institute (US), Oracle (US), Talend (US), Alteryx (US), TIBCO (US), Paxata (US), Informatica (US), Hitachi Vantara (US), Teradata (US), Datameer (US), Cooladata (US), Unifi (US), Rapid Insight (US), Infogix (US), Zaloni (US), Impetus (US), Ideata Analytics (India), Onedot (Switzerland), IRI (US), Brillio (US), and TMMData (US). These players have incorporated various strategies to expand their global presence to increase their market shares. The strategic partnerships, mergers and acquisitions, product upgrades, and expansions are some of the major strategies embraced by these players. Know more about the Data Wrangling Market: https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/Market-Reports/data-wrangling-market-7833295.html About MarketsandMarkets MarketsandMarkets provides quantified B2B research on 30,000 high growth niche opportunities/threats which will impact 70% to 80% of worldwide companies' revenues. Currently servicing 5000 customers worldwide including 80% of global Fortune 1000 companies as clients. Almost 75,000 top officers across eight industries worldwide approach MarketsandMarkets for their painpoints around revenues decisions. Our 850 fulltime analyst and SMEs at MarketsandMarkets are tracking global high growth markets following the "Growth Engagement Model - GEM". The GEM aims at proactive collaboration with the clients to identify new opportunities, identify most important customers, write "Attack, avoid and defend" strategies, identify sources of incremental revenues for both the company and its competitors. MarketsandMarkets now coming up with 1,500 MicroQuadrants (Positioning top players across leaders, emerging companies, innovators, strategic players) annually in high growth emerging segments. MarketsandMarkets is determined to benefit more than 10,000 companies this year for their revenue planning and help them take their innovations/disruptions early to the market by providing them research ahead of the curve. MarketsandMarkets's flagship competitive intelligence and market research platform, "Knowledge Store" connects over 200,000 markets and entire value chains for deeper understanding of the unmet insights along with market sizing and forecasts of niche markets. Contact: Mr. Salgarkar MarketsandMarkets INC. 630 Dundee Road Suite 430 Northbrook, IL 60062 USA: +1-888-600-6441 Email: sales@marketsandmarkets.com Visit Our Blog: http://www.marketsandmarketsblog.com/market-reports/telecom-it Connect with us on LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/company/marketsandmarkets [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [May 08, 2018] Radio-Canada, Groupe V Media, Bell Media, TV5 Quebec Canada and the NFB come together on ICI TOU.TV EXTRA MONTREAL, May 8, 2018 /CNW Telbec/ - With a view to increasing the supply of French-language programming in the digital TV market, CBC/Radio-Canada French Services, Groupe V Media (V), Bell Media (Canal Vie, Canal D, Z and VRAK), TV5 Quebec Canada (TV5 and Unis TV) and the National Film of Canada (NFB) are pleased to announce agreements that will enrich the content offering of the ICI TOU.TV EXTRA platform, starting immediately. Under the agreements, a broad range of content from these media outlets is available as of today on ICI TOU.TV EXTRA, including fiction, docu-reality, magazine and documentary programming, totalling nearly 700 additional hours of television likely to interest subscribers as well as newcomers to the video-on-demand platform. This content offering is set to grow over time, and the initiative is seen as merely the start of a partnership that could be expanded to include other members. ICI TOU.TV, including its ICI TOU.TV EXTRA premium package, has enjoyed remarkable growth since the beginning of the year and continues to set new records, with the number of streaming views in March 2018 surging to 8.6 million. "I firmly believe that all stakeholders involved in the production and distribution of French-language content must come together to solidify our positioning vis-a-vis the major global players in the digital media universe. In that spirit, ICI TOU.TV EXTRA is evolving to become a platform open to other Franco players," said Michel Bissonnette, Executive Vice-President, French Services, CBC/Radio-Canada. "Discoverability is vital to the success of all content that we develop with local creators. Groupe V Media's partnership with ICI TOU.TV EXTRA is in keeping with our multiplatform strategy, whereby, as a content distributor, we must keep pace with changing media consumption behaviours and reach all types of audiences, wherever and whenever they want." Dimitri Gourdin, Executive Vice-President, Strategy and Communications, Groupe V Media. "We are pleased to be part of this initiative bringing multiple industry players together around shared interests. In today's evolving media environment, this is an excellent opportunity for us to boost the visibility of our quality brands and content by making them available on an already well-established digital platform." Dany Meloul, Vice-President, Programming, French-Language TV, Bell Media. "Helping enrich the French-language content offering across the country is the very essence of TV5 Quebec Canada's mission. It was therefore only natural that we should join the ICI TOU.TV EXTRA project alongside the other broadcasters. This is a fantastic opportunity to showcase the TV5 and Unis TV program line-ups, which feature rich, colourful people, stories and environments." Marie-Philippe Bouchard, President and CEO, TV5 Quebec Canada. "Today, ICI TOU.TV EXTRA is opening up to new partners who are enriching the palette of French-language content available in the digital TV a selection that is already original, diverse and compelling. In the opinion of the NFB, which has partnered with ICI TOU.TV and ICI TOU.TV EXTRA for a number of years now, this expansion can only benefit the many Francophone and Francophile communities across the country eager for content that reflects their realities and speaks to them." Claude Joli-Cur, President, National Film Board of Canada. About ICI TOU.TV ICI TOU.TV, launched in 2010, is one of the leading French-language digital video-on-demand platforms in Canada, offering a vastly diverse array of content, from drama series to variety programs, digital originals, films, documentaries, public affairs shows, etc. Its premium subscription package, ICI TOU.TV EXTRA, lets Web users access an even richer and more diverse line-up of French-language programming, including many premieres. ICI TOU.TV is helping to expand CBC/Radio-Canada's content offering and speed its digital growth. LIST OF CONTENT NEWLY AVAILABLE ON ICI TOU.TV EXTRA Program Partner 911 Season 1 V 911 Season 2 V Ambulances animales Season 1 V Au pays des Mitchifs Canal D Avant qu'il ne soit trop tard NFB Bizarroscope 2 UNIS TV Bras de fer Z Ca decolle Season 1 V C'est quoi ton plan ? Canal Vie Chacun son ile 2 TV5 Champions du monde TV5 Chaque enfant NFB Citrouille et vieilles dentelles NFB Code 111 Season 1 V Comment devenir adulte 1 UNIS TV Comment renover quand on mene une vie de fou! Canal Vie Cordes NFB Coureurs de smash Z D'un rire a l'autre 3 UNIS TV Des idees de grandeurs 8 Canal Vie Design V.I.P. Seasons 3, 4, 5 & 6 Canal Vie Destination cauchemar III Canal D Dimanche NFB Docu-D Beauce carnaval Canal D Docu-D Birdie ou la gloire du mini putt Canal D Docu-D Bull Jumping Canal D Docu-D Les chiens pisteurs Canal D Docu-D Country 2.0 Canal D Docu-D Je vous salue Pinard Canal D Docu-D La tourbe millenaire Canal D Docu-D Le retour du vinyle Canal D Docu-D Luchador : Un lutteur quebecois au Mexique Canal D Docu-D Operation peche cotiere : peche maudite Canal D Docu-D Les Real Beland Canal D Docu-D Le Steakhouse Canal D Docu-D A 200 milles a l'heure Canal D Docu-D Agropur, le miracle de Granby Canal D Docu-D Cyberagressions Canal D Donnez au suivant Seasons 1 & 2 Canal Vie Edmon etait un ane NFB En Famille Canal Vie Expedition extreme Seasons 1 & 2 Z Flamenco a 5h15 NFB Fort McMoney : Votez Jim Rogers! NFB Gulistan, terre des roses NFB Helico tout terrain Seasons 1 & 2 Canal D Higglety Pigglety Pop! NFB Hors circuit 2 UNIS TV Huissiers Season 1 V Impromptu NFB Infiltration Seasons 1, 2 & 3 Z Influenceurs VRAK Inuk en colere NFB Je trouverai un moyen NFB Jenny UNIS TV J'me voyais deja NFB L'empire de l'or rouge TV5 La banquet de la concubine NFB La forteresse de Churchill NFB La memoire des anges NFB L'anniversaire de Bob NFB L'automne de Pougne NFB Le Chalet Seasons 1 & 2 VRAK Le chateau de sable NFB Le commerce du sexe NFB Le confort et l'indifference NFB Le gout du pays 2 UNIS TV Le jour se leve sur la place Tienanmen NFB Le p'tit cabaret 2 TV5 Le peuple invisible NFB Le poete danois NFB Le printemps de Melie NFB Legendes urbaines IV & V Canal D Les champions : le dernier combat NFB Les cordes de la victoire UNIS TV Les encanteurs UNIS TV Les flots TV5 Les petits conteurs NFB Les petits miracles UNIS TV Les pires chauffards quebecois Seasons 1, 2, 3, 4 & 5 (Les pires des pires) Z Les Recrues / Les recrues d'infanterie Z Les yeux noirs NFB L'ete de Boniface NFB L'hiver de Leon NFB Livraison speciale NFB LOURD VRAK Ma grand-mere repassait les chemises du roi NFB Ma moulton et moi NFB Ma vie made in Canada UNIS TV MacPherson NFB Madame Tutli-Putli NFB Mamie NFB Merci mon chien NFB Mouches noires NFB Oscar NFB Partir autrement en famille 5 TV5 Port d'attache special Montreal TV5 Proprio en otage Seasons 1, 2, 3 & 4 Canal Vie Rebond NFB Rodeo Quebec Canal D Rose & Violet NFB RPM Season 18 V RPM+ Season 2 V Rubans NFB Si cette planete vous tient a cur NFB Simplement vedette Seasons 3, 4 & 5 Canal Vie Situation d'urgence I & II Canal D SNO : Hawai VRAK SOS Sauveteurs professionnels Canal D SQ Season 1 V SQ Season 2 V Terres d'exploration 2 TV5 Tesla : lumiere mondiale NFB Testament : Les heritiers divises III Canal D Tous pour un chalet Seasons 1 & 2 Canal Vie Tout s'embellit avec Julie Season 1 V Tout s'embellit avec Julie Season 2 V Trou Story NFB Une vie sauvage NFB Vaysha l'aveugle NFB Vu de l'interieur 4 UNIS TV Waseskun NFB Web therapie saison 1 TV5 SOURCE CBC/Radio-Canada [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [May 08, 2018] JobzMall Introduces New Features 'Home' and 'Maps' To Job Seekers As Tech Start-up Continues Expansion JobzMall, the virtual shopping mall that connects people seeking jobs and companies searching for employees, today launched two new features designed to make JobzMall even more efficient. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20180508006311/en/ (Photo: Business Wire) The first, called JobzMall Home, delivers a real-time feed with updates from every company a user follows, all in one place. From recent videos to job openings, Home takes the job seeker beyond "the virtual mall," enabling a real connection, instantly. The second new medium from JobzMall, called Maps, allows the user to visually explore and interact with job openings on a 3D Map. "You can completely customize this feature -- either visually exploring all available jobs within your vicinity or searching for job openings close to any specific address entered into JobzMall Maps. You can even calculate real-time traffic from your house," explained Nathan Candaner, CEO of JobzMall. Since its beta launch earlier this year, JobzMall has garnered the attention of thousands of millennials and college students eager to find a job that's just right for them. "I think of JobzMall as a combined Amazon, Netflix and Tinder - all wrapped together for the workforce," said Candaner, a 23-year-old entrepreneur. Candaner has used his millennial frame of reference to create the JobzMall platform. Besides using visually stunnig graphics, the company provides tools that empower job seekers, letting them stand out, such as Video Applications and Resumes. "When you see the resumes of most college students, they just are not that impressive. At that young age, what can be written to impress the future employer? Instead, our Video Applications feature enables them to stand out and demonstrate why they are different and better than competing candidates," Candaner added. The company already has discovered that video applications are 90 percent more likely to be seen than a regular application. In addition, when the video application is used, JobzMall notifies the job seeker each time his or her application is viewed by a potential employer. So far, JobzMall has partnered with 16 Southern California universities, including University of Southern California. JobzMall was co-founded by a unique mother-son entrepreneurial team. Nathan Candaner and his mother, Pembe Candaner, JobzMall president, have both the ability to understand the younger job seeker and the experience to identify and eliminate inefficiencies in the staffing marketplace. Pembe Candaner, an HR veteran with extensive industry experience, previously served as CEO of Adecco Turkey and Kariyer.net, Turkey's leading job board. The rest of the JobzMall team ranges in age from millennials to Generation X, fueling the company's diversity. While JobzMall is a boon for the young job seeker, it also presents huge advantages for employers. The company heavily invests in machine learning to cut hiring and advertising costs for companies that have created job "stores" in the virtual mall setting. "Decision-making in hiring used to be data-driven but we strongly believe AI-driven hiring is the future. Connecting relevant job seekers with relevant organizations, not only saves time, but also is the best way to engage with your audience," said Pembe Candaner. Moving forward, JobzMall intends to keep investing in machine learning and creating new educational tools to combat the skills gap. JobzMall refers to this as: Engagement, Efficiency and Education. "Our user interface and platform delivers engagement and our machine learning improves efficiency. But we don't stop there -- we will be introducing interactive tools that can evaluate and educate the new workforce," said Nathan Candaner. Pembe Candaner added, "It's clear that automation has resulted in the evolution of existing jobs and will continue to have this effect on the job marketplace. Therefore, at JobzMall, we recognize the need to address the resulting skills gap." JobzMall is a part of the prestigious organization Global Apprenticeship Network (GAN), advocating programs for apprenticeship programs for youth employment and skills for business, alongside Microsoft, JP Morgan Chase, IBM (News - Alert) , Nestle and others. About JobzMall: JobzMall is the new medium for the new workforce. Headquartered in Irvine, Calif., JobzMall is committed to empowering job seekers and employers and making job finding enjoyable, engaging and accessible to everyone. Find more information at www.jobzmall.com. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20180508006311/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [May 08, 2018] A First in North America: Huit Development, a Subsidiary of AXXYS Group, Immersive Design Studios and McGill Real Estate Unveil the Revolutionary Virtual Reality System to Future Quebec Buyers! MONTREAL, May 8, 2018 /CNW Telbec/ - Huit Development, a subsidiary of AXXYS Group, in collaboration with Mrs. Kora Van den Bulcke, President and cofounder of Immersive Design Studios, as well as Mrs. Debby Doktorczyk and Mr. Patrice Groleau, co-owners of McGill Real Estate, unveiled this morning, for the first time in North America, a virtual reality system which represents a true revolution in real estate. Developed by Immersive Design Studios, the CANVAS platform supports the immersive experiential technology in order to offer a spectacular virtual experience to future Quebec residential property buyers. This Canadian-designed virtual reality system was unveiled at Huit Development's new Montreal real estate project called Charlotte Condos Societe, in Griffintown. CANVAS, the interactive multimedia system allows buyers to freely move around in space and interact in their environment as though they were really there, all at a touch of a button on a tablet. This platform requires no special goggles, nor a helmet to experience the real deal. The 3D environments are presented in actual size on a 5 to 13 meter long giant screen. The client draws the full effect of a virtually reality tour by visiting all the rooms of his or her future condo and even visualizing different finishing options (flooring, kitchens, bathrooms, furniture) according to their taste. The visitor can even discover the building's common areas, have exchanges with the greeter in the lobby and even see him or herself in the mirrors of his/her future condo! The level of unequaled realism and dynamism allows for the most convincing personalized visits. "We are extremely proud to be the first to adopt this technology in North America, with being the other city which has access to this revolutionary system for residential real estate. McGill Real Estate has exclusivity of the CANVAS system in Quebec for its clientele of developers, which will allow them to remarkably stand out in the industry and retain their market leading position. This major innovation is also consistent with our determination to remain at the cutting-edge of technology and put our clients first," declared Debby Doktorczyk, owner and President of McGill Real Estate. "The CANVAS system is also used before games at the Bell Centre in Montreal, as well as at the Rogers Centre in Vancouver and we are currently working on establishing large-scale projects in Montreal, Halifax, Vancouver, New York and Miami. We strongly believe that the usage of the CANVAS platform will be a huge asset for McGill Real Estate and will allow them to offer an unparalleled experience to their clientele," added Kora Van den Bulcke, President and cofounder of Immersive Design Studios. CANVAS holds the world record for the most pixels on a real-time 3D screen for the world giant graphical card inventor NVIDIA at the prestigious Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas in 2017. ABOUT HUIT DEVELOPMENT Huit Development, a subsidiary of AXXYS Group a retail and commercial construction company throughout Canada and the United States, specializes itself in the development and construction of rental and condominium residential real estate projects in Greater Montreal. Walter sur Atwater, 2100 Maisonneuve, the old maritime Hotel converted into a residential building as well as the Gramercy futures residences are just a few projects they completed as developers or builders. ABOUT CANVAS INTERACTIVE MEDIA SERVER BY IMMERSIVE DESIGN STUDIOS Created by the Montreal based company Immersive Design Studios, the interactive media server CANVAS is an all-in-one platform that harnesses the power of 3D game technology to meet a growing demand for interactive and immersive shared environments in such applications as the sale of real estate. CANVAS unbelievably makes the projection of any content a virtual reality, enhanced reality and mixed reality as well as real time video and camera capturing, on any surface of any size, with a breathtaking image resolution. ABOUT MCGILL REAL ESTATE McGill Real Estate is a real estate agency which specializes in the sale and marketing of new condo real estate projects in Montreal, with a portfolio of 8 500 condominiums, + 3 Billion $. Founded by Debby Doktorczyk and Patrice Groleau, McGill Real Estate builds close ties with the leaders of the city's major real estate projects. The Agency has a large team of professionals and a strong network of international contacts that has help made its name in the last decade. Power couple, Groleau & Doktorczyk are also the owners of the world luxury giant ENGEL & VOLKERS Montreal / Quebec specialized in the brokerage of prestigious properties. ABOUT THE CHARLOTTE CONDOS SOCIETE PROJECT Inaugurated in May 2018, Charlotte Condos Societe is a new real estate project of 243 exclusive units located along the Lachine Canal, in Griffintown, Montreal. The project represents a perfect symbiosis between prestigious location, luxurious lifestyle and a bordering dynamic community. SOURCE McGill Immobilier [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [May 08, 2018] United Fiber & Data Announces Fiber Line Will be Completed in 2018 YORK, Pa., May 08, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- UFD is proud to announce that we are completing our 350-mile fiber optic network in 2018. We have purpose-built a diverse, westerly route between New York City, NY and Ashburn, VA. UFD has also created a lateral of our backbone to Secaucus, NJ, landing in the newest Equinix campus. The UFD network is the newest, lowest latency and the most direct connection between Equinixs Secaucus campus and their Ashburn campus. "We take pride in offering facilities with the best network connectivity in the world, and our customers have come to depend on that," states Jim Poole, Vice President, Global Ecosystem Development at Equinix. "Our New York and Ashburn IBX data centers are used by some of the largest and most important companies across a variety of verticals. Our work with UFD to provide this much needed modern fiber deployment that is purpose-built and divere, will enable a much more robust alternative to connect these two vital regions. We have chosen a high count cable for our entire backbone which we own and operate. This will allow for UFD to offer high count fiber to users with a need for such capacity of dark fiber to be leased for transferring mass quantities of data. UFD is looking forward to offering its customers the diversity they have been seeking for their networks, said Andrew M. Paxton, President and General Counsel at UFD. As more companies are requiring multiple alternative paths for their data transit needs, UFDs new network fills that role being a greenfield build with low-latency and physically diverse from its competitors. About United Fiber & Data, LLC United Fiber & Data is an operating communications infrastructure enterprise delivering long-haul, multi-state fiber optic transmission. UFD will provide high-capacity pathway diversity and data storage redundancy far from the congestion and single points of failure associated with the I-95/Amtrak corridor. UFD has completed more than 125 miles of its high-count cable in New York, New Jersey and Pennsylvania, which includes an extensive backbone in Lower Manhattan. UFD plans to complete the entire diverse backbone by the end of 2018. This $30mm purpose-built fiber network will service underserved rural communities between New York and Washington, D.C., as well as providing pathway diversity to the congested I-95 corridor. For more information, visit www.UFD.com. CONTACT: Heather Beeghley VP of Sales sales@ufd.com [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [May 08, 2018] Hawk Ridge Systems Acquires Cimtronics Midwest Creating the Largest Center of Excellence for Manufacturing Processes in North America Hawk Ridge Systems, a leading global provider of 3D design and manufacturing solutions, has announced that it has acquired Cimtronics Midwest. The combined company will create one of the largest and most comprehensive North American 3D design and manufacturing reseller networks for SOLIDWORKS, CAMWorks, 3D Printers from HP, Markforged, UnionTech and Predator Shop Floor Systems. Cimtronics Midwest, a leading Midwest provider of SOLIDWORKS CAM, CAMWorks, Predator and Post Processing, will be joining the Hawk Ridge Systems family. With the merger, Cimtronics Midwest clients will now have access to the full product portfolio offered by Hawk Ridge Systems which include 3D Printers from HP, Markforged and UnionTech. Additionally, Hawk Ridge Systems offers a wide array of productivity software tools and services that were previously only available to Hawk Ridge Systems clients. "The combined partnership of Cimtronics Midwest and Hawk Ridge Systems makes complete sense," says Dae Ford (News - Alert) , President and CEO of Hawk Ridge Systems. "Our CAM teams have been working together for years sharing CAM and Post Processing Projects, so it is only a natural progression that we would choose Cimtronics Midwest as we expand our footprint in the Midwest. Best of all, we are now in the position to offer more software choices, tools, and resources to support our new customers in the Midwest." Cimtronics Midwest President, Jim Lemke agrees, "The way we work with our clients is very similar to the Hawk Ridge Systems approach. Customer satisfaction is our #1 goal, and we are both committed to keeping it that way. This merger is going to let us bring in more resources and leverage the very deep bench of technical and engineering expertise that Hawk Ridge Systems is known for. That means we will be able to offer more solutions to help solve our clients' critical business challenges. To be a part of the Hawk Ridge Systems family is a win for our clients, our team, and our partners." The combined company serves 18,500 customers from 20 offices and has 210 employees. The company will continue business as usual and will merge under the Hawk Ridge Systems umbrella mid-year 2018. About Hawk Ridge Systems Hawk Ridge Systems is a leading provider of 3D design and manufacturing solutions, including DS SOLIDWORKS, CAMWorks, and 3D Printers from HP, Markforged and UnionTech. Recognized as a global leader by DS SOLIDWORKS, Hawk Ridge Systems has been awarded the #1 Worldwide SOLIDWORKS Reseller title many times since its inception in 1996. Based in the Silicon Valley, Hawk Ridge Systems has 20 offices in the United States and Canada, providing coast-to-coast coverage in North America. About Cimtronics Midwest Cimtronics Midwest is the leading center of excellence for manufacturing solutions in the Midwest. With experience in SOLIDWORKS CAM, CAMWorks, Post Processing and Predator Shop Floor Systems, the team at Cimtronics Midwest serves Wisconsin, Michigan's Upper Peninsula, Eastern Iowa, Minnesota, Illinois and the Dakotas. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20180508006516/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [May 08, 2018] Cision Reports First Quarter 2018 Financial Results; Provides Updated Full Year 2018 Outlook CHICAGO, May 8, 2018 /CNW/ -- Cision Ltd. (NYSE: CISN), a leading global provider of software and services to public relations and marketing communications professionals, today reported financial results for the quarter ended March 31, 2018. All data presented below is compared to the first quarter of 2017, unless otherwise noted. First Quarter 2018 Financial Highlights Revenue increased 23.0% to $179.3 million Revenue, excluding the impact from purchase accounting, increased 23.6% to $180.2 million Operating income increased 79.8% to $12.2 million Net loss decreased 98.2% to $0.4 million Adjusted EBITDA increased 19.3% to $58.3 million Adjusted net income increased 285% to $23.1 million Adjusted net income per share increased 171% to $0.19 "We are pleased to have delivered another solid quarter of financial results," said Kevin Akeroyd, Cision's Chief Executive Officer. "We continue to focus our efforts on delivering best-in-class products and services to our customers, executing our strategic and operational plans, and driving toward our long-term financial goals. This focus resulted in first quarter pro forma organic revenue growth of 2.0% after adjusting for non-core revenues and the impact of currency." First Quarter Business Statistics and Operational Highlights Americas revenues increased 8.9% to $121.8 million ; ; EMEA revenues increased 75.7% to $50.6 million ; ; APAC revenues increased 32.6% to $7.0 million ; ; Non-core revenues declined 43.6% to $1.3 million ; ; Average pro forma subscription customers, excluding PRIME Research, increased 1.2% to approximately 40,100; Average annualized pro forma revenue per subscription customer, excluding PRIME Research and the impact of currency, increased 2.0% to approximately $10,200 ; ; Customers that purchased services from us on a transaction basis, excluding PRIME Research, decreased 5.6% to approximately 40,200; Average pro forma revenue per customer that purchased services from us on a transaction basis, excluding PRIME Research and the impact of currency, increased 5.9% to approximately $1,400 ; ; Cross-sell bookings of software, distribution and insights in the United States increased 21.2% to $2.4 million ; and increased 21.2% to ; and Cision Communications Cloud platform customers at March 31, 2018 were approximately 7,500. Long-Term Debt As of March 31, 2018, we had approximately $1,029.8 million of outstanding dollar-denominated term loans and approximately 248.8 million of outstanding Euro-denominated term loans. On April 30, 2018, we reduced our outstanding dollar-denominated term loan by making a $30.0 million voluntary prepayment pursuant to the terms of our 2017 First Lien Credit Facility. Subscription and Transaction Customers Our average pro forma subscription customers, average annualized pro forma revenue per subscription customer, number of customers that purchased services from us on a transaction basis, and average pro forma revenue per customer that purchased services from us on a transaction basis appear below for the most recent five fiscal quarters. All of the figures below exclude PRIME Research and all dollar figures have been adjusted to exclude the impact of currency. Q1 2017 Q2 2017 Q3 2017 Q4 2017 Q1 2018 Q1 2018 compared to Q1 2017 Average pro forma subscription customers 39,643 40,699 40,393 40,478 40,134 1.2% Average annualized pro forma revenue per subscription customer $10,004 $9,962 $10,056 $10,137 $10,206 2.0% Pro forma transaction customers 42,588 44,131 40,829 41,670 40,216 (5.6%) Average pro forma revenue per transaction customer $1,314 $1,380 $1,296 $1,416 $1,392 5.9% Updated Full Year 2018 Outlook Our updated outlook for the full year ending December 31, 2018 appears below (all figures in millions, except per share amounts). These estimates are based on a number of assumptions that management believes to be reasonable and reflect the Company's expectations as of the date of this release. Actual results may differ materially from these estimates as a result of various factors, and the Company refers you to the cautionary language regarding "Forward Looking Statements" included in this press release when considering this information. Previous Updated Revenue $720 - $730 $722 - $732 Revenue, excluding the impact from purchase accounting $724 - $734 $724 - $734 Net income ($1) - $2 $8 - $10 Adjusted EBITDA $250 - $256 $250 - $256 Adjusted net income $106 - $111 $107 - $111 Adjusted net income per diluted share $0.87 - $0.89 $0.87 - $0.89 Pro-forma fully diluted weighted average shares outstanding - 124.3 Additionally, for the full fiscal year ending December 31, 2018, we expect (all figures in millions): Previous Updated Depreciation expense $31 - $33 $31 - $33 Amortization expense $112 - $115 $106 - $110 Amortization expense included in cost of revenue $22 - $24 $23 - $25 Interest expense $80 - $83 $79 - $82 Debt extinguishment costs $6 - $7 $2 - $3 Interest expense, net of debt extinguishment costs $74 - $76 $77 - $79 Cash interest expense $62 - $65 $64 - $66 Stock-based compensation $5 - $6 $5 - $6 Capital expenditures inclusive of capitalized software development $30 - $35 $32 - $36 The updated outlook above assumes LIBOR of approximately 2.3% and EURIBOR of approximately 0.0%, the inclusion of a full year of results from our acquisition of CEDROM, and the inclusion of 11 months of results from our acquisition of PRIME Research. CEDROM's pro forma revenues for the 12 months ended December 31, 2017 were approximately $15 million, and PRIME Research's pro forma revenues for the 12 months ended December 31, 2017 were approximately $44 million. The above outlook also assumes the following exchange rates with respect to the British Pound, the Euro and the Canadian Dollar for fiscal year 2018: GBP to USD 1.35 EUR to USD 1.20 CAD to USD 0.79 Additionally, our outlook for 2018 excludes the impact of any additional share issuances in connection with our exchange offer and consent solicitation relating to certain outstanding warrants, future acquisitions, divestitures, or other unanticipated events. See discussion of non-GAAP financial measures below in this release. First Quarter 2018 Conference Call Details As previously announced, we will hold a conference call to review our first quarter 2018 financial results via conference call on Tuesday, May 8th at 5:00 pm EDT. To hear the live event, visit the Cision investor website at http://investors.cision.com, or by dialing 1-877-443-4809 (participant dial in toll free) or 1-412-317-5235 (participant dial in International). The conference call will be simultaneously webcast on the Investor Relations section of our website: http://investors.cision.com Forward-Looking Statements This communication contains "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the safe harbor provisions of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. In this context, forward-looking statements often address expected future business and financial performance and financial condition, and often contain words such as "anticipate," "intend," "plan," "goal," "seek," "aim," "strive," "believe," "see," "project," "predict," "estimate," "expect," "continue," "strategy," "future," "likely," "may," "might," "should," "will," "would," "target," similar expressions, and variations or negatives of these words. Forward-looking statements are neither historical facts nor assurances of future performance. Instead, they are based only on our current beliefs, expectations, and assumptions regarding the future of our business, future plans and strategies, projections, anticipated events and trends, the economy, and other future conditions. Because forward-looking statements relate to the future, they are subject to inherent uncertainties, risks, and changes in circumstances that are difficult to predict and many of which are outside of our control. Accordingly, you should not place undue reliance on these statements, as actual results may vary materially. A detailed discussion of some of the risks and uncertainties that could cause our actual results and financial condition to differ materially from the forward-looking statements is described under the caption "Risk Factors" in our most recent annual report on Form 10-K filed on March 13, 2018, along with our other filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. Any forward-looking statement made by us in this communication is based only on information currently available to us and speaks only as of the date of this release. We do not assume any obligation to publicly provide revisions or updates to any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future developments or otherwise, should circumstances change, except as otherwise required by securities and other applicable laws. Please consult our public filings at www.sec.gov or www.cision.com. About Cision Cision Ltd. (NYSE: CISN) is a leading global provider of earned media software and services to public relations and marketing communications professionals. Cision's software allows users to identify key influencers, craft and distribute strategic content, and measure meaningful impact. Cision has over 4,000 employees with offices in 15 countries throughout the Americas, EMEA, and APAC. For more information about its award-winning products and services, including the Cision Communications Cloud, visit www.cision.com and follow Cision on Twitter @Cision. Cision Ltd. and its Subsidiaries Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets As of March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017 (in thousands, except per share and share amounts) (Unaudited) 2018 2017 Assets Current assets: Cash and cash equivalents $ 107,848 $ 148,654 Accounts receivable, net 127,433 113,008 Prepaid expenses and other current assets 24,026 19,896 Total current assets 259,307 281,558 Property and equipment, net 55,351 53,578 Other intangible assets, net 462,378 456,291 Goodwill 1,198,360 1,136,403 Other assets 5,656 7,528 Total assets $ 1,981,052 $ 1,935,358 Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity Current liabilities: Current portion of long-term debt $ 13,430 $ 13,349 Accounts payable 14,123 13,327 Accrued compensation and benefits 26,885 25,873 Other accrued expenses 80,302 73,483 Current portion of deferred revenue 162,938 140,351 Total current liabilities 297,678 266,383 Long-term debt, net of current portion 1,273,747 1,266,121 Deferred revenue, net of current portion 1,340 1,412 Deferred tax liability 42,840 62,617 Other liabilities 21,991 22,456 Total liabilities 1,637,596 1,618,989 Stockholders' equity: Preferred stock, $0.0001 par value, 20,000,000 shares authorized; no shares issued and outstanding at March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017 - - Common stock, $0.0001 par value, 480,000,000 shares authorized; 124,370,566 and 122,634,922 shares issued and outstanding at March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, respectively 12 12 Additional paid-in capital 793,298 771,813 Accumulated other comprehensive loss (28,036) (35,111) Accumulated deficit (421,818) (420,345) Total stockholders' equity 343,456 316,369 Total liabilities and stockholders' equity $ 1,981,052 $ 1,935,358 Cision Ltd. and its Subsidiaries Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income (Loss) For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2018 and March 31, 2017 (in thousands, except per share and share amounts) (Unaudited) 2018 % of Revenue 2017 % of Revenue Revenue $ 179,293 100.0% $ 145,818 100.0% Cost of revenue 64,278 35.9% 45,066 30.9% Gross profit 115,015 64.1% 100,752 69.1% Operating costs and expenses: Sales and marketing 29,679 16.6% 27,290 18.7% Research and development 6,700 3.7% 5,452 3.7% General and administrative 46,222 25.8% 40,232 27.6% Amortization of intangible assets 20,250 11.3% 21,011 14.4% Total operating costs and expenses 102,851 57.4% 93,985 64.5% Operating income 12,164 6.8% 6,767 4.6% Non operating income (expense): Foreign exchange losses (7,883) (4.4%) (1,948) (1.3%) Interest and other income (loss), net (256) (0.1%) 2,049 1.4% Interest expense (19,688) (11.0%) (36,915) (25.3%) Loss on extinguishment of debt (2,432) (1.4%) - 0.0% Total non operating loss (30,259) (16.9%) (36,814) (25.2%) Loss before income taxes (18,095) (10.1%) (30,047) (20.6%) Benefit from income taxes (17,682) (9.9%) (7,054) (4.8%) Net loss $ (413) (0.2%) $ (22,993) (15.8%) Other comprehensive income - foreign currency translation adjustments 7,075 5,894 Comprehensive income (loss) $ 6,662 $ (17,099) Net loss per share: Basic and diluted $ (0.00) $ (0.81) Weighted average shares outstanding used in computing per share amounts: Basic and diluted 123,946,264 28,369,644 Cision Ltd. and its Subsidiaries Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2018 and March 31, 2017 (in thousands) (Unaudited) 2018 2017 Cash flows from operating activities Net loss $ (413) $ (22,993) Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash provided by operating activities: Depreciation and amortization 33,277 32,592 Non-cash interest charges and amortization of debt discount and deferred financing costs 3,198 7,149 Equity-based compensation expense 1,341 993 Provision for doubtful accounts 1,572 368 Deferred income taxes (18,791) (7,858) Unrealized currency translation losses 7,864 1,775 Gain on sale of business - (1,785) Other 60 (164) Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net of effects of acquisitions and disposal: Accounts receivable (6,812) 1,637 Prepaid expenses and other current assets (2,979) 423 Other assets 48 64 Accounts payable (443) (625) Accrued compensation and benefits (17) (8,597) Other accrued expenses (3,330) 1,932 Deferred revenue 20,853 9,656 Other liabilities (875) (1,729) Net cash provided by operating activities 36,303 12,838 Cash flows from investing activities Purchases of property and equipment (3,739) (3,513) Software development costs (5,033) (4,074) Acquisitions of businesses, net of cash acquired of $2,711 and $11,457 (62,713) (49,081) Proceeds from disposal of business - 23,675 Net cash used in investing activities (71,485) (32,993) Cash flows from financing activities Proceeds from term credit facility, net of debt discount of $1,108 - 28,892 Repayments of term credit facility (3,362) (2,825) Payments on capital lease obligations - (58) Payments of deferred financing costs (131) - Payment of contingent consideration (2,873) Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities (6,366) 26,009 Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents 742 341 Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents (40,806) 6,195 Cash and cash equivalents Beginning of period 148,654 35,135 End of the period $ 107,848 $ 41,330 Supplemental non-cash information Issuance of securities by Cision Owner in Connection with acquisition $ - $ 7,000 Issuance of shares for acquisition 20,143 - Use of Non-GAAP Financial Measures Non-GAAP results are presented only as a supplement to our financial statements based on U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP). Non-GAAP financial information is provided to enhance the reader's understanding of our financial performance, but none of these non-GAAP financial measures are recognized terms under GAAP, and non-GAAP measures should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for financial measures calculated in accordance with GAAP. Reconciliations of the most directly comparable GAAP measures to non-GAAP measures, such as Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted net income per share, are provided within the schedules attached to this release. We use non-GAAP measures in our operational and financial decision-making, believing that it is useful to exclude certain items in order to focus on what we deem to be a more reliable indicator of ongoing operating performance and our ability to generate cash flow from operations. As a result, internal management reports used during monthly operating reviews include Adjusted EBITDA, Adjusted net income per diluted share and organic revenue growth. We define organic revenue growth as the change in our total revenue excluding non-core revenues, calculated on a constant currency basis after giving pro forma effect to all acquisitions as though they occurred at the beginning of the applicable period. Additionally, we believe that the presentation of non-GAAP measures provides information that is useful to investors, research analysts, investment banks and lenders under our 2017 First Lien Credit Facility as it indicates, for example, our ability to meet capital expenditures and working capital requirements and otherwise meet our obligations as they become due. Investors are cautioned that non-GAAP financial measures are not a substitute for GAAP disclosures. This communication also includes certain forward-looking non-GAAP financial measures. We are unable to present without unreasonable efforts a reconciliation of forward-looking non-GAAP financial information to the corresponding GAAP financial information because management cannot reliably predict all of the necessary information. Forward-looking non-GAAP financial information is based on numerous assumptions, including assumptions with respect to general business, economic, market, regulatory and financial conditions and various other factors, all of which are difficult to predict and many of which are beyond our control. Accordingly, investors are cautioned not to place undue reliance on this information. Non-GAAP measures are frequently used by securities analysts, investors, and other interested parties in their evaluation of companies comparable to Cision, many of which present non-GAAP measures when reporting their results. These measures can be useful in evaluating our performance against our peer companies because we believe the measures provide users with valuable insight into key components of GAAP financial disclosures. However, non-GAAP measures have limitations as an analytical tool. Non-GAAP measures are not necessarily comparable to similarly titled measures used by other companies. They are not presentations made in accordance with GAAP, are not measures of financial condition or liquidity, and should not be considered as an alternative to profit or loss for the period determined in accordance with GAAP or operating cash flows determined in accordance with GAAP. As a result, you should not consider such performance measures in isolation from, or as a substitute analysis for, results of operations as determined in accordance with GAAP. Cision Ltd. and its Subsidiaries Reconciliation of Net Loss to EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2018 and March 31, 2017 (in millions) (Unaudited) 2018 2017 Change Net loss $ (0.4) $ (23.0) $ 22.6 Depreciation and amortization 33.3 32.6 0.7 Interest expense and loss on extinguishment of debt 22.1 36.9 (14.8) Benefit from income taxes (17.7) (7.0) (10.7) EBITDA (1) 37.3 39.5 (2.2) Acquisition and offering related costs 10.9 8.2 2.7 Gain on sale of business - (1.8) 1.8 Stock-based compensation 1.3 1.0 0.3 Deferred revenue reduction from purchase accounting 0.9 - 0.9 Sponsor fees and expenses - 0.1 (0.1) Unrealized translation loss 7.9 1.8 6.1 Adjusted EBITDA (2) $ 58.3 $ 48.8 $ 9.5 Cision Ltd. and its Subsidiaries Reconciliation of Net Loss to Adjusted Net Income and Adjusted Net Income per Diluted Share For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2018 and March 31, 2017 (in millions, except for per share amounts) (Unaudited) 2018 2017 Change Net loss $ (0.4) $ (23.0) $ 22.6 Benefit from income taxes (17.7) (7.1) (10.6) Acquisition and offering related costs 10.9 8.2 2.6 Gain on sale of business - (1.8) 1.8 Stock-based compensation 1.3 1.0 0.3 Deferred revenue reduction from purchase accounting 0.9 - 0.9 Amortization related to acquired intangible assets 25.9 26.7 (0.8) Non-recurring interest and loss on extinguishment of debt 2.4 2.9 (0.5) Sponsor fees and expenses - 0.1 (0.1) Unrealized translation loss 7.9 1.8 6.1 Adjusted Income before income taxes 31.3 8.9 22.4 Less: Income tax at a 26% rate for 2018, and a 33% rate for 2017 (8.1) (2.9) (5.2) Adjusted net income (3) $ 23.1 $ 6.0 $ 17.2 Pro forma fully-diluted weighted average shares outstanding 123.9 82.1 41.9 Adjusted net income per diluted share (4) $0.19 $0.07 $0.12 Cision Ltd. and its Subsidiaries Reconciliation of Net Cash Provided by Operating Activities to Adjusted Net Cash Provided by Operating Activities For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2018 and March 31, 2017 (in millions) (Unaudited) 2018 2017 Change Net cash provided by operating activities $ 36.3 $ 12.8 $ 23.5 Acquisition and offering related costs 10.9 8.2 2.7 Adjusted net cash provided by operating activities (5) $ 47.2 $ 21.0 $ 26.2 (1) Cision defines EBITDA as net income (loss), plus depreciation and amortization expense, plus interest expense and loss on extinguishment of debt, plus provision for (or minus benefit from) income taxes. (2) Cision defines Adjusted EBITDA as EBITDA, further adjusted for acquisition and offering related costs, stock-based compensation, deferred revenue reduction from purchase accounting, (gains) losses related to divested businesses or assets, sponsor fees and expenses, and unrealized translation losses (gains). All of the items included in the reconciliation from net income to Adjusted EBITDA are either non-cash items or are items that we consider to be less useful in assessing our operating performance. In the case of the non-cash items, we believe that investors can better assess our operating performance if the measures are presented without such items because, unlike cash expenses, these adjustments do not affect our ability to generate free cash flow or invest in our business. For example, by excluding depreciation and amortization from EBITDA, users can compare operating performance without regard to different accounting determinations such as useful life. In the case of the other items, we believe that investors can better assess operating performance if the measures are presented without these items because their financial impact does not reflect ongoing operating performance. (3) Cision defines Adjusted net income as net income (loss) plus provision for (or minus benefit from) income taxes, further adjusted for acquisition and offering related costs, (gains) losses related to divested businesses or assets, stock-based compensation, deferred revenue reduction from purchase accounting, amortization related to acquired intangibles, non-recurring interest and losses on extinguishment of debt, sponsor fees and expenses, and unrealized translation losses (gains), which together, sum to Adjusted net income (loss) before income taxes. Adjusted net income (loss) before income taxes is then taxed at an assumed long term corporate tax rate of 33% for 2017 and periods prior, and 26% for 2018 and beyond, pursuant to our preliminary analysis with respect to recent U.S. tax law changes, to determine Adjusted net income. All of the items included in the reconciliation from net income to Adjusted net income are either non-cash items or are items that we consider to be less useful in assessing our operating performance. In the case of the non-cash items, we believe that investors can better assess our operating performance if the measures are presented without such items because, unlike cash expenses, these adjustments do not affect our ability to generate free cash flow or invest in our business. For example, by excluding the amortization related to acquired intangibles, users can compare operating performance without regard to highly variable amortization expenses related to our acquisitions. In the case of the other items, we believe that investors can better assess operating performance if the measures are presented without these items because their financial impact does not reflect ongoing operating performance. (4) Cision defines Adjusted net income per diluted share as Adjusted net income, as defined above, divided by the fully-diluted pro forma weighted average shares outstanding for the period. The fully-diluted pro forma weighted average shares outstanding for the respective period assume that the exchange of shares pursuant to our merger with Capitol Acquisition III had taken effect as of the beginning of such period. Additionally, for purposes of calculating the number of fully diluted shares outstanding, we have excluded the potential impact of dilution from outstanding warrants to purchase shares of our common stock, and stock options and restricted units issued and outstanding pursuant to our 2017 Omnibus Incentive Plan. Using our average share price of $11.89 for the three months ended March 31, 2018, our fully-diluted pro forma weighted average shares outstanding for the three months ended March 31, 2018 would have been approximately 124.8 million had we incorporated the dilutive effects of the warrants, stock options and restricted units. (5) Cision defines Adjusted net cash provided by operating activities as net cash provided by operating activities adjusted for acquisition and offering related costs. Investor Contact: Jack Pearlstein Chief Financial Officer Jack.Pearlstein@Cision.com Media Contact: Nick Bell Vice President, Marketing Communications and Content CisionPR@cision.com View original content with multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/cision-reports-first-quarter-2018-financial-results-provides-updated-full-year-2018-outlook-300644631.html SOURCE Cision Ltd. [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [May 08, 2018] Panoply Wins First Place in 2018 Techcode & Intel China Big Data & AI Global Competition Panoply, the world's only smart data warehouse for business intelligence, recently won first place in the 2018 Techcode & Intel (News - Alert) China Big Data & AI Global Competition (Tel Aviv), a global competition that pitted innovative companies against each other to showcase in-depth solutions that define integration of the Internet, big data, and artificial intelligence. After winning the Techcode Israel event in Tel Aviv, Panoply will go on to compete with global winners from Silicon Valley (US), South China, East China, Beijing, and Central China in Guiyang. At the Finals, each participating company will be given an opportunity to present their advantages and resorces to accelerate China's AI development in eco-system and application innovation. "We're thrilled to be selected first place in the heated Israeli competition," said CEO Yaniv Leven. "Following the win in Tel Aviv, we're so excited to go to Guiyang and take on the global leaders later this month." About Panoply Panoply is the world's only smart data warehouse for business intelligence (BI). Built for the cloud, Panoply utilizes machine learning and NLP to automate highly diverse data integration, query optimization and elastic data management making it fast and simple to gain actionable insights without the need of IT engineers. The company, based in San Francisco and Tel Aviv, is privately held and funded by investors such as Intel Capital (News - Alert) , 500 Startups, Blumberg Capital, and C5 Capital. About Techcode Techcode is a China-based global network of startup innovation hubs operating in 7 countries. Techcode Tel Aviv aims to connect Israeli startups with opportunities in China and globally. We have multiple assets that enable us to offer customized ways of working with us, all aimed at providing startups a "safe landing" in China. Our main focus in Israel are companies in the fields of Smart Mobility, AR/VR, Medical Devices, Artificial Intelligence, IoT, Drones, Robotics, Cleantech and Smart Home. We are also open to working with companies in the fields of Big Data. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20180508005267/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] I try not to judge based on appearances, but my introduction to the weirdly named LG G7 ThinQ started out pretty sad. As I stood in line for the launch event for this new flagship last week, I saw maybe 75 people in line to get into a small venue in New York City. No TV trucks. Very few people live blogging in line. It was just another phone launch. And thats not a good sign for a company thats competing against the likes of Samsung and Apple. The G7 ThinQ has some things going for it, but overall its emblematic both of LGs decline in mobile and the malaise thats gripping the phone industry. "Aside from audio quality, it doesn't really stand out from other flagship phones." Avi Greengart, GlobalData Lets start with with the good news. The ThinQ part of the name isnt just for show. This Android phones AI camera is smart enough to recognize more than 1,000 objects and then choose a scene mode for you to get the best shot. Sure enough, a photo of flowers looked better from the G7 ThinQ than the Galaxy S9. If you want a phone that gets loud, the G7 ThinQs Boombox speaker will surely impress. It blows away other phones in terms of pure volume. And when you plug in headphones, you can enjoy 3D surround sound. But things go downhill from there. The G7 ThinQ has pretty much every feature you could ask for and an updated narrow, notched display, said Avi Greengart research director of consumer platforms and devices at GlobalData. That said, aside from audio quality, it doesn't really stand out from other flagship phones, and LG's brand lags behind Apple and Samsung. Unfortunately, the G7 ThinQs camera produced overly noisy photos in low light, despite boasting pixel binning tech thats designed to quadruple light sensitivity. And about that notch. Its clear that LG was attempting to copy the look of the iPhone, even though you can customize that area with different colors. As our reviewer Caitlin McGarry notes, this is absolutely not a second screen as LG calls it. The Galaxy S9 looks damn sexy without a notch. MORE: Here Are the 10 Best Phones Available It still feels like most other Android smartphones, and that is its downfall, said Ramon Llamas, research director for mobile devices at market research firm IDC. Yes, the display is bright, and the AI features are easy to use. But then again, most other smartphones are going in this direction too. So where is the differentiation? Actually, the G7 ThinQ is differentiated in one way. LG says that it will offer regular software updates to the handset and not just to keep you secure. The company will be adding new features over the life of the device, which could at least partially cure Android evy when the next hyped flagship hits shelves. But the G7 ThinQ also falls down on the fundamentals, including battery life. The phone lasted just 8 hours and 35 minutes on the Toms Guide Battery Life Test, which consists of continuous web surfing over 4G. Thats more than an hour less than the average phone and way behind the Galaxy S9s 10:52 time. It still feels like most other Android smartphones, and that is its downfall." Ramon Llamas, IDC The best thing going for the G7 ThinQ may be a relative void in the U.S. market. HTC is fading, Google has limited distribution and key Chinese competitors are being kept out, Greengart said. LG has other advantages it can leverage, such as the connections its making between its appliances with the ThinQ brand. Its trying to demonstrate that its products will work better together, whether its a smart fridge or an OLED TV. But Samsung has a similar initiative underway with Bixby 2.0. And this strategy only works if you have a phone that shoppers covet. And based on our testing, the LG G7 ThinQ is not that. Image Credits: Tom's Guide That is the Triumph Tiger 1200 XC range. Drumrolls please. The first thing you notice is that name. Previously all the Tigers running on the 1215cc motor had the Explorer badging on them. But for 2018, Triumph has made things easier by just sticking to the 1200 branding. Triumph loves them so much that it feels no inhibitions with having six different models each for 1215 cc and 800 cc engine mods for 2018. Both the 1200 and 800 have four road variants (XR, XRx, XRx low, and range-topping XRT), and two off-road ones (XCx and a top-spec XCA). Guess well take the best of them and spread it out for you nice and easy. After their Bonneville range, its the Tiger models that give the British brand their numbers. As regularly updating their line-ups go, Triumph is giving their 2018 Tiger range a host of bells and whistles that will boast of having it Transformed, with a New Tiger Triple Engine and New Tiger Technology. Apart from this, the bodywork also gets mild updates to look fresh for 2018. They will boast of having it Transformed, with a New Tiger Triple Engine and New Tiger Technology. STYLING New bodywork and decals with updated side panel designs Purposeful, muscular and distinctive, the legendary 80-year Triumph Tiger bloodline is unmistakable. Keeping the 1200 XCX and XCA looking smart is the new bodywork and decals with updated side panel designs that keep the off-road stance pronounced even better. It gets new five-position electrically adjustable windscreen at the front and aero diffusers for segment-leading aero protection. The top spec XCA gets a bigger unique-in-class electrically adjustable touring screen for better protection. The headlights are now all LED and gets signature daytime running lights (DRL) whereas the XCA features the all-new innovative Triumph Adaptive Cornering Lighting for enhanced visibility when cornering. Engine protection bars & radiator guard comes as standard. The XCA exclusively also gets LED auxiliary lighting while it can be opted for the XCX. Adding to rider satisfaction, both models receive 12V and USB power sockets, and keyless ignition. Aluminum 5.2 gallon fuel tank LED turn signals 5full-color TFT instrument cluster XCA gets heated grips backlit switch cubes and five-way joystick It borrows the TFT screen seen on the new Street Triple that can be controlled using the new ergonomically backlit switch cubes and five-way joystick. The 5full-color TFT instrument cluster gets adjustable angle panel allowing the rider to have customized styles and access to the new onboard computer that gives all the information under the sun straight to the rider in an intuitive and fun way. There are different screen display styles to choose from, pre-set to the riding modes and changeable easily on the move. The 2018 edition also sees new stylish all-black spoked wheels tethered onto machined hubs and carrying studded ADV tires obviously. The XCA gets pampered with heated grips and seats that give in for rider comfort under cold conditions. It also features Billet machined footrests and titanium, and carbon fiber wrapped Arrow silencer to please you the extra mile. Billet machined footrests XCA and XCX gets Keyless ignition 12V and USB power sockets LED rear light cluster All LED headlight cluster features the Triumph Adaptive Cornering Lighting Thanks to the new bodywork, side panels, details, fit and finish and that all-LED surround lights, the 1200 looks fresh and uptight. Overall Dimension Make Model 2018 Triumph Tiger 1200 XCa Ducati Multistrada 1260 BMW R 1200 GS Adventure Length 86.6 in 86.6 in 88.8 in Width 36.6 in 37.4 in 38.6 in Height 60.3 in 55.1 in 57.1 in Wheelbase 59.8 in 62.4 in 59.4 in Seat height 32.8 in 32.3 in 35 in Wet weight 547 lb 511 lb 580 lb Fuel Tank 5.2 gal 5.3 gal 7.9 gal POWERTRAIN 1215cc in-line triple belts out 140 bhp and 91 lb-ft of torque The Tiger engine still manages to hold the cup for being the most powerful shaft-driven engine in its class. For 2018, it receives multiple updates to deliver more immediate power lower down in the rev range, the area that is most often used by adventure folks. This has been achieved by the development of more efficient engine components (e.g. smaller flywheel, lighter crankshaft, magnesium cam cover) that allows the engine to spin up faster for instant power delivery. The 1215cc in-line triple boasts of having the most potent shaft-driven engine in its class that belts out 140 bhp and 91 lb-ft of torque. The XCX gets torque assist hydraulic clutch, but the XCA takes it up a notch with the new Triumph Shift Assist for smooth clutchless gear changes. It significantly reduces rider fatigue especially over long distances and demanding terrains. Titanium and carbon fiber wrapped Arrow silencer Giving the XCX Tigers a better soundtrack is the lighter exhaust system made out of aluminum for the thrilling Tiger Triple sound. The XCA updates with a lightweight Arrow titanium and carbon fiber silencer giving it a better soundtrack. It has a unique twin airbox setup, twin throttle bodies, special intake system, new output shaft, and elegant packaging that allows the straight-line exhausts to hide the Euro4-compliant catalytic converters. The engine is mated to a 6-speed transmission with a torque-assist clutch and shaft final drive. Shaft final drive with a torque-assist clutch The Tiger engine still manages to hold the cup for being the most powerful shaft-driven engine in its class that belts out 140 bhp and 91 lb-ft of torque. Engine Specification Make Model 2018 Triumph Tiger 1200 XCa Ducati Multistrada 1260 BMW R 1200 GS Adventure Capacity cc 1215 1262 1170 Bore/ Stroke mm 85/71.4 106/71.5 101/73 Output 141 bhp @ 9350rpm 158 hp @ 9500 rpm 125 bhp @ 7750 rpm Torque 90 lb-ft @ 7600rpm 95.5 lb-ft @ 7500 rpm 92 ft-lb @ 6500 rpm Type Liquid-cooled, 12 valve, DOHC, in-line 3-cylinder Ducati Testastretta DVT with Desmodromic Variable Timing, L-Twin cylinder, 4 valve per cylinder, Dual Spark, liquid cooled Air/liquid-cooled four stroke flat twin engine with balancer shaft, four valves per cylinder, double overhead camshaft, wet sump lubrication Clutch type Wet, multi-plate Torque-assist Light action, wet, multiplate clutch with hydraulic control. Self-servo action on drive, slipper action on over-run Oil lubricated clutch, hydraulically operated Transmission 6-speed with Triumph Shift Assist 6-speed with quickshifter 6-speed RIDE AND HANDLING Gets optimized cornering ABS & traction control hill control, RbW and cruise control The 1200 has up to 100 improvements over the previous generation model to save 11 lbs off the XCX and 23 lbs off the XCA with the new engine, chassis and exhaust components giving it better off-road agility and dynamic handling. Adding to rider confidence is the new seat compounds, revised handlebar positioning and updated frame geometry for an enhanced rider ergonomics and comfort. Rider aids on the 2018 models include an Inertial Measurement Unit (IMU), integrated braking system (developed with Continental), optimized cornering ABS & traction control, hill-hold (only XCA), ride-by-wire throttle, and an updated cruise control. There are up to five riding modes on the XRX whereas the XCA gets six riding modes having an additional "rider programmable" mode. Both get the new Off-Road Pro mode, which allows the rider to disengage all electronic rider aids. Gets revised handlebar positioning XCA gets heated seats with adjustable 2-position seat Triumph Semi-Active Suspension (only in XCA) incorporating WP units Twin 305mm floating discs with Brembo Monobloc 4-piston radial calipers The XCA also features an adjustable 2-position seat that allows the rider to lower the seat by 20mm to suit their riding styles. The new stylishly black aluminum spoked wheels wrap around new off-road tires from Metzeler Tourance, while as an optional, one can choose the handbook-approved Pirelli Scorpion set-up as well. Other mechanicals includes top-of-the-line units like the Triumph Semi-Active Suspension (only in XCA) incorporating WP adjustable front and rear suspension for a far superior level of electronic control over the bikes reaction to the surface. Twin 305mm floating discs with Brembo Monobloc 4-piston radial calipers handle the braking at the front while a single 282mm Nissin 2-piston sliding caliper does it at the back. Five riding modes XCA gets six riding modes having an additional "rider programmable" mode The 1200 has up to 100 improvements over the previous generation model to save 11 lbs off the XCX and 23 lbs off the XCA with the new engine, chassis and exhaust components giving it better off-road agility and handling. Chassis Specifications Make Model 2018 Triumph Tiger 1200 XCa Ducati Multistrada 1260 BMW R 1200 GS Adventure Frame Tubular steel Trellis frame Tubular steel Trellis frame Two-section frame, front- and bolted on rear frame, load-bearing engine Suspension / Front WP 48 mm upside down forks, electronically adjustable damping, 190 mm travel Sachs 48 mm fully adjustable USD forks. Electronic compression and rebound damping adjustment with Ducati Skyhook Suspension (DSS) BMW Motorrad Telelever; stanchion diameter 37 mm, central spring strut Suspension / Rear WP monoshock, electronically adjustable semi-active damping with automatic preload adjustment, 193 mm wheel travel Fully adjustable Sachs unit. Electronic compression & rebound damping adjustment. Electronic spring pre-load adjustment with Ducati Skyhook Suspension (DSS). Aluminum double-sided swingarm Cast aluminum single-sided swing arm with BMW Motorrad Paralever; WAD strut (travel-related damping), spring pre-load hydraulically adjustable (continuously variable) at handwheel, rebound damping adjustable at handwheel Brakes / Front Twin 305 mm floating discs, Brembo 4-piston calipers, Switchable ABS 2 x 320 mm semi-floating discs, radially mounted monobloc Brembo callipers, 4-piston, 2-pad, with cornering ABS as standard equipment Dual disc brake, floating brake discs, diameter 305 mm, 4-piston radial calipers, BMW Motorrad Integral ABS Brakes / Rear Single 282 mm disc, Nissin 2-piston sliding caliper, Switchable ABS 265 mm disc, 2-piston floating caliper, with cornering ABS as standard equipment Single disc brake, diameter 276 mm, double-piston floating caliper, BMW Motorrad Integral ABS Tires / Front 120/70 R19 Pirelli Scorpion Rally II 120/70 R17 120/70 R 19 Tires / Rear 170/60 R17 Pirelli Scorpion Rally II 190/55 R17 170/60 R 17 PRICE The 2018 range of Triumph Tigers are some of the most versatile machines that gives you so much for the price you pay. While the Tiger XCX comes with a price tag of $ 19,550, the top-of-the-range, and the most expensive of the Tiger series, the Tiger XCA will fetch for $ 21,750. Apart from all the bells and whistles, the Tiger range can further be enhanced with an extensive range of dedicated accessories including all-purpose aluminum luggage giving you the load capacity for any trip along with a 50 optional accessories to maximize the riding experience. Triumph has also launched its new technical adventure clothing line to complement the new Tiger range. Make Model 2018 Triumph Tiger 1200 XCa Ducati Multistrada 1260 BMW R 1200 GS Adventure MSRP $ 19,550 - $ 21,750 $ 18,695 - $ 24,995 $ 18,895 COMPETITION When it comes to riding and built quality, there is no escaping the comparisons from the European brothers. Talk about BMW or Ducati, they have been running the show for quite some time now and have produced the worlds finest. To give the Triumph Tiger 1200 XCa something to quirk about, the BMW R 1200 GS Adventure and Multistrada surfaces on the face of the Triumph. Advanced electronic package and new chassis Taking that practicality to new levels, Ducati has expanded its Multistrada family with the new Multistrada 1260, Multistrada 1260 S, Multistrada 1260 S D|Air (with airbag system) and Multistrada 1260 Pikes Peak. They come equipped with a bigger 1262cc engine, advanced electronic package, new chassis and more touring capability. Apart from the new heart and chassis, the new Multistrada 1260 family sees new fairing panels and lighter, sportier looking wheels. Out front, the 1260 has the same busy face with the teardrop-shaped twin LED headlamps engulfed in a curvy V-shaped front fascia, which also comes with Ducati cornering lights (DCL) as well for the S variant and above. While the Multistrada 1260 carries an LCD dash, the S and above variants get 5 TFT units also seen on the new Panigale V4 that incorporates the Ducati Multimedia System (DMS). The new Ducati Multistrada 1260 has been bestowed with the same 90-degree V-twin Ducati Teststretta DVT engine as found on the standard Multistrada but gets its stroke increased from 67.9 to 71.5 mm. Peak power of 158 hp comes at 9,500 rpm and 95.5 lb-ft of torque at 7,500. Of which, 85% comes before the rpm hits 3,500, meaning, the Multistrada 1260 offers the highest torque output in its class at the most frequently used range. That makes the 1260 the most powerful adventure tourer in its class. The new Multistrada 1260 gets the chassis from the 1200 but is updated with an extended swinging arm and wheelbase that changes the riding geometry to a confident feel and provides in for sharper handling and stability by the rider. The 1260 gets Kayaba 48 mm upside-down fork and Sachs monoshock while the S and above gets Sachs 48 mm front fork. Braking is handled by dual 320mm front brake discs with radially-mounted Brembo Monobloc 4-piston calipers and one 265mm rear disc with a 2-piston caliper. Lastly, the Bosch IMU inertial platform also interacts with the semi-active Ducati Skyhook Suspension (DSS) Evolution control system giving adjustments on the fly. The new Multistate 1260 comes with a starting price tag of $ 18,695. The 1260 S costs $ 20,995 while the top of the range 1260 Pikes Peak will come at $ 24,995. The flagship motorcycle of the GS series, R 1200 GS Adventure, is regarded as one of the most capable and technically advanced adventure motorcycle across the world today. The motorcycle, in its latest avatar, is here showcasing the best of engineering prowess in the segment of enduring motorcycles, and at the same time, it takes forward the legacy of the almost 35-year-old GS nameplate, which initiated with the R 80 GS back in 1980. The motorcycle is positioned above the standard R 1200 GS as a more kitted out and beefed up motorcycle, ready to conquer even more difficult terrains. The BMW R 1200 GS Adventure comes with the companys trademark philosophy of equipping the motorcycles with asymmetric headlamps. Though this time, the headlight unit comes fitted with LED daytime running lamps, which makes it very special and distinctive. The adjustable front windscreen is also larger than the one on the R 1200 GS. The fuel tank also gets heavy black claddings towards the front, with the frontal portion of the tank getting tubular frame protection, all the way towards the engine downwards. The BMW R 1200 GS Adventure comes fitted with a four stroke, air/liquid cooled, flat twin, 1170cc engine, which is shared with the standard R 1200 GS and pumps out 125 hp of power and 92 lb-ft of torque. Mated to a six-speed gearbox which transfers the power produced to the rear wheel via a shaft drive, the engine has a solid bottom end grunt and mid-range punch, and is very smooth running and high revving in nature. The combination of air as well as liquid cooling enables the engine to be efficient and reliable without sacrificing on high pulling power. The bettered out Paralever 37mm front hydraulic forks, and cast aluminum single-sided swing arm with Telelever have made the steering of the motorcycle even more accurate than before, resulting in a sharper handling and better weight balance. To add in, the optional Dynamic ESA which BMW provides for this bike enables the suspension setup to behave as per the amount of load and type of terrain the bike is going to tackle. As mentioned above, the four different riding modes can be retrieved just at the press of a button on the switchgear. The bike also comes with a Shift Assistant Pro, which allows you to change the gears without using the clutch and throttle levers. The bike comes with dual 305mm disc brakes at front and a single 276mm disc brake at the rear, coupled up with the ABS. MSRP on the R 1200 GS Adventure starts at $18,895 for Light White. Add another $100 for Ocean Blue Metallic Matte or Racing Red Matte. Add the Premium options package for another $3,350. VERDICT Electrically adjustable touring screen For some people, adventure is about finding your way through the unknown to see things no one has and doing things most havent. But unless you plan on walking, you need the right tool to get there. This is where Triumphs Tiger series comes in and sweeps you off your feet in the most humble and matured way. Every single innovation, engine enhancement, premium specification and ergonomic refinement is about delivering an epic ride. It is lighter, more powerful, better equipped, and comes with a host of features that enhances rider experience and satisfaction to a notch higher than ever before. The mill receives multiple updates smaller flywheel, lighter crankshaft, magnesium cam cover The 2018 editions carry the traditions of the legendary bloodline that began 80 years ago in a rather outrageous way teething through the likes of its competition. With what looks like a purpose-built machine to take on any paths, these predatory cats have ticked the right boxes to operate at the very limits of adventure. Kenya and Ethiopia on Monday revisited the building of major link infrastructure projects between the two countries. This comes two years after the two sides signed a similar Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) that was not implemented. President Uhuru Kenyatta and Ethiopian Prime Minister (PM) Abiy Ahmed, on his first tour of Kenya since he became premier, announced they will focus on the development of the Lamu Port South Sudan Ethiopia Transport (Lapsset) corridor. They committed to the development of Lapsset, the Northern Corridor including road network between Isiolo, Moyale through to Addis Ababa and the railway from Addis Ababa to Nairobi, a joint statement said. Both sides agreed to finalise the Ethiopia-Kenya interconnection transmission line. Both sides agreed to jointly supervise and inspect the Lamu-Garissa-Isiolo-Moyale and Moyale-Hawassa-Addis Ababa road networks. Punitive And while Dr Ahmed is new in his position, President Uhuru Kenyatta had announced a similar thing in June 2016, when then PM Hailemariam Desalegn made a state visit to Nairobi. At the time, President Kenyatta told reporters at a joint press briefing that projects within Lapsset would be fast-tracked. They included link roads between the two countries, an international airport in Isiolo town and a sea port in Lamu. Launched in 2012, the Lapsset project was estimated to cost at least Sh2 trillion. But the cost of the projects was always going to be punitive and each country was to source financing, which meant further delays. The seven portions of the project require an estimated $24.5 billion (Sh2.4 trillion) with $3.1 billion footing the bill for the Lamu Port. In 2016, Ethiopia and Kenya also signed an MoU on an oil pipeline. Yesterday, both countries did not mention it, but said each side will have specific responsibilities on ensuring Lapsset project continues. The Kenyan side will facilitate the formal acquisition of land in Lamu Port given to the Ethiopian government and the Ethiopian side reiterated its commitment to develop the land for logistical facilitation, the MoU said. Weaknesses But the countries also admitted weaknesses in funding, instead calling on the private corporates to take a hand in the projects. The two leaders strongly encouraged members of their respective private sectors to identify potential areas for engagement and pledged to continue improving the business environment and create maximum incentives for successful commerce. Already, the Isiolo Airport as well as the highway up to Moyale on the Kenyan side is complete. The problem however remains with the political situation on both countries. Dr Ahmed is new and has to rebuild his countrys stability following years of violence from regions on the south of the country, claiming oppressions. The two leaders identified cross-border security challenges, exacerbated by vulnerable communities, as obstacles to sustainable peace. Economic growth They agreed to focus on inclusive economic growth of the border regions, such as the one contemplated by the Special Status Agreement, affirming that cross-border trade between the border communities could greatly elevate their quality of lives. Both leaders announced they will allow their national airlines, Kenya Airways and Ethiopian Airlines, unfettered marketing on each others soils, in the interests of enabling growth in aviation. This could be positive, especially since Ethiopia has traditionally locked up its local market to protect Ethiopian Airlines. They also agreed on a prisoner-exchange programme, which could start as soon as next month and which could mean Kenyans languishing in jails in Ethiopia could be brought back. With South Sudans participation in Lapsset hampered by war, the two leaders said they were disappointed there had been slow progress to bring peace there. They urged the leaders of South Sudan to place the interests of their people above their own to give peace a chance. Some posts on this site contain affiliate links, meaning if you book or buy something through one of these links, we may earn a small commission (at no extra cost to you). It all began with a photo. See, blue is my very favorite colorour wedding was blue, our bedroom is blue, even my iPhone case is blue. So when I first saw a photo of the gorgeous white and blue city, I wanted to visit immediately, long before I knew anything else about Chefchaouen, Moroccoincluding its name. Surely the blue was temporary, I thought. Maybe the walls had been painted that way for a few photos or for a special celebration. Maybe there was a holiday that called for the color, much like the Chicago River turning green every year for St. Patricks Day. I couldnt imagine that there was a place where these winding and sloping streets that seemed made with photographers in mind were splashed in every cool shade of aqua and royal and sky every day of the year. But there isChefchaouen, the blue pearl of Morocco. The Blue Pearl The landscape of Morocco varies greatly from the golden dunes of the Sahara to the verdant coastal plains to the imposing High Atlas Mountains. In a spot in northern Morocco that feels fairly far from anywhere, Chefchaouen (or, simply Chaouen to the locals) sits in the Rif Mountainsa blip of blue in a country that is largely green and tan. See: 30 Things to Know Before Traveling to Morocco Over two hours from Tangier and over three hours from Fez, Chefchaouen isnt the easiest Moroccan city to get to. Its also not a place where you spend your days checking off a list of things to do in Chefchaouen. Instead, the blue city of Morocco is a place to be, to take a break from many of the tourist touts in other cities, to watch the sunset from the roof or your riad, and to lose yourself in the cool hues that grace almost every wall and doorway in town. (See the other cities and attractions we visited on our two-week Morocco trip.) Why is Chefchaouen blue? There are several different explanations for why Chefchaouen is blue. Now one of the prettiest towns in Morocco, Chefchaouen was founded in 1471 as a point of defense against the invading Portuguese. Just two decades later, the city expanded with the arrival of Muslim and Jewish refugees fleeing forced conversion to Christianity in Granada, Spain. These new residents built Chefchaouens signature whitewashed houses and courtyards with citrus trees, giving the city its European flair, which still exists today. One story says that the immigrant Sephardic Jewish community brought with them a tradition of painting buildings blue because it reminded them of the sky and the presence of God. A different version of the story attributes the blue to the Jewish community, but this time to Jews who arrived in Morocco fleeing Hitlers incursion through Europe. A thirdradically differentversion says that Chefchaouen became the blue city in Morocco in an effort to repel mosquitoes and prevent malaria. Regardless of where the tradition of painting Chefchaouen blue came from, todays residents continue the practice by regularly refreshing the colors of the gorgeous walls and doors to preserve its unique tint. What to do in Chefchaouen Chefchaouen is undoubtedly one of the best places to visit in Morocco. Unlike Marrakesh, Fez, or other places you may spend time on a trip to Morroco, there are really no must-see places in Chefchaouen. The city itself is the sight. Just wandering is the best thing to do. Taking photos of Chefchaouen is a dream come true. Largely shut off from the world for over 400 years beginning in the 15th century, the city feels like its from another time. The small streets and alleys are quiet, not teeming with shops and the frenetic energy that defines other cities in Morocco. One path intersects another in the pleasantly confusing area that is the Chefchaouen medina. At every turn, there is a new subtlety to the shades of blue, a new mosaic pattern by which to be entranced. Light and colors shift throughout the day, making it possible to walk the same streets over and over again and see something new each time. Even in the rain, the paint makes the city feel bright. Wander up and down the stairs. Seek out new murals. Pause by the fountains. If its Monday, Thursday, or Saturday, dont hesitate to head to the morning market to see what the local farmers have brought for sale. Grab a coffee and sit for a minute. Just watch. Pause for an hour or two to have a leisurely lunch. Our pick is Bab Ssour, a fabulous and absurdly affordable spot just off the main square thats perfect for sampling bissara soup and other local specialties. We liked it so much, we had lunch there both days we were in Chefchaouen. We found ourselves at communal tables with Moroccans and visitors from Portugal, Ireland, and London, all comparing notes about where to go for the best views and how best to enjoy the gem that is Chefchaouen. After lunch, take a walk to the edge of town to see the small waterfall. Consider a hike in the mountains rising above you or just pause for mint tea at the cafe near the rushing water. A good scrubbing at a hammam is always an option, or you can visit the Kasbah Museum if youre feeling anxious about not having seen enough sites. Evenings in Chefchaouen are just as relaxed as the rest of the day. Theyre about finding a spot for sunset, scoping out the best dinner option (ideally with a terrace), and people watching in the square. The good thing about having no agenda in a city this pretty is that there is no bad choice. Visiting the City Chefchaouen is not terribly close to any major city in Morocco, so getting there does take some time if you dont have a car or a driver. We chose the private transportation route for our two weeks in Morocco. Tangier has the closest airport, and then you can take a 3.5-hour bus ride from the CTM Tangier station to Chefchaouen followed by a taxi to the city. The bus ride from Fez is 4.5 hours. Many people visit Chefchaouen as a day trip from Fez, though we highly recommend staying a night. There are a number of private or small-group tours that can cut a bit of time off that journey. Where to Stay in Chefchaouen Riad Hicham Riad Hicham was the best accommodation on our trip to Morocco. Located in the Old Town, this lovely riad is not only comfortable and cozy, but the staff is spectacular. Choose the Royal Suite or the Panoramic Suite for views over Chefchaouen from a private terrace. (Read reviews | Check prices and book) Dar Meziana This charming riad is designed in Andalucian and Moroccan style. Enjoy a traditional breakfast on the terrace, relax in the lounge, or take in the panoramic views of the Rif Mountains. Its one of the highest rated accommodations in Chefchaouen. (Read reviews | Check prices and book) Where to Eat on Your Trip Bab Ssour Bab Ssour is an ideal choice for lunch or dinner. The options are delicious, fresh, and very affordable. Chez Hicham Chez Hicham, the restaurant at our riad, has a great view and serves massive portions of couscous, tagines, and more. Pizzeria Mandala For a non-Moroccan option, Pizzeria Mandala is perfect. Treehugger and our third-party partners use cookies and process personal data like unique identifiers based on your consent to store and/or access information on a device, display personalized ads and for content measurement, audience insight, and product development. To change or withdraw your consent choices for Treehugger.com, including your right to object where legitimate interest is used, click below. At any time, you can update your settings through the "EU Privacy" link at the bottom of any page. These choices will be signaled globally to our partners and will not affect browsing data. List of Partners (vendors) Minister Dr Keith Rowley, right, chats with Minister in the Ministry of the Attorney General Stuart Young during a post-Cabinet news conference at the Diplomatic Centre, St Anns. Hey TA peeps, As the title suggests I "plan" to rent a car during my time in your beautiful city. Is it safe to park cars on the street overnight in china town? I plan to stay near china town(Gipps St) Plan is to drive to the hostel from the airport, park the car overnight and get an early start for day trips in the morning. I'm open to taking public transport, only trouble is my roller carry on. If I go this route, Im assuming my logistics would go like 1. take airtrain from airport to southbank 2. transfer to train/bus to china town? Is this correct? Which option would you recommend? TIA Hey Folks!!! Me and my husband are planning to travel to Japan this year in the month of November. (mid to late) for about 10 days. Its our first wedding anniversary at that time. And as a matter of fact we wanted to do something off beat.. Ive been reading a lot about weather there in November and the autumn season which is to die for.. It would be a great help if you all could help us preparing the itinerary for it. As we dont want to miss out on something exquisite. Thanks! I love this area (Guanacaste) in June. June, July and August are my favorite months here. Since you'd be arriving after dark and it could be raining, I suggest hiring a shuttle/taxi to pick you up from the airport and take you to your hotel. You can have Adobe rental car bring you a car to your hotel the next morning. Driving here at night on unmarked roads, some with no street lights, and possible rain can be very stressful! I'm from California (San Diego) and have lived in Playas del Coco for about 12 years now and still don't like to drive after dark in Costa Rica. I love Coco because it's only 25 minutes from the LIR airport, we have restaurants and nightlife, markets, banks, and rentals for every budget. You can rent all inclusive private villas, staffed with chef, etc, or rent private homes or condos or hotel rooms. It's a flat town so walking or renting bikes or golf carts is easy to do here too. Tours out of Coco are sailing, snorkeling, sunset cruises, scuba diving, stand up paddle boarding, kayaking, sport fishing and you can do half day or full day tours near-by and use Coco as your home base. My friend, Jerry, has a new medicinal plant tour and can also take you to the Palo Verde River tour and various other tours. Jerry was born here and has lived in Coco his whole life and he's the same age as your bf. He's a cool dude and will be happy to help you arrange tours or airport pick up or whatever. His email is Jerry.barrera@gmail.com He has a new website; and his facebook page; Tip; download the Whatsapp app to your phone to make phone calls and texts. Everyone here in Costa Rica uses that app so when you're connected to wifi at your hotel or rental it will be super convenient to make free local calls. Feel free to email me too if you like; info@SeaBirdSailingExcursions.com Pura vida! Heather Dont expect professors to get fired when they say something you dont like Despite calls for their ouster, public university professors who utter offensive things enjoy free speech protection. The director of the Brechner Center for Freedom of Information argues for a different response to what those professors say. Public university professors enjoy great protections when it comes to free speech. Lightspring/www.shutterstock.com Frank LoMonte, University of Florida and David Jadon A college professor lashes out on social media with a caustic political opinion. Online commentators explode with outrage and demand firings. Does the university stand behind the instructor and accept a reputational beating? It depends both on the law and the fortitude of campus administrators. Fresno State Universitys Randa Jarrar is the latest to incite condemnation with her stream of celebratory Twitter posts marking the April 17 passing of Barbara Bush. Jarrar denounced the former first lady as a witch and an amazing racist. For good measure, the English professor taunted her critics by boasting that tenure protected her from being fired. Jarrars situation isnt uncommon. Professors from Kansas to Connecticut have provoked online outcry with incendiary posts about touchy social or political topics. Whats noteworthy is that Jarrar has toughed out the criticism and remained on the job. Social media firestorms often end professors careers. Last year, a Drexel University political scientist resigned after a flippant tweet that stated all he wanted for Christmas was white genocide. The tweet followed other comments in which the professor expressed disgust with the military and called white people inhuman for mistreating minorities. Around the same time, a visiting professor at the University of Tampa lost his job after tweeting that Hurricane Harvey, which killed more than 100 people, was payback for Texas support of Republicans. One difference is that, unlike Drexel or Tampa, Fresno State is a public university. And at public universities, the First Amendment limits the ability of supervisors to penalize distasteful speech. As researchers with the University of Floridas Brechner Center for Freedom of Information, weve spent months digging into the rights of public employees when they speak with the news media. While Jarrar was publishing directly and not through a journalistic intermediary, the same constitutional principles protect her speech and that of all state employees within limits. The workplace and the First Amendment Its well-established by decades of case law that the First Amendment prevents government agencies including states that run many universities and community colleges from restricting the content of citizens speech, or punishing them after the fact for what they say. When a private employer, including a private college, fires someone over a social media post, theres no constitutional violation. At the same time, the U.S. Supreme Court has recognized that the government has valid interests in being able to provide services efficiently. As a result, employee speech that interferes with workplace harmony can be restricted or even penalized with a firing. So is a professor at a state-run college more of a citizen or more of an employee? In a 2006 case, the Supreme Court upheld disciplinary action against a government employee who wrote a memo undermining his supervisor, a California prosecutor. The justices said employees give up their First Amendment protection when they speak pursuant to official duties. But more recently, the Supreme Court backpedaled. In 2014, the justices unanimously overturned the firing of an Alabama community college employee who blew the whistle on misspending at his state agency. Speech doesnt lose protection, the court ruled, just because it is about information learned on the job. The First Amendment especially applies to comments about prominent political figures and political issues. To the relief of bloggers and talk show hosts everywhere, speech does not lose protection merely because it is insulting or mean-spirited. So even uncivil name-calling about the Bush family is difficult for a state agency to restrict. If Jarrar was tweeting as part of her job duties, shed have no First Amendment protection; the speech would belong to her employer. But political commentary is probably beyond the job description for an English literature professor. So her tweets are entitled to at least some constitutional protection. And the First Amendment may apply even more forcefully when the speaker is a college instructor. Do professors represent a special class? Outside of higher education, its become common to see public employees fired for caustic social media posts. Teachers, principals, police officers and firefighters have all lost their jobs for thoughtless excesses whether real or perceived on Facebook or Twitter. Even for employees of state or local government, legal challenges often fail. Employers can prevail by producing enough complaints to show that the speech upset workplace morale or undermined public trust. But in higher education, academic freedom is a cherished value. The term refers to the latitude that college educators are given to explore provocative ideas in the classroom, even unorthodox ones. In cases brought by professors in North Carolina and Washington, federal courts have given greater free speech protection to college faculty than ordinary government employees would enjoy. Stephen Salaita, a professor of American Indian studies, obtained an US$875,000 settlement in a lawsuit against the University of Illinois, when his job offer was withdrawn following outrage over his Twitter posts criticizing Israel. Salaitas case shows how limited a public universitys options are in responding to indecorous speech by faculty members, particularly posts made on personal time about political concerns. Tweet and counter-tweet Supreme Court Justice Louis Brandeis famously wrote in 1927 that the proper response to evil speech is more speech, not suppression or punishment. Like all government executives, college presidents can freely voice disapproval of obnoxious speech to distance their institutions from it. Thats just what Fresno State President Joseph I. Castro did. In informing the public that Jarrar wouldnt be disciplined for her off-duty tweets, Castro disavowed the speech as contrary to the core values of our University. Castro is also holding two forums to air public sentiments about the Jarrar controversy. The Supreme Court has described college campuses as a marketplace for ideas, and the marketplace has largely disdained Jarrars choice of words. Social media speech is easily avoided, and remarks like Jarrars quickly dissipate if ignored. If the marketplace greets the next professorial online rant with a yawn and a click of the unfollow button, then the message will fail to find an audience and the market will have spoken. Frank LoMonte, Director of the Brechner Center for Freedom of Information, University of Florida and David Jadon, Law Clerk This article was originally published on The Conversation. Read the original article. 10 Corso ?Como will certainly be an upgrade to SSP. Understandable about the crazy commercial real estate prices. Another complex issue altogether. We used to live in the FiDi and I would walk the young grandson to the area as there is, hopefully still there, a lovely wine shop in the old fish market. We also liked the family run Italian restaurant, name escapes me. Havent been to the area in years and will be there in a flash, when Corso Como comes to town, Carla Sozzani still owns it, or rather her estate. My friend Wikipedia says it was the Milan building that was sold to an outside party, no mention of any transfer of ownership of the retail side which has expanded to Korea and China and now NYC. Her son is due to wed Ana wintours daughter sometime in the fall. How do I get from the airport (JFK, LGA, or EWR) to Manhattan? What To Do During Layovers? Vacation Apartment Rentals Violate NYC Laws Hotels: Kitchenettes and kitchens in 100+ Manhattan Hotels Hotels: Two queen beds plus a kitchen/kitchenette Hotels: Guests under 21 years old (but at least 18) Hotels: Which ones charge an additional Resort or Facilities Fee Hotels: When is the best time to go for cheaper rates? What are the Must-See's and Must-Do's? How Do I Ride the Subway (UPDATED)? Tips, Hint and Suggestions for First Timers SCAMS to avoid in NYC What Will the Weather Be Like During My Trip? Any Good Websites for Researching My Trip? How Safe is New York? Where to Eat in NYC Where to eat in NYC - Part 2 Celiac in the City? (gluten free) Which Area Should I Stay In? Is There Cheaper Lodging Outside Manhattan? How Much Do I Tip People? Are the New York Pass, Explorer Pass or CityPass worth it? How Do I Hail a Taxi? Public restrooms/toilets. Where do you go when you GOTTA GO? Where are the best areas for shopping? How do I find Discount Tickets for Broadway Shows? Events for Halloween 2019 in NYC Thanksgiving 2019 in NYC: What to Do & Where to Eat Christmastime in NYC 2020: Dates for the Trees-Windows-Markets-Ice Skating+MORE! Christmas Day 2019 in NYC: What to Do & Where to Eat What Should I Do on New Year's Eve? How Will I Survive the Cold Weather? Where are the Farmers Markets and Street Fairs? What is there to see and do near WTC/SOL/Brooklyn Bridge/SI ferry? What should I know about visiting the 9/11 Memorial and Museum? What Is There to See and Do in Brooklyn? How Do I Get to the Brooklyn Bridge? What Is There to See and Do in Queens? Exploring neighborhoods - where should I go and what should I see? Which is the best? ESB or TOTR or OWO? Which are the significant churches in Manhattan? Hidden Gems in the city - not so touristy How do I get from NYC to the Meadowlands and back? I'm Getting Married in NYC...what do I need to do? Should I Buy Knock-Off Purses? What to Do with Kids and How to Do It? What should we do at night -- especially with kids or under 21's? Places to eat (and drink) with a view Where is the Old FAQ? Trip Reports: Families with Young Kids - Add yours! Trip Reports: Groups of Friends - Add yours! Trip Reports: Couples - Add yours! Trip Reports: Families with Teenagers - Add yours! Trip Reports: Solo Travelers - Add yours! 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To review the Tripadvisor Forums Posting Guidelines, please follow this link: http://www.tripadvisor.com/pages/forums_posting_guidelines.html We remove posts that do not follow our posting guidelines, and we reserve the right to remove any post for any reason. - Miss World 2017 will not tour the country in May as it was expected - The trip was postponed due to unavoidable circumstances - She will however visit at a later date which will be announced in July - The beauty queen will visit various charities to help the needy as part of the trip - She will be hosted to a dinner gala set to celebrate champions against FGM The highly anticipated visit by Miss World Manushi Chhillar to Kenya on Tuesday, May 8, was postponed due to unforeseen circumstances until further notice. Chhillar, alongside Julia Morley, Miss World Chair and the founder of Beauty with a Purpose ambassador program, were expected to grace a gala dinner honuoring ant-FGM champions. Send 'NEWS' to 40227 to receive all the important breaking news as it happens In a statement released by Miss World Kenya and seen by TUKO.co.ke, the date of the tour will be announced in July 2018. READ ALSO: Marekani yataja maeneo yanayoweza kushambuliwa na magaidi, Kenya Manushi will be in the country to promote hygiene among young girls Photo: Miss World/ Facebook. READ ALSO: We retire poor, MPs say as they defend higher perks "The visit, slated for Tuesday, May 8, to Sunday, May 13, has subsequently been pushed forward to a yet to be disclosed date in July," read the statement. The organizers said despite the change in timing, they understood the situation and maintain their enthusiasm at hosting the reigning beauty queen. The scheduled activities and events will proceed accordingly once the official dates have been settled on. Teresia Muthoni struts the catwalk alongside Miss World Kenya/Africa Evelyn Njambi when the Continental Queen visited House of Hope Rescue Centre, in Narok County Photo: Danross Media. Prior report by TUKO.co.ke indicated the beauty icons were to tour various charities among them House of Hope Rescue Centre in Narok County. The rescue centre has been a beneficiary of Morley's Beauty, with a programme which has benefited girls rescued from FGM prone environments. READ ALSO: 7 KDF soldiers killed in Kenya-Somalia border Their visit comes at a time when the country has made significant strides on gender issues. It will also create an opportunity for tourism investment in Kenya, as the country aggressively pushes to host Miss World Global Competition. Florence Naserian, Miss World Kenya/Africa 2016 Evelyn Njambi and Christine Pisoi make a beaded wall hanging when Miss Njambi visited the House of Hope Rescue Centre. Photo: Miss World Kenya Over the 15 years of participating in the Miss World Beauty pageant, Kenya has been on a record-breaking trend, having clinched the Miss World Africa Title twice in a row. Kenya also won in the Beauty with a Purpose category more than three times. Do you have a hot story or scandal you would like us to publish, please reach us through news@tuko.co.ke or WhatsApp: 0732482690 and Telegram: Tuko news. Rejected for naming son Uhuru Kenyatta | Untold stories Tuko TV: Source: Tuko Breaking News Latest - This will be the first time ever the country will venture into the space - Nano Satellite will be launched with the help of Japanese Aerospace Exploration Agency - Education CS Amina Mohamed is expected to witness deployment of the satellite in Japan Kenya is set to embark on space exploration with its first ever home-made KSh 100 million satellite dubbed Nano Satellite. The satellite, which was developed by the University of Nairobi in collaboration with Spienza University in Italy and Japanese Aerospace Exploration Agency(JAXA), is expected to be launched on Friday, May 11, in Japan. Send 'NEWS' to 40227 to receive all the important breaking news as it happens A team from the University of Nairobi handing over to JAXA the Satellite it had developed known as First Kenya University Nano Satellite-Precursor Flight. Photo: KBC. READ ALSO: University of Nairobi performance drops in new 2018 ranking TUKO.co.ke has reliably established Education Cabinet Secretary (CS) Amina Mohamed will lead a delegation of state officials to Japan to witness the historic event. Confirming the scheduled deployment of Nano Satellite, UoN Vice Chancellor Peter Mbithi said the 10 cm by 10 cm cube satellite will be used in gathering data on weather forecast, climate change, coastline monitoring, wildlife and earth mapping and even transport and logistics. Successful deployment of Nano Satellite will set stage for the next phase for Kenyan scientists and engineers to develop bigger higher resolution satellites with more serious scientific and technological value, Mbithi said. READ ALSO: How local company Silk has developed Kenya's first smartphone Nano Satellite was developed by the University of Nairobi in collaboration with Spienza University in Italy and Japanese Aerospace Exploration Agency(JAXA).Photo:The East African. The UoN is one of the beneficiaries of KiboCube, a join project between JAXA and the United Nations (UN) that seeks to help education institutions across Africa to develop their own satellites. The Kenyan project was initiated in 2015 and funded by Japan to the tune of over KSh 100 million (about US$ 1 million). TUKO.co.ke understands Japan also provided the platform where the Nano Satellite was constructed. READ ALSO: Marekani yataja maeneo yanayoweza kushambuliwa na magaidi, Kenya Do you have a hot story or scandal you would like us to publish, please reach us through news@tuko.co.ke or WhatsApp: 0732482690 and Telegram: Tuko news. Join TUKO TV - subscribe right now! - On Tuko TV Source: Kenya Breaking News Today - Mbugua was arrested in connection with the assault of former chairman of NCBDA - The EALA MP has been accused of hiring the goons who attacked Timothy Muriuki - Muriuki was roughed up at Boulevard Hotel where NCBDA officials had planned to hold a press conference Nominated member of the East African Legislative Assembly (EALA) Simon Mbugua has been arrested. Mbugua was arrested on Tuesday, May 8, in connection with the attack of Timothy Muriuki, ex-chairman of the Nairobi Central Business District Association (NCBDA) in Nairobi, amid intense search for the goons who were involved in the broad daylight assault. Send 'NEWS' to 40227 to receive all the important breaking news as it happens READ ALSO: Marekani yataja maeneo yanayoweza kushambuliwa na magaidi, Kenya Timothy Muriuki, ex-chairman of Nairobi Central Business District Association, was forcefully ejected from a hotel where they were supposed to hold a press conference. Photos: Nungari Wambui/Facebook. Reports seen by TUKO.co.ke indicated Mbugua was driven to Central Police station in Nairobi where he was interrogated over his alleged involvement in the assault of NCBDA officials. The legislator had been accused of hiring goons to disrupt a press briefing that had been called by the Nairobi business leaders to issue a report on the sorry state of affairs in the city. READ ALSO: I have nothing to do with attack of Nairobi business leaders - Sonko responds Nairobi County governor, Mike Sonko, had distanced himself from the Monday incident, claiming someone else with ulterior motives was behind it. Photo:TUKO. The attack of the business leaders in front of cameras and journalists sparked public outrage with many demanding for action to be taken against the culprits and their paymaster. A section of Kenyans pointed an accusing finger at Nairobi governor Mike Sonko but the governor came out strongly to defend himself saying he was not involved at all. "This perception that when something bad happens the next thing it's all over social media that Sonko is bad, Sonko is a thug, Sonko is a goon...it's fabrication. It's something that was well planned and executed by someone," Sonko said. READ ALSO: Police launch manhunt for goons who attacked Nairobi business leaders The governor also sought to clarify the NCBDA ex-boss, Muriuki, was a good friend of his and therefore he had no reason to send people to assault and humiliate him. "He is a very good friend of mine. He always support me. Urongo ni mfupi sana. Ukweli itajulikana (lies never last.The truth will be known)," the governor said. Police have been pursuing the goons who are also wanted for alleged robbery with violence. The authorities had placed a bounty of KSh 500,000 on each of the suspects and requested Kenyans to volunteer any information that may lead to their arrest. Do you have a hot story or scandal you would like us to publish, please reach us through news@tuko.co.ke or WhatsApp: 0732482690 and Telegram: Tuko news. Join TUKO TV - subscribe right now! - On Tuko TV Source: Tuko.co.ke - Terror groups are reported to be planning an attack during the holy month of Ramadhan - Police have urged Kenyans in populated areas like schools to be vigilant - The terror alert by police came a day after the US embassy warned of major attacks in Kenya Police have warned terror groups have planned and are likely to hit parts of the country during the forthcoming Ramadhan holidays. The National Police Service (NPS) and other agencies have beefed up security across the country following the intelligence report. Send 'NEWS' to 40227 to receive all the important breaking news as it happens Members of the public have also been urged to be on high alert and remain vigilant in populated places including schools, churches, hotels and bus stops. READ ALSO: Ng'ombe ajifungua ndama mwenye miguu 2 Bungoma, ashtua wakazi (picha) Police have warned terror groups have planned to, and are likely to hit parts of the country during the forthcoming Ramadhan holidays. Photo: Daily Nation. READ ALSO: 2022 elections will be messy if handshake deal is not honoured - Raila As we approach the holy month of Ramadhan set to begin from Tuesday, May 15, the terror groups have issued alerts urging their members to step up attacks during this period, the NPS Spokesman Charles Owino said. The main terrorist groups including ISIS, al-Qaeda and al-Shabaab have all issued fatwas calling for increased attacks during the holy month, he added. The police headquarters however said although the threat levels were currently high in the country, terror attacks in the country had drastically gone down. in the past. READ ALSO: Moha Jicho Pevu offers to pay school fees for Hassan Johos 'illiterate' brother This was due to concerted efforts by multi-agency security operations and immense support from the public. We further wish to specifically thank members of the public especially those in Wajir, Mandera and Boni for their unwavering resolve to kick out and report terror elements living among them, Owino said. The police further called for continued vigilance by the public urging them to report any suspicious individuals either along the common border with Somalia. READ ALSO: Matiang'i orders appeal on pastor Ng'ang'a's dismissed case of causing death by dangerous driving We wish to assure the public that we shall continue to treat information given to the police with utmost confidentiality, he said. The warning comes just a day after the US government warned of major terror attacks in Kenya, targeting schools and churches. The embassy said the extremists could be targeting US citizens visiting or staying in the country. Possible targets were identified as tourist locations, transportation hubs and other busy public places, hospitals and churches. The warning was posted on the website of the US Embassy in Kenya on May 4, 2018. Story by Lucky Omenda, Nairobi County Do you have a hot story or scandal you would like us to publish, please reach us through news@tuko.co.ke or WhatsApp: 0732482690 and Telegram: Tuko news. Rejected for naming son Uhuru Kenyatta | Untold stories - on TUKO TV Source: Tuko.co.ke - Mandago said court orders have made it difficult for the county to repossess grabbed land - He blamed land grabbers for rushing to court whenever they are asked to leave public land - The governor said the county government does not have a title deed for it headquarters - Seven State Lodges in the country do not have title deeds Uasin Gishu Governor Jackson Mandago has pleaded with the Judiciary to help the county repossess grabbed public land. The governor decried rampant land grabbing in the area, saying the county has lost a lot of land to daring grabbers working in collusion with officers from the lands offices. Send 'NEWS' to 40227 to receive all the important breaking news as it happens He said despite identifying parcels of land which were set aside for construction of public utilities like schools, hospitals and recreational centres, the county has not been able to repossess them because grabbers rush to the court to obtain restricting court orders. READ ALSO: Ng'ombe ajifungua ndama mwenye miguu 2 Bungoma, ashtua wakazi (picha) Governor Jackson Mandago says court orders make it difficult to repossess grabbed public land. Photo: Jackson Madago/Facebook. The judiciary is part of government and needs to help us serve the public better. I request judges to consider public interests before issuing court orders which limit us from getting back parcels which had been illegally acquired by individuals, said Mandago. The county chief said individuals who have encroached and made establishments in parcels initially set aside for public use have also restricted the county from making necessary developments. Some people have established premises on road reserves but whenever we want to evict them to create space for expansion they run to the courts and obtain orders to protect the property. Some file cases in distant courts like Kitale to inconvenience us and we urge the judiciary help us, he said. READ ALSO: Billionaire Chandaria leads protest against land grabbing Governor Jackson Mandago pleaded with the judiciary to help them repossess grabbed public land. Photo: Jackson Mandago/Facebook. Mandago explained he is overstepping his mandate or seeking to influence decisions by courts but was concerned a lot of resources and time are wasted in courts instead of development. According to the governor, key public institutions like the Uasin Gishu county headquarters, Uasin Gishu District Hospital, the countys Fire Station among other utilities do not have title deeds. Grabbing in the area is very high to a level where the county government itself does not have a title deed for the grounds on which its premises were established before independence. This shows we cannot win the battle against the grabbers alone, he added. He said three individuals are all claiming to be in possession of the title deed for the land hosting Uasin Gishu county headquarters. Uasin Gishu county government headquarters is part of grabbed land parcels. Photo: Uasin Gishu County/Facebook. READ ALSO: William Rutos empty promises making us poor - maize farmers National Land Commission (NLC) Chairman Mohammed Swazuri in 2014 said seven State Lodges had been grabbed and the government was working to recover them and punish the culprits. Swazuri mentioned Eldoret, Kitale, Kakamega, Mtito Andei, Nakuru, Mombasa and Kisumu among State Lodges without title deeds. Do you have a hot story or scandal you would like us to publish, please reach us through news@tuko.co.ke or WhatsApp: 0732482690 and Telegram: Tuko news. Rejected for naming son Uhuru Kenyatta | Untold stories - on TUKO TV Source: Tuko.co.ke - The school tank was full of water meant for cooking, but it was poisoned - It would have made its way to pupils' meals were it not for the cook - She noted the water had a strange, milky colour and foul odour - Investigations have already began to find the root of the poisoning A Muranga based cook is being applauded for her heroic act after she saved a school from a potential calamity. The Mwara Primary School cook on Tuesday, May 8, had to abruptly halt his cooking routine for the pupils after she noted the water could potentially be dangerous to consume. Send 'NEWS' to 40227 to receive all the important breaking news as it happens READ ALSO: Picha za bintiye Gideon Moi ni thibitisho kwamba ni mrembo kupindukia Mwara Primary School cook on Tuesday, May 8 had to abruptly halt his cooking routine for the students after he noted the water could potentially be dangerous to consume. Photo: Rooney dan/Facebook READ ALSO: 2022 elections will be messy if handshake deal is not honoured - Raila Reports reaching TUKO.co.ke revealed the cook identified as Mary Wanjiru noted the water, which was harvested after a heavy downpour in the school tank, had a strange, milky color. Kiharu sub-county public health officer Milka Njenga affirmed that indeed the water had been poisoned since it bore a foul odor. The water had a foul, milky look. Photo: Rooney dan/Facebook The tank was immediately declared a hazard, with teachers and students warned against consuming its water until further notice. READ ALSO: Kakamega senator replaces James Orengo as Senate Deputy Minority leader Samples of the water have already been collected by police to determine the exact nature of the contaminants. Were it not for the cook, students would have consumed the water. Photo: Rooney dan/Facebook While it is uncertain how the contaminant found its way into a tank which sources water to cook students meals, police believe it was a deliberate act of sabotage. Do you have a hot story or scandal you would like us to publish, please reach us through news@tuko.co.ke or WhatsApp: 0732482690 and Telegram: Tuko news. Rejected for naming son Uhuru Kenyatta | Untold stories Tuko TV: Source: Tuko Making a cleaner, greener, environmentally safe sunscreen A UF medicinal chemistry professor and her colleagues have discovered a natural sunscreen made by microbes that may be better for humans and the environment as well. Ingredients in many sunscreens are bleaching coral and harming marine life. www.shutterstock.com Yousong Ding, University of Florida As the temperatures rise and Americans swarm to the beach, they slather on sunscreen to protect against the suns harmful UV radiation that causes skin cancer. As they splash and swim, few give thought to whether the chemicals in the lotions and sprays are safe for marine organisms such as the fish and corals living in these coastal zones. The bad news is that mounting evidence suggests that certain chemicals in these radiation filters are bleaching the corals and killing fish. The good news is that there is a greener, cleaner and safer alternative in the works. The sunscreens widely available belong to two major categories: physical and chemical. Physical sunscreens contain tiny minerals that act as a shield deflecting the suns rays. On the other hand, chemical sunscreens use many synthetic compounds that absorb UV light before it reaches the skin. Killer chemicals But these lotions wash off in water. For example, for every 10,000 visitors frolicking in the waves, about 4 kilograms of mineral particles are washed into the beach water each day. These minerals catalyze the production of hydrogen peroxide, a well-known bleaching agent, at a concentration high enough to harm coastal marine organisms. In fact, up to 14,000 tons of sunscreens are released into the water each year. Active ingredients in these sunscreens, minerals and synthetic organic compounds, are putting 10 percent of the global reefs under stress, including 40 percent of coral reefs along the coast. One of these ingredients is oxybenzone, a synthetic molecule commonly used in chemical sunscreens and known to be toxic to corals, algae, sea urchins, fish and mammals: A single drop of this compound in over 4 million gallons of water is already enough to endanger organisms. Unfortunately, its concentration in coastal water is already significantly higher than its toxic limit, though not yet deadly, and might be accelerating coral bleaching. To save their marine ecosystem from further destruction, legislators in Hawaii passed a new law banning chemical sunscreens containing oxybenzone and another harmful ingredient, octinoxate. The law will take effect January 1, 2021. Sunscreen from algae Dr. Guang Yang , CC BY-NC-ND Protecting ourselves from UV rays is nothing new. Many organisms including microbes, plants and animals have evolved ways to guard themselves. These organisms produce small molecules that absorb UV rays and block radiation from entering cells and damaging the DNA. Unlike physical and synthetic chemical sunscreens, these naturally available compounds are environmentally friendly and biodegradable. As such, these natural products have the potential to be safer compounds for commercial sunscreens. In my laboratory in the College of Pharmacy at the University of Florida, we are interested in combing the world for naturally occurring chemicals that have applications in health, agriculture and environment. Recently, my colleagues and I have discovered a more efficient way to harvest shinorine a natural sunscreen produced by microbes called cyanobacteria. Shinorine belongs to a family of natural products, called mycosporine-like amino acids, and is made up of two amino acids and one sugar. Many aquatic organisms exposed to strong sunlight, like cyanobacteria and macroalgae, produce shinorine and other related compounds to protect themselves from solar radiation. The cosmetics industry is already infusing products with shinorine as a key active ingredient. Commercial supplies of shinorine come from marine red algae that grows slowly in large tidal pools that experience frequent environmental changes. That means that conventional extraction method is time-consuming and unpredictable. To ramp up shinorine production, we sought a fast-growing strain of cyanobacteria that would thrive under predictable conditions. This took a lot of work! We decoded the genetic blueprints genomes of more than 100 varieties of cyanobacteria from marine and terrestrial ecosystems and selected one, Fischerella sp. PCC9339, to cultivate in the laboratory. To our delight, after four weeks this strain produced shinorine, but unfortunately not enough. To produce more we then transferred a set of genes that encode the instructions to make shinorine, into one freshwater cyanobacterium (from Berkeley, California), Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803, which grows fast with just water, carbon dioxide and sunlight. Using the engineered cyanobacterium, we produced a quantity of shinorine comparable to the conventional method but we did it in just a few weeks instead of one year thats needed to cultivate red algae. By advancing the method to produce more shinorine and other UV-absorbing natural products, we hope to make green sunscreens more available to protect our skin and the lives of the creatures we are so eager to see. Yousong Ding, Assistant Professor of Medicinal Chemistry, University of Florida This article was originally published on The Conversation. Read the original article. Popular artiste Marvin Davis also known as Swappi is hoping to make his debut in the boxing 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. The Bellingcat Investigation Team has identified nine Russian officers, including one general, two colonels and three lieutenant colonels, involved directly in an artillery attack on the Ukrainian town of Mariupol on January 24, 2015. The investigation has been published on Bellingcat's website. "The Bellingcat Investigation Team has determined conclusively that the artillery attack on the Ukrainian town of Mariupol on January 24, 2015, which resulted in at least 30 civilian deaths and over 100 injuries, came from Russia-controlled territory. Bellingcat has also determined that the shelling operation was instructed, directed and supervised by Russian military commanders in active service with the Russian Ministry of Defense. Bellingcat has identified nine Russian officers, including one general, two colonels, and three lieutenant colonels, involved directly with the military operation," reads the statement. In addition, Bellingcat has determined that two artillery batteries of Multiple Launch Rocket Systems (MLRS) were transported from Russia into Ukraine the day before the Mariupol operation. In the early morning of January 24, 2015, these batteries were deployed near the village of Bezimenne exclusively for the shelling of targets in and around Mariupol, after which they were repatriated back into Russia. In the course of analyzing the events in the eve of and on January 24, 2015, Bellingcat has also identified two Russian generals involved with the selection and assignment of Russian artillery specialists to commanding roles in eastern Ukraine. This investigation was made possible due to access to raw video and audio data that is being submitted by the Ukrainian government to the International Court of Justice as part of an ongoing legal case. "This data was made available to a small group of international investigative media for the purposes of independent assessment. Bellingcat and its media partners analyzed a large volume of intercepted calls from and to participants in the armed conflict located in the area of Bezimenne at the time of shelling. Bellingcat conducted detailed cross-referencing of events, names and locations, as well as metadata from the calls, to open source data, including satellite photography data, social media posts, and voice samples from public statements of some of the identified persons. A detailed analysis permitted the identification of persons and military units, and the reconstruction of events leading up to the shelling of residential areas in Mariupol," reads the statement. While previous reports, including the OSCE Special Monitoring Mission (SMM) to Ukraine report from January 24, 2015, have identified that shelling of Mariupol's residential areas came from separatist-controlled territory, Bellingcat's investigation is the first to fully detail and identify the role of active Russian military units, as well as the direct commanding role of active Russian army officers in this military operation. The Russian officers who were in charge on high and lower levels of the MLRS batteries on the day of the shelling at Mariupol, or provided target instructions from another location in Eastern Ukraine, have been identified by Bellingcat as: Major General Stepan Stepanovich Yaroshchuk: Alexander Iozhefovich Tsapliuk, call sign 'Gorets': Alexander Anatolevich Muratov: Maksim Vladimirovich Vlasov, call sign 'Yugra': Sergey Sergeyevich Yurchenko, call sign 'Voronezh': Alexander Valeryevich Grunchev, call sign 'Terek': The Russian officers who were in charge of selecting and sending artillery commanders and artillery equipment to Eastern Ukraine have been identified by Bellingcat as: Colonel Oleg Leargievich Kuvshinov: Major General Dmitry Nikolaevich Klimenko: Colonel Sergey Ivanovich Lisai: The two Russian and Ukrainian militants in direct charge of the artillery units that shelled Mariupol have been identified by Bellingcat as: Alexander Mikhailovich Evtody, call sign 'Pepel': Grayr Manukovich Egiazaryan, call sign 'Shram': Bellingcat's full investigation, with biographical details on each of these men, research process, and analysis of the shelling attack itself, will be published later this week. The situation in the Joint Forces Operation area in eastern Ukraine remained tense over the past day. Russian-occupation troops continue to flagrantly violate the Minsk accords. This is reported by the Joint Forces Operation Headquarters press center. "The military operations continued along the entire demarcation line. The enemy used prohibited weapons 15 times outside Krymske (42.5km north-west of Luhansk), Popasna (90 km north-west of Luhansk), Novotoshkivske (53km north-west of Luhansk), Luhanske (59km north-east of Donetsk), Avdiivka (18km north of Donetsk), Shyrokyne (20km east of Mariupol). The units of the Joint Forces suppressed the enemy's attacks and prevented the advance of the occupation forces into our territory," the report reads. Russian-occupation troops continue to fire 122 mm artillery on Zaitseve (67km north-north-east of Donetsk). Militants destroy the residential buildings with the artillery shelling, roughly violating the norms of the international humanitarian law. A total of 27 shellbursts were recorded in Zaitseve in last day. Two Ukrainian servicemen were wounded in fighting over the past day. According to the intelligence, one militant was killed, another five were wounded. ol Since the beginning of Russian aggression in Donbas, the Ukrainian Armed Forces have lost 3,332 people, including 2,394 combat casualties and 938 non-combat casualties. Defense Minister of Ukraine Stepan Poltorak said this in an interview with OBOZREVATEL.UA online portal. "Since the beginning of the Russian aggression 3,332 soldiers of the Ukrainian Armed Forces have been killed - 2,394 combat casualties and 938 non-combat casualties," he said. The minister adds that the causes of non-combat losses are different - "starting from illnesses, road accidents, violations of safety rules ... suicide, unfortunately, this phenomenon also exists, as well as consumption of alcoholic beverages." Poltorak also says that 74 soldiers of the Ukrainian army still remain in captivity. "Every time during the negotiations this issue is dealt with by the respective commissioners and the Security Service of Ukraine. We are doing our best to exchange our soldiers. Unfortunately, the leaders of the so-called DPR / LPR military units free not all servicemen," he said. ish Two Ukrainian servicemen were wounded and injured in the Joint Forces Operation area in eastern Ukraine in last day. Defense Ministry Spokesman Dmytro Hutsuliak said this at a briefing on Tuesday, an Ukrinform correspondent reports. "One Ukrainian soldier was wounded in the enemy shelling in last day. Another serviceman was injured as a result of the explosion on an unidentified explosive device. They were delivered to medical institutions and provided with qualified medical care," Hutsuliak said. The situation in the Joint Forces Operation area in eastern Ukraine remained tense over the past day. Russian-occupation troops continue to flagrantly violate the Minsk accords, the Joint Forces Operation Headquarters press center reported. ish In April 2018, Ukrainian producers delivered 41,800 tons of sugar to foreign markets, which is 12% less than in the previous month (47,200 tons in March). This is reported by the press service of the Ukrtsukor National Association of Sugar Producers of Ukraine. "Although the pace of shipments slightly decreased, the geography of exports has not changed. Most shipments were made to Uzbekistan 55%," Ukrtsukor Analytical Department Director Ruslana Butylo said. In addition, 12% of deliveries in April were made to the UK, 6% to Azerbaijan and about 15% to Moldova, Libya and Turkey. The total sugar exports for September-April 2017/2018 MY is 379,900 tons. As reported, sugar production in 2017/2018 MG increased by 6.5% and amounted to 2.14 million tons of sugar. ol Ukrainian Finance Minister Oleksandr Danyliuk begins his working visit to Jordan on May 8 to attend the 2018 Annual Meeting and Business Forum of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD). The Finance Ministry said this in a press release, which was made available to Ukrinform. "On May 8, Finance Minister Oleksandr Danyliuk and Deputy Finance Minister for European Integration Yuriy Butsa started work at the Annual Meeting of the Board of Governors and the Business Forum of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD)," the statement reads. The participants in the event include officials, leaders of international financial organizations, representatives of large, medium and small businesses and civil society. The forum will last for three days. The theme of the Business Forum this year is "Energizing Economies." During the event, its participants will discuss global economic development, attraction by developing countries of foreign investment and problems related to environmental protection. As part of the working visit, Danyliuk will meet with World Bank Vice President Cyril Muller. During the meeting, the parties will discuss the development of projects of the World Bank Group in Ukraine. The parties will also pay attention to the implementation of structural reforms in Ukraine. Danyliuk will also meet with Jordanian Finance Minister Omar Malhas. The parties will discuss cooperation between Ukraine and Jordan, the development of electronic financial services and experience in managing external debt. Danyliuk will also meet with Minister of Industry, Trade and Supply Yaroub Qudah. The key topics of the meeting will be the attraction of foreign investment to the economies of the states and the development of bilateral trade. op Moscow may return Crimea to Ukraine just as it has returned independence to the three Baltic States, despite their recognition as Soviet republics for a long time. United States Special Representative for Ukraine Negotiations Kurt Volker said this at the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) in Washington on Monday, May 7, an Ukrinform correspondent reported. "We will say one thing, they [Russians] will say another [regarding the prospects for returning Crimea], and then we'll see what happens over time. The Baltic States were occupied by the Soviet Union for 40 years, and eventually that changed," Volker said. In this regard, he said that the problem of Crimea is quite complicated. However, he noted that he was looking "with great admiration" at predecessors regarding the policy of non-recognition of the annexation of the Baltic States. He also noted that the sanctions pressure on Russia would continue until it returns the Crimean peninsula to Ukraine. According to him, the "Crimean" package of sanctions against Russia was a clear message: "Going into another country, taking territory, and annexing it [] is simply unacceptable, and we are not going to agree to that." op The number of regular Russian troops in Donbas varied from 10,000 to 2,500 soldiers in different periods, and there are still 50,000 Russians who were mobilized in Russia and sent to eastern Ukraine. Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko said this in an interview with CBS News, the press service of the head of state reported. "We have the confirmed figures from different times that their number was from 10,000 to 2,500 - regular Russian troops in the occupied territory," he said, when asked how many Russian soldiers stay in eastern Ukraine. In addition, Poroshenko said that there are up to 50,000 troops of the so-called "Russian volunteers" in Donbas, which, he said, were recruited through the Russian mobilization system and sent there. "However, they pretend not to be regular troop soldiers, but they are Russians, they are Russian nationals, they are Russian soldiers, they fight with Russian weapons, they use Russian ammunition, and they are Russians," Poroshenko said. The head of state also noted that according to the Ukrainian side, up to 50% of those who are now at war in Donbas are Russian citizens. At the same time, Poroshenko said that Russian President Vladimir Putin is trying to "reconquer Ukraine." "Yes, [Russia wants] to reconquer Ukraine and rebuild the Soviet Union or the Russian Empire, whatever you want," he said. The president added that there was currently a "hot war" in Ukraine. op On May 8-9, Ukraine along with the entire world marks the Day of Remembrance and Reconciliation to commemorate the victims of the World War II. The Day of Remembrance and Reconciliation was established by the decision of the 59th session of the UN General Assembly on November 24, 2004. On May 8, 1945, the Anti-Hitler Coalition officially accepted the act of unconditional surrender of the Nazi Germany armed forces, signed by Chief of the Operations Staff of the Armed Forces High Command Alfred Jodl, on behalf of last president of Nazi Germany Karl Donitz. The act was signed on May 7 in Reims (France) and ratified the next day in Berlin. The large-scale celebrations were held on this occasion in many cities of Europe and the USA on May 8, 1945. The countries of the anti-Hitler coalition mark this day as the Victory Day over Nazism in World War II. According to various estimates, 8-10 million people died, including about 5 million of civilians, during the World War II in Ukraine. At the same time, 2.2 million people were taken to forced labor camps in Nazi Germany. More than 700 towns and urban-type settlements and almost 30,000 villages were completely destroyed. ol Granting autocephaly to the Orthodox Church of Ukraine plays an important role in the development of the state. Three former presidents of Ukraine Leonid Kravchuk, Leonid Kuchma and Viktor Yushchenko expressed this opinion in a joint appeal to the Ukrainian people, Ukraine's first president Leonid Kravchuk noted during the press conference at the Ukrinform agency. "We believe that granting the autocephaly by the Mother Church of Constantinople plays an important role in strengthening Ukraine's independence, the spiritual and national unity of our people, the development of religious freedom and will contribute to strengthening the inter-confessional dialogue in our country," Kravchuk said. According to him, the unity of the Ukrainian people is a great power, which will be reinforced by the autocephalous Orthodox local church, and this will result in an irresistible spiritual victory in the struggle against the Russian church in Ukraine. "Therefore, we support the efforts of President of Ukraine Petro Poroshenko in this extremely important issue for Ukraine and we call on all the citizens, all responsible politicians and public figures to unite around this great goal and make efforts," the first president of Ukraine said. ol A desert landmass covered with sand and surrounded by mountains with no access to any road or the sea. Thats the best description for Bir Tawil, one of the last few places on the planet that has not been claimed by any country. Many people have made online declarations claiming the place as their kingdom, but none of those declarations have been officially accepted. Bir Tawil lies on the border between Egypt and Sudan. It is one of the last, few, remaining places on Earth that has not been claimed by any country or state. Bir Tawil is an area of land located on the border of Egypt and Sudan. The place is also known as Bir Tawil, which means tall water well in Egyptian. It is one of the last remaining places on the planet that has not yet been claimed by any country. Even though Bir Tawil has a quadrilateral shape, it is generally referred to as the Bir Tawil Triangle. This is because it is associated with the Halaib Triangle that is located just next to it. Both the places together represent a triangle. It is an area of 795 square miles and is primarily covered with sand and mountains. The land remains unclaimed because it is small in size, has no permanent settlements or access to the sea, and does not hold much value. Bir Tawil spans an area of 795 square miles (2,060 square kilometers). Its northern border is 95 kilometers (59 miles) in length, and the southern border is 46 kilometer (29 miles). The eastern and western borders are 26 kilometers (16 miles) and 49 kilometers (30 miles) respectively. The landmass is surrounded by mountains to the north and the east. Towards the north lies the mountain Jabal Tawil with a height of 459 meters. Jebel Hagar ez Zarqa lies to the east with a height of 662 meters. In the south, lies the Wadi Tawil, also known as Khawr Abu Bard. Advertisements The land has not been claimed because of a dispute over the border between Egypt and Sudan. The actual fight is not to claim Bir Tawil but to claim Halaib Triangle that lies northeast of Bir Tawil. Halaib Triangle is more valuable than Bir Tawil, and both the countries are not willing to let it go. To better understand how Bir Tawil still remains unclaimed, one has to revisit the boundary dispute between Egypt and Sudan. The real fight is over the Halaib Triangle. In 1899, the area was under the rule of the United Kingdom. The Anglo-Egyptian Condominium Agreement was signed by Egypt and Britain which allowed for both countries to administer Sudan. The 22nd Parallel was designated as the boundary between Egypt and Sudan. The problem with the original boundary was that it did not take into account the people living there. It was just an arbitrary line drawn to separate two countries. So, in 1902, the UK drew a new administrative boundary that took into consideration the land used by various tribes. This was done to ensure that the tribes wouldnt be living in one country and grazing their cattle in another. Bir Tawil was used as a grazing ground although nobody lived there. Problems started after the British rule considered the new administrative boundary as the right one, whereas Egypt believes in the earlier 22nd Parallel boundary. According to the old border, Halaib Triangle lies in Egypt, but it lies in Sudan according to the new border. So, Bir Tawil is not claimed by any country while Halaib Triangle is being claimed by two countries. Its quite clear why both the countries are fighting for the same landmass. Halaib Triangle is 10 times larger than Bir Tawil and has access to roads and the sea. Also, Halaib Triangle has 1,000 residents as opposed to barren and human-free Bir Tawil. Advertisements Even though Egypt and Sudan have not claimed Bir Tawil for a long time, this has not stopped other people from claiming this land as their own. Many have made online declarations regarding the ownership of Bir Tawil, but none of those declarations have been taken seriously. Countries may not be claiming Bir Tawil, but there are a few people who have declared themselves as the ruler of this landmass. An American, an Indian, and a Russian man have claimed their ownership of Bir Tawil. Heaton, an American, named Bir Tawil the Kingdom of North Sudan, and Dixit, an Indian, christened it as the Kingdom of Dixit. Zhikharev, a Russian, on the other hand, calls it the Kingdom of Middle Earth. When Dixit claimed himself as the King of Bir Tawil, Heaton took to social media to bashed him publicly and called him a liar. As a result, the two of them talked privately and decided to work together for the betterment of Bir Tawil. Then, however, Zhikharev came into the picture and stated that both Heaton and Dixit faked their visits to Bir Tawil. This fight between the three men is still ongoing, even though their claims do not hold any official significance. [source: 1, 2, 3] It is noted that $50 million of the said volume is proposed exclusively for lethal defensive aid. U.S. lawmakers are offering to allocate a US$250 million security assistance package to Ukraine, as they pass the 2019 defense budget draft. The U.S. House of Representatives Armed Forces Committee on May 7 presented the Fiscal Year 2019 National Defense Authorization Bill (H.R. 5515) envisaging $250 million in security assistance to Ukraine, according to the Ukrainian Embassy in the United States. "The sum proposed to be allocated for security assistance to Ukraine, including lethal weapons, is defined at $250 million, which is $100 million more than the Committee proposed to provide this fiscal year," the statement says. Read alsoU.S. senator visits Donbas, says Ukraine to get sniper weapon systems mediaIt is noted that $50 million of the said volume is proposed to be channeled exclusively into lethal defensive aid. The bill is yet to be agreed with the version to be drafted by the U.S. Senate and approved by both chambers of Congress before it is submitted to the president for signature. As UNIAN reported earlier, in late 2017, the Donald Trump Administration decided to allow the sale of lethal weapons to Ukraine, in particular Javelin ATGMs. On April 30, Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko confirmed the delivery of a batch of the Javelins. Russia has rebuilt three armies whose task during the Cold War was to create tension in Europe. Ukrainian Defense Minister Stepan Poltorak says that at the moment Russia does not have a group of troops capable of conducting a full-scale invasion of Ukraine, but the necessary military formation could be built up within a period of up to two months. "To date, according to intelligence reports, Russia has no formation capable of conducting full-scale aggression against Ukraine. But the infrastructure created makes it possible to build up a military formation within the period from two weeks to two months, engaging mainly the forces of the Western and Southern military districts," the Ukrainian Defense Ministry's press service quoted Poltorak as saying. "We should not dream that Russia has given up aggressive policy vis-a-vis Ukraine it's premature," he said. Read alsoPoltorak: Javelin supply heralds new era of cooperation with U.S. In his word, Russia has been forming a strong cordon, which can be used to mount open aggression against Ukraine. Russia has deployed a powerful grouping on the border with Ukraine in addition to two terrorist army corps created in the occupied areas in Donetsk and Luhansk regions, he said. "There are about 80,000 personnel, 900 tanks, more than 1,000 artillery systems, more than 400 multiple rocket launchers. Russia has rebuilt three armies whose task during the Cold War was to create tension in Europe," he added. UNIAN memo. The Cold War was a state of geopolitical tension after World War II between powers in the Eastern Bloc (the Soviet Union and its satellite states) and powers in the Western Bloc (the United States, its NATO allies and others). It ended with the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991. The Ukrainian war veteran luckily survived the violent assault. A man who organized an attack on a Ukrainian soldier in Kyiv last Wednesday is a Russian national who fled to Poland, Radio Poland wrote citing a report by zaxid.net with a reference to the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU). Dmytro Ivashchenko, who was involved in defending the Donetsk Airport in 2014, was approached by five people in Kyiv on May 2 before he was beaten with a hammer and stabbed with a knife, Radio Poland reported. The man was taken to hospital for surgery, according to reports. Read alsoUkraine's 'Cyborg' stabbed by a group of four in Kyiv After the attack, four suspects, all Ukrainian nationals, were detained by police in Kharkiv, the SBU claimed. At the same time, the suspected organizer of the attack remains in hiding in Poland, the SBU said, according to zaxid.net. Donetsk airport was the site of two battles in 2014. It is located in Ukraines eastern Donbas region, which has seen armed conflict between pro-Russian separatist forces and the Ukrainian government since early 2014. Seimas Speaker Viktoras Pranckietis told a press conference earlier this month that Europe's security border is now in eastern Ukraine. Lithuania's Seimas in a unanimous vote supported the so-called "May 3 Declaration," calling to support Ukraine's rapprochement with NATO and European Union. The document, adopted against the recent marking of the 227th anniversary of the Constitution of 3 May, 1791, stresses the importance of defending Ukraine from Russian aggression, Delfi reports. "Ukraine's aspiration to defend itself from the aggressor and to regain control of the occupied lands as well as to create a safe, prospering and European state, approaching NATO and the European Union, is also Lithuania's strategic aspiration. Lithuania is inviting Poland and Ukraine to join their effort and do everything to make the key aspiration of our partners in the West as well," the Seimas of Lithuania said in the declaration. The document also expresses hope that Russia one day becomes a non-aggressive and European country. Read alsoLinkevicius grateful to Ukrainian defenders of Lithuania's freedom"For such Russia's prospect to come into being, today we must join our effort to stop its aggression in Ukraine in invest into the creation of a line of success countries, starting with Ukraine, in Europe's Eastern neighborhood," the declaration states. Seimas Speaker Viktoras Pranckietis told a press conference earlier this month that Europe's security border is now in eastern Ukraine, the Baltic Times reported. Chairman of Ukraine's Verkhovna Rada Andriy Parubiy, who was attending the commemoration of the Constitution of May 3, 1791, in his address to members of the Lithuanian parliament, said "that enemy that existed 500 years ago the Russian Empire still exists". The Ukrainian politician said Ukraine feels Lithuania and Poland's strong support while fighting for its freedom. The Constitution of 3 May, 1791 was adopted by the Great Sejm of the PolishLithuanian Commonwealth, a dual monarchy of the Kingdom of Poland and the Grand Duchy of Lithuania. It was the first in Europe and second in the world written constitution after the United States' Constitution that came into force in 1789. The director of the Ukrainian foreign ministry's political department at a series of meetings held with EU officials in Brussels urged European partners to increase pressure on the Russian Federation to ensure the release of Ukrainian political prisoners. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine is convinced that the European Union will expand sanctions earlier imposed on Russia over its continuing occupation of the Ukrainian Crimea, according to the director of the ministry's political department, Oleksiy Makeiev. "A busy day with our friends and partners in Brussels: meetings with the EU's policy and security committee, Belgium's Foreign Ministry, and EU External Action Service," Makeiev tweeted Tuesday. Read alsoVictims of Russias aggression in Ukraine get voice at European Parliament"I urged our partners to step up pressure on the Kremlin to release political prisoners. The EU will expand the Crimea sanctions and together with us and G7 counter the Russian hybrid war," the diplomat wrote. As UNIAN reported earlier, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine stated that they would insist on imposing sanctions against all organizers of the latest presidential elections held in the temporarily occupied Crimea March 18. The Ukrainian Foreign Ministry demands that Russia stop the violation of human rights and fundamental freedoms in occupied Crimea. Ukraine's Ministry of Foreign Affairs has condemned an illegal and politically motivated ruling by a Kremlin-controlled court in the city of Sevastopol against Ukrainian citizen Ihor Movenko. "The shameful decision by the so-called 'court' on May 4, which sentenced [Movenko] to two years in prison for his comments in social media, labeled by Russian invaders as 'extremism,' is evidence of growing repression and intimidation on the temporarily occupied Crimean peninsula," the ministry said in a statement. Read alsoCrimea repression: Man gets prison sentence for pro-Ukrainian comment in social network The ministry demands that Russia stop the violation of human rights and fundamental freedoms. Also, it must immediately release Movenko and other illegally detained Ukrainian citizens. The Foreign Ministry once again emphasizes that Russia must cease the illegal occupation of the Autonomous Republic of Crimea and the city of Sevastopol. It is also obliged to fully implement the resolutions of the UN General Assembly on "Territorial Integrity of Ukraine" of March 27, 2014 and "The situation of human rights in the Autonomous Republic of Crimea and the city of Sevastopol (Ukraine) of December 19, 2016 and December 19, 2017. It should also abide by the order of the International Court of Justice on preventive measures within Ukraine's lawsuit against the Russian Federation on the application of the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination. Read alsoCrimean attacked for Ukrainian symbols faces jail term for seeking justice "The critical situation with human rights in the temporarily occupied Crimean peninsula reveals the need to strengthen international political, diplomatic and economic pressure on Moscow in order to stop repression and harassment on the temporarily occupied territory, as well as to restore the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine within the internationally recognized borders," the ministry added. As UNIAN reported earlier, Sevastopol's Kremlin-controlled Gagarinsky District Court on May 7 sentenced 40-year-old Ihor Movenko to two years in prison for making "public calls to carry out extremist activities" over a comment on the occupation of Crimea he made for the "Crimea-Ukraine" community in Russia's VKontakte social network. Human rights activists noted that the case against Movenko was opened in October 2017 after he had sought an investigation into an attack on him by a former Ukrainian Berkut riot police officer. It will play an important role in strengthening Ukraine's independence. First three Presidents of independent Ukraine Leonid Kravchuk, Leonid Kuchma, and Viktor Yushchenko have supported an initiative of incumbent president Petro Poroshenko to create an independent local Orthodox church in Ukraine. They signed a joint appeal in favor of asking the Ecumenical Patriarch to grant autocephaly to the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, the presidents announced at a joint press conference on May 8, the news outlet Ukrainska Pravda said. "We believe that the granting of autocephaly by the Constantinople mother church would play an important role in strengthening Ukraine's independence, the spiritual and national unity of our people, and the development of religious freedom in Ukraine, and would promote fruitful interfaith dialogue in our country," Kravchuk read from the appeal. Read alsoUkraine may be getting its own Church, but not as fast as desired - media "We are convinced that the Ukrainian people's unity, which an autocephalous local Orthodox church would greatly strengthen, would be an unconquerable spiritual fortress in fighting Russian aggression against Ukraine," it said. "Therefore, we support Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko's efforts in this matter, which is extremely important for Ukraine, and appeal to all citizens, responsible politicians, and public figures to unite around this great goal and work together actively to create an autocephalous Orthodox Church of Ukraine." As UNIAN reported earlier, Poroshenko announced on April 17 that the heads of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the Kyiv Patriarchate and the Ukrainian Autocephalous Orthodox Church had decided to officially appeal to Archbishop of Constantinople and Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I for autocephaly. Autocephaly is the status of a hierarchical Christian Church whose head bishop does not report to any higher-ranking bishop (used especially in Eastern Orthodox, Oriental Orthodox and Independent Catholic churches). Autocephaly opens the way for the creation of a United Orthodox Church in Ukraine, which will not be subordinate to Moscow. The split between the Moscow and Kyiv branches of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church happened during the collapse of the Soviet Union, when Ukraine's Primate Filaret broke with the Russian Orthodox Church. He argued that an independent Ukraine deserved a national church truly independent of Moscow. The Moscow Patriarchate whose parishes prevail in Ukraine has never recognized the Ukrainian Patriarchate. Japan Airlines is set to launch a budget airline with the aim of offering medium- and long-haul international flights by 2020, when Tokyo is set to host the Olympic and Paralympic Games. JAL will also consider providing the first low-cost flights between Japan and Europe, as well as Japan and the U.S. The envisioned users are both Japanese outbound travelers and foreign visitors to Japan. By opening its own routes, the carrier will expand competition in the low-cost carrier business. The company aims to shift its management focus to growth from reconstruction, after series of business troubles in recent years. JAL will establish the LCC in the near future, after which it intends to secure and train pilots, and work out detailed business plans, including brand strategies and flight routes. The possible flight routes to and from Narita International Airport include those to North America, Europe and other parts of Asia, but these are not expected to overlap with JAL's existing major international flight routes. Since filing for bankruptcy protection in 2010, JAL has been forced to make reconstruction the priority, and has been under pressure to turn a profit. Under such circumstances, where the room to take risks was limited, Jetstar Japan was the only LCC in which JAL held a stake. JAL and Australia's Qantas Airways both hold a 33.3% stake in Jetstar. In April 2017, the situation changed for JAL, when the Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism Ministry lifted restrictions on the company's investments, and on the introduction of additional air routes, allowing the airline to jump into the LCC market. Japan's LCC market began flourishing in 2012, when domestic and foreign air carriers launched a number of operations. The share cut-rate carriers have of Japan's domestic routes remains at around 10%, however, compared with Southeast Asia and Europe, where the shares of budget flyers are around 60% and 40% respectively. Budget airlines, however, hold a 20% share of international flights to and from Japan, greater than the share of domestic flights. The number of low-cost international flights is expected to rise, as Japan aims to increase the number of foreign visitors to 40 million by 2020. Most of the international budget routes to and from Japanese airports are relatively short distance, with many of the destinations in Southeast Asia. JAL's longer-distance flights are expected to offer leisure and business flyers more options, and to better acquaint customers with discount airfares. JAL plans to target segments it has mostly overlooked so far, such as families and younger travelers, in addition to the business customers that are its current focus. The world's major carriers are bolstering their low-cost operations. ANA Holdings, JAL's archrival in Japan, plans to merge Peach Aviation and Vanilla Air by the end of March 2020. Germany's Lufthansa and Singapore Airlines are also expanding their budget operations. Elsewhere in Asia, NokScoot, owned by Thailand's Nok Air and Singapore's Scoot, is about to start service between Narita and Bangkok, while Airasia X will begin Narita-to-Jakarta flights. The enemy opened fire 15 times from weapons banned by the Minsk accords. Over the past day, May 7, the situation in the zone of the Joint Forces Operation (JFO) in Donbas remained tense, as Russian-led forces resorted to artillery systems. The fighting was ongoing along the entire contact line in eastern Ukraine, according to the JFO Staff press center. The enemy opened fire 15 times from weapons banned by the Minsk accords. Shelling continued in the vicinity of the villages of Krymske, Popasna, Novotoshkivske, Luhanske, Shyrokyne, and the town of Avdiyivka. Fighting was also reported near the village of Zaitseve where 27 artillery attacks were recorded. Read alsoBellingcat identifies Russian officers, militants as perpetrators of January 2015 Mariupol artillery strike"Joint Forces' combat losses were two wounded in action (WIA). Now the wounded soldiers are being treated at the hospital where they have been evacuated to. According to our intelligence, one enemy soldier was killed in action and another five were wounded," the statement said. As UNIAN reported earlier, Russian-led forces on May 6 mounted 80 attacks on the Ukrainian positions, including from artillery, mortars and weapons of tanks. Over 40 trucks are on route to the militant-controlled territories in eastern Ukraine. Another convoy of trucks that the Kremlin says contains humanitarian aid to the war-torn region has left Russia for the occupied Donbas, marking a 76th such deployment. According to the Russian civil defense and emergency ministry, one part of the convoy is heading toward Donetsk, while another one to Luhansk. It is alleged that the convoy consists of over 40 trucks that are allegedly supposed to deliver "more than 400 tonnes of humanitarian goods, including children's food kits, educational literature and medical equipment" to residents of Donbas. Read alsoRussian-led forces mount 80 attacks on Ukraine troops in Donbas in past day JFO centerAs UNIAN reported earlier, Russia has been sending the so-called "humanitarian convoys" to the zone of hostilities in Donbas since August 2014. Ukrainian customs and border guards are not allowed to inspect the said trucks. The Ukrainian side claimed there was evidence that the convoys were used as a decoy to supply militants with weapons, ammunition and anti-tank grenades. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine has repeatedly demanded that the Russian Federation stop violating Ukraine's sovereignty under the pretext of delivering the so-called "humanitarian aid." On May 3, a Russian Su-30SM fighter jet crashed in Syria shortly after take-off, also killing both crew. Two pilots were killed when a Russian military Ka-52 helicopter crashed in eastern Syria, news agencies reported on Monday citing Russia's defense ministry. "A Russian military helicopter has crashed while carrying out a planned flight over the eastern regions of Syrian Arab Republic," TASS news agency reported, citing a statement by the defense ministry, according to Reuters. Read alsoSu-30SM jet crashed in Syria deployed from occupied Crimea media On May 3, a Russian Su-30SM fighter jet crashed in Syria shortly after take-off, killing both of its crew members. As UNIAN reported earlier, a Russian Su-30SM fighter jet that crashed off the Syrian coast May 3 that was part of the 43rd separate naval assault aviation regiment of the Black Sea Fleet. Following Putin's lectoral victory in March, experts agree his increasingly authoritarian rule is here to stay. Russian President Vladimir Putin seems to have reached the peak of his power: the March 18 election saw Putin achieve his best-ever result, 77% of the vote. "This signifies not only an endorsement for Vladimir Putin as a Russian official and president, but he'll also perceive it as support for his policies," said Gernot Erler, a former German government representative in charge of relations with Russia, Deutsche Welle reports. Putin's new term in office, the SPD politician believes, will be characterized by one feature in particular: "Continuity." It is plain to see during the last couple of years what Putin's authoritarian rule has meant for domestic politics: restrictions on freedom of assembly, intimidation of civil society, more control in the areas of internet and social networks and even blocking attempts, as in the case of messenger service Telegram. Read also"Crimean Cossacks" who whipped Moscow protesters fought against Ukraine in Donbas"I'm afraid the destruction of democratic wiggle room will continue," said Martin Schulze Wessel, professor of Eastern European History at the Munich-based Ludwig Maximilian University. In addition, the fight against corruption would not be successful, he added. "The system will become increasingly authoritarian, without reaching the threshold to open dictatorship," said Manfred Hildermeier, a retired colleague from Gottingen University. "For Putin, that's not necessary. He wants to show the world a democratic smokescreen." An uprising against Putin is unlikely to happen in today's Russia, all experts agreed. "In the elections, the opposition showed that it toiled with fielding one candidate," Erler said. The presidential election saw two candidates, Grigory Yavlinsky and Ksenia Sobchak, who positioned themselves as representatives of the liberal opposition. Opposition leader Alexei Navalny, who had been barred from running for president, called for an election boycott. Russian economy is now under threat from the latest U.S. sanctions that appeared to be much stiffer than previous restrictions. In the coming years, the economic situation in Russia will get more difficult, according to Stefan Meister of the German think tank Council on Foreign Relations (DGAP). "There will be less funding for pensions, for social welfare, even for the military," said Meister. Therefore, he added, domestic policy would play an increasingly important role during Putin's fourth term in office. In his formulaic state of the nation address, delivered on March 1, Putin promised his country a technological breakthrough. The experts, however, are skeptical. "Putin won't achieve this," said Hildermeier. "His Achilles' heel is the economy, as well as economic competitiveness on an international level." "Russia has a lot of self-confidence and views itself as a peacekeeping power in any future multipolar world order," said ex-government representative Erler of Russia's foreign policy. The attempt "to establish Russia as a world power" will continue, agreed Meister. In the process, Moscow was benefiting "from U.S. and EU inaction," for example in Syria, and by virtue of tactical moves of its own was developing into an important player in the Middle East, said Meister. Read also"He's not our tsar": Rallies start across Russia ahead of Putin's inaugurationAll the experts DW spoke to agree as to Russia's continuation of its policy of alienation from the West. The key to a rapprochement, they say, is a solution to the Ukraine crisis, but thus far Moscow has not shown its willingness to come to an agreement. One of the most intriguing issues of Putin's fourth presidency will be whether it will be his last. The Russian constitution stipulates that a president may serve for two consecutive terms in office. Putin adhered to this guideline once before, becoming prime minister between 2008 and 2012 and returning to the Kremlin only after switching spots with then-President Dmitry Medvedev. Now, Putin will face another choice: stepping down or changing the constitution. Hildermeier predicted that the former will happen. "My guess is there will be a change in leadership," he said. Following Putin's six-year term in office, "a loyal member of the ruling political elite" could run for president in 2024. Putin himself has said after his election win in March that a constitutional reform was "not yet" on his agenda. In a previous statement he had implied that he didn't want to be "president forever." However, he will probably come under strong pressure to remain in power. The resident of the Belarusian town of Krugloye initially got to the occupied territory of Ukraine via Russia. A Mogilev regional court sentenced to two years in prison a Belarusian national who had fought against Ukrainian government forces in Donbas in the ranks of the so-called "Luhansk People's Republic" ("LPR") militant units. The resident of the Belarusian town of Krugloye initially got to the occupied territory of Ukraine via Russia, according to a report by Belarus Partisan citing the court ruling. According to the court, he became part of an armed unit, was enlisted as a serviceman, provided with uniform, light weapons and ammunition. Read also"Crimean Cossacks" who whipped Moscow protesters fought against Ukraine in Donbas"The court found it proved that the resident of Krugloye had fired on the positions of Ukraine's forces. He was sentenced to two years in a general-regime colony for participation in the armed formation and participation in the armed conflict without the authorization of Belarus," the statement said. As UNIAN reported earlier, eight Moldovan citizens were sentenced to prison terms for fighting on the side of pro-Russian militants in the conflict in eastern Ukraine. Another 25 Moldovans remain on the international wanted list. Last week a majority of lawmakers rejected his candidacy. Armenia's parliament elected protest leader Nikol Pashinyan as prime minister on Tuesday after weeks of protests forced his predecessor out. Fifty-nine lawmakers in the 105-seat legislature voted for Pashinyan, giving him the majority needed for the post, Reuters said. Last week a majority of lawmakers rejected his candidacy. Read alsoArmenian Revolution: Russian influence to remain amid power shift Pashinyan, a former journalist and leader of the opposition Civil Contract party, put himself at the front of the protest movement as thousands of people took to the streets in Yerevan after veteran leader Serzh Sargsyan, who had served the maximum two terms as president of Armenia, was appointed prime minister two weeks ago. Stung by the protests, Sargsyan stepped down. Supporters say Pashinyan, a former newspaper editor who was also imprisoned after opposition rallies in 2008 turned deadly, is among history's great peaceful revolutionaries, The Guardian said. "You can absolutely compare him with historical figures like Gandhi and Nelson Mandela," said Eduard Aghajanyan, a city council member from Pashinyan's Civil Contract party, and one of Pashinyan's young, western-educated advisers. It has been a dangerous road for Pashinyan. He was expelled from university in 1995 for his political activities, and faced libel charges as the editor-in-chief of Haykakan Zhamanak in 2000. His car was blown up in an apparent assassination attempt in 2004, and in 2008 he spent months in hiding after being accused of instigating political protests that ended with 10 people dead. He was sentenced to seven years in prison in 2010 but was released the following year under an amnesty. He has publicly fallen out with other opposition leaders such as the former president Levon Ter-Petrosyan. In private, detractors say Pashinyan is a novice when it comes to working in government and unwilling to compromise. He entered parliament in 2016 as a member of a coalition of opposition parties. "The main question is whether Nikol Pashinyan the revolutionary can become Nikol Pashinyan the prime minister," said Emil Danielyan, a journalist and political analyst in Yerevan. "Never in a million years did I think that it was the Russians," said one of the victims of cyber threats. Russian spies masqueraded as Islamic State supporters to threaten vocal spouses of U.S. military personnel. Army wife Angela Ricketts was soaking in a bubble bath in her Colorado home, leafing through a memoir, when a message appeared on her iPhone from hackers threatening to slaughter her family. "Dear Angela!" the Facebook message read, according to Military.com. "Bloody Valentine's Day!" "We know everything about you, your husband and your children," the message continued, claiming that the hackers operating under the flag of Islamic State militants had penetrated her computer and her phone. "We're much closer than you can even imagine." Ricketts was one of five military wives who received death threats from the self-styled CyberCaliphate on the morning of Feb 10, 2015. The warnings led to days of anguished media coverage of Islamic State militants' online reach. Except it wasn't ISIS. Read alsoWashington accusing Russia of new, ongoing operation to penetrate U.S. energy gridThe Associated Press has found evidence that the women were targeted not by jihadists but by the same Russian hacking group that intervened in the American election and exposed the emails of Hillary Clinton's presidential campaign chairman, John Podesta. The brazen false flag is a case study in the difficulty of assigning blame in a world where hackers routinely borrow one another's identities to throw investigators off track. The operation's attempt to hype the threat of radical Islam also presaged the inflammatory messages pushed by internet trolls during the U.S. presidential race. Links between CyberCaliphate and the Russian hackers typically nicknamed Fancy Bear or APT28 have been documented previously. On both sides of the Atlantic, the consensus is that the two groups are closely related. "Never in a million years did I think that it was the Russians," said Ricketts, an author and advocate for veterans and military families. She called the revelation "mind blowing." "Fear is exactly what at the time we perceived ISIS wanted from military families," said Lori Volkman, a deputy prosecutor based in Oregon who had won fame as a blogger after her husband deployed to the Middle East. Russian officials in Washington and in Moscow did not respond to questions seeking comment. The Kremlin has repeatedly denied masterminding hacks against Western targets. Read alsoReuters: U.S., UK accuse Russian government-backed hackers in global cyber campaignProof that the military wives were targeted by Russian hackers is laid out in a digital hit list provided to the AP by the cybersecurity company Secureworks last year. The AP has previously used the list of 4,700 Gmail addresses to outline the group's espionage campaign against journalists, defense contractors and U.S. officials. More recent AP research has found that Fancy Bear, which Secureworks dubs "Iron Twilight," was actively trying to break into the military wives' mailboxes around the time that CyberCaliphate struck. Lee Foster, a manager with cybersecurity company FireEye, said the repeated overlap between Russian hackers and CyberCaliphate made it all but certain that the groups were linked. The trolls Russian employees paid to seed American social media with disinformation often hyped the threat of Islamic State militants to the United States. A few months before CyberCaliphate first won attention by hijacking various media organizations' Twitter accounts, for example, the trolls were spreading false rumors about an Islamic State attack in Louisiana and a counterfeit video appearing to show an American soldier firing into a Quran. Read alsoU.S. accuses Russia of orchestrating NotPetya cyber-attack on Ukraine, warns of consequencesRicketts said that by planting threats with some of the most vocal members of the military community, CyberCaliphate guaranteed maximum press coverage. "Not only did we play right into their hands by freaking out, but the media played right into it," she said. "We reacted in a way that was probably exactly what they were hoping for." In response, Iran said it was preparing to restart uranium enrichment, key for making both nuclear energy and weapons. U.S. President Donald Trump says he will withdraw the U.S. from an Obama-era nuclear agreement with Iran. Calling it "decaying and rotten," he said the deal was "an embarrassment" to him "as a citizen," the BBC reports. Going against advice from European allies, he said he would reimpose economic sanctions that were waived when the deal was signed in 2015. In response, Iran said it was preparing to restart uranium enrichment, key for making both nuclear energy and weapons. Iran's President Hassan Rouhani said: "The U.S. has announced that it doesn't respect its commitments. "I have ordered the Atomic Energy Organisation of Iran to be ready to start the enrichment of uranium at industrial levels." He said he would "wait a few weeks" to speak to allies and the other signatories to the nuclear deal. Read alsoNetanyahu: Iran lied about not seeking nuclear weaponsThe U.S. Treasury said economic sanctions would not be reimposed on Iran immediately, but would be subject to 90-day and 180-day wind-down periods. In a statement on its website, it said sanctions would be reimposed on the industries mentioned in the 2015 deal, including Iran's oil sector, aircraft exports, precious metals trade, and Iranian government attempts to buy U.S. dollar banknotes. France, Germany and the UK - who are also signatories to the deal - have said they "regret" the American decision. The European Union's top diplomat, Federica Mogherini, said the EU was "determined to preserve" the deal. But Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says he "fully supports" Mr Trump's "bold" withdrawal from a "disastrous" deal. Mr Trump had previously complained that the deal only limited Iran's nuclear activities for a fixed period; had failed to stop the development of ballistic missiles; and had handed Iran a $100bn windfall that it used "as a slush fund for weapons, terror, and oppression" across the Middle East. (@ChaudhryMAli88) Lithuania expects new export opportunities and bilateral business contacts with China following the 16+1 Agriculture Ministerial and Economic & Trade Forum to be held on May 25 in Vilnius, Bronius Markauskas, Lithuania's outgoing minister of agriculture, said on Tuesday VILNIUS,(UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 8th May, 2018 ) :Lithuania expects new export opportunities and bilateral business contacts with China following the 16+1 Agriculture Ministerial and Economic & Trade Forum to be held on May 25 in Vilnius, Bronius Markauskas, Lithuania's outgoing minister of agriculture, said on Tuesday. "Big Chinese business delegation is coming to Lithuania which includes importers, traders, as well as representatives of food industry. It is not the first Chinese delegation to visit Lithuania, however, new contacts and opportunities are being launched during each of these visits," Markauskas was quoted as saying by local media. The international meeting of ministers of agriculture on the grounds of 16+1 cooperation framework, involving Central and Eastern European countries and China, will take place during the upcoming International Exhibition for Agriculture and Food Industry "AgroBalt" to be held on May 24-26 in Vilnius. According to Chen Lin, Economic and Commercial Counsellor with the Chinese Embassy in Lithuania, Chinese Minister of Agriculture and Rural Affairs Han Changfu will lead a government delegation to Lithuania later this month to take part in the Forum. And an agricultural business delegation from China will come along to join the AgroBalt. (@ChaudhryMAli88) Pak-China Joint Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCJCCI) President S.M. Naveed Tuesday extended full support for setting up of ADR (Alternate Dispute Resolution) centers while addressing at the CIICA conference 2018 which was held in the perspective of international arbitration and focused on the establishment of legal remedy without involving the courts of law LAHORE, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 8th May, 2018 ) :Pak-China Joint Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCJCCI) President S.M. Naveed Tuesday extended full support for setting up of ADR (Alternate Dispute Resolution) centers while addressing at the CIICA conference 2018 which was held in the perspective of international arbitration and focused on the establishment of legal remedy without involving the courts of law. The conference was organized by Center for International Investment and Commercial Arbitration (CIICA) and University of Management and Technology (UMT) at a local hotel. Supporting the setting up of ADR centres, S.M. Naveed apprised the participants that China-Pak Economic Corridor (CPEC) was a great opportunity to elevate employment in Pakistan. Presently, he mentioned, not only 9000 Chinese but also 90,000 Pakistanis were working on CPEC projects, asserting that relocation of labor intensive industries to Pakistan would also create room for employment here as well as bring latest technology, techniques and knowledge to bring revolution in the conventional norms of production and services. PCJCCI President elaborated that with the continuing trade relations involving different stakeholders and the increase in business activities of both China and Pakistan investment to the tune of US $ 100 billion in the SME (Small and Medium Enterprise) sector was bound to lead to certain social and financial interactions. He added that at the moment, Alternate Dispute Resolution (ADR) was the most appropriate approach which was being practiced internationally. S.M. Naveed intimidated that the completion of CPEC was important to China as it would provide an alternate route to import fuel and create new market for its goods and services and would eventually strengthen its goodwill with other neighboring countries and Pakistan would surely provide a base to kick start its economic growth. He appended that China and Pakistan had already taken greater initiative in international trade but there was an immense demand for legal knowledge, trained academic and professional specialists to create awareness for the investment enterprises, to resolve the potential challenges and disputes through an efficient legal framework. The increasing economic activity between the two countries was forcing China and Pakistan to find an efficient process in resolving legal disputes without the traditional method. S.M. Naveed assured his fullest cooperation from the platform of PCJCCI in making alternate dispute resolution a positive and meaningful initiative. (@ChaudhryMAli88) Rawalpindi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (RCCI) held a business opportunity conference in Brussels on Tuesday ISLAMABAD,(UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 8th May, 2018 ) :Rawalpindi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (RCCI) held a business opportunity conference in Brussels on Tuesday. RCCI President, Zahid Latif Khan addressing to conference said that the aim of the conference was to promote Pakistan's soft image apart from improving the trade relations between the two countries, said a press release received here. He said that RCCI being the third largest chamber in Pakistan had become voice of Pakistani business community all over the world. Keeping in view the vital role of women in development of any country, RCCI had also introduced incubation centre for businesses being run by women, he added. Pakistan's Ambassador to Belgium, the European Union and Luxembourg, Mrs. Naghmana Alamgir Hashmi welcomed the delegates and highlighted the huge potential of trade and investment between Pakistan and Belgium. She said that Belgium being Pakistan's 10thlargest export destination worldwide and 7th in Europe with a share of 3.10 of trade in the financial year 2016-2017 remained highly important for Pakistani business Community. She pointed out that since 2013 bilateral trade between the two countries had increased by 38.07 percent. A Memorandum of Understanding was signed between the Rawalpindi Chamber of Commerce and Industry and Brussels Enterprises Commerce and Industry with a view to bring business community of two countries closer and promote trade and commerce among them. Member European Parliament, Amjad Bashir appreciated Pakistani diaspora for running successful businesses in the UK and Europe. He added that by living in Europe they had huge advantage to invest in the country of their origin. He also pointed out that Geo strategic location of Belgium was a huge advantage for trade and commerce between Pakistan and European countries. Presentations were also made by the President Pakistan- Belgian Business Forum Mr. Paul Scheynen,Secretary General of Brussels Enterprises Commerce and Industry (BECI) Mr. Jan De Brabanter, President World Federation of Investors Mr. Jean- Pierre Paelinck Director Trade Walloonia Exports and Investment Agency (AWEX) Ms. Isabelleand Mr.Shimail Daud Arain of Maryam Memorial Hospital, covering various aspects of business and investment potential between the two countries. Two documentaries on Pakistan and its business potential were also screened on the occasion. Belgium is an important trading partner for Pakistan in Europe, as it follows the common Trade Policy adopted by the European Union. The grant of GSP+ status to Pakistan by the EU allows zero tariffs concession on 66% of Pakistan's products in the member countries of European Union including Belgium. The Department of Behavioral Sciences of Fatima Jinnah Women University has demonstrated strong interest in expanding the research culture and engaging the community in efforts to promote the health and well-being of our youth ISLAMABAD, May(UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 8th May, 2018 ) :The Department of Behavioral Sciences of Fatima Jinnah Women University has demonstrated strong interest in expanding the research culture and engaging the community in efforts to promote the health and well-being of our youth. Dr. Aneela Maqsood (Inchrage Department of Behavioral Sciences) in collaboration with Office of Research, Innovation and Commercialization (ORIC) office of the University organized a one day capacity building training workshop on "Implementing the Psycho-educational Model for Teachers as Counselors in School Setting", said a press release. The training workshop was specifically designed for school teachers. Teachers employed under Directorate Federal Govt. Educational Institutions C/G., and Directorate of Education, Secondary Education, Rawalpindi participated in the workshop. The training was delivered to 50 school teachers. The objective of the workshop was to train teachers and school administration for promoting the well-being of school students. The underline theme revolves around the idea that teachers should well trained in order to respond to students' issues and concerns. These issues are usually related to academics and career concerns, personal growth, interpersonal relationships, problem solving, conflict management and building positive attitudes. Through sensitizing and training, teachers can better equip with skills to effectively manage the ongoing learning and socio-emotional issues of students with increased knowledge and sensitivity along with enhanced capacity building. The workshop was funded under the Thematic Research Grant of Higher education Commission, Islamabad for the project entitled "Development of Teachers' Capacity Building Model to Address the Counseling Needs of Students: A way forward to Institutional Development". Dr. Aneela Maqsood, Principal Investigator of the project facilitated the workshop conduction. During closing of the workshop, Dr. Aneela Maqsood concluded that training teachers will better equip them with specialized student vs. teacher interactional skills that will not only prove helpful in promoting the well-being of the students but also will addin institutional development of the schools. The Chief Guest of the closing ceremony, Prof Dr. Samina Amin Qadir (Vice Chancellor, Fatima Jinnah Women University) endorsed the need for interventions at school level so that we can maximum benefit to enhance the academic excellence when school students reach at higher studies. (@rukhshanmir) SARGODHA, May 8 (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 8th May, 2018 ) ::Police Tuesday arrested 18 persons for selling drugs and possessing illegal weapons and recovered narcotics and illegal weapons from them. Police spokesman said that police conducted raids, arrested the accused and recovered 2400-gram hashish, 150 bottles of liquor, seven pistols 30-bore, one Kalashnikov and one rifle 444-bore from them. Those arrested include Naveed Ahmed, Rashid Ali, Hammad Gill, Imran Ali, Abid Ali, Muhammad Azam, Muhammad Amir, Atta Ullah, Zafar Iqbal, Qamar Abbas and others. Police registered cases and started investigation. APP/cah/rsd ISLAMABAD, May 8 (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 8th May, 2018 ) :Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Pakistan would install air quality monitoring equipments in days ahead with the assistance of the Federal government across the country. Talking to APP, an official EPA said that the violators causing environmental pollution would be dealt with iron hands to save the depleting ecosystem. She said 7 fixed and 3 mobile ambient air quality monitoring stations have been set -up in all provincial and federal capitals as all cities have been suffering from serious pollution due to high influx of vehicular traffic. EPA had installed 6 air quality monitoring units in Lahore, with 30 more are likely to be put in place soon, she added. Underlining the adopted preventive measure She suggested that "we should replace the archaic polluting city buses with newer models, accelerate the tree plantation and raised parking fee (to spur public transit use)". Despite warning notices to owners of industries and brick kilns they have been mushrooming in twin cities over the years. EPA had served warning notices to 50 brick kilns and more than 130 buses and other vehicles were fined in the last 2 months , she informed. She claimed the installed monitoring units and proposed air quality action plan would help cut 50 percent of air pollution in the next couple of years. (@ChaudhryMAli88) KARACHI, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 8th May, 2018 ) :Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI) President Ghazanfar Bilour, Senior Vice President, Mazhar Ali Nasir, Vice Presidents and other senior FPCCI leaders have condemned the assassination attempt on Interior Minister Ahsan Iqbal. In their joint statement here on Tuesday, they have urged government to immediately apprehend the culprits involved in this heinous crime and also ensure the security of other high profile personalities. The FPCCI leadership has expressed solidarity with the Minister and have prayed for his early recovery. APP/ah/rap ISLAMABAD, May 8 (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 8th May, 2018 ) :President Mamnoon Hussain on Tuesday said that International Islamic University had shown remarkable performance in the education sector and Saudi Arabia's cooperation in that regard was very valuable. He underlined that a campus of this university should be established in any city of Saudi Arabia to provide better education facilities to the Pakistanis residing in Saudi Arabia. The President said this while taking to Deputy Minister of Education of Saudi Arabia Hamad Nasser A AlMehrej who along with a delegation called on him here at the Aiwan-e-Sadr. Nawaf bin Said Al Maliky, Ambassador of Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Abdulaziz Abdullah A Alfaleh, Member, Ministry of Islamic Affairs, Dawah and Guidance, Mohammed Saad Al Hakbani, Member, Ministry of Finance, Ibrahim Saleh I AlHodaithi, Member, Interior Ministry, Mohamed Ahmed A AlMagsoudi, Member, Institute of Public Administration, Fahad Ibrahim A AlSuqayhi, Secretary to Deputy Minister of Education,Prof.Dr.Masoom Yasinzai, Rector International Islamic Universityand Prof. Dr. Yousif Al Dariweesh, President International Islamic Universitywere also present on the occasion. The President said that Pakistan and Saudi Arabia were linked through deep historic, religious and cultural relations which were difficult to emulate, adding, these relations will further grow in the future. He emphasized that exchange of high level delegations will further strengthen the relations between two countries especially it will enhance cooperation in the field of education. The President underscored that bilateral trade between the two countries was below its true potential which needed to be increased. He expressed the hope that Saudi businessmen and investors will benefit from the investment, business and trade opportunities in Pakistan. On the occasion Deputy Minister for Education of Saudi Arabia Hamad Nasser A AlMehrej said that Saudi Arabia will continue to play its role in the promotion of education in Pakistan. He apprised the President that Saudi Arabia had increased the number of scholarships for Pakistani students to 580. (@ChaudhryMAli88) Pakistan and the United States need to work in unison to help improve security situation in Afghanistan, as terrorists have stepped up attacks, ignoring calls by the Afghan government for peace and political inclusion, an analyst on South Asia affars said in an opinion article WASHINGTON,(UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 7th May, 2018 ) :Pakistan and the United States need to work in unison to help improve security situation in Afghanistan, as terrorists have stepped up attacks, ignoring calls by the Afghan government for peace and political inclusion, an analyst on South Asia affars said in an opinion article. Shazar Shafqat, a counter-terrorism and security analyst for the middle East Eye, Middle East Monitor and others, writing for online magazine The Hill said that it has become clear that Pakistan will not budge under US pressure and the two countries need to work in unison. Relations between Pakistan and the US have soared after the Trump administration withheld security aid to its longtime ally amid allegations that Pakistan was not fully cooperating in the fight against terrorism. Pakistan has strongly denied these allegations and has said that it was fully committed to root out the menace and taking action against all terrorist groups on its soil. Taliban and the Islamic State have claimed responsibility for the recent attacks in Kabul, apparently aimed at disrupting the electoral process. Afghanistan is slated to have parliamentary elections this year and the presidential elections next year. Recent attacks have targeted centers for voters' registration. "The security situation in Afghanistan is getting murkier with time. And, unfortunately, there's all the reason to believe it is going to get worse in the coming days. It appears as if the recent calls for peace were nothing but hogwash," Shafqat said. He said that the Taliban and the Islamic State were never serious about the peace initiatives, a plain fact that has not being understood by the US policymakers. " The idea of peace talks is great, but this back and forth rhetoric based on peace initiatives and direct strikes just doesn't serve the purpose." Taliban has seemingly spurned the peace offer by Afghan President Ashraf Ghani after they announced to start the Spring Offensive. In the given situation, the expert said that the US must look into options in order to stand a viable chance to wipe the terrorists out, including working closely with Pakistan to achieve the desired goals. He also said that the US needs to focus more on Afghanistan rather than the Middle East more broadly as Afghanistan is one country in the region that appears easier for terrorists to infiltrate. "Islamic State might be on the run, but if left unchecked, it can wreak havoc in Afghanistan and beyond," he added. (@FahadShabbir) BEIJING, May 8 (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 8th May, 2018 ) :Chinese Vice President Wang Qishan attended the Third Forum on China-Africa Local Government Cooperation here on Tuesday, saying China is ready to contribute to Africa's development with its own development. In a speech at the opening ceremony, Wang said that China and Africa have always stuck with each other through thick and thin and supported each other. The local governments' exchanges and cooperation on poverty alleviation and sustainable development will help promote the comprehensive strategic cooperation partnerships between China and African nations. Wang said that China will unswervingly implement the strategy of opening up to the outside world for mutual benefit so as to realize the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation under the guidance of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era. He noted that China is still a developing country and faces the principal contradiction of unbalanced and inadequate development. It is arduous task and big challenge for China to win the battle of targeted poverty alleviation and achieve an all-round well-off society, Wang said. On the sidelines of the forum, Wang also met with Nigerien Prime Minister Brigi Rafini and former Tanzanian Prime Minister Salim Ahmed Salim, respectively. When meeting with Rafini, Wang conveyed Chinese President Xi Jinping's sincere greetings to Nigerien President Mahamadou Issoufou, saying that China will make efforts to lift bilateral ties to a new high. Rafini also conveyed the Nigerien president's greetings to President Xi, saying that Niger appreciates China's help and support and hopes to learn from China's experiences on development. When meeting with Salim, Wang conveyed President Xi's cordial greetings to Tanzanian President John Magufuli. Wang said he expects China-Tanzania ties will continue to advance through concrete cooperation projects under the guidance of the leaders of both sides. Salim also conveyed the Tanzanian president's greetings to President Xi, saying that China has sincerely helped Africa's development and is a true friend of Tanzania. He hoped that the two sides will conduct in-depth exchanges and cooperation at all levels, and continue to consolidate and develop the traditional friendship between Tanzania and China. (@ChaudhryMAli88) Rabat, May 8 (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 8th May, 2018 ) :Morocco's phosphate industry giant OCP on Tuesday announced it had recovered a 55,000-tonnes cargo "for a symbolic one Dollar" after a legal dispute with South Africa. Otmane Bennani Smires, the company's legal director, told AFP the deal had been reached more than a year after South Africa seized the cargo while en route to New Zealand. The shipment of phosphate left the city of Laayoune in Western Sahara -- a former Spanish colony controlled by Morocco where the Polisario Front group is fighting for independence -- and was detained by authorities in Port Elizabeth. South Africa supports independence for Western Sahara and in February a court in Port Elizabeth ruled the cargo could be auctioned following a petition from the Polisario. The month-long auction started on March 19 but failed to receive any bids, according to OCP. "No buyer has legitimised the sale, nor the grounds that the court gave to the Polisario," Smires said. The operators of the Cherry Blossom vessel covered the costs of the auction and then returned to cargo to OCP "for a symbolic one dollar", the company said in a statement. Minister for Foreign Affairs of Tajikistan S Aslov has said over 400 delegates from across the Globe attended the counter terrorism conference DUSHANBE, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 8th May, 2018 ) :Minister for Foreign Affairs of Tajikistan S Aslov has said over 400 delegates from across the Globe attended the counter terrorism conference. In a message he said, "It is my great honor to inform you that the Government of the Republic of Tajikistan in close collaboration with the United Nations Organization, the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe, the European Union and a number of partner countries convened the International High-Level Conference "Countering Terrorism and Preventing Violent Extremism". More than 400 delegates from 48 countries took part in the Conference, including 31 international and regional organizations, representatives of the diplomatic corps, civil society and academia. The Founder of Peace and National Unity Leader of the Nation, President of the Republic of Tajikistan His Excellency Mr. Emomali Rahmon attended the opening ceremony and delivered the keynote address. In his in-depth statement, the Honorable President gave a full and comprehensive analysis of the current international and regional situation, trends of contemporary security issues and called for coordinated efforts in combating security threats in order to maintain peace and stability. The Conference consisted of three Thematic Sessions: "Countering terrorism, preventing violent extremism and radicalization: from theory to practice"; "Regional cooperation in responding to terrorism and to violent extremism and radicalization leading to terrorism: identifying strategic priorities"; "Challenges in implementing effective responses to terrorism, violent extremism and radicalization". Within the framework of the Conference, the following side-events were organized: "The EU perspective on Preventing and Countering Violent Extremism in Central Asia and beyond"; "UN Support to Prevent Violent Extremism: Global Experiences"; Thematic photo and video-exhibition on OSCE activities. As a result of the International Conference, the outcome document Dushanbe Declaration was adopted. "Ladies and Gentlemen, I am convinced that Dushanbe Conference served as an important platform for constructive and fruitful cooperation, acted as a focus of attraction for all parties concerned and supported the importance of strengthening of multilateral cooperation mechanisms. Today, we discussed priorities for interaction in the field of international and regional security, addressed the issues related to the status and perspectives of cooperation between the countries and international organizations, underlined the importance of consolidation and acceleration of our efforts to counter security threats, particularly terrorism, extremism and radicalism. Conference participants drew attention to the need to extend legal base for further development of counter-terrorism cooperation, strengthening efforts in identification and preemption of cross-border terrorist activity, acceleration of collaboration in the fight against cyber crime and capacity-building of the countries. The inseparable link of regional security and the situation in Afghanistan was stressed. In this connection, the participants of the Conference expressed their interest to further develop cooperation across the spectrum of issues pertaining to strengthening security in Afghanistan. I am convinced that today's meeting will make a significant contribution to the continued development and promotion of mutual initiatives responding current issues of maintaining international and regional security and strengthening peace. I sincerely thank all participants of the Conference for their valuable contribution to the advancement of the Conference goals". Bangui, Central African Republic, May 7 (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 8th May, 2018 ) :At least two people were killed and 10 injured in new clashes in a flashpoint Muslim area of the Central African Republic (car)'s capital, hospital workers said Monday, as several thousand attended ceremonies for Catholics killed last week. The latest casualties occurred on Sunday in the PK5 district and nearby areas, the sources said. Local residents said they heard automatic weapons fire and several houses had been burned down. Despite the rise in tension, around 3,000 people, including President Faustin-Archange Touadera and Prime Minister Simplice Sarandji, took part in a funeral ceremony in central Bangui for people killed in an attack on a church on May 1, including a Catholic priest, Albert Tougoumale-Baba. "The blood of our martyrs will be a pathway to peace, it will not be a sacrifice in vain," said Sister Monica, a nun who was close to Tougoumale-Baba. Twenty-four people were killed and more than 170 injured in Bangui on May 1, sparking fears that one of the world's most unstable countries would plunge once more into a bloody sectarian conflict. The violence began with a confrontation between security forces and militiamen in the PK5 district. Armed men then stormed the Fatima church in the middle of a service, killing worshippers and a priest. In response, a mob burned a mosque and lynched two people believed to be Muslim. As Lynne Maquats years of dedication to her research catapult her into the scientific spotlight, she remains intently focused on training and encouraging the next wave of scientists to even greater heights. In her lectures and award acceptance speeches, shes quick to acknowledge that her success wouldn't be possible without the graduate students and post-docs who have shared her lab over almost four decades. Theyre my lifeline and Im theirs, she says. I expect a very high level of commitment from them, but they also get that from me. Being her trainee isnt easy, but is an experience you wont regret, say past lab members. When I first joined the lab we sat down in her office and she said, I know that being demanding, and asking for all you can give me, is what brings results, recalls Dobrila Nesic, PhD, who studied in Maquats lab in the early 90s. She also told me, Ill put you on the right track and when you leave my lab you will have all the tools you need to succeed. And thats true. Although Maquat may be considered a tough mentor, she leads by example and is intimately involved in the day-to-day happenings in the lab. Her office is situated within the lab so trainees can walk in any time to design experiments, discuss data, talk over possible explanations for unexpected results, work on a manuscript for publication, or share anything else on their minds. My goal is to never leave a lab member without an answer to a problem for more than a day, she says. If its outside my expertise, Ill find the person who would know the answer, so that problems are solved without delay, and work moves forward. Though her lab is centered on NMD-related research, she welcomes new areas of investigation as long as ideas are scientifically sound and testing methods are available. Lynne is open-minded and lets us pursue projects that we think are interesting, even if shes not familiar with the area, says Popp, who is studying how Staufen 1, a protein involved in regulating RNA, influences translation and the innate immune response in macrophages. With her guidance were able to work independently and find our own niche. Nesic, a recently appointed lecturer at the Clinic for Dental Medicine at the University of Geneva, Switzerland, aptly describes the sentiment of many former lab members. I was lucky and unlucky to have her as my PhD mentor, she says. Lucky because that was my most successful scientific period, and unlucky because with time and different experiences I came to realize that she was not the norm, but an amazingly rare exception. It was a privilege to work with her, to experience her way of mentoring, to feel that incredible energy and drive to learn, discover, grow and develop as a scientist and as a person. In 2003, Maquat founded the University of Rochesters Graduate Women in Science program to address the leaky pipeline in science: the disappointing fact that fewer women than men who earn PhDs in science actually use the degree in their careers. Each month, the program hosts high-profile speakers who are using advanced degrees in traditional and non-traditional ways. Twice a year, members can apply for travel awards to attend a conference or seminar that will advance their careers. In 2013, Maquat received the UR Presidential Diversity Award for her work. In 2014 she also received the Rochester Athena Award, presented annually by the Womens Council of the Rochester Business Alliance. It recognizes women who excel in their professions, give back to their communities, and inspire other women to lead. Most of Maquats travels involve some form of mentoring, as well. As an example, every two years she attends a conference hosted by the International Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology in Trieste, Italy. There, she teaches a course on RNA biology to graduate students from countries lacking strong histories in science, including countries in Africa, South America, and the Middle East. The sessions fill to the brim with students gravitating toward Maquats ability to make the content approachable and meaningful. Since 2015, Maquat is also fast becoming an idol to high school and college students across Canada, where she visits often to inspire them toward science careers. This past October she spoke to about 300 high-schoolers in Saskatchewan, where she opens each talk by telling them how life is very likely not going to happen the way you think it will. Did I think when I was a shy girl in high school that one day Id be talking about scientific research with high schoolers in Saskatchewan? she says. Not on your life. Going to the Dogs On her way to and from the Harvey Society Lecture at Rockefeller University, Maquat happily stops to greet every dog crossing her path on the New York City sidewalksa practice that helps her make four-legged and two-legged friends in whatever city, state or country shes in that day. Last year, these places included Singapore, Crete, Prague, Bordeaux, Edinburgh and Oxford. Next up: Belgium, Italy, Germany, and Japan. Theres rarely a culture that doesnt welcome me with open arms when I want to say hi to their dogs, she says. Back in Rochester, long walks with her black Labrador Lia and trips to the gym and yoga studio are her recipe for good sleep, mental focus, and surviving the long winters. Not surpringly, when she does take time off, Maquat prefers adventure vacations over lounging on a beach. Hiking the Himalayas, exploring ancient ruins, or captaining an 18-foot Hobie Cat are more her cup of tea. The Joy is in the Challenge There is no easy path to most things worthwhile, Maquat says. I never mind interesting work, although at times it can be very difficult to figure things out. To me, science is an area where the time and energy that we invest can return in amazing ways provided we are smart about what we do. Science is like putting together a very large puzzle without being able to see all the pieces at once. And, if its not challenging, then wheres the innovation? To support research in the Maquat Lab, contact Dianne_Moll@rochester.edu or (585) 273-5506. Long-time ruler Prime Minister Hun Sen last week tried to reassure Cambodians that the huge influx of Chinese investment and immigration into the country was good. He called out opposition criticism of Chinese influence as ignorant and said most of the Chinese arrivals to Cambodia were tourists who did not stay in the country. His comments came after Liao Jingrong, head of China's General Department of International Cooperation, called on Cambodia to do more to protect Chinese citizens and investments in the Kingdom. More than 1.2 million Chinese nationals visited Cambodia last year, a figure that is expected to rise to 2 million by 2020. Chinese investment is also on the rise, increasing by $200 million to $4.8 billion between 2015 and 2016. The surge in Chinese influence in Cambodia is mirrored by a downturn in relations with the United States and the European Union over deteriorating human rights and political freedoms in the country. According to the finance ministry, Cambodia owes China more than $4 billion, or about two-fifths of the countrys outstanding debt. The figure is significantly higher than the combined multilateral debt owed to institutions such as the World Bank and Asian Development Bank. Analysts who spoke to VOA last week warned that this growing reliance on China as a source of development assistance could influence the countrys policy priorities. Ear Sophal, author of Aid Dependence in Cambodia and co-author of The Hungry Dragon: How Chinas Resource Quest is Reshaping the World, said in an email that Chinas excess capital and the large male-dominated workforce was a win-win for China. I would say Cambodia is far too deep in compared to other Asian and African countries that deal with China, he said. Cambodia must always remain independent and sovereign. Hun Sens positive response to Chinas request for greater protection of its citizens came as no surprise to Sebastian Strangio, author of Hun Sens Cambodia. Chinese investment and diplomatic backing have become vitally important for Hun Sens rule, as he seeks freedom from the democratic demands of the West, Strangio said. The Cambodian government, therefore, has good reasons to downplay the negative effects of Chinese investments while emphasizing the positives. Riskier is that Asean may come to resent its de-facto support for Chinese ambitions in the region, he added. China is one of a small number of countries that have openly supported the forthcoming general election in July following the dissolution of Cambodias main opposition party late last year. In March, Cambodia joined a military exercise with China called Golden Dragon, while it has left the Angkor Sentinel exercises it held with the United States for the past eight years. Hun Sen has accused Washington of backing a plot to overthrow him led by the Cambodia National Rescue Party leadership, allegations that, while not substantiated, were used to dissolve the party and jail its leadership. As Chinese influence in Cambodia has grown stronger, so too have concerns over reported rising crime rates and the influence of Chinese organized crime groups. Over the past five years, Cambodia has deported more than 1,000 Chinese nationals for alleged criminal activity, including extortion and online scams. In February, Yun Min, the governor of Preah Sihanouk province, penned a report expressing concern over the influx of Chinese nationals in the area and a supposed corresponding rise in crime. Last week, three children were reportedly drugged at a local Chinese-owned nightclub, further stoking fears in the area. Strangio said that the fast pace of growth in Sihanoukville was a symbol of the intimate relations between the two countries. It echoes shadowy casino-based tourism enclaves in Laos, and along Chinas border with Myanmar, he said. But it seems that Cambodia is fast moving towards an unhealthy degree of economic and political dependency on Beijing. Sophal said it was not a surprise that locals were put out by the rapid pace of development, as while Chinese projects received state backing local businesses were being pushed out of popular tourist areas. At the same time, Chinese mafia has arrived to kidnap Chinese investors to the point of alarming the governor to the point of writing a memo that got leaked and causing the Chinese embassy to encourage Cambodia to enforce local laws, Sophal said. Easier said than done when there is little respect for the rule of law and money speaks when politicians don't. Similarly, San Chey, country director of the Affiliated Network for Social Accountability, said animosity between Cambodian and Chinese residents would likely escalate. Actually we are already seeing the impacts. That is why we are concerned about the future. Conflicts between Cambodian and Chinese citizens could happen if the authorities do not put restrictions on Chinese nationals, he said. On Monday, Hun Sen defended the relationship with China, saying other countries were jealous of Beijings rise. Sok Eysan, ruling Cambodian Peoples Party spokesman, said the claims made by analysts were racist. If we focus on Chinese nationality it is racist and we should not do so, he said. We should not make comments that inflame racism. He added that the request from China to protect its citizens did not infringe on Cambodian sovereignty. There are many good Chinese people, like investors, who need protection, he added. The Phnom Penh Post, Cambodias last remaining independent daily newspaper, fired its editor-in-chief amid a staff walkout after it published an article linking the new owner of the paper to Prime Minister Hun Sen. The Post, which was previously owned by Australian mining businessman Bill Clough, was sold to Malaysian public relations executive Sivakumar S.Ganapathy this week. Ganapathy owns Asia PR, which has represented numerous politically connected clients over the years, including the controversial former chief minister of the Malaysian state of Sarawak, Abdul Taib Mahmud. Asia PR also claims to have helped Hun Sen become prime minister. The Post had come under pressure in recent months following the closure of its rival English-language daily, The Cambodia Daily, which was hit with a hefty tax bill. The Post was also handed a tax bill to the tune of $3.9 million, which was settled ahead of the sale, according to a statement from Clough. Kay Kimsong, the editor-in-chief, was fired on Monday after representatives of the new owner ordered senior staff to remove the article on the sale from its website, claiming factual inaccuracies. Five senior staff members later resigned in protest, as well as the CEO, Marcus Holmes. A lawyer for Ganapathy said the new editor-in-chief, identified as Joshua Purushotman, would vet articles in future editions. The Post, which was founded in 1992, reported the lawyer as saying that the article on the sale was ordered removed because it damaged our reputation and declined to discuss the alleged inaccuracies in detail. According to the new owner, he thinks that I have made a huge mistake, said Kimsong. They think the article should not be published. My trade is journalism and I dont know what else to do. There are two options -- one is that if I cant go back to newspapers, I will just sell fried noodles, he added. Ananth Baliga, one of the two journalists who wrote the article and who was also subsequently ordered to be fired along with Kimsong, said he had resigned after being ordered to take down the article. I will not be returning to work at the Post. I am devastated at the prospect of not being able to work every day with the some of the best journalists I know. I wish them well, he wrote on Twitter. From the outside looking in, the most troubling thing is the timing of the tax bill's settlement and the Post's subsequent sale. The odds of them not being connected seem incredibly remote," the paper's former editor-in-chief, Chad Williams, told Reuters on Sunday. "That's troubling because it suggests the Cambodian government may have used the threat of a shutdown to essentially coerce the sale," Williams added. Sok Eysan, a spokesman for the Cambodian Peoples Party (CPP), rejected the allegations of government influence in the sale It's selling and buying. They made a bilateral contact. The government didnt interfere with this, he said. Chhay Channyda, chief of staff at the Post, was concerned by the possible loss of independence under the new management. This is what we worry about because on the first day when there is a new boss or new company they came to ask us to remove an article that we wrote, she said. Its putting pressure on our work to have no independence, she added. Staffers at the Post on Monday protested Kimsongs firing, saying the move was unfair and contradicted the pledge to support a free press. We just felt like the removal of the staff members were unfair and contrary to our commitment to independent journalism, Andrew Nachemson, a Post reporter who resigned on Monday, told VOA Khmer in a phone interview. Another reporter at the paper, who asked to remain anonymous, said: I think that our editorial independence will be compromised. I just dont think well be able to achieve the same amount of integrity and independence that we had under the old management. Yon Sineat, a reporter, said she saw the takeover as a serious threat to press freedom. We are concerned that we will not be able to fully practice our journalism or write to reflect the truth. In a statement on Monday, Reporters Without Borders said the takeover of the Post was part of a crackdown on media freedoms in Cambodia. After the closure of Radio Free Asia and Cambodia Daily, the Phnom Penh Post was one of Cambodias last independent media voices. In the run-up to general elections, Prime Minister Hun Sen is pursuing his shocking crackdown on media outlets that dont toe the government line, it said. Additional reporting by Say Mony in Washington. Trump pulls out of Iran nuclear deal with implications for North Korea. China upset with airline country designations. Feeding India's hungry. Fake vs. real Australian art. Detecting peanut allergies, a new space commander. The United States and Mexico have agreed to cooperate in fighting criminal gangs trafficking drugs, weapons and human beings across the shared border. U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo discussed bilateral and regional issues with his Mexican counterpart Luis Videgaray Monday in Washington. Earlier, U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions stressed "the U.S. border is not open" to anyone coming unlawfully. VOA's Zlatica Hoke reports. With her 16-day-old son lying asleep in her lap, tears streamed down the face of a 20-year-old Rohingya refugee in Bangladesh as she accused Myanmar troops of covering her eyes and mouth and raping her, before making her watch as they killed her husband. "I don't know if this baby is from my husband or the rape," said the woman, speaking through a translator, during a visit by United Nations Security Council envoys to camps in Cox's Bazar in Bangladesh sheltering nearly a million refugees. Ahead of the council visit to Bangladesh and Myanmar last week, senior U.N. officials warned the envoys about the prospect of a flood of babies being born in the coming weeks and months in the refugee camps that could be the result of rape. In a joint statement, U.N. envoy for sexual violence in conflict, Pramila Patten, and U.N. assistant secretary-general for human rights Andrew Gilmour wrote "reports suggest Rohingya women and girls were raped on a systematic and possibly massive scale." "Many of the women and girls raped in 2017 are due to give birth in the next few weeks, during the monsoon season, and we are concerned that many will not be able to access medical care to give birth safely," they wrote. Nearly 700,000 mainly Rohingya Muslims fled to Bangladesh in the past eight months following a Myanmar military crackdown that the United Nations, United States and Britain have denounced as ethnic cleansing. Myanmar denies ethnic cleansing. In March the United Nations launched an appeal for $951 million to help the Rohingya refugees for the rest of the year, but the world body said at the end of April it was only 9.0 percent funded. The United Nations and aid groups working in the refugee camps in Cox's Bazar, Bangladesh, said that it was difficult to know exactly how many women and girls were pregnant. It was even more difficult to know how many of the pregnancies were the result of rape. "With the help of the U.N. bodies and other international and national (aid groups), we are trying to identify the pregnant women so that they get proper treatment," said a senior Bangladesh health ministry official, who declined to be named due to sensitivity of the matter. He said that so far 18,300 pregnant women had been identified and the rough total estimate was around 25,000. Rohingya insurgent attacks on security posts in Myanmar's Rakhine state in August sparked a military operation that Myanmar described as a legitimate response. Fleeing refugees have reported killings, rapes and arson on a large scale. "Based on U.N. reports and testimonies from Rohingya women who told our staff of rape and sexual violence in Myanmar, we do sadly expect the number of babies born as a result of unwarranted pregnancies to increase in the coming months," said Daphnee Cook, Save the Children's spokeswoman in Cox's Bazar. Myanmar military blacklisted U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres recently blacklisted the Myanmar armed forces in his annual report on conflict-related sexual violence. The military must now decide whether to work with Patten on a plan that would lead to their removal from the blacklist. During a two hour meeting with Security Council envoys in Myanmar's capital Naypyitaw last week, military chief Min Aung Hlaing vowed "harsh action" over sexual violence. According to the state-run Global New Light of Myanmar newspaper, he said: "Sexual violence (is) considered as despicable acts." Last November, Myanmar's military release a report denying all accusations of rape by security forces. Melissa How, Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF) Medical Coordinator in Cox's Bazar, said the had seen "a number of women and girls" who had become pregnant from sexual violence in Myanmar or Bangladesh. "Some have miscarried; some have turned to traditional medicine and other methods to end their pregnancies, using unsafe methods. A number of women and girls have chosen to access MSF facilities for medical care, as well as menstrual regulation, in Bangladesh," she said. Abortion is illegal in Bangladesh but menstrual regulation to terminate a pregnancy is permissible. How also added that the majority of women in the camps who give birth do so outside health facilities. Myanmar and Bangladesh agreed in January to complete the voluntary repatriation of the refugees within two years but the deal poses a challenge for women who give birth to children born from cases of rape. U.N. envoy Patten, who will visit Cox's Bazar this month, said a complying with a requirement in the deal for women to go the Bangladesh Supreme Court to obtain a document noting that a child had been "born out of unwarranted incidence," a reference to cases of rape resulting in pregnancy, may be too difficult for poor, illiterate women. Armenia's parliament elected opposition leader Nikol Pashinian as prime minister Tuesday. Pashinian won the vote 59 to 42. He led weeks of largely peaceful protests against corruption and poor governance that came after former President Serzh Sargsyan became prime minister.Critics accused Sargsyan of manipulating the country's constitution to cling to power. Tens of thousands of Pashinian supporters gathered in the central square of Armenia's capital to celebrate Tuesday's decision. WATCH: Celebrations After Pashinian Voted Armenian PM The Republican party, which holds a majority in parliament, had earlier blocked Pashinian's bid to become prime minister in a vote last week.That drew more protests, and the party decided to back Pashinian for what it said was the good of the nation. As tens of thousands gathered in the central square of Armenia's capital to celebrate Tuesday's 59-42 vote to make Nikol Pashinyan prime minister, supporters of the longtime opposition figure called their political triumph the first step in a much longer journey. Tuesday's decision followed weeks of largely peaceful protests against corruption and poor governance that came after former President Serzh Sargsyan became prime minister in April, a move that critics called a manipulation of the country's constitution to extend his hold on power. Just last week, Armenia's ruling Republican Party, which holds a majority in parliament, blocked Pashinyan's initial bid to become prime minister, prompting further protests and city-wide blockades and strikes. Republican Party leaders then agreed to grant Pashinyan the minimum number of votes required to secure the office with full support of Pashinyan's minority opposition coalition. In sharp contrast with the jubilance that erupted in Yerevan's central Republic Square after Pashinyan's election was confirmed, the atmosphere inside the national assembly was dour, said Gevorg Gorgisyan, a legislator aligned with Pashinyan's Yelk, or "Way Out," alliance. "Republican Party members were not in a celebratory mood, and it reflected on everyone," Gorgisyan told VOA's Armenian Service. Pashinyan, a one-time political prisoner whose years of street activism earned him the ire of establishment officials and legislators, had crusaded against entrenched corruption and oligarchical influence for decades. "Our country and our people needed this," Gorgisyan told VOA. "Now we have a chance to create a new, happy, independent and democratic Armenia. ... The revolution is starting, it is not over and big changes are to come." Note from Russia Shortly after the vote, Russian President Vladimir Putin telegrammed Pashinyan to say that Moscow is depending on him to "aid the further strengthening of bilateral, allied relations between our countries." Russia, which has strong strategic interests in Armenia, including a military base, has been watching the country's political turmoil closely. In a region dominated by "strongman" politics, the grass-roots demonstrations which protest leaders had been careful not to paint as pro-Western or anti-Russian are focused on a domestic agenda led by honest elections. In weeks leading up to the vote, Pashinyan repeatedly said that he would not seek to change Armenia's cooperation with Russia. Unwilling to cooperate Also within hours of the vote, however, Armen Ashotyan, vice president of the Republican Party and head of the parliamentary foreign affairs committee, said the party now considers itself the opposition and will refuse to cooperate with the new government. "We do not consider it expedient to cooperate with the new government; it would be hypocritical to consider the issue of our participation in the new government,'' he said in a prepared statement. "We will find a place for ourselves. And this place is not in power, but in the opposition." Pashinyan now has five days to propose cabinet members and just over two weeks to file a government program for parliamentary approval. While the new leader has vowed to establish a government of "national accord," parliamentary failure to approve a program within 20 days of his ascension to office requires dissolution of parliament and a call for early general elections. Although majority Republicans may resist any plan advanced by Pashinyan, some observers such as former legislator Armen Martirosyan of the Heritage party, which is not represented in parliament say all Armenians, regardless of party affiliation, should appreciate that non-violent political changes are under way. "I am in a very good mood, I am happy that my people's fight ended in celebrations!" Martirosyan said. "We did not have a leader who was popular among people for a long time, now we have one. I congratulate the people of Armenian and Nikol Pashinyan in his new role. I expect productive changes and reforms." For Syrian refugees living in Armenia in particular, Tuesday's peaceful outcome was a welcome change from the broader geopolitics of the region. "We were very nervous at the beginning, but now we are happy and celebrating with Armenia," said Sevan Kilegyan, who crossed the border into Armenia after her native Syria was plunged into a bloody and grinding civil war. "We came to Armenia from Syria. Now, our husbands are working outside of Armenia to be able to provide for our families. We want them to be able to come back and work here and be next to us," she told VOA. "I am a Syrian Armenian, and I am visiting my sisters," said Suzi Nshanyan, a refugee who had just traveled to Yerevan from Germany. "I see hope and happiness in people's faces that I have not seen before," she said. Nearly two months after the Central Intelligence Agency launched an almost unprecedented public relations campaign to propel one of their own into the director's office, the architects of that plan will get to see how well or poorly it worked. Gina Haspel, a veteran CIA operative and current deputy director, went before the Senate Intelligence Committee on Wednesday in a confirmation hearing that centered on her role in carrying out the agency's enhanced interrogation program and possibly covering it up. Few in the U.S. intelligence community downplay the importance of such questions, yet they worry such inquiries are overshadowing concerns about preserving the professional and objective nature of the nation's lead spy agency in an era in which hyperpartisan politics is infecting all levels of government. Perhaps the only thing that is certain is that the hearing shone an ever brighter light on a woman who has made her career by operating almost entirely in the shadows. Haspel, in her limited public exposure, appears to be trying to embrace the spotlight. "Looking forward to Wednesday," she told reporters Monday during a visit to Capitol Hill, before disappearing into the office of West Virginia Democratic Senator Joe Manchin. The comment stood in stark contrast to recent reports that Haspel sought to withdraw her nomination for CIA director and consented to go forward only after White House officials talked to her for hours, persuading her to stay the course. "She is 100 percent committed to going through this confirmation process and being confirmed as the next leader of the CIA," White House press secretary Sarah Sanders told reporters Monday, though she refused to shoot down the reports entirely. "She [Haspel] wants to do everything she can to make sure the integrity of the CIA remains intact, isn't unnecessarily attacked," Sanders added. Agency veteran The notion Haspel would back away from a challenge is foreign to those who have worked with her during her more than 30 years at the CIA. Former colleagues describe the 61-year-old deputy director as tough, determined and principled, saying she is precisely the type of leader who would inspire confidence and loyalty from those in the intelligence community. The idea that Haspel would place the well-being of the CIA above her own political fortunes resonates with those who have served with her. "She's not in it for glory and publicity or public acclaim," said Carol Rollie Flynn, who like Haspel served for three decades at the agency, including stints in the clandestine service and at the counterterrorism center. "I think she's a genuine public servant who's in this to do the right thing, do a good job and serve the country," Flynn told VOA. "She was self-effacing," said Carmen Medina, another former colleague and former CIA deputy director of intelligence. "There was just not a lot of ego about her, at all." Yet it is precisely those types of qualities that would seem to make Haspel and this White House strange bedfellows. Whereas President Donald Trump relishes the spotlight of campaign-style rallies and is constantly taking to Twitter to express his views, Haspel has been mostly invisible. Friends noted that Haspel had kept such a low profile that the initial Wikipedia entry on her had a photo of someone else. And while friends and former colleagues say Haspel is a skilled political operator, they caution she is not a political animal and that she views her role at the CIA in the same way as some of her predecessors. She prefers to give policymakers an unvarnished, objective view of what the intelligence shows, and not color it with any preference for one set of policies or another. "Gina's the type of person who can really do that," Flynn said. "When the policymakers all think their policy's succeeding, and everything is roses, you're the person who has to stand up at the table and say, 'Well, no, Mr. President. That's not actually the way we see it.' " That approach may also stand in contrast to that of former CIA Director Mike Pompeo, who was often seen as being in lockstep with Trump on policy matters. CIA's push And that difference may explain in part why the agency has done so much to push for Haspel's confirmation. "An agency professional is what these times require, these times of alternative facts and partisan politics at a high level," said John McLaughlin, a former acting director and former deputy director who has supported Haspel's nomination. "If it is not Gina Haspel, it could be a political figure who might not be as qualified or experienced," he added. Medina, who worked with Haspel from 2004 to 2006, feels likewise. "I feel a certain amount of reassurance to know that the CIA would be led by a professional who I think would cast a very wary eye on anything that would posit the CIA incorrectly ... that we would somehow get inappropriately activist on an issue," she said, admitting, however, that while a more traditional approach might do more to appease many intelligence officers, it also could come with a cost. "It might make her not as influential perhaps as someone like Pompeo, who has strong ideological views," Medina said. There is also a sense that as director, Haspel would be able to do more than just reassure CIA employees that the agency's traditional role as a provider of unbiased, unpoliticized intelligence is safe. Many feel she will be able to help soothe allies and cement long-standing ties, even if other aspects of their relationship with the U.S. may be strained. "Relationships with intelligence services, our foreign partners, are, of course, important for responding to world crises and exchanging information, but more importantly for building the type of trust between governments that over the long term we can cooperate on some of the most difficult issues," said Mark Kelton, a former colleague and a former deputy director of the National Clandestine Service for Counterintelligence. "Gina's done that," he said. "She's dealt with the most senior officials of foreign intelligence services and dealt with them effectively." Concerns about torture Still, there are many for whom none of this is enough, given what is known about Haspel's past. In 2002, Haspel briefly oversaw a secret CIA prison in Thailand where detainees were subjected to waterboarding and other harsh interrogation techniques. Additionally, she is accused of drafting a memo calling for the destruction of 92 videotapes of interrogation sessions. The videotapes were destroyed in 2005, leading to a Justice Department investigation that ended without charges. The CIA has always maintained that Haspel's actions were legal. "The act of torture is a criminal act," Alberto Mora, a former general counsel for the Navy, said during a conference call Tuesday. "Gina Haspel always knew that whatever activities she engaged in had to be taken with the understanding that she could not exceed the boundaries of her authority to commit the criminal act of torture," he said. Robert Ford, a former U.S. ambassador to Syria, is even more critical. "These are not assignments where she's given a choice of either take the position or leave the clandestine service," he said. "She made a conscious decision to take these jobs, and therefore a conscious decision to be associated with the programs." Defending Haspel The White House issued a statement Tuesday calling questions about the interrogation program a false debate, saying responsibility lies with policymakers who approved the program and not those who carried it out. The CIA has repeatedly responded to the charges, defending Haspels role in her overseas posting, as well as her role in the destruction of the videotapes. The agency even declassified and released a 2011 memo by former Deputy Director Michael Morell clearing Haspel of any wrongdoing with the tapes. "I have found no fault with the performance of Ms. Haspel," said Morell, who has come out in support of Haspel's nomination. "I have concluded she acted appropriately in her role," he wrote. "It was not her decision to destroy the tapes." Yet the way the CIA has publicly rallied to defend Haspel has some former officials even more concerned, decrying the effort as shameful. "We're seeing an influence campaign, a very strong influence campaign," said Ali Soufan, a former top anti-terrorism official with the FBI. "When you selectively decide what information are you going to declassify as part of an influence campaign, you have only one aim and one aim only: to deceive," he said. "The CIA deserves better than that. America deserves better than that." Former colleagues counter that the criticisms cast against Haspel could be applied to any senior leader at the agency at the time. Late Monday, former CIA Director John Brennan, who served under former President Barack Obama, took to Twitter to defend Haspel: For a growing number of former and current officials, though, the extent to which the CIA already may have gotten caught up in the extremely partisan debate is in itself perhaps the most worrisome aspect. "It is reasonable, as a matter of informing the Congress and the public about this nominee, to be putting out public information about her [Haspel]," said Paul Pillar, a former senior CIA officer now with Georgetown University. "To the extent that any of the releases ... go beyond the providing of useful information and seem to take the form of lobbying, then I think it is improper," he added. "Individual senior officers from the agency, including currently serving officers, can go before the oversight committee and express opinions, pro or con, about Haspel as a potential director, but that is different from an institutional position." Bosnia will hold presidential and parliamentary elections on October 7, even though rival ethnic leaders have yet to agree on voting rules for the upper house of the Bosniak-Croat Federation's parliament. Nearly 3.4 million voters will choose Croat, Serb and Bosniak members of the tripartite presidency and lawmakers for parliament's lower house, plus regional leaders and assemblies, the Central Election Commission (CIK) said on Tuesday. But CIK chief Irena Hadziabdic warned: "We are entering the election period without clear regulations on how to carry out elections and contrary to the international principles." Days after the European Union said Bosnia risked sliding into a constitutional crisis, she said Federation institutions could cease to operate unless a solution to the dispute over voting rules is found. "Unless we ... reach a solution within a legal time-frame, we are facing a major problem," Hadziabdic told a news conference. The Balkan country has been governed along ethnic lines since a 1995 peace deal ended a four-year-long war that claimed 100,000 lives. The accords split Bosnia into two autonomous regions, the Serb Republic and the Bosniak-Croat Federation, which are linked via a weak central government. Christian Croat and Muslim Bosniak political parties are currently deadlocked over amendments to the law on voting for the upper house of parliament of their joint Federation. Responding to an appeal by Croat nationalists, Bosnia's Constitutional Court ruled in 2016 that candidates elected to the upper house should come from main parties that draw the support of most of their respective ethnic kin. Croat parties have since proposed new, ethnically-based electoral districts where people would vote only for their own community's representatives at all levels of governance including the presidency. They say they want to prevent Muslim Bosniaks, the majority group in the Federation, from bringing about the election of Croats of a civic, non-nationalist persuasion they see as not serving the best interests of Bosnian Croats. But Bosniak parties oppose their proposals, fearing they could be a maneuver to forge a separatist Croat entity reminiscent of Bosnia's devastating 1992-95 war. Western envoys have been mediating talks between the parties but no breakthrough has been made. The EU last week warned Bosnian leaders not to hold the election results "hostage to party interests." Bosnian Serb, Bosnian Croat and Muslim Bosniak leaders have heated up nationalist rhetoric recently, launching election campaigns unusually early and halting reforms needed for Bosnia to progress towards membership of the EU and NATO. GoDaddy has pulled the plug on another online peddler of violence. The popular internet registration service last week shut down altright.com, a website created by white nationalist leader Richard Spencer and popular with many in the so-called alt-right movement. The takedown is the latest example of how companies like GoDaddy are increasingly responding to growing public pressure to clamp down on violent sites in the wake of the deadly Unite the Right rally in Charlottesville, Virginia, last summer. GoDaddy, which registers domains for more than 75 million websites around the world, said it generally does not delist sites that promote hate, racism and bigotry on the ground that such content is protected as free speech. But it said altright.com had "crossed the line and encouraged and promoted violence in a direct and threatening manner." "In instances where a site goes beyond the mere exercise of these freedoms, however, and crosses over to promoting, encouraging or otherwise engaging in specific acts of violence against any person, we will take action," GoDaddy said in a statement emailed to VOA. The company would not say whether it canceled altright.com's domain registration in response to pressure but it stressed that "we take all complaints about content on websites very seriously, and have a team dedicated to investigate each complaint." The Lawyers' Committee for Civil Rights Under Law, a Washington-based civil rights organization, said it filed such a complaint with GoDaddy last month, citing several instances in which altright.com carried content that advocated violence. In one example, a January 26, 2018, article encouraged "use of live ammunition at the border, in order to create a substantial chance that they [immigrants crossing the border] lose their life in the process," according to the organization's complaint. Kristen Clarke, the group's president and executive director, said the shutdown of altright.com was part of her organization's campaign to combat a recent "hate crime crisis" in the United States. "We know that so much hate that we see today originates online," Clarke said. "It originates in dangerous platforms and online hubs that provide a space to people to essentially coordinate violence and incite people to violence." There is no tally of sites that promote violence on the internet. But Clarke said there are "too many" and that her organization is in talks with domain and web hosting companies to shut down close to a dozen of them. She declined to name the websites. "We're focused on some of the biggest platforms and places where we're seeing some of the most dangerous and violent activity," she said. "We'll see if those efforts bear fruit." Spencer denounced the closure of his website. "The Left will not stop their censorship crusade with the Alt-Right," Spencer tweeted on Thursday. "They're going to come for every right-wing website. Free speech will cease to exist if the GOP fails to enact legislation." Altright.com's takedown comes as public scrutiny of hate sites has grown and internet intermediaries have started to strictly enforce their terms of service and acceptable use policies in the wake of the Charlottesville rally. Prior to the rally, tech companies had largely left it to users to police online content. But after the march, social media and payment processing companies took steps to close the accounts of several white nationalist leaders, and hosting companies shut down websites associated with the movement such as The Daily Stormer and Stormfront. "They did know that they had very hateful groups using their services but there didn't seem to be either political or public pressure to get rid of them," said Natasha Tusikov, a criminology professor at York University in Toronto. After Charlottesville, "we saw a number of them suddenly become more pressured publicly and politically." Amid growing public pressure, she said, "I think we're going to see more of these cases." But shuttering entire websites is not likely to eliminate violence-mongering online. For one, there is no dearth of small services that would host sites banished by others. Indeed, while The Daily Stormer and Stormfront were forced by their closure to hop from host to host for several months, they eventually found a home. Altright.com is likely to similarly resurface. The crackdown can also push some websites underground into the dark web content on networks that use the internet but require specific authorization to access making it difficult to track them and find out "who their members are and what they're doing," Tusikov said. Tusikov said that what she finds even more problematic is the way in which these sites are shut down. Internet intermediaries such as GoDaddy give themselves "considerable" latitude to close websites for any number of reasons. "A lot of us would agree that any kind of hateful violent speech should be removed," she said. "The question is in murkier areas, when it gets to other types of perhaps controversial speech but lawful speech." In the U.S. and other countries with a strong free-speech tradition, governments have largely shied away from regulating online content, leaving it to internet intermediaries to assume the role. But Tusikov said internet intermediaries are ill-equipped to distinguish between legal and illegal content. Instead, she said, policymakers should institute regulations such as the Manila Principles, a set of standards adopted by civil society groups and digital rights advocates in 2015. Among other things, the Manila Principles require that content restriction policies must "follow due process" and "comply with the tests of necessity and proportionality." "So if you have one problem with one element of copyright infringement, you shouldn't take the entire site down," Tusikov said. "You should deal with that one problem." Journalist Carlos Alvarado has been sworn in as Costa Rica's president, accepting the sash of office from his predecessor and ally, Luis Guillermo Solis. In his first speech as president, Alvarado said he intends to improve employment, education and health and fight poverty. The 38-year-old called Tuesday for unity and said his administration will be known for inclusivity. In Alvarado's words: "Under the clear blue of our skies, there is room for all of us." He promised a "plural" government. That was a nod to what became a key issue in the presidential election and the April 1 runoff, same-sex marriage. Alvarado supports it, while opponent Fabricio Alvarado had opposed it. The two men are not related. Ahead of her confirmation hearing Wednesday, the White House is defending acting Central Intelligence Agency director Gina Haspel as the best person for the job. "She is 100 percent committed to going through this confirmation process and being confirmed as the next leader of the CIA," White House Press Secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders told reporters on Monday. The 61-year-old veteran agency operative offered to withdraw from consideration for the permanent position amid concerns about her involvement in previous harsh interrogation programs, but President Donald Trump according to administration officials has encouraged her to hold firm. "She wants to do everything she can to make sure the integrity of the CIA remains intact, isn't unnecessarily attacked. And if she felt that her nomination would have been a problem for that and for the agency, then she wanted to do what she could to protect the agency," explained Sanders. The CIA on Monday delivered "a set of classified documents to the Senate today so that every senator could review acting director Haspel's actual and outstanding record," according to an agency spokesperson. "These documents cover the entirety of her career, including her time in the CIA's Counter Terrorism Center in the years after 9/11. We encourage every senator to take the time to read the entire set of documents." White House officials reportedly quickly went to see Haspel at the agency's headquarters in Langley, Virginia, last Friday to convince her not to withdraw from consideration. Trump on Monday asserted Haspel "has come under fire because she was too tough on Terrorists." Trump tweeted: "Think of that, in these very dangerous times, we have the most qualified person, a woman, who Democrats want OUT because she is too tough on terror. Win Gina!" Trump said. Tuesday morning the president reiterated his support in another tweet. Haspel will appear before the Senate Intelligence Committee in a partly open hearing on Wednesday. If confirmed, she would be the first woman to lead the agency, which was created by President Harry Truman in 1947. She will succeed Mike Pompeo, who was recently confirmed as Secretary of State. A 33-year veteran of the intelligence agency, Haspel previously ran CIA posts in four different countries and studied Russian and Turkish during her career. Most of the specifics of her background, including in which specific countries she operated undercover over the years, remain classified. Thailand detention center Civil libertarians, such as the American Civil Liberties Union, and many Democrats said Haspel should be disqualified because among the known items on her resume is supervision of a secret CIA detention center in Thailand. In 2002, two Islamic terror suspects were waterboarded there a practice that simulates drowning and critics call torture. Haspel authored a cable three years later calling for the destruction of nearly 100 videotapes of the waterboarding (now an illegal practice) and other interrogations. The ACLU is calling for senators to demand that her "torture records" be declassified. One Republican senator, Rand Paul, who is from Haspel's home state of Kentucky, also opposes her nomination because of her involvement in the waterboarding of detainees and has vowed to block her confirmation. Another Republican, Sen. Tom Cotton of the state of Arkansas, declares opposing Haspel's nomination for political reasons "puts our national security at risk." Haspel has been meeting with senators ahead of her hearing and has reportedly assured them, if confirmed, she would oppose a revival of brutal interrogation techniques. That is something she is expected to explicitly declare during Wednesday's hearing. "Through the confirmation process, the American public will get to know her for the first time. When they do, we are confident America will be proud to have the deputy director as the next CIA director," a CIA spokesperson told VOA. "She's a tested and respected leader who will lead consistent with our mission, expertise, values, and the law." VOA's Jeff Seldin contributed to this report. Colombia will increase protection for presidential candidates ahead of elections this month, the police said Tuesday, after contenders from across the spectrum reported assassination plots against them. Voters will go to the polls on May 27 to elect a successor to President Juan Manuel Santos, who leaves office in August. Right-wing candidate Ivan Duque said last week assailants had planned to attack his campaign headquarters with explosives, while left-wing candidate Gustavo Petro said there were plans to assassinate him. Ex-president Alvaro Uribe, Duque's mentor, said Monday the national intelligence agency had informed him of a possible attack on his life that involved Colombians and foreigners. The police have said they are investigating the reports of potential attacks. "We don't underestimate any kind of information of this kind," General Jorge Hernando Nieto, the head of the national police, told journalists. The police will not skimp in any way on security for the candidates or others who are threatened, Nieto said, though he declined to give details about increased protection efforts. Besides armed guards from the police and the national protection service, candidates' security also includes armored vehicles and the use of bulletproof vests. The safety of Colombian politicians has improved markedly since a low point in 1990, when presidential candidates Luis Carlos Galan, Bernardo Jaramillo Ossa and Carlos Pizarro were murdered in attacks attributed to drug trafficking gangs allied with right-wing paramilitaries. President Donald Trumps decision to pull the United States out of the Iran nuclear agreement has revived the bitter partisan debate that greeted the deal on Capitol Hill 21/2 years ago. Democrats said the move was the first step toward isolating the United States in the world diplomatic community, while Republicans praised the decision as an overdue end to one of President Barack Obamas signature foreign policy efforts. From the beginning, the Obama-era Iran Deal was deeply flawed. Irans hostile actions since its signing have only reaffirmed that, Republican Speaker of the House Paul Ryan said of the announcement. Ryan said he has always believed the best course of action would be to fix deficiencies in the agreement and that it was unfortunate that we could not reach an understanding with our European partners on a way to do that. But House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi said Trumps rash decision isolates America, not Iran. Democrats say the President is creating a crisis by ignoring the reality that the nuclear deal is working by keeping Iran from constructing a nuclear bomb. House Democrats said the deal eliminated the United States negotiating power to address the regimes human rights abuses and support of terrorist organizations. It could pave the way for Iran to resume its work towards the nuclear weapon, which of course puts us on the path to war with Iran and it ends our rigorous inspection and verification regime, Rep. Barbara Lee, a Democrat from California, told reporters in a conference call shortly after the announcement. It will put our allies in an impossible situation, it will make the United States even more of a pariah on the worlds stage. In 2015, the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) eventually cleared both chambers of the U.S. Congress after a closely fought battle on Capitol Hill to avoid a resolution of disapproval. Some Republican members of Congress have acknowledged the limitations of the deal in the past while expressing their support. As flawed as the deal is, I believe we must now enforce the hell out of it, House Foreign Affairs Chairman Rep. Ed Royce said at an October House Foreign Affairs Committee hearing. Many Republicans see the Trump administration decision as an opportunity to start fresh in the U.S. approach to Iran. While I support the end of this terrible deal and taking a stronger approach to dealing with Iran, I urge the president and his administration to deliver a comprehensive plan that will hold Iran accountable, protect our national security, and firmly restrict Irans ballistic missile weapons and nuclear program, Rep. Adam Kinzinger, a Republican on the House Foreign Affairs Committee, said in a statement. Senate reaction On the Senate side of the Capitol, the Republican Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee, Bob Corker, had a seemingly more moderate reaction. Corker said he is disappointed the U.S. and its allies could not agree on how to remedy the provision in the deal that lets Iran eventually step up its uranium enrichment program. He said he believes the Trump administration distraction will move quickly toward a better deal and said he will work with U.S. allies toward that goal. But the committees top Democrat, Sen. Bob Menendez, said backing out of the agreement will only isolate the United States and give Russia, China and Iran the opportunity to continue major weapons sales and challenge the U.S. and Europe. Republican Sen. Jim Inhofe said the president is countering, not appeasing the regime in Tehran. In an interview with Alhurra television, Democratic Sen. Tom Udall said he worries about hostile voices in the Trump administration that seem to be pushing closer to war with Iran. President Trump has stepped away from an agreement we know was working, it was preventing them from obtaining nuclear weapons, he said. Thats going to hurt our standing in the world. U.S. oil giant ConocoPhillips is pressing for control of Venezuela's key offshore operations in the Caribbean, seeking to recoup $2 billion from a decade-old dispute with the nation struggling to feed its people, a source confirmed Monday. The Houston-based ConocoPhillips is asking a court in the Dutch Antilles for control of facilities that Venezuela's state-run oil firm PDVSA operates, a person familiar with the claim confirmed to The Associated Press. The person was not authorized to discuss the legal action. PDVSA relies heavily on the facilities on the islands of Curacao, Bonaire and St. Eustatius used to refine and store Venezuela's heavy crude before shipment to the U.S., China and India, three major global markets. Dozens of ships that transport oil pumped from Venezuela sat idle Monday docked in the country's ports, according to an online vessel-tracking website. Venezuela holds the world's largest underground oil reserves but production has declined under nearly two decades of socialist leadership, casting the once-wealthy nation deep into political and economic crisis. An arbitration panel under the International Chamber of Commerce in late April found that Venezuela under the leadership of then-President Hugo Chavez in 2007 had illegally expropriated joint venture operations with ConocoPhillips. The firm turned to a local court to collect the award, but the petition spelling out its demands has not been made public. The $2 billion award represents the equivalent of more than 20 percent of the cash-strapped government's foreign currency reserves. "We will pursue all available legal avenues to obtain full and fair compensation for our expropriated investments in Venezuela," ConocoPhillips said in a statement. Officials at NuStar Energy, a San Antonio-based company that leases PDVSA a facility on St. Eustatius, were aware of the order against PDVSA, company spokesman Chris Cho said, adding that it was evaluating its legal and commercial options. PDVSA leases facilities on two of the islands, so ConocoPhillips cannot take them over even with a court order, but it could seize Venezuela's oil stored in them and any state-owned ships that dock there, said Russ Dallen, a Venezuela expert. Oil tankers leaving Venezuela's shores over the weekend turned around before reaching the Caribbean islands, the tracking website showed. Two of the island storage facilities have the capacity to hold crude valued at $900 million, about half of Venezuela's monthly production, Dallen said. "It's a devastating blow to a beleaguered country that can't even feed its population," said Dallen, adding that Venezuela owes billions to investors around the world. "We're going to see a lot more of these in the future." Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Tuesday hit out at a French manifesto calling for certain passages of the Quran to be removed in response to rising anti-Semitism. An open letter, published on April 22 in Le Parisien newspaper and signed by nearly 300, argued that verses of the Quran calling for the "murder and punishment of Jews, Christians and disbelievers" should be removed because they are "obsolete." Signatories included former French president Nicolas Sarkozy and former prime minister Manuel Valls as well as intellectuals and other public figures. "Who are you to attack our scriptures? We know how vile you are," Erdogan retorted. "Have they ever read their books, the Bible? Or the Torah?" Erdogan asked, referring to the Christian and Jewish holy books, adding: "If they had read them, they probably would want to ban the Bible." The signatories in the letter said "Islamist radicalization" was to blame for what it described as a "quiet ethnic purging" in the Paris region, with abuse forcing Jewish families to move out. A third of France's record hate crimes target Jews, despite the community making up only 0.7 percent of the population. But Erdogan also pointed to Islamophobia in the West, saying Ankara had warned its partners of "Islamophobia, anti-Turkish feeling, xenophobia, racism." In a second speech later, Erdogan argued the signatories were "no different" from the Islamic State (IS) extremist group. "Our attitude should be a lesson for Islamophobic European politicians who protect those who attack Islam in the name of defending Western values, who pat on the back those who burn mosques," Erdogan said. He added this message was directed "especially for Sarkozy." Relations between Turkey and the West have been tense following the July 2016 failed coup but ties with France have been further strained in recent weeks. Tension rose after French President Emmanuel Macron offered to mediate between Turkey and outlawed Kurdish militants, an offer furiously rejected by Erdogan in March. Despite the letter being published last month, the Turkish government first reacted at the weekend as the country gets ready for parliamentary and presidential polls in June. Turkey's Europe Minister Omer Celik said on Sunday the letter was "the most striking example of intellectual violence and barbarity." Deputy Prime Minister Bekir Bozdag said on Monday that the signatories were the "21st century's idiots." Main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP) chief Kemal Kilicdaroglu also hit out at the manifesto saying it was like that of other extremist groups: "Your attitude supports al-Qaeda ... and ISIS [IS]," Hurriyet daily reported. Facebook announced Tuesday that it is banning foreign advertisements related to Ireland's abortion referendum amid concerns that North American groups are trying to influence the campaign. Irish voters will decide May 25 whether to repeal a constitutional ban on abortion, in a divisive referendum that has drawn international attention. Ireland bars political donations from abroad, but the law does not apply to social media advertising. U.S.-based anti-abortion groups are among those who have bought online ads in Ireland during the campaign. Facebook says starting Tuesday it will begin rejecting ads related to the referendum if they are being run by advertisers based outside of Ireland. We understand the sensitivity of this campaign and will be working hard to ensure neutrality at all stages, Facebook said in a statement. Our goal is simple: to help ensure a free, fair and transparent vote on this important issue. Facebook has tried to improve its transparency after revelations that political consultancy Cambridge Analytica harvested users' data to micro-target political ads to select groups during the 2016 U.S. presidential race - meaning that only those most susceptible to the message would see the advertisements. The social media company has launched a view ads tool in Ireland that allows users of the network to see all of the ads being run by an advertiser, not just the ones targeted at them. Facebook also said it is testing a process that will help it ensure advertisers are resident in the country where an election is taking place. U.S. President Donald Trump's nominee to head the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), Acting Director Gina Haspel, has been meeting with senators on Capitol Hill ahead of her confirmation hearing Wednesday. A controversial nominee because of her background in running a secret CIA detention center after the 9/11 terrorist attacks, the White House is defending Haspel as the best person for the job. VOA's Jeff Custer reports from Washington. A group of about 100 Iranian civil servants staged a protest outside the nation's parliament to complain about nonpayment of their salaries for the past several months. Iran's state-run ILNA news agency reported the protesters who joined Tuesday's gathering at the gates of parliament in Tehran were employees of a government fund that provides insurance to Iranian farmers. It said the demonstrators came from different branches of the Agricultural Insurance Fund across Iran. The news agency said the workers complained about not receiving salaries for several months and not receiving insurance coverage themselves. It said they also demanded job security at their organization, which has about 2,800 employees. The protesters said they fear a potential privatization of the fund would reduce its workforce by two-thirds. ILNA reports the protesters expressed hope that Iranian lawmakers would take up their grievances. The fund workers have staged several similar protests since last year. Iran has seen a wave of public protests around the country since December, fueled by anger toward local and national officials and business owners accused of corruption, mismanagement and suppressing freedoms. Most demonstrations have ranged in size from dozens to hundreds of people. This report was produced in collaboration with VOA's Persian Service. At the gates of Tikrit under a giant billboard of a Shi'ite militia commander, hundreds of Iraqi Sunni Arabs wait in the scorching sun for hours to be searched before being let into the city that was once the power base of Saddam Hussein. Treated as Islamic State sympathizers by Iraq's Shi'ite dominated security forces and militias, the Sunnis near Tikrit say they feel disillusioned and alienated ahead of a May 12 election to elect a new prime minister. Under Saddam, power was concentrated within Iraq's minority Sunni community but the tables turned in 2003 with the U.S.-led invasion that toppled the dictator and ushered in Shi'ite dominance, and a cycle of bloodletting and revenge. Six months after the defeat of Islamic State, Iraq's Sunni Arabs are at their lowest point yet. Almost 2.3 million remain displaced, while others linger in prisons or without work in half-ruined cities - all collectively suspected of ties to the hardline Sunni militants. Shujaa Mohammed, 35, a former army bomb disposal expert from Tikrit, said he went to Baghdad when Islamic State seized the city in 2014, offering to help the authorities fight back. "The commanders said you're from Tikrit, you're all Islamic State. I told them: 'Check our records and punish us if we are'. They just stopped paying our salaries," said Mohammed, who plans to put a large X over the entire ballot paper on Saturday. Despite the widespread disillusionment, many Sunnis say they do want their voices heard, even if that means spoiling their ballots or backing a candidate they have no faith in. Interviews with dozens of voters, candidates and local officials in three Sunni provinces suggest the community is planning to turn out in high numbers on Saturday though few believe the election will do much to improve their fate. "I will vote, but I don't have hope that anything will change," said Ghufran, a 25-year-old pharmacist in Mosul who declined to give her full name for fear of reprisals. Defying threats Ghufran is one of thousands to have returned since Mosul was retaken from Islamic State in July, despite the difficulties of living among "rubble and checkpoints". Even before Islamic State seized it 2014, Mosul had been a stronghold for Islamist militants who threatened to kill anyone who voted in the first elections after Saddam's fall. Falah Mohammed braved the intimidation to work on the election in 2010, but stayed away in 2014 after Islamic State threatened his family. This time he will defy the latest threats from Islamist militants who have warned Sunnis not to vote, despite having lost control of the city. "The climate of fear is over," said 41-year-old Mohammed, who, like many of his neighbors, will vote despite his disdain for the candidates. "It's our duty to vote. The determination to vote in the absence of a belief anything will change was echoed across Mosul, the capital of Nineveh province where more than 900 candidates from over 30 electoral lists are running for just 31 parliamentary seats. Sunnis have long complained about rampant discrimination at the hands of Shi'ite-led governments and security forces since 2003, though some concede there have been improvements since Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi took over four years ago. Unlike his predecessor Nuri al-Maliki, who was seen as overtly sectarian, Abadi has some support among Sunnis who credit him with freeing them from Islamic State and could endorse his re-election bid. "We don't trust the current politicians but I'd vote for Abadi. He liberated Mosul," said Fatouma Badran, 40, in the Hammam al Alil refugee camp south of the city. Abadi's Victory Alliance list is the only one running in all 18 provinces. He has been campaigning across Iraq and his visits to Sunni heartlands have been well received. Others in Mosul, such as 31-year-old Ali Fares, say they could never vote for the leaders they blame for recklessly battering their city in the battle to oust Islamic State. "They all destroyed Mosul," said Fares in a makeshift tea shop in the heart of the Old City. "Instead of spending millions of dinars on campaign posters, they should rebuild houses. Displaced voters Many of those displaced by war have spent months or years in camps, but some live in informal settlements, as their former homes are no long habitable, or their areas not yet secure. In a charred, multi-story garage full of blown-up cars in Tikrit, hundreds have set up their own informal camp, where families are divided by simple hanging sheets. Here, not everyone wants to vote. Rahman Mohsen, a 47-year-old former taxi driver, said he returned home to Baiji after Islamic State was driven out but his house had burnt down. So he came to Tikrit instead and ended up in the garage, and is angry with politicians for not doing more to help. "We only see them during elections, after elections we never see them again. Not a single official has visited us. The children have developed scabies and lice," he said pointing to one of his young sons with a visible bald spot. "We survive on charity ... thank God, at least there is a ceiling. In the Amriyat al-Falluja (AAF) complex west of the capital Baghdad, the only things more abundant than tents are campaign posters - though most families in the camp are using the structures displaying the candidates to hang their laundry. Jamal Khalaf plans to vote for a candidate who he says helped camp residents with much needed supplies. But, like most people interviewed by Reuters in the camp, he hasn't got a voting card and believes this will bar him from participating. "Islamic State punished those who had voting cards so we got rid of them," he said. Khalaf said it would cost him 20,000 Iraqi dinars ($16) to hire a car to go and get a new voting card, money he and thousands of others in camps do not have. Camp residents are allowed to vote through a system called "conditional voting" where they only need to show documents that confirm their identity and that they live in the camp, but many were unaware of the process. Voters in camps and rural communities across the mainly Sunni provinces of Anbar, Salahuddin and Nineveh also said several Shi'ite militias had threatened to press terrorism charges against their youths unless specific candidates won. Another problem for the Sunnis is that unlike Iraq's Kurds and Shi'ite Arabs, they lack a strong national leadership or party structure meaning the electoral base of their politicians is largely provincial or tribal in nature. In some regions, such as Tikrit, that vacuum is felt particularly acutely. "Since the occupation in 2003 we have not had any representative from Tikrit in the provincial council or parliament. Because Saddam was from Tikrit. They say in Baghdad we ruled Iraq for 35 years and it's enough," said Najeeb Saeed, a 46-year-old street trader. Sunnis mostly did not engage in the political process after 2003. Some considered it born out of an illegal occupation while many would-be leaders were banned for belonging to Saddam's Baath party. Many feel the Sunni politicians who have engaged in politics since the fall of Saddam are collaborators, just out for personal gain. "What have Sunni politicians ever done for me? Why should I vote for the same politicians who are the reason I live in a tent?" said 72-year-old Mehdi Ahmed, who fled to the AAF camp complex because of the fighting. "I would rather dig my own grave than do that. Malaysia's opposition parties have never come close to winning a majority of seats in a national election, even in 2013 when their total vote exceeded the ruling coalition's. That year, the ruling National Front won 47 percent of votes but 60 percent of the seats in Parliament. The party has advantages in Wednesday's election too. Opposition parties and activists have long complained they're unable to compete on equal terms. Here are some reasons why: Rural seats are key Not every vote is equal. Multi-ethnic urban seats, which lean toward the opposition, generally have much higher numbers of voters than those dominated by rural majority Malays, who traditionally support the National Front. That means it takes fewer votes to elect a government lawmaker than it does to elect an opposition lawmaker. Tindak, a group lobbying for reform of the electoral system, says one third of voters decide half of the seats. These distortions are particularly evident in the thinly populated states of Sabah and Sarawak on the island of Borneo, which together elect a quarter of seats in Parliament. Questionable boundary changes The opposition and election monitoring groups say changes to the boundaries of electorates that were rushed through Parliament last month favor the government. They say the redrawn boundaries moved likely opposition voters into seats that already support the opposition, a process that also split constituencies along racial lines because minority Chinese and Indian voters have flocked to the opposition in the past two elections. The Election Commission has insisted the process was fair and the transfers moved voters to closer poll centers. The boundaries have not been redrawn since 2003, but this was the first time the exercise didn't involve an increase in parliamentary seats despite a sharp rise in voters. Tindak said the most obviously unfair changes were in the country's richest state of Selangor, which is among three of 13 states not ruled by the National Front. Voter roll irregularities Bersih, a group promoting free and fair elections, says it has found ``major irregularities'' in the electoral roll, including more than 2.1 million people _ equal to about 15 percent of eligible voters _ without addresses. It also identified 23 cases of dead Malaysians being re-registered as new voters. The group says the irregularities are nothing new but no action to clean up the lists was taken following recommendations by a parliamentary committee in 2011. ``We are extremely concerned that these irregularities continue to persist,'' Bersih said. How credible are international observers Malaysia has invited 25 election observers from nine countries including India and Indonesia, the world's biggest and third-biggest democracies, respectively. But the seven other nations all fall short on democratic credentials: Azerbaijan, the Maldives, Thailand, Pakistan, Uzbekistan, Cambodia and Krygyzstan. Malaysia's Human Rights Commission protested that it had been denied permission by the Election Commission to field observers at polling stations. The commission said there will be more than 1,200 observers representing 14 local civil society groups. Fake news law Malaysia's Parliament last month passed a law prohibiting fake news that critics said could be used to stifle debate and inhibit reporting on a corruption scandal at state investment fund 1MDB and allegations $700 million of the stolen money landed in Prime Minister Najib Razak's bank account. Last week police said they were investigating a fake news complaint against opposition leader and former Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad. He had claimed his chartered plane was sabotaged last week to prevent him from filing his candidacy in the northern resort island of Langkawi. The law allows fines of up to 500,000 ringgit ($127,000) and six years in prison. Voting day The Election Commission's decision to hold the election in the middle of the working week triggered a flurry of complaints it would suppress turnout, because many people must return to their hometowns to vote. Past elections show a higher turnout increases the opposition's share of the vote. The government subsequently declared May 9 a holiday but its opponents said it would still be challenge for half a million Malaysians working in Singapore to return home to vote. Mexicos left-wing presidential front-runner Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, who is trying to calm a fierce exchange with some of the countrys business leaders, said on Monday he could offer a concession for Mexico Citys new airport. Lopez Obrador, ahead by double digits in all major polls, has threatened to cancel the new $13 billion airport, arguing it is full of corruption and too expensive. His position on the airport and commitment to review contracts signed with oil majors under an energy reform in recent years, along with high-profile sparring with some Mexican tycoons, worry some investors. But he said at a tourism event on Monday that the airport, Mexicos biggest infrastructure project, could be put out to the private sector in a concession, like most other airports in the country. Why dont we do a concession? I wouldnt have a problem, said the candidate, who wants to stimulate the economy with an infrastructure push. Im not going to put half of public investment into one project, he added. Idea shared by Carlos Slim The same idea was recently raised publicly by Mexicos richest man, Carlos Slim, who said he did not understand why the project was not privately financed in a concession. Lopez Obradors softer language and the prospect of a concession reflect the tone of his comments at a campaign rally on Sunday, where he tried to take the heat out of an exchange with a group of businessmen he has accused of corruption. Look, purely by coincidence I have a white handkerchief, he said in the northern state of Nuevo Leon, waving it as a symbol of the peace and love he said he wanted with business. He said his argument was with a small group that had benefited from close ties to government, not businesses in general. 'Influence traffickers' Last week, Lopez Obrador named several members of Mexicos elite he said were influence traffickers that benefit from corruption, provoking outrage and a full-page newspaper ad from a powerful business coalition, condemning what they described as personal attacks and slander. A separate business body, CCE, on Monday published a letter assuring that they were part of the solution, not the problem. Migrant workers from the Asia-Pacific region sent $256 billion home last year, but more needs to be done to cut costs and make money transfers easier, said a United Nations report Monday. Remittances, which have risen about 5 percent since 2008, helped about 320 million family members across the region last year, according to the United Nations' International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD). "It is crucial and critical to make sure these flows arrive fast and cheap," said Pedro de Vasconcelos, a remittance expert at the IFAD. "It is a lifeline for millions of families." According to the report, 80 million migrant workers sent money home an average eight to 10 times per year. They usually paid about 7 percent in charges to use cash-to-cash transfers, which enable money to be sent overseas often without using a personal bank account. A decade ago, remittances to people in rural areas could cost as much as 20 to 25 percent in fees, charges and currency exchange rates, said De Vasconcelos. But rates are still too high despite increased competition, he added. He urged those making and receiving remittances to embrace digital technology such as mobile phones for transferring money, and he predicted that such methods would soon overtake cash-to-cash. Regulators and the private sector must also work together to harmonize the legal and regulatory frameworks between countries and support new technologies that enter the market, he added. "The process of sending this money is where the real opportunity exists," De Vasconcelos said. Asia-Pacific is the biggest destination for remittances worldwide, with migrants holding jobs overseas that include construction, domestic work and health care, according to IFAD. About 70 percent of remittances to the Asia-Pacific region came from Gulf countries, the United States and Europe. "The type of work varies but you definitely see a majority of middle- to low-skilled labor," De Vasconcelos said. The three largest remittance-receiving nations were India at $69 billion, China at $64 billion and the Philippines at $33 billion, according to the report. Remittances contributed an average 60 percent to a receiving household's income, and the total was more than 10 times the amount of development aid received in the Asia-Pacific region. About 70 percent of remittances are spent on basic needs like food, clothes, health care and education for families that are mostly in rural areas, according to the report. The remaining 30 percent, or $77 billion, is often saved and invested in income-generating activities or investments, IFAD said. Canadian and U.S. negotiators held "constructive" talks to revamp the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) on Tuesday as efforts focused on agreeing to new rules for the auto sector, Canadian Foreign Minister Chrystia Freeland said. Freeland, U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) Robert Lighthizer and Mexican Economy Minister Ildefonso Guajardo are meeting in Washington this week in search of a breakthrough in the grinding talks to renegotiate NAFTA that began last August. Hopes for a deal hinge substantially on the three countries' ability to update rules for the automotive sector, the central plank of the Trump administration's push to make changes to NAFTA that bring more jobs and investment to the United States. After a brief meeting with Lighthizer, Freeland told reporters she had held "good, constructive" talks with the U.S. team and that discussions focused on auto rules of origin. "We are definitely making progress. I am not going to predict the day, hour and minute that we will be finished. We are certainly very, very hard at work, negotiators from all three sides," she said. The meetings would continue, the minister added. She, Guajardo and Lighthizer would be in touch by phone "and we'll get together today again as needed," Freeland said. Guajardo and Mexican Foreign Minister Luis Videgaray later entered the USTR offices to meet Lighthizer and other U.S. officials without taking questions from reporters. U.S. President Donald Trump initiated the talks to retool the 1990s-era trade agreement, threatening to dump NAFTA if it cannot be changed to his satisfaction. Trump blames NAFTA for causing U.S. manufacturing jobs to be moved to Mexico. The pact's supporters say the integration of North America has helped U.S. industry be more competitive. Earlier Tuesday, Freeland said that Canada was looking for a "good deal, not just any deal," on NAFTA and that her government would take the time required to reach that objective. To do so, the three sides must narrow their differences on U.S. demands to overhaul rules for the auto sector. Auto tussle Mexico's automotive industry has described the latest U.S. plan, which includes raising North American auto content to 75 percent from the current 62.5 percent over a period of four years for light vehicles, as "not acceptable." The U.S. proposal would also require that 40 percent of the value of light passenger vehicles and 45 percent for pickup trucks be built in areas with wages of $16 per hour or higher, which would create problems for lower-cost Mexico. Mexico's government has said it would put forward its own plan for the industry this week, and Jerry Dias, president of Canadian private sector union Unifor, told reporters he believed the discussions on the Mexican proposals had already begun. High-level discussions over NAFTA have intensified since Lighthizer in early March floated the idea of agreeing to a deal in principle in a matter of weeks. But there has been no clear sign of a conclusive breakthrough on the most contentious issues. With a presidential election less than two months away in Mexico, time is running out to strike a quick deal. Major differences remain between the three on several U.S. demands, including autos, the future of the pact's dispute-resolution mechanisms, and a U.S. proposal for a sunset clause that could automatically kill the deal after five years. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is an outspoken opponent of the Iran nuclear deal, but some in Israel's security establishment see it as a least-bad option that should be preserved. President Donald Trump is set to announce Tuesday whether the U.S. will exit the 2015 agreement between Iran and world powers. The agreement lifted painful economic sanctions against Iran in exchange for curbs on its nuclear program. Netanyahu has been a leading critic of the deal, saying it did not contain sufficient safeguards to prevent Iran from reaching nuclear-weapons capability or address Iran's other activities across the region or its long-range missile program. Trump's disdain for the deal has been a welcome development for Netanyahu. But while Netanyahu has been urging the deal be either "fixed or nixed," not all are clamoring to cancel the agreement. "An American announcement that it's withdrawing from the agreement would let Iran drive a wedge between the world powers and gradually loosen international oversight over its nuclear program," Amos Gilad, a retired senior Israeli defense official, told the Haaretz newspaper for a story published this week. "If the Americans abandon the agreement, they have to prepare for alternatives, and I don't see this being done," he said. Gilad said Israel needs to prioritize the threats it faces. "If Iran now continues to suspend its nuclear project for eight or 10 years, in accordance with the agreement, that will let us focus on more urgent threats relating to the Iranian army establishing a presence in Syria, and preparing the Israeli army for the possibility that, in the future, we'll have to deal with the nuclear [issue] if a confrontation erupts," he told Haaretz. Israel considers Iran an existential threat because of its nuclear and missile programs, its support of violent anti-Israel groups in the region and frequent calls for destruction of the Jewish state. Pakistan on Tuesday confirmed its participation in the trilateral religious conference starting in Indonesia on May 11 in an effort to discuss a peaceful solution to the ongoing war against terrorism in Afghanistan. Qibla Ayaz, the chairman of Pakistans Council of Islamic Ideology (CII), told VOA that Pakistani religious scholars will take part in the upcoming trilateral meeting in Indonesia. Pakistan is sending a 20-member-delegation of religious scholars belonging to different sects of Islam to this conference to build trust and to play its role to build peace in the region, especially in Afghanistan, Ayaz said. Ayaz also applauded the initiative by the Indonesian government of organizing an extraordinary conference that involves three Muslim-majority countries and is meant to find a solution to the war in Afghanistan. Earlier last week, Afghanistan had also praised Indonesias efforts for its sincere efforts in Afghan peace process. Afghanistan, Indonesia and Pakistan will participate with a 20-member delegation of prominent Islamic scholars and a joint statement condemning terrorism will be issued at the end of the conference. The trilateral meeting was initiated by Afghanistan after it sought Indonesias support to convene the conference and to persuade Pakistani religious scholars to attend it in a bid to promote peace between the two countries. The leaders of Indonesia, the largest Muslim-majority country in the world, have expressed hopes that the trilateral meetings will help to reach on a mutual agreement, or a fatwa (edict) that will persuade Taliban to denounce violence and to hold peace talks with the Afghan government. Indonesias Vice President Jusuf Kalla earlier this week said that through hosting the Ulema (Islamic Scholars) conference Indonesia could play its part in reaching out a political settlement between Afghan government and Taliban. We hope to resolve the conflict in Afghanistan, we still a problem there, Kalla had said on Saturday. Analysts in Washington believe the conference might contribute towards peace efforts but they cast their doubt on a possible breakthrough. The aim of the trilateral conference is to reach an agreement and extend support for a political settlement between the Afghan government and the Taliban insurgents. Given that the Taliban enjoys broad support from the Pakistani clerical circles who will be attending this conference, Ahmad Khalid Majidyar, director of the Iran Observed Project at the Middle East Institute in Washington, told VOA. The event will help to build and understanding between clerics in Afghanistan and Pakistan but ultimately its unlikely to result in a breakthrough in potential peace talks, Majidyar added. Religious Scholars and the Taliban Afghanistan accuses that hardline Pakistani religious scholars openly support Taliban and believe a joint statement against terrorism from prominent Islamic clerics will persuade Taliban to come on the peace talk table. Taliban, on the other hand, have already denounced the proposed meeting and issued a statement in March that urged the scholars to boycott the conference in Indonesia. In order to give a legal face to the illegitimate Kabul administration and in the series of propaganda and deceptive Peace Process efforts, this time around the enemies of our religion, country and independence want to fool internationally respected scholars and Islamic countries by convening a gathering of Islamic Scholars in the city of Jakarta, Indonesia or in another country, warned the statement issued by the insurgent group. Taliban, currently, holds 407 Afghan districts and there has been a spike in attacks by the group lately that has claimed nearly 1,000 civilian lives in the first quarter of 2018. Talibans statement came as a response to Afghan High Peace Council (HPC) announcement about an international conference in March with a focus on Pakistani hardline religious clerics who support Taliban and their activities in Afghanistan. "We are hoping that those Pakistani religious scholars like Maulana Fazal-ur-Rehman and Maulana Sami-ul-Haq, who see the war in Afghanistan as legitimate jihad, would participate in the conference," Sayed Ehsan Taheri, Afghan High Peace Council spokesperson had told VOA at the time. The HPCs announcement came after more than 1,800 Pakistani clerics had issued an Islamic decree, or fatwa, that categorically condemned and denounced the suicide bombings and other acts of terrorism as un-Islamic and against the teachings of the religion. Pakistan denies the allegations and says it has no links to the Taliban, and maintains peace in Afghanistan is in Pakistans interest. Muhammad Ishtiaq, Mubashir Zaidi contributed to this report. Pakistan's defense minister says good relations are possible with rival India, using the example of the recent historic meeting between the leaders of North and South Korea. But, says Defense Minister Khurram Dastgir, that will require mutual political courage to transcend the past. In an exclusive interview with VOA, Dastgir said persistent diplomatic and military tensions, particularly over Kashmir, have increased the likelihood the disputed Himalayan region could become a flashpoint between the nuclear-armed South Asian nations. Indian and Pakistani military forces have been locked in almost weekly exchanges of fire along the Line of Control, the defacto Kashmir border. Both sides blame each other for initiating the deadly clashes. India and Pakistan claim Kashmir in its entirety. The region has triggered two of the three wars the countries have fought since they both gained independence from Britain in 1947. Dastgir told VOA that despite the continued mistrust and hostility in bilateral relations, former Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif undertook a historic visit to New Delhi in 2014 to attend the inauguration ceremony of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. It is that kind of courage that is required for us to transcend the past. Courage will also be required to see that peace has greater dividends for our future generations than hostilities, the minister said when asked whether the inter-Korean summit could encourage the South Asian nations to talk peace. North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and South Korean President Moon Jae-in met last month at the heavily fortified demilitarized zone between their countries in the first summit between both nations in more than a decade. The two leaders pledged at the meeting to work together to eliminate the risk of war and achieve complete denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula. Dastgir said that the Indian government, since the historic Sharif visit, has constantly demonstrated aggressive posturing toward Pakistan, adding the policy is deeply disturbing and detrimental to regional stability. The minister said that over the years a political consensus has emerged among all stakeholders in Pakistan to forge a peaceful political and economic relationship with India. He added that no Pakistani political party in the previous two elections, in 2008 and 2013, went to voters on an anti-India platform. But New Delhi has lost the unique and very valuable moment in Pakistani history to promote mutual peace. This unique, peaceful moment, this political consensus in Pakistan that in the 21st century we should move forward with India by finding peace with our eastern neighbor, that moment is merely decimated and I think a great opportunity has been lost since 2014 of bringing our two countries together. Instead, Dastgir said, Indian political and military leaders have since become increasingly aggressive in their statements and actions. New Delhi, he said, has also enhanced its military presence along the international border with Pakistan to be able to quickly mobilize troops to impose another conflict on the country. "India has created a string of bases along the Pakistani border in which now they have all the material and men, including their air force, in which they could if, God forbid, a situation arises, mobilize extremely quickly. This is a reality, said Dastgir. India, he emphasized, needs to review its policy and to cease and desist on this point and come to discuss resolution of issues dividing the two countries. I think more importantly, our mutual friend, the United States should be looking at it very seriously and the world community should be looking at it very seriously on what is happening on the border between India and Pakistan. There has been no immediate comment from the government in New Delhi. Indian Prime Minister Modis government has linked a resumption of formal talks with Pakistan to the elimination of alleged terrorist networks in the neighboring country that it says is being used to stage cross-border terrorist attacks. Islamabad rejects the accusation and says New Delhis aggressive stance is aimed at diverting attention from alleged atrocities by Indian forces against Kashmiris in an attempt to deter them from staging anti-India protests in the divided region. India and Pakistan are set to hold their first-ever anti-terrorism exercise with other members of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, or SCO, in Russia later this year, raising hopes of a thaw in bilateral relations. Pakistani and Indian soldiers have been working together in the United Nations Peacekeeping Force, but this will be the first time the rival nations will be part of a counterterrorism drill. Analysts are skeptical about whether the SCO military exercise will eventually pave the way for Pakistan and India to jointly fight regional terrorism and ease mutual tensions. Mexican leftist Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador has maintained his lead in the race to win the presidency with less than two months remaining before the country's July 1 election, an opinion poll showed on Monday. The survey of 1,200 voters by polling firm BGC showed Lopez Obrador winning 42 percent support, up by two percentage points from a previous poll by the company published on April 20. His closest rival Ricardo Anaya, who heads a right-left coalition, advanced one percentage point to 33 percent support, while Jose Antonio Meade, candidate of the ruling Institutional Revolutionary Party (PRI), slipped three points to 19 percent. The BGC poll, carried out between May 3-6, contrasted with recent surveys that showed Lopez Obrador's advantage over Anaya narrowing somewhat at the end of April. Lopez Obrador, runner-up in Mexico's last two presidential elections, has led in opinion polls for months. His bid has capitalized on deep-seated discontent with the PRI over rising gang violence, corruption scandals and sluggish economic growth. The poll also showed Lopez Obrador's National Regeneration Movement (MORENA) backed by 39 percent of Mexicans in voting for the lower house of Congress. Two parties allied to MORENA were forecast to win another 5 percent between them. Support for Anaya's center-right National Action Party (PAN) stood at 25 percent, while its two coalition partners garnered another 10 percent. The PRI was seen winning 18 percent of the vote in the lower house, with two allies together mustering another 3 percent. The survey had a margin of error of 2.9 percentage points, BGC said. Mas Yamashita does not remember the moment he and his family left the small apartment or "barn as it was called at the time" where they lived in Oakland, California. But he vividly recalls where they went: the Tanforan detention facility in San Bruno, California. During World War II, thousands of Japanese-Americans were held in confinement there, while a more permanent internment camp was constructed. Really, my childhood memories began in the camp, Yamashita says. He was 6 years old at the time and is now 82. He could not understand why U.S. officials "covered up the [train] windows with black paper. I wasnt sure if they didnt want us to look out or people to see us from the outside." "I vividly remember this We didnt know what time of the day or night it was," he said. Yamashita, an American born in California, was one of 120,000 people held in internment camps during the WWII. Because they could not leave the camp, everything was given to them: housing, food, etc., so "everything that the head of the household was responsible for was taken away from them. They basically lost what they felt was their dignity. They were left with no responsibilities. It was very, very hard for them to accept." Using the census After the bombing of Pearl Harbor, President Franklin Roosevelt issued Executive Order 9066 that resulted in the detention of Japanese descendants living on the West Coast in 10 recently built camps in Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Idaho, Utah, and Wyoming. To round up Japanese citizens, the U.S. government secretly used the 1940 census. The census is an official count of the U.S. population taken every ten years. The next census will be 2020. Though it is illegal to release or use any census information to target a specific population, a pair of researchers found evidence that census officials cooperated with the federal government to identify Japanese Americans. Historian Margo Anderson of the University of Wisconsin and statistician William Seltzer of Fordham University published a pair of papers in 2000 and 2007 that showed census officials released data as specific as names and addresses to the government. "We want to emphasize to the public that because of what happened to us, it is now safer to participate in the census without the fear of such action happening again," David Inoue, executive director of the Japanese American Citizens League told VOA. But Inoue conceded his message may not be enough to override peoples fear that the census could still be used against them. Citizenship question The Japanese experience takes on new relevance as officials from the U.S. Census Bureau and Commerce Department prepared to answer questions on Capitol Hill Tuesday about the addition of a controversial citizenship question to the 2020 census form. Asking respondents if they are citizens has not been done since the 1950s. In addition to gathering statistics about the U.S. population, the census is a tool used to decide the number of representatives each state gets in Congress and how billions of dollars in federal funds are distributed. Critics of a citizenship question say that immigrants will be less likely to respond to census questions if they are confronted with one about citizenship. And that will change how much federal aid their communities get. The Census Bureau has taken this point of view. According to documents in a New York-led lawsuit, Census officials said in a 1980 case that adding a citizenship question would inevitably jeopardize the overall accuracy of the population count by significantly deterring participation in immigrant communities, because of concerns about how the federal government will use citizenship information. The White House rejects this and U.S. officials say that asking about citizenship will help enforce the Voting Rights Act by determining who is eligible to vote. "It is imperative that the data gathered in the census is reliable, given the wide-ranging impacts it will have on U.S. policy. A question on citizenship is a reasonable, commonsense addition to the census," Senator Ted Cruz said in a statement. But to Yamashita, a citizenship question would be pretty tragic. You wonder, why do they want to have that information? How can they use that information or if theyre going to use it destructively? Yamashita said. Nobody talked about it More than 70 years later, it is still painful for Yamashita to talk about the internment experience. His voice broke a few times when he described the time after the family were released from the camp. I lost touch [with the children in the camp] after we left. I had photographs of friends that I used to play with. Theres a picture of one boy. It was in his birthday party. His father wanted him to attend a Japanese school, but he tried to do everything to stay away from his Japanese heritage. [There] were a couple of [Japanese schools] in the city, but I lied because I didnt want to have anything to do with the Japanese, Yamashita said. So I didnt go. To this day, I dont speak Japanese. I cant read or write [in Japanese.] Most of the people I know, my age, dont speak or write Japanese. I think we all felt the same way in the sense that we didnt want anything to do with the Japanese culture when we got out, Yamashita said. Yamashita recalled fights he had in school, students who made fun of him for being different, and he vividly remembers a teacher who could not pronounce his name. I hated my name. My first year in grammar school after the camp, my class was predominantly Caucasian. There was only one other Asian student in the class and I avoided her. I didnt talk to her until we reached high school. Now, after a long career in advertising, he is a volunteer at the Japanese American Museum, to "make up" for all the time he avoided the Japanese community. We have to make sure that we record all these stories. We have to keep telling them to future generations. All of my older sisters and brothers are gone and they never got around to do that, he said. After we got out, nobody ever talked about it. Nobody, he said. A fund launched by the Red Cross aims to deliver life-saving humanitarian aid before rather than after floods, droughts and other natural hazards hit, so as to reduce damage and trauma in some of the world's most disaster-prone areas. The "Forecast-based Action Fund", set up by the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC), uses weather predictions and historical data to trigger the distribution of money when a natural disaster looms. The German government has committed 3.6 million Swiss francs ($3.6 million) to the new forecast-based fund. It will sit within another of the IFRC's disaster relief funds that is worth 25 million-30 million Swiss francs annually, and can draw more from that pot of money. "It means that life-saving action can now take place before anyone is in immediate danger, which will save lives and reduce the need for more costly emergency response and recovery efforts," said Pascale Meige, the IFRC's director of disaster and crisis prevention, response and recovery. Fifteen Red Cross/Red Crescent societies in Africa, the Americas and Asia-Pacific are readying to tap into the fund over the next two years, if needed. Other branches may also use it. The model has been tested in communities in Peru, Togo, Uganda, Bangladesh, Mozambique and Mongolia since 2014. "Waiting for disasters to happen should not be an option anymore," Peter Felten, head of humanitarian assistance at the German Federal Foreign Office, said in a statement. Funding is triggered by pre-set thresholds such as rainfall forecasts combined with rising river levels, Maarten van Aalst, director of the Red Cross Red Crescent Climate Centre, told the Thomson Reuters Foundation. "As soon as the forecast reaches that level of severity, the mechanism can release the funds for pre-specified early actions," he said in emailed comments. For example, in a community-based scheme in Bangladesh, predictions that the Brahmaputra river would overflow in 2017 sparked cash grants for local people who could then use the money to support their families during the emergency, he said. The mechanism could change the way agencies tackle disasters, providing an incentive to act when the alarm bells start ringing, rather than once a disaster has struck, he noted. Governments and aid agencies have been calling for more investment in disaster prevention for years, to cut the rising bill for helping people hit by crises. In 2016, former U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon called on states to dedicate at least 1 percent of international development assistance by 2020 to reducing the risks of disasters and preparing for them. This March, Zambian officials said the forecast-based financing model could be used as part of a national strategy for managing flood risk, and would strengthen preparedness. As primary season kicks into high gear, Republicans are engaged in nomination fights that are pulling the party to the right, leaving some leaders worried their candidates will be out of step with the broader electorate in November. Primaries in four states on Tuesday, all in places Donald Trump carried in 2016, showcase races in which GOP candidates are jockeying to be seen as the most conservative, the most anti-Washington and the most loyal to the president. It's evidence of the onetime outsider's deepening imprint on the Republican Party he commandeered less than two years ago. In Indiana, Republicans will pick from among three Senate candidates who have spent much of the race praising Trump and bashing each other. In West Virginia, a former federal convict and coal baron has taken aim at Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., with racially charged accusations of corruption. In Ohio, Republicans are certain to nominate someone more conservative than outgoing GOP Gov. John Kasich, a 2016 presidential candidate, moderate and frequent Trump critic. Even Kasich's former running mate, Lt. Gov. Mary Taylor, has pledged to unwind some of Kasich's centrist policies, including the expansion of the Medicaid government insurance program following Democrats' 2010 health insurance overhaul. With Trump's job approval hanging around 40 percent and the GOP-run Congress less than half that, the abandonment of the middle has some Republicans raising alarms. "The far left and the far right always think they are going to dominate these elections," said John Weaver, a Trump critic and top strategist to Kasich, who has been become a near-pariah in the primary to succeed him. "You may think it's wise in a primary to handcuff yourself to the president," Weaver said. "But when the ship goes down, you may not be able to get the cuffs off." North Carolina Republicans will weigh in on the fate of Republican Rep. Robert Pittenger, facing a primary challenger who almost upset him two years ago. Pittenger features Trump prominently in his campaign. Challenger Mark Harris, a prominent Charlotte pastor, has tried to turn the table, saying Pittenger is a creature of Washington who refuses to help Trump "drain that swamp." Tough primaries certainly don't have to be disastrous. They often gin up voter attention and engagement, and can signal strong turnout in the general election. Dallas Woodhouse, who runs the North Carolina Republican Party, said candidates benefit because they must "make their arguments and voters become more aware of the election." Trump and his Democratic opponent Hillary Clinton each survived internal party battles in 2016. Clinton won the national popular vote that year, but in the states that mattered most Ohio and North Carolina, among them wary Republicans gravitated back to Trump while Clinton struggled to hit the usual Democratic base targets. Few national Republicans look at West Virginia and see helpful enthusiasm. Former coal executive Don Blankenship has accused McConnell of creating jobs for "China people" and charges that the senator's "China family" has given him millions of dollars. McConnell's wife is Trump's transportation secretary, Elaine Chao, who was born in Taiwan. Trump urged West Virginia voters to reject Blankenship, predicting the former coal company executive would lose the general election as Republican Roy Moore did in Alabama after allegations of sexual misconduct came to light. Trump tweeted on Monday: "To the great people of West Virginia we have, together, a really great chance to keep making a big difference. Problem is, Don Blankenship, currently running for Senate, can't win the General Election in your State...No way! Remember Alabama. Vote Rep. Jenkins or A.G. Morrisey!" House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., said on Monday on Fox and Friends the president was trying to avoid internal battles and "find the very best person" in West Virginia to defeat incumbent Sen. Joe Manchin, a Democrat, in the general election. Indiana Senate candidates are trying to appeal to Trump voters by adopting the president's harsh immigration rhetoric and penchant for personal insults. The candidates have even channeled Trump by assigning derisive nicknames to one another: "Lyin'" Todd Rokita, Luke "Missing" Messer and "Tax Hike" Mike Braun. In several of the Tuesday primaries, Democrats are watching with delight, and having less trouble aligning behind nominees. The chief beneficiaries would be Democratic Sens. Joe Manchin of West Virginia and Joe Donnelly of Indiana, both sitting on healthy campaign accounts after avoiding their own primary fights. The leading Democrat for the North Carolina seat, Marine veteran Dan McCready, has raised almost $2 million, slightly more than Harris and Pittenger combined, in a district Trump won by about 12 percentage points. "He will absolutely make this competitive," Harris said. In the Ohio governor's race, liberal former Rep. Dennis Kucinich and former state Attorney General Richard Cordray have managed to avoid open warfare. Cordray, who also led the federal consumer watchdog agency launched under President Barack Obama, is the favorite. Republicans watched their state party, led by pro-Trump leadership that replaced Kasich allies after the 2016 elections, endorse state Attorney General Mike Dewine, while Taylor has effectively shunned an earlier endorsement from Kasich. "If Ohio Republicans are divided into Trump Republicans and Kasich Republicans, the Trump Republicans have won," said the state Democratic chairman, David Pepper. "That helps us." Gallup measures Trump with an 89 percent job approval rating among Republicans nationally, but 35 percent among independents and 42 percent overall. Historically, presidents below 50 percent watch their party suffer steep losses in midterm elections. Democrats must flip about two dozen Republican-held seats to reclaim a House majority, and they must do it with Republican-run legislatures having drawn many districts to the GOP's advantage. In North Carolina, Harris said the makeup of the district, which stretches from Republican areas of metro Charlotte east through small towns and rural counties, makes his pro-Trump, anti-establishment message a primary and November winner. Senate Democrats are just two seats shy of a majority, but must defend 26 incumbents, 10 in states where Trump won, including Ohio, Indiana and West Virginia. Republicans are defending nine seats, just one in a state Trump lost. Ahead of a high-level forum on South Sudan next week, President Salva Kiir is urging SPLM ruling party officials to forgive his former deputy, Riek Machar, and said the rebel leader should return home. "You bring Riek Machar to Juba here. I guarantee his safety and I will protect him with the national army. If you don't believe me, the RPF [Regional Protection Force] is here. You bring the RPF to take charge of the security of Riek Machar in Juba. This is where we will be meeting him and so that we talk to him," Kiir told party members attending a National Liberation Council meeting late last week in Juba. The council is a legislative body of the SPLM. Kiir said he also wants all former detainees, including former SPLM Secretary General Pagan Amum, to return to Juba in accordance with a reunification agreement signed in 2015 in Arusha, Tanzania. "If you forgive those who are among you here, those of Taban [First Vice President Taban Deng Gai], and those of Ezekiel [Ezekiel Lul, minister of petroleum], those of John Luk [minister of roads and transport], why would you not forgive Riek? I still believe that Riek is a citizen of South Sudan. He will come," Kiir told party delegates. Kiir said he believes insecurity across the country has prevented Machar and other opposition leaders from returning to South Sudan. He acknowledged that the issue has forced millions of South Sudanese to seek refuge in neighboring countries and in protection sites inside South Sudan. Kiir said it is time that he and other South Sudanese leaders swallow their pride and work together to change the direction of the country. "I want all of us to consider the plight of our people, then we change the way of doing things," Kiir told party members. May 17 focus Kiir's comments come as a top official within the SPLM-in Opposition, or SPLM-IO, faction led by Machar said his party is not focused on reunifying the SPLM, but on the talks May 17 in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. At the forum, Imatong state governor-designate Oyet Nathaniel will head the SPLM-IO's Cluster for Governance, which is loyal to Machar. Nathaniel said his group was surprised to hear Kiir call for Machar's return. He told VOA's South Sudan in Focus program that Machar will only return after a comprehensive peace deal is signed with a clear agenda outlining the way forward. "We need a new transition, a new governance arrangement, new security arrangements to secure the transition. We need an overhaul in the security sector considering the fact that the fighting forces under Salva Kiir now are militias collected from Bar al-Ghazal, and parts of Upper Nile," Nathaniel told VOA. He said the SPLM-in Opposition no longer recognizes the 2015 reunification agreement. One faction dissolved In a bid to try to prop up South Sudan's collapsing government, Gai said on Monday he had dissolved his faction of the SPLM-IO, saying it would boost the government's chances of restoring peace. "I would like to announce on behalf of the SPLM-IO structures and the entire membership of the party, the dissolution of the SPLM-IO organs and declare them to be united with the SPLM, the historic liberation party in the Republic of South Sudan," Gai said. Gai, popularly known as Taban Deng, said he was acting on a resolution the National Liberation Council passed last week that calls on all SPLM factions to reunite. Ruling party officials, former detainees, and the former SPLM-IO faction allied to Gai attended the meeting, but key signatories to the Arusha agreement such as Machar and former SPLM Secretary General Pagan Amum were not present. Gai has said a reunified SPLM will allow political leaders to address challenges facing the country and prepare for elections. "Reunification of SPLM will give more power, more spirit, and more energy to the party to strive on the areas of making peace," Gai said. Despite dissolving his faction, Gai said his group will continue to participate in talks in Addis Ababa under the government's delegation. "The Arusha agreement is very clear that the faction of the SPLM will continue leading an interim government until you have an election," Gai added. Kiir handpicked Gai to become the new first vice president and head the SPLM-IO after Machar fled Juba following renewed fighting between government forces and Machar's bodyguards in Juba in July 2016. South Sudan's conflict began in 2013 as a power struggle between Kiir and Machar. A letter signed in the name of a high-ranking Taliban member is calling for peace in Afghanistan. The letter, denounced as a fake by a Taliban spokesman, was purportedly signed by shadow chief justice Mawlawi Abdul Hokom and addressed to Taliban leader Habtullah Akhundzada. The Afghanistan Ministry of Defense (MOD) provided a copy of the letter to VOA and said it was initially sent from northeastern Baghlan province. In the letter, Hokom said all Afghans, including those living in Taliban or Afghan government-controlled areas, are tired of war and want peace. Since the Islamic Emirate leaders have a responsibility toward legitimate demands of the Afghanistan people, it is essential that despite Operation Khandaq against the occupiers, the leadership should consider the public peace demand and provide a convincing response to the Afghan people after consulting with all the leaders, the letter said. The Afghan Taliban announced their 2018 spring offensive called the "Al Khandaq (trench) Jihadi operations" on April 25. Despite the call for peace, Hokom once again called the Afghan government a puppet and its peace offer unreal. He also called the U.S.-led International forces occupiers. Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid told VOA that the document "is a fake letter created by the enemy's intelligence. They had also posted copies of this fake document on social media few months ago and this letter has nothing to do with the Islamic Emirate (the Taliban). " Peace discussion The Afghanistan High Peace Council (HPC), the body established by the government to negotiate with the Taliban, said there is still a possibility of peace talks with the group despite its public rejection of an offer made by President Ashraf Ghani in February. According to the reports we obtained from different sources, including media reports, Taliban, or the armed opposition leaders, have started discussing how to engage in discussions with the Afghan government, Sayed Ehsan Taheri, HPC spokesperson, told VOA. I am confident that many groups within the Taliban ranks are interested and seek peace in Afghanistan, and are trying to join the negotiation table. They have realized that they can't win in the battlefield, Mohammad Radmanish, MOD spokesperson, told VOA. Summary execution In his letter, Hokom also asked all Taliban fighters not to resort to summary executions, and to pay more attention to civilians, elders, and children during the battle. No in-charge person or Mujahid [Muslim fighter] has the right to kill anyone without a trial order, the letter read. The letter came months after the Taliban claimed responsibility for a suicide attack in the capital city of Kabul that killed close to 100 people Jan. 27. Afghan officials also blamed the group for a Sunday bombing in a mosque that was being used as a voter registration center in eastern Khost province. Seventeen people were killed, and 33 were injured. Islamic conference Jakarta is set to host a trilateral conference on May 11, where religious scholars from Afghanistan, Pakistan and Indonesia would try to find a solution for more than 16 years of war in Afghanistan. Fortunately, the Afghanistan, Pakistan and Indonesia delegations are announced, and religious councils of all three countries will participate in the conference to discuss peace and stability in Afghanistan, Taheri said. The Afghan Taliban, however, has urged scholars to boycott the conference. The Taliban captured a third district Tuesday in Afghanistan, the latest since launching its annual spring offensive two weeks ago. The insurgent battlefield victory came a day after the U.S.-backed government informed the national parliament that Afghan security forces lost more than 250 personnel fighting the Taliban over the past week. Officials say insurgents assaulted Tala Wa Barfak district in the northern province of Baghlan from several directions and overrun the it after heavy fighting with Afghan forces. Provincial Governor Abdul Hai Naeemi told VOAs Afghan Service that the fate of scores of government forces was not known immediately. He said airpower could not arrive in time to support ground forces, paving the way for the Taliban to seize control of the district. Naeem said he was unable to discuss casualties among Afghan forces because authorities have lost communication links and insurgents blocked all roads leading to district. Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid previously said Taliban forces entered Tala Wa Barfak district center after inflicting heavy casualties on Afghan security forces and seized large quantities of weapons, equipment and vehicles. The volatile Afghan district has changed hands several times in the past. The Taliban launched its Al-Khandaq spring offensive on April 25, and overran northern districts of Qala-e-Zal and Kohistan in Kunduz and Badakhshan provinces, respectively. Insurgents dispute the U.S.-backed Afghan governments claims that security forces have since retaken Kohistan on the border with Pakistan. A U.S. government watchdog, Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction or SIGAR in its latest report said the Taliban controls or contest nearly half of the countrys 407 districts, more than at any point since 2015. Afghan forces reportedly lost more than 10,000 personnel in 2017. SIGAR noted that the number of forces declined nearly 11 percent over the past year amid worsening violence. French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian said Wednesday the nuclear deal six world powers reached with Iran nearly three years ago is not dead, even after U.S. President Donald Trump announced his countrys withdrawal from the accord. Speaking to RTL radio, Le Drian said French President Emmanuel Macron and Iranian President Hassan Rouhani were to speak to each other Wednesday, and that the foreign ministers of France, Britain and Germany would discuss the situation with Iranian officials Monday. Inside Irans parliament, Trumps decision was greeted with lawmakers setting fire to a piece of paper with a picture of the American flag as well as another paper representing the nuclear deal. Parliament Speaker Ali Larijani said Irans nuclear department should be ready to resume all of its activities. Allegations that Iran was working to develop nuclear arms prompted the United States, Britain, China, France, Russia and Germany to seek the 2015 agreement, which put limits on Iran meant to ensure it could not build nuclear weapons. In exchange, Iran received relief from economic sanctions. Trump formally renounced the agreement Tuesday, decrying it as a horrible one-sided deal that should have never, ever been made. WATCH: Trump Withdraws US from Iran Nuclear Deal In remarks from the White House Diplomatic Room, the president declared that the United States is immediately reinstating all Iran-related sanctions it waived as part of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA). Trump then signed a memorandum ordering U.S. agencies to reinstitute all nuclear sanctions on Iran that were waived by Trumps predecessor, Barack Obama. The JCPOA didnt bring calm, it didnt bring peace, and it never will, Trump said. He asserted that it is clear to me that we cannot prevent an Iran nuclear bomb under the pact, adding the United States will withdraw from the Iran nuclear deal because America will not be held hostage to nuclear blackmail. Trumps decision to withdraw from the agreement comes despite pleas from several of Americas closest allies in Europe not to imperil the pact. Trump and hard-liners close to the president, such as Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and National Security Adviser John Bolton, have been fierce advocates for scrapping it. Watch Trump's remarks: A senior State Department official told reporters the Trump administration had made good progress and got close in efforts to reach a supplemental deal with European partners in recent months, including on the issues of ballistic missiles and regional issues. But the official said the sticking point that prevented an agreement was the so-called sunset clauses in the nuclear deal that allow certain provisions to expire after a given number of years. Israel, believed to be the only country in the Middle East with a nuclear arsenal, has also backed Trumps rhetoric on the JCPOA. Israel has opposed the nuclear deal from the start because we said that rather than blocking Irans path to a bomb, the deal actually paves Irans path to an entire arsenal of nuclear bombs, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said after Trumps announcement. The deal didnt push war further away, it actually brought it closer. The deal didnt reduce Irans aggression, it dramatically increased it. Iranian President Rouhani said Tehran would remain committed to the multinational pact. I have ordered the foreign ministry to negotiate with the European countries, China and Russia in coming weeks, Rouhani said in a televised speech following Trumps announcement. If at the end of this short period we conclude that we can fully benefit from the JCPOA with the cooperation of all countries, the deal would remain. Former President Obama, whose administration led intense negotiations to strike the agreement, called Trumps action misguided. I believe that the decision to put the JCPOA at risk without any Iranian violation of the deal is a serious mistake, he cautioned in a statement. Immediately after Trumps remarks, the U.S. Treasury Department announced wind-down provisions for existing contracts that European countries have with Tehran to avoid running afoul of U.S. banking regulations. Under those provisions, after six months sanctions will be back in place related to Irans oil, petrochemical and shipping sectors as well as its central bank. Sanctions involving Irans purchase of U.S. bank notes, trade in gold or precious medals and providing Iran with aluminum or steel. A senior White House official told reporters that new sanctions are possible as new information comes to light. And thats something that we should pursue vigorously because we want to put as much economic pressure on Iran as we can and deny them the revenues that they would have gotten from the transactions were not eliminating, the official said. Trumps move allows him to claim he has accomplished one of his major 2016 election campaign promises removing the United States from the pact he repeatedly deemed the worst deal ever. People will make this all about Trump, but it is not, James Carafano, vice president for the Heritage Foundations national security and foreign policy institute, told VOA. The deal was not sustainable over time. No one was happy with it, not even the Iranians, who expected big benefits that never materialized. Trump did the equivalent of a mercy killing. Proponents of the JCPOA accuse Trump of misrepresenting the agreements clauses, contending it has successfully frozen Irans nuclear weapons development. They also said the deals demise could prompt a nuclear arms race in the region. Trumps announcement was made as he prepares to meet possibly in about a month North Koreas leader, Kim Jong Un, to discuss a possible denuclearization agreement. In a tweet, Jon Wolfsthal, a former top arms control official at the National Security Council during the Obama administration, and currently a nonresident scholar on nuclear policy at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, predicted the collapse of the JCPOA would help North Korea. Trump will be desperate for a nuclear win. Content of the agreement doesnt matter its about the headline, Wolfsthal tweeted. North Korea is going to take Trump to the cleaners. Trump will claim success. We lose. Carafano counters, stating that North Korea will get the message, too. Trump wont sign up for a weak deal. U.S. senators considering President Donald Trump's pick to lead the Central Intelligence Agency, current acting Director Gina Haspel, are divided between those who see involvement in the CIA's past detainee interrogation program as a disqualifying stain on her record and those willing to overlook or move past it. One Republican and dozens of Democrats have declared opposition to Haspel or deep skepticism about her nomination before Wednesday's confirmation hearing at the Senate Intelligence Committee. Watch related video by VOA's Jeff Custer: Opponents have decried the nominee's oversight of a secret CIA facility in Thailand where detainees were subjected to waterboarding and other forms of enhanced interrogation in the years after the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks on America.Many legal scholars view waterboarding as torture under international law. "I don't think we should have someone in charge of our CIA who was in charge of a torture camp in Thailand," Kentucky Republican Rand Paul said last month on CNN."I think she's a terrible representative and I will absolutely oppose her nomination." "Torture is disqualifying," Rhode Island Democrat Sheldon Whitehouse said in a statement. "We know Ms. Haspel was a willing participant in one of the darkest episodes of the CIA's history an episode that degraded our standing in the world, put U.S. captives at greater risk of similar torture, and failed at obtaining significant intelligence gains." Offer to withdraw The White House has not wavered from full-throated backing for Haspel, even as reports emerged that she offered to withdraw her nomination as controversy over her record grew. Most Senate Republicans and at least two Democrats have signaled they will back Haspel, who, if confirmed, would become the CIA's first female director, culminating a 33-year career with the agency. "I will proudly support her," Majority Whip John Cornyn, a Texas Republican, said."She is an outstanding nominee." "I know Gina personally and she has the right skill set, experience, and judgment to lead one of our nation's most critical agencies," Intelligence Committee Chairman Richard Burr, a North Carolina Republican, said in a statement."I'm proud of her work." Haspel met privately with Intelligence Committee members ahead of the confirmation hearing and reportedly told senators that the CIA should not be involved in interrogating detainees going forward. Several Democrats were not swayed by the assurance. "I believe nominees will say practically anything in the confirmation process," Ron Wyden of Oregon said. "That's not much of a claim to make,"Whitehouse told VOA."There will be no more waterboarding because it's God-damned illegal." But another Democrat, Florida Senator Bill Nelson, hailed Haspel as a career agency employee with numerous foreign postings under her belt, and suggested her actions 16 years ago should not derail her current nomination. "That was then and now is now," Nelson recently told reporters."They [CIA personnel] were operating under the accepted practice of the day." Several senators requested additional information from the CIA on Haspel, who reportedly authored a memo on the destruction of videos showing enhanced interrogation sessions. Democrats have objected to the fact that, as acting director, Haspel has played a key role in deciding which CIA documents pertaining to her own record are provided to the Intelligence Committee. "Ms. Haspel is in the conflicted position of serving as the classification authority over potentially derogatory information related to her own nomination," Senator Dianne Feinstein of California and three other Intelligence Committee Democrats wrote in a letter to National Intelligence Director Dan Coats. On Monday, the CIA delivered further documentation of Haspel's career to a secure place in the Capitol. "There's been significant additional information released," Republican Senator Susan Collins of Maine said."I spent considerable time this afternoon reviewing some of that classified information. If there's information that can be released to the public without compromising [U.S. intelligence] sources and methods, obviously I would support that." But Cornyn stressed there is a limit to what intelligence entities can divulge. "It's ridiculous to expect somebody who has served their whole professional life in the clandestine service to have a public record that we can talk about in an unclassified setting," the Texas Republican said. If confirmed, Haspel would replace Trump's first pick to lead the CIA, Mike Pompeo, who left the post to head the State Department. European officials are saying they expect President Donald Trump on Tuesday to withdraw the U.S. from the 2015 international agreement to restrain Iran's nuclear weapons development, endangering the accord. Trump is set to announce his decision at 1800 GMT whether he will continue to waive economic sanctions against Tehran, part of the deal he vowed to abrogate during his successful 2016 run for the White House even as European allies in recent days have implored him to not abandon it. But European diplomats who have met with top U.S. officials in Washington in recent days say they believe there is little chance that Trump will keep the agreement intact. Hours ahead of his announcement, Trump for the second consecutive day assailed former U.S. secretary of state John Kerry, one of the chief architects of the agreement between Iran and six international powers China, Russia, Britain, France, Germany and the U.S. Kerry has met with Iranian Foreign Minister Javad Zarif in an effort to save the pact championed by former U.S. president Barack Obama. "John Kerry cant get over the fact that he had his chance and blew it!" Trump said on Twitter. "Stay away from negotiations John, you are hurting your country!" A day earlier, Trump said, "The United States does not need John Kerrys possibly illegal Shadow Diplomacy on the very badly negotiated Iran Deal. He was the one that created this MESS in the first place!" It is uncertain what happens to the Iran accord if Trump follows through on his threat to withdraw the U.S. The International Atomic Energy Agency has certified 10 times that Iran is complying with the deal. The European Commission said Tuesday that "the agreement is working and our commitment to continue with implementation remains." WATCH: Trump's upcoming decision Badly negotiated But Trump has said the pact is deeply flawed since it does not address Iranian ballistic missile tests or Tehran's military advances in Syria, Yemen and elsewhere in the Middle East. Iran has threatened to withdraw from the agreement if the U.S. does, but Iranian President Hassan Rouhani took a more measured stance Tuesday in advance of Trump's statement. He said Iran would continue its "engagement with the world." Rouhani said that if the U.S. does not waive sanctions, "It is possible that we will face some problems for two or three months, but we will pass through this." Under one scenario, Trump could reimpose sanctions on Iran's central bank, but allow those doing business with Iran a six-month grace period to wind down their business activities. That could allow world powers and Iran a chance to negotiate further restrictions on Iran's nuclear program, missile tests or military activity in the Middle East, although Tehran has given no indication it is willing to resume talks. The three-year-old agreement called for lifting sanctions on Iran that had hobbled its economy in exchange for Iran restraining its nuclear program, which Iran has claimed was for peaceful purposes. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has long criticized the deal and in Trump has found an ally with similar views. The U.S. leader has long been critical of the agreement, saying Monday that it was "very badly negotiated." Among his chief objections are a lack of provisions addressing Iran's ballistic missile activity and the fact that Iran's responsibilities, such as limiting its uranium enrichment, expire after a set number of years. The text of the document, formally known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, states in multiple places that Iran would treat the reinstatement of sanctions "as grounds to cease performing its commitments" to restrain nuclear development in whole or in part. In recent weeks European allies have been lobbying Trump to keep the existing deal in place while signaling a willingness to address ballistic missiles and Iran's actions in the Middle East through supplemental negotiations. "We think we'll be tougher on Iran but not throw away that the heart of the deal, which is all about stopping them getting a nuclear weapon," British Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson said Monday in Washington, where he met with Vice President Mike Pence and Secretary of State Mike Pompeo. Johnson said it is clear Iran will not want to renegotiate the 2015 pact. French President Emmanuel Macron said during his own visit last month that while no agreement is perfect, there is no alternative strategy for the Iran nuclear deal. The White House says President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping agreed Tuesday that sanctions against North Korea should remain in place "until it permanently dismantles its nuclear and missile programs." The two leaders spoke by telephone Tuesday morning just hours after a two-day meeting between Xi and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, their second meeting in recent weeks. Chinese state media said Xi and Kim met in the northeastern Chinese port city of Dalian. Kim visited Beijing in March on his first trip abroad as leader of North Korea, an indication China was still engaged in the denuclearization process on the Korean peninsula. Trump also reminded Xi of his commitment to a "balanced" trade and investment relationship between the two countries that "benefits American businesses and workers," according to the White House. Chinese state media reported that Xi told Trump the two countries should find a way to resolve trade disputes. Beijing and Washington are attempting to avert a trade war, even as they have escalated tensions in recent weeks with threats of tariffs on of billions of dollars of each other's products. The White House announced on Monday that China's top economic adviser will visit Washington next week to continue trade talks with Trump's economic team. Xi also told Trump he is supportive of a planned summit between Trump and Kim, and Xi expressed hope the U.S. would consider Pyongyang's security concerns, Chinese state media said. Trump and Kim are expected to meet later this month or in early June. Trump told reporters at the White House Tuesday that Secretary of State Mike Pompeo was enroute to North Korea for meetings that have been scheduled. "We think relationships are building with North Korea," Trump said. "Well see how it all works out. Maybe it will. Maybe it wont." When asked if three U.S. nationals currently detained in North Korea would be released, as has been speculated in recent days, Trump responded, "It will be a great thing if they are, but well soon be finding out." Mixed messages on US troop withdrawal Amid preparations for the Trump-Kim summit, South Korean officials have been rattled by reports the U.S. president is considering withdrawing American forces from the peninsula if his talks with Kim go well. Trump told reporters Friday that "at some point into the future, I would like to save the money" spent on keeping the U.S. military in South Korea, but the president emphasized that "troops are not on the table" for his talks with Kim. Earlier Friday, National Security Adviser John Bolton, responding to a New York Times report, termed it "utter nonsense. The president has not asked the Pentagon to provide options for reducing American forces stationed in South Korea," he added. The Defense Department also said in a statement the newspaper's story was false. Trump has stated the United States will continue to apply maximum pressure on Pyongyang until the country denuclearizes, which he has defined as "I want them to get rid of their nukes." Formal peace treaty? South Korean officials say Kim told them he would abandon his nuclear weapons if the United States officially ended the Korean War. The North and the United States were among the signatories to a cessation of hostilities in 1953, known as an armistice. Many analysts are skeptical Kim will agree to abandon his nuclear weapons and ballistic missiles merely in exchange for a peace treaty. "A common definition of denuclearization" would be helpful before a meeting, said Tara O, an adjunct fellow at the Pacific Forum and author of The Collapse of North Korea. "Otherwise, there would be surprises," she said. O, a retired U.S. Air Force lieutenant colonel, told VOA News that Kim and his generals view denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula as including a withdrawal of U.S. troops and an end to the U.S.-South Korean alliance in order to remove the American nuclear umbrella and the joint military capability from the peninsula. VOA State Department Correspondent Nike Ching contributed to this report. The United Nations food agency said its chief would visit North Korea on Tuesday to look into boosting food distributions to hungry women and children, in the latest sign of an opening in the isolated country. The four-day trip comes amid a warming of relations between the North and South Korea and in the build-up to planned talks on denuclearization with U.S. President Donald Trump. The World Food Program (WFP) said it had been active in the North for years, but the visit would focus on stepping up support. About 70 percent of North Korea's 25 million people are "food insecure", meaning they struggle to avoid hunger, and one in four children under five is stunted from chronic malnutrition, according to the WFP. A 2015 drought worsened the situation, it says. The agency currently aims to assist 650,000 women and children there each month providing fortified cereals and enriched biscuits. On average, it now reaches about 500,000 of them, WFP spokeswoman Bettina Luescher said. "Funding shortfalls have meant that rations have had to be reduced and suspended in some cases," WFP said in a statement coinciding with the start of the May 8-11 visit by WFP executive director David Beasley. Shortfalls Figures on the WFP website show that its $52 million appeal for 2018 is only 19.2 percent funded. Switzerland, Sweden and France are among the leading donors. "This week, I will visit schools and nurseries to meet some of the mothers and young children WFP is supporting, as well as to understand the needs of the operation, which at this point is under-funded," Beasley said. Due to critical funding shortfalls, WFP was forced last November to leave 190,000 children in kindergartens without nutritional support, Luescher said. This came on top of cuts made since February 2017, when WFP had to shrink rations by one-third, to the minimum food amount needed to make any difference WFP and the U.N. Children's Fund (UNICEF) are among only a few aid agencies with access to North Korea, which suffered famine in the mid-1990s that killed up to three million people. UNICEF said in January that an estimated 60,000 North Korean children face potential starvation. It blamed international sanctions targeting the country's nuclear and ballistic missile programs for exacerbating the situation by slowing aid deliveries and making fuel scarcer and more expensive. China and the United States blamed each other on Tuesday for risking the destruction of the World Trade Organization, with Beijing's ambassador decrying U.S. hostage-taking and Washington's envoy calling China's claims "Alice in Wonderland." U.S. Ambassador Dennis Shea, addressing the WTO's General Council for the first time, began by attacking the judges of the WTO's Appellate Body, whom he blamed for a "steadily worsening rupture of trust." "Something has gone terribly wrong in this system when those charged with adjudicating the rules are so consistently disregarding those very rules," Shea said, according to a copy of his remarks provided to Reuters. The United States has vetoed new appointments to the Appellate Body, causing a crisis at what is effectively the supreme court of world trade. Shea said the judges had overstepped their authority and had broken the rules by failing to observe a 90-day timetable for judging appeals. Many experts say the delays are caused by ever more complicated disputes piling up in a congested system. Chinese Ambassador Zhang Xiangchen, who had put the issue on the agenda, began by warmly welcoming "our new colleagues, especially Dennis." But the cordial opening gave way to criticism of the "dangerous and devastating" U.S. actions. "By taking the selection process as a hostage, the U.S. is abusing the decision-making mechanism of consensus," Zhang said. The U.S. veto, along with steel and aluminium tariffs and a threat to put tariffs on $50 billion worth of Chinese goods for alleged intellectual property theft, had systemically challenged the WTO's fundamental principles, he said. "Any one of these, if left untreated, will fatally undermine the functioning of the WTO. But the reality is that the WTO is currently confronted with 'three hard blows,' " Zhang said. The United States was reportedly seeking export limits from countries in return for exemptions from its steel tariff, which was "explicitly prohibited" by the WTO rules, he added. Alice in Wonderland WTO spokesman Keith Rockwell said many WTO members joined the debate, many expressing concern that the U.S. actions could make the system dysfunctional, and prepared to discuss its views while rejecting any linkage between judicial appointments and reforming the WTO. "It was extraordinary in its intensity," Rockwell said. "It was unusual to see these two very prominent members laying it all on the line in terms of what they think. ... This was a discussion that we had to have." China denies U.S. accusations that it trades unfairly by subsidizing steel production and coercing foreign firms to transfer technology to Chinese competitors. Shea said he was "perplexed" by China's assertion that it was a victim. "Mr. Chairman, we have now entered the realm of Alice in Wonderland. White is black. Up is down," he said. "It is amazing to watch a country that is the world's most protectionist, mercantilist economy position itself as the self-proclaimed defender of free trade and the global trading system.The WTO must avoid falling down this rabbit hole into a fantasy world, lest it lose all credibility." The WTO must not shield countries that undermined the global trading system, he said. "If the WTO wishes to remain relevant, it must with urgency confront the havoc created by China's state capitalism." U.S.-China trade talks will resume next week after failing to reach agreement last week, the White House said Monday. The Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), supported by the U.S.-led coalition against the Islamic State, say they believe major IS leaders are hiding on the Iraq-Syria border amid an ongoing operation to recapture the last Islamist strongholds. The U.S.-backed operation, code-named al-Jazeera Storm, was launched last week to remove IS from the rest of the territory it still controls in Deir el-Zour province in eastern Syria. The forces say the area contains hundreds of IS remnants and key leaders, foreign and local, who took shelter in the vast desert terrain border area after surviving the intense battles in Mosul and the self-proclaimed capital Raqqa. Powerful military figures of IS, including international terrorists, are hiding in the region, said Abu Khawla, the commander of Deir el-Zour Military Council. He said the fate of the IS leaders will be either capture or death as the militants face a siege from the Iraqi army and allied Shiite militias on the Iraqi side and an advancing U.S.-backed operation on the Syrian side. We are watching them through intelligence as the battle continues, he told VOA. WATCH: Syrian Democratic Forces Target Major Islamic State Leaders The U.S.-backed SDF in the past weeks has caught several IS leaders in Deir el-Zour as it closed in on the group. Last month, the force announced it detained German militant and the suspected September 11 recruiter Mohammed Haydar Zammar in northern Syria. Abu Adil, a member of SDFs counterterrorism unit who took part in the operation to capture Zammar, told VOA that the fighter was hiding in a compound in eastern Deir el-Zour which was surrounded during a raid that took several hours. He surrendered to us after about one hour of negotiation, said Adil. Zammar was held in a prison in Raqqa and investigated for seven days before being handed to the SDF Public Security Forces, according to Adil. He said Zammar provided information about several terrorist attacks he engineered and two meetings he had with former al-QaIda leader Osama bin Laden. The U.S.-led coalition and local partners have been targeting IS senior personnel in Iraq and Syria since 2014 to disrupt the organizations structure and ability to recruit and train members. The coalition airstrikes in 2016 killed the IS spokesman Abu Mohammad al-Adnani and IS chief commander Abu Omar al-Shishani. But top IS leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, the world's most wanted man, with a $25 million bounty on his head, has evaded capture. The SDF leaders who spoke to VOA refused to comment on whether al-Baghdadi was in the list of IS leaders they suspect to be sheltering in eastern Syria. The IS head has been declared injured or dead several times in the past, including reports that he was hit by a Russian strike in 2017. Those claims have been rejected and the whereabouts of the leader remain unknown. Several Iraqi officials this week declared that al-Baghdadi was likely hiding in villages on the Euphrates River Valley, near the Iraqi border. The last information we have is he is in Al-Hajin in Syria, 18 miles from the border in [Deir el-Zour] province, Abu Ali al-Basri, director-general of the intelligence and counter-terrorism office at the Iraqi Ministry of Interior, told Fox News on Sunday. Al-Basri said the information is being used to conduct a multi-force raid with Russian, Syrian and Iranian troops. Zana Omar contributed to this report from Dier el-Zour, Syria. The administration of President Donald Trump will increase criminal prosecutions of parents entering the United States illegally and place their children in protective custody as part of efforts to tighten immigration enforcement, according to a Department of Homeland Security (DHS) official. The policy, which the official said was signed on Friday, formalizes plans that have been under discussion for more than a year. Reuters first reported the government's idea to separate parents and children apprehended at the border in March 2017. WATCH: Border patrol A month later, the administration said it was no longer considering the policy because of a drop in apprehensions of families at the U.S. southern border with Mexico. Shortly after Trump took office, pledging a hard line against illegal immigration, border arrests fell. Apprehensions, however, are again on the rise and reaching levels seen during the administration of former President Barack Obama, frustrating Trump. "Illegal immigration must end!" he tweeted on Friday. Under the new policy, parents caught crossing the border illegally will both be separated from their children and criminally prosecuted. "Those apprehended will be sent directly to federal court under the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service, and their children will be transferred to the custody of Health and Human Services' Office of Refugee Resettlement," the DHS official said in an email. Families seeking asylum should turn themselves into authorities so their petitions can be processed instead of attempting to cross illegally, the official added. Currently, border crossers are often deported after their apprehension without being charged criminally. Immigration advocates say that family separations for criminal prosecutions and other circumstances have already been happening for months. The American Civil Liberties Union filed a lawsuit in February to challenge the practice. In April, Attorney General Jeff Sessions announced a "zero tolerance" policy for prosecutions of all illegal entry into the United States, and cases have already begun ticking up. The DHS said that there have been about 30,000 prosecution referrals since the start of the 2018 fiscal year in October, up from 18,642 prosecutions for the entire 2017 fiscal year. In prepared remarks released to the media at an event in Arizona on Monday, Sessions said the government would also go after immigrants who pay smugglers to bring children across the border. "If you are smuggling a child, then we will prosecute you and that child will be separated from you as required by law," the remarks said. Sessions is expected to further discuss border enforcement in a Monday afternoon appearance in San Diego. As the United States considers ramping up trade tariffs and other actions in response to China's economic policies, tensions in another area heated up in recent days: How airlines should refer to Taiwan. The White House released a statement over the weekend criticizing China for demanding international air carriers not refer to Taiwan, Hong Kong and Macau as countries. Airlines recently reported they had been asked to remove references on their websites that suggest the three are countries independent from China. China classifies Macau and Hong Kong as "special administrative regions," and calls Taiwan a renegade province. The White House called China's demand "Orwellian nonsense" and said it is "part of a growing trend by the Chinese Communist Party to impose its political views on American citizens and private companies." China rejected the White House criticism. "Foreign enterprises operating in China should respect China's sovereignty and territorial integrity, abide by China's law and respect the national sentiment of the Chinese people," Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Geng Shuang said Sunday. The White House statement came as the U.S. trade delegation headed by Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin returned from China following a two-day meeting with Chinese counterparts aimed at avoiding a possible trade war. White House Press Secretary Sarah Sanders told reporters that members of the delegation briefed the president Monday morning and the talks will continue in Washington next week. "The president has a great relationship with President Xi, and we're working on something that we think will be great for everybody," Sanders said, adding, "China's top economic adviser, the Vice Premier [Liu He] will be coming here next week to continue the discussions with the president's economic team." Trump has threatened to levy new tariffs on up to $150 billion of Chinese imports while Beijing shot back with a list of $50 billion in targeted U.S. goods. New pressure on Taiwan Last month, Chinese Civil Aviation Administration sent letters to 36 foreign airlines, including a number of American carriers, and demanded they remove references on their websites or in other material that suggests Taiwan, Hong Kong and Macau are independent territories from China. Hong Kong and Macau, former British and Portuguese colonies respectively, are now "special administrative regions" of China that maintain separate administrative and judicial systems from the rest of the country. Taiwan, however, has been self-ruled since the 1949 civil war and has been deemed by Beijing a renegade province. "We call on all businesses to resist #China's efforts to mischaracterize #Taiwan," tweeted Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen on Sunday. Earlier this year, Delta Air Lines issued a formal apology to China for referring to Taiwan, Hong Kong, and Tibet as countries on its website. Richard Bush, co-director for Center for East Asia Policy Studies at the Brookings Institution and former chairman of American Institute in Taiwan, says Taiwan's legal and political status is an issue for countries, but not companies. "It should not be an issue between the Chinese government and American companies or any companies for that matter," he contended. Bush pointed out China has been taking a number of steps to intimidate and pressure Taiwan, and it is appropriate for the United States government to push back. "This is an effort to, in effect, change the status quo in the Taiwan Strait, so it is something the United State government should oppose," he said, adding, "I'm not sure bringing George Orwell or talking about political correctness are the precise terms I would use." The United States switched diplomatic recognition from Taipei to Beijing in the 1979 U.S.-P.R.C. Joint Communique, in which the United States recognized the Government of the People's Republic of China as the sole legal government of China. As part of that agreement, Washington acknowledged the Chinese position that there is but one China and Taiwan is part of China. However, U.S. lawmakers have continued to lobby to support Taiwan, and the United States still sells hundreds of millions of dollars of weapons to Taiwan, despite China's objections. In March, President Donald Trump signed into law a bill that encourages high-level exchanges of officials with Taiwan. Trade negotiations between China and the United States continue early next week in Washington D.C., but analysts say after the first round, the differences between the two sides are huge. Some believe the differences are so fundamental and big that an escalation of tariffs is unavoidable. According to a widely circulated copy of Washingtons demands, President Donald Trumps delegation not only asked Beijing to cut its trade deficit with the United States by $200 billion by 2020, but to also sharply lower tariffs and government subsidies of advanced technologies. Beijing wants the United States to no longer oppose granting China market economy status at the World Trade Organization, amend an export ban against Chinese tech company ZTE Corp and open American government procurement to Chinese technology and services among other demands. View to escalation Scott Kennedy, a China scholar at the Washington-based Center for Strategic and International Studies, said the first round made it clear just how far apart the U.S. and China are in their views of what's fair, what they want and expect the other side to do. I think we're still headed toward escalation with both sides adopting tariffs in the next few weeks, but at least now we know what the fight is about, Kennedy said. It's about whether or not China should be a market economy, or what you know whether it should be able to maintain its state capitalist system without any constraints. China joined the WTO in December of 2001 as a non-market economy and after 15 years it was expected the granting of the status as a market economy would naturally follow along with its opening up. But that is not what has happened, and the United States and European Union have refused to grant China market economy status. Beijing insists it should be regarded as a market economy regardless of whether other countries believe it fits the definition. Under Xi Jinping, the Communist Party has moved to assert greater control over business and the economy. Competition vs. compensation It has also become increasingly clear that Chinas definition of reform and that of the West are strikingly different. In an interview with VOA earlier this year, William Zarit, chairman of the American Chamber of Commerce, said that while many used to assume China would continue to carry out Western style economic reforms initiated in the early 2000s, that is no longer the case. In the last four or five years, weve seen that reform has taken a different direction, that the Chinese economy is on a different trajectory and that is more support for state-owned enterprises, Zarit said. And when I hear reforms now, it is more about making state-owned enterprises more efficient and not necessarily competitive in a fully market-based economy. But Song Hong, an economist with the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, argues that China has fulfilled its WTO obligations and it is the United States and European Union that have broken their promises to grant the country market economy status. He said Washingtons demands to slash the trade deficit by $100 billion a year does not make economic sense. He also said the demand for China to lower tariffs and put the two countries on equal footing is impossible. The market in China is of course not as open as the U.S. market because China remains a developing country, which is no match to the U.S., Song Hong said. The per capita income level in China around $10,000 vs. the U.S.'s some $50,000. How can both countries be equal? Talks as clock ticks Some Chinese state media reports have tried to sound upbeat about the meetings focusing on the two sides agreed to keep talking, despite their differences. On Monday, the White House announced a Chinese delegation led by Liu He, Chinas vice premier and a top aide to Chinese leader Xi Jinping, will visit the United States early next week. At the same time, however, the clock is ticking on U.S. threats to implement up to $150 billion in tariffs on Chinese goods. A day after Liu arrives in Washington, there will be a public hearing to discuss tariffs and the Trump administrations investigation into Chinas trade policies and practices. If no agreement is reached by May 23, Washington would be well within its right to go ahead with the tariffs, analysts note. To which, China has promised to promptly reply. Kennedy said that while the United States has used unilateral penalties in the past, this time around the chances of escalation are a lot higher. Not only are the disagreements deeply fundamental, China is much more powerful and ambitious than it used to be. And so it's not likely to cave easily, he said. Brian Kopczynski contributed to this report. Despite the Trump administrations intensified efforts to increase immigration enforcement, opposition in some U.S. cities and states is slowing the process down, according to the results of a year-long study released Tuesday. Immigration enforcement relies on a combination of federal, state and local law enforcement to identify and detain immigrants who are subject to deportation, like those in the country unlawfully or those who have arrest warrants. With key immigration hubs like California challenging the Trump administrations decisions with lawsuits, the number of arrests resulting from criminal custody at state and local jails and prisons dropped from 85 percent during the early years of the Obama administration to 69 percent during the first 135 days of the Trump administration, according to the report from the nonpartisan Migration Policy Institute. The so-called sanctuary jurisdictions, which limit their cooperation with federal immigration officials to varying degrees, are contributing to an unevenness in the enforcement landscape, said MPI co-author Doris Meissner. That is, enforcement will depend on where (a person) is apprehended, not what he has done, echoed Meissners colleague, Muzaffar Chisti. Asked about the fear some immigrant communities are experiencing as a result of the increased enforcement, J. Thomas Manger, chief of police from Montgomery Country, Maryland a Washington, D.C. suburb where roughly one-third of residents are immigrants said that concern is a byproduct of the U.S. legal system. When we serve a search warrant on a house or an arrest warrant on an individual, it can be very scary. But its a lawful act that the court has authorized. We cannot say we can't do this because it might frighten someone, said Manger. You've gotta find the right balance. You do it lawfully. You do it with everyones safety in mind. And you... try and treat people with dignity. Thats the best we can do. MPI reported that the heightened climate of fear is leading some immigrants to spend less, and seek out fewer services like health care and public benefits, and in some cities, to report crime less frequently. When seven states, led by Texas, filed suit against the federal government last week to force it to kill the DACA program, they were heading down a path they already had taken to eliminate another controversial immigration policy. DACA the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals allows young people who came to the United States as undocumented children to live and work legally in the country. The Deferred Action for Parents of Americans and Lawful Permanent Residents Program, or DAPA, was proposed at the same time as an executive action that would have protected about 4 million residents from deportation, most of them parents of American citizens. But DAPA never went into effect because the Supreme Court ruled it unconstitutional in 2014. The suit against DAPA initially was filed in a Texas District Court by 26 states, led by Texas. The courts blocked DAPA after I led another state coalition challenging its constitutionality all the way to the Supreme Court, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton said at a press conference announcing the suit last week. Our coalition is confident that ultimately, through our federal lawsuit, DACA will meet the same fate. The DACA suit is on the same track, initially filed with the same judge in Brownsville, Texas, after which it is likely to be appealed to the Fifth District Court of Appeals and then to the Supreme Court. But there are differences. While DAPA never took effect, more than 700,000 young people participate in DACA. And the policy is overwhelmingly popular with the American public. President Donald Trump ended DACA last September, saying that Congress should pass legislation to make the policy legal. Congress has been unable, though, to find agreement on DACA. Since then, courts in three jurisdictions have ruled that the program must continue while its constitutionality is tested. So U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, or USCIS, is still taking applications for two-year DACA renewals. USCIS may be forced to take new applications for DACA on July 23 if the federal government is unable to adequately explain why it ended the policy. The Texas lawsuit has asked for a hearing prior to that date. DACA has three favorable rulings. With a fourth likely to be unfavorable, the federal government could find itself caught between conflicting court orders. Immigration lawyer Leon Fresco says the situation is "not very common." But he adds, "So long as even one nationwide injunction is in place, DACA continues to operate. Only the Supreme Court can wipe the slate clean here." The high court will have to decide whether DACA should go the way of DAPA, or not. Tiaras encrusted with thousands of diamonds, emeralds and rubies. Papal cloaks and vestments with golden embroidery so fine they took 16 years to produce. If you're going to wield power, you need to dress the part and it seems few have understood that better than the leaders of the Roman Catholic Church through the centuries. That's one of the key takeaways from the latest mega-exhibit at the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Costume Institute, a look at the influence of Catholicism on fashion. It opens Thursday and runs through Oct. 8. If you're looking for modern examples of the relationship between the two, consider that they called Pope Benedict XVI the "Prada Pope," based on rumors urban legend, it turns out that his stylish red loafers were from the storied fashion house. They weren't, and actually his predecessor, John Paul II, had a similar pair, now on display at the Met part of a long papal tradition. That didn't stop Benedict from being named Esquire's 2007 Accessorizer of the Year. But examples go back earlier WAY earlier, according to "Heavenly Bodies: Fashion and the Catholic Imagination," the Met's annual spring fashion exhibit and the biggest one yet, spanning a full 25 galleries and stretching from the Metropolitan on Fifth Avenue to its Cloisters branch in upper Manhattan. As always, the show makes its debut at the star-studded Met Gala on Monday night. Will the celebrity bling match the Vatican bling? Not likely. Take, for example, just one stunning tiara that glimmers in the Institute's galleries, a three-tiered concoction that gleams with 19,000 gems 18,000 of them diamonds, along with rubies, sapphires and emeralds. It was a gift from Queen Isabella of Spain to the 19th-century Pope Pius IX, who wore it at Christmas Mass in 1854. Or a huge white-and-gold papal mantle a voluminous cape of taffeta embroidered with gold metal thread, tinsel and paillettes. A set of 12 such vestments took 15 workers some 16 years to complete, the museum says. They are just a few of the 42 items that curator Andrew Bolton, who has become known for his blockbuster Met exhibits, brought back from the Sistine Chapel's sacristy at the Vatican. Bolton made 12 trips over two years to secure the items, many which had never been outside the Vatican; in an interview this weekend in the galleries, he described hunching over to get through "an itty bitty door" at the edge of the chapel, where inside, untold treasures awaited. Each time he looked in the labyrinthine sacristy, he would see more tantalizing items. "I asked for six," he says. "I ended up with 42." The Vatican's only condition was that its works be exhibited on their own, separate from the fashion part of the show. The Vatican collection even has its own separate volume in the show's huge catalog. Bolton says he realizes people may think there's something unseemly about connecting the commercial theme of fashion with lofty theme of religion. But, as he writes in the catalog, "Dress is central to any discussion about religion: it affirms religious allegiances and, by extension, asserts religious differences." And, he points out, he always wants to confront timely cultural issues in his exhibitions. He was backed up on Monday morning by none other than Cardinal Timothy Dolan, the Roman Catholic archbishop of New York, who greeted the crowd at the official press preview by saying, "You may be asking, what's the Church doing here?" He explained that the Catholic imagination embodied not only truth and goodness but beauty, too. "The truth, goodness and beauty of God is revealed all over the place, even in fashion," he said. Cameras clicked furiously as the cardinal left the event with Donatella Versace, one of the chief funders of the show along with Christine and Stephen Schwarzman. Almost all the designers included in the show have some relationship to Roman Catholicism, even if they were just born into Catholic families, Bolton says. They include names like Gianni Versace, Dolce & Gabbana, Christian Lacroix, Valentino, Jean Paul Gaultier, and Cristobal Balenciaga, the iconic Spanish designer who, Bolton says, was deeply religious. Some designers initially told Bolton that their work wasn't influenced by religion, but later emailed upon realizing that, in fact, it played a role in their creative imaginations. "I never thought one's religious upbringing could have such an influence," he says. After viewing the Vatican collection in the Anna Wintour Costume Center, one can wind one's way upstairs to the Met's Byzantine and medieval rooms, home to many religious objects. Garments have been strategically placed to show the relationship between, say, a 12th-century gem-studded cross and a long-sleeved ensemble by Lacroix, emblazoned with a similar cross, this one studded with multicolored crystals. There's an 11th-century gilded cross that appears to inspire a spectacular Versace evening gown of gold metal mesh, glass crystals and silk charmeuse. There's also a gleaming Versace bridal mini-dress, in gold and silver mesh, with a bridal veil emblazoned with a cross, and a black silk mini-skirt topped with a shiny, halter-style bodice that depicts the Madonna and child in brilliantly colored crystals. If Dolce & Gabbana is more your style, there's a series of gleaming crystal and bead-encrusted gowns and dresses that look just like Byzantine mosaics from Sicily. Balenciaga is also represented with a red-and-black reversible coat resembling that of a cardinal. On a balcony are 21 original white robes that he made for a local church choir. Another section features designer gowns that recall paintings by Fra Angelico, the Italian Renaissance painter, including a series of filmy gowns by Rodarte, Lanvin and others. The faces of the made-to-order mannequins match those of famous religious works that inspired Bolton. While the Met's Fifth Avenue museum focuses on the pageantry and public side of the church, the Cloisters section focuses on the more reflective, contemplative side. Bolton says his original idea was to have a multi-religion exhibit. That may happen one day, but he found so much material relating to Catholicism that he decided to focus on that. And what of the celebrities who will be interpreting the dress code on Monday night? They were advised that the theme was "Sunday Best." "It's an implicit plea to dress somewhat more modestly," Bolton quips. Disgruntled members of the ruling Zanu PF party in Mhangura protesting outside party offices. They want a re-run of primary elections, claiming that the polls were rigged. They are also demanding the expulsion from the province of all policemen who monitored the elections. The Movement for Democratic Change Alliances presidential candidate, Nelson Chamisa, says Zimbabwe is currently facing a leadership crisis like other African nations. In his address at Oxford Union in the United Kingdom, Chamisa said there is need for a change of government in the country currently devastated a leadership crisis. In a statement, the MDC-T said Chamisa told the hundreds of people that everything in Africa rises or falls with leadership. Once we get leadership right, everything else goes right. The shortage in Africa is not a shortage of resources, but a shortage in leadership which is manifesting itself in a shortage of many things. When you see diseases in Africa, you are not seeing disease but a death of leadership. How do we cure that? We cure it by making sure we put Zimbabwe on a path to a free and fair election. We have put certain benchmarks to achieve that free and fair election. The MDC Alliance says President Emmerson Mnangagwas government should address 10 key issues in order for the country to hold free, fair and credible elections. This includes calls for an independent electoral body, a proper oversight over the voters roll and election materials, an impartial military that respects the election result, media and legislative reforms, the early arrival of international monitors, a peaceful vote, fair distribution of food handouts to the needy and depoliticization of traditional leaders We are giving a fighting chance to the people of Zimbabwe as we go into this election. Why am I saying so? We are saying so because we know in any struggle we must be able to stand up and be counted and to define a narrative to which people have to come through. We did it before as a people. During the liberation struggle, we forgot about race, we forgot about class, we forgot about tribe, we forgot about all the other classes that may separate us to look at the great idea of liberation. We achieved that liberation. Unfortunately, that liberation was checked halfway, why? Because of exhausted nationalism. Why? Because we had those who came into power failing to realize that occupying power is not for self-empowerment or self-entitlement. Title is not for the self but for others. We have not done things for others but for ourselves. Chamisa believes that the leadership crisis in Africa has resulted in serious social, economic and political problems in most nations. This has been the biggest problem on the African continent. That when leaders assume positions of responsibility they forget that the primary objective is service and sacrifice. And they begin to think about themselves, building a parasitic elite that is focusing on self-aggrandizement at the expense of the populace. That is what we need to cure. He stressed that Zimbabwe is facing the same problem as ousted president Robert Mugabe replaced the late Prime Minister Ian Smith and then created an autocratic regime. I have a lot of respect of Robert Mugabe the young, though I do not have any respect for Robert Mugabe the old, because he betrayed the ideals of Robert Mugabe the young, who was a liberation icon. I suppose there is something wrong with age, but I dont think so. Age comes with wisdom, but for Mr. Mugabe, age came alone. And these are the things we want to make sure we are able to deal with. President Mnangagwas spokesperson George Charamba was not immediately available for comment. The Oxford Union, is a debating society in the city of Oxford, England, whose membership is drawn primarily from the University of Oxford. Chamisa, who is accompanied by MDCs David Coltart and Tendai Biti of the Peoples Democratic Party, is expected to hold several meetings with Zimbabweans living in the United Kingdom, British officials and address various think tanks. Stratovolcano 3562 m (11,686 ft)Ecuador, -0.08S / -77.66W(4 out of 5)1541, 1590, 1691, 1748, 1797, 1802, 1843, 1843, 1844, 1856, 1871, 1894, 1898-1906, 1912, 1926, 1929, 1936, 1944, 1955, 1957, 1960, 1972, 1973-74, 1976, 2002 (large eruption), 2004 (Nov) - 2005 (Jan), 2005 (June) - 2006 (March), 2008 (July) - ongoingExplosive and effusive.(5 days expedition to Ecuador to observe volcanic activity from close) If you havn't done it yet,to get one of the fastest volcano news online: We're proud to present our 2018 volcano calendar: 13 different and attractive images of volcanoes, volcanic landscapes and phenomena taken during volcano tours over the past few years. One of Central America's most active volcanoes, Fuego in Guatemala is in near-permanent explosive eruption with intermittent phases of increasing activity that generate lava fountains, lava flows and pyroclastic flows. Santorini is one of the most beautiful islands in the world, famous for its breathtaking sea-filled caldera and picturesque villages. Discover its fascinating natural and cultural history on a relaxed walking study tour with us. Bromo is one of Indonesia's most visited volcanoes. It is the most active vent inside the huge Tengger caldera and erupts every few years. The Earth is not the only place with volcanic activity. Active volcanism also occurs at at least 3 other bodies in our Solar System. Support us - Help us upgrade our services! Maintaining our website and our free apps does require, however, considerable time and resources. We're aiming to achieve uninterrupted service wherever an earthquake or volcano eruption unfolds, and your donations can make it happen! Every donation will be highly appreciated. Improved multilanguage support Tsunami alerts Faster responsiveness Earthquake archive from 1900 onwards Detailed quake stats Additional seismic data sources Download and Upgrade the Volcanoes & Earthquakes app to get one of the fastest seismic and volcano alerts online: Android | IOS to get one of the fastest seismic and volcano alerts online: We truly love working to bring you the latest volcano and earthquake data from around the world.We need financing to increase hard- and software capacity as well as support our editor team.If you find the information useful and would like to support our team in integrating further features, write great content, and in upgrading our soft- and hardware, please PayPal or Online credit card payment )., these features have been added recently: [May 07, 2018] Global Launch of "OpenBlocks IoT VX2" Plat'Home's Intelligent Edge IoT Gateway Plat'Home (News - Alert) Co., Ltd. (Securities Code: TSE 2nd Section 6836, Head office: Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo, Japan, President: Tomoyasu Suzuki, hereinafter Plat' Home) today announced the launch of global version of OpenBlocks IoT VX2, an intelligent gateway compatible with Microsoft Azure IoT Edge. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20180507005842/en/ OpenBlocks IoT VX2 (Photo: Business Wire) OpenBlocks IoT VX2 is a gateway product with the high functionality and reliability required for the actual operation of the IoT system. This product is the latest model of OpenBlocks Family for IoT purposes. OpenBlocks has so far exceeded 100,000 units in cumulative shipments, and has been widely adopted for social infrastructures, and has earned the high reputation and trust by the customers including telecommunications carriers. OpenBlocks IoT VX2 is equipped with Plat'Home's powerful IoT Gateway (News - Alert) Software called "FW3.1", which can respond flexibly to the need of intelligent IoT together with Microsoft Azure. The need is expected to expand significantly in various countries around the world. Tomoyasu Suzuki, President of Plat'Home Co., Ltd, quoted, "Plat'Home is pleased to announce the OpenBlocks IoT VX 2 which realizes edge computing. The number of devices connected to the Internet is increasing day by day, I am sure OpenBlocks IoT VX 2 together with Microsoft Azure IoT Edge, realize true intelligent cloud/ intelligent edge, will be products that will support future IoT market. Plat'Home will continue to actively offer new products and services to contribute to the development of the IoT market. Lastly, we are also planning to add Windows 10 IoT Enterprise preinstalled model, once evaluation is completed after GA of Azure IoT Edge." Takeshi Shobuya, Senior Officer, Director, IoT Device Experience Sales, Microsoft Japan quoted "Microsoft is delighted to the launch of Plat'Home's Intelligent Edge IoT Gateway "OpenBlocks IoT VX2" to the global market. With the launch of "OpenBlocks IoT VX2" supporting Azure IoT Edge to the global market, will now be able to provide intelligent cloud capabilities of Microsoft Azure to execute on the edge device which we are sure to accelerate utilization of IoT in various scenarios. Microsoft will continue to deepen collaboration with Plat'Home and will support customers' business transformation through the revitalization of the IoT market through intelligent cloud and intelligent edges around the world." OpenBlocks IoT VX2 Features 1. Plat'Home IoT Gateway Software FW3.1 FW3.1 is equipped with Plat'Home Data Handling Module System (PDHMS) which is a message handling system supporting flexible and high-speed communication between the device and the cloud. PDHMS is a system designed to realize inter-process communication flexibly and at high speed between application modules inside the IoT Gateway. It enables implementation of application modules of various functions on the edge side, realizing flexible and high performance IoT edge computing. PDHMS supports multi-devices and multi-clouds and is capable of responding flexibly to a variety of the customer's IoT system need. 2. Docker support FW3.1 supports the Docker Container as a standard. It can build and operate a scalable and seamless IoT system throughout the operational environment by supporting Docker, which can develop, release and execute cross-platform applications regardless of edge or cloud. 3. Microsoft Azure IoT Edge support FW3.1 supports Azure IoT Edge which is an intelligent edge offering of Microsoft Azure. Azure IoT Edge manages and deploys applications from the cloud to run them locally on the FW3.1. By using Azure IoT Edge, the customer can use various intelligent services such as Azure Machine Learning (AML), Azure Artificial Intelligence (AI), Azure Stream Analytics (ASA), Azure Functions etc. which are provided by Microsoft Azure. You can also write your own cod using C, Java, Node.js, Python and . NET (News - Alert) . Also, Azure IoT Edge can be also preinstalled to meet requirements from customers under appropriate license from Microsoft. 4. Gateway Management UI FW3.1 has a Management UI which will be visually manageable. With this Management UI, the customer can connect sensors and devices, access various cloud services, deploy and allocate Docker containers resources, install and monitor Microsoft Azure IoT Edge, and update IoT Edge Runtime Module. 5. Security functions OpenBlocks IoT VX2 realizes the security functions and the attack immunity in both software and hardware so that it can withstand the deployment and security operation in the actual environment. By default, Secure Boot is supported, and the hardware is also equipped with TPM 2.0 as a hardware security module (HSM). This realizes secure operation that can cope with the situation where the gate is deployed massively in the actual environment. 6. Service Subscription To support long-term operation of this product, Plat'Home will provide annual subscription services. The customers who subscribe to the service can receive our support for the product over the long term, together with the notice at the time of version upgrade. In the future, additional supplementary services such as SaaS (News - Alert) type service for integrated remote management of the IoT gateway will be added. Product Details 1. Hardware The product comes fully equipped with hardware performance and interfaces required for IoT edge computing, including a high-performance 64-bit CPU (1.33 GHz dual core), high capacity built-in storage (32 GB) and high capacity RAM (2 GB), in addition to two Ethernet ports. Wide array of communication interface for IoT that support variety of devices, sensors and networks Device communication interface Equipped with a wide range of device communication interfaces to allow communication between IoT devices such as sensors and IoT gateway. GPIO/I2C (Internal pin header) Audio (Internal pin header) USB 3.0 UART (USB Serial Console, RS-485) CAN (FTDI) BT 4.0 (BLE) Network communication interface Equipped with wired and wireless communication interfaces for communication between IoT gateway and the cloud. 2 x Gigabit-Ethernet WLAN (802.11a/b/g/n/ac) Compact, light-weight and robust and design for IoT Ultra-small size form factor with a chassis size of 91.9 x 114.8 x 25 mm Ultra-light weight: Chassis weight: About 160 g. Fan-less, semi-closed structure: Dust-proof performance IP40 Environmental resistance performance: -20? to +60? (when mounted with heat radiation and installation bracket [standard attachments]); -20? to +40? (without said brackets) 2. Software OpenBlocks IoT VX2 comes with pre-integrated Plat'Home IoT Gateway Software "FW3.1." offering that fully supports intelligent IoT edge computing including sensor, device and various cloud service connectivity settings, Docker container deployment and allocation resource setting as well as Microsoft Azure IoT Edge Monitoring and Runtime updates via visually operable Management UI. Additionally, it facilitates direct data communication between Plat'Home Gateway Data Handling Module System (PDHMS) and Azure IoT Edge enabling data collection from the IoT device and bidirectional communication with the cloud. It also adds near-real-time data analysis capability closer to IoT leaf devices to enrich big data analytics performed in the cloud. (1) PDHMS (Plat'Home Data Handling Module System) The system architecture is designed to enable flexible and high-speed inter-process communication of application modules inside an IoT Gateway. Application modules with various functions can be installed on the edge side, thereby ensuring flexible edge computing. PD Handler BLE/UART A group of applications to acquire data from sensors and other IoT devices using BLE or UART (serial communication, etc.). They support a wide variety of IoT devices by default, while also supporting extensions of IoT device control applications for Lua language* by users. *Lua language: A script language featuring high-speed operations and easiness of integration. PD Handler Modbus Client/Server An application to control equipment using PLC (Programmable Logic Controller) and other Modbus protocol. PD Repeater A communication application with cloud and web servers supporting two-way communication. Key supported services Azure IoT Hub (Two-way communication supported)/Azure Event Hubs AWS IoT (Two-way communication supported)/Amazon Kinesis Google (News - Alert) IoT Core (Two-way communication supported) Watson IoT for Gateway/Watson IoT for Device (Two-way communication supported) Toami for DOCOMO KDDI IoT Cloud Standard PD Exchange (Two-way communication supported) General-purpose web server/General-purpose MQTT server (Two-way communication supported) PD Agent An application to execute preset shell scripts, etc. by receiving control messages from cloud via PD Repeater. PD Broker An application to distribute inter-process communication between the above-mentioned application modules to multiple modules. (2) Management UI The web-based Management UI is equipped to carry out the searching of sensors and beacons along with their pairings, connection setups with cloud services from different service providers, and also the operation and setting of IoT communication functions from the web browser screen. When IoT goes live, knowledge of command lines is not required, which alleviates the engineering burden. (3) Docker management from Management UI It supports Docker as an application execution environment. Docker containers can be used on OpenBlocks IoT VX2 and controlled from the Management UI. In addition, it supports the function to deploy Docker images released on the Docker image sharing service Docker Hub, and to deploy from a self-constructed private Docker image registry, thereby enabling users to take advantage of a wide variety of Docker images. The Management UI can also deploy Docker containers, in addition to carrying out start, stop and resource allocations. Key functions Deployment and deletion of Docker images Downloading of Docker images from Docker Hubs Downloading Docker images from private registries Start and stop of Docker containers Setup of allocated resources Indication of resource usage (4) Azure IoT Edge Management from Management UI The IoT edge computing support software from Microsoft, Azure IoT Edge*, is supported. Azure IoT Edge can run on OpenBlocks IoT VX2, while the Management UI of OpenBlocks IoT VX2 can monitor the status of Azure IoT Edge. Intelligent processes that were conventionally conducted via cloud, such as Azure Stream Analytics and Azure Machine Learning, can be executed on OpenBlocks IoT VX2 on the edge side, thereby drastically reducing device latencies and substantially decreasing communication traffic of the entire system. In addition, as FW3.1 supports direct data linkage between PDHMS within the edge gateway and Azure IoT Edge, it can also, for example, analyze sensing data collected by a wide array of sensor devices that support OpenBlocks IoT VX2, and it strongly supports IoT edge computing that takes advantage of Azure IoT Edge. Key functions Status monitoring of Azure IoT Edge Deployment and deletion of Azure IoT Edge Start and stop of Azure IoT Edge Azure IoT Edge runtime update (5) Node-RED on the Edge Node-RED is a programming tool that involves wiring together hardware devices, APIs and online services. From WEB UI, it can process data received from sensors and visually program it to be sent to a cloud service or take an action, allowing easy realization of edge computing for IoT. It can also employ additional functions for Node-RED that are provided by software and cloud service vendors, making the addition of various applications a relatively easy task. 3. Services In order to support the long-term operation of OpenBlocks IoT VX2, a subscription service on an annual basis is available. This subscription service offers long-term software update notifications and support for product usage in order to constantly maintain systems that use OpenBlocks IoT VX2. Technical support Technical support for the product in installation, operation and maintenance will be available by the optional service.(*1) Notification for system update Notification for the software / system update information to a registered e-mail address.(*2) *1: This service is offered as long as the customer uses FW3.1 with standard specifications. If the customer has customized FW3.1 by, for example, adding an application, the provision of this service may be refused. *2: Standard devices being supported are subject to this service. (The latest information of all supported devices is available from our website). Product Specifications Model name (Type number)/Price Name: OpenBlocks IoT VX2 Type number: OBSVX2 Reference price: Open Product specifications CPU Model: Intel Atom E3805 64-bit 1.33GHz two-core two-thread 1 MB L2 cache Clock speed: 1.33 GHz (Dual core) Built-in secondary cache: 1024 kB/Core Main memory: On-board 2 GB (64-bit bus DDR3L) Built-in storage: 32 GB (eMMC) Additional storage: 1 x micro SD card slot Wireless interface BT 4.0 (BLE) + 2.1 EDR WLAN (IEEE802.11a/b/g/n/ac) Wired interface USB (HOST): 1 x 3.0 (type-A)*1 USB (Console): 1 x micro USB (type-B)*1 Ethernet: 2 x 10BASE-T/100BASE-TX/1000BASE-T RS-485: 1 x Half duplex (Wire range: AWG22) Security: TPM 2.0 (Trusted Platform Module) Measurements: 91.9 (W) x 114.8 (D) x 25 (H) mm (Excluding protrusions) Weight: 160 g (Excluding accessories) Power supply: 4.75 to 5.25 VDC (DC-jack)/10 to 48 VDC (Wide DC supply*2) Power consumption Idling: AC adapter 5.5 W (11.2 VA)/Wide DC (with 48 V input) 4.0 W At high load: AC adapter 9.0 W (16.9 VA)/Wide DC (with 48 V input) 7.5 W Operational temperatures: -20? to +60?*3 Authentication (WLAN/BT): JATE / TELEC Compatible standards PSEVCCI Class A IEC60950-1 FCC Part 15 Subpart B class A/UL 60950-1/CAN/CSA-C22.2 No. 60950-1 RED/RoHS RTC backup time: 10 years OS at time of shipment: Debian GNU/Linux (64-bit) *1 Supported cable length is less than 3 m. *2 When using this function, it is necessary to connect an external noise filter (NAC - 04 - 472 (COSEL)) or equivalent *3 When installing this product in an environment where the ambient temperature exceeds 40C, please use the attached heat dissipation /installation bracket. Order receipt/Shipment schedule Order requirement start: May 7, 2018 Shipment start: June 2018 (scheduled) Related URL OpenBlocks IoT VX2 Product information https://www.plathome.com/products/openblocks-iot-vx2/ About Plat'Home Plat'Home is a major developer and manufacturer of micro-servers. Ever since its foundation in 1993, the company has supplied computers made in house to communication and network fields as a pioneer of Linux servers. The palm-top-size ultra-small Linux server, OpenBlocks, has been adopted by a wide range of domains to support Japanese social infrastructure, including not only major communication operators but also logistics, transportation, finance, the energy industry and public agencies. It has also been attracting attention in numerous fields that are anticipated to drastically grow in the near future, such as M2M and IoT (Internet of Things). *Appearances, specifications, pricing, etc. are subject to change without notice. *The name and logo of "???????" and "Plat'Home" are registered trademarks or trademarks of Plat'Home in Japan and other countries. *Other company names, products and service names mentioned in this press release are registered trademarks or trademarks of their respective companies. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20180507005842/en/ [ Back to the Next Generation Communications Community's Homepage ] This content is expired! Unfortunely this content is expired and cannot be viewed anymore; if You are the owner of this content please login to our Website, go to our access panel and enable this content again. On the back of our 30 years experience weve decided to expand our advertising offer. In today's fast-changing world, businesses - both big and small - need a partner capable of granting them a 360-degree service. Our mission is to offer precisely this. Video making, photo shooting, graphic design and innovation, websites and traditional press office services. These are the main services we offer at the best prices with the highest quality standards. Video and Photo Grafic Design Web design Press Office Media Strategy We offer professional solutions for all your needs in the audio / video field: video documentaries, corporate and institutional films, commercials and jingles, as well as overflows, digitization, DVD authoring, dubbing, casting and photo shoots. It also offers digitization, restore, archiving and document management services. We specialise in the design, creation and layout of magazines, and ad hoc and multilingual content, and in the creation of a coordinated image (logo, business card, letterhead and envelope). 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We define an effective and tailor-made social strategy to generate maximum value from your brand awareness, web marketing or online sales initiatives. A good social presence helps to build stronger relationships with your customers, to improve the perception of your brand, and consequently to retain and engage your customers and, through continuous work, to increase the number of possible customers. In addition, knowing how to listen to positive and negative feedback helps you to recognise the company's strengths. The web is the first source of information and it is mandatory to garantee your brand positioning on it. Established relationships with all the most important media make us able to identify the digital media target for each kind of project and elaborate an effective strategy. Social Media Marketing The present is social. Whether it is Facebook, Twitter, Instagram or the new platforms that are coming to life on the web, we are here for you. We define an effective and tailor-made social strategy to generate maximum value from your brand awareness, web marketing or online sales initiatives. A good social presence helps to build stronger relationships with your customers, to improve the perception of your brand, and consequently to retain and engage your customers and, through continuous work, to increase the number of possible customers. In addition, knowing how to listen to positive and negative feedback helps you to recognise the company's strengths. Please enable cookies on your web browser in order to continue. The new European data protection law requires us to inform you of the following before you use our website: We use cookies and other technologies to customize your experience, perform analytics and deliver personalized advertising on our sites, apps and newsletters and across the Internet based on your interests. By clicking I agree below, you consent to the use by us and our third-party partners of cookies and data gathered from your use of our platforms. See our Privacy Policy and Third Party Partners to learn more about the use of data and your rights. You also agree to our Terms of Service. We have used your information to see if you have a subscription with us, but did not find one. Please use the button below to verify an existing account or to purchase a new subscription. The resignations come after a horror few weeks for the wealth manager at the royal commission, where it was revealed it had misled the corporate regulator and changed an independent report into the company's fees-for-no-service scandal. AMP was recommended for criminal charges following the shocking revelations, which sparked the departures of chief executive Craig Meller, chairman Catherine Brenner and group counsel Brian Salter. The company has strenuously denied that its misconduct rose to the level of criminal offending. AMP director Mike Wilkins stepped up as interim executive chairman before AMP announced veteran banker Mr Murray would start as its new chairman in July. Mr Wilkins will remain acting chief executive while the group searches for a new CEO. AMP named director Mike Wilkins as interim executive chairman last week. Credit:Fairfax Media Following Tuesday's director resignations, Mr Wilkins said: "Our shareholders are demanding board accountability and need to know that meaningful change is underway." Mr Wilkins had been lobbying major shareholder groups to vote in favour of retaining the three directors up for re-election. Id like to thank Patty, Vanessa and Holly for their service to AMP, Mr Wilkins said. They are extremely capable directors who have all made valuable contributions and brought great diversity of thought and experience to the board. They have listened to, and acted on, the feedback from our investors. Mr Harmos is relatively new to the AMP board, joining in July last year, while Ms Akopiantz has been one of AMPs longest-serving directors, joining the board in 2011. Ms Kramer, also a director of Woolworths and Australia Post, joined the AMP board in October 2015. Woolworths chairman Gordon Cairns said Holly Kramer's decision at AMP was both principled and dignified. Credit:Louie Douvis 'Principled and dignified' Woolworths chairman Gordon Cairns threw his weight behind Ms Kramer, saying she was hardworking and diligent and a strong performer on the Woolworths board. "Holly has a great relationship with Woolworths management and her fellow board members. Her decision at AMP was both principled and dignified," he said. "She brings extensive retail expertise to our discussions and is a vigorous chair of our People Performance committee and a strong advocate on behalf of our shareholders. Government quiet on AusPost role Meanwhile, the Turnbull government was refusing to comment on whether Ms Kramer still has its support for the $100,000 a year government-backed role deputy chair of Australian Post. Communications Minister Mitch Fifield and Finance Minister Mathias Cormann appointed the former Best & Less CEO to the permanent deputy chair position in June last year. They have listened to, and acted on, the feedback from our investors. Acting executive chairman Mike Wilkins A spokesman for Senator Fifield said the government was aware of the statement given by AMP to the ASX. "The minister was advised by his portfolio chairs that their boards are working well," he said. "The government continues to monitor the work of the royal commission. Labor called for the government to state whether Ms Kramer continued to have its support. The AMP governance failures exposed by the banking royal commission are deeply troubling," Labor communications spokeswoman Michelle Rowland said. "In light of todays resignations, the Turnbull government needs to clarify whether it retains confidence in its appointment of Ms Kramer as deputy chair of the Australia Post board. Wesfarmers and Seek director Ms Wallace joined the AMP board in March 2016. Wesfarmers and Seek have been contacted for comment. Former AMP CEO Craig Meller (left) with director Vanessa Wallace, who resigned on Tuesday. Credit:AAP AMP was expected to face a vote of up to 30 per cent against the re-election of Ms Kramer, Ms Wallace and Mr Harmos. However, a tally of the votes cast ahead of the meeting is believed to have put the vote against Ms Kramer and Ms Wallace at 60 per cent - more than the 50 per cent required to remove them. Mr Harmos is also expected to receive a large vote against his re-election, though not over the 50 per cent mark. AMP is also expected to cop a big protest vote against its remuneration report. Several major institutional investors and proxy advisers, including the Australian Council of Superannuation Investors (ACSI), Australian Super, and CGI Glass Lewis, were planning to vote against the re-election of the directors. Loading The Australian Shareholders Association had recommended retail shareholders vote against both the re-elections and the company's remuneration report. Sources said an unknown swing factor for AMP was how its large retail shareholder base might vote. A key concern for investors is that the royal commission has heard that the AMP directors knew in December 2017 that the company had misled the regulator. However, the company did not tell the market. Instead, shareholders found out about the scandal when an AMP executive was questioned as a witness at the banking royal commission. Fairfax Media understands the vast majority of proxy votes were sent through to the company last Thursday, giving AMP little chance of influencing investors to change their votes. ACSI pushes for more detail ACSI chief executive Louise Davidson was pushing for further details on the board resignations. The Australian Council of Superannuation Investors welcomes AMPs belated acknowledgment that greater board accountability and renewal is necessary in response to revelations about poor governance practices at the banking royal commission," Ms Davidson said. "We look forward to hearing more from the company about why these particular directors and not others have resigned." Gender diversity Former AMP chairman Catherine Brenner claims to have been unaware of changes made to a so-called independent report that limited the responsibility of the wealth managers executive ranks in the fees for no service scandal. But a cache of emails and other documents released by the royal commission on Friday has revealed the former investment banker exerted considerable influence over the controversial report prepared by external lawyers from Clayton Utz. Ms Brenner stood down from the AMP board late last month after the royal commission uncovered shocking examples of misconduct by some of the company's financial planners and found the Clayton Utz report has been altered at the request of the company. The scandal also cost AMP general counsel Brian Salter his job. At the time of the Ms Brenner's resignation, AMP placed the blame squarely with Mr Salter. The Sydney-based company said its board, including Ms Brenner, "were unaware of and disappointed about the number of drafts and the extent of the group general counsel's interaction with Clayton Utz during the preparation of the report". Ratings agency Fitch has put Commonwealth Bank on a negative outlook for its long-term debt default risk, citing concerns over the repair the bank has to do following a damaging report on its culture and governance. Fitch reaffirmed CBA's default rating, saying it expected the lender "will maintain its strong franchise and sound financial profile" despite negative findings in the Australian Prudential Regulation Authority (APRA) report. The revision reflected the bank's "risks in remediating shortcomings" in governance. Credit:Michael Clayton-Jones But it said its revision of the outlook to negative, from stable previously, reflected the bank's "risks in remediating shortcomings" in governance, with the agency concerned managment focus will be diverted from the operations of the business. APRA released a report on the bank on May 1 that described the bank as "complacent" and management as blinded to risks as profits continued to grow. AMP faces further board instability with interim executive chairman Mike Wilkins admitting he is unsure if recent management changes will be enough to head off a push by angry investors to sack three directors at its annual meeting. Mr Wilkins, who accepts that AMP under the current board "hasnt always covered itself in glory", has been lobbying major shareholder groups to vote in favour of retaining three of its eight directors who are up for re-election this Thursday in Melbourne. AMP executive chairman Mike Wilkins has implored shareholders to not vote against the reelection of three company directors on Thursday. Credit:Fairfax Media He told Fairfax Media on Sunday he hasnt polled investors since last Fridays announcement that the former chair of the Financial Services Inquiry, David Murray, will take over as AMP chairman in July. "Were not saying well have the same board in six or 12 months time but I do think voting three directors off on Thursday just creates more uncertainty," Mr Wilkins said. The Turnbull government will divert billions of dollars towards a health cash splash it says will give elderly Australians more choice and dignity, while life-changing new drugs will receive new taxpayer subsidies. The spending, which aims to shore up support in the Coalition's older voting base, includes $1.6 billion to create 14,000 new home care packages for senior Australians. It will provide subsidised help for activities such as showering and dressing, meal preparation and transport. A rapidly ageing population means demand for home care services is burgeoning. More than 100,000 older people are waiting for a package that meets their needs, putting a strain on them and their families. The government will also create an interactive tool for 45-year-olds and 65-year-olds to check their skills, finances and health, to help them prepare for old age. Politicians and friends of Bob Hawke have wished the former prime minister well after news he was rushed to Royal North Shore Hospital on Monday night. It is understood the 88-year-old is still undergoing "minor tests" for a reported head injury but it is "nothing serious". One source described it as "a case of the wobbles," denying reports from other media outlets that Mr Hawke was suffering pneumonia or a stroke. On Wednesday, Mr Hawke's daughter Sue Pieters-Hawke told Seven News her father had fallen and hit his head, and he was hospitalised as a precaution and to undergo tests. A welfare officer at a residential care home abused five wards of the state, one as young as eight, and has no remorse nor mental illness, a judge has said in sentencing. Melbourne County Court Judge Duncan Allen sentenced Dennis Malcolm Gill, 69, to 15 years and 10 months, with a minimum of 11 years, for the sexual assault of five boys in the 1970s. Dennis Malcolm Gill has been sentenced to 15 years in jail for abusing boys at a residential care home in the 1970s. Gill, 69, was in his mid-20s and on a tertiary placement at Sutherland Homes for Children in Diamond Creek when he preyed on the vulnerable children, who had been placed there by the state because they couldnt be cared for by their parents. Two of the boys went there because their father wasnt coping after their mothers death. The court heard that he wanted his children to be properly cared for. Mr Taylor, a qualified boilermaker and FIFO worker, was murdered on the morning of April 22, 2016 as he slept in his Girrawheen home. The father-of-one had nothing to do with the Ayran Nations group. During a court hearing last week, prosecutor Carmel Barbagallo said there were two motives for the crime to be carried out: one financial, claiming the group hoped to get their hands on Mr Taylor's life insurance payout. Shortly before he died Mr Taylor had applied to have his life insurance benefit payout increased to $832,000, the court was previously told. The second motive was so that the relationship between Edhouse and Attwood could continue without Mr Taylor in the way, Ms Barbagallo said, claiming the murder was planned and premeditated. "It was a very brutal murder," she said. The murder weapon used to kill Mr Taylor has never been found. However, the court was previously told how Edhouse admitted to having disposed of a hammer and some clothing after the crime was committed. The trio went to the movies to watch the 'Jungle Book' after the attack to create an alibi, while Dymock had also allowed his co-offenders to shower at his home after the offence. During Tuesday's sentencing hearing, Justice Jenkins handed down her detailed findings in relation to the exact role each of the three played in the murder of Mr Taylor, 42. She said she was satisfied Edhouse had helped inflict some of the blows on Mr Taylor, along with another co-accused, who cannot be named, and who has already been sentenced for his role in the murder. "You played the greater role in its commission," Justice Jenkins said of Edhouse's role. "Your offending is made more serious because you intended to kill Mr Taylor." She said while Attwood did not take part in the fatal beating, she knew full well that Mr Taylor was to be fatally assaulted and had been "motivated" to get rid of him because she no longer wanted to be with him. "Neither of you have shown any remorse," Justice Jenkins said of Attwood and Edhouse. Justice Jenkins said Dymock, also 22, did not join in on the plan to kill Mr Taylor but did help his co-offenders greatly after the attack had taken place. "I find that he (Dymock) was a very willing participant in the cover up," Justice Jenkins said. "He willingly assisted his co-offenders." Justice Jenkins said she was also satisfied Mr Taylor was unaware of the sexual relationship which had started between Edhouse and Attwood. This was for a range of reasons, she said, including a series of text messages that Mr Taylor had sent Attwood in the lead up to his death which "continued to show a loving attachment" to her, Justice Jenkins said. Justice Jenkins described the murder as vicious, premeditated and horrendous. She said the murder had not only deprived a young child of his father but also his mother who was now in jail over the offence. Justice Jenkins said it was a "degrading act" by the trio to leave Mr Taylor to die a slow, painful and lonely death in his home. She said the injuries inflicted on Mr Taylor were "so significant" and showed he'd repeatedly suffered blows to the head, causing skull fractures and major brain injuries. Edhouse was also handed a concurrent 10 month jail term on Tuesday over a contempt of court charge. Edhouse was charged with the offence after he assaulted and threatened to kill Dymock at a previous court hearing in March. Outside court Alan Taylor's parents Robert and Rosemary said they were satisfied with the sentences handed down. "They left him on the floor, smashed his head that much...without ringing an ambulance or anything," Mr Taylor said. Mrs Taylor said one of the tragedies of the entire case was that their grandson had no father or mother around. "His favorite saying is: 'My mum's in jail and my dad's dead and I don't know why,'" she said. The state government is hoping for a big boost to tourist numbers after Singapore Airlines began operating the new state-of-the-art Boeing 787-10 dreamliner direct to Perth on Monday. Singapore Airlines is the first to fly the newest dreamliner and Perth is the second destination in the world, after Osaka, to welcome its arrival. Singapore Airlines' Boeing 787-10 dreamliner landing in Perth on Monday. Credit:Perth Airport. The plane gives them capacity to offer 38,000 extra seats on the route each year. Singapore is currently the third largest international tourism market for WA by visitor numbers, and fourth largest by visitor spend. A Perth man who admitted distributing images and videos of children in sexualised poses and activities, including at least one picture depicting sadism, has been jailed for 16 months. Gregory Thomas Crocker, 56, pleaded guilty to five counts of distributing child exploitation material between October and December 2016 and one count of possessing child exploitation material in July. The man faced court on Tuesday. He was sentenced in the WA District Court on Tuesday and must serve at least eight months behind bars before he can be considered for parole. Spare a thought for the people living in the Darling Range electorate. Not only are they furious at having elected someone who allegedly duped them with his service and education record, they are also being forced to head back to the polls for the seventh time in six years. Barry Urban on the campaign trail in 2017. Credit:Facebook That means hiring vote counters seven times, printing ballot papers seven times, having to forego a delicious hangover-curing fry-up seven times or wrangling the kids into the car to get to a polling booth. Seven. Times. The to-be-announced Darling Range byelection, triggered by Barry Urbans resignation, means voters there have had more elections than any other Australian electorate both state and federal in recent history. WA could be facing a second federal byelection this time in the seat of Fremantle when the High Court delivers a decision on the future of ACT senator Katy Gallagher tomorrow. The ruling over whether Senator Gallagher properly relinquished her United Kingdom citizenship will determine whether she is eligible to sit in parliament and will have implications for Fremantle MP Josh Wilson. Labor MP Josh Wilson faces the prospect of recontesting his seat if a High Court ruling goes against him on Wednesday. Credit:Alex Ellinghausen Mr Wilson, who maintains he has been properly elected, has had a cloud over his parliamentary career since it was revealed he only received confirmation he had given up his UK citizenship after nominations for the seat had closed. If the decision goes against Senator Gallagher, who faced similar concerns about her eligibility, Mr Wilson may be forced to recontest an expensive byelection in the seat. Barry Urban's departure will trigger a byelection. Credit:AAP WA Labor will likely skip a byelection caused by the resignation of Darling Range MP Barry Urban, a senior party source has told WAtoday. With the state branch expected to sink its scarce resources into an upcoming byelection in the federal seat of Perth, it will "keep its powder dry" unless a "superstar comes out of the woodwork". I think we need to improve our preselection processes and make sure we get on top of everyone in terms of checking their records. Premier Mark McGowan On Tuesday morning Premier Mark McGowan conceded winning the seat would be a tough ask, but it is understood he was keen for the party to field a candidate. Reimposing sanctions will likely lead to higher global oil prices. The Economist projected a rise of between $US5 and $US10 per barrel. Dumping the deal could also increase tensions in the already volatile Middle East, strain US alliances with Europe and complicate dealings with Russia and China, which are signatories to the pact. However, in his announcement, Trump repeated his previous complaints that the deal was too soft on Iran, didn't do anything to address Iran's ballistic missile program, and helped enable Iran to become a player in other conflicts, particularly in Syria and Yemen, and to sponsor terrorism. President Donald Trump shows a signed memorandum confirming the US withdrawal from the Iran nuclear deal. Credit:AP He referenced a recent claim by Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that Iran had run a secret nuclear weapons program, in violation of the agreement. Even if Iran complied with the accord, the regime could be on the verge of a nuclear breakout due to the accord's "totally unacceptable" sunset clause which could see the agreement end in as little as 10 years, Trump said. "If I allowed this deal to stand, there would soon be a nuclear arms race in the Middle East," he said. "Everyone would want their weapons ready by the time Iran had theirs." He left the door open to negotiating a better deal with Iran. Trump's decision was "akin to a soccer player turning around and booting the ball into his own goal deliberately," said Democrat Senator Chris Murphy, a member of the bipartisan foreign relations committee. He predicted that Iran would now feel "more emboldened" in its more nefarious activities, and European nations would try to hold the deal together by offering to increase economic activity with Iran. However, officials in Iran have given mixed signals. Some have said the deal is pointless without American involvement but President Hassan Rouhani, who was heavily invested in the deal, indicated a willingness to stay in the accord without the US. "Iran is a country that adheres to its commitments, and the US is a country that has never adhered to its commitments," he said in a press conference shortly after Trump's announcement. In parts of the Sunni Arab world, however, the reaction was positive. Abdulkhaleq Abdulla, a political scientist and adviser to the government in the United Arab Emirates, tweeted "When dealing with Iran you need a stick not a carrot. The bigger the stick the better. Way to go @realDonaldTrump". Predominantly Shiite Iran is regarded with suspicion and hostility in Saudi Arabia and across other parts of the Arab world. Former president Barack Obama, under whose administration the Iran nuclear agreement was reached, said the decision was "misguided." "I believe that the decision to put the JCPOA at risk without any Iranian violation of the deal is a serious mistake," Obama said in a statement. Nicholas Burns, a former US ambassador to NATO and former lead US negotiator on Irans nuclear program, said the withdrawal was "reckless" as it would isolate the US and strengthening anti-Western hardliners in Iran. "I don't see what's in this for the US," he said. "It seems [Trump] is just intent on, again, tearing something down that President Obama built up, just as with the Paris Climate Change [Accord] and Trans-Pacific Partnership. "He tears down international agreements and yet suggests nothing to put in their place. That's weak leadership." Loading However, Republican senator Tom Cotton said he supported Trump not "stand[ing] idly by on a deal that only, at best, postpones Iran's nuclear weapons capability". On the 2016 presidential campaign trail, Trump repeatedly promised to pull out of the "insane" deal. "It's one of the worst deals I've ever witnessed, and I've witnessed some beauties," he said earlier this year. The Presidents own aides had persuaded him twice last year not to take this step, the New York Times reported. However, internal resistance subsided considerably in recent months after Trump appointed two vociferous anti-Iran deal advocates - John Bolton and Mike Pompeo - as national security advisor and secretary of state, respectively. Trump said the deal did nothing to stop Iran's involvement in terrorism and had not brought peace to the region. Credit:AP European leaders, including French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Angela Merkel, conceded that the deal with not perfect but was too dangerous to dump. A New Haven judge sentenced two Long Island men to six-year prison sentences for investment frauds that included a scheme in which a Connecticut resident was bilked of $475,000 investing in a yacht-sharing club. The office of U.S. Attorney for the District of Connecticut John Durham announced the sentences for Thomas Heaphy Jr., a 43-year-old resident of East Moriches, N.Y.; and Brian Ferraioli, 41, of Sayville, N.Y. The investigation included the FBI, the Connecticut Department of Banking and the Stamford Police among other agencies. HARTFORD The push to bring a multimillion dollar casino development to Bridgeport has ended for this year the Bridgeport and New Haven delegations conceded in a joint meeting with MGM at the Capitol Tuesday afternoon. We did immensely well in moving the bill from the committee to the House, said Rep. Toni Walker, D-New Haven. We think that this is a good starting place for us next year. Passing a bill the first year it is proposed is very difficult, the lawmakers said. They hope chances for passage will be better next year when lawmakers have more time to work on legislation and their colleagues are more familiar with the proposal. It gives us a lot of momentum coming out of a short session into a long session next year to continue to advance this and continue to push for tax-based growth and jobs and opportunities for the Bridgeport-New Haven corridor, said Rep. Steve Stafstrom, D-Bridgeport. MGM Resorts International has proposed a $700 million seaside casino resort in Bridgeport and a job training center in New Haven. The Las Vegas company has promised to create 2,000 permanent jobs and 5,000 construction jobs. Bridgeport Mayor Joe Ganim called the development a job creator for all of Connecticut in a phone interview Tuesday night. We need to continue to push for this, the sooner the better, he said. MGM remains committed to continuing to pursue the development, confirmed Uri Clinton, MGM senior vice president, Tuesday. In fact, the company is used to this kind of delays. It took nearly three years to pass a bill to bring an MGM casino to Massachusetts and even after that local and state referendums were needed. Six years total passed from legislative proposal to groundbreaking. Rarely we have gaming policy that moves so far in a single session, said Clinton. The bill would have directed the state to issue a request for proposals for a fourth casino in Connecticut possibly in Bridgeport. The bill did not authorize a new casino; the General Assembly would have had to vote on that in another year, after gathering the market information. A strong showing of unity, the Bridgeport and New Haven delegations pressured their colleagues for passage of the bill throughout the 2018 session, after it failed to reach the House floor in 2017. Following a rocky start, the bill cleared the Public Safety Committee in March. On Friday, it cleared the House by a nail-biting 77-73 vote that brought tears of relief to the eyes of Rep. Chris Rosario, D-Bridgeport. But by Tuesday afternoon, with less than 36 hours left before the legislature adjourns, it was evident that the bill did not have enough votes from either party to pass the Senate. Many lawmakers held concerns about how a Bridgeport casino would impact a 25-year-old exclusivity agreement that Connecticut has with the Mohegan and Mashantucket Pequot tribes, which operate Mohegan Sun and Foxwoods casinos respectively. That agreement provides the state more than $200 million a year in revenue. Sen. Ed Gomes, D-Bridgeport, said he decided not to force a Senate vote that would likely fail through an amendment because Were not obstructionist. Some folks in the Senate, they just wont play our way, and we could go up there and force them to run bills or take all sorts of action, but that isnt what we are seeking, he said. We are seeking some sort of cohesiveness, so we can move in the future in a way that is constructive. The meeting was also attended by Robert W. Christoph Jr. and Sr. of RCI group, the master developers for the casino site. Although casino legislation was stalled, the overall redevelopment of Bridgeport harbor is moving quickly, Christoph Jr. said exiting the meeting with his father and MGMs Clinton. We realize that change is hard and takes time, and we respect the delegations preference not to dominate debate with this issue with much to accomplish in a short time in the sessions final hours, the developers said in a joint statement with MGM Tuesday evening. Bridgeports battle for a casino goes back to 1992, when Steve Wynn proposed a casino in the Park City. That brought an opposing plan from a developer, now president, Donald Trump, who joined with Mayor Joe Ganim. But the Trump-Ganim proposal never advanced in part because of a spat between Trump and then-Gov. Lowell P. Weicker Jr. The next governor, John G. Rowland, fought for a later plan under which the Mashantucket Pequots would have operated a commercial casino in Bridgeport. That idea failed in the state Senate by a 24-10 vote despite furious lobbying by Rowland. Rowland vowed to never revive the idea - and he never did. emunson@hearstmediact.com; Twitter: @emiliemunson Libyan coastguard vessels intercepted Monday four inflatable smuggling boats carrying in total over 500 illegal migrants. The captured migrants, off coast of the North African country, were returned to their Libyan departure point. In 2017, about 119,000 migrants and refugees arrived in Italy from across the Mediterranean while more than 3,100 died making the crossing, according to the International Organization for Migration. However, the number of those making it to Italy has dropped sharply since last July after a major smuggling group in Sabratha halted departures before being defeated in clashes. About 6,660 illegal migrants have crossed to Italy from Libya so far this year, more than 80 percent fewer than the same period in 2017, according to the Italian interior ministry. The EU and Italy are also supporting Libyas coastguard to intercept more migrants, but NGOs say the migrants are returned to Libya against their will and endure serious human rights violations, including torture, beatings, rape and starvation. Last year, Italys center-left government sealed an agreement with Libyan authorities. Under the terms of the deal, Italy agreed to train, equip and finance the Libyan coastguard as part of its effort to turn back vessels and return migrants to Libya. The deal, endorsed by European leaders, has led to lowering the number of migrants arriving on Italys southern coast. Libya is a hotbed for human traffickers, whose networks thrived due to the chaos prevailing in the North African country since the fall of the regime of former ruler Muammar Gaddafi in 2011. According to Amnesty International, hundreds of thousands of refugees and migrants trapped in Libya are at the mercy of Libyan authorities, militias, armed groups and smugglers often working seamlessly together for financial gain. Tens of thousands are held in overcrowded detention centers, suffering abuse, ill-treatment and even slavery. STAMFORD While the city has made strides in recent years, homelessness remains a problem in the area. Pacific House Executive Director Rafael Pagan said there are many ways to address the issue, but the most effective method is to provide housing and services so they can get back on their feet. Thats why Pacific House, a Stamford nonprofit homeless assistance organization, is again expanding its affordable housing program, aiming to add a fifth building in Stamford by the end of the year. Pagan said Pacific House has partnered with the city to develop a Stillwater Avenue plot near Stamford Hospital. The plan, he said, is to build a six-unit apartment building consisting of four, one-bedroom units and two, two-bedroom units, that could house at least eight people. On Tuesday, Pacific House celebrated the groundbreaking of the Janie Wilson House, named for the matriarch of a longstanding Stamford family. For us to house someone, it costs about $25,000 a year, and that saves the community and taxpayers $50,000 to $75,000 for every individual we house per year, Pagan said. Moreover, that person is much more stable. He or she is becoming, or working to become, a contributing member of society. Theyre paying taxes and they are more likely to utilize medical insurance and local health care offices. So, its a big shift that is a lot less costly to society as a whole and it often results in much better outcomes for the individuals. Pagan said Pacific House is already operating three affordable housing buildings in Stamford on Spruce, Ann and Berkley streets. A fourth building is under construction on Richmond Hill Avenue and is expected to open in June. Its no secret housing in Stamford is expensive, Pagan said, with many properties priced too high for those struggling to make ends meet. The average housing prices in Stamford are targeted at folks making $85,000 to $115,000, he said. Most people dont make anywhere near that, especially those who are working in say the retail or service industries. The disparity of income is tremendous, and if you look at the South End, with all that development taking place, studio apartments starting at $2,000 who can afford that? Pagan said the areas high cost of living is also a concern for local businesses whose employees may not be able to afford living nearby, creating challenges in workforce retention. According to the most recent data available from the January 2017 Point-in-Time count, 253 people were found homeless 80 of them children in the Stamford-Greenwich area. Pagan said Pacific House provides permanent housing for nearly 65 formerly homeless people. Tenants pay 30 percent of their income in rent, he said, and each unit comes already furnished and includes utilities and cable. Tenants only have to be homeless to qualify for housing, he added. With the completion of the Richmond Hill building and this new project, Pagan projected the program should provide housing for 96 people by the end of the year. In addition to housing, Pagan said Pacific House provides support services for its tenants such as case management, employment and health care assistance, and help getting benefits such as Social Security or food stamps. Every person and every story is different depending on what they need, he said. We will help our tenants with anything they will need so that they can stay housed and improve. Though a step in the right direction, Pagan said this new house is only a small piece of a much larger puzzle. The homelessness crisis is only getting bigger in this country, he said. And we are seeing it in every major city. Stamford Mayor David Martin echoed Pagans sentiment. We cant save everyone all the time, but it means the world to those we can house, he said. This is another big step forward, but it doesnt solve the problem. That said, this housing means a great deal to those we can help to re-establish their lives, and I am proud the city was able to contribute. kat.russell@stamfordadvocate.com 3 1 of 3 Thane Grauel / Hearst Connecticut Media Show More Show Less 2 of 3 Thane Grauel / Hearst Connecticut Media Show More Show Less 3 of 3 WESTPORT The man whose body washed ashore at Saugatuck Shores on Friday died from drowning, Westport Police Lt. Jillian Cabana told Westport News on Monday. He suffered injuries consistent with a fall followed by a drowning, Cabana said, adding the police have identified the man but are waiting to release his name until next of kin are notified. Theres some elderly family involved. The medical examiners report will be available Tuesday. The Ireland-based troupe Gare St Lazare is dedicated to "unlocking the mysteries" of Samuel Beckett's prose, and therein lies a problem. As this dramatised account of How It Is (Part One) shows, the mystery, once unlocked and set free from the printed page, withers and dies, usurped by theatrical effect. Beckett wrote his three-part novel How It Is in 1961, the same year as his play Happy Days. The two works share a common theme: the determination to live even when condemned to an appalling and inexplicable confinement. While the latter's Winnie is buried neck-deep in sand, the nameless narrator of How It Is is a nowhere man in a nowhere land, doomed by who-knows-who to crawl through mud in pitch darkness with only a sackful of tinned food to sustain him. The experience of reading Beckett's original novel, which he shaped as a stream of semi-consciousness in short chunks with no punctuation and little narrative form, is cumulatively shattering. It reduces the human condition to a near-abstract: a homeopathic life, a blotted memory of things past, present and future and a parable of existential survival. The circular narrative is compelling, its repetitions hypnotic, but it is shot through with bolt-upright lines like "an opener and no tins I'm spared this time tins and no opener". Rather than stage this interior monologue as it unfolds in the mind's eye an impossible task director Judy Hegarty Lovett summons up the dark arts of theatre to illustrate a reading of it. Palls of smoke catch Simon Bennison's endlessly resourceful lighting designs; subwoofings from composer Mel Mercier growl and lower; actors Conor Lovett and Stephen Dillane misdirect the audience by materialising and vanishing all over the stalls and circle of Notting Hill's old Coronet cinema. (Lovett's spectators sit on chairs at the front and face out into the dilapidated auditorium.) Essentially, though, the actors' task in a prodigious feat of memory is to stand and deliver the dense, 40-page first part of How It Is and to punctuate it on the fly by means of vocal inflexion. For the first hour of the unbroken 110-minute duration Lovett chats to the audience confidentially, like a storyteller sharing craic in a pub; then Dillane takes the reins for a more histrionic and thesp-ish run-in. Occasionally the two actors share the spoils so that one of them is on direct-address duty while the other hisses or mutters the same words off the beat. For a spell Mercier joins in too, which makes for a trio of (intentional) near-gibberish. You may find yourself beguiled by it and entertained, although it will help if you have time to read the novel beforehand. But crucially I doubt you'll be moved. From the privacy of one's own eyes Beckett's printed words dig talons into the psyche, whereas the extraneous effects in this audio-visual onslaught ensure interest but keep emotion at bay. It's a case of look but don't be touched. You can't move for Brexit metaphors in Barney Norris' new play. There's the failing family farm split down the middle by a massive corporate oil pipe. There's the sun lounger sat on a lawn turned to mud. And then, there's the family stuck in the past, stopped by their grief: the lost father, who wasn't as great as their memories serve; the middle-aged mother whose choices dictate her children's lives; the two siblings torn between leaving and staying put. Nightfall's so intent on summing up the state of the nation, it almost forgets how to function as a play. It's a shame. In both his plays and his novels, Norris has proven himself a writer of genuine finesse; one who carves out his characters with real care and sensitivity. There are flashes of that in Nightfall, and its best moments shine shards of light upon grief: the desperate urge to remember against the desire to move on; the way it makes us cling that much harder to what we've got left; the disorientating way the world keeps on turning, no matter your turmoil. Ophelia Lovibond's Lou rages impotently that, while the world remembers 2016 for the EU referendum, to her it is solely the year that took her father's life. Only, the political overrides the personal in Norris' play too. For all grief underpins the action, it's suffocated by symbolism. To offset the rising debts of their near-fallow farm, Sion Daniel Young's Ryan starts siphoning oil from the pipeline with his oldest friend Pete (Ukweli Roach). "You need to take what you can get," he insists, with a gleeful sense "or you'll be f***ed." That one action suggests a cash-strapped nation on the make. Recently released from prison, having seemingly landed a late-night punch that left a young man in a wheelchair, Pete's rekindling his relationship with Ryan's sister Lou, despite her initial discomfort at his return. When he proposes unexpectedly, a job offer waiting for him in Dubai, it leaves Ryan and Lou's grief-stricken mother Penny all but bereft. Teetering on the edge of a drinking problem, too distraught to see sense and sell up, she manipulates her kids into staying put and forces farming on them to preserve their father's legacy. At heart, Nightfall's built around a run of rash, but irreversible decisions most of which go completely awry. Even the oil pipe itself, a blight on the landscape, was installed to get one over on the landowner next door, and, once it's been tapped, there's no going back: "The damage is done." The same goes for spontaneous proposals and hot-headed punches (whoever threw them): decisions taken in one moment can define a whole life. A whole country too, Norris suggests, and it's pointed how easily his characters are manipulated. Jenny's taste in wine changes according to what's on Saturday Kitchen and even that's "not as good now James Martin's left." The implication is that we're so used to swallowing advertising, Brexiteers voted to leave like a herd of hypnotised lemmings. For all Nightfall sets out to sympathise, it ends up rather smug: one big 'Told you so.' That might hit harder or manage more humanity if Laurie Sansom's staging weren't quite so old-fashioned and not in an ironic, backwards-looking way either. Rae Smith's clapped-out bucolic design, for all its rusty, mud-splattered detail, is artificial enough to sit in a model shop, and Gareth Williams' generic pastoral score has more than a hint of Hovis ad to it. Sansom's cast are certainly characterful Daniel Young is nicely rudderless as Ryan, torn between anger, action and fear, Roach routinely upturns expectations as the upstanding ex-con, and Lovibond brilliantly conveys the bungee chord pull of home and family while itching for a fresh start. Claire Skinner is skittish and half-there, but she struggles to summon the agony of grief. Even so, the rhythms are out: Sansom goes heavy on sentiment and light on dramatic flashpoints, and this farming drama gets bogged down by Brexit. Loading... Eric Schneiderman has been regarded as a champion of women who were abused and harassed. Now he stands accused himself. Photo: Drew Angerer/Getty Images New York attorney general Eric Schneiderman announced his resignation on Monday night just hours after four women accused him of physically abusing them. schneiderman makes the inevitable official: pic.twitter.com/n9WHA1fjxJ chris smith (@chrissmithnymag) May 8, 2018 In a report from The New Yorkers Jane Mayer and Ronan Farrow the four women three of whom had romantic relationships with Schneiderman, and a fourth who rebuffed his advances accused him of choking and slapping them, and engaging in other controlling, demeaning, and threatening behavior. Two of the women, Michelle Manning Barish and Tanya Selvaratnam, went on the record: They allege that he repeatedly hit them, often after drinking, frequently in bed and never with their consent. Manning Barish and Selvaratnam categorize the abuse he inflicted on them as assault. They did not report their allegations to the police at the time, but both say that they eventually sought medical attention after having been slapped hard across the ear and face, and also choked. Selvaratnam says that Schneiderman warned her he could have her followed and her phones tapped, and both say that he threatened to kill them if they broke up with him. These are not allegations from way back in the day, like many that have finally come to light due to the recent reckoning over sexual harassment. Manning Barish dated the attorney general from the summer of 2013 until the end of 2015. Selvaratnam was with him from the summer of 2016 to the fall of 2017. During that time, Schneiderman was positioning himself as a champion of the #MeToo movement. He filed a civil-rights suit against Harvey Weinstein and his company to secure greater compensation for the victims of the moguls unwelcome attentions and alleged crimes. Schneiderman, a Democrat, was first elected attorney general in 2010, and was planning to seek a third term this year. He is divorced and has a 24-year-old daughter. Before stating in his resignation announcement that he continues to strongly contest the allegations, Schneiderman denied the womens claims to The New Yorker, suggesting they might be part of consensual role-playing: In the privacy of intimate relationships, I have engaged in role-playing and other consensual sexual activity. I have not assaulted anyone. I have never engaged in nonconsensual sex, which is a line I would not cross. Schneidermans ex-wife Jennifer Cunningham was one of the few people who came to his defense. Cunningham currently serves as one of Schneidermans political consultants, and in the New Yorker piece Selvaratnam claims she conferred with her on a cover story after the AG cut his face during a night of heavy drinking on the eve of Trumps inauguration. Ive known @AGSchneiderman for nearly 35 years as a husband, father and friend, said Jennifer Cunningham. These allegations are completely inconsistent with the man I know, who has always been someone of the highest character." https://t.co/w6hjqr5C7V Jacob Gershman (@jacobgershman) May 8, 2018 New York mayor Bill de Blasio said he wasnt ready to comment on the allegations: Mayor de Blasio says he does not think it's appropriate to comment on the bombshell Eric Shneiderman story in @NewYorker. Inside City Hall (@InsideCityHall) May 7, 2018 But other prominent New York lawmakers were quick to call for his resignation, including Governor Andrew Cuomo, Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, and the state Republican Party. I do not believe it is possible for Eric Schneiderman to continue to serve as attorney general, and for the good of the office, he should resign, Cuomo said in a statement. No one is above the law, including New Yorks top legal officer. I will be asking the appropriate New York District Attorney(s) to commence an immediate investigation and proceed as the facts merit, he said. Gillibrand: "Based on this extensive and serious reporting, I do not believe that Eric Schneiderman should continue to serve as Attorney General. There should be a full and immediate investigation into these credible allegations." Niels Lesniewski (@nielslesniewski) May 8, 2018 The allegations of years of physical and mental abuse of multiple women by @AGSchneiderman are dark and disturbing. Its clear Eric has no place holding any public office, let alone as the states #1 law enforcement officer. He must resign immediately. https://t.co/qDKQhBEMxg New York GOP (@NewYorkGOP) May 8, 2018 The New York Police Department issued a statement on Monday night saying it has no complaints on file against Schneiderman, but if any are received the department will investigate them thoroughly. Schneiderman was expected to run for governor one day, and hed raised his public profile recently by mounting several legal challenges against President Trump and his administration. He filed a suit against Trump University in 2013, which eventually settled for $25 million. He also launched an investigation into Trumps charitable foundation shortly before the 2016 election. Trump then announced he would shut down the foundation, but Schneiderman said it couldnt be dissolved until the probe concluded. Last month the AG moved to close a loophole that would allow him and other local prosecutors to bring criminal charges against Trump aides who have been pardoned. Solicitor General Barbara Underwood will take over for Schneiderman when he officially steps down at the end of the business day on Tuesday. Under New Yorks constitution, the state legislature will select his permanent replacement. Many names were already being floated on Monday night, including local stars like U.S. Attorney Preet Bharara and Fordham Law professor Zephyr Teachout, and little known state lawmakers. Assembly Democrats, who will likely determine who serves out the rest of Schneidermans term, are meeting on Tuesday morning to discuss the issue. The filing deadline for those hoping to run for the seat in the fall isnt until July 12. That will likely become a crowded race, if state lawmakers dont appoint someone who clears the field for November. This post has been updated throughout. A grieving father whose son died January in an industrial accident at a Manitoba Hydro construction site near Gillam bitterly rejected condolences Monday from Growth, Enterprise and Trade Minister Blaine Pedersen. Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 7/5/2018 (1248 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. A grieving father whose son died January in an industrial accident at a Manitoba Hydro construction site near Gillam bitterly rejected condolences Monday from Growth, Enterprise and Trade Minister Blaine Pedersen. Barry Swan said he wants answers on how his son, 22-year-old Todd Maytwayashing, died -- and his family isnt getting any. Nor was the family impressed by offers in the house by Premier Brian Pallister to help, Swan said at the Manitoba legislature. Todd Maytwayashing "You have to talk to us, if youre sincere," Swan said. "What I want is for you to speak out for the rest of the workers in the province -- Im begging you ... Its your job, minister," to protect Manitobas workers. "Who enforces safety in the province? Whos supposed to?" Swan told Pedersen he was appalled Pallister had said in question period earlier Monday afternoon that Maytwayashings death was not a political issue. "I believe it has to be a political issue to get the truth out," Swan said. Swan said Pallister came to his house April 16, but no one has followed up. Maytwayashing was employed by a contractor working at Hydros Keeyask Generating Station megaproject. He was killed by a falling piece of steel Jan. 17. The family has not heard from Manitoba Hydro, Swan said. Pedersen insisted he is sincere. We will look into it, I will talk to my deputy minister," the minister said, also repeating he cannot speak out while there is an ongoing investigation by Workplace Safety and Health. In the house, New Democrat MLA Tom Lindsey and Liberal counterpart Jon Gerrard berated the province and Manitoba Hydro for having allegedly not taken any action or investigated whether Maytwayashings employer had any responsibility in his death which reportedly occurred while steel was being loaded onto a semi-trailer. They claimed the fatal accident site may have been altered before the team of investigators arrived, but offered no proof. The opposition MLAs also claimed in question period there is bullying at remote work sites in Manitoba. "This is political opportunism at its worst," Pallister responded. He accused both Lindsey and Gerrard of using the death for political purposes, and said the opposition MLAs were going on the attack without having any information to back up their charges. If they can help the workplace safety and health investigation in any way, they should do so, the premier said. Want to get a head start on your day? Get the days breaking stories, weather forecast, and more sent straight to your inbox every weekday morning. Sign Up I agree to the Terms and Conditions, Cookie and Privacy Policies, and CASL agreement. Pallister said "I am not pleased" with the lack of a timely response the family has been receiving. "I will endeavour and undertake on behalf of the family, to get answers for them, if they so desire." Swan said all the family wants is answers, while in turn could help to protect other workers. Manitoba Hydro said late Monday it has contacted the family. "We extend our sympathy to Mr. Swan. Manitoba Hydro staff reached out to Mr. Swan several weeks ago to express our condolences. We understand he and his family are grieving. Our staff continue to communicate with Forbes Brothers, who Todd worked for and who have been in contact with the family," said Hydro media relations officer Bruce Owen. nick.martin@freepress.mb.ca MANITOBA has swallowed a $4-million debt the former NDP government ran up on the Pineland Forest Nursery, Sustainable Development Minister Rochelle Squires said in an interview Monday evening. Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 7/5/2018 (1248 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. MANITOBA has swallowed a $4-million debt the former NDP government ran up on the Pineland Forest Nursery, Sustainable Development Minister Rochelle Squires said in an interview Monday evening. "The $4 million that Pineland was in arrears has been dissolved by the province," Squires said. "We paid that debt." The huge nursery and seed depository near Hadashville will be closed by years end, and the Tory government has issued a request for proposals for private buyers who would use the property as they wish possibly to grow cannabis. Marijuana is expected to be legalized in Canada later this year. "Pineland was run into the ground by the members opposite," Squires said earlier Monday in question period. "Our government has a plan that is better for the environment and for the economy." Squires said Pineland is a special operating agency, and as such has separate books from the provincial governments. "It was incurring a $500,000 deficit a year. It was because of poor management practices" by the former NDP government, the minister said. Squires said the Forestry Management Act requires logging operations reforest worked areas with seedlings but in order to entice the former Tolko mill in The Pas away from closing up shop, the NDP gave it a much-reduced rate that left the Pineland operation in a greater hole each year. Canadian Kraft Paper Industries Ltd. took over the mill in late 2016. The Tories, led by Premier Brian Pallister, took power in April 2016. The province has paid off the $4 million so Pineland can be sold, the minister said. Squires said when the nursery is sold with 67 greenhouses and 300 acres of growing area the province will maintain its seed bank, which stores seeds for every species indigenous to Manitoba. Its still working out how and where it will store the seeds, she said. "We will continue to plant one (million) to two million seedlings each year" purchased from the private sector, Squires said. In addition, the area at Pineland in which the University of Winnipeg is conducting a 30-year study on climate change, and additional research projects are operating, will be excluded from any sale and will continue for the life of the projects. Of the 67 greenhouses, "Some of them are in really good working condition," while "a lot have been shuttered for years," she said. Want to get a head start on your day? Get the days breaking stories, weather forecast, and more sent straight to your inbox every weekday morning. Sign Up I agree to the Terms and Conditions, Cookie and Privacy Policies, and CASL agreement. "The University of Winnipeg research will continue. Its going to be excluded in a future lease or protected for the life of the project," Squires said. NDP environment critic Rob Altemeyer said Monday, "Manitobans were shocked" to hear Pineland is up for sale. "Theyre going to sell it off for whatever they can get." Altemeyer read the house a section of Squiress green plan that talks about increasing the number of trees in Manitoba. "Theyre walking away from their climate change commitment," he said. Pallister had the last word Monday, avoiding talking about Pineland, but accusing the former NDP government of having allowed a multinational company to cut millions of trees for the former Tolko mill in The Pas. "The only green the NDP has ever cared about is the green in the pockets of Manitobans," the premier said. nick.martin@freepress.mb.ca As hundreds of thousands of lively Cubans gathered on May 1 for the Workers Day celebrations in Havanas Plaza de la Revolucion (Revolution Square), it looked like newly-minted Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel was on the platform waving a small Cuban flag slightly behind Raul Castro, the former president and now first secretary of the Communist Party of Cuba. It was a demonstrably telling image of where Cubas economic and political situation currently stands. Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 8/5/2018 (1248 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. Opinion As hundreds of thousands of lively Cubans gathered on May 1 for the Workers Day celebrations in Havanas Plaza de la Revolucion (Revolution Square), it looked like newly-minted Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel was on the platform waving a small Cuban flag slightly behind Raul Castro, the former president and now first secretary of the Communist Party of Cuba. It was a demonstrably telling image of where Cubas economic and political situation currently stands. Each speaker, standing before the large memorial to Cubas independence hero Jose Marti, made sure to reference Raul before acknowledging the presence of President Diaz-Canel. Under the new leadership, there seems to be a general sense, depending upon who you talk to, of both optimism and pessimism amongst Cubans. I spent nearly two weeks in Cuba recently and I spoke to a number of people about what they expected under the Diaz-Canel government. Of course, every Cuban has their own unique take on the changing political landscape and not all of them are singing from the same hymn book. There are those who have high expectations that Diaz-Canel who was born after the revolution and is the countrys first civilian leader since 1959 will initiate meaningful reforms to Cubas polity and ailing economy. But others worry that the anticipated changes might entail a warmer embrace of market mechanisms, a greater loss of state control and a corresponding growth in societal inequity in Cuba. The one thing Cubans did agree on, though, was that U.S. President Donald Trump is sure to be no friend of Cubas. "Relations with the United States have been deteriorating due to an administration that has offended Cuba, strengthened the blockade against Cuba, returned to the rhetoric of the Cold War and adopted measures that offend and harm millions of Cubans and North Americans," Diaz-Canel said in March. On the overall picture in Cuba, one person said that life under Diaz-Canel would be the "same old, same old," and that nothing was going to change drastically in Cuba for a very long time. When asked about the fresh ideas and younger leadership under Diaz-Canel (who is 58), she then shrugged her shoulders and said, "So what?" Additionally, when I followed up with a question about whether Raul Castro was still going to call the shots or if Diaz-Canel would be his own man, she deadpanned, "You know more than I do." Asked if there would be much difference between Raul and Diaz-Canel, one Cuban paused and then said carefully, "Maybe." He went on to add, "Maybe some change on the economic side. But who knows for sure?" Want to get a head start on your day? Get the days breaking stories, weather forecast, and more sent straight to your inbox every weekday morning. Sign Up I agree to the Terms and Conditions, Cookie and Privacy Policies, and CASL agreement. There is rampant speculation in the country that the new government is going to eliminate or phase out the ubiquitous Cuban convertible peso that is pegged to the U.S. dollar (or the "CUCs" used by many Cubans and foreign tourists) and somehow leave the Cuban peso in place (which is the currency that most Cubans are paid in, though it takes roughly 25 pesos to equal one CUC). But the Cubans are desperately trying to figure out how they can increase the value of the Cuban peso without inflicting a significant shock to the economy. Someone who works in the tourism sector said that "it was crazy to keep two currencies in circulation and where a Cuban doctor can earn 40 CUCs in a single month." But when pressed on the timing of the change, she could only say frustratingly, "It could be early next year. It could be in three months. It might even be in 10 years." One Cuban suggested that Diaz-Canel, even under the watchful eye and mentorship of Raul Castro, would initiate change in terms of a democratic opening and greater political space. But he was less than forthcoming when it came to specifics. Still another Cuban insisted that Raul would continue to dictate any political changes or sharp adjustments to the economy. Others maintained that political changes or an "opening" in Cuba is possible under Diaz-Canel over time but not in the short term. As one person opined, "Diaz-Canel is likely to carry on in a straight line like Raul when it comes to the political situation." Finally, in a conversation with two people in a central commercial area in Havana, near the lavish Manzana de Gomez shopping arcade, they both said that things in Cuba are likely to remain the same as before. One of them offered, "In Cuba, we say that there are three Castros: Fidel, Raul and now Miguel (Diaz-Canel). Well soon start talking about the Canelistas." Peter McKenna is professor and chair of political science at the University of Prince Edward Island in Charlottetown. "Karl Marx was right: socialism works. It is just that he had the wrong species, wrote sociobiologist E.O. Wilson, the worlds leading authority on ants. But its really a little more complicated than that and now is a good time to discuss it, because last weekend marked the 200th anniversary of Marxs birth. Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 8/5/2018 (1248 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. Opinion "Karl Marx was right: socialism works. It is just that he had the wrong species," wrote sociobiologist E.O. Wilson, the worlds leading authority on ants. But its really a little more complicated than that and now is a good time to discuss it, because last weekend marked the 200th anniversary of Marxs birth. Marx died in exile in London in 1883, so he cannot be blamed for the tens of millions who were killed in his name in the Soviet Union, China and elsewhere in the 20th century. But he did want to change the world and his goal was equality: the "classless society." Michael Probst / The Associated Press A bronze statue of philosopher Karl Marx was unveiled in Trier, Germany on the occasion of the 200th birthday of Marx on May 5. At its peak, in the mid-1980s, "Marxism" ruled the lives of one-third of the worlds people. Now it is the official ideology in only five countries and even there it is mainly an excuse for authoritarian rule, not a real belief system. But the principle of equality remains a central value in human politics and now we sort of know why. Egalitarianism among human beings poses a problem that cultural anthropologist Bruce Knauft dubbed the "U-shaped curve." He observed that all non-human primate species chimpanzees, gorillas, etc. are intensely hierarchical (a vertical line), whereas for up to 100,000 years before the rise of civilization our hunter-gatherer ancestors were extremely egalitarian (a horizontal line). But as soon as mass civilizations arose five thousand years ago, it was back to chimpanzee values. Until quite recently, all civilized societies were steep hierarchies of privilege and power. So draw another vertical line, and you have the U-shaped curve. This raises two questions: how did human beings break away from the primate norm and why did they succumb to it again as soon as they became "civilized"? The best answer to the first question came from another anthropologist, Christopher Boehm, who pointed out that humans were intelligent enough to realize that the usual primate dominance struggle among all the adult males could have only one winner. Everybody else was bound to lose, and to be bullied and dominated by the dominant male. Since each individual was far more likely to lose than to win, it was in their collective interest to shut the whole dominance game down and unlike other primates, humans had language, which enabled them to conspire in mini-revolutions that achieved exactly that goal. All of those little hunter-gatherer societies were egalitarian because they were, in Boehms phrase, "reverse dominance hierarchies": the rank and file got together and overawed the would-be alphas. Even today, the customs of Aboriginal societies reflect this old revolution: they are fiercely egalitarian and have strong social mechanisms for taking down those who are getting too big for their boots. Human beings lived in tiny bands with no hierarchies, not even any formal leaders, for long enough to entrench those egalitarian values in our cultures and maybe in our genes. But even the earliest civilizations had many thousands of people, which disabled all the social-control mechanisms that relied on spotting and discouraging the would-be alphas. Moreover, mass societies had complicated economies that needed centralized decision-making. So the alphas took charge and the millennia of tyranny began. They ended only in the past couple of centuries, when democratic revolutions started to overthrow the kings, emperors and dictators. Why now? Probably because the rise of mass media (just printing plus mass literacy, in the early phase) gave the millions back their ability to organize and to challenge those who ruled over them. They were still egalitarians at heart, so they seized the opportunity; and by now more than half the worlds people live in countries that are more or less democratic. But its only political equality; we never got the material equality of the hunter-gatherers back and the social hierarchies persist. Want to get a head start on your day? Get the days breaking stories, weather forecast, and more sent straight to your inbox every weekday morning. Sign Up I agree to the Terms and Conditions, Cookie and Privacy Policies, and CASL agreement. Marxs goal was to reconquer the remaining lost ground (though he would never have put it like that) and create a classless society that lived in absolute equality. It was such an attractive goal that millions sacrificed their lives for it, but it was a pipe dream. The only way to achieve that kind of equality again in a modern mass society was by strict social controls and the only people who could enforce those controls were ruthless dictators. So we learned something from the collapse of communism: absolute equality comes at too high a price. But too much inequality also exacts a price. People living in modern democratic societies will accept quite a lot of inequality, especially if there is a well-developed welfare state to protect the poor. But if the income differences get too great, the politics gets ugly. Why did Canadians elect Justin Trudeau as prime minister, while Americans chose Donald Trump as president? The two countries have similar cultures and almost identical per-capita incomes, but the richest 20 per cent of Canadians earn 5.5 times as much as the poorest 20 per cent, whereas the richest fifth of Americans earn eight times as much as the poorest fifth. Inequality is inevitable, but you have to manage it. Gwynne Dyers new book, Growing Pains: The Future of Democracy (and Work), was published last month by Scribe in Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand. The Trump Administration in Washington is again trying to create a pressure-cooker atmosphere in which Canada and Mexico can be scared into accepting a bad deal on continental free trade right-away quick for fear of some terrible thing that may happen if they dont. Its all theatrics. Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 8/5/2018 (1248 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. Editorial The Trump Administration in Washington is again trying to create a pressure-cooker atmosphere in which Canada and Mexico can be scared into accepting a bad deal on continental free trade right-away quick for fear of some terrible thing that may happen if they dont. Its all theatrics. Robert Lighthizer, the U.S. Trade Representative, warned last week that if the three-way talks in Washington take too long, the current U.S. Congress wont have time to vote on changes to the North American Free Trade Agreement. Republicans may lose their majority in the November mid-term elections. Newly elected members taking office in January may reject treaty revisions negotiated by the administration. Mexicans also will elect a new president in July and the front-runner at the moment is Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, candidate of the National Regeneration Movement, who may not agree with what the current Mexican government signs. Besides that, U.S. President Donald Trump exempted Canada and Mexico from his punitive import tariffs on steel and aluminum only until the end of May, pending the outcome of NAFTA talks. Want to get a head start on your day? Get the days breaking stories, weather forecast, and more sent straight to your inbox every weekday morning. Sign Up I agree to the Terms and Conditions, Cookie and Privacy Policies, and CASL agreement. For all these reasons, Canada is supposed to hurry up and sign what Mr. Lighthizer is demanding. Most recently, he was demanding automatic expiry of the Canada-U.S.-Mexico trade treaty every five years unless all the parties agree to continue it. He also was demanding a sharp increase in the U.S. content of automobiles traded among the three countries and an end to international panels to resolve disputes. Five-year termination is absurd in a trade treaty. Why would any company build a plant anywhere if the trade rules may be torn up in five years or less? International dispute-settling panels have been absolutely essential for Canada from the beginning of Canada-U.S. free trade. National content in autos is still under discussion. But there is nothing here for Canada to fear. If the Trump administration cant get its NAFTA changes through Congress, then we simply carry on with the treaty as it stands. If Mr. Lopez Obrador wins the Mexican presidency and wants further changes, the other parties will have to hear his proposals and judge them on their merits at the time. If Mr. Trump tries once again to slap import tariffs on Canadian steel and aluminum, he will face the same domestic resistance that forced him to back off in March. Mr. Lighthizer summoned Mexicos Ildefonso Guajardo and Canadas Chrystia Freeland to Washington for brink-of-the-precipice, make-or-break talks. But the only desperate party in these talks is Mr. Lighthizer, whose boss thought he could bully Canada and Mexico into submission and now is finding that he cant get the job done. The increasingly shrill tone of Mr. Lighthizers demands for a quick agreement reflects his difficult position. The Trump administration desperately needs a win to wave in front of its voters in November. In the complex business of trade law, almost anything can be portrayed as a win if it seems to promise more U.S. jobs, even if it does Canada and Mexico no harm. Ms. Freeland and Mr. Guajardo should leave Mr. Lighthizer twisting in the wind a little longer. He isnt yet desperate enough to sign anything at all, but hes getting there. Once he walks out and slams the door, it will be time to offer him the concession he can dress up as success perhaps something about dairy products. Go ahead. Dont invite Trump. Its your funeral. Photo: Samuel Corum/Anadolu Agency/Getty Images Donald Trump publicly mocked John McCain for being captured in and then tortured routinely, for multiple years of a war in which he himself refused to serve. The president has also repeatedly disparaged McCains legislative judgement; promoted policies that McCain regards as un-American (the Muslim ban) and inhuman (military torture); and launched vicious and sustained attacks on many of the institutions that McCain most deeply reveres (NATO, the CIA, and the FBI). And Orrin Hatch cant understand why the Arizona senator does not want Trump at his funeral. I think its ridiculous, McCains longtime colleague told Politico Monday. Hes the president of the United States and hes a very good man. Hatch went on to stipulate that John should have his own wishes fulfilled with regard to who attends the funeral, but did encourage the senator to change his mind. McCain, who is suffering from a terminal form of brain cancer, has said that he would like vice-president Mike Pence to represent the White House at his funeral. According to his family, McCain is still talking, hes chatty and hes walking around. Hatch said Monday that he has been told that McCain will never return to the Senate. If McCain retires before May 30, an election to replace him would (likely) be held this fall; if not, Arizonas Republican governor will be able to appoint a reliably pro-Trump senator who would hold the seat until 2020. Which is to say: If McCain wishes to battle Trump politically (as opposed to merely rebuffing him personally), he will give the voters of his state a chance to weigh in on his replacement in November. The following companies are subsidiares of American International Group: AGC Life Insurance Company, AIG APAC HOLDINGS PTE. LTD., AIG Advisors S.r.l., AIG Aerospace Insurance Services Inc., AIG Asia Pacific Insurance Pte. 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New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman announces the filing of a multi-state lawsuit to protect DACA recipients, at John Jay College of Criminal Justice, September 6, 2017 in New York City. Photo: Drew Angerer/Getty Images About a week before Rod Rosenstein appointed a special counsel to lead the Russia investigation, a group of attorneys general from Democratic-leaning states sent him a joint letter imploring him to do exactly that. And to make their pitch, the prosecutors rallied behind another prosecutor, James Comey, whom Donald Trump had fired as FBI director days earlier. As prosecutors committed to the rule of law, we urge you to consider the damage to our democratic system of any attempts by the administration to derail and delegitimize the investigation, the 20-strong coalition of lawyers wrote in their letter. Among them was Eric Schneiderman, whose precipitous fall from his perch as the attorney general for the state of New York now seems to cast into doubt the very future of the legal #resistance to Trump he and other high-profile state attorneys general were happy to lead. If its hard to get checks on the presidency from Congress, were going to try to fill that space, Schneiderman told Andrew Rice in a profile where he seemed determined to turn New York into a backup to other structural failsafes that may not be working as they should. Im willing to bet on the rule of law. I think at the end of the day, its what people want. I will bet on that to survive this presidency. Instead, the Trump administration survived him. But that doesnt mean all his efforts thus far against a federal government that has been hostile to civil rights, the environment, consumers, immigrants, the Affordable Care Act, and other initiatives on the chopping block will have been for naught. Or that the hundreds, if not thousands, of pages of legal filings the state of New York has filed in high-profile disputes ranging from Trumps crackdown on sanctuary cities to his ill-conceived travel ban are now good for nothing. We have an incredible team of tireless public servants who will continue the work, Amy Spitalnick, a spokeswoman for the attorney generals office, told me this morning in an email. Spitalnick added on Twitter that Barbara Underwood, now the states top appellate lawyer, will fill in for Schneiderman as acting attorney general. Later on Tuesday, Underwood herself released her own statement giving reassurance about the pending matters ahead. The work of this office is critically important, she said. Our office has never been stronger, and this extraordinarily talented, dedicated, and tireless team of public servants will ensure that our work continues without interruption. Former Solicitor General Barbara Underwood has taken the oath of office and been sworn in as New Yorks Acting Attorney General by NY Chief Judge Janet DiFiore. https://t.co/pD1viBMevo pic.twitter.com/mSjhvq0j2I NY AG Underwood (@NewYorkStateAG) May 8, 2018 Underwood, who will be overseeing a force of more than 600 attorneys, is a lawyers lawyer a former law clerk to Justice Thurgood Marshall, law professor at Yale, longtime federal prosecutor in Brooklyn, district attorney in Manhattan, and an advocate who has argued 20 cases before the Supreme Court. One 1998 New York Times profile as she was settling into a top post at the Department of Justice called her intimidatingly smart. It seems like whatever work Schneiderman left unfinished will be in good hands. And as personality-driven and publicity-friendly as Schneidermans time in the limelight was, his office was far from the only one willing to take Trump to court. Xavier Becerra, the California attorney general and Schneidermans counterweight on the West Coast, said in a statement sent to New York he would continue to fight in federal court and elsewhere. States are protecting their people, values, and economy, and that will continue as leaders throughout the country continue to emerge to resist and persist, Becerra said. New York has and will continue to be a leader in our fight for forward-leaning values, opportunity, and the rule of law. The cases against the Trump administration are legion. They include multi-state efforts to protect Dreamers from Trumps callous decision to end the DACA program; to preserve penalties for automakers that dont adhere to national fuel-economy standards; to oppose the Environmental Protection Agencys proposed rollback of the Clean Power Plan and other pro-environment regulations; to prevent further crippling of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau by acting director Mick Mulvaney; to block the Department of Commerce from adding a citizenship question to the 2020 census; and a regulatory bid to stop the Department of Health and Human Services from instituting a rule that would give religious health-care providers conscience rights to object to medical procedures that purportedly go against their beliefs. None of these battles will be going away. And lest we forget: Schneiderman had one last solo victory lap last month over the finalization of a $25 million settlement for victims of the fraudulent Trump University. Perhaps as a result of Trumps constant attacks on federal law- enforcement officials and longtime public servants, weve been conditioned to think of individual prosecutors in utilitarian terms at once disposable and yet indispensable to keeping law and order. But as constitutional tradition teaches us, our government remains one of laws and not of men, transcending who may be in charge of enforcing the laws at any given time. The work doesnt stop just because a key figure leaves the team. After Preet Bharara was fired, Manhattan federal prosecutors kept working and are even holding the presidents and a close associates feet to the fire. The same goes for the FBI and for Robert Mueller, the special counsel Schneiderman may have played a role in getting appointed. Even if he goes, his work will continue uninterrupted. The same principle applies to the office Schneiderman led. As embodied in the spirit of that letter he and 19 of his colleagues signed, the rule of law, fragile as it is, will hold together whatever investigations, lawsuits, and legal maneuvers the attorney generals office may be managing. Its too early to tell if the office will live up to the hype of taking over whatever strands of the Russia investigation or even into Trumps business dealings that Mueller may not feel comfortable pursuing at the federal level. But the possibility is there. And Schneidermans legalistic gambit to short-circuit the presidential pardon power is still on the table. Long after hes gone, this last-ditch effort to hold Trump accountable, brazen and opportunistic as it may be, could well become his defining feat if the New York legislature ever takes him up on it. Wall Street analysts have given Hertz Global a "N/A" rating, but there may be better buying opportunities in the stock market. 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Xcel Energy, Inc. operates as a holding company, which engages in the generation, purchase, transmission, distribution and sale of electricity. It operates through the following three segments: Regulated Electric Utility, Regulated Natural Gas Utility and All Others. The Regulated Electric Utility segment generates, transmits and distributes electricity primarily in portions of generates, transmits and distributes electricity in Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan, North Dakota, South Dakota, Colorado, Texas and New Mexico. In addition, this segment includes sales for resale and provides wholesale transmission service to various entities in the United States. It also includes commodity trading operations. The Regulated Natural Gas Utility segment transports, stores, and distributes natural gas primarily in portions of Minnesota, Wisconsin, North Dakota, Michigan and Colorado. The All Others segment engages in steam, appliance repair services, nonutility real estate activities, processing solid waste into refuse-derived fuel and investments in rental housing projects that qualify for low-income housing tax credits. The company was founded in 1909 and is headquartered in Minneapolis, MN. Read More Eric Schneiderman in 2017. Photo: Drew Angerer/Getty Images Eric Schneiderman was never the most likely attorney general for New York. Before him the office was held by Eliot Spitzer and Andrew Cuomo, titanic figures who found new powers in the office to curb the worst abuses of Republican administrations and Wall Street titans. Schneiderman shared the same messianic impulse of his predecessors, but lacked their easy confidence, the certainty each had that the AG in their title stood for Awaiting Governor. Slightly built, twitchy, and priggish, Schneiderman was the son of a wealthy Manhattan lawyer who donated generously to causes like Planned Parenthood and public radio. He came up through the world of public interest law, one of those do-good types who keep protesters away from abortion clinics and government running with a minimum of corruption. He wound his way up through the political ranks, serving as a local Democratic Party district leader and a spokesman for the Speaker of the Assembly Democrats before winning his own Upper West Side seat in the state senate in 1998. Once in Albany, Schneiderman was so disliked by his colleagues that Democrats and Republicans alike conspired to redraw his district, placing him in one that took Schneiderman out of his liberal base on the Upper West Side and further into Washington Heights. Schneiderman learned Spanish and went door to door on the newly configured turf, winning anyway. As Cuomo prepared to run for governor, the state senate put Schneiderman in charge of an investigation into whether or not to expel Hiram Monserrate, a Queens lawmaker who in addition to throwing state government into chaos when he defected to the GOP side, had slashed his girlfriend in the face with broken glass in a domestic dispute, an incident caught partly on tape. The investigation and the panel that Schneiderman led had a preordained conclusion to kick Monserrate out, and it was largely viewed as a political gift to Schneiderman by his colleagues who wanted to boost his political career ideally boosting it out of the state senate. When he ran for attorney general, the smart money was on Kathleen Rice, then the district attorney of Nassau County and now a member of Congress. She was young, had a good record in Nassau, and most importantly had the backing of then candidate for governor Andrew Cuomo and most of the party machinery in New York. But Rice as a teenager registered as a Republican, and Schneiderman took that high-school-era misstep combined with Rices relatively moderate record as a suburban office holder and ran with it, painting her as the closet Republican in the Democratic primary. Schneiderman ran up huge numbers among New York Citybased liberals and unions and poured $300,000 of his own money or, more likely, his fathers money into the race. On election night when he defeated Republican Dan Donovan, I ran into Schneiderman in the hallway of the midtown hotel where his victory party was and he seemed to be almost literally jumping up and down with excitement, while Jennifer Cunningham, his ex-wife and one of the most powerful political consultants in New York, tried to steer him into a private reception of awaiting dignitaries. Schneiderman was viewed by liberals as the rare bright light in the dismal tea party election season of 2010, and he quickly became a nationwide progressive darling, winding up on the cover of magazines like The American Prospect. Barack Obama recognized Schneiderman as he was seated behind Michelle at his 2012 State of the Union, and announced that the New York attorney general would lead a group investigating fraud during the subprime mortgage crisis. Schneiderman was able to claw back billions of dollars from banks and wrongdoers, including a $13 billion settlement with JP Morgan Chase, even as some Obama administration officials feared that the New York attorney general was acting too aggressively. But largely Schneiderman failed to live up to the examples of his predecessors. He almost immediately began a feud with Governor Andrew Cuomo, who before he had Bill de Blasio to fight with saw Schneiderman as his biggest threat. Soon after being sworn in as governor, Cuomo unveiled a new unit in the executive branch, the Department of Financial Services, and installed a top aide, Benjamin Lawsky, in the job and tasked him with investigating financial fraud. It was as if Cuomo didnt want to leave his old job behind, and Schneiderman vented to a friend, I have got to get this guy off my ass. Spitzer and Cuomo had their glory years during the George W. Bush administration, when there was a need for Democratic legal oversight. Although there were some wins, like suing Exxon for misleading the public over climate change and suing over unfair labor practices in the fast food industry, Schneiderman was largely a man without a cause for much of the Obama years, and several New York political figures told me over the last couple of years that the energy and oversight out of that office hadnt been what it once was. Until Trump came aboard. As much as Schneiderman was looking forward to an increased role under a President Hillary Clinton, the truth is that the prospect of a President Trump meant that at last the attorney general had a target worth taking on. The president was taking aim at environmental regulation, labor laws, the emoluments clause in the Constitution, and left behind a rash of seemingly corrupt business deals in New York. (Never mind that Schneiderman previously dragged his feet on the investigation of Trump University something that, if it had been settled sooner, potentially could have stopped the Trump candidacy in its tracks.) Top lawyers from the private sector and from the U.S. attorneys office came to work for him. New York Attorney General in Battle With Trump, the New York Times declared late last year, noting that Schneiderman had taken 100 legal or administrative actions against the administration in its first year in office. As Cynthia Nixon and Andrew Cuomo squabbled on the campaign trail, Schneiderman was in the catbird seat, the overwhelming favorite to replace Cuomo eventually in the governors mansion. But now none of it will be, and Schneiderman will join the long list of disgraced New York politicians who become a national punch line Spitzer, Anthony Weiner, Michael Grimm, David Paterson. Schneiderman will leave office by the end of today; the state assembly will pick his successor. If history is any guide, the choice is going to be uninspiring, likely a favorite of the legislative leadership chosen for his or her ability to not disrupt the status quo. Cuomo surely has an opinion, and the prospect of off-loading his lieutenant governor, Kathy Hochul, in the job and replacing her on the ticket with someone better able to bring the fight to Nixon may be tempting. But this will be the legislatures prerogative, and if Cuomo stumbles in the campaign it remains to be seen if he has the sway over the chamber that he has demonstrated over the last eight years. Then there will be an election in September, and expect Democratic lawyers and office holders from around the state to take a look at it Kathleen Rice, Preet Bharara, former councilmember Dan Garodnik, and public advocate Letitia James are all thought to be likely contenders. Yesterday afternoon, Eric Schneiderman was thought of as a top foil for Donald Trump and the likely next governor. One magazine article changed that. The coming chaos is going to make the last 12 hours seem relatively tame by comparison. Home sweet home: Alumni House to expand significantly Groundbreaking: (Left to right) Sue Manix 79, president of the Alumni Association; Hunter J. Smith 51, L.H.D. 18, W&M President Taylor Reveley; and Marilyn Ward Midyette 75, executive director of the William & Mary Alumni Association break ground on the W&M Alumni House expansion. University Advancement photo Photo - of - Hide Caption In a groundbreaking ceremony on April 20 for the William & Mary Alumni House expansion, a crowd of more than 200 alumni, friends and other special guests gathered to celebrate the nearly $21 million project. Once complete, the historic building will more than double in size to approximately 55,000 square feet, making it one of the largest social gathering places on campus and in Williamsburg. The last major expansion and renovation of the 170-year-old Alumni House was undertaken in 1996. Since then, William & Mary has seen its alumni population increase from 71,000 to 100,000 today. "The needs of our alumni are evolving over time, and their support is utterly essential to William & Mary's success," said President Taylor Reveley. "Alumni engagement will be nourished by this appealing and spacious home on campus." {{youtube:medium|DHzTN2YelYg}} Last April, William & Mary announced a $15 million gift from Hunter J. Smith 51, L.H.D. 18 for the expansion and renovation project, which is the largest gift ever given to the university in support of alumni engagement. "This is such a magnificent project. Im so thrilled that I got involved with it and I'm thrilled with the way it's turning out," said Smith in remarks during the ceremony. Other significant contributors in attendance included Marshall Acuff 62, L.H.D. 07, P 93, Cliff Johnson 65 and Mary Ann Johnson. The project was also funded by thousands of alumni, including the 50th Reunion Classes of 1963 to 1968, and friends of the university. The addition will include expanded banquet, conference and catering space, as well as new offices, a reception area and an alumni lounge. Improvements will also be made to outdoor spaces, and a new Family Courtyard will be added that honors the commitments of multigenerational William & Mary families. The expansion will enable the university and its Alumni Association to grow offerings for alumni, including career and networking events, alumnae leadership programming, regional alumni engagement activities, travel opportunities, and support for affinity groups such as the Hulon Willis Association, LatinX, the Association of 1775 and others. It will also provide needed space to host events over Homecoming & Reunion Weekend, Charter Day Weekend, Traditions Weekend and other milestone occasions. "I do not think there could be a more visible symbol of our For the Bold campaign than this project. Well beyond the amazing physical space that will be created, the programming possibilities for alumni enabled by this space are endless and inspiring," said Sue Manix 79, president of the Alumni Association. The groundbreaking took place over William & Marys Traditions Weekend, which celebrates the 50th Reunion class, the Olde Guarde alumni who graduated more than 50 years ago and the Honorable Robert Boyle Legacy Society, whose members have made estate provisions to benefit William & Mary. "Today, we begin the process of constructing, brick by brick, this beautiful new entryway to campus. Just as the bricks are the foundation of this historic building, you, the alumni, are the foundation of all we do," said Marilyn Ward Midyette 75, executive director of the William & Mary Alumni Association. "The future is bright and together, we are building it." An additional $1 million is needed to complete the construction project by spring 2020. William & Mary also aims to create a $4.5 million endowment to support the operation of the upgraded facility. To learn more about ways to support this project, visit the Alumni House project website. W&M seniors awarded U.S. security scholarship to learn foreign languages Boren scholars: Rachel Posner, Nicole Cook and Maggie Dene (left to right) were recently awarded the David L. Boren Scholarship, which subsidizes international culture and language immersion. Photo by Adrienne Berard Photo - of - Hide Caption Three William & Mary seniors will soon be taking their study skills abroad to learn foreign languages with support from the National Security Education Program. Rachel Posner, Nicole Cook and Maggie Dene were recently awarded the David L. Boren Scholarship, which subsidizes international culture and language immersion. Christen Scalfano 18 was also awarded a Boren, but decided to accept an offer from the Peace Corps instead. Receiving the scholarship validated my chosen academic path and future career goals, said Dene, who will be moving to Jordan to study Arabic. Im very excited to be back in the Arabic speaking world after living in Qatar and studying abroad in Morocco and Oman. The Boren scholarship program provides U.S. undergraduate students with resources to acquire language skills and experience in countries considered critical to future U.S. security, according to a press release from the NSEP. In exchange for funding, Boren recipients must agree to work in the federal government for at least one year following completion of their studies. Dene plans to fulfill the federal service requirement by becoming a regional area specialist officer in the U.S. Air Force. It was an easy choice after growing up as an Air Force kid, Dene said. Cook will be moving to China to study Mandarin with the goal of one day working as an analyst within the U.S. intelligence community. As a student researcher at W&M, she conducted interviews to examine how the 2016 U.S. presidential election was portrayed in Chinese media. I feel blessed to have been awarded such a prestigious opportunity, Cook said. I knew I wanted to return to China following graduation to cement my language skills. Without this scholarship, I wouldn't be able to carry out my dream of living and studying in China. Posner plans to move to India, study Hindi and work on sustainable development initiatives. She said her passion for development work was further ignited after Indian scholar and environmental activist Vandana Shiva visited William & Mary for the COLL 300 series last month. Having already visited her farm last time I was in India, she reminded me how important it is for individuals to take actions to learn about sustainability and incorporate it into our lives, Posner said. My career interests have always been centered around fostering individual connections with people. This year, a total of 794 undergraduate students applied for the Boren. Less than 30 percent of applicants were accepted. The 2018 Boren winners will live in 38 countries throughout Africa, Asia, Central and Eastern Europe, Eurasia, Latin America and the Middle East. They will study 33 different languages. To continue to play a leadership role in the world, it is vital that America's future leaders have a deep understanding of the rest of the world, said University of Oklahoma President David Boren, who as a U.S. senator was the principal author of legislation that created the NSEP and the scholarships that bear his name. As we seek to lead through partnerships, understanding of other cultures and languages is absolutely essential," he said. Weeks of negotiations between representatives of the Danish state, regional and municipal employers and trade union leaders have averted strike action by large groups of workers and a possible lockout by employers. Public services across the country would have been hit, including healthcare, transport and education provision. Approximately 440,000 workers faced being locked out if the dispute had not been settled. The sell-out agreement, covering 750,000 public sector workers, was signed April 28, under the official conciliation unit, Forligsinstitutionen. The unions first issued notification of strikes at the beginning of March, proposing to bring out 10 to 15 percent of workers across key public services. This followed the collapse of the annual talks, OK 2018, on pay and conditions at state and local level from April 1. The unions called for pay rises of 8.2 percent over three years inclusive of fixed supplements, to match pay in the private sector, a resolution of the issue of teachers working time and the retention of paid lunch breaks. Paid lunch breaks in the public sector are worth DK 27 to 29 billion (8.5 billion) a year. Municipal authorities offered 6.7 percent. Michael Ziegler, the municipal authorities lead negotiator, said any larger pay rise was unaffordable and every percentage rise over and above would mean the loss of 5,000 jobs in local government, with productivity increases for those remaining. Support for the public sector workers was widespread and growing. The Avisen newspaper reported April 2 that almost 90 percent of Danes thought the dispute was important and an issue of welfare provision. State broadcaster Dansk Radio (DR) said public sector workers had support among many workers in the private sector. Such was the level of anger that on March 22, 10,000 shop stewards and other union representatives were forced to meet nationally to prepare for the likelihood of upcoming strikes. In the deal agreed, state employees are offered 8.1 percent over three years and a guaranteed paid lunch break. Regional employees are offered 8.1 percent over three years. Of this, just 6.1 percent represents the real pay rise as 2 percent is to be allocated to pools for low earners and to ensure equal pay. Academics will get a lunch break in return for a reduction of 0.35 percent in their pay. The teachers demands were not met, with the unions agreeing to a toothless commission to address their grievances. Many teachers are angered by the deal with one quoted in Politician April 29 stating that teachers union leader and chief negotiator for the municipal unions, Anders Bond, has sold the possibilities of our strike for a draft of hot air. The union bureaucracy is fearful that the agreement will be rejected by teachers with Dote Lange, deputy leader of the teachers union, telling Politician April 30, We know that many teachers are disappointed and many will vote no in protest to the deal because they are dissatisfied with the treatment they have received over many years. Further details of the sell-out were made public in Avisen April 30, with the state employees agreement on lunch breaks allowing for the employer to ask employees to work up to 42 hours if need be without overtime rates. These requests will not require the agreement of union stewards. The rotten deal was summed up by Lizette Risgaard, head of the Danish Confederation of Trade Unions (LO), who told Politiken May 1 that a solution for all was never conceived as the same solution for all. Prior to the sell-out, the union leaders, aware of the anger over the lockout of the teachers in 2013 and the betrayal of their struggle, boasted that this time the public sector unions would not leave a group of workers isolated. On March 6, Sophie Loehde, the minister for innovation, announced that a lockout affecting 120,000 state employees would be put into effect April 10 should the strike take place. The municipal authorities announced a lockout of 250,000 staff on the same date and the regional authoritiesresponsible for the public health servicesgave notice of a lockout of 50,000 workers. Loehde argued that although a relatively small percentage of workers would be involved in strikes, they would prove effective. The Municipal Authorities Association voted overwhelmingly for a lockout. Jakob Bundsgaard, a Social Democrat and newly appointed head of the Municipal Authorities Association, said in Arbejderen March 9, A lockout is the only means that KL [Municipal Authorities Association] has of putting pressure on the negotiators and of averting a conflict that may otherwise drag on for months. Fleming Vinthner, lead negotiator for the unions at state level, agreed, stating, It is clear that Denmark cannot stand such an extensive conflict for very long. Therefore, the arrow points to a relatively speedy resolution. The conciliation board initially ruled that strike action could not begin until April 18 and the lockouts not until April 24 while they tried to prevent any strikes. Strikes and the deadline for negotiations under the auspices of the board were then pushed back once more to May 1. Talks were restructured so that each demand was treated separately, and negotiations held with each employer individually. Dansk Radio reported April 24 that several leading negotiators believed that agreements could be reached at regional level, even though talks at state level might end in deadlock. This position was backed by Ziegler, with Den Offentlige reporting that he viewed agreements in local areas as a damage limitation exercise that would lessen the impact of a major strike. The broad support for strikes and the threat by the employers to lock out hundreds of thousands of workers reveal a sharpening of the class struggle in Denmark. Vivid in workers memories is the isolation of the teachers struggle in 2013. Following a lockout, the government imposed Law 409 to regulate working hours and conditions. Mette Frederiksen, the present leader of the Social Democrats, was then the employment minister and directly involved in the lockout. She came out in support of the current threat of lockouts and urged politicians to refrain from interfering in the matter. Bjarne Corydon, the finance minister under Thorning Schmidt in 2013, played a central role in the attack on the teachers. He advocated the concept of the competition state and is responsible for the creation of the modernising administration, aimed at slashing state expenditure. Dennis Kristensen, leader of the FOA public service union, who helped to isolate the teachers, wrote in the magazine Raeson that in the run-up to the 2011 general election Corydon came up with the slogan Fair Solution. This was a reference to plans that would entail cuts of up to 40,000 posts in the public sector, later revised down to 25,000. The ruling elite have agreed to settle the dispute in the immediate term, while preparing a further offensive. Henrik Dahl, a prominent supporter of Liberal Alliance, a junior partner in the right-wing coalition government, was quoted in the Avisen March 26 that money for wage rises would have to come from cuts in core welfare. Confederation of Danish Employers CEO Jacob Holbraad said that the wage deal was higher than a 6.9 percent three-year pay rise agreed between authorities and private employers last year and threatened the competitiveness of private corporations. [I]t is concerning, because there is a risk of it affecting wage levels in the private sector, which could cause a loss of growth and jobs in Denmark, he said. Lhde stated in response that the deal costing 3.6 billion was economically viable, adding, We have been able to bring calm to the public sector labour market by not only reaching an agreement with the state, but also regions and municipalities. On Friday, it was announced that striking Air France workers had voted by 55 percent to reject the contract presented on April 16 by CEO Jean-Marc Janaillac and the trade unions. Over 80 percent of the workers participated in the vote. The proposed contract was an insult to the work force. Issued by Janaillac with the tacit support of the unions, it proposed only a seven percent wage increase over four years. Air France management gave itself double-digit wage increases of up to 67 percent last year after posting record profits of over 1 billion euros. The profit surge was accomplished by moving staff into low-cost subsidiary airlines to drastically cut overall wage levels. Workers voted the proposal down, defying threats not only from Air France management and the French government, but also from union bureaucrats, who denounced them for striking against the contract and demanded that they approve it. While pilots reportedly voted largely to approve the contract, flight attendants and maintenance staff appear to have voted massively against it. The company has 3,500 pilots, 13,000 flight staff and 32,000 ground crew workers. While skilled pilots make good salaries, a large majority of workers at the company are not highly paid. Average monthly pre-tax income for employees is only 2,981 for men and 2,066 for women. The week before the contract vote, French Democratic Confederation of Labour (CFDT) official Laurent Berger was interviewed by Europe 1 radio, where he denounced Air France pilots in inflammatory terms for taking us all hostage and causing big, big problems for the company. Air France has reportedly lost at least 300 million and is losing over 26 million each day the strike continues. The Air France unions fully expected that after organizing a few one-day strikes and giving workers no perspective to oppose the threats from Air France management and the government they would easily secure a yes vote. Management and union officials who had assembled to view the results of the vote could not believe their eyes when precisely the opposite occurred. One anonymous union official recounted the scene to France Televisions: I saw 55 percent. At first I thought that was for yes, but in fact it was for no. A stunned silence came over everyone. There was silence for a full minute. Then an Air France official shouted, This company is unmanageable! A union bureaucrat at the meeting, who had organized strikes and publicly claimed to oppose the contract, while fully expecting it to pass, said, I was sure that with all the efforts management had made, they would succeed. The unions were left without even a leaflet to distribute informing workers of the outcome of the vote. They were so sure that they would obtain a yes vote that they had printed out leaflets reporting passage of the deal and had made no preparations for a no vote. They were left empty-handed when their members defied them and voted down the contract. Janaillac reacted by immediately announcing his resignation. I take responsibility for the consequences of this vote, and in the coming days I will submit my resignation to the board of Air France and Air France-KLM, he said. This vote is the expression of unease. It calls for a profound transformation, he continued, adding that he hoped his resignation would allow a collective change of mentality and create the conditions for a rebound. French Economy Minister Bruno Le Maire threatened the Air France workers, declaring that the state would not mop up Air Frances debts and arrogantly lecturing the workers that their wage demands were unjustified. Yesterday, after Janaillacs resignation, Air France-KLM stock fell 13 percent, driven by investors fears that the strike could cut into the billions in profits the company is handing out to them. This leaves the company without a chief executive in the midst of an ongoing conflict, financial analysts told Le Figaro . The Air France workers courageous opposition to the contract is part of an international upsurge of working-class struggle against the demands of the financial aristocracy. This wave of rank-and-file resistance is also bringing the working class into open conflict with the union bureaucracies. In the US, a wave of teachers strikes and protests in defiance of the unions has erupted in numerous states. As Air France workers were voting down the contract, teachers in Colorado were going on strike, together with tens of thousands of California university workers and Los Angeles school bus drivers. At the same time, teachers have taken strike action in other countries, from Britain to Sri Lanka. In Europe, strikes have erupted since New Years Day among German automotive, metal and government workers; British railroad workers; Eastern European auto workers and Turkish metal workers. In France, the working class is coming into political struggle against President Emmanuel Macrons agenda of austerity and militarism. A rail strike is proceeding against Macrons planned privatization of the national railway (SNCF), while health care and state workers go on strike and students blockade their universities. Macron is overseeing deep cuts to wages and social services in an attempt to free up 300 billion for a vast increase in military spending. At the same time, France is joining in the US-led war drive in the Middle East, bombing Syria and threatening Iran with war. The way forward is to take these strikes out of the hands of the corrupt union bureaucracies and establish independent rank-and-file organizations to unify strikers with their class brothers and sisters internationally. Air France strikes in recent years have provided a particularly blatant example of how the trade unions, which are all focused on boosting corporate competitiveness and profits, agree to measures that directly undermine the interests of the workers they falsely claim to represent. In 2014, a powerful pilots strike broke out at Air France against plans to move workers into low-cost subsidiaries that pay lower wages. Air France management lost hundreds of millions of euros and was brought to its knees financially. With victory in the strikers grasp, the unions suddenly called off the action. It is our duty to preserve the future of our company and bandage its wounds before irreversible damage is done, the unions declared in a statement. The unions were not opposed to a collapse in wage levels for their members. They were fearful of and determined to prevent a victory of the strike that could harm corporate profits and encourage broader strike action in France and in the airline industry across Europe. Their role in strangling the strike was hailed by various pseudo-left parties of the affluent middle class, including the New Anti-capitalist Party (NPA) and Workers Struggle (LO). The outcome of the 2014 strike is a serious warning to Air France workers today that the unions will stop at nothing to re-impose some version of the contract, doing everything in their power to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory. While strike action is proceeding, the unions failed to reach an agreement on how to continue the strike at their meeting last night. An anonymous trade union official told Le Figaro, We want to show we are responsible and not immediately call for more strikes. The Trump administration announced a policy of unprecedented cruelty in its persecution of immigrant families Monday. Family groups caught crossing the U.S. border without authorization will be immediately broken up, with the parents detained and prosecuted for illegal entry while their children are taken away from them. Enforcement of the new policy was triggered by a memorandum sent out last Friday by the secretary of the Department of Homeland Security, Kirstjen Nielsen, directing both Immigration and Customs Enforcement and the Border Patrol to refer all suspected border crossers to the Justice Department for prosecution under a federal statute that prohibits illegal entry. Those apprehended will be sent directly to federal court under the custody of the US Marshals Service, and their children will be transferred to the custody of Health and Human Services Office of Refugee Resettlement, a DHS official said in elaborating the policy. Publicly announcing the policy in a speech to a police conference in Scottsdale, Arizona, Attorney General Jeff Sessions declared, If you are smuggling a child, then we will prosecute you and that child will be separated from you as required by law. If you dont like that, then dont smuggle children over our border. By smuggling, Sessions was referring to parents bringing their children with them as they flee the violence-torn, poverty-stricken countries of Central America, seeking refuge in the United States. The vast majority of family groups detained at the US border come from Guatemala, El Salvador and Honduras, where right-wing, military-backed regimes and gangs involved in the US-fueled drug trade hold sway, with the approval and assistance of Washington. By the standard of Sessions, Trump, and the other bigots and maniacs who direct U.S. immigration policy, the Jewish parents fleeing Nazi Germany in the 1930s were also engaged in smuggling because they brought their children with them. So too, the millions who have fled US-devastated war zones in Syria, Iraq, Afghanistan and other countries in the Middle East. The Trump administration has been actively preparing a policy of family separation since Trump entered the White House, although officials denied they were doing so when initial reports appeared in the press last year. But according to press reports today, officials in the White House, the Department of Homeland Security and the Department of Justice have long believed that jailing everyone caught crossing the border illegally was the best means to intimidate and discourage prospective immigrants. Trump and Sessions would be quite willing to jail the children too, but this was barred by prior court decisions that overturned a similar (though undeclared) practice of the Obama administration. As a result, adopting a policy of universal jailing of adults requires the separation of children from their parents. However, from the standpoint of the Trump administration, the sheer cruelty of such measures, with infants only a few months old torn away from their mothers, was a positive feature, since it would serve as an additional deterrent to crossing the border illegally. According to the Wall Street Journal, once the Border Patrol separates the parents, the children will be classified as unaccompanied minors and sent to shelters, unless family members can be found living legally in the United States who are able to take care of them. Sessions said that additional resources, including dozens of prosecutors and immigration judges, were being mobilized to the four borders states in the Southwest: Texas, New Mexico, Arizona and California. He cited a doubling of detentions for illegal entry along that border in April 2018, compared to the same month last year. Criminal prosecutions at the border have skyrocketed over the past 25 years, from 10,000 a year in the mid-1990s to a peak of more than 90,000 in 2013 under the Obama administration, which also deported more immigrants than any other administration in history. The number of such prosecutions declined to 60,000 in the last fiscal year, which ended September 30, 2017, but it is expected to increase dramatically and perhaps break the Obama record this year. First-time offenders, convicted of improper entry by an alien, have usually been prosecuted for a federal misdemeanor punishable by up to six months in prison. A second conviction for illegal border crossing would likely be a felony illegal reentry, with a prison term of up to two years. A third conviction can mean a prison term as long as 20 years. There are similarly savage penalties for aiding immigrants, making false statements to an immigration official, or acts classified as fraud, such as working under a false Social Security number. Sessions pointed to the broad range of potential charges in his speech in Arizona. If you smuggle illegal aliens across our border, then we will prosecute you, he declared. If you make false statements to an immigration officer or commit fraud in our system to obtain an immigration benefit, thats a felony. We will put you in jail. If you help others to do so, thats a felony, too. The entire speech of the attorney general was devoted to law-and-order demagogy, portraying the United States as a country under assault. We are not going to let this country be invaded, he said. We will not be stampeded. We will not capitulate to lawlessness. The truth is that the United States has invaded more countries than anyone since Hitler. The vast majority of the worlds refugees and displaced persons have lost their homes and been forced to flee for their lives because of American bombs, missiles and other armaments, whether employed directly by American troops, by US-backed puppet regimes (Afghanistan and Iraq) or by their US allies like Saudi Arabia (in Yemen), or France (across North Africa). The International Youth and Students for Social Equality (Sri Lanka) urges workers and students to oppose the John Kotelawala National Defence University (KDU) bill presented by Sri Lankas defence minister to parliament. The legislation is a further move toward the privatisation of higher education and increased militarisation of the country. The Kotelawala Defence Academy was established in 1981 to train recruits for the higher ranks of the three armed forces. It was elevated to university level in 1986 and started enrolling a limited number of civilian students after 2012 to fee-paying courses, including engineering, information technology and law. The new bill repeals the 1981 Act and is aimed at transforming the KDU into a fully-fledged university, widening its objectives and powers to provide courses of study and instructions in branches of learning for other persons apart from military-related persons and public officers. According to the bill, the powers of the university include: 1. Establish campuses, colleges, faculties, departments, centres, academic institutions and such other specialised institutes, schools and divisions as may be required by the University. 2. Recognise courses by those institutes and award degrees for such courses. 3. Affiliate with local and foreign higher educational institutions. 4. Charge fees determined by the University for those courses. The charges will be so high that no poor students can afford them. Already, the fee for a four-year engineering student is nearly 2 million rupees ($US13,000). The university is to function under the defence ministry and can act notwithstanding the provisions of the Universities Act of 1978, that governs other state universities, which are under the higher education ministry. The KDU is controlled by a board of governors consisting of senior officers from the defence ministry and armed forces. It will be presided over by a vice chancellor appointed by the president from among senior military officers. Military discipline will be imposed on the university. According to the Army web site, its Suriyawewa campus is under strict discipline maintained due to close supervision by the Military staff of the campus. Students and staff will have dress a code, and will be vetted for national security reasons. Significantly, if the defence minister is of the view that any situation prevailing in the University is likely to endanger national security or is detrimental or prejudicial to national policy or disrupt the functioning of institution he may direct board of governors to take all steps to bring such situation under control. This bill is part of a deepening privatisation of education and militarisation of society. Such military-run universities have operated for decades in Pakistan, named the National Defence University of Pakistan and National University of Science and Technology. Pakistans military is a major force in that countrys political and economic decisions and controls a sizable section of the economy. The Sri Lankan military is asserting a similarly powerful position, consuming the largest share of the budget, with a 2018 allocation of 290 billion rupees, and systematically developing economic activities. The 30-year communal war against the separatist Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam was used to boost the military. President Maithripala Sirisena came to power in January 2015, promising to increase public expenditure on education. This rhetoric was part of a series of bogus promises made by the right-wing good governance movement organised around him to divert social opposition against former President Mahinda Rajapakses repressive rule. For the past three years, the government has not increased the allocation for education, which remained at 1.9 percent of the gross domestic product (GDP) in 2017, while education facilities are rapidly deteriorating. University students have continued their protests against the privatisation of higher education, demanding the abolition of the South Asian Institute of Technology and Medicine (SAITM), a foreign-affiliated fee levying private medical college. Medical students have joined this campaign, conducting a nine month-long lecture boycott. However, the Inter University Student Federation (IUSF), controlled by the pseudo-left Frontline Socialist Party (FSP), limited students campaigns to pressuring the government to abolish SAITM. They joined hands with the trade unions and even right-wing opposition members in the name of intensifying pressure on the government. The answer of the Sirisena and Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe was to unleash brutal police violence against student protests and arrest student leaders. As a manoeuvre, the government then declared it would abolish SAITM and provide its students with a separate solution. Hailing the government decision as a victory, the IUSF shut down students protests. The government later decided to enrol SAITM students at KDU for a fee-paying medical course. The Government Medical Officers Association (GMOA) called several strikes aimed at deflecting concerns of doctors over the privatisation of medical degrees. But later it suggested enrolling the SAITM students at KDU and praised the government for implementing its proposal. GMOA now claims that it opposes the bill because the government is preparing to launch SAITM in another name and the KDU could ignore the Sri Lanka Medical Council. IUSF leaders, including its convenor Lahiru Weerasekera, are currently criticising the government for the privatisation and militarisation of education and declaring they will launch massive protests. The IUSF and GMOA are promoting futile campaigns to pressure the government to abandon the bill. This is another trap for students, workers and doctors, diverting their opposition to the governments privatisation agenda. Slashing public education is part of the ruling coalitions broader economic reform program, dictated by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) as a condition for a $US1.5 billion bailout loan granted in 2016. Under the IMFs terms, the government must slash its fiscal expenditure to 3.5 percent of GDP by 2020. This means gutting subsidies and social programs, including education and health, privatising state-owned enterprises and increasing taxes. Public education has become a central target in every country when imposing the burden of crisis-ridden world capitalism. In America, hundreds of thousands of teachers are in struggle across numerous states, with the backing of students, demanding pay increases and restoration of school funding. In the UK, university teachers are in a struggle against pension cuts. In India, university teachers and students have launched campaigns against granting so-called autonomous status to universities in order to transform them into fee-levying institutes. No amount of pressurising the government will change its policies, which have been determined by the capitalist crisis and international finance capital. The IYSSE has intervened in the struggles of students and doctors, explaining that a political struggle is needed to defeat the government attacks. Only by spending billions of rupees can a decent, qualitatively improved education be provided for all. The massive funds needed for this program can be realised only by seizing the wealth of the banks, big companies and large estates, and repudiating foreign loans. Such actions can be implemented only by a workers and peasants government, established by the working class, rallying the poor oppressed and youth around it. The IUSF, FSP and other pseudo-left groups and trade unions are trying to prevent such a struggle because they all are tied to the capitalist system and seek solutions within it. Students must reject these lackeys of capitalism. The IYSSE appeals to students to turn to the working class, which is the revolutionary force that can lead the fight for a socialist program. The experience of workers in different sectors who came into struggles in the past several months has been that they cannot defend their rights by appealing to the government. What is needed is the fight for an international socialist program. We urge students and youth to join us to build a socialist movement to fight for this revolutionary perspective. The IYSSE is the youth movement of the Socialist Equality Party (SEP). We appeal to students to build IYSSE branches to struggle for this program. The wave of strikes and protests by educators in the United States is continuing. Just days after the Arizona Education Association (AEA) called off the strike by nearly 60,000 teachers in the southwestern US state, new struggles have emerged from California and Colorado to North and South Carolina. More than 53,000 university service workers, nurses and other hospital workers began a three-day strike Monday at ten University of California (UC) campuses, medical centers and research labs across the state. The UC workers are demanding a six percent annual raise, a freeze on health care premiums and an end to the contracting out of jobs. Also on Monday, 900 teachers in Pueblo, Colorado walked out to demand pay increases after working without a contract for more than a year. Less than two weeks ago, thousands of teachers in the state, which is run by the Democratic Party, carried out sickouts and rallied in the state capitol in Denver to demand improved wages and pensions and the restoration of a decade of school funding cuts. On May 15, 30,000 school bus drivers, custodians, special education assistants, cafeteria workers and other support staff employed by the Los Angeles Unified School District are expected to launch a one-day strike in the second largest school district in the United States. Thousands of teachers throughout North Carolina are expected to demonstrate on May 16 in Raleigh, as the state legislature begins its session. Teachers in neighboring South Carolina have called for a May 19 demonstration at the state capitol in Columbia to protest low pay, high class sizes, excessive testing and lack of preparation time. Teachers are giving expression to a much broader oppositional sentiment among workers. Last Friday, nearly 1,500 workers at Fords Flat Rock Assembly plant, just south of Detroit, refused company demands that they resume production and walked out after a worker was trapped in machinery and severely injured. An incipient rebellion by rank-and-file workers is brewing against the United Auto Workers union, which functions as a cheap labor contractor and labor police force for management. The growth of class struggle in the US is part of an international movement, which has seen mass demonstrations and strikes throughout Europe, Asia, Africa, the Middle East and Latin America this year. In France, the week opened with continuing strikes by French workers at Air France and the state-run SNCF rail system. Fifty years since the revolutionary upheaval of May-June 1968, the clash between the French working class and the government of Emmanuel Macron, the president of the rich, is intensifying. Last Friday, airline workers overwhelmingly rejected an insulting pay offer of 7 percent over four years. Macrons economy minister, Bruno Le Maire, responded to the vote by threatening workers with mass sackings. These developments make clear that the strikes that have erupted so far this year are initial expressions of a powerful, objective social movement. The class struggle, artificially suppressed by the unions for decades, is erupting once again, decisively refuting all claims that the conflict between classes has been superseded by conflicts over race, gender and sexual orientation. The resurgence of class struggle raises basic political issues for all workers. First, it has demonstrated the anti-working-class character of the organizations that call themselves unions, which in fact function as instruments of the corporations and the state. In the US, every strike by teachers this year has been initiated by the workers, with the unions acting as strike-breakers called in to isolate the struggles in West Virginia, Oklahoma and Arizona and shut them down as quickly as possible. The unions perform the same basic function in every country. In France, the unions have coordinated closely with the state in an attempt to suppress mounting opposition and have already agreed with the Macron government to enforce the policies demanded by the ruling class. The growth of working-class resistance raises the necessity of organizing and coordinating these struggles not only within countries, but internationally. New organizations of struggle, rank-and-file factory and work-site committees, must be built, independent of the corporatist unions, to unite workers and prepare an industrial counter-offensive, including a general strike. Moreover, workers are entering into a struggle not just against one or another employer, but against the entire capitalist system and all of its political instruments. In the United States, the teachers strikes are the product of the policies of successive Democratic and Republican administrations, from Bill Clinton and George Bush to Barack Obama and Donald Trump, which have funneled money from public schools to charter businesses and other for-profit schools. This is part of a policy of social counterrevolution, bank bailouts and corporate tax cuts that has produced a massive redistribution of wealth from the working class to the corporate and financial elite. All over the world, the capitalist class is on the offensive, determined to preserve its social and economic system through the ever greater exploitation of the working class, the vast majority of the population. The ruling class will not respond to workers' strikes and protests with a program of social reforms, but with state repression. This is seen in the moves by the government and tech giants like Google and Facebook to censor the Internet, in the first instance the World Socialist Web Site and its worker newsletters, which have become the center of working class opposition. As David North, the chairman of the International Editorial Board of the WSWS, said in his opening remarks to the 2018 May Day International Online Rally sponsored by the International Committee of the Fourth International, The claims by decrepit reformists like Bernie Sanders and Jeremy Corbyn that the capitalist oligarchs can be persuaded with sweet phrases to accept a more equitable distribution of wealth is nothing less than delusional There is no way to settle accounts with the class that owns and controls the means of production and the global financial networks, along with gigantic military machines, intelligence agencies and police forces except through socialist revolution. Two hundred years after the birth of Marx, the principles of Marxism are being confirmed in the growth of the class struggle throughout the world. However, the Marxism of the 21st century, as the May Day rally expressed, is Trotskyism, embodied in the International Committee of the Fourth International. The ICFI is the only organization fighting on the basis of genuine Marxism and the program of world socialist revolution. The urgent task is to develop in every section of the working class, in the United States and internationally, a socialist political leadership. We call on all workers and young people to draw the necessary conclusions from their experiences by joining and building the ICFI and its affiliated Socialist Equality Parties throughout the world. A U.S.-Mexico border fence in 2014. Photo: Sandy Huffaker/Corbis via Getty Images In a speech before law-enforcement officials in Arizona on Monday, Attorney General Jeff Sessions announced that the federal government seeks to separate parents from their children at the U.S.-Mexico border in an effort to discourage more crossings. The Los Angeles Times reports that the policy officially went into effect last week, though hundreds of children have already been taken from their parents in recent months. If you are smuggling a child, then we will prosecute you and that child will be separated from you as required by law. If you dont like that, then dont smuggle children over our border, Sessions said, in typically severe remarks. We are not going to let this country be invaded. We will not be stampeded. We will not capitulate to lawlessness, he added. Under the new system, children will be treated as if they arrived in the United States alone, The Wall Street Journal reports. If they are from a country other than Mexico or Canada, they are placed with a family member or in a shelter while their case is considered. Their parents are allowed to apply for asylum once they are apprehended, but may be detained while their applications are considered. Sessions also announced the Justice Departments intention to criminally prosecute every immigrant who illegally crosses the border, as opposed to simply busing them back over the border. The extreme family-separation measure, which had been reported to be under consideration in March, marks a dramatic shift from current policy, in which authorities generally try to keep detained families together by sending them to the same detention facilities. The new rule does not apply to families who present themselves to authorities at the border and apply for asylum. Crossings between the U.S. and Mexico have surged in recent months, an uptick that prompted President Trump to send the National Guard to the border, though arrests remain at historic lows. The following speech was delivered to the May Day rally by Peter Schwarz, Secretary of the International Committee of the Fourth International for the past 32 years, and a leading member of the German section of the ICFI. After the dissolution of the Soviet Union and the Stalinist regimes in Eastern Europe, the European bourgeoisie was confident thatmore than 140 years after the publication of the Communist Manifestoit would no longer be haunted by the spectre of communism; that Marx would soon be forgotten and would only be of interest to specialized historians. A quarter century later, on Marxs 200th birthday, the opposite is the case. There is hardly a newspaper, a radio station or a TV channel that has not published articles, interviews, documentaries, debates or even special supplements on the subject of Marx. It has become impossible to ignore him or to reject him with a few primitive anticommunist slanders. The crisis of global capitalism, the deepening gulf between rich and poor, the resurgence of the class struggle and the acute danger of war confirm every aspect of the analysis and perspective developed by Marx and the great Marxists of the 20th century, above all Lenin and Trotsky. The struggle against militarism and the far right in Europe The bourgeoisie and its flunkeys in the worlds editorial boards try desperately to deny this. They pay tribute to Marx as a prophet, but denounce him as a revolutionary. They pay lip service to the theoretician, but are hostile to the socialist. They refer to his critique of capitalist society, but reject its revolutionary implications. To use Marxs terminology: They tolerate, to a limited extent, the weapon of criticismbut they firmly reject the criticism of weapons. Their attempts to defuse Marx, however, and to transform him into a harmless icon, will fail. Each day provides new proof that capitalism cannot be reformed, but must be overthrown by a socialist, mass movement of the working class. The economic, social and political mechanisms that provided some stability to European capitalism after 1945 have largely broken down. The objective conditions that rendered the first half of the 20th century the most violent period in historydominated by ferocious class battles, a victorious proletarian revolution in Russia, the rise of fascism in Italy, Germany and Spain and two devastating World Warsare emerging again. The political and trade union organisations, which claimed that capitalism could be improved, in the interests of the masses, by class compromise and social reform, have either collapsed or moved so far to the right that they are indistinguishable from the most reactionary bourgeois parties. The same is true for the revisionist and pseudo-left organisations, which have abandoned the Marxist perspective of the independent revolutionary mobilization of the working class, and subordinated themselves to Stalinist, reformist and bourgeois nationalist movements and different forms of identity politics. The most brutal attacks on the social and democratic rights of the working class over the last two decades are identified with the names of a British Labourite, Tony Blair, a German Social Democrat, Gerhard Schroder, and the leader of the Greek Radical Left (Syriza), Alexis Tsipras. The trade unions have been transformed into corporate tools that discipline and suppress the workers. The anti-working class policy pursued by the European Union, on behalf of Europes banks and corporations, and its unconditional support by the social democrats, trade unions and pseudo-left parties, has created conditions where the extreme right can channel social anger in a nationalist direction. As a result, the AfD has become the first far-right party to enter federal parliament in Germany since World War II; the National Front has risen to become the second-largest party in France; the far-right Freedom Party has assumed government responsibility in Austria; the xenophobic Lega and Five Star Movement hold a parliamentary majority in Italy, and far-right parties are in power in Poland, the Czech Republic and Hungary. In a more fundamental sense, the rise of the far right is an expression of the decay of bourgeois democracy. The excessively high tension of the international struggle and the class struggle results in the short circuit of dictatorship, blowing out the fuses of democracy one after the other, Leon Trotsky wrote in 1929. The same process is repeated today. The German and the French government present the European Union as an antidote to the growth of authoritarianism. In a speech to the European Parliament last month, French President Emmanuel Macron described the EU as a unique democratic model in the world. But this is a lie. The European Union, which has been portrayed as the guarantor of peace, democracy and prosperity, is the driving force of austerity, militarism, xenophobia and the build-up of a police state in Europe. Far from unifying the continent, it is generating the nationalist tensions that are tearing it apart. The diktats of the EU have decimated the standard of living of the Greek working class and driven youth unemployment in Southern Europe above 50 percent. In the Eastern European countries, which joined the EU more than ten years ago, average wages are still only a fraction of those in the West. The EUs war against refugees has cost more than 15,500 lives over the last four years in the Mediterranean alone. This is an average of 11 casualties a day. Both Paris and Berlin aim to transform Europe into a police state and a military great power dominated by France and Germany, able to compete with the United States in the imperialist re-division of the world. Last month, Macron ordered air strikes against Syria on false pretenses, without a parliamentary vote, and over the opposition of most of the French population. Germany is in the midst of a massive rearmament campaign, aimed at enabling the German army to both participate in a war against Russia and intervene in imperialist wars throughout the world. The new Grand Coalition government has pledged to double military spending to 70 billion euros by 2024. This rearmament is being accompanied by a continuous onslaught on social programs and workers living standards. The AfD, which contains a high percentage of former military officers, policemen and judges amongst its MPs, has been warmly embraced by the government. It is fully integrated into all the major parliamentary committees, and the government has adopted its xenophobic refugee policy, which forms the spearhead of the attacks on democratic rights. The return of militarism and the entrance of a far-right party into parliament, in a country where survivors of the Nazi concentration camps are still alive, has ominous historical significance. It demonstrates that the bourgeoisie will return to the most brutal forms of dictatorship, if the working classthat is, the vast majority of the populationfails to establish its own rule; if it does not conquer power and reorganize society on the basis of social need. There is tremendous opposition to austerity and war among the working class and youth. This is demonstrated by the militant struggles of rail workers and students in France, the scale of the strikes in Germanys metal industry and public services, the repeated eruption of general strikes in Greece, the reemergence of workers struggles in Eastern Europe and many other strikes and protests. The coming period will be characterized by bitter class battles and mounting opposition to war and state repression. But these struggles require a political perspective. They can be successful only if the working class breaks with the social democrats, trade unions and pseudo-left parties, unites internationally, and combines the struggle against war and austerity with the fight against the capitalist system. Only in this way can the rise of the far right be halted. The ICFI is the only political tendency fighting for this perspective. We call on you to join it and build its sections in Europe and all over the world. On Monday, 24,000 service workers on University of California (UC) campuses, members of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) Local 3299, hit the picket lines for the first day of a three-day strike. Contract negotiations between the UC and AFSCME have stalled for the past year. After the UC offered a paltry 3 percent annual wage increase, 97 percent of the unions membership voted in favor of a strike. The union has called for a 6 percent annual wage increase and has publicly opposed UCs goal of delaying the retirement age by five years, outsourcing jobs, and raising healthcare premiums. Picket line at UCSD-Hillcrest On Tuesday and Wednesday, 18,000 nurses, who are members of the California Nurses Association (CNA), and 15,000 healthcare administrators, covered by the University Professional and Technical Employees (UPTE) union, will join in a sympathy strike. Like the wave of teachers rebellions across the US, the impetus of the strike has come from below, not from the unions, which are limiting the strike to three days and want to prevent UC workers from linking up with broader sections of workers who confront the same problems of low wages, deteriorating health care and retirement benefits, and skyrocketing housing and other living costs. AFSCME and the CNA are allied with the Democratic Party and Governor Jerry Brown, who has overseen the attack on public sector workers. The governor appoints the majority of the UC Board of Regents, the universitys management. Brittany, a custodian at University California-San Diego (UCSD), told the WSWS, Theyre trying to raise our benefits. The cost of living is already expensive. If you look at where all the UC campuses are its very expensive. Ive got a family of four and I have to pay more and more for medical insurance. It costs $75 to see the emergency room. I hope we get our pensions, because I dont know if were going to have them when I retire. Brittany She added, Im a custodian at the campus and Im not making enough to live on my own. Im living with my grandma; Im only making $30,000 a year. Many university workers talked about the difficulty making ends meet in California, which has one of the highest poverty rates in the country. When cost of living is taken into account, particularly the soaring housing costs, just over 20 percent of Californians are in poverty. Renee, a medical assistant at UCSD, told our reporter about the cost of living in San Diego, saying, Me and my husband are trying to purchase a house in San Diego, but its so hard and being a mother of two, having two jobs, and my husband still works. The cheapest house in East San Diego is $400,000 with a $60,000 down-payment. Workers expressed an overwhelming connection to other workers across the country. Tim, a worker at UC Berkeley for over 10 years, talked about the broader assault against the working class. Its definitely a class issue, he said. The whole rigged system is a class issue. When the WSWS asked Renee about her thoughts on the Arizona teachers strike, she said, My sister-in-law is a teacher in Arizona and I was supporting her. They go to school and college for so long and they educate our children, but they have to work three jobs. Arizona may be cheaper, but they still dont make enough money. My sister-in-law has two jobs. If thats what is like in Arizona, imagine what its like here in San Diego. A lot of us are still paying student loans. Renee The way the economy has gone you cant survive on one paycheck, said Blanca, who has been working at UC Berkeley for the past 20 years. A lot of us work this job full-time and then another part-time. Theres an attack on all public workers. When I began, the students used to graduate, get a job, and move on, but now you graduate with a big loan and theres no jobs, no way to start a family. This is absolutely a nationwide problem. The working class needs to unite, she concluded. Many workers pointed to chronic understaffing and the impact it had on services as one of the things that brought them out on strike. A radiologist who asked to remain anonymous told the WSWS he has worked in his profession for 20 years, with seven of those years spent at UCSD. He said, These guys [management] want to cut everything. Were understaffed, and they know it. Its hard to give the greatest patient care, it gets very stressful. For them to think were paid good is crazy. You can email your bosses saying, I missed several lunches and breaks, and theyll admit youre right, but say, Were understaffed. Its like an assembly line in here, they work you to death. Its hard to be attentive to each patient when they just want to get them in and out. Physically, trying to work like this is abusive. No matter how much you complain they wont do a thing. Management will intimidate you. Its like a slaughterhouse. They load 15 patients on you in the first hour. Theyre either trauma or emergency room. They say they give great patient care, but its all a lie. There are too many patients, but they cant accommodate because they wont hire anymore. 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Ireland Uruguay, Eastern Republic of Uzbekistan Vanuatu Venezuela, Bolivarian Republic of Viet Nam, Socialist Republic of Wallis and Futuna Islands Western Sahara Yemen Zambia, Republic of Zimbabwe French president Emmanuel Macron implored Trump to remain in the agreement. Photo: Brendan Smialowski/AFP/Getty Images Donald Trump withdrew the United States from the Iran nuclear agreement Tuesday, and moved to reimpose economic sanctions against Tehran. In a speech justifying his decision Tuesday afternoon, the president did not once claim that Iran had violated the terms of the deal that it struck with the United States in 2015 a tacit concession to the fact that Tehran has complied with the agreement. Instead, Trump argued that the Iranian regime was a uniquely malevolent actor in the Middle East; that Barack Obama could have gotten a better deal in 2015, as the U.S. had had maximum leverage back then; and that Israel had uncovered evidence that Iran had lied about its intention to develop nuclear weapons years before it entered its agreement with the U.S. Then, in one of the more Orwellian pieces of rhetoric any U.S. president has ever deployed, Trump suggested that the United States decision to violate an agreement that it had reached with Britain, France, Germany, China, Russia, and Iran a little over two years ago proved that America keeps its word, and thus, will make it easier for the White House to reach a denuclearization deal with North Korea: Todays action sends a critical message. The United States no longer makes empty threats. When I make promises, I keep them. In fact, at this very moment, Secretary Pompeo is on his way to North Korea in preparation for my upcoming meeting with Kim Jong-un. Plans are being made, relationships are building. Hopefully, a deal will happen, and with the help of China, South Korea, and Japan, a future of great prosperity and security can be achieved for everyone. Of course, this is the opposite of the truth: To reach any significant deproliferation deal with Pyongyang, Washington will need to convince Kim Jong Un that Americas promises to rogue regimes can be trusted. Todays announcement is hard proof that they cannot be. But the diplomatic difficulties created by Trumps decision wont be limited to North Korea. All of the other signatories to the 2015 accord remain committed to it which means that they will, ostensibly, continue to have economic relations with Iran. But if the United States reimposes its previous sanctions on Tehran, then America will need to economically penalize European companies that trade with Iranian ones. Which is to say: A new front just opened up in Trumps trade war. Basically, nothing good happens except pleasing Trumps base. Photo: NICHOLAS KAMM/AFP/Getty Images President Trump has long railed against the Iran nuclear deal, calling it a disaster and insane. While international inspectors have not found that Iran committed any significant infractions, and our European allies are strongly in favor of the keeping the deal, it appears Trump is about to kill it. In his usual reality-TV-host fashion, he tweeted on Monday that he will reveal the agreements fate on Tuesday: I will be announcing my decision on the Iran Deal tomorrow from the White House at 2:00pm. Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) May 7, 2018 The chances that Trump called a press conference to announce his newfound support for President Obamas signature foreign-policy achievement are approximately zero. But that doesnt mean the agreement, formally known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), will suddenly cease to exist and Iran might not even resume its nuclear-weapons program. Much depends on the manner in which Trump scraps the deal, and how other countries react. Heres what to expect. What Happens Immediately The 2015 deal which was signed by the U.S., Britain, France, Germany, Russia, China, and Iran lifted years of economic sanctions against Iran. In exchange Iran, which was on the brink of being about to produce fuel for nuclear bombs, agreed to strict limits on its nuclear program. Under U.S. law, every 90 days the president has to certify to Congress that Iran is complying with the deal and sanctions should continue to be suspended. Trump decertified the JCPOA in October, but punted the opportunity to impose deal-killing sanctions to Congress. They didnt take up his offer. So the question now is how far Trump will go in reimposing sanctions, and what time frame hell offer. As the Washington Post explains, Trump could announce that hes reimposing sanctions on the Iranian central bank as soon as possible. This would give companies and countries 180 days to stop buying oil from Iran, lest they face punishment from the U.S. Trump could go even further by putting sanctions on 400 Iranian individuals and businesses as well. The JCPOA does not outline any formal process for withdrawal, but either of those moves would mean the U.S. is violating its end of the bargain, and pulling out of the deal. Its also possible that Trump will try some half measure in an attempt to push Iran into renegotiating a new deal. That could involve saying hell hold off on reinstating sanctions for one last 90-day period (which seems unlikely), or announcing sanctions but saying they wont go into effect immediately. Either way, Iran probably wont be receptive. How Iran Might React Theoretically the JCPOA could continue without the U.S., and on Monday Iranian president Hassan Rouhani suggested thats his intention. We are not worried about Americas cruel decisions We are prepared for all scenarios and no change will occur in our lives next week, he said in a speech broadcast on state TV. If we can get what we want from a deal without America, then Iran will continue to remain committed to the deal. What Iran wants is our interests to be guaranteed by its non-American signatories In that case, getting rid of Americas mischievous presence will be fine for Iran. However, the JCPOA probably wont survive for very long without the U.S. The deal did not improve Irans economy as much as some had hoped, and Rouhani is under pressure from Iranian hard-liners who want to sideline him and Tehrans nuclear-weapons program. Last month Iranian foreign minister Javad Zarif, Irans primary negotiator on the JCPOA, told Face the Nation that Tehran could quickly resume its nuclear-weapons program if Trump scraps the deal. We have put a number of options for ourselves and those options are ready, including options that would involve resuming at a much greater speed our nuclear activities, Zarif said. Zarif also poured cold water on Trumps calls for new deal. In a video posted on social media last week (complete with a real-estate metaphor for one special viewer), Zarif said Iran would not renegotiate or add onto the accord he and other diplomats spent two and a half years putting together. How Our European Allies Might React Rouhani and Zarif are working to make it clear that Iran is the victim of Trumps whims, not that the other countries involved in the deal need much convincing. Leaders from U.S. allies Britain, France, and Germany (as well as many other nations) have been strongly urging Trump to honor the agreement, to no avail. On Monday British foreign secretary Boris Johnson made an apparent last-ditch appeal to Trump, appearing on his favorite show, Fox & Friends. We have to be tougher on Iran and weve got to fix the flaws in the deal, Johnson said. .@BorisJohnson: Weve got to be tougher on Iran and weve got to fix the flaws in the deal. pic.twitter.com/99RbTLFnfI Fox News (@FoxNews) May 7, 2018 Despite Zarifs insistence that there will be no renegotiation, several European leaders have suggested that there may be ways to tweak the agreement enough to salvage it. During his state visit last month, French president Emmanuel Macron spoke of a new deal with Iran. That appeared to be an effort to rebrand diplomatic efforts already underway in the hope of placating Trump. Theres no sign that these efforts are working on Trump, and if he does reimpose harsh U.S. sanctions, its hard to see how the JCPOA can be saved. European companies are not going to violate U.S. sanctions, and that will bring more economic hardship on Iran, giving them little reason to stick with the deal. Europeans are concerned that even if Iran doesnt quickly reinstate its nuclear-weapons program, Trump withdrawing from the deal could further destabilize the region by emboldening Israel in its conflicts with Iran in Syria and Lebanon. We would open the Pandoras box. There could be war, Macron told the German magazine Der Spiegel on Saturday. He still tried to appeal to the better angels of the U.S. presidents nature, adding: I dont think that Donald Trump wants war. The president of University of Florida has apologized to nearly two dozen students who were inappropriately pulled off stage during the weekends spring graduation ceremony. But the graduates say the lackluster apology isnt enough. In general, I dont think Ive ever been handled in that manner, not even by my parents, one of the students, Oliver Telusma, said during an appearance on Good Morning America this week. Its kind of embarrassing, kind of degrading. Telusma was one of many black students who attempted a celebratory dance on the stage after being called to receive their diplomas, only to have a nearby usher cut in and physically drag them from the platform. Several clips of the incident were shared on Twitter, with many users pointing out that the white usher appeared to yank only black students while non-minority students were seemingly given more time and only slightly rushed off stage. UF Twitter ???????? Somebody please find out this employees name!! Every time a Black student took more than TWO seconds, he aggressively pushed them. Watch it for yourself. #ItsGreatUF pic.twitter.com/zMee1nMbUZ Chris (@ChicoFreedom) May 5, 2018 I didnt expect that at all. I definitely felt dehumanized and definitely criminalized, Nafeesah Attah told NBC News of the situation. Telusma, a member of the Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity, added to NBC: The interactions of the marshal were certainly racialized. Because we are black Greek letter organization and those moves are symbolic and important to our organizations. In a statement on Sunday, University of Florida President Kent Fuchs acknowledged that the official inappropriately physically rushed a number of students across the stage. He apologized and said they would no longer carry out the yanking practice. Story continues One day earlier, officials tweeted from the schools account: The University is proud of the achievements of every single one of our graduates and regrets that any celebration of the day may have been diminished by those monitoring a graduation ceremony. The students told NBC that Fuchs was on the stage, saw the treatment and did nothing. It couldve been minimized by the president simply just intervening and telling him to take it down a notch, Attah told NBC. University of Florida apologizes after graduates aggressively dragged off stage while receiving diplomas. @VictorOquendo has the latest: https://t.co/gabCMLBnWn pic.twitter.com/TGHOMlwNM6 Good Morning America (@GMA) May 7, 2018 Another graduate, Christopher Garcia-Wilde, said he noticed from his seat that the usher was very aggressive when handling black students. Its a tradition to stroll at graduation if you choose to, and people have been doing this for years, Garcia-Wilde told The Gainesville Sun. I was actually too afraid [to stroll] because I saw him shove other people. But my two friends who graduated with me really wanted to do it, so they tried. They both were pushed and one of them got an entire bear hug. UF officials did not immediately respond to a request for comment from PEOPLE. Multiple models were clinging to the rails of a party bus en route to the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City to toast the Costume Institutes latest exhibition, Heavenly Bodies: Fashion and the Catholic Imagination, but Ashley Graham was sitting pretty quite literally in a slinky gold number by Prabal Gurung and a brand-spanking-new bob. I didnt know what the heck was happening! said makeup artist Allan Avendano of the Joan of Arc-inspired chop by hairstylist Justine Marjan. After doing her makeup, I went out grab a bite to eat and when I came back [her length] was gone. Asked how Graham reacted to the new look, Avendano said, She was definitely feeling herself. Playing off the shimmery gown influence by the famed French heretic turned patron saint which Gurung described as the perfect blend of strength and gilded beauty during Grahams live Instagram story Avendanos goal was to make the model look one part warrior and one part constellation via a rich palette of metallic pigments and powders. You can never go wrong with those shades, explained the pro who created a look that was nothing short of divine. While Avendano didnt realize Graham was going under the scissors (a beauty moment that happened during the models takeover of Allures Instagram), there was plenty of prep that went into the supers red-carpet look, including an oxygen facial for Grahams girls and a quick nose hair zap by skin whisperer Mzia Shiman, as well as a late night spray tan with Jimmy Coco to give her post-Jamaica glow a bit of a bump. Before Marjan made the chop, Avendano got to work on Grahams makeup. He started with a clean, hydrated canvas using Revlons Photoready Perfecting Primer, then evened out her skin tone via the brands Photoready Airbrush Effect foundation. He toned down any redness using the Photoready Insta-Fix Stick foundation and brightened under the eyes, the tip of the chin, and around the nose with ColorStay Concealer. After contouring her cheekbones, temples, and jawline with the Photoready Insta-Fix Stick in Caramel, he set the base with powder, topped off the apples of her cheeks with a peach blush, and glazed across the high points of the face with the Light It Up Highlighter from the new Electric Shock collection (available exclusively at Ulta in June). Story continues Now, onto the eyes: Avendano swathed lids with concealer and ColorStay Creme Eye Shadow in Honey to give powder shadows plenty of grip, then reached for Revlons PhotoReady Primer, Shadow + Sparkle in Rustic. After dusting the bronze hue from lash line to crease, he used the sparkly espresso shade to carve out her crease and lower lashes. The finishing touch: liquid gold. For a molten effect, he misted the tip of his brush with Photoready Prep, Set, Refresh Mist, dipped it into the Color Charge Loose Eyeshadow Powder in Gold Dust, and tapped the pigment across the center of the lid. He repeated the aforementioned steps along the bottom lashes with the Color Charge Loose Eyeshadow Powder in Copper. A few coats of volumizing mascara and chocolate liner added plenty of drama and definition, while a nude lip a combo of Ultra HD Gel Lip Color in Sand and Super Lustrous Lip Gloss in Sand Storm allowed eyes to take center stage. With her freshly shortened cut, radiant skin, and cross-studded nude nails by manicurist Mar y Sol Inzerillo, Graham undoubtedly took her 6.7 million followers to church. And for all who worship at the supermodels altar and want to recreate the glowing effect, Avendano has one very important tip: Powder strategically. Before sending Graham off, he dusted Colorstay Pressed Powder in Medium along the sides of the nose, between the brows and up on to the forehead, and across the chin. The highlight should be strongest along the orbital bone and the cupids bow, he explained. Keeping the skin matte in key places prevents you from looking like a greasy mess or like you just ate French fries. Consider powder your secret weapon for looking #blessed. Read more stories about the Met Gala: Now, watch Mariah Carey put makeup on a stranger: Follow Allure on Instagram and Twitter, or subscribe to our newsletter for daily beauty stories delivered right to your inbox. Considering that their uniforms include that shorts-and-black-knee-high combo, most of us dont expect our mail carriers to be style influencers or iconoclasts. If your regular carrier showed up in anything out of the ordinary, youd notice. Thats why the carriers in Boise, Idaho, this week are bound to turn heads when they take to their routes in bright blue hair. This isnt an act of rebellion or protest against the fact that those Amazon orders are getting so heavy lately. These postal workers are doing their part to raise awareness for this Saturdays 26th annual Stamp Out Hunger food drive, in which 212,000 letter carriers collect food people place in bags on their mailboxes to deliver to their local food banks. Mail carrier Candace Lincoln gets her hair dyed blue at Beardsmith in Boise to raise awareness for the Stamp Out Hunger food drive. (Photo: Courtesy of Candace Lincoln) I love it when people ask, Why is your hair blue? It gives me the perfect opportunity to explain it, letter carrier Candace Lincoln, who coordinates the drive for her branch of the National Association of Letter Carriers (NALC) union, tells Yahoo Lifestyle. Postmaster Dan Corral had promised the carriers that if they met their goal of collecting 175,000 pounds of food in 2016, hed dye his hair blue before the 2017 drive. When he did, Lincoln and others decided to follow suit. Though last year, Lincoln went for a wig, on Monday night, she joined a handful of her colleagues at the Beardsmith for some complimentary temporary dye jobs. The post office is blue, so we figured blue would be a good color, Lincoln explains. She hopes other carriers go blue this week too, as they drop off bags for the drive. But if they dont, they can just wear the shirts or pins. After wearing the same uniform all year its kind of nice to wear something different, she admits. Considering how much physical labor the carriers do every day, its kind of surprising theyre so enthusiastic about collecting something extra on the second Saturday of May every year. Matt Crockett, Boise NALC sales executive. (Photo: Courtesy of Candace Lincoln) Youd think, Oh no, thats more stuff to carry, but it gives us a great feeling to know that people are supporting us out there, says John Paige, president of the Idaho state association of the NALC. We have the hungry among us in our community. People are glad to do it.. . Story continues Not that its a piece of cake, mind you. By the end of the day, your back is hurting; its an exhausting day, but it is absolutely worth it, Lincoln says. It almost brings a tear to my eyes to see how much people care, and how much people want to help. Weve all been, or will be, or know somebody that has fallen in the cracks. I know I have, and thats why I have so much passion for it. The timing of Stamp Out Hunger, just before summer, makes it essential for many food banks that get so much attention at the end of the year. By the time our drive comes around on Mothers Day weekend, the food pantries have run out again, Paige says. Letter carrier Russ Bright, Boise president of the National Association of Letter Carriers . (Photo: Courtesy of Candace Lincoln) Last year, the drive collected an estimated 75 million pounds of food nationwide, according to Christina Vela Davidson, national food drive coordinator for NALC. In the previous 25 years, theyve totaled 1.6 billion pounds. But if other letter carriers want to follow Boises example and make the drive even bigger (and bluer), she would certainly welcome that commitment. I think nationally carriers should dye their hair, or we could get blue hair clips or something, Lincoln says. Just so people go, Why does my carrier have blue hair? To get everyones attention. Read more from Yahoo Lifestyle: Follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter for nonstop inspiration delivered fresh to your feed, every day. Law and disorder. Donald Trump is starting to wonder if it was a mistake to trust an elderly, New York celebrity who has an infamous affinity for courting cameras and controversy with a job as important as the president of the United States lawyer. Specifically, Trump is worried that his aging, attention-hungry attorney might be incapable of staying on message in cable news interviews. As the Associated Press reports: President Donald Trump is growing increasingly irritated with lawyer Rudy Giulianis frequently off-message media blitz, which has included muddying the waters on hush money paid to porn actress Stormy Daniels and making claims that could complicate the presidents standing in the special counsels Russia probe. Trump has begun questioning whether Giuliani, an old friend and former New York City mayor, should be sidelined from television interviews, according to two people familiar with the presidents thinking but not authorized to speak publicly about private discussions. The APs report is buttressed by Politico, which writes that the president has expressed frustration that Giulianis media appearances are raising more questions than they are answering. Trumps frustration is understandable. Over the past week, Giuliani has suggested on national televion that the president fired James Comey for refusing to do his bidding on the Russia investigation (which would implicate Trump in obstruction of justice); revealed that Trump reimbursed Michael Cohen for his hush payment to Stormy Daniels (which implicated the president in many lies); and suggested that said hush payment was politically motivated (which would implicate the presidents campaign in a major campaign-finance violation). In that same time span, Giuliani also referred to FBI agents as stormtroopers, and delivered an address to a former Iranian terrorist organization, in which he announced that the president supports regime change in Tehran a claim Trumps State Department proceeded to vigorously deny. So: Not the most heart-warming debut a Rudy has ever had. But in Giulianis defense, its hard to fault a man for failing miserably at an impossible job. After all, the entire reason why Trump is saddled with such substandard representation is that hes an even worse client than Giuliani is defense attorney. It is a bad idea for the presidents lawyer to make frequent, incendiary television appearances; but that is what the president requires his lawyers to do. Trump desires a belligerent defense in the court of public opinion (and/or, the court of Judge Jeanine) as much as, if not more than, he wants an effective one in a court of law. In fact, the president routinely sacrifices his legal interests to fight back on cable news. Trump wanted Giuliani to liken federal law enforcement to sci-fi villains, and James Comey to Judas on Fox News. The trouble is that he also wanted Rudy to explain to Sean Hannitys audience why, in October 2016, Michael Cohen would have paid $130,000 to a porn star whom Trump did not have an affair with, even though Cohen was not concerned that Danielss story would hurt Trump, politically (as such concerns would render the payment an unambiguous campaign finance violation); and then, also, why Cohen would have done this this without ever notifying the president even though women threatening to go public about their (fictional) affairs with Donald Trump was not a regular occurrence, and thus, Cohen had no way of knowing how Trump would have wanted him to handle such an unprecedented situation: [I]n weekend interviews, Giuliani appeared to dig himself a deeper hole by acknowledging that Cohen takes care of situations like this, then gets paid for them sometimes. He did not rule out the possibility that Cohen had paid off other women. Trump, who has denied the affair with Daniels, was angry that Giuliani had given the impression that other women may have made similar charges of infidelity, according to the people familiar with his views. Why this would have angered Trump is difficult to understand. In the presidents own statement about the Daniels payment, he suggested that entering nondisclosure agreements (NDAs) with extortionists who falsely claim that they had an affair with you is very common among celebrities and people of wealth. More fundamentally, as indicated above, if drafting such NDAs wasnt a routine part of Cohens job, then it looks (even more) implausible that the payment was made without Trumps knowledge (as the president had long insisted). And then, of course, the fact that other women have made similar (and, in some cases, far more severe) charges of sexual impropriety against the president is not exactly a secret that Giuliani failed to guard. In addition to asking his attorneys to make legally hazardous and logically incoherent arguments on cable news, the president also refuses to abide by his lawyers advice, pay them everything theyre owed, and stay focused during legal prep. As The Wall Street Journal reports: Preparing Mr. Trump to testify would be a serious distraction to his work as president, eating into time he needs to deal with pressing global issues, Mr. Trumps lawyers contend. In an informal, four-hour practice session, Mr. Trumps lawyers were only able to walk him through two questions, given the frequent interruptions on national-security matters along with Mr. Trumps loquaciousness, one person familiar with the matter said. Forcing Trump to testify in the Russia investigation would make it impossible for him to execute his presidential duties because his attention span is so limited, it takes him two hours to prepare an answer to a single question. This appears to be the Trump legal teams argument for why his fitness for high office shouldnt be the subject of a vigorous investigation. One could see all this as cause for questioning the presidents taste in attorneys but it seems like a stronger indictment of the American electorates taste in presidents. Dubai (AFP) - Nearly 100,000 migrants fled last year to Yemen, itself gripped by war and impending famine, to escape poverty and violence at home, the International Organization for Migration said Tuesday. Some 7,000 migrants entered Yemen each month, with the total number of arrivals in 2017 reaching near 100,000, the IOM said. Fleeing violence and poverty in the Horn of Africa, and at the mercy of smugglers, they hope to ultimately reach the more prosperous Gulf countries. Yemen is bordered to the north by Saudi Arabia. Once in Yemen -- where nearly 10,000 people have been killed in three years of war -- the lucky ones find "irregular work", the IOM said. Less fortunate migrants face torture, sexual abuse and death. "Both en route and once in Yemen, many migrants suffer at the hands of cruel smugglers and other criminals, including physical and sexual abuse, torture for ransom, arbitrary detention for long periods of time, forced labour for no pay and even death," the IOM said. Human Rights Watch last month released a report documenting Yemeni government employees who had "tortured, raped, and executed" migrants and asylum seekers at the Buraika migrant detention facility in the southern province of Aden, where the country's embattled government is based. Migrants held at the facility -- in use since early 2017 -- were denied refugee protection and often deported en masse into rough seas, the watchdog said. The United Nations refugee agency has corroborated the report. Scores of migrants from Somalia and Ethiopia have died off the coast of Yemen in recent months. Last summer, dozens of migrants drowned after human traffickers forced them off their boats and into the sea. In January, more than 30 migrants drowned when their boat capsized off the Yemeni coast. In March 2017, a helicopter opened fire on a vessel carrying more than 140 migrants in the Red Sea off the Yemeni coast, killing 42 civilians. A confidential UN report seen by AFP said the attack was most likely carried out by the Saudi-led coalition, which is fighting alongside the Yemeni government against the country's northern Huthi rebels, who are linked to Iran. The conflict has unleashed what the UN has called the world's worst humanitarian crisis. Two murder cases separated by 100 miles and unsolved for more than 40 years are now thought to be related, as investigators identified the remains of a woman found dead in Alabama and the circumstances of her murder. Hunters in a wooded area off Old Pascagoula Road in Grand Bay, Ala., came across skeletal remains on Nov. 28, 1976. Though the womans identity was a mystery, investigators had several clues to work with. "The skeleton still had the clothing and it was mostly intact and there was also a partial dental plate the skull of the female indicated pre-existing injuries from traffic collisions," Det. J.T. Thornton with the Mobile County Sheriffs Office told WKRG-TV. Eight months earlier and about 120 miles west, authorities began investigating the disappearance of 33-year-old Mary Ann Perez, who vanished after going out with friends to a local bar in Chalmette, located outside New Orleans, on March 26, 1976. The wife and mother of three left her teenage daughter Donna to watch her younger children, saying she would call to check in later. "Donna said she got a phone call from mama first, stating that she was okay and that she would be home shortly," Shannon Miller, Perezs youngest child, said in an episode of "Unsolved Mysteries." "And then Donna said she got a phone call from a woman by the name of Dorothy." "Dorothy" told Perezs daughter her mother was having car trouble, but the family said the vehicle was new. The next morning, Perezs car was found in the bars parking lot, and appeared to be running with no issues. Perezs purse was found three days later, weighted down by a brick in Lake Pontchartrain, about 10 miles away. Perez was nowhere to be found. In 1980, a drifter named David Courtney admitted that he and his wife Donna killed five women in several states, and one of the murders appeared to echo the details surrounding Perezs disappearance. When I went up to Kansas to interview David Courtney, he told me about the female he abducted in New Orleans, New Orleans Police Det. Bob Lambert told Unsolved Mysteries." "He stated that he was driving down the highway and pulled in the parking lot of a country-western bar." Story continues Courtney claimed the woman was too drunk drive home and he convinced her to go with him. Courtney then picked up his wife and the three of them went back to the couples trailer. "He stated that this female fell asleep on a chair in the trailer and there was some sexual advancements by his wife, which woke this female up and she became disturbed and irate and upset about what was going on and then they agreed to give her a ride home at that time," Lambert said. As Donna Courtney drove, David Courtney said he strangled the woman in the back seat of their car and threw her purse over the side of the bridge they were crossing at the time. Courtney picked Perezs picture out of a line up to verify she was the woman he killed, but Courtney said he couldnt remember where they left her body. All the bodies he had presented in different locations, had been located, Thornton told WKRG-TV. The last one he presented (Perez), they hadnt found her. So that was questionable at that time. The Courtneys said they believed they dumped the body either at the Louisiana-Mississippi border or the Mississippi-Alabama border, but without a body, Perezs family held out hope that she was still alive. Maybe he might have strangled her unconscious, thinking that she was dead and threw her out. Maybe she got up several hours later. Maybe theres a possibility that she is somewhere out there, Miller told "Unsolved Mysteries." It appeared the answer was in Mobile County, but prior to the computer age, lackluster communication between law enforcement agencies made it difficult to connect the Jane Doe found in the woods to Perezs disappearance. In 1977, investigators shipped the skeletal remains to a lab in Oklahoma to construct images of what the woman may have looked like. But the images produced no leads. Though the case had long been cold, Det. Thornton found himself investigating the 1976 case this year. I actually went to investigate another Jane Doe that was found in 76, Thornton told WKRG-TV. And behind her, I found Jane Doe X2. So I thought there might be some correlation so I started investigating and found there was no correlation. But in his work, Thornton met a detective in Harrison County, Miss. who remembered the Perez case. Thornton went to New Orleans to speak with Perezs family. They advised me that she had been in a traffic accident, Mary Ann Perez had, that she had a partial dental plate, and they presented me with the demographics of her and I thought thats almost a perfect match," Thornton said. The remains, at first thought to be lost, were found warehoused in Oklahoma and have been sent to a lab in Texas for DNA testing. Investigators are confident that the final results will come back in a few weeks with a match to Perez. It was actually a miracle, Thornton said. The state attorney generals office sent an investigator down here, who also works cold cases. So when he comes in hes like, 'Do you know anything about this case? And I said I do and Ive been hunting for the remains. And hes like, 'Weve been looking for the case that goes with the remains.' "That goes to show that no matter the time length, these cases can be solved," Thornton said. The Courtneys were never charged with Perezs death. They both pleaded guilty to murder in Wichita, Kan., in 1980. David Courtney is serving a life sentence in Kansas. Donna Courtney served 10 years for her part in the killings and died two decades ago. RELATED STORIES Cold Cases That Were Solved After Years of Unanswered Questions Worst Serial Killers in U.S. History DNA Used to Create Sketches of Suspect in 1987 Cold Case Killings of Couple Related Articles: Eileen Murray Source: Bloomberg Bridgewater Associates manages about $160 billion in assets, making it the largest hedge fund in the world. But its perhaps best known for touting a corporate culture built upon radical truth and radical transparency. Still, there has always been a great deal of mystery shrouding the firm. Last March, Jon Rubinstein resigned as co-CEO just 10 months after joining Bridgewater from Apple. Bridgewater founder Ray Dalio also left his position as co-CEO, but announced that he would remain co-chief investment officer and co-chairman. Eileen Murray has endured several corporate shuffles, experiencing a relatively consistent tenure at Bridgewater, having joined the company in 2009 and served as co-CEO since 2011. I, not Bridgewater, would support more pay transparency In a rare interview at Bloombergs inaugural Business of Equality conference on Tuesday, Murray acknowledged that Bridgewaters culture is not for everyone. She specifically mentioned two topics that the company is not transparent about personal situations that should remain as private matters and employee pay. Murray did not expand on why Bridgewater doesnt disclose how much its employees make, but lauded a new regulation in the U.K. that forces large companies to report their gender pay gaps. Its something that over time we will see changes in, [answering questions like] how many women did you hire and how many people did you lose?, focusing on metrics. It seems to me, if its measured itll be managed. When asked whether she would self-impose a similar measure at Bridgewater, she said its not in the cards for the company just yet. As an individual, I, not Bridgewater, would support more pay transparency. Though Bridgewater purportedly operates as a meritocracy and encourages brutally honest communication, this doesnt necessarily translate to a happy work life for employees. Some have cited crying in the bathroom during work because of insurmountable pressure. Story continues The company is known for its extremely high turnover approximately one-fourth of its 1,700-person workforce leaves during their first 18 months on the job. Murray acknowledged this claim. We have a very high attrition rate its probably double what most firms have. People that stay after the 18 months really love the radical truth and radical transparency. You dont need to worry about people talking behind your back. Most people would like to know the truth, she said on a panel called Women in Finance: Breaking Through the Glass Ceiling. Thirty-percent of Bridgewaters senior executives and 40% of employees overall are women, according to Murray. Its a pretty good ratio in terms of where we are. Overall, were 60-40. Part of that is supply and demand, particularly those with STEM degrees. From 1980 until now theres been a 15% decrease in women pursuing STEM degrees, yet two-thirds of the job growth is coming from those industries. We believe in meritocracy, radical truth and transparency. Not to say that we dont need to make more progress. If youre a meritocracy, you will get your fair share of diversity. If we really stick to that, I think well get there. Melody Hahm is a senior writer at Yahoo Finance, covering entrepreneurship, technology and real estate. Follow her on Twitter @melodyhahm. Read more: Jerusalem (AFP) - Israel has built a high-tech economy, forged the region's strongest military and fended off enemies surrounding it in the 70 years since its creation, but many think it faces a new threat: itself. The 70th anniversary of the establishment of the state of Israel on May 14 comes with the country in a tug-of-war between those who want it modelled more on Jewish religious values and others who say that will put its future as a democracy at risk. "Israelis are bound by fate. When our very existence is challenged, we're together," said Yedidia Stern, a law professor at Bar Ilan University and vice president of the Israel Democracy Institute think tank. But once things are secure, "we become free to fight over our destination". Legislation from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's right-wing government seeking to fortify Israel's Jewish identity has raised alarm among prominent voices in society. The measures could be seen as part of attempts at self-definition by a young nation built in the biblical-era Jewish homeland in the wake of the Holocaust, some experts say. Those promoting them say part of their aim is to give a voice to those outside the traditional elite. But others see many recent moves as populist politics that will result in a less democratic society and, when it comes to the Palestinians, "apartheid". Israel has fought repeated wars since its creation, but is not currently engaged in a major armed conflict. The conflict with the Palestinians is ever-present, but has simmered at mostly low heat since the end of the 2014 Gaza war. That has afforded Israelis the space of mind to delve into other issues, experts say. - 'All its eulogisers' - The soul-searching in Netanyahu's government has manifested in a draft law defining Israel as the nation state of the Jewish people, designating Hebrew as the language and anchoring "unified Jerusalem" as the capital. Story continues It recently passed a preliminary parliamentary reading. On Sunday, a ministerial committee advanced another bill limiting the ability of the Supreme Court to strike down laws it perceives as contravening democratic values. Ministers supporting the legislation say the court has accumulated too much power in the balance between the parliament and judiciary. Rulings that have angered them include those ordering rogue settlements in the occupied West Bank to be evacuated and the suspension of a plan to expel African migrants. Separately, the culture ministry has in recent years sought the authority to withhold funding from institutions perceived as disloyal to Israel. Members of the opposition, artists, academics and some former officials have criticised what they see as a trend of legislation harmful to Israel's democracy -- though ministers say their claims are overblown. "Israeli democracy is alive, breathing and kicking, and it is stronger than all its critics and all its eulogisers," Justice Minister Ayelet Shaked, of the religious nationalist Jewish Home party, has said. - 'Not yet a home' - An early landmark in the debate over Israel's Jewish nature occurred in 1947, before the state was even created. That was when the secular Zionist leadership and ultra-Orthodox Jewish representatives agreed to maintain a status quo on matters related to religion and state. It granted the ultra-Orthodox -- strictly religious Jews -- power over personal law such as marriage and instituted respect for the Sabbath, or weekly day of rest. The agreement remained when Israel published its declaration of independence on May 14, 1948 reflecting the aspiration to embrace democratic values while stressing the newborn nation's Jewish nature. Israel does not have a formal constitution, but does have a de facto one, called its "basic laws". In 1992, parliament passed two basic laws enshrining Israel's values as "Jewish and democratic" and necessitating any legislation to conform to those terms. "Increasing numbers of Israelis feel a need to choose between the 'Jewish' and the 'democratic', and feel that the manner in which these values are implemented in Israeli society is not sufficiently balanced," said Stern, whose think tank's surveys on the subject have demonstrated the trend. For around the first 40 years of Israel's history, secular Jews of European origin with social democratic values dominated, he said. But since then, other groups such as Jews who originated from Arab countries, religious nationalists and the ultra-Orthodox have asserted themselves and emerged as potent political forces. Arab Israelis, who make up some 17.5 percent of the population and largely sympathise with the Palestinians, have also become more politically active. Looming over the debate is the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. An increasing number of Israeli right-wing politicians openly oppose a two-state solution and talk of wanting to annex most of the West Bank. There are warnings that will lead to "apartheid" since, under those scenarios, Palestinians would presumably not be granted equal rights. One of Israel's leading authors, David Grossman, argued in a recent speech that an "apartheid reality" had already been created through the occupation. "Israel was established so that the Jewish people, who have nearly never felt at home in the world, would finally have a home," Grossman said. "And now, 70 years later, strong Israel may be a fortress, but it is not yet a home." Award-winning cinematographer Carlos Carvalho has died after he was head-butted by a giraffe during a shoot in South Africa. Carvalho, 47, was part of a crew at the Glen Africa Country Lodge when a bull giraffe swung its head, striking the filmmaker and knocking him unconscious. The married father of two was flown to a hospital in Johannesburg, where he died Wednesday from brain injuries. The giraffe, named George, will not be euthanized, Richard Brooker, whose family owns the lodge, told The Telegraph. "When Carlos was standing in front of the giraffe, the animal spread its legs, bent its neck and swing its head at Carlos," Brooker said. "Gerald will remain at the lodge. He did nothing wrong." George the giraffe did nothing wrong, said a safari lodge spokesman. Glen Afric Country Lodge/Facebook The wild animal was threatened by the close proximity of the crew and reacted as male giraffes do when perceiving danger, Brooker said. Crew member Drikus Van Der Merwe said he was next to Carvalho when the giraffe attacked. The animal was chasing another member of the film team, "but we didn't feel threatened because he just seemed to be inquisitive. We started shooting close-ups of its body and feet. Then while Carlos was looking through the camera eyepiece, Gerald swung his neck and hit him against the head." The cinematographer never saw what him, his colleague said. Carvalho directed "The Forgotten Kingdom," the first feature film produced Lesotho and won a best cinematography award at New York's Woodstock Film Festival in 2014. He also won a Silver Lion trophy at the Cannes Film Festival in 2003. Jan Bowden, CEO at CallaCrew in Johannesburg, noted on Facebook the passing of "one of our favorite DOPs." "Carlos was filming a feature at Glen Africa and had a fatal run-in with a giraffe on set," Bowden said. RELATED STORIES Giraffe Escapes Pen, Prances Around Parking Lot for 2 Hours Giraffe Saved in Daring Rescue After Metal Wire Is Wrapped Around Its Neck Story continues Zoo Employees Capture on Video Rare Instance of Giraffe Calf 'Talking' Related Articles: National Rifle Association supporters have come for hypocrite Alyssa Milano, but shes standing her ground. On Saturday, the politically active actress, who supports common sense gun reform, attended an anti-NRA rally organized by No Rifle Association (NoRA) in Dallas. The event took place not far from the NRA convention in the city. In addition to peacefully protesting, Milano who helped launch NoRA after the mass shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School spoke out, saying, I do not think that it should be as easy to buy an AR-15 as it is to get a caramel macchiato at a Starbucks. She and the other protesters, including actress Frances Fisher called for reform, including background checks, prohibiting people with a history of violent behavior from owning firearms, and not allowing the NRA to fund political campaigns, among other things that are listed on the groups Gun Safety Bill of Rights. Milano took to Twitter after Howes video went viral, to say that her personal bodyguard was not armed and that she had no control over what the Dallas PD and event coordinators planned to protect me. President Donald Trump is already arguing that the Russia investigation might wrongfully affect the 2018 midterm elections, but legal experts say that even if Mueller halts some announcements in the month preceding the elections, his investigation will continue. In a tweet Monday morning, Trump argued that that former FBI Director Robert Muellers investigation could go on even longer so it wrongfully impacts the Mid-Term Elections, which is what the Democrats always intended. Is this Phony Witch Hunt going to go on even longer so it wrongfully impacts the Mid-Term Elections, which is what the Democrats always intended? Republicans better get tough and smart before it is too late! Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) May 7, 2018 Typically, employees of the Department of Justice refrain from making any major decisions in investigations in the immediate weeks preceding an election, but legal experts and former prosecutors say Muellers investigation is anything but typical. While they anticipate that Mueller will stick with longstanding agency protocol and not issue any indictments in the month leading up to the November elections, they also dont think it will dramatically slow down his investigation. Ninety-nine percent of his work has been done under the surface; the only time we hear from Bob Mueller is when he has something to say in court, said Chuck Rosenberg, a former U.S. Attorney who served as counselor to Mueller and chief of staff to former FBI Director James Comey. Respecting the general rule in not interfering in an election will have no effect on his investigation. From his perspective, it will be business as usual. Ironically, Trump himself benefited from a violation of this norm in 2016. Many Democrats argue that Comeys decision to send a letter to Congress that he was looking into Hillary Clintons emails on Oct. 28 11 days before the presidential election essentially cost her the election, and there is evidence that it may have proven decisive in key states. Story continues But there is no actual law barring Justice employees from making major decisions until after an election. Department of Justice employees are entrusted with the authority to enforce the laws of the United States and with the responsibility to do so in a neutral and impartial manner. This is particularly important in an election year, then-Attorney General Eric Holder wrote in a memo to DOJ employees in March of 2012 Simply put, politics must play no role in the decisions of federal investigators or prosecutors regarding any investigations. Employees typically receive a memo similar to Holders during a presidential election year; the last one issued was in 2016. But the memos do not typically lay out guidelines or timelines for when employees should stop issuing any decisions. In Holders memo, for instance, he told employees that if they had questions they should contact the Public Integrity Section of the criminal division. Youll notice, [the memo] doesnt really say what the right thing to do is, said Barbara McQuade, who served as former United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Michigan during the Obama administration. It doesnt say dont file indictments, or dont investigate, it just says consult with the public integrity section and think things through. But despite the lack of specificity, the backlash when employees appear to violate the protocol laid out in Holders memo can be fierce like the intense scrutiny Comey found himself under. Thats why experts deem it highly any major bombshells from the investigation will drop within 30 days before the November election. But, they caution, comparing Comeys decision with Muellers investigation is not necessarily a fair comparison. (Its like comparing apples and oranges, said one former U.S. attorney). Clinton was actually on the ballot at the time. Trump is not and neither are any of the nearly 20people who have been indicted or pled guilty in the Mueller investigation so far. None of the indictments weve seen so far strike me as the type that would be too politically sensitive to be filed too close to an election. Especially an election in which the President is not on the ballot, said Eric Columbus, who worked as an attorney in the DOJ during the Obama Administration. Those are not indictments that suggest guilt by the President or anyone close to him. If Mueller is continuing to indict people in that way, then I dont think theres much concern regarding the proximity of the election. Columbus said the situation would be different if Mueller decided to indict a close Trump associate, and that indictment directly implicated the President in something. At that point, he said, Mueller would probably be reluctant to announce that too close to the election. But he did say former Trump campaign head Paul Manaforts trial on charges of bank fraud and tax evasion, which is scheduled for July, will likely be able to proceed without allegations of election interference. And all experts were in agreement that Muellers teams work would continue in that month leading up to the midterms, even if he potentially held off on major announcements. I dont think its going to affect his timeframe. I think hes probably moving as rapidly as he can, said Peter Zeidenberg, who was deputy special counsel in the Scooter Libby case and worked with Mueller at the Justice Department. Hes moved very quickly so far. I dont think thats going to slow down, and I dont think its going to stop except for maybe that small window right before the midterms, when he may want to hold off on issuing anything. Thats about it. (WASHINGTON) President Donald Trump said Monday he was Fighting Back against the Russia probe and warned the 13 Angry Democrats on the special counsels team to just wait till the Courts get to see your unrevealed Conflicts of Interest! Trump also suggested special counsel Robert Muellers investigation into possible collusion between his campaign and Russia was politically motivated. Is this Phony Witch Hunt going to go on even longer so it wrongfully impacts the Mid-Term Elections, which is what the Democrats always intended? Trump tweeted. Republicans better get tough and smart before it is too late. Mueller is also examining whether there was any effort to obstruct his investigation. To that, Trump tweeted Monday, There is no O, its called Fighting Back. In a series of tweets nearly a dozen the president touched on a range of subjects, but kept returning to the Russia probe. He repeated his earlier claim that Muellers team is made up of Democrats. The 13 Angry Democrats in charge of the Russian Witch Hunt are starting to find out that there is a Court System in place that actually protects people from injusticeand just wait till the Courts get to see your unrevealed Conflicts of Interest! Trump had applauded Friday when a federal judge questioned Muellers authority in a case against former Trump campaign chairman Paul Manafort. Mueller is a longtime Republican. Some members of his team made political contributions to Democrats, including Clinton. But Mueller could not have barred them from serving on the team. Federal regulations and Justice Department policy prohibit the consideration of political affiliation in hiring and other personnel actions involving career attorneys. Trump also criticized FBI lawyer Lisa Page and FBI agent Peter Strzok, who made headlines for exchanging derogatory text messages about Trump. Trump noted that Page has left the bureau and asked Why is Peter S still there? What a total mess. Our Country has to get back to Business! Text messages between Page an Strzok, who was assigned to Muellers investigation, show them expressing negative views about Trump and referring to him in derogatory ways. Strzok was reassigned from the special counsel team after the text messages were brought to Muellers attention. Page had already left the Mueller team. President Trump doubled down on his support for his CIA Director nominee, Gina Haspel, early Monday morning. Trump tweeted that Haspel has come under fire because she was too tough on Terrorists. Noting that she is the most qualified person and a woman, Trump called out Democrats for wanting her out, and exhorted her to Win Gina! My highly respected nominee for CIA Director, Gina Haspel, has come under fire because she was too tough on Terrorists. Think of that, in these very dangerous times, we have the most qualified person, a woman, who Democrats want OUT because she is too tough on terror. Win Gina! Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) May 7, 2018 The catalyst The tweet followed reports on Sunday that Haspel had sought to withdraw her nomination as recently as last Friday due to concerns that she would not be confirmed by the Senate because of her past involvement in the CIAs controversial enhanced interrogations program, which some analysts describe as torture. Haspel had reportedly been summoned for a meeting at the White House Friday to discuss her involvement in the program. Some White House officials were concerned that her role in the program could become a central issue in her confirmation hearing. Haspel herself reportedly told the White House that she wanted to avoid potentially damaging the CIAs reputation and her own, according to The Washington Post. Nevertheless, by Saturday afternoon, the White House convinced her to continue with her nomination. The confirmation hearing Haspels Senate confirmation hearing is scheduled for this Wednesday. Republicans have only a 51-to-49 majority in the Senate, and with Sen. John McCains prolonged absence due to his ongoing cancer treatment, the loss of support of even a couple Republicans in the hearing could sink Haspels confirmation. Democrats in particular have been uncertain in their support of Trumps nominee, due in no small part to the lack of clarity surrounding Haspels involvement in the torture of terrorist suspects. Several lawmakers have pushed for access to additional CIA material to gain a better understanding of Haspels work. Story continues Who is Haspel Haspel has worked at the CIA since 1985, spending much of her career undercover. In that time, she has been the recipient of several awards, such as the George H. W. Bush Award for excellence in counterterrorism and the Presidential Rank Award. Meanwhile, however, she was also reportedly responsible for overseeing the torture of some terror suspects. According to reports, Haspel headed up a CIA detention center in Thailand in 2002, during which time two terrorism suspects were interrogated using enhanced interrogation methods that included waterboarding. Haspel is allegedly also responsible for the subsequent 2005 destruction of videotapes that documented the torture. The CIA has since released an internal review that found no fault with [her] performance in the destruction of the tapes, according to The Post. The review was released last month in the hope of persuading undecided Senators to support Haspels nomination. Yerevan (AFP) - Tens of thousands of Armenians poured on to the streets of the capital Yerevan Tuesday to celebrate opposition leader Nikol Pashinyan's election as prime minister. Armenia's parliament elected Pashinyan after he spearheaded weeks of mass protests against the ruling party, transforming the country's political landscape. A massive crowd in Yerevan's central Republic Square sang the Armenian national anthem at a celebration rally following his election. "From now on, nobody will violate the Armenian people's rights and freedom!" Pashinyan told the crowd, to shouts of "Nikol! Nikol!" Groups of youths danced to folk music and drumrolls and many held Pashinyan portraits. "I am so happy that what happened in Armenia in recent weeks was peaceful. It's a great historic day," Gohar Harutyunyan, a 39-year-old financier, told AFP. "We understand that things can't change overnight. But the most important thing has already been done," said Ruzanna Sargsyan, a 42-year-old economist. - Ruling party backs protest leader - Lawmakers voted 59 to 42 to approve Pashinyan for the job, after the ruling Republican Party came round to backing his premiership bid on his second attempt. The party had narrowly voted him down last week, plunging the Caucasus nation into its most serious political crisis in years. The hugely popular Pashinyan had in recent weeks piled pressure on the Republican Party through an unprecedented campaign of civil disobedience, leading to the shock resignation of veteran leader Serzh Sarkisian, a week after he shifted to the newly-empowered role of prime minister after serving for 10 years as president. "My first work after my election will be ensuring a normal life in the country," Pashinyan said ahead of the vote. "There will be no corruption in Armenia. Armenia will once and for all turn the page of political persecutions." The 42 year-old added that Armenia's relations with ally Russia will "remain a priority". Story continues "Military cooperation with Russia is an important factor in ensuring our country's security," he said, referring to a two-decade long conflict his country is locked in with neighbouring Azerbaijan. "We will (also) be developing relations with European countries and the United States, with Iran and Georgia, China and India," he added. Russian president Vladimir Putin congratulated Pashinyan in a statement released by the Kremlin on Tuesday. - 'Ensuring stability' - The head of the ruling Republican Party's parliamentary faction, Vagram Bagdasaryan, said his party backed Pashinyan to "ensure stability" in the country. "We did not change our position. We are against Nikol Pashinyan's candidacy, but the most important thing for us is to ensure stability in the country," Bagdasaryan said ahead of the vote. Pashinyan called for an end to the protests after the Republicans -- who have 58 MPs in the 105-seat legislature -- promised to back him in the second attempt. The former newspaper editor also secured the support of two other major political parties -- Prosperous Armenia and the Armenian Revolutionary Federation (Dashnaktsutyun) -- which nominated him for the post together with his opposition Elk coalition. Pashinyan was the only candidate for the premiership. Political analysts say Pashinyan's election is unlikely to put an end to the political crisis, as the ruling party retains a majority in parliament and could well block his initiatives. Analyst Vigen Akopyan said snap elections looked certain. Another analyst, Stepan Safaryan, said Armenia was now entering "an interesting period of disequilibrium". Pending fresh elections "Pashinyan must manoeuvre between the will of the people and the parliamentary ruling party that he does not belong to and which cannot begin supporting him", he said. Pashinyan's protest movement had accused Sarkisian of a blatant power grab. In December 2015, controversial constitutional amendments initiated by Sarkisian were passed after a referendum that saw some 63 percent of the voters backing the country's transformation into a parliamentary republic with executive powers fully concentrated in the hands of a prime minister. Council of Europe observers said the referendum was marred by allegations of large-scale vote-buying, multiple voting and other irregularities. Critics accuse Sarkisian and his Republicans of corruption, being under the influence of powerful oligarchs, and of failing to tackle widespread poverty. RIP: Nuliat Nambaziira The East African Sub-regional Support Initiative for the Advancement of Women (EASSI) is considering legal action against International Hospital Kampala for possible negligence that could have resulted in the death of Nuliat Nambaziira. Nambaziira, formerly a news anchor at WBS television, died last week as a result of childbirth-related uncontrolled bleeding. She had undergone a cesarean birth a week earlier but later developed postnatal complications prompting a series of other surgeries. At the time of her death, she was the communications and networking officer at EASSI, a civil society organisation that monitors commitments of regional governments towards gender equality. EASSI is now spearheading a campaign which will, among others involve litigation and a series of activities aimed at fighting the broken public health system and systemic health failure and protesting against the unending cases of maternal mortality. Sheila Kawamara Mishambi, the executive director of EASSI says that Nambaziira's case was mismanaged, and they intend to hold all involved parties liable for her death. "Were planning to sue whoever is responsible. If its the hospital, let the hospital be sued if people can be willing to tell us where the problem was. If they can be willing to testify in court, then we organise them. That is the protest. Were planning if need be, to sue the governments that have failed to protect the lives of mothers because this is paramount. In case a mother dies, theres someone responsible, let it not just be a recorded statement that a woman died." Kawamara said. Kawamara says they want the hospital to explain what actually happened during Nambaziira's operation. "We want to know what exactly happened. We hear they used towels to stop Nuliat's bleeding. We also want to know why Nuliat was discharged two days after having a C-sections yet the standard is three days." Kawamara explains that they intend to use the same platform to sue the government for leaving mothers to die and not providing enough financing for health care in the country. "Why should the governments risk the lives of these mothers because when a government hands over the health care to the private sector, they are selling out their citizens. The ministry of Health is not doing enough to monitor and supervise these medical facilities. We need to see more finances targeted to maternal health care." she added. According to Kawamara, all the EASSI member states that include Tanzania, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Kenya, Burundi, Somalia, Rwanda and Uganda must be held responsible because none of them has put the Maputo declaration into practice. The Maputo declaration calls for all countries to allocate at least 10 per cent of their national budget to the health sector. Kawamara says that in the case of Uganda, health is one of the least funded when compared to other sectors. "Health does not get any funding. Government funds defence, police and the president's office. Other sectors like health are left struggling with peanut." Data from the 2016 Uganda Demographic and Health Survey shows that the maternal mortality rate in Uganda stands at 435 deaths per 100,000 live births. Just when it looked like sales might take off for a variety of electric cars, a global battery shortage has put a damper on sales of models from Hyundai. We got a heads up from a Canadian reader that customer orders for the Ioniq Electric in Canada have been put on hold due to a global shortage of battery supply. We confirmed the memo with Hyundai Canada. Hyundai Canada sales bulletin announcing shortage of Ioniq Electrics In a memo entitled "18My Ioniq EV Short-Term Production Shortage," which the reader provided to GCR, Hyundai Canada informed dealers that: "Due to a temporary global battery supply shortage, the sold order entry system for 18MY Ioniq EV will be closed effective immediately. The 19MY Ioniq EV will be opened at the same time to allow for pre-sale of 19My Ioniq EV, with deliveries beginning in July." The Bulletin Summary notes that: Sold orders for 18MY Ioniq EV's [sic] will be closed effective immediately due to a global battery supply shortage. Available inventory may not be sufficient to fill all outstanding 18MY sold orders. Your regional office will inform you if any of your orders are affected. These customers will be give the option to convert to 19MY under the same sales program terms (rate and cash discount, if applicable) 2019MY Ioniq EV sold orders will be opened to allow for pre-sale for the new model year. " Canadians are not alone. Based on reports in forums it sounded like potential Ioniq Electric buyers in California were also facing backorders. 2019 Hyundai Kona Electric, 2018 New York auto show Green Car Reports reached out to Hyundai Motor America's public relations department, where a spokesman confirmed that the company is facing a global battery shortage, and that the same shortage affecting buyers in Canada is likely affecting buyers in California. READ THIS: Hyundai Ioniq Electric car to get 200 miles of range 'soon' All this comes just before Hyundai is scheduled to release a long-range version of the Ioniq Electric with a bigger battery, slated to go 200 miles or more on a charge. The current Ioniq Electric comes with a single battery size with a rated range of 124 miles. Story continues DON'T MISS: 2019 Hyundai Kona Electric US debut: 250 miles of range from small electric hatchback Further, the Hyundai Motor America spokesman allowed that the battery shortage may affect production of Hyundai's upcoming Kona Electric, which is expected to go on sale toward the end of this year with a 64-kwh battery pack rated at 238 miles of range. CHECK OUT: 2018 Hyundai Ioniq Electric "Unlimited" subscription more limited this year All this could also partly explain why Hyundai raised the price on its Ioniq Unlimited "subscription" lease program in California. Last month, it announced a $90 price hike for the lease deal and eliminated reimbursement for certain dealer costs and charging costs for driver, effectively raising the price even more for California Ioniq Electric buyers. The Royal Wedding is fast approaching as everyone looks forward to the marriage of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle. And while most people will not get to attend the Royal Wedding in person, there is still time to learn everything about the royal family and their traditions before following live coverage of the nuptials on May 19. Netflix is currently stocked with plenty of ways to obsess over the royals, from documentaries about Princess Diana to deep dives on Queen Elizabeth. Heres a look at some of the best shows and movies to watch on Netflix before the Royal Wedding at St. Georges Chapel in Windsor Castle. Royal documentaries Documentaries about royals are all over Netflix. Curious about how the British Royal Family came to be? Check out The Royal House of Windsor. Princess Diana fans who cant get enough of the beloved late royal should watch Diana: 7 Days That Shook the World, which covers the aftermath of her death, and Diana: In Her Own Words, for a glimpse into her inner life. Those interested in a deeper dive into Queen Elizabeth should watch Elizabeth at 90: A Family Tribute. Ahead of the Royal Wedding, it is also worth watching The Royals for a good overview of life as a British Royal the documentary series covers everything from weddings and funerals to numerous scandals. Or, dive into the complex history of British Royals through Prince Philip: The plot to Make a King, The Man Who Killed Richard III and Edward VIII: The Nazi King. Royal drama Netflix Once you learn about the complex history of the British Royal Family, the most fun thing to do is watch it play out again in highly dramatized retellings. Follow Queen Elizabeth as she grapples with the pitfalls of power when she takes over the throne The Crown, or imagine her and little sister Princess Margaret sneaking out in their younger days in the movie A Royal Night Out. For those who dream of seeing the day-to-day lives of the Royal family, check out The Windsors, a British series that parodies the royal family soap opera style. Characters include Prince William, Prince Harry, Kate Middleton, Pippa Middleton, Prince Charles and Camilla and Meghan Markle. Story continues Other royal fare You can delve further into British Royal history with The Young Victoria, which chronicles Queen Victorias ascent to the throne and early romance with Prince Albert. Or jump even further back with The Tudors, which dramatizes Henry VIIIs scandalous royal court in the 16th century. But the British Royal Family is not the only monarchy with dedicated movies and TV series. Anyone yearning to spend a couple hours in an extravagant palatial life can watch Marie Antoinette or the lush drama series Versailles. For a lighthearted royal love story that includes plenty of snow and a fictional European country, A Christmas Prince is the perfect choice. Along with the movies and shows available on Netflix about the royals, plenty of TV movies and specials are set to air ahead of the Royal Wedding that cover Meghan Markles life. Check out the best specials here. Former Fox News host Bill OReilly reportedly offered to stand next to White House Press Secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders to take on inquisitive reporters. According to The Hollywood Reporter, OReilly made the offer to Sanders at a party over the weekend: I said, Ms. Sanders, with all due respect, if you ever need me to stand next to you in those press briefings, I will volunteer to do that. And, if somebody gets out of line, I will tell them exactly what I think of their behavior. When Sanders laughed, OReilly assured her that President Donald Trump was just flamboyant enough to sign off on the plan. OReilly also tweeted that the press was not treating her well but the folks know shes a patriot and that she has the toughest job in the country right now. OReilly left Fox News last year over revelations about legal settlements related to sexual harassment allegations, including reports that he paid $32 million to settle some of those accusations. His offer to Sanders soon had Twitter talking: Eww. This is just creepy. https://t.co/nE3Rz1qcSz Ricky Davila (@TheRickyDavila) May 8, 2018 oh no..hopefully we arent going to be hearing about you paying her millions in a future settlement Brad (@ironikname) May 7, 2018 Did you just have 32 million hanging around? Asking for a friend. Laura Iacometta (@Laurapacu) May 7, 2018 Sanders does a pretty good job of lying and trying to deceive on her own without O'Reilly mansplaining those lies and deceptions thankyouverymuch https://t.co/zU15ajHFkG Cindy D (@cinnamazon) May 8, 2018 So alarming that he thinks this would have any value whatsoever. bob clendenin (@bobclendenin) May 8, 2018 If there is anything that could give Sanders less credibility, it would be O'Reilly.https://t.co/WoW0UXyHds Lydia (@EclecticLizzie) May 8, 2018 #BillOReilly offered to stand next to #Sanders during #WhiteHouse briefings https://t.co/uy7mF4qoAM Because the little woman needs a big strong man to help her to do her job. https://t.co/Uk1zjE7ZKo MetalRabbit13 (@MetalRabbit13) May 8, 2018 Also on HuffPost Story continues Anchor Asks Why A Muslim Would Write About Christianity "You're a Muslim, so why did you write a book about the founder of Christianity?" Fox's Lauren Green asked scholar and author Reza Aslan during a 2013 interview. Face, meet palm. 'Obama's Hip-Hop BBQ Didn't Create Jobs' Greg Gutfeld Has Thoughts On Fossil Fuel "Isn't fossil fuels the ultimate renewable energy? It's renewed once. It used to be a dinosaur. Now it's fuel. How is that not renewable?" Love HuffPost? Become a founding member of HuffPost Plus today. This article originally appeared on HuffPost. Maiduguri (Nigeria) (AFP) - Despite military successes scored against Boko Haram jihadists, it will take years to "completely eliminate" the group, a United Nations envoy told AFP Tuesday. "Boko Haram has proven to be a resilient group...I think it will take time to totally eliminate," said Muhammad Ibn Chambas, special envoy to the UN secretary general for West Africa and the Sahel. "What we are seeing is that Boko Haram has become part of an international terrorism network." Chambas was speaking on the sidelines of a Lake Chad regional summit in Maiduguri, the capital of Borno state and birthplace of Boko Haram. Governors from four countries straddling the lake ---- Nigeria, Niger, Chad, Cameroon --- are meeting for two days to discuss regional cooperation on stabilisation, peace building and sustainable development in the area. His remarks come at a time the Nigerian government and military is insisting that the war against Boko Haram is over, despite a recent spate of attacks by the extremists. On May 1 at least 86 people were killed in twin suicide attacks targeting a mosque and a nearby market in the town of Mubi in Adamawa state. Chambas said that the Islamist insurgents were likely still holding on to territory in the region. "It is relative," he said in response to reports that Boko Haram was holding territory in the northeast states of Yobe and Borno. "As long as they are not totally defeated obviously they are present in some areas". The Islamist insurgency has killed at least 20,000 people in nine years of violence that has spilled from northeast Nigeria into Niger, Chad and Cameroon, creating a dire humanitarian crisis. The four countries formed the Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF) to fight the Islamic extremists who criss-cross the porous borders in the remote region. Chambas commended the MNJTF counter terrorism fight as "appreciably successful" but warned it was far from over. Story continues "We of course ask that the MNJTF remains vigilant in its fight against Boko Haram, we cannot take it for granted and assume they have been totally defeated". In December 2015, President Muhammadu Buhari declared Boko Haram had been "technically defeated" after reclaiming swathes of territory back from the jihadists. But claims that the jihadists are a spent force have been put under scrutiny as the jihadists continued to launch deadly suicide and gun attacks on military and civilian targets. Portezuelo (Spain) (AFP) - "Here all animals are born and live free until they die," says Victorino Martin, pointing proudly to the herds of fighting bulls grazing by the Tagus River on a famous breeding farm in Spain. With their trademark grey coat, the bulls weigh around half a tonne when they reach maturity at five years old. By then some of them will already have been sent to their death in bullfighting arenas, a tradition both cherished and reviled in Spain. But for Martin, breeding bulls is a passionate, family affair and he stresses his cattle are treated with more dignity and humanity than those destined for people's plates. On the Las Tiesas de Santa Maria ranch in the southwestern Extremadura region, the bulls munch peacefully in a field scattered with spring flowers. It's a deceptive calm, however. "They fight and kill each other," says second-generation breeder Martin, a slim 56-year-old vet with a warm smile. "There are nearly as many deaths in breeding farms as in the arena," he adds. The keepers on horseback stay well away. Several sport the scars of horn butts. The ranch, with its 1,100 animals spread over some 2,000 hectares, is famous among bullfighting fans. "Victorino Martin, the father, created this farm from nothing and turned it into a legend," says Juan Diego Madueno, a journalist who specialises in bullfighting. He bought a herd in 1960 and quickly bettered the breed to make his bulls stronger. "Before, people would go to the arenas to see the toreros (bullfighters). With Victorino Martin, they ended up going to see the bulls," says Madueno. "He allowed breeders to ask for payment for participating in corridas (bullfights)." - Selected before birth - Martin junior has inherited his father's passion. "My first memory was going to feed the bulls with him, when I was four," he says. Just like his father, he is a "novillero," a bullfighter who fights two- or three-year-old bulls. Story continues He carefully selects breeding pairs, and the resulting young bulls and cows are tested on the ranch as if they were in a bullfighting arena. Those who show the most fighting spirit are destined for reproduction, and their calves will grow up and become "toros bravos" -- those who go to the arena. The others will be sent to the abattoir. Martin is head of the Fighting Bull Foundation, created by breeders in 2015 to defend bullfighting in Spain. That year, some 300 left-wing municipalities banned shows involving bulls, says the group's director general Borja Cardelus. For Martin, the corrida is "a sacrificial ritual where man must risk his life in order to be allowed to kill the animal". He also defends the "becerradas", bullfights for beginners with calves that can be particularly gruesome and have been slammed by animal rights activists. "They're necessary for the training of young toreros," he insists. However they are becoming "fewer and fewer," adds his daughter Pilar, 32, also a vet and passionate about bullfighting. - Worse conditions in food industry - And Martin points to the free-range life of his animals, of which only 10 percent are sent to fight every year, compared to cattle in the food industry, which are often locked up and killed when they are "10 to 15 months" old. "A breeding farm for fighting bulls is one of few places where a cow can die of old age -- up to 22 years -- while a dairy cow is killed after her fourth lactation." A bull, meanwhile, can live until it is 14 years old. "Cobradiezmos" may well reach that age. The muscular bull was pardoned for bravery in combat on April 13, 2016 in Sevilla by bullfighter Manuel Escribano. Since then, he has grazed a wide stretch of land peppered with oak trees, surrounded by 35 cows which have given him seven calves. Of 20,000 bulls killed last year, a mere 29 were pardoned, says the foundation. But this ritual underscores the respect that bullfighting fans have for the bull. "The fan soaks in the bull's qualities," says Martin. "He doesn't complain, rises above hardship and fights until the end." Montreal (AFP) - The Montreal daily La Presse, after ending its 134 year-old print edition and going digital, said on Tuesday it will become a non-profit entity reliant on donations and government support. In doing so, the country's leading French-language newspaper declared the for-profit business model in the media sector a failure, after decades of plummeting subscriptions and advertising revenues. The newspaper will also severe ties with the powerful Desmarais family, which has interests in oil company Total and buildings material maker LafargeHolcim. The family will provide a parting donation of Can$50 million (US$42 million) to the newspaper to help it find its new footing. To be viable, La Presse is also counting on a boost from government tax incentives on "philanthropic concepts, in addition to direct aid," the paper said. Several US and European newspapers are set up as non-profits, with backing from wealthy foundations and donors bankrolling investigative and public interest journalism. But in Canada, La Presse is the first major newspaper to adopt this template. Canadian Heritage Minister Melanie Joly noted that the government earmarked Can$50 million in its last budget to support local journalism. "We said in the 2018 budget that we are prepared to explore new models for media, including allowing philanthropic donations," she said. "Canadians are accessing information through different means and that's creating a lot of pressure on our media sector. We know that also our media are innovating right now, so we want to continue our discussions (for) supporting local journalism." La Presse launched a tablet edition in the spring of 2013, and on January 1 stopped publishing its print edition for the first time since 1884. Initially the paper had hoped to offer the tablet edition for free and rely exclusively on online advertising revenues. But publisher Guy Creview said on Tuesday that it continues to lose money, even though it has 260,000 subscribers. Story continues "We do not intend to return to a paying model," La Presse president Pierre-Elliott Levasseur told a news conference. Studies have shown, according to him, that at best 100,000 subscribers would be willing to pay Can$5 per month for a newspaper. "That would be devastating to our business," he said. Levasseur noted that internet giants Facebook and Google have "siphoned 90 percent of advertising revenues in Canada." By Anthony Esposito WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Canadian, Mexican and U.S. officials hailed progress on revamping the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) on Tuesday as efforts focused on crafting new rules for the auto sector, but there was no sign of a major breakthrough. Canadian Foreign Minister Chrystia Freeland, U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) Robert Lighthizer and Mexican Economy Minister Ildefonso Guajardo are meeting in Washington in search of a deal on reworking NAFTA after talks began last August. Hopes for a deal hinge substantially on the three countries' ability to update rules for the automotive sector, the central plank of the Trump administration's push to make changes to NAFTA that bring more jobs and investment to the United States. After a brief meeting with Lighthizer, Freeland told reporters she had held "good, constructive" talks with the U.S. team and that discussions focused on auto rules of origin. "We are definitely making progress. I am not going to predict the day, hour and minute that we will be finished. We are certainly very, very hard at work, negotiators from all three sides," she said. Guajardo said the meeting was "productive," noting that "we're still trying to find ways to fix things and make proposals that we can all live with," including on the thorny issue of rules of origin. Guajardo added that "everything is still on the table," as regards the auto industry aspect of the talks. U.S. President Donald Trump initiated the talks to retool the 1990s-era trade agreement, threatening to dump NAFTA if it cannot be changed to his satisfaction. Trump blames NAFTA for causing U.S. manufacturing jobs to be moved to Mexico. The pact's supporters say the integration of North America has helped U.S. industry be more competitive. Guajardo and Mexican Foreign Minister Luis Videgaray later met Lighthizer for talks, as did Jared Kushner, Trump's son-in-law and presidential adviser. Some two hours later, Kushner described the meeting as "very productive," while Videgaray said: "We're making progress, but we're not there yet." Earlier on Tuesday, Freeland said that Canada was looking for a "good deal, not just any deal," on NAFTA and that her government would take the time required to reach that objective. To do so, the three sides must narrow their differences on U.S. demands to overhaul rules for the auto sector. AUTO TUSSLE Mexico's automotive industry has described the latest U.S. plan, which includes raising North American auto content to 75 percent from the current 62.5 percent over a period of four years for light vehicles, as "not acceptable." The U.S. proposal would also require that 40 percent of the value of light passenger vehicles and 45 percent for pickup trucks be built in areas with wages of $16 per hour or higher, which would create problems for lower-cost Mexico. Mexico's government has said it would put forward its own plan for the industry this week, and Jerry Dias, president of Canadian private sector union Unifor, told reporters he believed the discussions on the Mexican proposals had already begun. Luis de la Calle, a former Mexican trade official, said the U.S. proposals were "backward-looking" and aimed at traditional carmaking. They did not reflect how the industry increasingly relied on high-tech electronics, he told Mexican radio. Moreover, Trump's ambition to push for a deal that favored the United States but not Canada and Mexico was "grotesque and unacceptable", he added. High-level discussions over NAFTA have intensified since Lighthizer in early March floated the idea of agreeing a deal in principle in a matter of weeks. But there has been no clear sign of a conclusive breakthrough on the most contentious issues. With a presidential election less than two months away in Mexico, time is running out to strike a quick deal. Major differences remain between the three on several U.S. demands, including autos, the future of the pact's dispute-resolution mechanisms and a U.S. proposal for a sunset clause that could automatically kill the deal after five years. (Reporting by Anthony Esposito; Additional reporting by Frank Jack Daniel; writing by Dave Graham; editing by Grant McCool and Chizu Nomiyama) The arrivals area for the Metropolitan Museum of Art Costume Institute Gala to celebrate the opening of "Heavenly Bodies: Fashion and the Catholic Imagination." (Photo: Brendan McDermid / Reuters) As celebrities and designers descended on The Metropolitan Museum of Art for one of the biggest nights in the fashion world, one Catholic priest managed to turn heads by simply showing up. Rev. James Martin, a Jesuit priest and author, was one of several Catholic leaders who attended the museums Costume Institute Gala on Monday in New York. This years exhibit, Heavenly Bodies: Fashion and the Catholic Imagination was the fruit of a long collaboration between the museums Costume Institute and the Vatican, which loaned some of its priceless artifacts for display. It was fitting that Martin was there for the big night. The priest, a consultor to the Vaticans Secretariat for Communications, had reviewed plans for the exhibit to help curators understand how Catholics might respond to the various displays, and to help the museum make contacts at the Vatican. But what Martin may not have expected from the gala is that his own clothes would draw some curious remarks. On Monday night, the priest tweeted about some of the comments he received about the priestly clothes he was wearing. Actually said to me at the #MetGala tonight: "I love your costume." "Is that, like, for real?" "Funky outfit!" "You're the best dressed dude here, bro." (High fives me.) "You look just like the real thing." And, truly: "I love that you got dressed up as a sexy priest." James Martin, SJ (@JamesMartinSJ) May 8, 2018 And because real life can be quite surreal, he followed up: Those are verbatim. James Martin, SJ (@JamesMartinSJ) May 8, 2018 Occasionally, I meet people who dont seem to run into priests in their lives, Martin told HuffPost in an email about the remarks. As a result, they dont know what to say. So I try to take it in stride, and I give them the benefit of the doubt. Story continues Martin is already a star in his own right within Catholic circles. Hes the editor-at-large for the Jesuit magazine America, a bestselling author of books on Catholicism, and a regular commentator on religion news, including appearances on Comedy Centrals The Colbert Report. Although the celebrities and bold fashion choices were a draw for many, Martin seemed to be there for the art and the celebration of Catholic spirituality. He said the best part of the Met Gala for him was a surprise performance by the Sistine Chapel Choir. The event was overall enjoyable, and raised a good deal of money for the Met, Martin said. They obviously cant control how everyone dresses, and only a few of the costumes were over the top, but overall it was a pleasant night. The highlight of the #MetGala for me was not the celebrities but the surprise appearance of the Sistine Chapel Choir, introduced by @CardinalDolan, singing "Sicut Cervis" in the American Wing under a portrait of Michelangelo's "Last Judgment," from their home chapel. #MetGala2018 pic.twitter.com/McD1GxrLW4 James Martin, SJ (@JamesMartinSJ) May 8, 2018 Also on HuffPost Love HuffPost? Become a founding member of HuffPost Plus today. Rihanna Sarah Jessica Parker Lena Waithe Katy Perry Kim Kardashian West Tracee Ellis Ross Kerry Washington Ariana Grande Frances McDormand Michael B. Jordan Solange Knowles Met Gala Co-host Amal Clooney and George Clooney Madonna Gigi Hadid Tom Brady and Gisele Bundchen Nicki Minaj Mindy Kaling Kendall Jenner Janelle Monae Rita Ora Blake Lively Cardi B Donald Glover Karli Kloss, Brandon Maxwell and Tiffany Haddish Priyanka Chopra Hailee Steinfeld Greta Gerwig Winnie Harlow Diane Kruger Shawn Mendes and Hailey Baldwin Gabrielle Union Princess Beatrice Evan Rachel Wood Chadwick Boseman Jennifer Lopez This article originally appeared on HuffPost. President Donald Trump's Department of Justice announced plans Monday to begin separating parents and children at the border, a change from a long-time immigration policy which, generally, allowed them to stay together while their cases are processed. "If you are smuggling a child, then we will prosecute you and that child will be separated from you as required by law," Attorney General Jeff Sessions said in a Monday address at the Association of State Criminal Investigative Agencies' 2018 spring conference. "If you dont like that, then dont smuggle children over our border." That means parents will likely face prosecution while their children remain in detention at a "separate refugee facility," according to the Los Angeles Times. Trending: The Voice 2018 Top 10 Performances & Elimination Predictions: Who Will Be Saved Tomorrow Night? As Jennifer Quigley, an advocacy strategist at Human Rights First, explained to Newsweek last week, mothers with children seeking asylum previously would have been released from Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detention after their "credible fear" interviews. Flores v. Reno, a 1985 class action lawsuit, dictated that children and minors must be kept in the "least restrictive setting" available, which typically meant they would be released from custody along with their mother. Together, they would wait for months, or sometimes years, for their day in court to plead their case for asylum before an immigration judge, due to an extensive asylum backlog. Many of the Central American migrants who traveled together to the southern border via caravan over the last month expected to face a similar process. But Sessions's latest announcementin addition to plans he announced on Wednesday to address the roughly 150 migrants seeking asylum at the borderhas dramatically altered expectations. migrant-caravan GUILLERMO ARIAS/AFP/Getty Images Story continues Don't miss: Mexico Is Actually Clamping Down on Immigration Near Border With Central America, Despite Trump's Claims On Wednesday, Sessions said he would send 35 United States attorneys as well as 18 immigration judges to the border, to work full time on the asylum cases from caravan migrants he said sought to "overwhelm" and "stampede" it. Sessions made clear his intention isn't to help caravan migrants navigate the labyrinthine process of asylum-seeking with greater easehis Department of Justice has already filed criminal charges for illegal entry against 11 asylum seekers believed to be members of the caravan. "The question is if you don't want to have to go through this problem, don't come unlawfully," Sessions said Wednesday, stating that it was his intention to "send a message" to immigrants seeking refuge in the U.S. "It's not my problem, it's not the U.S. border control's problem when people try to force their way into the country unlawfully." Most popular: In Pictures: 50 Highest-Paid Athletes in the World The attorney general said he hoped Monday's decision broadcasts a similar message about the Trump administration's aim to crack down on illegal immigration. "In this administration, we know whose side we are on," Sessions said Monday. "Were on the side of law and order. We understand the risks you take and the tools you need to be effective. "This is not business as usual," he continued. "This is the Trump era." This article was first written by Newsweek More from Newsweek The Commission of Inquiry into land matters has issued fresh criminal summons against Lands minister, Betty Amongi, to appear and testify before the Commission today without fail. The summonses are in regards to accusations levelled against the minister over alleged fraudulent acquisition of land from an Asian family and the mismanagement of the Land Fund. Minister Betty Amongi This will be the third and final summon the Commission is issuing to the minister. Failure to appear as stated will mean that the Commission will have no option but to arrest Amongi from wherever she will be found and brought to the Commission. At the beginning of todays hearing, the Commission issued a final criminal summons upon the person of Hon Betty Amongi. The Commission ordered that she must appear before it by 9am on 08/05/2018. Hon Amongi has not honoured summons issued to her since 03/04/2018 a statement from the Commission citing the criminal summons said. Asked what would happen if the minister fails to appear, the Commissions lead counsel, Ebert Byenkya, said: I hope the minister shows up, because it will be very unfortunate for the government minister to be arrested to appear Byenkya said. On May 4, Douglas Singiza, the Commissions acting secretary issued the second summon against Amongi requiring her to record a statement and thereafter give her testimony on May 7 (yesterday). However, she did not show up. The assistant lead counsel, JB Suuza said Amongi instead wrote a letter. In her letter to the Commission, Amongi indicated that the prime minister had advised her not to avail to the Commission the Land Fund documents before cabinet approves them. The minister asked for more time to first consult cabinet. Following her failure to appear, Lady Justice Catherine Bamugemereire, who chairs the Commission, issued the fresh and final criminal summon against the minister requiring her to appear today (Tuesday) at 9am without fail. Bamugemeire said if the minister fails to honour the third summon, the Commission will have no option but to issue a warrant of arrest. Bamugemereire also stated that a warrant of arrest will be served to the prime minister, speaker of parliament, inspector general of police and all the border authorities to secure her attendance. Amongi is required by the Commission to answer questions related to her role in handling of the land fund, issues related to her company, Amobet Investments limited and handling of dispute related to property on Plot 29 Acacia Avenue Kololo, Kampala. Amongi was on May 4, accused before the Commission for allegedly attempting to fraudulently acquire property on Plot 29 Acacia Avenue in Kololo, Kampala. The property in dispute is under leasehold number 235 and registered in the names of Toshak Patel, an architect. It is alleged that in December 2017, Amongi through her company, Amobet Investments Limited acquired temporary possession of the property after it was repossessed by the Asian family in 1992. Documents indicate that the allocation by Amobet Investments Limited was signed by the executive secretary of the Departed Asian Property Custodian Board.(DAPCB), George William Bizibu. Bizibu who appeared before the Commission yesterday, May 7, made controversial statements and was subsequently detained for further questioning. He was also instructed to present to the Commission, urgent documents on the alleged board meetings he claimed to have held with the board, yet not without fail. During cross examination, the seven commissioners found out that Bizibu, without the consent of the full DAPCB board, underestimated properties owned by government of Uganda as peanuts and gave them out at give away prices. A case in point is the above-mentioned property on Plot 29 Acacia Avenue in Kololo, Kampala, which commands rent of $9,000 per month, but was fraudulently allocated to somebody else at a paltry $150 per month. While there are no exact figures, reports indicate that government has lost billions of shilling through this shoddy deal. Last week, the land probe questioned the Uganda Land Commission (ULC) Undersecretary, Albert Jethro Mugumya, in regard to the ministers responsibility in the management of the land fund. It is alleged that in 2016, Amongi directed Mugumya to effect payment of millions of shillings under the land fund contrary to her mandate. Mugumya admitted to the Commission during cross examination that Amongi directed him to make the payments to various people citing special requests. Mugumya who declined to divulge details of the people in question, told the Commission that Amongis involvement amounted to micro management of the Land Fund contrary to her role of providing policy guidelines. Documents presented before the probe confirm that on November 23, 2016, the minister directed Mugumya to make urgent payment of land compensation of more than Shs 620 million to nine people. In another letter dated October 31, 2016, Amongi directed Mugumya to effect payments for special consideration to two sick persons. According to the letter, the minister directed Mugumya to advance Shs 100 million out of Shs 776,780,000 as payment claim for Ms Victoria Kakoko-Sebagereka who was very sick and due for treatment abroad, and Shs 50million of Shs 210 million to a one Mzee Kuriash Barinda of Isingiro. I have received many urgent pleas for consideration for payment from Uganda land fund which cannot all be accommodated this quarter due to limited funds. However, exceptional two cases that require our humanitarian considerations, reads the ministers letter. In another letter dated November 29, 2017, Amongi directed for payment of Shs 675.8 million to Yisaka Lwakana for land at Kooki, Katete. The payments were effected basing on special requests as indicated in the ministers letters and the land is known to ULC as per the records, said Mugumya adding that he complied with the ministers directive upon making consultations with the chairman. Evidence presented before the land probe indicates that Amongi contravened the Public Service Standing Orders when she directed the accounting officer instead of the ULC chairman to effect the payments. The Land Fund was established under Section 41 of the Land Act to bring to an end the long standing conflict in regard to multiple interests on land in the counties of Bugangayizi and Buyaga, Bunyoro Sub region. However, evidence presented before the Commission demonstrates how officials at the Uganda Land Commission connived with businessmen, pastors and influential people in government to fraudulently acquired billions of shillings from the Land Fund. jolanyo@gmail.com By Michelle Nichols UNITED NATIONS (Reuters) - China does not want the U.N. Security Council to tell Myanmar that credible, transparent investigations into accusations of violence against mainly Rohingya Muslims are important, according to proposed amendments to a British-drafted statement. The 15-member Security Council is trying to negotiate a press statement following a visit by U.N. envoys to Bangladesh and Myanmar last week to see firsthand the aftermath of a Myanmar military crackdown that Britain, the United States and others have denounced as ethnic cleansing of the minority Rohingya. Britain wanted the council to state "the importance of undertaking credible and transparent investigations into allegations of human rights abuses and violations" and "continue to support efforts to ensure justice and accountability." Its draft statement would also "urge the government of Myanmar to fulfill urgently its stated commitment to holding accountable perpetrators of violence, including sexual violence and abuse and violence against children." However, Myanmar ally China deleted those references in amendments it has proposed to that statement, which must be agreed by consensus. China also proposed welcoming "the efforts taken by the government of Myanmar to improve the situation in Rakhine" state. Diplomats said negotiations were continuing. Rohingya insurgent attacks on security posts in Rakhine in August sparked a military operation that has sent nearly 700,000 Rohingya fleeing to refugee camps in Cox's Bazar in Bangladesh. Security Council envoys visited those vast camps last week. They also met with Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and Myanmar's de facto leader Aung San Suu Kyi and traveled to Rakhine state, where the violence erupted. Myanmar denies the accusations of ethnic cleansing. Fleeing refugees have reported killings, rapes and arson on a large scale. Myanmar has said its operations in Rakhine were a legitimate response to attacks on security forces by Rohingya insurgents. Myanmar military chief Min Aung Hlaing told Security Council envoys, during a two-hour meeting in Naypyitaw, the country's capital, last week, that less than 2,000 troops were involved in the military operation, according to diplomats, who spoke on condition of anonymity. The prosecutor of the International Criminal Court (ICC) has asked the court to rule on whether it has jurisdiction over the deportations of Rohingyas to Bangladesh, a possible crime against humanity. Suu Kyi's government has expressed "serious concern" over the move at the ICC. Bangladesh is a member of the ICC but Myanmar is not. Rights groups have called on the U.N. Security Council to adopt a resolution referring the situation in Myanmar to the court. (Reporting by Michelle Nichols; editing by Clive McKeef) Sun Zhengcai, a member of the Communist Party's elite 25-member Politburo, was jailed on Monday. President Xi's anti-corruption drive has been criticised as a means to sideline opponents - REUTERS A former Chinese political high-flyer who was accused of seeking to topple Xi Jinping, the Chinese president, expressed "repentance" on Tuesday as he was jailed for accepting bribes worth 20 million. Sun Zhengcai, a former party leader of the western megacity of Chongqing, and a member of the Communist Party's elite 25-member Politburo, was jailed for life by a court in the northern port city of Tianjin on Tuesday. Sun was previously seen as a candidate to be elevated to the Politburo Standing Committee, several officials who represent the apex of political power in China. But he fell from favour among Beijing's political elite last year and was named as a co-conspirator who sought to topple the president by the chairman of China's securities regulator in October. He admitted to corruption charges at his one day trial earlier this month. "Sun had taken advantage of various posts to provide help for certain units and individuals in project bidding, project approval, enterprise operation and personnel promotion and arrangement," said Xinhua news agency, citing the court. "(He) accepted money and property worth over 170 million yuan (19.7 million) either by himself or with 'certain affiliated persons'. A man cycles past the No 1 Intermediate People's Court in the northern city of Tianjin during Sun's trial Credit: AFP However, the court had showed leniency after Sun "confessed to his wrongdoings, showed repentance and been cooperative in returning illegal gains," Xinhua said. Sun is the latest cadre to fall in a wide-ranging drive against corruption that was launched by Mr Xi after he assumed power five years ago. The campaign is hugely popular, but has been criticised for lacking transparency and is seen by some as a means to sideline opponents. Bogota (AFP) - Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos installed a truth commission on Tuesday to shed light on crimes committed during the country's lengthy civil war, as agreed upon in a peace deal with the FARC guerrillas. The commission will "help heal the wounds accumulated during more than 50 years of conflict," Santos said during a ceremony at the presidential offices. Even though the full truth of what happened during the internal war "will never be known," the commission will seek to clarify "all the lies that are produced by 53 years of war," he added. The truth commission has 11 members -- six women and five men -- who were elected by representatives of the United Nations, the European Court of Human Rights, and members of the Colombian judicial system and the country's government-run universities. The members include sociologists, journalists, doctors, economists, attorneys and clerics. The commission is headed by a Jesuit priest, Francisco de Roux, known for his human rights work. The task will be to "recognize victims from all sides, dignify victims as citizens and recognize collective, institutional responsibilities and the responsibilities of society as a whole through actions and omissions," he said. The Santos administration agreed to form the truth commission as part of the historic peace deal reached in 2016 with the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) guerrillas. The rebels agreed to surrender their weapons and become a political party of the same name. The commission, which has no power to judge, has a three-year term starting in November. Every six months, it will issue a progress report, as well as a final report when their time is up. "The victims often do not want reparations, what they want is the truth," said Santos, who is due to step down in August after eight years in office. Colombia's five-decade conflict drew in leftist guerrillas, paramilitary groups and state forces in what became a many-sided war fueled by drug trafficking, leaving about 260,000 people dead and seven million displaced. (Nussaibah Younis is an Iraq expert and an associate fellow at Chatham House. The opinions expressed here are her own.) By Nussaibah Younis May 7 (Reuters) - May 12 is more than the deadline for Donald Trump to withdraw from the Iran nuclear agreement. Its also the day that Iraqis are due to go to the polls to vote for a new parliament. And while the election has been largely overlooked amid the tension over the U.S. presidents decision, its hard to understate the significance of the ballot for Washington and Tehran. Iran is seeking to create a pro-Iranian government in Iraq so Tehran is better placed to hit back at the United States should Trump re-impose sanctions. The defeat of Islamic State in Iraq has been a major victory for U.S.-backed Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi, but Iran is working towards shifting the political balance in its own favor to force an early exit of U.S. forces, to end the strategic partnership between Iraq and the United States, and to secure Iraqs support for its regional agenda. Such an outcome would undermine stability in Iraq and would further strengthen Iran in the Middle East at the expense of the United States. Washingtons influence has waned in the region, even as Iran has secured substantial leverage in Syria, Lebanon and to some extent Yemen. Iraq is one country where the United States has made gains. Despite a dramatic loss of influence early in the Obama administration, which was compounded by the withdrawal of U.S. forces in 2011, the United States made a comeback in Iraq in 2014, providing intensive support to defeat Islamic State. As the Iraqi parliamentary elections approach, Iran is intensifying its efforts to cultivate wide-ranging political partnerships in the country. Trump may yet decide to stay in the accord if the European Union manages to identify new sanctions that could satisfy him without endangering the deal. However, the failure to reach an agreement to date raises the likelihood that Trump will end sanctions relief for Tehran. Story continues Iran may respond by restarting its nuclear weapons program, but this is a high risk strategy that could prompt Trumps hardline advisers to pursue air strikes on weapons and research facilities in Iran. To avoid such strikes, Iran may instead seek other ways to hit back. For example, if Iran succeeds in building a loyal political coalition that takes power in Baghdad, that new government could eject U.S. troops from Iraq something that Iraqi political figures close to Iran have long wanted. As recently as March, a small majority of the Iraqi parliament called on the Iraqi government to set out a timetable for the withdrawal of U.S. troops. The surprising vote by a largely pro-Iranian group of parliamentarians was seen as an effort by Iran to demonstrate its political leverage in Iraq. The proportional representation system that governs Iraqs elections means there will be no clear winner after the vote. Instead, once the results are announced, several electoral blocs will scramble to build a coalition large enough to take power. The two largest blocs are likely to be Nasr (Victory), led by Prime Minister Abadi, and Fatah (Conquest), led by pro-Iranian former militia leader Hadi al-Amiri. Iran is seeking to persuade, among others, the major Iraqi Kurdish political parties, the KDP and the PUK, to support Fatah. The Kurdistan Region of Iraq has seen a collapse in its revenues and its political leverage since it lost control of oil-rich Kirkuk and other disputed territories to federal government control following the Kurdish independence referendum last September. Iran is exploiting Kurdish disappointment over the lack of U.S. support over the ballot by offering the Kurds a new political deal with Baghdad that it says Fatah will deliver. Although these efforts are being led by the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps, which is responsible for expanding Irans networks of influence in the region, other parts of the Iranian government are also supporting this outreach. A high-level Iranian delegation travelled to the Kurdish capital of Erbil this month for a conference designed to bolster trade ties between Iran and the Kurdistan Region of Iraq. The message to the Kurdish parties is clear: the path to economic vitality and political autonomy goes through Tehran, not Washington. If Fatah is able to build momentum in its effort to build a governing coalition, it could quickly attract support from political leaders keen to secure a ministerial position. Iran may even be able to persuade Abadi to form an alliance with Fatah, in a bid to stay on as prime minister. In such a scenario, the Iranians would try to ensure that Abadi is simply a figurehead for a staunchly pro-Iranian government. Abadi briefly joined the Fatah coalition earlier this year, before changing his mind and running a separate electoral coalition. We may even see small Iranian-backed militia groups attempting to attack U.S. troop positions in Iraq. This tactic was widely used by Iran to undermine the United States after the invasion of Iraq, and Iranian-backed militias have occasionally threatened to target U.S. troops since 2014. Asaib Ahl Al-Haq, which is part of the Fatah coalition, threatened to attack U.S. forces engaged in the liberation of Mosul. Directly targeting U.S. troops is a risky strategy, however, that Iran may avoid for fear of retaliation on Iranian soil. The premature withdrawal of U.S forces from Iraq would halt the critical effort to rebuild Iraqs security forces. This would enable Iran to strengthen the position of the Popular Mobilization Units, a recently formalized militia force subject to substantial Iranian influence. The continued undermining of Iraqs national security forces could threaten stability in Iraqs liberated areas, where local populations often chafe under the control of the Shiite-dominated units. Iran may also seek Iraqi support for its regional agenda by strengthening the participation of Iraqi militias in the Syrian civil war, isolating Iraq from the Gulf states, and denying the United States access to a strategic foothold in the region. In these efforts, Iran will face little effective push back from U.S.-aligned regional powers. Although there has been much press coverage of the warming relationship between Iraq and the Gulf States, these new ties are only skin deep. Saudi Arabia, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates have created much fanfare with high level visits, but, unlike Iran, they have not done the painstaking groundwork needed to build relationships of influence across the political spectrum. The United States has made great strides in reviving a neglected political relationship between Baghdad and Washington, and restoring at least superficial relationships between Iraq and the Gulf Cooperation Council states. This rare success story could be undermined by an Iran that sees Iraq as a place where it can strike back. (Reporting by Nussaibah Younis) Connecticuts legislature has passed a bill that would give the states Electoral College votes to the presidential candidate who wins the popular vote nationally. The state Senate voted 21-14 on Saturday to join the National Popular Vote Interstate Compact, which includes 10 states and the District of Columbia. The state House passed the measure last week, 77 to 73. The #CTSenate just adopted legislation opting #CT into the National Popular Vote Interstate Compact, under which states allocate electoral votes to the presidential candidate who wins the most votes. It next moves to the Governor's desk for his signature. https://t.co/HDRl0Yr7kY Governor Dan Malloy (@GovMalloyOffice) May 5, 2018 The compact requires its members to cast their Electoral College ballots for the presidential candidate who wins the national popular vote. The agreement goes into effect once states representing at least 270 electoral votes the number needed for a candidate to win the presidency signs the compact. Connecticut Gov. Dannel Malloy (D) has promised to sign the legislation committing his state to the interstate agreement. Once he does so, the compact will have 172 electoral votes. California, Hawaii, Illinois, Massachusetts, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, Rhode Island, Vermont, Washington and the District of Columbia have already signed the accord. Malloy has described the current Electoral College voting system as fundamentally unfair. With the exception of the presidency, every elected office in the country, from city council, to United States senator, to governor, is awarded the candidate who receives the most votes, the governor said, according to the Connecticut Mirror. The vote of every American citizen should count equally, yet under the current system, voters from sparsely populated states are awarded significantly more power than those from states like Connecticut. Story continues In the 2016 presidential election, Donald Trump lost the popular vote by almost 3 million ballots, but won the electoral vote 304 to 227, thus clinching the presidency. According to The Associated Press, Connecticut which cast its seven electoral votes for Hillary Clinton in 2016 will be the first state to join the National Popular Vote agreement since Trumps victory. State Rep. Matthew Lesser (D) said its taken a decade of lobbying to convince Connecticut lawmakers to join the compact. Trumps victory, Lesser told AP, appears to have given the issue some renewed momentum. National Popular Vote clears the Senate! Ten years of organizing. Onto the Gov's desk. #npvct pic.twitter.com/vpV62fI1Ko Matt Lesser (@MattLesser) May 5, 2018 Also on HuffPost Love HuffPost? Become a founding member of HuffPost Plus today. This article originally appeared on HuffPost. (Reuters) - Police searched a former farm outside Detroit on Tuesday for the remains of up to six teenage girls missing for decades, believing they may have been killed by a now 68-year-old man serving a life sentence for the murder of another girl, police said. Investigators were digging in a wooded area where the man, Arthur Ream, led officials 10 years ago to the body of a girl that he was found guilty of murdering, said William Dwyer, commissioner of the Warren Police Department. Dwyer said information from several people, including Ream, led them to believe that the bodies of four to six teenage girls may be buried there. It might take "two or three days" to determine if bodies were there, Dwyer said in a Tuesday phone interview. If their remains are located, Ream could face charges related to their disappearances, Dwyer said. The girls were aged 12 to 17 when they disappeared in the late 1970s and early 1980s. Ream is already serving a sentence of life in prison without the possibility of parole, Michigan Department of Corrections spokesman Chris Gautz said on Tuesday. Related Video: Golden State Killer Appears In Court Watch news, TV and more on Yahoo View. (Reporting by Bernie Woodall in Fort Lauderdale, Florida; editing by Scott Malone and Rosalba O'Brien) Republicans have a good chance at taking back a key Senate seat from Democratic incumbent Joe Manchin this year, but they worry a convicted coal barron may stand in their way. President Donald Trump and Republican leaders are concerned about the West Virginia Senate primaries, as new internal polls show ex-con coal boss Don Blankenship, who spent a year in prison for mine safety violations that contributed to an explosion that killed 29 people, is leading the race against party-line Republicans Attorney General Patrick Morrisey and Representative Evan Jenkins. We have a three-alarm fire in West Virginia, Republican strategist Ford OConnell told Newsweek. OConnell, who worked on John McCains presidential campaign, said he believes that if Blankenship loses the primary this Tuesday, the race is the Republicans' to win. Trending: 'Dancing with the Stars' 2018 Top 8: Who Went Home and Who Stayed? The situation strikes a similar chord to Roy Moores successful Alabama senatorial primary campaign against incumbent Luther Strange and ultimate defeat to Democratic candidate Doug Jones last December. Like Moore, Blankenship has run a bizarre campaign focused on appealing to those who are tired of politics-as-usual by creating a chasm between himself and establishment Republicans. Joe Trippi, a Democratic strategist who helped lead Joes to victory in Alabama, agreed. Regardless of who wins the nomination tomorrow, theres going to be an angry split in the Republican Party, he said. This was going to be a tough race for the Republican candidate to begin with, Trippi added, but this primary fight means theres another unnecessary hurdle for the eventual candidate to overcome. Blankenship has made no bones about attacking other Republicans. In one campaign commercial, Blankenship referred to Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell as Cocaine Mitch and said the GOP leader, who is married to Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao, has created millions of jobs for China people" and has gotten rich from his "China family." Story continues Blankenship has repeatedly explained away his time behind bars by saying that the mine explosion was a conspiracy orchestrated by the Obama administration while peppering in comparisons of himself and former South African President Nelson Mandela, who spent 27 years as a political prisoner. Don't miss: The Terror Episode 8 Terror Camp Clear Kills the Franklin Expeditions Last Hope Much to the chagrin of McConnell and Trump, Blankenships extreme behavior has appealed to far-right primary voters but will likely serve as a disadvantage when the time comes to move towards the middle in the general election. In a Tweet Monday morning, Trump attempted to appeal to the sensibilities of West Virginia Republicans, who voted Trump into office in 2016 by nearly 42 points. To the great people of West Virginia we have, together, a really great chance to keep making a big difference, he wrote. Problem is, Don Blankenship, currently running for Senate, cant win the General Election in your State...No way! Remember Alabama. Vote Rep. Jenkins or A.G. Morrisey! That hasnt stopped Blankenship from using Trump to help his case. He declared himself "Trumpier than Trump, after seeing the Tweet, confirming that Trumpism has moved into something larger than just the president. Most popular: In Pictures: 2018 Met Gala's Best and Worst Dressed Celebrities on the Red Carpet Democrats, meanwhile, are borrowing from Missouri Senator Claire McCaskills playbook and pushing for a Blankenship nomination. A Democratic super PAC called Duty and Country has spent more than $1 million on Blankenships behalf. In 2012, faced with a nearly impossible reelection in a red state, McCaskill operated a secret campaign on behalf of Tea Party candidate Todd Akin in the primary, knowing he would be easier to beat than establishment candidate John Brunner. Democrats learned this deal with Todd Akin in 2012, and theyre trying to repeat it. If Blankenship wins the Republican nomination, it will take an easy pickup win from the GOP. The race will be over and Democrats will be able to narrow the gap in Senate, said O'Connell, the Republican strategist. Both OConnell and Trippi said this primary split has been a detriment to Republican senate elections and Democratic House elections, where far left-candidates have been widening the field. In the Senate its amazing how much more the Democrats are able to put aside their differences, said OConnell. But in the House, Republicans have been able to coordinate primaries very well. These primary splits are pushing both parties to extremes and are ultimately responsible for the wave of Trumpism the American political system is seeing, said Trippi. This thing has been going on within the Republican party for some time and it resulted in Trump," he said. "Trump didnt start this, its been happening since at least 2010, and they tend to keep repeating the problem. This article was first written by Newsweek More from Newsweek The Flying Squad, a police violent crime crack unit, has been disbanded by Inspector General of Police, Okoth-Ochola. Its commander Herbert Muhangi has been moved to head the little known manpower audit unit inside the human resource directorate. In his message Ochola said the transfers and appointments are ordered with immediate effect. Former commander Flying Squad Herbert Muhangi In the reshuffles; commissioner of police Sagal Abraham has moved from the IGPs office to Interpol. He now heads the border monitoring unit. Senior commissioner of police Elly Womanya has moved from Interpol and is now deputy director Special Investigations Unit (SIU) while D/SSP Mark Paul Odong chairs the organized crimes unit under SIU. In March, the Foundation for Human Rights Initiative urged Ochola, to clear the tainted image of the force. The activists also demanded that the new IGP disbands the notorious crime preventers, the Police Flying Squad and bring back the special investigations department to fight crime in the country. Deputy police spokesperson Patrick Onyango said the disbanded Flying Squad officers will report to CIID headquarters on May 15, for re-screening and deployment. We no longer have the Flying Squad department. They will be reporting to Criminal Intelligence and Investigations Directorate (CIID) headquarters in Kampala. It has been removed like other police departments to reorganize the institution, he said. The Police Flying Squad was created as an emergency response to high crime in the city and its suburbs. At first it was a para-military group called Wembley commanded by Brig Elly Kayanja. It later morphed into the Violent Crime Crack Unit (VCCU), and was renamed the Rapid Response Unit (RRU), then Special Investigations Division (SID). In 2012 it was named Flying Squad. Since it was created in 2001, the Flying Squad has leaned on some ill-trained, unprofessional operatives to fight violent crime. Their unprofessional methods have drawn a public backlash. zuraneetah2015@gmail.com Its possible Donald Trump Jr. has no idea what the #MeToo movement is or he doesnt care and Twitter isnt happy about it. The presidents son sent a tweet last week simply reading #metoo, the hashtag that has become attached to the movement to remove the stigma associated with sexual assault and abuse and to help survivors of abuse. #MeToo went viral right after countless women went public with their sexual assault accusations against Harvey Weinstein and has since become a beacon for expanding the conversation around sexual violence to speak to the needs of a broader spectrum of survivors. It seems Trump Jr. missed this major moment, or hes just blatantly disregarding it, because his tweet had nothing to do with sexual assault. Instead, he was responding to a tweet about conservative commentator Candace Owens and black approval for his father. Male black approval, at that. Please stop using that hashtag. Youre mocking every single person who has been victimized. No wonder your wife left u. Melissa B (@meliss_nyc) May 3, 2018 Twitter isnt having it. Ewwwwwwww you should never be allowed to hashtag that in your life! one follower wrote. You dont get to make a joke or commandeer that phrase to turn it into whatever-and if youre using it as a I support this woman here show thats even more ignorant. Have respect for the women who used that phrase in sharing stories of violence against them. Many cannot believe he had the audacity to use the hashtag when 19 women have accused his father of sexual misconduct. I dont think you get to use the #MeToo hashtag when your dad is one of the reasons it was created, someone wrote. Your father is one of the main reasons why this # has been created. I doubt you ever felt forced into something and had to take abuse without being able to defend yourself ever in life. You are staining this # and what it stands for, all the improvements we made so far. Shame, another echoed. Are you seriously using #metoo as a supportive hashtag for your dad? Seriously? A man with 19 accusers lined up against him? Really? What a buffoon. Story continues Do you even understand the hashtag that you used? Becki Loves Dressage (@horseluvr23) May 3, 2018 You're really clueless using that hashtag! Btw, did you catch Giuliani on Hannity a little while ago? Confirms you're clueless if this is what you're tweeting about. Chloe Zee (@Chloecleez) May 3, 2018 A few people seem slightly convinced he just doesnt know what the hashtag stands for or dont think its a big deal to use it nonchalantly. Are you saying you were sexually harassed by a black person? one confused, or sarcastic, follower wrote in response. Youre really clueless using that hashtag! another said. #metoo isnt about who colluded with Russians Donny. To use that hashtag like this shows us, yet again, what a low IQ @DonaldJTrumpJr has. Wow. pic.twitter.com/L3w9JanBnb Donald D. Drumpf Jr. (@donaldddrumpfjr) May 3, 2018 That likely isnt the case, though, since hes used the hashtag improperly before. Last month, in response to a Washington Examiner tweet about Barack Obama being relieved to be out of office, Trump Jr. wrote, #metoo. And the response was just as savage as it has been this time around. Most think he knew exactly what he was doing and are disgusted by it because of the way it diminishes the movement. And theyre right. The #MeToo movement was started to draw attention to the problems associated with sexual violence and harassment. Misappropriating the term detracts from the importance of the issue, Michele Bedard-Gilligan, PhD, assistant professor at the University of Washington School of Medicine, tells Yahoo Lifestyle. Bedard-Gilligan is the lead investigator of Project Brite, a study aimed at helping sexual assault victims better cope with their trauma. We have a fair amount of evidence at this point that suggests a significant relationship between experiencing sexual violation/assault experiences and problems with mental health, substance use, and functioning, she adds. According to a meta-analytic review of sexual assaults impact on mental health, people who have been sexually assaulted report significantly worse mental health than unassaulted comparisons. The study, conducted by Bedard-Gilligans colleague Emily R. Dworkin, PhD, found that sexual assault was associated with increased risk for all forms of mental disorders assessed. There were stronger associations between sexual assault and posttraumatic stress, and sexual assault and suicidality. When the term is used inappropriately it minimizes the importance of the issue and implies a similarity between other nontraumatic experiences and sexual assault that is not accurate. Whatever his intention, it would Be Best if Trump Jr. would mind his hashtags. Read more from Yahoo Lifestyle: Follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter for nonstop inspiration delivered fresh to your feed, every day. Iconic Italian fashion designer Donatella Versace confirmed that shes a living legend when she took to the red carpet at fashions biggest night, the 2018 Met Gala in New York City on Monday night. Versace, who came fabulously attired in an ornate navy and gold dress of her own design, was a co-host for the event, alongside Vogue editor-in-chief Anna Wintour, Rihanna, and Amal Clooney. Of course, Donatella, never one to heed convention, ensured that her dress was anything but average by choosing a sweeping overskirt style that cut open dramatically in the front to show off a mini dress and over-the-knee high heel boots. The elaborate gold embroidery paid homage to the theme of the gala, Heavenly Bodies: Fashion and the Catholic Imagination. Although the designer has long been an influencer for the fashion industry, shes also been a major fixture in pop culture; in the past, shes appeared as herself in the fashion-focused comedy, Zoolander and has even been the inspiration for an eponymous song by Lady Gaga. Many will also recognize Donatella from the television series, American Crime Story, the most recent season of which details the assassination of her late brother Gianni Versace. Over the weekend, Elon Musk rattled off a series of tweets about candy and Willy Wonka. While it might've seemed like another random venture Musk decided to embark on, like his sale of flame throwers or hats, the billionaire was actually teasing Berkshire Hathaway CEO Warren Buffett. It started when the Tesla CEO said companies dont need moats around their business during his company's first-quarter earnings call last week. A moat is actually a term Buffett came up with in reference to the competitive advantages in business, according to Investopedia. When Musks comments were brought up to Buffett during an annual meeting for Berkshire Hathaway, he told Musk to stay away from Berkshire Hathaways Sees Candy, Fortune reported. Trending: How Common is White Nationalism In the Military? Congressman Urges Investigation Musk caught wind of this and retweeted a story about it, along with a link from the movie Trolls, possibly because he knew he was about to troll Buffett on Twitter, big time. Musk was off and running after that and the first candy tweet was out. Im starting a candy company & its going to be amazing, he said. He followed it up asserting that he was super super serious about the venture before diverting and mentioning the plot of Willy Wonka. Don't miss: Couple Marries Days After Bride's Arm Bitten Off in Crocodile Attack Musk asked his followers what candy they wish for and said he was going to build a moat and fill it w candy. Presumably because Buffett likes to invest in companies that have large moatsnot physical ones but of the business varietywhich Musk referred to as an oligopoly, or a business market where theres limited room for any competition. Whether or not we can expect to see some sort of cryptocandy or edible candy from Musk anytime soon is unclear. elon musk Odd Anderson/Getty Images Story continues This article was first written by Newsweek More from Newsweek Istanbul (AFP) - President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Tuesday vowed he would step down if his people decided it was "enough", prompting opponents to propel the word in Turkish to the top of worldwide Twitter trends. Erdogan will on June 24 contest a presidential election, seeking a new mandate to extend his 15 years in power which began when he became premier in 2003 and continued with his move to the presidency in 2014. His ruling party is confident of victory in the polls but the country remains highly polarised between supporters of Erdogan and those who oppose him with equal passion. Speaking to his party in Ankara, Erdogan said his foes "have just one care -- to destroy Recep Tayyip Erdogan." "If one day our nation says 'enough', then we will move to the side," he said, referring to himself in the first person plural. Erdogan said the Turkish people had until now always given the right response to those who sought to destroy him, recalling the failed 2016 coup against his rule. Predicting victory in the election, he added: "God willing, I believe we will, together with our nation, on June 24 once again give a well deserved lesson to this team of destruction." Opponents rapidly seized on the word he had used in Turkish for "enough" -- "tamam" -- and turned it into the top Twitter trend not just in Turkey but around the world with over 450,000 tweets by the afternoon. - 'Enough, God Willing' - Some simply tweeted the word in bold letters with spaces -- T A M A M -- while others added slogans. "Just please go now," wrote one user. Others just wrote the word TAMAM as many times as they could within Twitter's character limit, or made fancy shapes with its letters. The word was also rapidly seized upon by Erdogan's rivals who will face him in the June 24 poll and seek to force a run-off. "Time's Up!" (in Turkish "Vakit TAMAM!") tweeted Muharrem Ince, the candidate of the main secular opposition Republican People's Party (CHP). Story continues "T A M A M," tweeted Meral Aksener, the leader of the newly-formed nationalist party the Iyi (Good) Party. "Enough, God Willing" ("T A M A M Insallah") added Temel Karamollaoglu, leader of the conservative Saadet (Felicity) Party who is also to run against Erdogan. Denounced by his opponents as an authoritarian leader and throwback to the Ottoman sultans, Erdogan boasts of having brought Turkey to a new level of economic prosperity and foreign policy influence under his rule. While there is strong hostility to him on the Aegean coast, some Kurdish areas and parts of Istanbul and Ankara, he retains widespread and massively enthusiastic support in the Anatolian core of the country. Related Video: Erdogan Vows To Launch New Military Operations Watch news, TV and more on Yahoo View. REUTERS/Brendan McDermid New Yorks top law enforcement officer has been accused by multiple women of sexual assault, leading him to resign his post with almost immediate effect. State Attorney General Eric Schneiderman is accused by four women who say they were in relationships with him at the time. They say he hit them, multiple times and without their consent, and threatened violence on several occasions if they were to report him to police or leave him. The allegations were brought in interviews with the New Yorker, and two of the four women agreed to let the magazine disclose their names publicly. Mr Schneiderman has strongly denied the claims, but said he would be unable to continue his work as attorney general while they are being investigated. He said in a statement: In the privacy of intimate relationships, I have engaged in role-playing and other consensual sexual activity. I have not assaulted anyone. I have never engaged in nonconsensual sex, which is a line I would not cross. In its reporting of the claims, the New Yorker alleged that: Over the past year, [two of his accusers] watched with admiration as other women spoke out about sexual misconduct. But, as [Mr] Schneiderman used the authority of his office to assume a major role in the #MeToo movement, their anguish and anger grew. Two of the women are Democrats who live in New York City and another is reported to be a high-profile lawyer. She has declined to be identified but claimed that when she rebuffed Mr Schneidermans advances he slapped her so hard she was left with a bruise across her face. He allegedly hit another accuser with enough force to cause serious damage to her ear. The new allegations come after Mr Schneiderman took on a leading role at the centre of the expanding investigation against Mr Weinstein. In February, Mr Scheiderman filed a civil rights suit against Mr Weinstein after more than 60 women - including actresses Ashley Judd, Lupita Nyongo, Salma Hayek and Anabella Sciorra - accused him of varying forms of sexual harassment and misconduct. Story continues The attorney general said at a news conference then: We have never seen anything as despicable as what weve seen right here. Mr Weinstein has denied all the allegations of wrongdoing. It was only last week that Mr Schneiderman began investigating how previous complaints against the movie mogul may have been mishandled by Manhattan District Attorney Cyrus Vance, Jr and the New York City Police Department for possibly favouring Mr Weinstein instead of allowing victims to be taken seriously. On 1 May, Mr Schneiderman was given an award by the National Institute for Reproductive Health charity for his commitment to furthering womens rights in reproductive health and access to abortion services. If a woman cannot control her body, she is not truly equal, he said at an awards luncheon. One of the accusers said she wanted to make it absolutely clear. This was under no circumstances a sex game gone wrong. This did not happen while we were having sex. I was fully dressed and remained that way. It was completely unexpected and shocking. I did not consent to physical assault. Its been my great honor and privilege to serve as attorney general for the people of the state of New York, New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman said in a statement Monday night, resigning hours after four womentwo on the recordaccused him of violence and abuse in an article published in The New Yorker. One of the women, Harvard-educated writer and filmmaker Tanya Selvaratnam, told The New Yorker that she dated Schneiderman for a year, during which he was sexually abusive. Sometimes, hed tell me to call him master, and hed slap me until I did, she said. He started calling me his brown slave and demanding that I repeat that I was his property. Trending: We Shouldnt Listen To DJ Khaleds Music Anymore: Real Hosts Discuss Sexism The slaps started after wed gotten to know each other, she added, noting that the hitting wasnt consensual nor "sexual playacting, but abusive, demeaning, threatening behavior. In a statement to The New Yorker, Schneiderman called his behavior consensual role-playing. In the privacy of intimate relationships, I have engaged in role-playing and other consensual sexual activity. I have not assaulted anyone, he said. I have never engaged in non-consensual sex, which is a line I would not cross. But the women who spoke to The New Yorker did not see it that way. Another woman, Michelle Manning Barish, also said that Schneiderman habitually hit her after drinking, in bed and without her consent. The article quoted two other women who were not named, describing the same pattern of behavior. Don't miss: Nintendo E3 2018 Rumors: That GameFaqs List is Fake, Guys The story was published less than a week after reports that Schneiderman, at the urging of New York Governor Andrew Cuomo, would appoint a special deputy to investigate Manhattan District Attorney Cyrus Vance Jr.s handling of allegations against Harvey Weinstein. Also last week, Schneiderman was named a Champion of Choice by the New Yorkbased National Institute for Reproductive Health. "We are appalled and horrified to learn about the violent behavior ascribed to Eric Schneiderman. This is especially disappointing given his long history of advocacy and action in support of womens rights," the NIRH said in a statement Monday night. "We believe it is our collective duty to trust women. It takes extraordinary courage to come forward with allegations of this magnitudewe hope they are taken seriously and that justice is served." Story continues Schneiderman has also been a vocal and active anti-Trump attorney general, and his office has repeatedly filed legal challenges to Trump administration activities, including the travel ban. He has also often been regarded as a legal backup to special counsel Robert Mueller in case Trump pardons campaign staff, friends or possibly family for federal charges. The president cannot pardon state charges. Most popular: Fortnite Infinity Gauntlet Mode Tips - Where to Find It & How It Works After the story was published, Cuomo and New York Senator Kirsten Gillibrand called for him to resign. In the last several hours, serious allegations, which I strongly contest, have been made against me, Schneiderman said in a statement Monday night. While these allegations are unrelated to my professional conduct or the operations of the office, they will effectively prevent me from leading the offices work at this critical time. I therefore resign my office, effective at the close of business on May 8, 2018. Under state law, the New York State Legislature will pick a replacement. This article was first written by Newsweek More from Newsweek The UK, France and Germany have issued a joint statement assailing President Donald Trumps decision to withdraw the US from the nuclear deal with Iran. Moments after Mr Trump said he would abandon the pact, resisting overtures from European nations which had urged him to preserve the agreement, Prime Minister Theresa May, Chancellor Angela Merkel and President Emmanuel Macron said the decision to pull out of the Iran nuclear deal was a matter of regret and concern. However, they said they remained committed to the accord. They said: It is with regret and concern that we, the leaders of France, Germany and the United Kingdom, take note of President Trumps decision to withdraw the United States of America from the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action [JCPOA]. Together, we emphasise our continuing commitment to the JCPOA. This agreement remains important for our shared security. We recall that the JCPOA was unanimously endorsed by the UN Security Council in resolution 2231. This resolution remains the binding international legal framework for the resolution of the dispute about the Iranian nuclear programme. We urge all sides to remain committed to its full implementation and to act in a spirit of responsibility. With the US reimposing sanctions on Iran, Mr Macron said in a separate tweet of his own that the nuclear non-proliferation regime is at stake. Mr Macron had used a recent White House visit to try to persuade Mr Trump to abide by the agreement. But he acknowledged at the time that the president was unlikely to change his view of the agreement. Noting that withdrawing from the deal was a campaign pledge he made long ago, Mr Macron told reporters last week that Mr Trump had no serious desire to maintain or defend the deal. He separately noted that the president was poised to withdraw for his own domestic reasons. Rational analysis does not lead me to think he will stay in the deal, Mr Macron told reporters. Story continues Other European leaders sought to project a unified front in favour of preserving the pact. European Council president Donald Tusk said Mr Trumps policies on Iran and trade will meet a united European approach. Russia also said it would seek to keep the deal functioning. Federica Mogherini, the European Unions top diplomat, said she believed the deal was successfully deterring Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons and predicted that the rest of the international community would stand by the pact. The European Union is determined to act in accordance with its security interests and to protect its economic investments, Ms Mogherini said. The nuclear deal with Iran is the culmination of 12 years of diplomacy. It belongs to the entire international community. Addressing Iran, Ms Mogherini urged its citizens and leaders to not let anyone dismantle this agreement. European leaders are concerned that Washington could use its influence over the worlds financial system to prevent businesses in other countries that have not reimposed sanctions on Iran from doing business there. That view was not helped by Mr Trumps new ambassador to Germany, who presented his credentials in Berlin earlier on Tuesday, tweeting that German businesses should halt their activities in Iran immediately. US sanctions will target critical sectors of Irans economy, Richard Grenell said. German companies doing business in Iran should wind down operations immediately. Meanwhile, one of Irans regional rivals, Israel, celebrated Mr Trumps decision. Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu, speaking moments after Mr Trump had finished his address in Washington, said the current Iran deal was a recipe for disaster, a disaster for our region, a disaster for the peace of the world. He added: Israel has opposed the nuclear deal from the start because we said that rather than blocking Irans path to a bomb, the deal actually paves Irans path to an entire arsenal of nuclear bombs and this within a few years time. The removal of sanctions under the current deal has already produced disastrous results. The deal didnt push war further away. It actually brought it closer. The deal didnt reduce Irans aggression. It dramatically increased it. Last week, Mr Netanyahu delivered a presentation in front of the media to unveil what he described as a half tonne of Iranian nuclear documents he said had been seized by Israeli intelligence forces. Though he stopped short of accusing Iran of violating the terms of the 2015 nuclear deal, Mr Netanyahu said the documents proved Iran had previously tried to develop a nuclear bomb before 2003, that the country had lied in the past and therefore could not be trusted. Mr Trump mentioned that intelligence in his address. Saudi Arabia, which considers Iran its main regional foe, also praised Mr Trumps decision. Iran used economic gains from the lifting of sanctions to continue its activities to destablise the region, particularly by developing ballistic missiles and supporting terrorist groups in the region, said a Saudi Foreign Ministry statement. Seoul (AFP) - When Moon Jae-in heads to Japan on Wednesday he will be the first South Korean leader to do so in more than six years, but while the neighbours are both market democracies and US allies facing similar threats, analysts say their relationship is mired in the past. Moon will attend a trilateral meeting in Tokyo with Japanese and Chinese leaders and hold a separate summit with Prime Minister Shinzo Abe. Seoul and Tokyo face a common threat from nuclear-armed North Korea, and have both been on the receiving end of Beijing's economic muscle-flexing in recent years. But despite their shared interests and outlooks, similar difficulties and extensive economic connections, their relations are marred by disputes over history and territory. Koreans maintain a deep resentment over Japan's colonial rule of the peninsula from 1910 to 1945 and its abuses, including the wartime sex slaves euphemistically known as "comfort women", and say Tokyo has not expressed sufficient remorse. South Korean national identity is rooted in the struggle for independence from Tokyo, and the history is prominent in education, monuments and culture. Sporting contests between the two are tense affairs, and aside from North Korea, Japan almost always ranks as South Koreans' most disliked country in opinion polls. For its part Tokyo believes that all such issues were resolved through a treaty to normalise relations in 1965, which included massive economic aid to develop the South, at the time still recovering from the ravages of the Korean War. Moon himself told Japan's Yomiuri Shimbun newspaper in an interview published Tuesday that he supported "future-oriented cooperation", separate from the issues of history. But at the same time, he said that "true reconciliation" was not possible unless a "sincere self-reflection and an apology from the bottom of the heart must be conveyed to and received by the victims". Story continues Analysts say the two countries should try to draw a line under the past in favour of "more diplomatic options". - 'That was then, this is now' - "Korea and Japan both face a lot of shared challenges -- North Korea, an unpredictable United States, an aggressive China, and the difficulty of sustaining economic growth," Mintaro Oba, a former US State Department official, told AFP. "Cooperation between the two governments is both possible and critically important." Daniel Pinkston, a lecturer in international relations at Troy University, added: "It is in the interest (of) both countries to resolve the issues." Koreans suffered immensely under Japan's colonial rule, Pinkston said, but Seoul now had a shared responsibility to resolve the issue with "some maturity and strength". "Japan today is not the Japan in the 1930s," he said. "That was then and this is now." But Seoul and Tokyo Japan still bicker over statues representing a comfort woman installed by activists in front of the Japanese embassy in the South Korean capital and elsewhere. Most of the up to 200,000 Asian women historians say were forced into sex slavery for Japanese troops were Korean, and 28 are still alive in the South, eight of them living at the "House of Sharing" rest home outside Seoul. "We suffer unfairness and it makes us angry," survivor Lee Ok-sun told AFP. "Why are they not apologising? We must receive a formal apology and legal compensation. Only then will we be able to let it go." - Yasukuni shrine - Japan has repeatedly addressed its wartime atrocities, notably the 1993 Kono Statement on the comfort women issue and a landmark apology by prime minister Tomiichi Murayama in 1995. But remarks and actions by its own government and politicians have fuelled South Korean distrust of Japan's sincerity, notably the regular appearances by MPs at Tokyo's controversial Yasukuni Shrine, which honours millions of Japanese war dead but also senior convicted war criminals. The nationalist Abe's own grandfather was arrested as a war crimes suspect but never charged, and a recent poll by Seoul's Asan Institute showed he was South Koreans' least liked leader. "Tokyo's apologies have been perceived as too little, too late," writes Jennifer Lind of Dartmouth College in her book "Sorry States: Apologies in International Politics". "Even worse, its politicians repeatedly shock survivors and the global community by denying past atrocities; its history textbooks whitewash its wartime crimes," Lind added. Park Geun-hye, Moon's ousted predecessor, struck a deal in December 2015 with Tokyo under which Seoul promised not to raise the sex slaves issue again and Japan paid one billion yen ($8.9 million) to a foundation dedicated to supporting the victims. But Tokyo fell short of taking legal responsibility under the agreement, which angered some survivors. Moon has not formally torn up the deal, but has called it a "wrongful" solution and said the South would return the money. Seoul needed to find a deal with Tokyo that was acceptable to its own public, said Ha Jong-moon, professor of Japanese Studies at Hanshin University. But he added: "The gap is too huge between what South Korea needs and what Japan is willing to do. By Marianna Parraga and Deisy Buitrago HOUSTON/CARACAS (Reuters) - U.S. oil firm ConocoPhillips has moved to take Caribbean assets of Venezuela's state-run PDVSA to enforce a $2 billion arbitration award over a decade-oil nationalization of its projects in the South American country, according to three sources familiar with its actions. The U.S. firm targeted facilities on the islands of Curacao, Bonaire and St. Eustatius that accounted for about a quarter of Venezuela's oil exports last year. The three play key roles in processing, storing and blending PDVSA's oil for export. The company received court attachments freezing assets at least two of the facilities, and could move to sell them, one of the sources said. Conoco's legal maneuvers could further impair PDVSA's declining oil revenue and the country's convulsing economy. Venezuela is almost completely dependent on oil exports, which have fallen by a third since its peak and its refineries ran at just 31 percent of capacity in the first quarter. The Latin American country is in the grip of a deep recession with severe shortages of medicine and food as well as a growing exodus of its people. PDVSA and the Venezuelan foreign ministry did not respond on Sunday to requests for comment. Dutch authorities said they are assessing the situation on Bonaire. Conoco's claims against Venezuela and state-run PDVSA in international courts have totaled $33 billion, the largest by any company. "Any potential impacts on communities are the result of PDVSA's illegal expropriation of our assets and its decision to ignore the judgment of the ICC tribunal," Conoco said in an email to Reuters. The U.S firm added it will work with the community and local authorities to address issues that may arise as a result of enforcement actions. PDVSA has significant assets in the Caribbean. On Bonaire, it owns the 10-million-barrel BOPEC terminal which handles logistics and fuel shipments to customers, particularly in Asia. In Aruba, PDVSA and its unit Citgo lease a refinery and a storage terminal. Story continues On the island of St. Eustatius, it rents storage tanks at the Statia terminal, owned by U.S. NuStar Energy, where over 4 million barrels of Venezuelan crude were retained by court order, according to one of the sources. NuStar is aware of the order and "assessing our legal and commercial options," said spokesman Chris Cho. The company does not expect the matter to change its earnings outlook, he said. Conoco also sought to attach PDVSA inventories on Curacao, home of the 335,000-barrel-per-day Isla refinery and Bullenbay oil terminal. But the order could not immediately be enforced, according to two of the sources. Last year, PDVSA's shipments from Bonaire and St Eustatius terminals accounted for about 10 percent of its total exports, according to internal figures from the state-run company. The exports were mostly crude and fuel oil for Asian customers including ChinaOil, China's Zhenhua Oil and India's Reliance Industries. From its largest Caribbean operations in Curacao, PDVSA shipped 14 percent of its exports last year, including products exported by its Isla refinery to Caribbean islands and crude from its Bullenbay terminal to buyers of Venezuelan crude all over the world. PDVSA on Friday ordered its oil tankers sailing across the Caribbean to return to Venezuelan waters and await further instructions, according to a document viewed by Reuters. In the last year, several cargoes of Venezuelan crude have been retained or seized in recent years over unpaid freight fees and related debts. "This is terrible (for PDVSA)," said a source familiar with the court order of attachment. The state-run company "cannot comply with all the committed volume for exports" and the Conoco action imperils its ability to ship fuel oil to China or access inventories to be exported from Bonaire. At the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC), Conoco had sought up to $22 billion from PDVSA for broken contracts and loss of future profits from two oil producing joint ventures, which were nationalized in 2007 under late Venezuela President Hugo Chavez. The U.S. firm left the country after it could not reach a deal to convert its projects into joint ventures controlled by PDVSA. A separate arbitration case involving the loss of its Venezuelan assets is before a World Bank tribunal, the International Centre for the Settlement of Investment Disputes. Exxon Mobil Corp also has brought two separate arbitration claims over the 2007 nationalization of its projects in Venezuela. (Reporting by Marianna Parraga and Gary McWilliams; Additional reporting by Brian Ellsworth in Caracas; Editing by Sandra Maler) Washington Nationals slugger Bryce Harper is among baseballs unluckiest hitters when it comes to ground balls this season. (AP Photo/Nick Wass) Batting average on balls in play was always short-hand for good luck on grounders. Some no matter how hard hit get smacked right to a fielder. Others meekly find a way to somehow dribble between outstretched gloves and softly roll unto the outfield grass. Yes, BABIP also addresses fly balls but Texas League bloopers and fielders losing a can of corn without laying a glove on it are relatively rare events. Batting average on ground balls also gets rid of the messiness of not counting homers as balls in play. Yes, certain hitters can run their way into ground ball hits but we know who those speedsters are and have excluded them here (plus Leonys Martin, .429 on grounders doesnt move his needle on mixed-league worthiness given hes a fly-ball hitter). Other players you can argue hit harder grounders but again, a lot of times, especially in the era of the shift and infielders playing in the short outfield, that isnt expected to produce the types of gains in expected average the we saw in prior eras. [Yahoo Fantasy Football leagues are open: Sign up now for free] We normalized all of the players so that everyone hits .256 on grounders, the MLB average. The actual ground ball hits and ABs comes courtesy of our friends at MLB-stat provider Inside Edge. Stats are through Monday. The next step was simply removing the surplus/lucky hits from the hitters who are among the leaders in batting average on grounders and, conversely, adding them to the trailers. The result is a clearer picture of the batting average each player should have. Call this Super BABIP. The league-leader in average on grounders is Yoenis Cespedes (11/24, .458). Hed lose five hits if his average on them was the league rate, lowering his overall batting average from .254 to .214. Thats really what he should be hitting given a strikeout rate (37.3%) that is about double what we would have projected. Of course, that K rate itself probably is a fluke. Right behind Cespedes is J.D. Martinez at 19/43, .442. Hes hitting .349 because of his seeing-eye grounders but a normal success rate on them would cost him eight hits and lower his average all the way down to .262. (Martinez has hit a lot of grounders.) Story continues Andrelton Simmons is .389 on grounders and is a ground-ball hitter (21/54) Thats seven surplus hits and lowers his average to .292 when we remove them vs. his .350 actual. Savvy readers will see a pattern here with all righties so far. That is until We come to lefty Mike Moustakas, who is .381 (16/42). His average thus is normalized with five less hits to .253 from .291. Jed Lowrie is 16/42 on grounders, or five hits more than we should expect. His average thus should be .309 and not .345. Lowrie is such a Golden (and Green) God this year that its hard to mess him up even with sabermetrics. Lowrie is a switch hitter. So there is decent evidence here that righties are better at avoiding shifts and thus maybe better average bets on grounders. Im not convinced; but it can be argued. What about the trailers? One of the most incredible stats in the young season is that Gary Sanchez is 1/32 on grounders. That means hes lost seven hits and that his average now should be about what you paid for: .259 and not his .198 actual. Joey Votto is disappointing with a .282 average (which has risen greatly recently) but hes just 4/37 on grounders. With the nine hits he should have instead, his average now would be a perfectly Votto-like .323. We fixed Votto! Bryce Harper is just 7/42 on grounders and should be 11/42 and hitting .271. But this seems like too many grounders given hes walked 40 times already. To me the grounder rate is the lede with Harper. We get diminishing returns with three other slumping hitters. Carlos Santana should have five more hits, Anthony Rizzo four, Matt Carpenter (only 21 grounders) three. But that raises their averages to just .211, .219 and .188, respectively. So their problems in average go beyond bad luck on ground balls. Carpenters just giving away too many at bats with Ks. It seems like hes really trying to work counts and draw walks and hes done that well. But this passivity seems to be costing him the ability to hit. I pulled swing rate on pitches that are high probability strikes (75-to-100%) and Carpenter was among the trailers here (with Joe Mauer). The passivity may be the result of lost confidence due to a hitting slump that has extended now into a second year. Theres no obvious problem with Santana. Id confidently bet on him rebounding to projected levels. Rizzos Ks and BBs are way out of whack given how closely they tracked in 2017. But he missed time so lets give him 30 more plate appearances before getting worked up. More fantasy advice from Yahoo Sports Bihar Deputy Chief Minister Sushil Kumar Modi-led ministerial panel on incentivising digital payments under GST will meet on May 11 to assuage concerns expressed by some states, especially West Bengal. To incentivise digital transaction, the GST Council had last week discussed giving a concession of 2 per cent in GST rate (where the tax rate is 3 per cent or more) to consumers making payment through cheque or digital mode. The ceiling for the discount would be capped at Rs 100 per transaction. While most of the states in the GST Council were agreeable to the proposal, West Bengal had voiced concerns saying that the poor people will suffer because they still find cash as a viable mode for transaction, an official said. "While 98 per cent of the states supported the idea, West Bengal opposed to it saying the poor would suffer. We will discuss the concerns and hope to achieve a consensus in the May 11 meeting," the official added. The Modi-led Group of Ministers (GoM) has been tasked with submitting its report to the GST Council, chaired by Finance Minister Arun Jaitley and comprising his state counterparts, within 15 days. The five member GoM include Gujarat Deputy Chief Minister Nitinbhai Patel, West Bengal Finance Minister Amit Mitra, Haryana Excise & Taxation Minister Capt Abhimanyu and Punjab Finance Minister Manpreet Singh Badal. Jaitley, after the GST Council meet last week, had said that while most states were agreeable to the proposal of giving a concession in GST rate, some states wanted a small negative list. The three candidates in the GOP Senate primary in Indiana have been trying to out-Trump one another. (Photo: Tom Williams/Getty Images) WARSAW, Ind. Rep. Todd Rokita, campaigning in this town in northeastern Indiana, shared the stage with a special guest: a cardboard cutout of President Donald Trump. The cutout was appropriate: While Trump hasnt weighed in on Tuesdays three-way GOP primary for the right to challenge Democratic Sen. Joe Donnelly, the president has still managed to be ever present in the race. Rokita theatrically puts on a Make America great again hat in one of his ads. Rep. Luke Messer, another candidate, gets big applause for nominating Trump for the Nobel Peace Prize and promises to Make the Senate great again. And the rise of Mike Braun, a businessman and former state legislator, mirrors Trumps ascendancy in the 2016 presidential primaries. The first major Republican primaries of 2018 are on Tuesday, giving the GOPs rank and file a chance to weigh in on the direction of the party in the Trump era. In Indiana, North Carolina, Ohio and West Virginia, Republican candidates have diagnosed their voters with a fever, and the only prescription is more Trump. In Ohios gubernatorial race, Mary Taylor, who served as lieutenant governor under famously anti-Trump GOP Gov. John Kasich, is running ads in which she promises to work with Trump to build a wall on the border with Mexico and end Kasichs Medicaid expansion. In West Virginia all three Senate candidates for the Republican nomination Rep. Evan Jenkins, Attorney General Patrick Morrisey and ex-con coal baron Don Blankenship vigorously and repeatedly promise to pursue the presidents agenda and end special counsel Robert Muellers investigation. But the Indiana race may provide the clearest picture of where the party will go in the Trump era. Each of the three candidates has a different theory on what GOP voters want to see down ticket during his presidency. Rokita is betting they want a candidate whos just as angry as Trump. Messer thinks they want a candidate who can make Washington work for Trump. And Braun believes they want even more outsider businessmen like the president. Story continues They Dont Necessarily Want An Outsider, They Want A Fighter Rep. Todd Rokita, R-Ind., has been campaigning with a cardboard cutout of President Donald Trump. (Photo: Tom Williams/Getty Images) What we need in the Senate is someone whos going to fight like this president is fighting, said Rokita, who has run an aggressive campaign. Last summer he began attacking Messer as a liberal even before his fellow congressman entered the race, criticizing him for moving his family to Washington after he was elected to Congress. Rokita has leaned hard into anti-illegal-immigration rhetoric, proposing to throw leaders of sanctuary cities and states he mentions Democratic Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel and California Gov. Jerry Brown in prison. Rokitas slogan, Defeat the elite, draws eye rolls from Indiana Republicans who note that he is a two-term statewide elected official and three-term congressman. (His brash style has often alienated other members of his party. The state legislature drew him out of his district by 500 feet during the last round of redistricting.) But he argues thats missing the point. Its not that youve been in Congress. Its what youve done, Rokita told the crowd in Warsaw, citing his decision to buck leadership and vote against a massive spending bill earlier this year that Messer supported. Rokita elaborated in an interview after the event. My campaign is premised on what I think is the accurate assumption that people want to fight. They dont necessarily what an outsider. They want a fighter to turn the rigged system on its head, he said. The Average Hoosier Knows The Senate Is Broken Rep. Luke Messer, R-Ind., has launched a push for Trump to be awarded the Nobel Peace Prize. (Photo: Tom Williams/Getty Images) The next morning, at a coffee shop in the Indianapolis exurb of Pendleton, Messer is making a different bet. He is campaigning with Rep. Susan Brooks and is preparing to roll out the endorsement of six former state Republican Party chairs, and hes boasting of an army of college students who have made 600,000 get-out-the-vote phone calls. So what exactly does it mean to make the Senate great again? For Messer, it means the elimination of the filibuster and the chambers de facto 60-vote requirement to pass most major legislation not exactly the same red meat Rokita is throwing. I think Republican primary voters are awakening to the problem of filibuster, the supermajority in the Senate that makes it impossible for President Trump to pass his agenda, Messer said, promising to continuing campaigning on the issue if he wins the general election. The average Hoosier knows the Senate is broken, but they may not know why. If President Trump can bring peace to the Korean Peninsula, surely we can get rid of the filibuster. And the vote against the spending bill that Rokita bragged about? Messer boasts of his vote for the same legislation and says Rokitas no shows he doesnt stand with Trump. Votes like that, in which Messer sided with House Speaker Paul Ryan, have made him popular with establishment Republicans in D.C. and Indiana. When she introduced Messer, Brooks noted that he was elected president of the House freshman class in 2012 and is now the fifth-highest-ranking member of the GOP. He has the endorsement of several Hoosier Republican heavyweights besides Brooks, including Greg Pence, Vice President Mike Pences brother who is running to replace Messer in Congress, and Marty Obst, a former top aide to Mike Pence. Other operatives with ties to Pence are working for groups that have spent hundreds of thousands of dollars boosting Messer and attacking Rokita and Braun the only outside spending in the contest. Youre The Guy From The Commercials Love HuffPost? Become a founding member of HuffPost Plus today. Indiana Republican Mike Braun, left, has branded himself as an outsider businessman just like Trump. (Photo: Tom Williams/Getty Images) A few hours after Messers coffee shop stop, Braun is in Noblesville, the seat of Hamilton County, a major swing county just outside Indianapolis. After posing with people for some selfies and shaking hands outside an early voting center, he sat down at Syds, a local bar, and ordered a pork tenderloin on whole wheat, a side salad and fries when the waitress recognized him. Youre the guy from the commercials, she said. Braun has been getting that a lot lately. He lent his campaign $5.5 million and has used much of that on television ads telling the story of how he took a small trucking company and turned it into a national powerhouse. Hes also aired a series of ads mocking the similarity of Rokita and Messer, depicting them as career politicians who have been preparing to run for Senate (and bickering) since youth. The spat between the two of them goes back a long way, Braun said. It created an opening for me or for someone like me. Like Trump, Braun has capitalized on a squabbling field of establishment politicians. Like Trump, he played up his record as a successful businessman. While he lacks Trumps bombast and penchant for inflammatory rhetoric, he has promised to build the border wall and advance Trumps agenda. My career trajectory has been the same, he said. Everybody has a different style and approach. Hes a New Yorker with a lot of bravado. Hes brash. I think the same way, but Im a Hoosier with a bit more humility. And like Trump, Braun has a history as a Democrat. County records show Braun has voted in Democratic primaries since the 1980s. Hes argued it was necessary to influence politics in his heavily Democratic home county in southern Indiana, but that hasnt stopped Rokita and Messer from taking shots at him. Messer asked, What other lifelong Republican do you know thats voted in Democratic primaries for 36 years? At a debate last week, Braun, now seen as the front runner, was the subject of most of the attacks, especially over his Democratic past. But Rokita and Messer were also slammed. A voter sharply questioned Rokita over a leaked document depicting him as a tyrant of a boss, and two DUIs Messer committed while in college became a campaign issue. The nastiness of the primary is another reflection of the Trump era: The president specialized in destroying his opponents, paying little price for mocking low-energy Jeb Bush, lyin Ted Cruz and liddle Marco Rubio. Messer and Braun tend to blame Rokita for the negativity. Nastiness from our colleagues campaign brings our party down and makes it harder to win in November, Brooks said in her introduction of Messer. Rokita, the candidate doing the most to emulate Trumps style, has a different take. I dont mind these bruising primaries, he said. Theyre cleansing. This article originally appeared on HuffPost. Beijing (AFP) - A former Chinese Communist Party official who was once tipped for a top leadership post was sentenced to life in prison for bribery on Tuesday, the latest senior cadre to fall in President Xi Jinping's sweeping anti-corruption crusade. Sun Zhengcai, a former Politburo member and party chief of the southwestern mega-city of Chongqing, was found guilty of taking over 170 million yuan ($26.7 million) in bribes, the First Intermediate People's Court of Tianjin said in a statement on its website. Sun, 54, had once been tipped for promotion to the Politburo's elite seven-member standing committee, which rules the country and is presided over by Xi. As the youngest Politburo member, Sun was even seen in some quarters as a potential successor to Xi. The court said the defendant has been given a "lenient" sentence in light of his willingness to cooperate with the investigation. In addition to his prison term, Sun's "stolen property has already all been confiscated," the statement said. Sun had been accused of taking advantage of his position to seek profits for others and illegally accepting money, according to previous court statements. He and his alleged associates were charged with accepting the bribes in return for providing help to unspecified organisations and individuals with engineering contracts, business operations and other matters. His actions had "gravely damaged the normal work order of national organisations and harmed the integrity of conduct by national employees," the statement said. He pleaded guilty to the charges during a one-day trial in April. Sun was the first serving member of the 25-person Politburo to be placed under investigation since Bo Xilai, another former leader of Chongqing, who was jailed for life in 2013. Xi has presided over a popular anti-graft campaign since coming to power in 2012 that has punished more than one million officials, but critics have compared it to a political purge. Rudy Giuliani and Donald Trump at the Trump National Golf Club in November 2016. (Photo: DON EMMERT via Getty Images) WASHINGTON President Donald Trumps newest lawyer said Tuesday that his previous lawyer Michael Cohen knows nothing damaging about Trump and therefore is of little value to federal prosecutors investigating him. He possesses no incriminating information about the president, Rudy Giuliani told HuffPost, adding that any charges that may be filed against Cohen are unfortunate for him but would not affect Trump. Its of no consequence to the president. Giuliani said he nevertheless feels bad for Cohen and others, such as former Trump campaign chairman Paul Manafort, for the storm trooper tactics prosecutors and the FBI have used when carrying out search warrants against them. Cohen is under investigation by federal prosecutors in the Southern District of New York. Manafort is accused of money laundering and making false statements by the office of special counsel Robert Mueller, who is investigating possible collusion between the Trump campaign and Russian intelligence agencies. Giuliani, who was once the U.S. attorney for the same office investigating Cohen and later became New Yorks mayor, acknowledged using predawn raids to execute search warrants such as the one he claimed was used for Manafort but never against white-collar suspects. I did that in organized crime cases. I did that in terrorism cases. I did that in murder cases, Giuliani said. I didnt do that with respectable people. (In a court filing last month, Muellers office described the warrant as having authorized a search between 6 a.m. and 10 p.m., which it said it complied with.) He scoffed at the notion that the investigation into Manafort was a counterintelligence investigation, not a run-of-the-mill fraud probe. In your dreams, he said. Cohen, after inquiring about the topic of questions from HuffPost, did not respond to follow-up queries. He remains at the center of an investigation of how a porn star, Stormy Daniels, received $130,000 to remain quiet about an affair she said she had with Trump a decade ago. The payment came just days before the 2016 presidential election but was never reported as a campaign expense by Cohen or Trump. That payment has spawned a string of contradictory statements from Cohen, Trump and, in the past week, Giuliani. Story continues Cohen originally claimed that he paid Daniels using his own money to protect Trumps reputation. Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One last month that he did not know where the money had come from and suggested asking Cohen, whom Trump described as his lawyer. But in a Fox News interview last week, Giuliani revealed that Trump repaid Cohen, arguing that it therefore could not have been a campaign finance violation. Trump followed up with series of tweets, in which he said the money came from a monthly retainer he paid Cohen. Giuliani then told NBC News that Trump may not have known at the time of the payments to Cohen what the money was for, and in a subsequent interview with ABC News, Giuliani said Cohen may have similarly paid off other women too, although Giuliani said he did not have knowledge of that. Michael Avenatti, the lawyer for Daniels who is suing Trump to break the 2016 hush agreement, said he finds Giulianis comments about Cohen perplexing. Michael Cohen served as the personal attorney for Donald Trump for upwards of 12 years, Avenatti said. The idea that nothing improper that he did in that time period could blow back on Mr. Trump is absurd. Giuliani said he is pushing to wrap up the Russia probe by figuring out how best to have Trump respond to Muellers questions. Giuliani said a May 17 date he mentioned earlier was not a hard deadline for that decision but a goal. We need some sort of deadline for this. Its gone on forever, he said. Its hurting the country. He said the only reason that Mueller was even appointed special counsel was that former FBI Director James Comey illegally leaked memos he wrote to a friend, making the whole investigation suspect, in Giulianis view. Memos he writes are FBI property, he said of Comey. Trump fired Comey a year ago. The White House at first claimed that the reason was his improper conduct during an investigation into Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clintons use of a private email server when she was secretary of state. But Trump soon told NBC News and top Russian diplomats visiting the Oval Office that he fired Comey because of the Russia investigation. Because Attorney General Jeff Sessions had recused himself from that investigation, Comeys firing led Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein to appoint Mueller as a special counsel. Giuliani said Tuesday that Trump was too busy for any extended interviews with Muellers investigators, given important negotiations regarding North Korea, Iran and China. The president is pretty darned tied up right now, Giuliani said. On a broader level, notwithstanding the recent conflicting statements about Cohen and Daniels, Giuliani said he will have a much better relationship with Trump than his previous lawyers, some of whom were reportedly frustrated by his unwillingness to follow their advice. They didnt know him for 30 years like I do. They didnt help him get elected, Giuliani said. I know how to deal with him, and he knows how to deal with me. CORRECTION: A previous version of this story stated that the raid of Manaforts home took place before dawn. Muellers office said in a court filing last month that it complied with a warrant that authorized a search between 6 a.m. and 10 p.m. Love HuffPost? Become a founding member of HuffPost Plus today. This article originally appeared on HuffPost. Google CEO Sundar Pichai unveils updates to Google Assistant. (AP Photo/Eric Risberg, File) Google (GOOG, GOOGL) is determined to take the smart assistant crown from Amazons Alexa and Echo, and to do that it rolled out a number of new features for its own Google Assistant on Tuesday at its I/O developers conference. With new smart displays designed to take on Amazons Echo Show and the addition of 6 new voices, its clear Google wants to be the only smart assistant you use. Assistant can now make phone calls The standout Assistant update Google announced was the ability for the assistant to make phone calls to schedule appointments for things like haircuts and doctors appointments. Were not talking about using Assistant to call your mom, either. Google CEO Sundar Pichai showed off two demos in which Google Assistant successfully conducted an entire phone conversation. In one demo, Google Assistant called a salon receptionist to book a specific service, as well as schedule a date and time for the service. Once your reservation or appointment is booked, Google says Assistant will add a calendar reminder for your appointment and allow you to cancel if needed. Googles Assistant will soon be able to make phone calls for you. According to Google, the Assistant can understand complex sentences, fast speech and long remarks, so it can respond naturally during a phone conversation. The new feature, which is rolling out as an experiment in the coming weeks, is powered by Google Duplex, which combines Googles learnings in areas such as deep learning and machine learning. If it works as advertised, the feature far surpasses what Amazon Alexa is currently capable of. While Alexa can start up a phone call for you, as well as order you items off Amazon.com, Amazons (AMZN) popular assistant is incapable of holding phone conversations and scheduling appointments as Google Assistant will be in the weeks to come. Multiple actions In addition to the ability to make phone calls for you, Google said its Assistant will soon be able to perform multiple actions at once. The feature will allow you to do things like ask Assistant Whats the weather in New York and Dallas? and provide you with the weather forecast for both regions. Similarly, you can ask the Assistant to turn on your television to a specific channel and switch on your smart popcorn or coffee maker. Story continues Amazons Alexa allows you to create routines, but those routines are fired off by saying a key phrase like Goodnight. You also have to program your routines to properly reply to your specific phrase. Googles Assistant, on the other hand, will let you make these multi-step requests in real time, which could be seriously helpful if youve got multiple devices you want to use at once. More natural conversations Google also announced it is working to make talking with Assistant more natural. Not only is it adding six new voices to the digital assistant, including John Legend in certain situations, it will also allow you to continue making requests without having to constantly repeat Hey, Google. The idea is for you to be able to ask multiple questions just as you would with an actual human in real life. Ah, but Alexa already has such a feature. In fact, Amazon rolled out the ability, called Follow-up Mode, in March and allows you to ask a follow-up question up to five seconds after your first request. Google didnt say how long its natural conversation feature will listen for follow-up questions. Beyond improved conversation, Google said it is trying to help ensure that kids who use Assistant dont lose their manners by demanding it perform tasks for them. To that end, the company is introducing the ability to have Assistant respond positively when a user says the word please. So if your child says Okay, Google, please turn on the lights, it will reply with positive feedback, telling your kid how polite he or she is. But again, Google isnt the first to come up with this feature. Amazon recently announced its Echo Dot Kids Edition, which also responds to polite requests with positive feedback. Getting visual Finally, Google announced its new smart displays will begin shipping in July. Coming from manufacturers like JBL and Lenovo, Googles smart display are a direct response to Amazons own Echo Show. Lenovos smart display will be available with an 8-inch display for $199 and a 10-inch display for $229. Amazons Echo Show is $159 and has a 7-inch screen. Google is bringing its Assistant to smart screens like the Lenovo Smart Display beginning in July. What really sets Googles smart display apart from Amazons Echo Show is that Googles offerings can play YouTube videos. The Echo Show was originally able to access YouTube, but Google pulled the app as part of its tit-for-tat bickering over how the companies sell or host each others products. YouTube alone could be reason enough for someone to choose one of Googles smart displays over the Echo Show. Amazon will have to do something to make the Show more appealing or it might just lose out on this segment of the digital assistant market. 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. Email Daniel Howley at dhowley@oath.com; follow him on Twitter at @DanielHowley. Follow Yahoo Finance on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn Read more: Shia-militant group Hezbollah and its political allies were thought to be on course to win more than half of the seats in the Lebanese parliament. Fewer than half of Lebanon's registered voters turned up to cast their ballots on Sunday, according to the country's interior minister. The country's official result is expected to be announced on Monday morning. Lebanon first national election in nine years could result in a stronger Hezbollah, preliminary results show, following an election marred by low voter turnout amid frustration over the country's endemic corruption problems. Shia-militant group Hezbollah and its political allies were thought to be on course to win more than half of the seats in the Lebanese parliament, according to preliminary results cited by Beirut's media on Monday. A simple parliamentary majority for the Iranian-backed party, which is seen as a terrorist group by the U.S. and an enemy of neighboring Israel, would likely embolden the political standing of Lebanon's Hezbollah group at a time of heightened regional uncertainty. Israel has already reacted to the prospect of a stronger political position for Hezbollah with Naftali Bennett, education minister of Israel's conservative coalition government, tweeting on Monday that "Hezbollah = Lebanon." "The State of Israel will not differentiate between the sovereign State of Lebanon and Hezbollah, and will view Lebanon as responsible for any action from within its territory," he added. Low voter turnout The vote, which is Lebanon's first parliamentary election since war broke out in neighboring Syria in 2011 , had been hailed by lawmakers as a breakthrough moment for a nation stuck in the middle of a regional power struggle between Iran and Saudi Arabia . However, fewer than half of Lebanon's registered voters turned up to cast their ballots on Sunday, according to the country's interior minister. That's lower than the turnout recorded in 2009 and far below analysts' expectations. Story continues A drop in voter turnout came despite a reformulated electoral system designed to encourage citizens to cast their ballot through proportional representation. The country's official result is expected to be announced on Monday morning. Political deadlock Voter apathy in Lebanon is perhaps not so surprising given the social and economic upheavals in the country in recent years. Since its last election, Lebanon has been engulfed by a refugee crisis which has seen more than one million displaced Syrians stream over its borders, overwhelming the country of around 4.5 million. It also suffered an ongoing waste management crisis during which trash piled up in city streets, went two years without an effective government, experienced a sharp rise in public debt, witnessed multiple terrorist attacks, and had its prime minister temporarily resign in what many described as a kidnapping . Nonetheless, what has been consistent over the past decade, many Lebanese citizens say, is entrenched corruption, cronyism and political deadlock that's prevented the government from fixing its most pressing problems. CNBC's Natasha Turak contributed to this report. More From CNBC Budapest (AFP) - Thousands of Hungarians gathered Tuesday to protest against strongman Viktor Orban after he was nominated for re-election as prime minister for a third consecutive term during the inauguration of the new parliament. Fresh from his right-wing Fidesz party's landslide election win April 8, Orban was officially proposed as prime minister by President Janos Ader in the first session of the new 199-seat assembly. Orban's formal re-election by parliament and swearing in as premier is scheduled for Thursday. In the third of a series of major protests organised on social media by a civil group since the election, around 20,000 protestors assembled outside parliament where speakers urged the rebuilding of opposition to Orban and Fidesz. "Either we stay in Hungary and begin working and acting now, or we do nothing and leave," Viktor Gyetvai, a 20-year-old student, told the crowd. The protesters say that Orban's win was mainly thanks to massive anti-immigration government propaganda, as well as an unfair election system in which Fidesz can only be beaten by a united opposition front. Fidesz upset predictions of a tight contest by winning with 49 percent of the vote compared to under 20 percent for its nearest challenger, the nationalist Jobbik party. That helped the party clinch a third consecutive two-thirds parliamentary majority, allowing it legislative carte blanche to amend the constitution and fast-track new laws. Since the vote, Orban has pledged to build a "Christian democracy" in the interests of all Hungarians and has called his victory "the biggest mandate" since the switch from communism in 1990. Turnout increased sharply on previous elections, prompting Ader to say during his speech to open parliament that the legitimacy of the result is "above question". - Constitutional change - Orban's election campaign was dominated by strident anti-immigration rhetoric, and early signs are that he will continue in the same vein. Story continues "The most important task of the new government will be the defence of Hungary's security and Christian culture," said the 54-year-old, who built anti-migrant border fences during the last term. One of his first steps is likely to be a constitutional clause preventing the "settlement of alien population". Another package of bills targets non-governmental organisations funded by Hungarian-born US billionaire George Soros who Orban says orchestrates immigration. Orban's critics also accuse him of removing democratic checks and balances and steering the country away from the European mainstream. Further pressure on judicial and media independence, squeezed in recent years, are seen as likely by analysts. On Monday the OSCE expressed "major concern" that three journalists for independent news websites were denied accreditation for the opening of parliament, saying this set "a bad precedent". - 'Corrupt system' - The protestors, who call their group "We are the Majority", have also held smaller demonstrations in cities around the country, a nod to sweeping electoral losses by the opposition outside Budapest. Their demands include reform of the electoral system, redesigned by Fidesz in 2011 and which critics say helped deliver Orban's party its two-thirds majority, even though it won under half of the vote. State media should also adhere to non-partisan guidelines according to the protestors after international observers found "media bias" had helped tilt the poll in Fidesz's favour. "The legitimacy of the new parliament is questionable," an opposition MP Akos Hadhazy told AFP outside parliament Tuesday while the inauguration proceeded inside. Hadhazy, of the green LMP party, was the only lawmaker who refused to make an oath of allegiance to the constitution Tuesday. "The opposition has to somehow find a way of not legitimising the government but at the same time do the actual work of a proper opposition," he said. A poll last week said opposition voters also blamed the bitterly divided anti-Orban parties themselves for their crushing defeat. Their failure to forge an effective anti-Fidesz front has prompted calls that they should boycott the new parliament or even that a new opposition be built from scratch. Although "personnel, policy, and moral renewal" of the opposition parties is a must, Daniel Hegedus, an analyst, told AFP that they could better serve frustrated voters by staying in parliament. "Coordinated parliamentary and street opposition will have to be built up together during the coming years," he said. Vienna (AFP) - The UN's nuclear watchdog, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), has the delicate task of verifying the terms of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) between world powers and Iran over the country's nuclear programme. The agreement was derided by US President Donald Trump as "the worst deal ever" and its existence will be thrown into doubt if, as expected, he withdraws the US from the accord on Tuesday. - What role does the IAEA have in Iran? - Created in 1957 and based in the Austrian capital Vienna, the IAEA promotes peaceful uses of atomic energy - in scientific research for example - while at the same time overseeing efforts to detect and prevent possible nuclear weapons proliferation. Because of previous international concern over its nuclear programme, in a 2003 agreement Iran allowed snap IAEA inspections of its nuclear facilities. However, co-operation broke down in 2006 with the IAEA referring Iran to the UN Security Council, which went on to impose sanctions, and Iran halting enhanced IAEA inspections. A renewed diplomatic push produced the JCPOA, under which the IAEA is charged with regular inspections of declared facilities in Iran such as uranium mines and centrifuge workshops for up to 25 years. The deal also included an "Additional Protocol", which allows inspectors "to conduct complementary access to any location in Iran". - How do IAEA inspections work? - The IAEA insists the inspection regime put in place by the JCPOA is the world's toughest. In March the IAEA's Director General Yukiya Amano said: "Our inspection work has doubled since 2013. IAEA inspectors now spend 3,000 calendar days per year on the ground in Iran". He also pointed to the some 2,000 tamper-proof seals attached to nuclear material and equipment and to the "hundreds of thousands of images captured daily by our sophisticated surveillance cameras", the number of which has almost doubled since 2013. Story continues The IAEA has issued numerous quarterly reports certifying Iran's compliance with the deal, most recently in February. Amano has called the JCPOA "a significant gain for verification" and said its failure "would be a great loss for nuclear verification and for multilateralism". - Agency under pressure - Inevitably in such a charged geopolitical question, some countries have said the JCPOA does not hold Iran to a high enough standard. The deal has come under fire particularly from Iran's regional arch-foe Israel, especially over how it addressed the vexed question of the so-called historic PMD (Possible Military Dimension) of Iran's nuclear programme. In 2015 the IAEA's 35-nation board of governors voted to close a 12-year probe into the PMD issue after the Agency concluded that "a range of activities relevant to the development" of a nuclear bomb took place in Iran until 2009 but that there were no credible indications they had continued after that date. Israel criticised the resolution, with Energy Minister Yuval Steinitz telling local media that the IAEA board's decision was "political and not practical, and... sends a wrong message to the Iranians, that the international community is willing to look the other way". Since the election of US President and fervent JCPOA critic Donald Trump, the IAEA's task of navigating the increasingly heated debate around the deal, while retaining its scrupulously apolitical stance, has only grown more complex. In August 2017 US envoy to the UN Nikki Haley urged the IAEA to widen its inspections, including to military sites. Iran's nuclear chief Ali Akbar Salehi responded by saying Iran was "confident that the (IAEA) will resist such unacceptable demands and continue to execute the agencys... role with strict objectivity". Geneva (AFP) - The International Labour Organization chief said Tuesday he hoped the UN body would resolve the controversial issue of whether to cut ties with the tobacco industry by the end of the year. "We will be returning to this issue when our governing body next meets in November, ... and hopefully we can come up with an agreement at that point," Guy Ryder told AFP in an interview. "It's a difficult question," he acknowledged, adding "I don't think it's any secret we have a divided opinion in our governing body." The United Nations' labour agency has been slammed for its partnerships with tobacco companies and accused of jeopardising global efforts to regulate tobacco use and reduce the negative health impacts of smoking. The ILO, which is the only UN agency that continues to receive money from the tobacco industry, has until now justified those ties as a way of helping improve the working conditions of the some 60 million people involved in tobacco leaf growing and production worldwide. - Funding valuable activities? - "The question is should or should the ILO not receive funding from the tobacco industry to undertake activities ... which in themselves I think are regarded as important and valuable activities," Ryder said. Since 2002, the agency has received more than $15 million from Japan Tobacco International and groups linked to some of the world's biggest tobacco companies for "charitable partnerships" aimed at reducing child labour in tobacco fields. But activists and civil society groups have insisted that tobacco-funded programmes had little impact in improving workers conditions. They argue that a partnership with a major UN agency was allowing tobacco companies to portray themselves as a responsible corporate actor even as their products were killing millions of people each year. The ILO's governing body has scheduled and postponed making a decision on whether or not to continue its tobacco industry partnerships several times over the past 15 months. Story continues The organisation's tripartite structure, including representatives from employers, labour unions and 187 member-states, can make it particularly tricky to reach consensus on difficult issues. Votes cast by governments in ILO's governing body count double those cast by the two other categories. Ryder explained that "the employers' group consider that it is legitimate and proper to continue to maintain financial support from the tobacco industry." The workers meanwhile were "more hesitant about that, and the governments are divided," he said. While there is a large group of governments in favour of cutting all financial links to the industry, "there are some who take the contrary view," he said. He said a number of African countries and especially tobacco-producing countries were opposed to breaking up with Big Tobacco, but did not provide any further details. Civil society groups who have closely followed discussions on the issue at the ILO have said most resistance is coming from African countries, including some like Uganda which ironically have strong anti-tobacco laws on the books at home. Parliamentarians unanimously condemned assassination attempt on Ahsan Iqbal ISLAMABAD: Parliamentarians from across the political divide in both houses of parliament unanimously condemned the assassination attempt on Interior Minister Ahsan Iqbal and warned that the incident could have serious implications on the upcoming elections. Members of the National Assembly and Senate called for launching a probe into the incident to arrest the perpetrators of the attack, saying it could be an effort to delay the general elections. NA Speaker Ayaz Sadiq announced that since the security of the MNAs was his responsibility, he had decided to write letters to all the provincial chief secretaries and inspectors general of police (IGPs) to ensure that all members of parliament were extended protection in the run-up to the elections. Mr Sadiq also said that what had happened was unfortunate, and that such attacks carried out in the name of religion must stop. Though opposition members expressed solidarity with the injured minister and the ruling party over the incident they criticised the government for not fully implementing the National Action Plan (NAP) against extremist elements in the country. Speaking in the National Assembly, Railways Minister Khawaja Saad Rafique thanked all parties for their support to the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) in this difficult time. However, the minister alluding to some of the remarks and slogans used by politicians to gain political mileage said: When we (politicians across the board) will start our speeches with a gaali (abusive language), it will cause things to escalate, and end with a goli (bullet). The minister said he did not want to blame anyone for the current predicament the attempt on Ahsan Iqbals life but warned that if political opponents did not stop insulting and maligning each other, no one in the political arena would feel safe. Claiming that Ahsan Iqbal was a victim of religious extremism, Mr Rafique said that at a time when they were trying to handle the Taliban, a new enemy has risen in the country. He said the people who used to distribute certificates of religion were behind the attack on the interior minister. Mr Rafique urged all politicians to resolve that they would fight against tyranny, oppression and dictatorship, together. Several parliamentarians said they were concerned over the recent decision of the Supreme Court to withdraw security details given to politicians. Former interior minister Senator Rehman Malik requested Chief Justice of Pakistan Saqib Nisar to reconsider the decision especially given the security concerns following the attack on Ahsan Iqbal. He said that the attack on Ahsan Iqbal was an attack on the nation. Leader of the Opposition in the National Assembly Syed Khursheed Shah also expressed concern over the CJPs decision, saying that yesterdays incident should be an eye-opener. He called for unity among all political forces to counter the threat of terrorism. On the one hand, the lives of politicians are in danger and on the other their security has been withdrawn, MNA Essa Nori of the Balochistan National Party-Mengal (BNP-M) said, adding that politicians were being made easy targets for extremist elements. What forces are behind the attack? What is this conspiracy? Are there some people who dont want elections in the country? Recent events must be investigated thoroughly, said Ijaz Jakhrani of the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP). Abdul Mannan of the PML-N said that he was not surprised in fact, he was expecting such an incident (like the attack on Ahsan Iqbal) considering the volatile and heated political climate in the country. He demanded the formation of a parliamentary committee to investigate the matter. Dr Shireen Mazari of the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf called for decisive measures against extremist elements and banned organisations. In the Senate, Leader of the Opposition Sherry Rehman warned that the attack on Ahsan Iqbal was not an isolated incident, but a serious threat a message by extremist elements to all politicians. The attack on the countrys interior minister so close to the elections is not merely a coincidence, former Senate chairman Raza Rabbani said, adding that the PPP had faced similar threats in the 2013 elections. Leader of the House Raja Zafarul Haq briefed the members on the recovery of the interior minister and said that a bullet was still lodged in his stomach. He said the minister had to be treated for massive internal bleeding. Dr Jahanzeb Jamaldini of the BNP-M stressed the need for unity among politicians against undemocratic forces. Senator Azam Musakhel of the Pakhtunkhwa Milli Awami Party termed the attack a slap in the face of the NAP and warned that the situation was being made difficult for politicians ahead of the elections. NEW DELHI (Reuters) - India's Supreme Court on Monday ordered the trial of eight men accused of the rape and murder of an eight-year-old girl to be moved to another state after her family and lawyer said they faced death threats. The girl, from a nomadic Muslim community that roams the forests of Indian Kashmir, was drugged, held captive in a Hindu temple and sexually assaulted for a week before being strangled and battered to death with a stone in January. Her case caused a wave of revulsion around the country but also exposed communal divisions after two former ministers of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party joined a rally in support of the eight accused, saying they were innocent. All of the accused are Hindus. One is a retired local government official and two are police officers. The victim's relatives said they feared retribution if they pursued her case in the small town of Kathua, near where the girl was killed. A bench of the Supreme Court headed by Chief Justice Dipak Misra said the trial would be held in Pathankot in the neighboring state of Punjab, and in camera, so that witnesses could be assured of protection. "We are transferring the case to Pathankot from Kathua for a fair trial," the court said in its order. The case will be heard daily so that an early verdict can be reached, in a country where such cases can run for years, or even decades. India introduced the death penalty for rapists of girls below the age of 12 last month in response to the outrage over the gang rape of the girl in Kathua. The law does not apply retrospectively. The Kathua case reignited memories of the similarly brutal gang rape of a woman on a Delhi bus in 2012 who later died of her injuries. The 2012 case also led to the toughening of laws to deter crimes against women, but a rape epidemic shows no sign of dying down in part because investigation of such crimes is still inadequate and convictions rare. Often the accused are powerful. "The basic concern is fair trial, basic concern is speedy trial. That is the reason the court said there will be day-to-day hearing," said Deepika Singh Rajawat, lawyer for the girl's family, who cannot be identified under Indian law. Rajawat had said she herself faced the risk of personal attack for taking up the case of the girl. (Reporting by Suchitra Mohanty; Writing by Nidhi Verma; Editing by Sanjeev Miglani) Iranian troops marking National Army Day - AP Donald Trump is due to announce his decision on whether he is abandoning the Iran nuclear deal on Tuesday. He has been an outspoken critic of the 2015 agreement, describing it as "insane" and the "worst deal ever". Boris Johnson, the Foreign Secretary, has travelled to Washington in an effort to persuade Mr Trump not to reimpose the sanctions that would signal an end to the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, thrashed out between China, France, Germany, Russia, Britain and the United States with Iran. It lifted sanctions on Iran in return for Tehran abandoning its nuclear weapons programme. Mr Johnson said giving up on the deal could spark a fresh regional arms race as Iran raced to build a bomb. Here is what could happen across the Middle East: Iran's nuclear programme Profile | Hassan Rouhani Hassan Rouhani, the Iranian president, has warned Mr Trump that the US would pay dearly if he scrapped the nuclear deal signed by the Obama administration. "Exiting such an agreement would have - would carry a high cost for the United States of America," he said last year. If the US withdraws, Iran would be free to say the deal is dead, allowing it to ramp up enrichment of uranium, which had been limited under the deal. Under the current terms, Iran's enrichment levels must remain around 3.6 percent. Iran stopped producing 20 percent enriched uranium and gave up the majority of its stockpile as part of the 2015 agreement. Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, the Supreme Leader of Iran Credit: AP Uranium refined to 20 percent fissile purity is beyond the 5 percent normally needed in civilian nuclear power plants, although short of the 80 to 90 percent purity needed for a nuclear bomb. Last week, the head of Iran's Atomic Energy Organisation, Ali Akbar Salehi, said Iran was able to enrich uranium to a higher level than it could before the deal. Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, the country's supreme leader, insists Iran is not interested in developing nuclear weapons but any move to increase uranium enrichment will ignite deep concern around the world. Story continues Syria Iran has been heavily involved in the Syrian civil war since 2012, and its Lebanese proxy Hizbollah is credited with helping turn the tide of the conflict in favour of Bashar al-Assad. It has also armed thousands of Shia fighters in support of the regime. Iran's presence in the war-torn country has brought it into direct conflict with Israel in recent months, threatening a regional clash. What happens next in Syria This is the sort of meddling that has angered Mr Trump and his allies, who are wary of Tehran's destabilising influence, and want to find additional ways of bringing pressure on Iran. However, analysts warn that giving up on the nuclear deal would leave Iran will little incentive to rein in its Shia militias from attacking Israel. They could also make life difficult for US allies in Syria or even the American troops deployed in northern and eastern Syria supporting Kurdish-led fighters. Iraq Iraqi forces pose with members of the Popular Mobilisation Forces after retaking Hawjiwa from Isil last year Credit: AFP The same goes for Iraq where Iran was quick to offer its support when the Islamic State seized territory in 2014. It helped arm and train the Shia Popular Mobilisation Forces. If the deal falls through, Iran could encourage PMF factions who want the US to leave Iraq to step up rhetorical, and maybe military, attacks against American forces. These could be rocket, mortar and roadside bomb attacks not directly linked to a specific Shia militia, which would allow Iran to deny it had changed its position of avoiding direct conflict with US forces in Iraq. Lebanon Hizbollah militias have been fighting in Syria In 2006, Hizbollah fought Israel to a standstill in a 34-day border war. According to Israeli and US officials, Iran is now helping Hizbollah build factories to manufacture precision-guided missiles or refit longer-range missiles with precision guidance systems. Israeli forces have repeatedly attacked Hizbollah in Syria where the group is leading many of Iran's Shia militia allies. The rhetoric between Israel and Iran has ramped up in recent weeks. Though Hizbollah and Israel say they are not interested in conflict, the tensions could easily spill over into another Lebanon war. Hizbollah said last year that any war waged by Israel against Syria and Lebanon could draw thousands of fighters from countries including Iran and Iraq, indicating that Shia militias could come to Lebanon to help Hezbollah. Hizbollah and its political allies won just over half the seats in Lebanon's parliamentary election, unofficial results showed on Monday. For the moment, the group is working with its political opponents, notably Prime Minister Saad al-Hariri, who is backed by Western governments. But if the nuclear deal falls through, Iran could pressure Hizbollah to isolate its opponents, a development experts believe could destabilise Lebanon. "Hizbollah literally controls Lebanese politics," Hilal Khashan, a professor of political studies at the American University of Beirut, told Reuters. "If they do that, it would be sheer harassment." Yemen Iran has never acknowledged direct military involvement in Yemen. But observers say there is little doubt it is supplying Houthi rebels with missiles and other arms - part of a proxy war with Saudi Arabia. The Houthis have fired missiles at Riyadh and Saudi oil facilities, saying they are retaliating against air raids on Yemen. Supporters of the Iran nuclear deal say it has prevented the conflict from escalating from an arms length, proxy conflict into open warfare. Without the deal, Iran could step up its support for its Houthi allies, risking a reciprocal measures or a direct response from Saudi Arabia and its Gulf partners such as the United Arab Emirates. "I'm not ruling out Iranian support to the Houthis," said Prof Khashan The other signatories The US is not the only nation to have signed the deal with Iran. Tehran's reactions would like be influenced by how the other signatories respond to Washington's withdrawal. The factors in play will include the extent to which France, Britain and Germany allow companies to continue to do business with Iran. Russia has become a crucial ally of Iran, protecting it from further action at the UN Security Council, while China has sought to include Tehran in its Belt and Road trade and investment initiative. The result could be a battle of wills if the Trump administration restores sanctions and threatens violators with being shut out of the US banking system. Of the other signatories, only China, the biggest buyer of Iranian oil, is able to brush this off. Tehran (AFP) - A senior Iranian official on Tuesday hailed the "victory" of Hezbollah in Lebanese elections as a success in the "fight against Israel" and the United States, the state broadcaster reported. "The Lebanese people and their representatives, Hezbollah and the other resistance groups, scored this victory in the fight against Israel and its allies, including the United States," said Ali Akbar Velayati, foreign policy advisor to supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. He referred to Hezbollah's military support for Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, saying the election result reflected the group's "decisive help to Syria against the terrorists". "This victory of the Lebanese people and of the resistance... is a sign of approval for the Lebanese government's policy of preserving Lebanon's independence... against Israel," he added. After Sunday's election -- the first since 2009 -- Hezbollah and its allies look set to secure a parliament bloc large enough to thwart attempts for it to disarm, a longstanding demand of its political enemies. The Shiite movement was created with Iranian support in 1982 to fight against Israel and is listed as a terrorist organisation by the United States. It is the key partner in Iran's "resistance front" against Israeli and US interests in the Middle East, along with allies in Iraq, Syria and the Palestinian Territories. "The strength of the resistance front will be considerably reinforced in the world" after this election and that in Iraq on Saturday, Velayati said. LONDON (Reuters) - It would be a "severe mistake" for Iran to stay in the nuclear deal if the U.S. leaves it, a senior hardline official said on Tuesday, a day after President Hassan Rouhani said Tehran could remain in the deal even if the United States drops out. "If the United States leaves the JCPOA (Iran's nuclear deal), they should know that would be the end of the JCPOA," Mohammad Javad Larijani, Head of the Iranian Judiciary's Human Rights Council, was quoted as saying by Tasnim news agency. (Reporting by Bozorgmehr Sharafedin; Editing by Andrew Heavens) Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu has thrown his support behind Donald Trump after he pulled the US out of the Iran nuclear deal. Mr Netanyahu, who has been a leading critic of the deal between the West and Iran, had earlier said it must be fixed or nixed. Speaking moments after Mr Trump had finished his address in Washington, the Israeli leader said the current deal was a recipe for disaster, a disaster for our region, a disaster for the peace of the world. He said: Israel has opposed the nuclear deal from the start because we said that rather than blocking Irans path to a bomb, the deal actually paves Irans path to an entire arsenal of nuclear bombs, and this within a few years time. The removal of sanctions under the current deal has already produced disastrous results. The deal didnt push war further away. It actually brought it closer. The deal didnt reduce Irans aggression. It dramatically increased it. Last week, Mr Netanyahu delivered a presentation in front of the media to unveil what he described as a half tonne of Iranian nuclear documents he said had been seized by Israeli intelligence forces. Though he stopped short of accusing Iran of violating the terms of the 2015 nuclear deal, he said the documents proved Iran had previously tried to develop a nuclear bomb before 2003, that the country had lied in the past, and therefore couldnt be trusted. Iran has denied ever having tried to build nuclear weapons. Israel thinks that President Trump made an historic move, and this is why Israel thanks President Trump for his courageous leadership, his commitment to confront the terrorist regime in Tehran, and his commitment to ensure that Iran never gets nuclear weapons not today, not in a decade, not ever," Mr Netanyahu said in a brief televised address. However, his views were not echoed by his European counterparts. Prime Minister Theresa May, German Chancellor Angela Merkel and French President Emmanuel Macron said was a matter of "regret and concern". They added: We urge all sides to remain committed to the Iran nuclear deal's full implementation and to act in a spirit of responsibility." BAGHDAD (Reuters) - The semi-autonomous Kurdistan region of northern Iraq, which voted overwhelmingly in favor of independence last year in a referendum rejected by Baghdad, will hold an election on Sept. 30. A Kurdistan Regional Government media official said KRG Prime Minister Nechirvan Barzani had approved the date. The vote should elect both a parliament and a president for Kurdish regions which have gained self-rule in 1991, when a U.S-led coalition forced Saddam Hussein's Iraqi army to withdraw from them in the wake of his eight-month occupation of Kuwait. A federal Iraqi election, which includes the Kurdistan region, is set to take place on Saturday and its results will give clues as to the importance of the different Kurdish political parties. Longtime Iraqi Kurdish leader Masoud Barzani stepped down from the KRG presidency on Nov. 1 after the independence referendum last September. Opposition to the ruling Kurdish establishment, represented by the Barzani and Talabani dynasties, has become more vocal over the past years, especially after the referendum. The Iraqi government and Shi'ite militias allied to Iran dislodged Kurdish forces from the oil region of Kirkuk in retaliation for the vote, curtailing the oil income of the KRG and leading to an economic crisis in the region. Unpaid public servants hold regular demonstrations in Kurdish cities, and new parties have been formed to challenge the Barzani's Kurdistan Democratic Party and the Talabani's Patriotic Union of Kurdistan. The Kurdish elections were set for Nov. 1 but were delayed as the KRG had to deal with the conflict with Baghdad. Nechirvan Barzani has been exercising the function of the presidency since his uncle Masoud stepped down. The current parliament was elected in 2013. Gorran, or "Change" movement, and Barham Salih's Coalition for Democracy and Justice are the main parties challenging the KDP and PUK's grip on Iraqi Kurdish politics. Salih is himself an ex-KRG prime minister and a PUK dissenter. (Reporting by Maher Chmaytelli; editing by Angus MacSwan) Dublin (AFP) - Leading Irish actors have urged voters in a video posted online Sunday to legalise abortion in the country, as campaigning intensifies ahead of a referendum later this month on the issue. The black-and-white video features an ensemble of screen stars voicing their opposition to laws making abortion illegal in Ireland unless there is a real and substantial risk to the life of the mother. Women are free to travel abroad for abortions -- and thousands do so every year, mainly to England -- but they face 14 years imprisonment if convicted of having an illegal termination on the island. "In Ireland today", begins "Game of Thrones" actor Liam Cunningham, "if the woman sitting next to you is pregnant" continues local TV star Peter McDonald, "she does not have full rights over her own body" adds Owen McDonnell, famous for playing a fictional police sergeant on Irish TV. Staring into the camera, a host of other actors -- from Cillian Murphy, lead in the BBC hit show "Peaky Blinders", to Andrew Scott, star of its "Sherlock" series -- continue to deliver short messages in the more than two-minute video. "Why should anyone but me decide what happens to my own body?" Murphy asks. It concludes with Oscar-nominated actress Saoirse Ronan's blunt appeal: "Please, vote yes!" Hollywood big-name Liam Neeson also gave his backing to the campaign, in an open letter to the Irish Independent newspaper Monday. "To respect a woman's right to decide, I'm backing yes" he wrote. Irish citizens head to the polls on May 25 to decide whether to alter the eighth amendment of the constitution, which recognises the equal right to life of the unborn and the mother. There have already been several referendums related to the issue, the first in 1983 which introduced the amendment after a wide margin voted in favour. A 1992 ballot approved an update to the constitution stating it did not restrict the freedom to travel to another state for an abortion. Story continues Meanwhile a 2013 change in the law, which was not put to a referendum, allowed for the exemption of mothers whose lives are endangered. The Catholic Church in Ireland has been voicing its opposition to any change in a series of pastoral letters -- and urging voters to watch YouTube videos celebrating life. "It is wrong to terminate life, human life," wrote Ray Browne, bishop of County Kerry, in one such letter. "The right to life of the unborn child is a fundamental right. Abortion is wrong." If proponents of change prevail at the ballot, a provision will be added to the Irish constitution allowing for "the regulation of termination of pregnancy". "How could a person not but be sad to see such a phrase inserted in our Constitution?" Browne asked. Opinion polls this year have shown the "yes" campaign ahead but pro-life advocates gaining ground. Jerusalem (AFP) - The Israeli army said Tuesday it has asked authorities in the occupied Golan Heights to open and prepare missile shelters over "irregular activity by Iranian forces in Syria", across the demarcation line. "Following the identification of irregular activity of Iranian forces in Syria, the IDF (Israel Defence Forces) has decided to change the civilian protection instructions in the Golan Heights and instructs local authorities to unlock and ready shelters in the area," the army said in a statement. "Additionally, defence systems have been deployed and IDF troops are on high alert for an attack." The announcement came shortly before US President Donald Trump made public his decision to withdraw from the Iran nuclear deal. Israel has been accused of carrying out a series of deadly strikes on bases in Syria out of which Iranian forces operate. It is concerned over the growing presence of Tehran's forces and those of Iran's Lebanese ally Hezbollah on Syrian territory. In an interview late last month, Israeli Defence Minister Avigdor Lieberman vowed to strike at any attempt by Iran to establish a "military foothold" in Syria. Israel seized 1,200 square kilometres (460 square miles) of the Golan Heights from Syria in the Six-Day War of 1967 and later annexed it in a move never recognised by the international community. The two countries remain technically at war. An Israeli minister has threatened the life of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad over his strategic alliance with Iran, which supports Damascus in a seven-year civil war against rebels and jihadis. Suspected Israeli airstrikes have destroyed Iranian positions and killed Iranian personnel operating in war-torn Syria, where Israel accuse Tehran of building a network of hostile, mostly Shiite Muslim militias that threaten Israeli national security. As Iranian officials warned they would retaliate against such attacks, Israeli Energy Minister and cabinet member Yuval Steinitz said the consequences of allowing Iran and its allies to work in Syria would be fatal for Assad. "If Syrian President Bashar Assad continues allowing the Iranians to operate out of Syria, it would be the end of him, the end of his regime," Steinitz told Israeli news site Ynet in an interview Monday, later clarifying his words. Trending: Hari Kondabolu Says Hank Azaria Actually Listened to 'Simpsons' Apu CriticismUnlike Matt Groening "If Assad allows Iran to turn Syria into a forward operating base against us," he said, "to attack us from Syrian soil, he should know that will spell his end." RTS1O7SL Syrian Arab News Agency/Reuters While Israel has no formal relationship with Iran, who it accuses of secretly building nuclear weapons and supporting terrorist organizations, it does maintain regular contacts with Assad's other key foreign sponsor Russia. Steinitz praised dialogue between Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Russian President Vladimir Putin, saying that there were "conflicts of interest" at times, but "usually our interests converge." Story continues Don't miss: Trump-Russia Probe Will Help Republicans in Midterms, Giuliani Says "Everyone should understand, however, that certain things are red lines for us. If anyone is interested in maintaining Assad's survival, they should tell him to prevent missile and drone attacks on Israel," Steinitz said, adding that he knew of no "concrete proposal" to kill the Syrian leader. Related: Russia Has Won in Syria, Will It Challenge U.S. In Lebanon Next? Steinitz compared the situation in Syria to that in Lebanon, where Iran-backed Shiite Muslim movement Hezbollah recently made gains in the country's first general election in nine years. Hezbollah is considered a terrorist organization by top Iran foes Israeli, Saudi Arabia and the U.S., and was formed during Israel's occupation of civil-war-torn Lebanon in the 1980s. Most popular: Hidden Treasure: Ancient Buddhist Statue Contains Hoard of Artifacts Including Scrolls Israeli initially invaded Lebanon in 1978 and 1982 in response to attacks by Palestinian militias attempting to establish an independent state on territory also claimed by Israel. Israeli forces withdrew in 2000, but invaded again in response to Hezbollah border raids in 2006 and pulled out after a ceasefire about a month later. Both sides have occasionally clashed, and Assad's retaking of large swathes of Syria after a 2011 uprising backed by the West, Turkey and Gulf Arab states has boosted the positions of Hezbollah and its allies. GettyImages-955241996 ALI DIA/AFP/Getty Images Israel has been accused of supporting rebel groups near the occupied Golan Heights territory and of conducting a number of deadly airstrikes in Syria, despite not officially choosing a side in the country's internal conflict. On February 9, an Israeli jet was shot down by Syrian air defense after the aircraft struck Syria's Tiyas, or T-4, airbase in apparent retaliation for an Iranian drone crossing over into Israeli airspace. Last month, Russia accused Israel of again attacking the base, this time killing a number of Iranians there. In April, Israel has also been charged with bombing the 47th brigade military compound in Syria's southern Hama province, an attack that caused a massive explosion strong enough to induce a minor earthquake detected in neighboring Lebanon and Turkey. Iran has vowed it would take revenge for the strikes. This article was first written by Newsweek More from Newsweek From Greg Swank, 12-4-2 You are about to read a list of 45 goals that found their way down the halls of our great Capitol back in 1963. As... An Israeli chef prepared dinner for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his Japanese counterpart Shinzo Abe on May 2, but his dessert left a bad taste in diplomats' mouths. Celebrity chef Moshe Segev served chocolate pralines in a man's shoea brogueand was so proud of his creation that he shared numerous images of the dessert on Instagram over the past week. The video of the dish received little attention, but Segevs picture of himself with the diners and a close-up of the dessert attracted dozens of negative comments that spiraled into a diplomatic migraine. Trending: Michael Cohen Could Lose $9 Million NYC Apartment After Offering Up Family Home For Loan Collateral Japanese etiquette is rigid when it comes to footwear, as the Lonely Planet website informs travelers. Shoes are banned from most private homes, as well as some museums and restaurants. "Never wear shoes on tatami mats," the guide warns, referring to Japan's traditional flooring and bed matsadvice the chef failed to heed, as he served the dessert brogue on a tatami-style table mat. Don't miss: Shawn Mendes Tour 2019: Dates, Locations and How to Buy Tickets "This was a stupid and insensitive decision, an unnamed senior Israeli diplomat who served in Japan told the Israeli news outlet Yediot Aharonot, according to The Jerusalem Post. "There is nothing more despised in Japanese culture than shoes. Not only do they not enter their houses while wearing shoes, you will not find shoes in their offices either. Even the prime minister, ministers and members of parliament do not wear shoes to work. It is equivalent to serving a Jewish guest chocolates in a dish shaped like a pig." Most popular: Read Full Text: Obama Warns Trump Could Be Starting New War In Middle East After Iran Deal Announcement A Japanese diplomat was also outraged. "No culture puts shoes on the table," the unnamed official told Yediot. He added, "If this is meant to be humor, we do not find it funny. I can tell you that we are offended for our prime minister." Story continues It's clear Segev, who previously created a dessert bearing the silhouettes of Netanyahu and Donald Trump when the Israeli leader hosted the American president, meant no offense. "Great honor to cook for you!" he wrote as a caption to the picture with the two leaders and their partners. This article was first written by Newsweek More from Newsweek By Gavin Jones and Crispian Balmer ROME (Reuters) - President Sergio Mattarella called on Monday for Italy's bickering parties to rally behind a "neutral government", saying the only alternative would be a swift re-vote after March's inconclusive election. However, Italy's two largest parties, the far-right League and anti-establishment 5-Star Movement, rapidly came out against the proposal, raising the likelihood of an unprecedented immediate return to the polls, even as early as July. Italy has been stuck in political limbo since the March 4 ballot, which saw 5-Star emerge as the single largest group while an alliance of rightist parties, including the anti-immigrant League, took the most seats. However, both fell short of an absolute majority, and, after a third round of consultations with all the main party leaders, Mattarella conceded on Monday that there was no room for a coalition deal in the eurozone's third largest economy. However, he urged politicians to rally around a "neutral" administration, which he will appoint this week. If it gains parliamentary backing, it will draw up a 2019 budget to stave off the threat of an automatic increase in sales taxes that would be triggered if the deficit slips. It would then resign in December to open the way for elections in the spring - when all post-war votes have been held in Italy. "Let the parties decide of their own free will if they should give full powers to a government ... or else new elections (should be held) immediately in the month of July or the autumn," Mattarella said in a televised statement. Both the League and 5-Star, which have enough seats between them in parliament to prevent any government from winning the confidence votes needed to take office, rejected the formation of a non-partisan administration. "(We have) no faith in a "neutral government", which is synonymous with a government of technocrats. We are going to vote in July," 5-Star chief Luigi Di Maio wrote on Twitter. Story continues League leader Matteo Salvini echoed the sentiment: "There is no time to lose, there is no space for technocrat government." BERLUSCONI CAUTION YouTrend pollsters said that, under Italian law, the earliest likely date for an election would be July 22, a time when many people will have left for their summer holidays, which could have a major impact on the outcome. Di Maio has previously said he would be ready to form a government with the League. However, he has refused to enter into any coalition deal with the League's main ally, the Forza Italia party led by former prime minister Silvio Berlusconi, whom 5-Star considers a symbol of political corruption. Salvini has refused to abandon Berlusconi, saying that would break his word with voters after they had stood together at the polls and presented a common manifesto. In a statement, Berlusconi's Forza Italia party said it wanted to discuss the situation with its allies and warned against a rush to the ballot box in July. "We are not afraid of an election, but a summer (vote) does not help turnout. Autumn is better," Forza Italia said. Whatever path the parties chose, Mattarella said Prime Minister Paolo Gentiloni's caretaker government had reached the end of its life, indicating he would appoint a new administration even if it could not win parliamentary backing. Gentiloni is a leading figure in the centre-left Democratic Party which had ruled Italy since 2013 but was roundly beaten in March, as voters punished it for the sluggish economic recovery, growing poverty and a surge in migrant numbers from Africa. Mattarella is expected to announce who he would like to lead the non-partisan administration some time before Friday and he urged parliamentarians to show responsibility, warning that a new vote might easily throw up another inconclusive result. "I call on the political parties to support this transitory government. If they don't, it will oversee the new election. It would be the first time in the history of the republic that a legislature ends before it has even started," he said. (Additional reporting by Massimiliano di Giorgio, Giuseppe Fonte and Alberto Sisto; editing by Larry King and Andrew Roche) By Praveen Menon and A. Ananthalakshmi KUALA LUMPUR (Reuters) - Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak's ruling coalition has lost more ground in the lead-up to Wednesday's general election, but it could still win enough parliamentary seats to cling on to power, a survey by an independent polling firm said. Scandal-hit Najib, whose Barisan Nasional (BN) alliance has ruled Malaysia for more than six decades, is pitted in a fierce contest against his 92-year-old former mentor, Mahathir Mohamad. The eve-of-poll survey published by Merdeka Center on Tuesday showed Najib's coalition would win just 37.3 percent of the popular vote in peninsular Malaysia, which accounts for nearly three-quarters of the seats in parliament, down from the 40.3 percent the firm had predicted last week. The Mahathir-led opposition alliance's support also fell slightly to 43.4 percent from 43.7 percent, it showed. The Islamist Parti Islam se-Malaysia (PAS), which is not part of Mahathir's bloc, saw support increase by 3.3 percentage points to 19.3 percent. The polling of the popular vote did not cover the Borneo states of Sabah and Sarawak, which have historically been pro-BN, although there have been recent signs of a swing away from the government in Sabah. The survey predicted that Najib's coalition would win 100 of the 222 seats in parliament, while Mahathir's alliance would win 83 seats, with contests in 37 constituencies too close to call. The winning party needs to get at least 112 seats to form a government. The ruling coalition won 133 seats in the 2013 election, despite losing the popular vote. In his final campaign speech, broadcast live on state media, Najib offered last-minute promises, including an income tax exemption for people aged 26 and under, two extra public holidays and waiver of road tolls for five days around the Muslim festival of Eid, which marks the end of Ramadan. Mahathir, who was livestreaming his speech to a rally in his constituency on the island of Langkawi at the same time, urged voters not to fall for "bribes". "Don't let a bit of money make you pawn the country forever," Mahathir said, who led the Southeast Asian nation from 1981 until 2003. "This is what will happen if Najib stays on as prime minister." CLOSE FINISH Merdeka said in a statement that this would be "one of the most contested elections ever in the country's political history". "The high number of marginal seats (37), implies that voter turnout will be a critical factor in determining the outcome of many seats on election day," the pollster said in the statement, adding that it predicted BN would retain federal power. Najib's coalition failed to win the popular vote in the last election in 2013, getting 47.3 percent of the votes in what was seen as a setback for the ruling alliance even though it retained power. Najib faces far greater risks this time than in any previous election, and analysts have warned a weak performance could trigger an internal revolt against the 64-year-old premier. Merdeka's estimated tally of seats per state showed BN winning only seven out of 26 parliamentary seats in Johor, the birthplace of Najib's United Malay National Organization (UMNO), with the opposition getting 14. Five seats in the bellwether state were too close to call, it said. The ruling alliance would win all but three parliamentary seats in Kelantan state in the northeast, which is governed by the conservative PAS, the survey predicted. NAJIB CONFIDENT In an interview on pro-government television late on Monday, Najib said he was confident of winning the election. "Our political base is still strong and intact. That is why I am confident, because we actually have strength," said Najib, whose popularity has taken a hit from rising living costs and a graft scandal at state fund 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB). Najib has consistently denied any wrongdoing over the billions of dollars allegedly siphoned off from the state fund, which he founded, and he has been cleared of any offense by Malaysia's attorney general. In the election run-up, opposition leaders and civil society groups have complained that measures such as gerrymandering have tilted the poll in BN's favor. The Human Rights Commission of Malaysia, SUHAKAM, on Tuesday urged the election panel to avoid actions seen as partisan and selective. "SUHAKAM believes the level playing-field is affected with instances of questionable disqualification of candidates and money and gifts being distributed," it said in a statement. (Additional reporting by Joseph Sipalan, Emily Chow and Fathin Ungku; Editing by Alex Richardson) America's top diplomat Mike Pompeo arrived in Pyongyang Wednesday, landing at the centre of a whirlwind of diplomacy ahead of a planned US-North Korea summit. Pompeo was dispatched on an unannounced visit -- his second in weeks, but first as secretary of state -- to lay the groundwork for Donald Trump's unprecedented meeting with Kim Jong Un. His visit comes as rumours fly over three US citizens being held in the North, with suggestions they may have been moved in preparation for a release. The rapid detente on the Korean peninsula triggered by the Winter Olympics is a marked contrast from last year, when Kim and Trump traded personal insults and threats of war over the North's nuclear and ballistic missile programmes. "We think relationships are building with North Korea," Trump said in a televised address from the White House. "We will see how it all works out. Maybe it won't. But it can be a great thing for North Korea, South Korea and the entire world." But the details of a deal appear to be far from clear. At a historic meeting inside the Demilitarized Zone last month, Kim and South Korean President Moon Jae-in reaffirmed their commitment to a "common goal" of "complete denuclearisation" of the Korean peninsula. Hours before Pompeo landed, Trump yanked the US from a nuclear deal with Iran, complicating the prospects of persuading Pyongyang to surrender its atomic arsenal. - 'Chairman Un' - On Tuesday, Kim met Chinese President Xi Jinping in China -- the second time in six weeks -- highlighting efforts by the Cold War-era allies to mend frayed ties, and with Beijing keen to avoid being left out in the cold. China's official Xinhua news agency cited Kim as telling Xi there was no need for North Korea to be a nuclear state "as long as relevant parties abolish their hostile policies and remove security threats against" the country. Kim also expressed hope that the US and North Korea would take "phased and synchronous measures", signalling Pyongyang wanted a quid pro quo. Story continues Pompeo's itinerary -- including who he would meet in Pyongyang -- was not clear. He told reporters he would look to prepare for the summit between Trump and "Chairman Un", prompting derision from observers. "Pompeo doesnt know the surname is Kim, but he's definitely on top of all the conceptual and semantic nuances associated with the phrase 'denuclearisation of the Korean Peninsula'," arms control specialist Jeffrey Lewis tweeted derisively. Trump's withdrawal of the US from the landmark deal curbing Iran's nuclear programme and reimposing crippling sanctions -- in defiance of European pleas -- also raised concerns. Trump poured scorn on the "disastrous" 2015 accord, reached after a decade and a half of careful diplomacy by Britain, China, France, Germany, Iran, Russia and past US administrations, describing it as an "embarrassment" to the United States. "This just makes my head explode," said Robert Kelly of Pusan National University. "Only a fool would trust the US to keep its word in a rogue state nuke deal now." - Detained trio - Speculation mounted that Pyongyang could release three detained Korean-Americans to Pompeo, fuelled by South Korea where the president's office said they expected the men to be freed. The trio are a significant domestic political issue and Trump hinted last week of imminent news after sources said they had been relocated. In previous cases detainees have been set free into the care of high profile US visitors. Pompeo's visit also comes as a tripartite meeting of East Asia's major powers takes place in Tokyo, with Japan, South Korea and China groping for a lowest-common-denominator agreement on recent events. Japan, which has by far the most hardline position of the North's neighbours, has been left watching from the sidelines, uneasy at the pace of events and at what it sees as an unwarranted softening towards an untrustworthy Pyongyang. Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe was likely to push for continued pressure on Pyongyang, including for "complete, verifiable and irreversible denuclearisation", Japanese media have reported. Moon, however, was expected to bat away such demands. An official in his office last week said Seoul wanted the three countries to simply endorse the Panmunjon Declaration signed by Kim and Moon last month. Jared Kushner speaks with Attorney General Jeff Sessions at a recent event at the White House. (Photo: Chip Somodevilla via Getty Images) WASHINGTON A revamped bipartisan prison reform bill introduced this week with the backing of presidents son-in-law and senior adviser Jared Kushner outlines steps to improve the lives of some federal prisoners. But it has drawn opposition from many advocates for change who want a more comprehensive reform of the criminal justice system. The FIRST STEP Act, introduced by Reps. Doug Collins (R-Ga.) and Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) and Sens. John Cornyn (R-Texas) and Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.), is expected to be marked up in the House Judiciary Committee on Wednesday. The legislation focuses on lowering recidivism of federal prisoners and would require the federal Bureau of Prisons to create evidence-based rehabilitation plans for all inmates. If passed the legislation would allow some federal prisoners to earn more credit towards reduced sentences for good time and would require federal prisoners to be placed within 500 miles of their homes. It would also ban the use of restraints on pregnant prisoners and encourage compassionate releases for elderly and terminally ill offenders. Jessica Jackson Sloan, national director and co-founder of #Cut50, a criminal justice reform organization, told HuffPost that Kushner has been a driving force behind the scenes in support of the legislation. We understand that the president is willing to sign it. I hear Jeff Sessions is not very happy with it, but theres so much agreement on it at this point that he is not getting in the way, Jackson Sloan said. A Justice Department spokeswoman declined to comment on the legislation. Jackson Sloan said Kushner had a tremendous degree of empathy for federal prisoners and their families. His insight as a person who was negatively impacted by the criminal justice system has been very valuable, she said, referencing the 14 months that Kushners father spend in federal prison. Im a strong Democrat, and I had no relationship with him prior to this, so its been very interesting to see his passion for this issue, and I think that comes from a personal place, having been through that and seeing what his own father went through, and really the impact on him, she added. Story continues Some Democrats and civil rights organizations are skeptical of legislation that doesnt have a broader impact. Todd A. Cox of the NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund wrote that a narrow proposal would undermine bipartisan efforts to develop a comprehensive reform package that most Americans support. Last month, a large number of civil rights organizations came out against legislation that only addressed prison reform and said that the bill could have a disparate racial impact because it made large numbers of prisoners incarcerated for certain offenses ineligible for earning time credits. Alex Gudich, the deputy director of #Cut50, said that his group sees the bill as a good start when its harder than its ever been to achieve something across the aisle. He added that this didnt have to be the last word on criminal justice reform. People who say that if Congress does this now they wont return to this for years or decades to come, I just dont buy that because I just dont think everybody is getting everything that they want here, Gudich said. The Democrats are not getting sentencing reform, but Republicans are not getting mens rea. Theyre not getting civil asset forfeiture. Theyre not getting things that touch on the criminal justice system that are listed as their priorities. The DOJ has so far declined to weigh in on the legislation, but Sessions an opponent of broader federal sentencing reform has come across as a skeptic of re-entry programs. Speaking last week at a National Sheriffs Association conference, he said that the Justice Departments inspector general had not been complimentary about the how the federal government had handled re-entry in the past. Sessions also begrudgingly noted the decrease in the federal prison population in recent years and the decrease in the length of the average sentence. He also suggested there was a correlation between the lower federal prison population and increased crime. While he sounded generally skeptical about re-entry programs, he did indicate that he thinks re-entry programs can help reduce recidivism. Kushner and Sessions had reportedly reached a compromise that allowed Kushner to push for prison reform without interference from Sessions. With the backing of the White House, Kushner wrote an op-ed for The Wall Street Journal last month that said President Donald Trumps fight for the forgotten men and women of this country... includes those in prison. Ryan Reilly is HuffPosts senior justice reporter, covering the Justice Department, federal law enforcement, criminal justice and legal affairs. Have a tip? Reach him at ryan.reilly@huffpost.com or on Signal at 202-527-9261. Love HuffPost? Become a founding member of HuffPost Plus today. This article originally appeared on HuffPost. Senator John McCain uses a wheelchair on Capitol Hill: BRENDAN SMIALOWSKI/AFP/Getty Images Ailing US Senator John McCain doesnt want President Donald Trump at his funeral, according to multiple reports. Sources close to the senator from Arizona said this week that his family had asked the White House to send Vice President Mike Pence to the service instead. Mr McCain has been battling an aggressive form of brain cancer for nearly a year, after being diagnosed with glioblastoma in July. His family has started making funeral plans, despite his son-in-law saying the 81-year-old was chatty and walking around at the Arizona ranch where he is recovering. Former Presidents Barack Obama and George W Bush are slated to be eulogists at the funeral, a source close to Mr McCain told NBC News. The ceremony will likely be held at the National Cathedral in Washington, DC. Both NBC and the New York Times reported that the McCain family was not planning to have Mr Trump at the event. The two men have sparred frequently since Mr Trump emerged as a candidate in the 2016 race, on everything from Obamacare to Mr McCains military service. Mr McCain helped kill GOP efforts to repeal and replace Obamacare with his pivotal Senate vote last summer, shortly after he was diagnosed with cancer. The senator has also spoken out against Mr Trumps comments in the infamous Access Hollywood tape, and the president's travel ban. Mr Trump, meanwhile, has mocked the years Mr McCain spent as a prisoner of war in Vietnam, and called his Obamacare vote a horrible, horrible thing. Mr McCain reportedly plans to critique the president in his forthcoming book, saying the president is uninterested in the moral character of world leaders and their regimes. The appearance of toughness or a reality show facsimile of toughness seems to matter more than any of our values, he writes, according to a copy obtained by the New York Times. Flattery secures his friendship, criticism his enmity. Mr Trump did not attend former first lady Barbara Bushs funeral in Houston, Texas last month. The White House said the decision was made in order to avoid disruptions due to added security, and out of respect for the Bush Family and friends attending the service. Story continues Melania Trump went to the funeral instead, along with Presidents George HW Bush, George W Bush, Bill Clinton, and former first lady Hillary Clinton. Mr McCain has not returned to the Senate since December. He is recovering at home, taking visits from friends such as former Vice President Joe Biden and Senator Jeff Flake of Arizona. Ben Domenech, the senator's son-in-law, said Sunday on CBS Face the Nation that Mr McCain is very grateful for the chances and fortune that hes experienced in life. Hes reflecting at the end on a lot of different things. We appreciate all of the support that weve been given by a lot of different folks who have come out and met with him over the past couple of weeks, he added. The destructive eruption of the Kilauea volcano on Hawaiis Big Island has captured the attention of people around the world. The volcanos flowing lava has forced at least 1,700 residents to flee and has destroyed at least 35 structures, including 26 homes. The Hawaii Civil Defense reported a total of 12 fissures have been formed and has pleaded with tourists to avoid the Leilani Estates. Kilaueas eruption on Thursday prompted frequent earthquakes, including a 6.9 magnitude quake on Friday. Before erupting last week, Kilauea volcano had been spewing basaltic lava nearly continuously for 35 years, according to Popular Science. Trending: Primary Election Day 2018: Results, Live Blog From Key Races in West Virginia, Ohio, Indiana and North Carolina Several other active volcanoes are worth keeping an eye on for the next big eruption. Newsweek has rounded up five volcanoes to keep watch over. Kirishima, Japan GettyImages-108933532 Kazuhiro Nogi/AFP/Getty Images Kirishima volcano, one of the most active in Japan, is actually a group of 18 young, small stratovolcanoes north of Kagoshima Bay. A 2011 eruption at one of the volcanic cones, Shinmoedake, was the largest at Kirishima in more than half a century, according to Popular Science. The super active Sinmoedake last erupted on March 1 and continued to erupt for several days. The Japan Times reported several dozen flights were canceled after it shot smoke and ash into the air. Don't miss: Texas Teacher Suspended After Discussing Sexual Orientation Sues School For Discrimination Villarrica, Chile GettyImages-886904008 Christian Miranda/AFP/Getty Images Story continues The Villarrica volcano, which is also known by its Mapuche name Racapillan or Pillans house, is one of a few volcanoes around the world that has an active lava lake. In March 2017, Villarrica volcano gave a group of tourists quite the scare when it began to spew lava and fire into the air, according to The Daily Mail. The minor eruption did not harm anyone in the group. Popular Science has reported that an increase in seismic and lava lake activity has been recorded since the middle of November 2017. Bararbunga and Orfajokull, Iceland Most popular: Stormy Daniels Payment May Have Been Reimbursed By Putin-Linked Russian Oligarch, Michael Avenatti Claims GettyImages-455528910 Bernard Meric/AFP/Getty Images Iceland gets two volcano nominations on this list, the Bararbunga and Orfajokull volcanoes, both of which are listed as in normal, non-eruptive states. The first is for the countrys biggest volcano, Bararbunga. The volcano last erupted in 2015 and caused relatively minor disruptions. In November 2017, The Independent reported that locals had raised concerns due to increased seismic activity. However, Pete Rowley of the University of Portsmouth told the newspaper that the volcano is unlikely to do much damage any time soon. The second, Orfajokull volcano, is responsible for the countrys largest-ever explosive eruption in 1362. It last erupted in 1727and 1728 and caused massive, deadly flooding after meltwater from subglacial lakes on the mountain were released, Popular Science reported. The volcano has experienced small seismic tremors since August 2017 and a depression on the surface of the ice inside the main crater appeared in November 2017. Merapi, Indonesia GettyImages-179677454 Ulet Ifansasti/Getty Images One of Indonesias most dangerous volcanos, Merapi also happens to be the record holder for the deadliest eruption in the 21st century. Merapi volcano, which last erupted in 2010 and killed nearly 400 people, has frequent eruptions and is believed to be overdue for another one. Its current status is listed as normal by Indonesias Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources. This article was first written by Newsweek More from Newsweek North Korean leader Kim Jong Un met with Chinese President Xi Jinping for the second time this week in the Chinese city of Dalian, Chinese media reports. They held talks about Chinese-North Korean relations, according to CNNs Will Ripley. The discussions likely centered around the diplomatic push to keep North Korea free of nuclear weapons. According to North Korean state media, Kim said he is very pleased with how the relationship between North Korea and China is progressing, Reuters reported Tuesday. Regional powers and the United States are seeking to prevent North Korea from obtaining nuclear weapons. Kim held a historic meeting last month with South Korean President Moon Jae-in, and Xi and Kim first met secretly in March. U.S. President Donald Trump, who is set to meet with Kim sometime in the coming weeks, tweeted Tuesday that he plans to catch up with Xi. Relationships and trust are building with North Korea, he said. I will be speaking to my friend, President Xi of China, this morning at 8:30. The primary topics will be Trade, where good things will happen, and North Korea, where relationships and trust are building. Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) May 8, 2018 Love HuffPost? Become a founding member of HuffPost Plus today. This article originally appeared on HuffPost. Beirut (AFP) - A secular coalition that ran in Lebanon's parliamentary elections said on Tuesday it will legally challenge the defeat of one of its candidates, slamming the vote count as untransparent. Kulluna Watani, an alliance of civil society activists, had projected it would win at least two seats in the landmark May 6 vote -- an achievement in a country with a deeply entrenched political class. But just one candidate, high-profile reporter Paula Yacoubian, scored a spot in the 128-member parliament. A second, writer and feminist activist Joumana Haddad, was expected to win according to several preliminary party counts, and had been tearfully celebrating with supporters on Sunday night. But as official results came in on Monday, it appeared Kulluna Watani had not scored enough votes to secure a second seat for Haddad. "The day after the election, we learned that her competitor got the seat," said Wadih al-Asmar, a campaign organiser for Kulluna Watani. It sparked an upheaval, with Haddad's devastated supporters gathering outside the interior ministry to demand a recount. "The vote count was poorly managed. We have noted several elements that suggest possible fraud, which we will submit to the Constitutional Council," Asmar told AFP. He blamed a "total lack of transparency," and said rival parties had been trying to intimidate Kulluna Watani's candidates and delegates at polling stations across the country. Delegates from all lists are present inside the polling stations to monitor the process. But Kulluna Watani's delegates were kicked out of 15 percent of the voting centres in the Beirut district where Haddad ran, said Asmar. Another one of its female candidates, Rima Hmayyed, was assaulted outside a polling station in southern Lebanon on Sunday by supporters of Shiite powerhouse duo Hezbollah and Amal. Lebanon's leading parties have largely maintained their grip on parliament in Sunday's vote, which was the first in nine years. Story continues The 2009-era parliament extended its mandate three times but finally set a date for elections last year after agreeing on a new, more proportional electoral law. Kulluna Watani ran a nationwide campaign with 66 candidates to challenge what it called the corrupt status quo. The Lebanese Association for Democratic Elections, an internal watchdog that monitored the vote, noted multiple concerns with the counting process. They included ballot boxes being left unattended outside and arriving hours late to counting centres, and individual ballots not being properly sealed. Despite Rudy Giulianis recent dramatic pronouncements about international affairs, Donald Trumps new attorney does not represent the U.S. when it comes to policy or speak for the president on world issues, the State Department emphasized Monday. He speaks for himself and not on behalf of the administration on foreign policy, State Department spokeswoman Heather Nauert told The Associated Press. Giuliani boasted on Fox & Friends last Thursday that we have North Korean leader Kim Jong Un impressed enough to be releasing three prisoners today. As of Monday evening, there had been no announcement by the White House concerning any such release, nor had the prisoners been freed. Giuliani backtracked Saturday, telling reporters he had no idea what the prisoners status was, adding, Im reading the newspapers like you are. He said, The less said about it right now, the better. He also said on Saturday that he and Trump were committed to regime change in Iran, Politico reported. Its the only way to peace in the Middle East and more important than an Israeli-Palestinian deal, Giuliani told reporters after a speech in Washington hosted by the Organization of Iranian-American Communities. Trump is considering withdrawing from the Iranian nuclear pact but has not publicly called for the overthrow of the Iranian government. Rudy Giuliani advocates regime change in Iran: "I think it's the only way to peace in the Middle East. It's more important than an Israeli-Palestinian deal" https://t.co/9CvDlr7Wut https://t.co/C0fm0ufEXe CNN (@CNN) May 5, 2018 Giuliani has been straying so far into State Department territory that a reporter asked White House press secretary Sarah Sanders last week if he had been tasked with a wider role to talk about things like foreign policy, as he did. She replied, Not that Im aware of. Story continues Rep. John Garamendi, D-Calif., a member of the House Armed Services Committee, called Giuliani a loose cannon rolling around the Oval Office with another loose cannon, namely the president. Giuliani really needs to stay out of the North Korea issue. Its very sensitive, Garamendi said on MSNBC on Sunday. Who knows what might happen from some comment from Giuliani? Also on HuffPost Love HuffPost? Become a founding member of HuffPost Plus today. This article originally appeared on HuffPost. Antananarivo (AFP) - Madagascar's electoral commission on Tuesday proposed bringing forward general elections in a bid to defuse a political crisis which has gripped the country since April. The elections had been originally scheduled for year's end. "According to... the constitution, it is possible to hold an early election," the chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (CENI), Hery Rakotomanana, told reporters. "If this solution is acceptable to everyone (government and opposition), then CENI proposes August 29, 2018 for the first round of the presidential election," he said. Since April 21, hundreds of opposition supporters have occupied the May 13 Square in the heart of the capital, demanding the resignation of President Hery Rajaonarimampianina. The president, who was elected in 2013, has not stated whether or not he will run for another term. Opposition protests were sparked by the passing of new electoral laws which they said were loaded in Rajaonarimampianina's favour and accused the government of trying to force them out of the race. The country's top court last week tossed out parts of the controversial new electoral legislation. At least two people were killed on the first day of the opposition protests. The electoral commission has called a meeting of all parties in the crisis to discuss its proposal to hold early presidential and legislative elections. In January, the electoral commission said the elections would be held between November 25 and December 25, although it is the government that fixes the precise date. If the parties fail to agree on early polling, the electoral panel said it would propose organising the vote on November 28 or postpone it to May 29, 2019. But the opposition has insisted they can only discuss election dates after the president has stepped down. "It is the resignation of Hery Rajaonarimampianina and his team that we want," said opposition lawmaker Hanitriniaina Razafimanantsoa. "We will talk about elections after," the MP told supporters who have kept a daily protest vigil for nearly three weeks. A three-year-old boy was snatched from his horrified family and eaten by a leopard at a safari park in Uganda. The boy, who has not been named, was with his nanny in an unfenced part of Queen Elizabeth National Park, in Uganda on Friday. The animal grabbed the boy and dragged him into the bush and his remains were found the next day. The ranger at the park, Bashir Hangi, told Agence France Presse that the nanny did not know the child had followed her into an unfenced area. Trending: Far Cry 5 Arcade Noon Live Event Guide: How to Get Red Flag M9 and Other Live Event Awards GettyImages-915710654 YASUYOSHI CHIBA/AFP/Getty Images "She heard the kid scream for help, she intervened but it was too late the leopard had vanished with it in the bush and a search was mounted until we got the skull the next day. "The hunt is on with the intention of capturing the leopard and removing it from the wild because once it has eaten human flesh, the temptations are high to eat another human being, it becomes dangerous, the ranger said. Don't miss: Kim Jong Un, Who Flew to China, Wants to Open the Skies to North Korean Planes It is the East African countrys most popular national park which is situated on the Mweya Peninsula and next to Lake Edward. Leopards are a big attraction for tourists at the park which also has African buffalo, Nile crocodile, chimpanzees and lions. The tragic attack comes only days after a lion attacked a British safari park owner in South Africa. Mike Hodge, 71, had been showing around tourists in Marakele Animal Sanctuary in Thabazimbi when video footage shows how he was set upon by the lion and dragged into some bushes. Luckily, he escaped with only a few scratches and a broken jaw. The 10-year-old lion, called Shamba, was shot dead. Story continues This article was first written by Newsweek More from Newsweek Moscow (AFP) - Dmitry Medvedev, who has held onto the post of Russian prime minister, served a single term as president before standing aside to allow Vladimir Putin's return to the Kremlin in 2012, becoming a premier with diminishing powers and authority. While president, Medvedev attempted to launch a campaign of modernisation to pull the country out of its post-Soviet stagnation but never escaped the shadow of his dominant mentor. Putin opted for continuity in choosing a prime minister for his fourth Kremlin term, after the Russian press had recently reported Medvedev could be on his way out. "Dmitry Medvedev has held on," Vedomosti business daily headlined its front page after Putin proposed his candidacy to parliament, while RBK daily called him a "premier for stability." Medvedev was absent during Putin's low-key presidential campaign but remains resolutely loyal to his mentor. First named prime minister by Putin after the strongman's return to the Kremlin in a notorious 2012 job swap, Medvedev has played a relatively marginal role in the post in recent years. In 2017, opposition politician and anti-corruption blogger Alexei Navalny accused Medvedev of controlling a luxury property empire in a YouTube video that has been viewed more than 27 million times, leading to large-scale opposition protests. Officially, this year he declared an income of just 8.56 million rubles ($135,000). Navalny slammed Medvedev's return as premier, warning his supporters on Twitter: "Almost everything will depend on him, from transport costs to your salary." 'Freedom cannot be put off' Medvedev was born on September 14, 1965 in Putin's home town of Leningrad to a family of teachers, training as a lawyer and then working in the city hall for five years under Putin from 1990-1995. He owes his entire political career to the former KGB agent. Putin took his protege to Moscow after being appointed prime minister in 1999 and Medvedev rapidly rose to be chairman of gas giant Gazprom. He also served as chief of staff at the Kremlin and as first deputy prime minister. Story continues Anointed successor as Putin was not allowed to stand for two consecutive terms, Medvedev in 2008 won a presidential election on the back of Putin's support and his first act on taking office was to appoint the Russian strongman as prime minister. He said Russia's economy had reached a "dead end" and required urgent reform if the country was going to move forward. In one speech, he even seemed to compare himself to reforming Tsar Alexander II who in 1861 ordered the historic emancipation of the serfs and would ultimately be assassinated. "We are trying to change our economy and change our political system. In essence we are continuing a political course that was set 150 years ago. Freedom cannot be put off for another day," he said. But cynics pointed out that such words counted for little when Russia was still dominated by Putin and Medvedev himself played down the idea there was any radical difference in their visions. His trademark modernisation programme were marked by some of the boldest statements ever by a Kremlin leader but were also mercilessly mocked by commentators and bloggers for being short on actions. While liberals and the West hoped Medvedev would reverse the increase in state control and erosion of civil liberties during Putin's previous rule, he showed little desire for a radical break with Putin's legacy. - Modernisation drive - In contrast to Putin, Medvedev as president sought to promote a welcoming image for the country and championed a "reset" in relations with the United States, although his jarringly tough statements at home appeared to be an attempt not to be outdone by Putin in the tough-talking stakes. He sent Russian troops into Georgian territory in the 2008 war with Tbilisi, a decision that temporarily wrecked relations with the West but one the president insisted he took on his own. Keen to leave behind a legacy in Russia, Medvedev ordered the building of a technology hub for his modernisation drive in the town of Skolkovo outside Moscow. Often seen proudly clutching his iPad -- a souvenir from a visit to Silicon Valley -- he has embraced Twitter, Instagram and Facebook, in contrast to the much less tech-savvy Putin. An ambitious man, Medvedev has suggested he would like to return to Russia's top job. "Never say never," he told AFP in an interview in 2012. Glamorous and elegant, Meghan Markle is set to freshen up the British royal family dress code, while tailoring her outfits to suit her new role. As she prepares to wed Prince Harry on May 19, the US former television actress is unlikely to be seen again in ripped jeans, hotpants or a plunging neckline. As a sign of her new responsibilities, the 36-year-old has already closed her Instagram account, where she often posed in the sexy or dishevelled outfits befitting a TV celebrity -- but not necessarily a royal spouse. In tying the knot with Queen Elizabeth II's grandson, she is also marrying into an institution where age-old traditions govern virtually all aspects of the royals' lives -- including the clothes they wear. "Royal dress codes are very traditional, especially when the family member is carrying out royal duties," said Grant Harrold, a former butler in the House of Windsor. The etiquette expert, who used to work for heir to the throne Prince Charles and his sons Princes William and Harry, said Markle could follow the example set by William's wife, the former Kate Middleton. "As we have seen with the Duchess of Cambridge, hats are part of the royal dress code and it is likely that we will see Meghan Markle wearing hats more often," he told AFP. And the royal newcomer will also have to get used to wearing neutral-coloured tights, ditch any eccentric nail varnish and watch the hemlines. "The outfits are more of a personal decision, but dresses should always be the correct length of on or below the knee, and never above," said Harrold. The makeover is already under way. At Harry's side at public events since their engagement was announced in November, her style has been one of refined elegance: long dresses, turtlenecks, classic coats and unflashy colours. There have been some exceptions: black jeans here, bare legs there, but hardly enough to trigger a palace revolution. After all, Markle has not yet married into "the firm" -- as royals call the family in private -- and will still be learning the ropes as she goes along. Story continues - Passion for fashion - A keen fashionista, Markle has long cultivated a casual Californian look that is a nod to her Los Angeles upbringing: comfortable in shorts and flip-flops. But after landing a starring role in 2011 in the US legal drama "Suits", where she played a senior paralegal, her look became symbolic of business chic. "The fashion on 'Suits' is gorgeous, so it also became my education of designers and really knowing what fits my body well," Markle told outnet.com. "On a normal day, I love a shift dress with flats and a little cropped jacket. "I would probably wear jeans, a nice top and a blazer." She cites Emmanuelle Alt, the editor-in-chief of Vogue Paris magazine, and US actress Gwyneth Paltrow as her inspiration -- two influential fashion figures whose outfits are studiously copied by their stylish fans. Markle is "a hint of Grace Kelly, a dose of Alicia Keys, a touch of Amal Clooney and a lot of Kate Middleton," said French magazine Madame Figaro. Christine Ross, who edits the Meghan's Mirror blog, dedicated to Markle and her wardrobe, said the star's style was "modern and on-trend while still maintaining a classic elegance". "Meghan will definitely bring a youthful, vibrant change to the royal family," Ross told AFP. "She is very different from the other royals, being an American with a diverse upbringing, and this will naturally give her a different outlook." Her wedding dress is a closely-guarded secret that will be kept until the day itself -- and it could provide a hint about the sort of styles she might adopt once married into the royal family. For several weeks, London has been bristling with rumours about who will design the dress, with names like Burberry, Ralph and Russo, Victoria Beckham, Roland Mouret, Erdem and Alexander McQueen swirling around. On May 19 at Windsor Castle, the world will have its answer. First lady Melania Trump unveiled her Be Best campaign on Monday to encourage positive social, emotional and physical habits in children. According to the Be Best website, one key facet of the initiative is to help children avoid negative social media interaction. They must choose their words wisely and speak with respect and compassion, the site noted. That message was in line with the first ladys previous comments about wanting to combat bullying online. But it also left some wondering if Be Best should apply to President Donald Trump, who often uses Twitter to belittle critics and rivals: Social media is too often used in negative ways and that it is important for children to learn positive online behaviors at a young age. - Melania Trump When will your husband learn his positive online behavior? - America Jen (@ITMFA_NOW) May 7, 2018 Melainas new campaign to help kids not bully each other online called Be Best is going to be awesome with the help of some top advisors like Pocahontas, Nasty Woman, Pig, Lil Corker, Sloppy Steve, Slime Ball Comey, Crazy Maxine Waters, and Sleepy Eyes. Tony Posnanski (@tonyposnanski) May 7, 2018 I join First Lady @MelaniaTrump in opposing bullying in all forms and think "Be Best" is a great idea for a campaign. Perhaps it can launch with this video at https://t.co/HVXX6bAy0Z? pic.twitter.com/8Ds5GKWYVo Karl Frisch (@KarlFrisch) May 7, 2018 I dont want my children to be best, I want them to be good. Scott Derrickson (@scottderrickson) May 7, 2018 Dear @FLOTUS @MELANIATRUMP, I'm still waiting on your response to the bullying perpetrated by your husband @realDonaldTrump and his supporters. That would be a way to really help our children #BeBesthttps://t.co/J3oDfmMvNv John Pavlovitz (@johnpavlovitz) May 7, 2018 Here's Melania practicing for her anti-bullying campaign #BeBest by demanding to know why Obama won't show "the American people" his birth certificate. Or something. https://t.co/XTdTNkOJMT Steve Silberman (@stevesilberman) May 7, 2018 "Be Best." Maybe look over your shoulder, Melania. Via Tom Adelsbach. pic.twitter.com/j6Mzo69ag7 Steve Marmel (@Marmel) May 8, 2018 With all due respect, Melania might want to clean up her own house & bullying husband before she talks to the nation abt social & emotional health #BeBest Rabbi Jill Zimmerman (@RabbiJill) May 7, 2018 Hypocrisy = gloating about the resignation of Eric Schneiderman while continuing to support Donald Trump. Irony = Melania Trump's anti-cyber bullying #BeBest campaign. WhileYouWereOut (@PivotAndDodge) May 8, 2018 The hypocrisy of Melanias #BeBest campaign is beyond parody. @Flotus needs to begin her efforts with Don & her family. 459 People, Places and Things Donald Trump Has Insulted on Twitter: A Complete Listhttps://t.co/eyyntS0QSX pic.twitter.com/CXcA3ACLC1 Psychonaut (@WakingLifeDream) May 7, 2018 As First Lady, Melania Trump has proven to be First Enabler of the president's lies, racism, sexism, and bullying. Her silence about Trump doesn't just signal consent, it reveals complicity. It also sends a dangerous message to our children.#resist #trump #MelaniaTrump #BeBest Dr. DaShanne Stokes (@DaShanneStokes) May 7, 2018 Related... Story continues Victims Of Bullying Don't Need To Change, Bullies Do When Your Child Is the Bully Let's End Bullying Also on HuffPost Love HuffPost? Become a founding member of HuffPost Plus today. This article originally appeared on HuffPost. First Lady Melania Trumps popularity has soared to its highest ever mark in a CNN poll, as her husband President Donald Trumps alleged extramarital affairs continue to unravel and make headlines. Related: Melania and Ivanka Trump's Popularity Has Gone in Different Directions Since Entering White House, Poll Finds Among Americans asked for their opinion from May 2 to 5, 57 percent said they had a favorable opinion of the first lady, while only 27 percent said they had an unfavorable opinion, according to a poll for CNN released Monday and conducted by the research company SSRS. Trending: WWE Monday Night RAW Live Results: Backlash 2018 Fallout The figure represents a 10 percent jump in her favorability rating since the poll was last conducted in mid-January, and the highest favorability rating she has received in a dozen times the question has been asked since February 2016. It is also greater than any favorability score her husband has received since CNN began polling around him in 1999. Don't miss: The Voice 2018 Top 10 Performances & Elimination Predictions: Who Will Be Saved Tomorrow Night? Melania Trump's soaring popularity has come over three months in which her husband's alleged infidelities have made headlines. As well as claims of a relationship with former Playboy model Karen McDougal, the fallout from the president's alleged affair with adult film star Stormy Daniels, whose legal name is Stephanie Clifford, has only accelerated in recent weeks. The Daniels scandal has been the center of national attention since the FBI raided the offices and home of the presidents personal lawyer Michael Cohen, for a criminal investigation on business deals including a payment to keep Daniels hush. The presidents newest lawyer Rudy Giuliani last week made several controversial statements, including that the payment to Daniels was made to resolve a personal and false allegation in order to protect the presidents family. Giuliani also broke with the president's previous comments by stating that Trump was aware of the payment. Story continues Melania Trump has remained silent as the developments mount. Most popular: Mexico Is Actually Clamping Down on Immigration Near Border With Central America, Despite Trump's Claims 05_07_18_MelaniaPoll Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images The first lady enjoyed a noteworthy 15 percentage point increase in her favorability rating among Democrats since Januaryup to 38 percent favorable versus 40 percent unfavorableand a 6 percentage point jump among Republicans. She also gained the support of more women, with a 13 percentage point increase in her favorability rating since January, compared to a 7 percentage point increase among men. Most women in the poll, 54 percent, have a favorable opinion of the former model, while only 30 percent have an unfavorable view. The poll involved a random sample of 1,015 respondents and had a margin of error of plus or minus 3.6 percentage points. This article was first written by Newsweek More from Newsweek Rome (AFP) - Survivors of a November sea rescue operation by the Libyan coastguard have filed a lawsuit against Italy with the European Court of Human Rights, saying Rome was ultimately responsible for Libyan "violent and reckless" actions. Announced by human rights groups at a press conference on Tuesday, the case was brought by 17 Nigerians who accuse Italy of violating their human rights through what they call the "subcontracting" of migrant rescue operations to Libya. Both countries struck a controversial deal in February 2017 aimed at stemming the flow of people trying to cross the Mediterranean in the hope of arriving in Europe. Lawyers prosecuting the case say they want the court to order Italy to pay "moral reparations" and end the agreement, which it says violates international law, as was ruled in 2012 for a similar deal struck between former Italian prime minister Silvio Berlusconi and dictator Moamer Kadhafi in 2008. The agreement has been hailed as a success in Italy thanks to an over 80 percent drop in arrivals so far in 2018 compared to the same period of last year, according to Interior Ministry figures. However the lawsuit argues that Italy was responsible both for the actions of the Libyan rescuers due to their fundamental help with logistics, and liable for the subsequent abuses in Libyan detention centres, which are well-documented. Libya only has the capability to intercept migrant ships thanks to EU funding and support from both the Italian coast guard in Rome and an Italian Navy ship located off the coast of Tripoli. The lawsuit was filed on Thursday and originates from a search-and-rescue operation on November 6 involving NGO Sea Watch which saw the German charity tussle with a Libyan coast guard vessel for the migrants. Sea Watch estimates "at least" 20 people died and claims the Libyan coastguard "beat and threatened" survivors as they pulled them out of the sea and off a stricken dinghy, while some dived back into the sea in an effort to reach the Sea Watch boat. Story continues Five bodies were recovered during the operation, which saw 59 people rescued and taken to Italy by Sea Watch and 47 returned to Libya. Once the sea had been cleared of survivors the Libyans sped off with one person hanging off the side, prompting an Italian navy helicopter to move in to tell the Libyans to slow their vessel down. The rights groups, including Sea Watch, told reporters that fifteen of the claimants were in Italy while the other two were back in Nigeria after spending time in a Libyan Department of Combatting Illegal Migration (DCIM) facility. The two were given a choice between going home or staying in a DCIM centre, places which United Nations human rights chief Zeid Raad al Hussein called "an outrage to humanity" after UN monitors visited the country in November. The UN slammed conditions in the facilities, where they saw "emaciated and traumatised men, women and children piled on top of one another" and gathered eye-witness reports of people being beaten or jabbed with cattle prods if they ask for food or medicine. If You Enjoy My Articles, Please Consider Supporting My Writing By Giving A Donation Of Any Amount. Thank you! Seven more journalists resigned from Cambodia's embattled Phnom Penh Post on Tuesday as foreign staff revolt against new ownership accused of crushing the newspaper's independence. Concern over the fate of the English-language daily has been mounting since it was sold on Saturday to a Malaysian investor whose PR firm once worked for Cambodia's authoritarian Prime Minister Hun Sen. Hun Sen's government has taken a hammer to the fragile democracy's once-vibrant media scene over the past year, leaving the Post as one of few remaining watchdogs in the graft-riddled country. The paper's main rival, the Cambodia Daily, and dozens of radio stations were shuttered last year as part of a wider crackdown on critics ahead of 2018 polls that Hun Sen is determined to win. Now many fear the Post's independence will be compromised under a new owner, Sivakumar Ganapathy, who is the CEO of a public relations firm that lists Hun Sen as a former client. On Monday the paper's Cambodian editor-in-chief and at least four other staff were fired or quit after they were ordered to take down an article detailing the new proprietor's business history with Cambodia's government. Seven more foreign staff handed in their resignations on Tuesday, gutting the news desk of a small but feisty paper founded in 1992. "We got to a point with our new editor-in-chief, to me at least, where it seemed like there was an irreconcilable difference when it came to editorial independence," said Erin Handley, one of the reporters to resign on Tuesday. The Post could not immediately be reached for comment. On Sunday Ganapathy released an irate statement listing his objections with the article his representative had demanded reporters remove. He said it was "untrue" to describe his company, Asia PR, as linked to the Cambodian government. This "cannot be concluded based on what happened between the firm and the client more than 25 years ago," the statement said. Story continues Asia PR's website lists "Cambodia and Hun Sen's entry into the government seat" as one of its former projects. The firm has declined repeated requests for comment, while a Cambodian government spokesman said he was unaware of the sale. "The Phnom Penh Post is a now a sinking ship," said Human Rights Watch's deputy Asia director Phil Robertson. "The only one rubbing his hands in glee at this scenario is Prime Minister Hun Sen who obviously hoped for this kind of outcome," he added. Cambodia plunged 10 places in this year's media freedom ranking by Reporters Without Borders. The rapid deterioration of the media scene has compounded concerns over the country's lurch into authoritarianism. The main opposition party -- Hun Sen's only real rival -- was dissolved in a court ruling last year, in a move that rights groups condemned as a death knell for the country's democracy. BEIJING (AP) -- North Korean leader Kim Jong Un met with Chinese President Xi Jinping in a northern Chinese port city and pledged his continuing commitment to denuclearization ahead of his expected summit with U.S. President Donald Trump, state media said Tuesday. The meeting Monday and Tuesday in Dalian is the second between Xi and Kim in recent weeks, following Kim's March visit to Beijing his first since taking power six years ago. In comments carried Tuesday night by Chinese state media, neither leader was quoted as directly referring to either the planned Trump meeting or Kim's summit with South Korean President Moon Jae-in late last month. However, state broadcaster CCTV quoted Xi as saying China "supports North Korea to stick to denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula and supports North Korea and the U.S. in solving the peninsula issue through dialogue and consultation." Trump tweeted Tuesday that he planned to speak with Xi later in the day to discuss trade and North Korea, where he said "relationships and trust are building." Kim was quoted as telling Xi that North Korea remains committed to denuclearization and has no need to possess nuclear weapons if a "relevant party" drops its "hostile policy and security threats" against it, a clear reference to the United States. "I hope to build mutual trust with the U.S. through dialogue," Kim was quoted as saying. A political resolution of tensions on the peninsula and denuclearization should proceed in stages, with all sides moving in concert, he said. The Trump administration has demanded that North Korea immediately commit to denuclearization. The Kim-Xi meeting was the top news story in North Korea, with its most famous television announcer, Ri Chun Hui, again called out of her semi-retirement to report the event, underscoring its importance. Ri, wearing a traditional Korean-style dress, often smiled as she reported the news. The report, which lasted about 20 minutes, did not show any photos or video of the visit. Story continues Kim was accompanied by his younger sister, who has taken on an increasingly public role as the North Korean leader has tried to present a "softer" face to the outside world. North Korea's official Korean Central News Agency said there was a "deep exchange of opinions" between Kim and Xi on the changes around the Korean Peninsula that are "drawing the world's eyes and ears." Kim offered his views on how North Korea and China would "firmly grasp the strategic opportunity," it said. Though rumors are likely widespread, North Korea's media still have not explicitly confirmed the expected summit with Trump. The recent South Korean summit and the potential U.S. talks have received more attention internationally, but China's role as an economic lifeline for North Korea makes the talks between Xi and Kim all the more crucial. Kim needs to make sure that whatever negotiations he has with Trump align to some degree with Beijing's positions, which could certainly complicate his task ahead. China's official Xinhua News Agency said Xi hosted a welcome banquet for Kim on Monday and the two leaders strolled along the coastline at a government guesthouse and had lunch together on Tuesday. "At a crucial time when the regional situation is developing rapidly, Kim said he came to China again to meet with (Xi) and inform him of the situation," Xinhua said. CCTV showed Xi wearing a western business suit and Kim in his standard high-collared Mao suit. They stood on a beach, sat under an awning on an outdoor deck, strolled through lush gardens and sat at a conference table. "In a cordial and friendly atmosphere, the top leaders of the two parties and the two countries had an all-round and in-depth exchange of views on China-DPRK relations and major issues of common concern," Xinhua said, using the initials for North Korea's official name, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea. China is North Korea's only major ally, although trade has plummeted in recent months as Beijing enforces United Nations economic sanctions in response to the North's nuclear bomb and ballistic missile tests. China has also been eager to assert its importance in the process of lowering tensions on the Korean Peninsula. It has called for a halt to weapons tests and large-scale military exercises and a return to six-nation denuclearization talks it previously hosted in Beijing. It was not known how long the Xi-Kim meeting had been planned or why Dalian was chosen. Hong Kong's South China Morning Post newspaper cited two unidentified sources as saying that Xi had flown to Dalian on the coast east of Beijing to preside over the official launch of sea trials for China's first entirely self-built aircraft carrier. Chinese internet users posting on social media described heavy security in the city and extensive flight delays on Monday. Others said they spotted a set of Red Flag limousines used by state leaders. As with Kim's March visit to Beijing, his presence in Dalian was not officially confirmed until he had left China. Reports said his jet flew out of Dalian airport on Tuesday afternoon. ___ Associated Press writers Eric Talmadge in Pyongyang, North Korea, and Hyung-jin Kim in Seoul, South Korea, contributed to this report. By Anthony Esposito and David Lawder WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Senior Canadian, U.S. and Mexican officials trying to rescue slow-moving talks to update the NAFTA trade pact met on Monday in a new bid to resolve key issues before regional elections complicate the process. With time fast running out to strike some kind of deal on the North American Free Trade Agreement, the three member nations are still far apart on major points. Discussions in Washington will center on one particularly contentious area -- the U.S. demand for tougher rules of origin governing what percentage of a car needs to be built in the NAFTA region to avoid tariffs. Other challenges include the future of the pact's dispute-resolution mechanism and a U.S. proposal for a sunset clause that could automatically kill the deal after five years. "We will be working all week on this," Mexican Economy Minister Ildefonso Guajardo told reporters after talks with U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer. Asked how long he would be staying in Washington, he replied: "We will be here for as long as necessary". Sources close to the talks suggest there is a creeping feeling of pessimism going into the new round of negotiations because of gridlock on critical matters. Guajardo earlier told El Heraldo newspaper that if a deal could not be reached, "we would be operating what some analysts have called 'Zombie NAFTA' ... (one) that isn't dead and isn't modernized". Business executives complain that uncertainty over the future of the 1994 agreement is hurting investment. Lighthizer said last week that if the talks took too long, approval by the Republican-controlled U.S. Congress may be on "thin ice." The aim is to complete a vote during the "lame-duck" period before a new Congress is seated after November's congressional elections. Mexico holds its presidential election on July 1 and the front-runner, leftist Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, says he wants a hand in redrafting NAFTA if he wins. Lighthizer has raised the idea of a quick agreement in principle to cover the general outlines of a text, leaving officials to work out the exact details later. Guajardo though said he wanted "to make the best possible effort to try to land a complete deal", adding it made no sense to go for "a partial result". At the heart of the NAFTA revamp is U.S. President Donald Trump's desire to retool rules for the automotive sector in order to try to bring jobs and investment back north from lower-cost Mexico. Mexico's main auto sector lobby has described the latest U.S. demands, which include raising the North American content to 75 percent from the current 62.5 percent over a period of four years for light vehicles, as "not acceptable." BUREAUCRATIC NIGHTMARE The U.S. proposal also would require that 40 percent of the value of light-duty passenger vehicles and 45 percent for pickup trucks be built in areas with wages of $16 per hour or higher. That could be a challenge for Mexico, where the Ann Arbor, Michigan-based Center for Automotive Research has estimated auto assembly workers on average earn under $6 an hour, and workers at auto parts plants on average earn less than $3 an hour. Critics also say it would create a bureaucratic nightmare of paperwork. Talks to renegotiate NAFTA started last August to fulfill a campaign pledge by Trump to bring manufacturing jobs back to the United States. Nine months later, the most troublesome issues remain open. "What the U.S. government seeks is not to modernize the old NAFTA but rather to get an agreement that would destroy trade and investment among the three North American partners," former Mexican president Ernesto Zedillo wrote in the Washington Post. Trump has frequently said he would pull out of NAFTA if a better deal was not possible. It is unclear where the United States might give ground to win a quick deal. The Trump administration has embraced confrontational policies in its dealings on trade. (Additional reporting by Ana Isabel Martinez, Frank Jack Daniel, Veronica Gomez and Sharay Angulo in Mexico City and David Ljunggren in Ottawa; Writing by David Ljunggren and Anthony Esposito; Editing by Paul Simao and Sandra Maler) Nate Diaz gestures across the Octagon in his corner toward Conor McGregor of Ireland in their welterweight bout during the UFC 202 event at T-Mobile Arena on August 20, 2016 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Getty Images) After nearly two years away from the Octagon, Nate Diaz appears to be headed back to the UFC. But its not for a trilogy fight with Conor McGregor. Instead, hell likely face a familiar family foe in Georges St-Pierre. UFC president Dana White made the announcement on the UFC Unfiltered podcast that the promotion was hard at work looking to lock in St-Pierre vs. Diaz for UFC 227 on Aug. 4 in Los Angeles. Diaz has been out of action since dropping a narrow decision to Conor McGregor at UFC 202, which had the biggest buy rate in UFC history at 1.65 million. The McGregor victory evened up the series at one fight each. Many expected that Diaz would only return for a third fight with McGregor and White suggested that Diaz had turned down multiple opponents over the past year. However, the name GSP is certainly one that would bring the Stockton, California, fighter back to action. St-Pierre and Nates older brother Nick engaged in a heated war of words prior to their fight at UFC 158 back in 2013. St-Pierre won a unanimous decision but tension remained between the two sides. St-Pierre ended a four year hiatus by beating Michael Bisping at UFC 217 last November to become the UFC middleweight champion. Instead of defending the title, the French-Canadian decided to vacate the title due to complications from colitis. He hasnt fought since. A GSP fight would be a great consolation prize for Diaz, who is likely still aiming for a third fight with McGregor down the road. With McGregors future up in the air, however, theres no timetable on when that fight could happen. Instead, Diaz would return to the welterweight division where he could look to avenge his brothers loss to a fighter that many regard as the greatest mixed martial artist of all-time. If the GSP-Diaz fight gets made, it would add to what appears to be a very loaded UFC 227 card that is aiming to also feature a rematch between UFC bantamweight champion T.J. Dillashaw and Cody Garbrandt as well as a showdown between Luke Rockhold and Alexander Gustafsson. Story continues In my perfect world, if everything goes perfect, which nothing goes [expletive] perfect in this world: Dillashaw versus Garbrandt, GSP versus Diaz would be the co-main, Gustafsson versus Rockhold and Derek Brunson versus Antonio Carlos Junior, White said. Neither side has committed yet, but White is doing everything he can to get the fight made and bring two of the biggest attractions back into the Octagon. Weve been offering Nate Diaz fights for however long, White said. In his contract, and Nick Diaz, I have to give them three fights a year. Per the contract, I need to give them three fights a year. If I fail to give them three fights a year then I have to pay them. I have honored my contract with those guys. They turn down the fights, and it extends their contracts. But we are working right now to try to put together a Georges St-Pierre versus Nate Diaz fight. More from Yahoo Sports: Tom Brady turns heads at Met Gala with unorthodox tuxedo Terez Paylor: The ripple effects of Matt Ryans $150M deal Ex-Duke stars mom: NCAA model is like slavery Report: NASCAR owners exploring selling whole sport A post shared by segevmoshe (@segevmoshe)on May 2, 2018 at 1:04pm PDT An Israeli celebrity chef is accused of stepping out of line after serving Japans Prime Minister Shinzo Abe dessert out of a metal shoe during a formal dinner with Israels Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu last week. Abe and his wife, Akie Abe, were guests of Netanyahu and his wife, Sara Netanyahu, at their residence when chef Moshe Segev served chocolates in faux footwear. Many saw the shoes use as serving dishes, though perhaps avant-garde, as being in extremely poor taste, since its apopular Japanese custom to remove shoesbefore entering homes, temples and certain restaurants for sanitary reasons. A post shared by segevmoshe (@segevmoshe)on May 6, 2018 at 10:57pm PDT Theres no culture in the world in which you put shoes on the table, Israels daily newspaper Yediot Aharonot quoted an unidentified Japanese diplomat as saying, according to a translationby The Washington Post.What was the distinguished chef thinking? If it was humor, we dont think it is funny; we were offended on behalf of our prime minister. Yediot Aharonot also quoted an unidentified senior Israeli official as calling the objects choice insensitive. There is nothing lowlier than a shoe in Japanese culture. Not only do they not wear shoes at home, you also wont find shoes in their offices. This is disrespect of the first order, the paper said. Segev showcased his work on Instagram, and some commenters branded his use of the ersatz brogues disgusting uneducated and ignorant. He chose the shoes from British interior design company Tom Dixon Studio, which describes them on its website as cast aluminum and suggests employing them as doorstops. A post shared by Tom Dixon Studio (@tomdixonstudio)on Mar 5, 2016 at 11:30pm PST A spokesperson for Segev defended the dessert in question in an emailed statement to HuffPost on Wednesday. The dessert was served inside a sculpture by international artist Tom Dixon, whose works are displayed in major museums around the world and for the first time was displayed in Israel at a meal, the statement said. The two prime ministers and their wives were very enthusiastic about the meal and the dessert in particular, applauded and cheered the chef. The Japanese prime minister even went so far as to invite the chef to cook in Japan. Story continues Segev is known to give an artistic flair to his culinary work. A year ago, he created edible chesspiecesas part of the dessert for the Netanyahus, President Donald Trump and Melania Trump during a formal dinner. Those pieces were served on plates that featured the two leaders silhouettes. Whether Segev knew about the taboo involving shoes at a dinner table is not known. His restaurant did not immediately respond to a request for comment on Tuesday. Other photos posted to his Instagram page in March raise questions about his understanding ofcultural appropriation,with himandhis wife shownpartying in a Native Americanstyle costumes, with him in a feathered headdress. More information on cultural appropriation andwhy similar headdresses in todays fashion havecreated controversycanbe found here. This story has been updated with a comment from a Segev spokesperson. Related Content The Difference Between Cultural Appropriation And Appreciation Is Tricky. Here's A Primer. Roseanne Barr Dreams Of Being Prime Minister Of Israel This article originally appeared on HuffPost. Jerusalem (AFP) - Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu expressed strong support for US President Donald Trump's "bold" decision Tuesday to withdraw from the Iran nuclear deal, which the Israeli leader has repeatedly criticised. Israel's army meanwhile asked authorities in the occupied Golan Heights to open and prepare missile shelters due to "irregular activity by Iranian forces" over the demarcation line in Syria. "Israel fully supports President Trump's bold decision today to reject the disastrous nuclear deal with the terrorist regime in Tehran," Netanyahu said in a televised address, referring to the multinational accord with his country's main enemy. Netanyahu, speaking shortly after Trump's announcement, said leaving the current deal in place was "a recipe for disaster, a disaster for our region, a disaster for the peace of the world". "This is why Israel thinks that President Trump did an historic move." Netanyahu on April 30 unveiled tens of thousands of intelligence documents in another televised address that he said showed Iran's secret nuclear weapons ambitions. Trump referred to the intelligence trove in his speech announcing the withdrawal. Proponents of the nuclear deal argued the trove of documents Israel says it obtained from Tehran shed little new light on Iran's nuclear programme and, in fact, made the case for why the accord is important. Netanyahu argues the documents show the deal was built on a lie -- Iran denied having pursued nuclear weapons -- and demonstrate that Tehran has a secret atomic weapons programme ready to activate at any time. Trump and his allies in the Middle East, particularly Israel, argue the agreement was too weak and needed to be replaced with a more permanent arrangement, supplemented by controls on Iran's missile programme. They also say the lifting of sanctions against Iran under the deal had increased its ability to finance proxy militants and other forms of aggression. Story continues Netanyahu defied then president Barack Obama in 2015 when he appeared before the US Congress to denounce the deal that was still being negotiated. Israel is believed to be the Middle East's sole nuclear-armed power, but it has never acknowledged the capability. - 'Unlock and ready shelters' - Shortly before Trump's announcement, Israel's military issued the notice regarding Iranian forces in Syria. "Following the identification of irregular activity of Iranian forces in Syria, the IDF (Israel Defence Forces) has decided to change the civilian protection instructions in the Golan Heights and instructs local authorities to unlock and ready shelters in the area," the army said in a statement. "Additionally, defence systems have been deployed and IDF troops are on high alert for an attack." Israeli media also reported that military reservists for the air force, intelligence and civil defence had been recalled. The military confirmed only a partial recall of reservists. Israel has pledged not to allow Iran to entrench itself militarily in Syria, where Tehran is backing President Bashar al-Assad's regime. It has been accused of carrying out deadly strikes on bases in Syria out of which Iranian forces operate, raising fears in Israel that Iran could seek to retaliate. Netanyahu is due to hold talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow on Wednesday. Russia is also backing Assad in the Syrian civil war, but has established a hotline with Israel to avoid accidental clashes in the country. Netanyahu and Putin have met and spoken by phone numerous times in recent months. Israel seized 1,200 square kilometres (460 square miles) of the Golan Heights from Syria in the Six-Day War of 1967 and later annexed it in a move never recognised by the international community. The two countries remain technically at war. New York state Attorney General Eric Schneiderman and President Donald Trump. (Photos: Drew Angerer/Getty Images) A shocking political scandal in New York could have major implications for President Trump. New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman abruptly resigned on Monday night just hours after the New Yorker published a bombshell report about his personal life alleging he was violent toward four different women. Schneiderman, who did not respond to a request for comment on this story, issued a statement saying he had merely engaged in sexual role-playing. Schneiderman, who was elected in 2010, had been pursuing Trump on several fronts his personal business, the special counsel investigation into the 2016 election and on behalf of New York state against actions taken by the Trump administration. Trump allies including his son Donald Trump Jr. and counselor Kellyanne Conway celebrated the news of Schneidermans downfall. Gotcha, Conway tweeted. Schneidermans perch in the Empire State gave him jurisdiction over Trumps company. He first took on Donald Trump in August 2013 when he sued Trump for fraud in conjunction with Trump University, a seminar series that the former attorney general called a sham. Trump agreed to pay a $25 million settlement to students of the program who had brought their own lawsuit, claiming they had been misled with false claims that the costly courses would guarantee success in the real estate business. Since Trump took office, Schneiderman has been cooperating with Robert Muellers probe into Russias role in Trumps election. That was a threat to Trump because the president could pardon anyone indicted by Mueller, but has no pardon power over state charges. In Albany, N.Y., Schneiderman had been pushing to change New York law to close a double-jeopardy loophole that might have prevented him from bringing charges in that situation. Along with his work with Mueller, Schneiderman has filed a flurry of lawsuits against the Trump administration. This blitz included suits against each iteration of Trumps travel ban, the repeal of DACA and rollbacks in emissions standards. Schneidermans office filed amicus briefs with the Supreme Court in cases involving the travel ban and LGBT discrimination. Other states also joined many of these suits, but Schneiderman often led the coalitions. Story continues Its not known if Schneiderman has been conducting its own investigations into Trumps affairs. His office has not commented. With Schneiderman stepping down, the solicitor general, Barbara Underwood, becomes acting attorney general. A new attorney general could be chosen by the state Legislature, with both houses meeting in joint session. Democrats, led by Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie, have the majority and would be able to pick Schneidermans replacement. Multiple sources have told Yahoo News that the leading contenders include New York City Public Advocate Letitia James, Lt. Gov. Kathy Hochul, Rep. Hakeem Jeffries, Rep. Kathleen Rice, state Sen. Michael Gianaris and state Sen. Jeffrey Klein. Heastie did not respond to multiple requests for comment. On Tuesday, the political buzz centered on James, who is known to be interested in the office and previously worked as an assistant attorney general. As public advocate, a nebulous position, she is New York Citys second-highest elected official and one of the states most prominent African-American women in office. A source familiar with the workings of the attorney generals office predicted James would be a vocal opponent of Trump if shes tapped for the job. New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman speaks during a press conference at the office of the New York attorney general, Sept. 13, 2016, in New York City. (Photo: Drew Angerer/Getty Images) I think she would be aggressive and political in terms of going after Trump, the source said. But any replacement picked by the Legislature will serve out only the remainder of Schneidermans term, which ends in December, unless that replacement runs for a full four-year term in November. Party primaries are on Sept. 13. A well-connected New York politico said legislators may forego naming a temporary replacement, leaving Underwood in the job and allowing voters to decide who should fill the office. Although there is already political pressure for the Legislature to choose this option, it would deprive legislators of the opportunity to reward a favorite and affect the shape of multiple upcoming races. The source familiar with the workings of the attorney generals office predicted that, if Underwood remains in place, she would continue Schneidermans existing work. If its Barbara Underwood, shes like a lawyers lawyer, the source said, noting she has argued before the Supreme Court. I imagine she would continue all the Supreme Court actions, but I dont know how aggressive shed be in terms of going after new actions, the source said. As for the election, New Yorks statewide races generally lean Democratic, but Republicans are hoping Schneidermans woes could give them an opening. Republican Manny Alicandro, a corporate lawyer, launched a campaign shortly before the news broke. With Schneiderman out of the picture, more high-profile GOP candidates could also enter the fray. A Republican victory would be a major boon to Trump. Alicandro has criticized Schneidermans attacks on the White House as attention-seeking gamesmanship. There are at least two Democratic prospects eyeing that race who arent on the Legislatures shortlist former gubernatorial candidate Zephyr Teachout and ex-U.S. Attorney Preet Bharara. Teachout gained notoriety in the state by mounting a surprisingly successful progressive challenge to Gov. Andrew Cuomo in 2014. In a tweet on Tuesday, Teachout said she is seriously considering running for Attorney General. Bharara was fired by Trump last year and has since emerged as a major critic of the White House on Twitter and in a popular podcast. Both Teachout and Bharara did not respond to requests for comment. If Schneidermans successor takes on Trump, that person may have the advantage of putting in a full day at the office. The report detailing the abuse allegations also claimed Schneiderman drank heavily and used prescription drugs. Although all of the insiders who spoke to Yahoo News said they were stunned by the allegations, multiple sources who worked with Schneiderman said he regularly showed up to work several hours late. We just thought he was lazy, a source said. Abuja (AFP) - President Muhammadu Buhari flew out of Nigeria on Tuesday, a source at the capital's airport said, less than a day after Buhari announced he was heading to Britain for medical reasons. "I will be travelling to the United Kingdom tomorrow, to see my doctor, at his request," Buhari said on Twitter late Monday, a move that stoked fresh doubts about his health less than a year before presidential polls. Buhari spent more than five months in London last year receiving treatment for an undisclosed illness. He gave no details about the reason for the latest trip, but said he planned to be back in the capital Abuja on Saturday. The 75-year-old former army general had stopped over in London to visit his doctor last week after meeting US President Donald Trump in Washington. At the time, his spokesman Garba Shehu said health matters were not the reason for breaking the journey back from the United States. But on Monday, Shehu said in a statement that Buhari did in fact visit his doctor then. "In the course of the technical stop-over for aircraft maintenance in London on his way back from Washington last week, the president had a meeting with his doctor," said Shehu. Buhari's government has been criticised for failing to update the public on his condition and repeatedly insisting the president was "hale and hearty" during the course of his illness. Buhari said on his return to Nigeria from London last year that he "had never been so sick" and had undergone blood transfusions. In seeking re-election in 2018, Buhari is defying calls from political heavyweights to step aside for a younger, more dynamic candidate. In deep Trump country, Democrats are looking for a glimmer of hope, while Republicans brace for splits that foretell doom. Tuesday's primaries in Indiana, North Carolina, Ohio and West Virginia could indicate whether Democrats will be able to deliver on their much-anticipated "blue wave" and wrest control of the House away from Republicans, who are still trying to assess just how much trouble they're in. All four states went to Donald Trump in 2016, so Tuesday's results will measure whether the president's uneven approval ratings and divisive politics have created enough fracture within the GOP to make room for Democrats who want to flip the House. Democrats, however, have their own fracture to worry about: Across the country, first-time progressive candidates are feeling thwarted by a Democratic establishment that thinks the key to winning may be keeping it safe this cycle. And in some districts, the party's progressive wing is divided between which candidate will most excite a base whose waning enthusiasm led to 2016's historic upset. Trending: How Quickly Can Iran Get a Nuclear Weapon When Trump Kills the Iran Nuclear Deal? Americans will watch as these dynamics play out in a slate of key races across all four states on Tuesday: don-blankenship Spencer Platt/Getty Images West Virginia Senate Race On the eve of the West Virginia primaries, the GOP is in a panic over Republican candidate Don Blankenship's formidable polling numbers. Establishment Republicans think Blankenshipa coal baron who just finished serving jail time for his involvement in a mine explosion that killed 29 mencould blow the party's chance of taking a Senate seat away from incumbent Joe Manchin, one of the country's most vulnerable Democratic senators. Blankenship has built his campaign on lambasting "Cocaine Mitch" McConnell, who he recently said took tens of millions of dollars from his "China family," referencing McConnell's wife, Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao (who's from Taiwan). Republicans, including Trump, have called for conservative voters in West Virginia to throw their support behind GOP candidates Patrick Morrisey or Evan Jenkins instead. Story continues "To the great people of West Virginia we have, together, a really great chance to keep making a big difference," Trump wrote on Twitter Monday morning. "Problem is, Don Blankenship, currently running for Senate, cant win the General Election in your State... No way!" On the other side of the aisle, some Democrats have the same goal as the Republicans: Take down Manchin. The resistance bloc of the party is pinning its hopes on Paula Jean Swearengin, a first-time female candidate running on progressive platforms like Medicare for all, tuition-free college and labor rights. She's the antithesis to Manchin, who's been dubbed the most conservative Democrat in the Senate for his anti-abortion, proNational Rifle Association and anti-marijuana legalization views, to name a few. To win on Tuesday, Swearengin, the daughter of a coal miner, is hoping she can excite a Democratic base in an area of deep coal country that went to Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders in 2016 by 14 points. If she beats Manchin, it could be a harbinger of doom for other establishment Democrats worried about fending off primary challenges from an incoming class of progressives. Indiana 2nd Congressional District Indiana Democrats are hoping lightning can strike twice in the state's 2nd District, where some are wondering if they can replicate newly elected Pennsylvania Representative Conor Lamb's success. Specifically, many Democrats believe Mel Hall, 64, a self-professed "farm boy" and former minister-turned-business executive, could be exactly the kind of Lambian centrist they need to win back a seat currently held by three-term incumbent Jackie Walorski. To earn the party's nomination, Hall will have to beat five other Democratic primary candidates, including Yatish Joshi, a business executive and philanthropist, and Pat Hackett, a 58-year-old attorney who believes the district's voters need someone further left to represent them on Capitol Hill. Don't miss: Will U.S. Go to War with Iran? Trump Breaks Nuclear Deal and Risks Middle East Conflict "Enough is enough," Hackett said during a March debate, according to The Washington Post. "I will be your voice in Congress and will call this president out. And if we need to censure him or go further, we think he crosses a constitutional line, well, we will act." Hall, however, currently leads in fundraising, having raised over $800,000 as of last month. Trump won the district by 23 points in 2016, and The Cook Political Report currently has the district pegged as "likely Republican." But the district represents another opportunity to shock Republicans by winning a seat once considered unwinnable for Democrats. women's-march-vote Ethan Miller/Getty Image Indiana 9th Congressional District In Indiana's 9th District, the resistance is divided between two first-time candidates: Dan Canon and Liz Watson, both of whom are lawyers leading a field of four Democrats eager to unseat Republican incumbent Trey Hollingsworth. Canon has won support from the Sanders wing of the party, earning an endorsement from Our Revolution Indy, an offshoot of the group inspired by Sanders's presidential campaign. Canon represents an emerging class of progressives who want to push Democrats further left. He advocates abolishing U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and favors a federal jobs guarantee. Watson, meanwhile, boasts the backing of other long-time progressive institutions, like the National Organization of Women, Feminist Majority and Emily's List, as well as more than a dozen local unions. She also has experience working as a policy aide on the Hill, where she helped draw up Sanders's proposal for a $15 minimum wage. No matter the outcome on Tuesday, either candidate will have a difficult time defeating Hollingsworth, especially in a district that went to Trump by roughly 27 points in 2016. But the outcome of the primary could be an indicator of whether progressive, leftist ideas can excite a Democratic base in a deep-red state. North Carolina 9th Congressional District North Carolina's 9th District recently went from "likely Republican" to "leaning Republican," a promising sign for Democrats Christian Cano and Dan McCready, who both want a shot at toppling Robert Pittenger, the Republican incumbent eyeing a fourth term in a district that's been red for the past half-century. McCready, a 34-year-old solar energy businessman, is currently in the lead, having run a campaign in Lamb's image with support from the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC). Like Lamb, McCready has made his veteran status a significant talking point in his bid for office and hopes to cut a path through the center of partisan politics to victory. It seems likely he'll succeed: As of last month, McCready had more than $1 million cash on hand compared with Cano, who reportedly had just $146 at the end of the quarter. Cano and McCready have traded barbs over the course of the primary race. Cano called McCready "privileged" and "elitist," while McCready accused Cano of being divisive. Most popular: Meghan McCain: Orrin Hatch Insensitive for Saying Its Ridiculous Trump Isnt Invited to Funeral Cano has said he doesn't believe McCready is progressive enough to excite a Democratic base whose ambivalence cost the party seats, and the presidency, in 2016. "I consider him a Republican, so I don't consider it running against another Democrat," Cano said at an April forum. North Carolina 13th Congressional District Democrats in the state's 13th District are worried the party may be blowing a prime opportunity to pick up a seat that could tip House control in their favor if they fall along the party line and vote for Kathy Manning on Tuesday. Manning, a former immigration lawyer and philanthropist, was named to the DCCC's Red to Blue program in January as the best challenger to Republican incumbent Ted Budd. Manning's only other primary competitor is Adam Coker, a farmer and truck driver who says he wants to help working-class Americans with policies like Medicare for All. Coker says he's been snubbed by national Democrats, who have told him, "Call me back after you have $250,000 to $350,000." As of last month, Manning had raised more than $1.2 million to Coker's $55,476. Ohio 1st Dongressional District Ohio's 1st District seat is one national Democrats have had their eye on for the past couple months, since the DCCC named Aftab Pureval to its list of Red to Blue candidates in March. Pureval, Hamilton County clerk of courts, is currently the only Democrat in the race and thus the presumptive nominee to face off against 11-term incumbent Steve Chabot, who clinched a significant win in 2016. Pureval hopes to undermine support for Chabot and energize the district's Democratic base by linking Chabot to Trump and engaging women and minority voters. "This is what I promise to all of you: I will stand and side with working families," Pureval said when he announced his candidacy in January. "I will always stand up for people in communities who are marginalized by Donald Trump and Steve Chabotwomen and children, people of color, because in our America no one gets left behind." West Virginia 3rd Congressional District Candidates on both sides of the aisle are clamoring for an open seat in West Virginia's 3rd District that became up for grabs when Republican Representative Evan Jenkins announced he would be seeking election to the U.S. Senate in 2018. The primary field is crowded on both sides, with four Democrats and seven Republicans vying for the seat. The Democratic favorite is state Senator Richard Ojeda, a 47-year-old Army vet who's been a vocal supporter of the teachers' strikes in his state. Politico described him in March as being a "one-man blue wave" challenging the conventional wisdom that Democrats running in deep-red states have to adopt more conservative platforms to win. On the Republican side, Carol Miller, the first woman to serve as the Republican majority whip in the state's House of Delegates, is leading the pack, having raised more than $463,000 for her campaign and earning endorsements from conservative women's groups like Winning for Women and Susan B. Anthony List. West Virginia Republicans also have their eye on Conrad Lucas, a 36-year-old who achieved his own first in 2010 when he became the youngest GOP state party chairman in the country. He lags behind Miller in fundraising, but he has some notable endorsements from state politicians that could give him a boost at the ballot box. North Carolina's 2nd Congressional District Three Democrats are duking it out for the chance at defeating Republican incumbent George Holding. It won't be easy: Holding has raised over $1.4 million for his re-election bid to win a "likely Republican" district, according to The Cook Political Report. But Democrats think Holding could be more vulnerable than he looks, though it could take a comparable amount of money to unseat him. A large number of candidates running is evidence of enthusiasm and gives us the best chance to choose the strongest nominee," Jesse Ferguson, a Democratic strategist and former senior Hillary Clinton campaign spokesperson, told The News & Observer. In some ways, this works like any market. If people didnt think the Republican incumbents were vulnerable, they wouldnt be wanting to run. Former CEO Ken Romley, a first-time candidate, has a slight edge over former state legislator Linda Coleman, having raised more than $570,000 to Coleman's $141,120. Romley, like many other Democrats this cycle, is running on jobs and pledging to be a "jobs-first Democrat." joe-donnelly Alex Wong/Getty Images Indiana Senate Race Indiana's Senate race is shaping up to be one of the country's costliest as Republicans take a shot at Joe Donnelly, another extremely conservative and rather vulnerable Senate Democrat in Manchin's mold. So far, the GOP has lobbed over $9 million at the race, which has turned into a bloody battle among Republican candidates intent on hurling Trumpian insults at each other. They include "Lyin' Todd," for former House Representative Todd Rokita; "Missing Messer," for Luke Messer, another former U.S. representative; and "Tax Hike Mike," for former state legislator Mike Braun. As Vox has noted, there's little distinguishing the three GOP candidates from one another, as all seem to be betting on Trump's campaign style to lead them to victory. Donnelly has no primary challengers on the Democrat side, and the race has already been deemed a toss-up, so it's the GOP's seat to lose. This article was first written by Newsweek More from Newsweek Zambia's leading university has apologised for telling female students not to visit its library "half-naked" because it would distract men. The University of Zambia said it had no dress code and it would not "tolerate old discredited misogynist views". A notice put up in the library at the campus in the capital, Lusaka, said: "Modest is the way to go!" It divided opinion in the socially conservative nation, with some students supporting it and others opposing it. In a statement, university librarian Christine Kanyengo said the notice did not reflect the views of the library's management. "We would like to unreservedly apologise to our female library users for any offence caused," she said. All female students should "feel comfortable" when using the library, Ms Kanyengo said. "Tolerance and diversity is the bedrock of our institution," she added in a statement which the BBC's Kennedy Gondwe has posted on Twitter. Third-year student Dikina Muzeya, who had criticised the new rule, told the BBC she welcomed the apology. "The library management should be more conscious about notices that are published, especially notices involving restrictions, such as dress code, on a particular sex," she said. Male student Killion Phiri had welcomed the ban when it was imposed. "How can you concentrate on studying when someone walks in a mini-skirt or a tight dress?" he said. Source: BBC Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video Chinese President Xi Jinping met with Kim Jong Un and the chairmen of the State Affairs Commission of the Democratic Peoples Republic of Korea (DPRK) in the north-eastern Chinese port of Dalian on Monday and Tuesday. According to South Koream Yonhap News Agency, a North Korean plane arrived in China on Monday amid tight security. The media outlet speculated that Kim Jong Un may have been on the plane. State-run CGTN, an English news channel under the CCTV network, confirmed that Xi welcomed Kim with a banquet. Afterwards, they reportedly held talks and went for a stroll. Trending: How Quickly Can Iran Get a Nuclear Weapon When Trump Kills the Iran Nuclear Deal? RTX5EP1Y Reuters In a cordial and friendly atmosphere, the top leaders of the two parties and the two countries had an all-round and in-depth exchange of views on China-DPRK relations and major issues of common concern, CGTN wrote. In March, Kim Jong Un visited Xi Jinping in China for the first time since he became the Supreme Leader of North Korea six years ago. Their meeting was only officially confirmed after Kim landed back in North Korea. Don't miss: Will U.S. Go to War with Iran? Trump Breaks Nuclear Deal and Risks Middle East Conflict The meeting is Kim Jong Uns latest diplomatic trip. Last month, he met South Korean President Moon Jae In. Kim is also set to hold a summit with U.S. President Donald Trump next month. Chinese media confirm North Korea's Kim Jong Un was indeed in China for at least the second time, met with Xi Jinping Josh Smith (@joshjonsmith) May 8, 2018 The Chinese foreign ministry did not confirm or deny that Kim Jong Un visited the country. "I have no information to offer at this moment," Geng Shuang, foreign ministry spokesman, told a regular press briefing. "China and the DPRK are close neighbours and we maintain normal communication and exchanges with each other." Story continues This article was first written by Newsweek More from Newsweek Sheets of former U.S. President Abraham Lincoln on the five-dollar bill currency are seen through a magnifying glass at the Bureau of Engraving and Printing in Washington March 26, 2015. The 150th anniversary of Lincoln's assassination at Ford's Theatre i Frederico Bartels, Justin Bogie economy, Americas The only thing that can undo the Republic in the long-run is Washington's reckless spending. The Plan to Save America from Bankruptcy In November 2017, Howard Shatz highlighted a problem that the United States continues to avoid at its peril: the enormousand swiftly growing debt accrued by the federal government. Shatz concluded his realistic assessment with this observation: Without a serious approach to the deficit and debt, the United States faces a future of slow economic growth, reduced military spending, growing challenges to its credibility as a security partner, and reduced international influence. How Washington handles Americas fiscal problems will, indeed, define the future of the United States as a superpower and as a country. If Americans remain unwilling to control the national debt level, Washington will lose its ability to shape the international systema situation that would ultimately threaten Americas viability as a nation. As put by the U.S. Congressional Budget Office (CBO), A large amount of debt could also harm national security by constraining military spending in times of crisis or limiting the countrys ability to prepare for a crisis. As Shatz points out, every CBO long-term budget outlook since 2011 has carried a similar warning. While Shatz accurately diagnoses the problem, his proposed solutions are short on specifics. Enter The Heritage Foundations FY 2019 edition of Blueprint for Balance. It offers a clear and precise way to address Americas budgetary shortcomings and balance the budget in fewer than ten years. The Root of the Problem In April 2018, the CBO published its latest Budget and Economic Outlook. The projections paint a grim picture of the current budget course, which if left unchanged will seriously threaten funding for not just defense, but all discretionary federal programs. The CBO projects that, by 2020, the deficit will grow to more than $1 trillion annually, an increase of $233 billion from the latest projection. By 2028, annual deficits could reach more than $1.5 trillion annually, with no sign of slowing down. The 10-year cumulative deficit is projected to be $12.4 trillion, over $2 trillion higher than last years CBO estimates. Story continues The national debt is projected only to get worse as well. At the end of 2017, publicly held debt sat at $14.7 trillion. The CBO projects that, by 2028, it will nearly doubleto $28.7 trillion. At that point, the debt will stand at 96.2 percent of GDP, the highest point since World War II. Deficit spending does not come cheap either. In 2017 the federal government spent $263 billion on interest payments for the national debt. That number is projected to rise to $915 billion annually over the next decade. Unless immediate steps are taken to control the rising debt, interest payments are projected to outpace defense in 2023. The biggest problem with the federal budget lies with a subset of mandatory or so-called "auto-pilot" programs. About one-third of the annual budget is classified as "discretionary" spending, meaning that it is subject to the annual appropriations process. In theory, it is much easier to adjust spending levels for "discretionary" programs. The remaining two-thirds of the budget consists of auto-pilot spending, meaning that no annual act of Congress is required to provide funding. Generally, funding for these programs is formulaic and is adjusted each year automatically, usually upwards. Mandatory spending consists mainly of programs like Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid, and other income security programs. While mandatory welfare programs should be reformed for a variety of reasons, they are not whats driving spending and debt. Social Security and healthcare programs are driving all of the short and long-term growth in nominal federal spending. For instance, by 2028 they will consume 73 percent of all revenues. Moreover, when combined with interest payments on the debt, that number climbs to over 88 percent. In other words, defense and other discretionary spending are quickly being crowded out by growing spending on Social Security, healthcare programs, and interest on the debt. In 2017 the CBO projected that by 2039 these programs would consume all federal revenues, meaning that by the time the federal government paid for Social Security, health entitlement programs and interest on the debt there would be nothing left for national defense or any other program. The current budget and direction are not sustainable and, as the CBO says, it will eventually "have significant negative consequences, both for the economy and for the federal budget," increasing the likelihood that all federal spending, including national defense, could face steep cuts in the future. The Answer to the Problem Congress and the executive branch have repeatedly ignored the CBOs warnings, driving the country closer to a fiscal disaster and leaving less time to correct the direction of the budget. However, its not too late to begin altering the budgets path through reforms that will bring spending under control and reshape the role of the federal government. To do this though, Congress and the president will have to act now, passing a budget and pursuing reconciliation legislation that will make immediate changes to the programs driving spending growth and the national debt. The Blueprint for Balance shows them how to get back on a balanced budget and start lowering the national debt. To do this, the Blueprint redefines the current role of the federal government, focusing spending on fulfilling its constitutionally-defined role and eliminating programs that fall outside that scope or favor special interests. In the process, it balances the budget by 2024 and cuts over $11.9 trillion from federal deficits over the next ten years. It stabilizes the federal debt as a share of the economy and then puts it on a downward path over the long-term. By 2028 debt to GDP in the Heritage budget would be 23 percent lower than in the latest CBO projections. The Blueprint does this by focusing on policies aimed at growing the economy, ensuring a strong national defense, promoting free enterprise, and allowing individual freedom to flourish. By implementing these policies outlined in the Blueprint, the United States would: - Reform entitlement programs, the biggest drivers of federal spending and debt. Spending on Social Security and healthcare programs is growing unchecked. In just over twenty years they are on pace to consume all federal revenues. This is in addition to the fact that these programs are unsustainable in their current form. For example, the latest Medicare and Social Security trustees reports project that Medicare will be insolvent by 2026 and the Social Security Trust Fund will be depleted by 2034. The Blueprint would: repeal Obamacare; modernize Medicare by transitioning to a premium-support system and making key reforms to meet demographic, fiscal, and structural challenges; cap the federal allotment for Medicaid and give states greater flexibility in designing benefits and administering the program; shift a greater share of the responsibility for welfare programs to states; and make common sense reforms to Social Security to ensure seniors are protected from poverty in retirement while accounting for increased life expectancy and reducing the growth in benefits. - Prioritize national defense spending and cut wasteful programs. This budget would reject the irresponsible non-defense spending increases implemented by the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2018 and revert 2019 spending to the levels set in the original Budget Control Act. However, it would also get rid of the firewall between defense and non-defense discretionary spending, allowing Congress to appropriately prioritize national defense without busting the budget caps. This is accomplished through eliminating programs that: benefit special interest groups at the expense of taxpayers; would be more effectively and appropriately administered by the private sector or state and local governments, and don't fall under the federal government's core constitutional responsibilities. - Reforms the broken budget process. The current budget process is dysfunctional, making it impossible for departments and agencies to engage in long-term budget planning. Continuing resolutions and omnibus appropriations bills create budget uncertainty. This is detrimental to all agencies, but particularly defense. The Blueprint outlines a series of reforms to create a more accurate, accountable, and transparent budget process. One such reform is a statutory spending cap on all non-interest spending that would be enforced through sequestration. This would help further reduce spending growth and ensure that the country lives within its means. In the long-term, the budget calls for a balanced budget amendment to the Constitution to ensure that lawmakers cannot backtrack on statutes aimed at controlling spending. The problem with legislative actions such as a statutory spending cap is that they are only as strong as Congress will to cut spending and abide by the law, something that has fallen short with past spending controls. A constitutional amendment would make it much harder to increase spending. The Blueprint also identifies steps to stop the use of budget gimmicks, eliminate spending for unauthorized programs, and account for interest costs when scoring legislation, among others. - Bring spending under control. Under the Heritage proposal, growth in spending would slow to an average of 3.1 percent per yearwell below the CBOs baseline assumption of 5.5 percent annually. Implementing the Blueprint for Balance would reverse the nations unsustainable budget course, putting debt on a downward trajectory and ensuring resources are available for the nations most important priorities. The Way Forward The current fiscal situation of the U.S. government is unsustainable: Congress only deals with one-third of the budget yearly, while borrowing 25 cents on every dollar that is spent. U.S. national debt is higher than it has ever been in any non-wartime era. This cannot go on indefinitely. Getting the budget back on track and stabilizing the national debt will do more than spur the economy. It will also help assure that Americas national security apparatus is prepared and properly equipped should it be needed to wage a sustained war. As Admiral Mike Mullen stated and restated through the years, the debt is still the biggest long-term threat to U.S. security. The Blueprint for Balance offers a solution to the current situation. Following its recommendations would balance the budget by 2024 and put the national debt on a declining path. From then, it would be a matter of maintaining the newly re-established fiscal discipline and exercising the consistent vigilance required to deal with budgetary surpluses. A balanced budget amendment would be the best method of ensuring fiscal discipline over the long-term. There are many ways to move beyond America's current financial problems and build a society that can protect itself and live within its means. It is a political choice that, for too long, politicians have simply avoided making. That must changeand soon. Frederico Bartels is a policy analyst specializing in defense budgeting at The Heritage Foundations Center for National Defense. Justin Bogie is a senior policy analyst in the think tanks Roe Institute for Economic Policy Studies. Image: Sheets of former U.S. President Abraham Lincoln on the five-dollar bill currency are seen through a magnifying glass at the Bureau of Engraving and Printing in Washington March 26, 2015. The 150th anniversary of Lincoln's assassination at Ford's Theatre in Washington is April 15. REUTERS/Gary Cameron Read full article Former President Barack Obama slammed President Trumps decision on Tuesday to withdraw from the Iran nuclear agreement that Obama helped negotiate. There are few issues more important to the security of the United States than the potential spread of nuclear weapons, or the potential for even more destructive war in the Middle East, Obama said in a 950-word statement that never mentioned Trump by name. In 2015, Obama and former Secretary of State John Kerry brokered the so-called Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action limiting Tehrans nuclear program. The reality is clear, Obama said Tuesday. The JCPOA is working that is a view shared by our European allies, independent experts, and the current U.S. Secretary of Defense. The JCPOA is in Americas interest it has significantly rolled back Irans nuclear program. And the JCPOA is a model for what diplomacy can accomplish its inspections and verification regime is precisely what the United States should be working to put in place with North Korea. Former President Barack Obama and President Trump. (Photos: Stephane CardinaleCorbis/Getty ImagesChip Somodevilla/Getty Images) Indeed, at a time when we are all rooting for diplomacy with North Korea to succeed, walking away from the JCPOA risks losing a deal that accomplishes with Iran the very outcome that we are pursuing with the North Koreans, the former president continued. That is why todays announcement is so misguided. Walking away from the JCPOA turns our back on Americas closest allies, and an agreement that our countrys leading diplomats, scientists, and intelligence professionals negotiated. In a democracy, there will always be changes in policies and priorities from one Administration to the next. But the consistent flouting of agreements that our country is a party to risks eroding Americas credibility, and puts us at odds with the worlds major powers. Stressing that policy debates in our country should be informed by facts, Obama detailed six facts, noting that the agreement was reached after building an international coalition that included the United Kingdom, France, Germany, the European Union, Russia, China, and Iran; it has succeeded in rolling back Irans nuclear program; the deal is strictly monitored by international watchdogs; Iran is in compliance with the agreement; the agreement never expires; and the deal was never intended to solve all of our problems with Iran. Story continues We were clear-eyed that Iran engages in destabilizing behavior including support for terrorism, and threats toward Israel and its neighbors, Obama said. But thats precisely why it was so important that we prevent Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon. He added, I believe that the decision to put the JCPOA at risk without any Iranian violation of the deal is a serious mistake. President Trump signs a presidential memorandum on the Iran nuclear deal in the Diplomatic Reception Room of the White House, May 8, 2018. (Photo: AP/Evan Vucci) In announcing the U.S. withdrawal from the deal, Trump said that we have definitive proof that this Iranian promise was a lie. Trump cited Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahus recent assertion that Iran had lied about its nuclear program before the 2015 agreement was struck but did not offer new evidence. The leaders of France, Britain and Germany quickly denounced Trumps decision. Kerry, who has been publicly lobbying for U.S. allies in recent weeks to salvage the agreement, issued his own statement condemning the withdrawal. Todays announcement weakens our security, breaks Americas word, isolates us from our European allies, puts Israel at greater risk, empowers Irans hardliners, and reduces our global leverage to address Tehrans misbehavior while damaging the ability of future administrations to make international agreements, Kerry said. No rhetoric is required. The facts speak for themselves. Instead of building on unprecedented nonproliferation verification measures, this decision risks throwing them away and dragging the world back to the brink we faced a few years ago. Kerry added, The extent of the damage will depend on what Europe can do to hold the nuclear agreement together, and it will depend on Irans reaction. America should never have to outsource those stakes to any other country. This is not in Americas interests. We should all hope the world can preserve the nuclear agreement. New York (AFP) - Oil prices gyrated Tuesday ahead of President Donald Trump's announcement that the US would exit the Iran nuclear deal, a move that is expected to weigh on oil supply. Speculation about the US president's decision dominated global markets with the biggest impact on a day that saw most equity markets tread water. In the end, the US president rejected appeals by the US' closest allies and pulled the US out of a deal he deemed "disastrous" in a midday address that didn't mince words. "I am announcing today that the United States will withdraw from the Iran nuclear deal," Trump declared in a White House address, branding the landmark 2015 accord that was endorsed by Britain, China, Germany, Russia and Barack Obama's previous US administration "defective at its core." Oil prices had closed Monday at their highest level in three and a half years, with US benchmark West Texas Intermediate crossing $70 a barrel on expectations that revived Iran sanctions would curtail output. But crude prices fell Tuesday, a dynamic that some analysts said may have reflected speculation Trump might cushion his announcement with a loose time frame for implementation, a "fudge" proposal, as Ken Odeluga, market analyst at City Index trading group, put it. The US benchmark hit a late-morning low of $67.63 per barrel before closing at $69.06 a barrel at 1830 GMT, shortly after Trump's announcement. Both WTI and European benchmark Brent oil futures rose in after-hours trading. Since his election Trump has repeatedly criticized OPEC and Russia over a deal sealed in 2016 that has boosted the price of oil following a slump brought about by a global oil glut. But now, according to XTB chief market analyst David Cheetham, the price of oil may soar to $80 a barrel "in the not too distant future if the Iranian deal is terminated and sanctions reimposed". Cheetham warned that, should sanctions be reintroduced, the impact on the market would far outweigh the effect on prices of the OPEC-Russia deal. Story continues However, for all of Trump's bombastic rhetoric on the Iran deal, Cheetham said the US may eventually have to toe a more diplomatic line. "In a similar vein to the approach adopted with the steel and aluminium tariffs, the president is likely engaging in a game of brinkmanship to achieve his desired outcome," Cheetham wrote. "However the stakes here are far higher!" - Key figures around 2100 GMT - Oil - Brent North Sea: DOWN $1.32 at $74.85 per barrel Oil - West Texas Intermediate: DOWN $1.67 cents at $69.06 per barrel New York - Dow: FLAT at 24,360.21 (close) New York - S&P 500: FLAT at 2,671.92 (close) New York - Nasdaq: FLAT at 7,266.90 (close) London - FTSE 100: FLAT at 7,565.75 points (close) Frankfurt - DAX 30: DOWN 0.3 percent at 12,912.21 (close) Paris - CAC 40: DOWN 0.2 percent at 5,521.93 (close) EURO STOXX 50: DOWN 0.2 percent at 3,557.88 (close) Tokyo - Nikkei 225: UP 0.2 percent at 22,508.69 (close) Hong Kong - Hang Seng: UP 1.4 percent at 30,402.81 (close) Shanghai - Composite: UP 0.8 percent at 3,161.50 (close) Euro/dollar: DOWN at $1.1864 from $1.1922 at 2100 GMT Pound/dollar: DOWN at $1.3548 from $1.3557 Dollar/yen: DOWN at 109.07 yen from 109.09 yen burs-jmb/mdl By Ayenat Mersie NEW YORK (Reuters) - Oil prices rose to their highest levels since late 2014 on Monday, boosted by the latest troubles for Venezuelan oil company PDVSA and a looming decision on whether the United States will re-impose sanctions on Iran. Brent crude oil futures were at $75.81 a barrel at 10:20 a.m. EDT (1420 GMT), up 94 cents. At the session high, they touched their peak since November 2014 at $75.91. U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude futures rose 69 cents to $70.40, the first time since November 2014 that WTI had climbed above $70. China's Shanghai crude oil futures, launched in March, broke their dollar-converted record high, touching $72.54. U.S. oil major ConocoPhillips has moved to take Caribbean assets of Venezuela's state-run PDVSA to enforce a $2 billion arbitration award, three sources told Reuters. The move could deal a further blow to the company's declining oil output and exports. "If ConocoPhillips is successful, then it will limit the revenues PDVSA will have and give them even more problems paying their bills and producing their oil," said Gene McGillian, manager of market research at Tradition in Stamford. "Venezuela seemed to get support over the last year from Russia and China. So now there's the question of what kind of deal will they have to make in order to get even more support?" McGillian said. (GRAPHIC: U.S. vs Venezuela oil production since 2005: https://reut.rs/2JY8i77) Venezuela's oil output has halved since the early 2000s to 1.5 million barrels per day (bpd), hit by a lack of investment. Saudi Arabian Energy Minister Khalid al-Falih said he was concerned about possible shortages of spare crude production capacity. Also boosting prices is the widespread expectation that U.S. President Donald Trump will withdraw from the Iranian nuclear pact. Trump has a May 12 deadline to determine whether to extend sanction waivers.(GRAPHIC: Russia vs Saudi vs U.S. oil production: https://reut.rs/2rgEXxw ) Story continues British Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson is in the United States in an effort to convince the Trump administration to stay in the deal. "The extraterritorial nature of U.S. sanctions, which cover energy, shipbuilding, finance, trade, insurance, etc., means that ... Iran's oil exports could credibly be curtailed by 200,000-300,000 bpd," RBC Capital Markets analyst Helima Croft said in a note. Russian Energy Minister Alexander Novak pledged Russia's 100 percent compliance in May with an OPEC-led pact to reduce production. But U.S. output has soared by more than a quarter in the past two years to 10.62 million bpd and is likely to rise further this year as energy companies keep drilling. (Additional reporting by Libby George in London and Henning Gloystein in Singapore; Editing by Alexander Smith and David Gregorio) Oliver North, a Fox News contributor who was a central figure in the Iran-Contra firearms scandal in the 1980s, has been named the National Rifle Associations next president. The retired lieutenant colonel in the Marine Corps is expected to take over for current NRA president and firearm businessman Pete Brownell within the next few weeks, the NRA said in a release on Monday. Brownell, who served one year as president, is not seeking re-election in order to devote his full time and energy to his family business, the NRA said in a statement. Brownell is CEO of his familys firearm accessory retailer, Brownells. Retired Lt. Col. Oliver North, who spoke at the National Rife Association convention in Dallas last week, is expected to be the group's next president. (Photo: Lucas Jackson / Reuters) Oliver North is a legendary warrior for American freedom, a gifted communicator and skilled leader, NRA executive vice president and CEO Wayne LaPierre said in a statement. In these times, I can think of no one better suited to serve as our President. North, in the NRAs statement, said he is immediately retiring from Fox News and will take the next few weeks to ensure his business affairs are in order before he assumes responsibilities as the groups president. North previously served on the NRAs board of directors and has been an outspoken supporter of the group. In 2010, he told a crowd: I love speaking out for the NRA, in large part because it drives the left a little bit nuts. North, during his public testimony before the Iran-Contra committee, said he assumed President Ronald Reagan approved the diversion of Iran arms-sales profits to Nicaraguan rebels. (Photo: Bettmann via Getty Images) Before joining Fox News, North was the National Security Council staffer under President Ronald Reagan. He was famously found to have played a key role in the secret sale of arms to Iran, which was under an arms embargo at the time. Proceeds from the clandestine weapons sales were funneled to support terrorist efforts against Nicaraguas socialist government. North was convicted of three felonies for his role in the scandal, though those convictions were later vacated by an appeals court after it was determined that his immunized congressional testimony had been improperly used in his criminal trial. North ran for Senate as a Republican in 1994, but lost to incumbent Sen. Chuck Robb (D-Va.). (Photo: Wally McNamee via Getty Images) North has also served as a consultant for a game in the hugely successful Call of Duty first-person shooter series. The NRA has repeatedly argued that this sort of virtual violence has contributed to a rise in mass shootings. Story continues In 1994, North captured the Republican Party nomination for a Senate seat in Virginia. He was defeated by then-incumbent Sen. Chuck Robb (D-Va.). This story has been updated with more details on Norths appointment. Love HuffPost? Become a founding member of HuffPost Plus today. This article originally appeared on HuffPost. Before it was announced on Monday that Oliver North will be the next President of the National Rifle Association (NRA), he was associated with arms for a very specific reason. In the mid-80s, when Nicaraguan right-wing rebels were opposing President Daniel Ortegas Sandinista government, North was a National Security Council staffer. The Reagan administration supported the cause of the rebels, known as contras, but Congress stopped the U.S. from supporting them financially. At the time, North helped figure out a way to get the contras that support without Congress. The solution was to divert money to them that the Iranians had paid for arms ultimately provided by the U.S. via Israel a deal that was itself part of an exceedingly complicated effort that also aimed to free a group of hostages even though Congress had banned such aid. The scheme, which became public in late 1986, became known as the Iran-contra Scandal. Many wondered whether and to what extent Ronald Reagan knew about the wheeling and dealing, but North whom the President told TIME was a national hero was at the center of the hunt for someone to hold accountable. He was indicted for fraud and obstruction of justice in March of 1988, and on May 4 of the following year he was convicted of submitting a false timeline of events to Congress, shredding government documents as news of the deal became public, accepting an illegal gift of a $13,800 home-security system and forging letters showing he paid for it. He didnt have to go to prison, but he was ordered to do 1,200 hours of community service and pay a $150,000 fine. But the judge dropped all of the charges in 1991, after a drawn-out debate over whether the Congressional immunity he had been granted compromised the case. As one juror summed up much of the public sentiment at the time, I think there were people higher up who gave him the authority to do a lot of things, and then when he got caught out there high and dry, no one came to help him. Story continues Get your history fix in one place: sign up for the weekly TIME History newsletter And in any event, he had already won the case in the court of public opinion, based on his dramatic televised testimony before the select congressional committee investigating the scandal. Olliemania began to sweep the nation, with tribute songs and bumper stickers supporting him. A vast majority of Americans who responded to a TIME poll said they believed North, a decorated Vietnam veteran, was only doing what he was told and had become a scapegoat. North has already proved that he is almost dangerously gifted at the persuasive arts, TIME noted, describing the spell that the superstar cast over Americans in a July 20, 1987, cover story: He was adorable and dangerous. The vocabulary was often breezy, almost childish; the diversion of funds to the contras, he said, was a neat idea. He impersonated a sort of G.I. Joe action figure who might have belonged on Saturday morning kids television North is a natural actor and a conjurer of illusion. His face is an instrument that he plays with an almost unconscious genius. His countenance is dominated by his eyes. Now they are the eyes of a vulnerable child: innocence at risk in a dark forest. Now an indignation rises in them, dark weathers of injured virtue. And an instant later, there comes across the landscape of Norths face something chilling, a glimpse perhaps of the capacity to kill, and the eyes constrict their apertures a little, taking aim. The altar boy who might charm the nuns could take on ferocities. His voice was low and passionate. It cracked in the affecting way that Jimmy Stewarts does, although sometimes, with a force of anger behind it, the voice sounded like Kirk Douglas in a manic moment. The Boy Scout and patriot had the nation rooting for him. Charismatic politicians, and demagogues, have always known how to dramatize life as a struggle between black and white, between good and evil. A committee counsel came to ask North about the nearly $14,000 security system he had installed at his suburban Virginia house, a setup that was paid for by Major General Richard Secord. North delivered a magnificent aria in which he described how the Palestinian terrorist Abu Nidal had targeted him for assassination. He told how Nidals group had brutally murdered Natasha Simpson, 11, daughter of an American journalist, in the Christmas 1985 massacre at the Rome airport. I have an eleven-year-old daughter, said North, melodramatically. He offered a challenge. Ill be glad to meet Abu Nidal on equal terms anywhere in the world, O.K.? But I am not willing to have my wife and my four children meet Abu Nidal or his organization on his terms. After that performance, the committee for the moment dared not ask about the snow tires that North was said to have purchased using some of the money from the Iranian arms sales. In the years that followed the dropping of the charges, North put those skills to use as a political commentator. And the NRA could use a leader with Norths gift for spin, at a time when the debate over gun rights and regulations in the United States remains in the spotlight. Retired U.S. Marine Corps Lieutenant Colonel Oliver North will become the new president of the National Rifle Association (NRA), the gun rights group announced Monday. North, perhaps most famous for his role in the Iran-Contra affair, will become president of the NRA within a few weeks, according to a press release. NRA CEO Wayne LaPierre called North a legendary warrior for American freedom in a statement Monday, and said the announcement was the most exciting news for our members since Charlton Heston become President of our Association. In the wake of the Parkland, Florida high school shooting that left 17 people dead in February, the divisive gun rights organization has faced mounting criticism due to its efforts to stop the enactment of gun control laws. The NRA also is reportedly under investigation for taking illegal donations from Russian sources. Trending: Liverpool vs. Brighton: Liberated Seagulls Can Harm Jurgen Klopps Champions League Finalists If anyone is familiar with navigating controversy and scandal, its North, who was fired from his role at the National Security Council in 1986 by President Ronald Reagan for authorizing the sale of weapons to Iran in order to fund anti-socialist rebels in Nicaragua. North was found guilty of shredding government documents, receiving a bribe and lying to Congress for his role in the scandal, but the conviction was eventually dismissed on the grounds that part of Norths immunized testimony before Congress had been used against him during his trial. North went on to run for Senate from Virginia as a Republican in 1994, but lost to Democrat Charles Robb in a race one political expert said featured the two most unpopular party nominees in state history. North eventually became an NRA board member, author and political commentator on Fox News. In its statement, the NRA said North would retire from the network. Story continues North will replace current NRA president Pete Brownell. This article was first written by Newsweek More from Newsweek Lima (AFP) - A Peruvian judge put a 30-day hold on orders to seize the home of ex-president Ollanta Humala as part of a corruption probe -- but the former leader was not notified until hours after he and his family had vacated the property on Tuesday. Judge Richard Concepcion Carhuancho Monday issued orders to seize Humala's five properties and bank accounts, and ordered the ex-leader to leave his home. Late Monday the judge changed his mind and allowed Humala to stay at home for 30 days, but the ex-president's lawyers were not notified until Tuesday -- by which time the ex-first family had moved out, according to Julio Cesar Espinoza, one of Humala's attorneys. Humala, president 2011-2016, is being investigated for $3 million in campaign contributions allegedly received from Brazilian construction giant Odebrecht, at the center of region-wide bribe scandals. The action came just a week after Humala and his wife Nadine Heredia were released from jail after being held for nine months. Peru's Constitutional Court ruled that the couple, who have three young children, could remain at liberty pending trial. Colombia Hoy Para nunca olvidar Paginas vistas en total 'Parasite' painted on a statue of Queen, Elizabeth in Kent, England Sin palabras La UE le apunta a la paz Cada vez mas solo Precio del Brent To get the BRENT oil price, please enable Javascript. Precio del WTI To get the oil price, please enable Javascript. Dolar USA Vs Euro Precio del Oro To get the gold price, please enable Javascript. LULA y su Pueblo Bye Bye Homenaje al genial Quino Fueron ellos Una imagen que resume Tan bajo ha caido que se deja tocar el trasero? Porky y el Nene (archiconocido narcotraficante) Ladrones al poder Asi mira el perrito a su amo Crazy Clamor popular La nueva inquisicion Bolivia Chile Hoy Eso es todo amigos! Piensalo! Pinerachet No More Trump Adios Macri, hasta nunca La Marioneta se desinfla Asi o mas cinico Almugre Mexico en 1794 Mas arrastrado imposible Hasta cuando! La pura verdad Solidaridad con Palestina Serie Capitalismo Espejismos de la clase trabajadora Asi es! Comerciantes o delincuentes No pasaran! Asi es la vida USA HOY 01/01/1959 La avaricia no tiene limites AYUDA HUMANITARIA? Chile Hoy Asi son las cosas Mapa Electoral de Venezuela Patagonia argentina? Un aniversario mas del mayor genocidio de la Humanidad Retrato del franquismo en Espana Visca Catalunya! El Chulo de Madrid Cuando la policia se roba la democracia Una imagen dice mas que mil palabras La purita verdad Asi gobierna la maldita burguesia Mi pobre clase media Como Chavez nadie Comparte La Colmena via twitter Twittear Programa de la MUD Asi o mas clarito Por que Trump no ataco Corea del Norte? Hace 15 anos Por que la OEA no se pronuncio? Una verguenza nacional La luz que nos guia La Union Europea Premio Nobel de la Paz? Feudalismo ayer y hoy Obama, el mentiroso Curiosa coincidencia Un mundo de cerdos No es extrano? La Marioneta Los ricos protestan, los pobres celebran MARICORI Y OBAMA Cuantas muertes este ano? 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Por culpa de Chavez Cerveza Polar Algun dia Colombia volvera a la ideologia de Bolivar Translate LOS REVOLUCIONARIOS NO TOMAN CACA-COLA No se trata solamente de un capricho, sino de una sana actitud en todos los sentidos. Desde la solidaridad con el pueblo colombiano donde la empresa Caca-Cola ha cometido los mas grandes abusos contra sus trabajadores incluyendo el presunto secuestro y asesinato de los dirigentes del sindicato, hasta la proteccion de la salud de nuestros hijos, enviciados por ese jarabe de cola y azucar, que les produce obesidad prematura. Pensemos tambien los revolucionarios, que ese dinero que gastamos en los refrescos es utilizado por esas empresas para financiar el terrorismo en nuestro pais. Es cierto, no se trata solo de la Caca-Cola, sino tambien de la cerveza, de los cigarrillos y todos esos articulos innecesarios y mas que eso, daninos para nuestra salud. Podriamos incluso pensar en un dia de parada para cada uno de ellos. Es cuestion de irnos organizando. Pero para empezar, que tal si dejamos de comprar Caca-Cola y sus similares? Cuando lo extraordinario se vuelve cotidiano... Discurso del Acto de Grado en Barinas en 12 de Febrero del 2005 Queridos Graduandos: Mas que un discurso, quiero dirigirles algunas palabras que escribi anoche, despues de visitar en las clinicas, a los estudiantes heridos, a consecuencia de los enfrentamientos con la policia de hace apenas dos dias. Me ha tocado por razones del destino, ser la persona que les otorgue el titulo que bien merecieron con sus estudios. Y me siento sumamente orgulloso de serlo. Me consta que la Universidad de Los Llanos Occidentales Ezequiel Zamora, a pesar de lo dicho por los enemigos de esta universidad, es una universidad de primera. No tendremos la mejor planta fisica, en los salones hace calor. En el comedor hace calor. Pero no es en lo material que las cosas deben valorarse. El mayor capital es el ser humano. Y en eso, nuestra UNELLEZ, lo digo con conocimiento de causa, esta sobrada. Los llaneros venezolanos son nobles, valientes, de coraje. En la UNELLEZ hacen vida, en este momento, aproximadamente 67000 personas. El 97% de ellas son estudiantes. Jovenes que, como Ustedes hasta el dia de hoy, buscan ese titulo, que constata los anos de dedicacion y de estudio. Los jovenes son el rio de la vida, ustedes graduados deben ser los capitanes de esos barcos que naveguen por el rio de la vida. Nuestra Patria atraviesa momentos muy dificiles porque decidio dejar de ser esa matrona de edad vetusta y complaciente, para ser joven, rebelde y altanera. Nuestra imagen ya no es la de una acaudalada ricachona mayamera. En nuestro rostro brilla ahora la sonrisa del Che Guevara, con su diente delantero torcido, su pelo largo y su boina con la estrella. Entender esto, a mi me ha tomado practicamente toda la vida. Tengo 53 anos, y ya perdi mi oportunidad de derramar sangre joven a causa de un ideal. Ustedes son jovenes, estan en la flor de la vida. No cometan por favor el error de renunciar a su instinto de rebelion. El Che Guevara fue Ministro de a Economia en Cuba. Los billetes y las monedas se adornaban con su rostro. Nada de eso le importo. Primero fue a Angola donde paso un penoso ano de combate. Despues se fue a Bolivia, donde encontro la muerte. El Che era el ultimo que comia, el que cargaba la mochila mas pesada. Siempre se sacrificaba por los demas en un estoicismo que mas parecia fervor religioso que ideologia marxista. Si quieren un modelo de vida. Ahi lo tienen. Dije hace unos momentos que el 97% de la poblacion de la UNELLEZ es estudiante. Se imaginan Ustedes la Universidad que podriamos tener si todos los estudiantes tuvieran la abnegacion, la combatividad del Che? Los momentos que se avecinan van a requerir de una gran unidad del pueblo venezolano. La alternativa de continuar siendo libres o regresar a la pobreza se nos planteara en los proximos dias de forma enmascarada, o quizas peor, desenmascarada, vestida con uniforme de soldado del Imperio. Por nuestra parte podemos esperar lo mejor. La macroeconomia no podria ir mejor, la justicia social ha mejorado notablemente. Las misiones ocupan un papel muy importante en el pago de dicha justicia social. Aqui en Barinas ya hemos cumplido con dos de las misiones, la mision Robinson y la mision Sucre. No hay analfabetismo y no hay exclusion en la educacion superior, en estas tierras de Zamora. Pero ay malhaya! Son precisamente estos exitos los que nos hacen mas antipaticos al Imperio. Para ellos, somos inclusive un mal ejemplo que se esta contagiando al resto del continente y cuidado sino al resto del mundo. Nunca venceremos al Imperio. Estara siempre ahi, acechando. Por lo menos hasta que el mismo no se autodestruya. Porque, sepanlo senores, el neoliberalismo es canibal. Cuando le ataque el hambre, se devorara a si mismo. Ustedes, queridos graduandos, a partir de hoy pasan a conformar la elite profesional que debe sostener este pais en los proximos cuarenta o cincuenta anos. Anos decisivos para el logro de nuestra libertad y del rescate de nuestra Soberania. No se dejen comprar. No se dejen corromper. No se dejen gritar. No se dejen pisar. Que nadie les diga que comer, o que vestirse, o que leer. Sean siempre autenticos, rebeldes, contestatarios. Pero eso si, profundamente patriotas, dignos de ser hijos de Bolivar. Muchas gracias y que Dios los bendiga. Alguna duda? Medio siglo de Holocausto Palestino Oscar Zanartu Nacio en Caracas en 1960. Ha realizado exposiciones individuales en las galerias Minotauro, Clave y San Francisco, y en salas de Coro, estado Falcon, y Puerto Ordaz, estado Bolivar. En Paris su obra ha sido exhibida en el Centro Cultural Tanagra, en la Exposicion Cite Internationale des Arts, en las galerias De Mars y Arver Space, al igual que en la Galeria Municipal Levallois, en Levallois Perret (Francia). En muestras colectivas, su obra se ha expuesto en Belgica, Francia, Estados Unidos y Venezuela; en Caracas intervino en la exposicion "Del genesis a la memoria", 1995, organizada por la Fundacion La Previsora. En 1982 obtuvo el Premio Nacional Critven y en 1990 la Mencion de Honor Jose Antonio Paez, en la Embajada de Venezuela en Paris. En 1991 se le concedio el primer premio de Pintura Itinerante, en Levallois Perret, Francia. OZ1 OZ2 OZ3 OZ4 Homenaje a Jason Galarraga La Victoria de Samotracia Odalisca Mas fotos de la nevada del pasado agosto 2008 La Sierra Nevada de Merida Nuestro precioso Churum Meru Homenaje a Picasso Autoretrato Sabes lo que bebes en una Coca-Cola? La formula de la Pepsi tiene una diferencia basica con la de la Coca-Cola y es intencional, para evitar el proceso judicial. La diferencia es a proposito, pero suficientemente parecida como para atraer a los consumidores de Coca-Cola que prefieren un gusto diferente con menos sal y azucar. Mi profesion? Tuve que aprender quimica, entender todo sobre componentes de gaseosas, conservantes, sales, acidos, cafeina, enlatado, produccion, permisos, aprobaciones y muchas otras cosas. Monte mi propio mini-laboratorio de analisis de productos. Sal en la Coca Cola? A patadas. El Cloruro de Sodio no solo refresca sino da mas sed, como para pedir otra gaseosa. Y no resulta desagradable porque la sal mata literalmente la sensibilidad al dulce... del que por cierto tambien tiene mucho: 39 gramos de azucar. De los 350 gramos de producto liquido, mas del 10% es azucar, o sea que en una lata de Coca-Cola mas de un centimetro y medio es puro azucar en polvo. Aproximadamente tres cucharadas soperas llenas de azucar por lata!!La formula de la Coca Cola es muy sencilla: Concentrado de azucar quemado caramelo- para dar color oscuro y gusto Acido fosforito (para darle el sabor acido) azucar (HFCS-jarabe de maiz de alta fructosa) Extracto de hojas de la planta de Coca (Africa e India) y otros pocos aromatizantes naturales de otras plantas Mucha Cafeina Conservante que puede ser Benzoato de Sodio o Potasio Dioxido de Carbono en cantidad para sentir freir la lengua cuando se bebe Sal para dar la sensacion de refrigeracion El uso del acido fosforito y no del acido citrico como en todas las demas gaseosas, es para dar la sensacion de dientes y boca limpia al beber. El acido fosforito literalmente frie todo y dana el esmalte de los dientes, cosa que el acido citrico lo hace en menor grado.Trate de comprar acido fosforito para ver las mil recomendaciones de seguridad que te dan para su manipulacion (quema el cristalino del ojo, quema la piel, etc...). Esta prohibido usar el acido fosforito en cualquier otra gaseosa; solo la Coca Cola tiene permiso. Porque claro, sin el acido fosforico, la Coca Cola sabria a jabon.El extracto de coca y otras hojas casi no cambia en nada el sabor. Es mas bien un efecto cosmetico. El extracto forma parte de la Coca-Cola porque legalmente tiene que ser asi. Pero sin el, no se nota ninguna diferencia en el gusto, que esta dado basicamente por las cantidades diferentes de azucar, azucar quemada, sales, acidos y conservantes.Sabor a que...? ja, ja, ja. Aqui en Bartow, sur de Orlando, hay una empresa quimica que produce aromatizantes y esencias para zumos. Envian diariamente camionadas de sales concentradas y esencias para las fabricas de helados, gaseosas, jugos, enlatados y comida colorida y aromatizada.Cuando visite por primera vez la fabrica, pedi ver el deposito de concentrados de frutas, que deberia ser inmenso, especialmente los de naranja, pina, fresa y tantos otros. El encargado me miro, se rio y me llevo a visitar los depositos inmensos... pero de colorantes y componentes quimicos. Las gaseosa de naranja no contiene naranja. En los zumos dizque de fresa, hasta los puntitos que quedan en suspension estan hechos de goma (una liga quimica que envuelve un semi-polimero). Pina, es un popurri de acidos y goma. La esencia para helado de aguacate usa peroxido de hidrogeno (agua oxigenada) para dar la sensacion espumosa tipica del aguacate. Bebidas Light? Quieres saber la cantidad de basura que tiene un refresco 'light'? Yo ni siquiera los uso para destapar mi lavaplatos pues temo que danen los tubos de PVC. Los productos endulzantes 'ligth' tienen una vida media muy corta. Por ejemplo el Despues de toda mi experiencia con la produccion de bebidas embasadas, puedo afirmar sin dudar un segundo: la mejor bebida es el agua, como tambien los jugos exprimidos de naranja o limon. Nada mas, cero azucar y cero sal. Publicado por loretahur En realidad, la formula secreta de la Coca-Cola se puede detallar en 18 segundos en cualquier espectrometro optico, y basicamente la conocen hasta los perros. Lo que ocurre es que no se puede fabricar igual, a no ser que uno disponga de unos cuantos millones de dolares para ganarle la demanda que te metera la Coca-Cola ante la justicia (ellos no perderian).La formula de la Pepsi tiene una diferencia basica con la de la Coca-Cola y es intencional, para evitar el proceso judicial. La diferencia es a proposito, pero suficientemente parecida como para atraer a los consumidores de Coca-Cola que prefieren un gusto diferente con menos sal y azucar.Tuve que aprender quimica, entender todo sobre componentes de gaseosas, conservantes, sales, acidos, cafeina, enlatado, produccion, permisos, aprobaciones y muchas otras cosas. Monte mi propio mini-laboratorio de analisis de productos.A patadas. El Cloruro de Sodio no solo refresca sino da mas sed, como para pedir otra gaseosa. Y no resulta desagradable porque la sal mata literalmente la sensibilidad al dulce... del que por cierto tambien tiene mucho: 39 gramos de azucar.De los 350 gramos de producto liquido, mas del 10% es azucar, o sea que en una lata de Coca-Cola mas de un centimetro y medio es puro azucar en polvo. Aproximadamente tres cucharadas soperas llenas de azucar por lata!!La formula de la Coca Cola es muy sencilla:Concentrado de azucar quemado caramelo- para dar color oscuro y gustoAcido fosforito (para darle el sabor acido)azucar (HFCS-jarabe de maiz de alta fructosa)Extracto de hojas de la planta de Coca (Africa e India) y otros pocos aromatizantes naturales de otras plantasMucha CafeinaConservante que puede ser Benzoato de Sodio o PotasioDioxido de Carbono en cantidad para sentir freir la lengua cuando se bebeSal para dar la sensacion de refrigeracionEl uso del acido fosforito y no del acido citrico como en todas las demas gaseosas, es para dar la sensacion de dientes y boca limpia al beber. El acido fosforito literalmente frie todo y dana el esmalte de los dientes, cosa que el acido citrico lo hace en menor grado.Trate de comprar acido fosforito para ver las mil recomendaciones de seguridad que te dan para su manipulacion (quema el cristalino del ojo, quema la piel, etc...). Esta prohibido usar el acido fosforito en cualquier otra gaseosa; solo la Coca Cola tiene permiso. Porque claro, sin el acido fosforico, la Coca Cola sabria a jabon.El extracto de coca y otras hojas casi no cambia en nada el sabor. Es mas bien un efecto cosmetico. El extracto forma parte de la Coca-Cola porque legalmente tiene que ser asi. Pero sin el, no se nota ninguna diferencia en el gusto, que esta dado basicamente por las cantidades diferentes de azucar, azucar quemada, sales, acidos y conservantes.Sabor a que...? ja, ja, ja.Aqui en Bartow, sur de Orlando, hay una empresa quimica que produce aromatizantes y esencias para zumos. Envian diariamente camionadas de sales concentradas y esencias para las fabricas de helados, gaseosas, jugos, enlatados y comida colorida y aromatizada.Cuando visite por primera vez la fabrica, pedi ver el deposito de concentrados de frutas, que deberia ser inmenso, especialmente los de naranja, pina, fresa y tantos otros. El encargado me miro, se rio y me llevo a visitar los depositos inmensos... pero de colorantes y componentes quimicos.Las gaseosa de naranja no contiene naranja.En los zumos dizque de fresa, hasta los puntitos que quedan en suspension estan hechos de goma (una liga quimica que envuelve un semi-polimero).Pina, es un popurri de acidos y goma.La esencia para helado de aguacate usa peroxido de hidrogeno (agua oxigenada) para dar la sensacion espumosa tipica del aguacate.Quieres saber la cantidad de basura que tiene un refresco 'light'? Yo ni siquiera los uso para destapar mi lavaplatos pues temo que danen los tubos de PVC. Los productos endulzantes 'ligth' tienen una vida media muy corta. Por ejemplo el aspartamo , despues de tres semanas mojado, pasa a tener gusto de trapo viejo sucio.Para evitar eso, se agregan una infinidad de otros productos quimicos, uno para alargar la vida del aspartamo, otro para neutralizar el color, otro para mantener el tercer quimico en suspension porque sino el fondo de la gaseosa quedaria oscuro, otro para evitar la cristalizacion del aspartamo, otro para realzar el sabor, dar mas intensidad al acido citrico o fosforito que perderia su sabor por el efecto de los cuatro productos quimicos iniciales... y asi sucesivamente.Un consejo final !!Despues de toda mi experiencia con la produccion de bebidas embasadas, puedo afirmar sin dudar un segundo: la mejor bebida es el agua, como tambien los jugos exprimidos de naranja o limon. Nada mas, cero azucar y cero sal.Publicado por loretahur MARGARINA o MANTEQUILLA La margarina fue producida originalmente para engordar a los pavos; cuandolo que hizo en realidad fue matarlos.Las personas que habian puesto el dinero para la investigacion quisieronrecobrarlo asi que empezaron a pensar en una forma de hacerlo.Tenian una sustancia blanca, que no tenia ningun atractivo como comestible,asi que le anadieron el color amarillo, para venderselo a lagente en lugar de la mantequilla.Que tal esa?... Ahora han sacado algunos nuevos sabores para vender mas alos incautos como usted y yo.CONOCE USTED la diferencia entre la margarina y la mantequilla?Siga leyendo hasta el final... porque se pone bastante interesante!Comparacion entre mantequilla y margarina: 1.- Ambas tienen la misma cantidad de calorias. 2.- La mantequilla es ligeramente mas alta en grasas saturadas: 8 gramos,comparada con los 5 gramos que tiene la margarina. 3.- Comer margarina en vez de mantequilla puede aumentar en 53% el riesgo deenfermedades coronarias en las mujeres, de acuerdo con un estudiomedico reciente de la Universidad de Harvard. 4.- Comer mantequilla aumenta la absorcion de gran cantidad de nutrientesque se encuentran en otros alimentos. 5.- La mantequilla provee beneficios nutricionales propios mientras lamargarina tiene solo los que le hayan sido anadidos al fabricarla. 6.- La mantequilla sabe mucho mejor que la margarina y mejora el sabor deotros alimentos.7.- La mantequilla ha existido durante siglos mientras que la margarinatiene menos de 100 anos. Ahora... sobre la margarina: 1.- Es muy alta en acidos grasos trans. (Si, esos que recien ahora loscientificos descubrieron que son malisimos y los gobiernoscomenzaron a prohibirlos) . 2.- Triple riesgo de enfermedades coronarias. 3.- Aumenta el colesterol total y el LDL (el colesterol malo) y disminuye elHDL (el colesterol bueno). 4.- Aumenta en cinco veces el riesgo de cancer. 5.- Disminuye la calidad de la leche materna. 6.- Disminuye la reaccion inmunologica del organismo. 7.- Disminuye la reaccion a la insulina. Y he aqui el factor mas inquietante (AQUI ESTA LA PARTE MAS INTERESANTE! ):A la margarina le falta UNA MOLECULA para ser PLASTICO...!!Solo este hecho es suficiente para evitar el uso de la margarina de porvida, y de cualquier otra cosa que sea hidrogenada (esto significaque se le anade hidrogeno, lo cual cambia la estructura molecular de lassubstancias).Usted puede ensayar lo siguiente:Compre un poco de margarina y dejela en el garaje o en un sitio sombreado.Dentro de unos dias notara dos cosas: * No habra moscas; ni siquiera esos molestos bichos se le acercaran (esto yale debe decir a usted algo). * No se pudre ni huele mal o diferente porque no tiene valor nutritivo; nadacrece en ella. Ni siquiera los diminutos microorganismos puedencrecer en ella.Por que? Porque es casi plastico!! No a la guerra, Si a la Paz Misterios de la ciencia... Los costos de la guerra medicos y capitalismo... Capitalismo... medicos (2) Quien educa a nuestros hijos? Los Medios... Sin Palabras... Chistes feministas - Cual es el problema, Eva? - Se que me has creado, que me has dado este hermoso jardin, todos estos maravillosos animales y esa serpiente con la que me muero de risa... pero no soy del todo feliz... - Como es eso, Eva? - replico Dios desde las alturas. - Me encuentro sola, y ademas estoy harta de comer manzanas... - Bueno Eva, en tal caso, tengo una solucion... creare un hombre para ti. - Que es un hombre? - Un hombre sera una criatura imperfecta, con muchas artimanas. Mentira, hara trampas, sera engreido... vamos, que te va a dar problemas... Pero, va a ser mas fuerte y rapido que tu y le gustara cazar y matar cosas... Tendra un aspecto simple, pero como te estas quejando, le creare de tal forma que satisfaga tus... eh... necesidades fisicas... Y tampoco sera muy listo, y destacara en cosas infantiles como pegarse o dar patadas a un balon... Necesitara tu consejo siempre para actuar cuerdamente. - Suena bien - dijo Eva, mientras levantaba la ceja ironicamente. - Cual es el truco?. - Pues... que lo tendras con una condicion. - Cual? - Como te decia, sera chulo, arrogante y muy narcisista... asi que le tendras que hacer creer que le hice a el primero... recuerda... es nuestro secreto... de mujer a mujer. Por que a los hombres no les puede dar la enfermedad de las vacas locas? Porque todos son unos cerdos Un dia, en el Paraiso, Eva llamo a Dios: Tengo un problema.- Cual es el problema, Eva?- Se que me has creado, que me has dado este hermoso jardin, todos estos maravillosos animales y esa serpiente con la que me muero de risa... pero no soy del todo feliz... - Como es eso, Eva? - replico Dios desde las alturas.- Me encuentro sola, y ademas estoy harta de comer manzanas...- Bueno Eva, en tal caso, tengo una solucion... creare un hombre para ti.- Que es un hombre?- Un hombre sera una criatura imperfecta, con muchas artimanas. Mentira, hara trampas, sera engreido... vamos, que te va a dar problemas... Pero, va a ser mas fuerte y rapido que tu y le gustara cazar y matar cosas... Tendra un aspecto simple, pero como te estas quejando, le creare de tal forma que satisfaga tus... eh... necesidades fisicas... Y tampoco sera muy listo, y destacara en cosas infantiles como pegarse o dar patadas a un balon... Necesitara tu consejo siempre para actuar cuerdamente.- Suena bien - dijo Eva, mientras levantaba la ceja ironicamente.- Cual es el truco?.- Pues... que lo tendras con una condicion.- Cual?- Como te decia, sera chulo, arrogante y muy narcisista... asi que le tendras que hacer creer que le hice a el primero... recuerda... es nuestro secreto... de mujer a mujer.Por que a los hombres no les puede dar la enfermedad de las vacas locas? Porque todos son unos cerdos Ellas... Ellas (2)... Tres venganzas femeninas VENGANZA NUMERO 1 Hoy mi hija cumple 21 anos y estoy muy contento porque es el ultimo pago de pension alimenticia que le doy, asi que llame a mi hijita para que viniera a mi casa y cuando llego le dije: -Hijita, quiero que lleves este cheque a casa de tu mama y que le digas que: Este es el ultimo maldito cheque que va recibir de mi en todo lo que le queda de su puta vida!!! Quiero que me digas la expresion que pone en su rostro. Asi que mi hija fue a entregar el cheque. Yo estaba ansioso por saber lo que la bruja tenia que decir y que cara pondria. Cuando mi hijita entro, le pregunte inmediatamente: -Que fue lo que te dijo tu madre? -Me dijo que justamente estaba esperando este dia para decirte que no eres mi papa! VENGANZA NUMERO 2 Un hombre que siempre molestaba a su mujer, paso un dia por la casa de unos amigos para que lo acompanaran al aeropuerto a dejar a su esposa que viajaba a Paris. A la salida de inmigracion, frente a todo el mundo, el le desea buen viaje y en tono burlon le grita: - Amor, no te olvides de traerme una hermosa francesita Ja ja ja!! Ella bajo la cabeza y se embarco muy molesta. La mujer paso quince dias en Francia. El marido otra vez pidio a sus amigos que lo acompanasen al aeropuerto a recibirla. Al verla llegar, lo primero que le grita a toda voz es: - Y amor me trajiste mi francesita?? - Hice todo lo posible, - contesta ella - ahora solo tenemos que rezar para que nazca nina. VENGANZA NUMERO 3 El marido, en su lecho de muerte, llama a su mujer. Con voz ronca y ya debil, le dice: - Muy bien, llego mi hora, pero antes quiero hacerte una confesion. - No, no, tranquilo, tu no debes hacer ningun esfuerzo. - Pero, mujer, es preciso - insiste el marido - Es preciso morir en paz. Te quiero confesar algo. - Esta bien, esta bien. Habla! - He tenido relaciones con tu hermana, tu mama y tu mejor amiga. - Lo se, lo se Por eso te envenene, hijo de puta!!! machismo y cibernetica Chiste machista La NASA ha enviado al espacio una mision experimental tripulada por dos monos y una mujer.Apenas abandona la atmosfera, se establece comunicacion con Houston. -Atencion, simio 1, verifique sistemas hidraulicos, controle adecuada presion de los propulsores de arranque. A 60.000 pies disminuya un 25% la velocidad. El simio hace la sena de OK. -Atencion, simio 2, nivele al cruzar la estratosfera y active sistemas anticongelantes. No olvide monitorear sistemas de comunicacion e indicadores de presion. Comprendido?. El simio hace la sena de OK. -Atencion, Houston llamando a mujer: no se olvide. -Mujer: Si, si, ya se! -interrumpe enojada- que no me olvide darles de comer a estos monos de mierda y que no se me vaya a ocurrir tocar nada!. .Spaghetti, Spaghetti, Spaghetti, Spaghetti, Spaghetti. Un abogado mantiene un romance con su secretaria.Al poco tiempo, esta queda embarazada y el abogado, que no quiere que su esposa se entere, le da a la secretaria una buena suma de dinero y le pide que se vaya a parir a Italia.Esta pregunta: Y como voy a hacerte saber cuando nazca el bebe ? El abogado responde: Para que mi mujer no se entere, tan solo enviame una postal y escribe por detras: Spaghetti. Y no te preocupes mas, que yo me encargare de todos los gastos. Pasan los meses y una manana la esposa del abogado lo llama al bufete, algo exaltada: Querido, acabo de recibir el correo y hay una postal muy extrana viene desde Italia. La verdad, no entiendo que significa.El abogado, tratando de ocultar sus nervios, contesta:Espera a que llegue a casa, a ver si yo entiendoCuando el hombre llega a casa y lee la postal, cae al suelo fulminado por un infarto.Llega una ambulancia y se lo lleva. Ya en el hospital, el jefe de cardiologia se queda consolando a la esposa y le pregunta cual ha sido el evento que precipito tan masivo ataque cardiaco. Entonces la esposa saca la postal y se la muestra diciendole: No me explico, doctor; el solamente leyo esta postal. Vea usted mismo lo que trae escrito.Spaghetti, Spaghetti, Spaghetti, Spaghetti, Spaghetti."Tres con salchicha y albondigas y dos con almejas Gol !!!! Chistes de Borrachos Entra un borracho a su casa todo manchado con lapiz labial por todos lados hecho un desastre, y la mujer le pregunta:-Hombre que te paso?Y el borracho le responde:-No me vas a creer, me pelee con un payaso! Este es un borracho que entra en un bar y le dice al camarero:-Me da cinco copas de whisky?Al rato:-Me da cuatro?Al rato:-Me da tres copas?Despues:-Me da dos copas?Luego le dice:-Me da una copa?Y le dice al camarero:-Ves? Cuanto menos bebo, mas borracho estoy! Warsaw (AFP) - Film director Roman Polanski dismissed the #MeToo movement as "mass hysteria" and "hypocrisy" in a Polish interview carried out before he was expelled from the Oscars academy. The 84-year-old Oscar-winning director of "Rosemary's Baby" was last week expelled from the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences along with actor Bill Cosby, in light of sexual assault cases against both men. Asked what he thinks of the movie industry's recent reckoning with sexual harassment, Polanski told this week's edition of Newsweek Polska: "I think this is the kind of mass hysteria that occurs in society from time to time." "Sometimes it's very dramatic, like the French Revolution or the St Bartholomew's Day massacre in France, or sometimes it's less bloody, like 1968 in Poland or McCarthyism in the US," he added. "Everyone is trying to back this movement, mainly out of fear... I think it's total hypocrisy." Polanski, who is a dual Polish and French citizen and currently lives in France, is wanted in the US for the 1977 rape of Samantha Geimer. He has for years sought to negotiate a deal in the case with US authorities. Geimer, who has said in the past that she has forgiven Polanski, dismissed the Academy's move to expel him as "an ugly and cruel action which serves only appearance." Polanski himself called the decision last week "the height of hypocrisy", according to his lawyer Jan Olszewski. Olszewski added that comparing Polanski to Bill Cosby, who was also expelled from the Academy for sexual assault, was "a total misunderstanding and harassment." The expulsions came as Hollywood reels from the assault allegations against disgraced film mogul Harvey Weinstein, which prompted an international uproar and encouraged legions of women to share their own experience of sexual harassment or rape under the hashtag #MeToo. With access to the real DMZ restricted, tourists are flocking to a replica of the border truce village of Panmunjom to re-enact the scene of the leaders of the two Koreas shaking hands. With a low cement block between them marking the "border", they shake hands as North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and South Korea's President Moon Jae-in did when they met at Panmunjom on April 27. Many visitors joined hands and hopped over the mock Military Demarcation Line to the "North" and back, re-enacting the scene that was broadcast live. "My children urged me to come here after they saw the the famous scene on TV at school class," Park Sook-hyun, a 44-year-old housewife, told AFP. Chung O-Chul, 46, said he came from the southern city of Changwon to see the replica and "celebrate reconciliation" between the two Koreas. "But I was overwhelmed by this huge crowd", he said. Panmunjom, known as the Joint Security Area, is inside the Demilitarized Zone, a 250 kilometre (155-mile)-long swath of land that divides the Korean peninsula. Despite its name, the DMZ is among the most heavily fortified areas on the planet and the Joint Security Area is the only place where soldiers from the North and South stand face-to-face. The replica was built for the 2000 blockbuster "JSA: Joint Security Area", a mystery thriller by renowned director Park Chan-wook. The village has UN blue-coloured huts, Panmungak, a drab cement building on the North side, and the Freedom House pavilion on the South side. But despite the realism there is a complete lack of the tension visitors feel when they set foot on what former US president Bill Clinton once described as the "scariest place on Earth". "It is almost like the real Panmunjom but what lacks here is the tense atmosphere" said Park, adding she had a chance to visit Panmunjom 20 years earlier. The facility and two other outdoor movie sets belong to the Korean Film Council's Namyangju Studios in the eastern suburbs of Seoul. "The two other movie sets used to be more popular than Panmunjom replica but following the summit, most visitors want to see Panmunjom set first," a studio official said. And there are only a few weeks left to visit "Panmunjom" as the sets will be torn down after the end of May ahead of the studio's relocation to the southern city of Busan next year. Tori Spelling and husband Dean McDermott in August 2017. (Photo by Rodin Eckenroth/WireImage) Party of two! Tori Spelling and Dean McDermott left the kids at home to celebrate their wedding anniversary in Hawaii just months after they were reportedly on the brink of splitting. On Monday, the Beverly Hills, 90210 star posted a loving message to her hubby of 12-years on Instagram. Spelling, 44, and McDermott, 51, met in July 2005 while filming the Lifetime TV movie Mind Over Murder. They quickly struck up a romantic relationship while they were both married to other people. The co-stars divorced their respective partners and eloped in Fiji in May of the following year. Spelling shared another loving photo from the trip, revealing they are on a kids-free vacation, a first for the couple. The actors have five children: Liam, 11; Stella, 9; Hattie, 6; Finn, 5; and Beau, 1. McDermott, 51, posted the same photo writing that hes so blessed to be with his wife. Story continues The social media pics come two months after cops were called to the family home in Los Angeles for a domestic incident. In March, officers responded to an occurrence allegedly involving a female with a possible mental illness. Apparently, Spelling called the police when she thought there was an intruder, but it ended up being her husband. She and McDermott were reportedly taking some space apart at the time. The last year has been really tough on Tori. She has a ton of pressure and stress, with the kids, work and her marriage, a source told People at the time. She internalizes a lot of her anxiety, and she knows its not healthy for her. Of course shes going to get to a breaking point eventually. Tori and Dean have their ups and downs, but they love each other, and family is most important to both of them. Clearly, they weathered another storm successfully. Read more from Yahoo Entertainment: Lebanon held on Sunday its first parliamentary elections in nine years, as citizens expressed cautious optimism that the country's rigid, oft-deadlocked sectarian political system could be swayed. Behind the scenes, however, one of the world's leading powers has quietly eyed the small state as a potential ground to project its power in the Middle East and into the Mediterranean. But it won't be easy. With Syrian rebels and jihadis at bay, and Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's government set to further extend its comeback, Russia has pursued a cautious overture across the border into Lebanona $1 billion dollar arms deal, including a 15-year repayment term at zero percent interest, as the Christian Science Monitor reported. Unlike Syria, Lebanon's precarious political makeup means there are no Kremlin-backed strongmen to turn to, but a rocky balance of power that has so far left the offer on the table. "There is certainly an attempt to expand the soft Russian power in the region. This may translate into greater military cooperation and the signing (by the Lebanese) of a defense deal brokered last year," Maya Yahya, director of the Carnegie Middle East Center in Beirut, told Newsweek. "The parliamentary election results may have some impact to the extent of swaying the pendulum slightly towards a pro-Russia camp. However, given the delicate power/sectarian balance in the country, this may remain limited for now." Trending: James Comey Versus Donald Trump: Who Do Americans Trust More? GettyImages-930004078 MAHMOUD ZAYYAT/AFP/Getty Images Russian President Vladimir Putin's quest to reinvigorate his country's military and political clout from its post-Soviet coma in the 1990s has put him on a collision course with the West, especially the U.S., which sees little more than its traditional Cold War rival once again gunning for superpowerdom. The U.S. and a number of its Western allies have accused Russia of election interference, cyber-attacks and even military provocations, especially along the tense borders between the U.S.-led NATO military alliance and Russia. Story continues In the Middle East, this rivalry is playing out as well. Not only has Russia secured a near total victory for Assad in Syria, but it has shored up its long-term military presence in the Mediterranean by creating a permanent naval task force there and leasing two coastal installationsthe Hmeymim air base and a naval facility in Tartus. While this concentration of Russian land, air and sea power makes it convenient to blast ISIS targets across the country, it also provides a powerful buffer overlooking NATO's southern flank in the Mediterranean. Related: Iran Warns of New 'War' As It Boosts Ties With Syria, Iraq and Lebanon Arabic-language reports from pro-Russia Sputnik News and pro-Syria Al Mayadeen in February suggested that Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev had ordered the Russian military to look into establishing defense ties with Lebanon, specifically to open Lebanese ports to Russian warships, as The National Interest highlighted. The absence of this news in English-language or other mainstream media and the unknown fate of the $1 billion arms deal may signal that Russia's entrance into Lebanon did not go as smoothly as planned. Lebanon, already beset by a war of influence between revolutionary Shiite Muslim Iran and ultraconservative Sunni Muslim Saudi Arabiaand caught between restive Syria and proclaimed enemy Israelmay be Russia's biggest challenge yet. The country's government is largely divided by sect, with the president being Christian, the prime minister being Sunni Muslim and the speaker of the parliament being Shiite Muslim. The country has 128 parliamentary seats equally divided between Christian and Muslim sects, who themselves have a designated number of seats. Disruptions of Lebanon's balance of power often lead to violence, the worst being a civil war between 1975 and 1990 in which many of the country's current leading politicians and parties participated. Flare-ups have continued into the 21st century as the political landscape split into two main blocs: the March 8 alliance and the March 14 alliance. The former is closer to Iran, Russia's strategic partner in Syria. Nevertheless, it is unclear whether this relationship extends to Iran's allies in Lebanon. Don't miss: Waffle House Shooting Hero Still Hasn't Heard From Donald Trump RTX5YR29 National Democratic Institute Hezbollah, an Iran-backed Shiite Muslim Lebanese movement that dates back to the civil war and an overlapping struggle to oust an Israeli occupation, is often considered one of the world's most powerful paramilitary forces. It also retained significant control in Lebanon after the withdrawal of Syria in 2005, when the March 8 and March 14 blocs were established. Considered a terrorist organization by the U.S., Israel, Saudi Arabia and charged with playing a role in the assassination of Lebanese Prime Minister Rafik al-Hariri in 2005 by many of his majority-Sunni Muslim Future Movement supporters, Hezbollah is a leading force for the March 8 alliance, which gained major momentum after a 2006 memorandum of understanding was signed between Hezbollah Secretary-General Hassan Nasrallah and the Michel Aoun, who returned from exile in France. Aoun, founder of the largely Maronite Christian Free Patriotic Movement and once fiercely anti-Syria, joined the March 8 Alliance and went on to become president in 2016, ending a 29-month deadlock. While the intricacies of Lebanon's confessional system often make uncomfortable alliances from former foes, the U.S., Israel and Saudi Arabia have expressed concern with the normalization of Hezbollah in Lebanese politics. Washington has preferred dialogue with the late Hariri's son, Saad al-Hariri, who leads the pro-West and Saudi-backed March 14 opposition as prime minister. Unlike the U.S., Russia has taken a multipolar approach to the Middle East. Rather than investing all of its resources in one camp, Moscow has maintained regular and cordial contacts with Egypt, Lebanon, Iran, Iraq, Israel, Qatar Saudi Arabia, Syria, Turkey and other countries. Having showcased advanced weapons such as the S-400 air defense system to prospective regional buyers, Russia's $1 billion offer to supply the Lebanese Armed Forces appeared to be the natural extension of Putin's plan to boost his influence. "Russia's recent offer to Lebanon comes as Moscow looks to continue to exploit its enhanced position in the region from its Syria intervention. Moscow has essentially stepped into almost every country in the region, especially those who currently have frayed relations with the U.S. (Egypt and Turkey in particular), to offer its top export: arms," Neil Hauer, a security analyst specializing in Russia and Syria, told Newsweek. "In Lebanon, this also fills a gap left by Saudi Arabia's cancellation of a $3 billion military aid package in 2016, over concerns with the Lebanese government/army's unwillingness to crack down on Hezbollah," he added. Most popular: Study: Millennials Waiting Much Longer To Have Sex, 1-In-8 Virgins At 26 GettyImages-850468320 LOUAI BESHARA/AFP/Getty Images As Hauer points out, though, "Russia does not have particularly close relations with Hezbollah, so this arms deal could be an attempt to bolster the army against the Iran-aligned Shia militia, much the same way the U.S. has tried to do in the past." He said he believed that "that the primary goal of this deal, however, is to establish Russia as a significant player in Lebanon and one which the U.S. must now consider in its dealings with the country and its many political players." He added, "I don't particularly think Russia will be successful, but I think that's their goal." Since 2006, the U.S. has already pledged up to $1.6 billion for the Lebanese Armed Forces. The non-sectarian army tries to keep its distance from Hezbollah, although the two local forces have worked in tandem as they tackled the Islamic State militant group (ISIS) and Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, a former Al-Qaeda affiliate, in the eastern barrens of Lebanon, near the Syrian border. The relationship between Russia and Hezbollah is also ambiguous. The two work side-by-side with one another in support of Assad, but Moscow's ties to Israel and Saudi Arabia are not a fit for the self-proclaimed, anti-West "Axis of Resistance" that includes Hezbollah, Iran and Syria. Russia's role is getting especially uncomfortable as Israel intensifies its targeting of Iran and its allies in Syria. These attacks, some claimed by Israel and others left unclaimed, have pushed both nations to the brink of war. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is also campaigning for President Donald Trump to cancel a historic 2015 nuclear deal with Iran, a move that threatened to erupt into conflict if Iran restarted its nuclear activities as it has threatened to do. RTS1PEI7 Amir Cohen/Reuters In the middle of this is tiny Lebanon. The country, still deeply scarred by its own civil war, has mostly disassociated from the conflict in Syria, but it has borne the brunt of a refugee crisis and its airspace has been repeatedly violated by combatants. Last month, Aoun condemned a suspected Israeli raid that used Lebanese airspace to fatally strike Iranian personnel in a Syrian airbase. Days later, the president again spoke out, this time against U.S. missiles flying over Lebanon to blast alleged chemical weapons facilities in Damascus and Homs. Iran and its allies have vowed to respond to both attacks. Russia, on the other hand, has called for calm. As Russia asserts itself as the leading power broker in the region, it's set to inherit the daunting task of preventing a war between Iran and Israel. Yahya told Newsweek that, as the tensions mount, Lebanon may lean toward Russia in hopes that Moscow can break the dangerous cycle of violence and rhetoric that could plunge the country and region as a whole into a new war, one in which the U.S. has clearly chosen a side. "At this point, many are looking to Russia to contain the evident escalation between Iran/Israel and prevent the outbreak of active conflict in Lebanon," Yahya said. This article was first written by Newsweek More from Newsweek Riyadh (AFP) - Saudi women will be allowed to start driving in the kingdom from June 24, the General Department of Traffic Director General Mohammed al-Bassami said on Tuesday. "All the requirements for women in the kingdom to start driving have been established," Bassami was quoted as saying in a statement released by the government. In September 2017, a royal decree announced the end of a decades-long ban on women driving -- the only one of its kind in the world. Women 18 years of age and older will be allowed to apply for a driver's license, Bassami said. Driving schools for women have been set up across five cities in the conservative kingdom, and teachers will include Saudi women who obtained their licenses abroad. Women with foreign driving licenses will be able to apply for a local one through a separate process, which will also assess their driving skills. "It is no secret that many women in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia hold driving licences from abroad," the statement added. Saudi women have previously petitioned the government for the lifting of the ban, and even taken to the wheel in protest. Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, 32, is seen as the force behind the lifting of the ban, part of a series of reforms being pushed by the powerful royal in the conservative kingdom. His Vision 2030 reform plan for a post-oil era seeks to elevate women to nearly one-third of the workforce, up from about 22 percent now. The decision to allow women to drive could give them the much-needed mobility to join the workforce. Saudi women now no longer need male permission to start business. But Saudi activists say social change will only be cosmetic without dismantling the kingdom's rigid guardianship system, which requires women to seek permission from a male relative to study, travel and other activities. With Environmental Protection Agency administrator Scott Pruitt poised to roll back Obama-era emission targets for cars and revoke Californias even stricter standards, Arnold Schwarzenegger, the states former Republican governor, is crying foul. Scott Pruitt is stuck in the polluting past, and California is showing the way to a cleaner, profitable future we are ahead of the rest of the nation in economic growth and in lowering emissions, Schwarzenegger told Yahoo News in an email on Monday. In the United States, we have a long history of instituting emissions standards to clean our air that goes back to when Richard Nixon was president and Ronald Reagan was governor of California. Those arent the most liberal guys around, let me remind you. Gov. Jerry Brown, Schwarzeneggers successor, announced on May 1 that California is leading an 18-state coalition to sue the EPA in defense of the clean-car rules. The lawsuit alleges that the EPA acted arbitrarily and capriciously, failed to follow its own regulations and violated the Clean Air Act. Under the Clean Air Act, California has the authority to set its own standards for vehicle emissions as long as they arent weaker than the federal standards, but the state is required to have a waiver from the EPA. That arrangement is predicated on the fact that, since the 1950s, California has set its own emission standards. Section 177 of the Clean Air Act allows other states to follow Californias standards instead of the federal requirements. Schwarzenegger continued: We also have a long history of the federal government respecting Californias right, as a state, to regulate our own air. When I was governor, the EPA thought they could stop us, and we won. The EPA even tried to claim that greenhouse gases were not a pollutant, and we took them all the way to the Supreme Court and we won that. Mr. Pruitt, I can assure you that California, and those who believe in a cleaner future, will win again. Story continues Arnold Schwarzenegger, right, has been harshly critical of EPA chief Scott Pruitt. (Yahoo News photo Illustration; photos: AP, Getty) President Trumps nomination of Pruitt as EPA chief elicited widespread condemnation from scientists and environmentalists, in large part because of his climate-change denial and close ties to the fossil fuel industry as attorney general of Oklahoma. Although support of Pruitt from conservatives has wavered amid allegations of extravagant spending and other ethics violations, the EPA chief has made it clear during congressional testimony late last month that he intends to fulfill Trumps agenda of deregulation, including dismantling vehicle emission targets. Luke Tonachel, director of the Natural Resources Defense Councils clean vehicles and fuels project, said Pruitts decision will only benefit oil and gas companies. Its bad for the automakers because of the uncertainty it creates. Its bad for consumers because it will cost them more money at the pump. And its bad for public health because it will increase pollution, Tonachel said. The standards Pruitt is targeting were enacted by the Obama administration in 2010. The EPA, the Department of Transportations National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and the California Air Resources Board established a national program of greenhouse gas emission standards for 2012-2025 vehicle models. The idea was to simplify automobile manufacturing by providing a single target while reducing air pollution. Based on extensive research, the EPA and CARB last year reaffirmed that these standards were appropriate. Sen. Tom Carper, D-Del., ranking member of the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works, got his hands on a draft of Pruitts new proposed regulations and, in a May 1 letter to Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao and Pruitt, urged them to abandon the extreme and legally questionable plan. Such a proposal, if finalized, would harm U.S. national and economic security, undermine efforts to combat global warming pollution, create regulatory and manufacturing uncertainty for the automobile industry and unnecessary litigation, increase the amount of gasoline consumers would have to buy and runs counter to statements that both of you have made to Members of Congress, Carper wrote in his letter. Asked for a response to Carpers argument, the DOTs National Highway Traffic Safety Administration responded that it is continuing to work with the EPA on the Corporate Average Fuel Economy and tailpipe standards for future passenger cars and light trucks. NHTSAs top priority is safety and this Administration must also consider economic practicability when setting these Standards. The Department is committed to a public, robust, and transparent review process, the agency said via email. NHTSA will propose the next set of standards for public review and comment before they are finalized: The agencies intend to take comment on a broad range of options. Given that the work is ongoing, at this time there is nothing to announce until a proposal is actually released. After Trumps election, automakers requested that the EPA loosen the Obama-era standards, arguing that they didnt take into account fuel-saving technology that could be used as credits to meet their quotas. But it appears Pruitts forthcoming rules will go far beyond what the industry had sought, and thats a problem. They had regulatory certainty. Now theyre facing regulatory pandemonium, Tonachel said. At this point, the automakers have already done a lot of work to design the technology and product-plans for future model years. Tonachel said the automakers have made it clear from the beginning that theyd prefer to have a program that ensures they would be complying with all standards if they comply with one set. The auto manufacturers certainly dont want to be perceived as siding with polluters in a clash between Pruitt and roughly 43 percent of the automotive market. The plaintiffs include California, Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Iowa, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia and Washington. Bill Ford, executive chairman of Ford Motor, and Jim Hackett, the companys president and CEO, released a blog post on March 27 saying they support increasing clean car standards through 2025, and have not asked for a rollback. We want one set of standards nationally, along with additional flexibility to help us provide more affordable options for our customers. We believe that working together with EPA, NHTSA and California, we can deliver on this standard, they wrote. Robert Bienenfeld, assistant vice president in charge of environment and energy strategy at the American Honda Motor, a subsidiary of the Japanese corporation, similarly told the New York Times last month, We didnt ask for that. The position we outlined was sensible. Tonachel said, Ford and Honda are out there at some level expressing where they had hoped this was going to go. But its nowhere consistent with holding constant at 2020 levels. Neither the Association of Global Automakers nor the Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers, trade groups for automobile manufacturers that build and sell products in the U.S., responded to a request for comment. As the states face off against the EPA, Trump is planning to meet on Friday with top executives from roughly a dozen major domestic and foreign automakers. Read more from Yahoo News: By Kaori Kaneko TOKYO (Reuters) - Japan and North Korea should begin talks to normalize relations between the two countries and contribute to peace and stability in the region, South Korean President Moon Jae-in told a Japanese newspaper on Tuesday. "In particular, I think dialogue between Japan and North Korea should be resumed," Moon said in the interview with the Yomiuri Shimbun. "If Japan-North Korea relations are normalized, that would greatly contribute to peace and security in Northeast Asia beyond the Korean peninsula," he said in written answers to questions submitted by the newspaper. At Moon's summit last month with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, both sides agreed to work toward denuclearization. Kim said during that meeting he was "ready to have a dialogue with Japan anytime", Moon told the newspaper. Tokyo has called Pyongyang's nuclear weapons and missile programs the toughest security threat facing Japan since World War Two. "There is no change to our stance that we aim to resolve the abduction issue and end North Korea's nuclear and missile programs before we attempt to normalize diplomatic relations with Pyongyang," an official at Japan's foreign ministry said. Moon's interview was conducted ahead of a summit on Wednesday between Moon, Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and Chinese Premier Li Keqiang in Tokyo. North Korea was expected to be high on the agenda but a Chinese diplomat said last week the talks were about regional cooperation and not focused on the Korean peninsula. Nevertheless, months of frosty relations between Beijing and Pyongyang appear to have thawed since Kim's secretive visit to Beijing in March, where he met Chinese President Xi Jinping. Analysts said Kim's meeting with Xi strengthened North Korea's negotiating position by aligning the two nations ahead of Kim's summit with U.S. President Donald Trump in the coming weeks. A high-ranking North Korean official flew to the Chinese city of Dalian on Monday, South Korea's Yonhap News Agency said on Tuesday, citing multiple anonymous sources. The report did not identify the official. In the interview, Moon said Kim's desire for "complete denuclearization" laid the groundwork for the future summit between the United States and North Korea, although it remained to be seen if concrete steps were agreed at the talks. Trump has said he will maintain sanctions and pressure on the North and "not repeat the mistakes of past administrations", and added that his tough stance had led to the breakthrough. Moon said Kim was "a very open and practical person" and both leaders had a mutual goal for the denuclearization of the Korean peninsula. "From now on, based on our deep mutual trust, we'll make bold steps toward peace and prosperity, and unification," Moon said. (Reporting by Kaori Kaneko; additional reporting by Ju-min Park in SEOUL; Editing by Darren Schuettler) By Kaori Kaneko TOKYO (Reuters) - Japan and North Korea should begin talks to normalise relations between the two countries and contribute to peace and stability in the region, South Korean President Moon Jae-in told a Japanese newspaper on Tuesday. "In particular, I think dialogue between Japan and North Korea should be resumed," Moon said in the interview with the Yomiuri Shimbun. "If Japan-North Korea relations are normalised, that would greatly contribute to peace and security in Northeast Asia beyond the Korean peninsula," he said in written answers to questions submitted by the newspaper. At Moon's summit last month with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, both sides agreed to work towards denuclearisation. Kim said during that meeting he was "ready to have a dialogue with Japan anytime", Moon told the newspaper. Tokyo has called Pyongyang's nuclear weapons and missile programmes the toughest security threat facing Japan since World War Two. "There is no change to our stance that we aim to resolve the abduction issue and end North Korea's nuclear and missile programmes before we attempt to normalise diplomatic relations with Pyongyang," an official at Japan's foreign ministry said. Moon's interview was conducted ahead of a summit on Wednesday between Moon, Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and Chinese Premier Li Keqiang in Tokyo. North Korea was expected to be high on the agenda but a Chinese diplomat said last week the talks were about regional cooperation and not focused on the Korean peninsula. Nevertheless, months of frosty relations between Beijing and Pyongyang appear to have thawed since Kim's secretive visit to Beijing in March, where he met Chinese President Xi Jinping. Analysts said Kim's meeting with Xi strengthened North Korea's negotiating position by aligning the two nations ahead of Kim's summit with U.S. President Donald Trump in the coming weeks. Story continues A high-ranking North Korean official flew to the Chinese city of Dalian on Monday, South Korea's Yonhap News Agency said on Tuesday, citing multiple anonymous sources. The report did not identify the official. In the interview, Moon said Kim's desire for "complete denuclearisation" laid the groundwork for the future summit between the United States and North Korea, although it remained to be seen if concrete steps were agreed at the talks. Trump has said he will maintain sanctions and pressure on the North and "not repeat the mistakes of past administrations", and added that his tough stance had led to the breakthrough. Moon said Kim was "a very open and practical person" and both leaders had a mutual goal for the denuclearisation of the Korean peninsula. "From now on, based on our deep mutual trust, we'll make bold steps toward peace and prosperity, and unification," Moon said. (Reporting by Kaori Kaneko; additional reporting by Ju-min Park in SEOUL; Editing by Darren Schuettler) Stormy Daniels layer Michael Avenatti has hit out at Rudy Giulianis most recent TV interview, describing it as a train wreck. Giuliani, who was recently installed as President Donald Trumps new personal lawyer, appeared on ABC's This Week on Sunday discussing the Stormy Daniels allegations and the ongoing Russia investigation. Along with suggesting he could not rule out the president taking the Fifth Amendment if he testifies on Russia, Giuliani also said there was the possibility other women had received hush payments, and referred to the $130,000 paid to Daniels, whose real name is Stephanie Clifford, as a nuisance payment. Trending: Hillary Clinton Thought About Moving to New Zealand After Losing Election to Trump RTS1Q16P Reuters And appearing on the same show later, Avenatti slammed Giuliani, describing his T.V interview as one of the worst T.V. appearances by any attorney on behalf of a client in modern times. Its an absolute unmitigated disaster for Rudy Giuliani and the president. Its a train wreck. I cant believe that that actually just happened. I mean what we witnessed by Rudy Giuliani may be one of the worst T.V. appearances by any attorney on behalf of a client in modern times, Avenatti said in the interview. Don't miss: 'PUBG' Savage Map Renamed Sanhok, Next Beta Session Announced He now expects the American people to believe that he doesnt really know the facts, that as to every key question you asked, he hasnt communicated with the president about it. I mean this guys all over the map over the last 72 hours on some very simple facts that should be very straightforward They dont know what to say because theyve lost track of the truth, he added. In the turbulent fortnight that Giuliani has been Trumps lawyer, he has made a series of questionable decisions, including commenting on the firing of former FBI director James Comey, and announcing that Trump reimbursed his lawyer Michael Cohen for the hush money payment, raising questions as to whether the president was aware of the payment, The New York Times reported. Story continues This article was first written by Newsweek More from Newsweek Stephanie Clifford, aka Stormy Daniels, with Alec Baldwin, playing Donald Trump, in a Saturday Night Live promotional image - Rosalind O'Connor/NBC Adult film actress Stormy Daniels, who claims she had an affair with President Donald Trump, played herself in a sketch on the comedy programme Saturday Night Live in which she warns Mr Trump that "a storm's a-comin baby." In the show, Mr Trump, played by actor Alec Baldwin, asks his lawyer, Michael Cohen, played by Ben Stiller, to call Daniels and try to fix their ongoing legal battle "once and for all." Daniels, whose real name is Stephanie Clifford, sued Mr Trump in March to get out of a "hush agreement" over their alleged relationship in which she was paid $130,000 by Cohen to keep quiet. Mr Trump has denied he had an affair with Clifford. In the sketch aired on Saturday night, Mr Trump listens in to the conversation between Cohen and Clifford and soon cuts his lawyer off to speak directly with her. "What do you need for all this to just go away?" he asks. "A resignation," Clifford says. Mr Trump persists, saying: "I solved North and South Korea, why can't I solve us?" A combination photo of Stephanie Clifford, also known as Stormy Daniels and U.S. President Donald Trump Clifford says it's too late for that. "I know you don't believe in climate change, but a storm's a-comin baby," Clifford says, before she and Baldwin break off to give the show's trademark introduction "live from New York it's Saturday Night Live!" Benghazi (Libya) (AFP) - A suicide bomber on Tuesday attacked a checkpoint in eastern Libya held by militiamen loyal to strongman Khalifa Haftar, killing at least two people including a civilian, a senior security official said. The attacker also killed a fighter from Haftar's self-styled Libyan National Army (LNA) when the vehicle they were driving exploded at a roadblock 90 kilometres (56 miles) east of Sirte, General Al-Mabruk Sahban told AFP. Sahban added that earlier in the day security services had detonated another car bomb discovered in the area. The attack on the checkpoint comes a day after Haftar announced the start of an offensive to "liberate" the city of Derna, held by Islamists and jihadists of the Mujahedeen Shura Council. Later on Tuesday, the Islamic State group claimed responsibility for the attack via its Amaq propaganda outlet. In March, IS claimed responsibility for two attacks against LNA checkpoints that killed 10 people. Last week, the jihadist group claimed a suicide attack in Tripoli against Libya's electoral commission that killed 14 people. Libya has been wracked by chaos since a 2011 uprising that toppled and killed its long-time dictator Moamer Kadhafi, with two rival authorities vying for control. Haftar supports an administration based in the east of the country. A UN-backed unity government based in the capital has struggled to assert its authority outside the west. Syrian TV reported the attack - AFP Iranian soldiers were killed in an Israeli strike in Syria carried out just hours after Donald Trumps announcement that the US was pulling out of the Iran nuclear agreement, according to monitors. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said that Israeli jets had targeted a weapons depot near al-Kiswah, a Syrian military base south of Damascus that is used by Iranian forces. It has been hit by suspected Israeli strikes in the past. At least nine pro-regime fighters, "including members of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard and other pro-Iranian Shia militiamen were killed in the strike, the Observatory said. Israels military refused to comment, as is its policy when it comes to operations in Syria. The strike appeared to be the latest round of an increasingly bloody shadow war being fought by Israel in an effort to stop Iran from building up its military presence in Syria. At least seven Iranians were killed in a suspected Israeli strike on the T4 airbase in central Syria in April. Israels military has been on high alert since then in anticipation of potential Iranian retaliation. Those tensions will only rise further after Mr Trumps decision to pull the US out of the 2015 nuclear and reimpose sanctions on Iran. Flames rise after an attack in an area known to have numerous Syrian army military bases Credit: AP Shortly before Mr Trumps announcement, Israels military said it was seeing signs of irregular activity of Iranian forces in Syria and ordered Israeli civilians in the Golan Heights to ready their bomb shelters. Defence systems have been deployed and IDF troops are on high alert for an attack, a spokesman said Tuesday night. The IDF is prepared for various scenarios and warns that any aggression against Israel will be met with a severe response. Reserve troops from military intelligence, air defence, and the home front units were called up, according to Israeli media, and Israeli school trips to the Golan Heights were cancelled. By Wednesday morning, the situation appeared to have calmed slightly. The Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) lowered its alert level on the Golan Heights, the mountainous area Israel captured from Syria in 1967. Story continues Schools were opened as normal and farmers were told they could go about their work. Benjamin Netanyahu, the Israeli prime minister, left for a planned trip to Moscow - a sign that Israels government did not believe that an immediate escalation was imminent. "I am now leaving for an important meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin, Mr Netanyahu said. The meetings between us are always important and this one is especially so. In light of what is currently happening in Syria, it is necessary to ensure the continued coordination between the Russian military and the IDF." Video: Vladimir Putin meets Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu in Moscow Israel has warned that any Iranian attack on Israel from Syrian territory will be met with a major response. Mr Netanyahu said Mr Trump had made a brave and correct decision to withdraw from the agreement. "Israel fully supports President Trump's bold decision today to reject the disastrous nuclear deal, Mr Netanyahu said in a speech moments after Mr Trumps address. The Israeli leader has consistently warned that the deal would pave the way for Iran to build an arsenal of nuclear weapons and called the agreement a recipe for disaster. Taipei (AFP) - Taiwan accused the World Health Organization of succumbing to political pressure from Beijing Tuesday after the island failed to receive an invitation to a major international meeting. China sees self-governing democratic Taiwan as part of its territory awaiting reunification and has used its clout to diminish the island's presence on the world stage since Beijing-sceptic President Tsai Ing-wen took power in May 2016. Last year was the first time in eight years that Taiwan was not granted access to the World Health Assembly (WHA) -- the WHO's main meeting. This year's WHA is to be held in Geneva from May 21-26 and the online registration deadline lapsed on Monday without Taipei receiving an invite. The WHO confirmed on Tuesday it did not invite Taiwan this year, saying previous invitations were a special arrangement based on a "cross-strait understanding". It would facilitate Taiwan's inclusion "if and when cross-strait understanding on WHA participation is restored," it told AFP in a statement. Taiwan's Mainland Affairs Council, which handles official dealings with China, said as a non-political organisation "pursuing the highest health standards for humanity", the WHO "should not solely serve Beijing's political will". Taiwan's foreign ministry said on Tuesday it "regretted" that it had not been invited to the WHA. "Health is a basic human right, as well as a universal value regardless of differences in race, religion, political beliefs, economic or social situations," it said in a statement. It added that under the WHO charter, Taiwan should be allowed equal participation in all WHO events. While the WHO said Taiwanese experts "regularly participate in relevant WHO technical meetings", Taiwan said they were able to attend less than 30 percent. - 'One China' - China's foreign ministry spokesman Geng Shuang said Tuesday that the island was only able to attend the WHA from 2009-2016 because the previous Taiwan government had a consensus with Beijing that there is only "one China". Story continues While the island's former administration touted the agreement as enabling cross-strait relations to flourish without compromising Taiwan's sovereignty, Beijing saw it as meaning Taiwan and the mainland are part of a single China. President Tsai and her independence-leaning Democratic Progressive Party have refused to acknowledge the principle, which Beijing sees as the bedrock for relations. "Because the DPP refuses to recognise the ... one China principle, thus undermining the political basis of Taiwan's participation in the WHO, Taiwan cannot receive an invitation this year," Geng told reporters. When asked whether Beijing requested the WHO to exclude Taiwan, Geng did not confirm or deny but said it is "normal" for China to have regular communication with the WHO. Meanwhile, Beijing has also been attempting to exert pressure on international companies to list Taiwan as a Chinese province on their websites, rather than as a separate entity. The White House said on Saturday that China's aviation authorities had sent letters to 36 foreign airlines including US firms demanding they refer to Taiwan, Hong Kong, and Macau as Chinese territories. "This is Orwellian nonsense and part of a growing trend by the Chinese Communist Party to impose its political views on American citizens and private companies," it said. At least 26 homes have been destroyed by the eruption (PA) At least 26 homes have been destroyed and cars consumed after Hawaiis Kilauea volcano spewed molten lava hundreds of feet into the air. Hundreds of residents have fled their homes in fear of the lava, toxic gas and steam that has been seen bursting through cracks in the ground caused by the volcano. Hawaii County officials said another four unspecified structures had been covered by lava. Lava has spread around 387,500 square feet surrounding the most active fissure, though the rate of movement is slow. Experts say there is currently no indication when the lava might stop or how far it might spread. US Geological Survey volcanologist Wendy Stovall said: Theres more magma in the system to be erupted. As long as that supply is there, the eruption will continue. uploading this here so you guys actually understand how insane this whole thing in hawai'i is pic.twitter.com/RmZY4cJdSo nahloo | nalu (@OGNahloo) May 5, 2018 Residents have been forced to flee their homes (PA) About 250 people and 90 pets spent Saturday night at shelters, the American Red Cross said. The destroyed homes were in the Leilani Estates area, where more than 1,700 residents who were evacuated were allowed to briefly return to gather medicine, pets and other necessities. Officials said residents would be able to do so each day until further notice as authorities monitor which areas are safe. The number of lava-venting fissures in the neighbourhood grew overnight from eight to as many as 10, Ms Stovall said. Some have quietened at various points, but USGS scientists expect fissures to keep spewing. The volcano is emitting molten lava and toxic gas (PA) Kilauea is one of the worlds most active volcanoes (PA) The lava could eventually be channelled to one powerful vent while others go dormant, as has happened in some previous Hawaii eruptions, Ms Stovall added. Kilauea is one of the worlds most active volcanoes and has been erupting continuously since 1983. Story continues The USGSs Hawaiian Volcano Observatory issued a notice in mid-April that there were signs of pressure building in underground magma, and a new vent could form on the cone or along what is known as the East Rift Zone. Leilani Estates sits along the zone. A magnitude-6.9 earthquake Hawaiis largest in more than 40 years hit the area on Friday. The crater floor began to collapse last Monday, triggering earthquakes and pushing lava into new underground chambers that carried it towards Leilani Estates and nearby communities. WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Three people were killed in a shooting on Monday outside Washington, D.C., where the suspect took his own life after he barricaded himself inside his home, police said. Christopher Snyder, 41, shot and killed the three adults inside a neighbor's house in Brookeville, Maryland, about 25 miles north of the U.S. capital, on Monday afternoon, police said. His wife fled to the neighbor's house after he held her over the weekend in their own home across the street, Montgomery County Department of Police Chief Thomas Manger said during a news conference. Three adults, including Snyder's wife, escaped the shooting, he said. After the shooting, Snyder went back to his house where he barricaded himself inside during an hours-long standoff with police. He shot himself when police entered the house, Manger said. Authorities were searching Snyder's home after he told police that he had explosives, Manger said. (Reporting by Ian Simpson; Editing by G Crosse and Sam Holmes) Berlin (AFP) - New US ambassador to Germany Richard Grenell, a strong backer of President Donald Trump, Tuesday assumed the post left vacant for 15 months, already facing criticism amid heightened trans-Atlantic tensions. His start in Berlin came hours before Trump was to announce whether he would scrap the Iran nuclear agreement despite pleas from fellow signatories Germany, Britain and France to save it. The 51-year-old former US spokesman at the United Nations and frequent commentator on conservative broadcaster Fox News is widely seen as a hawkish supporter of Trump's "America first" stance. A recent cancer survivor who is openly gay, Grenell describes himself on his Twitter page with the words "I'm stronger after cancer. My dog runs my life. Imperfect follower of Christ." He has used Twitter to accuse Iran of "lying" about its atomic programme and argued Germany "should have joined" US, British and French missile strikes against Syria last month over its suspected chemical weapons use. The Syria comment ruffled feathers in Germany, with Social Democratic lawmaker Nils Schmid calling it "incomprehensible" given Germany's military role in Afghanistan, Mali and other missions. Opposition Greens party MP and foreign policy spokesman Omid Nouripour told national news agency DPA that "the new US ambassador has so far not been noted for his empathy for our interests". - Defence, trade rows - Grenell's appointment was long held up by US senators who objected to his allegedly disparaging tweets on female politicians and apparent refusal to take seriously claims of Russian meddling in the US election. He was approved in a 56-42 vote only on the eve of Chancellor Angela Merkel's visit to Washington last week. German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier -- who received Grenell's credentials at a ceremony with military honours at Berlin's Bellevue Palace -- voiced concern Sunday over a "substantial change" in trans-Atlantic ties under Trump. Story continues The former German foreign minister mentioned Trump's "irritating Twitter messages" and charged that the current US administration "no longer sees us as part of a global community". Grenell, born in Michigan and a Harvard graduate, served in the US delegation at the UN under former president George W. Bush, at times with John Bolton, now Trump's national security advisor. He founded the PR consultancy Capitol Media Partners in 2010 and also worked for several Republicans including Mitt Romney. Grenell takes his Berlin post at a time when Trump has criticised Germany for not spending enough on common NATO defence, running a huge trade surplus, and for planning to build a new gas pipeline with Russia. Speaking on Fox after his confirmation, Grenell struck a diplomatic tone, stressing that "we have difficult issues to work through, but we are on the same team" on values such as liberty and human rights. On Twitter he highlighted America's "unbreakable bond with Europe", but also stressed differences on climate policy, writing that "we just disagree on what the Paris Accord does for US taxpayers". A U.S. exit from the 2015 Iran nuclear deal begins with President Donald Trump's anticipated decision on Tuesday to restore sanctions against Iranian oil exports. The Trump administration must then decide whether to wield powerful U.S. sanctions to punish countries that continue to do business with Iran. Trump could buy his team time to continue negotiating a revised deal by giving foreign countries time to comply with restored sanctions. President Donald Trump says he will announce his long-awaited decision on the Iran nuclear deal on Tuesday, likely kicking off a risky and complicated effort to bring international pressure on Tehran. Trump is widely expected to withdraw the United States from the agreement. That's just the first step in a process that presents the White House with several options for exiting the deal. The ultimate effect on U.S. alliances, trade partnerships and the oil market will depend on which path the administration takes. @realDonaldTrump: I will be announcing my decision on the Iran Deal tomorrow from the White House at 2:00pm. The exit process begins with a deadline on Saturday. The 2015 accord lifted sanctions on Iran in exchange for Tehran accepting limits in its nuclear program. Iran negotiated the agreement with China , France , Germany , Russia , the United Kingdom and the United States . Those countries agreed to periodically suspend sanctions on Iran so long as the Iranians complied with the terms of the deal, which include international inspections. The United States faces its next sanctions decision deadline on May 12. The next waivers for broader sanctions on Iran's economy don't come up until July 11. What a reversal could mean for everybody else While it appears that Iran is continuing to comply with the agreement, Trump has decided the agreement itself is flawed. He warned in January that he would not suspend the oil sanctions on May 12 unless Europe agreed to revise the terms of the accord. Such a trans-Atlantic deal has not emerged. Story continues By refusing to waive sanctions without proving that Iran is violating the deal, Trump would effectively drop the agreement made by the United States. That affects the rest of the world because Trump can use powerful U.S. sanctions tools to compel foreign buyers to stop importing Iranian oil. "This scenario is most likely because Trump views Iran in the absolutely evil category, and he feels viscerally about it," analysts at risk consultancy Eurasia Group said in a briefing on Monday. "The decision allows Trump to leave the 'terrible' nuclear agreement while also increasing leverage on the European signatories and Iran to reach a 'better,' comprehensive agreement." These so-called "secondary sanctions" allow Trump to block foreign companies from accessing the U.S. market the world's largest unless they comply with sanctions against Iran. U.S. law empowers the Treasury Department to sanction foreign financial firms that transact with the Central Bank of Iran unless that firm's home country agrees to significantly reduce Iranian oil purchases. The law doesn't spell out what "significant" means, but the Obama administration asked countries to throttle back imports of Iranian crude by 20 percent every 180 days. Trump is not required to do the same, but analysts say it would present a ready-made option and give his administration cover to continue talks with European countries. "While President Trump will spin ending the waivers as 'leaving the deal,' we expect the White House will allow a 6-month transition period during which negotiations will continue while Treasury determines compliance metrics," risk consultancy the Rapidan Group said in a note to clients. If Trump follows this model, it would likely push off the majority of Iranian export reductions until the first half of next year, according to RBC Capital Markets. But if Trump orders buyers to immediately cut off Iranian crude imports, Tehran's oil exports are more likely to taper off by year-end, RBC said in a research note on Friday. What happens next in any scenario depends on the response from Iran and international oil buyers, as well as OPEC, Russia and other major oil-producing nations, which are currently capping output to drain a global glut of crude oil. Analysts expect renewed sanctions to take as many as 500,000 barrels a day off the market, about one-third the impact of sanctions under Obama. They say China is unlikely to comply with sanctions, and other big buyers of Iran's oil, including India and Turkey, could push back, too. In the least disruptive scenario imaginable, Trump would reimpose sanctions but signal the United States will not penalize other countries that do business with Iran. Since unilateral U.S. sanctions prohibit American companies from transacting with Iran, it would maintain the status quo. "This approach would allow Trump to fulfill his campaign promise to withdraw from the deal while also skirting the complexities of imposing a new sanctions regime and causing a severe strain with Europe at a time when trans-Atlantic trade tensions are already elevated," the Eurasia Group analysts wrote. However, Eurasia Group considers that the least likely scenario. More From CNBC The Iran nuclear deal is illegal as it was created to impede Iran from defending itself and the nigger in the white house used coercion to create it, so withdrawing from it is right in principle However in reading the motives behind this act and the lies about Iran made this action was done to please zionist/khazar associates who want to destroy Iran and who have been a menace to Iran for centuries If this is a prelude to an attack on Iran know if that does occur israel, america, and their allies will be attacked on their home soil within 24 hours and Iran will use it's Damavand facility to set off it's nuclear weapons inside the earth's core. The investigation into Russias meddling in the 2016 election could actually help Republicans in this years key midterm elections, according to Rudy Giuliani, President Donald Trumps new personal attorney. Giuliani, a former federal prosecutor and New York City mayor, claimed Monday that Trump supporters angered by the year-long probe could head to the polls in droves and help Republicans stave off what many have predicted may be a watershed election for Democrats. It has his people much more excited now than before, Giuliani told Politico, his latest in a long line of media interviews that have stirred up controversy around Trump and the Russia investigation. Trending: Destiny 2 Warmind DLC Not Working on Xbox & PS4, Bungie Blames Licenses Giuliani also credited Democrats, like House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi of California, for not basing their midterm hopes on impeaching Trump. Theyve backed off that because they realize that could really, really backfire on them, Giuliani said. I dont think anywhere near a majority of the American people want to see an impeachment interrupt the good work the president is doing. Pelosi stated last month that talk of impeaching Trump would be a gift to Republicans and that Democrats should focus on the economy and how to help working families. Don't miss: Israel Prepares for Iran Attack With Bomb Shelters As Trump Calls Off Nuclear Deal Recent polls also indicate Giuliani may have a point. A Washington PostABC News poll showed last month 69 percent supported special counsel Robert Muellers investigation into alleged collusion between Russia and Trumps campaign. However, a CBS News poll released Tuesday showed 53 percent of Americans believe the investigation is politically motivated and only 44 percent thought the probe was justified. GettyImages-955082056 Getty Images/Tasos Katopodis Story continues Giulianis latest comments come at a time when Trump and his attorneys are weighing the presidents options for an interview with Mueller, who was tasked with investigating Russian interference a year ago. Most popular: Overwatch New Pink Mercy Skin: Support Breast Cancer Research Foundation and Earn Loot The president, Giuliani told Politico, is still pushing for a one-on-one interview with special counsel investigators. Several reports have indicated Trumps attorneys have advised the president against such an interview. I think the president would like that, Giuliani said. The question is, would his lawyers? The idea of Trump answering Muellers questions in writing was previously floated as a possibility, but Giuliani explained Monday that Muellers team had rejected the proposal. This article was first written by Newsweek More from Newsweek WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping discussed ongoing trade issues on Tuesday, as both sides continue to position themselves amid a heated feud over tariffs between the world's two largest economies. The two leaders spoke after high-level U.S. and Chinese officials in Beijing last week failed to reach a consensus, with talks set to resume next week in Washington. Trump struck a positive tone in announcing the call earlier on Tuesday, calling Xi "my friend" and pledging in a post on Twitter that "good things will happen" on trade. Chinese state television said Xi told Trump China-U.S. relations were in an important phase. I attach great importance to bilateral relations, and cherish the good working relationship with Mr. President, it quoted Xi as saying. In a statement after the call, the White House said the U.S. president "affirmed his commitment to ensuring that the trade and investment relationship between the United States and China is balanced and benefits American businesses and workers." Chinese state media said Xi told Trump the two countries should strive to find a way to properly resolve trade disputes. Xi said trade and economic relations had always been the ballast and propeller of U.S.-China relations. He described their talks last week on trade as "frank, efficient and constructive." "The two sides teams can maintain communication, and strive to find appropriate ways to resolve issues and achieve win-win outcomes, Xi said. China's top economic official, Vice Premier Liu He, is scheduled to visit Washington next week to resume negotiations sparked by the Trump administration's threat to impose tariffs on up to $150 billion of Chinese imports. Beijing has countered with its own planned tariffs on American goods. The tariff threats have roiled U.S. and other stock markets in recent weeks amid fears that a trade war between the two economic powerhouses will hit global markets. Story continues Trump won the White House in part over his harsh rhetoric on China and trade, and vowing to press Beijing over economic issues and make trade fair for the United States. Since taking office, he has also touted his personal relationship with Xi. Last week, a seven-member U.S. delegation returned to Washington and briefed Trump on their meeting. American negotiators, led by U.S. Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin, issued a lengthy list of demands, according to people familiar with the talks that the White House later called "frank" discussions. Chinese state media, after the meeting, struck a positive note. Trump and Xi also discussed North Korea's nuclear programme during their call, according to both the White House and Chinese state media. (Reporting by Susan Heavey and Makini Brice in WASHINGTON; additional reporting by Michael Martina in BEIJING and David Brunnstrom in WASHINGTON; editing by Bernadette Baum and James Dalgleish) Former US secretary of state John Kerry greets somebody during the 54th Munich Security Conference: ANDREAS GEBERT/AFP/Getty Images) Donald Trump has accused former Secretary of State John Kerry of shadow diplomacy for attempting to save the Iran nuclear deal, as the president prepares to announce whether he will pull out of the historic accord. Mr Kerry, who helped negotiate the agreement under former President Barack Obama, has reportedly taken meetings with key architects of the deal in recent weeks, in an attempt to pressure the Trump administration into preserving it. Mr Trump has made no secret of his disdain for the 2015 deal, repeatedly calling it the worst deal ever made. He lashed out at Mr Kerry over his attempts at shadow diplomacy" on Monday, before announcing that he would make his final decision the next day. The United States does not need John Kerrys possibly illegal Shadow Diplomacy on the very badly negotiated Iran Deal, he wrote. He was the one that created this MESS in the first place! Hours later, Mr Trump tweeted the he would announce his decision at 2 pm on Tuesday days before his self-imposed deadline of 12 May. Mr Kerry met with Iranian Foreign Minister Javad Zarif twice in two months to discuss ways of preserving the deal, according to the Boston Globe. He also talked separately with German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier, French President Emmanuel Macron, and European Union foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini, according to CNN. He has also reportedly placed dozens of calls to members of Congress like Speaker of the House Paul Ryan. A spokesman for Mr Kerry released a statement defending the former diplomat, saying that he thought all Americans would want "every voice possible urging Iran to remain in compliance with the nuclear agreement that prevented a war. Secretary Kerry stays in touch with his former counterparts around the world just like every previous Secretary of State," spokesman Matthew Summers said. "Like America's closest allies, he believes it is important that the nuclear agreement, which took the world years to negotiate, remain effective as countries focus on stability in the region." Story continues Mr Trump has repeatedly critiqued the deal for not going far enough on Iran's nuclear energy programme. He has also attacked the Obama administration for its role in the negotiations. At a recent National Rifle Association event, Mr Trump joked that Mr Kerry was not the best negotiator weve ever seen. He never walked away from the table except to be in that bicycle race where he fell and broke his leg, he added, referencing an incident in which Mr Kerry fractured his femur while biking in the French Alps. It is unclear where Mr Trump will land on the deal, in which six countries agreed to lift sanctions on Iran in exchange for limits on the country's nuclear energy production. Diplomats familiar with the negotiations told the New York Times it was likely that Mr Trump would pull out of the deal and re-impose sanctions on Iran. Mr Macron signalled as much in a recent visit to the US, where he said the president would likely pull out for domestic reasons. Mr Macron and German Chancellor Angela Merkel have both urged Mr Trump to stay in the deal. Iranian President Hassan Rouhani, meanwhile, has said the US will face historic regret if Mr Trump pulls out. We have plans to resist any decision by Trump on the nuclear accord, he said at a televised rally. Orders have been issued to our atomic energy organisation ... and to the economic sector to confront Americas plots against our country. WASHINGTON President Donald Trump announced on Tuesday the United States will withdraw from the Iran nuclear deal. The U.S. will not extend waivers on sanctions targeting Irans nuclear program, effectively ending its compliance with the 2015 international agreement under which Iran accepted restrictions on its nuclear program in exchange for economic relief. I am announcing today that the U.S. will withdraw from the Iran nuclear deal, Trump said at the White House. We will be instituting the highest level of economic sanctions. Trump accused the deal officially called the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) of being poorly negotiated and lacking enforcement mechanisms. He said it allows Iran to develop a nuclear weapon in a short time, but offered no evidence to back these assertions. Trump also cited Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahus April 30 presentation on Irans nuclear program, which alleged that Iran lied about its past nuclear activities before negotiating the nuclear deal. At the heart of the Iran deal was a giant fiction: that a murderous regime desired only a peaceful nuclear energy program. Today, we have definitive proof that this Iranian promise was a lie, Trump said. Nuclear experts and European officials criticized Netanyahus speech for pandering to Trump and offering essentially no new information on Irans nuclear activities. Much of Netanyahus presentation centered on information that was publicly available in a 2007 declassified intelligence report, and Netanyahu did not state that Iran was in current violation of the deal. European officials, who pushed for Trump to uphold the deal, condemned the presidents decision to pull out. French President Emmanuel Macron tweeted shortly after Trumps speech that France, Germany and the United Kingdom regret the U.S. decision and that we will work collectively on a broader framework. The European Unions top diplomat Federica Mogherini said that the deal was working and fulfilling its promise. Story continues Former President Barack Obama, who touted the Iran deal as one of his chief foreign policy accomplishments, put out a statement criticizing Trumps decision to undo the agreement. Walking away from the JCPOA turns our back on Americas closest allies, and an agreement that our countrys leading diplomats, scientists, and intelligence professionals negotiated, Obama said. It is not immediately clear what will happen next. The 2015 nuclear agreement was negotiated among Iran, the U.S. and five other countries the U.K, France, Germany, China and Russia which urged the U.S. not to withdraw. Last month, Iranian Foreign Minister Javad Zarif suggested that if the U.S. pulled out of the nuclear accord, his country could also exit the deal and resume its nuclear program at a much greater speed. Iran has no reason to continue to abide by the agreement if the economic benefits start to diminish, he said. But most of the economic benefits Iran receives through the nuclear deal do not come directly from the U.S., which maintains a primary embargo against Iran. When Trump previously waived sanctions, he suspended secondary sanctions, which penalize other countries for doing business with Iran. If you take away U.S. sanctions relief, you are taking away probably the most powerful incentive the Iranians had to do their part, said Richard Nephew, a former State Department official who worked on Iran sanctions policy. When Trump threatened to pull out of the nuclear agreement last year, the European Unions ambassador to the U.S., David OSullivan, warned that the EU could invoke a blocking statute that would protect European businesses from U.S. secondary sanctions. Theoretically, this means that Iran could continue receiving economic benefits under the 2015 deal and would be compelled to maintain the restrictions on its nuclear program. But implementing this blocking mechanism or other steps to preserve the deal would be technically difficult and diplomatically risky for European countries. Its going to be a herculean task, said Reza Marashi, a National Iranian American Council analyst and former State Department official who just returned from two weeks of meeting with officials and experts in Europe. The real meat on the bones would take at least a year to implement, and they have no plan for anything ... theyve spent most of their energy trying to figure out a way for Trump to stay in. U.S. President Donald Trump displays a presidential memorandum after announcing his intention to withdraw from the JCPOA. (Photo: Jonathan Ernst / Reuters) Iranian President Hassan Rouhani said after Trumps announcement that Iran will continue its commitment to the deal and negotiate with the remaining countries. If talks fail, he said that Iran could once again begin enriching uranium. Ahead of Trumps announcement, Rouhani warned that Iranians could face some problems in the coming months. The International Atomic Energy Agency, which monitors the use of nuclear energy, has verified Iranian compliance with the agreement multiple times since 2015, most recently in March. Defense Secretary James Mattis, an outspoken critic of the Iranian government, testified before Congress on April 26 that the nuclear deal provided robust measures to inspect Irans nuclear program and verify that it is complying with the deal. Trump has called the Iran nuclear agreement the worst deal ever and has long pressed his advisers to come up with an alternative strategy to contain Irans nuclear efforts. When his advisers failed to deliver, Trump ordered Congress in October to pass legislation that would unilaterally change U.S. commitments under the deal. Two Republican lawmakers briefly tried but failed to attract enough supporters. So Trump turned to the Europeans with an ultimatum: Find a way to fix the deal before May 12, when sanctions waivers would need to be extended, or the U.S. will walk away. Trump wanted the Europeans to cobble together a supplemental agreement that would impose further limits on Irans ballistic missile program and get rid of the deals sunset clauses expiration dates on some of the restrictions on the countrys nuclear program. Getting rid of the sunset provisions would require fundamentally changing the terms of the 2015 deal a move that would require approval from all parties. The leaders of the U.K., Germany and France have argued that the U.S. should remain in the nuclear deal and work with European countries to address Irans missile program and develop a plan for what to do after parts of the agreement expire. Even as the Europeans worked to create a solution that would appease Trump, he ousted two of his advisers who reportedly advocated sticking with the JCPOA: Secretary of State Rex Tillerson and national security adviser H.R. McMaster. They were replaced by Mike Pompeo and John Bolton, respectively, hawkish figures who have pushed for military confrontation with Iran. On April 30, Netanyahu said Israeli intelligence had uncovered a trove of documents that showed Iran lied about its past nuclear work when it signed the nuclear agreement in 2015 which is widely acknowledged, including by proponents of the nuclear deal. The dramatic televised presentation appeared to be part of an effort to bolster Trumps argument for exiting the nuclear deal. Israeli officials briefed Trump on the documents two months ago, Barak Ravid of Israels Channel 10 News reported. In some ways, Netanyahus presentation highlighted key reasons to keep the 2015 deal alive, nonproliferation experts argued. If you think Iran lied which it did then the last thing you should ever contemplate doing is killing the JCPOA, removing the limits that it places on Irans nuclear program, and cutting off the extraordinary access that the agreement provides to the IAEA, Jeffrey Lewis, the founder of the nonproliferation blog Arms Control Wonk, wrote in Foreign Policy on May 1. If you do that, Irans nuclear program is very likely to end up looking like North Koreas. Akbar Ahmed contributed to this report. Love HuffPost? Become a founding member of HuffPost Plus today. This article originally appeared on HuffPost. The Daily Beast Dallas County Sheriff's OfficeA bizarre saga in Missouri involving a missing woman who was seen being held captive in a cage has taken a baffling turn as the house where she was apparently kept burned to the groundimmediately after authorities discovered it had been boobytrapped.The Dallas County Sheriffs Office said the fire at the home in Windyville, an unincorporated Ozarks community about 160 miles from Kansas City, occurred Monday night, according to the Springfield News-Leader. Thats mo London (AFP) - British political divisions over Brexit resurfaced Tuesday, as the House of Lords handed the government fresh legislative defeats on the issue, hours after Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson dismissed as "crazy" one of Prime Minister Theresa May's proposals for future EU customs arrangements. Peers defied her minority Conservative government by voting for three cross-party amendments to key legislation on the process, while Johnson's outspoken intervention in a newspaper interview exposed continued cabinet infighting over Brexit. The amendments remove the date of withdrawal from the front of key legislation, allow Britain to continue participating in EU agencies after Brexit and retain the country's access to the bloc's single market. The votes marked the 12th defeat suffered by the government as its flagship European Union (Withdrawal) Bill, which sets the legal framework for Brexit, works its way through parliament. The legislation is now expected to go back within weeks to the House of Commons, which could reject the amendments approved by the unelected Lords. Angela Smith, the opposition Labour party's leader in the Lords, said the amendments were "not about stopping Brexit but the fine print of when and how the agreements are concluded". "These two amendments are a further opportunity for MPs to consider the finer details of this important legislation," she added. Meanwhile earlier Tuesday Johnson, a vociferous supporter of Britain's withdrawal from the bloc, said the future customs plan backed by May would not fulfil many of the promises of Brexit. "If you have the new customs partnership, you have a crazy system whereby you end up collecting the tariffs on behalf of the EU at the UK frontier," he told the Daily Mail. He added: "If the EU decides to impose punitive tariffs on something the UK wants to bring in cheaply there's nothing you can do." Story continues Citing the pledges of the Brexit campaign, Johnson said: "That's not taking back control of your trade policy, it's not taking back control of your laws, it's not taking back control of your borders." - Decisions, decisions - Last year, London put forward two options to ease cross-border trade with the EU but, with Brexit looming, has still yet to make a final decision on which to pursue. May's preferred option, the customs partnership, was reportedly rejected at a meeting of her senior ministers last week, while Brussels has also condemned it as "magical thinking". Downing Street insisted both proposals are still "viable", even if they are now subject to revision. "Following last week's cabinet sub-committee meeting it was agreed that there are unresolved issues in relation to both models and that further work is needed," May's spokesman said. "The prime minister asked officials to take forward that work as a priority." A customs partnership model would involve Britain collecting EU tariffs on goods heading into the bloc but charging its own on UK-destined products. Aside from Johnson, the untested proposal has also been criticised by up to 60 eurosceptic members of May's Conservative party. A second option, "maximum facilitation", would involve using technology to minimise customs checks, but the EU has also cast doubt on its viability. A decision is not expected for at least another week, but the clock is ticking ahead of a crucial EU summit in June. There are also concerns that neither option will now be ready for when Britain leaves the bloc's customs union at the end of the Brexit transition period in December 2020. The prime minister has promised to leave the customs union and single market to allow Britain to forge its own trade policy and control immigration. But there are fears of the economic impact of such a clean break with its closest trading parter, as well as concerns about the risk to the fragile peace in Northern Ireland of imposing border checks with EU-member Ireland. London (AFP) - Britain's House of Lords on Tuesday voted to remove the date of Brexit from the front of key legislation on the process, the latest in a string of defeats for Prime Minister Theresa May's government. Lords voted 311 to 233 for a cross-party amendment to omit the scheduled March 29, 2019, date from the face of the European Union (Withdrawal) Bill, which sets the legal framework for Brexit. It is the 12th defeat suffered by May's Conservative minority government as its flagship legislation works its way through parliament. The bill is now expected to go back within weeks to the House of Commons, which could reject the amendments approved by the Lords. Richard Newby, leader of the Liberal Democrats in the Lords, said: "It was frankly ridiculous to enshrine this date in law from the get-go. "In negotiations you have to be flexible and willing to change direction if it is not ibn your best interests, and putting this date down as a bench-mark was never in the best interests of the UK." Earlier Tuesday, Lords pushed through another amendment 298 to 227 to allow Britain to continue participating in the bloc's agencies after Brexit. The withdrawal bill is crucial to Britain's departure from the EU, providing for the repeal of the 1972 act that made the country a member and transferring four decades of its regulations onto the British statute books. Britain adopted the March 29, 2019, date for Brexit when it activated Article 50 of the EU's Lisbon Treaty, setting the clock ticking on a two-year countdown to its departure. The House of Commons passed the landmark bill by a majority of 29 earlier this year after weeks of debate and a damaging government defeat in that chamber. Under parliamentary procedure, the legislation passed to the upper House of Lords chamber for scrutiny before returning to the Commons for a final vote. For years, much has been reported on the abhorrent practice of waterboarding during the United States War on Terror but, until recently, less has been said about other forms of torture that were perpetrated by Americans on CIA detainees. With the nomination of Gina Haspel for CIA director, the spotlight has now been shone on a notorious CIA black site prison, the name and location of which are widely known in open sources but which officially remain classified. Weve heard about the controversial practices and weve read about videotaped evidence being destroyed. But not much has been revealed about what exactly happened at this black site. We have spent a combined 40 years evaluating torture survivors, and our unique, intimate perspective leads us to just one conclusion: confirming Haspel to lead the CIA would be unconscionable. Prisoners at the black site were kept naked in pitch black cells with their wrists and ankles shackled to one ring on the wall while loud music blared out 24 hours a day; rats and insects crawled over the men in cells that were either freezing cold or unbearably hot. So horrific were the conditions between interrogations that one prisoner reportedly preferred the official torture sessions, since they allowed him to move from his cell. The enduring suffering inflicted by the CIA in this secret prison is as bad as what we witnessed in prisoners tortured under the brutal regimes of Libyas Muammar Gadhafi, Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, and ISIS. Physicians for Human Right (PHR) in 2014 documented how the CIA torture program relied heavily on health professionals to carry out its enhanced interrogation, ostensibly to add a layer of perceived legitimacy to the torture techniques. Using doctors to enforce torture, and clinical psychologists to design it, profoundly violated the ethical duty to do no harm and went against everything that clinicians like us stand for. The harm those health professionals helped inflict is substantial. Of the dozens of men tortured by U.S. and NATO forces whom we have evaluated, two were plaintiffs in the Salim v. Mitchell case. This case involved two CIA-contracted clinical psychologists, James Mitchell and Bruce Jessen, who were accused of designing and implementing a torture program at CIA black sites. The plaintiffs, Gul Rahman represented by his uncle because Rahman was tortured to death Suleiman Abdullah Salim, and Mohamed Ahmed Ben Soud were severely tortured in the same secret prison. In defending their claim, Mitchell and Jessen sought to depose Haspel for her role in the mens torture, claiming that Ms. Haspel was centrally involved in the events alleged. The justification for the enhanced interrogations which were approved by the Justice Department was partly based on the claim that the techniques did not cause lasting harm, and thus did not amount to torture. Part of the evidence used to substantiate this false claim was that some of these techniques had previously been used by British government operatives on people suspected of being in the Irish Republican Army. But clinicians who assessed the Irish survivors of these interrogations have publicly spoken of the lasting, irrevocable harm perpetrated against them. Similarly, the torture conducted in the War on Terror has caused irreparable damage to many of its victims. One of us has personally been seeing one of the so-called high value prisoners kept at Guantanamo Bay detention center over the last six years, and can confirm that he was brutally tortured physically, psychologically, and sexually. He is permanently damaged by the torture program designed to break him. The pain, suffering, and long-term harm inflicted on these men, their families, and their communities is immense. Rahman was tortured to death. Salim and Soud were lucky to escape with their lives, but carry psychological and physical scars that will last a lifetime and we must never forget that both Salim and Soud were released without charges, as were most of the men tortured by the CIA. The ongoing effect of the U.S. decision to torture terror suspects is profound. The use of torture has impeded bringing the alleged perpetrators of these terrorist attacks to justice. There is still no closure or justice for the families and survivors of the bombing of the USS Cole or the attacks of 9/11. Those of us who have the clearance to be present at Guantanamo during a hearing have seen their pain up close. What torture has accomplished instead is to make Americans, including our service members, less safe around the world. And perhaps most dangerously, the United States has lost moral authority and negotiating power to confront other dangerous and oppressive regimes, such as Russia and North Korea, on human rights issues. Since World War II, the United States and the UK have been among those nations that have repudiated torture as a war crime and a crime against humanity. Yet, now, the United States is on the cusp of promoting someone to direct the CIA who allegedly played a leadership role in the agencys shameful torture program someone who should instead be prosecuted for her crimes. As doctors who understand the long-range, devastating effects of torture, we oppose Gina Haspels nomination, and hope the U.S. Senate will have the courage to do so as well. Sondra Crosby, MD, is an associate professor of medicine and public health at Boston University who specializes in torture and trauma treatment. She is also a medical consultant for Physicians for Human Rights. Brock Chisholm, MSC, Dclin (Psych), is a consultant clinical psychologist and also specializes in torture and trauma treatment. He is a founder of the charity Trauma Treatment International and director of Criterion A Psychology Services in London. The views expressed in this article are those of the authors and do not reflect the official policy, the position of the Department of Defense or the U.S. Government, nor do they necessarily reflect the views of the institutions that the authors work for or are associated with. TEL AVIV, Israel Ongoing protests at the border between Gaza and Israel, now in their sixth week, are growing increasingly violent, as Palestinian demonstrators have reportedly begun using firebombs, burning tires and wire cutters to breach the barbed-wire border fence. Protesters who breached the barricade on April 27 attempted to cross into Israel, only to be repelled by Israeli soldiers, who fired at them with rubber bullets and live ammunition, killing three and injuring many others. Holding Hamas accountable for breaching the fence, Israels Air Force struck on Friday evening several targets inside Gaza associated with Hamas, the Islamist-fundamentalist organization that governs the Gaza Strip. The protests have been the most violent since the Israel-Gaza conflict in 2014. Since they began on March 30, more than 40 demonstrators have been killed and more than 5,500 have been injured, according to the United Nations. International organizations have criticized Israel for using live ammunition against the demonstrators. Several high-profile incidents have sparked international outrage, including the deaths of two journalists and a 15-year-old last Friday. Israel has said that its response has been proportionate and that it has a right to defend its borders from infiltrators. Palestinian paramedics evacuate a injured man who was shot by an Israeli sniper during the Great March of Return protests along the Eastern Gaza Citys border on April 13, 2018. (Photo: Fabio Bucciarelli for Yahoo News) Slideshow: Gazas bloody uprising by Fabio Bucciarelli for Yahoo News >>> Additional protests are scheduled in upcoming weeks, and organizers have promised to continue the escalation. The protests began and will end on days that memorialize formative events in the history of Palestinian nationalism. They started on March 30, a day known as Land Day, which commemorates the anniversary of Palestinian demonstrations against an Israeli plan to confiscate land in northern Israel in 1976. And they will end on May 15, which is the start of Ramadan and the date Palestinians call Nakba Day. Nakba, an Arabic word meaning catastrophe, is the name Palestinians have given to the events of 1948, when the State of Israel was created and hundreds of thousands of Palestinians were expelled from or fled from it. Story continues That the protests which have been dubbed the Great Return March will end on Nakba Day is especially symbolic: The Great Return March takes its name from the right of return, the right Palestinians claim for refugees and their descendants to resettle in Israel. The protests have been billed as a way for Palestinians to assert the right of refugees to return to Israel by breaching the security barrier that encloses Gaza. Whether Palestinians have a right of return is one of the central issues of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, and one of the most fraught. While Palestinians demand that all Palestinian refugees have a right to return to Israel, Israel argues that mass immigration of Palestinians into Israel would upset Israels Jewish demographic majority and erase its claim to being a Jewish state. The protests have arisen against the background of a massive humanitarian crisis in the Gaza Strip. Since 2007, Gaza has been under an economic blockade by Israel and Egypt, and conditions in the coastal enclave have become so desperate that the United Nations has predicted that Gaza will be uninhabitable by 2020. Unemployment is at more than 40 percent, infrastructure destroyed during the 2014 Israel-Gaza conflict still has not been rebuilt, water supplies have been polluted with waste, electricity is limited to several hours a day and the movement of goods and people is severely restricted. A Palestinian demonstrator is seen during the Great March of Return protests at Eastern Gaza Citys border on April 20, 2018. The Great March of Return is a public wave of protests, a civil movement aimed to break the Israeli siege of the Gaza Strip and to uphold the Palestinian right to return to their homeland. (Photo: Fabio Bucciarelli for Yahoo News) One complication is the rivalry between Hamas and Fatah, the Palestinian political party that controls the Palestinian National Authority in the West Bank. Hamas came to power in Gaza in 2007, after it drove Fatah out in a civil war. While there have been various attempts at a Fatah-Hamas reconciliation over the years, all have failed, including Egyptian-led talks in October 2017. In the past year, Fatah has tried to gain leverage over Hamas by taking actions that have further exacerbated living conditions in Gaza, such as cutting the supply of electricity to Gaza and withholding salaries to civil servants in Gaza. U.S. policy also plays a role. This year, May 15 will coincide not only with the 70th anniversary of the Nakba, but also with the opening of the U.S. Embassy in Jerusalem. Ismail Haniyeh, a leader of Hamas, has said: The Palestinian people will demonstrate throughout Ramadan to deal with the many challenges facing us, and first of all the peace plan promoted by U.S. President Donald Trump, called the Deal of the Century. And another leader, Yahya Sinwar, has promised that Palestinians would breach the borders and pray at Al-Aqsa, a site in Jerusalem that is one of the holiest in Islam. If the protests intensify, the breach of the security fence in April may presage even greater violence ahead. _____ Ben Manson is a freelance journalist based in Tel Aviv. _____ Read more from Yahoo News: WASHINGTON (Reuters) - China's top economic official will visit Washington next week to resume trade talks with the Trump administration, the White House said on Monday, after discussions in Beijing last week failed to produce agreement on a long list of U.S. trade demands. "We are working on something that we think will be great for everybody," White House spokeswoman Sarah Sanders told reporters at a regular White House press briefing. "China's top economic adviser, the vice premier (Liu He), will be coming here next week to continue the discussions with the president's economic team," she said. Sanders offered no further details on arrangements for the talks. A seven-member U.S. delegation led by Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin presented Liu and other Chinese officials with a list of demands to address allegations of intellectual property theft and other trade policies that Washington considers unfair. Those included slashing the U.S. trade deficit with China by $200 billion, cutting tariffs and eliminating subsidies for advanced technology, according to people familiar with the demands. China requested that President Donald Trump back off his tariff threats, reassess a Commerce Department ban on U.S. firms selling components and software to Chinese telecommunications equipment maker ZTE Corp and treat Chinese investments equally under U.S. security reviews. The two sides failed to reach any consensus in two days of talks but agreed to continue discussions. Trump met with the U.S. delegation in Washington over the weekend to assess the meetings. He tweeted that China had "become very spoiled with U.S. trade wins." Chinese state media struck an optimistic tone over the weekend, with the English-language China Daily newspaper saying a mechanism to keep an open trade dialogue was a "positive development, despite "big differences." Trump's administration has threatened to impose tariffs on up to $150 billion of Chinese import goods over allegations that Beijing misappropriates U.S. technology through joint-venture requirements, unfair technology licensing practices, outright theft and state-backed acquisitions of U.S. technology firms. China denies that its policies coerce foreign firms to transfer technology to Chinese competitors. It has said its own retaliatory tariffs on U.S. goods, including soybeans and aircraft, will go into effect if the U.S. duties are imposed. (Reporting by Steve Holland; Writing by Tim Ahmann and David Lawder; Editing by Mohammad Zargham and Peter Cooney) Eric Schneiderman, New York Attorney General and vocal supporter of women in the #MeToo movement, abruptly resigned Monday, following a report of physical abuse of four women published in The New Yorker. Who is Schneiderman Schneiderman had been a rising star in the Democratic Party, championing womens rights and leading the civil rights lawsuit against the Weinstein Company and Harvey Weinstein himself. Schneiderman had also been a consistent Trump antagonist, working with special counsel Robert Mueller in the investigation of former Trump campaign chairman Paul Manafort, pushing for a delay on the net neutrality vote, and even investigating both Trump University and the Trump Foundation before Trump was elected president. The reactions In a statement, Schneiderman had told the reporters of The New Yorker story that In the privacy of intimate relationships, I have engaged in role-playing and other consensual sexual activity. I have not assaulted anyone. I have never engaged in non-consensual sex, which is a line I would not cross. New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo quickly called for Schneidermans resignation. Cuomo argued that no one is above the law, and noted that his personal opinion is that, given the damning pattern of facts and corroboration laid out in the article, Schneiderman cannot continue serving as Attorney General and asked him to resign. Statement from Governor Andrew Cuomo pic.twitter.com/XHV9g2lxvJ Melissa DeRosa (@melissadderosa) May 8, 2018 New York Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand similarly called on Schneiderman to resign, saying that the violent actions described by multiple women in this story are abhorrent. Based on this extensive and serious reporting, I do not believe that Eric Schneiderman should continue to serve as attorney general. There should be a full and immediate investigation into these credible allegations. Story continues Cynthia Nixon, who is running against Cuomo for governor of New York, called the allegations sickening, and noted that it was the right decision for Schneiderman to step down. The descriptions by these brave women of the physical and sexual abuse they suffered at the hands of NY Attorney General Eric Schneiderman are sickening. It is the right decision for him to resign immediately. Cynthia Nixon (@CynthiaNixon) May 8, 2018 Just three hours after the story was published, Schneiderman resigned as Attorney General, saying, While these allegations are unrelated to my professional conduct or the operations of the office, they will effectively prevent me from leading the offices work at this critical time. I therefore resign my office, effective at the close of business on May 8, 2018. Not surprisingly, considering Schneidermans conflictive relationship with the president, Trump supporters were pleased by his downfall. Presidential advisor Kellyanne Conway wrote, Gotcha. What happens next One of Schneidermans highest profile ongoing cases is the suit against Weinstein. As recently as last week, Schneiderman announced that he was naming a deputy to investigate the case, which means Schneidermans resignation should have little impact. The federal case against Manafort is still ongoing. However, a federal judge in Virginia questioned Muellers prosecution as recently as last week, suggesting that it was aimed at getting him to provide evidence against the president, according to The Washington Post. It is not clear how far Schneidermans reported investigation into Manafort had gotten, or whether his office was contemplating state money laundering charges, which, according to Scott Turow at Vanity Fair, would be immune from a presidential pardon. Schneiderman is now under investigation by the Manhattan District Attorneys office, according to a Monday report from The New York Post. In the immediate term, Schneidermans replacement will need to be found. New Yorks constitution dictates that his replacement will be selected by the State Assembly and Senate by a joint ballot. Schneiderman was up for re-election this year, and no Democrat had announced intentions to challenge him come November. Whoever is chosen to replace him may very well seek election. They will face Manny Alicandro, a corporate lawyer who announced his candidacy on Monday and is running as a Republican. To the editor No charges in the death of Sofia Ramirez? Do you expect the citizens of Yakima to believe that she shot herself? Who had the f You have permission to edit this article. Edit Close Douglas V. Gibbs is a proud member of the American Authors Association Douglas V. Gibbs is a proud member of the Military Writers Society of America. WASHINGTON There has been so much noise surrounding Iran and the nuclear agreement, that we havent been able to listen to the most important thing in the past few daysthe signs. Follow Ynetnews on Facebook and Twitter Since signing the nuclear deal, Iran hasnt violated a single article of the agreement. This is being said not only by IAEA inspectors, but by Israeli security officials as well. This is the only fact President Donald Trump should have considered when deciding whether the United States should walk away from the deal, a move the Iranians say will immediately free Iran of its obligations to shelve its nuclear weapon programs. Clearly, we would have been better off with a more extensive agreement, forcing Iran to halt its ballistic missile program and stop arming and inciting terror. But thats not the issue: The agreement was signed to stop Iran from having military nuclear ability. And this goal has so far been achieved by the agreement. Trump has spread several lies in recent days, in an attempt to create a proper setting for a withdrawal from the agreement (Photo: EPA) Trump has spread several lies in recent days, in an attempt to create a proper setting for a withdrawal from the agreement. He said, for example, that the US had sent Iran billions of dollars in cash in briefcases. Thats a lie. The US transferred money that belonged to Iran and had been frozen under the sanctions. Since the West wouldnt let Iran create a banking system or credit card companies, the money could only be transferred to Iran in cash. Another fib: Trump stated that in seven years from now, once the agreement expired, Iran would be able to produce a nuclear weapon. The agreement actually binds Iran under a strict supervision regime for decades, and this is understood by anyone who read all 150 pages of the agreementlike I did. Trump paved his way to the top through lies. The Washington Post appointed a special team to look into all the presidents lies and discovered that he lies six times a day on average. A total of 3,001 lies and deceptions in 466 days. Nevertheless, he is thriving among his fans. A poll conducted by scientists from two leading universities, MIT and Carnegie Mellon, reveals that his voters dont mind that he lies. On the contrary, they find that it even increases his charm and makes him authentic. Telling the truth is a norm. Trump has broken this norm just like he has broken other norms, and thats what they like about him: A leader who is breaking the systems they wanted to kick. They dont care about the truth. They want the opposite of everything that existed. And its not just his base that isnt fleeing the shipmost Americans see no problem with the fact that the president lies and see it as something they can live with. Obama led to the nuclear agreement a moment before the entire region deteriorated into chaos and a nuclear arms race. But Trump is obsessed with cancelling all his predecessors achievements (Photo: AP) And when the leader lives in an imaginary reality comprised of all his lies, he is unable to see the important signs. He applauded Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu after his presentation not because of the details it included (which didnt expose an Iranian violation of the agreement either), but because he saw the show as a boost to his ego. See, Ive been 100 percent right, he responded. And Trump enjoys being right, just like he enjoys flattery. The nuclear agreements architects saw the danger: They realized that if they failed to stop Iran through diplomacy, it would make huge steps towards a nuclear weapon. They also realized, based on intelligence reports, that a military attack on Iran would entail many victims. A moment before the entire region deteriorated into chaos and a nuclear arms race, former US President Barack Obama led to the agreement. And thats precisely why Trump wants to cancel it now: His obsession to cancel all his predecessors achievements. If missiles hit Israels cities or American targets in the region, Trump hinted last week, he will launch a fire and fury operation against Tehran. He can prevent this nightmare if he stops lying to himself and to us, and if he stops using an Iran strategy which is a dangerous mixture of telling fibs and sowing fear. The Knesset approved in its first reading on Monday afternoon a bill proposal to deduct the funds the Palestinian Authority pays terrorists and their families from the tax money Israel collects on behalf of the PA. Follow Ynetnews on Facebook and Twitter The proposal cleared the first hurdle in the legislative process with 55 MKs voting in favor and 14 voting against. The bill seeks to give the Security Cabinet the authority to order a freeze of the transfer of money to the Palestinians as well as outline clear instructions on what to do with the funds deducted. File photo: Palestinian prisoners in Israel (Photo: Gadi Kablo) The legislative proposal concerns "money paid to those defined as terror activists or the families of terrorists who were wounded or killed, or money paid to prisoners or other detainees for carrying out or attempting to carry out an offense that undermines state security or public safety, or to their families, as a reward for the terror attacks they carried out." Deputy Defense Minister Eli Ben-Dahan presented the bill to the Knesset ahead of the vote. "Today, the State of Israel says 'no more.' We will fight terrorists not just by catching them and bringing them to justice, but even after they have been jailed. We will continue fighting them and their families and those who fund them and show zero tolerance to terrorism," he said. According to data collected by the defense establishment, the Palestinian Authority pays over NIS 1 billion a year to terrorists and their families. "Imagine how many kindergartens and schools could've been built with this money. Instead of investing in education and health, instead of taking care of the Gaza residents, the PA encourages terrorism," Ben-Dahan went on to say. Deputy Defense Minister Eli Ben-Dahan (Photo: Knesset Channel) Under the proposed legislation, the defense minister will present the Cabinet every year with a report on the total amount of terror-related money paid by the PA. The total sum detailed in the report would be deducted from the money being transferred to the PA. The deducted money, according to the bill proposal, would be put in a special fund created for this purpose and usedsubject to approval from the defense ministerto carry out Israeli court verdicts against the PA or against terrorists; to pay compensation to terror victims; and to carry out projects as part the fight against terrorism and the funding of terrorism. Defense Minister Avigdor Lieberman came out in support of the bill, saying, "We're pulling the plug on Abbas." Lieberman promised to work to advance the law in second and third reading as soon as possible. "This insanity, in which we transfer money to the Palestinian Authority, which uses it to encourage terrorism against us, will be stopped," he said. The legislation received support from the opposition as well. Zionist Union MK Itzik Shmuli called it a "just, moral and right law." "We support a diplomatic agreement with all of our hearts, but this is about the fact over seven percent of the PA's budget goes to supporting terrorists," he said. "This bill is necessary for anyone who supports the security of the State of Israel." MK Elazar Stern (Yesh Atid), who proposed a similar private bill , charged that "Paying money to people who murdered women and children is the encouragement of murder. The fact children in the PA know that if they murder Jewish children, they and their families would receive moneyis a daily encouragement of murder. Anyone who wants peace should support this bill. As long as the Palestinians know that those who murder more Jews get more money, there will be no peace." Joint List MK Ahmad Tibi opposed the legislation, saying "This method of squeezing out the money of the Palestinian people that is held by the Treasury, which is supposed to be a channel to transfer the funds, is extortion done by the occupation. Whether it's through the Electricity Company or Palestinian prisoners. If snipers are allowed to open fire at children, it's allowed to steal the Palestinians' money. All of these methods didn't help in the past and won't help now." US President Donald Trump will announce his decision about the future of an international nuclear agreement with Iran on Tuesday. Follow Ynetnews on Facebook and Twitter Here are four possible avenues Trump could take on the fate of the 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, or JCPOA, under which Iran accepted restraints on its nuclear program in return for the lifting of UN, European and US sanctions. Trump could claim that Iran is not living up to the deal by pointing to last weeks revelation by Israel of what it said was evidence of a secret Iranian nuclear weapons program, most of which was already known to the international community and UN nuclear inspectors. Trump could claim that Iran is not living up to the deal by pointing to last weeks revelation by Israel (Photo: EPA) The International Atomic Energy Agency says Iran is in compliance with the agreement. While senior US officials acknowledge that Iran has complied with the letter of the deal, Trump points to Irans ballistic missile activity and regional conduct as evidence of the deals shortcomings. Scenario 1: Trump re-issues sanctions waivers Trump could waive US sanctions on Irans central bank and oil exportsas he has done every four monthswhile continuing talks with Germany, France and Britain on a side agreement that addresses what he sees as the deals flaws. Scenario 2: Trump does not waive sanctions Trump could decide not to waive the US sanctions, under which the penalties would take effect 180 days later, and leave it to European allieswho favor preserving the dealto decide on their own course of action. In this scenario, Iran would have to decide whether it will continue to abide by the accords restrictions on its nuclear program. Iranian President Rouhani. We will pass through this (Photo: AFP) Scenario 3: Trump doesnt waive sanctions, but could reconsider Trump could decide not to waive sanctions, but announce that he could restore the waivers before the penalties for violating the sanctions go back into effect if European allies reach a side agreement with the United States. Again, it would be Irans choice whether to continue abiding by the deal in the meantime. Scenario 4: Trump doesnt waive sanctions and says Iran violating deal Trump could announce that he will not waive the sanctions, and, citing the purported evidence revealed by Israel, claim that Iran is violating the deal. The United States could then use a dispute resolution mechanism laid out in the JCPOA to seek a snap-back of UN sanctions on Iran. Iranian President Hassan Rouhani said during a petroleum conference in Tehran on Tuesday, It is possible that we will face some problems for two or three months, but we will pass through this. Prime Minister Netanyahu and his wife before leaving for Cyprus, Tuesday morning (Photo: Kobi Gideon/GPO) Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said upon leaving on a short visit to Cyprus for the periodic summit with the leaders of Cyprus and Greece, Of course I will also discuss regional issues with them, especially the increasing aggression of Iran in our region." Addressing Trumps expected announcement, Netanyahu said: I suggest we all wait for 9 pm tonight. German police on Monday located and arrested an 89-year-old grandmother convicted on several occasions for Holocaust denial, after she failed to turn herself in to begin serving her prison sentence. Follow Ynetnews on Facebook and Twitter Ursula Haverbeck, dubbed the "Nazi-Oma" (Nazi grandma) by German media, was convicted in October on eight counts of incitement and sentenced to two years behind bars. But she did not report to prison to start her sentence by an April 23 deadline. Ursula Haverbeck (Photo: AFP) "After the convict failed to report to the relevant penal institution within the deadline, prosecutors in Verden on May 4, 2018 issued an order to execute the sentence and have charged police with its implementation," prosecutors said in a statement. The woman was later on Monday located at her home in the northwestern town of Vlotho, DPA news agency reported, citing local police and prosecutors. She was arrested and immediately transferred to prison. Haverbeck was once chairwoman of a far-right training centre shut down in 2008 for spreading Nazi propaganda. She has been sentenced on several occasions to jail for Holocaust denial. Ursula Haverbeck (Photo: AP) During a trial in 2015, she insisted that Auschwitz was "not historically proven" to be a death camp. That is "only a belief," said Haverbeck then. She has also gone on television to declare that "the Holocaust is the biggest and most sustained lie in history." Some 1.1 million people, most of them European Jews, perished between 1940 and 1945 in the Auschwitz-Birkenau camp before it was liberated by Soviet forces. Housing and Construction Minister Yoav Galant asserted on Tuesday that US withdrawal from the agreement signed between world powers and Iran would lead to a halt of Tehran's nuclear program. Follow Ynetnews on Facebook and Twitter Galant, a former IDF general and a member of the Security Cabinet, claimed in an interview with Ynet that if US President Donald Trump decides to drop the agreement and resume sanctions on the Islamic Republic, "this could lead Iran to a complete halt of its nuclear program, as well as (to address) the issue of missiles, operating mechanisms for nuclear weapons, the increased enrichment and of course supervision on another level." He explained that "When the Iranians realize they shouldn't mess with Trump, and when they face harsh sanctionsmeaning anyone who trades with Iran doesn't trade with the USit would have far-reaching consequences." Housing and Construction Minister Yoav Galant (Photo: Hadas Parush/Flash90) The housing minister compared the Iran nuclear deal to the Munich Agreement that Europe signed with the Nazis in 1938, "which only postponed the war by a year, and they got that war under far worse conditions." Galant allowed that a conflict between Iran and the US could directly affect Israel. "It could lead to increased friction between us and Iran and their agents, Hezbollah. They would try to put pressure on us and as a result on the Americans as well. Meaning, if an armed conflict erupts between the US and Iran, the weapon Iran would try to use against the US would be Hezbollah against Israel. We're prepared for such a scenario," he said. Transportation and Intelligence Minister Yisrael Katz echoed Galant's comments, saying "The American sanctions and the pressure from other countries would lead to the cancelation of Iran's nuclear program... and thwarting Iran's activity in this region." He sought to assuage fears of an Iranian retaliatory strike against Israel. "The citizens of Israel need to trust the security forces, which are carrying out intelligence deterrence operations, as well as preventative actions if necessary," Katz said. Transportation and Intelligence Minister Yisrael Katz (Photo: Avi Mualem) "We hope we don't have to get into a round of violence. The Iranians are threatening, but Israel has set a clear red line that it will not allow Iran to establish military presence in Syria and create a northern front that would threaten the Israeli home front, and we remain steadfast on this line," he added. Trump is facing a self-imposed May 12 deadline over whether to uphold the 2015 nuclear deal, which he long has criticized. Trump has signaled he will pull out of the agreement by the deadline unless it is revised, but he faces intense pressure from European allies not to do so. "I will be announcing my decision on the Iran Deal tomorrow from the White House at 2pm," Trump tweeted Monday. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu accused Iran on Tuesday of deploying "very dangerous weapons" in Syria as part of a campaign to threaten Israel. Follow Ynetnews on Facebook and Twitter Iran, "openly calls, daily, for the destruction, the elimination of Israel from the face of the earth and practices unmitigated aggression against us and against anyone else in the region," Netanyahu told reporters during a visit to Cyprus. "It is now seeking to plant very dangerous weapons in Syriafor the specific purpose of our destruction," he added. Prime Minister Netanyahu; Iran's Armed Forces Chief of Staff Major General Mohammad Bagheri (Photos: Emil Salman, Reuters) "It is in the interest of everyone to prevent this Iranian aggression," the prime minister continued. "If they reach the Mediterranean, they wish to establish military naval bases in the Mediterranean for Iranian ships and Iranian submarines. This is a palpable threat against all of us." "I think that everybody recognizes the malign intentions of Iran, and I think everybody also recognizes Israels right of self-defense, which is really our common defense," Netanyahu concluded. Netanyahu spoke before an expected announcement by US President Donald Trump on whether he will pull out of the Iran nuclear deal or work with European allies who say it has successfully halted Iran's nuclear ambitions. In Tehran, it was business-as-usual as Iran's Armed Forces Chief of Staff Major General Mohammad Bagheri asserted that the Islamic Republic's military power would defuse any threat against it. "The armed forces are delivering their best services and no threat frightens Iran," Bagheri was quoted as saying by the state news agency IRNA. Iran's Vice-President Eshaq Jahangiri, meanwhile, said Tehran was "ready for any possible scenario." "If the United States violates the deal, it would be naive to negotiate with this country again," Jahangiri was quoted as saying by news agency Tasnim. Trump has consistently threatened to pull out of the 2015 agreement because it does not address Iran's ballistic missile program or its role in wars in Syria and Yemen, and does not permanently prevent Tehran from developing nuclear weapons. US President Donald Trump (Photo: EPA) A senior US official close to the process said France, Germany and Britain had moved significantly to address Trump's concerns over the ballistic missile program, the terms under which international inspectors visit suspect Iranian sites, and "sunset" clauses under which some terms of the deal expire. But it was not clear whether those efforts had made enough progress to persuade Trump to stay in the pact. The Kremlin said on Tuesday that the possible withdrawal of the United States from the Iran nuclear deal would have harmful consequences. There would be "inevitable harmful consequences to any actions towards breaking these agreements," Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters. Germany and France on Monday vowed to stand by the 2015 nuclear deal between Iran and world powers even if the United States pulls out. Volker Kauder, head of Merkel's conservatives in parliament, said continued dialogue was needed to avoid isolating Iran. "That would only further exacerbate the situation in the Middle East," Kauder told reporters in Murnau, where Merkel and other leaders of the coalition government are gathered for a retreat. Andrea Nahles, head of the Social Democrats, junior partner in the coalition, also warned against a US decision to withdraw from the accord. "The situation is more difficult than ever. Things are falling apart at every corner," she said. Sgt. N., a combat soldier in the elite Duvdevan unit who shot his friend Staff Sgt. Shachar Strug to death two months ago, was charged with manslaughter on Tuesday. Follow Ynetnews on Facebook and Twitter Immediately after the shooting, the soldier told the IDF's Criminal Investigation Division (CID) that "It was an accident, not gunplay. We practiced drawing a gun in a room on-base, as is common in the unit. He's my best friend, and I didn't know it was loaded." The indictment describes the chain of events that transpired on March 20, when Sgt. N. shot Staff Sgt. Strug. The shooting soldier was charged with manslaughter (Photo: Yariv Katz) The two soldiers were supposed to head out for practice at around 7:30pm that evening, but it was postponed by about half an hour. At 7:50pm, Sgt. N. entered their barracks room, followed shortly thereafter by Strug. The two stood facing each other and drew their Glock 19 guns. Sgt. N.'s gun was loaded and did not have an anti-fire mechanism. He aimed it at Strug's chest, cocked the weapon and pulled the trigger. A bullet was discharged and hit Strug, killing him. Sgt. N.'s lawyers from the Military Advocate General's office, said they "received the news of the military prosecution's decision to charge with manslaughter with great disappointment. The defense team believes the investigative material, as well as the consistent version of the soldier, clearly show the appropriate charge in this tragic case is negligent homicide." Victim of the shooting Staff Sgt. Strug The judge at the military court in Jaffa extended the remand of Sgt. N. by one week. Duvdevan officers reprimanded, removed Chief of Staff Gadi Eisenkot has decided to adopt in full the conclusions and recommendations of the military inquiry commission created following the shooting, and instructed to withdraw the promotion of the commander of the two soldiers' unit to a commanding post in the army's elite formationthe 98th Paratroopers Division. While Lt.-Col. A. will conclude his posting as Duvdevan's commander in the coming weeksas plannedhe will not be promoted to colonel or be promoted to a more senior posting in the next two years. The sanctions levied on the unit's commander came following the commission's findings, which exposed a reprehensible culture of illegal use of firearms in the elite unit, including soldiers drawing weapons on each other in a non-formal environment. In the past year alone, it turned out, three similar incidents in which a bullet was accidentally discharged took place in Duvdevan, but were concluded without casualties. The incidents were similarly looked into, but no conclusions were drawn and the phenomenon remained widespread. Staff Sgt. Strug's funeral (Photo: Yariv Katz) In addition, the two soldiers' superior officer, a team commander with the rank of lieutenant, was removed from his posting. "The unit's chain of command did not operate well enough to change its internal culture," IDF Spokesperson's Brig.-Gen. Ronen Manelis said Tuesday afternoon. "Commanders did not criticize the matter or enforce relevant orders. It was found a deficient norm of playing with weapons was prevalent in the unit." "The inquiry commission determined this was not an isolated incident, but rather part of a culture of illegal use of firearms. The commission further determined insufficient review by commanders existed regarding prevention of such acts," he continued. The commission also recommended a series of new instructions be introduced to all of the army's elite units whose members use pistols, and which redefine the use and training with said weapons. It was further decided that the army's Operations Directorate will redefine the units allowed to use handguns once a year. BRUSSELS Envoys of France, Britain, Germany, the European Union and Iran discussed the nuclear deal in Brussels on Tuesday, a German official said, ahead of an expected announcement by US President Donald Trump to pull out. "We have been in the closest contact for weeks, especially with E-3 partners (France and Britain), from working level to foreign ministers," the official said. "In the coming days, it will also be important to remain in discussion with all sides to avoid an uncontrolled escalation." US President Donald Trump will announce on Tuesday whether he will pull out of the Iran nuclear deal or stay in and work with European allies who say it has successfully halted Iran's nuclear ambitions, but those same allies were pessimistic as to the chances of the US staying in the deal. Follow Ynetnews on Facebook and Twitter Ahead of his announcement, European officials said they expected President Trump to proclaim he was pulling out of the Iran deal, after they struggled to persuade him that the accord has halted Iran's nuclear ambitions. One senior European official closely involved in Iran diplomacy said US officials had indicated late on Monday that Trump would withdraw from the deal but it remained unclear on what terms, and whether sanctions would be re-imposed. President Trump will announce his decision regarding the Iran nuclear deal, but his European allies assumed a US withdrawal was fait accompli (Photo: AP) Two American officials echoed his assessment, telling CNN Trump is expected to announce he will permit new sanctions on the Islamic republic to be levieda first step en route to the US's withdrawal from the deal. If the president does decide to renew sanctions, it will be up to the US's European allies to decide how to act. Similarly, Iran will have to decide whether to continue complying with the deal's conditions or announce its own withdrawal, as it has threatened to do. In any event, the sanctions will not be imposed immediately but after a period of several months, during which the American administration will publish instructions to companies and banks. A senior Western diplomat said France, Britain and Germanywhich were also party to the agreementwere working on the assumption of a hard US exit after a call last week between US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and European officials at which he made clear talks on rescuing the deal would not go further. US Sect. of State Pompeo (L) and PM Netanyahu during latter's visit to Israel. Pompeo let US's European allies know deal was 'over' (Photo: EPA) "He let it be known that it was over," the diplomat said. European officials understood this to mean that Trump would not renew sanctions waivers, a move which would in effect kill the deal. Trump planned to discuss his decision in a phone call on Tuesday with French President Emmanuel Macron, a senior White House official said. Macron's office later said in a statement that the two had indeed spoken, and that they discussed issues related to peace and stability in the Middle East. The New York Times then reported, citing a person briefed on the conversation, that President Trump told Macron that the United States was going to pull out of the Iran dealwhich both the White House and Macron's office denied. The source added the US was preparing to reinstate all sanctions it had waived as part of the deal and impose additional economic penalties, the Times reported. President Trump (R) was supposed to discuss his decision with French President Macron (Photo: EPA) Kerry: US withdrawal from deal 'doesn't make sense' Former US Secretary of State John Kerry and one of the nuclear deal's architects said Tuesday withdrawing from the Iran deal "doesn't make sense." Kerry, speaking at a gathering on food innovation in Milan, said he challenged anyone to find an agreement tougher than the one in place now, adding Iran could not physically make nuclear weapons right now because it only has the 300 kilograms (661 pounds) of low-enrichment uranium allowed under the agreement. Trump has consistently threatened to pull out of the 2015 agreement because it does not address Iran's ballistic missile program or its role in wars in Syria and Yemen, and does not permanently prevent Tehran from developing nuclear weapons. Fmr. Sect. of State Kerry said it 'didn't make sense' to withdraw from the deal (Photo: Reuters) European leaders have warned that a US withdrawal would undo years of work that has kept nuclear weapons out of Iran's hands. Top Republican: US should 'enforce the hell' out of deal rather than bow out In Washington, the Republican chairman of the US House of Representatives Foreign Affairs Committee said the United States should continue to fix flaws in accord and "enforce the hell" out of it, but not withdraw. Speaking hours before Trump was due to announce his decision, Ed Royce said tearing up the deal would not recover cash sent to Iran's government or "galvanize" allies into addressing Iran's dangerous activities. "I fear a withdrawal would actually set back those efforts," he said in a statement. Chairman of the US House of Representatives Foreign Affairs Committee Royce said the US should 'enforce the hell' out of the nuclear deal (Photo: Reuters) "Unfortunately we are deeply pessimistic ahead of President Trump's announcement later today. However, we will have to wait and see what exactly President Trump says tonight," the diplomat, who declined to be named, said. "Our objective will remain to uphold and maintain the JCPOA (the nuclear deal). We will need to wait to understand what the US plan is to deliver on our shared goal of preventing Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon and addressing their regional behavior," he added. Iran: Trump responsible for deal's collapse Iranian officials, meanwhile, have issued combative statements ahead of Trump's announcement. One anonymous official said Iran would not accept any demands on top of those it agreed to in its nuclear deal with world powers. "The European signatories are trying to persuade Trump to remain in the deal, but they should know that Iran will never accept any demand beyond the deal," the official told Reuters on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the issue. Iranian President Rouhani (Photo: AFP) "Trump should know that he is responsible for all the consequences of the deal's collapse. Iran has always been committed to its international obligations." Similarly, Iran's speaker of parliament accused the United States Tuesday of breaching its commitment to the nuclear deal. "The Americans did not implement their commitments. It seems you can only speak with the Americans in the language of force, and there is no other solution," Ali Larijani was quoted as saying by the news agency IRNA. The secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council, for his part, said Iran will not be passive if President Trump left the nuclear deal. "It will not be in the Americans' interests if the JCPOA collapses by their offensive... We will not be passive if the United States starts confrontation with Iran," Ali Shamkhani was quoted as saying by Fars news agency. Revolutionary Guard's Deputy Commander Hossein Salami said Iran's enemies should know it has 'prepared for the worst scenarios and threats' (Photo: AP) Perhaps the most bellicose, however, was the Revolutionary Guard's deputy commander, who said Iran was "not afraid of US sanctions or attack." "Our enemiesincluding America, the Zionist regime and the allies in the regionshould know that Iran has prepared for the worst scenarios and threats," Hossein Salami was quoted as saying by Fars news agency. The Associated Press and Reuters contributed to this report. PARIS US President Donald Trump and French President Emmanuel Macron and discussed issues related to peace and stability in the Middle East during a phone call on Tuesday, Macron's office said in a statement. Trump is expected to announce later on Tuesday that he is pulling out of the Iran nuclear deal, European officials say. A senior White House official said earlier on Tuesday that Trump planned to discuss his decision on the Iran deal in a phone call with Macron. About Me Scott Because prophetic scriptures are found throughout the bible, it is obvious that a comprehensive, systematic approach would be useful, if not necessary, for the understanding of prophecy. Past prophecies have been fulfilled in a literal manner, as confirmed by the dating of these writings and historical records of confirmation. These past prophecies also serve as a model of how to interpret future prophecies. A literal view of prophecy clearly indicates a certain sequence of events will occur within a single generation, concluding with the Tribulation and Second Advent and these events will be obvious. The prophetic signs appear to be present in this generation and we believe these signs are revealed in the news from around the world. View my complete profile LONDON The prime minister of Iraq's semi-autonomous Kurdistan region will hold high-level talks in Moscow on Wednesday with Russian officials, a Kurdistan regional government official said on Tuesday. Nechirvan Barzani will travel to Moscow at the request of Rosneft chief Igor Sechin, the official said. Rosneft is a major investor in Iraqi Kurdistan and controls its oil pipelines. Education Minister Naftali Bennett commented on recent security tensions on Israel's northern frontier by sending a threatening message to Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah, saying, "You have branded yourself as the defender of Lebanon , but if you start a war against Israel, you'll lose Lebanon." Follow Ynetnews on Facebook and Twitter Speaking at the 18th annual Herzliya Conference at the Herzliya Interdisciplinary Center Tuesday afternoon, the Bayit Yehudi chief also directed remarks at Iranhours before US President Donald Trump was expected to announce his decision on the nuclear deal saying, "The ayatollahs' regime is on borrowed time and will inevitably collapse." Education Minister Bennett said Syria will become Iran's Vietnam if it persists in its current policy (Photo: Motti Kimchi) "If Iran continues on its current path," Bennett added, "it will discover Syria has become its own Vietnam." Speaking about the Second Lebanon War, Bennett said Hezbollah was stronger then. "In the months after the war, we have seen the first outposts created, and fell back. You might have expected us to change our outlook after the war, but we didn't," he said. "Today Hezbollah could be said to pose a serious threat to Israel, but not an existential one," the minister opined. "It's not the Hezbollah of the 1990s. Between 2000 and 2006, our conception bought us six years of calm." Nasrallah, the self-styled 'defender of Lebanon,' will lose Lebanon if he attacks Israel, Bennett said Circling back to Iran, Bennett said that, "In the test of determination and consistencyIsrael will win. I'm not proposing directly attacking Iran, (but) Israel should build a capability to significantly strike at the heart of Iran to deter its head." "The Iranians don't love dying," the minister explained, "but it's very easy for them to send others to die. While we're shedding blood fighting their tentacles, the octopus's head is lounging in its chair and enjoying itself." Israel's doctrine should therefore be "No more," Bennett said, by "aiming at the head of the octopus and not its tentacles." Iranian President Rouhani. It was time to strike at the octopus's head, Bennett declared (Photo: AFP) Concluding his remarks, Bennett appealed directly to the Islamic republic's younger generation, saying, "The Israeli people highly respect the Persian people. We have no desire to fight Iran and harbor no territorial aspirations towards it." "Your regime is squandering millions of dollars to build an empire in the Middle East and destroy the State of Israel. We will fight back with all of our technological sophistication and military might," he warned. BEIRUT The United States urged Lebanon to uphold a policy of staying out of regional wars and a UN Security Council resolution that sought Hezbollah's disarmament, after the Iran-backed group and its allies won more than half the seats in Sunday's election. The United States views Hezbollah as a terrorist group and is critical of its role in the Syrian conflict, but has given Lebanon substantial military support. "As Lebanon looks ahead to forming a new government, we urge all parties to uphold Lebanon's international obligations, including those contained in U.N. Security Council Resolutions 1559 and 1701," the US Embassy in Beirut said in a statement. The two resolutions relate to the withdrawal of all foreign forces from Lebanon, the disarmament of all militias including Hezbollah and the terms of a 2006 ceasefire agreement between Lebanon and Washington's close ally Israel. BEIRUT A man was killed in a Lebanese town on Tuesday in clashes between supporters of rival Druze parties stemming from tensions over Sunday's election, a security source said. The dead man was a member of the Progressive Socialist Party. Its leader and that of its rival, the Lebanese Democratic Party, issued a joint statement condemning the violence. Video clips which Reuters could not immediately verify showed security forces deployed in the town of Choueifat, south of Beirut, to break up scuffles between the sides. Putting an end to speculation, President Trump is announced his decision to withdraw the United States from the 2015 nuclear deal, and reinstate sanctions on the Islamic republic that the deal removed. Follow Ynetnews on Facebook and Twitter Iran, which Trump said supported Hezbollah, Hamas, Taliban and al Qaeda, has "kidnapped, murdered and tortured American citizens." President Trump's statement on withdrawal from nuclear deal X However, he said, no action taken by the regime has been more dangerous than its "pursuit of nuclear weapons and the means of delivering them." President Trump announced a US withdrawal from the Iran nuclear deal (Photo: AFP) In theory, Trump explained, the Iran deal was supposed to "protect from the lunacy of a nuclear bomb that will only endanger the survival of the Iranian regime." Instead of doing that, he lamented, it merely allowed Iran to continue enriching uranium and reach the brink of nuclear breakout, while lifting "crippling economic sanctions in return for weak limits" on its nuclear program, while placing "no limits on other activities in Syria, Yemen and elsewhere." "A constructive deal could easily have been struck at the time, but it wasn't," the president said. The deal that was struck, he added, was a "horrible, one-sided deal that should have never been made. It didn't bring peace, and it never will." Explaining his reasoning, Trump said that, "Even if Iran fully complies, the regime can still be on the verge of nuclear breakout in short period of time." "If I allow this deal to stand, there will soon be a nuclear arms race in the Middle East. Everyone will want nuclear weapons before Iran has its own," Trump said. "The deal does nothing to constrain Iran's destabilizing activities, including its support of terrorism. We cannot prevent an Iranian nuclear bomb under the decaying, rotten structure of the current agreement," he elaborated. "America will not be held hostage to nuclear blackmail," the president declared. "The United States no longer makes empty threats. When I make promises, I keep them." "As we exit the Iran deal, we will be working with our allies to find a real, comprehensive and lasting solution to the Iranian nuclear threat," he added, saying efforts will be made to eliminate the threat of Iran's ballistic missile program, its support of worldwide terrorism and its "menacing activities" in the Middle East. If the Iranian regime continued harboring nuclear aspirations, Trump vowed, it will have "bigger problems than it has ever had before." While Iran's leaders have announced their refusal to negotiate a new deal, Trump said they are going to want to do thatone that benefits "all of Iran and its people." "When they do, I am ready, willing, able. Great things can happen for Iran and for the peace and stability that we all want in Middle East," Trump concluded. "There has been enough suffering, death and destruction. Let it end now." Ahead of the speech, multiple media outlets reported the president will announce a withdrawal, with the New York Times reporting Trump told French President Emmanuel Macron as much in a phone conversation earlier Tuesday, adding sanctions will be re-imposed along with other economic measures. Both the White House and Macron's office denied the report, however. President Trump speaking in the White House (Photo: MCT) The aforementioned reports were congruent with "deep pessimism" voiced by the US's European partners to the deal, with European officials saying Trump will most likely announce a withdrawal, with the terms thereof remaining initially unclear. Trump's White House speech comes four days before the end of the deadline he had given Europe to fix the deal's "terrible flaws." In the past few weeks, three of the deal's European signatoriesBritain, Germany and Francehave exerted immense efforts in trying to convince the administration to remain in the deal. German Chancellor Angela Merkel, Macron and Britain's Foreign Minister Boris Johnson have all visited Washington in the past two weeks, in an attempt to convince the US there was no alternative to the deal, and that its collapse will serve as a diplomatic blow that will only strengthen Tehran's hardliners. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, on the other hand, attempted to convince Trump that Iran has never forsaken its intentions to develop nuclear weapons, in a speech at the Kirya army headquarters in Tel Aviv last week, in which he unveiled the "secret Iranian nuclear archives." PM Netanyahu's speech unveiling Iran's 'secret nuclear archives' (Photo: Orel Cohen) After Netanyahu's speech, the American president said recent developments showed he was "100 percent right" about the deal, which he had previously dubbed the "worst ever." As part of the 2015 agreement, Iran made an obligation to limit its nuclear program to levels that will not allow it to develop nuclear weapons, and has assented to stringent oversight by the West. In return, most of the sanctions levied on itwhich have crippled its economyhave been removed. ANKARA Iranian President Hassan Rouhani will appear on state TV to give Tehran's reaction immediately after US President Donald Trump issues his decision on whether Washington is to pull out of the 2015 Iran nuclear deal, state news agency IRNA reported. "In a televised speech tonight President Hassan Rouhani will explain Iran's stance and reaction to Trump's decision," an unnamed official told IRNA. JERUSALEM US President Donald Trump took a brave and correct decision to cancel the nuclear deal with Iran, which was "a recipe for disaster," Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Tuesday. The Israeli leader, who has called for the deal between Western powers and Iran to be fixed or cancelled, spoke moments after Trump announced his decision in a speech at the White House. Netanyahu said in a two-minute televised address in Hebrew and English that the current deal was "a recipe for disaster, a disaster for our region, a disaster for the peace of the world." BRUSSELS The top European Union diplomat, Federica Mogherini, on Tuesday called on the international community to stick to the Iran nuclear deal despite U.S. President Donald Trump announcing he was pulling out and would reimpose sanctions on Tehran. "I am particularly worried by the announcement tonight of new sanctions," Mogherini said. "The European Union is determined to preserve it," she said of the world powers' 2015 agreement with Tehran. "Together with the rest of the international community, we will preserve this nuclear deal." Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu responded to US President Donald Trump's decision to withdraw the United States from the Iran nuclear deal , saying the decision to withdraw was "correct, wise and courageous." Follow Ynetnews on Facebook and Twitter "Had the deal remained in place," Netanyahu continued, "it would have allowed Iran to enrich enough uranium within the span of a few years to create an entire arsenal of nuclear bombs." President Trump's statement on withdrawal from nuclear deal X "In addition, the deal has already funneled Iran billions of dollars to finance its war machine throughout the Middle East," the premier added. PM Netanyahu extolled President Trump's decision (Photo: EPA) "That's what it does today, when it does not possess a nuclear arsenal, and I ask you to consider what it might do when it attains one," he said ominously. The prime minister then went on to say, in light of security tensions in the north and the IDF's decision to open bomb shelters in the Golan Heights, that, "For months Iran has been sending its forces in Syria deadly weapons to harm Israel, and has explicitly stated its goal was to use Syria as a forward operating base from which to attack us." "We are determined to prevent Iranian entrenchment in Syria. We will respond forcefully to any infringing of our sovereignty. The army is prepared and strong. Anyone who tries us will feel our might," Netanyahu concluded. Lieberman: 'A brave step'; Rivlin: 'Significant step to ensuring Israel's security' Minister Avigdor Lieberman commented on Trump's speech as well, saying, "The leader of the free world told the ayatollahs' regime in a clear, decisive voice: Enough! Iran is a dictatorship that supports and finances terrorism and death the world over. Iran itself is a terroristic entity that aspires to attain nuclear weapons." Defense Minister Lieberman (Photo: Hillel Meir/TPS) "This is a courageous leadership step that will culminate in the fall of this terrible, cruel regime," Lieberman concluded. President Reuven Rivlin offered his remarks on the matter, saying, "The decision made by the president of the United States constitutes an important and significant step in ensuring the security of the State of Israel, the security of the region and the security of the entire free world." "Alongside the nuclear threat," Rivlin continued, "we do not, for a moment, forget the arms race Iran is leading on our borders, and we follow the developments closely and responsibly in order to protect the security of our citizens." "The threat of Iranian consolidation is not a threat to the State of Israel alone, and therefore international pressure is necessary in the struggle against this danger," the president concluded. Yesh Atid Chairman Yair Lapid joined the chorus of greetings, saying, "We must mobilize all of Israel's political forces to ensure the Europeans, Chinese and Russians join the move and prevent Iran from resuming the development of nuclear weapons." Yesh Atid Chairman Lapid (Photo: Alex Kolomoisky) "As I have acted alongside the government before to have this bad nuclear deal annulled, we will make no calculations of opposition or coalition again and work to have sanctions reimposed and Iran blocked," he vowed. Trump: 'We will not allow Iran access to the most dangerous of weapons' Speaking at the White House, President Trump said, "I want to update the world on our efforts to prevent Iran from acquiring a nuclear weapon. The Iranian regime is the leading state sponsor of terror. It fuels conflicts across the Middle East, and supports terrorist proxies and militias, such as Hezbollah, Hamas, the Taliban, and al-Qaeda." "Over the years, Iran and its proxies have bombed American embassies and military installations, murdered hundreds of American service members, and kidnapped, imprisoned, and tortured American citizens," the president stated. "In 2015, the previous administration entered into a deal regarding Iran's nuclear program, the deal was called the JCPOA (Joint Comprehensive Plan of Actioned). In theory, the so-called Iran deal was supposed to protect the United States and our allies from the lunacy of an Iranian nuclear bomb," Trump explained. President Trump pulled the US out of the nuclear deal (Photo: Reuters) The president continued, "The deal lifted crippling economic sanctions, on Iran, in exchange for very weak limits on the regimes nuclear activity. A constructive deal could have easily been struck at the time. But it wasn't. This was a horrible one-sided deal that should have never, ever been made. It didnt bring calm, it didn't bring peace, and it never will. "Not only does the deal fail to halt Irans nuclear ambitions, but it also fails to address the regimes development of ballistic missiles that could deliver nuclear warheads. America will not be held hostage to nuclear blackmail. We will not allow American cities to be threatened with destruction. And we will not allow a regime that chants 'Death to America' to gain access to the most deadly weapons on Earth. "I announced last October that the Iran deal must either be renegotiated or terminated. Three months later, on January 12th, I repeated these conditions. I made clear that if the deal could not be fixed, the United States would no longer be a party to the agreement. "It is clear to me that we cannot prevent an Iranian nuclear bomb under the decaying and rotten structure of the current agreement. Therefore, I am announcing today that the United States will withdraw from the Iran nuclear deal." The IDF is mobilizing some of its reservist forces, the military said on Tuesday, after US President Donald Trump announced he was withdrawing from the 2015 Iranian nuclear deal. "We are drafting reservists in specific cases, as required," a military spokeswoman told Reuters, without elaborating on the scale of the call-up. NEWSALERT-JAPAN-QUAKE Powerful earthquake hits Tokyo area, but officials say no tsunami danger. (AP)Powerful earthquake hits Tokyo area, but officials say no tsunami danger. (AP) Former Secretary of State John Kerry said Tuesday that President's Donald Trump's decision to pull out from the Iran nuclear deal isolates the US from its European allies and extremely jeopardizes Israel. "The decision to pull out from the nuclear agreement will harm the ability of any future administration to reach international agreements," Kerry said. Britain, Germany and France urged the United States not to take steps that would make life harder for other countries that still want to stick to the Iran nuclear deal that US President Donald Trump spurned on Tuesday. Trump announced that he is pulling America out of the 2015 deal worked out by the United States, the three European countries, other international powers and Iran to ease sanctions in exchange for Tehran limiting its nuclear program. "We urge the US to ensure that the structures of the JCPOA (deal) can remain intact and to avoid taking action which obstructs its full implementation by all other parties to the deal," the leaders of Britain, Germany and France said in a joint statement provided by Prime Minister Theresa May's office. May spoke by telephone with France's President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Angela Merkel after Trump made his statement and the United States said it intended to reimpose sanctions on Iran. The IDF went on high alert for a possible flare-up with neighboring Syria on Tuesday as US President Donald Trump announced he was withdrawing from the 2015 nuclear deal with Iran. Follow Ynetnews on Facebook and Twitter The IDF said that, after identifying "irregular activity" by Iranian forces in Syria, it instructed civic authorities on the Golan Heights to ready bomb shelters, deployed new defenses and mobilized some reservist forces. IDF Chief of Staff Gadi Eisenkot cancelled a scheduled appearance at an annual security conference and was conferring with Defense Minister Avigdor Lieberman and other national security chiefs, officials said. IDF deploys Iron Dome battery on Golan Heights (: ") X Trump's hard tack against the nuclear deal, while welcomed by Israel , has stirred fears of a possible regional flare-up. Iran and Lebanon's Hezbollah have been helping Syrian President Bashar Assad beat back a seven-year-old rebellion. Israel has reportedly carried out repeated air strikes against them, hoping to stop the formation of a Lebanese-Syrian front to its north. An April 9 strike killed seven Iranian military personnel at a Syrian airbase. Iran blamed Israel and said it would retaliate. The order to prepare bomb shelters on the Golan was unprecedented during Syria's civil war. Israel captured the Golan from Syria in the 1967 Six-Day War and annexed it in a move not recognized internationally. "In recent years, we've been making preparations in coordination with the IDF and the Home Front Command so we could deal with escalation in the Golan area in the best possible way," said the head of the Golan Regional Council Eli Malka. "We've been witnessing the very significant preparations the IDF has been doing all over the Golan, and we're confident the IDF could provide a proper response and defend the residents of the Golan and the State of Israel." (Photo: Avihu Shapira) Despite the instructions to open and ready bomb shelters, the IDF Golan residents were asked to sleep or stay in shelters. In addition to the Golan, mayors in other northern communities ordered the opening of bomb shelters. In Safed, while receiving no specific instructions from the IDF on the matter, the mayor decided to open public shelters to help residents feel more secure. "The public is being asked to ensure the shelters in residential buildings are accessible, clean and aired-out," a message to Safed residents said. The mayor of Karmiel got no special instructions from the military either, but nevertheless decided to open public shelters as well. (Photo: Avihu Shapira) The Education Ministry said that while there will be no changes to the school schedule in the Golan Heights on Wednesday, 30 school trips that were supposed to take place in the area have been canceled in accordance with IDF instructions. Israel has posted Iron Dome short-range air missile defenses on the Golan, suggesting that the anticipated attack could be by ground-to-ground rockets or mortars. (Photo: Avihu Shapira) Earlier Tuesday, the US Embassy in Israel issued a security alert to American officials in the country, requiring them to obtain advance approval before visiting the Golan Heights due to recent tensions. "Consider carefully travel to the Golan Heights until the situation stabilizes," the security alert said. "Maintain situational awareness. Be aware of your surroundings." Syria media outlets reported Tuesday evening explosions were heard around Damascus, in the Al-Kiswah region south of the Syrian capital. It was further reported the strike's target were missiles trained at Israel. Follow Ynetnews on Facebook and Twitter A senior Syrian army official was quoted by the Reuters news agency as saying that, "Israel targeted a Syrian army position south of Damascus." Fire rising from the attacked base in Syria X The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said on Wednesday the strike had killed at least 15 people, including eight Iranians. "The number increased to at least 15, including at least eight Iranians, killed by the missile strikes," the British-based Observatory reported. "The number increased to at least 15, including at least eight Iranians, killed by the missile strikes," the British-based Observatory reported. The possible attack came after the IDF instructed to open public bomb shelters in the Golan Heights amid Israeli reports of "irregular Iranian movements" in Syria and the ongoing fear of an Iranian strike at Israel in retaliation for the US withdrawal from the nuclear deal and the airstrike on the T-4 Airbase near Homs last month. Fire burning in the Syrian base attack Tuesday The base attacked in Damascus, Arab media reported, housed Iranian forces and was attacked by Israel in the past. Increased Israeli Air Force traffic was also mentioned in the skies over Israel's northern frontier in unconfirmed reports. There was no immediate comment from Israel, which almost never confirms or denies airstrikes in Syria. Yedioth Ahronoth military correspondent Ron Ben-Yishai added that it could be gleaned from the Syrian report of an Israeli attack on a base used by Iranian militias that Iranians have been trying to launch missiles or rockets at Israel in the past few days. Israel has foiled these attempts, Ben-Yishai opined, both by using the media andreportedlyby launching a preventative attack. It could also be surmised that the targets of Tuesday's attack were missile silos and rocket launchers the Iranians took out of hiding and intended to useprompting Israel to attack once it discovered it. A short time after the initial reports, sounds of explosion could be heard south of the capital, with the official Syrian news agency reporting that "Syrian air defenses have intercepted two Israeli missiles." A Syrian general told Syrian state television, meanwhile, that the Israeli attack was coordinated with the American withdrawal from the nuclear deal, claiming that its purpose was to test Syria rather than destroy the base. Israeli maneuvers in the Golan Heights (Photo: AFP) American army officials, for their part, told CNN of a growing fear that Iran was on the cusp of attacking Israel. When the attack takes place was unclear according to intelligence, the officials said, as was its target. "If an attack takes place, it may not be immediately clear the perpetrator was Iran," one US official said. Regardless, the United States is closely monitoring to see whether Iran or its proxies carry out offensive actions in Syria, Lebanonor even in Iran itself. The US-led coalition against the Islamic State in Syria said Tuesday no changes could be seen in the movement of Iranian troops in the past few days. Earlier Tuesday, the IDF instructed the opening of shelters in Israel's northern region. Its statement said, "In light of a series of irregular identifications among Iranian forces in Syria, it was decided to make clearer defensive instructions in the Golan Heights region." Increased IDF preparedness in the Golan Heights (: ") X At the same time, the US Embassy in Israel published a warning to US government officials, barring the visitation of any Americans to Israel's north without prior approval. "Consider well whether to visit the Golan Heights until tensions in the region decrease," the statement said. "Increase alertness and look after those around you." It was reported Monday in Arab media outlets that eight soldiers from the Syrian army's aerial defense force were killed in a mysterious explosion that took place Sunday on the Damascus-Suwayda road. Engineers and soldiers from said battalion, tasked with operating the S-200 aerial defense system and responsible for downing an Israeli F-16 two months ago, were riding in a transport vehicle when the explosion occurred. Syrian sources said eight men were killed, and were quick to finger Israel in blame. It was also reported some of the vehicle's passengers actually took part in the downing of the Israeli plane over the Golan. The Israeli air force attacked a number of Syrian targets in retaliation for the downing. The aftermath of the attack on the T-4 Airbase near Homs The T-4 Airbase near Homs was bombed last month, in a strike that was widely attributed to Israel. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported 14 people killed in the missile strike, including senior Iranian officials. The Hezbollah-affiliated Lebanese Al Mayadeen network, for its part, reported that the missiles that hit the Homs airfield passed through Lebanese airspace, meaning they had come in from the Mediterranean. The new US ambassador to Germany advised German companies on Tuesday to stop doing business in Iran following President Donald Trump's decision to withdraw from the nuclear deal. In a tweet just hours after he officially took up his duties, Ambassador Richard Grenell noted that Trump said American "sanctions will target critical sectors of Iran's economy." He added: "German companies doing business in Iran should wind down operations immediately." Syrian army official said Tuesday night that Russia has ordered to bolster Syrian defense systems in the wake of the alleged Israeli attack south of Damascus. "The defense systems could handle the attacks executed by the Zionists," according to the Syrian official. House Speaker Paul Ryan Tuesday hailed US President Donald Trump's decision to withdraw from a nuclear accord with Iran. The Wisconsin Republican said that "from the beginning, the Obama-era Iran deal was deeply flawed." Ryan said Iran's hostile actions since the deal was signed have only reaffirmed that it remains dedicated to sowing instability in the Middle East. He went on to say that he would have preferred to fix the agreement rather than abandon it and that it was "unfortunate that we could not reach an understanding with our European partners" to do that. He said Trump is "right to insist that we hold Iran accountable both today and for the long-term," adding that he hopes the US will continue to work with allies to address actions by Iran to destabilize the Middle East. MOSCOW - Russia's foreign ministry is "deeply disappointed" by US President Donald Trump's decision to pull out of the 2015 Iran nuclear deal, the ministry said in a statement on Tuesday. "There are no - and can be no - grounds for breaking the joint comprehensive action plan (JCPOA). The plan showed its full efficiency," the ministry said. "The United States is undermining international trust in the International Atomic Energy Agency." The ministry said it was open to further cooperation with other Iran deal members and would continue to actively develop bilateral ties with Tehran. WASHINGTON US President Donald Trump spoke with French President Emmanuel Macron on Tuesday about "peace and stability in the Middle East," the White House said in a statement. The conversation came on the same day Trump pulled the United States out of the Iran nuclear deal in spite of Macron's lobbying the American president to remain in the accord. NOUAKCHOTT An al Qaeda affiliate threatened attacks on Western companies' operations across North and West Africa on Tuesday, calling them "legitimate targets" and urging Muslims to boycott them. Al Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM) has launched raids on installations in the past, in particular in Algeria where it carried out a major assault on a gas plant in 2013 that killed dozens of workers. Its fighters have also carried out high-profile attacks on hotels frequented by foreigners in Mali, Burkina Faso and Ivory Coast. "This statement calls to boycott all Western companies and foundations ... that operate in the Islamic Maghreb ... and the countries of the Sahel, and gives a warning to them that they are legitimate target for the mujahideen," it said. MURNAU, Germany Jordanian Foreign Minister Ayman al-Safadi on Tuesday warned of "dangerous repercussions" and a possible arms race in the Middle East unless a political solution was found to free the region of nuclear weapons and other weapons of mass destruction. Al-Safadi spoke in Germany before US President Donald Trump announced on Tuesday he would pull out of the Iran nuclear deal. "We all need to work together in making sure that we solve the conflicts of the region ... and strive for a Middle East that is free of all weapons of mass destruction," he told reporters after a meeting with leaders of Chancellor Angela Merkel's right-left "grand coalition" government. "If we do not look at the political picture and ... find a way to ensure that the whole region is free of (these weapons), we'll be looking at a lot of dangerous repercussions that will affect the region in terms of an arms race," he said. News Washington, DC - Vice President Mike Pence met with Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson of the United Kingdom. Both agreed that the strong partnership between the two countries was exemplified by our joint leadership in responding to the poisoning of a private citizen in Salisbury using chemical weapons and the allied airstrikes following the use of chemical weapons by the Syrian regime. The Vice President emphasized the importance of ensuring that Iran never acquires a nuclear weapon, and that North Korea commits to verifiable denuclearization. Both welcomed the Presidents upcoming visit to the United Kingdom in July and agreed to continue to work together to address geopolitical challenges. Latest News Washington, DC - Remarks by the First Lady at the Launch of the Be Best Initiative: MRS. TRUMP: Thank you. Good afternoon. Welcome to the White House. As a mother and as First Lady, it concerns me that in todays fast-paced and ever-connected world, children can be less prepared to express or manage their emotions and oftentimes turn to forums of destructive or addictive behavior, such as bullying, drug addiction or even suicide. I feel strongly that, as adults, we can and should be best at educating our children about the importance of a healthy and balanced life. So today, Im very excited to announce BE BEST, an awareness campaign dedicated to the most valuable and fragile among us -our children. (Applause.) There is one goal to BE BEST and that is to educate children about the many issues they are facing today. If we truly listen to what our kids have to say, whether it be their concerns or ideas, adults can provide them the support and tools they need to grow up to be happy and productive adults who contribute positively to society and their global communities. At the same time, children deserve every opportunity to enjoy their innocence. Every child should know it is safe to make mistakes and that there are supportive adults and friends nearby to catch them if they fall. We also need to be mindful that they should learn to trust in themselves and their own emotions. I believe our responsibility lies in the critical time before a child reaches adulthood. Let us teach children the importance of all aspects of their wellbeing, which includes social, emotional, and physical health. There are too many critical issues facing children today, so the three main pillars of BE BEST will include wellbeing, social media use, and opioid abuse. Together, I believe we should strive to provide kids with the tools they need to cultivate their social and emotional health. We can and should teach children the importance of social and self-awareness, positive relationship skills, and responsible decision-making. Once a child understands these vital skills, they will be able to communicate openly with one another and instill positive feelings of mutual respect, compassion, and self-esteem. Let us teach our children the difference between right and wrong, and encourage them to be best in their individual paths in life. Take, for example, Christian Bucks, a young man from York, Pennsylvania who is here with us today. When he was in second grade, Christian introduced the Buddy Bench at his elementary school to address loneliness and help other kids build new friendships. The Buddy Bench allows classmates to connect during recess and helps ensure that no student feels lonely. If a child sits on the bench, it signals other students to come over and ask them to play. Christians school and community embraced the Buddy Bench, and today, at least one can be found in all 50 states. Thank you, Christian, for your commitment to kindness. You should be very proud of your work, which is I know has helped countless children. (Applause.) Please, stand up. Bravo. Id also like to talk about Orchard Lake Middle School in West Bloomfield Township, Michigan. I visited the school in October as part of National Bullying Prevention Month to speak to its students about the importance of being kind. While I was there, I visited their Viking Huddle Class, which focuses on social emotional learning and teaches lessons about respecting others, inclusion, and being kind. While I was there, I visited their Viking Huddle class, which focuses on social-emotional learning and teaches lessons about respecting others, inclusion, and being kind. As part of BE BEST, I plan to highlight ideas and programs such as Buddy Bench and the Viking Huddle class, with the hope that other schools or community groups will be inspired to replace [replicate] their efforts and take steps to improve the wellbeing of our children. We have invited some of the Viking Huddle class here today. Thank you all for being and taking time here with us in the White House. (Applause.) As we all know, social media can be both positively and negatively affect on our children. But too often, it is used in negative ways. When children learn positive online behaviors early-on, social media can be used in productive ways and can affect positive change. I do believe that children should be both seen and heard, and it is our responsibility as adults to educate and remind them that when they are using their voices, whether verbally or online, they must choose their words wisely and speak with respect and compassion. As an example, Kalani Goldberg, an 8th grade student from Arizona posted a video to her social media account to share the challenges she faced from bullies. In the video she said, Every day, you are hurting me. Every day, you are hurting each other. So please stop. Stop hurting me. Kalani and her family have joined us here today, and I am happy to report that since posting her video, many have watched it and, most importantly, people have reached out to offer support and kindness. Thank you, Kalani, for being brave enough to share your story, and also for using your experience to bring positive change. Please stand up, Kalani. (Applause.) I first learned about the real consequences of our nations opioid epidemic during my husbands campaign. Since then, I have met with and learned from many people who have been affected by this true crisis. In October, I travelled to West Virginia to tour Lilys Place, the nations first nonprofit infant recovery center. Lilys Place puts a priority on the whole family so that infants born dependent on drugs are given the best opportunity to thrive. They have been successful in this endeavor because parents are also given the support and tools needed to recover and succeed. Lilys Place is a testament to the extraordinary work that everyday people can do when they put their mind to it. I will use BE BEST to bring attention to programs such as these in order to encourage conversation and replication. In February, I went to Cincinnati Childrens Hospital in Ohio and a panel of doctors briefed me on the devastating effects that opioids are having, but also their important research on neonatal abstinence syndrome. I am pleased to say that representatives from both Lilys Place and Cincinnati Childrens Hospital are here today. Thank you. (Applause.) Thank you for being here, and thank you for your heroic work on behalf of children. I want to thank the many people I have met with and learned from over the past year while researching these vital topics on behalf of children. This includes the Cabinet Secretaries who have joined us here today, as well as representatives from Microsoft, Google, Facebook, Twitter, Snap, Amazon, National Safety Council, and so many more. I would like to thank the President, the Vice President, Karen Pence, and other members of the administration, as well as the members of Congress who are here today. I am honored to have you all with me, and I look forward to working together on the behalf of children in the coming years. In my time as First Lady of the United States, I will make every effort to be best at championing the many successful well-being programs in existence today that teach the tools and skills for emotional, social, and physical well-being. I will also work to shine a spotlight on the people, organizations, and programs across the country that are helping children overcome the many issues theyre facing as they grow up. I will continue speaking with leaders in the technology industry about childrens online habits and raising awareness around the importance of positive behaviors. I will continue to work with those who are fighting drug addiction. And most importantly, I will continue to travel and speak to children directly about both their victories and difficult realities they face. My hope is that together, we can be best at helping children and families find effective ways to educate themselves and support each other. I am asking you all to join me in providing support and guidance to our children so that we can make a real difference. How we raise and educate our children on a variety of topics will provide the blueprint for the next generation. Together, lets encourage children to dream big, think big, and do all they can to be best in everything that they do. Thank you all for being here today. God bless you, your families, our children, and God bless the United States of America. (Applause.) And now, it is my pleasure to call my husband to the stage to sign a proclamation calling today, May 7, BE BEST Day. Mr. President? (Laughter and applause.) Latest News Washington, DC - White House Press Secretary Regarding H.R.5674 the VA MISSION Act of 2018: Tomorrow, the House Committee on Veterans Affairs is scheduled to consider the VA MISSION Act of 2018. The Administration strongly supports this legislation, which will transform the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) into a modern, high-performing, and integrated healthcare system that will ensure our veterans receive the best healthcare possible from the VA, whether delivered in the VAs own facilities or in the community. This legislative package is based on an agreement reached among key Congressional leaders and the President after months of discussion. The legislation accomplishes five objectives: (1) consolidates and strengthens the VAs community care programs; (2) funds the existing Veterans Choice program to ensure veterans continue to receive care through the Choice program until the new, consolidated Veterans Community Care Program takes effect; (3) creates new flexibilities to aid the VA in managing its infrastructure portfolio through an Asset and Infrastructure (AIR) review process; (4) expands the Caregivers program to include eligible veterans from all eras of service; and (5) strengthens the VAs workforce. The Acting Secretary of Veterans Affairs recently informed Congress that the VA expects funding for the current Choice program to be exhausted as early as May 31, 2018. To prevent disruptions to veterans receiving care, the Administration urges Congress to pass this bill by Memorial Day. The President is committed to strengthening the VA healthcare system and offering veterans their choice of the best care to fit their individual clinical needs. This legislation is a key step to transforming the VA into a 21st century healthcare system that improves veterans access to timely and high-quality care, prevents inconsistent experiences, enhances veterans quality of life, and delivers the best possible healthcare outcomes to our Nations veterans. The Administration looks forward to continuing to work with Congress to enact these historic reforms. Yuma News Yuma, Arizona - This afternoon, at approximately 4:31 p.m., Yuma Police Department officers responded to a domestic disturbance call in the 100 block of W. Giss Parkway. Shortly after officers arrived in the area an officer involved shooting occurred and one person is deceased. No Yuma Police Department officers were injured during this incident. The Yuma Police Department is conducting the investigation into the shooting. The west bound lane of Giss Parkway is closed at this time and will remain closed for several hours. The Yuma Police Department encourages anyone with any information about this case to please call the Yuma Police Department at (928) 373-4700 or 78-Crime at (928) 782-7463 to remain anonymous. Islamabad: Farukh Amil, who is Pakistans permanent representative to the United Nations in Geneva, has been elected as the President for Commission on Investment, Enterprise and Development, reported a news source. This Commission is a part of United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD). The election for the President was held at the 9th annual session of the Commission in Geneva. Pakistans Foreign Office has described the election as reflective of the international communitys recognition of the countrys important role in international trade and development. Furthermore, Pakistan is expected to assume the chairmanship of the group of 77 and China in Geneva for 2018 because of its prominent role at the UN. This will further provide an opportunity to Pakistan share its experiences and learn ways to improve the investment climate in the country. With the increase of domestic tourism in the country, the flight industry has expanded and introduced a good number of domestic airlines in Ghana making it possible for Ghanaians to get cheap domestic flights. So in case you are planning for a safari next time, add a little bit of style and comfort to the travelling packaging by booking some of the domestic airlines in Ghana. The airlines in Ghana offer cheap and affordable prices with daily scheduled flights to some of the top tourist destinations and beaches in Ghana. Source: Ghpage The best part about the domestic flights in Ghana is that they offered customer tailored experiences across the Ghanaian skies. Passengers are guaranteed top notch quality service as they experience the warmth, professional etiquette and hospitality from the best in the industry. So planning on a family getaway in style or a vacation with your loved one? Well the local airlines in Ghana are the perfect solution to your quest. List of Airlines in Ghana We have compiled a comprehensive list of airlines operating in Ghana, plus additional information on some of their destinations and their contact details. All the domestic flights have to be certified by the GCAA in order to operate. Most of the airlines are offer complementary services such as hotel reservations, booking and guides. 1. Aerogem Aviation Ghana Airlines They started operations in Ghana in 2000 and operate a non-scheduled passenger and cargo airline as well as providing supervision and global flight support services. They bring new dimensions in serving the General Aviation, Charter, Passenger, cargo flights and helicopter offshore operations. They have well experienced and airline-minded staff supervisors with a connected network partners worldwide assured in providing run on time and precision decisions. All the services are performed in accordance with the standards of the industry. They are committed in providing clients with the best service for a repeat business as well as supervision of flights. Other services offered include emergency medical evacuation services; passenger check-in assistance and fuel supply at the Takoradi, Western region of Ghana. They also deal in hotel reservation, catering assistance and aircraft security. For inquiries you can reach them through their email address ops@aerogemaviation.com and info@aerogemaviation or through their operations number +233 209986313/4. 2. Africa World Airlines in Ghana They are a Ghanaian registered private-sector company which has been in operation since its launched in 2012 upon receiving the GCAA certification. They offer ideal air travel with the best option for majority within the markets in the areas they operate. The airline operates flights to four cities in Ghana namely Accra, Tamale, Kumasi and Takoradi but they recently extended their flight services to cater for passengers to Abuja, Lagos, and Monrovia. They are also planning to expand into Sierra Leone and Cote dIvore. There corporate values include safety, reliability, cost consciousness, efficiency, punctuality and commitment. You can contact them to make reservations through their email address awaoffice@flyafricaworld.com for the head office, concerns through concerns@flyafricaworld.com and reservation support through reservations.support@flyafricaworld. They are the award winning airline for the fifth time in a row during the Domestic Airline Year for 2017 at the national Aviation Awards ceremony in Accra. 3. Air Ghana local flights in Ghana It has been in operation since 1993 as an established premier Ghanaian registered cargo, passenger airline, air logistics and bespoke services to the European, Middle East and African regions as well as airport representation, aircraft handling and support, with all aspects of aviation ground and cargo handling services. They have a well committed and experienced staff that seeks to identify and realize new and innovative opportunities for the growth of the market and the realization of the partner airlines and meeting the aspirations of the clients. They operate the Boeing 737-400F in the sub-region. Other services offered include export and import cargo handling, passenger, VIP services, ground handling, and aircraft infrastructure and development. For inquiries, they are located on 4th Floor, Ghana Airport Cargo Center Building, KIA Cargo Village. You can also contact them through +233 302 774007 or +233 302 775228 in order to make reservations. Source: Wikipedia 4. Antrak Airlines in Ghana They are a wholly owned Ghanaian entity and one of the oldest airlines Ghana that commenced its operations in 2003. They offer both cargo and passenger services for domestic, regional and international routes.They provide competitive, safe, reliable and efficient professional services produced by an airline-minded staff. They are the largest domestic operator in Ghana that offers frequent scheduled and unscheduled flights to 4 daily services from Accra to Kumasi and 2 daily services to Takoradi, double daily to Tamale and one daily service to Sunyani. They also extended their services to cover Wa in the North West of Ghana and to Lagos, Nigeria. They partnered with Swiftair as its technical partner and through a transfer of technology. Their approach to flying includes offering modern and reliable aircraft, convenient and punctual schedules, friendly and responsive Ghanaian services at affordable services. For inquiries, you can contact them through their email address customerservice@antrakair.com or through their contacts +233 302 74 55 14 or +233 245 841 996. 5. Gianair Airline companies in Ghana The airline is based in Accra and was incorporated in 2009 but began its operations in 2010. They offer charter services including executive and private charter, emergency rescue and air cargo. It offers flights to neighboring countries through a safe, convenient, flexible and comfortable services operated on a 24/7 basis. They have the ability to accommodate and handle all requests within its limitations and capabilities. In case of inquiries, you can reach them through email address info@gianairltd.com or through their telephone contacts +233 030 276 64 88. They offer destinations to all airports in Ghana, foreign and local medical evacuation to airports in Ghana, South Africa and Europe. They also offer flight services to non-stop destinations like Abidjan, Abuja, Bangui, Brazzaville, Dakar, Freetown, Kinshasa, Lome, Lagos, Luanda and many more African regions. Their head office is in Kotoka International Airport, Accra, Ghana. They also offer executive charter for private and corporate users with various flight destinations in the rest of the continent. READ ALSO: Top 10 travel agencies in Ghana Their air cargo services expresses up to 1 ton. This service is beneficial for users in urgent need of the packages, customers are guaranteed packages will be delivered on time and in mint condition. Their mission is to provide excellent and enjoyable airline service to the clients by ensuring quality, convenient and prompt services at competitive prices that meets the expectations of the customers. 6. Royal Fly GH Airline They are a registered company that offers scheduled passenger and cargo air services within Ghana and the rest of the West African sub-region. They began their operations of internal flights from Accra to Kumasi, Takoradi and Tame since 2011 but later on introduced two more sub-regional services to Abidjan and Freetown. Recently, they have also introduced flights to cover the Sunyan, Wa regions and the rest of the West African communities. They offer affordable domestic flight and regional air travel for every Ghanaian. You can contact them through their head office in Kotoka International Airport, Room 105, and Terminal 1 PMB CT 242 Cantonments. Their mission is to be the preferred airline carrier in Ghana and across the rest of the continent. They plan to achieve their mission through their collaboration with other major players in the industry. They strive to be an everyday essential brand to the customers, employees and the shareholders. In case of inquiries, you can reach them through their email address info@fly-gh.com or through telephone +233 302 782 540. Source: Wikipedia 7. Starbow Airlines They are a Ghanaian airline located in Ghana with their hub airport in Accra. Their airline official name is Aero Surveys Limited which is one of the biggest Ghanaian airlines by passengers carried. They have destinations all over Ghana including Accra, Kumasi, Takoradi, Tamale, Sunyani and Monrovia. They have three flights: the BAe 146-200 and BAe 146-300 and ATR 72-500. The airline is planning to expand their size in the coming year to accommodate more passengers. READ ALSO: List of international airports in Ghana They currently operate on 46 departures a week while holding the largest market share of any carrier in the market in which they operate in. Fun fact is that they were incorporated in 1995 but began their operations in 2011. Five years later, the airline announced their resumption of the flight services in Accra-Tamale. They offer amazing deals and discounts to their customers at pocket friendly and safe service to all services. However, the airline suspended its operations following an incident with one of its flights but announced they will be back in the future. Source: Yen Nowadays each and everyone wants to become rich but it is not so easy to make quick money. Sorry to say, there is no free money in Ghana but there are many different useful ways to earn money fast. If you are looking for how to make quick money in Ghana, then stay with this article. Image: pixabay.com, canva.com (modified by author) Source: UGC How to make quick money in Ghana In this beautiful country, Ghana there are lots of decent ideas or ways to earn money which are legal. If you are a student, homemaker or unemployed person then go through this article once and then definitely you will get to know different ways to make quick money. The following are the ways to make quick money in Ghana offline. Run errands Are you sitting at home with having enough time in your hand? Then utilize this time by doing some work. You can buy groceries for your neighbors who are busy with their work and dont have time to buy groceries. Without investing any money you can earn some cash by charging fees for your services. This is one of the best ways to get instant money in Ghana. READ ALSO: How to make money on Facebook from Ghana Write a blog Writing a blog is a good source of income without spending money on it. It also improves your writing skill. If you did your work properly then you could get money from ads. If you continue the blog writing for a long time than you get a better opportunity to work with a publishing firm. Hold a garage sale Many things at our home are useless. Few things are there which got old and you dont use now like: old dolls, old bicycle, old table, and chairs etc. You can sale those cobwebs and earn money. Be a substitute teacher In Ghana, there are lots of private schools where you can teach the children and earn money. You can also improve your knowledge by teaching the children. Rent out some space If you live in a big house then you can rent out some space to your friends, any employee and any student. By doing this you can earn a decent amount of money. Be a waiter A lot of party or events can happen during weekends in Ghana. You can earn money by catering as a member of staff serving at the table. It is one of the great sources of income without spending lots of time and money. Plan and cook meals for employees If you are a good cook then you can make foods for the people who are busy and do not get time to make food at home. Ghanaian peoples are very health conscious. You can provide delicious food for busy corporate employees and charge some money for your services. Offer services as an intern to a company You can join a company for few months. By being an intern at the company you can construct your portfolio. This will helps you to build your contacts in the industry. Starting a food industry in Ghana In Ghana, you can start a business in the food industry. This industry is very advantageous and if you continue this business for a long time then you can earn a good amount of money. Before starting this business you have to conduct a little research. Anyone who starts this business they definitely come out with achievement. How to make money online in Ghana as a student Image: unsplash.com Source: UGC At first you need to do research about the opportunity to make money online. Through the internet, you can work from anywhere for anyone. Online jobs are the ideal job for students. Here are few ways to make money in Ghana online. Check out the ideas to earn money online in Ghana as a student which is given below: Online surveys There are various companies which want surveys to get the feedback about the product and services from their customers. The customers get paid for giving the survey. You just need to download the survey app from the play store and then register yourself as a member. The app will send you straightforward and simple questions daily and you need to answer the questions. You are paid for giving the survey. Swag bucks mobile is one of the good apps to make money in Ghana, which deals in an online survey. Online writing reviews The students who are looking to get free money in Ghana, then Online writing reviews is the best option for them. You need to write the reviews of different products and get paid to do this. At first, you have to register with a good review website and then you will be provided a name of specific products. To know about the product you have to do research. If you get the idea about the products then you will be able to review the products. Freelance academic writing There are various companies which offer academic assignments to temporary writers. They offer the best rates to your work. You just need to complete the given assignment and get paid. Without spending any amount you can earn a good amount by following this idea. Work online and get paid through mobile money in Ghana. Making money through your mobile phone or laptop is something which you can do from anyplace. With the help of above ideas, you can earn good amount of money. Online work at home jobs in Ghana There are many jobs in Ghana for which you do not need to go outside home. The use of the internet is increasing day by day, which brings different opportunities to earn money online at home. There are numerous people who work online and get enough money to enjoy their life comfortably. Home based jobs require lots of patient, creativity, hard work and commitment. Data entry jobs are done by the people at home. For this job you just need to have a computer or laptop at your home and internet connection. Speed, typing skills, and accuracy are required for the position of data entry. You can also be an online teacher. You can teach students online at your place. With the help of an internet connection and laptop, you can easily do your work at your home as well as library or coffee shop. By working at home you can make cash from anywhere on the earth. DISCLAIMER: This article is intended for general informational purposes only and does not address individual circumstances. If a reader clicks on our advertising partner links within our platform, we may receive a referral fee. Our team will never mention an item as the best overall product unless they believe it is the best option. Compensation does not direct our research or editorial content and in most cases does not impact how our listing articles are written. It is not a substitute for professional advice or help and should not be relied on to make decisions of any kind. Source: Yen.com.gh Apart from offering both Ghanaians and tourists a taste of the rich African culture and diversity, tertiary institutions in Ghana have produced some of the influential figures worldwide through their excellent mode of teaching. This write-up will provide detailed information about the Universities that have been chartered, and accredited by the Ghanaian higher education related organization. Source: Buzz Ghana Ranking of tertiary institutions in Ghana Ghana has consistently stood out among other countries in West Africa as a well-established country. In education, it is known to be among the countries providing the best education in the region. Universities in Ghana are known to be affiliated to some of the best universities in the world, and this is what places it at the top of the map in the education sector. Both private and public universities operate in this country, but their rankings depend on web presence, publications, and research. Below is a list of top public tertiary institutions in Ghana University of Cape Coast The institution was established approximately 56 years ago with a mandate to provide both international and local students with an adequate learning approach in the higher education. The University is officially recognized and accredited by the National Accreditation Board Ghana. It has set itself apart to offer professional, liberal, and comprehensive programmes that help students to be morally responsible, creative, and innovative citizens. Annually, they enroll between 30,000-34,999 students into their masters, degree, certificate, doctorates, and degree programs. Their academic calendar runs in semesters with a teaching staff of around 3,000 to 3,499 members who ensure that learning runs smoothly throughout all semesters. The campus setting is suburban and without any religious affiliation. The areas of study and degree courses offered include: Science and Technology Engineering Medicine and Health Language and Culture Business and Social Sciences Arts and Humanities The institution has managed to appear in the list of tertiary institutions in Ghana because of being stringent with learning. For instance, their students are admitted depending on their past academic record. Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology Having earned a reputation for promoting science and technological education, its the largest public university in Ghana. It was founded about 66 years ago with only the School of Engineering being in operation, and since then, it has been one of the best tertiary institutions in Ghana. It has a student population of around 12,000 with two campuses, Munyoko Street Campus being the main one. Some known alumni who have gone through this prestigious institution are John Dumelo the Ghanaian actor and philanthropist, and the seventh Secretary-General of the United Nations Kofi Atta Annan. Because of its high standards of education, the University has an international students association that ensures international students are well accommodated at the university right from campus tours, accommodation, and orientation. The various specialties in KNUST include Engineering, Sciences, Arts and Built environment, Humanities and Social Sciences, Health Sciences, Agriculture, and Natural Resources. They have a governing body that carries out the following duties: Reporting on matters referred to it by the University Council Overseeing the conduct of examinations and the award of certificates, degrees, and diplomas Formulating and carrying out the academic policy of the university while ensuring it maintains its place in the list of public tertiary institutions in Ghana. Advising the University Council on the admission of students and the award of scholarships Supervising research, managing and devising the courses of instruction and study Source: Ghana Star University of Ghana Of the thirteen public universities available, University of Ghana is the largest and oldest with a student population of around 40,000. It was established in 1948 when Ghana was still colonized by the British. It was an affiliate college of the University of London, and it was called University College of the Gold Coast. It has ten hostels with an international students hostel for foreign students. The student population comprises of over 38,000 including distance education, sandwich programs, and regular programs. They aim to become a word class research-intensive institution with the areas being: Development policy, poverty monitoring and evaluation Enhancing food processing and production Malaria Research Trans-disciplinary research into climate change adaptation They provide different courses such as humanities, health education, necessary, and applied sciences. University of Education, Winneba University of Education Winneba is found in Central part of Ghana and their aim is to train teachers who can tactfully teach students the Ghana curriculum. It is well organized and was founded almost 25 years ago as an accredited tertiary institution in Ghana ,with seven faculties, 18 colleges that provide distance education in the whole of Ghana, and 29 academic departments. In addition to their multiple study centers, they also have: The college of languages-Ajumako campus The College of Agriculture Education-Mampong Campus The College of Technology Education-Kumasi Campus Ghana Institute of Management and Public Administration GIMPA was founded in 1961 as a joint project with the United Nations Special Fund Project for training public servants. Initially, it was called the Institute of Public Administration, and in 1999-2000 it was selected and transformed into a self-financing institution when Ghana was earmarked under the World Bank-funded Public Sector Reform Programme. It is one of the tertiary institutions in Accra offering a world-class education to students. They offer programs in technology for the government and public sector, public and business administration, and leadership. It has become a top institution, not only in Africa but globally for providing students with state of the art degree and masters programme in governance and leadership, development management, and business administration. Their students range from mid-level personnel from the private and public sector, bureaucrats, and politicians. READ ALSO: List of Aviation Schools in Ghana University of Development Studies The University was established about 26 years ago with a mandate to provide the residents of Tamale and whole of Ghana with higher education. It has a students population of around 50,000, and it offers recognized courses that give one a degree in their specific area of study. The tertiary educational institutions in Ghana focuses on providing students with education, which prepares them with adequate skills in the world of employment and entrepreneurship. Their specialties include natural resources and environment, integrated development studies, education, applied sciences, mathematical sciences, agriculture, and agribusiness and communication sciences. Source: Graphic Online Top private tertiary institutions in Ghana Valley View University: This private higher education institution was founded about 39 years ago and is located in the greater Accra region. They have other campuses in Tamale, Kumasi and Techiman. The student population is around 4,000 to 4,999 students. Ghana Technology University College: With their motto knowledge comes from learning, the university offers programs that lead recognized higher degrees. Regent University College of Science and Technology: It was officially made a University in 2005 by the Minister of Education and together with MSM, they provide doctor of business administration progam. Central University: The institution started a training institute way back in 1988 until 1997 when it became the Central University College. Accra Institute of Technology: The institution gives students the opportunity to pursue one or more diploma or degree course at a time. Te provide students with a world class academic courses in collaboration with renowned universities in the world. Ashesi University College: Ashesi means everything you put your mind to is possible. The institution was established in 2002 and offers four year learning program before one graduates. Courses found in this university include computer science, engineering, management information systems, and business administration. In 2012, it was ranked by PWC as the seventh most respected organization in the entire country. Regent University College of Science and Technology: The Accra-based institution of higher learning has extensive records and success in academic excellence making it one f the best university in Ghana. The well-known college was registered about 15 years ago but became a certified tertiary institution in 2004 with around 30 pioneer students at the main campus. Its commitment to spiritual renewal, socio-economic, and purpose-driven human resource makes it the best place for the competitive global environment. Presbyterian University College: The Presbyterian Church of Ghana developed the university. Since its establishment, the institution has pursued all avenues possible to emerge as a place that instills and blends professional and academic excellence while appreciating globalization trends, technology, culture, and the environment. It also ensures men and women who go through it preserve Christian values and principles including humility, selflessness, honesty, discipline, compassion, and love. Christian Service University College: Strategically located in Kumasi Ghana, the university was founded in 1974. Since then, it has gone through all lengths to get its status as an internationally recognized academic center of excellence for theology and research, business and liberal arts, information technology, and an appropriate environment for an ecumenical and ethical environment to individuals of all backgrounds. Source: Graphic List of accredited tertiary institutions in Ghana Below is a list of all the accredited institutions providing higher education in Ghana. Also, it is the best way for the public to discover fake tertiary institutions in Ghana and avoid paying off fees to untrustworthy personnel. Right from affiliated colleges, polytechnics within the country, and local campuses to foreign universities. All the institutions are licensed and certified by the National Accreditation Board Ghana, which operates under the Ministry of Education. Sunyani Technical University is one of the technical tertiary institutions in Ghana that is certified. It serves resident of Brong Ahao, and Sunyani. Ho Technical Univesrity-is found in Ho and Volta regions of Ghana Takoradi Technical University is in Western Ghana and Takoradi Kumasi Technical University has campuses in Ashanti, and Kumasi Tamele Technical University is in Northern Ghana, and Tamale Koforidua Technical University is in Eastern Ghana, and Koforidua Accra Technical University is in Greater Accra region and Accra Cape Coast Technical University found in Central Ghana and Cape Coast University of Energy and Natural Resources was established in 2012 and it is found in Sunyani Brong Ahafo The University of Professional Studies was founded in 1965 and it is found in Greater Accra, and Accra. University of Heath and Allied Sciences was developed in 2011 and it is located in Ho, and Volta The University of Mines and Technology was founded in 2001 and it is found in Takwa and the Western part of Ghana. University for Development Studies was established in 1992, it is found in Northern part of Ghana and Tamale University of Education Winneba was established in 1992 and it is ocated strategically in Central part of Ghana, and Winneba to serve all students interested in taking up a course in education. University of Cape Coast-is nick named Cape Vars was developed in 1961 to provide higher education to Ghanaians. It is found in the central part of Ghana and Cape Coast. Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology is found in Kumasi and Ashanti Source: Eu Africa Finally in the public accredited institutions we have the University of Ghana that was established in 1948 during the colonial period. It is found in the following locations in Ghana, colleges all over the ten regions of Ghana, Accra, Legon, Greater Accra, and Korle Bu and Atomic. In the Regional University section, the Regional Maritime University, which was established in 2007 is a licensed institution and it is located in the Greater Accra, and Accra. Other chartered private tertiary institutions and colleges include: Akrofi-Christaller Institute of Theology, Mission, and Culture was established in 1987 and it is located in Akropong-Akuapem, Eastern. Valley View University-Created in 1779, the university is found in Oyibi and Greater Accra. Bue Crest College formerly known as NIIT Ghana College was established in 1999 and it is located in Greater Accra, and affiliated to the University of Education Winneba. Ghana Armed Forces Command and Staff College, they offer Masters degree and are found in Accra and Greater Accra. Ghana Institute of Languages was established in 1961 and they are found in Accra and Greater Accra. They are affiliated to the University of Ghana. Wisconsin International University College was established in 200 ad it is affiliated to the University of Cape Coast. It is located in Agbogba Junction and Greater Accra. Presbyterian University College was established in 2003 an are located in Tema, Agogo Asante-Akyem, Abetifi-Kwahu, and Akropong-Akuapem. Pentecost University College was founded in 2003 and is located in Sowutuom, and Greater Accra. Methodist University College Ghana was established in 2000 and is found in Dansoman, Accra, and Greater Accra Catholic University College of Ghana was founded in 2003 ad it is located in Brong Ahafo, Sunyani, and Fiapre. Anglican University College of Technology was established in 2008 and is located in Brong Ahafo, Nkoranza, and Nkoranza Campus. African University College of Communications is located in Greater Accra, and Adabraka. Accra Institute of Technology was established in 2005 and it is based in Greater Accra, and Cantontments. READ ALSO: List of International Schools in Ghana 2020 All the other certified institutions for higher learning are those affiliated to: University of Wales China Europe International Business School Australian Institute of Business Administration Karunya University in India Sikkim Manipal University India Webstar University, St. Louis, USA University of Education Winneba University of Cape Coast Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology Throughout the years, Ghana has been ranked top when it comes to education sector in West Africa. Their universities are accommodative to both Ghanaians and International Students. Source: Yen - A reporter from Adom FM was slapped by a leading NPP member - Hajia Fati has admitted to slapping the reporter - The GJA is hinting of some court action Ghana's media fraternity is very troubled and disturbed following the assault of a news reporter from Adom FM. Ohemaa Sakyiwaa Ahwenepa was slapped at the NPP headquarters in Accra. It all happened when the reporter wanted to secure an interview with a fierce supporter of the party, Hajia Fati. READ ALSO: Benedicta Gafah's nearly naked photos are just stunning She is reported to have prevented the suspended second vice chairman of the party, Sammy Crabbe from picking forms to contest the party's chairmanship position at the upcoming National Delegates Congress. Speaking to Joy FM, Hajia Fati admitted to slapping the journalist. According to her, the approach the Adom FM used in interviewing her was unacceptable and that she mistook her for an onion seller. I dont know her, she didnt approach me, she didnt tell me anything. I only saw a flash on my face twice, the third time, I slapped her because I didnt know who she was, she told host Daniel Dadzie. Recounting her experience, Ohemaa Sakyiwaa Ahwenepa explained how the distasteful experience with Hajia Fati went. I got closer to her. I wanted to interview her so I took my phone out. I wanted to take a picture and so as soon as she turned, she looked at my face and asked me why I was taking pictures of her. I didnt utter a word. She punched my mouth, and she almost took the phone from me, she narrated. READ ALSO: ALSO: Shatta Wale finds lady with similar lips; kisses her publicly on Michys birthday Meanwhile, the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) has hinted of seeking justice from the courts over this issue. President of the Association, Affail Monney says he remains committed to ensuring that the Adom FM reporter gets the justice she so deserves. Ghana trends: All About Shatta Wale Highs and Lows: Do you have a hot story or scandal you would like us to publish on YEN.com.gh? Please contact us on Facebook or Instagram now. Source: Yen - Agnes Dadzie lost her two-month-old baby in Accra - She was travelling to her in-law whom she had informed a week ago she would be visiting A mother is currently grieving over the loss of the two-month-old child after the baby was stolen by a stranger at the Kwame Nkrumah Circle in Accra. Mother of the stolen baby, Agnes Dadzie, was travelling from Akyem Akroso to Ashaiman to visit her in-law when the incident happened. File photo READ ALSO: Benedicta Gafah's nearly naked photos are just stunning Accra-based Joy FM reports that the distraught mother said she had wanted to show her baby to the in-law whom she had never seen since the birth of the baby. Narrating the incident, Ms Dadzie said she arrived at Kwame Nkrumah Circle with her best friend Charity Denyo, who was also a mother of twins. She said she called her brother, Akwasi, to come pick them up, but he said he was washing some few clothes for his master after which he will run a few errands before coming over to pick them. She said whiles they were waiting, a woman passed by with smiles on her face. Ms Dadzie said she noticed the woman was gazing at them and drew the attention of her friend to it, but she shrugged it off saying it is normal for the woman to admire their babies. The said lady then approached them and picked the eldest of Ms Denyos twins to play with. The lady later overhead the two visitors saying they were hungry and had to find something to eat. Join YEN on Instagram to be always informed and entertained! In a rather kind gesture, Ms Dadzie said, the stranger offered to buy them lunch at the Las Palmas restaurant nearby. According to Ms Dadzie whilst they were inside the restaurant, the woman complained that the fan under which she (Ms Dadzie) was seated was not good for her baby so she took the baby from her and handed Ms Denyos baby to her. Afterwards, the woman stood up to take the baby out, saying she was going to get some mobile phone credit. Ms Dadzie said she waited and waited but the woman never returned with the baby. She then ran out of the restaurant only to be told the woman was seen heading towards the rail area with the baby. The case has since been reported to the Police who have already began investigations. Ghana trends: All About Shatta Wale Highs and Lows: READ ALSO: Shatta Wale finds lady with similar lips; kisses her publicly on Michys birthday Do you have a hot story or scandal you would like us to publish on YEN.com.gh? Please contact us on Facebook or Instagram now. Source: Yen Newspaper YEN.com.gh has sighted a video of popular fetish priest Nana Kwaku Bonsam doing his own thing with Shatta Wales Gringo. Kwaku Bonsam is seen singing a part of the song and occasional make some dance moves with his head to show that he is really enjoying the song. The video is causing many social media users to react, with some of them claiming that they have never seen a juju man who likes to have fun this much like Kwaku Bonsam. Kwaku Bonsam Source: UGC READ ALSO: Ebonys 'replacement' gives off free style in latest video, and fans cant take it no more Some also have said his rapping and jamming to Gringo means that the gods have accepted Shatta Wale, and for that matter no hater can bring him down. As if jamming to Gringo is not enough, Kwaku Bonsam also took time to send Shatta Wale a heart warming message. He wrote: "Keep it up ,is me YAA Bonsam shatta father ur brother,I Nana Kwaku Bonsam I love u in my heart I always pray for you so keep it up " READ ALSO: Sandra Ankobia grows magical back and front overnight? Read some of the comments from social media users here: READ ALSO: Top GFA officials leave for UK, US over Anas latest expose READ ALSO: Becca opens ultramodern spa in Accra Kwaku Bonsam has been an ardent fan of Shatta Wale, to the extent that he even named his daughter who was born some few months ago after him. He named the baby Yaa Bonsam Shatta Wale, obviously to prove that he really loves Shatta Wale deeply. Meanwhile, Shatta Wale released Gringo in May and the song has already overshadowed many songs which were already making waves before the release of Gringo. So far, its the number one trending song on You Tube and on other music channels. READ ALSO: Shatta Wale discloses the meaning of the Gringo music video Ghana trends: All About Shatta Wale Highs and Lows | Yen.com.gh READ ALSO: Ebony's response to her managers when they asked her about her 17 tattoos Do you have a hot story or scandal you would like us to publish on YEN.com.gh? Please contact us on Facebook now! Source: Yen - Medical team at Korle-bu have succeeded in mending the wrist of a man - The factory worker got is wrist removed while at work - The surgery took 7 hours to be completed A team of medical professionals at the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital has completed a landmark surgery by putting a wrist which was cut back to the hand of a patient. The surgery, which took 7 solid hours, saw the team repair about 25 structures in the wrist including the blood vessels, tendons, nerves and the wrist bone. READ ALSO: Fraud alert: New tricks fraudsters in Accra are using to steal It all happened when the patient, Victor Atikpo, who is a factory worker, had his wrist completely chopped off when a colleague accidentally switched on a machine he (Atikpo) was servicing. Victor was then rushed to the LEKMA Hospital where he then transfered to the 37 Military Hospital and finally the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital where he got his torn wrist miraculously stitched back to life. READ ALSO: Fraud alert: New tricks fraudsters in Accra are using to steal We have a way of keeping the wrist. You keep it in a plastic bag, tie it and then put it on ice. Usually, when you have an amputation, you need to keep it cool and away from water, the head of the medical team that conducted the surgery, Dr Edem Kofi Anyigba explained to Daily Graphic. Check out some of the trending news in Ghana in YEN.com.gh's video below: Do you have a hot story or scandal you would like us to publish on YEN.com.gh? Please contact us on Facebook or Instagram now. Source: Yen - The NPP MP is accusing some faceless personalities for fueling tension between Asantehene and the NPP - Ken Agyapog says Asantehene must be cautions in dealing with some personalities within his Palace The New Patriotic Party (NPP), Member of Parliament for Assin Central, Kennedy Ohene Agyapong has urged the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II to be cautions with some personalities operating around him. According to the outspoken politician, some elements within the NPP as well as the NDC are hiding behind the recent rift between the NPP and the Ashanti Kingdom. Kennedy Agyapong, MP READ ALSO: Kweku Baako 'weeps' for corrupt footballers, politicians 'caught' in Anas' latest video Speaking on Accra-based Adom FM on Tuesday, the NPP man accused that some loyalist around Otumfuor could be working closely with elements within the NPP or the NDC to undermine his authority in an effort to make the President Akufo-Addo unpopular. In the Asantehenes palace, I must make it clear to him that he wont get everyone to fully support him. All of them have their political interest. He should be careful, he said. Mr Agyapong also added that, Asantehene should be careful of those around. Not all those he works with are 100 percent NPP or NDC. With all due respect, Nana, please be careful of those who come and talk to you because they know the relationship between you and Akufo Addo and may work with some bad nuts in NPP to destroy the Asantehene and the president. Its very sad, It coeld be recalled that, some NPP executives on Wednesday went on their knees to apologise to the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II at the Manhyia Palace in Kumasi. READ ALSO: 'Mad man' inspired my Sigmwa Do rap - Ambolley speaks in latest video The plea for forgiveness follows the Asantehenes suggestion that there are active attempts from some people close to the Presidency to pitch him and his elders against the people of Akyem. Ken Agyapong's full interview (Video credit: Adom TV) But Mr. Agyapong in his conversation revealed that he has since called on the Director of the Danquah Institute, Gabby Asare Otchere-Darko and the Executive Secretary to the President, Asante Bediatuo on their involvement in an alleged attempt to denigrate the Asantehene and they have both denied the accusation. I personally spoke to the two men accused of undermining the king and they have all denied it, he said. Kennedy Agyapong, however, entreated the Asantehene to forgive Gabby and Nana Bediatuo and temper justice with mercy if he feels disrespected by their actions.. We are pleading with the Asantehene. He should forgive them and forgive us too. Its very bad to speak ill of the King, he said. READ ALSO: 'Angry' Ghanaian musician to 'strike' Multimedia with $20million deadly law suit Top 4 Scandal Quotes from Moesha Boduong CNN Interview: Yen.com.gh is building a platform where Ghanaians can share local news and own experiences with each other. Witnessing an incident? Want to tell about a local problem? Know someone who is extremely talented and needs recognition? Your stories and photos are always welcome. Message us on Facebook. Source: Yen - Stonebwoy has cautioned fellow Zylofon music artiste, Kumi Guitar, to keep his distance from him - According to Stonebwoy, he has little interest in fake friends - He explained that Kumi Guitar merely manipulates situations to his benefit, without thinking of others Popular Ghanaian dancehall musician, Stonebwoy, has issued a warning to his fellow Zylofon Music signee, Kumi Guitar. According to a report by Ghanacelebrities.com, the Baafira hitmaker stated that Kumi Guitar is a hypocrite, who only capitalizes on situations to his advantage. He further noted that Kumi Guitar would insult you behind your back, but pretend to be your friend when he meets you. Stonebwoy READ ALSO: Becca secretly weds 'faceless man'? He added that he has little interest in fake friends, and as such, it hurt him to realize that Kumi Guitar wrote a song to caution him, during his feud with Zylofon Music. Kumi Guitar recorded Gyae at the time Stonebwoy was accosted by Bulldog at Champs Bar, inside Paloma Hotel. The incident sparked a social media debate, with many people expressing their opinions on the issue. According to Stonebwoy, Kumi Guitar later met with him and pretended as if all was well between them. He however did not take it kindly, and blamed him for getting involved in an issue that did not concern him. Stonebwoy again noted that Kumi Guitar merely sought to exploit the situation to his advantage, and therefore has no moral right to present himself as a friend. READ ALSO: 5 interesting facts about Rosemond Brown Ghana trends: All About Shatta Wales highs and lows: Use the comments section below to share your views on this story. Do you have a story to share or you have information for us? Get featured on YEN.com.gh. Message us on Facebook or Instagram Source: Yen - The lawyers have argued that Justice Dotse's comments have registered his dislike for their clients - The lawyers are calling on Justice Dotse to recuse himself of a panel that is hearing matters involving their client Lawyers of embattled National Democratic Congress (NDC), businessman, Alfred Agbesi Woyome, have launched a contemptuous attack on Supreme Court Judge, Justice Jones Dotse, accusing him of treating their client unfairly. According to the legal practitioners, Justice Dotse in several of his judgment commentaries spoke ill of their client registering his dislike for him. Justice Jones Dotse, Supreme Court Judge READ ALSO: Kennedy Agyapong sends 'coded' message to Asantehene The lawyers according to Starrfmonline.com report therefore, wondered why he [Dotse] should be part of a panel that hears matters involving their client. They also fear his comments could influence local courts where their client could have sought remedy for the violation of his rights. It could be recalled that Mr. Woyome was paid GHc 51 million after claiming he helped Ghana raise funds to construct stadia for the hosting of the 2008 Africa Cup of Nations. However, an Auditor Generals report released in 2010, held that the amount was paid illegally to the NDC businessman under the then Mills, Mahama administration. Subsequently, the Supreme Court in 2014 ordered Mr. Woyome to pay back the money to the state, after a former Attorney General, Martin Amidu, single-handedly challenged the legality of the payments. Following delays in retrieving the money, Supreme Court judges unanimously granted the Attorney-General clearance to execute the courts judgment, ordering Mr. Woyome to refund the cash to the state. READ ALSO: Kweku Baako 'weeps' for corrupt footballers, politicians 'caught' in Anas' latest video But challenging the Supreme Courts order at the African Court on Human and Peoples Rights in Tanzania, the lawyers of Woyome said: The contention of the applicant is that following from the earlier concurring opinion to the decision of the review bench, the court cannot be said to have been impartial. This, according to them was because, the issue that came before the Supreme Court was simply constitutional interpretation so for (with all respect) the learned judge (Justice Jones Dotse) to go beyond the constitutional interpretation and then decide that the applicant had no contract with the government and therefore the applicant had no case and that the applicant had formed an alliance to create, loot and share was beyond what was before the business of the Supreme Court. Lawyers of Woyome said the judge had formed a prejudice mind and no wonder within a few weeks he wrote the lead judgement for the review bench of the Ghana Supreme Court. Meanwhile, Ghanas Attorney Generals office represented by the deputy attorney general, Godfred Odamey rejected the claims of Mr. Woyomes lawyers. He argued that there were many opportunities for Mr. Woyome to seek further legal remedies over claims of the violations of his human rights before heading to the African court on human and peoples rights. READ ALSO: 'Mad man' inspired my Sigmwa Do rap - Ambolley speaks in latest video Top 4 Scandal Quotes from Moesha Boduong CNN Interview: Yen.com.gh is building a platform where Ghanaians can share local news and own experiences with each other. Witnessing an incident? Want to tell about a local problem? Know someone who is extremely talented and needs recognition? Your stories and photos are always welcome. Message us on Facebook. Source: Yen.com.gh [END REPORT] 22:56 08.05.2018 (updated 23:30 08.05.2018)SputnikIsraeli forces reportedly struck targets near Damascus on Tuesday with missiles, according to Al Masdar News [report above], just hours after US President Donald Trump withdrew from the Iran sanctions deal.Syria's SANA reports that air defense systems intercepted at least two missiles fired at the al-Kaswa area, which is proximal to southern Damascus. [[photo and text from Danny Makki's Twitter page :]"Image from the reported attack in the industrial area of Al-Kissweh south of Damascus" Guwahati, May 8 : The troops of Assam Rifles had apprehended four NSCN militants including two Myanmarese militants in Arunachal Pradesh. Kohima based Defence PRO Chiranjeet Konwer said that, based on specific inputs regarding presence of militants of banned NSCN (K) at Mulong village of Changlang district, the Changlang battalion of Assam Rifles under aegis of Dao Division along with police, launched special operation at the area. During cordon and search of the suspected area, two Myanmarese militants of NSCN(K), Kumsai Munwa, aged 29 years and resident of Jokob village(Myanmar) and Khemoth Ketnga, aged 25 years and resident of Kakhuve village, Pangsong district (Myanmar), along with an active over ground worker of NSCN (K) named Noksham Tuche, aged 40 years and resident of Nalim Village of Changlang district, were apprehended, Colonel Konwer said. Further search of the area security personnel had recovered one Improvised Explosive Device (IED), IED Activator with controller, four IED detonators, one mobile along with one SIM card and Memory card containing Under Grounds videos. On the other hand, the Khonsa battalion under the aegis of DAO division conducted an operation at Longbu village of Tirap district on Tuesday morning and nabbed a NSCN (IM) militant. The nabbed militant was identified as KIjen Thiaktey Wangsu. Security personnel had recovered a pistol and live ammunition in possession from him. Post spot interrogation he admitted allegiance to NSCN(IM), he further divulged that he joined NSCN(K) in May 1999 as a Self Styled Private, defected to NSCN(U) in June 2015 and continued in the group till October 2016 as Self Styled Lieutenant. He defected from NSCN(U) in December 2017 and joined NSCN(IM) as Rajapio, he had been carrying out extortion and other illegal activities for the group in villages of the area ever since. Guwahati: Journalists Forum Assam (JFA) expresses shock over the incident of physical attack over a lady reporter in the city on Sunday morning and urges stern action against the culprit. According to the young reporter, a mason engaged in her rented complex in the southern part of the city tried to grab her while she was washing her clothes. The reporter however succeeded in throwing the man and called help from the house owner. The culprit, understood to be named as Babul Ali, immediately fled from the location. Later the reporter lodged an FIR at Dispur police station and accordingly three co-workers of the culprits were picked up by the police. Later they were released with the condition to get reported as and when needed. Kathmandu, Nepal: Nepal Police have lodged a charge-sheet at Morang District Administration against Hindu leader Acharya Shree Niwas alleging him of attacking himself to stoke communal violence under the Arms and Ammunitions on Thursday. Shree Niwas was arrested from Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA) in Kathmandu on Monday on the charge of provoking religious and communal violence. The international group Mujeres Brillantes, which aims to increase the role of women in the jeweler sector worldwide, has announced that the city chosen to host the 2018 General Meeting will be Madrid, Spain. The Meeting will be held in September during the Jewelery Show Madrid Joya from September 11st to September 16th. The Fair is the main one in Spain and one of the most prestigious in Europe. The idea of the Mujeres Brillantes since its creation is to hold these Annual Meetings in different cities to increase the relevance of the role of women, in addition to raising the awareness of industry leaders to change their strategies and give women more opportunities in leadership positions. In 2018, three cities were in contention to hold this meeting that was held in Panama City, in 2016, where the initiative was created. In 2017 the Meeting was held in Vicenza, Italy during the VicenzaOro Fair in September. In 2019 there are already countries interested in hosting the Meeting given the projection that the group is having each year and a considerable increase of registered members. The choice of Madrid was a recognition of the work of the Spain Chapter which since its opening has understood the importance of developing women professionally. It is the chapter that is growing in number of actions and I want to congratulate all the members of Mubri Spain who thanks to teamwork with Madrid Joya has shown that the Spanish market deserves to be watched with attention by the brands that intend to enter or expand in the European market, "said Ali Pastorini, International President and creator of Mujeres Brillantes . The agenda of the Mujeres Brillantes during the General Meeting promises several actions from debates, fashion show until exhibition of the jewels of members of the group. The intention besides having the round table to discuss the advances and next steps of the Association, is also to contribute to the advancement of the brands of the members Mubri as well as to show the talent of its jewelers. "We want it (the Annual Meeting 2018 in Spain) to be a meeting of learning, fun and creation of strong bonds of collaboration and friendship between all jewelers," said the jeweler Raquel Lobelos, President Spain Chapter. Mujeres Brillantes is an International Association created in 2016 in Panama City, Panama and today its international headquarters is in Sao Paulo, Brazil. The Association has more than 900 members, 9 chapters and more than 15 countries with representatives, as well as several Jewelry Schools, Institutes and Private Companies as partners. Alex Shishlo, Editor of the Rough&Polished European Bureau in Brussels Contact: Mostly, the Rude Pundit doesn't give a shit what you have to say, but, if you have to say it, you can write to Lee Papa here: rudepundit(at)yahoo(dot)com WASHINGTON The commandant of the Coast Guard said that the recent congressional focus on the Jones Act in the wake of the 2017 hurricane relief efforts for Puerto Rico threatens to invite repeal of the act, one that would have unintended negative consequences for national defense, maritime commerce and shipbuilding. Theres this fixation that we need to get after the Jones Act, Adm. Paul F. Zukunft said in response to a question from the audience May 8 at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, a Washington think tank. The consequences of the Jones Act [repeal] could have severe repercussions as well. The Jones Act formally titled the Merchant Marine Act of 1920 generally prohibits foreign-built, foreign-owned or foreign-flag vessels from conducting coastwise trade within the United States and between the United States and its overseas territories. It also generally applies restrictions that effectively prohibit ships under the Jones Act from being overhauled at foreign shipyards. Ship crews must be composed of U.S. citizens or legal residents of the United States. Zukunft listed three consequences he said would ensue if the Jones Act is repealed. All of our coastwise trade will probably be done by a third nation, namely China, [and] not just coastwise trade, but plying our inland river systems as well, he said. If were looking at, hey, if we can lower the cost of doing business, we can have a third nation do it on our behalf. The next thing that goes away is the [U.S. and state] maritime academies, he said. You dont need them because we have foreign mariners. We dont know who they are, but theyre foreign mariners plying our waters and our internal waters as well to conduct maritime commerce, which is a $4.6 trillion enterprise in the United States. Then the next thing that goes is our shipyards and the technology that goes with the shipyards, he said, speaking of the smaller labor costs of foreign shipyards. Images Sorry, there are no recent results for popular images. "Sentencing Debate Reveals Divide Among Republicans" | Main | Detailing the high costs of an aging prison population May 24, 2014 Is nitrogen gas the best modern execution alternative to lethal injection? The question in the title of this post is prompted by this Slate commentary by Tom McNichol headlined "Death by Nitrogen; If lethal injection falls out of favor, death penalty states could turn to a new method: nitrogen gas." Here are excerpts: The Supreme Court ruled in 2008 that Kentucky's three-drug protocol for carrying out lethal injections was constitutional, but theres no question that the method looks grimly suspect in the wake of Clayton Locketts apparently painful, botched execution in Oklahoma last month. Not so long ago, though, this was the method that represented progress. Hanging. Firing squad. The guillotine. The electric chair. The gas chamber. Lethal injection. Every age seems to feature a new and improved method of capital punishment, billed as more efficient and humane. The spectacle of Locketts death, and the Supreme Courts hesitation, shines a spotlight on the latest idea death by nitrogen. This new proposed method, known as nitrogen asphyxiation, seals the condemned in an airtight chamber pumped full of nitrogen gas, causing death by a lack of oxygen. Nitrogen gas has yet to be put to the test as a method of capital punishment no country currently uses it for state-sanctioned executions. But people do die accidentally of nitrogen asphyxiation, and usually never know what hit them. (Its even possible that death by nitrogen gas is mildly euphoric. Deep-sea divers exposed to an excess of nitrogen develop a narcosis, colorfully known as raptures of the deep, similar to drunkenness or nitrous oxide inhalation.) In late April, Louisiana Department of Corrections Secretary James LeBlanc suggested to a state legislative committee that Louisiana should look into using nitrogen gas as a new method of execution, since lethal injection has become so contentious. Its become almost impossible to execute someone, LeBlanc complained to the Louisiana House Administration of Criminal Justice Committee. Nitrogen is the big thing, LeBlanc told the committee. Its a painless way to go. But more time needs to be spent [studying] that. The committee instructed LeBlanc to do some research on the subject and report back. In the meantime, Louisiana has delayed a pending execution. Im not taking anything off the table, says state Rep. Joseph P. Lopinto III, chairman of the states Administration of Criminal Justice Committee. If someone says nitrogen gas is the way to go, then we can debate that and do it if need be. As long as 32 states have capital punishment on the books, there should be a less reliably cruel method of execution than lethal injection. If were going to take a life, then we should do it in the most humane, civilized manner as is possible, says Lawrence Gist II, an attorney and professor of business and law at Mount St. Mary's College. Right now, nitrogen is the best of the available options. Gist, a death penalty opponent, runs a website dedicated to promoting nitrogen asphyxiation for state-sanctioned executions.... Nitrogen gas, unlike the lethal drugs that states have relied on, is widely available. The gas is used extensively in industrial settings, from aerospace to oil and gas production Lethal injection is just fine if you can get the pentobarbital, says Kent Scheidegger, legal director of the Criminal Justice Legal Foundation, a group that favors capital punishment. But if thats not available, an alternative like nitrogen gas would work. In contrast to lethal injection, no medical expertise would be needed to introduce nitrogen gas into a sealed chamber. The gas chamber itself is technology that has been around since the 1920s. In fact, three states Arizona, Missouri, and Wyoming still authorize lethal gas as a method of execution (depending on the choice of the inmate, the date of the execution or sentence or the possibility that lethal injection is held unconstitutional). The last gas chamber execution in the U.S. was in 1999 the method fell out of favor because hydrogen cyanide is a poison causing suffering that lasts 10 minutes or longer. Lethal injection, of course, was supposed to be painless and better. What if its not? Thats the question the Supreme Court now finally seems to be returning to. The history of capital punishment suggests that as long as theres a will to kill criminals, someone will come up with an improved way. The new tool in the executioners bag may turn out to be nitrogen, a better way to carry out a gruesome task. If nitrogen gas is really an easy, effective and painless means for killing a condemned inmate, I hope Louisiana and other states might move to this method of execution in the near future. In recent years, the only folks truly well served by lethal injection are those who enjoy last-minute appellate litigation and the prospect of a painful execution. Moreover, as I have often said before, if Congress would have the good sense to care about helping both the feds and states find a better way to carry forth capital justice, perhaps they could consider having a hearing to explore what reasonable modern alternatives to lethal injection might be worth seriously considering. A few recent related and older posts: May 24, 2014 at 05:28 PM | Permalink TrackBack TrackBack URL for this entry: https://www.typepad.com/services/trackback/6a00d83451574769e201a73dca9a04970d Listed below are links to weblogs that reference Is nitrogen gas the best modern execution alternative to lethal injection?: Comments The thing about nitrogen or other inert gas asphyxiation is that you don't even actually need a sealed chamber. The traditional gas chamber is as much to protect everyone else as it is to expose the condemned to the poison. With neutral gasses on the other hand (especially nitrogen or argon which are biologically inert, unlike carbon monoxide which I've also seen bandied as an alternative) it wouldn't really matter if there were outward leakage, so all that would really be needed would be a breathing mask that securely covered the nose and mouth. That means that current execution facilities would not need to undergo extensive remodeling. And as the article mentions we have solid evidence of what is actually experienced during nitrogen asphyxiation as it is something that can be survived if oxygen is re-introduced. I also don't see the gas suppliers having nearly the ethical concerns that drug companies are displaying, especially as there are plenty of domestic producers of nitrogen and much of the ethical concern is coming from Europe. Posted by: Soronel Haetir | May 24, 2014 6:20:49 PM Look, if we want to be honest about this the best way to tell what works best and what does not work best is to look at the ways that people commit suicide. Drugs have always been a terrible way to die because the success rate is so low (around 3%). Guns and hanging are the most effective. Among the gases the two most popular ways are helium and carbon monoxide. The primary reason that these two gases are preferred is because they are easier to get a hold of than nitrogen. A lethal amount of helium can be purchased at any Wal-mart. The major reason that helium is not as popular as other means of suicide is because creating what--in essence--is a small home gas chamber is not inherently simple and that process intimidates some people, especially people who are of troubled mind enough to consider suicide. There have already been extensive studies with helium in the right-to-die movement. Time to unconsciousness is between 45 and 120 seconds, time to irreversible brain damage 3-5 minutes, and time to total brain death 10-15 minutes. The real question that people need to confront is not whether it can be done but how will it change people's viewpoints when it becomes obvious what experts already know--we can kill someone simply, easily, painlessly, quickly, and cheaply. Does that cheapen life? Do we really want a drama-free experience when the state puts someone to death? Gas is easy--perhaps too easy. Posted by: Daniel | May 24, 2014 6:51:45 PM All pretty silly stuff. What is it doing on a serious law blog? Posted by: peter | May 25, 2014 10:22:21 AM Why is is "pretty silly stuff" to determine if an alternative means is easier for the condemned person when harm (at times labeled torture) is a major concern, one that overlaps those who support and oppose the death penalty? I'm against the death penalty myself, but I take seriously concerns about problems with the process, including extra care to carry it out the best we can. Many things leave a lot to be desired. Harm reduction matters still. I appreciate this separate entry on a means flagged by a few comments as a best approach. There is a suggestion it is "too easy" for some. I think "gas" itself has a bad connotation. Still, I don't think making sure the execution itself isn't too easy is a major rationale for choice of options in the past. So, it does interest me why this option wasn't chosen. Starting a new means of execution raises problems -- the 8A itself is wary about "unusual" punishments particuarly -- but other than it being "too easy," I'm not fully sure why this wasn't tried in the past. Why does "no country" use it? Seems a bit strange to me. Posted by: Joe | May 25, 2014 10:59:23 AM Joe. You raise an excellent question and one I have asked myself. I have my own theory and I'll offer it up for your consideration. I think that gas has a negative connotation for two reasons. First, it remains in the collective conscious as being historically associated with an evil regime. People do not want to be associated with that, even tangentially. More recently, gas has become strongly associated with the right-to-die movement. Books like Final Exit, A Guide to a Safe and Humane Death, and even the Peace Pill Handbook have all pushed gas as a "humane" way to kill oneself. There are even detailed videos one can find on the internet about how to kill oneself using helium. So I think there has also been a reluctance to give the state's imprinteur to a method associated with suicide. If the state is killing people with gas then it makes it that much more alluring to suicidal people to kill themselves that way too. Switching from drugs to gas is not going to occur in a cultural or historical vacuum. Gas is already out--it has been advocated as humane method to kill for almost 20 years. If the state comes along and start doing it too that is going to send a strong signal that euthanasia organizations such as Exit International were correct all along. So my theory is that states have-under pressure from right-to-life organizations--been reluctant to adopt gas because of the people it has been associated with. It would be a deep irony, almost to the point of surreality, if the anti-death penalty camp push against execution drugs drove states right into the arms of the euthanasia movement. Posted by: Daniel | May 25, 2014 1:47:29 PM If every murderer killed with gas we could abolish the DP because gas as a murder weapon would be an extenuating circumstance and so every murder would be more humane than heinous. We could kill all those birds with one gas. Posted by: George | May 25, 2014 4:39:04 PM Almost all of us will die after suffering great pain, humiliation, and shocking loss of function over months if not years. Some of us will need illegal aliens to wipe our butts. Where did the right to a perfect death come from? Not from the Eighth Amendment. First the death penalty is not a punishment, it is an expulsion, no matter what retributionists claim for it. Second, evolving standards of decency do not support torture, but they do not prohibit any death but a perfect one. That is not in any section of the constitution. This argument is a false one. If a procedure result in death, it is constitutional. It should be carried out in secret to avoid offending the sensibilities of the journalism profession. Almost all of them are left wing even compared to average Democratic party members. There is no procedure that will fail to deeply offend, because we are getting rid of a source of government make work jobs, the criminal. And that is the greatest offense, not being disclosed in this debate. Posted by: Supremacy Claus | May 25, 2014 7:39:37 PM From the Veterinarian Amicus Brief to the Supreme Court: IN SOLUTION AND INEXPENSIVE. ONSISTENT WITH THE GOAL OF ACHIEVING DEATH IN ANIMALS IN THE MOST HUMANE MANNER POSSIBLE, KENTUCKY VETERINARY LAW MANDATES THAT HUMANE EUTHANASIA BE ACCOMPLISHED BY THE USE OF A SINGLE DRUG: SODIUM PENTOBARBITAL. 201 KY. aDMIN. rEGS. 16:090 5(1).6 tHIS AVOIDS THE USE OF EITHER PANCURONIUM BROMIDE OR POTASSIUM CHLORIDE. iT THUS MAKES IRRELEVANT THE FACT THAT (I)T IS UNDISPUTED THAT, WITHOUT PROPER ANESTHESIA, THE ADMINISTRATION OF PANCURONIUM BROMIDE AND POTASSIUM CHLORIDE, EITHER SEPARATELY OR IN COMBINATION, WOULD RESULT IN A TERRIFYING, EXCRUCIATING DEATH. HARBISON, 2007 fil 2821230, AT *11. 6. tHE KENTUCKY REGULATION ALLOWS ONLY TWO OPTIONS: SODIUM PENTOBARBITAL, OR SODIUM PENTOBARBITAL WITH LIDOCAINE. lIDOCAINE IS A COMMON LOCAL ANESTHETIC. How to make Sodium Pentothal from the 1939 recipe. Go the Patent Office website, enter 2153729, make all you want in Prison Industries. Posted by: Supremacy Claus | May 26, 2014 8:33:04 AM I appreciate the comment Daniel & do think that factors in. We did have gas chambers though in this country. Were they sort of grandfathered in, new tweaks on their usage including a different type of gas somehow illicit? Also, why only twenty years? Wasn't this type of gas used longer than that? The late presence suggests to me possible complications though perhaps current knowledge tempered them. Book TV on CSPAN aired (see its website, including for video) Austin Sarat talking about his new book on botched executed & a question did flag the right to die movement. Ironically, she was concerned about usage of lethal injections or drugs in that respect. Posted by: Joe | May 26, 2014 10:39:58 AM http://onlyinamericablogging.blogspot.com/2011/09/how-to-kill-human-being.html here is all you need to know, nitrogen IS the best way and for executions a mask a cylinder and about ten minutes is all it would take, the answer is just ignored in the official channels in the USA it seems Posted by: John | Jul 25, 2014 12:25:33 AM CHODE Posted by: Nutsack | Aug 9, 2014 12:43:12 AM I think Oklahoma has the right idea, except a better gas to use than nitrogen would be carbon monoxide! Carbon monoxide would be just as effective! Posted by: Tony Bidwell | Apr 28, 2015 2:11:38 PM Exit International members published a YouTube video awhile back about how to manufacture pentobarbital. The condemned should be given an opportunity to kill themselves Socrates-style by consuming pentobarbital orally. If they're not willing to do that, they can be strapped down and injected with it. 10g will generally get the job done. Posted by: Nathan Larson | May 23, 2015 7:32:34 PM We people have a little confusion concerning utilizing this Instagram sometimes for sharing our images in a system created just for sharing images as well as video. Posted by: http://instagramloginway.com | Sep 25, 2017 6:54:13 AM Post a comment C-SPAN's Landmark Cases series examines 1976 SCOTUS decision in Gregg v. Georgia | Main | On eve of House Committee consideration, distinct advice from criminal justice reform groups on latest federal prison reform proposal May 8, 2018 "Are Elderly Criminals Punished Differently Than Younger Offenders?" The question in the title of this post is the headline of this new piece at HowStuffWorks. The question is prompted by the upcoming sentencing of 80-year-old Bill Cosby, and I had the pleasure of speaking to the reporter on the topic. Here are excerpts from the piece (with a few links from the original): After Bill Cosby's recent conviction in a Montgomery County, Pennsylvania court on three counts of aggravated indecent assault, the judge in the case rejected the prosecution's request that the 80-year-old comedian and actor, who his attorneys say is legally blind, be sent immediately to jail pending sentencing. "With his age, his medical condition, I'm not going to simply lock him up right now because of this," Judge Stephen T. O'Neill explained when he allowed Cosby to remain at home on bail as he awaits sentencing, according to the Philadelphia Inquirer. Some think that decision gives a hint of how Cosby's sentencing will go. Under the law, he could receive as much as 30 years in prison, and the state's sentencing guidelines recommend between five-and-a-half and nine years. But as CNN reports, many legal experts suspect that Cosby may get a lesser sentence, at least in part because of his age and health. The Cosby case raises a discomforting question. Should elderly offenders be treated more leniently by the courts than younger criminals, because they have less time left to live, and because their physical frailty might make it more difficult for them to survive a prison term?.... The relatively few studies on the subject suggest that judges do often give older offenders a break. One study published in the Journals of Gerontology: Series B in 2000 found that in Pennsylvania courts, offenders in their 60s were 25 percent less likely to be sentenced to prison than those who were in their 20s, and their sentences were eight months shorter on average. Those who were in their 70s got an even sweeter deal they were 30 percent less likely to end up behind bars than 20-somethings, and those who were incarcerated served 13 months less on average. More recently, a study by Arizona State University researchers, published in 2014 in the journal Criminal Justice Studies, similarly found that in the federal court system, judges gave older offenders a "senior citizen discount" when it came to jail time. Prior related posts: May 8, 2018 at 03:08 PM | Permalink Comments What a racist farce this trial was, by a male feminist running dog seeking to put a black man's pelt on the wall. Montgomery County is now a Democratic Party hellscape, and the hunt is on for the productive male. Cosby was at the top of Hollywood royalty, and the charges applied to crimes fully defensible by the consent of the victims. Here are missed tactics by the dunderhead, collaborationist defense. Tactics Not Used in the Bill Cosby Defense 1) Feminism is to 2018 what the KKK was to 1918. It is a white supremacy ideology. The prosecutor has not prosecuted white men for this ubiquitous practice of using intoxicating substances. This prosecution was totally racist and feminist; 2) change of venue should have been requested to Lancaster County: 3) all admissions on prior depositions were the result of the implantation of a false memory; 4) nearly all witness testimony is a work of fiction, either written by the greedy witness or introduced by the police. All such testimony should be verified by physical evidence of records from the time of the crime; 5) this verdict makes all offers of a drink to a lady an attempted rape; 6) lawyers have a duty to report unethical conduct to the Disciplinary Counsel, the defense should have reported the prosecution for its violations of its professional responsibilities as a prosecutor Posted by: David Behar | May 8, 2018 3:23:37 PM In response to the above diatribe. The old have less energy, and commit fewer crimes. They have more health problems, and will bust the prison health budget. This effect has been covered endlessly in this blog. The posts have advocated transfers to nursing homes, where criminals can have sexually victimize mute demented patients. Which way does the left want it? More prison time for the convicted? Or release of vicious predators in their old age? Trump had sex with Stormy after a dinner, no pills. She failed to comment on what everyone wanted to know, the size. He probably served her wine. Should Trump be prosecuted for impairing her consciousness? What Cosby did is not a crime, so found the prior jury. The #MeToo comes along, and now he is facing 30 years. Racist lynch mob in Montgomery County, but only after generating $millions in lawyer fees. Much slicker than the KKK. Posted by: David Behar | May 8, 2018 3:42:59 PM If the excuses for the young (that their behavior should be excused because their brains haven't fully developed) is to be given any weight then elderly offenders should not get any break at all. I do not subscribe to that view myself because I see culpability as a rather low threshold rather than some sliding balance but I can certainly see benefit in treating someone who has lived their entire adult life as a criminal as harshly as the law allows. Posted by: Soronel Haetir | May 8, 2018 4:19:28 PM SH: What if the elderly can show MRI's of brain shrinkage? In my view, all mitigating factors are aggravating factors. Given the state of lawyer thinking, which is nuts but prevalent, and at the point of a gun. what if Cosby shows his brain MRI in court? Posted by: David Behar | May 8, 2018 5:21:31 PM Supremacy, you made 3 out if the first 4 posts. What gives, no life, boredom so you sit on this site? Recreation, thats it. Posted by: MidWestGuy | May 8, 2018 10:46:25 PM Hi, Mid. These are addressed to Bruce Cunningham. Posted by: David Behar | May 8, 2018 10:58:38 PM The prospect of dying in prison makes any prison term worse because there's no chance to earn redemption or to resume a regular life. It makes sense that there should be sentence compression early in life (less moral responsibility) and later in life (increased chance of dying in prison). Posted by: Stephen Hardwick | May 9, 2018 8:53:18 AM Consider, for illustration, the requirement new Philadelphia DA Kastner has imposed on his prosecutors, to determine whether it's economically worth it to the Commonwealth to incarcerate any defendant, at the estimated cost of $40-$60k/year and justify their decision before seeking prison time, at least for minor crimes. Add to that the additional costs of gerontological medical care and the further additional costs of ADA accommodation for convicted defendants who are blind, crippled or merely suffering the wear and tear of old age. I once litigated a conditions-of-confinement case against a pro se prisoner who, because he'd been shanked in the spine some years before, had limited use of his legs and required (so he claimed) the use of crutches while incarcerated. Let your mind run to imagine the penological problems a pair of arm crutches - metal tubes - pose. That prisoner won judgment allowing him to have and use his crutches inside. Give this some thought, and set aside the retributive instinct, when considering whether a prison sentence for an allegedly legally-blind 80 year old is even appropriate. Posted by: scribe | May 9, 2018 10:52:41 AM "The prospect of dying in prison makes any prison term worse because there's no chance to earn redemption or to resume a regular life." I think you can earn redemption in prison. Posted by: Joe | May 9, 2018 1:18:20 PM Post a comment Interesting complicated stories of the recidivism impact of California's big modern sentencing reforms | Main | Reviewing the feds increased pursuit of ever more federal gun cases May 7, 2018 Examining whether nitrogen gas could be a viable new method for executions The New York Times has this extended new article about the latest innovation in execution methods under the headline "States Turn to an Unproven Method of Execution: Nitrogen Gas." The piece is worth reading in full, and here are excerpts: Hamstrung by troubles with lethal injection gruesomely botched attempts, legal battles and growing difficulty obtaining the drugs states are looking for alternative ways to carry out the death penalty. High on the list for some is a method that has never been used before: inhaling nitrogen gas. Oklahoma, Alabama and Mississippi have authorized nitrogen for executions and are developing protocols to use it, which represents a leap into the unknown. There is no scientific data on executing people with nitrogen, leading some experts to question whether states, in trying to solve old problems, may create new ones.... In March, Oklahomas attorney general, Mike Hunter, said that using nitrogen was the safest, the best and the most effective method available. There is scant scientific data to back up that statement. What little is known about human death by nitrogen comes from industrial and medical accidents and its use in suicide. In accidents, when people have been exposed to high levels of nitrogen and little air in an enclosed space, they have died quickly. In some cases co-workers who rushed in to rescue them also collapsed and died. Nitrogen itself is not poisonous, but someone who inhales it, with no air, will pass out quickly, probably in less than a minute, and die soon after from lack of oxygen. The same is true of other physiologically inert gases, including helium and argon, which kill only by replacing oxygen.... (Although nitrogen itself would be novel, gas chambers have existed as an American execution method since the 1920s. The last case was in 1999, when Arizona used clouds of hydrogen cyanide to execute an inmate. Coughing and hacking, he took 18 minutes to die.) Death from nitrogen is thought to be painless. It should prevent the condition that causes feelings of suffocation: the buildup of carbon dioxide from not being able to exhale. Humans are highly sensitive to carbon dioxide too much brings on the panicky feeling of not being able to breathe. Somewhat surprisingly, the lack of oxygen doesnt trigger that same reflex. Someone breathing pure nitrogen can still exhale carbon dioxide and therefore should not have the sensation of smothering. Before passing out, a person may feel lightheaded, dizzy or maybe even a bit euphoric, and vision may dim. Dr. Charles D. Blanke, who has studied data on physician-assisted dying, said it was not at all clear that nitrogen inhalation would bring a peaceful death. Dr. Blanke, a medical oncologist and professor at Oregon Health and Science University, said he had consulted colleagues in pulmonary medicine and anesthesiology, and they had concerns that carbon dioxide actually could build up and cause feelings of suffocation.... Unlike lethal injection, the use of nitrogen would not require that the execution team dig around for a vein. An anesthesiologist, who requested anonymity because medical societies bar members from participating in executions or providing information to encourage them, said that nitrogen inhalation was less cruel than lethal injection. And since it presumably would involve no paralytic agent, witnesses would be able to see whether the person seemed to be suffering, he said. Seizures might occur from inhaling nitrogen, he said. But if the technique appears to go smoothly, he predicted that other states would quickly adopt it. In fact, according to state documents, in May of 2016, an Arizona company sent a sales-pitch letter for nitrogen gas executions to Nebraska corrections officials. Among the standout features of its Euthypoxia Chamber: It produces calm and sedation followed by inebriation and euphoria; it requires no medical expertise; and it guarantees the demise of any mammalian life in 4 minutes. In passing along the letter to another official, a state corrections department executive hand-wrote: Im not intending to respond just thought it was an odd correspondence. Ms. Moreno, of the Berkeley Law Death Penalty Clinic, said that implementing nitrogen gas is not as simple as states suggest. There are different grades of nitrogen, including medical and industrial, she said, with commensurate purities and regulations. Observers of the execution would need protection. Officials would have to figure out how to safely clear nitrogen from the room before a physician could declare death and the staff could remove the body. The Final Exit Network, a volunteer organization that supports the rights of people with terminal illness or intractable suffering to end their lives, considers nitrogen inhalation a reasonable method, and directs people to information about it. The technique involves putting a plastic bag over ones head and pumping in nitrogen. Janis Landis, president of the network, said: The science behind inert gases is quite well settled. Any inert gas, one can breathe it in, in place of oxygen. You dont have air hunger. You can keep breathing. You pass out and you die. A few (of many) prior related posts: May 7, 2018 at 09:10 PM | Permalink Comments The Shape of the Offenders Neck A Life for a Life? The Problem of Capital Punishment, Sir Ernest Gowers, published by Chattoand Windus, London page 12 http://journals.sagepub.com/doi/pdf/10.1177/001112875700300126 In 1886 a Committee was appointed to inquire into the way in which executions were carried out and the causes which in several recent cases had either led to failure or to unseemly occurrences and to make recommendations how they might be avoided. Present practice is based on the Report of that Committee. The essentials for success are a thickish rope, a knot precisely placed under the left ear, and a length of drop adjusted to the weight of the prisoner. Since these precautions were taken, there is no record in the Home Office of any failure or mishap in connection with an execution, and in the opinion of that Department execution by hanging, as now carried out, can be regarded as speedy and certain. But among murderers condemned to death there are occasionally some whose physical condition makes it undesirable that the execution should take place because it could not be done in a seemly manner, or because some scandalous thing might happen-a persons head might come off because the jaw was shot away or some other gruesome development might happen which would shock public opinion rather than show that the law has been vindicated. In such cases the prisoner must be reprieved, for it is illegal to carry out an execution in any other way. They are less rare than might be expected: in 1949 there had been five in the preceding fifteen years. A future student of the strange customs of the natives of Britain in the twentieth century will find few that will seem to him more quaint than that the decision between the death penalty and a less severe punishment should sometimes have depended not on the gravity of the offense but on the shape of the offenders neck. http://journals.sagepub.com/doi/pdf/10.1177/001112875700300126 Posted by: Claudio Giusti | May 8, 2018 8:34:11 AM "Dr. Charles D. Blanke, who has studied data on physician-assisted dying, said it was not at all clear that nitrogen inhalation would bring a peaceful death." No. This time it will be the solution. Posted by: Joe | May 8, 2018 9:43:52 AM Claudio. 90% of us will endure a slow, painful, and humiliating death. Our organs will have a cascade of failure, but slowly. Medical care will inflict agonies over months or years, and at an average cost of $250,000 for end of life care. Illegal aliens will be cleaning us up. Why should vicious murderers have a perfect death? Why? Because this false standard generates $billions in death penalty appellate lawyer income. The Supreme Court will never abolish the death penalty. It will continue to limit its scope and fine tune it to maintain the death penalty appellate business. Congress must step in, abolish the death penalty .That way, we can have an unfettered Italian Death Penalty. There is a dose response curve to all remedies. Too little does not work. Too much is toxic. The small number and long delays of executions insure they have no effect on the crime rate. But again, technology will achieve what the lawyer profession cannot. Chinese carfentanyl will eliminate crime from this country. Almost all the overdose deaths are of addicts. They each commit 200 crimes a year. Claudio, you will be pleased to know carfentanyl does provide a peaceful, quiet, painless death. It is the perfect death so few of us will experience. The system should learn. Hire addicts to find veins. Use carfentanyl, purchased over the internet by a prison, and delivered by Federal Express or by the US Post Office. Carfentanyl for executions would address your valid concerns about cruelty. Posted by: David Behar | May 8, 2018 11:50:11 AM DB is an idiot without hope. Posted by: Claudio Giusti | May 8, 2018 12:25:18 PM CG: Che cosa ho detto che non ti piace? Posted by: David Behar | May 8, 2018 1:56:40 PM Hai detto ... CHE SEI SCEMOOOOOOO !!!!!! Posted by: Claudio Giusti | May 8, 2018 3:38:18 PM Stesso per voiiiiiiiiiiii1!!!!!! Posted by: David Behar | May 8, 2018 5:38:03 PM 15.000 murders. 10.000 solved. Of them 5.000 death eligible. Less than 50 capital sentences and, in 10 20 30 years or more 5 executions. I call it cruelty, idiocy, stupidity and inequality. Posted by: Claudio Giusti | May 10, 2018 3:41:40 PM Post a comment Examining whether nitrogen gas could be a viable new method for executions | Main | New and improved version of federal prison reform bill to be considered by House Judiciary Committee The New York Times had this front-page piece about an increase in federal gun prosecutions under the headline "In Fight Against Violent Crime, Justice Dept. Targets Low-Level Gun Offenders." Here are excerpts: Urged by Attorney General Jeff Sessions to punish offenders as harshly and as quickly as possible, federal prosecutors have increasingly pursued low-level gun possession cases, according to law enforcement officials and an examination of court records and federal crime statistics.... Mr. Sessions is putting into action his own long-held views on criminal justice, forged as a United States attorney in Alabama during the drug war. They reflect a philosophy popular among conservatives and long backed by the gun lobby: that the effective enforcement of existing laws can reduce crime without resorting to the passage of additional legislation. I believe very strongly in enforcing gun laws, Mr. Sessions said in an interview with the far-right Breitbart News this year. I believe theres no value in having them on the books if theyre not prosecuted. Mr. Sessionss approach has touched off a debate about whether he is making the country safer from violent crime, as he and President Trump have repeatedly vowed to do, or devoting resources to low-level prosecutions that could instead be put toward pursuing bigger targets like gun suppliers. Its a good idea to enforce the existing gun laws, said Avery Gardiner, co-president of The Brady Campaign, a nonprofit coalition that works to combat gun violence. Thats something prosecutors should do. But going only after the people who are purchasing the guns illegally is only part of the story. Local police, who have for years sought more muscle from federal law enforcement, welcomed Mr. Sessionss more aggressive approach. We have been trying to send a message, said J. Thomas Manger, president of the Major Cities Chiefs Association, which represents police departments across the country. The bad guys have a real fear of federal prosecutions versus state prosecutions. Penalties for federal gun convictions are steep. On average, firearms defendants spend six years in federal prison. If they are convicted under the two statutes requiring mandatory minimum sentences, that average jumps to 11 years. In the three months following a directive from Mr. Sessions last year to pursue gun crimes, possession cases a relatively routine charge rose nearly a quarter. That was part of a 15 percent increase in all federal gun prosecutions in the first nine months of 2017. Three out of every four federal gun charges filed in the 12 months starting in October 2016 were under a statute forbidding felons from owning or transporting a gun, according to Syracuse Universitys TRAC database, which monitors gun crime statistics. The period encompasses both the end of the Obama administration and the first several months of Mr. Sessionss term. Three law enforcement officials described a newfound interest among prosecutors in taking on smaller gun cases referred to in law enforcement parlance as one-man, one-gun cases for their narrow impact. Such cases had long been left to state and local prosecutors, freeing Justice Department officials to focus on broader investigations of interstate gun trafficking and criminal networks.... Supporters of Mr. Sessionss initiatives acknowledge the politics of his approach and remain wary it could be used to sap energy from further legislative or regulatory efforts to combat gun violence, like regulating assault weapons or increasing background check requirements. We certainly are hoping for some additional legislative fixes by Congress, Mr. Manger said. It is difficult to judge the impact of Mr. Sessionss initiatives. Many offenders charged with federal gun laws in 2017 are just now going to trial or being sentenced, and some of the cases could still be moved out of the federal system. Federal firearm prosecutions have historically ebbed and flowed, often spiking in the years following significant court decisions or large-scale mass shootings. After steadily dropping since 2004, prosecutions began increasing again in 2015, according to the TRAC database. People convicted of firearms-related crimes make up more than 17 percent of the federal prison population, the second-biggest group after drug offenses, Justice Department data showed. Ninety-six percent of defendants convicted of a federal firearms offense in 2017 were sentenced to prison.... Amid surging public pressure following the mass shooting at a Florida high school in February, Mr. Trump directed Mr. Sessions to more strictly enforce existing gun laws. Survivors of that shooting have pushed Mr. Trump to ban assault weapons and raise the legal purchasing age for firearms. Instead, prodded by Mr. Trump, Mr. Sessions pushed federal prosecutors to more strictly enforce background check violations and ban bump stocks, a device that can help semiautomatic weapons fire like machine guns. Bump stocks were used in the Las Vegas massacre in October. Mr. Sessions explained his rationale at a speech following the Florida shooting. Its not good, he said, if weve got gun laws that say criminals cant carry guns and they never get enforced. The remaining 120,000 tonnes will be supplied by Thai producers. According to NFA, Viet Nam will supply 50,000 tonnes of 15 per cent broken rice to the Philippines at US$526.5 per tonne and 80,000 tonnes of 25 per cent broken rice at $517.5 per tonne. Vietnamese and Thai enterprises will deliver 100,000 tonnes of 25 per cent broken rice from now until May 31. The deadline for the supply of rice from Viet Nam and Thailand is May 16 for 25 per cent broken rice and June 30 for 15 per cent broken rice. NFA said it would open another auction on importing rice on May 22. According to the Ministry of Industry and Trade, Viet Nams rice export value in the first four months reached VND1.092 billion, a year-on-year increase of 38.3 per cent. This result was possible in the beginning of the year when Viet Nam won contracts to export rice to large markets. Indonesia opened two auctions on importing rice in the first quarter of 2018 after two years. The first auction was in January, where Viet Nam won a bid to supply 141,000 tonnes. In the second auction in April, the country won an export contract of supplying 300,000 tonnes to Indonesia. Delivery time for the rice exports is from May to July. The export value of rice has also increased sharply this year because of the high demand in China and the Philippines. Iraq is also emerging as one of the strong importers of Vietnamese rice. According to the Viet Nam Food Association, the export volume of rice this year is expected to reach some 6.5 million tonnes. Of this, about 2.7 million tonnes will be shipped to China, 800,000 tonnes to the Philippines, 800,000 tonnes to Indonesia, 500,000 tonnes to Malaysia, 200,000 tonnes to Iraq and one million tonne to Africa. VNS Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Geng Shuang's Regular Press Conference on May 8, 2018 2018/05/08 Q: As we learned, a senior DPRK official is now in Dalian. Reports say that DPRK leader Kim Jong-un has already met with President Xi Jinping. Did this high-ranking official come here at the invitation of the Chinese government? What is the purpose of this visit? Can you tell us who this senior official is? A: I have no information to offer at this point. As close neighbors, China and the DPRK maintain normal communication and exchanges with each other. Q: According to reports, the White House announced on Monday that China will send a delegation to the US for more negotiations on trade issues. Do you have more details about this visit? Prior to this, there were comments saying that the exorbitant demands made by the US will undermine the basis for negotiation. What is your comment? What are China's expectations for this visit? A: We have noted the statements made by the White House spokesperson, which, we believe, demonstrates that the US side hopes to reach consensus on trade issues with China. This is a positive signal. As to China's expectations for the trade talks with the US, we have issued the readout regarding the trade negotiations between our two sides in Beijing last week. I only want to stress that it serves the interests of our two sides and the world to resolve differences and disputes through equal-footed negotiations and maintain the sound and steady development of China-US trade ties. Q: I know you commented yesterday on Taiwan and the World Health Assembly (WHA) issue. Did China ask the World Health Organization (WHO) not to invite Taiwan to the next WHA? A: Taiwan is not a member of the WHO. Besides, it has no invitation. There is no wonder that it cannot attend the WHA. Just as I said yesterday, the Taiwan region's attendance at the WHA in the name of "Chinese Taipei" as an observer for eight consecutive years was a special arrangement made by cross-Straits consultations based on mutual adherence to the 1992 Consensus which embodies the one-China principle. The Democratic Progressive Party (DPP)'s refusal to acknowledge the 1992 Consensus embodying the one-China principle undermines the political foundation for the Taiwan region to attend the WHA. If Taiwan is not invited this year, the DPP is the one to blame. Follow-up: Can you clarify whether China has had any type of communication with the WHO in relation to Taiwan's participation this year? A: As a member of the WHO, China remains close communication with the Secretariat and other members of the WHO. Q: According to reports, State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi is going to Spain soon to prepare President Xi Jinping's visit. Could you confirm this information? A: Spain is an important member of the European Union. This year marks the 45th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between China and Spain. China-Spain relations enjoy a sound momentum of growth with frequent high-level exchanges, ever stronger political mutual trust, fruitful outcomes in practical cooperation covering the economic, trade, cultural and judicial fields and good communication and coordination under multilateral frameworks. China highly values its relations with Spain and we stand ready to join hands with the Spanish side to promote the sound, steady and sustained development of our bilateral ties. Regarding the high-level exchanges between our two countries which you are interested in, we will keep you posted if we have relevant information in this regard. Q: Reports say that US President Donald Trump will announce a decision on whether the US would pull out of the Iranian nuclear deal soon. Does China view that as a step in the wrong direction? What kind of action will China take if the US does that? A: Recently, the issue of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) has been the focus of attention. We have made clear our position on it before. The JCPOA is a multilateral agreement reached by the P5+1, the European Union and Iran through negotiations and endorsed by the UN Security Council Resolution 2231. Under the current circumstances, ensuring the integrity and sanctity of the JCPOA is conducive to upholding the international non-proliferation regime and promoting peace and stability in the Middle East. All relevant parties should step up dialogue and coordination, properly handle differences and continue fulfilling their obligations in a faithful manner. China will remain in close communication with all relevant parties and stay committed to upholding and implementing the JCPOA in an objective, impartial and responsible attitude. Q: Can you confirm that the Chinese side is going to the US next week for trade talks? What demands will be taken to that negotiation? A: I have already given my reply just now. Do you want me to repeat it for you? Follow-up: Can you give me the specifics as to what they are going to discuss? A: We have noted the statements made by the White House spokesperson, which, we believe, demonstrates that the US side hopes to reach consensus on trade issues with China. This is a positive signal. Q: According to reports, former US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said in her speech yesterday that many experts are sounding the alarm about Chinese efforts to strengthen political influence in Australia over its policy decisions. She also quoted a scholar's comment that this is a new global battle just getting started, which needs to be taken seriously. What is your reaction to this? A: I need to check on it since I haven't seen relevant reports. The allegation about the so-called Chinese interference in Australia's politics has been circulating for quite some time, and we have already responded to it many times. Anyone familiar with China's diplomacy knows that we oppose other countries' interference in China's internal affairs and in the same vein, we will never interfere in others' internal affairs. We always stay committed to developing friendly relations and cooperation with countries around the world on the basis of the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence. The allegation that China is interfering in Australia's politics is sheer fabrication and taletelling. We hope that the relevant party could discard zero-sum mindset, take off tinted-glasses and work with China and other members of the international community to promote friendly cooperation around the globe. 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. In last weeks article we looked at some restaurants of historical significance in Wilton Manors. This week we turn our attention a few Fort Lauderdale places of note. There are a few historic structures that have been turned into restaurants, some places have a history of their own and some are famous (or infamous) because they appeared in a movie or on television. Cap's Place Island Restaurant, this Lighthouse Point seafood spot was founded in 1928 and is widely viewed as Broward County's oldest continually operating restaurant. Part of its charm is that to get there, you must take a short boat ride. It opened as Club Unique, a rum-running restaurant and gambling casino, nestled on an island in the coastal marsh. The popular supper club and casino drew such famous diners as Franklin D. Roosevelt, Gloria Swanson, Winston Churchill, the Rockefellers, the Vanderbilts, Al Capone, George Harrison, Errol Flynn, and Mariah Carey. It was named to the U.S. National Register of Historic Places in 1990. 2765 NE 28th Court, Lighthouse Point; 954-941-0418, capsplace.com. Who hasnt seen the mid-century-designed bright neon exterior sign for Tropical Acres Steakhouse near the airport? Named after a once nearby trailer park, the family-run restaurant has been around since 1949, when it opened inside a converted house at the edge of a swamp. 2500 Griffin Road, Dania Beach; 954-989-2500; tropicalacres.com Its beachfront location and stunning views make Casablanca Cafe a favorite among tourists and residents alike. The two-story masonry dwelling, commissioned by Juan Jacinto Jova, was built in 1927, the first home constructed on Fort Lauderdale Beach and is its oldest remaining structure. Designed in Mediterranean style, the building completed a two-year renovation in 1995 when it opened as a restaurant. Although its not widely advertised, during off season Florida residents get a sizeable discount, ask for details.3049 Alhambra St., Fort Lauderdale, 954-764-3500, casablancacafeonline.com. Although only available for private events, The Old River House, on the banks of the New River, offers a unique dining experience in one of the oldest buildings in Fort Lauderdale. The compound of buildings history spans more than 100 years. The Philemon Bryan Family, who arrived in the area in 1895 as one of the first families of settlers in Fort Lauderdale and became very wealthy laying down the beds and tracks of the railroad line spanning the entire east coast of the Florida panhandle as far south as Key West, built the original home in 1903. The Bryans took in travelers passing through Fort Lauderdale on their way home to other destinations, and after erecting additional buildings, the home became known as the New River Inn, the first hotel in Fort Lauderdale. In 1983, the buildings were converted into a single restaurant called Bryan Homes. The restaurant fell into disrepair and closed in 2009. As part of a renovation of Fort Lauderdales Riverwalk area, the property was leased and the buildings underwent a second renovation in 2016 and reopened last summer. The site that has been deemed a national historical landmark. 301 SW 3rd Ave., Fort Lauderdale, 954-314-8838, theoldriverhouse.com. The Chimney House Restaurant is in a remodeled 1924 historic house, which retains its original restored chimney. A recent six-year long restoration of the property has converted the home into a charming restaurant with both indoor and outdoor dining just steps from the Broward Center. Lunch and dinner are offered Tuesday thru Sunday, and brunch is available weekends. The menu showcases recipes from South America and Spain. Diners using the restaurants paid parking lot may leave their cars there while attending Broward Center events. 701 West Las Olas Blvd., Fort Lauderdale, 954-900-5352, thechimneyhouse.net. The Historic Downtowner dates all the way back to the Roaring 20s. A hurricane in 1926 destroyed the fancy, new electric-lit sign and much of the building for Maxwell Arcade, the remaining building a paragon of Mediterranean Revival architecture, has been home to The Downtowner Saloon for 22 years. Located on the banks of the New River overlooking downtown, the restaurant also has sidewalk and pier-side seating. Sailors can tie up their boats at the dock while dining. In addition to daily lunch and dinner service, The Downtowner hosts Sunday brunch, trivia Tuesdays, and live music on Saturday nights. 10 S New River Dr. E, Fort Lauderdale, 954-463-9800, thehistoricdowntowner.com. Wreck Bar in the B Ocean Hotel has a storied pop-culture history. It is renowned for its porthole windows that offer a view into the hotels pool. This unique feature has gotten the bar featured in movies such as Where the Boys Are and Analyze This. It is also home to South Floridas only mermaid show with MeduSirena and her pod of Aquaticats. Shows are presented every weekend with dinner shows Friday and Saturday and a late-night burlesque show for adults only, as well as a Sunday brunch show for families. 1140 Seabreeze Blvd., Fort Lauderdale, 954-524-555, boceanfortlauderdale.com. Finally, youve certainly have driven past the kitschy tiki Mai-Kai Restaurant on Federal dozens of times. It was recently added to the U.S. National Register of Historic Places. Although food is served, I would suggest you focus on drinks and the show. 3599 N Federal, Fort Lauderdale, 954-563-3272, maikai.com. (AP) An interim memorial for the 49 people killed at a gay nightclub in Florida is opening to the public. The onePULSE Foundation says that the temporary memorial will open at 3 p.m. Tuesday at the site of Pulse nightclub, which has remained closed since the June 2016 shooting. The club's sign was improved, and a new fence was placed around the nightclub's perimeter. Planning and designing continues for the permanent memorial. The Orlando nightclub was attacked by gunman Omar Mateen in June 2016. He pledged allegiance to the Islamic State during a three-hour standoff at the nightclub before he was killed in a shootout with police. (WB) Oliver North, the new head of the National Rifle Association, has a controversial past as the central figure in the 1980s Iran-Contra affair a scandal in which the Reagan administration illegally sold arms to Iran with the intent to use proceeds to fund rebels in Nicaragua but he has also courted controversy for his views on gay rights. In a speech at the 2014 Conservative Political Action Conference, North, a retired lieutenant colonel in the Marine Corps, compared fighting against gay rights to the abolitionists fight during the 19th century against slavery. At a time of achievements on LGBT rights and rapidly changing views the year before the U.S. Supreme Court ruled for marriage equality nationwide, North ended his speech by urging conservatives not to abandon social issues. Some say that we must ignore social issues, like the definition of marriage, the sanctity of life, religious freedoms, North said. I say those are not social issues, they are deeply moral and spiritual issues and should be part of Americas elections. North continued: In the 1850s, a political party was born on the idea of a great moral issue: Human bondage, the abolition of slavery in America. If we, as conservatives, cease to be a place where people of faith and those who believe in strong moral values can come, we will cease to be a political force in America. Years after President Obama signed repeal of Dont Ask, Dont Tell, North also engaged in veiled criticism of openly gay service, using language borrowed from the Family Research Council about letting LGBT people in the military. The members of our armed forces and their families deserve better than being treated as laboratory rats in some radical social experiment, North said. The speech in 2014 was covered by Secular Talk Radios Kyle Kulinski, who at the time said if thats your idea of moral values, youre an idiot. Not only is there no comparison, if anything the opposition position on those issues is more like opposing slavery, Kulinski said. To be in favor of gay rights and to try to treat people equally under the law. That is definitely a movement that is more in line with the idea behind the abolitionists of treating people equal and treating people right. Those anti-gay remarks werent new for North, who as a Fox News commentator was a regular figure at CPAC as well as the anti-LGBT Voters Values Summit hosted each year by the Family Research Council. Years before that speech, North in 2010 wrote an op-ed for the National Review in which he criticized then-Chair of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Adm. Mike Mullen for coming out in favor of gays in the military and suggested troops who disagree with that can find another place to work. Such a cavalier response to a U.S. senators serious inquiry may play well in the press and in the current commander-in-chiefs office, but it illuminates a deeply misguided commitment to political correctness and foreshadows serious adverse consequences for our national security, North wrote. If tens of thousands of troops now serving in the finest military force the world has ever known vote with their feet in the midst of a war, were all in deep trouble. Also in 2010, as reported at the time by ThinkProgress, North told Sean Hannity on Fox News allowing openly gay people in the military was tantamount to letting pedophiles in the armed forces. Now, heres whats next, North said. NAMBLA members, same-sex marriages. Are chaplains in the U.S. military going to be required to perform those kinds of rituals? Do they get government housing? ThinkProgress Igor Volsky wrote at the time, The irony of a convicted felon who lied about diverting proceeds from arms sales to a rebel group in Nicaragua supporting a policy that forces gay and lesbian servicemen to lie about their sexual orientation was lost on both Hannity and North. That past seems to be a perfect fit for the NRA despite attempts from the organization to profess LGBT inclusion in recent years and support for the LGBT gun group Pink Pistols. Wayne LaPierre, executive vice president of the NRA, said the new hire is the most exciting news for our members since Charlton Heston became president of our association. Oliver North is a legendary warrior for American freedom, a gifted communicator and skilled leader, LaPierre said. In these times, I can think of no one better suited to serve as our president. According to the NRA, North will depart as a Fox News commentator before taking on his new role a process the organizations board of directors initiated Monday morning. Jason Lindsay, founder and executive director of Pride Fund to End Gun Violence, said Norths opposition to gay rights and prominence in the Iran-Contra affair will suit him well in his new position as the president of the NRA. The NRA is on a quest to dismantle our nations gun safety laws and stands in complete opposition to any new reforms, despite public opinion and the tragic human cost, Lindsay said. Of particular concern to the LGBTQ community is Norths inflammatory statements regarding the repeal of Dont Ask, Dont Tell, which he implied would lead to pedophiles being admitted to the armed forces. His previous actions and statements make clear that this is not an individual who should have a leadership position in any organization, but is not a surprising choice for an organization as disastrous to public safety as the NRA. Chris Johnson, Washington Blade courtesy of the National LGBTQ Media Association. Le Collectif Cheikh Yassine a organise un certain nombre dactivites et de festivites pour les enfants de Gaza sous le theme La joie des enfants de Gaza pour lAid . Ces activites ont commence le premier jour de lAid et continue jusquau 4eme jour de lAid dans la bande de Gaza. Plusieurs activites, ont ete organisees parmi lesquelles : des competitions recompensees par des prix, des jeux, des animations et des chants presentes par un groupe ainsi que des distributions de cadeaux et daides financieres. A team led by the Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory plans to include X-ray Navigation technology on a proposed CubeSat mission to the Moon. NASA engineers are now studying the possibly of adding the capability to future human-exploration spacecraft. Interest in this emerging capability to guide spacecraft to the far reaches of the solar system comes just months after NASA scientist Keith Gendreau and his team at the agency's Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Maryland, successfully demonstrated the technique -- commonly known as XNAV -- with an experiment called Station Explorer for X-ray Timing and Navigation Technology, or SEXTANT. The SEXTANT technology demonstration, which NASA's Space Technology Mission Directorate had funded under its Game Changing Development program, took place late last year and demonstrated that millisecond pulsars could be used to accurately determine the location of an object moving at thousands of miles per hour in space. These pulsations are highly predictable, much like the atomic clocks used to provide timing data on the ubiquitous GPS system. During the demonstration, SEXTANT took advantage of the 52 X-ray telescopes and silicon drift detectors on NASA's Neutron-star Interior Composition Explorer, or NICER, to detect X-rays emanating from four millisecond-pulsar targets. The pulsars' timing data were fed into onboard algorithms that autonomously generated a navigation solution for the location of NICER in orbit around Earth. The team is expected to carry out another XNAV demonstration later this spring to see if it can improve on the technology's already impressive accuracy, said SEXTANT Project Manager Jason Mitchell, who works at Goddard. Navigation Testbed In another development that could broaden XNAV's use, the SEXTANT team recently delivered a special testbed to the Aeromechanics and Flight Mechanics Division's Electro-Optics Lab at NASA's Johnson Space Center in Houston. The team developed the unique tabletop device - sometimes described as a 'pulsar on a table' - to simulate the low-strength signals received from pulsars. The measurements obtained from XNAV will be used to test algorithms being developed for future crewed missions. XNAV sensors complement optical-navigation (OpNav) sensors. Together, they can serve as an autonomous navigation package to aid vehicles in case of loss of communications with the ground and to relieve the navigation tracking burden on NASA's Deep Space Network. Mitchell said NASA's Lunar Orbital Platform-Gateway, where astronauts will participate in a variety of science, exploration, and commercial activities in orbit around and on the Moon, could employ XNAV capabilities. CubeX: Characterizing the Lunar Surface And in another development, the SEXTANT team is working with Suzanne Romaine, a scientist with the Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory, and JaeSub Hong, a researcher with Harvard University, to fly XNAV on a CubeSat mission called CubeX. "This is a push to move the technology into the operational mode," said Mitchell, who, along with Gendreau, is a CubeX collaborator. "This is great opportunity for XNAV and showing its value to navigating in deep space." As currently conceived, the small satellite would gather timing data from the list of SEXTANT millisecond pulsars using CubeX's miniature X-ray telescope. An onboard algorithm would then use the data to determine the spacecraft's trajectory. The team would compare CubeX's solution against that provided by NASA's Deep Space Network, a communications and navigational capability used by all NASA deep-space missions. Demonstrating XNAV on an operational satellite, however, isn't the mission's only objective. The other half of its mission will be spent measuring the composition of the Moon's lower crust and upper mantle to understand the origin and evolution of Earth's only natural satellite, which scientists believe may have formed when a huge collision tore off a chunk of Earth. "There's a lot we don't know about the Moon. Many mysteries remain," said Hong. A better understanding of the mantle layer could be key to determining how the Moon and the Earth formed. To get this information, CubeX would use a technique called X-ray fluorescence, or XRF. XRF, which is widely used in science and industry applications, is based on the principle that when individual atoms in sediment, rocks, and other materials are excited by an external energy source -- in this case, X-rays emanating from the Sun -- they emit their own X-rays that exhibit a characteristic energy or wavelength indicative of a specific element. This can be likened to how fingerprints can identify a specific person. By capturing these "fluorescing" photons with a miniaturized X-ray optic and then analyzing them with an onboard spectrometer, scientists can discern which elements make up outcrops of the Moon's rocky mantle, which have been exposed by impact craters, and its crust, which overlays the mantle. The mission would launch no earlier than 2023 to take advantage of the next solar maximum, which would assure a steady bombardment of high-energy X-rays to produce the fluorescence. Please follow SpaceRef on Twitter and Like us on Facebook. Marco Beverage Systemsthe Dublin-based makers of the MIX, SP9, and Uber Boilerare hitting the road this summer for a few special global engagements, and they have just announced the first event, taking place in merry olde London. Called Marco Meets (I would have called it the Marco MIXer, but whatever, Im sure there was just a Marco MIX-up in Marco-ting), the event series aims to connect local baristas and tea/coffee professionals with well-known figures from the specialty tea and coffee industries. For the first event, Marco has teamed up with the UKs Has Bean Coffee to share their advice, insights and predictions, per the press release. Taking place May 17th at The Gentlemen Baristas, this first Marco Meets will feature a talk from Sonali Tailor, an Authorized SCA Trainer, UK coffee competition judge and competitor, and Has Beans field trainer who will offer her experiences and advice on how to make a successful career in coffee. Marco Meets London will also include a panel discussion featuring Taylor, free food and drinks, brewing demonstrations, and a variety of Has Bean coffees brewed on the Marco SP9. The event is free to attend but do require an RSVP, which can be done here. For more information, visit Marcos official website. Zac Cadwalader is the news editor at Sprudge Media Network and a staff writer based in Dallas. Read more Zac Cadwalader on Sprudge. *top image via Marco Paris (France), May 08, 2018 (SPS) - The lawyer of Claude Mongan, Professor Ingrid Mitton, has called for the need to put an end to the disturbing and unacceptable situation in which her client is going after 20 days of an open hunger strike in order to obtain her essential right, right to private and family life, and must remain away from political bidding, and vengeance on its position on the issue of Western Sahara and its support for the right of the Saharawi people to self-determination During her press conference hosted by the municipality of Evry-sur-Seine, Ms. Ingrid highlighted that her client, Claude Mongan, is a victim of reprisals by the Moroccan state against the defenseless Saharawi people and the ban, primarily aimed at denying them the right to private and family life, which constitutes a blatant violation of human rights in the Western Sahara. "Our government is called upon to take urgent action in this regard," she said. "It is regrettable that the French government remains on the sidelines of the situation of its citizen Claude Mongan and in violation of the rights of its citizens and subjected to harsh treatment by a state that dubbed it as friendly and close country.SPS 125/090/TRA Members of the local horse racing industry have commented on the shooting that occurred this past Saturday night (May 5) at Dresden Raceway. Along with EMS, police arrived at the raceway at roughly 11 p.m. after reports of possible gunfire in the area and found a 58-year-old man with a non-life-threatening gunshot wound. The area was evacuated and secured by police, according to the report. The man in question was taken to the Chatham-Kent Health Alliance before he was transferred to the London Health Sciences Center. Lucille Laprise, the president of the Dresden Agricultural Society that operates the raceway, was shocked when she heard the news, according to an article on windsorstar.com. Very surprised that anything like that would happen here in Dresden, Laprise was quoted as saying. Everybodys always felt very safe here at the raceway. Laprise also praised the work of the police and EMS that arrived on the scene specially stating that the police did their job very well. The windsorstar.com piece also contained comments from Gateway Casinos spokesperson Rob Mitchell. Gateway operates the casino that is in close proximity to the track. Mitchell explained what the casinos response was when it was informed of the situation. According to a story by the London Free Press, police stated on Monday that they have no reason to believe that there exists any immediate safety concerns to the public, and that they dont believe that this shooting was accidental in nature. Another follow-up story on the situation, by Blackburn News, contains comments from Standardbred racing participant Murray Hyatt, who said that he was surprised to hear about the situation. Hyatt also said that he knows the victim, who he identified as a horseman. The victim is expected to be sent home from the hospital soon. I used to shoe horses for him, said Hyatt, 81. I was a blacksmith for quite a few years and he was from the Wallaceburg area. Between Wallaceburg and Dresden was where he was raised and he was living, I think, right in Wallaceburg. Hyatt went on to say, I knew him, his brother and his father. I knew his father real well. No, nobody deserves to be shot. Anyone with any information is asked to contact Det. Cst. Tremblay at [email protected]. Anonymous callers may call Crimestoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS it may be eligible for a cash reward. (With files from windsorstar.com and Blackburn News) Standardbred horse owner Eugene R. Pokornowski, 77, passed away on Friday, May 4. Pokornowski and his brother Raymond co-owned a number of Standardbreds and raced them at Buffalo Raceway and Batavia Downs. A member of the Western New York Harness Horsemens Association, he continued racing horses until about 10 years ago. In partnership the Pokornowski brothers co-owned Murph Ofthe Turf ($102,208), one of the most popular Standardbreds to campaign on the western New York circuit in the 1970s. Pokornowski and his brother bought Wallys Club 20 in Kaisertown in 1969; they updated the place and renamed it Porkys Amber Lounge. They remodelled it to how they wanted the bar and they never changed it, said his grandson, Craig Pokornowski. His pride and joy was that bar. It was his dream. Porkys, at 2028 Clinton St. near South Ogden St., became a fixture in one of Buffalos old-time neighborhoods, and Pokornowski could be found behind the bar until just recently. He was a lifelong parishioner at St. Casimirs Catholic Church and a member of the Holy Name Society. Survivors include his wife of 57 years, the former Frances E. Ramsey; daughters, Lynn Sokolik and Allison Winkowski; sons, James and Scott; brother, Leonard; 10 grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren. A Mass of Christian Burial will be offered at 9:30 a.m. on Tuesday (May 8) in Fourteen Holy Helpers Catholic Church, 1350 Indian Church Road, West Seneca. Please join Standardbred Canada in offering condolences to the family and friends of Eugene Pokornowski. (USTA) John Piper's Upcoming London Visit Raises Questions and a Response from American and U.K. Pastors SEATTLE, May 8, 2018 / Standard Newswire / -- Pastor John Piper's upcoming visit to London to address the London Men's Convention in Central Hall Westminster on June 2, 2018 is fueling an ongoing discussion among conservative evangelicals. In response to the event, they are asking why established Christian leaders in both the United States and the U.K. continue to excuse and accommodate the flawed doctrine of the self-proclaimed Christian hedonist, John Piper. American Pastor Gary Small of Lynden, Washington, states, "It is a travesty to watch big name pastors carelessly ignore their responsibility to defend the faith. In the case of John Piper, our evangelical leaders remain silent against a false doctrine that seeks to combine Christianity with the philosophy of hedonism. Moreover, Piper's heretical statement redefining Christ by claiming that 'Jesus was the best Christian Hedonist who ever existed' fits Piper's paradigm, but it is clearly outside the boundaries of Scripture." (Ask Pastor John," episode 998, 2/3/2017) According to Pastor Small, "For years Piper's man-made philosophy has been embraced without question." However, he observes that the tide may be changing. Another American pastor expressing concern is Nevada Pastor Michael Butler, a graduate of Master's Seminary, California. He has recently written a series of articles to explain Piper's errors under the title, Cracking the Insidious Code, which has been published in the British publication, the English Churchman. In great detail, Pastor Butler explains how Piper's philosophical opinions and contradictions undermine Scripture. Therefore, he warns he must be avoided at all costs. Also, joining American pastors are British Pastor Chris Hand of Crich Baptist Church, Derbyshire, England, and John Thackway, pastor of Holywell Evangelical church in Wales and editor of The Bible League Quarterly. Pastor Hand commented, "I have been familiar with the ministry of Dr. John Piper for twenty years. I was unhappy with it then. I am unhappy with it now. How much more evidence do people need before they start to feel the same?" Similarly, Pastor Thackway has expressed concern regarding the confusion and falsity of Piper's teaching, and has stated, "Christian Hedonism is a departure from biblical and historical Christianity, and a dangerous error." Conservative evangelicals in both America and the U.K. say they are encouraged by a growing movement driven by local pastors and layman to protect the Church from Piper's false teaching. Two recently printed books " Christian Hedonism?: A Biblical examination of John Piper's Teaching " and " Is John Piper an Antinomian? " by Dr. ES Williams have become important resources to help them expose Piper's distortion and misrepresentation of Scripture. Pastors representing both countries forewarn, "Conservative evangelicals are concerned that the validation of this Piper event in London will serve to further propagate the heretical doctrine of Piper's Christian hedonism in the United States and the U.K." Pastor Small added that although for several decades Christians assumed John Piper was someone they could trust, conservative voices within the Church today say we must face the fact that John Piper's hedonism has no place in the Christian Church. The Canadian market has been underperforming for a while. This week some clues of change started to show up. First of all, for the first time since 2016 the Canadian market broke a downtrend compared to the $SPX. Obviously, it is just barely breaking a downtrend, not turning higher yet. However, you can see on the left side of the chart, that when Canada outperformed for the first decade this was a worthy signal to be aware of. It was also a good signal to be in Commodities in early 2016. I discuss this chart at length on the video. One thing that still needs to improve in the Net New highs. You can see on the chart that if we can't get above 50 per day, that usually suggests the market doesn't have enough power in the rallies. But it needs to start somewhere and right now this is trending higher. Some of the interesting sectors this week are the REIT's and Income Trusts. This is the REIT ETF. With the MACD above zero and the chart trying to push higher, this Income Trust ETF might have room to run. The Technology sector looks good, but the Telecom stocks need to make an important base here. I discuss this quite heavily in the video recording. The Financials are starting to improve. The RSI bounced at 40 which is a bull market trait. The shaded area shows the Financials performance relative to the $TSX. Unfortunately it is still down trending. The Full Stochastics on this weekly chart have started to turn up but the MACD has not gone positive yet. Energy is stuck at horizontal resistance. We'll keep watching to see if it can break through. So lots of bullish signs with Canada starting to behave stronger than the USA. That is particularly nice to see. I have a lot of information tucked into the recording this week, so hopefully you'll find some helpful information there. Good trading, Greg Schnell, CMT, MFTA Yes, a very sad storybecause she didnt move. Hillary is on her endless whine, er book tour, where she spoke to three thousand New Zealanders, and trashed the U.S. with complaints of endemic sexism and misogyny. Stay classy, Hillary and please reconsider moving. Via Washington Examiner. .The former secretary of state told roughly 3,000 people in Auckland that she received multiple offers to take a job in New Zealand and thought about living there for the rest of her life. I must say I really did appreciate the offers. Gave them some thought, Clinton, 70, admitted. But Im going to stay put because we have work to do in my country as well. She said she is still unhappy about losing the election to President Trump and brought up some of her previously stated grievances with him. Apon Wellbeing wins MetLife financial innovation contest Business Desk : MetLife Foundation and Verb announced Apon Wellbeing Ltd as winner of the MetLife Foundation Inclusion Plus competition in Bangladesh, says a press release. The competition was open to entrepreneurs, nonprofits and other social impact organizations focused on addressing the financial health needs of low- to moderate-income people. Standing out among more than 50entries, Apon Wellbeing Ltd.won the grand prize and received a grant of $50,000. Apon Wellbeing strives for better health and wellbeing of ready-made garment (RMG) workers by increasing workers real income, providing access to health insurance and creating awareness and access to financial services. The innovative model centers around Apon's factory and community based discounted shops where workers can access quality health, hygiene and nutrition products at a lower price as well as health and life insurance schemes at no additional cost. The platform also offers awareness on these issues. MetLife Foundation is proud to support this first-of-its-kind innovation competition that supports organizations at the forefront of financial inclusion in Bangladesh. More than 60 MetLife volunteers acted as mentors and judges, providing advice, support and partnership that will help the ventures develop and grow. "This was a great learning experience for me. We had awesome mentors from MetLife Bangladesh office who walked us through different stages of this competition. Even the grand finale judges, who are industry leaders in their own sectors ranging from finance, innovation, development and IT, have given us a lot of feedback to help us rethink of our project design and how to make them sustainable and effective."- said the winner, Mr. Saif, Rashi, founder of Apon Wellbeing in his reaction. ShopUp, in second place, won $25,000.Green Delta Insurance Company Ltd., in third place, took home $12,000 and Shakti Foundationand Sajida Foundationwere each awarded $5,000 as runners-up. As the chief guest, K M Abdus Salam, Director General at NGO Affairs Bureau of Bangladesh said "financial inclusion is important as we are advancing towards a digital Bangladesh. We all know about the MetLife company as a leading life insurer, but little did we know about its CSR activities done through its Foundation. 5 lakhs signature hands over to Federation protecting Bidi Industry Economic Reporter : With the withdrawal of discriminatory tariff policy and various demands of the bidi industry, above 5 lakhs of people's signature have been handed over to the Bangladesh Bidi Workers Federation, which have been collected from the country. Regional based Bidi Sramik Federation leaders handed their signatures in the form of book in a program organized by the National Press Club Auditor on Tuesday morning. On the occasion, the bidi industry was declared as a cottage industry like india in bangladesh, in order to keep tax free which factory production less than 20 lakhs stick of bidi, and to stop bidi-cigarettes at the same time. President of Bangladesh Bidi Workers Federation Amin Uddin BSC, General Secretary MK Bangali, Joint General Secretary Abdur Rahman and Organizing Secretary Herik Hossain were also present there. Besides, bidi workers, tobacco farmers, bidi traders and consumers from across the country took part in it. Needs an end to such farce during election THE Election Commission has decided to file an appeal against the court order that stayed the Gazipur City Corporation Election. EC Secretary Helaluddin Ahmed on Tuesday said, 'The Commission will appeal against the court order that stayed Gazipur City polls for three months. A law expert has been appointed in this regard.' The people were taken by surprise by the High Court order on Sunday on a writ filed by a Savar Awami League leader and Shimulia Union Parishad Chairman Azharul Islam Suruj challenging the inclusion of Six Wards with Gazipur City Corporation from the jurisdiction of Savar Upazila six years back. EC Secretary further said, 'We collected essential documents as soon as the stay order was given. But we are yet to receive a written copy of the court order.We however received a certified copy of the order through our lawyer, and the Commission plans to file an appeal based on that.' Earlier on Monday, the Chief Election Commissioner claimed that he was in dark about the order issued by the High Court Bench. We think, it was nothing but an untrue statement of CEC as there was no way to remain uninformed when an advocate was representing the EC. Earlier, the Dhaka North City Corporation election was suspended. The CEC had used similar tricks saying lack of knowledge when the High Court order came giving stay order for three months and later extended to six months. But if his statement is true, than question raises who is bypassing the CEC? Who is taking decision, sending advocate for appearing before court without CEC's knowledge? Is anyone running Election Commission from behind the scene? It is now almost clear as day light that government has suspended the Gazipur election using the court order to avoid defeat. Now, it becomes talk of the country - what the ruling party will do if BNP takes part in the upcoming parliamentary election. It becomes a pattern of the ruling party that when they see the situation is not favourable for winning election, they use the court to halt the polls and the Election Commission remains deaf and dumb. We earlier had marked that violence, armed clashes, false votes, loss of life, attempts to snatch away ballot boxes, and a host of other mishaps marred the various Union Parishad, Pourashava and City Corporation elections. Popularity is a big factor to win an election through free and fair voting. There's a saying, morning shows the day. The suspension of the local government elections gives rise to apprehensions concerning the coming National elections. So, it is the responsibility of the Election Commission to put an end to such farce during the elections. `Never, ever serve anything in a shoe` Middle East Eye A formal dinner at the residence of Israeli Prime Minister Benyamin Netanyahu has come in for criticism - because guests were served chocolate desserts in shoe-shaped bowls. The occasion was to mark the visit of Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe to Israel. In Japan, shoes are not worn in the home nor in most restaurants and workplaces. Abe arrived in Israel with his wife Akie on 1 May, his second formal visit since 2015, and was welcomed by Netanyahu and his wife Sara at their residence in West Jerusalem. Segev Moshe, a renown Israeli culinary expert and Netanyahu's private chef, was chosen to create the menu and dishes for the diplomatic dinner for the two leaders, along with their wives Akie and Sara. After the main meal, Moshe rolled out the special dessert for the dining table: a selection of chocolates served in dark metal shoes, designed by the upscale Tom Dixon Studio, a British product and interiors company. Segev, who is also head chef for the Israeli airline El Al, uploaded an Instagram of himself with the Netanyahus and their guests, along with the four shoe-shaped desserts at the table. But his post received a negative response from some quarters. "I can not believe that you have put shoes on a table for the Prime Minister of Japan. Reality transcends parody," Instagram user commented evyatarb commented in Hebrew. While Zhytoun praised the food, he wrote: "Congratulations but... Never, ever, serve anything to the Japanese in a shoe! I like to think you did not mean any offence, right? And a bit of homework on other people culture next time will not hurt." Others took to Twitter to offer their criticism. Translation: To serve the Japanese prime minister such a plate when in Japan's culture there is no object despicable more than a shoe. Beginner's mistake. Japanese etiquette cherishes cleanliness and regards shoes as something left outside the home: the Lonely Planet guide states that "you'll always have to remove footwear when entering a private home, traditional accommodation (minshuku or ryokan), and temple halls. Some restaurants with tatami (woven-straw matting) areas will also require visitors to take off their shoes, as will some hostels and historic sites. Wherever you're required to remove footwear, this is non-negotiable." Quota protesters human chain today Quota reform protesters will form human chains at colleges and universities across the country on Wednesday as the government is yet to publish a gazette based on prime minister's assurance of abolishing quota system in civil service. Nurul Haque, co-convener of the General Students' Rights Protection Council, a platform of students that led the recent quota reform movement, came up with the announcement at a press briefing in front of the central library of Dhaka University on Tuesday morning. On February 17, students and job seekers started the movement to press for their five-point demand that include introduction of unified age limit in government jobs, review of quota system in government recruitment process, including Bangladesh Civil Service (BCS) examination, stopping taking benefit by job seekers under the same quota, filling vacant posts from merit list if the candidates from quota are not found and fixation of 10 percent quota instead of existing 56 percent. However, the quota reform protest turned into violent movement after April 8. Following the movement, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on April 11 announced at the National Parliament that there will be no quota system in government jobs anymore. Narail court dismisses Khaleda`s bail plea BSS, Narail : A Narail court yesterday dismissed a bail plea for BNP Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia in a case lodged for making derogatory remarks about the number of Freedom Fighters and defaming Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. "Senior judicial magistrate Nayan Boral passed the order after holding hearing on the matter," counsel for the complainant advocate Abdus Salam Khan told BSS. A leader of the local Awami League and Freedom Fighter's son Raihan Faruki Imam filed the case against the BNP chief on December 24, 2015, as she made the derogatory remarks at a rally on December 21 in Dhaka. Another defamation suit was filed against her over the same remarks in Narail on December 29, 2015. Khaleda`s bail hearing adjourned till today Defence lawyers question AG's presence Staff Reporter : The Appellate Division of the Supreme Court on Tuesday started the appeal hearing against the bail order of BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia in 'Zia Orphanage Trust' case, in which she is currently serving a five-year term in prison. After the day's proceedings, the apex court adjourned the hearing till today (Wednesday) morning. During the hearing, the defence lawyers raised question over the jurisdiction of Attorney General Mahbubey Alam, who opposed her bail after taking part in the hearing of the appeal. A J Mohammad Ali, one of the counsels for Khaleda Zia, said, "The ACC law does not allow the AG to take part in the hearing. The AG came before the court with malafide intention and politically motivated. He is trying to show something before the court so that the court cannot grant her bail in the case." The Appellate Division yesterday witnessed heated arguments during the hearing on the bail petition filed by BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia against the lower court verdict that sentenced her five years in jail. The jam-packed courtroom of the Appellate Division witnessed chaotic situation for several times while Attorney General Mahbubey Alam was placing his arguments before the apex court. Defence Counsel A J Mohammad Ali, one of the counsels for Khaleda Zia, started his arguments raising the question of Attorney General's jurisdiction in taking part in the hearing. However, the four-member bench of the Appellate Division headed by the Chief Justice asked the senior lawyers to bring congenial atmosphere in the courtroom so that it can continue the appeal hearing smoothly. During the day's proceedings, Advocate Khurshid Alam Khan, counsel for the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC), started placing his arguments before the apex court at 9.35 am. Khurshed told the court that the High Court did not consider the gravity of the offence committed by Khaleda Zia, a former Prime Minister, when granting her bail in the case. Even the defence lawyers did not submit any medical certificate, although they claimed that Khaleda was suffering from different diseases, he added. He also said that the HC granted bail to Khaleda on consideration of her old age and social status, and considering the short sentence, which is not a legal ground for granting bail. Khurshed raised question over the short sentence definition saying that there was no definition in the law about the short sentence. Therefore, the BNP chief could not get bail in the case. Although the lower court given 10 years imprisonment to all other accused in the case, it awarded only five years imprisonment to the main accused of the case, which was not right in the eye of law, he said. The HC made contradictory statements during granting bail for Khaleda as the HC cannot ask to prepare the paper-book of the case at the time of granting bail. But, it asked the authorities concerned to prepare the paper-book within four months, which was contradictory with granting bail, he added. Attorney General (AG) Mahbubey Alam taking part in the hearing said that the paper-book on the appeals filed by Khaleda Zia with the High Court against the lower court conviction has already been prepared. All relevant documents, including paper-book, lower court judgement and other materials have already been prepared in the meantime. The High Court can start the appeal hearing from now on, if it wanted to do so. The court may acquit her in the appeal, and therefore, the Supreme Court need not grant her bail now, the chief law officer of the state said. In 67 dates of hearing, the BNP chief was present only few days before the lower court during the trial proceeding of Zia Orphanage Trust corruption case, the AG said. At this stage, Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) President Advocate Zainul Abedin told the court that the chief law officer of the state cannot place such arguments before the court in the case as he is the Attorney General for all and for the country. "We come here with the bail petition of BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia. But we cannot understand the speech of Attorney General. He cannot place such type of argument during the bail hearing of the case," Zainul Abedin said. Then the lawyers, who were present into the courtroom, said loudly yes, yes, shame and shame. But, the Chief Justice asked the lawyer to become silent and then the AG started his argument again saying that Khaleda Zia misused the special court's bail earlier. Referring example of former Brazil and South Korean Presidents, who were in jail for graft charges and misused of power, the AG said that the courts of those countries were not seen the matter of the allegations brought against them slightly. So, in our country, the court should take the matter of Khaleda Zia's case seriously as none is above the law, he added. The chief law officer of the state also said that Khaleda Zia was suffering in several complications, including hypertension, diabetes and knee problem. Doctors had suggested her not to move. Although the lower court awarded her five-year rigorous imprisonment, she was given relax in jail considering her complications. She is needed to rest as per the doctors' suggestions, the AG said, adding: "She is confined. She is now on rest." The lawyers present in the courtroom started laughing after hearing AG's submission. Once again, the SCBA president stood and told the court that the chief law officer of the state cannot take part in the hearing of the case. He AG cannot place such type of arguments, he mentioned. Then, the lawyers shouted in the courtroom and said shame, shame. The chief justice told the lawyers, sit down, sit down, and let him (AG) to submit his arguments. After that the AG started the argument and said that although there was no instance of keeping house servant in the jail, the government provided house servant in the jail to BNP chief as per her demand. Former SCBA president Khandker Mahbub Hossain, one of the counsels for Khaleda, told the court that they have submitted bail application. But, what the Attorney General is saying at this stage, he asked. At this stage, A J Mohammad Ali stood and raised the question about the jurisdiction of taking part in the hearing by the Attorney General saying that the law does allow the AG to take part in the hearing. "The AG came before the court with malafide intention and politically motivated. He is trying to show something before the court so that the court cannot grant her bail in the case," AJ Mohammad Ali said. "No, you are not rightly submitted the argument, rather you have submitted argument with malafide intention, which is politically motivated," Ali said. Then, the courtroom witnessed chaotic situation as the agitated lawyers shouted and loudly spoke against the Attorney General. Then, the CJ and other apex court judges asked the lawyers to become silent. After that Ali told the court that as per the ACC law the AG cannot take part in the hearing as there is a formal party and the ACC submitted their argument before the court. Citing several sections of the ACC law, Ali said that the independent ACC has prosecution team. So, the AG cannot take part in the hearing, he noted. Mohammad Ali also sought bail for the BNP chief saying that there is no single instance that the Appellate Division of the Supreme Court interfered with the High Court bail order. Rather, there were many instances that the Appellate Division has granted bail for the accused persons who were not secured bail from the High Court. So, the Appellate Division should grant bail for Khaleda Zia, Ali noted. Citing example of BNP leader Moshiur Rahman case, Ali said that the lower court awarded ten years imprisonment to Moshiur Rahman in a graft case filed by the ACC. But, the HC granted his bail and the Appellate Division has also upheld the HC order in the case. So, the Supreme Court should grant bail to Khaleda Zia as the High Court granted her bail earlier. After that the apex court adjourned hearing on the appeal till this (Wednesday) morning. Earlier, on March 19, the Appellate Division of the Supreme Court stayed the HC bail order following two leave-to-appeal petitions filed by the ACC and the government. On March 12, the HC had granted Khaleda four months' bail in which she was convicted and jailed for five years in the Zia Orphanage Trust corruption case. On February 8, the special judge's court-5 of Dhaka sentenced Khaleda to five years' rigorous imprisonment after it found her and five others guilty in the graft case. Full Bench hearing on resumption of poll process today AL candidate also files petition against HC order Staff Reporter : The full Bench of the Appellate Division will hold hearing today (Wednesday) on the petitions filed seeking resumption of Gazipur City Corporation's election process that was stayed by the High Court. The ruling Awami League's mayoral candidate, Jahangir Alam, on Tuesday also filed a formal petition with the apex court seeking resumption of the GCC election process that was stayed by the High Court Earlier on Monday, the BNP's aggrieved mayoral aspirant, Hasan Uddin Sarker, filed a petition with the Supreme Court seeking the same order. After hearing the two petitions yesterday, Chamber Judge of the Appellate Division Justice Hasan Foez Siddique sent those to the full Bench for hearing today (Wednesday). The concerned lawyers said, Gazpur City Corporation (GCC) election process will remain stopped as the Chamber Judge did not pass any order. The Chamber Judge of the Appellate Division, Justice Hasan Foez Siddique, on Tuesday heard both the petitions. Citing the petition, Advocate S M Shafiqul Islam Babu said, the High Court had earlier disposed of a similar writ petition challenging the legality of inclusion of six mouzas in Shimulia union with Gazipur City Corporation. Therefore, the writ petition seeking stay on the election cannot be acceptable, he said. Citing from the petition, Barrister Sanjid Siddique, a lawyer for BNP mayor candidate Hasan Uddin Sarker, said, the High Court stayed the Gazipur City Corporation election for three months on Sunday following a writ petition filed by Savar Upazila Awami League leader A B M Azharul Islam alias Suruj, who is not an aggrieved person about the Gazipur City polls. Therefore, his writ petition is not acceptable. He also said that the writ petition was filed with the HC from political intention in order to obstruct the process for holding the GCC polls. The High Court on Sunday stayed the Gazipur City Corporation election for three months which was scheduled to be held on May 15. The court also issued a rule asking the Election Commission (EC) and the government to explain as to why inclusion of six mouzas of Shimulia Union Parishad of Savar should not be declared illegal. The HC Bench of Justice Naima Haider and Justice Zafar Ahmed passed the order. Chief Election Commissioner KM Nurul Huda announced the election schedule for Gazipur and Khulna City Corporations on March 31. Killing is easy everywhere but death in police custody is worst law and order situation Although the body of the man who died in DB custody on Sunday bore many severe bruises and blood clots, the police inquest found only light bruises on the victim's legs. Sub-Inspector Harichand Hazra of Shahbagh Police Station prepared the report in the presence of a magistrate, as per a local daily report. Contradicting the findings, hospital officials, who saw the body in the last two days, said that the body of Ashraf Ali alias Aslam had numerous bruises. Blood clots in lower parts of his knees and on a wrist were spotted clearly, they said. Sohel Mahmud, Head of Forensic Medicine Department at Dhaka Medical College Hospital (DMCH), who conducted the autopsy on Ashraf, told reporters that there were injuries on the legs. The magistrate must be accountable and explain how such a totally false report was prepared in his presence. On Sunday, a DB official allegedly tried to register the death as a natural one, but failed as several DMCH officials insisted that the body had bruises. The victim's elder brother Nazrul Sheikh alleged that detectives picked up his brother Ashraf, tortured him in custody and took him to the hospital just before he was about to die to avoid responsibility. It is not a single incident of custodial death in our country. We still haven't forgotten the brutal killing of the private varsity student Shamim Reza Rubel in DB custody in 1998. According to Ain O Shalish Kendra 150 persons were killed in custody only in nine months in 2016. In March this year, acting president of Chhatra Dal Tejgaon unit Zakir Hossain Milon died after police allegedly tortured him in their custody. In another incident in May last year, a sexagenarian man arrested in a case in Bishwanath Upazila in Sylhet died in police custody. That means none is getting respite from torture in police custody -from youth to sexagenarian. Detectives of Dhaka Metropolitan Police earlier claimed that Ashraf fell sick while in custody and was taken to DMCH around 12:30pm on Sunday. He died hours later while awaiting some medical tests. Detectives, however, denied torturing Ashraf. DB said they picked up Ashraf, along with his wife Ripa and father-in-law Alal, on Saturday to interrogate them in connection with a kidnapping incident. Ashraf, son of late Samad Sheikh of Jamalpur, was a driver of Ashulia DB police and he quit his job around a year ago, the victim's family said. Police on Sunday claimed that they had released Ashraf's wife and her father. But his death occurred in the custody of the DB, which prompts one to ask if police are free to kill people by torture after taking them into their custody? Are they not bound by the Constitution which prohibits torture and guarantees life? It seems our police are not aware that they are our people's police and not anybody's private force for doing crimes. The police should feel accountable for any killing by anybody, but they are not taking their responsibility seriously. That is not good for the reputation of the police as protectors of life. Prices of essentials generally increase during Ramzan Govt's special monitoring cell to remain vigil Syed Shemul Parvez : Prices of some essentials, whose consumption goes up during Ramzan are on the rise despite adequate supply, much to the worries of the consumers. During Ramzam, a group of dishonest businessmen became desperate to make hefty profits. By making syndicates they raise prices of Ramzan-based products. Because of this, consumers are forced to pay extra, it was alleged. According to consumers, prices of chickpea, sugar, garlic, lentil and cooking oil, which are used largely during the month of fasting, jump up compared with those a month ago. To keep the prices under control, the National Consumers Rights Protection Directorate's special market monitoring cell' will remain vigil in the city's kitchen markets to keep the prices stable. "This year, the government does not want to give any opportunity to the dishonest businessmen for raising the prices of the essentials during Ramzan," Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal said this while speaking at a discussion recently on the prices of essential commodities and the law and order situation. Replying to a query, the Home Minister said the government has taken a strong stand against corruption and extortion. The government will show zero tolerance towards the extortionists -- be it policemen or civilians, he added. Kamal said, "If a police member is found guilty of extortion or corruption, the government will take immediate action against him or her." On the other hand, the traders assured the minister that the supply and stock of the product is still good. So, the prices of the goods will not increase if the syndicate is not present, they added. Shafiqul Islam Laskar, Director General of National Consumers Rights Protection Directorate told the Media that every year the Commerce Minister generally meets with the traders on the market situation just a week before Ramzan. But this year he met with them a month ago. The minister requested the traders to look at the prices of the essentials so that their prices are not increased, he said. Shafiqul Islam also said that the special monitoring cell will start monitoring the market very soon so that traders cannot raise the prices of the products during Ramzan. Apart from this, this campaign will also be conducted throughout the country. Those who will do immoral activities, the law will take action against them. If necessary, the concerned establishments will be fined and sealed. Meanwhile, market analysts said that this year, the availability of essential products in the country is much more than the demand. Therefore, it is no longer possible to increase the prices of goods during Ramzan. ICC seeks BD opinion to run case on Myanmar atrocities The International Criminal Court (ICC) has wanted to know Bangladesh's opinion on whether The Hague-based court has jurisdiction to run a case on atrocities against Rohingyas. The pre-trial chamber of the ICC has sent a letter in this regard on Monday and sought Bangladesh's opinion by June 11 either publicly or confidentially. "The Chamber hereby invites the competent authorities of Bangladesh to submit written observations, either publicly or confidentially, on the prosecutor's request no later than 11 June," reads the letter, a copy of which obtained by UNB. The Chamber invited the competent authorities of Bangladesh to submit written observations, either publicly or confidentially, on the three specific matters. These are (i) the circumstances surrounding the presence of members of the Rohingya people from Myanmar on the territory of Bangladesh; (ii) the possibility of the Court's exercise of territorial jurisdiction over the alleged deportation of members of the Rohingya people from Myanmar into Bangladesh; and (iii) any other matter in connection with the prosecutor's request that, in the opinion of the competent authorities of Bangladesh, would assist the Chamber in its determination of this request. The Chamber ordered the registrar to notify this decision to the competent authorities of Bangladesh together with a copy of the prosecutor's request. A senior official at the Foreign Ministry said the government received the letter and is considering the matter. Reading the content of the letter, the official said, Bangladesh has been affected due to influx from Myanmar and the chamber thinks is it right to seek opinion from Bangladesh. On April 9, the prosecutor submitted her request in pursuant to regulation 46(3) of the regulations of the Court and article 19(3) of the Rome Statute. On April 11, the President of the Pre-Trial Division assigned the prosecutor's request to the Chamber. In the request, the prosecutor seeks a ruling from the Chamber on the question whether the Court may exercise jurisdiction over the alleged deportation of more than 670,000 members of the Rohingya people from Myanmar into Bangladesh. The specific legal matter arising from this request is whether the Court may exercise territorial jurisdiction over alleged acts of deportation of persons from the territory of Myanmar (a State not party to the Statute) into the territory of Bangladesh (a State party to the Statute. Rule 103(1) of the Rules of Procedure and Evidence provides that any stage of the proceedings, a Chamber may, if it considers it desirable for the proper determination of the case, invite or grant leave to a State, organization or person to submit, in writing or orally, any observation on any issue that the Chamber deems appropriate." Bangladesh has been particularly affected by the events concerning the deportation of Rohingya people from Myanmar. Accordingly, the Chamber considers it appropriate to seek observations from the competent authorities of Bangladesh on the prosecutor's request. Such observations would, in these particular circumstances, assist the Chamber in its determination of the Request sub judice. Bangladesh currently has a Rohingya population, which is far more than Bhutan's entire population. Bhutan has around 800,000 people whereas Bangladesh had to give shelter to some 1.2 million Rohingyas. Bangladesh and Myanmar signed a repatriation agreement on November 23, 2017. On January 16, Bangladesh and Myanmar signed a document on 'Physical Arrangement' which will facilitate the return of Rohingyas to their homeland from Bangladesh. The 'Physical Arrangement' stipulates that the repatriation will be completed preferably within two years from the start of repatriation but the repatriation on the ground is yet to take place. Yes, the decision belongs on the local level No, no one should be able to dictate whether people wear masks Vote View Results The Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange (ADX), the regions leading financial market, listed today a sovereign bond through a private placement for the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development (ADFD) issued by the Government of Maldives. The bond, denominated in US dollars, was listed by the Maldives Ministry of Finance and Treasury on the Abu Dhabi Exchange Securities Market and is worth $100 million with a five year maturity (2023) and a coupon rate of 5.5 per cent per annum. The bonds are rated B+ by Fitch Ratings, said a statement from ADFD. This historic listing is the first foreign sovereign bond to have a primary listing on any stock market in the UAE and the region, reflecting the Exchanges leading position in the international market in part thanks to its advanced technical and organisational infrastructure, it stated. Dr Hussain Niyaz, Ambassador of the Republic of Maldives to the UAE rang the opening bell in ADX to mark the start of trading; in the presence of Mohammed Saif Al Suwaidi, the director-general of ADFD and Rashed Al Blooshi, the chief executive of ADX, and representatives from First Abu Dhabi Bank (FAB), as the arranger and lead manager on this transaction. Dr Niyaz said that the Maldives recognises and appreciates the important role that ADFD has played in the development of Maldives over the past four decades, providing financing in areas of infrastructure development, transport, telecommunication, housing and energy. In 2017, ADFD provided $50 million to primarily finance the development of a new terminal at Velana International Airport. Al Suwaidi highlighted the supporting role of ADFD to the Maldivian government and the financial aid it has given it to develop infrastructure projects. He pointed out that ADFD is providing financial assistance to a number of developing countries in various continents, including the Maldives, with whom they have held a relationship since 1976. ADFD supported Maldives in financing Dh550 million for the countrys sustainable economic development, he added. Al Suwaidi said the process of listing sovereign bonds in ADX for ADFD is indicative of the ongoing successful implementation of its investment strategy. "ADFD pursues a two-pronged investment strategy in this area, including direct investment in selected companies across different countries, and the management of available liquidity in a way that enables revenue to support its financial resources. The Fund invests in 15 strategic companies, four private portfolios with a total value of Dh3 billion," he added. Al Blooshi said the listing reaffirms ADXs leading position across the region, given the confidence of governments in ADX, as well as its technical and organisational readiness to list and trade fixed income instruments, and its adoption of an advanced settlement and clearing system. "ADX seeks to become the preferred listing and trading platform, and works on consolidating its position as a leading market in the region by providing the most innovative products and services to ensure a fair and secure investment environment," he added.-TradeArabia News Service Mashreq Bank, a leading bank in the UAE, plans to enter the non-bank financial institution (NBFI) space in India through an engagement with IL&FS Financial Services to offer external commercial borrowings (ECB) in Indian rupees. Through the IL&FS Group, Mashreq will serve the Indian market across various verticals including financial services, power, transport infrastructure, real estate, and education, providing new avenues for Indian companies to borrow from overseas markets. Ahmed Abdelaal, head - Corporate & Investment Banking Group of Mashreqbank said: We are pleased to have come to an agreement with IL&FS Group, one of the largest institutions in India. Through this agreement, we have provided an opportunity for corporate institutions across India to borrow from the International market on terms specific to the Rupee. This allows the borrower to expand their funding sources without any exchange risk, with marginal savings in pricing and elongated tenor. This borrowing facility is extended through the automatic route of the Rupee External Commercial Borrowings Guidelines issued by Reserve Bank of India (RBI). Ramesh C Bawa, managing director & CEO of IL&FS Financial Services said: The collaboration between IL&FS (through IL&FS Financial Services) and Mashreq Bank will go a long way to support the capital raised for infrastructure development in India. We have been actively working with several institutions globally on innovative funding models, this ECB is a testimony of the same. Such foreign borrowings not only complement the efforts of domestic institutions to fund infrastructure projects but also help in diversification of funding sources. We look forward to further strengthening this relationship and grow the India-UAE business corridor. IL&FS Group was the pioneer in raising the first ever ECB in Indian Rupees, popularly referred to as Masala Loans, in November 2016. Historically NBFIs predominantly borrowed from banks and other institutions in their domestic market. Through this agreement, Mashreq Bank has opened new avenues for external commercial borrowings funded through the UAE and disbursed in Indian Rupees. TradeArabia News Service Autodesk University (AU) Middle East returned for its sixth edition, welcoming over 500 architects, designers, engineers and the next generation of digital transformers from around the world to experience the Future of Making Things. The two-day all access event which kicked off yesterday (May 7) was hosted at the Zayed University Convention Centre in Academic City, Dubai, UAE. This year, AU Middle East is focusing on the Future of Making Things, driven by its overarching philosophy of building more, better, with less. Throughout the event, attendees saw how their peers are using emerging technologies like generative design, augmented and virtual reality, robotics and additive manufacturing, and received insights into new advances in cloud technology like Fusion 360 and BIM 360. As we step into the new age of the fourth industrial revolution, it is critically important to understand the tremendous manifold challenges that we face today, and how latest technologies are disrupting the way we make things, remarked Louay Dahmash, the head of Autodesk Middle East, as he welcomed all those present at AU Middle East 2018. Artificial Intelligence (AI), robotics, virtual reality and 3D printing will herald a new era of making things. At Autodesk, our goal is to help people to thrive in this new era, and this is our driving impetus for pioneering new paradigms across industries," noted the top official. Citing the example of the Gulf region and the UAE, in particular, Dahmash said: "With UAE Vision 2021, Dubai 3D Printing Strategy, and other visionary ambitions, there is tremendous potential to create global standards and templates for the world to emulate." "Throughout AU Middle East, our goal is to inspire the regional design and make community via insightful keynotes, interactive exhibits, specialized industry classes and premium networking opportunities," he noted. Talking about Dubais focal position as the driver for change in the region, Lynelle Cameron, VP of Sustainability at Autodesk shared her vision for the Future of Making Things, and how Autodesk will help customers build more, better, with less negative impact on the world. "The Middle East has embraced sustainability as vital to its future success, and is showing the world how technology can help unify industries and drive growth in sustainable developments, spurring economies and job creation," observed Cameron. "The region, particularly here in Dubai, is aware of the environmental challenges ahead, and the need for a more sustainable construction industry. With leading examples like the Dubai governments BIM mandate, we can look forward to significant adoption of technology in construction, reducing waste and improving efficiency in many areas, she stated. Continuing on the topic of innovations, engineering firms behind upcoming Museum of the Future and Kuwaits ambitious International Childrens Hospital, BuroHappold and SSH respectively, lent insights into how Building Information Modelling (BIM), VR, and cloud computing have helped manifest complex and ground-breaking designs into reality. Speaking on the second day of AU Middle East was Tatjana Dzambazova, AI Strategist at Office of CTO Autodesk. As one of the few pioneering women in her field of expertise, Dzambazova addressed the many questions that AU attendees had on the role of AI in revolutionising the manufacturing and construction industries in the region, particularly with regard to the UAEs announcement to use AI in all federal road projects and how that will radically transform the way infrastructure projects are carried out in the UAE. Attendees also had the opportunity to explore the Autodesk Gallery to observe stories of exceptional design and engineering from across the globe that gave an in-depth look as to how Autodesk has helped talented individuals imagine, design, and make a better world. In addition, Autodesk showcased how VR and real-time technologies are bringing architectural designs to life all while exploring insights in the Gulf region on the value of BIM, and what factors are holding back entities from adopting it. What we see happening today in the construction industry is a transformation into one that is more creative, inclusive and sustainable. This should fill all of us with a sense of optimism about taking the steps in the right direction. Lets together aim to build more, better, with less, he added.-TradeArabia News Service Serco Middle East, an international services company, said it has been awarded a contract by Dammam Airports Company (Daco) for installation of cutting-edge fire and rescue services equipment at the upcoming airport in the Saudi city. Besides the Serco deal, Daco also signed an agreement with Vanderlande, the global market leader for value-added logistic process automation at airports, at the ongoing 18th Airport Show in Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre. Under this agreement, the two entities will work on introducing a state-of-the-art baggage handling system at King Fahd International Airport in Dammam that will help make travel procedures smoother for airport personnel, passengers and airlines, it said. As part of Dacos agreement with Vanderlande, the global market leader for value-added logistic process automation at airports, the two entities will work on introducing a state-of-the-art baggage handling system at King Fahd International Airport (KFIA) that will help make travel procedures smoother for airport personnel, passengers and airlines, it said. Daco said the agreement with Serco Middle East will help make KFIA the first Saudi airport to leverage an international service providers expertise in fire-fighting systems and also boost the airports safety standards in line with its existing firefighting protocols. Daco CEO Turki Abdullah Al Jawini said: "Guided by our vision to transform airports and redefine the travel experience, our efforts in the last 10 months have focussed on expanding the airports operational efficiency, as it witnesses a steady growth in passenger traffic and an increased demand for commercial services." "We are pleased to partner with global leaders like Vanderlande and Serco Middle East to execute our long-term plans for the airport, and transform it into a major hub for air transportation within the region and beyond," he added. Serco Middle East CEO David Greer said: "As a globally recognised fire and rescue services provider, we are pleased to enter this agreement with Dammam Airports Company that has been mandated to oversee the operations of the KFIA." "Passenger safety and security are among the most critical aspects of airport operations, and we are delighted to utilise our industry-leading expertise in providing cutting-edge fire and rescue solutions to enhance the airports security procedures," he added. Vanderlande CEO Remo Brunschwiler said: "Our company is pleased to support Daco in its efforts to create a world-class airport experience and seamless travel experience for the airports growing passenger traffic." "Our state-of-the-world baggage handling system will not only boost the facilitys operational efficiency, but also positively impact all aspects of the passenger journey," he added.-TradeArabia News Service For UAE businesses, the adoption of AI offers a unique opportunity to radically enhance their competitive advantage through new offerings, sharper value propositions, and more efficient processes, said an industry expert. We are witnessing increasing commitment from GCC governments and corporations when it comes to bringing AI to the mainstream. The launch of the UAE Strategy for Artificial Intelligence is the first of its kind in the world and will address a variety of future services, sectors and infrastructure projects, added Joerg Hildebrandt, senior partner & managing director at BCG Middle East, a top management consulting firm. While companies are expecting a lot from AI, few are actually using it. Our event aimed to demystify the technology and demonstrating its tangible benefits for organizations. Hildebrandt was speaking at the recently held the annual BCG Middle East CEO Forums, an invitation-only event hosted the Boston Consulting Group (BCG). BCG hosts its annual forum with the overall objective of encouraging discourse to drive the agenda forward, and 2018s forums saw internationally renowned speakers discussed the most pressing issues related to artificial intelligence (AI), enabling attendees to discover new pools of value and competitive advantage for their businesses. The event was held at Palazzo Versace Dubai, UAE and CEOs from a variety of industries attended. During the event a number of topics related to AI including the evolution from programming to learning, humanizing AI to create a better future and the new role of management with AI, were discussed. The Forum welcomed esteemed speakers from across the globe who shared their knowledge, expertise and thoughts around AI. Attendees of the Forum also received a live-demonstration of a humanized AI-personality, where the audience interacted with a digital human named Rachel. The live-demonstration gave the guests a first-hand experience of what the future of AI will bring to the world. AI is not some complex and mysterious tool; it is a very real technology that can enhance your business. Participating in this leadership event was incredibly insightful; the GCC as a whole is considering AI as part of its government strategies, and businesses in the region are very keen to adopt this new technology; the CEO Forum demonstrated ways to make AI work in the business environment, said Dr Yves Morieux, director of the BCG Institute for Organization. - TradeArabia News Service Dammam Airports Company (Daco) has signed two strategic agreements at the ongoing 18th Airport Show, taking place in Dubai, UAE. The event which opened yesterday (May 7) will run until May 9, at the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre (DICEC). The agreements were signed with Vanderlande and Serco Middle East, said a statement. As part of Dacos agreement with Vanderlande, the global market leader for value-added logistic process automation at airports, the two entities will work on introducing a state-of-the-art baggage handling system (BHS) at King Fahd International Airport (KFIA) that will help make travel procedures smoother for airport personnel, passengers and airlines, it said. The agreement with Serco Middle East, is to install cutting-edge fire and rescue services at the airport. The contract, which makes KFIA the first Saudi airport to leverage an international service providers expertise in fire-fighting systems, will help raise the airports safety standards in line with its existing firefighting protocols, it added. Turki Abdullah Al Jawini, chief executive officer of Dammam Airports Company, said: Guided by our vision to transform airports and redefine the travel experience, our efforts in the last 10 months have focussed on expanding the airports operational efficiency, as it witnesses a steady growth in passenger traffic and an increased demand for commercial services. We are pleased to partner with global leaders like Vanderlande and Serco Middle East to execute our long-term plans for the airport, and transform it into a major hub for air transportation within the region and beyond, he said. David Greer, chief executive officer, Serco Middle East, said: As a globally recognised fire and rescue services provider, we are pleased to enter this agreement with Dammam Airports Company that has been mandated to oversee the operations of the KFIA. Passenger safety and security are among the most critical aspects of airport operations, and we are delighted to utilise our industry-leading expertise in providing cutting-edge fire and rescue solutions to enhance the airports security procedures, he added. Remo Brunschwiler, chief executive officer, Vanderlande, said: Our company is pleased to support the Dammam Airports Company in its efforts to create a world-class airport experience and seamless travel experience for the airports growing passenger traffic. Our state-of-the-world baggage handling system will not only boost the facilitys operational efficiency, but also positively impact all aspects of the passenger journey, he added. TradeArabia News Service Markazia, the sole distributor of Toyota, Lexus and Hino trucks in Jordan, has reopened following rehabilitation and refurbishment works on one of its Body and Paint facilities in the Marka area. The rehabilitation works were part of Markazia's ongoing efforts to enhance customer experience and provide timely services, said a statement. On this occasion, Markazia organised a special reopening ceremony at the headquarters of the facility, in the presence of the president of Markazia, George Haddad; and general manager Nadim Haddad, the manager of the facility, and a number of department heads and staff, who gathered in order to celebrate this achievement together, it said. The facility is characterised by its use of modern tools and equipment to keep up with the latest developments in the area of maintenance, and is equipped to deal with different types and levels of damage, such as painting furnaces, thermal paint systems, dry sanding equipment, and a dedicated Smart Repair Section. These state-of-the-art technologies are combined with the extensive expertise of the facility's technical team, ensuring efficiency and productivity, and maximising the amount of care and attention provided, to reach the levels needed to help bring cars back to their original performance. Thereby helping to prolong vehicle life and maintain high resale value. In addition, numerous safety and security tools were made available to the technical team and staff members responsible for body and paint work at the facility, wherein an area was allocated to store all safety equipment available, facilitating easy access for each and every team member. Moreover, Markazia has been able, through the renovation of this facility, to provide a unique experience for customers as well, through the provision of an allotted waiting area, so that they may wait for their cars to be repaired in comfort, saving them both time and effort. Haddad said: Our goal is to provide our customers with real value for money, and to provide them with exceptional experiences in all aspects pertaining to their vehicles, and throughout their ownership of them. We, therefore, decided to carry out these renovations at our Marka location. This step is in line with our Japanese philosophy of Kaizen, which means continuous improvement and development. he said. This facility is distinguished not only by its use of modern technology and techniques, but also by providing its technicians and maintenance personnel with a healthy environment that is conducive of work and productivity, he added. It also takes into account all the required safety standards and procedures, as we believe that superior service can only be provided by a team comfortable in their working environment, and in a continuous process of learning, in order to acquire all the relevant skills, he concluded. Markazia now welcomes its customers at three specialised maintenance shops, spread across the areas of Al Bayader and Marka, as well as two dedicated Body and Paint Facilities in the same areas, it stated. TradeArabia News Service US President Donald Trump said his country was pulling out of an international agreement aimed at stopping Tehran from obtaining a nuclear bomb and it will be reimposing economic sanctions on Iran. The decision is likely to raise the risk of conflict in the Middle East, upset Americas European allies and disrupt global oil supplies, a Reuters report said. I am announcing today that the United States will withdraw from the Iran nuclear deal, Trump said at the White House. In a few moments, I will sign a presidential memorandum to begin reinstating US nuclear sanctions on the Iranian regime. We will be instituting the highest level of economic sanctions. A CCN report said President Trump called the Iran deal "a great embarrassment to me as a citizen and to all citizens of the United States." "A constructive deal could easily have been struck at the time. But it wasnt," Trump said. "At the heart of the Iran deal was a giant fiction that a murderous regime desired only a peaceful nuclear energy program." The 2015 Iran deal, negotiated under former President Barack Obama gave Iran relief from sanctions in exchange for limits on its nuclear activities. President Trump was asked by a reporter how withdrawing from the deal would make America safer. "This will make America much safer," Trump said, in response. "Thank you very much." The 2015 deal, worked out by the US, five other international powers and Iran, eased sanctions on Iran in exchange for Tehran limiting its nuclear programme. Trump says the agreement, the signature foreign policy achievement of Trumps predecessor Barack Obama, does not address Irans ballistic missile programme, its nuclear activities beyond 2025 nor its role in conflicts in Yemen and Syria. Iran has ruled out renegotiating the agreement and threatened to retaliate, although it has not said exactly how, if Washington pulled out. Meanwhile, on North Korea, Trump said President Trump said his secretary of state Mike Pompeo is currently en route Pyongyang to continue preparations for his upcoming summit with Kim Jong Un. "Plans are being made, relationships are building," Trump said. Pompeo previously travelled to North Korea on Easter weekend for talks. Kuwait-based Jazeera Airways has announced the launch of its three weekly flights to Tbilisi, Georgia, from June 13. Following our successful launch to Baku last year, we are extending our reach to address a growing travel demand for popular choices outside of the region. Tbilisi is a fascinating city with wonderful architecture and provides a really diverse and unique cultural experience, which travellers from Kuwait will enjoy. Additionally, the new route will open connections from Tbilisi to Kuwait and onwards to Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Dubai and India, said CEO of Jazeera Airways, Rohit Ramachandran. Ideal for all travellers looking to explore short breaks, Jazeera Airways will provide a frequency of three weekly flights scheduled for departure at 14:50 pm and arrival at 18:20 pm in Shota Rustaveli Tbilisi International Airport and departure at 19:10 pm with arrival in Kuwait at 20:45 pm. Located between Europe and Asia, Tbilisi is an industrial and multicultural city that features many art galleries and renowned artists tourist attractions, including the Memorial history of Georgia, Dancing fountains, Tbilisi Opera and ballet theatre, Freedom Monument, Jumah Mosque, Tbilisi Great Synagogue, Rustaveli Avenue, Narikala Fortress and the Mtatsminda Pantheon. Head of the Georgian National Tourism Administration, George Chogovadze, said: We are delighted to welcome Jazeera Airways to the Georgian market. The GCC region is among our top priority markets and it is the fastest growing market for inbound tourism. Our team will closely collaborate with Jazeera Airways on joint marketing campaigns to further promote Georgia in Kuwait and the rest of the GCC region. We wish Jazeera Airways the best of luck and look forward to a fruitful partnership! Jazeera has appointed Voyager as its general sales agent in Georgia to promote and sell flights through the Georgian travel trade. Mariam Kvrivishvili, general director of Voyager, said: "It is an honour and privilege to represent Jazeera Airways in the Georgian market. They have built a great reputation as a low-cost champion in Kuwait and the Gulf region, hence I believe this truly is an important step for the development of Georgias tourism sector, as well as the promotion of the countrys travel potential across Jazeera Airways network. I strongly believe that the partnership between Voyager and Jazeera Airways will develop dynamically and further support the achievement of mutually beneficial goals set forth by both countries." Jazeera Airways will soon be opening its new terminal at Kuwait International Airport, bringing an enhanced passenger experience to its customers. Passengers flying with Jazeera Airways can enjoy a baggage allowance of 30kg for Economy class and 50kg per Business class passenger. - TradeArabia News Service Dubai International Airport (DXB) has reduced its immigration counter process to six seconds compared to 40 seconds before, thanks to Data intelligence as 90 per cent of passengers are pre-cleared, a senior official revealed. Participating in a panel discussion Airport Collaborative Decision Making (A-CDM) at the Global Airport Leaders Forum (GALF) running parallel to the Airport Show, Thani Al Zaffin, director general and Board Member of emaratech, said: Our goal is to make the customer happy with the enjoyable experience. He also talked about the smart trolleys. We have invested in intelligent trolleys which will guide passengers to everything and all the way to the boarding gate." Industry experts said smart airports will improve passengers experience and it will help diversify the airports income streams significantly with the implementation of new technologies. Non-aeronautical revenue sources car parking, land rents, terminal concession, and advertising - contribute significantly to global airport revenues. In its latest report, the Airport Council International (ACI) mentioned that non-aeronautical revenues of airports account for around 40 per cent of the total revenues. In 2016 global airports generated $152 billion total revenues, according to ACI. A three-member panel, moderated by PA Consulting Partner David Huttner, debated ways to diversify airports income streams as new technology comes in. Responding to the moderator question, Airport International Group chief executive officer Kjeld Binger said: Size and region matter for digital transformation. Giving examples of Asia Pacific and America, Kjeld said: Its all about knowing your customer. You need to know your customer and customers needs in order to try to target your efforts in advertising. But even then, its not just a straightforward situation. The level of technical expertise in various regions are different. Another panellist, PS Nair, chief executive officer of GMR Group, said: When we took over Delhis Indira Gandhi International Airport, the commercial revenue was negligible. Today, the same airport is ranked number 1 in the world in service quality. GMR Group operates Rajiv Gandhi International Airport, Hyderabad and Mactan Cebu International Airport in the Philippines. Panellists at the Airport Privatisation and Infrastructure Financing put the spotlight on airport privatisation, especially Saudi Arabia, where the GCC regions largest country is privatising its airports by way of concession process. The moderator of the panel - Dr Fethi Chebil, director general of PrivateAir Saudi Arabia - noted that Saudi Arabia is trying three main models for the privatisation of its airports in the country. The first method is to corporatise the management of the airport, which was done for Dammam and Riyadh airports, the second model is public-private-partnership (P3) and the third one is management contract, which was done in Jeddah recently. He also highlighted two financing models government and private. - TradeArabia News Service Washington and Beijing clashed this weekend over Chinese demands that more than 30 international airlines, including some US carriers, change their websites to remove any information that could suggest that Taiwan, Hong Kong or Macau are not part of China. CNN reports in its article Why US companies are changing their websites to please China that the pressure on the airlines is just the latest flashpoint over how Beijing treats American companies. The White House, which slammed the demands as "Orwellian nonsense," said they are "part of a growing trend by the Chinese Communist Party to impose its political views on American citizens and private companies." But some airlines, including America's Delta (DAL) and Australia's Qantas (QABSY), have already said they are taking steps to comply with China's demands, highlighting the eagerness of global corporations to keep on Beijing's good side. 'A small price to pay' "Air travel is growing faster in China than anywhere else and airlines are desperate to get their share," said Clive Hamilton, a public ethics professor at Australia's Charles Sturt University. "For them, kow-towing politically is a small price to pay." With its growing middle class, China is a big opportunity for global airlines. The International Air Transport Association forecast last year that China would surpass the United States as the world's top aviation market by 2020. China hasn't spelled out what the punishments might be for failing to comply with its demands. But it recently blocked Marriott (MAR) websites and apps for a week in the country after the company listed Tibet, Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan as separate countries in emails and apps. Marriott issued a profuse public apology over the matter. China considers self-governed Taiwan to be an integral part of its territory, and comes down hard on any suggestions to the contrary. Hong Kong and Macau are former European colonies that were returned to China in the late 1990s, becoming regions with a large degree of administrative autonomy. Tibet has been under Beijing's control since 1951. "Foreign companies operating in China should respect China's sovereignty and territorial integrity, abide by Chinese laws and respect the Chinese people's national feelings," Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Geng Shuang said in a statement Sunday responding to the criticism from the White House. 'An intimidating presence' Other major US companies have also been taking steps to change how they describe Taiwan. American Express (AXP), Goldman Sachs (GS) and Citibank (C) have all updated online information in the last several months in a way that softens or removes suggestions that China and Taiwan are separate countries, according to cached versions of their sites. None of them admitted to making the changes because of a specific request from the Chinese government. American Express said the change was "part of a routine update," while Goldman and Citi didn't comment. But experts say Beijing is effective at prompting businesses to censor themselves. "They don't always spell out specifically what you have to do, but they create an intimidating presence," said William Reinsch, a senior adviser at the Center for Strategic and International Studies. "You fix it yourself before they tell you what to do." Trade secrets Changing information on websites is a minor issue for companies compared with some of the choices they face over doing business in China. International corporations have long complained that China has strong-armed them into handing over trade secrets in exchange for market access. In some sectors, Beijing will only let foreign firms operate through joint ventures in which Chinese partners have the majority stake. The Trump administration has pointed to those kinds of practices as the reason for US plans to slap tariffs on tens of billions of dollars of Chinese goods, a move that has intensified fears of a trade war between the two countries. But Hamilton, the ethics professor, said the recent pressure China is putting on airlines about Taiwan could be a sign of things to come. "As long as Beijing gets away with it, its political demands on companies will only escalate," he said. The number of refugees and migrants attempting to enter Europe from Turkey through Greece via land routes has increased since the beginning of the year. Xinhua reports in its article Spotlight: Migrants crossing from Turkey to Greece via land routes in sharp rise that according to the United Nations Refugee Agency (UNHCR), 2,900 people have arrived in the eastern Greek province of Evros (Meric in Turkish). The river border separates Greece from Turkey since April, and most of the people were from Syria and Iraq. The number is half the estimated land arrivals recorded in all of 2017, by far surpassing the number who arrived by sea, the UNHCR spokesperson Charlie Yaxley said on April 27. Hundreds of people are currently being held in police detention facilities for processing by Greek authorities in Evros, the UNHCR said. The agency spokesperson called on the Greek government to urgently expand reception capacity of camps to ease the strain. "Hundreds of people are at present being held in police detention facilities," he said noting that at least eight people have died since the start of the year attempting to cross the Evros River. "The increase in new arrivals is placing strain on the only Reception and Identification Centre in Evros, which is located at Fylakio. The center is filled beyond its 240-person capacity, including 120 unaccompanied and separated children," Yaxley said. Greece responded by sending some 120 extra police officers to the region, and has also called on the EU's border security agency Frontex to intervene. People that reach camps at Greek islands via Aegean Sea face difficult circumstances as the camps are vastly overcrowded and they have to wait months-long for those applying asylum there. The Aegean sea route between Turkey and Greece was the major way for migrants fleeing the Middle Eastern countries to get to Europe. However, the trend for migrants now turned to the land border between Turkey and Greece. The sea passage was closed after the European Union and Turkey agreed to stop the flow two years ago. Europe was alarmed over influx of Syrians in 2015 fleeing from the war-torn country to Europe through Turkish territory. In March 2016, the EU and Ankara made a deal to turn Syrian refugees arriving in Greece back to Turkey if their claim for asylum was rejected, while Syrian asylum seekers in Turkey would be resettled in Europe on a one-for-one basis. The agreement also aimed to speed up Turkey's accession into the block and visa-free travel for Turkish nationals within the Schengen area, on condition that Ankara meets requirements set by the EU. Turkey hosts more than 3.7 million migrants. The number of people illegally crossing the Aegean Sea to Greece from Turkey has dropped dramatically since the agreement. But, the land border does not appear to fall under the deal. Those who arrive via Evros river are given a three-month resident permit after registration, so that they can move around Greece, unlike those arrive in Greek islands through sea passage. The number of illegal crossings through Evros River to European countries increased after the fall of the water level in the river, local daily Hudut newspaper in northeastern Edirne province reported on May 2. In the past eight days, 336 undocumented migrants, including Syrians and Pakistanis that were trying to illegally reach Greece through the Evros were captured by the Turkish security force, while 516 others returned to Turkey after being deported by Greece authorities, daily Hudut reported. Beyond the warming weather, other reason of the increasing illegal crossings to Europe is most likely about raising numbers of people coming westwards from Syria, Iran and Iraq to Turkey, according to an expert. Along with Syrians, the number of people coming from Afghanistan to Turkey has also increased, said Metin Corabatir, president of the Ankara-based Research Center on Asylum and Migration. Corabatir said that the number of Afghans who entered Turkey via Iran has reached 20,000 in the past three months. Afghanistan has been ravaged by militant attacks this year, and the Afghan government has tightened security measures. Today, the Russian State Duma will consider the president's proposal to appoint Dmitry Medvedev as prime minister, who has already proposed candidates for the new government. In particular, Medvedev nominated Anton Siluanov to the office of the first deputy prime minister;Dmitry Kozak - deputy prime minister for energy and industry; Olga Golodets - deputy prime minister for culture and sports; Tatyana Golikova - deputy prime minister for social policy, labor, pensions and healthcare; Alexey Gordeev - deputy prime minister for agriculture; Vitaly Mutko - deputy prime minister for the construction sector. Commenting on the upcoming appointments, member of the State Duma committee for the federal structure and local self-government, Denis Parfenov, expressed the opinion that the composition of the deputy prime ministers may be adjusted: "Recently, due to the international situation, due to the government's heightened attention to the development of the defense sector, the group of [general director of the Rostec state corporation Sergey] Chemezov strengthened. I do not exclude that he may become a member of the government, which would be logical, based on those intra-elite processes that are currently taking place. Many people have enough ambitions. For example, if you remember, recently [former first deputy chief of the presidential administration, Vladislav] Surkov wrote an article about the fact that Russia is a half-blooded country and so on, with a clear claim to a strategic vision. Most likely he wants to join the government. But not all desires will come true." Commenting Dmitry Medvedev's re-appointment to the post of prime minister, Denis Parfenov said: "So this was shaping up to Dmitry Anatolyevich to remain at his current place. This means that alas many of the good wishes that were expressed in the solemn oath during the inauguration and in the president's speech made after it, will not come true. Unfortunately, the current composition of the government does not fulfill a significant part of those things that should have been done, as can be seen in the level of execution of the president's May decrees. New May decrees will probably be issued, there will be a new scope of work. It is obvious that while maintaining the current economic policy (this policy is completely corporate, focused on the interests of a rich minority, and all other categories of citizens, social strata have only its leftovers) we will increase the backlog from all the world's major powers. It's very disturbing... Of course, we need to change corporate policy to a socially oriented one, but it's impossible without changing the team." The first deputy chairman of the Duma defense committee, Alexander Sherin, was less categorical: "The government of the Russian Federation should include professionals who have successful experience in the area in which a person is nominated as minister. The main thing is that there should be experience in working with results that could be applied to whole Russia. If there are some governors, some managers of large enterprises that give a decent result not only at the level of the Russian Federation, but European and world standards, then why not use this experience in whole Russia. We would be pleasantly surprised if representatives of the parliamentary parties were included in the government of the Russian Federation." According to Sherin, the residents of the Russian Federation are concerned about the problems linked to public utilities rates, education, health care, infrastructure ... "The government of the Russian Federation should be formed including by package agreement, that is, one should listen to the opinion of parliamentary parties that have own specialists and professionals," the people's representative said. The deputy chairman of the Duma committee on culture Olga Kazakova hopes that the systemic work will not be stopped: "We have many partner projects with the government, many important social programs have been launched, including the improvement of the urban environment, the New School project and the Small Motherland Culture project. It is important that these projects were continued." Armenia's acting Defense Minister Vigen Sargsyan is expected to hand in his resignation today, an informed source told Interfax. The newspaper Zhoghovurd has reported that first deputy defense minister Artak Zakaryan and deputy defense minister Artak Davtyan may also resign today. Ararat Mirzoyan, an Armenian parliamentarian of the Elk opposition faction, which is led by candidate for prime minister Nikol Pashinyan, said earlier that David Tonoyan, who today holds the post of emergency situations minister, could be appointed defense minister in the country's new government. The J2-075 aircraft of Azerbaijan Airlines (AZAL), which was flying from Baku to Istanbul, has made an emergency landing at the Heydar Aliyev International Airport due to a technical reason. "The plane landed safely on 9:33 am (local time). The flight will be carried out with another plane," APA cited the AZAL press service as saying. A delegation of investigators from the United States' Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) will visit Armenia within the next few days, the Armenian newspaper Jamanak reported. "According to our information, the group will examine instances of illegal withdrawal of capital from Armenia. The investigators will focus on Armenian oligarchs and officials who have taken their illegal proceeds to the US and tried to legalize them there by purchasing real estate or setting up businesses," Interfax cited the newspaper as saying. This information has not been officially confirmed. Georgia's Interior Ministry reported at a special briefing that they have detained seven drug traffickers who possessed and sold drugs in especially large quantities. The drug dealers have not been identified. However, the ministry press speaker stated that one is a Turkish citizen who has been pursued by Georgian law enforcers for three months. The rest of the detainees are Georgians, only one with dual, Georgian-French citizenship, Agenda.ge reported. If convicted, the individuals will be sent to prison for 8-20 years for the possession and sale of especially large amount of drugs. The charge also envisages a life sentence. North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has traveled to China for a second time to meet Chinese President Xi Jinping ahead of a planned summit between North Korea and the US. The two leaders exchanged views on nuclear disarmament and the Korean peninsula "in a cordial and friendly atmosphere" with President Xi affirming close Sino-North Korean ties, "an unshakeable policy," Xinhua reported. This is the second visit to China by North Koreas Mr Kim, who also first traveled by armoured train to Beijing in March during which he met with Mr Xi as well as Wang Huning, a top Communist party official. Iran plans to deploy "very dangerous weapons" in Syria as part of a campaign to threaten Israel, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said. Iran, "openly calls, daily, for the destruction, the elimination of Israel from the face of the earth and practices unmitigated aggression against us," Netanyahu told reporters during a visit to Cyprus. "It is now seeking to plant very dangerous weapons in Syria for the specific purpose of our destruction," Reuters cited the Israeli PM as saying. Editor-in-Chief of the Echo newspaper Rauf Talishinsky has died in Baku yesterday aged 62, the deceaseds colleagues said. Talishinsky was born on 16 November 1956. He graduated from Moscow State University (Journalism) in 1978. He worked for the Molodyozh Azerbaydjana, Vyshka, and Izvestiya newspapers. In 1990, he began working for the newspaper 'Ayna' (Zerkalo) in a senior position. Since 27 January 2001, he was the editor-in-chief of the Echo newspaper. Talishinsky was awarded the title of Honored Journalist. The staff of Vestnik Kavkaza express their deepest condolences to the family, friends and colleagues of Rauf Talishinsky. Rauf Talishinsky was one of the best journalists of the post-Soviet space, the creator of the media outlet, which set an example of professional work on coverage and analysis of world and regional events, journalists and public figures said today, speaking with the correspondents of Vestnik Kavkaza. "First of all, he was a decent person and a real journalist," creative producer and the host of Vesti FM, Gia Saralidze, recalls. "Rauf Talishinsky absorbed all the good things that professional journalists have in their efforts to not only cover events but also analyze them. He had great intelligence and great heart - this is what I am going to remember about him." "There are very few people like Rauf Talishinsky, he was a very important person and journalist not only for Azerbaijan, but for the entire post-Soviet space," Saralidze stressed. The editor-in-Chief of the North Ossetia newspaper Alan Kasayev, also drew attention to the importance of Rauf Talyshinsky as an outstanding journalist and media leader on the scale of the entire post-Soviet space. "The newspaper he created has been widely known. I knew him very well, and I always communicated with him with great interest," he said. "His words were always significant in Azerbaijan, and among the representatives of the Azerbaijani diaspora, and among the journalistic community that dealt with coverage of the situation in Russia and in the CIS countries in general. His death is a personal grief for me. This is a great human and journalist loss," Alan Kasaev expressed his condolences. The People's Writer, chairman of the Azerbaijani Writers' Union Anar also expressed his condolences to the family, relatives and colleagues of Rauf Talishinsky. "He was a worthy person, editor of one of the most interesting Azerbaijani newspapers," Anar said. The People's Writer, secretary of the Azerbaijani Writers' Union, President of the Azerbaijani PEN Centre Chingiz Abdullayev expressed regret in connection with the fact that such people as Rauf Talishinsky die at such early age. "He was an outstanding journalist, a great professional and a wonderful person. It's very unfortunate that we lose such people. I think this is a very big loss for our journalism and our social life," the writer said. Journalist Oleg Kusov called Rauf Talishinsky an amazingly talented and perspicacious journalist and patriot of Azerbaijan. "Rauf and his associates showed the importance and the need for Russian-language media outlets in Azerbaijan," he said in the first place. "Rauf Talishinsky was one of those who laid the foundation for modern Azerbaijan's success. Of course, this is a very big loss for the Azerbaijani media. People will remember his work, including interviews and articles, for a long time," he concluded. A Russian Ka-52 helicopter crashed in Syria, both pilots were killed, the Russian Defense Ministry said. "A Russian helicopter Ka-52 crashed while on a routine flight over eastern regions of the Syrian Arab Republic. Both pilots were killed," the ministry said. The ministry added that a search and rescue team has taken the bodies to the home airfield. "According to early information, the incident may have been due to a technical malfunction," it said. Twenty six years have passed since the occupation of Azerbaijan's town of Shusha by Armenia's armed forces. Shusha, one of the unique cultural centers of Azerbaijan, is a city, characterized for its natural beauty, and is a valuable monument of national architecture and medieval urban art. Constantly keeping the Azerbaijani national-spiritual values and traditions of music, Shusha before forming as a city of great economic, political and cultural significance, has passed a rich way as a center of Karabakh khanate, played its role in the lives of the people of Azerbaijan. This city, which went down in history thanks to Gasim bey Zakir, Khurshidbanu Natavan, Mir Mohsun Navvab, Najaf bey Vezirov, Abdurrahim bey Hagverdiyev, Yusif Vazir Chemenzeminli, Firidun bey Kocharli, Ahmad bey Agaoglu and other eminent personalities, is known worldwide as the cradle of the Azerbaijani mugham. In 1977 at the initiative of the national leader Heydar Aliyev a decree "On the declaration of the historic part of the city of Shusha as historical and architectural reserve" was passed. Since that time, creative work in Shusha became widespread, house-museums of the great figures of our culture and arts Uzeyir bey Hajibeyli, Khurshidbanu Natavan and Bul-Bul were created, a mausoleum of an outstanding poet Molla Panah Vagif was built. As a result of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, the Republic of Azerbaijan, which adopted on October 18, 1991 relevant documents for the restoration of its national independence, came face to face with the aggressive policy of ethnic cleansing by Armenia. Given that the country which was undergoing profound political, economic and social crisis and finding ways out of from tense situation in Nagorno-Karabakh, has not yet formed its own national army, it relied only on voluntary assistance of self-defense units during defense of Shusha which has high military and strategic importance. However, despite the fact that they fought valiantly, and had a decent resistance, on May 8, 1992 the Armenian armed forces occupied Shusha. In that battle, 195 people defending Shusha were killed, 165 people injured, 58 people captured and taken hostage. During the occupation vandals looted the museums, stealing thousands of exhibits, destroyed hundreds of historical and cultural monuments, desecrated shrines and mosques, ruined a large number of rare manuscripts, destroyed education and health care institutions. US President Donald Trump said former Secretary of State John Kerry "cant get over the fact that he had his chance and blew it" with Iran. "John Kerry cant get over the fact that he had his chance and blew it! Stay away from negotiations John, you are hurting your country! Stay away from negotiations John, you are hurting your country!" Trump wrote on Twitter. Trump was reacting to reports that Kerry quietly has been promoting the Iran nuclear deal. Kerry was the lead negotiator on the deal for the Obama administration, the Times reported. Trump is set to announce today whether the US will exit the agreement reached in 2015 between Iran and world powers. Under the deal, Iran agreed to curb its nuclear weapons development in exchange the removal of economic sanctions. US President Donald Trump said he will announce his decision on the US participation in the nuclear accord between Iran and world powers on May 8. "I will be announcing my decision on the Iran Deal tomorrow from the White House at 2 p.m.," Trump tweeted on May 7. The announcement comes ahead of a May 12 deadline for the US administration to decide whether to keep supporting the landmark 2015 nuclear deal or reimpose sanctions on Iran. Trump has threatened to pull out of the deal by not extending sanctions waivers when they expire on May 12, unless European signatories of the accord fix what he has called "serious flaws." Meanwhile, the foreign ministers of Germany and France have joined Britains foreign minister in a public push to convince Trump not to pull out of the nuclear deal. Trump has also accused Iran of violating the spirit of the accord by supporting militant activity in the Middle East and by continuing to test ballistic missiles. HA NOI Platinum Victory Pte. Ltd, a whollyowned subsidiary of Singapore-based automotive group Jardine Cycle and Carriage (JC&C), has registered to purchase an additional 14.51 million shares of Viet Nams largest dairy producer Vinamilk. The purchase will be made via order-matching transactions or through the Viet Nam Securities Depository (VSD) between May 9 and June 7, 2018. If the transaction is successful, Platinum Victory will hold 160.1 million shares of Vinamilk, equivalent to 11.03 per cent ownership of the company. At the end of the trading session on May 7, the market price of Vinamilks shares was VN190,000 (US$8.33) per share. At this price, Platinum Victory will have to spend some VN2.76 trillion to increase its ownership in Vinamilk. Platinum Victory is currently the third-largest shareholder of Vinamilk, following State Capital Investment Corporation of Viet Nam with 36 per cent and Singapores food and beverages company Fraser and Neave Ltd with 20 per cent. JC&C, a subsidiary of Jardine Matheson, has been present in Viet Nam for over a decade. It now owns a 25.1 per cent stake in automobile producer Thaco and nearly 25 per cent in Refrigeration Electrical Engineering Corporation. In addition to operating in real estate, hotel and financial services, Jardine Matheson, the parent company of JC&C, holds shares of many franchise brands in Viet Nam, such as KFC and Pizza Hut. VNS At its annual general meeting earlier this year, the An Duong Trade and Investment Joint Stock Company suddenly announced plans to revive the once-popular Co Ba soap. Photo plo.vn HCM City Many well-known consumer brands of the past are making a comeback in Viet Nam, indicating a new-found confidence on the part of local companies to take on multinational rivals. At its annual general meeting earlier this year, the An Duong Trade and Investment Joint Stock Company suddenly announced plans to revive the once-popular Co Ba soap. The company is setting up a production line and distribution channel for the relaunch after a gap of one and a half years. The green soap with the image of a woman with her hair in a bun used to dominate the Vietnamese market and was sold in Cambodia, Laos, Hong Kong and several African nations. It is set to return with its familiar look and fragrance. The revival has caused some consternation because the company is in real estate and not in the consumer goods sector. An Duong plans to study consumer reaction before deciding what strategy to take. Da Lan toothpaste is another name from the past that is enjoying a renaissance. The brand had dominated the market in the early 1990s, but disappeared a few years later after entering into a joint venture with Colgate Palmolive. It reappeared in 2009 when the joint venture was wound up, and it has struggled to survive since. The product, along with other consumer goods made by International Cosmetics Company (ICC), has been sold mainly in rural areas. However, while many people remain fond of the name Da Lan, the brand did disappear for a long time and customers meanwhile got used to names like Unilever and Colgate. We are preparing for sustainable sales of Da Lan, Trinh Thanh Nhon, general director of ICC, told Nguoi Lao ong (Labourers) newspaper. With a distribution system now in place, ICC is focusing on technology, modern machinery, automatic equipment, management software, and IT applications. Careful preparation will help us to catch up with competitors, Nhon said. Lan Hao Cosmetics Production Ltd Cos Thorakao is the only Vietnamese brand in the fiercely competitive cosmetics market, which is dominated by foreign products. We have been growing slowly but steadily growth, Huynh Ky Tran, chairman of the company, said. Long-time customers of Thorakao recall a small shop at the corner of ien Bien Phu and Cach Mang Thang Tam streets in HCM Citys District 3, open from 8am to 5pm like an office. But things are different now. Recently the shop has been expanded and customers can now also buy Thorakaos products online with better packaging. We focus on research, Tran said. We do not spend on advertising and marketing. All we do is create good products, and customers will provide word-of-mouth publicity. He said the companys growth is based entirely on quality and no other factor like marketing. We may not grow fast but are sustainable. Thorakao now has a range of customers like workers and rural women, overseas Vietnamese and artists. Workers and rural woman choose Thorakao because of the cheap prices, overseas Vietnamese and artists like Thorakaos natural materials and quality. But its cheap prices also pose a challenge to appealing to rich customers. Sao Vang pain-relief balm used to be present in every Vietnamese household once upon a time. But sadly, over the years, it became just a memory until a year ago it made a comeback after the media discovered that it was sold on international e-commerce websites like Amazon and Ebay at US$5 7 for a box. Since then local e-commerce websites have started selling Sao Vang glue at much cheaper prices, and one more legend has been reborn. -- VNS The Cuu Long (Mekong) Delta region have improved their rankings in the Provincial Competitiveness Index (PCI). Photo baodautu.vn MEKONG DELTA The Cuu Long (Mekong) Delta region have improved their rankings in the Provincial Competitiveness Index (PCI), the head of Viet Nam Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI)s legal department has said. Speaking at a conference in PCI in 2017 held in Can Tho last week, au Anh Tuan said the PCI of the delta had risen rapidly last year, with some provinces leading the country in areas such as administrative reform. Delta authorities, for example, created the Business Coffee model in ong Thap Province and an Every Monday meeting with businesspeople in Can Tho City. Pham Thi Ngoc ao, deputy director of the provincial Department of Finance, said the meetings allow authorities and local enterprises to discuss problems and come up with solutions. Despite the progress in the PCI, the Deltas index of quality labourers has not yet changed in the last five years, and labour training facilities have improved only slowly, according to Nguyen Phuong Lam, deputy director of VCCI in Can Tho City. To attract investment from big enterprises, high-quality labourers play an important role. Only 10 per cent of labourers are trained in the delta, which has 10 million workers, as compared with the average level of labourers of 20 per cent in the country, according to a report in Tuoi Tre (Young) newspaper. The delta should have plans to attract high-quality labourers to the area, Tuan said. The other barriers include lack of good services to assist enterprises, and limited quality of execution in some departments and sectors. Vu Tien Loc, chairman of VCCI, said that to solve the problem, the authorities of the delta should create a District Competitiveness Index (DCI) like the northern province of Quang Ninh. The index measures the efficiency of economic management of the local government through eight criteria, including transparency, pro-active leadership, time costs of regulatory compliance, informal charges, policy bias, legal institutions, business support and accountability of leaders. In 2016, Quang Ninh ranked second out of 63 provinces and cities in provincial competitiveness index. VNS HCM CITY The cashew sector needs to restructure to achieve sustainable development, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development has said. A report it tabled at a cashew development conference in Binh Phuoc Province on May 5, said the country had 337,143ha under cashew at the end of last year, 4,410ha up from 2016. Since 2014, intensive farming techniques had increased productivity from less than one tonne per hectare to 1.2 tonnes, but it fell again in 2016 and 2017 due to the impacts of drought, unseasonable rains and diseases. There are more than 465 cashew processors with a total capacity of over 1.4 million tonnes a year, but nearly 70 per cent are small in size. There are around 20 large enterprises who make 15,400 tonnes of highly processed products like salt-roasted, butter-roasted and honey-roasted cashew, wasabi cashew, roasted sesame cashew, cashew nut candies and cookies and others for export. Viet Nam has been the worlds largest cashew exporter for many years, with shipments last year topping US$3.6 billion worth. However, the sector is not very efficient. Delegates at the conference blamed this on the fact too many enterprises are involved in exports. Many exporters do not even have processing facilities but buy nuts and export small volumes, creating unhealthy competition and affecting overall exports. Thus, exports of highly processed cashew accounts for only 5 per cent while semi-processed items account for the rest, they said. The sector faces challenges like low productivity, diseases, unfavourable weather and lack of linkages between production, processing and consumption. Delegates said cashew productivity could increase by 30-40 per cent if advanced cultivation techniques become widespread. This is a key requirement to develop the industry though other solutions such as replacing old trees, linking stakeholders in the production chain and increasing the rate of highly processed items should be focused on to enable sustainable development, they said. Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Nguyen Xuan Cuong said his ministry would focus on restructuring the sector with an emphasis on keeping the area under cultivation at 300,000ha and measures to double or even triple productivity. Businesses should invest in intensive processing and reorganise the production chain from production to export to enhance efficiency, he said. He urged them to develop the domestic market with top priorities given to high-quality products they could sell to tourists. The ministry would collaborate with the Viet Nam Cashew Association to organise the Golden Cashew festival every year to promote cashew products, he said. VNS State Capital Investment Corporation (SCIC) said it would offload capital in 121 businesses in 2018. Photo ndh.vn HA NOI State Capital Investment Corporation (SCIC) said it would offload capital in 121 businesses in 2018. The corporation expects to make an after-tax profit of VN5.4 trillion (US$237 million) this year, posting a 17 per cent year-on-year decrease. It has set a reduction in both revenue and after-tax profit. Accordingly, its revenue target this year is VN7.9 trillion, up 5.9 per cent from 2017. SCIC has successfully sold 30 per cent of capital at Binh Minh Plastic Joint Stock Company to Thailands Nawaplastic Industries to earn VN2.3 trillion. Nawaplastic Industries increased its shares to 51 per cent of total capital at Binh Minh Plastic JSC. SCIC plans to offload its stakes at Thieu nien Tien Phong Plastic Joint Stock Company, FPT Joint Stock Company and Viet Nam Construction and Import-Export Joint Stock Corporation (Vinaconex) again this year after a failure in 2017. Maritime Bank has the largest charter capital in SCICs list of selling shares this year with VN11.7 trillion. The divestment at the bank was unsuccessful as no investor registered within the deadline of March 21. Many large companies in the thermo-power sector will also be part of SCICs divestment plan, such as Quang Ninh Thermo-power Joint Stock Company and Hai Phong Thermo-power Joint Stock Company. The two companies have charter capital of VN4.5 trillion and VN5 trillion, respectively. Other major names in the divestment include Domesco Medical Import Export JSC, Bao Viet Group, Thang Long Corporation and Viet Nam Vegetable Oil Industry Corporation. Notably, the list of divestment this year does not have Viet Nam Dairy Product Joint Stock Company, Hau Giang Pharmaceutical Joint Stock Company and Viet Nam Military Joint Stock Commercial Bank. SCIC holds shares of 36 per cent, 43 per cent and 9.7 per cent in these three companies, respectively. It will sell shares at Viet Nam Dairy Product JSC following orders from the government. Established in 2006, SCIC operates with two main functions: representing the governments capital interests in State-owned enterprises and investing in State capital in key sectors and essential industries. VNS HA NOI Viet Nams exporters must self-verify the origin of their products that they export to the European Union (EU) from 2019 to be qualified for Generalised System of Preferences (GSP). The GSP is the tariff preference for developing countries. With the aim of integrating further into the global economy, Viet Nam has joined many free trade agreements (FTAs) that have the self-certification mechanism of origin. Self-certification of origin is a mandatory requirement of the EU for some countries, including Viet Nam. The Import and Export Agency under the Ministry of Industry and Trade said under the requirement, the responsibility for verifying product origin will be shifted from authorities to enterprises or exporters. Enterprises will have to perform all the steps themselves, meeting the requirements of product origin and be accountable for their accuracy. At the same time, it reduces the risk of licensing authorities and minimises the burden on customs. According to trade experts, this mechanism offers many benefits in terms of reducing time and cost of transaction, actively issuing commercial invoices, and helping businesses to know commitment on rules of origin in the FTA. Viet Nam currently has 2,700 Vietnamese enterprises exporting to the EU that enjoy the benefits of GSP and it will be quite a rush to force enterprises with self-certification of origin from early 2019, according to the ministry. The only difference is that instead of the authorities, the enterprise will issue its own C/O by including the line this product is qualified for GSP in their document and invoice. Enterprises becoming self-certifying exporters shows the trust of government agencies in businesses, in compliance with Viet Nams commitment to the FTA, said Tran Thanh Hai, deputy director of the Export and Import Agency. Vietnamese businesses will have around six months of transition time to reduce the burden on them. During this time, if enterprises are unable to self-verify the origin of their products, they can apply for certification of origin from the Viet Nam Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI) and the Ministry of Industry and Trade as usual. The ministry will still train, instruct and remain a place for business registry. In case any issue arises in the trading process, the agency will have information to collaborate with the EU to determine the source of goods and enterprises. When businesses self-certify the origin of their products, they are acting on the governments behalf. Experts said that if businesses do not comprehend the mechanism and the necessary requirements that can result in false certification, the outcome would not only affect the businesses but also to the whole nation. Hai said the ministry would assist enterprises by organising seminars that would provide information on the self-certification mechanism of origin and the training courses for enterprises in self-certifying the origin of goods. At present, the ministry has concentrated on developing a circular guiding enterprises to self-certify the origin of goods exported to the EU. After the issuance of the circular, the ministry will cooperate with the VCCI, the associations and branches as well as the enterprises to provide training courses and guidance that would help them certify their origin quickly and accurately. VNS HA NOI A fashion show of ao dai (Vietnamese traditional dress) designed taking inspiration from artist Van Duong Thanhs paintings will take place today in Ha Noi. The event is the finale of her solo exhibition Mother and Nature, organised at the Vietnamese Womens Museum, which has been running from March 8, to mark International Womens Day. The exhibition showcases 35 paintings selected from 1,700 artworks created by Thanh, the oldest of which was produced in 1977. The paintings were created using materials such as lacquer, oil on canvas and sculpture. The exhibition marks 35 years of Thanh working as a professional artist. Thanh will paint an artwork on the night and donate it to AmCham Vietnam. The painting Ha Noi In Summer (oil on canvas, 70cm by 90cm) will be auctioned on May 19 in Ha Noi to raise money for talented Vietnamese students. VNS Defendant Vu uc Thuan, PVCs former director general at the Supreme Peoples Court yesterday. VNA/VNS Photo Van iep HA NOI The Supreme Peoples Court yesterday began the appeal trial of the case on asset embezzlement and deliberately violating State regulations on economic management, causing severe consequences at PetroVietnam Construction JSC (PVC), a subsidiary of the national oil and gas giant PetroVietnam (PVN). Before the start of the appeal trial, Trinh Xuan Thanh, former chairman of PVC, withdrew his lodged appeal against the first-instance sentence handed down by the Ha Noi Peoples Court. Under the first instance sentence, Thanh was given life imprisonment on the charge of asset embezzlement and 14 years for deliberately violating State regulations on economic management, causing severe consequences. The combined penalty for both counts is life imprisonment.Thanh also asked for permission to be absent at the appeal trial due to health reasons. Therefore, the court will not consider Thanhs case at the appeal trial. As a result, the appeal trial will look at the appeals of 14 out of 22 defendants in the PVC case. Among them were inh La Thang, former chairman of the PVN, and Phung inh Thuc, former Director General of PVN, both of whom claimed they are innocent. Thang was given 13 years in jail and Thuc nine years on the charge of deliberately violating State regulations on economic management, causing severe consequences. The appeal interrogation yesterday afternoon focused on engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) package number 33 of the Thai Binh 2 Thermal Power Plant project. Defendant Vu uc Thuan, PVCs former director general, asked for reduced criminal and civil sentences, saying that his sentence of 22 years in prison is too heavy. According to the indictment of the first instance trial, although Thuan knew that the EPC package number 33 was not qualified to be signed, he still followed Trinh Xuan Thanhs order to sign it so that PVC could get an advance deposit of US$6.6 million, and a further loan of more than VN1.312 trillion ($57.7 million), and used the money illegally. He also followed Thanhs order to fake documents to withdraw money from the Vung Ang-Quang Trach project. Thuan claimed that before signing, he asked for permission from PVCs board of directors. Nguyen Ngoc Quy, former PVC deputy chairman, said that he did not notice his violations until he worked with an investigative agency. During the interrogation, he asked for the sentence of deliberately violating State regulations on economic management, causing severe consequences to be changed. He claimed that his decision to sign a resolution approving the content of EPC package number 33 was conducted indeliberately and on behalf of the PVC board of directors, which was ordered by Trinh Xuan Thanh. Ninh Van Quynh, former PVN former chief accountant and head of the finance and accounting department, asked for the reduction of his sentence of seven years in prison and compensation. The interrogation is scheduled to continue today. VNS HCM CITY Tien Giang Province, the Cuu Long (Mekong) Deltas largest fruit producer, has increased its fruit cultivation area to nearly 75,000ha this year, up three per cent against the same period last year. Farmers have planted 1,300ha of new dragon fruit, 1,200ha of pineapple and 400ha of new green-peel and pink-flesh grapefruit this year. Under its agricultural structuring plan, the province has encouraged farmers to turn farmland unsuited to growing rice into fruit orchards. Cao Van Hoa, director of the provinces Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, said the province had set up concentrated fruit planting areas to produce specialty fruits for domestic and export markets. Specialty exports include Lo Ren Vinh Kim milk apple in Chau Thanh District, Ngu Hiep durian in Cai Lay District, and citrus fruits in flood-prone districts. The province has also established a 7,000 concentrated durian planting area in Cai Lay District, the largest durian planting area in the Mekong Delta. The milk apples, which are exported to the US, offer high profits for farmers. Advanced farming techniques, especially for off-season fruits, and good quality seeds have helped farmers increase profits by VN300 500 million (US$13,200 22,000) per ha of specialty fruit a year. Some farmers can earn a profit of up to VN1 billion ($44,000) per ha a year. Huynh Van Kem, who plants 7,000sq.m of two specialty durian varieties - Ri6 and Mong Thong - in Cai Lay District, said he harvests an average of 20 tonnes of durian a year and earns a profit of VN1 billion. Durian yields high profits, but farmers must choose good seedlings, use advanced farming techniques and produce off-season fruits, according to Kem. Le Van Can in Cho Gao District said he earns a profit of VN100 million a year from planting 4,000sq.m of dragon fruit. This profit is four times higher than from rice, he said, adding that he planted rice on his farmland. Concentrated fruit planting trees have helped farmers increase their income, according to the provinces Department of Agriculture and Rural Development. The province has also started production chains for durian, Hoa Loc mango and dragon fruit cultivation to 2020. The development of new fruit orchards has increased the demand for fruit seedlings. Ut Phuong, a fruit seedlings producer in Cai Lay District, said the price of seedlings of Ri 6 and Mong Thong durian varieties had risen to VN100,000 a seedling, up two times against the same period last year. VNS A new proposal for the reduction of toll fees, as well as the exemption of tolls for cars of 17 communes and wards located in a 10km radius of Ninh Loc Toll Station in Khanh Hoa Province, has been submitted to the Ministry of Transport. Photo dantri.com.vn KHANH HOA A new proposal for the reduction of toll fees, as well as the exemption of tolls for cars of 17 communes and wards located in a 10km radius of Ninh Loc Toll Station in Khanh Hoa Province, has been submitted to the Ministry of Transport. The proposal came as a means to relieve tension from local drivers who are protesting against what they call unfair fees. In the event that the ministry does not accept the proposal, the investor proposed that they would stop collecting fees from Ninh Loc station, and asked that the government refund the investment and place the transport ministry in charge of collecting fees at the station, Tran Phuc Tu, general director of the BOT eo Ca Company siad told online newspaper Vietnamplus.vn. The previous proposal was made in January by the BOT eo Ca Company, an investor for a section of road on National Highway 1 in Khanh Hoa Province, but was rejected by the ministry. The ministry accepted toll reduction and exemption for cars from three communes located within a 5km radius of the station, and this has been the case since December last year. However, the local people in communes and wards of Ninh Hoa Township, which has not benefited from the fee exemption, protested against having to pay toll fees at the local station. In recent days Ninh Loc BOT toll station has ground to a standstill due to protests by drivers, and has had to lift its barriers to allow vehicles to go through at no charge to avoid traffic congestion, reported the Nguoi Lao ong (The Labourer) newspaper. Many drivers at the tollgate have refused to move, causing traffic congestion, so the station has had to repeatedly stop collecting fees in order to contain the situation. The station stopped its operation 40 times last Tuesday and Wednesday. The situation continued to escalate as once the station resumed normal operations, drivers would gather around again, forcing it to open up all traffic lanes once more. Most of the protesting drivers at the tollgate were living in Ninh Hoa Township. The drivers said that the tollgate collects unreasonable fees from local people, and that it is not fair that they should have to pay these fees so often. Drivers were angry at the company as it origionally claimed to offer fee reduction or exemption for residents in 17 wards and communes of the town, but more recently reduced the number to eight. In addition, instead of exempting drivers from the toll fee as promised, they instead provided a 50 per cent discount. This, the local people said, is not good enough. To relieve the situation and ensure traffic safety, the company has asked the Ministry of Transport to accept the proposal of toll reduction and exemption for cars of 17 communes and wards nearby the station. VNS Gia Loc HCM CITY When will we be able to return to our apartment? Thats the question many of the residents of Carina Plaza apartment complex in HCM Citys District 8 are asking again and again, following the devastating fire on March 23 that killed 13 people and injured 47. A resident of the complexs block C, Hung (family name withheld) and his family are temporarily living with his parents at their house in District 5 while waiting for the damage to be repaired.. I have three young children. I want my family to be safe, Hung said. After the fire, the district Peoples Committee set up a team which, in concert with the complexs investor, is in charge of helping affected residents. A hotline was also established for local residents. All 736 households (and 2,944 people) at the complex, for instance, were moved to safer areas because of the repair needed after the fire occurred in the basement of block A. Of these, 70 people have been renting apartments in City Gate Towers opposite the complex since March 23. Many of the remaining residents have rented houses in other areas in the city or moved to their relatives houses for temporary living until the repairs are completed. However, the time for completion is still indefinite. Each household receives VN300,000 (US$13) for rent each day. Although district authorities and the investor discouraged them from staying, several households are still living in blocks B and C, which were not affected by the fire in the complexs basement and parking garage. After the fire, electricity and water services were cut off because of repairs. At night, the complex is dark. However, residents living there, like the parents of Pham Nguyen Thanh Chung in block C, have bought rechargeable lights. When the energy runs out, his parents send the lights to be recharged to Chung who lives near the apartment complex. Every morning, he visits the complex to get water from two containers. My parents do not want to stay at my house, although I have tried to persuade them, Chung said. On April 28, the complexs management board issued an announcement calling for residents still living in blocks B and C not to continue because of lack of safety and everyday conveniences. Following the Ministry of Constructions inspection, a team from the Institute of Science and Technology examined the scene of the fire on April 6. On April 2, the city Peoples Committee told the Department of Construction and relevant agencies to resolve the investors requests for repairs. The department is now trying to carry out the appropriate repair procedures. Le Quynh ai, vice chairman of the District 8 Peoples Committee, said the committee would urge agencies to speed up inspection of the complexs structure affected by the fire. The committee is also giving guidance to the investor to complete necessary procedures for repair, ai said. A new standard fire prevention system will be replaced as soon as possible to ensure safety for residents when they return, he added. At a press briefing held on March 29, Vo Van Hoan, chief of the committees secretariat, said that actions to help residents return to their apartments were time-consuming but necessary. Residents there should arrange accommodation for a longer time, Hoan said. He also instructed the Department of Health to provide psychological assistance for residents and their children. After the fire, the department was required to spray chemicals to decontaminate the building. VNS HA NOI - Saigon Petro Co., Ltd has proposed halting the sale of popular 95-octane gasoline A95 and replacing it with E5 bio fuel but experts and customers have voiced concerns. Early this year, the Government decided to replace RON 92 petrol with E5 bio fuel, a mix of RON 92 (95 per cent) and bio-fuel ethanol (5 per cent) alongside A95 fuel. However, the E5 fuel has not convinced the public. In the first two months of the year, the eco-friendly fuels use accounted for 42 per cent of consumption, compared to 58 per cent of more popular A95, according to the Ministry of Industry and Trade. Many customers claimed that E5 is suitable for low-engine vehicles only. The high-engine ones need A95. Others are gradually getting used to and in favour of E5, but because of its advantages to environment and low price. The proposal of wiping off the popular A95 from the market is believed to have caused customers to switch to E5. Economic specialist Le ang Doanh told Tien Phong (Vanguard) newspaper that the A95 fuel elimination needs a thorough consideration. Management agencies should not force everyone to use one kind of fuel. They have to explain to the public whether high-engine vehicles are suited with E5 or not, he said. The elimination and switching to E5 should be done only when large-scale study and surveys on the E5 efficiency have been conducted on different types of vehicles, including new and old ones, he said. Associate Professor Nguyen Le Ninh, an energy expert, told Thanh Nien (Young People) newspaper that the proposal tends to be commercialised. If the Ministry of Industry and Trade gives the nod to the proposal, it serves enterprises benefits, and not those of consumers. The proposal of eliminating A95 fuel counters the market and lacks scientific persuasion, he said. Associate Professor Huynh Quyen from HCM City s University of Science and Technology told Thanh Nien the success of E5s sale has not been determined yet, which is not enough to make decision of completely replacing A95 with E5. The killing of A95 fuel is too hasty. There should be surveys asking vehicle owners, producers, importers to decide whether A95 fuel should be consumed or not, he said. ang Ba Long, director of ien Trang Fertilizer Company, who uses A95 for years told Thanh Nien that so far no car company has publicly advised customers to use E5 for their products. Ministry of Science and Technology has not publicized the list of vehicles suited with E5 and A95. Give customers the right to select the type of fuel they want, he said. Exclusive distribution The material to produce ethanol (E100 alcohol) which makes up the mixture of E5 bio fuel has increased, for example, one kg of cassava has surged up to VN2,000 (US$0.09) per kg. Meanwhile, Tung Lam Limited Company is currently the only ethanol supplier of the country, raising the fear that the existence of the only kind of fuel (E5) will make the market heavily depend on the company, as a consequence, the ethanol supply will be limited. At a recent Government meeting, Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade o Thang Hai said that countries in the world make use of post-harvest plant, tree bark, saw dusk, rice husk to produce ethanol. We must invest in technology to make use of waste products, not only food, in order to reduce ethanol price, he said. He also said the Saigon Petro Co., Ltds proposal would be studied by the Ministry of Industry and Trade before being submitted to the Prime Minister. - VNS CAO BANG Police on Monday took into custody a man accused of killing four people, including two young children, in a knife attack in the northern province of Cao Bang. Ly inh Khanh, 31, a resident of the Na Phac Hamlet in the Thach An District, reportedly broke into the house of one of his neighbours, Trieu Thi Phuong, at around 1am, attempting to rape her while Phuongs husband was away. The knife-wielding Khanh stabbed her when the woman fought back and tried to run next door to her brother-in-law seeking help. The brother-in-law was not home, but his 96-year-old grandmother Ly Thi Dam, his wife Trieu Thi Coi and his two kids were. Khanh chased Phuong into the house, and attacked the whole family with his knife. The midnight assault left Phuong along with the six-year-old boy Trieu Van Tien and his two-year-old sister Trieu Nhat Uyen dead while the elderly Dam was seriously injured. She later succumbed to her injuries on the way to the hospital. Coi, meanwhile, managed to escape the scene and screamed for help. As neighbours woke up and gathered at the house, they sealed the doors with Khanh and his victims inside. He reportedly destroyed the furniture, set the house on fire and burnt it to ashes. The police arrived shortly and arrested the man. Investigation is ongoing. VNS The Peoples Court of Hoa Binh City in the northern province of Hoa Binh yesterday delayed the first-instance trial on a medical incident causing eight deaths at the kidney dialysis division of the Hoa Binh General Hospital in May last year. Photo sggp.org.vn HOA BINH The Peoples Court of Hoa Binh City in the northern province of Hoa Binh yesterday delayed the first-instance trial on a medical incident causing eight deaths at the kidney dialysis division of the Hoa Binh General Hospital in May last year. The defendants are Bui Manh Quoc, 31, director of the Tram Anh Water Treatment Co. Ltd, who was prosecuted for unintentionally causing deaths, and Tran Van Son, 28, employee of the medical material and equipment division of the Hoa Binh General Hospital and Hoang Cong Luong, 31, doctor at the Department of Intensive Care of the Hoa Binh General Hospital, who were both prosecuted for lacking responsibility causing serious consequences. Thirteen lawyers registered to take part in the trial, but only three of them were present. Former Director of the hospital Truong Quy Duong was also absent from the trial. After collecting opinions of the Peoples Procuracy, the participating lawyers and defendants, the judging council decided to delay the trial and re-open it on May 15. On May 29, 2017, 18 patients suffered from symptoms of anaphylactic shock including breathing difficulty, sudden falls in blood pressure, stomach aches and vomiting while receiving kidney dialysis at the kidney dialysis division of the Hoa Binh General Hospitals Department of Intensive Care. Eight of the patients died in this incident. According to authorised agencies, unqualified water for kidney dialysis and equipment maintained and operated not in line with the regulated process were the causes of the incident. On April 20, doctor Hoang Cong Luong sent a letter to the Party, State and Government leaders, expressing his hope that the case will be judged in an open and fair manner. VNS HA NOI Maternal mortality rate in the country fell from 233 per 100,000 live births in the 1990s to 58.3 per 100,000 live births in 2016. Contraceptive prevalence rate (CPR), on the other hand, increased from 37 per cent in 1988 to 67 per cent in 2016. These figures have been revealed in a study on the quality of family planning services in Viet Nam, which was launched in Ha Noi on Tuesday. The ceremony was organised by the Ministry of Health, with technical and financial support from the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) in Viet Nam. The study is conducted by the Viet Nam Research and Training Centre for Community Development (RTCCD) in coordination with the Bangladesh Human Development Research Centre in 2015-2016 in 20 districts across the country. The study researchers interviewed nearly 6,000 women aged between 15 and 49 to implement the study. The study aims at supplying updated and reliable evidence about family planning services in the country. The intrauterine device was the most preferred contraceptive choice, making up 25.2 per cent, followed by the oral pill (19.3 per cent) and condoms (13.3 per cent). CPR is higher in urban areas than rural areas. The highest CPR, found in the south-eastern region, is 27 per cent. The lowest CPR, in the Hong (Red) River Delta, is 10.5 per cent. Speaking at the ceremony, Deputy Minister of Health Nguyen Viet Tien said access to voluntary family planning was a basic human right. Investing in family planning is investing in health and rights of women and couples, he said. Tran Thu Ha, a researcher from the RTCCD, proposed that the General Office for Population and Family Planning should set up effective education campaigns to increase the use of contraceptive methods, especially in the southeast area. More training should be given to specialised medical workers to give necessary consultancy to people and help them have the best choice. Astrid Bant, UNFPA representative in Viet Nam, said achieving the worlds sustainable development goals by 2030 would depend significantly on how well the sexual and reproductive health and rights of women and youths were fulfilled. Catering to their unmet need for family planning was among the most cost-effective investment overall, she said. UNFPA in Viet Nam is fully committed to supporting the government and people to ensure that universal access to health, including sexual and reproductive health, becomes a reality for all, she added. VNS The HCM City Peoples Court on Tuesday began its trial of 28 former officials of ai Tin Bank (Trust Bank) (now Viet Nam Construction Bank) for allegedly "abusing trust to appropriate property" and "intentionally violating state regulations on economic management and causing serious consequences". Photo vov.vn HCM CITY The HCM City Peoples Court on Tuesday began its trial of 28 former officials of ai Tin Bank (Trust Bank) (now Viet Nam Construction Bank) for allegedly "abusing trust to appropriate property" and "intentionally violating state regulations on economic management and causing serious consequences". The key defendant, Hua Thi Phan, former senior advisor of the management board of Trust Bank and former chairwoman of the management board of Phu My Investment and Development JSC, did not appear in court because of reportedly poor health. A representative for the court said it had sent a dispatch to see Phan at the hospital as she could not attend because of her health. However, the court said that her absence would not affect the trial. During an earlier investigation by police, Phan did not submit any statement or declaration, stating that she was in poor health. But the court decided to open the trial based on the evidence that has been gathered. More than 100 individuals and representatives of organisations appeared in court along with 50 lawyers. $280 million loss According to the results of the investigation, in June 2010 Hua Thi Phan and Phu My Investment and Development JSC and 14 other people bought over 254 million shares of Trust Bank for over VN2.5 trillion ($110 million). Phan abused her holding of nearly 85 per cent of the banks charter capital to take over the management of all Trust Bank activities. She took over the entire board of management, executive board and staff, and also took over all investment and credit activities. She abused trust to appropriate and misuse more than VN12 trillion (nearly $530 million). Phan increased the value of her house at 5 Pham Ngoc Thach Street in District 3 in HCM City to sell her house to Trust Bank, causing financial damages of over VN1.1 trillion ($48.5 million). Bui Thi Kim Loan, accountant for Phu My Co., Ltd., helped Phan to embezzle a total amount of nearly VN5.3 trillion ($231.6 million). Through 29 loans from Phu My, Phan embezzled over VN3.6 trillion ($158 million), according to the charges. She also asked Trust Bank to illegally invest in four other real estate projects, embezzling over VN1 trillion ($44 million), and to raise the value of another 25 properties sold to Trust Bank, embezzling over VN1 trillion ($44 million), according to the court. The investigation police concluded that violations committed by Phan and others caused serious financial damage to Trust Bank, totaling VN6.362 trillion ($280 million), excluding VN5.64 trillion in damages from three other violations, which will be investigated in the second phase of the case. Previously, at a trial about the loss of more than VN9 trillion ($395 million) at Viet Nam Construction Bank (VNCB), HCM City Peoples Court decided to launch criminal proceedings against Phan for violating the lending regulations of credit institutions and deliberately violating State regulations on economic management, causing severe consequences. She later appealed the charges, but the court rejected the appeal. In 2012, ai Tin Bank was restructured and rebranded as VNCB, and Pham Cong Danh became chairman of the banks management board. Danh was later accused of devising scams to steal from the bank, including setting up fraudulent companies and fake documents to take out huge loans, which caused losses of over VN9 trillion. VNS HAI DUONG Three workers died of burns on Tuesday after being injured in a fire accident at a steel complex in Hai Duong Province. Representatives from the Hoa Phat Steel Company on Tuesday said three of the four workers who got burnt in the fire accident at its steel complex were dead. The accident occurred on Monday, while the workers were repairing a blast furnace at the Hoa Phat Steel Complex in the provinces Kinh Mon District, the Nguoi Lao ong (The Labourer) online newspaper reported. The fire broke out when a hot blast furnace slag dropped on bags of refractory materials that caught fire. Four workers were injured in the accident, including Hua Van Tam, 42, Nguyen Van Tuong, 49, Bui Van Tung, 33, and Vu Van Tuyen, 32. All were residents of Hai Duong Province. They were all taken to the local Kinh Mon General Hospital, then to the National Institute of Burns in Ha Noi, where three of them died. The surviving worker is being treated at the institute. The company said it was doing its best to support the families of the victims. All four workers joined the social insurance scheme, it said. Further investigations are underway to determine the cause of the accident. The blast furnace which the workers were repairing was under maintenance since March. It is due to be put back into operation at the beginning of June, according to the company. VNS Yesterday, Luong Van Cau, deputy head of Hai Duong Province Peoples Committee, and representatives of local authorities visited and presented financial supports for families of three victims who died in a fire at Hoa Phat Companys steel complex. The accident occurred on Monday, while the workers were repairing a blast furnace. The fire broke out when a hot blast furnace slag dropped on bags of refractory materials that caught fire. The blast furnace which the workers were repairing had been under maintenance since March. It is due to be put back into operation at the beginning of June. The company gave each victims family VN30 million (US$1,300) and committed to ensure all workers rights. VNA/VNS Photo inh Manh Tu Coconuts can be found anywhere and everywhere in Viet Nam. The fruits versatility is renowned. Juice, candy, rice and meat dishes are all immensely popular, but only in the Mekong Delta province of Ben Tre can you find the Green Xiem coconut. Its so special that it was recently granted a certificate of Geographical Indication. Van Chau BEN TRE Whenever I think of coconuts, Ben Tre Province immediately comes to mind. Though coconut trees can be found nearly everywhere in the country, only in Ben Tre can you find the special species of palm tree that is characteristic of the region. Located in the southwestern part of the Mekong Delta, about 90km west of HCM City, Ben Tre has long been famed for its delicious variety of coconut dishes. Travelling from HCM City, you will soon notice the shadows of coconut trees as you cross the Rach Mieu Bridge over the Tien River linking the two Delta provinces of Tien Giang and Ben Tre. All around you are lush, verdant paddy fields and boats quietly gliding on waterways, a perfect gateway to a relaxing vacation or weekend retreat away from the big city. One of the areas most famous products is keo dua (coconut candy), a favourite treat of southerners, closely followed by banana candy. The two traditional candies originated in Ben Tre. Twenty to 25 years ago, when Viet Nam had not integrated with the world, coconut candy production was limited. Made simply with only coconut milk and sugar, it was mostly for domestic use only. But now, coconut candy makers have added durian and pandan leaf, and even roasted peanuts, to their products which are sold both in Viet Nam and abroad. However, when it comes to coconut candy, Im a purist since I have pleasant memories of the taste when I was a child. The durian flavour, to me, is so strong I cant tell if I am eating durian or coconut! However, peanuts and coconuts are a fine combination. In the past, the outside paper would often stick to the candy, but now the makers double-wrap the candy, with edible rice paper and an oily paper on the outside. Problem solved. The candy, one of the most traditional items in the Mekong Delta, is so common here that many tourists can easily find workshops to view the processing and making of coconut products. Ben Tre authorities are well aware of the revenue that such handcrafted candies and cakes can bring to locals. They have maintained the working culture and tradition, and have promoted tourism activities to attract more visitors. Although today you can buy Ben Tre candy anywhere in the province, the product first appeared sometime before the 1960s in Ben Tres Mo Cay District. Called Mo Cay candy, it included sugar, coconut milk and malt, skillfully mixed in the pan by stirring. The maker did not use any kind of mold, and the mixture was chopped up into small cubes and wrapped. Versatile: Ben Tre people use coconut meat and juice in many of their dishes. VNS Photo Van Chau. Coconut rice Coconut rice is also a popular dish in Ben Tre. Instead of water, cooks use coconut juice to steam the rice. After washing and drying the rice, cooks cut the top of the coconut to let the water out. The hardest part is to measure the right amount of coconut juice. If there is too much, the rice will be wet, and if there is too little, the rice will be dry. Its best to eat it hot because if the rice is left out too long, it will turn yellow. Vo Van Tron, 42, who has been cooking coconut delicacies for12 years, said the cooking method was easy. But you must use the Green Xiem coconut from Ben Tre. It has a distinctive and recognizable appearance. The fruit and shell is small and the water inside is sweeter than coconuts cultivated in other regions. Coconut juice from the provinces Green Xiem variety, which received a certificate of Geographical Indication in March from the National Office of Intellectual Property, is also used as a refreshing drink and health enhancer. The quality of Green Xiem coconut is different from others in terms of nutritional content. Tron said. No delicacy is better than to eat coconut rice with roasted shrimp braised with coconut milk. Tron uses all kinds of shrimp, which turn beautifully red after roasting. After washing the shrimp, he marinates them with salt and sugar for half an hour. He then squeezes the milk from the dried coconut and pours the liquid on the shrimp, and roasts until the milk caramelises. To make the shrimp shine, he adds a bit of cooking oil. Ben Tre people use coconuts in most of their local foods, even in the traditional caramelized pork with eggs and sticky rice cakes. In the past, the specialties were prepared for Tet (Luna New Year) or anniversary days of the family. However, theyre now eaten as part of daily meals of any household, Tron said. In areas of the country where coconuts are not plentiful, people often cook the dish with a lot of spices and sugar caramel, instead of caramel made of fresh coconut water, which is not as tasty, according to Tron. Making caramelised pork Ben Tre style is simple. It is just pork, fresh coconut water and a little sugar. If you want some heat, add chillis to the marinade, he said. Tron mixes the pork with a little sugar to make the pork fat glassy-clear after it is cooked, and then exposes the meat to the sun for 30 to 45 minutes to make the skin billow out. Then he slowly cooks the pork with coconut water until it is done. Treat: Coconut rice cooked inside a Green Xiem coconut, a special variety that has received a certificate of Geographical Indication from the government. VNS Photo Van Chau My cooking method makes the pork and sauce turn an eye-catching brown colour, and the taste is unique and irresistible, he said. Nguyen Bach Lan, also known as Ma Bay, from Ben Tres Chau Thanh District, is another well-respected cook in the province. She often makes coconut rice cakes for her family. My traditional sticky rice cake would not be delicious or aromatic at all without coconut, she said. As you know, we use all parts of the coconut tree in our daily work: the tree and shell for cooking food and making handicrafts, and the leaves for building houses and wrapping the famous sticky rice cakes called banh Tet la dua. We also use coconut milk for local traditional sweet cakes, candies, hot dishes and cold sweet soups. Coconut juice is used to make drinks or caramelised sauce, and we also make candied coconut ribbons," Lan said. Annually, Ben Tre harvests 600 million of coconuts cultivated on 70,000ha of land. The fruit is the key income of local residents. However, due to severe drought and salinity in 2016, the output dropped by 20-30 per cent last year. Local coconut processing companies at that time had to import coconut materials for production. However, with the new Geographical Indication certification from the government, the province expects Green Xiem exports to increase, especially in the US, the EU and Japan, and the price to rise in the domestic market. Delicious: Traditional caramelised pork sauce turns an eye-catching brown when cooked with fresh coconut water. VNS Photo Van Chau Bird sanctuary Aside from sampling coconut products, visitors to the province can also explore the Vam Ho Bird Sanctuary and ecotourism activities on Phung (Phoenix) Islet. The sanctuary is located in Ba Tri District which is 52km east of Ben Tre Township. The spectacular site is home to wild forests with a great variety of trees, including water coconuts, dates, mangrove trees and reeds. It is a favourite destination for 84 species of birds, including around 500,000 storks. The best time to see the storks is April to October when they come to Vam Ho to lay eggs and raise their young. Though the birds can be seen during the day, the most exciting time to watch them is at sunset when thousands of storks fly over the Ba Lai River under a glowing sky over the forest. Inside the bird sanctuary, visitors can travel by boat in the submerged forest and walk on narrow bamboo bridges in the well-preserved wetlands. Of course, the perfect capper to an all-day tour would be a cool Ben Tre coconut drink, a few coconut rice cakes, and a dish of caramelised shimp or pork! VNS DAMASCUS Rebel fighters and civilians began leaving an area in central Syria on Monday, state media said, under yet another negotiated withdrawal that will see regime forces expand their control. Opposition fighters agreed with regime forces and their allies to a ceasefire deal last week for parts of Syrias central provinces of Hama and Homs, including the rebel towns of Talbisseh, Rastan, and Houla. Under the deal, thousands would leave the area for an opposition-controlled zone in Syrias north. State news agency SANA reported on Monday that more than 60 buses carrying hundreds of rebels and their families were ready to depart for the north. Images by a local photographer showed Syrian adults and children, some carrying luggage, at a departure point where a line of buses waited to transfer them out of Rastan. Similar evacuation deals typically see the buses gather together at a single collection point before departing together as a convoy. Syrian state television said the operation would take place over two days. The rebel fighters are expected to head to the Islamist-controlled province of Idlib in the northwest or the rebel-held town of Jarabulus, in neighbouring Aleppo province. The deal also provided for the surrender of rebels heavy weapons to Syrian troops and allied Russian forces, the return of government institutions to the three towns, and the reopening of a key highway. That highway runs from the capital Damascus, through Homs, and onto second city Aleppo, in the north. Securing it has been a major target for the regimes military operations. The area in Homs was part of a "de-escalation zone" agreed one year ago by opposition supporter Turkey and regime allies Iran and Russia. The four zones initially saw a reduction in shelling but violence has since escalated. It is the third such transfer deal for Homs province, after thousands were bussed out in a pair of agreements for the city itself in recent years. Such negotiated withdrawals have brought swathes of territory back under government control during the countrys seven-year war. AFP WarbirdsNews has just received the latest report from Chuck Cravens on the restoration of Texas Flying Legends Museums P-47D Thunderbolt 42-27609 at AirCorps Aviation in Bemidji, Minnesota. We thought our readers would be very interested to see how the project has progressed since our last article on this important project. So without further ado, here it goes! Texas Flying Legends P-47D-23RA March/April 2018 Report By Chuck Cravens AirCorps Aviation received some fascinating images showing Republic P-47s arriving in Australia aboard the carrier USS Prince William on the very same day and ship which the Thunderbolt they are restoring is said to have arrived! This photo shows the carrier USS Prince William on the very day 42-27609 arrived at Townsville. It is exciting to have an image that relates to the Texas Flying Legends Museums restoration project so specifically. Our Thunderbolt was on that deck somewhere when the photo was taken! The P-47 pictured could even be our project covered in cosmoline, but without a clear view of the tail number it is impossible to know. Here is an example of how planes were towed through Townsville from the harbor to the Air Erection Depot. (Photo courtesy of Peter Dunn, Australia @ War www.ozatwar.com) As the caption notes, Peter Dunn, of Brisbane, Australia provided these photos. He described how the incoming fighters were transported to the Air Erection Depot for the task of making them airworthy and ready for combat in his e-book, Townsville Air Depot. As Peter Dunn notes in his recently released book, Townsville Air Depot, Aircraft that could be towed by Jeeps from the Townsville Harbour to the Aircraft Erection Depot were towed along Boundary Road, past the National Hotel and then across the Causeway. Typically when partially assembled aircraft arrived at the Aircraft Erection Depot, engines were cleaned of cosmoline, a brown coloured wax-like corrosion inhibitor, wings and propellers were attached where needed, guns and radios were installed, landing gear and engines were checked and the aircraft was fuelled and test flown. The aircraft were then lined up and eventually assigned to an operational squadron. The Aircraft Erection Depot, which was built as Project 1, was later absorbed into Depot No. 2 when it became operational. Construction of Depot No. 2 started in October 1942 Update It was great to receive the wartime photos related to our P-47. Meanwhile, back on the restoration floor at AirCorps, the fuselage continued to take shape. This month we will show some of the work on the pilots floor and the fuel tank bay structure that it mounts to. This is a good example of using original assemblies as patterns, salvaging what can be reused, and producing a new assembly that is airworthy. (photo by John LaTourelle)The clecoed assembly with the large hole is one of two. They are part of the pilots floor and are located on each side of the control stick assembly. One of them has the drop tank fuel selector mounted in the hole; the other an inspection cover. This section is installed to the right side of the stick assembly, the one with the fuel selector goes on the left side. The Z channel extrusion on the far left of the assembly is one of the original parts of 42-27609 that passed inspection and has been reused in the restoration. After 70 years in a wet tropical climate, there arent a great many usable parts, but every one that can be used will be. It is the floor under the pilot seat and the shorter brackets visible in this shot are lower pilots seat tube supports. The longer aluminum angle brackets are for the emergency hydraulic hand pump. Here is a little more detail on the seat tube and hydraulic hand pump brackets. (photo by John LaTourelle)Fuel Tank Bays This space between the wing crosstie bulkheads is where the main fuel tank goes in the lower fuselage of a P-47D-23. (photo by John LaTourelle) The main internal fuel tank on a P-47D-23 had a capacity of 205 US gallons. That makes the total internal fuel capacity 305 gallons (without drop tanks). In the Southwest Pacific, some were fitted with a tank behind the cockpit. That field installation was commonly called a Christmas tree tank because of its shape. Ours was one of those and the fuel cell is labeled capacity 42 US Gallons so, in total, it could have flown with 347 gallons internally. In a phone interview he graciously granted, Southwest Pacific P-47 pilot Major General DeWitt R. Searles commented on the Christmas tree tank: Yes, I remember the in-theater installation of the fuel tanks behind the pilot to give us a little better range. We were warned to avoid high G maneuvers until the tank was completely empty as the weight of a full tank would upset the aerodynamic balance which could lead to a loss of control. The P-47 was the sturdiest and most stable propeller driven aircraft that I have ever flown. It had an almost unlimited diving speed. I dont recall a single incident of one breaking up in flight because of aerodynamic stress. And it could absorb more hits by enemy fighters or ground fire, and keep flying, than any other fighter plane that I know of. Its versatility was not fully exploited until late in the war, in Europe and the Pacific, after enemy fighter strength had been severely reduced or eliminated. Then we found out that we had the most rugged and effective fighter bomber ever built. With eight fifty caliber machine guns and a 2000 pound bomb loads it was unmatched as an air to ground fighter aircraft. The next model of the P-47, the D-25, not only had a bubble canopy, but also had additional fuselage fuel tank capacity that brought its internal fuel load up to 370 gallons. The forward cross tie bulkhead forms the front of the main fuel tank bay. (photo by John LaTourelle)Restoration Specialist Randy Kraft I mention the guys working on our projects in photo captions all the time, so I thought it would be a good thing to occasionally include a little more about them. I think Randy has been in more update photos than anyone, so he was a easy choice for the first shop spotlight. Randy was born in Bemidji and has spent most of his life here. He has four kids and worked as a carpenter for the twelve years before joining AirCorps Aviation. Randys proven craftsmanship made him a perfect fit for AirCorps. When he started in 2014, the company was expanding and Randy adapted his skills quickly to the aircraft restoration arena. Randy says is favorite warbird is the P-51, but the P-47 is growing on him! And thats all for this month. WarbirdsNews wishes to thank AirCorps Aviation, Chuck Cravens (for the words) and John LaTourelle (for the images) for making this report possible! We look forwards to bringing more restoration reports on progress with this rare machine in the coming months. Around Midland and around the world, loving and leading all people to deeper life in Jesus Christ. Email To : Multiple e-mail addresses must be separated with a comma character(maximum 200 characters) Email To is required. Your Full Name: (optional) Your Email Address: Your Email Address is required. By West Kentucky Star Staff May. 03, 2018 | 03:07 PM | NASHVILLE, TN One person died after a dispute led to a shooting Thursday afternoon at Opry Mills Mall.Multiple news agencies in Nashville reported that Metro Nashville Police a 22-year-old man died at Skyline Medical Center from his injuries.According to NewsChannel 5, the shooting happened in a hallway near Auntie Anne's Pretzels and Old Navy. The 22-year-old shooter reportedly ran outside to a ticketing booth, laid the gun on the counter and told them to call 911.The Associated Press reports he surrendered when a retired California police officer stepped in and ordered the man to the ground.Metro Nashville Police tweeted the incident was the result of an ongoing dispute between two people.The Tennessee Highway Patrol says several of its troopers happened to be in a parking lot at the mall performing motorcycle training. A tweet by the highway patrol says those troopers present immediately responded and helped Nashville police secure a perimeter around the mall. Nashville Fire Department also helped at the scene.Frightened workers ran for the exits after the gunshots, then huddled outside as emergency vehicles converged on the scene.Eighteen-year-old Jayla Chapple was in an employee meeting in the back of Moe's Southwest Grill when two people bolted into the back of the restaurant to report the shooting in the mall. Chapple, a shift leader at the restaurant, says employees ran outside through a rear exit.Says Chapple: "I really didn't have time to think that much, but get out of there." On the Net: A year-and-a-half (That is basically kinda: 550 days or 18 months or 72 weeks, or a whole bunch of hours (13200 give or take) of nothing.) after Moscow/Russia/Putin was inculpated for interfering in Americas 2016 presidential election, the US A/CIA/FBI/BUBBA and or anyone, has yet to release any proof that means jack crap.actually the opposite has happened! I have watched the western accusations against many countries and I simply am seeing a pattern We accuse with no proof, we scream for days and days about who dun it and then we either go quiet and ignore all we did and or bomb illegally Bombing seems to be the priority Just all warm and fuzzy today.and I will keep waiting for the proof that Russia did it WtR 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. A Guide to Eat Your Way Authentically Through Lima & Cusco Oak Park, IL Authentic Food Quest has released their unique guide that takes readers on a culinary adventure through Peru. Authentic Food Quest Peru: A Guide to Eat Your Way Authentically Through Lima & Cusco helps readers discover the major cuisine types in Peru, along with descriptions of the typical dishes, desserts, beverages, street foods and unique produce not to miss on their travels. Peruvian cuisine continues to gain worldwide acclaim and was named for the sixth year in a row as the Worlds Leading Culinary Destination, by the Worlds Travel Awards. Were thrilled to launch our new book, Authentic Food Quest Peru and help travelers navigate the delicious and diverse gastronomy in Peru, says Rosemary Kimani, co-founder, Authentic Food Quest. This guide helps travelers discover: Over 88 iconic cuisines, dishes and drinks and what makes them special to Peru Where to find authentic restaurants and avoid the tourist traps Street foods to sample and eat like a local Unique produce that shapes Peruvian gastronomy Excerpts from interviews with local chefs and food journalists Tips to stay fit and healthy on your travels to Peru Visitors to Peru will delight in the stories, local information, and recommendations. They can now create their own food adventures, choosing from more than 160 references provided, says Claire Rouger, co-founder, Authentic Food Quest. Authentic Food Quest Peru: A Guide to Eat Your Way Authentically Through Lima & Cusco is now available on Amazon and Barnes & Noble. About Authentic Food Quest: Rosemary Kimani and Claire Rouger created Authentic Food Quest in mid 2015 to inspire people to travel through the local and authentic foods. They believe travelers can have deeper connections to a destination by opening up to the local flavors. World-travelers, they have eaten their way through 34 countries and over 230+ cities. For more information, please visit:www.authenticfoodquest.com Media Contact Company Name: Authentic Food Quest Contact Person: Rosemary Kimani Email: Send Email Phone: 213-444-6075 Country: United States Website: https://www.authenticfoodquest.com/ The Flooring Pros is currently hosting the Tuff Stuff Flooring Sale, a limited time event highlighting the beauty and benefits of resilient flooring products from lines like Innovia Xtreme Clean and Floorcraft. Select products will be on sale from April 12 to May 20, 2018. Being tough is beautifulespecially when it comes to flooring. Every property owner wants flooring that will stand up to years of foot traffic and accidents, looking great even years after installation. The Flooring Pros is making it easy for shoppers to save big on resilient flooring options with the Tuff Stuff Flooring Sale. The sale began on April 12 and will end on May 20. During the special promotion, the store is highlighting the many advantages offered by durable brands like Innovia Xtreme Clean and Floorcraft. Interested shoppers are encouraged to visit the showroom to see and feel the featured products in person. Store staff members will be standing by to answer any questions about the surfaces and the sale, as well as make recommendations tailored to individual needs. Innovia Xtreme Clean is a carpet line known for its incredible stain-resistance. The carpets are made with liquid-repelling fibers, so most spills never have a chance to seep in and create a stain. Furthermore, many messes can be cleaned up with just plain water. Floorcraft offers an extensive selection of hard surfaces that combine durability with style. These surfaces work well in wet areas like the bathroom, kitchen, and laundry, but also look great in any room in the house. Call The Flooring Pros at (704) 412-2556 for more information on their current promotions and featured products. Details about their surfaces and sales are also available on their website. Their flooring store serves homeowners and commercial customers from throughout Charlotte, Pineville, Sun City, Waxhaw, and Matthews, North Carolina, as well as the surrounding areas. Media Contact Company Name: The Flooring Pros, Inc. Contact Person: Jason Watson Email: Send Email Phone: (704) 412-2556 Address:11523 Carolina Place Parkway City: Pineville State: North Carolina Country: United States Website: theflooringprosflooringamerica.com Thames Water update Sydney, May 8, 2018 AEST (ABN Newswire) - Envirosuite Limited ( ASX:EVS )( FRA:57P ) is pleased to provide an update on its progress with the UK-based water utilities group Thames Water, the UK's largest water and wastewater services company. Thames Water has now committed to an Envirosuite subscription at a fourth site.Although the individual deal is on standard terms and not material to total company earnings in isolation, it serves to demonstrate the growing relationship between Thames Water and Envirosuite following the third site that was signed only in March 2018. Following an initial commercial trial which completed in mid-2017 at two sites, it is encouraging to see that Thames Water is adopting the Envirosuite platform for the longer term in other parts of the business.Envirosuite is rapidly establishing its name in the wastewater industry in Europe and the Middle East and now has commercial contracts at seven sites in this region, with a growing number of other similar opportunities in the sales pipeline. Combining the Envirosuite name with the well-established ex-Odotech presence in the North American market means that Envirosuite is emerging as the leading choice for larger wastewater treatment facilities globally.Peter White, Chief Executive Officer, commented that, "Envirosuite is a natural fit for the wastewater industry. Its major needs for a real-time operational decision-support capability, together with the need to proactively manage its community engagement to ensure an ongoing social licence to operate, are requirements that match the major differentiators for Envirosuite. There are many thousands of waste water sites in our target geographies that could benefit from Envirosuite and we are encouraged by the escalating recognition and uptake of our solution."About EnviroSuite Limited EnviroSuite Limited (ASX:EVS) (FRA:57P) is an environmental management technology company that has developed a leading Software-as-Service platform which translates data into action in real-time. Using proprietary algorithms built on more than 30 years of environmental consulting experience, Envirosuite's platform provides a range of environmental monitoring, management and investigative capabilities. Envirosuite's platform is used worldwide by a range of clients in the mining, oil refining, transportation and water management industries and by governments looking to regulate industry in accordance with community well-being. To learn more, please visit: http://www.envirosuite.com DAKOTA'S STORY: Red Bluff, Calif.-- A Redding native said he was willing to pay high price for man's best friend, only to discover the puppy he bought has a health condition that couldn't be reversed. In an Action News Now exclusive, we investigate the popular North State dog breeder accused of selling sick puppies. One of their customer has a warning for others in the market for a dog. "It upsets me every day, I wake up and see this dog limp and it bothers me," said Joe Wolff. Wolff describes himself simply. "Lab lover, dog lover period," said Wolff. When his black lab died of old age last year, Wolff said he begged his wife, Tricia, to consider getting a new Labrador puppy. He got excited scouring popular pages on Facebook and landed on Top Dog Retrievers' page. He was pleasantly surprised to see they were located nearby in Red Bluff. Top Dog Retriever is owned by Caleb and Toby Anderson. Their Facebook page describes the business as a "training, boarding and breeding facility" in Red Bluff, California. It frequently posts photos of new litters of labs and has over 2,600 "likes." Wolff decided to look no further, he made a call and set up a time to visit their facility to pick out his puppy. "It was instant love, no shyness, it was like he was meant for us," said Wolff. The Wolff's found a goofy, friendly yellow lab. They named him Dakota and, at four months old, brought him home to Redding. "We paid $2,650 for him," said Wolff. The Wolff's said they signed a contract for a pure bred lab, with guaranteed health. "The first night we had him he got sick," said Wolff. Wolff said they were alarmed but thought maybe the puppy was just getting adjusted to their home. But, when Dakota's condition worsened, they took him to their veterinarian. "The vet tested him he had kennel cough, worms and mites under his chin," said Wolff. "They said the mites were passed from the mom." Wolff said he immediately called the Anderson's to alert them to the problem. Dakota eventually recovered from those illnesses, but several months later, developed a limp. They took him back to the vet. After x-rays, they were told Dakota had elbow dysplasia and needed surgery. They called the Anderson's again. "He said he would replace the dog, or give us a refund, whichever we decided to do," said Wolff. "I've already developed a relationship with this dog, he's like our kid, I don't want to give him back." Wolff said he was also concerned about what the breeder would do with a returned, sick dog. He said he wanted the price of the dog back and was willing to pay for Dakota's surgery himself. But, that's where they claim communication with Top Dog Retrievers stalled. "We never did hear from him again," said Wolff. The now 11-month-old yellow lab still walks with a limp. The Wolff's says they've been left with an ailing dog and piles to medical bills. Wolff starting digging deeper than the popular Facebook page. To his shock, he found the business had quite a lot of bad reviews on Yelp and an "F" rating from the Better Business Bureau. Many reviews were written by people claiming to be customers who purchased puppies, just like the Wolff's, only to discover some had serious health issues and received no refund from Top Dog Retrievers. Wolff said looking back now, he realizes he missed red flags. The Wolff's recently filed, and won, a $7,500 suit against the Anderson's in Tehama County's civil small claims court. That covers the price of the dog and medical bills. Wolff doesn't expect he'll get the money back. "It's gone at this point, it's gone, I get it. I would like it back, don't get me wrong. I'm an average working person, I could really use that money back. But, am I ever going to see it? Do I care really? No. Do I care that somebody knows about this? Yeah. That's my concern. Don't let this happen to you, that's my biggest thing." Wolff said he would simply like to see the Anderson's stop breeding sick dogs, and if and when it happens, take financial responsibility for it. DIGGING DEEPER INTO THE BAD REVIEWS: Action News Now independently reached out to several of the users who left poor Yelp reviews for Top Dog Retrievers. Many were from out of the area. Then, we got a call back from David Blockhus in Los Altos, CA. "I am the first in a long line of people who are suing them," said Blockhus. Blockhus bought his yellow lab, Mia, at six months old, from Top Dog Retrievers. Blockhus said immediately upon getting Mia home, she needed $1,200 worth of dental work for "rotting teeth." Blockhus said Mia also suffered from giardia, a parasite that attacks the dog's intestines, causing severe digestion issues. Blockhus said he too attempted to receive a refund from the Anderson's and when he didn't get a response, he pursued his legal options in Tehama County. "Being so far away, I think they figured this guy isn't going to do it," said Blockhus. In March, Blockhus won his civil suit against the Anderson's for $5,600,. That covered his base payment of $2,650 for the dog, plus additional vet bills. "I don't anticipate getting paid," said Blockhus. Blockhus believes there is a pattern of fraudulent business happening at Top Dog Retrievers. "Their business strategy is get the dog in someone's hand, delay and don't respond, hide and then hope the customer will just go away," said Blockhus. Blockhus said he is not going away and will use every resource he can to enforce the judgment of the law. LEGAL REPERCUSSIONS: Tehama County District Attorney Gregg Cohen said, at this time, the Anderson's are only facing legal consequences in civil court. Cohen says receiving payment from settled civil suits can be difficult and the tedious process does discourage some from going through with a suit at all. Action News Now requested all suits filed against the Anderson's and Top Dog Retrievers from the Tehama County Superior Court. The search came back with the two suits involving Wolff and Blockhus, as well as one additional property dispute with a former landlord. The Tehama County Animal Control says no complaints have been filed against the Anderson's for their current kennel property on Dibble Road, in Red Bluff. Several attempts were made to contact the Anderson's before the story aired. Action News Now team left voicemails, messages and even went to the property in Red Bluff. Shortly after our crews filmed the property, from the public street, we received a call back from Caleb Anderson. TOP DOG RETRIEVERS RESPONDS: "Yeah, you have two very unhappy people, no doubt," said Caleb Anderson, in reference to the Wolff and Blockhus civil suits. Anderson said he is aware of both suits, and he's also aware of the bad reviews on Yelp. He said he's been occupied with a private family matter. "Yeah, I saw there were some papers from the courts and I haven't had a chance to go through all of that," said Anderson. "We are not ignoring people with issues." Anderson said he initially offered to pay the base rate the costumers paid for the dogs, but stopped negotiations when they pressed for compensation of additional vet bills on top of that. Anderson said he believes these are isolated cases. Anderson said his dogs are OFA certified (Orthopedic Foundation for Animals) by a vet, before being used for breeding. He says their hips and elbows are graded, but that it's "not a 100 percent guarantee." "When things go perfect, we have happy customers...when they don't, they're very vocal about it," said Anderson. "We've been breeding almost 20 years now and dogs, much like people...the genetics aren't always perfect." When asked if he planned to pay the two recent civil suits in which the judge sided against him? "Um, were going to look at them," said Anderson. It is great news that nearly ten million extra workers are now saving in a pension because of automatic enrolment, and particularly encouraging that the youngest workers have seen the sharpest rise in membership. But these figures show that the champagne needs to be put on ice. Nearly half all employers were contributing the bare minimum of 1% of wages in 2017, and it seems likely that they will continue to contribute at the legal minimum level as contribution rates rise into 2019. A combined contribution rate of 8% between worker and firm is simply not good enough for most people. The hard work of automatic enrolment will be in supporting workers and firms to get these contributions up to more realistic levels. The single most important thing that the government could do would be to ensure that when people get a pay rise they automatically increase their contribution rate unless they actively opt out. We know that this approach works in the US and it is time to do the same in the UK if we are to avoid a generation of workers who will simply be unable to afford to retire. European airport trade body, ACI EUROPE today released its air traffic report for March and Q1, revealing that during the first quarter of this year, passenger traffic at Europes airports grew by an average +7.6%. Passenger traffic in the Non-EU market significantly outperformed the European average during Q1 - at +12.9%. This was mainly driven by rapidly increasing volumes at airports in Turkey, Ukraine, Israel, Georgia and Iceland and to lesser extent in Russia, Moldova and Belarus. Apart from Istanbul-Ataturk (see below), the highest increases in passenger traffic were notably achieved by Ankara (+41.3%), Tbilisi (+37%), Tel Aviv (+19.5%), Istanbul-Sabiha Gocken (+18.5%), Antalya (+16.7%), Kiev (+15.3%), Izmir (+15.1%) and Keflavik (+14.3%). Meanwhile, the EU market maintained a dynamic growth trajectory with passenger traffic increasing by +6.2% during Q1. Some 14 EU national markets recorded double-digit growth - mostly in the Eastern and Southern parts of the bloc, along with Finland and Luxembourg. Accordingly, the following capital airports posted significant results: Malta (+19.4%), Riga (+19.4%), Luxembourg (+18.8%), Bratislava (+18.6%), Vilnius (+17.1%), Budapest (+16.9%), Lisbon (+15.8%), Warsaw (+14.7%), Ljubljana (+14.2%), Zagreb (+13.8%), Larnaca (+12.8%), Helsinki (+12.3%) and Prague (+12.4%). Conversely, passenger traffic at UK, German, Danish and Swedish airports grew at the slowest pace in large part reflecting the impact of the bankruptcies of Monarch and Air Berlin and/or limited economic growth. Passenger traffic at the Majors (top five European airports) grew by an impressive +9.6% during Q1. Istanbul-Ataturk led the league with passenger growth of +21.5%. This propelled the Turkish hub from the 5th to the 3rd position of the busiest European airports (compared to full year 2017) - snapping at the heels of Paris-CDG (+4.6%). Frankfurt (now in 5th position) grew by +10% on the back of both low cost carrier (LCC) expansion and a strong hub airline, while Amsterdam-Schiphol (4th position) expanded by +8.2%. London-Heathrows remained in the top position, but continued to grow at the slowest pace (+3.1%) due to capacity constraints. Many regional airports achieved particularly impressive growth often capitalising on their off-season potential as leisure destinations and yielding the results of proactive route development & marketing. These included: Varna (+90.8%), Naples (+46.1%), Heraklion (+41.2%), Sevilla (+30%), Valencia (+28.3%), Ibiza (+24.6%) Dubrovnik (+23.8%), Olbia (+23.8%), Krakow (+20.9%), Palermo (+20.4%), Nantes (+18.6%), Strasbourg (+16.2%), and Brindisi (+14.6%). Freight traffic during Q1 was up +4.5%, while Aircraft movements (an indicator of new airline capacity in the market) were up +3.7%. Olivier Jankovec, Director General of ACI EUROPE said: The momentum for continued passenger traffic growth is holding on. While economic growth is set to remain strong in Europe this year, its pace should moderate somehow with slower freight traffic appearing to give credence to that. For now, the most significant downside risks for air traffic are coming from rising oil prices, trade disputes and Brexit. During Q1, airports welcoming more than 25 million passengers per year (Group 1), airports welcoming between 10 and 25 million passengers (Group 2), airports welcoming between 5 and 10 million passengers (Group 3) and airports welcoming less than 5 million passengers per year (Group 4) reported an average adjustment +7.1%, +7.7%, +9.2% and +8.3%. The airports that reported the highest increases in passenger traffic are as follows: GROUP 1: Istanbul IST (+21.5%), Istanbul SAW (+18.5%), Antalya (+16.5%), Lisbon (+15.8%) and Moscow SVO (+11.9%) GROUP 2: Ankara (+41.3%), Tel Aviv (+19.5%), Budapest (16.9%), Kiev (+15.3%) and Izmir (+15.1%) GROUP 3: Naples (+46.1%), Heraklion (+41.2%), Sevilla (+30%), Valencia (+28.3%), Ibiza (+24.6%) GROUP 4: Varna (+90.8%), Batumi (+55.1%), Lublin (+54.1%), Craiova (+52.5%) and Kefallinia (+43.3%) March figures During the month of March, average passenger growth was +8.9% - benefitting from the Easter break starting at the end of the month rather than in April. EU airports grew by +7.9% and non-EU ones by +12%. Freight traffic reported an increase of +1.1% - the slowest gain in 2 years. Aircraft movements were up +3.5%. Airports welcoming more than 25 million passengers per year (Group 1), airports welcoming between 10 and 25 million passengers (Group 2), airports welcoming between 5 and 10 million passengers (Group 3) and airports welcoming less than 5 million passengers per year (Group 4) reported an average adjustment +8.5%, +9.3%, +10.3% and +7.7%. For March, the airports which reported the highest increases in passenger traffic are as follows: GROUP 1: Antalya (+23.8%), Istanbul IST & Lisbon (+17.2%), Istanbul SAW (+14.6%), Palma De Mallorca (+14.7%) and Moscow SVO (+13.4%) GROUP 2: Ankara (+37.5%), Tel Aviv (+23.7%), Kiev (+21.1%), Budapest (+17.8%) and Porto (+15.4%) GROUP 3: Heraklion (+52.9%), Naples (+45.4%), Ibiza (+33.2%), Valencia (+28.7%) and Nantes (+26.8%) GROUP 4: Kefallinia (+95.5%), Varna (+90.1%), Lublin (+61.9%), Split (+58%) and Caen (+49.1%) The 'ACI EUROPE Airport Traffic Report March & Q1 2018 includes 238 airports in total representing more than 88% of European air passenger traffic. The report is the only air transport report which includes all types of civil aviation passenger flights: full service, low cost and charter. Bombardier Commercial Aircraft has signed a firm purchase agreement for six new Q400 aircraft with African Aero Trading on behalf of the consortium forming Air Connection Express, Transportes Aereos S.A, based in Luanda, Republic of Angola. Based on the list price of the Q400 aircraft, the firm order is valued at approximately US$ 198 million. We congratulate Air Connection Express as it launches its domestic air travel business, and are pleased that the Q400 has been selected to support regional air travel in Africa, said Jean-Paul Boutibou, Vice President, Sales, Middle East and Africa, Bombardier Commercial Aircraft. The Q400 has proven to be a key contributor to the growth of the network in the region, enhancing connectivity on routes that are not economically viable for larger aircraft. Today, more than 37 operators are flying the Q Series in Africa, and we look forward to adding Air Connection Express to the family of Q400 operators. The airline will operate the Q400 domestically to connect smaller communities and increase frequencies as a regional feeder airline to TAAG Angola Airlines flag carrier of the Republic of Angola. We are delighted to have reached this milestone with Bombardier. With its industry-leading reliability, outstanding economics and performance capabilities, the Q400 will be instrumental in driving economic growth in Angola, said Alcinda Pereira, Representative, Founding Committee, Air Connection Express, Transportes Aereos S.A. As we look at starting operations, we are confident that the nation of Angola will benefit tremendously from the Consortium. This partnership of companies has Angolas citizens needs at heart, and selecting the leading turboprop in Africa will enable us to better serve communities across the country with modern passenger comfort and improved connectivity. For full functionality of this site it is necessary to enable JavaScript. Here are the instructions how to enable JavaScript in your web browser A Russian Kamov Ka-52 (NATO reporting name: Hokum-B) helicopter has crashed in Syria, killing both pilots, the Defense Ministrys press office said. "A Russian Ka-52 helicopter crashed while performing a routine flight over eastern regions of the Syrian Arab Republic. Both pilots were killed," the press office said. Russian Armed Forces' Ka-52 attack helicopter (Credit: Russian Defense Ministry) According to the press office, a search-and-rescue team took the bodies to the airfield. "According to preliminary information, a technical malfunction may have caused the incident," the press office said. The Kamov Ka-52 reconnaissance/attack helicopter that crashed on May 7 is the eighth rotorcraft Russia has lost during the counterterrorism operation in Syria, according to media reports and official data provided by the Russian Defense Ministry. The first helicopter, i.e. the Mil Mi-8AMTSh, was lost on November 24, 2015 during a search and rescue operation aimed at finding two pilots of the Sukhoi Su-24M (Fencer) frontline bomber downed by a Turkish Air Force fighter jet in the Syrian airspace on the same day. During the search-and-rescue operation, the helicopter came under fire from the ground, performed an emergency landing on the neutral territory and was later destroyed by mortar fire from positions held by the terrorists. On April 12, 2016, a Mi-28N helicopter crashed near the city of Homs. Both pilots were killed. According to preliminary conclusions made by the Russian Defense Ministrys commission, the rotorcraft crashed due to a pilot error. During a combat mission on July 8, 2016, a Russian Aerospace Force Mi-35M helicopter crashed, coming under terrorist fire. Both pilots were killed. On August 1, 2016, a Russian Mi-8AMTSh helicopter was downed by fire from the ground in the Idlib province. The helicopters crew and officers of the Russian Center for Reconciliation of the Warring Sides in Syria, who were onboard, died. During a routine flight on November 3, 2016, a Russian Aerospace Force helicopter, probably a Mi-35M, performed an emergency landing and was later destroyed by mortar fire from the ground. The helicopters crew members were rescued as a result of a search and rescue operation. On October 6, 2017, a Mi-28N combat helicopter performed a forced landing in the Hama province. Both pilots survived. The incident was caused by a technical malfunction. On December 31, 2017, a Mi-24P helicopter crashed due to a technical failure. Both pilots died. As mentioned above, a Ka-52 reconnaissance/attack helicopter crashed in Syria on May 7, 2018, killing both crew members. As of May 8, 2018, Russia has lost two Mi-8AMTSh military transport rotorcraft and six combat helicopters, in particular, two Mi-28N, one Ka-52, two Mi-35M and one Mi-24P. Four helicopters were engaged, while three incidents were caused by technical drawbacks and one - by a pilot error. Copyright 2018 TASS. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. The first Whole Foods Market in Gainesville is set to open Wednesday. The first 500 residents in line when the store opens at 9 a.m. will randomly receive gift cards ranging from $5 to $500. Angela DiMichele The new Gainesville Whole Foods Market entrance. The store, located at 3490 SW Archer Rd., operates Monday through Sunday from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. The new market includes amenities that sets the location apart. They include a Genji ramen bar, cafe, dining area and self-service stations for coffee, juice beverages and acai bowls. Heather McCready, a Whole Foods Market spokesperson, said the store catered specifically to Gainesville community needs with the create-your-own acai bowl, beverage, hot and cold food bar self-serve stations. It is the largest of its kind in the state. We dont just show up and build the store, she said. We really entrench ourselves in the community to try to understand what it is they love and what it is that they want. The store carries produce from 20 Florida farms, pizza dough from Italy and a seafood department that displays the name of the fisherman and boat the food was caught on, McCready said. The beer and wine section features Gainesvilles Swamp Head Brewery and First Magnitude Brewery Co. craft beers. McCready said the Gainesville location is different because it allows residents to grocery shop and also provides a place to sit and eat. The location also caters toward students with a pop-up bar that serves beer and wine from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m daily and power outlets in the cafe and dining area. Found only in the Butler Plaza location is aviation decor paying tribute to the historic Stengel Airfield, built just before World War II. McCready said the stores yellow, blue and brown theme is modeled throughout after the airfield because of its significance to Gainesville. Alex Brunache, a 21-year-old UF information systems senior, said he does not plan on changing his shopping habits because the location is inconvenient for him. Brunache lives two houses behind the Publix at 203 NW 13th St. and shops there. He said students who live closer to campus and downtown will be kept away from shopping at this store because stores closer to campus offer similar alternatives at more affordable prices. For people like me, I think familiarity prevails and keeps me in my own routine, he said. Their products have great quality, but its not really enough to make me drive all the way to Whole Foods. Enjoy what you're reading? Get content from The Alligator delivered to your inbox Subscribe Now Thomas Stewart, a 21-year-old Santa Fe health science junior, said shopping at Whole Foods Market rather than other stores is worthy of his time and money even if the products are more expensive than competitors. Im definitely going to be taking a step away from the other grocery stores all together, he said. Now we have the better option. Follow Angela DiMichele on Twitter @angdimi and contact her at adimichele@alligator.org. The only Whole Foods Market in North Central Florida is set to open. UF got a black eye over the weekend when black students were aggressively forced out of their strolls while walking during graduation. Strolls, in case you arent familiar, are traditional, celebratory dances that originated with historically black Greek organizations. Theyre a lot more meaningful than the usual dabs that we often see. Nearly everyone in the room caught on that there was something wrong with the moment. In a rare display of unity, the audience maintained solid boos for almost a solid ten seconds. The whole situation was impressively bad. But hey, at least people in the room recognized that what happened was really messed up and that it shouldnt have happened. The UF Twitter put out a vague, non-apology later that night. Then, UF President Kent Fuchs put out a more comprehensive two-part Twitter apology the next day, also reflected in his commencement address in subsequent ceremonies as well as through his offices Facebook page. Unfortunately, our experience within the room wasnt reflected well online. Theres no shortage of people calling the students hooligans or insisting that graduation ceremonies are supposed to respectful, classy, decorous or whatever. Yeah right. Nothing says decorous like parents honking smuggled air horns or holding screaming babies. Nothing says respectful like parents sassing one another and bickering over saved seats. Nothing says classy like graduates ripping off their gowns to reveal shorts and a T-shirt underneath as they walk. And yes, Im talking about white people as well as minorities. Dont let your prejudice pigeonhole you into thinking that only black graduates were strutting their stuff creatively this past weekend. People from all walks of life did their own things while they walked. The reason everyones angry is because the marshals harassment of black students was completely out of line compared to how he treated students of other ethnicities (or non-treatment in the case of some students from multiple non-black ethnicities that he inexplicably did not harass). And yes, I watched the whole darn livestream even though I was there in person just to make sure Im writing this accurately. But back to decorum; something tells me that the people making mindless comments dont know what our ceremonies are like. At the beginning of his commencement speech, President Fuchs makes a reference to how the graduating class survived tide pods and the stiff arm dance (also known as flossing). In the first couple of ceremonies, he just says it and everyone laughs since hes our Gator dad, hes funny and we love him. After around four or five ceremonies, someone or several people from the group of decorous distinguished guests and faculty that sit on stage decided to actually start doing the dance after Fuchs makes the reference and the newly born tradition carried on until the last ceremony. We actually got less classy and less decorous over time. Not that you shouldnt rip off your gown, revealing your shorts an T-shirts while you walk, or that you shouldnt dance a little, but the point is that we clearly have not chosen to conduct these ceremonies as people might have during the 12th century. If you think ceremonies should be dreadfully boring, prim and proper, youre perfectly free to live your boring life and die a boring death, but that doesnt mean that anyone else has to suffer the same boring fate, so stay in your boring lane. Fuchs literally pokes fun at how stern academical dress codes used to be in addition to joining the students in the decorous tradition of decorating ones mortarboard. If youre going to scold someone for trying to stroll or dance while at a UF graduation ceremony, youre clearly missing the forest for the trees. Also, if youre going to just call it ratchet dancing or whatever, I encourage you to learn more about strolling. I used to be relatively ignorant about strolling, as a person not affiliated with any multicultural Greek organizations. Initially, it was just a lot of yelling and weird moves and such to me. But over time, I got to know more people within the organizations and eventually started to understand the meaning behind the practices. I would highly recommend against disguising ignorance with a false sense of supremacy since, if you are, youre just setting yourself up to fail. Zachariah Chou is a 20-year-old UF political science sophomore and Murphree Area Senator. Enjoy what you're reading? Get content from The Alligator delivered to your inbox Subscribe Now To include more than one recipient, please separate each email address with a semi-colon ';', to a maximum of 5 By submitting this article to a friend we reserve the right to contact them regarding Fastmarkets AMM subscriptions. Please ensure you have their consent before giving us their details. Global steel slab prices decreased in April but trading remained weak in all regions due to poor demand and uncertainty about how the market will develop after the Section 232 trade investigation in the United States. Southeast Asia Slab offers in Southeast Asia started to retreat in early May but market participants believe that current prices are still high. Despite lower offers, no large increase in supply is expected this month so trading activity is likely to remain low. Metal Bulletins price assessment for Southeast Asia slab imports reached $560-570 per tonne cfr on April 30 before falling to $550-560 per tonne cfr on Monday May 7. South Korean slabs were sold to Japan at $560 per tonne fob during the last week of April, while a large shipment of Iranian plate-making slabs was booked at $550 per tonne cfr Thailand. But few offers have been heard recently from Russia and Brazil, the major suppliers to Asian slab consumers. This is partly explained by the US governments decision to restrict imports after the Section 232 investigation. Import tariffs were imposed at 25% for Russia-origin slabs, while a quota was set for Brazilian producers. It looks almost impossible for any Brazilian slab to be offered to Asia in the near future because Brazilian suppliers are still focusing on selling to North America [at higher prices], a major trader in East Asia said. Although Commonwealth of Independent States countries were not exempt from the tariffs, some Russian producers with US subsidiaries will still need to allocate supplies for their US operations. So the volume of Russian slab that will be available to other regions, such as Asia, is unlikely to increase, a trader in Indonesia said. I think there will be price corrections this month but not by much, he added. CIS slab offers in the first week of May were heard at $560-565 per tonne cfr to Indonesia and Taiwan, down by $10-15 per tonne from the $570-580 per tonne cfr heard a week earlier in Malaysia and Thailand. The decrease in CIS offer prices to Asia came after prices had been unchanged at high levels of $570-585 per tonne cfr throughout April amid sparse trading due to the mismatch of bids and offers. The slowness in the flat steel markets in Asia is expected to keep slab demand in the region weak until the end of June, and some rerollers are likely to wait for an eventual decrease in slab prices before purchasing cargoes, market participants said. It seems that slab buyers will be unable to increase their hot-rolled coil [HRC] prices until the end of May, a major Asian producer source said. Moreover, demand for materials will fall further with the Islamic holy month of Ramadan starting in mid-May and being observed in countries such as Malaysia and Indonesia. Local transportation in Indonesia will also be restricted for the Eid Al-Fitr religious holiday in mid-June, which will prevent trucks from delivering cargoes within the country. The Indonesian market will basically be active only for one week in June, a buyer source said. CIS mills offered slab at $560-565 per tonne cfr to Southeast Asia, while customers in Taiwan bid $540-545 per tonne cfr. CIS, Iran From the CIS market, the most recent offers heard were within the range of $550-560 per tonne fob Black Sea. Market sources expect slab prices to decrease in the near term following the downward trend in the finished flat steel segment. One trading source expects prices will get down to $540 per tonne fob soon. But a source from Russian producer Evraz expects prices to remain firm in the near term due to the currently strong HRC prices in China. And despite the measures related to the Section 232 investigation in the US market, CIS mills plan to continue their sales. Evraz will continue to ship slabs to US clients without any change in volumes, it said. From Iran, recent offers were heard at $530-540 per tonne fob Black Sea. A 40,000-tonne cargo was sold to Thailand at $550 per tonne cfr, or around $520 per tonne fob. Brazil The outlook for Brazilian slab is becoming clearer, with a decision about measures related to the US Section 232 investigation expected. After few deals were closed in April, mostly to the US, companies have held back from the market because there is no information about how a quota for Brazilian steel exports to the North American country will be managed. The Brazilian steel sector has agreed to set quotas with the US government for steel shipments to the country in order to avoid the 25% tariff under Section 232. Under the agreement, Brazilian steelmakers will be able to export 3.5 million tonnes per year of semifinished steel goods and around 687,000 tpy of finished steel. A final agreement had yet to be reached between Brazil and the US as of May 8, and companies in Brazil were still negotiating how to handle the quota. One of the proposals was to split the volumes between exporting companies based on their performance over the past three years. If Brazilian companies compete for quotas, prices would be negatively affected, a source said. [But] any solution is better than continuing uncertainty. The limit for semifinished product exports was considered positive for Brazilian slab producers because it could allow companies to access a market with higher prices. But slab producers will also have to direct part of their production away from the US and to other regions, where prices are lower. Market participants expect a wide price difference between deals closed to the US market and to other regions. The latest deal heard from Brazil to the US was priced around $580-590 per tonne fob, while the most recent consultation from a client in Asia was around $560 per tonne fob. With the limit imposed by the US, Brazilian slab producers will have to get back to reality, another source said. Brazilian producers will have to face two different prices, one to the US and another to the rest of the world, a third source said. Metal Bulletins weekly assessment of Brazils slab export prices surpassed $600 per tonne fob in the first half of April due to high offers made to the US market. But the price assessment widened downward on May 4 to $560-600 per tonne fob. Fiona Lam, Singapore; and Vlada Novokreshchenova, Dnepr, Ukraine, contributed to this article. When photographer Joe Rosenthal snapped the picture of five US marines and a Navy sailor raising the American flag over the battle-scarred Japanese island of Iwo Jima, he could not have anticipated that it would become one of the most memorable and most recognizable images of the Second World War. Widely reprinted across a thousand publications, the image resonated with everyone who saw it, and was promptly reproduced in postage stamps and later sculpted in bronze at the Marine Corps War Memorial in Virginia. Thousands of miles away at Moscow, it inspired Stalin to stage a similar victory photographs but with Red Army soldiers hoisting the Soviet flag. Raising a Flag over the Reichstag, by Yevgeny Khaldei, is one of the most iconic photographs from the Battle of Berlin and the Second World War in general. Yevgeny Anan'evich Khaldei was a Red Army naval officer and the wars official photographer. For more than four years, since the Nazi invasion of the Soviet Union in 1941, Khaldei was active in the field, documenting events as they unfolded. Born to a Jewish family in present-day Ukraine, Khaldei was obsessed with photography since childhood. One of his earliest cameras was a primitive box that he fashioned himself using his grandmother's eyeglasses. As a war photographer, Khaldei recorded the death and destruction on the Eastern Front, from Sevastopol to Murmansk to Manchuria and eventually all the way to Berlin. He also photographed the Potsdam Conference, and later the Nuremberg Trials. During the final days of the war, the Red Army smashed its way into the German capital. One of the targets was the Reichstag building, the former seat of power of the German Empire. Although the German assembly no longer met at the Reichstag, capturing the building became one of the prime objectives of the Red Army due to its symbolic significance. Ruins of the Reichstag in Berlin, 3 June 1945. Photo credit: Imperial War Museums. One 30 April, 1945, after a day-long assault, Soviet troops broke into the building, and with fighting still continuing inside, some of them reached the roof and hoisted the Red Flag on the top. It was night time so nobody could photograph it. When Khaldei arrived at Berlin on May 2nd, armed with his Leica III rangefinder and a large Red Flag which his tailor uncle at Moscow had sewn for him out of tablecloths stolen from a government office, he found he was two days too late. Adolf Hitler had committed suicide two days before, and the Germans had surrendered. But Yevgeny Khaldei knew he had to take the photo. This is what I was waiting for for 1,400 days, he later said. Khaldei tried several places. The first photo is taken at Tempelhof Airport, and the second at Brandenburg Gate. Khaldei collected three soldiers from the street and asked them to re-enact the historic flag raising while he took photos. An 18-year-old Private Alexei Kovalyov from Kiev attached the flag, while Abdulkhakim Ismailov from Dagestan and Leonid Gorychev from Minsk accompanied him. Khaldei shot an entire roll of film, 36 images. One of these was published in the magazine Ogoniok on 13 May 1945. Back in Moscow, officials scrutinizing the photographs found a problemone of the soldiers had a wristwatch on each arm, indicating he had been lootingan image that would reflect very badly on the country. Khaldei was asked to edit the watch out of the image, which he did by scratching it out with a needle. Khaldei then went on to make more dramatic edits to his photo, such as darkening the sky and adding smoke in the background, which earned him much criticism. Throughout his life, Khaldei defended his photo manipulation. It is a good photograph and historically significant, he once said. He knew it was propaganda, but he believed the cause was just. Khaldei suffered immense loss during the war against Hitler, having lost his father and three of his four sisters to Nazi murderers. I forgive the Germans, but I cannot forget, he used to say until his death in October 1997. The edited photo. Notice how dark, gritty and smoky the image is compared to the original at the top of the article. You can also make out the missing wrist watch from the right hand of the soldier at the bottom of the image. Two different versions of the flag raising. The original raising of the flag photograph at Iwo Jima. Reichstag building as it is today. Photo credit: Roman Lashkin/Flickr Posted on: May 8, 2018 4:54 PM The Bishop of West Malaysia, Archbishop Moon Hing, has added his voice to calls for Christians in Malaysia to vote wisely in tomorrows General Election. The 222 members of the Lower House of the Dewan Rakyat the lower house of the countrys parliament will be elected on Wednesday (9 May). The current ruling party, the United Malays National Organisation, has been in power for 60 years. But in a surprise move, its former leader, Dr Mahathir Mohamad, who served as the countrys Prime Minister for 22 years, has joined the opposition and is seeking to reclaim his old seat at the age of 93. He has asked for forgiveness for his past mistakes, and, according to BBC News, told one young voter: "I am already old. I havent much time left. I have to do some work to rebuild our country; perhaps because of mistakes I, myself, made in the past. Last week, the ecumenical umbrella group the Christian Federation of Malaysia, which brings together three other Christian groups, including the National Evangelical Christian Fellowship, the Catholic Bishops Conference of Malaysia, and the Council of Churches of Malaysia, which includes the countrys three Anglican Dioceses, issued a statement urging Christians to vote wisely for a better Malaysia. Now, Archbishop Moon Hing has made a similar call, using a pastoral letter to urge Christians to vote wisely and act responsibly. He said that one of the fundamentals of the Christian faith, as revealed in Scripture, is to love our neighbours as ourselves. When we evaluate the competing manifestos of the political parties, let us look not simply at proposed policies and ask what is in it for us, but ask instead how those policies would affect those for whom God has called us to be concerned. As a Christian community that is in a minority in this country, let us not be tempted just to protect and preserve our immediate needs and constitutional rights, but cast our minds on what is in the long-term best interest of our nation, and to seek the common good. In his message, he stressed that it was not the role of the Church to be politically partisan, but it is the role of the Church to make her views known on policies that are affirming and uplifting of society, and those that are negative and degrading, he said. All Christians should desire that goodness and mercy follow us as a nation all the days of our lives and, as in the Lords Prayer, that His Will is brought about not just in heaven but on earth as well. Posted on: May 8, 2018 4:25 PM The third gathering of the Global Christian Forum has called on Christians around the world to take up together the challenges of peace, unity and costly discipleship. The Forum connects the broadest range of global Christianity. Its third global gathering took place last month in the Colombian capital Bogata. Some 251 church leaders from 55 nations took part in the event, representing almost all streams of global Christianity including from the Anglican Communion. Against the backdrop of growing division in the world, the meeting itself became a message of careful listening and respectful engagement across barriers of old enmities and historic separations, the World Council of Churches said. In recognition of the churches of the host nation, the Message said participants have listened to, and been inspired by, witnesses working for peace. We pray that the peace process may continue in Colombia and bring hope and reconciliation to those who are suffering and struggling. Anglicans present at the gathering included Bishop Francisco Duque-Gomez from Columbia; the former Bishop of Christchurch in New Zealand, Victoria Matthews; the Bishop of the Cape Coast in the Province of West Africa, Victor Atta Bafoe; and the suffragan Bishop of Toronto in Canada, Jenny Andison. Also present was the Archbishop of Canterburys ecumenical advisor, the Revd Dr Will Adam; the director of the Church of Irelands Theological Institute, the Revd Canon Dr Maurice Elliot; Dr Paulo Ueti, regional co-ordinator for the Anglican Alliance; and the Anglican Communions director of Unity, Faith and Order, the Revd Canon Dr John Gibaut. Other participants came from the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity, the Pentecostal World Fellowship, the World Council of Churches, the World Evangelical Alliance and many other Christian World Communions and international Christian organisations. The existence of the Global Christian Forum as a place where churches and church leaders who are often strangers to each other to come together in mutual love is a realisation of the shared yearning for healing in the wounded body of Christ, the GCFs secretary, the Revd Dr Larry Miller, said. Dr Miller said that GCF participants repeatedly affirmed the Forum as an indispensable instrument for promoting Christian unity and engaging in conversation on the challenges Christian communities worldwide face today, the WCC said. This gathering . . . has been a moment of tremendously improved relationships between all the participants, which reflects a new era of collaboration among the churches, Bishop Brian Farrell, Secretary of the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity, said. I think the Global Christian Forum has shown that we do have a way forward, which is that we must not use our differences to stay apart and refuse collaboration. We need to see them as a certain contribution of richness to the whole Christian mission in the world. The Associate General Secretary of the World Evangelical Alliance, Dr Thomas Schirrmacher, described the Bogota gathering as the Global Christian Forum at its best! He said: To hear in small groups the personal faith stories of high-ranking Christians from all confessions a mark of the GCF was moving and eye-opening. At the same time, plenary presentations by the major expressions of Christianity on the future of ecumenical relations proved how much more friendly our relationships have become. We have matured to the point where we are more eager than ever to overcome major differences, yet without compromising our identities and biblical convictions. Posted on: May 8, 2018 10:24 AM The funeral of the former suffragan bishop of Johannesburg, Mfaniseni Sigisbert Ndwandwe, will take place at 8 am SAST (6 am GMT) on Friday (11 May) at the diocesan centre in Matlosane. Bishop Sigisbert endured severe oppression from the South African authorities because of his participation in the campaign against Apartheid. He had been arrested, detained without trial, and his house was firebombed. Bishop Sigisbert was originally ordained in the Roman Catholic Church, and earned a doctorate in canon law before becoming an Anglican. In 1978, he was elected suffragan bishop of Johannesburg. Later, alongside another suffragan bishop in the diocese, Simeon Nkoane, he worked with young anti-apartheid activists in their communities; and was subjected to attacks by apartheid forces. In 1985, they joined Bishop Desmond Tutu, recently enthroned as Bishop of Johannesburg, and two dozen other priests in an illegal march to John Vorster Square, a police station and detention centre in Johannesburg, to protest against the detention of Father Geoff Moselane of Sharpeville. Father Moselane was later charged alongside 21 other anti-apartheid activists in what became known as the Delmas treason trial. Designed to suppress the United Democratic Front, the trial was the longest in South African history at the time. Just before the jury delivered its guilty verdicts, seven black people were killed and 15-injured when a white supremacist, opened fire on people outside the court. The convictions were later overturned by the Supreme Court. The police station was named after John Vorster, who had served as both Prime Minister and President of South Africa, and a fierce proponent of the countrys apartheid system. In the post-apartheid era, the building was re-named Johannesburg Central Police Station. In April 1986, Bishop Sigisberts house in Jouberton was fire-bombed. In response, police arrested him on charges of public violence. They released him, only to re-arrest him under the Internal Security Act. He was strip-searched in public and detained without trial for 99 days on a claim that he had conspired to murder policemen. On the day he was released from prison, he went to St Peters Church in Klerksdorp to preside at a Confirmation service. We thought it wont take place, the parishs Marie Van Wyk said, but [the] bishop said the work of the Lord must go on, and it did. He was later named by the then Archbishop Tutu to a panel of four bishops who were appointed to promote peace during the conflict of the late 1980s and early 1990s in KwaZulu-Natal. Bishop Sigisbert is survived by his wife, Dorcas, his children, Mbuso, Donald and Angie, eight grandchildren and two great grandchildren. (ANSA) - Rome, May 8 - The Italian Coast Guard, after repeated urging to British authorities and in agreement with the interior ministry, on Tuesday authorised British ship Acquarius, of SOS Mediterranee and MSF, to offload its human cargo of 105 migrants in an Italian port after days of deadlock. The European Commission earlier Tuesday described the stand-off as "deplorable" "The priority is to help migrants", a spokesperson said. "It is with this spirit that we launch an appeal, both to Italian and British authorities, for a quick solution so that migrants can land safely as soon as possible". "European ships, including Italian ones, act in the full respect of international law and according to the principle of non-rejections: they never take migrants back to Libya or third countries", said Natasha Bertaud, a spokeswoman for the European Commission to those asking about the activity carried out by Libyan coast guards. "Each maritime center has the obligation of coordinating rescue operations according to international conventions and, according to our information, this is what Italy is doing". MADRID - One million Spanish guitars in favor of vulnerable minors worldwide, starting from the Middle East, is the idea behind an initiative launched by Israeli song-writer David Broza. The musician founded the NGO 'One million guitars' to offer over the next five years scholarships, together with an instrument and music manual, to children whose families cannot afford to give them a musical education. ''Children will have their own guitar to start playing, to get to know their soul and cultivate art which is the future for everyone'', explained David Broza, quoted by Spanish media. The young musicians will have access to material to train online, with tutorial videos by high-profile artists. The Israeli song-writer, who lived in Spain when he was young, recorded albums in Spanish and translated into Hebrew songs by Catalan song writer Joan Manuel Serrat in the 1980s, launched the project 'One million guitars' to ''inspire future generations so they can improve the world''. (ANSAmed) - MADRID, MAY 8 - Three firefighters from Seville who volunteered for the NGO Proem-Aid have been acquitted by a tribunal in Lesvos of migrant smuggling charges. ''It is a great victory for humanitarian aid. We will go back to saving lives in the Mediterranean'', they said. Manuel Blanco, Enrique Rodriguez and Julio Latorre, who participated in rescue operations during the humanitarian crisis in 2016, were arrested by coast guards on January 14, 2016, aboard the vessel operated by Proem-Aid at the port of the Greek island. They were released after paying 5,000 euros each and were indicted on illegal migrant trafficking charges. A tribunal on Monday ruled that the three Spanish nationals, who were wearing their uniforms in court, were not guilty and said they always acted according to the law, alerting authorities each time they rescued migrants at sea. The acquittal ''strengthens our action because saving lives is not a crime'', said Manuel Blanco in statements to Spanish media. Spanish Foreign Minister Alfonso Dastis expressed ''great satisfaction'' for the decision taken by the Greek court. (ANSAmed) BEIRUT - A convoy of over 50 buses carrying thousands of rebels and civilians left an area besieged by government and Russian forces in central Syria on Tuesday morning. The evacuation follows the surrender of the anti-government rebels following negotiations on the ground led by Russian military representatives. The National Observatory for Human Rights in Syria reports the arrival of 56 buses from various locations between Homs and Hama, which has been outside the control of Damascus for years. The buses are now waiting for the Turkish forces, which have de facto control of the area of Idlib bordering the Hama region, to let them through on their way to northern Syria where rebels and civilians who surrender to government, Russian and Iranian forces in central Syria are being gathered. Further convoys carrying rebels and civilians are expected to depart in due course. Migrants: '1,000 people rescued in two days', Libyan Navy Off Tripolitania, one dead and one missing (ANSAmed) - CAIRO, MAY 8 - Libyan coast guards have said they intercepted Monday some 500 migrants on vessels that were in territorial waters including 400 in the area of Garabulli east of Tripoli and the rest near Sabratha west of the capital. The Libyan coast guard also said that the day before three vessels were apprehended off Tripolitania with some 400 migrants on board, including children. One migrant drowned and another was reported missing. (ANSAmed) One million Spanish guitars for vulnerable minors in Mideast Initiative launched by Israeli song-writer David Broza (ANSAmed) - MADRID, MAY 8 - One million Spanish guitars in favor of vulnerable minors worldwide, starting from the Middle East, is the idea behind an initiative launched by Israeli song-writer David Broza. The musician founded the NGO 'One million guitars' to offer over the next five years scholarships, together with an instrument and music manual, to children whose families cannot afford to give them a musical education. ''Children will have their own guitar to start playing, to get to know their soul and cultivate art which is the future for everyone'', explained David Broza, quoted by Spanish media. The young musicians will have access to material to train online, with tutorial videos by high-profile artists. The Israeli song-writer, who lived in Spain when he was young, recorded albums in Spanish and translated into Hebrew songs by Catalan song writer Joan Manuel Serrat in the 1980s, launched the project 'One million guitars' to ''inspire future generations so they can improve the world''. (ANSAmed) Hezbollah-led anti-Israel front advances in Lebanon Saad Hariri loses ground but could stay as premier (by Alberto Zanconato) (ANSAmed) - BEIRUT, MAY 8 - The anti-Israel front led by Hezbollah has gained ground in national elections in Lebanon held Monday while Prime Minister Saad Hariri has lost support, according to the first official results, which are not definitive. Hariri, however, could be reconfirmed as premier of a government of national unity which, like the outgoing cabinet, would include rival factions. The initial results were announced on Monday night by Interior Minister Nuhad Mashnuk. Definitive results are scheduled to be released on Wednesday. The pro-Iranian side that includes Shiite movement Hezbollah, the other Shiite party Amal and Christian party 'Free Patriotic Movement' of President Michel Aoun won over one-third of parliamentary seats. On the opposite pro-Saudi front, Hariri's Future party lost one-third of seats, dropping to no more than 21 yet remaining the leading Sunni force in Parliament. Since the premiership goes to a Sunni it is expected that he will stay on as premier of a government that will need to be of national unity to safeguard stability in Lebanon following tensions in the region between the Saudis and Iranians. Hariri said that Lebanon ''can only be governed by all its political components and those who say the opposite are fooling themselves. We must work together to build the country''. Shortly afterwards, the head of Hezbollah, Hassan Nasrallah, echoed his position saying: ''If we want security and stability, parties must cooperate between them and need to solve conflicts on domestic and foreign policy issues''. The most important achievement however was the one obtained by the Christian opposition party that is most critical towards Hezbollah, the Lebanese Forces of Samir GeaGea, which are expected to have almost doubled their presence in Parliament from eight to 15 seats. Turnout was more than 49.2%, down from the already disappointing 54.8% recorded in 2009. An independent civil society party debuting in the election, Kella Watani, succeeded in having one of its candidates elected, journalist Paula Yacoubian. Supporters of the movement protested in front of the interior ministry, denouncing alleged electoral fraud that prevented a second candidate from being elected. (ANSAmed) But with thousands of wines to try at the event, there are a lot more that have proven their worth in their excellence, some I reconfirmed after trying different vintages from the past years and some new discoveries that I would like to share with you. There are also some approaches of new styles of production by some producers that are yielding that excellent results as well as new grape varieties that are going into the wine bottles. The great thing about Vinitaly is that you can hop from one Italian region to another and immediately taste and smell the differences of the terroir that the wines are depicting. Here are some of the producers and their wines that captured my interest: stretches for about 1.000 hectares, 150 hectares of which are vineyards planted mainly with selected clones of Sangiovese,Vermentino, Trebbiano, Malvasia Nera, Malvasia Bianca and Merlot. The Vigna Casi Chianti Classico Riserva 2015 and Meleto Chianti Classico 2016 that recently received 92 points from Wine Spectator magazine as "Smart Buys" are just a couple of their excellent representations of Chianti Classico. Their Camboi Toscana Rosso IGT 2014 made with 100% Malvasia Nera is a very particular addition to their line of production. The Vigna Casi Chianti Classico Riserva 2015 and Meleto Chianti Classico 2016 that recently received 92 points from Wine Spectator magazine as "Smart Buys" are just a couple of their excellent representations of Chianti Classico. Their Camboi Toscana Rosso IGT 2014 made with 100% Malvasia Nera is a very particular addition to their line of production. Their liqueur de tirage remains simple: the same wine itself and sugar. They mainly cultivate Chardonnay which covers 60% of the total land area as well as Pinot Blanc and Pinot Noir. Their QRose Brut, composed of blends of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, aged in the bottle for 46 months has numerous and persistent perlage and gives a good nose and palate of berries and brioche, good freshness and persistent finish. From Valdobbiadene, one of Italy's principal sparkling wine producing areas, a family-owned wineryripen, the very unique varieties that contribute to the production of Conegliano Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore. The wines are unique and decidedly personal, which in the glass express vivacity, freshness, potential longevity and extreme naturalness. The region of Basilicata cannot equal the number of production as its counterparts but with regards to quality, it can parallel them.Their Fontanelle 2013 of 100% Aglianico, cultivated from 15-year old vines in a single vineyard is an impressive harmonious wine with an ample nose and palate most especially plum confetture, mature dark stone fruits, smokiness and licorice. Whereas in Sicily, Cambria, a wine producer located on the hills of Furnaria is focusing on the production of wines based on Nocera, an almost forgotten ancient autochthonous grape with marked acidity, high grade of alcohol, good structure and dark fruit flavors. At Vinitaly, they introduced 6 epic wines using the unique varietal Nocera. , an almost forgotten ancient autochthonous grape with marked acidity, high grade of alcohol, good structure and dark fruit flavors. At Vinitaly, they introduced 6 epic wines using the unique varietal Nocera. Everyone is a fan of Brunello di Montalcino DOCG and at the estate of Tenute Silvio Nardi, the Sangiovese grapes that are cultivated in two of their vineyards give excellent results in the bottles. Their Brunellos have won a range of international awards. Manachiara, exposed to the east, where the sun rises, gives full-bodied and powerful wines whereas Casale del Bosco, exposed to the west, where the sun sets, offers elegant and complex wines. Everyone is a fan of Brunello di Montalcino DOCG and at the estate ofTheir Brunellos have won a range of international awards. Manachiara, exposed to the east, where the sun rises, gives full-bodied and powerful wines whereas Casale del Bosco, exposed to the west, where the sun sets, offers elegant and complex wines. Already present in 70 countries, the Tuscan winery Carpineto has been creating excellent wines since the 1960s. With cutting-edge technology, aiming for a high standard in wines, and respect for the Tuscan tradition, Carpineto hit the right spot with their wines, especially the aged reds, with numerous awards and accolades. Watch out for their DOCG wines: the Chianti Classico Riserva DOCG, Brunello di Montalcino DOCG and Vino Nobile di Montepulciano Riserva DOCG. Already present in 70 countries, tWith cutting-edge technology, aiming for a high standard in wines, and respect for the Tuscan tradition, Carpineto hit the right spot with their wines, especially the aged reds, with numerous awards and accolades. Watch out for their DOCG wines: the Chianti Classico Riserva DOCG, Brunello di Montalcino DOCG and Vino Nobile di Montepulciano Riserva DOCG. Still in Tuscany, Gagliole cultivates olives and grapes in their 20-hectare land in Castellina in Chianti for their production of oil and wine. Harvesting by hand, thorough quality selection of the grapes, along with modern technology are the distinctive features of the quality of their wines. The Sangiovese expresses well in their Chianti Classico and other red wines. Harvesting by hand, thorough quality selection of the grapes, along with modern technology are the distinctive features of the quality of their wines. The Sangiovese expresses well in their Chianti Classico and other red wines. The vulcanic soil, typical of the area, gives a prominent sapidity in the wines. Consoli from Olevano Romano has been around from the 1920s and has become a bigger winery from then for their commitment to their territory and passion for quality. Their Alma Mater, deep ruby red wine is made solely of the indigenous grapes, Cesanese. It is their award-winning wine that expresses well the territory with harmonious characteristics. Right from where Rome is, the region of Lazio has some wines that merit the attention.has been around from the 1920s and has become a bigger winery from then for their commitment to their territory and passion for quality. Their Alma Mater, deep ruby red wine is made solely of the indigenous grapes, Cesanese. It is their award-winning wine that expresses well the territory with harmonious characteristics. Up north, where the white wines reign with pride, Specogna boasts of incredible award-winning white wines made with Sauvignon, Pinot Grigio, Friulano, Malvasia, Picolit and Ribolla Gialla cultivated in the DOC area of Colli Orientali del Friuli. In fact, their Duality Sauvignon Blanc Friuli Colli Orientali DOC 2016 and Pinot Grigio Venezia Giulia 2011 both garnered 93 points in the 5StarWines Book. made with Sauvignon, Pinot Grigio, Friulano, Malvasia, Picolit and Ribolla Gialla cultivated in the DOC area of Colli Orientali del Friuli. In fact, their Duality Sauvignon Blanc Friuli Colli Orientali DOC 2016 and Pinot Grigio Venezia Giulia 2011 both garnered 93 points in the 5StarWines Book. Colli di Poianis is another family-owned winery owned DOC area of Colli Orientali del Friuli. The microclimate and Eocene marlstone and sandstone soil make ideal conditions for growing their grapes. The white and red wines express excellent characteristics of the grape varieties and the territory. A must-try is their Schioppettino, a red Italian grape variety was almost lost in extinction in the late 19th-century when vineyard owners decided to plant French varieties in favor of the Schioppettino. In 1991, The microclimate and Eocene marlstone and sandstone soil make ideal conditions for growing their grapes. The white and red wines express excellent characteristics of the grape varieties and the territory. A must-try is their Schioppettino, a red Italian grape variety was almost lost in extinction in the late 19th-century when vineyard owners decided to plant French varieties in favor of the Schioppettino. In 1991, Colli di Poianis won the prestigious Risit d'Aur award for having the first new vineyards of the autochthonous Schioppettino. In Valdivilla, on the hills of Asti, lies Ca'd'Gal, a winery of four generations with continued family effort in taking out the best of Moscato Bianco and other varieties. Their wines express their full potential in terms of richness of aroma and taste. Their Vite Vecchia Moscato d'Asti which are produced from Moscato Bianco grapes from 60-year old vines. Quite impressive are their reserves that are kept in bottles for 5 years after the harvest. Their wines express their full potential in terms of richness of aroma and taste. Their Vite Vecchia Moscato d'Asti which are produced from Moscato Bianco grapes from 60-year old vines. Quite impressive are their reserves that are kept in bottles for 5 years after the harvest. Going down to the south, in the region of Calabria, in Ciro Marina, Du Cropio produces impressive full-bodied red wines which are made dominantly with the indigenous grape Gaglioppo. They produce three labels with the same grape variety, an Serra Sanguigna IGT Calabria Rosso, Dom Giuva Ciro Rosso Classico Superiore and Damis Ciro Rosso Riserva. which are made dominantly with the indigenous grape Gaglioppo. They produce three labels with the same grape variety, an Serra Sanguigna IGT Calabria Rosso, Dom Giuva Ciro Rosso Classico Superiore and Damis Ciro Rosso Riserva. Cantine Luca, which, until the beginning of the 1990s was selling grapes, must and vino sfuso or bulk wine. With the proper education and dedication in wines, they evolved to bottling the wines too along with other agricultural activities in the estate, all following the methods of organic agriculture. Their Marasa Rosso of Gaglioppo and Nerello Calabrese is an excellent complex and full-bodied red wine and when paired with their native delicacy nduja, the flavors that come out are outstanding! Another Calabrian wine producer isWith the proper education and dedication in wines, they evolved to bottling the wines too along with other agricultural activities in the estate, all following the methods of organic agriculture. Their Marasa Rosso of Gaglioppo and Nerello Calabrese is an excellent complex and full-bodied red wine and when paired with their native delicacy nduja, the flavors that come out are outstanding! La Bioca is a small winery in Fontanafredda in the Langhe zone, Piedmont region of northern Italy. The vineyards are situated in the villages of Monforte dAlba , Novello, La Morra, Barbaresco and Roddino. They produce traditional wines of the Langhe like Dolcetto, Barbera, Nebbiolo, Arneis and Muscat. Whats interesting is their selection of wines made of rare autochthonous varieties like Favorita, Freisa and Pelaverga as well as several Crus of Barolo and Barbaresco. The vineyards are situated in the villages of Monforte dAlba , Novello, La Morra, Barbaresco and Roddino. They produce traditional wines of the Langhe like Dolcetto, Barbera, Nebbiolo, Arneis and Muscat. Whats interesting is their selection of wines made of rare autochthonous varieties like Favorita, Freisa and Pelaverga as well as several Crus of Barolo and Barbaresco. considered one of Italys finest reds in the Barolos and Barbarescos, another producer is Casetta Casa Vinicola. This producer has a wide range of white and red wines and the most notable ones that can age beautifully up to ten years is the Roero Arneis for the white and the line of Barolo. Still in Piedmont, in the Langhe and Roero hills, where the Nebbiolo grapes convey their best characteristics andThis producer has a wide range of white and red wines and the most notable ones that can age beautifully up to ten years is the Roero Arneis for the white and the line of Barolo. Azienda Agricola Silvio Grasso, a small family-owned producer of bulk wines since the 1920s then started bottling their whole production in the 1980s. Needless to say, the wines have gained much higher quality and popularity among Barolo and Barbaresco lovers. Being one of Italys important red wine producing region, another one in Piedmont isNeedless to say, the wines have gained much higher quality and popularity among Barolo and Barbaresco lovers. Le Macchie is a winery in the hills between Rieti and vineyards extend over the hills of Rieti in the Lazio region at an altitude of around 650 meters above sea level while the soil, typical of the region, is rich in minerals. With these conditions, the wines of Le Macchie are rich in sapidity and freshness. while the soil, typical of the region, is rich in minerals. With these conditions, the wines of Le Macchie are rich in sapidity and freshness. The 13-hectare vineyards of Cantina Peppucci are located at an elevation of about 450 meters above sea level with cultivations of of both autocthonous and international grapes, Grechetto, Sagrantino, Sangiovese, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc which they produce six notable wines with. Their Grechetto wines, one vinified and aged in stainless steel give a very nice floral and fruity expression of the grape variety while and the other one aged in French barrique provides more complex characteristics. , Grechetto, Sagrantino, Sangiovese, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc which they produce six notable wines with. Their Grechetto wines, one vinified and aged in stainless steel give a very nice floral and fruity expression of the grape variety while and the other one aged in French barrique provides more complex characteristics. With the wines of Azienda Agricola Petilla, brought about by the great passion of siblings Roberto and Teresa Bruno, you will be quite impressed with the conveyance of the characteristics of the vines in the expressive soil of the Irpinia area. The wines from the indigenous vines Falanghina, Greco di Tufo, Fiano di Avellino, Aglianico, and Taurasi express themselves beautifully in the territory of Campo Fiorito. The wines are unique, fragrant and rich in aromas, inextricably linked to the territory, with beautiful complexities. you will be quite impressed with the conveyance of the characteristics of the vines in the expressive soil of the Irpinia area. The wines from the indigenous vines Falanghina, Greco di Tufo, Fiano di Avellino, Aglianico, and Taurasi express themselves beautifully in the territory of Campo Fiorito. The wines are unique, fragrant and rich in aromas, inextricably linked to the territory, with beautiful complexities. The next edition of Vinitaly promises to be another gargantuan event of more incredible wines from all over Italy and the world. Prepare for the 53rd edition of Vinitaly which is scheduled from 7 to 10 April 2019. Viale del Lavoro, 8 37135 Verona (VR) Italy Dammam Airports Company (DACO) is set to participate in the 18th edition of Airport Show taking place in Dubai, UAE, from 7-9 May 2018. With the goal of enhancing King Fahd International Airports (KFIA) operational efficiencies and overall capacity, DACO was established in July 2017 to corporatize the management of the airport, as part of the Saudi Vision 2030s Privatization Program. During the Airport Show, DACO will announce key updates regarding the 30-year master plan, which is being developed as part of a strategic program to operate the airport and its facilities. DACO will also announce the signing of two agreements with global companies for KFIA development, additionally, other projects will be initiated as well under a dedicated infrastructure modernization program that aims to improve KFIAs infrastructure. Turki Abdullah Al-Jawini, Chief Executive Officer of Dammam Airports Company, said: Since the establishment of Dammam Airports Company (DACO) in 2017, we have been working on a number of development plans over the past ten months, and many of these are already in the implementation phase. We are pleased to showcase our development projects at Dubai Airport Show, an excellent platform to enhance awareness about our operations, highlight our progress at KFIA to date, and explore new opportunities with the regions leading aviation players. The Dubai HeliShow, the biennial international helicopter technology and operations exhibition dedicated to the helicopter industry, will showcase for the first time the latest trends in helicopters at the Royal Pavilion at the Al Maktoum International Airport as part of Dubai Souths strategic move to become a world-class regional hub for helicopter operations and maintenance. Dubai South, a master-planned city and the emirates flagship urban project, is the key partner and supporter of this years Dubai HeliShow, which will take place from November 6 to 8, 2018. The partnership positions Dubai South as the latest aviation district in the Middle East capable of enhancing the growing demands in the aviation sector in the UAE and across the region. Tahnoon Saif, Vice President Aviation, Dubai South, said: Dubai HeliShow 2018 will serve as a premier platform for us to achieve our goal of becoming the center of key helicopter operations and maintenance activities in the region. We at Dubai South seek to play an active role in the events success this year as we recognize its importance in the growth of the global commercial helicopter market in particular and the entire aviation industry in general. Dubai South is excited to welcome all delegates attending Dubai HeliShow in November. We cannot wait to showcase Dubais relevant achievements and engage with brilliant minds from the industry. The Middle East region, where demand for commercial helicopters is climbing, is expected to help drive growth in the international market in the coming years. Globally, the market for commercial helicopter systems is predicted to reach USD 11.6 billion by 2027, representing a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 3.49 per cent from 2017 to 2027, according to a report titled Global Commercial Market 2017-2027. The region will remain a key hotspot for offshore helicopter industry in the next five years and is seen to have the highest average utilization for medium and large helicopter fleets over the 2018-2022 period, a forecast released by market research firm Douglas-Westwood shows. Ahmad Abulhoul, Managing Director, Domus Group, organisers of Dubai HeliShow 2018, said: Various major industries - including tourism, offshore oil and gas, medical emergency services, law enforcement, VIP, and corporate transportation are utilizing helicopters for their operations, resulting in a faster expansion rate for the industry worldwide. The Middle East is specifically showing great growth potential as the demand in this part of the world continues to go up. These opportunities will be showcased during the seventh edition of Dubai HeliShow, where industry leaders, pioneers and all stakeholders will gather to share their expertise and insights on the major trends and developments that will reshape the markets future at the regional and global levels. The show will also host two exclusive conferences titled 'Helicopter Technology and Operations' and 'Military and Homeland Security.' The forums will focus on police empowerment using the Internet of Things (IoT) tools; the role of women in homeland security; application of robotics in policing and helicopter; new patterns in narco-terrorism; and joint inter-agency cooperation between armed forces and homeland security agencies, among others. Emirates will start a daily service between Scotlands capital city, Edinburgh, and Dubai, from 1 October 2018. Edinburgh will become Emirates second destination in Scotland after Glasgow and its 8th in the United Kingdom after the airline starts its daily service to London Stansted in June. The new service will be operated by an Emirates Boeing 777-300ER in a three class cabin configuration, with 8 private suites in First Class, 42 lie flat seats in Business Class and 304 spacious seats in Economy Class. The Scottish capital, with its Old Town and New Town both being UNESCO World Heritage Sites, is the second most visited city in the UK by tourists. It is famed for its rich history, cultural and architectural attractions, gourmet food scene, as well as international festivals and cultural events. It was also the first city in the world to be designated a UNESCO City of Literature, while last year it was named by the European Union as the top city of its size in Europe for culture and creativity. Were increasing our capacity to Scotland to meet growing demand, and by introducing a daily flight to Edinburgh, it will complement our current double daily flights between Dubai and Glasgow. Edinburgh is a very popular leisure and business destination, and the new service will offer our customers from across our global network, particularly from key inbound markets such as Asia and Australia, a direct option to the city via our Dubai hub, said Hubert Frach, Emirates Divisional Senior Vice President, Commercial Operations, West. It will also be a more convenient point for travellers from the greater Edinburgh area, and beyond, such as Aberdeen and Dundee, to travel with Emirates to Dubai and onward to destinations across our network, he added. Theres never been any doubt about the important role that engineers play in aerospace at all levels, outside and inside the airframe. Once the indispensible third person at the back of the cockpit, engineers today are regaining a visibility in line with the extent of their contribution. Today theyre as likely to be immersed in code as metallurgy and tooling. Honeywells Anne Lilywhite, writing in the Farnborough International News Network (FINN), said modern cockpit systems are the result of engineering design blending physical hardware. Innovation thrives by thinking differently, she said. Although engineers do not fly the aircraft themselves, having a deeper understanding of what the pilot and flight crew require for better planning and a safer journey is a key factor in building and delivering the most advanced, innovative cockpit technologies. We focus on learning, adapting and working to find the best solutions for the challenging issues we face. The leading work of Honeywell engineers in avionics, mechanical components and propulsion systems has led to what the company calls the connected aircraft. Its a suite of interconnected services and applications, through which operators can manage and control their satellite communications and connectivity network from an online portal or mobile device. We live in a world of growing connectivity and a seemingly endless amount of information, said Lilywhite, and the cockpit systems we design help lead the way in a connected aerospace world. Business France is organising the French Pavilion at Airport Show Dubai from the 7th to 9th of May 2018 at Dubai World Trade Center. A representation of the diversity of the sector and French excellence, the French Pavilion will be organised into different specialist fields covering design, construction, equipment and systems as well as services on air traffic control and traffic on the ground, airline stopovers and terminals. SMEs with special expertise such as ground support equipment, lighting, ticketing and passenger information systems will be present. The offering will also be represented by large, renowned global groups, such as ADPI, a major player in the French sector with a strong presence in the Middle East, VINCI and THALES. Immigration counter process has been reduced to six seconds compared to 40 seconds before and it is achieved through data intelligence as 90 per cent of the passengers at Dubai International are pre-cleared, according to Director General & Board Member of emaratech Thani Al Zaffin. Participating in a panel discussion Airport Collaborative Decision Making (A-CDM) at the Global Airport Leaders Forum (GALF) running parallel to the Airport Show, Al Zaffin said: Our goal is to make the customer happy with the enjoyable experience. He also talked about the smart trolleys. We have invested on intelligent trolleys. You can start shopping with smart trolley and it will guide you everything and all the way to the boarding gate. This is what we have done. Industry experts said smart airports will improve passengers experience and it will help diversify the airports income streams significantly with the implementation of new technologies. They said non-aeronautical revenue sources car parking, land rents, terminal concession, and advertising - contributes significantly to global airport revenues. Airport Council International (ACI) in its latest report mentioned that non-aeronautical revenues of airports account for around 40 per cent of the total revenues. In 2016 global airports generated $152 billion total revenues, according to ACI. A three-member panel moderated by PA Consulting Partner David Huttner debated ways to diversify airports income streams as new technology comes in. Responding to the moderator question, Airport International Group Chief Executive Officer Kjeld Binger said, Size and region matter for digital transformation. Giving examples of Asia Pacific and America, Kjeld said, Its all about knowing your customer. You need to know your customer and customers needs in order to try to target your efforts in advertising. But even then, its not just a straight forward situation. The level of technical expertise in various regions are different. Another panelist PS Nair, Chief Executive Officer of GMR Group, said, When we took over Delhis Indira Gandhi International Airport the commercial revenue was negligible. Today, the same airport is ranked number 1 in the world in service quality. BMR Group operates Rajiv Gandhi International Airport, Hyderabad and Mactan Cebu International Airport in the Philippines. Panelists at the Airport Privatisation and Infrastructure Financing put the spot light on airport privatization, especially Saudi Arabia where the GCC regions largest country is privatising its airports by way of concession process. The moderator of the panel Dr Fethi Chebil, Director General of PrivateAir Saudi Arabia, said that KSA is trying three main models for the privatisation of its airports in the country. The first method is to corporatize the management of the airport and it was done for Dammam and Riyadh airports, he said, adding that the second model is public-private-partnership (P3) and the third one is management contract, which was done in Jeddah recently. He mentioned that there are two ways of financing models government and private. PODCAST 38: How one African airline is preparing for return of tourism PODCAST 39: Optimism as Africa and Middle East sees positive growth for 2021 PODCAST 37: How Qatar rode the storm and Dassaults new Falcon PODCAST 35: Change abounds at IATA and new cargo boost while ATM has a new approach PODCAST 34 : Why India is vital to Middle East aviation recovery During a high-level meeting held in Tehran on Tuesday 8 May, Iranian and Omani military officials jointly stressed the need for the further development of defense ties and cooperation between the two countries. Oman and Iran will deepen military and defense cooperation (Picture source : OmanInfo) According to Fars News agency, during the meeting between Iranian Defense Minister Brigadier General Amir Hatami and General al-Balushi, the deputy commander of the Royal Army of Oman, the two officials underscored the importance of expansion of bilateral relations, especially in the field of defense. Last April, Deputy Chief of the Iranian Armed Forces for International Affairs, Brigadier General Qadir Nezami, in a meeting with Commander of the Royal Navy of Oman, Rear Admiral Abdullah al-Raisi, in Tehran stressed the necessity for holding more joint military wargames by the two countries: "Iran and Oman hold very important joint drills each year and we hope that these exercises continue and increase and we can even stage them in joint cooperation with other friendly and neighboring states," General Nezami said during the meeting on the sidelines of the Indian Ocean Naval Symposium (IONS) conference. He expressed concern about insecurities and chaos in the region, emphasizing the need for further cooperation between the countries in different fields. United Breweries was once headed by fugitive liquor baron Vijay Mallya. With this transfer, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) now holds 4,27,04,758 equity shares (16.15 per cent stake) in the company. New Delhi: United Breweries on Tuesday said Enforcement Directorate has attached over 4.13 crore equity shares aggregating 15.63 per cent stake held by eight promoter firms of the company and transferred to the agency. With this transfer, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) now holds 4,27,04,758 equity shares (16.15 per cent stake) in the company, said United Breweries, which was once headed by fugitive liquor baron Vijay Mallya, in a regulatory filing. The promoter companies, whose shares have been transferred to ED include United Breweries (Holdings) Ltd (1.95 crore shares aggregating to 7.39 per cent stake) and McDowell Holdings Ltd (18.59 lakh shares, 0.7 per cent). United Breweries (Holdings) Ltd (UBHL) was ordered to be wound up by Karnataka High Court on February 7, 2017. Besides, shares held by the Gem Investment & Trading Co Pvt Ltd (97.87 lakh, 3.70 per cent) and Mallya Pvt Ltd (16.71 lakh shares, 0.63 per cent), and Vittal Investments Pvt Ltd (43.15 lakh shares, 1.63 per cent), among others have also been attached and transferred. Last year in August, UBL had announced that Mallya ceased to be the director of the company following Sebi's order against him. The market regulator has banned Mallya from holding position as director or key managerial personnel of any listed company close on the heels of CBI naming him, Kingfisher Airlines and eight others in a charge sheet related to loan default case. Mallya, whose now-defunct Kingfisher Airlines (KFA) owes more than Rs 9,000 crore (including interest) to various banks, had fled India for London on March 2, 2016. The ED had filed charge sheet against Mallya in connection with a money laundering probe in the about Rs 900-crore IDBI-KFA bank loan case. The agency had also attached properties belonging to him and firms promoted by him. The CBI has two cases against him -- one related to the IDBI Bank case and the other related to a loan default of over Rs 6,000 crore filed on the basis of a complaint from a State Bank of India-led consortium. The beleaguered businessman is currently fighting a legal case against his extradition from the UK to India. Total income on consolidated basis rose to Rs 33,760 crore as against Rs 28,603 crore. The leading private sector lender had a consolidated profit of Rs 2,083 crore in January-March, 2016-17. New Delhi: Shares of ICICI Bank surged nearly 9 per cent today even as the company posted 45 per cent decline in consolidated net profit for March quarter. The stock shrugged off the disappointing numbers to open the day on a positive note and further soared 8.67 per cent to Rs 314.50 as the trade progressed on BSE. At NSE, shares of the company jumped 8.52 per cent to Rs 314.50. The stock was the biggest gainer on both Sensex and Nifty during the morning trade. ICICI Bank on Monday posted 45 per cent decline in consolidated net profit to Rs 1,142 crore for three months to March as bad loans surged. The leading private sector lender had a consolidated profit of Rs 2,083 crore in January-March, 2016-17. Total income on consolidated basis rose to Rs 33,760 crore as against Rs 28,603 crore. On standalone basis, the bank recorded 50 per cent fall in net profit at Rs 1,020 crore in the reported quarter. In the year-ago period, the same stood at Rs 2,025 crore. Gross non-performing assets (NPA) of the bank rose to 8.84 per cent as a percentage of gross advances at the end of March, compared to 7.89 per cent a year ago. Infosys has been barred from bidding for the GSTN project to avoid conflict of interest. New Delhi: The GST Network has invited bids from private entities for 360 degree profiling of taxpayers for early detection of fraud as it seeks to transform into an end-to-end platform for checking GST (goods and services tax) evasion, from being just a tax collection portal. The analytics company to be roped in will have the mandate for designing and developing a fraud analytics system. GST Network has, however, barred Infosys from bidding for the project to avoid conflict of interest. The system will take about an year to be operational and leverage existing data pertaining to GST registration, return filing and e-way bill, along with the information from other external sources such as the financial intelligence unit (FIU), the central board of direct taxes (CBDT), banks and state tax departments. According to the eligibility criteria, the interested bidder will need to have a turnover of Rs 300 crore and should have posted profit in the past three financial years. Also, it should have experience in implementing advanced analytics, the GSTN said in the request for proposal (RFP). The fraud analytics company would be tasked with establishment of taxpayers identity. Based on information available within GSTN as well as third party information, it is expected to reliably establish the identity/360 degree view of the taxpayer and key members of its management, said the request for proposal. It would also establish taxpayers risk profile by analysing information on purchasers and sellers as part of returns data, whether the taxpayer deals with sensitive or evasion prone commodities, history of the owner of the company as well as rapid change of promoters, among others. The company, to be appointed for six years, would also be required to suggest ways to prevent revenue leakages and forecast revenue growth and other econometric analysis for policy formation. It can also suggest changes in laws, rules/ procedures based on fraud detection to plug loopholes and identify material/evidences, which may be shared with tax authorities for prosecution of fraudulent taxpayers. To ensure that there is no conflict of interest, the GSTN has barred Infosys from bidding for the fraud analytics project. Infosys had in 2015 won the Rs 1,380 crore deal for developing and running GSTNs backend software and hardware. The indirect tax reform, GST subsumed over a dozen local taxes and was rolled out from July 1, 2017. GSTN has in the bid document mandated that the bidder should develop adequate capability for data storage and calculating complexity of data. In the near future, GSTN is likely to experience an explosion in the amount of data in its transactional systems, the GSTN said. The figure of data is likely to have quantum jump when the system such as e-way bill data, external agency data like CBDT, information from banks, the ministry of corporate affairs, the shops and establishments department, other government and non-government agencies that will be integrated with the GST fraud analytics system, it added. To ensure full confidentiality of data, GSTN has mandated that the eligible bidder would have to ensure a separate section within their office premises for undertaking the fraud analytics project. GSTN may also place one or two of its employee there for monitoring. GSTN may, in case required, provide desktops and laptops for day-to-day operations for carrying out fraud analytics, said the RFP. Besides, the people involved in the project would not be allowed to carry any storage device such as USB sticks to GSTN premises. The GST council, chaired by finance minister Arun Jaitley and comprising state counterparts, last week approved converting GSTN into a wholly owned government company. At present, 51 per cent stake in GSTN is held by private entities (LIC Housing Finance holds 11 per cent; HDFC, HDFC Bank, ICICI Bank and NSE Strategic Investment Company hold 10 per cent each) and 49 per cent by the government. The government has close to 26.12 per cent stake or 7.44 crore shares in Tata Communications. New Delhi: Tata Sons Chief N Chandrasekaran on Tuesday met Telecom Secretary Aruna Sundararajan, amid Tata Communications' stated interest in acquiring the enterprise business of Tata Teleservices. The government has close to 26.12 per cent stake or 7.44 crore shares in Tata Communications, the erstwhile Videsh Sanchar Nigam Ltd (VSNL). Asked if a final decision had been taken on the enterprise business, Chandrasekaran told reporters that the matter has to be taken up by the board of Tata Communications first. The meeting took place at a crucial juncture for Tatas vis-a-vis the telecom business. While Bharti Airtel had last year announced the takeover of consumer mobile business of of Tata Teleservices Ltd (TTSL) and Tata Teleservices Maharashtra Ltd (TTML) in a cash-free, debt-free deal, Tata Communications had stated that it will explore the possibility of acquiring the enterprise business of Tata Teleservices. He was accompanied by N Srinath, Managing Director of Tata Teleservices. Chandrasekaran -- who is the Chairman of the board of Tata Sons, the holding company and promoter of over 100 Tata operating firms with aggregate annual revenues exceeding USD 100 billion - declined to comment on the discussions that lasted almost 30 minutes. Sundararajan also did not divulge the details of discussions. Tata Communications had said on October 12 that it "proposes to engage in exploratory discussions with TTSL and TTML regarding the potential acquisition of its enterprise business". The Microsoft co-founder took to Twitter on praise the megastar with the latter acknowledging it in typical style. Before praising Amitabh Bachchan, Bill Gates has often expressed opinion on other issues related to India. Mumbai: Megastar Amitabh Bachchan has thanked Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates for acknowledging his contribution in helping India become polio-free. The 75-year-old actor, who became the UNICEF goodwill ambassador for the polio eradication campaign in India in 2002, was praised by the entrepreneur-philanthropist for an opinion piece he wrote highlighting India's journey in becoming free from the disease for the past four years. "Real-world superheroes rarely make the headlines. But what if that wasn't the case? A stirring piece by Bollywood actor @SrBachchan," Gates, 62, wrote on Twitter and shared the link to the story. To this Bachchan replied that he was just the "face" of the programme and it is the countless unknown on-ground force of people who deserve the limelight for the efforts. "Thank you Mr Gates for this acknowledgement.. the worker is the one who deserves the highest award for the eradication of making India Polio free .. we may have the face and means, but the workers do the "WORK"... I salute them!" he wrote. Real-world superheroes rarely make the headlines. But what if that wasn't the case? A stirring piece by Bollywood actor @SrBachchan. https://t.co/xbJAxSgWCS Bill Gates (@BillGates) May 7, 2018 Thank you Mr Gates for this acknowledgement .. the worker is the one who deserves the highest award for the eradication of making India Polio free .. we may have the face and means, but the workers do the "WORK" .. I salute them !! Amitabh Bachchan (@SrBachchan) May 7, 2018 India was declared polio-free in 2014 by World Health Organisation (WHO). The exhibition marks Amitabh Bachchans 75th birthday, and offers 75 iconic images of Bollywoods Shaheshah. Two die-hard bachchan fans have put together frames 75, An exhibition to celebrate the legendary icons 75th birthday. Curators Pradeep Chandra and S.M.M. Ausaja tell us about their love for the megastar. A heavy blackness suffuses the photograph. An open door punctures the darkness, and invites the viewer to look within. There, seated on an armchair, is a man we have all grown up watching and admiring. The legendary actor, Amitabh Bachchan, has been captured, mid-sentence, by the discerning lens of celebrated photographer Pradeep Chandra. It is an image that is arresting in its appeal and monumental in its impact for it went on to grace the cover of the Illustrated Weekly of India in 1991. Such are the kinds of photographs on display at Frames 75, an exhibition curated by two self-proclaimed Amitabh fans, Pradeep Chandra and S.M.M. Ausaja. The latter, an eminent photographer and author, and the former, a celebrated film archivist and film historian, have put their minds and bodies of work together to design this visual treat. The exhibition marks Amitabh Bachchans 75th birthday, and offers 75 iconic images of Bollywoods Shaheshah. He is a man of few words, but his gestures speak. This is my humble gesture to celebrate his 75th year. He will never be 75 again, so we had to do this, says Ausaja. Visitors have a treat in store, for they can view never seen before photographs, posters, lobby cards, sketches, pamphlets and vinyl record jackets from various eras, all capturing key moment of Big Bs journey as an actor. One can view rare images like Amitabhs first Filmfare cover, a handbill from his Allahabad election in 1984, a beautiful Gentleman Magazine cover image of Amitabh and his father, photographs from the actors first ever photo session, an image of him singing the only qawaali he ever sang as an actor, and lots more. The highlight here is that none of these images are available on the Internet. Apart from these, the exhibition will also showcase paintings of the star by talented artists like Kishore Pratim Biswas, Mithu Biswas, Sonu Gupta, Nita Singh and others. So, could one narrow down on only 75 images from work spanning decades? Ive gone on relevance and rarity, both. The visual should have some relevance to his journey and I wanted the journey to be representative of each era, explains Ausaja. Pradeep, on the other hand, was motivated by behind-the-scene memories, and has chosen photographs that are memorable to him. Once I had Amitabh get his shoes polished from a shoeshiner on the street, as I wanted to click that particular photograph. Passers-by thought I was clicking Amitabh Bachchans duplicate, recalls a happy Pradeep. What are Big Bs thoughts on this tribute? Apparently, the superstar didnt even want to celebrate his birthday. Bachchan sir is very humble. He didnt expect or want any of this. When we told him about our idea he said, Arey, kya kar rahein hai aap log, says Pradeep. Well, maybe the iconic film star is too modest to acknowledge his greatness, but his fans will surely love gazing at every one of these 75 frames. The exhibition will be held at Whistling Woods, from May 10 to May 25. The cast of Raazi talks about making of an actor and the difficulties they faced shooting this film. One of the most terrific, yet dark love stories Raazi will surely make a bold statement. With its extremely well constructed plot and being a true story, the film seems like a must watch. Raazi is a film about a young 20-year-old girl, Sehmat. As the trailer suggests she is a daughter and a wife but is also a spy. Based in 1971, the plot revolves around this girl who falls in love with a Pakistani army officer. She goes through the struggles of rigorous training to on-field action. The role of a spy is not easy to play and this spy isnt like a James Bond spy or any other. She has her own style and persona along with her tactics, says the leading lady, Alia Bhatt. Talking about what keeps her driving, Alia says that she has a backing and it is not only her family but her entire team from her make-up artist to her driver. People behind the camera who ensure my eating, drinking, walking and reaching places on time. The list can go on and on. From my assistant to my manager everyone is responsible for me to work the way I do. Lead actor Vicky Kaushal agrees with Alia and says, We have a big force behind us like Alia said, which is our strength. As actors even if our role is liked there is a force of 200 to 300 people who give us that confidence. Like when a shot is taken even a smile is monitored by a large number of people. Without this force we are nothing. Speaking on the evolution of an actor, director Meghna Gulzar feel that evolution is obvious. Whether it is of an actor or a director or of the society as a whole. Even though its not war time, circumstances were difficult. Its a risky thing to be on the Punjab border even now, says Meghna Gulzar. We were shooting in Mumbai and in Patiala, Nabha, Malerkotla and Doodhpatri which was not always easy but enjoyable, she adds. While the cast couldnt go to shoot in Pakistan, that limitation didnt stop the team from shooting the film. Even though it was a challenge. The challenge was that we had to do a lot of research before bringing the film forward, says Meghna. Talking about her character in the film, Alia says, Honestly, its not that I put too much thought to everything but one needs to be perfect as a character in a film. Eventually, you know what your path is. This character is not a typical spy who is overconfident with lots of glamour and all that. She is just a simple young girl and by choice has put herself in this situation. She was not forced into anything. She is not like an actual action hero. She is scared and has her fears but does what is needed for her country. While the trailer of the film depicts much grace in her character, she adds, I am like a boy and just sit down like one and I am not graceful inherently. But Alia believes that acting is a process and doesnt always come naturally. You have to work on it and hone your skills. The acting comes out of the character automatically and not the person himself or herself. The process is such that you cant take it too seriously in the sense of the character. I seek inspiration in many people for different reasons. Its not that if they are from a different field I do not look up to them. I seek inspiration in them, says Alia. Alias chemistry with the lead actor Vicky also seems interesting. When asked about his experience of working with Alia Bhatt, Vicky Kaushal said, Mind blowing. Talking about his on screen chemistry with Alia Bhatt, he chuckles, It was absolutely H2SO4 concentrated. I loved playing the character of Iqbal, and I hope to be a good son and good husband in real life. This is what I imbibed from the film. The actors have to be fit and will have to prepare themselves for some extraordinary action sequences. Ranbir Kapoor and Alia Bhatts Brahmastra has been in the news for all the right reasons, and the makers are not leaving any stone unturned in their efforts to make it a visual treat for the audience. Ayan Mukerji, who is helming the project, has decided to take the action sequences a notch higher in the film. As the second schedule of the mega-budget film is under preparation, the makers have roped in special trainers for Ranbir and Alia. Both stars will have to undergo intense training to prepare for the action sequences in the film. Alia and Ranbir will start training by mid-May or June and it will be a months training. The actors have to be fit and will have to prepare themselves for some extraordinary action sequences that will be shot in Bulgaria, a source said. Meanwhile, Ranbir is waiting the release of his much-awaited film, Sanju, and soon after that, he will head to Bulgaria to begin shooting on the second schedule of Brahmastra. This will be the first time that Amitabh, Ranbir, and Alia will be working together on a project. The trilogys first part will release on Independence Day next year. Boston girl with indian roots; varsha doesnt fail to impress. But, the magic lies in creation, she believes. Varsha Vinn is an Indian born, Boston-based pop songwriter, recording artist and performer. Her interest in music predominantly lies in country, pop and hip hop genre of music. This Boston girl is all set to perform in the city at Bootlegger on May 9. This Chennai born who studied in Bengaluru started her musical career at the tender age of 2. Varsha adds, I was born into a family that was very musical from the start. I started writing songs when I was 14. I was 15 when I got a scholarship to study in the Berklee College of Music, Boston where I was exposed to country style of music and it was here that I decided that I wanted to be a full time musician. She considers musicians like Johnny Cash, Shania Twain, Taylor Swift and Brad Paisley to be some of her biggest inspirations. Talking about what music means to her she says, It is the best way I can express things I cant quite do. Whatever thought process or emotions Im feeling, its easier for me to write them down and weave a song than actually talking it out. Varsha released her debut EP which was a mix of country and pop in the year 2015. Talking more about this EP she says, This did quite well and it was played on a bunch local country radio stations. Two songs from this EP called Magnet and Loving You From A Distance did really well. It was after this release that Varsha went on to switch completely to the pop rock genre. Talking about the new single which she just recently released in February she says, Youre Not the Man is a song that I wrote right after I broke up. I think people still try and defend an ex even after they are broken up. The lyrics for this song are sort of autobiographical in nature. This single has over 40LK likes on Youtube. Varsha on her process of songwriting she says, The process changes for each song I write. Sometime the melody comes first and then the lyrics. The melody for Sweet Poison which I will release in two months came while a shower, she laughs. Sweet Poison is all set to release in the next two months. Talking about this single she says, I co-wrote this single with a friend of mine Lyons from Berklee. Sweet Poison is going to be a mix of pop and Middle Eastern music. Its going have little bit of Turkish element too. The visuals for this single are sort of like a home video. Sweet Poison talks about women feeling sexy and confident in their own skin. Adding to this she says, I wanted to write a song for young girls who tend to be uncomfortable in their own skin. This song was written to make them feel good and sexy. Talking about her performance in her second home Benagluru where she did her high school, she adds, I will be performing a bunch of my songs along with small a acoustical rendition of Sweet Poison. It will be like a trailer of what is to come yet. I will also be a performing some covers of crowd favourites and well as songs of lesser listened to people like Julia Michaels. Varsha is quite multi-talented as does a whole range of artistic things when she is not busy. I love painting and especially sketching. I tend to do some dark sketches when I am in a sour mood. Other than this I love belly-dancing and reading, she signs off. Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah said he is contesting 2018 assembly elections as the party high command directed him to do so. Karnataka Assembly elections: Siddaramaiah said he chose Chamundeshwari for 2018 as it was here he started his political career and wanted to contest his last election from the same constituency. (Photo: File) Chamundeshwari (Karnataka): Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has reiterated his statement from 2013 state assembly elections. Talking to NDTV, the 70-year-old Siddaramaiah claimed that the upcoming elections in Karnataka will be the last one he will contest something he had said earlier in 2013 as well. "I said it on the floor of the house once that I will not contest again but the high command directed me to contest in this election because I have been there for five years as Chief Minister and I was told to take responsibility," Siddaramaiah said while campaigning in Chamundeshwari, one of the two seats he is contesting this time. Chamundeshwari is the seat from where he made his debut in the Karnataka Assembly in 1983 as a Lok Dal Party candidate. Siddaramaiah, who has won the seat five times and lost twice, contested the last two assembly polls from Varuna, a seat his son is contesting for the May 12 elections. When Siddaramaiah was asked why he chose Chamundeshwari for 2018 elections, the Chief Minister said, "here I started my political career, so I wanted to contest my last election from the same constituency." During the election campaign, the BJP has repeatedly attacked Siddaramaiah, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi coining a 2+1 formula (two seats for Siddaramaiah and one for his son Dr Yathindra). The Chief Minister has hit back with the same language, questioning why the BJP had given tickets to two of the "tainted" Reddy brothers and BS Yeddyurappa who has spent time in jail earlier in an illegal mining case. Siddaramaiah questioned the very basis of the BJP attack when Prime Minister Narendra Modi too had contested from two seats (Varanasi and Vadodara) during the 2014 general elections. "What about he (Prime Minister Narendra Modi) contesting two seats in 2014? What will he call it? How will he call it?" the Chief Minister asked. The assembly poll campaign has seen sharp allegations and counters from both the Congress and the BJP. Both the parties have been targeting each other on social media too. Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, whose tweets have gone up in the past few days, says it's not his language but he approves each one of them. "I don't tweet myself, have friends who do it for me. I approve each Tweet before it's sent," he told NDTV. Siddaramaiah also sought to blunt the attacks made by former Prime Minister HD Deve Gowda of the JD(S), a party he quit in 2006 to join the Congress. "Deve Gowda is jealous of me because I completed five years as chief minister and he did not". Artist Karan Acharya said he was both 'shocked' and 'happy' when he learnt that his work was praised by PM Modi. New Delhi: Creator of the 'angry Hanuman' portrait, artist Karan Acharya said he was both "shocked" and "happy" when he learnt that his work was praised by Prime Minister Narendra Modi at an election rally in Karnataka. Acharya said he didn't believe at first that the artwork - which had gone viral - was appreciated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, adding he had to check the video of the rally to believe that he was, indeed, lauded by the Prime Minister. He says it is the biggest achievement of his life. "My friends were calling me continuously on Sunday. I thought they were calling normally, but one of my friends texted me that the Prime Minister praised my painting. I didn't believe at first," Karan Acharya told news agency ANI. "But when I saw his video, I was shocked and happy. I feel this is the biggest achievement of my life, as my work grabbed the attention of Prime Minister Narendra Modi," he said. Talking about the artwork that got Acharya the fame, he said, "It all started when my friends forced me to paint a flag for Ganesh Chaturthi, which is unique. We thought of many other gods, but finally stuck at Lord Hanuman as we were his devotees." Artist Karan Acharya. (Photo: ANI | Twitter) He said he wanted to do something different. "We wanted to make a unique artwork. That is the reason I thought of portraying an attitude on Hanuman. Generally, we get many images of Hanuman on Google but this is a little different as I used orange as the background and just a single colour on it," the artist said. "The orange colour, which I have used is just to symbolise the god, not in support of any political party. It just took half-an-hour to complete the artwork," he added. "I am very happy that my painting went viral in just three years. What more could an artist want than seeing his painting everywhere?" he said. Acharya artwork has been seen on the rear windshield of cars across cities. The artist said he got encouragement from his family, as his parents themselves are artists. "My family was a great support for me since my childhood. They encouraged me and I got inspired by them as they are also artists," Acharya said. Cong MPs withdrew plea challenging rejection of notice on impeachment against the CJI by Vice President Venkaiah Naidu. Two Rajya Sabha MPs on Monday had approached the Supreme Court challenging the Vice President's dismissal of the impeachment motion against CJI Dipak Misra. (Photo: File | PTI) New Delhi: The Congress on Tuesday withdrew its petition on the impeachment move against Chief Justice of India Dipak Misra, which was recently rejected by Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu. After a 45-minute hearing, a five-judge bench headed by Justice AK Sikri declared the petition dismissed as withdrawn. Petitioners, two Congress Rajya Sabha parliamentarians -- Pratap Singh Bajwa and Amee Harshadray Yajnik -- questioned the decision to assign the case to a five-judge constitution bench of the Supreme Court. Representing the lawmakers, senior Congress leader and lawyer Kapil Sibal said the case was listed before the constitution bench through an administrative order and the Chief Justice "can't pass such orders" as it was conflict of interest. Sibal questioned who had passed the order. "It is grossly illegal, grossly unfair and against the principles of natural justice," said lawyer Prashant Bhushan. After senior advocate Kapil Sibal raised some objections on the setting up of the five-judge constitution bench to hear the matter, Attorney General KK Venugopal said only two MPs of Congress have approached the apex court. Venugopal submitted that six other parties, which had given a notice for impeachment, did not move the top court. The AG said "the presumption is that all others have not supported the stand taken by the Congress to challenge the rejection of impeachment notice by Naidu." The petition which was filed on Monday had said Vice President Venkaiah Naidu's decision to reject the Opposition's impeachment notice was "illegal and arbitrary" and taken in a "cavalier, cryptic and abrupt manner", without an inquiry. The judges assigned to hear the Congress' challenge were Justices AK Sikri, SA Bobde, NV Ramana, Arun Mishra and AK Goel. Justices Bobde and Ramana are both in line for chief justice. Justice Sikri, who will head the bench, is number six in seniority. Read: 5-judge SC bench to hear petition for CJI impeachment on Tuesday In April, the impeachment petition signed by over 60 Rajya Sabha parliamentarians called for Chief Justice of India Dipak Misra's impeachment six months before he retires. Read: Oppn hands over notice for CJI Dipak Misra's impeachment to RS chairman The motion "doesn't deserve to be admitted", Vice President Venkaiah Naidu, who is also the chairman of the Rajya Sabha, said just three days later. Read: Venkaiah Naidu rejects Cong-led opposition parties' notice to impeach CJI Thirumani, son of Rajaveel was rushed to a Citys hospital where he succumbed to his injuries in the evening. SSP Budgam said that the vehicle in which the family from Chennai was travelling came under stone pelting near Narabal bridge on Monday morning. (Photo: PTI | Representational) Srinagar: A tourist from Tamil Nadu died in a Srinagar hospital on Monday evening after he was hit by a stone during a clash between the security forces and protesters at Narabal near here earlier during the day. A report said that the victim identified as 22-year-old R Thirumani from Chennai was hit in the head by a stone when the vehicle he along with his family was travelling in between Srinagar and Kashmirs premier resort of Gulmarg was caught in the clash between a stone-pelting crowd and the security forces at Narabal on the outskirts of Jammu and Kashmirs summer capital Srinagar. Four other persons including a girl from Handwara area of frontier Kupwara district were injured in the incident, the police sources said. Thirumani, son of Rajaveel was rushed to a Citys hospital where he succumbed to his injuries in the evening. SSP Budgam said that the vehicle in which the family from Chennai was travelling came under stone pelting near Narabal bridge on Monday morning. He was critically injured in his face. He was rushed to hospital where he passed evening in the evening, he said. Chief Minister, Mehbooba Mufti, visited the police hospital here after learning about the death of the tourist. She met the family members of the deceased, offered her condolences and apologized over the incident. A statement issued by her office in Srinagar said Mufti has expressed deep anguish and shock over the death of tourist R Thirumany. The Chief Minister visited the police hospital late evening where she met the family of the deceased and expressed solidarity with them in this time of grief, the statement added. Her predecessor and opposition National Conference working president, Omar Abdullah, who is on a visit of Drass in frontier Ladakh tweeted, Weve killed a tourist by throwing stones at the vehicle he was travelling in. Lets try and wrap our heads around the fact that we stoned a tourist, a guest, to death while we glorify these stone pelters & their methods. 22-year-old R Thirumani who was admitted to hospital with serious injuries on Monday morning, slipped into coma and died in the evening. Srinagar: The death of a 22-year-old tourist from Chennai in a stone-pelting incident at Narabal on the outskirts of Jammu and Kashmirs summer capital Srinagar on Monday has evoked widespread outrage in the state. J&K Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti said that she is ashamed that a person who had come all the way from far off Tamil Nadu to spend leisure time in the valley was killed in stone-pelting. R Thirumani, a resident of Avadi in Chennai had studied at DRBCCC Hindu College and was presently working at Accenture Chennai. He along with three other members of the family including parents had reached Srinagar on Sunday on a five-day trip to Kashmir. Next morning, they hired a Tavera cab to relocate to the valleys premier resort Gulmarg. But around 7 am when the vehicle was passing through Narabal along Srinagar-Gulmarg road it was attacked by stone-pelters resulting into critical injury to Thirumani, the police sources said. He was rushed to a Srinagars Sher-i-Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences (SKIMS) where he succumbed to his injuries in the evening, the officials said. Also Read: J&K: 22-year-old Chennai tourist dies after hit by stone near Srinagar The doctors said that he had been hit in forehead and face and that they had had done two CT scans on him and were proceeding with the treatment that he all of a sudden had convulsions and breathed his last. His corpse was later shifted to police hospital here before being flown to Chennai. Strongly condemning the incident, Mufti said the death of R Thirumani is heartbreaking and it goes against the Kashmiri ethos of hospitality and respect for guests. Ive no words strong enough to condemn this tragic incident or even condole with the family, she said. Mufti also described the incident as a blot on the cultural value system of Kashmir and an attempt to bulldoze the economy of the place. She also said that immediately on learning about the incident at 9 pm on Monday she rushed to the police hospital in Srinagar and condoled with the parents and co tourists of the victim. She conveyed the sympathies of the people of the State to the bereaved family and asked the administration to extend all support and help to them in this hour of grief. The chief minister has also expressed concern over the injuries caused to a girl from Handwara (Kashmir) in the same incident while wishing her a speedy recovery. Mufti also took to Twitter early Tuesday to condemn the incident. She said, Its truly heartbreaking when a family saves for years to realise their dream of visiting Kashmir & while they are here they face their worst nightmare. I have no words strong enough to condemn this tragic incident or even begin to condole the family. In another tweet, she while reiterating her stance on the Kashmir imbroglio said, Without a sustained, meaningful dialogue & outreach, not just from the govt but from the entire country, J&K will get pushed deeper into this vortex of gloom. My deepest condolences to the deceaseds family & my prayers go out to the girl who was injured in the same incident. Kashmirs chief Muslim cleric and chairman of his faction of separatist Hurriyat Conference alliance, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, also condemned the incident. He tweeted, Deeply saddened by the news of death of a tourist due to stone pelting. Condemn such hooliganism and rowdiness. It is totally against our ethos of treating tourists as respected guests and brings a bad name to the peoples movement. CPIMs state secretary Mohammad Yousuf Tarigami while condemning the incident asked Whose cause is fulfilled by such brutal killings. Earlier former Chief Minister and working president of opposition National Conference (NC), Omar Abdullah had in a tweet said, Weve killed a tourist by throwing stones at the vehicle he was travelling in. Lets try and wrap our heads around the fact that we stoned a tourist, a guest, to death while we glorify these stone pelters & their methods. There has been widespread outrage in the Valley against the incident and many people also took to Facebook, Twitter and other social media platforms to express their resentment and condemnation. Many people demanded head of the culprits. One of them said, They too deserve to be stoned to death RSSs reaction was to a social media post by Gandhi on Sunday where he had posted a video highlighting the BJP and RSS leaders anti-dalit stance. New Delhi: Terming Congress president Rahul Gandhi and his partys campaign in the poll-bound state of Karnataka as a political swindle based on lies, the RSS said that they continue to try and misguide the society with their lies and deceit. The RSSs reaction was to a social media post by Mr Gandhi on Sunday where he had posted a video highlighting the BJP and RSS leaders anti-dalit stance. RSS joint general secretary Manmohan Vaidya, in a statement issued, said the official Facebook page of Mr Gandhi shared a blatant lie in the name of sarsanghchalak (RSS chief) Mohan Bhagwat and him where he had claimed that the RSS intends to end the reservations granted to the SC/ST communities by the Indian constitution. These allegations are a white lie and absolutely baseless, reads the statement. It further read, It has been the official stand of RSS that these reservations should continue. Dr Vaidya said Mr Gandhi and Congress campaign is a political swindle based on lies and falsehood. I strongly condemn this heinous and unwelcome conduct. Mr Gandhis post read: Central to the RSS/BJP fascist ideology is that dalits and adivasis must continue to exist at the bottom rung of society. In this disturbing video, the dangers of this mindset and how its openly propagated by senior RSS/BJP leaders is revealed. Women helpline (1090), anti-romeo squad and UP-100 services will come together besides fast-tracking trial of cases under the POCSO Act. According to the police, the crime pattern was analysed and eight out of 10 rape or kidnapping cases, women had been assaulted by their acquaintances and not strangers. (Representational Image) Lucknow: Gearing up to ensure timely response to women and minors in distress, the Uttar Pradesh Police has decided to integrate women helpline (1090), anti-romeo squad and UP-100 services besides fast-tracking trial of cases under the POCSO Act. "We are giving utmost priority to checking crime against women. The state already has women helpline (1090), anti-romeo squad and UP-100 services, where women can report crime against them. Now, with a view to provide immediate help to victims, we are going to integrate these three," Director General of Police (DGP) OP Singh said. "Now anyone who wants to report their woes can dial any of these numbers and they will get a timely response. With integration of all these, better coordination will be ensured helping in reducing response time so that victims get timely help," the DGP said. He said the state police are committed to the security of women/girls and in cases of POCSO, it will be ensured that accused are convicted by fast-tracking such cases. "We are going to fast track all POCSO (Protection of Children from Sexual offences) cases in which charge sheets were submitted so that the accused are convicted. We are also sensitising the force to deal with such cases," he said. As per official data of state police, between January 1 to March 31, as many as 11,249 cases of crime were reported against women of which there were 899 cases of rape, 502 of dowry, 2,892 of sexual harassment, 3,573 of abduction and 3,135 cases of atrocities on women. According to the police, the crime pattern was analysed and it came to the fore that in eight out of 10 rape or kidnapping cases, women had been assaulted by their acquaintances and not strangers. The DGP said state police regularly reviews status of crime against women and girls. FIRs registered under IPC sections amounting to rape or rape bid, kidnapping or abduction of women, dowry death, sexual harassment, obscenity, cruelty by husband or relatives or harassment over dowry among other charges are being reviewed to initiate measures to check such incidents. Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath had recently said that women's safety and honour was the top priority of his government, which is taking all possible steps for their welfare and to make them self-reliant. He said his government is running a number of schemes and programmes to keep crime against women under control. His remarks came against the backdrop of outrage over the alleged involvement of BJP MLA Kuldeep Sengar in a rape case. Facing opposition flak, the state government handed over the case to the CBI, which arrested him on April 13 after questioning him for over 15 hours. The rape victim's father, who was found dead in police custody, was allegedly falsely framed in a case of possessing illicit arms and sent to jail on the complaint of a person after being beaten up by the MLA's brother and his goons on the evening of April 3. The girl's father was then lodged in Unnao district jail allegedly without proper medical treatment resulting in his death in the Unnao district hospital on April 9. The incident hogged media headlines for days together after the matter came to light when the victim tried to immolate herself outside the chief minister's residence over alleged police inaction in the case. The Karnataka Assembly elections are slated for May 12 and results will be out on May 15. Vijayapura/Bengaluru: Battleground Karnataka on Tuesday saw an all out war of the titans with Prime Minister Narendra Modi attacking the Congress over corruption and divisive politics and UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi, addressing her first election rally in two years, questioning the Prime Minister on his policies and anti-corruption stand, while accusing him of indulging in hollow speeches that had failed to fill hungry stomachs in the country. As Mrs Gandhi claimed that the Prime Minister is possessed by the devil of Congress-mukt Bharat, Congress president Rahul Gandhi turned up the heat on the BJP for fielding the corrupt Reddy gang and asserted that the fight in Karnataka is about clean politics vs dirty politics and mafia vs people. Mr Modi said at a rally in Lingayat-dominated Vijayapura that the people of Karnataka have decided to uproot the Congress and punish it for its wrongdoings, The Congress is already trying to find excuses like faulty EVMs for the impending defeat in the May 12 Assembly polls, said Mr Modi. I have toured across Karnataka in the past eight days and found that people are not only set to defeat the Congress but have decided to give the party a five-year punishment, he added. Taking on the Siddaramaiah government over alleged corruption, Mr Modi said that there is not even a single minister who is not facing accusations of financial irregularities. The Congress believes in the policy of divide and rule... divide on the basis of caste and religion... Make brother fight brother. But people of this land of Basaveshwara will not allow it to happen, he said. At another rally in Bengaluru, Mr Modi said, The BJP promises greater prosperity for farmers, better education, skill development, better opportunities for youth, more industrial development, a positive eco-system for industrial growth, an end to politics of dividing society and a safer state for women. He said that under the Congress government, Bengalurus infrastructure is crumbling and womens safety is not a priority for the state government. Mr Modi targeted Congress president Rahul Gandhi quipping that Mrs Gandhi had started attending election rallies in the state as voters would not support her son. BJP president Amit Shah joined Mr Modi is slamming the Congress as he announced in Mangaluru that the Congress government led by Mr Siddaramaiah would be sent home on May 15. Earlier, Mrs Gandhi, while addressing a rally in Vijayapura, trained her guns on Prime Minister Modi and said that he is possessed by the devil of Congress-mukt Bharat, and his only accomplishment in the last four years is to have undone the good work of the previous Congress governments. Accusing the Prime Minister of being all talk and no substance, Mrs Gandhi admitted he is a good orator, but demanded to know if his speeches help fill hungry stomachs in the country. Appealing to Mr Modi to stop fooling people by delivering hollow speeches one after another, the UPA chairperson, who arrived in Vijaypura a few hours after the Prime Ministers rally there, said, I agree that Mr Modi has the ability to deliver speeches. But I would like to ask him whether his speeches help fill peoples stomachs. If they did, I would want him to continue giving more and more speeches. Mr Modis speeches cant empower women and youth as you need a leader to implement effective programmes. Only speeches cant find a solution to the grave problems which farmers in the country are facing today. To find a solution to countrys problems, a leader should have firm resolve to implement programmes effectively, she stressed. The UPA chairperson also lambasted Mr Modi on the corruption issue. What happened to Mr Modis promise of non-corruption? Where is Lok Pal? What is your model of anti-corruption? she asked. In an oblique reference to alleged corruption charges against BJP leaders and their kin, Mrs Gandhi, without naming the Reddy brothers or BJP chief Amit Shah and his son, asked if Mr Modis anti-corruption model was the one adopted by his candidates in Karnataka, or by the son of your closest aide. Mrs Gandhi claimed that people were shocked at the way the Prime Minister repeatedly distorts Indian history. Unfortunately, the PM uses even freedom fighters for his political gain. I want to ask you does this give any grace to a Prime Minister? she demanded. She also asked Mr Modi when he will fulfil the promises of creating jobs for the unemployed youth and what measures he has taken to provide security to women, children and the vulnerable. Congress president Rahul Gandhi took to Twitter to raise the anti-BJP pitch. Its a clear fight in Karnataka. Clean Politics vs Dirty Politics. Mafia vs People. With the BJP fielding the corrupt Reddy gang, we are trying a novel approach to fund our candidate. Support our candidate by making a contribution, he said. Mr Gandhi used the hashtag CleanPoliticswithINC and tagged a report entitled You decide: Dirty politics versus Clean politics? brought out by the Congress as part of its initiative to seek public contributions for funding its candidates. The Karnataka Assembly elections are slated for May 12 and results will be out on May 15. Nepalese PM Oli is likely to receive PM Modi when he lands at Janakpur by helicopter at the beginning of his visit on May 11. New Delhi: In the wake of China rapidly increasing its influence in Nepal and the formidable Chinese reputation of executing infrastructure projects in other countries at break-neck speed, New Delhi seems keen to demonstrate that it too can be equally swift and decisive. It is towards this end that Prime Minister Narendra Modi will begin a two-day visit to Nepal from Friday - the third to the Himalayan neighbour in his current tenure - and meet his Nepalese counterpart K.P. Sharma Oli, with New Delhi working swiftly to accelerate the pace of its joint connectivity initiatives in Nepal. The two prime ministers will be jointly inaugurating the Arun-III hydroelectric project in Nepal for generation of 900 megawatts of electricity. As part of the new game-changer initiatives in the field of connectivity including a proposed new electrified railway line with Indian financial support that will connect Raxaul in Bihar with the Nepalese Capital Kathmandu that had been decided by the two countries when Mr. Oli had visited New Delhi about a month ago, sources said India has already identified the Indian entity that will carry out a survey for the project. India is hoping to ink an MoU with the Nepalese side on this so that the survey can begin. New Delhi wants the survey to be completed by the end of this year or early next year. PM Modi will also meet leaders of Nepalese political parties including two Madhesi parties. It may be recalled that the Madhesi issue had in 2015 caused a rift between the two countries but the two countries are now looking ahead to strengthen bilateral ties. Two Madhesi political parties have also formed a government in one of the Nepalese provinces and New Delhi is looking at the development in a positive light. In what will also symbolise the shared Indo-Nepalese cultural heritage, PM Modi is also expected to visit temples at both Janakpur and Muktinath in Nepal during his visit. Nepalese PM Oli is likely to receive PM Modi when he lands at Janakpur by helicopter at the beginning of his visit on May 11. This is a second cholera vaccination campaign being held for the Rohingyas and their host communities. The oral cholera vaccines have been made available through the Inter-Agency Coordinating Group with members from WHO, UNICEF, Medecins sans Frontieres and International Federation of the Red Cross. (Photo: Pixabay) Cox's Bazar: A massive cholera vaccination campaign began on Monday to protect nearly one million Rohingyas and their host communities living in and around the refugee camps in Bangladesh, to prevent any potential outbreak during the ongoing monsoon season. This is a second cholera vaccination campaign being held for the Rohingyas and their host communities. Earlier, 9,00,000 doses of oral cholera vaccine were administered to the vulnerable population in two phases in October - November last year. "Considering the water and sanitation conditions in the overcrowded camps and the increased risk of disease outbreaks in the monsoon season, the health sector is taking all possible measures to prevent cholera and other water and vector borne diseases," said Dr. Bardan Jung Rana, WHO Representative to Bangladesh. As many as 245 mobile vaccination teams have been deployed to vaccinate all people over the age of one year in refugee camps and host communities in Ukhiya and Teknaf sub-districts during nearly week-long campaign led by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, with support of World Health Organization, UNICEF and The International Centre for Diarrhoeal Disease Research, Bangladesh (icddr,b) and other partners. "We have managed to prevent the cholera outbreak since the first campaign in October last year, but flood water, heavy storms and landslides in the monsoon season could damage water and sanitation facilities in the camps, increasing the risk again of an outbreak of this dangerous disease. We have to take all initiatives to address the risk, including preventive measures through vaccination," said Edouard Beigbeder, UNICEF Representative in Bangladesh. The oral cholera vaccines have been made available through the Inter-Agency Coordinating Group with members from WHO, UNICEF, Medecins sans Frontieres and International Federation of the Red Cross. The vaccines and supplies are financed by Gavi, the vaccine alliance. "This vaccination campaign is a part of the ongoing efforts of the government and the health sector partners to protect nearly a million people, including at least 135,000 Bangladeshis, who have been affected by the influx since last year," says Professor Dr. Abul Kalam Azad, Director General of Health Services (DGHS), Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of Bangladesh. In addition to vaccination, consistent efforts are being made to improve access to clean water and sanitation and promote hygiene. UNICEF has been scaling up interventions and communication on safe practices. The World Health Organisation has raised an early warning, alert and response emergency surveillance system, is monitoring water quality and working with the Department of Public Health Engineering to enhance local laboratory capacity. Both WHO and UNICEF have prepositioned life-saving supplies to ensure rapid response to any outbreak. The WHO-led Health Sector is supporting setting up of diarrhea treatment centres, including five supported by UNICEF and managed by icddr,b. Victim dies on spot, woman also injured. New Delhi: A 28-year-old gym owner was stabbed to death allegedly by a disc jockey (DJ) in West Delhis Punjabi Bagh area following a quarrel over playing a song at a birthday party. The incident took place on Sunday in a restaurant at Club Road, DCP (West) Vijay Kumar said. The deceased was identified as Vijaydeep (28), a resident of Tilak Nagar, who died on the spot after he was brutally stabbed by the DJ. The accused was identified as DJ Yuni alias Deepak Bisht, a resident of Burari. He worked at Raftaar Bar in Punjabi Bagh area. According to the police, Ishmit was celebrating his birthday with his friends on the third floor of the building. The argument started when one of his friends, Vijaydeep, asked the DJ to change the song, who reportedly refused. At this, the deceased smashed the DJs laptop, which led to a minor scuffle. This eventually turned violent. DJ Yuni As Ishmits friends fought with the DJ and the other bar staff, chairs were flung. According to witnesses, beer bottles were smashed and used as weapons. A PCR call was made at midnight on Sunday and a police team rushed Vijaydeep to the hospital, where he was declared brought dead. Police said a woman, who had tried to intervene, also suffered injuries in her head after a piece of broken glass hit her during the scuffle. She is recuperating in the hospital, it said. DCP Kumar said they arrested a man identified as Deepak Bisht and recovered a butter knife, which was allegedly used to perpetrate the crime. The police has also seized the CCTV footage and the knife used to stab Vijaydeep. The statements of those who were at the birthday party are being recorded and a few employees of the bar have been detained for questioning, said the police. The heroin was smuggled into India from Afghanistan through Pakistan and J&K. The accused also revealed that he used to send consignments of heroin to other countries including England, France, Canada and South Africa through courier companies, the DCP said. (Representational Image) New Delhi: A Nigerian national was arrested for allegedly supplying heroin to drug dealers in Delhi. Four kg of the narcotic, worth Rs 20 crore was seized from him, police said on May 8. Oliver Chijike Iheanacho was arrested from the Majnu Ka Tila area on the Ring Road in north Delhi, they said. Four kilogram of heroin, worth Rs 20 crore in the international market, was seized from him, police added. He was nabbed on the intervening night of May 1 and 2, they said. During the interrogation, he revealed that he used to receive heroin from his associates based in Afghanistan, said PS Kushwah, Deputy Commissioner of Police (Special Cell). The seized heroin was to be delivered to a Punjab-based drug dealer, they said. The heroin was smuggled into India from Afghanistan through Pakistan and Jammu and Kashmir. These couriers used to hand over the heroin to him in Delhi and he used to further supply it to drug dealers in Delhi and Punjab, said the DCP. He also used to get his consignment of drugs from his associates in Delhi who are of African-origin, he said. The accused also revealed that he used to send consignments of heroin to other countries including England, France, Canada and South Africa through courier companies, the officer added. Efforts are being made to identify and arrest other people involved in the racket from Delhi and Punjab. Some travel documents suspected to be forged have also been seized from the accused. These are being verified, police said. Iheanacho came to India in 2013 and after spending some time in Mumbai, he shifted to Delhi. In Delhi, he came in contact with people of African-origin involved in supplying drugs in west Delhi. Even after the expiry of his visa, he did not return to his country and continued to stay illegally in India and indulged in drug peddling, he said. In another case, five other Turkmenistani nationals were intercepted after their arrival at the airport. New Delhi: Two Turkmenistan nationals have been arrested by Customs personnel for allegedly trying to smuggle into the country gold valuing around Rs 95 lakh at the Indira Gandhi International (IGI) Airport. The duo was intercepted after their arrival from Turkmenistan on Saturday. A personal and baggage search resulted in recovery of gold weighing 3.05 kg. The gold was in the form of gold rings interwined and given the shape of chains. They were ingeniously concealed in a black cloth, which was wrapped on the waist line and around the neck of the passengers, the customs officials said. The value of the seized gold is Rs 94.9 lakh. The two also admitted to having smuggled another 2.65 kgs of gold worth Rs 1.77 crore on their earlier visits. In a related incident, the officials had on Friday arrested 28 Turkmenistan nationals, including 22 women, for smuggling gold worth Rs 5 crore at the Delhi airport. The seizure was made in two cases at the airport on Sunday. In the first case, 23 passengers were intercepted after their arrival from Turkmenistan. A personal and baggage search of these persons resulted in recovery of gold weighing 15.5 kgs. The gold was in the form of multiple gold rings intertwined and crudely given the shape of chain and bracelet. In another case, five other Turkmenistani nationals were intercepted after their arrival at the airport. They were found to be carrying 1.9 kg gold in a similar fashion. All 28 Turkmenistani nationals, including 22 women, were arrested and gold worth Rs 5 crore was recovered from them, Hike in Mahamarg budget likely, say sources. The state Cabinet gave its nod to the provisions on Tuesday and recommended that the governor promulgate an ordinance Mumbai: The state government has amended the Bombay Highways Act of 1955, enabling the payment of compensation that is five times the ready reckoner rate in rural areas. This provision will clear hurdles in land acquisition for the Mumbai-Nagpur Expressway (Samruddhi Mahamarg). The state government has made the Act applicable to land acquisition for state highways, district and rural roads, which in turn will inflate the budgets of the public works department (PWD) and rural development department. The government is acquiring the land for other infrastructural projects and for the Maharashtra Industrial Development Corporation (MIDC) to set up industrial corridors under the Land Acquisition Act of 2013 enacted by the Union government. The state is acquiring land with consent of the locals in where the compensation awarded is up to five times the ready reckoner rate in rural areas and 2.5 times in urban areas. As a special case for the Sammruddhi Mahamarg, the state had awarded a special package and granted compensation of up to five times the ready reckoner rate. The Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation (MSRDC) has acquired 65 per cent of the land till date with this formula by taking the consent of locals and using the Bombay Highways Act. Though enhanced compensation was granted for the Sammuddhi Mahamarg, a provision for the same was not made in the Act. Now, a situation that was seen as discrimination had arisen in the state, as some farmers got five times the compensation for land on which the Sammruddhi Mahamarg will be built while other farmers whose lands were acquired under the Act for district and rural roads got a smaller amount. Considering the legal issues, the necessary provisions were made on Tuesday by PWD, which will be applicable for the rural development department also. As the compensation has been increased, the budget for roads will also obviously increase, said senior officials. The state Cabinet gave its nod to the provisions on Tuesday and recommended that the governor promulgate an ordinance as the legislature is not in session. No one can deny that our monuments need more care, funds and expertise for their proper conservation, restoration and maintenance. Gar firdaus ruhe zamin ast, hamin asto, hamin asto, hamin asto is the famous Persian couplet inscribed on the walls of the Diwan-e-Khas at the Red Fort, which means that if there is a paradise on earth, it is here, it is here, it is here! Today, a visitor strolling through the marble halls of the Red Fort would find no trace of the paradise other than in her imagination. The paradise is lost. While one has to acknowledge the downright inefficiency of the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), the nodal agency responsible for conservation, restoration and maintenance of all listed heritage monuments of national importance, the decision of the BJP government at the Centre to hand over the maintenance of the Red Fort and creation of tourist facilities to Dalmia Bharat at a cost of Rs 5 crores annually has created major controversies. The sudden manner in which the information came into the public domain, the lack of clarity and transparency over the exact nature and content of the MoU signed between the government and Dalmia Bharat, the paltry amount which the government is getting for allowing the association of a private company with the iconic monument and the choice of the monument itself touched many raw nerves. The image of this government encouraging crony-capitalism didnt help either. For Indians, the Red Fort is not merely a monument. It has an emotive association, not just because it was the seat of power of one of the mightiest empires of its time, but also due to its intrinsic symbolic association with Indias freedom movement. From the first struggle for independence in 1857 to the INA trials in which Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru donned his barristers gown to defend the accused, from Netaji Subhas Chandra Boses clarion call Dilli Chalo to hoisting the tricolour and addressing the nation by the first Prime Minister of independent India from its ramparts, the Red Fort has been a symbol of Indias pride. Not just Red Fort, but the iconic Taj Mahal, the Ajanta-Ellora caves and many other monuments, even some national parks, have also been enlisted for adoption. Its perhaps a bit difficult for Indians to digest the idea of Dalmia-Red Fort, GMR-Taj or Adani-Sunderbans. No one can deny that our monuments need more care, funds and expertise for their proper conservation, restoration and maintenance. Its also true that the conservation and showcasing of our tourist attractions need more attention. But the Adopt a Heritage policy of the current government has far more danger of potentially damaging a heritage monument rather than help in its preservation. Its clearly a policy formulated without detailed guidelines and clearly defined parameters on credentials and eligibility of the private companies to undertake the delicate task of maintaining a heritage monument, and building and operating tourist amenities within it. What were the criteria for selecting Dalmia Bharat, a cement company, for adopting Red Fort? Shaken by the public outrage, minister of state for tourism K.J. Alphons, said in a damage-control interview with a national news channel that the private companys responsibility was going to be limited to building toilets and providing wi-fi, and also that the company would not be given access to the core areas. Its not only a misleading statement but also indicates the ministers utter lack of understanding of the complexities of handling a heritage monument like the Red Fort. The company will not only build toilets, but also build a 1,000 sq ft visitors gallery, do landscaping, illuminate the monument, put a surveillance system in place and be responsible for maintenance of the monument. Mr Alphons is perhaps not aware that the Red Fort is not a cluster of a few buildings, but the whole complex is an archaeological site. Many buildings within the fort were demolished by the British, but their remnants are perhaps still there buried underground. Utmost care should be taken during any new construction to ensure that the old ones are not damaged. Creating landscapes, illumination of a heritage building, and all restoration and cleaning are the job of experts. But this government does not seem to think its necessary to consult experts. In the Oversight and Vision Committee, the nodal committee for the policy formulation, theres not a single historian, archaeologist, heritage architect or conservationist. No wonder that experience or expertise in the field were not criteria for eligibility of adopting a heritage. Assuming that the company will employ experts, still there is no accountability as the indemnity clause in the MoU clearly absolves the private firms of any damage caused to the monument by them. The government seems far keener to protect the interest of the private companies than ensuring protection of the monuments. There are many PPP models that are being practised the world over to conserve and operate heritage monuments. The simplest one is to generate funds through endowments by private companies and individuals. There are professional bodies of experts who undertake the task of restoration and maintenance of heritage monuments. One of the success stories of the PPP model in heritage conservation in India has been the restoration of Humayuns Tomb by the Aga Khan Foundation. It took that outfit two years of painstaking research before starting any actual work. In contrast, the MoU signed between the government and Dalmia Bharat stipulates that all the work, including building the visitors gallery, need to be finished within a year. It shows a clear lack of sensitivity and understanding on part of both the government and Dalmia Bharat of the task to be undertaken. Hurrying up work to meet an unrealistic deadline would cause further damage to a 400-year-old monument. The Narendra Modi governments proclivity for announcing half-baked policies without thinking through its implications, be it demonetisation or a poorly-implemented GST, has created enough trouble. Its scary to think that a thoughtless policy of the government has the potential to cause so much damage to our national iconic monuments that could be irreparable and irreversible. Theres no logic to what mindless hordes do to pander to their notions of nationhood on either side of the border. You could have spotted, as I did, Mohammad Ali Jinnah in an official portrait at the Indian Muslim Leagues headquarters in Kerala in the 1990s. Im not sure if the picture is still around after the party split down the middle, subsequently. Asked to comment on a political allys seemingly awkward connection in an election year, the Congress Partys phlegmatic spokesman Vitthalrao Gadgil inhaled his snuff and smiled: They see him as the founder of their party. That was that, as it should be. As for the Aligarh Muslim University, Sir Syed Ahmad Khan founded it as the Mohammedan Anglo-Oriental College ostensibly to improve his communitys chances after it was picked out for shabby treatment by the British following the role of Muslims in the 1857 uprising. In 1916, at the Lucknow Pact, Sarojini Naidu applauded Jinnah as an ambassador of Hindu-Muslim unity. An unwitting point her compliment masked was it gave Jinnah the status of a Muslim leader, whereas Gandhi and Nehru were deemed Indian stalwarts, subsuming their religious identities. It must have rankled Jinnah somewhat like the way Majazs comment must have irritated Salaam Machhlishahri. Now Salaam sahib will recite his verse. He is an established poet of Machhlishahr. Meet Gandhi the Indian leader. Meet Jinnah the Muslim leader. The description presaged a bloody chasm. This psychology continues to play out even today. But all that the community ever needed, like anyone else, was equal rights as citizens. A key point of rupture between Gandhi and Jinnah came over their approach to a scientific outlook. Sir Syed as well as Jinnah had sought to keep modernity and reason upfront in their quest to retrieve Muslims from the talons of the clergy. Gandhi, with his support for the Khilafat movement and his love of religious symbolism, did the opposite as he sought to take an entire community back to their mediaeval past and, thereby, to the clergy, the forerunners of todays All-India Muslim Personal Board. Its the same clergy that every Indian party uses to its advantage in the electoral fray after having pushed a multi-million-strong community into the arms of mullahs. Jinnahs hero was Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, the anti-clerical liberator of his community from centuries of obscurantist hold. So why did PM Narendra Modis supporters suddenly find Jinnahs portrait disagreeable in the students union hall of AMU? The portrait has been there for decades, after all, from the day Jinnah visited the students. And that was way before PM Atal Behari Vajpayee went to Lahore and finally put his seal of approval on the idea of Pakistan by visiting Minar-i-Pakistan. That should have rankled Nathuram Godses spirit. His ashes were kept to be immersed in River Indus when it would be part of a Hindu rashtra. Vajpayee drowned that dream with one gesture and no Hindutva agent protested. Theres no logic to what mindless hordes do to pander to their notions of nationhood on either side of the border. The explanation to the latest round of vandalism was, however, rooted in realpolitik. The Karnataka Assembly elections are due to be held on May 12. The BJP sees the polls as its gateway to southern India but it is struggling to find a durable toehold anywhere in the South. It was not possible for the BJP to communally polarise the Karnataka elections with violence in a state under Congress rule. The hoodlums were unleashed in Uttar Pradesh on May 1 over Jinnahs portrait. How much traction the issue finds with the electorate will be revealed when the votes are counted on May 15. Suffice it to say that the BJP has thrown everything into the elections. UP CM Yogi Adityanath was also dispatched to berate Karnataka for accepting a government that allows cow slaughter and beef eating in the state. Together with the southern states, beef eating is perfectly legal in BJP-ruled Goa and all north-eastern states. And if you think the BJP has distanced itself from Muslims to galvanise the Hindu vote you are wrong again. It has set up dozens of Muslim candidates for local elections in West Bengal where Muslims generally tend to support CM Mamata Banerjee. And who were at the helm of the anti-Jinnah tirade the other day? It was Muslims loyal to the BJP. The question is where do Indian liberals stand on the Jinnah controversy? Can the Indian Left forget, and if so to what avail, that it had endorsed Jinnahs campaign for Pakistan? The late Tahira Mazhar Ali Khan, the iconic partisan from Lahore, had told me in some detail about her visit to Jinnah on her bicycle to convey the Communist Partys support to the idea of Pakistan. Its fine if the Communists disown the idea today. But denial alone will not save them from the next Hindutva assault. The target is not Jinnah, but Indian liberals. It is not surprising that those who hate Jinnah are not ardent fans of Nehru and the Left either. Learn from Gadgil, with or without his addictive snuff. By arrangement with Dawn 'I will be announcing my decision on the Iran Deal tomorrow from the White House at 2:00 pm (1800 GMT),' the president said in a tweet. Trump's announcement that a decision was imminent cut short a last-ditch European diplomatic drive to save the accord ahead of what had been a May 12 deadline. (Photo: File) Washington: President Donald Trump will confirm on Tuesday whether he will make good on a threat to re-impose US sanctions on Tehran and thereby throw the entire Iran nuclear deal into question. Trump's announcement that a decision was imminent cut short a last-ditch European diplomatic drive to save the accord ahead of what had been a May 12 deadline. Trump had until Saturday to decide whether to renew a waiver on one package of US sanctions targeting Iran's oil sector that had been lifted as part of Washington's commitment under the 2015 deal. "I will be announcing my decision on the Iran Deal tomorrow from the White House at 2:00 pm (1800 GMT)," the president said in a tweet. I will be announcing my decision on the Iran Deal tomorrow from the White House at 2:00pm. Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) May 7, 2018 The president may now also decide to announce the fate of the rest of Washington's nuclear-related sanctions, which are covered by different waivers, and effectively undermine the entire accord, reached between Tehran and six world powers. European leaders and diplomats -- including Britain's Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson, who was in Washington on Monday -- have been pleading with the United States to retain the core of what Trump called the "flawed" accord. Mixed signals And even if, as now seems inevitable, Trump pulls Washington out of the agreement, Britain, France, Germany, Russia and China may decide to stay in and to urge Tehran to maintain its own commitments. But if Trump's decision raises the prospect of renewed US sanctions on European firms and banks doing business with Iran, the accord itself will be in peril -- amid mixed signals from Tehran. Some Iranian leaders have signalled they might seek to rapidly restore the enrichment capabilities they surrendered under the deal, and European capitals fear Tehran may resume the hunt for a bomb. Tehran has long insisted it has no ambition to build nuclear weapons, but the signatories to the deal never believed them, and supporters of the accord have warned of a Middle East arms race if it fails. And they are skeptical that Trump's administration has a back-up plan to restrain Iranian ambitions once he has made good on his campaign promise to tear up a deal endorsed by his predecessor Barack Obama. Britain's Johnson, who was in Washington to lobby Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and Vice President Mike Pence, told Fox News: "Plan B does not seem to be, to me, particularly well-developed at this stage." Given the multinational nature of the deal, nothing the so-called EU three -- Britain, France and Germany -- can do would allow them to rewrite it, but they have promised to work on a powerful supplemental agreement. US diplomats have been working furiously with their partners in the three countries to make this a reality, with measures to limit Iran's ballistic missile program and regional subversion. But so far, all signs point to Trump making good on his threat. German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas warned the accord's collapse could spark "an escalation" in the region and stressed that Washington's European allies think the deal "makes the world a safer place." His French counterpart Jean-Yves Le Drian, on a visit to Berlin, said the agreement is "the right way to stop Iran from getting access to nuclear weapons" and "will save us from nuclear proliferation." Sunset clauses Under the landmark nuclear pact, Iran agreed to scale back nuclear enrichment and put its program under international supervision in return for international sanctions relief. Trump has consistently complained about the agreement, reached under Obama, citing as its shortcomings certain clauses such as the "sunset" provisions lifting some nuclear restrictions on Tehran from 2025. In an attempt to salvage the deal, French President Emmanuel Macron has pushed to extend its scope to address this issue, as well as Iran's missile capabilities and its role in the region. Iran's support for Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, the Lebanese armed group Hezbollah in Syria's civil war and Shiite Huthi rebels in Yemen have added to tension between Tehran and Western powers. Iran's President Hassan Rouhani on Sunday issued a strong warning to the United States not to quit the pact. "If the United States leaves the nuclear agreement, you will soon see that they will regret it like never before in history," Rouhani said. German police are hunting an 89-year-old grandmother convicted on several occasions for Holocaust denial. Ursula Haverbeck, dubbed 'Nazi-Oma' (Nazi grandma) by German media, was convicted in October on eight counts of incitement and sentenced to two years in prison. (Photo: AFP) Berlin: German police are hunting an 89-year-old grandmother convicted on several occasions for Holocaust denial, after she failed to turn herself in to serve her prison sentence. Ursula Haverbeck, dubbed "Nazi-Oma" (Nazi grandma) by German media, was convicted in October on eight counts of incitement and sentenced to two years in prison. But she did not report to prison to serve her sentence by the April 23 deadline. "After the convict failed to report to the relevant penal institution within the deadline, prosecutors in Verden on May 4, 2018 issued an order to execute the sentence and have charged police with its implementation," prosecutors said in a statement. "The convict has so far not been arrested," they added. Haverbeck was once chairwoman of a far-right training centre shut down in 2008 for spreading Nazi propaganda. She has been sentenced on several occasions to jail for Holocaust denial. During a trial in 2015, she insisted that Auschwitz was "not historically proven" to be a death camp. That is "only a belief," said Haverbeck then. She has also gone on television to declare that "the Holocaust is the biggest and most sustainable lie in history". Some 1.1 million people, most of them European Jews, perished between 1940 and 1945 in the Auschwitz-Birkenau camp before it was liberated by Soviet forces. The suspects were given bail on surety bonds worth Rs 5, 00,000 on Monday, as reported by the Dawn. Bhutto was assassinated in a gun-and-bomb attack just after her election rally in Liaquat Bagh on Dec 27, 2007. (Photo: File) Lahore: Five members of Tehreek-I-Taliban Pakistan arrested on grounds of allegedly conspiring to assassinate Pakistan People's Party chairperson and former Pakistan Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto in 2007 have been granted a bail. The suspects were given bail on surety bonds worth Rs 5, 00,000 on Monday, as reported by the Dawn. A two-member Rawalpindi bench of the Lahore High Court comprising Justice Mirza Waqas and Justice Sardar Serfraz granted bail to the TTP suspects - Abdul Rashid, Aitzaz Shah, Rafaqat Hussain, Husnain Gul and Sher Zaman. The suspects were earlier shifted to the Kot Lakhpat jail in Lahore from the Adiala jail in November last year. However, the Punjab prison authorities had denied receiving any information from the court to release the five TTP suspects on bail. An official from the prisoner department said that the government could extend the detention period for the suspects. Earlier on Monday, two-member bench accepted the plea of Aitzaz Shah's father, who said he had nothing left to pay a fee to his lawyers. The court ordered their release on submission of surety bonds worth Rs 500,000 by each suspect. Earlier in 2017, Anti-Terrorism Court of Rawalpindi acquitted the five TTP suspects and handed down 17-year jail terms to two police officers for criminal negligence in ordering the hosing down of the crime-scene and their failure to provide security to Late Bhutto. Anti-Terrorism Court had also declared retired General Pervez Musharraf an absconder in the case. Bhutto was assassinated in a gun-and-bomb attack just after her election rally in Liaquat Bagh on Dec 27, 2007. The then General Pervez Musharraf had blamed TTP chief Baitullah Mehsud for the incident. The court postpones trial to July 18 and rejects request for bail. An anonymous witness said that Brunson wanted to create a "Kurdish Christian state". The US pastor speaks of "shameful and disgusting" accusations. And he adds: "I never let politics enter the church". Ankara (AsiaNews / Agencies) - The Turkish judiciary has postponed the trial of the American pastor Andrew Craig Brunson with the obligation to stay in prison on 18 July. For almost 600 days the Christian missionary has been held on charges of espionage, collaboration with the Kurdish rebels of the PKK and links with the network of the Islamic preacher Fethullah Gulen, considered the mastermind of the (failed) coup in July 2016. He faces up to 35 years in prison, which corresponds to life imprisonment in Turkey. At the hearing held yesterday, the judge ordered the postponement of the proceedings. During the hearing, an anonymous witness accused the US pastor of espionage and crimes related to terrorism. He also allegedly "helped Kurdish terrorists "with an aim to creating a "Kurdish Christian state". In the course of the hearing, Brunson rejected the accusations calling them "shameful and disgusting", insisting that he never allowed "politics enter the church". He stated that his commitment consisted above all "in helping Syrian refugees" and never cooperated with elements of the PKK (Workers' Party of Kurdistan, Marxist-inspired and with a strong nationalist character, considered by some States to be an terrorist organization). Among other initiatives, the Protestant pastor in Turkey has long been working to build a church. In this regard, he denies having received "support or funding" from the Gulen network. The story of the 50-year-old pastor from Black Mountain, North Carolina, head of the Resurrection Church (Dirilis) in Izmir and for over 20 years in the country, is a thorny issue that threatens to exacerbate relations between Ankara and Washington. The US government has repeatedly called for Brunsons release, speaking of "unjustified detention". In response, the Turkish executive affirms that the matter is being managed by courts and magistrates and that they cannot interfere. Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu, who is expected to meet with US head of diplomacy Mike Pompeo next week in Washington, stresses that any decision on the matter is up to the judges alone. "His release - he said - is not in my power". At the end of the hearing, Brunson said he only wanted to "go home". However, the judge extended the terms of pre-trial detention in prison and postponed the trial to July 18. by Joe Pereira The clergyman heads the Kripa Foundation, a Mumbai NGO dedicated to AIDS patients and drug addicts. For him, "In a world filled with violence and addiction, the Pope helps us see the face of God. At the same time, "the Church needs to move away from old fossilised forms of Christianity and awaken to a more lively and joy-filled spirituality in the likeness of the Master Jesus. Mumbai (AsiaNews) Gaudete et exsultate (Rejoice and Be Glad) is a huge masterpiece of genuine spirituality in the present age, says Fr Joe Pereira in commenting Pope Francis latest apostolic exhortation. The clergyman is the founder of the Kripa Foundation, a Mumbai NGO that has been helping AIDS patients and drug addicts for the past 37 years. He believes that his foundation fully reflects the exhortations doctrine. "An addict, he notes, is born with a thirst for Love, for God, for Holiness, and this thirst is satanically frustrated by various addictions." To overcome this, "Like Mother Teresa, the Holy Father sees the most powerful pathways to Holiness in working in the service of the poor, the rejected and the marginalised, with the joy of life, the joy of love and the joy of serving by caring." The Kripa (grace in Sanskrit) Foundation was set up in 1981 in Bandra, a Mumbai district. Today it has 69 chapters in 12 Indian states, working with other groups in Europe, Canada and the United States. According to Fr Pereira, the "Kripa Model of recovery works through the body, the temple of God's spirit, and helps the addict to reclaim one's original thirst for love and God." His thoughts follow. This latest instruction on Holiness is a huge masterpiece of genuine spirituality in the present age, torn apart by seeking love and peace and God but getting deceived by false methods and modern-day fads and played out in new age attempts at pseudo-spirituality. Both Gnosticism and Pelagianism, in their subtle forms, have led modern-day seekers of God towards self-deception. In the attempt to seek holiness, knowledge and will have replaced God's Grace and Mercy. In a world filled with violence and addiction the pope helps us to see the face of God. While cautioning us against the two heresies and their subtle forms, he emphasises the vital role of Grace. In the work of addiction recovery, his extensive teaching on life as gift of God present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God (Rom: 12,1) (56) particularly affirm the kripa model of recovery by including the psycho-somatic dimension of healing the addict. Otherwise we end up by being an NGOs stripped of the luminous mystery of Francis of Assisi, Saint Vincent de Paul and Mother Teresa. This attitude can even enter the Church and prevent genuine work for the marginalised. Sometimes the Church refuses to recognise the face of Jesus in the poor, the sick and the addicted as in Mt. 25, turning organisations doing such work into "parasites' on church premises! Within the practice of the Beatitudes, the challenge of Holiness is when those who seek pathways to holiness are humiliated and have to persevere in the likeness of Jesus. Fr Joe told AsiaNews that his meeting with Mother Teresa "pushed me to work for addicts. I met the Saint from Calcutta in 1971, he said, at a time when he was experiencing a spiritual crisis. "Mother Teresa called me to assist her with the many cases of people who fallen into abject poverty as a result of addiction. The most important guidelines by the Pope is that of discernment. Like Mother Teresa, the Holy Father sees the most powerful pathways to Holiness as working in the service of the poor, the rejected and the marginalised with the joy of life, the joy of love and joy of serving by caring. The instruction is well timed and a result of Pope Francis' close observation that the Church needs to move away from old fossilised forms of Christianity and awaken to a more lively and joy-filled spirituality in the likeness of the Master Jesus. The appropriate theme of Holiness in a world torn apart by addictions reveals the original understanding of this deadly disease. An addict is born with a thirst for love, for God, for holiness, and this thirst is satanically frustrated by various addictions. This spiritual paradox of addiction is explained in my book, co-authored with Dr Ashok Bed (a Jungian analyst). This shows how deep down a human being is deceived into thinking that one is pursuing holiness while satanically getting alienated from one's true self and from God as the Pope explicitly mentions. By one's self one is helpless and the need for God's grace to shine through our weakness is an essential component of the Kripa Model. Unlike many an attempt made to combat this disease, the Kripa Model emphasises the role of connecting with the Lord, moving out of loneliness into solitude, and offers this free gift in loving service as wounded healers to other suffering addicts. This keeps one out of the subtle efforts made by many, which the Pope refers to as modern forms of Gnosticism and Pelagianism. The Kripa Model of recovery works through the body, the temple of God's spirit, and helps the addict to reclaim his original thirst for love and God. It is a model of finding one's true self and God, in the words of Saint Augustine, "Noverim me ut noverim Te", Lord help me to know myself so that I may know you. This instruction is the most timely reflection for a world seeking holiness through the pseudo methods of Gnosticism, self-effort and will, especially deceiving the addicted to believe in a concept of healing without God's Grace. Kripa is affirmed by this clarification that is made by the Holy Father. by Sara Saidi A young Iranian woman convicted for protesting against the mandatory veil does not regret her action. "[I]t was worth it because people want change, she said. The law will change but it will take time. A government survey indicates that half of the population of Tehran is against the mandatory veil. An exiled Iranian journalist started a campaign in the United States. "The mere fact that people are talking about it is a step forward, says one observer. Courtesy of L'Orient Le Jour translation from the French by AsiaNews. Tehran (AsiaNews) "It was cold, I was stressed, I felt that from one moment to next my legs would give out. I was just concentrating on standing still! said Narges Hosseini, the second woman who stood on an electricity box to express her rejection of the mandatory veil. The 31-year-old woman does not regret her action. She even repeated it several times under questioning. "I did not exceed my rights," she said. A native of Kashan, Narges Hosseini is not part of any feminist movement. "My biggest struggle so far was refusing to wear the chador at home. The charges against her are serious though: "Moral corruption and prostitution," according to her lawyer, Nasrin Sotoudeh. But the young woman does not regret her gesture. "What gave me the energy to do it is the knowledge that people will support me. When I came out of prison, the solidarity was such that I was shocked. So, yes, it was worth it because people want change. She was finally sentenced to two years in prison with three months hard time. "Change will take time" According to Iranian authorities, 29 people have been questioned. However, for Nasrin Sotoudeh, it is necessary to separate the women who remove their veil just the time to take a selfie and those who stand long enough to be arrested. "Vida Movahed stood motionless for about twenty minutes before she was arrested," the Iranian lawyer said two months later. "She was the first, the police did not really know what to do with her," she adds. In Iran, from puberty, women must wear a long coat and wear the hijab (veil) under a law adopted after the 1979 revolution and considered for many as a pillar of the Islamic Republic. But Nasrin Sotoudeh is categorical, the law will change, but it will take time. "In the circles of power, we are told: If it does not work, we will change the law, and so you will be able to go out without the veil ", but for the law to change, it is up to us to put pressure." In the street, a Teheran woman explains: "These are just sparks. It's important because it has to start somewhere, but it will take time before change takes place. [. . .] I m not sure people are ready for it. Even with the veil, we are harassed in the streets, so imagine without!" Social movement, political debate Zahra chose to wear the veil and, according to her "wearing it without believing is hypocrisy". Whilst she is against the mandatory veil, she also regrets that the womens movement associated with Enghelab Avenue started abroad as the initiative of Masih Alinejad, an Iranian journalist who has lived in exile in the United States. The latter launched the My Stealthy Freedom movement in 2014, setting up a platform for Iranian women to share photos of themselves without the veil, and the White Wednesdays movement in 2017, which invites Iranian women to wear a white veil in protest on Wednesdays. "I would have preferred that the movement did not to originate with someone who did not have the courage to stay whilst others in Iran went to jail and experienced hardship without running away. I believe that those who left will never be able to defend those who remained," said the young woman. For now, Iranian women will continue to post videos and photos of themselves without veil on the My Stealthy Freedom Facebook page. Although no change has taken place as a result of these events, the movement has had the merit of sparking a political debate. Thus, in early February, the Centre for Strategic Studies of the Iranian Presidents Office published the results of a survey that showed that nearly 50 per cent of Tehran residents are against the mandatory veil. According to Nasrin Sotoudeh, the report came across as a government endorsement of the protesters. On Enghelab Avenue, walking by the electrical box two months after the incident, two elderly men could be heard discussing the issue. "Is this where the girl stood up! said one of them. For Hosseini, "The mere fact that people are talking about it is a step forward". by J.B. An Dan The archbishop of Hue and president of the Bishops Conference made the announcement. The event will end on 24 November, feast day of the 117 Vietnamese martyrs, who were part of the 300,000 Christians killed under the Nguyen dynasty. There are also martyrs today, under communism. The opening celebrations will take place in three historical locations: So Kien, in the northern province of Ha Nam; La Vang shrine, in the central province of Quang Tri; and the Ba Giong pilgrimage centre, in the southern province of Tien Giang. The goal is to experience the spirit of the martyrs and visit sick and prisoners. Ho Chi Minh City (AsiaNews) The Catholic Bishops Conference of Vietnam (CBCV) has just announced that the 30th anniversary of the canonisation of 117 Vietnamese martyrs will be celebrated starting on 19 June until 24 November 2018, the feast day of the martyrs. During their ad limina in March 2018, Vietnamese bishops asked The Supreme Tribunal of the Apostolic Signatura for the permission to hold a Jubilee on the occasion of 30th Year of the canonisation of 117 martyrs. Their request has been approved, said Mgr Giuse (Joseph) Nguyen Chi Linh, archbishop of Hue, and president of the Vietnamese Bishops' Conference. Saint Pope John Paul II beatified the 117 Vietnamese martyrs on 19 June 1988 in St Peter's Square. The group included 96 Vietnamese, 11 Spanish and 10 French. Up to that time, that was the single largest number of martyrs beatified at a single occasion, surpassing the 103 Korean martyrs beatified in Korea in 1984. This record was only broken when the Polish pope beatified 120 Chinese martyrs in 2000. Anti-Christian persecution broke out almost immediately when the Gospel was proclaimed in Vietnam in the mid-16th century. However, it reached a peak under the Nguyen Dynasty Vietnams last ruling family. Their rule lasted a total of 143 years, beginning in 1802, when Emperor Gia Long ascended to the throne after defeating the Tay Son dynasty. During this period, more than 300,000 Vietnamese Catholics were killed. A gradual lessening of persecution occurred when the French occupied the whole of the country by 1886. But waves of more terrible persecution occurred again during the communist era. So far, the Church in Vietnam has not yet been able to count the exact number of people killed, and the number of people imprisoned for their beliefs during the current communist era, not to mention the large number of Catholics discriminated and marginalised because of their faith. The Jubilees opening ceremonies will take place at three separate historical sites in three ecclesiastical provinces: Ha Noi, Hue and Saigon. The opening ceremony for the Archdiocese of Hanoi and nine dioceses in the northern Vietnam will take place in the Minor Basilica of Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception in So Kien, Ha Nam Province. The Basilica was built 135 years ago in the hometown of two martyrs Father Peter Truong Van Thi and Brother Peter Truong Van Duong. Our Lady of La Vang Pilgrimage Centre in Quang Tri Province where Our Lady appeared to console the faithful who had fled to the jungle to avoid waves of persecution 220 years ago was chosen to host the opening ceremony for the Archdiocese of Hue and the five dioceses in central Vietnam. Catholics in Saigon Archdiocese and ten dioceses in southern Vietnam have been invited to come to the Ba Giong Pilgrimage Centre in Tien Giang Province for the opening ceremony of the Jubilee. Tien Giang is the hometown of thousands of 18th and 19th century martyrs. Mgr Joseph Nguyen called on believers to live the martyr's spirit in today's environment and bear witness to God and the Gospel. The prelate encourages them to visit people living in distress, illness, imprisonment, old age, loneliness, disability as part of a pilgrimage to Christ. He said that people should reduce their spending on unnecessary things to help the poor, the religious and welfare bodies as well as engage in activities for the common good of their community. On 14 May at the inauguration, Ivanka Trump and her husband will be present. Palestinian official calls for a boycott of the ceremony. Explosions of violence are feared for the situation in Gaza. Disillusioned Palestinians. Jerusalem (AsiaNews / Agencies) - The municipal employees of Jerusalem yesterday installed a new road sign, with the inscription "US Embassy" in Hebrew, English and Arabic. The signs indicate an American consular building in the Arnona neighborhood, from next week destined to host a ceremony that has been expected for months. On May 14, the anniversary of the 70th anniversary of Israel's creation, Israeli and American authorities will inaugurate the new American embassy, announced last December 6 by US President Donald Trump: for the White House, Jerusalem is the capital of Israel. Trump will not be present at the ceremony, which will be attended by his daughter Ivanka and her husband Jared Kushner. The decision had triggered protests by the Palestinians and the Islamic world, the appeals of Pope Francis and the Christian communities, as well as the condemnation of the international community, which does not recognize Israeli sovereignty over the disputed city and states that its status should be determined in a peace treaty. For their part, the Palestinians claim the eastern area of the city as the capital of a future independent state. Saeb Erekat, a senior Palestinian official, asks the diplomats, "civil society organizations and religious authorities to boycott the inauguration ceremony": participation in the event would be a message of encouragement for the violation of international law and the inalienable rights of the Palestinians. In the context of the repetition of the "Marches for the Return" along the border between Israel and Gaza - in which more than 40 Palestinians have died - some fear that the inauguration will be the occasion for demonstrations and clashes. Israeli Defense Minister, Avigdor Lieberman, argues that Israel is "ready to pay any price". Similar concerns emerged in December after Trump's announcement, but they proved to be unfounded, as the Palestinians reacted mostly peacefully amid great disillusionment. Immigration stopped accepting paper applications last year. Everything needs to be done online now. Did they initially fill out the stage 2 form online and were then asked for further info? Since it is an online application immigration may never have received or accepted any of the info sent in. They should try and call them to see if those files have been received. Otherwise they should upload them asap on their immi account as well. Whatever you do you need to act fast as immigration can make a decision on what is in there at any time. The 2019 Ford Ranger returns to North America larger than when it left nearly eight years ago. Photo courtesy of Ford Motor Co. Ford has torture-tested its 2019 Ranger midsize pickup using grueling lab tests, robotic testing too harsh for humans to endure, and jagged trails in the Australian Outback to the Arizona desert. The testing is based on the same standards of the Ford F-150, according to the company. We torture every component from its high-strength steel frame to its EcoBoost engine to its cloth and leather-trimmed seats to ensure Ranger is ready for any season and nearly any terrain, said Rick Bolt, Ford Ranger chief engineer. Fords approach to ensuring Ranger quality and capability starts in the lab, progresses to the proving grounds then is confirmed through real-world challenges in locations near and far. At Fords Michigan Proving Grounds, a fully loaded Ranger hits the Silver Creek track with impacts so severe robotic drivers are used so humans dont get injured. In the lab, a four-post shaker table checks Ranger for squeaks and rattles. Towing capability is tested in high temperatures and long steep grades of Davis Dam in Arizona, while the Australian Outback treats the truck to more heat and choking dust over harsh off-road terrain. When it returns in early 2019, the Ranger will offer features such as a terrain management system, trail control, and blind spot monitoring with trailer support, the Ranger returns in early 2019. Check out the video below: Related: Ford's 2019 Ranger Midsize Pickup Originally posted on Work Truck Online Bakersfield, CA (93308) Today Sun and clouds mixed. High around 80F. Winds WNW at 5 to 10 mph.. Tonight Partly cloudy skies this evening will become overcast overnight. Low 58F. Winds N at 5 to 10 mph. Unfortunately, our website is currently unavailable in your country. We are engaged on the issue and committed to looking at options that support our full range of digital offerings to your market. We continue to identify technical compliance solutions that will provide all readers with our award-winning journalism. SAN DIEGO (AP) A "zero-tolerance" policy toward people who enter the United States illegally may cause families to be separated while parents are prosecuted, U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions said Monday. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security said it would refer all arrests for illegal entry to federal prosecutors, throwing its weight behind Sessions' policy announced last month to vastly expand criminal prosecutions of people with few or no previous offenses. A conviction for illegal entry carries a maximum penalty of six months in custody for first-time crossers, though they usually do far less time, and two years for repeat offenses. "If you cross the border unlawfully, then we will prosecute you. It's that simple," Sessions told reporters on a mesa overlooking the Pacific Ocean, where a border barrier separating San Diego and Tijuana, Mexico juts out into the ocean. Nearly one of every four Border Patrol arrests on the Mexican border from October through April was someone who came in a family, meaning any large increase in prosecutions is likely to cause parents to be separated from their children while they face charges and do time in jail. Children who are separated from their parents would be put under supervision of the U.S. Health and Human Services Department, Sessions said. The department's Office of Refugee Resettlement releases children traveling alone to family and places them in shelters. "We don't want to separate families, but we don't want families to come to the border illegally and attempt to enter into this country improperly," Sessions said. "The parents are subject to prosecution while children may not be. So, if we do our duty and prosecute those cases, then children inevitably for a period of time might be in different conditions." A heckler interrupted Sessions on a megaphone, shouting, "Why are you doing this? Do you have a heart?" Thomas Homan, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement's acting director, said there is no "blanket policy" to separate families as a way to deter others, echoing recent comments by Homeland Security Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen. But he said immigration authorities have long separated families if they have reason to doubt the relationship or if parent is prosecuted. "Every law enforcement agency in this country separates parents from children when they're arrested for a crime," Homan said alongside Sessions. "There is no new policy. This has always been the policy. Now, you will see more prosecutions because of the attorney general's commitment to zero tolerance." Advocacy groups blasted the moves as cruel and heartless, especially in cases where the family is seeking asylum in the United States. "Criminalizing and stigmatizing parents who are only trying to keep their children from harm and give them a safe upbringing will cause untold damage to thousands of traumatized families who have already given up everything to flee terrible circumstances in their home countries," said Erika Guevara-Rosas, Amnesty International's Americas director. U.S. Rep. Bennie Thompson of Mississippi, the top Democrat on the House Homeland Security Committee, said, "Criminalizing parents seeking protection for themselves and their children is inhumane, excessively punitive, and can deliberately interfere with their ability to seek asylum." The American Civil Liberties Union is challenging the practice in a case involving a Congolese asylum seeker who was separated from her 7-year-old daughter for five months and a Brazilian woman who was separated from her 14-year-old son after being arrested and serving nearly a month in jail for illegal entry. At a hearing in San Diego last week, a Trump administration lawyer did not dispute a report in The New York Times that more than 700 children had been taken from their families since October. The attorney, Sarah Fabian, said she couldn't say whether there was a shift since Trump took office because officials didn't have historical data. A sharp increase in prosecutions will strain the court system. Sessions said he has assigned an additional 35 prosecutors and 18 immigration judges to the border regions. ___ Amy Taxin in Santa Ana, California, contributed to this report. Copyright 2018 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. CANNES, France (AP) A Cannes Film Festival grappling with issues of gender equality and other winds of change was declared open Tuesday by Martin Scorsese and Cate Blanchett, arm in arm, before the premiere of Asghar Farhadi's "Everybody Knows." The 71st edition of the glamorous French Riviera extravaganza of cinema and celebrity and the first of the post-Harvey Weinstein #MeToo era kicked off with the Spanish-language debut of Farhadi, the Iranian filmmaker, starring Penelope Cruz and Javier Bardem. On the opening ceremony's carefully choreographed red carpet, one of the festival's numerous modifications this year a ban on selfies was broken by some attendees who attempted to take photographs with their phones. Scorsese, who won the festival's top prize, the Palme d'Or, for "Taxi Driver," was in Cannes for an anniversary screening of his 1973 breakthrough "Mean Streets." Brought out to officially open the festival, he gestured for Blanchett to join him in the middle of the Palais des Festivals' stage. And much of the spotlight on opening day belonged to Blanchett. A prominent member of the Time's Up initiative, Blanchett told reporters that the #MeToo movement will play a role in this and every following Cannes festival, but won't factor into their deliberations. "Would I like to see more women in competition? Absolutely. Would I expect and hope that that's going to happen in the future? I hope so," Blanchett said. "But we're dealing with what we have that's here. Our role is to, in this next almost two weeks, is deal with what's in front of us." Competing for the Palme are 21 films, including new releases from directors Spike Lee, Pawel Pawlikowski (the Oscar-winning "Ida") and Jean-Luc Godard. Three of the films in the competition are directed by women: Nadine Labaki, Eva Husson and Alice Rohrwacher. Blanchett noted the festival has improved the gender parity of its selection committees. Juries, she noted, have in recent years been split equally, with the president tilting the scales. Cannes has come under criticism for years for not selecting more women directors. Only one female filmmaker, Jane Campion, has won the Palme. Lasting change, Blanchett said, will only occur through specific actions over time to narrow the gender gap and improve diversity in the world of filmmaking. "Is (#MeToo) going to have a direct impact on the film in competition this year, six nine months on? Not specifically," the Australian actress said. "There are several women in competition. But they're not there because of their gender. They are there because of the quality of their work. We will assess them as filmmakers, as we should." Still, the shadow of disgraced film mogul Weinstein is looming over this year's Cannes. For two decades, Weinstein had been an omnipresent figure at the festival, where several of his alleged sex crimes took place. This year, Cannes has established a hotline for sexual harassment victims at the festival. It will also hold a special red carpet on Saturday with about 100 women attending, which festival director Thierry Fremaux said is "to affirm their presence." Those will include all five female members of the jury: Ava DuVernay, Kristen Stewart, Lea Seydoux and Burundian songwriter Khadja Nin. Fremaux says the Weinstein sex abuse allegations came as a shock to Cannes, forcing the festival to examine its own practices and do more to improve gender equality. "It isn't just the Cannes Film Festival that's going to change," he said Tuesday. "The whole world has changed." Others have pressured Cannes to confront its role in the scandal. Weinstein is alleged to have raped Italian filmmaker and actress Asia Argento at the 1997 Cannes festival. Weinstein has denied any nonconsensual sex. "What emerged in Cannes must be fought in Cannes," said Marlene Schiappa, France's secretary of state in charge of gender equality. Asked if improving gender equality at the festival also means pulling back on the lavish red carpets that are part fashion show, Blanchett said no. "Being attractive doesn't preclude being intelligent. This is, by its very nature, a glamorous, fantastic, spectacular festival," Blanchett said. Also on the jury that will decide this year's Palme d'Or are Russian filmmaker Andrey Zvyagintsev, Canadian director Denis Villeneuve, French director Robert Guediguian and Chinese actor Chang Chen. DuVernay, the filmmaker of "Selma" and the Netflix documentary "13th," said that the power of movies is the ability to "speak to each other through cinema." "Cinema is voice," DuVernay said. "It's the way that I, from where I'm from Compton, California was able to understand the humanity of a family in Iran or in Shanghai. There was something outside of my purview to orient me to my place in the world. It was film that did that. It was film that allows me to assert my voice in the world." Before the festival began, controversy dominated the Cannes landscape. After two Netflix films played in competition as last year's Cannes festival prompting protests from French exhibitors the Cannes board of directors ruled that a film in competition at Cannes must have French distribution. French law prevents a film that plays in theaters to appear on streaming services for three years. Faced with the prospect of only showing its films out of competition, Netflix withdrew its films from Cannes. Several Netflix titles, including Alfonso Cuaron's "Roma" and the recently completed Orson Welles film "The Other Side of the Wind," had been expected to premiere this year. Since then, both sides have expressed some regret over the high-profile disagreement. Also likely absent from Cannes will be two filmmakers living under house arrest in their home countries. The festival has asked that Russian theatre and film director Kirill Serebrennikov and Iranian filmmaker Jafar Panahi be given permission to attend the premieres of their films, but that appears unlikely. In the festival's Un Certain Regard section is "Rifiki," a lesbian romance from Kenya that has already been banned at home. But Danish provocateur filmmaker Lars von Trier will return to Cannes seven years after being declared "persona non grata" for joking about being a Nazi and having sympathy for Hitler. His film "The House That Jack Built" stars Matt Dillon and Uma Thurman. Also making a return to Cannes is "Star Wars." The Han Solo spinoff "Solo: A Star Wars Story" is set for an international premiere on May 15. ___ Follow AP Film Writer Jake Coyle on Twitter at: http://twitter.com/jakecoyleAP Copyright 2018 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. PYONGYANG, North Korea (AP) U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo arrived in North Korea on Wednesday to finalize details of a historic summit planned between President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un. Trump announced the mission in Washington on Tuesday just minutes before Pompeo arrived in Japan to refuel before flying on to Pyongyang, and as the president declared he was withdrawing from a landmark nuclear deal with another bitter U.S. adversary, Iran. U.S. officials say Pompeo will also press North Korea for the release of three detained American citizens, whose imminent release Trump has been hinting at. His trip comes just days after North Korea expressed displeasure with Washington for comments suggesting that massive U.S. pressure had pushed Kim to the negotiating table. Pompeo, who first traveled to North Korea as CIA chief in early April, is only the second sitting secretary of state to visit the reclusive nation with which it is still technically at war. The first was Madeleine Albright in 2000 who went as part of an unsuccessful bid to arrange a meeting between then-President Bill Clinton and Kim's father Kim Jong Il. "At this very moment, Secretary Pompeo is on his way to North Korea in preparation for my upcoming meeting with Kim Jong Un," Trump said at the White House. "Plans are being made, relationships are building, hopefully a deal will happen and with the help of China, South Korea and Japan a future of great prosperity and security can be achieved for everyone," he said. Pompeo flew out of Washington under cover of darkness late Monday aboard an Air Force 757 accompanied by a handful of senior aides, a security detail and two journalists: one from The Associated Press and one from The Washington Post, who were given roughly four hours' notice of his departure. The flight arrived Wednesday morning and North Korean officials were on hand to greet the American diplomat. Pompeo's first trip to Pyongyang over Easter weekend before he was confirmed as secretary of state was a closely held secret. News of it did not emerge just before his Senate confirmation vote less than two weeks ago. Shortly afterward, the White House released photographs of Pompeo and Kim posing for cameras. It was not clear if Kim would meet Pompeo on Wednesday. Pompeo told reporters aboard his plane that his first visit was to test the North Korean's seriousness of pledges to South Korea on easing tensions. This trip is "to put in place a framework for a successful summit," he said. Although there were no guarantees that the American prisoners would be freed during Pompeo's visit, U.S. officials said their release would be significant goodwill gesture ahead of the Trump-Kim summit that is expected later this month or in early June. "I think it would be a great gesture if they would agree to do so," Pompeo said, adding that it would be difficult to hold a leaders' summit if the prisoners remained captive. The three Korean-Americans Kim Dong Chul, Kim Hak Song and Tony Kim are all accused by the North of anti-state activities. Trump has said that a time and place for the summit have been decided but has not said where and when it will be. Pompeo's visit to Pyongyang aims to lock down the date and venue for a formal announcement to be made. It came just a day after Kim returned from China, his second trip to the neighboring country in six weeks to meet with President Xi Jinping. A Trump-Kim meeting seemed a remote possibility just a few months ago when the two leaders were trading threats and insults over North Korea's development of nuclear weapons and ballistic missile tests. But momentum for diplomacy built this year as North and South Korea have moved to ease tensions, including with their own leaders' summit late last month. In March, Trump unexpectedly accepted an offer of talks from Kim after the North Korean dictator agreed to suspend nuclear and missile tests and discuss "denuclearization." According to South Korea, Kim says he's willing to give up his nukes if the United States commits to a formal end to the Korean War and pledges not to attack the North. Kim was quoted as saying Monday by China's official news agency Xinhua: "I hope to build mutual trust with the U.S. through dialogue." He added that a political resolution of tensions on the Korean Peninsula and denuclearization should proceed in stages, with all sides moving in concert. But his exact demands for relinquishing weapons that his nation spent decades building remain unclear. Previous U.S. efforts to negotiate an end to the North's nuclear weapons program failed under Presidents Clinton and George W. Bush. Pompeo and officials traveling with him said the Trump administration would not repeat mistakes of the past, which they described as accepting gradual, incremental and long-term disarmament in exchange for immediate benefits. One senior official said Trump and Pompeo were looking for "a bold approach" that would fundamentally alter the security situation. "We are not going to head back down the path that we headed down before," Pompeo said. "We will not relieve sanctions until such time as we have achieved our objectives. We're not going to do this in small increments where the world is essentially coerced into relieving economic pressure." Trump has said that withdrawing U.S. forces from South Korea is "not on the table." Some 28,500 U.S. forces are based in the allied nation, a military presence that has been preserved to deter North Korea since the war ended in 1953 without a peace treaty. After weeks of positive signals, though, North Korea on Sunday dismissed what it called "misleading" claims that Trump's policy of maximum political pressure and sanctions are what drove the North to talks. A North Korean foreign ministry spokesman warned the claims are a "dangerous attempt" to ruin a budding detente on the Korean Peninsula after the summit between Kim and South Korean President Moon Jae-in. "The U.S. is deliberately provoking the DPRK at the time when the situation on the Korean Peninsula is moving toward peace and reconciliation," the spokesman was quoted as saying. DPRK is short for the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, the North's formal name. The statement seemed aimed at strengthening Kim's position going into his meeting with Trump. Pyongyang claims Kim himself is the driver of the current situation and the spokesman said the U.S. should not to interpret Pyongyang's willingness to talk as a sign of weakness. ____ Associated Press writers Jill Colvin and Ken Thomas in Washington contributed to this report. Copyright 2018 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Two new schools are coming to Manatee County, but the extra classrooms are causing some concerns when it comes to the safety of students They will be located in Parrish, a town known for its farmland and Old Florida vibe. North River High School already in works Elementary school planned off Moccasin Wallow Road Residents concerned about extra traffic, student safety "We didn't really move out this way for it to grow, but it's growing whether we're here or not," said resident Ken Vobroucek. With construction for 9,200 homes approved in the northern part of Manatee County and the new Fort Hamer Bridge connecting Bradenton with U.S. 301, more people are laying roots in the area. That means the need for more schools. The new North River High School is already in the works on Erie Road. Less than a mile away, a new elementary school will be off Moccasin Wallow Road. "I'm a little surprised it happened as quick as it did," said resident Dennis Prutsman. One thing that's clearly lacking -- a sidewalk. "I would hope that with the development, they would develop the walking trails and the sidewalks, so the kids can safely travel from one spot to another." - Resident Dennis Prutsman Prutsman moved to the Copperstone neighborhood about six years ago. It's a gated community next to the new elementary school's entrance on 115th Ave. East. He said there is three times as much traffic in the area today than there was when he bought his house. "You certainly don't want to walk down Moccasin Wallow," he said. While the new school's entrance isn't directly on the main road, some kids walking to school will have to go onto it. "I would hope that with the development, they would develop the walking trails and the sidewalks, so the kids can safely travel from one spot to another," Prutsman said. Spectrum Bay News 9 reached out to the county and uncovered that as of now, there are no plans for sidewalks along moccasin wallow. They will be placed by the new high school, however. Construction on those sidewalks are part of the county's next five year plan. Both schools are set to open in August 2019. NATIONWIDE -- Saying that the deal was "defective at its core," President Donald Trump announced Tuesday that the U.S. would withdraw from the global Iran nuclear accord. US pulling out of landmark Iran nuclear deal, Trump says Accord includes some of America's closest allies Trump says he wants to reimpose sanctions against Iran RELATED: A look at Iran's nuclear program under 2015 deal "The Iran deal is defective at its core. If we do nothing, we know exactly what will happen," he said at a televised news conference from the White House. Trump said the Iran deal should never have been made. "I made clear that if the deal could not be fixed, the U.S. could no longer be a part of the agreement," he said. President Trump in announcing the U.S. is withdrawing from the Iran deal: "The Iran deal is defective at its core. If we do nothing, we know exactly what will happen." Margaret Chadbourn (@MLChadbourn) May 8, 2018 <_script charset="utf-8" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js"> "It didn't bring calm, it didn't bring peace, and it never will." Trump has been critical of the 2015 Iran deal, which lifted most U.S. and international sanctions against the country in exchange for Iran accepting restrictions and inspections on its nuclear program. "A constructive deal could easily have been struck at the time, but it wasn't..." a knock at the Obama-era agreement. .@POTUS Trump: The #IranDeal is defective at its core. I am announcing today that the United States will withdraw from the #Iran nuclear deal. #JCPOA pic.twitter.com/i8HpcAIL40 Department of State (@StateDept) May 8, 2018 <_script charset="utf-8" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js"> Trump also said he wants to reinstall sanctions immediately on the Iranian government. Sen. Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), called the U.S. withdrawal from the Iran nuclear deal "a mistake of historic proportions." He said the move isolates the U.S. further from the rest of the world. Former President Barack Obama weighed in, calling the pullout a "serious mistake" and warning that it will erode America's global credibility. Iranian President Hassan Rouhani said he ordered his foreign minister to negotiate with other countries still in the nuclear deal, which includes Britain, France and Germany, some of America's closest allies. Spectrum News Washington Bureau Reporter Margaret Chadbourn and the Associated Press contributed to this report. ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. -- Here's your Tampa area weather forecast for late Tuesday into Wednesday morning, along with a look at conditions through the weekend. Warm and dry Comfortable nights Weekend rain chance decreased Skies will be mostly clear into the early morning hours with pleasant temperatures. The humidity remains low even though the afternoon highs are running warm. Morning temperatures will bottom out in the 60s for most areas, but upper 50s in Citrus and Hernando counties. Due to the drier air well continue to have mostly clear skies and low humidity into Wednesday. Highs will easily top out around 90 for most locations, but it will be a little cooler near the coast due to an afternoon sea breeze. Drier air heats up quickly, but it also cools down quickly, which is why were seeing the pattern we are right now where its warm in the afternoon but comfortable in the evenings and mornings. Wednesday night will be mostly clear with lows in the 60s and 50s. Thursday will see a repeat of Wednesday's conditions, but with a few more high clouds. Highs will be near 90 and the humidity will remain low. Friday will be partly cloudy with a small chance of a stray shower; otherwise, we'll see continued quiet conditions with highs in the low 90s. Yesterday we talked about how it looked like moisture would increase this weekend. It still looks like atmospheric moisture will increase, but it now appears to be happening at a slower pace than it did yesterday. If this trend continues the weekend will likely be drier than we expected, so for now weve dropped the rain chance to 20 percent Saturday and 30 percent for Sunday. View: Bay News 9 Interactive Radar LIVE interactive Klystron 9 map Custom Safety Net storm alerts LIVE interactive Real Time traffic Upload pictures to Bay News 9 from the app The seven-day forecast We attempted to send a notification to your email address but we were unable to verify that you provided a valid email address. Please click here to update your email address if you wish to receive notifications. Otherwise, you may click here to disable notifications and hide this message. For Immediate Release, May 8, 2018 Contacts: Chris Nagano, Center for Biological Diversity, (916) 765-9097, cnagano@biologicaldiversity.org Rebecca Bullis, Defenders of Wildlife, (202) 772-0295, rbullis@defenders.org Endangered Species Protection, Critical Habitat Sought for Lizard in Texas, New Mexico Dunes Sagebrush Lizard Severely Threatened by Oil and Gas Drilling, Frack-sand Mining WASHINGTON The Center for Biological Diversity and Defenders of Wildlife today petitioned the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to protect the dunes sagebrush lizard under the Endangered Species Act. The petition also requests that the Service designate critical habitat for the lizard because thousands of acres of its habitat are at risk from oil and gas drilling and sand-mining projects in Texas and New Mexico. The Fish and Wildlife Service decided not to protect the species in 2012, a decision based partly on a voluntary Texas Conservation Plan. That plan was finalized just months earlier between the Service and the Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts, Susan Combs, now Acting Assistant Secretary for Fish, Wildlife and Parks for the U.S. Department of the Interior. The plan, which Combs oversaw through 2015, has failed to conserve the lizard. Dunes sagebrush lizards have waited too long for the federal protection they desperately need to survive, said Chris Nagano, a senior scientist at the Center. The only reason these rare lizards arent already protected is political interference by Susan Combs and the oil and gas industry, which is rapidly destroying the animals habitat. One major flaw in the Texas lizard conservation plan is that under Combs leadership, the comptrollers office maintained that individual habitat-protection agreements with landowners are confidential. That means that even the Fish and Wildlife Service does not know where and how much habitat is being protected. The plan also fails to address the new threat posed by mining of sand used for fracking, which as documented in the petition has rapidly expanded and poses a major threat to the lizard. Without our listing petition to compel action, the dunes sagebrush lizard is at great risk of going extinct in Texas. FWS failed the lizard in 2012 by declining to list the species and now has another chance to heed the science and get it right, said Jamie Rappaport Clark, president and CEO for Defenders of Wildlife. Defenders has been sounding the alarm for years that the Texas Conservation Plan is unable to protect the dunes sagebrush lizard or its habitat. Our petition explains how the plan has failed to properly address oil and gas development in lizard habitat and is incapable of managing the fast-growing threat of sand mining. The lizard is in greater peril now than it was when the plan was adopted and plainly needs the protections of the Act. Until it is protected, FWS should work with the Texas Comptroller's office and stakeholders to revise the flawed Texas Conservation Plan so that it actually conserves the lizard. The Fish and Wildlife Service must evaluate todays petition and publish a finding within one year on whether protection for the dunes sagebrush lizard may be warranted. If the initial finding is positive, the animal will receive a status review that will result in either a proposal for listing or a finding that listing is not warranted. Background The dunes sagebrush lizard is a small brown reptile that inhabits a tiny sliver of southeast New Mexico and West Texas. The species relies on shinnery oak for shade and buries itself in the sand to regulate its body temperature. It is primarily active between April and October and feeds on small insects. Despite the rarity of the dunes sagebrush lizard and threats to its habitat, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service declined to list the species under the Endangered Species Act in 2012. That decision, based partly on the conservation plan developed by the Fish and Wildlife Service and the Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts, addressed various land uses in the region, including oil and gas development. Under the plan, participants agree to avoid and minimize certain activities that harm the lizard and restore its habitat. But the Texas Conservation Plan has never lived up to its promises. As early as 2013, Defenders offered extensive critiques of the plan and documented unauthorized habitat destruction occurring under the plan. For a full timeline of ESA and dunes sagebrush lizard events, click here. Susan Combs, who oversaw the drafting of the plan and vigorously opposed the Services 2010 proposal to list the lizard, is now in charge of reviewing all ESA listing decisions in her role as Acting Assistant Secretary of Fish, Wildlife, and Parks. Defenders and the Center are deeply concerned about political-level interference in the Fish and Wildlife Services review of the listing petition. The Defenders Center for Conservation Innovation uses satellite images to track the footprint of all sand mines within or adjacent to lizard habitat. To see monthly images of the sand mines to date, follow this link to our interactive Story Map. For the full analysis and to reach the Story Map click here. For Immediate Release, May 7, 2018 Contact: Clare Lakewood, (510) 844-7121, clakewood@biologicaldiversity.org Appeal Urges Water Board to Halt Oil-waste Dumping Into Polluting Pits in Kern County Chemicals From Unlined Pits Already Contaminating Groundwater SACRAMENTO, Calif. The Center for Biological Diversity filed an appeal today challenging the Central Valley Regional Water Quality Control Boards decision to allow continued dumping of toxic oil-waste fluid into 83 unlined pits near Buttonwillow, Calif. The boards staff confirmed that harmful chemicals discharged into these pits have migrated to groundwater and contaminated multiple aquifers in Kern County. The regional board has utterly failed in its duty to protect Californias groundwater from chemicals that make us sick, said Clare Lakewood, a senior attorney at the Center. The community shouldnt have to sacrifice its precious water resources just so the oil industry can save a few bucks on wastewater disposal. Valley Water Management Company dumps an average of 2.8 million gallons of chemical-laden wastewater per day into its McKittrick 1 and 1-3 pit facilities near Buttonwillow. The contamination has spread underground for at least 2.2 miles, but the full extent of the damage is still unknown. At its meeting on April 5, the regional board rejected calls to stop Valley Waters discharges into the pits, allowing the dumping to continue indefinitely. Todays appeal calls upon the State Water Resources Control Board to rescind the regional boards decision and order an immediate halt to the discharges. The regional boards staff report confirms that wastewater has reached multiple groundwater sources below, including those connected to active water-supply wells. It also confirms that the discharged wastewater contains hazardous chemicals, including dangerous levels of cancer-causing benzene. As a result of the contamination, groundwater that had been suitable for municipal and agricultural use is now unsuitable for both. California is one of the only states in the country that allows disposal into unlined pits. There are hundreds of active pits around the state. In 2015 an independent scientific panel recommended that California phase out the use of unlined pits, citing their danger to groundwater. For the sake of the Central Valleys health and economy, the state board must step in and halt the dangerous discharges at this facility now, Lakewood said. Every day the water boards refuse to act, the contamination will get worse. For Immediate Release, May 8, 2018 Contacts: Taylor Jones, WildEarth Guardians, (720) 443-2615, tjones@wildearthguardians.org Tara Zuardo, Animal Welfare Institute, (202) 446-2148, tara@awionline.org Abel Valdivia, Center for Biological Diversity, (919) 932-0199, avaldivia@biologicaldiversity.org Taiwanese Humpback Dolphin Protected Under U.S. Endangered Species Act WASHINGTON The National Marine Fisheries Service today protected rare Taiwanese humpback dolphins, listing the species as endangered under the Endangered Species Act. The decision comes in response to a March 2016 petition from the Animal Welfare Institute, Center for Biological Diversity and WildEarth Guardians seeking U.S. protections to help prevent the extinction of a population that now numbers fewer than 100 individuals. These rare dolphins deserve every possible chance to escape extinction, and we are thrilled that the National Marine Fisheries Service has stepped up and given them the protections of the Endangered Species Act, said Taylor Jones, endangered species advocate for WildEarth Guardians. A myriad of dolphin species are at risk due to human activities, and we owe these intelligent creatures the best protections we can give them. Taiwanese humpback dolphins are threatened by gillnet fishing, pollution, boat traffic, and development along Taiwan's densely populated west coast, including the proposed construction of large wind farms. An endangered listing will enable the United States to provide technical expertise and resources to support Taiwan in conserving the rare dolphin. This is good news that will help these rare dolphins avoid extinction. International cooperation is the key to saving certain critically endangered species, said Abel Valdivia, an ocean scientist with the Center for Biological Diversity. Now that U.S. officials have made the right call on this listing, they should immediately start working with Taiwan on a recovery plan. The Endangered Species Act is a powerful tool that can still save the Taiwanese humpback dolphin and other small cetaceans struggling to survive. The Taiwanese humpback dolphin, also known as the Taiwanese white dolphin, is a biologically and culturally important subspecies of Indo-Pacific humpback dolphin. In 2014 the Service denied a previous petition to protect the Taiwanese humpback dolphin, concluding that the population was not distinct from the Chinese white dolphin, which swims in deeper waters closer to Chinas coastline. New taxonomy studies, however, conclude that the Taiwanese humpback dolphin is a distinct subspecies with unique characteristics, whose numbers continue to decline to alarmingly low levels. This is a major victory for the Taiwanese dolphin, said Tara Zuardo, Animal Welfare Institute senior wildlife attorney. The Endangered Species Act will help enable the United States to provide the resources needed to help protect and conserve this imperiled population. We are grateful that the National Marine Fisheries Service recognized the need to take immediate action. An estimated 50 percent to 80 percent of all life on Earth is found in the oceans. More than half of marine species may be at risk of extinction by 2100 without significant conservation efforts. Despite this grave situation, the United States largely fails to protect marine species under the Endangered Species Act. The Endangered Species Act is an effective safety net for imperiled species: It has prevented extinction for more than 90 percent of plants and animals under its care. Scientists estimate that 227 species would have gone extinct by 2006 if not for the Acts protections. Protecting species with global distributions can help focus U.S. resources toward enforcement of international regulations and recovery of the species. TV celebrity and CEO of Special Effects Media, Danilo Acquisto. Heavy Chef 1. Control 2. Entrepreneurs 3. TV metrics suck and digital rocks It's such a difficult space to break into and to try and gain traction, says Acquisto. You're probably wondering how somebody goes about producing content that does well. Well, with digital video you just have to start somewhere.Besides presenting the popular television show,on SABC3, Acquisto is also the CEO of Special Effects Media, who with its global partners have almost 9 billion minutes of video and 1.5 billion views on YouTube and a subscriber base of over 7 million. According to him, they work with some of the most creative people in the world, playing around with content and coming up with cool ideas to gain organic traction and to find brands willing to spend money on that.Acquisto went ahead and explained to us why digital video is so important and why he started this particular company.The big thing for me was that creators don't have control over their content in the traditional spaces, he says. Acquisto wanted to bring control back to the creatives. He says that was one of his biggest reasons why he got involved in digital. I am also now working with the SABC on multiple platforms and we all know what it's like to work for public broadcasters and even private broadcasters, there are limitations and rights involved. And we must learn to respect those as well. But digital opens up that freedom a lot more. For me, a 27-year-old, I feel I reached my peak in terms of live television. There has to be a new space, a new door to open up and digital was that door that I wanted to open.Entrepreneurs was another big reason why he wanted to start this company and he says it's such a vital space to be in. There is so much that is at stake when it comes to producing video. Young people are taking the risk and they are producing these brands on their own and they making an income out of it and they are doing some amazing things on these platforms. So, I am an entrepreneur myself and it was just something exciting for me telling these stories on digital media.The Nielsen method is the way in which traditional media is measured globally. We love Nielsen but we also hate Nielsen at the same time, says Acquisto. The idea behind television shows in South Africa is that 1,000 people in our country have got little black boxes attached to their televisions monitoring their usage and that extrapolating about 54 million people's usage of television in South Africa. So, if they say we've got 2 million people watching a show, are 2 million people really watching the show?Acquisto says what's scary about the way that these metrics are operating is that brands are buying into it. They are really buying into those massive numbers. But how can you really measure that interaction and engagement? I think there is a space for traditional but all I really want to get out today is that traditional is very, very inaccurate. And there is no way in order to accurately monitor your traction and engagement on that kind of platform. Brands that are smart and that are really looking for proper engagement will look towards digital media and digital video to be able to really work out how well campaigns are doing.Bottomline? Acquisto says if you're not focusing on digital media, your company won't survive in the long term.To continue reading, click here: Many of us can identify with this well-known lament from John Wanamaker, a pioneer of marketing. He said it almost 100 years ago, but it's still painfully applicable today. monsit jangariyawong via 123RF.com Half the money I spend on advertising is wasted; the trouble is I don't know which half. Did you know Juniper Research expects wasted ad spend to reach $51m per day this year or $19 billion for the whole of 2018. this year or $19 billion for the whole of 2018. Forrester calculated that $7.4bn was wasted on display ads alone in 2016 and that 56% of all display ad dollars were lost to fraudulent or non-viewable inventory in 2016. Blockchain: Simple and transparent Its still early days Getting future ready Advertising has become unimaginably complex over the years. There are now so many intermediaries in the supply chain including programmatic advertisers and ad tech companies that fraud is increasingly difficult to keep at bay.The problem is that there is very little visibility and transparency when it comes to reporting on things like when and where an ad was shown, how many views it received, and how many of those views were from actual human beings from the advertisers target audience.Advertisers just cant be sure how much of their spend is translating into actual results (clicks, subscribes, sales) and how much is going to fraudulent activity (bot traffic, click farms, domain spoofing, inflated prices and pixel stuffing).These numbers are frightening. Its no wonder that more and more businesses are bringing their media function in-house so that they have greater control over their budgets.What is blockchain?A blockchain is essentially a digital ledger in which transactions made in bitcoin or another cryptocurrency are publicly, permanently and securely recorded. It is transparent by design and cannot be owned by any single person. Rather, the ledger is distributed among all parties, including ad tech vendors, buyers and publishers, who have complete visibility into every transaction and must collectively approve any changes to the data.Blockchain would enforce a level of accountability and transparency that is badly needed in the ad supply chain. As a result, advertisers would be able to see exactly who bought their ad, when and where it was displayed, and who saw it. And publishers would be able to regain control of their ad space, boosting revenue.The adoption of blockchain in the ad industry is still in its infancy because as many people are wary of adopting something so new. There are a number of start-ups, however, that are experimenting with the blockchain and seeing promising results. Once they can prove the value of the blockchain to advertisers and publishers, and once we have solid standards and protocols in place, I believe we will see bigger vendors start to show an interest.With blockchain, we will be able to re-establish trust, visibility and transparency into the ad ecosystem. I believe that this will lead to the next evolution in advertising: where advertisers again feel comfortable handing over control of their budgets to trusted consultants and agencies.The underlying technology of blockchain has vast potential in many aspects of business, not only to combat ad fraud. Blockchain can support new trust models around regulatory compliance, data integrity, device integrity and distributed operations to name but a few.Its important to understand that blockchain, like any technology, requires an ecosystem to support it. This includes technical solutions, operating models and, most importantly, people.The best way to prepare is to ensure you understand blockchain. Then you can begin to identify relevant use cases, map-governing principles, and test use cases against the most appropriate technology.If you want to future-proof your business, now is the time to start understanding blockchain and proving the case for its use. There's no denying Africa is the place to be. Business is booming, international investors are interested, and there are deals for the taking, if you know how to secure them. Here's how to do so, effectively, from both the corporate/sponsor and startup perspective. Tiimeline of the AfricArena 2018 world tour. Time for African tech to shine In the RCS Bank challenge , RCS is looking for a product/technology to secure and store customer ID and authentication credentials, in order to ease customer on-boarding and transaction approval. , RCS is looking for a product/technology to secure and store customer ID and authentication credentials, in order to ease customer on-boarding and transaction approval. In the Vinci Energies Challenge , Vinci Energies is looking for a product/technology to make energy more accessible in Africa thanks to energy efficiency solutions, energy flows optimisation blockchain or AI. , Vinci Energies is looking for a product/technology to make energy more accessible in Africa thanks to energy efficiency solutions, energy flows optimisation blockchain or AI. In the best of ecosystem challenge, by French Tech Ile Maurice and La Reunion French Tech, the disruptive startups of each AfricArena tour city are invited to pitch for us. Startups that already have market or customer validation looking for international exposure are welcome to apply. The African startup ecosystem The corporate benefit on the startup pitches How do we change the way the customers engage with brands and products and services? Beware the business echo chamber! The future doesnt happen within your business, the future happens out in the market. Ready for the rise of student entrepreneurs? The @AirFranceKLM delegation visited the @FSAT_Labs yesterday, expressing once again their support to the local tech ecosystem and #AfricArena2018. Our incubated startups had the occasion to demonstrate their pitching skills before this friendly, yet challenging audience ! pic.twitter.com/VNl75v8bsM FSAT Labs (@FSAT_Labs) April 5, 2018 Pitching advice for startup entrepreneurs There is a rise of student tech entrepreneurs & students find it difficult to tap into the support ecosystems available #AfricArena #XolisaLombol, founder of Gardian Gabriel, #AfricArena 2017 winners #CapeConfidence #siliconcape pic.twitter.com/6H1akRgs5V Wesgro (@Wesgro) April 24, 2018 Always be ready to pitch to anyone. Always be ready to pitch to anyone & understand what your product is. There are many opportunities that arent necessarily related to funding so remember youre pitching to everyone in the room advise from Xabiso Lombol from Guardian Gabriel, 2017 #AfricArena winners pic.twitter.com/rHmkXUygF2 Wesgro (@Wesgro) April 24, 2018 Learn as much as you can from the experience; Learn from how others pitches; Do your best; and Always have fun Christophe Viarnaud, founder of AfricArena, introduced the inaugural AfricArena world tour at the end of April. The itinerary includes stops at a handful of the fastest growing African tech cities. It started in Mauritius and Reunion Island last week, moving on to Nairobi on 13 June, Casablanca on 4 July, Lagos on 18 July, and Dakar on 19 September.Each stop will include fast-paced startup pitch battles both in corporate challenge format and investor format, with the three overall winners appearing at the AfricArena 2018 conference, set for 15 and 16 November in Cape Town.Fittingly, thats right in the middle of global Entrepreneurship Week.Taking that reach beyond the borders of the continent, four of the startup winners of AfricArena 2017 will also be taken on an investor road show to New York and Paris, pitching Africa as an investment destination, as well as to VivaTech in Paris, with the latter featuring a dedicated Afric@Tech section for the first time from 24 to 26 May.AfricArena itself is designed to create traction for African startups as the stars of the show. If you missed it last year, Viarnaud says the arena is like sitting in a movie, putting the startups at the centre of the media, investors and corporates attention, so theyre pitching for two days over a number of challenges in investor format, to make them shine and sign the corporates and investors.There will again be a battle pitch session on the main arena stage, designed to hold the best pitching startup sessions on the continent assisting them to showcase their product/service in front of the investors.To get there, they first need to excel at the open innovation challenge pitches, organised for the corporates and sponsors to select a startup to partner with in creating a solution to an identified problem. Three of these startups from across Africa will then pitch at AfricArena, with the winner rewarded with a POC and/or incubation programme with the corporate.The specific tour challenges are as follows:There are also investor pitches, offering the best startups on the continent the opportunity to pitch in front of the investors present on-site as well as online as the event is streamed globally.Thats how AfricArena showcases and promotes the African ecosystem components to the rest of the world, from skills development to incubators and community-based groups like Silicon Cape, from all corners of Africa.Viarnaud said investors will be shown how to work effectively with African startups, too. So theres a marketing element, but its also about the relationships built with the startups to deliver a durable, pan-African impact.That way, therell be more money, year-after-year, coming in to fund startups.Explaining the ecosystem, Partech Ventures latest annual funding report shows that venture capital funding in 2017 reached $560m, recording 53% year-on-year growth. South Africa, Kenya and Nigeria dominate with 76% of the total funding. Francophone Africa is accelerating with 14% of deal transactions. Interestingly, financial inclusion in the form of off-grid tech, fintech and insuretech represent 45% of those deals.Rudi Visser, head of innovation acceleration for RCS; and Xabiso Lombo, winner of last years startup challenge and founder of Guardian Gabriel; explained the benefit of their involvement in AfricArena from a corporate and entrepreneurial perspective respectively, as well as how to make the most of the AfricArena pitch process this yearVisser explained that innovation happens everywhere in the business, so his role as head of innovation acceleration is to accelerate the processes that help them work with startups, particularly in the fintech space, while also easing the process of access to market and access to the customer.First, Visser shared that RCS is interested in. The brands evolution has seen a shift from product innovation to business model innovation and now going into customer experience innovation, part of which is an amalgamation of all those elements.Visser says thats what RCS is looking for at the heart of what they do is a focus on how do they better serve their customer and remove friction.That extends to their retail partners and their own staff, for example using loyalty programmes for employee value proposition building.Within a corporate environment, Visser says there are a number of spaces where you can find solutions and plugin. Thats what they love about the AfricArena approach theres a specific challenge put forward, which is relevant to the current space theyre in. Its not a hypothetical, but a real-world problem that needs a solution from the continent.Visser added that corporates, in particular, need stronger links to entrepreneurs. Theyre supporting the challenge for the second year as a sponsor, fitting as the RCS itself was born as a startup within the Foschini Group and they focus on driving innovation.Visser says there are two important reasons for corporates to get involved in these events. First:. Second:Putting these into practice, they avoid the echo-chamber approach when looking at ways to future-proof their business and continue to service their customers.Simply doing your own research and looking at your own internal structures is not going to help you create the future.Visser ended with a reminder of the saying that systems and structures override good intentions any day. To avoid that, the systems and structures they put in place involve working with the ecosystem as part of the corporate learning journey.Xabiso Lombo won the early-stage pitching startup challenge in the securitech space at AfricArena last year when still a student, with her pitch for the Guardian Gabriel wearable panic button. It requires no connectivity, as your cell phone is often the first thing perpetrators steal.Lombo knew nothing about business when she started out and shares that breaking into the network is very hard, especially with the rise of student entrepreneurs. When she needed help executing the idea, she researched incubators in South Africa.She found pitching itself was very scary and a learning curve. Without the resulting incubation support, she doubts Guardian Gabriel would have made as much progress these past seven months.Lombo said student entrepreneurs definitely want more of these challenges but theyre hard to find, so she suggests marketing startup pitching events at universities.Lombo then shared her advice to others looking to pitch at this years incubators and startup challenges.She remembers getting the initial invite to pitch at AfricArena the day before the event, so says her top tip is:To do so effectively, you need to understand your product and that youre not just pitching to the judges, you could be pitching to anyone in the room. Thats because you dont know which investor is paying attention and will invest, or what connections and networks you may be tapping into. Keep in mind that there are many opportunities on offer, not strictly related to funding. Also:Wesgro CEO Tim Harris called this brilliant advice for anyone to follow.Lombo was also asked by the audience how pitching had changed her thought process, as well as how to deal with investors as a student looking to grow the business idea. Its a bold enough move to enter the incubator space but the next step of actually taking on investment changes your whole world again.Before attending AfricArena, Lombos idea of pitching was: this is the problem, make them believe that it needs to be solved. Instead, she learned that only a few minutes are spent in describing the problem to get to the money and investment.Through pitching, she learned how to speak the business language and see where she wants to see herself and her startup, years from now.So pitching is a great way to see how viable your business idea is, and how you can get to the next phase of your business. Lombo says the challenge lies in realising that investors main priority is to make money, so you have to find a way to still play out the values of your business while making it profitable. As such, Guardian Gabriel hasnt yet launched or generated revenue but is currently looking to attract investors.Follow AfricArena on Twitter @AfricArena2018 and the #AfricArena hashtag for the latest updates! This job expired on 28 May 2018. This job expired on 16 May 2018. Got a question or tip? Contact us at bizmojoidaho@gmail.com. NEW DELHI (PTI): Indian Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman has said the government was working with the Army, Navy and Air Force to have a "synchronised position" on the recruitment of women into the three services as there was no common ground on the matter at present. In an address at an event on Monday, she also said that the government was open to women recruited under short service commissioning being offered permanent commissioning. Sitharaman said there was no parity at present between the armed forces in recruitment rules related to women. She said, while women were already engaged as fighter pilots in the Air Force, considered an absolutely top notch position, in the Army, women were still missing from important positions. In the gender neutral Navy as well, women cannot go to the sea, she said, highlighting the lack of parity in the three services. "Each of these services has taken their own approach towards getting women a limited option of getting into their force and as a result there is no parity within the three services either. "There are different approaches which are prevailing. I am spending quite sometime with all the three forces to make sure that we take a synchronised position and also approach the court to handle all these cases which are already there about short service (commission) women being offered permanent commission," she said at a FICCI event.. The minister asserted that, "we are very open-minded about having women come in to the services" as more and more women are seeking to join the forces. However, she also noted that verdicts were awaited as several of those who were in short service commission had gone to courts asking why they could not be given the permanent commission. In September last year, the Army had announced that it was inducting women in the military police, seen as a major move towards inducting them for combat roles. The role of the military police includes policing cantonments and Army establishments, preventing breach of rules and regulations by soldiers, maintaining movement of soldiers as well as logistics during peace and war. Creating history, the Indian Air Force in 2016 inducted three women as fighter pilots. Navy Chief Admiral Sunil Lanba had in December last year said that the Navy was going to allow woman officers on board its warships and suitable facilities for them were being made available in the newly-constructed ships. At present, the Navy allows women in eight branches including legal, logistics, naval architecture and engineering departments. Responding to a query, Sitharaman said women can also contribute to the armed forces as entrepreneurs and better equip the forces by getting involved in defence production, offering logistical support etc. The event was organised to celebrate Sitharaman's journey as India's first full time woman defence minister. Sitharaman said a school she had set up in Hyderabad gave her inspiration and a new meaning to her life. The minister said her family, with most of them supporting the Congress, never stopped her from joining the BJP. She also recalled the moment when she got a call by the then BJP president Rajnath Singh to join the national executive of the party, marking her foray into the BJP and also politics. Sitharaman had taken charge of the defence ministry in September last year, becoming the first full-time woman Defence Minister of the country. Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman in a group photograph with Navy officers at the Naval Commanders conference in New Delhi on Tuesday. A PTI Photo NEW DELHI (PTI): Top Indian naval commanders in a four-day conference that began on Tuesday will discuss aspects concerning the country's maritime security, analyse mission-based deployments and larger issues of the geo-strategic Indian Ocean, a region witnessing increasing Chinese presence. Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, who inaugurated the conference, told reporters that there has been a very pointed discussion on issues raised by naval commanders and Navy chief Admiral Sunil Lanba. The defence secretary, the financial advisor in the defence ministry and the Navy have been having talks with an open mind and several issues of concern have seen a "meaningful discussion", she said. The conference will culminate on May 11. Admiral Lanba said during the conference, "We are going to analyse our mission-based deployments, maintenance to operational transitional cycle and larger issues of geo-strategic Indian Ocean." The Indian Ocean, considered the backyard of the Indian Navy, is critical to India's strategic interests. Over the years, the region has witnessed increasing Chinese presence. China increased its presence in the Indian Ocean Region by constructing the deep-sea Gwadar Port in southern Pakistan and a naval base in Djibouti in the Horn of Africa. The region also has Chinese ships deployed for anti-piracy operations. The commanders would also deliberate on improving the Teeth-to-Tail ratio and explore niche fields such as Artificial Intelligence and Big Data Analytics. Harnessing cutting-edge technologies, specifically those 'Made in India' would be a key focus during the conference. The Indian Navy's focus over the past year has been on combat efficiency and material readiness, and upkeep of its fleet of 131 ships and submarines. Measures to ensure safety, continued training, and checks and balances on crew proficiency aboard its front-line warships will also be reviewed. The commanders will also discuss the optimal utilisation of the Navy's share of the defence budget by prioritising capital acquisitions and modernisation plans to bridge critical capability gaps. Sitharaman said the Navy's requests for major acquisition projects for 2018-19 will go through smoothly and there is nothing to worry in that regard. She said a large part of the Navy's requests between 2017-18 has been taken to a logical conclusion and many of them are almost on the verge of getting tied up. "The CNC (Commercial Negotiation Committee) are over and so on well beyond over Rs 30,000 crore in 2017-18 with a fair deal of Navy's requests taken care of. "2018-19 requests are very well received and they will go through smoothly so there is nothing to worry," she said. JAIPUR (PTI): Troops of the Indian Army South Western Command on Monday practised fighting in all contingencies, including a nuclear weapon environment, in the battlefield during the ongoing military exercise Vijay Prahar. The troops practised day in and day out in the scorching heat to fine tune the drills and procedures to fight and destroy the enemy in a battle space contaminated by nukes, defence spokesperson Lt Col Manish Ojha said. He said that considering the existing ground realities, the Army was gradually gearing up to fight and win in the contaminated battlefield. A lot of equipment and fighting gear was already in the Army's inventory. Drills and procedures have evolved over a period of time, he said. The exercise will culminate on May 9. DOYLESTOWN >> The Bucks County Historical Society (BCHS) will launch a new program series this month exploring the history of the notorious Doan Gang of Bucks County, offered throughout October and November. The series will feature three virtual programs and one in-person program that highlight artifacts and archives related to the gang and their history. At the time of the... UBs Diversity in Medicine scholars to work with patient populations that need them most Included in the state budget passed last month, scholarships cover a second year of tuition for two students at the Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences BUFFALO, N.Y. Medical school is a daunting financial proposition for anyone, but for those from underrepresented groups it can be a deal-breaker. That financial barrier is one of the major factors leading to the lack of physicians from underrepresented groups. Even in a diverse state like New York, where African-Americans and Hispanics/Latinos comprise more than 30 percent of the population, they make up only 12 percent of the physician workforce, according to data from the State University of New York Albany Center for Health Workforce Studies. University at Buffalo medical students Karole Collier and Bradley Frate are part of a statewide effort to change that. Both students in the Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences at UB were among 10 statewide recipients of the new Diversity in Medicine scholarship first funded by the New York State Legislature in 2017 and renewed in the state budget passed last month. The renewal means that they will have most of their medical school tuition covered for 2018-19. In return, the students must commit to work in a New York State-designated medically underserved community. Collier and Frate are also graduates of UBs post-baccalaureate program funded by the state Department of Health and supported by the Associated Medical Schools of New York (AMSNY), which also sponsors the scholarship program. The yearlong, intense, academic program provides students from economically or educationally underserved areas with guaranteed acceptance at a New York State medical school provided the student successfully completes the program. The highly competitive Diversity in Medicine scholarship is available to post-baccalaureate graduates from any of the AMSNY state-funded pipeline programs. It is reserved for students with excellent academic track records who also exhibit a dedication and eagerness to practice in underserved communities. The consequences of health inequities For Karole Collier, whose family lives in Brooklyn, the scholarship provides her with the freedom to focus on the underserved. She said that receiving the scholarship was important to her on many levels. Receiving the scholarship was quite empowering and a confidence boost. It truly intends to elevate and support those who may be overlooked. Her commitment to the underserved began in her teens, when her father spent a year in the hospital after a routine hernia operation, which should have taken just a few days. While her father did eventually recover, the experience opened her eyes to how health disparities can affect individuals on a deeply personal level. Like many others, my father, a fairly healthy and compliant 50-year-old was subjected to limited access, scarce resources and numerous socioeconomic and historical inequities, she said. Even while he was still hospitalized, Collier, then an undergraduate, began to conduct research on surgical disparities. She later volunteered at Montefiore Hospital in the Bronx, where she was exposed to some of the challenges of working with underserved populations. During a summer study abroad program, she traveled to Swaziland, where she studied barriers to treatment for AIDS patients. Collier participates in many activities that conduct outreach to Buffalos underserved populations. She is president of the UB chapter of the Student National Medical Association (SNMA), the nations oldest and largest organization focused on the needs of medical students of color. Its programs are dedicated to ensuring that medical education and services are culturally sensitive and to increasing the number of African-American, Latino and other students of color entering and completing medical school. Collier is also a member of the Diversity and Inclusion Committee and the Task Force for Student Academic Environment, which is conducting a self-study for the schools Liaison Committee on Medical Education accreditation. Choosing a specialty without a financial burden For Bradley Frate, the scholarship, which is pegged to SUNY medical school tuition, means the freedom to pursue medicine the way he wants to, without the financial pressures that most students endure from substantial student loans. I dont necessarily want to pick the most lucrative specialty or to work in an area already saturated with physicians, said Frate, a Rochester native. I dont want to have to pick a specialty or geographic region to practice based on whether or not I will be able to pay back my loans. I want it to be about where Im needed most and what best aligns with my interests and aspirations which is to practice in an underserved area with underserved populations in New York. Frate became interested in medicine at the age of 10, when his father was diagnosed with a tumor. Luckily, it turned out to be benign, but Frate stayed in touch with his fathers physician, whom he eventually shadowed and worked with before medical school. After shadowing physicians in Costa Rica, where Frate was studying abroad as an undergraduate, he developed a commitment to the underserved. That commitment stayed with him when he returned to Rochester and Oswego, where he attended college. I realized the problem is also here, he said. Frate is a student leader on the executive boards of several student organizations at the Jacobs School; he helped run an annual melanoma awareness and skin check event for uninsured people in Buffalo and volunteered at the student-run Lighthouse Medical Clinic, which provides free health care and preventive services to the uninsured. He also serves as a mentor and role model through various programs, such as those sponsored by the SNMA. Through the post-baccalaureate programs it funds, the New York State Department of Health has enabled hundreds of students from New York States economically or educationally underserved areas to become doctors. Over the years, more than 480 students have participated in UBs program: 69 percent of its physician graduates are African-American; 28 percent are Hispanic and 2 percent are Native American. Sixty-five percent are female. We know that diversity in medicine leads to better health outcomes for patients, said Jo Wiederhorn, president of AMSNY. We have a long way to go in diversifying the physician workforce, but this program is making a difference, producing great doctors for New York States residents. We are grateful for the support we receive from the state for this program. Campus News Panasci winners top New York Business Plan Competition By KEVIN MANNE This win will help us execute our go-to-market plan, which involves significant patent work on our inventions, technical product development, and product launch and marketing. Hot off its win of the Henry A. Panasci Jr. Technology Entrepreneurship Competition (Panasci TEC), a team of electrical engineering and MBA students took first place on April 27 in the New York Business Plan Competition for its technology that integrates digital sound effects directly into guitars. Ryan Jaquin and Shane Nolan, both dual electrical engineering and MBA students, and Alex Schwartz, a UB electrical engineering graduate, will receive the grand prize of $20,000 for their company, Bitcrusher. Bitcrusher is a device for a guitar that allows a user to control digital sound effects right on the instrument, eliminating the need for a large rig of effects pedals a player would traditionally use to achieve different sounds. The Bitcrusher device can be built into new guitars direct from manufacturers or retrofitted into a players existing guitar. In addition to the device itself, the entrepreneurs plan to develop a digital store where users can buy and sell sound effects from each other. We refined and improved our pitch to make our business plan even easier to communicate, demonstrate our commitment and passion for what we are doing and assert that we are solving an important problem in the music electronics industry, says Nolan. This win will help us execute our go-to-market plan, which involves significant patent work on our inventions, technical product development, and product launch and marketing. Bitcrusher bested more than 100 other student-led teams from across New York State who pitched their startup ideas through a series of rounds at local competitions in the 10 economic development regions of New York State Western New York, the Finger Lakes, Southern Tier, Central New York, Mohawk Valley, North Country, Capital Region, Mid-Hudson, New York City and Long Island. Judges selected the winner based on the company that represents the best investment opportunity. After the win at Panasci and now the state competition, we feel like we have a lot of momentum and are making the most of every opportunity that we can find, says Jaquin. UB provides us with the tools to be successful and were taking full advantage, so after we graduate in a few short weeks well enter the scene ready to develop and release our exciting new technology. In addition to participating in the Panasci TEC, the Bitcrusher team has taken advantage of the burgeoning entrepreneurship ecosystem at UB through such innovative opportunities as the Blackstone LaunchPad at UB, a campus-based entrepreneurship program that supports and mentors students, staff and alumni, and the eLab, a hands-on, three-credit course that helps develop skills needed to launch a new venture. Nolan is a past winner of the Bulls Launch Elevator Pitch Competition, where students have 90 seconds to talk about their idea without props, presentations or notecards for a chance to win up to $1,500. Campus News Lecture-demonstration of yangqin shows its significance in Chinese music By JORDON KRIVONOS The sounds of the yangqin, an instrument at the center of Chinese musical ensembles, resonated through Baird Hall on April 18 as multi-instrumentalist Helen Yee shared her expertise and knowledge of the exotic instrument with a UB noontime audience. Yee, who would perform on the yangqin with UB violist Leanne Darling in Darlings faculty recital on April 20, demonstrated to the Baird Hall audience the versatility of the exotic ancient instrument, also known as the Chinese hammered dulcimer. Trained in classical, improvisation and jazz, she performed solo pieces she had learned as a child on an instrument that was donated to the Department of Music by UBs Confucius Institute. The institute also co-sponsored Yees lecture and performance. Its thought to have come from the Middle East or Persia, Yee told those attending the talk. There are differing accounts of how it got to China partly through the Silk Road trade. Others actually believe that it went by ocean. And some think that it traveled by both land and sea to China. There is no mistaking the yangqin (pronounced yang chin) from other hammered dulcimers, Yee explained. The sound quality is the first difference from other hammered dulcimers, she said. But one finds that different types of yangqin also have different timbres. It also has to do with the material and sizes of the strings, the materials and dimensions of the body, and the types of strikers used. The strikers or beaters are used to play notes on the yangqin. Yee used bamboo beaters, which are light-weighted mallets. Stringed percussion is how people may classify it, she said. In the Chinese orchestra, it is classified as a plucked string instrument, even though it is not plucked. What sets the yangqin apart from other instruments is that its ever-changing. Yee described the standard version of the yangqin as having multiple rows and bridges. The development of newer, more sophisticated models of yangqin makes them a bit more complex than traditional hammered dulcimer instruments used in folk music of various ensembles, said Yee, who has been a longtime musician with Music From China, a New York-based organization that shares and promotes Chinese music, history and culture. There is still a general appreciation for older instruments like the yangqin, and for traditional music among contemporary Chinese youth, according to Zhiqiang Liu, director of UBs Confucius Institute. Its still quite popular, he said. But I think that now more Chinese parents push their kids to play the violin or piano more. At the lecture-demonstration, Darling performed a duet with Yee. The piece, Moon Reflection in Erquan, originally was written by Hua Yanjun for yangqin and another Chinese instrument called the erhu. The piece describes the moon reflecting in a spring or stream, now located in a park in Wuxi city, Darling told the audience. Yee said she began learning the yangqin at age 10 through a number-based system, a system different from the Western musical notation she was accustomed to. I had already begun violin about a year and a half earlier before I started the yangqin, Yee said. I had to learn a completely different notation system. The number-based system relies on the numbers zero through seven. Its just numbers and zeros on the page, she explained. The zeros are rests. Say you rest for two beats it will be two zeros. If you rest for half a beat then it will be a zero with a line under it. The yangqin also shares similarities with Western music when it comes to scales, Yee said. There are major and minor pentatonic scales. Its pentatonic-based but not purely pentatonic, she said. Yee closed her presentation with questions, and allowed audience members a closer look at the yangqin. She also gave personal demonstrations and mini-tours of the instrument itself. I hope they enjoyed hearing the sound of the instrument and enjoyed the music played, Yee said of audience members, and also being introduced to thoughts about a foreign instrument and how its sound can carry on. Burnham-On-Seas MP has this week proposed that the county should be split into three unitary authorities if a reorganisation of how Somerset is run goes ahead. James Heappey has made several radical, thought-provoking suggestions after Somerset County Council suggested last week that it is time to re-explore a unitary authority. The MP says: It could be time for Somerset to undo 44 years of separation and delete the boundary that has run from Brean Down in the west to Farleigh Hungerford in the east. Whatever the pros and cons of splitting Somerset to form the county of Avon in 1974, our communities and our economy have changed immeasurably since then. So this week when Somerset County Council proposed that we re-look at forming a unitary authority, my first instinct wasnt a single unitary authority based on Somerset County Council but three unitaries covering the whole of the pre-1974 county. This would mean Sedgemoor merging with North Somerset, Mendip merging with Bath & North East Somerset and the southern part of the county forming a unitary incorporating South Somerset, Taunton Deane and West Somerset. Theres real merit in this for all sorts of reasons but the main attraction to me is that this division reflects the way that the Somerset economy and many of our public services really work. I serve as the MP for communities along three quarters of Somersets northern border and I know that thousands of my constituents have chosen to live in Somerset but they work in Bath and Bristol. The majority of my constituents go to Weston Hospital, Southmead, the BRI or the RUH. A significant number of young people wishing to study at college choose to go to Weston, Bath or Norton Radstock. Businesses in my constituency are often in the supply chains of larger businesses based to our north. When I recently visited an engineering company in Cheddar, the hinges for the lock doors at Bristol Port were there for refurbishment. There are many small IT and digital businesses around Wells that have spun off from the booming digital marketing industry in Bristol and Bath. And there are huge tie ups between Sedgemoor, Bristol University and EDFs HQ in Bristol as our area becomes a world leader in clean energy engineering. Now the reality is that other parts of the county feel the pull of Bristol and Bath much less. There are fewer commuters, fewer businesses connected to those economies and less use of their public services too. It makes sense for the southern part of the county to form a unitary authority that more neatly meets the needs of Yeovil, Taunton and the surrounding areas. Most important for me is that this division also allows a much more sensible approach to devolution. Somerset has been seeking a deal with Devon, Plymouth and Torbay that Ive always struggled to understand. Devolution is supposed to bring power closer to the people not further away and yet Farleigh Hungerford in the north-eastern most corner of Somerset is 15 miles closer to London than it is to Plymouth. In my own constituency, Ston Easton is just 11 miles from Bristol and 13 miles from Bath whilst being 70 miles from Exeter and 110 miles from Plymouth. Somerset cant quite decide whether were part of the far South West or whether were part of the West of England. The reality is that half the county looks north and the other half of the county looks south. My concern is that a county-wide unitary setting our priorities in a devolution deal with Devon, Plymouth and Torbay means the centre of decision making mass is pulled southwards to the disadvantage of the communities I represent along the countys northern boundary. In unitary authority terms, one size cannot fit all. In the months ahead we shouldnt fall back on the result of a referendum done 10 years ago. Somerset has changed a great deal since and the devolution agenda has provided another important angle too. With open minds we can seize this opportunity to look at how we give taxpayers the best value for money, deliver the best possible public services, and how we embrace devolution in a way that recognises that Somerset looks both north and south. Most importantly though, we could get to delete that line thats split our county for nearly five decades and bring Somerset back together again administered by three equally sized unitary authorities each capable of understanding and representing the differing needs of all parts of our wonderful county. The three authorities would be able to work with the areas to our north or south depending on what is in the strategic interests of that part of the county whilst, crucially, combining whenever needed to give Somerset a loud voice on the national stage with three councils and nine MPs representing nearly a million people. Dear Reader, Business Standard has always strived hard to provide up-to-date information and commentary on developments that are of interest to you and have wider political and economic implications for the country and the world. Your encouragement and constant feedback on how to improve our offering have only made our resolve and commitment to these ideals stronger. Even during these difficult times arising out of Covid-19, we continue to remain committed to keeping you informed and updated with credible news, authoritative views and incisive commentary on topical issues of relevance. We, however, have a request. As we battle the economic impact of the pandemic, we need your support even more, so that we can continue to offer you more quality content. Our subscription model has seen an encouraging response from many of you, who have subscribed to our online content. More subscription to our online content can only help us achieve the goals of offering you even better and more relevant content. We believe in free, fair and credible journalism. Your support through more subscriptions can help us practise the journalism to which we are committed. Support quality journalism and subscribe to Business Standard. Digital Editor Canteens and water coolers are often the best corners to catch employee mood at any organisation. More so, when the company is as young as Flipkart with most of its workforce in the 20s. The chatty breaks just got more animated as the biggest company of the country has finalised a multi-billion dollar deal with Americas Walmart. The fact that employees stock options will go up in value, in sync with the mega deal, has only added an extra zing around the campus. Unlike in the case of many other mergers, the mood at the large pantries (quite a variation from the traditional canteen), break rooms and food courts in the sprawling Flipkart campus is upbeat. The new campus at Bengalurus Embassy Tech Village modelled on Silicon Valley structures houses more than 7,000 employees, with hardly any room for fear of tomorrow. Several employees, with whom Business Standard spoke on Walmart acquiring a majority stake in Flipkart, said they were looking forward to working in a company controlled by the largest retailer of the world. The Flipkart board last week gave its approval to Walmarts proposal to acquire around 75 per cent in the company for around $15 billion, sources said. The term sheet is expected to be signed in the next few days, giving a closure to the much talked about deal in the Indian sector. Walmart will bring its years of experience to Flipkart and that will help us hone our skills and bring us closer to the global best practices, said one of the techies at the campus. The overall mood is quite positive and theres a buoyancy in the air, another employee said hurriedly before moving on to an important errand. Employees dont anticipate major organisational changes or job losses after the closure of the deal, another Flipkart insider pointed out, of course on the condition of anonymity. In fact, according to some account, Flipkart staffers have been told to keep silent on the proposed deal, irrespective of whether they know much or not. ALSO READ: Walmart deal in the bag, Flipkart may now build a $1 bn M&A warchest People working in like Flipkart and want to work with newer technologies. With Walmart coming in, which has a history of being a product leader, there will be technological changes which will be beneficial for us, said a serious-looking engineering division employee. Right now, we are a manpower driven company. With Walmart coming in, we will hopefully become tech-driven. We will get to learn new things and we are excited about that, another staffer said. Competition with too is playing on the minds of Flipkartians. Walmart could replicate supply chain and sourcing experience and that will help us compete with Amazon, was one of the views at the campus spread across 830,000 sq ft. Theres also a strong hope for a better career growth once Walmart is part of Flipkart. This will expose us to world class technologies and business practices, and help in our career growth apart from growth of the company. ALSO READ: Walmart, Flipkart work on synergies; merger may result in common leadership An employee of Jabong, which is part of the Flipkart trinity, said the deal would give a solid financial backing to the Bengaluru-based company. As the company is expected to work lean and grow at a tremendous pace with the same internal leadership, the culture will not change drastically, she said. Many employees, especially those in the mid to senior level positions, said they would be able to vest the stock options at a much higher valuation now than even a year ago. When Flipkart raised $2.5 billion from last year, its valuation was marked down to $12 billion from a peak of $15 billion, leaving them a little anxious until the company compensated their losses by issuing additional stocks. Now, with the valuation of an estimated $20 billion, its almost like a double bonanza for them. I have been waiting for this for a long time. I had only part vested my stocks but most of my options still remain with me, said a former employee. ALSO READ: $15-billion Flipkart-Walmart mega deal: Patience pays off for investors Senior employees at Myntra, which is also a part of Flipkart, are also looking to vest their shares. The stock options given to Flipkart employees usually have a vesting period of four years. The strength of the company is the speed with which we work and the quick decision-making. I do not think there will be much changes in the start-up set up because if it takes up a corporate structure, it will be difficult to do the same, said a hesitant staffer. The company has not sent out any official communication to the employees regarding the deal yet. As for now, employees are gearing up for the upcoming Big Shopping Days Sale beginning on May 13. One of them said, we have no time to talk about Walmart now, and then added a few top-level management changes were likely. When came to the deal table to bid for Flipkart, there were fears of job losses due to duplication of roles in case of a merger. However with Walmart back in the saddle, those fears have faded. ALSO READ: Flipkart-Walmart deal: Billion-dollar gateway to Indian market for Google Facebook and Google are under the microscope for the ways their technologies can spread misinformation, while Amazons growing market power is a regular target of President Trump. And Apple pioneered the modern smartphone, a device increasingly seen as too addicting. Then theres Microsoft, a giant that spent most of the 1990s and early 2000s as techs biggest company and villain. It now seems to be auditioning for a different role: The industrys moral conscience. Among the five most valuable tech companies, Microsoft is the only one to avoid sustained ... GFMS Thomson Reuters has painted a bullish outlook for the global price of this year. The average so far has been $1,360 an ounce, it said, and could potentially briefly approach a 2018 peak towards $1,500/oz on any exogenous shocks later in the year. The price at present is $1,312 an ounce. The agency sees the geopolitical climate and equity as supportive for golds role as a risk hedge. Then, political uncertainty such as on Britains exit talks from the European Union, beside tensions in West Asia and North Africa. America is set to announce sanctions on Iran, further stoking the price of In 2017, the report said, central banks globally had added 366 tonnes of to their reserves, a third of what they did in 2016. This year, we expect China to resume as a central bank buyer. With Chinas buying, global central banks buying will cross 400 tonnes on a net basis, it predicted. In 2017, the was the biggest buyer (it bought 200 tonnes consecutively for three years). Turkeys central bank was another frequent purchaser. Global mine production in 2017 was 3,247 tonnes, about five tonnes below the previous year, driven by environmental concerns in China and a crackdown on illegal mining in GFMS expects gold exchange traded funds demand to rebound this year to 350 tonnes, after a modest net increase of 177 tonnes in 2017. Retail investment (by individuals) is forecast to rise, after four years of decline, thanks to a pick-up in bar demand, supported by improving sentiment toward gold and rising price expectations. Rising prices will also be a headwind for jewellery offtake and we expect this to fall by three per cent, with the crucial Indian market dropping back. Further, we expect mine production to rise this year, as 2017 proved to be a blip after 13 consecutive increases, supported by rising Russian output and a stabilisation of production from China, went its report. On Indias gold import, the survey said it was officially 879.8 tonnes in 2017. Globally jewellery fabrication increased by 13 per cent to 2,214 tonnes, helped by a 58 per cent jump in demand from India. However, in 2018, India would see moderating demand for jewellery, due to higher price expectation. At least 19 militants including seven Pakistani nationals have been killed during the operations of the Special Forces of the Afghan Intelligence, National Directorate of Security (NDS), in Afghanistan's eastern Nangarhar province. The NDS Special Forces conducted raids on military compounds of the Taliban in Beli area of Momand Dara, leaving five Taliban commanders dead, Khaama Press reported, citing the provincial government media office, as saying in a statement. At least eight others have been arrested, according to the report. The Taliban leaders killed during the operations have been identified as Irshad also famous as Haji, Shamali, Qari Janat famous as Qari Omar, Saqib and Afridi, the statement added. The Afghan forces have also confiscated and destroyed several arms, ammunition and explosive, such as machine guns, rocket launchers, 47 rifles, etc. No comments have been received from the anti-government armed militant groups including Taliban militants in connection with this report by far. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) As stray dogs continue to create a menace in Uttar Pradesh's Sitapur district, the police on Tuesday announced that drones and night vision binoculars will be used to track the feral dogs in the town and adjacent areas. The administration has taken this initiative to look at the activities of dogs and to transcend them after the animals killed six children and injured several others during the last week. Inspector General, Sujit Kumar Pandey of Lucknow Zone in Sitapur, today held a meeting with officials of the district to deal with these dogs at Khairabad police station. He said that the administration has started monitoring the drone cameras. "A combined team has been set up including the district magistrate, forest officials and police. A drone camera was sent from Lucknow yesterday and we will send a few more if required to map many areas together," Pandey told media. "Secondly, we are trying to include as many villagers as possible. Lastly, to track the areas where movements were noticed, we will use night-vision binoculars to spot the dogs," he added. So far, twelve kids have been killed and several others have been found injured after being attacked by the dogs. It all started on May 1, when three children were killed in Khairadabad and the villagers have been living in a sense of terror since then. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) School and College students in Uttar Pradesh's Allahabad city staged a protest over presence of a liquor shops in the vicinity of their area. They also demanded to close the liquor shops to ensure safety as they faced harassment by men who allegedly pass lewd comments on them. The students said that all legal alcohol and illegal liquor shops should be banned around the school and college campus. They voiced their demands to Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, Minister Anupma Jaiswal, District Magistrate, and District Rhythm inspector. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Aligarh Muslim University (AMU) Vice Chancellor Prof. Tariq Mansoor on Tuesday advised students not to fall prey to lies being spread by a section of media. The AMU is going through an upheaval over the portrait of Pakistan's founder Muhammad Ali Jinnah in AMU Students Union office. The VC issued a statement to university students and held a section of media/channels responsible for spreading lies. "As you all know, our beloved University is passing through a difficult phase. Taking advantage of the present crisis, a section of the media, especially some TV Channels armed with all kinds of half-truths are constantly trying to create a very negative image of the University," Mansoor said. Advising the students to maintain calm, he said, "The assault on the University from different quarters calls for both rational response and thoughtful action without being swayed by emotions." The VC also requested students not to fall into the trap of such information and focus on examinations. "We should not fall into the trap of some forces, which are bent on destroying the image of our Alma Mater and playing with your bright future. Under no circumstances should you let your studies suffer, especially when your exams are just round the corner," the VC said. Mansoor also said he had denounced the excessive use of force on students which resulted in injuries to the present and former office bearers of the Union and other students. In Aligarh, some groups have protested against the portrait of Pakistan's founder at the office of Aligarh Muslim University student union's office. The matter hit the headlines after BJP's Aligarh MP Satish Gautam questioned the portrait's presence in the AMU student union office. On Thursday, 28 students and 13 cops were injured in a clash which broke out between AMU students and the police. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Andhra Pradesh's Deputy Chief Minister K.E. Krishnamurthy, during his first speech in collector's conference in Amaravati, urged the people to stand by Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu in his fight for the special status of the state. During his speech the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) member said that the Chief Minister is fighting for the rights of Andhra Pradesh. "Observing the centre's attitude, the CM is fighting for the rights of the state, with the belief that the state will develop only with achieving the special category status to the state of Andhra Pradesh. In his efforts, all of us should stand by him," said the Deputy Chief Minister. He called Chief Minister Naidu to be a visionary in a time when social media is influencing the trajectory of "Leadership in today's world demands foresight and courage of conviction. Our CM is the visionary who fits the people's aspiration. Political situations are drastically and unexpectedly changing. Social media platforms like Facebook, WhatsApp, Twitter are influencing the politics," added Deputy Chief Minister Krishnamurty. "The CM has been monitoring the political scene in the state and the country very closely and taking appropriate actions. I request you on behalf of the govt to take the responsibility of implementing the welfare and development schemes effectively." TDP has been staging protests against the Centre, accusing it of injustice towards Andhra Pradesh. On April 20, Chief Minister Naidu sacrificed his birthday celebrations and observed a day-long hunger strike - Dharma Porata Deeksha. The party has been organising cycle and bike rallies in constituencies across the state to create public awareness over the injustice that has been done to Andhra. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Indian Army is planning to create a "specialized cadre" system in a bid to grant permanent commission to women so that they can be deployed in various other non-combatant fields. This comes as an effort to resolve the issue of short service commission. There are six branches of the Indian Army which has been identified for women to continue their job after completion of 10+4 years of Short Service Commission and they include Judge Advocate General (JAG), image interpreter, language, cyber & IT, Air Traffic Control and Service Selection Board. After completing 10 years in the service, the women have options either to retire or continue for four more years while their male counterpart has an option of permanent commission after completion of 10 years in service. Earlier, Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman had pitched for women officers in combat role stating that the government is working seriously to have women in combat uniforms. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The person who attacked Pakistan's Interior Minister Ahsan Iqbal is affiliated with Tehreek-e-Labbaik . As reported by the Tribune on Monday, Deputy Commissioner Narowal sent a preliminary report to the Chief Secretary of government, which depicted the attacker as an affiliate to Tehreek-e-Labbaik. The attacker, identified as Abid Hussain, had shot the interior minister from a distance of 15 yards as he was leaving a corner meeting. Further Minister Iqbal has been moved to the Intensive Care Unit at Lahore's Services Hospital following double surgeries on Monday. Medical Superintendent Services Hospital Dr Ameer claimed the bullet had not been removed from the body, however, Dr Professor Mehmood Ayaz, who conducted one of the surgeries, had earlier said the bullet was removed from the interior minister's body. Earlier in the day Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz leader Iqbal was flown to Lahore after receiving initial treatment at District Headquarters Hospital (DHQ) in Narowal. The Govt. of Punjab took to the Twitter account to inform that Minister Iqbal looks in astable condition. "After initial treatment at DHQ Narowal, Ahsan Iqbal has been moved to Lahore. Chief Minister Punjab @CMShehbaz receives him. Ahsan Iqbal sahib looks stable Alhumdulillah", The Govt. of Pakistan tweeted. Further a case of attempted murder has been registered against the suspect. A First Information Report was filed at the Ghareeb Shah police station stating that the interior was leaving a corner meeting when he was fired upon with a 30-bore pistol by the assailant, Abid Hussain. The bullet grazed Iqbal's arm and lodged itself in his abdomen. A second suspect, Azeem, was earlier arrested by the police. Tehreek-e-Labaik Pakistan is an Islamist political party in Pakistan. The movement was founded by Khadim Hussain Rizvi. The Punjab Home Department on Monday formed a four-member joint investigation team to probe the attack on Iqbal. It has been further told by a police officer that the accused had confessed that the incident was an act of reprisal for his alleged role to amend the Khatm-e-Nubuwwat clause in the election bill. Earlier in 2017 Pakistan National Assembly unanimously passed amendments to the Election Act 2017 to reinstate clauses 7A and 7B relate to Khatm-e-Nabuwwat (the finality of the prophethood). (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Bangladesh Supreme Court on Tuesday will hear two government petitions filed against former Prime Minister and Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) chairperson Khaleda Zia, in Zia Orphanage Trust corruption case. An Appellate Division bench, led by Chief Justice Syed Mahmud Hossain, would hear the appeals today, as reported by the Daily Star. The respective counsels for the ACC, government and Zia had been given time to prepare for their arguments the apex court. ACC lawyer Khurshid Alam Khan said that they would place arguments elaborately on the points on which the apex court had granted the leave-to-appeal petitions against the HC order and stayed the bail of Zia. On the other hand, Khaleda's Lawyer has planned to argue on the grounds of Zia's ill health to secure her a bail. Khan argued that Khaleda's lawyers failed to submit supporting documents to prove that she was ill. The High Court had granted the BNP chief a bail considering her age, social status and the gravity of her crime, which the Khan said is not a valid ground to grant bail. He further claimed that Khaleda had misused the privilege of bail and travelled abroad during the trial violating the existing laws. Attorney General Mahbubey Alam said that adequate preparations were done for placing arguments in support of government appeal. Khaleda's lawyer Kayser Kamal said that BNP Chief Khaleda had submitted two concise statements on the petitions as per the Supreme Court directives. Earlier in February Khaleda was been sentenced to five years' imprisonment in the Zia Orphanage Trust corruption case. The case relates to corruption over the misuse of funds in a charity named after former President Zia-ur-Rahman, the former's husband, who was assassinated in 1981. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Congress Party on Wednesday refuted fake voter ID cards allegations leveled by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and alleged that the flat the documents were recovered from, belonged to a BJP leader. Addressing the media here, Congress leader Randeep Surjewala claimed that Manjula Nanjamuri, who owned the flat from where the identity cards were recovered, is a BJP leader and an ex- corporator. He alleged that the Nanjamuri rented her own flat to his son Rakesh, who contested corporation election on a BJP ticket in 2015. "The BJP enacted this drama in an apartment belonging to their own leader, Manjula Nanjamari. She has rented the apartment to her son who contested the 2015 BBMP Elections on a BJP ticket," Surjewala said. The Congress leader also claimed that the apartment was not raided by police or the official of the Election Commission but by BJP worker. He further said that the BJP is seeking attention by leveling allegations ahead of May 12 polls. "BJP is doing midnight drama as if Congress has something to do in the recovery of these 9746 Voter ID cards," he said. He termed the entire incident a part of a conspiracy by the BJP, in which they stand exposed. Surjewala even showed the list of the BJP candidates of BBMP elections, while addressing the media, in which Rakesh's name was mentioned from Jalahalli ward. "On Sl. No 16 is the name Rakesh from Jalahalli ward. Is this not proof that Rakesh is in BJP?" he said. The Congress party even demanded a high-level inquiry by the Election Commission against those indulging in the "conspiracy to get the election countermanded by planting fake evidence." Surjewala further asserted that the BJP is running a factory of lies and the party's drama has been exposed. He even hit out at the Union Minister Prakash Javadekar and said that he had the "audacity to lie by saying Manjula Nanjamari and her son Rakesh don't belong to the BJP." Earlier, Javadekar said that Nanjamuri has nothing to do with the BJP and she left the party six years ago. "Manjula is a Congressperson now. They just want to blame BJP without any substance. We have proof of various things, which we will present before the EC," said Javadekar. The Election Commission of Karnataka, in a midnight press briefing on Tuesday, confirmed that they have recovered 9,746 Electors Photo Identity Card (EPIC) from an apartment in Bengaluru's Jalahalli area of Raja Rajeshwari Nagar constituency. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Providing assistance to distressed Indians abroad has been one of the priority areas of the NDA Government since it came to power in 2014. External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj has personally been involved in trying to resolve some of these cases related to Indians living abroad. In the last three years, there have been several instances of people approaching New Delhi for help for restoration of rights and an end to acts of harassment, domestic abuse, discrimination and fraud. Last Saturday, Swaraj, taking part in a panel discussion on the theme 'Indian Community Organisations Working for Indian Nationals in Distressed Situation', highlighted her efforts to give relief to distressed Indian Diaspora living abroad. She said, "The Indian embassy is a home away from home. I tell this to all embassies that 'make a standard image for yourselves that you can come to. Open House, where ever you want. The first thing an NRI should see is "Pardesh mera dost, Bharitya dootavas" (My Friend in a Foreign Land is the Indian Embassy). "Previously, when distressed people used to approach ambassadors, they used to be sent back -- that how can a downtrodden person come (even) to the embassy, this place is meant for those who wear ties. And today, they say that at least one person comes to them so they can tweet about them that they did his or her work. Such a big change has come. Now, the situation is that I do not have to say anything. All embassies have become so vigilant. I appreciate people on my twitter account who do good work," said Swaraj. One need not go back to 2014-15 to see this welcome humanitarian change in approach towards dealing with the Indian Diaspora. Just between January and May 2018, there have been so many cases, most of them relating to the Gulf region. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) is being viewed as a savior by the Diaspora for all kinds of emergencies. Former NRI businessman, Panikkaveettil K. Jabir, who hails from Kochi, Kerala, could be the latest victim of harassment on foreign shores, and whose case is under consideration of the Indian Government for redressal of alleged grievances, including what he calls his illegal deportation to Kerala by the U.A.E. Government after residing in that country for nearly two decades. He says he has been in regular communication with the Ministry of External Affairs and the Embassy of the U.A.E.in New Delhi since 2013. It appears to be a story of a self-made millionaire investor of Indian origin, who, according to him, has almost turned penniless after facing what he claims is prolonged abuse at the hands of 'connected' locals and police personnel in Abu Dhabi. Mr. Jabir said that on April 2 this year, Mr. Bimal Saigal, Consultant (Gulf) with the Ministry of External Affairs forwarded a letter to him informing him that the Indian Embassy in Abu Dhabi can take up "your grievance letter" with the concerned U.A.E authorities through diplomatic channels provided "the name, the details of the accused and a copy of the judgments" are provided. According to the letter in Mr. Jabir's possession, Mr. Saigal further said, ".. The necessary details may be forwarded directly to Shri Dinesh Kumar, First Secretary (CA, E & C) in the Embassy of India, Abu Dhabi, by e-mail at address fsca.abudhabi@mea.gov.in and com.abudhabi@mea.gov.in under intimidation to this ministry." Mr. Jabir said that he has since forwarded a letter on April 12 addressed to Mr. Kumar in which he has reiterated that he was deported to Kochi, Kerala, that too, "when he was under investor status in the U.A.E with a group of business entities.." He said that since his deportation, he has been experiencing both "mental strain and physical trauma" and appealed to the MEA to resolve his case at the earliest. This is not an isolated incident. On April 6, a woman hailing from Hyderabad, who was allegedly trafficked to Dubai and Oman, was rescued by the Indian Embassy in Muscat following the intervention of Swaraj. Recalling her miserable existence before being rescued, the victim said she was hoodwinked by agents and taken to Dubai and Oman on the promise of being provided a job. She said she faced torture and harassment from her agents and employers. "I was finally rescued and I would like to thank EAM (External Affairs Minister) Sushma Swaraj and (the) Indian Embassy," said the victim. In another case, the daughter of a Hyderabad woman, trafficked by her employer from Dubai to Muscat, said last month, "I request MEA Sushma Swaraj, the Indian embassy and Government of Telangana to rescue my mother." She said her mother has not been able to return to Hyderabad since October last year. "My mother, fed up with the harassment and torture, ran away from her employers and stayed in a church in Muscat. On January 4, she managed to approach the Indian embassy, but is stuck there as her passport is with her employer." Another rescued victim is Reshma, who told ANI recently that she and her daughter Niloufer Shaik were sent to Dubai on the pretext of a good job by an agent, but were separated after reaching. Reshma was sent to Oman and she does not know where her daughter is. "We left for Dubai on 28 December 2017. The agent said our salary would be Rs 20,000 per month and after landing there, they took us to an office and kept us there. Later, they took away my daughter for work and since then, I have no contact with her. They kept me for ten days there and shifted me to Oman and they made me work in three houses at a time," Reshma said. Now rescued, she has thanked Swaraj for the assistance provided by the Indian embassy and now is requesting the minister to rescue her daughter as well. Two Indian women, who used to work as housemaids in Saudi Arabia, faced similar situation of torment inflicted by their employers. They said they were subject to sexual abuse and torture, and claim hundreds of women currently live in similar circumstances. She and her husband were hoaxed by an agent in Mumbai, who promised to provide a job for them in Riyadh, but offered a different one in the Saudi city of Dammam. She was separated from her husband right after landing in Saudi Arabia and held captive, tortured, and harassed on a daily basis. Her struggle to gain back her freedom lasted several years. As per 2015-16 data, India has an estimated 25 million-strong overseas Indian community. Under the NDA regime, issues related to them are taken care of by both the Ministry of External Affairs and the Ministry of Overseas Indian Affairs. They have put in place institutional frameworks that ensure sustainable and mutually beneficial engagement with Indian Diaspora. According to an annual report of the Ministry of Overseas Indian Affairs, the Indian Diaspora comprises of People of Indian Origin (PIO) and Non-Resident Indians (NRIs). They are a heterogeneous and global community, representing diversity of forms, types, geographies and times of formation, and therefore, require diverse and distinct approaches to engage them and connect with India. Swaraj said Saturday that she is in a happy space now, knowing that "there is a competition among ambassadors" to deliver relief to distressed Indians living abroad "They (embassies) say that we wish someone in distress should contact them so they could also say they also did something..I receive messages from embassies that they are undertaking steps required for the people, but It will take a very long time to rehabilitate Indians.. we have established contact with organisations in India, the work is in progress. To help those Indians who are stuck in various corners of the world has become my life's aim," said Swaraj on Saturday. "We have sensitized the embassies. That these people have families and the support of the government," she added. Since January 2016, the External Affairs Ministry has received 362 petitions by post and email related to NRI marriages of which 344 have been addressed, she said recently. The minister said since the launch of her Ministry's grievance redressal portal 'MADAD' on February 2015, as many as 246 grievances under "marital dispute" category have been received of which 172 have been addressed. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti on late Monday met the family members of tourist from Chennai who passed away after being injured in stone pelting on Srinagar-Gulmarg Road near Narbal. Mehbooba also offered her condolences and expressed grief over the incident. R. Thirumani succumbed to his injuries in a Srinagar hospital on Monday after he was hit by a stone during a clash between the security forces and protesters at Narabal. He was in a vehicle along with his family and was traveling in between Srinagar and Kashmir's premier resort of Gulmarg. "Minutes after being hit, Thirumani was rushed to a city's hospital where he succumbed to his injuries in the evening," said police. The rampant incidents of stone-pelting in Jammu and Kashmir have become a matter of concern for the administration. Earlier on May 2, a bus carrying school students of was attacked by stone-pelters in Zawoora village of Shopian district. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Chinese Consulate General in Kolkata Ma Zhanwu on Monday said issues like stand-off and other Indo-China bilateral problems will not be solved overnight. While addressing a press conference on Chinese Higher Education expo 2018 in Kolkata, Ma said that post the recently-concluded "historic" summit between Prime Minister and Chinese President Xi Jinping, a lot of issues will be tackled in a new way. Ma told ANI, "A lot of these will be tackled in a new way after the meeting as this meeting is very important as I said it's historic and it also marks a new milestone in the bilateral relationship." While answering a question if "Issue like been resolved post-summit", Ma said "All the issue will not be solved overnight. New understanding has been paved." He further commented upon the Kailash Mansarovar yatra which was stopped by after the 72-day-long standoff. Ma said the route of "Kailash Mansarovar has been restarted", while acknowledging that earlier attempts at reconciliation had failed. While hailing the success of Prime Minister Modi- President Xi summit, he said, "Summit meeting in Wuhan was a success as various issues have been tackled well". Though, he added that there are still some issues which are difficult to be tackled as he referred to them as "many many things". West Bengal Chief Minister is scheduled to visit China in June. Her visit is aimed at increasing economic exchange between West Bengal and China, and boost the mutual ties with India. Further, Ma called for the development of development of trade zone, free place for developing energy, IT, Artificial intelligence, automation and other areas. Commenting on the economic exchanges between the two countries, he highlighted the fact that a number of Chinese companies are preparing to come to India which will help to boost economic ties. Further, increasing number of Indian businessmen are travelling to China and investing in the local businesses, Ma noted. On a lighter note, he said that Indians must experience cooking Indian food in China. He further assured that the Indian professors will now be able to procure visa easily. The Chinese Higher Education expo 2018 was conducted in collaboration with The School of Chinese language in Kolkata. North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has met with Chinese President Xi Jinping in the northeastern Chinese city of Dalian, according to the Chinese media. The summit was held in the port city of Dalian, barely weeks after the two leaders took part in historic talks in China's capital city Beijing in March. China backs Pyongyang's adherence to the denuclearization of the peninsula, and advocates the dialogue and consultation between the North Korea and the United States (US) for resolving the peninsula issue, China's state-run news agency Xinhua reported, citing Xi, as saying. Xi noted, "China is willing to continue to work with all relevant parties and play an active role in comprehensively advancing the process of peaceful resolution of the peninsula issue through dialogue, and realizing long-term peace and stability in the region." On the other hand Kim briefed Xi on the latest developments and Party building in North Korea. It is the second meeting between the two leaders in less than two months. This week's meeting comes ahead of much anticipated talks between Kim and US President Donald Trump, which are expected to take place by late May or early June and after a historic summit in late April between Kim and South Korean President Moon Jae-in. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) R. Thirumani of Chennai, who visited Kashmir as a tourist, died of injuries in a hospital in Srinagar on Monday. Thirumani was caught in clashes between security forces and stone-pelting protestors on Srinagar-Gulmarg Road near Narbal. The incident sparked outrage and raised questions on the safety and security of tourists in the valley. Speaking on the issue, Shesh Paul Vaid, J&K DGP, said, "Very unfortunate. This is the last thing we wanted Kashmir to see. People of Kashmir are known as good hosts. I request the civil society and all elders to identify such people and hand them over to Police." Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman also condemned the killing of the tourist and said, though the Armed Forces cannot be held responsible for being firm with terrorists, it is extremely important to ensure safer movement of tourists to restore normalcy. Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti met the family members of tourist and offered her condolences and expressed grief over the incident. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The death toll in the last week's double twin suicide attack in Nigeria rose to 58, a government official said on Monday. The death toll is likely to rise as rescue operations are still on. "More people are still being looked for. At the moment, the total number of corpses so far recovered is 58," Zubairu Mai Gwari, emir of the Birnin-Gwari Local Government, was quoted by Anadolu News Agency as saying. On Monday, the Nigerian government tightened security by deploying hundreds of soldiers in the town of Mubi in Adamawa State to prevent any untoward incidents. The bombing attacks took place near a mosque and a market in the town last Tuesday. The incident took place in the town of Mubi in Adamawa State at around 1 pm local time as worshippers amassed for afternoon prayers, CNN reported, police as saying. "The first bomber went into the mosque while they were praying and detonated his explosives killing four people," a spokesman for the Adamawa State police, Othman Abubakar told CNN. The second bomber who was a few hundred meters afar detonated his device as well, as worshippers fled the mosque, which claimed another 20 lives. No terror outfit or group has claimed the responsibility for the attack so far. However, the Islamist militant group Boko Haram has launched previous attacks in Mubi, according to the reports. The Boko Haram insurgency began in 2009 when the militants staged an armed rebellion against the government of Nigeria. Suicide attacks carried out by the insurgent group have claimed more than 20,000 lives and displaced at least two million people in the last few years, according to Nigerian vice-president Yemi Osinbajo. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman condemned the death of a tourist from Chennai in Kashmir and said that safer movement of tourists have to be ensured to restore normalcy. Nirmala Sitharam spoke on the issue on Tuesday, when she was addressing the Naval Commanders Conference at Sena Bhawan in New Delhi. She also said that the Armed Forces cannot be held responsible for being firm with terrorists. "You can't question the Armed Forces if they are being too firm. They have to be firm with the terrorists." "Even Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti said that she is keen on getting more tourists in Kashmir. If that has been the stated desire, for a stone pelting incident to have hurt and killed a tourist It certainly is not very conducive to the very rightful suggestion of the CM that we need more tourists," she added. The Defence Minister said that what happened to the tourist was absolutely unfortunate and cannot be accommodated. "I don't know whether it was inadvertent or advertent, but it is completely condemnable," she said. R. Thirumani, the tourist killed in stone pelting, succumbed to his injuries in a Srinagar hospital on Monday after he was hit by a stone during a clash between the security forces and protesters at Narabal. He was in a vehicle along with his family and was travelling in between Srinagar and Kashmir's premier resort of Gulmarg. "Minutes after being hit, Thirumani was rushed to a city's hospital where he succumbed to his injuries in the evening," said police. The rampant incidents of stone-pelting in Jammu and Kashmir have become a matter of concern for the administration. Earlier on May 2, a bus carrying school students of was attacked by stone-pelters in Zawoora village of Shopian district. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Delhi Police on Tuesday arrested a father-son conmen duo from Dwarka for duping a garment exporter of Rs 1.43 crore. The allegations against the duo, Virender Mohan Brar and his son Nitin, suggest that they sold a machine, which they called, 'Rice Puller' (RP) to the victim while claiming that they will arrange the sale of the machine to agencies, like the space organisation of United States of America, NASA, and India's Defence Research Development Organisation, which would fetch him (the victim) as much as Rs 37,500 crore. The RP is just a copper plate or utensil coated with liquid magnet. Boiled rice is filled with small iron wires and the cheats fooled their victim by claiming that the object is a rare piece of copper, which is struck by thunderbolt in the hills of Uttarakhand, which enables it to pull rice and the same is being used by NASA/DRDO in advanced space research. The accused individuals lured the victim by claiming that their company could arrange the sale of the machine to the aforementioned agencies after testing its genuineness, which would be conducted by scientists, and some chemicals would be imported for the same. Virender told the complainant that he would pay Rs 10 crore immediately as 'token money' if the test was found OK and also showed cash to the complainant. After that, the victim entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Virender Mohan Brar and paid Rs. 5.6 lakh, 19 lakh, 24.6 lakh and Rs. 38 lakh for arranging special anti-radiation suits to be worn by scientists during testing, fees of scientist, for obtaining chemicals required for testing etc. Thereafter, the testing of the said 'RP' was scheduled in Hapur, Uttar Pradesh, but could not happen as the accused persons made an excuse that the place was not conducive, following which, they said testing was delayed by them on one or another pretext. At the same time, other associates of the alleged seller of the 'RP' mounted pressure on the victim for finalization of the deal. This led the complainant to again enter into a MoU with the company and again paid Rs. 5.6 lakh, 3.5 lakh and 42 lakh on different occasions to purchase a special suit for the scientist, his fees and for the chemicals required for the test, which was due in Dharamshala now. But again, the testing was not conducted by the accused persons stating that the sky was not clear. Later, the victim came to know that the said scientists were working with the accused persons for a monthly salary of Rs 20,000, and that the entire scheme was a sham. During the investigation, the 'RP' copper plate, alleged anti-radiation suits of NASA and a few anti-radiation chemical stickers were recovered from the possession of the arrested accused persons along with a laptop, printer, blank letterheads of Rehan Metals/USA, chequebooks, fake ID cards of Rehan Metals and one Audi car. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Central Tibetan Administration (CTA) held a felicitation ceremony in honour of a three-member European parliamentary delegation comprising of MEP (Member of the European Parliament) Thomas Mann, MEP Csaba Sogor and MEP Ramon Tremosa at Gangchen Kyishong here on Monday. The visit was being facilitated by Representative Tashi Phuntsok, the Office of Tibet in Belgium's Brussels. In his welcome remarks, CTA President Dr. Lobsang Sangay expressed his gratitude to the European Parliament and European Union (EU) for its relentless support towards the Tibet issue. He noted that the European Parliament has passed the most resolutions on the Tibet issue and has been in the forefront through its Tibet Support Group initiatives and Tibet Interest Groups. "As far as parliamentary resolutions are concerned, the European Parliament has passed most resolutions on Tibet, perhaps ahead of United States also. For that, we are very grateful and we want to urge you to continue to pass more resolutions and extend your support for many years to come," he said. Dr. Sangay iterated Dalai Lama's staunch admiration for the spirit of European Union. "After Brexit, His Holiness came out and said that EU should keep going because it is such a beautiful example of war-torn countries, after years of fight and killings, coming together to form a union," he said. "Hence His Holiness is the biggest admirer and advocate of EU when the EU is challenged from within and without", Dr. Sangay added. He mentioned that Tibetan administration is encouraged by the parliamentary visit and the powerful voice it gave to the resilience of the Tibetan people. "Your presence here means a lot. We are sending a message of hope to Tibetans inside Tibet. Tibet is under occupation. Tibetans are repressed, they are suffering and in prison and 152 Tibetans have committed self-immolation. They are hoping that someone will speak for them and stand for them. The fact that you flew from Europe to Dharamshala means a lot. It is a powerful message, a message of hope, justice, freedom and liberty," Dr. Sangay noted. He urged the MEPs and the European Parliament to officially support CTA's Middle Way Policy and dialogue between the representatives of His Holiness and China for peaceful resolution of the Tibet issue. "So far, the White House is the only one that has supported the MWA policy of the Tibetan people. Hopefully, EU will follow suit and also support MWA and dialogue between envoys of Dalai Lama and Chinese representatives to solve the issue of Tibet peacefully so that Tibetans will be granted genuine autonomy and His Holiness the Dalai Lama can return to his rightful place in Lhasa, the capital city of Tibet". He also introduced CTA's functionaries to the delegation, while hailing the Tibetan Administration as a thriving vibrant democracy in-exile with the highest efficiency, accountability and transparency. MEP Thomas Mann, chair of Tibet Interest Group in European Parliament, said, "In March 2016, I was here in Dharamshala as a member of International Election Observing Mission. I was very happy to be at the heart of Tibetan democracy. I saw the engagement of Tibetan people in establishing their own self-elected government and it has increased since many visits". Expressing solidarity with the Tibetan people, he hoped that the visit will reinforce the hope and trust of the Tibetan people in the European Union and Parliament. "In EU, we are the voice of human rights and nothing else. In European Parliament, we always have the opportunity to have clear resolutions with big majorities," he said. MEP Mann spoke in detail about the China Report which was introduced in EP last year, underlining the Middle Way Approach, re-establishment of dialogue between Tibetan and Chinese representatives and called out China on climate change. "We have also condemned the Chinese terrorist laws which legalise violation of rights by government forces against so-called potential terrorist. The European Parliament had a big majority in this case," he added. He concluded by saying, "We want to show our European solidarity to make it clear for your rights, language, culture and fair dealings. We are on your side, and we will never be silent". MEP Csaba Sogor, also a member of the Tibet Interest Group (TIG) in European Parliament said, "While fighting for human rights and minority rights inside EU, we will also fight for rights of other minutes and persons out of EU. That's the reason why I am the co-chair of Ugyur Friendship Group, and as a member of Hong Kong, Taiwan Friendship Power. We try to convince China that if it wants to become a world power, then it should behave". Citing the example of US electing an African-American origin President after two centuries, he expressed hope that the Tibetan issue will also prevail and China will see a Tibetan president in the future. Meanwhile, Sogor advised Tibetan people to be prepared for changes unforeseen but dictated by sudden political situations. MEP Ramon Tremosa, also a member of Tibet Interest Group in the European Parliament drew numerous parallels between Tibetan and Catalonian people in terms of its unique language, culture, non-violence policy, also in the colour of its flags. He further added that the Catalonian people can imbibe a peaceful resistance from the Tibetan movement. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) In the wake of Gurugram locals objecting to Muslims conducting their prayer rites in the open, the Gurugram Police Commissioner and District Collector, on Tuesday, met with the members of the community to discuss the issue. In an earlier meeting conducted between top executives of the Police, the District Administration and the members of the Hindu and Muslim community, a decision to form a 15-member committee, comprising of both Hindu and Muslim members was arrived upon, with the committee set to make decisions on key issues of religious interests, such as the one in question now. The Haryana Waqf board had on Monday, alleged encroachments on 19 mosques in Gurugram that were lying unused or were illegally occupied, which was forcing Muslims to pray in the open. The Board demanded intervention from state authorities and the vacating of all illegally occupied places so that it could be used for offering prayers on Friday. The outfit also urged to provide police protection to those offering prayers at these places. On Sunday, Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar had backed the members of right-wing Hindu groups, who allegedly prevented people from offering namaz at open spaces in Gurugram, saying, "It is our duty to maintain law and order. There has been an increase in offering namaz in open. Namaz should be read in Mosques or Idgahs rather than public spaces." His statement came following several Hindutva groups had prevented prayers at three places; Cyber Park, IFFCO Chowk and a plot near Sahara Mall in Gurugram. On April 20, six people were arrested for disturbing namaz in Gurugram as Sanyukt Hindu Sangharsh Samiti has called for a ban on namaz in open spaces. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) India and Guatemala on Monday signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for expanding cooperation in the area of diplomatic training. Vice President M. Venkaiah Naidu and his Guatemalan counterpart Dr. Jafeth Ernesto Cabrera Franco witnessed the signing of the MoU after the delegation-level talks. Later, the Guatemalan Vice President hosted a lunch in honour of Vice President Naidu. The latter was seen trying his hands in playing Guatemala's traditional musical instrument, 'Miramba' at the Presidential Palace in Guatemala City. Earlier, the two leaders participated in bilateral discussions where agreements in areas like culture, agriculture and wildlife protection were under consideration between both the countries. He added that Guatemala was one of India's important trading partners in Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) region. Vice President Naidu further underscored that there was a tremendous scope for intensifying bilateral trade and investment partnership in pharmaceutical, automobile, textile and apparel, education, Information Technology (IT), infrastructural-building and port development sectors. Earlier, he met Guatemalan President Jimmy Morales, while stressing on his agenda of maintaining strong bilateral ties with the country. He also met the President of the Congress of Guatemala Alvaro Arzu Escobar. Guatemala is the first country that Vice President Naidu is visiting in his present capacity and it is the highest level visit between the two countries since the establishment of diplomatic relations in 1972. Vice President Naidu is on a five-day visit to Latin America's Guatemala, Peru and Panama commencing from May 6. This is the Vice President's first overseas visit after assuming office last year. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) India and Guatemala on Monday agreed to work together to combat terrorism, which is a threat for the international community. At a press briefing here, Preeti Saran, Secretary (East), Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), said, "India and Guatemala will work together combat the scourge of terrorism, which is a menace in all forms of manifestations. Those who aid terrorism or provide terror financings have to be dealt with strongly. We are closely cooperating with the United Nations as well." Saran said a Memorandum of Understanding was signed on enhancing cooperation in diplomatic academics. A Letter of Intent (LoI) of providing training for English language to Guatemalan teachers was also signed. She added that Vice President M. Venkaiah Naidu chose to begin his five-day overseas visit with Guatemala, as it is strategically located in terms of India's economic interests. "Guatemala is strategically located in terms of our economic interest. Our Vice President chose to start his visit of South-Central America with Guatemala which was deeply appreciated by the leadership of Guatemala," Saran said. She further said that the two countries agreed for increased trade links with India, adding Guatemala appreciated the presence of Indian companies in the Central American country. Citing the example of Bajaj motorcycles in Guatemala, she underscored that due to the strong repairing and support services, the company had been dominating the automobile market of the country for a very long time. Saran laid emphasis on the Guatemalan leadership appreciating the Indian democratic system, massive economic growth and the peaceful co-existence of a pluralistic and diversified society. She added that the two sides agreed to cooperate in key sectors such as pharmaceuticals, education, technology, greater academic exchanges, conservational wildlife, agricultural products, automobiles, Information Technology (IT) and boosting tourism. Saran stressed that New Delhi and Guatemala City agreed to connect the youth of the two countries for better people-to-people exchange. She further said that there would be a deep cooperation in television and cinema industries between the countries. "India has considerable experience in the of cinema and audio-visual act field that could be of interest to the Guatemalan cinema industry and I congratulate Guatemala for winning the best foreign film and best actress awards for the film 'Ixcanul' in the Mumbai Film Festival, Vice President Naidu said during the delegation-level talks," she added. She underlined that Guatemala supported India's candidature in an expanded United Nations Security Council (UNSC). Saran further said that India and Guatemala agreed to expand their cooperation in solar energy and renewable sources, adding that New Delhi invited Guatemala City to join the International Solar Alliance (ISA). She said that a proposal of setting up parliamentary friendship group for greater parliamentary exchanges was discussed by the two leaders during the talks. The Indian Ambassador to Guatemala will host a reception today, wherein the Vice President would interact with the Indian diaspora living in the Central American country. Vice President Naidu would visit the ancient city of Antigua Guatemala, a Spanish tourist town near Guatemala City on Tuesday. Guatemala is the first country that Vice President Naidu is visiting in his present capacity and it is the highest level visit between the two countries since the establishment of diplomatic relations in 1972. Vice President Naidu is on a five-day visit to Latin America's Guatemala, Peru and Panama commencing from May 6. This is the Vice President's first overseas visit after assuming office last year. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Former U.S President Barack Obama said U.S President Donal Trump's decision of withdrawing from the JCPOA or the Iran Nuclear deal is a serious mistake. "There are few issues more important to the security of the US than the potential spread of nuclear weapons or the potential for even more destructive war in the Middle East. Today's decision to put the JCPOA at risk is a serious mistake," Obama tweeted. President Trump on Tuesday announced the US withdrawal from the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) or Iran nuclear deal. He terminated the US participation in the JCPOA citing that the deal failed to protect America's national security interest. He also underscored that the deal was one of the worst and most one-sided transactions the United States has ever entered into. The US President also delivered a message to the long-suffering people of Iran saying "the people of America stand with you." The Iran nuclear deal was signed between six countries in 2015 - Iran, US, Britain, Germany, Russia, France and China for lifting economic sanctions on Tehran in exchange for limitations to the country's nuclear programme. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Yoga Guru Ramdev on Tuesday said that Muhammad Ali Jinnah, the founder of Pakistan cannot be an ideal for India's integrity and unity. Reacting to the ongoing protest in Aligarh Muslim University (AMU) over the portrait of Jinnah, Ramdev added that the matter should not concern the Muslim community as they anyway do not believe in idol worship. "Muslims does not believe in idol worship. So, they should not worry about this issue. Jinnah cannot be an ideal for India's integrity and unity, maybe he is for Pakistan," Ramdev said. In Aligarh, some groups protested against the portrait of Pakistan's founder at the office of AMU student union's office. The matter hit the headlines after Bharatiya Janata Party's Aligarh MP Satish Gautam questioned the portrait's presence in the AMU student union office. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Kerala Police on Tuesday asserted that the accused will be arrested soon in both cases, where a Communist Party of India (Marxist) local committee member and a Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) worker were hacked to death near Kannur. Kerala DGP Loknath Behera said on Tuesday, "Investigation is underway; we will arrest the accused persons in both cases soon." A RSS worker was hacked to death in Puducherry's Mahe on Monday. The RSS worker, identified as Shimoj, was attacked with sharp objects and sustained injuries on his face and chest. He was rushed to Calicut Medical College but was declared as brought dead. A local committee member of Communist Party of India (Marxist), Babu was also hacked to death the same night in Mahe. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Supreme Court of Pakistan has been petitioned by a senior lawyer to stop the Chinese from acquiring proprietary rights of land in the country on the plea that they require it for the multi-billion dollar China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). According to The Nation, the petition was filed by the Barrister Zafarullah Khan of the Watan Party. Khan claimed that Chinese citizens were being given out-of-turn benefits in the name of CPEC and "were acquiring land on lease which was against the sovereignty of the state." The over USD 60 billion CPEC is a collection of infrastructure projects started in 2013. Barrister Khan said the Chinese continue to enjoy many other privileges as recreational parks and residential colonies were being established for them in Pakistan. He claimed that now Pakistani citizens were equating the CPEC to the East India Company that led to British occupation of the Indian subcontinent between the 18th and 20th centuries. Khan said that the CPEC agreement between Pakistan and China is a one-sided contract favouring Beijing and severely compromising Islamabad's sovereignty. He asked the apex court to issue immediate directives to the government to review the terms and conditions of the CPEC accord and to stop the Chinese from directly investing in Pakistan. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be received by his Nepali counterpart in the country's historical and ancient city of Janakpur on May 11, according to the sources. The sources further stated that hydro-electric project Arun III will be jointly inaugurated by both the leaders. According to the sources, Prime Minister Modi's visit is to push connectivity, power and inland waterways between the two countries. PM Modi is also likely to meet former Nepali Prime Ministers Pushpa Kamal Dahal and Sher Bahadur Deuba and also the Madhesi leadership. Prime Minister Modi will be accorded ceremonial reception in Kathmandu on May 11 and civic reception on May 12. PM Modi will also visit Muktinath temple, according to the sources. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) NetApp, the data authority for hybrid cloud, unveiled a new Data Visionary Engineering Center (DVEC) here on Tuesday to empower Asia-Pacific (APAC) customers and partners to transform the world with data. Located within the NetApp Global Center of Excellence in the Bengaluru campus in Whitefield, the new APAC DVEC offers an interactive, high-touch experience to its customers and partners. Further extending NetApp's ability to support customers and partners embarking on digital transformation across Asia, the Bangalore DVEC joins three other DVC centers in Sunnyvale, California; Triangle Park, North Carolina; and the European headquarters in Amsterdam. "Data-driven digital transformation accelerates business outcomes. The DVEC will offer clarity to customers and partners looking to learn more about industry trends, flash storage, hybrid cloud, and other data center IT technologies," said Anil Valluri, president, NetApp India and SAARC. The DVEC aims to bridge the gap between business and IT. This is the place where companies discuss robust solutions that aid transformation, accelerate growth, and reduce costs. Companies have access to customised sessions on topics tailored to specific concerns and needs of the business, such as the need for cloud-ready workflows or methods to modernise storage through data management. On a related note, the NetApp Data Fabric simplifies the integration and orchestration of data for applications and analytics in clouds, across clouds and on-premises to accelerate digital transformation. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Human Rights Commission (NHRC) took suo-motu cognizance of a media report alleging hardships to the students, who had to travel outside their state to write their Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test organized by the Central Board of Secondary (CBSE). The NHRC issued notices to the CBSE's chairperson and Tamil Nadu's chief secretary asking them to explain - "why the students had to travel across the state to appear in the examination." "The NHRC has taken suo motu cognisance of a media report alleging that a lot of hardships were faced by young students, who had to travel across the state to write their NEET, organised by the Central Board of Secondary Education," the Commission said in the statement. "In one such incident, a 46-year-old man from Tamil Nadu, who had to travel a long distance of 500 kilometres with his son to appear in the NEET at a centre in Kerala, died due to cardiac arrest on Sunday," the NHRC added. According to the media report, a statement issued by the CBSE said that "at least 3,685 medical aspirants from Tamil Nadu had to travel out of state to take the exam". The commission has observed that the contents of the media report, if true, raise a serious issue of violation of human rights. "The students pass through tremendous pressure due to examination. It is the duty of the state to ensure that they should not be subjected to any kind of discomfort, while they are appearing for the entrance examinations," the commission stated. "It is also mentioned that in the news report, the Tamil Nadu state government had announced on May 5 that every student from Tamil Nadu, who travelled to other states to appear for the NEET, will be given train fare in addition to the monetary assistance of Rs 1,000 per candidate," the statement noted. Reportedly, over 13 lakh candidates appeared for the medical entrance exam NEET on Monday at 2,225 centres across the country. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The head of the country's opposition movement, Nikol Pashinyan, became Armenia's new Prime Minister on Tuesday. A former journalist and leader of the opposition Civil Contract party, Pashinyan won the elections in the second round of the parliamentary elections. He was the only candidate with 59 votes for and 42 against him, Anadolu Agency reported. Since he failed to receive support from the ruling Republican Party last week, Pashinyan lost the elections to be the interim prime minister then. Last month, Pashinyan led mass protests against the ruling Republican Party due to which former Prime Minister Serzh Sargsyan had to resign. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Pakistan's Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) outfit is showing no signs of stopping its key mission of mainstreaming terrorism and encouraging political violence in South Asia and Afghanistan, according to an expert In an article published by the web site nationalinterest.org, Javid Ahmad, a non-resident fellow with the Atlantic Council's South Asia Center and the Modern War Institute at West Point, describes Pakistan's main spy service as a "formidable adversary" to most countries, including the United States in the geopolitical space, and apparently endorses the emergence of new non-violent mass movement challenging and rattling "Pakistan's deep state, primarily the notorious spy agency, the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI)". He says that the "ISI's toxic influence is supreme. ISI's role in managing several anti-India proxy networks is also unmistakable... It operates under Pakistan's military command and is highly secretive, politically influential, patient, alarmingly active and ruthless to anyone they see as opposition." He further reveals that the ISI "is not a rogue agency, but rather, a disciplined, non-factional, cohesive and bureaucratic enterprise, where reports of defections are rare. The institution is also well-off, with its active and retired personnel frequently profiting from numerous Pakistani military-owned charitable foundations and corporations. The agency's nearly twenty-five thousand personnel is mostly ethnically homogeneous, hailing predominantly from the army ranks." Ahmad says in his article that what he sees as most troubling is the fact the ISI "operates" on the philosophy that "it needs enemies to remain relevant-and in control". This, he adds, allows the service to manufacture pet militant groups and imaginary threats to drive its motives, and allegedly maintain a "roster of nearly one hundred thousand militant fighters at its discretion." The ISI, Ahmad claims, sits at the core of the Pakistani state. "It has regularly challenged the country's civilian rule and has hampered Pakistan's democratic progress through systematic coercive campaigns against dissenting voices, including politicians, activists, academics and the media. It has forged alliances with extremist religious groups and fringe political parties meant to control the Pakistani people by keeping them subservient to the state," he says. Apart from using old tactics, the ISI also intimidates, indulges in forced disappearances, arbitrary detentions, torture and assassinations. It also engages in sabotage activities, psychological operations and influence campaigns. Its infatuation with jihadi groups has turned certain segments of the agency into becoming increasingly extremist, he adds. Referring specifically to Afghanistan, Ahmad says that the "ISI's Afghan operations are undertaken by at least three units. The first is Directorate S, the principal covert action arm that directs and oversees the Afghan policy, including militant and terrorist outfits and their operations. The second unit is the Special Service Group (SSG), also known as the Pakistani SS, and are the army's special forces element that was established in the 1950s as a hedge against the communists, and the third ISI unit is the Afghan Logistics Cell, a transport network inside Pakistan facilitated by members of Pakistan's Frontier Corps that provide logistical support to the Taliban and their families." He believes that these support networks of the ISI "have been designed to break Afghanistan into pieces and then remold it into a pliant state.. and drive its political climate into an uncharted constitutional territory to create a vacuum, which inevitably places the Taliban in the driving seat. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Pakistan's National Accountability Bureau (NAB) has ordered an inquiry against former prime minister Nawaz Sharif and others for allegedly laundering $4.9 billion to India, according to reports in the Pakistani media. A statement by NAB, who ordered the inquiry based on a media report, claims that the amount was laundered to the Indian finance ministry after which Indian foreign exchange reserves witnessed an increase and Pakistan suffered as a result, reported Pakistan's Geo News. According to media report, the incident is mentioned in the Bank's Migration and Remittance Book 2016. However, the details of the media report based on which NAB ordered inquiry, are not jotted in the statement. This takes the country's former premier's legal battle a notches higher as Nawaz, his sons Hasan and Hussain, daughter Maryam, son-in-law Captain (retd) Mohammad Safdar are facing multiple corruption references in the accountability court. The Pakistan SC had, on July 28 last year, disqualified Sharif from holding the office of the prime minister and had asked the NAB to file references against the Sharif family in connection with corruption cases against them. The references against the Sharif family pertain to the Al-Azizia Steel Mills, offshore companies including Flagship Investment Ltd, and Avenfield properties of London. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A Pakistani who routinely briefed high-level Pakistani officials on U.S. government foreign policy, pleaded guilty earlier this week to failing to register as a foreign agent. The Washington Times quoted a Justice Department release, as saying that Nisar Ahmed Chaudhry, 71, a Pakistani national living in Columbia, Maryland, had represented himself as the president of the Pakistan American League, an organization he claimed was dedicated to improving relations between Pakistan and the United States, according to court documents. But prosecutors said that Chaudhry acted as an agent on behalf of Islamabad from 2012 to 2018. Chaudhry admitted that he worked to engage in political activities to advance Pakistan's interests and influence U.S. policy towards that country, according to court documents. He faces a maximum sentence of five years when sentenced on July 30. Chaudhry networked with D.C.-area think tanks to develop relationships with officials who influence U.S. foreign policy, the Justice Department said. He then used information he learned from those contacts in meetings with high-level Pakistan officials both at its D.C. embassy and in travels abroad. Chaudhry sought to influence any unfavorable views of Pakistan held by former or current U.S. government officials, according to court documents. He accomplished this by employing certain methods of discussion during personal interactions or manipulating discussions at events he organized. In exchange for his activities on behalf of the Pakistan government, Chaudhry was given assistance with procuring civilian, military or government jobs for relatives and associates in Pakistan, securing visas on an expedited basis for friends and relatives and the use of diplomatic channels to ship personal items. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley said on Tuesday that Congress president Rahul Gandhi prefers fringe stance on several issues. In a blog post, Jaitley said, "The most alarming aspect of the Party has been that from a grand old Party which occupied centre-stage, it is being pushed to the fringe. It is not only electoral arithmetic that it occupies the fringe position but also the position that it adopts on several mainstream issues." He added that the fact that the Congress has been reduced to a two-digit party, referring to party's strength of 48 in Lok Sabha, and is being ousted from state after state, demonstrates the non-acceptability of its current leadership. Targeting Rahul Gandhi on opposing digitisation, the Union Finance Minister said, "On use of technology, he opposes the EVMs and wants to go back on ballot paper. On digitization, he prefers cash over the digital mode of transaction and having the pioneered the original idea of a Unique Identity Number, he has allowed his Party to question it both in Parliament and in the Courts." Jaitley said that Rahul has no qualms about releasing his photographs with a convicted ally whom he had once opposed. "The fringe Party having got a minuscule number of votes in Gorakhpur and Phoolpur bye-elections celebrates the victory of Samajwadi Party," Jaitley said. Further, taking a dig at the Congress, he said, "A challenge which dynastic organisations face is that their popular appeal or acceptability is co-existent with the current generation of the dynasty." Jaitley also pointed out that Rahul along with certain Left Party leaders visited the Jawahar Lal Nehru University when the slogans of "Tukde Tukde" threatening India's geographical integrity were raised. "I had questioned its leadership in a Parliamentary debate whether its earlier leaders would have ever allowed a Congressmen to identify itself with the disintegration campaign. But, its current leader preferred a fringe position," Jaitley said. Jaitley's blog came after Rahul Gandhi launched a scathing attack on the Union Finance Minister in a tweet. "Dear FM," Rahul Gandhi wrote, "As you are indisposed and Finance Secretary is on vacation with his Guru on a quest for inner peace, I have decided to shut the Finance Ministry till further notice." "The PMO will take all financial policy decisions as before," he concluded sarcastically, before signing," Prime Minister". (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) worker was hacked to death in Puducherry's Mahe on Monday. The RSS worker, identified as Shimoj, was attacked with sharp objects and sustained injuries on his face and chest. He was rushed to Calicut Medical College but was declared as brought dead. A local committee member of Communist Party of India (Marxist), Babu was also hacked to death the same night in Mahe. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Supreme Court (SC) will continue hearing the dispute over Cauvery river water on Tuesday. The Karnataka Government yesterday filed an affidavit before the apex court, claiming the latter released more water from Cauvery river to Tamil Nadu than what was allotted to it while settling the dispute. On February 16, a three-judge bench of the Supreme Court pronounced the judgement on the Cauvery Water Dispute between the states of Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Kerala and the Union Territory of Puducherry. The bench directed Karnataka to release 177.25 TMC of water, instead of the 192 TMC to Tamil Nadu. It also directed the Centre to constitute a Cauvery Management Board (CMB) in six weeks. However, the Centre failed to form the CMB within given time frame. Following this, on April 9, the top court asked the Centre to frame a draft scheme by May 3. The central government sought an extension of two weeks from the top court to draft the water sharing scheme. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Union Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Tuesday said that the endeavours of the Indian Government to highlight the strengths of the Indian Navy have brought about a positive change. She said that she could see a positive energy in the Commanders because of the ways in which the Government of India has been highlighting the maritime strengths of the country. "It will be a force to reckon with in the India-Pacific Maritime area," she said. Addressing the Naval Commanders' Conference she said that the Conference began on a positive note and all the important issues concerning the Navy have been discussed. "The Conference began very well. We have had a very pointed discussion on issues raised by the Commanders, and the Navy Chief. We will have a clear plan of the Navy," she said. "A large part of the Navy's request between 2017 and 2018 have been taken to a logical conclusion. A fair deal of navy requests has been taken care of. Between 2018 and 2019, the request of the Navy, both short term and long term are being well received," she added. Regarding the inclusion of women in the Armed Forces, the Defence Minister said, "We have discussed it in details at several levels. This has been discussed in the Ministry. I truly want more women to be part of the armed forces." "I will try that all the forces in a unified manner decide on how more women can be a part of the armed forces," the Defence Minister assured. The bi-annual Naval Commanders Conference commenced on Tuesday and will focus on the Navy's "Mission-Based Deployments", larger issues of geo-statistics in the Indian Ocean among others as specified by the Navy Chief Sunil Lanba. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Reacting to Congress chief Rahul Gandhi's statement, expressing a willingness to become Prime Minster post-2019 General Elections, Union Minister Smriti Irani on Tuesday said the Gandhi scion is a self-centred person. "(Prime Minister Narendra) Modi ji and (BJP chief) Amit Shah are worried about future of people of this country while Rahul Ji thinks about himself. He said if his party comes to power he will be the PM in 2019. A person who does not trust his own leadership and ability, how can he expect people to trust him?," Irani said while speaking at a public rally in Karnataka's Yedrami. Earlier yesterday, Gandhi, on being asked if he will become the Prime Minister in 2019 if the Congress emerges as the single largest party after the 2019 general elections, said, "Yes, why not." The general elections are due to be held in April or May 2019 to constitute the 17th Lok Sabha. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) United Progressive Alliance (UPA) Chairperson Sonia Gandhi on Tuesday cornered Prime Minister Narendra Modi by saying that he is a good orator but speeches cannot fill empty stomachs. Campaigning for the Congress here, the former Congress president took a dig at Prime Minister Modi and said, "Modi ji is proud of the fact that he is a very good orator, I agree with this. He speaks like an actor. I'll be happy if his speeches can end hunger of the country but speeches cannot fill empty stomachs, food is needed for that." "Modi ji has a zeal for Congress-free India. Leave Congress-free India, he cannot even tolerate anyone in front of himself," she added. She also accused the Prime Minister of spreading lies and distorting historical facts for his political motives. The UPA Chairperson alleged that Prime Minister Modi did not meet Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah who wanted an appointment to discuss the issue of draught-hit farmers. "Farmers of Karnataka have been suffering due to drought, your CM Siddaramaiah wanted to meet PM over this issues but he refused. By doing this he has insulted not only the farmers but also the state of Karnataka," Gandhi said. The UPA Chairperson alleged that Modi government even provided least drought compensation to Congress-led Karnataka "All states that suffered drought were given compensation (by the Centre), Karnataka was provided with the least. This was like rubbing salting into the wounds of farmers. I ask Modi ji, is this your 'sabka-saath, sabka-vikas?" Gandhi asked. She said that the Congress has worked for Karnataka's development and has made it Number one state in the country despite Centre's bias towards the state. "You must know that the Central Government is working in a biased manner when it comes to Karnataka. Congress made Karnataka country's number 1 state and started numerous schemes for people," Gandhi said. "We (Congress) have worked tirelessly for the poor. We started Mahatma Gandhi NREGA scheme which was objected by the Bharatiya Janata Party and by Modi Ji," she added. Sonia Gandhi's public appearance came after Prime Minister Modi on Sunday said that Sonia Gandhi and Congress President Rahul Gandhi are out on bail in connection with Rs. 5000 crore. "Congress President and Sonia Gandhi must answer people why they are out on 'Zamaanat' (bail). They are out on bail in connection with Rs. 5000 crore scam. The party whose chiefs are out on bail are questioning us!" Prime Minister Modi said while addressing a rally in Hubli. Ruling Congress, BJP, and Janata Dal (Secular) are leaving no stone unturned to become victorious in upcoming assembly elections in Karnataka, where voting will be held on May 12, 2018. The counting of votes and announcement of result will take place on May 15, 2018. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Japan-based Terra Motors, an electric vehicle startup company, on Tuesday announced that it has secured USD 10 million from foreign investors, to accelerate their global expansion. The list of investors includes Fenox Venture capital (US), which is one of the famous Silicon Valley based venture capital, and other Japanese bank affiliated venture capital investors . Terra Motors has reached the pinnacle of success with the idea of improving the air quality, by designing electric vehicles, specifically two-wheelers and three-wheelers. The company believes in the 'Make in India' concept and wants the investment to finance and accelerate its Asian market growth. "A rapid and sustainable growth is our long term goal. We are focusing more on Asian Markets like India and Bangladesh, as gasoline is exorbitantly priced in these countries. Therefore, there is an upsurge in demand for two-wheeler and three-wheeler electric vehicles in Asia," said Toru Tokushige, CEO, Terra Motors. "We are trying to enhance the technology and the quality of the products by bringing quick charger and lithium battery. We want to deliver excellent service to the customers and are planning to achieve number one position in the electric vehicle sector market share over the next one year," said Akihiro Ueda, Managing Director, Terra Motors. Terra Motors is one of the leading companies in terms of small commercial vehicle manufacturing, with a y-o-y growth rate of 180 percent in global business and 700 percent for their Indian portfolio for 2016-17. They had received USD 10 million funding in 2014 from Fenox Venture capital (US), Mizuho Capital and SMBC venture capital. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) United States President Donald Trump will not travel with a high-level delegation to attend the opening of the new US embassy in Jerusalem on May 14, the White House announced on Monday. The delegation would be led by Deputy Secretary of State John Sullivan. It will also include President Trump's daughter and son-in-law, Ivanka Trump and Jared Kushner, who also serve as senior advisers to the US President, The Hill reported. The delegation will also consist of President Trump's Middle East ambassador Jason Greenblatt, Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin and US ambassador to Israel David Friedman respectively. Reportedly, Kushner has been given the task of restoring peace talks between Israel and Palestine, which came to a standstill following President Trump's controversial decision to recognise Jerusalem as Israel's capital in December last year. The decision stalled the US-led peace process, causing outrage in the Arab with Palestinian leaders rejecting Washington D.C's involvement in brokering a resolution to the age-old Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The State of Palestine seeks all of the West Bank, East Jerusalem and Gaza territories for an independent state. Jerusalem is considered a sacred place, which is home to Jewish, Christian and Muslim holy sites. However, it is also a disputed territory, contested by both Israel and Palestine, which sees it as a capital of its future state. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) United States President Donald Trump on Tuesday early morning announced that he will speak to his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping "this morning" on trade and North Korea. "I will be speaking to my friend, President Xi of China, this morning at 8:30. The primary topics will be Trade, where good things will happen, and North Korea, where relationships and trust are building," Trump tweeted. This comes barely hours after it was reported by China's state-run news agency Xinhua that North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has met with Chinese President Xi Jinping in the northeastern Chinese city of Dalian over a period of two days -- Monday and Tuesday. The summit was held in the port city of Dalian, barely weeks after the two leaders took part in historic talks in China's capital city Beijing in March. It is the second meeting between China's Xi and North Korea's Kim Jong Un in less than two months. This week's meeting comes ahead of much anticipated talks between Kim and US President Donald Trump, which are expected to take place by late May or early June and after a historic summit in late April between Kim and South Korean President Moon Jae-in. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Delhi Police Special Cell has arrested two armed traffickers, one of them carrying a bounty of Rs 1 lakh on his head. According to initial information, the accused supplied arms and ammunition to Naxals in Maharashtra's Gadchiroli. One pistol and cartridges were also recovered from their associates by the Delhi police officials. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) United States President Donald Trump on Tuesday announced the US withdrawal from the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) or Iran nuclear deal. "President Trump is terminating the United States' participation in the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) with Iran and re-imposing sanctions lifted under the deal," the White House tweeted. President Trump terminated the US participation in the JCPOA citing that the deal failed to protect America's national security interest. During a meeting in the Diplomatic Room at the White House, President Trump said that he will sign a presidential memorandum to begin reinstating U.S. nuclear sanctions on Iran. "We will be instituting the highest level of economic sanction. Any nation that helps Iran in its quest for nuclear weapons could also be strongly sanctioned by the United States. America will not be held hostage to nuclear blackmail," the White House stated. President Trump further called the Iran nuclear deal as "defective" adding that Washington would reinstate sanctions against the Islamic republic. He also underscored that the deal was one of the worst and most one-sided transactions the United States has ever entered into. President Trump accused Tehran of sponsoring terror and said, "he is committed to ensuring Iran has no possible path to a nuclear weapon and is addressing the threats posed by the regime's malign activities." He also said that over the years Iran and its proxies have bombed American installations and said if he doesn't pull out of the deal there would soon be a nuclear arms race in the Middle East. The US President also delivered a message to the long-suffering people of Iran saying "the people of America stand with you." The Iran nuclear deal was signed between six countries in 2015 - Iran, US, Britain, Germany, Russia, France and China for lifting economic sanctions on Tehran in exchange for limitations to the country's nuclear programme. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres raised deep concern over United States President Donald Trump's decision to pull America out of the 2015 Iran nuclear deal, on Tuesday. "I am deeply concerned by today's announcement that the United States will be withdrawing from the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) and will begin reinstating U.S. sanctions (against Iran)," Guterres was quoted as saying by Xinhua. On Tuesday, President Trump announced that U.S. withdraws from the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) or Iran nuclear deal. President Trump further called the Iran nuclear deal as "defective" adding that Washington would reinstate sanctions against the Islamic republic. He terminated the U.S. participation in the JCPOA citing that the deal failed to protect America's national security interest. The U.S. President also underscored that the deal was one of the worst and most one-sided transactions the United States has ever entered into. The Iran nuclear deal was signed between six countries in 2015 - Iran, US, Britain, Germany, Russia, France and China for lifting economic sanctions on Tehran in exchange for limitations to the country's nuclear programme. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Vice President M. Venkaiah Naidu on Monday met his Guatemalan counterpart, Dr. Jafeth Ernesto Cabrera Franco and discussed ways of strengthening bilateral relations in various fields. The leaders of the two countries participated in bilateral discussions where agreements in areas like culture, agriculture and wildlife protection were under consideration between both the countries. "We would like to conclude these as soon as possible so that mutually beneficial cooperation activities can be undertaken," Vice President Naidu said. He added that Guatemala was one of India's important trading partners in Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) region. Vice President Naidu further underscored that there was a tremendous scope for intensifying bilateral trade and investment partnership in pharmaceutical, automobile, textile and apparel, education, Information Technology (IT), infrastructural-building and port development sectors. "We (India) encourage Guatemalan businessmen to take advantage of sponsorship that India extend to interested buyers and importers, and to have a first-hand experience of the range of products and services available in India," Vice President Naidu said. He further said that India had contributed to the health system through its affordable, high-quality generic medicines and desires to promote its export of such medicines to Guatemala. "India is the largest provider of generic drugs globally and can assist Guatemala in the healthcare system," Vice President Naidu added. The Vice President expressed satisfaction on the increase of exchanges at the ministerial level, which has helped in bringing India and Guatemala closer. "India has made renewed efforts to strengthen the relationship with Latin America, a region with huge potential for mutually beneficial cooperation," Vice President Naidu said. Earlier, the Vice President met Guatemalan President Jimmy Morales, while stressing on his agenda of maintaining strong bilateral ties with the country. The Vice President told the Guatemalan President, "India is keen on strengthening the relationship with Central America and Guatemala in particular, as we consider Guatemala as an able and valuable partner. I am happy over the momentum gained in the overall bilateral relationship since the opening of our resident Embassies and the steady increase in the exchange of visits at ministerial and vice-ministerial level." Guatemala is the first country that Vice President Naidu is visiting in his present capacity and it is the highest level visit between the two countries since the establishment of diplomatic relations in 1972. Vice President Naidu is on a five-day visit to Latin America's Guatemala, Peru and Panama commencing from May 6. This is the Vice President's first overseas visit after assuming office last year. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Vice President M. Venkaiah Naidu on Monday said that the Indian community living in any corner of the will act as the country's ambassadors. While addressing the Indian community reception hosted by Ambassador of India to Guatemala, Sajeev Babu Kurup, Vice President Naidu highlighted the heritage attached with the Indian community. "That Indian Community in Guatemala is fortunate to be the inheritors of a great heritage of timeless values," Naidu said. As per the Ministry of External Affairs press release, Naidu said that the Indian diaspora in spite of living in any corner of the has contributed to the country and also to the Irrespective of their occupation the Indians are able to add to the material and cultural capital of the country and the world by demonstrating, as ambassadors of our great country, Vice President Naidu added. He called for reforms for the betterment of people's lives. "Equal opportunity for all, reaching the unreached, banking the unbanked, funded the unfunded is the need of the hour", Vice President Naidu said. On that note, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had launched Pradhan Mantri Jan-Dhan Yojana in 2014 aiming at ensuring access to financial services, namely banking savings and deposit accounts, remittance, credit, insurance, and pension in an affordable manner. While highlighting the traditional values of India as Satya, Dharma, Prema, Shanthi, Ahimsa and Seva, Naidu said that these ideals are to be credited for the respect given to the Indian diaspora. He further extended good wishes to the families residing in Guatemala. Vice President Naidu ended on a positive note that "India's message to the world has been peace, inclusion, co-existence and harmonious development of individuals and society as a whole constantly nurture." The Minister of State for Tribal Affairs, Shri Jaswantsinh Bhabhor, the Members of Parliament and other dignitaries were present on the occasion. Earlier on Tuesday, India and Guatemala on Monday signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for expanding cooperation in the area of diplomatic training witnessed by Vice President Naidu and his counterpart Dr. Jafeth Ernesto Cabrera Franco. Guatemala is the first country that Vice President Naidu is visiting in his present capacity and it is the highest level visit between the two countries since the establishment of diplomatic relations in 1972. Vice President Naidu is on a five-day visit to Latin America's Guatemala, Peru and Panama commencing from May 6. This is the Vice President's first overseas visit after assuming office last year. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) In an unfortunate turn of events, a woman in the Mayurbhanj district of Odisha was forced to give birth in a culvert after her house was destroyed by an elephant six months ago. Pramila Tiria, wife of Manglu Tiria, a resident of Surubil village in Odisha lost a roof over her head when her home was destroyed by an elephant six months ago, and she also did not receive any assistance from Government authorities. A homeless and helpless Pramila was then forced to deliver her baby under most unfavourable conditions, in a culvert. Pramila did not avail any of the schemes such as the Anganwadi or the Asha Didi. This incident reflects of the indifferent approach of the Forest Officials and the Government authorities in the district who failed to offer any help to Pramila over the last six months. Speaking to ANI, the Additional District Magistrate of Mayurbanj admitted to the incident and said that action should be taken against the guilty. "Let me examine the situation. I came to know about the incident a few months back that the house was destroyed by an elephant. It will now be enquired by the forest officials. After that we will rehabilitate the family," he added. Sarina Hamran, a Zila Parishad member said, "One mother had to give birth in a culvert, she has no shelter, she is homeless. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Two presidential guard soldiers were killed in Yemen's interim capital Aden on Tuesday. As per Nasir Abbad, Aden's Hur Mekser district police chief, the identities of the perpetrators have not been ascertained yet, as reported by the Anadolu Agency. The soldiers were said to be motorbike-borne riding near a Yemeni Airways building in Hur Mekser, as they launched an attack on the soldiers. Yemen has in the past witnessed multiple incidents of violence and problems since 2014. The Houthi rebels had led various attacks in the country including Yemen's capital Sanaa. In 2015, Saudi Arabia and its Sunni-Arab allies had launched a massive military campaign in Yemen aimed at rolling back Houthi gains. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The stock is quoting at Rs 393, up 1.87% on the day as on 12:59 IST on the NSE. Bharat Petroleum Corporation Ltd is down 18.29% in last one year as compared to a 14.93% gain in NIFTY and a 15.81% gain in the Nifty Energy index. Bharat Petroleum Corporation Ltd is up for a third straight session in a row. The stock is quoting at Rs 393, up 1.87% on the day as on 12:59 IST on the NSE. The benchmark NIFTY is down around 0.07% on the day, quoting at 10707.6. The Sensex is at 35206.91, down 0%. Bharat Petroleum Corporation Ltd has dropped around 12.73% in last one month. Meanwhile, Nifty Energy index of which Bharat Petroleum Corporation Ltd is a constituent, has dropped around 1.93% in last one month and is currently quoting at 13863.1, up 0.08% on the day. The volume in the stock stood at 34.8 lakh shares today, compared to the daily average of 74.7 lakh shares in last one month. The benchmark May futures contract for the stock is quoting at Rs 394.25, up 1.65% on the day. Bharat Petroleum Corporation Ltd is down 18.29% in last one year as compared to a 14.93% gain in NIFTY and a 15.81% gain in the Nifty Energy index. The PE of the stock is 11.81 based on TTM earnings ending December 17. Powered by Capital Market - Live News (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The stock is quoting at Rs 306.2, up 3.1% on the day as on 12:59 IST on the NSE. Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Ltd is down 12.9% in last one year as compared to a 14.93% spurt in NIFTY and a 15.81% spurt in the Nifty Energy index. Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Ltd gained for a third straight session today. The stock is quoting at Rs 306.2, up 3.1% on the day as on 12:59 IST on the NSE. The benchmark NIFTY is down around 0.07% on the day, quoting at 10707.6. The Sensex is at 35206.91, down 0%. Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Ltd has slipped around 16.52% in last one month. Meanwhile, Nifty Energy index of which Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Ltd is a constituent, has slipped around 1.93% in last one month and is currently quoting at 13863.1, up 0.08% on the day. The volume in the stock stood at 45.98 lakh shares today, compared to the daily average of 67.75 lakh shares in last one month. The benchmark May futures contract for the stock is quoting at Rs 307.2, up 2.69% on the day. Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Ltd is down 12.9% in last one year as compared to a 14.93% spurt in NIFTY and a 15.81% spurt in the Nifty Energy index. The PE of the stock is 7.05 based on TTM earnings ending December 17. Powered by Capital Market - Live News (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Agreeing to push the 'complementary' and 'not competitive' nature of bilateral relations to a new level for mutual benefit from the emerging opportunities in both the countries, India and Guatemala agreed to support each other's candidature for Non-Permanent Membership in the United Nations Security Council (UNSC). Guatemala will support India's candidature for UNSC membership for 2021-22 while New Delhi will do so for 2031-32 for Guatemala. Presenting the context of his first overseas visit as Vice President, Shri Naidu told Guatemalan leaders that India is keen about enhancing its engagement with Latin America and looks at Guatemala, the most populous and biggest economy in Central America , as the gateway. My visit to Guatemala is a clear indication of this thinking in New Delhi. Going by trade patterns and consumption needs, we are complementary in nature and not competitors and need to take our relation to a new high taking advantage of emerging opportunities in both countries for mutual benefit. Guatemalan President Shri Jimmy Morales said his country could benefit from the ''successful economic story of India and stressed on the need for improving bilateral engagement in various fields. Referring to India's soft power, he said he was aware of popular TV serial Kaun Banega Karodpati and films like The Slum Dog Millionaire and The Life of Pi. He also referred to huge popularity of Indian made two wheelers given their quality and after sale service in Guatemala beating the popular competitors. After talks with Shri Naidu and before leaving for Costa Rica on an official visit, he directed his deputy for detailed talks with the visiting dignitary for exploring new avenues of cooperation with India. Leaders of both countries agreed that India and Guatemala are faced with similar challenges including governance issues, terrorism in different forms, poverty and economic disparities and democracy is the best form of governance to address them. Guatemalan Vice President Dr. Franco noted that contrary to the perception their government was making determined efforts to check corruption and his country was facing a different kind of terrorism in the form of criminal gangs. Guatemalan Speaker Shri Escobar said India's vibrant democracy is a role model in harmonizing vast diversities and offers a lot to learn and India's economic success is equally inspiring. Shri Naidu suggested setting up Parliamentary Friendship Group to promote interaction among MPs of both sides. During the talks, Indian side agreed to the Guatemala's request for supplying solar panels to its airports. After discussions and in the presence of both the Vice Presidents, both the sides signed a Memorandum of Understanding for training of diplomats and a Letter of Intent for training Guatemalan English Teachers in India. These agreements will be valid for three years and will be extended thereafter, if required. During the talks, Shri Naidu said In the integrating world order, all the countries need to work together for mutual benefit and for this reason, India is keen about enhancing its engagement with Latin America. India is now making rapid strides with a stable government and able leadership with focus on Reforms and Performance for Transformation. India and Latin American countries could benefit hugely from increased cooperation for enhanced trade and investments. Powered by Capital Market - Live News (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Government of India signed a loan deal worth $ 200 million with the World Bank today for the National Nutrition Mission (POSHAN Abhiyaan). The loan would help the Government of India in achieving its goal of reducing stunting in children 0-6 years of age from 38.4% to 25% by the year 2022. The POSHAN (PM's Overarching Scheme for Holistic Nourishment) Abhiyaan was launched by the Prime Minister on 8th March 2018 at Jhunjhunu, Rajasthan. A large component of POSHAN Abhiyaan involves gradual scaling-up of the interventions supported by the ongoing World Bank assisted Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) Systems Strengthening and Nutrition Improvement Project (ISSNIP) to all districts in the country over a 3-year period. The loan approved today will support the first phase scale up to 315 districts across all states and union territories (UTs). With a focus on improving the coverage and quality of ICDS nutrition services to pregnant and lactating women and children under 3 years of age, the project will include investments in improving the skills and capacities of ICDS staff and community nutrition workers, instituting mechanisms of community mobilization and behavior change communication, strengthening systems of citizen engagement and grievance redress and establishing mobile technology based tools for improved monitoring and management of services for better outreach to beneficiaries during the critical 1,000 day window for nutrition impact. The project will additionally ensure convergence of all nutrition related schemes and provide performance based incentives to states and community nutrition and health workers, facilitating a focus on results. Powered by Capital Market - Live News (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Shares may open higher tracking positive leads from Asian markets and overnight gains on the Wall Street. Trading of Nifty 50 index futures on the Singapore stock exchange indicates that the Nifty could rise 26.50 points at the opening bell. Overseas, Asian markets were trading higher following firm leads from Wall Street. US stock market settled higher on Monday, but well off the peak of the day, as energy shares pulled back following a late-afternoon tweet from President Donald Trump indicated that a decision was imminent on whether the US would decertify a 2015 Iran nuclear pact. Trump tweeted that he would make an announcement on a possible decertification of the Iran nuclear agreement that the Obama administration had reached with the Middle Eastern country back in 2015. European leaders had urged Trump not to abandon the pact. Trump had until 12 May 2018 to decide whether to keep the deal intact. Abandoning it would trigger a reimposition of economic sanctions on Iran, hampering oil exports from the country and cutting global supply. Closer home, foreign portfolio investors (FPIs) sold shares worth a net Rs 635.24 crore yesterday, 7 May 2018, as per provisional data released by the stock exchanges. Domestic institutional investors (DIIs) bought shares worth a net Rs 1037.23 crore yesterday, 7 May 2018, as per provisional data. Among corporate news, ABB India and Jubilant FoodWorks will announce January-March 2018 quarterly results on Tuesday, 8 May 2018. Domestic stocks logged modest gains yesterday, 7 May 2018, after tepid US jobs data on Friday eased fears of faster rate hikes by the US Federal Reserve. The barometer index, the S&P BSE Sensex, gained 292.76 points or 0.84% to settle at 35,208.14. The Nifty 50 index gained 97.25 points or 0.92% to settle at 10,715.50. Steady buying in index pivotals pushed the Sensex above the psychologically important 35,000 level. Investors fear that a rate hike in the US could set off capital outflows from emerging market economies like India. Powered by Capital Market - Live News (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Key benchmark indices were trading higher in early trade, higher tracking positive leads from Asian markets and overnight gains on the Wall Street. At 9:18 IST, the barometer index, the S&P BSE Sensex, was up 71.04 points or 0.20% at 35,279.18. The Nifty 50 index was up 13.85 points or 0.13% at 10,729.35. Among secondary barometers,the BSE Mid-Cap index was up 0.07%, underperforming the Sensex. The BSE Small-Cap index was up 0.20%, matching the Sensex gains in percentage terms. The market breadth indicating the overall health of the market was strong. On BSE, 658 shares rose and 352 shares fell. A total of 51 shares were unchanged. Overseas, Asian markets were trading higher following firm leads from Wall Street. US stock market settled higher on Monday, but well off the peak of the day, as energy shares pulled back following a late-afternoon tweet from President Donald Trump indicated that a decision was imminent on whether the US would decertify a 2015 Iran nuclear pact. Trump tweeted that he would make an announcement on a possible decertification of the Iran nuclear agreement that the Obama administration had reached with the Middle Eastern country back in 2015. European leaders had urged Trump not to abandon the pact. Trump had until 12 May 2018 to decide whether to keep the deal intact. Abandoning it would trigger a reimposition of economic sanctions on Iran, hampering oil exports from the country and cutting global supply. Back home, ICICI Bank was up 4.39%. The bank's net profit dropped 49.62% to Rs 1020 crore on 20.24% rise in total income to Rs 19942.97 crore in Q4 March 2018 over Q4 March 2017. The announcement was made after market hours yesterday, 7 May 2018. Pfizer was up 1.22%. The company's net profit surged 53.6% to Rs 104.51 crore on 18.06% rise in total income to Rs 551.18 crore in Q4 March 2018 over Q4 March 2017. The announcement was made after market hours yesterday, 7 May 2018. Lupin was up 0.83%. The company announced that it has received final approval for its Clobetasol Propionate Ointment USP, 0.05% from the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to market a generic version of Fougera Pharmaceuticals Inc.'s Temovate Ointment, 0.05%. Clobetasol Propionate Ointment USP, 0.05% had annual sales of approximately 120 million in the US (IQVIA MAT January 2018). The announcement was made after market hours yesterday, 7 May 2018. Tata Metaliks was down 1.21%. The company said that there is no production at Kharagpur plant due to disruption of work by contractors' workers and service providers by not reporting to work and the same is currently continuing. The company is engaged in discussion with the representatives of the contractors' workers, facilitated by the representatives of government for resumption of work. The date of resumption of business operation will be intimated in due course. The announcement was made after market hours yesterday, 7 May 2018. Unichem Laboratories was up 1.68%. The company announced that it has received ANDA approval from United States Food and Drug Administration (USFDA) for Valsartan Tablets USP, 40 mg, 80 mg, 160 mg and 320 mg, which are therapeutically equivalent to DIOVANB (Valsartan) tablets, 40 mg, 80 mg, 160 mg and 320 mg of Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corp. This product will be commercialized from Unichem's Ghaziabad plant. The announcement was made after market hours yesterday, 7 May 2018. Powered by Capital Market - Live News (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Key indices were trading in a narrow range in mid-morning trade. At 11:20 IST, the barometer index, the S&P BSE Sensex, was up 79.89 points or 0.23% at 35,288.03. The Nifty 50 index was up 20.90 points or 0.20% at 10,736.40. The market extended gains for the second straight day on unabated buying by domestic institutional investors. Positive leads from Asian markets and overnight gains on the Wall Street also boosted sentiment. Strength in ICICI Bank and ITC boosted indices higher while selling in Infosys and HDFC Bank capped higher gains. Overseas, Asian markets were trading higher following firm leads from Wall Street. China's Shanghai Composite was up 0.67%. China's April exports rose 12.9% from a year earlier, rebounding from a drop in March, while imports grew 21.5%, both growing much faster than expected despite worries over an escalating trade dispute with the United States. That left the country with a trade surplus of $28.78 billion for the month, data showed on Tuesday, 8 May 2018. US stock market settled higher on Monday, but well off the peak of the day, as energy shares pulled back following a late-afternoon tweet from President Donald Trump indicated that a decision was imminent on whether the US would decertify a 2015 Iran nuclear pact. Trump tweeted that he would make an announcement on a possible decertification of the Iran nuclear agreement that the Obama administration had reached with the Middle Eastern country back in 2015. European leaders had urged Trump not to abandon the pact. Trump had until 12 May 2018 to decide whether to keep the deal intact. Abandoning it would trigger a reimposition of economic sanctions on Iran, hampering oil exports from the country and cutting global supply. Back home, among secondary barometers, the BSE Mid-Cap index was up 0.05%, underperforming the Sensex. The BSE Small-Cap index was up 0.28%, outperforming the Sensex. The market breadth, indicating the overall health of the market, was positive. On BSE, 1,151 shares rose and 1,130 shares fell. A total of 107 shares were unchanged. ICICI Bank was up 6.65% to Rs 308.65. The bank's net profit dropped 49.62% to Rs 1020 crore on 20.24% rise in total income to Rs 19942.97 crore in Q4 March 2018 over Q4 March 2017. The announcement was made after market hours yesterday, 7 May 2018. HDFC Bank was down 0.66% at Rs 1,966.70. Index heavyweight and cigarette major ITC was up 0.82% to Rs 284.20. IT shares were mixed. MindTree (up 2.88%), Hexaware Technologies (up 2.68%), TCS (up 1%), Tech Mahindra (up 0.63%) and Oracle Financial Services Software (up 0.38%), edged higher. Persistent Systems (down 0.48%), HCL Technologies (down 0.78%), Wipro (down 0.86%), Infosys (down 1%) and MphasiS (down 1.25%), edged lower. Most pharma shares rose. Alkem Laboratories (up 1.44%), Piramal Enterprises (up 1.11%), Aurobindo Pharma (up 0.85%), Cadila Healthcare (up 0.64%), Dr Reddy's Laboratories (up 0.64%), Cipla (up 0.40%), Divi's Laboratories (up 0.38%), Glenmark Pharmaceuticals (up 0.06%) and Sun Pharmaceutical Industries (up 0.03%), edged higher. Wockhardt (down 0.01%), GlaxoSmithKline Pharmaceuticals (down 0.15%) and Strides Shasun (down 0.39%), edged lower. Lupin was up 0.64%. The company announced that it has received final approval for its Clobetasol Propionate Ointment USP, 0.05% from the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to market a generic version of Fougera Pharmaceuticals Inc.'s Temovate Ointment, 0.05%. Clobetasol Propionate Ointment USP, 0.05% had annual sales of approximately 120 million in the US (IQVIA MAT January 2018). The announcement was made after market hours yesterday, 7 May 2018. Tata Coffee lost 6.06% after consolidated net profit dropped 62.54% to Rs 22.40 crore on 10.03% rise in total income to Rs 448.53 crore in Q4 March 2018 over Q4 March 2017. The result was announced after market hours yesterday, 7 May 2018. Powered by Capital Market - Live News (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) At least 17 people have been killed following signs of hemorrhagic fever in the Bikoro Health Zone in the Equateur Province in the northwest of Congo, according to the Minister of Health, Orly Ilunga. The health ministry confirmed the outbreak of Ebola on Tuesday, with two cases being confirmed by the laboratory of the National Institute of Biomedical Research (INRB), Xinhua news agency reported. According to the ministry, it was on May 3, 2018 that the provincial health division of Equateur reported at the central level of the Ministry of Health 21 cases of fever with signs and 17 deaths in the Ikoko Impenge health area located in the province. A team from the Ministry of Health, supported by the World Health Organization (WHO) and Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF), visited the site on Saturday, May 5. The team found 5 cases, 2 of whom were hospitalized at Bikoro General Hospital and 3 at the Ikoko Impenge Health Centre. According to the Ministry of Health, the five samples taken from suspected cases were sent for analysis to the INRB of Kinshasa on Sunday, May 6. Of the five samples analyzed, two were found to be positive for Ebola virus serotype Zaire by RT-PCR. "Our country is facing a new epidemic of Ebola that is a public health emergency of international concern. Congo being at its ninth epidemic of this nature, we have well-trained human resources in this area who have always been able to quickly control the previous epidemics, "said Orly Ilunga, Minister of Health in a statement issued in emergency on Tuesday in Kinshasa. The government also decided to deploy on Wednesday a team of experts from the central level from Kinshasa to Bikoro with a set of appropriate equipment to oversee the investigations and the organization of the response on field. With this reappearance of the Ebola outbreak, the country is at its ninth Ebola outbreak since 1976. The last outbreak recorded by the country took place in May 2017 in the northern province of Bas-Uele which killed four people. --IANS ahm/ (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A court in Bangladesh on Tuesday handed out death sentence to two militants of the banned Jamaatul Mujahideen Bangladesh (JMB) and life imprisonment to another three for the murder of a university professor in 2016. Judge Shirin Kabita Akhter, of a special judicial body in the northern city of Rajshahi, handed the death penalty to two JMB men for participating directly in the murder of Professor Rezaul Karim Siddiquee, bdnews24.com reported. "Three other accused, who were aware of the plan but did not participate in the killing, were handed life-term jail sentence," said Public Prosecutor Entajul Haque. Professor Siddiquee was hacked to death on April 23, 2016 while he was waiting for a university bus. The attack was claimed by the Islamic State terror group, which accused him of "promoting atheism". Bangladesh authorities and law enforcers, however, deny the presence of the Islamic State in the country. The prosecutor said that four of the accused were present in the room when the verdict was delivered while Shariful Islam, believed to be the mastermind of the attack and a student of Professor Siddiquee, was sentenced in absentia as his whereabouts are unknown. In November 2016, the Bangladeshi police charged eight JMB members with the murder, three of whom were killed in a shootout with the police. More than 70 bloggers, intellectuals, people from religious minority groups and foreigners have been killed in extremist violence in Bangladesh between 2013 and 2016, giving rise to alarm in the South Asian country that has been religiously-moderate. --IANS soni/mr (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Six Delhi Police personnel were suspended for allegedly assaulting a local BJP leader and his sons in a police station, a police official said on Tuesday. Deputy Commissioner of Police Aslam Khan told IANS that the six personnel were from the Ranibagh police station in north Delhi. "We have initiated high level inquiry into the matter.. till the time the police personnel are being suspended and the SHO sent to the Police Lines," Khan said. The incident took place in Saraswati Vihar area on the night of May 6, where these police personnel asked for a scooty from local Bharatiya Janata Party leader Surendra Agrawal. When he denied them, the policemen took Agrawal and two of his sons to the police station and beat them. They had also slapped Agrawal's wife. As the entire incident taken place in presence of the SHO, he was also shifted from his post. --IANS sp/vd (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) World's largest e-commerce player Amazon has invested an additional Rs 2,600 crore in its India operations ahead of the US retail giant Walmart taking over the country's e-tail major Flipkart. "The Amazon board has accorded consent to allot 260 crore shares of Rs 10 face value aggregating Rs 2,600 crore to the shareholders on rights basis in the ratio of their shareholding," said Amazon Services Ltd in a filing with the Registrar of Companies (RoC). According to the Chennai-based business intelligence platform Paper.vc, which sourced the regulatory documents, the Seattle-based Amazon infused the additional capital into the Singapore-based Amazon Corporate Holdings Ltd and Amazon.com incs Ltd, which operate Amazon India e-tail business. "Though the Board accorded consent on April 26, the regulatory filing was made with the RoC on Tuesday by Amazon Company Secretary Ankur Sharma," Paper.vc Vivek Durai told IANS on Wednesday. Amazon Seller Services helps Indian sellers to hawk their diverse products online across India and worldwide. Amazon Chief Executive Jeff Bezos had earlier committed to invest a whopping $5 billion in India to cash-in on the rapid growth in e-commerce. Growing at about 30 per cent cumulative average growth rate (CAGR), the e-commerce business is projected to be about $200 billion of the gross merchandise value in a decade. --IANS fb/ahm/ (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Aligarh Muslim University Vice Chancellor Tariq Mansoor on Tuesday demanded a judicial inquiry into recent violent incidents on the campus and condemned the use of "excessive force" on student protesters. Appealing to students who are on strike not to jeopardise their future, he said that he endorsed the demand for judicial inquiry and had conveyed the sentiments of AMU community to all concerned. "Under no circumstances, students should let their studies suffer especially at a time when exams are round the corner. I appeal to all students to maintain calm and focus on studies wholeheartedly and to do well in their careers. "I share the pain of our students," Mansoor said adding that he was deeply anguished after visiting the injured students admitted in the varsity's Jawaharlal Nehru Medical College. The Vice Chancellor, with his wife, also visited the site of the students agitation to express solidarity with their demands. "Dear students, we should not fall into the trap of some forces, which are bent on destroying the image of our Alma Mater and are playing with your bright future," he said in his appeal, pointing out that since AMU was passing through a difficult phase, "a section of media, armed with half truths, is constantly trying to create a negative image of the University". "The assault on the University from different quarters, calls for both rational response and thoughtful action without being swayed by emotions," he said. "I have already denounced the excessive use of force on our students which resulted in injuries to the present and former office bearers of AMU Students Union and other students." --IANS bk/vd (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) In a shocking incident, a newly-married woman in Andhra Pradesh's Vizianagaram district got her husband killed for her lover, police said on Tuesday. Yamaka Sankar Rao, who married his maternal cousin Saraswathi just 10 days ago, was murdered on Monday. Within 24 hours, police cracked the case with the arrest of Saraswathi, who plotted the murder to live with a man she befriended on Facebook. The man has also been arrested. The incident took place near Totapalli village. The police investigation revealed that Saraswathi was not happy with the marriage as she had an affair with Siva, with whom she came in contact through Facebook last year while pursuing a graduation degree in Visakhapatnam. She stayed in contact with him even after the marriage and together they planned to eliminate Rao, an engineer employed at a company in the same district. According to Vizianagaram District Superintendent of Police P. Pala Raju, when the couple was returning home after shopping on Monday night, Swaraswathi asked her husband to stop the bike to attend nature's call. As she went behind the bushes, three men came in an autorickshaw and attacked him with an iron rod, resulting in his death. Saraswathi, after breaking her bangles and hiding her jewellery in undergarments, raised an alarm that unidentified men killed her husband and escaped with the valuables. The police initially registered a case of murder for gain. However, during investigations they grew suspicious with the woman's contradictory statements and began questioning her. She later confessed to having hatched the conspiracy with Siva. Siva took the help of two friends to execute the plot. He was in touch with Saraswathi over phone as she kept him informed about their location and movement through the day. At two places, the assailants failed to execute their plan but when the couple reached an isolated place and the woman asked her husband to stop the bike, they murdered him. Police were on the lookout of two accomplices. --IANS ms/him/vm (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) More than 25 years ago, the Indian government decided to put together a National Policy of Culture in keeping with more than a hundred countries that had such policies. In fact, there was, at that time, a special division in Unesco which had already organised two world conferences on the matter. Here too a national colloquium on culture policy was organised in 1992 in Delhi in which nearly a hundred writers, artists, performers, intellectuals and experts debated a white paper, which, as the Joint Secretary of the Deptartment of Culture, I had prepared. The move, however, evoked controversy and the main issue was that state could not set a policy for culture which is the business of society as distinct from the state. This issue completely ignored the fact that the National Culture Policy document tried to delineate a policy framework for the cultural institutions and activities such as the Archaeological Survey of India, the three national academies, the National Museum, the NGMA, the National Archives, the National Library, et al, which are publicly funded and are run largely either as adjuncts of the Indian government or as autonomous institutions such as the Lalit Kala Akademi, the Indira Gandhi National Centre of Arts and the Zonal Cultural Centres, among others. Also, one key element of the National Culture Policy was that the government's expenditure on culture must, over the years, rise to one per cent of the total budget of from a dismal 0.1 per cent. The National Culture Policy went through a series of consultations, including by a Parliamentary Standing Committee but was nearly forgotten, if not given up, by 1997. Later attempts were made to revise, review and re-present it, but nothing much happened. In the meanwhile, a government is in place which has been very assiduously and relentlessly trying to cut down allocations to cultural organisations and giving them, if at all, only to those whose loyalty to its ideology it could be sure of. All arts have been reduced to expensive public spectacles and a lot of public money is being wasted on them without them contributing anything to the enhancement of culture, its dynamic creativity or adding to the broader public awareness of culture. Increasingly, for instance, the three national akademies have reached the brink of utter irrelevance and have almost no truck or dialogue with excellence. It is in this context that we have to locate the availability of public resources for culture. They are evidently dwindling and, in any case, the State is well set on withdrawing substantially like in the education and other welfare sectors. One of the more dependable sources could have been the corporate sector whose presence on the map of support for culture is rather minimal and quite disappointing. A recent survey of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives shows that quite haltingly the mandated CSR has moved in the sector of culture. There too it is presumably spending no more than maybe two percent of its expenditure on culture. The areas which attract the bulk are health, education and environment. Many major firms have already set up trusts or similar "cultural" organisations and they spend whatever little they do on culture through them. In most advanced countries culture is considered rightly a civic need and activity and civic agencies such as municipal committees and corporations spend on museums, auditoriums and the like. In this area, the performance of these civic bodies in terms of support for culture is abysmally low and marginal. Sadly and most unfortunately, the State, the civic bodies and the corporate sectors are comrades-in-arm in undermining and neglecting culture. If in this highly deprived and despairing scenario there is a vibrant cultural climate in the country it is largely due to personal interest, commitment and initiatives of the creative community. Private art galleries, publishers, theatre groups, small non-commercial journals, literary organisations, music circles and sabhas, dancing groups, etc., have kept alive the rich, complex, celebrative but equally interrogative cultural creativity and imagination, investing them with energy and courage, commitment and hard work. There are some either private or corporate initiatives such as the ITC Sangeet Research Academy Kolkata, the Darpana and Kadamb Ahmedabad, the Raza Foundation, the Cholamandal Artists Group, the Mahagami Aurangabad, etc., which have been supporting various aspects of culture. Sadly they are not many and, in any case, far short of the vast needs of a great civilisation. (In this concluding article in our Shifting Sands of Culture, Ashok Vajpeyi reflects on the role that state plays, or should play, in promoting cultural activities and institutions. Vajpeyi is a well-known writer in Hindi, and has published over 23 books of poetry, criticism and art. He was awarded the Sahitya Akademi Award in 1994 for his poetry collection, "Kahin Nahin Wahin") --IANS vajpeyi/ss/vm (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.) Astronomers have found that a planet outside our solar system, which is similar to Saturn in mass and exceeds the size of Jupiter by 20 per cent, has an atmosphere free of clouds. The hot gas giant, WASP-96b, periodically transits a Sun-like star 980 light years away in the southern constellation Phoenix. Using the the European Southern Observatory's Very Large Telescope in Chile, the team studied the atmosphere of WASP-96b when the planet passed in front of its host-star. This enabled the team to measure the decrease of starlight caused by the planet and its atmosphere, and thereby determine the planet's atmospheric composition. "We've been looking at more than twenty exoplanet transit spectra. WASP-96b is the only exoplanet that appears to be entirely cloud-free and shows such a clear sodium signature, making the planet a benchmark for characterisation," said lead author of the study Nikolay Nikolov from University of Exeter in Britain. Just like an individual's fingerprints are unique, atoms and molecules have a unique spectral characteristic that can be used to detect their presence in celestial objects. The spectrum of WASP-96b shows the complete fingerprint of sodium, which can only be observed for an atmosphere free of clouds, according to the study published in the journal Nature. It has long been predicted that sodium exists in the atmospheres of hot gas-giant exoplanets, and in a cloud-free atmosphere it would produce spectra that are similar in shape to the profile of a camping tent. "Until now, sodium was revealed either as a very narrow peak or found to be completely missing. This is because the characteristic 'tent-shaped' profile can only be produced deep in the atmosphere of the planet and for most planet clouds appear to get in the way," Nikolov added. Clouds and hazes are known to exist in some of the hottest and coldest solar system planets and exoplanets. The presence or absence of clouds and their ability to block light plays an important role in the overall energy budget of planetary atmospheres. "It is difficult to predict which of these hot atmospheres will have thick clouds. By seeing the full range of possible atmospheres, from very cloudy to nearly cloud-free like WASP-96b, we'll gain a better understanding of what these clouds are made of," explains study co-author Jonathan Fortney, Professor at University of California, Santa Cruz (UCSC), US. --IANS gb/vm (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Calcutta High Court on Tuesday heard a petition by the Congress seeking quashing of the May 14 Panchayat poll date in West Bengal on grounds of inadequate security arrangements and said it would hear the case again on Thursday before pronouncing its verdict. A Division Bench of Chief Justice Jyotirmay Bhattacharya and Arijit Banerjee heard the petitioners and respondents in the case and took stock of the deployment of armed forces on the polling day. West Bengal Advocate General Kishore Dutta said the state has 71,500 armed personnel to be deployed during the polling day in addition to 80,000 civic volunteers and pointed out that the state administration would be able to post one armed personnel and one person carrying baton in each of the polling booths. "The state has 500 inspectors, 10,000 sub-inspectors and assistant sub-inspectors and 61,000 constables, home guards and National Volunteer Force (NVF). There are 80,000 civic volunteers also. A polling premise is comprised of four to five polling booths. So there would be enough armed forces for the security," he said. State Election Commission (SEC) counsel Shaktinath Mukherjee said it considers the forces to be adequate to conduct the single-phase polling. He said the state had 35,000 armed personnel during the previous rural polls which was way lesser than the current figure. However, the counsels of the opposition parties said they are not satisfied with the security arrangements and raised objections claiming the civic volunteers cannot be used in law and order issue. They also opposed the pattern of force deployment proposed by the state administration as the SEC has identified some booths as sensitive and highly sensitive, where more number of personnel is required. Objections were raised by another body named 'Sarkari Karmachari Parishad' that filed a separate petition before the court seeking the deployment of central forces to ensure the security of several government employees who would be working as polling officers on the day of election. Pointing out that all the elections in the state barring one since 2011 were conducted with the central forces, the body claimed providing security to the polling officers is of utmost important because if they are deterred from their duty, the election would not be free and fair. Earlier in the day, the state Advocate General questioned the maintainability of the Congress petition and claimed the plea filed by state Congress President Adhir Chowdhury should not be entertained as it might involve political interest. Chowdhury argued that he filed the plea not as a representative of political party but to protect the interest of common people. He accused the SEC of playing second fiddle to the state government in every aspect of the election process and has not taken any action against the state's ruling Trinamool Congress that resorted to large scale pre-poll violence since the election is announced. He also claimed that 34 per cent seats in the rural polls have been declared as uncontested this time which is unprecedented in the state. --IANS mgr/ssp/him/vm (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Tuesday announced its candidates for the Kairana parliamentary seat and the Noorpur assembly seat, where polling is scheduled to be held on May 28. The Kairana seat in western Uttar Pradesh fell vacant after the death of incumbent MP and veteran BJP leader Hukum Singh while the by-poll in Noorpur in Bijnore district was necessitated after the sitting legislator Lokendra Singh Chauhan of the BJP died in a car accident in February. A BJP spokesman said Avani Singh, widow of Chauhan, is the party candidate from Noorpur while Mriganka Singh, daughter of Hukum Singh, has been named from Kairana. Both the candidates are likely to file their nomination papers within the next two days, a party leader told IANS. The Samajwadi Party (SP) has fielded Naimul Hasan as its candidate from Noorpur while former MP Tabassum Hasan is the joint candidate of the opposition in the Kairana parliamentary seat. She will be contesting on the Rashtriya Lok Dal (RLD) ticket. The Samajwadi Party and Ajit Singh's RLD have thrashed out a formula here to combine the traditional arch rivals -- Jats and Muslims -- to oust the BJP. The Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) and the Congress are not contesting the polls and are likely to extend their support to the opposition candidates. The votes will be counted on May 31. --IANS md/pgh/bg (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Tuesday urged the Election Commission to countermand the Assembly election in the Rajarajeshwari Nagar segment of the city's southwest suburb after about 10,000 allegedly fake voter IDs were allegedly found in the locality. "The BJP demands countermanding of elections in Rajarajeshwari Nagar in light of latest revelations of tens of thousands of fake voter IDs and empty packets of hard currency. This is Congress conspiracy to rig election in the face of their imminent defeat," tweeted Union Human Resource Minister and the party's in-charge for state polls Prakash Javadekar. The state's Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) Sanjiv Kumar, addressing the reporters on late Tuesday night, said 9,746 voter cards were seized from a flat in the constituency. "After a surprise visit was paid to a flat in Jalahalli locality (in the Rajarajeshwari constituency) nearly 9,746 voter ID cards were found. Five laptops and one printer was also found in the flat," Kumar said. There were over a lakh slips resembling acknowledgement slips used for adding names into the electoral rolls, the CEO said. "On preliminary verification, these voter ID cards were found to be genuine, but the counterfoils need to be verified through investigation." The EC will register a First Information Report (FIR) on the matter and would take action after investigation, Kumar added. The Assembly election across 223 constituencies of the state will be held on May 12. Of the 225-member lower house, including one nominated, election in the Jayanagar seat in south Bangalore has been countermanded and postponed owing to the death of BJP candidate B.N. Vijaya Kumar on May 4. Votes will be counted on May 15. --IANS bha/ahm/ (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The body of a 22-year old tourist from Chennai killed by stone pelters here was flown home on Tuesday as Kashmiris cutting across the political spectrum continued to condemn the cowardly act. The grieving parents and sister of the slain R. Thirumani, whose vehicle was among many attacked on the Srinagar-Gulmarg road on Monday, accompanied the body on an Indigo flight, an official of the tourism department told IANS. Thirumani was hit on the forehead and nose when the stone pelters targeted several vehicles with rocks during protests called against the Sunday killings of five militants and six civilians in Shopian district. On Tuesday, Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti reiterated her condemnation of the tourist's killing. "I have no words strong enough to condemn this tragic incident or even condole with the family," she said in a statement. She described the incident as a blot on the cultural value system of Kashmir and an attempt to bulldoze its economy. The Chief Minister, who went to meet the tourist's family at the hospital immediately after the killing, had said on Monday: "My head hangs in shame." Her predecessor and National Conference leader Omar Abdullah said: "We have killed a tourist by throwing stones at the vehicle he was travelling in. Let's try and wrap our heads around the fact that we stoned a tourist, a guest, to death while we glorify these stone pelters and their methods." Senior separatist leader Mirwaiz Umar Farooq said: "Deeply saddened by the news of the death of a tourist due to stone pelting. I condemn such hooliganism and rowdiness. "It is totally against our ethos of treating tourists as respected guests and brings a bad name to the people's movement." The common man in the valley is no less shocked. Those who earn from tourism are particularly shocked. "What have we proved by doing this? We claim to be the most hospitable society and here we have a guest killed in stone pelting," said Zahoor Ahmad, 33, a taxi operator. "What crime had the tourist committed? His only crime was that he trusted his life with us," Ahmad added. "What message are we sending out? Those who targeted the tourists cannot be fighting for the rights of Kashmiris. The incident has deeply shocked us all," said Nazir Ahmad, a hotel owner in north Kashmir's Sonamarg tourist resort. "How can anyone claim to be fighting for human rights by violating the rights of others? The guilty need to be exposed," said Bashir Ahmad, a university employee here. Some locals who too condemned the attack added that all innocent killings, including those of Kashmiris, also needed to be denounced. "Nobody will support an attack on an innocent tourist. At the same time, there must be unequivocal condemnation of killings of innocent Kashmiris as well", said Mehrajuddin, a fruit seller in Srinagar. Stone pelting has become a part of street protests in the Kashmir Valley, particularly in Srinagar, the urban hub of a separatist movement that has claimed thousands of lives since 1989. As security personnel advance to disperse mobs, bands of young men attack them with stones and then disappear into narrow lanes. Last week, a school bus came under attack in Shopian, badly injuring a young boy. --IANS sq/mr/sar (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The West Bengal government on Tuesday formed a high-powered committee headed by the Chief Secretary to come up with a fool-proof mechanism so as to check any recurrence of the sensational carcass meat case and also to assure people they can eat without fear. Panic has gripped West Bengal after the police busted the carcass meat selling racket in the city and arrested 12 persons. Police late last month busted the racket involved in processing the flesh of carcasses collected from dumping grounds in and adjoining suburbs and selling it to local restaurants and departmental stores. Police also seized huge quantity of rotten meat from a city cold storage. "People have out of fear stopped taking meat. Lot of people have virtually stopped taking proper food. We want a fool-proof mechanism. "We want to prevent any recurrence of such cases Aand at the same time we want people to eat without fear as per their individual tastes. "We have formed a high level committee under chief secretary (Malay Dey). Seven more members, all principal secretaries of various departments, will be part of the panel Once they come up with a fool-proof mechanism, we will let people know the actions we have taken, so that they can have their meals without fear," Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee told media persons outside the state secretariat Nabanna. She said the carcass meat issue was not confined within the borders of Bengal. "Many of the operators were from areas beyond the state's borders. Police have done a good job by making the arrests." --IANS ssp/vd (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The CBI on Tuesday registered a case against Hyderabad-based Shadan Institute of Medical Sciences and some individuals on charges of criminal conspiracy and under the Prevention of Corruption Act. The case was registered against Santosh Kumar and Sandeep Kumar, both Lower Division Clerks in the Medical Council of India (MCI), private person Sushil Kumar, Shadan Institute of Medical Sciences Teaching Hospital and Research Center and some others. "It was alleged that Sandeep Kumar and Santosh Kumar in collusion with Sushil Kumar were abusing their official positions and taking bribes from various private medical colleges to facilitate their work pending with MCI," a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) official said. It was further alleged that Sandeep and Santosh conspired with Sushil and received a bribe of Rs 4 Lakh from a medical institute in September 2017 for doing an undue favour in a matter related to registration of first-year MBBS students with the MCI for academic year 2016-17. The federal investigating agency said it had conducted searches in Delhi and Hyderabad at the official and residential premises of the accused, including the medical institute. --IANS mgu/nir (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The central government has set up multi-disciplinary groups to choke the flow of funds to the Maoist insurgents, estimated to be crores of rupees annually, an official source said on Tuesday. The Home Ministry has formed groups comprising officers from the Intelligence Bureau, National Investigation Agency, Central Bureau of Investigation, Enforcement Directorate, Directorate of Revenue Intelligence, and state police to tackle the menace. The Ministry said the Maoist movement is financed through a network of dubious activities undertaken by its leaders in execution of government works and schemes, mining contractors, and others. A process has also been initiated to create a separate vertical in the NIA for investigating important cases relating to Left Wing Extremism (LWE), a senior Home Ministry official involved in anti-Maoist operations said. "The central and state agencies have been coordinating and holding regular meetings. Painstaking work by government agencies to gather actionable intelligence has resulted in substantial progress on this front," the official said. The steps are among the moves initiated by the Home Ministry to choke the financial lifeline to the Maoists and also ensure seizure/confiscation of properties of leaders of banned outfits, the official said. The Ministry has found that a large part of the money collected by the Maoists is diverted towards personal wealth of some of their leaders whose children avail of best in education and their families live in comfort while the cadres toil in the jungles in the name of a twisted ideology. It said investigations have revealed that Pradyuman Sharma, member of Bihar Jharkhand Special Area Committee (BJSAC), had paid Rs 22 lakh as admission fee for his niece in a private medical college in 2017. "Sandeep Yadav, another BJSAC member, gave Rs 15 lakh for exchange during demonetisation, said the Ministry, adding this was disclosed by a trader who was asked to exchange the demonetised currency. Yadav's daughter studied in a reputed private institute and his son is studying in another reputed private engineering college. Similarly, another senior LWE leader Arvind Yadav paid Rs 12 lakh towards fee for his brother to study in a private engineering college," it added. The Ministry further accused Maoist leadership of forcing children to join their squads and strongly resist all kind of developmental activities. They pursue double standards for their own children and family in providing them education and other facilities, it added. --IANS rak/tsb/vm (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Congress leader P. Chidambaram on Tuesday urged the Finance Ministers of all states across the country to sign a memorandum against the terms of reference (ToR) of the 15th Finance Commission. The former Union Minister also welcomed the statement of the Finance Ministers of six states/Union Territories -- Andhra Pradesh, Puducherry, Delhi, West Bengal, Punjab and Kerala -- demanding changes in the 15th Finance Commission's (FFC's) ToR. Finance Ministers from these states on Monday drafted a memorandum to this effect. "Welcome statement of FMs of 6 state governments criticising ToR of XV Finance Commission. I appeal to other states' FMs to sign the memorandum," Chidambaram tweeted. --IANS sid-mg/in/bg (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.) Congress leaders in Manipur on Tuesday demanded a clarification from Prime Minister Narendra Modi on reports that there will some autonomy for Nagas in Manipur after a final agreement on the vexed Naga problem is signed. R.N. Ravi, the Centre's interlocutor, told a newspaper recently that the government was pretty close to finalising the Naga Peace accord. One report said that there will be an autonomous Naga territorial council in Naga-majority areas of Manipur and Arunachal Pradesh. The news sparked protests in Manipur. Former Congress MLA N. Bijoy told the media on Tuesday that Modi should not do anything that may affect the social and political scenario in Manipur. Laisom Ibomcha, another former legislator, said: "What was published based on the disclosure of the central interlocutor is against the well-known stand of the Congress. "The merger agreement signed between the Centre and Manipur should be remembered while signing an agreement that will affect Manipur." R.K. Anand of Congress said that the proposed agreement should not be finalised on communal lines. "What had transpired is a mockery of the people of Manipur. Manipur had been granted a Part C status and a territorial council was constituted. "Manipur could demand a Kashmir-like status under the provisions of the merger agreement." He also demanded a categorical clarification by Modi, calling it a very serious issue. Talks have been going on for years between the Central government and Naga outfit NSCN-IM, which wants the unification of the "land of the Nagas" by slicing off Naga-inhabited areas of Assam, Arunachal Pradesh and Manipur to form a Greater Nagaland. --IANS il/him/mr (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Delhi Urban Development Minister Satyendar Jain wants action against officers coming late to office, including a cut in their salary. Jain told Chief Secretary Anshu Prakash in an order dated on Monday to take disciplinary action against erring officers. "In case the officers/officials are not interested in attending the office or/and showing the results by the quantum of work produced, there should not be any hesitation in taking disciplinary action besides deducting their corresponding remuneration," the order said. Jain issued the order after a random inspection of attendance of officers of the Urban Development department last Friday which found that many senior officers were not present at their seats in the morning. "The quantum of work being delivered is very less. Undoubtedly, this is the result of the decision of the officers not to let the government function properly," the order further said. --IANS nkh/pgh/mr (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Is every Bollywood movie a dance movie? How does one define a dance movie? Dance has always been an instrinsic part of films in India. But choreographers like Shiamak Davar and Terence Lewis sense the brewing of a new movement to their advantage -- all thanks to Remo D'Souza's "ABCD: Any Body Can Dance". Late actor Shammi Kapoor prancing around to energetic numbers, Mithun Chakraborty's pelvic thrusts in "Disco dancer" and Govinda's dance moves in songs like "Sarkaye liyo khatia jada lage" and "Ankhiyon se goli mare" -- Bollywood has always had an affair with dance. Now, fast forward to the present, and the rendezvous has got more sophisticated. "'ABCD: Any Body Can Dance' is the start of dance movies. It is a movie which shows hip-hop and street. I don't see exactly a 'Black Swan' (in the future), but (we are) going into that space. We have dance troupes going on seven-month-long tours as a contemporary dance company because we don't have that kind of audience here," Ashley Lobo told IANS. "There will come a time when that kind of work will be in films," added Lobo, who has choreographed in movies like "Rockstar" and "Guzaarish". Choreographers Lobo, Melvin Louis, Terence Lewis and Ganesh Hegde spoke to IANS on behalf of Sony PIX, a channel which often showcases different installments of popular dance film "Step Up". National Award-winning choreographer Davar, who has made icons like Shah Rukh Khan, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, Kareena Kapoor Khan, Kevin Spacey and John Travolta sway to his steps, appreciates the growing culture of dance films. "I think choreographers have a great vision and the ability to translate that into movement or film. It is great to see films that have dance as its core essence. It is a great opportunity for dancers also to find a larger platform and see themselves on the big screen," Davar told IANS. After D'Souza hit jackpot with the "ABCD" franchise, a bevy of dance films charged up with star power of names like Varun Dhawan, Katrina Kaif, Sooraj Pancholi and Isabelle Kaif have been announced. Louis feels it is all about staying in sync with the trend. "Basically everyone wants to make money. It is no more just about passion. It is also because they want commercial success and it is a big market," Louis told IANS, pointing out that the new age dance-based films are captivating the younger lot. Terence, who specialises in Indian folk, contemporary and neo-classical dance forms, said "all our films are dance films if compared to international films". "It is not a new concept in Bollywood," said Terence, expressing the hope of seeing better quality dancing in the movies to come in the future. In fact, the choreographers are working on their own version of dance films. "I'm in the process of writing a dance film based on choreography. It is not in a genre of works which happens in India but more on what happens overseas," Lobo said, sharing that it will be about what an Indian company does on foreign shores. The idea has found its way into the mind of Louis as well. "I'm always thinking about it. It is on my bucket film. I will make a dance movie which will be a crazy dance movie. It will not be stereotypical. I will take it into a very different dimension." Terence, who has choreographed international stage shows, Bollywood shows, Broadway Western musicals and music videos, is also writing a dance film and promises it will be very different. But Hegde doesn't understand what the fuss is about. "We had 'Disco dancer', there was Shammi Kapoor in 'Teesri Manzil' who was looking like Elvis Presley. He was a performer. Just because our stories do not revolve around dance that does not mean that dance movies were not there," said Hegde, known for his work in films like "Black", "Koi...Mil Gaya" and "Khamoshi: The Musical". He feels if a plot is about dance, then it limits the range of the project. "Because someone who is 60 or 70 might not be interested in who wins the dance competition. It might not be a universal subject for everyone." The dance guru feels one should not "concentrate more on making a collage of various dance moves and various dance episodes throughout the film". "It should be a movie first and then dance should help the movie. It should not be about how beautifully you have shot six dance sequences," added Hegde, who hopes to make a movie which stays long in the minds of people. (Sugandha Rawal can be contacted at sugandha.r@ians.in) --IANS sug/rb/vm/sac (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.) Doctors have called for greater efforts to stop the spread of an ancient virus infecting residents across Australia's Northern Territory, the media reported on Tuesday. The rates of human T-cell leukemia virus type 1 (HTLV-1) infection are exceeding 40 per cent among adults in remote regions of central Australia, with indigenous communities being the hardest hit, especially in the town of Alice Springs, reports CNN. HTLV-1 -- an ancient virus whose DNA can be found in 1,500-year-old Andean mummies -- can spread from mother to child, particularly through breastfeeding; between sexual partners, through unprotected sex; and by blood contact, such as through transfusions. Because it can be transmitted through sex, it's considered a sexually transmitted infection, or STI. The virus is associated with serious health problems, such as diseases of the nervous system and a lung-damaging condition called bronchiectasis. HTLV-1 is sometimes called a cousin of the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Many doctors -- including the man who discovered the virus nearly four decades ago -- are raising the alarm about how little has been done to prevent, test for and treat HTLV-1, which can cause leukemia and lymphoma. "The prevalence is off the charts" in Australia, said Robert Gallo, co-founder and director of the Institute of Human Virology at the University of Maryland School of Medicine, whose laboratory was the first to detect HTLV-1 in 1979 and publish the finding in 1980. Yet "nobody that I know of in the world has done anything about trying to treat this disease before", said Gallo, who is also co-founder and scientific director of the Global Virus Network and chairs the network's HTLV-1 Task Force. A study published in the Medical Journal of Australia in 1993 found that HTLV-1 was endemic among natives in inland Australia, with a high 13.9 per cent prevalence in the Alice Springs area, reports CNN. However, it remains unclear whether the sample in that old study was of the same population currently experiencing a higher prevalence rate. --IANS ksk (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Europe will stand by the international nuclear accord with Iran, EU Foreign Policy chief Federica Mogherini said in a live press statement in Rome on Tuesday in response to American President Donald Trump's announcement that the US is withdrawing from the deal. "The EU is determined to preserve it," she said. "We expect the rest of the international community to continue to preserve it, for the sake of collective security." "The nuclear accord belongs to the whole of the international community," Mogherini added. "To the Iranian people I say: do not let anyone dismantle this deal, one of the greatest achievements of the international community." "I am particularly worried about tonight's announcement of further sanctions," she said, adding that the deal with Iran "is the culmination of 12 years of diplomacy." The international agreement, which limited the Iran's nuclear programme in return for sanctions relief, was negotiated under former US President Barack Obama in 2015. Trump, who promised to dismantle the deal during his 2016 electoral campaign, claims that Iran has continued to enrich uranium for military purposes. --IANS ahm/ (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) "Come what may, we will win," said Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis after former Congress minister Rajendra Gavit was announced as the BJP candidate for the Palghar Lok Sabha constituency on Tuesday. A former minister and legislator from Palghar Assembly constituency, Gavit quit the Congress and formally joined the Bharatiya Janata Party on Tuesday and was rewarded with the party nomination by state BJP President Raosaheb Patil-Danve and Fadnavis. Virtually accusing ally Shiv Sena of back-stabbing, Fadnavis said the BJP was on the verge of finalizing the name of a family member of the sitting party MP, Chintamani Vanga, who died on January 30. "However, the Vanga family had no faith in us. They have been misguided by some elements and we know who they are. We still appeal to the Shiv Sena to support the BJP candidate in Palghar just as we supported them always in the past," Fadnavis said. "Come what may, we shall win Palghar seat. This was the BJP seat. What the Shiv Sena has done is wrong. Winning it would be a fitting tribute to the late Chintaman Vanga," Fadnavis told a media conference here. Gavit's entry to the BJP came hours after the Shiv Sena's massive show of strength in Palghar in support of its candidate, Srinivas Vanga, the late MP's son who filled his nomination papers for the Lok Sabha election of May 28. Accusing the BJP of ignoring them after the death of Chintaman Vanga, the entire Vanga family shocked the BJP by joining the Shiv Sena last week though Fadnavis and other top leaders made frantic attempts to wean them back to the party fold. Patil-Danve claimed that all the voters of Palghar, party activists, legislators, civic leaders and others supporters were still with BJP, hinting that the Vanga family had left in virtual isolation. Contrary to intense political speculation, the BJP decided to field Gavit - a rank newcomer to the party fold from the Congress - for the crucial Palghar reserved constituency, around 100 km north of Mumbai. In a sharp reaction, Maharashtra Congress President Ashok Chavan said Gavit had already lost two elections in the past. "The BJP is accusing the Shiv Sena of wrongdoing by fielding ex-MP Chintaman Vanga's son. So, is the BJP doing right by taking away leaders from other parties and then giving them party ticket," Chavan asked. Meanwhile, a four-cornered, high-stake contest is likely to take place in Palghar with the Shiv Sena, BJP, Congress and a local force, Bahujan Vikas Aghadi (BVA) announcing they will contest the elections. --IANS qn/mr (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) It'll be four-in-a-row for Michelin starred Chef Vikas Khanna at Cannes when the first look of his directoral debut "The Last Colour" that revolves around the widows of Vrindavan is unveiled on Wednesday. "The film is about girl education and girl empowerment. I had written the (similarly titled) short story in 2011 when I was shooting in Vrindavan where I was researching around UTSAV (his culinary epic of Indian festivals)," Khanna told IANS in an email interview. "More than the Holi celebrations, I was drawn to stories of some widows who were not playing Holi. I imagined, in my short story, the glorious day when their hope and faith will be filled with colours. "In 2012, I saw on the American Yahoo homepage the stunning images filled with emotions when they played Holi. "There were a million sentiments in those images, especially the one in which an elderly woman was lying on a ground smeared with colours. She was laughing and crying at the same time. "That's when I turned my short story into a novel. But the visits to the ashrams of Vrindavan and Varanasi gave me more stories for this celebration," Khanna added, detailing the journey of the short story to a novel and now to a film. Speaking about the production, how it was working with children, particularly the actor who plays Choti, the protagonist who befiends a widow, Khanna said he had auditioned many children through agencies, schools and NGOs but when he went to New Delhi's Zeenat Mahal School, he "truly respected the energy" of the Principal, Meena Kumari. "She was so encouraging for the girls and that reflected in the confidence of her students. There we did several auditions and then we met Aqsa Siddiqui. She was Choti. Our Choti. "She is a topper in her class and very bright. She went through a lot of workshops before and during the shoot. Her innocence, brilliance and spontaneity were very inspiring for the crew. "We used to take her to the ghats to observe and talk to the children and understand their energy, she picked up the role very genuinely," Khanna explained. The film is currently in post-production and will first do a round of film festivals. "And then, God willing, what will happen will happen," Khanna said. Khanna made his debut in 2015 at Cannes with the release of UTSAV, a limited edition 30 kg, 1,200-page labour of love that took 12 years to compile and was presented to a host of world leaders. The 12th copy of the book was auctioned for Rs 30 lakh that went to feed 200,000 underprivileged children through an NGO he supports. "In 2016, we premiered 'Kitchens of Gratitude', a short documentary that showcased the power of food and how it binds us. It was truly inspiring to be in the company of such great and legendary filmmakers from around the world," Khanna had told IANS at the time. In 2017, the trailer of "Buried Seeds", a timeless story of passion, resilience, failure and rise as seen through Khanna's eyes and which follows the journey of an immigrant past and overwhelming obstacles in achieving his dreams, made its debut at Cannes. How does it feel to be featuring at Cannes for the fourth time in a row? "It is very humbling. But at the same time it brings great satisfaction to be able to bring such diversified art to a platform like Cannes which is the epitome of art," Khanna replied. What's cooking on the culinary front? "A lot. Just working on research of 'Sacred Foods of India'. Lots coming this year end on grains. A big global project to be announced," he said. What of the future? "I have always believed in the Universe's path. Where I started from two decades ago, till today, I have always worked on what comes my way. For reincarnation of the arts, it is necessary to walk on new paths. (Vishnu Makhijani can be contacted at vishnu.makhijani@ians.in) --IANS vm/in/sac (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.) France, Germany and Britain regretted the US decision to leave the Iran nuclear deal signed in 2015, French President Emmanuel Macron said on Tuesday on twitter. "The nuclear non-proliferation regime is at stake," Macron said. "We will work collectively on a broader framework, covering nuclear activity, the post-2025 period, ballistic activity, and stability in the Middle East, notably Syria, Yemen, and Iraq." A Downing Street spokesperson said British Prime Minister Theresa May held a joint telephone call with German Chancellor Angela Merkel and Macron earlier on Tuesday evening. "They discussed the US President's announcement and agreed their continuing commitment to the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action," the spokesperson said. US President Donald Trump announced at the White House that the US will withdraw from the landmark 2015 accord. Trump, who promised to dismantle the deal during his 2016 electoral campaign, claims that Iran has continued to enrich uranium for military purposes. The landmark deal, known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), was struck between Iran and the five permanent members of the United Nations Security Council -- China, France, Russia, Britain and the US -- plus Germany and the EU, in Vienna in 2015. European Council President Donald Tusk on Tuesday also expressed his disapproval over Trump's decision to pull out of the deal, saying the move "will meet a united European approach". --IANS ahm/ (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) In a volatile session, the key domestic equity indices ceded their initial gains to end Tuesday's trade on a flat-to-positive note as weak global cues eroded investors' risk-taking appetite. According to market analysts, heavy selling pressure in consumer durables and capital goods stocks trimmed the overall gains made earlier in the day's trade. Index-wise, the broader Nifty50 of the National Stock Exchange (NSE) closed at 10,717.80 points -- up 2.30 points or 0.02 per cent -- from its previous close. The barometer 30-scrip Sensitive Index (Sensex), which opened at 35,349.85 points, closed at 35,216.32 points -- up 8.18 points or 0.02 per cent -- from its previous session's close. The Sensex touched a high of 35,388.87 points and a low of 35,136.01 during the intra-day trade. The BSE market breadth was tilted towards the bears with 1,523 declines and 1,161 advances. In the broader market segment, both S&P BSE mid-cap and small cap closed by 0.10 per cent higher from their previous closing levels. "Markets ended with marginal gains on Tuesday after a minor sell off in the afternoon session saw the Nifty giving up its morning gains," said Deepak Jasani, Head, Retail Research, HDFC Securities. "Major Asian markets have closed on a mixed note. European indices like CAC 40 and DAX traded in the red," Jasani told IANS. Vinod Nair, Head of Research, Geojit Financial Services said: "Market turned volatile as investors' are concerned on the movement of rupee and surge in oil price which could eventually lead to tight monetary policy." "Albeit, banks outperformed as sentiment improved on account of early recognition of stressed assets. Continued outflow of foreign money will keep rupee on tenterhook while increasing GST collection and RBIs open market operation may soften the volatility." Besides, investors were concerned over a further rise in international crude oil prices as a result of US moving away from the 2015 Iran Nuclear Deal. On the currency front, the Indian rupee strengthened by 27 paise to 67.08 against the US dollar from its previous close at 67.14 per greenback. In terms of investments, provisional data with the exchanges showed that foreign institutional investors sold scrips worth Rs 97.15 crore, while the domestic institutional investors purchased stocks worth Rs 923.25 crore. Sector-wise, the S&P BSE banking index rose by 381.62 points, the oil and gas stocks edged-up by 52.51 points and the finance stocks rose by 26.12 points. On the other hand, the S&P BSE consumer durables index fell by 183.10 points, the capital goods stocks dropped 165.05 points and the auto stocks ended 108.36 points lower. The major gainers on the Sensex were ICICI Bank, up 6.86 per cent at Rs 309.25; State Bank of India, up 1.42 per cent at Rs 250; Axis Bank, up 1.18 per cent at Rs 541.25; Power Grid, up 1.14 per cent at Rs 212.15; and Tata Motors (DVR), up 0.74 per cent at Rs 189.60 per share. The top losers were Mahindra and Mahindra, down 2.26 per cent at Rs 865.60; IndusInd Bank, down 1.78 per cent at Rs 1,851.25; Larsen and Toubro, down 1.70 per cent at Rs 1,364.85; Infosys, down 1.52 per cent at Rs 1,165.35; and Yes Bank, down 1.19 per cent at Rs 343.35 per share. --IANS rrb-rv/vm (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Himachal Pradesh cabinet on Tuesday approved major amendments to the state's hydropower policy to speed up the upcoming projects. It decided to defer 12 per cent free power for the first 12 years in the allotted projects. The Cabinet, headed by Chief Minister Jai Rama Thakur, gave approval to rationalise the rates of royalty for allotment of new projects in view of the national hydropower policy and provisions of bordering states of Uttarakhand and Jammu and Kashmir, a government spokesperson told IANS. Besides approving to defer 12 per cent free power for the first 12 years for the already allotted projects, the Cabinet approved that power of projects up to 10 MW would be purchased by the state electricity board. Also, it was approved that generic tariff applicable in case of hydro-electric projects up to 25 MW will be of the date of the commissioning and not of the date of the implementation agreement. It approved that wheeling charges or open access charges will not be levied for hydro-electric projects up to 25 MW, enabling them to sell power at competitive rates outside the state too. All these steps will ensure that the 737 stalled projects of around 5,100 MW will get a lifeline and their execution will be geared up, said the spokesperson. Moreover, it will be possible to allot 300 projects of 2,200 MW for which there were no takers despite repeated advertisements under the old policy. All these steps will catalyse private investment in the hydropower sector at least to the tune of Rs 70,000 crore over the next 10 years, he added. In another decision, the Cabinet decided to allocate the 66 MW Dhaulasidh hydro project on the Beas river in Hamirpur district to state-run SJVN Ltd for implementation on standalone, build, own, operate and maintain (BOOM) basis instead of a special purpose vehicle. Of the total potential of about 24,000 MW, a potential to the tune of 20,912 MW has been allotted under various sectors. A potential of 10,519 MW has already been harnessed so far, says the Economic Survey 2017-18 report. The Cabinet also approved guidelines for the implementation of the 'Prakritik Kheti Khushhal Kissan' scheme in the state to reduce the cost of cultivation and enhanced farm income by adopting zero budget natural farming. The scheme will give a new fillip to organic farming and reduce the use of chemical fertilisers by the farmers. For setting up a cement plant, it decided to issue a 'letter of intent' for grant of mining lease for setting up a white cement plant at Noradhar in Sirmaur district to FCI Aravali Gypsum and Minerals India Ltd, a government undertaking. --IANS vg/pgh/bg (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The central government on Tuesday accorded its 'in-principle' approval to the UP state government for setting up of the second international airport in the national capital region (NCR) at Jewar, Greater Noida. Besides, an in-principle site clearance to a greenfield international airport at Purander, Pune was also accorded. "Accepting the recommendations made by the steering committee on greenfield airports, (Minister for Civil Aviation) Suresh Prabhu today accorded site clearance approval to the Greenfield International Airport at Purander, Pune," the Ministry of Civil Aviation said in a statement. "The Minister also accorded 'in-principle' approval to the government of Uttar Pradesh for setting up of Noida International Greenfield Airport at the North of Jewar Village, Utta Pradesh." Earlier, the ministry had granted "site clearance" to the Noida International Greenfield Airport on July 6, 2017. The UP government had then appointed Yamuna Expressway Industrial Development Authority (YEIDA) as the implementing agency on its behalf in October 2017. YEIDA has obtained the "No Objection Certificate" (NOC) from the Ministry of Defence on January 11, 2018. "With the Minister's approval today the YEIDA has got in-principle approval for setting up of Noida International Greenfield Airport at North of Jewar village, Uttar Pradesh," the statement said. On the greenfield airport at Purander, Pune, the statement said: "One of the conditions of site clearance approval to Pune Greenfield Airport is that the Mahashtra Airport Development Company Ltd - MADC, the agency executing the project, will try not to close the existing Pune airport." "It will accordingly take up the matter with Ministry of Defence and will try to make both the airports available for civil use. With the grant of site clearance approval, the MADC, may proceed with preparation of Techno Economic Feasibility Report and Detailed Project Report." --IANS rv/vm (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) India and Guatemala have agreed to support each other's candidature for non-permanent membership in the UN Security Council (UNSC). The decision was one of the several outcomes of the extensive talks Vice President M. Venkaiah Naidu held with the President, Vice President and Parliament Speaker of Guatemala here on Monday to push bilateral relations to a new level. "Guatemala will support India's candidature for UNSC membership for 2021-22 while New Delhi will do so for 2031-32 for Guatemala," an official release said. Vice President Naidu's visit to Guatemala is the highest level trip from either side since the establishment of diplomatic ties between the two countries in 1972. Presenting the context of his first overseas visit as Vice President, Naidu told Guatemalan leaders that "India is keen about enhancing its engagement with Latin America and looks at Guatemala, the most populous and biggest economy in Central America, as the gateway. "My visit to Guatemala is a clear indication of this thinking in New Delhi. Going by trade patterns and consumption needs, we are complementary in nature and not competitors and need to take our relation to a new high taking advantage of emerging opportunities in both countries for mutual benefit," the release said quoting Naidu as saying. Guatemalan President Jimmy Morales said his country could benefit from the "successful economic story of India" and stressed the need for improving bilateral engagement in various fields. Morales also referred to the huge popularity of India-made two-wheelers, given their quality and after sale service in Guatemala beating the popular competitors. During his detailed discussion with Guatemalan Vice President Jateth Cabrera Franco and Speaker of Parliament Alvaro Arzu Escobar, Naidu suggested setting up parliamentary friendship group to promote interaction among MPs from both sides. India agreed to Guatemala's request to supply solar panels to its airports, the release said. Both sides signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for training of diplomats and a Letter of Intent for training Guatemalan English teachers in India. Guatemalan Vice President invited India to send a delegation to the Conference of Ibero America to be held in Guatemala City in November - which is to be attended by all the Latin American countries besides Spain and Portugal. This is the first time India has been invited for the conference held once in three years. Naidu invited Guatemala to join the International Solar Alliance (ISA). --IANS rak/pgh/mr (Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Iranian President Hassan Rouhani on Tuesday stressed that Tehran has always complied to its commitments to the nuclear pact, while the US has never complied with its commitments. Rouhani made the remarks shortly after US President Donald Trump announced his decision to withdraw from the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), Press TV reported. The European Union, France, the United Kingdom, and Germany have expressed regret over Trump's decision about the deal. Iran has on numerous occasions said that its nuclear programme is merely peaceful and not meant to make nukes. --IANS ahm/ (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Aam Aadmi Party on Tuesday asked Congress Delhi chief Ajay Maken if he was joining the BJP, as his objections to various government projects hinted at it. "Maken is creating obstacles again and again for the Delhi government's projects. I wonder if he is following the orders of the Bharatiya Janata Party," AAP Delhi Convenor Gopal Rai told the media here. "Is Maken joining BJP?" he asked. Dismissing allegations of the Congress that there was a scam in the CCTV installation project, Rai said: "The government is following the procedure and the cost of project has increased as the initial amount was only an estimate." The Congress' Delhi unit on Monday termed the Delhi government's CCTV project a "big scam". The Congress was repeatedly trying to stop the public interest projects of the AAP government, he said. Rai also said that Maken did the same thing with the Mohalla Clinics and it was due to the latter's application that the work got delayed by eight months. AAP leader Atishi Marlena said the Congress in its 15-year rule had not done anything for the safety of women. "Maken claims he is concerned about women's security, but what did his party do in its 15-year rule," said Marlena. --IANS nks/in/bg (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Chinese President Xi Jinping and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un met surreptitiously for a second time in less than two months, a development which reflects growing proximity between the two countries ahead of Pyongyang ruler's crucial meet with US President Donald Trump this month. The two met on Monday and Tuesday in Dalian city of China's Liaoning province that borders North Korea, Xinhua news agency said. "Comrade Chairman made a special trip to China to meet me again just after 40-odd days at a crucial time when the Korean peninsula situation is undergoing profound and complex changes," Xi was quoted as saying by the state news agency. This is their second meeting after their first secret one in Beijing in late March. The development came ahead of the Kim-Trump most likely talks in Singapore. This also came after the mercurial leader vowed to denuclearise the Korean peninsula and end the decades-long war with South Korea. Xi held talks with Kim and hosted a welcome banquet for him. Together, they also took a stroll and attended a luncheon, the agency said. In a cordial and friendly atmosphere, both leaders had an all-round and in-depth exchange of views on China-North Korea relations and major issues of common concern. Shortly after the news of Kim-Xi meeting, Trump said he would speak with the Chinese President on North Korea. "I will be speaking to my friend, President Xi of China," he tweeted. "The primary topics will be trade, where good things will happen, and North Korea, where relationships and trust are building." North Korea's state media reported that Kim travelled to Dalian via a special plane and was accompanied by his sister Kim Yo-jong and Ri Su-yong, a vice party chairman on international affairs. The Kim-Xi meet could well be read as a sign that China has the influence over North Korea, which is dependent on Beijing in terms of food and other imports. China is the only ally of North and their ties date back to the Korean War of 1950-53 when Beijing stood by Pyongyang against the South. However, the ties have been on a downhill since 2006 when the North conducted its first nuclear test despite giving assurance to China that it won't do so. Tempers frayed in 2017 when Kim's regime fired-off series of ballistic missiles embarrassing Beijing and prompting it into giving a go-ahead to the UN sanctions. --IANS gsh/soni/mr (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi on Tuesday made a strong attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi, accusing him of being intolerant and also that the stomach of the poor cannot be filled by his oratory. Addressing a rally here hours after Modi spoke, she lashed out at his government, saying it had discriminated against Karnataka. "Modiji is besotted with Congress-free India. Leave Congress-free India, he cannot even tolerate anyone in front of him," Gandhi said in her first rally in about two years. She said Modi may be a good speaker but speeches alone cannot solve problems of the people. "He (Modi) is proud of his oratory skills. If his oratory can fill hungry stomachs, he must speak more often. Speeches cannot fill the stomach of the hungry. Speeches cannot empower women, cure those suffering from diseases, it cannot create employment. For all this you need strong commitment, determination and good intention," she said. Lauding the Siddaramaiah government for its initiatives concerning the poor and the farmers, she urged people to defeat the BJP over its "jumlas". "BJP people come, make false promises, create hatred and return. I know that you will unmask each of their jumlas and form a Congress government with clear majority," Gandhi said in her brief speech. She said that ending corruption was among tall promises of Modi but he had failed to appoint a Lokpal. Gandhi also targeted Modi over allegations concerning Reddy brothers and about spurt in turnover of a company linked to BJP chief Amit Shah's son Jay Shah. "What is his model of ending corruption. Wherever he addresses rallies in Karnataka, there are people around him. Will you adopt their model or you will adopt model of your closest associate," she said. She said Chief Minister Siddaramaiah had sought time to meet Modi but an appointment was not given. "He (Modi) has insulted the people of Karnataka. It is surprising that states which faced drought were given crores of rupees but Karnataka was given the least. This was like adding salt to the injury of farmers of Karnataka. Is this your 'Sabka saath, sabka vikas'?" she asked. Claiming that the Modi government over the past four years had carried out only one task - of ending the good works of the UPA government, she accused him of speaking lies and distorting historical facts. "The country is shocked at PM Modi's wrongful statements and at his attempts at using the legacy of our freedom fighters for political gains," she said. --IANS ps-bns/vd (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Prime Minister Narendra Modi and UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi squared off in Karnataka on Tuesday attacking each other with Modi accusing her and her son Rahul of destroying Congress to save the "dynasty" while she said "only speeches do not fill empty stomachs". The two leaders took on each other when they addressed election rallies in this district within hours, raising political temperatures in what is perceived as a close fight. It was Sonia Gandhi's first election rally in about two years and only one in Karnataka and her presence underscored the significance the party attaches to the electoral verdict in the May 12 election. The face-off came in the district associated with Lord Basaveshwara, a 12th century social reformer and philosopher who founded the Lingayat religious order. Both the parties are making hard efforts to woo the numerically-significant community. Modi, who addressed a rally in the afternoon, made a sharp attack at Rahul Gandhi and Sonia Gandhi saying that the party was being destroyed to save a dynasty. "One thing is clear that the dynasty furthering which the Congress destroyed the nation, today to save that dynasty, Congress party is getting destroyed", he said. Sonia Gandhi, who addressed a rally in the evening, accused Modi of making wrong statements and using freedom fighters like pawns of chess for his political interests. She said Modi may be a good speaker but speeches alone cannot solve problems of the people. Modi targeted the ruling Siddaramaiah government, saying there was not even a single minister "who has not faced allegations of corruption." Referring to the Congress government's move to grant minority community status to Lingayat community, Modi accused it of trying to gain votes by seeking to divide communities. "Bhagwan Basaveshwara conveyed that everyone should be taken along. This Congress government is dividing communities, castes, voters... divide and rule, pit one against the other. They want to save their chair. But Congress leaders do not know this is the land of Bhagwan Basaveshwara. It is not going to be divided into communities and will not accept division among brothers. They will remove the Congress but will not allow poison of casteism," Modi said. He claimed the Congress was spreading lies on the issue of women's security and said that a daughter is a daughter irrespective of the community she belongs to. The Prime Minister also accused the Congress of not supporting the triple talaq bill in the Rajya Sabha. Referring to Rahul Gandhi, he said Congress was in such a position that their leaders did not have faith in their 'naamdar' (dynast) leader. Modi said he had on Monday watched an interview of a Congress leader who said that the son (Congress President Rahul Gandhi) "will not be able to do anything". "If you bring the mother (Sonia) to Karnataka and she does something, then maybe the deposits can be saved. This is what Congress leaders have started speaking," he said. Sonia Gandhi said that Modi speaks "wrong wherever he goes." " "He takes liberty with history, uses our freedom fighters like pawns of chess for his political interests. Does it behove a prime minister. Have you seen a prime minister earlier who resorts to empty talk but stays quiet on real issues, does not speak a word on the"." She accused Modi government of not fulfilling its promises." "Which promise has been fulfilled. What has Modiji done for the farmers, what has he done for employment to youth, what did he do for the middle class. Modiji what did you do for security of women, children, backward classes, dalits and minoritie"," she asked. She accused him of being intolerant and discriminating against Karnataka. She said Modi was proud of his oratory skills and she agrees that he was"a "big orator and gives speeches like an act"r."" "If his oratory can fill hungry stomachs, he must speak more often. Speeches cannot fill the stomach of the hungry. Speeches cannot empower women, cure those suffering from diseases, it cannot create employment. For all this you need strong commitment, determination and good intention," she said. "Modiji is besotted with Congress-free India. Leave Congress-free India, he cannot even tolerate anyone in front of him," she added. Lauding the Siddaramaiah government for its initiatives concerning the poor and the farmers including farm loan waiver, she urged people to defeat the BJP over its "jumlas". She said that ending corruption was among tall promises of Modi but he had failed to appoint a Lokpal. Gandhi also targeted Modi over allegations concerning Reddy brothers and about spurt in turnover of a company linked to BJP chief Amit Shah's son Jay Shah. "What is his model of ending corruption. Wherever he addresses rallies in Karnataka, there are people around him. Will you adopt their model or you will adopt model of your closest associate," she said. She said Chief Minister Siddaramaiah had sought time to meet Modi concerning farmers but an appointment was not given and people of the state were insulted. Modi, who addressed another rally at Koppal, took a dig at Rahul Gandhi saying one who is born with a golden spoon would never understand the difficulties of the poor and the importance of Swachh Bharat campaign. Modi said the BJP believes in "Rashtra Bhakti" and serving the society unlik" the Congress "whose only concern"is one family." --IANS ps/vsc/vm (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi on Tuesday said that she agrees with Prime Minister Narendra Modi that he is a big orator and speaks like an actor, but wherever he goes, he speaks the wrong things. "Modi takes pride in his ability to deliver good speeches. I completely agree that he is a good orator and speaks like an actor... But the country is surprised that wherever he goes, he speaks wrong," she said addressing her first election rally in about two years. "He takes liberty with history, uses our freedom fighters like pawns of chess for his political interests. Does it behove a Prime Minister? Have you seen a Prime Minister earlier who resorts to empty talk but stays quiet on real issues, does not speak a word on the real issues," she added. She said the Congress government in Karnataka had made it "number one" state in the country, and the Siddaramaiah government had waived off loans of 22 lakh farmers when they faced difficulties. She said that due to policies of the state government, Karnataka is among the top three exporting states in the country for fruits, vegetables and spices. Gandhi said that it is unfortunate that the opposition parties of Congress have always opposed these effective plans. "BJP and Modi himself had mocked us when we had started Mahatma Gandhi NREGA scheme to provide jobs to people across the country," she said. She accused Modi government of not fulfilling its promises. "Which promise has been fulfilled. What has Modiji done for the farmers, what has he done for employment to youth, what did he do for the middle class? Modiji, what did you do for security of women, children, backward classes, dalits and minorities," she asked. "If his oratory can fill hungry stomachs, he must speak more often. Speeches cannot fill the stomach of the hungry. Speeches cannot empower women, cure those suffering from diseases, it cannot create employment. For all this you need strong commitment, determination and good intention," she added. --IANS mgu-ps/vd (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Muslims and members from the civil society on Tuesday met Gurugram Divisional Commissioner D. Suresh and sought open space for namaz and an amicable solution to the situation arising from the activities of rightwing outfits. A meeting was called to plan a response to the ongoing campaign by the Sanyukt Hindu Sangharsh Samiti to disrupt open air Friday namaz in Gurugram. The delegation demanded that the administration protect those offering of namaz at current locations and sought short-term and long-term solutions to the issue. "Reclaiming Waqf Board land and plots is a long process. As a short-term solution, the administration must ensure peaceful namaz at current locations which are over 100 in number," said Ishrat Thameem, a management consultant. Documentary filmmaker Rahul Rao and Saba Diwan, who were also part of the group, said there were just 15 mosques in the city while the population of Muslim community was in lakhs. "There is a need to build more mosques. The locals are anguished and disturbed over the turn of events in the past few days and want the administration to resolve it amicably," said Roy. They also demanded that the authority must direct the Town and Country Planning department to provide government plots to build mosques. Officer D. Suresh said the administration would be more vigilant and firm on troublemakers. He appealed to Muslims to show restraint. "Those suspected of creating trouble are being identified," the officer said. Controversy erupted on April 20 when some locals objected to the namaaz, alleging that some people offering the prayers chanted 'Pakistan Zindabad' and 'Hindustan Murdabad'. Later, six persons were arrested after a FIR was filed for allegedly disrupting the Muslim prayers at a ground in Sector 53 and threatening those offering prayers. They got bail on April 29 on technical grounds. --IANS pradeep/mr (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Data storage and management company NetApp on Tuesday unveiled a new Data Visionary Engineering Center (DVEC) in India to help customers and partners collaborate, innovate, educate and drive digital transformation in the Asia-Pacific region. Customers and partners in the US attended a concurrent grand opening of NetApp's Data Visionary Center in Sunnyvale, California, the company said in a statement. "The DVEC will offer clarity to customers and partners looking to learn more about industry trends, flash storage, Hybrid Cloud and other data centre IT technologies," said Anil Valluri, President, NetApp India and Saarc. Located within the NetApp Global Center of Excellence in the Bengaluru campus in Hoodi, Whitefield, DVEC offers an interactive and high-touch experience to its customers. The Bengaluru DVEC joins three other DVC centres in Sunnyvale, California; Triangle Park, North Carolina and in Amsterdam, the Netherlands. "Through this new facility, customers in India can now embrace the opportunities presented by new technologies with the confidence that comes from our 25-year legacy of managing data," added Deepak Visweswaraiah, Senior Vice President and Managing Director of NetApp India. The company said that with this offering, customers would have access to customised sessions on topics tailored to specific concerns and needs of the business. --IANS sku/gb/bg (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari will arrive in London on Tuesday for a health checkup. Buhari, who returned from the US last week, announced the trip on Twitter on Monday evening. "I will be travelling to the UK tomorrow, to see my doctor, at his request. Will be away for four days; back in Abuja on May 12." Buhari went on two medical visits in 2017. The first, which lasted for two months, took place in January while the other, a three-month stay, was in June, Efe news reported. It is not known what the 74-year-old President is suffering from. Buhari announced in April that he would run for re-election in a vote scheduled for February 2019. --IANS soni/bg (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.) Hardly 5-10 per cent of sexual assault victims across the country were able to get compensation under the relevant schemes in various states, the National Legal Services Authority (NALSA) told the Supreme Court on Tuesday. A bench of Justice Madan B. Lokur and Justice Deepak Gupta was told that maximum 10 per cent victims were getting compensation under the schemes. NALSA said as per the data of Andhra Pradesh, of the 901 cases lodged in 2017, only one victim has received compensation. In 2016, 840 such cases were lodged in Andhra Pradesh but only eight victims got compensation, said the NALSA data, adding that of the 1,028 cases registered in 2017 under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act in the state, only 11 victims were compensated. In Rajasthan, 3,305 such cases were registered in 2017 and 140 victims received compensation. In Bihar, 1,199 FIRs of sexual assault were lodged in 2017 but only 82 victims were compensated, revealed the data. After the December 16, 2012 gang-rape and murder case in Delhi, the Central government in 2013 announced a Nirbhaya Fund scheme to support the initiatives of the governments and the NGOs working for women's safety. The court was hearing petitions filed after the gangrape case in 2012, raising concerns over the safety and security of women. --IANS gt/him/vm (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Armenia's Parliament on Tuesday elected opposition leader Nikol Pashinyan as the country's new Prime Minister, two weeks after massive anti-government protests led to his predecessor Serzh Sargsyan's resignation. Pashinyan, who leads the liberal Yelk ("Way Out") coalition, spearheaded weeks of protests which brought an end to 10 years of rule by Sargsyan, the BBC reported. He received 59 votes from his fellow lawmakers in the National Assembly, six more than the minimum needed to become head of government. Minutes after his election, Pashinyan vowed to bring "big changes" to the small Caucasian nation of barely 3 million inhabitants. Pashinyan, who led what has become known as Armenia's "Velvet Revolution", promised MPs that human rights would be protected and that corruption and election-rigging would end. "All people are equal before the law. There will be no people enjoying privileges in Armenia. That's it. Full stop," he said. Armenia is dependent on Russia for its security and has a Russian military base on its territory. Its peaceful uprising against single-party rule is seen as unprecedented for a former Soviet state, the BBC said. Pashinyan told MPs that relations with Moscow would be a priority, particularly military co-operation. Russian President Vladimir Putin welcomed Pashinyan's success, looking forward to continuing "friendly relations". Pashinyan promised snap elections as soon as "the conditions are right for a legitimate vote to take place". He said he had no intention to cling to power but will first have to persuade Parliament to approve his Cabinet. Last Tuesday, Parliament -- controlled by the rival Republican Party -- had rejected his candidacy to replace Sargsyan. Protesters rallied against what they said was a "corrupt, oligarchic and nepotist government that had burdened them with a lack of opportunities". Pashinyan, 42, is a former journalist and editor who in 2013 co-founded the political party Civil Contract, which went on to join forces with the parties Bright Armenia and Republic to form the centrist Yelk alliance that obtained only nine assembly seats in the 2017 parliamentary elections. --IANS soni/vm (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Pakistan has invited neighbouring Iran to resume the stalled talks over the Iran-Pakistan Gas Pipeline project, Pakistan's local media reports said on Tuesday. The News quoted a senior official at the Petroleum Division of the Ministry of Power as saying that the Islamabad has extended an invitation to the Tehran to visit Pakistan and conduct negotiations on the Gas Pipeline Project before the Holy month of Ramadan, which sets in during the third week of May. Pakistan and Iran had signed the Gas Sales Purchase Agreement (GSPA) in 2009, according to which Pakistan was liable to pay a fine of $1 million per day if it was unable to take gas supplies from Iran. With the gas pipeline project hitting the roadblocks, Iran sought $1.2 billion in damages from Pakistan in February this year as per the penalty clause from January 1, 2015. The Iranian government has threatened to file an international arbitration case against Pakistan at The Hague for unilaterally shelving the two-country gas pipeline project. Pakistan's Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi recently instructed the Petroleum Division to invite the Iranian authorities to visit Pakistan for negotiations over the Gas Pipeline Project. The directives were issued after Secretary Petroleum Division dispatched an internal note to the country's premier about Iran's endeavours to involve international arbitration court seeking damages worth $1.2 billion. The Iran-Pakistan Gas Pipeline Project has been in the peril for more than three years. Iranian government has already completed construction of the pipeline on its side of the project. It was reported during late months of 2016 that Pakistan has put an end to the pipeline project owing to political pressure from a Gulf country. Pakistan said it failed to raise funds for the gas pipeline project largely due to the sanctions on Iran by the United States and the United Nations. The Islamabad requested the Tehran for force majeure to avoid penalty worth $1 million per day but the neighbouring country refused to pay heed to the request. Iran's demand for $1.2 billion in damages is almost equal to the total cost of the project. --IANS ahm/ (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Pakistan's National Assembly (NA) unanimously passed the Acid and Burn Crime Bill 2017 here on Tuesday. The bill was presented in the Lower House by Marvi Memon, who has the status of a minister of state, the Nation daily reported. According to the bill, free medical treatment and rehabilitation will be provided to the acid burn victims. It also outlined a plan to conduct trials of accused in the shortest period of time. Speaking on the occasion, Memon thanked the government and the opposition benches for their support in passing the bill. "The purpose of the bill is to support the victims and bring to justice the culprits at the earliest," she said. According to the latest statistics of Acid Survivors Foundation Pakistan, a non-government organisation dedicated to raising awareness and preventing acid attacks and providing survivors with medical and legal aid, there were 71 reported acid attack cases in 2016 and 69 in 2015. In 2014, 153 acid attack cases were reported and 109 in 2013. According to the statistics, the majority of the victims of acid violence were females. --IANS soni/vm (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) US Attorney Jeff Sessions has said that Washington will take a stricter stance on illegal crossings at the Mexico border by separating parents from children, rather than keeping them together in detention centres, the media reported. "If you are smuggling a child then we will prosecute you, and that child will be separated from you as required by law," Time magazine quoted Sessions as saying on Monday at a law enforcement event in Scottsdale, Arizona. "If you don't like that, then don't smuggle children over our border. "If you cross this border unlawfully, then we will prosecute you. It's that simple," Sessions added, describing the new policy as zero tolerance. "We are dealing with a massive influx of illegal aliens across our Southwest Border. But we're not going to stand for this." He said "11 million people are already here illegally. That's more than the population of Portugal or the state of Georgia", adding that illegal border crossings "must end". Sessions ramped up legal resources at the border, sending 35 federal prosecutors and 18 immigration judges to the southwest region to assist with an expected increase in border crossing cases. The new policy is being implemented with the goal of a 100 per cent prosecution rate for all that enter the US illegally, reports Time magazine. Charged adults will be sent directly to federal court. Children in turn will be sent to the Department of Health and Human Services' Office of Refugee Resettlement, which works with shelters or relatives in the US. So far this fiscal year which began on October 1, 2017, more than 26,000 minors have been detained along the southern border, of which almost half come from Guatemala - 12,459 - followed by those from Mexico (6,151), Honduras (4,624) and El Salvador (2,090). According to the the Department of Homeland Security, 700 children have been separated from their parents so far. Last month, Senators at a subcommittee testimony said almost 1,500 migrant children went missing after federal officials put them in the homes of adult sponsors around the country. The number of migrants detained along the US-Mexico border rose by 223 per cent in April compared to the same month in 2017, with 50,924 illegal migrants being apprehended. --IANS ksk (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) President Donald Trump said on Tuesday that Secretary of State Mike Pompeo was en route to Pyongyang to prepare for an upcoming summit with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un. "At this very moment, Secretary Pompeo is on his way to North Korea in preparation for my upcoming meeting with Kim Jong-un," said Trump in a Tuesday appearance to announce Washington's withdrawal from the nuclear pact with Iran, Efe reported. The President announced Pompeo's trip at the end of his remarks regarding Iran, during which he stated that the US "will not be held hostage by nuclear blackmail" by Tehran, adding that "The US no longer makes empty threats. When I make promises, I keep them." Responding to reporters' questions, Trump said that Pompeo would be landing in North Korea in about an hour. "Plans are being made, relationships are building, hopefully a deal will happen, and with the help of China, South Korea, and Japan, a future of great prosperity and security can be achieved for everyone," said Trump. The President also referred to the three Americans being held prisoner by North Korea whom he has promised several times would soon be freed, possibly as a gesture of goodwill by Pyongyang in advance of the Trump-Kim summit. When asked if Pompeo would be bringing the three Americans home when he returns to the US, Trump said only "We'll all soon be finding out." The three prisoners are 64-year-old Kim Dong-chul, 58-year-old Kim Sang-duk and Kim Hak-song, about 60, all born in South Korea but who later acquired US citizenship. Last week, Trump said that a date and location for his meeting with the North Korean leader had already been set, although he refused to reveal any further details. To date, the White House has said that the meeting would happen in late May or early June and that several sites were being considered, including Singapore and the border between the two Koreas, Trump reportedly favouring the latter. The meeting between Kim and Trump will be the first between North Korean and US leaders after almost 70 years of confrontation that began with the 1950-1953 Korean War and 25 years of failed negotiations. --IANS ahm/ (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Protesting members of Joint Action Committee of Tamil Nadu Teachers' Organisations-Government Employees' Organisations (JACTTO-GEO) were on Tuesday taken into custody here, the police said. Their demands include reverting to old pension scheme, payment of arrears and rectification of anomalies in the recommendations made by the pay commission. The protesters in large numbers were taken into custody when they tried to take out a march towards the state secretariat. Earlier, the police had arrested key members of JACTTO-GEO as a measure to prevent the protest. Traffic flow was affected on the arterial Anna Salai and Kamarajar Salai owing to the protests in the morning, putting the office-goers to trouble. Condemning the police action against the protesting teachers and state government employees, DMK leader M.K. Stalin urged the government for their release. Stalin met the JACTTO-GEO members who were taken into custody. He urged Chief Minister K. Palaniswami to call JACTTO-GEO members for talks and find a solution to the issue. --IANS vj/nir/vm (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Punjab cabinet on Tuesday approved financial assistance and government jobs on compassionate grounds to the next of kin of those from the state killed by the Islamic State in Mosul in Iraq. A cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Amarinder Singh here took the decision, including on required relaxation in the state policy to facilitate jobs on compassionate grounds to the intended beneficiaries. The mortal remains of 27 deceased Indians hailing from Punjab were flown to Amritsar on April 3 after their bodies were exhumed in Iraq and DNA tests were conducted. The victims hailed from Amritsar, Hoshiarpur, Jalandhar, Ludhiana, Shaheed Bhagat Singh Nagar, Sangrur, Kapurthala, and Gurdaspur districts. "The government had decided to provide employment to one dependent family member of each victim, as per their educational qualification and government policy, besides ex gratia of Rs 5 lakh," a government spokesman said. Monthly pension of Rs 20,000 would continue to be paid to these families from the CM's Relief Fund till jobs are provided. On the Chief Minister's directive, ex gratia of Rs 5 lakh each to 26 dependent family members, totalling Rs 1.30 crore, had already been disbursed from the Relief Fund, the spokesman said. As per records, the spokesman said, one victim had no legal heirs. The spokesman said that compassionate appointment to dependent family members of the deceased Punjabis did not fall within the purview of the state policy and hence a relaxation was required. As many as 39 Indians, including the 27 from Punjab, were kidnapped and killed by the terror outfit IS in Mosul in June 2014. --IANS js/tsb/mr (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Authorities in Jammu and Kashmir on Tuesday continued restrictions in parts of Srinagar city and other places in the valley after separatists renewed their appeal for a protest shutdown. Police said restrictions would remain in force in Rainawari, Khanyar, Nowhatta, M.R.Gunj, Safa Kadal, Maisuma and Kralkhud. All educational institutions, including universities, colleges and schools have been closed for the second day and rail services to specific areas suspended to maintain law and order. The separatists increased the shutdown by another day to protest against the killings of 10 people, including five civilians and five militants in south Kashmir on Sunday. Top Hizbul commander, Sadam Paddar and an assistant professor of Kashmir University, Muhammad Rafi Bhat, were among the militants killed in the gun battle with the security forces in Badigam village of Shopian district. Separatist leaders, Syed Ali Shah Geelani and Mirwaiz Umer Farooq have been placed under house arrest while Yasin Malik continues to remain under preventive detention. Exams scheduled for Tuesday have been postponed. Rail services between north Kashmir's Baramulla town and Jammu's Bannihal have been suspended. Mobile Internet facility also continued to remain suspended for the third day in the valley, including in Srinagar, Ganderbal, Anantnag, Pulwama, Kulgam and Shopian, Kupwara, Bandipora, Baramulla and Badgam districts. Shops, public transport and other businesses remained closed in Srinagar city and all other district headquarters. --IANS sq/in (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Popular Hollywood actor Ryan Reynolds bonded with Bollywood star Ranveer Singh over a discussion about Hindi cuss words. Reynolds quipped it would be an "international incident" if he tried to curse in Hindi. His comment came in response to a statement by Ranveer, who will lend his voice to the Hindi version of Reynolds' Hollywood film "Deadpool 2". Ranveer on Monday had tweeted that he never realised how fulfilling and rewarding foul Hindi language can be. He tagged Reynolds on this comment. "Astonishing how effectively I've managed to out-crass my Canadian counterpart Ryan Reynolds. Never realised how fulfilling and rewarding foul Hindi language can be! 'Deadpool 2'," Ranveer wrote. Reynolds, who is popular for his witty tweets and replies on social media, replied: "Well if I tried to curse in Hindi, pretty sure there would be an international incident." Ranveer then told Reynolds he has been a fan of his work. "I'm a fan since 'Two Guys A Girl And A Pizza Place' You've always inspired me. I even tried being Van Wilder for a phase in College Indiana University, but I was definitely a Taj (played by Kal Penn)," Ranveer wrote. "Deadpool" tells the story of an adult superhero with a twisted sense of humour. Based on Marvel Comics' most unconventional anti-hero, it is the original story of a former Special Forces operative who turns into a mercenary. "Deadpool 2", brought to India by Fox Star India, will open on May 18. The Hindi trailer, released on Monday, is also A-rated like its English counterpart as the studio wanted to stick to the tone of the film which has Reynolds mouthing cuss-words. --IANS dc/rb/bg (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Tamil Nadu Chief Minister K. Palaniswami on Tuesday announced a solatium of Rs 300,000 to the family of R. Thirumaniselvam who died after being attacked with stones in Jammu and Kashmir. In a statement, Palaniswami expressed grief over the Monday death and said Thirumaniselvam died after being seriously injured when the tourist bus he was travelling in was stoned heavily by agitators in Gulmarg. Palaniswami said considering the circumstances in which Thirumaniselvam died, a solatium of Rs 300,000 will be paid out of Chief Minister's Relief Fund. He said officials at the Tamil Nadu House in Delhi were in touch with officials of the Jammu and Kashmir government. Palaniswami said he had also spoken to Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti and requested her to extend necessary assistance to Tamil Nadu officials to bring back safely all the Tamil Nadu tourists safely. According to him, around 130 people had gone on a tour of Jammu and Kashmir from Tamil Nadu. --IANS vj/mr (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena on Tuesday called for unity from all political parties after months of political instability in the island country. Delivering a speech on the government's policy at the opening of the 8th session of Parliament, Sirisena also called for an end to the power struggle within his unity government, saying the coalition had made progress in several key areas since being elected to office in 2015, Xinhua news agency reported. "The ruling coalition has made progress in several key areas such as restoring rule of law, making the judiciary independent, reconciliation and winning back the goodwill of the international community. But much more still needs to be done," Sirisena said. He said the government had made progress despite a massive debt burden, volatile international conditions and a drought triggered by climate change which hurt the farming community in particular. He further said the government would create better conditions for domestic and international investors and would strengthen further its relationship with the international community. In April, Sirisena suspended Parliament till May 8 after six ministers resigned from the unity government which comprises his Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) and Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe's United National Party (UNP). --IANS soni/mr (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's participation in the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit in China next month, External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj on Tuesday held a meeting with SCO Secretary General Rashid Alimov here. "India became a full member of SCO in June 2017 and will extend full cooperation to further consolidate SCO as an effective regional platform," External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Raveesh Kumar tweeted following the meeting. The SCO is a Eurasian inter-governmental organisation, the creation of which was announced in 2001 in Shanghai by Kazakhstan, China, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan. It was preceded by the Shanghai Five mechanism. India, along with Pakistan, were granted full member status at the SCO Summit in Astana, Kazakhstan, in June last year. Last month, Sushma Swaraj and Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman participated for the first time in the SCO Foreign Ministers' and Defence Ministers' meetings respectively in Beijing. --IANS ab/vd (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Taiwan on Tuesday accused China of blocking it from participating in the World Health Organization's (WHO) annual assembly. Last year was the first time in eight years that Taiwan was not invited to attend the yearly gathering in Geneva, Switzerland. Taiwan's exclusion from the WHO annual assembly violates its citizens' right to health since "the highest attainable standard of health is the fundamental right of every human being and the people of Taiwan must enjoy this right without discrimination", the Taiwanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a statement cited by Efe news. The Mainland Affairs Council (MAC), the Taiwanese government agency in charge of Chinese affairs called China's "malicious actions inappropriate and irresponsible" that were aimed at "obstructing" Taiwan's participation in the 71st World Health Assembly, which will take place from May 21 to 26 in Geneva. Taiwan said that although China claimed to represent the Taiwanese at the WHO, mainland China never notified Taiwan of any global epidemic situations. Taiwan said that China's statements that "proper arrangements had been made in this regard ran contrary to fact and were designed to mislead the international community". Taiwan attended the WHO as an observer under the name "Chinese Taipei" from 2009 to 2016 with the support of the US and the implicit acceptance of China at a time when the island had better ties with Beijing under former President Ma Ying-jeou. Current leader Tsai Ing-wen is known to be a Beijing-sceptic and relations between the island and the mainland have been strained since she took power in 2016. --IANS mag/soni/vm (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Director Nag Ashwin, whose labour of love "Mahanati" -- on the life of late legendary actress Savitri -- will release on Wednesday, says there was no need for any "cinematic liberty" for the movie as her own life was so full of highs and lows. "The film is very honest. Whatever was going on in that period is what we have tried to reflect. When she was younger, there was a certain mood and a certain way she behaved and the way the world was around her. When she became successful, how was it... And when she was in a sort of spiral, how was she and how the world was around her... "That way, there's no purposeful cinematic liberty in 'Mahanati'. We have not forced any unnecessary things because there were enough highs and lows in her real story. We just had to space it out correctly. There was no need to add any heroism to it," the director told IANS over phone. A bilingual project, the biographical period film on Telugu cinema's multi-faceted talent, is titled "Mahanati" in Telugu and "Nadigaiyar Thilagam" in Tamil. She acted in award-winning films and had a flourishing career as a director and producer too, apart from being known for her philanthropic ways, but the latter part of her career saw her battle financial problems and alcoholism, which led to her decline. Savitri started her career young. How did the team zero in on the aspects of her life to highlight in the biopic? "It's quite hard actually...the writing process of a biopic. When you write a real story, it's always harder. But mostly if you see any biopic made in India or abroad, it's mainly about a part of the person's life. It's not the full story of birth to death as mostly, the film medium doesn't help. A TV series or now web series is a good medium. "But for us, trying to fit that into a film was quite hard... It took a lot of writing and trial and error. We managed to map it. So, that way, it's a unique biopic because not many people do a full circle," explained Ashwin, applauding Keerthy for having undergone a lot of transformations for her look in the film. Produced by Priyanka Dutt of Swapna Cinema and presented by Vyjayanthi Movies, the movie features an ensemble of well-known actors, with Keerthy Suresh playing Savitri and Dulquer Salmaan essaying Gemini Ganesan. There are also Samantha Akkineni, Naga Chaitanya, Vijay Devarakonda, as well as a slew of other celebrated actors from the southern film industry. Getting together such names from the industry "was quite stressful", but a "complete pleasure", says Ashwin. "All of them were no-hassle and super talented actors. They made the film better. I think all of them came on board out of pure love for Savitri garu and the history that the film wants to show... So whether it was a lead or non-lead, people became a part of it without inhibitions." At this point, he is more excited than nervous to see what the audience thinks of the movie. As far as the industry is concerned, he says there's a sort of reverence people have for Savitri, and so, "there's a lot of positivity". Ashwin says he is not nervous because he is confident of what he has created. "From the beginning we just had one thing in mind -- we wanted to keep it as honest as possible to her spirit, her story, to the facts... As far as that goes, we have achieved what we set out to do. There will obviously be people who had expected more or less, but I think we have done our bit. That way, there's no pressure...because sometimes when you don't do enough, then there's pressure and you think what will happen? But because we did what we set out do, we think it's up to our expectations." --IANS rb/bg (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Former Tripura Chief Minister and CPI-M leader Manik Sarkar on Tuesday said the BJP government in the state was attacking democracy and democratic activities. "They are trying to establish one party rule in Tripura," Sarkar said after visiting an area where the West Trupura district administration on Monday bulldozed seven offices of CPI-M and Congress as these were built on government land. West Tripura District Magistrate Milind Dharmrao Ramteke said on Tuesday that they demolished three more party offices, one each of the Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M), Congress and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) -ffiliated Bharatiya Mazdoor Sangh (BMS). "These three offices were built on government lands. Demolition of party offices built on government lands would continue in the coming days as per the government's decision," Ramteke told the media. According to Ramteke, who is also Additional Secretary to Chief Minister Biplab Kumar Deb, there were 104 such illegally-constructed offices of various political parties in West Tripura district alone. The demolition drive was carried out amid strong "objections and criticism" from the opposition, including the CPI-M, Congress and the Indigenous Nationalist Party of Tripura (INPT), a tribal-based party. Sarkar said after the announcement of the February 18 Assembly polls results on March 3, the BJP government continued its attacks on innocents, opposition partie and hundreds of their party offices. "Before demolition of party offices built 60-70 years ago, the government should talk to the concerned political parties. Alternative arrangements of the bulldozed party offices can be done," said Sarkar, who was accompanied by other senior party leaders. "The BJP government has been trying to curb the rights of the workers and working class people. These are extremely undemocratic," remarked Sarkar, the Opposition leader in Tripura. The BJP denied Sarkar's allegations, saying these political party offices were constructed illegally on the government lands. "In the constitution of the CPI-M, there is no word called 'democracy', hence the Communist leaders should not speak about democracy. During Sarkar's tenure, these political party offices were built with the then ruling party's support," BJP spokesman Mrinal Kanti Deb told the media. --IANS sc/pgh/mr (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) US President Donald Trump will not be travelling to Jerusalem for the inauguration of the new United States Embassy in that city next May 14, but in his place will send daughter Ivanka Trump and her husband, Jared Kushner. The White House said in a statement that the US delegation will be headed by Deputy Secretary of State John Sullivan, who will also be joined by US Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin, Efe reported. The US representation will be rounded out with the US ambassador to Israel, David Friedman, and the assistant to the president and special representative for international negotiations, Jason Greenblatt. The president suggested last week that he might attend the inauguration, but finally decided against it. Trump promised last December that he would move his country's embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem, a decision in defiance of the international consensus not to recognize any sovereignty over that city until Israelis and Palestinians reach a peace accord. At present no country has an embassy in Jerusalem, only consulates, because the understanding is that an embassy there would signify a de facto recognition of Israeli sovereignty over the city, whose eastern part is considered by the international community to be Palestinian territory occupied by Israel. Ever since the US president indicated he would recognize Jerusalem as the capital of Israel and announced that the US embassy would be moved there, Honduras, Romania, Guatemala and the Czech Republic have publicly stated that they would do the same. Palestinians consider this act a provocation that disqualifies the Trump administration as an honest broker in the Palestinian-Israeli peace process. Since then the head of the Palestinian National Authority (ANP), Mahmoud Abbas, and other representatives of that organization have refused to meet with the US negotiating team. --IANS ahm/ (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.) US President Donald Trump declared on Tuesday that he was pulling out of the Iran nuclear deal, unravelling the signature foreign policy achievement of his predecessor, Barack Obama, and isolating the US among its Western allies. "This was a horrible one-sided deal that should have never, ever been made," Trump said at the White House in announcing his decision. "It didn't bring calm, it didn't bring peace, and it never will." He said he would reimpose economic sanctions that were waived when the deal was signed in 2015. Trump's announcement, while long anticipated and widely telegraphed, plunges America's relations with European allies into deep uncertainty. They have committed to staying in the deal, raising the prospect of a diplomatic and economic clash as the United States reimposes stringent sanctions on Iran. In a statement, France, Germany and the UK - who are also signatories to the deal - have said they "regret" the American decision. It also raises the prospect of increasing tensions with Russia and China, which also are parties to the agreement. But Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says he "fully supports" the "bold" withdrawal. The Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) saw Iran agree to limit the size of its stockpile of enriched uranium - which is used to make reactor fuel, but also nuclear weapons - for 15 years and the number of centrifuges installed to enrich uranium for 10 years. Iran also agreed to modify a heavy water facility so it could not produce plutonium suitable for a bomb. In return, sanctions imposed by the UN, US and EU that had crippled Iran's economy were lifted. The deal was agreed between Iran and the five permanent members of the UN Security Council - the US, UK, France, China and Russia - plus Germany. Iran insists its nuclear programme is entirely peaceful, and its compliance with the deal has been verified by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). --IANS ahm/ (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) US President Donald Trump said that he would announce his decision on whether Washington will pull out of the Iran nuclear accord at 2 p.m. on Tuesday, media reports said. "I will be announcing my decision on the Iran deal tomorrow from the White House," he tweeted on Monday afternoon. Trump is weighing whether to continue waiving sanctions on Iran's energy and banking sector that were lifted as part of the 2015 agreement in exchange for curbs on Tehran's nuclear programme, reports CNN. Tuesday's announcement will be the most consequential national security decision of Trump in the last 15 months since he took office as the US President. Trump excoriated the agreement - signed among Iran and the 5+1 Group consisting of the US, Russia, China, France, the UK and Germany - even before winning the 2016 election, as the "worst deal ever" and promised to tear it up on his first day in office. One European diplomat said it seems fairly clear that the administration will walk away from the deal, and described the chances that the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, as the deal is formally known, will continue intact as "very small". "It's pretty obvious to me that unless something changes in the next few days, I believe the President will not waive the sanctions," the diplomat told CNN. "And that will have various consequences that I think we have yet fully to understand and spell out." The implications of a US departure from the agreement aren't clear yet, but analysts have warned that it would send a message to other nations, particularly North Korea, about the reliability of the US as a negotiating partner. According to the deal, which was former President Barack Obama's signature foreign policy achievement, the West would end three decades of sanctions and isolation of Tehran that had crippled the country's economy and fueled domestic impatience with its clerical leaders, reports The New York Times. In return, Iran agreed to ship roughly 97 per cent of its nuclear fuel out of the country, and forgo production of nuclear fuel, even for ostensibly peaceful purposes. In the 28 months since the arrangement went into effect, international inspectors have said they have found no violations - apart from minor infractions that were quickly rectified. Under the deal, the restrictions on research and development in Iran's nuclear program would begin to lift after a decade. After 15 years, Iran would be able to produce as much fuel as it wanted - though never for the purpose of making weapons. French President Emmanuel Macron, German Chancellor Angela Merkel and British Foreign Minister Boris Johnson have come to Washington in recent days to bring pressure to bear on Trump to keep the US in the accord. Iranian President Hassan Rouhani has warned that the US will quickly regret it if it abandons the nuclear accord, at the same time that he reiterated his opposition to negotiating a new pact. --IANS ksk (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The US has urged the Organisation of American States (OAS) to suspend Venezuela from its ranks and impose new sanctions on alleged drug traffickers linked with the Nicolas Maduro government in Caracas. "We call on the members of this institution to uphold our long-standing commitment to democracy and freedom ... (and) to suspend Venezuela from the Organization of American States," Vice President Mike Pence said on Monday in an address before the international body's Permanent Council. The Venezuelan government on April 28 requested to leave the OAS amid complaints within the international body over its ongoing political and social crisis, but its departure will not become effective for two years, reports Efe news. Despite the political weight carried by the US call to suspend Venezuela, for the moment there is not enough support within the organization to take that step. Doing so requires the support of two-thirds of the 35 OAS members or 24 states. On Monday, the Venezuelan delegation walked out of the session held to welcome Pence to the OAS. Venezuelan Deputy Foreign Minister for North America Samuel Moncada said that his delegation was not present because they consider the gathering to be "farce" and a "monstrosity" and complained that there was no opportunity afforded to reply to Pence's comments. "The coercive measures of the US are an international crime that we will denounce," Moncada told reporters. Pence also echoed the announcement of new measures against former Venezuelan officials made on Monday by the US Treasury Department, which included on its "black list" of drug traffickers Pedro Luis Martin Olivares, a former top official with Venezuela's Sebin intelligence service, and Hugo Carvajal, a close confidant of the late President Hugo Chavez, and announced sanctions against Walter Alexander Del Nogal Marquez and Mario Antonio Rodriguez Espinoza for providing financial and technological help to Martin Olivares in his alleged drug trafficking activities. Pence is the first US Vice President to address the OAS since Democrat Al Gore in 1994. --IANS ksk (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Rome, May 8 (IANS/AKI) United Nations World Food Programme's Executive Director David Beasley on Tuesday began a four-day official visit to impoverished North Korea, WFP said in a statement. "WFP has been working in the Democratic People's Republic of Korea for more than two decades, helping to strengthen food security in the country and provide nutritious food to women and children. "This week, I will visit schools and nurseries to meet some of the mothers and young children WFP is supporting, as well as to understand the needs of the operation, which at this point is under-funded," he said. During his trip, Beasley will have meetings with senior government officials in Pyongyang and visit nutrition activities supported by WFP in nurseries and kindergartens, the UN agency said. WFP aims to assist 650,000 women and children in North Korea every month, providing highly nutritious, fortified cereals and biscuits that can address their nutritional needs. Funding shortfalls have meant that rations have had to be reduced and suspended in some cases, WFP underlined. Beasley's visit to North Korea is part of a trip to the region that will also take in China, Japan and South Korea. At the first inter-Korean summit in over a decade, South Korea President Moon Jae-in and North Korea's leader Kim Jong in late April vowed to end hostilities between the two countries and work towards the "complete denuclearisation" of the Korean peninsula. Normalising relations would pave the way for Moon's plan to develop "three economic belts" connecting the two Koreas, and for business and investment opportunities for South Korean companies. With an economy only a fraction of the size of South Korea's, North Korea would gain most from peace on the Korean Peninsula, according to analysts. --IANS/AKI vd (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) At a conclave here on Tuesday to discuss naval efficiency and combat readiness amid worries over an assertive China encircling India, Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said the Indian Navy has emerged as a "dependable partner" for Indian Ocean Region littoral navies. Sitharaman addressed senior commanders of the Indian Navy on the first day of the four-day conclave here that is being held to review the Navy's new "mission-based deployments philosophy aimed at ensuring peace and stability in the region". "India and the Indian Navy have emerged as the first port of call and a dependable partner for (Indian Ocean Region) IOR littoral navies to address their maritime security needs," the Defence Minister said opening the May 8-11 conference. A navy spokesperson said the Navy's focus over the past year had been on "combat efficiency and materiel readiness and upkeep of its large fleet of 131 ships and submarines". Neither the spokesperson and nor Sitharaman spoke about China creating military and strategic assets in India's close neighbourhood like in Bangladesh, Myanmar, the Maldives and Sri Lanka who have all signed up to Beijing's ambitious Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). But the looming presence of Chinese warships on the high seas in the Indian Ocean has left India a lot worried, scurrying for strategic bases overseas-like the one New Delhi is now set to establish in the archipelago of Seychelles with which it signed a pact to build naval infrastructure in February this year. The Defence Minister said "the professionalism and dedication in performing the duties of safeguarding the maritime interest of the nation" has made the Navy "a force to reckon with in the Indo-Pacific" region. At a brief news conference after the inauguration, Sitharaman parried a question from reporters on Chinese ubiquitous presence in the region including a deep-sea port at Gwadar in Pakistan and the establishment of a naval base in Djibouti in the Horn of Africa. Asked about India's border and maritime competitiveness with China, she said "there is no tension between" the two neighbours. Probed further and asked what had militarily changed between India and China following official visits to China by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj and by herself, Sitharaman said: "We are talking and meeting each other. That is a big change." She said the Indian Navy, in addition to being the primary instrument and manifestation of the nation's maritime power, had also established itself as a potential tool for military diplomacy. "The Navy has been playing an important role in furthering our national and foreign policy objectives through active cooperation and engagement with not just IOR littorals, but maritime nations across the globe," she said addressing the commanders. The minister also took a note of the critical capability shortfalls that the Navy was facing in ship-borne multi-role helicopters, reconnaissance aircraft, unmanned platforms, conventional submarines and surface ships. These issues, she said, "need urgent redressal to maintain the combat edge of the Navy". She assured the commanders that these issues were being given due impetus and measures were being put in place to mitigate these shortcomings at the earliest. Sitharaman also stressed on the need to "develop our own weapons and sensors" to make the nation "truly self-reliant". She praised the Indian Navy's active role in engaging with a wide range of reseach and development and production agencies which she said "is indicative of its commitment". "Towards this endeavour, the combat management system for the indigenous aircraft carrier Vikrant being developed with a private vendor (Tata Power) is a big step towards strategic partnership between the Defence Ministry and industry. "Programme 'samudrika', which will result in achieving 100 per cent indigenisation of the electronic warfare fit onboard Indian naval platforms, is also reflective of Indian Navy's continued efforts towards indigenisation." She said shipbuilding projects worth over Rs 32,000 crore have been tendered and were progressing towards contract conclusion while as projects worth Rs 760 crore for construction of yard crafts were also being targeted for early conclusion through private and small shipyards. --IANS sar/vm (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A woman was arrested for posing a bride, only to run away with gold, silver and cash after the wedding was solemnised, police said on Tuesday. Four of her accomplices were also held. Rajasthan Police have busted a gang of five persons, who used to pose as bride, mother-in-law and maternal father-in-law, and two masterminds who trapped innocent families for weddings, and later ran off with gold, silver and cash soon after the marriage. According to Bharatpur Superintendent of Police Anil Kumar Tank, a complaint was lodged by one Biharilal against Riya alias Seema. In the complaint, he alleged his son Pawan was married to Riya on March 8. "Our relatives offered gold and silver jewellery to the bride and cash of Rs 8,000," said the complainant. However, the bride, on March 10, ran away with the gifted jewels and cash, he alleged. Police registered a case on the basis of his complaint and started a thorough search for the fake bride and her family members. A special police team was formed which started search operations for the gang members by collecting and going through their call details. The team also visited Delhi, Fatehabad, Agra and Firozabad in Uttar Pradesh. On Tuesday, police arrested Riya. She is married to Sanjay Nayak, a resident of Delhi. Her fake mother-in-law, Sanju, the widows of Sanjay Ghiyara, also a resident of Delhi was also arrested. Police also nabbed the mastermind of the crime, Anil, a resident of Fatehabad, in Agra district and Ramdev, resident of Agra, who played the role of maternal father-in-law in this context. The gang leader, Gopal, a resident of Firozabad was also arrested, and questioned to find out the details. A thorough probe revealed some of the gang members were involved in such fake weddings in Dhaulpur in Rajakhedi and Basedi areas in Rajasthan as well. Investigation was on to collect the stolen jewels and cash. --IANS arc/pgh/vm (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Telling the Centre that it was in "sheer contempt", the Supreme Court on Tuesday directed the Secretary, Water Resources Ministry, to be personally present in the court on May 14 along with the scheme for the implementation of the Cauvery Tribunal Award. The bench of Chief Justice Dipak Misra, Justice A.M. Khanwilkar and Justice D.Y.Chandrachud directed the presence of the top Water Resources official as Attorney General K.K.Venugopal sought six days' time for the Karnataka election to be over before the government takes a decision. "You (Centre) are in sheer contempt of the court," the CJI told Venugopal. The AG said the draft scheme for the implementation of the Cauvery award was before the Cabinet and the meeting has not taken place as Prime Minister Narendra Modi and other ministers were busy campaigning in Karnataka, where assembly elections are slated to be held on May 12. He sought six days' time for filing the scheme but senior counsel Shekhar Naphade, appearing for Tamil Nadu, asked why it cannot be filed on Thursday and Friday. As Venugopal said the officers who instruct (on the matter) are not working on Saturdays and Sundays, Naphade took a jibe, saying: "We are servants for 24 hours, 365 days", an obvious reference to the statement by a top functionary of the government. When the AG asked "Who said that", Naphade replied: "You want me to quote?" and added, the top functionary said it last week. The AG justified the Centre seeking more time saying that it was a sensitive matter having a bearing on the law and order situation. Naphade said that they will not implement the order of the court on the grounds of law and order. On another occasion, when the AG said that the release of water was not within the authority of the Cauvery Management Board, Naphade was quick to point out that the people of Tamil Nadu will not get water, no matter what happens. Noting that Central government has not framed for scheme for implementing its February 16 judgment, the top court, in the last hearing on May 3, had observed that "... Karnataka will release water as per Tribunal award. You will release 4 TMC of water. Please see how much water can be released by end of May." Karnataka has told the top court that it has already released the Cauvery water that Tamil Nadu was entitled to under the "distress formula" due to deficient rainfall and needed remaining water for drinking purposes in Bengaluru and the areas falling under its part of the Cauvery basin. However, Tamil Nadu in its response has contended that Karnataka had enough water to release 4TMC of water to cover the shortfall of 1.4 TMC for April and the allocation of 2.4 TMC for May this year Tamil Nadu has told the apex court that "Karnataka has 19.834 TMC ft. of water as on May 4 in its four reservoirs" and the storage in "Mettur Dam is 9.502 TMC ft. (the utilizable storage being only 4.502 TMC ft)". Thus, Karnataka "is in a better position and can easily spare the 4 TMC ft" even after meeting the requirement of drinking water supply for May, that is 1.6 TMC ft, Tamil Nadu submitted. The top court by its February 16 judgment had asked the Centre to frame a scheme for the implementation of the tribunal award and its judgment. It had given the Centre six weeks time, that came to end on March 30, for this purpose. Tamil Nadu had on March 31 moved the top court seeking contempt action against the Centre for "willful disobedience" in carrying out the mandate of the apex court on constituting the Cauvery Management Board for which the six-week deadline expired on Friday. --IANS pk/vsc/vd (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Here is a sitter of a question in the times of the Indian Premier League: Should the on-field umpires necessarily have to refer every appeal from the fielding side to the third umpire? Absurd! even the meanest intelligence would thunder, what would they do then? Just count the balls? I have no claims of scholarship in jurisprudence. But that is my reaction to the two learned lawyer-members of the Rajya Sabha and their equally learned colleague from the august house representing them, challenging in the Supreme Court the decision of the Rajya Sabha ... At least two people were killed and several others where hurt when two trains collided in Germany, the national rail company said. The Deutsche Bahn network operator said that a commuter service hit a freight train late yesterday between Ingolstadt and Augsburg in Germany's southern Bavaria region. "There are some seriously injured and others only lightly," a Deutsche Bahn spokesman told the German DPA press agency. The company did not immediately provide additional details into the possible causes of the collision. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Two Islamist militants were sentenced to death and three others jailed for life by a special court today for brutally hacking to death a liberal professor near his home in northwestern Bangladesh. Operatives of Jamaatul Mujahideen Bangladesh (JMB), said to be inclined to the Islamic State, hacked professor AFM Rezaul Karim Siddiquee to death using machetes near his house in Rajshahi city on April 23, 2016. Maskawat Hossain of Bogura and Shariful Islam, a student of Prof Siddiquee's English department of state-run Rajshahi University, were sentenced to death by the special court, a prosecutor told PTI. He said Speedy Trial Tribunal Judge Shirin Akhter simultaneously sentenced three other militants -- Rahmat Ullah of Nilphamari, Abdus Sattar of Rajshahi and Sattar's son Ripon Ali -- to life imprisonment. The mastermind of the murder, Shariful Islam, is on the run. Karim was known for his love for music and philanthropic activities. According to US-based SITE Intelligence Group that monitors global terror activities, Islamic State claimed responsibility for Karim's murder for "calling to atheism", a claim rejected by Bangladesh authorities. The verdict came as police in recent years intensified investigations into a series of clandestine attacks on secularists and liberal intellectuals, bloggers and minorities including gay activists against the backdrop of growing criticism for failure to track down the assailants. In 2014, another Rajshahi University teacher AKM Shafiul Islam was similarly murdered. Though his murder was initially claimed by radical group 'Ansaral Islam', police later ruled out that possibility, saying he was murdered due to personal rivalry. But some years ago, two more professors of the Rajshahi University had been killed. In 2015, four prominent secular bloggers were killed with machetes. Bangladesh's secular writer and physicist professor Jafor Iqbal was the last such target in March this year when he narrowly survived an attack on the campus of the state-run Shahjajal Science University in northeastern Sylhet. Sixty-four year Iqbal, also known for his popular science fictions, sustained critical head injuries as an outsider youth attacked him with a knife. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Two kg of cocaine was seized from an El Salvador national at the international airport here today by the Narcotics Control Bureau. The NCB officials, acting on specific information, intercepted Duran Sola Johnny Alexander this morning and seized the drug from him. He had arrived here from Rio De Janeiro via Dubai by an Emirates flight with a checked in trolley baggage, they said. The seized cocaine was of pure form and sourced from the cocaine production belt in South America,though the trafficker belongs to Central American country, NCB said in a release. Alexander, believed to be working under the behest of the South American cocaine cartel, has been booked under Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, 1985, the bureau said. The value of the seizure was not stated. This is the second major seizure of drugs by NCB in the city this year. On January 1, a woman from the Philippines was arrested at the International Airport here with 4.7 kg of cocaine, worth over Rs 25 crore. Jhonna De Torres (36) had brought the contraband from Brazil. In December 2017, a Venezuelan national was arrested by NCB sleuths at the airport and cocaine worth Rs 15 crore in the international market was seized from him. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A day after seven structures, built illegally on government land, of the CPI(M), the Congress and their affiliated trade unions were demolished in Tripura capital Agartala, the state machinery today pulled down three more such structures here, District Magistrate Milind Ramteke said. The three structures removed today in Gobind Ballav market included an office of the Bharatiya Mazdoor Sangh, which is affiliated to the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh, considered the ideological fountainhead of the BJP. "We have demolished three more political offices at G B Bazar area as those were built illegally on government land. The offices belonged to Bharatiya Mazdoor Sangh, CPI(M) and INC," West Tripura District Magistrate Ramteke told reporters. He said the demolition drive started this morning and continued for several hours. "We have identified 104 illegal structures of political parties and their affiliated organisations in West Tripura district. All the structures would be demolished in a phased manner," Ramteke said. The magistrate said a seven-day deadline was given to all the political parties on April 30 to remove the illegal structures. The deadline expired Sunday night and the drive was launched yesterday. The BJP rode to power for the first time in Tripura in March, putting an end to the 25-year rule of the CPI(M). The opposition parties have protested the ruling dispensation's decision to bulldoze the structures. However, Ramteke said this is a government order and unauthorised offices of all parties on government land would be removed. Former state minister and CPI(M) trade union leader Manik Dey yesterday criticised the move, saying it reminded him of the Emergency. And Congress leaders staged a protest in front of the district magistrate's office yesterday. They said there were many Congress offices in the state, some as old as 50 years. Pointing out that an Indian National Trade Union Congress office was demolished, Tripura Congress chief Birajit Sinha claimed the demolition drive exceeded the martial law and added the protests against it would continue. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Four women candidates who had finished a police recruitment test in Mumbai today were injured after being hit by a speeding car. The women, aged around 20 years, were walking to the Vikhroli railway station after their test when they were knocked down by a speeding car, police said. They were rushed to the nearby Mahatma Phule municipal hospital, police said, adding that an investigation into the incident is underway. The injured women are identified as Kajal Karde, Deepali Kale, Chitrali Pange, and Chaitali Dorge, all from Pune district. They were students of a "police training academy" at Shirur and had appeared for the mandatory physical test of running. They were hit by the car at around 11 am on the Vikhroli eastern express highway, police said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Anjali Patil is a multilingual artiste - she understands Telugu, Tamil and Malayalam pretty well. She has dubbed in Sinhalese, voiced for her own role in Rajnikanth's "Kaala" in Tamil and is currently learning the "sensuous" Spanish. "By the end of two months, I hope I'll be fluent in it. I started with French but somehow I could not get on with it. Then I thought I'll try something else and if I feel I'll come back to it. Spanish is sensuous. I still love French more but think now Spanish it is," the actor says. Patil, a National School of Drama graduate who made her debut with "Delhi in a Day" 2011, says acting is barely a means to an end - it keeps her afloat financially and allows her to concentrate on her other projects. "Acting pays my bills, gets me money so I can nurture the other parts of artiste in me - reading, music or writing poems. I never really had tremendous ambition to go or reach somewhere," she told PTI in an interview. The actor, who played Malko in the National Award-winning "Newton", says she is not interested in the quintessential rat race in the film industry. "I am still happy because I have different ambitions and plans about my life. I have a different idea of leading my life, which thankfully doesn't involve being No 1," she says. Patil agrees more parts are being written for women today but it is still tough for her as she is "really choosy". She says she tries to stay out of the debate about the representation of women on screen as for her, being associated with the process of filmmaking is more important. "I kind of stay out of this as I have a lot of things to focus on. I came in films as an actor was a mere coincidence. I love the medium and I love the process of filmmaking in its entirety so I kept going on with it." But Patil says writing parts for women in films still has a long way to go as she feels her Malko, in the "pure gold" script of "Newton", deserved more. "I was not sure about coming on board for 'Newton'. I have worked in films with me as the protagonist but they were all female oriented films. Even though people see her as an important part of the script of Newton, I wanted more for Malko." "Not just the screen space. That there's more for the woman in the story."Patil says she is not interested in creating any brand image as it a "futile, illusionary concept". "No matter how philosophical I may sound it is true. As a public personality, I come with a lot of responsibility. A lot of people follow what I say. So I can be truthful and do my job honestly... Guide people in right direction and not use it for my economic benefit." Patil's recent film was "Meri Nimmo", which released on Eros Now's digital platform. The actor says the movie is a touching journey of an eight-year-old boy who falls for a woman, Nimmo (Patil) who has known him since his childhood and how he comes to terms with his idea of "love" when she is about to get engaged. "It's a really special film. Very heartfelt and it explores what goes through the child's mind when he sees her getting engaged. How he handles himself when he realises what they have is more than love." Patil is a graduate in direction from NSD but she says that does not qualify her as a director. The actor, however, is currently writing the script of her directorial debut, which she calls a "personal" story. Her other projects include Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra's "Mere Pyaare Prime Minister". (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) According to the Consul General of Australia Tony Huber, who is visiting Vadodara, Adani Group still has to take a decision on starting work on Carmichael mine, the country's largest coal mine. The company did not comply with its March deadline for securing financing for the first stage of the mine, in Queensland, Australia. "The needed approvals for the project have already been granted to Adani in this regard," Huber told PTI in an interview yesterday. The Adani Group has already reached an agreement with Queensland government on the mine of royalties, he added. The Carmichael coal mine is a proposed thermal coal mine in the north of theGalilee basin in Central Queensland, Australia. The project has been delayed for years due to numerous court challenges from green groups concerned about climate change and potential damage to the Great Barrier Reef. Mining is planned to be conducted by both open-cut and underground methods. The development by Adani Mining, a wholly-owned subsidiary of India's Adani Group, represents a USD 16.5bn investment. "Thecontroversy over the mines is finished and Adani can start work on it," said Huber, adding it is completely a commercial decision, and Australia shares a common concern of 'unemployment' with India. The controversy was regardingits claimed economic benefits, its financial viability, plans for government subsidy and the damaging environmental impacts. All decisions related to Adani Groups Carmichael coal mine and rail project were "totally commercial" with "potential benefits", he observed. "We have consistently supported business and investments coming to Australia. It is on record that we have supported the investment proposals of Adani and have worked to make sure the interest of the communities that the government is responsible for as well as the potential business that may come from it can be realised," he said. At peak capacity the mine would produce 60million tonne of coal a year, much of it "low quality, high ash". Adani expects the mine to produce 2.3 billion tonne over 60 years. It would be the largest coal mine in Australia and one of the largest in the world. Exports are to leave the country via port facilities at Hay Pointand Abbot Point after being transported to the coast via rail. The proposal includes a new 189km rail line to connect with the existing Goonyella railway line.Most of the exported coal is planned to be shipped to India. Huber and his team vice-consul Timothy Hall, and Ramya Kapoor, research officer from Australian consulate-general office from Mumbai are on a visit to Vadodara, Surat and Ahmedabad to interact with business communities and students communities for strengthening ties in education, agriculture tourism and other activities related to investments. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Senior Congress leader Ahmed Patel has moved the Supreme Court seeking dismissal of a petition in the Gujarat High Court challenging his election to the Rajya Sabha in 2017. Patel was elected to the Rajya Sabha last year after beating the BJP nominee Balwantsinh Rajput, who had resigned from the Congress party to join the BJP. The win for the Congress leader came after the Election Commission cancelled the votes of two Congress MLAs Bhola Bhai Gohil and Raghav Bhai Patel which brought down the requirement for an outright victory for a candidate to 44 from 45. Immediately after Patel got elected, Rajput filed a petition in the HC challenging the Election Commission's decision to invalidate votes of the two rebel MLAs. Had these votes been counted, he would have defeated Patel, Rajput said. His petition had also alleged that Patel took party MLAs to a resort in Bengaluru before the election, which amounted to bribing the voters. Patel had challenged Rajput's plea and sought its dismissal at the "threshold level" for not serving on respondents an attested copy of the petition as required under the law. The high court, however, rejected his plea and said the petitioner has substantially complied with the provisions of law and the defects could be easily cured. Patel has now moved the top court against the high court order saying that Rajput's petition was "devoid of merits" and fails to show any "cause of action". (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) US e-tail giant Amazon has infused fresh capital to the tune of Rs 2,600 crore into its India unit, Amazon Seller Services, to strengthen the war-chest of the company against domestic rival Flipkart. The development amid buzz that rival Flipkart is close to sealing a mega deal worth over USD 12 billion with US based retail giant Walmart. According to filings to Corporate Affairs Ministry, Amazon Corporate Holdings and Amazon.com.incs has made the Rs 2,600 crore investment in the Indian marketplace unit. The board of directors of Amazon Seller Services passed the resolution at their meeting on April 26, 2018, it added. In January this year, Amazon Seller Services had received a fund infusion of Rs 1,950 crore from the parent company. When contacted, Amazon India spokesperson said: "As India's fastest growing e-commerce player with a long-term commitment to make e-commerce a habit for Indian customers, we continue to invest in the necessary technology and infrastructure to grow the entire ecosystem". "We are delighted and humbled by the trust from our customers, to lead in India on things that matter to our customers in five years of our business, while continuing to launch innovative India-first initiatives as well as completely new offerings like Echo, Prime, Prime Video and Prime Music," the spokesperson added. The fresh funds will provide more arsenal to Amazon.in, which has been aggressively investing in expanding infrastructure and adding solutions to enhance consumer and seller experience. Amazon founder Jeff Bezos has committed investments to the tune of USD 5 billion for the Indian market. During a recent investor call, Amazon CFO Brian Olsavsky had said the company would continue to invest in India as it sees great progress with both sellers and customers here, even though as the US e-tailing giant had registered a loss of USD 622 million from international operations in the first quarter of 2018. The American company has also been pumping funds into its other entities in India, including Amazon Pay and wholesale business. These investments have been directed towards building warehouses, strengthening logistics and increasing product assortment. Amazon is also investing significant money in marketing and promotions as the company looks to bring more consumers to its online shopping platform. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Armenia's parliament today elected opposition leader Nikol Pashinyan as prime minister after he spearheaded weeks of mass protests against the ruling party, transforming the country's political landscape. Lawmakers voted 59 to 42 to approve Pashinyan's candidacy to the nation's top job with the ruling Republican Party backing the opposition leader's premiership bid on his second attempt after it narrowly voting him down last week, plunging the Caucasus nation into its most serious political crisis in years. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Armenia's parliament today elected opposition leader Nikol Pashinyan as prime minister after he spearheaded weeks of mass protests against the ruling party, transforming the country's political landscape. Lawmakers voted 59 to 42 to approve Pashinyan for the job, after the ruling Republican Party came around to backing his premiership bid on his second attempt. The party had narrowly voted him down last week, plunging the Caucasus nation into its most serious political crisis in years. "My first work after my election will be ensuring a normal life in the country," Pashinyan said ahead of the vote. "There will be no corruption in Armenia. Armenia will once and for all turn the page of political persecutions." The 42 year-old added that Armenia's relations with Russia will "remain a priority". "Military cooperation with Russia is an important factor in ensuring our country's security," Pashinyan said, referring to a two-decade long conflict his country is locked in with neighbouring Azerbaijan. "We will (also) be developing relations with European countries and the United States, with Iran and Georgia, China and India," he added. The head of the ruling Republican Party's parliamentary faction, Vagram Bagdasaryan, said his party backed Pashinyan to "ensure stability" in the country. "We did not change our position. We are against Nikol Pashinyan's candidacy, but the most important thing for us is to ensure stability in the country," Bagdasaryan said ahead of the vote. Pashinyan called for an end to the protests after the Republicans - who have 58 MPs in the 105-seat legislature - promised to back him in the second attempt. The 42-year-old former newspaper editor also secured the support of two other major political parties - Prosperous Armenia and the Armenian Revolutionary Federation (Dashnaktsutyun) - which nominated him for the post together with his opposition Elk coalition. Pashinyan was the only candidate for the premiership. Today morning, ahead of the vote, thousands of Pashinyan supporters gathered in Yerevan's central Republic Square, sporting white t-shirts with their leader's portrait or dancing traditional Armenian dances and chanting "Nikol prime minister". Political analysts say Pashinyan's election is unlikely to put an end to the political crisis, as the ruling party retains a majority in parliament and could well block his initiatives. Analyst Vigen Akopyan said snap elections looked certain. Another analyst, Stepan Safaryan, said Armenia was now entering "an interesting period of disequilibrium". Pending fresh elections "Pashinyan must manoeuvre between the will of the people and the parliamentary ruling party that he does not belong to and which cannot begin supporting him", he said. The hugely popular Pashinyan had in recent weeks piled pressure on the ruling party through an unprecedented campaign of civil disobedience, leading to the shock resignation of veteran leader Serzh Sarkisian, a week after he shifted to the newly-empowered role of prime minister after serving for 10 years as president. Observers have expressed concern that the turmoil could destabilise the country locked in a decades-long territorial dispute with Azerbaijan. Pashinyan's protest movement had accused Sarkisian of a blatant power grab. In December 2015, controversial constitutional amendments initiated by Sarkisian were passed after a referendum that saw some 63 per cent of the voters backing the country's transformation into a parliamentary republic with executive powers fully concentrated in the hands of a prime minister. Council of Europe observers said the referendum was marred by allegations of large-scale vote-buying, multiple voting and other irregularities. Critics accuse Sarkisian and his Republicans of corruption, being under the influence of powerful oligarchs, and of failing to tackle widespread poverty. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Maharashtra Forests Minister Sudhir Mungantiwar has directed setting up of Bamboo Handicraft and Art Units (BHAU) in three universities from August 1, with a view to boost employment opportunities. Recently, a meeting was chaired to start these units by Maharashtra Governor and Chancellor of universities C Vidyasagar Rao. In a review meeting held today, the minister directed establishment of the units at Savitribai Phule Pune University, Sant Gadgebaba Amravati University, and Mahatma Phule Agricultural University in Rahuri. "University campuses should be a center for employment generation. Once these units start functioning, self employment opportunities will be provided by training students in coordination with the Mudra Scheme," Mungantiwar said. Keeping in view the special significance of bamboo in the regions where the varsities are located, a bamboo dictionary should be prepared for providing details of the species of bamboo, their uses, and various other things made from them. "The Bamboo Research and Training center should be inspected by these three universities before May 20 in order to start these units. They should provide support for preparing the curriculum," Mungantiwar said. He said the units will cost approximately Rs 35 lakh and the funds will be made available to the universities by the District Planning Committee. "The funds will be made available to them through supplementary demands in July. Universities should start primary preparations," he said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Bangladesh's Supreme Court today deferred until tomorrow the hearing on a plea by the country's Anti-Corruption Commission challenging the bail granted to former prime minister and opposition BNP chief Khaleda Zia in a corruption case. Zia, 72, was sentenced to five years in jail in February by a lower court in connection with the embezzlement of 21 million taka (about USD 250,000) in foreign donations meant for the Zia Orphanage Trust, named after her late husband Ziaur Rahman, a military ruler-turned-politician, during her 2001-2006 premiership. The High Court on March 12 granted bail to Zia considering her age and health issues but the ex-premier continues to serve the term at the old jailhouse of Dhaka Central Jail as the apex court stayed the court's order. The Supreme Court's Appellate Division bench, led by Chief Justice Syed Mahmud Hossain, was scheduled to pass the order today, but it deferred the hearing until tomorrow. Attorney General Mahbubey Alam and main appellant Anti-Corruption Commission's lawyers had appeared with their plea seeking to overturn the March 12 High Court order. Top pro-BNP lawyers including former law minister Moudud Ahmed stood as Zia's counsels to free her on bail. BNP secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir and other senior party leaders were present in the courtroom while party activists rallied around the Supreme Court complex prompting an extra security vigil in the neighbourhood as the hearing was underway. Zia's imprisonment shook the country's political scenario ahead of the general elections in December this year. BNP, the main opposition outside parliament, alleged the trial was politically motivated to debar her from contesting elections, an allegation denied by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's government. Political analysts feared BNP was now exposed to a political wilderness after Zia's conviction, which is likely to disqualify her for elections unless she could obtain a different direction from the Supreme Court. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Bangladesh's Supreme Court today deferred until tomorrow the hearing on a plea by the country's anti-corruption body challenging the bail granted to former prime minister and opposition BNP chief Khaleda Zia in a corruption case. Zia, 72, was sentenced to five years in jail in February by a lower court in connection with the embezzlement of 21 million taka (about USD 250,000) in foreign donations meant for the Zia Orphanage Trust, named after her late husband Ziaur Rahman, a military ruler-turned-politician, during her 2001-2006 premiership. The High Court on March 12 granted Zia a four-month interim bail, considering her age and health issues after the special court released the full verdict. When the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) and the State moved the Supreme Court's Appellate Division, it suspended the bail order until May 8, allowing these two to start appeals against the bail. The Supreme Court bench, led by Chief Justice Syed Mahmud Hossain, was scheduled to pass the order today, but it deferred the hearing until tomorrow. As the judges started hearing the case in the morning, ACC lawyer Khurshid Alam presented his arguments on the appeal challenging the bail petition. Later, Attorney General Mahbubey Alam presented his arguments on behalf of the State. Following their arguments, AJ Mohamamd Ali who appeared for Zia made arguments and pleaded for her bail. BNP secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir and other senior party leaders were present in the courtroom while party activists rallied around the Supreme Court complex prompting an extra security vigil in the neighbourhood. Zia's imprisonment shook the country's political scenario ahead of the general elections in December this year. The BNP, the main opposition outside parliament, alleged the trial was politically motivated to debar her from contesting elections, an allegation denied by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's government. Political analysts feared the BNP is facing political wilderness after Zia's conviction, which is likely to disqualify her from elections unless she could obtain a different verdict from the Supreme Court. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Bickering allies the BJP and the Shiv Sena are heading for an electoral showdown in Maharashtra's Palghar Lok Sabha constituency where bypoll will be held on May 28. The BJP won the Palghar (ST) constituency, adjoining Mumbai, in 2014, but the death of its sitting MP Chintaman Wanga early this year necessitated the by-election. The Shiv Sena has fielded Chintaman Wanga's son Shrinivas Wanga from the seat, while the BJP has nominated former Congress leader Rajendra Gavit, minutes after he joined the saffron party. In a setback to the BJP, Shrinivas Wanga and other members of his family joined the Uddhav Thackeray-led party last week. Shrinivas Wanga today submitted his nomination papers to election officials. He was accompanied by senior Shiv Sena leader and Maharashtra Minister Eknath Shinde. On the other hand, Gavit, a former Congress MLA and minister, today joined the BJP in the presence of Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and the party's state president Raosaheb Danve. Later, Fadnavis and Danve announced the nomination of Gavit, a tribal leader, as the BJP candidate from Palghar. Besides Palghar, another Lok Sabha constituency in the state, Bhandara-Gondia, will witness bypoll on May 28. The bypoll has been necessitated following the resignation of sitting BJP MP Nana Patole. Patole quit the BJP and also his Lok Sabha seat after accusing the NDA government of following "anti-farmer" policies. On Gavit's joining the BJP, Fadnavis said, "We were in touch with Rajendra Gavit for a long time, but he could not join the BJP before the October 2014 assembly elections." "Palghar is the BJP's seat and late Chintaman Wanga had worked hard for the party's growth in Palghar. It will be a true tribute to Wanaga if the BJP wins the bypoll," he said. The BJP has not yet decided its candidate for the Bhandara-Gondia Lok sabha seat, the chief minister said. Commenting on further strain in the BJP-Sena ties over the Palghar Lok Sabha bypoll, Fadnavis said, "What they did is very unfortunate. We did not field any candidate against the Shiv Sena in the recently held by-election to the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC)." Chintaman Wanga was a popular figure and Shiv Sena leaders had earlier said that their party would support the BJP, if it fields someone from his family. Fadnavis had also admitted a few days ago that some BJP leaders were in favour of fielding a member of the Wanga family from Palghar. "It looks like the BJP was not very keen on fielding someone from the Wanga family and hence, they approached us," a Shiv Sena leader said. Earlier, the Palghar by-election was seen as a cakewalk for the BJP, assuming the party will give ticket to someone from the Wanga family. However, the contest got a new twist with Shrinivas Wanga entering the poll fray as the Shiv Sena's candidate. Speaking separately, Shiv Sena spokesperson Manisha Kayande said party chief Uddhav Thackeray decided to nominate Shrinivas Wanga for the bypoll. "When they (Chintaman Wanga's family) joined the Shiv Sena, they did so not only as mark of support to our Hindutva agenda, but also to the development plank on which the Sena is fighting elections," she told PTI. On the late BJP leader's kin joining the Shiv Sena, Fadnavis said the family had some "misunderstanding". Reacting to it, Kayande said if the BJP was keen on nominating a member of the Wanga family, it could have done so long back. "The chief minister's talk about misunderstanding sounds hollow," she said. The Shiv Sena is part of the BJP-led governments at the Centre and also in Maharashtra. However, it often criticises their programmes and policies. Earlier this year, Thackeray had announced that his party will contest all future polls on its own. As per a poll pact between the Congress and the NCP, the former will contest the Palghar seat while the latter will field its candidate in Bhandara-Gondia. However, the parties are yet to announce their respective candidates. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Bihar's Nitish Kumar government today approved a scheme under which it will give Rs 1 lakh as assistance to Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes students who crack the civil services preliminary tests conducted by the UPSC, an official said. The scheme - Anusuchit Jati Evam Anusuchit Janjati Yojana - was approved by the state cabinet during a meeting chaired by Chief Minister Kumar. Addressing a press meet, Chief Secretary Anjani Kumar Singh said "likewise, an assistance of Rs 50,000 will be given to SC/ST students who clear the PT (preliminary test) for civil services exams conducted by the Bihar Public Services Commission (BPSC)". "Preparations for civil services exams, whether those conducted by the UPSC or the BPSC, often require candidates to move away from their home towns to places with better study facilities. The move is aimed at helping bright aspirants concentrate on their studies without worrying about expenses", Singh said. "The money will be transferred directly into accounts of the eligible candidates and the entire amount will be paid in a single instalment," the chief secretary, accompanied by Principal Secretary, Cabinet Secretariat Department, Arun Kumar Singh, and Secretary SC/ST Welfare Deparment Prem Singh Meena, said. Another measure aimed at helping SC/ST students approved by the cabinet was an assistance of Rs 1,000 per month to "to all boys and girls from the community who may be studying while putting up in hostels meant for the SCs and STs", Singh said. The aforementioned assistance will be a part of the Mukhyamantri Anusuchit Jati Evam Janjati Chhatravas Yojana, he said. "Nod was also given for extending the benefits of schemes run under the Bihar Mahadalit Vikas Mission to all SC/ST families across the state," Singh said. The announcement that all SCs and STs would be getting benefits earlier reserved only for Mahadalits (poorest among Dalits) was made by the chief minister at a function organised by Union Minister Ram Vilas Paswan, whose Lok Janshakti Party is an alliance partner in the ruling coalition in the state. The move had caused anxiety among opponents such as Hindustani Awam Morcha founder Jitan Ram Manjhi, who recently broke away from the NDA to join the Congress-RJD combine. Manjhi, a former CM of Bihar, had issued a statement alleging the Kumar's pro-Dalit stance was tantamount to shedding "crocodile tears" ahead of the Lok Sabha polls. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A section of students of BITS Pilani campushere are on a protest for the past three days against the hike in fee for coming academic year. The students are taking out protest marches within the campus alleging that the management had increased the fees by nearly 17 per cent against the normal hike of 15 per cent. They were also staging protest in front of the residence of the campus director, a student said. "With this kind of fee hike, we will be forced to take a second loan to complete the course. The fee in our institutions is higher than that is collected in other institutions such as IITs and NITs," a second year B.Tech student said today. A senior official of the institution said the Vice Chancellor of BITS-Pilani was seized of the matter and the Central Committee will decide on the fee hike. The fee hike will be in the range of 15 per cent and students were aware of it, he told PTI. "This is purely internal issue. Some students feel that fee hike is bit more. The issue has gone to the notice of our Vice Chancellor. We expect within one week the issue will be resolved," the official said. The Birla Institute of Technology & Science (BITS) Pilani, is an all-India Institute for higher (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The BJP today named Mriganka Singh, daughter of late MP Hukum Singh, as its candidate for the Lok Sabha by-election in Uttar Pradesh' Kairana Lok Sabha constituency, where it is set to again face a joint opposition after losing a similar contest in Gorakhpur and Phulpur Lok Sabha bypolls recently. Banking on the sympathy factor, the BJP announced the name of Avani Singh, wife of late MLA Lokendra Chauhan- who died in a road accident- as its candidate for Noorpur assembly by-poll. The party also announced its nominees for three more by-polls. Elections are scheduled for May 28 and the counting of votes will occur on May 31. Both UP seats, especially Kairana, have emerged as a prestige battle for the BJP after it suffered shock defeats in the by-polls to Gorakhpur and Phulpur Lok Sabha seats, which were vacated by Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and Deputy Chief Minister Keshav Prasad Maurya respectively, to joint opposition candidates in March. In a clear indication that opposition parties, including Samajwadi Party, Bahujan Samajwadi Party and Rashtriya Lok Dal, will again put up a join fight, the Ajit Singh-led RLD has fielded Tabassum Begam with the backing of SP. The BSP is also likely to support her. While the Congress has not made its stand clear, it enjoys little influence in these seats and may agree to support her candidature, sources said. May 10 is the last date for the filing nominations. While Tabassum Begam, a former MP who was in the BSP before joining the SP and later switched over to the RLD, will be depending on consolidation of opposition votes, Mriganka Singh will bank on her father's legacy and the BJP's Hindutva card to win from Kairana, where Muslims are close to 40 per cent.. Incidentally, Singh was also the BJP's candidate for the Kairana assembly seat in 2017 but had lost to her Samajwadi Party rival. Her father had represented the assembly seat for several terms before he was elected to the Lok Sabha in 2014. He died in February following a long spell of illness. Ahead of the Assembly polls in UP last year, Hukum Singh had stoked a controversy by claiming that Hindus were migrating from the region due to lawlessness and appeasement policy of the administration towards Muslims. If another by-poll defeat will be seen as a severe blow to the BJP ahead of the next Lok Sabha elections in the politically most crucial state to its fortunes, a win will be a huge boost to its morale, signalling that it can overcome a united opposition. Among other by-poll candidates, the BJP said it will field Madhav Lal Singh from Gomia in Jharkhand, Munni Devi from Tharali in Uttarakhand and Sujit Ghosh from Maheshtala in West Bengal. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Nothing is the same anymore in Cannes. The 71st edition of the world's premier film festival, which opens with Iranian auteur Asghar Farhadi's Spanish-language drama starring Javier Bardem and Penelope Cruz today, has put in place a screening schedule that has sent a section of critics and journalists covering the event into a tizzy. Morning press shows ahead of Competition films several hours ahead of their red-carpet galas have been done away with while protracted post-screening embargoes have been imposed on reviews of films that screen late night. As one senior film critic said in an informal chat: The festival is telling us that it isn't about the media; it is about the filmmakers. So be it. So, when Cannes Film festival general delegate Thierry Fremaux walked into an impromptu press conference on Monday, a day ahead of the festival opening, many among the press corps expected him to address the media's misgivings. He did, but that wasn't the only theme of his interaction with the press. Fremaux addressed a slew of other issues -- #MeToo, the raging row with Netflix, the ban on red-carpet selfies and the legal cloud over the closing film, Terry Gilliam's "The Man Who Killed Don Quixote". In light of the storm unleashed by the Harvey Weinstein scandal, Fremaux dwelt upon the festival's move to come down heavily on sexual harassment. He announced the setting up of a hotline to receive complaints from people who experience or witness cases of inappropriate advances at the festival. "We are setting up a phone number and an email address for people to reach out. A team will be dedicated to receiving and acting upon the information," he said. Fremaux added: "It isn't only the Cannes Film Festival that has changed following the Harvey Weinstein scandal, the entire world has." That change is clearly being seen and felt across the festival this year. In a formal statement issued hours later, the festival said: "Because the time has come to speak out, and because there must be zero tolerance with sexual harassment or abuse of any kind, the Festival de Cannes, in partnership with the French Ministry of Gender Equality, has decided to take a firm approach to preventing sexual harassment, and to stand shoulder to shoulder with victims." At the Monday press conference, Fremaux also referred to the allegation that the gender ratio in Cannes film selections tends to be skewed. This year, only three of the 21 films in the main Competition have been helmed by women, but the festival's 18-film Un certain regard selection features as many as seven women directors. Moreover, the nine-member Competition jury of 71st Cannes Film Festival is not only headed by Cate Blanchett, it also has four other women on it filmmaker Ava Duvernay, actresses Lea Seydoux and Kristen Stewart and Burundian author and composer Khadja Nin. Fremaux asserted that the festival is doing its best to improve the gender ratio in its selections and committees. He said that films directed by women account for over 20 per cent of the titles in the festival's programme across sections when only 7 per cent of films are helmed by women globally. He also regretted not being able to programme Alfonso Cuaron's film "Roma", about the director's growing-up years in Mexico. The festival tried until the very last minute to have the film premiere in the Competition but Netflix, which has decided not to bring any of its titles to Cannes this year, refused to yield. The bone of contention was the Cannes rule that a Competition film has to mandatorily receive French theatrical distribution, which the streaming video giant has been holding out against. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Quality Investment Holdings, an arm of private equity giant Carlyle, today sold 4.8 per cent stake in PNB Housing Finance for Rs 1,024 crore through an open market transaction. According to bulk deal data available with BSE and NSE, Quality Investment offloaded 80 lakh shares, amounting to 4.8 per cent stake in the housing finance company, for a total of Rs 1,024 crore. The shares were sold at Rs 1,280 apiece, higher than PNB Housing Finance's closing price of Rs 1263.55 today. Meanwhile, General Atlantic Singapore Fund picked up 17.3 lakh shares of PNB Housing Finance for over Rs 221 crore. As of March this year, Quality Investment held 37.33 per cent stake in PNB Housing Finance, while General Atlantic Singapore owned 8.52 per cent in the company. Following the deal, the shares fell 8.05 per cent to close at Rs 1263.55 apiece. The mortgage lender is the fifth largest largest housing finance company with the asset under management of Rs 62,252 crore as on March 31, 2018. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The bitter legal battle over Cauvery water sharing among four southern riparian states in the Supreme Court today saw the Tamil Nadu counsel making a veiled attack on the Narendra Modi government. "Someone boasts that he works 24x7 for the citizens. We believe that the Government of India works on Sundays and Saturdays also," senior advocate Shekhar Naphade, appearing for the Tamil Nadu government, said in the court without taking any names. He took a dig at the Centre over the delay in finalising the Cauvery scheme while opposing the plea of Attorney General K K Venugopal that the Centre be granted time till May 14 as the Prime Minister and his colleagues cannot hold a cabinet meeting to approve the Cauvery management scheme due to ongoing poll campaign in Karnataka. In a retort, the Attorney General asked "Who says that?" "Do you (AG) want me to quote? Ask any reporter here, they will tell you," the Tamil Nadu counsel responded. The bench comprising Chief Justice Dipak Misra and Justices A M Khanwilkar and D Y Chandrachud then proceeded with dictating the order in the case, warning the Centre that it was "sheer contempt" on its part not to have finalised the water sharing scheme despite the February 16 order. The court also summoned the Secretary of Union Water Resources Ministry on May 14 and asked him to bring the draft Cauvery scheme. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) "Solo: A Star Wars Story" director Ron Howard has revealed Han Solo's companion, Wookiee warrior Chewbacca, will have his own theme music in the film. Composer John Powell has created a special song for Chewbacca. "John Williams himself suggested that John Powell would be a great candidate to not only use the classic Star Wars themes, but also the new theme that John Williams himself wrote for Han Solo. John Powell wrote a lot of great themes, including the first-ever Chewbacca theme," Howard said in a Q&A session on Twitter. Chewbacca accompanied Howard for the session and when a fan asked who was the toughest actor to work with, he replied, gesturing to the Chewie stting next to him, "Dude, come on. You gotta be so careful what you say to this guy. He'll rip your arms off." He also revealed that 1968 Steve McQueen crime story "Bullitt" was one of the inspirations for the "Solo". (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A day after a 22-year-old tourist from Tamil Nadu was killed in stone pelting in Jammu and Kashmir, Chief Minister K Palaniswami today spoke to his counterpart Mehbooba Mufti over the phone and sought her help for the safe return of 130 tourists from his state. R Thirumaniselvam, a city resident, suffered head injuries after being hit by a stone when a mob went on a rampage near Narbal on the outskirts of Srinagar yesterday. The chief minister, in an official release, said he had spoken to Mehbooba Mufti and sought her help for the safe return of the 130 tourists. Condoling Tirumaniselvam's death, Palaniswami announced a solatium of Rs three lakh to the next of kin. The chief minister said that on his direction, Tamil Nadu House officials in New Delhi had taken all steps with the help of the Jammu and Kashmir government to bring Tirumani's body back to the state and for the safe return of the other tourists. "I asked Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti to help officials of the Tamil Nadu government for the safe return of the tourists," he said. Tamil Nadu tourists in Jammu and Kashmir may get in touch with officials of the TN House by calling 011-24193450, 24193100 and 24193200, he said. He requested tourists visiting other states to "plan a safe journey". On the killing of the tourist, Mufti had said, "My head hangs in shame." "It is very sad and heartbreaking", Mufti had said after meeting Tirumaniselvam's family. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Former Maharashtra minister and senior Congress leader Ranjeet Deshmukh has filed a police complaint against his younger son for "forcibly occupying" his house and "not vacating it" despite repeated requests, police said today. However, Deshmukh's son Dr Amol later clarified that the matter has been sorted out and that his father has withdrawn the complaint. Deshmukh senior, who owns a house near GPO Square, Civil Lines here, filed the complaint with Sitabuldi police station against Amol on May 5. Senior inspector of Sitabuldi police station, H K Kharabe, confirmed that they have received a written complaint from Deshmukh. "I am a senior citizen and I have been suffering from Parkinson's disease for the past 10 years, for which I am undergoing treatment," Deshmukh, former Maharashtra Pradesh Congress Committee (MPCC) chief, said in the complaint. "I have two sons, who have separate bungalows. But for the last four-five years, my younger son Amol has forcibly occupied the second and third floors of my house along with his family and carried out renovations without my permission," he said. "I have frequently asked him orally and in writing to vacate the house and go to his own residence. But, he is not willing to listen. Due to all this I have lost my peace of mind," the complaint said. Deshmukh further said that Amol's friends and staff keep visiting the house regularly, which has disturbed the peace and affected his health. "As a result, I have deployed private security guards and instructed them not to let anyone enter the house. It may lead to some untoward incident. Therefore, police should take necessary action in this regard," he said. When contacted, inspector Kharabe said, "It is a family issue, but necessary steps will be taken as per the law." Addressing a press conference in evening, Amol said it was a small family matter and much of it was a speculation by the media. "My family and my mother were shocked that such a thing had happened and we were not aware about it. It was a small misunderstanding which could have been ended in the family only," he said. Amol said he and his wife are doctors and had worked abroad in the past. "We had twice returned to Nagpur on request of our parents to take care of them. My mother wants us to stay together. It was a small family matter. Speculations should be avoided," he said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Senior Congress leader P Chidambaram today said his party will resolve the Cauvery water dispute if it comes come back to power and alleged that Prime Minister Narendra Modi declined to solve the problem as suggested by Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah. Speaking to reporters here, the former union minister also said that the prime minister's attack on Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi, while raking up the National Herald case at a poll rally, will have no impact on electoral prospects of the Congress party in the May 12 Karnataka assembly polls as all charges were "bogus". Addressing a rally in Hubballi yesterday, Modi had hit back at the Congress for targetting BJP's chief ministerial candidate B S Yeddyurappa, saying the mother and son who are out on bail and are facing allegations of involvement in a Rs 5,000 crore scam are questioning the BJP. Chidambaram said that Modi, instead of levelling charges against Gandhis in public, should make them in Parliament. "If he wants to level any charges, let him stand up in Parliament and make the charge and we will reply... It (reference to National Herald case) will not have any impact on the electoral prospects of the Congress in the ensuing election," the Congress leader said. Chidambaram said all charges against Gandhis are bogus but Modi wants to portray the issue as if they have committed a major crime. "It is a routine procedure that the court summons... You appear and the court grants bail...," he stated. To a query, Chidambaram said the Congress would solve the Cauvery water dispute when they come back to power. He also blamed Modi for declining to solve the problem as suggested by Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah. In the national capital, the Supreme Court today told the Centre that it was in "sheer contempt" of its direction on Cauvery water sharing for failing to frame a scheme for distribution of water between Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Kerala and Puducherry. The apex court, in February, had asked the Centre to formulate a scheme to ensure compliance of its judgement on the decades-old Cauvery dispute. On the terms of reference stipulated by the Centre in the 15th Finance Commission, he said it is unconstitutional and designed to centralise all finances to keep states at the 'mercy' of the central government. "It (ToR) is RSS manifesto, which does not accept the federal structure, but wants a Hindu unitary nation," he alleged. Chidambaram said people of Karnataka had got a weak and unstable government and three chief ministers during the five-year rule of the BJP earlier. "It was perhaps the worst government in the history of Karnataka. It is the same incompetent men and women who are leading the BJP's campaign in this election and asking for your votes," he said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Finance Minister Arun Jaitley today accused the Congress of fishing in troubled waters and adopting a fringe position over the issue of impeachment of the Chief Justice of India which he said will hurt immediately the party in the Karnataka elections. Two Congress MPs today withdrew their plea in the Supreme Court challenging rejection of the impeachment notice against Chief Justice of India Dipak Misra by Rajya Sabha Chairman M Venkaiah Naidu. "Finding a divided court, the Congress wanted to fish in troubled waters. If the motion for impeachment was unsustainable, the writ petition challenging the order of the Chairman, Rajya Sabha, was unarguable," Jaitley wrote in a hard-hitting Facebook post. Jaitley said the rulings of the Chair on whether to admit a motion or otherwise, are not subject to judicial review. "But wanting to fish in troubled waters", he said the Congress conceived of a strategy to "chose a court of its choice" for mentioning for constitution of the bench to hear the matter so that an unarguable matter could be arguable before a more receptive court. "The Congress Party was looking for a friendly pitch to bowl on," said Jaitley, who himeself is an eminent lawyer. He also wondered whether it is right for a national party to deviate from the mainstream and take such fringe position? "This in reality is the price which each Congressman will pay because its leader has decided that fringe position are better than the mainstream one. The Congressmen in Karnataka will be the immediate victim," he said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Congress leader and former PPCC general secretary Rajinder Deepa today joined the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) along with his supporters here. SAD president Sukhbir Singh Badal in a release said he had a long association with the Congress leader which went back to when he was a student in Chandigarh. He said Deepa was a hard working leader who had a massive connect at the grass-roots level and he was confident that he would be an asset to the SAD. Speaking on the occasion, Deepa said he had always worked for the Congress party but had discovered over the years that the party did not respect people who were really associated with the people. "Besides working at the grass-roots level, I also functioned as spokesman for the Congress party. But I am sorry to state that the worker is not important in the Congress. This is why I am leaving the party and starting a new innings in politics," he said. Deepa also recounted his association with the SAD president and said he would work for the party wherever he is asked to. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Mumbai Congress today sought Prime Minister Narendra Modi's intervention to withdraw the decision of the Maharashtra government to open salt pans and no development zones in Mumbai for affordable housing. In a letter to Modi, Mumbai Congress president Sanjay Nirupam urged him to intervene in the decision, which is part of just-released Mumbai's Development Plan (DP) 2034, taken by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis. There was an urgent need for the prime minister to address the issue and instruct Fadnavis to stop the new Development Plan which would allow builders in Mumbai to have a field day, he said. "Mumbai city cannot afford to have these tracts of land, which are last remaining open spaces, fall prey to the builder lobby," the former Member of Parliament said. Nirupam said the DP, in its present form, will disturb the ecological balance of the financial capital. "Fadnavis has been deliberately trying to defile the ecological balance of Mumbai. And it is extremely unfortunate to watch this happen even after the World Health Organisation (WHO) has listed Mumbai as the fourth most polluted metropolitan city in the world." The Congress leader accused Fadnavis of being "pro- builder". "The chief minister claims unlocking salt pans will pave the way for affordable housing. However, looking at the proximity of salt pan lands to Mumbai, it is bound to be unaffordable for most of the people. Then why is the CM fooling Mumbaikars?" he said. Maintaining that the CMs decision will cause a great loss to the Mumbaikars, Nirupam added, "26th July 2005 marks a black day in the history of Mumbai city as more than 500 people lost their lives that day in devastating floods." According to the DP 2034 for Mumbai, 300 hectares of salt pan lands, which serve as natural buffers during heavy rains and high tides, will be utilised for affordable housing. This will destroy the regions bio-diversity and increase the chances of similar deluge in future, Nirupam said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The BJP today accused the Congress of "forum shopping" and politicising the judiciary, after the opposition party questioned the setting up of a five-judge bench by the Supreme Court Chief Justice to hear a petition challenging rejection of the impeachment notice against him. The Congress, however, has dismissed allegations that the plea, filed by its two MPs, was political. Partap Singh Bajwa from Punjab and Amee Harshadray Yajnik from Gujarat earlier in the day withdrew their plea in the apex court challenging rejection of the impeachment notice against CJI Dipak Misra by Rajya Sabha Chairman M Venkaiah Naidu. Senior Congress leader and advocate Kapil Sibal, who appeared for the two MPs, said the party was for protecting dignity and independence of the courts, while pitching for transparency in the judicial process. "Isn't this a case of case of forum shopping, trying to determine how a case should be heard, before which bench it should be heard," asked BJP spokesperson Nalin Kohli. Kohli, who himself is an advocate at the Supreme Court, further said that by the doctrine of necessity, it is the Chief Justice of India one who will decide the formation of a constitution bench. "The larger question is will the Congress party like to run its failed politics by forcing the involvement of judiciary and politicising it," Kohli asked while asserting that the Congress should do its politics on the political front. The Congress should desist from politicising the judiciary or trying to indirectly do politics through judiciary, he said. Responding to the Congress' claim that it was for protecting dignity and independence of the courts, Kohli said the entire nation was witness to the terrible happenings during the Emergency. After attacking the independence of the judiciary, the Congress then misused the judiciary by appointing favourites and superseding deserving judges, Kohli said. Given its track record and the current sequence of events, it is rank hypocrisy for the Congress to shed crocodile tears and pretend as if it stands for the protection of the judiciary, he added. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A US appeals court has blocked the government's plan to hand over to a third country an American citizen captured in Syria allegedly fighting for the Islamic State terror group. In a two-to-one decision yesterday, a panel of judges at the US Court of Appeals in Washington left in place a lower court's injunction preventing the man, a dual US-Saudi national, from being turned over to the Saudi government. The American Civil Liberties Union, which has been representing the man, known in court documents only as "John Doe," asked the court to block the transfer, arguing that he has not been charged with a crime and has the right to due process under US laws. The US government maintains he is an "enemy combatant," which the man denies, and announced on April 17 that it intends to send him to a third country, which court documents implied was Saudi Arabia. The court's reasoning for its decision to keep the injunction in place yesterday remained under seal. "The appeals court's judgment vindicates due process, limits on executive authority, and the protection of an American's constitutional rights," said ACLU attorney Jonathan Hafetz in a statement. "The president does not get a blank check to dispose of the liberty of US citizens just because international relations or military actions are involved." The case is a key test for how the administration of President Donald Trump handles US citizens detained abroad for supporting extremist groups like Islamic State. The man is the only known US citizen held as an alleged enemy combatant from the battlefields of Iraq and Syria. Between 100 to 200 US nationals travelled to Syria and Iraq after 2010 to work and fight in their ranks, according to various estimates. It's not clear why the government refuses to hand him over to the US justice system, as other Americans accused of terrorism have been. But analysts think the Trump administration wants to avoid the fundamental question of whether an American caught fighting for Islamic State group has any rights. The Justice Department on Monday said it would was reviewing the decision before making any comment. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Shattering a brief lull in political violence in northern Kerala, a CPI(M) cadre and a BJP worker were killed in separate incidents within hours near here, police said today. CPI-M leader and former Mahe Municipal Councillor Babu, 42, was waylaid by a group of eight people, stated to be RSS and BJP workers, and hacked at Palloor in Mahe, an enclave of union territory of Puducherry, around 9 pm yesterday, police said. Babu suffered serious injuries and died on the way to a hospital, they said. In an apparent retaliatory attack, 40-year old BJP worker Shemaj, an autorickshaw driver, was pulled out of his vehicle and hacked to death by a six-member gang at New Mahe within 30 minutes of the killing of Babu. Police said the identity of the assailants in this incident was under investigation. Both the attacks were due to political vendetta, they added. Mahe, a former French colony, is located between Thalassery in Kannur district and Vadakara in Kozhikode district. New Mahe comes under Kannur district. A dawn-to-dusk 'hartal' called by the CPI-M and BJP in Kannur district and Mahe evoked near total response with shops remaining closed, police said. The killings shattered the four-month long lull in political violence involving workers of ruling CPI-M and BJP and RSS workers in the politically-sensitive Kannur region. In January this year, the LDF government initiated several rounds of peace talks with leaders of various political parties, including the CPI(M), BJP and the Congress resulting in the lull in the cycle of violence. State Governor P Sathasivam had then voiced concern over the recurring violence and wanted the political leadership in the state to sit together and persuade their cadres to choose the path of peace. With the twin murders last night, both Kerala and Puducherry police have deployed several personnel in the area as a precautionary step to prevent any further outbreak of violence. Leaders of the CPI-M and BJP traded charges over the killings. Kannur CPI-M District Secretary P Jayarajan alleged the killing of their party leader was a "deliberate and planned" attack and demanded a probe into the conspiracy behind it. He alleged that the RSS and BJP were trying to create an atmosphere of tension and had broken the peace accord. CPI-M Kerala Secretary Kodiyeri Balakrishnan condemned the attack and alleged that the saffron party was trying to vitiate the peaceful atmosphere. BJP state unit President Kummanam Rajasekharan said police had failed to provide safety to party cadres and ensure security. Congress leader and former chief minister Oommen Chandy wanted stern action against those behind the two killings. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Senior retired officials of government-controlled banks who were accused of corruption and faced no action have now come under the scanner of probity watchdog Central Vigilance Commission (CVC). The Commission has asked all public sector banks to report to it such matters of alleged impropriety by high-ranking officials, who are now not in service, so that action could be taken against them. The move comes after the CVC noticed that some public sector banks did not consult it on cases of malpractice, thus allegedly helping a few top officers evade action. The corruption watchdog needs to be consulted in two stages in vigilance cases-- first stage advice (when an alleged misconduct is initially detected) and second stage advice (when a penalty has to be imposed on errant government employees). In a recent directive by the CVC to all state-owned banks, the Commission said while examining references received from various public sector banks for advice, it had observed instances of non-consultation in matters of retired officers of Senior Management Grade Scale (SMGS-V) and above -- that is, Regional Managers, Assistant General Managers, Deputy General Managers, General Managers, Executive Directors, Managing Directors and Chief Executive Officers. Though the levels/categories of officers had been notified for referring cases for advice from the Commission, some public sector banks were not consulting the CVC in all matters involving vigilance or before initiating action under pension regulations of the respective banks, it said. "It is clarified that the Commission is required to be consulted at the first stage as well as second stage, in matters of retired officers, i.e. officers of SMGS-V and above, as per the prescribed procedure when action is proposed to be initiated after retirement under the pension regulations too," the CVC said. The move assumes significance as central investigating agencies such as the CBI and the ED are looking into various big-ticket fraud cases in banks involving industrialists and others. Among the prominent ones is the over Rs 13,000-crore fraud in Punjab National Bank (PNB) allegedly committed by jeweller Nirav Modi and his uncle Mehul Choksi, the promoter of Gitanjali Gems. The CBI had recently also booked top officials of two public sector banks, a former CMD of the IDBI Bank, former Aircel promoter C Sivasankaran, his son and companies controlled by him in connection with a Rs 600-crore loan fraud in the IDBI. The CBI has named 15 bank officials who worked at senior levels at the IDBI in 2010 and 2014 when loans were sanctioned to the companies controlled by Sivasankaran in its FIR registered on a complaint from the CVC. Managing Director and CEO of Indian Bank Kishor Kharat (who was then MD and CEO of IDBI Bank) and his counterpart in Syndicate Bank Melwyn Rego (then Deputy Managing Director in IDBI Bank), along with then Chairman-cum-Managing Director of IDBI Bank M S Raghavan, have been named in the latest FIR filed by the CBI. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The on Tuesday allowed the sale of unencumbered shares of the firms of former promoters of India's Laboratories Ltd in listed to repay the Rs 35 billion arbitration award in favour of Japanese pharma major Sankyo. Justice Jayant Nath also directed the debtors to fully cooperate with the chartered accountant (CA), who was appointed a local commissioner in the matter, to sell these shares at the stock exchange. The court said the proceeds should be deposited with the registrar general of the High Court and listed the matter for further hearing on May 14. The order came after the CA submitted a report on May 8 giving the list of shares of the -- Malvinder and Shivinder, their family members and firms including RHC Holding Pvt Ltd and Oscar Investments Ltd, in listed "The local commissioner/CA is directed to sell the entire lot of unemcumbered shares of the respondents, other than respondent number 1 (Malvinder Singh) in listed companies," the high court said. The counsel for the told the court that the had ordered a stay on the sale of unencumbered assets of Malvinder Singh in a separate case by the Yes Bank. The high court then sent a notice to the Yes Bank seeking its response. The court also issued notice to on a plea by the brothers seeking a stay on the enforcement proceedings, as a Singapore court has reserved its judgment in an appeal by them against Daiichi's award. Singh brothers' advocate said the judgment of the Singapore court was expected in June and the proceedings to enforce the award here should be stayed till then. The had earlier ordered the attachment of all unencumbered assets of RHC Holdings Pvt Ltd and Oscar Investments Pvt Ltd. A Singapore tribunal had in April 2016 passed the award in Daiichi's favour holding that the brothers had concealed information that their company was facing probe by the US Food and Drug Administration and the Department of Justice, while selling its shares. The high court on January 31 had upheld the international arbitral award passed in the favour of and paved the way for enforcement of the 2016 tribunal award against the brothers who had sold their shares in to Daiichi in 2008 for Rs 95.76 billion. Ltd had later acquired the company from Daiichi. It had however said that the award was not enforceable against five minors, who were also shareholders in Ranbaxy, saying they cannot be held guilty of having perpetuated a fraud either themselves or through any agent. Daiichi had moved the high court here seeking direction to the brothers to take steps towards paying its Rs 35 billion arbitration award, including depositing the amount. It had also urged the court to attach their assets, which may be used to recover the award. On February 16, the Supreme Court had dismissed Singh brothers' appeal against the high court verdict upholding the international arbitral award. Singhs' counsel had argued that the award granted consequential damages which were beyond the jurisdiction of the arbitral tribunal and the award cannot be enforced under the provision of the Arbitration Act. They had claimed that Daiichi was fully aware of all facts and still chose to retain the shares, instead of terminating the agreement and returning them. The Congress today announced the candidature of former party MP Damodar Shingda for the May 28 bypoll to Palghar Lok Sabha constituency, adjoining Mumbai, on a day party leader Rajendra Gavit crossed over to the BJP and was nominated as a candidate. Talking to reporters, Maharashtra unit Congress president Ashok Chavan said the people would teach "traitors" a lesson, hours after Gavit, a tribal leader and former minister, joined the BJP in presence of Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and state unit BJP chief Raosaheb Danve. Chavan criticised the BJP for inducting Gavit into its fold. "Fadnavis says that it was wrong on part of the Shiv Sena to nominate late MP Chintaman Wanga's son as its candidate (for the Palghar bypoll)....So, Shiv Sena's conduct is wrong and yours is right," Chavan said referring to Gavit's defection. Referring to Fadnavis' remarks that Gavit was in touch with the BJP for some time, Chavan asked, "Is it democratically right to give members of other parties the tickets to contest elections on your symbol?" Terming Gavit's exit as a good riddance, Chavan said that anyway he wouldn't have allotted the ticket to contest the bypoll. "It's good Gavit has left. His name was considered but it was not possible to give him a ticket as he had lost elections twice in a row. May be he left because he got the hint. "Apart from him, Shingda's name was also in reckoning. Now, we have no problem to recommend Shingda's name to the Parliamentary board. After the clearance, Shingda will file his nomination papers on May 10," he said. Shingda was a five-time member of the Lok Sabha from Dahanu constituency in Palghar district. Gavit, a former minister of state for tribal affairs, had lost the Assembly election from Palghar in 2014. He was also defeated in the 2015 bypoll from the same constituency after the death of sitting BJP MLA Krishna Ghoda. Chavan accused the BJP of weaning away leaders of other parties through "money power". "There is nothing called the party loyalty now. Late BJP MP Chintaman Wanga's son (Shrinivas) is the Shiv Sena candidate and Congressman Gavit is the BJP candidate in Palghar. Using money power, the BJP has started taking away people from other parties," he added. The BJP won the Palghar (ST) constituency in 2014, but the death of its sitting MP Chintaman Wanga early this year necessitated the by-election. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Condemning the death of a 22-year-old tourist whose vehicle was targeted by stone-pelters, CPI(M) MLA Mohammad Yousuf Tarigami today said such "unfortunate" incidents damage the interests of the people of the state. R Thirumani, a resident of Chennai, and his family were returning from Gulmarg yesterday, when their vehicle was caught in stone pelting near Magam area of Budgam. A stone hit the young man on his right temple and he was rushed to the Soura Institute of Medical Sciences where he died. "We express serious concern over the death of a 22-year-old tourist from Chennai due to stone-pelting in Budgam. Such unfortunate and condemnable incidents send a wrong message which ultimately damages the interests of the people of the state," Tarigami said. Such acts only serve the interests of those who want to undermine and ignore the democratic aspiration of Jammu and Kashmir, he said. The Kulgam MLA said that at a time when the people of Kashmir are facing tough times, what is required is utmost restraint and wisdom to garner more support from the people and civil society of the country so as to put pressure on the authorities to listen to the legitimate voices of the people of Kashmir. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman today said the death of a tourist who was targeted by stone-pelters in Kashmir was "completely condemnable" and not "very conducive" for tourism in the Valley. The minister also said armed forces have to be firm with terrorists and described the Kashmir issue as "very sensitive" and nuanced. The death of R Thirumani, a 22-year-old resident of Chennai, in a stone-pelting incident near Narbal outside the outskirts of Kashmir yesterday was "absolutely unfortunate", Sitharaman said. The incident comes just as the tourist season in Kashmir begins to gather pace with the summer setting in in large parts of the country. "I don't know whether it (the incident) was inadvertent or (committed) knowingly but it is completely condemnable," the minister told reporters at an interaction here. "I am sure the chief minister (Mehbooba Mufti) herself is keen on getting more tourists to Kashmir because that will also help in restoring normalcy. So, if that has been a stated desire, for a stone pelting incident to have hurt and killed a tourist, it's certainly not very conducive to that," Sitharaman said. Responding to a question on whether the Army's tough posture in dealing with the situation in the Valley has led to a spike in militancy, the defence minister said the armed forces have to be firm with terrorists. She said there is need to understand that the issue is very sensitive and has a great deal of nuance. "You can't hold the armed forces responsible for being firm with terrorists. We need to be firm with terrorists. So, we have to understand first about putting everything back at the doorstep of the Army... They have to be firm...," she said. Sitharaman added that at the same time there needs to be free and safe movement of tourists so that normalcy can be restored in the Valley. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Delhi BJP president Manoj Tiwari today alleged that AAP workers were being registered as construction labourers to misuse labour welfare fund and Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, his deputy Manish Sisodia and minister Gopal Rai are responsible for it. A BJP leader, Sukhbir Sharma, has lodged a complaint over the alleged "scam" with the Anti Corruption Branch (ACB) which registered a case on the basis of it yesterday. Sharma alleged that there was a "bungling of Rs 140 crore". Tiwari said that the complaint lodged by the party leader charged that AAP workers were registered as construction labourers. "The government misused the labour welfare fund for expansion of AAP cadre for which Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, Deputy CM and Education Minister Manish Sisodia and Labour Minister Gopal Rai are directly responsible," he said. The BJP state chief demanded that the labour board be dissolved. The AAP refused to react on the allegations made by the BJP. Meanwhile, a senior ACB official said that a case was registered on the complaint of Sharma yesterday. "Further probe is underway (in the matter)," he said without divulging further details. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A dead peacock buried by the Delhi Police personnel after wrapping it in a tricolour has raised several questions of 'protocol' and safety of the national bird, with activists claiming the forest department should have played a pro-active role in the proper disposal of the carcass. The police was informed on Friday about the bird being found injured outside the High Court. An officer from the Tilak Marg police station said, "The assistant sub-inspector did everything he could to save the bird. He rushed the bird to a hospital in Chandni Chowk where the bird was declared dead." The bird was then taken to Jaunapur in south Delhi, where a post-mortem was carried out. The police personnel were in touch with the New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC) officers to ensure that they did not go wrong in handling the national bird, the police official said. After the post-mortem, the police personnel consulted the doctor who had carried it out and the NDMC officials, both of whom suggested that the national bird be buried wrapped in a tricolour, the police official said. The post-mortem report would come in a week's time which would spell out the exact cause of the peacock's death, he said. Senior officers from the district said the policemen had disposed of the body of the bird in a "bonafide" manner and after consulting forest and NDMC officials. They said that no action would be taken against the police personnel. However, wildlife activists criticised the handling of the case, saying animals should be preferably be cremated in the presence of forest officials. "Post-mortem has to be done in a supervised in the presence of a forest official. The post-mortem has to be photographed and videographed," Kartick Satyanarayan, co-founder and chairman of Wildlife SOS, said. "And, the animal should be preferably cremated in the presence of a forest official, to avoid harvesting of any body parts with an intent to smuggle.," he said. There is an incinerator in the Delhi Zooas well, the official of the NGO said. Wildlife activist Gauri Maulekhi said that the forest department needs to be pro-active in assisting the police in such cases. "I am not aware of any such protocols. There is no such thing that is followed at all. The point is, that the police did not have any business burying it. "It was the forest department that needed to carry out the post-mortem and send the viscera for forensic examination. The forest department of Delhi does not respond, despite being contacted by the police," Maulekhi said. She said that she had also written a letter to Chief Wildlife Warden, Delhi, informing him about the issue. "In a case last month, the dead body of a peacock was lying with the police for two days and despite repeated calls to the forest department, nobody came. The forest department should be pro-actively telling the police that we should be informed in such cases.Whatever the police did was in good faith," she said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Aligarh Muslim University Vice Chancellor Tariq Mansoor today told students on a sit-in over the Jinnah portrait row to not let their studies suffer and fall into a trap set by those trying to destroy the institution's image. In an open letter to the students, he urged them "not to fall into the trap of certain forces which are bent upon destroying the image of our alma mater and are playing with your bright future". He asked them to not to let their studies suffer when the exams are round the corner. The exams, postponed because of the unrest on the campus, are now set to begin on May 12. Several AMU students are on an indefinite dharna after a clash with the police on May 2 when they were demanding action against right-wing protesters who had entered the campus, shouting slogans. They are asking for a judicial probe into the "police inaction" and the manner in which a row erupted after a BJP MP objected to the portrait of Pakistan founder Muhammad Ali Jinnah, hanging over decades at the AMU student union office. The VC "fully endorsed" the students' demand for a judicial inquiry and also denounced the "excessive use of force" by the police. But in his letter, he also urged the students to stay calm and focus on their studies and their careers. The VC said he was pained that some sections of the media, including television channels, were using "half truths" to project a negative image of the university. "The AMU is suffering an assault from different quarters and it is even more important to respond with rationality and thoughtful action and not to be swayed by emotions," he said. Amid tension on May 2, a function to grant life membership of the student union to former vice president Hamid Ansari was called off and he returned to Delhi. The university said portraits of all life members of the student union are put up on the walls of its office. Jinnah had also been given this honour before Partition. The AMU students alleged that the protesters were from the Hindu Yuva Vahini, and were allowed to leave a police station after being initially detained. Later, two youths wanted in connection with the violence were arrested by the police. Meanwhile, a 16-member coordination committee of senior faculty members has been formed to help in engaging protesting students. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) United Breweries today said Enforcement Directorate has attached over 4.13 crore equity shares aggregating 15.63 per cent stake held by eight promoter firms of the company and transferred to the agency. With this transfer, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) now holds 4,27,04,758 equity shares (16.15 per cent stake) in the company, said United Breweries, which was once headed by fugitive liquor baron Vijay Mallya, in a regulatory filing. The promoter companies, whose shares have been transferred to ED include United Breweries (Holdings) Ltd (1.95 crore shares aggregating to 7.39 per cent stake) and McDowell Holdings Ltd (18.59 lakh shares, 0.7 per cent). United Breweries (Holdings) Ltd (UBHL) was ordered to be wound up by Karnataka High Court on February 7, 2017. Besides, shares held by the Gem Investment & Trading Co Pvt Ltd (97.87 lakh, 3.70 per cent) and Mallya Pvt Ltd (16.71 lakh shares, 0.63 per cent), and Vittal Investments Pvt Ltd (43.15 lakh shares, 1.63 per cent), among others have also been attached and transferred. Last year in August, UBL had announced that Mallya ceased to be the director of the company following Sebi's order against him. The market regulator has banned Mallya from holding position as director or key managerial personnel of any listed company close on the heels of CBI naming him, Kingfisher Airlines and eight others in a charge sheet related to loan default case. Mallya, whose now-defunct Kingfisher Airlines (KFA) owes more than Rs 9,000 crore (including interest) to various banks, had fled India for London on March 2, 2016. The ED had filed charge sheet against Mallya in connection with a money laundering probe in the about Rs 900-crore IDBI-KFA bank loan case. The agency had also attached properties belonging to him and firms promoted by him. The CBI has two cases against him -- one related to the IDBI Bank case and the other related to a loan default of over Rs 6,000 crore filed on the basis of a complaint from a State Bank of India-led consortium. The beleaguered businessman is currently fighting a legal case against his extradition from the UK to India. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A former teacher in this district earned the wrath of Rajen Gohain apparently for highlighting the poor condition of roads in his locality at an event here, as the Minister of State for Railways chided him for "raising the issue in public". The incident took place during a Swachh Bharat Abhiyan event and was covered by local TV channels. A video clip of the incident went viral on social media sparking off protests today. People gathered in front of the Union minister's house in Nagaon and protested against his remarks. During the event, the teacher, who was present on the stage as one of the senior citizens of Nagaon, was speaking about the poor road condition in the area. "You can come with me to see the real condition of the roads, then you can decide if I am speaking the truth or not," he said. A visibly agitated Gohain interrupted the teacher asking, "Why are you raising such issues? What benefits are you trying to draw? You have come with an ill-motive." "If you have any complaint you should have approached me personally and not in front of the public. What nonsense!" he went on to add. The man then took a seat in a row behind the minister's. However, Gohain walked up to him and was seen having an animated talk. The minister's remarks evoked strong protests from school teachers and students, who burnt effigies of Gohain in front of his house in Nagaon town and shouted slogans demanding that he publicly appologise to the teacher for "humiliating" him. Gohain was unapologetic when asked by reporters during the day in Nagaon if he would apologise. "Why should I?" he shot back to queries. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The special task force constituted to tackle the agrarian crisis in Maharashtra has urged the Centre to accept the state government's proposal to ban some toxic insecticides. The demand comes in the wake of several cases of farmers' deaths in Vidarbha region due to pesticide poisoning last year. Farm activist and chief of the Maharashtra government's task force, Kishor Tiwari, in a statement issued today, said the state has sent a proposal to the Centre to ban the poisonous pesticides. He claimed that last year more than 60 farmers died in the state due to inhalation of poisonous pesticides while spraying the chemicals. The Union government should immediately accept the state's proposal to ban such pesticides, said Tiwari, the chairman of the Vasantrao Naik Sheti Swavalamban Mission. Most of these pesticides have been banned in other countries because of their impact on people's health and ecology, he said. The Supreme Court had earlier sought the Centre's response on a plea seeking a ban on all pesticides that have been prohibited by other countries. The petition alleged that at least 93 pesticides used in India have been banned by other countries and an additional six more are used in India that have been either withdrawn or restricted by other nations. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A father-son duo was arrested by the Delhi Police Crime Branch for allegedly cheating a man of Rs 1.43 crore on the pretext of selling and testing Rice Puller, apparently used by research agencies, police said today. In May, one Narender, a businessman engaged in garment exports, approached the Crime Branch that he was cheated by Virender Mohan Brar, Baba Brar and others, they said. The accused claimed to be testing a Rice Puller aka RP', a brass plate apparently charged by thunderbolt and required by NASA/DRDO for space research. The complainant alleged that few years ago, he came in contact with one person who told him about huge profits in dealing with Rice Puller, police said. The victim met Virender Mohan Brar, managing director of a company, who told him that his company could arrange the sale of RP' to NASA at a price of around Rs 37,500 crore after testing its genuineness, which would be done by scientists of the DRDO and some chemicals would be imported for it, police said. Virender Mohan Brar also told the complainant that they would pay Rs 10 crore immediately on the spot as token money if the test was found "OK", they said. The victim entered into an MoU with Virender Mohan Brar and paid Rs 87.2 lakh for arranging special anti-radiation suits to be worn by scientists during testing, fees of scientist, for obtaining chemicals required for testing etc, police said. The testing of the RP was scheduled in Hapur but could not happen as the accused made an excuse that the place was not conducive and after that the said testing was delayed by them on one or another pretext, they said. At the same time, the other associates of the alleged seller of RP' mounted pressure on the victim for finalisation of the deal or they would sell it to some other person and took him to another company and convinced him that he would not be cheated this time, police said. After that the complainant again entered into an MoU with the company and paid Rs 51.1 lakh on different occasions for the testing of RP', which was scheduled in Dharamshala, Himachal Pradesh, they said. Later, the victim came to know that the said scientist' was working with the accused for Rs 20,000, police said. Subsequently, Virender Mohan Brar and his son Nitin Mohan alias Baba Brar, were arrested, they said. During investigation, the RP' copper plate, anti-radiation scientist suits of NASA and anti-radiation chemical stickers were seized from their possession. "Rice Puller is a non-existent thing, but cheats take a copper plate or utensil and coat it with liquid magnet and then fill some boiled rice with small iron wires and befool the victim by pulling the rice grain towards the magnet coated copper article," said Alok Kumar, joint commissioner of police (Crime). (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) In a major step towards realising the Centre's smart city mission (SCM), the Madhya Pradesh government today launched the country's first Integrated Control and Command Centre (ICCC) for all seven smart cities of the state in Bhopal. The ICCC, installed in a building in Barkheda area of the state capital, would enable the authorities to monitor the status of various smart civic amenities in real-time through the sensors connected to it. Bhopal, Indore, Ujjain, Gwalior, Jabalpur, Satna, and Sagar are the seven smart cities under SCM in Madhya Pradesh. Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan and Union Minister for Housing and Urban Affairs Hardeep Singh Puri inaugurated the integrated command centre of the Bhopal Smart City Development Corporation Limited (BSCDCL). They also inaugurated the first "Apex Conference for the CEOs" of smart cities. The seminar is being attended by 77 CEOs. "Madhya Pradesh has now come out from the category of BIMARU states. The growth of the state remained in two digits. The state has recorded the highest growth in agriculture in the country," he said. Puri said ICCC would keep an eye on civic amenities in the smart cities like the USA's National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). He said 99 cities of the country have been selected under the SCM. "About 1300 projects are underway in 99 smart cities and half of the projects are being carried out under the PPP mode," Puri said. He said a total of one crore houses would be constructed for the rural homeless families by the end of December 2018. ICCC is a cloud-based Universal Internet of Things (UIoT) platform developed by Hewlett Packard Enterprise (HPE). It can run multiple city command centre operations through its multi-efficiency capabilities. The GPS sensors installed in public transport buses, dial 100 vehicles, 108 ambulance services, smart poles, smart lights, traffic management cameras, public bike sharing, solid waste management, meteorological department updates, smart maps etc. would be linked to this centre, enabling the authorities to monitor the status of the civic amenities in real-time. "ICCC would integrate a multitude of citizens' services applications and sensors running across selected cities of Madhya Pradesh," HPE Managing Director (India) Som Satsangi said. He said ICCC enables the government to remotely manage and control various citizen services like smart lighting, smart parking, smart traffic and transport, waste management, water supply etc. through a single platform, which he said would save time and money of the government by providing an interface to the citizens. "The government can take pro-active measures and informed decisions on the basis of the data on a single dashboard. This system would control street lights, parking lights, parking, traffic (including violations and congestions), waste management, water supply etc. through sensors," he added. Satsangi said ICCC is the first such centre in the country developed with future-focused vision. "For example, dump trucks in Bhopal travel about 22,000 kms every day to collect garbage. Some of the trucks are overfilled and sometimes a part of garbage falls on streets. "But if we monitor the garbage bins across the city through sensors, it will help in notifying the centre about those bins which are 70-80 per cent full, so that trucks can go and collect garbage from those particular dumps instead of them travelling across the whole city," he said. Satsangi said the command centre would also help in ensuring the safety of women and children. BSCDCL Chief Executive Officer Chandramauli Shukla said, "Our vision to create India's first cloud-based ICCC in Madhya Pradesh is driven by a future-focused vision for our cities and citizens. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Five suspected autolifters were arrested by the Delhi Police for their alleged involvement in more than 100 cases of motorvehicle thefts, police said today. On April 27, Sanjeev Kumar alias Ganja was nabbed while he was in possession of a stolen Swift Dzire car, bearing a fake number plate, they said. Subsequently, his other associates Dharmender, Harvinder and Deepak Rana were arrested, police said. During interrogation, they revealed that for the last one-and-a-half years, they had committed theft of more than 100 cars from Delhi and the neighbouring regions and disposed them off in Meerut, UP, Chandigarh, Faridkot, Punjab, Lucknow and Chhattisgarh, they said. On May 2, one Shamsher Singh was arrested. He had bought a Chevrolet car stolen from the area of Sangam Vihar in March. Police recovered 17 stolen cars. The accused used to break open the open window glass of the targeted vehicle and open the door from inside. With the help of drill or magnet they would disable the steering lock, said Alok Kumar, joint commissioner of police (crime). "They would decode the ECM and key combination with the help of ECM decoder and would then get the car started with the help of a master key,"Fi he added. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Flipkart founders Sachin and Binny Bansal may have to pay 20 per cent capital gains tax if they sell their shares in the company as part of the proposed deal with US retail giant Walmart, say tax experts. The Indian e-commerce major is in discussions to sell majority holding to Walmart and an announcement to this effect is likely to be made soon, sources close to the development said. Walmart is likely to buy stakes of multiple Flipkart investors, including that of Tiger Global and Japanese conglomerate Softbank, to end up with 60-80 per cent holding for roughly USD 12 billion. According to experts, there would be two taxation angles to the deal once it goes through. The first will be taxation of capital gains earned by the sellers (Flipkart investors). Secondly, whether Flipkart India is allowed to carry forward the losses for the adjustment against income tax payable by the company. Nangia & Co Director Chirag Nangia said the taxability of the foreign investors in Flipkart will depend on the country through which the money is routed and whether India has a tax treaty with those nations. "However, if the Indian promoters of Flipkart India intend to sell their shareholding, being Indian residents, they would be liable to pay income tax in India on capital gains arising from such transaction," Nangia said. Transaction Square Founder Girish Vanvari said the I-T law provides that taxes have to be withheld by the buyer if the share purchase agreement is being entered into with a non-resident entity. "With regard to share purchase agreement entered into with India resident entity, Sachin Bansal and Binny Bansal in this case, capital gain would be charged in their hands and they have to pay 20 per cent income tax," Vanvari said. The deal would be taxable in India since a substantial value of Flipkart's shares is being derived from India, the experts noted. Singapore-registered Flipkart Pvt Ltd holds majority stake in Flipkart India. As per the proposed deal, Walmart is expected to acquire shares of the Singapore entity. This will effectively result in transfer of ultimate ownership in Flipkart India. Nangia said if the seller/transferor of such shares in Flipkart Singapore is a tax resident of Singapore/ Mauritius or any other country, which has a tax treaty with India that exempts capital gains from income tax in India, then the seller may claim treaty benefits. The tax treaties between India and Singapore and India and Mauritius have been amended and exemption from capital gains tax in India were provided till March 31, 2017. Experts say if Softbank's investment in Singapore-registered Flipkart has been routed through these countries and came in after April 1, 2017, the Japanese group could be liable to pay capital gains tax in India. SoftBank Vision Fund had pumped in an estimated USD 2.5 billion in Flipkart in August last year. While short-term capital gains tax in the hands of foreign investors is 40 per cent, long-term capital gains tax is levied at 20 per cent for shares sold after 24 months of purchase. "However, such applicable long-term capital gains tax rate in India could be reduced by half, if such shares acquired after March 31, 2017, are sold before April 1, 2019," Nangia said. He added that Tiger Global would be exempt from taxes in India after the proposed Walmart deal if the funds were routed through Mauritius or Singapore and if the money was invested before March 31, 2017. As per indirect transfer provisions of I-T laws, value of shares of a foreign company is deemed to be substantially derived from India if the value of the Indian assets is greater than 50 per cent of its worldwide assets, a criteria that is apparently met in Flipkart's case. "Despite the fact that shares of Flipkart Singapore (a company registered outside India) will be transferred to Walmart, gains arising from such transfer could be subject to tax in India considering that substantial value of such shares is being derived from India," Nangia said. With regard to carry forward of losses, Section 79 of the I-T Act says that carry forward and set-off of losses cannot happen when more than 51 per cent of shareholding change hands. "However, Section 72A of the Act provides that if there is demerger and merger, the company can carry forward the losses. It remains to be seen how the Flipkart-Walmart deal would be finally structured," Vanvari said. Nangia, however, said since even after the proposed transaction, the immediate majority shareholding of Flipkart India would remain with Flipkart Singapore, Flipkart India may be allowed to carry forward such tax losses to future years. "Proposed transaction may open up tax litigations for Flipkart India/its shareholders, be it the issue of taxability of capital gains arising to shareholders from such transaction or the issue of carry forward of existing tax losses of Flipkart India," Nangia said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A former top Chinese Communist Party official who was once tipped for a top leadership post was sentenced to life in prison for bribery, Chinese state media said today, the latest senior cadre to fall in President Xi Jinping's sweeping anti-corruption crusade. Sun Zhengcai, a former Politburo member and party chief of the southwestern mega-city of Chongqing, was found guilty of taking over 170 million yuan ($26.7 million) in bribes, the official Xinhua service said, adding that his "illegal gains" would be confiscated. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Four car-borne unidentified armed robbers with masked faces snatched a car from a businessman on Phagwara-Jalandhar national highway here last night, police said. According to a complaint lodged by a Jalandhar-based businessman Prabjhot, one masked youth remained at the steering wheel of their own car while three others snatched his car at pistol point. Kaputhala SSP Sandeep Sharma said here today that the accused were in their late twenties and the case was being investigated. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Union minister Vijay Goel today visited a Delhi government-run school in Mustafabad and announced a fund of Rs 25 lakh for its development. He said it is expected that the Delhi government will spend it to "change the face" of the school as it lacked facilities. The condition in which the students are studying, brought tears to my eyes, Goel said. "I am always happy to resolve matters of public interest," Goel said, announcing Rs 25 lakh from his MPLAD fund to revamp the school. He hit out at the AAP government for its "tall claims" of revolutionising the sector in Delhi. "Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and minister Manish Sisodia continue to make tall claims, but in reality the picture is quite grim," the union minister said. They must take concrete measures instead of "publicity and fake promises", he stated. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The government has made the final policy push to bring all civil airports in the country under the cover of the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF), in view of "threats" to national security from possible terror attacks and hijack bids. The Union home ministry, official sources said, has recently prepared a comprehensive note for the consideration of the proposal by the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS), headed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi with the home, defence, finance and external affairs ministers as its members. The note is expected to be taken up at the next CCS meeting, they added. Of the 98 functional airports in the country, 59 are under the armed security cover of the paramilitary CISF, leaving out 39. Of the 26 "hyper-sensitive" airports, 20, including the ones in Mumbai and Delhi, are under the CISF cover while six, including the Srinagar airport in Jammu and Kashmir, are not. The remaining airports are under other security forces like the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), the India Reserve Battalions (IRBs) or state police units. Of the 56 "sensitive" airports, 37 have the CISF cover, while amongst the 16 "normal" airports, only four have the CISF security. The cabinet note prepared by the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has been accessed by PTI and it reasons that all the civil airports in the country need to be brought under a uniform CISF cover as the lack of such a system can jeopardise and pose "threats to national security" by terrorists and other such elements. The note, the sources said, was prepared after taking inputs from the Civil Aviation Ministry, the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS), the Intelligence Bureau (IB) and the CISF. Once the cabinet approved the proposal, the CISF would take about two years to complete the process of taking charge at all the remaining airports, they added. The note also talks about creating a unified command of security, where all the airports in the country will be on a "single platform of action, on a real-time basis", whenever required. A report of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Transport, Tourism and Culture had last year expressed its concern over the lack of a uniform security cover at various airports in the country. It had said it was scary to know that the security of some of our hyper-sensitive and sensitive airports were not covered by the CISF, which was the only specialised force for aviation security. The home ministry had, only yesterday, accorded sanction to the CISF to deploy 600 commandos to guard the soon-to-be operational Kannur international airport in Kerala. The force is also in the final stages of taking over the task of security at the airports in Vijayawada (Andhra Pradesh) and Jabalpur (Madhya Pradesh). The CISF has a special Aviation Security Group (ASG) for this task and it has recently deputed two inspector general (IG) rank officers -- one for the northern zone and one for the southern zone -- to look after the airports' security across the country. The CISF was first tasked with airport security in 2000, beginning with the Jaipur airport, in the aftermath of the hijack of Indian Airlines flight IC-814 and its last induction took place at the Diu airport in 2011. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Trying hard to control their emotions, relatives and locals today gathered at the residence of a 22-year-old man, who was killed in stone-pelting in Jammu and Kashmir, to mourn the loss even as a pall of gloom descended on the locality here. R Thirumaniselvam, a tourist from Chennai, suffered head injuries after being hit by a stone when a mob went on a rampage on the outskirts of Srinagar yesterday. His body was brought here this evening by a private flight with his parents accompanying it from Srinagar via Delhi. Those in the neighbourhood described Thirumaniselvam as a 'good' man. Some of them expressed shock over the death. A youngster's life had been snuffed out in the hill state, they said as they gathered to pay their last respects. Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti termed the death of Thirumaniselvam whose vehicle was targeted by stone-pelters the "murder of humanity" and said the incident had "rattled" the mother in her. Those who pick up stones to kill someone have no religion, she said after meeting the father of Thirumaniselvam, who was holidaying in the Valley with his family. "It is very sad and heartbreaking", she said. Thirumaniselvam and his family were returning from Gulmarg when their vehicle was caught in stone pelting near Magam area of Budgam. A stone hit the young man on his right temple and he was rushed to the Soura Institute of Medical Sciences where he died. Opposition NC Working President Omar Abdullah had said yesterday, "We've killed a tourist by throwing stones at the ehicle he was travelling in. Let's try and wrap our heads around the fact that we stoned a tourist, a guest, to death while we glorify these stone pelters & their methods." Tamil Nadu Chief Minister K Palaniswami has announced a solatium of Rs three lakh to Thirumaniselvam's family. Palaniswami also spoke to Mehbooba over phone and sought her help for the safe return of 130 tourists from Tamil Nadu who had gone to Jammu and Kashmir. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Gujarat CID-Crime today took over the investigations into the devastating fire which has so far destroyed groundnut worth Rs 3 crore kept at a warehouse on the outskirts of Rajkot city. The Rajkot Police conducted the initial probe into the fire, which started three days ago and is still raging. Even as CID-Crime officials visited the warehouse in the Shapar industrial area, about 200km from here, as part of the probe, the Gujarat Congress demanded a judicial inquiry. The opposition party said a sitting judge of the Gujarat High Court should probe the fire incident as it alleged a larger conspiracy by the ruling BJP to "hide corruption in procurement of groundnut from farmers". The blaze erupted on the night of May 6 in the rented warehouse and was still raging, said Deputy Inspector General of Police (Rajkot Range) D N Patel. "A team of CID-Crime today began its probe by visiting the warehouse. The fire is still not under control. It may take another 24 hours to douse the flames. "There was no breakthrough in the initial probe done by the Rajkot police. It is still unclear how the blaze started," Patel told PTI. A huge stock of groundnut, purchased from farmers in Gujarat by NAFED (National Agriculture Cooperative Marketing Federation of India), was stored in the godown. Yesterday, Gujarat Agriculture Minister R C Faldu said of the total 42,000 sacks kept in the warehouse, around 26,000 sacks, having groundnut worth Rs 3 crore, were gutted. He even claimed the fire could be a deliberate attempt to malign the BJP government's image. This is the second major fire incident at a groundnut warehouse in Rajkot district in the last three months. In February, groundnut worth Rs 28 crore was gutted in an inferno at a godown in the district's Gondal taluka. Citing other similar incidents of fire in different parts of the state in recent times, senior Congress leader Arjun Modhwadia alleged a larger conspiracy involving people linked to the BJP. "Since there was a large-scale corruption in procuring groundnut from farmers, people associated with the BJP are trying to destroy evidences by setting such warehouses ablaze. Groundnut worth Rs 100 crore went up in smoke in a series of such incidents across the state recently," alleged Modhwadia. "CID-Crime would only probe how the fire started. They will not probe the entire conspiracy. Thus, we demand that a probe from all angles be carried out by a sitting High Court judge," the Congress leader added. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Goods and Services Tax (GST) introduced by the BJP-led NDA government has ruined the country's economy and hit small and big traders, Madhya Pradesh Congress chief Kamal Nath alleged here today. "The GST implemented by the Centre has ruined the country's economy, causing hardships to small and big businessmen. It has also affected the trading activities in Madhya Pradesh in a big way," Nath told PTI here. He was speaking on his arrival in Chhindwara, his home turf, from where he won the Lok Sabha elections nine times. It was his first visit to the city after being appointed as the MPCC chief. Alleging that the prices of petrol, diesel and electricity in Madhya Pradesh were the highest in the country, he said Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan to clarify his stand on the issue. Replying to a query, the former Union minister said the party will contest the upcoming assembly polls from all 230 seats and the candidates will be announced by September. On BJP chief Amit Shah asking his party-men to target Chhindwara and Guna Lok Sabha constituencies, from where Nath and another Congress leader Jyotiraditya Scindia were elected as MPs respectively, he said the people will give a befitting reply to him. He said, "The way I developed Chhindwara...the love and affection that I got here has given me a lot of strength to do the same at the state level as MPCC chief." "Today, we don't have a challenge from any individual, but we face a challenge of securing the future of Madhya Pradesh," he added. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Congress leaders and activists today staged a protest outside the office of the district collector in Gujarat's Palanpur demanding a probe into what they termed as a "scam" in supplying "sub-standard" fodder to cow enclosures by the state government agencies. Congress MLAs Alpesh Thakor, Govabhai Rabari, along with their supporters, staged a sit-in protest outside the collectorate, after which the collector withdrew section 144 of CrPC imposed on Saturday last till May 10, "prohibiting congregation of cows on roads". The manager of a cow enclosure at Deesa in the district, along with owners of panjrapols (cow enclosures), had last week released hundreds of cows from the facility demanding a cash compensation from the government while accusing it of providing "sub standard" fodder for cows. Palanpur is the administrative headquarters of Banaskantha district, which was affected by a massive flood last monsoon. The Congress MLAs demanded investigation into the "supply of sub-standard subsidised fodder by the government agencies to the cow enclosures". "Collector Sandip Sagale withdrew section 144 from 5 pm today, after Congress MLAs submitted a memorandum demanding the same. As for their other demands, the request has been forwarded to the state government," said additional collector L B Bambhaniya. Thakor told reporters that the Congress will launch a state-wide agitation if the state government fails to order the investigation into the issue. "We demand the government constitute a committee to investigate the sub-standard fodder being supplied by state agencies at a subsidised rate, which is not eaten by cows and is of no use to them," he said. "The fodder supplied to them is of poor quality and there is a likelihood of fodder scam," he alleged. Owners of cow enclosures also threatened a district-wide agitation. "We will lock down all 97 'panjrapoles 'in the district and hand over the keys to the state government if our demands are not met within a week," said Jagdish Mali, a cow enclosure manager in Deesa. State Revenue Minister Kaushik Patel said the government is committed to the service and safety of cows. "We appeal to the panjrapole managers to continue their service as the government is committed to help them. Good quality fodder has been supplied which will be provided to them at Rs 2 per kg. Collector has also been instructed to provide water for cows," he said in a statement. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal today invited Israeli companies to invest and collaborate in the fields of waste water treatment, micro irrigation, precision farming and crop innovation to help increase income of farmers in the state, an official release said. In his address at the global agricultural technology exhibition Agritech Israel 2018 in Tel Aviv, Khattar sought collaborations in the fields of waste water treatment, micro irrigation, precision farming, crop innovation, and sprinkler system to assist and enable the farmers of his state to produce more and increase their income. The Chief Minister invited potential partners, companies, and research institutions from Israel to come forward and be a part of the growth story of Haryana, a Haryana government release said here. Agritech Israel 2018, being held from May 8-10, is one of the worlds most important exhibitions in the field of agricultural technologies. Stressing the need for family and integrated farming, he said integrated farming also reflected the social character of the joint family system in India. The Chief Minister said ways should also be explored for the development of arid and semi-arid regions where industrialisation can play an important role. He disclosed that the state government was coming up with an industrial township of global standards in Sohna, which would serve as a catalytic agent for the development of the region. Projecting Haryana as a leading state both in industry and agriculture, Khattar said the state had emerged as a preferred investment destination among foreign investors. He invited Israeli companies to come and invest in the shared future of Haryana and Israel. Earlier, Khattar, who is leading a high-level delegation to Israel, today visited fields near Tel Aviv and interacted with farmers to have first-hand account of the latest Israeli technology and expertise. The Chief Minister interacted with local farmers to know how they adopted the new techniques and what impact these had on both production and productivity. Khattar also interacted with captains of micro irrigation industries to know how best these practices there can be adopted in Haryana. The high level delegation led by the Chief Minister includes Minister of State for Social Justice and Empowerment, Krishan Kumar. Khattar is leading a high level delegation to Israel to study their best practices in the fields of agriculture so that the same could be replicated in the state for the benefit of the farming community. The Chief Minister began his ten-day two-nation tour on Sunday. Khattar will also be visiting the UK to attract investment for the ongoing major industrial projects in the state. The delegation was in Israel from May 6 to 8 and will visit the UK from May 9 to 14. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Bombay High Court has offered relief to a city-based MBBS student who had been seeking a transfer from her medical college in Sangli district to another college in Mumbai, or its vicinity, on account of health complications. In an order passed last week, a bench of Justices B R Gavai and Bharati Dangre directed the Maharashtra government to ensure that the petitioner, a second year student at the Government Medical College at Miraj in Sangli, was transferred to the Rajiv Gandhi Medical College (RGMC) in Mumbai's neighbouring Thane district. According to the petitioner, she suffers from an acute case of allergic bronchitis and bronchial asthma, and therefore had urged the state government to allow her to take a transfer to any government or civic-run medical college closer to home in Mumbai, or in Thane. The petitioner also got No Objection Certificates (NOCs) from her current college, and from the university under whose jurisdiction her current institution as well as the RGMC fall. She also submitted her medical reports and the recommendation of a board of doctors from a government hospital that she be permitted to take the transfer on account of her health. However, the state rejected her request saying such migration was not permitted under rules mentioned in its 'information brochure' governing MBBS admissions. Following which the petitioner's advocate, Rui Rodrigues told HC that the guidelines of the Medical Council of India (MCI) permitted such migration. As per the MCI rules, the reason for such transfer or migration must be "genuine", and the student must have the requisite NOCs, Rodrigues told the court. Also, the number of transfers permitted must not be more than five per cent of the total sanctioned admissions for first year MBBS students in the college that year. The court was also informed that the RGMC had one out of its total 60 second year seats vacant on account of another case of migration. On this, the state argued that its information brochure did not recognise a vacancy arising out of a migration as a "clear vacancy" - against which another student could be allowed to take a transfer. But, the bench rejected the state's argument saying that since the MCI rules did not have such a condition, the state's rules could not be permitted to override the MCI's. "The learned assistant government pleader states that it is not in dispute that one seat is available in the RGMC, Thane. However, the said seat is not a clear vacancy as per the information brochure of the state government. We are inclined to reject this contention as first of all, the final authority in such matters will be the MCI," the bench said. "The state, therefore, is directed to approve the case of the petitioner's transfer to RGMC," it added. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The opposition Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD), which had alleged that chapters on Sikh Gurus were deleted by from Class 12 history book, today said its stand on the issue "has been fully vindicated" with the state government announcing setting up of a panel to review the syllabus. The party described the government's decision in this regard "a correct though belated step". In the wake of the controversy, the Punjab government has decided to put on hold the release of class 12 history book till the newly-constituted oversight committee examined it and decided on the way forward. "This is precisely what we have been demanding all along and this is just the step which former Punjab chief minister Parkash Singh Badal had urged CM Amarinder Singh to take. "Had the government listened to him then, the entire unsavoury controversy could have been avoided," senior vice president of the SAD Daljeet Singh Cheema said in a statement. "Nevertheless, we are happy that the government has finally done the right thing. We also welcome the inclusion of eminent and respected historians in the committee and we trust them to undo the injustice done to our great and glorious history," he said. Amarinder Singh had yesterday announced the constitution of a six-member oversight committee, headed by eminent historian Prof Kirpal Singh, to examine the recommendations of the 2014 panel that had reviewed the history syllabus, and to oversee all history books in the future. Besides Kirpal Singh, the committee comprises former Vice Chancellor of Guru Nanak Dev University Prof. J S Grewal, former Pro-Vice Chancellor of GNDU Prof Prithipal Singh Kapur, Professor Emeritus of History in Panjab University Indu Banga, besides two eminent historians to be nominated by the Shiromani Gurdwara Prabandhak Committee (SGPC). Following the state government's decision, the SAD deferred the "full-fledged" party meeting on the subject, scheduled to be held in Amritsar on May 11. Cheema, however, demanded that in the meantime, the old syllabus containing the history of the Sikh Gurus and Punjab's heroes and martyrs be restored immediately for teaching to class 12 students as before, so that they do not suffer any loss during the current session. "We have gone strictly on academic merit and even today, we stick to the principled path of reason to get the injustice undone. We do not believe in needless confrontation. Now that the government has accepted our plea and ordered a review committee, we have decided to indefinitely postpone the party meeting at Amritsar Sahib," he said. The committee has been mandated to consider and report on the recommendations of the expert group constituted by the Punjab School Education Board (PSEB) in 2014, to review the changes made in the new history syllabus prescribed for classes 11 and 12 subsequent to the recommendations of the expert group, and to suggest corrections, if any. The panel has been further asked to examine the contents of the text books prescribed for classes 11 and 12 and to suggest corrections for factual and other errors, if any, and to align, as may be practicably possible, the History syllabus with that prescribed by the NCERT. Earlier this month, Chief Minister Amarinder Singh had lambasted the opposition for trying to spread "misinformation" on a sensitive religious issue and had said that they had shown "gross irresponsibility" by making a "baseless" public statement without bothering to check the facts. He claimed that the chapters pertaining to Sikh history had only been shifted from class 12 to class 11. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Yogendra Yadav-led Swaraj India today alleged that Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar was "communalising" the atmosphere here by making "irresponsible" statements. The party's reaction came after Khattar, on Sunday, in the wake of alleged disruptions to namaz by right-wing groups at multiple locations here, said such congregations should be restricted to mosques, idgahs or private places. Terming the Khattar's statement "unfortunate", Yadav said, "At a time when the CM should have tried to calm down tempers, he is making irresponsible statements resulting in communalisation of the atmosphere." "His statement can been seen as a patronage to the rowdy elements and goons disturbing Friday namaz," the party's national president said. Most of the Muslim population in Gurgaon largely constitute of poor migrants from other states and they do not have sufficient number of mosques here to offer Friday prayers, Swaraj India said. Prayers are offered at over 100 public locations while the number of mosques in Gurgaon are not even 15, it claimed. Therefore, denying the Muslim community access to public place for prayers tantamount to denying them their constitutional legal right to practice ones religion, the party said. Concerned over the developments, a Swaraj India delegation led by senior party leader Anupam spoke to leaders and individuals in Gurgaon. The team also met Commissioner of Police Sandeep Khirwar in order to get the administrative perspective. "The Swaraj India team has suggested that in case there is any specific location where Friday gathering creates public disturbance, it should be looked into and resolved through a dialogue with the administration. If needed, such locations may be barred from congregation," Anupam said. But once the public spaces are marked, it is the duty of the state government and the administration to ensure people are allowed to offer prayers peacefully, he said, adding that strong action should be taken against groups or individuals indulging in vigilantism by taking law into hands. Swaraj India also gave a call to observe next Friday as Sadbhavana Day. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A team of faculty and research scholars of the University of Hyderabad (UoH) has got a patent for having developed a water purifying agent. Scientists at the varsity developed nanometric silver particle-embedded polymer thin films with wide applications, including anti-bactericidal action, a press release from the varsity said. The team developed the simple and economically viable methodology for purifying drinking water, it said. The group had obtained the patent on April 26 from Patent Office, Government of India. Also, the agent can be used repeatedly, allowing simultaneously its monitoring using spectroscopy and microscopy, the release added. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The National Anti-Profiteering Authority (NAA) has dismissed charges against Basmati rice-exporting firm KRBL of not passing on price reduction benefits under Goods and Services Tax (GST) to consumers. This is the second time in a row that the NAA has ruled in favour of the company against whom a complaint was filed for indulging in profiteering. Last month, the authority had exonerated a dealer of Honda cars of the charges of not passing on the benefit of reduced tax incidence to a consumer. According to the complaint lodged with a standing committee under GST in November last year, KRBL Ltd had not passed on to the consumers the benefit of reduction in the rate of tax on 'India Gate Basmati rice'. The applicant had attached the image of price of 'India gate Basmati Rice (Mini Mogra)' printed on 10-kg packet showing the price at Rs 540 in August 2017 and Rs 585 in October 2017 in its complaint. The Director General of Safeguards (DGS), which investigated the complaint, found that the tax rate on packed Basmati rice has been increased from 'Nil' to '5' per cent after the implementation of GST. The company has started paying 5 per cent GST with effect from September 22, 2017, pursuant to a government notification. The input tax credit (ITC) claimed by the company worked out to be between 2.69-3 per cent and the balance of GST had been paid by the company in cash since the ITC available was less than the GST liability on outward supplies, the DGS noted. "It is also apparent from the returns filed by the respondent (KRBL) for the months of September, October and November, 2017, that the ITC available to him as a percentage of the total value of taxable supplies was between 2.69 per cent to 3 per cent whereas the GST on the outward supply of his product was 5 per cent which was not sufficient to discharge his tax liability. "Moreover in this case the rate of tax has been increased from 0 per cent to 5 per cent instead of a reduction in the same. Therefore, there appears to be no reason for treating the price fixed by the respondent as violation of the provisions of the anti-profiteering clause," the NAA said while dismissing the plea against KRBL. The NAA, in its order, also said that the tax invoices submitted by KRBL show there was an increase in the purchase price of paddy in year 2017 as compared to 2016. The price increase from Rs 540 to Rs 585 for 10kg rice constituted an increase of 8.33 per cent keeping in view of the increase in the purchase price. "Therefore, due to the imposition of the GST on the above product as well as the increase in the purchase price of the paddy there does not appear to be denial of benefit of ITC as has been alleged by the Applicant as there has been no net benefit of ITC available to the Respondent which could be passed on to the consumers. Accordingly, there is no substance in the application filed," the order issued by NAA chairman B N Sharma and other members stated. As per the structure of the anti-profiteering mechanism in the GST regime, complaints of local nature will be first sent to the state-level screening committee, while those of national level will be marked for the Standing Committee. If the complaints have merit, the respective committees will refer the cases for further investigation to the DGS. The DGS then sends its report to the NAA, which passes final order on the case after hearing both parties. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) India and Guatemala have agreed to promote trade and economic relations and called upon the private sectors to explore and take advantage of the pro-business climate existing in both countries. The economic relations between the two nations were discussed as Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu met his Guatemalan counterpart Jafeth Cabrera here yesterday. This the first ever visit of an Indian Vice President to the Republic of Guatemala. During the meeting, the two leaders reviewed the main issues of the bilateral relations and agreed to explore and strengthen their cooperation linkages in different areas such as agriculture, culture, education, renewable energy, conservation, trade and investment. The two sides agreed to promote trade and economic relations and called upon the private sectors to explore and take advantage of the pro-business climate existing in both countries, according to a statement issued by the Ministry of External Affairs in New Delhi. The two countries also exchanged views on regional and multilateral issues. India reiterated its invitation for Guatemala to join the International Solar Alliance, which is under process, it said. On the multilateral front, the subjects of UN Security Council expansion and reform, fight against terrorism and sustainable development were discussed. During the visit, a Memorandum of Understanding between the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Guatemala, and the Ministry of External Affairs of India through their respective Foreign Service Institutes for strengthening diplomatic cooperation through education was signed. A Letter of Intent was handed over to the Guatemalan authorities on organising a special course for Guatemalan English Teachers in India under the Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation (ITEC) programme, the statement said. Naidu expressed India's readiness to assist Guatemala under South-South Cooperation and to share experience in areas of interest to the central American nation. The two sides agreed to implement proposals on solar energy technologies in Guatemala as the promote women empowerment through training in the use of renewable energy and hence promote use of clean energy. Naidu is accompanied by a high-level delegation including Members of Parliament representing different political parties. They visited the Guatemalan Parliament and had a meeting with the Speaker of the House during which they discussed issues of common interest including democracy and legislation, with the purpose of expanding the ties of friendship between Guatemala and India in the parliamentary ambit. The diplomatic relations between Guatemala and India were established on 16th May 1972. Naidu earlier also called on Guatemalan President Jimmy Morales Jimmy Morales Cabrera. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) India and Guatemala have agreed to support each other's candidature for the non-permanent membership of the UN Security Council as they sought to push the 'complementary' and 'not competitive' nature of bilateral relations to a new level. The decision was taken after Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu held extensive talks with the President Jimmy Morales, Vice President Jafeth Cabrera and Parliament Speaker of Guatemala Alvaro Arzu Escobar here yesterday. This is the first ever visit of an Indian Vice President to the Republic of Guatemala. During his talks, both sides agreed to take "complementary" relationship to a new high taking advantage of emerging opportunities in both countries, an official statement said. India agreed to Guatemala's request for supplying solar panels to its airports. India will also train Guatemalan diplomats, English teachers. Agreeing to push the 'complementary' and not competitive' nature of bilateral relations to a new level for mutual benefit, India and Guatemala agreed to support each other's candidature for the non-permanent membership in the United Nations Security Council. Guatemala will support India's candidature for UNSC membership for 2021-22 while New Delhi will do so for 2031-32 for Guatemala. Naidu told Guatemalan leaders that "India is keen about enhancing its engagement with Latin America and looks at Guatemala, the most populous and biggest economy in Central America, as the gateway", the statement said. "My visit to Guatemala is a clear indication of this thinking in New Delhi. Going by trade patterns and consumption needs, we are complementary in nature and not competitors and need to take our relation to a new high taking advantage of emerging opportunities in both countries for mutual benefit," he said. Guatemalan President Jimmy Morales said his country could benefit from the "successful economic story of India" and stressed on the need for improving bilateral engagement in various fields. Referring to India's soft power, he said he was aware of popular TV serial Kaun Banega Karodpati and films like The Slum Dog Millionaire and The Life of Pi. He also referred to huge popularity of India-made two wheelers given their quality and after sale service in Guatemala, beating the popular competitors. During his talks with his Guatemalan counterpart Franco, the two nations agreed that they were facing similar challenges including governance issues, terrorism in different forms, poverty and economic disparities and democracy was the best form of governance to address them. Franco noted that contrary to the perception, their government was making determined efforts to check corruption and his country was facing a different kind of terrorism in the form of criminal gangs. Guatemalan Speaker Escobar said, "India's vibrant democracy is a role model in harmonizing vast diversities and offers a lot to learn and India's economic success is equally inspiring". Naidu suggested setting up Parliamentary Friendship Group to promote interaction among MPs of both sides. After discussions between the two vice presidents, both the sides signed a Memorandum of Understanding for training of diplomats and a Letter of Intent for training Guatemalan English Teachers in India. These agreements will be valid for three years and will be extended thereafter, if required. Franco also invited India to send a delegation to the Conference of Ibero America to be held in Guatemala City in November this year which is to be attended by all the Latin American Countries besides Spain and Portugal. This is the first time India got such an invitation for the conference held once in three years, the statement said. Naidu invited Guatemala to join the International Solar Alliance. During the visit, a Memorandum of Understanding between the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Guatemala, and the Ministry of External Affairs of India through their respective Foreign Service Institutes for strengthening diplomatic cooperation through education was signed. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) India today opened for bidding the biggest city gas distribution licensing round, offering 86 permits for selling CNG and piped cooking gas in 174 districts in 22 states and union territories. As many as 86 geographical areas (GAs), made by clubbing adjacent districts, are on offer in the 9th city gas distribution (CGD) bidding round, according to oil regulator Petroleum and Natural Gas Regulatory Board (PNGRB). ? The GAs cover 24 per cent of the country's area and 29 per cent of its population, Oil Minister Dharmendra Pradhan said at a roadshow organised here to promote the round. The round is likely to attract an investment of Rs 70,000 crore, a PNGRB presentation made at the roadshow said. The last day for bidding is July 10. Pradhan said the government is targeting to raise share of natural gas in the primary energy basket to 15 per cent from current 6 per cent, in next few years. The bid round is also aimed at meeting Prime Minister Narendra Modi's target of giving piped cooking gas connection to 1 crore households, roughly triple the current size, by 2020. ?CGD licences for Bhopal in Madhya Pradesh, Ahmednagar in Maharashtra, Ludhiana and Jalandhar in Punjab, Barmer, Alwar and Kota in Rajasthan, Coimbatore and Salem in Tamil Nadu, Allahabad, Faizabad, Amethi and Rai Bareli in Uttar Pradesh, Dehradun in Uttarakhand and Burdwan in West Bengal are on offer. Prior to the 9th round, 91 GAs were awarded to firms like Indraprastha Gas Ltd and GAIL Gas Ltd, which are serving 240 million population, 42 lakh domestic consumers and 31 lakh CNG vehicles. Of these, 56 GAs were awarded through bidding rounds and the rest on government nomination. The bid round is being held on changed parameters after 'one paisa' bids spoilt the initial auction rounds. Bidders have been asked to quote the number of CNG stations to be set up and number of domestic cooking gas connections to be given in the first eight years of operation. In the previous eight bid rounds, bidders were asked to quote only the tariff for the pipeline that carries gas within the city limits. These bidding criteria did not include the rate at which an entity would sell CNG to automobiles or piped natural gas to households using the same pipeline network, leading to companies offering one paisa as the tariff to win licences. In the new guidelines, maximum weightage of 50 per cent has been given to the number of piped gas connections proposed in eight years from the date of authorisation, as compared to 30 per cent earlier. The number of CNG dispensing stations proposed to be set up has been assigned 20 per cent weightage. Length of the pipeline to be laid in the GA and the tariff proposed for city gas and Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) have been assigned 10 per cent weightage each. Also, a floor tariff of Rs 30 for city gas and Rs 2 per kg for CNG has been put in order to deter bidders from quoting unviable tariff of 1 paisa per unit. Companies having a net worth of not less than Rs 150 crore can bid for cities with a population of 50 lakh and more while the same for cities with population of 20 lakh to 50 lakh has been proposed at Rs 100 crore. The net worth eligibility goes down with population, with a Rs 5 crore net worth firm being eligible to bid for cities that have less than 10 lakh population. PNGRB said any entity security CGD licence would have to enter into a firm natural gas supply agreement with a natural gas producer or marketer in a transparent manner on the principle of 'at an arm's length' within 180 days of winning a licence. The authorised entity has to achieve financial closure within 270 days from date of grant of licence. The winning company would have 8 years of marketing exclusivity in the given city. Current licences provide for 5 years of exclusivity. Last few rounds of CGD have evoked a lukewarm response. The fourth round was altogether cancelled, while the fifth saw a sparse response. The sixth round of bidding for 34 cities in 2015 got bids for only 20. The seventh round of bidding done to set up CGD infrastructure in 11 smart cities under smart city mission received only 1 bid. Seven cities were offered in the 8th round last year but not all cities have been awarded so far. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Tahir Hussain, an Indian American professor of Pharmacology at the University of Houston, has received a grant of USD 1.6 million from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to examine a kidney cell that could prevent damage from inflammation caused by obesity. The targeted cells express a protein called the angiotensin type 2 receptor (AT2R), which recently has been indicated to have anti-inflammatory and reno protective actions. If activated, the AT2R will protect against chronic and acute kidney injury, Hussain said. Hussain, originally from India and an alumnus of the Aligarh Muslim University, will study the impact of inflammation in kidneys with active AT2R as well as those with no AT2R. "What I'm proposing in this grant is that certain cells in the kidney can protect the kidney itself," he said. The expression of AT2R in the body is inherently low and hence, "weak", Hussain said, adding that "but because we know it has anti-inflammatory activity, we want to pump it up." To strengthen it, Hussain said he would use a drug that binds to it and activates it. With one-third of the US population being obese, the NIH estimates that the annual cost to manage or treat obesity-associated disorders to be as high as USD 125 billion. These disorders include chronic as well as acute kidney injury (AKI). Chronic kidney injury is the result of progressive loss of kidney function leading to irreversible damage, while AKI occurs as an abrupt loss of kidney function and usually is reversible. In both processes, inflammation plays a significant role in the initiation and maintenance of the injury. "Obesity is associated with low grade chronic inflammation in the body," Hussain said. He added he was hopeful that his research would one day work to stop kidney diseases caused by inflammation. "Once we study and better understand AT2R as a target, making new prevention drugs would be easy," he said. Earlier, Hussain had already shown that AT2R activation with drugs promotes sodium excretion into urine, helping to lower blood pressure. This is the first time the receptor's role to protect kidney structure and function against injury in obese subjects will be investigated. Hussain earned his B.Sc (Chemistry), M.Sc, M.Phil and Ph.D (Biochemistry) from the Aligarh Muslim University, in Aligarh, India, and Post-Doctorate (Pharmacology) from the East Carolina University, Greenville, NC. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) An Indian national was among two persons arrested in Nepal today for illegally operating a call bypass centre from their rented room here, police said. Vivek Shukla, 24, a resident of Madhya Pradesh and Nepali local Lal Bahadur Magarati, 25, were arrested from a guest house in Kathmandu, they said. The police have also seized various communication equipment from the arrested duo. They were operating illegally BOIP service from their rented room in Kathmandu, causing a huge loss to state-run Nepal Telecom, police said. The police have initiated an investigation into the matter. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Technology professionals from India accounted for 74.2 per cent of the total number of H-1B visas issued by the US in 2016 and the next year the figure rose to 75.6 per cent, a government report said today. However, there has been a drop in the number of new H-1B beneficiaries from India, the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services report said. China with 9.3 and 9.4 per cent respectively for 2016 and 2017, comes a distant second after India in terms of number of H-1B visas issued. The number of beneficiaries from India approved for initial employment decreased by 4.1 per cent in fiscal 2017, while the number of beneficiaries approved for continuing employment increased by 12.5 per cent in fiscal 2017, the USCIS said in its latest report titled 'Characteristics of H-1B Specialty Occupation Workers'. The H-1B visa is a non-immigrant visa that allows US companies to employ foreign workers in speciality occupations that require theoretical or technical expertise. The technology companies depend on it to hire tens of thousands of employees each year. The USCIS said petitions for initial employment are filed for first-time H-1B employment with an employer, only some of which are applied to the annual cap. Examples of petitions for initial employment that are exempt from the cap include petitions submitted by nonprofit research organisations or governmental research organisations. Continuing employment petitions refer to extensions, sequential employment and concurrent employment, which are filed for foreigners already in the US. Extensions generally are filed for H-1B workers intending to work beyond the initial three-year period up to a total of 6 years, the maximum period generally permissible under law. In 2016, as many as 70,737 Indians received initial H-1B visas, which dropped to 67,815. During the same period, Indians accounted for 185,489 visas for continuing employment, which increased to 208,608 in 2017. In all there were 256,226 Indians on H1B visas in 2016 and 276,423 in 2017. A copy of the report, sent to US lawmakers on April 10, became public this week. Dismantling several myths about H-1B, the USCIS said the median salary of beneficiaries of approved petitions increased from USD 82,000 for fiscal year 2016 to USD 85,000 for fiscal 2017. While the number of H-1B petitions filed increased 1.24 per cent from 398,718 in 2016 to 403,675 in 2017, the number of H-1B petitions approved increased 5.9 per cent from 345,262 in 2016 to 365,682 in 2017. According to the report the number of H-1B petitions approved in 2017 for workers between the ages of 25 and 34 was 66.2 per cent, the number of H-1B petitions approved in 2017 for workers with a bachelor's degree was 45.2 per cent. In addition, 44.5 per cent of approved petitions were for workers with a master's degree, 6.8 per cent had a doctorate, and 3.3 per cent were for workers with a professional degree. The number of H-1B petitions approved in 2017 for workers in computer-related occupations was 69.8 per cent, it said. The number of H-1B petitions approved for workers in computer-related occupations increased by 6.6 per cent from 237,837 in 2016 to 254,592 in 2017. The number of H-1B petitions for all other occupation groups increased by 3.4 per cent from 106,418 in 2016 to 110,009 in 2017, the report said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Commerce and Industry Minister Suresh Prabhu today asked pharma firms to increase R&D investments and develop new markets to boost the exports. He also called for finding ways to make healthcare more affordable to people by reducing costs. Regions like Latin America and Africa hold huge export potential for Indian pharmaceutical products, Prabhu said here while inaugurating the international exhibition of pharma and healthcare (iPHEX) here. "Make more investments in R&D activities so that the pipeline (for new medicines) do not get dry," he said, adding that research and development investments will domestic growth. The government is taking steps to boost pharma exports such as seeking greater market access for India's products in countries like China. "China has agreed to organise a round table meet with our regulators. This will help in addressing market penetration issues," he added. In 2017-18, the country's pharma exports stood at about USD 17 billion. He further said that increasing cost of healthcare is a global concern and the Indian industry needs to work on this area to overcome the challenge. Commerce Secretary Rita Teaotia said the market size of the global pharma industry is over USD 1 trillion and it holds huge potential for countries like India. "We have to make healthcare affordable," she said. S Eswara Reddy, Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI), said that they are taking steps to promote ease of doing business in the sector. He informed that it has been decided to increase the validity of WHO (World Health Organisation) GMP (Good Manufacturing Practice) certification to three years for two years currently. The move would help reduce delay in the registration process and promote exports, he said, adding that applications are now processed and approved online. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The White House today said the Iran nuclear deal had enriched the Iranian regime and enabled its malign behaviour, while at best delaying its ability to pursue atomic weapons and allowing it to preserve nuclear research and development. President Donald Trump today pulled the US out of the 2015 landmark nuclear deal with Iran, an Obama-era accord which he has repeatedly criticised as "disastrous". In his executive order, Trump directed his administration to immediately begin the process of re-imposing sanctions related to the Iran nuclear deal, also known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action or JCPOA. The re-imposed sanctions will target critical sectors of Iran's economy, such as its energy, petrochemical, and financial sectors. Those doing business in Iran will be provided a period of time to allow them to wind down operations in or business involving Iran, the White House said adding that those who fail to wind down such activities with Iran by the end of the period will risk severe consequences. The US withdrawal from the JCPOA will pressure the Iranian regime to alter its course of malign activities and ensure that Iranian bad acts are no longer rewarded. As a result, both Iran and its regional proxies will be put on notice. Importantly, this step will help ensure global funds stop flowing towards illicit terrorist and nuclear activities, the White House said. Referring to the recent intelligence information released by Israel, the White House said it provides compelling details about Iran's past secret efforts to develop nuclear weapons, which it lied about for years. The intelligence further demonstrates that the Iranian regime did not come clean about its nuclear weapons activity, and that it entered the JCPOA in bad faith, it said. Alleging that the JCPOA failed to deal with the threat of Iran's missile program and did not include a strong enough mechanism for inspections and verification, it said the deal foolishly gave the Iranian regime a windfall of cash and access to the international financial system for trade and investment. Instead of using the money from the JCPOA to support the Iranian people at home, the regime has instead funded a military buildup and continues to fund its terrorist proxies, such as Hezbollah and Hamas, the White House alleged. Iran violated the laws and regulations of European countries to counterfeit the currency of its neighbour, Yemen, to support the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Quds Force's destabilising activities, it added. Noting that Trump is committed to ensuring Iran has no possible path to a nuclear weapon and is addressing the threats posed by the regime's malign activities, the White House said that the administration will work to assemble a broad coalition of nations to deny Iran all paths to a nuclear weapon and to counter the totality of the regime's malign activities. Nations must work together to halt the Iranian regime's destabilising drive for regional hegemony. In Syria, the Iranian regime supports the Bashar Assad regime and is complicit in Assad's atrocities against the Syrian people. In Yemen, the regime has escalated the conflict and used the Houthis as a proxy to attack other nations, it said. In Iraq, Iran's IRGC sponsors Shia militant groups and terrorists. In Lebanon, the Iranian regime enables Hezbollah to play a highly destabilising role and to build an arsenal of weapons that threatens the region, the White House alleged. The administration's actions are directed against the malign behaviour of the Iranian regime, not against the Iranian people, who are the regime's longest-suffering victims. The White House said Trump is making clear that, in addition to never developing a nuclear weapon, the Iranian regime must never have an ICBM, cease developing any nuclear-capable missiles, and stop proliferating ballistic missiles to others, cease its support for terrorists, extremists, and regional proxies, such as Hezbollah, Hamas, the Taliban, and al-Qaeda and end its publicly declared quest to destroy Israel. It said Trump has also asked Iran to stop its threats to freedom of navigation, especially in the Persian Gulf and Red Sea, cease escalating the Yemen conflict and destabilising the region by proliferating weapons to the Houthis, end its cyber-attacks against the US and its allies, including Israel, stop its human rights abuses, shown most recently in the regime's crackdown against widespread protests by Iranian citizens and stop its unjust detention of foreigners, including US citizens. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Iran's president today warned the country could face "some problems" ahead of President Donald Trump's decision on whether to pull out of its nuclear deal with world powers. Without directly naming Trump, Rouhani's remarks at a petroleum conference in Tehran represented the first official Iranian comment on the US president's overnight tweet that he'd make an announcement on the deal today. "It is possible that we will face some problems for two or three months, but we will pass through this," Rouhani said. Rouhani also stressed Iran wants to keep "working with the world and constructive engagement with the world." That appeared to be a nod to Europe, which has struck a series of business deals with Iran since the landmark 2015 nuclear deal. Trump's tweet came late last night, meaning major newspapers across Iran missed the announcement for their front pages. Iran's state-run television broadcaster carried the announcement at 10 am local time, and Iran's state-run IRNA agency also carried a report on it. Overnight, Iran's semi-official agencies carried the off Trump's tweet, while others shared foreign media reports online. Trump's announcement, set for the 2 pm EST at the White House, will come after nightfall in Iran. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) An Israeli soldier convicted of manslaughter for shooting dead a prone Palestinian assailant was freed from prison on today, the army said, after serving nine months behind bars. Elor Azaria was initially sentenced to 18 months in prison for the 2016 killing of Abdul Fatah al-Sharif in the occupied West Bank city of Hebron. Armed forces chief of staff Gadi Eisenkot later reduced the term by four months and in March a parole board ordered a further cut. The army had previously said that Azaria was due to be released on May 10. Israeli media said he was freed two days early from Tzrifim military prison, near Tel Aviv, to allow him to attend his brother's wedding. "I can confirm that he was released," an army spokseman told AFP on today. Prisoners in Israel often have their sentences cut by a third for good behaviour. Azaria, who was 19 at the time of the 2016 shooting, began serving his sentence on August 9. The shooting incident was caught on video by a human rights group and spread widely online. It showed Sharif, 21, lying wounded on the ground, shot along with another Palestinian after stabbing and wounding a soldier, according to the army. Some 11 minutes after the initial shooting, Azaria, a sergeant and military medic at the time of the incident, shot him in the head without any apparent provocation. He said he feared Sharif was wearing an explosive belt and could blow himself up, a claim judges rejected. The trial captivated Israel and highlighted deep divisions in public opinion between those who denounced the shooting and others who said it was justified. Senior army officers strongly denounced Azaria's actions, but right-wing politicians, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, called for him to be pardoned. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Congress President Rahul Gandhi today said that the fight in Karnataka is "clean vs dirty politics" and "mafia vs people" as he attacked the BJP for fielding the "corrupt Reddy gang". He also claimed that his party candidates were contesting the Karnataka assembly election with contributions from the public. "It's a clear fight in Karnataka. Clean vs Dirty Mafia vs People. With the BJP fielding the corrupt Reddy gang, we are trying a novel approach to fund our candidate. Support our candidate by making a contribution," he said on Twitter. The party has been attacking the BJP for fielding tainted mining baron Janardhan Reddy's brothers and those from his camp in the assembly elections. Gandhi used the hashtag 'CleanPoliticswithINC' and tagged a report entitled "You decide: Dirty politics versus Clean politics?" brought out by the Congress party as part of its initiative to seek public contributions for funding its candidates. Polling in Karnataka assembly election will be held on May 12 and the results will be out on May 15. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Workers in clerical cadre of different government departments in Jammu and Kashmir today announced suspension of their three-week-long strike hoping the state government would shortly address their long-pending demand for removal of pay anomalies. They however threatened the resume their pen down strike after May 29 if the government fails to issue an order within the given time frame. The clerical staff went on an indefinite strike on April 16 which badly affected work in government offices across the state. Leaders of various clerical cadre bodies formed a coordination committee to press for their demand of removal of pay anomalies of clerical cadre by giving grade pay of Rs 4,000-Rs 6,000 to junior assistant, Rs 4,500- Rs 7,000 to senior assistant and Rs 5,500-Rs 9000 to head assistant and junior stenographers notionally with effect from January 1, 1996 and monetarily with effect from February 19, 2003. Leader of all department's clerical staff association Babu Hussain Malik said, "We have resumed the work yesterday after suspending the strike till May 29 on the assurance of the Finance Minister Syed Altaf Bukari that our demand for removal of pay anomalies will be addressed within three weeks." Malik, flanked by over a dozen other leaders of the coordination committee which held parleys with the finance minister in Srinagar on Sunday, said, "We hope the exact roll-out of the framework for the issuance of order for removal of pay anomalies of clerical cadre will be completed within the time frame in which all necessary modalities will be worked out." "After the firm commitment from the minister and in the larger interest of public, the coordination committee suspended the agitation till May 29 and if the government fails to issue order within the given time frame, the committee will be left with no other option except to resume the pen down strike, he said. Malik said they were forced to go on strike as the successive governments failed to address their demands despite directions from the high court in 2015. He said several committees were formed over the years but they failed to submit their reports till date. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) An inter-state narcotic smuggler was today arrested with 20 kg of poppy in Jammu and Kashmir's Udhampur district, a police officer said. Acting on a tip-off, police said they intercepted a gas tanker at Jakhni on the Jammu-Srinagar national highway today. Chamkaur Singh, hailing from Punjab, was arrested after 20 kg of poppy was recovered from him, the officer said. The vehicle used by the smuggler was also seized, said the officer, adding that a case has been registered against the accused and further investigation of the case is going on. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Delhi Urban Development Minister Satyendar Jain today wrote to the department's Secretary Renu Sharma, seeking to know the reason behind "so much delay" in holding elections to the town vending committees despite its notification in January. The minister said it is "unfortunate" that constitution of town vending committees has already been delayed considerably and still being delayed for "no plausible reason". "The Delhi Street Vendors (Protection of livelihood & regulation of Street Vending) Rules 2017 were notified on January 10, 2018. Even after passage of considerable time, low progress has been made in constitution of Town Vending Committees. The Supreme Court of India and Delhi High Court are pursuing the issue in one case or another," the minister said in a written communication to Sharma. He said a lot of people from various areas in Delhi are meeting Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, as well as him every day and narrating their plight as to how they are allegedly being "harassed" by the police, local bodies and various other departments. "It may be intimated as to why so much delay in holding the elections for town vending committees has occurred. Please provide local body-wise list of voters falling within their respective jurisdiction. "Action taken report be obtained from all the local bodies and put up to the undersigned (Jain) without any further delay," Jain said in the letter. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Ahead of UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi's visit to poll-bound Karnataka today, the BJP raked up the issue of her Italian origin by referring to her maiden name Antonio Maino. "Today, Ms. Antonio Maino is here in K'taka to save her last citadel from falling! Madam Maino, K'taka needs no lessons from the person who was solely responsible for wastingIndia's 10 precious years. "And to Congress, need to remind you of your 'import' jibe?" Karnataka BJP said in a tweet. The BJP was responding to Chief Minister Siddaramaiah's recent remarks calling Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his own Uttar Pradesh counterpart Yogi Adityanath "North Indian imports". "@BJP4Karnataka by waiting for North Indian imports like PM Modi, UPCM Adityanath is admitting they have no leaders in the state. They have reduced their CM face @BSYBJP to a dummy," Siddaramaiah had tweeted. Hitting back, BJP had then said in a tweet, "Imports? How much low can you stoop Mr. CM? Your attempt at North-South divide is disgusting." It is not the first time that the issue of Sonia Gandhi's foreign origin has been raked up during the Karnataka polls. At an election rally on May 1 Modi had dared Rahul Gandhi to talk for 15 minutes about the achievements of the Karnataka government in any language, including his "mother's mother tongue". Modi was responding to Rahul Gandhi's dare to allow him to speak for 15 minutes in Parliament on various issues, including corruption, and that the prime minister will not be able to sit for 15 minutes. "I dare the Congress president to speak in Hindi, English or the mother tongue of his mother to deliver a speech in Karnataka for 15 minutes, without reading out from a piece of paper, on the achievements of the party government... people of Karnataka will draw their own conclusion," he said. The BJP's tweet today was also in response to an earlier tweet by Congress party calling Yogi Adityanath by his birth name Ajay Bisht. "We are glad that Mr Ajay Bisht was able to take some lessons of good governance from CM @siddaramaiah and is headedback to be with the people of Uttar Pradesh in their time of need." The Congress party had referred to Adityanath cutting short his election campaign in Karnataka and returning home following deaths in his state that was ravaged by storm. Almost two years after abandoning a road show in Varanasi ahead of the Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections, Sonia would address a poll rally in Vijayapura today. The then Congress chief Sonia had not campaigned for Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat, Punjab, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Meghalaya, Tripura, andNagaland Assembly elections. Sonia Gandhi son and successor Rahul Gandhi is currently touring Karnataka extensively. He will visit Chikkaballapuraand Tumakuru districts on the hustings today. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The May 12 Karnataka Assembly election results would teach a lesson to the BJP to mend its ways and send a larger message that people will not accept what the NDA-led party is doing on the advice of RSS, senior Congress leader M Mallikarjuna Kharge has claimed. While the Congress' campaign theme revolves around development, it's also an "ideological fight" against the RSS-BJP which he alleged, is taking people for a ride. "They (RSS-BJP) are implementing their own agenda. Particularly the weaker sections, minorities and poorer sections, they feel insecure under the BJP and RSS-supported government," the Leader of the Congress in the Lok Sabha alleged. Karnataka Assembly poll is "very crucial" not only for the State's interest but also from the national perspective, he said. "If you don't prevent BJP here (in Karnataka), then definitely they will destroy the democracy; they are talking a lot of things about change of Constitution and also 'Hindutva' against the minorities. All these arguments (of the BJP), people don't accept," Kharge told PTI. On some opinion polls forecasting a hung verdict in the poll, he said pre-election survey predictions depend on their terms of reference and on parameters they were conducted. Karnataka is 'ahead' in development, and on law and order, investment and employment-generation fronts and, so, the ruling Congress would be 'ahead' in election also, Kharge said. Alleging that the BJP-led NDA government did not fulfil election promises, Kharge listed various schemes and welfare programmes of the Siddaramaiah government in Karnataka. "I don't think people will let us down," he said. Kharge claimed that the BJP has deployed 30 to 40 Central ministers and about 100 ministers from various States for campaigning in Karnataka and drafted RSS workers for door-to-door canvassing. "This itself shows that they (BJP) are afraid of Congress," he added. The coming election is "very important and crucial" as it would send a "message" that "whatever the BJP is doing, on the advice of RSS, people are not going to accept." Charging the BJP with trying to weaken institutions, including the Judiciary, Kharge said people would be happy if such a party is defeated at the hustings. "This will teach them a lesson to mend (ways), (and) to act according to the Constitutional methods," he said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The accused in the Kathua rape-and-murder case will file a fresh petition in the Supreme Court (SC) in the next few days, seeking handing over of the probe to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). The apex court had yesterday directed that the trial in the case of alleged gangrape and murder of an eight-year-old girl, which had led to a nationwide outrage, be moved to Pathankot in neighbouring Punjab. "A fresh petition seeking a CBI probe is ready. It shall be filed within a few days (in the Supreme Court)," Ankur Sharma, the lawyer of five of the accused in the case, said today. A detailed counter on behalf of accused Sanjhi Ram, Vishal Jangotra and Parvesh Kumar was filed in the apex court, along with an additional affidavit seeking a CBI probe, he added. Sharma said in yesterday's hearing, only a notice could have been issued if a fresh petition seeking a CBI probe was filed. "The fastest way of getting a CBI probe in yesterday's hearing was through our counter and additional affidavit," he said, adding that their main concern was not the shifting of the case, but the CBI probe. The lawyer denied that yesterday's court order, shifting the trial of the case to Pathankot, was a setback for them. "It was a loss for the state government as it wanted the case to remain in Jammu and Kashmir, preferably in Ramban district," he said, adding that it was a loss for the victim's family also as it had wanted the case to be shifted to Chandigarh. "The court has called for a fast trial of the case on a day-to-day basis. We are hopeful that the trial will be completed in a year," Sharma said. The state government's "plot" of introducing 221 witnesses to cause a delay in the trial was busted by the apex court, he said, adding that the case would now be heard on a daily basis. "We are hopeful that the case will be transferred to the CBI," Sharma said. The body of the eight-year-old victim was recovered from a forest area in Kathua on January 17, a week after she had gone missing while grazing horses in the area. The Jammu and Kashmir government had handed over the case to the crime branch, which had formed a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to probe it. The crime branch had subsequently filed two separate chargesheets in the case, one against the seven adult accused on April 9 and another against the sole juvenile accused on April 10. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar, who is leading a high-level delegation to Israel, today visited fields near Tel Aviv and interacted with farmers to have first-hand account of the latest Israeli technology and expertise, according to an official release. The chief minister discussed in detail diversification and introduction of new crops which have enabled farmers in Israel to double production while cutting down on the use of resources, a Haryana government release said here. Khattar also interacted with captains of micro irrigation industries to know how best these practices there can be adopted in Haryana. Notably, micro irrigation is being adopted in Haryana for the cultivation of crops to save water. Micro irrigation system can reduce water consumption by 70 per cent. The chief minister began his ten-day two-nation tour on Sunday. Khattar will also be visiting the UK to attract investment for the ongoing major industrial projects in the state. The delegation would be in Israel from May 6 to 8 and in the UK from May 9 to 14. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has told Chinese President Xi Jinping that he was hopeful that his eagerly-awaited meeting with US President Donald Trump will lead to mutual trust through dialogue and the two sides will take phased and synchronous measures to achieve denuclearisation and lasting peace on the Korean Peninsula. Xi and Kim had a surprise Wuhan-style informal summit at the northeastern port city of Dalian yesterday and today. In a cordial and friendly atmosphere, Xi and Kim had an all-round and in-depth exchange of views on China-North Korea relations and major issues of common concern, state-run Xinhua agency reported. Speaking about his summit with Trump, Kim expressed hope that the DPRK (Democratic People's Republic of Korea, the official name of North Korea) and the US would build mutual trust through dialogue. He said the relevant sides would take phased and synchronous measures in a responsible manner so as to comprehensively advance the political settlement of the Korean Peninsula issue and eventually achieve denuclearisation and lasting peace on the peninsula, the report said. Xi-Kim meeting took place amid concern in Beijing that the North Korean leader is getting too close to US sidelining China pointing to its declining importance in the Korean Peninsula peace process. In a cordial and friendly atmosphere, the two leaders had an all-round and in-depth exchange of views on China-North Korea relations and major issues of common concern, it said. The two leaders were shown by the state-run television taking a stroll along the beach and holding informal talks at a garden location. Kim briefed Xi on the "latest developments" and Party building in his country, the Xinhua report said. Addressing Kim who heads the ruling Workers' Party of Korea (WPK) of North Korea as "Comrade Chairman", Xi said Kim "made a special trip to China to meet me again just after 40-odd days" at a crucial time when the Korean Peninsula situation is undergoing profound and complex changes. "This embodies the great importance that Comrade Chairman and the WPK Central Committee have attached to the relations between the two parties and the two countries, and to their strategic communication. I speak highly of it," Xi said. "After the first meeting between me and Comrade Chairman, both China-DPRK (relations and the Korean Peninsula situation have made positive progress. I feel happy about it)," he said. For his part, Kim said both the DPRK-China friendship and the Korean Peninsula situation have undergone meaningful progress since his visit to Beijing in March this year. "These are the positive outcomes of the historic meeting between me and Comrade General Secretary," he said. Xi hosted a welcome banquet for Kim. Together, they also took a stroll and attended a luncheon, the report said. This is the second informal summit Xi hosted after his last month's Wuhan summit with Prime Minister Narendra Modi during which Beijing said the two leaders reached "important consensus" and drew blueprint for future cooperation. It was Xi's second meeting with the reclusive North Korean leader in as many months. Kim made his maiden foreign tour by travelling to Beijing by train in March during which the two countries sought to reinforce their close ties as the North Korean dictator warmed up to Trump agreeing to meet the main US demand to abandon the nuclear programme. Since then, Kim made a highly-publicised visit to South Korea and held a summit meeting with South Korean Prime Minister Moon Jae-in. Trump subsequently confirmed his planned summit with Kim without giving details of date and venue. Reports said the two leaders were expected to meet in Singapore. Ahead of Kim's visit to Dalian, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi had air dashed to Pyongyang to prepare the ground for the informal summit. At a crucial time when the regional situation is developing rapidly, Kim said he came to China again to meet Xi and inform him of the situation, hoping to strengthen strategic communication and cooperation with China, deepen DPRK-China friendship, and promote regional peace and stability. Xi stressed that he and Kim held their historic first meeting in Beijing in March this year during which they had a long and in-depth communication and reached principled consensus to treasure friendship between the two countries. Both China and the DPRK are socialist countries and their bilateral relations are of major strategic significance, he said, adding that high-level exchanges between the two parties play an irreplaceably significant role in guiding bilateral relations. He also called for people-to-people ties between the two countries. Xi said that with concerted efforts of both sides, the consensuses were being well implemented. Kim said "Comrade General Secretary and I have carried on this fine tradition to hold the historic meeting with fruitful outcomes, and promoted the unprecedentedly vigorous development of the DPRK-China relations," he said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Two lawyers today opposed in the Supreme Court the appearance of senior advocate Kapil Sibal in the plea filed by two Congress MPs challenging the rejection of impeachment notice against Chief Justice of India Dipak Misra by the Rajya Sabha Chairman. When the hearing began before a five-judge constitution bench headed by Justice A K Sikri, a lawyer objected to Sibal's appearance in the case, saying the senior advocate was also a signatory to the impeachment notice. "My basic objection is on Kapil Sibal appearing as a lawyer in the matter as he was a signatory to the impeachment notice," advocate R P Luthra told the bench also comprising Justices S A Bobde, N V Ramana, Arun Mishra and A K Goel. He also referred to a Bar Council of India resolution and said Sibal cannot appear in the matter as he was a signatory to the impeachment notice. "That we will see," Justice Sikri told the lawyer. "He (Luthra) has raised an objection. We are not saying anything. We leave it to you (Sibal)," the bench told Sibal, who said if the bench felt that he should not appear in the matter, then he would not. At the fag end of the hearing, advocate Ashwini Kumar Upadhyay also raised objection on Sibal's appearance, saying Members of Parliament who are signatories to the impeachment notice cannot appear as a lawyer in the matter. Upadhyay also cited the Bar Council resolution barring MPs who had signed the impeachment notice from practising before that particular court and said in a similar matter seeking ban on parliamentarians from practising in court, the apex court has issued notice. To this, Justice Sikri asked Upadhyay whether mere issuance of notice meant that the court has delivered its verdict. Justice Mishra also questioned Upadhyay whether anyone could bar Members of Parliament from practising in the courts. Upadhyay replied that the Bar Council of India can ban them. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Maharashtra government has directed the officials and employees of all its departments to use Marathi language for official communication. A Government Resolution (GR) to this effect was issued yesterday. As per the GR, the employees and officials need to use Marathi for the purpose of communication. "Each office will have a Vigilance Officer, who will keep a check on whether Marathi is being used or not," it said. "If anybody is found not following the order, then the official concerned may face actions like denial of promotion or no salary hike for one year," the GR added. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Maharashtra cabinet today decided to provide Rs 3 subsidy for every litre of milk to the co-operative and private producers to manufacture milk powder. An official in the Chief Minister's Office (CMO) gave this information and said the decision was taken to encourage production of milk powder from surplus milk. The decision will help balance the demand-and-supply of milk and producers can get Minimum Support Price (MSP) of Rs 27 per litre, the official said. In another decision, the cabinet gave a go-ahead for the promulgation of ordinance amending the land acquisition provisions in the Maharashtra Highways Act. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Maharashtra BJP president Raosaheb Danve today committed a faux pas when instead of late party MP Chintaman Wanga he said state minister Vishnu Sawra had died. Danve was speaking at a party rally at Talasari in adjoining Palghar district. During his speech, the BJP leader wanted to make a reference to the death of Wanga, the Lok Sabha MP from Palghar who passed away in January. However, Danve, instead of Wanga, mistakenly took the name of Sawra, who is a BJP MLA from Palghar district. Sawra was on the dais when Danve committed the faux pas. Wanga's death has necessitated by-election in the Palghar Lok Sabha constituency. The bypoll will he held on May 28. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Jailed opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim has made an impassioned plea to Malaysians to vote out scandal-plagued Prime Minister Najib Razak at the elections tomorrow. Anwar, 70, has allied himself with his former tormentor, ex-premier Mahathir Mohamad, who came out of retirement to spearhead an opposition challenge to the ruling Barisan Nasional coalition. The unlikely Anwar-Mahathir partnership is one of the most remarkable aspects of a gruelling campaign for an election many expect to be one of the country's closest ever. Their high-profile falling out in the late 1990s shook Malaysian "I urge you all to join the people's movement to demand change," Anwar said in a statement posted on the Facebook page of his People's Justice Party late yesterday. "I call upon the people to support him (Mahathir) in repairing the damage to our country," added Anwar. "In 24 hours, the future of the country and fate of the people will be determined by you all." Today leading independent pollster Merdeka Center released an opinion survey indicating that the ruling coalition would maintain power but lose the popular vote, for the second consecutive general election. Under the Malaysian system, a party needs to get a majority of MPs in parliament to maintain power but not the most votes. The survey conducted in Peninsular Malaysia between April 28 and May 8 showed BN winning 37.3 per cent of the popular vote, with Mahathir's opposition coalition winning 43.4 per cent. For the ruling coalition, that would be about 10 points lower than it achieved at the last election in 2013. The survey did not include voters in Malaysia's two states on Borneo island. Head of the pollster Ibrahim Suffian predicted with these votes included, BN's share of the overall popular vote would rise another three to four points. Anwar once served as Mahathir's deputy before he was sacked in 1998 in a bitter political feud, and later jailed on sodomy and corruption charges. The verdict was overturned in 2004 and Anwar was freed, but he was jailed for sodomy again in 2015, a conviction that his supporters said was politically motivated. He is due to be released in June. In the years since, Anwar has become a key figure in the opposition, which won the popular vote at the last election in 2013 but could not form the government as the BN won more seats in parliament. Mahathir and Anwar united to take on the ruling coalition after Najib was caught in a multi-billion-dollar corruption scandal linked to Malaysian state fund 1MDB. Najib and the fund deny any wrongdoing. Mahathir is challenging Najib for the premiership but has said he will eventually make way for Anwar to take over should the opposition win. Najib, 64, is still expected to triumph because of what critics claim is widespread manipulation of the electoral system, and a first-past-the-post system that requires a simple majority of MPs for victory. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A Naxalite, carrying a cash reward of Rs 3 lakh on his head, was today arrested from a forest in Chhattisgarh's insurgency-hit Kondagaon district, police said. Mohan Kashyap (20) was picked up from the forest between Madnar and Permpal villages under Bayanar police station limits during a search operation by a joint team of security forces, Kondgaon Additional Superintendent of Police Maheshwar Nag told PTI. A combined squad of the District Reserve Guard (DRG) and Chhattisgarh Armed Force (CAF) had launched the operation towards Mungawal, Kejang and Madanar villages, located around 300 kms away from the state capital Raipur, he said. Security forces spotted Kashyap between Madanar and Permapal villages when he was trying to hide in the forest, the ASP said. Kashyap, an LOS (local organisation squad) member of Maoists, was allegedly hiding there to target security forces through an improvised explosive device (IED) and cause damage to vehicles involved in road construction works, he said. A seven-kg tiffin bomb, an electric wire, and some naxal literature was recovered from his possession, the officer said, adding that the police are interrogating Kashyap. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Supreme Court today said it may ask the Kerala government to re-investigate the role of the then SIT officers who had framed former scientist S Nambi Narayanan in the ISRO espionage case, but ruled out the possibility of any departmental action against them due to the passage of time. A bench headed by Chief Justice Dipak Misra was hearing the plea of the former ISRO scientist seeking action against former DGP Siby Mathews and others who were part of the Special Investigation Team in Kerala in 1994 which had probed the case in which he was framed. The bench, also comprising Justices A M Khanwilkar and D Y Chandrachud, asked the counsel for Kerala whether any probe had been conducted to ascertain the role of these police officers. "We have investigated and found no role of the police officers," the counsel for the state government replied. "Then why was he (scientist) arrested," the bench asked. Senior advocate V Giri, appearing for Narayanan, told the court that the entire probe in the ISRO case was found to be "malicious". "Entire probe has been found to be malicious. The CBI filed a closure report which was accepted by the magistrate," Giri said while pressing for action against the errant officers for falsely implicating Narayanan in the case. "For 12 years, the state government refused to take any action and they are now claiming that nothing was found," Giri added. "Now departmental action is not possible due to efflux of time,"the bench said. The apex court, however, said it may enhance the compensation for Narayanan after granting him liberty to pursue the civil suit of Rs one crore filed by him earlier. The court had on May 3 said it may consider granting Rs 25 lakh as compensation to the former scientist. Narayanan has so far received Rs 10 lakh as compensation. It had said that the compensation amount would be deducted from the salary or the pensionary benefits of the errant officers. The CBI counsel had also said that the agency had found the case to be fake and filed the closure report which has already been accepted by the court. The bench then asked the agency whether it had conducted any investigation to find out and fix the responsibility of the errant officer. The CBI replied in negative. 76-year-old Nambi Narayanan, while functioning as a scientist at the Indian Space Research Organisation, was arrested on November 30, 1994, alleging espionage. The former ISRO scientist had filed an appeal against the judgement of division bench of the Kerala High Court which had said no action needed to be taken against the former DGP and two retired Superintendents of Police, K K Joshua and S Vijayan, who were held allegedly responsible by the CBI for his illegal arrest. He has said the division bench had "failed to appreciate the real undercurrent that passed through the mind of the apex court, the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) and the single judge of high court in their verdict and on untenable reasons, quashed the order of the single judge". The apex court had in 1998 granted compensation of Rs one lakh to Narayanan and the others who were discharged in the case and directed the state government to pay the amount. Later, Narayanan had approached NHRC claiming compensation against the state government for mental agony and torture suffered by him. The NHRC, after hearing both sides and taking into account the apex court judgement of April 29, 1998, awarded an interim compensation of Rs 10 lakh on March 14, 2001. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Meghalaya Democratic Alliance (MDA) government today decided to oppose the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill, 2016, proposed by the Centre to make migrants of six communities eligible for citizenship of India. The unanimous decision was taken at a Cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma ahead of the May 10 visit by the Joint Parliamentary Committee on the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill, 2016, to solicit views from the state government and stakeholders. "The Cabinet has decided to say no to the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill, 2016, proposed by the Centre after taking into consideration and detailed discussion on the draft bill," Deputy Chief Minister Prestone Tynsong told reporters after the meeting. Tynsong said that the Cabinet's decision will be officially communicated to the Centre through the JPC, which will visit Meghalaya for two days from May 10. The Citizenship (Amendment) Bill, 2016, was introduced in the Lok Sabha to amend the Citizenship Act, 1955. A key amendment in the bill seeks to grant citizenship to people without valid documents from minority communities -- Hindus, Sikhs, Buddhists, Jains, Parsis and Christians -- from Afghanistan, Bangladesh and Pakistan after six years of residence in India. Asked the reason behind the decision by the Meghalaya government in which the BJP is one of the coalition partners, Tynsong said the Cabinet has decided to oppose the Bill as it does not serve the purpose of the people of the state, which is a small tribal one. He said that the Bill is "dangerous" taking into consideration that Meghalaya and the north eastern region is bound by Bangladesh, Nepal, China and Myanmar. "This looks dangerous as a Christian or a Hindu once they are here for six years can become a citizen of India," he added. Meanwhile, NGOs in the state, including the Federation of Khasi-Jaintia and Garo People (FKJGP), has decided to stage a protest during the visit of the JPC on the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill, 2016. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Mobile Internet services were restored here tonight after remaining suspended for four days following an encounter between militants and security forces in the Chattabal area, the police said. Mobile Internet services had been restored in Srinagar and Budgam districts, a police official said. He, however, said only low-speed 2G services had been restored. High-speed 4G services continued to remain barred on mobile devices, the official said. Mobile Internet services were snapped in the summer capital on Saturday morning in the wake of an encounter between security forces and militants in the Chattabal area of the city. The facility was suspended in other areas, including four south Kashmir districts and Ganderbal in central Kashmir, after another encounter in Shopian on Sunday. Five militants were killed in that gunfight, while five civilians lost their lives in clashes between protestors and the security forces. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Prime Minister Narendra Modi is "possessed by the devil" of Congress-mukt Bharat, and his only accomplishment in the last four years is to have undone the good work of the previous Congress governments, UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi said today. Holding her first election rally in two years, Gandhi said all sections of society were facing problems, and questioned Modi on his "favorite promise" of ending corruption. "Modi ji is proud that he can make speeches well. I agree he is a good orator. He speaks like an actor. If speeches could fill the country's stomach, I wish he gave more speeches," she said, taking a swipe at the prime minister. Gandhi never campaigned in an election after she was suddenly taken ill during a road show in Varanasi ahead of the Uttar Pradesh Assembly polls. Her election rally was seen as an attempt to give a cutting edge to the blitzkrieg launched by his son and Congress president Rahul Gandhi to retain power in Karnataka, the only major state their party rules apart from Punjab. With the UPA chairperson set to address a rally in Vijayapura hours after him, Modi had taken a dig at Rahul Gandhi, saying even leaders in his party doubted his ability to steer the Congress to victory in Karnataka. "Even Congress leaders have begun to feel that the son would not be able to help the party win Karnataka. I saw a Congress leader's interview. So, send the mother to ensure its candidates can at least save their security deposits," Modi said. Sonia Gandhi's rally in Vijayapura in north Karnataka, where Lingayats wield considerable electoral influence, was also seen as an attempt to reach out to the community, which has traditionally backed the BJP. The BJP, seeking to have a shot at forming its govenment in the only southern state where its has been in power, has projected Lingayat strongman B S Yeddyurappa as its chief ministerial candidate. In her speech, Sonia Gandhi said, "Modi ji has junoon (passion) of Congress mukt bharat. He is possessed by the devil of Congress mukt bharat (Congress mukht bharat ka bhoot laga hai). "Let alone Congress mukt bharat, he cannot tolerate (bardasht) anyone standing in front of him. The country is surprised that wherever he goes he speaks wrong. He distorts history, and for his political selfishness he uses our great freedom fighters as pawns on the chess board," she said. Sonia said the language used by Modi does not behove a person holding the high office. She said while the prime minister kept on speaking on verious subjects, he avoided talking about "real issues". "Which promise you made to people four years ago has been fulfilled? Tell what have you done for the country's farmers? What has Modi ji done to provide employment to youth? What has he done for the middle class, women, girls, dalits and backward classes?" Taking on the prime minister over steps to tackle corruption, she wanted to know why the Lokpal, the proposed annti-graft ombudsman, had not been constituted. "What happened to your favorite promise of ending corruption? Four years have gone by but you didn't bring Lokpal. What is your model to end corruption, Modi ji?" Alleging that several ministers in the erstwhile Yeddyurappa government faced charges of corruption, she asked Modi whether he will follow their model or that of the "son of your close associate", an apparent reference to BJP chief Amit Shah's son Jay. The Congress has been raking up the issue of Jay, the turnover of whose company was alleged to have shot up sharply after Modi came to power. Sonia alleged the Congress-ruled Karnataka was being discriminated against. She claimed while thousands of crores of rupees were extended by way of assistance to other drought-hit states, the Modi government "rubbed salt to the wounds" of farmers of Karnataka by giving "too little". Sonia claimed Modi even refused to meet chief minister Siddaramaiah who wanted to discuss with him the problems of farmers. This, she said, was an insult to not only the chief minister but also the farmers of Karnataka and their families. "Modi ji, is this your sab ka saath, sab ka vikas? (together will all, development of all)," she asked. Gandhi said Modi came to Karnataka for election, made new "hollow promises and left after spreading hatred". She asked voters to reject the BJP's " of hatred and jumlas (rhetoric)". (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Officials say multiple shootings in downtown San Diego have left five people injured. San Diego police say in a statement early today that two black men shot and wounded three men and a woman on a street corner at about 11 pm yesterday. A fifth person was shot and wounded nearby, Police say all five of the victims were taken to hospitals with non-life-threatening injuries. Officials have not identified the shooting victims. The suspects have been described as being 19 to 25 years old and about 6-feet tall. They were wearing dark clothing and last seen running from the scene of the shootings. No additional information about the incident has been released. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Yoga guru and entrepreneur Baba Ramdev today said Muslims, who do not "attach importance" to pictures or idols, should not worry about portraits of Pakistan founder Muhammad Ali Jinnah. Ramdev was responding to a query on the controversy over the demand for removal of a portrait of Jinnah from the premises of the Aligarh Muslim University. "The ghost of Jinnah is hogging a lot of limelight. Muslims ought not worry about the Pakistan founder's pictures as they do not attach importance to photographs or idols in keeping with the tenets of their faith," he told reporters here. "Jinnah can never be an ideal figure to those who believe in the country's unity and integrity," said Ramdev, who was in Nalanda district of Bihar to hold yoga classes. He said the ancient discipline of yoga must not be described as being pro-Hindu or against Muslims, Sikhs and Christians. "Those having a problem with 'Gayatri Mantra' can practice yoga by reciting the name of Allah. Also, no 'tantra-mantra' (sorcery) is involved in yoga," he said. Ramdev also said yoga must be a part of school curricula. Lauding Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar's decision to ban sale and consumption of alcohol in the state, he said liquor, petrol and diesel are the chief sources of revenue for any government, and that it must have taken "a lot of courage to take such a bold move". Noting that Bihar had "immense agriculture potential", Ramdev said his Patanjali Group was looking forward to setting up agro-based industrial units in the state. Replying to a query, the yoga guru said he has received the invitation for the wedding of RJD leader Tej Pratap Yadav. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Japanese and South Korean media are speculating that a high-ranking North Korean official, possibly even leader Kim Jong Un, is visiting China after an airliner from the North landed in the Chinese port city of Dalian. The South's official Yonhap Agency said the plane arrived yesterday amid tight security. Japanese broadcaster NHK ran a picture of the Air Koryo plane that it said had been taken today afternoon at Dalian airport. There are no regularly scheduled flights between North Korea and Dalian, although North Koreans are frequent visitors and its port has been instrumental in two-way trade. Kim visited China in March for the first time since taking power six years ago, a trip that was publicly confirmed by the sides only after he had returned to North Korea. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena today underlined the need to address the concerns of the Tamil minority in a political arrangement, saying though the problem has ended militarily, but no solution has been given for its causes. Addressing Parliament on the ceremonial opening of a new session, he also called for support from political parties in addressing issues faced by the Tamil minority community in the war-affected North and East districts. "Although the problem has ended militarily, no solution has been given for its causes," Sirisena said, referring to the 30-year-long civil war with the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) which left over one lakh people dead. The LTTE, which led the separatist war for a separate Tamil homeland, was finally crushed by the Lankan military in 2009 with the death of its supremo Velupillai Prabhakaran. Referring to a main concern about land owned by Tamils being held for military purposes in the former conflict regions, the President said, almost 85 per cent of the land had now been released. Sirisena also urged the parties to put an end to power struggle, both within his own unity government and within the opposition groups. Highlighting achievements of his three years rule, the Sri Lankan President listed the economic achievements despite facing many natural hardships like drought. "We have raised income levels while fighting to tackle the debt as high as rupees 10.3 trillion. We have reduced the crime level by 30 per cent and boosted exports to its highest growth," he said. In a surprise move last month, Sirisena had suspended Parliament for about a month in the backdrop of the ongoing political turmoil in the country. The President made the decision to prorogue Parliament by virtue of the powers vested in him by Article 70 of the Constitution. The unity government of the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) and the United National Party (UNP) was thrown into a crisis after former president Mahinda Rajapaksa's new party pulled off a stunning victory in February's local elections seen as a referendum on the ruling alliance. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A Nepali national was killed and a Chinese citizen, accompanying him, was seriously injured here today when the taxi they were travelling in rammed into a stationary truck, police said. The incident took place under the jurisdiction of Motipur police station, the police said. While the Chinese national was injured, the Nepali citizen, an interpreter was killed on the spot, the Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) of Muzaffarpur, Krishna Murari Prasad, said. The Chinese national was admitted to a hospital and his condition is stated to be critical, the DSP said. According to his visa, he had entered India on May 4, via Nepal, he said. "With the help of a translator, we have found out that the Chinese citizen, who only speaks Chinese, had visited the adjoining state of Jharkhand, apparently in connection with some business along with his Nepalese interpreter, and he was on his way back," Prasad said. The Chinese Embassy in New Delhi has been informed about the mishap and efforts are on to contact the family members of the deceased, the DSP said, adding, the driver of the vehicle fled the scene after the accident. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Congress today said there was no politics behind the petition challenging the rejection of the impeachment notice against Chief Justice of India Dipak Misra and the sole purpose was to ensure independence of the judiciary and maintain dignity of the court. There was nothing personal against anyone in the court, Congress leader Kapil Sibal said while pitching for transparency in the judicial process and demanding the order under which the five-judge constitution bench was constituted to hear the petition from the party's MPs Partap Singh Bajwa and Amee Yajnik. The petition challenging Rajya Sabha Chairman M Venkaiah Naidu's order rejecting the impeachment notice was to ensure that the rule of law was followed in courts and that the processes of law were "pure", Sibal told reporters at the AICC headquarters here. Bajwa and Yajnik, represented by Sibal in the Supreme Court, withdrew their plea earlier in the day. During the hearing, Sibal raised questions on the setting up of the constitution bench, including who passed the order for setting up the five-judge bench to hear the matter. He also sought of a copy of the order on setting up of the bench. "This is not a political issue. There is no politics behind this....There is no personal interest... "We want to protect the dignity of the court. We want to protect the independence of the court. That is one statutory principle. At the same time, we want to protect and ensure that the processes of the court are not polluted, that they are pure," Sibal said at a press conference soon after the petition was withdrawn. Sibal told journalists that the petitioners only wanted the court to let them know under whose order the bench was constituted. "... we were informed last evening that our petition will be heard by five judges. Who gave these orders? What were the orders?" Sibal asked. There was no order in the country that cannot be challenged and the petitioners, the two Congress MPs, wanted that the order be shown to them as administrative orders passed by the CJI were also challengeable, he said. "We are ready to argue. Before we argue that, we want to know who passed this order. This is the first time in the history of the country that on the administrative side, somebody has passed the order to refer the matter to five judges. Now we are entitled to know what is wrong in giving us the order. That is what we are asking," he said. "This is not a document covered under the Official Secrets Act. We can only argue on the merits of the case if we receive a copy of the order, because there is no order that cannot be challenged under the Constitution," he said. The matter, Sibal said, was to be heard by Justice J Chelameswar, the senior-most after the CJI, who has asked them to 'come back tomorrow'. The former law minister also issued a statement, listing his arguments made before the Supreme Court. According to the statement, the reference to five judges can only be made by a judicial order. The rules of the Supreme Court do not allow the CJI to pass an administrative order to refer a matter to five judges "on the ground that a substantial question of law as to the interpretation of the Constitution arises in the case", it said. In the present case, there is no judicial order formulating the substantial question of law involving the interpretation of the Constitution which is required to be adjudicated upon by a Constitution Bench, the statement said. "It is assumed, since the petitioners are not privy to any such order, that the concerned authority took the decision that the issues raised in the petition are required to be adjudicated upon by five distinguished judges after due application of mind on issues raised in the petition," it said. If the authority happens to be the CJI against whom a motion of removal on the basis of certain articles of charge was filed and dismissed by the chairman in exercise of powers under 3 (1) (b) of the Judges (Inquiry) Act, 1968, then the petitioners are entitled to be informed of the order and contend that a copy of the order be furnished to the petitioners before any proceedings take place, it added. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Punjab government today rejected the charge of unauthorised tapping of phones of certain opposition leaders and claimed that the FIR against Congress candidate Hardev Singh Laddi Sherowalia for Shahkot by-poll is a major "political conspiracy" against it. On May 4, Laddi and two others were booked by police for alleged illegal sand mining in different villages of Jalandhar district. Chief Minister Amarinder Singh had yesterday alleged that the Mehatpur SHO, who registered against Laddi, was upset over his earlier transfer and is in touch with AAP's Sukhpal Singh Khaira and SAD's Daljit Cheema and the FIR against Hardev Singh Laddi appeared to be a fallout of the same. An official spokesperson in a release today urged the Election Commission to take cognizance of the government's request for immediate transfer of Mehatpur SHO in the interest of free and fair bypoll. The spokesperson claimed the recent developments in the constituency had "exposed the nexus" between the SHO and leaders belonging to the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) and the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP). He alleged that the SHO had himself been "heard bragging" to his colleagues and friends about his conversations with AAP's Sukhpal Singh Khaira and SAD's Daljeet Cheema. The spokesperson claimed that all allegations of phone tapping in this regard were totally "false and baseless". Khaira took exception to the charges and had reportedly accused the chief minister of tapping of phones of opposition leaders. The spokesperson said the government had never indulged in any such illegal acts involving violation of the privacy and human rights of individuals, nor would do so under any circumstances. He further said the opposition had simply picked up a part of the chief minister's statement to divert attention from the operative part of his remarks, which had exposed the "blatant nexus" of the SHO with the Akali and AAP leadership. "It was evident from Khaira's response that the conversation cited by the chief minister had indeed taken place, as the SHO himself had been found talking about it to all and sundry," the spokesperson said. The spokesperson claimed that the SHO's role in the entire episode had been questionable from the very outset, considering the undue haste with which he had filed the FIR against Laadi instead of merely initiating an inquiry, as directed by the Election Commission. He also requested the EC to order a thorough probe into the SHO's antecedents and conduct, which had clearly "lowered" the public image of the state police and administration. The spokesperson further urged the EC to investigate reports of the SHO issuing reported threats to media persons in a bid to prevent them from doing their duty in a free and fair manner. The government, said the spokesperson, was all for a fair and transparent inquiry into the charges against the Congress candidate, as per the EC's instructions, but it was evident from the events of the last few days that the SHO was "playing into the hands of political leaders with vested interests". It was obvious that the SHO was not interested in a fair probe but was "keen to oust" the Congress candidate from the electoral race by "hook or by crook" and he was acting in "cahoots" with the Opposition, said the spokesperson. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The NCP today said there was nothing wrong in Congress president Rahul Gandhi's statement that he is ready to become the prime minister if his party wins the maximum number of seats in the 2019 Lok Sabha polls. The Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), which was part of the UPA government from 2004 to 2014, is expected to ally with the Congress again for the general elections next year. NCP national spokesman Nawab Malik said there was nothing to object to Gandhi's statement. "If people decide to entrust the Congress with the job of ruling the country, he (Rahul Gandhi) will be the prime ministerial candidate," he said. Malik said NCP party chief Sharad Pawar had ruled himself out of the prime ministerial race earlier since the party contests fewer seats and has a limited number of MPs. Earlier today in Bengaluru, Gandhi said he is ready to become the prime minister if his party emerges as the "biggest" party in the 2019 Lok Sabha polls. "Well, it depends...it depends on how well the Congress does in the election...I mean if it emerges as the biggest party, yes," Gandhi said, when asked during an interaction if he would be the next prime minister. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) On the face of it, many people in the district take pride in the fact that one of India's prime ministers H D Deve Gowda of JD(S) was from this place, but there is also unhappiness over lack of development, growing unemployment and farmers' distress. Their main grievance is that the district has not been developed enough like Shivamogga and Bengaluru despite electing political heavyweight Gowda as MP for five times from Hassan, a JD(S) bastion, dominated by Vokkaliga community to which he belongs. As the electioneering has entered the final phase for the May 12 assembly poll, voters are debating about their choice. During 2013, JD(S) had won five out of seven seats in Hassan district, the rest two by Congress. "We are facing drinking water problem for last 10 years. Because of poor rains, the ground water level has gone down and the two borewells which 150 houses depend upon, are not working properly," Vanjashri Gowda who stays in Sathigala area of Sakleshpur constituency told PTI. As a result, Gowda, who works in a coffee plantation, walks about 2 km daily to fetch drinking water from small streams that flow nearby. "These borewells with hand pumps were installed when Deve Gowda became chief minister for the first time (in 1994). Thereafter, there has been no development," she says and adds that even roads are equally bad here. Unemployment, crash in coffee and pepper prices, white-stem borer disease in the coffee crop, wild elephant attack on human beings among others are problems haunting people of Sakleshpura constituency, where there is triangular fight between JD(S), Congress and BJP. Malleshappa, who owns 15 acres of coffee plantation in Sakleshpura says, "We had high expectation from Deve Gowda. He is known as 'mannina maga' (son of the soil). What has he done for poor farmers?" "Pepper prices have crashed due to cheaper imports. If the situation continues, farmers will sell the agriculture land and look for jobs in cities. The price we getfor the produce does not cover the cost of production," he said. Similarly in the Hassan constituency, unemployment and drinking water problem have become major poll issues. "Youth are getting educated from here but not getting jobs. They have to migrate to Bengaluru for jobs, where with meagre salary they cannot afford a living. There are no industries here," BJP candidate from Hassan constituency Pritam Gowda told PTI. On the drinking water crisis, he said there is "lack of willingness" from incumbent JD(S) MLA H S Prakash to ensure people get smooth supply of water. "Hemavathi river is just 15 kms away. They have taken water from this river to places like Tiptur, Tumkur and Arsikere through Hassan. Hassan people are not getting drinking water," he said. The BJP candidate, who is contesting polls for the first time, said, "Deve Gowda has done good things but not good enough." Defending the development work undertaken by the JD(S), the party candidate and sitting MLA H S Prakash blamed both UPA and NDA government for not releasing funds for addressing the drinking water problem. "Now, Rs 117 crore has been sanctioned under the clean water programme 'Amruta'. Pipelines have been laid till Hassan. If the work gets completed in the next six months, there will be water supply for 24X7," he said. Prakash further said that the JD(S) supremo was prime minister for 11 months and as chief minister of the state for 16 months. "He has done enough work. People feel that development can happen only under JD(S). (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Online recruitment activity registered 11 per cent growth in April, with production and manufacturing sectors exhibiting the highest long-term growth, says a report. The Monster Employment Index for April was at 298, a 11 per cent growth from the year-ago period. In April 2017, it stood at 268. Online demand exceeded the year-ago level in 21 of the 27 industry sectors monitored by the index. Production and manufacturing (up 54 per cent) led all monitored industry sectors by way of long-term growth. The growth momentum paced up seven points from 47 per cent in March 2018, the report said. This was followed by home appliances, up 45 per cent y-o-y. As Indian economy is positively adjusting to recent reforms, online hiring sentiment is also picking up at a strong pace. Impressively, online recruitment activity around production and manufacturing sector has rebounded, leading to a sharp rise in online demand," said Abhijeet Mukherjee, CEO, Monster.com- APAC and Gulf. The report further said that government/PSU/defence (down 34 per cent) recorded the steepest annual decline among all monitored industry sectors. BPO/ITES charted fewer opportunities on the year even in April. Nevertheless, the rate of decline relieved from down 24 per cent in March to down 16 per cent in April. "... the ongoing processes of mergers and acquisitions in telecom sector has created a cautious hiring scenario. This reiterates the need for companies to focus on re-skilling and upskilling existing employees and for job seekers to gain new skills, he added. Growth momentum exhibited a significant drop in telecom/ISP sector down from 42 per cent in March to 28 percent in April, the lowest recorded since March 2017. City-wise data showed improved online hiring demand in all major cities. Jaipur (up 28 per cent) led all monitored cities, followed by Chandigarh (up 24 per cent) and Kochi (up 24 per cent), the reprt by Monster said. Mumbai with 15 per cent growth from the year-ago period was the only tier-I city to record a double-digit growth yet-again. Hyderabad and Chennai registered 9 per cent growth, up from a growth of one per cent and two per cent respectively in March 2018. Online recruitment activity surpassed the year-ago level all 13 occupation groups monitored by the index. There has been a notable increase in demand for health care professionals in April. The job role saw demand exceed the corresponding period a year-ago by 43 per cent, the highest recorded among all monitored job roles, the report said. Finance and account was the next most demanded job role registering a growth of 36 per cent from the year-ago period. Online demand for customer service professionals surpassed the corresponding period a year-ago by two per cent following low levels in the past two month. This, however, is the most restrained year-on-year growth rate recorded among all monitored job roles, it added. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Over 84 lakh tonnes of wheat has been procured in Haryana in the ongoing Rabi marketing season, surpassing 74.25 lakh tonnes procured in the corresponding period last year. "Wheat procurement in the Haryana has surpassed last year's level. A total of 84.39 lakh metric tonnes (MT) of wheat has been procured by the state agencies till now against 74.25 lakh MT last year," a spokesman of Haryana Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs Department said. State agencies have procured over 84.39 lakh metric tonnes, the traders have just procured 884 metric tonnes. Giving details of the wheat procured by government agencies, he said 33.77 lakh metric tonnes has been procured by Haryana State Co-operative Supply and Marketing Federation (HAFED), whereas Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs Department has purchased 25.33 lakh metric tonnes. He said Centre's procurement agency Food Corporation of India has purchased 10.32 lakh metric tonnes of wheat and Haryana Warehousing Corporation has procured 14.95 lakh metric tonnes. The spokesman said district Sirsa was leading in wheat arrival where over 11.56 lakh metric tonnes has been procured followed by district Karnal, which recorded 8.99 lakh metric tonnes of wheat arrival. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Supreme Court today expressed grave concern on "over-exploitation" of groundwater in most parts of Delhi and asked the authorities to avert a crisis, saying the situation was "semi-critical". The apex court, after perusing a report filed by the Central Ground Water Board (CGWB) on the status of groundwater level in Delhi from May 2000 till May 2017, said it indicated an "extremely sad state of affairs" and the situation was serious. A bench of Justices Madan B Lokur and Deepak Gupta referred to the CGWB report which said the analysis of long term water level data revealed that over the period, in areas categorised as "over-exploited" as per groundwater resources estimation of 2013, water level decline rate varied from 0.5 metre per year to over 2 metre per year. "It is quite clear that there is over-exploitation of ground water in south district, New Delhi district, south-east district, east district, Shahadara, north-east district and almost rest of Delhi is in a semi-critical state," the bench noted in its order. "There are only some pockets in west district and central district which appear to be safe as of now. We can only urge the concerned authorities dealing with governance of Delhi to look into the report of the Central Ground Water Board to avoid a water crisis," it said. The apex court asked the secretary of Ministry of Water Resources, the Delhi Government and Delhi Pollution Control Committee to inform it about the "possible solutions" to this situation and posted the matter for consideration on July 11. The CGWB, in its report, has said that there were some pockets in Delhi where the change in ground water level was not significant or had remained unchanged and such pockets of shallow and rising water level areas have diminished over the period. "As such, major part of the state is under the over-exploited and semi-critical categories and in such areas, water levels are showing persistent declining trend during last two decades," the report said. After going through the report, the bench said, "A perusal of the report, which needs to be studied in greater depth, indicates an extremely sad state of affairs". During the hearing, the bench was told by an advocate that the situation of ground water was critical in the national capital and it might lead to a war-like situation if the issue was not addressed. The court also expressed concern over the fact that even in areas where the President's Estate was located, the ground water level has depleted over the years. The apex court had earlier expressed concerned about the depletion of ground water level in Delhi and asked the CGWB to give the status of ground water level from the year 2000 onwards in the national capital. The issue of depletion of ground water had cropped up when the court was hearing the matter related to sealing of unauthorised constructions in Delhi. The top court is dealing with the issue related to validity of the Delhi Laws (Special Provisions) Act, 2006 and subsequent legislations which protect unauthorised construction from being sealed. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Pakistan today condemned what it alleged was the use of "brutal and indiscriminate force" by Indian forces in Jammu and Kashmir. "The heartless killing of young Kashmiris daily constitutes yet another dark chapter in the long inhumane history of India's illegal occupation of Jammu & Kashmir," the Pakistan Foreign Office (FO) said in a statement. Five Hizbul Mujahideen terrorists including a top commander were killed in an encounter in Shopian district of Jammu and Kashmir on Sunday, even as five civilians died during clashes between protesters and law enforcement agencies near the encounter site. The FO said "India will not succeed in misleading the world community through its propaganda campaign painting the just, legitimate and indigenous Kashmiri struggle for self-determination as terrorism," adding that Pakistan remains in full solidarity with the people of Kashmir. "We urge the international community to take cognisance of the brutal repression and massive violations of human rights taking place in IoK (Indian-occupied Kashmir) and to use its influence with India to bring an immediate end to the culture of impunity that has been fostered there for seven decades," it said. Pakistan also called upon the world community to play its rightful role in promoting a just and lasting solution of the Kashmir dispute in accordance with relevant UN Security Council resolutions. "We believe this is a sine qua non for durable peace and stability in South Asia," the FO said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A 71-year-old Pakistani national, who lobbied in the US on behalf of the government of Pakistan under the garb of improving bilateral ties has pleaded guilty of failing to register as a foreign agent, according to the Department of Justice. Nisar Ahmed Chaudhry, a national of Pakistan and a lawful permanent resident of the United States, represented himself to be the president of the Pakistan American League. Chaudhry failed to file a registration statement with the Attorney General, as required by law, providing notification of his activities on behalf of the Government of Pakistan, the Department of Justice said yesterday. The accused faces a maximum sentence of five years in prison. His sentencing is scheduled for July 30, it said. The accused falsely represented that his activities in relation to Pakistan were solely educational in nature and executed for the benign purpose of encouraging better relations between the United States and Pakistan. According to his plea agreement, from 2012 through 2018, Chaudhry acted as an agent of the government of Pakistan in order to engage in political activities for, and in the interests of, Pakistan. These activities were designed by Chaudhry to obtain and manage information on the status of the US government's policies regarding Pakistan, and to influence US government officials and US foreign policy towards Pakistan. Chaudhry interacted on a routine basis with representatives of the government of Pakistan, at their Embassy in Washington, DC and consular office in New York City. The Department of Justice said Chaudhry also interacted with numerous institutes, foundations and organisations operating in and around Washington, DC that played a role in shaping and influencing US foreign policy. Chaudhry organised discussions in Washington, DC and Maryland metropolitan areas between his American government and think tank contacts and visiting Pakistan government officials to influence United States foreign policy in a direction favourable to Pakistan's interests. Over the years, he cultivated contacts within these entities and the US government in order to obtain in-depth information regarding the US policies towards Pakistan. "Chaudhry then sought to neutralise unfavourable views of Pakistan held by current and former US government officials by employing certain methods of discussion with these individuals during personal interactions with them and/or by controlling and manipulating discussion at the roundtable events he organised or attended," the Department of Justice alleged. Federal prosecutors alleged that to be more effective in obtaining information of interest to Pakistan and to gain a strategic advantage in acquiring information that might not otherwise be divulged to official representatives of the government of Pakistan, Chaudhry falsely represented that his activities were solely educational in nature and not affiliated with the Pakistan government. According to his plea agreement, Chaudhry regularly travelled to Pakistan to brief high-level Pakistan government officials on information obtained from his American government and think tank contacts. He also met Pakistan government officials in the US to report on the details of his meetings in Pakistan with high-level Pakistan government officials, and obtain information regarding matters of interest to Pakistan relevant to his activities in the US on behalf of the Pakistan government. Chaudhry was invited to events at the Pakistan Embassy and meetings with high-level Pakistan government officials. He was allowed to use the diplomatic channels to ship personal items to and from Pakistan, among other things, it was alleged. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Pakistan's Supreme Court today suspended the Senate membership of former finance minister Ishaq Dar after he failed to appear before it in connection with a petition contesting his election to the Upper House. The court had summoned Dar, 67, who has been in London since October 2017 and was declared absconder by an accountability court in a corruption case, to appear on May 8 in a plea challenging his election to the Senate, Pakistani media reported today. The former finance minister had won a Senate seat in March as a Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) backed independent candidate. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A Pakistani man pleaded guilty in federal court in Maryland to failing to disclose lobbying work on behalf of the Pakistani government, the Justice Department has said. Nisar Ahmed Chaudhry, 71, who admitted to working as an unregistered foreign agent since 2012, faces a maximum prison term of five years when he is sentenced in July, the department said yesterday. A federal law known as the Foreign Agents Registration Act requires people to disclose to the Justice Department when they lobby or perform other political activities in the US on behalf of foreign governments. But the Justice Department has rarely brought criminal cases, choosing instead to encourage people to comply with the law rather than prosecute them when they fail to do so. As part of his plea, Chaudhry, of Columbia, Maryland, admitted to secretly acting as an agent for the Pakistani government in an effort to get information about, and influence, US government policies toward Pakistan. Prosecutors say Chaudhry, who represented himself as the president of the Pakistan American League, organized roundtable discussions in the Washington area aimed at influencing US policy and also travelled to Pakistan to brief government officials there on information that he had learned from American contacts. Chaudhry told US government officials, including Customs and Border Protection agents, and think-tank contacts that his work was solely educational in nature and not affiliated with the Pakistani government, the Justice Department said. In fact, prosecutors say, his activities were designed to shape American policy in a way that favoured Pakistani interests. A federal defender listed as representing Chaudhry did not immediately return a message seeking comment. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Punjab Cabinet today gave its nod to provide financial assistance and employment, on compassionate grounds, to the next of kin of the people from the state killed in war-torn Iraq. The state government had decided to provide employment to one family member of each of the victims, according to their educational qualification and government's policy, besides ex gratia of Rs 5 lakh, an official release said. The decision was taken in a Cabinet meeting chaired by Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh here, it said, adding it was also decided that the monthly pension of Rs 20,000 being paid to the family members from the CM's Relief Fund will continue till jobs are provided. In March, External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj had told the Rajya Sabha that the 39 Indians abducted in Iraq in 2014 were killed by Islamic State terrorists and buried in a mass grave in Badush. As many as 40 Indians were abducted by the ISIS from Mosul in Iraq but one of them escaped by posing as a Muslim from Bangladesh. Out of the 39 killed, 27 hailed from Punjab, four from Himachal Pradesh, six from Bihar and two from West Bengal. On the directive of the Punjab chief minister, an ex gratia of Rs 5 lakh each to 26 dependent family members amounting to Rs 1.30 crore has already been disbursed from the CM's Relief Fund, a spokesperson said, adding that according to records, one victim had no legal heir. Providing jobs to dependent family members of the 27 deceased Indians from Punjab on compassionate grounds does not fall within the purview of state policy. Therefore, relaxation in the policy was required for this purpose. An official spokesperson said keeping in view the hardships faced by the victims families, the Cabinet decided to relax the existing policy of the state government as notified on November 21, 2002. However, the remaining conditions of the policy would remain applicable, the spokesperson said. Minister of State for External Affairs V K Singh brought back the mortal remains of the 38 Indians from Iraq in a special aircraft last month. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Delhi Urban Development Minister Satyendar Jain has written to Chief Secretary Anshu Prakash, directing him to take disciplinary action against officers coming late to office, including deducting their salary. The chief secretary wrote back, asserting that officers are working "beyond office hours" and also on weekends, sources said. The minister has also accused the officers of creating "hindrance" in the work of the AAP dispensation. According to the sources, in a noting on a file sent to the Urban Development minister, Prakash cited rules, saying, "The minister-in-charge of a department shall be primarily responsible for the disposal of the business of the department." Jain's letter to the chief secretary may trigger another round of tussle between the AAP government and the bureaucracy who are at loggerheads over the alleged assault on Prakash at the chief minister's residence in February. The minister's direction came after it was found during random inspection of attendance in various branches of the Urban Development Department that 11 officials were absent even after 10.20 am on May 4, and most of the senior officers were not present in their seats. In the letter to Prakash, he alleged that the quantum of work being delivered is "very less" and "undoubtedly" this is the result of the decisions of the officers to not let the government function properly. According to the sources, the chief secretary, responding to Jain's allegations, wrote in the file noting, "Instead of making unwarranted and unsubstantiated allegations and observation, the minister is required to cite specific problems so that the same can be addressed." Since the alleged assault on the chief secretary, bureaucrats have been boycotting meetings, except cabinet meetings, with AAP ministers in solidarity with Prakash. "It is regretted to note that the agitations of officers are entering second level where more and more hindrance are being created for bringing the already snail-paced work to a halt. Necessary directions need to be issued in this regard to all the officers and officials to be punctual and regular in attending their offices," Jain said in the letter. He said the officials should be also directed to let the government function for the benefit of the people. "In case the officers/officials are not interested in attending the office or/and showing the results by the quantum of work produced, there should not be any hesitation in taking disciplinary action besides deducting their corresponding remuneration," Jain said in a written communication to chief secretary. Delhi government employees have also been observing a five-minute silence in their respective offices every day to express solidarity with the chief secretary. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Asserting that people's confidence in the judiciary has been affected due to recent events involving judges of the Supreme Court, eminent jurist Soli Sorabjee has said the "ball lies in the court of the Chief Justice" now to resolve issues through consultations. In an interview to PTI, he said the judiciary is going through a phase which was "not desirable" and "unfortunate" as it affects the public's confidence in the judiciary, and also in its capacity to dispense free and fearless justice. "It (functioning of the judiciary) should be done in a harmonious manner and that's the real thing and that's where the ball lies in the court of the Chief Justice. Chief justice should again consult his colleagues in the collegium, talk to them, resolve whatever it is," the former attorney general said. On the collegium deferring the decision on the Centre sending back a recommendation on elevation of Uttarakhand High Court Chief Justice K M Joseph to the Supreme Court, Sorabjee said there may be differences, but it is necessary that the collegium should speak in one voice. He also termed the press conference of four senior-most judges of the Supreme Court raising issues involving Chief Justice of India Dipak Misra as "inappropriate". "This is not good. I am very distressed, these things really affect the confidence of the litigating public. Then they (public) are not sure whether this judge or that judge will give them justice," he said. In an unprecedented move, four senior-most judges of the Supreme Court -- J Chelameswar, Ranjan Gogoi, Madan B Lokur and Kurian Joseph-- held a press conference in January in which they had virtually revolted against the CJI by raising a number of issues. Asked if these developments have affected the confidence of the public in the judiciary, Sorabjee said there is an impact "to some extent" and that is "all the more reason that confidence must be restored by the collegium speaking in one voice." The eminent jurist also backed the collegium procedure saying the government has the option to say it cannot accept a certain name and give reasons for it. The government has the right to send it back and give reasons while doing so, but it does not have a "veto", he added. "Collegium should consider those reasons, and if it finds there is nothing in it, it can reiterate its recommendation. If in a given case it finds there is something they are not aware of... they may rethink their position," he said, adding that there "shouldn't be a tug of war". The whole idea is to see that the reputation of the judiciary of meeting of independent justice should not be affected in any manner, he said. "We don't want sarkari judges. There may be judges who are not so brilliant as others but they should be true to their oaths of office," he said. Asked about the issue of allocation of cases, Sorabjee said the Chief Justice was the master of roster, but added that it was the "least imperfect way". His comments also come days after the Supreme Court Collegium, comprising Chief Justice Misra and justices Chelameswar, Gogoi, Lokur and Kurian Joseph, had last week deferred its decision on the Centre's communication asking it to reconsider its recommendation to elevate Uttarakhand Chief Justice K M Joseph to the apex court. "It (the government) can send back (the recommendation), but then it is for the collegium to consider the government's viewpoint, government's objections, government's misgivings and if the collegium reiterates it, the government is bound to then accept it," the 88-year-old jurist added. Sorabjee also termed the Congress-led notice for impeachment against CJI Misra as "absolutely misconceived". "Impeachment can be for proved misbehaviour not because certain judgement is rather not correct", he argued. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to commission the strategically important Pakyong airport in Sikkim, sources in the Civil Aviation Ministry have said. The greenfield airport, close to the capital city of Gangtok, received the aerodrome license from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation last Friday for commercial operations. The formal announcement was made by Civil Aviation Minister Suresh Prabhu through his twitter feed. "The Ministry is in talks with the PMO and hopefully the PM will inaugurate the airport given its strategic importance and significance," sources in the Ministry said, adding the dates are yet to the finalised. The airport was approved by the Centre in 2008 and was constructed at an estimated cost of Rs 350 crore. The project is being billed as an engineering marvel -- it has been built at an height of 4,500 feet in an inhospitable terrain. Once commissioned, it will the 100th functional airport in the country. As on date, Sikkim is the only state in the country without a functional airport. Low-cost airline SpiceJet has been granted permission to fly to Pakyong from Kolkata under the Civil Aviation Ministry's regional connectivity scheme. SpiceJet has already conducted a dry run at the airport with one its Bombardier Dash 8-Q400 aircraft successfully landing there on March 5. Also in March, A Dornier 228 of the Indian Air Force landed at the airport. The tourism sector, in particular, is expected to benefit immensely with the opening of the airport other than the economic boon it will bring to the Himalayan state. The nearest Bagdogra airport in West Bengal is about 150 km from Gangtok and air passengers have to take the road after alighting there. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Prime Minister Narendra Modi is likely to visit Jammu and Kashmir for two days later this month during which he will inaugurate a hydro-electricity project and participate in the 100th birth anniversary celebrations of Ladakhi spiritual leader Kushak Bakula and a university convocation, officials said here today. While the dates are yet to be officially announced, the officials said most probably the prime minister will arrive here on May 19 and dedicate to the nation the 330 MW Kishanganga hydroelectric project, whose progress was monitored by the PMO. The project, located at Bandipore in North Kashmir, envisages diversion of water of Kishan Ganga river to underground power house through a 23.25-km-long head race tunnel to generate 1713 million units per annum. On the same day, Modi is expected to fly to Leh where he is likely to participate in the 100th anniversary celebrations of Kushak Bakula, the officials said. Bakula was seen as the force behind several political agitations in the region and was its voice all over the world. He was born at Matho on May 21, 1917, and educated at Geshes, Lhasa (Tibet). A scholar of the Mahayana school of Buddhism, he was head priest of the Spituk Gompa. He died in 2003. The next day, Modi is likely to address a university convocation in Jammu before returning to the national capital, the officials added. The Kishanganga project was started in 2007 but on May 17, 2010, Pakistan moved for international arbitration against India under the provisions of the Indus Waters Treaty 1960 that regulates the use of waters in the shared rivers. The Hague-based International Court of Arbitration allowed India in 2013 to go ahead with construction of the project in North Kashmir and upheld India's right under the bilateral Indus Waters Treaty to divert waters from the Kishanganga for power generation in Jammu and Kashmir. The international court, however, decided that India shall release a minimum flow of nine cubic metres per second into the Kishanganga river (known as Neelam in Pakistan) at all times to maintain environmental flows. Pakistan is building a 969 MW Neelum-Jhelum hydroelectric project downstream. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Speedy implementation of key India-assisted projects and building trust will be among the focus areas when Prime Minister Narendra Modi travels to Nepal on Friday, a visit reflective of attempts to bring back normalcy in Indo-Nepal ties after a spell of uneasiness. Official sources said that during Modi's two-day visit, India will seek to consolidate relationship with the new Nepalese government of Prime Minister K P Sharma Oli who has returned to power riding on a spectacular electoral victory and now leads a stable dispensation after years of political instability. The aim will also be to bring "substance" and "seriousness" in ties, a source said, while expressing the hope that "it will further build trust between the two neighbours". Asked whether India will press for amendment in Nepal's Constitution as sought by Indian-origin Madhesi groups, the sources said leaders from the community have already come to power in a province and that India will be observing the developments there. The prime minister will also meet leaders of two Madhesi parties in Kathmandu. India's assessment is that the internal power dynamics in Nepal is stable and the two Left parties CPN (Maoist Centre) and CPN-UML in the ruling alliance will merge. They said both sides will deliberate on implementation of the ambitious rail project to link Kathmandu with Raxaul in Bihar and connecting landlocked Nepal with river transport system with India, apart from several other key connectivity projects. India had offered these mega projects during Oli's visit here last month, seen as a move to counter China's efforts to expand influence over Kathmandu by offering various infrastructure projects. Nepalese PM Oli had visited India around a month back which was seen as an attempt to repair Nepal's ties with New Delhi. In 2016, Oli had publicly criticised India for interfering in Nepal's internal matters and accused it of toppling his government. The intention is to build on PM Oli's visit and and carry forward pending proposals, a source said adding India hopes for greater political coordination and removal of various hurdles like land acquisition for implementation of key projects as a stable government is at the helm of affairs in Kathmandu now. They said Modi will arrive in Janakpur on Friday by a chopper from Bihar. The Prime Minister will visit the historic Janakpur temple where he will be accompanied by his Nepalese counterpart. Modi will be given a civic reception also at Janakpur. In the afternoon, he will travel to Kathmandu where he will meet the Nepalese President, Vice President and hold wide-ranging talks with Oli. Modi and Oli are likely to sign a number of pacts and inaugurate the Rs 6000-crore Arun 3 project which is expected to generate around 900 MW of power. The sources said there may be an announcement on the proposed Ramayan circuit. In Kathmandu, Modi will also meet former Nepalse prime ministers Sher Bahadur Deuba and Pushpa Kamal Dahal, popularly known as Prachanda, besides the leaders of two Madhesi parties. Modi will also travel to the famous Muktinath temple on Saturday and return to Kathmandu in the afternoon. He will also be given a civic reception by mayor of Kathmandu. Sources said the focus of Modi's trip -- his third to Nepal after taking over reins as PM in 2014 -- will be to further build on Oli's visit here last month and implement pending proposals. Modi will probably be the first Indian prime minister to visit Nepal thrice. Also, Nepal will be the first South Asian country where the PM would be visiting thrice, the sources said. They said both sides are looking at finalising a pact on carrying out survey for the Kathmandu-Raxaul rail project and start negotiations for amending the treaty of transit for implementing the inland water transport project. Certain changes in the existing pact are required for opening up the inland waterways between the two countries. The sources said the Indian entity for carrying out the survey for the tail project has been identified and that the aim was to complete the survey later this year or by first part of next year. Asked about China's recent proposal to build a corridor to Nepal also linking India, the sources said the issue was not discussed during Modi's talks with Chinese President Xi Jingpin in Wuhan recently and that India was focusing on bilateral connectivity projects with Nepal. On whether India has reservations on engaging in power trade with Nepal if the project involves China, the sources said India is in the process of changing rules for cross border power trade. It is not specific to China, the sources said, adding it will be applicable for Bhutan as well as Bangladesh. They said "it is not that India will not take power because China's involvement". The intergovernmental trade and transit commission and the joint steering committee on power sharing met last month to prepare the ground for Modi's trip to Kathmandu. During Oli's visit, both sides had vowed to step up the overall engagement and take the relationship to newer heights on the basis of "equality, mutual trust and respect". After talks with Oli last month, Modi had said India would always stand by Nepal in its quest for all-round growth, asserting that deeper cooperation between the two neighbours would strengthen democracy in that country. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A 37-year-old police constable was killed allegedly by the sand mafia here when he attempted to stop them from illegally mining sand from the Nambiyaar river bed, police said today. Two persons have been arrested in connection with the case. Jagadeesh Durai, attached to the Vadakku Vijayanarayanam police station, had reportedly received a tip-off on Sunday night from a person claiming to be a police sub-inspector, regarding illegal mining activity at Pandichery village and rushed to the spot. On seeing Durai, a special branch constable, gang members tried to flee in their tractor. However, Durai chased and nabbed them at some distance following which a scuffle broke out between them. He was allegedly attacked by the gang with iron rods, police said, adding, Durai was found lying in a pool of blood in a forest area near the village. In a petition submitted to the Superintendent of Police, Tirunelveli district, the deceased's wife alleged that some officials in the police department had worked in connviance with the sand mafia to kill Durai, who was investigating the illicit sand mining in the area. Two people including a polytechnic student were arrested in this connection. The Tamil Nadu government has announced a compensation of Rs 10 lakh to the kin of the deceased. Chief Minister K Palaniswami has directed that one person from the family of the victim be provided government job as per qualification. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Secretary of State Mike Pompeo is on his way to Pyongyang for talks with the North Korean leadership to decide on the upcoming summit meeting between the US and North Korean leaders, President Donald Trump said today. In fact, at this very moment, Secretary Pompeo is on his way to North Korea in preparation for my upcoming meeting with Kim Jong-un, Trump said at the White House. Plans are being made, relationships are building, hopefully a deal will happen, and with the help of China, South Korea, and Japan, a future of great prosperity and security can be achieved for everyone, Trump said. This is Pompeo's second trip to South Korea in less than a month. He went to North Korea on a secret mission last month as CIA director. As a close confidant of Trump, Pompeo is playing a key role in US negotiations with North Korea. Secretary Pompeo is right now going to North Korea. He will be there very shortly, in a matter of probably an hour. He's got meetings set up. We have our meetings scheduled. We have our meetings set. The location is picked. The time and date and everything is picked and we look forward to have a very great success, Trump said. We think relationships are building with North Korea. We'll see how it all works out. Maybe it will, maybe it won't but it can be a great thing for North Korea, South Korea, Japan and the entire world. We hope it all works out, said the US president. He did not give any definitive answer on the release of American prisoners in North Korea. We'll all soon be finding out. We'll soon be finding out. Would be a great thing if they are. We'll soon be finding out, Trump said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Power ministry's meeting with Reserve Bank of India on the revised RBI norms for bad loans scheduled for today has been postponed. "It (the meeting) has been postponed. (The meeting will take place) some other day," Power Minister R K Singh told reporters on the sidelines of a function. The ministry had earlier approached the central bank seeking relaxation from stringent RBI norms for the power sector, a source said. The minister further said the government was also planning to bid out about 40,000-50,000 MW of renewable power this year. Reserve Bank had come out with 'Resolution of Stressed Assets-Revised Framework' on February 12, 2018. Post this circular, all other RBI guidelines for handling short-term and long-term issues regarding loan management (flexible structuring of loans-5/25 scheme, SDR, S-4A, CDR scheme etc.) have been withdrawn. According to the circular, even a one-day default in debt servicing would require reporting to RBI and implementation of Resolution Plan. All accounts with exposure of Rs 2,000 crore and above, on or after March 1, 2018 and in default have to formulate a resolution plan within 180 days failing which the case has to be mandatorily referred to NCLT for Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code (IBC) proceedings. The Association of Power Producers had written to RBI and Prime Minister Narendra Modi that more than 75,000 MW assets - under operation or under construction - are severely stressed due to reasons including lower availability of coal, pending receivables from discoms, among others. It said there are Rs 8,300 crore of receivables currently and more than two years of delay in receiving orders from Regulatory Commissions to pass on the increase in cost of coal due to various taxes and duties which are to be treated as 'Change in Law'. Also, around Rs 7,800 crore is stuck as regulatory receivables due to delay in orders and dispute being raised by discoms at the higher court, and this amount is increasing progressively. The association also drew attention towards short supply of coal as Coal India supplies only 60 per cent of fuel required. It also sought to extend the implementation period of Resolution Plan from 180 days to one year as "the current timeline to complete the resolution plan is extremely difficult." The association demanded that RBI should relax "default" clause from one-day delay in debt servicing and classify the asset as NPA (bad loan) only after the completion of 180-day period. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Commerce and Industry Minister Suresh Prabhu today asked various departments and ministries, including agriculture and pharma, to submit their respective action plans for boosting exports. Addressing secretaries and senior officers of different departments at the first inter-ministerial meeting on Sectoral Export Promotion Strategy, he asked them to submit their plans within a fortnight, an official statement said. "The action plan should also have short term targets which are achievable in the next two months," the ministry said. He said that exports are strategically important for the country and sustained growth in the shipments is critical for India. "It is therefore imperative to promote exports as a combined and joint mission which requires the effort of all ministries and departments of the government," he added. The commerce ministry will take the assistance of the ministry of external affairs to implement the action plans through commercial missions abroad. Emphasising on the importance of involvement of states in promoting exports, the minister stated that regional authorities of the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) have been assigned to work with states to assist them in formulation and implementation of export policy. Further, a task force on SEZs (special economic zones) has also been set up to ensure that export potential from these zones is utilized fully. He suggested that the department of commerce can organise road-shows and exhibitions for their sectors and products. Prabhu stated that a holistic approach to manufacturing and exports is the need of the hour as protectionist approach may actually have a negative impact on value added items of export. "We need to push the idea of looking for new markets as well as exporting new products," he said, adding that after receiving the respective action plans, the ministry will carry stakeholder consultations. A Best Exporting Ministry/Department Award' will also be announced. Prabhu also advised the EXIM bank to prepare an action plan to alleviate the financial difficulties being faced by exporters. Speaking at the meeting, Commerce Secretary Rita Teaotia said that while there has been a 10 per cent growth in merchandise exports in the current year, "our share in global trade is static at 1.7 per cent" in goods shipments and 3.4 per cent is services exports. "We need to look at new markets. While we have done well in US and Europe there has not been adequate focus on fast emerging markets in Asia. We need to focus more on exports to China, Latin America and Africa," she said. The meeting was attended by secretaries from Department of Commerce, DIPP, Electronics and IT, Animal Husbandry and Dairying and MSME, besides senior officers from 14 other administrative ministries and departments including Agriculture, Textiles, Petroleum, Food Processing, Pharma, Chemical and Petrochemical and Defence production. The meeting assumes significance as India's exports dipped after a gap of four months in March. Exports contracted by 0.66 per cent to USD 29.11 billion due to negative growth in several key sectors. Petroleum products, carpet, jute items, ready- made garments, gems and jewellery, iron, ore, meat, dairy and poultry products, oil meals and oil seeds were among the products that witnessed a decline in March. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Oil Minister Dharmendra Pradhan today likened Congress president Rahul Gandhi to "Mungerilal" for his statement that he could become the Prime Minister in 2019 if his party emerges as the biggest among coalition partners. "Bhai, koi Mungerilal ko sapna dekhne se mana kar sakta hai (can anyone stop Mungerilal from dreaming)," Pradhan remarked when reporters on sidelines of an industry event asked about Gandhi's statement. Mungerilal was the main character of the popular show, 'Mungerilal Ke Haseen Sapne', on Doordarshan in the 1990s. The show was about a clerk who is bullied by his boss in the office and wife at home. His escape from his unpleasant world is through daydreaming where he takes revenge from his boss and also dates his pretty colleague. Rahul Gandhi had earlier in the day in Bengaluru stated that he can become the Prime Minister if his party emerges as the single largest among all its coalition partners in the 2019 Lok Sabha elections. "If the Congress party is the biggest party, yes," he said to a question on his Prime Ministerial aspiration during an interaction with prominent personalities in Bengaluru as part of the launch of Samruddhi Bharat conference here. Asked to comment on Sonia Gandhi's statement that Prime Minister Narendra Modi only lectures and does not work, Pradhan said the UPA chairperson should look at 3.5 crore free cooking gas (LPG) connections given by his minitry during the last three years. Of these, 45 per cent have gone to dalits and tribals. "Sonia Gandhiji should look at these numbers and tell if it looks like just a speech or work," Pradhan said accusing the Congress of being a "party of feudal" which could not govern, indulged in corruption and promoted "parivarvad". (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) President Ram Nath Kovind has given his assent to the Delhi government's proposed Bill to amend the Minimum Wages Act under which employers violating labour rules in the city will now face fine ranging from Rs 20,000-50,000 and jail term between one to three years. Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal said the amended law will act as a "strong deterrent" against the employers who do not pay full minimum wages. The Department of Law, Justice and Legislative Affairs of the Delhi government has issued a notification, making it mandatory for employers to pay remuneration either electronically or through cheques, except in some special circumstances. "Finally, Central Govt gives its approval after several months. This will act as a strong deterrent against those employers who do not pay full min wages. Del govt will take strong action against such people," Kejriwal tweeted. In March last year, Lt Governor Anil Baijal had approved the AAP government's decision to hike by 37 per cent the minimum wages of unskilled, semi-skilled and skilled workers. For an unskilled worker, the minimum wages is Rs 13,350 per month while for semi-skilled, it is Rs 14,698. The minimum wages for skilled persons is Rs 16,182 in the national capital. In August last year, the Delhi Assembly had again passed "The Minimum Wages (Delhi) Amendment Act, 2017", after the Centre had suggested the AAP dispensation to re-introduce the Bill with some changes in the Assembly. The first bill was tabled in 2015. According to the notification issued on May 4, the court before which the prosecution complaint is made under Section 22 of the Act will dispose it of within a month from the date of filing. The employer will upload the employee data on website or web portal in the manner as may be prescribed, the notification stated. It stated that for the words "shall be punishable with imprisonment for a term which may extend to six months, or with fine which may extend to five hundred rupees, or with both", the words "shall be punishable with imprisonment for a term of three years, or with fine of fifty thousand rupees, or with both." shall be substituted. The notification also stated, "Principal Act, in its application to the National Capital Territory of Delhi, for the words "with fine which may extend to five hundred rupees, the words "with imprisonment for a term of one year, or with fine twenty thousand rupees or with both" shall be substituted. Asked about a pending matter pertaining to implementation of minimum wages in the Delhi High Court which had last year asked the city government not to take coercive against violators, a senior government official said that with the President's assent, government will implement the provisions of the Bill. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Declaring as a human right, CEO has asserted that the tech giant would ensure that the user is "always in control" of their data and its use. "The world is becoming a computer. Computing is getting embedded in every person, place and thing" and all are being transformed, the 50-year-old Indian-origin CEO said yesterday.In his keynote address to the annual Build 2018 conference here attended by thousands of software developers, including several from India, Nadella said computing is now getting embedded in every person, place and thing. At the same time, Nadella called for greater integration of ethical values and principles that protects individuals' privacy, human values and democracy. He said one has to develop a set of principles that "guide the choices we make, because the choices we make is what's going to define the future". At Microsoft, Nadella said, "We are focused on three core pillars, first is a human right. We at have enshrined a set of principles that ensure that we preserve this human right, protect this human right. "We ensure that when we use data, it is to benefit the user. We ensure that the user is always in control of their data and its use," Nadella said. "If you think about the sheer computing power that is getting distributed, and how that computing power is being used to collect data, fuse sensor data, reason over that data, create the rich experiences throughout our life, it's pretty stunning," the Microsoft CEO said. "That's the opportunity that we have. It's in some sense endless," he said. "We have the responsibility to ensure that these technologies are empowering everyone. These technologies are creating equitable growth by ensuring that every industry is able to grow and create employment," he said. "But we also have a responsibility as a tech industry to build trust in technology," Nadella said while highlighting the need to think about the power of and our ability to completely control it, especially its impact even on future generations. He said the General Data Protection Regulation of the European Union is a sound, good regulation. "We have been working hard to ensure compliance with it by end of this month when it becomes in effect. We have hundreds of engineers across the company building the compliance infrastructure. "In fact, we're going to help our customers who use our products and services get compliant," he said. But we know that this is just the starting point. It's just like security, we're never going to be done. We are going to continuously commit ourselves to work to preserve privacy. On preserving cyber security, he asserted that the industry needs to act with collective responsibility across the tech sector to help keep the world safe. "We recently formed a programme to protect our democracy wherein we are going to work with the campaigns, the civic society, and other constituents, so that we can secure our political process, our democratic process," Nadella said. Microsoft also led a consortium of tech companies to ensure citizens across the world are protected from cyber-attacks. "It's digital Geneva Convention of our times," he said. On ethical Artificial Intelligence, he said, "We need to ask ourselves, what computers can do, but what computers should. The Punjab government has decided to put on hold the release of Class 12 history book till the newly-constituted oversight committee examined it and decided on the way forward, an official spokesperson said today. The spokesperson said here that following the chief minister's decision to set up the six-member oversight committee, headed by eminent historian Prof Kirpal Singh, it was felt that it would be better for the panel to undertake a review of the book before its further release. The Punjab School Board has also been directed to facilitate the committee for completing this task at the earliest. The committee also comprises former vice chancellor Guru Nanak Dev University Prof J S Grewal, former pro-vice chancellor GNDU Prof Prithipal Singh Kapur, Emeritus Prof of History Panjab University Prof Indu Banga, besides two eminent historians to be nominated by the Shiromani Gurdwara Prabandhak Committee (SGPC). The committee has been mandated to consider and report on the recommendations of the expert group, constituted by the Punjab School Board in 2014, to review the changes made in the new history syllabus prescribed for Classes 11 and 12 subsequent to the recommendations of the expert group, and to suggest corrections, if any. The committee has been further asked to examine the contents of the text books prescribed for classes 11 and 12 and to suggest corrections for factual and other errors, if any, and to align, as maybe practicably possible, the history syllabus with that prescribed by the NCERT. Apart from these, the committee has also been directed to exercise oversight over the syllabus and contents of text books prescribed for history for all classes in the Punjab School Board and to ensure that there are no factual discrepancies. Yesterday, Chief Minister Amarinder Singh had announced the constitution of a six-member oversight committee to examine the recommendations of the 2014 panel that reviewed the history syllabus and oversee all history books in the future. The move came in the wake of the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) alleging that a major portion of Sikh and Punjab history was removed from the Class 12 curriculum. President of SGPC Gobind Singh Longowal too had asked the Punjab government to withdraw the history text book of Class 12, saying otherwise the apex religious body of the Sikhs may plan massive agitation. Addressing a press conference here yesterday, the chief minister had criticised the opposition parties for unnecessarily politicising the issue and said his government had decided to prevent any such politicisation of history books by setting up a permanent committee to oversee the process of formulating the syllabus and ensuring error-free books on the subject. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Rabindra Bharati University (RBU) will host regular light and sound shows in Hindi, the script of which has been done by Gulzar, to enable a greater number of people know about the life and time of Rabindranath Tagore, its vice-chancellor said today. The 'son et lumiere' would be held at the university's Jorasanko campus in the city, which hosts such shows in Bengali regularly since mid-January, RBU Vice-Chancellor Prof Sabyasachi Basu Ray Chaudhury said. The Jorasanko campus in north Kolkata is housed at the ancestral house of the Tagore family. The 'Son et lumiere' in Hindi is expected to start before August 8, the death anniversary of Rabindranath Tagore, and it will held alternately with the Bengali version, Ray Chaudhury said. "We thought that Gulzar saab would be the best person to write such a script," he said at the sidelines of the university's convocation. Gulzar is known to Bengali culture and has translated several Tagore works in Hindi. Work for an English light and sound show is also progressing with academician Shamik Bandyopadhyay being entrusted with the job of writing the script, the VC said. "We are hopeful the English son et lumiere can be screened later on this year," he added. A souvenir shop containing artefacts and mementos, and a modern cafeteria will also come up in the Jorasanko compound for visitors, he said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Congress president Rahul Gandhi today bracketed Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US President Donald Trump with the "reactionary leaders" of the world and said the unemployed angry youth had voted them to power. Gandhi also said the BJP and RSS were able to function because the Indian youth are angry as the system was unable to give them jobs. "The Indian system is unable to give them jobs basically because we are struggling to compete against China. It is pretty much impossible for the western world to compete with the Chinese on blue collar jobs," he said at a function here. This, he said, meant that every western nation has a couple of millions of people who they cannot employ and it was they who voted for Trump, "for these reactionary leaders... these are the people who voted for Mr Modi." Gandhi said until India solved the employment problem and was able to compete effectively with the Chinese, "you will have this anger in society." He told the gathering that India was unable to compete with China because the entire focus of job creation was based on 10 or 15 people. "If you look at the NPAs (Non Performing Assets) and analyse who gets Rs 10 lakh crore, you will find that they are basically 10 to 15 people," he said. He emphasised that small and medium businesses should be encouraged as they can be the major job creators. "The way forward is to make more accessible to small and medium business, to make the houses, Parliament, the Vidhana Sabha function," he said. "What has happened today is that Parliament,the powers of Parliament has basically been captured by the PMO and by five or six bureaucrats. And you have to give power back to Parliament," Gandhi said. He was speaking at a function where he launched the "Samruddha Bharat Foundation", a platform to propagate liberal, secular and republican values across the country. Its trustees include veteran film director Shyam Benegal and noted Supreme Court advocate K T S Tulsi. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Congress president Rahul Gandhi said today he is ready to become the prime minister if his party emerges as the "biggest" party in the 2019 Lok Sabha polls. "Well, it depends....it depends on how well the Congress does in the election....I mean if it emerges as the biggest party, yes," Gandhi said, when asked during an interaction here if he would be the next prime minister. Gandhi said he is "pretty confident" that Narendra Modi would not be the next prime minister. If the Congress acts as a "platform" (with other parties in a coalition), the BJP does not stand a chance of winning the elections, he said at a function where he launched the "Samruddha Bharat Foundation". "It is highly unlikely that BJP will form the next government, and the second part is that it is close to impossible that Modi will be the next prime minister," Gandhi said. He said the opposition unity would not allow the BJP to remain in power. Gandhi asserted that the Congress would win the Assembly polls in Chhattisgarh and Rajasthan. "Samruddha Bharat Foundation" is a platform to propagate liberal, secular and republican values across the country. Its trustees include veteran film director Shyam Benegal and noted Supreme Court advocate KTS Tulsi. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The BJP today took potshots at Rahul Gandhi over his remarks that he was ready to be the prime minister, saying the Congress president, who is harbouring "lofty dreams" despite his party's losing spree, should first try to win state elections. BJP spokesperson Shahnawaz Hussain said while it is Gandhi's right to "dream" about becoming the prime minister, even Congress' allies were not accepting him as their leader. He reminded Gandhi that after he became Congress vice president, "his party lost 13 states and after he took over as party president, it has lost five states and Karnataka will be the sixth one". "Look at the irony, Congress is losing state after state ever since Gandhi took over as party's vice president and then party chief. But he is dreaming to become the prime minister. Even Congress' allies are not accepting him as their leader," Hussain told reporters. The BJP leader emphasised that the country will once again elect Narendra Modi as their prime minister. "Aakhir dil ki baat zubaan par aa hi gayi (Finally what was in his heart has come out," Hussain said on Gandhi's remarks "It is good to see that he has such lofty dreams. It is his right. But, to become the prime minister, he has to win some, at least some state elections and make chief ministers of his choice. Under his leadership, the party is not winning any state election and he is dreaming of becoming the prime minister," he said. The BJP leader claimed that Congress was facing defeat in Karnataka. "Rahul Gandhi will hit a sixer after losing Karnataka," he said, adding the Congress has already lost "five states" after he became party president. Hussain was responding to Gandhi's remarks in Bangalore today that he is ready to become the prime minister if his party emerges as the "biggest" party after the 2019 Lok Sabha polls. Gandhi said he is "pretty confident" that Narendra Modi would not be the next prime minister. If the Congress acts as a "platform" (with other parties in a coalition), the BJP does not stand a chance of winning the elections, he said at a function where he launched the 'Samruddha Bharat Foundation'. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Rabindra Bharati University (RBU) can play an important role in preserving India's culture and heritage, Governor Keshari Nath Tripathi, who is also the varsity's chancellor, said today. Addressing the 43rd convocation of the institute on the Jorasanko campus, Tripathi said, the university, which received 'Grade A' accreditation from NAAC (National Assessment and Accreditation Council) in 2016, has the "potential to become a centre of excellence". "RBU can play a significant role in maintaining India's cultural diplomacy with other countries. It has scholars from South-East Asian countries, including Bangladesh and Sri Lanka, as faculty members," he said. Stressing on the importance of adopting modern technologies for the overall development of the students, the governor said digitisation is need of the hour, but the youth "should not forget their past while embracing changes". The university, built at the ancestral place of Rabindranath Tagore, is a leading light in liberal arts, fine arts, humanities and social sciences, Furqan Qamar, the secretary general of the Association of Indian Universities, said. The state universities and their affiliated colleges account for over 80 per cent of the total enrolment in higher education, Qamar, who was also the guest of honour on the occasion, said in his address. Vice-Chancellor of RBU, Sabyasachi Basu Raychaudhury, said the university has fully utilised the grant of Rs 12 crore it received from the UGC under the 12th five-year plan. Three eminent personalities - painter Jatin Das, writer Nabaneeta Dev Sen and vocalist Pandit Amiya Ranjan Bandyopadhyay - were conferred D Litt (honoris causa) on this occasion. Altogether, 95 scholars received their Ph.D degrees at the convocation. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Congress president Rahul Gandhi said today he is ready to occupy the prime minister's post if his party emerges as the "biggest" party in the 2019 Lok Sabha polls, making known his ambition for the topmost executive post. "Well, it depends....it depends on how well the Congress does in the election....I mean, if it emerges as the biggest party, yes," Gandhi said, when asked during an interaction here if he would be the next prime minister. This is not the first time Gandhi has spoken about his prime ministerial ambition. In an interaction at the Berkley University in the US in September last year, Gandhi had said he was "absolutely ready" to be the prime ministerial candidate of the Congress in 2019 Lok Sabha elections. Amid the cut and thrust of the Karnataka Assembly polls, Gandhi said he is "pretty confident" that Narendra Modi would not be the next prime minister, and if the Congress acts as a "platform" (with other parties in a coalition), the BJP does not stand a chance of winning the elections. "It is highly unlikely that BJP will form the next government, and the second part is that it is close to impossible that Modi will be the next prime minister," Gandhi said, speaking at a function where he launched 'Samruddha Bharat Foundation'. He said the opposition unity would not allow the BJP to remain in power. Gandhi asserted the Congress would win the Assembly polls in Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan. Referring to the BJP and RSS, Gandhi said the forces hisparty was fighting against were trying to disrupt open- mindedatmosphere, peace and the brotherhood that existed in India. Drawing a comparison between the RSS and Muslim Brotherhood, Gandhi said their agenda was to come topower, and then capture institutions. "The BJP and RSS will repeat one more cycle of getting elected democratically and then discard democracy," he alleged. "The RSS over here and the Muslim Brotherhood in Egypt,Pakistan, Tunisia, Turkey....they are doing the same thing. The RSS and Muslim Brotherhood do not see elections the way we seethem. We win an election and we are okay with losing anelection," he said. Gandhi said the Congress never faced an "existential crisis" on losing an election but the BJP and the RSS "see elections as a way into government, and once they enter, they want to capture every single institution in India". The Congress leader claimed demonetisation was the BJP's way to tell the country that there was not a single institution in the country that was "immune" to the saffron party. He said the BJP praised Mahatma Gandhi, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel and B R Ambekdar upfront but destroyed their legacy. "Their method is to praise the leader, praise the icon,worship the icon and destroy every single thing he used todo," Gandhi said. 'Samruddha Bharat Foundation' is a platform to propagate liberal, secular and republican values across the country. Its trustees include veteran film director Shyam Benegal and noted Supreme Court advocate KTS Tulsi. Later speaking to reporters, Gandhi said Modi should explain to the people of Karnataka why a "corrupt person who went to jail" was made the BJP's chief ministerial candidate. "People of Karnataka want to know, why Narendra Modi could not find a non-corrupt chief ministerial candidate. They also want to know why Mr Narendra Modi has given eight tickets to the Reddy brothers who have stolen Rs 35,000 crore of the people of Karnataka," he said. Karnataka BJP chief B S Yeddyurappa is the party's chief ministerial face in the polls. Responding to a question about BJP president Amit Shah, Gandhi said he was accused of murder. "The Supreme Court has mentioned the (judge) Loya case. So I don't think Amit Shah has a lot of credibility. Let's look at his background. Let's see what he is responsible for. Let's see how he does Also don't forget he is a murder accused. This is fundamental. "People inIndia forget that the president of BJP is a murder accused. That's the truth. The party that talks about honesty, decency, has a person who has been accused of murder," he said. Shah was an accused in the alleged fake encounter killings of gangster Sohrabuddin Sheikh and his aide Tulsiram Prajapati. A special CBI court in Mumbai had, however, discharged him in 2014, observing the case had "political overtones" and allegations against him were not substantiated by the prosecution. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Chief Justice of India Dipak Misra today got a relief after two Congress MPs, challenging Rajya Sabha chairman M Venkaiah Naidu's order rejecting the impeachment notice against him, withdrew their petitions from the Supreme Court. The top court expressed its reluctance to go into their contention questioning the setting up of a larger bench to hear the matter. A five-judge constitution bench headed by Justice A K Sikri declared the petitions moved by the two MPs as "dismissed as withdrawn" after senior advocate and party leader Kapil Sibal, appearing for the MPs, decided not to press the pleas realising that the judges were not inclined to accept his arguments. Sibal had sought to know who had ordered the listing of the matter before a larger bench and sought a copy of the order, saying this was necessary to enable them decide whether or not to challenge it. The 45-minute hearing before the bench, which also comprised Justices S A Bobde, N V Ramana, Arun Mishra and A K Goel, saw Sibal appearing for the Rajya Sabha Congress MPs--Partap Singh Bajwa from Punjab and Amee Harshadray Yajnik from Gujarat-- raising questions over the setting up of the five-judge bench to hear the matter. However, Attorney General K K Venugopal sought dismissal of the petitions filed by Bajwa and Yajnik, pointing out that only two of the over 60 members, who had earlier moved the impeachment notice in the Upper House of Parliament, have approached the apex court. Venugopal said only two MPs from one party, the Congress, have moved the court when there were MPs from six other opposition parties who had moved a notice of impeachment motion before the Rajya Sabha chairman. The AG said "the presumption is that all others have not supported the stand taken by the Congress party to challenge the rejection of impeachment notice by Naidu." He also claimed that the two Congress MPs have not been authorised by rest of the MPs to file the petition in the apex court. As many as 64 Rajya Sabha MPs had signed the notice of impeachment against the CJI, which was rejected by Naidu on April 23. Before Attorney General opened his arguments, Sibal raised a volley of questions on the setting up of the constitution bench, including who had passed the order to set up such a bench to hear the matter. The senior advocate said the matter was listed before the five-judge bench through an administrative order and the Chief Justice of India cannot pass such orders in this matter and sought a copy of the order, saying it was necessary for them to decide whether they could challenge it. The bench repeatedly asked Sibal whether any purpose would be served if the two MPs were given a copy of the administrative order passed by the CJI for setting up of the five-judge bench. "It is a piquant and unprecedented situation where CJI is a party and other four judges may also have some role. We don't know," the bench said. Sibal said only after getting a copy of the order could they decide whether or not to challenge it. However, when the bench showed reluctance to accept his arguments and submissions, the senior advocate decided to withdraw the petition. The start of the hearing witnessed two advocates intervening and opposing the appearance of Sibal for the Congress MPs on the ground that he himself was a signatory to the impeachment notice before the Rajya Sabha chairman. However, the bench did not accept their reasoning and went ahead with the hearing. The two Congress MPs had yesterday moved the apex court challenging the rejection of the impeachment notice against the CJI by Naidu, claiming that the reasons given were "wholly extraneous" and not legally tenable. Sibal had then mentioned the matter for urgent listing before a bench headed by Justice J Chelameswar, the senior-most after CJI Misra. While Justice Chelameswar initially asked him to mention it before the CJI, the bench, which also comprised Justice S K Kaul, later asked Sibal and advocate Prashant Bhushan to "come back tomorrow". Late last evening, the matter was listed for hearing today before the five-judge constitution bench headed by Justice Sikri. The Rajya Sabha Chairman had on April 23 rejected the notice, given by seven opposition parties led by the Congress for impeachment of the CJI on five grounds of "misbehaviour". This was the first time that an impeachment notice was filed against a sitting CJI. The petition filed by the MPs had alleged that the charges contained in the notice of motion were extremely serious and called for a full fledged inquiry. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) In an escalation of political violence, an RSS worker was hacked to death at nearby new mahe allegedly by CPI(M) workers in retaliation to the 'fatal attack' on a marxist leader at Palloor in that region, bordering northern Kannur district. The RSS worker, Shemaj, an autorickshaw driver, was pulled out of his vehicle and hacked to death last night, police said today. He died on the way to Kozhikode medical college, they said. New Mahe, comes under Kannur police jurisdiction while Mahe, a former french colony, is located between thalassery in Kannur district and Vadakara in Kozhikode district, and is an enclave of the Union Territory of Puducherry. Shemaj was attacked shortly after the 'fatal attack' on CPI(M) local leader, Babu late last night, police said adding political enmity was the motive for the two killings. Further investigation is on, police said. Meanwhile, both CPI(M) and BJP have called for hartal in Kannur district and Mahe to protest the killings. Elaborate security arrangements have been made to prevent any untoward incident. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Army wife Angela Ricketts was soaking in a bubble bath in her Colorado home, leafing through a memoir, when a message appeared on her iPhone from hackers threatening to slaughter her family. "Dear Angela!" the Facebook message read. "Bloody Valentine's Day!" "We know everything about you, your husband and your children," the message continued, claiming that the hackers operating under the flag of Islamic State militants had penetrated her computer and her phone. "We're much closer than you can even imagine." Ricketts was one of five military wives who received death threats from the self-styled CyberCaliphate on the morning of Feb. 10, 2015. The warnings led to days of anguished media coverage of Islamic State militants' online reach. Except it wasn't IS. The Associated Press has found evidence that the women were targeted not by jihadists but by the same Russian hacking group that intervened in the American election and exposed the emails of Hillary Clinton's presidential campaign chairman, John Podesta. The brazen false flag is a case study in the difficulty of assigning blame in a world where hackers routinely borrow one another's identities to throw investigators off track. The operation's attempt to hype the threat of radical Islam also presaged the inflammatory messages pushed by internet trolls during the US presidential race. Links between CyberCaliphate and the Russian hackers typically nicknamed Fancy Bear or APT28 have been documented previously. On both sides of the Atlantic, the consensus is that the two groups are closely related. But that consensus never filtered through to the women involved, many of whom were convinced they had been targeted by Islamic State sympathizers right up until the AP contacted them. "Never in a million years did I think that it was the Russians," said Ricketts, an author and advocate for veterans and military families. She called the revelation "mind blowing." "It feels so hilarious and insidious at the same time. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Nina Lath Gupta, the sacked managing director of National Film Development Corporation (NFDC), today approached the Delhi High Court challenging its single judge's order disposing of her plea against the letter of termination of her services. A bench of Justices Siddharth Mridul and Deepa Sharma sought responses from the Centre and the NFDC on Gupta's appeal seeking to set aside the April 23 order of the single judge. The order had said that once the paragraph in the termination letter containing the allegations was withdrawn, no orders were required to be passed in this regard. The bench today refused to grant interim relief of staying the single judge order and said it would examine the issue whether the termination letter was stigmatic. "We are issuing notice on the plea because the fulcrum of the challenge is that the allegations are stigmatic," it said. The court also refused to pass an order on the plea by Gupta's counsel that the Information and Broadcasting Ministry shall not appoint any other person for the post of NFDC chief till the next date of hearing, i.e. August 24. Initially, the bench said the allegations in the termination letter were stigmatic on the face of it and if the allegations were the foundation of the termination, it cannot be done without conducting an enquiry. The government's counsel reiterated that they have already withdrawn the termination letter's paragraph 2 in which the allegation were made against Gupta. The 52-year-old officer, in her appeal, contended that the single judge had grossly erred in acceding to the ministry's request to withdraw paragraph 2 of the termination letter and the claim that the stigma has been removed. The single judge had disposed of her plea after the I&B Ministry had said it would remove the paragraph in the first sacking order of February 27 which had cited irregularities and failure to adhere to prescribed procedures as reasons for firing Gupta from the post of NFDC Managing Director. On April 24, the ministry issued a fresh termination letter removing this paragraph. In the concerned paragraph, Gupta was charged with procedural lapses in releasing advertisements to select private channels beyond the 5 per cent limit prescribed in the Electronic Media Policy, not refunding 15 per cent commission to ministries that got advertisements issued through NFDC, and charging one ministry Rs 4.29 crore in excess of actual expenditure. She said that merely by withdrawing the stigmatic paragraph and directing the passing of a subsequent termination letter, which may be purportedly "innocuously and cleverly worded" to suggest that it is a termination simplicitor, would still be punitive especially when the subsequent sacking order has its foundation from "unsubstantiated allegations" mentioned in the earlier letter. "It is settled law that ex-facie stigmatic termination is punitive in nature and ought to be set aside," the plea said, adding that the government has not disclosed the material to Gupta or to the single judge, on whose basis the allegations were founded. Gupta claimed that her services were terminated by way of "a stigmatic order, illegally and arbitrarily without even conducting any enquiry or giving her an opportunity to confront such unsubstantiated allegations." The plea said the termination was challenged as it had assigned serious and direct allegations against her to the non-adherence to the prescribed procedures by NFDC, causing substantial prejudice to her exemplary track record of service of 12 years and harmed her future career prospects. It said that the second termination letter, coupled with background facts and media reports, left no manner of doubt that it was "punitive/stigmatic and will have a cascading effect on the future job prospects" of Gupta. It claimed that due to the malafide actions of the ministry, she has suffered harassment and loss of reputation. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Supreme Court collegium has recommended two names for appointment as permanent judges of the Allahabad High Court. The collegium, comprising Chief Justice Dipak Misra, and justices J Chelameswar and Ranjan Gogoi, had met on May 4. It recommended two additional judges of the Allahabad High Court -- justices Krishna Singh and Rajiv Lochan Mehrotra -- for appointment as permanent judges of the high court. The collegium, which was dealing with the file related to the proposal for appointment of eight additional judges of the Allahabad High Court as permanent judges, took up the matter related to justices Singh and Mehrotra considering that they were set to retire in July and June this year respectively. "Since justices Krishna Singh and Rajiv Lochan Mehrotra are going to retire on attaining the age of superannuation on July 9, 2018 and June 11, 2018 respectively, the collegium considers it appropriate to take up for consideration, for the present, only their cases. "The proposal pertaining to other additional judges whose current term would be expiring much later will be taken up for consideration at appropriate stage," the collegium resolution read. The resolution, which was uploaded on the apex court website, noted that the recommendation had concurrence of the state government. "In order to ascertain suitability of the above-named recommendees for being appointed as permanent judges, we have consulted our colleagues who are conversant with the affairs of the Allahabad High Court," the resolution said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Separatists today called off their three-day strike and asked the people of Kashmir to resume normal activities from tomorrow. The Joint Resistance Leadership (JRL), however, asked people to hoist black flags to protest against the alleged civilian killings in the Valley by security forces. "The JRL has asked the people to resume normal activities from tomorrow (Wednesday) but at the same time people from all walks of life should hoist black flags and display black arm bands to show their commitment to the movement," a spokesman of the separatist amalgam said in a statement. The JRL also asked clerics and prayer leaders to offer funeral prayers in absentia for those killed in Shopian on Sunday while holding peaceful protests against the killings after congregational prayers. The JRL, which comprises Syed Ali Shah Geelani, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq and Mohammad Yasin Malik, said the leaders will hold consultations from representatives from various walks of life before coming out with a comprehensive programme. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Joint Resistance Forum, comprising the three main separatist groups in Kashmir, today condemned the death of a tourist whose vehicle was targeted by stone-pelters and said the incident had dented the image of the Valley and its tradition of welcoming guests. The death of 22-year-old Chennai resident R Thirumani in a hospital here yesterday was "unfortunate" and had undermined their struggle, said a statement from the Forum, comprising the hardline and moderate factions of the Hurriyat Conference and the JKLF. "Tourists are our guests and we should be loyal to our Kashmiri and religious traditions by refraining from harassing them," the statement in Urdu said. The leaders, including Syed Ali Shah Geelani, Mirwaiz Umer Farooq and JKLF chief Yaseen Malik, said the Valley has for years hosted tourists in the best traditions of Kashmiri hospitality. People in the Valley, the statement to the press said, should refrain from destroying the basic fabric of Kashmiriyat in the state. Such incidents encourage the attempts of those who present our movement in a bad light internationally, it added. Thirumani and his family were returning from Gulmarg, about 50 km from summer capital Sringar, when their vehicle was caught in stone pelting near Magam area of Budgam. A stone hit the young man on his right temple and he was rushed to the Soura Institute of Medical Sciences where he died. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) In further trouble to Nawaz Sharif, Pakistan's top anti-corruption body today ordered a probe against the embattled former prime minister and others for allegedly laundering USD 4.9 billion to India, media reports said. The National Accountability Bureau (NAB) in a press release said its Chairman Justice (retd) Javed Iqbal took notice of reports making rounds on channels claiming that Sharif allegedly laundered USD 4.9 billion to India, the Express Tribune reported. According to the media report, this incident is mentioned in the World Bank's Migration and Remittance Book 2016, the release said. However, details of the media report in question have not been mentioned in the brief statement issued in Urdu, Geo Tv reported. The statement claims that the amount was laundered to the Indian finance ministry after which Indian foreign exchange reserves witnessed an increase and Pakistan suffered as a result. Sharif is facing three corruption cases at the accountability court following the Supreme Court's verdict in the Panama Papers case. A NAB inquiry is also under way against him for alleged illegal expansion of a road leading to his estate in Lahore's Jati Umra locality. Once formulated, this will be the fifth case against the ousted premier by the NAB. Earlier today, the accountability court sought more time from the top court to end the trial on references filed by the NAB against members of the Sharif family. Accountability court judge Muhammad Bashir, who presides over the hearings, has written a letter to the top court requesting for a second extension in the trial. Earlier in March, the Supreme Court had granted a two-month extension to the accountability court to wrap the proceedings. However, as the two-month deadline expires, the case is nowhere near its end, with the Al-Azizia Steel Mills and Flagship Investments still untouched, the country's top anti-graft body is running out of time. The Supreme Court of Pakistan had disqualified Sharif last year, forcing the three-time prime minister to resign. Sharif has dismissed the corruption charges as politically motivated. The political future of Sharif, who leads the country's most powerful political family and his party, has been hanging in the balance since then. If convicted, he can be jailed. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Actors Emma Thompson and Stephen Fry have joined Hugh Jackman and Zach Galifianakas in LAIKA's stop-motion film "Missing Link". The film's title, release date and complete cast details were revealed by LAIKA president & CEO Travis Knight in a statement. The movie follows the four films - "Kubo and the Two Strings", "The Boxtrolls", "ParaNorman" and "Coraline" - from the studio. Directed by Chris Butler, the film also stars Zoe Saldana, Timothy Olyphant, Matt Lucas, David Walliams, Ching Valdez-Aran and Amrita Acharia. The film follows Sir Lionel Frost (voiced by Hugh Jackman) who embarks on a journey to America's Pacific Northwest to prove the existence of a legendary creature the Missing Link (voiced by Zach Galifianakis). Saldana will voice Adelina Fortnight, an independent and resourceful adventurer who possesses the only known map to the group's secret destination. The film will be released by Annapurna Pictures early next year. "'Missing Link' is an artistic and technical wonder. Led by our visionary director Chris Butler, LAIKA has once again blended fine art, craftsmanship, and cutting-edge technology to achieve something we've never tried before: a raucous comedy entwined with a swashbuckling epic, underscoring the universal need to find belonging. "Commingling keenly felt emotion, madcap humour, and retina-bursting visuals, Missing Link is a kaleidoscopic cinematic experience unlike any other. It's the most striking thing we've ever done," Knight said in the statement. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A suicide bomber attacked a checkpoint in eastern Libya held by militiamen loyal to strongman Khalifa Haftar, killing at least two people including a civilian, a senior security official said. The attacker also killed a fighter from Haftar's self-styled Libyan National Army (LNA) when the vehicle they were driving exploded at a roadblock 90 kilometres (56 miles) east of Sirte yesterday, General Al-Mabruk Sahban told AFP. Sahban added that earlier in the day security services had detonated another car bomb discovered in the area. The attack on the checkpoint comes a day after Haftar announced the start of an offensive to "liberate" the city of Derna, held by Islamists and jihadists of the Mujahedeen Shura Council. Later last night, the Islamic State terror group claimed responsibility for the attack via its Amaq propaganda outlet. In March, IS claimed responsibility for two attacks against LNA checkpoints that killed 10 people. Last week, the jihadist group claimed a suicide attack in Tripoli against Libya's electoral commission that killed 14 people. Libya has been wracked by chaos since a 2011 uprising that toppled and killed its long-time dictator Moamer Kadhafi, with two rival authorities vying for control. Haftar supports an administration based in the east of the country. A UN-backed unity government based in the capital has struggled to assert its authority outside the west. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Suspected naxals torched two trucks carrying logs of wood near Gatta area in Gadchiroli district, a police officer said today. The incident took place late last night, he said. "Three unarmed persons wearing civil clothes stopped the trucks and set them on fire in Gatta area. The vehicles were carrying logs of wood from the Forest Development Corporation of Maharashtra (FDCM)," Gadchiroli Superintendent of Police Abhinav Deshmukh told PTI. The trio escaped from the spot after the incident, he said adding that some naxal-related material like hand-bills and red banners were recovered from the spot, which indicates that they could be naxals, he added. FDCM General Manager Rishikesh Ranjan said the trucks were set ablaze while transporting the logs to the forest depot. "They were private trucks deployed to carry the wood. The vehicles were roped in as per the tender procedure," he said. Further investigation into the incident is on. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj today met Secretary General of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation Rashid Alimov here and discussed a host of issues. The meeting comes ahead of the SCO Summit in China in June, which is likely to be attended by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. "EAM @SushmaSwaraj met with the Secretary General of Shanghai Cooperation Organisation Rashid Alimov in New Delhi. India became a full member of SCO in June 2017 and will extend full cooperation to further consolidate SCO as an effective regional platform," Ministry of External Affairs Spokesperson Raveesh Kumar tweeted. Swaraj had also attended the SCO Council of Foreign Ministers meeting last month. The SCO, headquartered in Beijing, was founded in 2001. Comprising China, Russia, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, India and Pakistan, the SCO aims at military cooperation between the member states and involves intelligence sharing, counter-terrorism operations in Central Asia and joint work against cyber terrorism. India and Pakistan were admitted last year into the organisation in which China plays an influential role. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) BJP leader Subramanian Swamy today said he has dropped the idea of approaching court after West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee "assured" him that her government will not interfere into the religious activities of the Tarakeswar Temple in Hooghly district. "I was not on a political visit here but I was to meet Mamata Banerjee for a discussion on the (Tarakeswar Temple) issue. She has cleared it and given assurance that there will be nobody from the government of West Bengal interfering into religious activities of the Tarakeshwar temple or any temple in the state," the Rajya Sabha MP claimed. The CM said only members of the temple trustee board will look after its religious activities, Swamy told reporters at the secretariat after his meeting with Banerjee. A controversy had erupted in June, 2017, after Banerjee appointed state Urban Development Minister Firhad Hakim as the chairman of the Tarakeshwar Development Board (TDB), which was formed to look after the nearly 300-year-old temple. Following the appointment, Swamy had warned of severe legal ramifications if the decision was not immediately reversed. "I will not move court because she (Banerjee) made it very clear that the state government will be only looking after the beautification of the areas surrounding the temple. "Banerjee was very cordial just like the old leader I knew, and she clearly said that her government is secular and will not interfere in the religious activities of the temple," he said. The BJP leader, however, said there was no political discussion with the chief minister during today's meeting. "There was some discussion on general terms but not on anything specific," he said. Swamy also hailed Banerjee for her struggle against the Communists in West Bengal. "I know Mamata for a long time. And I have great respect for her because of her fight against the Communists. And our our respect will continue," he added. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The European arm of Tata Steel today said it is exploring potential sale of non-core businesses, to help the company focus its investment and management resources on the core strip products business and strategic markets. Tata Steel Europe said it has recently conducted a detailed portfolio review of all its businesses to assess the strategic fit and the future potential. Based on the review, we have begun a process of seeking buyers for business units which supply products to niche markets, allowing the company to continue to strengthen its focus on strategic strip products and markets, a company statement said here. The sale process will cover five business units, which includes units of Cogent, a manufacturer and processor of electrical steel based in Newport, South Wales in UK, Burlington, Canada and at Surahammar in Sweden. The sale process will also cover units of Kalzip, an aluminium roofing and cladding business based primarily in Koblenz, Germany and Firsteel which coats steel for kitchen bakeware based in Walsall, West Midlands, UK. The company's Tata Steel Istanbul Metals, a coil coating company using steel bought on the open market, based in Adapazari, Turkey and Engineering Steels Service Centre (Wolverhampton) which is a stockholder and processes engineering steels, based in Wolverhampton, West Midlands, UK will also cover sale process, the release said. As a responsible seller Tata Steel is committed to seeking the best and most sustainable future for all the businesses, it added. "These potential sales follow the successful sale of other non-core businesses in recent years, such as Long Products Europe and Speciality Steels. Under new ownership these former Tata Steel businesses have found the focus to secure a more sustainable future. In turn, these divestments have allowed us to focus resources on making significant improvements to the core strip business, as part of our ambition to develop the most sustainable steel business in Europe focused on our IJmuiden and Port Talbot value chains," Tata Steel's European operations CEO Hans Fischer said. "The customer base for the businesses being sold are distinct from the rest of Tata Steel Europe. We want to find the best owner for each of these business units who can focus on their needs to help them realise their full potential, Fischer said," he said These potential sales would enable Tata Steel Europe to focus investment and management resource on its core strip products business and strategic markets, he added. Following the potential sale of these business units, which employ a total of 1,100 people, Tata Steel Europe would continue to employ about 20,000 people manufacturing advanced products for the automotive, construction, engineering and packaging sectors, the company said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) ABC/Randy HolmesAfter covering Europe's "The Final Countdown" in Stockholm over the weekend, Metallica's Kirk Hammett and Rob Trujillo paid tribute to another Swedish icon at the band's second show in the city Monday night: ABBA. During the pair's annual "doodle" segment, Hammett and Trujillo busted out a cover of "Dancing Queen," with the bassist handling lead vocals. Official footage of the performance is streaming now on YouTube. Come for the cover version, stay for the faces of confused metal fans. Hammett and Trujillo previously covered "Take On Me," by Norwegian band a-ha when Metallica stopped in Oslo, Norway last week. Metallica is currently touring Europe in support of the band's latest album, Hardwired...to Self-Destruct. They'll launch a U.S. arena tour in September. Copyright 2018, ABC Radio. All rights reserved. RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav today took potshots at Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, accusing him of using the issue of special status for the state as his "pet political mileage cow". In a series of tweets, Yadav, the leader of the Opposition in the Bihar Assembly, alleged that Kumar had "opposed" grant of special status to the state upon its bifurcation in 2000. "RJD has been vociferously raising the demand of special status since bifurcation of Bihar. Nitish Kumar opposed it.... He has used the issue as his pet political mileage cow! Raises it to raise his political prospects, forgets when the pasture is green!" Yadav wrote. The RJD heir apparent claimed in another tweet that both Kumar's JD(U) and his ally BJP, "pretend to support the demand for spl status for Bihar", but neither could explain "what is stopping" Bihar from getting "much demanded, much deserved special status and special package". Kumar has been raising the demand for special status to Bihar ever since he became the chief minister in 2005, ousting from power the RJD, which is headed by Yadav's father Lalu Prasad. Opposition parties have been attacking Kumar on the issue, as the BJP-led NDA is in power both at the Centre and in the state. The criticisms have grown stronger in the wake of the recent developments in Andhra Pradesh, where the ruling TDP pulled out of the NDA demanding special status for the southern state. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Aam Aadmi Party today alleged a "conspiracy" was being hatched to stall its ambitious CCTV project, a day after Delhi Congress chief Ajay Maken claimed the project was marred by corruption. Senior AAP leader Gopal Rai alleged that Maken was "working on the BJP agenda" and sought to know if the Congress chief was planning to join the saffron party. Rejecting Maken's charges that tenders were finalised without the approval of the competent authority, the AAP's Delhi convener said the Delhi government had not relaxed rules to favour any agency. "When tenders were issued for the first time in November 2017, two companies had come forward. When tenders were floated again, the same companies -- a private agency and a public sector undertaking -- showed interest. "Where is a scam in it when there was no third company involved? The government choose the PSU which quoted a lesser rate to install CCTV cameras as compared to the private company," Rai told a press conference here. He said there were two types of tenders -- Rate Contract Tender and Project Contract Tender. The government was installing CCTV cameras through the Rate Contract Tender, under which payment to the agency concerned is made based on the basis of rate-per-unit. The Cabinet note pertaining to the project had been prepared and it would be sent for its approval, he said. "I want to ask whether Maken is trying to extend benefits to the private company, which had quoted a higher rate to install CCTV cameras as compared to the central government agency. "Is Maken working on the BJP agenda?... Who are indulged in the conspiracy to stall the CCTV project?" he said. Rai alleged that Maken was trying to create roadblocks in the CCTV project like the Mohalla Clinic project which was delayed by eight months. He also sought to know as to how many CCTV cameras were installed by the Sheila Dikshit goverment which helmed Delhi for 15 years. "The Delhi government is installing CCTV cameras to ensure women safety, but if it is stalled, the people of Delhi will give a befitting reply to him (Maken)," he said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The proposed march to the Secretariat by government employees to press for their demands, including implementation of the 'old pension scheme',was today foiled by police who detained 7,500 protesters, a move which drew flak from opposition parties. The employees, who arrived in batches, raised slogans and staged brief sit-in demonstrations at various locations and were removed by police. As police intensified checks on buses and vans (to stop employees arriving from other parts of Tamil Nadu) entering the city since early morning, it led to traffic snarls in several localities. A host of leaders of the Joint Action Committee of Tamil Nadu Teachers' Organisations- Government Employees' Organisations (JACTTO-GEO) were detained yesterday itself by police as a preventive measure, which was condemned by opposition parties, including the DMK and CPI(M). All the detained government employees were later released, police said. Tight security was in place at the Fort St George complex housing the Secretariat, with barbed wires attached to barricades to prevent protestors from breaching it. Such stringent measures were against the backdrop of a successful protest by JACTTO-GEO in August last year, which led to severe traffic congestion in the city. Payment of 21-month arrears as per the Seventh Pay Commission recommendations, rectifying pay anomalies for employees and reverting to old pension scheme are among the key demands of the government employees. In 2016, an expert committee was constituted to look into the demand for reversion to the 'old pension scheme.' A DMK-led meet of opposition parties chaired by M K Stalin here today passed a resolution, condemning the detention of the protesters. "Suppression cannot be a solution in a democracy," it said and urged Chief Minister K Palaniswami to hold talks with government employees and fulfil their demands. Yesterday, Minister for Personnel and Administrative Reforms D Jayakumar had urged teachers and government employees to avoid protests and work with the government in the interests of the people. He had pointed out that there are about 12 lakh government employees and 7.42 lakh pensioners and 70 per cent of the tax revenue was spent on their salaries and pensions. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Top naval commanders in a four-day conference that began today will discuss aspects concerning the country's maritime security, analyse mission-based deployments and larger issues of the geo-strategic Indian Ocean, a region witnessing increasing Chinese presence. Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, who inaugurated the conference, told reporters that there has been a very pointed discussion on issues raised by naval commanders and Navy chief Admiral Sunil Lanba. The defence secretary, the financial advisor in the defence ministry and the Navy have been having talks with an open mind and several issues of concern have seen a "meaningful discussion", she said. The conference will culminate on May 11. Admiral Lanba said during the conference, "We are going to analyse our mission-based deployments, maintenance to operational transitional cycle and larger issues of geo-strategic Indian Ocean." The Indian Ocean, considered the backyard of the Indian Navy, is critical to India's strategic interests. Over the years, the region has witnessed increasing Chinese presence. China increased its presence in the Indian Ocean Region by constructing the deep-sea Gwadar Port in southern Pakistan and a naval base in Djibouti in the Horn of Africa. The region also has Chinese ships deployed for anti-piracy operations. The commanders would also deliberate on improving the Teeth-to-Tail ratio and explore niche fields such as Artificial Intelligence and Big Data Analytics. Harnessing cutting-edge technologies, specifically those 'Made in India' would be a key focus during the conference. The Indian Navy's focus over the past year has been on combat efficiency and material readiness, and upkeep of its fleet of 131 ships and submarines. Measures to ensure safety, continued training, and checks and balances on crew proficiency aboard its front-line warships will also be reviewed. The commanders will also discuss the optimal utilisation of the Navy's share of the defence budget by prioritising capital acquisitions and modernisation plans to bridge critical capability gaps. Sitharaman said the Navy's requests for major acquisition projects for 2018-19 will go through smoothly and there is nothing to worry in that regard. She said a large part of the Navy's requests between 2017-18 has been taken to a logical conclusion and many of them are almost on the verge of getting tied up. "The CNC (Commercial Negotiation Committee) are over and so on well beyond over Rs 30,000 crore in 2017-18 with a fair deal of Navy's requests taken care of. "2018-19 requests are very well received and they will go through smoothly so there is nothing to worry," she said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Following are the top stories from the northern region at 4.30 pm. SRINAGAR DES9 Srinagar: A day after a tourist from Tamil Nadu died due to head injury suffered during stone-pelting here, Tourism department and stakeholders have expressed apprehensions that the incident could negatively impact the arrival of visitors to Kashmir. DELHI DEL8 New Delhi: Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman today said the death of a tourist who was targeted by stone-pelters in Kashmir was "completely condemnable" and not "very conducive" to tourism in the Valley. SRINAGAR DEL17 Srinagar: The Joint Resistance Forum, comprising the three main separatist groups in Kashmir, today condemned the death of a tourist whose vehicle was targeted by stone-pelters and said the incident had dented the image of the Valley and its tradition of welcoming guests. SRINAGAR DES5 Srinagar: The civilian death toll in Sunday's clashes between protestors and security forces in Shopian district of Jammu and Kashmir today climbed to six after a youth succumbed to injuries at a hospital here. LUCKNOW DES8 Lucknow: Gearing up to ensure timely response to women and minors in distress, the Uttar Pradesh Police has decided to integrate women helpline (1090), anti-romeo squad and UP-100 services besides fast-tracking trial of cases under the POCSO Act. DEHRADUN DES2 Dehradun: Incessant snowfall since last night has prompted authorities to temporarily halt the yatra to Kedarnath and prevent devotees from moving beyond Linchauli and Bhimbali. NEWDELHI DEL18 New Delhi: The BJP today announced that Mriganka Singh, the daughter of late MP Hukum Singh, would be its candidate for the Lok Sabha bypoll in Uttar Pradesh's Kairana. JAMMU DEL16 Jammu: The accused in the Kathua rape-and-murder case will file a fresh petition in the Supreme Court (SC) in the next few days, seeking handing over of the probe to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti called on Governor N N Vohra here today and discussed with him the situation in the state, particularly counter-terrorism operations and stone-pelting incidents, including one in which a tourist from Chennai was killed. "During the course of their hour-and-half long meeting, the governor and chief minister discussed various important matters relating to counter-terrorist operations; continuing incidents of stone pelting; the death of a tourist and other concerns," an official spokesman said after the meeting. He said Mehbooba and Vohra also discussed the growing radicalization. "The Governor also spoke to Mehbooba about certain issues relating to the prime minister's forthcoming visits to Ladakh, Kashmir and Jammu regions," the spokesman said. A 22-year-old tourist from Chennai, R Thirumani, died after being hit in a stone pelting incident at Narbal yesterday, triggering widespread outrage and concern. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A day after a tourist from Tamil Nadu died due to head injury suffered during stone-pelting here, Tourism department and stakeholders have expressed apprehensions that the incident could negatively impact the arrival of visitors to Kashmir. A 22-year-old tourist, R Thirumani, from Chennai was critically injured in a stone pelting incident at Narbal yesterday morning. He was shifted to a hospital here for treatment but succumbed to injuries. This is a sad incident which should not have happened. Unfortunately, we feel that it will have an impact on the tourist arrivals to Kashmir, Ashfaq Siddiq, president Travel Agents Association Kashmir (TAAK), told PTI. Siddiq said the association believes that the killing of the Chennai youth might be the proverbial final nail in the coffin of tourism in Kashmir. There was already an impact. Unfortunately, few incidents in the recent past have had their impact. Naturally, because of this incident, impact will be there especially when certain sections of national media highlight it under a certain agenda. It (the yesterday's incident), I think, will be the final nail in the coffin, he said. The TAAK president said the association has apprehensions of cancellation of bookings by the tourists in the days to come. It is obvious that cancellations will happen and there might be some hardline elements who might even call for an absolute boycott of Kashmir, he said. Siddiq said the association would meet later in the day to take stock of the situation and its impact on tourism. Director Tourism Kashmir, Mehmood Shah, while condemning the incident, said the department fears it would negatively impact the arrival of visitors to the valley. It is an unfortunate incident and we are deeply pained. The chief minister late last night only went to see the (victim's)family to share their grief, Shah told PTI. When asked if the incident will have any impact on the number of arrivals to the valley, he said absolutely. Absolutely, it will have an impact ... cancellations may happen, the director tourism said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) US President Donald Trump today pulled out of the landmark nuclear deal with Iran, an Obama-era accord which he has repeatedly criticised. "It is clear to me that we cannot prevent Iran's nuclear bomb. The Iran deal is defective at its core. Therefore, I am announcing today that the United States would withdraw from the Iran nuclear deal," Trump said. Moments later he signed a fresh set of sanctions against Iran and warned countries against any cooperation with Iran on its nuclear weapons programme. Ever since his election campaign, Trump has frequently criticised the Obama-era Iran nuclear deal, also known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action or JCPOA. He had described the agreement, which was negotiated by then US secretary of state John Kerry, as a bad deal. The Iran nuclear deal was reached in Vienna in July 2015 between Iran and the P5 (the five permanent members of the UN Security Council) plus Germany and the European Union. Trump's decision would have global ramifications, straining Iranian economy and heightening tensions in the Middle East. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) US President Donald Trump has requested Congress to rescind more than USD 15 billion in budget authority, the White House said today. Such a request the White House said is in line with his commitment to use every tool at his disposal to rein in out-of-control Federal spending. According to the White House, Trump's request is the first of several upcoming rescissions packages aimed at cutting federal spending. As such, the president is also proposing the largest single rescissions request in history pursuant to the Congressional Budget and Impoundment Control Act of 1974 (ICA). Under the ICA, the president has the authority to request rescissions and his proposals are eligible for expedited consideration by Congress. Democratic and Republican presidents have used the ICA to propose nearly USD 76 billion in spending cuts since the law was enacted, the White House said. Upon the passage of the ICA in 1974, each president from Gerald Ford to Bill Clinton successfully used the ICA to rescind federal funds, it added. Noting that the president's rescissions request puts American taxpayers first by addressing irresponsible federal spending, the White House said Trump's first rescissions package targets spending that is unnecessary, unused, or cannot be used for its original purpose. Some of the funds included in the president's request were appropriated many years ago, but have never been used. At Trump's direction, the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) worked to identify wasteful spending that should be rescinded. Funds in Trump's first proposed rescissions package include: USD 4.3 billion from the Advanced Technology Vehicles Manufacturing Loan Program, which has not made a loan since 2011, USD 523 million from the Title 17 Innovative Technology Loan Guarantee Program, which had its authority to make new loan guarantees lapse in 2011. It also includes USD 800 million from the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation, which is in excess of the funds needed in fiscal years 2018 or 2019 and will receive a new appropriation of USD 10 billion in 2020. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) US President Donald Trump has congratulated Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin on his inauguration for another six-year term, the White House said. "The president congratulates him and looks forward to a time when we can hopefully have a good relationship with Russia. However, the United States believes that everyone has a right to be heard and assemble peacefully," White House Press Secretary Sarah Sanders told reporters at her daily conference yesterday. She reiterated that Democrats were using the Russia investigation as an excuse for losing the 2016 election. "I think he thinks that the idea that this narrative continues to be driven. The fact that, a year-and-a-half later, after spending most all of your time, every single day, looking into this and still finding nothing, the fact that we're still talking about it and has the potential to impact the 2018 election," Sanders said. "The point he's making is how ridiculous it is that we're still having this conversation and the depths to which this research has gone on and investigation has been conducted and still produced nothing," she added. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) President Donald Trump says former US Secretary of State John Kerry "can't get over the fact that he had his chance and blew it" with Iran. Trump was reacting today to reports that Kerry quietly has been promoting the Iran nuclear deal. Kerry was the lead negotiator on the deal for the Obama administration. On Twitter, Trump added: "Stay away from negotiations John, you are hurting your country!" Trump is set to announce today whether the US will exit the agreement reached in 2015 between Iran and world powers. Under the deal, Iran agreed to curb its nuclear weapons development in exchange the removal of economic sanctions. Speaking at a conference in Italy, Kerry cautioned that a "new arms race" was taking place and endangering other weapons reduction treaties. Former US Secretary of State John Kerry, who led President Obama's efforts to broker the Iran nuclear deal, cautioned that a "new arms race" was taking place and endangering other weapons reduction treaties. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Congress-led UDF opposition leaders in Kerala, including Oommen Chandy and Shashi Tharoor, were among those who courted arrest as part of a state-wide agitation against alleged police brutality and custodial deaths under the LDF government. While former chief minister Oommen Chandy led the protest in front of the Kottayam collectorate, opposition leader Ramesh Chennithala and Tharoor, MP, participated in the sit-in in front of the state Secretariat. Hundreds of UDF workers also took part in the protest against LDF government's "anti-people policy." The protest comes in the wake of incidents of alleged police brutality, including the recent custodial death of a 26-year-old youth, Sreejit, at Varapuzha near Kochi. Inaugurating the protest here, Chennithala said the law and order situation had collapsed. "Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has lost control over police," he said. Referring to the killings of a CPI(M) worker and BJP activist in Mahe and Kannur last night, he said the chief minister should resign as things had gone beyond his control. The Congress leader also lashed out against state DGP, Loknath Behera. "People in the state are facing lot of hardships and they will give a befitting reply to the LDF in the May 28 Chengannur bypoll," he said. Those who courted arrest included G Devarajan, Forward Bloc National Secretary, former health minister, V S Sivakumar and IUML state secretary Beemapally Rasheed. In a tweet, Shashi Tharoor, MP, said "Our protest was mainly against police brutality & custodial deaths under the LDF government. They celebrated the proletariat on Marx's bicentenary this week but are assaulting the proletariat in their lockups. The politics of violence must end in Kerala. Hence our peaceful protest." Kerala PCC President, M M Hassan, UDF convener P P Thankachan,former KPCC President, V M Sudheeran and IUML State secretary, K P A Majeed, were among those who participated in the protest in various parts of the state. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The UK's National Crime Agency (NCA) today launched an investigation after a number of schools across England received threatening emails warning of a bomb attack. West Midlands Police said the emails are believed to be "false and malicious" as schools across the country were advised to contact local police. "Police are aware of emails circulating to a number of schools in the West Midlands and nationally this morning (Tuesday May 8) making bomb threats at this stage it is believed they are false and malicious," a West Midlands Police spokesperson said. "Schools are some of the safest and most secure public spaces with well-rehearsed safety plans in place to deal with a range of emergencies. Staff are highly trained and the well-being of students is their top priority," the spokesperson added. The threats were made to schools in London, Uxbridge, Middlesex, Warwickshire and the West Midlands. "We are aware of a number of threatening emails being sent to schools and are investigating alongside partners," an NCA statement said. "We understand that these types of emails can be distressing and while we take the communications extremely cautiously, we must stress there is no credible threat. We would ask that anyone receiving such an email contact their local police," the statement said. Selly Park Technology College in Birmingham for Girls was one of the schools evacuated as a precaution but was later re-opened. Deputy head-teacher Clinton posted on Twitter: "After evacuating the premises following a threat received this morning to a number of schools, and following advice from the police, we have reopened the school and lessons will continue as normal." The head-teacher of Uxbridge's Bishopsalt School Police said it had been advised to undertake normal security and safety procedures and reopen after "nothing untoward" was found. In Birmingham, some schools decided to remain shut over the threatening emails. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) US President Donald Trump today sought balanced trade with China in a phone call with his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping during which the two leaders agreed on continued sanctions against Pyongyang till the time it dismantled its nuclear weapons programme. "The two leaders discussed issues of mutual interest, including recent developments on the Korean Peninsula and President Xi's meeting today with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un," the White House said in a readout of the phone call. Trump and Xi agreed on the importance of continued implementation of sanctions on North Korea until it permanently dismantles its nuclear and missile programs, the White House said. "Trump affirmed his commitment to ensuring that the trade and investment relationship between the United States and China is balanced and benefits American businesses and workers," it said. The trade dispute between the top two economies of the world began last month with Trump imposing tariffs on steel and aluminium imports into the US. China retaliated by imposing additional tariffs worth about USD three billion on 128 US products. Trump, while demanding China to reduce the USD 375 billion by USD 100 billion, retaliated with USD 50 billion tariffs on Chinese products. In retaliation, China announced plans to impose new tariffs of 25 per cent worth USD 50 billion on 106 American products including items like soybeans which could hurt American farmers. The two countries have not yet implemented their tariff increases to reach a negotiated settlement. China's trade surplus with the US last year rose to a record high. While China put the total at USD 275.8 billion, US figures said it is USD 100 billion more. Tackling the trade gap between the US and China was one of President Trump's election campaign promises. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Vice President Mike Pence will announce new US sanctions against Venezuela and call for a "sham" May election to be delayed. Pence will address the Organization of American States in Washington, where he will announce measures linked to the drug trade, an aide said yesterday. The vice president "will announce new Venezuela kingpin sanctions and call to suspend (president Nicolas) Maduro's sham elections," an official told AFP. Pence's address is expected to focus, in part, on holding "undemocratic actors" accountable. The OAS has been deadlocked between members keen to punish Venezuela for democratic backsliding, and long-standing Maduro allies who want to prop up the regime. Amid swelling international criticism, Venezuela in April 2017 announced its withdrawal from the OAS, which it accuses of interference. The process will take two years. A Pence aide said they expect the Venezuelan delegation to walk out during his speech. Pence's address comes two weeks before a divisive presidential poll in Venezuela, scheduled for May 20. The vote is being boycotted by the opposition and branded illegitimate by much of the international community. US lawmakers are calling on the Trump administration to take a harder line on Maduro's regime. US Senator Marco Rubio has gone as far as calling for Washington to press for regime change. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Aligarh Muslim University Vice Chancellor Tariq Mansoor today told students on a sit-in over the Jinnah portrait row to get back to their studies, but his plea went unheeded. In an open letter to the students, he urged them "not to fall into the trap of certain forces which are bent upon destroying the image of our alma mater and are playing with your bright future". The university has formed a 16-member coordination committee of senior faculty members to talk with the protesting students. The VC asked the students to not to let their studies suffer when the exams are round the corner. The exams, postponed because of the unrest on the campus, are now set to begin on May 12. Several AMU students are on an indefinite dharna after a clash with the police on May 2 when they were demanding action against right-wing protesters who had entered the campus, shouting slogans. They are asking for a judicial probe into the "police inaction" and the manner in which a row erupted after a BJP MP objected to the portrait of Pakistan founder Muhammad Ali Jinnah, hanging over decades at the AMU student union office. The VC "fully endorsed" the students' demand for a judicial inquiry and also denounced the "excessive use of force" by the police. But in his letter, he also urged the students to stay calm and focus on their studies and their careers. The VC said he was pained that some sections of the media, including television channels, were using "half truths" to project a negative image of the university. "The AMU is suffering an assault from different quarters and it is even more important to respond with rationality and thoughtful action and not to be swayed by emotions," he said. But rejecting his appeal, AMU student union leaders today made it clear that their dharna would continue till their demands are met. Student union president Mashqoor Usmani told reporters that their three main demands are a judicial enquiry into the May 2 violence, booking those who trespassed into AMU campus under the National Security Act and action against police personnel responsible for the lathi-charge on them. Amid tension on May 2, a function to grant life membership of the student union to former vice president Hamid Ansari was called off and he returned to Delhi. The university said portraits of all life members of the student union are put up on the walls of its office. Jinnah had also been given this honour before Partition. AMU students alleged that the protesters were from the Hindu Yuva Vahini, and were allowed to leave a police station after being initially detained. Later, two youths wanted in connection with the violence were arrested by the police. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Two groups of villagers clashed here today after heated arguments during a public hearing on the expansion plan of a pharmaceutical firm, prompting police to make a lathi-charge and use tear-gas to disperse them. The clash broke out as the residents of the Periya Kalapet were divided over the plan of Strides Sashun Drugs, which has a unit in their village. A section of residents who attended the hearing opposed the proposal saying it would cause environmental pollution and affect their lives, while another group backed the company. With the issue snowballing, Puducherry Lt Governor Kiran Bedi, who was petitioned by an opposition AINRC MLA, said status quo would prevail and asked the Industries Secretary to look into all aspects and hear concerns of all. Earlier, trouble started as the villagers engaged in heated arguments during the public hearing convened by District Collector Satyendra Singh Dursawat, who abruptly called off the meet. Following this, the clash broke out and the police swung into action. Police said a sub-inspector was injured in his leg when a section of the villagers hurled stones and he has been hospitalised. Meanwhile, AINRC legislator Ashok Anand petitioned Bedi expressing his protest against the plan of the drug firm. The Lt Governor, in a whatsapp message to mediapersons, said she has asked the Industries Secretary Parthibanto examine all aspects of the issue and hear out all the concerned sections. "Till then, we shall maintain status quo," she said. AIADMK MLA A Anbalagan also said there should be no permission for the expansion of the drug company till the concerns of the villagers were addressed. Puducherry Director General of Police S K Gautam and Deputy Inspector General of Police V J Chandran visited the injured sub-inspector at the hospital, officials said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Kennedy Center has announced it has scrapped two major awards previously granted to Bill Cosby, after the disgraced comic was found guilty of sexual assault. The move comes just days after Cosby was expelled from the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, which awards the Oscars. He has also been stripped of various honorary degrees. Cosby earned the Kennedy Center Honors in 1998 and the Mark Twain Prize for American Humor in 2009. "The Honors and Mark Twain Prize are given to artists who, through their lifetime of work, have left an indelible impact on American culture," the prestigious performing arts hall said in a statement issued yesterday. "As a result of Mr Cosby's recent criminal conviction, the board concluded that his actions have overshadowed the very career accomplishments these distinctions from the Kennedy Center intend to recognize." Cosby, once a darling of American television dubbed "America's Dad," has been accused of sexual assault by dozens of women. A 12-member Pennsylvania jury found the 80-year-old guilty on three counts of sexual assault last month for drugging and molesting Andrea Constand at his Philadelphia mansion in January 2004. The sequestered panel reached a unanimous verdict after 14 hours of deliberations. Cosby's first trial ended last June with a hung jury. Cosby is at home on a $1 million bail, pending sentencing. Each count carries a maximum punishment of 10 years in jail. His lawyers have vowed to appeal. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The White House today announced to host a summit on artificial intelligence, bringing together various experts, academicians and industry officials to discuss a host of issues related to this fast emerging field. The "Artificial Intelligence for American Industry" Summit on Thursday will bring together over 100 senior government officials, technical experts from top academic institutions, heads of industrial research labs, and American business leaders who are now adopting these emerging technologies to benefit their customers, workers and shareholders, officials said. The event is being organised by the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy, and hosted by President Trump's Deputy Assistant for Technology Policy, Michael Kratsios. Discussion topics will include AI research and development (R&D), workforce development, regulatory barriers to AI innovation, and sector-specific applications of AI. Industry attendees will include executives from diverse business sectors, including technology, food and agriculture, energy and manufacturing, financial services, healthcare, and transportation and logistics, the White House said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Walking away from the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) is a mistake, former US said, asserting that the deal negotiated by his administration had worked in rolling back Iran's nuclear programme. "I believe that the decision to put the JCPOA at risk without any Iranian violation of the deal is a serious mistake," Obama said in a rare statement issued yesterday after US announced to withdraw from the Iranian nuclear deal and signed an executive order imposing new sanctions on Iran. The Iranian nuclear deal was a signature foreign policy accomplishment of the Obama administration. The former said without the JCPOA, the could eventually be left with a losing choice between a nuclear-armed Iran or another war in the Noting that all are aware of the dangers of Iran obtaining a nuclear weapon, he said it could embolden an already dangerous regime, threaten friends with destruction, pose unacceptable dangers to America's own security and trigger an arms race in the world's most dangerous region. "If the constraints on Iran's nuclear programme under the JCPOA are lost, we could be hastening the day when we are faced with the choice between living with that threat, or going to war to prevent it," he said. In a dangerous world, Obama said, must be able to rely in part on strong, principled diplomacy to secure its country. "We have been safer in the years since we achieved the JCPOA, thanks in part to the work of our diplomats, many members of Congress, and our allies. Going forward, I hope that Americans continue to speak out in support of the kind of strong, principled, fact-based and unifying leadership that can best secure our country and uphold our responsibilities around the globe," he said. ALSO READ: Iran nuclear deal: Trump announces US withdrawal, reinstates sanctions In probably his first statement on foreign policy after he left the in January 2017, Obama said there were few issues more important to the security of the than the potential spread of nuclear weapons or the potential for an even more destructive war in the That's why the negotiated the JCPOA in the first place, he said. "The reality is clear. The JCPOA is working that is a view shared by our European allies, independent experts, and the current US secretary of defence," the former president said. The JCPOA is in America's interest it has significantly rolled back Iran's nuclear programme, he added. "And the JCPOA is a model for what diplomacy can accomplish its inspections and verification regime is precisely what the United States should be working to put in place with Indeed, at a time when we are all rooting for diplomacy with to succeed, walking away from the JCPOA risks losing a deal that accomplishes with Iran the very outcome that we are pursuing with the North Koreans," he said. That is why the announcement is so misguided, Obama said, adding, "Walking away from the JCPOA turns our back on America's closest allies, and an agreement that our country's leading diplomats, scientists, and intelligence professionals negotiated." In a democracy, there will always be changes in policies and priorities from one administration to the next, he acknowledged. "But the consistent flouting of agreements that our country is a party to risks eroding America's credibility, and puts us at odds with the world's major powers," Obama said. The former president also he laid out some facts about the JCPOA. "First, the JCPOA was not just an agreement between my administration and the Iranian After years of building an coalition that could impose crippling sanctions on Iran, we reached the JCPOA together with the UK, France, Germany, the European Union, Russia, China, and Iran. It is a multilateral arms control deal, unanimously endorsed by a UNSC Resolution," he said. "Second, the JCPOA has worked in rolling back Iran's nuclear programme." Since the JCPOA was implemented, Iran had destroyed the core of a reactor that could have produced weapons-grade plutonium; removed two-thirds of its centrifuges (over 13,000) and placed them under monitoring; and eliminated 97 per cent of its stockpile of enriched uranium, he said. "Third, the JCPOA does not rely on trust it is rooted in the most far-reaching inspections and verification regime ever negotiated in an arms control deal. Iran's nuclear facilities are strictly monitored. monitors also have access to Iran's entire nuclear supply chain. Without the JCPOA, this monitoring and inspections regime would go away," Obama said. Fourth, Iran was complying with the JCPOA, he asserted. "That was not simply the view of my administration. The United States intelligence community has continued to find that Iran is meeting its responsibilities under the deal and has reported as much to So have our closest allies, and the international agency responsible for verifying Iranian compliance the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA)," he said. Fifth, the JCPOA does not expire, Obama added. "The prohibition on Iran ever obtaining a nuclear weapon is permanent. Some of the most important and intrusive inspections codified by the JCPOA are permanent. Even as some of the provisions do become less strict with time, this won't happen until 10, 15, 20 or 25 years into the deal, so there is little reason to put those restrictions at risk today," the former president said. Over three kg of gold worth Rs one crore was seized from eight people, including a woman, at the international airport here in three separate cases, Customs officials said today. Based on a tip-off, checks were intensified and the gold was seized between May 3-7. Officials also claimed that a gold-smuggling racket being run from Dubai was also busted. They said the woman had arrived from the Gulf nation yesterday and her baggage was scanned. The check yielded gold sheets concealed in cardboard boxes containing toys, the officials said. The gold weighed 1,099 gms, they said. On being questioned, the woman confessed to gold smuggling and operating for a gang in Dubai, the officials said, adding, she was immediately arrested. Based on her confession, six other persons were arrested outside the airport in connection with the racket, they said. The modus operandi of the racketeer was to lure first-time travellers, preferably women, by promising them jobs in Dubai and sponsoring their flight tickets from India to Dubai and back, the officials said. In this case, the woman was instructed to hand over the gold to an elderly man outside the airport, and he would courier the consignment to Mumbai, they said. The six others caught outside the airport admitted to having received five such consignments, the officials said. In another case, a ground-handling staff was spotted hurling a packet beneath the aero-bridge near the parking lot and running away, they said. The packet was recovered and it contained 14 gold bars weighing 1,632 gm, the officials said. The ground-handling staff member, who was subsequently arrested, said he was to hand over the packet he had received from a passenger to a Hyderabad-based smuggler, they said. In yet another case, five gold bars weighing 615 gm were recovered from a disposable bag abandoned by an unidentified person, the officials said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A woman was gang-raped in a moving car allegedly by two men after throwing her child (3) from the vehicle last evening on Delhi-Dehradun national highway here, police said. The child was rushed to a hospital by the villagers. He is out of danger. Later, the 26-year-old victim was also dropped from the car in Chapar area on the highway in the district, said SP (city) Ombir Singh today. A case has been registered against the absconding accused, and the woman has been sent for medical examination, he said. According to a complaint lodged by the victim, she was called by one of the accused R K Mehata on the pretext of giving her a job. She was raped by Mehata and his friend after giving her some alcoholic drink laced with sedatives. She lodged the complaint after getting consciousness, the SP said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The World Bank today described as incorrect media reports in Pakistan about allegations that former prime minister Nawaz Sharif laundered USD 4.9 billion to India. In the past day, there have been media reports citing the World Bank's Remittances and Migration Report of 2016. These media reports were incorrect, the World Bank said in a statement here. The World Bank's Remittances and Migration Report is an effort by the World Bank to estimate migration and remittances numbers across the world, it said. The report does not include any mention of money laundering nor does it name any individuals, said the World Bank, which was issued after media reports cited its annual report for allegations that Sharif laundered USD 4.9 billion from Pakistan to India. In its annual report, the statement said that the World Bank estimates bilateral remittances between countries using the methodology summarised in the World Bank Working Paper 102 South-South migration and remittances by the authors of the report. The World Bank also referred to a statement by the State Bank of Pakistan which rejects estimates of USD 4.9 billion in remittances from Pakistan to India on September 21, 2016, and provides an explanation of the methodology used in the World Bank report and the official remittances numbers. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The world's domestic and international tourism industry contributes to eight per cent of the global greenhouse gas emissions - about four times greater than previously estimated - scientists, including one of Indian origin, have found. Small islands attract a disproportionate share of carbon emissions, considering their small populations, through international arrivals, while the US is responsible for the majority of tourism-generated emissions overall, the study found. The team led by researchers at the University of Sydney in Australia found the global comprehensive tourism footprint of tourism-related greenhouse gas emissions is about four times greater than previous estimates, is growing faster than international trade and is already responsible for almost a tenth of global GHGs. The researchers recommend financial and technical assistance could help share burdens such as global warming on winter sports, sea-level rise on low-lying islands and pollution impacts on exotic and vulnerable destinations. The complex research took a year and a half to complete and incorporated more than an estimated one billion supply chains and their impacts on the atmosphere. "Our analysis is a world-first look at the true cost of tourism - including consumables such as food from eating out and souvenirs - it's a complete life-cycle assessment of global tourism, ensuring we don't miss any impacts," said Arunima Malik, corresponding author of the study published in the journal Nature Climate Change. "This research fills a crucial gap identified by the World Tourism Organization and World Meteorological Organization to quantify, in a comprehensive manner, the world's tourism footprint," said Malik. "Given that tourism is set to grow faster than many other economic sectors, the international community may consider its inclusion in the future in climate commitments, such as the Paris Accord, by tying international flights to specific nations," said Ya-Yen Sun, from the University of Queensland. "Carbon taxes or carbon trading schemes - in particular for aviation - may be required to curtail unchecked future growth in tourism-related emissions," Sun said. The study found air travel was the key contributor to tourism's footprint and that the carbon-intensive industry would comprise an increasingly significant proportion of global emissions as growing affluence and technological developments rendered luxury travel more affordable, said Manfred Lenzen, lead researcher from the University of Sydney. "We found the per-capita carbon footprint increases strongly with increased affluence and does not appear to satiate as incomes grow," Lenzen said. Previous research has quantified the carbon footprint of specific aspects of tourism operations such as hotel, events and transportation infrastructure; and in particular countries or regions. The study included 189 individual countries and all upstream supply chains. The US tops the carbon footprint ranking, followed by China, Germany and India. The majority of these carbon footprints are caused by domestic travel; business travel could not be distinguished from tourism. In countries such as the Maldives, Mauritius, Cyprus and the Seychelles, international tourism represents between 30 per cent and 80 per cent of national emissions. The researchers found that international arrivals and tourism receipts have been growing at an annual three percent to five per cent - outpacing the growth of international trade. The study found tourism is forecast to grow at an annual four per cent - outpacing many other economic sectors. Between 2009 and 2013, tourism's global carbon footprint increased from 3.9 to 4.5 gigatonnes of equivalent carbon dioxide - four times more than previous estimates - accounting for about of global greenhouse gas emissions. Transport, shopping and food are significant contributors. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The civilian death toll in Sunday's clashes between protestors and security forces in Shopian district of Jammu and Kashmir today climbed to six after a youth succumbed to injuries at a hospital here. Iqbal Bhat, who sustained a bullet injury in the abdomen, succumbed to injuries at SHMS Hospital here this morning, a police official said. He said the body of the deceased youth was taken by his relatives to his native Nagbal area of Shopian for last rites. Five civilians died on Sunday during clashes between protestors and security forces near an encounter site in Shopian while several others were injured. Five militants including top Hibzul Mujahideen commander Saddam Padder and Kashmir University professor Mohammad Rafi Bhat were killed in a gunbattle with security forces on Sunday. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The fragile tourism industry in Kashmir has taken another blow with the death of a tourist hit by stones, and the sector fears that the incident may further affect the already falling footfall in the troubled Valley. The killing of the Chennai youth could be the proverbial final nail in the coffin of tourism in Kashmir, Ashfaq Siddiq, president Travel Agents Association Kashmir (TAAK), said today. The tourist. 22-year-old R Thirumani, was critically injured in a stone pelting incident at Narbal yesterday and died later in the day of head injuries, triggering outrage and concern. This is a sad incident which should not have happened. Unfortunately, we feel that it will have an impact on tourist arrivals to Kashmir. I think it will be the final nail in the coffin, Siddiq told PTI. Tourism in the state has already suffered because of prolonged periods of unrest in the Valley, hoteliers said. There has been a steep fall in the number of domestic tourists since 2016, when the killing of militant Burhan Muzaffar Wani by security forces in July that year led to a prolonged period of violence and stone pelting in the Valley. The number of tourists fell from 3,91,902 in the first four months of 2016 to 1,69,727 in the same period the next year. The number in the corresponding period this year was 1,54,062, officials said. The TAAK president said the association feared cancellation of bookings by tourists in the days to come. It is obvious that cancellations will happen and there might be some hardline elements who might even call for an absolute boycott of Kashmir, he said. There is already panic in some quarters. Tamil Nadu Chief Minister K Palaniswami today asked his counterpart Mehbooba Mufti to ensure the safe return of the 130 tourists from his state who were in Kashmir. "I asked Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti to help officials of the Tamil Nadu government for the safe return of the tourists," he said in Chennai. Tourism Kashmir director Mehmood Shah, condemning the incident, said the department apprehended a fall in the number of visitors to the Valley. It is an unfortunate incident and we are deeply pained," Shah told PTI. Asked if the incident would have any impact on the number of tourist arrivals, he said cancellations were likely. It will have an impact. Cancellations may happen, he said. Last year, about 12 lakh tourists visited Kashmir. While the number of domestic tourists has halved in the last two years, the number of foreign tourists has, however, doubled. In the first four months of 2018, there were 21,631 foreign tourists, up from 10,767 in the same period last year, the officials said. The tourism trade in Kashmir condemned the killing, saying that those who had thrown stones at the vehicle in which the tourist was travelling were not well wishers of Kashmir but cold-blooded murders. We condemn every such killing whether it is of a Kashmiri or a tourist. Whosoever has committed this incident is not a well wisher of Kashmiris. He is a bloody, cold-blooded murderer," Siddiq said later at press conference with other stakeholders from travel, tourism and trade bodies. Siddiq said Kashmir is known for its hospitality and tourists should not be scared as they are our guests. Kashmir is known for its ethos and hospitality. Tourists are our guests and never has it happened before. These incidents should not have an overall impact. They still are our guests, he said, apologising for the incident. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) By Marianna Parraga and Gary McWilliamsHOUSTON (Reuters) - ConocoPhillips is trying to seize PDVSA's [PDVSA.UL] oil assets at the 335,000-barrel-per-day (bpd) Isla refinery in Curacao, which would expand its control over the Venezuelan state-run company's barrels for export, according to sources close to the matter.Under court orders to enforce a $2 billion arbitration award by the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC), the U.S. oil firm last week temporarily seized about 4 million barrels of crude that PDVSA had stored on the Dutch Caribbean island of St. Eustatius and took control of a ... By Sheila Dang and Sonam Rai(Reuters) - Dish Network Corp reported first-quarter revenue that fell short of Wall Street estimates on Tuesday as more satellite TV subscribers cancelled their packages, revenue per customer declined and viewers increasingly chose cheaper online options.Dish's pay-TV service shed 94,000 subscribers in the quarter, while subscribers for its streaming service, Sling TV, rose by 91,000.Shares of Dish slumped 11 percent to $30.22 in afternoon trading, hitting a six-year low.Dish Chairman Charlie Ergen said during a post-earnings conference call that the company was ... By Dominique PattonBEIJING (Reuters) - China has ramped up inspections of pork shipped from the United States, importers and industry sources said, the latest American product to be hit by a potentially costly slowdown at Chinese ports in the past couple of weeks.Some trade experts said they believe Beijing is sending a defiant warning to Washington in response to sweeping U.S. trade demands made on China last week.The stepped-up checks have even hit China's WH Group Ltd, the world's largest pork company and owner of Smithfield Foods in the United States, and come amid increasing scrutiny of ... (Reuters) - Walmart is likely to announce its much-anticipated deal to buy a controlling stake in Indian e-commerce company Flipkart before the end of this week, sources told Reuters on Tuesday, in what is likely to be the U.S. retail giant's biggest acquisition.Bentonville, Arkansas-based Walmart and its partner in the deal, Google parent Alphabet Inc, are looking to buy up to three quarters of Flipkart. Walmart will look to own a roughly 60 percent stake, while Alphabet will get about 15 percent ownership of the online marketplace, sources added.The deal is likely to value Flipkart at ... By Robin RespautSAN FRANCISCO (Reuters) - Tax revenue from recreational marijuana makes up a small percentage of annual general fund revenues in states with the most established retail markets, such as Colorado, Washington and Oregon, Moody's Investors Service said on Tuesday.The boost in tax revenues is marginally credit positive in states with a nascent legalized weed industry, the rating agency said, including in larger states like California.Cities and counties are more likely to see a bigger impact from local marijuana taxes because of their relative size, Moody's found. Some ... By Amanda CooperLONDON (Reuters) - Oil retreated from its highest level in 3-1/2 years on Tuesday ahead of an announcement by President Donald Trump later in the day on whether the United States will reimpose sanctions on Iran. Should Trump pull the United States out of a multi-nation agreement on Tehran's nuclear programme, Iranian crude exports might be affected, but analysts said it would also fan the flames of geopolitical tensions in the Middle East, which is home to a third of the world's daily oil supply.Brent crude futures were down 69 cents at $75.48 a barrel by 1143 GMT, while U.S. ... By Alex LawlerLONDON (Reuters) - OPEC-led efforts to stabilise the oil market will be maintained, OPEC's secretary general said on Tuesday when asked about the consequences if the United States exits a nuclear agreement with OPEC member Iran.U.S. President Donald Trump will announce on Tuesday whether he will pull out of the Iran nuclear deal. An exit has raised concern that Iranian oil exports could be cut, putting upward pressure on prices.The Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries is in the midst of an oil supply-cutting deal with non-OPEC producers such as Russia that has ... By Arnab Paul(Reuters) - Indian shares edged up on Tuesday, aided by a surge in ICICI Bank on hopes of improvement in the private-sector lender's asset quality after it announced March-quarter results post market hours on Monday.ICICI Bank rose as much as 7.57 percent and was the biggest gainer on the broader NSE index. Brokerages retained their 'buy' rating on the stock citing a significant decline in the "drilldown" list of potential troubled loans.The bank's net profit almost halved to 10.20 billion rupees for the quarter ended March 31.Analysts say the markets could see some correction ... By Sankalp Phartiyal and Nivedita BhattacharjeeMUMBAI/BENGALURU (Reuters) - Walmart is likely to announce its much-anticipated deal to buy a controlling stake in Indian e-commerce player Flipkart before the end of this week, two sources said, in what is likely to be the U.S. retail giant's biggest acquisition of a business.Walmart and Google parent Alphabet Inc will buy up to 75 percent of Flipkart, the two sources familiar with the matter said, declining to be named as the talks are private.Bentonville, Arkansas-based Walmart will acquire about a 60 percent stake in Flipkart, while ... Almost ten years ago, a historical moment in rail transport occurred when on October 6, 2008 a train arrived in Hamburg, Germany, 17 days after departing from Xiangtan in Chinas Hunan province. While the service was at the time considered as too inconsistent and too slow to gain any real market appeal, China persisted with various train routes across Eurasia with regular service established in 2012. According to China Rail Corporation, 3,673 trains transited Eurasia in 2017, linking 35 Chinese cities with 34 European cities in 12 countries, a number set to rise to 4,000 in 2018. This commitment to free trade stands in rising contrast to the recent protectionist policies adopted by the U.S. Trump administration, divergences which seem likely to grow in the near future. BACKGROUND: Perhaps the most notable Eurasian development since the 1991 implosion of the USSR has been the gradual revival of the fabled Silk Road. Chinese goods now reach Europe via a growing interconnected skein of railway networks, a development that not coincidently benefits countries along the way. The initial cargoes that China sent westwards were high-value, low volume items such as electronics and high-priced footwear destined for European markets. Freight trains transit between China and Europe in 16 to 20 days, less than maritime transport where the average travelling time on the Europe-China route is around 45 days, an important consideration with market sensitive goods such as consumer electronics. The European Union is now Chinas biggest trading partner and bilateral trade between the two parties is now worth EUR 1 billion per day. In January-November 2017, EU exports to China reached EUR 108.7 billion, an increase of 18.4 percent compared to the same period the previous year. Imports from China rose to EUR 342.6 billion, an 8.5 percent increase. Substantial technical issues remain and still present integration problems between trans-continental rail transport networks. Europe and China mostly utilize standard-gauge railway (1,435 mm), but the countries in the former Soviet Union have broad-gauge railways (1,520 mm). This variance causes transport delays because the cargo must be transferred between the appropriate gauge railway cars, a practice encouraging the use of standardized containers. Chinas global free-trade policies and its willingness to underwrite the construction of Eurasias infrastructure to support it are all the more notable in an era where the new U.S. presidential administration of Donald Trump is seemingly inexorably moving towards protectionist, isolationist policies. On January 23, 2017, three days after he was sworn into office, President Trump fulfilled the promise he made to voters during his campaign of withdrawing the U.S. from the 12-nation Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP), a trade agreement between Australia, Brunei, Canada, Chile, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Peru, Singapore and Vietnam signed on 4 February 2016. TPP would have slashed tariffs for U.S. imports and exports with the member countries. IMPLICATIONS: Not surprisingly, the main beneficiary of the U.S. withdrawal from the TPP is seemingly China, which is implementing its Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) policy across Eurasia. China is pouring billions into upgrading transport infrastructure, including railways via its newly established financial institutions, including the Asia Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB), another initiative in which the U.S. declined to participate, as well as the Silk Road Development Fund. Chinese President Xi Jinping underlined his economic differences with the incoming U.S. administration by remarking in a speech at the World Economic Forum in Davos three days before Trump assumed the presidency, We must remain committed to promoting free trade and investment through opening up and say no to protectionism. Emblematic of the growing divergence between U.S. and Chinese government policies towards free trade, the Trump administration recently announced unilateral U.S. tariffs of 25 percent on steel imports and 10 percent on aluminum imports into the U.S. Further raising protectionist barriers, on March 22 the White House announced specific punitive measures against China, including tariffs on at least US$ 30 billion in imports, in addition to the steel and aluminum tariffs. Among the nations along the emerging Eurasian rail network, none is more important than Russia, which is determined not only to remain a major player in East-West trade, but if possible also to increase its percentage of the carrying trade. On March 5, Russias President Vladimir Putin attended the Congress of Transport Workers of Russia, where he told participants, Let me stress again that we must develop the logistics of railway transportation there is no doubt that the development of the transport system and infrastructure is one of our main tasks for the next six, ten, fifteen years. Without a doubt, this is an area where our country must work hard in the near term, because our economy's competitiveness depends on it. The key nation facilitating Eurasian rail trade is Kazakhstan, which has undertaken a US$ 2.7 billion railway upgrade program, including upgrading track as well as locomotives and freight wagons. President Nursultan Nazarbayev has long made it a national priority to be involved with restoring the Silk Road, given its strategic position between China and Russia. Emblematic of this government commitment is the Khorgos Gateway project. Situated on the border between Kazakhstan and China, the future logistics and industrial hub is promoted as the new Dubai, covering an impressive 21 square miles. This includes the Khorgos Gateway Inland Container Dock, a gauge-changing station for the trans-Eurasian trains shuttling between China and Europe, which can now transfer containerized cargo between six trains simultaneously and process 580,000 Twenty-Foot Equivalent Units (intermodal shipping container TEUs) annually. As for the future, Chinas increasing use of its Eurasian rail network has led to a steep decline in transport prices, allowing China to export a greater range of goods. In a startling example of this, a train carrying local tomato sauce products left Urumqi in Chinas Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region on February 28, embarking on a 6,500-mile journey to Naples, Italy. The products were expected to arrive at the destination in 25 days via train and ferries, cutting the travel time by half from that via ocean shipping. The train passed through Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan and Georgia and over the Caspian, Black and Mediterranean seas via ferries before concluding its journey in Italy. Over 25 days, the train covered roughly 260 miles per day. What is most notable about this particular train is the fact that despite the massive distances involved, China can now compete with indigenous European agricultural products, a far cry from the high price, low volume items sent less than a decade ago. CONCLUSIONS: Since China funds much of the development and upgrading of Eurasias transport infrastructure network via its ambitious OBOR project, continental trade via railway can only increase in both the short and long-term, to the benefit of both Europe and China. Seventeen Chinese provinces now ship their goods to Europe and Kazakhstan Railways (KTZ) has ambitious plans to raise its cargo volumes to 2 million TEUs per year by 2020. U.S. transport companies and financial institutions are conspicuously absent in these Eurasian global trade initiatives, a trend which seems likely to continue under the current administration. It is notable that the Urumqi-Naples train is the 1,000th China-Europe cargo train since regular East-West railway operations began only six years ago. In such an environment, the protectionist policies of the current U.S. administration seem increasingly out of step with the developing global free-trade economy earlier championed by Washington. AUTHORS BIO: Dr. John C. K. Daly is a Nonresident Senior Fellow of the Central Asia-Caucasus Institute; current work includes monographs on the development of Eurasias railways and the dissolution of the Soviet Navy. Image source: By: via Wikimedia Commons, accessed on 5.8. 2018 Buea, Monday. May 7, 2018 W. Musa There was panic, fear and consternation that gripped the people of Buea, Fako division in the South West Region, early Monday May 7, 2018. Gun shots which started at about 2am were heard in three different localities in the subdivision. Denizens were forced to wake up from slumber in fear as some hide under the beds while others simply maintained a total blackout as gun shots were heard around Mile 17 Motor Park, Check Point and Malingo Junction, all within the student residential area. A student said he was sleeping when he suddenly heard sporadic shots but says the sounds and manner in which the shots were fired was clear that only one camp was shooting, When I heard the shots, I thought the Ambazonai guys have arrived Buea finally but on a second thought, I didnt hear something like a confrontation, it seems the Military was the one executing the shots. He added. Another Buea inhabitant who was out at that hour speaking on anonymity said, We were in a birthday party around Ebony Snack Bar beside the Presbyterian Church in Molyko, when we decided to leave at about 2am, suddenly we heard sporadic shots around Check Point. At that moment we took a Bike directly to Muea but upon reaching Mile 17, we heard another shots, the Bike made a reverse and instead took the Malingo-Muea road, it was scary. The reasons for the shots have not been known but it is certain that the Military was carrying out a conventional anticipation of possible attack and wanted to scare whosever dares. Prior to the shootings, Buea suddenly became heavily guarded as rumors of the arrival of Ambazonia fighters sent every Security sector alerted. Gendarmes could be seen in town in most strategic areas while places like the Buea Regional Hospital and Razel Street were barricade. These are major roads to the Army Camp in Long Street Buea and the Mobil Intervention Unit of the Police, ESIR. When the first cock chanted its usual morning song, Buea was gradually coming back to its normal atmosphere Monday. | BY Ricki Green | Following the US launch in April, American Express has unveiled its new global brand platform in Australia Powerful Backing: Dont Do Business / Dont Live Life Without It which underpins the companys worldwide marketing and advertising activity. The platform, originally created by mcgarrybowen, celebrates the new reality that life and business are increasingly interconnected, and the unique role American Express has in supporting people today. The new American Express Brand platform was created by mcgarrybowen globally, localised by the Ogilvy network in partnership with Mindshare, with Ogilvy PR executing the respective paid and earned media campaign strategy. The advertising was orchestrated by renowned director Lance Accord, and the imagery was shot by award-winning photographer, Matthieu Young. Says Naysla Edwards, vice president of brand and experiences, American Express: As a global business with 168 years worth of experience, and 64 years in Australia, weve witnessed the transformation thats occurred in the lives of our customers over this time. Weve increasingly seen the lines between life and work blur and people living experience-rich, blended lives, moving effortlessly between work and play. As a company thats built its legacy on the relationships we have with our customers, we want to show them that they can count on us to back them to live their best lives. The campaign reflects American Express diverse global business, which covers more than 112 million business and consumer Card Members, 18 million American Express accepting merchants, hundreds of acquirers and 120 bank partners that connect through the American Express Network across 130 countries. Powerful Backing: Dont Do Business / Dont Live Life Without It With the new Brand platform, American Express draws on its heritage of service, security and trust and modernises many elements of its brand iconography including refreshing the American Express Blue Box logo and visual identity and introducing a hand-drawn version of its famous Card design which will place American Express customers at its centre. The 360-degree campaign delivers both consumer and business messages at scale, with a focus on communications channels that lie at the intersection of life and work. Advertising will feature in mobile, social platforms, podcasts, TV, cinema and outdoor, as well as many more high impact channels. Backing Australian Music Says Edwards: In honour of our new Brand platform, we have announced a $1M investment in the Australian music scene in recognition of the fact that music is deeply entwined in the lives of our customers. With our work and personal lives becoming increasingly blended, music is the art-form that ties it all together its the soundtrack to life and what better way to support Australians than to back something that they really enjoy. Open for applications from today, The American Express Music Backers Program seeks out businesses, venues and artists in the music industry in need of backing whether thats financial support, mentorship or tools to help them succeed and connects music fans with extraordinary experiences to recognise and reward their passion. People can apply via: www.americanexpress.com.au/musicbackers Iconic venue, Selinas in Coogee has been named as the first recipient of The American Express Music Backers Program. Selinas will host an intimate live music experience for music fans with international headliners, The Killers and local Australian music artist, Alex Cameron, tomorrow night (9 May 2018). | BY Ricki Green | How will Australia perform at Cannes this year? In the lead up to the Festival, Campaign Brief will be showcasing the work we hope will impress the judges Marketforce The word Retard appears on Twitter every 5 seconds. Yet the word is offensive, not just to people with disability, but to their friends, families and carers. Avivo, a leading not-for-profit community organisation, supports people with disabilities to live their lives with dignity and respect. How the community treats them, and refers to them, is incredibly important. To raise awareness about the impact the R word has, and to ensure the message had impact on such a toxic platform, a Twitter bot was created to detect any English language use of word. The bot instantly replied to these tweets with one of twelve one-on-one video messages from someone affected by the word, talking directly to the person who just used it. Marketforce Lifes full of everyday problems. But when you win Oz Lotto, you can take care of them pretty easily. One laid back winner tells us how he turned every problem into an opportunity. Marketforce | BY Ricki Green | Fresh tea retail group, Chatime, has launched a bold new brand campaign encouraging drinkers to follow their lead and express their wild tastes via Host/Havas. The Chatime #historycha_llenge puts Australian consumers on the spot, inviting them to show the one thing they normally go to great lengths to hide: their internet search history. The campaign aims to provoke debate and discussion as Chatime seeks to find out how crazy Aussies tastes really are. To take the challenge, consumers are asked to screengrab their browser history on their phone, and upload it to Instagram Stories, hashtagging #HistoryCha_llenge. The weirdest and wildest entries from those brave enough to volunteer, will be rewarded with a years worth of free Chatime products. Says Carlos Antonius, group general manager, Chatime Australia: Its a bold challenge. In fact, a recent study conducted by Capital One and Google found that Millennials would rather share their salary information than their internet search history which makes you wonder what theyre hiding. And thats the idea behind the Chatime #HistoryCha_llenge to bring the hilariously crazy, fun, and downright bizarre out from behind closed doors and into the spotlight just like we do with our products every day! Plus, we found out someone in the office searched for the nearest tickling competition. So that was good too. The campaign forms part of the brands strategy to serve up moments of crazy fun in a serious world, challenging the mundane with its unique range of products. Says Jon Austin, ECD, Host/Havas: The Chatime #historycha_llenge gives people a chance to truly show their completely unfiltered, unique sides if theyre brave enough. Launched with a hero social film, the campaign will be supported by social media, in-store activity and PR. SEM activity will also drive awareness of the campaign with Chatime hijacking hundreds of wild search terms, provoking consumers and asking them if they would consider sharing their search history to win a years worth of free Chatime. Creative and Social: Host/Havas PR: Red Agency | BY Ricki Green | Digitas, the Connected Marketing agency, has recently partnered with a visual artist and sound architect to deliver an experiential campaign for Stoneleigh Wild Valley that captures the wine brands unique philosophy and winemaking practice. Briefed to introduce Stoneleigh Wild Valley to a new generation of Australian wine lovers, Digitas created a bespoke 60-second film. Titled Original Art by Stoneleigh, the film debuted as the centerpiece of a wine tasting exhibition in Melbourne curated by Electric Collective. The creative idea behind the film centered on Stoneleigh Wild Valleys 100 per cent wild-fermented natural practice that signals a return to the ancient art of winemaking; where grapes are carefully selected and nature is trusted to take care of the rest. To excite wine lovers, Digitas teamed up with visual artist Susie Sie and experimental sound designer Nikolai Von Sallwitz to create a sensory experience. Every frame and sound included in the film is inspired and sourced from Stoneleigh Wild Valley. Adopting a completely analogue approach, Sie transformed the wine itself into a visual language, accompanied by Von Sallwitzs rousing score featuring natural sounds from the Stoneleigh vineyard and from the Wild Valley wine itself. Says Simon Brock, creative director, Digitas: Stoneleigh Wild Valley wines are both rich and complex each one an original, wild fermented work of art. Our idea captured the essence of the product to create an ode to Stoneleighs minimal winemaking philosophy and craft. Says Rohan Nayee, global marketing manager, Pernod Ricard Winemakers: In search of a distinctive way to express the unique nature of Stoneleigh Wild Valley, we partnered with Digitas to bring to life the raw beauty of Wild Fermentation. The unexpected and visually impactful filmic experience the agency orchestrated was unlike anything else I have seen at a wine tasting event. Client: Pernod Ricard Winemakers Brand: Stoneleigh Wild Valley Creative Agency: Digitas Creative Director: Simon Brock Client Lead: Susan Montgomery Director, Visual Artist: Susie Sie Shooting Assistant: Remo Gambacciani Executive Producer: Lars Wagner | BY Ricki Green | Clemenger BBDO Melbourne has picked up creative duties for online food-delivery service, Menulog, following a competitive pitch earlier this year. Working with Menulogs existing agency roster, the win will see Clemenger BBDO Melbourne develop a new brand platform and integrated campaign for Menulog as it continues to establish itself as one of Australias leading online food-delivery platforms. Says Tasman Page, marketing director at Menulog: We were impressed with Clemenger BBDOs understanding of the category, of the brief and importantly, of how were looking to evolve our brand and, entertain the nation with our marketing communications. | BY Ricki Green | Tourism Tasmania has launched the latest in its successful Go Behind the Scenery campaign via JimJam Ideas. JimJam has been working with Tourism Tasmania since 2012 and during that time, the island state has seen record visitor numbers. In fact, Tasmania now ranks as Australias third most aspirational domestic destination. An epic feat considering spend when compared to other states. Now in its 11th iteration, Go Behind the Scenery continues to drive visitation numbers with a 75% increase in holiday travelers to the state since 2012. Says Andrew Crocker, co-creative director, JimJam:Over the past 6 years weve been able to get to the heart and soul of Tasmania. We started with a bang and have kept going, delivering work thats won effectiveness, creative and craft awards. Tasmania is a unique and wonderful place full of amazing characters, charm and stories. Feed your curious continues to position Tasmania as a special place that cant be compared to anywhere else. The last iteration Stories Told from the Inside Out featured almost 40 beautifully crafted films featuring Tassie locals and was named a finalist in the Effies and is a finalist at AWARD this year. Feed Your Curious is an evolution of the campaign which intends to inspire people to move Tasmania from being on their bucket list to take action and plan their own Tassie experience today. The integrated campaign consists of cinema, television, print, digital, outdoor and online content. The campaign will launch with television, which is the first time Tasmania has been advertising on TV since the initial launch. Coupled with this is the use of remarketing through digital channels to convert mainlanders to book their trip. Says Charlie Cook, co-creative director, JimJam: Were still constantly blown away by what we find in Tassie, even after 6 years. Theres an endless source of creative inspiration at our fingertips and its a privilege and pleasure to share it in a way that makes a difference. Says Emma Terry, CMO, Tourism Tasmania: Go Behind the Scenery XI Feed Your Curious invites consumers on a journey of discovery around Tasmania and demonstrates that the true essence of Tasmania lies in whats beneath the surface. It is Tourism Tasmanias longest campaign and has a strong media strategy that combines high reaching channels with unique partnership activity to reach and engage new audiences. We are excited to launch the campaign, spark curiosity and welcome more visitors to Tasmania in the coming months. The team at JimJam have a deep understanding of Tasmania as a tourist destination and a unique ability to bring it to life which they continued to capture in this new campaign. Agency: JimJam Ideas: Creative Directors: Andrew Crocker & Charlie Cook Strategy Director: Tony Gordon Group Account Director: John Campbell-Bruce Account Manager: Vanessa Buckley Executive Producer: Ben Adams Art Directors: Patrick Andersson, Paul Carpenter, Mike Miller Production: Filmgraphics: Director: David Denneen Executive Producer: Anna Fawcett DOP: James L Brown Editor: Toby Denneen Colourist: Ben Eagleton Flame Artist: Hugh Seville Actress: Matilda Brown Music & Sound Design: Rumble Studios Composer: Johnny Green Sound Designer: Tone Aston Music & Sound Producer: Michael Gie Client: Tourism Tasmania Campaign manager, Head of Brand & Content: Lindene Cleary | BY Ricki Green | TKT Sydney, V Energy and 20th Century Fox are celebrating the cinematic release of Deadpool 2 in cinemas May 16, with a new limited-edition motivational book, Find the potential within, written by Deadpool himself. Launching exclusively at Sydney CBDs Kinoyuka bookstore on Free Comic Book Day (last Saturday, 5 May), 300 copies of Deadpools debut book were made available for punters, in the hopes of providing them with refreshing answers to many of lifes challenges. However, with Deadpool losing interest in writing the book after one chapter, V Energy came to the rescue and placed the key to a better you between the pages, providing readers with a can of V Energy thatll have them feeling more like Deadpool and less like the people that get in his way. Says Chris Henbrey, brand manager, V Energy: Deadpool is certainly a character. When the idea of writing a book came up, he was all for it until he realised what was involved. So, we stepped in and are providing punters with a massive hit that improves you a bit, and saving them from the self-help babble. Says James Beswick, copywriter, TKT Sydney: Ollie [Beeston] and I have found it awesome working with the Deadpool writers and playing around with his sarcastic, meta, and innuendo-laden tone and help create what might possibly be the laziest motivational book since, ever! The book complements the broader Deadpool and V Energy partnership, which includes 15s and 6s social videos rolled out across V Energys owned channels and Fandom, with digital, OOH and PR activity also supplementing the campaign. | BY Lynchy | Huge has appointed Amy Chia as Vice President of New Business Development for its Asia Pacific operations. Based in Singapore, Chia will be tasked with working with agency management to drive the growth strategy and development for the region, as well as bolstering its existing client roster. Amy brings to Huge an incredibly diverse background spanning client, agency and consultancy that will strengthen our capabilities and further our ability to help clients reorient their businesses around end-users by taking an experience-led approach to transformation, said Martin Riley, Managing Director of Huge Singapore. Were thrilled to now leverage her extensive knowledge of the Asia market and leading multinational brands to grow Huges business in Singapore and Asia more broadly. With more than eighteen years of experience, Chia (pictured) brings with her a strong track record helping organizations define and execute digital transformations in the Asia market across the Travel and Leisure, FMCG, Technology, and Telecommunications sectors. Chia returns to Singapore after six years in Greater China. Prior to her appointment, Chia was most recently at Accenture Interactive Hong Kong, where she served in management consulting leadership roles for clients. Before Accenture, Chia served as the Head of e-Marketing for Nestle Infant Nutrition, where she led a team of 11 digital specialists to deliver demand generation strategies and future proofing solutions in content, media, CRM and technology for the China market. | BY Lynchy | Agencies and brands from Asia had a strong showing with 39 ADC Cubes and 47 Merits at The One Club for Creativitys ADC 97th Annual Awards held tonight in New York. The awards celebrate the worlds most most forward-thinking work in craft, design and innovation. Leading the way was the COGY Wheelchair, which won Best of Discipline honors in both Innovation and Packaging & Product Design for Japans Tess Co. with Tohoku University School of Medicine, both in Sendai, M2 Design and TBWA\Hakuhodo, both Tokyo. The redesigned wheelchair also received two ADC Gold Cubes and one Silver. Dentsu Tokyo also has an outstanding night with four ADC Gold Cubes, three Silver, three Bronze and 13 Merits. This marks the first year The One Club has presented separate country Agency of the Year honors to the top scoring agencies based upon cumulative Cube and Merit wins across all disciplines in each of the top 10 countries with the most entries. ADC China Agency of the Year honors went to TBWA\Shanghai, and ADC Japan Agency of the Year was awarded to Dentsu Tokyo. A roundup of ADC 97th Annual Awards winners from Asia is below. China: TBWA\Shanghai won one Gold Cube for A Thread of Hope on behalf of BAO BEI HUI JA NGO for Missing Children in Brand & Communication Design. The work also won a Bronze in Experiential Design and Merit in Design for Good. The agency two Bronze for Penguin Books Penguin Frozen Storybook, one in Illustration and one in Design for Good. The work also won a Merit in Publication Design. Silver Cubes in Packaging Design went to Hangzhou Dongyun Advertising Design, Hangzhou won a Silver Cube for Qingyinongnong Shiny Woods and Shenzhen Great-Time Vision Marketing & Planning, Shenzhen for its own Tea Packaging. China Academy of Art, Hangzhou won two Bronze for Henryk Tomaszewski for Power Station of Art Shanghai, Power Station of Design Shanghai, one in Publication Design and one in Brand & Communication Design. They also won a Merit for Toppan Printing Co.,Ltd. FUSION (5 Posters) in Publication Design. Other ADC Bronze and Merit winners from China were Wieden+Kennedy Shanghai, Amber China, Shanghai, Au Chon Hin with Instituto Cultural de Macau, both Macao, Mintbrand Design, Beijing, Another Design, Guangzhou, Lava, Beijing, Day Day Up Design Consultancy, Zhongshan, Guangdong, Hanqingtang Design NH7, Nanjing, T-Change Design, Nanjing, Sun Xiaoxi, Beijing, Delighted Design, Beijing and Tian Yu Kong Advertising, Shanghai. Hong Kong: Ogilvy & Mather Group HK won an ADC Silver Cube for Birdland 200% Edible in Packaging Design. India: McCann Worldgroup India, Mumbai with McCann Health, Delhi, won a ADC Silver Cube in Product Design for The Immunity Charm on behalf of the Ministry of Public Health, Afghanistan. The work also won a Bronze and a Merit in Design for Good. TBWA India, Mumbai won a Bronze Cube in Advertising for its own Zoobar Pet Friendly Bar, and Black Swan Life Communications, Mumbai won a Merit in Photography for Amar Tea Pvt. Ltd. Tea Society. Japan: Tess Co. with Tohoku University School of Medicine, both in Sendai, M2 Design and TBWA\Hakuhodo, both Tokyo won Gold Cubes and Best of Discipline in both Innovation and Product Design for COGY Wheelchair. The work also won a Silver in Design for Good. Dentsu Tokyo won four ADC Gold Cube on the night. They collect one in Advertising for The Art of Cutouts for OLFA Corporation, and two in Brand & Communication Design, one for Optical Odyssey on belief of JINS and the other for Shochiku co. ltd Minami-za Eating Kabuki with your fingers. Working with Amana and Taki Corporation, both Tokyo, Dentsu Tokyo also won an ADC Gold Cube for Hokkoku Shimbun Sumogirls 82 Techniques in Advertising. TBWA\Hakuhodo won a Gold Cube for Green Light Run on behalf of adidas Japan in Experiential Design. Shiseido, Tokyo won a Gold in Brand & Communication Design for its own Makeup Tools, and the work also picked up a Silver Cube in Advertising. SIXINC with SPA-Hakuhodo, both Tokyo, picked up two Silver Cubes for Obsession for Smoothness on behalf of Double A in Advertising, as well as a Merit for the work in Motion & Film Craft. SHA, Tokyo won one Silver for its own Uncontrolled Types by Plotter Drawing in Publication Design, as well as a Merit for the work in Typography. Knot, Tokyo collected two Bronze Cubes for Yamaha Corporation Yamaha Speaker VXS/VXL/VXC Series, one each in Brand & Communication Design and Photography. Other Merit winners from Japan were Yahoo Japan, Ouwn, Tokyo, Dentsu, Nagoya, Creative Power Unit, Tokyo, Mori with Tymote, both Tokyo, Q with Boat and Grandpa, all Tokyo, IC4DESIGN, Hiroshima, Sayuri Studio, Tokyo, Frame, Niigata, Edition Nord, Niigata with Rondade, Tokyo and Live Art Books, Osaka, McCann Tokyo with Soda! Communications, Tokyo, Iyamadesign, Tokyo, Boat, Tokyo and Grand Deluxe, Matsuyama. South Korea: Ahn Graphics, Seoul received a Merit for its own AGI Seoul 2016 in Publication Design. Taiwan: Bito with Taipei City Government, both in Taipei, won a Merit for Bitos Taipei in Motion in Motion & Film Craft. Thailand: McCann Worldgroup Bangkok won Merit for Capture for Verena International in Advertising. For a complete list of all ADC Gold, Silver, Bronze Cube and Merit winners, please visit here. Globally, the ADC Black Cube for Best of Show went to Barbers by Furlined, Santa Monica, CA, USA for Apple. The work also won Best of Discipline and a Gold Cube in Motion & Film Craft and three Merits in Advertising. This years top honors, based upon cumulative ADC Cubes and Merits won across all disciplines and categories, were: Network of the Year BBDO Worldwide Advertising Agency of the Year BBDO New York Boutique Agency of the Year Akestam Holst, Stockholm, Sweden Design Firm of the Year The New York Times Magazine, New York Boutique Design Firm of the Year Magpie Studio, London Production Company of the Year Furlined, Santa Monica Brand of the Year Apple Best of Discipline winners, by discipline were: Advertising: CHE Proximity with Revolver/Will ORourke, both Sydney, Australia The Hearing Test in Disguise for Cochlear. Brand & Communication Design: Creuna Norway, Oslo, Norway DOGA Visual Identity for DOGA Design and Architecture Norway. Experiential Design: McCann New York, NY, USA Fearless Girl for State Street Global Advisors. Illustration: Giant Ant, Vancouver, BC, Canada The Imaginary Friends Society Finding Out You Have Cancer for The Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation. Innovation: Tess Co. with Tohoku University School of Medicine, both Sendai, M2 Design and TBWA\Hakuhodo, both Tokyo, all Japan COGY Wheelchair for Tess Co. Integrated: AMV BBDO, London, UK #Blood Normal for Essity Libresse Bodyform. Interactive: AlmapBBDO, Sao Paulo, Brazil Nosferatu for Getty Images. Motion & Film Craft: Furlined, Santa Monica with Apple, Cupertino, both CA, USA Barbers for Apple. Packaging & Product Design: Tess Co. with Tohoku University School of Medicine, both Sendai, M2 Design and TBWA\Hakuhodo, both Tokyo, all Japan COGY Wheelchair for Tess Co. Photography: Lauren Greenfield, Venice, CA, USA Generation Wealth for Evergreen Pictures. Publication Design: The New York Times Magazine, New York, NY, USA Why Cant Democrats Turn the Page for The New York Times Magazine. Typography: Kevin Cantrell Studio, Mantua, UT, USA Fantastic Rum Accelerator for Wired Magazine. BBDO New York led the world in most ADC Cubes won by a single office with 16. The agency won five Golds, including three with BBDO Studios for Live Looper on behalf of Downtown Records and two with The Corner Shop for P&Gs The Talk, as well as four Silver and seven Bronze Cubes. Jung von Matt, Hamburg, Germany won 15 Cubes, including one Gold, three Silver and 11 Bronze. The New York Times Magazine placed third with 11 Cubes, including two Gold, six Silver and three Bronze. Rounding out the top five Cube winners, Dentsu Tokyo took home 10 (four Gold, three Silver and three Bronze) and DDB Paris won nine (three Gold, four Silver and two Bronze). The ADC Designism Award for work that best promotes social good went to Prescribed to Death by Energy BBDO, Chicago, IL, USA for client National Safety Council. Its always an inspiring night when the industry comes together to celebrate the worlds best work in craft, design and innovation, said Michael ORourke, ADC executive director. ADC began as a progressive force in 1920 as the first creative organization for the commercial arts, and its an honor to continue that legacy with all of the amazing work awarded tonight from Asia. Kevin Swanepoel, CEO, The One Club for Creativity, expanded on those sentiments, adding: The ADC Annual Awards is the most forward-thinking award for design, craft, and innovation in the world, celebrating progressive thinking and problem-solving in the creative industry. This years Cube winners clearly reflect that focus. The ADC 97th Annual Awards is made possible in part by the generous support of sponsors, including Shutterstock. Shutterstock is proud to be a longtime sponsor of the ADC Annual Awards and other One Club programming, said Lou Weiss, CMO, Shutterstock. Our shared goal of nurturing and propelling the global creative community forward makes this partnership a natural fit, and we look forward to working with the organization to produce programming that identifies and elevates excellence in creative storytelling. Other sponsors of Creative Week 2018 include Facebook, Musicbed, Nickelodeon and Pinterest. ADC 97th Annual Awards takes place during The One Clubs Creative Week in New York, May 7-11, 2018. | BY Lynchy | Tourism New Zealand and Augusto have called on influential Kiwi figures, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern and comedian Rhys Darby for a new campaign to encourage the addition of New Zealand to all world maps. The light-hearted video, has clocked up over 1 million organic views in the first 24 hours and landed in major media outlets all over the world. In the video Darby investigates potential global conspiracies to keep New Zealand off world maps. Tourism New Zealand chief executive Stephen England-Hall says having the support of the Prime Minister is a huge boost to the campaign work. Says England-Hall: As a world-class destination, its unfathomable that New Zealand is left off world maps. New Zealand is bigger than the United Kingdom. Were over two-thirds the size of Japan and Germany. We have a lake the size of Singapore, a mountain range larger than the European Alps, and more coastline than California. The campaign is a light-hearted way to raise awareness of New Zealand as a destination off the back of international media about the country missing from maps. The campaign was born after Tourism New Zealand became aware of a growing collection of maps throughout the world that have one obvious omission New Zealand. From maps in online photo libraries, to coffee shops, famous attractions and board games, New Zealand is often nowhere to be seen. International media outlets including BBC, the Telegraph and Conde Nast Traveler got wind of the situation, and a Reddit Maps Without NZ discussion board has a following of more than 40,000. Tourism New Zealand enlisted the support of PM Jacinda Ardern and LA-based comedian Rhys Darby and then worked alongside creative agency, Augusto to create the story with comedic input from Darby. Says Matt Sellars, CD, Augusto: We knew there was a great story within this odd predicament and working closely with the team at Tourism New Zealand we were able to create a campaign that got everyone talking about the missing nation that resembles a half-eaten lamb chop. Were thrilled with the result so far, which really highlights the value of good storytelling. Tourism New Zealand is calling on New Zealanders to share the video and #getNZonthemap. The video campaign is being pushed to key visitor markets such as the USA, UK and Australia. Tourism New Zealand GM Public Relations: Lauren Vosper Global Brand & Content Manager: Brodie Reid Director of Trade, PR & Major Events: Rene de Monchy Agency/Production Company: Augusto Group LA Director: James Anderson NZ Director: Michelle Walshe Creative Director: Matt Sellars Creative Director: Rich Robson Exec Producer: Cass Avery Business Director: Heath Davy Account Director: Lauren Oxnam Line Producer: Claire Campbell Editor: Mariano Segedin Post Co-ordinator: Zoe Jones Designers: James Davison, Kim Anderson Motion Artist: Shaun Madgewick LA DOP: Grant Adams LA Gaffer: Skott Khuu LA Sound: Marc Stewart NZ DOP: Olly Harris NZ 2nd Camera: Warren Green NZ Gaffer: Spencer Locke-Bonney NZ Sound: Craig OReilly Everything to know about London-area's new youth sports vaccine rules Three area health units Middlesex-London, Huron Perth and Southwestern (Oxford and Elgin counties) have joined forces to close a loophole in provincial vaccination regulations that allows kids aged 12 to 17 to take part in organized sports at arenas and other indoor facilities without showing proof of vaccination. The trio of medical officers of health is sending letters of instruction to arenas and other facilities where sports are played indoors with the new requirement that everyone aged 12 and older must show proof theyre fully vaccinated against COVID-19. Reporter Dan Brown has the details from the joint announcement Wednesday. A Cape Coral woman faces six DUI-related charges after police say she caused a crash that left two pedestrians with serous injuries. Colleen Marie Mulder , 37, of 3331 S.E. 15th Place, was charged with driving under the influence .15 or higher, two counts of DUI w/serious bodily injury and three counts of DUI w/property damage following Sundays crash in the 3000 block of Del Prado Blvd., a release from the Cape Coral Police Department states. She was found to be driving with a medical BAC of 0.226%, police said. The limit at which a driver is considered impaired is .08 in Florida. The crash occurred shortly after 2 p.m. The investigation revealed that Colleen Marie Mulder was driving southbound on Del Prado Boulevard and rear-ended another vehicle, forcing that vehicle up onto the sidewalk where it collided with two pedestrians who were walking north on the sidewalk on the west side of Del Prado Blvd S., the release states. The vehicle then collided with a street sign and several newspaper boxes before coming to final rest in the parking lot. The pedestrians sustained serious injuries and were transported to a local hospital. An alert was sent to notify drivers of the resulting road closure and delay as additional patrol officers, a major crash investigator, victim advocate, and forensics responded. Mulder showed signs of impairment at the scene and was taken into custody, the release states. She was medically cleared at the hospital of complaints of injuries, police said, adding while there, a search warrant for a blood draw was executed.?? As of Monday afternoon, she remained in the Lee County Jail. Photo: The Canadian Press Update -- May 8 A union official says a woman killed by a bear at one of Canada's major oilsands sites was with several workers who tried to scare the animal away. The official says the 36-year-old Suncor employee was an instrument technician, who was doing electrical work at a job site near Fort McMurray, Alta., on Wednesday. The spokesman says the bear dragged the woman away as up to seven other employees watched in horror. The union Unifor, which represents the workers, doesn't believe anyone was carrying bear spray. RCMP killed an adult black bear, which is now undergoing tests to confirm whether it is the same animal that mauled the woman. Alberta occupational health and safety says companies that operate in the region have procedures to try to prevent such attacks. Original story -- May 7 A female worker has been killed by a black bear on the job at one of Canada's major oilsands companies in northeastern Alberta. "This is an absolutely tragic event," Sneh Seetal, spokeswoman for Suncor, said Wednesday. "We are extending our heartfelt condolences to the family. We are in the process of reaching out to them, and until that time when we've reached out to them, we won't be releasing any details about the individual without the family's consent to do so." It happened Wednesday afternoon at Suncor's main base site 25 kilometres north of Fort McMurray. "It would be a remote area, however, a busy camp," said RCMP Cpl. George Cameron. Seetal said the worker was pronounced dead at the scene. Barrie Harrison with Alberta Occupational Health and Safety said the woman was attacked by a mature male black bear which has since been put down by RCMP. Harrison said it's unknown if the worker was by herself when the attack happened. Seetal said it's not known if there had been recent bear sightings in the area. "Part of the wildlife training that we do offer for our employees and that employees partake in does speak to alerting any sightings through to people on site so appropriate steps can be taken," Seetal said. She said as a result of the attack, "we are reminding people not just at our site but in the broader community to be especially vigilant in dealing with wildlife." Harrison said companies that have operations in areas where there may be the presence of bears have certain procedures in place to try to prevent such attacks from happening. "Regardless of the type of hazards that employees in Alberta deal with, companies need to come up with procedures to assess what those hazards might be and what sort of procedures are in place to deal with those hazards," Harrison said. "Part of the job we'll be doing and working with Suncor determining what sort of procedures are in place and whether there was anything possibly that could have been done to avoid this from happening." Harrison said in the years he's been with Occupational Health and Safety, "I'm not aware of an attack on a worker by a bear of any variety, whether it's black, brown or grizzly." Photo: RDCO The Regional District of Central Okanagan has upgraded a water quality advisory for users of the Star Place Water System to a boil-water notice. The notice affects eight properties on the community water system off Trepanier Road, near the Okanagan Connector. Current turbidity levels exceed the standard recommended in the Guidelines for Canadian Drinking Water Quality. Those most at risk include newborns, the elderly and people with weakened immune systems. Turbidity can interfere with disinfection, limiting chlorines ability to remove or inactivate viruses, bacteria and parasites. Water intended for drinking, preparing food and washing fruits and vegetables to be eaten raw, making beverages, ice or mixing baby formula, or brushing teeth should be boiled for at least one minute. Photo: Contributed A Shuswap park could be renamed if proposed legislative amendments are passed. Roderick Haig-Brown Park will become a traditional Secwepemc name Tsutswecw Park, which means 'many fish,' at the request of the Little Shuswap Indian Band. "These amendments allow our government to take an important step forward towards our ongoing reconciliation efforts with Indigenous peoples throughout British Columbia, which includes honouring the commitments we made under the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples," said George Heyman, Minister of Environment and Climate Change Strategy. "The renaming of these parks to traditional Indigenous names, as rooted in history, reflect the significant heritage values recognized by all British Columbians and beyond." Roderick Haig-Brown Park or Tsutswecw Park is one of three parks in the province that will likely be renamed to reflect Indigenous peoples historic and cultural significance as part of reconciliation efforts. Brooks Peninsula Park on Vancouver Island could be renamed to Mquqwin/Brooks Peninsula Park, which was originally intended when the park name was changed in 2009. The word Mquqwin means "The Queen" in the Nuu-Chah-Nulth language. Boya Lake Park near the northwestern B.C. border could be renamed TA Ch'ilA Park (a.k.a. Boya Lake Park), meaning "holes in a blanket," at the request of the Kaska Dena First Nation. The bill also proposes to add more than 1,600 hectares of land to 10 parks and one conservancy, as well as improve boundary descriptions and make administrative changes. We had an older man in his fifties come by the house, asking for donations. His speech was that the Kelowna SPCA had lost its funding and they were going to be closing the doors. He was asking for donations or even bottles to recycle. He said that 40 dogs and cats were going to be euthanized without donations to the SPCA shelter. My boyfriend gave him the bottles around the house, but luckily no cash. Our neighbour across the street did the same. After this, I thought I'd reach out to the SPCA, as I hadn't heard anything about this in the news. The SPCA responded that this is not true. How awful. This person was going around and collecting donations for their own personal benefit and claiming to be with the Kelowna SPCA. We care about animals and wanted to help, so fell for it, along with our neighbour. I bet others will give too. This happened in West Kelowna, in the neighbourhood by Const. Neil Bruce Middle School. Stephanie Grace Derkatch, West Kelowna Photo: Contributed The Town of Osoyoos is watching the rapid rise of Osoyoos Lake closely. Director of corporate services Janette Van Vianen told councillors this morning the lake is at 913.92 feet, about a foot below the high-water mark last year. People that were almost flooding last year should probably consider sandbagging, she said. Calling the situation scary, Mayor Sue McKortoff said shes been in touch with officials south of the border who are worried about the Similkameen River backing up over the Zosel Dam, which has been wide open for six weeks. She added that there are concerns about flooding as far south as Wenatchee. The Mayor she's optimistic the province's efforts to empty Okanagan Lake early will mean it will be able to absorb more of the snowmelt. Van Vianen says shes reached out to the provincial government for help interpreting some of the river forecast data, noting the lake didn't even start rising until May 11 last year. Town manager Barry Romanko said the municipality will likely consider closing the marina as the water levels approach last years mark. Sand is currently available near the Dairy Queen, in the boat trailer parking lot and at the bottom of Graveyard Hill. Photo: The Canadian Press Hawaii Gov. David Ige speaks at a community meeting, Monday, May 7, 2018, in Pahoa, Hawaii. The slopes of Kilauea offer a lush rural setting and affordable land that contrasts sharply with Hawaii's more expensive real estate, but living on one of the world's most active volcanoes comes with risks: A dozen lava vents have opened in streets of the Puna district and 35 structures have burned down. It was difficult to immediately tell from aerial surveys how many are homes and how many are other uninhabited structures, said Wil Okabe, acting mayor of Hawaii County. The Puna district is a region of mostly unpaved roads of volcanic rock about a 30-minute drive from the coastal town of Hilo. Puna has thick jungle as well as dark fields of lava rock from past eruptions. The gently sloping volcano dips from its summit to Puna's white sand beaches and jagged sea cliffs. The region has macadamia nut farms and other agriculture along with multimillion-dollar homes with manicured lawns. Other houses are modest, sitting on small lots with old cars and trucks scattered about. For many people outside Hawaii, it's hard to understand why anyone would risk living near an active volcano with such destructive power. But the people here are largely self-sufficient and understand the risks of their location. Kilauea (pronounced kill-ah-WAY'-ah) is one of the world's most active volcanoes and has been erupting continuously since 1983. There's no indication when this particular lava flow might stop or how far it might spread. Scientists from the U.S. Geological Survey expect the flow to continue until more magma drains from the system. Photo: The Canadian Press President Donald Trump signalled a more confrontational legal strategy against the special counsel's Russia probe on Monday, ripping into what he dismissed as an investigation into a "made up, phoney crime." His series of tweets were fresh evidence that the co-operative approach with special counsel Robert Mueller that had been advocated by the president's legal team for months has gone by the wayside. It also revealed the president's anxiety about how the investigation could sway voters as they decide whether to keep congressional Republicans in power or force him to face an aggressive Democratic majority. Trump's new lawyer, former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani, has used a string of media appearances over the past week to cast the probe as a "totally garbage investigation." And Giuliani has called into question whether Trump would be treated fairly by Mueller's prosecutors if he were to agree to an interview. No decision has been made on whether to permit the president to sit for an interview, but a person familiar with the situation but not authorized to speak publicly on it told The Associated Press that the legal team hopes to resolve that question by May 17, the one-year anniversary of Mueller's appointment. Giuliani earlier told The Wall Street Journal that the team hopes to decide by that date. Mueller's team is investigating Russian interference in the 2016 election and possible co-ordination with Trump associates as well as whether the president obstructed justice. So far, the special counsel's office has charged 19 people including four Trump campaign advisers and three Russian companies. On Monday, Trump seized on Giuliani's message, focusing on what he sees as the conflicts of interest on Mueller's team. "The 13 Angry Democrats in charge of the Russian Witch Hunt are starting to find out that there is a Court System in place that actually protects people from injustice...and just wait 'till the Courts get to see your unrevealed Conflicts of Interest!" he wrote. Trump appeared to be drawing attention to a federal judge's questioning last week of Mueller's authority in a case against former Trump campaign chairman Paul Manafort. But it was unclear what legal action Trump was referring to that would touch on "unrevealed" conflicts of interest. Mueller is a longtime Republican, but some members of his team have made political contributions to Democrats, including to Hillary Clinton, Trump's Democratic opponent in the 2016 election. Mueller could not have barred them from serving on the team based solely on their political contributions. Federal regulations and Justice Department policy prohibit the consideration of political affiliation in hiring and other personnel actions involving career attorneys. Stephen Dennis's post hit the nail on the head. This is not a speculation tax it is an exploitation tax, and very anti-Canadian. This tax was based on recommendations from a large group of economists. The proposed implementation, however, differs considerably from their initial proposal. That paper is available online, and I would urge all to read it. It basically was directed to foreign investors and exempted those Canadians paying Canadian taxes and seniors, and those contributing or receiving CPP. The original proposal would be most palatable, as it addressed foreign investors and respected Canadians with history and ties in both Alberta and B.C. It would not appear to be anti-Canadian and would not appear to violate Charter rights, as the government proposal appears to do. Most would respect restraints to foreign investments, however, I think most would respect the long-term relationships of B.C. to other provinces. The original economist report would seem to be on side with this, but the proposed legislation is not. My question is: why the economists are not speaking up as to how the proposed legislation doesn't reflect their proposals? Do the economists still stand by their original proposals, or have they now swung their support to the government plan, which is punitive? In the interest of academic integrity, they can't have it both ways. Do they want a true speculation tax, which they originally supported, or have they changed their position and want an exploitation tax as the government has proposed to screw their fellow Canadians? Larry Hunka Photo: Elections BC Allowing 16- and 17-year-olds in B.C. to pre-register on the provincial voters list is one of several recommendations from the chief electoral officer now being considered by the legislature. Keith Archer says in a report to the legislature that teens who register in advance would automatically be added to the voters list when they turn 18, and that would have a positive effect on voter turnout. Archer also urges legislators to consider allowing greater access to personal information so electoral officials can ensure the voters list is kept up to date. The report does not seek an end to paper ballots, but recommends the use of electronic poll books and ballot tabulators to make voting day more efficient as ballots are handed out and collected. Attorney General David Eby says his ministry welcomes Elections BC's recommendations "with great interest." "I think it's a great recommendation," he said of the call to pre-register underage but otherwise qualified electors on the voters list. "Certainly it is forming the basis of discussion within government about ways we can ensure the younger voters get out there." The proposals would require changes to electoral legislation, and Eby said he hopes all the ideas in the report can be addressed as quickly as possible. Archer's report also examines the length of the election calendar, noting the current 29-day campaign is fine for fixed-date general campaigns, but inadequate for on-demand or so-called "snap" elections. Legislators should consider increasing the campaign period in B.C. by adding four to 10 days at the beginning of the election calendar for on-demand elections, meaning voting day would fall on a Saturday, 32 to 38 days after the writs are issued, Archer said in his report. The extra time would apply in situations such as defeat of a government in a non-confidence vote, and Archer said that could reduce costs linked to last-minute rentals and rushed shipments of supplies and also give candidates more time to correctly file their nomination papers. British Columbia is mulling a referendum on electoral reform, possibly before the end of the year. Archer's report proposes a new administrative model for voting and counting that could be implemented under any system voters might approve. The model presented in his report would use a real-time, electronic provincial list to follow and strike off voters as they cast their ballots, removing the potential for fraud by voters or election officials, while allowing voters to make their choice at any polling place in B.C. Photo: Twitter The practice of declawing a cat is now banned in British Columbia. The College of Veterinarians of B.C. says the new standard was implemented Tuesday after it researched other jurisdictions and consulted with provincial vets. It says in a news release that declawing is "ethically problematic" and not an appropriate means of dealing with cat behaviour issues. College registrar and CEO Louisa Hlus says there is consensus among the public and profession that declawing cats is inhumane and ethically unacceptable, similar to the outdated practices of tail docking and ear cropping. The group has the power to investigate and impose disciplinary action on veterinarians who ignore the new standard. The college says there are a number of medical conditions that may necessitate partial or full amputations and those procedures will be allowed to continue. It says Nova Scotia is the only other Canadian province to ban declawing, but the practice is also banned in Australia, New Zealand, Israel, Brazil, the United Kingdom, parts of Europe and some cities in California. Photo: RCMP Surrey RCMP says they have managed to identify and apprehend a male suspect who allegedly exposed himself in a Surrey park in late April. The man has been identified thanks to public input after several images were released last Friday. The suspect's name has not been released. Police have accused the man of exposing his genitals and masturbating in public. He has now been released from custody on a promise to appear in court on July 27. Photo: Instagram Neil Patrick Harris is bidding farewell to Canada in song. The U.S. stage and screen star can be seen atop a B.C. mountain singing a portion of "O Canada" in a video posted to Instagram. Harris employs an emoji of the Canadian flag to say in the caption that he's anxious to return to New York but "will miss the nature and majestic beauty of Canada." In the video, he tells viewers: "On this, my last weekend in Canada I take an amazing hike." He then launches into song: "O Canada, our home and native land for the last two years." Harris has been in Vancouver to film his Netflix series, "A Series of Unfortunate Events," based on the Lemony Snicket children's books. The post appeared Monday on his Instagram account, where he also declares in the caption: "Vancouver is extraordinary." He also announced on Twitter that his last day of filming would be Tuesday, May 8. This is not the first time Harris has expressed his affection for the Great White North. "I have always been a fan of Canada and Canadians in general," Harris said in January 2017 conference call with reporters to promote the series. "In the '80s and '90s, there was a long period of made-for-television movies based on true-life events and I did my share of them: I hacked up my parents with a wood maul, I was a serial arsonist, I got lost in a blizzard with my baby. And we filmed most of those in Canada." Harris added that he's spent time in several Canadian cities and finds "the people uniformly kind, respectful." And Harris certainly appeared to embrace life in Vancouver while shooting the series. He attended Vancouver's pride parade, visited Grouse Mountain with his twins and husband David Burtka, and the couple celebrated their wedding anniversary in Tofino. "Good times," Harris grins in his latest Instagram post, a vista filled with pine trees and mountain peaks behind him. This service applies to you if your subscription has not yet expired on our old site. You will have continued access until your subscription expires; then you will need to purchase an ongoing subscription through our new system. Please contact The Chanute Tribune office at 620-431-4100 if you have any questions Education Commissioner Candice McQueen announced Tuesday that 15 schools have received the Tennessee STEM School Designation, the first in the state to receive this award. Two schools in Hamilton County, Chattanooga Girls Leadership Academy and STEM School Chattanooga are on the list. This designation, developed in collaboration with the STEM Leadership Council and the Tennessee STEM Innovation Network, is designed to recognize schools that promote and implement rigorous STEM-related learning opportunities for all students that lead to postsecondary achievement and high-quality careers. STEM-related careers are among the fastest growing in Tennessee and right now too many jobs are left unfilled, meaning our graduates are missing valuable opportunities for their futures, Commissioner McQueen said. I am proud to recognize these 15 schools as STEM Designation Schools because they are providing students with the knowledge and skills to be successful in high-demand STEM careers in our state. Each school was evaluated through a rigorous application process. Schools were asked to complete a self-evaluation, participate in interviews, and host site visits with the Tennessee STEM Designation review team. The designation rubric included five focus areas: infrastructure, curriculum and instruction, professional development, achievement, and community and postsecondary partnerships. As a part of the process, schools were required to submit a plan of action for implementing and sustaining STEM education for the next five years. All K-12 schools serving students in Tennessee, both public and private, were eligible to apply. From this process, a total of 14 public schools and one private school received the Tennessee STEM School Designation. They are: Chattanooga Girls Leadership Academy, Hamilton County Department of Education DBEXCEL, Kingsport City Schools Dr. William Burrus Elementary School, Sumner County Schools Jack Anderson Elementary School, Sumner County Schools Jackson Christian Elementary School, private school L&N STEM Academy, Knox County Schools Maxine Smith STEAM Academy, Shelby County Schools Midway Elementary School, Roane County Schools Moore Magnet Elementary School, Clarksville-Montgomery County School System Oakmont Elementary School, Sumner County Schools Overall Creek Elementary School, Murfreesboro City Schools Prescott South Elementary School, Putnam County School System STEM School Chattanooga, Hamilton County Department of Education Union Elementary School, Sumner County Schools Whitehaven Elementary School, Shelby County Schools STEM education is a unique approach to teaching and learning that fosters creativity and innovative thinking in all students. It is focused on building critical and creative thinking and analysis skills by addressing how students view and experience the world around them. Strong STEM teaching and learning opportunities rest on inquiry, technology, and project-based learning activities and lessons that are tied to the real world, said officials. For more information about the STEM school designation process or how to implement STEM education, contact Deborah Knoll, Advanced Manufacturing, IT, and STEM Career Cluster program manager, Deborah.Knoll@tn.gov. Technique uses photons, fundamental components of light, to measure nanoscopic materials thinner than 100,000th the width of a human hair - with 30,000 fired per second and 500bn throughout Research will mean measurements 100x more precise than existing two-photon techniques - with the potential to aid research into cell membranes and DNA Two-photon technique more stable than existing one-photon technology New technique could also be substantially cheaper The precision of measuring nanoscopic structures could be substantially improved, thanks to research involving the University of Warwick and QuantIC researchers at the University of Glasgow and Heriot Watt University into optical sensing. QuantIC is the UK Quantum Technology Hub in Quantum Enhanced Imaging and part of the UK National Quantum Technologies Programme. Using pairs of photons, fundamental components of energy that make up light, the researchers have devised a way to measure the thickness of objects that are less than a 100,000th of the width of a human hair. The new technique involves firing two near identical photons onto a component known as a beamsplitter, and monitoring their subsequent behaviour - with some 30,000 photons detected per second, and 500bn in use throughout a full experiment. Because of the tendency of identical photons to 'buddy up' and continue travelling on together -- the result of a delicate quantum interference effect - the researchers' newly developed setup offers the same precision and stability as existing one-photon techniques that, due to the equipment required, are more costly. Offering a range of potential uses, including research to better understand cell membranes and DNA, as well as quality control for nanoscopic 2D materials of a single atom's thickness, such as graphene, the new research is also a marked improvement on current two-photon techniques with up to 100x better resolution. To measure the thickness of a transparent object (any object through which a photon is able to pass), each of a pair of identical photons are fired along separate paths: Photon A then continues into a beamsplitter, whilst Photon B is slowed down by a transparent object before entering the same beamsplitter. The likelihood that the photons exit the beamsplitter together is then recorded allowing researchers to measure the thickness of the transparent object Photon B passed through. As the thickness of the sample is increased, the photons are more likely to exit the beamsplitter separately. Dr George Knee of the University of Warwick's Department of Physics, who developed the theory behind the new method, said: "What's really exciting about these results is that we can now investigate objects down at the nanoscale with an optical sensor operating on a fundamentally different physical effect. "Until now, so-called two-photon interference has not been able to achieve such great resolution, meaning that we are stuck with some of the downsides of the established methods based on single-photon interference - which requires more expensive technology than our new two-photon technique. "We have managed to get a big improvement by tuning the interferometer into a more sensitive operation mode and removing slow drift by repeatedly switching the sample in and out. "The advantages of being impervious to phase fluctuations and having large dynamic range mean that sensors such as ours could have a big impact on biological imaging and the associated research that it feeds into." QuantIC co-investigator and lead researcher on the project, Professor Daniele Faccio, whose two photon sensing technology was used to generate the data said: "The results of our collaboration with the University of Warwick offer a range of potential uses, including research to better understand cell membranes and DNA as well as a quality control for nanoscopic 2D materials of a single atom's thickness, such as graphene. We are excited to be advancing quantum imaging and helping to maintain the UK's position in the development of new quantum technologies." Voice of the People Audio Article Native son Tom Smiths history of East Chesterton (Chesterton Tribune 9-30-21 Commentary) was interesting and a poignant tribute to his five-generations back ancestors, the Morgans, who traveled from West Virginia and Ohio to settle here in 1833 to raise a family, to farm and... Voice of the People Audio Article This summer the Times of NW Indiana again suggested in an editorial that Dunes Action had been in opposition to the renovation of the State Park Pavilion. We never did. In fact, most of us had been waiting for it for decades. They did not... Guest Commentary Audio Article This is a short history of the Morgan family farm before the possible development of the remaining 49 acres east of Chesterton. Jesse and Jane Morgan arrived in Northwest Indiana in 1833 after traveling through Ohio, northern Indiana, stopping off in LaPorte County for a... Echoes of the Past Audio Article 10 Years Ago Wednesday, Sept. 28, 2011 Bethlehem Lutheran Church will host a wellness screening event. . . CHS girls soccer team beats LaPorte 5-0 and clinches a share of the DAC title. Scoring goals are Rosie Biehl (2), Hannah Kollar (2), and Sam... The ICC report said that Lincoln Towing repeatedly tried to minimize the alleged violations by suggesting that the state didn't tell the relocation towing company about the violations as they happened. "The commission cannot allow one relocator to gain an advantage over other relocators and profit by flouting the law," the ICC said. At the White House, Trump in September signed a policy directive carving out $200 million for coding education grants that could help prepare students for jobs in science, tech and engineering fields. Federal agencies like the Department of Transportation, meanwhile, have sought in recent rules to help deploy more self-driving cars on U.S. roads. Later this week, the agency is also expected to grant permission to as many as 10 cities and states to test more autonomous drones, potentially including those from Amazon and Google that would deliver packages. The move comes a week after another agency, the Food and Drug Administration, approved an AI device to scan diabetic patients for a related eye disease - the first such approval of its kind. Vaselopulos has had a hand in running the operation for nearly three decades. He's seen the original taproom close, the craft beer movement surge ("We were one of the first stores that really had craft beer," he says) and the surrounding area evolve. Around the same time they shuttered the taproom, which Vaselopulos says was about 15 years ago, the neighborhood really started changing. "You lose a lot of the character of the neighborhood we had once upon a time," he says. Taking home the biggest chef award of the night, Hamilton was recognized for her two decades at her pioneering New York City restaurant, Prune. Dolester Miles, pastry chef of Highlands Bar & Grill in Birmingham, Ala., since 1982, won Outstanding Pastry Chef. (Highlands also won Outstanding Restaurant, after nine straight years of being a category finalist.) Perhaps the most surprising win of the night goes to Edouardo Jordan, who took Best Chef Northwest for his restaurant Salare, while his other restaurant, JuneBaby, took home the prize for Best New Restaurant the first African-American chef to win that prize. A native of St. Lucia, Nina Compton (Compere Lapin) won Best Chef South. Chef Rodney Scott of Charleston, S.C., was recognized for his pit mastery and whole-hog barbecue at his eponymous restaurant with Best Chef Southeast. LGBT and queer chefs were recognized, too, including Crenn and Hamilton. The Humanitarian of the Year award recognized Jose Andres, a Spanish native but newly naturalized citizen, for his tireless work in Puerto Rico post-Hurricane Maria. Overall, the awards are quite a pivot from 2017, when only three categories weren't awarded to men. (Full disclosure: I've served as voting JBF judge in years past.) But he had a well-known and oft-derided treacle problem. Mechanical heartwarmers, such as "Jakob the Liar" and "Patch Adams" and, much later, miserable comic vehicles such as "Old Dogs" and "License to Wed," were just asking for it. He lived with various demons; when Jim Carrey burst on the scene, he found himself thinking about him a little too much, and too competitively. He fell off the wagon after nearly two decades of sobriety. He reconfigured his domestic life frequently. "It was how Robin had been taught to live since childhood," Itzkoff writes: "nothing is permanent, transition is constant. Anywhere can be home and anyone can be family, and you can always start over again in new places, with new people." Faced with only showing its films out of competition, Netflix withdrew its films from Cannes. Several Netflix titles, including Alfonso Cuaron's "Roma" and the recently completed Orson Welles film "The Other Side of the Wind," had been expected to premiere this year. Since then, both sides have expressed some regret over their disagreement. "West calls his struggle the right to be a 'free thinker,'" Coates wrote, "and he is, indeed, championing a kind of freedom - white freedom, freedom without consequence, freedom without criticism, freedom to be proud and ignorant; freedom to profit off a people in one moment and abandon them in the next; a Stand Your Ground freedom, freedom without responsibility, without hard memory; a Monticello without slavery, a Confederate freedom, the freedom of John C. Calhoun, not the freedom of Harriet Tubman, which calls you to risk your own; not the freedom of Nat Turner, which calls you to give even more, but a conqueror's freedom, freedom of the strong built on antipathy or indifference to the weak." Obama quipped that, if elected, Trump would turn the White House into the "Trump White House Resort and Casino." He said Trump, who flirted with the idea of running in the 2012 Republican primary, showed presidential leadership skills when he fired Gary Busey on "The Apprentice." And, Obama said, now that he had released his birth certificate, Trump "could finally get back to focusing on the issues that matter, like did we fake the moon landing; what really happened in Roswell." I do not intend to make light of the seriousness of these situations. These are jokes of despair, that even as the dam breaks and we see progress toward a more equitable society, we're now spending time worrying about how people like Mario Batali and Matt Lauer are doing and whether it's time for them to come back into the spotlight. Focus on form. It's the shape of vintage pieces that matters (upholstery can be changed) and the contrast between antiques and newer things. "I think there needs to be a re-appreciation of how cool antiques look next to contemporary pieces," Olsen says. "How long have we been saying, 'It's all in the mix,' but that somehow still needs to sink in. The market is now educated enough that people are not buying a suite of furniture, but they also might not get that something curvy and art nouveau might look really cool next to the Florence Knoll classic modernist sofa." A: It depends on the airport, but one misconception is that TSA employees get to keep things that's actually the easiest way to get fired. Airports have rooms where they collect prohibited items and dispose of them in different ways. A lot of airports are able to turn items over to state surplus auctions. A lot of the alcohol that people try to bring that's too big is processed down to ethanol. At the gas pump, when you see "contains 10% ethanol," we're actually contributing to that with the alcohol that's left behind at the airports. "Patients still have their regular doctors and are not enrolled in hospice, but they are seriously ill," Lund Person said. "These may be people who qualify for hospice but may not be mentally ready to enter the program. They would be able to get supportive services and get comfortable with what's going on in their disease process, and get help on the medical side and also help on the social side." But work still needs to be done to spread the word about what has happened, so women dealing with complications will not have to fight with their doctors to make them believe that a medical device could be the root of their problems, they said. The E-sisters are working to find places where the film "Bleeding Edge," produced by Netflix and directed by Kirby Dick, who won critical acclaim for "The Hunting Ground," can be screened for wide audiences. "Most of us did not grow up in sex-positive environments," Kerner said. "We weren't really modeled to have healthy conversations around sex, so we're approaching these subjects without really having a vocabulary or a history. As a result, we're often anxious, and it's very easy in that sort of environment of anxiety to trigger a partner's defenses." There certainly is more to this shooting than we know right now. The story likely is similar to the ones we hear over and over that the child was not the intended victim and that an adult at the house probably was. "Is Chicago really serious about the gang crime? Or is City Hall just content to segregate the violence on the South and West sides of the city? Because you know there aren't enough cops to handle this, not enough detectives to solve the crimes, (and) gun offenders keep coming out of jail like the one that shot Cmdr. Paul Bauer, we all know this," the trauma surgeon said. Among the other large grants are almost $2 million toward a Mississippi River to Rock River multiuse trail corridor in the western Illinois city of Moline; $2 million for a downtown revitalization project in Clarendon Hills; and $1.2 million for a protected bike lane for the village of Algonquin. In McLean County in central Illinois, a $1.9 million grant will go toward extending the Historic Route 66 Bikeway. Neighbors wonder why it took the federal agency so long to get involved. Based on interviews and a review of documents, the history of the shuttered Federated Metals smelter appears to have been all but forgotten until 2016, when career employees at the EPA's Chicago office began digging through files on polluted sites in northwest Indiana that either haven't been cleaned up or weren't scoured thoroughly enough years ago. At least one of the teens who was part of the crowd was arrested, Hopkins said. Just after 9 p.m. Saturday, a 16-year-old boy was involved in a dispute with a doorman at a building in the 100 block of East Chicago Avenue a block off of Michigan Avenue, according to a news release from the Chicago Police Department. As officers approached the teen to break up the dispute, the teen threw a "liquid substance" at the officer's face, police said. Records show both brothers have extensive criminal histories. Ernesto Godinez was charged in 2011 with attempted murder for a shooting in the Back of the Yards, then picked up a separate charge of aggravated unlawful use of a weapon for an incident in March 2012 while he was on bond, court records show. He ended up resolving both cases in 2015 by pleading guilty to aggravated discharge of a firearm and aggravated unlawful use of a weapon and was sentenced to five years in prison. Records show he was released in early 2016 and completed his parole in January. The girl was among four people killed and 13 people wounded in the city between late Tuesday morning and early Wednesday, according to data kept by the Tribune. Ten of those shot were attacked in just two neighborhoods: Englewood on the South Side and Lawndale on the West Side. Two women, 35 and 55, were shot outside the hospital in the 2700 block of West Ogden Avenue about 8 p.m. Saturday, police said. One was the man's sister, another a cousin, family members said Saturday. Both women suffered gunshot wounds to the lower body and were treated at Mount Sinai. Police initially said both women were 35. Opponents, though, contend those federal protections already exist for women. Anti-abortion activists were the most vocal in Monday's hearing. They view the Equal Rights Amendment as a vehicle for putting abortion protections into the U.S. Constitution. Critics also question what the role of women would be in the military in the event of a draft. That's in addition to the state's pile of unpaid bills, which now sits at $6.9 billion. That includes more than $1 billion Rauner's office spent without permission from lawmakers as it worked to keep the prison system and Medicaid program afloat during the impasse. Then there's the state's massive unfunded pension liability, which Moody's Investors Service has pegged at $239 billion and warned will only worsen because the state "is generally paying less than the 'tread water' amount." The most recent round of political giving included $750,000 from just five donors. Tops among them was a Washington, D.C.-based national ironworkers political fund, which gave $250,000, followed by veteran Chicago restaurateur Richard Melman, who contributed $150,000. Both were featured in a Chicago Tribune report last year that found 70 percent of Emanuel's top donors for his third term had received some form of a City Hall benefit from the mayor's administration. "I make no bones about the fact everybody will do what they want to do," Emanuel said when asked about Vallas' comments after an event highlighting the city's street light replacement efforts. "I'm not focused on personalities. I'm focused on making sure we solve the problems of the city of Chicago." "They're not responding to people saying there's a problem," Carson said. "They're saying go and look for a problem and then give us a solution. And what I believe to be the case is we have people sitting around their desks in Washington, D.C., deciding on how things should be done, you know, telling mayors and commissioners that you need to build this place right here and you need to put these kinds of people at it." This photo released May 9, 2018, by the Syrian official news agency SANA shows flames rising after an attack in an area known to have numerous Syrian army military bases, in Kisweh, south of Damascus, Syria. Syrian state-run media said Israel struck a military outpost near the capital Damascus on Tuesday, saying its air defenses intercepted and destroyed two of the incoming missiles. (AP) "In a cordial and friendly atmosphere, the top leaders of the two parties and the two countries had an all-round and in-depth exchange of views on China-DPRK relations and major issues of common concern," Xinhua said, using the initials for North Korea's official name, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea. Trump snapped at both men in recent days, chiding Hannity for using the word "funneled," which he believes had illegal connotations, according to the people who spoke to The Associated Press. As for Giuliani, the president has not yet signaled to him to stop appearing on television but told a confidant recently that perhaps Giuliani should "be benched" at least temporarily if he can't improve his performance. No decision has been made on whether to permit the president to sit for an interview, but a person familiar with the situation but not authorized to speak publicly on it told The Associated Press that the legal team hopes to resolve that question by May 17, the one-year anniversary of Mueller's appointment. Giuliani earlier told The Wall Street Journal that the team hopes to decide by that date. But what else could Trump do? He has reviled it so often as the worst deal ever negotiated that he could hardly change his mind. To preserve it would mean conceding he was wrong, along with most of his allies in Congress and that Obama and former Secretary of State John Kerry were right. Trump is not congenitally averse to changing his mind, but to do so on this one would have been humiliating. Proponents of a graduated income tax have long characterized it as the solution to Illinois' structural budget problems. They point to states such as Wisconsin where the top rate hits 7.65 percent. Except there, voters instituted a graduated tax in the early 1900s not to dig out of debt but to create a more progressive formula on principle. Illinois lawmakers want it today after loading up more than $130 billion in unfunded pension liabilities, $6.4 billion in unpaid bills and structural deficits so profound that the state has the worst credit rating in the nation and became the first in U.S. history to fall to near-junk status. For more than six decades, the U.S. and its allies have sought to halt the spread of nuclear weapons. In 1953, President Dwight Eisenhower promoted the paradoxical "Atoms for Peace" initiative: Give countries nuclear know-how for energy purposes to stop them from developing nuclear weapons. It didn't work as well as the U.S. hoped. Peaceful nuclear expertise spread but so did weapons knowledge to India, Israel, Pakistan and, more recently, North Korea. How long before Iran has nuclear bombs? So voters tried to take matters into their own hands. In three previous election cycles, they worked to put an amendment on the ballot themselves collecting hundreds of thousands of signatures, raising and spending millions of dollars. Then Madigan sent his attorney to court to fight the people, and won. Did the framers of the constitution really intend to make it this hard for citizens to put an amendment on the ballot? We don't think so. As more evidence has been uncovered, as more interviews have been held, as more guilty pleas have been entered, the work of the special counsel is now being called into question. The word collusion is often mentioned, but collusion itself is not criminal. However, the investigation is deep into investigating conspiracy; and conspiracy is a crime, as is obstruction of justice. The investigation has led to further scrutiny of campaign violations and potentially illegal financial dealings. The movie offers a more sympathetic portrait of Dolezal than I have seen in the past, but that's not saying much. The portrait is marred by Dolezal's dogged determination to have her way and live her racial philosophy, even when it appears to cause visible pain for her own three children. Franklin, 13, her biological son from her first marriage to a Howard University classmate she says insisted on getting married but refused to see her as black steals the show. Showing a calm maturity and self-awareness beyond his years, he tries without much success to persuade his mother to, like, please ratchet her unorthodox racial consciousness down a few notches. In sending the case back for a new trial, the state Supreme Court ruled that knowledge of Howard's prior convictions "might have affected the jury's judgment of how credible the various versions of the facts were, and they would have helped to complete the picture provided by the testimony. This could have affected the decision as to whether (Lynch) acted reasonably under the circumstances." 270 E. Pearson St., No. 803, Chicago: $3,000,000 | Listed: Aug. 24, 2021 This three-bedroom home has three full bathrooms, two half-baths, custom built-ins and millwork, two fireplaces and views of the lake and city. This home has an open floor plan with a formal dining room, living room and family room. The kitchen is equipped with a double oven, custom cabinetry, an island and hardwood flooring. The primary bedroom suite has a private office and a bathroom with double sinks, a tub and a separate shower. The living room and the library, which features built-in shelving, both have fireplaces. This home is located in a building with a 24-hour door staff. A south-facing terrace, a wine refrigerator and two deeded parking spaces complete this home. Agent: Caroline Druker and Matthew Druker, Baird and Warner, 847-471-5115 and 847-490-5115 *Some listing photos are virtually staged, meaning they have been digitally altered to represent different furnishing or decorating options. To feature your luxury listing of $800,000 or more in Chicago Tribunes Dream Homes, send listing information and high-res photos to ctc-realestate@chicagotribune.com. Join our Chicago Dream Homes Facebook group for more luxury listings and real estate news. Authorities said a 2016 gray Dodge Charger belonging to Paul Batson was found April 29 in the town of Reed Point, which is about 60 miles west of Billings along Interstate 90. He has not been seen or heard from since. "We feel by using a private attorney we can control the cases more as we've seen a trend sometimes when these things get continued," Fisher said. "Another issue is that we're paying less overtime for officers to come in, as most of these arrests are done by those working a 12-hour shift from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. and then these officers have to come in during the day (to testify in the cases)." Think about it: When you live in poverty, the only car you can afford to buy is a cheap one, she pointed out. You get a loan from a predatory lender to purchase it, which is hard enough to pay back. But when it breaks down here is no money to get it fixed. So you can't make it to work, and the boss, if he's only interested in the bottom line, fires you. And then you are not only out of a car, you are of money and a job. There is also no evidence that Cicero School District 99 notified parents, students or staff that one of its active teachers was facing attempted murder charges. The district, in response to a public records request for, "any and all communications" with parents, students and staff concerning Rodriguez, reported that no such documents could be located. It costs $50 per team to participate in the tournament for players age 21 and older. These funds are used to offset the cost of the tournament as well as offer prize money. The winning team earns $500. The second-place team takes home $250, and third place wins $100. All teams are guaranteed to play at least four games. Three generations of the Athans family in New Lenox have worked tirelessly to make the town's Loyalty Day Parade an annual tradition, and this year's event on Sunday was a testament to those efforts as the parade marked its 40th year. Glazer, who lives in Skokie, is the great-granddaughter of two original members and the great aunt of a teenager who was recently a student in the religious school. She is not the only member with ties to the families who started what is now BJBE on Chicago's near Southwest Side in 1893. "Empathy is at the heart of the crisis negotiation skill set," Andrew said. "You have to be ready when the bell rings. Allow someone to say what it is that's bothering them. Empathy starts with signaling caring. When you do that you can start developing something." The rescue raft was used in Elgin about a half-dozen times last year, although they've never had to rescue anyone, Cagann said. It is designed so it can also be used as a platform from which divers can get into the water, he said. Regarding the recent articles in the Courier about police shootings. Ms. Patricia Hazelwood wonders if it was the proper choice that Elgin police shot her husband after he stabbed and beat her and threatened to kill her and tried to attack police officers. The mere fact she is able to question that choice 49 years later shows it was obviously the proper and correct decision on the part of the Elgin police. I ask you, why are there news stories slanted against the Elgin police. I suspect this Speak Out will not be published, proving bias. But the decision to confiscate the paper was enough to push his retirement up, Lowe said. He said the most recent incident was the second time in as many years that the paper had been confiscated over an article or photo that an administrator deemed inappropriate, and that was more than he could tolerate. "Nationwide, the use of body-worn cameras have become a best practice for police departments. Law enforcement agencies are using body-worn cameras in different ways, including improvements in evidence collection, strengthening of officer performance and accountability, enhancing transparency, better documentation during encounters between the police and the public and to assist in the investigation of complaints," Evanston police said in a January news release announcing the start of officers wearing the devices. At that point, Crenshaw fled in one vehicle and the two others fled the scene in a separate vehicle, Dillon said. As the two cars came into proximity of each other, Crenshaw is accused of firing shots at the other car, he said. Under state law, first-time offenses can cost $120 when not contested in court, and a second offense costs the same. The maximum fines for standard electronic-communication-device violations are $75 for a first offense, and $100 for a second offense, according to drivinglaws.org, which tracks laws throughout the country. "The core values of the EPA are being dismantled," Lawlor said. "That's not some extreme environmental perspective talking. When you look at the things we value in Lake County, like open space, this is one very specific example of how changes at the federal government are going to have an impact on Lake County." "At stake now is not only the health, safety and welfare of Lake Forest but also the city's historical values," Cusack said. "We value having honesty and integrity in our city manager and our city government. If the City Council believes that honesty and integrity are important values, there is no choice but to terminate the services of the current city manager." "My time at Mark Twain has been deeply rewarding, and I'm delighted to continue working in an exceptionally vibrant and diverse school district dedicated to meeting the needs of the whole child and families," Roberts said in the release. "As Gemini transitions from junior high to middle school, we have the unique opportunity to move toward a model of education that will address the specific academic, social and emotional needs of the adolescent learner." Jones hopes the play sparks meaningful conversation about the sins of the country's past. Discussions on the play will be held May 23 and May 30 at Live Cafe. Following the show's run, a town hall event held in Chicago's Austin neighborhood, with time and date to be determined, will offer an opportunity to listen to the voices of people who have been oppressed, Jones said. "They keep their property pristine. There's no doubt they would keep this building the same. But we need to look 10 to 20 years down the road," said commission member Stuart Allen, agreeing with Vinzant. "You can't really tell and I don't want to guess one way or another," she said, adding the council race could drive up voting in the Duneland community but it's hard to say because of historically low turnout in the primaries. "I just think there's people who shouldn't be elected and I believe it's our civic duty to come out and vote," she said. "What's a little frustrating is when you're in a primary and there's only one person (to vote for), but I think it's important. I would think it was neglectful if I didn't vote." James Schaefer, another employee, and Ari Weichman, Jack Weichman's son, pleaded guilty for their roles in providing false information to U.S. Bancorp to secure a loan for MMDS by representing Ari Weichman as the owner and president of MMDS "when in fact he was not," the release states. "Yes, as far as growing into a young adult and trying to conquer adult things on her own. But until she fully transitions I really feel like she won't be truly happy," she said. "She doesn't like negativity, and she gets defensive when I talk to her about how I think she truly feels." "When they come, we're not going to be looking for victims," he said. "We might pass victims when we come in but we can't stop. We have to go and stop the threat first. We have to make sure the threat, whatever it may be, is neutralized and make sure it's safe for our fire and EMS to come in." Cramer noted that audiences will see a more romantic version of the King of the Fairies than the one Shakespeare created. In Shakespeare's version, "He's the one that causes most of the trouble because he wants something," Cramer said. "He's willing to do whatever is necessary to get it. Even though he has a queen, his relationship with her is pretty antagonistic." United Way skating back into fundraising after pandemic setbacks United Way of Pueblo County is rebounding from pandemic setbacks and kicking off its 99th fundraising campaign at the Pueblo Bulls Hockey home opener. By I-Ting Shelly Lin On May 2, Chinas State Council announced plans to shorten the business registration process for newly-established companies from 20 days to 8.5 days and to reduce the approval time for construction projects from 200+ days to 120 days. Expedited business registration will first be implemented in municipalities directly under the central government (Beijing, Chongqing, Tianjin, and Shanghai), planned cities, sub-provincial cities, and provincial capitals this year. These regions include Dalian, Guangzhou, Hangzhou, Qingdao, Ningbo, Xiamen, and Shenzhen, among many others. The government aims to have all cities in China reach this goal in the first half of 2019. RELATED: China to Cut US$9.5 Billion in Taxes for Small and Micro Enterprises, High-tech Firms The measures to shorten the business registration process include: Allowing companies to submit electronic applications; Removing the requirement for company names to pass prior approval, unless there are special requirements; Allowing companies to choose the production units to make official chops; and Reducing the processing time for invoice application and registration. Meanwhile, the plans to accelerate the approval process for construction projects will first be introduced in 16 pilot regions: Beijing, Shanghai, Nanjing, Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Weinan, Taijin, Chongqing, Shenyang, Dalian, Xiamen, Wuhan, Chengdu, Guiyang, Yanan, and Zhejiang. As with the business registration measures, the government aims to have national implementation by the first half of 2019. To cut the approval time for construction projects, the government announced three main initiatives: Simplifying the process for examination and approval, including by canceling the need to record construction contracts and building efficiency design reviews, and streamlining the process for environmental impact assessments and other assessments; Implementing categorized management, including by simplifying the approval procedures for small and medium-sized construction projects and allowing construction units to decide their own process for contract awarding; and Streamlining registration stages, including by using one system, one window to provide integrated services. Additionally, the government announced that it will build a unified national construction approval and management system by 2020. Pre-Investment, Market Entry Strategy Advisory Services from Dezan Shira & Associates The moves to shorten the business registration and construction project approval processes are part of a wider government campaign to cut bureaucratic red tape, eliminate government overlap and inefficiencies, and improve ease of doing business in the county. Several regional governments in China, such as the Beijing municipal government, have undertaken efforts to improve the business environment at the local level. In its most recent rankings, the World Bank ranked China 78 out of 190 economies for ease of doing business, sandwiched between the Kyrgyzstan at 77 and Panama at 79. Landscape art is one of Britain's most important contributions to the visual arts in Europe, and some of the finest British works are now on display in China. Tate Britain, the oldest gallery in the Tate family of art institutions, has brought to China a large collection of British art from the 18th century to 1998 for an ongoing show at the Shanghai Museum. The exhibition, Landscapes of the Mind, is being held at the museum through Aug 5, after opening on April 27. This is among the largest displays of British landscape art ever to be held in China, consisting of 71 artworks, including oil paintings, prints and photographs. The exhibition will move to the National Art Museum of China in Beijing in September. "The exhibition not only showcases the brilliant landscapes of Britain, but more importantly, it is a window into Western art and history," Yang Zhigang, director of Shanghai Museum, says. The exhibition is part of a series of special events held by Shanghai Museum this year to showcase "outstanding artworks from all over the world", Li Zhongmou, its deputy director, adds. The Tate network consists of four galleries: Tate Modern, Tate Britain, Tate Liverpool and Tate St. Ives. While most people are familiar with Tate Modern, one of the largest museums of modern and contemporary art in the world, Tate Britain used to be called the National Gallery of British Art, with its comprehensive collection of artwork. Tate Britain received 7 million visitors in 2017, according to Daniel Slater, head of international collection at Tate Britain. The most important mission of the museum, he says is to make the artwork relevant to people from different countries, too. Works by British masters such as J. M. W. Turner and John Constable are exhibits in the China show, aiming to present a full picture of British landscape art from the olden days to more recent times. Landscape is an important subject in traditional Chinese art as well. "It will be interesting to make comparisons between Chinese and English landscape art, such as the different perspectives and techniques," Yang says. "To some extent all landscapes are landscapes of the mind, because the artist changes the details," says Anne Lyles, curator of 18th to 19th century British art at Tate Britain, explaining the title of the exhibition. Landscape art in China is the projection of the mind and spirit and the relationships between people and nature in terms of "feeding the soul", she says, while in British art it is not quite the case. "However in early Romantic art, with Constable and Turner, there is very much more a projection of the emotional and personal ideas of the individual onto the picture, although it is not done in a very literal way, as it doesn't illustrate a particular text," she adds. When you see some Chinese landscape paintings, especially the long scrolls, you follow a story as the painting spreads, presenting a narrative that is evolving, but usually in a Western painting, only one moment is represented, Lyles says. However, sometimes the artist paints the landscape in such a way that it encourages the viewer to imagine what happened before that scene and what might come next, she adds. If you go Landscapes of the Mind: Masterpieces from Tate Britain (1700-1998) 9 am-5 pm daily, Mondays closed, through Aug 5. Shanghai Museum, 201 Renmin Avenue, Huangpu district, Shanghai 021-6372-3500 You are here: Business A Chinese securities TV program host has been fined 86.2 million yuan (13.56 million U.S. dollars) by the country's top securities watchdog for market manipulation. Liao Yingqiang, a popular host of a Shanghai-based stock market analysis TV program, was found seeking illegal gains by selling stocks shortly after peddling them to audiences via social media platforms, according to a statement released by the China Securities Regulation Commission (CSRC). In addition to the heavy fine, the commission also decided to confiscate his illegal gains worth 43.1 million yuan. Liao was found to have used 13 stock accounts to buy and sell shares of 39 manipulated stocks from March to November 2015. China has been stepping up crackdown on irregularities in the stock and futures markets in recent years. The CSRC rolled out a draft regulation last Friday urging stock and futures practitioners to operate within the law. When local authorities seized Feng Aiqian's basket of shoelaces and buttons for the umpteenth time on a day in 1982, she decided to confront the Party chief of Yiwu county, Zhejiang province. "I just want to sell things," she told Xie Gaohua, who had recently taken the post. Touched by Feng's circumstances having to feed four young children and an elderly mother Xie granted her permission to begin her small commodities business. A composite of the first generation of Yiwu small commodities market in 1982 and the market now in February, 2018. This meeting between Feng and Xie was written into the county's lore, told as the inception of the famous Yiwu small commodities market, which cut its ribbons four months later. Though begining as a collection of makeshift sheds, the market boomed, extending all the way towards the site of the Party committee where Xie worked. Xie's decision was bold at the time. China had announced its reform and opening up four years ago, but few dared to openly endorse free market practices previously prosecuted as "capitalistic activities." However, his support for Feng and the new marketplace proved game-changing: After several rounds of expansion in almost four decades, the Yiwu small goods market grew to house more than 380,000 registered businesses. Today, Yiwu annually exports more than 200 billion yuan (US$31 billion) worth of goods to countries around the world. The tiny town tucked in the hills in eastern China earned the name of "the world's largest small commodities market" and became an epitome of "Made in China." Higher education has long played an important role in increasing the progress of a society. Universities across the globe have been transforming themselves to meet the needs of the21st century. While the world becomes more globalized with the uptake of knowledge-based economy, universities play a key role in nurturing local talent and attracting foreign expertise to enhance the competitiveness of the labor force. Singapore, for instance, has been at the forefront of the competition for talent in a bid to become an education hub, inviting renowned foreign universities to establish a local presence, with varying degrees of success. The process of internationalization in Hong Kong could also provide a lesson for China, which has been rapidly expanding its higher education system as well as increasing its global presence. Hong Kong's internationalization agenda, driven by the University Grants Committee (UGC) which controls the funding of universities and various international ranking agencies by incorporating internationalization as an indicator of good performance, can be observed along two dimensions. Firstly, internationalization focuses on the recruitment of non-local or international students. Compared to ten years ago, the numbers of non-local students studying in the UGC-funded institutions in Hong Kong have indeed increased at least fivefold. While this effort looks impressive, however, the majority of non-local students originated in the Chinese mainland. So although this reflects that Hong Kong can attract a significant number of Chinese students, there is still much room for local universities to increase the proportion of students from Asia and other parts of the world under the wider goal of true internationalization. The second dimension for internationalization refers to the integration of the Hong Kong's universities into an active network of relationships with international counterparts by demonstrating their "world-class" performance through international rankings. Certain universities in Hong Kong--as with some of the top Chinese universities--have been ranked high in the system and made good use of their institutional reputation to explore markets for higher education outside Hong Kong, especially in the mainland. They have also explored opportunities to collaborate with Chinese universities to jointly offer self-financed postgraduate programs and courses in China. Local universities also utilize their own institutions' international prestige to build ties with overseas partners to offer programs and undertake collaborative research projects. Making Hong Kong a regional education hub through internationalization has been a policy goal since the mid-2000s, aimed at creating a larger pool of local and non-local talents to keep the city on the track of sustainable development. Internationalization also implies a fundamental change in the character of higher education, as not just a public good to be guaranteed by the government, but as a commodity for economic exchange, as has been shown in the U.K., the U.S., Australia, Canada and Singapore. Accordingly, local universities have targeted students from across Asia and the world to strive for greater diversity of nationality and cultural background. In the face of fiscal deficits, however, the Hong Kong government has simultaneously shrunk university resources. It has thus proposed that universities substantially increase tuition fees for non-local students, as well as open self-financing associates and master courses, to increase income flow and balance dwindling budgets. Bounded by high tuition fees,the quality of higher education needs to be further assessed and scrutinized through both internal and external audits to guarantee that academic standards will not be compromised with an influx of non-local students. Local universities are at a crossroads of competition and collaboration. Without a doubt, they are continually competing for talented staff and students, research funding, international reputation and social donations--and this competition leads to stimulation and improvement. Meanwhile, institutional collaboration is of paramount importance to prevent the unnecessary waste of resources by avoiding redundancy of teaching and research efforts. Competition and collaboration are not mutually exclusive but complementary in the healthy development of higher education. A two-pronged strategy among universities should be adopted to ensure both continuous advancement and more effective use of limited resources. In the meantime, exchanges of academics, students, and knowledge across national boundaries, as well as the recruitment of non-local and international students, remain crucial to the development of Hong Kong's higher education sector. Dr. Mathew Wong is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Politics and Public Administration at the University of Hong Kong. Opinion articles reflect the views of their authors, not necessarily those of China.org.cn. Flash Some 30 landmarks, iconic sites and venues across China, including Beijing's Great Wall and Shanghai's Oriental Pearl Radio & TV Tower, will turn a shade of EU blue honoring the 2018 EU-China Tourism Year. The Chinese Ministry of Culture and Tourism will organize an official EU-China Light Bridge event in Wuhan in central Chinas Hubei Province in front of the Yellow Crane Tower on the evening of May 10, according to a statement sent to China.org.cn by the EU delegation to China. The Light Bridge is one of the most recognizable events of the tourism partnership program, during which landmarks will be illuminated with the colors of China and EU's respective flags, it says. The EU pillar of the Light Bridge was built in March this year, when landmarks around the EU shone in red to coincide with the celebration of Chinas annual Lantern Festival. Europe saw a 16 percent increase in tourist arrivals from China in 2017, reaching a record 13.4 million. The European Travel Commission forecasts an average 9.3 percent annual growth in tourist arrivals in Europe over the next three years. Flash China is willing to build on the good momentum of the comprehensive strategic partnership with Indonesia and jointly achieve greater development, visiting Chinese Premier Li Keqiang said on Monday. While meeting with Indonesian President Joko Widodo in the presidential palace in Bogor, West Java, Li said that China and Indonesia are important neighbors and natural cooperative partners with common interests. The two heads of state have held several successful meetings and promoted the political mutual trust and pragmatic cooperation to reach a new level, Li said. Both as major developing countries and important states in the region, China and Indonesia working hand in hand to seek common development is of strategic importance for not only the two countries and two peoples, but also for the region and the whole world at large, Li added. For his part, Widodo welcomed Li's visit to Indonesia, the first stop on the Chinese premier's first overseas trip since the new cabinet took office in March. Li's visit comes as this year marks the 5th anniversary of the establishment of the China-Indonesia comprehensive strategic partnership. The visit shows that China highly values its relations with Indonesia, Widodo said. The bilateral cooperation conforms to the interests of the two countries and two peoples and is of great significance to the global peace and development, Widodo added. The two sides also exchanged views on international and regional issues of mutual concerns. Flash China on Monday extended heartfelt congratulations to Vladimir Putin on his inauguration for a fourth term as Russian president. "The Chinese side believes that under the leadership of President Putin, Russia will keep making achievements in its nation building and social and economic development," Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Geng Shuang told a routine press briefing. Putin took oath of office on Monday in Moscow to start his fourth term as Russian president. Chinese President Xi Jinping congratulated Putin on his re-election in a telephone conversation in March. With strategic guidance of and personal push by President Xi and President Putin, the bilateral ties have stayed at a high development level, Geng said, stressing that the two countries' comprehensive strategic partnership of coordination was at its best in history. "The two sides have maintained close exchanges at various levels, pressed ahead cooperation in a large number of fields, and increasingly consolidated their mutual political trust," Geng said. "Meanwhile, the two countries have exchanged views on major international and regional issues in a timely manner, kept close coordination within the framework of multilateral mechanisms, and made significant contributions to world peace and stability," the spokesperson added. You are here: World Flash Lebanon's Minister of Interior Nohad Machnouk announced Monday the official results of the parliamentary elections that were held on Sunday. In a press conference, the minister read a name list of winners, adding that "the final official results are ready, except those related to the Akkar district." According to the results, the al-Mustaqbal Movement of Prime Minister Saad Hariri won 18 seats, while the Amal Movement, led by Speaker Nabih Berri, secured 16 seats, and Hezbollah 13 seats. The Marad Movement of former presidential candidate Suleiman Franjieh won 3 seats. The alliance formed by former Prime Minister Najib Mikati won 4 seats. Lebanon organized Sunday the parliamentary elections for the first time in nine years in accordance with a new proportional law. Altogether 976 candidates, including 111 women, had registered to run for 128 seats in this year's election. The results showed that six of the 111 women candidates were among the winners. Flash Chicago witnessed the most violent week of the year from April 30th to May 5th, with 9 killed and 76 wounded in shootings. According to data of the Chicago Tribune, at least 85 people were shot in the week, including a 4-year-old girl, a 12-year-old boy, a 15-year-old on a CTA bus, a young mother, several other young teens, a federal agent and two relatives of a gunshot victim waiting outside a hospital. The burst of violence last week brings the number of people shot in the city this year to at least 804, a figure below the previous two years, when violence hit record levels. By this time in 2017, 1,087 people had been shot; in 2016, the number was 1,199, according to the Chicago Tribune. But this year's number is still substantially higher than other recent years. Homicides followed the same track, with at least 161 killed this year, as against 198 killed by this time in 2017; and 205 in 2016. The City of Chicago had been averaging about 42 shootings each week this year. With last week's shootings calculated, the average rises to almost 45 people a week. Flash Jerusalem municipal workers install U.S. and Israeli flags near the U.S. Consulate General in Jerusalem, on May 7, 2018. [Photo/Xinhua] U.S. President Donald Trump said on Monday that he would announce his decision on the Iran nuclear deal on Tuesday. Trump tweeted that "I will be announcing my decision on the Iran Deal tomorrow from the White House at 2:00 pm." Trump has lambasted the deal as a "disaster," noting the United States should not have entered into the deal in the first place. Analysts warned that Washington is highly likely to leave the multilateral Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), which was signed in 2015. Iranian President Hassan Rouhani earlier on Monday hinted that Iran would likely remain in the nuclear deal even if the United States decides to pull out, official IRNA news agency reported. Flash Chinese Premier Li Keqiang (L) and Indonesian President Joko Widodo meet the press after their talks at the presidential palace in Bogor, Indonesia, May 7, 2018. [Photo/Xinhua] Visiting Chinese Premier Li Keqiang on Monday called for taking concrete measures to strengthen relations with Indonesia and promote the synergy of the two countries' development strategies. First, China and Indonesia should build up the three pillars of all-round cooperation at bilateral, regional and global levels within the framework of the comprehensive strategic partnership between the two countries, in order to better support the development of bilateral ties, Li said while meeting with Indonesian President Joko Widodo. Second, the two sides should deepen the synergy of China's Belt and Road Initiative and Indonesia's "Global Maritime Fulcrum" vision, enhance industrial capacity cooperation, promote cooperation on the two landmark projects of Jakarta-Bandung high-speed railway and Indonesia's regional comprehensive economic corridors, in order to bring benefits to the two peoples and achieve mutual benefits and win-win, Li noted. Third, China and Indonesia should deepen cooperation on trade and investment, Li said. He suggested that Indonesia increase its export of competitive products to China and strengthen cooperation with China on fishery processing. China encourages its enterprises to increase investment in Indonesia and hopes that Indonesia will provide more policy support and convenience, Li added. Fourth, both countries should further cement public support for the bilateral relations, Li said. People-to-people exchanges and interconnectivity should be intensified, while academic and youth exchanges, as well as cultural exchanges and mutual learning, should be promoted, Li added. For his part, Widodo said China is Indonesia's strategic partner. The two countries have increasingly deepened cooperation in various fields such as economy, trade, investment and cultural exchanges and achieved mutual benefits and win-win, Widodo added. He expressed appreciation for China's support on the construction of Indonesia's regional comprehensive economic corridors. Indonesia is willing to speed up the Jakarta-Bandung high-speed railway project and start construction at an early date, he added. Li arrived in Jakarta on Sunday for an official visit to Indonesia, the first stop on his first overseas trip since the new cabinet took office in March. Enditem Flash Chinese Premier Li Keqiang arrived in Tokyo on Tuesday for an official visit to Japan and the 7th China-Japan-Republic of Korea (ROK) leaders' meeting. Li's visit to Japan will be the first by a Chinese premier in eight years, coinciding with the 40th anniversary this year of the signing of the China-Japan Treaty of Peace and Friendship. Flash Xi Jinping (R), general secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC) and Chinese president, holds talks with Kim Jong Un, chairman of the Workers' Party of Korea (WPK) and chairman of the State Affairs Commission of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), in Dalian, northeast China's Liaoning Province, on May 7-8. (Xinhua/Ju Peng) Xi Jinping, general secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC) and Chinese president, met Kim Jong Un, chairman of the Workers' Party of Korea (WPK) and chairman of the State Affairs Commission of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), in Dalian, northeast China's Liaoning Province, on May 7-8. Wang Huning, member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and member of the Secretariat of the CPC Central Committee, attended related activities. Dalian sees lush mountains, blue seas and drifting clouds in May. Xi held talks with Kim and hosted a welcome banquet for him. Together, they also took a stroll and attended a luncheon. In a cordial and friendly atmosphere, the top leaders of the two parties and the two countries had an all-round and in-depth exchange of views on China-DPRK relations and major issues of common concern. Comrade Chairman made a special trip to China to meet me again just after 40-odd days, Xi said, at a crucial time when the Korean Peninsula situation is undergoing profound and complex changes. This embodies the great importance that Comrade Chairman and the WPK Central Committee have attached to the relations between the two parties and the two countries, and to their strategic communication. "I speak highly of it," Xi said. "After the first meeting between me and Comrade Chairman, both China-DPRK relations and the Korean Peninsula situation have made positive progress. I feel happy about it," he said. Xi said he was willing to meet Kim again to make joint efforts to push the healthy and stable development of China-DPRK relations, realize long-lasting peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula, and promote regional peace, stability and prosperity. For his part, Kim said both the DPRK-China friendship and the Korean Peninsula situation have undergone meaningful progress since March this year. "These are the positive outcomes of the historic meeting between me and Comrade General Secretary," he said. At a crucial time when the regional situation is developing rapidly, Kim said he came to China again to meet with General Secretary and inform him of the situation, hoping to strengthen strategic communication and cooperation with China, deepen DPRK-China friendship, and promote regional peace and stability. Xi stressed that he and Kim held their historic first meeting in Beijing in March this year, during which they had a long and in-depth communication, and reached principled consensus in four aspects on developing China-DPRK relations in the new era. Firstly, the China-DPRK traditional friendship has been a treasure of both countries. It is an unswerving principle and the only correct choice for both countries to develop the friendly and cooperative China-DPRK relations. Secondly, both China and the DPRK are socialist countries, and their bilateral relations are of major strategic significance. Both sides need to enhance unity, cooperation, exchanges and mutual learning. Thirdly, high-level exchanges between the two parties play an irreplaceably significant role in guiding bilateral relations, Xi said. The two sides should maintain frequent exchanges, strengthen strategic communication, deepen understanding and mutual trust, and safeguard common interests. Fourthly, cementing the people-to-people friendship foundation is an important channel to advance the development of China-DPRK relations, Xi said. The two sides should, by multiple means, enhance people-to-people communication and exchanges to create a sound foundation of popular will for the advancement of China-DPRK relations. Xi said that with concerted efforts of both sides, all of these consensuses are being well implemented. Within a period of more than one month, he and Kim met twice and they have been keeping in close contact, Xi said. He said that he is willing to work together with Kim to continue to guide relevant departments of the two sides to soundly implement the consensuses they have reached, promote the continuous advancement of China-DPRK relations, benefit the two countries and two peoples, and make positive contributions to the peace and stability of the region. Xi also extended sincere gratitude to Kim for his great attention and earnest attitude demonstrated after a major road accident in the DPRK which resulted in casualties of the two countries' citizens. Kim said comrade-like trust and friendship between the elder generations of leaders of the two parties and countries form the close bond and solid foundation for the traditional friendship between the DPRK and China. "Comrade General Secretary and I have carried on this fine tradition to hold the historic meeting with fruitful outcomes, and promoted the unprecedentedly vigorous development of the DPRK-China relations," he said. Kim said that he believes his second meeting with Xi after more than a month will deepen mutual trust and push the friendly and cooperative DPRK-China relationship to achieve an even closer and comprehensive development in line with the demands of the new era. Talking about the situation of the Korean Peninsula, Xi said he and Kim fully exchanged views and reached important consensus during their first meeting, adding that Kim has recently made active efforts to promote dialogue and easing of tension on the peninsula with constructive progress being made. He noted that with joint efforts from relevant parties, the momentum of dialogue and alleviation of tension on the peninsula is being consolidated in the direction that is conducive to a political solution. China supports the DPRK's adherence to the denuclearization of the peninsula, and backs the dialogue and consultation between the DPRK and the United States for resolving the peninsula issue, Xi said. "China is willing to continue to work with all relevant parties and play an active role in comprehensively advancing the process of peaceful resolution of the peninsula issue through dialogue, and realizing long-term peace and stability in the region," he said. Speaking highly of Xi's profound vision and extraordinary wisdom, Kim expressed his gratitude to China for its long-standing and significant contribution to realizing denuclearization on the Korean Peninsula and safeguarding peace and stability in the region. It has been the DPRK's consistent and clear stand to achieve denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula, Kim said. As long as relevant parties abolish their hostile policies and remove security threats against the DPRK, there is no need for the DPRK to be a nuclear state and denuclearization can be realized, he said. Kim expressed the hope that the DPRK and the United States would build mutual trust through dialogue and relevant sides would take phased and synchronous measures in a responsible manner so as to comprehensively advance the political settlement of the Korean Peninsula issue and eventually achieve denuclearization and lasting peace on the peninsula. Kim briefed Xi on the latest developments and Party building in the DPRK. Xi said the Third Plenary Meeting of the Seventh WPK Central Committee advanced a strategic line of concentrating all efforts on socialist economic construction, and announced the decision to discontinue nuclear tests and intercontinental ballistic rocket test-fire and dismantle its northern nuclear test ground, which shows the great importance Kim attaches to developing economy and improving people's livelihood and the resolute determination to safeguard regional peace and stability. China appreciates the move, and supports the DPRK in shifting its strategic focus to economic construction and the DPRK comrades in taking a development path suitable to their own national situation, Xi said. Ding Xuexiang, member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee, member of the Secretariat of the CPC Central Committee and director of the General Office of the CPC Central Committee; Yang Jiechi, member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and director of the Office of the Foreign Affairs Commission of the CPC Central Committee; and State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi attended relevant activities. Ri Su Yong, member of the Political Bureau of the WPK Central Committee, vice-chairman of the WPK Central Committee and director of the International Department; Kim Yong Chol, member of the Political Bureau of the WPK Central Committee, vice-chairman of the WPK Central Committee and director of the United Front Department; Ri Yong Ho, member of the Political Bureau of the WPK Central Committee and foreign minister; and Kim Yo Jong, alternate member of the Political Bureau of the WPK Central Committee and first vice director of the Propaganda and Agitation Department, attended the activities. Flash The United States is abusing decision-making at the World Trade Organization (WTO) by holding hostage the selection process of new members to the Appellate Body, said Chinese Ambassador to the WTO Zhang Xiangchen in a meeting here on Tuesday. The Appellate Body functions as the WTO's de facto court of appeals and is composed of seven members. However, only four of the seven members are in office since Washington refuses to initiate the process to fill vacancies. "If the selection process is not launched, the functioning of the Appellate Body will be paralyzed, which will put the entire dispute settlement system in crisis," Zhang warned in a meeting of WTO General Council. He estimated that the WTO dispute settlement system is facing the most difficult time since its creation, underlining that "without such system, the WTO's trade rules will no longer be effectively enforced, and the trust and credibility of the multilateral trading system will be deeply undermined." "Ultimately, we will not be able to effectively restrain unilateralism and protectionism," he added. By Koustav Samanta, Reuters | May 07, 2018 Asian jet fuel buyers are paying the highest premiums for this time of year in 10 years as new and expanded airports in the region push its consumption to new highs. The premium for jet fuel cargoes in the Asian trading hub of Singapore was US$1.01 a barrel above benchmark quotes on Friday JET-SIN-DIF, the highest for this time of year since 2008, according to data on Thomson Reuters Eikon. The booming aviation market has also pushed up the profit margins, known as cracks, refiners make from producing jet fuel to their highest since early 2015. Demand for jet fuel, which is composed of the middle distillate fuel kerosene that is also used for heating, was expected to ease after the winter heating season, but consumption has stayed strong on a jump in orders from the aviation industry. The demand earlier this winter drove the jet fuel/kerosene premium to US$2.28 a barrel Feb. 27, the most since May 2008. "A rise in air-passenger traffic coming from increasing consumer affluence and improving infrastructure supports the strength in Asian jet fuel demand growth," said Sri Paravaikkarasu of energy consultancy FGE. The Asia Pacific region makes up over one-third of the global air passenger market, gaining on average a bit over 1 percent in global market share per year. "Asia will remain the corner-stone for global jet fuel demand expansion in the coming decades," Paravaikkarasu said. In March alone, Asia's passenger traffic rose by 12 percent compared to last year, according to data from the International Air Transport Association (IATA) released last week. "The strong first quarter provides healthy momentum heading into the peak travel period in the northern hemisphere. Benign economic conditions are supporting -- and being supported by --good demand for air travel," Alexandre de Juniac, IATA's chief executive said last week. Tighter Supply The current run of seasonal oil refinery maintenance in Asia has added to the pricing pressure by curtailing the supply of jet fuel available to the market. There is 2.46 million barrels per day (bpd) of Asian oil refining capacity planned to undergo maintenance in May, according to data from consultants Energy Aspects. That is nearly equal to the crude oil demand of South Korea. This supply tightness is occurring as travel demand in country's like China and India spur more jet consumption. China's domestic air traffic alone climbed 15 percent in March from a year ago, the strongest pace in five months, IATA data showed. India's March domestic traffic rose by 28 percent, marking the 43rd straight month of double-digit growth, as the government embarks on an ambitious infrastructure development plan. Lagging slightly behind India and China, but still seeing strong expansion thanks to economic growth and rising tourism figures, is Southeast Asia. Singapore's DBS Bank expects passenger growth for the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), home to more than 600 million people in 10 countries, to be around 6 percent in 2018. The general boom in demand is a boon for refiners. Asia's jet fuel crack was at US$15.75 per barrel above benchmark Dubai crude, more than 50 percent higher than a year ago. The cracks peaked at US$18.03 in February. For all of 2018, Sukrit Vijayakar, director of energy consultancy Trifecta, said he expects an average jet fuel crack of US$16.50 per barrel. While an advantage for refiners, the high jet fuel prices threaten airline profits, for whom fuel is by far the biggest cost factor. "We are on track to post a profit in 2018, but (this) will depend on the fuel price going ahead," said Pahala Mansury, chief executive of Indonesia's state-owned carrier Garuda, this week. Beijing said on Monday that refusing to recognize the"1992 Consensus", which embodies the one-China principle, has undermined the political foundation for Taiwan to attend the World Health Assembly. Foreign Ministry spokesman Geng Shuang made the remark at a news briefing on Monday as registration for the 71st assembly was about to close and Taiwan had still not received an invitation to attend. "The Democratic Progressive Party authority should bear full responsibility for Taiwan's not being invited to the assembly this year," Geng said. Survey closes lid on hidden rooms in Tut's tomb China Daily | Updated: 2018-05-08 07:25 CAIRO - New radar scans have provided conclusive evidence that there are no hidden rooms inside King Tutankhamun's burial chamber, Egypt's antiquities ministry said on Sunday, bringing a disappointing end to years of excitement over the prospect. Mostafa Waziri, Secretary General of the Supreme Council of Antiquities, said an Italian team conducted extensive studies with ground-penetrating radar that showed the tomb did not contain any hidden, manmade blocking walls as was earlier suspected. Francesco Porcelli of the Polytechnic University of Turin presented the findings at an international conference in Cairo. "Our work shows in a conclusive manner that there are no hidden chambers, no corridors adjacent to Tutankhamun's tomb," Porcelli said. "As you know there was a theory that argued the possible existence of these chambers but unfortunately our work is not supporting this theory." In 2015, British Egyptologist Nicholas Reeves proposed, after analysis of high-definition laser scans, that queen Nefertiti's tomb could be concealed behind wall paintings in the famed boy king's burial chamber. The discovery ignited massive interest, with officials first rushing to support the theory but then later distancing themselves and ultimately rejecting it. The ministry says two previous scans by Japanese and US scientists had proved inconclusive, but insists this latest ground-penetrating radar data closes the lid on the tomb having such hidden secrets. A new museum The ministry has been gradually moving King Tut's belongings to a new museum outside Cairo near the Giza Pyramids to undergo restoration before they are put on display. The transfer of the priceless belongings has become a particularly sensitive issue. In 2014, the beard attached to the ancient Egyptian monarch's golden mask was accidentally knocked off and hastily reattached with an epoxy glue compound, sparking uproar among archaeologists. The fourth International Tutankhamen Conference in Cairo, where Porcelli presented the findings, the most extensive radar survey of the site to date, was attended by a wide range of Egyptologists and archaeologists from across the world. During the conference, Antiquities Minister Khaled al-Anani said that the first phase of the new museum, including King Tut's halls, will be completed by the end of this year but the date for the museum's "soft opening" has yet to be decided. The museum currently hosts more than 43,200 artifacts, of which more than 4,500 belong to King Tut alone. Its grand opening is planned for 2022. Associated Press (China Daily 05/08/2018 page11) The trip will be first one by a Chinese premier in eight years TOKYO - Chinese Premier Li Keqiang's upcoming trip to Japan is of great significance to bilateral relations as well as regional cooperation and prosperity, Chinese Ambassador to Japan Cheng Yonghua said in a recent article. Li's visit to Japan will be the first by a Chinese premier in eight years. He will also attend the seventh leaders' meeting of China, Japan and the Republic of Korea, a trilateral mechanism that is being resumed after two and a half years. The trip, the ambassador said, is expected to further consolidate the warming-up trend in China-Japan relations and enhance China-Japan-ROK cooperation. The China-Japan relationship went through twists and turns in the opening years of this decade, which seriously damaged the political mutual trust and practical interests of the two countries, Cheng said. In November 2014, the two sides reached a four-point agreement that reaffirmed the principles for them to properly handle historical, territorial and other issues, and bilateral ties began to improve, he said. The momentum, Cheng said, has further increased since Chinese President Xi Jinping met in May 2017 in Beijing with Toshihiro Nikai, secretary-general of the Liberal Democratic Party, who led the Japanese delegation to the Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation. Noting that this year marks the 40th anniversary of the signing of the China-Japan Treaty of Peace and Friendship, Cheng said the two neighbors are highly complementary in economy and closely connected in culture. Both positive and negative historical experiences have proved that China and Japan should stick to peace, friendship and cooperation, which is not only the sole correct choice for the two sides, but also the common aspiration of the international community, especially the Asian countries, he said. At present, bilateral exchanges and cooperation in various fields are being steadily restored and developed. Last year, bilateral trade returned to above the $300 billion level and personnel exchanges increased to a record high of 10 million, noted the ambassador. With profound changes at home and abroad, China and Japan are sharing more and more common interests, said Cheng, adding that as two important players in Asia and beyond, the two countries also shoulder the common responsibility of maintaining peace and development in the region and the world at large. The two sides, he suggested, should seize the opportunity to strengthen exchanges and cooperation in various fields, continuously expand their common interests, and work together to lead Asia toward prosperity. Against this backdrop, Li's official visit to Japan and attendance at the trilateral leaders' meeting are worth looking forward to, the ambassador said. "I believe that with the joint efforts of the two sides, this visit will help bring China-Japan relations back to the right track so that they can realize sound and stable development," Cheng said. Xinhua (China Daily 05/08/2018 page12) Two bloggers have been detained in northern China on suspicion of posting fictitious stories about the head of a major dairy company, and may have contributed to a sharp decline in the company's share price. Liu Chengkun and Zou Guangxiang are accused of defaming Pan Gang, chairman of Inner Mongolia Yili Industrial Group, in a series of WeChat posts beginning on March 24. Police detained the pair recently in Hohhot, Inner Mongolia autonomous region, and have handed them over to local prosecutors, the city's public security bureau said in a statement on Monday. Shanxi tourism brands promoted in Taiwan ( chinadaily.com.cn ) Updated: 2018-05-08 Shanxi promoted local tourism hotspots including the Yellow River, the Great Wall and Taihang Mountains at the 2018 Cross-Straits Tourism Expo in Taipei from May 4 to 7, inviting Taiwan residents to tour the cradle of Chinese civilization. Taiwan is a vital source of tourists for Shanxi province and Shanxi aims to promote its tourism resources, products and services, as well as improve its tourism profile in Taiwan and beyond through the platform provided by the expo. During the expo, the tourism development commissions of cities in Shanxi introduced various cultural and tourism promotion activities, including the third Cross-Straits Shennong and Yandi Tourism Investment Promotion series in Jincheng city. To develop itself into a more attractive tourist destination for visitors from home and abroad, Shanxi has been boosting its tourism industry with improved transport links, and tourism services like study travel and medical tourism, as well as starting work on a national demonstration area for holistic tourism. Exhibitors talk with a visitor at a booth for Mount Wutai, a Buddhist site in Shanxi province, at the 2018 Cross-Straits Tourism Expo in Taipei. [Photo/Shanxi Daily] The Worldpriest Annual Global Rosary Relay Fast Approaches 8 June 2018 Contact: Marion Mulhall, NEW YORK, May 8, 2018 / This year we believe we will exceed the incredible 10,000,000 participants who joined us in 2017 as we bring huge numbers of people from all cultural backgrounds together again to offer their prayers worldwide from a number of new prayer locations in various corner of the world. The new item on our website Every Thursday is Rosary Thursday the day to pray the Luminous Mysteries for the Santification of Priests has contributed greatly to the heightened awareness of the Annual Global Rosary Relay (AGRR). See this inspiring feature at: In order to maximise participation we will fully exploit the instant power of social media, including Facebook. Twitter and Instagram, as well as local and global live television broadcasts by EWTN (The Eternal Word Television Network) and other networks. Radio will also be used to bring this amazing event to life again for the ninth time. Over the years the relay has been gaining more and more participants with every passing June. This year your contribution is vital. Just study the participating prayer location list and the global map and prepare to join with your family or local community in prayer. So during the twenty-four period, starting at midnight on 8 June, the relay will travel around the world, with each prayer location participating at different times throughout the day and then passing on to the next location in relay fashion. The effect is to have a virtual spiritual tsunami circling the globe, with your prayers being a vital part of the overall event. So please embrace this opportunity to pray with all your strength. Attached are full details about how to promote, participate and how to pray on the day of this great prayer relay how you, your friends and family can join in and how to offer your rosary at a certain time of the day as part of the relay, with your prayers going forth spiritually to the next location to bless the ministry and lives of those men who support us in their daily lives as our priests. Remember there is still time to arrange to join in wherever you are. You can join with those praying at a dedicated prayer location near you or you can simply pray where you are at home, at work, in school, at your local church or as you travel or walk outdoors. Forget where you are and just pray! Check the participating prayer location list which will expand and grow in number nearer the day of prayer. See: In making this ninth year of the Rosary Relay for Priests a great success we are leading up to celebrating our tenth anniversary in 2019. This will be a huge milestone and we are planning many celebrations. So please become fully informed and sign up to our newsletter on "A world at prayer is a world at peace" Venerable Patrick Peyton. So please get ready to pray the rosary, unite with your country and encircle the world in prayer. Worldpriest INC 600 Third Avenue, 2nd Floor, New York, New York 10016 USA Tel: + 1 646 355 4106 E-mail W: Worldpriest Inc. is a not-for-profit organization under Section 501 (C) (3) of the Internal Revenue Service Code. Listed in the Official Catholic Directory (Kenedy Directory) USA. Share Tweet Contact: Marion Mulhall, Worldpriest , 646-355-4106, info.worldpriest@gmail.com NEW YORK, May 8, 2018 / Christian Newswire / -- Friday 8 June is now visible on the horizon and it's all systems go at Worldpriest, working with our coordinators worldwide as we prepare to have the entire world praying the rosary again for one purpose to pray for the sanctification of all the priests who minister to millions of Catholics around the world.This year we believe we will exceed the incredible 10,000,000 participants who joined us in 2017 as we bring huge numbers of people from all cultural backgrounds together again to offer their prayers worldwide from a number of new prayer locations in various corner of the world.The new item on our website Every Thursday is Rosary Thursday the day to pray the Luminous Mysteries for the Santification of Priests has contributed greatly to the heightened awareness of the Annual Global Rosary Relay (AGRR). See this inspiring feature at: www.worldpriest.com/rosary-thursday/ In order to maximise participation we will fully exploit the instant power of social media, including Facebook. Twitter and Instagram, as well as local and global live television broadcasts by EWTN (The Eternal Word Television Network) and other networks. Radio will also be used to bring this amazing event to life again for the ninth time.Over the years the relay has been gaining more and more participants with every passing June. This year your contribution is vital. Just study the participating prayer location list and the global map and prepare to join with your family or local community in prayer. So during the twenty-four period, starting at midnight on 8 June, the relay will travel around the world, with each prayer location participating at different times throughout the day and then passing on to the next location in relay fashion. The effect is to have a virtual spiritual tsunami circling the globe, with your prayers being a vital part of the overall event. So please embrace this opportunity to pray with all your strength.Attached are full details about how to promote, participate and how to pray on the day of this great prayer relay how you, your friends and family can join in and how to offer your rosary at a certain time of the day as part of the relay, with your prayers going forth spiritually to the next location to bless the ministry and lives of those men who support us in their daily lives as our priests.Remember there is still time to arrange to join in wherever you are. You can join with those praying at a dedicated prayer location near you or you can simply pray where you are at home, at work, in school, at your local church or as you travel or walk outdoors. Forget where you are and just pray! Check the participating prayer location list which will expand and grow in number nearer the day of prayer. See: www.worldpriest.com/participating-shrine-list/ In making this ninth year of the Rosary Relay for Priests a great success we are leading up to celebrating our tenth anniversary in 2019. This will be a huge milestone and we are planning many celebrations. So please become fully informed and sign up to our newsletter on www.worldpriest.com to learn all about forthcoming events. You can also see our amazing Global Rosary Relay promotional video on this website."A world at prayer is a world at peace" Venerable Patrick Peyton.So please get ready to pray the rosary, unite with your country and encircle the world in prayer.Worldpriest INC600 Third Avenue,2nd Floor, New York,New York 10016USATel: + 1 646 355 4106E-mail info.worldpriest@gmail.com W: www.worldpriest.com Worldpriest Inc. is a not-for-profit organization underSection 501 (C) (3) of the Internal Revenue Service Code.Listed in the Official Catholic Directory (Kenedy Directory) USA. John Piper's Upcoming London Visit Raises Questions and a Response from American and U.K. Pastors SEATTLE, May 8, 2018 / Christian Newswire / -- Pastor John Piper's upcoming visit to London to address the London Men's Convention in Central Hall Westminster on June 2, 2018 is fueling an ongoing discussion among conservative evangelicals. In response to the event, they are asking why established Christian leaders in both the United States and the U.K. continue to excuse and accommodate the flawed doctrine of the self-proclaimed Christian hedonist, John Piper. American Pastor Gary Small of Lynden, Washington, states, "It is a travesty to watch big name pastors carelessly ignore their responsibility to defend the faith. In the case of John Piper, our evangelical leaders remain silent against a false doctrine that seeks to combine Christianity with the philosophy of hedonism. Moreover, Piper's heretical statement redefining Christ by claiming that 'Jesus was the best Christian Hedonist who ever existed' fits Piper's paradigm, but it is clearly outside the boundaries of Scripture." (Ask Pastor John," episode 998, 2/3/2017) According to Pastor Small, "For years Piper's man-made philosophy has been embraced without question." However, he observes that the tide may be changing. Another American pastor expressing concern is Nevada Pastor Michael Butler, a graduate of Master's Seminary, California. He has recently written a series of articles to explain Piper's errors under the title, Cracking the Insidious Code, which has been published in the British publication, the English Churchman. In great detail, Pastor Butler explains how Piper's philosophical opinions and contradictions undermine Scripture. Therefore, he warns he must be avoided at all costs. Also, joining American pastors are British Pastor Chris Hand of Crich Baptist Church, Derbyshire, England, and John Thackway, pastor of Holywell Evangelical church in Wales and editor of The Bible League Quarterly. Pastor Hand commented, "I have been familiar with the ministry of Dr. John Piper for twenty years. I was unhappy with it then. I am unhappy with it now. How much more evidence do people need before they start to feel the same?" Similarly, Pastor Thackway has expressed concern regarding the confusion and falsity of Piper's teaching, and has stated, "Christian Hedonism is a departure from biblical and historical Christianity, and a dangerous error." Conservative evangelicals in both America and the U.K. say they are encouraged by a growing movement driven by local pastors and layman to protect the Church from Piper's false teaching. Two recently printed books " Christian Hedonism?: A Biblical examination of John Piper's Teaching " and " Is John Piper an Antinomian? " by Dr. ES Williams have become important resources to help them expose Piper's distortion and misrepresentation of Scripture. Pastors representing both countries forewarn, "Conservative evangelicals are concerned that the validation of this Piper event in London will serve to further propagate the heretical doctrine of Piper's Christian hedonism in the United States and the U.K." Pastor Small added that although for several decades Christians assumed John Piper was someone they could trust, conservative voices within the Church today say we must face the fact that John Piper's hedonism has no place in the Christian Church. We're always interested in hearing about news in our community. Let us know what's going on! Go to form Asociatia Obsteasca DEMOS anunta concurs pentru angajarea unui expert/grup de experti/a unei companii care sa presteze servicii pentru lansarea afacerii sociale AKRON, Ohio -- A Cuyahoga Falls man is accused of stealing an ambulance outside an Akron hospital and taking it for a ride that ended in a crash. Durelle Johnson, 32, is charged with receiving stolen property in the Tuesday incident that began at St. Thomas Hospital, police said in a news release. The incident remains under investigation, and Johnson could face additional charges, police said. Investigators have not offered a motive for the ambulance theft, which happened just before 1:30 a.m. in the parking lot outside the hospital. A Physicians and Surgeons AMR paramedic was bringing a patient to the hospital when a man jumped into the unsecured ambulance and drove away, police said. Akron police officers were at the hospital when they learned the ambulance crashed into a utility pole on Merriman Road at Treaty Line Road in Akron. The driver jumped out of the ambulance and ran away, police said. Officers found Johnson about 3:30 a.m. while investigating a report of a suspicious person in a University of Akron parking garage on High Street. Johnson was carrying a black backpack containing medical supplies and the paramedic's ID, police said. There is no surveillance video of the ambulance theft at this time, police said. To comment on this story, visit Tuesday's crime and courts comments page. BEACHWOOD, Ohio -- Theft, Cedar Road: At 7:10 p.m. May 3, an off-duty officer alerted police of a theft he saw occur at Beachwood Place mall, 26300Cedar Road. Officers responded and arrested for theft and receiving stolen property a Dallas man, 37, and a Bronx, N.Y., man, also 37. A check of the duo's car revealed that inside was stolen mall merchandise worth a total of $17,492. The merchandise was stolen from multiple mall stores. Marijuana possession, Cedar Road: At 2:20 p.m. May 2, police cited a Cleveland man, 35, for marijuana possession at Beachwood Place. Carrying a concealed weapon, Cedar Road: At 5:10 p.m. May 2, police charged a Garfield Heights man, 32, with carrying a concealed weapon while at Beachwood Place. The man was also cited for marijuana possession. Marijuana possession, Cedar Road: At 1:10 p.m. May 2, police cited a man, 27, of Shaker Heights, and a woman, 24, of Cleveland, with marijuana possession at Beachwood Place. It was also found that the man was wanted on a Cuyahoga County Sheriff's Department felony warrant. Police turned the man over to county authorities. Disorderly conduct, Chagrin Boulevard: At 10:45 a.m. May 2, police issued a misdemeanor citation for disorderly conduct to a Cleveland man, 22, who created a disturbance while at the GNC store, 24223 Chagrin Blvd. Warrant arrest, Halburton Road: At 4:05 p.m. May 5, police stopped a car driven by a Cleveland Heights man, 46, due to a stop sign violation. The man was subsequently arrested on a Bratenahl police warrant. Marijuana possession, Cedar Road: At 7:55 p.m. May 5, a Solon man, 20, was cited for marijuana possession at Beachwood Place. Theft, Cedar Road: At 6:20 p.m. May 5, a Pepper Pike woman, 18, was arrested for stealing merchandise worth $211 from Sephora at Beachwood Place. The woman was also charged with receiving stolen property, as she was found in possession of stolen merchandise from another store. Assault, Chagrin Boulevard: At 11:55 p.m. May 6, someone called police about a disturbance in progress at The Vue apartments, 23220 Chagrin Blvd. After investigating, police determined that an assault had taken place and arrested a Cleveland Heights woman, 32. Marijuana possession, Chagrin Boulevard: At 6:30 p.m. May 6, a caller reported a suspicious vehicle parked in the lot of P.F. Chang's restaurant, 26001 Chagrin Blvd. Inside the car were a man and a woman. The man, 22, of Cleveland, was charged with marijuana possession and sent on his way. The woman, 31, of Cleveland, was in the passenger seat. She possessed an open container of alcohol, marijuana and marijuana paraphernalia. She was charged with minor misdemeanors for all three offenses. The woman was also found to be in possession of several pills that may contain a controlled substance. The pills are being tested. The woman was arrested and booked for a felony investigation. Felony charges are pending. Marijuana possession, Interstate 271: At 9:55 p.m. May 6, police stopped a car driven by a Cleveland woman, 55, as she was seen weaving while driving on the highway. During the ensuing traffic stop, it was learned that the woman was intoxicated. The woman was charged with OVI, marijuana possession, possession of drug paraphernalia and failure to maintain reasonable control. The woman refused to take a breath test and was further cited for that refusal while having a prior OVI arrest within the past 20 years. OVI, I-271: At 2:30 a.m. May 6, police stopped for speeding a car driven by a Warrensville Heights woman, 42. The woman was traveling 95 mph in a 60 mph zone. It was subsequently found that the woman was drunk. Police charged her with OVI, not driving within marked lanes, speeding and prohibited blood-alcohol content. OVI, I-271: At 1:40 a.m. May 7, police stopped for speeding a car driven by a Macedonia man, 46. The man was found to be drunk. He was charged with OVI, speeding and prohibited blood-alcohol content. If you would like to discuss the police blotter, please visit our crime and courts comments page. BEREA, Ohio -- Berea City Council passed legislation Monday night that enables Dmark Development LLC to purchase and develop several parcels of land for gateway development in the city's north end. According to the memorandum of understanding, the city of Berea will ground lease (i.e. the city will retain land ownership; the developer will build the structure) or sell 15 commercial parcels, comprising 11.6 acres, and 14 residential parcels totaling 2.3 acres in the Front Street/Rocky River Drive vicinity. The ultimate goal is to create a mixed-use retail, commercial and single-family home district. "The developer and the city seek to collaboratively create a signature project that serves as a gateway to the city," the agreement reads. "The development shall be completed in a manner which ... creates positive economic, employment and fiscal benefits for the neighborhood and the city, and creates a vibrant, sustainable commercial district." Planning Commission Chairman Matt Madzy provided council with background on the two-phase project, saying the city initiated a request for qualifications for developer proposals last fall. Berea had been assembling properties in the north end for many years, he said, emphasizing that the city identified "several underutilized parcels ... meaning they were not getting their highest or best use in tax dollars because of it." "We want to capitalize on the commercial nature of the area, as we are familiar with the fact it had been a classic 1960s and '70s auto mile," Madzy explained. "Some of the dealerships closed, and the businesses that were supported by the dealerships closed, as well. The city left the properties on the market ... and eventually the city stepped in and acquired them." Any future development plans will have to be approved by the Planning Commission and City Council before construction can begin. BRUNSWICK, Ohio -- Following increasing complaints from residents about their neighbors feeding wildlife, City Council's safety committee on May 7 proposed legislation to amend the city's nuisance law to address the issue. "This is a sticky wicket all the way around. Brunswick is no longer the little small town it used to be," safety committee chairman Brian Ousley said following Animal Control Officer Mike Kellums' report of incidents throughout the city. "Deer are going to do what they are going to do -- we are taking away their habitat." At one residence on Parkland Oval, more than 40 deer were videotaped in the back yard where feed had been placed, Kellums said. There have also been "three or four" complaints from residents in the Laurel Glen neighborhood, where the feeding of geese has led to raccoons, opossums and other wildlife getting under decks and damaging property, he said.. Kellums said that with plenty of green space in the city, wildlife tends to "find their space" when housing and other types of development are built. "But when people draw them in, it becomes a problem," Kellums said. Middleburg Heights template Kellums said he researched wildlife feeding regulations in several neighboring communities, and said Middleburg Heights' use of its existing nuisance law provided the best example on how to handle Brunswick's current situation. The Middleburg Heights ordinance prohibits residents from "purposely or knowingly" feeding, baiting or in any way providing access to food to any wild animal, as well as prohibiting "recklessly, purposely or knowingly" leaving "garbage, food product, pet food, forage product or supplement, salt, seed, birdseed or fruit grain" in a manner that could attract wildlife. Violation of the Middleburg Heights ordinance is a minor misdemeanor, with a $100 maximum fine, on first offense, with a possible increase to a fourth-degree misdemeanor on subsequent violations. Previous wildlife feeding legislation was proposed by the safety committee and included language specifying the feeding of whitetail deer. The stand-alone ordinance was never moved out of committee. Ousley and safety committee member Joe Salzgeber agreed that amending the city's nuisance law is the best direction to take. Fellow safety committee member Michael Abella Jr. was not present at the May 7 meeting. Salzgeber added that language prohibiting birdseed and above-ground bird feeders, however, should be removed from Brunswick's proposed amendment. The committee also discussed exempting park areas with waterfowl, such as Brunswick Lake and North Park, from the wildlife feeding ban. Long-term effect Police Chief Brian Ohlin noted that, on first offenses, law enforcement officials generally advise residents of city regulations regarding whatever a violation has been alleged. Kellums added, however, that in situations where there is no law on the books, residents are just as likely to continue the activity. Ohlin also noted that, while the city is not yet at this point, "proactive feeding" of wildlife can also lead to other issues, such as overpopulation and traffic crashes. The committee moved to have Law Director Kenneth Fisher draw up legislation amending the city's nuisance ordinance to include a section prohibiting the feeding of wildlife, except for above-ground birdfeeders, when such feeding results in a nuisance to neighbors. The full City Council is expected to see the proposed amendment by its first meeting in June. Please take a moment and click here to help the Greater Cleveland Food Bank, a cleveland.com partner. Every dollar you give buys four meals for the hungry. BRUNSWICK, Ohio -- The Brunswick City School District is considering contracting with an outside company to provide before- and after-school student care, following a presentation to the school board by three district elementary school principals. The proposal is based in part on a survey conducted by Applewood Principal Amren Fowler, Memorial Principal Kati Mann and Crestview Principal Jamie Schulke as part of the three administrators' superintendent licensing program. "It is kind of perfect timing for our district," Superintendent Michael Mayell said of the principals' project, which he said is designed to evaluate leadership roles through development of a project that benefits the community. The concept of before- and after-school care, Mayell said, is something the district has considered in the past, but decided "not to take on," due in part to staffing and costs. "They were looking for a (superintendent licensing) project and how an outside company may come in and do this," he said, adding that such a project would come at no cost to the district, with participating parents contracting with the outside company. Gauging community interest Last month, the principals presented the findings of a community survey to school board members, with the possibility of launching such a program in the 2018-2019 school year. Schulke reported that of the more than 900 respondents, 94 percent were interested in before- or after-school care, with 65.9 percent expressing an interest in both. She added that the responses came from parents from each of the district's seven elementary buildings, with response numbers ranging from 105 Towslee families to 186 from Crestview. Fowler said 75 percent of respondents favored school buildings opening early, between 6 a.m. and 8 a.m. Mann added that letters were also sent to all area daycare centers, informing them of the project. "We let them know that no decisions have been made," Mann said. "But we did want to show them what we did." She added that companies providing such before- and after-school care can also provide a wide range of after-school activities, as well as care during school holidays and over the summer. Still studying Fowler said she and her colleagues are still examining "whole picture concerns," such as the aforementioned impact on area child-care facilities, utility costs and issues related to building access and availability of space. Please take a moment and click here to help the Greater Cleveland Food Bank, a cleveland.com partner. Every dollar you give buys four meals for the hungry. CLEVELAND, Ohio -- A jury on Monday found a Lorain man and his former prison cellmate guilty of trying to carry out a plot to kill an Ohio woman. Eduardo Rios Velasquez, 37, worked with his former cellmate Angel Cordero, 37, in an attempt to find and kill the intended target after someone hired them to do so, federal prosecutors said. Cordero, who was in prison at the time and remains there, talked to a fellow inmate to find the target's address, and the inmate in turn alerted federal authorities. Authorities arrested Velasquez a few miles from the woman's home in Lorain in July 2017. She was not harmed. Jurors found Cordero and Velasquez guilty of conspiring to commit murder for hire following a trial that lasted more than a week in Youngstown federal court. The two men were also found guilty of a cocaine conspiracy charge related to the shipment of more than two pounds of cocaine from Puerto Rico to Ohio. U.S. District Judge Benita Pearson will sentence them Sept. 18. Both men face a maximum sentence of life in prison. Cordero was serving time for a drug-related killing at a federal prison in Fort Dix, New Jersey when he talked to another inmate to try to find the target's address and offered money for the information, federal prosecutors said. Cordero told the inmate that Velasquez would be paid $20,000 for a contract killing, and that the woman stole the proceeds of a robbery she helped set up, Assistant U.S. Attorney Brian McDonough wrote in a trial brief. After talking to Cordero, the inmate spoke to his attorney, who reached out to the federal government. The inmate had used fraudulent credit card information to place orders for household and landscaping equipment for Cordero and Velasquez before he started helping the government. Velasquez also asked the man to order spy equipment such as night vision goggles, listening devices and a GPS tracking device, authorities said. The inmate -- who wore a wire for agents -- initially gave Cordero and Velasquez a fake address but he eventually gave up the woman's actual location, authorities said. During conversations, Cordero told the inmate that Velasquez wouldn't get caught and that "he's gonna do it right," McDonough wrote in the trial brief. During a search of Velasquez's phone, agents later found a photo of the target's vehicle outside her house. Agents in New Jersey also searched Cordero's cell and found a cellphone hidden in his headphones, officials said. Cordero was moved to a special housing unit but was accidentally transferred back on July 11, 2017 because of a clerical error. He told another inmate, who also ended up cooperating with the government, that he planned to have the inmate who helped him find the target's address killed, McDonough wrote. Velasquez's attorney Jack Bradley said the case was tough to defend because federal authorities had a lot of evidence on the two men. Bradley said he argued in court that the government did not prove the men committed the elements required to convict. He said the judge held a fair trial. Samuel Amendolara, Cordero's attorney, did not return a phone call Tuesday. If you would like to comment on this story, please visit Tuesday's crime and courts comments section. CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Two Cleveland men face federal charges in the armed robberies of four MetroPCS cellphone stores throughout the city, including one where authorities say one of the suspects and an off-duty police officer exchanged gunfire. Shawn Ford, 19, and Charles Rogers, 23, are tied to a March 21 robbery of a store in the 10900 block of Kinsman Avenue, a March 25 stick up of a MetroPCS near Lorain Avenue and West 111th Street, a March 27 robbery in the 14700 block of Kinsman Avenue and another robbery the same day in the 5800 block of Broadway Avenue, according to court filings. During the last robbery, one of the customers in the store was an off-duty Cleveland police officer. He tried to stop them and exchanged gunfire but the pair got away. They were arrested a short time later after investigators located their car, according to a criminal complaint written by Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives agent Joshua Snyder. Both men face charges of robbery and brandishing firearms during a crime of violence. Ford, who was being held in the Cuyahoga County Jail, made his initial appearance in federal court in Cleveland on Tuesday. He is in the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service and a preliminary hearing is set for May 29. Rogers is also in custody, as his probation from a previous criminal case was revoked. He is expected to be brought into federal custody in the coming weeks. Joan Pettinelli, Ford's court-appointed attorney, declined comment. It was not immediately clear whether Rogers has a lawyer for the federal case. During the robberies, the men ordered employees to open registers, and they stole cash and electronics, the complaint states.. The off-duty police officer followed them out of the store March 27 after emptying the registers at the Broadway Avenue store. He yelled at them to stop and identified himself as a police officer, officials said. One of the suspects shot at the officer, and the officer fired back before the suspects drove away, officials say. The suspect shot at least 15 times, while the officer fired seven rounds. The officer gave investigators a description of the suspect's car, which another police officer later found on Fuller Avenue with a bullet hole in the driver's side panel, the complaint says. Ford, Rogers and Rogers' girlfriend were standing outside the car as police approached. Police arrested the suspects and searched the car, finding a spent 9 mm casing and clothes that matched the ones described by the robbery victims, the complaint says. Officers also found a box from a MetroPCS, cash and a bag with what appeared to be cocaine. While lab testing later showed that the substance was counterfeit, Ford and Rogers were each booked on a drug charge. The charges were later dropped. Police were also able to further identify Ford and Rogers as the robbers through pictures and videos on Instagram and Facebook. They also searched Ford's home on East 112th Street on April 19 and found the same clothes described by the robbery victims. Rogers was also wearing a GPS tracking device on the day of the first robbery that showed him near the location of the MetroPCS store. He later either tampered or took the GPS device off after that, officials said. If you would like to comment on this story, please visit Tuesday's crime and courts comments section. CLEVELAND, Ohio - Case Western Reserve University is committing $1 million to a new initiative to help students succeed. Half of the funding is being provided by President Barbara Snyder, who received a $500,000 leadership award from the Carnegie Corporation of New York last fall. The money was to be used to support an academic initiative. The university's board of trustees matched that amount with funds from its strategic-investment fund. "This program incorporates proven best practices from universities nationwide," President Snyder said in a news release to the campus community on Monday."We believe it will greatly enhance the experiences of all of our undergraduates." The initiative will provide students with support and services in a more coordinated and timely way by consolidating offices previously spread across multiple administrative units, the university said. Tom Matthews, executive director of the university's Career Center since 2004, will lead the program as interim associate provost for student success. Michael Mason, who has worked with first-year students through the Office of Undergraduate Studies since 2011, was named the program's director of student advancement. Faculty will continue to provide academic guidance and mentoring to undergraduates, while Mason's team will connect students with the staff best able to address key topics, including financial aid, study-abroad programs, services for students with disabilities and more. Mason's team also will use technology designed to provide "early warnings" about students who may be struggling in specific courses or with other aspects of their undergraduate experience and find ways to help them. Mason holds a master's degree in higher education administration and personnel from Kent State University, and previously served as the engineering scholars program manager/honors & scholars advisor at Ohio State University. Matthews has a doctorate from Syracuse University in counselor education and supervision, and held positions at Hood College, George Washington University and the State University of New York Institute of Technology before coming to Case Western Reserve. Matthews and Mason are expected to have the program fully staffed -- and that staff fully trained -- in time to begin working the Class of 2022 by mid-summer. CLEVELAND, Ohio - Discovery Tours, the school tour company that canceled trips for dozens of schools across Ohio last week, has filed for bankruptcy. The company filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy late today in U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Northern District of Ohio, claiming it has about $1.4 million in assets but owes about $3.9 million. Chapter 7 calls for liquidation of company assets and paying back cash - if available - and is not a reorganization. The company's lawyer could not immediately be reached for comment. Officials of the company and the Cipolletti family - which owns it and has multiple members working for it - have made themselves unavailable for comment for nearly a week as school travel plans unraveled across the state. The filing gives no explanation of how a company that has been running school tours to New York City, Chicago, the Henry Ford Museum outside Detroit, and to Washington, D.C., for 36 years would suddenly fail. The filing of nearly 2,000 pages lists more than 5,600 people owed amounts listed as "trip deposits," some less than $200 but others around $900. It also lists several members of the Cippolletti family as being owed money for salaries and for company expenses paid on their personal credit cards. Those include more than $195,000 owed to founder Alfred Cipolletti, a former Mayfield schools guidance counselor and Richmond Heights school board member, for loans and company expenses on his personal credit card. Company vice president Joe Cipolletti of Hudson is also shown as owed more than $100,000 in personal money put into the company, along with another $62,000 for his wife. Editor's note: Plain Dealer Travel Editor Susan Glaser took one of the first Wow Air direct flights from Cleveland to Iceland, and will return May 16 on the first Icelandair flight to Cleveland. She'll be posting on cleveland.com from Iceland all week, and will compare the airlines and write more about Iceland in The Sunday Plain Dealer Travel sections May 20 and June 6. REYKJAVIK, Iceland - Driving through the rain from the airport to downtown Reykjavik, I said to my daughter: "I wonder why no one is using an umbrella." I got my answer a couple of hours later from Eirikur Viljar Kuld Hallgrimsson, a City Walk guide for our downtown Reykjavik tour. "How's your umbrella holding up?" he asked, as he saw me struggle with my wind-blown contraption, pulled inside out and nearly ripped from my hands. "You won't see locals holding umbrellas," he said. "They just don't work here, with the wind. That's how we tell who the visitors are." It's true, I'm a visitor - my 19-year-old daughter and I flew from Cleveland to Reykjavik on one of Wow Air's first new flights out of Hopkins International Airport. We're in the country for four and a half days, with the first day devoted to roaming the nation's capital. We signed up for a City Walk tour to help us get oriented. Eirikur, who is working toward a master's in history at the University of Iceland, gave us a terrific primer on the country, past and present. It's a modest-sized city, easily walkable, with a population of about 220,000 in the metro region. Two-thirds of the country's population lives in the Reykjavik area. A few interesting notes: Among the island's first settlers were Norwegian Vikings; Icelandic, the language, is essentially an old form of Norwegian, with an Irish or Scottish accent. Ruled for centuries by Denmark, Iceland declared its independence in 1944. At the time, Denmark, occupied by Nazi Germany, had bigger things to worry about. "They were furious about the timing," said Eirikur. "They still are." The United States was Iceland's biggest backer of independence, in part because of a military base the U.S. maintained on the island until 2006. Today, Iceland is among the world's safest, most peaceful nations, with a negligible crime rate. Eirikur mentioned this as we walked by the prime minister's office downtown, which he noted had no obvious signs of security. "There is a no-parking sign," he quipped. He led us through the oldest section of downtown, built between 1800 and 1900, the only area of the city with buildings still made of wood. Most were destroyed by a major fire in 1915, after which the city banned wood construction in favor of concrete. Icelanders know how to beautify the concrete, however, often painting their houses in bright colors. Eirikur said the colors serve to combat the island nation's many gray and dark days. In the winter, he said, Reykjavik - the world's northernmost capital -- sees as few as three hours of daylight. Though summer brings near-continuous daylight, spring is often as rainy and dreary as it was on the first day of my visit. Not to worry - I kept dry as I clung to my umbrella, like the first-time visitor I am. More information: Free City Walk tours are offered numerous times daily; participants are asked to pay what they feel the tour is worth. City Walk also offers themed tours, including a pub crawl and a walk focused on the country's economy. Information: citywalk.is. More Iceland: Bobbing among among icebergs in Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon LINNDALE, Ohio -- A 15-year-old girl fought off a man who tried to grab her as she walked home from school Monday afternoon, Linndale police said. The incident happened about 4 p.m. on West 120th Street near Bellaire Road, Linndale Police Chief Tim Franczak said. The man approached the girl from behind and tried to grab her after she got off a bus from school. The girl screamed for help and kicked the man, Franczak said. The man let her go, and she ran a few blocks to the Linndale Police Department to report the incident, Franczak said. The girl was not hurt. Detectives are scouring the area looking for surveillance video that may help identify the man, Franczak said. Franczak said parents were alerted of the incident through the school system. To comment on this story, visit Tuesday's crime and courts comments page. SEMINOLE COUNTY, Florida -- George Zimmerman again is facing legal troubles, this time accused of repeatedly threatening and harassing a man assisting on a documentary about the 2012 shooting of Trayvon Martin. An affidavit from the Seminole County Sheriff's Department say that Zimmerman's harassment of private investigator Dennis Warren included a threat to feed Warren to an alligator, the Miami Herald reports. According to Click Orlando, Zimmerman called Warren 55 times, left 36 voicemails, texted 67 times and sent 27 emails in a nine-day span in December. One of the texts included a link to an article in which Zimmerman is quoted as saying, "I know how to handle people who f--- with me. I have since February 2012," the Herald reports. Zimmerman is charged with misdemeanor stalking, according to the Orlando Sentinel. Zimmerman was acquitted in July 2013 of a second-degree murder charge in connection with the shooting death of the 17-year-old Martin. Martin was unarmed and walking through a gated neighborhood where his dad lived when Zimmerman, acting as a neighborhood watch volunteer, confronted the teen and eventually shot him. Zimmerman claimed he was defending himself. According to the Herald, Zimmerman had a domestic violence-battery/domestic violence aggravated assault case against him dropped in 2013 and another domestic violence aggravated assault case against him dropped in 2015. Zimmerman is set to be arraignment on May 30 in the Seminole County Courthouse. To comment on this story, please visit our crime and courts comments section. Questo comunicato e stato pubblicato piu di 1 anno fa. Le informazioni su questa pagina potrebbero non essere attendibili. If the borrower starts falling behind on a loan, the lender will make an effort to contact the person and Golden Goose Starter Sale resolve the issue, possibly with an alternate payment plan. If the loan reaches a certain state of delinquency, usually between 30 and 90 days past due, the lender realizes they're probably not going to make any more money on the deal. Fashion refers to the generally accepted styles of clothing and accessories for a particular society or culture. People use fashion as a means of selfexpression, to show status, to communicate and to distinguish themselves from others or to identify with a particular social group. As we all know, a good, fitting pair of shoes plays a vital role in emphasizing both positive as well as negative effects of walking on health. An illfitting pair not only makes you uncomfortable wearing them, but also sends an open invitation to numerous minor to severe leg injuries. Even so, today you can find 808 samples and soundalikes in the libraries of most major music recording programs. And earlier this year, Canada's System80 announced it would Golden Goose Starter Sneakers release a physical 808 clone made specially for modular synthesizer systems. Cinnamon is added Golden Goose Starter to enhance the natural sweetness of the fruit and contributes a layer of flavor that will leave you feeling satisfied no added sugar needed. But the truth is that some premade lemonades are comprised of less than 15 percent lemon juice and a whole lot of sugar 56 grams in two cups. When literacy and be ready to move he's the size horse is the and you want to hear that. But that's the reality half the size and a minimum and hopeful signs in America and even go another half size because your feet swell. crisp cotton shirt, a sweatshirt, black pressed formal trousers with a Common Projects sneaker. Perhaps the biker jacket, in a world where every minute of our time is scheduled, accounted for or watched over by social media, lets us indulge our inner rebel? pure, unadulterated rebellion, says Miller. Questo comunicato e stato pubblicato piu di 1 anno fa. Le informazioni su questa pagina potrebbero non essere attendibili. The global Aerial Imaging Market is projected to reach USD 3.3 billion by 2024 . Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), helicopters, dirigibles, blimps, kites, and parachutes. It provides useful information for the volume calculation map renovations, planning, and route design. Factors driving the market are the most popular. It derives much of its demand from forestry and other commercial sectors. Advances in technology such as LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging), IMU (Inertial Measurement Unit) and airborne GPS (global positioning system) can boost market growth during the forecast period (2016-2024). Technologies such as Microsoft's Hawk & Eagle and Vexcel Imaging's UltraCam Osprey can fuel industry demand. But security concerns and operational issues can impede growth. The worldwide Aerial Imaging Market is segmented according to applications and regions. Insurance, government, military & defense, agricultural & forestry, GIS (geographical information system), civil engineering, commercial, and energy are the key application areas. Military & defense will exceed USD 250 million by 2024. UAVs and Personal Aerial Mapping System (PAMS) are used by the military for reconnaissance missions. These systems are also employed in ground-based commercial applications. PAMS provide detailed photographs of surfaces at affordable costs. Browse Details of Report @ https://www.hexaresearch.com/research-report/aerial-imaging-market UAVs can be deployed even in highly dangerous military operations, since these can be accurate and repetitive commands in unfavorable settings. Farmers use UAVs to monitor their fields and crops. The insurance sector uses it to survey damages after floods or hurricanes and thus settle claims. Energy companies use aerial imagery to inspect transmission lines, gather data from solar and wind power plants, and provide additional security to these plants. Government applications are estimated to cross over USD 950 million by 2024. The government sector uses drones for urban planning, energy management, environmental planning, and homeland security. Commercial applications could generate maximum revenue during the forecast period. These includes advertising and promotional activities. Aerial photography, land cover maps, soil maps, and vegetation. Combining this technology with GIS can aid in urban planning. Regions include Europe, North America, Latin America (LATAM), Asia Pacific (APAC), and Middle East & Africa (MEA). APAC is expected to guarantee over USD 500 million by 2024. The growth can be attributed to the presence of semiconductor industries in the region. Consumer needs and rapid technological developments will fuel demand. North America will lead the global Aerial Imaging Market over the forecast period. This owes to the growth of the telecommunications industry. Europe will experience modest growth in the aforementioned period. Prominent players in the global Aerial Imaging Market are Kucera International Inc., EagleView Technologies, AeroMetric Inc., and Google Inc. Some of these companies market their own software & equipment, while others lease them or operate within the industry by collaborating with software providers . For instance, EagleView Technologies offers real estate, energy & utilities, construction, real estate, and safety & federal applications. New market entrants can act as partners to existing companies or act as separate imaging companies. Participants to develop competitive edge in the market. Related Reports: Electric Buses Market - Factors such as rising contamination The need for improvement in the transportation segment and the government are propelling the demand for electric buses. 3D Scanner Market - Increased adoption of 3D scanners in various applications; such as quality control, rapid prototyping, and reverse engineering is expected to spur industry growth. Editorial Behind Macrons visit to Australia The primary purpose of French President Emmanuel Macrons recent visit to Australia was not to commemorate the victories of Australian troops in France during the First World War. Nor was it to discuss climate change. In a speech obviously directed at Turnbull, Macron suggested that firm leadership was critical in dealing with the issue of climate change. Australia is already failing in its commitment to cut its carbon emissions by a pathetic 26 to 28 percent of 2005 levels by 2030. But other matters were on the agenda. The primary reason for Macrons visit was to discuss trade agreements and military cooperation, particularly regarding the rise of China, a major trading nation and military power. China is Australias biggest trading partner, but it has also been strengthening its ties to Pacific states, offering them technical and financial assistance, including low-interest loans, to assist their national development. That has rung alarm bells in the US and the European Union. France has a particular interest in the outcome. New Caledonia, French Polynesia and the Wallis and Futuna Islands are still, in effect, French colonies, even though the French government describes them as part of metropolitan France. The Kanak people of New Caledonia have struggled for independence from France for years. In 1988 a tragic battle between protesters and French special force police brought about an agreement that a referendum on independence would be held by 2018. After 30 years of procrastination by successive French governments, the referendum will finally be held on November 4 this year. Last week Macron declared that his first priority is protecting French interests in the Pacific, particularly New Caledonia, which is a major tourist destination and has significant nickel deposits. France and Australia are discussing closer military cooperation, including joint force training exercises in the Pacific. But France isnt the only country wanting to retain the Pacific status quo. Macrons visit coincided with the Turnbull governments announcement that the Australian Navy will join US Navy ships in show of force visits to several Pacific Island states later this year. To emphasise the point, the US ships will be carrying army marines. Trade follows the flag Last week, Paris and other French cities were rocked by demonstrations and riots over Macrons industrial relations policies. Nevertheless, Macron wants to assume the role of leader of the European Union and his discussions with the Turnbull government included the establishment of a free trade agreement between the EU and Australia. Britain retains special trading relationships with Australia, but after Brexit the EU will be competing with Britain for trade with us. French Ambassador, Christophe Penot, has declared that any trade agreement between France and Australia should include provisions regarding public health and climate change. But that doesnt square with the terms of trade of other agreements currently being negotiated. For example, under the Investor-State Dispute Settlement provisions of the proposed Trans Pacific Partnership (TPP) national governments can be sued by any corporation for financial damages incurred as a result of a government initiative, even if its in the public interest. A corporation producing sugar and soft drinks could sue the government for any restrictions a government placed on the amount of sugar included in beverages, even if doing so would improve public health by reducing Australias appallingly high level of diabetes. A coal mining transnational could also sue the government for lost profits if the government restricted mining activities, even if that was entirely in accord with the objectives of the Paris Agreement on climate change. And the TPP is exactly the sort of trade agreement that Macron wants with Australia. He also wants our military help in protecting Frances Pacific assets. But Australias military forces are already deployed overseas in US theatres of apparently never-ending warfare, and were paying $50 billion for a fleet of long range French submarines for operations well beyond our shores. Its well over time for Australia to cut trade and military agreements that are intended to protect the financial interests of others at our expense. And above all, we must not enter into agreements that could commit us to the terrible prospect of military conflict with China for the benefit of the EEU and/or the United States. Gas protest heats up Anti-fracking campaigners are planning to target the Northern Territory Labor conference on May 12 following the decision by the government to lift an 18-month old moratorium on fracking. Fracking or hydraulic fracturing is a controversial mining practice where toxic chemicals are blasted into a rock seam to release gas. Chief Minister Michael Gunner said all 135 recommendations of an inquiry headed by Justice Rachel Pepper would be fully implemented prior to fracking, beginning as early as next year. The decision has been widely condemned by environmental groups and Aboriginal people, who fear the unconventional gas industry could contaminate water supplies throughout the Territory. Under the rules laid out by Justice Pepper, fracking would be able to take place in 51 percent of the Territory, with a number of no-go zones in place. Those zones include Indigenous protected areas, areas of environmental, cultural or agricultural significance and residential areas. Many Territorians are not convinced, however, with hundreds turning out at rallies in Darwin, Katherine and Alice Springs following Mr Gunners announcement. At the Darwin gathering last week, Garawa man Scott McDinny described the decision as a disgrace. The United Nations Declaration of Indigenous Peoples Rights states that all Indigenous peoples have the right to self-determination and autonomy, to clean water, to healthy lives, he said. We demand clean water, and together with united Territorians we will ensure that fracking does not take place in our homelands or anywhere in the NT. Water is precious, water is life. We will not allow any more water to become poison. An area expected to be targeted early by the gas industry is the Beetaloo Basin, which is located between the remote towns of Mataranka and Elliott. Roper Gulf mayor and Mataranka resident Judy MacFarlane said the decision to allow fracking was highly concerning for the majority of people who live within the area and surrounding districts. Ms MacFarlane said many locals had strong doubts about how fracking would impact the region, particularly the water and existing industries. I understand there are mixed views about fracking locally because the industry could deliver significant economic benefits to our communities. But at what cost will those benefits come? The Seed Indigenous Youth Climate Network also slammed Mr Gunners decision to allow fracking. Seed national director Amelia Telford said Territorians would not stand down until the government banned fracking for good. The Gunner government has betrayed the people of the Northern Territory and Aboriginal communities by allowing fracking companies to poison our water, land and climate, she said. What this decision shows us is that the NT government is willing to risk the health, climate and culture of Aboriginal communities and Territorians who are the most threatened by fracking. There is not one place in the world where fracking hasnt ended badly. The Gunner government has made a grossly irresponsible decision today in allowing gas companies to act on plans for polluting fracking gas fields across the NT. No regulations can stop the dangerous greenhouse gas pollution that will warm our climate and make the Northern Territory virtually unliveable in decades to come. What the frack? Creation and enhancement of fractures in rock using a gas or fluid injected at high pressure. Increases the ability of water and gas to flow through a coal seam, enhancing extraction of gas. Accesses gas deposits that cant be recovered using conventional techniques. Controversial mining process with exploration companies believing it can be employed safely. Opposition from environmental and Indigenous groups because of potential for subsurface and groundwater contamination. Concerns it can also lead to increased seismic activity, though any events are usually small. (Source: Australian Department of the Environment) Koori Mail Whos afraid of Vanuatu? In early April, reports began emerging that China was seeking to build a military base in the Pacific. Are these reports fake news, or are we witnessing the early stages of a regional showdown between Western powers and China? The unsubstantiated rumour of a Chinese military base in the Pacific was first reported on by Fairfax media last month, which cited unnamed sources while affirming that no formal proposal had yet been made. However, the report stated that the prospect of a Chinese military post close to Australia had been discussed at the highest levels in Canberra and Washington. According to the report, a base less than 2,000 kilometres from the Australian coast would allow China to project military power into the Pacific Ocean and upend the long-standing strategic balance in the region, potentially increasing the risk of confrontation between China and the United States. The prospective Pacific island nation in question is Vanuatu, a country with a noticeably close relationship with China. Vanuatu has been one of the very few countries who have openly supported Beijings island-building program. China has also donated military vehicles to Vanuatu, invested millions of dollars in infrastructure, and reportedly accounts for nearly half of Vanuatus $440 million foreign debt. As one can imagine, the report of a looming Chinese military base was not welcomed at all by US allies in the region, particularly New Zealand and Australia. Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull said at the time that he viewed with great concern the establishment of any foreign military bases in those Pacific Island countries and neighbours of ours. The maintenance of peace and stability in the Pacific is of utmost importance to us, to Australia its one of the key priorities of the foreign policy white paper, the prime minister also said. In other words, Australia may seek to use this threat to justify a renewed militaristic foreign policy strategy of its own. After all, Australia has been sending warships to the South China Sea for military exercises even as recently as last year, and even felt it necessary to openly consider sending more vessels to confront Chinas expanding influence just a few months ago. Australia also facilitated the proposal for a British warship, the HMS Sutherland, to depart Australia and voyage to the South China Sea to assert its so-called freedom of navigation rights. The US, for its part, sent warships to the South China Sea just this past month, as well as in January of this year, sabre-rattling China in the process. In solidarity with Australia, New Zealands prime minister, Jacinda Ardern, also voiced her opposition to what she termed the militarisation of the Pacific, even though she hadnt even been formally briefed on the issue at the time. According to a prominent New Zealand outlet, the countrys government was seeking further information on the report and considering ways to respond. Deputy Prime Minister Winston Peters, a notorious anti-Chinese politician who just about rattles Chinese people any chance he gets, also said there are a number of players doing certain things in the Pacific that are not good for the peace and security of the Pacific. He also believed that it was time for New Zealand to step up and do a whole lot more in the Pacific. In March of this year, Peters spoke about the Pacific becoming a contested strategic space which was creating a degree of strategic anxiety. He also vowed to pour more money and resources in the Pacific region, further indicating that New Zealand would back away from supporting Chinas monumental Silk Road project even after New Zealands former government had already signed a memorandum of understanding in support of the project. All this being said, both Vanuatu and China have already heavily denied the veracity of the report, rejecting the claim that China will be building a military base in Vanuatu. No one in the Vanuatu government has ever talked about a Chinese military base in Vanuatu of any sort, Vanuatus foreign minister, Ralph Regenvanu, told Australian media. We are a non-aligned country. We are not interested in militarisation. By way of confirmation, China also referred to the statements from the Vanuatu Foreign Ministry, which China believed had cleared the record. China even referred to the report as fake news. Some of you may be wondering, if both Vanuatu and China have openly denied the story, then so what? Case closed, right? As of now, China maintains only one foreign military base in the world, being in the Horn of Africas Djibouti. Allegedly, the establishment of this base represents the first pearl of a necklace unfolding along a sea route that will connect China to the Middle East. According to The Diplomat, there are also credible reports of further plans to establish naval or military facilities in locations such as Timor-Leste, the Azores islands (Portugal) in the middle of the North Atlantic, Walvis Bay (Namibia) in the South Atlantic, and Gwadar (Pakistan), with other initiatives that may not have come to light as yet (including, for example, Sri Lanka). Fairfaxs report clearly indicated that Beijings military ambition in Vanuatu would likely be realised incrementally, perhaps taking shape with an access agreement that would allow Chinese naval ships to dock routinely and be serviced, refuelled and restocked. The report also makes note of the fact that China has invested heavily in a major new wharf on the north island of Espiritu Santo, which allegedly raised eyebrows in defence, intelligence and diplomatic circles in Australia because it has the potential to service naval vessels as well as commercial ones (Vanuatu already hosted Chinese warships throughout last year). And here is where it gets interesting. Luganville, on the island of Espiritu Santo, actually housed one of the largest military bases in the entire Pacific battle theatre during World War II. Its geostrategic significance cannot be understated. Whoever controls Vanuatu controls the air and sea route between the United States and Australia. This is a deal-breaker not just for the United States, but for its local lackey-states Australia and New Zealand, who act as regional care-takers for Washingtons foreign policy interests. Nonetheless, it is the United States that currently boasts approximately 1,000 military bases worldwide, including military research bases located in the Pacific region. The US also maintains a military budget so astronomical it far exceeds that of China. Despite this, one would be hard-pressed to find any instances of a New Zealand or Australian government criticising the American military presence in the Pacific (or its presence on the wider global chessboard in general). A report last year by Commander Thomas Shugart and Commander Javier Gonzalez at the Centre for a New American Security (CNAS) suggested that these US bases were becoming deeply vulnerable to attack by Chinas ballistic missile capabilities, which could cripple US military capabilities in the Asia-Pacific region while using only a fraction of its arsenal should a confrontation emerge. Though little regard is paid to it by the media, theres a reason Australia and the US continue to send warships to the South China Sea. Its the same reason China has responded with live-fire military exercises that began in the Taiwan Strait this week, as China sets out to prove that it is a force to be reckoned with in the region. Despite New Zealand and Australias fear-based position on this issue, it should be borne in mind that there are alternative options to the dispute which could prove far more beneficial for regional security than our current trajectory. As The Diplomats David Brewster explained: Whether or not this reported proposal in Vanuatu comes to pass (and it seems less likely than more), Australia needs to better understand and deal with Chinas growing interests in the South Pacific. If Australia sees itself as a regional leader, then it needs to show leadership in avoiding militarisation of South Pacific. Rather than hoping to lock China out, Australia should be exploring ways of working with China that address some of its concerns in a manner that does not adversely affect Australias clear strategic interests. These issues are not going to go away. RT Russia Today South Africa Land reform and expropriation Colonial conquest, dispossession and apartheid rule in South Africa, all based on capitalist exploitation, left the historically oppressed and proletarianised majority with either no land at all or almost nothing. As the Communist Party resolved at its annual national conference held in January 1929, ratifying a resolution first adopted by the Communist International in 1928, the foundation of the South African revolution was the National Question. The practical core of the National Question was, and still is, the Land Question. The Agrarian Question was at that time paramount. However, around the Agrarian Question the issue of minerals, of finite resources, became increasingly important. An act of resistance to apartheid. Dispossession While at the centre of the problem is the fact that the African people were dispossessed of their land, the crux of the matter is that it was not only the land as an object in itself which was expropriated and without compensation. The means of production, the wealth, the wild life that was tied to the land and its productive use were expropriated with it. Property relations in South Africa were, since then, articulated on a capitalist basis through the exclusion, from ownership, of the historically expropriated, the marginalised, the suppressed, the oppressed, and of course the exploited. The economy of South Africa remains primarily land-based. Mining, agriculture and farming took the centre stage. All other industries and the development of finance capital were linked directly with mining, agriculture, farming and then with the related value chains. Private capital accumulation based on land, inclusive of our mineral resources, remains the decisive factor in our economy and dominates most of our social and political decision making. This despite the promulgation of the Minerals and Petroleum Resources Development Act in the early 2000s nominally transferring ownership of mineral and petroleum resources to the people as a whole. The state was declared the custodian on behalf of the people as a whole. However, we cannot to this day by any stretch of the imagination assert that the people as a whole are in control of the mineral wealth of our county or are receiving a reasonable share in its benefits or proceeds. The role of the state has become that of the facilitator of mining rights for private capital accumulation. The Act as it stands at present, though its promulgation was a step in the right direction, is simply a curiosity for future historians. In the ultimate analysis, it is the forces that are in charge of private capital accumulation that directly own our mineral resources in the form of the profit made out of and the value added to the minerals by labour. Injustices Land reform must be driven by the imperative to resolve the historical injustices imposed upon our people by colonial dispossession including its apartheid version and its underpinning capitalist exploitation. This imperative includes the equally important political economic transformation to develop, diversify and raise the levels of national production. This must not be limited to farming, agriculture and mining extremely important as they are. South Africa must think about the whole sphere of productive land uses, including transformation of landed property relations and human settlement patterns. The reproduction of apartheid human settlement patterns since 1994 must not be ignored but must be attended to and eliminated through land reform. It is important to be vigilant throughout the process of land reform. For instance there are those who would like us to believe that de-racialising capitalism by advancing the interests of the aspirant, emergent and other sections of the Black bourgeoisie will resolve both the National Question and the Land Question. De-racialisation is important. So is the transformation of gender relations. Both these two national imperatives must find profound expression in land reform. But capitalist production is not the answer to the national, gender and land questions. Liberation and complete social emancipation are impossible under the auspices of capitalist production. There will be no liberation and complete social emancipation for so long as the exploitation of one person or social group by another exists, for so long as the class inequality on which exploitation is based exists, for so long as its consequences, such as unemployment, poverty and social insecurity exist. Changing the colour of the exploiters will not emancipate the exploited. It will not eradicate the inequality between the exploiters and the exploited. Let us now look at the important issue of land reform from the point of view of our Constitution, in particular with regard to the contested question of expropriation with or without compensation. Let us briefly look at some of the contending tendencies first. Expropriation without compensation On the one side of the divide there are conservatives, those who do not want any change altogether, or those who stand firmly behind capitalist market based compensation. Then there are neo-liberals. The latter emphasise the so-called willing buyer-willing seller principle. This neo-liberal argument is also conservative in so far as its results include the preservation of the status quo a direct result of colonial dispossession and apartheid rule. In particular, the 24 years of our history since our April 1994 transition from apartheid to the current democratic dispensation proves that there have been very few if any willing sellers. At most, instead of land reform, the capitalist property market has made matters worse for the working class and poor. Land has largely shifted from private hands to private hands, to those few private corporations and individuals who possess or have access to the astronomical amounts of money demanded by those who place it on sale. The private property market is thriving while land reform and land restitution are failing. On the other side of the expropriation divide there are those who are calling for expropriation without compensation. Most of them have no conception of how the mechanism will work, and which land should or should not be expropriated. Another group are urban-based business people who would like to add a farm or two to their business portfolio. Meanwhile, the majority of the descendants of the formerly dispossessed have become urbanised and are too busy fighting the dispossession of the houses which they have now purchased or are trying to purchase in the cities to worry about the dispossession which happened to their grandparents. There is a deafening silence coming from both government and romantic radicals on the continuing daily dispossession of the working class by the major banks and criminal syndicates involved in property fraud. Way forward Another dimension is represented by the progressives and revolutionaries who stand a chance to put the way forward to the front. What does our Constitution say about land and expropriation? Our Constitution prohibits arbitrary deprivation of property. Instead, it provides for expropriation of property for a public purpose and in the public interest but only under law of general application. The principles for a public purpose and in the public interest are very interesting. A public purpose is obviously not a private purpose. In other words, that is at least in so far as this provision is concerned, you cannot expropriate property from one set of hands using it for a private purpose to another set of hands for use for a private purpose and then claim that you are acting constitutionally. Nonetheless, by public interest the Constitution expressly states that it includes a national commitment to land reform and to reforms to bring about equitable access to all South Africas natural resources. It further makes it clear that its definition of property is not limited to land. However, the Constitution categorically states that expropriation is subject to compensation. But this is not a complete story! It is perhaps half of the truth. But before we expand on this point let us look at where the power to determine the amount, time and manner of payment of the compensation rests, and at the other Constitutional provisions regulating expropriation. The Constitution is explicit that those affected by the expropriation must agree to the amount of compensation and the time and manner of its payment. If they do not agree, a court of law must either approve or be the one to take the decision on the three aspects. Equitable balance The Constitution further prescribes that the current use of the property; the history of its acquisition and use; the market value of the property; the extent of direct state investment and subsidy in the acquisition and beneficial capital improvement of the property; and the purpose of the expropriation must be taken into account when the decision on the amount, time and manner of payment of the compensation is made. The decision must, on that Constitutional ground, be just and equitable. Further, the decision must reflect an equitable balance between the public interest and the interests of those affected. So says the Constitution. The Constitution further compels the state to take reasonable legislative and other measures, within its available resources, to foster conditions which enable South African citizens to gain access to land on an equitable basis. It entitles a person or community whose tenure of land is legally insecure as a result of past racially discriminatory laws or practices either to tenure which is legally secure or to comparable redress on condition that the measure is and to the extent provided for by legislation (an Act of Parliament). The duty of Parliament To the extent the Constitution calls for legislation or law of general application, Parliament is required to pass that law. Some of the above provisions, but in varying degrees, have been implemented since 1994. What is required in order to move forward is first and foremost an evaluation of the extent of the implementation, the challenges encountered and the pace of progress. There have certainly been problems. It would be naive to suggest that the total amount of money required i.e. the resources available to the state to ensuring full delivery on the national commitment of land reform and equitable access to land has not been a problem. On the contrary, it has been a serious problem in particular when viewed from the narrow lenses of the market value of the property that, among other conditions, must be taken into account when a decision is made about the amount, time and manner of payment of compensation. The fact that there must be public funds budgeted for private compensation is itself an influential factor that does weigh heavily on the pace of progress. There are many other, and for that matter also pressing priorities, that public finances must pay attention to. The state does not have unlimited resources. The total amount of the money instantly required to deliver on the full commitment of land reform and restitution and to ensure equitable access to South Africas natural resources has not been calculated. The amount is obviously increasing while some leaders are still battling to pronounce a few numbers. The money issue is a serious problem, and in many ways. It is definitely part and parcel of the factors that have produced and are reproducing South Africas extraordinary slow pace of land reform. Take for example provinces such as Gauteng and metropolitan municipalities. A mere stand of a few tens of square metres sold under the private property market in these areas can cost over a million rands if not more. Socialisation Land reform underpinned by capitalist private interests is not the answer. It is a problem. Moving land from one set of capitalist private hands to another will still leave the majority, now and in future, landless and excluded from land ownership and access to other natural resources. Land and natural resources are the shared heritage of our society. No human being or person, no private company, no collective of individuals or private companies has the capacity to create land or natural resources. The ultimate aim of land reform and transformation of the ownership of natural resources must be socialisation; collective ownership; ownership by the people as whole! On the above score and this must be elaborated legislatively as part of our immediate tasks land must be allocated equitably for productive use. Unused land must be allocated to those who will use it productively. However, this must be buttressed by, and go hand in hand with, the Freedom Charters provision for the state to support the workers, and based on redress, with material resources and capacity building. This must include education and training. But education and training in this regard must not be confined to going to some school, college or university that is distant from production. Education and training to develop productive capacity in support of land reform should be expanded and delivered through workplace training programs. Cooperatives development must be encouraged and accordingly supported to play an increasingly predominant role. The same must apply, in accordance with the Freedom Charter, to ownership of monopoly industries. As part of this ultimate goal of socialisation, there must be a heavy progressive or graduated income tax to look after societal needs, with the working class as the immense majority and everyone supported to exercise their right and responsibility to work. The ultimate goal of socialisation is not opposed to private ownership. Everybodys right to own property other than natural resources must be protected for so long as that property is a product of their own hard work and not the labour of others. The private accumulation of property from other peoples hard work, rather than from ones own hard work, is actually an act of arbitrary deprivation of property. This capitalist exploitation is, in essence, expropriation without compensation. True social justice and emancipation will abolish such and other forms of unjust social relations of property. We must now build a social movement aware not only of the racially based expropriation of the past and committed to the elimination of its legacy but also of the desire of the black elite to act as the representatives of the majority and thus continue to deprive them of their birth right in the name of black empowerment. As part of this effort it is crucial to build sufficient capacity both to withstand and overcome conservative reaction opposed to the course of true democratic transformation. Our efforts must include decisive action against those who would seek to hijack land reform in order to become the new exploiters of the masses. * Alex Mohubetswane Mashilo is South African Communist Party Head of Communications & Spokesperson, and writes as full-time professional revolutionary Umsebenzi Online (the online voice of the South African working class) Positive and active neutrality versus NATO and the EU Statement by the Communist Party of Ireland The decision by the government to expel a Russian diplomat as part of a co-ordinated response by EU and NATO member-countries is but another example of how far the Irish establishment has aligned this state with their military strategies. The British army in the streets of Derry, Northern Ireland. The expulsion of the diplomat is justified by the unproven involvement in some type of chemical attack on a former Russian double agent and his daughter in England in early March, which the British have blamed on Moscow. The Russians have continually asked for a sample of the chemical toxins used for their own tests, which has been denied. The British said that it would take the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons two weeks to confirm that the chemical agents are the same as what the British say they are; but the British could prove within 24 hours what type of chemical was used, and who made it, and who was responsible. The British claim is an extremely dubious assumption on which to base their actions, in the light of previous experience of British intelligence claims that were taken as fact, such as the weapons of mass destruction in Iraq and the claim that the Gibraltar victims were about to detonate explosives. These are but two examples of a very long list of false intelligence. The outrage from the British government, leading EU member-states, the United States and Canada is overflowing with hypocrisy, straight out of the Cold War propaganda handbook. While Putin is not someone we would encourage working people in Ireland to look to as some form of role model, nevertheless it is clear that we are edging towards a possible confrontation with Russia, which could only have very serious global consequences, including the possible use of nuclear weapons. The actions of the Irish government can only be seen as a further indication of how far the states foreign, diplomatic, political and military policy has been aligned with the political and military strategy of the EU and NATO. Neither the Soviet Union nor Russia under Putin have ever shown any hostile intent to the Irish people on the contrary, the young Soviet Russia was one of the first states to recognise the Irish Republic and to support the struggle of the Irish people for freedom and independence. Irish workers need only recall the many crimes and other illegal actions carried out by the British state and its agents against the Irish people over the last few decades, never mind the centuries of colonial domination. It is now known that the British state and its agents carried out the Dublin and Monaghan bombings in 1974 that resulted in the deaths of 34 people. The British still refuse to hand over evidence or to help the investigation of those horrific crimes. The British state and its agents, in the form of the RUC, UDR, British army, and MI5, directed and used loyalist paramilitaries, as well as agents within the republican movement, to engage in acts of terrorism, and carried out hundreds of state-directed killings of civilians, legal professionals, and political opponents. Just before the government announced that it would be joining in this co-ordinated political assault on Russia the European Court of Human Rights rejected the challenge by the remaining 14 torture victims known as the hooded men to designate what happened to them in 1971 as torture. It ruled in 1978 that these men had been subjected only to inhumane and degrading treatment. The techniques used by the British state against these innocent men included hooding, being thrown out of a moving helicopter while hooded, stress positions, white noise, deprivation of sleep, and deprivation of food and water, combined with extreme physical assaults and death threats. This government has failed to stem the flow of American military flights through the Shannon war port. In 2017 alone, of the 451 military aircraft landings at Shannon, 402 were US military aircraft. Those flights were in addition to 334 military-contracted flights carrying the personal weapons of American soldiers who landed at Shannon last year. And this is apart from the extraordinary rendition flights through the airport, carrying prisoners brutally tortured under the direction of the CIA. We know for certain that the US state and military used chemical weapons in Vietnam, resulting in the deaths of thousands of Vietnamese people, chemical warfare that continues to have a major impact on the Vietnamese people, with children still being born with multiple abnormalities. This expulsion is unprecedented and, if nothing else, is an infringement of our neutrality, as it is an action by Britains NATO allies. The Irish state and the political establishment are using this crisis to advance their strategy of aligning this state with NATO and the military strategy of the EU. This action by the government is nothing more than the action of a servile and dependent Irish establishment. Clearly what is needed is to end this servile and collaborationist approach of the Irish establishment to both the EU and NATO. Shannon Airport should be closed to the US war machine. All co-ordination and involvement in EU military strategies, including the battle groups and PESCO, should be ended. Irish soldiers should be withdrawn from NATO headquarters in The Hague and from NATO military engagements around the world. And Irish military neutrality should be enshrined in the Constitution. Socialist Voice Culture & Life The real rogue state In 1973, the feudal ruler of Afghanistan, King Mohammed Zahir, was ousted in a palace coup and replaced by his cousin Mohammed Daoud who proclaimed himself President with the title of Khan. Only in April 1978 were the revolutionary forces of Afghanistan finally able to overthrow Daouds repressive feudal regime in the Saur Revolution led by the Peoples Democratic Party of Afghanistan (PDPA). The assasination of Prime Minister Maurice Bishop by the USA drew a scathing international response. The numerous prisons were opened amid general rejoicing. In Australia, Prime Minister Malcolm Fraser welcomed the Afghan Revolution as a triumph of democracy. The US intelligence agencies saw it differently however, interpreting this popular uprising as another Cuba and facilitating Soviet expansionism, and therefore something to be thwarted at any cost. The US sought allies among the various counter-revolutionary groups that emerged but found their keenest supporters among the most backward Islamic clergy who feared losing their influence and privileges and also feared the new governments radical ideas, like educating women and girls. These militant Islamic groups were also supported by the regime of Muhammad Zia-ul-Haq in neighbouring Pakistan who had his own reasons for wanting turmoil next door. The United States Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) launched a program code-named Operation Cyclone to organise, arm and finance these backward, Moslem fanatics in a Jihad or holy war against the revolutionary government. The terrorist campaign engaged in by the US and Pakistani-backed (and well-armed) mujahedeen targeted any in the civilian population who showed sympathy for or even an interest in the programs of the revolutionary government. The Soviet Union intervened to aid the PDPA government in their fight with the mujahedeen which allowed the US to step up their propaganda that the war in Afghanistan was being waged against Soviet expansionism. A partial boycott of the Moscow Olympics was organised. In 1989, under Gorbachev, the USSR ended its support for the PDPA whose leader Mohammad Najibullah struggled on alone against the Islamic fanatics until 1992 when the PDPA forces were finally overwhelmed and Najibullah was brutally murdered. Operation Cyclone was one of the longest and most expensive covert CIA operations ever undertaken; funding began with US$20$30 million per year in 1980 and rose to US$630 million per year in 1987. Funding continued until the overthrow of the PDPA. Having created, trained and armed the mujahedeen, the US then found that they no longer had control of their creation and they have been waging war against them in Afghanistan ever since with no end in sight. In 1979 the left-wing, socialist-oriented Sandinista Junta of National Reconstruction took government in Nicaragua. Once again, the US backed and funded a collection of right-wing rebel groups of which the largest was the misnamed Nicaraguan Democratic Force (FDN). They were openly counter-revolutionary and were called contras from the Spanish contra, which was short for la contrarrevolucion. The military significance of the contras decisively depended on the financial and military support they received from the US government. During their war against the Nicaraguan government, the Contras pursued a program of systematic human rights violations and terrorist attacks. Supporters of the Contras tried to downplay these violations, particularly the Reagan administration in the US, which engaged in a campaign of so-called white propaganda to alter public opinion in favour of the contras. Despite their best efforts, US support for the contras was banned by Congress, so the Reagan administration sought ways to covertly continue it. These covert activities involved illegal arms sales to Iran with the proceeds being used to fund the contras. It became public as the IranContra affair. Some rebels disliked being called contras, since they wanted to be seen instead as supporters of democracy. Still less did they want to be seen as desirous of wanting to restore the hated old order. So they referred to themselves with the nebulous but macho term comandos (commandos); from the mid-1980s, the Reagan administration began calling the terrorist movement in Nicaragua the democratic resistance, rebels promptly started describing themselves as la resistencia (presumably resisting the spread of Godless Communism). Resisting the spread of Godless Communism was also the excuse for the US invasion of Grenada in 1983. Grenada, situated not far from the coast of Venezuela, is a tiny nation of less than 350 square kilometres. Yet US planners portrayed it as a threat by to their hegemonic control over the free world. Grenada had gained independence in 1974, after enduring three hundred years of French and British colonialism. After independence, however, the prime minister Sir Eric Gairy terrorized the population via his secret police outfit, the Mongoose gang using arms secured from Chilean dictator, Augusto Pinochet. In March 1979 (while Gairy attended a UN conference in New York) Maurice Bishop, head of the Peoples Revolutionary Party of Grenada, ousted Gairy. The usual pretexts for the invasion of Grenada were put forward by the US government, and obediently relayed by the free press: Grenada had become a Marxist dictatorship, there was a Cuban military presence on the island allegedly building airfields with which to attack US territory, there were American students on the island who were in danger and the US army was on a rescue mission. That the true reason for the invasion was to expel a government not amenable to American hegemonic demands was painfully obvious. Even Americas allies were aware that the Reagan administration was terrified that tiny Grenada might act as a further example of defiance (after Cuba) in the American hemisphere. The American government, under President Reagan, however, thought it could do as it pleased in the region and accordingly invaded the Caribbean island and killed the Prime Minister Maurice Bishop. This drew a scathing international response from the UN General Assembly which deeply deplored the US invasion as a flagrant violation of international law, further condemning the deaths of innocent civilians. The US intervention was even opposed by most NATO countries and US allies such as France, Portugal, Australia, Spain and the Netherlands. The people of Grenada have nevertheless suffered the consequences ever since. 07 Mays 2018 Pazartesi, 17:26 Ahmet Sk The judicial and administrative investigation launched into the death of Silivri Police Chief Hakan Calskan, who committed suicide in his office last July, has extended to Interior Minister Suleyman Soylu. The incident that drove Calskan to suicide is alleged to involve Minister Soylus son securing the unlawful release of a friend of his who had been arrested. It is alleged that Istanbul Police Chief Mustafa Calskan made a log of the incident on learning of the affair and sought the commencing of official proceedings against Minister Soylu, and Silivri Police Chief Calskan committed suicide out of his inability to withstand the ensuing pressure. At the time the interpellation motion the CHP submitted against Interior Minister Suleyman Soylu was being debated in parliament, CHP Deputy Group Chair Ozgur Ozel made a veiled reference to the matter in the speech he delivered from the dispatch box. Minister Soylu, however, preferred to remain silent over the claims that Ozel had raised without naming names. At the end of last July, a friend of the Interior Ministers son Engin Levent Soylu was arrested in the course of a routine check made by Counterterrorism Branch teams. The person, against whom an apprehension order was outstanding in respect of a judicial incident, phoned his friend Engin Levent Soylu and requested help. Soylu the sons friend was delivered to the Police Directorate in Silivri, the area in which he was arrested, and placed in a custody suite. However, a while later, General Directorate of Police Protection Branch Head, Ekrem Gulen, called Silivri Police Chief Hakan Calskan and requested that the arrested person be released. With Chief Hakan Calskan indicating that the arrest procedure had attained official status and giving a negative reply, he was allegedly instructed, The individual has ties to the Minister and his release is being sought. Initiate official proceedings In compliance with Protection Branch Head Gulens instruction, Soylus friend was released. However, Istanbul Police Chief Mustafa Calskan, who according to claims circulating in the press harboured mutual ill feelings towards Minister Soylu, was notified of the affair. In response, Istanbul Police Chief Mustafa Calskan phoned Silivri Police Chief Hakan Calskan and, making a log in which he noted Interior Minister Soylu and Protection Branch Head Ekrem Gulens responsibility, asked for official proceedings to be initiated into the incident. Silivri Police Chief Hakan Calskan, incapable of withstanding the pressure applied by his superiors from both Ankara and Istanbul, committed suicide in his office on the morning of 31 July. According to security camera records, Hakan Calskan was in his office in the police directorate building until late in the night stretching from 30 July into 31 July. Police Chief Calskan, who was seen online until the early hours on the smartphone messaging service WhatsApp, was found having been shot in the head by police officers assigned to the private secretariat who entered his office at around 10.30 in the morning after he failed to answer the telephone. With both a judicial and administrative investigation being launched into the incident, senior people from the police directorate allegedly applied pressure on Silivri Repblic Chief Prosecution and tried to close the case. However, thanks to the succession battle the Interior Minister Suleyman Soylu had embarked on against Energy Minister Berat Albayrak, who is also President Recep Tayyip Erdogans son-in-law, the probe could not be buried. Within the investigation, the people with whom Hakan Calskan had spoken and messaged in the days prior to his suicide were also scrutinised in examinations made of telephone records. Among the information to emerge from these examinations was that Calskan had been called by Protection Branch Head Gulen. Did the Minister arrange for the call to be made? The inspectors in the administrative investigation into allegations that pressure was brought to bear on Police Chief Hakan Calskan with a view to securing the unlawful release of a person who had been arrested for having an apprehension order against them also took statements from Interior Minister Soylus bodyguards. It has been learned that the guarding police officers were asked questions about where Minister Soylu was at the time Hakan Calskan was phoned and if he himself spoke on the phone. It is also being investigated whether Protection Branch Head Gulen telephoned Silivri Police Chief Calskan at Minister Soylus behest. INTERIOR MINISTER SECRETARY: The chief was called but it had nothing to do with the Minister Interior Minister General Secretary Turkay Oksuz said in a comment on the matter he made to our paper that Suleyman Soylu or his son had no involvement in the incident in question. Oksuz, arguing that Hakan Calskans suicide and the securing of the arrested persons release were two different unrelated incidents, said the following: The mother of the person said to have been arrested you referred to in your report is a citizen who has a serious illness. On the date of the incident, while following an ambulance that was taking his mother to hospital in his own car, he was stopped at a police checkpoint. In fact, his mother also passed away at the hospital. I do not have precise knowledge of the event, but he was summoned to give a statement over an incident involving the judicial authorities to do with the Forestry Law and did not attend. There was an apprehension order against him because of this. With the conducting of arrest procedures proposed, he called our Protection Branch Head, with whom he was previously acquainted, and requested assistance. And our Branch Head called Silivri Police Directorate. They spoke a total of three times, but the time did not exceed two minutes. He explained the hardship the person was suffering due to his mother and asked for assistance to be rendered within the bounds of the law. Our police chiefs suicide is another event. There is absolutely no connection between these two events. In fact, following the suicide incident, our Interior Ministry called Istanbul Police Directorate and obtained information about the matter. And chief police inspectors were assigned to investigate the incident from an administrative point of view pursuant to legislation. A judicial investigation is also ongoing. There are circles who are making mendacious claims portraying our ministers son as having involvement in this or similar events with the mindset of throwing mud so that some will stick. Never mind intervention, his excellency the Minister or his son did not even have any influence in this process. They are not involved in the incident. Just a phone call was made between the Protection Branch Head and Silivri Police Directorate in which assistance was requested while remaining within the bounds of the law, that is all. Our Protection Branch Heads statement has not been taken, either. There are citizens who from time to time get through to his excellency the Ministers or my or our private secretariats phones and ask for assistance in various matters. There are various requests and complaints. We investigate whether or not this is legal. We try to assist while remaining within the bounds of the law. And this is what happened here. CAME UP IN INTERPELLATION Ozel: He thought he would pass over it but this did not happen One of those to speak from the dispatch box at the time the CHP submitted an interpellation motion against Interior Minister Suleyman Soylu was CHP Deputy Group Chair Ozgur Ozel. Ozel, who in the lengthy speech he made on 22 December 2017 raised various claims about Minister Soylus ties with the Gulen Brotherhood, also squeezed the following sentences into his speech: Then you would not have telephoned Silivri Police directorate in relation to a car that had been halted and, with that not working, have caused that huge disaster ensuing from pressure and threats on Istanbul Provincial Police Directorate. Perhaps you will engage in self-criticism over this here. Nobody dwelt on what Ozel had said, with opposition MPs in parliament having pricked up their ears at records and claims that emerged over Soylus past relations with the Gulen Brotherhood after he embarked on a power struggle within the party with Energy Minister Berat Albayrak, and, as to the Turkish media, surely for known reasons. Ozel, noting that he brought the matter to attention from the parliamentary dispatch box in response to information that the Silivri Police Chief had committed suicide out of being unable to withstand pressure coming from the very top, said, I addressed numerous questions to Minister Soylu, from his ties to the Gulen Brotherhood right up to the release being secured of certain FETO suspects, but he did not reply to any of them. One of the questions was also the affair raised in your report. However, Minister Soylu, rather than answering the questions, sufficed with putting on a show of his own contrivance. He was unable to reply to any allegation. He thought especially with reference to the section I had referred to as the huge disaster in Silivri, as with the others, he would ignore it and pass over it in silence. But, this did not happen. Calls brought under surveillance We carried a report on 12 April on the mobile telephones of Minister Suleyman Soylu, who according to claims circulating in the press has for some time been embroiled in a succession battle with Energy Minister Berat Albayrak, being unlawfully monitored by police officers under his command. Six police officers in Ankara and Istanbul were appointed to fresh posts in the investigation launched into the affair. With the quarrel between him and Alabayrak having come to light, Minister Soylu made some speeches in past months in which he vented his anger. It is also alleged that Soylu wanted to resign but was prevented from doing so by President Erdogan himself. Minister Soylus son Engin Levent Soylus car was halted and searched for drugs by the Istanbul police even though he was accompanied by bodyguards. It is claimed that, despite Minister Soylu getting involved as the search of his sons car was continuing, Istanbul Police Chief Mustafa Calskan did not answer the Ministers calls. MUSTAFA CALISKAN: I AM A PARTY TO THE INCIDENT Istanbul Police Chief Mustafa Calskan, whom we wished to consult for his views on the affair, said, Investigations into this matter are ongoing. I am a party to the incident and it would be incorrect for me to say anything. It would be more correct for you to gather information from places apart from me. I am sure you will reach an intimate conviction as to whether the information in the section of the report pertaining to me is correct. Let me also say that the late police chief was a successful person whom we knew to have absolutely no problem that would drive him to suicide. Will MPs vote tomorrow to hasten the State control of newspapers? The question may seem strange to many people, who naturally assume that a free Press is one of the foundations of British democracy. But Im afraid such a belief can no longer be taken for granted. A recent report by the World Press Freedom Index claimed that Britain has the second-worst record in Western Europe. We rank 40th in the world, below Ghana (23) and South Africa (28). If enough MPs get their way tomorrow, in a few years time we will have sunk even further down the list, and be rubbing shoulders with such beacons of democracy and champions of a free Press as China and Putins Russia. I do not jest. The new assault on Press freedom comes chiefly but not entirely from Labour after a cross-section of peers introduced amendments to the Governments Data Protection Bill, which has been wending its way through Parliament. Since, these days, so much information is held in the form of data, the Bill offers an opportunity for the enemies of a free Press to clamp down on newspapers. Step forward Tom Watson, deputy leader of the Labour Party Since, these days, so much information is held in the form of data, the Bill offers an opportunity for the enemies of a free Press to clamp down on newspapers. Step forward Tom Watson, deputy leader of the Labour Party. This is the same Tom Watson who has accepted 540,000 in donations from the former motor racing boss Max Mosley, himself an enthusiast for state-backed regulation after being exposed by the now defunct News of the World for taking part in an S&M orgy with prostitutes. The Mail recently dramatically revealed Mosleys racist past. It found a 1961 pamphlet in his name which stated that coloured immigrants spread disease. It also discovered that, for several years after this abomination, he continued to support South Africas extreme apartheid regime. Only weeks before his reprehensible youthful past came to light, Mosleys lawyers had written to various national newspapers, including this one, demanding that they delete articles containing references to his 2008 orgy (which he had previously described as perfectly harmless) from their databases. You can see the kind of man he is. To return to Tom Watson. One might have hoped the shocking disclosures about his benefactors former racist affiliations would have drawn forth some reproving remarks. Not a bit of it. Nor has Watson softened his campaign to rein in newspapers. Tomorrow he intends to introduce an amendment that echoes the much criticised Section 40 of the Crime and Courts Act, which Culture Secretary Matt Hancock has refused to implement. Watsons amendment would force newspapers not signed up to the State-approved regulator Impress which means every national title and nearly all local ones to pay all the legal costs in data protection cases even if they were judged to be in the right. In other words, if Watson has his way, newspapers will have a stark choice. Either they join Impress or face paying the costs of dodgy businessmen, corrupt officials and dishonest politicians whose wrongdoing has been established. Local newspapers, many of which are financially weak, would be especially at risk, though Watsons amendment proposes an escape route for the poorest. Not only is it approved by the State, it is also almost entirely funded, to the tune of nearly 1 million a year, by Tom Watsons poisonous friend, Max Mosley Preposterous? I believe it is, and all the more so if you consider the nature of Impress. Not only is it approved by the State, it is also almost entirely funded, to the tune of nearly 1 million a year, by Tom Watsons poisonous friend, Max Mosley. Thats not quite the end of this incredible tale. Watson has also inserted an ingenious but outrageous provision which would have the effect of exempting the (usually Labour-supporting) Guardian and Observer from the punishment meted out to other newspapers that shun Impress. Its hard to believe all this is going on in what we supposed was the land of liberty, where the freedom of the Press seemed, at least until recently, to be assured. Antony White, QC, a leading media lawyer, provides some reassurance in his written opinion that Watsons amendment, if enacted, would be struck down by the courts. This is what he writes: It is a fundamental principle of public law that it is unlawful to punish a person who has done nothing wrong. That means, in his opinion, a vindicated newspaper could not be forced to pay the costs of an unsuccessful litigant. Lets hope hes right. Can MPs conceivably support Watsons sordid little amendment? It seems hard to credit, but we certainly shouldnt rule it out. Some Scottish Nationalist MPs are thought to be considering which way to vote. A handful of Tories might back Watson, while a few Labour MPs could vote against him. But even if good sense and love of Press freedom prevail, which I pray they will, there is another danger tomorrow, in its way even more serious. An amendment has been tabled by the former Labour leader Ed Miliband which would establish a new statutory inquiry into all media organisations, whether print, broadcast or online. Ed Miliband is no friend to a free Press. In March 2013 he chaired a meeting in his Commons office which reached a deal paving the way to State-backed supervision of newspapers in the form of the officially approved regulator, Impress. Also present at that dubious gathering were the then Lib Dem leader, Nick Clegg, Labours Lord Falconer, four members of the anti-Press lobby group Hacked Off and, belatedly, an ineffectual and apparently poorly briefed Oliver Letwin on behalf of the Government. No representatives of any newspaper were there. So it is hardly surprising that this old adversary of a Free Press should be tabling an amendment tomorrow designed to make life more difficult for newspapers. Undoubtedly surprising and to me disappointing is that the veteran Tory MP Ken Clarke should have put his name to the amendment. This suggests that some other Conservatives may vote for it. Why on earth is another inquiry into the Press and the rest of the media required? Newspapers and their methods were exhaustively examined by Lord Justice Leveson in 2011 and 2012. Most of them have subsequently signed up to IPSO, a much tougher independent regulator than its predecessor, which only last week got most national newspapers to sign up to a compulsory arbitration scheme that could force them to pay up to 60,000 to victims of defamation, harassment or invasion of privacy. What seems to be envisaged by Ed Miliband and his allies is a sprawling investigation which would cover some of the same ground as Leveson before entering uncharted waters. Such a root-and-branch inquiry, involving as it would several members of the great and the good, and doubtless taking many months, would in all likelihood produce recommendations damaging to free speech. One can be reasonably sure, given his track record, that this is Ed Milibands expectation. Decent Labour MPs and their sympathisers in other parties should step back and examine their consciences. If what is proposed here heavy costs for newspapers that have done no wrong; exemption for favourable titles; a new comprehensive investigation were threatened in supposedly illiberal Poland or Hungary, there would be a furore in this country, and rightly so. Why, then, can it be allowed to happen in Britain? The point about a free Press is that it is free. Most people may take it for granted, but they wont thank politicians who try to dismantle it, and risk undermining our ancient liberties. A couple determined to realise their dream of building a safari lodge swapped their life in Swindon for the African Savanna. Ex-army officer Lyndon Pinches and his heavily pregnant wife Ruth left behind their creature comforts for a temporary two-man tent surrounded by lions, elephants and deadly snakes in Kafue National Park. With an 85,000 budget they had set themselves the lofty challenge of building five en-suite chalets and a restaurant to host guests at 115 per night, filmed for Channel 4's Our Wildest Dreams. But after four months of building, Lyndon and his team of builders failed to meet their deadline - and were forced to leave their lodge behind to return to the UK to have their first child. In the show, which follows British families starting over in some of the furthest corners of the planet, Lyndon has to drop his target of five chalets down to two, which he manages to finish just in time for Ruth's return along with their six-week-old daughter Indiana May. Heavily pregnant Ruth joined her husband Lyndon on their new adventure as safari lodge owners in Kafue National Park, Zambia The couple swapped their life in Swindon for a temporary two-man tent while they built their new home Midway through the build the couple welcomed their first child Indiana, returning home to the UK leaving their lodge behind Lyndon had set himself the challenge of building a restaurant with a 30m thatched roof along with five individual chalets for guests But they had set their sights too high and were only able to finish two of the chalets, one for them to live in and another for their guests Lyndon had taken voluntary redundancy from his role in the army and came up with the idea of the safari lodge, which his primary teacher wife was only too happy to support. Passionate about their new career path they moved to Africa in April 2016 - when Ruth was five months pregnant with their first child - hoping to open the Pinches Lodge before she gave birth in August. Her mother and midwife Jo admitted in the show that she wasn't best pleased about her daughter's decision to follow her husband into the African bush. 'We were aghast. As a whim it seemed they were setting up a safari lodge and never seemed to be any more thought about it other than theyd enjoy it there. 'Why would you do that? Youve got no experience, we were horrified,' she said. Unfazed by her family's opinion Lyndon and Ruth sank every penny they had in to the lodge, which was surrounded by 100 acres of land and wildlife. Lyndon had taken voluntary redundancy from the army and wanted a new adventure, coming up with the idea to launch a safari lodge They sourced the land and in April 2016 they moved out to Zambia to monitor the building work It was a slow process with materials in short supply, Lyndon had to make several 100mile trips to the nearest town But after five months of hard work - and a short break to have their baby - the Pinches were able to open their new business They had built a restaurant and bar with a 30m long thatched roof at the centre surrounded by chalets At the halfway mark they were considerably behind their target - with Lyndon under immense pressure to prove the pair had made the right decision to uproot them to the Savanna. When the scheduled finish date arrived the team of builders were desperate to leave and return to their homes but Lyndon persuaded them to stay for four more days, paying them extra. Four months was very ambitious to build five chalets and a restaurant with a 30m long roof we set the bar very high. I think I was very unrealistic about the targets,' he confessed. Initially their business plan was to include five chalets but time restricted the build and they had to scale back Lyndon had to persuade the builders he had hired to stay an extra few days when the build ran over schedule - but they were able to complete it The couple also took the decision to change Ruth's birthing plan - sending her back home to the UK a month ahead of her due date. With Ruth gone and on a tight deadline Lyndon had to reduce their five chalets down to two - but had to leave it all behind to attend the birth of his first child. After spending a short time in the UK getting to know their young daughter Indiana, Lyndon returned to put the finishing touches to their new life. By September 2016, and just six weeks after giving birth Ruth returned to Zambia in time to welcome their first paying guests. Ruth reflected on her new life with her daughter and husband in the Savanna: 'With all the terrorist attacks and life at the moment... Its looking like a more appealing option. 'She is going to have the most amazing childhood growing up in Africa.' Lyndon returned to the UK at the end of August to join his wife Ruth as she went into labour with their daughter Indiana After meeting their daughter the couple made it back to Pinches Lodge in time to welcome their first ever guests 'I'm proud of what we've managed to achieve in such a short time, if you look at where we were even at the beginning of this year, to this,' Ruth added. Lyndon said: 'This time three years ago I'd come back from operations and you were a teacher. It just goes to show if youve got the drive and determination you can just do anything really. 'I think we just wanted to do something exciting, we didnt want to trudge along the same road because that was what everyone else was doing. We wanted to have a go fulfilling our own dreams.' Since opening their lodge in September 2016, the couple have had more than 300 guests and have built one more chalet and are now expecting their second child together. Our Wildest Dreams returns on Friday at 8pm on Channel 4 A woman who set up a Tinder for women to make new friends after finding herself with nobody to go dancing with has now built a global tech company with 100,000 members in 50 cities across the world. One Friday night in 2014 when all Elva Carri's friends were busy, the 33-year-old Dubliner went on Tinder and swapped her gender, explaining she was looking for new female buddies - and within 24 hours had 100 matches. It inspired Elva to set up GirlCrew Facebok groups where people could meet each other, and while socialising she met Aine Mulloy and Pamela Newenham who she teamed up with to turn the idea into a fully fledged business. The GirlCrew app now has members in London, Glasgow, Edinburgh, Dublin, Melbourne and Toronto and aims to combat the epidemic of loneliness in women of all ages. Members can choose from a whole range of gatherings to suits all interests from sport to beauty to professional networking, or set up their own events. And it has even caught the eye of Mark Zuckerberg who handpicked the team to attend Facebook's 12th birthday celebrations in Palo Alto, California. Elva Carri, 33, from Dublin came up with the idea for GirlCrew in 2014 when she was alone on a Friday night with nobody to go dancing with GirlCrew's founders Aine Molloy, Elva Carrie and Pamela Newenham with Mark Zuckerberg at Facebook's 12th birthday party in California Recalling Girl Crew's origins, Elva told Femail: 'It was 2014. It was just an average Friday night for a single gal in her late twenties. 'There was a club night on that I really wanted to go to, but friends were all either tired or busy or staying at home with partners. 'A few of my close friends had moved away from Dublin too and I just felt like I had so few people to call on for a spontaneous night out. 'I had been using Tinder for dating at the time, but that Friday night I changed my settings so that I'd show up to other women who were on there looking for guys, but made a big pink profile picture that explained I'm actually a woman and looking for some people to go out dancing with, and did anyone want to go. Members at a GirlCrew meet up. There are now more than 100,000 members around the world and its founders say it's becoming the foundation for countless lasting friendships Members can choose from a whole range of gatherings to suits all interests from sport to beauty to professional networking, or set up their own events 'I thought I'd get three or four matches, but within 24 hours, I had 100 and counting. I went out dancing with one of the girls I'd chatted to, and one of my best friends who hadn't been free the night before and we just had the best time. 'I think we were all nervous about it because it seemed like kind of a weird thing to do, but as soon as we all met up we just laughed about how nuts it was and settled into lovely chats, a great night out and fast food at 3am together. 'So that Sunday I set up a group on Facebook and sent all my other matches the link to it, so that we could all do stuff together whenever, and from there it just grew and grew. 'People's friends wanted to join, people started asking for it in other cities and before I knew it, myself and my co-founders Pamela and Aine were managing a global community alongside full time jobs.' A girlCrew careers event: Women are using the app not just for socialising, but to forge new professional connections Elva met her co-founders through socialising for fun through GirlCrew events, and quickly realised they were the perfect team to make it a proper business. 'From really early on I felt like it was something that there was a real need for, and we proved that by testing it out in other cities in the US, Canada and Australia,' she explained. 'It was so much fun though that initially I just enjoyed it all and went with the flow, I wanted to see what it was before trying to tie it down. But I kept my eyes open for great people to work on it with, and met those people in Aine Mulloy - who I met at a GirlCrew coffee hangout, and Pamela Newenham who I met away on an entrepreneur's surf weekend. Elva said that she hopes the app will help tackle the issue of loneliness and encourage people to forge offline connections 'The three of us got together for pizza and all agreed we wanted to do whatever it would take to turn it into a business, so that we could give it the time we knew it deserved. 'We worked on it alongside full time jobs for about 18 months, building the community further, getting advice and learning from people who'd built successful tech companies, raised funding and eventually left our jobs to go full time, and build our own app.' In the first year, Elva and her co-founders spent 50 on registering the company name and some online adverts and now they have 100,000 members and counting. GirlCrew members enjoying a get together at a beauty event at the Benefit Brow Bar Elva believes GirlCrew is crucial in today's hyper-connected yet increasingly lonely world. 'Screens are such a seductive, easy distraction from what's happening around us,' she said. 'I think you're less likely to chat to your neighbour if you're reading your phone as you pass them on your road, less likely to chat to someone in a queue next to you at the supermarket or while waiting for your order in a cafe. 'And that's a pity because I think it leaves us a little lonelier, leaves the people near us a little lonelier, and one of our first impulses if we do feel bad now - is pick up your phone and hop on a social media site. So it just perpetuates. 'GirlCrew is focused on meeting up locally so the connections made online are taken offline. We don't want people to forget to have real life fun and connections. Elva and her co-founders spent 18 months developing the app while working full time At the end of our lives, I don't think we'll look back and fondly remember the evenings or weekends we spent looking at a screen, I think we'll look back on the times we laughed or cried with people, the adventures we went on, the fun that we had. 'We want to help people remember to put the phone down and enjoy those really meaningful parts of life.' If you're wondering if you can really forge a lasting connection with someone you've met through an app, Elva insists it's not only possible but highly likely. 'Being a friend to someone and building on the starting points takes effort and care the same way any important relationship does, but we've seen this turn into real lasting connections for so many of our members,' she said. 'I am starting to lose track of the girls who've met through our network and gone on to be so close that they've been each others bridesmaids, travel companions and house mates. 'Brave any nerves and go to an event. I think nerves is the biggest thing that stops people coming along to something in real life, but just comment that you're feeling a little anxious or private message the host and see can you meet her a few mins earlier to settle in. 'Everyone's had a first event some time and people are so kind about making that easier for others.' It's not exactly kosher but that's not really the point. Every Friday night, for at least four or five years now, a group of up to 40 Jewish senior citizens meet up at a Wendy's fast food restaurant in Palm Desert, California. Together, they break bread or challah, more specifically and celebrate the Jewish Sabbath over chicken nuggets, chili, and fries. Now their unique tradition is the subject of a short documentary called Wendy's Shabbat, which was recently screened at the Tribeca Film Festival in New York City. Scroll down for video Challah for a Frosty! A new documentary spotlights a group of seniors who celebrate the Jewish Sabbath at their local Wendy's Big deal: The film, Wendy's Shabbat, recently showed at the Tribeca Film Festival In Jewish tradition, the Sabbath called Shabbat begins on Friday night at sundown and ends at sundown on Saturday. Traditionally a day of rest, Shabbat includes a long list of rules and traditions for the devout. But for the more casual, less-observant Jew, Shabbat dinner on Friday night is a time to sit, eat, and enjoy the company of family and friends. Nowhere does the Torah say that this can't take place in a fast food restaurant. Several years ago, a group of Jewish seniors in Southern California decided to start holding their Shabbat dinners at their local Wendy's. Though as they explain in the documentary, they didn't plan for it to become the big event it's turned into. The film stars Roberta Mahler, an 88-year-old retiree originally from Long Island. One of the central members of the group, Roberta became the subject of the picture when it was pitched by her daughter, Abby Myers, and granddaughter, Rachel Myers, who are executive producer and director, respectively. Rituals: The group lights Shabbat candles and drinks grape juice (wine is not allowed at Wendy's) Blessings over burgers! Every Friday, the restaurant sets up tables for them and they say prayers before ordering Would you like fries with that challah? They also bring their own challah before diving into non-kosher food 'One of my friends said to me, come on were gonna got to Wendy's for Shabbat,' said Roberta. 'I said, Wendy's Shabbat? I couldn't believe it. That friend was 70-year-old Sharon Goodman. Sharon first rounded up just a few friends to head to the local Wendy's where they asked if it would be OK to say prayers and hold their dinner there. From there, they invited more people, and now the gathering can get up to 40-strong. Rabbi Isaiah Zeldin, 97, presided over the affair until he passed away in January of this year. Speaking for the documentary, Rabbi Zeldin said he believed himself to be oldest practicing rabbi in the US, and added that he liked that he could order a burger, fries, nuggets, and drink for $4 during Wendy's Shabbat. Lou Silberman, 91, also helps organize everything. Every Friday at around 3pm, he calls the restaurant to let them know the group is coming in. By now, he said, they all know him there. 'When we get there, the tables are already set up in a row because these youngsters at Wendy's are very fond of us, generally, and they work hard for us,' he said. Tradition: The film spotlights 87-year-old Roberta Mahler, whose daughter and granddaughter created the documentary Their own little congregation: Sharon Goodman first came up with the idea, inviting a few friends. Now the group is sometimes as big as 40 Score! Rabbi Isaiah Zeldin also attended until he passed away in January, and said he liked Wendy's 4 for $4 deal Yum! Lou Silberman, 91, calls up every Friday afternoon to let the restaurant know they are coming. He likes to order a Baconator 'Why would we mind?' one of the managers, Chelsea Salas, told the New York Times. 'Theyre good customers. And theyre all super cute.' With the tables already pushed together, the group takes the time to set the tale with napkins and plastic utensils. They pour out grape juice into plastic cups (because wine is not allowed in the restaurant), set up electric candles, and sit in long rows. Once everyone arrives, the group says blessings over the candles, the grape juice, and the challah they've brought, before heading up to the counter to put in their orders. Lou likes to get a baked potato and chilli, or fries and a Son of Baconator. Of course, the Son of Baconator is far from kosher, since those who keep kosher do not eat bacon, nor do they mix meat and dairy. The burger has both beef and cheese. None of Wendy's food is kosher, though but this group doesn't follow those restrictions, and not everyone in the group even considers him or herself to be all that religious. Noshing on nuggets! After saying prayers, the seniors order their dinner and take it back to the table to chat Not exactly kosher... They say the like to schmooze and it has become like a family Mostly, they like the community, and the feeling of ritual and tradition of having the meal together each Friday and chatting. Some of those in attendance are widows and widowers, and this feels like a family gathering. 'We can schmooze for up to an hour, two hours,' said Sharon. 'It's a hoot.' 'You cannot go the doctor without telling everybody at Wendy's Shabbat you went to the doctor, this is what he said, and this is your prospects of getting better, and so on and so forth,' added the rabbi. In addition to showing at the Tribeca Film Festival, Wendy's Shabbat is also currently screening at the Toronto Jewish Film Festival and Washington Jewish Film Festival. Later it will be at the Ann Arbor Jewish Film Festival, San Francisco Jewish Film Festival, Calabasas Film Festival, Hong Kong Jewish Film Festival, Palm Beach Jewish Film Festival. Advertisement It is perhaps the most important night on the fashion calendar, yet while the Met Gala often showcases the very best in style and design, it is also known for playing host to a series of red carpet catastrophes - and this year was certainly no different. With a theme that paid tribute to religious influence in fashion, Heavenly Bodies: Fashion & The Catholic Imagination, there was certainly room for the stars to experiment with their looks. However, for A-listers like Shailene Woodley, Zoe Kravitz, and Bella Hadid, that creativity resulted in something of a disastrous displays on the red carpet. Scroll down for video Tin Man, is that you? Shailene Woodley's dress looked more like a suit of armor than a stylish black tie frock, and her severe hairstyle only served to add to the medieval military feel of the overall look Goodness! Despite the religious theme, Zoe Kravtiz, 29, opted to flash a serious amount of flesh in a risque dress that was split up to the waist, and held together with just a couple of ties Daring to bare: The actress had to go underwear free in order to pull of the daring look Danger: Another star who chose to show off a lot of skin was Miley Cyrus, whose flimsy, rather ill-fitting black dress looked as though it might slip and expose her at any minute Taking it too far? Jared Leto appeared to dress as Jesus himself, while Lana Del Ray wore several bird wings on her head as part of an ornate accessory, as well as several golden daggers pointed at her heart Stealing focus: While Sarah Jessica Parker looked beautiful in her form-fitting gown, her bizarre and over-the-top headdress meant that few eyes were able to remain on the ensemble for long Make way! The entire ensemble certainly commanded attention on the carpet, with Sarah taking up a lot more room than usual thanks to the enormous train and giant headpiece Shailene, 27, for example, appeared to have been more influenced by The Wizard of Oz than any kind of religious inspiration; her dress closely resembled the outfit worn by Dorothy's much-loved companion Tin Man thanks to its armor-esque shape and silver metallic finish. The boxy, unflattering shape did little to help the illusion of a mechanical creature - or indeed a soldier from the medieval ages. Her hair, meanwhile, only served to add more severity to her look, thanks to the slicked-back sleek ponytail and the rather blunt bangs hanging down over her forehead. But if Shailene made a style statement for her ensemble, when it came to Zoe Kravitz, her co-star from both the Divergent movie series and the hit HBO show Big Little Lies, it was all about what she wasn't wearing: her underwear. Despite the theme of the evening being firmly rooted in the Catholic faith and its influence on the fashion industry, the 29-year-old plumped for an incredibly risque dress that was slit up to the waist, where it was held together with a simple knot of fabric, making it abundantly clear that she had chosen to forgo lingerie for the evening. Another one: Designer Tabitha Simmons' ensemble was also incredibly ornate in a very unflattering and over-the-top way, leaving fashion fans with no idea at just which part of the outfit to take in first Making quite an impression: Solange Knowles (left) and Lena Dunham (right) may well have caught the eyes of their fellow red carpet goers - but it was for quite the wrong reason Can you spot her? Oscar winner Frances McDormand, 60, wore a very intricate feather headpiece that almost totally obscured her face from view Quirky: Kendall Jenner's white outfit included some very funky features that quickly drew the attention of online fashion critics, namely the bizarre sheer gloves and the odd trouser trains that dragged behind her from each leg Interesting: Bella Hadid's latex corset and the extreme shape of the shoulders on her leather vest both had rather a robotic quality to them that left her looking not unlike Darth Vader from Star Wars Boo! Cara Delevingne (left) and Adwoa Aboah (right with Cara) both appeared to have been inspired more by Halloween than Catholicism when it came to choosing their rather garish looks Awkward: While the color may have been in keeping with the theme of the night, Nicki Minaj's unflattering frock failed to impress overall, despite it's rather large train She is by no means the only star on the red carpet who seems to have interpreted the Heavenly Bodies theme as an invitation to flaunt their fabulous figure. Kate Moss, Amber Valletta, and Lara Spencer all chose to eschew traditional floor-length black-tie ball gowns in favor of far shorter mini dresses, with Kate and Amber, both 44, opting for little black dresses, while the youthful Lara, 48, modeled a semi-sheer beaded number, which she paired with a rather awkward-looking pair of translucent silver sock boots. Moving on from far too little to way too much, there were also a number of rather over-the-top headdresses spotted on the red carpet at this year's Gala; SJP's enormous tower was joined by 27-year-old Rita Ora's rather terrifying-looking black spiked accessory, which served to add several rather foreboding inches to her height. Meanwhile, model Cara Delevingne, 25, and Oscar winner Frances McDormand, 60, chose to use their headdresses for a rather different reason: obscuring their faces altogether. Cara, who arrived on the red carpet with her close friend and fellow Brit Adwoa Aboah, also 25, chose to wear a rather bizarre beaded number that saw strings of shiny black beads hanging from a crown-shaped headband on her forehead down around her face. Awkward: Newlywed Emily Ratajkowski's ill-fitting, crumpled metallic frock failed to make a golden impression, while Alexa Chung's simple white dress looked more suited to a fun picnic in Central Park rather than a glittering gala Interesting take: Rita Ora's dress did have a very lengthy train - however at first glance it had absolutely nothing to do with the theme of the night, and her bright yellow handbag jarred somewhat with the neon beading on the design Sky-high: The 27-year-old's nod to the theme came in the form of a rather scary-looking pointed black headdress that perched atop her perfectly-coiffed blonde hair Showing it off: Cynthia Erivo is another star who dared to bare a little bit too much skin in her velvet dress, which featured a rather unflattering cut-out at the stomach Making a statement: The 31-year-old British actress also opted to wear jeweled eyebrows for the night, and added even more bling in the form of a chained nose ring and several chunky earrings Eclectic look: Zendaya opted for a bizarre armor-inspired dress by Versace while sporting an auburn bobbed wig, as she channelled Joan of Arc at last night's Met Gala The addition of such an ornate headpiece didn't stop Cara from showing off a bold pink hairstyle however, which served to provide a rather shocking color clash with her friend Adwoa's own garish green locks. When it came to surprise worst dressed list appearances, the normally stylish Bella, 21, hit a rare bum note in her all-black ensemble, which unfortunately left her looking not unlike Darth Vader from Star Wars, thanks in large part to the shiny latex corset and the rather aggressive looking shoulders on her leather vest. Designer Vera Wang's less than brilliant dress may also come as a surprise to her fans, particularly as she was responsible for creating one of the most popular designs of the evening: the beautiful gown worn by singer Ariana Grande. However, when it came to choosing something for herself, the 68-year-old clearly had a lot more trouble: the Gothic sheer grey design that she ended up wearing did little to flatter her skin tone, and made it look almost as though she had been cast as an extra in a movie about modern-day witches. The same could also be said about Elon Musk's rumored new girlfriend Grimes; the 30-year-old, whose real name is Claire Elise Boucher, made quite the impact on the arm of her new beau in an incredibly Gothic ensemble that consisted of a white and black ombre corset, tutu-esque black skirt, and some sheer tulle over-the-elbow gloves. She did, however, manage to coordinate with Elon, 46, with both of the duo choosing a white-and-black palette for their first appearance as a couple. Terrifying: Vera Wang (left) and Greta Gerwig (right) both looked as though their ensembles had been influenced by horror movies of some kind Shock: Elon Musk's rumored new girlfriend Grimes looked not unlike a member of the Addams Family in her bizarre dress Overwhelming: Between the dramatic make-up, stomach cut-out, long gloves, sequin material and lenghty train, Eiza Gonzalez's entire outfit was just too much to take in Inappropriate? Despite the religious, and theme of the evening, Kate Moss (left) and Amber Valletta (right) wore incredibly high hemlines, and relatively casual little black dresses Bum note: Lara Spencer is another star who struck the wrong chord in a very mini dress,m which she paired with awkward semi-sheer silver sock boots Anna Wintour and her daughter, Bee Shaffer, made a striking appearance when they arrived at the Met Gala in their contrasting white and red gowns on Monday evening. The 68-year-old Vogue editor donned a custom Chanel frock featuring a halter neck and intricate beading, while 30-year-old Shaffer modeled a red scalloped Valentino haute couture gown by Pierpaolo Piccioli. Keeping with the theme of the night 'Heavenly Bodies: Fashion and the Catholic Imagination' both of mother and daughter accessorized their looks with crosses. Mother-daughter duo: Anna Wintour (R) and her daughter, Bee Shaffer (L), attended the Met Gala together on Monday evening Juxtaposition: Wintour, 68, modeled a custom Chanel frock, while Shaffer, 30, wore a red scalloped Valentino haute couture gown Celebration: The mother and daughter posed for photos together on the red carpet Wintour topped off her dazzling white frock with a diamond cross necklace similar to the one she wore earlier in the day to preview the Metropolitan Museum of Arts new Costume Institute exhibition. The editor's dress also featured a short beaded cape that stopped a few inches above her elbows. Shaffer, meanwhile, carried a crimson clutch featuring a white beaded cross to go with her bright red gown. She wore her long brown hair pulled back at the nape of her neck to avoid drawing attention away from her dramatic one-shoulder dress. Although Shaffer struck a pose with her mom, she attended the gala with her fiance, Francesco Carrozzini, the son of the late Vogue Italia editor Franca Sozzani. Different styles: Shaffer's one-shoulder gown featured scallop detailing and ruffles, while Wintour's beaded frock had a halter neck On point: Shaffer carried a clutch with a cross on it, and Wintour wore a diamond cross necklace to honor the night's theme, 'Heavenly Bodies: Fashion and the Catholic Imagination' Good times: Wintour had a bright smile on her face while posing alongside her daughter Added touches: Shaffer's dress featured a long train, while Wintour's custom gown had a short cape in the back Carrozzini looked dapper in a black tuxedo featuring slightly cropped pants that showed off his red socks, which matched Shaffer's gown. The segment producer at Late Night with Seth Meyers debuted her engagement ring at the 2017 Met Gala, and the diamond stunner was once again on display at this year's event. It was a family affair at the gala, as Wintour's son, Charlie Shaffer, was in attendance with his wife, Elizabeth Cordry. Wintour and her daughter happily posed for photos with Cordry, who wore a silver sequin Erdem gown featuring bell sleeves and ruffles. Earlier in the day, Wintour was all smiles while previewing the new exhibition with Donatella Versace, one of her Met Gala co-hosts, and Caroline Kennedy Schlossberg. Fashionable couple: Shaffer attended the gala with her fiance, Francesco Carrozzini, and he wore red socks to match her gown Iconic mothers: Carrozzini is the son of the late Vogue Italia editor Franca Sozzani Show off: Shaffer debuted her engagement ring at the 2017 Met Gala, and the diamond stunner was once again on display at this year's event Family affair: Wintour's son, Charlie Shaffer, attended the gala with his wife, Elizabeth Cordry All together: Cordry, who wore a custom Erdem design, struck a pose alongside her mother-in-law and sister-in-law at the star-studded event Bright light: Wintour's ethereal gown sparkled under the lights at the event Leader of the pack: Guests followed Wintour as she made her way into the venue Wintour wore an ethereal gold frock paired with an ornate diamond cross necklace, and, of course, her trademark black sunglasses. The editor-in-chief paired her eye-catching frock with her beloved Manolo Blahnik sandals, the same style of pumps she has worn almost every day since 1994. The nude, low-heeled slingback sandals were first designed for her over two decades ago by Blahnik himself. The designer made a wooden model of her foot, then sculpted the shoes around them ensuring that they're a completely perfect fit. Donatella, meanwhile, opted for a stylish black suit that was far from traditional. Her blazer featured gold buttons and a yellow lapel, and she left her jacket open to show off her colorful Versace top. The 63-year-old wore matching flared pants that covered her shoes, and she topped off her look with large gold hoop earrings and a black handbag adorned with gold hardware. Kicking off the day: Wintour previewed the Metropolitan Museum of Arts new Costume Institute exhibition ahead of Monday's star-studded gala Famous friends: The Vogue editor-in-chief sat alongside Donatella Versace, one of her Met Gala co-hosts this year On point: This year's theme is 'Heavenly Bodies: Fashion and the Catholic Imagination,' and Wintour wore a diamond cross necklace to the preview Keeping with the theme: Wintour donned an ethereal gold frock and Manolo Blahnik pumps Always on brand: The 68-year-old topped off her look with her trademark black sunglasses Designer style: Donatella, 63, opted for an eye-catching black suit and a Versace top Special guest: The designer posed for photos with Cardinal Timothy Dolan, the tenth and current Archbishop of New York Cardinal Timothy Dolan, the tenth and current Archbishop of New York, also attended the press preview, and he was photographed posing with his arm around Donatella. The designer was also seen sitting next to Wintour while Dolan addressed the audience at the event. The exhibition, which opens to the public on Thursday May 10, was curated by Andrew Bolten and is the museum's largest in terms of square footage. The 'Heavenly Bodies: Fashion and the Catholic Imagination' show explores how Catholic iconography has inspired fashion designers throughout the years. Stopping by: Caroline Kennedy Schlossberg also attended Monday's press preview All smiles: Wintour stood between Andrew Bolton, the curator of the exhibition, and Stephen Schwarzmann while posing for photos at the press preview Theme: The 'Heavenly Bodies: Fashion and the Catholic Imagination' exhibition explores how Catholic iconography has inspired fashion designers throughout the years Party first! The exhibition will open to the public on Thursday May 10, three days after Monday night's Met Gala Thanks to a partnership with the Vatican, the exhibition also includes a display of papal robes and accessories that have never been on display outside of Vatican City until now. As a long roster of big and small-name celebrities get dolled up for the annual Met Gala in New York City this first Monday in May, rumors are circulating that it may be the last ball of its kind. Showbiz411 is reporting that this may be the last time that Wintour hosts the event, as she is rumored to be leaving Conde Nast this summer. And with rising budgets, lower donations, and the drama-packed spectacle of the guest list and red carpet, the site suggests that Wintour's departure could mean and end to the Met Gala as we know it. Ain't no party like a fashion party! Wintour is hosting the annual Met Gala in New York City tonight Years of service: She has been gala chair since 1995 (pictured left in 2015 and right in 2016) Flashback: Wintour has been attending since taking over as the boss of Vogue in the '80s (pictured in 1989) Changes: Wintour is rumored to be leaving Conde Nast this summer (pictured left: 2011, center: 2010, right: 2008) The event is being held tonight, after a year of planning. Wintour is co-hosting with Donatella, Rihanna, and Amal Clooney, and she could be going out with a bang before leaving her post at Conde Nast. She is currently artistic director for the company, but is rumored to be stepping away after the publication of Vogue's September issue in August. Showbiz411 speculates that when she leaves her position, she may also step down as gala chair, a position she has held since 1995. It certainly would be the end of an era if Wintour stopped hosting the event. In 2014, the institute it raises money for was renamed the Anna Wintour Costume Center, and the editor transformed it from a local fete only know by New York City elite to a worldwide spectacle. And if she does leave, the gala itself may get an overhaul. Though in recent years it has turned into a parade of celebrities and flashy outfits, it actually began in 1946 as a way to raise money for the Costume Institute and is still primarily a fundraiser. Price of style: The gala costs a fortune to put on. The Met spent $3.859 million in 2017, compared to $3.556 million in 2016 Funds: With $50,000 tickets, it's held to raise money for the Costume Institute but it raised over a million less in 2017 than it did in 2016 Star critics: Several celebrities have publicly bashed the event, including Amy Schumer and Gwyneth Paltrow Never again: Demi Lovato was a major critic as well, calling the event 'cliquey.' She went in 2016 but did not return last year Guests are expected to fork over up to $50,000, with designers shelling out up to $500,000 to buy a table for the night and fill it with a bevy of stars wearing their designs. But despite tickets costing a small fortune, the 2017 gala didn't raise quite as much as the year before. Gross receipts for the event were reportedly $12.2 million, compared to $13.5 million in 2016. And yet the gala also cost more money to put on, with the Met spending $3.859 million on the event. In 2016, it spent $3.556 million. While it's unlikely that the gala, which has been held annually for over 60 years, will come to an end completely, it's possible that there may be a shift in how it's put on. That may be a relief for some stars who've come to see the gala as a chore that's both high-pressure and hyper-exclusive. 'The overall ambience isnt super friendly,' a gala regular told Page Six this weekend. 'Its not like walking into a party where you know everyone and everyones happy to see you. 'If you walk into the girls bathroom, all the celebrities are hanging out together, smoking together and ignoring everyone else,' the regular added. What selfie ban? Last year, dozens of stars posted photos and video on social media from the event Wintour banned social media, but that didn't stop a lot of images from surfacing Sneaking... The bathroom at the event was packed with stars taking pictures Plus, 'its very dog-eat-dog. People wont move out of the way [on the carpet] for the next person.' 'Its very high school,' added another insider. 'There are plenty of people who have enough money for Met Ball, but . . . if [Wintour] doesnt deem you worthy, youre not coming. Considering that its a fund-raiser, thats extremely elitist.' In fact, Wintour signs off on every single guest, including those invited by designers who buy tables. She approves every detail including the seating charts and has been known to ban certain celebrities. Some celebrities, though, decide not to attend on their own. Demi Lovato told Billboard that the party was too 'cliquey,' while Gwyneth Paltrow dubbed it 'un-fun,' 'crowded,' and 'boiling.' 'If you had a million arms and all the people you would punch in the whole world, theyre all there,' said Tina Fey, who called it a 'jerk parade.' 'Clearly, Ill never go again.' Amy Schumer also called the ball 'punishment.' VIP club: Most seemed to be posing and goofing off Fame: Everyone seemed to want the status of landing in a big group picture Uh-oh: But several stars, including Bella Hadid, were seen smoking in the bathroom Above the law? New York law bans smoking indoors, but celebrities like Behati Prinsloo lit up anyway Last year, celebrity-watchers got a peek of what actually goes on inside the gala and some of that clique-like behavior when several stars posted selfies taken inside the event, and particularity inside the bathroom. Though Wintour has banned attendees from posting on social media, many broke the rules. Photos and video from the night that were posted on Instagram and Twitter show a huge crowd of famous faces in the bathroom, including Kendall Jenner, Kylie Jenner, Kim Kardashian, Lily Aldridge, A$AP Rocky, Diddy, Brie Larson, Frank Ocean and Emily Ratajkowski. Also there were Karlie Kloss, Jemima Kirke, Hailey Baldwin, Taylor Hill, Michelle Monaghan, Kate Bosworth, Cara Delevigne, Maggie Gyllenhaal, Ashley Graham, Elizabeth Banks, and Kerry Washington. While most were just smiling for the cameras or hanging out, a few were captured with cigarettes in hand, brazenly defying New York's indoor smoking ban. Behati Prinsloo, Bella Hadid, Dakota Johnson, and Paris Jackson were all seen smoking in the bathroom, as were Francis Bean Cobain, Mr. Robot actor Rami Malek, designer Marc Jacobs, and designer Stella McCartney. Rude: After the event, many were outraged by the behavior, calling it 'disrespectful' Entitlement: Dakota Johnson is pictured lighting a cigarette at the Met Gala. She likely did not incur the fine other people face for smoking indoors Others seen smoking included Francis Bean Cobain (bottom left) and designer Marc Jacobs Puff: Stella McCartney was snapped smoking as well The rules: Later, a Met donor complained about attendees like Mr. Robot actor Rami Malek (pictured) Not OK: A board member also complained to Wintour after seeing a scene like this one (Slick Woods pictured right) The flagrant disregard for local laws caused a bit of trouble days later, with board members and donors at the Metropolitan Museum of Art calling the behavior 'disrespectful' particularly given the incredibly valuable art in the museum that could have been damaged. The New York City Smoke-Free Air Act prohibits smoking in nearly all indoor workplaces, and calls for a fine of $200 to $400 for first-time violators. Second violation within the first year carry a $500 to $1,000 fine, while third or subsequent violations within a year carry a $1,000 to $2,000 fine. 'As a donor to the Met, I was so insulted to see all these "celebrities" smoking and taking selfies of themselves in the bathroom,' a source told Page Six. 'Mostly, i's disrespectful to the art collection, which needs to be kept 100% smoke-free. I would honestly like to see these people fined by the city.' Beside the complaining donor, a female board member at the Met was outraged by the behavior, and took it up with Vogue editor Anna Wintour herself. 'The board member stormed right out [of the bathroom] and complained right away to Anna Wintour's team. It is so disrespectful to the museum,' a source told the Post. No one likes to clean their home but there are certain suburbs where residents avoid it altogether, according to new research that has revealed the laziest areas in the nation. ServiceSeeking.com.au has sampled 15,000 jobs posted this year in Sydney and determined the most slothful neighbourhoods where residents get other people to do their cleaning. 'When it comes to outsourcing the dirty work to someone else, residents of the Eastern Suburbs are the laziest,' CEO of ServiceSeeking.com.au, Jeremy Levitt told FEMAIL. 'They are 2.4 times more likely to outsource their cleaning than the typical Sydney resident.' 'When it comes to outsourcing the dirty work to someone else, residents of the Eastern Suburbs are the laziest,' CEO of ServiceSeeking.com.au, Jeremy Levitt told FEMAIL Over the last 12 months Eastern Suburbs residents have outsourced cleaning 142 per cent more than average. They are followed by the Inner West and Western Sydney, as on average they hire cleaners 2.3 times more than their counterparts living in the Northern Beaches and Sutherland. Inner West residents outsource cleaning 94 per cent more than average while Western Sydney residents 82 per cent more and Parramatta 46 per cent. On the other end of the spectrum are the three most active Sydney suburbs, which are the Northern Beaches (12 per cent less than average), Canterbury (23 per cent less) and Sutherland (47 per cent). Over the last 12 months Eastern Suburbs residents have outsourced cleaning 142 per cent more than average Although this research reflects the laziest areas, this could also come down to what the majority of people who are living in each suburb can afford. Lower income areas tend to be not able to spend the money they earn on what it costs to hire a cleaner. 'The Inner West and Eastern Suburbs are areas where residents are more likely to hire a cleaner than do their own dirty work,' he said. The laziest suburbs - Sydney CBD residents post 9.1x more cleaning jobs than average - Parramatta 8.2x more - Kellyville 6.1x more - Castle Hill 5.9x more - Blacktown 5.9x more - Surry Hills 5.5x more - Bondi 5.2x more - Chatswood 4.8x more Advertisement The least lazy suburbs - Kirribilli hired 1.5x less cleaners than the average Sydney household - Collaroy 1.5x less - Clovelly 1.8x less - Seaforth 2.1x less - Tamarama 2.1x less - Daceyville 2.3x less - Palm Beach 2.5x less - Manly 3.9x less Advertisement The Inner West and Western Sydney are the next laziest suburbs as on average they hire cleaners 2.3 times more than their counterparts living in the Northern Beaches and Sutherland 'These areas are 2.6 times more likely to outsource cleaning compared to Northern Beaches resident,' he added. 'This analysis correlates closely with the so called "Latte Line". Residents with higher incomes are able to get the professionals in to save them time that they can spend with loved ones and doing things they like.' House cleaning services cost around $30 an hour but can rise up to $50, depending on a range of factors. Jeremy explained that what determines cleaning costs include your location, size of your home and extent of the service. A couple who quit their jobs and sold all of their possessions are hoping to raise 6,000 to pursue their dreams of sailing around the world. Elizabeth Earle, 29, and Edouard Villatte, 26, plan to set sail in their $8,000 (5,920) 1969 Amel Euros and 'embark on the adventure of a lifetime' but are asking for cash from strangers to repair the vessel first. Travel writer Elizabeth, from Nuneaton, Warwickshire has set up a crowdfunding appeal on JustGiving to help them realise their dreams of 'creating their own path', and has raised 1,510 to date. Writing on the page, the author explained: 'I couldn't accept the idea that I would stay in a job to pay off the car I couldn't afford, to get to the job I didn't like, to pay for the house in the area I didn't want to be in, just so I could have those few weeks off a year when I could be free until the day came when I could retire and finally do the stuff I wanted to. Adventure: Elizabeth Earle and Edouard Villatte plan to set sail in their 1969 Amel Euros in a bid to 'embark on the adventure of a lifetime' but need money to repair the vessel first Campaign: Elizabeth has set up a crowdfunding appeal on JustGiving (pictured) to help them 'create their own path', with donations pouring in from all over the country 'So I quit my job, sold my possessions and decided to go on an adventure of a lifetime.' Elizabeth and Edouard, who comes from France, met whilst sailing on a tiny island in the middle of the South Atlantic Ocean and fell in love, deciding they wanted to continue their whirlwind adventure together. Elizabeth recalled: 'Somehow we re-joined in Paris after going our separate ways and then decided to actually buy our own boat together. 'She's a 1969 Amel Euros and needs some work. We've sold everything we have and intend to raise as much money as possible to make her seaworthy again. 'We have to replace two masts and she needs a total rig refit. But she's worth it. We're raising funds to do all of the repairs to bring her back to her glory.' The pair bought the vintage vessel, named Papageno, after meeting on a remote island. They were able to purchase it thanks to the kindness of strangers and now hope to repair it Travel: The couple have quit their jobs and sold all of their possessions, and are now hoping to raise 6,000 to pursue their dreams of sailing around the world True love: Elizabeth and Edouard, who comes from France, met whilst sailing in the middle of the South Atlantic Ocean, deciding they wanted to continue their whirlwind adventure together Meant to be: Elizabeth and Edouard met whilst sailing on a tiny island in the South Atlantic Ocean and fell in love, deciding they wanted to continue their whirlwind adventure together Speaking about her decision to travel the world, Elizabeth said: 'I couldn't accept the idea that I would stay in a job to pay off the car I couldn't afford, to get to the job I didn't like, to pay for the house in the area I didn't want to be in' Elizabeth and Edouard are reunited in Paris. They are embarking on the next chapter of their journey this month by getting their boat repaired so that they can set sail The couple, who intend to document their journey with blogs and videos, are jetting to the British Virgin Islands this month to continue the work on the vintage vessel. Elizabeth added: 'I'm from the Midlands, and I have no business on the ocean but I just know that life is too short and I'll regret it if I don't try. 'We started a YouTube channel three weeks ago and quickly got 7.5K subscribers. My Instagram has grown to nearly 5K followers and it's been incredible to listen to the reaction from everyone. 'We want to show others that you can write your own story.' Elizabeth started studying Fine Art at the Norwich University College of the Arts but within the first year she changed her mind and decided to pursue her lifelong ambition of becoming a writer, embarking instead on a Creative Writing degree. Live stream: The couple, who intend to document their journey with blogs and videos, are jetting to the British Virgin Islands this month to continue the work on the vintage vessel Elizabeth, speaking about her social media, said: 'We started a YouTube channel three weeks ago and quickly got 7.5K subscribers. My Instagram has grown to nearly 5K followers and it's been incredible to listen to the reaction from everyone' Speaking about her adventure spirit, Elizabeth added: 'I'm from the Midlands, and I have no business on the ocean but I just know that life is too short and I'll regret it if I don't try' Elizabeth, who has chronicled her stories so far on a blog called The Delos Diaries, has sailed from Africa to Brazil and says she is happiest 'when on an adventure' In a message to potential donors on their crowdfunding page, the couple wrote: 'Edouard and I realise that we're leaving everything we've known in our lives to take this plunge, this risk, this jump into the big unknown' Elizabeth started studying Fine Art at the Norwich University College of the Arts but within the first year she changed her mind and decided to pursue her ambition of becoming a writer Thanks to donations from strangers, Elizabeth and Edouard were able to purchase their boat earlier this year and have been keeping followers updated via their JustGiving page (pictured) Speaking about their boat, named Papageno, Elizabeth said: 'She's a 1969 Amel Euros and needs some work. We've sold everything we have and intend to raise as much money as possible to make her seaworthy again' There is still a lot of work to do on the boat, as Elizabeth explained: 'We have to replace two masts and she needs a total rig refit. But she's worth it. We're raising funds to do all of the repairs to bring her back to her glory' Currently moored in the British Virgin Islands, the Papageno will need to be extensively repaired before the couple set out on their adventure The writer, who has chronicled her stories so far on a blog called The Delos Diaries, has sailed from Africa to Brazil and says she is happiest 'when on an adventure'. In a message to potential donors on her crowdfunding page, she wrote: 'Edouard and I realise that we're leaving everything we've known in our lives to take this plunge, this risk, this jump into the big unknown.' In a statement to MailOnline, Elizabeth said: 'Edouard used to work as a professional boat builder in France and after taking a break to go travelling, he returned to France to help the homeless in Marseille. 'He also volunteers in projects for Nepal, so together we really want our project with our boat SV Papageno to be able to assist humanitarian and conservation efforts. 'Our boat cost under 6K, so it's the price of a car. People think luxury when they hear of Sailing, but it's blood, sweat, tears, toilets exploding, things constantly breaking, hard work and a lot of laughter on the way. We care about people and we want to show others that they can achieve anything.' With the good weather finally here, many of us are embracing the sun by wearing bright summer clothes - and Good Morning Britain newsreader Charlotte Hawkins is no exception. But the mum-of-one, 42, didn't realise that she'd made a fashion faux pas until she stepped into the ITV studios on Tuesday morning. Charlotte wore a bright orange dress that clashed with the studio's vivid carpets, a fact that wasn't lost on her co-hosts Susanna Reid and Piers Morgan. The duo mercilessly mocked her outfit, joking that her dress was made out of the same material as the studio's carpet. Charlotte Hawkins, 42, wore a bright orange dress on Good Morning Britain On Tuesday, not realising it was the same colour as the studio's carpet Fortunately, Charlotte appeared to see the funny side in her mistake, and took to Twitter to poke fun at her look. She shared a snap of herself perched on the carpet and pulling a face as she shared the gaffe with her followers. 'Today it appears I have come dressed as the @GMB carpet...!' she wrote, followed by the orange emoji. Susanna, 47, compared Charlotte's outfit to the outlandish outfits worn by celebrities at the Catholicism-themed Met Gala. She poked fun of herself on Twitter saying she had 'come dressed as the GMB carpet' Her co-hosts Piers Morgan and Susanna Reid mocked Charlotte's dress live on GMB She said: 'We were having look earlier, werent we, with Ross at the dresses that the stars were wearing on the red carpet, but not to be outdone, Charlotte this morning came dressed as our own orange carpet. 'What better to wear on an orange carpet than a dress made of orange carpet?' Piers chimed in: 'The entire studio is basically orange!'. Charlotte then joked that she was in 'camouflage' on today's episode. She said: 'It only really struck me when I walked into the studio, and there is quite a lot of orange carpet here, how I blended in with the environment.' Charlotte's followers weren't much better, and poked fun at her on Twitter. Charlotte joked that she was wearing 'camouflage' on the show, admitting she didn't realise she matched the carpet until she arrived at the studio this morning Charlotte's Twitter followers mocked the gaffe, with one joking that she had been 'Tango'd' One tweeted: 'Charlotte Hawkins. Sponsored by Berocca.' 'Don't let people walk all over you...' another joked. A third teased: 'You know when youve been tangoed!' Piers' jibe at Charlotte was his turn to get back at her for berating him for interrupting her news bulletin last week. While she was talking directly to camera, Piers took a sip of his tea, with the mug making its way on screen, much to the annoyance of his fellow anchor. Charlotte has been a newsreader on the ITV morning show since 2014 alongside Kate Garraway Getting into a rare spat live on TV, Charlotte wasn't having any of Piers' antics, telling him off for 'making his presence felt'. Charlotte told him: 'You may be making an effort to be quieter and not interrupt as much, but your still making your presence felt, because your cup of tea, literally as I was speaking straight through the shot.' Instead of apologising for the on-screen gaff, Piers instead teased the Strictly Come Dancing star further, much to her chagrin. 'It's probably the most interesting thing about your news bulletin, my hand moving across.' quipped Piers. An anorexia sufferer has revealed how she would starve herself for up to ten days at a time while in the grips of her eating disorder. Sierra Rock, 22, from Vancouver, Canada, explained how she became trapped in a vicious cycle of not eating anything for days, before bingeing for a day. The student, who weighed 98lbs (7st) at her lowest, says she has had issues with food for as long as she can remember, hiding sweets at Halloween when she was just 10 so she didn't have to eat them. She says her eating disorder began to take over her life at the age of 16, when she felt the pressure to be perfect and in control of her life. Sierra, who now weighs a healthy 134lbs (9st 8lbs), explained how her turning point came when she became 'tired' of the way she was living, and decided she needed to recover for both herself and her family. Sierra Rock, 22, from Vancouver, Canada, (pictured as she is today, while in recovery) has revealed how she would starve herself for up to ten days at a time Sierra (pictured in the depths of her battle with anorexia) weighed just 98lbs (7st) at her lowest point Explaining how she felt at the in the depths of her eating order, Sierra said: 'I felt tired, alone and hopeless. I felt incapable of success, love and happiness. I felt like I was a bad and less valuable person that deserved to be in pain. 'I was tired of living, honestly. I figured I had three options: let this illness kill me within the year to end it all, hate my life in quasi recovery and feel stuck forever, or do something about it and take a chance and cling to the idea that literally nothing could be worse than the life I was living.' The student explained that she made the decision to turn her life around not only for herself, but also her family and friends. 'I just felt bad for my family and all of my friends started to leave me due to my negativity and stubbornness so that was a huge push,' she said. Sierra (pictured while suffering with her eating disorder) describes how she would starve herself for up to ten days, before going on a 24-hour binge The student described how her eating disorder had previously served as her 'identity and purpose' in life However, Sierra says she has now rediscovered a purpose in life after overcoming her eating disorder. 'I have been able to learn about who I am. The eating disorder served as my identity and purpose for so long that now I'm able to learn what brings me joy, what makes me angry, what makes me feel alive,' she said. 'I've been able to go back to school (which I was medically withdrawn from twice) and I also got a job. 'I'm more independent, my family trusts me again, I have a purpose, I experience joy and excitement frequently, I don't want to die, and my social and love life are flourishing.' Sierra explained how she decided to turn her life around after becoming 'tired 'of the way she was living The student said she also made the decision to battle her eating disorder after seeing the impact it was having on her friends and family Sierra said she has now rediscovered her purpose in life after battling her eating disorder Sierra added: 'Letting go of the "investment" I had in my eating disorder was the most difficult part. I gave up so many friends, school, health, money, my apartment- everything for my ED. 'It was my world. And so, to choose recovery meant to give up the one basket with all my eggs in it. 'I never felt like I got skinny enough or sick enough to recover so it almost felt like I was giving up on my investment before I felt it was had come to fruition but I had to realise the joke was on me and the eating disorder would never come to fruition. 'I'd never be skinny enough or have enough people worried or have enough hospital admissions under my belt - it was all lies.' Sierra (pictured while suffering from anorexia) says she has had issues with food for as long as she can remember The student described how she would hide sweets at Halloween when she was just 10 as she didn't want to eat them Sierra (pictured while in the grips of her disorder) said her eating disorder began to consume her life when she was 16 Sierra also urged others suffering from eating disorders to take the 'first step' towards recovery. 'The only thing holding them back from recovery is themselves. No hospital admission, medication, tube feeding, or life event is going to recover for you; yes it can assist you but not do all the work,' she said. 'Recovery sucks: it's hard and it can really be broken down into a process of stepping outside your comfort zone, feeling like s***, and continuing to do it anyways until it doesn't feel like s*** anymore. 'You don't need to see the full staircase to take the first step - you will not be able to predict the outcome of starting recovery but that doesn't mean you shouldn't do it. Sienna (pictured as she is now) says she has now been able to return to school, having been forced to withdraw twice due to her eating disorder Sierra says she has now become more independent, adding that her social life is 'flourishing' The student said recovery 'sucks', but added that she has been 'able to learn about who I am' Sierra is now urging other eating disorder sufferers to take the first step towards recovery 'And lastly that, despite how alone you feel: heaps of people had eating disorders before you and heaps will after and a good portion of those people have and will recover. 'What makes you think that you're any different and are incapable? The people that do recover are the people that swallow their pride and realise that they are the only thing standing in their own way. 'No need to sugar coat it and make anyone feel like staying with the ED or not recovering is the right thing to do.' Sierra described how she felt 'tired, alone and hopeless' while suffering from anorexia The student said she felt incapable of 'love and happiness' while in the grips of her disorder Sierra (pictured in the grips of her eating disorder) said her anorexia took hold after feeling pressure to be perfect and in control of her life The Duchess of Cornwall has told how her campaign to highlight domestic violence was inspired by the experiences of friends. Camilla, 70, who has made the issue of sexual and physical violence against women one of the cornerstones of her public work, said today: 'I'd always known about domestic abuse, in fact I knew people who'd suffered from it, but I'd no idea of the extent or how many people, how many women actually around the world are suffering from it.' The Duchess was visiting VIFILL SOS Femmes in Lyon during an official tour to France with her husband, Prince Charles. Set up in 1979 to focus on refuge housing for victims of domestic violence, it also now provides support for women without financial means to leave abusive partner Asked about her reaction to the centre she visited today, she said: 'It's incredibly well run, the lady who runs it is passionate about it, it's been going for a very long time I think long before a lot of people talked about domestic abuse. Scroll down for video Speaking about domestic violence on a visit to a women's refuse centre today, Camilla admitted she had 'no idea of the extent or how many people, how many women actually around the world are suffering from it' The Duchess was presented with a hamper as she spoke to residents and staff inside the refuge today Speaking about her work in the field of domestic violence, Camilla said: 'Each told their stories and they were the most moving stories I've ever heard, I mean there was nobody in the whole audience without a tear in their eye' 'It's also got the backing of the city and the mayor so it's financed by them and talking to the ladies they say it's their safe haven. 'It's the one place they feel safe, they can get back on their feet, back into work and back into a normal life again.' Speaking to Rhiannon Mills of Sky News after the visit, she told how she had been inspired by a visit to a charity called Safe Lives in 2016 during which women and families affected by domestic violence and murder had told her their stories. She said: "I think it was this charity Safelives I went to visit, I'd always known about domestic abuse, in fact I knew people who'd suffered from it, but I'd no idea of the extent or how many people, how many women actually around the world are suffering from it. I went to this meeting for Safelives and these incredibly brave women got up and they each told their stories and they were the most moving stories I've ever heard, I mean there was nobody in the whole audience without a tear in their eye. I think it's because these women can get up and talk about it that it's at last making a difference because I think people are beginning to realise what it's all about and they also realise 'it's not only me' there's lots of others have suffered or are suffering and you know perhaps I should get up and tell my story, to stop making it such a taboo subject. Prince Charles and the Duchess of Cornwall looked in excellent spirits as they sampled wine at a food market in Lyon on Tuesday The Duchess held up her glass to the camera during a tasting session at one local stall Camilla said it was hugely important to keep talking about the issue in order to break the taboo surrounding it. If we don't keep talking about it, it's going to go on, it's going to get worse, she said. If we talk about it I think a lot of these women here were telling me they come out feeling stronger. I've always said you know they come out being victors not victims, which is the important thing. 'And we've got to keep on talking about it because hopefully we can stop at some point, obviously not straightaway but the more it happens more people go to court. During her visit the Duchess played with a group of children whose mothers has fled domestic violence. The children were playing an interactive game, and Camilla sank to her knees to join in, even chatting to them in a little school French. The Duchess also talked with staff and supporters about the importance of teaching even school-age boys respect for women. The couple broke into a fit of laughter as they watched a cooking demonstration at one stall The duchess happily sampled a range of flavours of macaron during the visit to the market It is taught in schools in the UK too, Camilla said. Its very important that it is. The charity currently supports 32 women and 68 children. Its director, Elisabeth Liotard, said they were touched and honoured at the visit. Hopefully it will help more women to have the confidence to come forward, she said. Charles and Camilla arrived in Lyon on Tuesday morning after kicking off their five-day tour to France and Greece with a series of engagements in Nice yesterday. This morning got off to a rather more sombre note as the royal couple paid their respects to fallen servicemen at a VE Commemoration. The couple visited Lyon's Parc Tete d'Or, where they were greeted by Georges Kepenekian, Mayor of Lyon and David Kimelfeld, President of Lyon Metropolitan Area. According to onlookers, the couple sampled some local cheese in between drinks Evidently feeling merry after sampling some local wine, the pair appeared to be in high spirits Chin chin! The pair broke out into fits of giggles as they quaffed on local wine The royal visitors were followed by well-wishers who snapped photos on their phones The Duchess of Cornwall looked interested in learning more from a local charcuterie stall Charles and Camilla took time out of their busy schedule to taste the French wines The Duchess of Cornwall, 70, looked smart in an off-white dress for the occasion Camilla couldn't resist sampling some of the local delicacies as they toured the food market At one point the Duchess encouraged her husband to take a whiff of one of the herbs on display During the ceremony, Charles laid a wreath before meeting veterans and schoolchildren who will have participated in the ceremony, as well as members of the public. During the Second World War, Lyon's location in the Southern zone made it a key city for Free France and it fulfilled a major role in the redeployment of administrative services from Paris. On 11th November 1942, German troops invaded the Southern zone and occupied the city. Camilla and Charles observe a moment of silence at Monday's VE Commemorations, held at Lyon's Parc TIte d'Or on Tuesday morning Paying his respects: During the ceremony, Charles laid a wreath (pictured) before meeting veterans and schoolchildren who will have participated in the ceremony Clad in a navy pinstripe suit, the Prince of Wales looked to be in good spirits as he spoke to veterans as well as members of the public The Germans and the Vichy auxiliary police, tracked down the members of the resistance and made many arrests. Today, the town centre war memorial is dedicated to resistance members rounded up by the Germans. Every year, the town invites ex-combatants, resistance members and victims of World War II to the annual VE Day ceremony. Flag bearers for the ceremony are ex-combatants and include British individuals bearing the United Kingdom and British Legion flags. Next, the couple will visit the Les Halles Market Association and visit stalls selling cheese, charcuterie, wine, cakes, and chocolate, before viewing a cookery demonstration. The Duchess of Cornwall, 70, wore a simple white dress which she teamed with leather courts and her trademark string of pearls The couple were joined by dignitaries including Georges Kepenekian, Mayor of Lyon and Mr David Kimelfeld, President of Lyon Metropolitan Area They will also visit Interpol's headquarters where they will view a plaque dedicated to police killed on duty before viewing the Command and Coordination Centre and meeting staff working across the illegal wildlife trade, modern slavery and works of art. Charles will also visit the student population of the ISARA University in Lyon, which specialises in food and environmental studies while Camilla will visit a local charity providing assistance to women. Camilla will wrap up her busy day with a visit to Emmaus, a charity that supports formerly homeless people by providing them with a home and helping them find work in social enterprises. The Duchess has been a patron of Emmaus since 2006. Charles looked to be in a reflective mood as he laid a wreath during Tuesday's VE Day Commemorations, held at Lyon's Parc Tete d'Or Large crowds gathered around the monument this morning to pay their respects to those who lost their lives during WWII The royal couple made the short journey from Nice to the medieval village of Eze yesterday afternoon after arriving in the South of France earlier on Monday. Their first stop was to a monument paying tribute to the victims of the city's Bastille Day terror attack. Later this week, the couple will arrive in Athens where they will attend a wreath-laying ceremony at the Monument of the Unknown Soldier before receiving an official welcome at the Presidential Mansion and Prime Minister's Residence. During their stay in the Greek capital, the prince will also lay a wreath at the Commonwealth War Graves Cemetery before the couple carry out a number of other engagements to celebrate the UK and Greece's longstanding maritime relationship. Their first official tour of Greece will also celebrate youth opportunity and the countries' charitable and education connections. She often recycles her favourite looks, and Queen Letizia opted for a chic suit skirt she's worn before as she attended a charity conference today. The royal, 45, looked business-like as she arrived at an event to mark the World Day of the Red Cross and Red Crescent in Santiago de Compostela, north-west Spain. The mother-of-two teamed her Hugo Boss suit skirt with a white ruffled blouse underneath, and a pair of black patent heels. Wearing her glossy locks down over her shoulders, Letizia went for a bold red lipstick, complementing her ruby earrings. Queen Letizia, 45, opted for a bold red lipstick as she attended an event to mark the World Day of the Red Cross and Red Crescent in Santiago de Compostela, north-west Spain The mother-of-two recycled her favourite suit skirt from Hugo Boss for the engagement Letizia looked in high spirits as she met with guests at the reception, before delivering a speech. The World Day of the Red Cross and Red Crescent is an annual celebration of the principles of the humanitarian movement set up by Red Cross founder Henry Dunant. Letizia has worn her co-ordinating plum tweed skirt by Hugo Boss on several occasions in the past. In fact, it appears to be one of her go-to-looks - with the Spanish queen wearing the tweed blazer on her first public appearance since footage emerged of an 'awkward' exchange between her and mother-in-law Queen Sofia. Wearing her locks down over her shoulders, she opted for a glamorous make-up look Letizia looked in high spirits as she met guests at the event, which is an annual celebration of the principles of the humanitarian movement set up by Red Cross founder Henry Dunant It's been a busy month so far for the royal, who attended the tenth anniversary awards of the Proyectos Sociales Banco de Santander, an organisation which supports social projects for vulnerable people, on Tuesday. Last week, Letizia joined her husband King Felipe for an engagement at the Royal Palace of El Pardo in Madrid. The couple first met while Letizia was working for popular TV channel 24 Horas, with the pair becoming engaged in 2003. They married a year later and share two daughter Leonor, 12, and Sofia, 11. Letizia delivered a short speech at the event in Santiago de Compostela, north-west Spain The Spanish royal finished off her ensemble with black heels and a white ruffled blouse The mother-of-two flashed a wide smile as she spoke to officials on arriving at the event A computer scientist who struggled to make friends as a child due to a condition causing swelling in her face says her life now feels like a 'fairy-tale' thanks to her accepting, supportive husband. Jordan Thompson, 25, of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, fell in love with Robert, also 25, after meeting him in college. The swelling in Jordan's face is a lymphatic malformation, which itself stems from the abnormal formation of lymphatic blood vessels. Couple: Jordan Thompson, 25, of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, suffers from a condition causing her face to swell. She met her husband Robert, also 25, after meeting him at college Condition: The swelling in Jordan's face is caused from a lymphatic malformation, which itself stems from the abnormal formation of lymphatic blood vessels Happy: Jordan (pictured on her wedding day) says life now feels like a 'fairy-tale' thanks to her supportive husband Robert accepts Jordan for her true self, and she said he doesn't mind the 'quirks' that come with the condition. These include her speech impediment, the fact that she eats slowly and with difficulty, and her tendency to drool at night. While Jordan became more social in high school and has since made a lot of friends, nobody has been as understanding of her condition as Robert. 'My husband is much more accepting of my quirks and random things that I have to do differently,' she said. 'I separate who I am from what I look like and when I met Robert, he was able to do the same. 'He doesn't care about any of these things one bit. That has been really great. 'It is harder for me to eat and I am difficult to understand when I speak. I have to repeat myself frequently.' Partner: While Jordan became more social in high school and has since made a lot of friends, nobody has been as understanding of her condition as Robert True love: The computer scientist has always accepted herself and knew that she would eventually find the right man, but just didn't know it would happen at such a young age Jordan started feeling isolated due to her condition back when she was a child. 'Growing up was difficult for me because I could never understand why people wouldn't give me a chance,' she said. 'I felt alienated because none of the kids ever invited me to do things outside of school. 'By the time I got to high school, I became comfortable with what I looked like and decided that my condition was not going to stop me from doing what I want to do.' Jordan has never considered herself disabled, but rather a person who struggles with something just like everyone else. She has always accepted herself and knew that she would eventually find the right man, but just didn't know it would happen at such a young age. 'I am not disabled. Everyone has a battle they are fighting. Everyone has a difference they are learning to accept. Mine just happens to be visible,' the computer scientist said. 'Other than that I mostly forget that I have it. It is part of my life and I have learned to adapt and live with it. 'I knew that my person was out there for me, I just didn't know how long it would take to find him.' Soulmate: 'I knew that my person was out there for me, I just didn't know how long it would take to find him,' Jordan (pictured on her wedding day) said Procedures: Jordan (pictured on her wedding day in a group shot) has had several surgeries to reduce the swelling around her jaw and is now content with the way she looks Jordan has had a total of 36 surgeries, which included procedures on her jaw, the bones of her face and her tongue. The operations reduced the size of the swelling around her jaw. Now, she thinks she probably won't have any more surgeries, and is content with the way she looks. 'The surgeries changed my appearance and definitely for the better,' Jordan said. 'I learned early on in life that it's not good to obsess about something you can't change.' She even finds that her condition has motivated her to set a good example. Having people noticing her everywhere she goes has inspired her to stand out in a positive way. 'I can't go anywhere without someone recognizing me. I'm different and recognizable,' Jordan said. 'If I set a good example and am nice to people despite the hand I've been dealt in life, then that's going to affect others and hopefully give them hope.' A former Japanese porn star has revealed how she used to cry on set once the cameras stopped rolling. Emiri Okazaki, from Tokyo, began working in adult films aged 21 after realising she was unlikely to ever achieve her dream of becoming a famous model and television actress. Speaking in an interview with YouTube star Kei on his Asian Boss channel, Emiri revealed how she was paid up to $6,000 (4,400) per shoot and would film as many as 28 movies a month. However the lucrative career also proved disastrous for her personal relationships. Her mother cut her off for six months after she found out she was working in porn and her boyfriend's mother was so ashamed she tried to tear the couple apart. Career change: Emiri Okazaki, from Tokyo, began working in adult films aged 21 after realising she was unlikely to ever achieve her dream of becoming a famous model and television actress Strain: However the lucrative career also proved disastrous for her personal relationships Word of advice: Emiri warned that many of her porn star friends regretted their career choice Emiri, now 27, also spoke of the emotional toll of the work, admitting she 'cried' when the cameras stopped rolling because she felt so overwhelmed. Speaking about the end of her first shoot, she said: 'It's hard to explain but it's like multiple emotions hit me at once and I cried. There are actually a lot of girls who cried while filming. 'In my case I imagined it wasn't the real me but an actress playing her part in a film. So I didn't cry while filming but once everything was done and I came back home I just suddenly started crying. I had such mixed emotions. I wasn't even sure why I was crying.' Emiri, who quit the industry and now has her own beauty business, revealed she worked alongside actresses from a variety of backgrounds, including those from wealthy families who had graduated from 'well-known universities'. First time: Emiri described what it was like finishing her first porn shoot aged 21 in 2011 Confessions: Emiri revealed she went home and cried after her first adult film shoot 'They say a small part of why they do it is to earn pocket money but the main reason why they do it is because they're curious,' she explained. Emiri's own career began with modelling as a teenager before she transitioned into acting. However it became increasingly difficult to find roles. 'I felt like I wasn't getting anywhere [at the age of 21],' she said. 'I felt like I was failing. I felt like the older I got the more my career would go downhill.' She shot her first adult film in 2011. A typical shoot would either be spread over two 12-hour days, or would be shot in a single 21-hour session, Emiri explained. On the day of a shoot she would be picked up by her agent and taken for a meeting with the director to reconfirm 'what the girl can or cannot do'. Lucrative: Emiri described how actresses could earn up to $100,000 ( for just one film Hectic schedule: A popular porn actress could be booked for as many as 28 shoots per month While the type of contract and number of shoots varied, a popular porn actress can expect to be booked for as many as 28 shoots per month. This combined with 'handshaking events' means women can sometimes find themselves without any days off. Emiri described how she initially felt 'guilty' about her decision to enter porn. 'I felt somewhat guilty, even though I knew I wasn't doing anything wrong,' she said. 'But I felt bad for my parents, even though I knew it was wholly my decision. I still felt like apologising.' Her mother was so ashamed of her daughter's decision she blocked her calls and refused to see her for six months. Emiri continued: 'These family issues really took a toll on me mentally. I was more stressed and worried about my mum than my work. Threats: Her then-boyfriend was so irate when he was told he threatened to 'kill her' 'Eventually my mom called. She said "I will never understand your career or ever support you. But you are my daughter and that will never change. So from now on... I don't want to hear about your work". From then on we started bonding and hanging out again.' The job also caused problems with her then-boyfriend, who threatened to 'kill her' when she told him. School porn, female pervert - where the girl would be the one molesting the guy - S&M, rape. There's a series called "Oh, I'm stuck". Like there's a girl who's stuck in an elevator door and can't move Emiri Okazaki 'No joke he threatened to first kill me and then kill himself afterwards,' she said. 'There were times when he had a knife pointed directly at me.' Meanwhile her current partner's mother urged him to break up with her when she found out about her career. There are two main types of contracts for female porn stars, Emiri explained. The first option is an annual contract of one film a month, earning the actress between $10,000 (7,400) and $100,000 (78,000) per title. The second is a 'pay-per-shoot' contract in which the actress is paid depending on the work required on a given film. 'This would be $2,000 (1,500) to $6,000 (4,400) per shoot,' Emiri continued. 'It's almost like it becomes a day job. They might ask you just to show your breasts. That might cost $150 (110) or $200 (150).' However while she initially enjoyed success in the industry, she noticed her popularity start to wane. Variety: Emiri estimated there were a 'few thousand' different genres of porn 'We were making quite a lot of sales at the beginning but it's not like you have videos coming out all the time... so the numbers dropped. 'You realise this even if you don't look at the figures because suddenly people don't want to work with you. The money that you make decreases while the type of porn you do gets more extreme.' Emiri estimated there were a 'few thousand' different genres of porn. She said: 'School porn, female pervert - where the girl would be the one molesting the guy - S&M, rape. There's a series called "Oh, I'm stuck". Like there's a girl who's stuck in an elevator door and can't move. 'There's another series that's called "stop time". So it would be like bang, bang, bang, bang, and then time suddenly stops, and you have to be quiet... I guess because the Japanese are really perverted.' Change in career: Emiri now owns her own beauty company and is a restaurant hostess She added that having sex on camera and having sex in real life are 'completely different'. 'First of all, with the cameras running, I have to think about how I look on camera,' she explained. 'People think porn stars are genuinely good at sex. But I think that's false. 'Rather, they're better at presentation, not at sex. The same goes for porn actors.' The star decided to quit the industry in 2016 after she felt she had reached the level of success she had set out to achieve. She described how friends and family who had once looked down on her decision began to reach out to her and she began to build a career as a public speaker. Asked what advice she would give to other women looking to go into porn, she added: 'This might sound really obvious but the younger you are, the less you think about the consequences. So I think it's better to think it over. I have seen so many friends regret doing it.' She was recently crowned as Britain's 'busiest royal', so it is little wonder that Princess Anne is on the hunt for a new private secretary. The Princess Royal, 67, is currently advertising for a right-hand man or woman - ideally with a military background - to assist her on engagements at home and overseas. The 'outstanding' candidate must be able to demonstrate 'intellectual rigour' and have a good understanding of the UK's political, economic and geographical infrastructure' according to the job listing on the Royal family's website. The vacancy closes later this month with interviews from June onward, although the right candidate will not start for another four months according to the job listing - suggesting a gruelling recruitment process. Scroll down for video Princess Anne is currently advertising for a new right-hand man or woman to assist her on engagements at home and overseas Could it be you? The vacancy closes later this month with interviews from June onward, although the right candidate will not start for another four months according to the job listing Duties include everything from 'advising and supporting HRH in all matters and accompanying The Princess Royal on overseas trips, to supervising the planning and execution of the official programme, along with managing budgets and correspondence'. Last year Anne, whose current private secretary is Captain Nick Wright, was crowned the 'busiest royal' for the second time after clocking up 455 official engagements in 2017. Anne put her younger family members to shame with a dizzying roster of UK gala dinners, receptions and charity events - as well as a further 85 engagements overseas. Hot on Anne's heels was her brother the Prince of Wales, who has carried out an impressive 374 duties on home turf this year, followed by 172 foreign events. The figures, published by The Times in December, show that Charles, 69, did the most overseas travelling last year. Princess Anne put her younger family members to shame with a dizzying roster of UK gala dinners, receptions and charity events in 2017 - as well as a further 85 engagements overseas The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge clocked up 117 and 63 UK engagements respectively, although Kate was bed-bound for much of the year with severe morning sickness UK engagements . Princess Anne: 455 . Prince of Wales: 374 . The Queen: 296 . The Duke of York: 220 . The Duchess of Cornwall: 145 . Prince Harry: 139 . The Duke of Edinburgh: 131 . Duke of Cambridge: 117 . Duchess of Cambridge: 63 Advertisement Overseas engagements . The Prince of Wales: 172 . The Duke of York: 106 . The Duchess of Cornwall: 90 . Princess Anne: 85 . Prince Harry: 70 . The Countess of Wessex: 70 . The Earl of Wessex: 58 . The Duke of Cambridge: 54 . The Duchess of Cambridge: 42 Advertisement They were compiled by 'veteran royal watcher' Tim O'Donovan, 85, who studies the court circular each year to analyse the amount of engagements carried out by members of the royal family. According to his annual account of royal engagements, the Duchess of Cambridge was the royal with the fewest engagements in her schedule for the third year running - although Kate was forced to miss a number of events this year due to severe morning sickness. Her husband Prince WIlliam, by contrast, carried out 117 engagements at home and 54 overseas according to his diary. And at the age of 91, the Queen carried out an impressive 296 engagements in total - with O'Donovan noting that the monarch 'never has a day off' except for Christmas Day and Easter Sunday. Commenting on his annual account of royal engagements, O'Donovan told The Times: 'The young ones are beginning to do a bit more. Hot on Anne's heels was Anne's brother the Prince of Wales, who has carried out an impressive 374 duties on home turf last year (left); with Harry undertaking 139 UK engagements (right) The Queen carried out an impressive 296 engagements in 2017 - with O'Donovan noting that the monarch 'never has a day off' except for Christmas Day and Easter Sunday 'Every engagement is different, in terms of time spent and the preparation needed, whether it be a visit, investiture or a speech. It goes to show how much work they do.' And after studying Princess Anne's diary in detail, he added: 'She is always rushing around the country. 'I'm just amazed when I look through the court circular at what she does in a day. The amount she crams in is extraordinary.' After returning to royal duties after the Christmas break, Princess Anne, who was previously named the busiest royal in 2015, carried out a further five duties in the space of a week. Among them was a farming conference in Oxford, a watersports centre in Bristol and a luncheon at the London Boat Show. The Princess Royal is also involved with more than 300 charities and organisations, according to O'Donovan. We're barely a week into the month, but May is already proving to be something of a social whirlwind for Princess Beatrice. The eldest daughter of the Duke of York was snapped enjoying a stroll around Manhattan on Saturday afternoon, accompanied by a male friend. The gentleman, whose identity is not known, stayed close to the 29-year-old princess as they walked through New York at the weekend. Later that evening, Beatrice joined stars including the supermodel Karlie Kloss - with whom she was recently snapped on holiday in Jordan - at a party, and on Monday night she dazzled on the Met Gala red carpet alongside the likes of Rihanna, Blake Lively and George and Amal Clooney. Princess Beatrice, 29, was snapped strolling with a male friend in New York on Saturday - just days before she dazzled on the Met Gala red carpet Just two days later Princess Beatrice was groomed to perfection as she joined the cream of the fashion world at the famed Costume Institute Gala at the Metropolitan Museum of Art All this is not forgetting, of course, that Beatrice has another rather pressing social engagement to prepare for in less than a fortnight - her cousin Prince Harry's wedding to Meghan Markle at Windsor Castle on May 19th. The Princess set the style bar high with her Met Gala debut, for which she chose a show-stopping Alberta Ferretti gown in a fitting shade of Episcopal purple - the theme of the night was Heavenly Bodies: Fashion and the Catholic Imagination. Two days prior she cut a rather more casual figure for her companionable stroll, wearing a short chambray dress with a tie belt, and a pair of mismatched flats. The pair walked around Greenwich Village and stopped off at the health food specialty shop Clover Grocery. The flame-haired royal was dressed down in a chambray dress with a belted waist, a pair of slipper-style flats and carried a bag from Clover Grocery, a gourmet health food store Busy Bea: After her Saturday stroll around the city, Beatrice joined celebrities including the supermodel Karlie Kloss - with whom she was recently snapped on holiday in Jordan - at a pre Met Gala bash FEMAIL has approached Buckingham Palace for comment. The Princess will be returning to the UK in the coming days, ahead of the most hotly anticipated wedding of the year at Windsor Castle - the same venue where her younger sister, Princess Eugenie, 28, will tie the knot with her long-term boyfriend Jack Brooksbank on October 12. Beatrice is understood to be single, having split from her long-term love, Dave Clark, in 2016 after 10 years together. Mr Clark is now engaged to Lynn Anderson. In February Beatrice was snapped leaving an LA restaurant in a Bentley after a dinner with British businessman and fitness guru James William. The couple are also parents to a two-year-old son, James Lauren gave birth to their second son on April 19, and she stayed home while David went to the gala without her on the 14th anniversary of their first meeting Lauren Bush Lauren and her husband, David Lauren, have celebrated the anniversary of their first meeting at the Met Gala nearly every year since they got together in 2004, but this year the mom opted to miss the annual event and stay home with her newborn son, Max. The 33-year-old Feed founder paid tribute to her husband on Instagram Stories on Monday before sharing a new photo of their nearly three-week-old son cradled in her arms the next morning. 'Loving my morning snuggles with mister Max,' she captioned the sweet image of her baby boy looking up at her while snuggled in her arms. Look of love: Lauren Bush Lauren took to Instagram on Tuesday to share a photo of herself cradling her nearly three-week-old son, Max Romance: On Monday, the night of this year's Met Gala, Lauren paid tribute to her husband, David Lauren, on the 14 year anniversary of their first meeting at the event in 2004 David, the 46-year-old son of designer Ralph Lauren, attended the Met Gala without his wife, and while he was gone, she couldn't resist looking back on all the times they had attended the star-studded event together. Lauren started her Instagram story with a picture of a bouquet of peonies, writing: '14 years ago...' She then shared a photo of herself with David at the Met Gala in 2005, a year after they met. 'I met this sweet, handsome guy named David at the #MetGala,' she wrote. 'And years later we decided to get hitch and create a family together, she continued, posting pictures of their Colorado wedding and a baby photo of their now two-year-old son James. Their story: Lauren and David married at the Lauren family's Double RL ranch in Ridgway, Colorado, in 2011 (L). Four years later, they welcomed their son James (R) !4 years later... While sharing a photo of a bouquet of peonies, presumably flowers David had bought her, Lauren said she still feels like the 'luckiest girl' Thumbs up: David (center) was all smiles while posing with stars like Lily Aldridge, Rosie Huntington-Whiteley, Kerry Washington, Ansel Elgort, Jimmy Fallon, and Shailene Woodley Lauren ended the post with another picture of the flowers, which David presumably got for her, writing: 'And 14 years later... I still feel like the luckiest girl in the [world emojo] [Love] you @davidlauren.' While Lauren was at home with their two sons, David was hobnobbing with the likes of Jimmy Fallon, Kerry Washington, and Lily Alrdige at last night's Metropolitan Museum of Art Costume Institute Benefit. After meeting at the Met Gala in 2004, when Lauren was just 19 years old, the two have returned to the high-profile social event held at the Metropolitan Museum of Art almost every year since to celebrate the anniversary of their first meeting. In addition to missing this year's event, Lauren also skipped out on the Met Gala in May 2012, eight months after she and David had gotten married. The Metropolitan Museum of Art is such a special place for the couple that when it came time to propose to his lady love in 2010 he chose that very spot. Too cute: Lauren and David welcomed their son, Max Walker, on April 19. She proudly shared this photo of him on the day he turned one week old All together: David posted a photo of of himself posed with his wife and their sons in the hospital last month David suggested that they meet at the Met to look at some new pictures before attending a dinner nearby, bur when Lauren arrived at the venue she was surprised that no one else was there but David and the art work he wanted her to see was a series of photographs from their seven years together. 'I created our own exhibition of our life together,' David told Vogue in 2011. 'And I got down on my knee and proposed. 'Then we went outside and took a carriage ride with a clarinetist and a saxophonist following us.' Instead of saying 'I do' in their home city of New York, they wed at the Lauren family's 17,000-acre Double RL ranch in Ridgway, Colorado, over Labor Day weekend in 2011. The couple welcomed their eldest son James in November 2015, and on Thanksgiving, a few days after their little boy's second birthday, they both took to Instagram to reveal that Lauren was pregnant again. Big brother: Two-year-old James was photographed holding his younger sibling in his arms Happy: 'We feel lucky and blessed to introduce our son Max Walker Lauren!' David wrote when announcing his son's birth by posting this photo The former model was due to give birth this May, but David revealed on Instagram on April 20 that their bundle of joy had arrived a month early. 'We feel lucky and blessed to introduce our son Max Walker Lauren!' he wrote. 'He was born yesterday (April 19) at 5:33 am weighing 7lbs 8oz. He is happy and healthy and enjoying his new world!' The proud dad shared a close-up photo of little Max sound asleep with a blue knit cap on his head. The joyous news came just three days after Lauren's grandmother Barbara Bush died at the age of 92. Before learning of her grandmother's death, Lauren showed off her growing baby bump in a long black shirtdress at the Food Bank for New York City Can Do Awards dinner at Cipriani Wall Street in New York City on Tuesday. Throwback: Lauren and David celebrated the 13-year anniversary of their first meeting at the Met Gala in May 2017 History: The couple met at the Met Gala when she was just 19. David posed with model Filippa Hamilton at the event in 2004 (left), while she is pictured alone at the benefit that year (right) Tradition: The happy couple has celebrated the anniversary of their first meeting at the May event nearly every year since. They are pictured at the Met Gala in 2016 She had a motherly glow as she posed on the red carper with her hand lovingly resting on her stomach. Page Six reported that Lauren found out about her grandmother's death at the event marking the Food Bank for New York City's 35th anniversary. According to the outlet she stayed through the dinner but left before the after-party. 'She looked somber at the table,' a source told the publication. Lauren and David were seen out in New York City with their baby boy on Saturday, April 21, the same day as her grandmother's funeral. The couple was pictured with flowers, gifts and balloons, along with their new bundle of joy, as they brought Max home from the hospital. At the same time Barbara was being laid to rest in College Station, Texas, following a private memorial service in Houston with the rest of Lauren's family. Creative people may be 90 per cent more likely to suffer from schizophrenia than the average person, new research suggests. Bipolar disorder, depression and schizophrenia all develop more often in people who have degrees in artistic subjects, according to a study by King's College London. It has previously been found that creative people's brains work differently, which scientists think may make them more at risk of mental-health problems. A study of the entire Swedish population's medical and education records found those who studied subjects like music, drama or art at university have more psychiatric conditions than the general public. People who studied law degrees do not have a higher risk, suggesting the increase is not caused by people going to university. Creative people may be 90 per cent more likely to suffer from schizophrenia (stock) WHAT IS SCHIZOPHRENIA? Schizophrenia is a chronic and severe mental disorder that affects how a person thinks, feels, and behaves. People with schizophrenia may seem like they have lost touch with reality. The cause of schizophrenia is not understood and it is believed to be a mix of genetics (hereditary), abnormalities in brain chemistry and/or possible viral infections and immune disorders. Symptoms of schizophrenia usually begin between ages 16 and 30. In rare cases, children have schizophrenia too. The symptoms of schizophrenia fall into three categories: positive, negative, and cognitive. Positive symptoms are disturbances that are 'added' to the person's personality and include: Hallucinations Delusions Thought disorders (unusual or dysfunctional ways of thinking) Negative symptoms are capabilities that are 'lost' from the person's personality and include: 'Flat affect' (reduced expression of emotions via facial expression or voice tone) Reduced feelings of pleasure in everyday life Difficultly beginning and sustaining activities Cognitive symptoms are changes in their memory or other aspects of thinking and include: Trouble focusing or paying attention Problems with 'working memory' Poor ability to understand information and use it to make decisions Figures suggest around one percent of the world population suffers from schizophrenia with around two million in the US. Source: National Institute of Mental Health Advertisement Sensitive minds may be more vulnerable to depression The study's author Dr James McCabe told the New Scientist: 'Creativity often involves linking ideas or concepts in ways that other people wouldnt think of. 'But thats similar to how delusions work for example, seeing a connection between the colour of someones clothes and being part of an MI5 conspiracy.' He suggested the genetic makeup that makes people creative may be linked to the factors making them more likely to have mental-health problems. It is also possible that people who are particularly moved by art - even if not artists themselves - might be more at risk of emotional instability. 'Someone who is moved to tears by looking at a painting may have greater artistic sensitivity but also be more vulnerable to depression,' Dr McCabe added. The findings were published in The British Journal of Psychiatry. People who study subjects like music at university have more psychiatric conditions (stock) Creative people are 62% more likely to have bipolar disorder Results further suggest creative people are 62 per cent more likely to be admitted to hospital for bipolar disorder, and 39 per cent more likely to be admitted for depression. Hospitalisation for the conditions usually occurs in people in their mid-30s Sweden has a population of approximately 10 million people, with the findings adding to a study of 86,000 people in Iceland in 2015. The Icelandic study found a genetic link to schizophrenia and bipolar disorder in creative people, such as musicians and artists. There were concerns about the researchers' definition of creative people, due to only those who had arts degrees being studied. Harvard University's Dr Shelley Carson said: 'Its not ideal because many highly creative people are not studying art.' Professor Jeremy Hall at Cardiff University added: 'My advice to artists would be the same as to anyone else worried about developing psychosis. Dont smoke cannabis and try to lead a generally healthy life.' Schizophrenia overwhelmingly caused by genetics Whether cannabis use causes schizophrenia has been hotly debated in recent months, however, research released last year suggested that around 79 per cent of cases could be explained by genetics. A study of 60,000 people, published in Biological Psychiatry, suggested the genes people inherit play a far bigger role than previously believed. Half of the 21 million schizophrenia patients worldwide do not receive care for the condition, according to the World Health Organization. Even when they do, existing drugs do not get to the root of the illness and there have been few advances in the last 50 years, say experts. Treatment is currently limited to addressing one specific symptom of the disease psychosis. The findings offer hope of screening for the devastating mental illness before it takes hold, allowing for more successful treatments, according to the researchers, from the University of Copenhagen. An ancient virus is 'off the charts' in remote regions of Australia, according to an infectious-disease specialist. HTLV-1, which can cause leukemia and lymphoma, has infected more than 40 per cent of adults in isolated communities in central Australia, with indigenous people being the worst hit. Dubbed the cousin of HIV, which is thought to be due to the two viruses being discovered within years of each other, HTLV-1 has already caused natives to die of the lung condition bronchiectasis. It is unclear exactly why Australia is experiencing such an outbreak, which one expert has called 'the greatest ever reported in any population'. Yet, some believe the HTLV-1 virus found down under may have mutated, causing it to be more easily spread between people via breastfeeding, unprotected sex and blood transfusions. According to the specialist, HTLV-1, which has been found in 1,500-year-old mummies, has received little attention due to fears of HIV and AIDS gripping the public. An ancient virus is 'off the charts' in remote regions of Australia, an expert says (stock) How serious is HTLV-1 infection? Speaking of the outbreak, Dr Robert Gallo, who helped discover the virus nearly four decades ago, told CNN: 'The prevalence is off the charts.' Infectious-disease expert Dr Lloyd Einsiedel said the infection is now spreading into other areas including Adelaide and Perth. For people with 'a lot of the virus' in their blood, Dr Einsiedel said it is 'the most potent carcinogenic virus that we know of'. Dr Graham Taylor, from Imperial College London, who runs the UK's HTLV service, added that the Australian outbreak is 'probably the highest-ever reported prevalence in any population'. HTLV-1 has infected over 40 per cent of adults in communities in central Australia (stock) WHAT IS HTLV-1? HTLV-1 is a virus that infects T cells, which make up people's immune systems. It has been linked to leukemia, lymphoma and paralysis of the lower limbs. Around 95 per cent of infected people experience no symptoms. Yet, these can include: Fatigue Swollen lymph nodes Thirst Nausea and vomiting Fever Frequent infections Between two and five per cent of infected people develop leukemia, while 0.25-to-2 per cent experience lower limb paralysis. HTLV-1 is spread via breastfeeding, unprotected sex, blood transfusions and sharing needles. There is no cure or treatment. Management focuses on screening blood donors, promoting safe sex and discouraging shared needle use. Screening pregnant women can also decrease the risk of infection via breastfeeding. Advertisement Where else is HTLV-1 in the world? According to Dr Gallo, little research is being done into HTLV-1's prevention despite the virus being present throughout the world, including in southwestern Japan, regions of South America, such as Brazil, and parts of the Caribbean. HTLV-1 rates are low in the US and UK. The virus typically affects poor people, who do not have access to medical treatment, Dr Gallo adds. Although donated blood samples and tissues are often tested for HTLV-1 in the US, Japan is thought to be the only country that screens for the infection during pregnancy and then recommends formula feeding. What is HTLV-1? HTLV-1 is a virus that infects T cells, which are involved in people's immune systems. Around 95 per cent of people infected with HTLV-1 show no symptoms, however, it can cause leukemia, lymphoma and paralysis of the lower limbs. Symptoms of infection can include fatigue, swollen lymph nodes, thirst, nausea, vomiting, fever and frequent infections. There is no treatment or cure. Disease management focuses on preventing infection via screening blood donors, promoting safe sex and discouraging needle sharing. 70 per cent of Fitbit users surveyed did not know how long a menstrual cycle is It already tracks the steps you take, the calories you burn, and how long you spend asleep. And soon a Fitbit could also be telling women when they're ovulating or when to expect the symptoms of their period, thanks to its new Female Health feature. The smart watch company is rolling out its feature as the newest watch model, the Fitbit Versa, hits the shelves. According to a survey carried out by Fitbit, it was one of the things most requested by users. Female Health will allow women to use the app to track where they are in their menstrual cycle and compare the cycle with other stats such as how well they sleep. It will also be able to send notifications when users are due to start their period, and if you are trying to conceive it can tell you when you will be most fertile. The company says it wants to offer a new way for women to get in tune with their own bodies and discuss their experiences with other users. The more information you put into the app over time, the more accurately it will be able to predict your future menstrual cycles and how they will affect things like your sleep and weight The in-app feature will work on the Versa and Ionic models of the smart watch, and is also available to all women aged over 13 who use the Fitbit app. A way to learn more about your fertility Fitbit's senior health and fitness editor Danielle Kosecki writes on her blog: 'Many womens sexual health education stops after grade school, if they get one at all. What is a normal period? The length and effects of periods vary between women, but they happen when the womb lining is released by the body if an egg is not fertilised after leaving the ovaries. On average, women have periods every 28 days, although this can vary normally from around 21 to 40 days. They usually last for between two and eight days, and around three to five tablespoons of blood is lost. Girls usually begin having monthly periods at around age 12, but they can start earlier or later. Premenstrual syndrome (PMS) happens shortly before a period and can make women feel unwell, bloated, irritable and prone to mood swings. Women ovulate - the time when they are most likely to get pregnant - approximately 12 to 14 days before the start of their period. Source: NHS Advertisement 'Thats why Fitbit is excited to announce the launch of one of the companys most requested features: female health tracking, coming in May 2018. 'This new in-app experience and on-device experience is designed to help you learn more about your menstrual cycle - and your body - so you can better understand how it affects other aspects of your health and fitness.' Danielle adds that the feature was one of the things most requested by Fitbit users. A survey of users found that 70 per cent of them did not know the average length of a menstrual cycle. Women will be able to learn more about the menstrual cycle, ovulation and fertility from in-app news produced by experts and Fitbit advisors. Groups to discuss fertility There will also be new online community groups set up for women to discuss periods, birth control, trying to conceive, and perimenopause and menopause. Kat Binder, senior product marketing manager at Fitbit told Well and Good: 'The future of health care is leaning toward more virtual and remote ways of receiving care and sometimes it doesnt necessitate actually needing to speak to your doctor. 'Sometimes having information around a basic question from women who have experienced it is sufficient, and I think this is a really great place to start.' The more information you put into the app, the more accurate it will become at predicting your cycle and how your period affects things like your weight and sleep. Fitbit says it hopes users will help create a huge database of anonymous female health information which could help shape the future of healthcare. All female users will receive a notification about the new feature rollout and will have the choice to opt in or out of it. For those trying to conceive, knowing when you are ovulating is important because it's the time when you're most fertile. But there are certain foods, too, which can help boost a woman's fertility. Recent research published in the American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology found that salmon, spinach, whole grains, beans and dark chocolate could help on the journey to parenthood. Meanwhile, the study found, couples should avoid soy, fried food and fizzy drinks. Taking the pill does not make women less attracted to rugged men, new research suggests. Results debunk the myth that hormonal contraception makes feminine features on men more appealing. Previous research suggested synthetic oestrogen and progesterone in birth-control pills interfere with normal hormone production. Past studies imply macho men are more attractive due to them being seen as more mature, masculine and dominant, which suggests they are better sexual mates. Lead author Professor Benedict Jones, from the University of Glasgow, said: 'We found no evidence that changes in hormone levels influence the type of men women find attractive. 'There has been increasing concern that the birth-control pill might disrupt romantic relationships by altering women's mate preferences, but our findings do not provide evidence of this.' Around two-thirds of women aged between 20 and 24, and 11 per cent in their late 40s, take oral contraceptives. Women judged the attractiveness of a 'rugged man' with features such as square jaw The same images were altered to look more feminine, with narrower eyebrows and noses DOES HORMONAL BIRTH CONTROL INCREASE A WOMAN'S RISK OF DEPRESSION? Hormonal birth control does not increase women's risk of depression, research suggested in February 2017. Contrary to popular belief, contraceptive pills, implants or injections do not make women more likely to suffer from the mental-health condition, a study found. Lead author Dr Brett Worly from Ohio State University, said: 'Depression is a concern for a lot of women when they're starting hormonal contraception. 'Based on our findings, this side effect shouldn't be a concern for most women, and they should feel comfortable knowing they're making a safe choice.' The researchers blame platforms such as social media for making contraception complications seem more common than they are. Dr Worly said: 'We live in a media-savvy age where if one or a few people have severe side effects, all of a sudden, that gets amplified to every single person. 'The biggest misconception is that birth control leads to depression. For most patients that's just not the case.' The scientists add, however, certain women are at a greater risk of the mental-health disorder and should be monitored closely. Dr Worly said: 'Adolescents will sometimes have a higher risk of depression, not necessarily because of the medicine they're taking, but because they have that risk to start with. 'For those patients, it's important that they have a good relationship with their healthcare provider so they can get the appropriate screening done - regardless of the medications they're on.' The researchers reviewed thousands of studies investigating the link between contraceptives and people's mental health. Such studies included various methods of contraception, including injections, implants and pills. Participants in the trials were made up of teenagers, women with a history of depression and those who had given birth in the past six weeks. Advertisement Women find rugged men appealing for short-term relationships Professor Jones added: 'This study is noteworthy for its scale and scope - previous studies typically examined small samples of women using limited measures. 'With much larger sample sizes and direct measures of hormonal status, we weren't able to replicate effects of hormones on women's preferences for masculine faces.' Results further suggest women generally rate masculine faces as more attractive in the context of a short-term, rather than an ongoing, relationship. Women's preferences in male ruggedness does not vary according to the hormone levels of different birth-control pills. The researchers plan to investigate the effects of birth-control pills on the strength of women's attractions in larger studies. How the research was carried out The researchers analysed 584 heterosexual female volunteers. The women were asked if they were in romantic relationships and if they were using hormonal contraceptives. They were then each shown 10 different pairs of digitally altered versions of the same faces, with one being more feminine and the other having more classically masculine features. The women selected which face they found more attractive and rated their preference. To obscure the objective of the study, the women were also asked 'filler' questions being seeing the different faces. They also provided saliva samples for hormone analyses. The findings were published in the journal Psychological Science. Zaps to the ankle may boost womens libido This comes after research released last February suggested zaps to the ankle may boost womens libido more than foreplay. Sending electrical signals from the foot to the base of the spine may increase womens sex drives by sending a surge of blood to their genitalia, according to researchers. In less than 30 minutes, women experience a tickling tingle that may leave them more aroused. Study author Professor Tim Bruns, from Michigan University, said: If stimulation is repeated over three months, it could lead to better blood flow and nerve connections to the vagina. It would improve symptoms of genital arousal disorder. Studies are in development to analyse the impact of such zaps on 30 womens sex drives, which the scientists hope will lead to the development of a cheaper alternative to medication. Nearly half of women experience loss of libido at some point in their lives. A woman has been left devastated to discover her mother has breast cancer - just a week after she completed gruelling treatment for the same disease. Amberley Kent, 24, experienced an 'awful' past year after undergoing chemotherapy, surgery and radiotherapy to treat her cancer. But after completing treatment, she 'was quickly brought back to square one' after finding out her mother, Cathy had been hit with the disease. Cathy, from Peterborough, who looked after her daughter throughout her horrifying ordeal, is now currently on her second round of chemotherapy. Miss Kent, diagnosed in June last year, has today spoke of the heartbreaking week of March 1 - when she was told there no further sign of the disease - for the first time. Amberley Kent, 24, experienced an 'awful' past year after undergoing cancer treatment. But after completing treatment, she 'was quickly brought back to square one' after finding out her mother, Cathy had been hit with the disease (pictured together during Amberley's treatment) Amberley was told she had invasive ductal breast cancer, also known as 'no special type' because the cells cannot be identified as a specific type (pictured during treatment) She said: 'It was horrible, because just as we were celebrating my tests results we were quickly brought back to square one again. 'When my mum got her tests results it was the worst news to hear. Our happiness was short lived. I wouldn't wish it on my worst enemy, let alone my mum. 'And I think it is even worse for her because she has seen everything first hand with me, she knows what she is about to go through. 'It just brings you back down to earth because I know the awful journey she is about to experience.' Amberley was told she had invasive ductal breast cancer, also known as 'no special type' because the cells cannot be identified as a specific type. After receiving intense treatment, she was told on March 1 there was no sign of the disease - but her mother was diagnosed the following week. Cathy, 52, found she had invasive lobular carcinoma, which is a type of breast cancer that begins in the milk-producing glands. Doctors have since branded the situation as rare for it to have happened to both of them - even though there is no evidence that their cancers are hereditary. After receiving intense treatment, she was told on March 1 there was no sign of the disease - but her mother was diagnosed the following week (pictured in hospital receiving treatment) Amberley eventually had to stop working as she experienced every side effect that is listed for her treatment including - sore mouth, aching body and fatigue (pictured wearing her wig, left) Cathy, from Peterborough, who looked after her daughter throughout her horrifying ordeal, is now currently on her second round of chemotherapy (pictured together) Around 55,000 women are struck down with breast cancer in the UK each year - making it the most common form of the disease. Three quarters of patients survive 10 years - but this rate drops dramatically if the disease is spotted later. Speaking of her mother's chemotherapy, marketing worker Amberley said: 'She's finding it quite tough - the smallest things make you tired. 'She finds it hard because even when she just wants to make herself a cup of tea she can find it hard to get off the sofa. I'm trying to help mum through it, but it's brutal. It is horrible to witness, when I was with her getting the results I just knew it was bad as soon as she walked in from getting her results.' Amberley, who described the past year as a roller coaster of emotions, added: 'I just saw the look on her face and just knew.' 'But we are a positive family, it is stressful but we can get through it.' Amberley has now decided to start raising money for research charity Breast Cancer Now, including a charity ball next month. Amberley said: 'When my mum got her tests results it was the worst news to hear. Our happiness was short lived. I wouldn't wish it on my worst enemy, let alone my mum' Cathy, 52, found she had invasive lobular carcinoma, which is a type of breast cancer that begins in the milk-producing glands (pictured together) WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS OF BREAST CANCER? Around 55,200 people are diagnosed with breast cancer in the UK each year. One in eight women develop the disease during their lifetime. The illness can cause a number of symptoms, but the first noticeable symptom is usually a lump or area of thickened breast tissue. Most breast lumps aren't cancerous, but it's always best to have them checked by your doctor. According to NHS Choices you should also see your GP if you notice any of the following: A change in the size or shape of one or both breasts Discharge from either of your nipples, which may be streaked with blood A lump or swelling in either of your armpits Dimpling on the skin of your breasts A rash on or around your nipple A change in the appearance of your nipple, such as becoming sunken into your breast Breast pain isn't usually a symptom of breast cancer. Advertisement She added: 'I want to raise as much money as possible to help women out there. We will find a cause.' Amberley said she didn't have any major warning signs to make her think she had breast cancer. She explained how she was constantly ill with cold and flu symptoms - but never thought anything of it. Her fears escalated when she discovered a lump in her breast during a shower. She thought it was just tissue, but asked her boyfriend, Dan, for a second opinion. Amberley, who has now been with Dan for around 18 months, said: 'He said I should just go and get a check up anyway. 'It was hard back then because we were only together for a short amount of time and at that point and I didn't want to seem like I had a default.' But she said her boyfriend was her rock and helped her through the worst of times. She said: 'It was hard because I was not expecting anything. 'And the doctors kept saying to me it's extremely unlikely because of my age. So it was a real shock to the system because I had convinced myself that it was nothing.' Amberley eventually had to stop working as she experienced every side effect that is listed for her treatment including - sore mouth, aching body and fatigue. She said: 'You never know how bad it is going to be until it hits you. I really did try and keep going but some days I couldn't move. 'I didn't want to stop working or anything, I just wanted to keep going but until you go through, you have no idea what it's going to feel like and how it will bring you down.' At least 17 people are today feared to have died from a new outbreak of Ebola in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Health officials in the African nation have confirmed two people have the virus - but there has been 21 suspected cases in total - raising fears of an epidemic. It comes just three years after the Ebola pandemic that killed at least 11,000 people across six countries, including a sole fatality in the US. Ebola is already considered one of the most lethal pathogens in existence, and the new outbreak has been branded a 'public health emergency'. Experts fear it could have an 'international impact', considering how quickly the virus decimated West Africa between 2014 and 2016. Two confirmed cases of Ebola have been announced in the Democratic Republic of Congo The World Health Organization declared there has been 21 suspected cases of viral haemorrhagic fever and 17 deaths in the Equateur province, in the past five weeks. Congo - situated escaped the brutal Ebola pandemic, finally declared over in January 2016 - but it was struck by a smaller outbreak last year. Four DRC residents died from the virus in 2017. The outbreak lasted just 42 days and international aid teams were praised for their prompt responses. The new outbreak is believed to be occurring in the northwestern town of Bikoro - 324 miles (522km) north of capital Kinshasa. Confirmed cases Jean Jack Muyembe, head of the national institute for biological research in the DRC, today confirmed the two cases and 10 more suspected. Two out of five samples collected tested positive for a Zaire strain of Ebola at the Institut National de Recherche Biomedicale in Kinshasa. But the WHO today also stated there has been 21 suspected cases since the start of April, including 17 deaths - all of which occurred before the outbreak was confirmed. 'Our country is facing another epidemic of the Ebola virus, which constitutes an international public health emergency,' the Congo Health Ministry said. 'We still dispose of the well trained human resources that were able to rapidly control previous epidemics.' Controlling the outbreak The WHO, Medecins Sans Frontieres and Provincial Division of Health traveled today to Bikoro in an effort to stem the outbreak. A team of epidemiologists, logisticians, clinicians, and other infection experts are expected to be deployed in the coming days. The WHO has released 738,000 ($1mn) from its Contingency Fund for Emergencies to support response activities for the next three months. This is DRCs ninth outbreak of Ebola since the discovery of the virus in the country in 1976. The virus - endemic in the country - is named after the Ebola river. Health experts credit an awareness of the disease among the population and local medical staff's experience treating for past successes containing its spread. Congo's vast, remote geography also gives it an advantage, as outbreaks are often localised and relatively easy to isolate. Ikoko Impenge and Bikoro, however, lie not far from the banks of the Congo River, an essential waterway for transport and commerce. Further downstream the river flows past Kinshasa and Brazzaville, capital of Congo Republic - two cities with a combined population of over 12 million people. Neighbouring countries alerted Neighbouring countries have been alerted about the new outbreak. DRC borders Angola, Zambia, Tanzania, Uganda, South Sudan, Central African Republic, Rwanda, Burundi and the Republic of Congo Ebola is often fatal if untreated. Around 50 per cent of patients die, according to the WHO. It is transmitted to people from wild animals and can be spread from human to human. Dr Peter Salama, WHO deputy director general, said: 'Our top priority is to get to Bikoro to work alongside the Government of the DRC and partners to reduce the loss of life and suffering related to this new Ebola virus disease outbreak. 'Working with partners and responding early and in a coordinated way will be vital to containing this deadly disease.' Not ready for a pandemic The outbreak comes after the World Bank stated last year that Earth isn't ready for an 'inevitable' pandemic, after stimulating four possible scenarios. The research was done in an attempt to assess why the global response to the Ebola pandemic was so sloppy and to fill those gaps before another disaster strikes. The 2014 international Ebola response drew criticism for moving too slowly and prompted an apology from the WHO. A study released last year also suggested disease 'superspreaders' fueled the transmission of the 2014 Ebola epidemic. Researchers found there was just a small number of so-called 'superspreaders' - highly infectious people who infect many others - in West Africa. At least two thirds of the victims who contracted the virus can be traced back to this small group. Sexually transmitted diseases are on the rise at alarming rates in Los Angeles and public health experts say the trend will only stop when racism and stigma end. After spending nearly a decade in decline in California, STDs suddenly made a come back there in 2014 and reached record-setting rates the last two years in a row. More and more adults are getting syphilis, chlamydia and gonorrhea there, and even passing the diseases to their children. For each disease, rates are several-fold higher among African Americans and are only driven upward as well-worn stigmas persist and deter schools from educating teenagers on sex safe practices. In an increasingly desperate bid to turn the tide of STDs, the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health has funded and launched a number of campaigns to own up to the stigmas and racism surrounding sex in the city. There are twice as many cases of Gonorrhea in LA as there were in 2012, a record number for the second year in a row People between 15 and 24 account for a full third of the surging cases of chlamydia in LA. Yet the responses of teenagers at public health events in Los Angeles seem to indicate that they may not be learning safer sex practices in school. At an event called Spring Into Love earlier this year, teenagers played games with life-sized models of penises and condoms, learning to properly put one on. The high school students admitted that many had hardly talked about sex with their families, and that sexual health classes barely scratched the surface, the Los Angeles Times reported. Despite the high rates of STDs among young people, 'the one thing I never do, and I hope others dont as well, is blame these young people for not taking care of themselves,' Barbara Ferrer, head of Los Angeles County's public health department told the Times. In September, several schools in the Los Angeles Unified School District introduced a new curriculum called Puberty: The Wonder Years, which is intended to introduce students as young as nine to sexual education. In the second district of LA, which encompasses the cities of Compton and Inglewood, rates of STDs are far higher than in the rest of the country, especially among African Americans But at that time only about 10 out of 50 schools were slated to start the new course and it was unclear exactly which schools in what districts received the materials. That question is particularly relevant in Los Angeles where one third of all chlamydia cases are in the county's second district, which covers the eastern and southeastern parts of the San Fernando Valley. District two includes the notoriously poor, predominately minority cities of Comptom and Inglewood. What's more, rates of gonorrhea there are many times higher among African Americans, according to We Can Stop STDs LA. The non-profit organization argues that there is little access to sexual health care and education in the area, few youth-friendly services, and stigma, bias and shaming that leave sexual health in the shadows. STD transmission in Los Angeles is not just a problem of the youth, nor of the district, or African Americans, 'it's a community problem,' Jim Rhyne of the We Can Stop STDs LA told the LA Times. Disparitites in high rates of STDs among people in places like district 2, compared to those in, say, Bel Air, are among the five focus areas of LA's recently established Center for Health Equity. 'The gaps in health outcomes seen within the Center's focus areas are not caused by personal health behaviors or characteristics,' its mission statement says. 'They are mostly the result of past and present policies and practices influenced by racism, sexism, transphobia, homophobia, and other prejudices.' The Center intends to raise awareness of these disparities through media, data and community partnerships. Its possible to do just about anything on the internet nowadays, whether its checking emails, watching TV, listening to a podcast or keeping up to date with the news, but how much time on average each week does it take up? A new report from Ofcom says adults in the UK spend an average of one day every week on the internet, with 70 per cent using their smart phone to do so, and now just 12 per cent of UK adults dont use the internet. But instead of spending hours on end browsing the internet or posting photos on Facebook, what if you could use that time online to make yourself richer. Adults in the UK spend an average of one day every week on the internet, mainly on mobiles Theres a whole host of different things you can do to make money online and while the amount you can earn may be small, it all add ups. In a similar way theres also lots of things you can do to save money, whether its switching an energy account, transferring a high-internet credit card onto one with a lower interest, or learning a new skill and completing an online university course. Here weve compiled eight of the best ways to cash in on your online browsing and boost your income at the same time. 1. Report derelict properties and earn Amazon vouchers If you see a property in London which is derelict and you report it to YouSpotProperty.com, you could earn a 20 Amazon or M&S voucher. To get the vouchers youll need to be the first person to report it, and if the property is brought back into use, you will get 1 per cent of the purchase price back. The website was set up with the aim of getting rid of empty and derelict properties and bringing them back onto the housing market. If a property is found, the site offers the owner a cash sum for it and if successful it will then renovate the property and put it up for sale with a percentage of this going back to the spotter. If you sell on eBay youll have to pay fees for selling of 10 per cent of the value plus postage 2. Sell your photos online If you have relatively decent photography skills, you may be able to sell your snaps to one of the leading stock image websites. Alamy, Shutterstock and Adobe Stock all pay for photos, either a set price or a percentage of the price for which your photo sells. You usually have to upload photos from a good quality camera and some websites, such as Alamy, will only accept those from a DSLR camera. 3. Become a 'comper' and win big with online competitions Theres thousands of free competitions to enter online, with websites specifically set up to list them, and there are often stories about compers winning thousands of pounds worth of prizes. However, winning is not guaranteed and it can take a while (unless youre an extremely lucky person). Snap: Alamy, Shutterstock and Adobe Stock may pay you for your stock photos The more you enter, the higher your chance of winning, and most entries involve filling in an online form, sending in a postcard, or sharing something on social media. Its a lot easier to use a site where multiple competitions are listed in one place, such as the Competitions Time forum page of the MoneySavingExpert.com website where they are not only listed but the answers are also usually shared. You can also set up your internet browser to automatically fill in your details on online forms, saving you the time of having to do it yourself for every competition. Unless you want to be bombarded with spam its worth setting up a separate email account specifically for the competitions youre entering. 4. Get paid for filling out online surveys and watching videos You can earn money filling in online surveys, polls, and questionnaires and watching online videos and playing games with the website Swagbucks. It says it's paid out 158,637,300 in cash and free gift cards and it earns money from the firms it lists which are usually looking for promotion or to do some market research. You earn points for every one you complete and these can then be exchanged for cash, which you can withdraw into a Paypal account, or vouchers. If youre renting out a space in your house you won't pay tax on the first 1,000 you earn 5. Clear out your old junk and make some money from it Its an obvious one but it really can make a difference. Clearing out your old junk, be it mobiles phones, clothes, books or jewellery, and selling them online can be a good way to de-clutter and to create some extra cash. For example, an Apple iPhone 5s or Samsung Galaxy S5, both with a 16GB storage, could see you around 50 richer if selling on Sellmymobile.com. Where you sell the items can also be important. If its on eBay youll have to pay fees for selling of 10 per cent of the final value plus the postage while if youre selling on eBay or Facebook, its free although the seller and buyer protection isnt as stringent. 6. Reclaim lost bank accounts Finding old bank accounts, especially those with money in, can be a real goldmine, but if youve lost the paperwork and its been years since you opened it, this can be a a hassle to do. The website, My Lost Account, is a handy tool for quickly searching for lost cash. It was set up by the British Bankers' Association, the Building Societies Association and National Savings & Investments. Theres an online form where you need to list all the firms you think youve had a bank or building society with, and these companies then need to contact you within three months to let you know if an account exists with money in it for you. You will also be asked to enter as much of the following information as you have; the branch you opened it at, when it was opened, when it was last used, the account details and the approximate balance. Cash boost: You could sell an Apple iPhone 5s or Samsung Galaxy S5, for around 50 7. Sell your writing work online There are a number of websites, such as Textbroker, which will pay you for writing copy. Companies list the job they need, such as words for an advert or a website, along with the amount of payment available and the deadline. Once youve signed up, usually by completing a short writing task, you can then scan the jobs available and sign up to those which you feel you can do. Payment varies, with some by article and others by individual word, and there usually isnt a fee for writers to join. 8. Rent your spare space If you have a spare room, attic, garage or drive way, you could be making money by renting out to someone else. This could be through a website such as Airbnb, if its a spare room, or through somewhere like Easycarclub if its your car. With renting a room you can earn up to 7,500 per year rent free with the Government's Rent a Room scheme. If youre renting out a space in your house, a garage, attic or drive, for example, you can earn up to 1,000 a year before paying tax under a new tax break which came into force this tax year for those making money from their property. The boss of UK Power Networks is under scrutiny after it had to order a probe into a multimillion-pound contract awarded to a firm where his son is a senior director. The company, Britains largest electricity distribution network operator, asked accountants KPMG to carry out a forensic investigation after a whistleblower raised concerns over chief executive Basil Scarsellas ties. It related to an IT deal, worth 75m, awarded to Enzen, where Scarsellas son David is business operations director. Probe: UK Power Network is Britains largest electricity distribution network operator The whistleblower alleged the contract was awarded unfairly, citing conflicts of interest due to the family relationship. The individual also queried Enzens financial stability, documents show. While KPMG found no evidence of any wrongdoing by UK Power Networks or staff, the details are likely to raise questions over how consumers money is spent. UK Power Networks said the matter was closed, adding: Independent assessors reporting to our chairman of the audit committee have investigated... and found no evidence of any wrongdoing. KPMG declined to comment, and Enzen could not be contacted. Lloyds and Standard Life Aberdeen (SLA) are in a stand-off over a 109billion pension deal that could end up in court. Investment group SLA is fighting a decision by Lloyds to cancel an agreement in which it looked after money for Scottish Widows, the banks pensions division. Lloyds announced it would tear up the agreement after Standard Life merged with Aberdeen Asset Management last year in an 11billion tie-up. Standard Life Aberdeen is fighting a decision by Lloyds to cancel an agreement in which it looked after money for Scottish Widows, the banks pensions division SLA, the newly created group, has interests in both pensions and asset management and Lloyds said this made it a direct competitor, meaning it was free to ditch their deal under the terms of the contract. But SLA has hit back by saying it is not a competitor, so Lloyds had no right to cancel the agreement. Pension Buy Out Fear A boom in pension takeover deals could be putting workers retirement at risk, unions have warned. The Trades Union Congress has hit out at a surge in funds offering to take over management of companies pension funds in exchange for a fee. While this frees employers from what can be a major financial burden, the TUC warned it may leave staff facing an uncertain future. Insurers have warned that these funds offering to take over the pensions are not subject to the same strict rules as traditional players, meaning that they could be more risky. The investment firm wants the Widows business back and said the two sides are in discussions, but Lloyds insisted there will be no U-turn. It sets the stage for a clash which could turn into a breach-of-contract lawsuit if theres no deal. An SLA spokesman said last night it does not believe that Lloyds and Scottish Widows has the right to terminate the long-term asset management agreements. Losing the Widows business was a blow for SLA, which has been struggling to retain investors. The portfolio earned it 129million a year, and SLA shares dropped 7.5 per cent when Lloyds decided in February to end the deal. Lloyds, however, is pressing ahead with finding a different investment firm to manage the 109billion business, with a decision expected to be announced later this year. A Lloyds spokesman said last night: Standard Life Aberdeen is a clear and material competitor of Scottish Widows and Lloyds Banking Group in the UK, and to suggest otherwise is not credible. He added the deal to manage the Widows funds was due to end in March 2022. The CFO of family fashion chain Joules has sold 45,000 shares, cashing in almost 165,000. Marc Dench offloaded the shares on Friday for about 366p each. The economics graduate, who now has a 0.06 per cent stake in Joules, joined it in 2015 from Walgreens Boots Alliance where he was head of finance for the international retail and global consumer brands division. He also worked at internet services firm Freeserve, overseeing its eventual merger with Wanadoo in 2000. JOBS GONE More jobs have been lost following the collapse of construction giant Carillion in January, taking the total to almost 2,300. The Official Receiver said that a further 35 redundancies were being made, while 39 Carillion employees were transferring to other firms. TASTY FIGURES Sales have risen 13.7 per cent at ingredients maker Treatt's to reach 53.6million over the half-year ending March 31, while profit has risen 17.6 per cent to 6.1million. BARREL BOOST Oil and gas firm Ithaca Energy produced an average 18,615 barrels of oil per day during the first quarter, a 95 per cent increase. PIPE CLEARED Chilean miner Antofagasta has cleared a blockage in a key pipeline from its Los Pelambres mine to the Chilean port of Los Vilos. NEW CHAIRMAN David Hornsby, chief executive of software business Ideagen, has moved into the chairman's role and been replaced as boss by chief customer officer Ben Dorks. OIL SALE Oil supermajor Shell is selling the rest of its stake in producer Canadian Natural Resources for 2.4billion. EARNINGS DOUBLE Profits at business lender Hampshire Trust Bank more than doubled from 4.4million to 9.9million in 2017, thanks to a jump in its loan and deposit books. RECORD RESULTS Britain's biggest businesses raked in a record 153.8billion in profits in 2017, research from The Share Centre has revealed. SCAM PROBES Tax inspectors launched 250 investigations into so-called transfer pricing scams last year, according to law firm Pinsent Masons. The tax dodge sees firms shift money around using payments between subsidiaries to minimise what they have to pay the Exchequer. FLOAT BID Swedish payments company iZettle plans to raise 167.8million from a stock market float in Stockholm. SALES SURGE Online retailer Zalando posted a 22 per cent sales boost to 1.05billion during the first three months of the year, but profits fell 98 per cent to 352,000. STORE DEAL The Co-op has completed its 138million acquisition of convenience store rival Nisa. SPENDING CHEER Consumer spending jumped 3.4 per cent in April compared with a year earlier, according to Barclaycard data. SNAP EXIT Drew Vollero, finance chief of Snap, the parent company of troubled messaging service Snapchat, is leaving the company next week, with Tim Stone, a vice-president of Amazon, replacing him. IN TUNE Harry Potter publisher Bloomsbury has signed a content partnership with Spotify to make the 33 1/3 series of books about popular music exclusively available on the music streaming service. One of Americas biggest private equity groups has slammed on the brakes and reversed away from a takeover for bus and train operator First Group. The owner of Greyhound buses and Great Western Railway has knocked back two offers from Apollo Global Management since mid-April, when the investment company revealed its interest. A deal would have thrown a lifeline to the struggling transport firm, whose shares tanked last month after it issued a profit warning. But Aberdeen-based First Group said the approaches fundamentally undervalued the company. All change: First Group has knocked back two offers from Apollo Global Management since mid-April, when the 182bn investment company first revealed its interest Apollo, which had until 5pm on Wednesday, has decided not to progress with a third bid, although it did not reveal its reason. First Group shares plunged 12.2 per cent, or 13.5p, to 97.5p. The FTSE 100 ended the day down by the smallest of margins, slipping just 0.02 per cent or 1.39 points to 7565.75, while the FTSE 250 was up 0.85 per cent, or 172.84 points, at 20584.72. Analysts said Kingfisher, the owner of DIY chain B&Q, might be targeted by activist investors. Morgan Stanley said shareholders might push for the firm to break up if it fails in its cost-cutting plans. Shares rose 2.3 per cent, or 6.6p, to 287.8p. Astrazeneca nudged up after revealing it had sold the rights to its anti-psychotic treatment Seroquel to Luye Pharma for 398million. Under the terms of the agreement, Luye will distribute the drug in the UK, China, Brazil, Australia, Saudi Arabia, Mexico, Argentina and South Africa among others. Shares edged up 0.7 per cent, or 34p, to 5239p. Stock Watch - Faron Pharmaceuticals Faron Pharmaceuticals shares were obliterated after its flagship drug failed clinical trials. The firm said that Traumakine, its treatment for acute respiratory distress syndrome, was only slightly more effective than a placebo. A disappointed Markku Jalkanen, Farons chief executive, said: We need to further analyse the data in order to understand how this study differs from our previous results. Shares fell 85.6 per cent, or 621p, to 104p. On the FTSE 250, specialist buy-to-let lender Paragon confirmed speculation that it was interested in bidding for development finance lender Titlestone, which has a loan book totalling 600million. Paragon stresses the deal is in the early stages and that a formal bid is not certain. In a statement, the FTSE 250-listed lender said: The purchase of loan books and bolt-on businesses represents a core part of Paragons growth and diversification strategy. Paragons shares ticked up 2.5 per cent, or 13p, to 540p. Shares in RHI Magnesita, the FTSE 250-listed maker of refractory products for the metals industry, boomed on the back of a solid trading update and a broker upgrade. Revenue was up 23 per cent to 653.7million in the three months to March, boosted by robust growth in its steel division. Numis raised the firm from hold to add on the back of the announcement. RHI shares motored 9.7 per cent, or 440p, to 4990p. Nanoco received a 1.8million performance-related cash boost from an unnamed US partner as part of a deal to supply it with so-called nanomaterials. A spokesman said: This demonstrates Nanocos ability to work with, and rapidly meet, our partners needs. Shares in the company jumped 7.9 per cent, or 3.5p, to 48p. On the AIM market, Wey Education shares sunk by nearly a third after the firm posted a 153,000 loss in the six months to February 28, down from an 11,000 profit a year earlier. The education providers shares tanked 31.1 per cent, or 8.25p, to 18.25p. Oil company Mayan Energys shares rose after announcing increased production at its sites in Texas, which are now producing 272 barrels of oil a day. Shares bumped up 3.5 per cent, or 0.02p, to 0.74p. City law firm Rosenblatt made its debut on AIM, opening with a market cap of 76million. By the end of the day, its shares closed at 106p, a premium on the placing price of 95p. Hundreds of thousands of mortgage borrowers are throwing away 1.15 billion a year because they unwittingly sign up for the wrong deals, a major report has revealed. Some of these homeowners are even shopping around using an independent broker or price comparison website but still fail to find the cheapest mortgage. The alarming findings emerged from an investigation by the City watchdog that shows millions of customers face a lottery when it comes to how much they are charged for their loan. In a warning to customers, the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) says about 30,000 people are effectively mortgage 'prisoners' because their lender is blocking them from getting a cheaper deal. Trapped: The Financial Conduct Authority says about 30,000 people are effectively mortgage 'prisoners' because their lender is blocking them from getting a cheaper deal Then, three in ten of those who do switch or 570,000 people a year fall foul of biased brokers and comparison websites that make it impossible to find the best rates. This is costing customers 550 a year on average, the FCA says, or 1.15 billion. Another 800,000 are failing to shop around for six months after their fixed deal expires. That means they go on to their lender's most expensive deal the standard variable rate and end up paying 1,000 more than they need to. A further 120,000 are customers of lenders who have stopped offering new deals. In some cases, they are unaware they can switch lenders to cut their costs. Others cannot switch because of tough new lending rules introduced after the 2008 financial crisis. Here, we explain how to beat the mortgage lottery . . . 1. BEAT THE TRAPS WHEN YOU SHOP AROUND You may think you're a pro when it comes to scouring the market for the best mortgage but don't bet on it. The FCA analysed the 1.9 million mortgages taken out in 2016, involving more than 1,000 firms and advisers. It found three in ten borrowers 'could have found a cheaper mortgage with the same key features as the product they chose'. It says some of the remaining seven in ten customers may also have been able to cut costs if, for example, they had chosen a deal with a higher rate and lower up-front fee. One issue is that there are more than 100 lenders to choose from, all with different fees and terms and conditions. Comparison websites cannot tell you how likely you are to be accepted by a particular lender or show the true cost of a mortgage in your circumstances. Some firms are very small and don't show up at all in online searches. Find the best mortgage This is Money's mortgage finder tool is powered by broker London and Country and lets you check the best rates that you could apply for. Enter your property value and mortgage amount and it will show you the top rates, which you can filter for fixed rates of different durations. > Check the best mortgage rate here Crucially, each bank and building society targets different types of customers with different rates and has its own detailed set of criteria to assess potential borrowers. The FCA says the limitations of comparison sites are 'not made clear to customers'. It's no good simply applying to every lender: it'll take far too long and getting rejected by a mortgage lender can damage your credit score, making it harder to get accepted in future. As a result, three in four borrowers end up going with one of the six big banks and building societies. Often they simply stick with their existing mortgage lender as it all seems too much hassle. The FCA wants firms to develop new tools that make it easier to compare deals you'll qualify for. 2. YOU CAN'T ALWAYS TRUST BROKERS Three in ten borrowers 'could have found a cheaper mortgage Half of borrowers turn to a mortgage broker for help. The good news is that the FCA found these customers shaved an extra 600 a year off repayments on average. The bad news is that in 31 per cent of cases, the broker failed to find the very best deal on the market. Most brokers 'are reliant on their past experience' and information from 'specific lenders' with whom they are 'familiar', the FCA says. 'This appears to be a barrier to effective searching,' it warns. Some brokers consider only a small handful of lenders. This could be because they have commercial agreements to recommend only deals from certain firms. But the FCA says it found a 400 a year variation in the cost of mortgage quotes from different brokers who were supposed to be completely independent. Some lenders also offer cheaper deals to customers who apply directly. One way to tackle these problems is visiting a comparison website or Money Mail's Best Buys and take this information about the best deals to a broker. Ensure they are independent and mention the information you've found. Once you have a recommendation for the best deal you can get, call the lender and find out whether you could get a better rate by going direct. It can be difficult to know whether the mortgage with a low rate and a high fee will work out cheaper than one with a higher rate and lower fee 3. COMPARE THE TRUE COSTS Buyers and remortgage customers face a baffling range of different pricing options on comparison tables. It can be difficult to know whether the mortgage with a low rate and a high fee will work out cheaper than one with a higher rate and lower fee. This normally depends on the size of your loan. The FCA says older borrowers and those on lower incomes are more likely to choose poor-value deals by mistake. 'With age we see a sharp worsening of mortgage selection for those over 60,' the report says. Your best bet is to note down all the figures for the deals you're comparing and plug them into our True cost mortgage calculator. This will show the true cost of the deal. 4. ESCAPING THE ZOMBIE LENDERS More than half a million borrowers are stuck with 'zombie lenders' that cannot give them a better deal because they are not authorised to offer new mortgages. Over the past decade, thousands of borrowers have had their mortgage debts sold to new owners as crisis-hit banks were bailed out by the Government or rescued by other firms. These include nearly 140,000 borrowers who took out mortgages from Northern Rock and Bradford & Bingley and whose loans were taken over by the Government-run UK Asset Resolution, as well as many others whose loans were with lesser-known firms. The watchdog says 260,000 borrowers have mortgages with companies that only have the right to collect their payments and cannot offer them new deals. It says nearly half these borrowers would benefit from switching, but were likely to 'face barriers' due to the difficulty of meeting other lenders' criteria. Of the remaining number a further 120,000 are already thought to be on relatively low rates, while 20,000 are thought to be behind with payments and couldn't switch anyway. 5. DON'T FORGET TO SWITCH ON TIME An estimated 800,000 borrowers waste 1,000 a year because they leave it more than six months to find a better deal when their current fixed or discounted offer ends. The FCA says some lenders will target certain customers with offers for new rates when they get to the end of of their deal, but not others. Another problem highlighted by the FCA is that we're all so busy particularly when moving home dealing with buyers, sellers, solicitors and agents. Typically, borrowers roll onto expensive standard variable rates (SVRs), which are the costly deals lenders move you onto once your introductory offer period is over. Money Mail analysis found the savings on offer can go as high as 3,205. The average SVR is 4.77 per cent, while the cheapest two-year fixed rate for those with a 40 pc deposit is currently 1.36 per cent with no fee, from Danske Bank, according to comparison website Moneyfacts. A borrower with a 150,000 mortgage would save 3,204 by switching from the variable rate to Danske Bank. Charlotte Nelson a finance expert at Moneyfacts said: 'With mortgage rates rising this is an ideal time for the FCA to highlight their concerns about the mortgage market, as the lowest-priced deal is not always the best choice for borrowers, based on true cost. Customers need to weigh up the rate, fees as well as any incentives to find the right deal and not be blind-sided by lowest rates alone.' Robert Sinclair, chief executive of the Association of Mortgage Intermediaries said: 'There are a series of contradictory statements in the Mortgages Market Study. Despite the broad conclusions being very positive and there being no recommendations for significant change, AMI agrees with the FCA that the market could still be improved. 'This is why we have indicated that we will work with the FCA to develop better tools in order to assist consumers in understanding which brokers can provide then with a full or limited service and how we ensure that lender criteria are better understood by all market participants.' Tashema Jackson, money expert at uSwitch.com, says: 'The FCA's report highlights that there could be real opportunity for further innovation in how consumers compare and take out mortgages. 'Price comparison sites are pretty good at showing consumers the mortgages available, but aren't able to access the data required to show prospective customers what mortgages they might be eligible for. 'If the FCA could help comparison sites access this information from the lenders themselves, comparison could be even more useful for mortgage consumers.' moneymail@dailymail.co.uk Britons are being robbed of 60 million in pensions tax relief Carers, nursery workers, admin assistants and other part-time workers are being robbed of 60million from their pensions because they are unable to claim the tax breaks they are owed. Many of Britains lowest-paid workers are being cheated out of a perk thats supposed to encourage pension saving and is freely available to other workers including the super-rich. Many of those affected are women. The bonus, called pensions tax relief, means that every 1 paid into a pension should cost a basic-rate taxpayer 80p and a higher-rate taxpayer 60p. Crucially, the 20p basic tax relief is offered as an incentive to all savers even if they do not pay tax because they earn under 11,850. But up to two million workers who earn less than 11,850 are not getting it, even though they are enrolled into a pension. Even worse, a former pensions minister says that there is no way they can claim this extra cash thought to be in the region of 60million a year directly from the taxman. As a result, it will cost them more than other workers to build up a retirement fund. The vast majority of the biggest pension firms operate a specific type of scheme, known as net pay arrangements, which are unable to hand tax relief to the lowest paid. With a net pay scheme, your employer collects your pension payment directly from your salary before income tax is deducted. If you are a 20 per cent or 40 per cent taxpayer, that means youve already got your tax relief and there is nothing to claim. However, this system means if you do not earn enough to pay tax, you dont receive anything extra. By contrast, another type of pension scheme called relief at source does allow these workers to get the top-up they are owed. Under this scheme, money goes into your pension after income tax has been deducted. The pension company then applies to HM Revenue & Customs to recover the tax relief workers are owed. It then pays this into the employees scheme. This means everyone gets a 20 per cent top-up no matter how much they earn or whether they pay tax. Higher earners have to claim back any extra tax relief they are owed. The bonus, called pensions tax relief, means that every 1 paid into a pension should cost a basic-rate taxpayer 80p and a higher-rate taxpayer 60p. For workers earning under the 11,850 income tax threshold, the difference between the two systems is stark. Calculations for Money Mail show that someone earning 11,850 a year in a net pay scheme would end up handing over 3.35 a week to make a 3 per cent contribution of their earnings towards their retirement. By contrast, the same saver in a relief at source scheme would pay just 2.68 for the same 3 per cent contribution. The 67p difference doesnt seem much. But over a 30-year working life, the lower earner in the net pay scheme would have paid 1,020 more for a pension than the saver in a relief at source scheme. It is thought that pension firms are anxious to avoid relief at source schemes for workers because they are viewed as being too complicated for higher earners on incomes over 46,351, as they have to complete a tax return or fill in forms and send these to HM Revenue and Customs to get their extra 20 per cent or 25 per cent tax relief on top of the basic perk. The problem has become serious as millions of low-paid employees are being signed up to pensions by their bosses under so-called auto-enrolment rules, which came into force in 2012. These state that bosses must enrol everyone over the age of 22 and earning more than 10,000 a year into a pension whatever the company size. It means there are many more savers earning more than 10,000 but less than 11,850 than there were before. According to actuarial firm Hymans Robertson, just three of the pension schemes aimed at savers who have been auto-enrolled run by the 17 largest of these pension firms allow customers earning between 10,000 and 11,850 to claim tax relief. Those that bar the low-paid from the perk include some of the schemes run by Britains biggest insurer Aviva and investment giants Scottish Widows and Fidelity. Nest, one of the biggest provider of auto-enrolment pensions, offers a relief at source scheme that automatically refunds tax relief to savers, as does insurer Legal and General, according to research. Now Pensions, another big retirement firm, pays low-paid savers a sum equivalent to tax relief voluntarily, although it operates a net pay scheme. There is no way for poorer workers who do not automatically receive tax relief via their pensions to reclaim the money from the taxman. Former pensions minister Baroness Ros Altmann, who has campaigned on the issue, says shed asked Government officials repeatedly to allow employees to reclaim the perk. She says she was told the task was too difficult and the amounts involved too small. The Government is forcing the lowest earners, mostly women, to pay extra for their pensions, she says. Jesal Mistry, of Hymans Robertson, says: The Government must correct this anomaly created through unintentional legislation and ensure the impacted receive what is theirs. An Aviva spokesman says that its master trust scheme aimed at workers who have been auto-enrolled had targeted companies with full-time employees who earn more than the income tax threshhold. It says it runs other schemes with relief at source arrangements. A Fidelity spokesman says that net pay suits the majority of our clients, but it could offer relief at source through its personal pensions. A Scottish Widows spokesman says its master trust is net pay, but it offers other products with relief at source. A Treasury spokesman says: Workplace pension schemes are chosen by employers. The Pensions Regulator provides guidance on different schemes, including the implications for employees who dont pay tax. We appreciate the concerns of low-paid workers in net pay schemes and are talking with industry on the matter. r.lythe@dailymail.co.uk 'It's their money, they should keep it': Treasurer Scott Morrison (pictured) handed down the Budget on Tuesday night, grinning as he announced winner after winner There's $530-a-year in tax relief for average workers and billions for baby boomers - but nothing at all for first home buyers or dole recipients. Treasurer Scott Morrison has handed down his third Federal Budget and there are millions of winners and losers plus several shock decisions. The biggest winners are the 10 million Australians earning $90,000-a-year or less. Most will be getting a lump sum of several hundred dollars later this year. An average worker can expect the equivalent of $10.20 a week to be tipped into their bank accounts once they have completed their tax returns. Struggling pensioners who grew up before compulsory superannuation are certain winners after the government pledged billions to support programs. But first home buyers, welfare cheats, wealthier taxpayers (people earning more than $90,000) and dole recipients essentially get nothing, at least for now. 'It's a plan for lower taxes and reducing the pressure on households,' a triumphant Mr Morrison said, as he announced a narrow return to surplus a year early in 2019-20. Daily Mail Australia takes a look at what the 2018 Budget means for you - whether it be tax changes or a bizarre new ban on cash payments of more than $10,000. Sealed with a kiss: Scott Morrison smooches his wife Jenny after delivering his Budget speech If you earn LESS than $90,000 a year... Low and middle income earners are easily the biggest winners of this year's budget. Mr Morrison tonight presented a three-step tax plan which will see 10 million Australians receive up to $665 in tax relief during the next financial year. The tax offset will be accompanied by an increase in the middle tax bracket to $90,000. The 'rivers of gold' predicted last week have translated into tax cuts for low and middle income earners (stock image) FROM ZILCH TO $665: HOW BIG WILL YOUR TAX CUT BE? Taxable income Annual reduction in tax paid $20,000 $0 (pays $0 tax) $30,000 $200 $40,000 $290 $50,000 $530 $60,000 $530 $70,000 $530 $80,000 $530 $84,600 (average wage estimate) $530 $90,000 $665 $100,000 $515 $120,000 $215 Mr Morrison hit back at claims Australians will be 'disappointed' in the $10.20 a week payout. People could use the funds to buy school uniforms and books for the year or pay off their car registration, he argued. 'Anyone who says $530 tax relief (the amount average workers will get) is 'no relief' is out of touch,' he told reporters at Parliament House on Tuesday afternoon. If you earn MORE than $90,000 a year... Bad luck - you won't be getting much personal income tax relief, at least, this year. Workers above $90,000 will still receive a tax offset - but it gradually reduces until tax relief 'reduces to zero at just over $125,000', Mr Morrison said. The government claims it is committed to delivering bigger tax cuts to higher income earners in the future. But for that to happen the Turnbull government needs to keep getting re-elected. TAX THRESHOLDS CHANGE: This is how Treasurer Scott Morrison wants Australia's tax thresholds to look in a decade Mr Morrison announced he will increase the new $90,000 tax relief threshold to $120,000 from July 1, 2022. The fourth highest tax threshold, currently between $90,000 and $180,000, will be abolished in 2024-25. Mr Morrison said that will mean millions of people will never find themselves forced into higher brackets, also known as bracket creep. Some workers will be better off thanks to the new tax relief - but others won't (stock image) Small businesses are also set to reap the benefits of a further 12-month extension of the $20,000 instant asset write-off. Meantime, big companies will see their corporate tax rate progressively reduced to around the OECD median by 2026. If you are elderly... There are plenty of goodies on offer for the older generation - including an expansion of what has been dubbed the 'baby boomer bonus'. Before tonight's Budget, pensioners could earn more than $6,500 a year before it affected their pension. The Treasurer announced tonight he will increase that earning cap by a further $1,300 a year. It will also extend to self-employed individuals for the first time. Reason to smile: There is plenty on offer for the older generation, including an expansion of the 'Pensioner Work Bonus' That will be a relief to older Australians who still work but also receive the age pension. The government will also fund 20,000 new home care places to help older Australians stay at home for longer. It will also expand a reverse-mortgage scheme which allows some pensioners to borrow against the value of their home. If you are a first home buyer... If you were hoping for good news from the Budget, you will have to wait another year. No changes were announced to help ease the pressure of high housing prices, with the Government choosing tax relief instead. Sold - but not to a first home buyer. No changes were announced to ease the pressure of high house prices If you like paying for things in cash In a surprise move, it will soon be illegal to make cash payments of over $10,000 to businesses for goods and services. From July 1, 2019, payments of $10,000 or more for goods or services will have to be made with a cheque or through an electronic payment system like EFTPOS. 'This will be bad news for criminal gangs, terrorists and those who are just trying to cheat on their tax,' Mr Morrison said. If you drive or catch the train... A whopping $24.5 billion will be poured into building infrastructure around the country which will, eventually, reduce travel time, the government claims. Daily Mail Australia's graphic, below, shows the biggest winners in the roads and railways splurge are commuters in Victoria - the recipient of $8 billion. The most eye-popping promise is a $5 billion investment to build a rail link between Melbourne and Tullamarine Airport, 20km north of the city. This map shows where the government will spend nearly $25billion on roads and rail networks Coming soon? The government is splashing $5 billion on a Melbourne airport link train But it's still many years before construction starts, with Mr Turnbull last month describing 2020 as an 'ambitious' target. Mr Morrison has pledged more than $1 billion to extend Perth's Metronet network and $2 billion to improve the M1 Motorway, also known as the Pacific Highway which connects Sydney with Brisbane. Another $1 billion will be used to expand the choked highway between Brisbane and the Gold Coast and more than $950 million to build a bypass near Coffs Harbour. If you are a welfare cheat or a criminal on the run... Welfare recipients with unpaid court fines or outstanding criminal warrants will be targeted under new hardline measures laid out in the federal budget. People with outstanding Centrelink debts of more than $10,000 will also be aggressively pursued. Unemployed criminals will have their Centrelink benefits cancelled under a new govt plan 'We will ensure our targeted safety net helps people when they need it, but that people receive only what they are entitled to, nothing more and nothing less,' Social Services Minister Dan Tehan said. 'When welfare recipients have received money they are not entitled to, we will ensure those debts are repaid.' If you are a university student... There isn't much, although regional university campuses will benefit form additional study places, thanks to a $123.6 million investment. The government will support new bachelor degree places at the Sunshine Coast University, the University of Tasmania and Southern Cross University. If your power bill is too large Good news, maybe. If it's approved by state governments - and it is a strong 'if' - the National Energy Guarantee will see the average power bill shrink by $400 a year. If you pay the Medicare Levy... You won't have to pay more tax. Mr Morrison has scrapped a proposed 0.5 per cent increase in the Medicare Levy. He only proposed the hike last year. Better-than-expected tax receipts mean the hike - introduced only last year - is no longer necessary, he said. Mr Morrison announced the scrapping of a previously proposed 0.5 per cent Medicare levy increase (stock image) 'The reason we proposed to increase the Medicare levy was only to fully fund the gap left behind by Labor on the (National Disability Insurance Scheme),' Mr Morrison said. 'We no longer believe we need to do this.' If you have children... The government's childcare package begins on July 2 this year, with increased support to a larger number of families. Preschools will benefit from $870 million in total funding for the 2018 and 2019 school years. Some $440million will be used to extend the Universal Access to Early Childhood Education program. Education (stock image) The Government has backed the Gonski 2.0 review, and has created a $24.5billion Quality Schools package. If you are on the dole... Nothing has changed, even despite the big business lobby calling for an increase to the dole, which is officially known as Newstart. Most single people receive about $538.80 a fortnight, or roughly $38.40 a day, as part of the unemployment program. If you are expecting a baby.... A free whooping cough vaccine will be offered to all pregnant women from July 1, under new measures announced tonight. Health Minister Greg Hunt paid tribute to two infants who died from the deadly disease as he announced the $40 million move this week. Pregnant women are better off - with the government adding the whooping cough vaccine to the national immunisation program 'I know what a devastating impact this disease can have on families and beautiful young children like Dana McCaffery and Riley Hughes,' he said. Vaccinating pregnant women is the most effective way to protect newborns from the illness, as newborns cannot be vaccinated until they are six weeks old. If you are a smoker... A crackdown on the black economy includes changes to how tobacco is taxed, making it harder for those trading in illicit cigarettes. Tobacco will be taxed when it enters Australia rather than when it leaves warehouses and enters the domestic market, beginning in July 2019. Beginning on the same date it will be illegal to import tobacco without a permit, and the black market in cigarettes will be tackled by a new multi-agency Tobacco Taskforce. Scott Morrison has touted 'the likelihood of cheaper craft beer' If you like craft beer... It's increasingly popular - and now the government will axe a 40 per cent tax on smaller kegs typically used by craft beer brewers. The aim is to level the playing field between boutique breweries and mass producers. 'This not only champions the craft brewers that we've all grown to love, it raises a very tantalising prospect for Australians: the likelihood of cheaper craft beer,' Mr Morrison said. But despite the government's claims, there's not much evidence craft brewers will slash prices substantially. If you're an environmentalist... The has announced a half-a-billion dollar plan to save the world's biggest living thing, the Great Barrier Reef. The reef has been reeling from bouts of coral bleaching and the threat of climate change. Just this month, scientists recently revealed a 2016 heatwave had resulted in a 'catastrophic die-off' of coral. The Government said the funds will go towards improving water quality and fighting pests. If you're famous... Celebrities will be hit with new rules on their image rights to make sure they're not dodging their income tax. Celebrities can currently licence their image rights to a business, which can claim losses on the investment, and then pay just 30 per cent tax on the profits. But new rules will make sure celebrities and high-profile people who licence their image rights to other companies pay tax on all the income and non-cash benefits they receive. The money raised from the change is "unquantifiable", the budget said. - With Australian Associated Press Man in the middle: Scott Morrison, surrounded by advisers and journalists, on Tuesday THE WINNERS... Average income earners - 94 per cent of Australians will be on a tax rate of 32.5 per cent or less in 2024, with those on the average wage of $84,600 saving $530 a year. Seniors - will be able to keep more of what they earn on the side, access equity in their homes for retirement and face a shorter waiting list if they are seeking care at home. Small business - will get an injection of life from a corporate tax cut and a year-long extension of the instant asset write-off. The sick - a new public hospitals agreement will deliver an extra $30 billion to 2024, while medicines to treat breast cancer and multiple sclerosis will be made cheaper. Schools - set to benefit from an extra $24.5 billion under the so-called Gonski 2.0 needs-based funding package. States - 10-year $75 billion infrastructure package for projects in various states and territories and a $1 billion Urban Congestion Fund to improve traffic flow and safety at state level. Expectant parents - Hard copy baby book on a child's health record will go digital, vaccine for whooping cough will be free for pregnant women, and $3 million has been set aside for a new simple guide for would-be parent to stay healthy and active during pregnancy. Advertisement A planned summit on race Donald Trump agreed last week to host at the White House is in disarray and unlikely to take place before this year's elections, if at all, DailyMail.com can reveal. Trump had been said to be 'totally 100 percent for it' by an outside adviser, Pastor Darrell Scott. 'Now we're just dotting the i's crossing the t's getting the logistics in place,' Scott said Thursday after an Oval Office meeting with Trump. Scott said then that Kanye West would be the most significant invited guest, days after the rapper endorsed the president and posed in a Make America Great Again hat, in addition to Colin Kapernick. However, six sources who spoke to DailyMail.com, including Scott, indicated that the summit was, at best, still in the conceptual stage. African-American Republicans in particular did not want it to happen before the November midterm elections. 'There are no plans for an imminent summit to occur,' a person familiar with the White House's position told DailyMail.com on Monday. Black Republicans and aides to the president are warning Trump that the summit could be used by invitees such as Kaepernick as a platform to call the president a racist in a forum where he has to respond. SCROLL DOWN FOR VIDEO A planned summit on race Donald Trump agreed last week to host at the White House is in disarray and unlikely to take place before this year's elections, if at all 'There are no plans for an imminent summit to occur,' a person familiar with the White House's position told DailyMail.com on Monday on the Kanye summit. West went to Trump Tower in December of 2016 and late last month announced his support for the president in a series of tweets and an interview West's support for Trump on Twitter, and a subsequent bounce in African-American support for the president in a Reuters poll, has sparked new interest in having a White House-linked conversation on race The consequences of such a confrontation could be disastrous for the GOP, particularly if it takes place just before voters go to the ballot box this fall. Midterm election cycles are traditionally used to reprimand sitting presidents. White House Chief of Staff John Kelly is also said to have fumed, 'Who in the f*** would have a race summit before the mid-term election, are you kidding me? 'You know that's our Achilles heel,' he told staff according to one of DailyMail.com's sources. A black Republican familiar with talks about summit also cautioned Trump that 'you have to be very careful about the political risk associated with something like this.' 'If you invite a group of people into an event that's open mic and and open press, they could use it as an opportunity to potentially embarrass the president and attack him personally.' The source said, 'What the White House and other people are trying to say is, 'These conversations could turn sour on you.' ' 'Someone could really say some awful things about the president, his administration and his policies, and the president is forced to respond to it because you created this open forum dialogue.' Trump's aides have voiced similar frustrations, a source told DailyMail.com. 'They're p***ed. The staff are p***ed, because this is the last thing they need to deal with is the thorny issue of race,' another black Republican familiar with the conversations said. 'You've got a recipe waiting for disaster to happen. And that's why the staff are livid,' the person added. 'They are more livid about this than Charlottesville and other issues that have popped up.' Kanye West would be the most significant invited guest, days after the rapper endorsed the president and posed in a Make America Great Again hat. But also floated was Colin Kapernick, the NFL star whose kneeling for the national anthem has been condemned by Trump - and who aides fear would call the president a 'racist' to his face In a tweet last month about Kanye West, President Trump merely wrote 'MAGA!' - which is shorthand for 'Make America Great Again' Trump had been said to be 'totally 100 percent for it' by an outside adviser, Pastor Darrell Scott. 'Now we're just dotting the i's crossing the t's getting the logistics in place,' Scott said Thursday after an Oval Office meeting with Trump West's support for Trump on Twitter, and a subsequent bounce in African-American support for the president in a Reuters poll, has sparked new interest, however, in having a White House-linked conversation on race. Trump has publicly thanked West and directly backed Scott's pitch to have the rapper headline a White House summit. White House Deputy Press Secretary Hogan Gidley said in a statement to DailyMail.com that Trump does want to have a conversation on issues that affect the black community. 'President Trump promised to be a President for all Americans and his policies have kept that promise,' Gidley said. 'Whether it's tax cuts, the creation of opportunity zones, the lowest African American unemployment rate in history, growing our nation's Historically Black Colleges and Universities, capital investment in the African American community or the prioritization of prison reform, the White House is encouraged by people from all walks of life who want to sit down with President Trump and have conversations on how these many successes can continue.' A source familiar with the matter said the Kanye summit was definitely something the president is considering. Trump seemed in high spirits when he saw Scott on the tarmac in Cleveland during a visit to Ohio on Saturday, although the president was said by a source to be upset about the way the matter had been handled. Aides to the president, including Kelly, were also said to be 'livid' that Scott advertised Trump's interest in the initiative immediately after their conversation in the Oval Office. A White House official disputed the claim that Kelly was angry about the summit. What he was upset by were reports making it sound like it could happen next week. 'He wanted it meticulously planned, orchestrated, grandiose event and not thrown together last minute,' the official told DailyMail.com. Scott says that he has been working directly with the White House's Office of Public Liaison on the initiative. He noted in a conversation with DailyMail.com that he's been talking openly about a potential summit for months. The summit only gained attention last week after Scott said he wanted to invite Kanye West. In an airport interview with TMZ, Scott also said that he'd invited Kaepernick to participate through 'someone he knows.' 'We would love to have him there,' he said in a video that TMZ posted. Scott walked back the invitation, though, in a conversation with DailyMail.com. He said that celebrities who could use the event to embarrass the president by calling him a racist will not be invited. 'That's not gonna happen. I'm not gonna let that happen on my watch,' he said. Scott said that the guest list has not been set yet, but he wants artists, athletes, cultural influencers and trend setters like West to attend. 'I don't want to give anybody an opportunity to grandstand,' he said of the potential for someone like Kaepernick, who the president has clashed with over his national anthem boycott, to assail the president at the event. White House Chief of Staff John Kelly fumed, 'Who in the f*** would have a race summit before the mid-term election, are you kidding me?' a source told DailyMail.com Scott also said he plans to avoid offering invitations to people who will publicize the fact that they were invited to meet with Trump and then say, 'There's no way I'd go sit down with that guy.' The Cleveland-based pastor told DailyMail.com of the summit: 'The date, place, time, format, all have to be ironed out. 'But the idea of the president being open to such a meeting is there,' he added. Scott, the head of the National Diversity Coalition for Trump, said he saw White House Chief of Staff Kelly on his way into the meeting with the president last Thursday, and the retired general declined to attend. 'He said, "No I've got something else to do," ' Scott says Kelly told him. ' "No you guys got it." ' The White House knew at that point that Scott planned to bring up the summit. Politico and TMZ had already published items on it. Scott said that the meeting with Trump was primarily to discuss urban revitalization, however, and it had been on the schedule for weeks beforehand. He said the Kanye summit was discussed for roughly five minutes at the end of the meeting in the Oval that Kareem Lanier, who's also part of the Urban Revitalization Coalition, attended with him. The pastor says Trump told him then, ' "Yes, I'm on board with it." ' Black Republicans who spoke to DailyMail.com applauded the president for his willingness to tackle race after Scott's announcement. They just said, like Kelly, that they want Trump to be careful about the way he goes about it. 'There's probably a good reason why very few U.S. presidents have been willing to do this, including the last president,' one person said, making a reference to the federal government's first black executive Barack Obama. 'But [Trump's] not your typical politician, which is why he's willing to have tough conversations about race, about gun violence in schools, about patriotism about monuments.' Six women and three men have been charged over the suspected 'revenge' stabbing of a mother who died after allegedly being ambushed in her unit. Debbie Combarngo, 37, was fatally stabbed in broad daylight at her home in the Toowoomba suburb of Wilsonton in Queensland's Darling Downs region shortly after 2pm on Sunday. Detectives are now looking into Ms Combarngo's ties to a man who died last week, and investigating whether her death was a revenge attack. Scroll down for video Detectives are investigating whether the stabbing was a revenge attack (pictured is one of nine defendants charged over the attack, Shiralee Fernando) Officers arrested nine people as they poured out of a maxi taxi on Sunday following the stabbing death The nine defendants including Ty Fing (left) and Rhianna Fing (right) were remanded in custody on Monday night to front the Toowoomba Magistrate's Court on Tuesday Police officers are seen in the car park of a Hungry Jack's where they arrested nine people Mikey Hall, who was found dead on April 21, is reportedly related to the defendants accused of stabbing Ms Combarngo on Sunday. Nine defendants were arrested in the carpark of a nearby Hungry Jack's on Sunday, after pouring out of a maxi taxi together. Each were charged with two counts of assault occasioning bodily harm and one count of enter dwelling with intent. Those charged included Shiralee Fernando, Ashley Aaron Fing, Rhianna Jade Fing, Ty Peter Fing, Christine Maree Hall, Jana Leigh Hall, Rhonda Ann Hall and Joshua James Lingwoodock. It's understood a number of the accused are directly related to each other. Six women and three men have been charged over the suspected 'revenge' stabbing of a mother who died after allegedly being ambushed in her unit including Christine Hall (pictured) Nine defendants were arrested in the carpark of a nearby Hungry Jack's on Sunday, after pouring out of a maxi taxi together (pictured is Joshua Lingwoodock, one of the nine charged) Police officers pictured at a nearby Hungry Jack's on Sunday night, where nine defendants were arrested after pouring out of a maxi taxi Police tape seals off the area following the fatal stabbing of the Toowoomba mother Forensic officers and the dog squad assisted with the homicide investigation on Sunday night The group was remanded in custody on Monday night to front the Toowoomba Magistrate's Court on Tuesday. A witness, who wanted to be called Pete, said he watched on as a group arrived at the dead woman's home on Sunday. 'They arrived in two groups with the first mostly made up of women, then left separately as well,' he told The Courier Mail. 'One guy ran off really quickly to start with, and then a few minutes later like another five went racing out.' Ms Combarngo's devastated family said they were still grieving the loss of 'a very caring person'. Ms Combarngo's niece denied her aunt's death was a revenge attack, saying she had nothing to do with Mikey Hall, who died one week earlier. 'She wouldn't do anything to provoke anyone,' she said. Police will allege that a 37-year-old woman was found with serious injuries at a Wilsonton address in McGregor Street just after 2pm on Sunday Mr Hall will be farewelled in Toowoomba on Tuesday, with detectives expected to be present at the funeral. Darling Downs Detective Inspector Lew Strohfeldt said the police were still waiting for Ms Combarngo's post mortem results. Det Insp. Strohfeldt said members of the community were assisting the police with their investigation, but urged anyone with information that might be of interest to come forward. Detectives have charged nine people following the death of a woman in Toowoomba on Sunday (investigating police officers pictured) Raymonde Kemp (pictured) was upset to hear that nine people have been charged with her neighbour's alleged murder. 'It is shocking, especially when someone loses somebody. Why so many for one lady?' Outside court on Monday, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Legal Service lawyer Kevin Rose told the ABC he was representing five of those charged. He said there was a possibility more charges would be laid. 'I haven't been told that, but given that there is one deceased person there is the possibility that's what I understand the police are saying,' he told the ABC. Toowoomba resident Kevina Suey said the woman's death has shocked the local Aboriginal community. 'The whole community is shattered everybody knows everybody,' she told media outside court. 'I'm just here [in court] to support just praying for everybody for all the families.' The tragic story of an 18-year-old girl who lost her virginity in a dark alleyway behind a Kings Cross nightclub has sparked an urgent review of sexual consent laws. Saxon Mullins, from the New South Wales Central Coast, had anal sex outside the bustling club in Sydney's red light district at about 4am on May 12, 2013. Luke Lazarus, the nightclub owner's son, was jailed after a jury found him guilty of raping the teenage girl, but later acquitted in a judge-only hearing which shocked the nation. There is no suggestion Mr Lazarus is guilty of the sexual assault charge he was acquitted of. New South Wales Attorney-General Mark Speakman has now referred the state's complex consent legislation to the Law Reform Commission. Saxon Mullins (pictured) had anal sex outside a Kings Cross nightclub at about 4am in May, 2013 Luke Lazarus (left and right) was jailed after a jury found him guilty of raping the teenage girl, but acquitted 11 months later after an appeal judge-only hearing which shocked the nation New South Wales Attorney-General Mark Speakman (pictured) has now referred the state's complex consent legislation to the Law Reform Commission '[Saxon Mullins has] been humiliated in an alleyway at the age of 18, she's had to tell her traumatic story in court, she's had to face two trials, two appeals, and still, no final outcome,' Mr Speakman told the ABC. 'From her viewpoint, the whole process has been - I imagine - just a huge disappointment. What this shows is that there's a real question about whether our law in New South Wales is clear enough, is certain enough, is fair enough. 'That's why I've asked the Law Reform Commission to look at the whole question of consent in sexual assault trials.' Ms Mullins shared her story for the first time with the broadcaster's Four Corners program on Monday night. Ms Mullins (pictured) shared her story for the first time with the broadcaster's Four Corners program on Monday night Three months after the incident Mr Lazarus (pictured) was charged with having sex without consent CCTV from the Soho nightclub showed Mr Lazarus taking Ms Mullins by the hand and directing her outside She said Mr Speakman's referral 'makes me feel like I did this for a reason. It wasn't all for nothing'. 'Maybe someone else won't have to spend five years fighting to get nowhere,' she said. CCTV from the Soho nightclub, which has since shut down, showed Mr Lazarus taking Ms Mullins by the hand and directing her outside. Ms Mullins said she was ordered to get 'on all fours and arch her back' against a wall behind the club just four minutes after they met. Mr Lazarus is seen departing the NSW Court of Criminal Appeal in Sydney, Tuesday, April 12, 2016 In Ms Mullins first police statement she said: 'I think ... I told him to stop'. She said those two words will forever haunt her 'I thought just do what he says and then you can go... And he had anal sex with me,' she told the program. Three months after the incident Mr Lazarus was charged with having sex without consent. In 2015, Mr Lazarus was found guilty after a trial by jury and was sentenced to five years in jail, with a three-year non-parole period. Following the sentence, Ms Mullins admitted her first reaction was 'complex' and she felt an unusual sense of guilt. Ms Mullins said she was demanded to get 'on all fours and arch her back' against a wall behind the club before he had anal sex with her Luke Lazarus (pictured in May, 2017) plea for a retrial was granted after he spent 11 months in prison 'There's a bit of relief - not only for, ''it's over'' but ''they believed me'',' she said. 'And then there's the inevitable bit of guilt. I can't help but feel I destroyed someone's life.' Ms Mullins' sense of closure was short-lived. After 11 months in prison, Mr Lazarus plea for a retrial was granted - but this time trial by judge alone. Judge Robyn Tupman accepted Mr Lazarus' version of events on what happened on the Autumn night. Two words will haunt Ms Mullins for the rest of her life. In her first police statement she said: 'I think... I told him to stop.' This statement made Judge Tupman doubt Ms Mullins' testimony of what happened. 'It was pretty painful. And I just kind of froze, you know?' Ms Mullins told the ABC's Four Corners The Soho nightclub (pictured) in Sydney's red light district has since shut down While Judge Tupman said Ms Mullins may not have in her mind consented to sexual intercourse with Mr Lazarus - it wasn't enough to send him back to jail. 'Whether or not she consented is but one matter. Whether or not the accused knew that she was not consenting is another. 'I stress that I do not accept that the complainant, by her actions, herself meant to consent to sexual intercourse and in her own mind was not consenting to sexual intercourse,' Judge Tupman said in her judgement. Rather the complainant's lack of physical resistance gave Mr Lazarus 'reasonable grounds' for believing consent was given, according to the Judge. Dr Ellie Freedman, medical director of the Northern Sydney Sexual Assault Service, was the first to examine Ms Mullins the day after the incident. After 11 months in prison, Mr Lazarus (pictured on the night) plea for a retrial was granted - but this time trial by judge alone Judge Tupman said Ms Mullins may not have in her mind consented to sexual intercourse with Mr Lazarus (centre) - but it wasn't enough to send him back to jail She said Ms Mullins had 'grazes on her knees and at the entrance of her anus'. While she admits it's been five years since Ms Mullins medical examination, she recalls the patient being in a lot of pain at the time. 'She was in pain and it was extremely difficult for me to examine her because it was very painful,' Dr Freedman told the program. When ABC reporter Louise Milligan asked whether she had sex before, Ms Mullins said 'no'. 'It was pretty painful. And I just kind of froze, you know?' Ms Mullins said. Dr Ellie Freedman (pictured) was the first to examine Ms Mullins the day after the alleged abuse. She said Ms Mullins had 'grazes on her knees and at the entrance of her anus' Professor Annie Cossins (pictured) said a 'freeze response' is not unusual for a victim of sexual assault Professor Annie Cossins from the University of NSW said that a 'freeze response' is not unusual for a victim of sexual assault. 'It's well known by psychologists and psychiatrists that there's actually three responses to fear. 'There's fight, flight and freeze. A freeze response usually occurs when the person can see that fight and flight aren't options for them,' Ms Cossins said. An abrupt end to May's warm weather is set to hit this week as icy Antarctic air will send temperatures plunging across Australia's south-east. The temperature drop is expected to feel even harsher in comparison with the unusually warm autumn so far, with Sydney enjoying the warmest April on record last month, a Weatherzone spokesman told Daily Mail Australia. A cold air mass sitting about 2,000km from the shores of south-east Australia is set to cross the mainland from Thursday. An abrupt end to May's warm weather is set to hit this week as icy Antarctic air will send temperatures plunging across Australia's south-east A cold air mass sitting about 2,000kms from the shores of south-east Australia is set to cross the mainland from Thursday Melbourne will feel the the icy plunge as the city can expect a maximum of 13C on Thursday with heavy rainfall and the chance of thunderstorms. But it's good news for those who want to hit the slopes, with other parts of the state expecting good snowfall. Sydney will experience an abrupt change from a balmy 26C on Thursday, plunging nearly 10 degrees to 17C on Friday. But gusty winds are set to drop temperatures in the NSW capital even by another three degrees, a Weatherzone spokesman said. Melbourne will feel the the icy plunge as the city can expect a maximum of 13C on Thursday with heavy rainfall and the chance of thunderstorms (a Melbourne city view is pictured 30 minutes apart) Canberra is forecast to have its coldest May day in 18 years, barely reaching double figures. Some residents recorded hail in their backyards last week (pictured) An autumn cold snap was the cause of snow during the Canberra Raiders NRL match (pictured) in May of 2000 'When this cold air comes through from Thursday, it will be a severe jolt,' Weatherzone has warned This is a far cry from last month, when Sydneysiders enjoyed the hottest April day on record. Canberra is forecast to shiver through its coldest May day in 18 years, barely reaching double figures. An autumn cold snap was the cause of snow interrupting the Canberra Raiders NRL match in May of 2000. Sydney and Melbourne have enjoyed a very warm start to May, with average maximum temperatures five degrees above usual levels. 'Sydney especially has had a very warm Autumn so far,' a Weatherzone spokesman said. 'So when this cold air comes through from Thursday, it will be a severe jolt.' A cold air mass sitting about 2,000km from the shores of south-east Australia is set to cross the mainland from Thursday (pictured) coming from a polar vortex sitting above Antarctica in the Southern Ocean The anticipated low pressure system is from a polar vortex sitting above Antarctica in the Southern Ocean. When a smaller pool of chilly air at the vortex edges breaks away and heads north towards Australia, it mixes with warmer air over the continent and triggers an outbreak of intense conditions. The sudden drop is a far cry from last month where Sydneysiders enjoyed the hottest April day on record (view of Sydney city skyline pictured) A Victorian Red Rooster franchisee has spoken about the struggles of having his business go into liquidation, leaving him with a half million dollar debt. Steve Beadle's Cranbourne West Red Rooster franchise went into liquidation three months ago after almost a decade of trying to keep the store afloat through financial struggles. 'I was effectively a slave, I earned no money, my staff earned more than me,' he said. The franchisor for Red Rooster, Craveable Brands, which oversees 570 stores including Oporto's and Chicken Treats, said each location is in a healthy state and earns more than $135,000 per year. Victorian Red Rooster franchisee Steve Beadle has spoken about the struggles of having his business go into liquidation leaving him with a half million dollar debt Mr Beadle and other franchisees have disputed this claim and said they are being 'driven into the ground', The Sydney Morning Herald reported. A number of franchisees have made submissions to the Senate's inquiry in the Franchising Code of Conduct. Mr Beadle said while he was not one of them, he supported their allegations. 'There are many others in a precarious financial, I want to protect people from coming in and being bled like this,' he said. Franchisees claim they are being pushed into bankruptcy as a result of 'high costs' and 'operating restrictions' imposed on them by their franchisor. 'There are many more on the verge of bankruptcy,' the franchisees said in the submission. Mr Beadle described the franchiser's conduct as 'gold plating of the supply chain'. The claims from franchisees are that they are being pushed into bankruptcy as a result of 'high costs' and 'operating restrictions' are impose don them by their franchisor One example was the cost of a box of Mount Franklin water. A franchisee is expected to pay $18 per box through Craveable supplies but anyone can get the same amount for just $11 at an IGA supermarket. The customer loyalty scheme, where consumers are reward with $1 for every $15 spent, is also hurting the business, the submission sates. 'They talk about franchisee partnerships, the model is unsustainable. They take money off you when times are good and take money off you when times are bad,' Mr Beadle said. Craveable released a statement after news broke that franchisees had made submissions to the Senate. 'These figures correct false assertions made by a small group of store owners, badged as Franchisee Association of Craveable, who claim they are on the point of bankruptcy,' the statement said. Craveable Brands CEO Brett Houldin also labeled the claims as 'a ridiculous assertion'. An accused international drug trafficker ended his 29 years on the run last month when he was arrested while trying to walk into the US from Canada to see his family. Jacob Moritz, who is in his early 70s, was arrested after people driving near the border saw him and another man emerge from the woods on April 15, US Customs and Border Protection spokesman Bill Kingsford said. Moritz was one of four defendants indicted in 1989 for smuggling marijuana, hashish and heroin into the U.S. from Jamaica, Morocco, Colombia, Thailand and Lebanon, but he and two other co-defendants disappeared before authorities could apprehend them. The indictment claims the smuggling ring started out in 1971 by sailing marijuana from Jamaica aboard a boat called 'High Tidings' and delivering it to the ringleader, Long Island businessman William LaMorte. Jacob Moritz (pictured), who has been on the run from international drug smuggling charges for nearly three decades, was arrested last month after he was caught trying to walk from Canada into the US He was seen trying to cross through a sparsely populated area near the Kootenai National Forest in Montana (pictured) Moritz is charged with distributing the drugs after LaMorte received them on his yacht, the 'Mary Poppins.' The operation expanded to include smuggling drugs from Morocco, Lebanon and Colombia. It eventually grew so large that freighters were purchased to carry massive amounts of drugs. The indictment claims one shipment held 22 tons of marijuana from Thailand and another held 13 tons of hashish from Lebanon. In all, the operation smuggled more than 120 tons of drugs between 1971 and 1985, the New York Times reported in 1991. LaMorte was convicted in 1991 and sentenced to 50 years in prison and fined $49.2 million. Co-defendants Fayez Barade and Harry Sunila have been indicted but are still at large. Moritz wouldn't cooperate with the Border Patrol agents who detained him last month, and they only learned his identity and the New York warrant for his arrest after fingerprinting him. Moritz and his travelling partner were dobbed in by people driving near the border, and Mortiz's past criminal charges were uncovered during a fingerprint scan (stock image of the port of entry at Roosville) 'From what we understood, it was just him trying to get back into the United States to reunite with his family,' Kingsford said. It was unclear where Moritz was going or whether he had attempted the clandestine border crossing before. In court documents, he signed his hometown as Tampa, Florida. In a financial statement to the court, he wrote that he had $1,800 in cash and that he had been 'living with friends.' Kingsford said the man who was with Moritz was a Canadian citizen who was sent back to Canada without being charged. The area where Moritz tried to cross, Roosville, is a sparsely populated part of northwestern Montana wedged between Lake Koocanusa and the Kootenai National Forest. It's a pretty remote area,' Kingsford said. 'There are not a lot of people who cross there illegally.' Moritz's attorney, Martin Klotz, did not immediately return a call for comment Monday. Moritz appeared in the U.S. District Court in New York on Monday to finally face charges that include conspiracy to import heroin and marijuana, according to Melissa Hornbein, a spokeswoman for the US Attorney for Montana. A man accused of violently attacking a disabled grandfather during an alleged armed robbery has been granted bail after receiving a glowing reference from an AFL star. Brandon Ellis, who played for Richmond in last year's historic premiership win, has defended his old school friend, who is accused of taping the grandfather's mouth shut and allegedly holding the man prisoner during the alleged robbery in his Carlton home. Omar Benhaddou, 24, was released from custody last month after being charged with armed robbery and false imprisonment over the alleged incident, The Herald Sun has reported. Omar Benhaddou, 24, (left) and Richmond footballer Brandon Ellis (right) grew up toegther in Carlton North and remain close friends Mr Benhaddou posted this photo where he is wearing a Richmond guernsey and holding the premiership cup just days before his arrest Ellis praised his friend for being honest and loyal in his character reference for the court The alleged victim, John McKay, said he was terrified he could be targeted for speaking up about the alleged attack. Mr Benhaddou, who works as a hospital theatre technician, has been charged with two others for allegedly breaking into Mr McKay's public housing unit on two occasions and allegedly stealing a television and two Xboxes belonging to his grandchildren. In one of the alleged incidents Mr McKay claims he was threatened with a gun. The grandfather, who has epilepsy, said he was traumatised from the two separate alleged attacks and afraid to leave his house. He also claimed that after the initial alleged incident, Mr Benhaddou told him not to talk to the police before threatening and punching him. Judge John Champion said Mr Benhaddou's 'good character' and lack of previous convictions helped his case for bail. The character reference from Ellis (pictured) was given to help his friend get bail Benhaddou, allegedly robbed elderly man John McKay, who was shocked to hear that the Richmond player (pictured) had backed him in court The Supreme Court judge took into account the character reference given by Ellis which praised his 'honesty, loyalty, discipline and respect'. The pair grew up together in Carlton North and remain close friends. Just days before his arrest Mr Benhaddou made his profile picture on Facebook an image of him dressed in a Richmond Guernsey holding the premiership cup. Ellis (pictured) went to school with Mr Benhaddou who has been given strict bail conditions including staying away from Carlton Mr McKay was shocked to hear that Ellis had backed Mr Benhaddou. Mr Benhaddou has been given strict bail conditions. He has to obey a curfew, stay out of Carlton and not take any drugs. As he is a practising Muslim he will receive weekly counselling from the Somali Australian Council of Victoria and civics lessons from the Islamic Council of Victoria's chief imam Sheikh Weli. He is due back in court for a committal hearing on July 18. In 1969, Margaret Thatcher became Shadow Education Secretary, Neil Armstrong walked on the moon and 10,000 11-year-olds all born in a single week in 1958 wrote essays predicting their lives at 25. Either about to leave primary school, or newly arrived at secondaries they described their hopes and ambitions. All were part of the National Child Development Study, which has kept track of their lives every decade for 60 years. This year, those baby boomers turned 60 and, here, five of them talk to Beth Hale about how their childhood dreams have matched up to half a century of reality. I wanted to be a nurse - then realised girls CAN be doctors! As a girl growing up at a time when men and women had strictly defined roles, hospital-obsessed Sally Seth-Smith assumed she would become a nurse. I am sitting in a ward on night duty I will soon be a staff nurse, reads her painstakingly neat essay neat except for the fact that staff nurse has been scored through with a single line and replaced with sister. It was only later, while at her small comprehensive school in Cumbria, Sally realised she might be able to become a doctor. Sally Seth-Smith assumed she would become a nurse. It was only later, while at her small comprehensive school in Cumbria, she realised she might be able to become a doctor My mum was a nurse and my dad was a doctor, so I was always very interested in medical stuff. 'I used to have a permanent hospital for my dolls and teddies set up in my bedroom, where I would do ward rounds, check their temperature and stuff like that. As long as I could remember, I had wanted to be a nurse and then someone said to me You might be clever enough to become a doctor, and I thought Gosh, can girls be doctors? Men were doctors and women were nurses, and that was absolutely how it felt then. But a seed had been planted and Sally, who settled in Hampshire, has now been a GP for 30 years. Two of her children are also doctors, and her youngest son works in finance. She has two grandchildren. Sally smiles as she reads back her childhood dreams of a world where 2,000 people live on the moon, England is like Switzerland with no fighting, the Russians no longer invade other countries and the whole world is running out of food. It is just so me; socially, politically and ecologically aware a lot of what Im passionate about now, but I had no idea I had that sort of understanding or thoughts when I was 11, she says. But as eloquent as her essay is, Sallys recollections of that time are tinged with sadness. Not long after shed written her essay, Sallys mother committed suicide. She had discovered that her husband was having an affair with one of her friends. Sally and her three younger brothers were almost immediately uprooted and taken to Cumbria by their father, who never discussed their mothers death. It was only later that they began to piece together what had happened in their parents lives. I was probably well into my mid-20s before I could really talk about it, says Sally, who has been married to her second husband Nigel, an electronics engineer, for nearly 20 years. I still regret money woes killed off my ideal career Jackie Adkins laughs as she re-reads the three paragraphs that constituted her idea of an essay. I work in a hair dressers and looking for a shop (sic) when I have saved up some money I will buy one, she wrote. Cinema trips with friends and buying clothes on a Saturday those were Jackies dreams. Cinema trips with friends and buying clothes on a Saturday those were Jackie Adkins' dreams. Today, she has been married to Paul, 63, for 35 years and has three children and one grandson Today, she has been married to Paul, 63, for 35 years and has three children and one grandson. She wonders whether she wrote so little because she was so certain where she would be at 25. I was always going to be a hairdresser, says Jackie. I used to cut my own hair and my mums and I used to carry my hairdressing scissors in my school bag and at lunchtime the girls would say can you do my fringe for me? or can you put layers in my hair? Jackie loved her secondary school in Hoddesdon, Hertfordshire, one of the brand-new comprehensives, and was among the first year to start when it opened in 1969. She had a place to study at hairdressing college when, aged 16, her parents moved to Sussex, and her dreams were shelved. She found herself working in a bank because her parents could not afford to support her through college. Her father had a heart attack and died when Jackie was just 19, so her income was even more essential and thoughts of going to hairdressing college faded. She remains wistful about the career that might have been she still cuts her grown-up childrens hair and one of her daughters is a hairdresser but Jackie says: Once I got into the cycle of earning money, it was so hard to break away from that. Jackie left banking after the birth of her second child and since then has done everything from selling candles to catering for parties and working for a mining recruitment company. But today, after surgery for a benign tumour in her stomach, Jackie is enjoying taking life a little slower, while helping her builder husband with his books from their home in Lancing, West Sussex. Its time to do the things we couldnt do when the kids were younger, she says. Im off to Amsterdam soon, going to do a Scandinavian boat tour in the summer and next year we are hoping to go to Cuba. All I knew was that I didn't want to be like my father Looking back, Steve Christmas is all too aware of the poignancy of his essay. Writing about his grown-up life, he predicted he would be a sargant (sic) in the police with a wife named Jane, a new surname (Stephensone), a house in Wales and four children. The new surname and life in Wales were, he suspects, because he wanted to get as far away as possible from Harwich, Essex, where his parents ran a cafe and sweet shop. Steve Christmas' father was an alcoholic who could put away a bottle of whisky a day and was verbally abusive to his wife and two sons. He promised himself he wouldn't ever be like him Steves father was an alcoholic who could put away a bottle of whisky a day and was verbally abusive to his wife and two sons. I didnt want to be me, says Steve, who now lives in Eastbourne with wife Sue, 57, a PA for the NHS, whom he met on holiday aged 21. I wanted to be this other person. School was also miserable for Steve. I wasnt very clever, he says. There was too much else going on in my life. I think today someone would have noticed. He left school with no qualifications aged 15, and moved with his family to Rye, East Sussex, where he worked as a farm labourer, until his father went bankrupt and uprooted them all again to nearby Hastings. I remember making a conscious decision that I wasnt going to be like my father, he says. Steve didnt become a policeman he realised before leaving school that at 5ft 9in he wasnt tall enough and that he would struggle to pass the exams he needed. Instead, several years later, he started working for an insurance company, and studied at night to pass his vocational exams, discovering he was actually quite bright after all. Fatherhood came late for Steve. After leaving home at 31 to marry Sue, they eventually had daughter Emma, now 23, through IVF, thanks to Professor Robert Winston. All I wanted when I was 11 was structure, to be happy, have children and for them to be happy, and thats what has happened, smiles Steve, who took early retirement before setting up his own business writing wills. As for his father, he died in 2003, a year after Steves mother. That last year I learned a lot about him, says Steve. I stopped him drinking so much, stopped him smoking. Before he died he gave me a big cuddle, which he had never done, he apologised and said: Im really sorry for what Ive done. 'Lifes too short to stay bitter. What happens in your childhood doesnt have to hold you back. My dream was dashed but I still feel like that little boy Nigel Wakeford was a clever child who passed his 11-plus and became the first boy in his family to go to grammar school. His was a happy childhood with his three siblings and parents. My dad married at 18 and was working class. He did lots of different things, and ended up doing admin for a bus company, recalls Nigel. Nigel Wakeford was a clever child who passed his 11-plus and became the first boy in his family to go to grammar school. He dreamed of being a soldier but failed the medical because he had a lazy eye But if he had ten bob in his pocket hed take us out on the weekend. There were sailing trips, horseriding and countryside jaunts. Aged 11, Nigel dreamed of being a soldier. Visualising life at 25 he wrote: I do not spend much time at home because I travel a lot abroad. At the moment I have a job as corpral (sic) in the army. 'There is a lot of drill and hard work in it but we do have some pleasure time we go to the pictures and have dances. Sadly, Nigels dreams of joining the Armed Forces were not to be. Leaving school at 16, he did attempt to join the RAF. I went to the recruitment office in Brighton and did all the exams. 'I was told I had one of the best English comprehension test papers theyd ever had, but then I went for the medical and failed because I had a minor eye defect, a lazy eye. Naturally optimistic, he is not regretful but feels he missed out on a career. While clever enough to get his English and Maths O-levels a year early, he spent much of his working life in different jobs, before becoming a carpenter. Now semi-retired, but looking for a part-time job, he is mortgage free and enjoying life near Lewes, East Sussex, with his wife Caroline, a civil servant. His hobby is classic cars and hes been an MG Owners Club member for 35 years. Id be a rich man if it wasnt for cars and bikes, he jokes. I still feel much younger than I am, Ive never lost that. Mentally Im still 12. I was bored with the workday grind even then! Aged 11, Paul Hoggins imagined life as a lawyer who has already fallen out of love with his job. He wrote: The alarm clock goes for the start of another day. Another day of work at the office. How boring all I do is sit reading books . . . Why couldnt I be a miner instead of a lawjer (sic) (who doesnt do a thing). In the event, he became a journalist, and while he doesnt remember his childhood ambitions, he recognises his love of language and sardonic outlook in the essay. Aged 11, Paul Hoggins imagined life as a lawyer who has already fallen out of love with his job. But he went on to become a journalist and remembers his love of language as a child My wife saw it and laughed and said that explains a lot, says Paul, a father-of-three who has four grandchildren. For an 11-year-old theres quite a dose of cynicism in there. And I always enjoyed creative writing and English. Paul grew up on the Isle of Sheppey, Kent, living with his four siblings, his mums younger half brother and his parents eight of them squeezed into a three-bedroom council house while his dad worked for Pilkington, the glass manufacturer. I think I got my dads graft and my mums brightness. In a different time she would have gone to university, but she was a full-time mum until we all got older, says Paul. He took a degree in business studies but, as soon as he finished, he followed his older brother to work on a local newspaper. Before my degree, I never had it in my head that I would become a reporter, he says. But when a junior reporters job came up on the local paper, I never looked back. Paul, who confesses he has had a rewarding working life, still lives on Sheppey, with fitness instructor wife Amanda and works part-time at the Daily Mail. One son has followed in his fathers footsteps, one is a carpenter and the third has learning difficulties and lives in a nearby care home. This is the moment the burqa-clad wife of a terrorist refused to stand for a judge in an act that saw her make legal history. Newly released footage shows Moutia Elzahed, the wife of jailed terrorist recruiter Hamdi Alqudsi, refusing to rise for the judge at the Sydney Downing Centre Court. Elzahed, who was pictured giving the one-figure ISIS salute outside court last week, was found guilty of refusing to stand for the judge on nine separate occasions. Scroll down for video Newly released footage shows Moutia Elzahed (left and right) refusing to rise for the judge at the Sydney Downing Centre Court The 50-year-old woman said she refused to stand on religious grounds, claiming she didn't stand for anyone but Allah. She is the first person in New South Wales to face the charge of disrespectful behaviour for not standing in court, after she first refused to rise for a judge in 2016. The stand-off came to a head when Magistrate Carolyn Huntsman returned to the bench and ordered Elzahed to leave her seat at the back of the courtroom and approach the bar table. 'Remain standing you remain standing when I speak to you,' Magistrate Huntsman said. The wife of a terrorist recruiter has given the one-finger Islamic State salute (pictured) outside court after being found guilty of disrespectful behaviour Each offence carries a maximum jail term of 14 days and/or a $1100 fine. She will be sentenced in June. After she was found guilty of refusing to stand for the judge last week, Elzahed was filmed giving the ISIS salute to cameras outside court. Wearing an ink-black burqa, the 50-year-old Muslim woman walked away from the Sydney Downing Centre Court as she continued to perform the ISIS salute while her friend called journalists 'cockroaches'. Moutia Elzahed (left), the wife of jailed Islamic State extremist Hamdi Alqudsi, held up her index finger - which was covered completely in a black glove - to waiting crowds Ms Elzahad (pictured), who arrived in court dressed in a full black veil and surrounded by supporters, is the first person convicted of contempt of court in NSW on religious grounds The single finger salute of a right hand represents tawhid, a key component of Muslim religion, and signifies 'ISIS' violent and uncompromising posture' towards 'the destruction of the West', according to Foreign Affairs. The Muslim woman's decision to use the ISIS salute appears to reflect the moment her husband performed the same gesture moments before he was sentenced for eight years. Elzahed's extremist husband, Alqudsi, who was found guilty of recruiting terrorist fighters in 2016, held up his index finger to Supreme Court Judge Christine Adamson while he stood in the dock. The traditional Islamic gesture has been used by a number of Islamic State fighters which reportedly shows their belief towards world domination. The Muslim woman's decision to use the ISIS salute appears to reflect the moment her husband (pictured 2016) performed the same gesture moments before being sentenced Elzahed's husband, Alqudsi (pictured), who was found guilty of recruiting terrorist fighters in 2016, held up his index finger to Supreme Court Judge Christine Adamson while at the dock Ms Elzahed (pictured) reportedly told the court she only stood for Allah and gave the single finger ISIS salute to awaiting crowds outside the Sydney Downing Centre Court The single finger salute of a right hand represents tawhid, a key component of Muslim religion, and signifies ISIS' violence and 'the destruction of the West' Last week, the devout Muslim's lawyer told the NSW Court of Appeal she could not give 'crucial' evidence about her version of what police did during the September 2014 raid The magistrate had found Elzahed intentionally flouted the established court convention on nine separate occasions in 2016 when she remained seated in front of District Court Judge Audrey Balla. Magistrate Huntsman last week ruled there was no evidence Elzahed was acting on a genuine religious belief or that the teachings of Islam compelled such behaviour. The mother-of-two previously told Daily Mail Australia she did 'nothing wrong' and felt 'very happy about everything'. The woman, who is one of two wives of Alqudsi, said she refused to reveal her face in court to give evidence over an incident in 2014. The 50-year-old's black Islamic dress covers her entire body, including her hands, and she said only her 'brother, husband, father or son' can see her uncovered. Elzahed refused to stand in front of District Court Judge Audrey Balla on nine separate occasions in 2016 when she remained seated 'You are all missing the point. People who say rude things about me do not understand my beliefs,' Elzahed said. Last December the Australian National Imams Council said Islamic defendants have no faith-based reason not to stand before a judge or uncover their faces while giving testimony. In 2016, Elzahed, who has two sons, had been trying to sue the state and federal governments over claims of police violence during a raid on her Sydney home two years earlier. She was ultimately unsuccessful. WHAT IS THE ISLAMIC STATE ONE- FINGER SALUTE? The traditional Islamic gesture of raising a single index finger has been widely adopted by Islamic State fighters. The salute refers to the tawhid - a belief in the oneness of God - and is a key component of the Islamic religion. The tawhid is the first half of the shahada, an affirmation of faith which is one of the five pillars of Islam and a part of the daily prayer ritual. 'There is no god but Allah, Muhammad is the messenger of Allah.' But for ISIS the symbol is more sinister. Members of the terrorist group use the gesture to communicate their violent and uncompromising posture towards its adversaries in the West. It is an active reaffirmation that they are dedicated to their ideology which 'demands the destruction of the West'. The salute is used heavily in ISIS propaganda material, with militants seen holding their finger up alongside macabre beheading scenes. The traditional Islamic gesture of raising an index finger - which refers to the tawhid or 'the belief in the oneness of God' - has been adopted by Islamic State fighters (left) Source: ISIS Exposed: Beheadings, Slavery, and the Hellish Reality of Radical Islam By Erick Stakelbeck Advertisement The court heard the mother-of-two had been subjected to online trolling and death threats since the case began. Defence barrister David Hume instead argued his client should be acquitted because there was no evidence Elzahed was under a legal duty to stand. Elzahed, who lost her civil action and was ordered to pay $250,000 in police legal costs, earlier this week appealed the trial judge's ruling that she could not give evidence while wearing a burqa. Ms Huntsman said the Muslim woman may be eligible for community work when the matter returns to court on June 15. The Muslim woman claimed it was because of religious belief but Australian National Imams Council said Islamic defendants have no faith-based reason not to stand before a judge An Afghan interpreter granted sanctuary in Britain told last night of his despair at being separated from his wife and two young sons. Abdul Wakil, 32, came to the UK in December 2015 with eldest son Shakeel, 12, under a Ministry of Defence relocation scheme. Mr Wakil, who risked his life working with the Army for three years in Helmand Province, said he was told by the Government that the rest of his family could join him later. However, after arriving he was told that his wife who gave birth to their third son the day he left Afghanistan would only have qualified under the scheme if she had flown with him. He has now spent more than two years bringing up Shakeel alone, and has met his youngest son only once. Abdul Wakil, 32, came to the UK in December 2015 with eldest son under a Ministry of Defence relocation scheme. Pictured left, sons Mustafa Wail (left) and two-year-old Muzzammel His family's plight is the latest example highlighted by the Daily Mail's Betrayal of the Brave campaign, which has exposed countless scandals in which Afghan interpreters who put themselves in danger to help UK troops have been abandoned. Speaking from his home in Manchester after finishing a ten-hour night shift working for an online retailer, Mr Wakil said: 'The British told me, 'Your wife can join you any time.' 'Now they are saying they had to come with me. I have only seen Muzzammel once and it makes me so sad and unhappy. We are suffering together. I'm really worried about my family.' He added that he had to take Shakeel to see a psychologist because he was so miserable in Britain. 'My son was struggling,' he said. 'He told one of his [classmates] that he was going to harm himself because he's missing his mum.' Mr Wakil's wife, who does not want to be named, lives with the couple's other sons Mustafa, five, and Muzzammel, two, in the war-ravaged Afghan capital Kabul, which is frequently targeted by suicide bombers. Mr Wakil, who risked his life working with the Army for three years in Helmand Province. Pictured, a certification of appreciation awarded to Mr Wakil Mr Wakil said he and Shakeel cannot go back to Afghanistan as he would be targeted by the Taliban because of his work with the British. He planned to bring the rest of his family to the UK once he had a secure job and home, and said British officials in Kabul told him this would be fine. He also said he was told he was coming to the UK permanently but instead he was given only a five-year visa, which he has to apply for and pay to renew. Mr Wakil said his wife is uneducated and cannot speak English, so will not pass the language tests required to come to Britain under normal rules. However, he added: 'I will not give up fighting. I can give Shakeel love as a father but I cannot give him a mother's love.' The Mail revealed last week that interpreters resettled in the UK faced being kicked out as soon as next year unless they paid 2,400 in fees. Following the Mail's revelations, Home Secretary Sajid Javid announced that he would waive the charges, and pledged to review whether translators' wives and children should be allowed into Britain. Mr Wakil said: 'It feels like we have won the lottery. This is because of the Daily Mail's support and we are very grateful. Without these changes families would have had no choice but to leave this country because they could not afford the fees.' A spokesman for the Home Office said it was committed to looking again at what could be done to make the process easier for Afghan interpreters to bring family members to the UK. Cecilia Haddad (pictured) had 'weights in her pockets' when her body was found in a river A murdered Brazilian mining executive had 'weights in her pockets' when a group of kayakers pulled her body from a Sydney river last weekend, it has been revealed. Cecilia Haddad was found floating in the Lane Cove River, in Sydney's north shore, on May 1, just hours after being reported missing by a group of worried friends. And now, the group who made the grisly discovery of Ms Haddad's body have told The Australian she had been weighed down, with heavy items in the pockets of her khaki cargo pants. It comes as Ms Haddad's ex-boyfriend and business partner, who is a person of interest in her death, broke his silence. Mario Marcelo Santoro, 40, flew home from Sydney to Brazil between the time when Ms Haddad was last seen and her body found. Speaking from his home in the Rio suburb of Lagoa, Mr Santoro told The Daily Telegraph he had 'placed himself at their disposal.' Ms Haddad's ex-boyfriend Mario Marcelo Santoro (pictured) flew home to Rio de Janeiro last week but is talking to NSW police Ms Haddad (left, pictured with a friend) ended her business and personal relationships with Mr Santoro in the weeks before her body was found floating in a Sydney river, according to friends He then instructed any further contact be through his lawyer. Detectives will need a court issued arrest warrant before they are able to fly to Rio to formally interview Santoro. Mr Santoro, who met Ms Haddad many years ago in Rio, arrived in Sydney about 18-months ago, claiming to have a 'big job' in healthcare lined up. But sources close to the investigation told Daily Mail Australia that Mr Santoro had no such job and came to Australia simply to 'pursue' Ms Haddad. 'Essentially he told his friends and family he'd scored a big job with a healthcare company in Australia, but he lied,' the source claimed. 'He came here to pursue Cecilia. Ostensibly he came to visit her and never left. 'He told Cecilia he had something lined up (for work) here too, but his first job in Sydney was driving an Uber from memory.' Ms Haddad's body was discovered in the Lane Cove River on Sunday morning, the same day the Brazilian national was reported missing Ms Haddad's ex-husband (left) flew from Perth to Sydney to help police with their investigation and to identify her body. Her father Jose also arrived in Sydney from Brazil on Friday Friends of Ms Haddad (left) were so concerned that they had not heard from her in 24 hours that three called police to report her missing Mr Santoro deactivated his social media accounts the day after it was revealed NSW Police homicide investigators were searching for him. The Brazilian mining executive's body was found in the Lane Cove River at 10.15am on Sunday, May 1. So odd was it for Ms Haddad to drop off the radar that three friends called police to report her missing on Sunday, having not heard from her since 9.30am on Saturday. 'Three of us that I know of reported her missing within 48 hours, that shows how out of character her disappearance was,' a friend said last week. Ms Haddad attended a 'brief' barbeque with friends on Friday night before heading home for an 'early night'. That was supposed to be followed by a mixture of personal and business events the next day, including a meeting with a disabled client she regularly cared for. Specialist police divers searched the Parramatta River on Friday (pictured) for car keys belonging to Ms Haddad, who they suspect was murdered Police said Cecilia Haddad's red Fiat 500 was found at Ryde train station on Sunday afternoon but friends have told Daily Mail Australia she rarely caught public transport Police wish to speak to Marcelo Santoro (centre) over the death of his ex-girlfriend and business partner. Mr Santoro is believed to have flown home to Brazil at the weekend, days earlier than initially planned, according to police 'She spent the remainder of Friday evening on the phone to friends sharing her plans for the weekend. This is why we were concerned about her - we knew her plans and should have heard from her,' the friend said. 'The BBQ was brief and ended early. I spoke to her on Friday evening, Cecilia was an open book and an open communicator.' 'Her disability clients loved her because she treated them like real people, never like they were disabled... she had plans to provide assistance to one on the weekend. 'She had an impact on everyone she met. She was the most sincere person you ever met.' Ms Haddad spoke to friends between 8am and 9.30am on Saturday over message and phone calls, but was never heard from again. Police divers searched kilometres from where her body was found on Friday, the same day her father Jose arrived in Sydney to meet with homicide detectives. A TIMELINE OF CECILIA HADDAD'S DISAPPEARANCE: Friday, May 27 Ms Haddad 'briefly' attends a BBQ with friends before returning to her home at Ryde, north Sydney. She spends the rest of the evening on the phone to friends discussing their weekend plans. Saturday, May 28 8am-9.30am: The 38-year-old continues to call and message friends. Ms Haddad has several plans with her friends on Saturday, but never turns up. She is also due to meet with a disabled client she cares for, but never arrives. Neighbours recall seeing her unique Fiat 500 outside her St Annes St unit. Sunday, May 29 10.15am: Ms Haddad's body is found floating in the Lane Cove River. Friends report Ms Haddad missing to police. Her car is found at West Ryde railway station. The weekend - unknown time Ms Haddad's ex-lover Marcelo Santoro flies to Rio de Janeiro from Sydney. Advertisement Ms Haddad and Mr Santoro are understood to have ended their business and personal relationships in recent weeks. They lived together in her apartment in St Annes Street, Ryde, until she asked him to move out a fortnight ago. Friends and relatives of Mr Santoro were expecting him to arrive home this week and were allegedly surprised to hear he had left Australia earlier than expected. Mr Santaro and Ms Haddad began their business partnership in mid-2017, launching the disability service provider D.Care. The company and its website were registered in the friends' names. The company's principal place of business was Ms Haddad's home in Ryde. Friends at home in Rio held a memorial mass over the weekend. The outrageous Paedos In High Places panic has ruined the lives of many prominent men and their families. Innocent individuals have been falsely accused of heinous crimes and left dangling in legal limbo for years. We're all familiar with the scandalous police inquiries into unfounded sex allegations against politicians such as former Tory Prime Minister Edward Heath, ex-Home Secretary Leon Brittan and war hero Lord Bramall, a distinguished past head of the Armed Forces. But what I hadn't realised until last weekend was that the fall-out from the insanely zealous investigation, heavily influenced by Labour's Nonce Finder General Tom Watson, had extended far beyond its Establishment targets. When he's not trying to shackle our free Press, or cosying up to the odious Max Mosley from whom he has accepted 540,000 in donations Tom Watson can be found pursuing a deranged vendetta against senior Tories he accuses of sex crimes. In a harrowing interview in Saturday's Mail, Sue Reid spoke to a young couple caught up in the madness who were threatened with the prospect of their baby daughter being taken away from them. Their only 'crime' was to live in a two-bedroom flat in the same building as ex-Conservative MP Harvey Proctor, who was wrongly accused of three counts of murder, child sex abuse and male rape. In February 2015, police and social services turned up at the property, on the Duke of Rutland's estate in Leicestershire, and ordered Adam and Charlotte Coxon to move out immediately. The couple were told that if they didn't comply, three-month-old Francesca would be taken into care. To emphasise that this was no empty threat, a social worker had brought along a child's car seat for that very purpose. Charlotte, 23, said: 'The [police] officer made it clear we had no choice but to get out because Francesca was in danger from Harvey. 'We said Harvey was our friend and we were happy living with him in the same building. We had separate flats under the same roof and only shared a kitchen.' We're all familiar with the scandalous police inquiries into unfounded sex allegations against politicians such as former Tory Prime Minister Edward Heath Terrified, though, they did as they were told. Adam Coxon said: 'I think the threat of losing our baby was made to frighten us so we would get out of Harvey's house quickly.' The couple were asked if they knew Proctor had been convicted in 1987 of gross indecency with two men under the age of 21. That was before the age of homosexual consent was lowered to 16. The Coxons replied that of course they knew, 'everyone did'. Their enforced eviction was the prelude to a full-scale raid, straight from the Jimmy Savile squad songbook, which lasted for 15 hours. It's a wonder the police didn't invite along a BBC helicopter camera crew. Adam and Charlotte's ordeal is detailed in legal papers prepared for Proctor, who is suing Scotland Yard and his accuser for 1 million damages. The allegations, like all those levelled against others snared by this ludicrous investigation, were made by a notorious fantasist a middle-aged man we are still only allowed for legal reasons to refer to as 'Nick'. Credulous police swallowed wholesale Nick's bogus claims of murder and rape by an alleged Establishment sex ring. A senior officer described them as 'credible and true', without a shred of evidence. They even appealed for more 'victims' to come forward. The inquiry, called Operation Midland, eventually closed without a single arrest, but not before police mounted a series of typically heavy-handed raids, which dragged the reputations of innocent men through the mud and left their loved ones distraught. Coincidentally, after news of Proctor's lawsuit became public last week, the head of that inquiry, Assistant Commissioner 'Fat Pat' Gallan, announced her retirement. There was no mention, curiously, of Operation Midland on the otherwise laudatory press release. Nick himself is now awaiting trial for committing child sex offences while police were treating him as a victim. He may also be charged with perverting the course of justice and fraud. But although he will have to answer for his actions in court, the real villain of the piece has got away scot-free and continues to enjoy a high-profile political career. Few people would ever have heard of Nick, had it not been for Watson, now Labour's deputy leader. When he's not trying to shackle our free Press, or cosying up to the odious Max Mosley from whom he has accepted 540,000 in donations Watson can be found pursuing a deranged vendetta against senior Tories he accuses of sex crimes. He has repeatedly smeared leading Conservatives, dead or alive, as serial murderers, rapists and child molesters. It's why I dubbed him The Nonce Finder General, imagining Watson leading a torchlit procession down Whitehall, burning suspected Tory sex fiends at the stake. ZOO CLOSURE Twycross Zoo, near Leicester, was forced to close at the weekend after a gibbon escaped from its enclosure. Visitors were corralled into a restaurant and the gates were locked while Darwin, a Siamang gibbon, was recaptured. The Siamang is the largest of the gibbon family, with an arm-span of around five feet. While gibbons have been known to lash out in captivity, there are no reports of human fatalities. Puzzled visitors were initially told that the zoo had been closed because of a 'health and safety' emergency. Elf'n'safety? At this rate, it won't be long before all zoo animals, including gibbons, are forced to wear hi-viz jackets and hard hats at all times. In the event, Darwin got bored after ten minutes and turned himself in. A couple of years ago, a gorilla who escaped from London Zoo drank five litres of undiluted blackcurrant squash while he was on the loose. Given the heat, Darwin was probably only popping out to buy an ice cream. Advertisement He worked in tandem with a thoroughly discredited, and now defunct, Left-wing 'news' agency run by a former Guardian journalist, which was pushing Nick's claims. He was the prime mover behind the Paedos In High Places witch-hunt, claiming that there was a 'powerful paedophile network linked to No 10' during the Thatcher years. He compared Leon Brittan to Jimmy Savile and said the former Home Secretary was being protected by a high-level cover-up. Brittan died before he could clear his name. At one stage it seemed as if Scotland Yard and the Crown Prosecution Service were taking their marching orders directly from Watson. While encouraging Nick to press his lurid, utterly fictitious allegations, Watson has generally hidden behind parliamentary privilege to accuse Conservatives of serious crimes. His mud-slinging is shamelessly politically motivated, designed to cause maximum damage and embarrassment to his hated Tory opponents. But what about Adam and Charlotte Coxon and their daughter Francesca? Presumably Watson considers them collateral damage, fair game, casualties of war. Serves them right for choosing to live in a flat above a disgusting ex-Tory MP on the estate of a thieving aristocrat, eh? Watson could not have known that his crusade to discredit Conservatives would lead to a blameless young couple being threatened with having their baby taken into care. But that's not the point. The threat to the Coxons may have come from the police and social services, but it was incubated in the putrid climate Watson's witch-hunt had created. I'm no lawyer, so I don't know whether Proctor could extend his 1 million lawsuit to include Watson. Or whether the Coxons can also sue for damages. Nor do I know if Watson's role in promoting Nick could warrant him, too, facing charges of conspiring to pervert the course of justice. What is certain is that he has abused parliamentary privilege and played a key role in destroying the lives of a considerable number of entirely innocent men and their families. Perhaps someone could dust off that arcane charge of committing 'misconduct in public office' which the authorities have found so convenient in recent years. If such a charge can be brought against civil servants who pass true information to journalists, then surely Watson who has been spreading lies and smears while serving as an MP and Opposition deputy leader must have a case to answer. Watson's day of reckoning is long overdue. It's high time the Nonce Finder General was thrown on the bonfire he helped to stoke. Police are searching for a man who allegedly tried to rape a woman just steps from her home in New York City. The 34-year-old woman was leaving her apartment in Manhattan early Sunday morning when a man came up behind her and reached his hand under her skirt. He then placed his hand over her mouth to stifle her screams for help. Police are searching for a man who allegedly tried to rape a woman outside of her Manhattan apartment early Sunday morning. The suspect is shown in surveillance footage above The woman was able to fight the attacker off and run into her apartment, locking the door behind her. The man immediately bolted from the scene and police are currently hunting for him. He was last seen wearing a black shirt and gray pants and is described as partially bald and weighing about 150lbs. Police released surveillance footage of the subject getting into an elevator from a subway platform and walking on the street. Police are secretly training Britains first unit of attack dogs to hunt down terrorists in the event of a marauding attack. Known euphemistically as conflict management dogs, the animals which cost more than 500,000 each are trained specifically to bite terror suspects to detain them. Scotland Yard has spent more than 1million on a pilot scheme training two Belgian malinois to be deployed as a less lethal force to stop terrorists in their tracks. Police are secretly training Britains first unit of attack dogs to hunt down terrorists in the event of a marauding attack Smaller than German shepherds, the highly specialist canines are able to be parachuted out of helicopters with their handlers and are capable of tracking down targets amid the flash and bangs of grenades or the sound of gunfire. Now the Metropolitan Police wants to expand the project so every counter terrorism unit has one of the dogs after they proved to be a huge success in trials. The pilot has been modelled on tactics used by the Special Forces and US Navy Seals. A malinois called Cairo was attached to Seal Team Six, which killed Osama Bin Laden. Bought as puppies, the elite animals are so vicious they cannot be trained or housed with other police dogs. Each dog has its own handler who is on call 24 hours a day to respond to a terror attack or major counter terrorist operation. Currently the Met has only two of the dogs. The animals cost more than 500,000 each, with this covering their training and a dedicated vehicle. But the Mets Specialist Firearms Command hopes to train more so each of the eight counter terrorism units can use them during raids instead of having to Taser or shoot a suspect who poses a serious threat. The use of this tactic can only be authorised by a superintendent who has to weigh up the risk to the officers and public posed by the suspect. Police rules state the use of the dogs must be reasonable, necessary and proportionate, in line with other means of force. The animals are trained to subdue the target by biting them on parts of the body such as the ankle, and are told not to go for the neck. Other forces already use canines to help in terror investigations by looking for digital storage devices, such as USB sticks and hard drives. But the Scotland Yard pilot, launched in April last year, is the first time in the UK that attack dogs whose duty is specifically to bite the offender have been used. Deputy Assistant Commissioner Matt Twist, head of the Mets armed uplift programme, said: Its really important that we constantly look for ways to develop our response to terrorists 'That includes looking at what new tactics and training we can use. The development of these dogs has been part of this. They have been used successfully in a number of firearms operations. Scotland Yard said: This is part of ongoing work to ensure that the Metropolitan Police Service is using all possible tactical options to deal with the highest threats, including a marauding terrorist attack. Mimi Bekhechi, of animal charity Peta, said: We support the use of police dogs as working partners as long as theyre rescued, not bred; trained humanely; kept in homes, not kennels; cared for; and, ultimately, retired. And still they fight, still they kick, gripping the bannister and screaming that no, no, no they are NOT going to go to school, are NOT going to eat their vegetables, are NOT going to bed. Those of us who have been parents of young children know how it plays out, this sort of thing. They bite us, thump us on the chest, tell us they hate us and that we have ruined their lives. We keep calm and quietly detach their pink little fingers from whatever anchor they have grasped. Eventually though with still much silent sobbing they do what we have asked them to do because, in the end, there is no alternative. We are bigger. We are stronger. Over the Bank Holiday weekend, members of our pro-Brussels elite had another of their spoilt-brat tantrums. Over the Bank Holiday weekend, members of our pro-Brussels elite had another of their spoilt-brat tantrums. This time, their front-person was Business Secretary Greg Clark (pictured) This time, their front-person was Business Secretary Greg Clark, little-known to the public, but one of the Establishments more mellifluous schmoozers. Mr Clark, once a member of the SDP, is a determined Remainer. On Sunday morning, with the approval of Downing Street, he appeared on television to re-ignite Project Fear and predict thousands of job losses unless we subscribe to a version of the customs union after we have nominally left the European Union. Within minutes, he was supported publicly by the usual suspects: the pro-EU Confederation of British Industry and the British Chambers of Commerce, former Home Secretary Amber Rudd, MPs Anna Soubry and Nicky Morgan, the George Soros-financed Best For Britain lobby, etc., all jumping to the EUs tune. But please dont suggest it was co-ordinated. Mr Clark himself is a piffling figure. Let us not waste time by examining him, save to note that it is strange for a business minister to be such a plodder. Business fortunes are made by embracing opportunity and change, yet this Business Secretary possesses all the verve of a Fiat Punto driver pfaffing along in the middle lane of a motorway at 60mph. More concerning is the fact that such an ardent Europhile was chosen to be the voice of Theresa Mays Government at such a sensitive time, and that he felt so comfortable spouting a line on the customs union that is so at odds with both last weeks decision by the inner Brexit Cabinet to reject it and with the political realities facing Mrs May. Theresa May (pictured), or the Europhile advisers who surround her, must be mad to pursue their plan to shackle us to the EU with this back-door proposal for a customs union She, or the Europhile advisers who surround her, must be mad to pursue their plan to shackle us to the EU with this back-door proposal for a customs union. If they persist, they will bring about her destruction. The longer they continue to ignore this reality, the more her Eurosceptic colleagues will conclude that the benefits of getting rid of her could outweigh the dangers. Greg Clark was supporting the idea attributed to Mrs Mays senior Brexit adviser, a civil servant called Oliver Robbins known as customs partnership. This would force post-Brexit Britain to continue to collect import duties on behalf of the EU. It would be horrendously bureaucratic and would deter companies from doing business in an independent Britain. The plan is opposed sharply by a large number of Tory MPs. They see it as both unworkable and unprincipled, because it would kill Brexit. (No wonder Labour goes along with the idea for the time being. Jeremy Corbyns lot would love it because the Tories would get the blame for obstructing the democratic result of the June 2016 referendum.) If Tory MPs did not know before last week that customs partnership would be fatal to their partys future, they must know now. Last Thursdays local elections showed that Brexit remains a powerful vote-winner. Ukip voters migrated en bloc to the Tories because they see them as more Brexit-friendly than Labour. The two ministers thought to be vulnerable to persuasion are Home Secretary Sajid Javid (pictured) and Defence Secretary Gavin Williamson. But both men fancy their chances as future Tory leaders And yet the Prime Minister, while publicly reiterating her determination to leave the single market and the customs union, is prevaricating in private. She allows her Downing Street team, who for the main part were Remain supporters, to continue with their crazy appeasement of Brussels with this customs partnership proposal. While it may be pointless to plead with politicians on policy grounds, we can surely agree that the one thing they really understand is personal self-interest. So from that vantage point, let us wargame Mrs Mays options. If she goes for the Robbins/Clark idea of a customs partnership, she would need to force one of her key Cabinet colleagues to change their mind. The two ministers thought to be vulnerable to persuasion are Home Secretary Sajid Javid and Defence Secretary Gavin Williamson. But both men fancy their chances as future Tory leaders. If they did cave in to Mrs Mays pleas to re-think their position on customs partnership, they could immediately forget any dreams of being leader. The Tory Party in the country would never vote for such a person. Even if Mrs May did manage to fix the Cabinet committee to rethink its position on customs partnership, she would have to contend with her backbenchers. Uh oh. She would be slaughtered. Scores of Tory MPs are far less polite about the Robbins/Clark plan than Jacob Rees-Mogg, who is their spokesman on this issue. And even the gentlemanly Jacob has called it cretinous! Under Conservative party rules, it needs only 48 MPs to trigger a vote of confidence in Theresa Mays leadership. If she green-lights customs partnership, that will happen within hours. I fear she simply has no idea how angry Brexiteers are about this plan, or about the Whitehall establishments continuing attempts to stymie Brexit. The mood is one of tranquil resolve: if the Prime Minister tries this outrageous anti-democratic move, its off-with-her-head. Would any of this lead to a General Election? Until last week, I would have said no way. An early General Election requires a two-thirds majority from the Commons and, with hard-Left Opposition, I did not think the Tories would risk it. But the encouraging local election results might just tempt them. The Opposition will always support a chance of unseating a Government, and pro-Brexit MPs know that an election would see off some of the leading Remainers. Ken Clarke would most likely retire. One hears similar rumours about Dominic Grieve, and Miss Soubry would probably lose her strongly pro-Brexit seat. Yet that fine woman Brenda from Bristol spoke for many of us last year by expressing weariness at the prospect of yet another election. That is why Mrs May will surely take Option Two which is the only option she should ever have contemplated and accept that we will not continue in any form of customs union with Brussels after we have left the EU. If Brexit is to mean Brexit, it must mean independence from foreign tariffs and taxes and blether and bureaucracy. Stop this damaging and demeaning dither, Prime Minister. Put Greg Clark back in his boring box and set our economy free. It makes principled, electoral sense and the alternative is too horrible to contemplate. As the sun scorched, temperatures soared and everyone got hot and pink over this glorious bank holiday weekend, ice cream sellers should have been doing a little jig of joy and thanking the gods that (for once) they were in the right business. But no. Not a bit of it. They were more likely wringing their hands, fretting about their balance sheets and saying, again and again (with a very straight face): 'No, I'm not joking we don't make vanilla any more . . .' You see, vanilla, the nation's favourite ice cream flavour despite an abundance of other varieties, nine out of ten of us still opt for it is increasingly off the menu. At nearly 600 per kilo of vanilla pods, it's now more expensive than silver. Vanilla, the nation's favourite ice cream flavour despite an abundance of other varieties, nine out of ten of us still opt for it is increasingly off the menu As a result, an increasing number of ice cream parlours are removing vanilla ices from their selections. (Plus a raft of other varieties, too, because vanilla is used in at least 30 per cent of ice cream flavours.) Some ice cream makers have started using a synthetically-produced vanilla in its place which is known as vanillin, costs just $10 a kilo, is made from coal tar and is less potent and scented. But, of course, that won't satisfy foody purists or the artisan makers of ice cream or discerning consumers. Vanilla has always been expensive, owing to its labour-intensive production. Back in the 16th century, Hernan Cortes, one of the Spanish Conquistadors, and the man who helped introduce vanilla around the world, even referred to it as 'culinary gold'. Today, the trade in vanilla is so lucrative that it has led to a surge in violent crime, including horrific murders, while the Mafia is exploiting the price frenzy to launder money. It's over the past seven years that prices have surged, up nearly ten-fold, from $65 to $600 per kilo of vanilla pods, making it the world's second most expensive spice (after saffron). At nearly 600 per kilo of vanilla pods, it's now more expensive than silver (pictured, file photo) In part, this has been driven by the recent explosion in international demand for all things vanilla pods, extract, paste, salt and yes, even caviar. The popularity of home baking is to blame and our own Nigella is culpable. Who can forget her famous vanilla cake and her obsession with vanilla sugar (a jar of sugar with a vanilla pod in it for flavouring). But vanilla is also incredibly versatile, so as well as being used to flavour ice cream, tarts, cakes, chocolates, yoghurts and drinks, many chefs use it in savoury dishes to balance out the acidity in tomato sauces and salsas and with red meat, smoked fish and especially lobster. (Cook Sophie Grigson does a splendid vanilla chicken with peppers and white wine. ) Parfumiers, meanwhile, know that vanilla 'notes' are hugely popular in scents and cologne with both men and women. That's no surprise, given that scientific research shows that, as well as being the closest scent there is to breast milk, vanilla is the most universally attractive smell. And then there are its health benefits; it's anti-inflammatory, rich in vitamin B, and possesses powerful liver-protective qualities. So, popularity is a big factor, but the rocketing price is mostly to do with the catastrophic run of bad luck suffered by poor, beleaguered farmers on the East African island of Madagascar where more than 80 per cent of the world's vanilla is grown (it also grows in Papua New Guinea, Uganda and India). In the past year, more than a third of their plantations have been devastated by a combination of drought, disease and Cyclone Enawo, which destroyed the vines. (A vine takes four to five years to mature.) Vanilla pods come from the vanilla orchid which is the only orchid plant that produces an edible fruit Then, with supply low, demand high and prices spiralling, organised criminal gangs have muscled in. Vanilla raids by armed gangs are now so frequent that desperate farmers have started sleeping among the vines to guard their harvest. Last month, a thief who tried to steal vanilla plants was stoned to death in one village. In March, five vanilla thieves were hacked to death by a group of farmers. Neither are isolated events. Meanwhile, faced with the loss of their livelihood, many farmers are harvesting early before the vanilla seeds have fully matured. Which means they are of poor quality, dry and shrivelled. From the start, the odds were always stacked against this heavenly spice ever being a commercial crop; it is high maintenance in the extreme and very vulnerable to the weather. A 10 avocado pud, anyone? Holy guacamole! First Spanish foodies created a low-fat avocado. Then M&S started selling stoneless versions of the fruit. Now an avo-aficionado has created the 'avo-lato' for those who even want an avo-hit for dessert. The dairy-free vegan pud is made of 60 per cent hass avocado contained in a frozen avocado shell and served with a dollop of stone-coloured nut-butter ice cream. According to creator Silvia Gaetta, 'it's not just a new flavour, it is a form of art', which might explain why it costs almost a tenner. Where can you get one? At London branches of a gelataria called Snowflake, of course. Advertisement The pods come from the vanilla orchid which is the only orchid plant that produces an edible fruit and each vanilla flower opens for a small part of one day only. If it is not pollinated at exactly the right moment, no pod will form. In its country of origin, which was Mexico and not Madagascar, the tiny Melipona bee did the pollinating. Despite initial excitement after the Conquistadors introduced it to the rest of the world, interest waned after it became clear that without that busy little bee, the vanilla orchid couldn't be pollinated and so wouldn't fruit. That was that, for more than 300 years until 'hand-pollination' was discovered, a process in which each orchid is monitored for that brief moment of flowering and then is dabbed with a tiny stick brushed with pollen from another orchid. It is another eight or nine months before the pods are ready to harvest. After that, the 'curing' process begins. Each pod is soaked in hot water, wrapped in woollen blankets for 48 hours and then stored in a wooden box to 'sweat'. Every day, each pod is removed from the box and laid out to dry in the sun, but for one hour only. Every day, that is, for six months. Not surprisingly, before the recent surge in prices, many producers had given up, abandoning their vanilla plantations because the returns weren't worth it. Now, though, everyone wants to buy it and the U-turn has been nothing short of extraordinary. And, as with any price bubble, the crooks and chancers are circling. Commodity middlemen have started hoarding vanilla to push prices still higher, while Mafia gangs trading illegally in rosewood, one of the world's most valuable timbers and the most trafficked 'wild' commodity, now buy up vanilla in order to launder money. In Madagascar alone, rosewood sales are worth hundreds of millions of dollars. Meanwhile, the financial pressure to produce vanilla is threatening Madagascar's ecosystem. Trees are being felled in the island's national parks supposedly protected and home to many endangered species as areas are cleared for vanilla cultivation. All in all, these little pods have a big impact. So, before you complain about missing out on vanilla ice cream, spare a thought for the farmers of Madagascar and perhaps settle for a strawberry cone instead. With rail travel plagued by delays, overcrowding and ever-rising season ticket prices, the golden age of steam can seem like a long time ago. But commuters have been given a rare boost after it was announced that the confusing system of wildly differing fares could be overhauled. Passengers can pay high prices for long connecting journeys when there are quicker, cheaper alternatives or more for a return than two singles. The confusing system of wildly differing rail fares in the UK could be overhauled Currently around 55 million different fares exist, including long-standing anomalies such as charging a peak-time fare when half a trip is on an off-peak service. Meanwhile, split ticketing buying multiple tickets to cover different stages of a single journey can be cheaper than buying just one ticket. A public consultation will look at ways to simplify the system. It will lead to a report containing proposals for the Government to consider. A passenger group claimed reform is overdue. In December, it emerged that more than two-thirds of ticket machines do not tell passengers how to get the cheapest fares. It came despite the Department for Transport pledging to ensure that machines tell passengers if they can save money by waiting a few minutes to buy an off-peak ticket or going to a ticket office. Just one in three passengers said they were very confident they had bought the best value ticket for their last journey, according to research by auditors KPMG commissioned by the industry. Rail travel is plagued by delays, overcrowding and ever-rising season ticket prices The Rail Delivery Group, which represents private train operators and Government-owned Network Rail, said the industrys suggestions will aim to have no change in average fares and need no extra support from taxpayers. The current ticketing system is underpinned by regulations unchanged from the mid-1990s, and has not kept pace with technology or how people travel. Three decades ago it was assumed customers bought tickets from ticket offices, whereas now they can be bought at machines or online from a number of different providers. Each of the 2,500 stations in Britain must still sell tickets to every other station in the country, but further layers of complexity have been added through individual franchise agreements. In February, a probe by the independent rail watchdog the Office of Rail and Road found one in five mystery shoppers selected a more expensive ticket than necessary or were at risk of a penalty fare when using a ticket machine. It urged train firms to refund commuters who overpaid. KPMG has outlined a number of principles for rail ticketing, including making it more transparent, predictable and easier to use, plus integrating it with other modes of transport and introducing more personalised and flexible fares. Rail companies say they are trying to cut jargon and provide clearer information about peak and off-peak times. Rail Delivery Group chief executive Paul Plummer said the industry is committed to reforming well-meaning but outdated regulation, but warned there are no quick and easy solutions. Anthony Smith, chief executive of passenger watchdog Transport Focus partnering with the RDG on the consultation said: Fares and ticketing systems need to suit the way we travel now. The consultation will open on June 4, with a report expected in late autumn. Last year student Joe Furness found it cheaper to fly via the Spanish island of Menorca rather than pay for a direct train ticket from Newcastle to London. The cheapest rail ticket the night before was 78.50. He then found a plane ticket to London via Menorca for 26.99. A trial date has been set for a former Little Women reality show star charged with killing a member of the US Coast Guard in an allegedly drunken crash. Melissa Ann Hancock, 25, of Virginia, was driving the wrong way down a Virginia Beach highway last November when she collided head on with Daniel Dill, who was driving to collect his wife Natalia from her birthday celebrations. Dill, 29, who served with the Coast Guard, suffered fatal injuries and died in hospital the next day, NJ.com reports. Melissa Ann Hancock, 25, (left) of Virginia, was driving the wrong way down a Virginia Beach highway last November when she collided head on with Petty Officer 2nd Class Daniel Dill (right) Hancock, who suffered three fractures to her back, survived but was found to have a blood alcohol content was measured at 0.112 percent, above the legal limit of 0.08 percent. Police also found an open contained of alcohol in her car, and she admitted to officers at the time she'd drunk between two and four mixed drinks at Peabody's Nightclub at the Oceanfront before getting behind the wheel. A trial date of May 23 has now been set for her manslaughter charge. If convicted, she could face up to 20 years in prison. She previously pleaded no contest to charges of driving the wrong way and failing to obey a highway sign, and was fined $150. At the time of the crash, 29-year-old Petty Officer 2nd Class Dill, of Portsmouth, Virginia, was on his way to pick up his wife Natalia (pictured with him) and friends, who were celebrating her birthday Dill, 29, who served with the Coast Guard, suffered fatal injuries and died in hospital the next day Hancock, (left in an arrest mug, and right on Little Women) was initially released on $15,000 secured bond before prosecutors challenged her release Hancock, who was initially released on $15,000 secured bond before prosecutors challenged her release, remains in jail pending her trial. The reality star had recently moved to Virginia Beach where she was working in insurance sales at the time of the crash. She had prior convictions for marijuana possession and reckless driving. Her attorneys insist that jail staff weren't equipped to care for Hancock -who appeared on several episodes of Lifetime's Little Women: Atlanta, a reality show about women of short stature - after she suffered three fractures to her back in the crash. Little women: Hancock is a regular guest of the Lifetime series which revolves around the lives of several short-stature women in Atlanta Catwalker: Hancock is also a fashion model, having strolled the catwalk at New York Fashion Week in 2015 Hancock, who is 4ft tall and a fashion model, having strolled the catwalk at New York Fashion Week in 2015. That year marked the first time the show featured short stature models. 'Curvy women, six-foot-tall women, four-feet-tall women, we should all have the same opportunity to show what we got,' Hancock told ET in her backstage interview at the show. At the time of the crash, 29-year-old Petty Officer 2nd Class Dill, of Portsmouth, Virginia, was on his way to pick up his wife and friends, who were celebrating her birthday at around 2am on November 4. Dill, who didn't drink, had agreed to be the designated driver for the evening. Balloons from the UK found on beaches in the Netherlands by Danique Mulder Balloons released in Britain are killing birds and sealife here and across the North Sea, campaigners have warned. Beaches in Europe are littered with thousands of deflated balloons many of them from this country and theyre having a devastating effect. With plastic stoppers and strings attached, they are another example of our carelessness in contributing to the toxic debris in the oceans. On the Dutch coastline, campaigners say about 13,000 balloons are washing up every week. Embarrassingly, many of them appear to have travelled across the North Sea from Britain. Logos on the balloons include a charity bike ride in Birmingham, a hospice in London and a car dealership in Southport. Thousands are given away with McDonalds Happy Meals. The Daily Mail is campaigning to turn the tide on plastic, with a Government report last week saying plastic pollution in the sea is set to treble in a decade unless marine litter is curbed. Anti-plastic campaigner Danique Mulder says there is a steady flow of balloon debris from the UK to the Netherlands with every westerly wind. On just one two-mile stretch of beach next to a national park, she finds about 100 balloons a week. Balloons tend to be made of latex, which is naturally biodegradable, and they eventually break down and decompose in landfill sites. But in the ocean, they can take more than a year to decompose. Fish and marine animals mistake them for food, and the balloon blocks their digestive tracts, meaning they starve to death. Balloons on beaches are also a problem in this country, with Plymouth banning mass releases in 2007 because of their effect on wildlife. Engineer Jason Alexander, 47, from Ipswich, makes up to three trips a week to pick up litter from beaches in Bawdsey, Suffolk. He said: The balloons are a big issue, and we see a huge amount of promotional ones: McDonalds Happy Meal balloons, other fast-food restaurants, estate agents, car dealerships, things like that. A painful death for a gannet on Bawdsey beach in Suffolk I found 14 in a day last week and the most I have found in a day is 24. The thing with balloons is they can end up miles and miles away from where you let them go. Its all a horrible eyesore and so bad for the environment. Its a never-ending job, I run out of bags and then when I come back theres even more than when I left. Its going to take a big effort from a lot of people to reverse all the damage. Tony Juniper, executive director of campaigns at WWF, said: Balloons look lovely floating up in the sky, but eventually they come back down to earth. Many also have plastic stoppers and string attached to them that end up in our rivers and seas, where they can kill wildlife like turtles and birds, who mistake them for food. By 2050, unless we act now, there may be more plastic in the sea than fish. Gibraltar has ended its annual release of thousands of balloons on National Day over concerns about the environment. Julian Kirby, plastics campaigner for Friends of the Earth, said: Many people release balloons without realising how harmful they can be. As soon as these balloons float off, they become pollution which can cause significant injuries to wildlife. If people want to use balloons, they should be careful to fix or hold on to them securely so they dont float away, and dispose of them properly after use. Girl Guides joining our war on plastic waste Karen Harrison is among the thousands of Daily Mail readers who have been inspired to organise a plastic pick-up. The 63-year-old teacher and Girl Guide leader will be joined by 35 members of Sixth A Headstone Guides in North Harrow, north-west London, who will pick up litter in the borough. I am always very interested in what the Daily Mail does as an initiative, she said. Girl guides team up to support the community and pick litter around their area, from left, Lorna, 14, Payal , 14, Aine, 10, Shreya , 11, Karina, 14, As a guide leader, it is my role to encourage the girls to consider the environment and pick up litter. We had been looking at organising something similar for a while, but when I saw the campaign, I thought, Great, this is it! Its even better because we dont have to tackle it alone. We did something similar last September and I was amazed by how much we picked. The girls are all really enthusiastic about it. There is still time to sign up to the Mails Great Plastic Pick Up, which runs this week from the start of Friday, May 11, to the end of Sunday, May 13. Communities are pitching in to help tackle the plastic menace poisoning the country. So far 11,241 people have signed up to take part, with 801 pick-ups organised to take place across the country. To join in, go to greatplasticpickup.org and enter your details. Groups from one person to 100 can register, with children welcome, accompanied by an adult. A Daily Mail team will judge photographs sent in by the Pick Up groups and select three who will win a professional spring clean for their local area worth 10,000. WHERE DO I GET RUBBISH BAGS? The first 3,000 events organised will be sent 30 recycled bags to use for collecting plastic, with an additional 450,000 Pick Up bags available for collection from local councils. HOW DO WE DO IT? Simply gather at the arranged time, check with the organiser and get picking! Plastic bottles and lids go in the blue bags, with caps and labels; metal cans are for the red bags; anything else is for the white sacks. WHAT SHOULDNT I PICK UP? Never touch syringes, broken glass or large fly-tipped items instead, tell your council. Steer clear of busy roads. HOW CAN I KEEP INFORMED? Follow the #GreatPlasticPickUp hashtag on Twitter, check greatplasticpickup.org to see a map of Pick Ups across the country, and stay up to date in the Daily Mail. WHAT HAPPENS NEXT? Organisers should log the number of litter bags on greatplasticpickup.org. WILL YOUR SCHOOL WIN A TRIP WITH CHRIS PACKHAM? This is the prize for children and teachers in the top litter-picking school an all-expenses-paid school trip to a Sea Life Centre with TV host and wildlife expert Chris Packham to see some of the marine life you will have helped. WHAT HAPPENS TO THE LITTER? The plastic bottles will be recycled, as will aluminium cans, where possible. Other litter, including single-use plastic such as crisp packets, sweet wrappers etc, which cannot currently be generally recycled, will go into the residual waste stream. Many councils now use waste-to-energy rather than landfill for residual waste. Pictured: Major Adam Jowett In a nerve-shredding frontline testimony, a major who commanded British Army soldiers in Afghanistan has written his war memoir. Yesterday, in the second part of our serialisation, he told how he was ordered to uphold a ceasefire with Taliban warlords. Here, in the final part, he tells how his brave men eventually left their beleaguered compound . . . only to feel humiliated when they returned home. Once the fighting for the besieged Afghan town of Musa Qala was over, my men in Easy Company were keen to get out. They were still bitter about the ceasefire that had been arranged with the Taliban, angry that we were talking to the enemy. I made it clear to them that what was happening was no reflection on them. Wed stood our ground but the truce had been ordered from much higher up the chain of command. But they still believed, as one soldier put it, that we were jacking it in. Such feelings were not softened by the fact that the rest of the British battle group in Helmand province was still heavily engaged with fighting the enemy. It seemed as though we were the only company ordered into a ceasefire, and that gnawed at my mens spirit and mine. But if our fight was finished here, I was keen for us to be redeployed elsewhere. There was not one man in Easy who wanted to wait out the war and then go home. We were straining at the leash, desperate to join our brothers in Sangin, Now Zad, or Kajaki. But a month dragged by after the ceasefire began and 3 Para handed over to the Royal Marines before we got the order to pack our bags. How are we extracting? I asked HQ in Camp Bastion. There was a pause at the end of the line. Then came the answer: In cattle trucks. Cattle trucks. How humiliating. For f***s sake, I muttered to myself. I had been pushing for us to go out like the fighting force we were, patrolling out on foot, heads high. The idea of being in trucks sickened me. But the decision had gone as high as the president of Afghanistan and Nato in Brussels and London. There could be no argument. Cattle trucks it would be. The decision did not go down well with the men. Sickening: The order to leave by cattle truck did not go down well with Major Jowett and his men There was a lot of mumbling of discontent. How the hell had it come to this? Had they done something wrong? Were they being punished? As their Company Commander, I tried to concentrate on the positives: were getting out of here, were going back to Bastion, and then we can be sent back out to fight. The promise of action, at least, did something to dampen the anger. But it felt wrong. We had taken part in a heroic stand that you could argue stood comparison with other desperate fights, like the defence of Rorkes Drift in the Zulu War. But we were as good as slinking away. There was also the potential danger of the Taliban leading us into a trap and our vulnerable convoy being attacked in the open. I told the local mayor and the Taliban commander we would need one of their elders and a Taliban fighter sitting in each vehicle as safeguards. We have had peace in the town for a month, I warned them, but if we are attacked when leaving, if even a single bullet is fired at my men, we will be going straight back inside the compound, and there will be no more ceasefire but renewed fighting, air strikes and artillery. Sadiq, the Taliban commander, replied: You have my word you will not be attacked. But should I believe him? The Taliban were ruthless, as we had discovered in the weeks we had been fighting them. I was still desperately worried we might be heading into an ambush or be led into a minefield. As for my men, when they saw the rattling cattle trucks bouncing into the compound, they were downhearted, to say the least. They had done all that had been asked of them, and more. Soldiers are proud men, and the thought of leaving on these decrepit vehicles was embarrassing at best, and dishonourable at worst. How are you doing, boys? I would ask as I moved around the compound, trying to cheer them up. Pretty s**t, to be honest, sir, was the common theme of the replies. We didnt ask for this. the usual banter between comrades was absent on the morning of our departure. Looking around the compound, with the procession of trucks lined up towards the gate, I felt a deep sense of sadness. In this place we had stood against an enemy and fought in some of the most intense combat the Army had seen for half a century. And we still had to get away without something going wrong. It was comforting to know we had some cover. There would be stacks of air support above us and Apache attack helicopters deployed to us, should we run into an ambush. And we were ready to defend ourselves. I popped my head into the back of one of the cattle trucks. The sides were low and sand-bagged, and machine guns were at the ready. If the Taliban broke the ceasefire, wed give them one hell of a fight. Dawn was breaking as I climbed into the lead truck and gave the order. Mount up! Prepare to move! As our raggle-taggle convoy of vehicles bristling with weaponry began to move out through the gates, an Afghan elder at the wheel of each one, one of the lads summed it up. We look like Mad Max, boss. It was an eerie feeling to be outside the compound and driving through Musa Qala. An experienced military eye could see too clearly that the narrow road was a potential killing zone, overlooked on all sides. It was some comfort that thousands of feet above us, jets with high-powered cameras gave a top-down view of the space around us. Kabul and London were apparently watching. Moving at not much more than jogging pace, it took the convoy 20 minutes to snake its way out of the town. They were the longest 20 minutes of my life, when any window could have hidden a gunman, any rooftop could have been the launch point for a rocket or a grenade. As we drove, I scanned the buildings ahead and at the side of me, all the time wondering, what if the Taliban broke their word? And what about mines, with which Afghanistan was littered? At several points, the Afghan driver took a route that was far from being the most direct, and it was obvious we were avoiding minefields or booby-traps. And then at last we were out in the desert, which only served to slow us down and make us more of a sitting-duck target. It was impossible to travel at more than walking pace, and several vehicles became stuck in sand and had to be pushed free by their occupants. A harrowing photo from Major Jowett's book 'No Way Out: The Searing True Story of Men Under Siege' Taliban commanders sweating alongside 18-year-old Brit soldiers was just one more oddity in a mission that had become like no other. Our destination was a rendezvous point where an armoured relief column was waiting, and when it came into sight, the two Apache gunships that had been covering us dropped from the sky to signal we had made it. It was the moment when, with elation and relief, we dared to say to ourselves: Were really getting away with this! Were going home! AND HOME was where we went, via Camp Bastion, Kabul and a much-needed decompression period on a Cyprus beach. We got off the plane at Stansted and were reunited with family, wives, children. At Colchester barracks, my wife and daughter came bounding towards me with enthusiasm, my son with some reluctance, wondering who this emaciated, tanned man in the doorway was. I put my arms round them and kissed them. It was worth every hellish moment to experience the joy of holding my wife and children against my chest. To do my job as the commander of a fighting company in close contact with the enemy, I had compartmentalised my family away with so many other things in my life. Now, that box sprung open. Ive missed you so much! I burst out. But coming home from war is never easy. Our fight with the Taliban had created memories that were painful and unwanted. They would ambush you in the middle of the night and you would wake covered in sweat, perhaps even screaming. You would be edgy. Angry. Withdrawn. But in our case, there was something extra, something we had not foreseen when we were fighting for our lives from rooftops and alleyways. Because the cruel reality is that Musa Qala and the life-and-death drama that had gone on there was forgotten by everyone but us. Worse still, our defence of it was put down as a defeat and we were treated as an embarrassment. The first signs appeared quickly. Easy Company consisted of two platoons of Royal Irish Rangers, who were immediately split up and returned to their original companies, counter to all medical advice on how best to treat soldiers returning from war. A military aircraft flies over Afghanistan - an image from Major Jowett's book 'No Way Out: The Searing True Story of Men Under Siege' There they were treated as curiosities rather than heroes. They found they could not talk about their time in Musa Qala without being lambasted for it. One of them had been injured by mortar shrapnel but was chastised for making a scene as he struggled to step down from a bus. Our mission, the contentious ceasefire and our unorthodox extraction were regarded as something of an embarrassment, or even joke. Subsequent events in Afghanistan did not help. We were only a few months back from there when the Taliban broke their word and re-took Musa Qala, over-running with ease the Afghan militia garrison that had taken over the compound from us. I do not know what happened to the mayor and the other elders whom I dealt with but, given the Talibans track record, I imagine they suffered horrible deaths. This was a deep blow to myself and every man of Easy Company who had fought and bled for the place. And from the hushed jokes to the pointed fingers, there was no doubt we were being blamed. At first I thought that perhaps I was being over-sensitive, and that the snide remarks about us being driven away in cattle trucks were nothing more than the Armys usual level of harsh banter. But then, the honours list was disclosed for the tour, and I saw in those lists of medals and commendations a truth I could not ignore. Whereas the British battle group received a good handful of hard-earned Military Crosses and Mentions in Dispatches, not a single one of the men I had written up for awards received official recognition for their heroism. Not one. It seemed as though the official message was that it had been tough across all of Helmand that summer, especially in Sangin and Now Zad, just not in our town. Then, at the end of 2007, an operation was launched to once again wrest Musa Qala from the hands of the Taliban. It was a success, and seen by many as correcting the situation the Paras had left when they tactically retreated. No one seemed aware that my men had balked at the idea of talking with the Taliban, but, like all good soldiers, had bitten their tongues and obeyed their orders. The wider Army was blissfully unaware, too. In 2008, I was heading back to Afghanistan and attended a pre-deployment briefing at which a major, ignorant as to who I was, explained to a group of officers how we had had to beat a hasty retreat from Musa Qala after being unable to hold off the Taliban. I waited until questions to correct him. Then I said calmly, concealing my anger at this slur: I was the OC of Easy Company and we werent kicked out. There was no withdrawal. We fought them to a standstill. But it was mud, rather than the truth, that stuck. In time, a number of books would refer to the withdrawal or hasty retreat from the town, and through repetition these statements became accepted as truth something that became increasingly hard to swallow. Easy Company, against all odds, had fought the enemy to the point where they chose a ceasefire above more casualties. The local peace had been ordered from the highest levels, and we had obeyed despite personal desire to fight on. To see my men who had fought so bravely be tainted by others decisions made my stomach turn. Some of Easy Company left the Army as quickly as they could. Others felt like they had nothing left to prove, and followed suit. I looked forward to a further 20 years service but in 2012, there was a cost-cutting review and I was seen as surplus to requirements. I was forced into early retirement, got rid of like a knackered Land Rover. I was so angry at being dismissed casually by a bean counter that it was only thanks to my wife hiding my medals that I didnt post them back to the faceless staffers in the Army Personnel Centre. A reunion of Easy Company in 2016 helped me realise how much worse my predicament could have been. Many of the men who fought under me in Musa Qala were now struggling. One was homeless. Another was discharged from the Army due to his extreme Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. Overall, though, the reunion was a happy affair, punctuated by moments of melancholy and loss. In the grand scheme of our lives, those long weeks in Musa Qala were but a sliver of time, and yet they still dominate my thoughts. There is only one higher honour than standing shoulder to shoulder with brave men, and that is leading them. Together we defied the greatest odds to beat back an unrelentingly barbaric enemy. It was an important stand to make. What we did at Musa Qala really meant something. The motto of the Parachute Regiment is Utrinque Paratus ready for anything. And Im proud to say we were. ADAPTED from NO WAY OUT: THE SEARING TRUE STORY OF MEN UNDER SIEGE by Adam Jowett, published by Macmillan on May 15 at 18.99. Adam Jowett 2018. To order a copy for 15.19 (offer valid to May 22, 2018; p&p free), visit www.mailshop.co.uk/books or call 0844 571 0640. A farmer has filmed the moment he chased wild dogs off his property with a large stick after noticing they had cornered an injured kangaroo. The farmer, who goes by the username The AussieIcon on Newsflare, can be seen running across his land in Girilambone, north-west of Sydney, to scare away the dogs as they went in for the kill. 'Two dogs which were on the run for a number of days created havoc on our property. They cornered a big male, and were attacking him repeatedly when I heard barking,' the farmer wrote online. Footage of a farmer charging onto his property brandishing a big stick and chasing off wild dogs viciously attacking a kangaroo has been posted online Filmed in Girilambone, NSW, the farmer, going by the username The AussieIcon on Newsflare rushes a wild dog as it goes in for the kill, hitting it with a large stick and sending it scurrying off whimpering 'So went out to find them out there with the kangaroo. One ran away, the other kept sticking around.' After the dogs fled, the farmer covered the kangaroo, which appeared to have an injured left leg, in a towel and carried it to his home. The task which proved more difficult than he intended due to the weight of the animal. 'You're heavy,' the man can be heard telling the kangaroo. When he turns his attention to the kangaroo it's clear the animal is injured, it tries to hop away but it looks like its back left leg is injured and it can't stand on it Surprisingly, once the kangaroo realised it is't in anymore danger it appeared to calm down and let the man search for wounds, including two deep lacerations on its neck. 'They did get ya, the b*******,' he tells the animal. 'Fortunately the male kangaroo was treated for the injuries and survived.' Alberto Ulloa-Avila, 21, has been arrested for forcing another man to drive him to a Kentucky Fried Chicken restaurant, police say A man has been arrested for forcing another man to drive him to a Kentucky Fried Chicken restaurant, police say. Alberto Ulloa-Aliva, 21, reportedly opened the door of a random man's car in San Jose, California, around 3am on Saturday. Inside the car he allegedly ordered the 31-year-old driver to give him a ride, threatening physical harm if he didn't comply. When they arrived at a KFC 15 miles away in Mountain View, Ulloa-Avila allegedly tried to rob the driver, who made a run for it. That's when police say the 21-year-old jumped behind the wheel and started to drive away from the KFC. Scroll down for video When they reached the KFC, pictured, Ulloa-Avila he allegedly threatened to rob the driver The incident began in San Jose, California, and ended around 15 miles away in Mountain View He quickly changed his mind and returned to the restaurant, where he started chasing the driver across the street. Officers arrived on the scene and found the two men on the side of the road, where Ulloa-Avila was arrested. He is facing charges of kidnapping, making criminal threats, vehicle theft, violating and protective order and driving on a suspended license, according to police. Advertisement The heritage listed mansion of a bankrupt whisky and cattle baron has been sold for 'five times less' than what it could have potentially fetched. At more than 90-years-old, El Nido, formerly owned by Keith Batt and his wife Margaret, was sold for $1.615m in what has been labeled a 'once in a generation sale'. The property sits in a prime riverside location in Brisbane's affluent suburb of Hamilton, overlooking the CBD and neighbouring suburbs Bulimba and Newstead. At more than 90-years-old, El Nido (pictured), formerly owned by Keith Batt and his wife Margaret, was sold for $1.615m in what has been labeled a 'once in a generation sale' The property sits in a prime riverside location in Brisbane's affluent suburb of Hamilton, overlooking the CBD and neighbouring suburbs Bulimba and Newstead Receivers sold the heritage listed mansion for 'five times less' than what it could have potentially fetched Despite its lavish features and a nearby property of similar style and vintage selling for $1.7million recently, the Spanish mission-style home fell short of its potential. 'Had it not had heritage listing, it would have sold for up to $10m,' Agent Tristan Rowland of Place Aspley told Courier Mail. 'But the receiver was happy. It was a great outcome considering the nature of the property.' Mr Rowland believed had it not had been subject to development restrictions, the 91-year-old three-storey home could have sold for five times more. Despite its lavish features and a nearby property of similar style and vintage selling for $1.7million recently, the Spanish mission-style home fell short of its potential 'Had it not had heritage listing, it would have sold for up to $10m,' Agent Tristan Rowland of Place Aspley said Mr Rowland believed had it not had been subject to development restrictions, the 91-year-old three-storey home could have sold for five times more The couple were also forced to accept $200,00 less than what they paid for their Clayfield home, in the northern suburbs of Brisbane, in 2015 He said its buyers would still need to invest about $300,000 into fixing the property up in line with heritage listing guidelines. The infamous 19 Hillside Crescent abode attracted interest from about 25 people a week in the lead up to its sale, according to Mr Rowland, who said most potential buyers traveled from out of town. 'What was interesting was I thought it would be a young couple, but the majority were people above 60 looking to retire riverside,' he said. Mr Rowland said its buyers would still need to invest about $300,000 into fixing the property up in line with heritage listing guidelines The infamous 19 Hillside Crescent abode attracted interest from about 25 people a week in the lead up to its sale, according to Mr Rowland, who said most potential buyers traveled from out of town 'What was interesting was I thought it would be a young couple, but the majority were people above 60 looking to retire riverside,' he said Ultimately, the home was sold for just $185,000 more than the couple paid for it five years ago, two years before Mr Batt declared bankruptcy. His company Nant Distilling Company went into receivership in 2017, with the couple both now bankrupt and not qualified to manage a corporation of any kind. They were also forced to accept $200,00 less than what they paid for their Clayfield home, in the northern suburbs of Brisbane, in 2015. Ultimately the home was sold for just $185,000 more than the couple paid for it five years ago, two years before Mr Batt declared bankruptcy A teenager has been charged with the alleged rape of a four-year-old Aboriginal boy in a remote town in Outback Australia. The alleged attacker, who is also Indigenous, is accused of luring the toddler into dense bushland in Western Australia's Kimberley region last week. The teenager was on Friday charged with two counts of sexual penetration of a child under 13 after a member of the public reported the alleged incident. Detective Sergeant Tania McKenzie said the alleged assault was one of several ongoing child abuse investigations in the town. A teenager has been charged with the alleged rape of a four-year-old Aboriginal boy in a remote town in Western Australia's Kimberley 'Detectives have recently done some different jobs... in relation to child abuse,' she told the ABC. 'We're very thankful to the people that bought it to our attention and that we were able to make an arrest very quickly.' Professor Leah Bromfield, co-director of the Australian Centre for Child Protection, said the case is disturbing, but not rare. 'When I hear a case like this I never lose my ability to be distressed by what happens to children,' she told ABC Radio. 'It's devastating when you hear these kinds of cases - but not shocking, given the data.' The teenager is due to appear in Perth Children's Court on Friday. The small town, west of the Northern Territory border, has been plagued by child abuse allegations in recent years. In 2017, eight men and three youths faced a total of 29 charges over crimes allegedly committed there. The allegations came to light when a 13-year-old girl was found to be 22 weeks pregnant and infected with gonorrhoea, chlamydia and syphilis. A boat accident claimed the life of a seven-year-old girl, seriously injured her little brother, and killed a 56-year-old woman off the coast of New Hampshire Saturday night. The horrific accident happened when the boat, operated by John Wickman, 59, who is believed to be the children's grandfather, stuck a buoy. The woman killed in the crash was identified as Laurie Stewart, 56, of Eliot, Maine, while a GoFundMe page for the family confirmed the seven-year-old girl that was killed was Kaillen Mykenna Wickman. Her little brother, five-year-old Michael Brian Wickman, 'is currently at Boston Children's Hospital, while he is being treated for injuries due to the accident,' according to the family's page. Kaillen Mykenna Wickman, seven, was out for a ride on what appears to be her grandfather's boat, when he struck a buoy. The little girl died from her injuries in the Saturday accident Laurie Stewart (right) also died when the boat piloted by Wickman struck a buoy on Saturday Michael and his deceased sister Kaillen pictured on a boat from Wickman's Facebook New Hampshire State Police first received a call at 8:15pm Saturday. It was originally their understanding that the accident occurred closer to Maine's waters in the area of Eliot Boat Landing, however the investigation revealed the crash actually happened over the New Hampshire border in Newington, according to CBS Boston. The US Coast Guard and the NHSP-Marine Patrol were among the agencies on the scene. Police say Wickman was operating the 24-foot Boston Whaler boat when it crashed into the buoy Saturday. Wickman is currently employed with the U.S. Postal Service working at the Kittery, Maine, post office. The deceased Stewart retired earlier this year from her position as a postmaster. 'The entire postal family in Northern New England is saddened by this tragic loss of life and our thoughts and prayers are with the families of those involved,' Stephen Doherty, a communications specialist with the U.S. Postal Service told the Union Leader. Stewart was wearing a life jacket when she was thrown from the boat into the river. Wickman circled back and found her unconscious in the water and rushed to shore. She and Kaillen Wickman were taken to Portsmouth Hospital where they were pronounced dead, according to Marine Patrol. It is unclear how the little girl became injured in what appears to be a tragic, life shattering accident for the families involved. Meanwhile Wickman was also transported to a local hospital in Maine for a possible back injury, according to state police. Dad, Michael, with Kaillen, mom Nicki Judd, and their son Michael, pictured together in an undated photo Wickman, possibly on his Boston Whaler, in an undated photo 'At this time it appears that driver inattention may have been a factor in this crash; however, all aspects remain under investigation,' Marine Patrol said. 'It's just a shame. I just feel so bad for the people involved,' said Dick Philbrick, harbormaster in Eliot. 'You've got to really be careful on that river,' Philbrick said. 'The Coast Guard was there this morning. They said it had white paint on it but there was no damage to the buoy,' Philbrick said. The girl's superintendent, Mary Nash said Monday that Eliot Elementary School students were told in an age-appropriate manner that Kaillen had died. The students were brought in for circle time to express their feelings, and were provided internal and external counselors were on hand to help children cope with their grief, according to the Leader. The children were allowed to express their feelings about the loss during circle time, she said, and internal and external counselors were on hand to help children cope with their grief. Blundering town halls are responsible for more than nine in ten delayed roadworks, it has emerged. Drivers across England and Wales endure the equivalent of 128 years or 47,000 days of over-running roadworks a month. Official figures published for the first time reveal the extent of the disruption caused by councils and utility firms which dig up the roads, but fail to complete their work on time. In many cases, projects that should last days go on for weeks, prolonging the disruption. Drivers across England and Wales endure the equivalent of 128 years or 47,000 days of over-running roadworks a month But despite a government crackdown on utility companies to ensure they complete roadworks on schedule, councils are responsible for the vast majority of hold-ups. Last night AA president Edmund King accused councils of taking their eye of the ball. Road repairs carried out by local highway authorities and the contractors they are employ are three times more likely to over-run than those done by energy, water and telecoms providers. Often this is because workmen fail to resurface the road to the required specifications. The delays are particularly irritating for motorists who notice little improvement in their crumbling local roads, which are often riddled with potholes. Roadworks carried out by councils between April and July last year lasted for 4.2 million days, or 68 per cent of the total. But they were responsible for 132,000 over-run days 94 per cent of the total. Utility firms carried out 1,965,000 days of roadworks or 32 per cent of the total. But they were responsible for just 9,000 over-run days. Councils typically carry out roadworks to resurface roads, fill in potholes, add traffic-calming measures such as speed bumps, or to change the road layout. Some of these projects can be longer and more prone to delays. Utility firms dig up the roads to carry out repairs to infrastructure such as gas pipes and water mains, or to lay new pipes and broadband cable. Roadworks carried out by councils between April and July last year lasted for 4.2 million days, or 68 per cent of the total The damning figures are contained in the latest England and Wales performance scorecard report published by the Highways Authorities and Utilities Committee. The organisation collects data from highway authorities run by town halls, as well utility firms and the Government. It was set up to ensure roadworks are carried out safely and to help minimise the impact on the public. Mr King said: While roadworks are essential, delayed roadworks are the bane of drivers lives they waste their time, money and test their patience. While gas, water and cable companies are often blamed, it appears from these figures that the performance of local highway authorities is far worse and that they have taken their eye off the ball. They need to get their house in order. A spokesman for the Local Government Association said councils tended to do longer-term roadworks which can more easily over-run, adding: It can be misleading to compare data across councils and private companies. Senator Orrin Hatch of Utah wants fellow Republican John McCain to invite President Donald Trump to his funeral. Hatch thinks its ridiculous that the Arizona Republican has asked Vice President Mike Pence to attend his funeral in place of Trump. His remarks were reported by Politico. McCain's inner circle is reportedly planning his funeral as it appears the former GOP presidential nominee's health is fading as he undergoes treatment for an aggressive form of brain cancer. Senator Orrin Hatch of Utah wants fellow Republican John McCain (above) to invite President Donald Trump to his funeral Hatch thinks its ridiculous that the Arizona Republican has asked Vice President Mike Pence to attend his funeral in place of Trump 'Well, [Trump is] the president of the United States and he's a very good man,' the Utah senator said. 'But it's up to [McCain]. I think John should have his own wishes fulfilled with regard to who attends the funeral.' Trump is seen right alongside First Lady Melania Trump on Monday Those close to the 81-year-old Republican senator from Arizona have told the White House that their current plan is for Pence to attend the funeral, the New York Times reports. Trump, who once blasted McCain as 'a mess' during his CPAC speech in February, is not on the list. The Times cites McCain's 'rocky relationship' with the president as the reason Trump is reportedly not invited. Hatch says McCain should invite the president. 'Well, [Trump is] the president of the United States and he's a very good man,' the Utah senator said. 'But it's up to [McCain]. I think John should have his own wishes fulfilled with regard to who attends the funeral.' Hatch, 84, said he does not expect McCain to return to the Senate. 'That's what I've been told,' the Utah senator, who is retiring after this year, said. 'I don't know. I hope he does, I hope he can.' After Politico posted its story, Hatch's spokesperson walked back the remarks. Hatch 'spoke out of turn about Senator McCains status,' said spokesperson Matt Whitlock. 'He's been pleased to hear reports that Senator McCain is in good spirits and hopes to see him back in Washington soon,' Whitlock said. In a tweet on Friday, Meghan McCain said she was headed home to Arizona to be with her family. A report claims that Vice President Mike Pence (left) was invited, but not President Trump (right), who McCain has a very contentious relationship with McCain, pictured on Capitol Hill in November 2017, was diagnosed with an aggressive form of brain cancer last July 'Thank you all again for your prayers, patience, understanding and compassion during this time. It means the world to me and my entire family,' she posted, adding that she will be back on The View, which she co-hosts, on Tuesday. Last month, John McCain was hospitalized with an intestinal infection. Meghan McCain, who flew home to be by his side, shared a photo on Instagram of them together writing that he was in 'stable condition.' 'He continues to inspire me everyday with his intense grit and determination,' she posted. 'Thank you to the doctors at Mayo Clinic in Phoenix and to everyone who is praying for him.' 'He continues to inspire me everyday with his intense grit and determination,' daughter Meghan McCain wrote last month after the senator was hospitalized with an infection McCain and Trump have had a very contentious relationship. Trump was criticized when he infamously mocked McCain's status as hero in the Vietnam War during a 2015 Family Leadership Summit, saying McCain was only a war hero 'because he was captured'. 'I like people who weren't captured,' he said. Trump also got the CPAC crowd to boo McCain in February when he mentioned the senator voting against his senate colleagues with a thumbs down when they tried to repeal the Affordable Care Act. 'Remember, one person walked into a room, where he was supposed to go this way, and he said he was going this way, and he walked in and he went this way and everyone said, "What happened? What was that all about?" Boy, oh, boy,' Trump said avoiding the mention of McCain's name. McCain tweeted Friday that she was taking a short leave from The View to head home to Arizona to be with her family. She's pictured above with her father, John McCain 'Who was that?' he continued. 'I don't know. I don't want to be controversial, so I won't use his name. Okay. What a mess.' Trump made the comments after he had called Meghan McCain to say he would not mock her ill father anymore. According to the Times, McCain is 'still in the fight' despite his ailing health. The politician is still handling conference calls from his Arizona ranch and visiting DC when he came. The outlet reports that McCain's close friends, including former Vice President Joe Biden, have been spending time with McCain at his home. 'I wanted to let him know how much I love him and how much he matters to me and how much I admire his integrity and his courage,' Biden told the Times after his hours-long visit. 'I wanted to see my friend.' The funeral will be held at the National Cathedral in Washington DC, the report claims. Prisoners will be forced to clean up rubbish-strewn jail yards as part of a back to basics crackdown. Prisons minister Rory Stewart is set to boost the number of cell checks, inspections around the perimeter and sniffer dogs. More scanners will also be installed to check visitors for drugs. The moves will be tested at ten prisons but could be extended to other jails across England and Wales if successful. HMP Nottingham will be among the first to trial the measures, which will centre on Category B and C prisons. They follow concerns among ministers that too many prisons are awash with drugs and illicit mobile phones. Mr Stewart says requiring inmates to clean up jails keeps them busy and out of trouble. It also discourages other prisoners from dropping litter out of windows. A dossier from the Prison Officers Association suggests it is easy for drugs and mobile phones to be smuggled into jails and that some inmates cells arent checked for months. The latest official figures show prison officers confiscated 500lb of drugs in England and Wales in 2016 as well as 13,000 mobile phones. HMP Nottingham will be among the first to trial the measures, which will centre on Category B and C prisons Governors blame drugs for a rise in violence behind bars. On average an assault on officers takes place every hour. POA leader Steve Gillan said: Weve gone from security to appeasement the prisoners are running the show. The public would be outraged if they could see what little was being done. Its open season for drugs and its fuelling the record levels of violence. Earlier this year Mr Stewart said if he was unable to tackle drugs in prisons in the next 12 months, Im not doing my job. It followed a report by inspectors in January that said conditions in rat-infested HMP Liverpool were the worst they could recall. HMP Nottingham was put in special measures after a similar report warned it was in a dangerous state. The Ministry of Justice said: These plans are at an early stage but the focus will be on improving standards, safety and security. A man has been accused of following two young girls from their bus stop, forcing the pair to seek refuge at a friend's house nearby. Two girls, aged 10 and 14, were travelling from Strathdale to Strathfieldsaye, in Bendigo, last month when they noticed a man staring at them throughout the bus journey. When the girls got off about 3.30pm, the man continued to track them and called out to the pair repeatedly, prompting the frightened girls to run to a friend's home, police said. The man, described as Caucasian and in his late-30s or 40s, then knocked on the front door and told their friend's mother he was doing rounds as a salesman for DC shoes, officers said. Detectives have released a photo of a man (pictured) they believe may be able to assist in inquiries relating to two girls being followed home from a bus stop in Bendigo He left on the request of the concerned mother, who then alerted police. The mother posted online later that day to warn other parents. 'He was on the same bus (they got on at Strathdale) and he kept staring at them. When they got off at Strathfieldsaye, he did too,' she wrote. 'He followed them up the road and kept calling out to them. They got scared and ended up knocking on my door and coming in. Two girls aged 10 and 14 were followed by a man after travelling from Strathdale to Strathfieldsaye last month, police said (stock photo) 'He then came up to the door and when he saw me standing there, said he represented DC shoes and was I interested. Told him no and he walked off up the road.' A week later, a man called out to a 14-year-old girl before getting off at the same bus stop about 4.30pm, however, she was not followed, police said. Detectives have since released a photo of a man, with sandy brown hair and a slim build, they believe may be able to assist in their inquiries. Anyone with information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000. The notorious Russell Street bomber has created a Twitter account from behind bars where he is using the technology to fight for his freedom. Craig Minogue, now 56, was convicted for the 1986 bombing of the Russell Street Police Headquarters in Melbourne and was sentenced to life in prison with a non-parole period of 30 years. The March 27, 1986 bombing injured 21 people and killed police Constable Angela Taylor, who was engulfed in fire. Craig Minogue, now 56, was convicted for the 1986 bombing of the Russell Street Police Headquarters in Melbourne and was sentenced to life in prison with a non-parole period of 30 years The March 27, 1986 bombing (pictured) injured 21 people and killed police Constable Angela Taylor, who was engulfed in fire Minogue created a public Twitter account on April 18, since which time he has published 13 tweets including audio recordings campaigning for his release. In his series of tweets, the convicted criminal claims he should have been released in 2016 when his 30 year non-parole period ended. 'This month marks the 32nd year that I have been in prison and I want to let people know that I am not dead yet despite media reports to the contrary,' one post said. While defending a right to free speech, Minogue also considered starting his own podcast. 'Hear me explain my fight for freedom... please listen,' Craig Minogue said via Twitter The March 27, 1986 bombing injured 21 people and killed police Constable Angela Taylor (pictured), who was engulfed in fire Craig Minogue, now 56, was convicted for the 1986 bombing of the Russell Street Police Headquarters (pictured) in Melbourne and was sentenced to life in prison with a non-parole period of 30 years 'I think it would be most useful or most interesting if I respond to what people want to hear from me about,' he said. Minogue also pleaded with his followers to send him letters to his address at Barwon Prison, a maximum security jail for men in Victoria. Corrections Victoria said prisoners were not given access to internet and they were unaware of Minogue's account before Tuesday. Despite internet use for prisoners being illegal, Corrections Victoria told 3AW they had little power to shut the social media account down. Minogue (pictured) also pleaded with his followers to send him letters to his address at Barwon Prison, a maximum security prison for male prisoners in Victoria 'I'm a survivor hoping for a better future. I am fighting for my freedom,' Minogue said Corrections Victoria suggested Minogue was corresponding with a friend on the outside, who was then publishing the social media posts on his behalf. 'Prisoners do have the right to communicate with approved people,' a spokesperson told 3AW. 'If a member of the public chooses to publish this sort of material on the internet, that's their business, but Corrections Victoria does not endorse or support it.' Paramedics arrive at the scene of the bombing, which occurred about 1pm on March 27, 1986 Corrections urged anyone working alongside Minogue (pictured) to consider the effect the tweets had on the victims of his crime Corrections urged anyone working alongside Minogue to consider the effect the tweets had on the victims of his crime. 3AW radio host Neil Mitchell said he was disgusted Minogue was 'trying to turn himself into a celebrity prisoner' and urged authorities to shut the account down. 'This bloke blew up Russell Street, killed an officer and injured many others,' he said. 'He gave up his right to freedom of expression and speech when he bombed this city and killed someone.' Five top horse trainers and three stable hands have been found guilty of cheating by injecting horses with performance-enhancing drugs. Trainers Stuart Webb, Tony Vasil, Trent Pennuto, Liam Birchley, and Robert Smerdon along with stablehands Daniel Garland and Greg and Denise Nelligan were charged with 271 racing offences. They were found guilty on Tuesday of engaging in 'knowing, brazen and systematic' doping between 2010 and 2017 by Victoria's Racing Appeals and Disciplinary Board. Jockey Danny Nikolic, Sarah Jessica Parker and trainer Robert Smerdon pose for photos after Mosheen won the Oaks at Flemington Racecourse in Melbourne Sarah Jessica Parker (left) celebrates after Smerdon's (right) horse Mosheen won won the Oaks in Melbourne in 2011 Trainer Stuart Webb poses with Crown Witness after winning Race 5 Quezette Stakes during Melbourne Racing at Caulfield Racecourse on August 19, 2017 in Melbourne Penalties are yet to be handed down. Smerdon, who faced the most charges, could be handed a lifetime ban. The doping included giving the horses sodium bicarbonate, or 'top ups', before races. If administered just minutes prior to competition, the performance-enhancing substance increases a horse's stamina by absorbing lactic acid build-up in the muscles. The trainers were exposed when integrity investigators uncovered texts they sent to each other discussing the doping. In one text message, obtained by the Herald Sun, stablehand Greg Nelligan and trainer Liam Birchley discussed using 'top-ups' in the lead up to the 2015 Melbourne Cup meeting. Left is an exchange between trainer Liam Birchley and stablehand Greg Nelligan. Right is one between Nelligan and top trainer Robert Smerdon 'Can u org a top up for tomorrow pls,' Birchley wrote, before Nelligan responded: 'Roberts [Trainer Robert Smerdon] ordered 5, I'll need a wheelbarrow to carry them all.' In another exchange, Smerdon appeared to advise Nelligan when to 'top up' 2011 Oaks winner, Mosheen. 'Does Mosheen have a guard?' Nelligan asked, to which Smerden replied: 'No. Want to top up her and [another horse] only.' Nelligan said he would do as requested, before asking about administering another horse 50 minutes before the race. Top trainer Robert Smerdon was one of eight to be charged over the scam that has rocked the racing industry In another exchange, Smerdon appeared to advise Nelligan when to 'top up' 2011 VRC Oaks winner, Mosheen (pictured racing at Rosehill Gardens in 2012) 'Only if they've tested him otherwise wait until 40 when the previous is due to be run,' Smerdon said. Nelligan then confirmed Mosheen had been tested two hours before the race. 'I'd say go whenever you like,' Smerdon responded. Those messages were sent in the lead up to the 2011 $500,000 Group 1 Thousand Guineas, in which Mosheen finished second. In yet another exchange, Nelligan joked with an unnamed trainer that it was 'hard to cheat' in Japan. 'At the [Japan] cup, hard to cheat here. Not your go. Look for us in the mounting yard,' the text read. Trainer Liam Birchley (pictured) appeared to request 'top ups' for his horses via text message In another exchange, Nelligan joked with an unnamed trainer it was 'hard to cheat' in Japan Pictured is yet another exchange between stablehand Nelligan and trainer Smerdon Tesla CEO Elon Musk is purging his company of contractors by requiring his employees to vouch for the quality of their work, it has been reported. Musk sent an email to his employees saying that any outside contractors who have access to the building will no longer be allowed into Tesla premises if a full-time employee is not willing to stake their jobs on them. The billionaire mogul says he wants to weed out those who he likens to a 'drunken sloth.' The email, obtained by Electrek, reads: 'I have been disappointed to discover how many contractor companies are interwoven throughout Tesla. 'Often, it is like a Russian nesting doll of contractor, subcontractor, sub-subcontractor, etc. before you finally find someone doing actual work. Tesla CEO Elon Musk is purging his company of contractors by requiring his employees to vouch for the quality of their work, it has been reported 'This means a lot of middle-managers adding cost but not doing anything obviously useful. 'Also, many contracts are essentially open time & materials, not fixed price and duration, which creates an incentive to turn molehills into mountains, as they never want to end the money train. 'There is a very wide range of contractor performance, from excellent to worse than a drunken sloth. 'All contracting companies should consider the coming week to be a final opportunity to demonstrate excellence. 'Any that fail to meet the Tesla standard of excellence will have their contracts ended on Monday.' 'By default, anyone who does not have a Tesla employee putting their reputation on the line for them will be denied access to our facilities and networks on Monday morning. 'This applies worldwide. Time to scrub off the barnacles.' Tesla, which manufactures electric cars, employs almost 40,000 people worldwide. Musk is also responsible for paying hundreds of contractors who are working at this factories at any given time, according to Gizmodo. In another email obtained by Electrek, Musk complains that contractors have an incentive to make projects longer since the contracts they sign are not limited in duration. In years past, Tesla has drawn scrutiny for what some say are poor labor conditions 'Many contracts are essentially open time & materials, not fixed price and duration, which creates an incentive to turn molehills into mountains, as they never want to end the money train,' the billionaire wrote. In years past, Tesla has drawn scrutiny for what some say are poor labor conditions. Last year, the US agency in charge of enforcing labor law filed a complaint against Tesla, saying it found merit to workers' complaints about unfair labor practices. According to the National Labor Relations Board complaint, Tesla violated workers' rights by requiring them to sign a confidentiality agreement that could bar them from talking about their working conditions and safety issues at the company's facility in Fremont, California. The agency also investigated charges by the workers that Tesla intimidated and harassed them and violated workers' rights under federal labor law. Tesla has denied the allegations. Complaints were filed by three employees and the United Auto Workers union, which has encouraged Tesla employees to unionize. The workers said Tesla made them sign a document that they may face termination or criminal prosecution for speaking publicly, or to the media, about anything they observed at work or their working conditions, NLRB said. Musk has also come under fire for his handling of an earnings call on Wednesday, which drew criticism after the Tesla CEO cut off questions from industry analysts. The billionaire branded one industry analyst a 'boring bonehead' while claiming another's 'questions are so dry they are killing me', during the bizarre session. Taking to Twitter, Musk claimed that the Wall Street financial experts 'were trying to justify their Tesla short thesis.' His comments suggest he believes the analysts in question have a vested interest in the firm's share price going down, due to a financial strategy known as short selling. Musk warned that people betting against Tesla will face a next level short burn of the century, suggesting the strategy will backfire. It was reported on Monday that Musk bought $9.85 million worth of Tesla shares, his biggest purchase since March 2017. That means Musk's stake in Tesla approaches some 20 per cent, Bloomberg reported. Baby Boomers will be the big winners in the Federal Budget, but young Australian families struggling to cope with the soaring cost of living and housing affordability can expect little relief. Treasurer Scott Morrison will make older Australians the cornerstone of his third Budget on Tuesday night, announcing a multibillion dollar aged-care package aimed at clawing back support from aggrieved - and abundant - Baby Boomer voters. The package will fund a further 20,000 new places for home care to help the aged stay in their own homes longer, while increasing the amount aged pensioners can earn without losing part of their pension. Baby Boomers are set to be the big winners in Tuesday night's Federal Budget (stock image) Young Australian families struggling to cope with the soaring cost of living and housing affordability can expect little relief The pension loans scheme, which allows retirees to borrow against the value of their home, will also be expanded, according to reports. The scheme previously allowed part-pensioners and retirees who own real estate in Australia to borrow up to 100 per cent of the age pension - about $900 a fortnight. The Budget is expected to provide incentives for retirees to begin new businesses, capitalising on $41 billion in legislated budget repair measures. The Treasurer is also expected to lift the Pensioner Work Bonus earning cap above $6,500 a year. (Under the current program, pensioners can earn $6,500 a year before it affects their pension. ) Meanwhile, young Australians hoping the Budget would ease cost of living pressures appear set for disappointment. Treasurer Scott Morrison will make older Australians the cornerstone of his third Budget on Tuesday night Mr Morrison, who said his Budget would improve opportunities for all Australians, has given little indication welfare, housing affordability or childcare will be boosted. That comes as a huge blow to millions of young families hoping to find themselves in better position's after Tuesday night. 'My whole salary goes towards paying virtually every single bill in the house, and my wife just works casual and that goes towards food,' Melbourne father-of-two Angelo Cupellino told SBS ahead of the Budget. 'So if she loses hours or anything like that, we've got to cut back everywhere else. We've also got to make sure the credit card is paid off because the kindergarten fees are coming out of that.' Mr Morrison has given little indication welfare, housing affordability or childcare will be boosted (stock) Professor Roger Wilkins, from the Melbourne Institute Economic and Social Policy research team, said families like Mr Cupellino's held high hopes ahead of Tuesday night. 'Many families would perceive themselves to be doing it quite tough, particularly in the broader context of wages growth being very slow, household incomes more broadly, have stopped growing,' he told the broadcaster. Tony Shepherd, the head of the Coalition's 2014 National Commission of Audit, said future generations would inherit a higher tax burden. 'We're going to have to pay for it. Some time or another, you're going to have to pay the piper,' he told The Sydney Morning Herald last week, pointing to the debt legacy of successive governments. 'I think it's a sad reflection on my generation. That's why we're all going out there to help our kids with their mortgages. We're leaving them with a colossal state debt. I think we're doing it more out of guilt than anything else. The amount aged pensioners may earn without losing part of their pension will increase to $6,500 a year (stock) 'The tradition of previous generations was to be able to say to their children: ''We're going to leave this country better for you than what we had''. I'm not sure we can say that now.' Meanwhile, former Liberal treasurer Peter Costello savaged the government's budget strategy to pay down debt. 'It took us 10 surplus budgets to pay off last time,' he told Leigh Sales on the ABC's 730 program. 'I think the probabilities are, we'll never get back to where we were. You and I will die before that happens.' A Pennsylvania couple who admitted to starving their three young children until they peeled paint from the walls for food have been slapped with lengthy prison sentences. Joshua Weyant, 35, received a term of 19 to 39 years behind bars and Brandi Weyant, 39, 18 to 37 years, a judge in Dauphin County Court announced Monday. The Weyant pair pleaded guilty in February to starving their kids - almost a year after they were found emaciated in their home - days from death and covered in filth. The couple had been arrested in December 2016 after police received an anonymous tip that they were abusing their children who were aged between four and six. Two of them were girls aged four and five and the third was a six-year-old boy at the time. All weighed under 30lbs and were so hungry when deputies rescued them they had begun eating paint. Brandi and Joshua Weyant (above in their 2016 mugshots) have pleaded guilty to neglecting and abusing their three children Two of the starved children were girls aged four and five and the third was a six-year-old boy The parents previously pleaded guilty to aggravated assault, conspiracy, false imprisonment, endangering the welfare of children. The children were covered in bruises and abrasions when they were discovered and they were living in filth in a locked room. They had lice and were covered in animal hair along with human urine and feces. At the time, Pennsylvania prosecutors said the couple no longer wanted to look after the kids so had decided to put them in a room to starve them. A doctor who examined them said the two oldest children were just days from death when they were saved. 'They looked like they had walked out of a concentration camp,' Chief Deputy District Attorney Jennifer Gettle told Penn Live. They were so thin, doctors could see their bones through their skin. The children were so thin when they were found at their Halifax home in Pennsylvania (above) doctors could see their bones through their skin. Authorities had received an anonymous tip about the state they were in and found the children locked in a room inside the animal-ridden home where 10 people were living in total Brandi and Joshua at first denied the abuse and even claimed the children were not theirs The children were all taken into foster care where they remain and where they have thrived over the last year and a half. When their parents were arrested, they gave confusing statements about whether or not they were actually related. In May 2017, police charged Joshua's sister Erin Eickstadt with aggravated assault and endangering a child Brandi told police none of the children were hers or Joshua's biologically. Neighbors who were interviewed contradicted what she said, insisting that she was their mother. Joshua had been in prison previously for an unrelated charge. According to his wife, the worst of his treatment of the children began when he returned home from that sentence in 2015. There were 10 people living in the home at the time the children were found. Brandi shockingly took to her Facebook page three months before the starved kids were found to post enlightening captions above photos of them. One post said: 'Happy 6th Birthday (to my son). Over the past 3.5 plus years of raising you and watching you grow you have become a very opinionated little man. I love you to the moon and back you are mommas baby boy the last of my little men! Slow down on growing up!' Another post showing a picture of one of the pair's daughters read: 'She will NEVER have to wonder her worth because UNLIKE you I'M gonna put her FIRST!!!!' Along with the three children and their parents, five others were there including a teenage girl who police believed was Brandi's daughter from a previous relationship. In May 2017, police charged Joshua's sister Erin Eickstadt with aggravated assault and endangering a child. Morgan Summerlin, 25, (pictured) pleaded guilty to rape and trafficking a person for sexual servitude, cruelty to children and enticing a child for indecent purposes A Georgia mom has admitted to bringing her young daughters to the homes of elderly men to be molested and raped in exchange for cash. Morgan Summerlin, 25, pleaded guilty to rape and trafficking a person for sexual servitude, cruelty to children and enticing a child for indecent purposes on Friday. The court heard that Summerlin would take her two daughters, aged 5 and 6, to the home of 78-year-old Richard 'Pop' Office, WSVN reports. As Summerlin waited in the living room, Pop went to the bedroom with the girls, where he raped the five-year-old and got the other girl to rub his feet, according to the Fulton County District Attorney. He then gave them $100, which Summerlin then took off them, the court heard. Last week, Office was found guilty of rape, child molestation, trafficking a person for sexual servitude, enticing a child for indecent purposed and sexual battery, and sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole, plus 146 years. The mom also brought her daughters to the home of Alfredo Trejo who would also reportedly rape and molest them. Trejo was convicted February 26 of rape, child molestation, sexual battery, enticing a child for indecent purposes, trafficking a person for sexual servitude and aggravated child molestation. The court heard that Summerlin would take her two daughters, aged 5 and 6, to the home of 78-year-old Richard 'Pop' Office (pictured) He was sentenced to 25 years in prison, plus life on probation. 'It is difficult to imagine facts that are more horrific than those found in this case,' Chief Senior Assistant District Attorney Irina Khasin told news station WSVN. 'I am hoping these two little girls can somehow survive this abuse and grow into healthy adults who can lead a productive and fulfilling life.' Summerlin will be sentenced June 4. On Facebook, Summerlin, who also has a son, appeared like any other mother. She posted photos of her children, and announced plans to treat her kids. On Facebook, Summerlin, who also has a son, appeared like any other mother. She posted photos of her children, and announced plans to treat her kids The mom (pictured) also brought her daughters to the home of Alfredo Trejo who would also reportedly rape and molest them 'Goodnight fb gotta get up early taking kids to the final circus im(sic) so excited,' she wrote in one heartbreaking post in 2017. Little did her friends and family know what was going on behind closed doors, according to prosecutors. The girls' grandmother, Teresa Davidson, has also pleaded guilty to cruelty to children after she failed to act when they told her they were being abused. She was sentenced to five years, to serve one minus time served. Barry Ridge was arrested for allegedly drunkenly mowing his neighbor's yard and taking the mower for a joy ride An Indiana man was arrested for allegedly drunkenly mowing his neighbors lawn and then taking the riding mower for a spin down a street. Officers pulled over 46-year-old Barry Ridge, who was not driving a car, and yet they charged him with operating while intoxicated on Saturday, according to the Indy Star. The Franklin Police Department received a call around 5pm from an irate neighbor complaining that Ridge had driven onto their yard and started mowing their grass. Instead of parking the vehicle back home, Ridge allegedly continued his motorized lawn mower joy ride down the road toward Franklin. When the cops pulled him over, an officer noted his eyes appeared 'glassy.' He failed a breathalyzer as well, blowing a 0.189 blood-alcohol level. And in another twist, Ridge was previously arrested for the same stunt. On April 8, he was arrested in Marion County on the same charges. His Huskee lawn tractor was impounded, no word on if the mower in the most recent incident is the same, or a new motorized lawn mower vehicle. Ridge is still waiting trial for that first arrest. A Minnesota man has apologized after he hung three pinatas that appeared to be a set of African-American figures by cords from the porch of his home. Many in the Minneapolis community were shocked and horrified by the image, which quickly went viral on social media as many said it was reminiscent to lynchings. But Victor Chavarria, a pinata maker, said the entire thing was a big misunderstanding. Victor Chavarria has apologized after he hung three pinatas that appeared to be a set of African-American figures by cords from the porch of his home Chavarria, a pinata maker, said the entire thing was a big misunderstanding as many in his community were shocked and horrified by the image Chavarria was fulfilling an order to create pinata versions of a wedding party that included a black groom, Latina bride, and bridesmaids who were white, Latina, and black. The father-of-two said he hung a few of the pinatas on his porch so the paint could dry one morning, unaware of how they might appear to his neighbors. Someone snapped a picture of the pinatas hanging from Chavarria's porch, and soon he was receiving death threats. Chavarria said he called the police and asked for extra patrol because he was concerned. His wedding order was also canceled after the controversy. Chavarria said he was fulfilling an order to create pinata versions of a wedding party The pinata maker said the wedding party (pictured) included a black groom, Latina bride, and bridesmaids who were white, Latina, and black Chavarria said he was 'deeply sorry' for offending the community, and promised to 'immediately' change his process. 'I deeply apologize. I wouldn't do anything to offend anybody, they gave me my feedback and of course I listen,' he told MPR News. Chavarria said he was 'deeply sorry' for offending the community, and promised to 'immediately' change his process 'I'm here to serve the community, not the opposite, and I am deeply sorry.' Candace Thurman, one of Chavarria's neighbors, said she thought the pinatas were 'really inappropriate'. 'It just brought back memories from slavery,' she said. 'It just looked back.' Chavarria said he now understood why hanging the pinatas hanging the porch was hurtful to many of his neighbors. 'Perception is reality for people and I have to be very careful and sensitive to my community,' he said. 'I deeply apologize to anybody who got offended. My processes changed immediately, and I won't dry pinatas on my porch anymore.' Others in the community have rallied around Chavarria and his family, who moved to Minneapolis three years ago. On Saturday he posted a message from the business' Facebook page discussing the controversy and how Hispanics 'interpret pinatas in celebrations' Chavarria, a Mexican immigrant, has been creating pinatas in the community for his business Happy Kids Pinatas since 2015. He is pictured here with his wife Chavarria, a Mexican immigrant, has been creating pinatas in the community for his business Happy Kids Pinatas since 2015. On Saturday he posted a message from the business' Facebook page discussing the controversy and how Hispanics 'interpret pinatas in celebrations'. 'We want to teach our children to reach for the goodness inside, regardless of the shape,' he wrote. 'In this case, I was making pinatas for a wedding, that happened to include Caucasian, Latino and African American groom and bridesmaids.' 'It is unfortunate that many were offended with something unfamiliar to them. However, I liked that you openly stated your frustration. This gave me the opportunity to share instead of assume everyone understands pinatas.' 'Please feel free to stop by, meet me, my family, my children. You will be able to see that we are respectful, caring people trying our best to fit in and contribute.' An African monarch with a special connection to a small Ohio university will give the school's commencement speech. Lesotho's King Letsie III will travel to Springfield to speak at Wittenberg University Saturday. Wittenberg history professor Scott Rosenberg has taken hundreds of students on service trips to the nation since his first visit as a Peace Corps Volunteer over two decades ago. Lesotho's King Letsie III will travel to Springfield to speak at Wittenberg University Saturday Wittenberg history professor Scott Rosenberg has taken hundreds of students on service trips to the nation since his first visit as a Peace Corps Volunteer 'It's not every day a king comes to your graduation,' he said to Springfield News Sun. The professor has taken students over the course of 14 different service trips. 'Right after the first trip, I had students coming into my office saying, 'When are you going again?' he added. Rosenberg's efforts inspired a student-run organization called the Lesotho Nutrition Initiative that sends meals to children. The program has sent over 600,000 meals since 2015. Rosenberg's efforts inspired a student-run organization called the Lesotho Nutrition Initiative that has sent over 600,000 meals to children The king will be joined by several other dignitaries including the foreign minister, US Ambassador, and archbishop along with his wife, Queen 'Masenate Student Maddy O'Malley - who serves as the event coordinator of the initiative - says the graduating class is 'interconnected' with the mountain kingdom. 'I think one thing that really describes was Lesotho is like is that, in their language, there isn't a word for 'stranger,' O'Malley said. She added that there was growing enthusiasm for the king's visit. He'll speak at commencement which will take place at 11.30am on Saturday before going to Mass at St. Raphael's Catholic Church in Springfield 'And when we thought about the possibility of the king of Lesotho coming to talk to us, from a country that means so much to us, we would do anything to make that happen,' said the studen who will go back to the country as a Youth Empowerment HIV/AIDs Volunteer with the Peace Corps. The king will speak with students at a barbecue Friday night. He'll be joined by several other dignitaries including the foreign minister, US Ambassador, and archbishop along with his wife, Queen 'Masenate. Commencement will take place at 11.30am on Saturday before going to Mass at St. Raphael's Catholic Church in Springfield. He will attend a Springfield Rotary Club luncheon on Monday before returning to Lesotho. He will attend a Springfield Rotary Club luncheon on Monday before returning to Lesotho. Pictured with Prince Harry in 2015 Lesotho is a country whose population is just over 2 million people. The landlocked and mountainous country is completely surrounded by South Africa. It is one of the poorest countries and also must cope with some of the highest rates of HIV/AIDs. In 2013, the government in Lesotho said that over a half a million children in the country suffered from malnutrition. President Donald Trump is considering sidelining Rudy Giuliani from doing television interviews after the former New York mayor's recent off-message media blitz. The newest addition to the president's legal team has given interviews which have included muddying the waters on hush money paid to porn actress Stormy Daniels. Giuliani has also made claims that could complicate the president's standing in the special counsel's Russia probe. Scroll down for video: Rudy Giuliani, pictured at the Iran Freedom Convention for Human Rights, has given a number of headline grabbing interviews in recent weeks Giuliani has breathed fresh life into the Stormy Daniels controversy with his recent comments Trump has begun questioning whether Giuliani, an old friend and former New York City mayor, should be sidelined according to two people familiar with the president's thinking but not authorized to speak publicly. Trump also expressed annoyance that Giuliani's theatrics have breathed new life into the Daniels story. It's a concern shared by Trump allies who think Giuliani is only generating more legal and political trouble for the White House. Giuliani, first rattled the White House last week when he sat for interviews on Fox News and seemed to contradict Trump by saying the president was aware of the $130,000 payout to Daniels from his personal attorney, Michael Cohen. He also suggested the October 2016 settlement had been made because Trump was in the stretch run of his presidential campaign. After Trump chided Giuliani on Friday, saying the lawyer needed to 'get his facts straight,' Giuliani put out a statement trying to clarify his remarks. Giuliani appeared to contradict Trump's assertion about a $130,000 payment to Stormy Daniels from his personal attorney Michael Cohen (pictured center) The President has denied having an affair with adult film star Stormy Daniels (pictured) But in weekend interviews, Giuliani appeared to dig himself a deeper hole by acknowledging that 'Cohen takes care of situations like this, then gets paid for them sometimes.' He did not rule out the possibility that Cohen had paid off other women. Trump, who has denied the affair with Daniels, was angry that Giuliani had given the impression that other women may have made similar charges of infidelity, according to the people familiar with his views. Additionally, Trump has grown agitated in recent days by replays of Giuliani's interview with Sean Hannity, in which he said that Trump knew about the payment but that it wasn't a campaign violation. A clearly surprised Hannity then asked, 'Because they funneled it through the law firm?' To which Giuliani responded, 'Funneled it through the law firm, and the president repaid him.' Trump snapped at both men in recent days, chiding Hannity for using the word 'funneled,' which he believes had illegal connotations, according to the people who spoke to The Associated Press. As for Giuliani, the president has not yet signaled to him to stop appearing on television but told a confidant recently that perhaps Giuliani should 'be benched' - at least temporarily - if he can't improve his performance. Giuliani and the then President-elect Trump pictured together in November 2016. The former New York City mayor declined to rule out Trump invoking the Fifth Amendment in special counsel Robert Mueller's ongoing Russia probe. The president has not publicly discussed dismissing Giuliani and has appreciated his sharp attacks on the Russia investigation and his forceful battles with the press, according to three White House aides and outside allies. The two men have spoken frequently, according to officials familiar with their interactions but not authorized to discuss private conversations. But many Trump allies both inside and outside the White House have grown anxious in recent days about Giuliani's whirlwind and unpredictable interviews. 'They're admitting to enough that warrants scrutiny. It shouldn't be put on television shows off the cuff,' said Alan Dershowitz, the emeritus Harvard law professor who has been informally advising Trump on the Russia collusion probe. 'This is not the way to handle a complicated case.' Rudy Giuliani's comments have surprised many on the West Wing, with comparisons made to former aide Anthony Scaramucci Many in the White House have begun evoking comparisons between Giuliani and Anthony Scaramucci, another hard-charging New Yorker with a knack for getting TV airtime. Scaramucci lasted 11 days before being fired. The former White House communications director himself drew parallels between his own burn-bright-burn-fast tenure and Giuliani's performance. 'I am enjoying all of the comparisons between me and the mayor #RudyGiuliani,' Scaramucci tweeted Sunday. 'He is loyal, tough and a fierce competitor. He fights and will win for @realDonaldTrump @POTUS. Big compliment thank you!' Giuliani did not respond to requests for comment. West Wing aides were blindsided by Giuliani's TV appearances last week, and many senior advisers and members of the president's legal team have been cut out of the decision-making process. But some aides have been reluctant to broach the subject with Trump because it only increases their liability, according to officials. Press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders, who was among those surprised by Giuliani's string of TV appearances, said Monday that Trump felt the former mayor 'added value' to his outside legal team. On Friday, Trump said Giuliani was 'a great guy but he just started a day ago.' He made clear Giuliani was still 'learning the subject matter.' Some West Wing aides have complained that Giuliani, who ran for president in 2008, was acting like a 'principal' and not a member of a team. And some in Trump's inner circle raised their eyebrows at Giuliani's declaration that Jared Kushner, the president's son-in-law and senior adviser, was 'disposable.' He also declined to rule out Trump invoking the Fifth Amendment in special counsel Robert Mueller's ongoing Russia probe. The episode revived worries in Trump's inner circle about Giuliani, who enjoys the media limelight and has a tendency to go off-script. His behavior grew more unpredictable during the stretch run of the 2016 presidential campaign, when Trump chided him for falling asleep on the campaign plane, according to two former campaign officials who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss internal matters. Giuliani also alienated a number of people in Trump's inner circle by insisting that the only Cabinet position he would consider would be secretary of state. He did not get the post. Giuliani's remarks have also been watched with concern at the State Department and Pentagon after he weighed in recently on international affairs. He declared last week that North Korea would be releasing three Americans being held captive, which has not yet happened, and said the administration was committed to regime change in Iran, a stance Trump has not taken. 'He speaks for himself and not on behalf of the administration on foreign policy,' State Department spokeswoman Heather Nauert said Monday. Before allegations of physical violence against women forced him to resign as New York Attorney General on Monday, Eric Schneiderman was a champion of the #MeToo movement. Democrat Schneiderman, 63, used his powers as New York's top law enforcement official to hammer Harvey Weinstein over sexual misconduct claims. 'If a woman does not have the right to control her body, she is not truly equal,' Schneiderman proclaimed just last week, at a New York luncheon where the National Institute for Reproductive Health honored him as one of three 'Champions of Choice'. In a detailed New Yorker report co-written by Ronan Farrow and published hours before his resignation, four women accused Schneiderman of slapping and choking them without their consent. Scroll down for video 'If a woman does not have the right to control her body, she is not truly equal,' Schneiderman said at this May 2 luncheon where he was honored as a 'Champion of Choice' Schneiderman praised the New Yorker, whose reporting brought him down, last month Two of the accusers, Michelle Manning Barish and Tanya Selvaratnam, were ex-girlfriends who spoke on the record, recounting horrible stories of violent slapping and choking, often in the bedroom and frequently after Schneiderman had been drinking. He denied the allegations, saying in a statement: 'In the privacy of intimate relationships, I have engaged in role-playing and other consensual sexual activity. I have not assaulted anyone. I have never engaged in nonconsensual sex, which is a line I would not cross.' Weinstein, who has been accused of various sexual misconduct by more than 80 women, also denied that he ever engaged in non-consensual sex. That didn't stop Schneiderman from swooping in to file a civil rights lawsuit against Weinstein and his company, while New York City prosecutors were still considering criminal charges. 'We have never seen anything as despicable as what weve seen right here,' Schneiderman said at a press conference in February announcing the suit. On May 2nd, Schneiderman also launched an investigation into the past handling of criminal complaints against Weinstein by the Manhattan District Attorney, Cyrus Vance, Jr, and the NYPD. Accusers: Michelle Manning Barish (left) and Tanya Selvaratnam (right) said that Schneiderman slapped, choked and even threatened to kill them while they dated him Schneiderman is seen announcing a civil rights lawsuit against Harvey Weinstein on February 11. The former #MeToo crusader has been brought down by accusations of his own We have never seen anything as despicable as what weve seen right here,' Schneiderman said at a press conference in February announcing the suit against Weinstein (above) Last month, Schneiderman praised the New York Times and the New Yorker for the reporting that had initially brought the allegations against Weinstein to light. 'Without the reporting of the @nytimes and the @newyorkerand the brave women and men who spoke up about the sexual harassment they endured at the hands of powerful menthere would not be the critical national reckoning underway,' Schneiderman wrote in a tweet. Ironically, given the stunning claims against him, Schneiderman authored New York's law against strangulation while he was in the state Senate. His law created specific penalties for choking and targeted domestic abusers, for whom strangulation is known to often be a precursor to deadly violence. Schneiderman is also a committed foe of Trump. Recently he had attempted to change state law to allow him to prosecute any Trump campaign officials in the event they were pardoned by Trump. The rivalry dates back to a 2013 lawsuit Schneiderman filed against Trump University. He has gone on to oppose the Trump administration at every turn, filing dozens of lawsuits on environmental regulations, immigration policy, the Census, and more. Trump, either through insight or luck, appeared to predict Schneiderman's downfall in a tweet in 2013. 'Weiner is gone, Spitzer is gone,' Trump wrote in reference to two New York elected Democrats brought down by sex scandals: Anthony Weiner for sexting and Eliot Spitzer for frequenting prostitutes. 'Next will be lightweight A.G. Eric Schneiderman. Is he a crook? Wait and see, worse than Spitzer or Weiner,' Trump wrote. The mother of 16-year-old Jacqueline Vodden, who died instantly after her friend fled police and crashed into a parked truck during a high-speed pursuit, broke down in court as she struggled to understand her daughter's senseless death. Naomi Vodden told the court how her 'world stopped' when she learnt her daughter had died after the driver reached speeds of 130km/h before crashing and fleeing the scene into a nearby paddock. The Ballarat mother broke down as she asked the boy: 'Why didn't you just pull over? Jacqueline would still be here,' The Courier reported. Naomi Vodden (right) the mother of 16-year-old Jacqueline Vodden (left), who died after her friend fled police and crashed into a parked truck during a high-speed pursuit, broke down in court The unidentified teenager crashed as he tried to veer from two vehicles that blocked his path on the Western Freeway in Ballan, 80km north-west of Melbourne The boy, aged 17 at the time, had picked up Jacqueline after he stole the Toyota Hiace van and was pursued by police in September last year. The unidentified teenager crashed as he tried to veer from two vehicles that blocked his path on the Western Freeway in Ballan, 80km north-west of Melbourne. Jacqueline was thrown from the van and was pronounced dead at the scene. Police said the roof of the Toyota Hiace van ripped off 'like opening a tin can' and blamed a 'Fast and the Furious' mentality among troubled teens in the area. Naomi Vodden told the court how her 'world stopped' when she learnt Jacqueline (pictured) had died after the driver reached speeds of 130km/h before crashing and fleeing the scene into a nearby paddock The Ballarat mother (right) broke down as she asked the boy: 'Why didn't you just pull over? Jacqueline would still be here,' The Courier reported 'Why did you just run? Did Jacqueline's life not mean anything to you? We now live with a life sentence,' Ms Vodden asked as she read out a victim impact statement in the County Court, The Courier reported. The grieving mother took the stand just days after her now-deceased daughter's 17th birthday. 'Today I should have been celebrating your life with you but instead I sit by your grave crying and just wishing you were here,' Ms Vonnen posted to Facebook on May 5. '17 years ago I gave birth to my first child the most beautiful girl it was one of the happiest day of my life and I was such a proud mother. 'I never imagined that you wouldn't be here but our lives now have changed forever and your life was cut short.' '17 years ago I gave birth to my first child the most beautiful girl it was one of the happiest day of my life and I was such a proud mother,' Ms Vodden (right) posted to Facebook The court was told the boy, cannot be identified because he was a child at the time, has been in custody since the crash and has a photo of Jacqueline next to his bed. '17 years ago I gave birth to my first child the most beautiful girl it was one of the happiest day of my life and I was such a proud mother,' Ms Vodden said Judge Geoffrey Chettle said the boy's behaviour was one of the most serious cases of culpable driving he had seen and was in the 'top range' of offending. After the crash the boy, described by his defence barrister as '18 going on 12', stole another car before he was arrested more than 30 kilometres away in Wendouree. After pleading guilty to a string of charges including culpable driving causing death, the now 18-year-old could be facing a lengthy sentence but his defence barrister argued he was young and had prospects of rehabilitation. The boy, who has reportedly been suffering from anxiety and depression since being taken into custody, will be sentenced on Friday. Judge Chettle said his age would be taken into account. Harvey Weinstein is suing his insurance company for $300,000 in 'crisis assistance' money, it has been revealed. Weinstein filed a countersuit against Chubb Indemnity Insurance Co on Monday after the company refused to pay for the disgraced mogul's legal defense. The producer is facing numerous lawsuits after more than 80 women accused him of sexual assault and harassment. Units of the insurer have together issued 80 policies to Weinstein and his family between 1994 and 2018, including coverage for personal liability. Harvey Weinstein is countersuing his insurance company for $300,000 in 'crisis assistance' money, it has been revealed That would normally cover legal costs to defend against claims of damage or injury caused accidentally, but the insurer said Weinstein's conduct was intentional. In March Chubb asked the New York State Supreme Court to issue a judgment declaring that the policies' terms exclude defending charges in the lawsuits, specifically sexual assault, discrimination, and intentional acts. But Weinstein is now claiming that Chubb is still on the hook because he paid more than $1.2million in insurance premiums, according to the Hollywood Reporter. He is filing breach-of-contract claims against various Chubb insurers and argues that one policy entitles him to $300,000 in 'crisis assistance' benefits. Weinstein's countersuit alleges that Chubb churned out a 'series of form letters that improperly denied his claims'. 'So flimsy were the insurers denials that they failed to base their decision on the terms of any specific policy and/or the language of any particular form,' it added. The suit comes days after it was revealed that a Manhattan grand jury is reportedly considering sexual assault charges against Weinstein (pictured with Georgina Chapman) Actresses Lucia Evans (left) and Paz de la Huerta (right) have both come forward and claimed that Weinstein forced them into sex acts in Manhattan Top prosecutor Joan Illuzzi (above) is handling the case as a grand jury considers evidence 'Worse yet, the insurers' cursory denials consciously concealed the existence of policies that lacked the insurers' cited exclusions, as well as policies that affirmatively extended defense benefits to Mr Weinstein.' Weinstein also said in the countersuit that he had to 'reorder his finances to ensure the funding of defense counsel for claims wrongfully denied'. The suit comes just days after it was revealed that a Manhattan grand jury is reportedly considering sexual assault charges against Weinstein. Top prosecutor Joan Illuzzi is handling the case, and the Manhattan District Attorney's Office has already sent grand jury subpoenas to Weinstein's closest associates, sources told Page Six. Although it's unclear what case and what charges the grand jury might be considering, the subpoenas cover documents dating back to 2004, including phone records, emails, and financial documents. In Manhattan, Weinstein has been accused of forcing actress Lucia Evans, then a college student, to perform oral sex on him inside his Tribeca office in 2004 and of raping Boardwalk Empire actress Paz de la Huerta on two occasions in 2010. Actress Ashley Judd sued Weinstein last week, claiming he derailed her career after she rejected his sexual advances Weinstein has denied that he ever engaged in non-consensual sex. In October, Evans told told The New Yorker that the summer before her senior year in college, Weinstein met her at a club and asked her to come in for a meeting at his Manhattan office. Soon after she arrived, she claims that Weinstein took off his pants and shoved her face into his crotch, overpowering her until she acquiesced to his demands. In November, de la Huerta told Vanity Fair that Weinstein had on two occasions barged into her Manhattan apartment and shoved her onto her bed before forcing himself on her. 'Hes like a pig...He raped me,' she said. Weinstein, 66, is also being investigated by police in Los Angeles, Beverly Hills and London but has yet to be criminally charged in any jurisdiction. Alexandra Canosa, a producer on Netflix's Marco Polo, is suing Weinstein (pictured together in 2012) and claims he sexually assaulted her nine times over the course of seven years He has been hit with a slew of new lawsuits and allegations just within the last week. Actress Ashley Judd is also suing the disgraced producer, claiming he derailed her career after she rejected his sexual advances. Judd's lawsuit, filed on Monday in Los Angeles Superior Court, relates to her failing to get a role in The Lord Of The Rings movies. Director Peter Jackson previously came forward to say that he had wanted to cast Judd in a prominent role for the films, but removed her from the cast list 'as a direct result' of of 'false information' from Weinstein. Alexandra Canosa, a producer on Netflix's Marco Polo, is also suing Weinstein and claims he sexually assaulted her nine times over the course of seven years. Canosa said Weinstein threatened her job and future in the industry if she reported anything, according to court papers. A drug smuggler has written an emotional tribute to his boyfriend who died of a stroke after injecting himself with methamphetamine. Isaac Roberts, from Toowoomba, Queensland, was handed a 15-month rehabilitation order last month after pleading guilty to smuggling 14.3 grams of crystal meth into Bali from Bangkok. The 35-year-old wept in court as he told a judge how his boyfriend Donwill Lloyd Lim died two years ago, sending him on a downward spiral. Isaac Roberts (left with his boyfriend Lloyd Lim), from Toowoomba, Queensland was handed a 15-month rehabilitation order after pleading guilty to smuggling 14.3 grams of crystal meth into Bali from Bangkok Roberts (left) wept in court as he told a judge how his boyfriend Donwill Lloyd Lim (right) died two years ago, sending him on a downward spiral 'He met an American drug dealer, Alex, in Kuala Lumpur and relapsed,' Roberts said. 'Early Wednesday morning they injected shabu (ice) together and Lloyd had a stroke. 'It took Alex until Friday to take Lloyd to the hospital. Even then, I had to beg him. It was too late, on Sunday Lloyd was dead.' Roberts said he took one or two grams of meth per day to 'reduce his headache pain and forget his problems' after his boyfriend's death. In April, after his sentencing, Roberts wrote a moving Facebook tribute to his boyfriend of two years. He wrote: 'I miss you so much, Loyd. You were the yin to my yang, the action to my thoughts my knight in shining armour. Last month, after his sentencing, Roberts wrote a moving Facebook tribute to his boyfriend of two years (pictured together) 'You instilled in me confidence to rule over my doubt, gave gave me laughter to conquer my dark broodings. 'You taught me strength to defend against supreme ego. Together, we were more than the sum of our parts. 'You made me happy. I will be forever, your baby Isaac. I love you. I miss you terribly. Rest in peace.' He signed off the note with the dates of Lim's birth and death: 25 November 1981 - April 1 2018. A young construction worker is fighting for his life after he was crushed in an elevator shaft. The man in his 20s was working on the Jewel towers construction site on Old Burleigh Road, Surfers Paradise, on Tuesday when he was seriously injured. It's understood the man was working in an elevator shaft just before midday when a lift began to move and 'pulled him into equipment', Queensland Ambulance's Stuart Cutajar told the Gold Coast Bulletin. A man in his 20s is fighting for his life after he was crushed in an elevator shaft at the Jewel towers construction site on Old Burleigh Road (pictured), Surfers Paradise It's understood the man was working in an elevator shaft just before midday on Tuesday when a lift began to move and 'pulled him into equipment'. Pictured: An artist's impression of the Jewel project Mr Cutajar said the man suffered 'significant' injuries to his chest, back and abdomen. He added: 'My understanding is he was working in the lift shaft and performing duties there and working underneath the lift, and one has moved during the process, causing him to be pulled into some other equipment.' The man was removed from the elevator shaft and was conscious by the time paramedics arrived. He was taken to Gold Coast University Hospital where he remains in a serious, but stable condition. The man suffered 'significant' injuries to his chest, back and abdomen. He was taken to Gold Coast University Hospital (pictured) where he remains in a serious, but stable condition The incident led to the site being shutdown for workplace health and safety officers to investigate. A Construction, Forestry, Maritime, Mining and Energy Union (CFMEU) Gold Coast official said the site will be re-evaluated on Wednesday. 'The construction industry is a dangerous industry, and this is a timely reminder for everyone to be aware of their surroundings, and take the time to be aware of it,' the official told Gold Coast Bulletin. 'Construction changes from minute to minute, and we're extremely lucky we're not talking about a fatality.' A young father has hit out at criticism of the body modification industry saying he is a hard-working family man who just so happens to have stretched out earlobes, a split tongue and a lot of tattoos. Queensland dad-of-three Ryan Morrison, 27, told Daily Mail Australia he is sick of being judged over his modifications - with people assuming he has drug problems or doesn't have a job. 'I am a family man, I work full time, I have three kids and I am modified,' he told Daily Mail Australia. 'Modified' family-man Ryan Morrison jumps to defence of the industry and Brendan Russell - who was recently charged with prohibition of genital mutilation Tattoo artist Sheridin Byfield, pictured, has also jumped to the industry's defence following Brad Hazzard's claim it is full of 'wackos' Brisbane business owner and body piercer 'JMoney' believes some legislation is a good idea - but taking it too far could be dangerous. 'Body modifications are expensive. People look at me and talk c**p sometimes but I laugh cause I'm on a lot higher pay than normal people,' he said. Mr Morrison was modified by Terrigal man Brendan Russell, 37, who was recently charged with prohibition of genital mutilation following an alleged procedure on a 33-year-old woman in Newcastle in 2016. The arrest and subsequent charge of Russell kickstarted the debate into modifications, including comments by NSW Health Minister Brad Hazzard who labelled the practice as 'barbaric'. Hazzard insinuated the people who have it done have mental health issues and said they must have 'major issues going on in their head' to get modified. 'This so-called body modification is just plain wacko and can lead to permanent maiming,' Mr Hazzard believes. It was after the minister's statements that Mr Morrison decided to speak out - longside Brisbane based body piercer 'JMoney' and Western Australian tattooist Sheridin Byefield. Mr Morrison wants people to 'stop judging the mod scene'. Russell, pictured, scalpaling out Mr Morrison's ears, a $900 procedure to make the lobes bigger - Mr Morrison wants people to stop judging those with modifications 'Body modifications are expensive. People look at me and talk c**p sometimes but I laugh cause I'm on a lot higher pay than normal people,' he said The father is speaking out after NSW Health Minister Brad Hazzard slammed the industry, insinuating the people who have it done have mental health issues He works as a boiler maker now but claims his modifications have never stopped him from getting a job. 'I worked at Anaconda for a year with all these. On the floor with customers. Found more so that older women commented positive on them.' Hazzard wants would-be clients to go through psychological testing before they go under the knife. Ms Sheridin, a tattoo artist of three years believes the minister's words were hurtful. 'I personally take offence to him saying a comment like that when he's not trained as a psychologist,' she said. 'I personally take offence to him saying a comment like that when he's not trained as a psychologist,' Ms Byfield said Ms Byfield has worked as a tattooist for three years - and does not want to see the modification industry legislated by 'people who know nothing about it' 'I help people who have self harm scars etc and cover them up to help people have a new lease on life and aren't held back by a difficult past. 'Mental health issues are everywhere- not to mention that the stigma has only just started to make it easier for people to voice their pain or suffering and find the correct help, why say something like that to create more issues?' Ms Byfield has been a tattooist for three years, she has several piercings, stretched earlobes and bright-purple hair. She doesn't believe the minister should be 'making comments on an industry he knows nothing about'. 'They also have zero involvement in our industry and regulating it- they have no right to start a vendetta against the industry,' she said. 'They are stabbing in the dark because they can't make profit.' Meanwhile Brisbane business owner and body piercer 'JMoney' believes some legislation is a good idea - but taking it too far could be dangerous. 'I believe the industry should be regulated but only to make it safe,' he said - pictured with his son JMoney is covered in tattoos, and has a tongue split - so is very much in the body modification scene - pictured with his son who is 'pretending' to tattoo him 'I believe the industry should be regulated but only to make it safe,' he said. 'I think it would be good to enforce having to show qualifications.' JMoney is covered in tattoos, and has a tongue split - so is very much in the body modification scene. 'There is no need for licencing though,' he said. Adding that people should do their research before opting to change their body permanently. 'Rules would be great as long as they keep people ruining the industry out of work and not the ones who are making it great.' Another woman who is in the body modification scene also spoke to Daily Mail Australia regarding the minister's comments. The conversation was sparked last week after body modifier Russell, pictured branding a man's head, was charged Russell, known as Bslice, had a huge social media presence before his arrest 'Now, I don't have a doubt that there are people within the community that suffer from mental illness, but should that put stricter laws on them getting modified? No, I think that would be unfair, and it seems like it would mean that anyone with the slightest hint of mental illness would be blacklisted from getting any further mods,' she said. 'For example, the only way I could see this really working is if someone who has never had a mod in their life suddenly decided they wanted to get their nipples removed and tongue split. 'In that case, I could possibly see the benefit of sitting that person down and seeing why exactly they'd want it done considering they've had no prior work done. 'But to my knowledge, most professionals keep an eye out for things like this, and will often refuse to do work if said person seems to be mentally ill. She believes tight regulations will force the industry underground and could leave to worse injuries. Russell has removed belly buttons and nipples in surgery called nullification He also brags about his skill in splitting tongues - like the one pictured 'The real problem with implementing tighter laws means that some forms of more extreme modifications may be banned all together, and that creates a problem. 'Because without being able to go to a professional for a certain mod, that leaves people open to even more dangerous situations because they may try to find other ways to get the modification done or go to someone who is less than qualified and end up getting themselves injured, or worse,' she said. Mr Morrison says he doesn't regret any of his body modifications. He says his daughter loves his split tongue and makes him chase her around pretending to be a snake. Mr Morrison says he doesn't regret any of his body modifications. He says his daughter loves his split tongue and makes him chase her around pretending to be a snake The ministry of health has warned against body modification - in particular implants like the one above 'If people are offended at them then don't look I say. It's like people who dye their hair. That's a body mod too,' he said. The father spent $650 to split his tongue and another $900 to scalpel his earlobes. He said he found Russel to be professional when carrying out the procedure on him. Russell was arrested last week following a police investigation into his alleged treatment of a client in 2016. His business, Transition, in Erina Fair was also raided. He has been placed on strict bail conditions which restrict him from leaving his home at night, and from working or training as a body modifier. He must also report to police every day. He will appear in Gosford Local Court on May 15. Russell is pictured on the morning of his arrest at his home in Terrigal The 37-year-old will face court on May 15 for the first time following his arrest Donald Trump, either through insight or luck, appeared to predict New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman's downfall in a 2013 tweet. Trump's prediction came nearly five years before Schneiderman's resignation on Monday, hours after four women came forward accusing him of physical violence, which he denies. 'Weiner is gone, Spitzer is gone,' Trump wrote in reference to two New York elected Democrats forced from office by sex scandals: Congressman Anthony Weiner for sexting and Governor Eliot Spitzer for frequenting prostitutes. Weiner would later be convicted of sexting a minor. 'Next will be lightweight A.G. Eric Schneiderman. Is he a crook? Wait and see, worse than Spitzer or Weiner,' Trump wrote. Schneiderman cast himself as an arch-nemesis to Trump and a key figure of the 'resistance' Congressman Anthony Weiner (left) resigned in 2011 over a sexting scandal. Governor Eliot Spitzer resigned in 2008 in the midst of a prostitution scandal (right) It came in the midst of an intense feud between Trump and Schneiderman, a Democrat, that has continued to this day. Schneiderman had sued Trump University, calling it a 'bait-and-switch scheme'. Trump blasted back calling Schneiderman 'a political hack' and filing an ethics complaint claiming the suit was part of a campaign donation shakedown. Trump unloaded on Schneiderman on Twitter, labeling him 'lightweight' in multiple tweets a day for days on end. In the end, the ethics complaint was dismissed and Trump settled the lawsuit. Their feud only intensified during and after the 2016 presidential election. Schneiderman was an ally to Hillary Clinton and had counted on forging a powerful alliance with her in the White House. Schneiderman (above) was an ally to Hillary Clinton and had counted on forging a powerful alliance with her in the White House. He was devastated by Trump's victory in the election After Trump's victory, he was devastated - as revealed by new details in the bombshell New Yorker report detailing the allegations against him. The day before Trump's Inauguration, Schneiderman called his then-girlfriend Tanya Selvaratnam from a hospital emergency room, she recalled. 'He told me that he'd been drinking the night before he fell down. He didn't realize he'd cut himself, and got into bed, and when he woke up he was in a pool of blood,' Selvaratnam said. The injury required stitches and Schneiderman had to cancel a public appearance. Schneiderman and Selvaratnam agreed to tell anyone who asked about the injury that he'd fallen while running, she says. (Schneiderman's spokesman said that he 'fell in the bathroom while completely sober' but was embarrassed and told staff he'd been running.) Donald Trump, either through insight or luck, appeared to predict New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman's downfall in a 2013 tweet After Trump took office, Schneiderman cast himself as Trump's greatest nemesis, filing lawsuit after lawsuit challenging environmental regulation rollbacks, immigration policy, and changes to the Census, among other issues. 'Since November of 2016, Eric has led the fight to protect New Yorkers from the most harmful policies of the Trump Administration,' Schneiderman's official biography says. 'Eric has taken on the tough fights to protect New Yorkers,' the biography says, 'because he believes there has to be one set of rules for everyone, no matter how rich or powerful. In the hours after the bombshell revelations, Trump had yet to comment on Schneiderman's downfall. James Packer's former fiancee, model and reality television star Tziporah Malkah, has pleaded guilty to assaulting her ex-partner during an argument about marijuana and a sick cat. Malkah, formerly known as Kate Fischer, appeared at Victor Harbor Magistrates Court, south of Adelaide, on Tuesday afternoon to answer to assault allegations that stemmed from an incident in January. She received no recorded conviction after a South Australian magistrate took into consideration her good record and early guilty plea. Scroll down for video James Packer's former fiancee, model and reality television star Tziporah Malkah, (left) has pleaded guilty to assaulting her ex-partner during an argument about marijuana and a sick cat Her lawyer, Michael Kuzilny, told reporters outside court she's remorseful and a 'completely different person to what she was before'. Malkah appeared in the Victor Harbor Magistrates Court, south of Adelaide, on Tuesday afternoon to answer to allegations she assaulted her then-partner during an incident in January. The court heard Malkah, 44, was drunk when police were called to the house she shared with Guy Vasey, with whom she had been in a relationship with for less than a year. The two had been arguing over marijuana and Malkah had tormented Mr Vasey about his sick cat, threw groceries at him and poured milk over his head. Malkah, formerly known as Kate Fischer, appeared at Victor Harbor Magistrates Court, south of Adelaide, on Tuesday afternoon She then hit Mr Vasey's face four to five times in a 'cat scratching-like motion' before he left the property to call the police. When police arrived, Malkah was loud and abusive, swore at officers and threw herself onto the ground. She assaulted a police officer as she was lifted into the cage car, and was taken to the station where she continued demonstrating 'drunken behaviour'. She was placed in a cell at a different police station, and released after 12 hours in custody. Malkah pleaded guilty to one count of assault, one count of resisting police, three counts of assaulting a police officer and one count of disorderly behaviour Malkah pleaded guilty to one count of assault, one count of resisting police, three counts of assaulting a police officer and one count of disorderly behaviour. In court, her lawyer, Michael Kuzilny, said Malkah was extremely ashamed and embarrassed by the incident, and has since recognised she had an 'attitude problem'. He said she has moved to Sydney, stopped drinking and is working to get her life back on track. On Tuesday, Magistrate Brian Nitschke fined Malkah $1,200 plus a victims of crime levy and placed her on an 18-month good behaviour bond. An elderly man is the third person to be arrested over his alleged involvement in an alleged paedophile ring where young children living at an all-boys home were horrifically abused. Months of detailed investigations led to the arrest of a 74-year-old man from a Basin View home on the New South Wales south coast over allegations dating between 1965 and 1985. Strike Force Eckersley was set up in 2016 to investigate complaints referred by the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse about the sexual assault of children at the Daruk Training School at Berkshire Park. Scroll down for video An elderly man (pictured) is the third person to be arrested over his alleged involvement in an alleged 'paedophile ring' The 74-year-old (left and right) was accused of abusing young boys at Daruk Training School between 1965 and 1985 The man (pictured) was arrested at a Basin View home on the New South Wales south coast The former school employee was taken to the Nowra Police Station and charged with nine offences relating to six alleged victims including three counts of buggery, five counts of indecent assault of a male and one count of solicit male to commit indecent act. The arrest was the third across the country of accused paedophiles allegedly responsible for extreme punishments and terrifying sexual abuse of a number of young boys who were in their care at the time. In a horrific revelation, it has been claimed the superintendent responsible for keeping the boys safe ultimately punished them when they reported their abuse,60 Minutes reports. The 74-year-old is one of many men, all now aged in their 70s, accused of horrifically abusing several young boys from 'broken families' at the government run home which imposed military style discipline. 'To this day, I still have nightmares because it happened on a daily basis,' Daryl Stanton claimed to the Nine Network. The victim described Daruk as a 'major paedophile ring' where the alleged punishments and assaulted were so brutal they 'nearly destroyed (him)'. The former school employee (pictured) was taken to the Nowra Police Station and charged with nine offences relating to six alleged victims Charges included three counts of buggery' and five counts of indecent assault of a male The arrest follows two other arrests of elderly men who are also accused of sexually abusing young boys at the government run facility four decades ago Authorities are now investigating the several complaints received from the men who attended the government run facility as young boys. Police first arrested a 67-year-old in March for the alleged terrorising of young boys four decades ago. Shortly after, a 73-year-old man was arrested on the Gold Coast where he was charged with multiple counts of assault and buggery. The alleged abuse involved staff and adults who allegedly abused the troubled teens when they were meant to be looking after them. The 67-year-old is expected to face court on May 25. The third person arrested, a 74-year-old man, is expected to face court on May 9. The alleged abuse involved staff and adults who allegedly abused the troubled teens when they were meant to be looking after them A British nurse was raped by her Syrian flatmate who attacked her in her bedroom, a court heard. The 51-year-old said her alleged attacker arrived at their apartment with another woman and said he wanted to talk about the prospect of all of them moving to a villa. But the 26-year-old then forced himself on the Briton in her bedroom, a court in Dubai was told. A British nurse was raped by her Syrian flatmate who attacked her in her bedroom, a court heard (file picture) According to The National, the unnamed nurse told Dubai Criminal Court: 'He started talking about the villa and that it had a swimming pool then all of a sudden he locked the door.' Despite asking him to leave, he sat down beside her and started touching her, she claimed. 'He started kissing and touching me by force. I resisted but he was much stronger than me, he threw me to the bed and assaulted me.' The defendant, who denies rape, then allegedly raped her before leaving. 'I was shocked,' the nurse told the court. 'I didn't know what to do at that exact moment, but then I just called police.' The alleged incident happened on October 19 and the unnamed suspect was arrested days later. He told the court: 'Nothing happened by force or without her consent. I didn't lay a hand on her, your honour.' The trial continues on May 15. Authorities say a traffic stop in Tennessee put an end to a violent abduction that began in Georgia. The Williamson County Sheriff's Office says a deputy stopped a car Tuesday after clocking it going more than 100 miles an hour. Authorities say 50-year-old Terry James Lee of Quitman, Georgia, was initially taken into custody for driving on a revoked license. But the sheriff's office says a female passenger told the deputy that she'd been kidnapped from a market in Georgia the day before. Lee (pictured) was pulled over by police in Tennessee on Tuesday after cops clocked him travelling at 100mph Authorities say Lee and the woman had been in a romantic relationship previously but hadn't dated for several months. Police say Lee is a convicted sex offender. Lee is being held in the Williamson County Jail. It's not clear if he has an attorney. He has been charged with driving on a revoked license and aggravated kidnapping. He also faces charges of speeding and being a habitual motor vehicle offender. According to a status on the Williamson County Sheriff's Office Facebook page: 'Deputy Bryan Welch made the traffic stop after he paced a car driven by Terry James Lee, 50, of Quitman, Georgia traveling at more than 100 miles an hour. 'Lee was initially arrested and taken into custody for driving on a revoked license. 'A woman passenger was in the car with Lee. 'She told Deputy Welch that Lee had kidnapped her from a market in Georgia on Monday. She had obvious injuries that were consistent with a struggle.' Police officers later found the woman in the car with Lee had been kidnapped at a market in Georgia 24 hours earlier A man allegedly plied a 15-year-old girl with ice, cannabis and alcohol before sexually assaulting her. Police arrested the man at home in Marrickville, Sydney, at 11am today. He was charged with cause to take intoxicating substance to commit indictable offence and aggravated sex assault-victim under the age of 16. A man allegedly plied a 15-year-old girl with ice (pictured), cannabis and alcohol before sexually assaulting her Police will allege in court the man gave the girl 'ice' and took her to a home in Marrickville, where she was given more 'ice', alcohol, and cannabis, before he sexually assaulted her. The man was refused bail to appear at Newtown Local Court today. Anyone with concerns about suspected child abuse or exploitation should call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or use the Crime Stoppers online reporting page: https://nsw.crimestoppers.com.au. Scotland Yard has spent almost 5million on premium flights while making huge cuts to frontline services. Officers racked up a 4,838,689 bill for non-economy seats, including 407,952 on 114 first-class tickets. The total for the past three years comes to more than half the entire 8,577,748 spent on flights for officers and staff. The latest figures were obtained by the TaxPayers Alliance under freedom of information laws. Officers racked up a 4,838,689 bill for non-economy seats, including 407,952 on 114 first-class tickets Figures from the Taxpayers' Alliance revealed the Metropolitan Police spent 5million on premium flights Policy analyst Duncan Simpson said: It is completely unacceptable that we are taxed to pay for luxury flights that few of us could ever enjoy ourselves. 'Members of the police will, in the course of their duties, have to take flights occasionally, but it is difficult to understand why they should be travelling so expensively. The Metropolitan Police Service did not give a breakdown of the costs but among its responsibilities is guarding senior politicians, diplomats and the Royal Family. A spokesman said: In all instances, the most economical fare is purchased that meets the needs of the traveller and the reason for the visit. Scotland Yard Commissioner Cressida Dick has seen more than 600million taken from her budget The work of the Met officers and staff can require them to travel abroad for investigative and operational reasons. Scotland Yard Commissioner Cressida Dick, who is battling a surge in violent crime, has seen more than 600million taken from her budget. Downing Street insisted plans for a customs 'partnership' with the EU are not dead today despite Boris Johnson condemning them as 'crazy'. The Foreign Secretary brought the bitter Cabinet row crashing into the open with a dramatic intervention in which he warned that the proposal would create 'a whole new web of bureaucracy'. The outspoken attack, in an interview with the Daily Mail, raises the prospect that Mr Johnson could quit if Mrs May does not drop the idea. But the issue of Brexit was not raised at all at a Cabinet meeting today. The PM's spokesman said officials were currently working as a 'priority' on the customs union idea and the 'Maximum Facilitation' option favoured by Brexiteers. The spokesman pointed out that Mr Johnson had previously signed up, along with the rest of the Cabinet, to considering both options. Theresa May (pictured arriving at Downing Street with husband Philip this morning) is fighting to save her proposals for a customs partnership with the EU Boris Johnson attended Cabinet today after savaging Theresa May's post-Brexit trade plans Asked whether Mrs May had urged ministers to carry out their discussions in private, the spokesman said: 'Not in Cabinet, no.' No10 said the PM still had 'full confidence' in the Foreign Secretary. Cabinet sources confirmed that the issue of Brexit had not been mentioned at all at the session this morning. Amid mounting pressure on Mrs May to find a way through the impasse, leading Tory Eurosceptic Jacob Rees-Mogg said Mr Johnson had 'hit the nail on the head' - and also suggested Britain would be much more 'aggressive' in negotiations with Brussels he was PM. But there was a backlash from Tory Remainers, who raged that Mr Johnson's stance was 'disgraceful' and he must 'wake up to reality'. Brexiteers fear No10 wants to 'rebadge' the customs partnership blueprint and force it through despite heavy criticism from a powerful Cabinet subcommittee last week. But Mrs May has pushed the 'War Cabinet' showdown back from this Thursday to next week as she struggles to find a compromise solution. Under the partnership concept, officials would track shipments into the UK and collect tariffs for Brussels on goods ending up in the EU. However, in his interview Mr Johnson said that would simply lead to more red tape. 'It's totally untried and would make it very, very difficult to do free trade deals,' he added. 'If you have the new customs partnership, you have a crazy system whereby you end up collecting the tariffs on behalf of the EU at the UK frontier. 'If the EU decides to impose punitive tariffs on something the UK wants to bring in cheaply there's nothing you can do. 'That's not taking back control of your trade policy, it's not taking back control of your laws, it's not taking back control of your borders and it's actually not taking back control of your money either, because tariffs would get paid centrally back to Brussels.' Business Secretary Greg Clark, pictured left in Downing Street today, has been pushing for a softer Brexit. David Davis (right) was also at the Cabinet meeting today - although the future of trade with the EU is not formally on the agenda Greg Clark, the pro-Remain Business Secretary, insisted on Sunday that the partnership idea was far from dead and warned thousands of car industry jobs could go if Britain did not stay in some form of customs union. Within minutes of Mr Clark talking up the plan, the pro-EU CBI and the British Chambers of Commerce issued statements backing his position. But Mr Johnson said: 'Colleagues in Cabinet have different concerns about different aspects of the argument and it's entirely right that they should make their points. 'But we should be looking at the opportunities and thinking confidently about the UK and believing what we can do rather than succumbing to a sort of Project Fear mark 2,3,4,5,6.' The PM's spokesman told reporters today: 'There are two customs models that were put forward by the Government last August and most recently outined in the Prime Minister's Mansion House speech which the entire Cabinet was signed up to. 'Following last week's sub-committee meeting, it was agreed that there are unresolved issues in relation to both models and that further work is needed. 'The Prime Minister asked officials to take forward that work as a priority.' Mr Rees-Mogg raised the temperature further by suggesting Mr Johnson would take a 'more aggressive' approach to Brexit if he became PM - although he claimed there was 'no desire' to replace Mrs May. Leading Tory Eurosceptic Jacob Rees-Mogg (pictured with some of his children at a fair in his East Somerset constituency yesterday) said Britain would be much more 'aggressive' in negotiations with Brussels if Mr Johnson was PM Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt and Commons Leader Andrea Leadsom strolled up Downing Street in the sunshine today 'The EU knows if they don't support and help Theresa May to get a deal, there is the risk of having somebody much, much more aggressive, which they don't want,' Rees-Mogg told the Telegraph. 'I think that's helping her. By being a Remainer, by being moderate, by being courteous, she is doing a highly competent job in negotiations. I don't think they would like to have Boris Johnson, do you? That's a strength of her position. Banging the table doesn't always get results.' Fellow Brexiteer Bernard Jenkin said the partnership idea amounted to 'self-deception'. WILL WOBBLY WILLIAMSON CHANGE SIDES? The Defence Secretary could be persuaded to change sides and back amended plans by Theresa May for a customs partnership with the EU after Brexit, sources said. They said if the Prime Minister comes back to the table with a tweaked model, Gavin Williamson will look at the options and then decide. He is not firmly on either side, sources told the Mail. But last night those close to him said they would not be drawn on what position he would take. They simply said he would do what is in the 'best interests of the country'. The customs partnership, backed by Mrs May, was rejected by the Brexit 'war' cabinet last week in a knife edge 6-5 vote. Mr Williamson and Home Secretary Sajid Javid both opposed the partnership. Mrs May has been repeatedly urged by Brexiteers to abandon the partnership option, which critics said would keep the UK tied to EU rules. But there are claims she is planning to make a fresh attempt to push the controversial plan for post-Brexit customs ties with Brussels. She is expected to present a 'tweaked and rebadged' version of the same proposal at a fresh meeting on Thursday, and will urge ministers to fall in line behind the proposals. Eurosceptic ministers fear that Mr Williamson, who voted Remain but who has switched to the Eurosceptic camp, could be 'peeled off' by Mrs May, according to the FT. A spokesman for Mr Javid declined to comment on whether he could change sides. Advertisement 'I think the Prime Minister is very anxious to try to bring the whole party together around some kind of compromise proposal and the argument is going on about this. I think in the end she will have to drop it because it will prove unworkable,' he told BBC Radio 4's Today programme. 'I think it is a bit of an act of self-deception to say that we are leaving the customs union but we are still going to apply the common external tariff to all the imports coming in from the EU.' But Tory former minister Baroness Altmann said the intervention by Mr Johnson was 'disgraceful' and the UK needed to 'wake up to reality'. 'We need to stay in CU and EEA to ensure future success,' she wrote on Twitter. Conservative former attorney general Dominic Grieve said Mr Johnson's decision to speak out was 'regrettable', but said he could understand why Mrs May was willing to put up with his 'outbursts'. Mr Grieve told BBC Radio 4's World At One: 'I have an old-fashioned view of what Cabinet responsibility entails, which is that the discussions within Government on any given matter are confidential until the time is reached that the Government has a collective decision. 'At that stage, if you don't like the collective decision you have to resign. 'I don't think he is in any way inhibited by normal propriety in government. 'I can well understand that seeing the difficult issues that we are having to confront, which are very divisive, the Prime Minister should accept these rather extraordinary bursts of misbehaviour by Boris.' Mr Johnson made his comments in an interview with the Daily Mail during a two-day visit to Washington DC. He hailed the 'massive opportunity' of a US trade deal and said a 'rich and deep' agreement could be reached only after a clean break from the EU. 'You can't do that if you remain locked in the lunar pull of Brussels, the tractor beam of Brussels,' he said. 'There's a discussion going on, and we haven't resolved this, but some of the ideas would make it very difficult for us to do meaningful free trade deals.' On Northern Ireland he said that if Britain chose to change its laws on imported goods or foods as is often required under trade deals that would inevitably mean checks at the border. 'It only solves the Northern Ireland border question if you force companies to prove that an imported tariff-reduced good has been consumed in the UK and if you insist on complete regulatory alignment with the EU rule book,' he said. 'Otherwise if Britain chose to vary its laws in any way at all on goods and agrifood, then logically you would need checks at the border.' The Foreign Secretary warned against being locked into the EU's structures: 'That's not what the Americans want to see, what they want to see, like all our friends, is a confident free-trading Britain able to do its own deals.' A senior White House source said last night that Donald Trump was determined to do a 'great' trade deal with Britain. The source also said the US President was looking forward to coming to the UK in July but signalled some nervousness about possible protests. 'The President is keen for Britain to get out of the EU so we can get on with doing a great trade deal. He's surprised it's taking so long,' the source said. 'He is looking forward to coming over and he wants people to be positive about that.' Mr Johnson warned that opponents of Mr Trump's visit risked damaging the economy. 'Overwhelmingly the people of the United Kingdom will want to hear from the President of the United States,' he said. 'America is our number one export market. Trade with America is worth $100billion a year. 'There are a million people in the US employed in British firms just as there are a million people in the UK employed in American firms.' In January Mr Trump repeated his determination to secure a USUK trade deal, saying: 'As you know you are somewhat restricted because of Brexit, but when that restriction is up we're going to be your great trading partner.' Mr Johnson has made a series of pointed and carefully-timed interventions in the Brexit debate since entering government, often to the dismay of Downing Street. In September last year before a major speech by Theresa May in Florence he wrote a 4,000-word 'Brexit manifesto' that prompted accusations of backseat driving. What are the options on the table for a customs deal with the EU? With time ticking away on the Brexit negotiations, the Cabinet is still at daggers drawn on the shape for future trade relations with the EU. The government has set out two potential options for a customs system after the UK leaves the bloc. But despite a series of tense showdowns at Theresa May's Brexit 'War Cabinet' ministers continue to be deadlocked over what to do. Meanwhile, Brussels has dismissed both the ideas - and warned that negotiations could stall altogether unless there is progress by a key summit next month. Despite a series of tense showdowns at Theresa May's 'War Cabinet' (pictured in February) ministers continue to be deadlocked over what to do OPTION 1 - CUSTOMS PARTNERSHIP Under the so-called 'hybrid model', the UK would collect EU import tariffs on behalf of Brussels. Britain would be responsible for tracking the origin and final destination of goods coming into the country from outside the EU. The government would also have to ensure all products meet the bloc's standards. Firms selling directly into the UK market would pay the tariff levels set by Brussels - but would then get a rebate if Britain's tariffs are lower. Supporters of the hybrid plan in Cabinet - including Theresa May, Philip Hammond and Greg Clark - say keeping duties aligned up front would avoid the need for physical customs borders between the UK and EU. As a result it could solve the thorny issue over creating a hard border between Northern Ireland and the Republic. Mrs May has been advised by the chief whip that the hybrid option could be the only way of securing a majority in parliament for a Brexit deal. But Brexiteers regard the proposal as unworkable and cumbersome - and they were joined by Sajid Javid and Gavin Williamson in criticising it at a tense 'War Cabinet' meeting last week. There are fears the experimental system will either collapse and cause chaos, or prevent the UK from being able to negotiate free trade deals around the world after Brexit. Mrs May has instructed official to go away and revise the ideas. Eurosceptics are braced for her to bring back the plan with only 'cosmetic' changes, and try to 'peel off' Mr Javid and Mr Williamson from the core group of Brexiteers. They are also ready for Mrs May to attempt to bypass the 'War Cabinet' altogether and put the issue before the whole Cabinet - where she has more allies. OPTION 2 - MAXIMUM FACILITATION Boris Johnson (left) and Liam Fox have been pushing for the 'Max Fac' customs option The 'Max Fac' option accepts that there will be greater friction at Britain's borders with the EU. But it would aim to minimise the issues using technology and mutual recognition. Goods could be electronically tracked and pre-cleared by tax authorities on each side. Shipping firms could also be given 'trusted trader' status so they can move goods freely, and only pay tariffs when they are delivered to the destination country. Companies would also be trusted to ensure they were meeting the relevant UK and EU standards on products. Senior ministers such as Boris Johnson, Michael Gove and Liam Fox believe this is the only workable option. But Remain minded Tories such as Mr Clark insist it will harm trade and cost jobs in the UK. They also warn that it will require more physical infrastructure on the Irish border - potentially breaching the Good Friday Agreement. It is far from clear whether the government would be able to force anything through parliament that implied a hard border between Northern Ireland and the Republic. The EU has dismissed the idea that 'Max Fac' could prevent checks on the Irish border as 'magical thinking'. WHO'S IN BREXIT WAR CABINET AND WHERE DO THEY STAND? Prime Minister Theresa May Backed Remain, has since insisted she will push through Brexit, leaving the single market and customs union. Cabinet Office Minister David Lidington A strong Remainer during the referendum campaign, recently made clear he has not changed his mind about it being better if the country had chosen to stay in the bloc. Chancellor Philip Hammond Seen as one of the main advocates of 'soft' Brexit in the Cabinet. Has been accused of trying to keep the UK tied to key parts of the customs union for years after the transition ends. Home Secretary Sajid Javid Brought in to replace Amber Rudd after she resigned amid the Windrush scandal, Mr Javid was seen as a reluctant Remainer in the referendum. Many thought the former high-flying banker would plump for the Leave campaign, but he eventually claimed to have been won over by the economic case. He is likely to focus be guided by evidence about trade calculations in discussions over how closely aligned the UK should be with the EU. Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson The Brexit champion in the Cabinet, has been agitating for a more robust approach and previously played down the problems of leaving with no deal. He is unhappy with plans for a tight customs arrangement with Brussels - warning that it could effectively mean being lashed to the EU indefinitely. Environment Secretary Michael Gove Has buried the hatchet with Mr Johnson after brutally ending his Tory leadership campaign in the wake of David Cameron's resignation. Thought to be less concerned with short term concessions that Mr Johnson, but focused on ensuring the UK is free from Brussels rules in the longer term. Brexit Secretary David Davis A long-time Eurosceptic and veteran of the 1990s Maastricht battles, brought back by Mrs May in 2016 to oversee the day-to-day negotiations. He has said the government will be seeking a 'Canada plus plus plus' deal from the EU. International Trade Secretary Liam Fox Another Brexiteer, his red lines are about the UK's ability to strike trade deals with the rest of the world, and escaping Brussels red tape. Business Secretary Greg Clark On the softer Brexit side of the Cabinet, Mr Clark has supported Mr Hammond's efforts to maintain close links with the customs union. Defence Secretary Gavin Williamson A close ally of the Prime Minister and viewed by some as her anointed successor. He is believed to be siding with the Brexiteers on customs arrangements and the need for Britain to be able to diverge from EU rules. Northern Ireland Secretary Karen Bradley Supported Remain but a relatively unknown quantity on the shape of a deal. Replaced James Brokenshire, another May loyalist, after he resigned on health grounds last month. Advertisement What are the options for the border between Northern Ireland and the Republic after Brexit? Theresa May and Jean-Claude Juncker agreed the outline of a divorce deal in December Theresa May and the EU effectively fudged the Irish border issue in the Brexit divorce deal before Christmas. But the commitments to leave the EU customs union, keep a soft border, and avoid divisions within the UK were always going to need reconciling at some stage. Currently 110million journeys take place across the border every year. All sides in the negotiations insist they want to avoid a hard border between Northern Ireland and the Republic, but their ideas for how the issues should be solved are very different. If they fail to strike a deal it could mean a hard border on the island - which could potentially put the Good Friday Agreement at risk. The agreement - struck in 1998 after years of tense negotiations and a series of failed ceasefires - brought to an end decades of the Troubles. More than 3,500 people died in the 'low level war' that saw British Army checkpoints manning the border between Northern Ireland and Ireland. Both London and Dublin fear reinstalling a hard border - whether by checkpoints or other means - would raise tensions and provoke a renewal of extremism or even violence if people and goods were not able to freely cross. The DUP - which opposed the Good Friday Agreement - is determined to maintain Northern Ireland inside the UK at all costs, while also insisting it wants an open border. The UK blueprint: The PM has made clear her favoured outcome for Brexit is a deep free trade deal with the EU. The UK side iniset out two options for how the border could look. One would see a highly streamlined customs arrangement, using a combination of technology and goodwill to minimise the checks on trade. There would be no entry or exit declarations for goods at the border, while 'advanced' IT and trusted trader schemes would remove the need for vehicles to be stopped. Boris Johnson has suggested that a slightly 'harder' border might be acceptable, as long as it was invisible and did not inhibit flow of people and goods. However, critics say that cameras to read number plates would constitute physical infrastructure and be unacceptable. The second option has been described as a customs partnership, which would see the UK collect tariffs on behalf of the EU - along with its own tariffs for goods heading into the wider British market. However, this option has been causing deep disquiet among Brexiteers who regard it as experimental. They fear it could become indistinguishable from actual membership of the customs union, and might collapse. Brussels has dismissed both options as 'Narnia' - insisting no-one has shown how they can work with the UK outside an EU customs union. The EU blueprint: The divorce deal set out a 'fallback' option under which the UK would maintain 'full alignment' with enough rules of the customs union and single market to prevent a hard border and protect the Good Friday Agreement. The inclusion of this clause, at the demand of Ireland, almost wrecked the deal until Mrs May added a commitment that there would also be full alignment between Northern Ireland and the rest of the UK. But the EU has now translated this option into a legal text - and hardened it further to make clear Northern Ireland would be fully within the EU customs union. Mrs May says no Prime Minister could ever agree to such terms, as they would undermine the constitutional integrity of the UK. A hard border: Neither side wants a hard border between Northern Ireland and the Republic. But they appear to be locked in a cyclical dispute, with each adamant the other's solutions are impossible to accept. If there is no deal and the UK and EU reverts to basic World Trade Organisation (WTO) relationship, theoretically there would need to be physical border posts with customs checks on vehicles and goods. That could prove catastrophic for the Good Friday Agreement, with fears terrorists would resurface and the cycle of violence escalate. Many Brexiteers have suggested Britain could simply refuse to erect a hard border - and dare the EU to put up their own fences. Advertisement Brussels can't bear to see us succeed: Commentary by Iain Duncan Smith Business Secretary Greg Clark, who told the BBC that the customs partnership remained on the table At the EU referendum almost two years ago, the British people heroically saw through Project Fear. In their determination to embrace national independence, they refused to be intimidated by the deceitful scaremongering about our supposedly apocalyptic future after Brexit. Yet the Establishment has never accepted the democratic verdict of the electorate. Unable to imagine life without the EU's rule, devoid of any real faith in Britain's capabilities, key elements of the political class have embarked on a systematic campaign to obstruct and emasculate Brexit. That relentless hostility shone through most recently in debates in the House of Lords, where unelected, unaccountable peers lined up to sneer at the public's wish for national freedom. Too much of this spirit of fearfulness and surrender has infused our side in the negotiations with the EU over withdrawal, leading to a catalogue of concessions in return for little. In the same vein, the Civil Service, those past masters at delay, keep pushing for an ever longer transition period in the hope that institutional inertia may ultimately thwart Britain's departure. Now the Establishment is refusing to let go of its new weapon: the customs union. Over the weekend, Business Secretary Greg Clark told the BBC that the Theresa May's proposed new customs partnership a fudged version of the customs union that was rejected by her Brexit cabinet only last week remained on the table. An arrangement of this kind is necessary, he declared, otherwise the British economy will suffer and trade will shrink. Gazing into his crystal ball, Clark specifically warned that 3,500 car jobs at Toyota could be at risk without the customs deal. Whether intentional or not, these comments echo the same old soundtrack of alarm that always accompanies calls for submission to Brussels. But Project Fear did not work in 2016 and it will not work now. That is partly because, as has been well-rehearsed in recent days, the new customs partnership would create a bureaucratic nightmare, hurt our economic prospects, hit our global trade and undermine our democracy. The jewel in the crown of Brexit will be the ability to reach our own trade deals around the world, particularly with the fast developing nations of Asia something that Brussels simply cannot stomach. In their efforts to hype concerns about Brexit and be as obstructive as possible, EU officials, Dublin and the pro-EU brigade here talk endlessly about the difficulty of the Irish border. In reality, the 'Irish question' has been cynically seized upon and 'weaponised' by fearmongering Remainers who hope to cajole us into staying put. No one actually wants a hard border. As John Thompson, the head of the HMRC, has made clear, with goodwill and imagination, the problem is easily resolvable, especially since Britain and Ireland have operated a common travel area since 1923. Indeed, the whole question of a customs arrangement with the EU has been grossly exaggerated by the Remain lobby. Only about 12 per cent of Britain's GDP involves exports to the EU, while just 8 per cent of British companies trade with EU. Most of our economy is based on the domestic market, which suffers from Brussels' protectionist policies that push up prices and increase burdens on businesses. Freed from the dead hand of Brussels, consumer costs especially of food will fall and enterprise will flourish. It is absurd to cling to the idea, eagerly peddled by the anti-Brexiteers, that the EU is some kind of engine of economic growth. Just the opposite is true. EU officialdom is the enemy of jobs and innovation, as is reflected in its cripplingly high rates of unemployment, especially among young people, in EU countries like Spain and Greece. And EU-led stagnation is bound to worsen in the coming years, as Brussels presses ahead with its cherished ideological project of further political integration. That will mean more taxation in the name of harmonisation, more regulation, more centralised governance, more streams of directives. Britain will have to be part of that if we end up in a customs union. Brexit gives us the chance to break free from the continuing destruction of our sovereignty. That is what the British public recognised in 2016. Tragically, however, the Establishment, reflected in its doom-mongering asides, remains mired in timid defeatism, reluctant either to challenge the EU or contemplate change. Cops said the intruder cased the home by following and talking to his daughter The 28-year-old suspect is believed to have wanted to rob the man's home The body of Jeremy D. Safran, 66, was found in his home in Prospect Park South A world famous psychology professor was beaten to death with a hammer in the basement of his own home by a burglar. Police discovered the body of married father-of-three Jeremy D. Safran, 66, lying on the floor of his home in Prospect Park South, Brooklyn, at around 6pm on Monday night. Then they found a blood-covered man they believe to be the burglar hiding in the closet, police sources said. The 28-year-old suspect, who has not been named, is believed to have followed Safrans daughter to the property, where he briefly spoke to her in an apparent effort to case the home, sources said. Police discovered the body of Jeremy D. Safran, 66, (above) lying on the floor of his home in Prospect Park South, Brooklyn, at around 6pm on Monday night. He was beaten to death with a hammer during a botched burglary Police found his body at his Brooklyn home (pictured) moments before they discovered a blood-soaked man hiding in a closet The 28-year-old suspect, who has not been named, is seen being led away from the home Property websites say the home is worth $2,242,180. A neighbor later spotted him break in and called the daughter after hearing the sound of screaming coming from the basement. 'I saw him this morning when he was coming out of the car like he was coming from the supermarket,' said neighbor Jillian Daniels. 'It's shocking because we've been here for 24 years. ... You become so complacent you don't think about something like this.' 'It's appalling,' another witness said at the scene. 'It's a lovely looking neighborhood and it's a great place to live. The suspect's car is seen parked outside the property. Sources said he followed Safrans daughter to the property, where he briefly spoke to her in an apparent effort to case the home 'But this is New York City and you just can't drop your guard.' Neighbor Font Ravi Kisson told Pix 11: 'Violent, very violent. So that scares the hell out of me. ... We walk up and down here ever single night.' The 28-year-old suspect was later taken into police custody for questioning. Dr Safran served as a professor of Psychology at the New School for Social Research in New York where he worked for many years as Director of Clinical Training. He was also a faculty member at New York University's Postdoctoral Program in Psychoanalysis - and made vital contributions to the field of Emotion-Focused Therapy. The New School released a statement saying staff and students were 'shocked and saddened' by the news. It read: 'An internationally renowned psychotherapist, Jeremy was deeply respected and admired by The New School community and his colleagues throughout the psychology profession for his work on psychoanalytic theory and practice, as well as research on psychotherapy processes and outcomes. 'We offer our deepest condolences to his family and will be offering support to his many friends and colleagues throughout the university community in the days ahead.' ABC captured footage of the suspect being led away by cops. He was arrested and taken to a NYPD precinct in Brooklyn. Safran is seen posing at an event in Turkey in 2015. He served as a professor of Psychology at the New School for Social Research in New York where he worked for many years as Director of Clinical Training Police said they believed the 28-year old man had been intending to burgle the professor's home A neighbour was said to have spotted the man break-in and called his daughter when they heard screaming from the basement Safran is seen petting one of his dogs in an Instagram picture taken by one of his daughters The NYPD was seen towing the suspect's car, with Ohio plates, from the precinct A government-run zoo in the Philippines has been accused of animal cruelty after visitors found them keeping a blind lioness in a tiny, squalid cage. Lyka the lion has been written off as a 'breeding mistake' by the zoo, after going blind as a result of a congenital eye problem. The five-year-old lioness is now living out her life in a filthy, 3ft-wide rusty enclosure the Maasin Zoo in Iloilo, southern Philippines. Animal cruelty: Lyka the lion is being kept in this small, squalid rusty cage at the government-run Maasin Zoo in Iloilo, southern Philippines A holidaymaker who went to the zoo said she was heartbroken when she saw the plight of Lyka and is urging animal welfare groups to step in. The woman, who wished to remain anonymous, said: 'It was heartbreaking. I wanted to cry. Seeing such beautiful animals locked up and clearly suffering was so disheartening. 'The lioness cub's name is Lyka. Her eyesight has gone and now she's completely blind. I felt so sorry for her. She's just five. 'I asked the staff about this and they just said that she was a breeding mistake. She looks so neglected and depressed. 'Lyka's locked up in such a small cage, there's no room for her to do the things she should be doing. ' Heartbreaking: Lyka has been written off as a 'breeding mistake' by the Maasin Zoo, after going blind as a result of a congenital eye problem Holidaymakers were shocked to see the poor lion living in such squalid conditions and with no stimulation bar the sound and smell of visitors walking past her small cage 'It was obvious me to me that the cage was not clean enough. We called out to her and she moved her paw a little bit but apart from that she was still. She looked weak.'' The visitor said that in a cage next to Lyka was a fully-grown lion that also looked to be in a state of ill-health. She added: 'I am sure that anybody who visits that that zoo doesn't come away with a happy feeling. How could they? 'If they do, then they're lying to themselves. I found it to be such a horrible place. Defensive: The zoo said the animals are healthy and are fed and watered properly 'The staff told me that they don't have the funds to improve the zoo, but that's just no excuse. 'If the animals are suffering then they should move them to another place where they're properly cared for.' A spokesman for Maasin Zoo said today that Lyka was 'healthy' and given adequate food and water. They added: 'If there are any problems with the animals they are treated by a vet. 'They are safe and healthy and receive adequate nutrition. Most visitors enjoy their time here.' This is the hilarious moment an excited dog sticks his head out of a car sunroof to try and 'eat the air'. The dog, named Crowley, delighted his owners with the display, which was filmed as they drove in Parkersburg, West Virginia, US. The adorable dog can be seen opening his mouth as wide as he can as the car picks up speed. He continually wobbles back and forth as he tries to bite the sky, while his owners laughs hysterically. The footage starts with Crowley sticking his head out of the sunroof, shaking it passionately. After trying and unsurprisingly failing to eat the air, the dog pauses for a moment, seemingly confused by what is happening. Hilarious dog Crowley enthusiastically sticks his head out of a sunroof, seeming like he is trying to eat the air However, after a few seconds he tries again, flapping his jaw and attacking the air with even more gusto. The dog gives up shortly after, sliding back into the car amid shrieks of laughter. But you can't keep a good dog down and he soon resumes his battle with the sky. The camera then pans to the driver of the car who is laughing hysterically and leaning on the steering wheel. Unfortunately for Crowley, this is one battle he probably won't win. A two-year-old girl has been rescued after falling 1.2m (3.9ft) through the platform gap at a railway station in China. The toddler reportedly lost her footing and slipped through the gap while boarding the carriage with her mother on Friday. She was saved after a station worker squeezed himself through the gap to reach her. Passengers kneeling over and reaching into the narrow space, where the two-year-old toddler was seen crying after she slipped through the gap between the train and the platform The G107 high-speed train from Beijing to Shanghai was making a stop at Zaozhuang Railway Station in Shandong province when the incident occurred, reported Xinhua news. Dramatic video footage shows the mother and other passengers kneeling over and reaching into the narrow space, where the toddler was seen looking up and crying. Station workers and bystanders tried to lower belts and other items to reach the girl, but they were not long enough. One uniformed station worker then decided to squeeze through the gap to rescue the toddler. 'Slowly, slowly... Be careful!' Onlookers were heard saying. The station worker was heard calling to the girl: 'Don't be afraid, just give me your hand.' Once he got underneath the train, he then lifted the toddler up to her mother right away, who was waiting anxiously. A uniformed staff member lowers himself to reach the girl that was stuck underneath the train The toddler was rescued in about four minutes and did not suffer any injuries, according to another station worker who witnessed the dramatic rescue. He told Xinhua news in another video that the mother was carrying a lot of luggage when she was boarding the train. 'When they boarded the train, the mother had a piece of large luggage, a purse and another case,' the staff worker said. 'She was holding the luggage in one hand and her daughter in the other. 'When they boarded the train, the girl slipped into the gap and her mother wasn't able to pull her up.' 'The girl was a little shocked,' he said. 'Fortunately, she wasn't hurt.' After a minor delay, the high-speed train left the station with the mother and daughter on board. Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho has reached an out-of-court agreement with Spanish prosecutors over an alleged 2.9million tax fraud, it has been reported. The former Real Madrid boss is said to have admitted two charges of tax fraud and agreed to pay a 703,000 fine. Prosecution sources said the agreement had been 'sealed' and would be formalised in the next few weeks, according to the Spanish newspaper El Mundo. Mourinho claimed it was 'case closed' after he appeared before an investigating judge in Madrid last November and he had paid all his taxes - but court officials confirmed afterwards he was still being probed. Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho (pictured) has reached an out-of-court agreement with Spanish prosecutors over an alleged 2.9million tax fraud, it has been reported There was no immediate official comment early this morning from prosecutors, who are now expected to withdraw their complaint against Mourinho, or court officials. Mourinho's tax affairs were placed under new scrutiny just under a year ago. Prosecutors alleged Mourinho owed the Spanish state almost 2.9 million in undeclared revenue relating to image rights in 2011 and 2012. The allegations involved claims false information was given to Spain's Tax Agency during a 2015 probe, prompting prosecutors to reopen a case that had been archived after Mourinho paid a six-figure fine. Mourinho was summonsed to court following revelations by the European Investigative Collaborations (EIC) Consortium which includes Spanish newspaper El Mundo, German newspaper Der Spiegel and the Sunday Times. One of the claims is that the Spanish taxman was supplied with fictitious expenses to make it appear an offshore shell company Mourinho benefitted from was functioning as an active firm. Mourinho claimed it was 'case closed' after he appeared before an investigating judge in Madrid last November and he had paid all his taxes - but court officials confirmed afterwards he was still being probed. He is pictured outside the Courthouse in Pozuelo de Alarcon on November 3 The 55-year-old played down any suggestion of wrongdoing after a brief behind-closed-doors hearing at Pozuelo de Alarcon Court of Investigation number four where an investigating judge has led the criminal probe against him. He insisted he had left Spain four years earlier with the 'information and conviction his tax situation was perfectly legal' and regularised his situation a couple of years later after he was told to pay more cash following a tax probe. He told reporters: 'I answered, I didn't contest it, I paid and I signed an official agreement with the state under which everything was definitively closed. 'That's why I've been here five minutes today to say to the judge exactly what I'm telling you.' His claims led to inaccurate reports at the time he had resolved his tax problems. A court source confirmed last November after the hearing the criminal investigation would continue, revealing Mourinho had only answered the questions of his lawyer during his court quiz and not those of the other lawyers present including the state prosecutor. A spokeswoman for Jorge Mendes' company Gestifute, which represents Mourinho, said: 'No comment will be made.' Donald Trump is expected to pull out of the nuclear deal with Iran, ignoring last-ditch pleas by his European allies. The President has consistently threatened to pull out of the 2015 agreement because it does not address Iran's ballistic missile program or its role in wars in Syria and Yemen, and does not permanently prevent Tehran from developing nuclear weapons. He has unsuccessfully demanded changes to the Obama-era deal - which he has described as 'insane - whereby Iran mothballed its suspected nuclear weapons program in return for massive sanctions relief. Donald Trump has been a fierce critic of the nuclear deal with Iran and now looks poised to tear it up The President tweeted that he is due to make his decision later today Months of intensive talks between the United States and European allies now appear deadlocked, with Berlin, London and Paris refusing to rewrite the agreement. The president tweeted he would announce his decision at 2:00 pm even as British foreign secretary Boris Johnson shuttled around Washington to reach a last-gasp breakthrough. One European diplomat echoed the mood around foreign embassies in Washington, saying 'there is plainly a difference of opinion,' acknowledging Trump seems poised to walk away. Concretely, the US president will now to decide whether to continue to waive sanctions on Iran's central bank and its oil sector dealings, a key pillar of the agreement. 'It's pretty obvious to me that unless something changes in the next few days, I believe the president will not waive the sanctions,' the European official said. Boris Johnson, pictured with US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, has pleaded with President Trump to stick with the deal 'I would like to pretend to you today that I feel that there is a chance of the existing (deal) remaining intact,' the official said. 'I think that that chance may exist but it is very small.' Appearing on the Fox & Friends programme today - known to be Mr Trump's favourite news show - Mr Johnson said the president had a 'legitimate point' that the pact was not perfect. But he appealed for the US not to throw the 'baby out with the bathwater' by ditching the arrangements altogether. 'If you do that you have to answer the question what next? What if the Iranians do rush for a nuclear weapon?' he said. 'Are we seriously saying that we are going to bomb those facilities at Fordo and Natanz? 'Is that really a realistic possibility? Or do we work round what we have got and push back on Iran together?' Mr Johnson added: 'Plan B does not seem to me to be particularly well-developed at this stage.' Iran's President Hassan Rouhani has said his country will not be worried by 'America's cruel decisions' and remains committed to the deal Meanwhile, Iran's president Hassan Rouhani warned the country could face 'some problems' ahead of President decision. Without directly naming Trump, Rouhani's remarks at a petroleum conference in Tehran represented the first official Iranian comment on the U.S. president's overnight tweet that he'd make an announcement on the deal Tuesday. Iran nuclear deal - what happens next? Trump's withdrawal from the nuclear deal abruptly restores harsh sanctions on Iran, an any companies which trades with it, meaning major companies in the U.S. and Europe could be hurt, too. The sanctions seek to punish Iran for its nuclear program by limiting its ability to sell oil or do business overseas, affecting a wide range of Iranian economic sectors and individuals. Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said that licenses held by Boeing and its European competitor Airbus to sell billions of dollars in commercial jetliners to Iran will be revoked. New rules: US President Donald Trump, seen here shaking hands with National Security Advisor John Bolton, will impose sanctions on Iran, and companies doing business with Iran, immediately Certain exemptions are to be negotiated, but Mnuchin refused to discuss what products might qualify. He said the sanctions will sharply curtail sales of oil by Iran, which is currently the world's fifth largest oil producer. Mnuchin said he didn't expect oil prices to rise sharply, forecasting that other producers will step up production. The White House administration said it would re-impose sanctions on Iran immediately but allow grace periods for businesses to wind down activity. Companies and banks doing business with Iran will have to scramble to extricate themselves or run afoul of the U.S. government. In Iran, many are deeply concerned about how Trump's decision could affect the already struggling economy. In Tehran, Rouhani sought to calm nerves, smiling as he appeared at a petroleum expo. He didn't name Trump directly, but emphasized that Iran continued to seek 'engagement with the world.' Advertisement 'It is possible that we will face some problems for two or three months, but we will pass through this,' Rouhani said. Rouhani also stressed Iran wants to keep 'working with the world and constructive engagement with the world.' Rouhani said the Islamic Republic had been preparing for every possible scenario, including a deal without Washington - which would still include the other signatories that remain committed to it - or no deal at all. 'We are not worried about America's cruel decisions. We are prepared for all scenarios and no change will occur in our lives next week,' Rouhani said in a speech broadcast live on state TV. 'If we can get what we want from a deal without America, then Iran will continue to remain committed to the deal. 'What Iran wants is our interests to be guaranteed by its non-American signatories. In that case, getting rid of America's mischievous presence will be fine for Iran.' Advertisement Catholics have vented their fury at last night's 'disrespectful' and 'blasphemous' Met Gala theme, which encouraged celebrities to wear outfits inspired by Christianity. The annual fundraising fete in New York brings out Hollywood's elite to celebrate the spring exhibit at the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Costume Institute, with this year's titled: 'Heavenly Bodies: Fashion and the Catholic Imagination.' Pop star Rihanna created the biggest stir, attending in a short skirt, robe and mitre-like hat reminiscent of the Pope's headgear. Katy Perry - who met Pope Francis on April 28 - also drew a lot of attention by coming dressed as an angel, complete with huge feathered wings. Social media users were up in arms over some of the more outrageous outfits - with some saying they had been left 'upset and distraught' over the choice of theme. Pop star Rihanna (left) created the biggest stir, attending in a short skirt, robe and mitre-like hat reminiscent of the Pope's headgear. Katy Perry (right) - who met Pope Francis on April 28 - also drew a lot of attention by coming dressed as an angel, complete with huge feathered wings Inspiration: Rihanna's hat was a fashion take on a mitre, a hat known as the traditional head-dress of bishops and abbots in Christianity. Mitres are worn in the Roman Catholic Church, Orthodox Church, Lutheran churches, Anglican Communion and other denominations Katy Perry knelt as she posed for photographers while wearing her elaborate outfit, which came with feathered wings and golden boots Katy Perry (and Orlando Bloom) met with Pope Francis at a Vatican conference in Rome on April 28 - just over a week before her appearance in angelic attire David wrote: 'I mean, there is a level of blasphemy about this. A devout Christian/Catholic might not want any part of this' Nathalie Joy Ulep appeared to agree, tweeting: 'Am I the only one who sees #MetGala 2018 as blasphemy to Christianity?' Holy Spirit Gals was even more outraged, explaining: 'I am just so upset and distraught at the choice for this year's #MetGala theme. Why is it okay for celebrities to sexualize and disrespect the Catholic Church?' EstherMay tweeted '#MyReligionIsNotYourCostume', adding: 'I think it is totally disgusting. Poor choice of theme, costumes, etc. Disrespect' Though the majority of fans seemed to enjoy the colourful attire on display, a number took to Twitter to express their outrage at what they saw as the disrespectful attitude shown to Catholicism. One, EstherMay, tweeted '#MyReligionIsNotYourCostume', adding: 'I think it is totally disgusting. Poor choice of theme, costumes, etc. Disrespect.' Another, David, wrote: 'I mean, there is a level of blasphemy about this. A devout Christian/Catholic might not want any part of this.' Others users said the event was a clear sign of cultural appropriation, with many comparing it to a controversy resulting from Utah teenager Keziah Daum's Chinese-inspired prom dress. The headline performance featured a cameo from pop-legend Madonna who wore a brown Franciscan habit for her appearance As the performance continued her disciples stripped her of the outer cloak to reveal a racy white dress hidden underneath The singer performed her hit song 'Like a Virgin' for cheering crowds as she well and truly stuck to the theme of the evening Cardinal Timothy Dolan, the Archbishop of New York, (third from left) was in attendance at the star studded event and advocated the use of the Catholic theme in a statement As well as speaking to the press himself at the event - Cardinal Dolan posted the following tweet justifying the use of the Catholic theme British model Cara Delevingne (left), meanwhile, came wearing an all black dress - much of it transparent - with a nun-like veil covering her face. Right: Solange Knowles with a halo Kim Kardashian wowed in a Versace gown; her frock featured Christian crosses along the torso and hips May Rene Joseph wondered if the gala was intended to mock Christianity, adding: 'These outfits are offensive and distasteful to say the least!' Other users said the event was a clear sign of cultural appropriation, with one, Carol, saying she was 'confused' by the imagery Another Twitter user, Bassa King Allen, wondered why the Catholic-themed event had not been highlighted for its supposed cultural appropriation Brieann Waller asked if 'sexualizing saints and popes and cardinals is all ok?'. Many users on Twitter also dismissed the idea that the event could be cultural appropriation Sezzle also expressed confusion about the gala's apparent cultural appropriation. She said said the theme was 'absolutely ludicrous' Jordan Cooper, who describes himself as 'Pastor of Faith Lutheran Church', highlighted what he saw as a double standard in discussion of cultural appropriation Cardinal Timothy Dolan, the Archbishop of New York, gave a statement at the press launch of the star studded show saying he was in attendance to 'thank God for beauty'. Asked why the controversial theme was allowed to be used by the gala, Cardinal Dolan said: 'Because the Church and 'the Catholic imagination,' are all about truth, goodness, and beauty' 'In the 'Catholic imagination,' the truth, goodness, and beauty of God is reflected all over even in fashion. The world is shot through with His glory.' But this didn't seem to satisfy many on Twitter - with several enraged Catholics blasting the collaboration between the Church and the Met Gala as 'blasphemy'. Sarah Jessica Parker wowed in her gold and copper look, which included large sacred hearts all over; she is wearing a Dolce And Gabbana gown. Inside her headdress is what appears to be a nativity scene Nathalie Joy Ulep appeared to agree, tweeting: 'Am I the only one who sees #MetGala 2018 as blasphemy to Christianity?' Holy Spirit Gals was even more outraged, explaining: 'I am just so upset and distraught at the choice for this year's #MetGala theme. Why is it okay for celebrities to sexualize and disrespect the Catholic Church? 'These outfits are not glorifying the faith in any way. No other religion would be made fun of in this way.' But @Ejanecole disagreed, writing: 'Jeez at least the blasphemy looks fabulous. #MetGala.' In Australia, however, an opinion writer said the theme was insensitive because it was a 'celebration of the two things so many find repugnant about the Catholic Church: its ostentatious wealth and its weird relationship with sex and sexuality.' Left: Game of Thrones' Emilia Clarke chose a stunning black and gold dress featuring rococo-style religious imagery. Right: Off White's designer, Virgil Abloh, wearing all-white with a stained-glass window pattern as he stands next to Kendal Jenner Victoria Secret model Stella Maxwell chose an elaborately designed strapless gown, which was adorned with a patchwork of images of the Virgin Mary Lana Del Rey and Jared Leto both sported Gucci on the carpet Monday. Leto appeared to have blended an assortment of Christian attire for his outfit Chadwick Boseman donned a custom Versace - complete with elaborate embroidery - with a full-length cape and Christian crosses The News.com.au piece added: 'If you're a victim of clergy sexual assault who is fighting for compensation from a church that regularly cries poor including the 16,000 Australians who made contact with the Australian Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse seeing a bunch of celebrities prance around in the ostentatious and sexually confused fashions of the Church must feel like a slap in the face.' A victim support lawyer in the country, Ingrid Irwin, said: 'Celebrities should be boycotting this ball and giving all the money it would have cost to survivors.' Despite the controversy surrounding the ball, the Catholic Bishops' Conference of England & Wales said in a statement: 'The exquisite care and attention to detail shown in the works produced for this exhibition reflect the love and desire to give glory to God shown in the beautiful original religious vestments from which they take their inspiration.' The Catholic theme was arranged in coordination with the Vatican as several items from the Pope's historical clothing collection are currently on display in the Met Museum The remarkable collection, on display in the Wintour wing of the museum - shows a variety of Catholic outfits which have been lent to the Met Controversial proposals to give every 25 year-old 10,000 to help them buy a home have been attacked by critics who warn it will create a 'something for nothing' culture. The Resolution Foundation says a 'citizens inheritance' should be created for all young people - no matter how rich they are - to go towards housing, paying back university tuition fees, or caring costs. It says the give-away would be paid for by abolishing inheritance tax and replacing it with a new system in which people start paying the tax at a far lower threshold. The plans also calls for older workers who continue to work past their pension age to pay national insurance for the first time. - raising 2billion for the NHS and care system many of them will rely on. Ballooning house prices have left millennials unable to get on the housing ladder while stagnating wages and insecure jobs have left many worse off than their parents. But critics branded the idea a 'bribe' and warned it is unfair to expect older workers to effectively bankroll a cash give-away to a few lucky millennials. They also warned it could backfire by increasing house prices and discouraging 'silver strivers' who work after retirement age from keeping a job. Millennials welcomed the report - but warned a 10,000 cash injection will still not be enough to get them onto the property ladder in most parts of the country. The average deposit is 20,000 - rising to 80,000 in London. Millennials (the purple line in the graph) have lower home ownership rates than previous generations, including baby boomers (turquoise line) and generation X (yellow line). To tackle the problem, the Resolution Foundation wants a 'citizens inheritance' for all young people - no matter how rich they might be - to help them buy a home The Resolution Foundation's commission said that the proposed 10,000 cash give-away would help transform young people's lives and tackle the problem of young people getting on the housing ladder Tory MP Bim Afolami told MailOnline he does not like either policy. He said: 'They are intellectually interesting but scratch the surface and I don't think they will work. 'If we have a situation where everyone gets 10,000, the things people buy could go up by 10,000 - I am not sure it will have the impact we are hoping for. 'And everyone would get it including people who don't need it - that strikes me as odd.' On the national insurance plan, he added: 'It seems superficially like a good idea, but it might be a deterrent discouraging people from working, which would cost the nation more in the long term.' Kate Andrews, from the Institute of Economic Affairs, a libertarian think-tank, said: 'Why should the salary of a 40 year old person, earning the minimum wage, be redistributed to top-up a 25 year old, earning double or triple the average national income? Critics of the proposal said the hand-outs are not the right approach and accused millennials of whining about their problems Millennials online pointed out that the cash handout will not be enough to make a big difference to their lives Other critics of the scheme said it would only end up pushing up house prices Another Twitter user pointed out that it makes little sense to charge millennials hefty tuition fees at university only to reimburse them later on 'There is nothing progressive about cash transfers that are based on age. This proposal stands in opposition to the fundamental principle of welfare safety nets: that resources are redistributed to those who are most in need.' She added: 'What is essentially a short-term bribe will not distract young people from the barriers to entry they face when trying to transfer into adulthood.' What are the proposals in the Resolution Foundation Commission report? The Resolution Foundation's report into tackling intergenerational unfairness contains a series of proposals. Introduce a 10,000 cash give-away to 25 year-olds This would be paid for by overhauling the inheritance tax system: Currently, individuals can pass on up to 425,000 tax-free. This is made up of a 325,000 standard allowance and up to 100,000, if you leave your home to a direct descendant. Married couples and civil partners can leave 850,000 tax-free between them. If they leave more than this, a 40 per cent tax is levied. But under the proposals, the system would be scrapped. Instead, people would only be able to inherit 125,000 over their lifetime before taxes kicked in. Anything above that would be taxed at 20 per cent up to 500,000 and 30 per cent after that. The commission estimated the move would raise an extra 5 billion initially by curbing avoidance. Increase taxes on silver strivers: Those who choose to work beyond their retirement age will have to pay national insurance contributions on theuir earnings for the first time ever. The cash raised would cover NHS and care costs. Advertisement Nikeh Gray, 29, from London, told The Guardian: ' With no restrictions it would be gone in a month, but with the restrictions, how would it help me? 'Ten thousand pounds is not even enough for a deposit [on buying a house] and I don't want to deal with my pension until I am in my late 30s. 'But if there were no restrictions I would be straight down to Selfridges.' Twitter users also raged against the proposals - saying it amounted to a hand-out. Neil Saunders wrote: 'Yeah, let's create a 'something for nothing' culture. That'll really benefit society. 'If you want to succeed in life, stop whining, stop expecting everyone else to do things for you, get smart and start working.' Phil Roberts said: 'Giving 25 year-olds 10,000 won't even scratch the surface.' David Osland said: 'What's the point of putting young people 50,000 in debt for going to college and then giving them a 10,000 rebate when they reach 25?' Another Twitter user said: 'Conservatives offering 25 year-olds 10,000 towards a house? Landlords up their prices by 10,000. Back to square one.nice.' Baroness Altmann, Tory ex pensions minister, said the plan would be as unpopular with voters as the doomed dementia tax - which was blamed for the Tory Party's election disaster. She said: 'Only about one in 10 pensioners continues working past state pension age and are not all well-off. 'Many older workers keep working because they do not have good pensions and are trying to make ends meet. 'It is wrong to see them as an answer to the care funding shortfall. 'Why should they be targeted to pay for other people's care while non-working pensioners, many of whom have generous, often taxpayer-funded, pensions would pay nothing? 'I hope the Prime Minister will heed the lessons of the last election manifesto, which proved how politically toxic the issue of care funding can be. 'The aim should be to share the burden of care funding, not single out one group to find funding for everyone else.' Under the proposals recommended today, the current inheritance tax system would be scrapped. Currently, everyone can give away up to 325,000 free of inheritance tax, plus up to an extra 100,000 if they leave their home to a direct descendant, such as children or grandchildren. Married couples and civil partners can double the amount they can pass on tax-free between them to 850,000. The own home inheritance tax allowance will rise until it reaches 175,000 per person in 2020, allowing a married couple to potentially pass on 1,000,000 tax-free. But with these proposals, tax would be levied on those getting an inheritance and people would only be able to inherit 125,000 over their lifetime before taxes kicked in. Anything above that would be taxed at 20 per cent up to 500,000 and 30 per cent after that. Research shows that young people today are very pessimistic about the prospects of being able to own their own home and having a secure job The commission estimated the move would raise an extra 5 billion initially by curbing avoidance. The cash raised would go to bankrolling a 10,000 giveaway for 25-year-olds to help them get on the property ladder, pay for education, set up a business and invest in pensions. Executive chairman Lord Willetts, a Conservative former minister, admitted the recommendations in the report were 'not easy or comfortable' but said many no longer believe Britain's young and old are being treated fairly. He said: 'Britain's contract between generations lies at the heart of society. As families we provide for our children and parents at different times. 'We expect the state to support these natural instincts - but too often it is tilted in the opposite direction. 'Many people no longer believe that Britain is delivering on its obligations to young and old. But our commission shows how Britain can rise to this challenge. 'From an NHS levy to put healthcare on a firmer financial footing, to building more homes and a Citizen's Inheritance to boost young people's career and housing aspirations, our report shows how a new contract between generations can build a better and more unified Britain.' The commission was chaired by the peer alongside Frances O'Grady, TUC general secretary, and Carolyn Fairbairn, CBI director-general. It also called for an 'NHS levy' funded by national insurance on the earnings of workers over the state pension age as well as on some occupational pension income. It comes after reports that Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt is considering putting forward proposals echoing the recommendation, a measure. Theresa May (pictured in Downing Street today) was warned that the think-tank's plans would be unpopular with voters Council tax should be abolished and a property tax introduced in its place that would include surcharges on second and empty homes but stamp duty would be halved to encourage people to move, under the report's plan. Ms Fairbairn said: 'The idea that each generation should have a better life than the previous one is central to the pursuit of economic growth. The fact that it has broken down for young people should therefore concern us all. 'We need individuals, businesses and the state to pull together to address this challenge, and lift the living standards of young and future generations.' The commission also makes a series of other recommendations, including improving employment security, a 1 billion 'better jobs deal' to help struggling young people get into work and bolstered rights for renters. It found millennials, people born between 1981 and 2000, are earning the same as those born 15 years before them were at the same age and are only half as likely to own their home by age 30 as baby boomers, born between 1946 and 1965, were. One of Australia's best beaches is fighting for its reputation after local surf lifesavers warned people to stay away. Fingle Rovers Surf Life Saving club, which patrols Dreamtime Beach near Tweed Heads in NSW, has warned people to stay away because it is deadly. The beach was ranked the third best Australian beach in 2018 on the website 101BestBeaches.com. The club has worked with tourist operators to stop promoting the 'dangerous beach', Tweed Daily News reported. One of Australia's best beaches is fighting for its reputation after local surf lifesavers warned people to stay away. Dreamtime beach is pictured Club administrator Mike Crawley told the publication people think it's a 'cool' beach and then end up getting caught in a rip. 'Dreamtime is deadly, we have to say to people that it's a deadly beach, don't swim here,' he said. Five people have drowned at the beach since 2015, including a 22-year-old who jumped off neighbouring rock headland in February. 'We've attached the marketing of Dreamtime being the most beautiful beach in Australia,' Mr Crawley told Tweed Daily News. 'It's been promoted as a special place, so people who are visiting the country and a lot of tourists think it's cool to go for a swim and then get caught in a rip and everything goes wrong very quickly.' Fingle Rovers Surf Life Saving club (pictured) which patrols the beach, has warned people to stay away because it is deadly Five people have drowned at the beach since 2015, including a 22-year-old who jumped off neighbouring rock headland in February The beach is located on a stunning stretch of pristine sand less than 15 minutes from Tweed Heads on the Queensland and New South Wales border. The club has recently been in administration due to 'infighting' over a number of issues, including the marketing of the beach. This has led to the beach being unpatrolled, but the club expects to be operating again by the end of the month. The beach (pictured) is located on a stunning stretch of pristine sand less than 15 minutes from Tweed Heads on the Queensland and New South Wales border Italy may be forced to hold new elections this summer, as bickering political parties have failed to form a ruling coalition after inconclusive elections in March. Italian President Sergio Mattarella has proposed the formation of a 'neutral' government to steer the country until December, but this has been rejected by some of the main parties. Mattarella called on the warring parties to show 'responsibility' and support his as yet unnamed government, without which he said he would convene elections in July or in the autumn. Not getting on: Italian President Sergio Mattarella has proposed that the parties form a 'neutral' government to tie the country over until December, but this has been rejected and Italy is now likely to hold another general election in July 'The parties need to choose, we can't wait any longer,' said Mattarella, speaking to reporters after a third round of consultations failed to break the two-month stalemate. However, the leaders of Italy's largest party - the Five Star Movement (M5S) - and a right-wing coalition led by the nationalist League, which won the most votes in March polls, have both insisted on July elections. 'It's crucial that the vote of the people is respected. So it's either a centre-right government or elections as soon as possible,' said League leader Matteo Salvini after Mattarella spoke. Luigi Di Maio, head of M5S said on Twitter: 'No confidence in a 'neutral' government, which is synonymous with technical government. We should go to the polls in July.' The only major political force to support Mattarella's idea was acting leader of the centre-left Democratic Party (PD), whose acting leader Maurizio Martina echoed 'the president's call for responsibility.' Stubborn: Coalition talks collapsed after Five Star Movement-leader Matteo Salvini repeatedly refused demands that he dump coalition partner Silvio Berlusconi 'We hope that it's heard by all political forces. The PD will not fall short in its support for his initiative,' said Martina. The president outlined an administration that would help Italy maintain its international obligations, including June's European Council meeting, and approve the country's 2019 budget. The government would then dissolve at the end of the year ahead of elections to be held at the start of 2019. Italy has been waiting since the March 4 general election for a new government, as negotiations between the parties have failed to break the deadlock. Talks between the M5S and the right looked to have been smoothed out when the pair struck a deal over the selection of speakers for the upper house Senate and lower house Chamber of Deputies in late March. But they collapsed after Salvini repeatedly refused Di Maio's demand that he dump coalition partner Silvio Berlusconi and agree upon a German-style 'government contract' as an independent party. Last month Mattarella then tried to see if a pact could be made between the M5S, which picked up just under 33 percent of the vote, and the PD, who despite flopping to third place had enough seats to form a majority with Di Maio's party. But that possibility was ruled out on Thursday, when the PD's national leadership voted unanimously not to engage in government talks with the M5S, just days after former prime minister Matteo Renzi refused talks. Renzi still wields huge influence among the PD's MPs and senators, many of whom are hostile to the M5S after it ferociously criticised them when they governed Italy. Chilling threats said that ISIS hackers had infiltrated their phones and laptops The US Army wives who received threatening messages from an 'ISIS CyberCaliphate' were actually the targets of a vile campaign from the same Russian hacking group who attempted to influence the US Presidential election. Hackers proclaiming allegiance to ISIS broke into a Twitter account for a military families' support organization and used it to threaten soldiers' wives back in 2015. 'You think you're safe but the IS [Islamic State] is already here', the hijacked account blasted out to six military wives in succession. '#CyberCaliphate got into your PC and your smartphone.' Scroll down for video These messages were sent to six military wives from a military twitter account that was hacked A group called the Islamic State Hacking Division also posted information about 100 US military members online in 2015 The CyberCaliphate has links to Fancy Bear hacking group who allegedly influenced the US Presidential election In one case, the hackers targeted military wife Angela Ricketts on Facebook - telling her ISIS had broken into both her phone and computer. 'Dear Angela!' the Facebook message read. 'Bloody Valentine's Day!' 'We know everything about you, your husband and your children,' the message continued, claiming that the hackers operating under the flag of Islamic State militants had penetrated her computer and her phone. 'We're much closer than you can even imagine.' Now though, an investigation has revealed that the women were targeted not by jihadists but by the same Russian hacking group that intervened in the American election and exposed the controversial Hillary Clinton emails. Proof that the military wives were targeted by Russian hackers is laid out in a digital hit list compiled by the cybersecurity company Secureworks last year - which traced the attacks not to the Middle East but to Moscow. It shows that the CyberCaliphate group seem to be linked to hacking group Fancy Bear - famous for their disruption of US politics and seeding of false information. ISIS has claimed responsibility for previous online-based attacks on the US military, notably hacking Central Command's Twitter account in January Amy Bushatz (left) was singled out by the hackers, as was Ashley Broadway-Mack (right) Lee Foster, a manager with cybersecurity company FireEye, said the repeated overlap between Russian hackers and CyberCaliphate made it all but certain that the groups were linked. Experts also warned that the group was profiting from the attacks - adding that US media reaction to the threats only helped their cause. Angela Ricketts said that by planting threats with some of the most vocal members of the military community - CyberCaliphate guaranteed maximum press coverage. 'Not only did we play right into their hands by freaking out, but the media played right into it,' she said. 'We reacted in a way that was probably exactly what they were hoping for.' Other previous instances of alleged ISIS hacking have seen the identities of over 100 actively serving soldiers exposed along with messages calling on ISIS 'brothers residing in America' to kill them. 'France, Germany, and the UK regret the U.S. decision to leave Macron said The leaders of the UK, France and Germany have tonight spoken of their regret following US President Donald Trump's decision to torpedo the Iran nuclear deal. Prime Minister Theresa May said in a statement issued on behalf of the three nations 'it is with regret and concern that we ... take note of President Trump's decision to withdraw the United States of America from the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action.' But EU foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini potentially put Europe on a collision course with the US by suggesting the European Union is determined to save the agreement, declaring 'together with the rest of the international community, we will preserve this nuclear deal.' Mogherini said the accord 'is delivering on its goal which is guaranteeing that Iran doesn't develop nuclear weapons,' before making a direct appeal to the Iranian leader to stick to the 2015 agreement. Iranian President Hassan Rouhani meanwhile said his country will remain in the deal, and will instead trade with the other countries which signed it. Although, crucially, it remains unclear whether the US would choose to impose sanctions on countries, or foreign companies who take up Rouhani's offer. The leaders of the UK, France and Germany have tonight spoken of their regret following US President Donald Trump's decision to torpedo the Iran nuclear deal (pictured from left: Prime Minister Theresa May, French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Merkel) In a joint statement from Mrs May, Ms Merkel and Mr Macron following Trump's statement on Iran, the leaders' said: 'Together, we emphasise our continuing commitment to the JCPoA. This agreement remains important for our shared security. 'We recall that the JCPoA was unanimously endorsed by the UN Security Council in resolution 2231. This resolution remains the binding international legal framework for the resolution of the dispute about the Iranian nuclear programme. 'We urge all sides to remain committed to its full implementation and to act in a spirit of responsibility.' US president Donald Trump has fiercely criticised the agreement with Iran, which eased sanctions in exchange for commitments to abandon its nuclear weapons programme Iranian President Hassan Rouhani meanwhile said his country will remain in the deal, and will instead trade with the other countries which signed it Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson spent two days in Washington at the weekend making a last ditch push to save the agreement. Lord William Hague warned quitting the deal would show Kim Jong-Un the US cannot be trusted to 'honour its word'. But the attempt to change his mind failed tonight as Mr Trump told French President Emmanuel Macron he would press ahead. Former Cabinet minister Lord Hague said withdrawing from the agreement would 'broadcast a message that Washington does not honour its word'. Mr Trump has fiercely criticised the deal negotiated under Barack Obama, which eased sanctions on Tehran in exchange for commitments to abandon its nuclear weapons programme. Joint statement from Prime Minister Theresa May, Chancellor Angela Merkel and President Emmanuel Macron following President Trump's statement on Iran It is with regret and concern that we, the Leaders of France, Germany and the United Kingdom take note of President Trump's decision to withdraw the United States of America from the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action. Together, we emphasise our continuing commitment to the JCPoA. This agreement remains important for our shared security. We recall that the JCPoA was unanimously endorsed by the UN Security Council in resolution 2231. This resolution remains the binding international legal framework for the resolution of the dispute about the Iranian nuclear programme. We urge all sides to remain committed to its full implementation and to act in a spirit of responsibility. According to the IAEA, Iran continues to abide by the restrictions set out by the JCPoA, in line with its obligations under the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons. The world is a safer place as a result. Therefore we, the E3, will remain parties to the JCPoA. Our governments remain committed to ensuring the agreement is upheld, and will work with all the remaining parties to the deal to ensure this remains the case including through ensuring the continuing economic benefits to the Iranian people that are linked to the agreement. We urge the US to ensure that the structures of the JCPoA can remain intact, and to avoid taking action which obstructs its full implementation by all other parties to the deal. After engaging with the US Administration in a thorough manner over the past months, we call on the US to do everything possible to preserve the gains for nuclear non-proliferation brought about by the JCPoA, by allowing for a continued enforcement of its main elements. We encourage Iran to show restraint in response to the decision by the US; Iran must continue to meet its own obligations under the deal, cooperating fully and in a timely manner with IAEA inspection requirements. The IAEA must be able to continue to carry out its long-term verification and monitoring programme without restriction or hindrance. In turn, Iran should continue to receive the sanctions relief it is entitled to whilst it remains in compliance with the terms of the deal. There must be no doubt: Iran's nuclear program must always remain peaceful and civilian. While taking the JCPOA as a base, we also agree that other major issues of concern need to be addressed. A long-term framework for Iran's nuclear programme after some of the provisions of the JCPOA expire, after 2025, will have to be defined. Because our commitment to the security of our allies and partners in the region is unwavering, we must also address in a meaningful way shared concerns about Iran's ballistic missile programme and its destabilising regional activities, especially in Syria, Iraq and Yemen. We have already started constructive and mutually beneficial discussions on these issues, and the E3 is committed to continuing them with key partners and concerned states across the region. We and our Foreign Ministers will reach out to all parties to the JCPoA to seek a positive way forward. Advertisement Former Cabinet minister Lord Hague (left) warned that Kim Jong-Un (right) would find it difficult to trust the word of the US if Trump rips up the Iran deal Appearing on the Fox & Friends programme yesterday - known to be Mr Trump's favourite news show - Mr Johnson said the president had a 'legitimate point' that the Iran pact was not perfect There has been speculation he will stop short of torpedoing it altogether - potentially exempting European firms who trade with Iran from sanctions. EU states have said they will try to hold the package together even if the US withdraws cooperation. Writing in the Daily Telegraph, Lord Hague said that ripping up the deal would be a 'very great error'. He wrote: 'If he is wavering, he should picture himself sitting across from Kim (Jong-Un) in the near future. 'Ending the Iran deal would mean that what the US signs up to in one year, it can abrogate three years later. 'And that in turn would not bode well for an agreement with North Korea or the stability of the Middle East - and thereby for the peace of the world.' Appearing on the Fox & Friends programme yesterday - known to be Mr Trump's favourite news show - Mr Johnson said the president had a 'legitimate point' that the pact was not perfect. But he appealed for the US not to throw the 'baby out with the bathwater' by ditching the arrangements altogether. 'If you do that you have to answer the question what next? 'What if the Iranians do rush for a nuclear weapon?' he said. 'Are we seriously saying that we are going to bomb those facilities at Fordo and Natanz? 'Is that really a realistic possibility? Or do we work round what we have got and push back on Iran together?' Mr Johnson added: 'Plan B does not seem to me to be particularly well-developed at this stage.' In an article for the New York Times, Mr Johnson admitted the pact with Iran had 'weaknesses' but insisted it was the best way of defusing the standoff. The Foreign Secretary is holding two days of talks with senior administration officials including vice president Mike Pence. He will also meet national security adviser John Bolton and key foreign policy leaders in Congress - although he will not get to sit down with Mr Trump himself. As well as Iran, Mr Johnson's talks are expected to cover North Korea ahead of President Trump's planned meeting with Kim Jong-un and the situation in Syria. In a separate interview during the visit, Mr Johnson appeared to hold out an incentive for Mr Trump to do a deal on Iran - suggesting he could end up winning the Nobel Peace Prize. He told Sky News: 'If he can fix North Korea and if he can fix the Iran nuclear deal then I don't see why he is any less of a candidate for the Nobel Peace Prize than Barack Obama, who got it before he even did anything.' Writing in the New York Times today, Mr Johnson said: 'Of all the options we have for ensuring that Iran never gets a nuclear weapon, this pact offers the fewest disadvantages. 'It has weaknesses, certainly, but I am convinced they can be remedied. Indeed at this moment Britain is working alongside the Trump administration and our French and German allies to ensure that they are.' Mr Johnson said the deal had put restrictions on Iran's nuclear programme and 'now that these handcuffs are in place, I see no possible advantage in casting them aside'. Iran president Hassan Rouhani has warned Mr Trump the West will regret 'like never before' if it sinks the nuclear deal with his country 'Only Iran would gain from abandoning the restrictions on its nuclear programme,' he warned, adding: 'At this delicate juncture, it would be a mistake to walk away from the nuclear agreement and remove the restraints that it places on Iran. 'The UK's ambassador to the United States Sir Kim Darroch said the Iran agreement was 'a good deal' but efforts were ongoing to 'find some language, produce some action that meets the president's concerns'. Mr Trump has threatened to withdraw from the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) deal signed by the US, China, Russia, Germany, France and Britain with Iran. Under its terms Iran is committed to a peaceful nuclear energy programme. But Mr Trump has been a vocal critic of the agreement and in January issued an ultimatum to 'either fix the deal's disastrous flaws, or the United States will withdraw'. In a magazine interview, French President Emmanuel Macron warned a decision by Trump to withdraw could lead to war. 'We would open the Pandora's box. There could be war,' Macron told German weekly magazine Der Spiegel, adding 'I don't think that Donald Trump wants war.' Macron urged Trump not to withdraw when he met him in Washington late last month. Earlier this month Mr Johnson stressed the importance of keeping the deal 'while building on it in order to take account of the legitimate concerns of the US'. The European Union has said the deal 'is working and it needs to be preserved'. The government is set to axe hundreds of officials who promote exports to countries like China and Brazil, it was claimed today. The cuts are apparently needed as funds have been spent on recruiting trade negotiators for Brexit talks. Liam Fox's Department for International Trade (DIT) employs more than 3,000 staff but can no longer afford new trade negotiators while maintaining an international network of people promoting trade. The need to make cuts has triggered a funding row between Dr Fox and Chancellor Philip Hammond, the Financial Times revealed today. Liam Fox's (pictured in Downing Street last week) Department for International Trade (DIT) employs more than 3,000 staff but can no longer afford new trade negotiators while maintaining an international network of people promoting trade The need to make cuts has triggered a funding row between Dr Fox and Chancellor Philip Hammond (file image) One person briefed on the row said: 'A budget problem has arisen because DIT has not got enough money from the Treasury to do everything it needs. 'As a result, hiring trade negotiators is putting a strain on things and means the costs of expansion can only be met by cutting the number of people on the ground.' Another department staffer said: 'You are taking away jobs in the low hundreds across the network, especially in China, India and Latin America. 'This is obviously the wrong thing to do, given that 90 per cent of the world's growth is happening outside the EU.' DIT has a budget of 357million in 2018-19, plus an extra 74million from Brexit contingency budgets. Another 1.5billion is available from the Treasury but competition between departments for Brexit funding is intense. This year's DIT budget is 97.3million more than in its first year of operation after the EU referendum. Britain has a network of staff around the world to promote British exports in foreign markets (pictured is a container ship being loaded at the Port of Felixstowe in Suffolk) Stephen Doughty MP, leading supporter of the People's Vote campaign, said: 'It seems that another one of the grandiose promises we were made about Brexit is on the verge of collapse. 'The quid pro quo for weakening our economic ties with our biggest market in the EU was meant to be strengthened trade links with the rest of the world. 'But, it seems, Liam Fox's department does not have the capacity or the funds to even come close to that. 'It is now essential that there is a People's Vote on the final Brexit deal, allowing us all to give a verdict on whether the final deal negotiated by the Government matches the promises we were made.' DIT declined to comment when contacted by MailOnline. A rape victim whose attacker escaped justice for more than three decades has spoken of her relief after DNA advances led to his arrest. Wendy Forrester, 56, was raped in 1983 by a stranger who then went on to attack a second victim, five years later. Despite officers capturing the suspect's DNA after the attack, they were unable to find a match and the crime remained unsolved for 33 years. The breakthrough came in March 2016, when Eric McKenna, 59, was arrested for urinating in a plant pot during a dispute with his neighbour. Wendy Forrester (pictured left) was raped in 1983 by Eric McKenna (right), who was only caught after he urinated in a neighbour's plant pot and left behind vital DNA evidence When officers ran his DNA through their database, they matched it to Ms Forrester's cold case, giving the police enough evidence to bring charges against McKenna. The jury would later hear that it was a billion-to-one chance of the DNA not belonging to McKenna. McKenna, of Arthurs Hill, Newcastle, was later found guilty of two counts of rape and was jailed for 23 years. The court heard how Ms Forrester, then aged 21, had been at a friend's house when she decided to grab a taxi home at 2am. As she approached the taxi rank, a stranger grabbed her from behind and put a hand over her mouth. Ms Forrester, a full-time carer from Blackpool, said: 'He told me that he had a knife and that he was going to rob me. 'He took off my jacket then tied my hands with it. Then he dragged me down to an embankment. 'At the time, I thought he was going to mug me so I wasn't too scared. Then he pulled my t-shirt over my face so I couldn't see, ripped my clothes off and raped me. In April 2017, Ms Forrester received a surprising call telling her officers had arrested a man, Eric McKenna, whose DNA matched that from the linked rape cases 'At one point, the t-shirt slipped a little and I could see that my attacker had dark shoulder-length hair.' Afterwards, the rapist stole Ms Forrester's family allowance book, a set of keys and some change. Then he warned her: 'If you go to the police, I know who you are and where you drink.' Oddly, he gave her back some money to grab a taxi home, before telling her to count to 100 as he fled the scene. Afterwards, terrified Ms Forrester flagged a taxi down who took her to a nearby police station where she gave a statement. McKenna (pictured left) was later found guilty of two counts of rape and was jailed for 23 years (pictured right, Ms Forrester) She said: 'After my attack, I had a breakdown. 'I moved around several times because I was so frightened of him and had nightmares about him coming to get me. 'I just prayed that one day I'd get justice for what happened.' Officers realised the two rape cases were linked due to DNA captured at the crime scenes but the National DNA database wasn't set up until six years later so they couldn't search for a suspect. Unfortunately, no one was caught at the time but in 2002, Northumbria Police launched Operation Phoenix, an initiative which reviewed cold cases. Ms Forrester said: 'Police told me that my rapist had attacked another lady five years after he attacked me but was still at large.' But in April 2017, Ms Forrester received a surprising call telling her officers had arrested a man, Eric McKenna, whose DNA matched that from the linked rape cases. In February 2018, McKenna was found guilty of two counts of rape at Newcastle Crown Court. Former deputy prime minister Barnaby Joyce and his partner and former staffer Vikki Campion's new baby boy Sebastian has been seen for the first time. The baby was spotted sleeping soundly in the arms of his mother at Armidale Airport in New South Wales on Tuesday. Dressed in a white outfit with a hat, the baby was cradling in Vikki's arm while the former Deputy Prime Minister Joyce looked adoringly at mother and son. The couple welcomed their baby boy three weeks ago, but have kept him under wraps since then. Barnaby Joyce and Vikki Campion's new baby boy Sebastian has been seen for the first time Mr Joyce was due in Canberra for the budget, and 7 News reported the baby was 'getting used to flying'. Baby Sebastian was born at Armidale Hospital and weighed eight pounds and seven ounces - 3.8kilograms - at birth. The news of Ms Campion's pregnancy in February led to Mr Joyce's downfall as Malcolm Turnbull's deputy. The couple (pictured) welcomed their baby boy three weeks ago, and have kept the baby under wraps since then. The news of Ms Campion's pregnancy in February led to Mr Joyce's downfall as Malcolm Turnbull's deputy and leader of the Nationals Baby Sebastian is Mr Joyce's fifth child and first son, after having four daughters he with estranged wife, Natalie Joyce. 'We are very happy and just taking it quietly,' Mr Joyce told Fairfax Media at the time of the birth. Mr Joyce has previously said he did not want his child with Ms Campion, 33, to grow up 'as some sort of public display'. He is understood to have requested personal leave in anticipation of the baby's arrival. During the couple's first public comments on their relationship in February, Ms Campion said their son's middle names would be given in honour of her brother. Named Sebastian, the baby was born on Monday and weighed eight pounds and seven ounces - 3.8kilograms - at birth Baby Sebastian is Mr Joyce's fifth child and first son, and follows the four daughters he shared with estranged wife Natalie Joyce Mr Joyce lost his cabinet position and the Nationals leadership after it was revealed he and Ms Campion, his former media adviser, were expecting a child. Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull later introduced a ban on ministers having sexual relations with their staff. In a March interview Mr Joyce cast doubt on the paternity of the child, calling it a 'bit of a grey area', but later conceded those comments were a mistake. When asked after the baby's birth whether the date ended any paternity doubts, Mr Joyce said that it did. NHS doctor Michael Condon, 40, smuggled party drugs into Britain to cope with the 'stress' of working in a hospital A&E unit An NHS doctor who smuggled party drugs into Britain has escaped jail after he claimed he bought them to cope with the 'stress' of working in a hospital A&E unit. Michael Condon, 40, was once convicted of possessing heroin but was appointed as a consultant at a hospital emergency unit after insisting he was clean, Bolton Crown Court heard. Last year Condon's house was raided after he used the dark web to import the amphetamine related designer drugs Alpha PHP, Methylone powder and the psychoactive substance Flurohenmetrazine from an online company based in Amsterdam. Parcels addressed to the doctor's home in Bolton, Greater Manchester were intercepted by border officials, revealing multiple packets containing 26g of Class B drugs worth around 100. In 2005 Condon was given a suspended jail sentence after he faked patient prescriptions to order drugs from a pharmacy for his own use. Following a period of suspension he was allowed back to work in 2006 but only under supervision and was banned from prescribing drugs. It emerged he had developed a drug habit after he was beaten up whilst at medical school in London in 1999. Condon had developed a drug habit after he was beaten up whilst at medical school in London in 1999 and in 2005 he was given a suspended jail sentence after he faked patient prescriptions to order drugs from a pharmacy for his own use At Bolton Crown Court, Condon admitted importing Class B drugs but walked free with an order to complete 200 hours unpaid work after he claimed he had been under 'pressure' at work and as result suffered a 'relapse' into taking drugs again. It is believed he had been affected by the deaths of two children he had been treating. Sentencing Judge Elliott Knopf told Condon: 'When talking about the importation of drugs one might have in mind a sophisticated operation involving significant quantities being brought into this country for the purpose of being sold on to others. 'Your case, I readily accept is very different. The drugs were for your own use and the quantities were indicative of that. You are a medical professional who has engaged in a stressful area of medical practise which is an accident and emergency unit in a hospital. 'There can be little doubt to anyone of any knowledge of what happens in A&E that working in that environment can impose stresses on those working there. It requires a great deal of ability on the part of the medical staff to be able to withstand these pressures. 'That does not of course amount to an excuse for being involved in the purchase of drugs and in arranging for these drugs to be passed through for your own use. But it is the context of using drugs as a coping mechanism and I accept that you feel remorse for what you have done. 'In my view, nothing will be served by imposing a sentence of imprisonment. You realise that what you were doing was wrong.' The doctor said he suffered a 'personal trauma' after watching two child patients die, making him relapse. He avoided jail when sentenced at Bolton Crown Court on Friday Earlier prosecutor Juliet Berry said: 'Between October 2016 and March 2017 the defendant has imported three different types of drugs. On December 27 2016 the UK Border Force agency opened a parcel addressed to this defendant. The package had arrived from a company in Amsterdam. The parcel contained class B drugs and no action was taken immediately. 'But a second package was intercepted on March 5 2017 and following the seizure of that packet officers executed a warrant to his home address on March 28 and examined the defendant's computer and it was clear there were invoices concerning the supply of drugs. 'Six grams of Methylone, 15 grams of A-PHP and five grams of 4-Fluroampthetamine, a psychoactive substance were intercepted. From his computer there was evidence that payments had been made to these companies - in a low amount - no more than 100. 'The A-PHP was ordered on the 21st of October 2016 and the last order was placed on the 28th of February 2017 and the drugs had been imported in various quantities on six different occasions between these dates. Methylone was ordered on the 20th of December 2016 and the psychoactive substance was ordered on the 28th of February 2017. 'The crown accept that whilst the drugs were imported on a number of occasions that from the quantities and the evidence that they were for the defendant's own consumption. The aggravating feature is the fact that it was three different types of drugs over a period of time, the fact that the defendant has a previous conviction and the defendant's position as a doctor.' Condon, of Blackburn Road, Sharples, purchased 26 grams of Alpha PHP, Methylone powder and Flurohenmetrazine (FPM) over the internet. Pictured: File photo of a controlled substance The court heard 13 years ago Condon had pleaded guilty to ten charges of possessing controlled drugs, including three of heroin possession, plus eight charges of obtaining property by deception when he was working as a doctor in Telford, Staffs. He was sentenced to 18 months in jail, suspended for two years after it was revealed he had obtained drugs from a pharmacy and said the drugs were for patients when in fact they were for his own use. He also had a drink driving conviction from the year 2000. In mitigation, defence lawyer David Wood said: 'The defendant suffered personal trauma when he was assaulted whilst at medical school and this lead to problems with class A drugs as a coping mechanism which explains the previous conviction. 'The courts well know how difficult beating a class A addiction can be but he did that and went on to gain medical qualifications. He went on to establish the beginning of a commendable career and has gone on to become a credit to his profession and a valued member of the NHS. 'He got a job working as a consultant in emergency medicine but it can be ferociously draining and he experienced the death of two children that came under his care. He failed to deal with that properly and has allowed himself to relapse by taking inappropriate substances and allowed himself to self-medicate. 'He wasn't really thinking consequentially but was seeking to deal with the stress in that way. He has been totally candid with his regulator and he will have to go back before them. He has not put any of his patients at risk but he knows he has let down himself and his profession.' The court heard a hospital in Scunthorpe had a possible job for Condon despite him currently having eight conditions placed on his registration. He is also expected to appear before a disciplinary panel of the Medical Practitioners Tribunal Service. Previous hearings concerning Condon's drug issues had been held largely in private but heavily redacted documents show the General Medical Council allowed him to return to due after he proved he had made 'excellent progress.' In 2008 He was offered a post as a Foundation Year One doctor in the West Midlands but lost an appeal against a ban on him prescribing medication. Saudi women will be allowed to start driving in the kingdom from next month, government officials have announced. As of June 24, any woman aged 18 or above can apply for a driver's license, with driving schools set up in five cities across the country. In September 2017, a royal decree announced the end of a decades-long ban on women driving - the only one of its kind in the world. Get on the road: A Saudi woman receives a driving lesson from an Italian instructor in Jeddah, as the government announces that the ban will be lifted on June 24 'All the requirements for women in the kingdom to start driving have been established,' General Department of Traffic Director General Mohammed al-Bassami said in a statement today. Some of the instructors at the female-only driving schools will be women who have obtained their licenses abroad, al-Bassami said. This could help tackle several issues raised in recent months, including women fearing that conservative male driving instructors would fail them on purpose. It also helps bypass the rule that Saudi women are not allowed to have any interaction a man who she is not related to without permission from a male guardian. Women with foreign driving licenses will be able to apply for a local one through a separate process, which will also assess their driving skills. 'It is no secret that many women in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia hold driving licences from abroad,' the statement added. Getting there: A Saudi woman practices driving in Riyadh last week Saudi women have previously petitioned the government for the lifting of the ban, and even taken to the wheel in protest. Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, 32, is seen as the force behind the lifting of the ban, part of a series of reforms being pushed by the powerful royal in the conservative kingdom. His Vision 2030 reform plan for a post-oil era seeks to elevate women to nearly one-third of the workforce, up from about 22 percent now. The decision to allow women to drive could give them the much-needed mobility to join the workforce. Saudi women now no longer need male permission to start business. But Saudi activists say social change will only be cosmetic without dismantling the kingdom's rigid guardianship system, which requires women to seek permission from a male relative to study, travel and other activities. Malcolm Turnbull has hinted voters could be going to an early election with the prime minister telling his Liberal and National colleagues to sell the budget to keep their jobs. The Turnbull Government's third budget is offering $10.20 a week tax cuts for voters on incomes of less than $90,000 a year and $24 billion worth of major road and road projects in all states. The Prime Minister gave a motivational speech to his colleagues in the joint Liberal-National party room at Parliament House in Canberra on Tuesday telling them to take this budget to the next election, Nine New reports. Scroll down for video Malcolm Turnbull (pictured with Treasurer Scott Morrison, his brother-in-law Garry Warren and his wife Michelle) hinted to his Liberal colleagues of an early election 'He basically told MPs in the party room they can take this budget and sell it all the way til the next election,' finance editor Ross Greenwood said. A half-Senate election must also be held by May 2019, which makes a March federal election likely. A March election hasn't been held since 1996, when John Howard's Coalition was elected in a landslide, ending 13 years of Labor rule. A March election before that, in 1983, saw Bob Hawke's Labor Party sweep to power, ending Malcolm Fraser's seven-year run as Liberal prime minister. The last Newspoll saw the Turnbull Government narrowly trail Labor 49 per cent to 51 per cent after preferences but that was also the 31st consecutive loss in the respected opinion poll. Advertisement A Grade-I listed manor house that Henry VIII once described as his 'small country palace in Barsham' has gone on the market for 3million. Built between 1520 and 1530, Wolterton Manor House, in East Barsham, boasts a Great Hall, eight bedrooms and is set within four and a half acres. King Henry VIII reportedly stayed in the mansion on five separate occasions, each time with a different wife, while visiting the nearby shrine to our Lady of Walsingham tp pray for a son and heir. As well as the Tudor monarch, Barsham Manor in Fakenham, Norfolk, has played host to knights, politicians and celebrities, and was once owned by Bee Gees manager Robert Stigwood. The Grade I listed property was built for Sir Henry Fermor, well connected at Henry VIII's court, it has been privately owned down the centuries by aristocratic families including the Calthorpes and the Astleys. Fit for royalty: King Henry VIII stayed in the mansion on five separate occasions, each time with a different wife, while visiting the nearby shrine to our Lady of Walsingham. He once described as his 'small country palace in Barsham' Gilded: The historic manor house, which is a listed building, has gone on the market for a regal 3million - but needs work Does your house have stained glass windows? As well as the Tudor monarch, Barsham Manor in Fakenham, Norfolk, has played host to knights, politicians and celebrities, and was once owned by Bee Gees manager Robert Stigwood The Grade-I listed brick-built Tudor property still features period touches, including turrets, chimneys and a royal coat of arms above the front porch. The estate agents say the main draw is the 41ft long Great Hall with a huge stone fireplace and a minstrels' gallery. Despite the hefty price tag, the manor needs a 1million overhaul after its last extensive renovation in the late 1990s. During the 18th century the property was left uninhabited and fell into disrepair before being renovated between 1922 and 1936. In the grounds there is also a separate three-bedroom cottage along with two workshops that could also be converted into accommodation. Alex Drown, from the Burnham Market branch of Abbotts Town & Country Houses said: 'King Henry VIII had visited here, we got the information off the owner who often does tours for charity around the grounds. Original features: Despite the hefty price tag, the manor which was built for Sir Henry Fermor in or around 1520, needs a 1million overhaul after its last extensive renovation in the late 1990s Tudor themes: During the 18th century the property was left uninhabited and fell into disrepair before being renovated Two homes for the price of one: In the five-acre grounds there is also a separate three-bedroom cottage along with two workshops that could also be converted into accommodation Connections: The home was initially built for Sir Henry Fermor and has been privately owned - mostly by aristocratic families Palatial: This floorplan reveals just how sprawling the manor house - and its cottage and workshops - really are 'He is really interested in the history of the place and is a character. Henry VIII used to visit while travelling to a nearby shrine and called it his 'small country palace in Barsham'. 'It has also played host to plenty of other celebrities, politicians and knights, especially when Bee Gees manager Robert Stigwood owned it. 'It is still a very traditional property, the owner bought it a couple of years ago with the thought of renovating it. 'Realistically it needs around 1million spending on it as it is a big job as it is a listed building. 'The current owner started it but due to a change in circumstance he can no longer finish the renovations. 'It still has loads of original features -the doors and fire places are all original. 'It is a beautiful property but does need some renovation.' Unusual: The Grade-I listed brick-built Tudor property still features period touches, including turrets, chimneys and a royal coat of arms above the front porch Kim Jong-un has flown to China for a surprise visit to meet President Xi Jinping just weeks ahead of the North Korean dictator's planned summit with Donald Trump. Xi wearing a western business suit and Kim in his standard high-collared Mao suit took a seaside stroll in the northeastern city of Dalian and attended a lunch banquet during a two-day visit. The pictures emerged after Pyongyang's VIP jet was seen taking off from the port city's airport today along with a second plane belonging to the North's state-owned Air Koryo. The two leaders discussed bilateral issues, with Xi telling Kim of his support of talks between North Korea and the United States and praising his promise to pursue the complete denuclearisation of the Korean peninsula. It is the second meeting between the two men in recent weeks following the Pyongyang tyrant's visit to Beijing in March, his first since taking power six years ago. Kim Jong-un has flown to China for a surprise visit to meet President Xi Jinping just weeks ahead of the dictator's planned summit with Donald Trump. The two leaders were pictured taking a seaside stroll in Dalian Xi and Kim took a seaside stroll in the northeastern city of Dalian amid reports the two leaders met for talks on both Monday and Tuesday According to Chinese media, Kim said he had come to China to 'report the situation' in the hope of improving strategic communication and cooperation with Beijing and promoting peace and stability in the region Earlier, footage emerged purporting to show Pyongyang's VIP jet taking off (pictured) from the northeastern Chinese port city of Dalian According to Chinese media, Kim said he had come to China to 'report the situation' in the hope of improving strategic communication and cooperation with Beijing and promoting peace and stability in the region. He was later reported as saying he was very pleased his country's relationship with China had reached a high point. Xi hosted a welcome banquet for Kim and the two leaders strolled along the coastline at a government guesthouse and had lunch together on Tuesday, the official Xinhua News Agency reported. 'In a cordial and friendly atmosphere, the top leaders of the two parties and the two countries had an all-round and in-depth exchange of views on China-DPRK relations and major issues of common concern,' Xinhua said, using the initials for North Korea's official name, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea. Meanwhile, Trump - who is preparing to hold a historic summit with Kim - tweeted today that he will speak with Xi about North Korea, where he says 'relationships and trust are building.' China is North Korea's only major ally, although trade between them has plummeted in recent months as Beijing enforces United Nations economic sanctions in response to the North's nuclear bomb and ballistic missile tests. The meeting between Xi and Kim comes after Kim met South Korean President Moon Jae-in last month. China has been eager to assert its importance in the process of lowering tensions on the Korean Peninsula. In 2014, pictures emerged of Kim stepping onto a red carpet from his own version of 'Air Force One' (pictured) Kim travelled to Beijing by train in March for his maiden official trip abroad and met President Xi Jinping for the first time since taking power in 2011. His trip was kept secret until he returned to North Korea. One of the planes seen in Dalian resembled the one used by Kim's sister and close aide, Kim Yo Jong, to travel to South Korea for the Winter Olympics in February. NHK television showed images of a motorcade of cars with black-tinted windows travelling through Dalian, where roads and air traffic had been temporarily restricted a day before. In 2014, pictures emerged of Kim stepping onto a red carpet from his own version of 'Air Force One'. The images showed the luxury Russian 174ft IL-62 jetliner that carries Kim and his wife Ri Sol-ju on official engagements around the secretive country. Images released four years ago showed the luxury Russian 174ft IL-62 jetliner that carries Kim and his wife Ri Sol-ju on official engagements around the secretive country In 2015, Kim Jong-Un was pictured for the first time aboard his 174ft private jet The use of a private jet is a departure from the behaviour of Kim's father Kim Jong-Il, who had such a fear of flying that he visited China and Russia in a private armoured train. Unveiled in 1962 with its first flight the following year, the IL-62 became commonly-used around the world and continued being manufactured until 1994. Now-defunct nations including the Soviet Union and Czechoslovakia adapted the plane into a private jet before the fall of the Berlin Wall. China has sought to improve relations with its Cold War-era ally after ties chilled over Beijing's support of United Nations sanctions over Pyongyang's nuclear activities. Beijing is keen to avoid being left out in the cold as North Korea holds talks with South Korea and the United States. China's top diplomat, Wang Yi, met with Kim in Pyongyang last week -- the first trip there by a Chinese foreign minister since 2007. Filmmaker Donisha Prendergast (pictured), 33, and her two friends were confused for burglars in the San Bernardino suburb last week while packing their belongings into a car One of Bob Marley's granddaughters is planning to sue Rialto Police Department in California after she was questioned by cops while leaving a house she rented through Airbnb. Filmmaker Donisha Prendergast, 33, and her two friends were confused for burglars in the San Bernardino suburb last week while packing their belongings into a car. A resident in the street called 911 because he or she did not 'recognize the vehicle or the people as neighbors or the homeowner'. The trio - which also included Kells Fyffe Marshall and Komi-Oluwa Olafimihan - were released when the officers established they were indeed Airbnb guests. But Prendergast - the daughter of Sharon Marley, who was adopted by Bob Marley - took to Instagram to attack police and to link the incident to race. She wrote: 'So much things to say right now.... Got surrounded by the police for being black in a white neighbourhood. The trio - which also included Kells Fyffe Marshall and Komi-Oluwa Olafimihan - were released when the officers established they were indeed Airbnb guests. Pictured: Prendergast and an officer 'Im sad and irritated to see that fear is still the first place police officers go in their pursuit to serve and protect, to the point that protocol supersedes their ability to have discernment.' She added: 'Many have suffered and died in moments like these. Thats a crazy reality check. Give Thanks for life, and the ability to stand our ground. We are stronger together. Use your voice collectively. 'We have a right to be right.' Kells Fyffe-Marshall, meanwhile, also linked the incident to race. She wrote that 'about 10 seconds' after they carried their luggage into the cars, 'we were surrounded by 7 cop cars'. She went on: 'They locked down the neighborhood and had us standing in the street. Why? A neighbour across the street saw 3 black people packing luggage into their car and assumed we were stealing from the house. She then called the police.' Kells Fyffe-Marshall (left), meanwhile, also linked the incident to race. She wrote that 'about 10 seconds' after they carried their luggage into the cars, 'we were surrounded by 7 cop cars'. Right: An officer attending the scene Fyffe-Marshall also contended that the 'cops admit that the womans reason for calling the police was because we didnt WAVE to her as she looked at us putting our luggage into our car from her lawn'. She said they were held 'for 45 minutes' while the police 'figured it out'. According to the New York Daily News, Prendergast is now suing the police department. She is reportedly being represented by Jasmine Rand, a lawyer based in Miami. Distressing footage has captured the moment a dog was found slowly bleeding to death after having her legs hacked off. Horrified rescuers discovered the dog whimpering in pain on the side of the road near a slaughterhouse in Zhejiang province, China. But a team saved the animal from the clutches of a butcher and brought her to Edinburgh where she has been given a new lease of life. Sickening footage shows rescuers find the dog whimpering in agony after her legs were cruelly hacked off The dog was en route to the slaughterhouse but the team saved her from the clutches of a butcher Braveheart by name: She would have bled to death had she not been saved in the nick of time Video shows rescuers coming to the aid of the dog, named Braveheart, after she survived the attack in December last year. The two-year-old mixed breed was taken to a veterinary clinic for emergency surgery and the beginning of long and lucky road to recovery. Now, after learning to walk again on a brand-new set of prosthetic legs, Braveheart has been welcomed into a loving home in Scotland. New owner Amanda Leask, 48, from Edinburgh, who has given Braveheart a new home with a family of rescue dogs, said: 'This dog is a survivor in every sense of the word. 'I truly believe her tenacious appetite to survive brought her through mentally! 'She's loving the fresh country air, the peace and tranquillity the countryside gives, the soft grass she can actually walk on using what's left of her little limbs. 'She is in good company here. This girl is easing in gently to a new and exciting life where we aim to have her run alongside her pack.' The two-year-old mixed breed was taken to a veterinary clinic for emergency surgery and the beginning of long and lucky road to recovery Now, after learning to walk again on a brand-new set of prosthetic legs, Braveheart has been welcomed into a loving home in Scotland Surgeons used a wheelchair to help the dog regain the use of her back legs Braveheart had to have both legs amputated to survive the risk of fatal infection The dog was named for her bravery and a white heart mark on her head. Due to her wounds being left in the dirt, Braveheart had to have both legs amputated to survive the risk of fatal infection. She showed her fighting spirit as soon as she regained consciousness, learning to stand on her haunches and walk with the help of a wheelchair. Australian charity Fight Dog Meat covered the costs of Braveheart's rehabilitation and transportation to her new life in Scotland. Despite her horrific injuries, Braveheart pulled through and is now enjoying life with her new owners Braveheart would have been a dog meat trade victim, there was a slaughterhouse near where she was found and a butcher was about to pick her up Michele Brown, CEO of the charity, said: 'She has done remarkably well to have made this recovery. 'This should have been a dog meat trade victim, there was a slaughterhouse just up the road and a butcher was about to pick her up. 'When both legs had to be amputated we all feared she wouldn't make it. The dog defied all odds. 'She is so happy to get a second chance. We'd like to thank all our supporters for making that possible.' The harrowing tale of how Japan carried out a series of horrific human experiments under the guise of 'warfare research' during World War II is told in a new book. More than 3,000 people - mostly Chinese civilians, but also Russian, British and American POWs - were dissected alive, infected with bubonic plague and used as human guinea-pigs for frost-bite treatments. Unit 731 was built in 1936 in modern-day Harbin, northeastern China, for the Japanese Imperial Army to conduct research into germ warfare, weapons capabilities and the limits of the human body. Horrendous: Japanese scientists carry out a vivisection - a dissection of a live human being without anesthetics - just one of dozens of human experiments carried out at Unit 371 It was a completely covert operation, and during WWII it was at first described as a lumber mill, then a water purification plant, and even today, awareness of Unit 731 in and outside of Japan is low. Today, its remains, now a museum, echo many of the chilling hallmarks of a former Nazi death camp with its disused railway track and ghostly buildings. One structure still today contains rows of cages that housed giant rats which Japanese doctors used to produce the bubonic plague. The horrendous disease was later unleashed on hundreds of thousands of Chinese, by dropping plague-carrying fleas on villages as part of experiments in biochemical warfare. Photographs from the new book - Unit 731: Laboratory of the Devil, Auschwitz of the East - shows Japanese soldiers taking part in a vivisection - carrying out operations on a live person to study living tissue and organs. War crimes: A human 'subject', seemingly a young Chinese civilian, is subjected to an unknown form of bacteriological test at Unit 731, built to conduct research into germ warfare, weapons capabilities and the limits of the human body Human guinea-pigs: Frostbitten hands of a Chinese prisoner at Unit 731, where scientists would test the effects of hypothermia and gangrene on human subjects In the name of science: A vivisection is carried out in this photograph from Unit 731 Experiments and dissections on men, women and children were carried out without anaesthetic so that the results would not be influenced by drugs. Prisoners would be infected with diseases, after which their organs would be removed while still alive so the scientists could study the effects of the disease before decomposition could start. Limbs would be amputated from prisoners to study blood loss, and documents show that they were often re-attached to opposite sides of the body. Extensive experiments into frostbite were carried out, as the Japanese tried to find the best cure for the affliction. Prisoners would be exposed to extreme temperatures in order to develop frostbite, after which the Japanese would study how long it took before gangrene would set in, and how long a human could survive it. One experiment conducted on young Chinese civilians would see their arms frozen stiff with ice, before being placed into a vat of hot water. The flesh would then be stripped off the bones - the prisoner still alive. Torture: More than 3,000 people - mostly Chinese civilians, but also Allied POWs - were murdered in human experiments at Unit 731 - seen here is the remains of the frostbite lab Back then: Unit 731, which was built in 1936 in modern-day Harbin, northeastern China when the area was a Japanese puppet state, is seen in one of its first years in operation The Japanese scientists also used prisoners to study STDs, forcing prisoners infected with syphilis to have sex with healthy prisoners to study how the virus spread. Doctors injected prisoners with animal blood or forced them to share cells with diseased inmates to test how infectious the conditions were, historians say. Female prisoners were systematically raped to force pregnancies, in the name of science. Sometimes the mother-to-be would then be infected with syphilis or another disease, so the Japanese could study how it may affect the foetus. A shocking photograph found in archives show a Chinese woman so far along in her pregnancy that the fully-grown baby has turned, ready to be born. She has been cut open from throat to pelvis, the baby exposed in her belly. Despite knowledge of a large number of babies born at Unit 731, there are no accounts of any survivors - including children. Unit of torture: The senior officers of Unit 731 are pictured during World War II Chinese adults and children have been infected with an unknown illness and are being monitored by Japanese medical staff at Unit 731 Some of those at Unit 731 died in experiments testing weapons such as grenades and biological bombs. Others are said to have been buried alive or drowned. As well as the 3,000 killed at Unit 731, tens of thousands are also thought to have died when the Japanese used what they had learned against their enemies in the war - mainly Chinese civilians. In addition to releasing plague-infected fleas, the Japanese are known to have planted typhoid fever, cholera and other diseases into the water systems in Chinese villages. Evil: The head of Unit 731, Shiro Ishii, who was awarded immunity by the US after the war Despite thousands of victims, the Japanese government denied the existence of the unit until 1998, when the Supreme Court indirectly acknowledged it by ruling there was an academic consensus that Unit 731 existed. The man largely responsible for the operation of Unit 731, Shiro Ishii, escaped punishment after the war. Ishii, and several others from Unit 731, were granted immunity by the United States in exchange for full disclosure of the results of their biological warfare experiments. Ishii died of throat cancer in Tokyo, Japan, in 1959, aged 67. The Soviet Union did hold trials for eleven of the scientist working at Unit 731 at the end of the war. They each received between two and 25 years in a Siberian labour camp. Last month, a group of Japanese scholars announced that they are is set to publish a list of 3,607 members of Unit 731, including 52 surgeons, 49 engineers, 38 nurses and 1,117 combat medics. A man has shot dead three of his neighbors and killed himself after his wife allegedly fled their home where he had been holding her captive for days. Christopher Wilson Snyder, 41, shot himself after a tense seven-hour long standoff with police after he stormed his neighbors' house in Montgomery County, Maryland. His wife claimed that she had run to the nearby house for refuge - but he followed her into the property killing three of the six people inside. The other three, including his wife, managed to escape and Snyder ran back to his own house soon after - barricading himself in the property as cops rushed to the scene at 4pm on Monday. Police set up a massive cordon around the house and negotiated with Snyder for several hours Dramatic footage shows the SWAT van crossing the lawn in front of the house before ramming the door down as cops raided the property He communicated with police for several hours as they tried to calm him down and persuade him to surrender himself. But after Snyder refused to leave the home, a SWAT team vehicle rammed down a door and he shot himself in the head. Snyder's wife allegedly told police the slaughter began after she ran out of her home after being held there over the weekend. Of the three people were shot and killed as Snyder burst hunted his wife through the neighboring property, one lived at the home, one was a guest from out of town and another worked at the home, Montgomery County Police Chief J. Thomas Manger said. Snyder was on the phone with police negotiators when police breached his home, Manger said. His last words over the phone were: 'Did they just break in the front door?' He then hung up the phone and shot himself once, police say. He died from his injuries. Advertisement Britain's beaches and parks have been left strewn with plastic litter after a Bank Holiday weekend that saw millions take advantage of the record-breaking heat. Shameful pictures show mounds of plastic rubbish, nappies, windbreakers and disposable barbecues littering the country's coastline and green spaces by visitors who basked in temperatures hit 84F (28.7C), making the parts of the UK hotter than Hawaii. Brighton beach was among the worst hit as up to 50 tonnes of rubbish was left by thousands of day trippers, while Southsea Common in Hampshire and Chatsworth Park in Derbyshire also had mounds of litter left over. Volunteers were left having to litter pick on Tuesday morning after tonnes of debris were simply left on the ground instead of being put in bins. Some residents, shocked by the appalling state of their local beaches called for the introduction of a dedicated litter police to fine those flouting the rules. It comes just weeks after the Daily Mail announced a national campaign to get Britain picking up plastic litter. The campaign organised in conjunction with Keep Britain Tidy has been endorsed by Prime Minister Theresa May and Sir David Attenborough. Huge amounts of litter were left behind by people after the bank holiday weekend on Southend seafront in Essex Plastic rubbish, nappies, windbreakers and disposable barbecues were left littering the country's coastline and green spaces by visitors basked in temperatures hit 84F (28.7C), making the parts of the UK hotter than Hawaii. Pictured: Rubbish left by visitors after the bank holiday weekend at the Somerset beauty spot of Warleigh Weir on the River Avon Plastic bottles, toys, bags and plenty of other rubbish litters the beach in Brighton this morning after the bank holiday Southsea Common is pictured last night after being littered with hundreds of plastic and glass bottles and many barbecues Bags of litter surround bins in Queen's Park, North West London, following the hot, sunny Bank Holiday Monday which saw thousands descend on the capital's parks to enjoy the weather Bags of litter surround a bin at Queen's Park in North West London today following the hot and sunny bank holiday weekend Large amount of rubbish left by the park users on bank holiday on Monday in Alexandra Palace, north London The worst scenes were seen in Southend on Sea, Essex, where the sand was barely visible over the weekend due to the amount of visitors. But the aftermath was dubbed a 'disgrace' with buckets and spades and hundreds of plastic water bottles left behind. PC Daryl Jones said: 'Now there's nothing more I love than a day off...especially when the sun is shining. However if you come to our town to enjoy the weather please tidy up your rubbish!!!!!!! There is no excuse.' Another local said: 'We could have signs on the beach saying how would you like it if we came into your home stayed for the day and left our rubbish on your floor with a picture of a seagull with a beer pack holder round their neck.' In Brighton, an army of cleaners patrol the seafront daily to try to keep the famous pebble beach clear of rubbish. The cleaning teams get to work at around 5am every morning to clear the beach ready for the day ahead. The shameful scene was repeated across the country. Piles of rubbish left at Chatsworth Park in Derbyshire this morning after people enjoyed the warm weather over the weekend The clean up in Southsea Common near Portsmouth, Hampshire, started early this morning as the whole common was littered In Brighton, an army of cleaners patrol the seafront daily to try to keep the famous pebble beach clear of rubbish The shameful scene of trashed beaches and parks was repeated across the country. Pictured: Rubbish on a Brighton beach Empty bottles, plastic bags, water bottles and other rubbish was carelessly discarded by park-goers in Alexandra Palace Bins were left overflowing after millions headed to parks and beaches to enjoy the warm weather. Pictured: Queen's Park JOIN THE DAILY MAIL'S GREAT PLASTIC PICK UP CAMPAIGN Daily Mail readers the length and breadth of the country have been taking part in the paper's Great Plastic Pick Up campaign. The aim is to clean up beauty spots, beaches, streets and parks and step up the vital battle against the scourge of plastic. The campaign has been backed by Prime Minister Theresa May and celebrities including Sir David Attenborough and Chris Packham. It has also been endorsed by Keep Britain Tidy ambassador and TV presenter Kirstie Allsopp. For the first 3,000 people or schools who sign up, the Mail is sending a special pack of recyclable litter bags to get you started. We will also send professional cleaners to where the three best litter-picking teams live and help transform their local areas with a proper spring clean. Plus, theres a fantastic prize for the top litter-picking school an all-expenses-paid visit to a Sea Life Centre alongside Chris Packham to see some of the marine life you will have helped. The pick up dates are on Friday, May 11; Saturday, May 12; and Sunday, May 13. Advertisement Barry Island in south Wales was so bad, residents called for the introduction of patrolling litter police with the power to hand out fines. Rob Weaver said: 'We need litter police with the power to fine, or remove people from the beach.' Shane added: 'If you've left any rubbish on the beach at Barry Island today then you should be ashamed of yourselves. Disgusting.' At Botany Bay in Kent, bins were also left overflowing with trash. One upset visitor said: 'The price we pay for tourism.' Others were upset by the state of nearby Margate beach, which was also left littered in plastic waste. 'Margate beach looks f***ing disgusting with all people's rubbish just left on it from the long weekend,' one local Tweeted. 'People wonder why and how we are killing our sea and the animals in and out of it. People need to grow up and take responsibility for what they are doing to it.' Others lamented the amount of plastic left on Branksome Beach near Poole, Dorset, where hundreds of items of plastic were left following the weekend's heatwave. And Bournemouth beach was also badly affected, with many people even leaving their fold-up chairs in the shadow of the pier. Dr Sue Kinsey, Senior Pollution Policy Officer at the Marine Conservation Society said: 'It's a shame that such a beautiful few days at the beach were spoiled by so much rubbish being left thoughtlessly behind. 'These pictures highlight the need for urgent action on plastics including the introduction of a deposit return scheme for all sizes of containers - plastic, glass and metal, levies and charges on items such as cups and straws and banning of certain plastics altogether such as polystyrene and black plastic'. Hugo Tagholm, chief executive of Surfers Against Sewage, added: 'Sadly our beaches do often suffer after the influx of people during this hot weather. Large amounts of rubbish was left in a park in Alexandra Palace (pictured), as papers, plastic bags, take away boxes and plastic bottles were scattered around People were too lazy to take their rubbish home or even leave it next to one of the many bins in Southsea Common Southsea Common near Portsmouth, Hampshire was littered with hundreds of plastic and glass bottles, many BBQ's and general litter left from people having picnics and drinking alcohol The whole common in Southsea was littered with hundreds of plastic and glass bottles, many BBQ's and general litter left from people having picnics and drinking alcohol Some residents, shocked by the appalling littering, have called for the introduction of a dedicated litter police to fine those flouting the rules. Pictured: Southsea Common near Portsmouth, Hampshire 'Surfers against Sewage is always hugely disappointed to see the mess that can be left behind at some of these beaches. 'People should be taking away their rubbish with them and disposing of it properly. 'We work with tens of thousands of volunteers every year to clean up our beaches and so this is particularly frustrating to our volunteers, who are dedicated year round to the protection of the UK beaches for everyone to enjoy.' A worker in Roundwood Park, North West London loads rubbish bags into his truck following the hottest May bank holiday weekend on record Queens Park workers have their work cut out creating up the mess left behind by picnickers Germany has seen an increase in anti-Semitic hate crimes in the past year, annual crime stats released today reveal. Despite seeing an overall drop in hate crimes and other criminal activity in 2017, Interior Minister Horst Seehofer noted the increase in attacks on Jews, in particular by non-German perpetrators.. Last month, Chancellor Angela Merkel called an attack on an Jewish man in Berlin by a Syrian migrant a 'new form of anti-Semitism', and Seehofer said his office is taking the issue seriously. New figures: Interior Minister Horst Seehofer noted an increase in anti-Semitic attacks carried out by migrants living in Germany in 2017 'For the fight against anti-Semitism, we need the widest possible commitment,' he said, noting the recent appointment of a commissioner for Jewish life and against anti-Semitism. According to the new report, anti-Semitic crimes in Germany rose 2.5 percent in 2017 to 1,504. Overall hate crimes fell from 10,751 in 2016 to 7,913 to 2017. In the Berlin attack, the 21-year-old victim, an Arab Israeli who said he wore the kippa in a show of solidarity with his Jewish friends, the suspect has been identified as a 19-year-old Syrian asylum-seeker. There was a notable increase in what Seehofer called 'imported anti-Semitic crimes,' meaning attacks of Jews by migrants living in Germany, as he referred to the Berlin attack. However, Seehofer told reporters. 'imported anti-Semitism' accounted for few of the crimes, with some 94 percent attributed to Germany's far-right. Rise: Some 94 per cent of all anti-Semitic attacks in Germany are carried out by the far-right, with attacks on Jews in general rising by 2.5 per cent last year. Pictured: Police officers patrol during an event to celebrate the 70th anniversary of the founding of Israel in Berlin last week The number of right-wing attacks on asylum-seeker homes, another cause for concern in recent years, dropped nearly 68 percent to 300 in 2017 from 929 in 2016. Overall offenses dropped nearly 10 percent in 2017 compared with the previous year to nearly 5.8 million cases from 6.4 million cases, the lowest figure since 1992. Meanwhile, the proportion of crimes that were solved rose. 'Despite all the challenges, the clear fact is that Germany is more secure - though that's no reason to give the all-clear, there's still a lot to do,' Seehofer said. Significant drops were seen in break-ins, shoplifting and pickpocketing, while increases were seen in drug offences, economic crimes and weapons violations. Despite the decline, recent surveys have shown that Germans perceive their country as less safe. Overall, crimes attributed to the far-right fell by 12.9 percent in 2017 to 20,520. Crimes blamed on the far-left, many connected to the violent protests against last year's G-20 summit in Hamburg, rose 3.9 percent to 9,752. There were 1,102 crimes motivated by religious ideology in 2017, a new category. In 2016, there were 722 crimes attributed to Islamic extremism. The Interior Ministry noted a large spike in the number of people accused of membership in a terrorist organization - to 316 in 2017 from 66 in 2016 - but said most were people pointed out by fellow asylum-seekers for crimes in their homelands. A woman is suing the owners of an Alabama zoo where her 9-year-old daughter was bitten by a kangaroo. Jennifer White accuses Harmony Park Safari owners William Keith Allen and Shannon Allen of negligence and wantonness in connection with the May 2017 attack. According to video footage, a kangaroo named Erwin reached through the fence to grab the girl - named Cheyenne - and bite her ear. Jennifer White accuses Harmony Park Safari owners William Keith Allen and Shannon Allen of negligence and wantonness for the May 2017 attack The Harmony Park Safari includes 50-acres of zoo and a drive-through animal enclosure Cheyenne could be heard screaming in the video as the camera gets disoriented. The girl was hospitalized and received 14 stitches. The lawsuit says the girl also suffered 'extensive physical and mental' damage. The lawsuit says Erwin had a past history of violence and accuses the Allens of failing to accordingly protect zoo visitors. According to video footage, a kangaroo named Erwin reached through the fence to grab the girl - named Cheyenne - and bite her ear White is seeking an unnamed amount in compensatory and punitive damages. The Allens' attorney declined comment to WHNT-TV. The Harmony Park Safari includes 50-acres of zoo and a drive-through animal enclosure. Alabama law states that agritourism businesses like this park cannot be held responsible for visitors' injuries. The lawsuit says Erwin had a past history of violence and accuses the Allens of failing to accordingly protect zoo visitors 'You are assuming the risk of participating in this agritourism activity,' the law reads. 'An agritourism professional is not liable for injury, sickness, or damage to, or the death of, a participant in an agritourism activity at this location if the injury, sickness, damage, or death results from the inherent risks of the agritourism activity. 'Inherent risks of an agritourism activity include...the potential for you to act in a negligent manner that may contribute to your injury.' In July of last year, the U.S. Department of Agriculture ordered that a new barrier be built to accommodate the animals, AL.com reports. The ABC seemed to suffer a post Federal Budget fail after the broadcaster took 12 minutes to go to 7.30 host Leigh Sales' interview with Treasurer Scott Morrison. The broadcaster traditionally goes straight to the interview after the Treasurer delivers the Budget to parliament, but it was delayed and instead had political reporters Laura Tingle and Andrew Probyn giving their views of the Budget. Sales stood awkwardly in front of the camera shuffling papers as she waited for the program to cut to the prepared package, which the veteran journalist soon announced was not ready. However, when Morrison finally appeared with Sales, he claimed that your average dual income Australian family was $1,000 better off after the Budget. The ABC seemed to suffer a post Federal Budget fail after the broadcaster took 12 minutes to go to 7.30 host Leigh Sales' interview with Treasurer Scott Morrison (pictured) When Morrison (pictured) finally appeared with Sales, he claimed the your average dual income Australian family was $1,000 better off after the Budget Australians will be pocketing more money as the Federal Government announced they would be cutting taxes as part of the new Budget. In the Treasurer's first interview since announcing the 2018-19 Budget on Tuesday night, Morrison told Sales he thought Australians should be keeping 'their money'. Morrison said the extra money could be used for the quarterly electricity bill, school uniforms and books, a car registration or a new washing machine. 'It is their money, I want them to keep it, they earned it ... it is not a giveaway,' he said. 'It is an attempt to reward working Australians who have seen it tough ... this tax relief means filling up your car six times.' The Treasurer told the television host the tax cut would make it a 'little bit easier' on families where they could keep an extra $530 up to $1,000 in their wallets. The Treasurer said he trusted how Australians spend their money and it was not up to the Government to decide. 'It is an offensive idea that you should give your money to the government because they know best,' he explained to Sales. Morrison told Sales (pictured) the extra money could be used by Australians for their quarterly electricity bill, school uniforms and books, a car registration or a new washing machine 'I trust Australians to look after their own money and spend it on what they think is most important to them. 'Others may want the government to make those decisions for them. I don't think those Australians do.' The delayed start to the annual interview came after it was announced the ABC was one of the biggest victims of the newly announced Budget as almost $84 million in funding will be cut in 2019-20. The savings will then go to other areas in the federal communications portfolio and to the budget bottom line where an extra $14 million will be used to develop local film and television content at the other public broadcaster SBS. The publicly-funded broadcaster responded saying the 'disappointing' cuts meant it would be difficult to meet the expectations of current and future audiences with their 'public interest journalism'. The Treasurer (pictured centre) said he trusted how Australians spend their money and it was not up to the Government to decide through tax 'Unfortunately, the Government has overlooked this contribution and the trust and value more than 80 per cent of Australians place is us as an independent national broadcaster,' ABC Managing Director Michelle Guthrie wrote to ABC staff Tuesday night. Morrison was further criticised on social media for speaking over the top of Sales as he made his Budget pitch to Australians. 'As usual Morrison doesn't give Leigh Sales time to finish her question and talks over her all the time,' one person wrote on Twitter. Opposition treasury spokesman Chris Bowen said Australians would be very sceptical of the tax cuts. Mr Bowen accused the Government of pulling a hoax on voters and giving up on tackling debt. The spokesman also said Labor would support the first round of tax cuts to be introduced this year. Bomb threats have been sent by email to a 'number' of schools across Britain forcing some to be evacuated as a precaution. The National Crime Agency has launched an investigation into the messages, but it said it believes they are not a 'credible threat.' Schools are being asked to contact their local police force if they have received one of the emails. Selly Park Technology College for Girls in Birmingham was evacuated after receiving a threat this morning. Fairholme Primary School in Feltham, west London, told parents earlier this morning they would be closed due to the threat Selly Park Technology College for Girls in Birmingham was evacuated after receiving a threat this morning It said in a statement: 'After evacuating the premises following a threat received this morning to a number of schools, and following advice from the police, we have reopened the school. 'The day will finish at 3.05pm as normal. Thank you to all our staff, pupils and parents for their calm cooperation.' Fairholme Primary School in Feltham, west London, told parents earlier this morning they would be closed due to the threat. It is not clear if it has re-opened following advice from police. The National Crime Agency said that 'a number' of emails had been sent to schools but 'stress there is no credible threat' The exact number of schools is not known at this stage or if the threats contained any specific demands. A headteacher at Bishopsalt School in Uxbridge, west London, also wrote to parents this morning saying that it had received a 'malicious email.' The statement said: 'We have taken advice from the Police and they are not treating this as a real threat to the school. 'You will know that unfortunately there have been many such threats to schools across the country. 'However, the Police have advised that we should undertake our normal security and safety procedures which we have completed this morning. 'Please be assured that a through (sic) and systematic check of the school has been made and nothing untoward has been found.' In March schools were sent a bomb hoax, and this image of the message was circulated by parents It comes after an email was sent to around 400 schools in March making bomb threats. It turned out to have been caused by rivals rowing about popular game Minecraft. In total 24,000 threatening emails were sent to schools and colleges across the UK demanding $5,000 or a bomb would be detonated. A statement released by the National Crime Agency today, said: 'We are aware of a number of threatening emails being sent to schools and are investigating alongside partners. 'We understand that these types of emails can be distressing and while we take the communications extremely cautiously, we must stress there is no credible threat. 'We would ask that anyone receiving such an email contact their local police.' West Midlands Police said emails were first sent to schools across its region on Monday night. It said in a statement: 'Police are aware of emails circulating to a number of schools in the West Midlands and nationally this morning (Tuesday May 8) making bomb threats - at this stage it is believed they are false and malicious. 'Schools are some of the safest and most secure public spaces with well-rehearsed safety plans in place to deal with a range of emergencies. Staff are highly trained and the well-being of students is their top priority.' CST, a charity that helps UK Jews with security and anti-semitism, said it is 'aware' of some Jewish schools receiving the threat. A notorious elderly German neo-Nazi, who went on the run to try and escape a jail sentence for Holocaust denial, has been arrested and sent to prison. Ursula Haverbeck, 89, was picked up at her home in the town of Vlotho in central Germany, after a five-day manhunt, authorities said. Haverbeck, nicknamed 'The Nazi Grandma' in German media, had been sentenced to two years in jail for denying the Holocaust, a crime in Germany, but failed to turn up to prison on time. Nazi nan: Ursula Haverbeck, 89, pictured during a court appearance in November, failed to turn up to prison to begin her two-year sentence for denying the Holocaust When police went to retrieve the elderly grandmother, they found that her house was empty and her car was missing, and began a search for her. It was not immediately clear when Haverbeck returned home, where police found her on Monday. She was arrested by Herford police and immediately transferred to a correctional facility where she is now beginning her sentence. Haverbeck is a notorious extremist who was once chairwoman of a far-right training centre shut down in 2008 for spreading Nazi propaganda. She had also appeared on television to declare that 'the Holocaust is the biggest and most sustainable lie in history'. Rogue: Haverbeck, nicknamed 'The Nazi Grandma', pictured in court in September, has been convicted of Holocaust denial several times, but had avoided prison due to lengthy appeals Manhunt: When police went to Haverbeck's home to fetch her, they found her gone and launched a search for her which lasted five days Haverbeck has been convicted of Holocaust denial several times, but had avoided prison due to lengthy appeals. Evil: Haverbeck's husband was a senior in the Nazi Party during World War II Her most recent conviction came after she published an article in a neo-Nazi magazine in which she argued that Auschwitz was a labour camp and not the death camp. Haverbeck's lawyer argued that what she wrote was covered by the country's free speech laws but she was convicted of incitement and sentenced in September. Her husband Werner Georg Haverbeck, had a position in the Nazi's national leadership during World War II and after the war, the couple openly preached their far-right views maintaining close ties to several neo-Nazi groups. Even after her husband died in 1999, Ursula continued to hold and preach these views, even meeting infamous neo-Nazis such as Horst Mahler. There was careful deliberation over whether Haverbeck was physically fit enough to endure two years in jail but last week the state prosecutor's office wrote to her saying she should report to prison to start her sentence on 2nd May. It is not known where she hid for the five days up to her arrest on Monday. Cynthia Nixon has come under fire for her suggestion that licensing cannabis sales could be a form of reparations for the injustice suffered by the black community. The 51-year-old has made marijuana legalization a main pillar in her campaign to be the governor of New York state, calling it a social justice issue. In an interview with the Forbes after an appearance at the Cannabis Parade in New York City, the Sex and the City star said the black community should be given priority when it came to licensing sales. Cynthia Nixon, pictured speaking at the Cannabis Parade in New York City After the event, Nixon gave an interview in which she called for licensed cannabis sales to serve as a form of reparation 'Now that cannabis is exploding as an industry, we have to make sure that those communities that have been harmed and devastated by marijuana arrests get the first shot at this industry,' she said. We [must] prioritize them in terms of licenses. It's a form of reparations.' But her comments drew criticism from prominent figures in the black community. Reverend Al Sharpton tweeted: 'I'm for legalizing marijuana and I like Cynthia Nixon but putting pot shops in our communities is not reparations. Health care, education !!' Manhattan Democratic Party Chairman Keith Wright told the New York Daily News, Nixon's comment 'is ill-informed, lacks understanding of the greatest crime in history, and should cease and desist'. 'Reparations is a repayment for the free labor that built this country,' said Wright, a former long-time state assemblyman from Harlem and a former state Democratic party chairman 'Ms. Nixon should relegate her comments to legalization, pro or con. I believe social equity should be a part of licenses to sell marijuana, if and when legalization does occur. Al Sharpton said healthcare and education were priorities for the black community 'However, it is insulting to my soul, that the free labor that my ancestors gave to this country would be equated with the selling of marijuana.' In a statement Black Lives Matter of Greater NY blasted Nixon's comments as 'offensive and ignorant' and called on her to apologise. 'It does a disservice to our community for her to play into harmful stereotypes of African-Americans as drug users and dealers,' the group said in a statement. 'And it does an even greater disservice to the enduring consequences of both slavery and Jim Crow and the inequities these systems of oppression perpetuated to claim that legalizing marijuana would somehow erase that experience.' A construction worker in east China has been saved by doctors after having a steel rod stuck in his eye. The man remained calm as firefighters shortened the 20-inches-long bar with a metal cutter before sending him to the operating theatre. Doctors successfully removed the bar and the worker is now recovering. A worker was sent to a hospital in east China with a 20-inch metal rod impaled in his left eye The construction worker, whose details has not been revealed, was recently admitted to The Second Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University with a reinforcing bar stuck in the left eye, reported the Modern Daily. Footage has emerged which shows firefighters trying to shorten the rod before surgeons removed it from the man's face. They covered the man's face with bandages and secured the rod as one rescuer used a handheld disc cutter. Another firefighter had to spray water towards the metal to reduce the heat generated during the cut. Firefighters sprayed water to the rod to reduce the heat while shortening the rod with a cutter They spent three minutes to cut the bar before sending the man to the operating theatre The worker remains in stable condition after having the rod removed by the doctors It was reported that the man stayed awake during the three-minute rescue effort. He was then pushed into the operation theatre where doctors removed the rod from his eye. No detailed were disclosed of the operation but the man is recovering from surgery and remains in stable condition. He is expected to receive more post-surgery treatments. Treasurer Scott Morrison's daughter stole the show at Scott Morrison's Budget speech in the House of Representatives on Tuesday night. Adorable daughter Lily, 11, lent in for a kiss on the cheek after her father delivered his third budget. Wearing a beautiful white dress, Lily looked proud of her father as she embraced him with a hug after his speech on Tuesday night. The budget pitch is speculated to be Mr Morrison's last before the Federal election. Scroll down for video Australian Federal Treasurer Scott Morrison leans in to kiss daughter Lily after the delivery of the 2018-19 Federal Budget Wearing a beautiful white dress, Lily hugged her father proudly in the House of Representatives, Canberra Daughter Abbey (pictured), and Lily, were both seen talking to Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull Mr Morrison also gave his wife Jenny, dressed in a blue blouse and black pants, a pasionate kiss on the lips after the speech. Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull was enamored with Lily, pictured talking to her and second daughter Abbey. The biggest winners of the budget were people earning $90,000-a-year or less. Workers can expect the equivalent of $10.20 a week to be tipped into their bank accounts under the government's tax relief plan. Mr Morrison gave wife Jenny a passionate kiss after the budget tipped, speculated to be his last before the next Federal election Struggling pensioners who grew up before compulsory superannuation are certain winners after the government pledged billions to support programs. Home buyers, welfare cheats, wealthier taxpayers and dole recipients received no extra tax breaks or income. Meanwhile cash payments of more than $10,000 have been banned by the Federal Government to tackle tax evasion, terrorists and organised crime. People with Centrelink debts of more than $10,000 will also be aggressively pursued as the coalition tries to claw back money from those who are no longer on welfare and have the means to pay. Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull urged Liberals and Nationals to sell the budget 'right up until the election' Nine News reported. Mr Morrison (pictured) leans in to hug daughter Lily while family members Abbey, right, and wife Jenny look on Daughter Lily (pictured) opened up her arms widely and looked elated with her father's performance The treasurer hugs his daughter Abbey as wife Jenny (right) and 2nd daughter Lily (left) looks on Mr Morrison is congratulated by Coalition colleagues Christopher Pyne, Malcolm Turnbull, Julie Bishop and Michael McCormack after he handed down his third budget Former Prime Minister Tony Abbott and friend Kevin Andrews looked lonely in the chamber as they congratulated the treasurer A brewery has been blasted for sexism after it said its beer was full of 'female hormones' that would lead to drinkers talking 'crap' and being unable to drive. The 1648 Brewery Co received dozens of one-star ratings after a Facebook post went horribly wrong. The company, based in Sussex, wrote a post online saying: 'It as been discovered that our beer has female hormones in it, after five pints we talk crap and can't drive.' Social media users were left furious at the company and dozens took to Facebook to blast the brewers. One Facebook user, Minty Rutherford, said: 'Misogynistic company that openly discriminate. The 1648 Brewery Co posted an offensive message on its Facebook account which was seized upon by angered beer drinkers who labelled them misogynist 'I would not bother lining their pockets in exchange for sub-par beer. Unimaginative beer, backwards thinking staff and generally shoddy.' Another user, James Warrington, commented: 'Brewery with staff from the era of acceptable misogyny. Doesn't work in this day and age, I wouldn't put any money their way. Anthony Chapman said: 'The blandest of bland beer. Hateful social media posts of sexist 'jokes'. Avoid.' Jon Ford said: 'Traditional brewery with prehistoric brews and sexist views'. Timothy Wileman added: 'Disgusting misogynistic views from this brewery.' Melissa Cole, an award winning beer writer, condemned the 1648 Brewery Co on Twitter as she tweeted a screenshot of the brewery's post with the caption: 'It has been discovered on FB that @1648BreweryCo seems to have too much sexism in it, talks crap and can't acknowledge this is 2018 not 1918.' Ms Cole, from London, said: 'Beer should be inclusive and this kind of Bernard Manning-esque humour should have been confined to that era by now. 'It also makes jokes about drink driving, a subject it appals me to see being made light of by a brewery and I was astounded to see the local CAMRA branch sharing the post too.' Others said the message was 'hateful' but some Facebook users stood up for the company and said the post was not created or accepted by the owners Beer critic Melissa Cole was angered by the post which reinforced insulting social stereotypes about women Sam Lovely said: 'Someone needs to inform these dinosaurs that it's 2018.' However some supported the post and saw it as more of a misguided joke. Peter Church wrote: 'Don't worry about the outraged hipsters, they will soon go away and find something else to rant about. They all come from a group controlled by a total control freak, whom I might add is the laughing stock of the wider beer community.' Jon Taguea friend of the owners said they had nothing to do with the post and it was by another person with access to their official page. Many on Facebook told the brewing company based in Sussex they need to enter 2018 and that 'dinosaur' views on women were not accepted. More than 40 people complained He said: 'To be fair Bob and Owen had nothing to do with the comment that was posted and have removed it straight away. 'This does not reflect on there own views and found the comment highly offensive.' But customers said a denial through a friend and removing the post was not enough and called for an apology. Sarah Victoria wrote: 'They seem to think an acceptable marketing technique is to alienate half their customer base. You can delete a post, but you can't delete the intent..' It comes after the brewing industry vowed to clean up its act following a series of sexist adverts. A Manchester brewery was forced to take down adverts showing women in skin-tight tops from one of its bars following a backlash. The ads showed women with protruding nipples along with the slogan: 'Somethings [sic] are better Extra Cold'. Pink IPA from Brewdog, which was dubbed Beer for Girls and was introduced to take aim at the gender pay gap, was also slated in March. The 1648 Brewery Co has now removed the post. They have not yet responded to requests for a comment. Tyrese Osei-Kofi has been jailed for ten years for stabbing his friend in a petty squabble A teenager who left a 17-year-old college student blind and comatose after stabbing him in the heart during a petty row outside a supermarket has been jailed for ten years. Tyrese Osei-Kofi, 18, pulled out a knife and stabbed his friend Jamel Boyce just a few hours after they were seen laughing and joking together at a McDonald's. Jamel, now 18, was nicknamed 'Smiley' by fellow pupils at St Francis Xavier sixth form college in south London, because of his upbeat attitude. He suffered permanent damage to his brain after it was starved of oxygen, and will likely remain in a vegetative state for the rest of his life, requiring 24-hour care at an acute rehabilitation unit. Pansy Boyce, his mother, attended the Old Bailey where she tearfully read a prepared statement. She said: 'Jamel is a very shy, humble boy who always used to have a smile on his face. 'He is introverted but naturally affable with a kind hearted pleasant demeanour which resulted in him being given the nickname Smiley at college.' Jamel Boyce was left in a vegetative state following the attack, which unfolded a few hours after he and his attacker were seen laughing together in a McDonalds (video below) Ms Boyce added: 'I just want Jamel to make a full and swift recovery and to be healthy and normal again. I wish I could take away his pain. 'When you read about the knife crime epidemic sweeping our streets in the newspapers you always pray it won't happen to your child and your heart automatically goes out to the victim's mother. I just want my son Jamel back.' Osei-Kofi admitted arguing with Jamel but claimed that someone else stabbed the teenager at the rear of a Sainsbury's store in Clapham High Street. He was cleared of attempted murder but convicted of the lesser alternative charge of wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm following a trial at the Old Bailey. Jamel Boyce's mother said he was 'smiley and kind-hearted' and she just wanted him to recover Judge Richard Marks QC sentenced Osei-Kofi to ten years in a young offenders institution. The judge said: 'This case illustrates once again how dangerous knives are because it is so easy to use them once an argument arises if they are readily available. 'In the current climate those who use knives in a public place and those in doing so to inflict serious injury are bound to receive serious sentences.' The judge said the court may never learn the real reason the fight broke out, but that it appeared to be over a petty argument. President Donald Trump will announce his decision on the 2015 Iran nuclear deal on May 8, 2018 amid speculation that he will pull the US from the agreement, despite pleas from his European allies that this could result in a global crisis. While this decision gives Trump an opportunity to push his America First philosophy and further demolish the legacy of former President Barack Obama, in the worst case scenario, the consequences could result in a war between the US and Iran. After the announcement has been made, the Trump administration will decide whether to wield sanctions in order to punish countries that continue to deal with Iran or establish a revised deal that would provide them with more time to comply with the restored sanctions. Donald Trump is pictured during his announcement that he will run for US President in 2016 What is the Iran nuclear deal? The 2015 Iran nuclear deal was arguably Barack Obamas biggest foreign policy achievement during his presidency and aimed to limit Iran's nuclear energy programme that many nations feared the country would use to form a nuclear weapon. In exchange for this limitation, the deal struck between Iran and six world powers - the US, UK, Russia, France, China and Germany - lifted economic sanctions on the Middle Eastern country, according to the BBC. Uranium As part of the nuclear deal, Iran has been limited to installing no more than 5,060 of the oldest and least efficient centrifuges at its uranium enrichment facility in Natanz for 10 years. Iran had two uranium enrichment facilities - Natanz and Fordo - and here, uranium hexafluoride gas is fed into centrifuges to separate the isotope U-235. Uranium with a three to four percent concentration of U-235 can be used to fuel nuclear power plants and can also be enriched to reach 90 percent, to produce nuclear weapons. As well as a limit on the number of centrifuge installations, the countrys uranium stockpile was reduced and the level of enrichment was kept at 3.67%. Plutonium While the six world powers wanted the heavy-water nuclear facility in Arak to be dismantled because spent fuel from a reactor contains plutonium suitable for a nuclear bomb, Iran agreed to redesign the reactor so that it could not produce any weapons-grade plutonium back in 2013. As the modified reactor still exists, all spent fuel is sent out of the country, most of which is shipped to the US via a third country and some retained for medicine. After the deal was made, it was decided that Iran would not be permitted to build other heavy-water reactors or accumulate any excess heavy water for 15 years. This photo from July 14, 2015 shows a group of Iranians cheer and spray artificial snow during street celebrations following the landmark nuclear deal, in Tehran, Iran Inspections In 2015, the White House was confident that the JCPOA (Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action) would ensure that no nuclear programme was formed in secret after the deal was confirmed. Inspectors from the UNs International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) also regularly visit nuclear sites and check that no fissile material is moved to a secret location in order to make a bomb. Sanctions Previous sanctions put in place by the UN, US and EU to stop uranium enrichment crippled Irans economy and cost the country more than $160 billion (110bn) in oil revenue from 2012 to 2016. The deal resulted in Iran being able to access $100 billion (74bn) in frozen assets overseas and resume selling oil on international markets. If Iran violated any term of the deal, the UN sanctions would snap back into place for 10 years, with the option of extending for a further five years. Why was the Iran nuclear deal made? Several key moments of hostility between Tehran and the West shaped the 2015 Iran nuclear deal, starting with the revelation of the covert nuclear site in Natanz in 2002 which was found by the UNs IAEA as being used to enrich uranium. A year later, Britain, France and Germany engaged Iran in nuclear negotiations and despite Washington refusing to join, Iran suspended its uranium enrichment. In 2006, Iran announced that it would restart enrichment which resulted in the three countries collaborating with the US, Russia and China to persuade the Middle Eastern nation to curb its nuclear program. The UN Security Council then imposed its first set of sanctions, banning the sale of sensitive nuclear technology while the number of centrifuges increased and the stockpile of low-enriched uranium grew. President Obama is pictured making a statement about Iran in the White House in Washington In 2009, Obama conducted the most extensive talks between Washington and Tehran in 30 years and a year later, the IAEA said that Iran was enriching to 20 percent in Fordo. This resulted in the European Union freezing the assets of Irans central bank and halted Iranian oil imports ahead of Hassan Rouhanis election. In 2013, Iran and the six world powers agreed on an interim agreement but before the deal was even finalised, Donald Trump, a New York businessman at the time, said that the deal was a disaster. Around the same time that Trump announced that he was running for President, the Iran nuclear deal was finalised. In October 2015, Iran conducted its first ballistic missile test, with the US accusing Iran of violating the deal but Obama said that these tests were entirely separate from the nuclear deal. This photo shows a Qadr H long-range ballistic surface-to-surface missile fired by Iran's Revolutionary Guard in an undisclosed location in Iran In 2016, the IAEA acknowledged that Iran had kept to the rules and most sanctions on the country were lifted, resulting in Iran re-entering the global banking system and selling crude oil and natural gas. In November of the same year, Trump was elected as US President and by February 2017, Michael Flynn said that the government was officially putting Iran on notice over its ballistic missile tests. Later in the year, Iran suffered its first ISIS group attack in Tehran which led to the country firing ballistic missiles at suspected targets in Syria. In October 2017, Trump announced that he would not be recertifying the Iran nuclear deal and said that it threw Irans dictatorship a political and economic lifeline. When will Trump decide on the Iran nuclear deal? Trump, who believes that the deal is too lenient and that Iran has broken parts of the agreement, announced in October 2017 that he refuses to continue signing off on the agreement and has called for new sanctions. These sanctions are directed against Irans Revolutionary Guard police force and Trump has asked Congress to change the US terms for the deal. However, in response to Trump, the European Unions Foreign Policy Chief Federica Mogherini said that there had been no violations by Iran and that the deal could not be renegotiated. As the US President tweeted, Donald Trump will be announcing his decision from the White House at 2pm EDT (7pm BST). I will be announcing my decision on the Iran Deal tomorrow from the White House at 2:00pm. Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) May 7, 2018 What is Trump expected to say? Despite the IAEA saying that Iran was in compliance with the nuclear deal in February 2018, it is expected that Trump will announce that the US is pulling out of the deal. Trump must decide whether to renew waivers that eased sanctions on Irans central bank, hitting oil exports and force global companies to reduce purchases of oil from Iran. As well as this, in what is being dubbed as the nuclear option, Trump may also decide to reimpose all the sanctions at once and put the US in violation of the deals terms. What happens if Trump pulls out of the Iran nuclear deal? In what has been considered as Irans first official comment on Trumps tweet announcing he would reveal his decision on the deal, President Hassan Rouhani said that the country could face some problems. Iranian President Hassan Rouhani spoke in a meeting with officials in Mashhad and said that Iran would not be willing not to abandon the nuclear deal even if the United States pulls out 'It is possible that we will face some problems for two or three months, but we will pass through this, he said and went on to say that Iran wants to keep 'working with the world and constructive engagement with the world.' The Islamic Republic have been preparing for every possible scenario, including a deal without Washington - which would still include the other signatories that remain committed to it - or no deal at all. 'We are not worried about America's cruel decisions. We are prepared for all scenarios and no change will occur in our lives next week,' Rouhani said in a speech broadcast live on state TV. 'If we can get what we want from a deal without America, then Iran will continue to remain committed to the deal. 'What Iran wants is our interests to be guaranteed by its non-American signatories. In that case, getting rid of America's mischievous presence will be fine for Iran.' Donald Trump continues to lash out at former Secretary of State John Kerry for trying to interfere with foreign policy as the president prepares to make a major announcement about the Iran nuclear deal. 'John Kerry cant get over the fact that he had his chance and blew it! Stay away from negotiations John, you are hurting your country!' Trump tweeted Tuesday. Trump will make his intentions toward Tehran known Tuesday afternoon, and is likely to end the sanctions relief that has breathed new life into Iran's economy and, Republican critics of the Obama-era agreement say, allowed the Islamist nation to quietly advance the nuclear weapons program it swore to stop in its tracks. The president blasted Kerry on Monday following news reports that the ex-diplomat had secretly met with foreign governments in a bid to save the much-maligned deal. The multinational bargain, which Trump has called 'insane' and 'the worst deal ever,' called for a decade-long pledge from Iran to cease developing nuclear weapons, in exchange for a relaxation of international sanctions. President Donald Trump went back on offense against John Kerry on Tuesday, blasting him for interfering in foreign policy Trump slapped the ex-diplomat for meeting in secret with foreign leaders in order to try and salvage the Iran nuclear deal that Barack Obama inked in 2015 Kerry met with leaders from Iran, Germany, France and the European Union despite the fact that he no longer has any legal authority to conduct foreign policy If the sanctions snap back into effect, the U.S. will be in violation of the agreement and effectively end its participation. Iran could then decide to walk away from it entirely and resume its nuclear weapons program in the open with the benefit of $150 billion in assets the Obama White House unfroze. The Boston Globe reported Friday that Kerry quietly met two weeks ago with Iranian Foreign Minister Javad Zarif, and had separate confabs with German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier and French President Emmanuel Macron all to strategize against Trump's intention to upend the deal. 'The United States does not need John Kerrys possibly illegal Shadow Diplomacy on the very badly negotiated Iran Deal,' the president wrote Monday on Twitter. 'He was the one that created this MESS in the first place!' Kerry brokered the deal for the Obama administration. Trump has threatened to reimpose sanctions by May 12, the deadline for certifying Iran's compliance with its obligations under the arrangement. Trump tweeted Monday that he would announce his position on the Iran accord less than a day later, surprising even his closest communications aides Trump too a shot at Kerry on Monday for conducting 'shadow diplomacy' behind his back that undermines his negotiations with Iran over rewriting the multinational nuclear deal Trump on Monday called Kerry's intervention 'possibly illegal' and blamed him for the current arrangement that gave Tehran sanctions relief but would allow it to build nuclear bombs as soon as 2027 Kerry (left) is seen with Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif in 2016; Kerry met with Zarif last month for secret talks about how to undermine Trump's bid to kill the nuclear deal White House Press Secretary Sarah Sanders told reporters on Monday that Kerry's advocacy won't make a difference as Trump weighs what to do. 'I don't think that we would take advice from somebody who created what the president sees as one of the worst deals ever made,' she said. 'I don't see why we would start listening to him now.' A spokesman for Kerry issued a statement late Monday morning, defending his apparent habit of lobbying foreign governments as a civilian. 'I think every American would want every voice possible urging Iran to remain in compliance with the nuclear agreement that prevented a war,' the statement said. 'Secretary Kerry stays in touch with his former counterparts around the world just like every previous Secretary of State. Like America's closest allies, he believes it is important that the nuclear agreement, which took the world years to negotiate, remain effective as countries focus on stability in the region.' But whether or not Kerry's flurry of clandestine diplomacy bears fruit, he will be criticized for carrying out the duties of the job he lost when Trump became president. A federal law called the Logan Act makes it a felony for unauthorized civilians to conduct foreign policy with nations that are in the midst of a dispute with the United States. Kerry has also been meeting with German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier (left) and French President Emmanuel Macron (right) in attempts to salvage the Iran deal Kerry could run afoul of the Logan Act, a 200+ year-old federal law that made it a felony for civilians to conduct foreign policy without authorization The statute, known as the Logan Act, dates back to 1799 and has only been used twice to indict people in 1803 and 1852. Neither was convicted. One defendant, a Peruvian admiral, was prosecuted for writing a letter to the president of Mexico to scuttle a competitor's bid to build a railroad connecting the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. The other was a farmer charged with the crime of writing a newspper article urging western U.S. states to secede and join neighboring French territories. Some legal scholars have written that the Logan Act is unconstitutional, and only remains on the books because it hasn't been tested in court. Some of Trump's own advisers were accused of violating the Logan Act during the post-election transition period in 2016 and 2017. Michael Flynn, Trump's first national security adviser who was fired after just weeks on the job, was originally eyed as a possible Logan Act violator when the Justice Department targeted him. Flynn had made contact with Russia's then-ambassador to the U.S. Sergey Kislyak to discuss how the new administration might view existing sanctions regimes imposed on Moscow, and how Trump's team hoped the Kremlin would vote on a pending United Nations resolution condemning Israel. Sally Yates, then the deputy attorney general, later testified that the potential for Logan Act violations was the initial justification for interrogating Flynn who later pleaded guilty to lying to the FBI in connection with that grilling. Kerry, at one time a Democratic senator for Massachussets, has been accused of violating the Logan Act in the past. In January he told a confidant of Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas that he should 'stay strong' and 'play for time' while Trump is in the White House. Kerry told the Lebanese academic Hussein Agha that he was considering a second run for the White House in 2020, and aimed to help Palestinians in their territorial battles with Israel. 'It is unusual for a former secretary of state to engage in foreign policy like this, as an actual diplomat and quasi-negotiator,' Michael O'Hanlon, a foreign policy expert at the Brookings Institution, told the Globe, referring to Kerry's Iran efforts this year. 'Of course, former secretaries of state often remain quite engaged with foreign leaders, as they should, but it's rarely so issue-specific, especially when they have just left office.' Israeli President Benjamin Netanyahu has been pushing Trump to take a more aggressive posture toward Iran, his nation's most prolific antagonist. Netanyahu delivered a presentation last week claiming Israel's intelligence agency had proof that Iran 'lied' about its intention to dismantle its nuclear weapons program. The Obama administration reacted to the deadly attacks on Benghazi with a mixture of incompetence and an attempt to wriggle out of responsibility, John McCain says in a new memoir. In 'The Restless Wave: Good Times, Just Causes, Great Fights, and Other Appreciations', set to be published next month, the Senator also condemns Donald Trump for what he claims is a lack of empathy for refugees. The September 11, 2012, assault on the US diplomatic compound killed Ambassador to Libya Chris Stevens, State Department information management officer Sean Patrick Smith and contract security officers Tyrone Woods and Glen Doherty. Scroll down for video: John McCain said he wasn't initially angered by the Obama administration's response but that changed as misleading statements were issued Ambassador Chris Stevens was killed in the attack along with a State Department official and two security officers Stevens and Smith died in the burning diplomatic outpost despite efforts to rescue them. Woods and Doherty died nearly eight hours later in a mortar attack on a nearby CIA complex. In his book, a copy of which has been obtained by Fox News, Arizona Senator McCain, describes Stevens as 'a talented diplomat, and an exceptional human being', adding 'I miss him very much'. 'He believed in what he was doing, supporting the Libyan people's rights to freedom and justice, and helping them build an open society, and he was effective,' McCain writes. Prior to the attack, the ambassador had asked for enhanced security, but it was denied, McCain says. An armed man waves his rifle as buildings and cars are engulfed in flames inside the US consulate compound in Benghazi The Obama administration initially tried to blame the attack on an inflammatory video mocking Islam When news of the attack emerged, McCain was not 'at first' angry with the Obama administration's handling of it, including the actions of his 'friend' Hillary Clinton, though he was 'saddened'. 'I started to get angry when it appeared administration officials were knowingly misleading us about the attack, attributing it to a video that some idiot had made mocking Islam that incited a spontaneous mob that turned violent,' McCain wrote. Hillary Clinton sits down at the beginning of another evidence session of the House Select Committee on Benghazi 'It took more than a week for the White House to acknowledge it had been a planned terrorist attack. The uproar that ensued became a lasting political controversy that's still debated. 'In the end, all it established is what could have been presumed at the beginning, bureaucratic incompetence and a** covering, two common conditions in Washington. 'Anger subsides, politics moves on, but sadness remains. Chris Stevens deserved better from all of us.' He also takes aim at Donald Trump whose 'lack of empathy' for 'refugees, innocent, persecuted, desperate men, women and children' is 'disturbing' and 'appalling'. A two-year investigation by a House Benghazi committee focused heavily on Clinton's role and whether security at the compounds and the response to the attack was sufficient. It was the Benghazi probe that revealed Clinton used a private email server for government work, prompting an FBI investigation that proved to be an albatross in her presidential campaign. A young boy has been left parent-less after his Neo-Nazi mother was jailed for murdering his father with a hammer as he slept in their home. Melony Jane Attwood plotted the death with fellow white supremacists to bludgeon Alan Taylor to death in Perth in April 2016. The 42-year-old FIFO boilermaker was murdered in the Girrawheen house he owned which he let Attwood's lover, 22-year-old Robert Edhouse, to also live in. Scroll down for video A young boy has been left parent-less after his Neo-Nazi mother, Melony Jane Attwood (pictured), was jailed for murdering his father with a hammer as he slept in their home Attwood plotted the death with fellow white supremacists to bludgeon Alan Taylor (pictured) to death in Perth with a hammer in April 2016 inside his house Mr Taylor did not know Attwood and Edhouse were in a relationship, but may have suspected, Western Australia Supreme Court Justice Lindy Jenkins said in handing down minimum 21-year sentences to the pair on Tuesday. Attwood and Edhouse's motive was getting hold of a $1 million life insurance policy they believed the 42-year-old had. Edhouse may have wanted to eliminate his sexual rival, retain cohesion of the Aryan Nations group he presided over and impress Attwood, who led the female division Aryan Girls. Attwood, 37, who pretended to have separated from Mr Taylor in a Centrelink sham, wanted him 'out of the way', Justice Jenkins said. The attack was carried out by Edhouse and a fourth person, an Aryan Nations affiliate who cannot be identified, pleaded guilty to murder and was previously given a reduced sentence for testifying. Edhouse's former friend and acolyte Corey Joshua Dymock, 21, who was acquitted of murder but found guilty of being an accessory, was jailed for five years and will be eligible for parole after serving three. White supremacist Attwood and lover Robert Edhouse (left and right) were both jailed for a minimum of 21 years for murdering Mr Taylor for his $1 million life insurance policy The trial heard the group went to a cinema after the killing in a bid to create a false alibi and Attwood made a distressed-sounding triple-zero call when she returned home Attwood appeared to briefly faint as Justice Jenkins described the extent of Mr Taylor's head injuries during sentencing on Tuesday, drawing scoffs of disbelief from the victim's supporters. She also collapsed in March moments after the jury found the trio guilty and Edhouse attacked Dymock in the dock, throwing punches and threatening to kill him. The outburst was sparked by Dymock smiling at Edhouse as they were being led to the cells, Justice Jenkins said. 'I can only describe the court as being in chaos,' the judge said. Justice Jenkins described the premeditated killing as vicious and horrendous, saying it was degrading Mr Taylor had been left alone for hours to die, bleeding and naked Attwood appeared to briefly faint as Justice Jenkins described the extent of Mr Taylor's head injuries during sentencing on Tuesday, drawing scoffs of disbelief from the victim's supporters But Attwood and Edhouse barely reacted when they were handed their matching sentences. The trial heard the group went to a cinema after the killing in a bid to create a false alibi and Attwood made a distressed-sounding triple-zero call when she returned home. Justice Jenkins described the premeditated killing as vicious and horrendous, saying it was degrading Mr Taylor had been left alone for hours to die, bleeding and naked. 'One thing we can't understand is a person we took into our family for nearly nine years as a member of the family could do that to our son and sit in that box and have no remorse,' Mr Taylor's mother Rosemary said of Attwood outside court. 'To take a father away from a child, when you know very well the child loves that person, that's worse than killing him.' Attwood and Edhouse (pictured) barely reacted when they were handed their matching sentences at Western Australia Supreme Court Jacob Rees-Mogg praised 'aggressive' Boris Johnson and 'amazing' Sajid Javid today amid speculation over a Brexiteer bid to oust Theresa May. The Tory backbencher - head of the influential Eurosceptic bloc of Tory MPs - upped the pressure on the PM amid a mounting meltdown over plans for trade with the EU. Boris Johnson brought the bitter Cabinet row crashing into the open today with a dramatic intervention in which he warned that the proposal would create 'a whole new web of bureaucracy'. The outspoken attack, in an interview with the Daily Mail, raises the prospect that Mr Johnson could quit if Mrs May does not drop the idea. Leading Tory Eurosceptic Jacob Rees-Mogg (pictured with some of his children at a fair in his East Somerset constituency yesterday) said Britain would be much more 'aggressive' in negotiations with Brussels if Boris Johnson was PM Mr Rees-Mogg tweeted that Mr Johnson had 'hit the nail on the head' with his explosive condemnation of the customs partnership idea But Mr Rees-Mogg said Mr Johnson had 'hit the nail on the head' - and also suggested Britain would be much more 'aggressive' in negotiations with Brussels he was PM. 'The EU knows if they don't support and help Theresa May to get a deal, there is the risk of having somebody much, much more aggressive, which they don't want,' Rees-Mogg told the Telegraph. 'I think that's helping her. By being a Remainer, by being moderate, by being courteous, she is doing a highly competent job in negotiations. 'I don't think they would like to have Boris Johnson, do you? That's a strength of her position. Banging the table doesn't always get results.' Mr Rees-Mogg also praised new Home Secretary Sajid Javid and tipped him as a future leader - while stressing there was 'no desire' in the Conservative Party for a change at the top now. Mr Javid was seen as a reluctant Remainer before the referendum, but sided with Eurosceptics including Mr Johnson and Michael Gove when the 'War Cabinet' clashed over the customs partnership idea last week. Mr Rees-Mogg said: 'I would hate to put the evil eye on him by recommending him. 'But he's a formidably able man. If you are talking about some date in the 2030s when Theresa May has decided she has had enough, then he is definitely in that group (of potential leaders).' The MP pointed out that Mr Javid's father had come to Britain as an immigrant and extolled the values of Conservatism. 'His son is now one of the great office holders of state. That is just amazing. Gosh, it should make us proud to be British, that this is possible in this country,' he said. Mr Rees-Mogg heads the European Research Group, which includes 60 MPs - more than enough to trigger a Tory leadership contest. But he insisted Mrs May 'deserves from Tory MPs and supporters trust in what she's doing'. Mr Rees-Mogg speculated about the relative attractions of Mr Johnson (left) and new Home Secretary Sajid Javid as leaders of the Conservative Party A photo of a Vietnam veteran sitting outside a Walmart in the pouring rain as he was raising money has gone viral. Manuel Griffin, 69, sat outside the retailer selling poppies to raise money for service members in Dickson City, Pennsylvania. But when it began to rain on Friday and he requested to sit closer to the store for shelter, the store manager turned him down. Scroll down for video A photo of Vietnam veteran Manuel Griffin, 69, who was forced to sit outside in the pouring rain as he was raising money outside of a Pennsylvania Walmart on Friday has gone viral His wife Maryann shared the photo in a since deleted post on Facebook saying 'Way to go WALMART...commendable way to treat our veterans who fought for your freedom...Disgrace!' Griffin requested to sit closer to the store for shelter from the rain but the Dickson store manager turned him down saying a 'safety policy' required money collectors sit 15ft away Griffin's wife Maryann shared a snap of her husband sitting at his Veterans of Foreign Wars fundraising table with his hands folded and a downcast head as he sat in the rain with no protection. She shared the photo on Facebook where his photo has gone viral with more than 6,000 shares. 'As it was pouring rain, he was told he couldnt stay at the protected area and that he would have to go out in the rain and 15 feet away from the building as per the store manager,' Maryann wrote in the since deleted post. 'Way to go WALMART....commendable way to treat our veterans who fought for your freedom.....Disgrace,' she added. The photo was sent to her by a passerby who 'obviously felt the same', she said. The store manager said that the store's safety policy changed two years ago, requiring people collecting money to stand 15ft away from the doorway. But the rain didnt stop the dedicated veteran who sat through the downpour instead of packing up and heading home. Griffin, pictured with wife above, didn't leave his post despite the rain and even returned the next day to continue his veteran fundraising efforts After his wife, right, posted on Facebook, the following day a large group of people showed up to donate to Griffin's cause to support the dedicated veteran Thankful: On Saturday Maryann posted on Facebook thanking those who turned out 'He is going to do what he has to do for his [Veterans of Foreign Wars], and he wants to make sure he is representing them the same way we did when we wore the uniform,' Griffin's friend David Ragan said to Newswatch 16. The post sparked outrage as commenters criticized Walmart for their lack of respect to former service members. 'Regardless of what he was selling or for whom, they had regularly allowed him to do so. Basic human kindness should have stepped in here. Thanks for his service, both in the past and in the present!' one user wrote. 'This is a kick in the face to someone whom puts their life on the line so Walmart can resort to disgraceful acts to our military! I encourage everyone to boycott Walmart,' another user added. 'All American stores and restaurants are getting ridiculous with their policies. People grow up these could be our fathers, mothers, sisters, brothers or grandparents that fought in the wars. They could be related to anyone of us and we allow our fellow man to degrade them like this. I'm getting more ashamed of you all,' another user wrote. The following day a large group of people turned up at the Walmart to show support for Griffin His friend also spoke with Walmart's store manager on Saturday to reach a compromise that come bad weather, the store would offer vets a weather canopy Happy ending! When bad weather struck two days following the viral photo, Walmart kept their promise and provided a weather canopy for the veteran as he sat outside in the rain Griffin was not disheartened by the incident and returned to Walmart the next morning to serve his fundraising shift in the same spot. 'Thank you for the overwhelming support to our Veterans and the disrespect shown at a local Walmart. My husband will be at this sight again today from 8 to noon ...stop by to say hello ! Thank you again for your wonderful response and support!' his wife posted on Facebook on Saturday. The next morning, many people turned up at the Walmart to donate to the fund and praise the veteran for his dedication to service members, come rain or shine. His friend Ragan then spoke with Walmart managers to come to a compromise. The two came to an agreement that Walmart would provide veterans with an inclement-weather canopy, according to Yahoo! On Sunday when it began to rain Walmart kept their word and provided a canopy for Griffin as he returned to his post to raise money. 'We have tremendous respect for our nations veterans. We apologize for any misunderstanding, and our store leadership is donating canopies to the local Dickson City, Pa., Veterans Service Organizations for their use going forward,' a Walmart spokesperson said to DailyMail.com. An Ohio man referred to as a 'good-looking devil' by his own mother has been convicted in the slayings of two women whose bodies were found dumped under piles of clothes in what was thought to be a vacant home. Shawn Grate, 41, was found guilty on Monday over the two murders and the kidnapping and sexual assault of another woman at the home in Ashland, south-west of Cleveland. Jurors took just three hours to reach a verdict. The bodies of Grate's two slain victims were only discovered when a third woman called police from a bedroom in the home in September 2016 saying she had been kidnapped, tied to a bed and raped for several days. Shawn Grate, 41, was found guilty on Monday over the two murders and the kidnapping and sexual assault of another woman at the home in Ashland, Ohio back in 2016 Grate was found guilty on Monday (above) and it took jurors just three hours to reach a verdict Elizabeth Griffith, 29, and Stacey Stanley, 43, were identified as his victims and both had been strangled to death. Police said they found trash and dirty clothes inside the home and some had been piled up as high as the ceiling. The smell of decay led officers to an upstairs bedroom sealed with duct tape. They found the body of one woman underneath of pile of clothes. The second woman's decomposing body was found in the basement. Police arrested Grate at the scene and photos show him being marched out of the home shirtless and in handcuffs. He pleaded guilty last week to 15 charges including rape and abuse of a corpse. Grate has also been linked to the deaths of three other women in nearby neighborhoods but has not been charged in those killings. Stacey Stanley, 43, (left) and Elizabeth Griffith, 29, (right) were found strangled to death and dumped under piles of clothing in the Ohio home in 2016 The bodies were found dumped under piles of clothes in what was thought to be a vacant home in Ashland, Ohio. The home is pictured above He told police and television reporters soon after his arrest that he had killed a number of other women. Grate is being investigated in the deaths of an unidentified woman killed around 2005, Rebekah Leicy who was killed in 2015 and the 2016 death of Candice Cunningham. He has been described by those who know him as a charmer with a dark side and police say he mostly targeted women who were vulnerable to drug use or had slipped through social cracks. His own mother, Theresa McFarland, told DailyMail.com that he had been estranged from their family for several years but had no doubt that he was guilty. 'Yes he's good looking but the Devil's good looking too. He ain't no red horns and all that stuff,' she said. 'You find out he's charming and of course that charm can charm the pants off anybody, not to be nasty, but you just know how it works.' Police arrested Grate at the scene and photos show him being marched out of the home shirtless and in handcuffs Grate (pictured last month) has also been linked to the deaths of three other women in nearby neighborhoods but has not been charged in those killings She admitted that Grate had always been 'headstrong' and had a need for control. 'You couldn't live with him. You try to help him and the next thing he's running your life. He's not working and you think, 'Why don't you want to go to work? You've got to go to work to make a living. That's our society,' she said. Grate, who has two children from past relationships, had served about four years in prison for buglary after finishing high school. He has also faced charges for domestic violence, aggravated menacing and failing to pay child support. After his marriage fell apart in 2012 and his ex-wife took out a restraining order against him, Grate moved around from place to place - sometimes living with women he had met or squatting in abandoned homes. Grate could face the death penalty or life in prison when the jury reaches the sentencing phase of his trial on May 18. Chevinne Darling avoided jail and was handed a suspended sentence after she was convicted of theft and perverting the course of justice A betting shop cashier staged a fake robbery with her father who told police when he was arrested for the raid that he didn't recognise her behind the counter. John White stole 3,500 from a Ladbrokes in Mill Hill, Barnet, north London in a joint scam with his daughter Chevvine Darling. But he claimed he only realised it was her half-way through the robbery, and insisted the 28-year-old was not involved. Guildford Crown Court heard White walked in wearing a hat and scarf and handed over a demand note to Darling that read 'put money in bag, no tricks, no buzzers.' She then passed around 3,500 from the safe to trainee Shellicia Johnson, who packed it into a bag. White was jailed for three years for the robbery and Darling avoided jail with a suspended sentence. Richard Burrington, prosecuting, said White's basis of plea for the robbery was that he had 'recognised her part way through but hadn't planned to do [the robbery] with her'. Darling, of Colindale, north west London, had been communicating with White throughout the day of the robbery, as he travelled up from his home in Maidstone, Kent to the bookies in north London. But she later told police in a statement she did not recognise the man involved in the raid in October 2016. 'She repeated what we say was her fabricated account of having been robbed by an unknown male,' said Mr Barrington. 'She was trying to steer police away from the truth.' Darling worked behind the counter in this branch of Ladbrokes, in Mill Hill, Barnet, north London There were '30 separate communications' between Darling and White on the day of the robbery, which was the most contact they had made in the entire month. Mr Burrington added: 'If she was not involved it would have been a complete fluke that he chose that branch, of all the betting shops he chose to rob that day. 'Having approached the counter and discovering what we say is the extraordinary coincidence and bad luck his daughter was the cashier, wouldn't he have turned and walked away? 'Regardless of the facial disguise which we accept was present, a scarf covering a great part of the face, would she really not have identified her own father once he spoke those words to Miss Johnson?' Darling was also ordered to carry out a 200 hour community order when she was sentenced at Guildford Crown Court (pictured) Darling had also chatted with Ms Johnson about what to do in the event of a robbery just hours before White walked into the shop. Ms Johnson said: 'Me and Chevvine were speaking about robberies. At the time there was a couple of robberies happening in the area. We were saying 'what would you do' in terms of a robbery. I said I would just do what they said. She said the same as well.' She said Darling had emptied large quantities of cash from the betting machines and put it into the safe around two hours before the theft. 'She counted it then she put it in the safe,' said Ms Johnson. 'There's two compartments. One that prevents robberies. That would be a better place to put it but she didn't put it in there. 'After the robbery I realised that she had put it down in the bottom. We normally put a little bit of money in there, like 300. 'I wouldn't question it because she was my manager. Before the robbery a customer came in and he asked for money but she didn't pay him out, she said she couldn't. But I saw there was money. I thought it was a bit weird why she didn't pay him out.' Ms Johnson said when Darling was handed the note by her dad she 'glanced' over it before moving over to the safe. 'He didn't come to me, interact with me or anything', she said. 'When he slid the note Chevvine took the note and she literally glanced over it. 'When she glanced over the note she literally went straight to the safe. I said Chevvine what's on the note, and he said to me 'shut the f**k up do what I say and don't cause any alarms'. The woman also claimed Darling called another branch manager as opposed to the security team after the 'robbery'. She said: 'You are meant to inform other shops after the robbery but you are meant to call security first.' Darling denied the charges but was convicted of theft and perverting the course of justice after a trial at Kingston Crown Court. Judge John Kingston sentenced Darling to 21 months imprisonment, suspended for two years, at Guildford Crown Court. Darling was ordered to carry out a 200 hour community order as part of the sentence. White, in his 50s, had pleaded guilty to robbery and was jailed for a total of three years. Neale Richmond, chairman of the Irish Senate's Brexit committee, said any customs checks would see a return to sectarian bloodshed (file pic) Theresa May's proposal for a 'Max Fac' post Brexit customs plan with the EU would lead to violence along the Irish border, a senior Irish politician has suggested. Neale Richmond, chairman of the Irish Senate's Brexit committee, said any customs checks would see a return to sectarian bloodshed. And he called for the UK to stay in the European Economic Area (EEA) after Brexit - meaning the country would stay in the single market and may have to accept free movement. His intervention will be seen as part of a bid by Remainers and the EU to pile pressure on the PM to force her to soften her Brexit plans. A bitter row is raging in the heart of the Tory party over what customs arrangement to have with the EU after the country quits the bloc. Mrs May's Government has put forward two options - including a customs partnership which will see the UK collect the EU's tariffs at the border, the idea the PM personally prefers. The second - backed by Brexiteers - is dubbed the 'max fac' option which aims to minimise the need for customs checks by using technology and trusted trader status but accepts they cannot eliminate them altogether. Mr Richmond said any extra customs checks would result in a return to violence along the border. Writing in The Times, he said: 'Put simply, any customs checks on the Irish border and the related infrastructure would lead to a return to violence. 'This is not fearmongering or politically motivated rhetoric it is the stated opinion of both police forces on the island of Ireland. 'As a coguarantor of the Good Friday Agreement the Irish government is bound to maintain the levels of normality that have allowed peace to prosper.' He warned the PM that to keep trade flowing freely over the border she must keep the UK in the EEA post Brexit. This would flout one of Mrs May's 'red lines' as she has vowed to take the UK out of the single market after Brexit. Theresa May (pictured today) is desperately trying to keep a lid on the bitter rifts in her Cabinet after Boris Johnson branded her proposal for a customs partnership with the EU 'crazy' Mr Richmond added: 'A UK in the EEA and with a strong customs union, partnership or association will ensure the least hard Brexit.' His intervention comes as Tory Cabinet divisions over post Brexit customs policy have been thrust into the limelight. Boris Johnson described Mrs May's proposal of a customs partnership as 'crazy' - exposing the deep rift in the heart of Government between Brexiteers and Remainers. The outspoken attack raises the prospect that Mr Johnson could quit if Mrs May does not drop the idea. Some anti-Brexit Tory backbenchers have rounded on the Foreign Secretary for flouting Cabinet rules by openly voicing his opposition to the plan. But Number 10 has insited both customs atrrangements are still on the table and being considered. While the Prime Minister's official spokesman today said Mr Johnson retains the PM's confidence. A top court has cleared MIT of any wrongdoing after the father of a student who committed suicide sued the college for not doing more to prevent his death. Han Nguyen, 25, jumped to his death from the roof of a campus building back in 2009. The Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court said MIT was not liable in this case, as it suggested that only in very few scenarios could universities be held responsible for student suicides. The court ruled that colleges 'are not responsible for monitoring and controlling all aspects of their students' lives,' the court wrote, and there is 'universal recognition' that the age of 'in loco parentis,' in which universities stand in place of parents, is long over. Han Nguyen, 25, pictured before his death in 2009, had tried to commit suicide twice before he got to MIT Mr. Nguyen, a PhD candidate at MIT's Sloan School of Management, had previously tried to commit suicide twice but the court heard he 'repeatedly refused offers of assistance'. While at MIT he received care from nine different mental health professionals none of whom had any affiliation with the university and none of whom deemed him at 'imminent risk' of killing himself. But Lawyers for the student's father said that MIT was well aware of Mr. Nguyen's fragile mental state, noting that Professor Wernerfelt had even taken steps to ease the stress on the student because he did not want the institute to have 'blood on its hands.' Justice Scott Kafker in the 5-0 ruling wrote that a college or university nonetheless does have a duty to prevent a suicide if it knows a student either has previously tried to take his or her own life or has stated a plan to do so. Jeffrey Beeler, a lawyer for Nguyens father, Dzung Duy Nguyen, in a statement said he was disappointed by the ruling but that the holding would give schools an incentive to prevent future suicides. MIT in a statement said its students well-being was of paramount importance to it. The case was closely watched by other schools in Massachusetts, home to many institutions of higher education. Eighteen schools, including Harvard University and Tufts University, filed papers arguing that a ruling against MIT would unreasonably force faculty and staff without clinical expertise to secure students against harming themselves. MIT was found to be not liable for the students deaths because the judge ruled that colleges 'cannot be held responsible for most student suicides' The district attorney's office has announced that they will be launching a probe into the allegations of physical assault that were made against Attorney General Eric Schneiderman. 'Our office has opened an investigation into the recently reported allegations concerning Mr. Schneiderman,' said Danny Frost, a spokesperson for Manhattan District Attorney Cyrus Vance. This announcement came just five days after it was revealed that Schneiderman's office was investigating Vance for his decision to not file sexual assault charges in the wake of a 2015 incident involving Harvey Weinstein and Italian model Ambra Battilana. That probe was requested by Governor Andrew Cuomo, and Scneiderman said last week he would assign a special deputy to lead the inquiry. Schneiderman, 63, did not show up to work on Tuesday after announcing it would be his final day just hours after the publication of a damning New Yorker expose in which four women said that the publicly-elected official had hit or slapped them without consent, often in bed, and frequently after drinking. He responded to the allegations by admitting that he 'engaged in role-playing and other consensual sexual activity' but denying claims that he ever assaulted another person or had 'nonconsensual sex.' Scroll down for video Allegations: Four women have accused New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman (above), who is suing Harvey Weinstein, of physical abuse Victim: Tanya Selvaratnam said she first met Schneiderman in 2016 at the Democratic National Convention in Philadelphia, and said she was swept off her feet (pair above in April 2017) Chnaged man: Michelle Manning Barish alleges that about a month into their relationship, Schneiderman (pair above in 2015) slapped and choked her in the bedroom of his Upper West Side apartment. Schneiderman's successor will be picked by the State Assembly and Senate in a joint ballot in a process that will begin on Tuesday according to a spokesperson for speaker Carl E. Heastie. Whomever is elected will serve the remaining months of Schneiderman's term and then be eligible to run for attorney general in the upcoming November election. As of Monday, only one person had announced their intention to run against Schneiderman, who was seeking reelection for the second time after taking office back in 2010. Prior to that he served five terms in the Senate. Solicitor General Barbara D. Underwood was named acting-Attorney General on Tuesday. 'This morning, Im grateful to work with the best colleagues in the business - including Barbara Underwood, who will be acting NY AG. Shes argued 20 cases before SCOTUS, clerked for Thurgood Marshall, & much more. The work continues,' tweeted Amy Spitalnick, the spokesperson for the Attorney General's office. Two of Schneiderman's former romantic partners, Michelle Manning Barish and Tanya Selvaratnam, came forward to share their allegations against him, which they classify as 'assault'. Neither filed a police report at the time but both sought medical treatment. A third former romantic partner, who was not named, shared similar stories of bedroom violence. A fourth woman, an attorney in New York, said Schneiderman made unwanted advances and then slapped her when she rebuffed him. Schneiderman issued a response to the allegations on Monday evening, stating: 'In the last several hours, serious allegations, which I strongly contest, have been made against me. 'While these allegations are unrelated to my professional conduct or the operations of the office, they will effectively prevent me from leading the offices work at this critical time. I therefore resign my office, effective at the close of business on May 8, 2018.' In his initial statement to the magazine, Schneiderman said: 'In the privacy of intimate relationships, I have engaged in role-playing and other consensual sexual activity. I have not assaulted anyone. I have never engaged in nonconsensual sex, which is a line I would not cross.' It was not long however before New York state's top lawmakers issued scathing responses to news of the Attorney General's alleged assaults. 'No one is above the law, including New York's top legal officer, said New York Governor Andrew Cuomo, like Schneiderman a Democrat, in a statement on Monday night calling on the attorney general to resign. 'My personal opinion is that, given the damning pattern of facts and corroboration laid out in the article, I do not believe it is possible for Eric Schneiderman to continue to serve as attorney general, and for the good of the office, he should resign,' Cuomo said. The Governor said that he would instruct a district attorney to open an immediate investigation and 'proceed as the facts merit'. Senator Kirsten E. Gillibrand also denounced Schneiderman and called for his resignation in the wake of the allegations, stating: 'The violent actions described by multiple women in this story are abhorrent. Based on this extensive and serious reporting, I do not believe that Eric Schneiderman should continue to serve as attorney general.' There was also deisbelief from Schneiderman's ex-wife, political advisor Jennifer Cunningham. 'Ive known Eric for nearly 35 years as a husband, father and friend,' said Cunningham. 'These allegations are completely inconsistent with the man I know, who has always been someone of the highest character, outstanding values and a loving father.' The couple have one adult daughter, Catherine, and Cunningham has continues to advise Schneiderman in the years since their divorce. A spokesman for the NYPD said there were no criminal complaints on file against Schneiderman, who lives in Manhattan. 'If the NYPD receives complaints of a crime, it will investigate them thoroughly,' the spokesman said in a statement to DailyMail.com. Got to go: 'No one is above the law, including New York's top legal officer, said New York Governor Andrew Cuomo (above with Schneiderman in 2014) Old foe: Manhattan District Attorney Cyrus Vance (above in 2011) is also being investigated by Scneiderman Shock: 'These allegations are completely inconsistent with the man I know, who has always been someone of the highest character, outstanding values and a loving father,' said Schneiderman's ex-wife Jennifer Cunnigham (above at Trump Tower in Jaunuary 2017) Schneiderman was investigating Vance for his decision to not file sexual assault charges in the wake of a 2015 incident involving Harvey Weinstein and Italian model Ambra Battilana (above) In the article co-reported by Ronan Farrow, Manning Barish and Selvaratnam both said that Schneiderman threatened to kill them if they broke up with him. Selvaratnam also said that he claimed he could tap her phones or have her followed. Manning Barish was in a relationship with Schneiderman, who divorced years ago, from 2013 until New Year's Day in 2015. 'His hypocrisy is epic,' she told the New Yorker. 'He's fooled so many people.' Manning Barish alleges that about a month into their relationship, Schneiderman slapped and choked her in the bedroom of his Upper West Side apartment. They had both been drinking and began to remonstrate after he called her a 'whore', she said. 'All of a sudden, he just slapped me, open handed and with great force, across the face, landing the blow directly onto my ear,' she said. 'He then used his body weight to hold me down, and he began to choke me. The choking was very hard. It was really bad. I kicked. In every fibre, I felt I was being beaten by a man.' Solicitor General Barbara D. Underwood (above) was named acting-Attorney General on Tuesday Selvaratnam said she first met Schneiderman in 2016 at the Democratic National Convention in Philadelphia, and said she was swept off her feet. She says that as they began dating, 'it was a fairy tale that became a nightmare'. 'The slaps started after we'd gotten to know each other,' she recalled. 'It was at first as if he were testing me. Then it got stronger and harder... It wasn't consensual. This wasn't sexual playacting. This was abusive, demeaning, threatening behavior.' Selvaratnam, who is from Sri Lanka, claims that Scheiderman called her his 'brown slave' and demanded that she call him 'Master', slapping her until she complied. She said that he also choked her, 'cutting off my ability to breathe'. Like Manning Barish, Selvaratnam said that Schneiderman regularly consumed huge quantities of alcohol. Schneiderman was an ally to Hillary Clinton and had sued Donald Trump over his Trump University, and his mood grew dark and despondent after Trump won the presidential election, Selvaratnam said. The day before Trump's Inauguration, Selvaratnam said she rushed to the hospital after Schneiderman fell in a drunken stupor and cut his forehead, requiring stitches. A public appearance was canceled and the story at the time was that he'd fallen while running. Now a spokesman says Schneiderman 'fell in the bathroom while completely sober', but was embarrassed and so told staff he'd been running. Selvaratnam's relationship with Schneiderman ended in the fall of 2017. Tanya Selvaratnam also dated Schneiderman and has accused him of misconduct Michelle Manning Barish dated Schneiderman from 2013 to January 2015. She says 'his hypocrisy is epic' and alleges he slapped and hit her in the bedroom without consent Ironically, given the stunning claims against him, Schneiderman authored New York's law against strangulation while in the state Senate. His law created specific penalties for choking and targeted domestic abusers, for whom strangulation is known to often be a precursor to deadly violence. Schneiderman has long been a vocal advocate for women's rights and a loud proponent of the #MeToo movement. In February, Schneiderman filed a civil rights lawsuit against Harvey Weinstein and his company, after more than 80 women accused the film mogul of sexual misconduct. 'We have never seen anything as despicable as what weve seen right here,' Schneiderman said at the time. Last month, he praised the New York Times and the New Yorker for the reporting that initially brought the allegations against Weinstein to light. 'Without the reporting of the @nytimes and the @newyorkerand the brave women and men who spoke up about the sexual harassment they endured at the hands of powerful menthere would not be the critical national reckoning underway,' Schneiderman wrote in a tweet. He is also a committed foe of Trump who had attempted to change state law to allow him to prosecute any Trump campaign officials in the event they were pardoned by Trump. Trump, either through insight or luck, appeared to predict Schneiderman's downfall in a 2013 tweet. 'Weiner is gone, Spitzer is gone,' Trump wrote in reference to two New York elected Democrats brought down by sex scandals: Anthony Weiner for sexting and Eliot Spitzer for frequenting prostitutes. 'Next will be lightweight A.G. Eric Schneiderman. Is he a crook? Wait and see, worse than Spitzer or Weiner,' Trump wrote. The accusers against Scneiderman who came forward said they had long remained silent for fear of damaging the work was doing for leftist and feminist causes. Ultimately, it was DailyMail.com's reporting on domestic abuse allegations against former White House Secretary Rob Porter that convinced Schneiderman's accusers to come forward, they said. 'After Rob Porter, I was struggling about whether to come forward. I felt guilt and shame that I was encouraging other women to speak out but wasnt doing the same. I was a hypocrite. I was in tears,' said Manning Barish. She and Selvaratnam both said that the decision to come forward was anguishing. In a tweet shortly after the New Yorker published the report, Manning Barish wrote: 'After the most difficult month of my life-I spoke up. For my daughter and for all women. I could not remain silent and encourage other women to be brave for me. I could not...' The billionaire founder of Phones4u says a French financier put him through a 'campaign of terror' after a judge finally ended their long-running 20million legal battle today. Tycoon John Caudwell faced French wine heiress Nathalie Dauriac in court after she claimed she was constructively dismissed and duped out of 17million worth of shares following a venture they launched together. In a bitter legal battle between the two former colleagues, Mr Caudwell insisted the financial whizz-kid had fiddled 33,000 worth of expenses on top of her 200,000-a-year salary. A judge found today that Ms Dauriac had been constructively dismissed and was entitled to around 500,000 for the shares - but that she had made improper expenses claims. Despite the six-figure sum she was awarded, Mr Caudwell said he expected she would end up out of pocket once the case's huge legal costs had been taken in consideration. Former Phones4U boss John Caudwell (right) has slammed his former colleague Nathalie Dauriac (left) as 'dishonest' following a bitter court row between the pair over a wealth management firm they set up together The row stemmed from when Ms Dauriac, who previously worked for Coutts, the Queen's bankers, set up a wealth management company called Signia with Caudwell in 2009. The firm initially did well and, by November 2014, had assets of 1.47 billion, the High Court was told. But things turned sour in 2014, when the pair each accused the other of wrongdoing and Ms Dauriac said she was constructively dismissed, losing more than 10 million worth of shares. A judge ruled today that Ms Dauriac was constructively dismissed, and that she was entitled to nearly 500,000 for her shares. Mr Justice Marcus Smith however also found that Ms Dauriac had made expense claims she knew were 'not proper', including one for a 100 wedding cake for her husband. Other expenses the judge said fell outside of the terms of her contract included flights to Malaga for the birthday of Real Housewives of Cheshire star Dawn Ward, and for a 'detox week' in Alicante. In a statement given after the case, businessman Caudwell said the amount she was awarded would be dwarfed by the eye-watering legal costs of the case. Ms Dauriac (second row, third from right) went into business with Mr Caudwell in 2009. She is pictured with other businesswomen and celebrities at a charity event in 2014 The businessman said: 'Over the course of the last three years I have been to hell and back as a consequence of a series of vindictive and completely baseless allegations made against me in the course of high profile legal proceedings with my former business partner Nathalie Dauriac. 'Throughout that period she waged what felt like a campaign of terror in an effort to extort 20million from me in the clear expectation that I would ultimately surrender and settle out of court. She was totally wrong in that assumption. It is an immense relief to share with you that the Court has found Nathalie to have been dishonest, to have deliberately made expenses claims that, without question, she knew were improper and, when confronted regarding her conduct in this matter was guilty of using junior members of her staff to conceal her wrongdoing through the deliberate and deceitful manipulation of her expense records. The judge branded Ms Dauriac, pictured during the trial, 'a remarkably unsatisfactory witness' Mr Caudwell continued: 'It was a long battle, and I remain deeply scarred by the events, but I am delighted that Nathalie has been found by the judge to have been, in his words, dishonest, combative, aggressive and argumentative.' 'The British legal system has delivered justice and lived up to its reputation as the very best in the world. I now aim to put this deeply upsetting chapter behind me and look forward to the rest of 2018 with a complete focus on my charity and philanthropic work, knowing that the truth has finally come to light.' The complicated legal case took 13 days of court time in October and November last year and the judge has been working on his 263-page ruling ever since. On the issue of her departure from the company, the judge stated: 'I have concluded that Ms Dauriac was constructively dismissed and, as a consequence, have concluded that Signia could not terminate the Service Agreement on grounds of Ms Dauriac's breach of contract.' On the matter of the shares however, he added: 'As Mr Caudwell has accepted, a failure to comply with the provisions of the Articles constitutes a breach of contract on the part of Signia compensable in damages. 'I assess those damages in the amount of 471,510, less the nominal price that Ms. Dauriac was paid in relation to the Dauriac Shares.' On the issue of her expenses however, the judge found: 'I am satisfied so that I am sure that Ms Dauriac deliberately made expense claims that she knew were not proper claims.' Speaking after the judgement, Ms Dauriac said she was 'very pleased' the judge had found she was constructively dismissed and awarded damages. She repeated claims her legal team had made in court and said more should be done to protect women in the workplace. John Caudwell (pictured promoting a new staff bonus scheme in 2003) sold his 85 per cent stake in Phones 4u for 1.74bn in 2006 Ms Dauriac said:'I was subjected to relentless pressure to accept a series of outrageous demands as the price for staying in my job. 'The court heard that an attempt was made to pressure me into agreeing to take a lie detector test and see a psychiatrist, that I was asked not to have children while at the business, and that I was threatened with having my job downgraded. 'During the course of the trial, there was also evidence showing that I and other female employees of John Caudwell were subject to written abuse by senior management. We were called many names, including 'sociopath' and 'nasty bitch'. 'I am shocked that Mr Justice Smith should not consider this material to the case and I believe the judicial system needs to do more to ensure that women are protected from such abuse in the future. 'As a result, I have today written to the Chancellor of the High Court to ask him to look into judicial attitudes to professional women in business. 'When it came to my expenses, the judge took little or no account of my role as founder and co-owner of a multi-million pound business, dedicating my personal and social life to generating business and maintaining relations with clients.' What the warring sides claimed and what the judge found Sir Marcus Smith is a High Court judge who specialises in financial disputes What Ms Dauriac claimed... Ms Dauriac said there was an ulterior motive behind an expenses investigation into her. She complained of constructive dismissal and not getting what she was due. What the judge found... Mr Justice Marcus Smith concluded that Ms Dauriac had been 'constructively dismissed' three years ago. The judge also concluded that there had been 'no proper determination' of the value of Ms Dauriac's shares and said she was entitled to about 500,000. The judge also said however there was no conspiracy against her and an expenses investigation arose out of an 'entirely proper concern' about her expenses. What Signia claimed... Signia bosses said Ms Dauriac wrongfully claimed about 30,000 expenses. What the judge found... The judge said he was 'satisfied so that I am sure that Ms Dauriac deliberately made expense claims that she knew were not proper claims'. He said the claims he analysed were not 'borderline acceptable expenses' but 'clear and obvious cases falling outside the scope' of the contract. Advertisement Theresa May today urged MPs not to back moves for tighter regulation on the press in knife-edge votes due in the House of Commons tomorrow. The Prime Minister told senior ministers at Cabinet that it was important for the Government to resist amendments to the Data Protection Act which could 'undermine our free press'. Ex-Labour leader Ed Miliband and Labour deputy leader Tom Watson both have amendments likely to be voted on tomorrow. After spending almost 50 million of taxpayers' money on investigating phone-hacking, it would not be 'proportionate' to launch further inquiries, Mrs May said. And she said it would be 'unnecessary and disproportionate' to require publishers to sign up to an approved regulator or face potentially massive costs in court cases, even if they win. Theresa May (pictured in Downing Street today) has urged MPs not to back moves for tighter regulation on the press in knife-edge votes due in the House of Commons tomorrow Announcing the Leveson Inquiry into the ethics and practices of the press following the phone-hacking scandal in 2011, then prime minister David Cameron said that a second phase of the inquiry would be launched once police investigations and court cases were concluded. There was fury from privacy campaigners when Culture Secretary Matt Hancock announced in March this year that the second phase was being ditched. In response, former Labour leader Ed Miliband tabled an amendment to the Data Protection Bill to establish a new statutory inquiry into the media. And a second amendment, tabled by Labour's deputy leader Tom Watson, would see publishers not signed up to a state-supported regulator pay their own and their opponent's legal costs in data protection cases, even if they win. Mrs May's official spokesman told reporters: 'We have set out the importance of these votes and of the Government resisting those amendments and we would hope that when MPs come to consider these amendments, they will look at the strength of the case that we've put forward.' The spokesman said that Mrs May told Cabinet that it was 'very important for the Government to resist amendments which could undermine our free press'. Lord Brian Leveson (file image) had been due to complete a second inquiry into the behaviour of the press but the Government has backed away from the issue After almost 50 million of public money has been spent on investigating phone hacking, the PM told ministers that establishing a further public inquiry, requiring great time and expense, would not be a 'proportionate' solution to allegations that have already been the subject of several extensive police investigations or ongoing investigations by the Information Commissioner's Office, said the spokesman. The Government remains committed to a voluntary system of press self-regulation, Mrs May told Cabinet. It was 'unnecessary and disproportionate' to require the press to sign up to a system which has already been outright rejected by the majority of publications, she said. This was particularly the case, when an independent and strengthened system of regulation is now in place, with Ipso making continued improvements, such as the introduction of a mandatory arbitration scheme in line with Lord Justice Leveson's recommendations, the Prime Minister told Cabinet. Many people would consider it 'against natural justice' that, even if a newspaper was found not to be at fault in a court case, they could still end up having to pay costs, she said. Local newspaper editors have warned fresh attempts to tighten press regulation would cause 'irreparable damage' to the industry. President Donald Trump's expected announcement that he will pull the U.S. out the nuclear deal it signed onto three years ago after intense negotiations with Tehran had Washington on edge on Tuesday morning. Allies in Europe who are party to the deal have been begging Trump to remain in the agreement that could fall apart without U.S. participation while the follow-on accord he demanded is worked out. They warn that Tehran could set off a nuclear arms race in the Middle East if it restarts its uranium enrichment program. Iran's Hassan Rouhani was vowing to stick by the deal that provided massive sanctions relief, so long as Europe guarantees that his country's interests will be protected. However, it was unclear in the lead up to the decision if that would be the case. President Donald Trump says he will be announcing his decision on the Iran nuclear deal on Tuesday at the White House Iran's Hasan Rouhani (right) said the U.S. will have 'historic remorse' for its decision while insisting that 'getting rid of Americas mischievous presence will be fine for Iran' Rouhani said the U.S. will have 'historic remorse' for its decision while insisting that 'getting rid of Americas mischievous presence will be fine for Iran.' 'If we can get what we want from a deal without America, then Iran will continue to remain committed to the deal,' Rouhani said according to the Iran Daily. 'What Iran wants is our interests to be guaranteed by non-American signatories.' Trump says he will be announcing his decision on the Iran nuclear deal this afternoon at the White House in remarks that will be delivered straight to camera at 2 pm. It will come as no surprise if Trump says he's pulling the U.S. out of the 2015 agreement he inherited from the previous administration. The big unknown is what Trump will say he wants to happen next. Trump's legislative director, Marc Short, told DailyMail.com on Tuesday morning that the president 'wants to see Iran end its nuclear program but also become a nation that is not funding terrorism, not attacking Israel not looking to continue to attack allies that we have. 'I think he's looking for an agreement that brings Iran into the international community as opposed to being a rogue nation state that funds terrorism,' Short said during a press scrum on the driveway leading into the West Wing. Trump is anticipated to allow the oil sanctions that legally come up for discussion every 120 days under the deal to be reimposed on Tehran. The sanctions cut Iran's oil exports in half in 2012, Foreign Policy reports, and crippled the Islamic Republic's economy. European companies will have to choose, if the sanctions are slapped back on, whether they want to do business with the U.S. or the taboo government, putting them in an undesirable position. John Glaser, director of foreign policy studies at the right-leaning Cato Institute, warned Tuesday that if the U.S. imposes external sanctions successfully, European companies will pull out of investment projects in Iran, removing the incentives that Rouhani would need to mollify hardliners in his country who want Iran to restart its nuclear program. 'With lots of political will this deal could remain in place without the United States, but its going to be very, very difficult for the participants to manage,' Glaser said. Iran will feel 'unburdened' if the U.S. leaves the pact, he said, and is likely to install new centrifuges to spin uranium and limit access to inspectors. 'This could really unravel into something with grave consequences,' he cautioned. 'All my fingers and toes are crossed, because this is a good deal that should continue to be implemented.' U.K. foreign minister Boris Johnson worried that Trump could take military action against Tehran on top of the expected sanctions renewal. He also warned that collapse of the deal could set off a nuclear arms race in the Middle East with Saudi Arabia, Egypt and the U.A.E. wanting weapons, as well. 'It's already a very, very dangerous state at the moment, we don't want to go down that road. There doesn't seem to me at the moment to be a viable military solution,' Johnson told Fox & Friends. Trump at a news conference last month rebuffed a reporter who asked about potential military action against Iran. 'I don't talk about whether or not I would use military force,' Trump said at a joint presser with German Chancellor Angela Merkel. 'But I can tell you this, they will not be doing nuclear weapons. That I can tell you. OK? They are not going to be doing nuclear weapons. You can bank on it.' Trump teased his Iran deal announcement in a Monday afternoon tweet that provided no hints at what it would be He told Obama era Secretary of State John Kerry on Tuesday morning that he needs to butt out - or else Trump on Monday called Kerry's intervention 'possibly illegal' and blamed him for the current arrangement that gave Tehran sanctions relief but would allow it to build nuclear bombs as soon as 2027 Israeli President Benjamin Netanyahu has been pushing Trump to take a more aggressive posture toward Iran, his nation's most prolific antagonist. Netanyahu delivered a presentation last week claiming Israel's intelligence agency had proof that Iran 'lied' about its intention to dismantle its nuclear weapons program. Trump complained about the nuclear deal consistently during his campaign and harangued it as a 'very badly negotiated' agreement in a tweet Monday that took aim at the secretary of state who helped to broker it. The comment followed his remarks at a news conference alongside French President Emmanuel Macron that the deal was made 'decayed foundations' and was not structured to last. 'Should have never, ever been made. I blame Congress. I blame a lot of people for it,' Trump said. Trump has until May 12 to decide whether he wants to allow a sanctions waiver that applies to Tehran to expire. If the sanctions go back into effect, the U.S. will be in violation of the agreement effectively ending its participation in the deal it entered into with the U.K., France, China, Russia and Germany. Trump has said he would be willing to sign on to a companion agreement that encompasses the nuclear aspects of the current one and applies new pressure to Iran to abandon its ballistic missiles program, end terrorist financing and broker a peace agreement between the ruling government and rebels in Syria. Macron told Trump last month that he would pursue such an agreement on behalf of Europe. The French president told reporters after his White House visit that he suspected Trump would leave the 2015 accord in the meantime to hasten the process up. Hinting at the action he is anticipated to take today Trump told Macron publicly, 'I think we will have a great shot at doing a much bigger maybe deal, maybe not deal. Were going to find out, but well know fairly soon.' He also said 'nobody knows what Im going to do on the 12th, although, Mr. President, you have a pretty good idea but well see. 'But well see also, if I do what some people expect, whether or not it will be possible to do a new deal with solid foundations,' he said. 'Because this a deal with decayed foundations. Its a bad deal. Its a bad structure. Its falling down.' Trump charged then in his most confrontational comments yet to Tehran that, 'If Iran threatens us in any way, they will pay a price like few countries have ever paid.' Kerry (left) is seen with Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif in 2016; Kerry met with Zarif last month for secret talks about how to undermine Trump's bid to kill the nuclear deal Shedding light on his plans last Monday, Trump said a press conference: 'Im not telling you what Im doing, but a lot of people think they know. And on or before the 12th, well make a decision. 'That doesnt mean we wont negotiate a real agreement,' he added. Trump's White House spokeswoman and the president appeared to be on different wavelengths about the timing of that declaration on Monday, with Sarah Sanders saying at news conference that he would be making an 'announcement on what his decision is soon' only to have Trump tweet minutes later that it would come on Tuesday. 'As you know he's got a few days to do that, and we'll let you know when he's ready to make a decision on it,' she said. She also suggested that former Secretary of State John Kerry needs to butt out of negotiations after his secret meetings with foreign leaders were revealed. Trump blasted Kerry on Tuesday morning as he prepared to take the U.S. foreign policy in a new direction. 'John Kerry cant get over the fact that he had his chance and blew it! Stay away from negotiations John, you are hurting your country!' Trump said. The president had already spoken out about Kerry's 'shadow diplomacy' on Monday following news reports that the Obama administration official has secretly met with foreign governments in a bid to save the much-maligned deal. Kerry has also been meeting with German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier (left) and French President Emmanuel Macron (right) in attempts to salvage the Iran deal The Boston Globe reported Friday that Kerry quietly met two weeks ago with Iranian Foreign Minister Javad Zarif, and had separate confabs with German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier and French President Emmanuel Macron all to strategize against Trump's intention to upend the deal. 'The United States does not need John Kerrys possibly illegal Shadow Diplomacy on the very badly negotiated Iran Deal,' the president wrote Monday on Twitter. 'He was the one that created this MESS in the first place!' Sanders told reporters on Monday that Kerry's advocacy won't make a difference as Trump weighs what to do. 'I don't think that we would take advice from somebody who created what the president sees as one of the worst deals ever made,' she said. 'I don't see why we would start listening to him now.' A spokesman for Kerry issued a statement late Monday morning, defending his apparent habit of lobbying foreign governments as a civilian, potentially in violation of an obscure U.S. law known as the Logan Act. 'I think every American would want every voice possible urging Iran to remain in compliance with the nuclear agreement that prevented a war,' the statement said. 'Secretary Kerry stays in touch with his former counterparts around the world just like every previous Secretary of State. Like America's closest allies, he believes it is important that the nuclear agreement, which took the world years to negotiate, remain effective as countries focus on stability in the region.' Kerry's tenure as secretary of state ended when Trump took office in January of 2017. Trump replaced him with the since-fired Rex Tillerson. Mike Pompeo holds the Cabinet-level position now. Kerry could run afoul of the Logan Act, a 200+ year-old federal law that made it a felony for civilians to conduct foreign policy without authorization The Logan Act makes it a felony for unauthorized civilians to conduct foreign policy with nations that are in the midst of a dispute with the United States. The statute dates back to 1799 and has only been used twice to indict people in 1803 and 1852. Neither was convicted. One defendant, a Peruvian admiral, was prosecuted for writing a letter to the president of Mexico to scuttle a competitor's bid to build a railroad connecting the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. The other was a farmer charged with the crime of writing a newspaper article urging western U.S. states to secede and join neighboring French territories. Some legal scholars have written that the Logan Act is unconstitutional, and only remains on the books because it hasn't been tested in court. Vladimir Putin's London embassy has openly mocked Theresa May by spoofing an Oscar winning film because Britain has not found any Russian suspects over the poisoning of Sergei and Yulia Skripal two months ago. Mr Putin's team has posted its own version of the famous scene from the Academy Award-winning film, Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri. But instead they call it 'Three Billboards Outside Salisbury, Wiltshire' and the poorly photoshopped image says: 'Two months since Salisbury poisoning and still no suspects? How come, Prime Minister May?' It recreate the scene from Martin McDonagh's Academy Award-winning film, where star Frances McDormand rents three billboards to shame police into properly investigating her daughter's unsolved murder. Vladimir Putin's London embassy has openly mocked Britain by spoofing an Oscar winning film about murder after failing to find any Russian suspects over the poisoning of Sergei and Yulia Skripal two months ago It recreate the scene from Martin McDonagh's Academy Award-winning film, where star Frances McDormand rents three billboards to shame police into properly investigating her daughter's unsolved murder (pictured) The 'messy' assassination attempt on Sergei Skripal and his daughter Yulia may have led to Novichok getting on their shoes and being spread further than thought across Salisbury It came as police said that all sites in the Skripal poisoning case in Salisbury have been decontaminated apart from the former spy's house. But despite watching more than 5,000 hours of CCTV, examining 1,350 exhibits and interviewing dozens of people they have not identified the attackers. Britain has pointed the finger directly at Moscow over the poisoning of Sergei Skripal and his daughter and they believe it was smeared on his front door. In March the Prime Minister's national security adviser Mark Sedwill released a bombshell dossier that identified a Kremlin laboratory as the source of the nerve agent used in Salisbury. The dossier in a letter to Nato Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg revealed how Britain had identified a Kremlin laboratory in south-west Russia where the Novichok agents were made. It said Russia had been snooping on the emails of Sergei Skripal's daughter Yulia for five years and that it had been testing the effectiveness of Novichok smeared on door handles. The Skripals are thought to have come into contact with the nerve agent on their front door. Its release was followed by a press conference from the Russian ambassador in which he denied any Russian responsibility. The embassy then published an 8,000-word report into the row, reiterating that the Kremlin had 'nothing to do' with the attack. Prime Minister Theresa May and her ministers were given an update at their weekly Cabinet meeting on Tuesday on what was described as 'one of the largest and most complex' counter-terror investigations the UK has ever seen. Vladimir Putin and Theresa May are at loggerheads over Salisbury with Mrs May sure that the Russians were behind the nerve agent attack Army officers remove the bench, where Sergei Skripal and his daughter were found in Salisbury, one of hundreds of sites sealed off The UK has previously stated its conviction that only Russia had the means and motive to target the former spy. Pictured: Police at Sergei Skripal's home They heard that more than 400 police officers - including some 250 counter-terrorism specialists - have been involved in the inquiry into the March 4 poisoning. Ministers praised the 'resilience' of Salisbury residents in the face of disruption, which they blamed on 'Russia's reckless actions'. Moscow has repeatedly denied responsibility for the attack on Sergei Skripal and his daughter, Yulia. Mrs May's official spokesman told reporters: 'The police have now released all the sites for decontamination, except for the Skripal house. 'Clean-up work is well under way and the priority is making the sites safe so they can be returned to use and Salisbury can get back to normal. 'The ongoing investigation is one of the largest and most complex ever undertaken by counter-terrorism policing. 'Over 250 officers from across the counter-terrorism policing network have been deployed, alongside over 160 officers from Wiltshire Police and a range of experts and partners. 'Officers continue to trawl through over 5,000 hours of CCTV and examine over 1,350 exhibits that have been seized. 'Around 500 witnesses have been identified and hundreds of statements have been taken.' The spokesman said a range of Government support is being provided to help Salisbury get back to normal, including grant funding for local businesses and support for local tourism initiatives. 'Cabinet praised the resilience of the residents of Salisbury in the face of widespread disruption caused by Russia's reckless actions,' the spokesman added. 'The city is safe and it is open for business.' More than $2 million worth of jewellery has been stolen from a home in Melbourne More than $2 million worth of jewellery has been stolen from an up-market home in an exclusive Melbourne suburb. Victoria Police have released images of the missing pieces in the hope they will be found and handed back to the owners. Investigators believe the offenders broke in to the Bent Street home in Brighton between 3.30pm and 7.30pm on April 26. The intruders entered the home and stole a safe containing more than 50 pieces from the expensive jewellery collection. Eight watches were inside the safe as well as a gold Cartier ring and a clover shaped necklace in yellow gold Eight watches were inside the safe as well as a gold Cartier ring and a clover shaped necklace in yellow gold. It is believed the household's security system was disabled when the perpetrators broke in. Authorities advised if the high-end items are found in a secondhand or pawn store to contact police immediately. Police have asked anyone who has seen the items or noticed suspicious behaviour around the Brighton area to call crime stoppers on 1800 333 000. A Cartier ring and a clover-shaped pendant in yellow gold were inside the stolen safe which was taken from a Brighton home on April 26. CUT: Treasurer Scott Morrison has trimmed more than $80 million from the ABC budget over the coming years (star Leigh Sales above) There's a 'fat splurge', a tax on hotel booking sites, a fame levy, a pervert crackdown and a $30 million robot windfall - and that's just the beginning. Treasurer Scott Morrison's new Budget was about much more than just a $10.20-per-week tax cut and handing billions to baby boomers. Dozens of surprising government decisions are buried within the thousands of pages of financial decisions revealed on Tuesday. Most shocking for many Australians was a plan to ban cash payments of more than $10,000. Businesses will be banned from accepting bags of cash from July 1, 2019, the government said, in a bid to fight 'criminal gangs and terrorist groups'. Another bombshell measure is a tax on overseas hotel accommodation websites, presumably including Booking.com. Australian consumers are increasingly booking hotel rooms through offshore companies - but the businesses will no longer be exempt from GST. Hotel bombshell: Overseas accommodation websites will no longer be exempt from GST The 'fame tax' will ensure that all remuneration provided for the commercial exploitation of a person's fame or image will be included in their assessable income. Bec Judd pictured above Then there is the 'celebrity tax' - new rules to ensure 'payments for the commercial exploitation of a person's fame or image' are included in stars' taxable income. In controversial savings measures, migrants will have to wait four years to access welfare benefits and unemployed criminals will have their Centrelink benefits scrapped. The ABC has also had its budget trimmed back more than $80 million over the coming years, leaving its bosses 'concerned and disappointed'. But the government has ramped up its spending in other areas. In what has been dubbed the 'fat splurge', Mr Morrison has doled out more than $150 million to 'help Australians stay active'. Obesity epidemic: The government has splurged more than $150 million to ensure Australians maintain active lifestyles - as the country battles with the bulge ABC bosses are reportedly 'concerned and disappointed' after the government slashed more than $80 million from its budget over the coming years Almost $30 million has been devoted to robots - or, in bureaucrat-speak, 'strengthening Australia's artificial intelligence capacity' Almost $30 million has been devoted to robots - or, in bureaucrat-speak, strengthening Australia's artificial intelligence capability. And $50 million has been side aside to prosecute Russia for its involvement in the destruction of Malaysian Airlines flight MH17 over Ukraine in 2014. 298 people were killed, including 38 Australians. Below is Daily Mail Australia's round-up of what the Budget means to you. If you earn LESS than $90,000 a year... Low and middle income earners are easily the biggest winners of this year's budget. Mr Morrison tonight presented a three-step tax plan which will see 10 million Australians receive up to $665 in tax relief during the next financial year. The tax offset will be accompanied by an increase in the middle tax bracket to $90,000. The 'rivers of gold' predicted last week have translated into tax cuts for low and middle income earners (stock image) FROM ZILCH TO $665: HOW BIG WILL YOUR TAX CUT BE? Taxable income Annual reduction in tax paid $20,000 $0 (pays $0 tax) $30,000 $200 $40,000 $290 $50,000 $530 $60,000 $530 $70,000 $530 $80,000 $530 $84,600 (average wage estimate) $530 $90,000 $665 $100,000 $515 $120,000 $215 Mr Morrison hit back at claims Australians will be 'disappointed' in the $10.20 a week payout. People could use the funds to buy school uniforms and books for the year or pay off their car registration, he argued. 'Anyone who says $530 tax relief (the amount average workers will get) is 'no relief' is out of touch,' he told reporters at Parliament House on Tuesday afternoon. If you earn MORE than $90,000 a year... Bad luck - you won't be getting much personal income tax relief, at least, this year. Workers above $90,000 will still receive a tax offset - but it gradually reduces until tax relief 'reduces to zero at just over $125,000', Mr Morrison said. The government claims it is committed to delivering bigger tax cuts to higher income earners in the future. But for that to happen the Turnbull government needs to keep getting re-elected. TAX THRESHOLDS CHANGE: This is how Treasurer Scott Morrison wants Australia's tax thresholds to look in a decade Mr Morrison announced he will increase the new $90,000 tax relief threshold to $120,000 from July 1, 2022. The fourth highest tax threshold, currently between $90,000 and $180,000, will be abolished in 2024-25. Mr Morrison said that will mean millions of people will never find themselves forced into higher brackets, also known as bracket creep. Some workers will be better off thanks to the new tax relief - but others won't (stock image) Small businesses are also set to reap the benefits of a further 12-month extension of the $20,000 instant asset write-off. Meantime, big companies will see their corporate tax rate progressively reduced to around the OECD median by 2026. If you are elderly... There are plenty of goodies on offer for the older generation - including an expansion of what has been dubbed the 'baby boomer bonus'. Before tonight's Budget, pensioners could earn more than $6,500 a year before it affected their pension. The Treasurer announced tonight he will increase that earning cap by a further $1,300 a year. It will also extend to self-employed individuals for the first time. Reason to smile: There is plenty on offer for the older generation, including an expansion of the 'Pensioner Work Bonus' That will be a relief to older Australians who still work but also receive the age pension. The government will also fund 20,000 new home care places to help older Australians stay at home for longer. It will also expand a reverse-mortgage scheme which allows some pensioners to borrow against the value of their home. If you are a first home buyer... If you were hoping for good news from the Budget, you will have to wait another year. No changes were announced to help ease the pressure of high housing prices, with the Government choosing tax relief instead. Sold - but not to a first home buyer. No changes were announced to ease the pressure of high house prices If you like paying for things in cash In a surprise move, it will soon be illegal to make cash payments of over $10,000 to businesses for goods and services. From July 1, 2019, payments of $10,000 or more for goods or services will have to be made with a cheque or through an electronic payment system like EFTPOS. 'This will be bad news for criminal gangs, terrorists and those who are just trying to cheat on their tax,' Mr Morrison said. If you drive or catch the train... A whopping $24.5 billion will be poured into building infrastructure around the country which will, eventually, reduce travel time, the government claims. Daily Mail Australia's graphic, below, shows the biggest winners in the roads and railways splurge are commuters in Victoria - the recipient of $8 billion. The most eye-popping promise is a $5 billion investment to build a rail link between Melbourne and Tullamarine Airport, 20km north of the city. This map shows where the government will spend nearly $25billion on roads and rail networks Coming soon? The government is splashing $5 billion on a Melbourne airport link train But it's still many years before construction starts, with Mr Turnbull last month describing 2020 as an 'ambitious' target. Mr Morrison has pledged more than $1 billion to extend Perth's Metronet network and $2 billion to improve the M1 Motorway, also known as the Pacific Highway which connects Sydney with Brisbane. Another $1 billion will be used to expand the choked highway between Brisbane and the Gold Coast and more than $950 million to build a bypass near Coffs Harbour. If you are a welfare cheat or a criminal on the run... Welfare recipients with unpaid court fines or outstanding criminal warrants will be targeted under new hardline measures laid out in the federal budget. People with outstanding Centrelink debts of more than $10,000 will also be aggressively pursued. Unemployed criminals will have their Centrelink benefits cancelled under a new govt plan 'We will ensure our targeted safety net helps people when they need it, but that people receive only what they are entitled to, nothing more and nothing less,' Social Services Minister Dan Tehan said. 'When welfare recipients have received money they are not entitled to, we will ensure those debts are repaid.' If you are a university student... There isn't much, although regional university campuses will benefit form additional study places, thanks to a $123.6 million investment. The government will support new bachelor degree places at the Sunshine Coast University, the University of Tasmania and Southern Cross University. If your power bill is too large Good news, maybe. If it's approved by state governments - and it is a strong 'if' - the National Energy Guarantee will see the average power bill shrink by $400 a year. If you pay the Medicare Levy... You won't have to pay more tax. Mr Morrison has scrapped a proposed 0.5 per cent increase in the Medicare Levy. He only proposed the hike last year. Better-than-expected tax receipts mean the hike - introduced only last year - is no longer necessary, he said. Mr Morrison announced the scrapping of a previously proposed 0.5 per cent Medicare levy increase (stock image) 'The reason we proposed to increase the Medicare levy was only to fully fund the gap left behind by Labor on the (National Disability Insurance Scheme),' Mr Morrison said. 'We no longer believe we need to do this.' If you have children... The government's childcare package begins on July 2 this year, with increased support to a larger number of families. Preschools will benefit from $870 million in total funding for the 2018 and 2019 school years. Some $440million will be used to extend the Universal Access to Early Childhood Education program. Education (stock image) The Government has backed the Gonski 2.0 review, and has created a $24.5billion Quality Schools package. If you are on the dole... Nothing has changed, even despite the big business lobby calling for an increase to the dole, which is officially known as Newstart. Most single people receive about $538.80 a fortnight, or roughly $38.40 a day, as part of the unemployment program. If you are expecting a baby.... A free whooping cough vaccine will be offered to all pregnant women from July 1, under new measures announced tonight. Health Minister Greg Hunt paid tribute to two infants who died from the deadly disease as he announced the $40 million move this week. Pregnant women are better off - with the government adding the whooping cough vaccine to the national immunisation program 'I know what a devastating impact this disease can have on families and beautiful young children like Dana McCaffery and Riley Hughes,' he said. Vaccinating pregnant women is the most effective way to protect newborns from the illness, as newborns cannot be vaccinated until they are six weeks old. If you are a smoker... A crackdown on the black economy includes changes to how tobacco is taxed, making it harder for those trading in illicit cigarettes. Tobacco will be taxed when it enters Australia rather than when it leaves warehouses and enters the domestic market, beginning in July 2019. Beginning on the same date it will be illegal to import tobacco without a permit, and the black market in cigarettes will be tackled by a new multi-agency Tobacco Taskforce. Scott Morrison has touted 'the likelihood of cheaper craft beer' If you like craft beer... It's increasingly popular - and now the government will axe a 40 per cent tax on smaller kegs typically used by craft beer brewers. The aim is to level the playing field between boutique breweries and mass producers. 'This not only champions the craft brewers that we've all grown to love, it raises a very tantalising prospect for Australians: the likelihood of cheaper craft beer,' Mr Morrison said. But despite the government's claims, there's not much evidence craft brewers will slash prices substantially. If you're an environmentalist... The has announced a half-a-billion dollar plan to save the world's biggest living thing, the Great Barrier Reef. The reef has been reeling from bouts of coral bleaching and the threat of climate change. Just this month, scientists recently revealed a 2016 heatwave had resulted in a 'catastrophic die-off' of coral. The Government said the funds will go towards improving water quality and fighting pests. If you're famous... Celebrities will be hit with new rules on their image rights to make sure they're not dodging their income tax. Celebrities can currently licence their image rights to a business, which can claim losses on the investment, and then pay just 30 per cent tax on the profits. But new rules will make sure celebrities and high-profile people who licence their image rights to other companies pay tax on all the income and non-cash benefits they receive. The money raised from the change is "unquantifiable", the budget said. - With Australian Associated Press Man in the middle: Scott Morrison, surrounded by advisers and journalists, on Tuesday THE WINNERS... Average income earners - 94 per cent of Australians will be on a tax rate of 32.5 per cent or less in 2024, with those on the average wage of $84,600 saving $530 a year. Seniors - will be able to keep more of what they earn on the side, access equity in their homes for retirement and face a shorter waiting list if they are seeking care at home. Small business - will get an injection of life from a corporate tax cut and a year-long extension of the instant asset write-off. The sick - a new public hospitals agreement will deliver an extra $30 billion to 2024, while medicines to treat breast cancer and multiple sclerosis will be made cheaper. Schools - set to benefit from an extra $24.5 billion under the so-called Gonski 2.0 needs-based funding package. States - 10-year $75 billion infrastructure package for projects in various states and territories and a $1 billion Urban Congestion Fund to improve traffic flow and safety at state level. Expectant parents - Hard copy baby book on a child's health record will go digital, vaccine for whooping cough will be free for pregnant women, and $3 million has been set aside for a new simple guide for would-be parent to stay healthy and active during pregnancy. Advertisement A six-year-old girl has died after falling out of a window at her family's third-storey New Jersey apartment. The youngster, named Yoriani Encarnacion, was believed to have been jumping on her bed in Newark next to an open window when she fell out, prosecutors told NBC. The girl fell just before midnight on Monday, and was rushed to hospital in a critical condition. Despite the best efforts of doctors and EMTs, she died a short while later. A six-year-old girl has died after falling three-storeys out of her bedroom window (pictured) The youngster was believed to have been jumping on her bed with another child when she fell, and prosecutors say early investigations suggest it is a tragic accident A family member told ABC the family are from the Dominican Republic, which is where they intend to bury Yoriani. 'She was just telling me what is she gonna do now she lost her baby, that's the only daughter she has, she says she don't know what she's gonna do from now on,' the mother's friend Lissette Jimenez said. Police have launched an investigation into how the child came to fall out of her window that night. A spokeswoman for Essex County Prosecutor's Office told NBC initial findings suggested the girl had been jumping on her bed with another child. She said the window had likely been open as it had been a warm night, and suggested the girl's death was a terrible accident. Though prosecutors do not currently believe anything was amiss in the girl's tragic death, investigations are continuing. Police have declined to reveal any details of her injuries. The girl was rushed to hospital in a critical condition, but died just hours later in hospital (pictured: the apartment block the young girl lived in (right) and the alleyway she fell into) Ahead of the Royal Wedding 2018, the 21-room Apartment 1 at Kensington Palace in London is in the process of being renovated for Prince Harry and Meghan Markle to move into following their nuptials. Meghan and Harry, who are currently residing at Nottingham Cottage, are expected to move into Apartment 1 as soon as possible, after The Queens cousin Richard - the Duke of Gloucester, offered to vacate the palace wing for the new Royals. When they do move in, the couple will be neighbours of Prince William, Kate Middleton and their family, including their new nephew Prince Louis who all live at Apartment 1A. But who else lives in Kensington Palace? Ahead of the Royal Wedding 2018 , the 21 room Apartment 1 at Kensington Palace in London is in the process of being renovated for Prince Harry and Meghan Markle to move into following their nuptials Who lives in Kensington Palace? Londons Kensington Palace currently houses 15 members of the royal family and has been a royal residence since the 1600s. Three new arrivals were welcomed into the palace recently and it has become the busiest of the royal familys homes. The Kensington Palace grounds include a range of separate properties, from humble cottages to Apartment 1A occupied by Prince William. Kensington Palace's Royal residents Apartment 1A: Prince William, Kate Middleton, Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis The family of five arguably have the best apartment in Kensington Palace with 20 rooms and a view of Hyde Park. Londons Kensington Palace currently houses 15 members of the royal family and has been a royal residence since the 1600s William and Kate moved to the palace in October 2013 after George was born, but the public rarely get the opportunity to see inside. However, photographs were taken when the couple hosted Barack and Michelle Obama in 2016 and we saw Prince George his dressing gown meet the former US President. Here, Prince George is seen talking to his mother Kate, the Duchess of Cambridge after meeting the former US President Barack Obama, right, and first lady Michelle Obama, second left, at Kensington Palace, London in April 2016 Nottingham Cottage: Prince Harry and Meghan Markle Playfully dubbed Nott Cott, this cottage has been Prince Harrys home since 2013. Meghan Markle moved in after their engagement was announced in November 2017. Prince Harry poses with Meghan Markle in the Sunken Garden of Kensington Palace, London on the day they announced their engagement in November 2017 This home is also where Harry proposed to Meghan, surprising her while they were roasting a chicken, a story that they revealed during an interview from inside Nottingham Cottage. Ivy Cottage: Princess Eugenie and Jack Brooksbank Kensington Palaces newest arrivals Princess Eugenie and her fiance Jack Brooksbank are also expected to marry in 2018. They moved into their new home Ivy Cottage on the same day that the Duchess of Cambridge gave birth to Prince Louis and are currently Harry and Meghans neighbours. Princess Eugenie and Jack Brooksbank in the Picture Gallery at Buckingham Palace after they announced their engagement Apartment 1: The Duke and Duchess of Gloucester The Duke and Duchess of Gloucester will be vacating Apartment 1 to make way for Prince Harry and Meghan Markle. Slightly larger than Apartment 1A, the home is large complex of rooms in the main palace building and both 1A and 1 were formerly one set of rooms before being divided in the 1950s. Apartment 10: Prince and Princess Michael of Kent Prince Michael of Kent, another cousin of The Queen, also lives in the main palace building with his wife, referred to with the traditional name Princess Michael, in Apartment 10. Apartment 10 has five bedrooms and five reception rooms with one room once being available for rent at a reported 10,000 per month. This picture shows Prince Harry interviewing his father, the Prince of Wales, at Kensington Palace for the BBC Radio 4 Today programme which he guest edited Wren House: The Duke and Duchess of Kent Prince Michaels older brother, The Duke of Kent resides with his wife in the grounds of Kensington Palace at Wren House, named after the architect Christopher Wren. Although details have never been revealed about this home, it is about the same size as Nottingham and Ivy Cottages. Benjamin Netanyahu put his foot in his mouth by serving visiting Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe dessert in a shoe. The Israeli Prime Minister was dining Mr Abe and his wife Akie at his residence in Jerusalem with a meal prepared by celebrity chef Segev Moshe. The trio and Mr Netanyahu's wife Sara enjoyed the food but the presentation of the milk, gold, and white chocolate praline dessert caused a stir. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu put his foot in his mouth by serving visiting Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe dessert in a shoe during at meal at his home Chef Moshe was so proud of the creation that he posed with the two leaders and their wives moments before they ate it, calling the occasion an 'unforgettable night' Chef Moshe put the chocolates on a napkin stuffed inside a black men's baroque Oxford shoe that was placed on the table in front of each guest. He was so proud of the creation that he posed with the four dignitaries moments before they ate it, calling the occasion an 'unforgettable night'. Japanese diplomats and Israeli counterparts with experience in Japan were shocked Mr Netanyahu's household made such an 'insensitive decision'. Even wearing shoes inside, let alone putting them on a dinner table during a meal, is a huge insult in Japan, 'There is nothing lowlier than a shoe in Japanese culture. Not only do they not wear shoes at home, you also won't find shoes in their offices,' a senior Israeli official told Yediot Aharonot. The milk, gold, and white chocolate praline was placed on a napkin stuffed inside a black men's baroque Oxford shoe that was placed on the table in front of each guest Chef Moshe's publicist said they weren't real shoes but metal sculptures by artist Tom Dixon, whose creations were used for the appetisers, which were held in metal hands 'This is a failure and a diplomatic mockery. A disrespect of the highest order. It is like giving a Jewish guest chocolate inside a vessel in the shape of a pig.' A Japanese diplomat was similarly appalled, saying there was no culture on Earth that would put shoes on a table. 'What exactly did the illustrious chef Segev think to himself. We can't understand what he was trying to say here. If it is humor then we don't think it is funny. I can tell you we were offended on behalf of our prime minister.' they said. Chef Moshe's publicist explained that the dessert was not served in an actual shoe but a metal sculpture by artist Tom Dixon. Japanese diplomats and Israeli counterparts with experience in Japan were shocked Mr Netanyahu's household made such an 'insensitive decision' Mr Abe appeared to enjoy the rest of his trip, seen here laughing heartily during a joint meeting of Israeli and Japanese business leaders at Mr Netanyahu's office It appeared every course was served with one as Mr Netanyahu shared a picture of the party being served appetisers held in metal hands. The publicist claimed Mr Abe was not offended and was so impressed with the food he even invited Mr Moshe to cook in Japan. The creative chef often cooks for Mr Netanyahu during state visits, last year serving dessert on a plate cut to resemble silhouettes of him and visiting U.S. President Donald Trump. A smelly seaside loo is about to be given Britain's poshest toilet makeover when it is transformed into a plush waterside dining centre. The bog-standard block in Barry Island will become a home to four restaurants offering sea-views over the Bristol Channel. Previously the facility offered toilets and changing rooms for beach-goers before falling into disrepair and closing. The ramshackle Grade II-listed Georgian building previously offered was built in the 1920s with grand entrance columns. The ramshackle Grade II-listed block in Barry Island will become a home to a quartet of posh restaurants after planning permission was granted Barry Island toilet block and changing facility was built in the 1920s but is now closed after falling into disrepair Plans have now been approved to revitalise the seaside spot - just yards from a former Butlins site - and bring it back to life Barry Island beach attracts tens of thousands of people in the summer. The new dining spot could be built by 2019 The rundown block in Barry Island is set to become a restaurant complex with four different options for diners It had been on the market for a number of years before being snapped up by a development company. And plans have now been approved to revitalise the seaside spot - just yards from a former Butlins site - and bring it back to life. The proposed restaurants - given the name Nell's Point - will have a stunning view over Whitmore Bay in Barry. Developer James Morse, said: 'We hope to create an evening atmosphere on Barry Island and enhance the daytime offering. 'We hope these images will get a positive response.' The area around the toilet block is also in need of restoration and refurbishment. Plans have now been released to transform it into a dining hotspot Toilet block will become a trendy restaurant area with views across the water in Barry Island in Wales The Georgian building previously offered toilet facilities and changing rooms for beach-goers before falling into disrepair and closing Nell's Point: The building renovation will begin later this year and could take around 12 months to complete Cllr John Thomas, Leader of the Vale of Glamorgan Council, said: 'I'm sure everyone is as excited as I am by the plans for the Old Public Conveniences at Nell's Point. 'The vibrant design of the building is in keeping with the Island's revival as a modern seaside resort. 'The Council has committed significant resources to upgrading the Island over the last few years and it is encouraging to see this commitment continues to lead to ongoing private investment in the area. 'We believe bringing new high-calibre restaurants to the Island as part of this development can help make it even more appealing to residents and visitors alike.' Building work is due to start later this year and Mr Morse said they hope to complete the work by the end of 2019. Police in the wealthy Dallas suburb of Rockwall say they believe a college professor shot dead his wife for being 'disrespectful,' then set their house on fire and turned the gun on himself in a suspected murder-suicide. Fire responders arrived on the scene in the 1200 block of White Water Drive in Rockwall just before 5am on Monday to find a five-year-old girl who was known to live at the home asleep in a car parked in the driveway. The child was unharmed but was taken to a local hospital as a precaution. She has since been released into the custody of Child Protective Services because she has no other relatives in the US. Firefighters who entered the burning residence found the two adults dead inside. The man was identified as Grambling state University professor Hyun 'Harry' Seop Lee, 42. His wife has been identified as 39-year-old Yoon Duk 'Debbie' Kim, a professor at Texas A&M-Commerce. Scroll down for video Family drama: Police in Texas say Dr Hyun 'Harry' Seop Lee (left), 42, killed his wife, professor Yoon Duk 'Debbie' Kim (right), 39, and then himself, leaving their five-year-old daughter (center) an orphan Crime cover-up: It is believed Lee set fire to his family home in the wealthy Dallas suburb of Rockwall (pictured) before taking his own life Sgt Aaron McGrew, with the Rockwall Police Department, told Dallas News it was unclear whether one of the parents put the child in the car for her protection, or whether she somehow climbed inside herself. According to investigators, sometime before the grisly domestic drama unfolded, Lee posted a message on what is believed to be his Facebook account, which included a suicide note and a list of gripes against his wife. Writing in Korean, Lee lamented that Kim had been 'a disrespectful wife.' I'm so sick and tired of her making important life decisions without talking with me, he reportedly wrote. All my suggestions are ignored. Spared: The couple's daughter was found unharmed and sleeping in a car parked in the driveway of the burning home Builders: Lee (left) had taught engineering at Grambling State University in Louisiana since August 2016. Kim (right) was an assistant professor of engineering at Texas A&M University-Commerce Grievances: Police found a Facebook post on Lee's account, which included his suicide note and a list of gripes against his wife, including that she was 'disrespectful' The husband complained that his wife had not treated his parents well and called him paranoid for suspecting that she had been unfaithful to him. 'I will face my death with a smile. Goodbye,' Lee concluded his final note. Lee had taught engineering at Grambling State University in Louisiana since August 2016. According to his LinkedIn profile, he had Bachelors and Master's degrees in engineering from Hanyang University in Seoul, South Korea. After moving to the US in 2005, Lee earned his PhD in aerospace engineering from Georgia Institute of Technology in 2013. Kim was an assistant professor of engineering at Texas A&M University-Commerce, where she had taught construction engineering for three years. Like her husband, Kim had degrees from Hanyang University and was a postdoctoral fellow at his alma mater, Georgia Tech. No red flags: Rockwall police said they have no history of prior calls to the family's residence Lee and Kim bought this house in Rockwall in March 2016 for just under $300,000 A&M-Commerce president Ray Keck issued a statement Monday addressing the death of the female professor, whom he described as one of his stars. This tragedy knocks us to our knees, an occurrence more appropriate to the Greek classics than to Rockwall-Commerce, he wrote. Kim's colleagues described her as outgoing, smart and very popular among students and staff. Rockwall police said they have no history of prior calls to the family's residence, which they bought in March 2016 for just under $300,000, reported NBC DFW. A GoFundMe account has been launched to provide assistance to Lee and Kim's orphaned daughter. As President Trump's pick to run the CIA, Gina Haspel, prepares for a tough confirmation hearing Wednesday, the White House is drawing up a 'Plan B' contingency. Haspel has come under fire for her role as station chief at a secret CIA prison in Thailand where terror suspects were waterboarded after Sept. 11th. The Washington Post reported that she had offered to withdraw he nomination. After getting a visit from White House legislative affairs director Marc Short and press secretary Sarah Sanders, she opted to stay put. Unnamed national security officials and Republicans are making contingency plans, CNN reported, in case the nomination falls through. Gina Haspel is meeting with Senators seeking support for her nomination to run the CIA "The reason you're seeing contingency planning isn't a lack of confidence in Gina, but because they're seeing the Democrats band together ... they're worried they're not going to have the votes,' a former national security source told the network. Ailing Arizona Republican Sen. John McCain has criticized Haspel over torture and is absent from the Senate, where Republicans hold just a 51-49 majority. A small handful of Democrats could provide crucial support. BE PREPARED: Susan Gordon, the deputy director of national intelligence, has already had her name surface as a possible replacement should Haspel falter One name already being floated is Susan Gordon, the deputy director of national intelligence. Such a nomination, if it ever came to that, would allow the White House to avoid backing down on the historic nomination of the first woman to run the agency. Gordon has praised Haspel, saying last month she would be an 'amazing leader of the CIA.' Trump stressed Haspel's gender in a Monday tweet touting the nomination following reports her nomination was in trouble. 'My highly respected nominee for CIA Director, Gina Haspel, has come under fire because she was too tough on Terrorists. Think of that, in these very dangerous times, we have the most qualified person, a woman, who Democrats want OUT because she is too tough on terror. Win Gina!' Trump wrote. Trump's previous comments including saying that torture 'absolutely works' don't make it easier for Senate Democrats to cross the aisle to back a nominee who oversaw waterboarding of terror suspect Abu Zubaydah 83 times. President Donald Trump touted Haspel's nomination on Twitter THERE'S A PATTERN HERE: Gina Haspel, nominee to be director of the CIA, and Marc Short, White House legislative affairs director, arrive in Hart Building for meetings with Sen. Joe Manchin, D-W.Va., and other senators on May 7, 2018 President Donald Trump pushed back Monday against Haspel's detractors, saying they are opposing her because she was 'too tough on terrorists' 'As far as I'm concerned, we have to fight fire with fire,' Trump said last year in defense of waterboarding. She served as chief of staff to the director of the National Clandestine Service, Jose Rodriguez, in 2005, when video tapes of interrogations were destroyed. Haspel, currently serving as the CIA's acting director, offered to withdraw her nomination last week amid concerns that a debate over a harsh interrogation program would tarnish her reputation and put her out of the running, according to NBC News and The Washington Post. White House legislative director Marc Short talked up Haspel's nomination at the White House Tuesday. 'I think we will get the votes for CIA director. I think her hearing tomorrow will be incredibly important, and we think she'll do a great job,' Short said. Short said Monday on MSNBC that the reports on her offering to withdraw were 'erroneous.' '[In] my meetings with Gina, she was 100 per cent committed to being the best nominee we could find,' Short said. 'The White House is fully behind her,' he added. An acid-wielding thug who severely burnt two men in a parked car for 'no apparent reason' has been jailed for 10 years. Rahad Hussain, 24, threw concentrated sulphuric acid at Mohammed Ahmed, 24, and Mohammad Hussain, 25, causing the skin on their face to start 'peeling' off. The two men were sitting in Mr Ahmed's car in Bethnal Green, east London, on 25 July when they saw Hussain drive past and wave at them. Hussain returned a few minutes later at around 7pm and threw the contents of a bottle of acid through the passenger side window over Mr Hussain. Rahad Hussain, 24, threw acid at Mohammed Ahmed, 24, and Mohammad Hussain, 25, causing the skin on their face to start 'peeling' off (pictured, the pair receive treatment) Mr Hussain said he felt a 'burning sensation' and 'terrible pain' before telling Mr Ahmed he 'has a bottle of acid' and to drive off. But Mr Ahmed stalled the car which caused the electric windows to open further and Hussain emptied the contents of the acid bottle over him. Snaresbrook Crown Court heard how Hussain, who has known Mr Ahmed since school, shouted 'you want some' before throwing the corrosive fluid. The two men managed to reach a local shop owned by Abdul Karim who described them as 'screaming in pain' as their skin was 'peeling off of their faces'. Mr Karim and other members of the public emptied 30 to 40 bottles of water over them in a bid to lessen their injuries, the court heard. But both men suffered 1st degree burns and some permanent scarring, while Mr Ahmed sustained damage to his ear and the surface of his eye. Stephen Earnshaw, prosecuting, said Hussain attacked the two men for 'no apparent reason.' Hussain handed himself in to Stoke Newington police station two days later and was identified by the victims despite a 'cunning' attempt to change his appearance. Rahad Hussain (pictured) admitted two counts of causing grievous bodily harm in the attack. Members of the public emptied 40 bottles of water over them in a bid to lessen their injuries Mr Ahmed is still on medication to deal with the psychological damage the attack has caused, the court heard. Judge Simon Mayo QC read a note from Hussain in which he expressed how 'sorry' he was and how he felt like a 'coward', but he cheered as he was led to the cells. The judge told him: 'This was a terrible and unprovoked attack. It was in broad daylight with people around which aggravates it further. 'It has and will have ongoing effects on the lives of the victims. I am satisfied that you present a risk for dangerousness and I will impose an extended sentence. 'The circumstances of your offence mean you do still pose a risk. You could still cause serious harm to members of the public.' Hussain, of Bethnal Green, admitted two counts of causing grievous bodily harm and one count of possessing an offensive weapon. He was jailed for 10 years with no chance of early release and will remain on licence for an extended period of four years after his release. A colorblind teacher from North Carolina saw a whole new world on Friday after a group of devoted students pitched in to get him a special pair of glasses. Trent Hopkins, from Mountain Island Day Charter School, was dragged outside by his students, who had set up colourful balloons and a sign that said: 'You've made our lives brighter, we want to make yours more colourful'. Heartwarming video then shows the group of excited students present the Social Studies and Bible teacher with a pair of Enchroma glasses, allowing him to see color for the first time. Trent Hopkins, a Social Studies and Bible teacher from North Carolina, was born colorblind. On Friday, he was gifted a pair of Enchroma glasses, paid for by staff, students and parents at Mountain Island Day Charter School The glasses allowed Mr Hopkins to see in color for the first time, and he was visibly overwhelmed with the change 'I ain't going to cry... I'm so terrified - is this happening,' he questions the students as his voice cracks. The group are seen crowding around him as he leans down to put the glasses on, and he immediately puts his hands on his knees to balance himself. 'Are you serious? I've been missing out on so much,' he laughs. 'It's like everything is different... that's so weird, I want to throw up.' His students, who spent months organising to fundraise enough for the glasses, which cost between $349 and $429. Mr Hopkins said he was so grateful to his students, who wrote him a sweet sign and also held up colourful balloons for him to look at The teacher said he now saw a 'different reality' and was enjoying re-discovering his world Mr Hopkins told WBTV the glasses have changed his life. 'It's like seeing a different reality,' he gushed. 'I've been walking outside randomly the last few days and it's like "oh leaves are green, that's cool". After receiving the incredible gift, funded by staff, students and their parents, he took to social media to say thank you. 'Ive been convinced that I teach the greatest students on the planet for a long time. Today, that belief was affirmed,' he wrote. 'To all the students, staff, and parents involved: thank you for adding a little color and a whole lot of love to my life.' How Enchroma glasses help the colorblind to see again Enchroma glasses, pictured, help people who are colorblind to distinguish different shades The Enchroma system, called Digital Color Boost, works using a series of precise 'cutouts' along the spectrum of light. By removing the wavelengths of light between the primary colors, Digital Color Boost amplifies the color signal sent to the brain. For wearers, colors appear brighter and more saturated. People report that their color discrimination is faster and more accurate, they are able to see more vibrant colors. They are more likely to notice objects that are differentiated against a background based on color (such as a flower against background of leaves), whereas without the lens those objects would have been overlooked. When people with normal color vision wear the Enchroma Cx glasses, they see a 'boost' effect and colors appear to 'pop' with a super-ordinary vibrance. Advertisement A woman in her 20s had to strip off in the street in London today to be hosed down by firefighters after being hurt in an alleged acid attack. The victim, who has not been named, is said to have been doused in a corrosive substance on a bus near Brixton train station in front of horrified witnesses. Police are hunting for a man who is believed to have carried out the 'targeted' attack and fled. Witnesses claimed that the 'acid fight' broke out at 1.45pm today. Video footage showed the woman sitting on the pavement before the fire brigade hosed her down. She was taken to hospital but her injuries are not 'life-changing'. Police are hunting for a man accused of soaking a woman in acid on a bus in Brixton today The acid attack means London's violent bank holiday weekend has now entered a fourth day after five shootings and several stabbings in the capital since Saturday. At least three buses were stopped in Brixton and surrounded by emergency vehicles. There was also a large police cordon. Witnesses claimed she was 'screaming in pain' as bystanders poured ten bottles of water over her face after the substance was sprayed into her mouth. Witnesses said the victim ran from the bus through Reliance Arcade shopping centre off Brixton Road, begging shopkeepers for water to pour on her face. One stall holder said: 'Her face seemed okay but she kept asking for water saying her face was burning - she was panting, trying to breathe. 'She ran into the arcade and after that I didn't see her again because so many people came, an ambulance and a lot of police.' Rafiq Mohammed, 39, who also has a stall in the arcade, said he poured ten bottles of water on her. 'This lady came out of the bus, she was screaming, she came to the shop asking for water and was pouring it on her face. The victim was seen being hosed down by firefighters after the incident in Brixton today 'She went in to my shop and she was lying on the floor saying someone had sprayed something in her mouth. 'A few of us tried to call her but she was just screaming in pain. We poured ten bottles of water over her face.' One shopowner told HuffPost UK: 'A woman ran off the bus screaming 'acid attack' and ran into the shop. She grabbed a bottle of water out of the fridge and poured it on her face.' Police said that the suspected attacker was a man, and that the assault, which was being treated as GBH, was targeted, not random. Becky Reid tweeted: 'Feel physically sick after walking past a poor innocent person getting hosed down by firefighters after being caught in the middle of an acid fight in Brixton. So scary that this can happen on our doorstep. Hope they are okay'. Rachael Hooper wrote: 'What is happening at Brixton station? Some girl sitting and getting full on hosed by firemen'. Scotland Yard says a male suspect is outstanding and the attack is being treated as grievous bodily harm. Police are guarding bags believed to contain the clothes and other items from the victim The Metropolitan Police and the London Ambulance Service were called to the acid attack A spokesman said: 'Police were called to Brixton Road at 1.45pm by London Ambulance Service following reports of a woman being the victim of a suspected noxious substance attack whilst on a bus. 'The woman believed to be aged in her twenties was treated at the scene as she got off the bus. She was then taken to central London hospital for treatment. 'Her condition is not life changing or life threatening. She has no major burns. Enquiries continue to trace the single male suspect involved. This incident appears to be targeted and not a random attack. 'The bus - which is believed to be the scene of the attack - continues to be examined. At this stage, this attack is being treated as GBH'. A London Ambulance spokesman said an ambulance crew, two cars, an incident response officer, and its hazardous area response team were sent to the scene. It comes after a bank holiday weekend of violence saw a 13-year-old boy shot in the back of the head as he walked to a wedding. The teenager was hit by stray shotgun pellets when a moped-riding gunman tried to blast a gangland rival peddling drugs. Police have sealed off a large area of Brixton's high street as the hunt for the attacker goes on At least three buses have been stopped in Brixton and are surrounded by emergency vehicles Shocked witnesses said they felt sick after seeing the attack in South London this afternoon He was one of the victims in a wave of bloodshed over the three-day holiday. In London, commanders deployed scores of extra police officers, including armed units, after the capital was rocked by shootings and stabbings, as well as an acid attack in Dalston. Rhyhiem Ainsworth Barton, 17, was shot dead near his South London home on Saturday As murder squad detectives continued to hunt for the killer of Rhyhiem Ainsworth Barton, 17, who was shot near his South London home on Saturday, there was a further attack elsewhere in the capital, as well as killings in Liverpool, Luton and Macclesfield. Officers were also hunting a knifeman who killed a 20-year-old takeaway worker in Luton on Sunday afternoon. One resident said he believed it had been gang-related, possibly in reprisal for a shooting last week. In Macclesfield, a 37-year-old man was stabbed to death on Sunday. A 15-year-old boy and a 29-year-old man were arrested. And in Clayton, East Manchester, a man was taken to hospital after being shot at 2.45pm yesterday. His condition was not known last night. Home Secretary Sajid Javid said he was determined to tackle the spate of violence that was 'robbing too many young people of their futures'. But London Mayor Sadiq Khan claimed ministers were failing and said he was doing all he could. * Did you see what happened in Brixton? Please email: news@mailonline.co.uk * Anyone with information is requested to call police on 101 quoting CAD 4258/8May or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111. You can also tweet police via @MetCC. The Air Force say Technical Sergeant John Chapman (undated official photo) should receive the award for heroically fighting Al-Qaeda fighters for an hour after being left for dead by a team of Navy Seals in March 2002 A bitter dispute has erupted between two sections of the US Armed Forces over whether President Trump should agree to grant a Medal of Honor recommendation to an airman for his actions during a disastrous mission in Afghanistan. The Air Force say Technical Sergeant John Chapman should receive the award for heroically fighting Al-Qaeda fighters for an hour after being left for dead by a team of Navy Seals in March 2002, citing a new analysis of drone footage as evidence. But the SEALs have angrily insisted Chapman had already been killed by the time they retreated and have been lobbying against the Air Forces application to grant him the posthumous award. Six other US died during the mission, named Anaconda. 'The SEALs did not want to be toldofficiallythat they left a comrade on that mountain alive,' a former defense official told Newsweek. The Air Force, meanwhile, insist Chapman deserved the honor for what they believe was a heroic last stand and say the SEALs are just trying to protect their reputation. They are also furious that the SEAL commander accused of leaving him for dead, Chief Britt Slabinski, will himself receive the top award at the White House this week, it was announced on Monday. The Air Force claim this Predator Drone footage proves Chapman was still alive when the SEALs left him, and proceeded to kill two Al-Qaeda fighters The incident in question occurred in Takur Ghar, a mountain peak with an elevation of over 10,000 feet in eastern Afghanistan, deep in the heart of the mountainous border region with Pakistan. Having just missed out on killing Osama bin Laden, US forces were eager to hunt down other senior members of the terror network who were in the area as part of a campaign called Operation Anaconda. Just before dawn on March 4, Chapman and a group of SEALs charged a mountain peak in search of a soldier, Petty Officer First Class Neil Roberts, who fell out of a helicopter that moments before was hit by a rocket propelled grenade. Chapman charged an Al-Qaeda bunker and killed the two men inside, an action that earned him the Air Force Cross. But machine gun fire soon erupted from another enemy position and Chapman was struck down. Commanding officer Slabinski realized his team were in a perilous situation and wanted to retreat back down the mountain. He glanced across at Chapman and saw him wounded, lying in the snow. The airman's rifle was lying across his chest and the aiming laser was rising and falling, proving his was still breathing. He was too far away to check his pulse. Chapman's recommendation has been forwarded to the White House, where President Trump must approve it The Chinook helicopter carrying a reinforcement of Rangers lands atop a mountain in Afghanistan. This was the helicopter believed to have landed just moments after Chapman was killed by Al Qaeda fighters as he was providing cover fire But when Slabinski glanced back a second time, he saw the laser had stopped moving, so assumed Chapman was dead and ordered the retreat amid a hail of grenades and machine gun fire. However, an investigation by the Air Force using footage from a Predator drone and new technology to analyse pixels contradicted Slabinski's claim that Chapman was instead suggested the airman had continued fighting while the SEAL team retreated. The Air Force are also furious that the SEAL commander accused of leaving him for dead, Chief Britt Slabinski will himself receive the top award at the White House this week, it was announced on Monday They said instead that Chapman managed to kill two Al-Qaeda fighters before emerging from a protected position and providing vital covering fire for a Chinook helicopter carrying a back-up force of US Rangers. On account of this bravery, the Air Force said his Air Force Cross should be upgraded to a Medal of Honor. The issue is particularly sensitive due to the age-old military axiom of never leaving a comrade behind, although many acknowledge that it is far easier said than done in the heat of combat. The Air Force say that when Slabinski believed Chapman to be dead, the airman was most likely knocked unconscious a finding supported by autopsy results which show a bruise to the forehead. Shortly after the retreat, the Air Force said, Chapman regained consciousness and resumed fighting. But the SEALs not only insist the airman was dead when they left him but also appear to have changed their account of his actions prior to being shot to show them in a less positive light as a means of resisting the Medal of Honor application. Chapman (seen kneeling on one knee fourth from the right) is photographed with US and Afghan fighters While previously agreeing that Chapman's decision to storm the Al-Qaeda bunker after leaving the helicopter was heroic, in late 2016 they released a new account suggesting he had in fact been foolhardy and disobeyed orders. This suggested Chapman had disobeyed Slabinski's order to find cover and make contact with a helicopter overheard, a SEAL representative said, adding that this 'could have saved Chapman and prevented the wounding of two others'. Defense Secretary James Mattis appeared to back the Air Force's account and forwarded the recommendation to the White House in the fall of 2017. If President Trump agrees, this would be the first time a Medal of Honor has been awarded on technical intelligence instead of witness accounts. President Trump (pictured left outside the White House on May 5) now has to decide whether to grant the posthumous Medal of Honor (right, file photo) A toxin linked to an incurable motor neurone disease has been discovered in algae in Sydney waters. The toxin was found in the Manly Dam, Centennial Park and Botany wetlands in Sydney and the Murrumbidgee River in regional New South Wales. It was the first time the neurotoxin known as BMAA had been found in Australian waterways, researcher Brendan Main wrote in the Conversation. A toxin linked to an incurable motor neurone disease has been discovered in algae in Sydney waters including the Manly dam (pictured) The toxin was found in the Manly Dam, Centennial Park and Botany wetlands in Sydney and the Murrumbidgee River in regional New South Wales The compound is linked to motor-neurone disase, which paralysed astrophysicist Stephen Hawking for decades and ultimately led to his death. Motor Neurone Disease causes the degeneration of the motor neurons and wasting of the muscles. University of Technology researcher Ken Rodgers told the Manly Daily research in the US shows living 'within a mile of a place with algal blooms' increases the risk of the disease. The compound is linked to motor-neurone disase, which paralysed astrophysicist Stephen Hawking for decades and ultimately led to his death 'That's what concerned us. It's probably more of a slow toxin,' he told the publication. 'There's a lot of evidence that you get exposed to it and it takes a while for the disease to manifest.' Researchers Brendan Main, Associate Professor Ken Rodgers and five other scientists published their findings in international science journal Harmful Algae. BMAA was detected in ten of the samples analysed. A 52-year-old man who was shot execution style in February this year was a case of mistaken identity police have revealed. New Zealand man David Rawiri Kuka was shot at an address in Taurunga, located about three hours south of Auckland, in what police described as a 'premeditated and cowardly' attack. Following extensive enquiries police now believe the 'murder was a case of mistaken identity and 52-year-old Mr Kuka was not believed to be the intended victim,' said Detective Inspector Lew Warner. A 52-year-old man who was shot execution style in February this year was a case of mistaken identity police have revealed Police said that Mr Kuka kept to himself, working at a shop on occasion and carving items for his friends and family. Bay of Plenty Police now want to speak to anyone who recognises a silver vehicle seen in the area around the time Mr Kuka was shot on the evening on February 11. 'Someone will know something and can help us bring his family some sense of closure,' said Detective Inspector Warner. The remains of a 12-year-old girl missing for nearly 40 years may be buried at a vacant Michigan farm that police fear could be a potential serial killer's burial site for at least six other teens. Police have been digging since Monday at the remote property in Warren, north of Detroit, in the search for Kimberly King's remains. But Warren Police Commissioner Bill Dwyer told WJBK-TV that authorities believe there could be several others buried nearby. 'We have probable cause to believe that (Kimberly) is buried there,' Dwyer said. 'We also believe that there's maybe four to six other girls that have been reported missing that are buried there. We certainly are convinced we have the right area. It's just a sad type of situation.' Dwyer did not give the names of the other missing girls. Kimberly was reported missing from the same area back in September 1979 while she was staying with her grandparents. Police started digging at the remote property in Warren, north of Detroit, on Monday in the search for remains of Kimberly King - a 12-year-old girl who vanished from the area in 1979 Local police, the sheriff's office and FBI officials launched a major excavation on Monday as crews used backhoes and shovels to dig through the area. They fear the site could potentially be a burial site for victims of convicted child murderer Arthur Nelson Ream. It is the same area where the body of 13-year-old Cindy Zarzycki was found in 2008 after she was murdered by Ream 22 years earlier. Zarzycki disappeared in 1986 after being lured to a Dairy Queen in Eastpointe, just north of Detroit. Arthur Ream was convicted of first-degree murder in her slaying. He later was temporarily released from prison to lead police to Zarzycki's body. He told investigators that Zarzycki's body was buried near a creek. Ream also drew a map of the site and spent about an hour at the search scene with authorities beforeleading police to where he buried her body in a shallow grave. He had tricked Zarzycki into meeting him at a local Dairy Queen after telling her he was planning a surprise birthday for his son. Zarzycki had been dating Ream's son at the time of her disappearance. Ream, 68, is serving life in prison. At the time of his conviction for Zarzycki's killing, he already was serving a 15-year sentence on an unrelated molestation charge involving a 14-year-old girl. Police started digging at the remote property in Warren, north of Detroit, on Monday in the search for Kimberly King's remains Officials believe the bodies of four other teen girls may also be buried on the property and they fear they could be victims of convicted child murderer Arthur Nelson Ream It is the same area where the body of 13-year-old Cindy Zarzycki (right) was found in 2008 after she was murdered by Arthur Nelson Ream (left) 22 years earlier Ream was already in prison serving a sentence for raping a 15-year-old girl when he was convicted of Zarzycki's death in 2008. Ream's ex-wife was also at the search site on Monday but police would not reveal why. Police said while Reams had a sick obsession with young girls, they are not yet certain if he had anything to do with Kimberly King's disappearance. King vanished in September 1979 but Reams wasn't released from prison - after being jailed for another child sex assault - until 1980. Police are investigating if Ream had anything to do with the disappearance of Kellie Brownlee, from Novi, in 1982, and Kim Larrow, from Canton in 1981. Authorities continued to search the wooded area on Tuesday as part of their investigation. An Alaska woman has been charged with ordering a man to rape another man for failing to pay off his massive drug debt. The alleged incident took place in the village of St Michael back in April 2017, but court records pertaining to the bizarre case were only reported on this week. According to motions filed by the Nome District Attorney's Office, Julia Marie Haworth, 30, has been charged with solicitation of sexual assault and first-degree sexual assault. Contract rape: Julia Marie Haworth, 30 (left), is accused of ordering Austin Matthias, 24 (right), to sexually assault another man who owed her money Austin Matthias, 24, who allegedly carried out the rape on Haworth's command, has been charged with felony counts of first-degree sexual assault. Both were indicted by a grand jury in June 2017, and their next court appearance is scheduled for May 17. According to the documents obtained by Anchorage Daily News, the suspected 'contract' rape came to light when a witness told a state trooper that he saw Matthias assault the victim in his home after the pair got drunk together. The witness said that Haworth, who was also there, told Matthias, 'Austin, I'm going to need you to rape' the other man, to which he allegedly replied, 'sure.' The woman allegedly gave Matthias 'a bottle' for his troubles. Haworth said the victim had failed to repay her $15,000 for marijuana and alcohol. In a letter to the man's girlfriend, however, Haworth claimed he possibly owed her as much as $27,000. In the village of St Michael - population 413 - the sale and importation of alcohol is prohibited. Matthias allegedly committed the rape in exchange for a bottle of alcohol. Haworth claimed the assaulted man had failed to pay her at least $15,000 for drugs and alcohol When interviewed by the authorities, the victim said the last thing he remembered was Matthias punching him in the face, according to a sworn affidavit. He woke the next day suffering from severe pain and traumatic injuries, including a broken nose. Prosecutors stated that it is possible Matthias also had an outstanding drug debt, as evidenced by the fact that his ex-wife sent Haworth a check for $1,000 at his request. Both Haworth and Matthias are being held at Anvil Mount Correction Center in Nome. Disgraced: Rev. David Poulson, 64, from Pennsylvania, is facing charges of indecent assault, child endangerment and corruption of minors for incidents dating to 2002 A Roman Catholic priest from Pennsylvania was arrested and charged Tuesday with sexually abusing at least two boys during his four decades in the Erie diocese, and making one of them confess. One of the victims was eight years old when the priest allegedly began abusing him. The second victim was 15. State Attorney General Josh Shapiro announced the arrest of the 64-year-old Rev. David Poulson, of Oil City, as part of a statewide grand jury investigation. According to court records, Poulson is facing at least eight charges, including indecent assault, endangering the welfare of children and corruption of minors for incidents dating to 2002. Poulson was being held Tuesday on $300,000 cash bail. He faces a maximum of 64 years, if convicted, and $135,000 in fines. Prosecutors said Poulson resigned from the diocese in February after a phone call was received a month earlier from an military chaplain in Fort Hood, Texas, saying a 23-year-old had disclosed he was abused by Poulson starting when he was eight years old. Poulson allegedly abused one of his victims in rectories at St. Michaels Catholic Church in Fryburg and Saint Anthony of Padua Catholic Church in Cambridge Springs, Pennsylvania, more than 20 times while the child served as an altar boy at Mass. Poulson would then require the boy to make confession to him and confess the sexual assault to receive absolution. Poulos is accused of sexually abusing at least two boys, aged eight and 15, during his four decades in the Erie diocese, and making one of them confess after the assaults 'This was the ultimate betrayal and manipulation by Poulson - he used the tools of the priesthood to further his abuse,' Shapiro wrote in a release about the charges. The allegations also state Poulson took that victim and another boy at separate times to a secluded hunting cabin he owned with a friend in Jefferson County, which had no electricity or running water, and where he would watch horror movies with the boys on his laptop then assault them. Prosecutors said the Erie Diocese had received complaints about what they say were Poulson's 'sexual predator tendencies' as far back as 2010, but did not report him to law enforcement until the grand jury issued a subpoena in September 2016. 'The time of protecting powerful institutions over vulnerable children is over, and anyone who abuses kids will have to answer to my office,' Shapiro said. The diocese produced a May 24, 2010, 'secret memorandum' that showed leaders had received complaints about Poulson's inappropriate contact with minors. The attorney general's office release said the memo contained an admission from Poulson that he was 'aroused' by a boy and shared sexually suggestive texts with other boys. The diocese, 'did nothing to stop this abuse. They did nothing throughout those years until very recently to alert law enforcement. They did nothing to alert other parishioners, especially parishioners who had young children,' Shapiro said at a news conference Tuesday. A diocese spokeswoman said in a voicemail she was preparing a statement on Poulson's arrest. Poulson allegedly abused one of his victims in rectories at St. Michaels Catholic Church in Fryburg, Pennsylvania (pictured) Some of the incidents allegedly occurred after Mass at Saint Anthony of Padua Catholic Church in Cambridge (pictured) Shapiro said the abuse and cover-up largely occurred under a previous bishop's tenure. Last month, the diocese released a list of priests and lay people who it had received credible accusations against over several decades. Poulson's name was on that list. Shapiro said nine other possible victims spoke to the grand jury, who all told similar stories: Poulson was a 'cool' young priest who befriended them, flirted with them, 'wrestled' with them, and 'joked' about his sexual preference for young boys. Poulson allegedly plied the boys with gifts, cash, dinners and alcohol. In at least one of these cases, prosecutors believed evidence of a sexual assault existed, but a criminal statute of limitations prevented the office from filing charges. Shapiro called on the governor and state legislature to abolish the statute of limitation on child sexual assaults. It is long past time to reform these arbitrary time frames and seek justice for our children,' Shapiro said during the press conference. The statewide investigative grand jury looking into the response to clergy abuse in six of the state's eight Roman Catholic dioceses began in 2016, shortly after a comprehensive grand jury report on the Altoona-Johnstown diocese was released. That report included a description of canon law dictating that criminal allegations against priests be kept under lock and key accessible to only the bishop. The statewide grand jury was scheduled to end its term on April 30. Shapiro would not discuss Tuesday when a final report would come out or whether more charges in the other dioceses might be possible. The Philadelphia District Attorney's office released one of the most comprehensive and earliest of such grand jury reports on the Philadelphia diocese in 2005 and revisited concerns about priest abuse in a second grand jury report in 2011. Bodycam footage of campus police questioning two Native American brothers at Colorado State University after a member of their tour group reported them for being quiet has been released. The video shows officers taking Thomas Kanewakeron Gray, 19, and his younger brother Lloyd, 17, to one side during their campus tour to question them on April 30. Colorado State University released it on Friday after receiving complaints, including one from the boys' mother, that they were targeted because of their race. The boys were part of a tour of the campus when another person in the group called campus police to report them being quiet and not answering questions. CSU sent an email to its students afterwards describing the incident as 'sad and frustrating'. Thomas Kanewakeron Gray, 19, (center) and his younger brother Lloyd, 17, were taken out of their tour of Colorado State University to be questioned by campus police on April 30 after someone in their group reported them being suspicious Brothers Thomas (left) and Lloyd (right) had 'scraped their dollars together' to visit the college which their mother says they both want to attend The boys were approached as they walked down a set of stairs with the rest of the group. The officers pulled them to one side and one asked: 'Can you pull your hand out of your pocket please? Thanks. 'Do you have anything in your pockets?' The boys replied: 'Nope.' They were then asked if they were part of the group and then questioned over how they signed up. 'We signed up online,' Thomas replied quietly. His younger brother Lloyd then dropped his hand, prompting one of the officers to order: 'Hands out!' He then checked the younger boy's pockets. After finding just his money and a magnet, the officer explained: 'The reason we stopped you to talk to you was somebody from the group called and said that you guys just kind of came into the group.' Thomas, confused as to why this prompted concern, replied: 'Yeah we were late.' The officer pushed on: 'They also said that they tried to ask you guys questions and you wouldn't answer questions.' Asked why they did not want to chat to others, Thomas gestured towards his younger brother and said: 'He's shy.' The pair were then asked to produce their New Mexico IDs. Lloyd gave his over but Thomas had left his in his bag. The boys seemed unsure why they were being questioned. They obeyed the officers as they were told to keep their hands out in front of them and not fiddle in their pockets Officers questioned how they signed up for the tour and asked Lloyd, 17, to provide the email confirmation he received proving that they were part of it As Lloyd struggled to connect to the WiFi, his older brother told police that he was 'shy' and that was why they did not join in on the group chat. They were let go once they provided the email confirmation The audio cut out for several seconds as one of the officers runs a check on the boy who provided his ID. During that time, the other asks if they can confirm that they signed up online. The boys' mother Lorraine said she believed they were the victims of racial profiling 'I can log into my email and check,' Lloyd volunteered. As he started to look for his confirmation email, the officers appeared to become more sympathetic. 'People were just worried because you guys were just real quiet and you weren't answering any of their questions and they didn't know who you were because you didn't show up with parents or anything,' one said. As Lloyd continued trying to connect to the campus Wifi, the other officer said: 'It's annoying, you have to be a student to log in to the wifi. The library is the only one that has free wifi. Where did you guys sign up? On the website? ' 'I did it through the website but I got an email, I think,' Lloyd replied. 'Did you have to call anyone through the office of admissions or anything?' the officer shot back. 'We did last time but I think because I signed up so late this time that,' Lloyd, still looking through his iPhone. The teen then pulled up the confirmation email he received proving that he had signed up to the tour. 'OK good, cool,' the first officer remarked. The other, somewhat more apologetic, added: 'Sorry to take you away from your guys' group. Here's your ID back man. Have a good rest of your day.' The incident came to light after the boys told their mother, Lorraine, about it last week. The brothers, both Mohawk, are musicians, and study contemporary and traditional music She angrily took to Facebook to say they were the victims of racial profiling. 'I felt they had been the victim of racism and that they werent safe there,' she said, adding that they had 'scraped' their dollars together to afford the trip. 'It was their dream to study there and they arranged this tour online, and had a confirmation email with them,' she said. Since the incident became national news, Lorraine has been inundated with messages of support. CSU has apologized for the incident and offered to reimburse the family their expenses from the trip. They also invited the boys to come back with their mother for a 'VIP tour' but the family has not responded. In an email to students, it said: 'The incident is sad and frustrating from nearly every angle, particularly the experience of two students who were here to see if this was a good fit for them as an institution. 'As a university community, we deeply regret the experience of these students while they were guests on our campus.' The woman who called 911 inaccurately labeled the boys Hispanic. She also said they were wearing 'demonic' t-shirts. Their mother has since explained that the t-shirts were fan shirts for heavy metal bands. The older brother said the school was their first choice, because of its proximity to Denver, where they could attend concerts. The brothers, both Mohawk, are musicians, and study contemporary and traditional music. Jennifer Sue Roberts, 57, was arrested on Friday after calling police twice in four hours to get beer A Florida woman was arrested after she called 911 twice because she wanted beer. Jennifer Sue Roberts, 57, was arrested on Friday after she phoned police claiming a medical emergency. But when paramedics arrived on the scene she said she was just thirsty and needed beer. They added she already appeared intoxicated when they arrived to help her. She called around noon and again around 4pm and was arrested after the second false alarm. She has been charged with misusing the emergency system. But this wasn't the first time Roberts, who also goes by Jennifer Sue Sunday, has cried wolf to police. She has made a total of 28 false calls claiming medical emergencies to the Pinellas County Sheriff's Office since February, according to WFLA-TV. She was released on Saturday on her own recognizance. She was previously arrested in Pinellas County in August 2014 and June 2016 also for abusing the 911 system Roberts, who hails from St. Petersburg, was released Saturday on her own recognizance. She also has several Pinellas County arrests on counts of battery on a law enforcement officer, resisting arrest with violence, and criminal mischief, according to The Tampa Bay Times. She was also previously arrested for abusing the 911 system in Pinellas County in August 2014 and June 2016. The institution decided to take away Bill Cosby's Honors award and the Mark Twain Prize for American Humor that he won in 1998 and 2009 respectively. Cosby is pictured in court on April 26 The Kennedy Center has become the latest institution to strip Bill Cosby of accolades as he awaits sentencing for drugging and sexually assaulting a woman in his Pennsylvania home. The institution said on Monday its board had voted to take away the Honors award and the Mark Twain Prize for American Humor that Cosby won in 1998 and 2009 respectively. 'The Honors and Mark Twain Prize are given to artists who, through their lifetime of work, have left an indelible impact on American culture,' the Kennedy Center said. 'As a result of Mr. Cosby's recent criminal conviction, the Board concluded that his actions have overshadowed the very career accomplishments these distinctions from the Kennedy Center intend to recognize.' The comedian, 80, has been stripped of numerous honors since he was convicted on three counts of aggravated indecent assault against former Temple University employee Andrea Constand in 2004. On Tuesday, he was also stripped of his title as an honorary doctor of humane letters from the University of Cincinnati. Its trustees said they 'abhor sexual violence' and university President Neville Pinto echoed that in a statement expressing support for survivors of sexual assault. Last week Cosby was found guilty on three counts of aggravated indecent assault. He is pictured above with his wide Camille outside the courthouse in Norristown on April 24 Cosby (left) is pictured posing with fellow Kennedy Center nominees in Washington on December 5, 1998 next to John Kander, Fred Ebb and Willie Nelson. Front row: former actress and ambassador to Czechoslovakia Shirley Temple Black and composer Andrew Previn Yale also took away his honorary degree after a student-led campaign that began as early as 2014, while Temple and Carnegie Mellon have done the same. Meanwhile, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences voted to expel him and Oscar-winning director Roman Polanski for violating its standards of conduct. Polanski, 84, fled the US in 1978 after being charged with statutory rape of a 13-year-old girl. On Thursday, Cosby was removed from the Television Academy's list of Hall of Fame honorees. The comedian, 80, was convicted on three counts of aggravated indecent assault against former Temple University employee Andrea Constand (pic on April 26) in 2004 It was later announced that a statue of him once installed in the Academy's Hall of Fame Plaza, which had been removed during renovations, will not be returned to the site. More than 20 institutions had taken similar action earlier based on the allegations against Cosby, which were backed by a jury last month. Cosby's reputation as 'America's Dad' took a beating in the last year as more than 60 women have come forward and accused him of sexual misconduct dating back four decades. On April 26, a jury found Cosby guilty of three counts of aggravated indecent assault for drugging and molesting former Temple University employee Andrea Constand at his suburban Philadelphia home in 2004. Constand said Cosby gave her wine and three pills that left her 'frozen'. He faces up to 10 years in prison for each count but will most likely serve the sentences concurrently. A sentencing date has not yet been set and Cosby is currently out on bail. Cosby's first trial collapsed on June 17, 2017, after the jury could not agree on a verdict. 'The Honors and Mark Twain Prize are given to artists who, through their lifetime of work, have left an indelible impact on American culture,' the Kennedy Center (pictured) said Ministers are facing a furious backlash today after it emerged British soldiers who served in Northern Ireland during the Troubles might not be protected from prosecution. Tory MPs condemned the government for 'losing its moral compass' amid signs proposals being published soon will not include an amnesty. Thousands were killed or injured during 30 years of violence, most by paramilitaries but some at the hands of security forces. Senior MPs had urged a statute of limitation which would prevent anyone from facing trial for offences that happened during the conflict, including former servicemen and paramilitaries. The concept of an amnesty has been gaining traction among MPs who complain there is a 'witch hunt' against former British soldiers (file picture) However, victims' representatives, Sinn Fein, the DUP and the Irish Government voiced concerns. The concept of an amnesty has been gaining traction among MPs who complain there is a 'witch hunt' against former British soldiers. But prosecutors and police in Northern Ireland insist there is no evidence of a disproportionate focus on ex-security force members. There are thought to be tensions between Northern Ireland Secretary Karen Bradley and Defence Secretary Gavin Williamson on the issue. Mr Williamson's predecessor at the Ministry of Defence, Sir Michael Fallon, had been pushing for protections for ex-soldiers - but the Northern Ireland Office has resisted. Tory MP Johnny Mercer told MailOnline the PM must now step in and 'do the right thing'. 'I never thought I'd see the day when my Government would stand aside and watch pensioner veterans being dragged to court for claimed-offences for which they have already been investigated, often over forty years ago, at the behest of the very people they were fighting on behalf of the crown. It's insane and a total loss of moral compass,' he said. 'I cannot support this Government in their endeavours if they make basic errors of judgement like this. 'No-one else is going to stick up for these veterans they were there advocating Government policy. 'This Government has a duty, a duty to protect them from the pernicious industry of lawyers currently fishing for business in Northern Ireland. I will not allow them to be cut off to the mercy of those trying to re-write history for their own financial gain, and am considering all my options. There are thought to be tensions between Northern Ireland Secretary Karen Bradley and Defence Secretary Gavin Williamson on the issue Tory MP Johnny Mercer told MailOnline the PM must now step in and 'do the right thing' 'It doesn't have to be a statute of limitations it can be a classifying of investigations already held, there are plenty of options. 'But they require political courage the sort of courage we asked them to display on our behalf in Northern Ireland.' Mechanisms to deal with the conflict legacy were agreed by Northern Ireland politicians in the 2014 Stormont House Agreement. The agreed proposals, including a new independent investigatory unit, a truth recovery body and an oral archive, are on ice due to a small number of outstanding disputes. Amid a political impasse on implementing the new structures - part of a wider political malaise preventing the re-establishment of devolved power-sharing at Stormont - former Northern Ireland secretary James Brokenshire had proposed conducting a consultation exercise to establish the wider public's view. In the House of Commons recently, senior Conservative, Defence Committee chairman Julian Lewis said it would be a 'retrograde step' if the legacy consultation did not consider a statute of limitations proposal. DUP leader Arlene Foster has urged the Government to take forward a meaningful consultation. A Michigan man who was previously convicted and sentenced for murdering a jogger is now being tried for the kidnapping and killing a western Michigan gas station clerk, whose body was never recovered. In his opening statements on Tuesday, Muskegon County Prosecutor D.J. Hilson told the jury defendant Jeffrey Willis had in his possession hundreds of videos of women being abducted, raped and killed, as well as computer files labeled 'RB' and 'JH' containing information about the cases of Rebekah Bletsch and Jessica Heeringa, reported WOOD-TV. Willis, 47, was convicted in November 2017 of fatally shooting the 36-year-old Bletsch while she was jogging in Muskegon County in 2014. He is serving a life sentence in her death. Scroll down for video Back on trial: Jeffrey Willis, 47, is pictured in court on Tuesday on the first day of his trial in the kidnapping and murder of Jessica Heeringa Willis (left) is accused of abducting the 25-year-old gas station clerk (right) from work in 2013. Her body was never found 'Darl and evil side': A prosecutor said in his opening statements that police found Willis (right) to have been in possession of hundreds of videos of women being abducted, raped and killed The 25-year-old Heeringa vanished without a trace from the Exxon Mobil gas station in Norton Shores where she worked in 2013. 'You're going to see the deep, dark and evil side of Jeffrey Willis,' Hilson warned jurors. Defense attorney Fred Johnson countered during his opening statement that there's no evidence Willis killed or kidnapped Heeringa, a single mother the public defender described as 'living a tumultuous life' involving affairs and heroin use. 'You'll hear about pornography my client collected - [what] type it is, how disgusting it is,' Johnson said. 'What you won't hear is no one has ever seen him alone with Miss Heeringa, no one has ever seen him assault Miss Heeringa. ... You don't have the evidence you need to convict my client.' Following this trial, Willis is expected to stand trial in the 2016 kidnapping of a 16-year-old girl who escaped his van, ran for help from a nearby resident and went to police, leading to his arrest. The teen testified Tuesday as well as at the previous trial. She said she was leaving a house party by foot on April 16, 2016, and a man she later identified as Willis pulled up in his van. She said she asked to use his phone and he said to get in the vehicle. Life in turmoil: Willis's lawyer described Heeringa as a single mother 'living a tumultuous life' involving affairs and heroin use The public defender argued that the prosecution has no evidence required to convict Willis (pictured left in court on Tuesday) of killing Heeringa (right) Willis was convicted in November 2017 of fatally shooting the 36-year-old Bletsch (pictured) while she was jogging in 2014 Willis was sentenced in December 2017 to a mandatory life in prison in the Bletsch slaying After doing so, she testified that Willis told her his phone battery was dead and she asked to get out. She says he pulled out a gun, so she unlocked the door and jumped out. '[I had to] run for my life. I thought he was going to hurt me,' she said, adding that he got out of the van and aimed the gun at her. 'I asked him to please don't shoot me,' she said. After Willis' arrest, police searched his van and found a semiautomatic pistol, ammunition, syringes with Insulin, Viagra pills, a ball gag, chains, sex toys, a mask and a bar with wrist restraints. Investigators said the gun linked him to the murder of Bletsch. A search of his home unearthed child pornography and videos of women being restrained, investigators said earlier. Police also discovered a computer file titled VICS with Bletschs initials and her date of death. Willis denied any wrongdoing doing his earlier trial. Hillary Clinton has warned about the growing influence of China during a speech in New Zealand. The former US Secretary of State warned Australia needed to take the country's influence 'seriously'. 'China's attempts to influence national affairs in Australia and New Zealand have to be taken seriously,' she said. Hillary Clinton has warned about the growing influence of China during a New Zealand speech. Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull is pictured speaking with Chinese President Xi Jinping Ms Clinton also hailed the work of academic Anne-Marie Brady, who is concerned countries including New Zealand are 'being targeted by a interference campaign led by the People's Republic of China'. 'Anne-Marie Brady of the University of Canterbury has rightly called this a new global battle, and it's just getting started,' Ms Clinton said. 'We need to take it seriously.' The former US Secretary of State (pictured) warned Australia needed to take the country's influence 'seriously'. Ms Clinton also hailed the work of academic Anne-Marie Brady, who is concerned about the influence of China Ms Clinton was in New Zealand on a speaking tour as part of a series called 'Women World Changers'. Earlier this week she met with New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Arden over breakfast in an event closed to the media. Ms Clinton is due to arrive in Australia for paid speaking events in Melbourne and Australia on Thursday and Friday. Tickets for the event at the Sydney International Convention start at $127. Earlier this week Hillary Clinton met with New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Arden (pictured left) over breakfast in an event closed to the media. Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull admitted in April there was some tension in Australia's relationship with China over foreign interference laws. 'There is certainly some tension that has risen in China about our foreign interference laws but it is very important that the Australian government assures only Australians are influencing our political processes,' he told 3AW radio. Mekhi Lee, and two of his friends, were shopping at a Nordstrom Rack in Missouri on Thursday for prom and graduation clothes when they were falsely accused of shoplifting. According to Lee, a black teenager who recently graduated high school and is in his freshman year at Alabama A&M University, several employees followed him and his friends Eric Rogers and Dirone Taylor. who are also black, around the Brentwood Nordstrom as they shopped. 'I was nervous the whole time,' Lee told CBS News. 'Every time we move, they move. When we looked up, they looked up.' Mehki Lee (pictured) and two of his friends were falsely accused of shoplifting at Nordstrom Rack because they are black Lee (pictured on the left in a graduation photo and right with his mom in May 2017 Facebook photos) said as he and his friends were shopping several store employees started following them The employees called the cops saying the teens had stolen several items. Police let the teens go without charges Lee said he called his mother to tell her what was going on and she told the 19-year-old college student to try and talk to the manager. Lee told the St. Louis Post-Dispatch that the manager never came to talk to them. Before the group left the store, Lee said he and friends purchased a few items. When they got back to their car, police surrounded them. In a video posted on Lee's mom's Facebook page, the teens are heard explaining to an officer that they did nothing wrong. 'They want to stop us in the store and make sure we wasn't stealing nothing. Just 'cause of how we look,' one of the teens says. The boys were eventually allowed to go without charges. Rogers told CBS that his frustration is not with the officers who questioned him and his pals because they were just doing their job. 'The police were actually good. They understood where we were coming from and they showed us that they were just doing their job,' Rogers said. The teens also said they were harassed by another customer in the store who thought they were stealing after seeing the employees follow the boys around the store. Taylor told CBS that the customer, an elderly woman, called him and his friends 'punks' and asked them: 'Are your parents proud of you for what you do?' Eric Rogers, a senior at TK, was also accused of shoplifting from the Nordstrom Rack. Rogers is pictured in a May 6 Facebook photo The president of Nordstrom Rack flew to St Louis to personally apologize to the teens and the company released a statement saying it did not handle the situation well The teens said when they stuck up for themselves, they got into an altercation with the woman and the store manager stepped in. 'I knew it was coming, but at the same time, I was feeling embarrassed, agitated, mixed emotions with the whole situation because I know we didn't deserve it,' Taylor said. Nordstrom released a statement apologizing to the teens and the president of the company flew to St. Louis to personally apologize to Lee, Taylor and Rogers. 'We did not handle this situation well and we apologized to these young men and their families. We want all customers to feel welcome when they shop with us and we do not tolerate discrimination of any kind,' the company said. The St. Louis NAACP said it had already been in contact with the teens and wants to work with Nordstrom Rack president Geevy Thomas on how to handle the situation with employees. "The discussion has to have some sustenance, it needs to be strategic, and it needs to have some measurable outcomes," said Adolphus Pruitt, President of the St. Louis NAACP. Lee is a recent graduate from DeSmet Jesuit High School and started his freshman year at a college in Alabama. Rogers is a senior at East St Luis Senior High School and Taylor is a senior at DeSmet. Prosecutors will not offer a plea bargain to a Minneapolis policeman who shot Australian woman Justine Ruszczyk Damond dead in her pyjamas. Mohamed Noor pleaded not guilty to murdering the unarmed 40-year-old mother in a dark alley after responding to her 911 call on July 15. The Somali immigrant intends to argue he fired in self-defense and used reasonable force at his trial later this year, where he faces 25 years jail. Prosecutors will not offer a plea bargain to Minneapolis policeman Mohamed Noor, 32, who shot and Australian yoga teacherdead in her pyjamas Justine Ruszczyk Damond, 40, was killed by a single shot Noor fired from his patrol car in a dark alley on July 15 after responding to her 911 call At his brief appearance court appearance on Tuesday prosecutors said they were not willing to offer a plea bargain and would press on with murder charges. Assistant Hennepin County Attorney Amy Sweasy said a 'large volume' of evidence was obtained from his defence as part of discovery. Noor is charged with third-degree murder and second-degree manslaughter, with prosecutors earlier saying they were confident of convicting him. The 32-year-old said nothing as he made his brief appearance wearing a navy blue suit and light blue shirt with a yellow tie, supported by a dozen family members. Dates for his murder trial will be discussed in the next few days in closed court sessions. Noor was released on US$500,000 bail on March 21 and was living with his parents while fighting the charges. He was fired from the police force last year. The 32-year-old said nothing as he made his brief appearance wearing a navy blue suit and light blue shirt with a yellow tie (pictured with lawyers Peter Wold and Tom Plunkett) Noor was in a squad car's passenger seat when he reached across his partner and shot Ms Damond through the open driver's side window. When charges were announced, Hennepin County Attorney Mike Freeman said there was no evidence Noor encountered a threat that justified using deadly force. He shot Justine in the stomach when she approached his squad car minutes after she called police to report a possible sexual assault in the alley behind her home. Charging documents reveal Justine said 'I'm dead' or 'I'm dying' as she clasped her stomach after being shot. Both Noor and his partner Matthew Harrity gave her CPR before help and back-up arrived, but she was pronounced dead at the scene. 'In the short time between when Ms Damond-Ruszczyk approached the squad car and the time Officer Noor fired the fatal shot,' Mr Freeman said. The Somali immigrant (seen above after posting bail in Minneapolis on March 21) intends to argue he fired in self-defense and used reasonable force at his trial later this year, where he faces 25 years jail Noor is charged with third-degree murder and second-degree manslaughter, with prosecutors earlier saying they were confident of convicting him Prosecutors say Noor was in a squad car's passenger seat when he shot Damond through the open driver's side window after she approached the vehicle 'There is no evidence that officer Noor encountered a threat, appreciated a threat, investigated a threat or confirmed a threat that justified his decision to use deadly force. 'Instead, Officer Noor recklessly and intentionally fired his handgun from the passenger seat in disregard for human life. Such actions violate the criminal law.' Ms Damond was to marry her fiance Don Damond next month, just under a year after the shooting that claimed her life. Her family said in a written statement that they were pleased that Mr Freeman decided to bring charges of third-degree murder and second-degree manslaughter. JUSTINE DAMOND SHOOTING - A TIMELINE OF EVENTS July 15 - 11.27pm - Justine Damond calls 911 to report hearing sounds of distress from a girl or woman behind her house. She says it may be a rape. A dispatcher says officers should arrive soon. 11.35pm. - Justine calls 911 again to ask why police haven't arrived yet. She gives the dispatcher the address again. 11.41pm. - Officers Matthew Harrity and Mohamed Noor arrive and drive south down the alley behind Justine's house. Harrity, who is driving, is startled by a loud noise near his squad car. Justine approaches the driver's side window immediately afterward, and Noor allegedly fires his gun past Harrity, striking Justine through that window of the vehicle, according to Harrity in an interview with state investigators. 11.42pm - Radio report of one person down, starting CPR. 11.50pm - Radio report of police doing CPR for 'last four minutes'. 11.51pm - Justine is pronounced dead in the alley at the south end of her block. A medical examiner later says Justine was shot once in the abdomen. July 16 - Hundreds gather in Justine's southwest Minneapolis neighborhood to mourn her death. Mayor Betsy Hodges visits scene, says she is 'heartsick' and 'deeply disturbed' by shooting. State investigators say the officers involved in the shooting had not turned on their body cameras and squad car video didn't capture the shooting. July 17 - An autopsy shows Justine died of a single gunshot wound to the abdomen. Her fiance Don Damond says the family has been given no information about how the shooting happened. The officer who allegedly shot Justine is identified as Mohamed Noor, a Somali-American with less than two years of experience who became an officer after working in property management. In a statement from his attorney, Noor offers condolences to Justine's family. July 18 - State investigators say Noor declined to be interviewed. They say his partner, Matthew Harrity, told them Harrity was startled by a loud noise right before Justine approached the officers' SUV, and that Noor - in the passenger seat - shot her through the driver's-side window. July 20 - Police Chief Janee Harteau makes first remarks on shooting, says it 'should not have happened' but defends Noor's training. Harteau also says the city is reviewing its policy on body cameras and wants them to be used more often. July 21 - Harteau resigns at Hodges' request after the mayor says she no longer has confidence in the chief. Hodges names Assistant Chief Medaria Arradondo to take over. At a news conference to discuss the change, Hodges is shouted down by protesters who say she should resign, too. August 11 - Justine's family holds a public memorial service in Minneapolis. August 28 - Hennepin County Attorney Mike Freeman says he expects to decide on charges by year's end. September 12 - Authorities announce that the state Bureau of Criminal Investigation has handed the case over to Freeman's office. November 18 - Council Member Jacob Frey defeats Hodges in the mayor's race. Much of the campaign focused on police-community relations. December 13 - Freeman is caught on video saying he doesn't have enough evidence to charge Noor and blaming investigators 'who haven't done their job'. December 28 - Freeman says he'll miss his self-imposed deadline of deciding on charges by year's end because he needs more time. January 24, 2018 - Attorneys say Freeman convened a grand jury and subpoenaed other officers to compel them to tell what they know. Freeman says he still intends to make his own decision on charges. March 20 - Noor turns himself in to the Hennepin County Jail on charges of third-degree murder and second-degree manslaughter. Bail is set at $500,000. March 21 - Noor appears in court where bail is cut to $400,000 conditional on Noor surrendering his passport and not having contact with Harrity Source: AP Advertisement They said they hope a strong case will be presented and Noor will be convicted, calling the charges 'one step toward justice for this iniquitous act'. 'No charges can bring our Justine back,' Ms Damond's father John Ruszcyzk and Mr Damond said in the joint statement. 'However, justice demands accountability for those responsible for recklessly killing the fellow citizens they are sworn to protect, and today's actions reflect that.' The Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, which is investigating the shooting, said in a statement that he had declined to be interviewed and that his attorney had not said if or when an interview would take place. Ms Damond was to marry her fiance Don Damond (pictured together) next month, just under a year after the shooting that claimed her life However, many of the key parts of Noor's narrative gel with the version of events released by the BCA, who had interviewed his partner, Matthew Harrity. Ms Damond was unarmed and had called 911 to alert police to what she believed may have been a rape taking place behind her home. Speaking on the condition of anonymity, a friend of Noor's told DailyMail.com that the officer had opened fire when an unidentified figure emerged from the dark and ran towards the vehicle. The officer said he was not sure what the person was carrying and momentarily opened fire through his driver-partner's open window. Justine was unarmed and had called 911 to alert police to what she believed may have been a rape taking place behind her home It was confirmed that Ms Damond's cell phone was found alongside her during the tragedy. Noor told associates it was dark and the situation was already tense as the caller had been 'panicking' when making the 911 call reporting an assault in the alley beyond where Justine lived with her fiance and his son. The squad car, driven by Harrity traveled hastily down the unlit alley between Washburn and Xerxes avenues south from West 50th Street toward West 51st Street. The charge of third-degree murder carries a maximum of of 25 years in prison, although the presumptive sentence is 12 years. The second-degree manslaughter charge carries a maximum of 10 years in prison, and the presumptive sentence is four years. A former senior of a Californian high school was charged on Monday with recruiting classmates in a drug and human trafficking scheme from Mexico to the United States. Phillip Junior Webb, 18, was said to have recruited his peers from Castle High School in Chula Vista, California. He was believed to smuggle people, methamphetamine and fentanyl into the country on numerous occasions. Webb was arraigned on Monday at the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of California in San Diego on federal charges of human smuggling and conspiracy to distribute illicit narcotics, ABC News reports. Between July 1 and October 23 of last year, Webb was believed to have recruited five juveniles who were trying to smuggle the drugs strapped to their bodies. Phillip Junior Webb, 18, was said to have recruited his peers from Castle High School in Chula Vista, California The students were said to have strapped fentanyl (stock) and methamphetamine to their bodies and would cross the border 15 to 20 times One of the hires shared with authorities that he was able to go back and forth across the border with drugs 15 to 20 times. A good portion of his trips were done twice in a day. The teen would deliver the drugs to San Diego and San Bernardino and made about $400 for each successful pass, according to NBC San Diego. An additional student that was tapped by Webb described how the ringleader once paid him in a bathroom in the school. A fifth student disclosed with agents that he was contacted by a female classmate who asked him to do a favor for one of her friends. Someone named 'Anthony' messaged him on Facebook asking him to smuggle drugs into the country. On Monday he was given federal charges of human smuggling and conspiracy to distribute illicit narcotics When the teen tried to back out of the run, he claims Anthony threatened him and claimed to have known where the teen lived. It was believed that Webb had been connected to the contact because he was associated with the student who asked for the favor. Records also showed that he crossed into the U.S. mere moments before the teen was detained. On May 4, Webb was caught trying to smuggle two undocumented immigrants in his car trunk - a Chinese national who was identified as Ming Lin and a native from Mexico named Jose Carmen. Carmen told officers that his sister paid $14,000 to get him across the border while Ming asserted that her church arranged for the trip for an unknown fee. 'We are seeing a very troubling trend and we want to warn parents and high schoolers,' U.S. Attorney Adam Braverman said in a statement. 'Our youth are being recruited by drug cartels to smuggle dangerous drugs across the border. 'We are going after the recruiters who exploit these kids, but the kids also need to know that they are gambling with their lives when they do this.' Webb is to appear in court on May 10 and it is unknown if he has procured a lawyer. President Donald Trump informed France's Emmanuel Macron in a phone call this morning that he will pull the U.S. out the nuclear deal it signed onto three years ago after intense negotiations with Tehran. The New York Times reports that a person briefed on the conversation said Trump plans to reinstate all of the sanctions the U.S. waived in conjunction with the nuclear deal. Trump also plans to impose additional sanctions on Tehran, the Times' source said. Macron's office told Reuters that the Times' report was incorrect. However, European officials told the wire service that they do expect Trump to announce today that he's exiting the accord. U.S. officials told AP and AFP the same thing. Trump's anticipated action had U.S. allies on edge. A senior British diplomat told DailyMail.com the U.K. is 'deeply pessimistic' ahead of public Trump's announcement today. President Donald Trump says he will be announcing his decision on the Iran nuclear deal this afternoon at the White House Iran's Hasan Rouhani (right) said the U.S. will have 'historic remorse' for its decision while insisting that 'getting rid of Americas mischievous presence will be fine for Iran' President Donald Trump informed France's Emmanuel Macron in a phone call this morning that he will pull the U.S. out the nuclear deal it signed onto three years ago after intense negotiations with Tehran European leaders whose countries are party to the deal have been begging Trump to remain in the agreement. It could fall apart without U.S. participation while the follow-on accord he demanded is worked out, they've said. European officials have also warned Trump that Tehran could set off a nuclear arms race in the Middle East if it restarts its uranium enrichment program. Iran's Hassan Rouhani was vowing to stick by the deal that provided massive sanctions relief on Monday, so long as Europe guarantees that his country's interests will be protected. It was unclear in the lead-up to Trump's decision, though, if that would realistically be the case. Rouhani said the U.S. will have 'historic remorse' for its decision while insisting that 'getting rid of Americas mischievous presence will be fine for Iran.' 'If we can get what we want from a deal without America, then Iran will continue to remain committed to the deal,' Rouhani said according to the Iran Daily. 'What Iran wants is our interests to be guaranteed by non-American signatories.' Trump says he will be announcing his decision on the Iran nuclear deal this afternoon at the White House in remarks that will be delivered straight to camera at 2 pm. It will come as no surprise globally if Trump says he's pulling the U.S. out of the 2015 agreement he inherited from the previous administration. The big unknown is what Trump will say he wants to happen next. Trump's legislative director, Marc Short, told DailyMail.com on Tuesday morning that the president 'wants to see Iran end its nuclear program but also become a nation that is not funding terrorism, not attacking Israel not looking to continue to attack allies that we have. 'I think he's looking for an agreement that brings Iran into the international community as opposed to being a rogue nation state that funds terrorism,' Short said during a press scrum on the driveway leading into the West Wing. Trump is anticipated to allow the oil sanctions that legally come up for discussion every 120 days under the deal to be reimposed on Tehran. The sanctions cut Iran's oil exports in half in 2012, Foreign Policy reports, and crippled the Islamic Republic's economy. European companies will have to choose, if the sanctions are slapped back on, whether they want to do business with the U.S. or the taboo government, putting them in an undesirable position. John Glaser, director of foreign policy studies at the right-leaning Cato Institute, warned Tuesday that if the U.S. imposes external sanctions successfully, European companies will pull out of investment projects in Iran, removing the incentives that Rouhani would need to mollify hardliners in his country who want Iran to restart its nuclear program. 'With lots of political will this deal could remain in place without the United States, but its going to be very, very difficult for the participants to manage,' Glaser said. Iran will feel 'unburdened' if the U.S. leaves the pact, he said, and is likely to install new centrifuges to spin uranium and limit access to inspectors. 'This could really unravel into something with grave consequences,' he cautioned. 'All my fingers and toes are crossed, because this is a good deal that should continue to be implemented.' U.K. foreign minister Boris Johnson worried that Trump could take military action against Tehran on top of the expected sanctions renewal. He also warned that collapse of the deal could set off a nuclear arms race in the Middle East with Saudi Arabia, Egypt and the U.A.E. wanting weapons, as well. 'It's already a very, very dangerous state at the moment, we don't want to go down that road. There doesn't seem to me at the moment to be a viable military solution,' Johnson told Fox & Friends. Johnson was in the U.S. making last-ditch pleas for the U.S. to stay in the deal to Trump's national security adviser, John Bolton, the U.S. secretary of state, Mike Pompeo, Vice President Mike Pence and the president's daughter Ivanka and son-in-law Jared Kushner, both of whom are senior White House officials. Trump teased his Iran deal announcement in a Monday afternoon tweet that provided no hints at what it would be He told Obama era Secretary of State John Kerry on Tuesday morning that he needs to butt out - or else Trump on Monday called Kerry's intervention 'possibly illegal' and blamed him for the current arrangement that gave Tehran sanctions relief but would allow it to build nuclear bombs as soon as 2027 Commenting on the talks on Tuesday, a senior British diplomat told DailyMail.com that Johnson in the meetings noted 'our frank views on its shortcomings in regards to broader Iranian activity in the Middle East. 'Following the visit, unfortunately we are deeply pessimistic ahead of President Trumps announcement later today,' the person said. 'However, we will have to wait and see what exactly President Trump says.' The diplomat said, 'Our objective will remain to uphold and maintain the JCPOA. We will need to wait to understand what the US plan is to deliver on our shared goal of preventing Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon and addressing their regional behaviour.' Trump at a news conference last month rebuffed a reporter who asked about potential military action against Iran. 'I don't talk about whether or not I would use military force,' Trump said at a joint presser with German Chancellor Angela Merkel. 'But I can tell you this, they will not be doing nuclear weapons. That I can tell you. OK? They are not going to be doing nuclear weapons. You can bank on it.' Israeli President Benjamin Netanyahu has been pushing Trump to take a more aggressive posture toward Iran, his nation's most prolific antagonist. Netanyahu delivered a presentation last week claiming Israel's intelligence agency had proof that Iran 'lied' about its intention to dismantle its nuclear weapons program. Trump complained about the nuclear deal consistently during his campaign and harangued it as a 'very badly negotiated' agreement in a tweet Monday that took aim at the secretary of state who helped to broker it. The comment followed his remarks at a news conference alongside Macron that the deal was made 'decayed foundations' and was not structured to last. 'Should have never, ever been made. I blame Congress. I blame a lot of people for it,' Trump said. Trump has until May 12 to decide whether he wants to allow a sanctions waiver that applies to Tehran to expire. If the sanctions go back into effect, the U.S. will be in violation of the agreement effectively ending its participation in the deal it entered into with the U.K., France, China, Russia and Germany. Trump has said he would be willing to sign on to a companion agreement that encompasses the nuclear aspects of the current one and applies new pressure to Iran to abandon its ballistic missiles program, end terrorist financing and broker a peace agreement between the ruling government and rebels in Syria. Macron told Trump last month that he would pursue such an agreement on behalf of Europe. The French president told reporters after his White House visit that he suspected Trump would leave the 2015 accord in the meantime to hasten the process up. Kerry (left) is seen with Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif in 2016; Kerry met with Zarif last month for secret talks about how to undermine Trump's bid to kill the nuclear deal Hinting at the action he is anticipated to take today Trump told Macron publicly, 'I think we will have a great shot at doing a much bigger maybe deal, maybe not deal. Were going to find out, but well know fairly soon.' He also said 'nobody knows what Im going to do on the 12th, although, Mr. President, you have a pretty good idea but well see. 'But well see also, if I do what some people expect, whether or not it will be possible to do a new deal with solid foundations,' he said. 'Because this a deal with decayed foundations. Its a bad deal. Its a bad structure. Its falling down.' Trump charged then in his most confrontational comments yet to Tehran that, 'If Iran threatens us in any way, they will pay a price like few countries have ever paid.' Shedding light on his plans last Monday, Trump said a press conference: 'Im not telling you what Im doing, but a lot of people think they know. And on or before the 12th, well make a decision. 'That doesnt mean we wont negotiate a real agreement,' he added. Trump's White House spokeswoman and the president appeared to be on different wavelengths about the timing of that declaration on Monday, with Sarah Sanders saying at news conference that he would be making an 'announcement on what his decision is soon' only to have Trump tweet minutes later that it would come on Tuesday. 'As you know he's got a few days to do that, and we'll let you know when he's ready to make a decision on it,' she said. She also suggested that former Secretary of State John Kerry needs to butt out of negotiations after his secret meetings with foreign leaders were revealed. Trump blasted Kerry on Tuesday morning as he prepared to take the U.S. foreign policy in a new direction. 'John Kerry cant get over the fact that he had his chance and blew it! Stay away from negotiations John, you are hurting your country!' Trump said. The president had already spoken out about Kerry's 'shadow diplomacy' on Monday following news reports that the Obama administration official has secretly met with foreign governments in a bid to save the much-maligned deal. Kerry has also been meeting with German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier (left) and French President Emmanuel Macron (right) in attempts to salvage the Iran deal The Boston Globe reported Friday that Kerry quietly met two weeks ago with Iranian Foreign Minister Javad Zarif, and had separate confabs with German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier and French President Emmanuel Macron all to strategize against Trump's intention to upend the deal. 'The United States does not need John Kerrys possibly illegal Shadow Diplomacy on the very badly negotiated Iran Deal,' the president wrote Monday on Twitter. 'He was the one that created this MESS in the first place!' Sanders told reporters on Monday that Kerry's advocacy won't make a difference as Trump weighs what to do. 'I don't think that we would take advice from somebody who created what the president sees as one of the worst deals ever made,' she said. 'I don't see why we would start listening to him now.' A spokesman for Kerry issued a statement late Monday morning, defending his apparent habit of lobbying foreign governments as a civilian, potentially in violation of an obscure U.S. law known as the Logan Act. 'I think every American would want every voice possible urging Iran to remain in compliance with the nuclear agreement that prevented a war,' the statement said. 'Secretary Kerry stays in touch with his former counterparts around the world just like every previous Secretary of State. Like America's closest allies, he believes it is important that the nuclear agreement, which took the world years to negotiate, remain effective as countries focus on stability in the region.' Kerry's tenure as secretary of state ended when Trump took office in January of 2017. Trump replaced him with the since-fired Rex Tillerson. Mike Pompeo holds the Cabinet-level position now. Kerry could run afoul of the Logan Act, a 200+ year-old federal law that made it a felony for civilians to conduct foreign policy without authorization The Logan Act makes it a felony for unauthorized civilians to conduct foreign policy with nations that are in the midst of a dispute with the United States. The statute dates back to 1799 and has only been used twice to indict people in 1803 and 1852. Neither was convicted. One defendant, a Peruvian admiral, was prosecuted for writing a letter to the president of Mexico to scuttle a competitor's bid to build a railroad connecting the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. The other was a farmer charged with the crime of writing a newspaper article urging western U.S. states to secede and join neighboring French territories. Some legal scholars have written that the Logan Act is unconstitutional, and only remains on the books because it hasn't been tested in court. A wave of violence sweeping the country continued in London on Tuesday as two teenagers were stabbed in separate incidents. One victim, in his late teens, was stabbed in the leg during an evening rush-hour incident near Woolwich Arsenal station, south-east London, following reports of a fight. The extent of his injuries is not known. A man has been arrested on suspicion of possessing an offensive weapon. Less than two hours earlier, police in west London were called to The Embankment, Twickenham, after a 16-year-old boy was stabbed in the arm. He was given first aid at the scene before being was taken to hospital by London Ambulance Service. A Metropolitan Police spokesman told MailOnline that the teenager's condition is not life-threatening. No arrest has been made, but detectives from Richmond-upon-Thames CID are investigating. It comes after a Bank Holiday weekend that saw a wave of violence sweep across the country, with a number of shootings and stabbings taking place. Scroll down for video A teenager was stabbed during an evening rush-hour incident near Woolwich Arsenal station, south east London. Pictured, the scene after the incident A weekend of violence kicked off in the capital after Rhyhiem Ainsworth Barton was fatally gunned down in Southwark on Saturday. Pictured, the teenager's mother A 13-year-old boy became an innocent victim as he was shot in the head while walking down the street with his parents in Harrow, north west London, on Sunday. The youngster was hit by the shotgun pellets as a 15-year-old was attacked at around 1.15pm in High Street, Wealdstone. Scotland Yard said the older boy was found to have suffered head injuries, caused by a number of shotgun pellets. Both teenagers suffered non-life threatening injuries, and the younger one has been released from hospital. A 39-year-old man arrested on the evening of May 6 in connection with the incident has been released under investigation. Extra police officers, supported by armed units, patrolled the streets of London in a bid to combat the bank holiday violence on Monday. The Bank Holiday weekend that saw a wave of violence sweep across the country, with a number of shootings and stabbings taking place A weekend of violence kicked off in the capital after Rhyhiem Ainsworth Barton was fatally gunned down in Southwark on Saturday. The 17-year-old rapper and aspiring architect had 'so much potential', his mother said as she tearfully told of her 'handsome boy'. BANK HOLIDAY BLOODBATH: A TIMELINE OF THE VIOLENCE Saturday 6.05pm - Rhyhiem Ainsworth Barton is found shot dead in Warham Street in Southwark, south London Sunday 4am - Fatah Warsame, 20, from Cardiff, was fatally attacked on Hanover Street in Liverpool city centre 5.20am - Three men, 17, 22, and 27, are injured after a 'noxious substance' thrown over them in Dalston, east London 1.15pm - Two boys, aged 13 and 15, shot in Harrow, north west London. It is thought a third person sustained an arm injury, but he left prior to the arrival of the emergency services 4.40pm - Waryam Hussein, 20, was stabbed to death in Bishopscote Road in Luton 6.30pm - A 22-year-old was found with gunshot wounds in New Cross Road in south east London 8.50pm - A 37-year-old man was stabbed to death in Macclesfield, Cheshire 9pm - A 43-year-old man was stabbed in the neck on Buckingham Avenue, Perivale, west London Monday 2.45pm - A man was taken to hospital after being shot in Clayton, Manchester. His condition was not known 4.40pm - A 30-year-old is shot in New Cross, south east London. His condition is not believed to be life-threatening 4.50pm - A victim, who is thought to be 17, is stabbed in Leystonstone Road in east London. His condition was initially deemed critical, but is now thought to be not life-threatening Advertisement Rhyhiem's death was the latest in a spate of violent crimes in the capital that has led police to investigate more than 60 alleged murders so far this year. Official statistics released in April showed the number of homicides in London had surged by 44 per cent in the last year. Elsewhere, two men died in stabbings in Liverpool and Luton during the bank holiday weekend. Fatah Warsame, 20, from Cardiff, died after being stabbed in Liverpool city centre early on Sunday morning, while another victim, also aged 20, was killed in Bishopscote Road in Luton that evening. A 43-year-old was stabbed in Perivale, north-west London, on Sunday night after a dispute about driving. Police said the man was attacked on Buckingham Avenue at around 9pm after a number of residents questioned a man in a blue car about the nature of his driving in the small residential street. Meanwhile, three people were injured in a 'noxious substance' assault following an altercation between two groups in Shacklewell Lane in Hackney, east London, at around 5.20am on Sunday. Just before 6.30pm on Sunday, police were flagged down by a member of the public in New Cross Road, south east London, where a 22-year-old man was suffering from gunshot wounds. The injured man was taken by ambulance to a central London hospital where his condition is not life-threatening, Scotland Yard said. In a fourth Bank Holiday weekend shooting in the capital, a 30-year-old man - who may have been working as a food delivery driver - was gunned down. Police were called at 4.50pm on Monday to a shooting in John Williams Close, in New Cross, south east London, Scotland Yard said. The victim was treated at the scene before being taken to hospital. His condition is not believed to be life-threatening. Another shooting took place in Vale Street, Clayton, Greater Manchester Police said. A man in his late teens was with his friends when he was shot in the leg shortly before 2.45pm on Monday. He was taken to hospital for treatment of serious injuries. Pornhub, Reddit, Etsy and about 36 other websites are banding together to save net neutrality regulations. On Wednesday, May 9, 2018, all participating websites will feature a 'red alert' on their homepage. The alert will urge Senate members to block the FCC's December 2017 decision to repeal net neutrality, which ensures that all websites have roughly the same load times and an equal shot at being seen by internet consumers. Pornhub, Reddit, Etsy and other sites are banding together to support net neutrality as the Senate prepares for a vote on whether to uphold or repeal Obama-era regulations The red alert is being hosted by Free Press Action Fund, Fight for the Future, and Demand Congress. It calls on those who visit participating websites to get in touch with members of Congress and urge them to vote against the repeal. They'll also be appearing on the social media pages of participants. So what do you need to know about the red alert for net neutrality? Here's the scoop. Red alert for net neutrality The red alert for net neutrality is a red full-screen banner that will appear on some websites on Wednesday, May 9, 2018 the same day the Senate plans to present a petition forcing a vote on net neutrality. No date has been set for the vote yet, but it's believed it would take place in mid-May. The red alert will contain a form for webpage visitors to fill out that will then send a message to Congress letting your senators know that you are against the FCC's decision to repeal net neutrality and want them to take that stance as well. I guess Ajit Pai was already living in a world without Net Neutrality bc it took him 5 years to load an article telling him about the Harlem Shake Jess Dweck (@TheDweck) December 14, 2017 Websites participating in this effort include Pornhub, Reddit, Etsy, Ok Cupid, Vimeo, Foursquare and more. Other sites, including Twitter, Facebook and Google, have been vocal in the past about their pro-net neutrality stance. Battleforthenet.com has reported that every member of the Democratic Congress, and Republican senator Susan Collins, has pledged to block the repeal of net neutrality. That makes 50 votes for the block, which means they need just one more vote to break the tie and win. You can help swing the vote in favor of net neutrality by contacting your senators on Wednesday. Senate vote on net neutrality The Senate has not yet voted on net neutrality. On Wednesday, they intend to present a petition that would force a vote, but the vote won't take place on the same day. It's believed that the official vote on whether to repeal net neutrality or not would take place at a later date in May. If you're curious where your senator stands on net neutrality, check it out here. I just downloaded the internet to my hard drive, so i don't care what happens with net neutrality Travis (disambiguation) (@Prof_Hinkley) December 14, 2017 FCC net neutrality vote In December 2017, the FCC ordered a repeal of net neutrality regulations. The decision was an effort to deregulate the industry, allowing internet service providers like Time Warner and Verizon to slow down certain websites, block apps and charge companies to provide certain content to consumers. It also allows them to give top priority to sites and apps willing to pay more for better viability. Why is net neutrality important? Net neutrality is an order that dates back to President Obama. It ensures that all internet users have free and fair access to every corner of the internet without any interference from corporations providing said service. With these rules, people all across the country, no matter their provider, have the ability to access the same things online. Under net neutrality regulations, corporations can't control what you see, slow down sites with less funding, or block webpages and/or apps. The bright side of net neutrality dying is that we are all going to spend a lot less time on this internet hellscape. Matt Shirley (@mattsurely) December 14, 2017 However, when Donald Trump became President he appointed Ajit Pai to chairman of the FCC. He then led a call to get rid of net neutrality. The tech industry, Democrats, the music industry and people who spend a lot of time online weren't thrilled with the decision as it'll have a major effect on the way they work and surf the web. Obama net neutrality law Barack Obama first proposed net neutrality laws in October 2007. While net neutrality was not law yet, in 2010 the FCC introduced net neutrality productions that prohibited internet service providers from acting as gatekeepers on the web. They were not able to block websites or put limits on how much content from any one site users could consume. In December of that year, the FCC passed on a finalized version of these regulations. It marked the first time they made a move to regulate access to the internet. Verizon Communications sued in 2011, eventually overturning the order. In January 2014, a Federal Appeals Court struck down the FCC's rules. The day after that decision was made, a user created a petition on the White House's 'We the People' platform that asked for President Obama's administration to 'Restore Net Neutrality By Directing the FCC to Classify Internet Providers as "Common Carriers".' welp who wants to start the GoFundMe for the peoples internet Aparna Nancherla (@aparnapkin) December 14, 2017 The petition was signed by more than 100,000 users, prompting a response from the White House. They expressed support for net neutrality, but stated that they couldn't force anyone's hand. In May 2014, the FCC issued a notice of proposed rulemaking related to internet regulations. It opened a period where people could submit comments on the rule. President Obama submitted one comment supporting regulating the internet. 'I personally, the position of my administration, as well as a lot of the companies here, is that you don't want to start getting a differentiation in how accessible the internet is to different users. You want to leave it open so the next Google and the next Facebook can succeed,' he said. In November of that year, Obama called for the FCC to take a strong position on protecting net neutrality. The FCC voted in favor of net neutrality in February 2015. In June of the following year, a federal court of appeals upheld the FCC's rule in favor of strong net neutrality. You can get more information on Obama's stance on net neutrality here. You can find a simple explainer of net neutrality below. [Warning: graphic language] Net neutrality memes Although net neutrality is serious business, Twitter users found a way to make the potentially disastrous effects of repealing said regulations hilarious with memes. Check out the best ones below: me deciding if my funny tweet is good enough to pay $2 to send #NetNeutrality pic.twitter.com/rduJni8Uxk gif situations (@GlFsituations) December 14, 2017 Me @ all the people I met through the internet #NetNeutrality pic.twitter.com/eH0ikRxofZ Grayson Hunter Goss (@GraysonHunterG) December 14, 2017 guys its our last chance to save #NetNeutrality rt to save it pic.twitter.com/RXePbmYI9v God (@TheTweetOfAGod) December 14, 2017 Six years prior to writing the book she is best known for, 'Their Eyes Were Watching God', famed Harlem Renaissance author Zora Neale Hurston was just starting her career in 1928 when she met Cudjo Lewis. Lewis, who was born as Kossola, was nearly 90 years old and living in Plateau, Alabama. He was thought to be the last African man alive who had been kidnapped from his village in West Africa in 1859 and forced into slavery in America aged 19. Hurston, who was an anthropologist, documented her interviews with Lewis during the late 1920s and wrote a book in his own words about his life titled, 'Barracoon: The Story of the Last 'Black Cargo'. But the manuscript she wrote was turned down by multiple publishers in 1931 who felt as though Lewis's heavily accented dialect was too difficult to read. For decades, Hurston's manuscript of the book was tucked away inside Howard University's archives until The Zora Neale Hurston Trust found a buyer for the book more than 50 years after her death in 1960. On Tuesday, 'Barracoon: The Story of the Last 'Black Cargo',' was published by Amistad/HarperCollins. Six years prior to writing the book she is best known for, 'Their Eyes Were Watching God', famed Harlem Renaissance author Zora Neale Hurston in was just starting her career in 1928 when she met Cudjo Kazoola Lewis (pictured). Lewis, who was born as Kossola, was nearly 90 years old and living in Plateau, Alabama. He was thought to be the last African man alive who had been kidnapped from his village in West Africa in 1859 and forced into slavery in America aged 19 The introduction of the book is by editor Deborah G. Plant and foreword by Pulitzer-Prize winning novelist, Alice Walker, who is credited with in the 1970s reviving interest in Hurston's work. Hurston (pictured), who was an anthropologist, documented her interviews with Lewis during the late 1920s and wrote a book that was refused by publishers for print in 1931 Dr. Natalie Hopkinson, a member of the board of directors for the Hurston/Wright Foundation, described the book's importance in a column for HuffPost as: 'We don't know how much 'Barracoon' was a verbatim account of The Last 'Black Cargo.' But Zora's enthusiastic rejection of respectability politics' her rejection of publishers' requests to clean up Lewis' African dialect 'makes her ahead of her time. 'Barracoon' and its long path to print is a testament to Zora's singular vision amid so many competing pressures that continue to put us at war with ourselves.' Lewis and more than 100 other villagers were kidnapped and forced into a barracoon on a ship named Clotilda that was chartered by Alabama slaveholder Timothy Meaher who bet that he wouldn't be caught or tried for breaking the 1808 law of transporting Africans to America for slavery in 1859. To hide the evidence that he trafficked Africans to America, Foster burned the Clotilda, which the remains of which have not been found. Meaher and the Clotilda's captain, William Foster, brought the group to Mobile, Alabama and either sold them or personally enslaved them when they arrived in 1860. Now, 87 years later, 'Barracoon: The Story of the Last 'Black Cargo',' was published on Tuesday by HarperCollins. Lewis and more than 100 other villagers were kidnapped and forced aboard a ship named Clotilda chartered by Alabama slaveholder Timothy Meaher who bet that he wouldn't be caught for breaking the 1808 law of transporting Africans to America for slavery in 1859 He wasn't caught and Lewis was sold to the owner of a shipping business. He was freed in 1865 after the Civil War and remained in Alabama where he founded a town with other freed slaves called Africatown Lewis was sold to the owner of a shipping business and he worked toting freight for more than five years on the Alabama River. He was freed in 1865 after the Civil War ended. He along with at least two dozen others who had been on the Clotilde joined together and founded Africatown in Plateau. There they spoke their own native language and continued their native customs for decades. When Hurston found him, she conducted several interviews with him throughout the late 1920s. Telling Lewis's prolific story was one of her first major projects after she finished studying anthropology at Barnard College and Howard University. She immersed herself completely in his life: helping him clean the church where he was a sexton, bringing him summertime fruit, driving him down to the bay to get crabs and more. '...the reticent elder didn't always speak when she came to visit. Sometimes he would tend to his garden, repair his fence, or appear lost in his thoughts,' the book's inside cover reads. Telling Lewis's prolific story was one of her first major projects after she finished studying anthropology at Barnard College and Howard University. Hurston immersed herself completely in his life: helping him clean the church where he was a sexton, bringing him summertime fruit, driving him down to the bay to get crabs and more Of her time spent with Lewis, Hurston wrote in a letter to her friend, fellow Harlem Renaissance author and poet Langston Hughes, that the experience left her deeply moved, according to her biography, 'Wrapped in Rainbows: The Life of Zora Neale Hurston' by author Valerie Boyd. Hurston's book (cover pictured) documents how Lewis's life seemingly was marked by loss: his humanity, his homeland, his given name and his family. 'Tears welled in his eyes as he described the trip across the ocean in the Clotilda,' Hurston wrote, as cited in Boyd's biography. 'But what moved Hurston most about the old man whom she always called by his African name, Kossola was how much he continued to miss his people back in Nigeria. 'I lonely for my folks,' he told her. 'After seventy-five years he still had that tragic sense of loss. 'That yearning for blood and cultural ties. That sense of mutilation. It gave me something to feel about.' Hurston's book documents how Lewis's life seemingly was marked by loss: his humanity, his homeland, his given name and his family. His story from his perspective was lost for decades, until now with the publication of Hurston's book. President Donald Trump said Tuesday that he's ditching the Iran nuclear deal, calling it 'disastrous' and an 'embarrassment.' Trump said that the U.S. now has 'definitive proof' that Iran was lying about its pursuit of nuclear weapons when it entered into the 2015 agreement. And he threatened Tehran's mullahs with new headaches if they resume their pursuit of a weapon of mass destruction. 'If the regime continues its nuclear aspirations, it will have bigger problems than it has ever had before,' the president warned. 'It is clear to me that we cannot prevent an Iranian nuclear bomb under the decaying and rotten structure of the current agreement.' 'The Iran deal is defective at its core. If we do nothing, we know exactly what will happen: In just a short period of time, the world's leading state sponsor of terror will be on the cusp of acquiring the world's most dangerous weapons.' Barack Obama and his former secretary of state John Kerry both bashed Trump's decision, calling it unnecessary and wrongheaded. Iranian president Hassan Rouhani responded, telling his country's state-run TV network: 'I have ordered Iran's atomic organization that whenever it is needed, we will start enriching uranium more than before. Rouhani said Iran would start ramping up production 'in the next weeks.' SCROLL DOWN TO READ TRUMP'S FULL REMARKS President Donald Trump said Tuesday that he's ditching the Iran nuclear deal, calling it 'disastrous' and an 'embarrassment' Trump signed a document on Tuesday reinstating sanctions against Iran after announcing the U.S. withdrawal from the nuclear deal Rouhani blasted Trump immediately after Tuesday's speech. 'Iran will be conferring with the world's two super powers, Russia and China,' he sniped, insisting that Trump's 'psychological war and economic pressures will not work.' Leaders of America's three staunchest European allies France's Emmanuel Macron, Germany's Angela Merkel and the United Kingdom's Theresa May issued a joint statement asking the U.S. not to do anything that would prevent them from keeping the nuclear deal intact even without Washington's participation. Iran 'continues to abide by the restrictions' of the deal, the three leaders said, citing a statement from the International Atomic Energy Agency, adding that 'the world is a safer place as a result.' 'Our governments remain committed to ensuring the agreement is upheld, and will work with all the remaining parties to the deal to ensure this remains the case including through ensuring the continuing economic benefits to the Iranian people that are linked to the agreement,' they said. The president has been outspoken for nearly three years about the nuclear bargain that he called 'insane' and 'the worst deal in history.' U.S. Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin, whose Cabinet department oversees economic sanctions against rogue regimes, said before Trump's speech that '[w]e will continue to work with our allies to build an agreement that is truly in the best interest of our long-term national security.' The United States, he said, will cut off Iran's 'access to capital' to fund terrorism, 'its use of ballistic missiles against our allies, its support for the brutal Assad regime in Syria, its human rights violations against its own people, and its abuses of the international financial system.' National Security Advisor John Bolton (left) and Vice President Mike Pence (right) watched as Trump delivered his scripted remarks on Tuesday, and then Bolton briefed reporters off-camera in the White House briefing room Iran's president Hassan Rouhani blasted Trump immediately after Tuesday's speech: 'Iran will be conferring with the world's two super powers, Russia and China,' he sniped, insisting that Trump's 'psychological war and economic pressures will not work' French President Emmanuel Macron, British Prime Minister Theresa May and German Chancellor Angela Merkel said Tuesday that their countries will remain in the Iran nuclear deal and asked Trump to make sure the U.S. doesn't do anything that would keep them from participating in it Former President Barack Obama, whose administration inked the Iran deal, called Tuesday's pullback 'misguided.' Walking away from the deal, he said in a statement, 'turns our back on Americas closest allies, and an agreement that our countrys leading diplomats, scientists, and intelligence professionals negotiated.' Former President Barack Obama defended his signature foreign policy achievement as Trump tore it down on Tuesday 'In a democracy, there will always be changes in policies and priorities from one Administration to the next. But the consistent flouting of agreements that our country is a party to risks eroding Americas credibility, and puts us at odds with the worlds major powers,' he added. Obama cautioned that the agreement 'was never intended to solve all of our problems with Iran. We were clear-eyed that Iran engages in destabilizing behavior including support for terrorism, and threats toward Israel and its neighbors.' 'But thats precisely why it was so important that we prevent Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon,' the former president said, articulating the central dispute in Washington over whether the deal was preventing Tehran's nuclear weapons development or enabling it. Trump implied Tuesday that the Obama administration's best intentions were always bound to be steamrolled by Tehran's lies. 'In theory, the so-called Iran deal was supposed to protect the United States and our allies from the lunacy of an Iranian nuclear bomb, a weapon that will only endanger the survival of the Iranian regime,' Trump declared. 'In fact, the deal allowed Iran to continue enriching uranium, and over time reach the brink of a nuclear breakout.' Trump said several times that the U.S. will not under any circumstances allow Iran to join the ranks of nuclear nations in no small part because of its belligerence toward America. 'We will not allow a regime that chants "Death to America" to gain access to the most deadly weapons on earth,' he sad. The president added that he is reimposing the highest level of sanctions on Tehran, and the U.S. will punish any country that helps Iran in its quest. Former President Barack Obama published an impassioned defense of the Iran deal, one of his many signature accomplishments that the Trump administration has undone, on Facebook shortly after his successor spoke to the nation 'America will not be held hostage to nuclear blackmail,' Trump asserted in remarks from the Diplomatic Reception Room of the White House. National Security Advisor John Bolton told reporters after Trump spoke that 'we're out of the deal.' 'The only sure way to get on the path of stopping Iran from developing nuclear weapons and delivery capabilities is to get out of the deal, and that's what the president has done,' he said. Bolton said at the White House that sanctions would be snapped back into place on a rolling basis, with some segments of the pre-agreement situation returning quickly and others coming back in a matter of months. No new commercial contracts will be permitted between U.S. trading partners and Tehran, he said. But for existing contracts, 'there's a wind-down period to allow orderly termination.' And on the question of whether Trump's abandonment of the terms of the 2015 deal means the U.S. is now in violation of it, Bolton responded: 'No, I don't think we're violating, I think we're withdrawing from it.' Tehran says it's unwilling to enter into a new agreement with the U.S. that addresses Trump's other complaints about the rogue regime's behavior, including its illicit financing of terrorism. 'That's fine. I'd probably say the same thing if I were in their position,' Trump said Tuesday. 'But the fact is they are probably going to want to make a new and lasting deal. ... When they do I am ready willing and able.' JOHN KERRY SAYS TRUMP'S DECISION 'BREAKS AMERICA'S WORD' Former secretary of state John Kerry, who helped negotiate the Iran deal in 2015, slammed Trump's withdrawal as horrible foreign policy 'Today's announcement weakens our security, breaks America's word, isolates us from our European allies, puts Israel at greater risk, empowers Iran's hardliners, and reduces our global leverage to address Tehran's misbehavior, while damaging the ability of future Administrations to make international agreements. No rhetoric is required. The facts speak for themselves. 'Instead of building on unprecedented nonproliferation verification measures, this decision risks throwing them away and dragging the world back to the brink we faced a few years ago. The extent of the damage will depend on what Europe can do to hold the nuclear agreement together, and it will depend on Iran's reaction. 'America should never have to outsource those stakes to any other country. This is not in America's interests. We should all hope the world can preserve the nuclear agreement.' Advertisement Protesters stood outside the White House Tuesday as Trump announced the U.S.'s withdrawal from the Iran nuclear deal It came as no surprise globally that Trump announced the United States' withdraw from the pact he inherited from the previous administration. The big unknown was what would happen next. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, whose nation's existence Iran threatens on a regular basis, called Trump's decision a 'historic move,' and said leaving the Iran deal intact would have been 'a recipe for disaster, a disaster for our region, a disaster for the peace of the world.' He claimed Iran's level of aggression has grown since the Obama-era deal especially in Syria, where Tehran is 'trying to establish military bases to attack Israel.' The Israeli Defense Forces issued a warning just minutes before Trump broadcast his message. 'Following the identification of irregular activity of Iranian forces in Syria, the IDF has decided to change the civilian protection instructions in the Golan Heights and instructs local authorities to unlock and ready shelters in the area,' the forces' statement said. 'The Israeli public should remain attentive to IDF instructions that will be given if necessary. Additionally, defense systems have been deployed and IDF troops are on high alert for an attack.' Trump said the U.S. would impose new sanctions on countries that help Iran in its quest for a nuclear weapon but did not say what he would do to companies that may have unrelated business deals with the Islamist nation. White House legislative director Marc Short told DailyMail.com on Tuesday morning that the president 'wants to see Iran end its nuclear program but also become a nation that is not funding terrorism, not attacking Israel not looking to continue to attack allies that we have. President Donald Trump informed France's Emmanuel Macron in a phone call this morning that he will pull the U.S. out the nuclear deal it signed onto three years ago after intense negotiations with Tehran 'I think he's looking for an agreement that brings Iran into the international community as opposed to being a rogue nation state that funds terrorism,' Short said during a press scrum on the driveway leading into the West Wing. Trump is anticipated to allow the oil sanctions that legally come up for discussion every 120 days under the deal to be reimposed on Tehran. The sanctions cut Iran's oil exports in half in 2012, Foreign Policy reports, and crippled the Islamic Republic's economy. European companies will have to choose, if the sanctions are slapped back on, whether they want to do business with the U.S. or the taboo government, putting them in an undesirable position. Trump is said to have informed informed Macron in a phone call this morning that he will pull the U.S. out the nuclear deal it signed onto three years ago after intense negotiations with Tehran. Tom Perez, chairman of the Democratic National Committee, piled on the partisan rancor after Trump finished shaking the Middle East's Etch-a-Sketch. Trumps 'reckless decision,' Perez said, 'makes the world less safe.' '[T]he president is threatening our national security, undermining American credibility, isolating us from our partners and allies, and abandoning our commitments under this agreement,' he insisted. Trump's planned remarks had U.S. allies on edge earlier in the day. A senior British diplomat told DailyMail.com the U.K. was 'deeply pessimistic' ahead of public the announcement. And Rouhani had said the U.S. will have 'historic remorse' for its decision while insisting that 'getting rid of Americas mischievous presence will be fine for Iran.' 'If we can get what we want from a deal without America, then Iran will continue to remain committed to the deal,' Rouhani said according to the Iran Daily. 'What Iran wants is our interests to be guaranteed by non-American signatories.' EUROPE RESPONDS TO TRUMP'S WITHDRAWAL FROM OBAMA'S IRAN NUCLEAR DEAL UK Prime Minister Theresa May, German Chancellor Angela Merkel and President Emmanuel Macron of France issued a statement following President Trumps remarks on Iran: 'It is with regret and concern that we, the Leaders of France, Germany and the United Kingdom take note of President Trumps decision to withdraw the United States of America from the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action. 'Together, we emphasise our continuing commitment to the JCPoA. This agreement remains important for our shared security. We recall that the JCPoA was unanimously endorsed by the UN Security Council in resolution 2231. This resolution remains the binding international legal framework for the resolution of the dispute about the Iranian nuclear programme. We urge all sides to remain committed to its full implementation and to act in a spirit of responsibility. 'According to the IAEA, Iran continues to abide by the restrictions set out by the JCPoA, in line with its obligations under the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons. The world is a safer place as a result. Therefore we, the E3, will remain parties to the JCPoA. Our governments remain committed to ensuring the agreement is upheld, and will work with all the remaining parties to the deal to ensure this remains the case including through ensuring the continuing economic benefits to the Iranian people that are linked to the agreement. 'We urge the US to ensure that the structures of the JCPoA can remain intact, and to avoid taking action which obstructs its full implementation by all other parties to the deal. After engaging with the US Administration in a thorough manner over the past months, we call on the US to do everything possible to preserve the gains for nuclear non-proliferation brought about by the JCPoA, by allowing for a continued enforcement of its main elements. 'We encourage Iran to show restraint in response to the decision by the US; Iran must continue to meet its own obligations under the deal, cooperating fully and in a timely manner with IAEA inspection requirements. The IAEA must be able to continue to carry out its long-term verification and monitoring programme without restriction or hindrance. In turn, Iran should continue to receive the sanctions relief it is entitled to whilst it remains in compliance with the terms of the deal. 'There must be no doubt: Irans nuclear program must always remain peaceful and civilian. While taking the JCPOA as a base, we also agree that other major issues of concern need to be addressed. A long-term framework for Irans nuclear programme after some of the provisions of the JCPOA expire, after 2025, will have to be defined. Because our commitment to the security of our allies and partners in the region is unwavering, we must also address in a meaningful way shared concerns about Irans ballistic missile programme and its destabilising regional activities, especially in Syria, Iraq and Yemen. We have already started constructive and mutually beneficial discussions on these issues, and the E3 is committed to continuing them with key partners and concerned states across the region. 'We and our Foreign Ministers will reach out to all parties to the JCPoA to seek a positive way forward. ' Advertisement Trump teased his Iran deal announcement in a Monday afternoon tweet that provided no hints at what it would be He told Obama era Secretary of State John Kerry on Tuesday morning that he needs to butt out - or else Trump on Monday called Kerry's intervention 'possibly illegal' and blamed him for the current arrangement that gave Tehran sanctions relief but would allow it to build nuclear bombs as soon as 2027 John Glaser, director of foreign policy studies at the right-leaning Cato Institute, warned Tuesday that if the U.S. imposes external sanctions successfully, European companies will pull out of investment projects in Iran, removing the incentives that Rouhani would need to mollify hardliners in his country who want Iran to restart its nuclear program. 'With lots of political will this deal could remain in place without the United States, but its going to be very, very difficult for the participants to manage,' Glaser said. Iran will feel 'unburdened' if the U.S. leaves the pact, he said, and is likely to install new centrifuges to spin uranium and limit access to inspectors. 'This could really unravel into something with grave consequences,' he cautioned. 'All my fingers and toes are crossed, because this is a good deal that should continue to be implemented.' U.K. foreign minister Boris Johnson worried that Trump could take military action against Tehran on top of the expected sanctions renewal. He also warned that collapse of the deal could set off a nuclear arms race in the Middle East with Saudi Arabia, Egypt and the U.A.E. wanting weapons, as well. 'It's already a very, very dangerous state at the moment, we don't want to go down that road. There doesn't seem to me at the moment to be a viable military solution,' Johnson told Fox & Friends. Johnson was in the U.S. making last-ditch pleas for the U.S. to stay in the deal to Bolton, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, Vice President Mike Pence and the president's daughter Ivanka and son-in-law Jared Kushner, both of whom are senior White House officials. Commenting on the talks on Tuesday, a senior British diplomat told DailyMail.com that Johnson in the meetings noted 'our frank views on its shortcomings in regards to broader Iranian activity in the Middle East. 'Following the visit, unfortunately we are deeply pessimistic ahead of President Trumps announcement later today,' the person said. 'However, we will have to wait and see what exactly President Trump says.' The diplomat said, 'Our objective will remain to uphold and maintain the JCPOA. We will need to wait to understand what the US plan is to deliver on our shared goal of preventing Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon and addressing their regional behaviour.' Trump at a news conference last month rebuffed a reporter who asked about potential military action against Iran. Kerry (left) is seen with Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif in 2016; Kerry met with Zarif last month for secret talks about how to undermine Trump's bid to kill the nuclear deal 'I don't talk about whether or not I would use military force,' Trump said at a joint presser with German Chancellor Angela Merkel. 'But I can tell you this, they will not be doing nuclear weapons. That I can tell you. OK? They are not going to be doing nuclear weapons. You can bank on it.' Israeli President Benjamin Netanyahu has been pushing Trump to take a more aggressive posture toward Iran, his nation's most prolific antagonist. Netanyahu delivered a presentation last week claiming Israel's intelligence agency had proof that Iran 'lied' about its intention to dismantle its nuclear weapons program. Trump complained about the nuclear deal consistently during his campaign and harangued it as a 'very badly negotiated' agreement in a tweet Monday that took aim at the secretary of state who helped to broker it. The comment followed his remarks at a news conference alongside Macron that the deal was made 'decayed foundations' and was not structured to last. 'Should have never, ever been made. I blame Congress. I blame a lot of people for it,' Trump said. Trump has until May 12 to decide whether he wants to allow a sanctions waiver that applies to Tehran to expire. If the sanctions go back into effect, the U.S. will be in violation of the agreement effectively ending its participation in the deal it entered into with the U.K., France, China, Russia and Germany. Trump has said he would be willing to sign on to a companion agreement that encompasses the nuclear aspects of the current one and applies new pressure to Iran to abandon its ballistic missiles program, end terrorist financing and broker a peace agreement between the ruling government and rebels in Syria. Macron told Trump last month that he would pursue such an agreement on behalf of Europe. The French president told reporters after his White House visit that he suspected Trump would leave the 2015 accord in the meantime to hasten the process up. Kerry has also been meeting with German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier (left) and French President Emmanuel Macron (right) in attempts to salvage the Iran deal Kerry could run afoul of the Logan Act, a 200+ year-old federal law that made it a felony for civilians to conduct foreign policy without authorization Hinting at the action he is anticipated to take today Trump told Macron publicly, 'I think we will have a great shot at doing a much bigger maybe deal, maybe not deal. Were going to find out, but well know fairly soon.' He also said 'nobody knows what Im going to do on the 12th, although, Mr. President, you have a pretty good idea but well see. 'But well see also, if I do what some people expect, whether or not it will be possible to do a new deal with solid foundations,' he said. 'Because this a deal with decayed foundations. Its a bad deal. Its a bad structure. Its falling down.' Trump charged then in his most confrontational comments yet to Tehran that, 'If Iran threatens us in any way, they will pay a price like few countries have ever paid.' Shedding light on his plans last Monday, Trump said a press conference: 'Im not telling you what Im doing, but a lot of people think they know. And on or before the 12th, well make a decision. 'That doesnt mean we wont negotiate a real agreement,' he added. Trump's White House spokeswoman and the president appeared to be on different wavelengths about the timing of that declaration on Monday, with Sarah Sanders saying at news conference that he would be making an 'announcement on what his decision is soon' only to have Trump tweet minutes later that it would come on Tuesday. 'As you know he's got a few days to do that, and we'll let you know when he's ready to make a decision on it,' she said. She also suggested that former Secretary of State John Kerry needs to butt out of negotiations after his secret meetings with foreign leaders were revealed. Trump blasted Kerry on Tuesday morning as he prepared to take the U.S. foreign policy in a new direction. 'John Kerry cant get over the fact that he had his chance and blew it! Stay away from negotiations John, you are hurting your country!' Trump said. The president had already spoken out about Kerry's 'shadow diplomacy' on Monday following news reports that the Obama administration official has secretly met with foreign governments in a bid to save the much-maligned deal. The Boston Globe reported Friday that Kerry quietly met two weeks ago with Iranian Foreign Minister Javad Zarif, and had separate confabs with German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier and French President Emmanuel Macron all to strategize against Trump's intention to upend the deal. 'The United States does not need John Kerrys possibly illegal Shadow Diplomacy on the very badly negotiated Iran Deal,' the president wrote Monday on Twitter. 'He was the one that created this MESS in the first place!' Sanders told reporters on Monday that Kerry's advocacy won't make a difference as Trump weighs what to do. 'I don't think that we would take advice from somebody who created what the president sees as one of the worst deals ever made,' she said. 'I don't see why we would start listening to him now.' A spokesman for Kerry issued a statement late Monday morning, defending his apparent habit of lobbying foreign governments as a civilian, potentially in violation of an obscure U.S. law known as the Logan Act. 'I think every American would want every voice possible urging Iran to remain in compliance with the nuclear agreement that prevented a war,' the statement said. 'Secretary Kerry stays in touch with his former counterparts around the world just like every previous Secretary of State. Like America's closest allies, he believes it is important that the nuclear agreement, which took the world years to negotiate, remain effective as countries focus on stability in the region.' Kerry's tenure as secretary of state ended when Trump took office in January of 2017. Trump replaced him with the since-fired Rex Tillerson. Mike Pompeo holds the Cabinet-level position now. The Logan Act makes it a felony for unauthorized civilians to conduct foreign policy with nations that are in the midst of a dispute with the United States. The statute dates back to 1799 and has only been used twice to indict people in 1803 and 1852. Neither was convicted. One defendant, a Peruvian admiral, was prosecuted for writing a letter to the president of Mexico to scuttle a competitor's bid to build a railroad connecting the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. The other was a farmer charged with the crime of writing a newspaper article urging western U.S. states to secede and join neighboring French territories. Some legal scholars have written that the Logan Act is unconstitutional, and only remains on the books because it hasn't been tested in court. Firefighters have gassed tens of thousands of chicks after they were left suffocating inside a baking hot cargo container at an airport. The 20,000 chicks were due to be flown to the Democratic Republic of Congo on Saturday from Brussels Airport. But the flight was cancelled and the exporter refused to take the container back, according to Belgian media. Firefighters based at the airport did not want to carry out the gassing and a team was called in from nearby Zaventum to put the birds out their misery. The 20,000 chicks were due to be flown to the Democratic Republic of Congo on Saturday from Brussels Airport. Stock image But the flight was cancelled and the exporter refused to take the container back, according to Belgian media A spokesman for the Flemish animal welfare authorities, Brigitte Borgmans, said of the chicks had died by Sunday evening. She added: 'We sent a vet to the scene and he decided to put them out of their misery.' But the mass euthanasia was slammed by some Flemish MPs. Hermes Sanctorum, an animal welfare campaigner, said 'there's no difference between Amazon parcels and animals.' Jelle Engelbosche added: 'We need to ask why living creatures are exported across the world like economic products.' An urgent call has gone out for mourners to help bid farewell to a kindhearted 104-year-old woman who devoted her life to caring for animals. Staff at Ashlyns Care Home in Harlow, Essex, have today appealed for people to attend the funeral of Daisy Staines, a widow who died without any known family or friends. Born in 1913, Mrs Staines lived through two world wars but never had children of her own. After the death of Daisy Staines, at the age of 104 at a care home in Essex, care home staff are seeking people to attend her funeral, and have appealed for mourners to bid her farewell It is believed she outlived all her close relatives, leaving no-one to remember her after she suffered a fatal stroke last month. Mrs Staines was a keen ballroom dancer in her youth and had a passion for dance and music but as she developed dementia about a decade ago, she was unable to tell staff at the care home about other people in her past. Employees are now trying to trace anyone who knew Mrs Staines, to invite them to pay their respects. Daisy and Fred Staines on their wedding day in 1939 Activity co-ordinator Alison Armstrong explained: 'When she came to us, she had dementia. 'She had a brother called Fred who would come and visit her regularly but we think he has since passed away. 'Daisy was a very keen dancer, she just to enjoy talking about dancing with her late husband and looking at old photos of them both. 'She was such a character; she had a great sense of humour and she was also telling us stories about the war years.' Mrs Staines, who was born in Tottenham, London, married her husband Fred in 1939 when she was 25 years old. He died in 1980, while the last of her three brothers died last year at the age of 103. Mrs Staines did not have any children but devoted her life to caring for animals and said her secret to growing old was living life to the full. Ms Armstrong added: 'She had her favourite people and only let people in who she trusted and liked, but she loved other people's company. 'Her main fashion statement was wigs and she used to put them on and dance around her room. 'She loved anything floral and green, and she loved cats and animals. Whenever we had therapy dogs in, her face would just light up.' Daisy was born in Tottenham, London, in 1913. Pictured here with her husband Fred, who died in 1980, the last of Mrs Staines' three brothers died last year at the age of 103 The only people currently due to attend Daisy's funeral are her carers however they hope others will also turn up. 'If anybody knows Daisy please come along to the funeral, I would hate for anyone to miss it,' said Ms Armstrong. 'It is just going to be us carers because we don't know whether she has any more family. 'For someone who has lived that long, just to have people at her funeral would be lovely. 'She was a real character and she will be sorely missed by everyone here.' Daisy's funeral will be held at Parndon Wood Road crematorium in Harlow, Essex, at 10.45am on May 18. US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo is expected to return from North Korea with three American detainees, as well as details of an upcoming summit between leader Kim Jong-un and President Donald Trump, a South Korean official said Wednesday. Pompeo arrived in Pyongyang, the North Korean capital, on Wednesday from Japan and headed to the citys Koryo Hotel for meetings, a US media pool report said. Trump earlier broke the news of Pompeos second visit to North Korea in less than six weeks and said the two countries had agreed on a date and location for the summit, though he stopped short of providing details. An official at South Koreas presidential Blue House said Pompeo was expected to finalize the date of the summit, and secure the release of three American detainees. US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo is expected to return from North Korea with three American detainees, as well as details of an upcoming summit between leader Kim Jong-un and President Donald Trump. Pompeo (left) and Kim are seen during a meeting last month US citizen Kim Hak-song was detained 'on suspicion of acts against the state' Kim Dong-chul, pictured above, left and right, has been detained since 2015. He was arrested for spying and has since been sentenced to 10 years' hard labor While Trump said it would be a 'great thing' if the American detainees were freed, Pompeo, speaking to reporters en route to Pyongyang, said he had not received such a commitment but hoped North Korea would 'do the right thing.' 'Well talk about it again today,' he said. 'I think itd be a great gesture if they would choose to do so.' The three still being held are Korean-American missionary Kim Dong-chul; Kim Sang-duk, also known as Tony Kim, who spent a month teaching at the foreign-funded Pyongyang University of Science and Technology (PUST) before he was arrested in 2017; and Kim Hak-song, who also taught at PUST. Until now, the only American released by North Korea during Trumps presidency has been Otto Warmbier, a 22-year-old university student who returned to the US in a coma last summer after 17 months of captivity and died days later. Warmbiers death escalated US-North Korea tensions, already running high at the time over Pyongyangs stepped-up missile tests. The groundwork for the potential release of the three remaining American detainees was laid two months ago when North Koreas foreign minister traveled to Sweden and proposed the idea, CNN reported earlier, citing an unnamed source. Tony Kim, also known as Kim Sang-Duk, a Korean-American professor and aid worker Pompeos visit comes a day after Kim Jong-un made his second trip to China in less than two months, meeting President Xi Jinping and discussing the ongoing international talks over North Koreas nuclear weapons and ballistic missile programs. During the visit, announced only after it was over, Kim told Xi he hoped relevant parties would take 'phased' and 'synchronized' measures to realize denuclearization and lasting peace on the Korean peninsula, according to Chinese state media. Separately, Trump and Xi discussed developments on the Korean peninsula and Kims visit to China during a phone call on Tuesday morning, the White House said. Trump hailed the emergence of new 'relationships' being forged in North Korea even as he blasted another regime - that of Iran - as 'murderous'. Trump brought up his upcoming summit with dictator Kim Jong-un, expected in late May or June, even as he announced his decision to pull out of the Iran nuclear deal. He appeared to hold out the potential thaw as an alternate way forward for Iran, even as he blasted Tehran's support for terrorism and said the regime would never be allowed to have a nuclear bomb. 'Today's action sends a critical message. The United States no longer makes empty threats. When I make promises I keep them,' Trump said, speaking from the White House to announce his decision. Pompeo arrived in Pyongyang, the North Korean capital, on Wednesday from Japan and headed to the citys Koryo Hotel for meetings, a US media pool report said 'In fact, at this very moment Secretary Pompeo is on his way to North Korea in preparation for my upcoming meeting with Kim Jong-un,' the president revealed. Then he talked up North Korea a regime frequently for held up to ridicule as among the most isolated, impoverished, and despotic on the globe but where U.S. officials hope to achieve real progress following a series of North Korea nuclear weapons tests. 'Plans are being made, relationships are building,' said Trump. 'Hopefully a deal will happen and with the help of China, South Korea, and Japan, a future of great prosperity and security can be achieved for everyone,' Trump said. 'When I make promises I keep them,' Trump said 'Plans are being made, relationships are building,' said Trump, who plans to meet with North Korean dictator Kim Jong-un soon After his remarks, Trump addressed another nagging issue hostage taking of Americans, something he also called out Iran for. Asked about the potential release of three Americans held in North Korea, a subject of long negotiations by diplomats, Trump said: 'It would be a great thing if they are we'll soon be finding out.' 'He will be there very shortly in a matter of virtual, probably an hour,' Trump said. 'We have our meeting set. The location is picked. The time and date, everything is picked,' Trump said, speaking of his upcoming summit. 'And we look forward to have a really great success. WE think relationships are building with North Korea. We'll see how it all works out. Maybe it won't.' Pompeo also addressed the subject to reporters traveling with him. 'We have been asking for the release of these detainees for this administration for 17 months. Well talk about it again today. I think itd be a great gesture if they would choose to do so,' he said, asked about their release. Asked if he could have a summit if North Korea is still holding Americans, he said: 'Were hopeful we dont have to cross that road.' Trump has not yet said where the summit will be held, although on Twitter he floated the idea of doing it in the DMZ. Pompeo's trip to North Korea comes in advance of a planned meeting between Trump and Kim Jong-un New national security advisor John Bolton who was on hand for Trump's speech declined to say whether freeing of the U.S. hostages was a condition for the presidential-level talks to go forward. 'I'd rather not speculate on that. Secretary Pompeo is almost on the ground in North Korea. He is the president's negotiator,' said Bolton. 'The purpose of the mission is to prepare for the next meetings, the president has said on any number of occasions he wants the hostages released, and that hasn't changed,' he said, responding to a question from DailyMail.com about the reasons for Pompeo's visit. Trump's willingness to embrace North Korea on the eve of talks came in a speech laced with criticism of Iran for its own previous secretive nuclear program which never achieved the advancement the North Koreans were able to display with repeated ballistic missile launches and underground nuclear explosions. U.S. counterterrorism officials have warned that North Korea could likely reach the continental United States with a missile, and until the recent thaw, it routinely harassed neighboring Japan by lobbing missiles into the coastal waters. The nation has experienced widespread famines over the years, and Kim is believed to have killed his own uncle in a power struggle while constructing a cult of personality and iron rule. Trump made his announcement as he denounced the 'lunacy of an Iranian bomb.' He said of the Iran deal which subjected Tehran to sanctions and put sever limits on its uranium enrichment to try to hold it to peaceful purposes: 'The fact is this was a horrible one sided deal that should have never ever been made.' Pompeo tweeted long after Trump broke the news of his trip and even his arrival time: 'Headed back to #DPRK at the invitation of the North Korean leadership. I look forward to planning a successful summit between President Trump and Kim Jong-un,' using the formal name for the country. A sophomore student at Rutgers University in New Jersey has died on campus - making him the second body to be found in just four days. Kyle Gotchel's body was discovered on Monday outside Hardenbergh Hall - a six-storey residence complex on the New Brunswick campus, officials told NJ. School officials do not consider his death to be suspicious, but reports suggest the business major may have fallen or jumped from his bedroom window on the third floor of the building. 'This tragic incident remains under investigation, but foul play is not suspected,' a statement from Rutgers read. 'The university extends its sincerest condolences to Kyle's family and friends.' Kyle Gotchell (pictured) was found dead outside his residence hall at Rutgers University in New Jersey His death has been ruled not suspicious, and reports suggest he may have fallen or jumped from his bedroom window Residents of Hardenbergh Hall were sent an email on Monday alerting them to Mr Gotchel's death, and announcing counsellors, the Daily Targum reported. 'We regret to inform you that there has been a loss in our community. Kyle Gotchel passed away early this morning,' Residence Life coordinator John Newhouse wrote. A GoFundMe was set up by Mr Gotchell's friends to help pay for the student's funeral and to 'raise awareness for mental health issues in college students'. 'Please donate to honor this outstanding individual who was taken from this earth too soon. We love and miss you Kyle,' the page read. A fraternity brother of Mr Gotchel said he was a 'truly unique and beautiful person all around'. 'The smartest kid in the room who also knew how to have an amazing time,' he wrote of his friend. 'Just wanna remind everyone to always say "I love you" to those you are close to because tomorrow is never guaranteed. You never know when a compliment will help someone get through the day.' Mr Gotchell is the second student in four days to be found dead on campus On Friday morning, Akash S. Taneja (left) was found dead on the Busch campus. University officials claim his death is not suspicious but police are investigating to find a cause of death Just three days earlier, another Rutgers student was found dead on campus. Akash S. Taneja, who had come from India to study a graduate course in medicinal chemistry, was found on Friday morning on the Busch campus. University officials did not say specifically where Mr Taneja had died, though reported his death was not considered suspicious. Despite this, the Middlesex County Prosecutor's Office are investigating his death. A statement from the Prosecutor's Office said Mr Taneja's cause of death is 'yet to be determined, pending the results of an autopsy by the Middlesex County Medical Examiner'. Iranian President Hassan Rouhani pushed back at the U.S. immediately after President Trump announced he was pulling out of the Iran nuclear deal threatening it would boost its uranium enrichment. Capping the Islamic Republic's uranium enrichment activities was a key pillar of the Iran deal reached between Iran and six other nations, an effort meant to ensure it didn't have enough material to make a nuclear bomb. Speaking immediately after Trump, Rouhani said the nation would enrich uranium 'more than before ... in next weeks.' 'I have ordered Iran's atomic organization that whenever it is needed, we will start enriching uranium more than before,' Rouhani said. 'I have ordered Iran's atomic organization that whenever it is needed, we will start enriching uranium more than before,' Iranian President Hassan Rouhani said He made his remarks on live TV. Rouhani said he was sending Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif, who helped ink the deal, to meet with other nations who remain in the agreement. Rouhani whose own political prospects could dim if the agreement collapses amid Iran's economic problems and the rising costs of basic staples then took a swipe at the world's greatest military power. 'Iran will be conferring with the world's two super powers, Russia and China,' he sniped, insisting that Trump's 'psychological war and economic pressures will not work.' Rouhani, who along with President Barack Obama helped set the conditions for the deal to go forward, also said Iran would remain in the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), leaving uncertainty about what level of enrichment he intended. Trump blasted the Iran deal as a 'horrible' agreement He spoke after Trump blasted the Iran deal as a 'horrible, one-sided deal that should have never, ever been made.' Rouani also said at a Petroleum conference just before Trump spoke that Iran 'could face some problems' under restored sanctions, the Washington Post reported. 'But we will move on,' he said. 'If we are under sanctions or not, we should stand on our feet,' he said. His comments came even as the leaders of Britain, France, and Germany announced they would remain in the agreement and work with Iran. French President Emmanuel Macron has said France, Germany and Britain regret US President Donald Trump's decision to withdraw from the 2015 Iran nuclear deal. DEFIANT: In this photo released by official website of the office of the Iranian Presidency, President Hassan Rouhani addresses the nation in a televised speech in Tehran, Iran, Tuesday FILE - In this Sept. 22, 2017 file photo, Iranian President Hassan Rouhani, second right, speaks at a military parade marking the 37th anniversary of Iraq's 1980 invasion of Iran, just outside Tehran, Iran French President Emmanuel Macron has said France, Germany and Britain regret US President Donald Trump's decision to withdraw from the 2015 Iran nuclear deal 'France, Germany, and the UK regret the U.S. decision to leave the JCPOA (Iran deal). The nuclear non-proliferation regime is at stake,' he wrote on Twitter, speaking on behalf of the three nations. 'We will work collectively on a broader framework, covering nuclear activity, the post-2025 period, ballistic activity, and stability in the Middle-East, notably Syria, Yemen, and Iraq,' he added. According to their joint statement: 'It is with regret and concern that we, the Leaders of France, Germany and the United Kingdom take note of President Trumps decision to withdraw the United States of America from the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action.' They continued: 'Together, we emphasize our continuing commitment to the JCPoA. This agreement remains important for our shared security. We recall that the JCPoA was unanimously endorsed by the UN Security Council in resolution 2231. This resolution remains the binding international legal framework for the resolution of the dispute about the Iranian nuclear program. We urge all sides to remain committed to its full implementation and to act in a spirit of responsibility.' 'According to the IAEA, Iran continues to abide by the restrictions set out by the JCPoA, in line with its obligations under the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons. The world is a safer place as a result. Therefore we, the E3, will remain parties to the JCPoA. Our governments remain committed to ensuring the agreement is upheld, and will work with all the remaining parties to the deal to ensure this remains the case including through ensuring the continuing economic benefits to the Iranian people that are linked to the agreement.' 'We urge the US to ensure that the structures of the JCPoA can remain intact, and to avoid taking action which obstructs its full implementation by all other parties to the deal. After engaging with the US Administration in a thorough manner over the past months, we call on the US to do everything possible to preserve the gains for nuclear non-proliferation brought about by the JCPoA, by allowing for a continued enforcement of its main elements.' At least nine Iranian troops were killed last night as Israel launched air strikes against Iranian military targets in Syria less than an hour after Donald Trump's speech withdrawing America from the Iran nuclear deal. Missiles fired from Israel 'targeted weapons stores belonging to the [Iranian] Revolutionary Guard' at a base south of the Syrian capital Damascus, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said. The strikes followed increased tensions in Israel amid reports of 'irregular' troop activity across its border with Syria. Government defence forces ordered bomb shelters in the Golan Heights to be opened and mobilised reservist forces as a result. Photos shared by Kurdistan reporter Baxtiyar Goran purporting to show Israeli airstrikes on a military base near Syrian capital Damascus Footage showed missile strikes going off at an Iran position in the Kiswah area, near Syrian capital Damascus The violence started within an hour of Donald Trump announcing the US was pulling out of the Iran nuclear deal. Israel's top general, Gadi Eizenkott, cancelled a scheduled appearance at an annual security conference and was conferring with Defence Minister Avigdor Lieberman and other national security chiefs, officials said. Israel announced it had ordered troops in the Golan Heights to ready bomb shelters, deploy new defences and mobilise forces. Pictured: Israeli tanks during a planned military drill in the Israeli-annexed Golan Heights yesterday An Israeli soldier attends a planned military drill next to a Merkava Mark IV tank in the Israeli-annexed Golan Heights yesterday Israeli troops took part in a military exercise yesterday in Golan Heights as it prepared for the fallout from Trump's announcement Israel said it instructed civic authorities on the Golan Heights to ready bomb shelters, deployed new defences and mobilised some reservist forces. Pictured: Yesterday troops prepared for the fallout of Trump's announcement Trump's hard tack against the nuclear deal, while welcomed by Israel, has stirred fears of regional flare ups. Pictured: Soldiers were drilled yesterday President Donald Trump said Tuesday that he's ditching the Iran nuclear deal, calling it 'disastrous' and an 'embarrassment' Trump's hard tack against the nuclear deal, while welcomed by Israel, has stirred fears of a possible regional flare-up. Iran and Lebanon's Hezbollah have been helping Syrian President Bashar al-Assad beat back a seven-year-old rebellion. Israel has carried out repeated air strikes against them, hoping to stop the formation of a Lebanese-Syrian front to its north. An April 9 strike killed seven Iranian military personnel at a Syrian airbase. Iran blamed Israel and said it would retaliate. Defence Minister Avigdor Lieberman (pictured) and other national security chiefs met yesterday to plan for the fallout from Trump's announcement Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said: 'For months now, Iran has been transferring lethal weaponry to its forces in Syria, with the purpose of striking at Israel. We will respond mightily to any attack on our territory' Israel opened bomb shelters after spotting 'irregular activity of Iranian forces in Syria. Pictured: Israeli soldiers stand atop tanks overlooking the border between Israel and Syria Israeli soldiers from the 605 Combat Engineering Corps battalion take part in a training session on the Israeli side of the border between Syria and the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights Israeli media said Tuesday's order to prepare bomb shelters on the Golan was unprecedented during Syria's civil war. Israel captured the Golan from Syria in the 1967 Middle East war and annexed it in a moved no recognised internationally. Israel has posted Iron Dome short-range air defences on the Golan, local media said, suggesting that the anticipated attack could be by ground-to-ground rockets or mortars. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu made a televised address lauding Trump's Iran policy and alluding to the tensions over Syria. 'For months now, Iran has been transferring lethal weaponry to its forces in Syria, with the purpose of striking at Israel,' Netanyahu said. 'We will respond mightily to any attack on our territory.' A Vermont woman was charged on Tuesday with murdering her live-in boyfriend with the help of her mother last fall and keeping his corpse in a trash bin on the porch for months before dumping it in the woods. Erika Guttilla, 31, is accused of shooting 35-year-old Troy Ford after he fell asleep drunk before rolling the body in a rug with the aid of her mother, Carmen, 60, and stuffing it head-first into the bin, which was too full to put the lid back on. Carmen told detectives she and her daughter, from Sheldon, had decided to kill Ford after he had been physically abusing both of them for two years so they felt like 'hostages' in their own home, according to court documents. Erika Guttilla, 31, (left) was arrested on Tuesday accused of shooting 35-year-old Troy Ford after he had passed out drunk before rolling the corpse in a rug with the help of her mother, Carmen, 60 (right) The alleged murder took place one night in November last year, and saw Carmen hand Erika a gun before the daughter shot her boyfriend in the head, the affidavit obtained by the Burlington Free Press states. The body was bundled onto the porch outside the home, which Erika's parents owned, and left for several months before being dumped at a later date. The remains of Ford, who was originally from Brooklyn, were found on Saturday at an abandoned woodland playground near the Guttilla home by a pair of women walking their dogs. He had never been reported missing. After the discovery, Erika went on the run with a male companion, Corey Cassani, 28, who she had been dating since January. They were arrested in a red Chevrolet Spark after a traffic stop. Cassani is not suspected of involvement in the murder but could face charges for helping Erika attempt to evade justice. Erika, pictured left in an earlier police mug shot, was arrested with her new boyfriend Corey Cassani, 28, who is accused of helping her attempt to evade justice Carmen appeared in court on Tuesday where she pleaded not guilty to first degree murder Carmen, meanwhile, visited her husband in hospital before handing herself over to police. She was charged with first degree murder but pleaded not guilty at Vermont Superior Court in Burlington on Tuesday. Documents lodged at the court describe an interview with prison inmate Edward Bennett, a companion of Ford who was arrested probation violation while out driving with Erick and Cassani last month. Speaking from Northwest State Correctional Facility on April 12, Bennett claimed to have been show Ford's body by Erika, who he said commented 'I killed him'. The remains of Ford, who was originally from Brooklyn, were found on Saturday at an abandoned woodland playground near the Guttilla home Police have cornered off the scene where the remains were discovered by a pair of women dog walkers Erika then said she would bring him to live if it allowed her to kill him again, Bennett claimed. She then took Bennet into her bedroom to show him a blood stain on the bed, explaining she had not cleared it up because she 'didn't care' because of the abuse he had inflicted on her. Erika's sister and brother backed up her claims of abuse when interviewed by police, and said Ford would regularly conduct drug deals in the house. Former President Barack Obama re-emerged on Tuesday to chide his successor for withdrawing the United States from an international agreement regulating Iran's nuclear activities. Obama said in a long statement that he posted to social media accounts that Donald Trump had made 'a serious mistake' in reneging on the obligations the U.S. agreed to when it signed on to the accord. 'Without the JCPOA, the United States could eventually be left with a losing choice between a nuclear-armed Iran or another war in the Middle East,' he said. If the deal falls apart because of Trump's action, Obama warned, 'We could be hastening the day when we are faced with the choice between living with that threat, or going to war to prevent it.' Former President Barack Obama reemerged on Tuesday to chide his predecessor for withdrawing the United States from an international agreement regulating Iran's nuclear activities Obama said in a long statement that he posted to social media accounts that Donald Trump had 'a serious mistake' in reneging on the United States' end of the accord If the deal falls apart because of Trump's action, Obama warned, 'We could be hastening the day when we are faced with the choice between living with that threat, or going to war to prevent it' Lecturing the sitting president, Obama explained that his administration knew that the 2015 accord it helped to negotiate would not address every Iranian threat. 'We were clear-eyed that Iran engages in destabilizing behavior including support for terrorism, and threats toward Israel and its neighbors,' he said. 'But thats precisely why it was so important that we prevent Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon.' 'Every aspect of Iranian behavior that is troubling is far more dangerous if their nuclear program is unconstrained. Our ability to confront Irans destabilizing behavior and to sustain a unity of purpose with our allies is strengthened with the JCPOA, and weakened without it.' Obama's secretary of state at the time the U.S. and Europe joined the alliance with China, Russia and Europe - John Kerry - also spoke out against Trump's decision. 'Instead of building on unprecedented nonproliferation verification measures, this decision risks throwing them away and dragging the world back to the brink we faced a few years ago,' Kerry said in a statement. 'The extent of the damage will depend on what Europe can do to hold the nuclear agreement together, and it will depend on Iran's reaction.' Obama's secretary of state at the time the U.S. and Europe joined the alliance with China, Russia and Europe - John Kerry - also spoke out against Trump's decision Kerry said that Trump, who he did not reference by name, should not have outsourced that responsibility to Europe. 'This is not in America's interests,' he added. Trump has personally assailed Kerry for settling for the deal at hand instead of pushing for something that had more teeth. He mocked the ex-diplomat in a Friday speech for a bike accident Kerry had during talks with Iran in 2015 in France. The president had already spoken out about Kerry's 'shadow diplomacy' on Monday following news reports that the Obama administration official has secretly met with foreign governments in a bid to save the much-maligned deal. He blasted Kerry again on Tuesday morning for huddling with foreign dignitaries, including the foreign minister of Iran and the presidents of France and Germany, in the lead-up to the announcement. 'John Kerry cant get over the fact that he had his chance and blew it! Stay away from negotiations John, you are hurting your country!' Trump said. Kerry could run afoul of the Logan Act, a 200+ year-old federal law that made it a felony for civilians to conduct foreign policy without authorization In a Monday tweet he harangued Kerry for the meetings and for creating the 'mess' the United States now finds itself in. 'The United States does not need John Kerrys possibly illegal Shadow Diplomacy on the very badly negotiated Iran Deal,' the president wrote. 'He was the one that created this MESS in the first place!' Since leaving office, Obama has kept a promise to extract himself from the political debate, except in instances when Trump has taken direct aim at policies that defined the two-term Democrat's presidency. He said when he left office that although he would remain living in Washington, D.C. he planned to leave the duly elected president to the business of running the government. Obama has only inserted himself in the conversation on two notable occasions last year: when Congress sought to unravel Obamacare and when Trump announced his decision to rip the U.S. out of the Paris climate agreement. His statement on Trump's intent to bring Iran to its knees by slapping it with a load of sanctions noted that there will inherently be changes in U.S. policy from one administration to the next. 'But the consistent flouting of agreements that our country is a party to risks eroding Americas credibility, and puts us at odds with the worlds major powers,' he said. 'Going forward, I hope that Americans continue to speak out in support of the kind of strong, principled, fact-based, and unifying leadership that can best secure our country and uphold our responsibilities around the globe,' he challenged. A New York city councilwoman has come under fire for refusing to recite the Pledge of Allegiance at a recent public meeting. Vanessa Agudelo, 26, was slammed for her protest at the meeting in Peekskill, New York, on April 23. She told local newspaper The Examiner that she had decided not to participate because she believes the country is failing to uphold the values it stands for. She added that the 'level of unquestionable loyalty and mindless conformity in reciting the pledge on such a consistent basis' makes her 'personally feel uncomfortable.' Vanessa Agudelo, 26, was slammed for not reciting the Pledge of Allegiance at a recent public meeting in Peekskill, New York The Democratic councilwoman went on: 'Many people do not know that our pledge was originally written by a socialist in 1892, that there have been several versions of our pledge since its creation, or that the "under God" was not added until almost a century after, used as a political ploy during the Cold War. 'Most countries in Europe dont even have a pledge of allegiance or have discontinued its use. 'This speaks volumes.' Agudelo said she did it because she does not think the country does enough to uphold the values the Pledge sets out She said she has the 'utmost respect' for veterans and that her decision not to recite the Pledge was not designed to be an insult to them. Mayor Andre K. Rainey is standing behind her but former Peekskill mayor Frank Catalina was outraged and labeled her 'immature', an 'extremist' and a 'coward'. On Facebook, he wrote: 'Let me get this straight: An elected official cowardly stands while the Pledge is said but refuses to actually say the Pledge or even respectfully hold her hand over her heart; too young and immature to realize the significance of that pledge and showing respect for the millions who fought and died for her right to be a moron and a poor example of a public official. 'Next time, and all the time, she should muster the backbone to fully exercise her "right" by NOT standing, but to show her real "courage," petulance and ignorance, by sitting or taking a knee during the pledge rather than meekly posing. He went on: 'Lets see if this coward shows that courage (or even shows up) at the solemn Memorial Day ceremony next month! 'I predict this extremist will retreat, hide her radicalism, and lack the real courage of her misguided convictions by "playing along" with "rituals" from now on.' Four US soldiers killed in Niger last year had been trying to catch an ISIS leader when they were ambushed, but the men in charge of the mission had reportedly misled those higher up about how dangerous it would actually be. Three officials told NBC News the two officers in charge had filed paperwork that led their superiors to believe they were going on a far less riskier operation in October last year. An investigation into the Niger attack found that the two officers in charge of the 12-man team decided they would carry out the catch or kill operation against the highly-ranked ISIS target instead of following military procedures. The target was Doundou Chefou - the leader of ISIS affiliate Islamic Stat - who was believed to be behind the kidnapping of an American aid worker Jeffery Woodke. Killed in Action: (clockwise from top left) Staff Sergeant Bryan Black, 35; Staff Sergeant Jeremiah Johnson, 39; Sergeant La David Johnson, 25; and Staff Sergeant Dustin Wright, 29 Instead of informing superiors of the extent of the mission, the two officers filed a mission plan that outlined the intent to meet with local leaders to get information. Officials told NBC that the officers intentionally filed the misleading mission plan. The full 6,000 page report, including interviews and information gathered across three continents, is yet to be publicly released. The investigation concludes the Army Special Forces team didn't get required senior command approval for their risky mission to capture a high-level Islamic State militant. The four US soldiers and four Nigerien troops were killed on October 4 about 120 miles north of Niamey, Niger's capital, when they were attacked by as many as 100 Islamic State-linked militants. The four US soldiers were killed on October 4 about 120 miles north of Niamey, Niger's capital, when they were attacked by as many as 100 Islamic State-linked militants Staff Sgt Dustin Wright, 29; Staff Sgt Bryan Black, 35; Staff Sgt Jeremiah Johnson, 39; and Sgt LaDavid Johnson, 25, were the four Americans killed. Two other US soldiers and eight Nigerien forces were wounded. The families of the victims were briefed about the investigation by Pentagon officials last week. They said the soldiers were 'abandoned' and 'left on their own' by US commanders who made poor decisions. 'They were left on their own and it was The Alamo. They were abandoned,' one of the bereaved parents said. Investigation found La David Johnson was unintentionally left behind while fighting alongside Nigerien partner forces. His remains were found some 36 hours after he was declared missing The soldiers' next of kin have been briefed on details of the investigation by Pentagon officials. Myeshia Johnson, the wife of La David Johnson, is pictured above kissing his coffin at his Florida funeral in October 'The sad thing is, they didn't realize they'd been left behind, and by the time the other guys attempted to get to them, it was probably too late, and they'd been killed.' Wright, Black, and Jeremiah Johnson were killed fighting in one location near the remote village of Tongo Tongo. La David Johnson was killed at another location more than 700 yards away. According to military investigators, La David Johnson was unintentionally left behind while fighting alongside Nigerien partner forces. His remains were found some 36 hours after he was declared missing. Officials have said no one has yet been punished in connection with the failures linked to the mission and the attack. Once an unclassified version of the report is made public, any discipline decisions would be made by senior commanders at US Special Operations Command. Cocaine, methamphetamine and marijuana use among US workers has surged in the recent year as figures revealed a shifting pattern of drug use. An analysis of 10 million urine tests found 4.2 percent of workers, or around 420,000 people, tested positive for illicit drugs last year, which is around the same figure for the year before. However, cocaine use was up by double digits in six states, including by 91% in Nebraska, followed by Idaho where it rose by 88%, while cannabis and meth use also saw significant rises. An analysis of 10 million urine tests found 4.2 percent of workers, or around 420,000 people, tested positive for illicit drugs last year. Pictured: A file photo of cocaine Meth usage skyrocketed in the Midwest and South, with combined figures for Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Ohio and Wisconsin indicating a 167 percent rise between 2013 and 2017. In the South, Alabama, Kentucky, Mississippi and Tennessee saw usage rise by 160 percent, according to the analysis by Quest Diagnostics, which carries out drug testing for companies. Rises in marijuana use were most notable in states that had legalized the drug, with usage in Nevada - where new laws came into force in January 2017, seeing a 43% rise in positives compared to 2016. 'It's striking as we look at all this data and see continuing increases in the use of illicit drugs. That's a concern for everyone,' said Barry Sample, Quest's senior director for science and technology. This figure shows how usage of certain drugs fluctuated from January to December last year There was positive news about the use of opiates, however, which dropped by 17 percent between 2016 and 2017. Sample said this could indicate that measures to control the number of prescriptions being handed out were having an effect. The Quest data combined figures for the general workforce along with tests of workers in safety-sensitive jobs, such as pilots and bus drivers. In the general workforce, 5% of tests came back negative, up from 4.9% in 2016. In safety-sensitive roles, 2.1% tested positive in 2017, up from 2% the prior year. Even in states that have legalized marijuana employers are usually allowed to restrict all drug usage. In January, US Attorney General Jeff Sessions rescinded a memo from President Obama's administration that instructed prosecutors to make marijuana enforcement a low priority. Northern Ireland veterans some in their 70s face the risk of prosecution following a U-turn by ministers yesterday. They have abandoned the idea of an amnesty for former soldiers after objections from Sinn Fein, the DUP and families of the 3,500 killed during the Troubles. The decision sparked accusations of betrayal from veterans and MPs. It has also caused a Cabinet split, with Defence Secretary Gavin Williamson telling Northern Ireland Secretary Karen Bradley that former soldiers now face a witch-hunt unless she reverses her decision. Ministers have abandoned the idea of an amnesty for former soldiers after objections from Sinn Fein, the DUP and families of the 3,500 killed during the Troubles This upper age limit for prosecutions would have led to an effective amnesty for Northern Ireland veterans Hundreds of British troops who served in Iraq were hounded over their actions on the battlefield a decade ago. Their ordeal prompted former defence secretary Sir Michael Fallon to secure agreement last October on a statute of limitations. This upper age limit for prosecutions would have led to an effective amnesty for Northern Ireland veterans. However, it has been blocked by Sinn Fein and the DUP, which fears it could also protect IRA killers. Their ordeal prompted former defence secretary Sir Michael Fallon to secure agreement last October on a statute of limitations Sir Michael said: Dropping the statute of limitations opens the door to yet another witch-hunt in which our troops, not the IRA, will be investigated about events 30 or 40 years ago. 'We should have learnt the lessons from the botched Iraq inquiry ... we shouldnt reopen cases that have already been investigated. Its wholly unfair to treat soldiers doing their duty on a level with terrorists who were trying to kill them. Two former British paratroopers, who cannot be identified, are already set to stand trial for the murder of an official IRA commander in Belfast 46 years ago. Supporters now fear charges could be brought against more troops. Mr Hutchings said veterans had been abandoned by ministers Another veteran, Dennis Hutchings, 77, has been charged with attempted murder over the death of a man with learning difficulties in 1974. Supporters now fear charges could be brought against more troops. Mr Hutchings said veterans had been abandoned by ministers. He added: It is an absolutely disgusting decision. Nobody is standing up for the veterans we are being abandoned. The Government should be ashamed. We risked our lives on the streets of Northern Ireland to tackle terrorism and now we are being hounded and thrown to the wolves nearly half a century afterwards. But although 90 per cent of the killings in Northern Ireland were carried out by terrorists, inquiries so far have focused exclusively on the role of British forces Ministers agreed in 2014 that a new Historical Allegations Unit would look at unsolved cases and claims of abuse from the past. But although 90 per cent of the killings in Northern Ireland were carried out by terrorists, inquiries so far have focused exclusively on the role of British forces. Mrs Bradley acknowledged the need to end the disproportionate focus on British troops and provide more support for veterans who say they have been hung out to dry. She also proposed a five-year limit on investigations. But the decision to allow soldiers to face renewed claims dating back decades sparked fury. Mr Williamson rounded on Mrs Bradley during a stormy Cabinet meeting yesterday. An ally of Mr Williamson last night said he had warned ministers it was hypocritical to praise the work of the armed forces in fighting terrorism but then allow them to be pursued through the courts for decades. Whitehall sources insisted ministers were committed to ensuring the maximum protection for former soldiers Gavin expressed grave concerns that this would lead to a new witch hunt against Northern Ireland veterans, the source said. You could end up seeing old soldiers in their 70s and 80s dragged through the courts. He pointed out that people around the Cabinet table were very happy to praise the work of the armed forces in defending this country and fighting terrorism, but those same people were contemplating whether to now pursue those same people over incidents that took place decades ago. Without a lot more protection for veterans this is going to end up being an appalling situation for those soldiers who did their duty in Northern Ireland. A Cabinet source said Boris Johnson, David Davis and Liam Fox had also raised serious concerns about proposals that could see dozens of veterans dragged in front of new inquiries. Whitehall sources insisted ministers were committed to ensuring the maximum protection for former soldiers. The consultation will be left open to allow people to propose an amnesty, but one source said there was no support for the idea in Northern Ireland One source expressed surprise at Mr Williamsons intervention, saying he had raised no concerns when the policy was circulated among ministers last month. Allies of Mrs Bradley hit back last night, saying her proposals would help end the disproportionate focus of existing historical inquiries on the activities of British forces rather than Republican terrorists. One ally suggested Mr Williamson had failed to understand the level of opposition to an amnesty in Northern Ireland and warned that any such move would also have to apply to dozens of IRA killers. What Gavin Williamson doesnt realise is how toxic the idea of an amnesty is in Northern Ireland, the source said. Facing charges at the age of 77 Dennis Hutchings, 77, will face charges over the death of John-Pat Cunningham, 27, in County Armagh in 1974 A dying Army veteran is set to stand trial over the fatal shooting of an IRA suspect 44 years ago. Dennis Hutchings, 77, will face charges over the death of John-Pat Cunningham, 27, in County Armagh in 1974. Despite there being no fresh evidence, no witnesses and no forensic evidence, the great-grandfather is accused of attempted murder. If found guilty, he could be sentenced to a maximum 16 years in prison. The retired warrant officer is seriously ill with kidney failure and doctors have given him two years to live. Mr Hutchings was part of a military unit which came across Mr Cunningham near the village of Benburb. As the suspect ran away across a field, Mr Hutchings was one of two soldiers the other now dead who opened fire, killing him. It later emerged Mr Cunningham was innocent and had a mental age of between six and ten. Mr Hutchings was investigated and cleared at the time and the case was closed once again after a review in 2011. But a legacy unit set up by the Police Service of Northern Ireland arrested him at his home in Cornwall in April 2015. It has not been established who fired the fatal shot and Mr Hutchings, who served 26 years in the Life Guards, says the victim was acting suspiciously and ignored an order to stop. His trial is expected to take place in Northern Ireland later this year. Advertisement If you want an amnesty you have to accept that there are many terrorists who will not be investigated. The ally also said the overwhelming majority of an estimated 240 cases involving former British officials were unlikely to go any further. The consultation will be left open to allow people to propose an amnesty, but one source said there was no support for the idea in Northern Ireland. Chelsea Pensioner David Griffin, who has been hounded over his role in a firefight in Northern Ireland more than four decades ago, last night said he felt absolutely and completely betrayed. IRA terrorists will also face investigation as part of the new probes. But a number were pardoned in the 1998 Good Friday peace deal He said last night: It has been 36 years now. I have been saying either charge me or clear me and take this cloud from above my head. Johnny Mercer, a Tory member of the Commons defence committee, said of the decision: Its insane and a total loss of moral compass. IRA terrorists will also face investigation as part of the new probes. But a number were pardoned in the 1998 Good Friday peace deal. Others were given letters of comfort by then prime minister Tony Blair guaranteeing they would never be prosecuted. Penny was married for 16 years to Mountbatten, a cousin of Prince Philip, with whom she has three daughters Penny Mountbatten, whose husband Lord Ivar Mountbatten found love with another man, is now trading on her royal connections. The 51-year-old has set up in business as a tour guide and etiquette expert. She was married for 16 years to Mountbatten, a cousin of Prince Philip, with whom she has three daughters. Now, she has started her own business, based near Buckingham Palace, and has applied to protect her name legally. Penny, who is also a party planner and brand ambassador for the likes of royal parfumier Penhaligon's and bookbinders Barnard & Westwood, is unapologetic about her society connections. Her new website drops aristocratic names including the Duke of Edinburgh's, gushing: 'Penny Mountbatten has lived an unequivocally fascinating life. 'Her charm and position as part of the Royal circle are sought after, and as such she enjoys her role as ambassador to a number of luxury hotels and Royal Warranted brands.' It adds: 'In recent years, Penny has been using her unique experience of the British aristocracy and her love of engaging with people to teach overseas visitors the traditional British 'way'.' Penny, who is also a party planner and brand ambassador for the likes of royal parfumier Penhaligon's and bookbinders Barnard & Westwood, is unapologetic about her society connections. She is pictured with Lord Mountbatten left and right She created her company, Penny Mountbatten Ltd, in January. Her tour company, Great Britain Revealed, offers 'insider' experiences all over Britain, whose 'unique position' means they are able to offer exclusive access to usually inaccessible locations. And she offers training to rub shoulders with the royals, too: 'Whilst it isn't necessary for everyone to learn how to curtsey to HM The Queen, if you want to interact with British people in a formal setting, it is essential to understand the significance we place on visual and subliminal signals.' Last week, she applied to the Intellectual Property Office to trademark Penny Mountbatten for jewellery, cards, bags, drinks and retail goods. In 2016, Lord Ivar, 55, who is godfather to Lady Louise Windsor, daughter of Prince Edward and his wife, Sophie, Countess of Wessex, said he was glad to be out of the 'closet'. Shadow Chancellor John McDonnell, who celebrated the bicentenary of Karl Marx's birth at the weekend by hailing him as 'a force for change', may be intrigued to hear that an exceptionally rare first edition of Marx's Das Kapital has come on the market one of only 1,000 copies printed and the only edition to appear in Marx's lifetime. Surely the perfect present for Jeremy Corbyn, whose 69th birthday is on May 26? The price is an unrepentantly capitalist 100,000, but that's only 387.60 each if all 258 Labour MPs take an equal share of the burden. Rather less if Diane Abbott does the calculation. Dame Joan gives family their marching orders Dame Joan Bakewell, pictured on Peston On Sunday, fears her marching days are behind her, even though she encourages her two children and six grandchildren to carry on the protest banner Dame Joan Bakewell fears her marching days are behind her, even though she encourages her two children and six grandchildren to carry on the protest banner. 'When there was a protest in Bristol against student fees going up, I texted my grandson, saying: 'I hope you are on the streets!' 'I have always gone on marches, my first was against Suez, but I'm old now. I'm getting a bit creaky,' says the 85-year-old broadcaster. 'I marched against Trump and I marched particularly against the Iraq War, together with over one million people who flooded into London. 'That was one of the most moving and ineffectual marches I have ever known. An incredible act of solidarity completely ignored by the Blair government, which at that point lost my vote.' Former clean-eating pioneer Jasmine Hemsley, who co-hosted Channel 4s Eating Well with her sister, Melissa, has found a new cause to champion. Working in the food industry, we see a heart-breaking amount of single-use plastic hitting our bins and the effect its having on our environment can no longer be ignored, says Jasmine, 37. Make a Plastic Pledge: a pledge to CUT OUT plastic from your lives. Thomas Ravenel (pictured) has been accused of sexually assaulting a woman in December 2015 Former politician and 'Southern Charm' star, Thomas Ravenel, has been accused of sexually assaulting a second woman. Less than a week after Debbie Holloway Perkins came forward to accuse the reality show star of sexually abusing her on a bad Tinder date, another woman has told police she too was assaulted by the 55-year-old. The woman, who has not been named, described the incident as 'forcible rape' in her police report. 'I told them the truth about what happened to me,' she told FITSNews. 'They are investigating him.' The alleged incident occurred in January 2015 but few other details have been released. Ravenel was first accused of misconduct onMay 3, after real estate agent Ashley Perkins claimed he sexually assaulted her mother Holloway Perkins. Holloway Perkins matched with Ravenel on the popular dating app back in October 2015. The two texted and direct messaged one another until they met in person on Christmas Day, Holloway Perkins' model-turned-realtor daughter, Ashley Perkins, told DailyMail.com Wednesday in a phone interview. 'We did not watch the show at the time... but we were living in Charleston. My mom showed me his picture and I immediately recognized his face.' Perkins initially believed someone had created a fake profile using Ravenel's pictures until the Bravo star sent her mother a Facebook friend request. 'They communicated through Facebook and Tinder and kind of played phone tag. He asked her out a couple of times, but it was always kind of last minute.' Ravenel picked Holloway Perkins up at her Charleston home on Christmas Day. The model said her family didn't celebrate the holiday that year after her grandmother passed away in 2014. She said the previous year was too 'depressing' so they 'boycotted Christmas' in 2015. 'He asked her out last minute, so obviously he didn't have plans on Christmas. He called her, texted her, asked her out, and the agreement was that he was going to pick her up and they were going to go to downtown Charleston and try to find a bar that was open and have some drinks together,' Perkins said. Debbie Holloway Perkins (right) was allegedly assaulted by the Bravo star on Christmas Day in 2015. Her model-turned-realtor daughter, Ashley Perkins, (left) shared details about the alleged incident to DailyMail.com Debbie Holloway Perkins and her daughter Ashley Perkins are seen above in this Facebook photo Perkins claims Ravenel quickly changed plans when her mother got in the car and told her he wanted to show her his new home that he recently renovated. 'My mom was in real estate and she agreed and said OK and that they were going to get drinks after,' Perkins added. Her daughter, who has appeared in TV series 'Army Wives' and 'Reckless', shared further details about her mother's date. 'They get to his house and he is very clinical. He isn't flirty or sexual or anything like that. 'He did pour them at the beginning a small glass of red wine. Afterward, he does his home tour, and at that point, my mom said it took forever and she was getting bored.' Her daughter, who has appeared in TV series 'Army Wives' and 'Reckless', shared alleged details about her mother's date gone wrong Photographs provided to DailyMail.com show Holloway Perkins' marks on her wrist after the date 'She is wearing a bracelet and he holds her arms up with one hand above her head. He starts trying to pull her pants off and attempting to touch her breasts,' Perkins said The two of them walked over to his guest house, where his children and nanny stay. 'My mom didn't know he had a little girl... she definitely did not know he had a newborn son. My mom wouldn't date men with little kids, so she was just completely turned off at this point. 'She already thinks it's weird that the kids are living in the guest house while he's in this big, huge mansion. He showed her the guest room where the kids stay, and my mom said the room had no toys. It was like a mattress on top of a box spring. It didn't look lived in.' Ravenel, the former treasurer of South Carolina, apparently told Holloway Perkins his plans to put this newborn baby in the laundry room bathroom. 'I assume he was going to renovate it or something,' Holloway Perkins' daughter told DailyMail.com. 'My mom at that point was thinking, 'who am I out with?''. Perkins (pictured on Facebook) and her mother have since moved to Panama City Beach, Florida When the pair entered the nanny's room, Perkins alleged Ravenel began acting strange and peering out of the blinds. The 'Southern Charm' star told her mother to come over and look at something out the window. 'He has her come peek out of the blinds and he says, 'do you see that?' and he points to the bathroom of the main house that you could see from the nanny's room. And he said that's where he saw Kathryn Dennis making out with a guy.' Dennis is mother to the actor's two young children. He afterward went into a trance-like state, the model alleged, and turned on her mom. 'He pushes her onto the nanny's bed. She is wearing a bracelet and he holds her arms up with one hand above her head. He starts trying to pull her pants off and attempting to touch her breasts. Thomas Ravenel is pictured on Southern Charm, Season 4, in the above photograph Season 4 - Pictured: (L-R) Craig Conover, Thomas Ravenel, Landon Clements, Cameran Eubanks, Shepard Rose, Kathryn Calhoun Dennis, Austen Kroll 'He then sticks his fingers in her vagina and then after, her anus. Then, he pulls his penis out, while she is saying 'no' and 'to stop'. So he pulls his penis out and shoves it in her face. 'She finally said to him, 'you're a rapist!', and he just stopped. She said it was like he came out of his trance and he just stopped,' Perkins alleged. Photographs provided to DailyMail.com show marks on Holloway Perkins' wrist. Afterward, Holloway Perkins went back to the main house to grab her purse. She wanted Ravenel to take her home, when he allegedly told her to call an Uber, but she didn't know what that was. 'I was kinda mad at her about that,' Perkins said. While on the drive back home, her mother asked her to come downstairs and meet her outside. 'I went out into the parking lot and I met them, he was driving a black SUV and he pulls up, rolls his window down and says to me, 'hey, I'm going to this party, why don't you see if you can roundup some young, hot female friends of yours.' This was after he insulted my mom the whole car ride about her class level and her age,' Perkins alleged. 'I'm the one who introduced her to Tinder, and to this day, I regret that.' Perkins encouraged her mom to get in touch with attorney Gloria Allred, who said she would represent her. Perkins told DailyMail.com Ravenel agreed on a settlement of $200,000 in 2016. Perkins said she finally spoke out about the alleged incident recently as she was not bound to the non-disclosure agreement her mother signed in summer 2016. The model added that she and her mother have since moved to Panama City Beach, Florida. Ravenel's lawyer, Richard P. Terbrusch, denied the allegations, telling US Weekly on Thursday: 'My client enjoys a certain degree of fame and unfortunately has become unfairly a target for an individual who has, in my opinion, dubious motivations.' Bravo said that Haymaker, the production company for Southern Charm, is investigating the allegations made against Ravenel. 'Bravo take(s) allegations like these very seriously,' the network said. 'Haymaker is conducting an investigation, and once all the information is gathered and carefully reviewed, appropriate action will be taken.' Ravenel has denied the allegations, saying 'I've never assaulted a woman in my life.' A California judge has slammed a recall vote scheduled for next month in response to what many saw was a lenient sentence against a college student convicted of sexual assault. The fate of Santa Clara County Superior Court Judge Aaron Persky's will be in the hands of voters who will cast ballots on June 5 to decide whether he will remain on the bench. 'I just think the recall is misguided,' Persky said during a news conference in Palo Alto on Tuesday that was broadcast by KGO-TV. 'I wish they would take all the passion and energy and put it somewhere constructive.' Voters have already mailed in absentee ballots, according to the San Jose Mercury News. Aaron Persky (above), a California judge, has slammed a recall vote scheduled for next month in response to what many saw was a lenient sentence against a college student convicted of sexual assault The Northern Californian judge has been targeted for a recall because of a six-month prison sentence he handed down to Brock Turner, a former Stanford University swimmer convicted of sexual assault in 2016. Calls for Persky's recall began after he sentenced the sophomore to just six months in jail instead of the minimum two year sentence. Turner, who sexually assaulted a woman who was drunk early in 2015, was given such a short sentence because the judge believed imprisonment would have a 'severe' impact on the culprit. The Turner case drew even more scrutiny to other instances in which Persky handed down what some perceive as relatively light sentences against privileged defendants. In his career, Persky has ruled on a total of 64 sexual assault or domestic violence cases. Recall proponents say in five of those cases, the sentences meted out were too lenient. But Persky and his supporters say that critics are 'cherry picking.' While Persky refused to comment on the specifics of the cases that he decided, he said the recall vote threatens the independence of the judiciary. Persky said on Tuesday that 'judges should sit back and take it' when they are criticized, but he felt the need to speak out now because 'the stakes are too high.' 'I think judges should typically zip it,' Persky said. 'Its only when you get to the point where recall gets serious, they could win.' Calls for Persky's recall began in 2016, after he sentenced sophomore Brock Turner to just six months in jail Persky and his supporters claim that a recall of judges sets a dangerous precedent since it would subject the judicial system to the whims of public opinion. 'We ask judges to follow the rule of law, not the rule of public opinion,' he said. Persky said judges ought to display 'a laser focus on facts and the law' rather than public opinion. They should only be recalled for gross incompetence or malfeasance, he said. California is one of just nine states in the Union that allow for the recall of judges. Recalls of judges are banned in 41 states as well as in the federal court system to preserve the independence of the judiciary. Four of the nine states that do allow recalls must demonstrate specific instances of wrongdoing or malfeasance. In the other five states - California, Arizona, North Dakota, Oregon, and Wisconsin - judges can be recalled for any reason. Turner, who sexually assaulted a woman who was drunk in 2015, was given the sentence because prison would have a 'severe' impact LaDoris Cordell, a retired judge, has come out against the recall effort. She defended Persky, saying his sentence of Turner was lawful and in accordance with the recommendation of the probation department. If recalled in the vote on June 5, he would be the first Californian judge to lose his office in 86 years. 'This vote is a harbinger,' Barbara O'Connor, a professor emeritus of political science at California State University, Sacramento, told the Seattle Times. 'It's one of the first tests of whether the Me Too movement will turn out to vote.' The case had been watched intensely after the victim shared an emotional account of what happened and the aftermath. 'My independence, natural joy, gentleness, and steady lifestyle I had been enjoying became distorted beyond recognition. I became closed off, angry, self-deprecating, tired, irritable, empty,' she said in a statement. Soon after Persky made his controversial ruling, calls for his recalling were initiated by Stanford law professor Michele Dauber. Along with other activists, Dauber felt that Persky was only concerned with the impact the decision would have on Turner and wasn't too worried about the implications of the actual sexual assault or the victim. The recall effort has garnered support from other elected officials. Activists felt that Persky was only concerned with the impact the decision would have on Turner and wasn't too worried about the implications of the actual sexual assault or the victim 'No one should be subjected to sexual assault or harassment. And when it occurs and victims come forward, the justice system must treat them fairly and with respect and dignity,' New York Democratic Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand said in a statement. 'Judge Persky did not do that and should be held accountable.' Those in support of the judge and the ruling claim he decided based off a recommendation from prosecution department. They also claim that recalls threaten judicial independence. Those in support of the judge and the ruling claim he decided based off a recommendation from prosecution department Supporters also feel that Brock's label as a sex offender for the rest of his life serves as adequate punishment. California's Commission of Judicial Performance also determined that Persky followed proper protocal when making his sentence decision. The judge shared with the San Jose Mercury News editorial board that he agrees with the sentiment that sexual assault cases need to be handled better in the future. A letter asking that Turner not be sentenced to just probation for his crimes 'There is an underlying deep frustration among actual victims of sexual assault and women in general about the criminal justice system not taking sexual assault and domestic violence seriously. It's a very genuine and important problem,' Persky explained. 'The passion is authentic, the end is justified, let's increase sexual assault reporting. Let's do criminal justice reform where it's smart to do so.' Persky was quick to stand by his decision, however, stating that Turner has become the 'face of rape' because of the recall efforts. 'When the case came out and there's the social media outrage, my personal opinion was that I can take the heat, I signed on to this job, I promised to essentially ignore public opinion,' he added. 'That's the promise we make every juror make when they walk into the courtroom.' Voters in Santa Clara will not only get to decide whether Persky will be recalled, but they will also be working to determine who the replacement will be. Supporters also feel that Brock's label as a sex offender for the rest of his life serves as adequate punishment The last time a judge was recalled in the country was in 1977. Turner was never convicted of rape but was instead found guilty of three counts of felony sexual assault. He was arrested after being seen penetrating a drunk, unconscious girl with his fingers behind a dumpster on Stanford's University Campus in California in January 2015. The star swimmer was initially indicted on two counts of rape, two counts of felony sexual assault and one count of attempted rape. He denied all of them. The rape charges were dropped during his trial but he was convicted of three counts of felony sexual assault in March 2016. He could have been jailed for up to 14 years, the maximum sentence in California, but instead was given just six months imprisonment and three years probation. Turner served just three of those months before being released last fall. He has been registered as a sex offender and has to report to a probation officer for three years, during which he is not allowed to drink or take drugs. The mayor of Denver's son cursed at, berated and threatened an officer's job who had pulled him over for speeding, and it was all caught on camera. Denver Mayor Michael Hancock's son Jordan, was pulled over on March 23 for driving 65mph in a 40 zone. Instead of cooperating with the officer issuing the ticket, in the Aurora police district- not Denver's- the 22-year-old is cursing at him saying: 'My dad's the mayor, you f****ing f****t.' Scroll for video Tantrum: The mayor of Denver's son, Jordan Hancock (pictured), had a meltdown when an officer pulled him over for speeding Jordan, 22, also hurled homophobic slurs at the cop who had pulled him over for speeding Denver Mayor Michael Hancock (pictured) released a statement saying he does not condone his son's behavior but that they love and support him despite it Video shows Denver mayor's son insulting officer WARNING: This video has explicit language. After getting pulled over for going at least 25 mph over the speed limit, Denver Mayor Michael Hancocks son, Jordan, gets in a heated exchange with an Aurora police officer who ended up citing him. MORE: http://bit.ly/2FTGTkh Posted by Denver7 on Tuesday, May 8, 2018 The incident is caught on what appears to be the officer's body camera video, posted by Denver 7. The young man then threatens the officer: 'Guess what? I'm about to get you fired you f***ing b****h.' The officer, responding to Jordan's tirade about how his father, the mayor of Denver is going to be able to fire the cop, says to the young man: 'Of Denver? Well you're in Aurora.' In the 20-second clip, the officer also sarcastically snips, 'Your father is going to be proud.' On Jordan's ticket, the officer wrote: 'Attitude very poor-see video.' When the mayor's son appeared in court, he agreed to pay a $250 fine, but declined reporters' questions about the incident. Beautiful family, foul language: The Mayor, posing with his son, Jordan, his wife Mary Lee and daughter 'We addressed this matter with Jordan and he has apologized to the officer,' Michael Hancock's office said in a statement. 'While we do not support nor condone his inexcusable actions and words during this traffic stop, we love our son dearly and support him.' Additionally, the Aurora Police Department declined to comment on the video and also said they are launching an internal investigation to find out how the video was leaked to the press. A generation of young people are being criminalised by a racist and illegal police database, it was claimed yesterday. Campaigners accused forces of 'stigmatising' young black men with no history of violence or criminal convictions, sometimes on the strength of their social media posts. Amnesty International said officers are amassing swathes of data about often innocent teenagers that can destroy their life chances. Police admit many of those whose details are recorded are only at risk of becoming involved in gang violence. But the fact they are on the database can affect opportunities for housing, education, training and employment. A generation of young people are being criminalised by a racist and illegal police database, it was claimed yesterday. File photo The Information Commissioner confirmed it is considering whether the Metropolitan Police has breached data protection legislation. Similar databases used by other forces, including in Manchester, Birmingham and Nottingham, may also breach the law. Kate Allen, of Amnesty International, called on regulators to act. 'This police data sweeps up a much wider group of people than those involved in serious offending,' she said. 'Police must be given the powers they need to do their job but they must do it in a way that does not discriminate against people because of the colour of their skin or how they express their identity.' The Information Commissioner confirmed it is considering whether the Metropolitan Police has breached data protection legislation. File photo The 'gangs matrix' was established in response to the riots of 2011. Since then, the Met has gathered information on those linked to gangs and ranked them in a traffic light system as to the risk they pose. Figures from October 2017 showed the database held 3,806 entries, with 5 per cent in the red category and 64 per cent in the green. Controversially, the database is shared with some other public sector bodies, including schools, local authorities and even job centres. Amnesty International said that two years ago 78 per cent of those on the database were black. Mrs Allen said: 'The entire system is racially discriminatory, stigmatising young black men for the type of music they listen to or their social media behaviour.' The Metropolitan Police defended the database, saying its aim is to 'reduce gang-related violence and prevent young lives being lost. A spokesman said police sought to identify those not yet drawn into gang violence and 'divert them away'. This is the shocking moment a woman punches a little girl in the face after failing to cut in line at a theme park in central China. A nine-year-old girl, known as Meng Meng, was with her classmates on a field trip when she encountered the woman and her toddler son while queuing for a slide. The woman, unnamed and said to be pregnant, has refused to apologise to the girl. A woman with red cap and her son try to cut the queue in front of a girl at a Chinese theme park According to Beijing News, the incident happened at Beira Town, a theme park in Changsha on April 19. Surveillance camera footage shows the woman spotting the girls and trying to squeeze between her and the rest of the people lining up. Meng Meng refuses to let the woman jump the queue, turning them away. A few moments later the woman comes rushing back and punching the girl in the face. The video shows Meng Meng lifting one of her legs in an apparent attempt to protect herself, but she falls nonetheless. The girl said she was kicked several times. The woman rushes back, kicking the girl and pushing her out of the queue as others watch The girl's family asked for a public apology from the woman, but she refused to settle the case Meng Meng's mother, Ms Shang, heard of the incident from her daughter after the field trip. According to Ms Shang, Meng Meng had told the woman 'not to cut the line because everyone was queuing'. Changsha Police received a report from Meng Meng's mother, but they failed to contact the woman for settlement. The woman was pregnant, the woman's husband claimed to the police. He has also accused the girl of yelling expletives at his wife first and the girl's family spreading rumours online. The man said he would settle the matter if Meng Meng's family removed the malicious content from social media platforms. The case is still under investigation. A school canteen full of pupils was ripped apart by a steam pipe explosion yesterday in north-east China. Video footage of the aftermath shows students with bloodied faces and bloodstained clothes being taken for medical treatment. The steam pipes in the canteen's hot water boiler suddenly exploded during lunch hour at noon at a secondary school in Hebei province, according to China Youth news. A student is seen wrapped in bandages after the steam pipes exploded in the school's canteen Many suffered cuts on their heads and faces caused by the sharp debris from shattered doors and windows. Other pupils were seen handing out bandages to the wounded and comforting them. Emergency services were dispatched to Hebei Weichang Huiyuan Middle School located in Chengde city. The injured were later treated in hospital. The injured students being treated in hospital after the explosion in Hebei province A student distributes bandages to his classmates after the blast in a secondary school The school's playground was also seen covered with broken window frames and glass. Officials told China Youth news that only eight students were hurt, despite the video showing dozens more injured. Chengde city's press office said on Weibo that no deaths were reported and the school cafeteria has resumed operations. Officials are investigating the incident, it added. A Chinese woman was surprised to discover that the 'pet dog' she has been raising is actually a fox. Ms Wang, who spent 140 buying a fox-like dog breed, Japanese spitz, said her dog stopped eating dog food and started to grow a long, fluffy tail after reaching three months old. A staff member from a local zoo recently confirmed to Ms Wang that her pet was a domesticated fox. Ms Wang bought a 'Japanese spitz' puppy from a pet shop in Shanxi Province, north China last summer (left). As the pooch grows, it develops a pointy face and a thick coat (right) Ms Wang noticed her dog had not barked once since she bought it almost a year ago Ms Wang, from Jinzhong of Shanxi Provicne, told Shanxi Network Television that she bought what was said to be a Japanese spitz puppy from a pet shop last July. She fed the long-haired pooch fruit, chicken breasts and dog food. When the pet was three months old, it stopped eating dog food. But Ms Wang noticed her dog had never barked once. 'The fur got thicker when it reached three months old. Its face became pointy and its tail grew longer than that of a normal dog,' she told the reporter. Ms Wang got told by park-goers that her pet was not a dog but a fox. 'Other pet dogs seemed to be scared by my pet so i walked it with a leash,' she added. Ms Wang said onlookers suggested that her pet was actually a fox but not Japanese spitz She also mentioned that her pet dog stopped eating dog food when it's three months old She took her pet to Taiyuan Zoo in order to seek advice from experts. Sun Letian, an expert in animal epidemic prevention at Taiyuan Zoo, confirmed Ms Wang's pet is a fox. 'Based on the size, it is a domesticated fox. It carries a smell in their body and the smell can get stronger as it grows older,' explained Mr Sun. Measuring 30 centimetres (12 inches) long, the white-coated fox is expected to grow bigger. A Japanese spitz, pictured, has long fluffy hair that is similar to a white fox The medium-sized dog breed is popular among dog lovers with its adorable features Ms Wang decided to send her pet to the zoo to receive suitable nutrition and a better living environment. Mr Sun said the fox will put in a quarantine zone for a month as workers carry health checks on the animal. It will then put in the fox enclosure after approval. 'If you miss it, come by and have a visit,' Mr Sun told Ms Wang. OPTION 1 - CUSTOMS PARTNERSHIP Under the so-called 'hybrid model', the UK would collect EU import tariffs on behalf of Brussels. Britain would be responsible for tracking the origin and final destination of goods coming into the country from outside the EU. The government would also have to ensure all products meet the bloc's standards. Firms selling directly into the UK market would pay the tariff levels set by Brussels - but would then get a rebate if Britain's tariffs are lower. Supporters of the hybrid plan in Cabinet - including Theresa May, Philip Hammond and Greg Clark - say keeping duties aligned up front would avoid the need for physical customs borders between the UK and EU. As a result it could solve the thorny issue over creating a hard border between Northern Ireland and the Republic. Mrs May has been advised by the chief whip that the hybrid option could be the only way of securing a majority in parliament for a Brexit deal. But Brexiteers regard the proposal as unworkable and cumbersome - and they were joined by Sajid Javid and Gavin Williamson in criticising it at a tense 'War Cabinet' meeting last week. There are fears the experimental system will either collapse and cause chaos, or prevent the UK from being able to negotiate free trade deals around the world after Brexit. Mrs May has instructed official to go away and revise the ideas. Eurosceptics are braced for her to bring back the plan with only 'cosmetic' changes, and try to 'peel off' Mr Javid and Mr Williamson from the core group of Brexiteers. They are also ready for Mrs May to attempt to bypass the 'War Cabinet' altogether and put the issue before the whole Cabinet - where she has more allies. OPTION 2 - MAXIMUM FACILITATION The 'Max Fac' option accepts that there will be greater friction at Britain's borders with the EU. But it would aim to minimise the issues using technology and mutual recognition. Goods could be electronically tracked and pre-cleared by tax authorities on each side. Shipping firms could also be given 'trusted trader' status so they can move goods freely, and only pay tariffs when they are delivered to the destination country. Companies would also be trusted to ensure they were meeting the relevant UK and EU standards on products. Senior ministers such as Boris Johnson, Michael Gove and Liam Fox believe this is the only workable option. But Remain minded Tories such as Mr Clark insist it will harm trade and cost jobs in the UK. They also warn that it will require more physical infrastructure on the Irish border - potentially breaching the Good Friday Agreement. It is far from clear whether the government would be able to force anything through parliament that implied a hard border between Northern Ireland and the Republic. The EU has dismissed the idea that 'Max Fac' could prevent checks on the Irish border as 'magical thinking'. Scientists have trained a spider to jump on demand in a bid to unlock the secrets behind how the arachnids hunt. The female spider, nicknamed 'Kim', was taught to leap different heights and distances by researchers who placed her a short hop from her nest and waited until she jumped home. By recording her acrobatics with high-speed cameras researchers learned that the species uses different jumping strategies depending on the challenge ahead. The team hope to use their findings to create a new class of micro-robots that jump like agile spiders. As well as military applications, these robots could be used to catch insect pests or even clean your home, researchers said. Scientists have trained a spider to jump on demand in a bid to unlock the secrets behind how the arachnids hunt. A jumping spider they nicknamed 'Kim' (pictured) was taught to jump different heights and distances while experts recorded its movements Dr Bill Crowther, a robotics researcher at the University of Manchester and co-author of the study, told MailOnline: 'We're used to robots bulding cars now but further down the road there's a whole other world of applications. 'We have thought about natural pest control - instead of spraying chemicals to get rid of pests like greenflies we could have small robots do it instead. 'They could also be used as part of cleaning technologies of the future. 'Clearly there are defence and other military applications too. In future we could be up against people who are using similar devices so we may need these robots to counter other robots.' The Manchester researchers said their work could help scientists understand why jumping spider anatomy and behaviour evolved the way it did. Dr Mostafa Nabawy, lead author of the study, said: 'The focus of the present work is on the extraordinary jumping capability of these spiders. Researchers learned that the species uses different jumping strategies depending on the challenge it is presented with. Pictured are some of the heights and distances of jump that the scientists taught Kim to attempt HOW DID SCIENTISTS TRAIN A SPIDER TO JUMP? Researchers at the University of Manchester trained a jumping spider nicknamed 'Kim' to leap across different gaps. Kim belongs to a species of jumping arachnid known as Phidippus regius, or 'Regal Jumping Spider'. Scientists filmed Kim with high-speed cameras in a bid to better understand how the species changes its technique to tackle different challenges. Scientists bought four regal jumping spiders for the study - but Kim was the only one who 'could be bothered' to jump, study coauthor Bill Crowther told MailOnline. He said the team did not bait Kim across each jump with food. Instead, they transported the spider between take-off and landing platforms several times, allowing her to become familiar with each gap. They then tempted her across the jumps by placing gaps of varying difficulty between her and her nest. Dr Crowther told MailOnline: 'Kim had a nest where lived throughout the day that had plenty of moss and water. 'We put her on a different platform and, eventually, she would choose to jump home. Even if shes going home shell jump as if she's catching prey.' Advertisement 'A jumping spider can leap up to six times its body length from a standing start. The best a human can achieve is about 1.5 body lengths. 'The force on the legs at take-off can be up to five times the weight of the spider - this is amazing and if we can understand these biomechanics we can apply them to other areas of research.' Dr Nabawy said micro-robots modelled after jumping spiders could be used for a variety of different purposes in complex engineering and manufacturing. He added the robot arachnids could be deployed 'in unknown environments to execute different missions'. The results showed the regal jumping spider switches up its strategy to master smaller and larger jumps. For example, to jump shorter, close-range distances Kim favoured a faster, lower trajectory which uses up more energy, but minimises flight time Kim belongs to a species of jumping arachnid known as Phidippus regius, or 'Regal Jumping Spider'. The team recorded jumps and used high resolution CT scans to create a 3D model of the spider's legs and body Scientists bought four of the spiders from a pet shop in Manchester for the research - but Kim was the only one who 'showed any inclination to jump as required', researchers said. She was trained to leap on demand from different heights and distances while her leaps were recorded with high-speed cameras. Researchers said they did not use bait or prey to tempt Kim to scale the jumps, but instead transported the spider between take-off and landing platforms several times, allowing her to become familiar with each jump. They then tempted her across each gap by placing her near her nest. Dr Crowther told MailOnline: 'Kim had a nest where lived throughout the day that had plenty of moss and water. 'We put her on a different platform and, eventually, she would choose to jump home. 'Even if shes going home shell jump as if shes catching prey.' The team recorded her taking on jumps using ultra-high-speed cameras, and used high resolution CT scans to create a 3D model of the spider's legs and body. The results showed the Regal Jumping Spider switches up its strategy to master smaller and larger jumps. Insects and spiders jump in a number of different ways, either using a spring like mechanism, direct muscle forces or using internal fluid pressure. Pictured is the high-speed camera setup used by the scientists For example, to jump shorter, close-range distances Kim favoured a faster, lower trajectory which uses up more energy, but minimises flight time. This made the jump more accurate and more effective for capturing its prey. If Kim was jumping a longer distance or to an elevated platform, perhaps to traverse rough terrain, she jumped in the most efficient way to keep energy use low. Insects and spiders jump in a number of different ways, either using a spring like mechanism, direct muscle forces or using internal fluid pressure. WHAT ARE JUMPING SPIDERS? Jumping spiders are common on all continents except Antarctica. They are characterised by their small size, large eyes, and prodigious jumping ability. They are often brightly coloured and are known for their inquisitive nature. The arachnids use their excellent vision to track, stalk and calculate distance, before suddenly leaping on their prey, propelled by their strong back legs. The jumping spider is the largest family of spider totalling more than 5,800 described species. Advertisement Scientists have known for more than 50 years that spiders use internal hydraulic pressure to extend their legs. What isn't known is if this hydraulic pressure is actively used to enhance or replace muscle force when the spiders jump. Dr Crowther said: 'Our results suggest that whilst Kim can move her legs hydraulically, she does not need the additional power from hydraulics to achieve her extraordinary jumping performance. 'Thus, the role of hydraulic movement in spiders remains an open question.' A bump on the head can double the risk of getting dementia, even if you do not lose consciousness, researchers have warned. More than two-thirds of traumatic brain injuries in England and Wales are classed as mild. Often caused by falls or minor car crashes, these cases can go unreported because victims fail to realise they have suffered a significant injury. But a study of more than 350,000 people has found such blows to the head raise the risk of getting dementia by more than double, and the risk is similar to that of being knocked unconscious. A bump on the head can double the risk of getting dementia, even if you do not lose consciousness, researchers have warned Researchers led by the University of California in San Francisco tracked Army veterans who had suffered blows to the head both in military and civilian life for an average of just over four years. Dr Kristine Yaffe, a senior author of the study, said: There are several mechanisms that may explain the association between traumatic brain injury and dementia. Theres something about trauma that may hasten the development of neurodegenerative conditions. One theory is that brain injury induces or accelerates the accumulation of abnormal proteins that lead to neuronal death associated with conditions like Alzheimers disease. Its also possible that trauma leaves the brain more vulnerable to other injuries or ageing processes, but we need more work in this area. More than 10,000 people in England and Wales suffered a mild traumatic brain injury between April 2014 and June 2015. Brain injuries are most common in people aged between 80 and 90, who are vulnerable to falls, and also peak in those aged 20 to 30, who suffer around 15 per cent of these injuries, often from traffic collisions. Traumatic brain injuries do not always cause concussion and a mild brain injury often does not cause loss of consciousness, but can cause temporary amnesia for up to a day. More than two-thirds of traumatic brain injuries in England and Wales are classed as mild. Often caused by falls or minor car crashes, these cases can go unreported because victims fail to realise they have suffered a significant injury To look at the effect of the injuries, the US researchers matched 178,779 military veterans who had suffered traumatic brain injuries with an equal number who had not. They found someones risk of dementia almost quadrupled if they had suffered a moderate to severe brain injury. But a brain injury without loss of consciousness raised the risk by 2.36 times, which is similar to the 2.51 times increased risk for people who lost consciousness. The study included veterans whose head injuries could have taken place at home, as well as veterans from Iraq and Afghanistan, who were more likely to have been injured in combat zones, including through shockwaves from explosions. The studys lead author, Dr Deborah Barnes, said: The findings in both groups were similar, indicating that concussions occurring in combat areas were as likely to be linked to dementia as those concussions affecting the general population. The findings were published in the journal JAMA Neurology. Nasa is set to begin tests for its 1,100mph (1,770kph) 'Son of Concorde' commercial jet that can travel from London to New York in just three hours. The plane, dubbed the Quiet Supersonic Transport (QueSST) low-boom flight demonstrator (LBFD), aims to cut out the noise associated with supersonic travel. Flights conducted by Nasa in November will study the US public's reactions to 'quiet' supersonic noises, a researcher has revealed. Scroll down for video Nasa is set to begin tests for its 1,100mph (1,770kph) 'Son of Concorde' commercial jet. The plane, dubbed the Quiet Supersonic Transport (QueSST) low-boom flight demonstrator (artist's impression), aims to cut out the noisy sonic booms of supersonic travel 'This project, QSF 18, is a test so we can test the methodology for future community response testing for projects like the LBFD,' said Larry Cliatt, principal investigator for Nasa. LBFD aims to cut out the noisy sonic booms that echoed above cities in the era of Concorde, while travelling at speeds of 1,100mph (Mach 1.4 / 1,700 km/h). The loud booms that rang out whenever a Concorde aircraft broke the sound barrier were often described as 'unsettling.' LBFD, which Nasa is developing with Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Company, will make its first flight in 2021 if production goes according to plan. The team hopes to reduce the sound of the sonic boom to a quiet thud, similar to the sound of thunder rumbling in the distance or a neighbour closing their door. Before LBFD's first flight Nasa intends to simulate the sounds to gauge public responses to the aircraft's sonic booms. Flights conducted by Nasa in November will study the US public's reactions to 'quiet' supersonic noises above their homes, a Nasa researcher has revealed. Pictured is an artist's impression of the Quiet Supersonic Transport (QueSST) low-boom flight demonstrator (LBFD) With low boom flights, Nasa said it 'intends to gather data on how effective quiet supersonic technology is in terms of public acceptance.' Tests scheduled for November will see an F-18 fighter jet conduct a dive manoeuvre off the shores of Galveston, Texas - an island city near Houston. The plane will dive 49,000 feet (15,000 metres), briefly going supersonic and firing off the sound likely to come from LBFD aircraft. HOW WILL NASA REDUCE THE SOUND OF SONIC BOOMS? In a conventional supersonic aircraft, shockwaves from the nose, cockpit, inlets, wings and other features come together as they move through the atmosphere into strong shocks emanating from the nose and tail. These are known as bow and tail shocks, respectively. As these shockwaves pass over the ground, air pressure rises sharply, declines, then rises rapidly again. It's this that produces the classic 'double-bang' sonic boom. In a conventional supersonic aircraft, shockwaves from the nose, cockpit, inlets, wings and other features come together as they move through the atmosphere into strong shocks emanating from the nose and tail Reshaping the aircraft to produce a longer, more slender shape is the best way to generate shockwaves of lower, more equal strength that do not form into such strong bow and tail shocks. Nasa and other organisations are working on creating shapes to reduce sonic booms. Stretching the nose to break the bow shock into a series of weaker shockwaves is particularly effective. This lowers and spreads that initial pressure peak and softens the first bang of the sonic boom. Advertisement 'It's extremely exciting, and I expect the Galveston people will be excited, as well,' Mr Cliatt said. QueSST is the latest addition to the X-series of experimental aircraft and rockets, used to test and evaluate new technologies and aerodynamic concepts. Their X designation indicates their research mission status within the US system of aircraft naming. The team hopes to reduce the sound of the sonic boom to a quiet thud, similar to the sound of thunder rumbling in the distance or a neighbour closing their door. This graphic compares the F18 sonic boom to the sonic 'thump' that Nasa aims to achieve in the future This all dates back to Chuck Yeager's sound-barrier-breaking craft, the X-1, a rocket enginepowered aircraft, designed and built in 1945, that achieved a speed of nearly 1,000 miles per hour (1,600 kmh) in 1948. Nasa's vision for the LBFD was approved In the latest proposed US budget released by the Office Of Management And Budget In Washington, DC, in February. The space agency was awarded $19.9 billion (14.3bn) for the next year, $500 million (360m) more than the previous year. WHAT WAS CONCORDE? Concorde was a turbojet-powered supersonic passenger jet that was operated until 2003. It had a maximum speed over twice the speed of sound at Mach 2.04 (1,354mph or 2,180k per hour at cruise altitude) and could seat 92 to 128 passengers. It was first flown in 1969, but needed further tests to establish it as viable as a commercial aircraft. Concorde was a turbojet-powered supersonic passenger jet that was operated until 2003. It had a maximum speed over twice the speed of sound at Mach 2.04 and could seat 92 to 128 passengers Concorde entered service in 1976 and continued flying for the next 27 years. It is one of only two supersonic transports to have been operated commercially. The other is the Soviet-built Tupolev Tu-144, which ran for a much shorter period of time before it was grounded and retired due to safety and budget issues. Concorde was jointly developed and manufactured by Aerospatiale and the British Aircraft Corporation (BAC) under an Anglo-French treaty. Concorde's name, meaning harmony or union, reflects the cooperation on the project between the United Kingdom and France. In the UK, any or all of the type are known simply as 'Concorde', without an article. Twenty aircraft were built including six prototypes and development aircraft. Air France (AF) and British Airways (BA) each received seven aircraft. The research and development failed to make a profit and the two airlines bought the aircraft at a huge discount. Concorde was retired in 2003 due to a general downturn in the commercial aviation industry after the type's only crash in 2000, the September 11 attacks in 2001, and a decision by Airbus, the successor to Aerospatiale and BAC, to discontinue maintenance support. Advertisement It is not known what proportion of this will be spent on the supersonic aircraft project. QueSST will be used as a test bed for technologies that could make their way into commercial planes. Writing in the latest budget, its authors said: 'The Budget fully funds the Low-Boom Flight Demonstrator, an experimental supersonic airplane that would make its first flight in 2021. 'This 'X-plane' would open a new market for US companies to build faster commercial airliners, creating jobs and cutting cross-country flight times in half. ' The space agency is hoping to achieve a sonic boom 60 dBA lower than other supersonic aircraft, such as the Concorde, a turbojet-powered supersonic passenger jet that was operated until 2003. LBFD aims to cut out the noisy sonic booms that echoed above cities in the era of Concorde, while travelling at speeds of 1,100mph (Mach 1.4 / 1,700 km/h). Pictured is an concept design of the Quiet Supersonic Transport (QueSST) low-boom flight demonstrator (LBFD) The QueSST low-boom flight demonstrator (LBFD), or X-plane, aims to produce a much lower 'boom' than other supersonic aircraft at speeds beyond Mach 1. It is designed to fly at Mach 1.4 (1,100mph / 1,700 kph), 55,000 feet (10 miles) above the ground. The aircraft is shaped to separate the shocks and expansions associated with supersonic flight to reduce the volume of the shaped signature, and was developed by Lockheed's Skunk Works over 20 years. Recent research has shown it is possible for a supersonic airplane to be shaped in such a way that the shock waves it forms when flying faster than the speed of sound can generate a sound at ground level so quiet it will hardly will be noticed by the public, if at all. The space agency is hoping to achieve a sonic boom 60 dBA lower than other supersonic aircraft, such as the Anglo-French Concorde. In a written statement, a Nasa spokesman previously said the aim was to create a boom 'so quiet it hardly will be noticed by the public, if at all... like distant thunder [or] the sound of your neighbor forcefully shutting his car door outside while you are inside.' It's been decades since Nasa has worked on a manned supersonic X-plane, and after the contract is awarded, the winning team will undergo critical design review in 2019 to bring the plan closer to life. Nasa is hoping to see the first flight tests take place in the first quarter of 2021. Fears of an incoming volcanic 'mega eruption' at a popular holiday spot have been dismissed by scientists. A seismic swarm of 270 mini-earthquakes have shaken the Canary Islands over the past 10 days, leading to concerns Tenerife's Mount Teide may be due to erupt. The active volcano is popular with tourists, drawing three million visitors a year, and last erupted in 1909. Researchers have quelled fears that the volcano is about to blow, insisting that the tremors are part of the islands' normal seismic activity. Scroll down for video A seismic swarm of 270 mini-earthquakes have shaken the Canary Islands over the past 10 days, leading to concerns Tenerife's Mount Teide (file photo) may be due to erupt Professor Mike Burton, chair in volcanology at the University of Manchester, told MailOnline: 'There's plenty of tectonic seismicity in the Canary Islands due to plate motion which doesn't directly produce volcanic activity, and there are some earthquake locations to the southeast of Tenerife which are consistent with this. 'Before an eruption on Tenerife or any of the other Canary Islands there would be clear precursory signals in seismicity, gas and ground deformation. These are not such signals.' According to the Instituto Geografico Nacional (IGN) - Spain's primary seismic monitoring organisation - 270 tremors have been detected since April 29. The largest of these reached a magnitude of 3.2 on the Richter scale around 22 miles (35km) from Puerto La Luz, Port of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria. Most of the earthquakes, of which 94 were located by earthquake experts, hit a region between Tenerife and Gran Canaria along a known underwater fault line. A number of the tremors rocked Mount Teide, sparking concerns among locals that the volcano may erupt, but scientists said these secondary quakes were triggered by nearby activity. According to the Instituto Geografico Nacional - Spain's primary seismic monitoring organisation - 270 tremors have been detected since April 29. Pictured are the numbers of events detected by the team between April 28 and May 4 HOW CAN RESEARCHERS PREDICT VOLCANIC ERUPTIONS? According to Eric Dunham, an associate professor of Stanford University's School of Earth, energy and Environmental Sciences, 'Volcanoes are complicated and there is currently no universally applicable means of predicting eruption. In all likelihood, there never will be.' However, there are indicators of increased volcanic activity, which researchers can use to help predict volcanic eruptions. Researchers can track indicators such as: Volcanic infrasound : When the lava lake rises up in the crater of an open vent volcano, a sign of a potential eruption, the pitch or frequency of the sounds generated by the magma tends to increase. : When the lava lake rises up in the crater of an open vent volcano, a sign of a potential eruption, the pitch or frequency of the sounds generated by the magma tends to increase. Seismic activity : Ahead of an eruption, seismic activity in the form of small earthquakes and tremors almost always increases as magma moves through the volcano's 'plumbing system'. : Ahead of an eruption, seismic activity in the form of small earthquakes and tremors almost always increases as magma moves through the volcano's 'plumbing system'. Gas emissions : As magma nears the surface and pressure decreases, gases escape. Sulfur dioxide is one of the main components of volcanic gases, and increasing amounts of it are a sign of increasing amounts of magma near the surface of a volcano. : As magma nears the surface and pressure decreases, gases escape. Sulfur dioxide is one of the main components of volcanic gases, and increasing amounts of it are a sign of increasing amounts of magma near the surface of a volcano. Ground deformation : Changes to a volcano's ground surface (volcano deformation) appear as swelling, sinking, or cracking, which can be caused by magma, gas, or other fluids (usually water) moving underground or by movements in the Earth's crust due to motion along fault lines. Swelling of a volcano cans signal that magma has accumulated near the surface. Source: United States Geological Survey Advertisement Dr Simon Day, an earth scientist at University College London's Institute for Risk & Disaster Reduction, told MailOnline: 'These earthquakes may be due to disturbance of the rocks around a deep zone of magma beneath Teide by the earthquakes to the east, rather than an indicator that that zone of magma is already itself overpressured and about to inject some of its magma higher into the volcanic edifice. 'Similar sequences of small earthquakes are quite common beneath Tenerife and don't lead to eruptions, even when they last longer and occur at shallower depths. 'I would expect to see a longer-duration period of elevated seismic activity, with the earthquakes gradually increasing in frequency of occurrence, followed by a shorter period with many shallower earthquakes, before any eruption. 'Unless the earthquakes continue and become more intense and shallower over a period of weeks, I wouldn't see any major cause for concern from this recent seismic activity as reported by IGN.' The earthquakes hit between the islands of Tenerife (left) and Gran Canaria (right), most likely along a known underwater fault line. Researchers were able to pinpoint the locations of 94 of the tremors (pictured) Mount Teide on the Canary Island of Tenerife is popular with tourists, drawing three million visitors a year Another Canary Island, La Palma, was hit by a similar flurry of earthquakes in February, prompting fears its Cumbre Vieja volcano could erupt. But the director of the National Seismic Network from Spain's National Geographic Institute, Emilio Carreno, said the majority of the mini-quakes were of tectonic origin, and were 'not usually associated with volcanology'. Speaking to Canary News, he said: 'It is not unusual. Right now in the Peninsula there are quite a few places at which these series are being observed, it is common during any single month to register between 100 and 600 earthquakes in areas like in the Jodar area, or in Jaen, which can experience between 400 and 500 at the same time.' Mr Carreno added that all earthquakes are reviewed, especially those in the Canary Islands. This is because 'the situation of the islands makes precision in locating the source more difficult', he said. Advertisement You might think you're being creative with your Instagram snap, but chances are someone has take the exact same photo before you. Now, one artist has used AI to visualise just how similar the photos we post on social media really are to those of our peers. Moritz Stefaner's collection of 25,000 photos reveal in incredible detail the crossover between individual shots of everything from tattoos to yoga poses. The resulting clusters of pictures, taken from 6.2 million images of Paris geo-tagged on the social media site in 2017, are now part of a new exhibition in the French capital. Just how similar the photos we capture on Instagram are to those of others has been revealed in a new data visualisation created with the help of artificial intelligence. This image shows the entire 25,000 snaps analysed by information aesthetics expert Moritz Stefaner who grouped them based on similarity using AI Mr Stefaner is a ferman information aesthetics expert who has a background in cognitive science and interface design. He used AI to analyse photos of Paris and organise them by appearance and image contents, revealing a web of interlinked niches and 'microgenres'. That includes similar images centred around a specific location, whether graffiti daubed on walls around the French capital to shots of its famous landmarks and even popular coffee shops. These niches cover scores of virtually identical shots of the Eiffel Tower, The Big Wheel - a Ferris wheel at Place de la Concorde - and a famous painting by Monet inside the Orangerie museum. The image also span those focused on people, including shots of their hair and tattoos, that are surprisingly similar despite their idiosyncrasies. Clusters of pictures, taken from 6.2 million images of Paris geo-tagged on the social media site in 2017, show the connections between style and content - with thousands of near identical images discovered. This image shows the grouping of clusters of similar images The map arrangement of the visualisation was calculated using an algorithm that is designed to create an ideal 2D layout so that all of the similar images are placed close together. This highlighted just how close in appearance a large number of the shots within each cluster were. That closeness is reinforced when viewing the individual images next to one another, with slight variations in each blending into the neighbouring shot. One cluster centres around yoga, dancing and other poses poses performed by individuals, highly individual activities that still appear to melt into one another when viewed on aggregate. Another shows a whole section on macaroons and chocolates juxtaposed with images of human remains from the city's famous catacombs. In a written statement, Mr Stefaner said: 'Today, we collectively and continuously document our city experience on social media platforms, shaping a virtual city image. While we may like to think that our carefully composed images reflect our unique personal tastes, the collection of 25,000 snaps charts in incredible detail just how much crossover there can be between individual shots. Shown here are shots of the Eiffel Tower The visualisation is the creation of a German information aesthetics expert, who has a background in cognitive science and interface design. Pictured here are very similar Instagram shots of the Big Wheel - a Ferris wheel at Place de la Concord The photos of Paris were analysed using neural networks organising them by similarity and image contents to reveal a web of interlinked niches and 'microgenres'. Many people posed in a similar way in front of this graffiti wall The visualisation includes similar images centred around a specific location, whether graffiti daubed on walls around the French capital to shots of its famous landmarks and even popular coffee shops. This image shows examples of circular architecture throughout the city, including window frames and staircases HOW ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCES LEARN USING NEURAL NETWORKS AI systems rely on artificial neural networks (ANNs), which try to simulate the way the brain works in order to learn. ANNs can be trained to recognise patterns in information - including speech, text data, or visual images - and are the basis for a large number of the developments in AI over recent years. Conventional AI uses input to 'teach' an algorithm about a particular subject by feeding it massive amounts of information. AI systems rely on artificial neural networks (ANNs), which try to simulate the way the brain works in order to learn. ANNs can be trained to recognise patterns in information - including speech, text data, or visual images Practical applications include Google's language translation services, Facebook's facial recognition software and Snapchat's image altering live filters. The process of inputting this data can be extremely time consuming, and is limited to one type of knowledge. A new breed of ANNs called Adversarial Neural Networks pits the wits of two AI bots against each other, which allows them to learn from each other. This approach is designed to speed up the process of learning, as well as refining the output created by AI systems. Advertisement 'Multiplicity reveals a novel view of this photographic landscape of attention and interests. 'How does Paris look as seen through the lens of thousands of photographers? What are the hotspots of attraction, what are the neglected corners? What are recurring poses and tropes? And how well do the published pictures reflect your personal view of the city?' 'To me, these very tight clusters of almost identical images became the most interesting aspect. 'How often can people take the same photos? At the same time, each of them is slightly different indeed, and the continuous re-enactment of rituals and re-discovery of photo ideas has a comforting charm to it as well.' These images also span those focused on people, from poses performed by individuals to shots of their hair and tattoos (pictured), that are surprisingly similar despite their idiosyncrasies The map arrangement of the visualisation was calculated using an algorithm that is designed to create an ideal 2D layout so that all of the similar images are placed close together. Shots of newly-styled hair looking strikingly similar in style In a written statement, Mr Stefaner said: 'Today, we collectively and continuously document our city experience on social media platforms, shaping a virtual city image. 'Multiplicity reveals a novel view of this photographic landscape of attention and interests'. These images show similar yoga poses and stretches Mr Stefaner added: 'To me, these very tight clusters of almost identical images became the most interesting aspect. How often can people take the same photos? At the same time, each of them is slightly different'. These images show people standing against a black and white background or pictured in monochrome The visualisation and its clusters forms the central part of an exhibition running at the Fondation EDF in Paris from May to September. Visitors will be able to navigate the map using a touch device as well as a physical joystick. Manual annotations help with identification of the main map areas - the larger themes linking clusters together. 'Data was instrumental in arranging these contents in a human digestible way. How else would one scan and assemble hundreds of thousands of images into a coherent whole?', Mr Stefaner added. Projectors at the exhibit display images across three 1080p high definition squares arranged in a slightly angled tryptich structure. The visualisation and its constituent clusters forms the central part of an exhibition running at the Fondation EDF in Paris from May to September. Shown here is a famous Monet painting inside the Orangerie where photography is actually prohibited Visitors will be able to navigate the map using a touch device as well as a physical joystick. Manual annotations help with identification of the main map areas - the larger themes linking clusters together. Shown here are pictures of various shop fronts around the city The approach used in the project's design makes sure that as little pixels change between the different transitions, leading to a more consistent zoom experience between each level of the graphic. This includes scores of virtually identical shots, including of street art and other graphics, like this wall art (pictured) The projected display zooms from a large overview map of the entire cloud of clusters, down to a gridded version of the cloud and on to each full grid of related images. This layering lets viewers explore the clustering structure across the entire chart as well as the contents of each. The approach used in its design makes sure that as little pixels change between the different transitions, leading to a more consistent zoom experience between each level of the graphic. In summation of the project, Mr Stefaner added: 'It has been my intention not to measure, but portray the city, but to portray it, using social media contents as material. 'Rather than statistics, the project presents a stimulating arrangement of qualitative contents, open for exploration and to interpretation consciously curated and pre-arranged, but not pre-interpreted.' Projectors at the exhibition display images across three 1080p high definition squares arranged in a slightly angled tryptich structure (pictured) The projected display zooms from a large overview map of the entire cloud of clusters, down to a gridded version of the cloud (pictured) and on to each full grid of related images This layering lets viewers explore the clustering structure across the entire chart (section pictured) as well as the contents of each clustered group Adding your favourite song as a sound track to an Instagram post could soon become a reality, thanks to a new feature found hidden in the site's Android app. Music Stickers will let you add a musical overlay to your posts, alongside the usual array of stickers and filters popular on the image sharing service. It could also see the rise of lip syncing videos of the kind already popular on rival apps like musical.ly if launched officially. A new track identification service was also found buried in the code, meaning Instagram could soon display a track's name and the artist behind it. Scroll down for video Adding your favourite song as a sound track to an Instagram post could soon become a reality, thanks to a new feature found hidden in the site's Android app. Music Stickers will let you add a musical overlay to your posts, alongside the usual array of stickers and filters (stock image) The new features were uncovered by Ishan Agarwal, a 15-year-old tech enthusiast who has made his name uncovering hidden gems in Instagram's programming. The feature was also noticed by fellow expert Jane Manchun Wong, who is currently studying computer science at the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth. Ms Wong told TechCrunch that she was able to test a primitive version of the Music Stickers. She reports that Instagram crashed when she tried to post anything using the latest feature, which is still full of glitches. Ms Wong also found that Instagram was able to automatically detect songs that were playing in the background. Writing on Twitter, she said: 'Instagram is working on adding soundboard-like stickers for Stories 'It's okay for the feature to behave janky at this moment. Afterall, a diamond used to look like a dull piece of stone.' MailOnline has approached Instagram for comment The feature (pictured) was noticed by Instagram expert Jane Manchun Wong, who is currently studying computer science at the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth. Ms Wong told TechCrunch that she was able to test a primitive version of the Music Stickers Music Stickers will allow users to add a musical overlay to their story. The discovery was found hidden in the code of Instagram's Android app (pictured) Also hidden in the code for the Music Stickers are tabs for Genres, Moods and Trending, (pictured) implying there will be some form of browsing method to help users find a theme tune for their story The product is still in its early development stage and it remains unclear as to how the feature will integrate with the existing services Instagram provides. It appears that once a song has been picked and added as a music sticker to their story, a clip will start playing whilst people watch. Tabs for Genres, Moods and Trending were also found lurking in the code. This suggests that there will be some form of browsing method to help users find a theme tune for their story. Recently, Instagram's parent company Facebook has signed deals with some of the largest record labels in the world, including Sony, Warner and Universal. Astronauts who spend long periods of time on the Moon are likely to suffer DNA damage from breathing lunar dust, experts have warned. A new study published by the American Geophysical Union found simulated lunar soil is toxic to human lung and mouse brain cells. Up to 90 percent of human lung cells and mouse neurons died when exposed to dust particles that mimic soils found on the Moon's surface. Scroll down for video Geologist and astronaut Harrison Schmitt, Apollo 17 lunar module pilot, is pictured here using an adjustable sampling scoop to retrieve lunar samples during the Apollo 17 mission in December 1972. Lunar dust can be seen clinging to Schmitts space suit. New research finds breathing lunar dust could cause health problems for astronauts spending long periods of time on the Moon. Lunar dust caused reactions similar to hay fever in astronauts who visited the Moon during the Apollo missions. 'Lunar dust adhering to their suits caused mild respiratory issues for Apollo astronauts returning from the Moon,' wrote the team, led by Rachel Caston, a geneticist at Stony Brook University School of Medicine in Stony Brook, New York and lead author of the new study published in GeoHealth, a journal of the American Geophysical Union. 'Chronic or longterm effects of such dust exposure could be a problem for future missions,' the team concluded. The team say prolonged exposure to lunar dust could impair airway and lung function. Bruce Demple, a biochemist at Stony Brook University School of Medicine and senior author of the new study, told the AGU's blog if the dust induces inflammation in the lungs, it could increase the risk of more serious diseases like cancer, 'Over a long period of time, the continuing damage, irritation and inflammation would increase the risk of more serious disease, including cancer,' Demple said. 'If there are trips back to the Moon that involve stays of weeks, months or even longer, it probably won't be possible to eliminate that risk completely.' 'We found significant cell toxicity in neuronal and lung cell lines in culture, as well as DNA damage associated with the exposure,' the team wrote. Harrison Hagan Schmitt, American geologist and astronaut takes rock samples from the surface of the moon during America's last lunar landing mission of the 20th century, Apollo 17, December 1972. Schmitt described his reaction to lunar dust as 'lunar hay fever,' including sneezing, watering eyes, and sore throat. As the Moon has no atmosphere, its soil is constantly bombarded by charged particles from the upper layers of the Sun that stream through space, causing lunar soil to become electrostatically charged, like static cling on clothing. When astronauts visited the Moon during the Apollo missions, the electrostatically charged lunar soil clung to their spacesuits, such that lunar dust was carried into the living environment by astronauts who had been exploring the lunar surface, the team say. Astronaut Harrison Schmitt described his reaction to lunar dust as 'lunar hay fever,' including sneezing, watering eyes, and sore throat. 'There are risks to extraterrestrial exploration, both lunar and beyond, more than just the immediate risks of space itself,' said Rachel Caston. Previous research has found breathing dust from volcanic eruptions, dust storms and coal mines can cause bronchitis, wheezing, eye irritation and scarring of lung tissue. The dust particles accumulate in a person's airways and the smallest can infiltrate alveoli, the tiny sacs where carbon dioxide is exchanged for oxygen in the lungs. Dust can also damage cells' DNA, which can cause mutations and lead to cancer, according to previous studies. The days of waiting in a long line at your favorite coffee shop are numbered. Called Cafe X, the $25,000 machine is designed with a Mitsubishi robot arm and is programmed with pre-defined movements like grabbing cups and pumping syrup. The robo unit can make 120 cups of coffee an hour and is basically a fully operational cafe beneath a six-axis animatronic arm. The bot fills between 300 and 400 orders a day, and prices are kept low. Scroll down for video A California startup unveiled the 'first robotic cafe' capable of making a range of espresso-based beverages in less than a minute using a Mitsubishi robot arm Cafe X Technologies unveiled its first kiosk in San Francisco last year, which combines machine learning and robotics. The team behind it, the Ammunition Group, also helped develop Dr. Dre's Beats headphones and speakers. It was specifically designed to eliminate the variabilities that bog down today's coffee experience. 'We're not trying to replace baristas or that relationship customers have with them,' said Victoria Slaker, Ammunition's vice president of product design to CNBC. 'But we saw an opportunity to make something more beautiful and more interesting than a standard vending machine that could also pour a mean cup of coffee.' From a design standpoint 'the intention was to make the robot cool-looking but not goofy,' Slaker said, which is why the device does not have 'googly eyes, a face or an ironic mustache, despite how tempting that was.' The firm says it sets itself apart from other coffee shops in that, the robotic barista eliminate s 'on-site wait time'. 'We knew a robot could create an exceptional cup of coffee, but we also wanted it to appear warm and friendly,' said 24-year-old inventor Henry Hu. 'The baristas to me looked like factory workers,' he said. 'They were moving cups around and pushing buttons, which made me think, 'I bet we can build a product that automates these boring tasks way more efficiently.' HOW DOES THE ROBO-BARISTA WORK? Cafe X Technologies unveiled its first kiosk in San Francisco last year, which combines machine learning and robotics. The robot sits inside an aquarium-like kiosk. Customers can order beverages using touchscreens or via an app. The robot is equip with a Mitsubishi robot arm and performs predefined actions: grabbing cups, pumping syrup, placing cup in coffee-brewing core and then moving it in front of the customer standing at the window. Cafe X is capable of preparing between 100 and 120 drinks per hour. Menu prices start at $2.25 for an 8 oz cup. Advertisement The robot is encased in a large aquarium-like kiosk, with a huge window made of plexiglass. And it is programmed to perform only a predefined set of motions including grabbing a cup, pumping syrup, placing it under the coffee-brewing core and delivering it to the window where the customer is standing, reports Business Insider. Customers can order their espresso-based beverages in two ways: at the kiosk or via their mobile device. When ordering at the cafe, consumers simply type their order into the system using a tablet and in less than a minute, the robot barista hands over their beverage. Cafe X has also set up the system to take orders from mobile devices. It is programmed to perform only a predefined set of motions including grabbing a cup, pumping syrup, placing it under the coffee-brewing core and delivering it to the window where the customer is standing Cafe X Technologies opened its second kiosk in February, which combines machine learning and robotics. Customers can order drinks on the spot at the kiosk using touchscreens or they can download the Cafe X app to order in advance Before claiming their beverage, customers must type in a 4-digit order number which is either sent via text message or displayed on the Cafe X mobile app for iOS and Android that allows them to retrieve their beverage this makes sure everyone gets what they ordered. And Cafe X is capable of preparing between 100 and 120 drinks per hour, Hu told Business Insider. 'This won't replace baristas or the coffee shop experience that so many people have come to love - we don't aim to do that,' said Hu. Originally envisioned on a $100,000 Theil Fellowship, Hu and two of his friends first built a prototype by hand and secured an additional $5million in funding from Khosla Ventures, Social Capital, Launch and Felicis Ventures before enlisting Ammunition's help. Cafe X has also set up the system to take orders from mobile devices. Users can complete their order with Apple Pay or a credit card. The total wait time will also appear in the app To date, the funding for the company is at $7million. A second-generation model launched at One Bush Plaza in San Francisco this past February. A person refills the coffee beans and cleans the machines, and they're a specialist on-site to answer questions. 'The idea of humans making coffee for 10 hours a day is as crazy in 2018 as a tollbooth collector sitting in a metal box on a freeway,' said Jason Calacanis, an early founder of Uber and an investor in Cafe X. 'It's also torture for the customer. Baristas get orders wrong, drink quality is wildly inconsistent, and coffee places don't keep a record of every customer's past drink order but you can do all this with robotics.' The company plans to launch additional locations in 2019, but growth may be slow as Hu estimates they can only produce up to 15 new models each year. Tech moguls Bill Gates and Mark Zuckerberg said Tuesday they will team up to help develop new technologies for kids with trouble learning - an effort that will include dabbling into child brain science. The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative intend to explore a number of potential pilot projects. They'll focus on math, writing and brain functions - key areas of classroom learning that they note are crucial for academic success. Tech moguls Bill Gates and Mark Zuckerberg said Tuesday they will team up to help develop new technologies for kids with trouble learning - an effort that will include dabbling into child brain science The effort is now seeking information and ideas from across sectors, from education and academia to business, technology and medicine. Future investments based on that information are expected, but no dollar amount has been set. The idea that disadvantaged children struggle to learn because of poor executive brain function involving memory, thinking flexibility, and behavioral issues related to autism and other attention disorders has long been lamented by social workers and health advocates. The joint project by Gates and Zuckerberg details possible ways to mitigate those shortcomings. Among the ideas is using games and technology simulations to support teachers and family, and tracking progress in certain vulnerable student populations such as kids with disabilities or those who are learning English as a second language. Leaders of the effort say technology is not a primary focus, but they recognize the role it can play. The new endeavor marks the latest effort by deep-pocketed philanthropists who have tried with little success and much controversy to change entire school systems. In some ways, it advances the reform agendas of the philanthropists, including helping low-performing students catch up to their potentially more prosperous peers and using classroom technology for digital or personalized learning. The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative intend to explore a number of potential pilot projects. They'll focus on math, writing and brain functions - key areas of classroom learning that they note are crucial for academic success HOW DO WE LEARN? The human brain consists of billions of neurons, electrically excitable cells that receive, process, and transmit information through electrical and chemical signals. These neurons are connected together to form billions of different neural pathways. Our brain develops a new pathway when we experience something new and each new experience can change our future behaviour. With repeated experiences, these pathways becomes stronger and with further repetition, can be cemented as a learned skill. Neuroscientists at the University of California Irvines Center were able to prove what they had long suspected when they were able to isolate and observe the actions of the brain while learning a new task in the brains of mice. They found that, when two neurons frequently interact, they form a bond that allows them to transmit more easily and accurately. This led to more complete memories and easier recall. Conversely, when two neurons rarely interacted, the transmission was often incomplete, leading to either a faulty memory or no memory at all. Advertisement Gates, the world's top philanthropist, recently announced more support for students with disabilities, issues involving American poverty and Alzheimer's disease research. Zuckerberg idolizes Gates as an inspiration in professional and philanthropic work. But their representatives rejected any notion that their effort on learning is connected to their respective business roles as Facebook CEO and Microsoft founder. Microsoft announced a $25 million initiative on Monday to use artificial intelligence to build better technology for people with disabilities. When not catching peoples attention with his visionary new ideas for business and technology, Elon Musk is busy turning heads at star-studded galas. The prolific tech entrepreneur was recently spotted at the Met Gala in New York City with his new girlfriend, Grimes. The innovative businessman and the Canadian musician recently made their relationship public at the event after meeting on Twitter not too long ago. But just who is Elon Musk and what is his net worth? Here's everything you need to know about the the tech billionaire. Elon Musk is the genius behind companies like Tesla, SpaceX, SolarCity to name only a few Who is Elon Musk? Elon Musk is an entrepreneur, investor and inventor best-known as a driving force behind the emergence of the digital economy and founder of influential companies like SpaceX and Tesla. Musk was born in Pretoria, South Africa on June 28, 1971. He expressed great interest in computer programming and technology in his youth and later moved to Canada at age 17 to attend Queens University and later the University of Pennsylvania, where he graduated with degrees in economics and physics. After briefly attending Stanford University in California to obtain a PhD, he ultimately left the school to pursue his dreams as an entrepreneur and innovator. He founded his first company Zip2 in 1995 and sold it to Compaq in 1999 for $340 million (251.8 million). Musk then founded the digital payment firm X.com in 1999, which later merged with Confinity to become PayPal and was ultimately bought by eBay in 2002 for a staggering $1.5 billion (1.11 billion). Helicopters and tunnels A post shared by Elon Musk (@elonmusk) on Apr 13, 2018 at 7:06pm PDT Fresh off his success as a technology entrepreneur, Musk turned his sights to the stars, establishing a new company called SpaceX in 2002 with the goal of manufacturing spacecraft for commercial travel in space. Musk later founded Tesla, Inc. in 2003 with the aim of mass producing electric vehicles and went on to establish companies like the solar energy firm SolarCity in 2006 and other businesses like OpenAI and The Boring Company. In addition to his successful business career, Musk is also an active philanthropist and an outspoken proponent in favor of sustainable energy and space exploration and colonization. How old is Elon Musk? Elon Musk is 46-years-old. He was born on June 28, 1971. What is Elon Musks net worth? According to Celebrity Net Worth, Elon Musks net worth is about $19 billion (14bn). How does Elon Musk make his money? Elon Musk draws his staggering wealth from his long and successful career as an entrepreneur, inventor and investor. In 1995, he founded the Zip2 Corporation, a digital city guide, and later sold it to a division of Compaq Computers in 1999. That same year, Musk cofounded X.com, an Internet financial services and payment company, that later merged with Confinity in 2000 to become PayPal. Love and Rockets A post shared by Elon Musk (@elonmusk) on Feb 11, 2018 at 1:15pm PST In 2002, he also founded the Space Exploration Technologies Corporation, better-known as SpaceX, to construct spacecraft designed for commercial travel. Musk founded Tesla Motors in 2003 with the intention of building economical electric cars for mass market consumers. In addition, Musk also founded the clean energy company SolarCity in 2006, the Artificial Intelligence research company OpenAI in 2015, the neurotechnology firm Neuralink in 2016 and the infrastructure firm The Boring Company also in 2016. Hes also been at the vanguard of new technologies such as the Hyperloop, a proposed high-speed transit network based on reduced-pressure tubes, and has been a staunch advocate for the human colonization of Mars and for negating the effects of climate change. Elon Musks partners Elon Musk is currently single. Previously, Musk was married to Talulah Riley from 2010 to 2012 and again from 2013 to 2016 and also to Justine Musk from 2000 to 2008. He also dated Amber Heard, who was also married to Johnny Depp, from 2016 to 2017, and is currently in a relationship with musician Grimes. Elon Musk and Grimes Elon Musk was recently seen at the 2018 Met Gala with musician Grimes, reportedly his new girlfriend. Elon Musk and Grimes debuted their relationship at the 2018 Met Gala event in New York City The couple debuted their relationship at the 2018 Met Gala in New York City and reportedly met on Twitter after Musk planned to tweet a humorous post about Artificial Intelligence only to discover that Grimes already had earlier. What is Grimess net worth? Grimess net worth is approximately $3 million (2.22m), per Celebrity Net Worth. Berlin is often described as a collection of very different villages joined together. And indeed, spend time in the citys various neighbourhoods and youll find that each has a distinct character and feel that makes them stand apart from one another. Choose a neighbourhood depending on what interests you, using one of the following hotels as your base for really living like a local in Berlin. Room with a view: Rocco Forte Hotel de Rome offers stunning views of Berlin's landmarks Mitte: Rocco Forte Hotel de Rome Rating: A five-star hotel occupying a historic building that was once the headquarters of a major German bank, the Hotel de Rome stands in the heart of Berlin-Mitte on Bebelplatz, just off Unter den Linden and close to Museum Island, the State Opera House, the Berlin Dom and Alexanderplatz. Memorable features of this luxury hotel include the ballroom that was once the main cashiers hall of the bank and a swimming pool in the former jewel vault. The roof terrace is a great place for a drink with views across the city skyline. U-Bahn: Hausvogteiplatz Steigenberger Hotel am Kanzleramt features a state-of-the-art spa, sauna and a health club Moabit: Steigenberger Hotel am Kanzleramt Rating: Just a few steps from Berlins Hauptbahnhof (main train station), the Steigenberger is perfectly located for exploring attractions within walking distance include the Tiergarten park, Brandenburg Gate, Reichstag building and Hamburger Bahnhof contemporary art gallery. Spacious and comfortable rooms are complemented by an extensive spa and a restaurant and bar with excellent cocktails. S+U-Bahn: Berlin Hauptbahnhof Stay at the renowned Orania.Berlin Kreuzberg: Orania.Berlin Rating: Since the days when West Berlin attracted musicians and artists such as Nick Cave and David Bowie, Kreuzberg has been a cultural focal point, and it remains a buzzing neighbourhood. Oranienplatz at its heart is where youll find this award-winning luxury boutique hotel, which combines beautifully designed rooms with a cultural offering including concerts exclusively by musicians who live and work in Berlin. U-Bahn: Moritzplatz Friedrichshain: Michelberger Hotel Rating: Since reunification, Friedrichshain has been at the heart of Berlins music and nightlife scene. This is reflected in the unique mix of DIY punk aesthetic and stylish, comfortable design youll find at the Michelberger the place to stay for bands passing through town. The ground-floor restaurant is a popular meeting point for Berlins creative set, while nearby attractions include the East Side Gallery and the intriguing selection of bars, clubs, exhibition spaces and street food shacks of the RAW complex. S+U-Bahn: Warschauer Strae Hotel Oderberger is situated in the heart of a vibrant district Prenzlauer Berg: Hotel Oderberger Rating: Prenzlauer Berg is a slice of old Berlin, with leafy cobbled streets lined with 19th-century apartment blocks, most renovated in the past couple of decades. The history of the neighbourhood is reflected in the Oderberger, occupying a stunning former public swimming baths. Rooms range from comfortable doubles to expansive maisonettes and apartments, and the surrounding streets are packed with cafes, restaurants and independent stores. U-Bahn: Eberswalder Strae Relax and unwind in a hammock in your room at 25hours Hotel Bikini Berlin Charlottenburg: 25hours Hotel Bikini Berlin Rating: This Charlottenburg hotel is part of a group of design hotels that like to make a splash. Housed in a Modernist building overlooking Berlin Zoo, it certainly makes a statement, especially in its destination top-floor Monkey Bar and NENI restaurant. Charlottenburg is Berlins equivalent of Londons West End, packed with designer shops, classy restaurants and fantastic bars. Das Stue is the epitome of cosy contemporary chic Tiergarten: Das Stue Rating: Also close to the animals, but in the neighbouring Tiergarten district, is the extravagant design hotel Das Stue. The interiors of Das Stue have been created by celebrated designer Patricia Urquiola, both in the rooms and the social spaces, including the luxury spa and the Michelin-starred restaurant. Attractions close to Das Stue include the Gemaldegalerie, the Berliner Philharmonie and the Bauhaus Archiv, as well as of course the Berlin Zoo, where guests can make use of an exclusive entrance from the hotel into the grounds. Bus: Corneliusbrucke Did we mention Provocateur has a 24-hour bar... Wilmersdorf: Provocateur Rating: Wilmersdorf is a neighbourhood in the west end of Berlin, a place of elegant shopping and nightlife and where the roaring 1920s never really finished. This is certainly the case at the neighbourhoods best hotel, Provocateur, where the Jazz Age inspires all aspects of the design and service, from the glamorous decor to the Paris-meets-China dining in the restaurant and the cocktails in the bar. From Provocateur it is a short walk to the Kurfurstendamm, Berlins main shopping boulevard, and some of the citys best cocktail bars and restaurants. U-Bahn: Konstanzer Strae We've already presented some of the stunning early entries to the 2018 National Geographic Travel Photographer of the Year Contest in the Nature category Now we can reveal the incredible portraits and action shots of people from around the world that have been submitted in the People category. And they include an incredible look at locals and travelers in the likes of Cuba, Bangladesh, India, Portugal and beyond. Among the eye-opening snaps is a fascinating image of a tight-rope walker braving stormy seas in Portugal as he inches across a rope hung amid jagged rocks, an incredible picture of a packed train in Bangladesh as well as a stunning photo of Tibetan monks praying. There are three categories in the competition - Nature, People and Cities. One of the category winners will be named the overall grand-prize winner and receive $10,000, have his or her photo posted on the @NatGeoTravel Instagram account and earn the title of National Geographic Travel Photographer of the Year. The other two category winners will each be awarded $2,500. Contestants can visit the National Geographic website to submit their best photos in any or all of the three categories. Here we present 10 of the most impressive pictures in the People category. Advertisement I'd never felt so exhausted, I had a nagging headache and ice was steadily forming on the tip of my nose in the -20 degrees Celsius whipping wind. I started to think that accepting an invitation to the world's highest dinner party on Mount Everest might have been one of the silliest things I'd done but not one to give up easily, I continued slogging my way up the 1km-high ice wall in a bid to not let my expectant dinner host down. Former special forces officer Neil Laughton, a 54-year-old avid adventurer, first tried hosting the world's highest dinner party in 2015 but the Nepalese earthquake struck and the mission had to be aborted. Now he was back on the mountain with a new team, including myself, to have another bite at the cherry. MailOnline Travel's Sadie Whitelocks went on an expedition with former special forces officer Neil Laughton in a bid to smash the world record for the highest dinner party. Above, the team successfully dining at 7,050m on Mount Everest A view of Mount Everest from advanced base camp where the team stayed before climbing to the North Col In total there were eight of us taking part in the sky-high dinner, with one team member sadly forced to leave the table due to exhaustion mixed with altitude sickness. The meal was due to take place at 7,050m (23,129ft) on Everest's North Col, with us approaching the looming peak from the Tibetan side. I'd been put in touch with Laughton through a mutual friend, and after meeting him briefly for a coffee in London, I signed up to join him on his extreme dining quest, with the trip combining my love of socialising with extreme mountaineering. To secure my place on the expedition I'd raised funds through generous sponsors including Pandora Jewellery, Mr Fogg's cocktail bar in London and Metaxa. Virgin Active also helped with my fitness training schedule while outfitter Musto kitted me out with a spread of weatherproof gear. The world's highest dinner party took place in the morning to allow for better weather. Above from left to right, Sherpa Nima, expedition team member Jane Chynoweth, Sadie Whitelocks and team leader Neil Laughton The dinner party table was finished off with plastic flowers and candelabras. Above, the lamb tagine is served Like with most trips, the build-up seemed to fly by and suddenly I was there in Tibet fighting the elements and wondering what the hell I was doing. The journey to the North Col began with a drive through the wilds of Tibet before a week-long trek up into the heights of the Himalayas. The ice wall, which lies at 6,400 metres (21,000ft) in the shadow of the summit, was one of the hardest parts of the ascent. As I pulled myself up on a fixed rope it was so cold that I gave my fingers a quick squeeze to check they were still functioning. I also gave my toes a wiggle. It appeared everything was in working order, just a bit slow. Step by step, with my energy sapped by the lack of oxygen, I continued up the sheer cascade of snow and ice. Our expedition Sherpa Nima encouraged me to keep moving. By my side was the expedition doctor, Marcus Stevens, my friend Ralph Fearnhead - who'd signed up for the trip last minute - and London-based architect Jon Beswick. The other members of our group - Laughton, chartered surveyor Paul Anderson, and another friend of mine, Jane Chynoweth - were well ahead. 'Everest is all about suffering,' Laughton had exclaimed before we set out to the slopes of Everest from base camp, and I was feeling the truth of his words. The weather around Mount Everest (pictured is the summit) can change wildly throughout the day, with sunshine giving way to furious snow showers To get to the world's highest dinner party, Sadie and the team had to scale a 1km-high ice wall It took the dinner party team most of the day to navigate the frigid route by fixed rope and they had to be careful of gaping crevasses as they went After five hours of hauling myself steadily up ladders of ice and over crevasses, I finally reached the top of the frozen wall to the North Col of Everest. This would be our setting for dinner in a bid to break the world record. I shuffled slowly through the snow to my tent where I found my fellow camper Jane and flopped into my sleeping bag in a bid to get warm. Sherpa Nima and another member from his team delivered some hot tea and spicy pasta to further our thawing before settling in for the night. It was pretty hard sleeping on the North Col of Everest at 7,050m with frigid winds howling, snow crunching and low oxygen levels causing me to gasp every once in a while. After drifting in and out of consciousness for what felt like an eternity, light hit the walls of the tent and it was time to rise for dinner. One of the mountain Sherpas stood in as the chef. The food was prepared by two-Michelin star chef Sat Bains at his restaurant in Nottingham before being freeze-dried and flown to Tibet The dinner party team also sipped on a special cocktail created by Mr Fogg's bar in London , which contained Metaxa spiced butter tea cordial and yogurt powder The expedition team had a dress rehearsal dinner at Everest base camp where the weather was much sunnier Laughton decided to host our dinner in the morning with a 6:30am wake up as the weather is generally better in the mornings. In true British style we would dine in black tie. Jane and I - the only women in the group - grappled around in our tents to get into our dinner dresses. It was pretty tricky coaxing ourselves out of our warm sleeping bags into our flesh-baring ensembles but we sipped on hot tea to ease the pain. In the dim, snow-dappled light we managed to do our make-up using a tiny mirror and took a deep breath before stepping outside and making our way to the dinner table. It was a very surreal experience witnessing a white-clothed table sitting close to the peak of Everest. Laughton had insisted on the edition of a candelabra and yellow plastic lilies, which certainly lifted the mood. With us all gathered around the table, complete with chattering teeth, we settled in for our record breaking feast. The menu had been prepared by two-Michelin star chef Sat Bains. He went on the original expedition in 2015 but suffered from altitude sickness, so this time around he'd prepared the food at his kitchen in Nottingham before freeze-drying it and shipping it off. We'd had a dress rehearsal dinner at Everest Base Camp the week before our record attempt with a slightly larger group of people, who had since departed. The thought of tasting Bains' food again made me salivate and a Sherpa dressed as a chef suddenly appeared to dish the courses up. To start we had a dish of miso soup, followed by a lamb tagine and a delicious chocolate log-style pudding to finish. The world's highest dinner party expedition raised funds for mountaineering charity Community Action Nepal A view inside Sadie's tent, with a big warm sleeping bag being one of her essential items Something about the cold weather made all of the flavours stand out more and I went in for seconds. To wash everything down we sipped on Mumm champagne, but we had to be quick, as the sparkling liquid started freezing almost as soon as it was poured into our plastic flutes. We also had a brief glug of a special 'North Col' cocktail created by Mr Fogg's bar in London, which featured a heady blend of Metaxa, spiced butter tea cordial and yogurt powder. All freezing to the bone in -25 degrees Celsius and lacking in conversation, we mopped off our plates of food and wrapped up dinner. We'd smashed the world record and couldn't wait to start making our way back to base camp and to civilization. The thought of warm showers, balmier climates and WiFi were all too much of a temptation. There was a point on the expedition where I thought I'd bitten off more than I could chew. But thankfully, with some determination and support from my fellow team members I made it to the world's highest dinner party for what will be one of my most memorable meals for years to come. Ch-ch-cheers to that! The world's highest dinner party expedition raised funds for mountaineering charity Community Action Nepal. To donate further to the cause visit mydonate.bt.com Wear a hat with ear flaps to bed, shower with a saucepan and keep a hip flask handy! A girl's guide to surviving some of the most extreme camping conditions in the world Here are some of the key essentials Sadie packed to get her through the extreme mountain weather at over 20,000ft. When sleeping in temperatures below -20 degrees Celsius, one of things that helped stop my head from freezing was a sheepskin-lined hat from Seattle outfitter Filson, which handily has ear flaps and a string you can tie under your chin to prevent it from falling off in the middle of the night. Another handy gadget was my Petzl headtorch, which helped me to navigate the interior of the tent and try and sort some of the chaos by nightfall. Sadie, pictured with her camping companion Jane Chynoweth, said a hat with ear flaps helped to stop her head from freezing in the frigid Everest weather Sadie said a head torch helped her to navigate the interior of her tent and organise some of the chaos by nightfall But my ultimate camping companion was my Rab expedition sleeping bag, which I borrowed from an adventurous friend. The down-filled bag is designed for extreme mountain conditions and temperatures below -30 degrees Celsius. It costs over 800 - but I could see why. To keep extra toasty in the sleeping bag, I slept fully-dressed and I would also cuddle a bottle filled with hot water. This would generally stay heated until the morning and made a real difference to my quality of sleep. When things hit a real low, I dipped into my hip flask, which was filled with a delicious whisky. Despite the doctor's advice not to drink at altitude, the punchy concoction definitely helped warm the cockles! Out in the elements, top pieces of kit included a pair of 'hydrotech gloves' from outfitter Musto - which prevented my fingers from falling off in the cold - and the Levity 60 backpack from Osprey, which was light to carry and had lots of pockets to store various knickknacks. When it got really cold, Sadie said she sipped some whisky from her hip flask before going to sleep (left) while a pocket mirror was handy to check on her windburned face (right) Sadie said going to the toilet in the middle of the night was pretty treacherous - the loo was often housed in a ramshackle tent on the edge of a hill (pictured above) - so she generally resorted to peeing outside the tent by moonlight The tents often froze over in the night, with the exteriors coated in a layer of frost When it came to toilet antics, a stock of wet wipes from Boots were a life-saver, as was a squeeze tube of hand sanitizer. Going to the toilet in the middle of the night was pretty treacherous - the loo was often housed in a ramshackle tent on the edge of a hill - so I generally resorted to peeing outside the tent by moonlight. While we couldn't have showers at altitude, I turned to nagging the chefs for a saucepan of warm water. Dunking my head into the silver bowl, I managed to resurrect my steadily-dreadlocking hair a little! My small pocket mirror helped me to keep check on my peeling, windburned face, while my pocket tweezers were used for a further spot of mountain preening. Luckily the knife my father sent me before venturing off to chop my arm off should I have fallen into a crevasse didn't come into play. Only to dissect an apple. Advertisement TRAVEL FACTS Oman Air runs regular flights from London Heathrow to Kathmandu via Oman with prices starting from 477. To use lounge facilities during extended stopovers PriorityPass offers access. Flights from Kathmandu to Lhasa in Tibet are operated by Sichuan Air. The world's highest dinner party expedition was run in conjunction with Sherpa Khumbiyila Adventures, a Kathmandu-based, family-run business. The company runs private mountain-focused tours in Nepal and Tibet. Advertisement Beach holidays might be pegged as the ultimate kind of relaxation, but a new study has revealed how lying around doing nothing could do more harm than good. Xinran Lehto, a tourism expert from Purdue University in Indiana, investigated the top factors that contribute to a restorative vacation and found that 'variation' was key. 'Lying on the beach for many, many days is not the best way to recharge yourself,' she explained. 'After a while you get bored and anxious, then you start thinking about work and things at home you need to do. Thats not healthy for you.' Beach holidays might be pegged as the ultimate kind of relaxation, but a new study has revealed how lying around doing nothing could do more harm than good Lehto urges stressed holidaymakers to pick places with 'enough variation of interest and activities that have depth for you to be engaged with'. In her findings she reveals five factors that will contribute to a successful trip. Firstly, the tourism expert suggests that people should pick a place they are 'fascinated' by. She notes: 'Vacationers need to be readily and effortlessly absorbed by things they see and do at a destination. 'It is important for a travel destination to provide environments and activities that can pique your imagination and curiosity without requiring you to exert the mental energy associated with your everyday life.' Next up, Lehto says tourists should pick a place they feel 'compatible' with so they 'dont exert energy feeling anxious or having intensity of cognition'. Xinran Lehto, a tourism expert from Purdue University in Indiana, says holidaymakers should 'orient' themselves so they 'feel at ease' while on holiday. This could involve studying maps or following signs She says if people feel 'in harmony' with their surroundings they are more likely to feel recharged and refreshed. The fourth factor for relaxation, according to Lehto, is 'away-ness'. This could involve jetting to somewhere where the 'smell is unique' or the 'landscape is interesting' so you feel physically and mentally far away from the stresses of your everyday life. Finally, Lehto says holidaymakers should 'orient' themselves so they 'feel at ease'. This could involve using resort services and following signs so travellers can gain a sense of place and feel settled. Lehto said she launched her 2013 study in a bid to help people plan a peaceful holiday in an ever-more demanding work environment. One in three American employees are viewed as being chronically overworked, while half of the United States workforce receives fewer than 15 days off per year, according to the U.S. Families and Work Institute. The Block stars Sasha Wright-Neville and Julia Treuel have sold their 'dream home' renovation for a whopping $2.49million, it has been revealed. The series' first lesbian couple sold a stunning cottage in Melbourne's Elsternwick, which Domain reported has four bedrooms, three bathrooms and one car space. 9Honey also claimed the circa-1910 property sold for $2.485million in post-auction negotiations after it was passed in. Scroll down for video Cashing in! The Block's first lesbian couple Julia Treuel and Sasha Wright-Neville have sold their 'dream home' renovation for $2.49million The couple bought the home after appearing on The Block in 2016, and significantly renovated it. They upgraded the facade of the property, painting it completely white, and installed a grey tin roof. They also landscaped the property and completed the front yard with lush greenery. Post-show success: The couple bought the home after appearing on The Block in 2016, and significantly renovated it What a transformation! They upgraded the facade of the property, painting it completely white, and installed a grey tin roof. Pictured before renovations Luxury living: The inside of the house is completely modern, and features a white marble kitchen, skylights and hardwood floors The inside of the two-storey house is completely modern, and features a white marble kitchen, skylights and hardwood floors. In the dining room are floor-to-ceiling windows which look out onto a patio and small backyard. The main bedroom features a fireplace and small balcony, while one bathroom has an oversized bathtub and gold finishes throughout. Modern: In the dining room are floor-to-ceiling windows which look out onto a back patio Stunning: One bathroom has an oversized bathtub and gold finishes throughout Cosy: The main bedroom features a fireplace and small balcony Following their appearance on The Block in 2016, Sasha and Julia have made a lucrative career out of flipping properties. The pair had previously sold their first renovated home in Elsternwick to The Bachelor's Snezana Markoski and Sam Wood in 2015. Sam and Snezana bought the three-bedroom property for $1.4million. Sasha and Julia were The Block's second same-sex pairing after 'Gav and Waz' from the 2003 season. They're talented! Following their appearance on The Block in 2016, Sasha and Julia have made a lucrative career out of flipping properties Lush: The backyard has also been landscaped It's fashion's night of nights, attracting the world's biggest celebrities and Australia is being well represented. Ruby Rose and Naomi Watts have been busy getting ready for the Met Gala 2018, the annual Costume Institute Benefit at New York's Metropolitan Museum of Art. Pitch Perfect star Ruby, 32, posted a video of herself on Instagram holding up her event invite to conceal half her face to 'avoid any spoilers' as she got her hair dyed. Coming up roses: Pitch Perfect star Ruby, 32, posted a video of herself on Instagram holding up her event invite to conceal half her face to 'avoid any spoilers' as she got her hair dyed Meanwhile Twin Peaks actress Naomi, 49, has shared photos of her incredible Michael Kors gown. The event is being hosted by Anna Wintour, 68, and is being co-chaired by Donatella Versace, Rihanna and Amal Clooney. This year's theme is 'Heavenly Bodies: Fashion and the Catholic Imagination' and is sponsored by Versace. Curated by Andrew Bolton in partnership with the Vatican, the show marks the first time some papal vestments have been displayed outside of Vatican City. Golden age: Twin Peaks' Naomi, 49, has shared photos of her incredible Michael Kors gown Hugh Jackman, 49, and wife Deborra-lee Furness who stole the spotlight today as they headed to the event. Deborra-Lee, 62, wore an arresting Gothic-inspired ensemble, consisting of a black structured gown and cross choker. The actress and producer accessorised with matching gunmetal bracelets and earrings, and she carried a geometric clutch bag. Dark arts: Deborra-Lee Furness, 62, with Hugh Jackman, 49, wore a Gothic-inspired ensemble, consisting of a black structured gown and cross choker The Aussie star styled her blonde locks up into a casual updo and wore a natural makeup palette. Meanwhile, 49-year-old Hugh looked extremely dapper in a black slimline suit with red trim. The couple took a selfie inside their Big Apple home before heading to the main event. She's a royal known for her impressive style sense of late. And Princess Beatrice did not let the side down, looking stunning in a violet gown as she arrived at the Met Gala on Monday. Beatrice looked every inch the fairy princess in the full length gown, cinched in at the waist to show off her trim physique and adorned with crystals around the neck. Ethereal: Princess Beatrice did not let the side down, looking stunning in a violet gown as she arrived at the Met Gala on Monday The 29-year-old's gorgeous dress had overlays of mesh, and modern semi-sheer sleeves, finished with cuff detailing. She accessorised the look with a dainty black clutch bag, and donned metallic stiletto sandals. Ethereal Beatrice wore a nude lip, and chose to focus on her eye makeup for the night out in New York, selecting a headband to hold back her auburn tresses. Stunning: Beatrice looked every inch the fairy princess in the full length gown, sinched in at the waist to show off her trim physique and adorned with crystals around the neck Violet: The 29-year-old's gorgeous dress had overlays of mesh, and modern semi-sheer sleeves, finished with cuff detailing Party ready: She accessorised the look with a dainty black clutch bag, and donned metallic stiletto sandals Beatrice is currently working in the Big Apple as Vice President of Partnerships and Strategy at computer software company Afiniti. The royal also spends time over in LA, and was spotted enjoying a dinner date with a mystery man driving a Bentley in February. He was later revealed to be British business and fitness guru James Williams, who is originally from Walton on the Hill in Surrey. Glamorous: Ethereal Beatrice wore a nude lip, and chose to focus on her eye makeup for the night out in New York, selecting a headband to hold back her auburn tresses It is believed the pair enjoyed a meal at high end Italian Madeo, a restaurant in West Hollywood frequented by A-list celebrities, before leaving in a 100,000 blue Bentley. The exact relationship between Mr Williams and Beatrice is unknown but there is no suggestion it is romantic. Beatrice is expected to play a major role at younger sister Eugenie's wedding, which will take place at St George's Chapel in Windsor in October. 2017: Rei Kawakubo/Comme des Garcons Art of the In-Between Oh Ri Ri! Last year's exhibition focused on the work of designer Rei Kawakubo and her creations for her fashion house, Comme des Garcons, with Rihanna's ensemble acting as a showstopping tribute to the designer Theme: Last year's exhibition focused on the work of designer Rei Kawakubo and her creations for her fashion house, Comme des Garcons. Head curator at the Met, Andrew Bolton revealed why he chose to exhibit the work: 'Just look at the clothes. They speak for themselves' Dress code: The event called for 'avant-garde', leading to what Vogue described as a 'wonderfully dichotomous' red carpet display Most memorable ensemble: Rihanna's typically wild ensemble was a particular stand-out look, as she trod the famed stairs before the venue in a sculptural laser-cut jacquard piece from the Comme des Garcons autumn/winter 2016 collection - which eventually featured in the exhibit Missed the mark: Kendall Jenner's sizzling sheer La Perla number was met with a lukewarm response, alongside a host of other stars, as many were accused of missing the point of the tribute to the boundary-breaking designer Sheer delight: Kendall Jenner's sizzling sheer La Perla number was met with a luke warm response, alongside a host of other stars, as many were accused of missing the point of the tribute to the boundary-breaking designer 2016: Manus x Machina: Fashion In An Age Of Technology Nude ambition: The 2016 theme was described as a exploration of 'how fashion designers are reconciling the handmade and the machine-made in the creation of haute couture and avant-garde ready-to-wear' and saw Beyonce opt for sizzling Latex Theme: The 2016 theme was described as an exploration of 'how fashion designers are reconciling the handmade and the machine-made in the creation of haute couture and avant-garde ready-to-wear' Dress code: Branded 'the trickiest Met dress code ever', the evening simply called for stars to nod to 'technology' in their ensembles Most memorable ensemble: Beyonce took a break from her Formation World Tour to attend the Gala, where she stopped the world's press while sporting a nude latex gown from Givenchy by Riccardo Tisci. The event came in the midst of her 'Becky' drama, in which she hinted on her Lemonade album that husband Jay Z had cheated, and hot on the heels of the lyrics: 'I can wear her skin over mine. Her hair over mine. Her hands as gloves. Her teeth as confetti', many speculated the dress was supposed to signify 'Becky's' skin Missed the mark: When Gigi Hadid announced via Tommy Hilfiger's Snapchat that she had partly designed her gown, fans were excited - however she was panned for the lack of imagination in her dress as she stormed the red carpet with boyfriend Zayn Malik - who was lauded for his armour-inspired look Not so good... Gigi Hadid was panned for the lack of imagination in her dress as she stormed the red carpet with boyfriend Zayn Malik - who was lauded for his armour-inspired look 2015: China: Through the Looking Glass The dress to end all dresses: Rihanna made Met Gala history in 2015 at the exhibition which explored 'the impact of Chinese design on Western fashion' when she tore the famous stairs in the iconic vast yellow coat dress designed by Chinese designer Guo Pei Theme: The exhibition explored 'the impact of Chinese design on Western fashion over the centuries'. The stunning collection meant the exhibit drew record amount of visitors - knocking 2011's Savage Beauty off the top Dress code: The oriental theme saw many stars take on an array of extremely varied interpretations of the dress code Most memorable ensemble: Rihanna made Met Gala history in 2015, when she tore the famous stairs in the iconic yellow coat dress designed by Chinese designer Guo Pei. The moment she emerged on to the red carpet the fur-trimmed, intricately embroidered masterpiece became an Internet sensation - with memes, fan accounts and unbridled glee being born worldwide Missed the mark: Kris Jenner's bold ensemble was widely-panned, with the Eighties-inspired shoulder pads and huge waist belt meaning she was lost in the gown. Lucky magazine editor-in-chief Eva Chen said at the time: 'The fit of dress was not good on her. She just got lost in the dress a bit. The shoulder pads were kind of big and clunky and the dress just overwhelmed her' Not so much: Kris Jenner's bold ensemble was widely panned, with the Eighties-inspired shoulder pads and huge waist belt meaning she was lost in the gown 2014: Charles James: Beyond Fashion A vision: The 2014 gala was a nod to British fashion designer Charles James, who was widely known as America's First Couturier and Sarah Jessica Parker was widely considered to have stolen the show in her exquisite Oscar de la Renta gown Theme: The 2014 gala was a nod to British fashion designer Charles James, who was widely known as 'America's First Couturier'. The exhibition was the opening collection for the Anna Wintour Costume Center wing of the Met Dress code: Vogue described the year's theme as a homage to 'the technologically advanced couturier Charles James and white tie' Most memorable ensemble: The red carpet was indisputably stolen by Sarah Jessica Parker's Oscar de la Renta masterpiece, which saw the Sex And The City legend's famously petite frame exquisitely clad in a perfectly cut black bustier trimmed with acres of monochrome skirt and a checked train - with the gown rounded out with the late designer's signature drawn out in a delicate red scribble Missed the mark: Lena Dunham's Giambattista Valli Couture dress was deemed 'too cocktail' for an event as decadent the Met Gala. The mullet-hemmed dress appeared to clash with her smokey eye and choppy bob due to its frothy style contrasting against her cutting edge beauty regimen Far off the mark: Lena Dunham's Giambattista Valli Couture dress was deemed 'too cocktail' for an event as decadent the Met Gala 2013: Punk: Chaos to Couture Rock out! The wildly popular exhibit acted as a homage to the punk movement and illustrate how the era impacted on the fashion industry, with Sarah Jessica Parker's Philip Treacy mohawk being the perfect tribute to the time Theme: The wildly popular exhibit acted as a homage to the punk movement and illustrate how the era impacted on the fashion industry. The show featured pieces from punk pioneer Vivienne Westwood alongside Marc Jacobs and Alexander Wang. A stand-out piece featured was the legendary Gianni Versace safety-pin dress worn by Elizabeth Hurley in 1994 Dress code: The clue was in the name for the year's dress code - with some stars taking Punk too literally and others barely giving a nod to the look at all Most memorable ensemble: Again, Sarah Jessica Parker stole the crown when she trod the red carpet while rocking a mohawk hat designed by milliner Philip Treacy. Speaking of that particular night, she said: 'Me, literally sitting on the floor of the car in order to accommodate my Mohawk was pretty freaking amusing'. She perfected the look with her edgy Giles Deacon gown Missed the mark: While she stayed true to the theme, Madonna's 2013 Met Gala look was veering on the side of fancy dress as she dressed up in a choppy black wig, a blazer, no trousers, suspenders and staggering pink heels. The Givenchy Haute Couture by Riccardo Tisci look was extremely divisive yet in true Madonna-style - widely-discussed Katherine Langford is fast becoming a household name in the US thanks to her roles in 13 Reasons Why and Love, Simon. And the Perth-born actress certainly made a stunning arrival at Met Gala 2018 in New York City on Monday. The 22-year-old sported a plunging red Prada frock that featured a dramatic, pink bejewelled cape. Auditioning for Game of Thrones? 13 Reasons Why star Katherine Langford stunned in a plunging red frock with a bejewelled cape at the Met Gala 2018 in New York on Monday Katherine opted for a vibrant red dress with a V-neckline that showed off her delicate decolletage. Her fuchsia cape with intricate gold beading also featured a long train. A belt made of circular gold jewels cinched in at Katherine's slender waist, and complemented her gold drop earrings, bangles, rings, and head wear. The Netflix star styled her brunette hair in soft waves, and her makeup palette consisted of a porcelain complexion, defined brows, a soft smoky eye, lashings of mascara and a matte nude lip. Details: Circular gold jewels under the bust cinched in at her slender waist, and complemented her statement jewels Katherine coordinated her beauty look with her manicure, opting for a slick of gold metallic polish on her fingertips. She was one of many Hollywood stars on the red carpet at New York's Metropolitan Museum of Art for Met Gala 2018's 'heavenly' fashion extravaganza. Katherine's sighting comes just days before the second season of 13 Reasons Why will be available for streaming on Netflix. Beauty: Katherine's brunette locks were styled out in waves, and her makeup palette consisted of a porcelain complexion, defined brows, a soft smoky eye and a matte nude lip The mystery teen drama is set to continue on May 18, and will cover the aftermath of Katherine's character Hannah Baker's death, and the start of the characters' complicated journeys toward healing and recovery. Katherine told Vogue Australia in March that as a celebrity covering the sensitive topics of bullying and suicide in the series, she's become somewhat of a role model. 'Everybody's opinions are important, and I always maintain that it's important to have the discussion,' she told the publication. 'When the show came out, I decided to have a social media presence because I felt it was important to be there for people in case they needed help with anything related to Hannah or anything related to the show.' This Monday's Met Gala in New York celebrates an exhibition that includes pieces from the Sistine Chapel sacristy. And when Ariana Grande attended the annual event for the first time, her Vera Wang dress paid tribute to the chapel's magnificent artwork. The 24-year-old pop star's off-the-shoulder gown was splashed with a likeness of Michelangelo's Last Judgment, a fresco on the Sistine Chapel's altar wall. Scroll down for video Icon status: When Ariana Grande attended the annual event for the first time, her Vera Wang dress paid tribute to the Sistine Chapel's magnificent artwork Ariana gushed to E! about her dress, revealing its 16th century inspiration and saying: 'I just love it.' Noting that Monday was 'my first Met Gala,' she rhapsodized that she was 'honored to be here' and 'so excited.' Beneath the outer layer, which was adorned with the Michelangelo copy, Ariana's gown was a dull gold mesh that spilled back to form a train. The look: The 24-year-old pop star's off-the-shoulder gown was splashed with a likeness of Michelangelo's Last Judgment, a fresco on the Sistine Chapel's altar wall She wore a see-through bow in her hair, which was dyed white at the back and fell in a long ponytail. Ariana opted for simplicity in the jewelry department, popping on a dazzling pair of tiny hoop earrings for the event. While on the celebrity-crammed red carpet, Ariana mingled with none other than Vera herself, posing up a storm beside her for a photo. Hands at the waist: Ariana gushed to E! about her dress, revealing its 16th century inspiration and saying: 'I just love it' Always the hottest ticket in New York, this year the gala takes on a religious theme: Heavenly Bodies: Fashion and the Catholic Imagination. With a dress code of Sunday Best, the red carpet is bound to be memorable. The annual gala is always tied to an exhibit at the Costume Institute at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Rear view: Beneath the outer layer, which was adorned with the Michelangelo copy, Ariana's gown was a dull gold mesh that spilled back to form a train This year it will examine 'fashion's ongoing engagement with the devotional practices and traditions of Catholicism.' The exhibition combines works of fashion with works of religious art, including 50 ecclesiastical masterworks on loan from the Sistine Chapel sacristy at the Vatican. Those items, which will be on view in the Anna Wintour Costume Center galleries, include papal vestments and accessories, such as rings and tiaras, from the 18th to the early 21st century, the museum said. The items encompass more than 15 papacies. The lady herself: While on the celebrity-crammed red carpet, Ariana mingled with none other than Vera, posing up a storm beside her for a photo Concept: Always the hottest ticket in New York, this year the gala takes on a religious theme: Heavenly Bodies: Fashion and the Catholic Imagination 'Fashion and religion have long been intertwined, mutually inspiring and informing one another,' Andrew Bolton, head curator of the institute, said in a statement. 'Although this relationship has been complex and sometimes contested, it has produced some of the most inventive and innovative creations in the history of fashion.' The 150 fashion ensembles come from a slew of designers, including Cristobal Balenciaga, Coco Chanel, John Galliano, Karl Lagerfeld, Givenchy, Christian Lacroix, Thierry Mugler, Raf Simons, Thom Browne and Gianni and Donatella Versace, among many others. The exhibition, which will run May 10 through October 8, is a collaboration between the Costume Institute and the Department of Medieval Art and The Cloisters. Connections: The annual gala is always tied to an exhibit at the Costume Institute at the Metropolitan Museum of Art Bachelor In Paradise star Grant Kemp has made more extraordinary claims about Ali Oetjen 'cheating' on him during a trip to Los Angeles in March. The American firefighter, 29, told The Kyle and Jackie O Show on Tuesday that Ali had only been staying at his house for four days before she was allegedly unfaithful. 'I had left to go and find my friends. I came back inside and [a man] was going down on her on my stairs. So I kicked her out of my house that night,' he said on-air. Scroll down for video 'I ended up kicking her out of my house': Bachelor in Paradise's Grant Kemp makes more extraordinary claims about Ali Oetjen's 'infidelity' after she was announced as the new Bachelorette Explaining the 'incident', Grant claimed that he and Ali had returned to his home with several other friends after visiting a nightclub in LA. That night, at around 2:15am, he briefly left the house to greet other guests, as he lives in a gated community, and was gone for just 'five minutes'. He returned to the house with a friend, Sabrina, and claimed they both walked in on Ali receiving oral sex from a male house guest. 'Betrayal': The American firefighter, 29, told The Kyle and Jackie O Show on Tuesday that Ali had only been staying at his house for four days before she was allegedly unfaithful Grant said: 'Her plan was to get a job in LA and move in with me. What basically happened was, she was there for four days before this whole thing went down and I ended up kicking her out of my house.' Grant explained he was in love with Ali before her alleged infidelity and demanded that she pack her suitcases and leave. 'She went to a hotel and I guess she left the next night,' he added. According to Grant, Ali repeatedly messaged him that night and so he blocked her. 'She was like, "Please, please, I hate myself for this. I'm so sorry, I can't believe I did that. That's not me,"' he said. 'It's like, "Dude you did it, I don't care if you were drunk or not, that's no excuse."' Claims: Grant explained he was in love with Ali before her alleged infidelity and demanded that she pack her suitcases and leave Elsewhere in the interview, Grant said he'd noticed some 'red flags' about Ali before he supposedly caught her cheating. He explained he had not seen Ali drunk on Bachelor In Paradise because alcohol was moderated on set, and was surprised by her behaviour. Grant claimed that he wanted to speak out publicly because it had previously been reported that Ali broke up with him after he suggested a threesome. Setting the record straight? Grant claimed he wanted to speak out publicly because it had previously been reported that Ali broke up with him after he suggested a threesome He denied this was the case, however, telling KIIS FM that was the 'opposite' of what happened. 'I was getting attacked because of the articles that went out about the threesome offer and Ali running home scared. That's not what happened,' he said. Ali and Grant had decided to stay together at the end of Bachelor In Paradise. However, at the conclusion of the episode, it was revealed that the couple had split shortly after Ali flew to visit Grant in Los Angeles. The blonde reality TV star was then announced as Australia's new Bachelorette. Banking heiress Kate Rothschild, who had 500,000 worth of jewellery stolen from her London home last month, can rely on her former sister-in-law, Jemima Goldsmith, to cheer her up. Kate, 35, who has three children with Jemimas financier brother, Ben, was taken on a girls trip to Rome for the bank holiday. They were joined by stylist Martha Ward, who co-ordinated their fashion with floral garlands. Banking heiress Kate Rothschild, who had 500,000 worth of jewellery stolen from her London home last month, can rely on her former sister-in-law, Jemima Goldsmith, to cheer her up With my loves on a romantic jaunt to Rome, wrote film producer Jemima, 44, next to a snap she posted online. It comes after burglars scaled a back wall to get into Kate's bedroom at her 3.5million property in Barnes, south-west London. They fled with a large jewellery box containing all her valuables, including an antique diamond dragonfly brooch and wedding and engagement rings. The thieves took this stunning shaped single stone engagement ring in a platinum setting from her relationship with Ben Goldsmith This antique diamond and plique a jour enamel dragonfly brooch was also taken from the house This unique gold bracelet with heart charms was part of the 500,000 haul The 35-year-old returned from a night out with boyfriend, entrepreneur Paul Forkan to find that she could not get into her room. It emerged the burglars had locked the door from the inside and Mr Forkan had to climb through a bedroom window to get in and unlock it. They then found a pink jewellery box had been taken which contained the gems, including the rings from her former marriage. Kate said of her burglary: While Im really sad to have lost so many things that are precious to me, mostly Im just so grateful that nobody was hurt. Kate said of her burglary: While Im really sad to have lost so many things that are precious to me, mostly Im just so grateful that nobody was hurt Kate Moss welcomed back to U.S. Kate Moss made a surprise return to the U.S. this week after staying away for nearly a decade. Until now, the supermodel has reportedly struggled to get an American visa following pictures of her snorting cocaine that were published in 2005. Kates friends were thrilled when she touched down in New York, while her chum, hair dresser James Brown, shared this picture of her wearing a jacket reading: Make America Kate Again, mocking Donald Trumps presidential campaign slogan. The 44-year-old, who has swapped booze for green juice, was in New York for last nights Metropolitan Museum of Art Gala. Since the damning 2005 snaps, which earned her the insalubrious nickname Cocaine Kate, she has been to the U.S. only once also for the Met Gala, in 2009. Kates friends were thrilled when she touched down in New York, while her chum, hair dresser James Brown, shared this picture of her wearing a jacket reading: Make America Kate Again, mocking Donald Trumps presidential campaign slogan Amelia makes a splash Ever since she was crowned the most beautiful member of the Royal Family by Tatler magazine, Lady Amelia Windsor has been keen to maintain a high profile. This week, the Duke of Kents 22-year-old granddaughter has been letting her hair down on holiday in Capri, Italy. The University of Edinburgh student, who is 37th in line to the throne and signed to model agency, Storm, entertained fellow holidaymakers by playing lifeguard in a red bikini top and black bottoms. Later that night, she made another sartorial splash this time standing by a public fountain in plaid pyjamas and stylish Penelope Chilvers shoes. Ever since she was crowned the most beautiful member of the Royal Family by Tatler magazine, Lady Amelia Windsor has been keen to maintain a high profile Mary Beard may wear stylish Manolo Blahnik shoes, but she has an Achilles heel. Theres one thing that really annoys me, and thats when I see myself described as a television historian, she says. And I think: No, Im not a television historian. Im a professor of classics at the University of Cambridge who does some telly on the side. And that is quite different. The killing of Great Dane Rinka, Norman Scotts dog, on Exmoor, provided the grubby heart of the Jeremy Thorpe affair, now turned into a BBC drama, A Very English Scandal. The dog playing Rinka refused to play dead, admits Ben Whishaw, who stars as Scott, the Liberal Party leaders lover. We had three Rinkas in the end; Darcy, who lasted a morning, Manon and then Olive. Great Danes are very beautiful animals, but they dont like rain and they dont like doing the same thing twice. But who does? They've had a tumultuous time of late. But Colin Firth and his wife Livia Giuggioli, 48, looked relaxed and happy together as they arrived at the Met Gala. The 57-year-old Oscar-winning actor looked dapper in his tuxedo and statement glasses with his wife of 20 years at the event in New York City. Relaxed: Colin Firth and his wife Livia Giuggioli, 48, looked relaxed and happy together as they arrived at the Met Gala Livia looked stunning in a cream floor-length gown, tailored in a cape-like style with slits for her arms. She kept thinks simple with green jewellery on her ears and wrist adding a pop of colour, alongside her gold clutch bag. Colin and Livia's outing comes after prosecutors reportedly revealed they had enough evidence to go to trial with Livia's alleged stalker Brancaccia, and under Italian law the journalist could face up to five years in prison. After being charged with the crime, the Italian legal system states that a preliminary hearing will decide whether Brancaccia's case will proceed to full trial. Style: Livia looked stunning in a cream floor-length gown, tailored in a cape-like style with slits for her arms A preliminary hearing on Wednesday was meant to be held in Rome but has been postponed until July due to a lawyers strike. Prosecutor Maria Monteleone said: There was evidence of stalking against the victim in the form of messages and emails. She was very frightened and they were serious persecutory acts against her. She had to change her lifestyle because of the messages. 'She made her complaint in the prosecutors office in Rome and we recovered material from the defendants home. Livia had a secret romance with Brancaccia while she and husband Colin were temporarily separated, and later accused 55-year-old Brancaccia of a campaign of harassment when their one-year relationship ended in 2016. Kendall Jenner was branded the 'blandest person' at this year's Met Gala by Twitter users. The 22-year-old model stepped out on Monday in an all-white ensemble alongside Virgil Abloh, the new artistic director of Louis Vuitton's men's wear, but fans were not impressed. One user wrote: 'Kendall Jenner is really the blandest person ive ever known, this years theme is all about opulence and decadence and she rolls up in a white jumpsuit???? im telling yall shes the human version of the colour beige (sic)'. Scroll down for video Not impressed: Kendall Jenner was branded the 'blandest person' at this year's Met Gala by Twitter users Another user commented: 'Kendall Jenner came through in her finest Fashion Nova jumpsuit. Use code YAWN for 10% off #MetGala'. While one Twitter user bemoaned the unfairness of the world: 'Kendall Jenner has all that money yet she cant even follow one simple theme the wrong people always get to be rich'. While she caught flack for her tame and rather unimaginative take on the theme - opting for angelic without much flair - she still looked gorgeous as always. Catching heat! The 22-year-old model stepped out on Monday in an all-white ensemble alongside Virgil Abloh, the new artistic director of Louis Vuitton's men's wear, but fans were not impressed Thoughtful: Kendall stepped out on Monday in an all-white ensemble that blended the flowing with figure-hugging Model looks: She glowed under the lights wearing minimal jewelry outside of a set of dazzling earrings Carpet to carpet: There was an angelic air about Kendall's jumpsuit that flowed out at the ankles Sunday best: Kendall was on theme as she nailed her angelic look The future: She arrived with Virgil Abloh, the new artistic director of Louis Vuitton's men's wear, and possessed the look of a woman ready for the moment, opting for the sophisticated instead of the exposing Rihanna, Amal Clooney and Donatella Versace joined Vogue editor Anna Wintour in chairing this year's star-studded Met Gala. Always the hottest ticket in New York, this year the gala takes on a religious theme: Heavenly Bodies: Fashion and the Catholic Imagination. With a dress code of Sunday Best, the red carpet is bound to be memorable. Ascending: Her chest was wrapped in a light fabric that covered glamorous gossamer-like opera-length gloves The annual gala is always tied to an exhibit at the Costume Institute at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. This year it will examine 'fashion's ongoing engagement with the devotional practices and traditions of Catholicism.' The exhibition combines works of fashion with works of religious art, including 50 ecclesiastical masterworks on loan from the Sistine Chapel sacristy at the Vatican. Those items, which will be on view in the Anna Wintour Costume Center galleries, include papal vestments and accessories, such as rings and tiaras, from the 18th to the early 21st century, the museum said. The items encompass more than 15 papacies. Up, up, up: Donning white, open-toed heels, the young model made a statement with her jumpsuit radiating as a vision of strength 'Fashion and religion have long been intertwined, mutually inspiring and informing one another,' Andrew Bolton, head curator of the institute, said in a statement. 'Although this relationship has been complex and sometimes contested, it has produced some of the most inventive and innovative creations in the history of fashion.' The 150 fashion ensembles come from a slew of designers, including Cristobal Balenciaga, Coco Chanel, John Galliano, Karl Lagerfeld, Givenchy, Christian Lacroix, Thierry Mugler, Raf Simons, Thom Browne and Gianni and Donatella Versace, among many others. The exhibition, which will run May 10 through October 8, is a collaboration between the Costume Institute and the Department of Medieval Art and The Cloisters. Smart and easy: Her dark tresses were parted in the middle and pulled into a simple ponytail that fell freely down her back Madonna has drawn notoriety throughout her career for her irreverent use of Catholic imagery in her songs and music videos. So this year's Catholic-themed Met Gala in New York City was the perfect opportunity for the 59-year-old pop icon, who wore John Paul Gaultier. Gothic-chic Madge decked herself out in a black netted veil, popping on a massive crown decorated with rows and rows of jeweled crosses. Scroll down for video Tailor-made: This year's Catholic-themed Met Gala in New York was the perfect opportunity for 59-year-old pop icon Madonna, who has often been irreverent with Catholic imagery She threw on a tangle of necklaces dripping with cross charms, tying her iconic blonde hair into pigtails that dangled under her veil. Madonna, whose Christian name is Madonna Louise Ciccone, caked her face in makeup and pulled a massive black gown over her trim frame. Two rectangular blocks of sheer fabric - which together formed yet another cross - ran across the front of Madonna's torso. The twice-divorced mother of six, whom Page Six reported that day would give a performance at the Met Ball, held a bunch of what looked like fake black roses. Gothic-chic Madge decked herself out in a black netted veil, popping on a massive crown decorated with rows and rows of jeweled crosses Tightly-wound: She threw on a tangle of necklaces dripping with cross charms, tying her iconic blonde hair into pigtails that dangled under her veil Jean Paul Gaultier famously designed Madonna's cone-bra, so his work on her new Met Gala ensemble is something of a reunion. Madonna uploaded a close-up Instagram selfie from inside the gala, captioning: 'I am Here to Serve #catholicimagination #metgala #Jpgaultier #blessed'. This year's Met Gala concept is Heavenly Bodies: Fashion and the Catholic Imagination, and the attendant exhibit in the Met's Anna Wintour Costume Center features 50 loaned items from the Sistine Chapel sacristy, among other treasures. Camera ready: Madonna, whose Christian name is Madonna Louise Ciccone, caked her face in makeup and pulled a massive black gown over her trim frame More modern fashion items - including from Donatella and Gianni Versace, Karl Lagerfeld, Cristobal Balenciaga, Coco Chanel and John Galliano - will also be displayed at the museum. Madonna has had her share of Vatican-related controversies, including when Pope John Paul II exhorted Italian Catholics to avoid her shows in Italy after she dedicated a performance of her song Papa Don't Preach to him in 1987. Her 1989 Like A Prayer music video - in which she gives herself stigmata and smooches a saint, and in which the Ku Klux Klan burn a cross - also drew fury. Flowery: The twice-divorced mother of six, who according to Page Six will give a performance at the Met Ball, held a bunch of what looked like fake black roses Making a splash: Madonna has drawn notoriety throughout her career for her irreverent use of Catholic imagery in her songs and music videos The scandal included a condemnation from the apoplectic Vatican, and Pope John Paul II pushed for another boycott. Religious groups - the Vatican among them - aimed their wrath at Pepsi as well, calling for a boycott of the company, for which Madonna had recently done an ad. Pepsi ultimately pulled the commercial, which first aired during The Cosby Show to an estimated audience of 250 million across 40 countries. Fittingly, Madonna sang Like A Prayer at Monday night's Met Ball - as Jimmy Fallon revealed in an Instagram video he posted from the event. Glam in Gaultier: Madonna uploaded a close-up Instagram selfie from inside the gala, captioning: 'I am Here to Serve #catholicimagination #metgala #Jpgaultier #blessed' 'Under The Veil': For her next selfie, she had lifted the netting from her face Madge could be seen in silhouette at the top of the Grand Staircase, amid rows of singers dressed as hooded monks. Her unmistakable voice rang out singing the smash hit single's opening lines: 'Life is a mystery. / Everyone must stand alone.' Ralph Lauren's son David posted a closer-up Instagram video in which the backup performers sang in Latin to the tune of Like A Prayer's first four lines. 'Madonna!!': Fittingly, Madonna sang Like A Prayer at Monday night's Met Ball - as Jimmy Fallon revealed in an Instagram video he posted from the event 'Life is a mystery': Madge could be seen in silhouette at the top of the Grand Staircase, amid rows of singers dressed as hooded monks Madonna was wrapped up in the same brown robes as the rest of them - but had taken her hood off, revealing her hair was still in its pigtails. In a video montage of the performance that Vogue posted to their site, she could also be seen singing a bit of Leonard Cohen's Hallelujah. Vogue, whose editor-in-chief Anna Wintour has chaired the Met Gala since 1995, reported Madge was 'rising above guests' at one point during the show. Choir: Ralph Lauren's son David posted a closer-up Instagram video in which the backup performers sang in Latin to the tune of Like A Prayer's first four lines 'When you call my name': Madonna was wrapped up in the same brown robes as the rest of them - but had taken her hood off, revealing her hair was still in its pigtails She announced last month that she was 'deep into her second trimester'. And Claire Danes took care to flatter her blossoming baby bump as she made a stylish arrival at the Met Gala in New York on Monday, Straying away from the most-popular shades of gold and white, the 39-year-old instead opted for a pop of color in a mid-century inspired gown. Scroll down for video Nothing to see here! After announcing last month that she was expecting her second child, Claire Danes concealed her baby bump and added a pop of color to her Met Gala look on Monday Claire sported a refreshing full length gown for the evening. The straight dress featured a tiny key-hole cutout before flowing into statement red from the chest down. The back of the Homeland star's gown was rust and featured a slight train. Comfort: The straight dress featured a tiny key-hole cutout before flowing into statement red from the chest down Bright! Straying away from the popular shades of gold and white, the 39-year-old instead opted for a pop of color While Claire's bump remained concealed, she ensured all eyes were on her unique accessories. Carrying a triangular green rope clutch, the beauty also donned a hard to miss necklace and matching earrings. She was also seen with a luminous complexion, which she prepped ahead of the event with ReVive skincare, getting her skin ready with the brand's Renewal Eye Cream and Face Cream. With her naturally glowing face set to go, she completed the look with a subtle red lip. Baby on the way! Last month, the stunner revealed on Howard Stern's SiriusXM radio show that she was expecting her second child Claire's signature blonde locks were styled back off of her face. Last month, the stunner revealed on Howard Stern's SiriusXM radio show that she was expecting her second child. 'I'm seriously preggo,' she announced adding that she was 'deep into her second trimester' - meaning she's at least five months pregnant. Expanding her brood: 'I'm seriously preggo,' she announced adding that she was 'deep into her second trimester' - meaning she's at least five months pregnant Proud mom: Claire is married to actor Hugh Dancy and is mother to five-year-old son Cyrus Claire declined to disclose the gender of the new addition. After meeting her husband Hugh Dancy on the set of Evening in 2006, the pair announced their engagement in February 2009 and tied-the-knot that same year in a secret ceremony in France. They welcomed their first-born Cyrus into the world in 2012. Glowing: Claire's outing came as she remains mum on the gender of her second child Doing well: Fans recently saw the star back on-screen CIA agent Carrie Mathison in the thriller series Homeland, which concluded its seventh season last month Can still party hard: The Emmy-winning actress was joined by a male companion for the evening The celebs were out in force for the Met Gala in New York City on Sunday. Salma Hayek put her cleavage on display in a glimmering busty Altuzarra dress covered in images of a sunlit woodland scene. The 51-year-old posed up a storm on the red carpet, standing beside her Kering CEO husband Francois-Henri Pinault. Scroll down for video Hands at the hips: Salma Hayek put her cleavage on display in a glimmering busty Altuzzara dress covered in images of a sunlit woodland scene Splashed with shades of blue, white, green, yellow and orange, the dress shows birds, a deer and other wild animals traipsing through a forest. Her dress, which was made by French designer Joseph Altuzarra's brand, looked perfectly suited to the star. Salma wore her curly black hair down, accessorizing with a pair of drop earrings and a dazzlingly ornate bracelet at her left wrist. Keeping her man close: The 51-year-old posed up a storm on the red carpet, standing beside her Kering CEO husband Francois-Henri Pinault Her classic beauty look was created by makeup artist Matthew VanLeeuwen, who used products by Charlotte Tilbury to give the stunning actress the perfect fresh-faced appearance for the red carpet. Focusing on a natural, wide-eyed look, Matthew used the brand's Pretty Youth Glow Filter in Pretty Fresh and the Bigger Brighter Eyes in Transform-Eyes. Her peach pink lip came courtesy of the Charlotte Tilbury Hot Lips in Hot Emily. And Salma was obviously thrilled with her final look; while at the star-studded gala, she leaned in for a selfie with Gigi Hadid, whose outfit appeared to be inspired by stained glass. Always the hottest ticket in New York, this year the gala takes on a religious theme: Heavenly Bodies: Fashion and the Catholic Imagination. The annual gala is always tied to an exhibit at the Costume Institute at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Natural theme: Splashed with shades of blue, white, green, yellow and orange, the dress shows birds, a deer and other wild animals traipsing through a forest This year it will examine 'fashion's ongoing engagement with the devotional practices and traditions of Catholicism.' The exhibition combines works of fashion with works of religious art, including 50 ecclesiastical masterworks on loan from the Sistine Chapel sacristy at the Vatican. Those items, which will be on view in the Anna Wintour Costume Center galleries, include papal vestments and accessories, such as rings and tiaras, from the 18th to the early 21st century, the museum said. The items encompass more than 15 papacies. Over the shoulder: Salma wore her curly black hair down, accessorizing with a pair of drop earrings and a dazzlingly ornate bracelet at her left wrist 'Fashion and religion have long been intertwined, mutually inspiring and informing one another,' Andrew Bolton, head curator of the institute, said in a statement. 'Although this relationship has been complex and sometimes contested, it has produced some of the most inventive and innovative creations in the history of fashion.' The 150 fashion ensembles come from a slew of designers, including Cristobal Balenciaga, Coco Chanel, John Galliano, Karl Lagerfeld, Givenchy, Christian Lacroix, Thierry Mugler, Raf Simons, Thom Browne and Gianni and Donatella Versace, among many others. The exhibition, which will run May 10 through October 8, is a collaboration between the Costume Institute and the Department of Medieval Art and The Cloisters. Duo: While at the star-studded gala, Salma leaned in for a selfie with Gigi Hadid, whose outfit appeared to be inspired by stained glass Concept: Always the hottest ticket in New York, this year the gala takes on a religious theme: Heavenly Bodies: Fashion and the Catholic Imagination They've continued to fuel months of relationship speculation. And Hailey Baldwin and Shawn Mendes, 19, kept rumor mill churning by attending the Met Gala together. Both representing Tommy Hilfiger, the 21-year-old model was seen looking angelic while bringing the drama with her new pink hair. Scroll down for video New couple? Hailey Baldwin debuted her new pink hair as she attended the Met Gala with her rumored beau Shawn Mendes Hailey flaunted her ample cleavage in the strapless chiffon gown. With additions on her arm, the dress was complete with a high slit and train. Adding to her already 5'7" statuesque height, she was seen in silver platform heels. Sent from heaven: Hailey looked angelic on Monday night in her Tommy Hilfiger gown Stylish: Both Hailey and beau Shawn were representing the Tommy Hilfiger fashion brand Busting out: Hailey flaunted her ample cleavage in the strapless chiffon gown And Hailey didn't just debut a new relationship, but a new pink hair-do as well. Speaking to Cosmopolitan on Monday, colorist Ryan Pearl told the publication that her hair team including Kardashian hairstylist Jen Atkin thought the pastel pink hue would perfectly complement her look and skin tone. 'I first did a highlight on her to brighten up her blonde and then went in with a mixture of a Redken City Beats for a pink with a splash of peach finish,' he disclosed. New Hailey! Speaking to Cosmopolitan on Monday, colorist Ryan Peal told the publication that her hair team including Kardashian hairstylist Jen Atkin thought the pastel pink hue would perfectly complement her look and skin tone Glam: The niece of actor Alec Baldwin kept her glam simple with a similar rose colored eyelid and well-defined cheekbones First time: While it was Hailey's fourth consecutive Met Gala, Shawn made his debut on Monday night Hailey's hair was completed with a flower crown. The niece of actor Alec Baldwin kept her glam simple with a similar rose colored eyelid and well-defined cheekbones. And while it was Hailey's fourth consecutive Met Gala, Shawn made his debut on Monday night. Suits him! Also dressed in Tommy Hilfiger, the 19-year-old YouTube discovered sensation looked sharp in a burgundy colored suit Beauty: Hailey's hair was completed with a flower crown Getting the party started! Leaving their hotel together, the pair hopped into the party bus featuring former Victoria's Secret model Joan Smalls and made their way to the Vogue hosted event Also dressed in Tommy Hilfiger, the 19-year-old YouTube discovered sensation looked sharp in a burgundy colored suit. Leaving their hotel together, the pair hopped into the party bus featuring former Victoria's Secret model Joan Smalls and made their way to the Vogue hosted event. The couple of the hour managed to find time to pose next to stars Ariana Grande and Troye Sivan as well as designer Tommy Hilfiger and his wife Dee. Star studded line up! The couple of the hour managed to find time to pose next to stars Ariana Grande (second from left) and Troye Sivan (far left) Fashion family: The couple were also seen photographed with Tommy Hilfiger (left) and his wife Dee The fashion night of nights comes one month after Hailey and Shawn sent fans into a frenzy following the pair sharing photos of each other on social media. Speculation of their romance was first ignited after they were spotted holding hands and getting close at a 2017 Halloween party. The young couple were also seen cuddling in Shawn's hometown of Toronto over the holidays late last year. Scarlett Johannson commanded attention during Monday night's Met Gala in NYC. The 33-year-old beauty showcased her flawless physique in an red ombre gown as she fully embraced the theme Heavenly Bodies: Fashion & The Catholic Imagination. And the Avengers: Infinity Wars star flaunted her recently dyed brunette locks as she wrapped arms around her beau Colin Jost - who confirmed their relationship on the most recent episode of his show Saturday Night Live. Scroll down for video Stunning: Scarlett Johannson commanded attention during Monday night's Met Gala in NYC Daring to impress, the scintillating actress sported an ethereal gown that showcased her ample assets with it's plunging neckline. Her toned and tanned arms were thrust on center stage as the couture number featured a sleeveless design. The fabric that faded from a deep red on top to a light pink at her feet belied the enviable figure underneath. Throwing caution to the wind, the diminutive darling went virtually makeup free with a only slight smokey eye and thick red lip. Ethereal: Daring to impress, the scintillating actress sported an ethereal gown that showcased her ample assets with it's plunging neckline Change up: Her trademark blonde tresses were dyed a lovely shade of brown which she debuted at the Avengers premiere recently; (pictured right in November) Her trademark blonde tresses were dyed a lovely shade of brown which she debuted at the Avengers premiere recently. Colin cut a dapper figure in a classic black suit as he slicked his hair back to look every inch the matinee idol. The couple were first rumored to be dating in May 2017 when they were spotted making out at an SNL after party. Dapper: Colin cut a dapper figure in a classic black suit as he slicked his hair back to look every inch the matinee idol Fabric magic: The fabric that faded from a deep red on top to a light pink at her feet belied the enviable figure underneath Months later, they confirmed the romance as they attended the American Museum of Natural History Gala in New York. And for the first time on television, Colin revealed that he's in a relationship during his Weekend Update on SNL. When Leslie Jones accused Colin of not dating her because he's gay, the host laughed and said: 'I'm not gay, I told you I have a girlfriend.' Scarlett was previously married to French journalist Romain Dauriac, with whom she shares daughter Rose, three. Prior to that, she was married to Ryan Reynolds from 2008 to 2011. Toned: Her toned and tanned arms were thrust on center stage as the couture number featured a sleeveless design Westworld stunner Evan Rachel Wood opted to wear head-to-toe Altuzarra for her third time at the Costume Institute Gala at Manhattan's Metropolitan Museum of Art on Monday. It took designer Joseph Altuzarra 'a little over a month' to hand-embroider the 30-year-old Golden Globe nominee's custom gilded cape from a thousand feathers. The half-Chinese 35-year-old was inspired by the iconography of angels in Catholic art and sculpture while honoring the Heavenly Bodies: Fashion & The Catholic Imagination theme. Scroll down for video Head-to-toe Altuzarra: Westworld stunner Evan Rachel Wood attended her third Costume Institute Gala at Manhattan's Metropolitan Museum of Art on Monday 'Wings are sort of a big symbol in my life,' the North Carolina-born blonde told W Magazine on Monday. 'I sing about them, I always talk about them, and whenever I'm in moments of fear or doubt, I imagine myself with wings, so it was weird that that's what he gravitated towards without us even talking about it.' Evan - who relies on stylist Samantha McMillen - finished off her Met Gala ensemble with Altuzarra's black jumpsuit and 'Kiss' bag. TRESemme celebrity stylist, John D coiffed Wood's sleek, center-parted bun, adding a golden crescent-shaped clip from Epona Valley around the back of the head to add an ethereal quality to the overall look. 'The concept for Evans hair came from the design of the outfit itself,' John D explained. 'Evan wore a gold cape made of individually hand beaded feathers. The cape cascaded down her back and had a slight train that split to reveal the shape of wings. It took designer Joseph Altuzarra 'a little over a month' to hand-embroider the 30-year-old Golden Globe nominee's custom gilded cape from a thousand feathers Muse: The half-Chinese 35-year-old (L) was inspired by the iconography of angels in Catholic art while honoring the Heavenly Bodies: Fashion & The Catholic Imagination theme The North Carolina-born blonde told W Magazine on Monday: 'Wings are sort of a big symbol in my life. I sing about them, I always talk about them, and whenever I'm in moments of fear or doubt, I imagine myself with wings' Caped crusader: Evan - who relies on stylist Samantha McMillen - finished off her Met Gala ensemble with Altuzarra's black jumpsuit and 'Kiss' bag 'Time to get ready!' Hairstylist John D coiffed Wood's sleek, center-parted bun featuring a golden fascinator and make-up artist Toby Fleischman applied neutral, subdued shades on her alabaster complexion 'I knew from the get-go that I wanted her hair to look chic, smoothed and pulled back My trick today for added smoothness was to spray the TRESemme Compressed Micro-Mist Hair Spray onto the tail of my comb and run the tail of the comb over the sides of the hair this keeps from any snags or lines that may arise when using a brush or teeth of the comb.' Meanwhile, make-up artist Toby Fleischman applied neutral, subdued shades on her alabaster complexion. '[I can't wait] to see what craziness is going down in the girls bathroom in the Met,' the divorced mother-of-one dished. 'To me, that's like an art installation piece in it's own. It's the only place you can see - I don't even know if I can say what goes on in there. But it does seem to grow every year.' The Drunk History funnywoman added: 'You kind of have to do [the after-parties]. There's a few nights out of the year where I'll really allow myself to go that extra mile, and this is one of them. It's like, "I'm here, everyone's here, we gotta see this through the end."' The divorced mother-of-one dished: '[I can't wait] to see what craziness is going down in the girls bathroom in the Met. To me, that's like an art installation piece in it's own. It's the only place you can see - I don't even know if I can say what goes on in there. But it does seem to grow every year' The Drunk History funnywoman added: 'You kind of have to do [the after- parties]. There's a few nights out of the year where I'll really allow myself to go that extra mile, and this is one of them. It's like, "I'm here, everyone's here, we gotta see this through the end."' Once inside 'fashion prom,' Evan was so desperate to reach Black-ish actress Tracee Ellis Ross she tweeted at her instead, writing: 'Trying to dm you. It wont go thru!' 'I want to give her the biggest hug!' Aside from the 45-year-old Golden Globe winner (L), Wood also 'can't wait to see' fellow bisexual songstress Janelle Monae (R) at the star-studded soiree Once inside 'fashion prom,' Evan was so desperate to reach Black-ish actress Tracee Ellis Ross she tweeted at her instead, writing: 'Trying to dm you. It wont go thru!' Aside from the 45-year-old Golden Globe winner, Wood also 'can't wait to see' fellow bisexual songstress Janelle Monae at the star-studded soiree. 'I want to give her the biggest hug and just tell her that she's killing it,' the homeschooled millennial gushed. Airing Sundays! Evan currently stars as the oldest host Dolores Abernathy in the 10-episode second season of HBO's sci-fi western Westworld 'She's a friend of mine and I haven't seen her since all of her new songs have been coming out and the videos, and I've just been dying over them in a corner.' The True Blood alum - who has a four-year-old son with ex-husband Jamie Bell - has been single since splitting with her fiance and Rebel And A Basketcase bandmate Zach Villa in August after a seven-month romance. Evan currently stars as the oldest host Dolores Abernathy in the 10-episode second season of sci-fi western Westworld, which airs Sundays on HBO. She once admitted that she had a celebrity crush on both Bella and Gigi Hadid. So Ruby Rose was no doubt delighted to be reunited with her two gal pals at the Met Gala in New York City on Monday night. Letting their hair down at the star-studded soiree, Ruby posted an Instagram story showing both her and Bella trying to FaceTime the Victoria's Secret supermodel's equally famous sister. Scroll down for video Hello beautiful! Bella Hadid FaceTimes older sister Gigi with Ruby Rose as they girls let their hair down at the Met Gala '@gigihadid Where rrrrr u,' Ruby captioned the footage '@gigihadid Where rrrrr u,' she captioned the footage. Actress and DJ Ruby is known for her edgy and androgynous style, and earlier in the day walked the red carpet at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in a suitably eccentric ensemble. The 32-year-old showed off her slender physique in a pleated high-low hemline frock that was teamed with a velvet sash belt. Posing for the cameras, The Orange Is The New Black star lifted up her pleated skirt to offer a glimpse of her trim pins. Rockin' red: Actress and DJ Ruby is known for her edgy and androgynous style, and earlier in the day walked the red carpet at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in a suitably eccentric ensemble The dress' sleeveless design revealed Ruby's collection of arm tattoos. The backless halter-neck frock hugged at her svelte waist and showed off plenty of skin as she arrived at the event. Ensuring all attention was on her statement gown, Ruby kept her jewellery to a minimum. Decorated: The dress' sleeveless design revealed Ruby's collection of arm tattoos But Ruby's most notable accessory - a Christian cross hanging from a small gold chain attached to her eyebrow piercing - was certainly eye-catching. Earlier in the day, Ruby posted a video of herself on Instagram holding up her event invite to conceal half her face to 'avoid any spoilers' as she got her hair dyed. This year's Met Gala was being hosted by Anna Wintour, 68, and co-chaired by Donatella Versace, Rihanna and Amal Clooney. Kendall Jenner was determined to get a good photo at Monday night's Met Gala in NYC. The 22-year-old model was spotted shoving an assistant out of the way on the red carpet at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. And fashion fans were quick to notice as one Twitter used wrote: 'Who does kendall think she is? Did y'all see her push that security guy out of the way!?? #MetGala.' Scroll down for video Determined: Kendall Jenner was determined to get a good photograph at Monday night's Met Gala in NYC 'Kendall Jenner shows up to the #MetGala in the most bland toilet paper outfit and had the nerve to push one of the handlers out of the way who was just doing his job on the carpet #rude,' wrote another eye-witness. And one audience member posted: 'Just watched Kendall Jenner push a PA on the livestream I'm watching, but her outfit is toilet paper chic and I'm okay with it.' Even though Kendall strong-armed her way to get the perfect shot, fans were not impressed with what she was wearing, going so far to call her the 'blandest person' at the yearly fashion event. One user wrote: 'Kendall Jenner is really the blandest person ive ever known, this years theme is all about opulence and decadence and she rolls up in a white jumpsuit???? im telling yall shes the human version of the colour beige (sic)'. No stopping: The 22-year-old model was spotted shoving an assistant out of the way on the red carpet at the the Metropolitan Museum of Art Called out: And fashion fans were quick to notice as one Twitter used wrote: 'Who does kendall think she is? Did y'all see her push that security guy out of the way!?? #MetGala.' Some space please: And one audience member posted: 'Just watched Kendall Jenner push a PA on the livestream I'm watching, but her outfit is toilet paper chic and I'm okay with it.' Rude: One Twitter commenter called the reality star rude for pushing the assistant Another user commented: 'Kendall Jenner came through in her finest Fashion Nova jumpsuit. Use code YAWN for 10% off #MetGala'. While one Twitter user bemoaned the unfairness of the world: 'Kendall Jenner has all that money yet she cant even follow one simple theme the wrong people always get to be rich'. While she caught flack for her tame and rather unimaginative take on the theme - opting for angelic without much flair - she still looked gorgeous as always. Not impressed: Kendall was branded the 'blandest person' at this year's Met Gala by Twitter Catching heat! The 22-year-old model stepped out on Monday in an all-white ensemble alongside Virgil Abloh, the new artistic director of Louis Vuitton's men's wear, but fans were not impressed Model looks: She glowed under the lights wearing minimal jewelry outside of a set of dazzling earrings Carpet to carpet: There was an angelic air about Kendall's jumpsuit that flowed out at the ankles Sunday best: Kendall was on theme as she nailed her angelic look The future: She arrived with Virgil Abloh, the new artistic director of Louis Vuitton's men's wear, and possessed the look of a woman ready for the moment, opting for the sophisticated instead of the exposing Rihanna, Amal Clooney and Donatella Versace joined Vogue editor Anna Wintour in chairing this year's star-studded Met Gala. Always the hottest ticket in New York, this year the gala takes on a religious theme: Heavenly Bodies: Fashion and the Catholic Imagination. With a dress code of Sunday Best, the red carpet is bound to be memorable. Ascending: Her chest was wrapped in a light fabric that covered glamorous gossamer-like opera-length gloves The annual gala is always tied to an exhibit at the Costume Institute at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. This year it will examine 'fashion's ongoing engagement with the devotional practices and traditions of Catholicism.' The exhibition combines works of fashion with works of religious art, including 50 ecclesiastical masterworks on loan from the Sistine Chapel sacristy at the Vatican. Those items, which will be on view in the Anna Wintour Costume Center galleries, include papal vestments and accessories, such as rings and tiaras, from the 18th to the early 21st century, the museum said. The items encompass more than 15 papacies. Up, up, up: Donning white, open-toed heels, the young model made a statement with her jumpsuit radiating as a vision of strength Smart and easy: Her dark tresses were parted in the middle and pulled into a simple ponytail that fell freely down her back Power: The white bottoms hugged her thighs showing off her svelte figure and combined power with femininity. 'Fashion and religion have long been intertwined, mutually inspiring and informing one another,' Andrew Bolton, head curator of the institute, said in a statement. 'Although this relationship has been complex and sometimes contested, it has produced some of the most inventive and innovative creations in the history of fashion.' The 150 fashion ensembles come from a slew of designers, including Cristobal Balenciaga, Coco Chanel, John Galliano, Karl Lagerfeld, Givenchy, Christian Lacroix, Thierry Mugler, Raf Simons, Thom Browne and Gianni and Donatella Versace, among many others. The exhibition, which will run May 10 through October 8, is a collaboration between the Costume Institute and the Department of Medieval Art and The Cloisters. It's party time! Kendall turned heads in a sky blue printed minidress as she headed to the Up & Down Met Gala after party later in the evening They've taken up permanent residence in the States thanks to his role hosting The Late Late Show. And James Corden and his wife Julia were naturally attending the Met Gala in style on Monday night, putting on a loved-up display on the red carpet. The British TV host and his partner opted for classic ensembles, giving a subtle nod to to the Heavenly Bodies: Fashion & The Catholic Imagination theme at the annual Costume Institute Gala at The Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York. Dynamic duo: James Corden and his wife Julia were naturally attending the Met Gala in style on Monday night, putting on a loved-up display on the red carpet Julia - who gave birth to the couple's third child in December - wowed in a glamorous white dress with a feathered bodice and a floor-skimming train. The elegant attire showed off her incredible post-baby body thanks to its strapless cut, set off by a chic updo. The Late Late Show presenter was smartly clad in a dapper suit, proudly posing with his arm around Julia's waist. Vision in white: Julia - who gave birth to the couple's third child in December - wowed in a glamorous white dress with a feathered bodice Thumbs up! The TV star was in high spirits as he graced the red carpet Meanwhile, James recently spoke about his delight at his return to acting on a break from his 'ridiculous' job as a US chat show host. The star, who first found fame on Horne and Corden and Gavin & Stacey, has been hosting The Late Late Show with James Corden since 2015. But he said he was excited to flex his acting muscles again to voice the title character in the new live action Peter Rabbit film. TV hosts unite: The Late Late Show presenter was smartly clad in a dapper suit, joking around with Jimmy Fallon Fancy seeing you here: Scooter Braun also got into the spirit of things, posing with James He said: 'Up until I sort of started this, lets be honest, ridiculous job that Im doing now, Ive always just acted in things. 'So for me its a wonderful way to still work with directors and be in that world of acting. 'Even though youre in a booth somewhere youre still engaging as a character somehow and working with a director and thats the stuff that I really miss, so any chance 'I get just to dip my toes in that water I just jump towards, because its creatively something I need.' James said he had also been excited to share it with his young children, Max, six, Carey, three and baby Charlotte. EastEnders' Mick Carter will be left fearing for his life on Tuesday after he is attacked in the Queen Vic by a masked figure. Mick, played by Danny Dyer, will be grabbed by the balaclava-clad attacker as he is working alone in the pub, leaving fans guessing as to who the culprit might be. Following the attack, Mick will be left fearing that the villainous Aidan Maguire has made a return to the Square, while Kim Fox-Hubbard wonders if it has anything to do with the surprise disappearance of her husband Vincent. Dramatic: EastEnders Mick Carter (Danny Dyer) will be attacked by a masked figure in scenes set to air on Tuesday night, leaving the landlord fearing villain Aidan Maguire has returned In scenes set to air on Tuesday night (8th May) Mel Owen (Tamzin Outhwaite) will be on edge when an unidentified black car appears on the Square. To make matters worse the mainstay will discover her teenage son Hunter (Charlie Winters) failed to arrive for school, fearing that gangster Aidan (Patrick Bergin) has returned to enact his revenge. Fans will remember that after an explosive showdown, Mick, Vincent and Phil Mitchell (Steve McFadden) threatened further action if Aidan did not leave the Square, leading the Irishman to flee in a fog of fury. Worried: Mel Owen (Tamzin Outhwaite) will worry for her son Hunter's (Charlie Winters) well being after an unidentified black car appears on the Square In a desperate bid to rescue her son, fans will see Mel make a surprise call to her ex-husband Ray, hoping to track him down before it is too late. Meanwhile Kim (Tameka Empson) will wonder if the mystery car has anything to do with husband Vincent's (Richard Blackwood) surprise exit from the Square last month. Fans know that Vincent's disappearance ended on a dramatic cliffhanger, violently bundled into a car by men that many viewers presumed had been hired by Aidan. Scary: Both Mel and Mick will fear that gangster Aidan is back following the attack, after he fled the Square in a fog of fury Terrifying: Meanwhile Kim Fox-Hubbard (Tameka Empson) will wonder if the mystery car has anything to do with husband Vincent's (Richard Blackwood) disappearance Hoping to track down her husband once and for all, Kim will make a surprise phone call, but who will it be? Later Mick will be working alone in the Queen Vic when he goes to investigate a noise in the barrel store, and is immediately jumped by a masked man who tries to push him to the ground. Fans will have to wait and see whether this attack is connected to the mystery car, and whether Aidan really has returned with a vengeance. EastEnders continues on Tuesday 8th May at 7:30pm on BBC One. She's endured a tough time due to her battle with cocaine addiction over the years. And Danniella Westbrook, 44, discussed her troubles on Good Morning Britain on Tuesday, where she revealed she has lost her cheekbones to osteoporosis. She denied that her face is collapsing and said she isn't homeless or bankrupt, as has been previously reported. Scroll down for video Revealing all: Danniella Westbrook told Good Morning Britain on Tuesday she's lost her CHEEKBONES due to osteoporosis... but denied cocaine use is responsible However, Danniella did admit that has been battling health issues, claiming that bad dental work and not cocaine use is responsible for her changing looks. She said: 'Cocaine hasnt given me osteoporosis. it was because of bad dental work,not cocaine. After 13 yrs clean, cocaine wouldnt have given me it. 'It was bad dental work. I still have screws in there. Basically, the bone didnt close around it which left the blood getting into the bones and gave me septicaemia.' She said: 'Cocaine hasnt given me osteoporosis. it was because of bad dental work,not cocaine. After 13 yrs clean, cocaine wouldnt have given me it' She continued: 'It was bad dental work. I still have screws in there. Basically, the bone didnt close around it which left the blood getting into the bones and gave me septicaemia' Ups and downs: Danniella has made no secret of her personal battles in the past - pictured in 1992 Danniella added: 'They wanted to take skull to mend it, but they are using my rib now. 'On this side, I have no cheekbones because of osteo. It's nothing to do with cocaine. I would openly say it if it did.' Danniella has previously admitted to a cocaine relapse during her 13 years of being clean. Danniella has previously admitted to a cocaine relapse during her 13 years of being clean She said of her left cheek: 'On this side, I have no cheekbones because of osteo. It's nothing to do with cocaine. I would openly say it if it did' In 2017, she revealed that she had reverted to drug use after her split from toyboy George Arnold, the year before. She told Now magazine at the time: ' 'I was taking nowhere near what I was doing before, but it was enough. It could have killed me. I didn't want to live, I hated myself.' Nice cuppa: Danniella said she is feeling as though she is in a good place She said: 'If my life was written as a TV soap, it would win every award. You couldnt make it up' Danniella admitted that her life since has been something of a rollercoaster ride. She said: 'If my life was written as a TV soap, it would win every award. You couldnt make it up.' But she said she is feeling as though she is in a good place. She said: 'I am together actually. Im very together , its the people around me that make stuff up. No truth to it at all. I have a back catalogue of people writing about me. 'Sometimes I wake up and think I can't do this anymore, but not in a suicidal way. Most people dont take this rubbish in a year alone.' She continued: 'Ive got a nice life in Spain, Im writing books, I have a nice life, unless people see me on a reality show, they think Im not working, but I am. 'It wears me out. I dont want to be in a relationship because of all this drama.' Positive vibes: Danniella added: 'Ive got a nice life in Spain, Im writing books, I have a nice life, unless people see me on a reality show, they think Im not working, but I am' Putting her best foot forward: She looked content wearing a mini shirt dress Lindy Klim took to Instagram stories on Monday night, to share a clip of her five-month-old daughter Goldie going on her first motorbike ride in Bali. In a now-deleted video, the Balinese princess sat behind the toddler while Lindy's partner Adam Ellis drove the motorbike. The 40-year-old said that riding motorcycles is simply a 'way of life' on the Indonesian island - where she currently lives. 'Way of life': Lindy Klim took her five-month-old daughter Goldie on her first motorbike ride in Bali on Monday 'Just because something is foreign to you, isn't for others,' Lindy told Yahoo Be. 'Do they [critics] also want to tell the millions of Indonesians that do it everyday that they are wrong?' The mother-of-four added: 'All of my children have been on bikes, motorbikes, planes and trains. I want them to live life, not live in fear of living.' Precious moments: Lindy paid tribute to Goldie by sharing a sweet snap of the toddler with her grandmother Lindy, who is the niece of the King of Denpasar, shared a sweet tribute to her little girl via her Instagram Stories on Tuesday. 'Goldie and grandma... five months old today,' she gushed. The youngster is Lindy's first child with her British fiance Adam. What's in a name? Lindy said she can't wait to take her fiance Adam Ellis' (L) surname after splitting from ex-husband Michael Klim (R) back in 2016 after 10 years of marriage Lindy also shares three children - Stella, 12, six-year-old Frankie and nine-year-old Rocco - with ex-husband Olympic swimmer Michael Klim. The fashion designer recently admitted that she can't wait to take her property developer beau's surname during an interview with The Daily Telegraph. 'I would love to get rid of Klim, I really hate having that as a last name but for my children at the moment, that is what it is,' Lindy told Sydney Confidential last week. She added: 'My kids all want me to keep the name Klim and it has been a big issue with them and they have been concerned about it. '(But) they understand that once I marry Adam it will change.' Proud mother: The Balinese princess welcomed her fourth child, Goldie, last December but she shares three children with ex-husband Michael Klim - Stella, 12, Rocco, nine, and six-year-old Frankie Tesla billionaire Elon Musk arrived at the 2018 Met Gala with his new musician girlfriend Grimes moments after his ex, actress Amber Heard, walked the red carpet in an awkward turn of events. Rumours emerged after the SpaceX CEO praised Grimes on Twitter following the release of the music video for Venus Fly, featuring Janelle Monae, which she directed. But who is Grimes? Grimes attends the Heavenly Bodies: Fashion & The Catholic Imagination Costume Institute Gala at The Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City Who is Grimes? After being born Claire Elise Boucher on March 17, 1988 in Vancouver, British Columbia, she relocated to Montreal to attend McGill University, but left before completing her studies. According to MySpace, Grimes began her music career in 2007 and chose her performer name because the social media platform only allowed a user to list three musical genres. She selected grime three times, despite not knowing what grime was. Canadian singer and 4x nominee Grimes walks the carpet at the 2017 iHeartRadio Much Music Video Awards in Toronto in June 2017 Grimes music career Claire Bouchers debut album Geidi Primes, inspired by the science fiction franchise Dune, was released on cassette tape in 2010. In the same year, Grimes released her second album, entitled Halfaxa and she began touring in other parts of Canada. After collaborating with electronic musician dEon and releasing five songs on a split 12 single, she opened for Lykke Li and her debut album was re-released on CD and vinyl. In 2012, she was signed to the record label 4AD and what is considered her breakout album, Visions won the Electronic Album of the Year Award. Grimes was also nominated for Breakthrough Artist of the Year at the Junos and won Artist of the Year at the 2013 Webbys. Claire Boucher, also known as Grimes seen here performing during the Pemberton Music and Arts Festival in 2014 in Pemberton, British Columbia Oblivion, a single from the album was critically acclaimed and Grimes revealed in interviews that she went through an intensive recording session of nine days without food, sleep or company. In 2013, she posted a statement on Tumblr that detailed her experience as a female musician in a sexist industry and revealed that she was disappointed that she was perceived as anti-male. By the end of the year, she was being managed by Jay Zs Roc Nation and she premiered her new track Go, originally written for Rihanna. Following her collaboration with Bleachers for the HBO show Girls, she toured with Lana Del Rey before announcing her new album, Art Angels. Art Angels was named best album of the year by the likes of NME, Exclaim! and Stereogum, peaking at number one on the Billboard US Top Alternative Album Chart. Grimes also released the lead single Flesh Without Blood and produced a two act music video featuring the track and Life in the Vivid Dream. She also released the song Medieval Warfare as part of the Suicide Squad soundtrack and worked with Hana on The Ac!d Reign Chronicles, a series of music videos. In 2017, Grimes premiered the music video of Venus Fly on Tidal, starring herself and Janelle Monae and she won Best Dance Video for the work at the Much Music Video Awards. A year later, despite rumours of a new album, Grimes took to Instagram to state that well no music any times soon after all music industry is trash. Grimes was thought to have clashed with her label 4AD, but it has not been confirmed her new album will be released on the label. She will release a single about her relationship with Elon Musk in June 2018. Elon Musk and Grimes debuted on the Met Gala 2018 red carpet after a report earlier in the day proclaiming that they are officially dating When did Elon Musk and Grimes start dating? Grimes and Elon Musks relationship was confirmed when they arrived at the 2018 Met Gala together. An early indication of their affection for one another was revealed when the Tesla billionaire tweeted about her video for Venus Fly, calling it the Best music video art Ive seen in a while. After Musks divorce from Talulah Riley, Elon started dating actress Amber Heard, after her own divorce from Johnny Depp in 2016. Elon and Amber split in February 2018 and the SpaceX CEO is thought to have bonded with Grimes over a joke about artificial intelligence on Twitter. Elon Musk and Amber Heard looking happy together at an event in Australia in April 2017 in a picture shared by the actress on her Instagram account According to New York Posts Page Six column, Musk planned to tweet a joke about dealing about the complications of AI but discovered that Grimes had already thought of it three years earlier. The thought experiment Rokos Basilisk focuses on the hypothesis of a future where AI control the world and are able to punish those who did not help it into existence. Elons joke was to merge this experiment with a pun referring to the French 18th century baroque style Rococo, pointing out that both concepts are complex yet ridiculous. However in 2015, Grimes created her character named Rococo Basilisk for her video for Flesh Without Blood. A source revealed: Elon was researching the idea of joking about Rococo Basilisk, and when he saw Grimes had already joked about it, he reached out to her. Grimes said this was the first time in three years that anyone understood the joke. They were both poking fun at AI. Elon also publicly approved of her Spotify playlist Go Flex & Psycho and she responded with: Glad ur finally listening to cyberpunk speedwae hahaha. Alongside this, a week before the Met Gala, Musk tweeted a video created from long-exposure photos of a comet, to which Grimes said 'thats a lot of cocaine,' and he responded, Yeah, most people dont know this, but comets [are] mostly made of cocaine. Musk also hinted at his Met Gala date on the day of the event by tweeting Rococo basilisk, and a link to the Rococo Wikipedia page. Grimes turned up on the Met Gala red carpet wearing a choker reminiscent of the Tesla logo. Emma Stone and Justin Theroux both attended the same Met Gala 2018 afterparty on Monday night, just days after THAT friendly sushi date. Actress Emma, 29, had a smile on her face as she headed out of the Up Town Club, separately to newly-single Justin, 46, before sharing a car together, along with fellow star Shailene Woodley. Emma looked incredible in her long navy dress, complete with sexy thigh-high split, while Justin opted for an all-black ensemble. Something to smile about: Emma Stone (left) was pictured leaving the Met Gala afterparty at Up And Down on Monday night alongside her friend Justin Theroux (right) Hide and seek: The pair shared the same car along with Shailene Woodley, who could be seen in the back seat Her friendship with Justin's has blossomed since working together on new Netflix show, Maniac. And on their sushi meet-up, the actors were spotted laughing up a storm before heading into Blue Ribbon Sushi in the Soho area of Lower Manhattan. Also starring Jonah Hill and Sonoya Mizuno, the original series is written by Patrick Somerville and based on a Norwegian dark-comedy of the same name. Buddies: Justin and Emma seemed to be in great spirits on their way to a friendly sushi dinner in New York last week Incredible: Emma looked immaculate as she left the bash wearing her exquisite Louis Vuitton number, complete with a very sexy thigh split Emma was most recently spotted enjoying a date night with Saturday Night Live writer Dave McCary late last year, while Justin notoriously split from his wife of three years, Jennifer Aniston, in February. However, there is nothing to suggest the pair are anything more than friends and Emma's current relationship status is unknown. The La La Land star is something of a muse for Louis Vuitton Creative Director Nicolas Ghesquiere. Close: Emma's friendship with Justin's has blossomed since working together on new Netflix show, Maniac Va va voom: Her glossy locks were just about visible as she shared the car with Justin Living it up: No doubt a fun night was had at the party which followed the annual fashion party So it was only fitting that the French designer be the one to dress her for the star-studded 2018 Met Gala held Monday night in New York. Emma looked gorgeous in a plunging navy gown with long sleeves and gold detailing as she walked the red carpet a. The form-fitting design was slashed to the waist and decorated with gold tassels, buttons and a chain belt at the waist. All change: Justin split from his wife of three years, Jennifer Aniston, in February - but there is nothing to suggest he and Emma are anything more than just good friends On or off? Emma was most recently spotted enjoying a date night with Saturday Night Live writer Dave McCary late last year and it's not known if they are still together The gown had a military feel to it with embroidered designs on the cuffs. The formal look was softened by the side slits in the skirt and the Oscar-winning actress carried a gold and silver box purse. Emma took Nicolas as her date for the night, where the theme was Heavenly Bodies: Fashion and the Catholic Imagination. She wore her red-blonde hair in a wavy do styled to one side and added dark red lip color and rosy blush. French design: Emma looked gorgeous in a plunging navy gown with long sleeves and gold detailing by Louis Vuitton at the Met Gala on Monday night in New York Gorgeous: The form-fitting design was slashed to the waist and decorated with gold tassels, buttons and a chain belt at the waist Shining star: The gown had a military feel to it with embroidered designs on the cuffs and the Oscar-winning actress, 29, carried a gold and silver box purse His muse: Emma's date for the night was Louis Vuitton Creative Director Nicolas Ghesquiere who designed the dress for her Meanwhile, her former flame Andrew Garfield also attended the bash posing solo for photos. The British actor, 34, wore a Tom Ford red tuxedo jacket with a white shirt with black buttons and a black bow tie paired with skinny black trousers. Emma and Andrew met on the set of The amazing Spider-man in 2010 and dated until 2015, although neither of them ever spoke publicly about their relationship. It's the most coveted night in the style calendar with fashion fans around the world keeping their sartorial eye on all the red carpet moments. And while many haven taken to social media to share their fashion envy, other Twitter fans have reacted hilariously to Monday night's Met Gala in New York by sharing a multitude of rib-tickling memes and commentary about the night's biggest fashion misses and hits. Comedic fans ribbed usual Gala goers Beyonce and Lady Gaga's no show and playfully referred to them as the 'Holy Ghost' at the event, which followed the theme Heavenly Bodies: Fashion & The Catholic Imagination at this year's Costume Institute Gala at The Metropolitan Museum of Art. Having fun: Comedic fans ribbed usual Gala goers Beyonce and Lady Gaga's lack of attendance and playfully referred to them as the 'Holy Ghost' at the event, which followed the theme Heavenly Bodies: Fashion & The Catholic Imagination at this year's Costume Institute Gala at The Metropolitan Museum of Art Social media users couldn't help but poke fun at the musical superstars lack of attendance by posting pictures of photographers taking photos of an empty red carpet, as other commentators shared memes of Kim Kardashian and Viola Davis' upset. Meanwhile, fans took it in their stride to joke about Rihanna's papal-inspired look for the soiree with a steady stream of laugh out loud memes. One user put a collage together of the Bajan beauty, who donned Maison Margiela by John Galliano, and former Pope Benedict XVI and captioned the shot: 'When you have a meeting with The Pope at five, then the Met Gala red carpet at six'. Teasing: Meanwhile other fans took it in their stride to joke about Rihanna's papal-inspired look for the soiree Hilarious: And many couldn't help but poke fun at the musical superstars usual attendance by posting pictures of photographers taking photos of an empty red carpet, other commentators shared memes of Kim Kardashian and Viola Davis' upset over their lack of attendance Taking the theme seriously: Meanwhile Rihanna was mocked for her Papal-inspired look In another tweet, a commentator posted a side by side of Rihanna and the current Pope Francis holding his papal ferula which teasingly read: 'These spot the difference games are getting harder'. Another mocked her for dressing like the Pope, sharing: 'BREAKING: It's being reported that the Pope has stepped down his role to make way for Rihanna. "She's just too iconic" he said'. However Rihanna wasn't the only celebrity to fall victim to memes being created about their outfits, with the social media site being flooded with 'spot the difference tweets'. Having fun: A plethora of 'spot the difference' memes emerged on Twitter A plethora of memes emerged on Twitter, with Selena Gomez teased about her heavily bronzed tan likening it to Ross from Friends spray tan mishap as well as a peach and Spongebob Squarepants. Kendall Jenner's off-the-shoulder white jumpsuit being compared to a toilet roll while sister Kylie and her beau Travis Scott where jeered for looking like characters from the Matrix. Oscar nominee Shailene Woodley's Ralph Lauren look also was targeted with side-spitting memes likening her to Star Trek's Spock and the Wizard of Oz's Tin Man. Teasing: However Rihanna wasn't the only celebrity to fall victim to memes being created about their outfits, with the social media site being flooded with 'spot the difference tweets' Also Zendaya's metallic chain metal dress drew similarities to Shrek's Lord Farquaad. Princess Eugenie, who donned a purple gown, was compared to Lady Marian from Robin Hood. Also Selena Gomez was teased about her heavily bronzed tan likening it to Ross from Friends spray tan mishap as well as a peach and Spongebob Squarepants. Feather duster comparisons: While Kris Jenner, 62, set Twitter alight with her gothic black dress, with fans comparing the look to a feather duster as they joked she was 'cleaning up the mess Kanye West made on social media' following his bizarre tirade Similarities: However, the full body skirt and gold embellished bust led to people comparing the dress to an ostrich feather duster Kris' mostly black outfit featured an elaborate gold, black, orange and red patterned turtleneck, with a similar motif round her waist and cuffs. Below the waist, the dress was covered in a black feathery fluff and fell to the floor, and the ensemble featured sheer-sleeves. However, the full body skirt and gold embellished bust led to people comparing the dress to an ostrich feather duster. Dynamic duo: She was joined by her dashing 30-something beau Corey Gamble Posting snaps alongside a wooden-dowel handled duster, one wrote: 'When you gotta clean up the mess that Kanye has been making in the media,' while another typed: 'Kris Jenner is making these spot the differences really hard'. Another added: 'Kris Jenner looking like the temple's holiest feather duster', in reference to the Heavenly Bodies: Fashion and the Catholic Imagination theme. The reference to Kanye comes after the rapper launched into a lenghty Twitter tirade last week in which he boasted about his brand Yeezy and hinted he wanted to run for president. Gorgeous: Kris' mostly black outfit featured an elaborate gold, black, orange and red patterned turtleneck, with a similar motif round her waist and cuffs Kanye wrote: 'You don't have to agree with trump but the mob can't make me not love him. We are both dragon energy. He is my brother. I love everyone. I don't agree with everything anyone does. That's what makes us individuals. And we have the right to independent thought.' Kim apparently lambasted Kanye, as the rapper later tweeted: 'my wife just called me and she wanted me to make this clear to everyone. 'I don't agree with everything Trump does. I don't agree 100% with anyone but myself.' Hitting back: Kim recently took to Twitter to defend Kanye comes after the rapper launched into a lengthy Twitter tirade last week in which he hinted he wanted to run for presiden Annoyed: However, tensions between the couple spilled over onto social media on Tuesday after he shared pictures of the couple's family home MAGA: Kanye had once again voiced his support for the POTUS which seemingly led to Kim defending him on social media Kim went on to defend Kanye's rant in a series of tweets which began: 'To the media trying to demonize my husband let me just say this... your commentary on Kanye being erratic & his tweets being disturbing is actually scary. So quick to label him as having mental health issues for just being himself when he has always been expressive is not fair.' She was upset about the previous stories published in regard to Kanye's mental health being called into question. The reality star continued: 'Hes a free thinker, is that not allowed in America? Because some of his ideas differ from yours you have to throw in the mental health card? Thats just not fair. Hes actually out of the sunken place when hes being himself which is very expressive.' Poking fun: Kim Kardashian was also teased over her gold dress, with one Twitter user comparing it to a golden Chalice, while her sister Kendall was mocked for looking like a toilet roll This year it will examine 'fashion's ongoing engagement with the devotional practices and traditions of Catholicism.' The exhibition combines works of fashion with works of religious art, including 50 ecclesiastical masterworks on loan from the Sistine Chapel sacristy at the Vatican. Those items, which will be on view in the Anna Wintour Costume Center galleries, include papal vestments and accessories, such as rings and tiaras, from the 18th to the early 21st century, the museum said. The items encompass more than 15 papacies. Dynamic duo: Kris did quite a bit of posing alongside Katy Perry, who accessorized a gold Versace chain-link dress with a massive pair of feathery wings Rihanna Pope Rihanna: The star was the undoubted showstopper of the entire event What she wore: Rihanna was the undoubted showstopper of the entire event. Bound to cause controversy, the Umbrella singer's marred both sex appeal and a papal theme when she tore the famous stairs in a Maison Margiela by John Galliano embellished ensemble Religious nod: From the neck down, the 30-year-old was sporting her usual brand of red carpet glamour, yet her choice of headwear was where she gave her nod to the style evening's theme. Her hat was a fashion take on a Mitre, a hat known as the traditional head-dress of bishops and abbots in Christianity. Coordinating the gown with the hat, meant she was the stand-out star with her papal nod Opinions: Naturally, Twitter was swarmed with reaction to the controversial ensemble, with many Rihanna fans launching to her defence yet one fan penned: 'Theres so much deeper to go in fashion and iconography than jewel encrusted pope Im sorry' Inspired: Her hat was a fashion take on a Mitre, a hat known as the traditional head-dress of bishops and abbots in Christianity (Pictured: Pope Benedict XVI in 2005) Katy Perry Golden girl: Katy Perry opted for out-and-out fancy dress feel as she sported vast feathered angel wings on the red carpet What she wore: Katy Perry opted for an out-and-out fancy dress feel as she sported vast feathered angel wings on the red carpet. Her gold Versace chainmail mini-dress and thigh-high boots were the perfect complement to her six foot tall angel wings Religious nod: The I Kissed A Girl hitmaker's look was more of a wide interpretation of the theme as opposed to fellow celebrities, who focused on distinctive imagery or iconography of Catholicism, as she merely dressed as a general idea of an angel Opinion: While some were slammed for disrespect, Katy was more the victim of mirth as she mocked on Twitter for the garish display, although many fans jumped to her defence with one user writing: 'i personally liked katy perrys attire on met gala, yall making fun of her as if you look better if youre the one wearing it shut up' Angelic: One of the features in the exhibition (pictured) was the inspiration for Katy's sensational ensemble Sarah Jessica Parker Sacred follower: This year, her showstopper was a metallic three-quarter-length-sleeve D&G gown with sacred hearts and a vast headpiece What she wore: As ever, Sarah Jessica Parker was a staunch devotee to the theme of the show, following her epic Philip Treacy mohawk at 2013's Punk: Chaos to Couture and her Oscar de la Renta masterpiece at 2014: Charles James: Beyond Fashion night. This year, her showstopper was a metallic three-quarter-length-sleeve D&G gown with sacred hearts and a vast headpiece Religious nod: In perhaps the most blatant nod to religious iconography, the Sex And The City legend's headdress featured an intricate Neapolitan Nativity scene within the staggering gold confines of the fascinator. Speaking on the ensemble, she said: 'I am inspired by the themes. One can only do your best. This was particularly enjoyable because Dolce & Gabbana theyre devoted observant Catholics and so theyve grown up with the church and imagery' Opinion: Thanks to her annual respect of the theme, Sarah was branded 'The Queen Of The Met Gala', with fans taking to Twitter to pen: 'OMG SARAH JESSICA PARKER WE DONT DESERVE YOU #metgala... Never forget, Sarah Jessica Parker is the ORIGINAL queen of following the theme. #MetGala' A tribute: In perhaps the most blatant nod to religious iconography, the Sex And The City legend's headdress featured an intricate Neapolitan Nativity scene Ariana Grande Sensational: Ariana Grande's volumunious gown was intricately adorned with the image of Michelangelos Last Judgement from the Sistine Chapel What she wore: Ariana Grande's volumunious gown was intricately adorned with the image of Michelangelos Last Judgement from the Sistine Chapel. Speaking ahead of the event, she said: 'It is in the Sistine Chapel back wall by Michaelangelo. It is The Last Judgement. This is the painting I am wearing. I am so excited about my dress. I just love it! I am honored to be here. It is my first Met so I am really excited' Religious nod: The Vera Wang gown was a non-subtle homage to the controversial theme as the dress depicted the iconic High Renaissance image painted on the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel ceiling, painted between 1508 and 1512, with the image displaying nine scenes from the Book of Genesis, with The Creation of Adam the best known Opinion: Her first Met Gala went down a storm as fans insisted she 'slayed' her look while storming the red carpet in her amazing look A vision: The Vera Wang gown was a non-subtle homage to the controversial theme as the dress depicted the iconic High Renaissance image painted on the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel ceiling Jared Leto Divine intervention: Jared Leto quite literally arrived at the event, dressed as Jesus. Utilising his long locks and heavy beard to create the costume, which was designed entirely by Gucci What he wore: Jared Leto quite literally arrived at the event, dressed as Jesus. Utilising his long locks and heavy beard to create the costume, which was designed entirely by Gucci Religious nod: While some stars on the red carpet hid the meaning behind their ensembles with subtle inspiration, Jared's look was teetering on the edge of fancy dress as he donned a crown and intricately embroidered scarf Opinion: Jared was praised for his look as many fans said he 'should dress as Jesus every day', while others claimed due to his usual beard and hairstyle, his dress as Jesus was almost 'too easy' Jesus Christ Jared Star: While some stars on the red carpet hid the meaning behind their ensembles with subtle inspiration, Jared's look was teetering on the edge of fancy dress as he donned a crown and intricately embroidered scarf Stella Maxwell Stunning: Victoria's Secret angel Stella Maxwell was another star to avoid subtle religious themes What she wore: Victoria's Secret angel Stella Maxwell was another star to avoid subtle themes and instead opt for out-and-out religious imagery in the ensemble which was adorned with images of the Virgin Mary Religious nod: The iconic images of Mary all over the dress were taken from various historic paintings and styled into a patchwork design Opinion: Fans took to Twitter to gush over the sensational ensemble, with users writing of the star: 'There's a goddess at the Met Gala and her name is Stella... Stella Maxwell was divine at the met... This year's Met Gala theme was my absolute favourite. These looks stood out for me. But add Lily Collins, Sarah Jessica Parker, Solange, Stella Maxwell, Cardi and Ariana Grande to my list of faves' She has one of the most coveted wardrobes in the world, so it comes as little surprise that Amal Clooney wore not one, but two outfits on Monday night. The 40-year-old barrister slipped into a stunning red mosaic gown which fitted her body perfectly as she partied the night away with her husband George, 57 shortly after arriving at the Met Gala at the Metropolitan Museum Of Art. She matched her accessories perfectly to her dress, opting to wear red satin shoes and carrying a matching clutch, before heading out to party with her man. All that glitters: Amal Clooney changed into outfit number two as she partied with husband George at the Met Gala on Monday night,held at the Metropolitan Museum Of Art Show-stopper: Earlier, Amal made a big impression at the event, wearing a two-piece with a detachable four-foot long train - she co-chaired the annual party with Anna Wintour Her raven locks were styled into loose curls as the power couple posed for snaps along with their pals, Cindy Crawford and Rande Gerber. Handsome actor George remained in his black suit all night as he proudly walked around with his wife on his arm. Couture-loving Amal wore two incredible looks on the night and was chosen to co-chair with US Vogue's Editor-in-chief;Anna Wintour, Donatella Versace and Rihanna. Red-dy for anything: Amal matched her accessories perfectly to her dress, opting to wear red satin shoes and carrying a matching clutch Cute: She and George looked like they had stepped straight out of the pages of a fashion magazine as they linked arms with one another and headed back to their hotel Earlier on in the evening, Amal looked stunning in a strapless gown that had a silver bustier, dark slacks and a floral train that was at least four feet long. George joked on the red carpet that his wife had hidden twins George and Alexander under her enormous skirt. This year's event has the theme Heavenly Bodies: Fashion And The Catholic Imagination. Amal's outfit was certainly eye catching as it offered a very shiny bustier top that had no straps and came in nicely at the waist. A-listers: They partied alongside good pals Rande Gerber and Cindy Crawford, (first and second left). at the Met Gala, where Amal appears to have got changed halfway through Sweet: Amal draped her arm around George's shoulder as the good-looking foursome caught up Designed by up and coming Brit Richard Quinn, Amal added dark slacks and heels. And for a nice pop of the unusual, the skirt was attached at the back and featured a red rose pattern over a pale blue background. There were also white Stargazers in the design. The duo seemed inseparable on the beige carpet. Her guest: Earlier on, the 40-year-old star brought as her guest her husband George Clooney who played it safe with a black tux Almost touching: The two seemed to struggle to join hands before they went up the stairs but neither seemed to mind Success! Once the new parents joined hands, he walked up the stairs and looked down at his better half Dramatic: The outfit was certainly eye catching as it offered a very shiny bustier top that had no straps. She added dark slacks and heels. And for a nice pop of the unusual, the skirt was attached at the back and featured a red rose pattern over a pale blue background The night before Clooney found time to take her husband to dinner in Manhattan to celebrate his 57th birthday. She had on a very short black romper that showed off her toned, slender legs. The power couple held hands as they stepped out of Laconda Verde in the Tribeca area of New York City. Both smiled as if they had just had the best dinner of their life. Amal looked perfectly styled in her silky outfit with a gold belt and strappy beige heels that showed off a pretty light pink pedicure. The cover girl added bright cherry red lipstick and had her eyebrows nicely filled in for a Kim Kardashian arch, with her make-up artfully applied by Charlotte Tilbury. She sure nailed her glam: The brunette wore her hair swept up with bright red lipstick and long diamond earrings In love: The duo, who share twins Alexander and Ella Clooney - aged 11 months - seemed inseparable on the beige carpet Smart lady: Clooney - a British barrister at Doughty Street Chambers, specializing in international law and human rights - wed the ER star in 2014 in Italy A good fit: The Vogue cover girl had on dark blue satin slacks that fit her perfectly and added pointy black pumps And the star wore Narcisa Pheres tiger's eye drop earrings. Clooney was movie star handsome as always in a black shirt and suit with matching dress shoes. The ER vet wore his grey beard nicely manicured and seemed to sport a fresh Cary Grant tan. Earlier in the day, the Crawford-Gerber family wished the Ocean's Eleven actor well. Taking to Instagram, both supermodel Cindy Crawford, 52, and her husband Rande Gerber, 56, were quick to send their wishes to the Hollywood star on his special day. Loving all the glamor: Amal smiled as over two dozen photographers snapped away at Mrs Clooney Party time: Later, Amal cleverly whipped off her dramatic train to wear the trousers with a different metallic bodice for the afterparty Into the night: She joined George Clooney for night on the tiles, following the red carpet event 'Happy birthday to the guy who always keeps us laughing,' wrote Cindy. The photo saw the brunette beauty stun in a red gown next to Rande and George. Seen at the Met Gala in 2015 when the theme was China: Through The Looking Glass Standing on a boat, the Ocean's Eleven actor took over driving the water taxi on the way to his film premiere The Ides Of March at the opening of the Venice 48th Film Festival in 2011. Also taking to social media, tequila business partner Rande sent his well wishes. 'Here's to many more days like these. Happy Birthday George,' he captioned. Both sitting on beanbag chairs, each of the men were seen holding onto a bottle of their brand while enjoying a seemingly relaxing and enviable vacation. And with tequila seemingly the centre of the birthday celebrations, a video uploaded on the Casamigos social media page saw George enjoy some shots. 'When the bosses spend too much time in the office, this happens!' he said. Sharing what looked to be a ski with shot glasses mounted on top, the face of Nespresso and Rande enjoyed a drink. Known for his cheeky behavior, the end of the clip saw George pretend to pass out and fall back. While the celebrations continue for the father of twins Ella and Alexander, 11 months, he's spent the past few weeks in Italy working on pre-production for his Hulu Catt-22 series which is set to be shot near Sardinia later this month. However, George and wife Amal are expected to return to New York to attend Monday's annual MET Gala which the human rights and international law barrister will be co-hosting. There was a familiar, albeit unexpected face at Parliament House for the announcement of the 2018 Federal Budget. The Real Housewives Of Melbourne's Gamble Breaux appeared in the background of ABC's live cross on Tuesday, making a glamourous exit through the halls of the parliament. While journalists Andrew Probyn and Laura Tingle updated Leigh Sales in the studio, Gamble wandered into the shot, wearing a plunging black mini dress. Behind you! There was a familiar, albeit unexpected face at Parliament House for the announcement of the 2018 Federal Budget Glam exit: The Real Housewives Of Melbourne's Gamble Breaux appeared in the background of ABC's live cross, making a glamourous exit through the halls of the parliament On her Instagram, the reality star had earlier shared a shot from Parliament, in which she was flanked by her well-dressed posse. She captioned the image: 'My husband said I needed to go on a budget. So here I am! #Fedralbudget2018.' In that image, Gamble was covered up in what she dubbed her 'Inspector Gadget' full-length, white trench coat. The blonde had explained in a video on her Instagram Stories that she'd ordered a conservative dress to wear to the budget announcement, but it had arrived stained. Spotted! While journalists Andrew Probyn and Laura Tingle updated Leigh Sales in the studio, Gamble wandered into the shot, wearing a glamorous, plunging black mini dress Politically minded: On her Instagram, the reality star had earlier shared a shot from Parliament, in which she was flanked by her well-dressed posse She captioned the image: 'My husband said I needed to go on a budget. So here I am! #Fedralbudget2018' Instead, she opted for an evening dress she had on hand, but admitted it showed off 'a bit more cleavage than I'd hoped for' even though she'd 'glued herself in.' 'I'll have to wear a coat all day,' she laughed in the video, and she did in fact opt for the white coat in several images from the day. The media personality is a political buff and has attended the budget announcement several times. Back up: The blonde had explained in a video on her Instagram Stories that she'd ordered a conservative dress to wear to the budget announcement, but it had arrived stained Swap: Instead, she opted for an evening dress she had on hand, but admitted it showed off 'a bit more cleavage than I'd hoped for' even though she'd 'glued herself in' She was also seen in Canberra for the 2016 Federal Budget announcement, sharing shots to social media taken on the day. Alongside one of the images, which she shared to Instagram, Gamble wrote: 'Excited to be in Canberra for the Federal budget this year! Looking forward to rubbing shoulders with the Housewives of Canberra!' Practically a politician: She was also seen in Canberra for the 2016 Federal Budget announcement, sharing shots to social media taken on the day Always there! The art consultant likewise crashed the Federal budget announcement in 2015 The art consultant likewise crashed the Federal budget announcement in 2015. 'Looking forward to meeting Julie Bishop Tony Abbott and Malcolm Turnbull #FederalBudget2015' she tweeted at the time. Liza Koshy made her Met Gala debut at the 2018 New York event and the YouTuber opted for a revealing look with black booties and glittering accessories. Currently starring as Violet Adams in the Hulu original series Freakish, she rose to fame on the video sharing platform and went on to produce a YouTube Red comedy series before appearing in Boo! A Madea Halloween. Despite starting out on Vine under the name Lizzza, she now has more than 14 million YouTube subscribers and her two channels have amassed more than 2 billion views. But who is Liza Koshy? Liza Koshy seen here attending the Heavenly Bodies: Fashion & The Catholic Imagination Costume Institute Gala at The Metropolitan Museum of Art in May 2018 Liza Koshy biography Born Elizabeth Koshy on March 31, 1996 in Houston, Texas, she studied business marketing at the University of Houston. In 2015, she moved to Los Angeles, California to pursue her career two years after she started making Vine videos. Starting in 2013, Lizzza was responsible for a number of viral comic videos posted on Vine and when the app closed in 2017, she had more than 5 million followers. During this time, she had also become a notable presence on YouTube and, ahead of the 2016 election, Liza interviewed former President Barack Obama on her channel to encourage voter registration. Her facial expressions and her ridiculous nature has always drawn in a wide audience but also commenting on issues such as anxiety and internet trolls has ensured that she remains relatable. In 2017, Liza became the fastest YouTube personality to reach 10 million subscribers and she had more than 15 million followers on Instagram, 11 million on Musical.ly, 2.8 million on Facebook and 1.8 million on Twitter. Hosting the 2017 Golden Globe Awards pre-show earned her 2.7 million live viewers on Twitter, setting a record for the platform and she went on to present MTVs Total Request Live. She also conducted interviews on the Met Gala red carpet on behalf of Vogue. As well as her starring role in the Hulu original horror series Freakish after appearing in Boo! A Madea Halloween and the YouTube Red series Jingle Ballin, she had a role in the film FML and in YouTubes reality series Escape the Night. Liza will star in and co-produce the YouTube Red series Liza on Demand and she will voice the character Owl in Crow: The Legend. Liza Koshy seen here striking a post at the Heavenly Bodies: Fashion & The Catholic Imagination Costume Institute Gala at The Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City Liza Koshy boyfriend Liza is dating David Dobrik, a fellow former Vine star and now YouTuber and they became a couple after meeting in Los Angeles through a mutual friend, Gabbie Hana. They confirmed their relationship in February 2016 by posting a picture of the themselves surrounded by calendars with the date November 28 circled. Liza Koshy net worth Liza Koshys net worth has accumulated to approximately $4 million (3m), according to Celebrity Net Worth. Advertisement The 71st Cannes Film Festival kicked off in style on Tuesday. And this year's esteemed jury, which includes Hollywood actresses Kristen Stewart and Cate Blanchett, were seen posing for a photocall against the stunning backdrop of the French Riviera. Kristen put a tomboy twist on twist, rocking a powder blue suit as she lined up beside jury president Cate Blanchett in a pastel pink ensemble. Strike a pose: The 71st Cannes Film Festival jury posed for a photocall against the stunning backdrop of the French Riviera as the event kicked off in style on Tuesday. Pictured are Kristen Stewart. Lea Seydoux, Cate Blanchett, Ava DuVernay and Khadja Nin (from left to right) Beautiful in blue: Kristen put a tomboy twist on twist, rocking a powder blue suit as she attended the jury photocall The Twilight actress, 28, looked incredible in her Chanel number, dressing the look down with a simple white bodysuit. She matched her top to her heels and coiffed her mohawk in a tousled style, cutting a nonchalant figure as she posed beside her fellow jury members. Cate, 48, was also power dressing in a pastel pink suit, accessorising with layered gold pendants. This year's line-up includes a number of prominent members of the Time's Up movement, including jury president Cate. Think pink: Cate was also power dressing in a pastel pink suit, accessorising with layered gold pendants Cosying up: Kristen and Cate were the centre of attention as they led the photocall on Tuesday afternoon Taking a stand: This year's jury includes prominent members of the Time's Up movement, including jury president Cate Looking good: Kristen set off her pastel suit with a pair of white strappy stilettos and a matching vest top Making a statement: Kristen coiffed her mohawk in a tousled style, cutting a nonchalant figure as she posed beside her fellow jury members Talented bunch: The jury is comprised of Burundian singer Khadja, French actress Lea, Australian actress Cate, US director and screenwriter Ava and US actress Kristen Joining forces: The A-list actresses commanded attention as they posed at the event Power dressing: Cate took centre stage as they posed for pictures, commanding attention in her all-pink look Bejewelled: Kristen completed her look with a gold pendant necklace and sunglasses All together: Completing the jury are Andrey Zvyagintsev, Robert Guediguian, Denis Villeneuve and Chang Chen (from left to right) in the line-up Also on the jury that will decide this year's Palme d'Or top prize are Ava DuVernay and Lea Seydoux, who says disgraced movie mogul Harvey Weinstein had made unwelcome advances on her. Burundian songwriter Khadja Nin, Russian filmmaker Andrey Zvyagintsev, Canadian director Denis Villeneuve, French director Robert Guediguian and Chinese actor Chang Chen complete the line-up. The shadow of Weinstein is looming over this year's Cannes. For two decades, Weinstein had been an omnipresent figure at the festival, where several of his alleged sex crimes took place. This year, Cannes has established a hotline for sexual harassment victims at the festival. Think pink: The star completed her attire with a coordinating pair of pink heels and some dazzling necklaces Talented bunch: French director Robert Guediguian, Canadian director Denis Villeneuve, Chinese actor Chang Chen and Russian filmmaker Andrey Zvyagintsev posed with Cate Candid shots: The group posed up a storm while celebrating the opening of the 71st annual film festival Casual: Kristen turned heads, cutting a nonchalant figure with her hands in the pockets of her suit jacket Gorgeous in green: Bond girl Lea Seydoux looked incredible in a green suit with white accessories This one? The ladies didn't know where to look when faced by a sea of photographers Cannes is officially open: The leading ladies were kicking things off ahead of the grand opening ceremony Thierry Fremaux, the festival's director, has said the Weinstein revelations came as a shock to Cannes, forcing the festival to examine its own practices and do more to improve gender equality. 'What emerged in Cannes must be fought in Cannes', Marlene Schiappa, France's secretary of state in charge of gender equality, told French television on Tuesday. Over the next two weeks, the jury will watch the 21 films competing for the Palme, including new releases from Spike Lee, Pawel Pawlikowski and Jean-Luc Godard. Three of the 21 films are directed by women: Nadine Labaki, Eva Husson and Alice Rohrwacher. Cannes has come under criticism for years for not selecting more women directors. Only one female filmmaker, Jane Campion, has won the Palme. In competition: Over the next two weeks, the jury will watch the 21 films competing for the Palme Sexism row: Cannes has come under criticism for years for not selecting more women directors. Only one female filmmaker, Jane Campion, has won the Palme Kicking things off: The festival is opening with the premiere of Asghar Farhadi's Everybody Knows, starring Penelope Cruz and Javier Bardem, but much of the drama at this year's festival is off screen Netflix ban: After two Netflix films played in competition as last year's Cannes festival - prompting protests from French exhibitors - the Cannes board of directors ruled that a film in competition at Cannes must have French distribution Controversy: French law prevents a film that plays in theaters to appear on streaming services for three years Missing: The shadow of Weinstein is looming over this year's Cannes. For two decades, Weinstein had been an omnipresent figure at the festival, where several of his alleged sex crimes took place Controversy has characterized much of the lead-up to this year's festival. The festival is opening with the premiere of Asghar Farhadi's Everybody Knows, starring Penelope Cruz and Javier Bardem, but much of the drama at this year's festival is off screen. After two Netflix films played in competition as last year's Cannes festival - prompting protests from French exhibitors - the Cannes board of directors ruled that a film in competition at Cannes must have French distribution. French law prevents a film that plays in theaters to appear on streaming services for three years. Smart: Penelope Cruz was rocking a navy suit with a neon yellow top, embracing a summery look Lights, camera, action! Julianne Moore took part in a promotional event on the red carpet outside the festival's palace Low-key: The A-list actress wowed in a simple pair of jeans and plain white T-shirt as she posed up a storm In the hot seat: The Still Alice star sat in her own director's chair complete with her name emblazoned on the back Shady lady: The Oscar-winning actress added a glamorous touch to her look with a pair of large shades Keeping it casual: The redhead tucked her simple tee into her slim-fit jeans for the photocall Faced with only showing its films out of competition, Netflix withdrew its films from Cannes. Several Netflix titles, including Alfonso Cuaron's Roma and the recently completed Orson Welles film"The Other Side of the Wind, had been expected to premiere this year. Since then, both sides have expressed some regret over their disagreement. Also likely absent from the festival will be two filmmakers living under house arrest in their home countries. The festival has asked that exceptions be made so that Russian theatre and film director Kirill Serebrennikov and Iranian filmmaker Jafar Panahi can attend the premieres of their films, but that appears unlikely. Make way! A host of famous faces were seen arriving at Nice airport in the south of France on Tuesday Family trip: The Riviera star brought her baby son Strummer along for the ride, cradling him close to her chest Touching down: Chloe Sevigny was also spotted strolling through the airport, rocking a quirky ensemble complete with beret Daring to be different: The actress sported a dramatic, caped coat and completed her attire with round shades Jovial: Christoph Waltz was in high spirits as he touched down in Nice earlier in the day Fan favourite: Film buffs were thrilled when they caught sight of all the famous faces in the terminal In the festival's Un Certain Regard section is Rifiki, a lesbian romance from Kenya that has already been banned at home. But Danish provocateur filmmaker Lars von Trier will return to Cannes seven years after being declared 'persona non grata' for joking about being a Nazi and having sympathy for Hitler. His film The House That Jack Built stars Matt Dillon and Uma Thurman. Also making a return to Cannes is Star Wars with The Han Solo spinoff Solo: A Star Wars Story, set for an international premiere on May 15. Legs for days: Victoria's Secret supermodel Romee Strijd showed off her long legs in a pair of thigh-high boots Boho beauty: The catwalk sensation was sporting an eclectic look including a patterned cardigan and studded shorts On location: Romee was given a helping hand by a make-up artist as she sashayed about the French town She dazzled in a glittering pink dress at the premiere of her comedy Overboard last week. And on Monday Anna Faris once again put her fashion credentials on show as she attended a photocall of her film in Mexico City. The actress, 41, worked her magic in a chic black Ramy Brook halter top and white trousers that put her fabulous legs on display. Monochrome magic! Anna Faris continued to put her fashion credentials on show as she attended a photocall of her film in Mexico City on Monday Anna dazzled as she posed up a storm in front of cameras, putting her svelte physique on show. She stood tall in a pair of summery wedge sandal heels and wore her blonde tresses down in flowing waves with some side fringe cascading across her forehead. Jet black eyeliner and mascara brought out her light blue eyes, and a hind of light pink blush across her cheekbones. Anna was joined by her Overboard co-star Eugenio Derbez, who looked sharp in a white shirt, checkered trousers, and black footwear. Strike a pose! Anna dazzled as she posed up a storm in front of cameras, putting her svelte physique on show Man of style! Faris was joined by her Overboard co-star Eugenio Derbez, who looked sharp in a white shirt, checkered trousers, and black footwear The co-stars put on a playful display as they struck a silly pose in front of cameras. Anna and Eugenio star together in Overboard, which is a remake of the 1987 film starring Goldie Hawn and Kurt Russell. Eugenio plays the snobby and very wealthy Leonardo, who suffers from amnesia after falling off his yacht. The plot thickens! Eugenio plays the snobby and very wealthy Leonardo, who suffers from amnesia after falling off his yacht Double trouble! The co-stars put on a playful display as they struck a silly pose in front of cameras That's when a bitter former employee, Kate (played by Faris), decides to exact her revenge by pretending to be his wife. Eva Longoria plays Faris' best friend, who is the mastermind behind the revenge plot. The film also stars John Hannah, Emily Madison, and Swoosie Kurtz. Having a chat! The co-stars took to the stage to promote their new film She's not afraid of bold fashion choices. And on Monday, Sofia Vergara dared to impress in a white kimono jacket adorned with orange bird print. The 45-year-old actress wore the bright garment during a shopping spree at Saks Fifth Avenue in Beverly Hills. Put a bird on it! On Monday, Sofia Vergara dared to impress in a white kimono jacket adorned with orange bird print The Modern Family star paired the statement item with an understated pair of boyfriend jeans. She also showed off her toned midsection in a white crop top. The star of The Con Is On accessorized with dark shades, white flower earrings and a Louis Vuitton handbag. The Colombian beauty wore her wavy brunette tresses untied and with a center part. Shop till you drop: The 45-year-old actress wore the bright garment during a shopping spree at Saks Fifth Avenue in Beverly Hills Bold: The Modern Family star paired the statement item with an understated pair of boyfriend jeans The Hot Pursuit star gave a handsome tip to a store attendant who carried her numerous shopping bags out to her waiting Range Rover. Meanwhile, Sofia ex-fiance Nick Loeb has compared their embryo battle to the fight to end slavery. She has been locked in a bitter lawsuit with the businessman since 2015 when he filed documents to protect, and bring to term, two female embryos, which they had created and planned to use with a surrogate during their relationship. Keep the change: The star of The Con Is On accessorized with dark shades, white flower earrings and a Louis Vuitton handbag Nick has been blocked from bringing the embryos to term twice by the Modern Family beauty, but he's now filed a third lawsuit claiming the debate over the cells being product or people has happened 'only one other time in United States history from which any legal precedent may be reviewed - the pre-Civil War era.' According to the documents obtained by The Blast, Nick then went on to give the full legal definition of slavery. 'Under these simple definitions, a human embryo, if believed to be a human being and alive, (which is our contention) would be considered a slave and the parents would be the owners of the slave, particularly in states where they are considered property,' he said. The judge is yet to make a decision on the matter. The great and good of Hollywood are descending on the French Riviera ahead of the 71st annual Cannes Film Festival. And Penelope Cruz was bringing her trademark glamour on Tuesday as she stormed the red carpet while promoting Everybody Knows (Todos lo saben), her Spanish-language psychological thriller, which will open the event. The 44-year-old Spanish actress, who stars alongside her husband Javier Bardem in the movie, looked sensational in a slick navy suit with a plunging camisole as she posed with fans at the Palais du Festival France Cannes. Suited and booted: Penelope Cruz was bringing her trademark glamour on Tuesday as she stormed the red carpet while promoting Everybody Knows (Todos lo saben), her Spanish-language psychological thriller, which will open the event Penelope looked nothing short of sensational in her slick ensemble which perfectly marred sexy and classy, thanks to the elegant shape and bright top underneath. The navy look was perfected with the gold buttons extending along the line of her middle which complemented her bold gold earrings. Beneath the navy top, she contrasted the look with a neon yellow top which added a bold splash of colour while also complementing her sunkissed skin-tone. She wore her silky chocolate-hued tresses in loose waves falling over her shoulders and styled into a centre parting to help flatter her bone structure. Chic: The 44-year-old Spanish actress, who stars alongside her husband Javier Bardem in the movie, looked sensational in a slick navy suit with a plunging camisole as she posed with fans at the Palais du Festival France Cannes Husband and wife: Everybody Knows follows the story of Spanish Laura, played by Penelope, a woman living in Buenos Aires, who comes back to her hometown outside Madrid with her Argentinian husband, played by Ricardo Darin, and their children Penelope injected a further superstar touch to the look with the addition of a pair of oversized sunglasses which masked her perfectly made-up face. Everybody Knows follows the story of Spanish Laura, played by Penelope, a woman living in Buenos Aires, who comes back to her hometown outside Madrid with her Argentinian husband, played by Ricardo Darin, and their children. An unexpected turn of events sees the trip turn on its side an unleash a host of secrets. Javier plays Paco in the movie. Nice in navy: The navy look was perfected with the gold buttons extending along the line of her middle which complemented her bold gold earrings While Everybody Knows is opening the festival, much of the drama at this year's festival is in fact happening off screen. After two Netflix films played in competition as last year's Cannes festival - prompting protests from French exhibitors - the Cannes board of directors ruled that a film in competition at Cannes must have French distribution. French law prevents a film that plays in theaters to appear on streaming services for three years. Happy days: Everybody Knows follows the story of Spanish Laura, played by Penelope, a woman living in Buenos Aires, who comes back to her hometown outside Madrid with her Argentinian husband, played by Ricardo Darin, and their children Faced with only showing its films out of competition, Netflix withdrew its films from Cannes. Several Netflix titles, including Alfonso Cuaron's Roma and the recently completed Orson Welles film"The Other Side of the Wind, had been expected to premiere this year. Since then, both sides have expressed some regret over their disagreement. Also likely absent from the festival will be two filmmakers living under house arrest in their home countries. The festival has asked that exceptions be made so that Russian theatre and film director Kirill Serebrennikov and Iranian filmmaker Jafar Panahi can attend the premieres of their films, but that appears unlikely. She called him a 'cheating pathological liar' during their messy split last month. But Scarlett Moffatt has confirmed she's back with Lee Wilkinson, just weeks later, when they were seen at a breakfast date. The TV host was caught out by eager fans who spotted her glossy scarlet manicure in the back of Lee's Instagram Stories update on Bank Holiday Monday, one day after claims he'd won her back. Breakfast with an ex: Scarlett Moffatt confirmed that she'd taken Lee Wilkinson back this weekend when eagle-eyed fans spotted her in the back of one his Instagram Stories update this weekend (top left) Scarlett and Lee went for breakfast at Bill's Restaurant on Monday, appearing to confirm that they were dating again. They both tucked into indulged brunch treats, sitting opposite each other at a sunny table during a long hot weekend in the UK. The Saturday Night Takeaway host sparked claims of a reconciliation when she hid her Facebook relationship status, after changing it to 'single' following her split from Lee. Back on? Scarlett raised suspicion of a reconciliation with Lee (pictured) when she hid her relationship status on Facebook She is believed to have dumped Lee when his ex-girlfriend of two years, Sam Irving, claimed he had sent her pleading messages while he was still with Scarlett. It is understood that he 'cried over how unhappy he was' with the Gogglebox star. According to The Mirror, Lee's ex alleged that she was still seeing him in January, a month after he went public with his romance with Scarlett. Lee denies that there was any crossover between the two relationships, but Scarlett branded her ex a 'cheating pathological liar' and ended things. Are they?: Scarlett previously set her public Facebook status to 'single' when she reportedly discovered an overlap between herself and his ex On Sunday, Lee's ex issued a further warning to Scarlett over his 'manipulative' behaviour, as she claimed that he pulled out all the stops to win her back. In an interview with The Sun, Sam insisted she was in contact with the Gogglebox star following the break-up. She added: 'The day she got back from Florida, she told me Lee had turned up at her house with flowers and chocolates and shed let him in. 'But a few days before, shed been messaging me, saying he was harassing her and she might need to involve the police because he was also harassing all of her friends and family.' Rekindled: The 28-year-old TV presenter - who branded the fitness model a 'cheating pathological liar' - has been warned by Lee's ex Sam Irving over his 'manipulative' behaviour Sam also opened up her opinion of his 'questionable antics' stating: 'Lee is a grown man but gets on his knees crying and begging and then pours his heart out.' MailOnline has contacted Scarlett's representative for comment. Scarlett jetted back from her heartbreak holiday last month with her pal Liam, instead of boyfriend Lee, and it was later confirmed that her beau had been given the boot during the trip. Holiday blues: Shortly before flying home, the I'm A Celebrity winner admitted she didn't want her sun-soaked getaway to end as she shared another snap with her friend last month Scarlett lashed out at Lee in April, writing: 'Just always seem to choose cheating pathological liars... I just choose lying cheats its a skill.' A representative for Scarlett declined to comment when approached by MailOnline at the time. A source toldThe Sun Online at the time: 'Scarlett is no mug as soon as she gave Lee the boot she told her pals there was no way she would let him ruin her holiday.' Shenae Grimes-Beech of 90210 fame revealed last week she has a baby girl on the way. And the Toronto-born 28-year-old has starred in a pregnancy-themed People photo-shoot with her husband of nearly five years, Josh Beech. Accenting her baby bump in a fitted black tank-top that bared a bit of bra, Shenae cozied up to her man, placing her hands over his as he held her belly. Sweet: Shenae Grimes-Beech is expecting a daughter and made the news public by way of a People magazine photo-shoot with her husband of nearly five years, Josh Beech Here he gently kissed her left hand In one romantic snapshot, she faced the camera and held Josh's arm as he stood with his back to viewers and planted a kiss on his wife's forehead. The pair posed up a storm in a sunlit meadow, mugging for shutterbug Lucas Rossi by standing back to back and caressing their own stomachs. Josh, a London-born singe rand model, threw a black leather jacket over a white T-shirt, which he tucked into skintight black jeans. Cinching a belt around his slender waistline, the 31-year-old had his hair perfectly coiffed and rounded off the look with tan low-top boots. Cozy: Accenting her baby bump in a fitted black tank-top that bared a bit of bra, Shenae cozied up to her man, placing her hands over his as he held her belly Keeping close: In one romantic snapshot, she faced the camera and held Josh's arm as he stood with his back to viewers and planted a kiss on his wife's forehead Meanwhile, Shenae stylishly wore her own black leather jacket casually over her shoulders without putting her arms into the sleeves. Letting her wavy blonde hair down, she strung on a pair of necklaces including a cross and slipped into tiny frayed-hem denim shorts. 'I cant believe our world is about to get a whole lot bigger and brighter, and cant wait to embark on this wild ride with my partner in crime,' said Shenae to People in the article announcing her big news. Having a ball: The pair posed up a storm in a sunlit meadow, mugging for the shutterbug by standing back to back and caressing their own stomachs Tongues out: Josh, a London-born singe rand model, threw a black leather jacket over a white T-shirt, which he tucked into skintight black jeans The look: Cinching a belt around his slender waistline, the 31-year-old had his hair perfectly coiffed and rounded off the look with tan low-top boots The actress, who got married in a black dress in Kent after dating Josh since 2012, gushed: 'I feel like being a father was something Josh was put on this planet to do, and Im thrilled that were welcoming a daughter because I know how special the bond between my mum and I has always been.' Said Shenae: 'She is such an incredible mama to me and Im so excited to share everything shes instilled in me and taught me with our baby girl!' She dished on her blog that the pregnancy 'wasn't totally planned but we decided to let the fates determine when the timing was right for us to hope on this ride of a lifetime and evidently, they thought the time was now and I couldn't agree more.' So chic: Letting her wavy blonde hair down, she strung on a pair of necklaces including a cross and slipped into tiny frayed-hem denim shorts Thrilled: 'I cant believe our world is about to get a whole lot bigger and brighter,' she said Shenae also confided: 'While I can't wait to meet this little lady and I'm so grateful for the smoothness of her good growth and health thus far, my pregnancy has not been all sunshine and rainbows for me. 'My physical symptoms have been pretty brutal and my rollercoaster of emotions have been difficult to process.' Wrote she: 'The changes you go through mentally and physically happen hard and fast and no one really warns you of what to expect.' The Degrassi: The Next Generation alumna added: 'It's easy to feel like you're losing it or something is wrong with you when in actual fact, all of the weirdness is totally normal! I wish someone had told me some of that before I embarked on this all myself so I hope I can do that a little bit for someone else by writing about it all here.' Love Island's Gabby Allen was left devastated when it was revealed her co-star boyfriend Marcel Somerville had cheated on her during a romantic holiday. And now her fellow Islander and pal Olivia Attwood has weighed in on the shocking incident as she spoke to Heat magazine about her friend's heartbreak, while insisting 'it's just sh**t', in response to the devastating incident. Last week, Gabby and Marcel explosively ended their nine month romance amid claims he cheated on her during their romantic Mexican break and after he confirmed the news, OIivia has now weighed in on the news. Sad times: Love Island's Gabby Allen was left devastated when it was revealed her co-star boyfriend Marcel Somerville had cheated on her during a romantic holiday Speaking to Heat, the blonde beauty said: 'It just makes you realise there are no good ones left, doesn't it? He was the dad figure giving out advice - there's no excuse for it."It's just s**t, really. I don't get it, he could have just broken up with her.' Her words come after, Marcel broken his silence following their sudden split and confirmed that he did cheat on Gabby and will 'regret the decision forever'. Speaking to MailOnline a spokesperson for Marcel explained that the Blazin' Squad star understands his wrongdoings and hopes that one day Gabby, who he met on ITV2's Love Island last year, would forgive him. His rep said: 'Sadly the rumours are true, Gabby and Marcel have split up. Marcel can't really defend his actions as he knows he did wrong and will regret it forever. Angry: And now her fellow Islander and pal Olivia Attwood has weighed in on the shocking incident as she spoke to Heat magazine about her friend's heartbreak, while insisting 'it's just sh**t', in response to the devastating incident 'Marcel is upset that he broke the heart of someone he loves and someone that he shared so many special moments with, but with all the good times there are difficult times, and sadly Marcel and Gabby had been in a bad place at this stage. Adding: 'Gabby was a special part of my Marcel's life, and he hopes one day she can find it in herself to forgive him. He knows what he did was wrong and is extremely sad about how he has hurt Gabby.' His comments come a day after Gabby confirmed their 'tough' split and revealed she is 'in shock' from the relationship break-up. Hitting back: Last week, Gabby and Marcel explosively ended their nine month romance amid claims he cheated on her during their romantic Mexican break and after he confirmed the news, OIivia has now weighed in on the news In an Instagram post the blonde beauty thanked her friends, family and fans for their support during the difficult time as she deals with the end of her romance with hunk Marcel. She wrote: 'Thank you to everyone for your kind messages, love and support. It's been tough couple of days, I think I might still be in a bit of shock! But I'm sure in time I will be OK. I have the best family and friends around me. I'm a lucky girl.' Gabby and Marcel met on the 2017 series of summer smash Love Island and quickly forged a romance. She was one of the most talked about stars at the Met Gala. And though Kim Kardashian looked incredible in gold, there was one thing missing. The 37-year-old reality star took to Twitter on Tuesday morning two tweet that she wishes husband Kanye West had joined her at the annual bash in New York City as he has in previous years. Scroll down for video Going solo: Kim Kardashian looked amazing at the Met Gala on Monday night but one thing was noticeably missing Yeezy season approaching: Kanye West has been in Jackson Hole, Wyoming for the past week as he is working on five albums It all began when the 40-year-old rapper took to the microblogging site to share a sexy snap of Kim in her gold Versace gown with 25 flame emojis. Kim retweeted her man with the comment: 'Love you babe wish you were here with meeeeee but youre only finishing up 5 albums [laugh while crying flame laugh while crying, and heart emojis].' The couple are staples at the A-list event as they have previously attended the 2013, 2014, 2015, and 2016 galas together. Shoutout: The 40-year-old rapper took to the microblogging site to share a sexy snap of Kim in her gold Versace gown with 25 flame emojis Aww: Kim, 37, retweeted her man as she said she wishes he was there Kanye is currently hard at work in Jackson Hole, Wyoming producing five albums including two of his own. The Famous hitmaker will be producing five different albums featuring seven tracks released within a month including: Pusha-T's album on May 25, his solo album on June 2, his project with Kid Cudi titled Kids See Ghost on June 8, rap legend Nas' album on June 15, and Teyana Taylor's album on June 22. Last week Kim joined Kanye in the Western US state after the rapper's controversial comments on slavery and Donald Trump. Iconic: Kanye and Kim are staples of the Met Gala as they are pictured here back in 2016 Just us: The couple are pictured here at 2014's event Stunning: Kim and Kanye at the met gala back in May 2015 'Kim happily joined Kanye in Jackson Hole. She wants to be supportive so he can finish his album,; a source told People last week. 'The album has caused Kanye a lot of stress. He is a perfectionist and wants the music to be amazing.' Meanwhile Kim looked perfect as she was sewn into a skin-tight Versace dress, embellished with crucifixes as she walked the red carpet alone at Monday's Met Gala. She had been sticking to a rigid cleanse in a bid to get her body looking just right for the social calendar's biggest party. Golden goddess: Menawhile Kim made gold great again in busty gown at Met Gala on Monday Gold goddess: Kim, 37, had been sticking to a rigid cleanse in a bid to get her body looking just right for the social calendar's biggest party Shining star: Sewn into a skin-tight dress, embellished with crucifixes, the reality star turned fashion icon walked the red carpet alone Tired: After the event, Kim was seen taking a silly selfie while waiting for her car And it showed - with the reality star looking her very best in her chainmail gown. It wasn't just the gown that made the look so brilliant, however; Kim also came out on top as far as beauty was concerned. Her hairstylist Chris Appleton styled her locks into a slicked-back ponytail, while her longtime friend and makeup artist Mario Dedivanovic created the ultimate smokey eye, using products from their own KKW x MARIO beauty collaboration. Kim made sure that her entire team felt appreciated as she took time to thank them on social media Tuesday morning including Mario, Donatella Versace, and Lorraine Schwartz. Appreciative: On Tuesday morning Kim made sure to thank Donatella Versace for the gown and Lorraine Schwartz for the jewelry She rarely discusses their relationship in public. Yet, Isla Fisher, 42, has lifted the lid on her marriage to funnyman Sacha Baron Cohen, 46, and recalled the hilarious moment she was forced to sneak in his Ali G costume under her ballgown during the 88th Academy Awards in 2016. The Australian beauty, who has been married to the actor since 2010, revealed how she showcased her stealth after the Oscars banned Sacha from presenting Best Picture Nominees as his renowned character in the midst of the #OscarsSoWhite controversy. Sneak: Isla Fisher, 42, has lifted the lid on her marriage to funnyman Sacha Baron Cohen, 46, and recalled the hilarious moment she was forced to sneak in his Ali G costume under her ballgown during the 88th Academy Awards in 2016 (Pictured in 2016) Opening up about fearfully carrying the contraband into event, Isla proclaimed to The Times: 'Im not a rule-breaker. Im a people-pleaser.' 'I had to stash them on my person in a ballgown. It was so nerve-wracking. Security at the Oscars is like the airport.' The flame-haired beauty hilariously recalled Jennifer Garner nearly catching them in the act of putting on his Ali G costume, which took nearly 40 minutes to put together, while in the bathroom. Adding: 'I had to put on the glue while Jennifer Garner is knocking on the door saying Are you coming out? She was clearly dying to go for a pee. Stealth: The Australian beauty, who has been married to the actor since 2010, revealed how she showcased her stealth after the Oscars banned Sacha from presenting Best Picture Nominees as his renowned character in the midst of the #OscarsSoWhite controversy (Pictured at the awards in 2016) Contraband: Opening up about fearfully carrying the contraband into event, Isla proclaimed to The Times : 'Im not a rule-breaker. Im a people-pleaser.' 'I had to stash them on my person in a ballgown. It was so nerve-wracking. Security at the Oscars is like the airport' Standing on stage alongside Olivia Wilde, Sacha, dressed as Ali G, took aim at the diversity debate by calling himself 'just another token black presenter' and referred to Lenny Abrahamson's Room as 'a movie about a roomful of white people'. Isla reflected on watching him on stage at the time and called the standout moment a 'slam dunk'. At the time, Sacha opened up about the moment on Good Morning Britain and claimed that he suffered food poisoning to ward off fellow attendees from coming into the bathroom. He said: 'The Oscars sat me down beforehand and said they didnt want me to do anything out of order, they wanted me to actually just present it as myself. Costume: The flame-haired beauty hilariously recalled Jennifer Garner nearly catching them in the act of putting on his Ali G costume, which took nearly 40 minutes to put together, while in the bathroom (Pictured in 2013) In character: Standing on stage alongside Olivia Wilde, Sacha, dressed as Ali G, took aim at the diversity debate by calling himself 'just another token black presenter' and referred to Lenny Abrahamson's Room as 'a movie about a roomful of white people' 'But luckily my wife put on the Ali G beard in the disabled toilets and I managed to get away with it.' He later discussed his nerves ahead of going onstage to Howard Stern the same year and shared: 'I was nervous and Ill tell you why. Obviously the racial issue was the issue at this Oscars, and I decide you know what Im going to do Ali G. And the problem is, Im playing a character who thinks hes black. 'Theyre going to introduce me as Sacha Baron Coehn and my first line is "I know what you is all thinkin" the Academy has brought on yet another token black presenter. Adding: 'If you know Ali G, youre going to think thats funny. If you dont know who Ali G is, like 99 per cent of the people out there, youre going to think that Sacha Baron Cohen is pretending to be black.' Discussions: At the time, Sacha opened up about the moment on Good Morning Britain and claimed that he suffered food poisoning to ward off fellow attendees from coming into the bathroom He previously caused controversy when he arrived on the 2012 Oscars red carpet dressed as his character General Aladeen from his flick The Dictator Meanwhile, Isla's forthcoming movie releases include Tag, a comedy that also stars Ed Helms, Hannibal Burress, Jon Hamm, Rashida Jones and Jeremy Renner. Helmed by Jeff Tomsic, who also directed last year's TV special T.J. Miller: Meticulously Ridiculous, the film is due for a theatrical release June 15. This year will also see the release of The Beach Bum, which is written and directed by Spring Breakers' Harmony Korine and stars Isla opposite Matthew McConaughey. Dressed to impress: He previously caused controversy when he arrived on the 2012 Oscars red carpet dressed as his character General Aladeen from his flick The Dictator New role: Meanwhile, Isla's forthcoming movie releases include Tag, a comedy that also stars Ed Helms, Hannibal Burress, Jon Hamm, Rashida Jones and Jeremy Renner She is also due to star opposite Keanu Reeves in a comedy-drama called The Starling, in which they play a married couple whose infant daughter has died. Up-and-coming Mark Harris' screenplay was featured on The Black List, according to a Deadline article announcing that Keanue and Isla were in talks to be in the film. The movie, which IMDb lists as in pre-production, is helmed by Dome Karukoski, the Finnish director of a forthcoming J.R.R. Tolkien biopic. Entitled Tolkien, the movie stars Nicholas Hoult as the author and Lily Collins as his wife Edith, whom he was married to for 55 years until her death in 1971. Danielle Staub looked lovely in her wedding dress when she married Marty Caffrey over the weekend. The 55-year-old Real Housewives Of New Jersey star was seen for the first time in a full-length shot of her wedding gown in a photo shared by InTouch Weekly on Tuesday. The TV star was also walking with her new husband after they said 'I do' at the Luna Beach Club at the North Bimini Island in the Bahamas. The look: Danielle Staub looked lovely in her wedding dress when she married Marty Caffrey over the weekend. The 55-year-old Real Housewives Of New Jersey star was seen for the first time in a full-length shot of her wedding gown in a photo shared by InTouch Weekly Danielle wore a white gown with a sweetheart neckline and design work on the front. Her hair was worn down and she had on a white veil. Marty had on a beige suit and white tie, which was perfect for the location. Her co-stars Teresa Giudice, Melissa Gorga and Margaret Josephs attended Danielle's big day. Soul mates: Staub and Caffrey have been dating since April 2016. Seen here October 2017 Giudice, was the matron of honor, while Danielles daughters, Christine, 24, and Jillian, 19, were maids of honor. Gorga and Josephs served as bridesmaids. 'They wore really pretty, rose-colored satin gowns,' InTouch reported. And everyone appeared to get along on the big day, it was added. One guest had a minor complaint, however: 'A woman who wanted a drink on the beach couldnt get a wine glass and was like, "I dont want to drink my rose out of a plastic cup," but they dont allow glass on the beach,' said a source. Close pals: Teresa Giudice was the matron of honor; seen here in 2017 The ceremony was emotional with a few of the ladies tearing up. The reception was in the hotel where the couple shared their first dance to Ed Sheerans Thinking Out Loud. They toasted with Veuve Clicquot Yellow Label Brut Champagne. And the intimate ceremony was captured for posterity. The Bravo cameras were there. Staub and Caffrey have been dating since April 2016. This is Staub's third marriage, after previously walking down the aisle with Thomas Staub and Kevin Maher. Even the proposal was used as fodder for the show that made Staub a household name. A clip on RHONJ earlier this year showed Danielle walking outdoors with Teresa Giudice and Margaret Josephs as they came across a violinist and a group of paired off dancers. Happy in the fall: The happy pair were seen in October during a wine tasting at Tomasello Winery at Wemrock Orchards in New Jersey Marty then appeared out of nowhere and surprised them. 'Oh my gosh. Is this really happening? You little s***,' Danielle said. Marty then proposed by telling Danielle that he was first struck by her beauty but later grew to love her as he got to know her better. He pledged to love, protect and keep her safe before saying, 'So, Danielle Staub, will you marry me?'. 'Absolutely, 100 percent,' replied the mother-of-two. She regularly sets pulses raises in her jaw-dropping Victoria's Secret campaigns. And Romee Strijd didn't disappoint as she stunned on the red carpet during the 71st annual Cannes Film Festival on Tuesday. The Dutch model, 22, proved why she's top of her game as she worked the event in a phenomenal metallic floor-length gown. Stunner: Romee Strijd didn't disappoint as she stunned on the red carpet during the 71st annual Cannes Film Festival on Tuesday All smiles: The Dutch model, 22, proved why she's top of her game as she worked the event in a phenomenal metallic floor-length gown Her low-cut showstopper was enhanced with two silver straps which were wrapped around her lithe frame, highlighting her enviable figure. Adding yet more glitz to her ensemble, the Victoria Secret model wore a two-tone diamond encrusted snake around her neck. Romee, who has appeared in Vogue editions all over the world, showed her model prowess as she strolled along the carpet at the opening ceremony. Showstopper: Her low-cut show stopper was enhanced with two silver straps which were wrapped around her lithe frame, highlighting her enviable figure Striking: Adding yet more glitz to her ensemble, the Victoria's Secret model wore a two-tone diamond encrusted snake around her neck Model prowess: Romee's golden tresses, which were styled in big beachy waves, cascaded down her bronzed back Look at me: Romee, who has appeared in Vogue editions all over the world, showed her model prowess as she strolled along the carpet at the opening ceremony The girlfriend of Laurens van Leeuwen appeared to have another date to the event, as she playfully posed with founder of luxury jewellery and watches brand de Grisogono, Fawaz Gruosi. Romee's golden tresses, which were styled in big beachy waves, cascaded down her bronzed back. Her make-up was kept minimal, with a touch of lip gloss and winged eyeliner, highlighting her natural beauty. Playful: The girlfriend of Laurens van Leeuwen appeared to have another date to the event, as she playfully posed with founder of luxury jewellery and watches brand de Grisogono, Fawaz Gruosi Earlier in the day Romee longterm boyfriend Laurens n looked utterly smitten as they were seen at Martinez Beach ahead of the festival. The 22-year-old showed off her flair for fashion in a glamorous white suit as her other half swooped her from her feet. Romee put emphasis on her incredibly slender figure in the eye-catching blazer which she teamed with matching straight leg bottoms. Sticking to the white colour scheme, she boosted her height in a pair of towering white heels. Romee looked every inch the blonde bombshell as she sported a tousled blowdry which was effortlessly styled to one side. Jeremy McConnell has gone from the blistering heights of reality TV fame (Celebrity Big Brother, Beauty School Cop Out) to appearing instead on Jeremy Kyle. And despite a source telling The Sun on Tuesday that he's hoping to get himself onto Celebs Go Dating or Ex On The Beach in order to reclaim his reality 'glory', it seems that pipe dream is over before it's begun. A TV source has told MailOnline that Jeremy appearing on E4 series Celebs Go Dating is 'not going to happen'. No chance: Despite a source revealing Jeremy McConnell is hoping to get himself onto Celebs Go Dating or Ex On The Beach in order to reclaim his reality 'glory', it seems that pipe dream is over before it's begun They said: 'Realistically that's not likely to happen. And there are many other people more deserving of that show's help right now!' The series features relationship guru Lady Nadia Essex and her assistant Tom Read Wilson as they set up unlucky-in-love celebrities with people, hoping to find them a match. Past clients include the likes of famously single stars such as Tallia Storm, Gemma Collins, Calum Best and Ollie Locke. But Jeremy, 28, doesn't appear to be getting any closer to true love, given the alleged consensus at E4 regarding him being signed on to the show. Not having any of it: What also won't help is the fact that Jeremy has recently blocked show star Nadia Essex on social media - something sure to not sit well with her, according to a source Highly unlikely: Jeremy, 28, doesn't appear to be getting any closer to true love, given the alleged consensus at E4 regarding him being signed on to the show No go: The series features relationship guru Lady Nadia Essex and her assistant Tom Read Wilson as they set up unlucky-in-love celebrities with people, hoping to find them a match What also won't help is the fact that Jeremy has recently blocked show star Nadia on social media - something sure to not sit well with her. 'Nadia has been quite vocal about Jeremy's antics in the past. And so he blocked her,' the source added. 'She's also had her say about Jeremy's ex Steph [Davis] too. It's not very likely that Nadia would want them anywhere near her agency!' MailOnline have approached both Jeremy and Nadia's reps for comment. The reports that Jeremy wanted to appear on the show came from a source who told The Sun: 'Jeremy's now hoping to go away and then come back and do more reality TV like Celebs Go Dating. Happier times: The former CBB star has had a turbulent love life, mostly defined by his very public dalliances with Steph Davis, former Hollyoaks star 'He thinks by going away and hiding he can come back an go on Celebs Go Dating, Ex On The Beach and other reality shows and everyone will love him.' The former CBB star has had a turbulent love life, mostly defined by his very public dalliances with Steph Davis, former Hollyoaks star. Despite her having a boyfriend, she and Jeremy became an item during the 2016 season of Celebrity Big Brother, where they left the house as a couple. They enjoyed a short-lived fling on the outside world before splitting - yet Stephanie fell pregnant in that time with his child. No nonsense: 'Nadia has been quite vocal about Jeremy's antics in the past. And so he blocked her,' the source added Troubled: There was also a domestic abuse incident in the time, which saw Jeremy sent to prison Jeremy was vehement about the fact that he wasn't the father, yet after Stephanie gave birth to a boy - Caben - in January 2017, she was able to prove the paternity. As Jeremy was indeed the father, the couple enjoyed a brief relationship rekindling, yet this was, again, fleeting. It is understood that Jeremy now no longer has access to the child, and has since been linked with various other women - none of which have stood the test of time. There was also a domestic abuse incident in the time, which saw Jeremy sent to prison. In February, Steph told MailOnline of how her ex battered her as she held her baby son - and crushed a glass into her hand during a blazing row. She suffered two severed tendons following the brutal attack and had to undergo surgery. Before the storm: The former CBB star has had a turbulent love life, mostly defined by his very public dalliances with Steph Davis during the 2016 season of Celebrity Big Brother After the storm: In February, Steph told MailOnline of how her ex battered her as she held her baby son - and crushed a glass into her hand during a blazing row 'The reason why I've always humoured him was because I've always been chasing that man I fell in love with on Big Brother. I always wanted to find that funny, charming guy but he is nothing but a narcissist and his mask slipped practically the moment we'd left the studio.' Jeremy has also been sent to rehab for drug addiction. But Stephanie has insisted that he has had one chance too many with her. 'He was a bully who ruled through fear and left me contemplating suicide,; she revealed. The former model, who hails from Ireland, was sentenced to 20 months in prison suspended for 12 months in August last year for a separate assault on Stephanie in March that year at their home in Liverpool. He has always denied assaulting the actress. Controversial star: The former model, who hails from Ireland, was sentenced to 20 months in prison suspended for 12 months in August last year for a separate assault on Stephanie in March that year at their home in Liverpool. He has always denied assaulting the actress Not gonna happen: It's not yet clear whether Celebs Go Dating is commissioned for a fifth run He appeared on The Jeremy Kyle Show in March of this year, where he was seen breaking down into tears over the lack of contact he has with his son, before admitting his late parents would be 'disgusted' with his behaviour. Opening the interview in his typical no-holds-barred fashion, host Jeremy said on the show: 'Everybody Jeremy, right, makes mistakes. You have committed some of the worst and some of the most publicised of anybody that's ever been on this show.' As a photo of him and son Caben flashed up on the screen, Kyle said: 'What would your mum and dad say about the way you lived your life?' A tearful Jeremy responded 'Disgusted.' Jeremy's father died of cancer in March 2017 - the star lost his mother, brother and sister within months of each other when he was a teenager. There were rumours they split earlier this month. And on Tuesday Colton Hayes made it official as he filed for divorce from Jeff Leatham in Los Angeles after only seven months of marriage, according to TMZ. Haynes, 29, is best known for his acting roles on Teen Wolf and American Horror Story. And Leatham, 46, is the florist for the Kardashian family. Done: There were rumours they split earlier this month. And on Tuesday Colton Hayes made it official as he filed for divorce from Jeff Leatham in Los Angeles, according to TMZ; seen in September Last week Haynes cleared up a misconception about his marriage. After he recently released an infidelity-themed single called Man It Sucks - which led some fans to assume Jeff had been unfaithful - he tweeted: 'Jeff would never cheat. He's an amazing man. Please stop being mean to him. The song I wrote was about a past relationship.' He did not comment on whether or not the breakup rumors were true, but he has switched his Instagram surname from Haynes-Leatham back to Haynes. Haynes recently unfollowed Jeff on Instagram, and appears to have removed photos of Jeff from his social media page. Matriarch: Kris Jenner officiated the glitzy wedding in Palm Springs just seven months ago Haynes and Leatham wed in a lavish Palm Springs ceremony officiated by Kardashian matriarch Kris Jenner in October. Sofia Vergara and husband Joe Manganiello, Jesse Tyler Ferguson, Lisa Rinna, Chelsea Clinton, Dylan O'Brien, Melanie Griffith, Emily Rickards, Cheyenne Jackson, Billie Lourd and Leslie Grossman were among the guest list. Insiders claim the marriage is now over, however it is unclear what caused the split, TMZ reports. They seemed to have it all: They looked to be very in love during their nuptials It follows are a heartbreaking few months for Haynes - his mother Dana died in March after being diagnosed with cirrhosis of the liver and kidney failure. Leatham proposed during a romantic getaway to the Las Ventanas al Paraiso resort in Cabo, Mexico in March 2017. The Arrow actor previously revealed he had struggled with mental health issues before coming out as gay in 2016. Short lived: Hayes, pictured here on the big day, recently unfollowed Jeff on Instagram In a diary excerpt from November 2014 which he shared with Paper magazine, he wrote: 'I honestly wake up after five hours of sleep wide-awake. It's probably from the bottle of wine I drank before I finally fell asleep/passed out or the amount of pills I'd had. I read up on why I'm experiencing numbness and lack of circulation in my hands and feet and it's due to the stimulants I've been taking for quite some time now... 'I'm so closed off to the world that I can't even get up enough courage to go in public. I'm afraid of people and have become agoraphobic... 'To the public eye, my possibilities are endless, but in my mind, I'm fading away and battling to hide the pain and emotion that has plagued me my entire life. I've cheated, lied and finally owned up to it...I am lonely. This is my fault, though. I don't want to let anyone in. People don't understand the things you give up when you step into the limelight. No one really wants to get to know you.' But he shared another entry from November 2016, revealing he was the happiest he'd ever been after 'taking control' of his life by seeking help and speaking out. Shailene Woodley was headed out of New York Tuesday after making a stunning appearance at the 2018 Met Gala. The Big Little Lies actress was clad in all black looking comfortable yet stylish as she arrived at JFK for her flight. The 26-year-old star wore a black T-shirt and leggings with leather biker jacket and covered her brunette locks in a grey beanie. Morning after: Shailene Woodley was spotted at JFK airport in New York on Tuesday after attending the Met Gala Hiding any signs of tiredness the brunette beauty covered her eyes with stylish sunglasses. Shailene wore a metallic mini dress and thigh-high leather boots for the Met Gala on Monday night. The theme was Heavenly Bodies: Fashion and the Catholic Imagination and clearly pleased with the look, the star took to Instagram to thank her designer Ralph Lauren. 'thank you @ralphlauren. not going to lie about how fierce i felt wearing them boots and this epic custom number. On the move: The 26-year-old actress was clad in all black for her travels including a stylish leather jacket Keeping comfortable: Shailene wore black leggings and a T-shirt for the journey 'shout out to the design team and tailoring team: what you do and how seamlessly you do it continues to blow my mind. #MetGala #metgala2018' The actress went solo to the glitzy event without beau Ben Volavola by her side. She was romantically linked to the handsome Australian rugby player back in October last year when she was spotted enjoying coffee with him in New Zealand. In March the couple made their relationship Instagram official when she uploaded a sweet picture of her and the 27-year-old Fiji international rugby star sharing a passionate smooch during Paris Fashion Week. The couple reportedly met when Shailene was filming Adrift in Fiji - where Ben has family as his mother and father are both from the island country - early last year. Standing out: The Big Little Lies star opted for a metallic mini dress and leather thigh-high boots at the Met Gala on Monday During her Christmas Eve arrest last year, she famously vowed to 'kill' the cops arresting her. And Luann de Lesseps has told Dr Oz about her fragile mental state in the lead-up to her arrest for assaulting a police officer after she was found intoxicated in the wrong hotel room. 'I think, this last thing just did it for me. I just cracked, I just cracked,' the 52-year-old Real Housewives Of New York told the talk show host. Scroll down to see video Candid: Luann de Lesseps has told Dr Oz about her fragile mental state in the lead-up to her arrest for assaulting a police officer after she was found intoxicated in the wrong hotel room In the episode, set to go to air on Wednesday, the former Countess recounts her infamous arrest in Palm Beach, Florida last year. 'I'm a drunk woman in a hotel room in my own hotel, but the wrong room, granted.' 'So they come after me and I was drunk, so I wasn't equipped to handle it. And I got scared and I ran like a child to the bathroom.' 'And so I locked myself in the bathroom and then he tried to open the door and he opened the door and then I closed the door and it hit him in the forehead. So that's battery that I did on a police officer.' The mother-of-two was charged with battery for the incident. Tears: 'I think, this last thing just did it for me. I just cracked, I just cracked,' the 52-year-old Real Housewives Of New York told the talk show host She went on. 'Disorderly, that's for sure.' Dr. Oz then said, 'Intoxication,' and the emotional housewife replied, 'Totally, I cop to it.' Of the situation, she explained her guilt, 'Yes. It's all true. It's ridiculous, but it's true. And I feel so terrible, because it's so not me.' Luann's 2017 arrest mugshot after the Palm Beach arrest On her state of mind leading up to the arrest, de Lesseps was candid in her answers to Dr. Mehmet Oz's questions. 'I checked into Deepak Chopra [a Californian wellness center] for two weeks after the end of my first marriage, which was devastating for me, devastating, never got over that, really.' The Connecticut-born socialite was married to Count Alexandre DeLesseps from 1993 to 2009. The pair have two children - son Noel, 21; and daughter Victoria, 23 'What else? There was a car accident. I tumbled down a mountainside with the two children in the car in Switzerland, and I thought I killed myself and my children. I really did. I thought I was going to be dead. 'It was really rough.' Oz then hands her a handkerchief from his pocket. 'You're such a gentleman. I think, this last thing just did it for me. I just cracked, I just cracked.' Real talk: In the episode, set to go to air on Wednesday, the former Countess recounts her infamous arrest in Palm Beach, Florida last year On the fateful night of the incident, de Lesseps was found trespassing in a hotel room with an unidentified man, according to a police report. The duo had entered the wrong room at the Colony Hotel in Palm Beach but allegedly refused to leave. Police then attempted to detain De Lesseps and remove her from the bathroom, at which time De Lesseps shoved an officer with an 'open palm to the chest,' then slammed the door on his face, striking him in the forehead. The arrest came shortly after de Lesseps announced her divorce from husband of less than a year Tom D'Agostino Jr. She married him in Palm Beach and has previously said she was drinking more than usual on the night of her arrest because being at the location of her wedding made her emotional. She's never one to shy away from flaunting her hourglass figure. And Iggy Azalea was up to her old skin-baring tricks on Tuesday, as she posed up a storm in a tiny metallic bikini for a sizzling Instagram snap. The Black Widow hitmaker, 27, sent temperatures soaring as she paraded her showstopping curves in the sultry swimwear. Blue steel! Iggy Azalea flaunted her incredible hourglass figure as she struck a sultry pose in a tiny bikini... after debuting her shorter hairstyle Letting her statement swimwear do all the talking, Azalea accessorised with a pair of blue tinted, square-frame sunglasses. Styling her newly-cropped golden tresses in wet-look waves, the blonde bombshell framed her features with minimal makeup. The Australian rapper is clearly feeling body confident at the moment, as she showed off her derriere in a G-string bikini the previous day. Taking to Instagram, Iggy flaunted her perky posterior while sitting on the edge of a pool in Calabasas, California. Turning heads: The Black Widow hitmaker, 27, sent temperatures soaring as she paraded her showstopping curves in the sultry swimwear Making a splash! It comes after Iggy showed off her curves and shapely derriere in a G-string bikini while posing poolside She shared the photo on Monday evening as Hollywood's A-list graced the Met Gala 2018 red carpet in New York City. On Saturday, Iggy had posted another photo of herself posing in the same bikini alongside the caption: 'All summer'. Iggy confirmed Vogue magazine in 2015 she had undergone a breast enlargement four months previously. Sizzling hot! On Saturday, Iggy shared another photo of herself posing in the same bikini alongside the caption: 'All summer' 'Four months ago, I got bigger boobs! I'd thought about it my entire life,' she said at the time. While she was initially hesitant about revealing her the surgery, Iggy eventually 'decided (she) wasn't into secret-keeping'. Meanwhile last week, the Fancy rapper showed off her new, shorter hairstyle. 'Four months ago, I got bigger boobs! I'd thought about it my entire life': Iggy told Vogue magazine in 2015 she had decided to have a breast enlargement Posing in a denim Dior ensemble including a designer handbag, Iggy offered the first glimpse of her chopped 'do. She was previously known for her signature long, blonde hair. Iggy originally hails from Mullumbimby, NSW and currently lives in Los Angeles. Dior, darling! Last week, the Fancy rapper showed off her new, shorter hairstyle Abby Sciuto may only track down fictional bad guys. But Pauley Perrette's NCIS character is having a huge impact on real life crime thanks to two real life forensic science scholarships. The actress spoke of her character's legacy ahead of her final episode of the police procedural on Tuesday. Immortal: Pauley Perrette says Abby Sciuto will 'live forever' via real-life scholarships ahead of her character's final NCIS episode on Tuesday The 49-year-old told People magazine about the two different scholarships she created one at Valdosta State University and one at John Jay College of Criminal Justice in New York City for women who want to follow Abby's footsteps into a career in math and science. 'Abby is not just a TV character for people,' she said. These young girls have modeled their entire lives off of her. 'It's like Abby has raised a couple of generations of young girls and has inspired this international phenomenon of young women going into math and science and STEM programs because she made it accessible, cool, attainable and fun.' 'It's a scholarship that is going to make Abby live forever in the real lives of these young people that find out about this,' she said. Staple: Pauley has played the fan favorite forensic scientist since the show launched back in 2003, appearing in 352 episodes, as well as two more each in crossovers NCIS: Los Angeles and NCIS: New Orleans, as well as the show they all spun off from, JAG. 'It makes me so happy and it warms my heart so much that this is literally going to be an immortal legacy for these real-life people to be afforded this education and to pursue criminal science and forensics, all because of Abby.' Pauley has played the fan favorite forensic scientist since the show launched back in 2003, appearing in 352 episodes, as well as two more each in crossovers NCIS: Los Angeles and NCIS: New Orleans, as well as the show they all spun off from, JAG. Before that, she studied criminal science, sociology and psychology at Valdosta State, and was planning on finishing her Master's degree at John Jay before she 'accidentally' became an actress. She announced she was leaving the show via Twitter last October; her final episode is on Tuesday night, with no word on whether she'll be killed off. IRL: The 49-year-old told People magazine about the two different scholarships she created one at Valdosta State University and one at John Jay College of Criminal Justice in New York City for women who want to follow Abby's footsteps into a career in math and science 'I just need to be with my dogs, I just need to be alone' she said. 'I've had a long time to come to terms with what's going on, and I've really tried to navigate this as faithfully as I can for my fans. That's been my main priority, to really try to be as respectful as I can to them and give them plenty of warning. 'It's a big deal for them. I'm just going to be sitting here doing what I do best and drinking beers with my dogs on the couch, but the dogs don't drink because they're not 21.' 'I knew it was going to be heavy, I knew it was going to be tough and I just decided, 'I'm going to give this everything I've got,' and I did,' she added. 'I was emotionally exhausted at the end of every single day. It was so heavy, but it's probably the best work I've ever done. I've heard from producers and post-production who have seen the episode and they said it's probably the best NCIS episode we've ever done.' Family: The actress revealed she is looking forward to spending quality time with her dogs Perrette works closely with Los Angeles Police Department and America's Most Wanted on real life criminal cases. A victim of stalking herself she has a restraining order against her allegedly abusive ex-husband Coyote Shivers she has long pushed for stronger anti-stalking laws. 'I have a permanent restraining order, but those can only do so much,' she said. 'The biggest problem we have right now is that the stalking laws have not been updated since the Internet. 'That is just ridiculous because a lot of stalkers use the Internet, that's their main tool. There's a lot we have to get changed but especially Internet stalking laws.' A plan to hit oil and gas multinationals with a 10 per cent royalty could boost the budget by $15 billion over the next decade. A Parliamentary Budget Office costing of a minimum 10 per cent rate on resources predicts the Greens plan will initially raise $1.4 billion a year, rising to $1.7 billion as production increases. Senator Peter Whish-Wilson said the current petroleum resource rent tax allowed multinational corporations to offset their costs over a long period of time to avoid paying royalties. "The biggest rort in this country is the petroleum resource rent tax," the Greens senator told reporters in Canberra on Tuesday. The tax increase would bring Australia in line with other major gas exporters like Qatar. "This is what people want to see from politicians.They want to see us tackling a rigged system, rigged in the favour of multinational corporations," Senator Whish-Wilson said. A former youth officer from an infamous boys' home in western Sydney where an alleged pedophile ring terrorised vulnerable children four decades ago has been arrested. The 74-year-old man is being questioned by Nowra police following his arrest on Tuesday morning at a Basin View property on the NSW south coast. Police said it was a "major arrest", and follows a strike force investigation into child sexual assaults perpetrated at the Daruk Training School at Berkshire Park between 1965 and 1985. It's the third arrest in as many months, with two other men before the courts as police continue their inquiries. The US pulling out of the Iran nuclear deal is cause for enormous international concern, federal Labor has warned. US President Donald Trump has threatened to pull out of a deal which lifts sanctions in exchange for Iran slowing nuclear research and allowing inspections. "I would be very concerned by an unravelling of the Iran nuclear deal," Deputy Labor Leader Tanya Plibersek told reporters in Canberra on Tuesday. "I would be very concerned about Iran re-engaging in a nuclear weapons program." Ms Plibersek, opposition foreign affairs spokeswoman from 2013 to 2016, said inspections suggested Iran had been abiding by the terms of the deal. "Anything that allowed them to reinvigorate their nuclear weapons program is an enormous international concern," she said. To stay in the deal, the US must renew sanction waivers on Iran by May 12. President Trump says he will reveal his decision at the White House on Tuesday. British foreign secretary Boris Johnson, appearing on the US morning show Fox & Friends, said the president was right to call attention to the deal. "But you could do that without throwing the baby out with the bath water," Mr Johnson said. Outspoken Nationals MP George Christensen is set to be ordained a deacon in the Anglican Church. However, Mr Christensen has re-nominated to run for his Queensland seat of Dawson at the next federal election and won't be throwing the Turnbull government's numbers into a spin. If he was to quit early, it could put the government's one-seat majority in jeopardy. When he was 21, the conservative MP was accepted into a Catholic seminary in Melbourne, but left after a few weeks. In 2014, he joined the Antiochian Orthodox Church. More recently he became an Anglican, but retained his conservative Christian position by attaching himself to one of the few Anglican dioceses in Australia that does not ordain women priests, The Murray, in South Australia. In July he will be ordained a deacon by Bishop John Ford. Mr Christensen told AAP on Tuesday he intended to stay on in parliament, as his unpaid deacon role would allow him to carry on with his day job. He won't be moving to South Australia, but rather is expected to be attached to a parish in Mackay, in his home diocese of north Queensland, where he will assist with services and other activities. "I am humbled to have my vocation to ordination in the church discerned," he said. Mr Christensen said he had explored a number of Christian traditions over his life, but slipped out of church-going in his 20s. However since then he had been "outed as a strong Christian". "It's no real surprise, but it's another step on my faith journey that I've been thinking about for a long time." Mr Christensen has been studying theology through the Sydney College of Divinity and says he could be ordained a priest in the future, but only once he leaves parliament. Asked whether he planned to be a chaplain to fellow MPs, he said, "We have a chaplain in Parliament House. I don't intend to usurp his role." "The role of a deacon and a member of parliament - there is some synergy element to it," he said. Mr Christensen has had a controversial career in parliament, calling for a burqa ban and cuts to immigration, and speaking out against action on climate change and same-sex marriage. Victorian cancer patients will benefit from the state's first MRI-linear machine at the Olivia Newton-John Cancer Wellness and Research Centre under an $18 million funding package. Ms Newton-John was at state parliament on Tuesday to announce the funding for the machine, which will better treat tumours, alongside Premier Daniel Andrews and Health Minister Jill Hennessy. As part of the package, $8 million will go to the MRI-linear accelerator service, the first in Victoria and only the second in the Southern Hemisphere, and $10 million will go to establishing a research centre at Ms Newton-John's namesake centre. Police have released an image of a man after three young girls were stalked in regional Victoria. Two girls, aged 10 and 14, were followed by the man after getting off a bus from Strathdale to Strathfieldsaye, near Bendigo, about 3.30pm on April 23. The man called out to the girls, who got scared and went to a friend's house nearby. He then knocked on the door and the friend's mum opened it, and spoke to him. He claimed to be a salesman before being asked to leave. In a similar incident, a man called out to a 14-year-old girl who got off a bus at Strathfieldsaye about 4.30pm on May 4, but the girl continued walking. Detectives released an image of a man that may be able to assist, and described him as slim, aged in his late 30s or 40s, with sandy brown hair. A man is behind bars after allegedly reversing his car into a woman during a domestic violence incident in southern NSW. The 27-year-old man allegedly assaulted the 27-year-old woman during a fight at an Albury home on Monday morning, police said. The woman was later airlifted to a Melbourne hospital for treatment for fractures and internal injuries after the man allegedly reversed his vehicle into her as he was leaving. Officers later stopped the man in his car and charged him with various offences, including dangerous driving occasioning grievous bodily harm and assault, and he was refused bail to face Albury Local Court on Tuesday. Former prime minister Tony Abbott has taken umbrage with a description of his government as the only time the Liberal Party pursued "ideologically right-wing" policies. Former attorney-general George Brandis, who has taken up the plum posting as Australia's High Commissioner in London, made the remarks in an interview with Fairfax on Monday. "George Brandis has begun his ambassadorship with a partisan attack that rewrites history," Mr Abbott tweeted on Tuesday. "How could the Liberal Party under my leadership have been 'ideologically right-wing' when I had him as part of the leadership group?" In the interview on Monday, Mr Brandis said: "Abbott's leadership was probably the only time that the Liberal Party in government pursued a set of policies so ideologically right-wing". "Attempts to make it a more right-wing party have never ended well," he added. A NSW farmer has had to "swallow his pride" in a last-ditch attempt to save his dairy farm by putting his cows up for adoption. John Fairley made the appeal on Facebook as his 130-strong herd of dairy cattle in Picton face a winter with a shortage of feed because of the drought ravaging the greater Sydney region. "Even if it rains next week and I get crops in, we are not going to get much growth because we get no daylight or warmth," Mr Fairley told ABC radio on Tuesday. Mr Fairley has taken to social media and asked the public for help in what he has estimated will cost $1350 to feed just one cow until spring. "The time has come to swallow my pride and ask for help," Mr Fairley wrote on Facebook "My 83-year-old dad said he has never seen it worse than this." People can donate however much money they want but for a minimum of $135 they get a tour of the Picton farm, meet Mr Fairley, and milk their adopted cow, as well as buying feed for the herd. For those who adopt a cow or a calf at the full cost of $1350 they get naming rights and a photo of their cow. There is also the opportunity to form a cow syndicate. Mr Fairley said he got the idea from an episode on the US sitcom Seinfeld, when star actor Kramer adopts part of a highway and repaints four of its lanes into two to make it "more luxurious", causing mass confusion and traffic congestion. Mr Fairley's family farm, Country Valley, bottles its own milk, cream and yoghurt, and also donates some of their dairy products to the local schools for childrens' breakfasts. Russell Street bomber Craig Minogue appears to be tweeting from jail even though prisoners are banned from using the internet. A Corrections Victoria spokeswoman said on Tuesday that although prisoners are banned from internet access, they do have the right to communicate with approved people. "We would expect whoever is facilitating this activity outside prison to consider the effect that publishing this information has on victims of crime," the spokeswoman said. Minogue was sentenced to life in prison over the 1986 bombing of the Russell Street police headquarters, which killed a police officer and injured 21 people. Tasmania's Anglican Diocese will sell dozens of historic churches to help fund millions of dollars in redress for survivors of child sexual abuse under a plan that has the state government worried about its impact on the community. Anglican Bishop Richard Condie has pledged to pay $8.6 million in redress and wants the state to sign up to the national scheme. The state's Anglican body plans to sell more than 100 properties, including 76 churches plus halls, houses and blocks of land, with about a quarter of the money earmarked for redress. But state Treasurer Peter Gutwein says people are worried about the community impact of the plan. He will meet with church leaders next week to clarify "a range of matters" after a number of constituents raised concerns with him. "I want to understand on what basis the properties will be sold and how cemeteries specifically will be dealt with," he told reporters on Tuesday. The diocese on Monday released a preliminary list of 78 properties, including 55 churches, it plans to put up for sale. The full list will be made public after the church's Synod in June. It will then be open for community consultation, with a final list decided in December. Tasmania is yet to join NSW, Victoria and the ACT in joining the national redress scheme that stemmed from the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse. "We're working through this matter and we'll have more to say in coming weeks," Mr Gutwein said. "I'm hopeful we'll be able to make a positive announcement. "Tasmania as a jurisdiction is in a different position to most jurisdictions as we've already run a state-based scheme. "We need to work through those matters, as well as the national scheme at the same time." A witness to a fatal NSW Central Coast plane crash earlier this year has told the air safety watchdog the pilot approached the runway "faster than normal" before running off the end of the strip. The male pilot, who received his private licence in 1971, died in hospital two days after crashing his kit-built two-seater aircraft into a watercourse at the end of the Somersby aeroplane landing area on March 18. According to the Australian Transport Safety Bureau, the plane bounced several times during the landing before running off the runway and hitting the side of a small watercourse near Gosford, seriously injuring him. A witness told the ATSB the plane approached the grass landing strip faster than normal and touched down further along the runway than would have been expected. The preliminary report, released on Tuesday, found no issues with the plane's brakes and identified the flight controls were all fully functional. Skid marks were found in the grass near the end of the runway. The aircraft was 20 years old, the ATSB said. Victorian taxpayers will contribute millions of dollars more to political campaigns, while plastic promotional material will be banned from polling booths, under donation reform laws introduced to parliament. Donations to political parties, associated entities and third-party campaigners will be capped at $4000 over four years, the disclosure limit will drop to $1000, foreign donations will be banned and those caught breaking the new rules face up to a decade in prison. Currently parties get $1.79 per vote after an election, but under the proposed system, they will get $6 for each Legislative Assembly vote, $3 for every Legislative Council vote and each elected MP will get $40,000 a year for campaigning. Wests Tigers co-captain Russell Packer has declared himself a certainty to return from a knee injury for Thursday's NRL clash against North Queensland. The prop has missed the past four games for the Tigers - the past three of which have been losses - but trained strongly on Tuesday and is ready to try to arrest their slump in form. "I wouldn't play if I didn't think that I could do my job. It's as simple as that," Packer said on Tuesday. Bosses will be stung for bringing foreign workers into Australia with the money to be pumped into a new $1.5 billion training fund. Employers will pay $1800 per year for each temporary foreign worker they hire and $5000 for each permanent worker after legislation cleared the upper house on Tuesday. The levy will be funnelled into the Skilling Australians Fund to pay for trade training and apprenticeships. The measure, which was announced in last year's budget, was supported by Labor despite the opposition's criticism of the government's handling of the sector. "This is a government that is completely out of touch in relation to vocational education and training," Labor senator Doug Cameron told parliament. The bill has to return to the lower house to approve amendments, including Centre Alliance's requirement the fund be reviewed within 18 months of becoming law. The Greens unsuccessfully tried to exempt universities from the levy, with senator Sarah Hanson-Young arguing it was a "tax on knowledge". A teenager remains in hospital in a critical condition with burns to about 60 per cent of his body, alongside his father who was also burnt, following an explosion at a home near Newcastle. Hugh Haxton, 16, and his father Alex, 46, were sitting on the patio at a home in Corlette with two other men and a woman when someone threw an accelerant into a fire pit, causing the explosion on Sunday afternoon. The 16-year-old suffered critical burns and was airlifted to Royal North Shore Hospital with his father and a 44-year-old man, who are both in a stable condition. A 49-year-old man and a 44-year-old woman were taken to John Hunter Hospital but released on Monday. The local Maitland Rugby Club described the Haxton family as "generous" and valued members of the local community. "The Haxton's have been one of the most supportive and generous families ever to call MRC home," the Maitland Rugby club wrote on its Facebook page. "In years gone past when the chips were down we could always call on the Haco's in times of need." Kyle Marshall described his friend Hugh as a "down to earth guy" saying he was in disbelief at what happened. "It breaks my heart to see you like this I've never met anyone like you brother stay strong I'm always here for you," he posted on social media. It is believed Hugh's mother and sister are rushing back from a US holiday. The creation of a Home Affairs Department is an experiment the federal government has yet to explain, parliament has been told. The department brings together federal law enforcement, national and transport security, immigration, emergency management and criminal justice into one super department headed by cabinet minister Peter Dutton. Shadow Attorney-General Mark Dreyfus said other democratic nations were cautious about the concentration of power, but the Turnbull government had surged ahead with the idea. "Most democratic nations are careful to avoid the concentration of power in a single entity or in a single person, instead favouring systems with checks and balances," he told MPs on Tuesday. "Under these arrangements a single minister ... will alone be responsible for complex decisions that until now have been debated by multiple single ministers who have shared responsibility for our nation's security." While John Howard, Kevin Rudd and Tony Abbott had considered the idea when prime minister each decided against it, Mr Dreyfus said. He quoted Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull reassuring Australians the former system wasn't broken and the country had been well served by it, before questioning why changes were made. "Given how effective it has been to date, we in Labor are concerned the reasons for this experiment have not been sufficiently explained by the prime minister," Mr Dreyfus said. He was responding to legislation before parliament that clarifies intelligence powers. Government backbencher Ted O'Brien defended the super department, telling parliament the world was different to 40 years ago when much of Australia's intelligence operations were shaped. The legislation confirmed each agency would retain its statutory independence while reporting to Mr Dutton as a single point in cabinet to provide "comprehensive and integrated advice to government". Two Gold Coast men have been charged after bikie-busting police nabbed them in possession of a pistol, ammunition and drugs in Sydney's west. Officers pulled over a car in Parramatta on Monday morning and a search allegedly uncovered prescription drugs, cannabis and a hidden compartment containing a .22 calibre self-loading pistol and ammunition. An 18-year-old man was granted conditional bail on drug charges and is due to face Parramatta Local Court on Tuesday, while a 38-year-old man was refused bail on firearm offences and is due to face the same court next Thursday. An emotional Scott Bolton has broken his silence, two days after being charged by police with an alleged indecent assault. The tearful North Queensland NRL prop told reporters in Townsville he understands people want him to talk about the allegation but is unable to because the matter involves the police and the NRL integrity unit. Bolton was charged following a complaint by a female patron at a Bondi bar on Saturday night with the Cowboys yet to reveal if he will play against the Wests Tigers on Thursday night at Leichhardt Oval. Retired enforcer Gorden Tallis doesn't envy the job of Queensland's Origin selectors but says there's an easy way for them to decide who plays on the wing this year. Billy Slater looks set to retain the No.1 jersey he won back mid-series last year and the in-form Greg Inglis and Will Chambers are almost certain to be named in the centres. But who sits on the wings remains to be seen, with reigning Wally Lewis Medal winner Dane Gagai, Kangaroos incumbent Valentine Holmes, Darius Boyd, Corey Oates, Kyle Feldt and Kalyn Ponga all viable options. Gagai's breakout 2017 series gives him the edge on the right side, with the race on for a place outside Inglis on the opposite flank. But rather than leave it up to Gene Miles and his selection panel to decide, former Queensland captain Tallis reckons they should just let Inglis make the choice himself. "As bad as that is, Greg earns the right and I'd say 'Greg, who do you want outside you?'," Tallis said. "And if he says Darius or Val Holmes, that's the guy you go with. "That's how close they all are." For that reason Tallis would prefer to see Boyd earn a 29th Origin cap on June 6 in Melbourne, given his superb combination with Inglis during the Maroons' period of dominance. "Val Holmes is a great young kid who'll get his chance - he's going to play probably 30 Origins - and Darius has played 28 amazing games for Queensland," Tallis said. "Darius has got that quality (to do match-winning things without the ball in hand) and he's never let them down." A NSW teenager was sexually assaulted by a man after being given the drug ice along with alcohol and cannabis at a home in Sydney's inner west, police allege. The 52-year-old man was arrested on Tuesday morning after an investigation by the state's child abuse squad, which was described by police as extensive. It is alleged the 15-year-old victim was given ice and taken to a Marrickville home last month, where she was provided with more of the drug in addition to alcohol and cannabis. There, she was allegedly sexually assaulted. The man was charged with cause to take intoxicating substance to commit indictable offence and the aggravated sex assault of a victim under the age of 16. He was refused bail and was due to appear in Newtown Local Court on Tuesday. Indigenous rangers could be unfairly caught up in the federal government's crackdown on foreign political influence, senators have warned. A Greens motion calling on the government to acknowledge foreign influence legislation could go further than intended passed the upper house on Tuesday Indigenous rangers are partly funded by an American charitable trust, raising concerns they could fall foul of the proposed laws. But Liberal frontbencher James McGrath said rangers' foreign funding would not be banned by the legislation. "It merely requires groups funded by foreign principles for the purpose of influencing Australian democracy to register," Senator McGrath told parliament. Labor senator Jacinta Collins said there were very real concerns charities and not-for-profit organisations could suffer unintended consequences of the bill. "We can clean-up donations without silencing our community sector," she told senators. The draft laws have come under fire from media organisations, charities and universities, with claims they could curtail their activities and funding. Senator McGrath said the government was open to sensible changes to the legislation once a parliamentary committee's report on the bill was delivered. Queensland's women's legal service is calling on the state government to overhaul sexual assault and consent laws to better support victims in court. Women's Legal Service Queensland, which gives free legal advice and social support to domestic violence victims, has repeatedly called for reforms to the legal handling of sexual violence incidents. It wants the Queensland government to follow the lead of NSW and review how consent in sexual matters is dealt with. National domestic violence helpline: 1800 737 732 or 1800RESPECT. In an emergency call triple-zero. The Turnbull government will siphon $110 million from the foreign aid budget by extending its temporary freeze for an extra year. Aid will total $4.2 billion this financial year. Last year, the government promised to resume indexation of the aid budget in 2021-22 but this year announced this had blown out by a year. Money spent on humanitarian emergencies, including disaster relief, is going up by $10 million to $409.7 million. Papua New Guinea and the Solomon Islands are both receiving an aid boost. Port Moresby will be allocated an extra $46.6 million taking its assistance to $519.5 million this financial year, while Honiara receives an extra $53.4 million with its aid budget tracking to $146.1 million. This is because an unspecified amount of cash for an undersea communications cable between Australia and the two Pacific countries will partly come from the aid budget. East Timor will receive $5 million in more support in the form of a police training program, bringing its support to $73 million this financial year. Meanwhile, Australian is cutting aid assistance to Cambodia and Indonesia. Indonesia is outgrowing aid assistance with a growing middle class and its economy on the cusp of going gangbusters. The Indonesian aid budget will decrease by $30 million to $266 million this financial year. Cambodia's $6.3 million reduction in assistance is potentially attributed to its spiral into an authoritarian regime. Last year the Khmer government banned the opposition party, locked up the opposition leader and forced a newspaper to close Winners and losers in the 2018/19 Federal Budget. WINNERS Average income earners - 94 per cent of Australians will be on a tax rate of 32.5 per cent or less in 2024, with those on the average wage of $84,600 saving $530 a year. Seniors - will be able to keep more of what they earn on the side, access equity in their homes for retirement and face a shorter waiting list if they are seeking care at home. Small business - will get an injection of life from a corporate tax cut and a year-long extension of the instant asset write-off. The sick - a new public hospitals agreement will deliver an extra $30 billion to 2024, while medicines to treat breast cancer and multiple sclerosis will be made cheaper. Schools - set to benefit from an extra $24.5 billion under the so-called Gonski 2.0 needs-based funding package. States - 10-year $75 billion infrastructure package for projects in various states and territories and a $1 billion Urban Congestion Fund to improve traffic flow and safety at state level. Expectant parents - Hard copy baby book on a child's health record will go digital, vaccine for whooping cough will be free for pregnant women, and $3 million has been set aside for a new simple guide for would-be parent to stay healthy and active during pregnancy. LOSERS The rich - not much tax relief for those earning over $125,000 until 2024/25 when the 37 per cent tax bracket is abolished. Banking and financial sector - major bank levy to continue, executive accountability regime to start on July 1 and stronger penalties and enforcement against misconduct in the sector. Multi-nationals - tax changes to remove loopholes that gives foreign companies a tax break over Australian companies and allow them to fiddle with debt to reduce their tax liabilities. Digital giants - Discussion paper to come that will explore options for taxing digital business in Australia. Terrorists and pedophiles - $160 million to help agencies fight crime and prevent terrorism, including $68.6 million to prevent child exploitation and abuse. Visa overstayers - $122 million to increase border force capability at nine domestic and international airports. Tax cheats - Black Economy Taskforce recommendations to bring in $5.3 billion over the next four years by targeting sectors that under report income. Peter Costello's grim warning that many of us will be dead before Australia gets rid of its national debt continues to resonate. But Scott Morrison disagrees with his Liberal "mentor" and the man who a decade ago paid down the national credit card bill. "We have reached a turning point on debt," the treasurer told reporters on Tuesday. "With the budget returning to balance we will start paying down debt." In his third budget - fed by an unexpected rush of tax revenue - Mr Morrison has been able to point to a narrow surplus of $2.2 billion in 2019/20, a year earlier than forecast. The $11 billion surplus now forecast for 2020/21 is also larger than predicted by Treasury in December. "With the budget returning to balance we will start paying down debt," Mr Morrison told parliament. So now net debt - liabilities minus government assets - is forecast to peak at 18.6 per cent of gross domestic product in 2017/18 - equating to $341 billion - also a year earlier. And by 2028/29 net debt is projected to shrink to $118 billion or 3.8 per cent of GDP. In contrast, gross debt will be $561 billion in 2018/19, or 29.5 per cent of GDP, and by 2027/28 it will $126 billion less than forecast in December. "Paying down debt. That is where we wanted to be to for years." Mr Morrison said. When former Liberal treasurer Mr Costello left office in 2007/08, government assets were worth more than its debt. There was a negative net debt of minus $40 billion, or minus 3.4 per cent of GDP. Australians with disabilities are being promised funding certainty for services, including the NDIS, and more help finding work. Pledging to guarantee the essential services Australians rely on, Treasurer Scott Morrison says the National Disability Insurance Scheme is fully funded, without spelling out specific measures. Instead, the commonwealth is funding its share of NDIS spending by "continuing to deliver a strong economy" and "ensuring the government lives within its means", he said. "Every dollar and every cent committed to delivering the National Disability Insurance Scheme remains in place and always will," Mr Morrison said in his budget speech on Tuesday. In the lead-up to the 2018/19 budget, the treasurer abandoned plans to pay for the NDIS by increasing the Medicare levy by 0.5 per cent. When the NDIS reaches full scheme capability in 2019/20, it will cost about $22 billion a year, of which the federal government will contribute almost $11 billion. Mr Morrison also said peoples not now eligible for the NDIS, but in programs to transition to the scheme, will be provided $92.1 million to ensure that support continues. The government is committing $3 billion for disability services over the next four years, including an extra $300 million over the next 10 years. More than $64 million will go towards growing the number of disability service providers and care workers. Almost $10 million in grants will go to disability employment service providers to get more Australians with disabilities into work. Almost 400,000 people with disability were placed in a job under the existing program. More than 13 per cent of people of working age have a disability, but only 53 per cent are participating in work. Victoria has been gifted the lion's share of the Turnbull government's spend on roads and rail but it's not yet clear when the $7.8 billion in federal funds will start to flow. Much of Tuesday's infrastructure-heavy budget had already been announced including up to $5 billion for a rail line linking Melbourne Airport to the city. It's the single biggest infrastructure investment in the 2018/19 budget but "specific funding arrangements" are to be "settled at a later date". The federal government has flagged the option of investing in the project with the expectation of eventually getting its money back - rather than giving the state a straight-out grant. It also expects the Victorian government to match its contribution. The budget also includes $1.75 billion for the North East Link road and $457 million for a rail link between Monash University's Caulfield and Clayton campuses. The airport rail line, subject to a business case due in September, and the North East link were the two items on Victoria's federal budget wish list. In addition, Canberra will contribute $20 million to get Avalon Airport ready to accept international flights. The money, earmarked for 2018/19, will help the airport accommodate the arrival and departure of more than 400,000 passengers every year. As announced in April, the state will also get $50 million over four years for a hydrogen energy supply chain pilot project in the Latrobe Valley. The pilot, to run between 2018 and 2021, will convert Victorian brown coal to liquid hydrogen to be shipped to Japan. The budget confirms the state will receive $2.1 billion for its share of Snowy Hydro on the proviso Spring Street invests the proceeds in infrastructure projects. Victoria has long complained about being short-changed when it comes to federal infrastructure funding but Premier Daniel Andrews - who will face an election in November - was thankful for the budget bonanza. "We've run a strong campaign to get a fairer share for Victoria - that campaign has worked," he said on Monday. Money for the $7.8 billion worth of projects has been set aside in the forward estimates. -- WHAT'S IN THE BUDGET FOR VICTORIA: * Up to $5 billion to build the Melbourne Airport rail link * $1.75 billion for the North East Link * $475 million for planning and pre-construction works for a rail link between Monash University's Caulfield and Clayton campuses * $225 million for the electrification of the Frankston line to Baxter * An extra $140 million for projects to ease urban congestion * $132 million to complete the Princes Highway duplication from Traralgon to Sale * $50 million to support the duplication of the Geelong rail line between South Geelong and Waurn Ponds * $20 million to support the establishment of international services at Avalon Airport * $50.8 million over four years from 2017/18 for a hydrogen energy supply chain pilot project in the Latrobe Valley * $2.1 billion from the sale of Victoria's share of Snowy Hydro. The Turnbull government hopes more cash for spies, fighting terrorists overseas and ramping up airport security will help keep Aussies safe. The war effort in Afghanistan, known as Operation Highroad will net $89.5 million extra this year, a slight boost on last year. This reflects last year's increase of 30 defence personnel, after US President Donald Trump announced a new game plan. The overall Australian troop count is now 300 and they are involved in training Afghan soldiers and providing communications and logistics support. Meanwhile, Operation Okra which targets Islamic State in Iraq and Syria is starting to wind down slowly. It received $306.5 million in extra money in the federal budget which was down on last year's $453.6 million contribution. Iraq declared victory over IS late last year and Australia's six super Hornets returned home in January. The personnel deployed dropped from 780 to 600 as a result. A refueller aircraft and Wedgetail air traffic controller continue operations along with Australian soldiers training Iraqi troops. For national security reasons the government won't disclose the cost of Australia's assistance to help the Philippines combat the threat posed by foreign fighters returning from the Middle East. An IS insurgency in Marawi flared up last year but has since been crushed. Australia has a continent of troops providing training in urban combat to the Filipino military and also provided surveillance aircraft during the Marawi conflict. The domestic spy agency Australian Security Intelligence Organisation (ASIO) will receive a $24.4 million budget this year but the government won't say how much extra the foreign spy agency, Australian Secret Intelligence Service, will pocket. Security upgrades including body scanners will be rolled out across Australia's major and regional airports. And more than 140 counter-terrorism officers will be deployed at airports, with another 50 officers providing them with tactical intelligence and support. Home Affairs Minister Peter Dutton cited a disrupted plot at Sydney airport last year as a game changer in terms of the level of sophistication. The Office of the Inspector General of Intelligence and Security is set to undertake a $70.2 million review of national security laws. The government also hopes to disrupt terrorist financing through a crackdown on the so-called "black economy". This includes a $10,000 cap on cash payments in an effort to tackle money laundering. From July 1, 2019, payments of $10,000 or more for goods or services will have to be made with a cheque or through an electronic payment system. "This will be bad news for criminal gangs, terrorists and those who are just trying to cheat on their tax or get a discount for letting someone else cheat on their tax," Treasurer Scott Morrison said. Indigenous Australians living in remote areas of the Northern Territory are set to benefit from a $550 million funding boost from the federal government. The Turnbull government on Tuesday confirmed its promise earlier this year to match the NT's commitment for remote indigenous housing over five years from 2018/19. The money will be given to the NT government for property and tenancy management and to address severe overcrowding in remote communities. The territory will also get $280 million for upgrades to two major outback highways - Central Arnhem Road and the Buntine Highway - plus a share of $160 million to seal more sections of the Outback Way. It will also get access to money through a $1.5 billion fund for Northern Australian roads and, as announced in April, a $259 million GST top-up payment. -- WHAT'S IN THE BUDGET FOR THE NORTHERN TERRITORY * $180 million to upgrade Central Arnhem Road * $100 million to upgrade the Buntine Highway * Additional money via a $1.5 billion Northern Australia roads fund * $550 million over five years from 2018/19 for remote indigenous housing * $259.7 million payment to offset fall in GST share in 2017/18. Queensland won't be getting a helping hand from the Turnbull government any time soon to build its much vaunted Cross River Rail. The project was top of Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk's funding wish list, but there was no place for it in the $5.2 billion allocated to state infrastructure in Tuesday's federal budget. Ms Palaszczuk's Labor government has already committed to bankrolling the $5.4 billion rail line on its own, having failed to secure money from Malcolm Turnbull. The Labor leader on Monday accused the prime minister of ignoring the state's "number one infrastructure project" in favour of NSW and Victoria. Yet Queensland was the second biggest winner in the budget, with one-fifth of the federal government's $24.5 billion spend on roads and rail going to the Sunshine State. A majority - $3.3 billion - has been slated for upgrades along the Bruce Highway, including sections between Cooroy and Curra, and Pine River and Caloundra. A further $1 billion is being promised for the M1 Pacific Highway, $390 million to duplicate a section of the North Coast line, and $300 million for the Brisbane Metro. It will also get a share of a $1.5 billion fund for roads across Northern Australia, and money to improve parts of the Outback Way to Winton. The Palaszczuk government's call for help to fund the Rockhampton levee and Townsville Port upgrade were left unanswered. As announced in April, Canberra has committed more than $500 million to help restore and protect the Great Barrier Reef. The five-year package, combined with philanthropic and other funding sources, is aimed at improving the reef's water quality, controlling the crown-of-thorns starfish and boosting science for reef restoration. The federal government will also continue to fund a website to help North Queensland residents compare home insurance policies and premiums. -- WHAT'S IN THE BUDGET FOR QUEENSLAND * $3.3 billion for upgrades along the Bruce Highway, including sections between Cooroy and Curra and Pine River to Caloundra * $1 billion for the M1 Pacific Highway between Eight Mile Plains and Daisy Hill, Varsity Lakes and Tugun * $390 million to duplicate the North Coast line between Beerburrum and Landsborough * $300 million for the Brisbane Metro * $170 million for the Cunningham Highway, linking the Darling Downs and Ipswich * $64.2 million for upgrades on the Warrego Highway * Additional money via a $1.5 billion fund for Northern Australian roads * Share of $160 million to improve sections of the Outback Way between Laverton in WA and Winton in Queensland * $535.8 million over five years to help restore and protect the Great Barrier Reef. The Turnbull government has committed to setting up a Murray Darling medical school network to train and retain more doctors in the bush. Deputy Prime Minister Michael McCormack has been lobbying for a regional medical school arguing it would be a way to lure students to the bush and keep them there. Some $95.4 million has been set aside in the budget to create the Murray Darling Medical Schools Network comprising the University of NSW in Wagga Wagga; the University of Sydney in Dubbo; CSU/Western Sydney University in Orange; Monash University in Bendigo and Melbourne University/La Trobe in Bendigo, Wodonga and Shepparton. But there'll be no new Commonwealth supported places for medical students. "This is a fundamental change in the teaching and supply of rural and regional doctors and will transform rural training schools," Health Minister Greg Hunt said in a statement on Tuesday. "(It will enable) students to undertake most of their education and training in rural areas to provide a continuum for doctors to learn, train and work in the regions." There are also extra incentives for GPs to practice in rural areas and a new junior doctor training program. The budget also includes $84 million for the Royal Flying Doctor Service to help provide more dental care and mental health services. Migrants could be forced to wait up to four years before accessing a raft of welfare benefits, under a federal budget measure expected to net more than $200 million in savings. The Turnbull government already has legislation before parliament to push the waiting period for various payments out to three years. Migrant and community groups have pushed back hard against the move, fearing it could push some new arrivals into destitution and poverty. But now the government is now proposing to stretch the wait time for migrants wanting to access Newstart and Youth Allowance - as well as various parenting and family benefits - out to four years from July 1. It expects this will save $202.5 million over five years. Exemptions for vulnerable groups and humanitarian entrants will continue to apply, while hardship provisions will also remain in place. The budget includes $5 million for community organisations to assist newly- arrived migrants integrate. Meanwhile, time limits for migrants aged under 18 to extend their English tuition classes will also be removed from July 1. Newly-arrived migrants are offered up to 510 hours of free English language tuition to help them to participate in Australian life. The budget also confirms religious organisations will be excused from chipping into a "Skilled Australians Fund" - a levy for employers who seek out foreign skilled workers to fill temporary shortages. Older Australians are being enticed into work through a raft of pension sweeteners outlined in the federal budget. Aged pensioners will be able to earn an extra $50 per fortnight without affecting their payments, as part of a suite of measures designed to give older Australians greater choice and financial security. The pension work bonus will also be expanded to allow self-employed retirees to earn up to $300 per fortnight without copping a whack to their pensions. "The government is helping Australians to work for as long as they want, laying the foundations for a secure retirement," Health Minister Greg Hunt said in a statement on Tuesday. More than $250 million over five years will go towards measures enhancing the standard of living of older Australians. The various announcements are intended to complement funding for an extra 14,000 high-level home care packages so people can stay in their homes longer if they wish. Up to $10,000 in wage subsidies will be provided to employers who take on staff aged over 50, with further incentives provided to upskill mature aged workers. The pensions loan scheme will be opened up to all older Australians, allowing couples to boost their retirement incomes by up to $17,800 without affecting their eligibility for benefits. This will enable people to use the equity in their homes to increase their incomes. Pension means test rules will also be changed to boost an uptake of lifetime retirement income products, encouraging more retirees to manage the risk of outliving their savings. Australia will explore a new frontier with the establishment of a national space agency. The federal budget allocate $41 million over four years to the venture but the private sector is expected to do most of the heavy lifting. Part of the government money covers set up costs and $15 million for an international space investment project to help generate jobs and business opportunities for Australians. The global space industry is estimated to be worth $420 billion a year. Western Australia, South Australia, the Northern Territory and ACT have all expressed interest in hosting the space agency. Welfare recipients with unpaid court fines or outstanding criminal warrants will be targeted under new hardline government measures laid out in the federal budget. People with outstanding Centrelink debts of more than $10,000 will also be aggressively pursued as the coalition tries to claw back money from those who are no longer on welfare and have the means to pay. "We will ensure our targeted safety net helps people when they need it, but that people receive only what they are entitled to, nothing more and nothing less," Social Services Minister Dan Tehan said in a statement on Tuesday. "When welfare recipients have received money they are not entitled to, we will ensure those debts are repaid." The Turnbull government has stared down demands from a rare alliance of business, industry and community groups calling for an increase to the Newstart allowance in the budget. The Business Council of Australia and the Australian Industry Group, among others, argued the Newstart allowance was insufficient to allow unemployed people to look for work. However, government ministers pointed to strong jobs growth in the past 12 months to counter their argument. The budget was also silent on demands to abandon unpopular "zombie" measures - the policy bills stranded in the Senate - including increasing the pension age to 70, axing the energy supplement and making migrants wait up to 15 year before accessing the age pension. The government has outlined several measures it hopes will "encourage lawful behaviour" from people receiving income support. Welfare recipients with outstanding court fines will have the money deducted from their payments until their debt is cleared. People with outstanding warrants for indictable criminal offences will have their payments suspended for up to a month - and cancelled afterwards - if they do not hand themselves in. Prisoners drawing a disability support pension will only be able to have their payments suspended for 13 weeks - down from two years - before the benefits are cut off. The controversial "robo-debt" program designed to claw back welfare over- payments will also be extended for an extra year, as the government tries to recover more than $1.2 billion in Centrelink debts. In rosier news, regional families will be offered some relief, with parents allowed to earn an extra $10,000 before their child's youth allowance is affected. The government will also pump $50 million into reducing Centrelink's notoriously poor call wait times. The national schools chaplaincy program has had its funding renewed on a "permanent basis". The federal budget includes nearly $250 million over four years to cement the at-times controversial pastoral care program in Australian schools. "We are extending the national schools chaplaincy program on a permanent basis with a special new anti-bullying focus", the 2018/19 budget papers state. Many coalition MPs and others opposed the secular "safe schools" anti-bullying program because they thought it went too far in terms of discussing gender and sexuality issues. An alleged plot to put a bomb on a plane leaving Sydney airport last year has triggered a range of major aviation security changes as a cost of almost $300 million. Full body scanners and advanced X-ray equipment will be rolled out across major and regional Australian airports, with screening staff subjected to stricter training and security checks. More than 140 counter-terrorism officers will be deployed at airports, with another 50 officers providing them with tactical intelligence and support. Home Affairs Minister Peter Dutton described the alleged terror attack in Sydney last July as unprecedented and sophisticated, saying it represented a significant shift in the national security environment. "These terrorist plots showed a very real and disturbing danger," Mr Dutton said in statement on Tuesday. "The government and industry responded immediately to disrupt and contain the threat, increasing law enforcement and strengthening security screening." Two men have pleaded not guilty to two counts of acting in preparation for, or planning, a terrorist attack. They were allegedly told to smuggle a bomb hidden inside a meat grinded onto an Etihad plane due to depart from Sydney for Abu Dhabi on July 15 last year. In total, the budget will pump $294 million into upgrading security at airports, international mail centres and air cargo facilities. Inbound air cargo and international mail will also be subjected to stricter screening as part of a $122 million equipment upgrade. "I will introduce new laws to complement these measures providing the AFP broader powers to conduct identity checks at airports and to order a person to 'move on' from airport premises where needed," Mr Dutton said. The minister promised to work with airports and airlines to implement the enhanced security measures. The budget also locks in funding for Australian Border Force liaison officers to be stationed at 19 overseas international airports. A federal government crackdown on the black economy includes a $10,000 cap on cash payments in an effort to tackle tax evasion and money laundering. From July 1, 2019, payments of $10,000 or more for goods or services will have to be made with a cheque or through an electronic payment system. "This will be bad news for criminal gangs, terrorists and those who are just trying to cheat on their tax or get a discount for letting someone else cheat on their tax," Treasurer Scott Morrison said. The government's Black Economy Taskforce has also identified contractors in the trucking, security and computer system design industries as the most likely to dodge their tax obligations, and businesses will be required to report their payments to such contractors from July 2019. The reporting system is already used in the building and construction industry, and from July 2018 will apply to the cleaning and courier industries. The federal government is also providing $319 million to the Australian Taxation Office over the next four years for it to bring in new strategies to fight the black economy, including increased audits and a hotline for the public to report cases illegal activity. New parents will no longer need to keep a paper baby book recording their child's development, under changes announced in the federal budget. The government is committing $5 million over two years to develop a national digital baby book. This will replace the existing state and territory hard copy books that document a child's health records. The budget released on Tuesday also includes $3 million to develop a new guide for would-be parents on how to stay healthy during pregnancy. And every Australian mother will be able to be vaccinated against whooping cough for free, after the government found $39.5 million to list the vaccine as part of the national immunisation program. The federal government will spend nearly $10 million on protecting politicians, their staff and Parliament House from cyber attacks. The Department of Parliamentary Services, which supports the work of parliament, was allocated $9 million over four years in Tuesday's budget to establish a cyber security operations centre. The centre will be set up to "enhance cyber security protection for the parliamentary computing network". The department is responsible for information and communication technology services, including email and internet, as well as security at Parliament House. The ACT government will bid for funding from a new Major Projects Business Case Fund to go towards a better Canberra-Sydney rail link. Responding to Tuesday's federal budget, ACT Chief Minister Andrew Barr said Canberra would also seek to become the home of the new national space agency. Mr Barr welcomed the Barton Highway duplication and while his government would examine the Monaro Highway business case, he considered the funding could be better spent on the Pialligo Avenue duplication. "We're pleased to see funding for repairs to the National Gallery, but very concerned to see staff sacked from the National Archives and National Library," Mr Barr told AAP. Big business and the country's peak union body are both of the view that Scott Morrison's latest budget is too focused on the looming election and lacking in long-term vision. Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry chief executive James Pearson said while Tuesday's budget is positive overall "it leaves Australia more exposed than we would like to any deterioration in the global economic environment". Business wanted "more ambition" for long-term budget repair and a decreased reliance on increasing tax revenue, the chamber stated. The ACTU, meanwhile, slammed the coalition's plan to have people on $41,000-a-year in the same tax bracket as people earning $200,000 from 2024. "This evening's budget relies on failed trickle-down economics to trick Australians into giving a failed government another term in power," union secretary Sally McManus said in a statement. The St Vincent de Paul Society argued the 2018/19 budget locked in future spending cuts and left the poorest worse off. Cuts to income and company taxes eroded Australia's progressive tax system and punched a huge hole in government revenue, chief executive John Falzon said in a statement. "These cuts will inevitably lead to more spending cuts to essential services meaning more out-of-pocket expenses for low and middle-income earners." But the Turnbull government was praised for pumping some much-needed funds into aged care. The Australian Medical Association said the investment "must be seen as down-payments with more attention needed in coming years and decades as community demand drastically increases". An extra 14,000 high-level home care places for older Australians to stay in their own homes was seen as a good start by the Aged and Community Services Australia. Furious affordable housing advocates, however, delivered a blistering response to the budget arguing it "completely abandoned" renters, first home buyers and people in desperate need of shelter. Adrian Pisarski from National Shelter said apart from some welcome spending on remote housing in the Northern Territory the budget had done nothing to build housing stocks. Environmentalists generally blasted the budget as a joke. "The federal government's continuous failure to seriously tackle climate change is an embarrassment," Climate Council acting chief executive Martin Rice said. Aid groups savaged Canberra for keeping a "foot on the throat" of the foreign aid budget when money was needed to tackle increasing poverty and inequality in the region. A near $1 billion federal budget spend on major road and rail upgrades in Tasmania has been welcomed by the state's Liberal premier, with significant cash splashed at marginal electorates. Most of Tasmania's money in the budget on Tuesday had already been revealed, including $461 million to replace the ageing Bridgewater Bridge over the River Derwent in the seat of Lyons that the coalition lost at the 2016 election. A further $400 million will be spent on the Bass Highway road corridor which runs through two marginal northern electorates the coalition is also hoping to win back. "(The) record investment in our state's infrastructure is a testament to the strong partnership between the state and federal Liberal governments," Premier Will Hodgman said. Federal funds will cover 80 per cent of the bridge's cost with the state tipping in $155 million. Hobart-based independent MP Andrew Wilkie praised the long-awaited bridge funding but said the budget needed to deliver more than just election sweeteners. "The government needs to understand that a better deal for Tasmania goes beyond just transport," he said. "It's disappointing that there was effectively no boost for science and research in Hobart, including reversing the devastating cuts to the CSIRO and the Australian Antarctic Division." The Tasmanian government was also happy with an extra $190 million in its GST share across the forward estimates. "It's important that Tasmania continues to receive its fair share," Treasurer Peter Gutwein said in a Facebook video. "We will continue to fight tooth and nail to ensure we maintain and receive every dollar ... in respect to this important revenue stream." The state's biosecurity program got a $20 million funding boost after fruit flies were found near Devonport, threatening the island's fruit export industry. Tasmania will get $3.8 billion in federal funding through GST and grants in 2018/19, with Canberra supporting a clinical system redesign at the Royal Hobart Hospital and the Launceston General Hospital to relieve pressure on emergency departments Launceston will also get $47.5 million over five years for 12 projects as part of a city deal. WHAT'S IN THE BUDGET FOR TASMANIA: * $461 million to replace the Bridgewater Bridge over the Derwent River * $400 million for targeted road works including the Bass Highway corridor * $59.8 million for the Tasmanian freight rail revitalisation program * $20 million to help manage the fruit-fly outbreak * Redirection of $1.5 million from disaster relief funds to help improve data collection and renew flood mapping of areas affected by 2016 floods * $47.5 million over five years from 2019/20 to improve the Tamar River The Northern Territory Government says it is feeling deceived after the federal Budget papers revealed that most of the money promised in upgrades to two major outback highways is five years away. Details of the funding including $280 million to seal Central Arnhem Road and the Buntine Highway were leaked the day before Tuesday's budget. Treasurer Nicole Manison was sent a letter from Deputy Prime Minister Michael McCormack on Tuesday outlining how the funds would work. There is no money this coming financial year, then $5 million each in 2019/20, $10 million each in 2020/21, $20 million each in 2021/22. In 2022/23 there is $65 million for the Buntine and $145 million for the Central Arnhem Highway. "That is five years and a couple of federal governments away," Ms Manison told AAP. "If you were to take on board the pre-budget leaks that we saw from the federal government you would have been led to believe that the Central Arnhem Road and Buntine were going to be getting that money in the budget being delivered tonight for our roads tomorrow." With 70 per cent of the road network unsealed, the NT urgently needed roads developed to unlock its full economic potential, including for the movement of freight, cattle, tourism, business investment and for Territorians who live remotely to get around. Ms Manison was happy with confirmation in the budget that indigenous Australians living in remote areas of the Territory are set to benefit from a $550 million funding boost from the federal government. The Turnbull government confirmed it would match the NT's commitment for remote indigenous housing over five years from 2018/19. The money will be given to the NT government for property and tenancy management and to address severe overcrowding in remote communities. The federal government has also flagged a new Medicare item that will support the delivery of dialysis in remote areas for indigenous people with kidney disease, a major problem in the NT. WHAT'S IN THE BUDGET FOR THE NORTHERN TERRITORY * $180 million to upgrade Central Arnhem Road * $100 million to upgrade the Buntine Highway * Additional money via a $1.5 billion Northern Australia roads fund * $550 million over five years from 2018/19 for remote indigenous housing * $259.7 million payment to offset fall in GST share in 2017/18. A child exposed to general anaesthesia for less than three hours just once before the age of three is not at increased risk of learning disabilities, parents have been assured. Three of Australia's leading children's hospitals have published a joint statement that examines whether anaesthesia affects a child's developing brain, based on the past two decades of evidence. It comes after a "worrying" study, published last month, found an association between multiple exposures to prolonged general anaesthesia and lower NAPLAN scores among a group of 210,000 Year 3 students in NSW between 2009-2014. Paediatric anaesthetist Dr Jonathan de Lima of The Children's Hospital, Westmead says prior to the study anaesthetists were rarely asked by parents, perhaps a dozen times a year, if the anaesthesia would harm their child's developing brain. He hopes the statement, which took in five recent epidemiological studies involving hundreds of thousands of children including every child born in Sweden over a 20-year period, will help to reassure parents anxious or concerned about their children's operations. According to the statement, a single exposure to anaesthetic drugs of less than three hours before three years of age does not lead to reduced developmental scores. "A single brief anaesthesia does not appear to lead to a reduction in neuro-cognitive outcome," Dr de Lima said while speaking on Tuesday at the Australian and New Zealand College of Anaesthetists' annual scientific meeting in Sydney. Multiple exposure to anaesthesia, however, does appear to be more problematic. "Neuro-cognitive decrements are associated with multiple surgeries requiring the anaesthesia," said Dr de Lima. This does not prove a causal effect, he stressed. The expert also said overall the effect of multiple prolonged exposures to anaesthesia on a child's academic achievement is "very small". "Even month of birth has more effect on your academic achievement and IQ than does exposure to anaesthesia," said Dr de Lima. The surgery, anaesthesia and pain statement can be found at http://www.schn.health.nsw.gov.au Today's Birthday, May 9: Rosario Dawson, actor, producer and comic book writer (1979 - ) An acclaimed actor in her own right, Rosario Dawson has also established herself as a vocal activist and spends much of her time advocating for feminist rights. Dawson's mother, Isabelle Celeste, was 17 when she gave birth and raised her child in New York City with her partner, who adopted the little girl. Dawson has never met her biological father. As a child, Dawson's mum moved her and her half-brother into an abandoned building on the Lower East Side of Manhattan. Her parents renovated an apartment, installed electrical wiring and set up their affordable housing. It was here sitting outside on a stoop where film director Larry Clark and screenwriter Harmony Korine spotted a fifteen-year-old Dawson. They cast the untrained actor in controversial coming-of-age film Kids (1995). The 90s film featuring New York teenagers in drug-fuelled, sexually-charged scenarios was praised for its raw honesty and became a cultural touchstone. She's since starred in a string of films including Josie and the Pussycats (2001), Rent (2005) and Zookeeper (2011). An avid comic book fan and co-creator of her own series Occult Crimes Taskforce (2006), her two passions came together when she was cast in comic-book series spin-off Sin City: A Dame to Kill For (both 2005). She produced the 2007 film Descent about a rape victim on a journey of revenge. Following this playwright, fellow activist and friend Eve Ensler invited Dawson to sit on the board of V-day, a movement to end violence against women. Dawson has been a vocal feminist activist for years and long-time volunteer of a girls club close to where she grew up in Manhattan. She appeared in documentary Miss Representation (2011) about the gendered roles children are taught from a young age. During the 2016 election, Dawson was a vocal supporter of Bernie Sanders over Hillary Clinton, describing it as a "revolution". In December 2017 Dawson starred in a video clip by rapper Jay Z addressing his infidelity to wife Beyonce. Dawson appears in a segment featuring a grown-up version of their daughter Blue Ivy as women of colour appear to rule the world. Victoria's road and rail might have won big in the federal government's budget but the state's health minister says hospitals have been short-changed $2.1 billion over five years. Jill Hennessy said on Tuesday the budget papers revealed the Turnbull government's decision to accept the National Health Reform Agreement meant $2.1 billion less for Victorian hospitals. "These savage cuts will see waiting lists blow out - it will hurt patients, our doctors, nurses and health workers. It's not good enough," she said in a statement on Tuesday after the budget's release. Meanwhile, Victoria secured $7.8 billion for roads and rail with many of the perks announced ahead of the budget including up to $5 billion for a rail link between Melbourne Airport and the city. There was also $1.75 billion for the North East Link and $457 million for a rail link between Monash University's Caulfield and Clayton campuses. The airport rail line, subject to a business case due in September, and the North East link were the two items on Victoria's federal budget wish list. Another $20 million has been allocated to get Avalon Airport ready to accept overseas flights, and there's $50 million over four years for a hydrogen energy supply chain pilot project in the Latrobe Valley. The budget confirms the state will receive $2.1 billion for its share of Snowy Hydro on the proviso it invests the proceeds into infrastructure projects. But Victorian Treasurer Tim Pallas did not have any praise for Tuesday's budget. "They're cutting taxes for the big banks and cutting TAFE, schools and hospitals for working families," he told AAP. "This sure is a Liberal budget." Victorians have been warned to brace for a "blast of winter" with a significant cold front to sweep the state for the first time this year. Melbourne is expected to drop to a maximum of 13C on Thursday before rain and strong to gale-forced winds kick in on Friday, the Bureau of Meteorology says. "Winter is just around the corner," said senior meteorologist Richard Carlyon. "(There is) one more mild day to get through but we'll see a strong low pressure system later in the week and that will deliver well below average temperatures." Residents across the state have been advised to monitor the bureau website, with severe weather warnings likely. A man allegedly responsible for a fatal stabbing outside a Wollongong methadone clinic has been arrested after a manhunt lasting more than four days. The 39-year-old victim was allegedly stabbed in the chest outside the Denison Street clinic in the city centre early on Friday after a fight with another man. He was taken to hospital and died a short time later. Police circulated a photograph of their suspect on Friday as they launched a manhunt and issued an arrest warrant. The 52-year-old man attended Wollongong Police Station on Tuesday afternoon where he was arrested. Tasmania's Liberal government hailed a near $1 billion federal spend on major roads and rail upgrades but the money has been criticised as being too much of an election sweeter. Canberra's budget on Tuesday allocated $461 million to replace the ageing Bridgewater Bridge over the River Derwent in the federal seat of Lyons that the coalition lost at the 2016 federal election. A further $400 million was given to improve the Bass Highway road corridor which runs through the marginal northern electorates of Bass and Braddon - two seats the coalition is also hoping to win back. Hobart-based independent MP Andrew Wilkie said the budget was a "good deal for some" but the state needed more than just election sweeteners. "(It) is a mixed bag," he said in a statement. "The government needs to understand that a better deal for Tasmania goes beyond just transport. "It's disappointing that there was effectively no boost for science and research in Hobart including reversing the devastating cuts to the CSIRO and the Australian Antarctic Division." The state government welcomed the infrastructure funds, as well as an extra $190 million in its GST share across the forward estimates. "It's important that Tasmania continues to receive its fair share," Treasurer Peter Gutwein said in a Facebook video posted on Tuesday night. "We will continue to fight tooth and nail to ensure we maintain and receive every dollar in respect to this important revenue stream." The state's biosecurity program received a $20 million boost after fruit flies were found near Devonport, threatening the island's fruit export industry. Nearly $48 million over five years will go to improving the health of the Tamar River from 2019/20. The state's peak business body said the budget tax cuts would help Tasmanians more than most. "We have a lower average income than other states, so many thousands of Tasmanians will benefit," Tasmanian Chamber of Commerce and Industry CEO Michael Bailey said. Australian aid groups will wake up on Wednesday morning wishing they were in New Zealand. The Turnbull government slashed another $141 million from the aid budget on Tuesday, as New Zealand boosted its assistance to Pacific islands by $667 million. CARE Australia warned it would be forced to scale back projects. "This is a selfish decision," chief executive Sally Moyle told reporters in Canberra. Aid organisations will meet for a soul searching breakfast in Canberra on Wednesday morning. The aid budget is expected to hit an all-time low - 19 cents in every $100 of gross national income by 2021-22. "They have come at a cost to Australia's international standing, but most importantly, have come at a cost to the world's poor," Save the Children acting chief executive Dianne Francois said. Palm Island's mayor has rejected a suggestion from lead applicant Lex Wotton there will be resentment towards the community's recipients of a $30 million class action settlement. Alf Lacey is not one of the 447 claimants set to be paid out by the Queensland government following a landmark racial discrimination case, but he has welcomed the proposed settlement. Mr Lacey said he did not believe there would be tension between claimants and hundreds of other members of the community as the money is distributed. "Not that I'm picking up," he told AAP. "Me and my family haven't put in a claim. It doesn't bother us one way or another. "I think you'd find the same from other community members." Mr Wotton, whose Federal Court class action resulted in the police response to riots that followed Cameron Doomadgee's 2004 death in custody being deemed racist, will speak at community meetings regarding the settlement. "There will be a lot of people disappointed," Mr Wotton said ahead of the first meeting in Townsville on Wednesday. "They had an opportunity to lodge an application. All they had to do was go and pick up a booklet, put their details on it and post it away. "There will be resentment but that's their fault, no one else's fault." Mr Lacey was confident there would be patience around the distribution of the payout, but stressed for recipients to spend the money wisely amid concerns of exploitation. "We can't tell individuals what to do with it. The onus is on them the be wise about it," he said. "No amount of money is going to solve all the problems in our community. "It needs the will of the people to move in a new direction and move toward changes in our community." The settlement needs to be approved by the Federal Court. A plan to cut taxes for workers will go straight to parliament on Wednesday as the coalition wastes no time trying to get its budget through. Treasurer Scott Morrison's third budget hinges on immediate income tax cuts for low- and middle-income workers, as well as even bigger tax cuts years down the line. "This is not spending or a giveaway. We are simply enabling Australians to keep more of what they have earned," he said in his budget speech on Tuesday. Mr Morrison is riding record job growth and company tax revenue to support his $140 billion plan to put hundreds of dollars a year back in taxpayers' pockets. The tax cuts start at $200 a year for those in the lowest bracket, rising to $530-a-year for those earning up to $90,000, from July 1 this year. The $90,000 figure is the new threshold for the 32.5 per cent tax bracket, while in four years' time the $37,000 tax threshold for the 19 per cent rate will be lifted to $41,000. And in 2024/25 the government will abolish the 37 per cent rate. That means everyone earning $41,000 to $200,000 will pay the same 32.5 per cent of their income. Laws to cement the plan in place will be introduced to parliament on Wednesday, putting immediate pressure on the federal opposition to support them. Labor is backing the first set of cuts, but says the others are a "hoax". "Most of this package is off in the Never Never - it's a hoax for Mr Turnbull to tell people they have to vote for him at least two more times before they (get) tax relief in 2024," shadow treasurer Chris Bowen said. To pay for the cuts - and a $75 billion roads and rail plan set to ease congestion in major cities - the coalition is banking on rising revenue from more people in work. The budget deficit will be $14.5 billion in 2018/19 before narrowing to a $2.2 billion surplus in 2019/20. That's a year earlier than expected, and means whoever wins the next election will get to deliver the first budget surplus since before the global financial crisis. Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry boss James Pearson said the budget was positive, but it left Australia exposed to the global economy. ACTU secretary Sally McManus said the budget relied on "failed trickle-down economics". Public assistance is being sought in the hunt for an Italian racing car worth more than $50,000 which was stolen from an inner Melbourne suburb last month. Thieves broke into a secure car park in Cremorne on April 22 and drove off with the distinct yellow and red Fiat Abarth, police said on Wednesday. The offenders in a white utility drove off with the car, which was on a trailer, and police have released images of the Fiat hoping someone may have seen it. The government has defended its cuts to Australia's national broadcaster the morning after delivering a budget focused on tax. A three-year funding freeze will cut $84 million from the ABC, alongside a decision to axe $43 million in funding for news and current affairs. But Finance Minister Mathias Cormann said the ABC would still receive $3.2 billion over those three years. "This is effectively equivalent to the efficiency dividend that applies to nearly all other government taxpayer-funded organisations," he told the ABC on Wednesday. Nearly all other government-funded, taxpayer-funded organisations have to find productivity improvements and operation efficiencies." Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, left, welcomes Palestinian President Mahmud Abbas to Caracas on May 7, 2018 Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas urged Latin American countries Monday not to emulate the controversial US decision to move its embassy to Jerusalem. The United States is pushing ahead with plans to relocate its embassy from Tel Aviv on May 14, a move that has sparked major protests by Palestinians, who consider east Jerusalem the capital of their future state. "We hope that some countries across Latin America won't go moving their embassies to Jerusalem, because that is against international law," Abbas said during a meeting with Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro in Caracas. The Palestinian leader thanked ally Maduro for rejecting Washington's decision to recognize Jerusalem as the capital of Israel and relocate its embassy, reversing decades of US policy in the region. Guatemala has already announced it will relocate its embassy in Israel to Jerusalem, two days after the United States shifts its mission. US Attorney General Jeff Sessions (C) warned that people who enter the US illegally with a child will be prosecuted, and "that child will be separated from you" US Attorney General Jeff Sessions warned during a visit to the border with Mexico on Monday that people who enter the United States unlawfully with children will have them taken away. "If you cross the border unlawfully, then we will prosecute you -- it's that simple. If you smuggle illegal aliens across our border, we will prosecute you," Sessions said. "If you are smuggling a child, we will prosecute you. And that child will be separated from you, as required by law." The trip marked the fourth recent visit by a high-ranking official from the administration of President Donald Trump to tout a zero-tolerance stance against illegal immigration. The president was in Otay Mesa, a half-hour drive south of downtown San Diego, in March to survey prototypes of the border wall, a cornerstone of his presidential campaign. The attorney general said the Department of Justice would send 18 immigration judges -- a 50 percent increase -- and 35 prosecutors to the Southwest region of the US, arguing that Americans had been "pleading" for tighter immigration enforcement for decades. "The American people are right and just and decent to ask for this. They are right to want a safe, secure border and a government that knows who is here and who isn't," Sessions said. "Donald Trump ran for office on that idea. I believe that is a big reason why he won. He is on fire about this. This entire government knows it." His remarks were briefly interrupted by a lone protester shouting through a bullhorn, calling Sessions "evil" and asking if he had a soul. The Democratic National Committee denounced Sessions's comments and the Trump administration's immigration policy as an "affront to our values as a nation." "This administration is set on tearing families apart, detaining immigrants without justification, leaving US-born children without their parents and stoking fear in immigrant communities, all while siphoning off taxpayer dollars to fund a divisive and ineffective wall," a DNC statement said. Sessions's visit came a week after a caravan of fewer than 200 migrants arrived at the US border in Tijuana following a month-long trek through Mexico. The migrants have since begun the process of seeking asylum in the US. A placard shows parts of the guidance system of an Iranian Qiam ballistic missile By threatening to withdraw from the Iran nuclear deal, the United States wants to halt Iran's ballistic missile program and its growing influence in the Middle East. European leaders will be under pressure from President Donald Trump, who will announce his decision on the future of the deal on Tuesday, to renegotiate a broader agreement addressing those points. But Tehran is refusing to change a single comma of the deal it signed in July 2015, which lifted international sanctions in return for restrictions on its nuclear program. - Sunset clause - The deal curbs the Iranian nuclear program for a period of at least 10 years. The number of centrifuges used for research and development is limited until 2025, uranium enrichment is limited until 2030, and inspections by nuclear experts will go on until 2040. But Washington wants to extend these restrictions, arguing that current measures only kick the problem down the road. And Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu insists that Tehran is secretly continuing to develop its military nuclear capabilities. "It's totally unrealistic to believe that Iran will accept perpetual limits on its sovereignty," said the International Crisis Group (ICG) in a recent report on the issue, quoting an anonymous French official. Dalia Dassa Kaye, a Middle East specialist at the Rand Corporation, said that while "Iran would be unlikely to agree to new sunset provisions," it may yet "be convinced to engage in preliminary discussions if European powers present an attractive economic package as a counter to the United States." Tehran, facing a tough financial crisis, is still waiting to feel major economic benefits from the deal. - Ballistic program - Washington wants to tackle Iran's ballistic missile program, which it deems harmful to security and stability in the Middle East. The United Nations has warned Tehran against developing a missile that could carry a nuclear warhead. Israel, which is within range of Iran's missiles, considers this an existential threat. Iran, which sees itself surrounded by US military bases and the arsenals of its neighbors, says the ballistic missile program is purely defensive and will not be used for weapons of mass destruction. It does not see its missiles as part of the nuclear deal and considers the issue to be non-negotiable. "The Iranians view their ballistic missiles as a critical element for their national defense, so this may be one of the most difficult areas to push for limits," said Kaye. She said if the nuclear deal does not collapse, "missile discussions will need to focus on confidence building steps, like limiting missile ranges and testing." - Iranian influence - Iranian influence in the region is at the heart of US concerns. Washington has reiterated that Iran's "hegemonic" ambitions in the Middle East violate the spirit of the 2015 deal, and has denounced Tehran as a destabilizing force. It has slammed Tehran's "material and financial support" for "terrorism and extremism," citing its backing of the Lebanese military and political organization Hezbollah. In Syria, where Tehran supports President Bashar al-Assad, Iran says it is working to counter jihadists from the Islamic State group, while in Yemen, it backs Huthi rebels fighting one of its main regional rivals, Saudi Arabia. UN experts have accused Iran of violating a Yemen arms embargo by allowing the Huthis to obtain drones and ballistic missiles to strike at Saudi Arabia. Iran also backs Shiite militia forces in Iraq, and sees itself as the focus of "resistance" against Israel, the Middle East's sole if unacknowledged possessor of nuclear arms. The ICG says Iran has long pursued a policy of using proxies in weakened states to fight its battles against its foes -- Hezbollah in Lebanon to fight Israel, militias in Iraq to fight US forces and the Huthis in Yemen against Saudi Arabia. "As long as Iran pursues a policy in the region that, however defensive in origin it may be, others view as aggressive, tensions will persist and the possibility will rise of direct military confrontation," the think-tank's report said. Noting how Iraqi nationalism pushed back against Iranian influence there, Kaye added: "Containing Iranian influence in the region will not be easy, but Iran also is not invincible." In Syria, Russia may be the best hope of limiting Iranian influence, at least in the south, to avoid an escalation in the conflict with Israel. As for Yemen, Kaye said the best way of curbing Iranian influence remained a political settlement to the conflict and an end to Saudi intervention. Rob Malley, former US negotiator of the Iran nuclear deal and current CEO at the International Crisis Group, says Europe and Iran should seek to preserve the accord when America pulls out Rob Malley, the conflict resolution specialist and former adviser to Barack Obama who helped negotiate the Iran nuclear accord, has no doubt that Donald Trump will now try to kill it. The US president is expected to announce on Tuesday that he will re-impose economic sanctions on Tehran -- effectively pulling the US out -- but that does not mean the deal is dead and buried. Malley, now the head of the International Crisis Group peace-building think tank, said in an interview that the 2015 agreement's original European backers must try to keep Tehran inside the deal. Through his constant attacks on the "terrible" agreement, Trump has shifted the narrative away from the prior international consensus that the deal has successfully curtailed Iran's nuclear ambitions. But Malley, who served on Obama's White House National Security Council, holds out hope that fellow deal signatories Britain, France and Germany can work with Tehran to keep the agreement alive. And the agreement, he argued, remains critical to preventing Iran from resuming its alleged search for a nuclear weapon. "This is the most comprehensive verification regime ever negotiated by a country other than one that's been defeated in war," Malley said in Washington on the eve of Trump's decision. "If they do try to cheat, there are so many tripwires to know when they're cheating, where they're cheating... it would be discovered." President Emmanuel Macron of France, Chancellor Angela Merkel of Germany and British Prime Minister Theresa May have sought to "mollify" Trump by offering to negotiate tougher anti-Iran measures. But they remained determined the Iran deal implementation mechanism -- the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) -- must remain in place, even if a supplemental agreement is found. Trump now seems unlikely to renew the US sanctions waivers that Obama announced as the US commitment under the JCPOA, but it is unclear whether Iran will seize on this to renew its nuclear program. If Europe is willing to impose tougher penalties on Iran's ballistic missile program and regional military adventurism, Malley said, it is only because they want to preserve the underlying nuclear deal. "It is a slight inflexion, I won't deny that," he added. "And frankly, I think if what Trump wants is to be able to claim victory he could do that. - Perpetual uncertainty - "He could say 'without me, Europe never would have cared so much about Iran's ballistic missiles program, never would have cared so much about its regional behavior.'" Malley said Trump is bent on undoing whatever foreign policy legacy Obama has, and fails to understand that pressure without compromise will not curtail Iran's other provocations. "Either Trump will walk away from the deal or he will stick with the deal for another period and say I'm going to postpone my decision. I'm going to wait for the Europeans to fix it," Malley predicted. "That's going to perpetuate all the uncertainty that currently surrounds the deal. That's going to make it very unlikely for businesses to invest in Iran. "It's clear that the US is in the mode of killing the deal." Malley's International Crisis Group, therefore, has been urging the Europeans to shift their attention from Trump and to work instead on convincing an angry Tehran not to break its end of the bargain. "It's going to be a very tough endeavor," he said. "What we try to do... is to say here are steps that the European can take mitigate the harm of the reimposition of US sanctions." Smaller EU businesses that do not have investments in the United States that could be exposed to renewed US sanctions, could work together to do business with Iran, he suggested. - Economic dividends - "It's not easy but that's the effort the Europeans need to be engaged in and Iranians too," Malley said. Such trade, he added, could show "why preserving this deal is better for Europe and it's better for Iran even if the economic dividends of the deal that Iran expected to get they're not going to see now." And he has a message for the Iranians: "Isn't it better to have some kind of continued commercial and trade relations with Europe and have the US being isolated, than have you isolated and have the Europeans and the Americans on your case? "Because the truth is if tomorrow the US reimposes the sanctions and the Iranian response is 'We're leaving the deal too,' Europe won't have the choice," Malley warned. "They may blame president Trump (but) they will reimpose sanctions on Iran if Iran resumes its nuclear program." Director Robert Rodriguez, pictured in 2014, didn't so much rewrite James Cameron's "Alita" script as edit it down to a manageable length, suggesting some additional photography and dialogue, and moving the action to South America Before James Cameron turned "Avatar" into the highest-grossing movie in history, he was working on a new kind of cinematic heroine with the big-screen adaptation of manga series "Battle Angel Alita." The legendary director behind "The Terminator," "Aliens" and "Titanic" -- the second biggest hit of all time -- had a whole franchise planned for Yukito Kishiro's graphic novels about a cyborg discovered on a garbage heap. The runaway success of "Avatar" -- $2.8 billion in worldwide ticket receipts -- has led to a staggering four sequels being green-lit, however, so Cameron made the unprecedented decision to let go of his baby, entrusting his 600-page "Alita" script to his friend Robert Rodriguez. "I totally bought into his version of it and I wanted to help him get it to the screen. I wanted, as a fan, to see that movie," Rodriguez, 49, told AFP at the recent CinemaCon industry convention in Las Vegas. "So that was my approach to it, not to go and take it and turn it into something else, but help Jim finish what he had started out to make." "Alita: Battle Angel" -- the title was flipped, in keeping with all of Cameron's films since the early 1980s beginning with a T or an A -- is set hundreds of years in the future. The unconscious Alita is found in a scrapyard by Ido, a doctor who realizes that somewhere in her abandoned cyborg shell is the heart and soul of an extraordinary young woman. - Oscar winners - Rosa Salazar, pictured in 2015, leads an all-star cast featuring Jennifer Connelly, Mahershala Ali and Christoph Waltz -- all Oscar winners He tries to shield Alita from her mysterious past as the corrupt forces that run things come after her -- and she discovers she has unique fighting abilities. Rosa Salazar, known for the "Divergent" and "Maze Runner" teen franchises, leads an all-star cast featuring Jennifer Connelly, Mahershala Ali and Christoph Waltz -- all Oscar winners. Rodriguez, who befriended Cameron a quarter century ago, rose to fame with the release of his widely acclaimed 1992 low-budget "El Mariachi," about a Mexican musician who takes up arms against a gang of outlaws. This led to a diverse career that has included the seminal vampire thriller "From Dusk Till Dawn," the dark action film "Sin City" and the child-friendly "Spy Kids" franchise, as well as Mexican-set actioners "Machete" and "Desperado." Rodriguez didn't so much rewrite Cameron's "Alita" script as edit it down to a manageable length, suggesting some additional photography and dialogue, and moving the action to South America. "If I wrote (Cameron) a question he'd send back a whole very long, broken down, analyzed, easy-to-digest-and-learn-from answer," Rodriguez said. "And he's very generous, very much a mentor and, at the same time, 'Make this your own, you know, Robert -- you make this your own. Here's what I think but make your own decision.'" Cameron and long-time co-producer Jon Landau ("Titanic," "Avatar") haven't ruled out a franchise, but first the movie -- due out on December 21 -- will need to overcome some misgivings about the look of Alita. - 'Uncanny valley' - When an early trailer landed, some critics complained that the preternaturally large-eyed heroine -- an entirely computer-animated character superimposed on Salazar's motion-capture performance -- looked kind of creepy. It is a reaction encapsulated by the "uncanny valley" -- the hypothesis that human replicas that appear almost, but not quite, like real people elicit feelings of revulsion. "Not being funny: I just don't like looking at Alita. Forget the uncanny valley, this is uncanny Marianas Trench," tweeted Scott Wampler of the Birth.Movies.Death pop culture website. The precedents for big-budget, effects-saturated, manga-based blockbusters with female leads aren't particularly encouraging either. "Ghost in the Shell," opened poorly in the US and sank without a trace amid scathing reviews and a backlash against the white Scarlett Johannson being handed the starring role. But Rodriguez has always believed in Cameron's vision of a CGI cyborg that appears every bit as real -- in soul, if not in appearance -- as the young women who will see the movie. "A lot of the time, manga-type material is unrelatable to an audience because it's just so far out, it's all spectacle and not enough emotion and human relatability," he said. "And that's the opposite of what Jim does." Supporters of former Malaysian prime minister and opposition party Pakatan Harapan's prime ministerial candidate Mahathir Mohamad attend a campaign rally ahead of the upcoming 14th general elections to be held on May 9. Malaysia's opposition hopes a surge of support from disillusioned members of the country's Muslim majority can carry them to an unlikely victory in Wednesday's elections. The optimism has been triggered by the decision of 92-year-old former leader Mahathir Mohamad, a champion of the country's Muslim Malays, to run as the opposition's prime ministerial candidate. They believe his connection to rural Muslim voters can trigger what they have dubbed a "Malay tsunami" and unseat Prime Minister Najib Razak's coalition after six decades in power. Amid escalating anger over a massive financial scandal, Mahathir came out of retirement to take on his former protege Najib, upending an election race that had long looked like an easy win for the government. Supporters wave flashlights from their smartphones as former Malaysian prime minister and opposition party Pakatan Harapan's prime ministerial candidate Mahathir Mohamad arrives to address a campaign rally ahead of the upcoming 14th general elections to be held on May 9. Malays, who make up some 60 percent of the country's 32 million people, have long formed the bedrock of support for Najib's Barisan Nasional (BN) coalition, and winning over the group is key to victory in a Malaysian election. BN has pushed policies that favour Malays over the country's substantial ethnic Chinese and Indian minorities, supporting them with financial handouts and priority in securing government jobs. The opposition, which has sought to project a more multi-racial image, has been unable to mobilise support among rural Malays, adding to difficulties of trying to unseat a deeply entrenched government. But the decision of Mahathir, who ruled Malaysia with an iron fist for 22 years, to join the opposition is threatening Najib's Muslim support base as anger grows over soaring living costs and corruption. In the small town of Kuala Pilah, Malay businessman Abdul Moktar Awalluddin said he had dropped his life-long support for Najib's United Malays National Organisation (UMNO), the main party in the ruling coalition. "Enough is enough," the 70-year-old told AFP, angrily waving his fading UMNO membership card. "Rural Malays are suffering economically and many -- including myself -- will vote for the opposition led by Mahathir Mohamad." - 'Failed the Malays'- Despite the anger, Najib is still expected to win due to what the opposition claims is poll-rigging, and a system that requires only a simple majority of MPs in parliament to maintain power. Malay complaints over rising costs and stagnant wages have been growing louder in recent years, especially in the countryside, and after the introduction of an unpopular sales tax in 2015. The scandal surrounding sovereign wealth fund 1MDB has not helped, although in rural areas the complex controversy has generally taken a back seat to economic worries. Mahathir has sought to capitalise on his enduring popularity among Malays to win them over to his four-party opposition alliance. Many still remember him fondly as a champion of the Muslim majority and father of modern Malaysia and the architect of policies that transformed a sleepy Southeast Asian backwater into a relatively affluent country. Some do feel uneasy about his comeback -- he was accused of being authoritarian during his time in power, and was criticised for jailing opponents and undermining the country's institutions. He has nevertheless successfully tapped into rising anger among Malays in rural areas and many have swung behind his new Bersatu party, switching from UMNO. "UMNO under Najib has not only failed the Malays but also other communities," said Eddin Syazlee Shith, a former ruling party member who left to join Bersatu, and is now a parliamentary candidate for Kuala Pilah. But Najib has been fighting back, touring rural Malay heartlands and warning that victory for the opposition would undermine the privileges enjoyed by the country's Muslims. "We cannot be confident that (the opposition) will look after our interests, especially the people in the rural areas, the interests of Islam and the interests of the Malays," he told a rally in Pahang state at the weekend, state news agency Bernama reported. But most analysts believe the swing in Malay support will not be strong enough to produce an opposition win. A survey last month by leading independent pollster the Merdeka Center showed that BN had lost eight percent Malay support, but that this support was split between the main opposition grouping and a smaller Islamic party. James Chin, a Malaysia expert from the University of Tasmania, said many Malays would find it hard to switch their allegiance. "The rural Malays have been brainwashed since independence, so they will find it hard to abandon UMNO," he said. Sun Zhengcai, a former Politburo member and party chief of the southwestern mega-city of Chongqing, was found guilty of taking over 170 million yuan ($26.7 million) in bribes, the First Intermediate People's Court of Tianjin says A former Chinese Communist Party official who was once tipped for a top leadership post was sentenced to life in prison for bribery on Tuesday, the latest senior cadre to fall in President Xi Jinping's sweeping anti-corruption crusade. Sun Zhengcai, a former Politburo member and party chief of the southwestern mega-city of Chongqing, was found guilty of taking over 170 million yuan ($26.7 million) in bribes, the First Intermediate People's Court of Tianjin said in a statement on its website. Sun, 54, had once been tipped for promotion to the Politburo's elite seven-member standing committee, which rules the country and is presided over by Xi. As the youngest Politburo member, Sun was even seen in some quarters as a potential successor to Xi. The court said the defendant has been given a "lenient" sentence in light of his willingness to cooperate with the investigation. In addition to his prison term, Sun's "stolen property has already all been confiscated," the statement said. Sun had been accused of taking advantage of his position to seek profits for others and illegally accepting money, according to previous court statements. He and his alleged associates were charged with accepting the bribes in return for providing help to unspecified organisations and individuals with engineering contracts, business operations and other matters. His actions had "gravely damaged the normal work order of national organisations and harmed the integrity of conduct by national employees," the statement said. He pleaded guilty to the charges during a one-day trial in April. Sun was the first serving member of the 25-person Politburo to be placed under investigation since Bo Xilai, another former leader of Chongqing, who was jailed for life in 2013. Xi has presided over a popular anti-graft campaign since coming to power in 2012 that has punished more than one million officials, but critics have compared it to a political purge. Protestors shout slogans and wave flags in Yerevan after the ruling party rejected Pashniyan's first attempt to be elected premier The Armenian parliament is due to elect a new prime minister Tuesday with opposition leader Nikol Pashinyan set to take the post after spearheading weeks of mass protests against the ruling party. The vote will be Pashinyan's second attempt to get elected as premier after the ruling Republican Party narrowly blocked his first bid on May 1, despite initially promising not to stand in the way. That led to a crippling general strike in the capital Yerevan and other cities. Pashinyan called for an end to the protests after the Republicans -- who have 58 MPs in the 105-seat legislature -- issued assurances they would back his candidacy on a second attempt. The 42-year-old former newspaper editor has also secured the support of two other major political parties -- Prosperous Armenia and the Armenian Revolutionary Federation (Dashnaktsutyun) -- who nominated him for the post together with his opposition Elk coalition. Pashinyan is the only candidate for the top job. On Monday evening thousands of Pashinyan supporters rallied in Yerevan's central square, waving tricolour national flags and chanting his name. "I am 95 percent sure that your candidate will be elected as prime minister tomorrow," Pashinyan told the cheering crowd. Analysts have said it appeared the ruling party had changed position in a bid to retain control of the legislature. - 'Period of disequilibrium ' - Pashinyan's election as prime minister would not necessarily end the political crisis as the ruling party will retain a majority in parliament and is likely to block his initiatives. If lawmakers fail to elect a prime minister a second time, parliament will be dissolved and early elections will take place. The 42-year-old Pashniyan is the sole candidate for PM but faces a rocky road ahead In such an event, the deeply unpopular Republicans would have little chance of retaining their parliamentary majority. Analyst Vigen Akopyan said snap elections are certain even if Pashinyan is chosen prime minister. Another analyst, Stepan Safaryan, warned that Pashinyan would be caught between a rock and a hard place. "Armenia is entering an interesting period of disequilibrium. Before the early elections Pashinyan must manoeuvre between the will of the people and the parliamentary ruling party that he does not belong to and which cannot begin supporting him," he said. - Corruption and poverty - The hugely popular Pashinyan has in recent weeks piled pressure on the ruling party through an unprecedented campaign of civil disobedience that plunged the Moscow-allied nation into its most serious political crisis in years. It led to the shock resignation of veteran leader Serzh Sarkisian, a week after he shifted to the newly-empowered role of prime minister after having served ten years as president. Observers have expressed concern that the turmoil could destabilise the country locked in a decades-long territorial dispute with Azerbaijan. Pashinyan's protest movement had accused Sarkisian of a blatant power grab, saying he wanted to extend his grip on power by becoming premier after serving two consecutive terms as president. No caption In December 2015, controversial constitutional amendments initiated by Sarkisian were passed after a referendum that saw some 63 percent of the voters backing the country's transformation into a parliamentary republic with executive powers fully concentrated in the hands of a prime minister. After the plebiscite, thousands of opposition supporters rallied against alleged mass violations at polling stations. Council of Europe observers have said the referendum was marred by allegations of large-scale vote-buying and multiple voting, among other irregularities. Critics accuse Sarkisian and his Republicans of corruption and failure to tackle widespread poverty and the influence of powerful oligarchs in the tiny South Caucasus nation of 2.9 million people. As Republican concern over the November 2018 mid-term elections grows, US President Donald Trump urged voters in West Virginia to reject Republican Senate candidate Don Blankenship (pictured), a former coal baron who recently spent a year in prison, and choose one of two other more mainstream alternatives West Virginia Republican voters will decide Tuesday if they want an ex-con coal baron as their US senator, even though President Donald Trump himself has warned the candidate is too radical to prevail in November's mid-term elections. Proclaiming himself "Trumpier than Trump" on Monday, Don Blankenship has mounted a highly controversial campaign ahead of Tuesday's primary in the heart of Trump country. His strong performance as a fearless outsider has spooked Republicans already bracing for losses as they struggle to maintain control of Congress in a deeply divisive campaign landscape. Blankenship -- a former coal executive who spent a year in prison over safety lapses linked to an explosion at his mine that killed 29 miners -- has peddled conspiracy theories about government action causing the accident, used racially charged campaign rhetoric, and coined incendiary, Trump-like nicknames for his opponents. On Monday, Trump used his Twitter bully pulpit to urge "the good people of West Virginia" to reject Blankenship and instead pick either congressman Evan Jenkins or state Attorney General Patrick Morrisey, both Republicans. "Problem is, Don Blankenship, currently running for Senate, can't win the General Election in your State...No way!" Trump wrote. "Remember Alabama." December's Senate election in conservative Alabama proved disastrous for Republicans, when Roy Moore, who was endorsed by Trump despite accusations he once molested underage girls, lost to a Democrat. Moore was among a handful of extreme candidates in recent years who have won the Republican nomination only to eventually lose their Senate elections. But the anti-establishment fervor unleashed by Trump's spectacular 2016 election win has proven hard to control. Two sets of recent internal campaign polling show Blankenship surging into the lead against his two main Republican rivals, the Weekly Standard reported, although primary polling can be unreliable. The president and his party now appear alarmed that a primary win by Blankenship would sink prospects for ousting Democratic incumbent Senator Joe Manchin -- even in a state Trump won by 42 points in 2016 -- and make it harder for the party to hold its narrow 51-49 Senate majority. - 'Problematic' - "It didn't work out very well in Alabama," Senator John Cornyn, a senior Republican, told reporters when asked about Blankenship potentially squaring off against Manchin. "I obviously think Mr Blankenship would be problematic as our nominee," he added. A group linked to Republican Senate leader Mitch McConnell has poured money into the race, releasing ads calling Blankenship a "convicted criminal." Blankenship, meanwhile, has grown increasingly defiant, using his fortune to blanket the state with ads attacking McConnell, whom he has branded "Cocaine Mitch" -- in reference to drugs reportedly found aboard a cargo ship owned by his wife's family. "Tomorrow, West Virginia will send the swamp a message -- no one, and I mean no one, will tell us how to vote," Blankenship said in a Facebook post pushing back against the president's tweet. Senator Jeff Flake, a conservative who has repeatedly clashed with Trump, warned that a Blankenship nomination would create a public relations fiasco for Republicans desperate to hold their House and Senate majorities. "I hope that he doesn't get through the primary," Flake said. "But if he does I think you'll see a lot of Republicans making a contribution to Joe Manchin. I certainly will." Several states hold Republican primaries Tuesday for Senate and House contests. Among the congressional candidates in Indiana's Republican primaries is Greg Pence, the older brother of US Vice President Mike Pence who held the seat for a decade. NY Attorney General Eric Schneiderman speaks last year at a rally to defend immigrants in New York New York state's top prosecutor, a public defender of the #MeToo movement and antagonist of Donald Trump, has become the latest public figure to resign over allegations of sexual misconduct. Eric Schneiderman, a 63-year-old progressive Democrat serving a second elected term as state attorney general, resigned late Monday hours after being accused of physically assaulting four women. It was a swift fall from power for the chief law enforcement official in the state, an outspoken Trump opponent whose office had launched multiple legal challenges against the Republican administration. "Gotcha," tweeted White House counselor to the president, Kellyanne Conway, although there was no immediate response from Trump. "While these allegations are unrelated to my professional conduct or the operations of the office, they will effectively prevent me from leading the offices work at this critical time," he said. "I therefore resign my office, effective at the close of business on May 8." Two of the women spoke to The New Yorker on the record, alleging that Schneiderman repeatedly hit them, often after drinking, frequently in bed and never with their consent. Both say they sought medical attention after having been slapped hard across the ear and face, and also choked, the magazine said. - 'Brown slave' - The article was co-written by Ronan Farrow, who last month shared the Pulitzer Prize for public service with The New York Times for reporting on the Harvey Weinstein scandal and sexual harassment. The New Yorker said none of the women classified the behavior as consensual. "It wasn't consensual. This wasnt sexual playacting. This was abusive, demeaning, threatening behavior," Tanya Selvaratnam, a Harvard-educated author, actor and film producer told the magazine. The Sri Lankan-born woman said Schneiderman, whom she dated in 2016-17, called her "his 'brown slave,'" spat at her and choked her. "He was cutting off my ability to breathe," she said, accusing Schneiderman of drinking heavily, taking sedatives and pressing her to drink too, saying "drink your bourbon, Turnip." "We could rarely have sex without him beating me," she said. Schneiderman, who had positioned himself publicly as a defender of women's rights, had inserted himself into the downfall of disgraced movie mogul Weinstein, launching legal action against his former production company in February for failing to protect staff. New York's state Governor Andrew Cuomo, who is facing a left-flank challenge for a third term from progressive "Sex and the City" actress Cynthia Nixon, was among those who demanded Schneiderman go. - 'Damning pattern' - "No one is above the law," he said late Monday. "Given the damning pattern of facts and corroboration laid out in the article, I do not believe it is possible for Eric Schneiderman to continue to serve." On Tuesday, the Manhattan district attorney's office confirmed it had opened an investigation -- as ordered by Cuomo overnight -- into the allegations against Schneiderman. Ironically, until Monday Schneiderman was the one investigating the Manhattan district attorney, also at the behest of Cuomo, for failing to prosecute Weinstein for sexual misconduct in 2015. A spokesman confirmed that the New York police department had no complaints on file against the former attorney general. Schneiderman initially denied assaulting anyone or ever engaging in non-consensual sex, and his office also released a statement from his ex-wife attesting to his "outstanding values." "In the privacy of intimate relationships, I have engaged in role-playing and other consensual sexual activity," he said. But hours later he was the latest powerful man to fall in the wake of the avalanche of sexual misconduct allegations from women that have poured forth since the Weinstein scandal broke late last year and effectively ended the Hollywood movie producer's career. Schneiderman "has made a career railing against this type of abuse. Yet apparently he intends to revictimize these courageous women who have come forward by pulling out that age-old sexist trope that they wanted it," said Debra Katz, a lawyer for another of the women. Thailand is trying to shake off its reputation as a haven for sex tourists An American man has been arrested in a sting operation for allegedly running a online brothel service matching men in northern Thailand with Myanmar sex workers across the border, police said Tuesday. Police said Kenneth Viggo Albertsen, a 66-year-old living in Chiang Rai province on a retirement visa, is behind a website and Facebook page called "Burmese Border Chicks for Hire" that sold sex with Myanmar women for 6,500 baht ($200). The business brought women to meet clients on the Thai side of the border in Mae Sai, and also offered to "guide" men into Myanmar for sex services, police said. "He has been operating for at least 10 years," Colonel Jirabhob Bhuridej, deputy commander of Thailand's Crime Suppression Police, told AFP. Police said Albertsen was arrested after arranging for two Myanmar women, aged 25 and 18, to cross into Thailand and meet undercover officers who posed as clients at a hotel in Mae Sai. He and the two sex workers, plus another Myanmar woman who allegedly helped arrange the meet-up, have been charged with procuring prostitution, which carries up to 10 years in prison. The bust comes as Thailand is trying to shake off its reputation as a haven for sex tourists. Yet while prostitution is technically outlawed in the kingdom, it is largely allowed to operate in plain sight, with huge glitzy "massage parlours" in Bangkok and brothels in towns across the rest of the country. Bribes and widespread corruption help to insulate the lucrative industry from authorities. The explosion of social media has also moved much of the business online, helping agents procure women and arrange sex services in the shadows. Women from neighbouring Myanmar have long been victims of sex trafficking in Thailand, while rights groups have expressed fear that the poor country could be the next stop for sex tourists as it opens up after years of isolation. Israeli soldier Elor Azaria (C), who shot dead a wounded Palestinian assailant in March 2016 sits between his parents during a hearing at a military court in Tel Aviv on July 30, 2017 An Israeli soldier convicted of manslaughter for shooting dead a prone Palestinian assailant was freed from prison on Tuesday and greeted by supporters as a hero after serving nine months behind bars, half his original sentence. Elor Azaria was lifted onto the shoulders of a man who was part of a small group of supporters outside his home following his release and he later paraded the streets in celebration in a small convoy of cars and motorcycles. "We've been through a very difficult period, very difficult," Azaria's father Charlie told supporters. "Today we're celebrating. We'll continue to rejoice. There will be a time and place to say what we have to say." Azaria did not speak to supporters but smiled broadly as he was lifted in celebration. Some family members wore T-shirts with Azaria's photo on it. The former soldier was initially condemned to 18 months in prison for the 2016 killing of Abdul Fatah al-Sharif in the occupied West Bank city of Hebron. Armed forces chief of staff Gadi Eisenkot later reduced the term by four months and in March a parole board ordered a further cut, to a total of nine months. Azaria was released two days ahead of schedule, and as word of it spread supporters began to visit his home in Ramla near Tel Aviv, including the city's mayor. Israeli media said he was freed early from Tzrifim military prison to allow him to attend his brother's wedding. The military confirmed his release but provided no further details. A sign outside Azaria's home said "welcome back Elor the hero". Education Minister Naftali Bennett, head of the far-right Jewish Home party, tweeted his congratulations to Azaria along with a picture of the family, saying "it's good to have you home". Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who had called for the former soldier to receive a presidential pardon, told reporters he was "happy that the affair is over". - 'Nothing we can do' - The release however drew further anger from Palestinians, who have called his sentence outrageously short. The mother of the Palestinian killed by Azaria spoke of her resignation. Rajaa al-Sharif holds a picture of her son Abdul Fatah al-Sharif who was shot dead by Israeli soldier Elor Azaria while lying wounded on the ground in 2016. Azaria was freed on May 8, 2018 after serving nine months behind bars "There is nothing we can do," Rajaa al-Sharif told AFP at her home in Hebron. "This is something natural for them." The Palestinian foreign ministry called the sentence "racist". It accused Israel of "encouraging the occupation soldiers to continue field executions of unarmed Palestinian citizens with full cover and protection from occupation authorities". Azaria, who was 19 at the time of the 2016 shooting, began serving his sentence on August 9. Prisoners in Israel often have their sentences cut by a third for good behaviour. The shooting incident was caught on video by a human rights group and spread widely online. It showed Sharif, 21, lying wounded on the ground, shot along with another Palestinian after stabbing and wounding a soldier, according to the army. Some 11 minutes after the initial shooting, Azaria, a sergeant and military medic at the time of the incident, shot him in the head without any apparent provocation. He said he feared Sharif was wearing an explosive belt and could blow himself up, a claim judges rejected. The trial captivated Israel and highlighted deep divisions in public opinion between those who denounced the shooting and others who said it was justified. Senior army officers strongly denounced Azaria's actions, but right-wing politicians, including Netanyahu, called for him to be pardoned. Comparisons have been drawn to sentences handed out to Palestinians for lesser crimes. Those critical of Azaria's sentence have in particular pointed to the jail term of Palestinian teenager Ahed Tamimi. She was sentenced to eight months in prison in a plea deal after a video that went viral showed Tamimi, 16 at the time, slapping two Israeli soldiers in the West Bank in December. jjm-hb-jod-scw/mjs/hkb Tariq Ramadan, the prominent Islamic scholar, is facing rape claims from four women The Islamic scholar Tariq Ramadan, who is being held in France over rape allegations by three women, has lost his bid for early release ahead of trial, his lawyer told AFP. Judges had already refused bail for the 55-year-old Ramadan, who is being treated behind bars for multiple sclerosis, as well as a request for release on health grounds. "We were informed of the decision today and I immediately lodged an appeal," his lawyer Emmanuel Marsigny said late Monday, calling the decision "incredible". The prominent TV pundit and Oxford University professor, whose grandfather founded Egypt's Muslim Brotherhood movement, has been held since February on charges that he raped two Muslim women in France. In early March, a third woman came forward claiming Ramadan had raped her in Brussels in 2013 and 2014, accusing him of subjecting her to violent and sexually degrading acts during a dozen meetings. Meanwhile a fourth woman has filed rape charges in Geneva against Ramadan, who is a Swiss citizen. His supporters -- including two million Facebook followers -- have lashed out angrily at his arrest, with many complaining that he has been unfairly targeted because he is Muslim. "Prosectors, the investigating magistrate and the liberty and custody judge are refusing to take into account the elements that support his case," Marsigny said, again denouncing what he called "lies" and inconsistencies by Ramadan's accusers. "This decision shows the lack of impartiality by all the legal representatives -- police and judges -- involved in this case," he said. Eric Morain, a lawyer for one of Ramadan's accusers, dismissed what he called claims of a "conspiracy theory". "They go around saying our clients contradict one another and lie, but why did the judges make this decision -- Are they being manipulated?" Morain told AFP. Investigating magistrates are expected to soon question Ramadan's first accuser, Henda Ayari, 41, a feminist activist who previously practised a conservative strain of Islam, and who says Ramadan raped her in a Paris hotel room in 2012. A second woman, who is disabled, claims that Ramadan raped and beat her in a hotel in the southeastern city of Lyon in 2009. The third accuser, a French Muslim woman who is using the pseudonym "Marie", claims to have suffered multiple rapes in France, Brussels and London between 2013 and 2014. French Defence Minister Florence Parly said that even though the nuclear accord with Iran is not perfect, "it still has its virtues" Paris will continue to push for a broader deal aimed at ensuring Iran complies with a landmark 2015 deal curbing its nuclear programme, "whether the United States participates or not", France's defence chief said Tuesday. "This agreement is not the best one in the world," Defence Minister Florence Parly told RTL radio. "But without being perfect, it still has its virtues... and they (the Iranians) are respecting it," she said. US President Donald Trump is widely expected to announce Tuesday that he is pulling out of what he has called a "very badly negotiated" deal with Tehran and possibly reimpose economic sanctions. France, Britain and Germany -- the European signatories of the accord -- have been urging the US not to back out, while agreeing that more needs to be done to curb Iran's ballistic missile development and what it calls its destabilising policies in the Middle East. "Iran is a power that is looking to exercise its influence across the region. That is why it's involved in Syria," where it is supporting President Bashar Al-Assad against opposition rebel groups, Parly said. But the Iranian presence has increased tensions with nearby Israel, which has carried out several strikes on targets in Syria in recent weeks. "We can see that any escalation... that could lead Iran not to respect the deal that was signed, including by the United States, would only aggravate what is already a very tense situation," Parly said. South Korea's Moon Jae-in will meet with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe but the relationship between their two countries has been tense for decades When Moon Jae-in heads to Japan on Wednesday he will be the first South Korean leader to do so in more than six years, but while the neighbours are both market democracies and US allies facing similar threats, analysts say their relationship is mired in the past. Moon will attend a trilateral meeting in Tokyo with Japanese and Chinese leaders and hold a separate summit with Prime Minister Shinzo Abe. Seoul and Tokyo face a common threat from nuclear-armed North Korea, and have both been on the receiving end of Beijing's economic muscle-flexing in recent years. But despite their shared interests and outlooks, similar difficulties and extensive economic connections, their relations are marred by disputes over history and territory. Koreans maintain a deep resentment over Japan's colonial rule of the peninsula from 1910 to 1945 and its abuses, including the wartime sex slaves euphemistically known as "comfort women", and say Tokyo has not expressed sufficient remorse. South Korean national identity is rooted in the struggle for independence from Tokyo, and the history is prominent in education, monuments and culture. Sporting contests between the two are tense affairs, and aside from North Korea, Japan almost always ranks as South Koreans' most disliked country in opinion polls. For its part Tokyo believes that all such issues were resolved through a treaty to normalise relations in 1965, which included massive economic aid to develop the South, at the time still recovering from the ravages of the Korean War. Moon himself told Japan's Yomiuri Shimbun newspaper in an interview published Tuesday that he supported "future-oriented cooperation", separate from the issues of history. But at the same time, he said that "true reconciliation" was not possible unless a "sincere self-reflection and an apology from the bottom of the heart must be conveyed to and received by the victims". Analysts say the two countries should try to draw a line under the past in favour of "more diplomatic options". - 'That was then, this is now' - "Korea and Japan both face a lot of shared challenges -- North Korea, an unpredictable United States, an aggressive China, and the difficulty of sustaining economic growth," Mintaro Oba, a former US State Department official, told AFP. "Cooperation between the two governments is both possible and critically important." Daniel Pinkston, a lecturer in international relations at Troy University, added: "It is in the interest (of) both countries to resolve the issues." Koreans suffered immensely under Japan's colonial rule, Pinkston said, but Seoul now had a shared responsibility to resolve the issue with "some maturity and strength". "Japan today is not the Japan in the 1930s," he said. "That was then and this is now." But Seoul and Tokyo Japan still bicker over statues representing a comfort woman installed by activists in front of the Japanese embassy in the South Korean capital and elsewhere. Most of the up to 200,000 Asian women historians say were forced into sex slavery for Japanese troops were Korean, and 28 are still alive in the South, eight of them living at the "House of Sharing" rest home outside Seoul. "We suffer unfairness and it makes us angry," survivor Lee Ok-sun told AFP. "Why are they not apologising? We must receive a formal apology and legal compensation. Only then will we be able to let it go." - Yasukuni shrine - Japan has repeatedly addressed its wartime atrocities, notably the 1993 Kono Statement on the comfort women issue and a landmark apology by prime minister Tomiichi Murayama in 1995. But remarks and actions by its own government and politicians have fuelled South Korean distrust of Japan's sincerity, notably the regular appearances by MPs at Tokyo's controversial Yasukuni Shrine, which honours millions of Japanese war dead but also senior convicted war criminals. The nationalist Abe's own grandfather was arrested as a war crimes suspect but never charged, and a recent poll by Seoul's Asan Institute showed he was South Koreans' least liked leader. "Tokyo's apologies have been perceived as too little, too late," writes Jennifer Lind of Dartmouth College in her book "Sorry States: Apologies in International Politics". "Even worse, its politicians repeatedly shock survivors and the global community by denying past atrocities; its history textbooks whitewash its wartime crimes," Lind added. Park Geun-hye, Moon's ousted predecessor, struck a deal in December 2015 with Tokyo under which Seoul promised not to raise the sex slaves issue again and Japan paid one billion yen ($8.9 million) to a foundation dedicated to supporting the victims. But Tokyo fell short of taking legal responsibility under the agreement, which angered some survivors. Moon has not formally torn up the deal, but has called it a "wrongful" solution and said the South would return the money. Seoul needed to find a deal with Tokyo that was acceptable to its own public, said Ha Jong-moon, professor of Japanese Studies at Hanshin University. But he added: "The gap is too huge between what South Korea needs and what Japan is willing to do. Supporters of candidate for the upcoming Iraqi parliamentary elections Abdel Amir Najem work on a campaign poster that will hang in Basra Not long ago they were battling against the Islamic State group -- now members of Iraqi paramilitary units have swapped the bullets for ballots as they compete in upcoming elections. Abdel Amir Najem was quick to sign up to fight when Iraq's top Shiite cleric Ayatollah Ali Sistani issued a call to arms back in 2014 to stop the rampaging jihadists. The former security officer was one of tens of thousands who volunteered to join the Hashed al-Shaabi (Popular Mobilisation Units) that fought alongside Baghdad's regular forces. Five months after Iraq declared IS beaten, Najem is making a first foray into politics by standing for national parliamentary elections on May 12 in his southern home region Basra. Running at the head of an alliance of local civil society figures and technocrats he says his experience in battle is perfect preparation for taking on Iraq's corrupt elite. "After the victory that we achieved at the front, we now have to battle those politicians who are just as bad as IS," Najem tells AFP. He vows to focus on education and hopes he can break through "the tribal allegiances, personal interests, promises, bogus projects and vote buying" that mar Iraqi politics. - 'Want a change' - The rise of the Hashed as a political force has shaken up the landscape ahead of the vote with some concerned their ties to Iran mean Tehran could gain more influence. Members of the Shiite-dominated units feature widely on political lists vying for seats in the parliament. Falih Khazali is running for the Conquest Alliance headed by Hashd leader Hadi al-Ameri, seen as one of the main challengers to incumbent Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi. Iraq election candidate Falih Khazali, who fought Islamic State group jihadists, says he helped "win victory where even the 66 countries of the international coalition couldn't fight" Khazali -- an imposing figure who lost his right eye in battle -- is no stranger to the minefield of Iraqi politics. He was elected to parliament just before IS swept across his homeland in 2014 -- but spent most of his mandate fighting on the front lines. Together with his comrades, he says, he helped "win victory where even the 66 countries of the international coalition couldn't fight". This experience is clearly a major selling point with potential voters. "Someone who has sacrificed for Iraq will for sure make a good member of parliament," says Tareq Jabbar, a 55-year-old civil servant as he listens to their pitches. Labourer Mahmud Yassin, 48, insists that people simply "want a change" as they are tired of the "same old faces" who have dominated Iraq since the fall of Saddam Hussein in 2003. - Corruption, economy, employment - Not everyone appears entirely convinced. Clutching an excercise book and calculator, student Ammar Mufid, 24, is not willing to pay any price for the reforms he wants to see. "Some are using their combat against IS for political ends but what we really need are people who will fight against unemployment," he says. These concerns seem to have been taken on board by some of the ex-combattant candidates. Supporters of Iraq's Hashed al-Shaabi paramilitary units wave flags during a campaign rally in Baghdad ahead of the May 12, 2018 parliamentary election Khazali's campaign headquarters are a hive of activity as dozens of youths busy away putting the finishing touches to his political programme. He says he already has plans on "the economy, youth, poverty, housing, employment, agriculture and industry", and has collated 50 dossiers of corruption cases he wants solved. "Even during the past three-and-a-half years away at the front, I did not stop following politics," he insists. "Now we are relying on the conscience of the voters". An Iranian military truck carries surface-to-air missiles past a portrait of supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei during a parade in Tehran on April 18, 2018 Iran's ballistic missile programme has poisoned relations between Tehran and Western powers for years but for the Islamic republic the issue is staunchly non-negotiable. A recent report by London's International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS) says Iran is developing a dozen ballistic missiles that can fly up to 2,000 kilometres (1,200 miles) and deliver a 450-1,200 kilo (990-2,640 pounds) payload. Since 2006, the UN Security Council has adopted several coercive resolutions aimed at preventing any bid by Iran to develop a missile programme that could deliver nuclear weapons, although this goal has always been denied by Tehran. The sanctions were suspended in July 2015 when the Security Council unanimously passed Resolution 2231 to endorse the hard-won nuclear deal struck days earlier between Iran and six world powers. President Donald Trump is due to announce Tuesday whether the United States will remain in the deal that lifted international sanctions in exchange for curbs to Iran's nuclear programme. Trump insists the deal, also signed by France, Britain, China, Germany and Russia, was "very badly negotiated" by the previous administration of Barack Obama and fails to address Iran's ballistic missile programme and regional interventions. European leaders have pleaded with Trump not to withdraw from the deal, with France proposing new negotiations with Iran, although Tehran has refused to make any modifications to the agreement. - Missiles and defence - Iran considers missiles central to its defence against regional foes, namely Saudi Arabia and Israel, said IISS researcher Clement Therme. It says they were never part of the nuclear deal and considers the issue to be non-negotiable. Its critics say the missiles are offensive and could one day carry nuclear warheads. They also accuse Tehran of arming Yemeni rebels who have fired missiles into Saudi territory. Israel, which is in range of Iranian missiles, said the ballistic programme threatens its very existence. - Historical factors - Iran's determination to build a missile programme can be traced back to the brutal and destructive 1980-1988 war with neighbouring Iraq, said Therme. "Tehran's ballistic missile programme forms part of its deterrence policy, particularly against possible military strikes on its nuclear installations," as has been threatened in the past by Israeli and US officials, said Therme. With that in mind, Iran obtained an advanced Russian S-300 air defence system after the 2015 deal. Iran's determination to develop ballistic technology is also linked to its ambition to master nuclear and military technologies and therefore be self-sufficient, or "khod-kafai" in Farsi, and less dependent on the outside world, Therme added. - Are negotiations possible? - Iran sees its military capabilities as central to its regional influence and revolutionary ideology, said Therme. The Islamic republic is the key regional backer of the regime of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad in his country's seven-year war against rebels who have been trying to unseat him. It is also a staunch opponent of Israel. "Although moderate President Hassan Rouhani could be in favour of shedding revolutionary ideology on these (foreign policy) issues, he is not effectively in charge," said Therme. In Iran power over international issues rests ultimately with the powerful supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, and increasingly with the country's elite Revolutionary Guards who are conducting interventions abroad. However, Khamenei did approve the nuclear deal in 2015 and said he was willing to see it as the basis for further negotiations if the US reciprocated, showing that he is willing to take pragmatic diplomatic steps. "If Iran were to adopt a regional policy that was less hostile to Western interests, it would be possible to reach a compromise on its ballistic missile programme," said Therme. A Lebanese woman shows her ink-stained thumb and waves a Hezbollah flag after voting in Beirut on May 6, 2018 A senior Iranian official on Tuesday hailed the "victory" of Hezbollah in Lebanese elections as a success in the "fight against Israel" and the United States, the state broadcaster reported. "The Lebanese people and their representatives, Hezbollah and the other resistance groups, scored this victory in the fight against Israel and its allies, including the United States," said Ali Akbar Velayati, foreign policy advisor to supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. He referred to Hezbollah's military support for Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, saying the election result reflected the group's "decisive help to Syria against the terrorists". "This victory of the Lebanese people and of the resistance... is a sign of approval for the Lebanese government's policy of preserving Lebanon's independence... against Israel," he added. After Sunday's election -- the first since 2009 -- Hezbollah and its allies look set to secure a parliament bloc large enough to thwart attempts for it to disarm, a longstanding demand of its political enemies. The Shiite movement was created with Iranian support in 1982 to fight against Israel and is listed as a terrorist organisation by the United States. It is the key partner in Iran's "resistance front" against Israeli and US interests in the Middle East, along with allies in Iraq, Syria and the Palestinian Territories. "The strength of the resistance front will be considerably reinforced in the world" after this election and that in Iraq on Saturday, Velayati said. Lebanese TV journalist Paula Yacoubian is the only candidate from outside the traditional political class to have won a seat in Lebanon's election. Lebanon's new parliament will include six female lawmakers across the country, up from just four in the 2009-era parliament with several fresh faces. The landmark May 6 election saw a record 86 women run, with virtually every party -- except Shiite movement Hezbollah -- putting forth female candidates. Here is an overview of the women who scored a spot in Lebanon's 128-member legislative body. - Paula Yacoubian - The high-profile television journalist landed a seat in the capital Beirut after running on a list of outsiders known as Kulluna Watani. "This is the real change, the real opposition," she told AFP during her campaign. The 42-year-old daughter of an Armenian genocide survivor long hosted a show on the channel owned by Prime Minister Saad Hariri, but she stepped down to run for office. Yacoubian is the only candidate from outside the traditional political class to have won a seat. - Roula Tabsh - Lawyer Roula Tabsh is also a first-time victor in the capital, but she ran on Hariri's Future Movement list which was otherwise dealt a blow at the polls. Tabsh pledged to advocate for women's rights in parliament, including making sure children with Lebanese mothers and foreign fathers can get Lebanese nationality. The wins by Tabsh and Yacoubian will usher in the highest female representation in parliament ever for Beirut. - Bahia Hariri - Bahia Hariri, seen here in 2017 with her brother and prime minister Saad Hariri, has served as a member of parliament four times The sister of slain ex-premier Rafiq Hariri and aunt of current prime minister Saad Hariri kept the seat she has held in Lebanon's southern district of Sidon. At 65, she has served as a member of parliament four times and as education minister, and was awarded a Legion d'Honneur by former French president Jacques Chirac in 2003. She is a member of the prime minister's inner circle. Her life was turned upside down by her brother's assassination in 2005. She stopped wearing skirt-suits and make-up and began covering her hair with a traditional white headscarf. - Sethrida Geagea - Lebanese member of parliament Sethrida Geagea, pictured here in 2014, is seen as a hardliner within her party The 50-year-old politician from Lebanon's northern district of Bcharreh will return for another term in parliament. She is married to Lebanese Forces chief Samir Geagea, and is credited with steering the party for 11 years while he was detained during Syria's military occupation of Lebanon, until his release in 2005. The tall, slender woman is seen as a hardliner within the movement and is often accused of being anti-Muslim. - Inaya Ezzedine - A pathologist by training, 57-year-old Ezzedine has served as minister for administrative reform -- but her rise to parliament is unprecedented. It will be her first term as a legislator, but also the first time Lebanon's port city of Tyre has a female representative. Ezzedine hails from the Amal Movement, a strong Shiite Muslim party that is allied to Hezbollah and has never put forward a female candidate. Ezzedine is divorced and is a mother of two daughters. - Dima Jamali - Jamali is a professor of business management and freshman parliamentarian, who will serve in Lebanon's second city Tripoli after running on the Future Movement's list. Her father was the mayor of the coastal metropolis in the north, but it has never before been represented by a woman. "We have a historic opportunity to bring new faces to Tripoli," she said in a campaign video before the vote. - Women at the vote - Writer and activist Joumana Haddad failed to win a seat in Lebanon's general election Among those that did not win seats are Joumana Haddad, a writer and activist who ran in Beirut, and an all-women's list from the conservative northern area of Akkar. But Lebanese women flooded the polling stations on Sunday, both as voters and party delegates. Females made up 50.8 percent of registered voters in 2018, according to the United Nations. Patricia De Lille had been attacked for her handling of a water crisis -- Cape Town's taps came within few months of being turned off The mayor of Cape Town, South Africa's second largest city, was ousted by her own party on Tuesday after her administration came under fire over mismanagement and alleged corruption. "Patricia de Lille is no longer the mayor of Cape Town because she is no longer a member of the DA," the deputy chairperson of the Democratic Alliance's federal executive, Natasha Mazzone, told AFP. By being stripped of membership of the DA, South Africa's largest opposition party, De Lille loses her seven-year-old position as mayor and on the city council as well. "In the interim, Ian Neilson -- the deputy mayor (who)... immediately steps in in the case the mayor is not there -- will be taking over as from today," Mazzone said. The city council will meet at the earliest opportunity to elect a successor, Mazzone said. Internal tensions over De Lille had been brewing in the DA for some time. The embattled mayor was criticised for her handling of Cape Town's water crisis and over allegations of corruption and maladministration, leading to two investigations that flawed her conduct. The DAs federal executive, James Selfe, charged on Tuesday that De Lille had "sought to delay the process at every step". "Instead of cooperating with the investigation, the Mayor challenged the Partys processes by introducing a number of interlocutory matters, including that the hearing be open to the public and that it should be conducted by independent persons," the party said in a statement. The party also decided to rescind her membership over a radio interview where De Lille indicated her intention to resign from the DA as soon as she "had cleared her name". The DA is De Lille's third political home. She began her political career in 1989, serving in the Pan Africanist Congress before forming her own party, the Independent Democrats (ID) in 2003, which then merged into the DA in 2010. De Lille was expected to hold a press briefing later. Indian-administered Kashmir has become increasingly tense in recent weeks Hundreds of protestors clashed Tuesday with Indian forces on a third day of deadly troubles in Kashmir as the disputed Himalayan territory reeled from the killing of a tourist drawn into the unrest. A Kashmiri man injured in earlier clashes died in hospital on Tuesday, setting off the new battles. Six Kashmiri civilians have now died in protests since a weekend siege in which security forces killed five militants. As news of the latest death spread in Shopian district, south of the state's main city Srinagar, residents poured onto the streets, throwing stones at security forces who fired shotgun pellets and tear gas, witnesses said. A police officer, speaking on condition of anonymity, said at least three people were critically injured in the clashes. Shops and schools shut across the Kashmir valley following a protest call by separatists opposed to Indian rule. Hundreds of police in riot gear patrolled the old quarters of Srinagar amid a new curfew. Late Monday, a tourist from India's southern Tamil Nadu state was killed when the vehicle he was travelling in was hit by stones as it drove into a protest outside Srinagar. Stone throwing is a regular tactic in battles between young protesters and security forces. Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, a top separatist leader and chief Muslim cleric, condemned the attack on tourists as hooliganism. "It is totally against our ethos of treating tourists as respected guests and brings a bad name to the people's movement," Farooq said in a tweet. R. Thirumani, 22, was going to join his family in the tourist resort of Gulmarg when he was critically injured. "He was hit in the head by a stone. On reaching a hospital, he vomited which went into his lungs and choked him to death," Shesh Paul Vaid, director general of police in Indian-administered Kashmir, told AFP. The restive territory has become increasingly tense in recent weeks. Battles between rebels and government forces have left 15 dead, including seven civilians, in the past week. Kashmir has been divided between India and Pakistan since the end of British rule in 1947. Both claim the territory in full. Rebel groups have for decades fought Indian forces deployed in the territory. They want independence or a merger of the region with Pakistan. Tens of thousands, mostly civilians, have died in the fighting. India currently has more than 500,000 troops in Kashmir. A US-made Israeli air force C-130 Hercules transport aircraft flies over during an air show as part of Israel's 70th Independence Day celebrations on April 19, 2018 in the Mediterranean coastal city of Tel Aviv Israel has built a high-tech economy, forged the region's strongest military and fended off enemies surrounding it in the 70 years since its creation, but many think it faces a new threat: itself. The 70th anniversary of the establishment of the state of Israel on May 14 comes with the country in a tug-of-war between those who want it modelled more on Jewish religious values and others who say that will put its future as a democracy at risk. "Israelis are bound by fate. When our very existence is challenged, we're together," said Yedidia Stern, a law professor at Bar Ilan University and vice president of the Israel Democracy Institute think tank. But once things are secure, "we become free to fight over our destination". Legislation from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's right-wing government seeking to fortify Israel's Jewish identity has raised alarm among prominent voices in society. The measures could be seen as part of attempts at self-definition by a young nation built in the biblical-era Jewish homeland in the wake of the Holocaust, some experts say. Those promoting them say part of their aim is to give a voice to those outside the traditional elite. But others see many recent moves as populist politics that will result in a less democratic society and, when it comes to the Palestinians, "apartheid". Israel has fought repeated wars since its creation, but is not currently engaged in a major armed conflict. The conflict with the Palestinians is ever-present, but has simmered at mostly low heat since the end of the 2014 Gaza war. That has afforded Israelis the space of mind to delve into other issues, experts say. - 'All its eulogisers' - Israeli youths draped in Israeli flags watch fireworks over the centre of Jerusalem which the government considers the "unifed" capital of the Jewish state The soul-searching in Netanyahu's government has manifested in a draft law defining Israel as the nation state of the Jewish people, designating Hebrew as the language and anchoring "unified Jerusalem" as the capital. It recently passed a preliminary parliamentary reading. On Sunday, a ministerial committee advanced another bill limiting the ability of the Supreme Court to strike down laws it perceives as contravening democratic values. Ministers supporting the legislation say the court has accumulated too much power in the balance between the parliament and judiciary. Rulings that have angered them include those ordering rogue settlements in the occupied West Bank to be evacuated and the suspension of a plan to expel African migrants. Separately, the culture ministry has in recent years sought the authority to withhold funding from institutions perceived as disloyal to Israel. Members of the opposition, artists, academics and some former officials have criticised what they see as a trend of legislation harmful to Israel's democracy -- though ministers say their claims are overblown. "Israeli democracy is alive, breathing and kicking, and it is stronger than all its critics and all its eulogisers," Justice Minister Ayelet Shaked, of the religious nationalist Jewish Home party, has said. - 'Not yet a home' - An early landmark in the debate over Israel's Jewish nature occurred in 1947, before the state was even created. An ultra-Orthodox Jewish man walks down a street in Jerusalem on the eve of the Jewish Pesach (Passover) holiday That was when the secular Zionist leadership and ultra-Orthodox Jewish representatives agreed to maintain a status quo on matters related to religion and state. It granted the ultra-Orthodox -- strictly religious Jews -- power over personal law such as marriage and instituted respect for the Sabbath, or weekly day of rest. The agreement remained when Israel published its declaration of independence on May 14, 1948 reflecting the aspiration to embrace democratic values while stressing the newborn nation's Jewish nature. Israel does not have a formal constitution, but does have a de facto one, called its "basic laws". In 1992, parliament passed two basic laws enshrining Israel's values as "Jewish and democratic" and necessitating any legislation to conform to those terms. "Increasing numbers of Israelis feel a need to choose between the 'Jewish' and the 'democratic', and feel that the manner in which these values are implemented in Israeli society is not sufficiently balanced," said Stern, whose think tank's surveys on the subject have demonstrated the trend. For around the first 40 years of Israel's history, secular Jews of European origin with social democratic values dominated, he said. But since then, other groups such as Jews who originated from Arab countries, religious nationalists and the ultra-Orthodox have asserted themselves and emerged as potent political forces. Israeli soldiers deployed near the border with Gaza as smoke from burning tyres billows over the frontier amid clashes Arab Israelis, who make up some 17.5 percent of the population and largely sympathise with the Palestinians, have also become more politically active. Looming over the debate is the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. An increasing number of Israeli right-wing politicians openly oppose a two-state solution and talk of wanting to annex most of the West Bank. There are warnings that will lead to "apartheid" since, under those scenarios, Palestinians would presumably not be granted equal rights. One of Israel's leading authors, David Grossman, argued in a recent speech that an "apartheid reality" had already been created through the occupation. "Israel was established so that the Jewish people, who have nearly never felt at home in the world, would finally have a home," Grossman said. "And now, 70 years later, strong Israel may be a fortress, but it is not yet a home." Britain, France and Germany urge Washington to stick with the Iran nuclear accord after Iranian president Rouhani warned that Washington would regret ditching the pact "like never before." Iran's President Hassan Rouhani staked his legacy on efforts to end decades of tension with the West. With the landmark nuclear deal unravelling, what hope is there for his political future? Regardless of whether US President Donald Trump tears up the 2015 nuclear deal that was the centrepiece of Rouhani's diplomatic efforts, it is clear that the traditional animosity between the US and Iran has returned for the foreseeable future. "Rouhani bet big on the nuclear deal and invested all his political capital in it," said Mojtaba Mousavi, a political analyst in Tehran. "Now the deal is gasping its last breaths, and so Rouhani is losing everything -- all his economic and political plans -- that he built on the back of the nuclear deal," Mousavi told AFP. - A boon for conservatives - From the start, Rouhani's conservative opponents were deeply suspicious of his negotiations with Washington, and their fears were borne out when it became clear that US pressure would continue to hobble Iran's trade ties even after the 2015 deal. With his constant threats to tear up the accord, Trump has ensured the world stays wary of doing business with Iran. "The uncertainty around the JCPOA (nuclear deal) is a victory for the conservatives who feed off the hostility of US foreign policy to reinforce internal repression and limit the reach of the Islamic republic's elected institutions," said Clement Therme, an Iran expert with Britain's International Institute for Strategic Studies. Behind-the-scenes conservative forces have made their presence felt in recent months, with sweeping arrests of dual nationals and NGO workers on espionage charges, the blocking of Iran's most popular social media app Telegram, and pressure on high-profile reformers that forced the resignation of Tehran's mayor and a top environmental official. Rouhani has overseen a moderate easing of social restrictions, but in Iran the presidency is only one of many power centres. He faces powerful conservative forces embedded in the clergy, the judiciary and a Guardian Council with veto power over laws and election candidates, not to mention the over-riding authority of the supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. "Rouhani has totally flunked on all his promises, but he has doubled down on the reform rhetoric recently, trying to maintain his popular base and finger-pointing at the conservatives," said Ardavan Amir-Aslani, an author and international lawyer with an office in Tehran. "But opening a few new cafes and letting women push their headscarves back a few inches are not the fundamental reforms that Iran needs," he added. - Need for unity - What may save Rouhani from being completely sidelined is the establishment's fear of a greater unravelling. Protests in December and January showed that anger over the economy and civil liberties was much wider spread than in the past, affecting dozens of second-tier towns and cities. "I think the leader (Khamenei) is still trying to help Rouhani. Protecting the prosperity and unity of the country is his top priority, especially in this tough situation," said Mousavi. Rouhani won a second term as president a year ago, with the backing of reformists who saw him as the best option from the small selection allowed to stand by the Guardian Council. There were never any illusions that he was a radical reformer -- he has been a regime insider from the earliest days of the Islamic revolution -- but many were still disappointed when his promises of reform fell flat. "Some of the criticism is unfair. Rouhani has done great things. There is more openness, less morality police, journalists are somewhat freer," said a reformist journalist, who asked to remain anonymous. "But he is ultimately a man of the system and wants to remain one. His identity is tied up with being part of the system -- if he denies it, he denies himself." For now, Rouhani has stuck to his guns, strongly criticising the censorship of social media and slamming officials for failing to respond effectively to popular anger. But he faces a difficult challenge, having to respond to Trump without derailing his wider diplomatic efforts. "The smart move would be to wait out the end of Trump's mandate, stay in the nuclear deal and build up something with the Europeans, however limited. Wait until this blows over," said Amir-Aslani. "That's what they should do -- but we'll see." Taymour Jumblatt (R), son of Druze leader and veteran politician Walid Jumblatt (L), is among the new faces to enter Lebanon's parliament for the first time after May 6 general polls Lebanon's first general election this decade has yielded its crop of new faces -- not necessarily new names -- entering parliament for the first time. Here are brief profiles of some of them: - Taymour Jumblatt - The reluctant heir. At 36, he was guaranteed to enter parliament when his father, Druze leader Walid Jumblatt, made him the "lord" of the minority that lives mostly in the Chouf mountains. In interviews, he makes no secret of his distaste for politics, especially the feudal Lebanese brand that brought him there, but explains he has no choice but to keep a centuries-old dynasty alive. - Paula Yacoubian - The communicator. The 42-year-old activist and daughter of an Armenian genocide survivor long hosted a show on the channel owned by Prime Minister Saad Hariri but won her seat on an unprecedented civil society list. She interviewed Hariri in a dramatic live broadcast from Riyadh after he unexpectedly announced his resignation last year and was apparently being held against his will by the Saudi royal family. - Jamil al-Sayyed - The former director general of Lebanon's General Security Jamil al-Sayyed (L), talks to reporters in the presence of his Kuwaiti lawyer Abdul Hamid al-Sarraf at Kuwait's international airport on 24 February 2005 is among newly elected MPs in Lebanon The spymaster. The 68-year-old feared former head of the General Security agency was, and still is, considered by many as the Syrian regime's man in Lebanon. Sayyed was jailed for four years over former premier Rafiq Hariri's 2005 assassination and released without charge. Bizarrely, he was nearly made Marshall Islands UNESCO envoy in 2014. He won his seat Sunday as an independent. - Fouad Makhzoumi - The billionaire. Makhzoumi, 66, is a Sunni businessman from Beirut who made his fortune selling pipelines. One of the election campaign's biggest spenders, he was ubiquitous on TV channels and his posters well all over the capital. Makhzoumi has a residence in London's exclusive Kensington area and has had ties to Britain's Conservatives. Last year, he was controversially reported to have paid France's presidential candidate Francois Fillon to introduce him to Russian President Vladimir Putin in 2015. - Inaya Ezzedine - The trailblazer. The veiled 57-year-old trained pathologist from the Tyre region, who has served as minister for administrative reform, hails from the Shiite party Amal, allied to Hezbollah. It was the first time Amal put forward a female candidate. Her appeal crosses party lines and the savvy, divorced mother is fast becoming a folk hero among Shiite women in Lebanon's conservative south. Australia's Treasurer Scott Morrison announced tax cuts for low and middle income earners, cheaper beer, and billions of dollars for new roads and rail lines in a pre-election budget Tuesday Australia's conservative government pledged tax cuts for low and middle earners, cheaper beer, and billions of dollars for new roads and rail lines in a pre-election budget Tuesday. The measures are widely seen as the unofficial start of campaigning ahead of national polls due by May next year, with the government working to demonstrate fiscal responsibility while offering some sweeteners. "The government's plan for a stronger economy will put more money back in the pockets of Australians, create more jobs, continue to guarantee essential services and keep Australians safe," said Treasurer Scott Morrison. He added that this would be done "while ensuring the government lives within its means". Morrison projected a budget deficit of Aus$14.5 billion (US$10.8 billion) in 2018-19, but said it would return to a slim surplus of Aus$2.2 billion a year earlier than forecast in 2019-20. Rating agencies have previously warned Australia's coveted AAA rating could be lowered if the government did not improve its budget balances and deliver on its surplus plans. Personal tax cuts for those earning less than Aus$87,000 a year were a cornerstone of the budget, sold as helping Australians deal with the rising cost of living. It amounts to barely Aus$10 a week, but that was all the centre-right government, which is lagging the opposition Labor in opinion polls, said it could responsibly afford. Voter support for Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull, who only has a wafer-thin parliamentary majority, has eroded in recent months amid perceived dysfunction in Canberra, with the Liberal leader having to bat away calls to step down. The budget is seen as a way of reaffirming his credentials ahead of the election. - Brain freeze - Shadow treasurer Chris Bowen accused the government of abandoning any attempt to pay down spiralling national debt, which he said would remain above half a trillion dollars for another decade. "This is a government that has given up on what we were told was the debt and deficit disaster," he said. Pumping money into infrastructure projects to create jobs was a key thrust, with the government earmarking Aus$5.1 billion to bankroll a rail link to Melbourne airport in a state governed by Labor. It also put Aus$1.0 billion towards easing congestion on the busy freeway linking Brisbane and the Gold Coast tourist region, in another Labor state, as part of a 10-year national transport plan. The government had already announced some big ticket items, including half a billion dollars to protect the Great Barrier Reef and plans to do away with a bizarre beer tax that hits craft breweries 40 percent more simply because they use smaller kegs. "This not only champions the craft brewers that we've all grown to love, it raises a very tantalising prospect for Australians: the likelihood of cheaper craft beer," said Morrison. The government also handed Aus$140 million to the local film industry and there was more money for old-age care to encourage people to stay in their own homes longer. The cash splash was made possible by a boost to revenue from a pick-up in commodity prices, more company tax, and employment growth putting less strain on welfare benefits. The government will recoup some of its spending by clamping down on illegal tobacco sales, which have boomed since excise was increased on cigarettes, with the initiative expected to pull in Aus$3.6 billion over four years. PwC Australia chief economist Jeremy Thorpe called it a "slurpee budget", referring to the frozen beverage. "We're going to get a sugar high as the windfall spending flows through the economy, but hopefully we avoid the brain freeze," he said. Palestinian children play in the Amari refugee camp near the city of Ramallah in the Israeli-occupied West Bank on May 8, 2018 Thaer Sharkawi, 31, has never visited the place he calls home. The Palestinian was born and raised in the Amari refugee camp in the occupied West Bank, but for him his house is 50 kilometres (30 miles) away in the town of Kafr Ana inside what is now Israel. Kafr Ana hasn't actually existed for decades -- demolished in the weeks after Sharkawi's grandfather fled in 1948 -- yet he knows there was a boys' and girls' school and can vividly picture the orange groves his great-grandfather tended. "I haven't been there but I have heard about it," he told AFP. "I studied about it and read about it on the internet." Sharkawi is one of around five million Palestinian refugees spread across Lebanon, Jordan, Syria, Gaza and the West Bank. The majority of them are descendants of those who left during the 1948 "Nakba" -- or catastrophe -- when more than 700,000 were expelled or fled their homes in the war surrounding Israel's creation. Like Sharkawi, most have never seen their historic homes, many of which were destroyed by Israel. Thaer Sharkawi is one of around five million Palestinian refugees spread across Lebanon, Jordan, Syria, Gaza and the West Bank, and like many he has never visited the place he calls "home" Yet, as they mark seven decades since that mass displacement on May 15, Palestinian refugees are determined to maintain connections to the land they still want to return to. Sharkawi sits with his father Nabil and grandmother Khadija, who at 85 remembers fleeing her home as Israeli fighters approached. - 'Google helps them' - Nabil contrasts the open fields of his father's former home to the cramped conditions they have lived in for 70 years in the Amari camp, but said he wasn't worried the new generation would lose the link to their historical homelands. "There are (technological) developments now -- there is Sheikh Google. They can open it and see 'here was Kufr Ana'," he said. "Google helps them to see the land that is theirs." But Ali, a 19-year-old also in Amari but whose grandparents came from Al-Na'ani, said he knew "nothing" about the village, also destroyed in 1948. "My grandparents died when I was young and no one really talked about it." The majority of Palestinian refugees are descendants of those who left during the 1948 "Nakba", or catastrophe, when more thatn 700,000 were expelled or fled their homes in the war surrounding Israel's creation, and live in cramped camps The so-called right of return for Palestinian refugees is one of the most difficult issues in the Israel-Palestinian conflict. Israel flat out rejects it, saying allowing even a fraction of them to return would mean the end of it as a Jewish state. - Facebook memories - But Palestinians see the issue as essential and refugees have passed on memories from generation to generation. They will rarely say they simply come from Palestine, instead naming a village, town or even street. In a field, Bakar Fahmawi points his camera at an abandoned Ottoman building, with rows of neat Israeli houses in the background. "Here there was a market for all kinds of trade," he says on the video, pointing his phone at an overgrown field. Palestinian refugee Khadija Sharkawi (R), 85-years-old, sits with her family members at her home in the Amari refugee camp near the West Bank city of Ramallah on May 8, 2018 Every week for the past five years Fahmawi, an Israeli citizen whose Palestinian family remained inside the land that became Israel, has filmed an abandoned village or area and posted it on his Facebook page for Palestinians across the world to see. "Those that left have heard about their country, but they have never seen it," he told AFP by phone. "I do it so they don't forget their country and for them to know they have a country, the most beautiful in the world." - 'We will return' - Palestinian men hold their national flag near a fire at the Israel-Gaza border during a protest for the right to return on April 6, 2018 In Gaza, run by Islamist movement Hamas and hermetically sealed by Israel and Egypt for years, the internet is often the only way for them to see the outside world. Since protests and clashes calling for the right to return began on March 30 along Gaza's border, more than 50 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli fire, mostly by snipers. No Israelis have been injured. Israel accuses Hamas, with whom it has fought three wars in a decade, of using the protests as cover for violence, but Palestinians say protesters are being shot while posing no threat. The Nakba commemoration is likely to bring fresh bloodshed in Gaza, especially if Hamas encourages protesters to approach the border fence and with Israel determined to stop infiltrations. Shayma Abeed, 16, has known nothing but Gaza, yet she holds up the key to her grandfather's house in al-Jiyya, a town 19 kilometres north of the Palestinian enclave and which was emptied in 1948. "(Grandad) used to love to tell us about al-Jiyya, his friends, the farm work and our house that was warm in the winter and cool in summer," she said. "We will return to his house one day." Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena (L) urged the government to work towards ethnic reconciliation to rebuild the country Sri Lanka's president Tuesday appealed to his prime minister to end a bitter power struggle and said the coalition government had failed to deliver promised reforms. But Maithripala Sirisena suffered a new blow when 16 of his MPs joined the opposition. Sirisena told parliament that the coalition partners should commit to a reform agenda to revive the island nation emerging from a decades-long ethnic war that claimed more than 100,000 lives. "This is not a time for parties to engage in a power struggle," Sirisena said after opening a new session of parliament. "Although we formed a coalition government in August 2015, we still have not politically matured to accept and work within this reality. Consensus government is still a foreign concept to us." He urged the government dominated by Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe's United National Party (UNP) to work towards ethnic reconciliation to rebuild the country. Tamil rebels who fought for independence for the island's ethnic minority were crushed in a military offensive that ended in May 2009. The military drive has sparked allegations that more than 40,000 Tamil civilians were killed by government forces in the final months of the war. Sirisena said the government must address the causes of the ethnic conflict and ensure a permanent political solution so that the nation of 21 million people does not return to war. His remarks came a day after he announced he will not retire at the end of his term in January 2020 despite a previous pledge. That pits him against Wickremesinghe who also wants to contest the presidency. Sirisena told a public rally in the former war zone of Batticaloa on Monday that he had unfinished business and no longer intends to retire when his five-year term finishes. Sixteen members of President Maithripala Sirisena's party crossed over to the opposition during the ceremony for the new session of parliament Relations between Sirisena's Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) and Wickremesinghe's UNP have soured in recent months. They blame each other for a humiliating defeat in February's local council elections. Their row deepened when the UNP, senior partner in the coalition, accused Sirisena of supporting last month's failed bid to impeach the prime minister. There was no immediate UNP response to Sirisena's latest announcements. However, as the president entered the parliament building on Tuesday, 16 of his SLFP MPs formally defected to join opposition ranks as SLFP rebels. The SLFP was previously split between Sirisena and former president Mahinda Rajapakse who still has wide support in the country and commands a majority of SLFP MPs. The Polisario has launched a series of legal challenges seeking to block the export of resources, including phosphate, from Western Sahara Morocco's phosphate industry giant OCP on Tuesday announced it had recovered a 55,000-tonnes cargo "for a symbolic one dollar" after a legal dispute with South Africa. Otmane Bennani Smires, the company's legal director, told AFP the deal had been reached more than a year after South Africa seized the cargo while en route to New Zealand. The shipment of phosphate left the city of Laayoune in Western Sahara -- a former Spanish colony controlled by Morocco where the Polisario Front group is fighting for independence -- and was detained by authorities in Port Elizabeth. South Africa supports independence for Western Sahara and in February a court in Port Elizabeth ruled the cargo could be auctioned following a petition from the Polisario. The month-long auction started on March 19 but failed to receive any bids, according to OCP. "No buyer has legitimised the sale, nor the grounds that the court gave to the Polisario," Smires said. The operators of the Cherry Blossom vessel covered the costs of the auction and then returned to cargo to OCP "for a symbolic one dollar", the company said in a statement. OCP dubbed the auction a "clear breach of basic principles of domestic and international law" which "threatens the freedom and security of international commerce". The Polisario claimed the phosphate on grounds that it was extracted in Western Saharan territory, allegedly in contravention of international principles. In recent months the group has launched a series of legal challenges seeking to block the export of resources from Western Sahara. Rabat considers the region to be an integral part of Morocco and has proposed autonomy under its governance, but the Polisario demands an independence referendum. Morocco and the Polisario fought for control of Western Sahara from 1975 to 1991, when Rabat took over the desert territory before a UN-brokered ceasefire. Hezbollah special forces aim their weapons during a religious celebration in the Lebanese capital Beirut's southern suburbs on October 24, 2015 With its rivals weakened and its allies enjoying a stronger position than ever after Lebanon's parliamentary elections, Hezbollah will seek a stamp of state legitimacy for its long-controversial weapons arsenal. Analysts say the results of Sunday's legislative vote, the first in nine years, will give the Shiite armed group which has close ties to both Syria and Iran a powerful voice in the 128-seat parliament. It comes at the expense of Prime Minister Saad Hariri, who leads the rival Saudi-backed Future Movement and will find it increasingly difficult to counter Hezbollah's expanding clout. "Hezbollah's victory will allow it to impose better conditions, to consolidate its role and its arsenal -- not just in Lebanon but in the region," says Maha Yahya, head of the Carnegie Endowment's Middle East Center. Since its founding with Iranian support in the mid-1980s, Hezbollah has spent years carefully building up its political influence in Lebanon and its foothold abroad. The key to its power? A cache of arms it refused to give up after Lebanon's 15-year civil war ended in 1990 and which has continued to grow to comprise artillery, unmanned drones, and thousands of missiles that can reach Israel. International efforts to contain the group have largely failed, including several rounds of US and European sanctions and a month-long war with Israel in 2006. Hezbollah is now fighting in Syria on behalf of government forces and in Iraq alongside paramilitary groups, and is accused of backing Huthi rebels in Yemen. Officially, Lebanon has adopted a policy to stay away from regional conflicts, but the newly-formed parliament is unlikely to challenge Hezbollah's interventions. - 'Veto power' - Hezbollah kept a comfortable hold on its traditional bastions of power in Lebanon's south and east, but did not gain new seats beyond the 13 it already had. But the rise of allied lawmakers across the country meant its arsenal would not be questioned, said Karim Bitar, expert at the Paris-based Institute of International and Strategic Affairs. A Lebanese Shiite woman flashes her ink-stained thumb and waves a flag of the Shiite Hezbollah movement after voting in parliamentary elections at a polling station in the capital Beirut on May 6, 2018 "With its network of alliances, Hezbollah has today a majority in Lebanon's parliament, granting it tacit veto power over the most important decisions," said Bitar. "Even the group's rivals, like Saad Hariri, have somewhat accepted the new balance of power," Bitar told AFP. Hariri's share of seats dropped from 33 to 21. The Free Patriotic Movement, which President Michel Aoun headed for years and which is friendly to Hezbollah, expanded its voting bloc from 21 to 29 members. And the Amal Movement, Hezbollah's Shiite ally, also gained several seats. The vote was "a great political and moral victory for the resistance," said Hezbollah chief Hassan Nasrallah on Monday, using the moniker the group earned after decades fighting Israel. The margins are small, but they could make the difference in a country where decision-making occurs by consensus and little is left to chance. But Hezbollah would have to keep close ranks with both Amal and the FPM, analysts said. "This depends primarily on Aoun's movement," said Imad Salamey, a political science professor at the Lebanese American University in Beirut. "If the FPM confirms its alliance with Hezbollah, this coalition could have a crushing majority," he told AFP. - Beyond parliament - Lebanese Prime Minister Saad Hariri's share of seats in the newly elected parliament has dropped from 33 to 21 but despite his weakened position he is likely to score another term Now, President Aoun will begin consultations with lawmakers on who he should appoint as the next premier. Despite his weakened position, Hariri is likely to score another term. "He enjoys the confidence of Arab countries, but also the Europeans and the United States," said Salamey, adding his return would "guarantee economic support for Lebanon." Hariri, already a two-time premier, sent shockwaves across the region last year by resigning from Saudi Arabia and blaming Hezbollah for destabilising the region. The bizarre announcement triggered a flurry of international interventions that eventually saw Hariri return to his post, adopting a more conciliatory tone towards Hezbollah in general. "The question of (Hezbollah's) arms is a regional one," said the premier on Monday, hinting as he has in the past that domestic powers would not challenge the group. The next prime minister appointed by Aoun will be responsible for forming a new cabinet -- typically a drawn-out process involving horse-trading among Lebanon's competing political forces. Salamey predicted Hezbollah and its allies could stand to gain from that process, too, by snagging key portfolios. "The essential thing is to secure posts in the government that will protect its political and military activities -- regionally, obviously, and not just in Lebanon," he added. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu speaks during a press conference at the Presidential Palace in the Cypriot capital Nicosia on May 8, 2018 Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Tuesday accused Iran of wanting to deploy "very dangerous weapons" in Syria with the ultimate aim of destroying his own country. Israel has repeatedly accused its arch enemy Iran of increasing its presence in neighbouring Syria, where Tehran backs the regime of President Bashar al-Assad in the seven-year-old civil war. Iran "is seeking to plant very dangerous weapons in Syria for the specific purpose of our destruction," Netanyahu said at the end of a three-way meeting with the leaders of Cyprus and Greece in the Cypriot capital Nicosia. Netanyahu said Iran wants to "establish Iranian military bases in the Mediterranean", describing such a situation as "a palpable threat to us all". Iran has accused Israel of being behind deadly missile strikes in April against what it called Iranian "advisers" stationed in Syria. Israel neither confirmed nor denied responsibility, but has repeatedly said it cannot accept Iran establishing itself militarily in Syria. Assad's regime has also charged Netanyahu's government with carrying out strikes in the country. Speaking alongside Cypriot President Nicos Anastasiades and Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras, Netanyahu did not discuss the Iranian nuclear deal of which he is a fierce opponent. President Donald Trump is due later on Tuesday to announce whether the United States will pull out of the landmark nuclear accord, which is backed by European countries. Referring to the 2015 agreement, Tsipras warned against abandoning the deal which sought to stop Tehran developing nuclear weapons. "Cancelling the agreement with Iran might lead to further destabilisation," he said during the leaders' press conference. A file picture shows African illegal immigrants sitting on a boat in the southern port city of Aden on September 26, 2016, before they were deported to Somalia Nearly 100,000 migrants fled last year to Yemen, itself gripped by war and impending famine, to escape poverty and violence at home, the International Organization for Migration said Tuesday. Some 7,000 migrants entered Yemen each month, with the total number of arrivals in 2017 reaching near 100,000, the IOM said. Fleeing violence and poverty in the Horn of Africa, and at the mercy of smugglers, they hope to ultimately reach the more prosperous Gulf countries. Yemen is bordered to the north by Saudi Arabia. Once in Yemen -- where nearly 10,000 people have been killed in three years of war -- the lucky ones find "irregular work", the IOM said. Less fortunate migrants face torture, sexual abuse and death. "Both en route and once in Yemen, many migrants suffer at the hands of cruel smugglers and other criminals, including physical and sexual abuse, torture for ransom, arbitrary detention for long periods of time, forced labour for no pay and even death," the IOM said. Human Rights Watch last month released a report documenting Yemeni government employees who had "tortured, raped, and executed" migrants and asylum seekers at the Buraika migrant detention facility in the southern province of Aden, where the country's embattled government is based. Migrants held at the facility -- in use since early 2017 -- were denied refugee protection and often deported en masse into rough seas, the watchdog said. The United Nations refugee agency has corroborated the report. Scores of migrants from Somalia and Ethiopia have died off the coast of Yemen in recent months. Last summer, dozens of migrants drowned after human traffickers forced them off their boats and into the sea. In January, more than 30 migrants drowned when their boat capsized off the Yemeni coast. In March 2017, a helicopter opened fire on a vessel carrying more than 140 migrants in the Red Sea off the Yemeni coast, killing 42 civilians. A confidential UN report seen by AFP said the attack was most likely carried out by the Saudi-led coalition, which is fighting alongside the Yemeni government against the country's northern Huthi rebels, who are linked to Iran. The conflict has unleashed what the UN has called the world's worst humanitarian crisis. Members of Khalifa Haftar's self-styled Libyan National Army stand on a tank in the eastern city of Benghazi on July 5, 2017 A suicide bomber on Tuesday attacked a checkpoint in eastern Libya held by militiamen loyal to strongman Khalifa Haftar, killing at least two people including a civilian, a senior security official said. The attacker also killed a fighter from Haftar's self-styled Libyan National Army (LNA) when the vehicle they were driving exploded at a roadblock 90 kilometres (56 miles) east of Sirte, General Al-Mabruk Sahban told AFP. Sahban added that earlier in the day security services had detonated another car bomb discovered in the area. The attack on the checkpoint comes a day after Haftar announced the start of an offensive to "liberate" the city of Derna, held by Islamists and jihadists of the Mujahedeen Shura Council. Later on Tuesday, the Islamic State group claimed responsibility for the attack via its Amaq propaganda outlet. In March, IS claimed responsibility for two attacks against LNA checkpoints that killed 10 people. Last week, the jihadist group claimed a suicide attack in Tripoli against Libya's electoral commission that killed 14 people. Libya has been wracked by chaos since a 2011 uprising that toppled and killed its long-time dictator Moamer Kadhafi, with two rival authorities vying for control. Haftar supports an administration based in the east of the country. A UN-backed unity government based in the capital has struggled to assert its authority outside the west. A portrait of Theodor Herzl, the late founder of political Zionism, adorns "The Independence Hall Museum", the house in Tel Aviv where David Ben-Gurion, Israel's first prime minister, declared the creation of Israel 70 years ago On May 14, 1948 Zionist leader David Ben-Gurion proclaimed the creation of the state of Israel, formed out of Palestine where the British mandate had expired hours before. Here is a look back at Israel's early days ahead of the 70th anniversary of its founding on May 14. - Call for a homeland - Zionism, the movement aimed at bringing together Jews in Palestine, had its first political expression in the 1896 pamphlet "The Jewish State" by journalist and writer Theodor Herzl. A year later the first Zionism congress was held in Basel, Switzerland, where it was stated the aim of Zionism was to create for the Jewish people a home in Palestine. Jews had already begun moving to Palestine, their flow accelerated by anti-Semitism and pogroms in Europe. They numbered 47,000 in 1895 compared with 24,000 in 1882. In 1917 Britain published the Balfour Declaration that called for "the establishment in Palestine of a national home for the Jewish people." - Independence declared - In November 1947 the United Nations adopted a plan to split Palestine into two states, one Jewish and one Arab, with the holy city of Jerusalem under international control. Zionist leaders accepted the plan but it was rejected by Arab leaders. Months later Jewish leaders were called to meet at a Tel Aviv art museum, considered a politically and religiously neutral venue, on May 14, 1948. At dawn that day, British High Commissioner Alan Cunningham had for the last time reviewed the guard of honour in Jerusalem. At 4pm, in front of a solemnly silent gathering, Ben-Gurion pulled out a roll of parchment: the declaration of independence. "The Land of Israel was the birthplace of the Jewish people. Here their spiritual, religious and political identity was shaped...," he read aloud. "After being forcibly exiled from their land, the people ... never ceased to pray and hope for their return to it and for the restoration in it of their political freedom." "Accordingly we ... here assembled on the day of the termination of the British mandate ... hereby declare the establishment of a Jewish state to be known as the state of Israel." - 'Congratulations, Israel' - Just 200 people were in the room, a portrait of Herzl and a painting by Russian-French Jewish artist Marc Chagall hanging on the wall. The Israel Philharmonic Orchestra was crowded into the balcony. Radio technicians had hastily installed a studio to broadcast the ceremony. After the declaration, the entire room rose and joined the orchestra in a rendition of "Hatikvah" ("Hope"), later to become the national anthem. "Mazel tov, Israel (congratulations, Israel)," murmured Golda Meir, Ben-Gurion's close collaborator. Each member of the leading Jewish People's Council present signed the document, with Ben-Gurion the first and insisting everyone used their Hebrew name. The ceremony lasted just 32 minutes. A new country was born. - Jubilation on the streets - Despite efforts to keep the event low-key, crowds massed outside and followed developments via loudspeakers. Jubilation erupted at the declaration. But the streets emptied quickly afterwards, partly because it was the Sabbath but also for fear of an attack after Arab countries had warned their troops would enter Palestine at the end of the British mandate. - First conflict - The first Arab-Israeli war broke out on May 15, 1948, a day after the declaration of independence, as forces from Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon and Syria went to war against the new Jewish state. The "war of independence" ended on January 7, 1949 with a ceasefire. It had expanded Israeli territory from the 14,000 square kilometres (5,400 square miles) agreed by the United Nations to 21,000 square kilometres. During the conflict more than 760,000 Palestinians were pushed to exodus or fled from their homes in what is known as the Nakba or "disaster". Nearly 400 villages were razed. Lebanon's long-serving parliament speaker Nabih Berri gives an interview with AFP at his home in Msaileh, south of the southern port city of Sidon, on May 8, 2018 Lebanon's powerful parliament speaker Nabih Berri said Tuesday that the general election's results vindicated a formula in which both the army and the Hezbollah militia guarantee the country's protection. Polls held on Sunday, the first in nine years, saw Hezbollah's allies in parliament garner enough seats to block any attempt by its political foes in parliament to make it disarm. "The truth is that the results support the equation in Lebanon, we call it the golden equation: the army, the people, the resistance," Berri told AFP in an interview at his residence in south Lebanon. Often described as Lebanon's shrewdest political player, 80-year-old Berri has held the position of speaker since 1992 and also heads the influential Shiite movement Amal. According to provisional results for Sunday's vote, his party scored 16 seats out of parliament's 128, three more than its ally Hezbollah. Unlike Amal and all other factions, Hezbollah did not give up its weapons when the Lebanese civil war ended in 1990 and its arsenal has now grown to rival the national army's. The group's weapons cache is the most divisive issue in Lebanese politics, but Amal and other MPs allied to Hezbollah should be in a position to fend off any challenge in parliament. Hezbollah and its allies argue the army is too weak to defend the country from Israel. Its critics say Hezbollah is the main reason Israel would attack Lebanon and should disarm if it wants to protect the country. Amal's popularity among the Shiite community, dominant in areas near Lebanon's southern border with Israel, grew when the Jewish state invaded in 1982. "We're a country that Israel has occupied, and it remains on our land... It still has ambitions for our water, oil, gas, land," he said. A deadly conflict between Israel and Hezbollah erupted in 2006 and fears of an even deadlier and more devastating war have cast an abiding gloom over Lebanon. - Voting system reform again - Hezbollah was born of an Amal splinter and the groups were rivals during the civil war. Decades later, they find themselves politically aligned on most issues and have been repeatedly hailed as the winning "Shiite duo" after Sunday's vote. Supporters of the Lebanese Shiite movement Hezbollah take to the streets of Baalbek, in the eastern Bekaa valley near the border with Syria, on election day on May 6, 2018 One of the election's striking features was a disappointing turnout of 49.2 percent, which Berri blamed on the electoral law passed last year and used for the first time on Sunday. "We know it from France and other countries -- that proportionality is the best electoral system but it isn't implemented in small electoral districts," he said. "Lebanon as a whole could be a district in Europe," Berri said of his country, which has an electorate of around 3.7 million. He said he had initially supported the idea of a single nationwide district but that ensuing consultations yielded a complex map of 15 districts, all different in size and sectarian distribution. "This took us away from the spirit of proportionality and made it so that the sectarian element has a bigger impact than the proportionality element," Berri said. The reformed electoral law introduced an element of proportionality to replace the previous, majoritarian system but its complexity and the opportunist alliances it generated appeared to put voters off. Berri said reforming the electoral law again should be one of the priorities of the new chamber. "As soon as we have a legislative session, one of the first tasks we should start with would be developing this electoral law so that all parts of Lebanese society are content with it," he said. Berri is widely expected to be handed a new mandate as speaker, although he refused to comment on the issue. Lebanon's unique sectarian power-sharing arrangements provide for parliament to be split equally between Christians and Muslims and stipulate that the president be Maronite, the premier Sunni and the speaker Shiite. Myanmar has come under international scrutiny since a military campaign launched in August 2017 drove more than 700,000 Rohingya - like these living in a refugee camp in Bangladesh - from their homes in northern Rakhine state China is resisting a British-led push at the UN Security Council to increase pressure on Myanmar to try those responsible for attacks on the Rohingya, according to a draft statement seen by AFP on Tuesday. Back from a visit to Myanmar and Bangladesh, the Security Council is holding negotiations on a statement that would outline steps to address the crisis from the forced exodus of 700,000 Muslim Rohingya from Myanmar. Britain last week circulated a draft text that stressed the importance of "credible and transparent investigations" of human rights violations and urged Myanmar to hold those responsible to account. China, a supporter of Myanmar's former ruling junta, on Monday put forward an amended statement that dropped all mention of investigations or accountability. Myanmar has come under international scrutiny since a military campaign launched in August drove more than 700,000 Rohingya from their homes in northern Rakhine state. China's draft statement stresses "the need to address the root causes of the issue," and calls for investment in Rakhine state to "achieve stability through development." Diplomats said Britain, backed by France and the United States along with other council members, had rejected the proposed changes by China. Negotiations were continuing ahead of a council meeting on Myanmar on Monday. The 15 ambassadors last week met with traumatized refugees living in overcrowded camps in Bangladesh and toured burned-out villages in Rakhine state. The council adopted a statement in November that called on Myanmar to rein in its military, but there has been no resolution -- a stronger measure that China, as one of the veto-wielding permanent members, would likely block. - Crimes against humanity - Myanmar has said the military operation in Rakhine is aimed at rooting out extremists and has rejected accusations from the United Nations, Britain, France and the United States of "ethnic cleansing." Four human rights groups told a news conference at UN headquarters in New York that the council should immediately ask the International Criminal Court (ICC) to open an investigation for crimes against humanity in Myanmar. "It's clear that the Myanmar authorities are unable to hold themselves to account," said Param-Preet Singh, associate director for international justice at Human Rights Watch (HRW). Myanmar has refused to allow a UN fact-finding mission set up by the Human Rights Council to enter the country, and has barred UN rights expert Yanghee Lee. HRW, Amnesty International, Fortify Rights and the Global Center for Responsibility to Protect said the council should put forward a draft resolution on referring Myanmar to the ICC even though China would likely veto such a move. "The threat of a veto is no excuse for inaction," said Savita Pawnday, the deputy executive director of the Global Centre. Fortify Rights, which has documented massacres, gang-rape and widespread arson attacks targeting the Rohingya in Rakhine, is calling for a global arms embargo on Myanmar and targeted sanctions. Matthew Smith, the head of Fortify Rights, said his organization had a list of "dozens" of military and civilian officials involved in the attacks that reaches "straight to the top" of the army. The council has urged Myanmar to allow the safe return of the Rohingya and take steps to end decades of discrimination that they have suffered in Buddhist-majority Myanmar. The 164-member WTO, which China joined in 2001, is one of several fora where Beijing and Washington have traded barbs over fair play in the global economy China and the United States swapped accusations in an "extraordinary" exchange at the World Trade Organization on Tuesday ahead of fresh talks between the top two economies on averting a trade war. "What I would say about this meeting today is that it was extraordinary in its intensity," WTO spokesman Keith Rockwell told reporters after a meeting of the body's General Council. "We had perhaps the two most powerful members of the WTO weighing in with their views on each others policies in a way that I have not seen... in my many years of working here," he said. The 164-member WTO, which China joined in 2001, is one of several fora where Beijing and Washington have traded barbs over fair play in the global economy. President Donald Trump and his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping also reportedly spoke by phone on Tuesday, with Xi calling for a solution to their trade spat. The US has threatened tariffs targeting $150 billion in imports, while China has warned $50 billion in goods are in the firing line. Vice Premier Liu He -- considered Xi's right-hand man on economic issues -- is due in Washington next week after he led talks in Beijing last week with a high-level US delegation that made little headway in resolving the standoff. At the WTO, China took the floor to again condemn the US over its efforts to cripple the appellate division of the Dispute Settlement Body (DSB). The US has blocked the appointment of any new judges to the WTO's internal court. Without a solution to the impasse, the DSB may be unable to function by the end of next year. Beijing also reiterated its opposition to the proposed US tariffs on steel and aluminium as well as sanctions planned in response to what Washington calls China's intellectual property theft. The US ambassador to the WTO, Dennis Shea, argued that the DSB needed sweeping reform as it was exceeding its mandate, trying to establish new trading rules by degree even though they have not been agreed by members, a trade official familiar with the exchange said. Shea broadly defended US actions as a justified response to Chinese trade policy. He said Washington was ready to work with any WTO members interested in comprehensive reform. "It was tense," Rockwell said of the General Council meeting, adding that "despite the intensity of the discussion, I think this was a discussion that we had to have." China's President Xi Jinping (L) told US President Donald Trump that he supports the planned meeting between the US and North Korean leaders, according to Chinese state broadcaster CCTV Chinese President Xi Jinping urged US counterpart Donald Trump to take Pyongyang's "reasonable security concerns" into consideration, in a phone call Tuesday hours after Xi met North Korean leader Kim Jong Un. Xi told Trump that he supports the planned meeting between the US and North Korean leaders, according to Chinese state broadcaster CCTV. The Chinese president "hopes the US and North Korea can work together, build mutual trust" and "consider North Korea's reasonable security concerns," the report said. The North has long demanded the withdrawal of US troops from the peninsula and an end to its nuclear umbrella over South Korea. Trump said last week that he was not envisaging a drawdown of troops in South Korea for now, but he admitted it was a possibility in the longer term. The US said the two leaders agreed to keep economic pressure on North Korea. Beijing -- Pyongyang's sole major diplomatic and economic ally -- has backed UN sanctions over North Korea's nuclear programme. "President Trump and President Xi agreed on the importance of continued implementation of sanctions on North Korea until it permanently dismantles its nuclear and missile programmes," the White House said in a statement. Xi and Kim met on Monday and Tuesday in the northeastern Chinese port city of Dalian, the North Korean leader's second trip to China in six weeks as the two countries seek to bolster frayed ties. The meeting came as Kim is expected to meet with Trump in June, possibly in Singapore. "China is willing to continue playing a positive role for the realisation of denuclearisation of the Peninsula and long term peace and security of the region," Xi told Trump. Xi and Trump also discussed trade frictions. "The economy and trade has always been the ballast and propellor of the China-US relationship," Xi said. US and Chinese official held talks in Beijing last week, but no breakthroughs were announced. Xi described the discussions as "frank, efficient and constructive". "Both sides can maintain communication and strive to find a way to appropriately resolve the existing issues and obtain mutually beneficial win-win results," he was quoted as saying. US First Lady Melania Trump announces her "Be Best" children's initiative in the Rose Garden of the White House The White House attacked "opposition media" Tuesday for criticizing First Lady Melania Trump's use of an Obama-era pamphlet to launch her campaign against online bullying. It said media were ignoring the positive message of her "Be Best" initiative, launched Monday, to focus on the fact that she reproduced a nine year old pamphlet from the Federal Trade Commission, with some media suggesting plagiarism. Stephanie Grisham, the communications director for the first lady, said her initiative "meant to support children and the many issues they are facing today." "After giving a strong speech that was met with a standing ovation and positive feedback, the focus from opposition media has been on an educational booklet, 'Talking with Kids About Being Online' produced by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) in 2009," she said in a statement. The White House never masked the FTC's role in the publication, but appeared to suggest it was new and that Trump had a hand in it. The first release online identified it as "a booklet by First Lady Melania Trump and the Federal Trade Commission." That has since been changed to "a Federal Trade Commission booklet, promoted by First Lady Melania Trump." Shy about speaking in public, Trump's event Monday was billed as a major step forward, attaching her name to a social cause like first ladies before her. "As a mother and first lady, it concerns me that in today's fast-paced and ever connected world, children can be less prepared to express or manage their emotions and oftentimes turn to forms of destructive or addictive behavior," Trump said. In July 2016, Melania Trump took flak when she delivered a speech at the Republican convention that included lines spoken by then-first lady Michelle Obama years before. A speechwriter ultimately took the blame, saying she took down quotes Trump said she had "always liked" and then mistakenly included them in the final speech. FTC official Nathaniel Wood was quoted as saying in the White House statement that the agency was "excited" that Trump was distributing the pamphlet. "Our office will continue to focus on helping children and I encourage members of the media to attempt to Be Best in their own professions, and focus on some of the children and programs Mrs. Trump highlighted in her remarks yesterday," Grisham concluded. Don Blankenship, the former chief executive of Massey Energy, has admitted defeat in the Republican US Senate primary race in West Virginia Republican voters in West Virginia rejected a Senate bid by a former coal baron who had gone to prison over a deadly mine disaster, sparing their party a major political embarrassment in crucial US mid-term elections. Former Massey Energy chief executive and controversial political outsider Don Blankenship conceded defeat Tuesday after coming up short in the closely watched Republican primary. The prospect of an ex-convict becoming the party's Senate candidate from the coal mining state had alarmed Republican leaders, who face a tough fight in November to hold on to their majority in Congress. Blankenship had cast himself as "Trumpier than Trump," but even President Donald Trump weighed in against him in the closing days of the race as unelectable in the general election. West Virginia was one of four states won by Trump in 2016 that held closely watched primaries Tuesday for Senate and House of Representatives seats. Ohio congressman Jim Renacci, who was backed by Trump, won his bid to challenge the state's Democratic Senator Sherrod Brown in November. In Indiana, Vice President Mike Pence's older brother, Greg Pence, easily won his Republican primary in a conservative congressional district, meaning he will likely win a House seat. Representative Robert Pittenger of North Carolina became the first House incumbent to lose his seat, conceding to conservative former pastor Mark Harris. Trump hailed the Republican primary outcomes as pointing to victory in November. "The Republican Party had a great night. Tremendous voter energy and excitement, and all candidates are those who have a great chance of winning in November," he tweeted Wednesday. "The Economy is sooo strong, and with Nancy Pelosi wanting to end the big Tax Cuts and Raise Taxes, why wouldn't we win?" he added, referring to the Democratic House minority leader. West Virginia is crucial to Republican efforts to flip a Senate seat held by Democratic incumbent Joe Manchin. But Blankenship had directed his anti-establishment venom at Republican leaders in Congress, particularly Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, who led an effort to defeat his bid. West Virginia Attorney General Patrick Morrisey was the winner with 36 percent of the vote, ahead of congressman Evan Jenkins, with 27 percent. - 'Thanks for playing' - "Thanks for playing, @DonBlankenship," McConnell's Senate campaign deadpanned after Blankenship came in third with only 19 percent of the vote. The coal baron had branded McConnell "Cocaine Mitch" -- alluding to drugs reportedly found aboard a cargo ship owned by his wife's family -- and referred to the senator's wife Elaine Chao as his "China family." He also blamed the government for the 2010 explosion at a Massey-owned mine that killed 29 workers, despite his own conviction and one year prison term for conspiring to skirt safety regulations. The president can take some credit for the result. On Monday, Trump urged West Virginia -- which backed him by a remarkable 42-point margin in 2016 -- not to support Blankenship because there was "no way" he could win against Manchin in November. Trump's party has intensified its efforts to hold its congressional majority ahead of the mid-terms, but Democrats are organized, energized and well-funded. In Ohio, a woman who is among two dozen who accused Trump of sexual harassment won a Democratic primary vote for a seat in the state legislature. If she wins the election in November, Rachel Crooks, 35, who ran unopposed, will become the first Trump accuser to hold elected office. - Anti-establishment fervor - The anti-establishment fervor unleashed by Trump's spectacular 2016 election win, meanwhile, has proven hard to control. For many including Trump, the tarnished Blankenship was reminiscent of a recent Republican election fiasco. December's Senate election in conservative Alabama proved disastrous when Roy Moore, who was endorsed by Trump despite accusations of sexual misconduct including molesting a teenage girl, lost to a Democrat. Moore was among a handful of extreme candidates in recent years who have won a Republican nomination only to eventually lose their Senate elections. Police forces guard the Senate building during an anti-government demonstration of opposition deputies and supporters in Antananarivo in April 2018 Madagascar's electoral commission on Tuesday proposed bringing forward general elections in a bid to defuse a political crisis which has gripped the country since April. The elections had been originally scheduled for year's end. "According to... the constitution, it is possible to hold an early election," the chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (CENI), Hery Rakotomanana, told reporters. "If this solution is acceptable to everyone (government and opposition), then CENI proposes August 29, 2018 for the first round of the presidential election," he said. Since April 21, hundreds of opposition supporters have occupied the May 13 Square in the heart of the capital, demanding the resignation of President Hery Rajaonarimampianina. The president, who was elected in 2013, has not stated whether or not he will run for another term. Opposition protests were sparked by the passing of new electoral laws which they said were loaded in Rajaonarimampianina's favour and accused the government of trying to force them out of the race. The country's top court last week tossed out parts of the controversial new electoral legislation. At least two people were killed on the first day of the opposition protests. The electoral commission has called a meeting of all parties in the crisis to discuss its proposal to hold early presidential and legislative elections. In January, the electoral commission said the elections would be held between November 25 and December 25, although it is the government that fixes the precise date. If the parties fail to agree on early polling, the electoral panel said it would propose organising the vote on November 28 or postpone it to May 29, 2019. But the opposition has insisted they can only discuss election dates after the president has stepped down. "It is the resignation of Hery Rajaonarimampianina and his team that we want," said opposition lawmaker Hanitriniaina Razafimanantsoa. "We will talk about elections after," the MP told supporters who have kept a daily protest vigil for nearly three weeks. This picture taken on May 7, 2018, shows an Israeli Iron Dome defence system, designed to intercept and destroy incoming short-range rockets and artillery shells, deployed in the Israeli-annexed Golan Heights near the border with Syria The Israeli army said Tuesday it has asked authorities in the occupied Golan Heights to open and prepare missile shelters over "irregular activity by Iranian forces in Syria", across the demarcation line. "Following the identification of irregular activity of Iranian forces in Syria, the IDF (Israel Defence Forces) has decided to change the civilian protection instructions in the Golan Heights and instructs local authorities to unlock and ready shelters in the area," the army said in a statement. "Additionally, defence systems have been deployed and IDF troops are on high alert for an attack." The announcement came shortly before US President Donald Trump made public his decision to withdraw from the Iran nuclear deal. Israel has been accused of carrying out a series of deadly strikes on bases in Syria out of which Iranian forces operate. It is concerned over the growing presence of Tehran's forces and those of Iran's Lebanese ally Hezbollah on Syrian territory. In an interview late last month, Israeli Defence Minister Avigdor Lieberman vowed to strike at any attempt by Iran to establish a "military foothold" in Syria. Israel seized 1,200 square kilometres (460 square miles) of the Golan Heights from Syria in the Six-Day War of 1967 and later annexed it in a move never recognised by the international community. The two countries remain technically at war. US President Donald Trump announces that his Secretary of State Mike Pompeo is on the way to North Korea to plan Trump's summit with Kim Jong Un US President Donald Trump announced Tuesday that Washington's chief diplomat Mike Pompeo was en route to North Korea to prepare for a landmark nuclear summit, as a flurry of diplomacy with Pyongyang at the center gathered pace. Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un are expected to meet later this month or early in June for talks that would have been nearly unthinkable a year ago, when the two mercurial leaders were trading barbs and Pyongyang tested a barrage of missiles. But after a historic summit between Kim and South Korean President Moon Jae-in, held amid a spectacular detente on the Korean peninsula, the mood is decidedly more upbeat, and Trump has said a date and location have been set for his face-to-face with the North's leader. "At this very moment, Secretary Pompeo is on his way to North Korea in preparation for my upcoming meeting with Kim Jong Un," Trump said in a televised address from the White House. "We have our meeting set. The location is picked -- the time and the date. Everything is picked. And we look forward to having a very great success," he said. "We think relationships are building with North Korea. We will see how it all works out. Maybe it will, maybe it won't. But it can be a great thing for North Korea, South Korea, Japan and the entire world." Pompeo, who met Kim in Pyongyang about a month ago while still director of the CIA for exploratory contacts about a possible summit, left Washington on Monday night with a delegation of senior officials, bound first for Japan, then North Korea. Speaking to reporters accompanying him on the unannounced trip, the secretary of state said he expected to meet with "the most senior leaders" in Pyongyang, including possibly Kim himself. "We're prepared to meet with anyone who is speaking on behalf of the North Korean government and can give us solid answers so we're prepared," he said. - 'Stay tuned' - Pompeo said his trip aimed first and foremost to nail down a "framework for a successful summit between the two presidents" -- including an agenda, a precise date and time and specific venue. Its second purpose, he said, was to establish that the United States would not "relieve sanctions until such time as we achieved our objectives." North Korean leader Kim Jong Un (R) met with US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo in Pyongyang for the first time over Easter weekend "We are not going to do this in small increments, where the world is essentially coerced into relieving economic pressure," he warned. "That won't lead to the outcome that I know Kim Jong Un wants and I know President Trump is demanding." "We're hoping to set out that set of conditions that will give them this opportunity to have a historic, big change in the security relationship between North Korea and the United States, which will achieve what the president has tweeted about and talked about: complete, verifiable, irreversible denuclearization." In addition to planning the summit, Pompeo has been pressing the regime to free three detained US citizens. Trump has said to "stay tuned" on the issue, and Pompeo said their possible release would be on the agenda of his meetings in Pyongyang. "We'll talk about it again," he told reporters. "I think it'd be a great gesture if they would choose to do so." - Pompeo 'clear-eyed' - Kim Jong Un and Xi Jinping (pictured at their March meeting in Beijing) met in the northeast city of Dalian Pompeo's trip came on the heels of talks in northeast China between Kim and China's Xi Jinping -- their second meeting in six weeks -- at which Kim reiterated his commitment to the denuclearization of the Korean peninsula. Kim's unannounced trip to the northeastern Chinese port city of Dalian was his second visit to China since March, highlighting efforts by the Cold War-era allies to mend relations that cooled as Beijing supported UN sanctions over Pyongyang's nuclear and ballistic missile programs. A senior State Department official traveling with Pompeo said he "will be listening for signs from North Korea that things have substantially changed since Kim declared on New Year's Eve that he would mass produce nuclear warheads and the means to deliver them." "The secretary is clear-eyed about not repeating the mistakes of the past," the official said. "We are not going to fall for theatrical pronouncements on the end of their nuclear program. That is not convincing evidence of dismantling their nuclear program. It wasn't then, and it won't be now." "Israel fully supports President Trump's bold decision today to reject the disastrous nuclear deal with the terrorist regime in Tehran," PM Netanyahu said in a televised address, referring to the multinational accord with his country's main enemy Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu expressed strong support for US President Donald Trump's "bold" decision Tuesday to withdraw from the Iran nuclear deal, which the Israeli leader has repeatedly criticised. Israel's army meanwhile asked authorities in the occupied Golan Heights to open and prepare missile shelters due to "irregular activity by Iranian forces" over the demarcation line in Syria. "Israel fully supports President Trump's bold decision today to reject the disastrous nuclear deal with the terrorist regime in Tehran," Netanyahu said in a televised address, referring to the multinational accord with his country's main enemy. Netanyahu, speaking shortly after Trump's announcement, said leaving the current deal in place was "a recipe for disaster, a disaster for our region, a disaster for the peace of the world". "This is why Israel thinks that President Trump did an historic move." Netanyahu on April 30 unveiled tens of thousands of intelligence documents in another televised address that he said showed Iran's secret nuclear weapons ambitions. Trump referred to the intelligence trove in his speech announcing the withdrawal. Proponents of the nuclear deal argued the trove of documents Israel says it obtained from Tehran shed little new light on Iran's nuclear programme and, in fact, made the case for why the accord is important. Netanyahu argues the documents show the deal was built on a lie -- Iran denied having pursued nuclear weapons -- and demonstrate that Tehran has a secret atomic weapons programme ready to activate at any time. Trump and his allies in the Middle East, particularly Israel, argue the agreement was too weak and needed to be replaced with a more permanent arrangement, supplemented by controls on Iran's missile programme. They also say the lifting of sanctions against Iran under the deal had increased its ability to finance proxy militants and other forms of aggression. Netanyahu defied then president Barack Obama in 2015 when he appeared before the US Congress to denounce the deal that was still being negotiated. Israel is believed to be the Middle East's sole nuclear-armed power, but it has never acknowledged the capability. - 'Unlock and ready shelters' - Shortly before Trump's announcement, Israel's military issued the notice regarding Iranian forces in Syria. "Following the identification of irregular activity of Iranian forces in Syria, the IDF (Israel Defence Forces) has decided to change the civilian protection instructions in the Golan Heights and instructs local authorities to unlock and ready shelters in the area," the army said in a statement. "Additionally, defence systems have been deployed and IDF troops are on high alert for an attack." Israeli media also reported that military reservists for the air force, intelligence and civil defence had been recalled. The military confirmed only a partial recall of reservists. Israel has pledged not to allow Iran to entrench itself militarily in Syria, where Tehran is backing President Bashar al-Assad's regime. It has been accused of carrying out deadly strikes on bases in Syria out of which Iranian forces operate, raising fears in Israel that Iran could seek to retaliate. Netanyahu is due to hold talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow on Wednesday. Russia is also backing Assad in the Syrian civil war, but has established a hotline with Israel to avoid accidental clashes in the country. Netanyahu and Putin have met and spoken by phone numerous times in recent months. Israel seized 1,200 square kilometres (460 square miles) of the Golan Heights from Syria in the Six-Day War of 1967 and later annexed it in a move never recognised by the international community. The two countries remain technically at war. A bomb from an air strike by the Nigerian airforce lies on the ground after cross fire between the military and Boko Haram Islamists in Maiduguri, in April 2018 Despite military successes scored against Boko Haram jihadists, it will take years to "completely eliminate" the group, a United Nations envoy told AFP Tuesday. "Boko Haram has proven to be a resilient group...I think it will take time to totally eliminate," said Muhammad Ibn Chambas, special envoy to the UN secretary general for West Africa and the Sahel. "What we are seeing is that Boko Haram has become part of an international terrorism network." Chambas was speaking on the sidelines of a Lake Chad regional summit in Maiduguri, the capital of Borno state and birthplace of Boko Haram. Governors from four countries straddling the lake ---- Nigeria, Niger, Chad, Cameroon --- are meeting for two days to discuss regional cooperation on stabilisation, peace building and sustainable development in the area. His remarks come at a time the Nigerian government and military is insisting that the war against Boko Haram is over, despite a recent spate of attacks by the extremists. On May 1 at least 86 people were killed in twin suicide attacks targeting a mosque and a nearby market in the town of Mubi in Adamawa state. Chambas said that the Islamist insurgents were likely still holding on to territory in the region. "It is relative," he said in response to reports that Boko Haram was holding territory in the northeast states of Yobe and Borno. "As long as they are not totally defeated obviously they are present in some areas". The Islamist insurgency has killed at least 20,000 people in nine years of violence that has spilled from northeast Nigeria into Niger, Chad and Cameroon, creating a dire humanitarian crisis. The four countries formed the Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF) to fight the Islamic extremists who criss-cross the porous borders in the remote region. Chambas commended the MNJTF counter terrorism fight as "appreciably successful" but warned it was far from over. "We of course ask that the MNJTF remains vigilant in its fight against Boko Haram, we cannot take it for granted and assume they have been totally defeated". In December 2015, President Muhammadu Buhari declared Boko Haram had been "technically defeated" after reclaiming swathes of territory back from the jihadists. But claims that the jihadists are a spent force have been put under scrutiny as the jihadists continued to launch deadly suicide and gun attacks on military and civilian targets. A TV grab from a broadcast by the official Syrian Arab News Agency (SANA) on May 8, 2018 shows a Syrian presenter speaking with images on the right purportedly showing the aftermath of two intercepted Israeli missiles The Syrian army on Tuesday night intercepted two Israeli missiles fired towards a district near Damascus, the official SANA news agency said. According to SANA, "anti-aircraft defences intercepted two Israeli missiles launched against (the district of) Kissweh and destroyed them". The agency had earlier reported "explosions" in the southern suburb, while Syrian state television broadcast images of fires in the area targeted by the strikes. Rami Abdel Rahman, director of the Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, told AFP that "missiles, probably Israeli, had targeted a weapons depot in the Kissweh area, presumably belonging to Hezbollah and the Iranians". This is not the first time that the area in the southwest of Damascus has been targeted. In December, Israel reportedly bombed military positions in Kissweh, including a weapons depot. On Tuesday night, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he "fully supports" the United States' withdrawal from a multinational nuclear deal with Iran. His statement came as the Israeli-occupied section of the Golan Heights was placed on high alert due to "irregular activity by Iranian forces" across the demarcation line in Syria. In recent years, particularly since 2017, Israel has carried out numerous strikes in Syria against the regime of President Bashar al-Assad and his ally, the Lebanese Hezbollah militia. On April 9 missiles targeted the T-4 air base in the central province of Homs, killing up to 14 fighters, including seven Iranians, two days after an alleged chemical attack carried out by the Syrian regime. The air base was also targeted by Israel in February. On April 29, at least 26 mostly Iranian fighters were killed by missiles fired on regime military positions, according to the Observatory. The strikes, "probably Israeli", targeted a military airport in Aleppo in the country's north and Brigade 47 in Hama, where Iranian forces are stationed, the Observatory said. Occasional clashes have erupted between Israel and the Syrian regime and its Hezbollah ally in the Golan Heights, occupied by Israel since 1967. Israel is concerned that Iran and Hezbollah are embedding forces along its border. In an interview late last month, Israeli Defence Minister Avigdor Lieberman vowed to strike at any attempt by Iran to establish a "military foothold" in Syria. US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo was dispatched to Pyongyang on an unannounced visit, his second in weeks, but first as secretary of state, to lay the groundwork for Donald Trump's unprecedented meeting with Kim Jong Un America's top diplomat Mike Pompeo arrived in Pyongyang Wednesday, landing at the centre of a whirlwind of diplomacy ahead of a planned US-North Korea summit. Pompeo was dispatched on an unannounced visit -- his second in weeks, but first as secretary of state -- to lay the groundwork for Donald Trump's unprecedented meeting with Kim Jong Un. His visit comes as rumours fly over three US citizens being held in the North, with suggestions they may have been moved in preparation for a release. The rapid detente on the Korean peninsula triggered by the Winter Olympics is a marked contrast from last year, when Kim and Trump traded personal insults and threats of war over the North's nuclear and ballistic missile programmes. "We think relationships are building with North Korea," Trump said in a televised address from the White House. "We will see how it all works out. Maybe it won't. But it can be a great thing for North Korea, South Korea and the entire world." But the details of a deal appear to be far from clear. At a historic meeting inside the Demilitarized Zone last month, Kim and South Korean President Moon Jae-in reaffirmed their commitment to a "common goal" of "complete denuclearisation" of the Korean peninsula. Hours before Pompeo landed, Trump yanked the US from a nuclear deal with Iran, complicating the prospects of persuading Pyongyang to surrender its atomic arsenal. - 'Chairman Un' - On Tuesday, Kim met Chinese President Xi Jinping in China -- the second time in six weeks -- highlighting efforts by the Cold War-era allies to mend frayed ties, and with Beijing keen to avoid being left out in the cold. Mike Pompeo met Kim Jong Un on his last visit to Pyongyang, before he was confirmed as secretary of state China's official Xinhua news agency cited Kim as telling Xi there was no need for North Korea to be a nuclear state "as long as relevant parties abolish their hostile policies and remove security threats against" the country. Kim also expressed hope that the US and North Korea would take "phased and synchronous measures", signalling Pyongyang wanted a quid pro quo. Pompeo's itinerary -- including who he would meet in Pyongyang -- was not clear. He told reporters he would look to prepare for the summit between Trump and "Chairman Un", prompting derision from observers. "Pompeo doesnt know the surname is Kim, but he's definitely on top of all the conceptual and semantic nuances associated with the phrase 'denuclearisation of the Korean Peninsula'," arms control specialist Jeffrey Lewis tweeted derisively. Mike Pompeo Trump's withdrawal of the US from the landmark deal curbing Iran's nuclear programme and reimposing crippling sanctions -- in defiance of European pleas -- also raised concerns. Trump poured scorn on the "disastrous" 2015 accord, reached after a decade and a half of careful diplomacy by Britain, China, France, Germany, Iran, Russia and past US administrations, describing it as an "embarrassment" to the United States. "This just makes my head explode," said Robert Kelly of Pusan National University. "Only a fool would trust the US to keep its word in a rogue state nuke deal now." - Detained trio - Speculation mounted that Pyongyang could release three detained Korean-Americans to Pompeo, fuelled by South Korea where the president's office said they expected the men to be freed. The trio are a significant domestic political issue and Trump hinted last week of imminent news after sources said they had been relocated. In previous cases detainees have been set free into the care of high profile US visitors. Pompeo's visit also comes as a tripartite meeting of East Asia's major powers takes place in Tokyo, with Japan, South Korea and China groping for a lowest-common-denominator agreement on recent events. Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe was likely to push for continued pressure on Pyongyang at a trilateral summit with South Korea's President Moon Jae-in and Chinese Premier Li Keqiang Japan, which has by far the most hardline position of the North's neighbours, has been left watching from the sidelines, uneasy at the pace of events and at what it sees as an unwarranted softening towards an untrustworthy Pyongyang. Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe was likely to push for continued pressure on Pyongyang, including for "complete, verifiable and irreversible denuclearisation", Japanese media have reported. Moon, however, was expected to bat away such demands. An official in his office last week said Seoul wanted the three countries to simply endorse the Panmunjon Declaration signed by Kim and Moon last month. NEW YORK (AP) - America's abortion clinics experienced a major upsurge in trespassing, obstruction and blockades by anti-abortion activists in 2017, according to an annual survey by an industry group. The National Abortion Federation report chronicled a litany of actions that ranged from coordinated trespassing efforts by abortion opponents, repeated brick-throwing at windows of a Cleveland clinic and an attempted bombing in Illinois. The report found that there was an overall decrease in acts of vandalism against clinics but a significant increase in activities aimed at disrupting services and intimidating patients and providers. Acts of trespassing increased from 247 in 2016 to 823 in 2017, instances of obstruction tripled to 1,704 and threats of death or other harm nearly doubled to 62. FILE - In this Monday, July 17, 2017 file photo, escort volunteers line up outside the EMW Women's Surgical Center in Louisville, Ky. On July 21, 2017, a federal judge established a buffer zone outside the clinic to keep anti-abortion protesters from assembling in front of the entrance, after at least 10 protesters were arrested for blocking it earlier in the month. (AP Photo/Dylan Lovan) "The protesters are feeling emboldened by the political environment and seeing what they could get away with," said the federation's president, Vicki Saporta. "They want to make it more difficult to provide care, without going to very extreme forms of violence." The federation based its findings on monthly reports filed by its members who make up the vast majority of abortion clinics nationally. Many clinics across the U.S. routinely are targeted by legal picketing near their premises. But in some cases, the protests escalated and led to intervention by federal and law enforcement agencies. At least 10 people were arrested last May when anti-abortion activists blocked the entrance to the EMW Women's Surgical Center in Louisville, Kentucky - the last abortion clinic still operating in the state. Saporta said the protesters, organized by the militant anti-abortion group Operation Save America, were emboldened by Kentucky Gov. Matt Bevin's high-profile efforts to shut down the clinic. As a result of the blockade, a federal judge established a buffer zone outside the clinic to keep protesters from assembling in front of the entrance. Among those arrested in Louisville was Operation Save America's national director, Rev. Rusty Lee Thomas. While awaiting trial, he said abortion should be outlawed, declaring "Our justice system is committing another grave injustice by arresting the wrong people." Elsewhere, several trespassing arrests occurred during coordinated actions by anti-abortion protesters in Virginia, Michigan and other states. Activists entered clinics, conveyed their anti-abortion views to patients, and refused to leave when told to do so by law enforcement. Citizens for a Pro-Life Society, a group headed by Roman Catholic theology professor Monica Migliorino Miller, described the incursions as "an act of nonviolent defense of unborn children about to be aborted." Miller was among those arrested in Michigan, and in February was convicted of trespassing. One of the targeted clinics was in the Detroit suburb of Sterling Heights - one of three clinics run by Northland Family Planning Centers. The company's director of advocacy and development, Lara Chelian, said harassment and disruptive protests have intensified in the past two years, prompting the hiring of armed guards at the clinics. She said the activists' frequent noisy protests have drawn complaints from neighboring residents and unsettled staff and patients, but have not been suppressed by local police. The flow of patients to the clinics has been steady, Chelian said, "but it's created an atmosphere of intimidation. It's really sad - and it's scary." The one attempted bombing in 2017 involved a pipe bomb that did not explode after being placed in an abortion clinic in Champaign, Illinois, in November. The three men charged by federal authorities are allegedly part of a militia group called the "White Rabbits" who also have been charged in the bombing of a Minnesota mosque last year. A clinic in Cleveland incurred more than $32,000 in damages because of repeated brick-throwing attacks on its windows. The report does not include a violent case in February when - according to prosecutors - a Massachusetts man deliberately crashed a stolen truck into a Planned Parenthood clinic in New Jersey, injuring three people, including a pregnant woman. That was the first major violent attack on a U.S. abortion clinic since 2015, when a man killed three people at a Planned Parenthood clinic during a shooting attack in Colorado. The picketing in 2017 often was more aggressive than in recent years, according to the Feminist Majority Foundation, which operates a national clinic access program. "They're telling us they've never seen this level of intensity," said the foundation's executive director, Kathy Spillar. The threat of attacks and vandalism can significantly boost clinics' costs, notably to provide security for facilities and staff. Some clinics have faced extra legal costs challenging state laws aimed at restricting abortions. In part, because of the legal and financial challenges, the number of abortion clinics in the U.S. has been declining. As of 2014, when the last comprehensive tally was made, there were 788 clinics. ___ Follow David Crary on Twitter at http://twitter.com/CraryAP COPENHAGEN, Denmark (AP) - Danish submarine inventor Peter Madsen will not be appealing his murder conviction over the killing and dismemberment of Swedish journalist Kim Wall, prosecutors said Monday. In a tweet, prosecutors said Madsen's defense team had only appealed against the life sentence that was handed down by the Copenhagen City Court. Prosecutors insist the sentence is correct. Defense lawyer Betina Hald Engmark told Denmark's TV2 that Madsen "doesn't confess murdering Kim Wall but that he would like the case to be over with - also for the sake of the relatives and witnesses," FILE - In this Wednesday, April 25, 2018 file photo, prosecutor Jakob Buch-Jepsen at a press briefing in front of the courthouse in Copenhagen, Denmark, after the verdict in the case of Peter Madsen. Prosecutors say that Danish submarine inventor Peter Madsen is not appealing his murder conviction over the killing and dismemberment of Swedish journalist Kim Wall. The prosecution tweeted Monday, May 7, 2018 that the defense has only appealed against the life sentence handed down to Madsen by Copenhagen City Court. (Mads Claus Rasmussen/Ritzau Scanpix via AP, File) Madsen was found guilty April 25 of murder, sexual assault and the dismembering of Wall. The Copenhagen court ruled unanimously that Madsen, 47, had lured Wall, 30, onto his hand-built submarine with the promise of an interview she had been trying to get for months. The defense announced at the time that it would appeal, but didn't specify whether it was disputing Madsen's guilt or the sentence. No date for the appeal over the sentence has been set. PARIS (AP) - A powerful French union is vowing to push ahead with strikes that have hobbled nationwide train services, even as signs of a possible compromise emerged in talks with President Emmanuel Macron's government. Prime Minister Edouard Philippe met Monday with unions to discuss amendments to a bill reforming national rail carrier SNCF and its 50 billion-euro ($60 billion) mountain of debt. Laurent Brun of the influential hard-left CGT union left the meetings saying the strike was going ahead. Leader of the labor union Worker Force Pascal Pagageau, arrives at the Prime Minister's office in Paris, France, Monday, May 7, 2018. A powerful French union is vowing to push ahead with strikes that have hobbled nationwide train services, even as signs of a possible compromise emerged in talks with President Emmanuel Macron's government. (AP Photo/Michel Euler) "There is no debate." But other union leaders saw hopeful signs. Luc Berille of UNSA said his union's concerns had been "heard," while Laurent Berger of moderate union CFDT said the prime minister was open to continued talks. Strikes are set to resume Monday evening through Thursday morning. Strikes are planned through June. GREECE, N.Y. (AP) - A teenager is among the school board candidates in a western New York town. Nineteen-year-old Derek Schrank tells WHAM -TV that the Greece, New York, school board needs a voting member who can better understand and relate to the student body. The SUNY Geneseo (SOO'-nee jeh-neh-SEE'-oh) journalism student says he has already scheduled classes around school board meetings next semester, in case he wins. Six candidates will compete for three open school board seats on May 15. ___ Information from: WHAM-TV, http://www.13wham.com CANBERRA, Australia (AP) - Australia's government is expected to release annual spending plans on Tuesday with a focus on winning votes at elections due within a year. Cheaper craft beer plus personal tax cuts compensated by strengthening company tax revenue have been flagged as well as more investment on roads and rail to stimulate economic growth. Some media have reported that the government might better its timetable for returning the budget to surplus by the 2020-21 fiscal year by balancing the books 12 months earlier. Treasurer Scott Morrison, who will reveal to the Parliament later Tuesday his economic blueprint for the year starting July 1, said the government would live within its means. Australia's Treasurer Scott Morrison addresses reporters outside Parliament House in Canberra, Australia, on Tuesday, May 8, 2018. Morrison is expected to release spending plans with a focus on winning votes at an election due within a year. (AP Photo/Rod McGuirk) "The plan for a stronger economy that I will be announcing tonight is about improving the opportunities for all Australians to live in a stronger economy," Morrison told reporters outside Parliament House. "It's a plan to lower taxes and reducing the pressure on households. It's a plan to back business to create more jobs. ... It's a plan to guarantee the essential services that Australians rely on every day," he added. The budget is Morrison's third since he became treasurer and the last before the next election. The government recently announced it had abandoned plans announced a year ago to increase the levy that Australians pay for their universal health care system from 2 percent of their income to 2.5 percent to pay for a newly established disability insurance program. The Senate had refused to endorse the increase, and Morrison said it was no longer needed because the government's bottom line had improved in the past year through more tax revenue. Global credit ratings agency Fitch Ratings last week said scrapping the levy increase while committing to fully funding the insurance program "poses a challenge" for the forecast surplus in 2020-21. The government recently announced it would correct an anomaly that charged craft beer brewers a higher tax rate on alcohol produced than mass beer producers because the craft brewers typically use smaller kegs. "Why should their business be held back because of tax systems that are out of date?" Morrison asked about the unfair treatment of small breweries that are being set up by the hundreds around Australia. The government has also flagged modest tax cuts to low and middle income earners. The government has already announced AU$500 million ($376 million) for a Great Barrier Reef rescue plan that includes programs to reduce fertilizer runoff from farming, reducing numbers of the destructive crown-of-thorns starfish and to fund research into coral bleaching. Environmentalists argue that the funding won't tackle the main threat to the reef, global warming. They have urged the government to take greater action to reduce Australia's greenhouse gas emissions. Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull has said he will call an election early next year. But he could be tempted to call an early election if the budget is well received and his conservative coalition's standing in opinion polls improves. The government consistently trails the center-left opposition Labor Party in polling. WICHITA, Kan. (AP) - The American Civil Liberties Union asked a federal judge on Monday to order Kansas Secretary of State Kris Kobach to pay more than $50,000 in attorney fees and other damages as punishment for violating a court order to fully register some voters. Its filing comes in the wake of last month's ruling by U.S. District Judge Julie Robinson finding Kobach, a candidate for Kansas governor, in contempt of court in a lawsuit challenging a Kansas law requiring proof of U.S. citizenship to register to vote. Kobach is nationally known for championing tough immigration and voter identification laws and served as vice chairman of President Donald Trump's now-disbanded commission on election fraud. Robinson didn't impose a fine at the time of her contempt hearing but ordered Kobach to pay for damages, including attorney fees. The ACLU said litigating the contempt motion required 133.5 attorney hours and more than 19 paralegal hours amounting to $49,637.04. It also incurred expenses in the amount of $2,009.12. The ACLU sought the contempt ruling after Kobach refused to update the state's election guide or ensure that county officials sent postcards to residents who registered at driver licensing offices without providing citizenship documents. The postcards contain basic voting information such as a voter's polling place. Robinson said during a contempt hearing in March that she had made it clear voters covered by a May 2016 injunction she imposed were not to be treated differently. Kobach did not immediately respond to an afterhours email seeking comment. He has appealed the initial contempt ruling to the 10th Circuit Court of Appeals, although the ACLU has argued that appeal is premature because a final judgment has not yet been entered in the contempt ruling. The contempt hearing came after seven days of testimony in the ACLU's challenge of the state's voter registration law. Robinson has not yet filed a ruling in the larger lawsuit over the state's voter identification law. The ACLU told Robinson in its latest filing that Kobach has continued to deny responsibility for his underlying actions that gave rise to the contempt motion and has displayed disregard for this court's authority. It cited an interview Kobach gave last month in which he described the court's contempt order as "just ridiculous." "Defendant's failure to take responsibility for his actions and his continued disrespect for the Court's authority suggest that significant monetary sanctions are necessary to deter future non-compliance," according to the ACLU filing." The ALU also argued Kobach's conduct should be a factor considered by the Robinson when she considers whether any "further remedial measures" are necessary before deciding on the final merits of the case. A Chinese court today sentenced a former political high-flier to life in prison for taking more than 170 million yuan (19 million) in bribes. Sun Zhengcai, 54, was once seen as a contender for a top leadership post of China's Communist Party and a potential successor to President Xi Jinping. Sun was removed from his party post in a major city last year before being investigated for 'serious discipline violation'. Before being dismissed from his position, Sun was accused of conspiring to 'usurp party leadership' by a senior Chinese Communist official. In this image taken from a video footage run by China's CCTV via AP Video, former political high-flyer Sun Zhengcai (center) is seen during his sentencing at a court in Tianjin, China Sun was once regarded as a possible successor to Xi Jinping who could now rule China for life The life sentence made him one of the biggest names to fall in President Xi's campaign against corruption and disloyalty. Sun's sentence, handed down by the intermediate court in the northern port city of Tianjin, appears to end a career that had once been seen as propelling him to the apex of power in the ruling Communist Party. In addition to being imprisoned, Sun was deprived of political rights for life and all of his personal property was confiscated. The court said Sun accepted the bribes between 2002 and 2017 when he took different senior party official positions in Beijing, Jilin Province and Chongqing. Sun was once regarded as a possible successor to Xi Jinping, 64, who became the President of People's Republic of China in 2013, according to a 2017 report from The Wall Street Journal, which quoted people familiar with the matter. In this March 13, 2017, file photo, the then-party secretary of Chongqing, Sun Zhengcai, attends the closing session of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) China's state broadcaster CCTV showed Sun in court accepting the sentence and stating that he would not appeal. Sun had been elevated to the party's elite 25-member Politburo and was the party chief in the mega-city of Chongqing before suddenly being removed last July. Chongqing is one of the four municipalities in China - alongside Beijing, Shanghai and Tianjin - and is an industrial metropolis in the south-west of the country. Sun pleaded guilty to the charges and expressed repentance, according to Tianjin's No. 1 Intermediate People's Court, which imposed his sentence less than one month after the trial opened in a relatively swift resolution of the case. In return for the bribes, Sun and his associates allegedly provided assistance to unspecified organizations and individuals with engineering contracts, business operations and other matters, the court said. Experts say announced figures in corruption cases are often only a fraction of the real amounts involved, part of an effort by the party to avoid stirring public outrage. Despite Sun's conviction on criminal charges, Chinese leaders and party-run media have made it clear that Sun's offenses were largely political in nature. At a party meeting last year, a senior official stated that Sun and other senior figures prosecuted in Xi's anti-corruption crackdown were 'conspiring openly to usurp party leadership.' Liu Shiyu, the chairman of China's securities regulator, made the claims during the 19th national congress of China, the country's biggest political event held once every five years. Sun is one of the biggest names to fall in President Xi's anti-corruption campaign. Bo Xilai (pictured in the above file photo in 2012), was sentenced to life in prison in 2013 for corruption Other disgraced top officials include Zhou Yongkang, a retired member of the ruling party's Standing Committee, the country's inner circle of power. In a file photo above, Zhou Yongkang attends the closing of the National People's Congress at the Great Hall of the People Sun had been expelled from the party and dismissed from public office in September because he was suspected of 'serious discipline violations,' a phrase that usually refers to bribery but increasingly also includes political disloyalty. He was replaced in Chongqing by Xi protege Chen Min'er, who was subsequently promoted to the Politburo. Sun had been identified most closely with the party's China Youth League faction associated with Xi's predecessor, Hu Jintao, which Xi - who also heads the ruling party - has effectively sidelined in his consolidation of power. Xi in March saw through a constitutional amendment removing term limits on the presidency, setting himself up to remain head of state indefinitely. Sun's failure to obtain approval from senior party figures for his political ambitions was the most likely cause of his downfall, said Ding Xueliang, an expert on Chinese politics at Hong Kong's University of Science and Technology. In such political cases, investigators generally have little difficulty finding evidence of corruption, given the opportunities to exploit one's office and the large family networks eager to take advantage, Ding said. Guo Boxiong has also been accused of overthrowing top leadership. In the picture, General Guo, vice chairman of China's Central Military Commission, attends the opening session of the National People's Congress, or parliament, on March 5, 2007 in Beijing Xi has imposed a crackdown against corruption and disloyalty since taking power in 2012 However, bringing political charges would be 'extremely explosive' for a party intent on keeping secret its inner processes, factional rivalries and methods of distributing power and privilege, Ding said. 'Charging with corruption allows all the convenience of not releasing sensitive data while permitting the party to destroy (Sun's) reputation,' he said. Sun's case recalls that of Bo Xilai, one of his predecessors as Chongqing party chief, who was once considered among the country's most ambitious politicians and a potential rival to Xi. Bo was sentenced to life in prison in 2013 for corruption. Other high-profile figures to fall in Xi's campaign include, Zhou Yongkang, a retired member of the party's all-powerful Politburo Standing Committee, and Guo Boxiong, a former top general. Both are serving life prison terms after being convicted of corruption or other misconduct. Trump declares US leaving 'horrible' Iran nuclear accord WASHINGTON (AP) - President Donald Trump withdrew the U.S. from the landmark nuclear accord with Iran Tuesday, declaring he was making the world safer in restoring harsh sanctions. But he also dealt a profound blow to allies, deepened his isolation on the world stage and revived doubts about American credibility in the most consequential foreign policy action of his presidency. The leaders of Germany, France and Britain, co-signers of the agreement, expressed regret and said they would try to salvage the accord with Iran. Iranian President Hassan Rouhani said he was sending his foreign minister to work with those remaining countries but warned there was only a short time to negotiate with them and his country could soon "start enriching uranium more than before." The 2015 accord, which lifted major economic sanctions against Iran, was specifically aimed at preventing that result. But Trump said, "The Iran deal is defective at its core." "If we do nothing, we know exactly what will happen. In just a short period of time, the world's leading state sponsor of terror will be on the cusp of acquiring the world's most dangerous weapons," Trump said in a televised address from the White House. He said the United States "will be instituting the highest level of economic sanction." ___ Iran president: Uranium enrichment may resume if deal fails TEHRAN, Iran (AP) - President Hassan Rouhani warned Tuesday that Iran could restart enriching uranium "without any limitations" within weeks, after President Donald Trump pulled America out of the nuclear deal, though he said world powers still in the accord could potentially save the pact. Rouhani's speech, broadcast live on state television within minutes of Trump's announcement, marked a doubling-down for the cleric who has seen his signature foreign policy achievement threatened by Trump for years. Trump's announcement from the White House marked potentially the worst-case scenario for the relative moderate, as the country's economy continues to reel despite the deal and may further worsen. Stressing that the accord remained a "multilateral" one, and not just with the U.S., Rouhani said he'd be sending Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif to the countries still in the deal - China, France, Germany, Russia and the United Kingdom. Iran hopes the European Union will pass laws to protect European firms from any potential U.S. sanctions. EU officials have suggested they'll do what they can to salvage the agreement. Still, Rouhani made a point of stressing that Iran, at any time, could resume its nuclear program. ___ Pompeo en route to NKorea to finalize Trump-Kim summit YOKOTA AIR BASE, Japan (AP) - U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo was heading to North Korea on Wednesday to finalize details of a planned historic summit between President Donald Trump and North Korea leader Kim Jong Un. Trump announced the mission in Washington on Tuesday just minutes before Pompeo arrived in Japan to refuel before flying on to Pyongyang, and as the president declared he was withdrawing from a landmark nuclear deal with another bitter U.S. adversary, Iran. U.S. officials say Pompeo will also press North Korea for the release of three detained American citizens, whose imminent release Trump has been hinting at. His trip comes just days after North Korea expressed displeasure with Washington for comments suggesting that massive U.S. pressure had pushed Kim to the negotiating table. Pompeo, who first traveled to North Korea as CIA chief in early April, is only the second sitting secretary of state to visit the reclusive nation with which it is still technically at war. The first was Madeleine Albright in 2000 who went as part of an unsuccessful bid to arrange a meeting between then-President Bill Clinton and Kim's father Kim Jong Il. "At this very moment, Secretary Pompeo is on his way to North Korea in preparation for my upcoming meeting with Kim Jong Un," Trump said at the White House. ___ GOP frets over West Virginia as 4 states decide primaries CHARLESTON, W.Va. (AP) - Republican primary voters in West Virginia are deciding whether a brash outsider using a racially charged closing message or one of two more mainstream GOP candidates will face vulnerable Democratic Sen. Joe Manchin this fall in a general election both parties view as key to Senate control for the next two years. Former coal executive Don Blankenship, who served a year in prison for his role in a deadly mine disaster, is strongly opposed by President Donald Trump. So the primary is a test of Trump's clout against a candidate with his own unabashed style in the state the president carried by his largest margin in 2016. The stakes are high for a Republican Party bracing for major losses in this fall's midterm elections. A victory on Tuesday for Blankenship could make it hard for Republicans to gain a Senate seat in this GOP-heavy state in November. But the anti-establishment fervor unleashed by Trump's 2016 campaign has proved difficult for GOP leaders to rein in. As he did unsuccessfully in a special Alabama Senate primary last year, Trump himself warned on the eve of the election that the anti-establishment candidate would destroy Republicans' chance of winning this fall. Blankenship, former CEO of Massey Energy, "can't win the General Election in your State...No way!" the president wrote of the retired coal executive, who was released from prison last year for his role in the deadliest U.S. mine disaster in four decades. ___ New York AG's fall: From women's defender to alleged abuser NEW YORK (AP) - Less than three months ago, New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman went before the news cameras to announce a lawsuit accusing movie mogul Harvey Weinstein and his former studio of abusing and intimidating a multitude of women. "We have never seen anything as despicable as what we've seen here," Schneiderman declared. Now, in a stunning turn rife with seeming hypocrisy, Schneiderman's own career has imploded, collapsing just three hours after the 63-year-old Democrat was accused of choking, slapping, threatening or otherwise abusing four women during intimate encounters. The allegations, which Schneiderman contests but which led him to resign, emerged Monday in an article in The New Yorker, a publication he hailed just last month for reporting on Weinstein and starting a "critical national reckoning" on sexual misconduct by powerful men. It was a dizzying fall for a politician who put himself at the fore of the #MeToo movement and had cast himself as a defender of women ever since he worked at an abortion clinic at 17. ___ Syrian media report Israeli attack near capital Damascus BEIRUT (AP) - Syrian state-run media said Israel struck a military outpost near the capital Damascus on Tuesday, saying its air defenses intercepted and destroyed two of the incoming missiles. The reported attack came shortly after President Donald Trump announced he was withdrawing from the Iran nuclear deal, calling Tehran a main exporter of terrorism in the region. The official news agency SANA said the attack occurred in the countryside in Kisweh, just south of Damascus, an area known to have numerous Syrian army military bases. It did not elaborate. Syrian TV reported earlier large explosions in the area. An official with the Iran-led regional alliance supporting Syrian President Bashar Assad said the strike targeted a Syrian army position but killed a Syrian man and his wife passing by in their car. He said there were jets in the sky but it was likely the position was targeted by surface-to-surface missiles from the Golan Heights. The official spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to give official statements. There was no immediate comment from Israel, which almost never confirms or denies airstrikes in Syria. Such strikes have become more frequent recently, amid soaring tensions between regional archenemies Israel and Iran. ___ AP EXPLAINS: What is Iran's atomic deal? Why is it targeted? DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) - Iran's nuclear deal with world powers faces its biggest diplomatic challenge yet as President Donald Trump is withdrawing the United States from the accord. What is the atomic agreement and why does it face criticism now? ___ GIVE AND TAKE At its heart, the 2015 deal imposes restrictions on Iran's nuclear program that make it impossible for Iran to produce a bomb, in return for the lifting of most of the U.S. and international sanctions against it. But the accord has a series of time limits. ___ How Google aims to make your gadgets smarter with AI MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif. (AP) - Google put the spotlight on its artificial intelligence smarts at its annual developers conference Tuesday, announcing new consumer features imbued with machine learning. Many of the updates have a practical bent, designed to ease tasks such as composing emails, making lists, navigating city streets and lessening the digital distractions that have increasingly addled people's lives as a result of previous tech industry innovations. One of the biggest crowd-pleasers for the thousands of software developers who gathered at the outdoor conference was an augmented reality feature on Google Maps that helps people get walking directions. Users will be able to follow arrows - or possibly a cartoon-like creature - that appear on a camera view showing the actual street in front of them. Some new features for Android phones also aim to improve people's digital well-being, including a new "shush" mode that automatically turns on the "Do Not Disturb" function if someone flips their phone face down on a table. And "Wind Down Mode" will fade the screen to greyscale at a designated bedtime to help users disconnect before bed. The company's digital concierge, known only as the Google Assistant, is getting new voices - including one based on that of musician John Legend - later this year. It will also encourage kids to be polite by thanking them when they say please, similar to a feature Amazon is bringing to its Alexa voice assistant. ___ Arm in arm, Scorsese and Blanchett open 71st Cannes CANNES, France (AP) - A Cannes Film Festival grappling with issues of gender equality and other winds of change was declared open Tuesday by Martin Scorsese and Cate Blanchett, arm in arm, before the premiere of Asghar Farhadi's "Everybody Knows." The 71st edition of the glamorous French Riviera extravaganza of cinema and celebrity - and the first of the post-Harvey Weinstein #MeToo era - kicked off with the Spanish-language debut of Farhadi, the Iranian filmmaker, starring Penelope Cruz and Javier Bardem. On the opening ceremony's carefully choreographed red carpet, one of the festival's numerous modifications this year - a ban on selfies - was broken by some attendees who attempted to take photographs with their phones. Scorsese, who won the festival's top prize, the Palme d'Or, for "Taxi Driver," was in Cannes for an anniversary screening of his 1973 breakthrough "Mean Streets." Brought out to officially open the festival, he gestured for Blanchett to join him in the middle of the Palais des Festivals' stage. And much of the spotlight on opening day belonged to Blanchett. A prominent member of the Time's Up initiative, Blanchett told reporters that the #MeToo movement will play a role in this and every following Cannes festival, but won't factor into their deliberations. ___ London calling: Yankees, Red Sox to play where soccer's king LONDON (AP) - Taking in the London landmarks, Hal Steinbrenner turned his eyes from statues to more familiar sights. "I walked through Trafalgar Square yesterday and saw a lot of Yankees hats," the team owner told The Associated Press. "I don't think it had anything to do with today." Tuesday was launch day for the Major League Baseball's foray into Europe, with two games between the New York Yankees and the Boston Red Sox set for June 2019 at London's Olympic Stadium. The Yankee caps spotted by Steinbrenner as he wandered by Nelson's Column was a reminder that in so many parts of the world his team is more of a fashion brand than a 27-time champion. The aim is to change that with regular-season games in London, moving baseball closer to its European fans and a new audience. CHARLESTON, W.Va. (AP) - Republican voters rejected ex-convict Don Blankenship Tuesday in a West Virginia Senate primary in which he sold himself as "Trumpier than Trump" but was vigorously opposed by the president. GOP voters in Indiana, meanwhile, chose wealthy businessman Mike Braun over two sitting congressmen to lead the party's charge against a vulnerable Democratic senator in the fall. President Donald Trump and his allies cheered the West Virginia result, which helped avert a potential political disaster for a GOP already bracing for major losses in the November midterm elections. In a possible sign of party unrest, however, Rep. Robert Pittenger lost in North Carolina to the Rev. Mark Harris, a Baptist pastor he narrowly beat two years ago. Pittinger is the first incumbent to lose his seat this primary season. The day's slate of early season elections tested the limits of the anti-establishment fervor that has defined the Trump era. Denise Morrisey stands next to her husband, West Virginia Attorney General Patrick Morrisey, as he speaks at his campaign headquarters Tuesday, May 8, 2018, in Kearnesville, W.Va. (Ron Agnir/The Journal via AP) Hopelessly behind in West Virginia, Blankenship conceded defeat in the contest to determine Democratic Sen. Joe Manchin's general election challenger. The Republican president fought in the campaign's final days to defeat Blankenship, a retired coal executive, who remained popular among some West Virginia Republicans despite having served a year in prison for his role in a deadly mine disaster and attacked the Asian heritage of the top Senate Republican's wife. State Attorney General Patrick Morrisey claimed the nomination instead, promoting his record of challenging policies of the administration of former President Barack Obama and deflecting criticism of his roots in New Jersey, where he lost a 2000 congressional race. "Mr. President, if you're watching right now, let me tell you, your tweet was huge," Morrisey said in his nomination address, referring to Trump's election eve call for voters to shun Blankenship's candidacy. "You've been to the state now four times. I'd like you to come back as many times as you can between now and November." Vice President Mike Pence congratulated Morrisey on Twitter, saying, "The great people of WV need a senator who supports the #MAGA agenda." The key Senate contests headlined primary elections across four states on Tuesday that will help shape the political landscape in this fall's midterm elections. Control of Congress is at stake in addition to state governments across the nation. In most cases, the Republican candidates on the ballot had competed to be seen as the most conservative, the most anti-Washington and the most loyal to the Republican president. In Indiana, Democratic Sen. Joe Donnelly will face off in November against Braun, a multimillionaire owner of a national auto parts distribution business who loaned more than $5.4 million of his own money to his campaign. Braun credited his victory to voter disenchantment with "business as usual" and said he hoped to join other Republican senators who came from outside politics. Another Indiana contest was less contentious: Greg Pence won the primary for the congressional seat his younger brother, Vice President Mike Pence, once held. Greg Pence is a Marine veteran and owner of two antique malls who once ran the now-bankrupt chain of Tobacco Road convenience stores. He'll be the favorite to win the seat in November. In Ohio's high-profile governor's race, Democrats nominated Obama-era consumer watchdog Richard Cordray while Republicans selected state Attorney General Mike DeWine. An Ohio state senator won the Republican primary to succeed retiring Rep. Pat Tiberi. The race had become a proxy fight between Tiberi, a GOP moderate, and conservative Republican Rep. Jim Jordan. Tiberi's candidate, Troy Balderson of Zanesville pulled out a win. And on the local level, a woman who accused Trump of sexually harassing her more than a decade ago claimed the Democratic nomination in a race to represent an area southeast of Toledo in the state House of Representatives. Democrat Rachel Crooks, a 35-year-old university administrator, ran unopposed, but must next win a November general election to become the first Trump accuser to hold elected office. A bright spot for Republicans in swing-state Ohio: GOP turnout was considerably stronger than Democratic voting in the open governor's race. With nearly two-thirds of the vote counted, 567, 000 Republicans cast votes, to 412,000 Democrats. U.S. Rep. Jim Renacci, with Trump's support, won the Republican primary to challenge Democratic Sen. Sherrod Brown in November. Yet none of Tuesday's other contests was expected to have more impact on the midterm landscape than West Virginia, where Blankenship had embraced Trump's tactics - casting himself as a victim of government persecution and seizing on xenophobia, if not racism - to stand out in a crowded Republican field that included Attorney General Morrisey and Congressman Evan Jenkins. Before his loss was official, Blankenship promised to explore his options in the general election - including whether state election law might allow him to launch a third-party bid that could undermine Morrisey's candidacy. State officials noted that West Virginia's "sore loser" law leaves Blankenship with virtually no option to run in the general election. No matter Tuesday's winner, Trump's team was keeping pressure on Manchin. A pro-Trump political action committee America First was airing ads promoting Gina Haspel, Trump's nominee to be CIA director, and urging residents to call Manchin to support her confirmation. Manchin coasted to the Democratic nomination, but he remains a top Republican target this fall. Speaking Tuesday night at his Charleston headquarters, he said he expects Trump to get involved in the contest, despite Manchin's "good relationship" with the president. The Democrat said he would campaign as he always has: a bipartisan problem solver who works "for West Virginians." Trump and his party invested significant time and resources to attack Blankenship in recent weeks. The head of the Senate Republican campaign arm highlighted Blankenship's criminal history. And a group allied with the national GOP, known as Mountain Families PAC, spent more than $1.2 million in attack ads against Blankenship. The retired businessman was released less than a year ago from a prison term for a 2010 mine explosion that left 29 men dead. Blankenship led the company that owned the mine and was sentenced to a year in prison for conspiring to break safety laws, a misdemeanor. He repeatedly blamed government regulators for the disaster, casting himself as the victim of an overzealous Obama-era Justice Department - an argument Trump regularly uses to dismiss federal agents investigating his campaign's ties to Russia. Even as Blankenship rebuffed Trump's criticism this week, he described himself as "Trumpier than Trump" and played up his outsider credentials. "We just started from so far behind with the hangover of the explosion we couldn't make it up," Blankenship said late Tuesday, noting that the probation stemming from his prison term would formally end in a matter of minutes. "I haven't really thought about what I'm going to do tomorrow," he continued. "Probation ends at 12:01 a.m. tonight. Tomorrow, I may be in Aruba before sunset. I don't know." ___ Peoples reported from New York. Associated Press writers Bill Barrow in Charleston, West Virginia, and John Seewer in Toledo, Ohio contributed to this report. ___ This story has been corrected by deleting references to Indiana Republican Mike Braun being highly critical of Trump; that and references to "coming around" and saying Trump should nominated for a Nobel were erroneously attributed to Braun. FILE - In this Nov. 24, 2015, file photo, former Massey Energy CEO Don Blankenship walks out of the Robert C. Byrd U.S. Courthouse in Charleston, W.Va. West Virginia gave Trump his widest margin of any state in 2016, a 42-percentage point pounding of Democrat Hillary Clinton that had Republicans giddy over their chance to defeat Democratic Sen. Joe Manchin this November. Now Republicans are faced with the prospects of nominating ex-federal convict Don Blankenship, prompting warnings from Washington that they could hand Manchin a pass. (AP Photo/Chris Tilley, File) In this April 30, 2018, photo, Senate candidates from left, Todd Rokita, Luke Messer and Mike Braun speak with each other following the Indiana Republican senate primary debate in Indianapolis. As primary season kicks into high gear, Republicans are engaged in nomination fights that are pulling the party to the right, leaving some leaders worried their candidates will be out of a step with the broader electorate in the November election. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings, Pool) FILE - In this Jan. 18, 2018 file photo, former Massey CEO and West Virginia Republican Senatorial candidate, Don Blankenship, speaks during a town hall to kick off his campaign in Logan, W.Va. Voters in the heart of Trump country are ready to decide the fate of Republican Senate candidate Don Blankenship, a brash businessman with a checkered past who's testing the appeal of President Donald Trump's outsider playbook in one of the nation's premiere midterm contests. The West Virginia primary comes as voters across four states decide primary elections Tuesday in states Trump carried in 2016. In most cases, the candidates are jockeying to be seen as the most loyal to the president. (AP Photo/Steve Helber) FILE - In this April 5, 2018, file photo, U.S. President Donald Trump smiles during a roundtable discussion on tax policy, in White Sulphur Springs, W.Va., with U.S. Rep. Evan Jenkins, R-W.Va., left, and West Virginia Attorney General Patrick Morrisey. Voters in the heart of Trump country are ready to decide the fate of West Virginia Republican Senate candidate Don Blankenship, a brash businessman and GOP outsider with a checkered past who is testing the success of President Donald Trump's playbook in one of the nation's premiere Senate contests. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci, File) Democratic gubernatorial candidate Richard Cordray, left, and his running mate Betty Sutton greet a crowd of supporters during an election night event Tuesday, May 8, 2018, in Columbus, Ohio. Republican Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine, one of the state's best-known politicians, and Cordray, who headed the federal consumer protection bureau under President Barack Obama, prevailed Tuesday to head into a fall faceoff to succeed Republican Gov. John Kasich. (AP Photo/Jay LaPrete) BOSTON (AP) - "Star Trek" actor George Takei (tuh-KAY') has appeared in Boston to talk about his experiences in U.S. internment camps during World War II. In an event at the Boston Public Library Tuesday, Takei discussed his family's history in the camps that put Japanese-Americans behind barbed wire between 1942 and 1946. Takei used his family's story as the inspiration for the Broadway musical "Allegiance." Actor George Takei, best known for his role as Hikaru Sulu on the television series "Star Trek," greets the audience before speaking about his experiences in U.S. internment camps during World War II, at an appearance at Boston Public Library, Tuesday, May 8, 2018, in Boston. Takei used his family's story as the inspiration for the Broadway musical "Allegiance." (AP Photo/Steven Senne) The show tells the narrative of the fictional Kimura family, whose lives are upended when they and 120,000 other Japanese-Americans are forced to leave their homes following the 1941 attack on Pearl Harbor. The cast of the SpeakEasy Stage Company's production of Takei's musical also performed during the event. Actor George Takei, best known for his role as Hikaru Sulu on the television series "Star Trek," greets the audience before speaking about his experiences in U.S. internment camps during World War II, at an appearance at Boston Public Library, Tuesday, May 8, 2018, in Boston. Takei used his family's story as the inspiration for the Broadway musical "Allegiance." (AP Photo/Steven Senne) President Donald Trump is to announce Tuesday whether he will pull the United States out of the Iran nuclear deal, a 2015 agreement that capped over a decade of hostility between Tehran and the West over its atomic program. Here's a timeline of major events over that timespan: -August 2002: Western intelligence services and an Iranian opposition group reveal a covert nuclear site at the central city of Natanz. An inspection by the U.N.'s International Atomic Energy Agency reveals it was used to enrich uranium, a process for producing fuel or nuclear warheads. FILE - In this Oct. 26, 2010 file photo, a worker rides a bike in front of the reactor building of the Bushehr nuclear power plant, just outside the southern city of Bushehr, Iran. President Donald Trump is weighing whether to pull the U.S. out of Iran's nuclear deal, a 2015 agreement that capped over a decade of hostility between Tehran and the West over its atomic program. (AP Photo/Mehr News Agency, Majid Asgaripour, File) -June 2003: Britain, France and Germany engage Iran in nuclear negotiations. Washington refuses to join. -October 2003: Iran suspends uranium enrichment. -February 2006: Iran announces it will restart uranium enrichment following the election of hard-line President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, a critical Iran report by the IAEA and after Britain, France and Germany walk out of stalled negotiations. -June 2006: The United States, Russia and China join Britain, France and Germany to form the P5+1 group of nations trying to persuade Iran to curb its nuclear program. Washington initially stays away from the negotiating table. -December 2006: The U.N. Security Council imposes the first set of sanctions on Iran, banning the sale of sensitive nuclear technology. More follow as time goes on. -November 2007: The number of uranium-enriching centrifuges assembled by Iran reaches about 3,000 from just a few hundred in 2002. Its stockpile of low-enriched uranium also grows, giving Tehran a theoretical ability to make enough-weapons grade uranium for an atomic bomb within a year. -July 2008: Under President George W. Bush, the United States joins the nuclear talks for the first time. -October 2009: Under President Barack Obama, a senior U.S. diplomat meets one-on-one with Iran's top nuclear negotiator. The talks are some of the most extensive between Washington and Tehran in three decades. -February 2010: Iran announces it has started to enrich uranium to near 20 percent, a technical step away from weapons-grade material. -May 2010: Brazil and Turkey announce their own nuclear deal with Iran. The arrangement quickly falls apart. -January 2011: Negotiations between Iran and the six world powers break off for what becomes a 15-month hiatus. -November 2011: The IAEA outlines the possible military dimension to Iran's nuclear activities. Iran denies the allegations, saying they're based on falsified Israeli and U.S. evidence. -January 2012: The IAEA says Iran is enriching to 20 percent at its mountain facility near Fordo. The European Union freezes the assets of Iran's central bank and halts Iranian oil imports. -April 2012: Negotiations restart between Iran and world powers. -July 2012: U.S. and Iranian officials meet secretly in Oman to see if diplomatic progress is possible. Talks gain speed the following year, particularly when Ahmadinejad's presidency ends. -August 2013: Hassan Rouhani, a relatively moderate cleric, defeats several hard-line candidates to become Iran's president, declaring his country ready for serious nuclear talks. By now, Iran has about 20,000 centrifuges and the U.S. estimates the country is only a few months away from nuclear weapons capability. -September 2013: Rouhani and Obama speak by telephone, the highest-level exchange between the two countries since Iran's 1979 Islamic Revolution. U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry and Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif begin their diplomatic exchanges. -November 2013: Iran and the six powers announce an interim agreement that temporarily curbs Tehran's nuclear program and unfreezes some Iranian assets. The deal sets the stage for extended negotiations on a comprehensive nuclear accord. -June 16, 2015: New York businessman Donald Trump announces he's running for president and says of the yet-finalized Iran deal: "It's a disaster." -July 14, 2015: World powers and Iran announce long-term, comprehensive nuclear agreement. -October 2015: Iran conducts its first ballistic missile test since the nuclear deal. The U.S. accuses Iran of violating a U.N. Security Council resolution, but the Obama acknowledges that ballistic missiles are "entirely separate" from the nuclear deal. Iran continues its tests, saying its missiles serve as a defensive deterrent in a region heavily armed by the U.S. -Jan. 12, 2016: Iran captures 10 U.S. Navy sailors on stricken patrol boats that end up in Iranian territorial waters in the Persian Gulf. They are kept overnight and released after talks between Zarif and Kerry, but Iranian state media trumpets the capture by airing footage of the sailors on their knees with their hands on their heads. -Jan. 16, 2016: The IAEA acknowledges Iran has met its commitments under the nuclear deal, which sees most sanctions on Iran lifted. It takes time but Iran re-enters the global banking system and begins selling crude oil and natural gas on the international market. Meanwhile, the U.S. and Iran make a prisoner swap that frees Washington Post journalist Jason Rezaian and three other Iranian-Americans. The U.S. makes a $400 million cash delivery to Iran the same day. That money involved undelivered military equipment from the shah's era, though some U.S. politicians have criticized the delivery as a ransom payment. -Jan. 17, 2016: The U.S. imposes new sanctions over Iran's ballistic missile tests. -Nov. 9, 2016: Trump wins U.S. presidential election, besting Hillary Clinton. -December 2016: Airbus Group signs a deal with Iran's national carrier, IranAir, to sell it 100 airplanes for around $19 billion at list prices. Boeing later struck its own deal with IranAir for 80 aircraft with a list price of some $17 billion. Both earlier received permission from the U.S. Treasury for the sales. -Jan. 20, 2017: Trump is sworn in as 45th U.S. president, pledging: "This American carnage stops right here and stops right now." -Feb. 1, 2017: Trump's former national security adviser Michael Flynn says the U.S. government is "officially putting Iran on notice" over its ballistic missile tests. -May 19, 2017: Rouhani is re-elected as Iran's president. -June 2017: Iran suffers its first Islamic State group attack in Tehran, which sees militants assault parliament and the mausoleum of the Islamic Republic's founder, Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomenei. Iran responds by firing ballistic missiles at suspected IS targets in Syria -Oct. 13, 2017: Trump announces he will not re-certify the Iran nuclear deal as required, criticizing the accord by saying it "threw Iran's dictatorship a political and economic lifeline." -November 2017: The U.S., Western nations and the U.N. say Iran has been supplying Shiite rebels in Yemen with the ballistic missiles used to target Saudi Arabia' capital, Riyadh. Tehran denies it. -Jan. 12: Trump administration re-issues waivers on nuclear deal sanctions, but warns Trump will withdraw from the deal if Congress does not address his concerns. Trump administration also says it wants a supplemental deal on Iran with European allies. -May 8: Trump says he'll announce his decision on whether to pull the U.S. from the nuclear deal. FILE - In this March 30, 2005 file photo, an Iranian security official in protective clothing walks through part of the Uranium Conversion Facility just outside the city of Isfahan, Iran. President Donald Trump is weighing whether to pull the U.S. out of Iran's nuclear deal, a 2015 agreement that capped over a decade of hostility between Tehran and the West over its atomic program. (AP Photo/Vahid Salemi, File) FILE - In this April, 9, 2007 file photo, Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad speaks at a ceremony in Iran's nuclear enrichment facility in Natanz, south of capital Tehran, Iran. President Donald Trump is weighing whether to pull the U.S. out of Iran's nuclear deal, a 2015 agreement that capped over a decade of hostility between Tehran and the West over its atomic program. (AP Photo/Hasan Sarbakhshian, File) FILE - In this Jan. 13, 2008 file photo, U.S. President George W. Bush speaks at the Emirates Palace Hotel in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. President Donald Trump is weighing whether to pull the U.S. out of Iran's nuclear deal, a 2015 agreement that capped over a decade of hostility between Tehran and the West over its atomic program. (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais, File) FILE - In this June 9, 2010 file photo, U.S. President Barack Obama makes a statement about Iran in the Diplomatic Reception Room of the White House in Washington. President Donald Trump is weighing whether to pull the U.S. out of Iran's nuclear deal, a 2015 agreement that capped over a decade of hostility between Tehran and the West over its atomic program. (AP Photo/Charles Dharapak, File) FILE - In this Aug. 29, 2015 file photo, Iran's President Hassan Rouhani waves to reporters at the conclusion of a press conference in Tehran, Iran. President Donald Trump is weighing whether to pull the U.S. out of Iran's nuclear deal, a 2015 agreement that capped over a decade of hostility between Tehran and the West over its atomic program. A picture of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei hangs on the wall behind Rouhani. (AP Photo/Ebrahim Noroozi, File) FILE - In this Jan. 16, 2016 file-pool photo, Secretary of State John Kerry talks with Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif in Vienna, after the International Atomic Energy Agency verified that Iran has met all conditions under the nuclear deal. President Donald Trump is weighing whether to pull the U.S. out of Iran's nuclear deal, a 2015 agreement that capped over a decade of hostility between Tehran and the West over its atomic program. (Kevin Lamarque/Pool via AP, File) FILE - In this July 14, 2015 file-pool photo, from left to right: European Union High Representative Federica Mogherini, Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif, Head of the Iranian Atomic Energy Organization Ali Akbar Salehi, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, British Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond and U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry pose for a group picture at the United Nations building in Vienna, Austria. President Donald Trump is weighing whether to pull the U.S. out of Iran's nuclear deal, a 2015 agreement that capped over a decade of hostility between Tehran and the West over its atomic program. (Joe Klamar/Pool Photo via AP, File) FILE - This file frame grab from a Jan. 12, 2016 video by the Iranian state-run IRIB News Agency shows detention of U.S. Navy sailors by the Iranian Revolutionary Guards in the Persian Gulf, Iran. President Donald Trump is weighing whether to pull the U.S. out of Iran's nuclear deal, a 2015 agreement that capped over a decade of hostility between Tehran and the West over its atomic program. (IRIB News Agency via AP, File) FILE - In this July 14, 2015 file photo, a group of jubilant Iranians cheer and spray artificial snow during street celebrations following a landmark nuclear deal, in Tehran, Iran. President Donald Trump is weighing whether to pull the U.S. out of Iran's nuclear deal, a 2015 agreement that capped over a decade of hostility between Tehran and the West over its atomic program. (AP Photo/Ebrahim Noroozi, File) FILE - In this March 9, 2016 file photo obtained from the Iranian Fars News Agency, a Qadr H long-range ballistic surface-to-surface missile is fired by Iran's powerful Revolutionary Guard during a maneuver in an undisclosed location in Iran. President Donald Trump is weighing whether to pull the U.S. out of Iran's nuclear deal, a 2015 agreement that capped over a decade of hostility between Tehran and the West over its atomic program. (AP Photo/Fars News Agency, Omid Vahabzadeh, File) FILE - In this June 16, 2015 file photo, developer Donald Trump delivers remarks during his announcement that he will run for president of the United States, in the lobby of Trump Tower, New York. President Donald Trump is weighing whether to pull the U.S. out of Iran's nuclear deal, a 2015 agreement that capped over a decade of hostility between Tehran and the West over its atomic program. (AP Photo/Richard Drew, File) BERLIN (AP) - Hundreds of police have raided premises in four German states as part of a probe into a suspected people smuggling ring. Federal police say the gang is suspected of helping mostly Moldovans enter Germany and work there illegally, using fake Romanian identity documents. In a statement Tuesday, police said 800 officers searched 21 offices and homes in Hamburg and Bremen, Lower Saxony and Saxony Anhalt states. Police said three main suspects - two Germans and a Russian - were arrested in Hamburg late Monday. The gang, comprising at least eight people, also includes Ukrainians. At least 35 illegal immigrants were found at premises in Hamburg. According to the police statement, some of the suspects in Saxony-Anhalt had ties to the far-right Reich Citizens movement. BELGRADE, Serbia (AP) - Serbia's government says finance minister Dusan Vujovic is quitting his post for personal reasons. The office of Prime Minister Ana Brnabic said Tuesday that Vujovic has sent a letter informing her of the decision. A former World Bank economist, Vujovic joined the Serbian government in 2014. It was not immediately clear who will replace Vujovic, though Serbia's state TV says it will be the former mayor of Belgrade, Sinisa Mali. Getting the economy into shape is one of the government's main aims as it seeks to join the European Union. The Serbian economy has legacy issues to contend with, largely related to the Balkan wars of the 1990s. YEREVAN, Armenia (AP) - The man who spearheaded weeks of protests in Armenia was chosen Tuesday to be the country's new prime minister, and carries the weight of high hopes for a turnaround in the impoverished former Soviet republic. Prime Minister Nikol Pashinian faces an array of challenges, including a parliament dominated by the party he denounced as corrupt and how to resolve the volatile question of Nagorno-Karabakh, a region of Azerbaijan under the control of ethnic Armenian forces. In one of his first moves after parliament elected him as prime minister, Pashinian announced he would visit Nagorno-Karabakh on Wednesday. He said the self-declared government there must be a part of any talks to end the long-standing frozen conflict. Newly elected as a Prime Minister of Armenia Nikol Pashinian greets his supporters gathered in Republic Square in Yerevan, Armenia, Tuesday, May 8, 2018. The leader of protests that gripped Armenia for weeks was named the country's new prime minister on Tuesday, overcoming the immediate political turmoil but raising uncertainty about the longer term. (AP Photo/Thanassis Stavrakis) Although Armenian leaders traditionally visit the region on May 9, the date on which many ex-Soviet countries mark the defeat of Nazi Germany, Pashinian's trip is likely to provoke resentment from Azerbaijan. Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry spokesman Hikmet Hajieyv issued a statement insisting "the Nagorno-Karabakh region, which is currently occupied, has always been an integral part of Azerbaijan." "What is this? Initial naivete, ignorance of the subject, the bravado of the victor or maybe all of these together?" he later said of Pashinian's announcement. Since a six-year separatist war ended in 1994, Nagorno-Karabakh has been under the control of ethnic Armenian forces backed by Armenia. Shooting frequently breaks out across a demilitarized zone that separates the forces and Azerbaijan's soldiers, and a four-day war in 2016 killed scores on both sides. Pashinian's election, capping weeks of political turmoil, delighted his supporters, thousands of whom crowded the central square in the capital, Yerevan. "We chose a new road in Armenia, where the driver will be the people and not clans. Jobs will appear, people will return, corruption will disappear," said demonstrator Tigran Azizian, a 42-year-old city subway worker. Such high hopes could lead to a hard fall, observers suggested, noting that Pashinian has yet even to articulate a platform. "People are waiting for a miracle, but the risk of disappointment is very great - the lack of a program and of a team make Pashinian very vulnerable," analyst Vigen Akopian said. "The fight against corruption demands concrete actions from Pashinian. The elites, sitting on the state's money sources, aren't ready for this and will oppose it." The Republican Party, which has a majority of parliament seats, later underlined the difficulty by declaring it's now in opposition. "We do not consider it expedient to cooperate with the new government; it would be hypocritical to consider the issue of our participation in the new government," said Armen Ashotyan, a Republican faction leader. Many Armenians have stewed for years about the country's poverty and widespread corruption, but Pashinian was able to galvanize that discontent into a mass movement that was raucous but largely peaceful. The protests focused on former President Serzh Sargsyan, who tried to hold onto power by switching from president to prime minister, a move that opponents saw as allowing him to remain the country's leader indefinitely. Sargsyan was president for a decade, but stepped down this year because of term limits. However, Armenia has changed its government structure, giving the prime minister more power than the presidency. Soon after Sargsyan stopped being president, he was named prime minister by parliament. Yet faced with weeks of mass protests, Sargsyan left the premiership on April 23, six days after his election. In a concession last week, the Republicans agreed to support any prime minister candidate nominated by a third of the parliament members, paving the way for Pashinian's election. The unresolved status of Nagorno-Karabakh contributes to the economic problems that are a key issue for Pashinian's supporters. Both Azerbaijan and Turkey have closed their borders with Armenia over the conflict, inhibiting trade and leaving Armenia in semi-isolation. It has direct land access only to a narrow border with Iran and to Georgia. Pashinian, in a speech to parliament before his election Tuesday, said his revolution will lead to the "recognition of realizing the rights of Karabakh to self-determination." He later said he was prepared for talks, but only if the separatists were involved. Armenia is strongly dependent on Russia, the source of about 30 percent of the country's imports. Russia in turn has strong strategic interests in the country, where it has a military base. Russian President Vladimir Putin congratulated Pashinian, who has promised he'll continue close relations with Moscow. Putin said in a telegram to Pashinian after his election that he counts on him to "aid the further strengthening of bilateral, allied relations between our countries." ___ Jim Heintz in Moscow contributed to this story. Supporters of opposition lawmaker Nikol Pashinian react in Republic Square in Yerevan, Armenia, Tuesday, May 8, 2018. The Armenian opposition who is nearly certain to become the country's prime minister says he will not seek political revenge in the wake of the past month of tensions. Pashinian, who led weeks of protests that attracted tens of thousands of people and forced Serzh Sargsyan to resign as premier, is expected to be chosen prime minister by parliament on Tuesday. (AP Photo/Thanassis Stavrakis) Supporters of opposition lawmaker Nikol Pashinian react as they drive by Republic Square in Yerevan, Armenia, Tuesday, May 8, 2018. The Armenian opposition who is nearly certain to become the country's prime minister says he will not seek political revenge in the wake of the past month of tensions. Pashinian, who led weeks of protests that attracted tens of thousands of people and forced Serzh Sargsyan to resign as premier, is expected to be chosen prime minister by parliament on Tuesday. (AP Photo/Thanassis Stavrakis) The Armenian-American singer Serj Tankian of System of a Down, left, and opposition lawmaker Nikol Pashinian greet fans during a concert in Yerevan, Armenia, Monday, May 7, 2018. Nikol Pashinian, who led weeks of protests that attracted tens of thousands of people and forced Serzh Sargsyan to resign as premier, is expected to be chosen as prime minister by parliament Tuesday. (AP Photo/Thanassis Stavrakis) The Armenian-American singer Serj Tankian of System of a Down, right, and opposition lawmaker Nikol Pashinian greet fans during a concert in Yerevan, Armenia, Monday, May 7, 2018. Nikol Pashinian, who led weeks of protests that attracted tens of thousands of people and forced Serzh Sargsyan to resign as premier, is expected to be chosen as prime minister by parliament Tuesday. (AP Photo/Thanassis Stavrakis) The Armenian-American singer Serj Tankian of System of a Down, left, and opposition lawmaker Nikol Pashinian greet fans during a concert in Yerevan, Armenia, Monday, May 7, 2018. Nikol Pashinian, who led weeks of protests that attracted tens of thousands of people and forced Serzh Sargsyan to resign as premier, is expected to be chosen as prime minister by parliament Tuesday. (AP Photo/Thanassis Stavrakis) The Armenian-American singer Serj Tankian of System of a Down sends out a kiss to the crowd gathered in Republic Square during a concert in Yerevan, Armenia, Monday, May 7, 2018. Opposition lawmaker Nikol Pashinian, who led weeks of protests that attracted tens of thousands of people and forced Serzh Sargsyan to resign as premier, is expected to be chosen as prime minister by parliament Tuesday. (AP Photo/Thanassis Stavrakis) The Armenian-American singer Serj Tankian of System of a Down addresses the crowd gathered in Republic Square during a concert in Yerevan, Armenia, Monday, May 7, 2018. Opposition lawmaker Nikol Pashinian, who led weeks of protests that attracted tens of thousands of people and forced Serzh Sargsyan to resign as premier, is expected to be chosen as prime minister by parliament Tuesday. (AP Photo/Thanassis Stavrakis) Supporters of opposition lawmaker Nikol Pashinian react as they drive by Republic Square in Yerevan, Armenia, Tuesday, May 8, 2018. The Armenian opposition who is nearly certain to become the country's prime minister says he will not seek political revenge in the wake of the past month of tensions. Pashinian, who led weeks of protests that attracted tens of thousands of people and forced Serzh Sargsyan to resign as premier, is expected to be chosen prime minister by parliament on Tuesday. (AP Photo/Thanassis Stavrakis) A man waves an Armenian flag at the Republic Square in Yerevan, Tuesday, May 8, 2018. Tens of thousands of supporters of Nikol Pashinian are celebrating on the central square of Armenia's capital after the protest leader was elected the country's prime minister. (AP Photo/Thanassis Stavrakis) People cheer at the Republic Square in Yerevan, Tuesday, May 8, 2018. Tens of thousands of supporters of Nikol Pashinian are celebrating on the central square of Armenia's capital after the protest leader was elected the country's prime minister. (AP Photo/Thanassis Stavrakis) A man waves an Armenian flag at the Republic Square in Yerevan, Tuesday, May 8, 2018. Tens of thousands of supporters of Nikol Pashinian are celebrating on the central square of Armenia's capital after the protest leader was elected the country's prime minister. (AP Photo/Thanassis Stavrakis) Newly elected Prime Minister of Armenia Nikol Pashinian, center, is greeted by member of parliament in Yerevan, Armenia, Tuesday, May 8, 2018. Tens of thousands of supporters of Nikol Pashinian are celebrating on the central square of Armenia's capital after the protest leader was elected the country's prime minister. Many of the supporters are wearing white clothes, symbolizing their hopes that Pashinian's election will bring a new page in Armenia. (Lilian Galstyan/PAN Photo via AP) People dance at the Republic Square in Yerevan, Tuesday, May 8, 2018. Tens of thousands of supporters of Nikol Pashinian are celebrating on the central square of Armenia's capital after the protest leader was elected the country's prime minister. (AP Photo/Thanassis Stavrakis) People cheer in Republic Square in Yerevan, Armenia, Tuesday, May 8, 2018. Tens of thousands of supporters of Nikol Pashinian are celebrating on the central square of Armenia's capital after the protest leader was elected the country's prime minister. Many of the supporters are wearing white clothes, symbolizing their hopes that Pashinian's election will bring a new page in Armenia. (AP Photo/Thanassis Stavrakis) People cheer in Republic Square in Yerevan, Armenia, Tuesday, May 8, 2018. Tens of thousands of supporters of Nikol Pashinian are celebrating on the central square of Armenia's capital after the protest leader was elected the country's prime minister. Many of the supporters are wearing white clothes, symbolizing their hopes that Pashinian's election will bring a new page in Armenia. (AP Photo/Thanassis Stavrakis) Holding a big cake, foreground, people cheer in Republic Square in Yerevan, Armenia, Tuesday, May 8, 2018. Tens of thousands of supporters of Nikol Pashinian are celebrating on the central square of Armenia's capital after the protest leader was elected the country's prime minister. Many of the supporters are wearing white clothes, symbolizing their hopes that Pashinian's election will bring a new page in Armenia. (AP Photo/Thanassis Stavrakis) People cheer in Republic Square in Yerevan, Armenia, Tuesday, May 8, 2018. Tens of thousands of supporters of Nikol Pashinian are celebrating on the central square of Armenia's capital after the protest leader was elected the country's prime minister. Many of the supporters are wearing white clothes, symbolizing their hopes that Pashinian's election will bring a new page in Armenia. (AP Photo/Thanassis Stavrakis) Newly elected Prime Minister of Armenia Nikol Pashinian addresses the crowd in Republic Square in Yerevan, Armenia, Tuesday, May 8, 2018. The leader of protests that gripped Armenia for weeks was named the country's new prime minister on Tuesday, overcoming the immediate political turmoil but raising uncertainty about the longer term. (AP Photo/Thanassis Stavrakis) Newly elected Prime Minister of Armenia Nikol Pashinian addresses the crowd in Republic Square in Yerevan, Armenia, Tuesday, May 8, 2018. The leader of protests that gripped Armenia for weeks was named the country's new prime minister on Tuesday, overcoming the immediate political turmoil but raising uncertainty about the longer term. (AP Photo/Thanassis Stavrakis) Newly elected Prime Minister of Armenia Nikol Pashinian addresses the crowd in Republic Square in Yerevan, Armenia, Tuesday, May 8, 2018. The leader of protests that gripped Armenia for weeks was named the country's new prime minister on Tuesday, overcoming the immediate political turmoil but raising uncertainty about the longer term. (AP Photo/Thanassis Stavrakis) Surrounded by bodyguards the newly elected Prime Minister of Armenia Nikol Pashinian is greeted by supporters in Republic Square in Yerevan, Armenia, Tuesday, May 8, 2018. The leader of protests that gripped Armenia for weeks was named the country's new prime minister on Tuesday, overcoming the immediate political turmoil but raising uncertainty about the longer term. (AP Photo/Thanassis Stavrakis) People cheer in Republic Square in Yerevan, Armenia, Tuesday, May 8, 2018. Tens of thousands of supporters of Nikol Pashinian are celebrating on the central square of Armenia's capital after the protest leader was elected the country's prime minister. Many of the supporters are wearing white clothes, symbolizing their hopes that Pashinian's election will bring a new page in Armenia. (AP Photo/Thanassis Stavrakis) People cheer in Republic Square in Yerevan, Armenia, Tuesday, May 8, 2018. Tens of thousands of supporters of Nikol Pashinian are celebrating on the central square of Armenia's capital after the protest leader was elected the country's prime minister. Many of the supporters are wearing white clothes, symbolizing their hopes that Pashinian's election will bring a new page in Armenia. (AP Photo/Thanassis Stavrakis) BEIJING (AP) - North Korean leader Kim Jong Un met with Chinese President Xi Jinping in a northern Chinese port city and pledged his continuing commitment to denuclearization ahead of his expected summit with U.S. President Donald Trump, state media said Tuesday. The meeting Monday and Tuesday in Dalian is the second between Xi and Kim in recent weeks, following Kim's March visit to Beijing - his first since taking power six years ago. In comments carried Tuesday night by Chinese state media, neither leader was quoted as directly referring to either the planned Trump meeting or Kim's summit with South Korean President Moon Jae-in late last month. In this photo taken between May 7 and 8, 2018 released by Xinhua News Agency, Chinese President Xi Jinping, right speaks to North Korean leader Kim Jong Un in Dalian in northeastern China's Liaoning Province. (Ju Peng/Xinhua via AP) However, state broadcaster CCTV quoted Xi as saying China "supports North Korea to stick to denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula and supports North Korea and the U.S. in solving the peninsula issue through dialogue and consultation." Trump tweeted Tuesday that he planned to speak with Xi later in the day to discuss trade and North Korea, where he said "relationships and trust are building." Kim was quoted as telling Xi that North Korea remains committed to denuclearization and has no need to possess nuclear weapons if a "relevant party" drops its "hostile policy and security threats" against it, a clear reference to the United States. "I hope to build mutual trust with the U.S. through dialogue," Kim was quoted as saying. A political resolution of tensions on the peninsula and denuclearization should proceed in stages, with all sides moving in concert, he said. The Trump administration has demanded that North Korea immediately commit to denuclearization. The Kim-Xi meeting was the top news story in North Korea, with its most famous television announcer, Ri Chun Hui, again called out of her semi-retirement to report the event, underscoring its importance. Ri, wearing a traditional Korean-style dress, often smiled as she reported the news. The report, which lasted about 20 minutes, did not show any photos or video of the visit. Kim was accompanied by his younger sister, who has taken on an increasingly public role as the North Korean leader has tried to present a "softer" face to the outside world. North Korea's official Korean Central News Agency said there was a "deep exchange of opinions" between Kim and Xi on the changes around the Korean Peninsula that are "drawing the world's eyes and ears." Kim offered his views on how North Korea and China would "firmly grasp the strategic opportunity," it said. Though rumors are likely widespread, North Korea's media still have not explicitly confirmed the expected summit with Trump. The recent South Korean summit and the potential U.S. talks have received more attention internationally, but China's role as an economic lifeline for North Korea makes the talks between Xi and Kim all the more crucial. Kim needs to make sure that whatever negotiations he has with Trump align to some degree with Beijing's positions, which could certainly complicate his task ahead. China's official Xinhua News Agency said Xi hosted a welcome banquet for Kim on Monday and the two leaders strolled along the coastline at a government guesthouse and had lunch together on Tuesday. "At a crucial time when the regional situation is developing rapidly, Kim said he came to China again to meet with (Xi) and inform him of the situation," Xinhua said. CCTV showed Xi wearing a western business suit and Kim in his standard high-collared Mao suit. They stood on a beach, sat under an awning on an outdoor deck, strolled through lush gardens and sat at a conference table. "In a cordial and friendly atmosphere, the top leaders of the two parties and the two countries had an all-round and in-depth exchange of views on China-DPRK relations and major issues of common concern," Xinhua said, using the initials for North Korea's official name, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea. China is North Korea's only major ally, although trade has plummeted in recent months as Beijing enforces United Nations economic sanctions in response to the North's nuclear bomb and ballistic missile tests. China has also been eager to assert its importance in the process of lowering tensions on the Korean Peninsula. It has called for a halt to weapons tests and large-scale military exercises and a return to six-nation denuclearization talks it previously hosted in Beijing. It was not known how long the Xi-Kim meeting had been planned or why Dalian was chosen. Hong Kong's South China Morning Post newspaper cited two unidentified sources as saying that Xi had flown to Dalian on the coast east of Beijing to preside over the official launch of sea trials for China's first entirely self-built aircraft carrier. Chinese internet users posting on social media described heavy security in the city and extensive flight delays on Monday. Others said they spotted a set of Red Flag limousines used by state leaders. As with Kim's March visit to Beijing, his presence in Dalian was not officially confirmed until he had left China. Reports said his jet flew out of Dalian airport on Tuesday afternoon. ___ Associated Press writers Eric Talmadge in Pyongyang, North Korea, and Hyung-jin Kim in Seoul, South Korea, contributed to this report. In this photo taken between May 7 and 8, 2018 released by Xinhua News Agency, Chinese President Xi Jinping, right, walks with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un during a meeting in Dalian in northeastern China's Liaoning Province. (Ju Peng/Xinhua via AP) A passenger plane which is reportedly used for North Korean high-ranking officials, takes off from an airport in Dalian, China Tuesday, May 8, 2018. Chinese President Xi Jinping has held talks with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un in the northern China port city, Chinese state media reported Tuesday. (Minoru Iwasaki/Kyodo News via AP) A passenger plane which is reportedly used for North Korean high-ranking officials, takes off from an airport in Dalian, China Tuesday, May 8, 2018. Chinese President Xi Jinping has held talks with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un in the northern China port city, Chinese state media reported Tuesday. (Minoru Iwasaki/Kyodo News via AP) A new report finds that legalizing and taxing marijuana boosts revenue for state and local governments, but not by much. The credit rating agency Moody's Investor Service says in a study released Tuesday that legalizing recreational use of marijuana brings governments more money than it costs to regulate it. Despite high taxes on the legal sales of the drug, the revenue accounts for a small portion of government budgets. In Colorado, the first state to legalize recreational use, a marijuana tax brings in the equivalent of about 2 percent of the state budget. FILE - In this June 28, 2017, file photo, marijuana plants grow at the Desert Grown Farms cultivation facility in Las Vegas. A new report finds that legalizing and taxing marijuana boosts revenue for state and local governments, but not by much. The credit rating agency Moody's Investor Service says in a study released Tuesday, May 8, 2018, that legalizing recreational use of marijuana brings governments more money than it costs to regulate it. (AP Photo/John Locher, File) In Washington state, gross revenue from marijuana legalization equaled 1.2 percent of general fund revenue in the 2015-17 state budget. Most of the states that have legalized marijuana earmark the revenue for law enforcement, drug treatment and other specific programs, which doesn't help the states' financial flexibility. Likewise, Moody's described the revenue effect as minimal on local governments in states with legalized pot. Creating revenue for the state is one argument proponents use for legalization in New Jersey. Gov. Phil Murphy, who supports the effort, is planning on having an additional $60 million in taxes from legalized marijuana in the next fiscal year. That's less than 1 percent of the state's annual spending. Twenty-nine states now allow marijuana for either medicinal or recreational uses, and the business is growing quickly. Moody's cited data from the market research firm Euromonitor International that projects it will grow from a $5.4 billion business in the U.S. in 2015 to $16 billion by 2020. Meanwhile, illegal marijuana sales are estimated at $40 billion. ___ Follow the AP's marijuana coverage here: https://apnews.com/tag/LegalMarijuana Your daily look at late-breaking news, upcoming events and the stories that will be talked about today: 1. TRUMP TO REVEAL IRAN NUCLEAR DEAL'S FATE European members to the landmark atomic deal with Tehran are convinced the president is likely to re-impose sanctions and walk away from the pact he has often criticized. An Iranian woman looks at a shop in Tehran, Iran, Monday, May 7, 2018. Iranian President Hassan Rouhani has seen his influence wane as his signature achievement, the nuclear deal with world powers, is now under threat from President Donald Trump. Economic problems, as well as some suggesting a military dictatorship for the country, suggest Iran's domestic politics may swing back toward hard-liners and further weaken the once-popular president. (AP Photo/Vahid Salemi) 2. MIDEAST BRACING FOR HURRICANE OF MAJOR EVENTS The U.S. is to decide whether to pull out of the Iran nuclear deal and will move its embassy in Israel to Jerusalem as Palestinian protests at the Gaza/Israeli border intensify on the anniversary of the "nakba," or mass uprooting during the 1948 war over Israel's creation. 3. NEW YORK'S ATTORNEY GENERAL RESIGNS Eric Schneiderman, who held himself out as a champion of women and a liberal foil to Trump, resigns from office after four women accused him of physical violence during intimate encounters. 4. REPUBLICANS FRET AS PRIMARY VOTERS HEAD TO POLLS Voters across four states Trump carried in 2016 are deciding primary elections, including West Virginia, where the race featuring GOP outsider Don Blankenship will be decided. 5. 'WE KNOW EVERYTHING ABOUT YOU' An AP investigation finds that Russian hackers masqueraded as Islamic State supporters to threaten outspoken wives of U.S. military personnel. 6. WHO HAS VISITED CHINA AGAIN Beijing reports President Xi Jinping has met with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un in northern China. 7. TRUMP MAY 'BENCH' GIULIANI The president is growing increasingly irritated with his new lawyer's frequently off-message media blitz and may sideline him from TV interviews. 8. WHAT GOOGLE IS EXPECTED TO SHOWCASE The tech giant is likely to put artificial intelligence in the spotlight again at its annual developers' conference as well as unveil updates to its Android mobile operating system. 9. A VIEW FROM INSIDE THE MET GALA Luminaries of fashion, film, music and politics will be competing to dress in their best Vatican-inspired finery, in line with this year's religious theme. 10. 'LEBROOM': CAVS SWEEP RAPTORS AGAIN LeBron James ends Toronto's season for the third straight year with a second consecutive four-game sweep as Cleveland advances to the Eastern Conference finals for the fourth year in a row. In this photo taken from video an unidentified man gets close to a lava flow advancing down a road in the Leilani Estates subdivision near Pahoa on the island of Hawaii Monday, May 7, 2018. Kilauea volcano has destroyed more than two dozen homes since it began spewing lava hundreds of feet into the air last week, and residents who evacuated don't know how long they might be displaced. The decimated homes were in the Leilani Estates subdivision, where molten rock, toxic gas and steam have been bursting through openings in the ground created by the volcano. (Scott Wiggers/Apau Hawaii Tours via AP) BUDAPEST, Hungary (AP) - Hungary's president recommended Tuesday that lawmakers re-elect Prime Minister Viktor Orban to what would be his third consecutive term as he focuses on pushing through constitutional changes. Hundreds of demonstrators gathered outside parliament to protest against what they believe is Orban's growing authoritarianism, and widespread corruption. Orban's Fidesz party and its small ally, the Christian Democratic People's Party, won 133 of 199 seats in the national assembly in the April 8 election, securing a two-thirds majority which will allow them to amend the Constitution unchallenged. Lawmakers are expected to vote on Orban's new term as prime minister on Thursday afternoon. Designated Hungarian Prime Minister and Chairman of Fidesz Party Viktor Orban, center, arrives for the inaugural session of the new parliament in Budapest, Hungary, Tuesday, May 8, 2018. The governing Fidesz party in coalition with the Christian Democratic People's Party won a total 133 seats in Hungary's 199-strong national assembly in the general elections on April 8. (Szilard Koszticsak /MTI via AP) "I asked Prime Minister Viktor Orban to form the new government and he accepted the request," President Janos Ader said. Once again in command of a supermajority, Orban's selection is virtually automatic and it would be his fourth term overall leading Hungary. He has vowed a constitutional amendment to give parliament final say over any efforts to settle foreigners in the country. An attempt to pass such an amendment in 2016 - meant to foil EU plans to resettle asylum-seekers - failed because Fidesz had lost in by-elections the supermajority it won in 2014. A package of so-called Stop Soros laws, which would greatly restrict non-governmental groups working with refugees and asylum-seekers, is also a legislative priority for the government. Orban blames Hungarian-American billionaire George Soros and groups he sponsors for supporting mass migration to Europe, a charge they reject. While officials attended the first parliamentary session after the national election, several hundred protesters gathered outside the legislature. The rally was peaceful, with most people shouting slogans against Orban. But there was some scuffling between police and a small group of protesters who tried to get nearer to the parliament exits to jeer and taunt politicians and guests leaving the building. A much larger protest in the late afternoon at parliament was attended by several thousand people who filled most of Kossuth Square, but it was cut short by a violent hailstorm. "According to Viktor Orban, he is building Christian democracy," activist Katalin Lukacsi told the crowd. "There are two lies in this simple sentence - Orban's regime is not Christian and it's not democratic." Addressing the newly elected lawmakers, Ader urged them to amend election laws, in part to weed out small parties which he suggested ran only to gain access to state funds. Ader said 15 of the 23 parties which had candidates across the country got less than 0.5 percent of the votes each, with those occupying the last 10 places getting a total of little more than 22,000 votes from over 5.7 million votes cast. Ader, noting that the 23 parties received at least 153 million forints ($576,500) for their campaigns, said it was necessary to prevent some from "making a business out of the feast of democracy." Echoing Orban's position, Ader warned against the continent becoming a highly centralized "European super-state." "We don't want something like the United States of America on European soil," Ader said. "We want a united, democratic, citizen-friendly, active and fundamentally federal Europe." Also similarly to Orban, whose government has run "Let's Stop Brussels" campaigns and blames the EU bureaucracy for encroaching on the rights of individual countries, Ader said some EU leaders "seem to have lost their compass," adding that there was a lack of "a clear vision of the future" and "intellectual laziness" within the bloc. Participants of the oppositional demonstration entitled 'We do not want this parliament and government!' gather in front of the Parliament building on the Kossuth square during the inaugural session of the new parliament in Budapest, Hungary, Tuesday, May 8, 2018. The governing Fidesz party in coalition with the Christian Democratic People's Party won a total 133 seats in Hungary's 199-strong national assembly in the general elections on April 8. (Balazs Mohai/MTI via AP) Lawmakers of the new Hungarian parliament vote on the agenda during the inaugural session of the new parliament in Budapest, Hungary, Tuesday, May 8, 2018. First row from right: designated Hungarian Prime Minister and Chairman of Fidesz Party Viktor Orban and Deputy Prime Minister and Chairman of the Christian Democratic People's Party Zsolt Semjen. The governing Fidesz party in coalition with the Christian Democratic People's Party won a total 133 seats in Hungary's 199-strong national assembly in the general elections on April 8. (Tamas Kovacs/MTI via AP) Hungarian President Janos Ader, center, arrives for the inaugural session of the new parliament in Budapest, Hungary, Tuesday, May 8, 2018. First row at right Deputy Prime Minister and Chairman of the Christian Democratic People's Party Zsolt Semjen. Second row from left: Vice Speaker of the Hungarian Parliament Sandor Lezsak and Speaker of the Parliament Laszlo Kover. The governing Fidesz party in coalition with the Christian Democratic People's Party won a total 133 seats in Hungary's 199-strong national assembly in the general elections on April 8. (Tamas Kovacs/MTI via AP) Hungarian President Janos Ader, centre, delivers his speech during the inaugural session of the new parliament in Budapest, Hungary, Tuesday, May 8, 2018. The governing Fidesz party in coalition with the Christian Democratic People's Party won a total 133 seats in Hungary's 199-strong national assembly in the general elections on April 8. (Szilard Koszticsak /MTI via AP) Participants of the oppositional demonstration entitled 'We do not want this parliament and government!' gather in front of the Parliament building on the Kossuth square during the inaugural session of the new parliament in Budapest, Hungary, Tuesday, May 8, 2018. The governing Fidesz party in coalition with the Christian Democratic People's Party won a total 133 seats in Hungary's 199-strong national assembly in the general elections on April 8. (Tamas Kovacs/MTI via AP) Lawmakers take their oaths during the inaugural session of the new parliament in Budapest, Hungary, Tuesday, May 8, 2018. The governing Fidesz party in coalition with the Christian Democratic People's Party won a total 133 seats in Hungary's 199-strong national assembly in the general elections on April 8. (Tamas Kovacs/MTI via AP)) SAN DIEGO (AP) - Police searched Tuesday for two gunmen suspected of shooting five people in downtown San Diego and then running off. Two young men who were wearing hoodies walked up to three men and a woman on a street corner at about 11 p.m. Monday and opened fire before walking around a corner and shooting a fifth person, Lt. Brent Williams said. All of the victims were taken to hospitals with non-life-threatening injuries. Police said they did not have their names or ages. Investigators are looking at whether gang violence was involved but so far they have not found any evidence of that or other motivation. When asked if the shootings were possibly random, Williams said: "They could be. It's very weird." The shootings occurred in the city's East Village neighborhood. BEIJING (AP) - The Latest on reports of a meeting between Chinese President Xi Jinping and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un (all times local): 8:15 p.m. Chinese state media have quoted North Korean leader Kim Jong Un as telling Chinese President Xi Jinping that his country remains committed to denuclearization and has no need to possess nuclear weapons if a "relevant party" drops its "hostile policy and security threats" against it, in a clear reference to the United States. CORRECTS SECOND SENTENCE - A North Korea's Air Koryo plane lands in an airport in Dalian, China, Tuesday, May 8, 2018. The plane arrived as Japanese and South Korean media speculated that a high-ranking North Korean official was visiting the Chinese port city. (Minoru Iwasaki/Kyodo News via AP) "I hope to build mutual trust with the U.S. through dialogue," Kim was quoted as saying. He said a political resolution of tensions on the Korean Peninsula and denuclearization should proceed in stages, with all sides moving in concert. The U.S. government has demanded that North Korea immediately commit to denuclearization. Chinese media said Kim met with Xi on Monday and Tuesday. Kim met last month with South Korean President Moon Jae-in and is preparing for a summit with U.S. President Donald Trump, possibly as early as this month. ___ 8:10 p.m. Chinese state media have quoted North Korean leader Kim Jong Un as saying he met with Chinese President Xi Jinping to inform him about sweeping changes in the region. "At a crucial time when the regional situation is developing rapidly, Kim said he came to China again to meet with (Xi) and inform him of the situation," the official Xinhua News Agency quoted Kim as telling Xi. State media said the two leaders met Monday and Tuesday in Dalian, a northern Chinese port city. Neither leader was quoted as directly referring to Kim's meeting late last month with South Korean President Moon Jae-in or his planned summit in coming weeks with U.S. President Donald Trump. However, Chinese state broadcaster CCTV quoted Xi as saying China "supports North Korea to stick to denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula and supports North Korea and the U.S. in solving the peninsula issue through dialogue and consultation." ___ 8:05 p.m. U.S. President Donald Trump says he will speak Tuesday with President Xi Jinping of China. Trump tweeted that they will discuss trade, an area where he says "good things will happen." He says they will also discuss North Korea, where he says "relationships and trust are building." China says Xi and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un met Monday and Tuesday in China. It was their second meeting, following Kim's visit to Beijing in March. The latest Xi-Kim meeting also comes as Trump prepares for a historic summit with Kim in late May or early June. Trump said last week the time and place will be announced soon. Trump is to meet at the White House on May 22 with South Korean President Moon Jae-in, who recently met with Kim. ___ 8 p.m. China says President Xi Jinping has met with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un in a northern Chinese port city. The meeting, held Monday and Tuesday in Dalian, is the second between the two men in recent weeks, following Kim's March visit to Beijing, his first since taking power six years ago. China is North Korea's only major ally, although trade between them has plummeted in recent months as Beijing enforces United Nations economic sanctions in response to the North's nuclear bomb and ballistic missile tests. The meeting between Xi and Kim comes as the North Korean leader prepares to hold a historic summit with U.S. President Donald Trump. China has been eager to assert its importance in the process of lowering tensions on the Korean Peninsula. ___ 6 p.m. Media reports Tuesday said Chinese President Xi Jinping may have met with a high-ranking North Korean official in the Chinese port city of Dalian amid tight security and the spotting of a North Korean airliner at the city's airport. South Korea's Yonhap News Agency said North Korean leader Kim Jong Un may have been aboard the plane, although it cited no direct evidence. Japan's Kyodo News service said the plane departed on Tuesday. Hong Kong's South China Morning Post newspaper cited two unidentified sources as saying that Xi had flown to Dalian on the coast east of Beijing to meet with the official as well as to preside over the official launch of sea trials for China's first entirely self-built aircraft carrier. WASHINGTON (AP) - President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping on Tuesday discussed Xi's meetings with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, the White House said. Xi and Kim met Monday and Tuesday in China. It was the second meeting between the Asian leaders and followed Kim's visit to Beijing in March. Trump is preparing for his own meeting with Kim in late May or early June. An announcement about the date and location is expected soon, Trump said last week. In this photo taken between May 7 and 8, 2018 released by Xinhua News Agency, Chinese President Xi Jinping, right speaks to North Korean leader Kim Jong Un in Dalian in northeastern China's Liaoning Province. (Ju Peng/Xinhua via AP) The U.S. president is scheduled to meet at the White House on May 22 with South Korean President Moon Jae-in, who also recently met with Kim. Kim agreed at the summit with Moon to a number of measures aimed at improving ties between the Koreas. He also indicated a willingness to discuss denuclearization of the peninsula, though exactly what that would entail remains unexplained. Trump had tweeted early Tuesday that he would be speaking with Xi and that they would discuss trade and North Korea. Trump and Xi agreed on the importance of continuing to implement sanctions on North Korea until it permanently dismantles its nuclear and missile programs, the White House said. Trump also stated his commitment to a trade relationship with China that is "balanced and benefits American businesses and workers." Chinese state broadcaster China Central Television said Xi described relations with the U.S. as being at an "important stage." Tensions between the world's two largest economies have been heightened over a soaring trade imbalance and technology disputes. Xi said economic and trade cooperation has always been a ballast stone and propeller for China-U.S. relations. He described trade talks with U.S. representatives in Beijing last week as "frank, efficient and constructive" and said the two sides can maintain communication and work toward solutions that bring mutual benefits. "I attach great importance to developing bilateral relations and cherish the good working relationship with the president," Xi said, referring to Trump. Xi said the two countries should maintain exchanges at various levels, "respect each other, benefit each other, focus on cooperation, control differences," and promote healthy and stable ties. ___ Associated Press writer Gillian Wong in Beijing contributed to this report. KABUL, Afghanistan (AP) - An Afghan official says Taliban fighters have captured a remote district compound in northern Baghlan province. Provincial police chief Ekramuddin Sarih says the insurgents early Tuesday attacked and captured the compound Tala wa Barfak district. Sarih said government forces retreated temporarily from the district compound but will soon plan a counterattack. He said the rest of the district is under control of government forces. Sarih did not give any causality information. The Taliban in a text message claimed responsibility for the attacks and said a "number" of police were killed. WASHINGTON (AP) - Former Deputy Attorney General Sally Yates has a new job at her old law firm. Atlanta-based King & Spalding on Tuesday announced that Yates is returning to the firm where she began her legal career more than 30 years ago. Yates was the Justice Department's No. 2 official at the end of the Obama administration and acting attorney general for the first 10 days of the Trump administration. President Donald Trump fired her for refusing to defend his travel ban. Since then, she's made public appearances and given lectures, publicly criticizing Trump and voicing her support for an independent FBI and Justice Department. Yates will divide her time between Atlanta, where she lives, and Washington. FILE - In this May 8, 2017 file photo, former acting Attorney General Sally Yates testifies on Capitol Hill in Washington before the Senate Judiciary subcommittee on Crime and Terrorism hearing: "Russian Interference in the 2016 United States Election." Atlanta-based King & Spalding on Tuesday announced the hiring of Yates, who was the Justice Department's No. 2 official at the end of the Obama administration before being fired by President Donald Trump when she refused to defend his travel ban. (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais) "It's been a little more than a few years, but I'm making it back," Yates told The Associated Press in an interview this week. Yates said that in her new job she'll help conduct investigations on behalf of corporations and large institutions that face accusations of, or have reason to suspect, wrongdoing within their own ranks, especially at high levels. She said investigations into sexual misconduct at the workplace, which have become more prevalent during the #MeToo movement, illustrate the value of having an independent review when problems arise at companies. "They need to be able to do it in a thorough, authoritative and credible way - and it has to be done fairly," Yates told the AP. "The goal here is that you get to the bottom of it, and you call it straight." Yates was the U.S. attorney in Atlanta when President Barack Obama nominated her for the deputy attorney general job in January 2015. As the No. 2 official in the Justice Department, she championed shorter sentences for nonviolent drug defendants and encouraged prosecutors to build criminal fraud cases when possible in investigations of corporate executives. She was acting attorney general when Trump took office. In the 10 days that followed, she warned the White House that then-national security adviser Michael Flynn was vulnerable to blackmail because of his Russian contacts. She was ultimately fired for telling the Justice Department that she would not defend a Trump travel ban that barred visitors from several Muslim-majority nations. More recently, she's been a visiting lecturer at Georgetown University's law school, where she's spoken on democracy and government, and has used her platform of 586,000 Twitter followers to repeatedly criticize Trump for comments she says threaten the Justice Department's independence. Despite speculation, Yates said she has no plans to run for office - "I think I've been really clear that that's just not something I'm interested in." She said during her time away from government she reflected on what she missed about her old job- and what she didn't. "What I realized I missed was being a lawyer, what I had been doing for the last 27 years," she said. ___ Follow Eric Tucker on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/etuckerAP When it comes to retirement, later may be better. Americans long viewed 65 as the age to stop working. It was considered full retirement age by Social Security for many, Medicare benefits kick in then and historical practice had established it as the goal. Now some experts are suggesting people set their sights a bit higher - on 70. In this April 13, 2018 photo, Steve Vernon, a research scholar at the Stanford Center on Longevity in its financial security division, poses for a portrait in Falls Church, Va. Americans long viewed 65 as the age to stop working. It was considered full retirement age by Social Security for many, Medicare benefits kick in then and historical practice had established it as the goal. Now some experts are suggesting people set their sights a bit higher, on 70. "We keep adding years of life and it all got tacked on to the retirement period and it never changed the retirement age," Vernon said. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin) The reason? Working a few more years or drawing your Social Security benefits later can significantly boost income. That's particularly important as fewer workers receive pensions. Americans largely have taken on the responsibility for saving for their retirement - often failing to do so adequately. "We keep adding years of life and it all got tacked on to the retirement period and it never changed the retirement age," said Steve Vernon, a research scholar at the Stanford Center on Longevity in its financial security division. As such, Vernon and his colleagues analyzed nearly 300 different retirement income methods and found that the best approach for middle-income retirees to have a reliable source of income through retirement is to wait until age 70 to claim Social Security, which is when benefits peak. They should also use the required minimum distribution calculation to determine how much to draw from personal savings, such as a 401(k) or IRA. The RMD is the minimum amount that the IRS says you must draw from retirement accounts each year once you reach age 70 . This approach, dubbed the "Spend Safely in Retirement Strategy," in effect "pensionizes" common retirement accounts like a 401(k) or IRA. It will not compensate for inadequate savings but it will help squeeze as much income as possible from existing sources. To make it work, some retirees may have to significantly lower their living expenses. Vernon said it's a straightforward way for middle-income workers with between $100,000 and $1 million in savings to generate a stream of lifetime income. He estimates this group represents as many as half of all workers age 55 and older. And workers need some help as most will not consult a financial planner and few calculate how much they'll need. "You can't just tumble into retirement, you have to be thoughtful about it," he said. Americans typically retire at age 63 and start collecting Social Security between age 62 to 64, according to research from The New School. But waiting pays off. Stanford researchers estimate that Social Security benefits represent up to two-thirds of a middle-income retiree's retirement income if they start drawing them at age 65. If they wait until 70, it represents up to 85 percent, according to the Stanford research. While working that long sounds onerous to some, it doesn't have to be at full tilt. Some workers will need to work "just enough" - either in their existing field or another - to pay for living expenses until age 70 in order to put off claiming Social Security benefits. It works best if a retiree waits until age 70 as that is when benefits peak, but still has advantages for those that retire in their late 60s. "In essence, 70 is the new 65," Vernon's report says. Popular personal finance celebrity expert Suze Orman recently wrote that people should wait until 70 to retire, not "one month sooner." Other experts say a later retirement is a good idea for some workers, when it makes sense for their situation. "Anyone who is a little behind in their savings, even just one year of delay can make a big difference," said Dan Keady, chief financial planning strategist at TIAA. "I hate to put a number to it, but the concept of working a little bit longer is an important one." The original idea of retirement was a few years of dignity before you died when you were unable to work, according to Vernon. The concept of retirement as your golden years didn't take hold until the last half of the 20th century. When America began introducing private pensions and federal programs, many used 65 as the retirement age. So when Social Security came along in 1935, they looked at common practices and decided 65 seemed reasonable as well. The problem is, it stuck. Meanwhile, people began living longer, pensions became less common and Americans had to manage their own retirement savings with more years to pay for. As a result, some Americans are trying to work longer. The workforce participation rate, which is a measure of those working or looking for work, for age 65 and older was 10.8 percent in 1985. The rate has increased incrementally almost every year since then and as of this March it was 19.5 percent. And a recent Willis Towers Watson survey of nearly 5,000 employees found that 37 percent of employees expect to work past age 70, up from 30 percent two years ago. "Financial pressures are driving many employees to retire later," said Pat Rotello, senior consultant at Willis Towers Watson. "Employees with money worries are more likely to keep working past normal retirement age to help sustain their income." However, these tactics are often easier said than done. Workers often retire earlier than planned because of health problems, layoffs or caregiving demands, said Theresa Ghilarducci, professor of economics at The New School. Older employees are also forced out, experts say. Those who want to work into their later years sometimes have difficulty finding work. AARP senior vice president of programs Jean Setzfand said that age discrimination becomes a very real thing as early as 45. And, Ghilarducci notes, these draw down strategies only work for those that have something saved, while many have nothing. "The sense that 70 is the new 65 isn't true for a vast majority of workers, it isn't even an option," she said. ------ FOR MORE INFORMATION: AARP Social Security Calculator: https://www.aarp.org/work/social-security/social-security-benefits-calculator.html Stanford Report: http://longevity.stanford.edu/2017/11/29/how-to-pensionize-any-ira-or-401k-plan/ AMMAN, Jordan (AP) - A Russian helicopter billed as the largest in the world was a central attraction at an international homeland security conference and weapons exhibition held in Jordan. More than 350 companies from 35 countries were represented at the four-day Special Operations Forces Exhibition and Conference (SOFEX) which ends Thursday. Organizers say 99 delegations from 53 countries attended. It was the 12th conference since Jordan's King Abdullah II founded it in 1996. Jordan has played a key role in the fight against Islamic extremism, most recently against the Islamic State group. Jordan's Prince Feisal said Tuesday it's important for specialists to "get together and learn from each other." A giant MI-26-T2 transport helicopter, parked on the exhibition grounds, drew many visitors. Jane's 360, a defense news site, says Jordan has ordered four. NEW BRUNSWICK, N.J. (AP) - Rutgers University says two students have been found dead on school campuses in recent days, although neither death is considered suspicious. The latest death occurred Monday, when the body of a sophomore student was found outside the Hardenbergh Hall dorm on the New Brunswick campus. Details on the how the death occurred have not been released, but authorities say foul play isn't suspected. Campus police are leading the investigation into the death. The Middlesex County Prosecutor's Office is reviewing the death of a graduate student who was found dead Friday on the school's Busch campus in Piscataway. Authorities say that death is not considered suspicious, but they have declined further comment on the ongoing investigation. CALTAGIRONE, Sicily (AP) - Chris Froome fell further behind the leaders as Belgian rider Tim Wellens won the hilly fourth stage of the Giro d'Italia on Tuesday. Team Sky reported that Froome finished 23 seconds behind Wellens as the race returned to home soil following the opening three stages in Israel. Rohan Dennis of Australia held on to the overall leader's pink jersey following the 202-kilometer (126-mile) leg from Catania to Caltagirone in Sicily. British cyclist Chris Froome waits for the start of the fourth stage of the Giro d'Italia, Tour of Italy cycling race, in Catania, Italy, Tuesday, May 8, 2018. (Daniel Dal Zennaro/ANSA via AP) Wellens, who rides for the Lotto-Fix ALL team, was one of five riders to create a small advantage in the final kilometer, which was entirely uphill. Once the main pack caught up, Wellens burst ahead again. Michael Woods of Canada crossed second and Italian Enrico Battaglin finished third, both with the same time as Wellens. British cyclist Chris Froome, right, and Australian cyclist Rohan Dennis walk before the start of the fourth stage of the Giro d'Italia, Tour of Italy cycling race, in Catania, Italy, Tuesday, May 8, 2018. (Daniel Dal Zennaro/ANSA via AP) Italian rider Fabio Aru smiles before the start of the fourth stage of the Giro d'Italia, Tour of Italy cycling race, in Catania, Italy, Tuesday, May 8, 2018. (Daniel Dal Zennaro/ANSA via AP) Italian rider Elia Viviani signs autographs prior to the start of the fourth stage of the Giro d'Italia, Tour of Italy cycling race, in Catania, Italy, Tuesday, May 8, 2018. (Daniel Dal Zennaro/ANSA via AP) PORTLAND, Maine (AP) - Worried about increasingly aggressive tactics, civil liberties groups in Maine, New Hampshire and Vermont sued the federal government Tuesday for records of immigration enforcement actions to get a clearer picture of what's happened since Republican President Donald Trump took office. The lawsuit by American Civil Liberties Union affiliates targets the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, which are accused of failing to comply with a Freedom of Information Act request for records of raids, arrests and detentions. Emma Bond, attorney for ACLU of Maine, said people have a right to know about immigration enforcement actions that number in the hundreds in communities across New England. "They're going to courthouses. They're targeting community groups. They're engaging in racial profiling. This is just the tip of the iceberg, we think," she said. Representatives of the three agencies said they don't comment on pending litigation. In the complaint, the ACLU groups contend immigration arrests have increased nearly 38 percent across the country - and 50 percent in New England states - in the first 100 days of the Trump administration. The groups are concerned about incidents like a Somali asylum seeker arrested while meeting with a lawyer at courthouse in Portland; an attempt to deport more than 50 people from Indonesia in New Hampshire; or the targeting of prominent members of Migrant Justice in Vermont. The only information provided so far to the groups was a one-page document with a breakdown of apprehensions, arrests and border-crossing actions that appeared to top 1,000 in Maine, New Hampshire and Vermont in 2017. But the ACLU groups said the document provides little detail. "Border Patrol and ICE are some of the most abusive and least transparent agencies in the federal government and the failure to respond to a lawful FOI request is emblematic of their tendency to act like they're above the law," said James Lyall from the ACLU in Vermont. The FOI request for documents dates back to September 2017. A New Hampshire court ruled last week that a border patrol checkpoint in Woodstock, New Hampshire, was unconstitutional under both state and federal law. "Cases like this are exactly why more information is needed about what immigration agents are doing in our states. If we do not keep them in check, they will run roughshod over our laws," Gilles Bissonnette, legal director for the ACLU of New Hampshire, said a statement. In Maine, the lawsuit is different from one filed a week ago against the U.S. Department of Homeland Security to get citizen checkpoint records stemming from a stopped coach bus. According to that lawsuit, customs agents stopped a bus at the Bangor Transportation Center on Jan. 14 to check the passengers' citizenship status. It's just one of many reports of customs agents stopping bus passengers without a warrant or probable cause, the lawsuit said. WASHINGTON (AP) - The Trump administration called Tuesday for Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro to step down. "For the safety and security of all the peoples of Latin America, it is time for Maduro to go," U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley said during a speech on Latin America. "I am not sure how we will make that happen but I know that we can't stop," she said right after her speech during a conference organized by the Council of the Americas. "We have to continue to isolate Maduro until he gives in." Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley speaks about Venezuela to the Council of the Americas, during a luncheon at the State Department in Washington, Tuesday, May 8, 2018. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin) Haley said the people of the South American country are "unwilling victims of a criminal narco-state" and said the May 20 elections in which Maduro is seeking re-election will be fraudulent if independent observers are absent. The Venezuelan embassy did not immediately respond to a request for comment. On Monday, Vice President Mike Pence urged members of the 35-nation Organization of American States to suspend Venezuela. Quoting numbers from the United Nations, Haley said 1.5 million Venezuelans have fled the country since 2014 and described the exodus as "the largest displacement of people in the region's history." The Venezuelan government has refused to allow international aid, alleging that would amount to foreign intervention. The South American nation also denies there is an ongoing humanitarian crisis. At the same event Tuesday, U.S. Deputy Secretary of State John J. Sullivan announced an additional $18.5 million in bilateral funding to support displaced Venezuelans in Colombia. This new funding is in addition to the more than $21 million in humanitarian assistance the United States has provided since 2017. Haley's remarks were not limited to Maduro. She characterized the current situation in Venezuela as part of a model that also includes Cuba and Nicaragua and "has proved to be a complete and total failure." The U.S. diplomat made a reference to the recent street demonstrations that took place in Nicaragua and called on President Daniel Ortega to honor his offer to engage in a national dialogue, and to include the business community, students and the Roman Catholic church. "But talking is not enough," she said. "The real test will be whether the Ortega government will meet the people's demands for democratic reforms and transparency." Haley asked for the support of neighboring governments in confronting authoritarianism. "We cannot allow the last few surviving authoritarians to drag down the hemisphere," she said. ___ Reach Luis Alonso Lugo at http://www.twitter.com/luisalonsolugo RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) - A man who wants his Virginia museum to be the home of a monument honoring a secret World War II spy mission has traveled to Russia, where he plans to march in a parade while advancing his case. Jerry Yagen offered to host the 25-ton bronze monument after the town of Elizabeth City in North Carolina, rejected it in March amid growing tensions between the U.S. and Russia. Yagen wants to place the monument in front of a Russian hangar that stores Russian planes, but he has to obtain the hangar first. "If Elizabeth City doesn't want it, I'll be glad to put it in front of a Russian hangar," Yagen said in a phone interview. FILE - This March 12, 2018 file photo shows a model of the "Project Zebra" memorial in the Arts of the Albemarle building in Elizabeth City, N.C. The monument to Russian soldiers killed while training in the United States during World War II may still find a home in America even after Elizabeth City rejected it because of tensions between the two countries. (AP Photo/Martha Waggoner, File) He said Maxim Alekseyev, head of the Russian side of U.S.-Russia Joint Commission on POW/MIA Affairs, invited him to spend a week in Russia and march in the annual Victory Day Parade in Moscow that marks Germany's surrender to the USSR at the end of World War II. And he agreed. "It's not politics with me," he said in a phone interview before he left for Russia. "It's history with me. Russia was an ally in the Second World War, and people forget that sometimes." In March, a newly elected city council in Elizabeth City refused to sign a memorandum of understanding for the monument. Less than a year earlier, the previous council had voted to accept the monument. The joint commission wanted to place the monument in an as-yet undeveloped park in Elizabeth City because a top-secret WWII operation was based at U.S. Coast Guard station there. Declassified just a few years ago, Project Zebra helped train about 300 Soviet aviators to find German submarines and bomb them. One night in 1945, three Russians, a Ukrainian and a Canadian were killed when a seaplane bound for Russia crashed in the Pasquotank River. Their sacrifice was never publicly recognized and the crash was forgotten for decades. After Project Zebra was declassified in 2013, efforts slowly developed to honor it with a monument, which would include three figures - one each of Soviet, U.S. and United Kingdom aviators. Retired Air Force Gen. Robert Foglesong, chairman of the U.S. side of the joint commission, said Monday that the group continues to look for alternate locations for the monument. Yagen said he hopes to make progress on finding a hangar that can be disassembled for shipping and rebuilt in Virginia. That, he said, could be a step toward the Russians approving his aviation museum in Pungo, Virginia, as the location for the monument. The aviation museum is in Pungo, Virginia, just 50 miles (80 kilometers) from Elizabeth City. "I think it would look very nice in front of a Russian hangar," Yagen said. "That would tell a story all on its own." ___ Follow Martha Waggoner at http://twitter.com/mjwaggonernc PYONGYANG, North Korea (AP) - U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo arrived in North Korea on Wednesday to finalize details of a historic summit planned between President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un. Trump announced the mission in Washington on Tuesday just minutes before Pompeo arrived in Japan to refuel before flying on to Pyongyang, and as the president declared he was withdrawing from a landmark nuclear deal with another bitter U.S. adversary, Iran. U.S. officials say Pompeo will also press North Korea for the release of three detained American citizens, whose imminent release Trump has been hinting at. His trip comes just days after North Korea expressed displeasure with Washington for comments suggesting that massive U.S. pressure had pushed Kim to the negotiating table. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo delivers remarks with Mexican Foreign Secretary Luis Videgaray at the State Department, Monday, May 7, 2018 in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon) Pompeo, who first traveled to North Korea as CIA chief in early April, is only the second sitting secretary of state to visit the reclusive nation with which it is still technically at war. The first was Madeleine Albright in 2000 who went as part of an unsuccessful bid to arrange a meeting between then-President Bill Clinton and Kim's father Kim Jong Il. "At this very moment, Secretary Pompeo is on his way to North Korea in preparation for my upcoming meeting with Kim Jong Un," Trump said at the White House. "Plans are being made, relationships are building, hopefully a deal will happen and with the help of China, South Korea and Japan a future of great prosperity and security can be achieved for everyone," he said. Pompeo flew out of Washington under cover of darkness late Monday aboard an Air Force 757 accompanied by a handful of senior aides, a security detail and two journalists: one from The Associated Press and one from The Washington Post, who were given roughly four hours' notice of his departure. The flight arrived Wednesday morning and North Korean officials were on hand to greet the American diplomat. Pompeo's first trip to Pyongyang over Easter weekend before he was confirmed as secretary of state was a closely held secret. News of it did not emerge just before his Senate confirmation vote less than two weeks ago. Shortly afterward, the White House released photographs of Pompeo and Kim posing for cameras. It was not clear if Kim would meet Pompeo on Wednesday. Pompeo told reporters aboard his plane that his first visit was to test the North Korean's seriousness of pledges to South Korea on easing tensions. This trip is "to put in place a framework for a successful summit," he said. Although there were no guarantees that the American prisoners would be freed during Pompeo's visit, U.S. officials said their release would be significant goodwill gesture ahead of the Trump-Kim summit that is expected later this month or in early June. "I think it would be a great gesture if they would agree to do so," Pompeo said, adding that it would be difficult to hold a leaders' summit if the prisoners remained captive. The three Korean-Americans - Kim Dong Chul, Kim Hak Song and Tony Kim - are all accused by the North of anti-state activities. Trump has said that a time and place for the summit have been decided but has not said where and when it will be. Pompeo's visit to Pyongyang aims to lock down the date and venue for a formal announcement to be made. It came just a day after Kim returned from China, his second trip to the neighboring country in six weeks to meet with President Xi Jinping. A Trump-Kim meeting seemed a remote possibility just a few months ago when the two leaders were trading threats and insults over North Korea's development of nuclear weapons and ballistic missile tests. But momentum for diplomacy built this year as North and South Korea have moved to ease tensions, including with their own leaders' summit late last month. In March, Trump unexpectedly accepted an offer of talks from Kim after the North Korean dictator agreed to suspend nuclear and missile tests and discuss "denuclearization." According to South Korea, Kim says he's willing to give up his nukes if the United States commits to a formal end to the Korean War and pledges not to attack the North. Kim was quoted as saying Monday by China's official news agency Xinhua: "I hope to build mutual trust with the U.S. through dialogue." He added that a political resolution of tensions on the Korean Peninsula and denuclearization should proceed in stages, with all sides moving in concert. But his exact demands for relinquishing weapons that his nation spent decades building remain unclear. Previous U.S. efforts to negotiate an end to the North's nuclear weapons program failed under Presidents Clinton and George W. Bush. Pompeo and officials traveling with him said the Trump administration would not repeat mistakes of the past, which they described as accepting gradual, incremental and long-term disarmament in exchange for immediate benefits. One senior official said Trump and Pompeo were looking for "a bold approach" that would fundamentally alter the security situation. "We are not going to head back down the path that we headed down before," Pompeo said. "We will not relieve sanctions until such time as we have achieved our objectives. We're not going to do this in small increments where the world is essentially coerced into relieving economic pressure." Trump has said that withdrawing U.S. forces from South Korea is "not on the table." Some 28,500 U.S. forces are based in the allied nation, a military presence that has been preserved to deter North Korea since the war ended in 1953 without a peace treaty. After weeks of positive signals, though, North Korea on Sunday dismissed what it called "misleading" claims that Trump's policy of maximum political pressure and sanctions are what drove the North to talks. A North Korean foreign ministry spokesman warned the claims are a "dangerous attempt" to ruin a budding detente on the Korean Peninsula after the summit between Kim and South Korean President Moon Jae-in. "The U.S. is deliberately provoking the DPRK at the time when the situation on the Korean Peninsula is moving toward peace and reconciliation," the spokesman was quoted as saying. DPRK is short for the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, the North's formal name. The statement seemed aimed at strengthening Kim's position going into his meeting with Trump. Pyongyang claims Kim himself is the driver of the current situation and the spokesman said the U.S. should not to interpret Pyongyang's willingness to talk as a sign of weakness. ____ Associated Press writers Jill Colvin and Ken Thomas in Washington contributed to this report. JERUSALEM (AP) - Israel has ordered the head of the local office of Human Rights Watch to leave the country within 14 days for allegedly supporting boycotts of Israel. The international group said Tuesday that it stands by Omar Shakir, a U.S. citizen of Iraqi descent, and accused Israel of trying to muzzle criticism of its human rights record. It says neither it nor Shakir support boycotts, and that it will challenge the decision in court. Iain Levine, a Human Rights Watch official, says Israel's actions, such as compiling a dossier on Shakir, and "deporting human rights defenders is a page out of the Russian or Egyptian security services' playbook." Interior Minister Arieh Deri alleged Shakir is a "boycott activist" and said he "will act to expel people like this from the country" with all means at his disposal. FORT WORTH, Texas (AP) - Prosecutors on Tuesday dismissed more than 60 cases stemming from a 2015 shooting in Waco involving rival biker clubs that left nine dead, the latest sign of serious trouble for an ambitious pursuit of convictions following the deadliest biker shooting in U.S. history. McLennan County prosecutors tossed out 66 more cases and have dismissed or refused 154 of the original 192 cases since February, saying they wanted to focus on those who were "more culpable." Officials said in late April that only about 25 cases will be prosecuted of the more than 150 people ultimately indicted on felony charges of engaging in organized criminal activity. Police arrested nearly 200 bikers following the mayhem at a Twin Peaks restaurant involving members of the Bandidos and Cossacks motorcycle clubs. Waco police officers monitoring the gathering also fired on the bikers, shooting at least two fatally. FILE - In this May 17, 2015 file photo, authorities investigate a shooting in the parking lot of Twin Peaks restaurant in Waco, Texas. Prosecutors have dismissed another 42 cases relating to the 2015 shooting in Waco involving rival biker gangs that left nine dead and 20 others injured. McLennan County prosecutors said Tuesday, May 8, 2018, they're dismissing the cases while focusing on "more culpable" defendants. (AP Photo/Jerry Larson, File) Only one biker - Jake Carrizal, a locomotive driver and the president of the Dallas chapter of the Bandidos - has been tried and it ended in a hung jury and a mistrial last fall. The county's district attorney, Abel Reyna, said in a statement in February announcing the first round of disposed cases that information gleaned during Carrizal's trial was "invaluable" in his office's decision to narrow the focus of its investigation. That trial was fraught with delays as Carrizal's defense attorneys repeatedly demonstrated to the presiding judge that prosecutors had not shared all of the evidence required by law. Reyna added that prosecutors were expecting to review evidence from a federal racketeering trial in San Antonio against the former president and vice president of the Bandidos after it had concluded. The trial ended Monday, and it is unclear whether prosecutors in Waco have reviewed any federal evidence. Reyna declined to comment Tuesday. The bulk of the dismissals and refusals followed Reyna's defeat in a Republican primary election in March. A judge on Monday dismissed one of the four cases Reyna recused his office from prosecuting, an action Reyna said was taken to avoid the appearance of a conflict. In the motion to dismiss, Brian Roberts, a special prosecutor in the case, said that the biker, Matthew Clendennen, a landscape-lighting business owner in Hewitt, Texas, should never have been charged. "Frankly, you can't just wholesale charge 192 people because they were wearing vests and have some connection with a motorcycle club," Roberts said, adding that "there's more to a charging decision. Presence alone is not enough." Surveillance footage showed many bikers running from the scene and ducking for cover after gunshots rang out. A smaller number could be seen pointing and firing weapons, slinging a chain or participating in fistfights. Law enforcement officers recovered dozens of firearms, knives and other weapons from the restaurant and adjacent parking lot, many of which officers organized indiscriminately into piles on the pavement and in the back of a police vehicle, dash-cam video showed. By Tuesday, only 37 of the original 154 bikers remained under indictment. Bikers and defense attorneys expected additional dismissals during another status hearing set for Thursday in Waco. ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) - New York lawmakers on Tuesday began the task of selecting the state's next attorney general, hours after two-term Democrat Eric Schneiderman's stunning downfall amid allegations that he physically abused four women. Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie said after a closed-door meeting with fellow Democrats who control the chamber that they discussed the protocols of appointing a successor to Schneiderman, but haven't talked about specific candidates. The state's solicitor general, Barbara Underwood, is serving as acting attorney general until the Legislature appoints a successor to fill out the last eight months of Schneiderman's second four-year term. FILE - In this May 2, 2016, file photo, New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman talks to media members after Law Day at the Court of Appeals in Albany, N.Y. Schneiderman resigned from office Monday, May 7, 2018, after several women accused him of violently slapping and choking them. They say the abuse happened during romantic encounters, and that they were also verbally abused and threatened. (AP Photo/Mike Groll, File) Heastie said the law states that when a vacancy happens during the legislative session, "the Legislature shall act." The replacement will be chosen with a joint vote by the Senate and Assembly. But exactly when that happens remained up in the air, with Heastie saying he would talk to Senate Leader John Flanagan, a Long Island Republican, about the next step. "I think it should be a deliberate process," Democratic Gov. Andrew Cuomo said after an event at the new Gov. Mario M. Cuomo Bridge, named after his late father. "This is a very important position and this is a highly charged situation." Since Democrats hold the overall majority of the 213 total seats, the temporary replacement likely will be a Democrat. Schneiderman's permanent replacement will be chosen in a November election. The state Democratic convention is in two weeks on Long Island, followed by the primary Sept. 13. Schneiderman announced late Monday night that he was resigning. His resignation went into effect 5 p.m. Tuesday. The announcement came just a few hours after The New Yorker posted an article in which four women accused Schneiderman of physical abuse carried out while they were dating. Schneiderman said he "engaged in role-playing and other consensual sexual activity," but denied assaulting anyone. Among the names being floated as potential candidates to replace Schneiderman is Zephyr Teachout, a Fordham Law School professor who ran for the Democratic nomination for governor in 2014 and was defeated by Cuomo in the primary. She tweeted Tuesday that she was "seriously considering running for Attorney General." Teachout ran a surprisingly strong race that has provided Democrat Cynthia Nixon some optimism in this year's gubernatorial race as she challenges the two-term incumbent in the primary. Also, Politico reported that U.S. Rep. Kathleen Rice, a Long Island Democrat, is interested in running for attorney general. A former federal prosecutor and Nassau County district attorney, she lost to Schneiderman in the 2010 Democratic primary for attorney general. JERUSALEM (AP) - Israel's prime minister on Tuesday praised President Trump's "historic move" for withdrawing from the nuclear deal with Iran on Tuesday while the military said forces are on high alert near its border with Syria after spotting Iranian activity. Netanyahu has been a leading critic of the deal, saying it did not contain sufficient safeguards to prevent Iran from reaching nuclear-weapons capability or address Iran's other activities across the region or its long-range missile program. "The deal didn't reduce Iran's aggression, it dramatically increased it, and we see this across the entire Middle East," he said in televised comments following Trump's announcement. "Despite the deal, the terrorist regime in Tehran is developing a ballistic missiles capability, ballistic missiles to carry nuclear warheads far and wide, to many parts of the world." Netanyahu said that leaving the nuclear deal unchanged along with Iran's other operations in the region "is a recipe for disaster, a disaster for our region, a disaster for the peace of the world." Trump earlier signed a presidential memorandum withdrawing from the 2015 agreement and said he is planning to reinstall sanctions on the Iranian regime. He said in an address to the nation that he will be reinstituting the highest level of sanctions and warning any country not to help the Iranian government. Trump said he "will not be held hostage to nuclear blackmail" and will not allow "a regime that chants 'Death to America'" to get access to nuclear weapons. The possibility of the nuclear deal collapsing had raised concerns it might embolden Iran to strike Israeli targets. Israel's military said Tuesday its forces were on high alert and was urging civilians in the Golan Heights near Syria to prepare bomb shelters. Later, the military said in a statement it had called up some reservists but did not elaborate. The military directive Tuesday came "following the identification of irregular activity of Iranian forces in Syria." It said defense systems have been deployed. The military said it is prepared for "various scenarios" and warned "any aggression against Israel will be met with a severe response." Israel is believed to have been behind recent airstrikes on military bases in Syria that killed Iranian soldiers, prompting Tehran to vow retaliation. Israel has neither confirmed nor denied involvement. It has warned it will not tolerate archenemy Iran establishing itself militarily on its doorstep in Syria. ATLANTA (AP) - Georgia's governor has vetoed a bill that would have criminalized unauthorized computer access after receiving blowback from the state's booming cybersecurity industry. The bill, vetoed by Republican Gov. Nathan Deal on Tuesday, would have made it a misdemeanor punishable by up to a year in jail to intentionally access a computer or network without authorization. The proposal passed the Georgia legislature in March amid the final chaotic hours of the legislative session. The bill was designed to give law enforcement the ability to prosecute "online snoopers" - hackers who probe computer systems for vulnerabilities but don't disrupt or steal data. It follows the recent discovery by unauthorized independent cybersecurity experts of a vulnerability in the computer network where Georgia's elections are managed. But a group of more than 50 academics, researchers, cybersecurity experts and technologists wrote Deal recently urging him to veto the bill, saying the legislation would chill security research and harm the state's cybersecurity industry. The group said that, as a result of the bill, "security vulnerabilities in important computer systems will not be uncovered and disclosed responsibly, which will only make it easier for bad actors to exploit them." They said that the bill was problematic because it created new criminal liabilities for security researchers who identify and disclose weaknesses to improve cybersecurity. Tech giants Google and Microsoft also co-authored a letter to Deal urging him to veto the legislation. Deal said the bill could have had unintended consequences for the government and businesses alike. "While intending to protect against online breaches and hacks, (the bill) may inadvertently hinder the ability of government and private industries to do so," Deal said in his explanation of the veto. Georgia has become an important cybersecurity industry hub, ranking third in the nation in information security business and generating more than $4.7 billion in annual revenue, according to the Georgia Department of Economic Development. The state has more than 150 cybersecurity firms as well as information security institutes at the Georgia Institute of Technology, Georgia State University, Augusta University and Kennesaw State. PODGORICA, Montenegro (AP) - Unidentified assailants on Tuesday shot and wounded a Montenegrin journalist who has written about crime and corruption in the small Balkan country. Olivera Lakic, a journalist for the Montenegrin newspaper Vijesti, was wounded in the right leg outside her home in the capital, Podgorica. Lakic was taken to a hospital and was reported out of danger. Police said the attack happened around 9 p.m. A search for the attackers was underway, including stepped up controls throughout the city and a review of surveillance cameras in the area, police said. Vijesti's chief editor, Mihailo Jovovic, said Lakic told him a man approached her and shot her in the leg, while two other men ran away. Lakic, 49, was beaten six years ago after she wrote a series of articles about alleged murky dealings over a tobacco factory. That attacker was jailed for several months and Lakic had police protection for a while. "I am speechless. For how much longer will this be happening?" Jovovic said in comments published on the Vijesti website. "A lot of stories she wrote have not been investigated (by the authorities). For how much longer must we live in fear of such cowards?" Prime Minister Dusko Markovic condemned the attack and urged a "swift and efficient investigation" to discover the motive as well as who might have ordered it. The U.S. Embassy in Podgorica tweeted that it was "following with concern the attack tonight on journalist Olivera Lakic." It said journalists "are the guardians of democracy and must be protected so they can do their jobs in safety." Aivo Orav, head of the European Union delegation in Montenegro, called the attack "very worrying." In the tweet, Orav said that "journalists must be protected." Montenegro is a former Yugoslav republic that joined NATO last year and is now also seeking EU membership. The long-ruling Democratic Party of Socialists has faced accusations of widespread crime and corruption. SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (AP) - A 15-year-old South Dakota boy who sued when he was barred from competing on his high school's dance team will be allowed to dance this fall. The South Dakota High School Activities Association board of directors voted unanimously Tuesday to allow boys to participate alongside girls in competitive dance events next school year. The move allows Freddie Linden to join his school's dance team. Linden is a freshman at Dakota Valley High School in North Sioux City, South Dakota. He and his mother sued the activities association last month when he was barred from joining the girls' team. The association's executive director, Dan Swartos, calls the board's action "a fair compromise." Linden's attorney, Joshua Thompson of the Pacific Legal Foundation, says the group hopes the policy will be permanently rescinded. NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) - The nation's top law enforcement officer said Tuesday that he's "not shedding tears" over an immigration raid at a Tennessee meat processing plant where 97 workers were arrested. Advocates for the workers said the comments Attorney General Jeff Sessions made at a law enforcement conference suggest he's "out of touch" with what happened as a result of the April 5 raid at the Southeastern Provision Plant in Bean Station, Tennessee, since the plant remains open and nobody who benefited from the workers' labor has been charged. "You don't get to get an advantage in this country by having large numbers of illegal workers working for you," Sessions said of the plant operators. "I'm not shedding tears about them. You don't get to benefit from being in this country and looking around the world for the cheapest worker you can find. That's just not good policy for this country." Attorney General Jeff Sessions talks to the crowd at the Law Enforcement Training Conference at the Gatlinburg Convention Center in Gatlinburg, Tenn., on Tuesday, May 8, 2018. (Calvin Mattheis/Knoxville News Sentinel via AP) The immediate impact of the raid was to leave 160 children without a parent, said Stephanie Teatro, co-executive director of the Tennessee Immigrant and Refugee Rights Coalition. School officials said it caused such fear in the community that 500 children stayed home from school after the raid. "It's clear that he is out of touch with what happened in the raid, because the employer is one of the only people who has yet to pay any price for what happened," Teatro said. "The plant's owner has yet to be arrested or face charges and the plant continues to operate." Southeastern Provision President James Brantley is not speaking, on the advice of his lawyer, according to a woman who answered the company's phone and refused to identify herself. The woman acknowledged that the business was still operating. Agents with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Homeland Security, the IRS Criminal Investigation Division and the Tennessee Highway Patrol joined the search of the meat processing plant, which activists described as the largest single worksite enforcement action in more than a decade. An IRS affidavit said the government believes the company and its owners have evaded taxes and employed immigrants in the U.S. illegally. The 97 people arrested are all subject to removal, federal immigration officials said afterward. Of them, 11 were arrested on outstanding federal or state criminal charges, authorities said. Of the rest, some have been released on bond pending deportation proceedings, while dozens remain detained in Louisiana, Teatro said. ICE spokesman Bryan Cox said there was nothing new he could disclose in regard to the immigration arrests, and questions about any future criminal charges should be directed to federal prosecutors. An email and phone call to a spokeswoman for the U.S. Attorney's office in the Eastern District of Tennessee were not immediately returned. Attorney General Jeff Sessions speaks to the crowd at the Law Enforcement Training Conference at the Gatlinburg Convention Center in Gatlinburg, Tenn., on Tuesday, May 8, 2018. (Calvin Mattheis/Knoxville News Sentinel via AP) WASHINGTON (AP) - In withdrawing the U.S. from the Iran nuclear deal, President Donald Trump outlined a rationale that contradicted the analyses of U.S. and foreign intelligence sources. A look at his remarks Tuesday, announcing that the U.S. was getting out of the deal and re-imposing sanctions that had been lifted in return for curbs on Iran's nuclear program: TRUMP: "The agreement was so poorly negotiated that even if Iran fully complies, the regime can still be on the verge of a nuclear breakout in just a short period of time." ''In just a short period of time, the world's leading state-sponsor of terror will be on the cusp of acquiring the world's most dangerous weapons." THE FACTS: This is unsupported by intelligence and other analyses. Iran was thought to be only months away from a bomb when the deal came into effect. But during the 15-year life of most provisions of the accord, Iran's capabilities are limited to a level where it cannot produce a bomb. President Donald Trump delivers a statement on the Iran nuclear deal from the Diplomatic Reception Room of the White House, Tuesday, May 8, 2018, in Washington. Trump says the United States is withdrawing from the Iran nuclear deal, which he called "defective at its core." (AP Photo/Evan Vucci) Already the deal has set its program back. Experts believe if Iran were to leave now, it would need at least a year to build a bomb. Trump's comments suggest that Iran is cheating on the deal. But in the time since the nuclear deal, the International Atomic Energy Agency has repeatedly confirmed Iran was complying with the terms. That finding is also shared in the main by U.S. and Israeli intelligence officials, though the Trump administration argues Iran exceeded limits on heavy water production. After the 15 years are up, Iran could have an array of advanced centrifuges ready to work, the limits on its stockpile would be gone and, in theory, it could then throw itself wholeheartedly into producing highly enriched uranium. But nothing in the deal prevents the West from trying to rein Iran in again with sanctions. The deal includes a pledge by Iran never to seek a nuclear weapon. ___ TRUMP: "This disastrous deal gave this regime - and it's a regime of great terror - many billions of dollars, some of it in actual cash. A great embarrassment to me as a citizen, and to all citizens of the United States." THE FACTS: It's not true that world powers paid billions to Iran. The deal allowed Iran to regain access to its own money, which had been frozen abroad as part of the sanctions that were lifted. As for Iran specifically getting some cash, that refers to a debt the U.S. had with Iran dating to the rupture in relations in the 1970s. Iran, under the shah, had paid the U.S. some $400 million for military equipment that was never delivered because the Islamic revolution cut off ties. That transaction was one of many complex claims that took decades to sort out in tribunals and arbitration. For its part, Iran paid settlements of more than $2.5 billion to U.S. citizens and businesses left short when relations ruptured. ___ TRUMP, referring to allies: "We are unified in our understanding of the threat, and in our conviction that Iran must never acquire a nuclear weapon. " THE FACTS: Such unity is conspicuously lacking. Most allies are not in agreement with the U.S. on the threat posed by Iran. They believed the deal was sufficient to constrain the threat; Trump doesn't. Britain, France, Germany and others appealed to the U.S. administration not to withdraw. Among top U.S. allies, Israel agrees the deal fell short; others don't. ___ TRUMP: "We will not allow American cities to be threatened with destruction, and we will not allow a regime that chants 'death to America' to gain access to the most deadly weapons on Earth." THE FACTS: Iranian missiles are not capable of reaching U.S. cities. Both technical limitations and orders from Iran's supreme leader have restricted the range of ballistic missiles manufactured in the country to 2,000 kilometers (1,240 miles). That puts them in targeting range of the entire Middle East, including Israel and U.S. bases in the region, but nowhere near the continental United States. ___ TRUMP: "Making matters worse, the deal's inspection provisions lack adequate mechanisms to prevent, detect and punish cheating. And don't even have the unqualified right to inspect many important locations, including military facilities." THE FACTS: The deal gave inspectors wide latitude to do their work in Iran but not unfettered access everywhere. The International Atomic Energy Agency can inspect any declared nuclear site at any time. It also can request access to any other site deemed suspicious. Iran has 24 days to allow such an inspection. If Iran refuses, an arbitration panel weighs the request. Inspectors have placed some 2,000 tamper-proof seals on nuclear material and equipment, and installed a network of surveillance cameras at nuclear sites. The agency says its staff is spending twice as many days in Iran than it did in 2013. ___ Gambrell reported from Dubai, United Arab Emirates. ___ Find AP Fact Checks at http://apne.ws/2kbx8bd Follow @APFactCheck on Twitter: https://twitter.com/APFactCheck British royalty mixed with Hollywoods A-listers on one of the biggest nights in the fashion calendar. Princess Beatrice was pictured looking regal in a violet gown at the Met Gala in New York City. The annual event attracts some of the biggest names in fashion to the citys Metropolitan Museum of Art and the princess looked at home in a dress adorned with crystals around the neck as well as on the cuffs. Princess Beatrice at the Metropolitan Museum of Art Costume Institute Benefit Gala 2018 in New York (Ian West/PA) She finished the look with a small black clutch bag. This is only one of two huge events Beatrice is due to attend in the coming weeks. She is expected to attend the wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle later this month. A new daily flight from Scotlands capital to Dubai has been welcomed by tourism chiefs. Emirates Airline announced that the year-round service from Edinburgh will begin in early October and becomes the third daily flight from Scotland to Dubai. The Middle Eastern airline already flies to the UAE from Glasgow twice a day. Emirates announce daily flight from Edinburgh to Dubai (Owen Humphreys/PA) Marc Crothall, chief executive of the Scottish Tourism Alliance, said: This is a very welcome announcement and great news for Scottish tourism. The link between Edinburgh and the worlds busiest airport presents a whole new wave of market opportunities for Scotlands tourism industry, both from a visitor and business tourism perspective. Emirates to launch a daily service between Dubai and Edinburgh, Scotlands capital city from 1 October 2018. @DubaiAirports @EDI_Airport https://t.co/3aqYMWlDDG pic.twitter.com/sy0MQYS8gX Emirates Airline (@emirates) May 8, 2018 Malcom Roughhead, chief executive of VisitScotland, said: VisitScotland is delighted to welcome Emirates move to increase its daily services between Dubai and Scotland. The recently launched campaign, Scotland Is Now, extends an invitation to visit, live, work, study and invest in Scotland and these investments will not only benefit Scots wishing to travel to Dubai for leisure or business but help increase inbound tourism from UAE, Australasia, China and further afield. The route will be operated by a Boeing 777-300ER in a three-class cabin configuration, with eight private suites in first class, 42 lie-flat seats in business class and 304 seats in economy class. Edinburgh directly to Dubai from October! We're excited to announce that a daily @Emirates service will take off from the 1st of October. pic.twitter.com/I20xpdrkZK Edinburgh Airport (@EDI_Airport) May 8, 2018 Hubert Frach, Emirates divisional senior vice president, said: Were increasing our capacity to Scotland to meet growing demand. And by introducing a daily flight to Edinburgh, it will complement our current double daily flights between Dubai and Glasgow. Edinburgh is a very popular leisure and business destination, and the new service will offer our customers from across our global network, particularly from key inbound markets such as Asia and Australia, a direct option to the city via our Dubai hub. Gordon Dewar, chief executive of Edinburgh Airport, said: This is a fantastic announcement as we welcome another world-renowned airline to Scotlands busiest airport a clear statement that Edinburgh Airport is the gateway to Scotland. Transport Minister Humza Yousaf described the announcement as excellent news. He added: It will give Scottish businesses even better access to global markets, thanks to the number of onward destinations on offer from Dubai. British Gas owner Centrica is on the hunt for a new chairman after confirming that its boss of nearly six years will step down within the next 12 months. The company announced on Tuesday that Rick Haythornthwaite has informed the board of plans to leave the role and that the process to appoint a successor is now under way. Mr Haythornthwaite will stay on until a new appointment has been made. The chairman will have served on the board for more than half a decade by the time he steps down, having become a non-executive director in October 2013 and chairman in January 2014. Chairing Centrica has been a real privilege, and the group has made material progress against a challenging external environment, including significant fundamental changes in the energy landscape, Mr Haythornthwaite said. He added that his tenure has been marked with the appointment of new chief executive Iain Conn, the development of a new strategy and significant changes to Centricas portfolio and capabilities. The first phase of strategic implementation has been completed, the board has been refreshed and the balance sheet materially strengthened. I am immensely grateful to my fellow board members for their support and hard work during my tenure as chairman and I look forward in time to an orderly handover to my successor. Centrica chairman Rick Haythornthwaite is set to step down (Centrica/PA) Centrica shares were down nearly 0.8% in morning trading. The changeover comes as the energy market prepares for a government-enforced price cap set to be introduced on standard variable tariffs (SVTs) later this year amid anger over rising bills. Last month, British Gas said it would increase energy bills for 4.1 million dual fuel customers on its standard variable tariff (SVT) by an average of 5.5%, or 60 a year, to around 1,161 for a typical dual fuel customer. The company blamed initiatives such as the smart meter roll-out and schemes to reduce carbon emissions as well as wholesale energy costs for sparking the rise. The Government came out swinging, with Energy Minister Claire Perry describing the hike as unjustified and urging customers to switch suppliers. British Gas announced plans in November to scrap SVTs for new customers ahead of the cap, which Centrica has warned could have unintended consequences for the market. It said all existing customers are now being contacted to encourage them to choose one of our fixed-term deals. It is the fashion gig of the decade and rumours are abounding over who has been picked to design Meghan Markles wedding dress. Ralph & Russo, Erdem, Oscar de la Renta and Burberrys Christopher Bailey are among those tipped to get the top royal commission. But the bride may wear two dresses, as the Duchess of Cambridge did one to the church ceremony and another to the evening reception. Meghan Markle wearing a Ralph & Russo gown in her engagement photos (Alexi Lubomirski/PA) Ms Markle turned to the Australian duo behind British label Ralph & Russo for one of the gowns she wore in her official engagement photos. Tamara Ralph and Michael Russo are renowned for their full-on Hollywood glamour, jewel-encrusted couture designs. American label Oscar de la Renta would be a nod by LA-born Ms Markle to her home country. Oscar de la Renta crafted the wedding dresses of Amal Clooney and actress Kate Bosworth and is known for its classic glamour. Laura Kim and Fernando Garcia are its creative directors. Erdem has been a bookmakers favourite for some time. Founded in 2005 by Erdem Moralioglu, the brand is known for its sweeping dresses and floral prints. Canadian-born, with a Turkish father, the London-based designer counts the Duchess of Cambridge, former US first lady Michelle Obama, style doyenne Alexa Chung and actress Keira Knightley among his clients. Knightley is particularly a fan of the pockets he puts on her gowns, allowing her to feel more relaxed as she tucks her hands away on the red carpet. The Erdem woman has remained the same, she has never been concerned with being cool, Moralioglu once said. Burberrys Christopher Bailey has been cited as the perfect choice by designer Henry Holland. Bailey, the former chief creative officer, is leaving the British heritage brand at the end of the year. Holland said: I would be quite excited if it was Christopher Baileys final bow for Burberry. Jenny Packham, known for her intricate romantic, beaded bridal gowns, has also been suggested. Described by Vogue as one of the red carpets go-to designers for dazzling feminine glamour, Packham is already a favourite with the Duchess of Cambridge. Angelina Jolie, Keira Knightley, Beyonce, Jennifer Lopez and Cameron Diaz are among her fans. She is the sister of broadcaster and naturalist Chris Packham. Ms Markle could go down the tried and tested route and opt for the woman who designed the Duchess of Cambridges lace wedding gown Sarah Burton for Alexander McQueen Kates traditional, high-waisted, full-skirted couture dress with lace applique bodice, which sparked comparisons to Grace Kellys wedding, was hailed a triumph. If the American star wanted to pick one of Britains leading couturiers, she could choose Phillipa Lepley. Her style is classic, romantic, understated elegance and trademarks are hand-made body sculpting corsetry, beading and embroidery. Famously discreet, she is a self-confessed perfectionist who believes a wedding dress should be timeless and flattering above all else. She designed Geri Horners wedding dress, as well as those of Ulrika Jonsson and Davina McCall. At her first wedding in 2011, Ms Markle married film producer Trevor Engelson on a beach in Jamaica in a sleek, strapless, floor-length white dress with diamante waist detail. She also appeared in a wedding dress in the TV series Suits, with her character, Rachel Zane, wearing the Versailles princess ballgown by Anne Barge with plunging neckline and full chiffon skirt. Ms Markles stylist and close friend, Jessica Mulroney, runs the bridal store Kleinfeld Hudsons Bay in Toronto, so it is likely she was Ms Markles first port of call for help picking out her show-stopping outfit. Detectives investigating paramilitarism have seized 3,000 after stopping a vehicle on the M1 motorway in Northern Ireland. It happened on the eastbound carriageway on Sunday and is believed to involve suspected republicanism. PCTF cash seizure following vehicle search. pic.twitter.com/xoaR1RWgi9 Police Service NI (@PoliceServiceNI) May 8, 2018 A PSNI detective inspector said: Our operations will continue into paramilitary groups and they can expect no let-up in our focus regarding their criminality. The operation was carried out by the PSNIs Paramilitary Crime Task Force (PA) The operation was carried out by the PSNIs Paramilitary Crime Task Force and the cash held under the Proceeds of Crime Act. The PSNI, HMRC and the National Crime Agency established the task force as part of the former Stormont Executives action plan on tackling paramilitarism. A woman has been injured in an acid attack in Brixton, south London. Reports on social media described the victim, who is aged in her twenties, being hosed down with water by firefighters. Police in Lambeth, who were called by ambulance crews to Brixton Road at around 1.45pm on Tuesday, said that the woman may have been travelling on a bus. Police were called to Brixton Road, SW9 at 13:45hrs by @LDN_Ambulance following reports of a woman in her twenties being the victim of a noxious substance attack. She may have been on a bus. Officers and LAS are on scene. No arrests. We await an update on the womans condition. Lambeth Police | Central South BCU (@LambethMPS) May 8, 2018 This comes after three people were hurt when they were doused with a noxious substance during a fight between two groups in Shacklewell Lane in Hackney, east London, at around 5.20am on Sunday. A shopowner told HuffPost UK: A woman ran off the bus screaming acid attack and ran into the shop. She grabbed a bottle of water out of the fridge and poured it on her face. Police said that the suspected attacker was a man, and that the assault, which was being treated as GBH, was targeted, not random. Police tape at the Reliance Arcade between Brixton Road and Electric Lane in south London, where a woman sought help from shopkeepers (Tess De La Mare/PA) The woman, who was taken to hospital, suffered no major burns and her condition is not life-threatening or changing. A spokeswoman for London Ambulance said an ambulance crew, two cars, an incident response officer, and its hazardous area response team were sent to the scene. Fire crews were also called to assist police. A wave of violence sweeping the country continued in London on Tuesday as two teenagers were stabbed in separate incidents. The Metropolitan Police said one victim, in his late teens, was stabbed in the leg during an evening rush-hour incident near Woolwich Arsenal station, south-east London, following reports of a fight. The extent of his injuries is not known. A man has been arrested on suspicion of possessing an offensive weapon. Less than two hours earlier, police in west London were called to The Embankment, Twickenham, to a teenager with a non-life threatening stab wound to his arm. Scotland Yard said inquiries are continuing. It follows a bank holiday weekend of bloodshed which saw a number of shootings and stabbings. A 13-year-old boy was an innocent victim as he was shot in the head while walking down the street with his parents in Harrow. The youngster was hit by the shotgun pellets as a 15-year-old was attacked at around 1.15pm on Sunday in High Street, Wealdstone. (PA Graphics) Scotland Yard said the older boy suffered head injuries caused by a number of shotgun pellets. Minutes later, police were alerted to the second boy injured nearby. Both teenagers suffered non-life threatening injuries, and the younger one has been released from hospital. A 39-year-old man arrested on the evening of May 6 in connection with the incident has been released under investigation. Meanwhile, Rhyhiem Ainsworth Barton was fatally shot in Southwark on Saturday. The 17-year-old rapper and aspiring architect had so much potential, his mother said as she tearfully told of her handsome boy. Rhyhiems death was the latest in a spate of violent crimes in the capital, as police investigate more than 60 alleged murders so far this year. Elsewhere, two men died in stabbings in Liverpool and Luton during the bank holiday weekend. Following a Home Office post mortem, the victim of a fatal incident in Hanover Street #Liverpool yesterday has been formally identified as 20-year-old Fatah Warsame, from the Cardiff area. Anyone with info please contact @MerPolCC, 101 or @CrimestoppersUK. https://t.co/ENvjFoYNnL pic.twitter.com/psj29T2f2z Merseyside Police (@MerseyPolice) May 7, 2018 Fatah Warsame, 20, from Cardiff, died after being stabbed in Liverpool city centre early on Sunday morning, while another victim, also 20, was killed in Bishopscote Road in Luton that evening. A 43-year-old was stabbed in Perivale, north-west London, on Sunday night after a dispute about driving. Three people were injured in a noxious substance assault following an altercation between two groups in Shacklewell Lane, Hackney, east London, at around 5.20am on Sunday. Police are appealing for information after a man was shot in Clayton. https://t.co/DOmWmVoXau Greater Manchester Police (@gmpolice) May 7, 2018 Just before 6.30pm on Sunday, police were flagged down by a member of the public in New Cross Road, south-east London, where a 22-year-old man was suffering from gunshot wounds. In a fourth bank holiday weekend shooting in the capital, a 30-year-old man who may have been working as a delivery driver was targeted. Police were called at 4.50pm on Monday to a shooting in John Williams Close, New Cross, south-east London, Scotland Yard said. The victim was treated at the scene before being taken to hospital. His condition is not believed to be life-threatening. Another shooting took place in Vale Street, Clayton, Greater Manchester Police said. A man in his late teens was with friends when he was shot in the leg shortly before 2.45pm on Monday. He was taken to hospital for treatment to serious injuries. US President Donald Trump has announced he is pulling out of the Iran nuclear deal. Here we look at the background to the controversial decision: What is the Iran nuclear deal? An Iranian security official directs media at the Bushehr nuclear power plant, with the reactor building seen in the background, just outside the southern city of Bushehr, Iran (Vahid Salemi/AP) The #IranDeal showed the power of diplomacy. One year on, hear from the experts who helped to negotiate ithttps://t.co/RrgPBU3KgI Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (@FCDOGovUK) July 14, 2016 Iran agreed to rein in its nuclear programme in a 2015 deal struck with the US, UK, Russia, China, France and Germany. Under the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) Tehran agreed to significantly cut its stores of centrifuges, enriched uranium and heavy-water, all key components for nuclear weapons. Why did Iran agree to the deal? It had been hit with devastating economic sanctions by the United Nations, United States and the European Union that are estimated to have cost it tens of billions of pounds a year in lost oil export revenues. Billions in overseas assets had also been frozen. Why is it under threat? The deal was the key foreign policy achievement of Barack Obamas presidency, making it an immediate target for successor Donald Trump. On the presidential campaign trail Mr Trump made his opposition clear and then continued to make threats about pulling out of the worst deal the US has ever signed up to because of its disastrous flaws. The next deadline in the US for waiving sanctions is May 12 but Mr Trump announced on Monday that he would reveal his decision today. What is Britains position? The Government does admit the deal is not perfect as it fails to cover areas such as ballistic missiles and is time-limited, but insists it is the option with the fewest disadvantages. Germany, France and the United Nations all urged the US not to withdraw, with Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson making a last-ditch attempt to preserve the deal during a trip to Washington on Monday. What happens now the United States has pulled out? Iran has warned the move effectively amounts to killing the deal. US President Donald Trump has announced Secretary of State Mike Pompeo is en route to North Korea ahead of Mr Trumps planned meeting with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un. Mr Trump said on Tuesday afternoon that Mr Pompeo will be arriving in the country shortly and has meetings scheduled. It will be Mr Pompeos second known visit to the country. Mr Trump revealed last month that Mr Pompeo also met with Mr Kim over the Easter weekend. Donald Trump made the announcement at the White House (Evan Vucci/AP) Mr Trump said the time and date of his planned meeting with Mr Kim have now been agreed, but he has yet to reveal where or when it will happen. Mr Trump broke the news while announcing his plans to withdraw from the Iran nuclear agreement. US officials said Mr Pompeo will on Wednesday press North Korea for the release of three detained American citizens, whose imminent release Mr Trump has been hinting at. His trip comes just days after North Korea expressed displeasure with Washington for comments suggesting that massive US pressure had pushed Mr Kim to the negotiating table. Mr Pompeo, who first travelled to North Korea as CIA chief in early April, is only the second sitting secretary of state to visit the reclusive nation with which it is still technically at war. The first was Madeleine Albright in 2000 who went as part of an unsuccessful bid to arrange a meeting between then-President Bill Clinton and Kims father Kim Jong Il. At this very moment, Secretary Pompeo is on his way to North Korea in preparation for my upcoming meeting with Kim Jong Un, Mr Trump said at the White House. Plans are being made, relationships are building, hopefully a deal will happen and with the help of China, South Korea and Japan a future of great prosperity and security can be achieved for everyone, he said. Theresa May has announced she remains committed to the Iran nuclear deal after Donald Trump said he was pulling the United States out of the accord. The US president said he would impose the highest level of economic sanctions on Iran as he claimed the state was on the brink of acquiring nuclear weapons. Iran said it would enrich uranium more than before in the next weeks if negotiations failed over the deal. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu backed Mr Trump, describing the agreement as a recipe for disaster. .@POTUS Trump to the long-suffering people of #Iran: The people of America stand with you. The future of Iran belongs to its people. They deserve a nation that does justice to their dreams. #JCPOA pic.twitter.com/MMeIpZEG8p Department of State (@StateDept) May 8, 2018 Britain, France and Germany had made strenuous attempts to persuade the US president to preserve the deal. But Mr Trump said the agreement was disastrous and a great embarrassment to him. Speaking in the White House, Mr Trump said: The Iran deal is defective at its core. If we do nothing, we know exactly what will happen. In just a short period of time, the worlds leading state sponsor of terror will be on the cusp of acquiring the worlds most dangerous weapon. Therefore, I am announcing today that the United States will withdraw from the Iran nuclear deal. In a joint statement, Mrs May, German Chancellor Angela Merkel and French President Emmanuel Macron said the decision was a matter of regret and concern and said they remained committed to the deal. They said: It is with regret and concern that we, the leaders of France, Germany and the United Kingdom take note of President Trumps decision to withdraw the United States of America from the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action. (PA Graphics) Together, we emphasise our continuing commitment to the JCPoA. This agreement remains important for our shared security. They urged Iran to show restraint in response to the decision by the US. On Monday, Boris Johnson made a diplomatic dash to Washington in a last ditch push to win over the president. The Foreign Secretary said Mr Trump would be in line for the Nobel Peace Prize if he could fix the agreement. The Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) was signed by the US, China, Russia, Germany, France and Britain with Iran in 2015. Under its terms, Iran is committed to a peaceful nuclear energy programme. President Donald Trump has announced the US is pulling out of the landmark international nuclear accord with Iran. The United States does not make empty threats, he said in a televised address from the White House. Mr Trump said the 2015 agreement, which included Germany, France and Britain, was a horrible one-sided deal that should never ever have been made. He added that the United States will be instituting the highest level of economic sanction. Mr Trumps decision means Irans government must now decide whether to follow the US and withdraw or try to salvage what remains of the deal. Iranian President Hassan Rouhani said he was sending his foreign minister to the countries remaining in the accord but warned there was only a short time to negotiate with them and his country could soon start enriching uranium more than before. The leaders of Britain, Germany and France immediately urged the US not to take any actions that could prevent them and Iran from continuing to implement the agreement. The statement from Prime Minister Theresa May, Chancellor Angela Merkel and President Emmanuel Macron also urged Iran to show restraint and continue fulfilling its own obligations such as cooperating with inspections. An anti-US mural painted on the wall of the former US Embassy in Tehran (Vahid Salemi/AP) In Washington, the Trump administration said it would re-impose sanctions on Iran immediately but allow grace periods for businesses to wind down activity. The Treasury Department said there will be certain 90-day and 180-day wind-down periods but did not specify which sanctions would fall under which timelines. The Treasury said at the end of those periods, the sanctions will be in full effect. National Security Adviser John Bolton said nobody should sign contracts for new business with Iran. Former US president Barack Obama called the US pullout a serious mistake, and warned it will erode Americas global credibility. There are few issues more important to the security of the US than the potential spread of nuclear weapons or the potential for even more destructive war in the Middle East. Todays decision to put the JCPOA at risk is a serious mistake. My full statement: https://t.co/4oTdXESbxe Barack Obama (@BarackObama) May 8, 2018 In his remarks, Mr Trump blasted the deal as defective at its core. As evidence, he cited documents recently released by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, a leading critic of the deal. Mr Netanyahu unveiled documents seized by Israeli intelligence showing Iran had attempted to develop a nuclear bomb in the previous decade, especially before 2003. Although he gave no explicit evidence that Iran violated the deal, he said Iran had clearly lied in the past and could not be trusted. Iran has denied ever pursuing nuclear arms. Mr Trumps announcement drew mixed reaction from Congress. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, a Kentucky Republican, said the Iran deal was flawed from the beginning, and he looked forward to working with Mr Trump on next steps. House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, a California Democrat, slammed Mr Trump in a statement, saying this rash decision isolates America, not Iran. The JCPOA was a flawed agreement which @POTUS determined is not in America's nat'l security interests. I share his commitment that Iran must never acquire/develop a nuclear weapon. My statement --> https://t.co/qtRdxzgygC Leader McConnell (@LeaderMcConnell) May 8, 2018 The agreement had lifted most US and international sanctions against Iran. In return, Iran agreed to restrictions on its nuclear programme, making it impossible to produce a bomb, along with rigorous inspections. In a burst of last-minute diplomacy, punctuated by a visit by UK Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson, the deals European members gave in to many of Mr Trumps demands, according to officials, diplomats and others briefed on the negotiations. Yet they still left convinced he was likely to re-impose sanctions. Hours before the announcement, European countries met to underline their support for the agreement. Senior officials from Britain, France and Germany met in Brussels with Irans Deputy Foreign Minister for Political Affairs, Abbas Araghchi. Senator Dick Durbin of Illinois, the number-two Democrat in the Senate, branded the US withdrawal from the Iran nuclear deal a mistake of historic proportions. He said that breaking the Iran deal increases the danger that Iran will restart its nuclear weapons programme, which threatens Israel and destabilises the entire Middle East. Mr Durbin said Mr Trumps action isolates the United States from the world at a time when we need our allies to come together to address nuclear threats elsewhere, particularly in Korea. By Aref Mohammed BASRA, Iraq, May 7 (Reuters) - Iraq's state-run North Oil Company signed an agreement with BP on Monday to triple output from the Kirkuk fields in the north of the country, Oil Minister Jabar al-Luaibi said. The agreement was signed in the southern Iraqi city of Basra, he told a news conference after the signing. Under the deal, BP will boost output capacity from six fields in the Kirkuk region to a total of more than 1 million barrels per day (bpd), three times today's capacity in the region. The oilfields were returned to Baghdad's control in October after Iraqi government forces dislodged Kurdish fighters from the area. The minister began talks with BP in October, days after the Kurdish fighters were driven expelled. Oil exports from the region, transported by pipeline to Turkey, were halted after the Iraqi military operation, which was launched in retaliation against an independence referendum held on Sept. 25 by the semi-autonomous Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG). Iraq plans to start trucking crude from Kirkuk to Iran, but the road to the border has yet to be secured from attacks by Islamic State insurgents. BP had agreed in 2013 to help Baghdad halt a sharp decline in output from Kirkuk. The KRG then took control of the Kirkuk region in 2014, when the Iraqi army collapsed in the face of Islamic State's sweeping advance in northern and western Iraq. The Kurdish move prevented the fields from falling into the hands of the militants. Kirkuk is one of the biggest and oldest oilfields in the Middle East, estimated to contain about 9 billion barrels of recoverable oil, according to BP. BP has provided technical assistance in the past to North Oil to help redevelop the Kirkuk field. Iraq, the second biggest producer in the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries behind Saudi Arabia, has capacity to produce almost 5 million bpd, but now produces 4.45 million bpd to comply with an OPEC-led deal to curb supplies. Most of Iraq's crude is produced from areas managed by the central government of Baghdad, in the south, and exported from southern ports on the Gulf. The KRG exports about 300,000 bpd of crude from northern Iraq through a pipeline across Turkey. (Reporting by Aref Mohammed Writing by Maher Chmaytelli Editing by Adrian Croft and Edmund Blair) PARIS, May 7 (Reuters) - Air France unions do not intend to renew their strike notice, two union officials said during a meeting on Monday, after the French carrier was plunged into turmoil by the resignation of its top boss. Shares in parent Air France-KLM closed nearly 10 percent lower on Monday, after striking airline staff rejected a wage deal offered by managers and CEO Jean-Marc Janaillac said on Friday he would step down. Staff walked out again on Monday and were due to press on with planned stoppages on Tuesday, but unions did not intend to call for more strike days following their meeting, the officials said. Instead, labour representatives will demand to meet with Air France management, they said. (Reporting by Cyril Altmeyer Writing by Sarah White Editing by Geert De Clercq) MOSCOW, May 7 (Reuters) - Russian wheat export prices stayed broadly flat last week amid slowing growth in export volumes and higher prices on the global grains market, analysts said on Monday. Black Sea prices for Russian wheat with 12.5 percent protein content for May delivery stayed at $213 a tonne free on board (FOB) last week, Russian agricultural consultancy IKAR said in a note. SovEcon, another Moscow-based consultancy, also quoted FOB wheat prices at $213.5 a tonne, an increase of $0.5 from the previous week. The Russian Agriculture Ministry said Russia had exported 44.2 million tonnes of grains from the start of 2017/2018 marketing season through to May 2, up 43 percent year-on-year. According to SovEcon, which cites customs data, grain exports will slow in May to 3.7 million tonnes, including 2.9 million tonnes of wheat. This is compared with 4.6 million tonnes and 3.5 million tonnes respectively in April. Domestic prices for third-class wheat stood at 9,050 roubles ($144.4) a tonne at the end of last week in the European part of Russia on an ex-works basis, according to SovEcon. Ex-works supply does not include delivery costs. Sunflower seed prices were unchanged at 20,875 roubles a tonne, SovEcon said. Domestic sunflower oil prices rose by 150 roubles to 44,325 roubles per tonne. Export sunflower oil prices declined by $5 to $750 per tonne. ($1 = 62.6764 roubles) (Reporting by Olga Popova; Writing by Vladimir Soldatkin; Editing by Mark Potter) By Ezgi Erkoyun ANKARA, May 7 (Reuters) - A U.S. pastor denied terrorism and spying charges in a Turkish court on Monday and called them "shameful and disgusting", in a prosecution that has been condemned by U.S. President Donald Trump. Andrew Brunson, who could be jailed for up to 35 years, denied links to a network led by U.S.-based Muslim preacher Fethullah Gulen, who is accused by Turkey of orchestrating a failed military coup in 2016, and to the outlawed Kurdish PKK militant group. The Christian pastor from North Carolina has lived in Turkey for more than two decades and has been in pre-trial detention since 2016. "I am helping Syrian refugees, they say that I am aiding the PKK. I am setting up a church, they say I got help from Gulen's network," Brunson said, referring to the testimonies of anonymous witnesses in court. One of the secret witnesses accused Brunson of trying to establish a Christian Kurdish state, and providing coordinates to U.S. forces in the delivery of weapons to the Kurdish YPG militia, active in northern Syria. "My service that I have spent my life on, has now turned upside down. I was never ashamed to be a server of Jesus but these claims are shameful and disgusting," Brunson told the court in the Aegean town of Aliaga, north of Izmir. Brunson has been the pastor of Izmir Resurrection Church, serving a small Protestant congregation in Turkey's third largest city. "I want to return to my home," Brunson said at the end of the hearing, before the judge ruled that he should be kept in custody, adjourning the case to July 18. TURKEY WANTS GULEN EXTRADITED Brunson's legal case is among several roiling U.S.-Turkish relations, including one in New York against a former executive of Turkish state lender Halkbank. The two countries are also at odds over U.S. support for the Kurdish militia in northern Syria, which Turkey considers a terrorist organization. Erdogan suggested last year Brunson's fate could be linked to that of Gulen, whom Turkey wants extradited. Gulen denies any association with the coup attempt. Tens of thousands of Turks have been arrested or lost their jobs over alleged connections with it. U.S. President Donald Trump tweeted after Brunson's first court appearance last month that the pastor was on trial for "no reason". "They call him a spy, but I am more a spy than he is. Hopefully he will be allowed to come home to his beautiful family where he belongs!" Trump said. Outside the court on Monday, Sandra Jolley, vice chair of the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom, called for the clergyman's release. "Every day that Andrew Brunson spends here in prison is another day that the standing of the Turkish government diminishes in the eyes of not just the U.S. but the entire world," she told reporters. Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu, who is expected to meet with U.S. counterpart Mike Pompeo in Washington this week or next, said on Saturday any decision was up to the court. "They say that the government should release him," he said. "Is it in my power? This is a decision the judiciary will make." (Writing by Ece Toksabay; editing by Andrew Roche) NEW DELHI AFP May 7, 2018- A 17-year-old battled for her life Monday after being raped, doused in kerosene and set on fire, the second such case to shake India as it battles an increase in sexual crimes. The teenager was attacked on the same day and in the same eastern state of Jharkhand as a 16-year-old who was raped and burned to death. The debate has been heightened further by new police figures indicating that more than five women were raped every day in the Indian capital this year. As many as 578 rape cases were reported up to April 15, against 563 in 2017 during the same period, police said. The girl has suffered 70 percent first-degree burns. There is a chance that she will survive, Shailendra Barnwal, police superintendent of Pakur district, told AFP. Police have arrested a 19-year-old man who lives in the same neighbourhood as the latest victim. He poured kerosene on the girl and set her on fire, Barnwal said. The incident occurred on Friday, the same day as the similar case in Jharkhands Chatra district. The two cases have shone a spotlight on the treatment of rape in India, where some 40,000 cases were reported in 2016. The country had already been agonising over the brutal gang-rape and killing of an eight-year-old girl in Jammu and Kashmir state, which is to be raised in the Supreme Court on Tuesday. British Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson used an opinion piece in the New York Times Sunday to pressure US President Donald Trump over the Iran nuclear deal. Johnson is in Washington this week for talks with the Trump administration ahead of the May 12 deadline for the US president to decide whether to continue backing the 2015 nuclear deal with Iran or reimpose sanctions on Tehran, which would mean scrapping the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action. At this delicate juncture, it would be a mistake to walk away from the nuclear agreement and remove the restraints that it places on Iran, Johnson wrote in the Times. The deal - sealed by Trumps predecessor Barack Obama with the support of China, Russia, Germany, France and Britain - eased sanctions on Tehran in exchange for commitments to abandon its nuclear weapons programme. The deal had prevented a nuclear arms race among the Middle Easts current civil wars and internecine conflicts, Johnson wrote. The agreements weaknesses could be fixed, he added. I believe that keeping the deals constraints on Irans nuclear programme will also help counter Tehrans aggressive regional behaviour, the foreign secretary wrote. I am sure of one thing: every available alternative is worse. The wisest course would be to improve the handcuffs rather than break them, he concluded. Johnson is due to meet Vice President Mike Pence, national security adviser John Bolton and key foreign policy leaders in Congress this week. New York (dpa), 7 May 2018 US would regret if Trump quits nuclear deal Iran, (Daily Mail), 6 May 2018 - In a televised speech in northwestern Iran on Sunday, Iranian President Hassan Rouhani has warned that the United States would regret it like never before if they decided to quit a nuclear deal between Tehran and world powers. US President Donald Trump has threatened to withdraw from the agreement when it comes up for renewal on May 12, demanding his countrys European allies fix the terrible flaws or he will re-impose sanctions. President Maithripala Sirisena presided over at the ceremonial sitting of Parliament for opening of the second session of the 8th Parliament of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka. The Secretary-General of Parliament read out the proclamations issued by the President proroguing Parliament and summoning the meeting and following that the President addressed the Parliament. (Presidents Media) I allude to the recent article titled Abolition of Executive Presidency has become viable published in the press by Mr. Jehan Perera focusing on an emerging prospect of abolishing the Executive Presidency. My immediate response would be to say, Why throw the baby with the bath water?. A pithy Sinhala saying is Muhunath ekka thiyena tharahata aiy nahaya kapaganney? (Why cut ones nose because of the anger with the face?) Any proposal to abolish the Executive Presidency at this moment of time can only be hatched in the womb of political expediency. Review merits and demerits in the present and future context Mr. Perera has side-tracked the implications and the pros and cons of this critically important issue by casually stating that merits and demerits of the Executive Presidency have been discussed over the years, since its inception in 1978. It is unfortunate that one had to shift the focus to striking when the iron is hot without reviewing the implications of this elusive issue in its current and future contexts. Why should we burn our fingers by striking an iron just because it is hot? Isnt it unprecedented in the history of Sri Lanka or for that matter world politics, that two arch rivals in the political arena formed a hybrid Govt. to focus on Country first by setting aside parochial political-power differences and self-interests? For decent citizens it was indeed a candid exhibition of political maturity and signalled the beginning of the much awaited Paradigm shift in Sri Lankas Political Culture, leading to a Peoples Govt. Is it fair to throw this superlative political renunciation to the dust bin of history or nip this singular effort in the bud, within a span of 3 years? Who created the seeming chaos? In our view, it is the cavalier- style, irresponsible, immature statements made by a coterie of our unprincipled, haughty and spineless politicians that have upset the Apple cart more than anything else. It is regrettable that our mass media have exercised their liberty to blow such unpatriotic small talk and statements out of proportion, merely to sensationalise and play to the gallery. Ironically and unfortunately it has created a rift between the main parties of the Hybrid Govt. Is it not a result of a power-seeking coterie of politicians breathing down the throats of the ruling Govt. under the pretext of following the model of Westminster Parliament democracy? Merits of Executive Presidency In all my relevant submissions to the press, I have supported retention of Executive Presidency, provided that all dictatorial clauses (including judicial immunity) are removed. Of course, the unparalleled merit was that it directly helped to end the 30-year plague of terrorism. Now it has become a sine-qua-non for the Executive to build up a Sri Lankan identity devoid of ethnicity, colour, caste and creed. Another important merit is, it can be effectively used to control the behaviour of Provincial Governance. Executive machinery makes decision making and problem solving quicker, to ensure rapid development of the country. This post can be used to discharge the functions of a National Ombudsman quite effectively. The Presidents Fund and the activities of the Presidential Secretariat surely are positive features. However, proper administrative checks and balances should be introduced to prevent abuses such as the Sil Redi case and release of funds through the Presidents Fund. Steps taken to remove demerits The hybrid Govt. through the 19th amendment took a refreshing start by removing some of those abhorrent clauses such as the 18th amendment, power to dissolve Parliament after 01 year, unilateral power of the president to make appointments to key State Institutions and introducing a power-sharing and a consultative mechanism with the Prime Minister which compensates for the dilution of the Presidents powers. If there is a sincere political will, umpteen ways can be found to remove barriers! Conclusion As we know, abolition of the Executive Presidency requires a 2/3rds majority and a high-cost Referendum. Therefore, let us avoid such wasteful expenditure and remove the remaining bad teeth such as Judicial immunity and other such clauses, if any, bordering on dictatorship through suitable amendments, and continue with the Executive Presidency in keeping with the emerging needs of the country without becoming victims and slaves of academic theory and practice. It is also necessary to make the Executive President serve purely as a Statesman cum Caretaker of all the people irrespective of political hues, ethnicity and creed. For this purpose, the President should not be allowed to participate in party politics during his term of office. In our view, the rivalry issue of Executive President vs Prime Minister or Parliament will not prevail if our politicians stick to the objectives of a democratic machinery and learn to place the country first, in their decision-making and behavioural processes. The issue of Hung Parliament or Unstable Govt. too will not arise if politicians raise up their hands to all policies and proposals that are beneficial to the country without opposing for the sake of opposing. Thus the need of the hour is a change of heart by all politicians to selflessly contribute to fine-tune and amend proposals or bills, with the sincere intention of doing their best for the greater good of the country. Bernard Fernando Moratuwa The Free Trade Agreement (FTA) signed with Singapore was detrimental to the country because it would allow the flowing in of cheap labour from countries such as India, Pakistan and Bangladesh, the joint opposition said today. JO MP Bandula Gunawardana said any company which is registered in Singapore, irrespective of its composition or origin, would be allowed to outsource employees from any country to Sri Lanka. When a Sri Lankan firm requests Singapore for employees, be it carpenters, painters or masons, Singapore can send employees from other countries to Sri Lanka, he told a news briefing. The MP said trained and unskilled labourers arriving in Sri Lanka would make an impact on the employment of Sri Lankans. When a hotel of Indian origin requests for Indian labourers to be sent, Singapore can provide them now, he said. The MP said they were not against any FTA or any particular country and said they are only against the FTAs which would be harmful to Sri Lanka and be beneficial to the other country. Meanwhile, Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) Chairman G.L. Peiris said no Singaporean will come to work in Sri Lanka because their salaries are higher than ours. It is the Indian, Pakistani and Bangladeshi nationals who would come here through Singaporean firms, because the salaries here are higher than theirs, he said. (Lahiru Pothmulla) Video by Sanjeewa Pix by Nisal Baduge JVP MP Bimal Ratnayake today claimed that the ceremony herelding the inauguration of Parliament was a waste of time and money and said they had requested Speaker Karu Jayasuriya to reveal the cost of yesterday's ceremony. He said the President had not presented any fresh action plan and they did not view this as a useful move. "Nothing new will happen even after the inauguration of parliament," he said. The MP said Parliament was prorogued by the President to resolve the crisis in his party and it only led to a delay in carrying out parliamentary business. "About 1,000 oral questions and 1,000 petitions had to be postponed because of the prorogation," he said.(Ajith Siriwardana and Yohan Perera) Responding to President Maithripala Sirisenas statement that he wont retire in 2020, former President Mahinda Rajapaksa told the Joint Oppositions May Day rally in Galle yesterday that President Sirisena had to say so to hold on to those left with him today by his side. Addressing the rally which was held at the Samanala Grounds in Galle, Mr. Rajapaksa said the people rejected the United National Party (UNP), Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) and the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) at the previous local government election. That was the clear mandate of the people. However, the President had to make the statement at the May Day rally to keep those who left with him by his side. Otherwise, he would lose them as well. At the same time, Mr. Sirisena is afraid of taking important decisions whereas the government keeps making unproductive decisions such as changing the day of May Day and Vesak, he said. He said the government lacks the capability of managing the country as the number of dengue cases had increased due to mounting garbage dumps, garbage dumps have been collapsed killing people, prices of essential items including gas and milk power had increased and the underworld figures are roaming free. Police officers have been deployed to provide security to a wedding of underworld figures. Police baton charges women. The government is incapable of administrating a Grama Niladhari areas let alone a country, he said. Referring to the Salawa Army Camp Fire, he said the incident was not an accident but a planned event. "Salawa was exploded systematically. Still, no compensation had been paid to the victims," Mr.Rajapaksa said. Meanwhile, he said both the President and the Prime Minister were attempting to outdo each other. The President said the Premier was surrounded by the corrupt and the Premier set the trap for the Presidents Chief of Staff, he said. Taking a swipe at the government for fiscal mismanagement, Mr. Rajapaksa said they would salvage the country from what he called a state financial terrorism, We are ready to fight the state financial terrorism which burdens the masses. We wont dance to the tune of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) or other powerhouses, he said. A number of JO MPs including its Leader Dinesh Gunawardane, Wimal Weerawansa, Ramesh Pathirana, Pavithra Wanniarachchi, Gamini Lokuge, Vasudeva Nanayakkara, Udaya Gammanpila and party leaders including Professor G.L. Peiris, Professor Tissa Witharna and many other attended the May Day Rally (Lahiru Pothmulla and D.G. Sugathapala) Hasitha Liyanage, Snr. Director Technology and Architecture at Sysco LABS introduced the Island of Ingenuity Sri Lanka Knowledge Services brand, launched recently to position Sri Lanka as an investment destination for tech companies looking to expand globally The inaugural Engineering Nexus meetup was hosted at the Sysco LABS engineering center recently, marking the launch of another initiative to help grow and develop the software engineering and technology development practice in Sri Lanka. Unlike other meetups, the Engineering Nexus intends to solve tech problems by bringing together ideas and methodologies from different disciplines within tech organizations together. Therefore, the three speakers who addressed the audience Anjana Chandrapala, IVS Security Lead at Virtusa (Pvt) Ltd, Roshan Razik, Director Hosting Operations, at Pearson Lanka (Pvt) Ltd and Hasitha Liyanage, Snr. Director Technology & Architecture at Sysco LABS (Pvt) Ltd all specialized in different areas but came together to discuss the problem of Engineering Productivity. The Engineering Nexus was started with a desire to address a problem that exists within the industry; that technologists tend to think in silos when it comes to solving problems and fail to see that there may be simpler solutions to their problems if they can bring in practices from different disciplines. To this end the three speakers were not just from different organizations, but also had different technical areas of focus; Quality Engineering, DevOps and Software Architecture. They all spoke on techniques from within their technical focus area that can be used to improve an organizations Engineering Productivity overall. Roshan Razik Director Hosting Operations at Pearson Lanka (Pvt) Ltd, Anjana Chandrapala IVS Security Lead at Virtusa (Pvt) Ltdand Hasitha Liyanage Snr. Director Technology and Architecture at Sysco LABS (Pvt) Ltd atthepanel discussion led by AsiriLiyanage Senior Software Architect at Sysco LABS (Pvt) Ltd. Speaking on the event, Hasitha Liyanage said, I spoke on using data as a tool to help you to be more productive by making smarter decisions about what work you should focus on. It was really interesting as a software architect to be able to share my viewpoint on the subject of Engineering Productivity because that is a subject that is usually the focus area of Quality Engineering, but that is the power of the Engineering Nexus. I think the Nexus has great potential and I really want to encourage other tech leaders in the industry to join and collaborate on future events. As the recent launch of the Island of Ingenuity brand for Sri Lankas Knowledge Solutions industries illustrates, the nations tech sector is on the rise and there is abundant scope and insight available in the industry. It is the support of this industry that will be key to the growth and expansion of the Engineering Nexus; as it will be the industry leaders who will host events, identify key focus areas to base the sessions around and share their valuable knowledge and best practices. Discussing his experience speaking at the Nexus, Anjana Chandrapala highlighted three key principles to adhere by, in order to optimize the traditional software development process to make it capable of delivering solutions to a consumer driven, fast paced market. First, reduce waste by eliminating unwanted efforts during the life-cycle and by applying best practices such as defect prevention mechanisms. Second, focus efforts on what matters the most by utilizing scientific measures such as pair-wise algorithm. And finally, automate throughout the life cycle to get redundant jobs done faster, which leaves you room for creativity and quality. Roshan Razik shared the challenges of managing and supporting large business critical platforms and infrastructure at Pearson and the Continual Service and Operational improvement initiatives employed to overcome them for increased productivity. There are three facets to our approach; persistent productivity, continual improvement, and innovation. They have enabled our TechOps teams to transform into a service-aligned team. Our key success factors for 2018 are Agile, Enhanced Customer Experience, Enabling Cloud, and Automation. If all goes to plan we should see more Engineering Nexus meetups within the year. Complete videos of the speeches from the first meetup can be viewed at syscolabs.lk. This refers to the article by Gamini Akmeemana (published in the Daily Mirror on April, 23rd) on the Department of National Archives under its new Director General, Dr. Nadeera Rupesinghe. For well over a century the archives had functioned under the Chief Secretary of the colonial administration. It is easy, now, to see why that was the arrangement preferred by the Brits; a few months ago it emerged that the British Archives at Kew had, in effect, been looted by senior public servants in order to remove evidence of the atrocities on which the, ha-ha, British Colonial Heritage was founded. Consequently that office here was headed not by a Director or, perish the thought, a Director General but by The Government Archivist. As happens I served briefly in the early 1960s in Nuwara Eliya Kachcheri when our Archives were yet up there. I recall the name of J H O Paulusz, a Ceylonese who had had his formal education at tertiary level and (to the disgust of our great bibliographer, Ian Goonetilleke who had already done considerable work on that project) had edited Robert Knoxs book in its original form for Tisara Prakashakayo; he had been the Archivist at Independence. The catalogue of such theses prepared by me related to post-graduate dissertations submitted by University and state sector personnel. It was prepared with the assistance of H A I Goonetilleke By the early 1960s the Government Archivist was Amarawansa Dewarajah. He had a small staff which included Sam Mottau and Haris de Silva. During a recent conversation with Haris, his memory and mine brought back other names, Paul Perera (later a Minister), M. Azeez, G M K Perera and N Amerasinghe among them. Sam had prepared a catalogue of Dutch documents pertaining to Galle District held in those archives in Nuwara Eliya. Nadeeras doctoral thesis was based on the self-same documents. Perhaps the last of the Public Lectures hosted at the Archives by the previous head of the department, Dr. Saroja Wettasinge and, delivered by Dr. Nadeera, was titled, Do You Know the Ninth Commandment? Tensions of the Oath in Dutch Colonial Sri Lanka. As her account shows, our people had proved to be quite quick-footed in using, to their own advantage, the rules set up by the Dutch. Sams services were also much in demand by the Ceylonese who sought the documentation demanded for a resident visa under the infamous white Australia policy adopted by that Government on behalf of earlier, pre-visa, immigrants Down Under. Indeed the only passport the encroachers needed was that they were able and willing to employ firearms against the native innocent men, women and children. What follows suggests the variety of interests those officers at our Archives pursued. The report For his part Haris had prepared a report almost sixty years ago, on the general holdings there. It makes fascinating reading now. Some two decades after I left Nuwara Eliya, Azeez, who had specialized in the micro-fiche technology employed then for the preservation of documents, assisted me in setting up recording devices at a new venture for the Treasury. It had to do with gathering and analyzing the mass of documents on every conceivable tool, material and skilled manpower required in construction generated by the Mahaweli, housing, highways, manufacturing and tourism activities launched in the first wave of mostly foreign-funded investment post 1977. Amerasinghe joined the National Library Services Board as its head; while there he published a catalogue of the post-graduate theses that are lodged in our main libraries. Its final version, in 1980, also included full bibliographic details and their location together with the library accession number. The catalogue of such theses prepared by me related to post-graduate dissertations submitted by University and state sector personnel. It was prepared with the assistance of H A I Goonetilleke, a fore-mentioned, and had a different personality. It was intended to facilitate access to potential employees and employers who could offer or might need such expertise an exercise, one might say, in manpower planning. It was published by the Ministry of Finance in 1984. Indicative of a lack at the time, maybe its worse now, is that an earlier version of it came out as Volume 2 of a study on Post-Graduate Education in Sri Lanka. G M K Perera moved through the Treasury and the Distilleries Corporation (perhaps as a teetotaler) to end his career at S. D. Saparamadus Tisara Publications. Of them all Haris had been the first to obtain a post-graduate Diploma in Archival management. As he put it, the University of London had continued to consider ancient Greek as well as numismatics more relevant for archival studies than, as he had suggested as being more relevant to us, Portuguese and Dutch. It is to be hoped that Nadeera, with her aptitude for languages, herself acquires competence in Portuguese as she has done in Dutch. Considering the problems the department has faced in getting its officers to master English, encouraging others to do likewise is unlikely to be of much use for archival studies here. A contemporary of Haris, Wickremanayake, had obtained a Ph D in archival studies, the first and to date the only one to do so; unfortunately he had chosen to migrate to Australia, a sad loss. K D G Wimalaratne who succeeded Haris as Director, obtained his Diploma in Archival Administration from Padua on work done in Italy, in particular at the archives in Venice. Wimalaratne was succeeded by Saroja Wettasinghe, who had obtained her B.Sc. with a First Class in chemistry from Pakistan, and got a Commonwealth scholarship that enabled her to proceed to the UK for a Ph D on paper conservation a vital responsibility among those assigned to the Archives. As Haris mentioned, although Saroja had been sent for training in archival administration evidently her interests had remained on chemistry. That brings up a familiar dilemma in state (as well as other) organizations. In my view, such specialists should be rewarded on par with the administrative managers and not be burdened with such duties themselves. What follows below may be indicative of the hazards of the inappropriate allocation of functions. The Minister Kariyawasam has already obtained rupees one billion to finance the long awaited repairs to the main building and to install central air-conditioning for it Evidently three other serving officers have obtained Diplomas from Delhi. They have been long in the department, but curiously, have not been appointed, say, as Assistant Directors even in an Acting capacity. Haris has been spending time once a week at the department and offering such advice as was sought from him. He said those diplomates are only attending to the duties of Assistant Directors. Even stranger is that the article under reference states that at present the department has some 60% vacancies; against its approved cadre of 292 the department has only 117 staff. Isnt that surely a matter that requires the attention of the Ministry as soon as possible? The assistance of the Management Services could be obtained to sort out cadre positions / titles following the elevation /renaming of the Director as Director General. No attempt seems to have been made to determine cadre positions below that as, e.g, Deputy / Assistant Director General followed, as necessary, by Directors downwards. Pending such a restructuring those who have acquired training in archival work including the technical aspects of paper conservation should be sought out, interviewed and brought in. In the case of those who were trained in Delhi and are attending to duties they and any others already in the department could be interviewed by a panel headed, in the interests of discipline, by the Director General. Appointments of those found suitable could be made on probation for a relatively short period. The Minister Kariyawasam has already obtained rupees one billion to finance the long awaited repairs to the main building and to install central air-conditioning for it. It is of course now up to his Secretary to ensure that the consultants and contractors proceed with that work as expeditiously as possible. The Minister has also shown considerable initiative in going outside the box to recruit the Director General and should take the time to invite the interest of others to join the department or come in on advisory panels. I know of Prof. Nayani Melagoda (who served on the Council of the Royal Asiatic Society when I was there some years ago) who has a Masters in Archival Studies and I believe teaches International Relations at Colombo University. There is Sujeeva Bandara who completed a Masters in Archival Studies last year in The Hague in collaboration with the University of Leiden. Her dissertation had been on Writing memoirs in the mid-eighteenth century (in) Ambon and Sri Lanka. I know that she was editing Sam Mottaus bibliography and making it ready for publication but have no idea where that project is now. He might also direct Dr. Nadeera to re-establish cordial relations with the Netherlands Government units that deal with, within the broad range of the subject, the Dutch Archives in Indonesia. What happens when the protracted crisis of a political party which is in government, coincides with a dramatically mounting economic crisis? The UNP is the countrys second oldest political party. Never in its 70 year history has it been away from the apex of power and the top post in the country for as long as it has been during this stretch: a quarter century. The other main contender for power, the SLFP has never been out of the top spot for that long. The UNP has had lean stretches before in its long history, but even in defeat it has been led by personalities who were popular. This is manifestly not the case today. During this entire period of almost a quarter century out of the top spot, the UNP has been led by one man. Today there is open dissent against his leadership; dissent that makes it to the TV news every single day. Earlier, when the UNP was in office, it had impressive marches on May Day, culminating in a huge rally on Galle Face Green. Todays UNP, devoid of the capacity to mobilize a march, penned itself into the Sugathadasa Indoor Stadium. The UNP has no powerful Jathika Sevaka Sangamaya to organize a May Day parade. Earlier, when the UNP was in office, it had impressive marches on May Day, culminating in a huge rally on Galle Face Green. Todays UNP, devoid of the capacity to mobilize a march, penned itself into the Sugathadasa Indoor Stadium What we are witnessing is the shrinking, cracking and crumbling of the UNP. It has been beaten into second place by the Pohottuwa. Though its strategists are counting on the abolition of the executive presidency, projections show that even at a parliamentary election the UNP would clock only 60 seats while the JO-Pohottuwa would clock 120 i.e. double that number. Ranjith Aluvihare, MP and descendant of a clan of UNP stalwarts in Matale, said on TV news that, the UNP has a problem as to its presidential candidacy in 2019 It will lose the Provincial Council elections [It] has already lost its base in the villages. I have never seen the UNP in as bad a shape as it is now. If its leadership remains unchanged, the UNP will plunge to its lowest ever percentage at the next nationwide election. In short, 2019 will see the worst defeat in UNP history. The only silver lining for the UNP is Sajith Premadasas speech at Sugathadasa stadium and the uniquely tumultuous applause both he and it received. ITN cameras repeatedly cross-cut to the supercilious smirks and bemused exchanges among Ranil Wickremesinghe, Akila Viraj Kariyawasam and Navin Dissanaike, as Sajith made a blistering critique of neoliberal economics, exposed the horrendously unequal distribution of wealth, emotively invoked his father, President Ranasinghe Premadasa, and rolled out an electorally compelling, pro-peasant/pro-youth populist policy package. Sajith is the sole populist in the front ranks of a party dominated by an unpopular neoliberal globalist elite, at a time that populism is on the rise globally and neoliberal globalism is on the retreat. Way ahead in the UNP leadership stakes, he wont get there in time to salvage the party in 2019 despite his super-subtle signalling that he hasnt ruled out running as candidate (endorsed by hundreds of thousands at Galle Face Green). When the party crashes and burns in 2019, he will get the chance of leading it into the parliamentary battle of 2020. The SLFP is at its lowest ebb ever, in terms of electoral percentage. It is in a governing coalition, and yet its trade union wing just broke away and the party was unable to mobilize a parade for May Day. With the crossover of 16 SLFP MPs, most SLFP parliamentarians and voters are in the Opposition, with only the Chandrika-ist rump faction of 23 remaining in government, devoid of most of its popular vote. The SLFP numbers in the Opposition will increase, not decrease. The SLFP is better placed than the UNP. It has two options. It can regrow its base as an independent Opposition party albeit with links to President Sirisena, a dualism which may not quite work because the nexus with the incumbent may be counterproductive in the context of an anti-Establishment tsunami. But the SLFP retains the option of bandwagoning, i.e. transition to a broad anti-UNP coalition led by Mahinda Rajapaksa and his designated Presidential candidate. The only hope for rebellious UNP MPs is to imitate the Pohottuwa and the SLFP Sixteen, and sit in Opposition as an independent entity (as Dayasiri Jayasekara argued for in 2011). The UNP dissidents and the SLFP rebels could form a moderate Macronist centrist cluster in the Opposition. Chandrika, India and the Wests formula of a UNP-SLFP government is collapsing like a pricked balloon. The UNPs vote base has shrunk, as has the SLFPs, and the residual SLFP in government has a negligible vote base. What the last nail in the governments coffin will prove to be, has already been spotlighted by columnist DBS Jeyaraj in these pages. The TNA is due to launch a campaign of non-violent agitation calling for the implementation of the Governments alleged promise of a new Constitution. He writes that MA Sumanthiran and Jayampathy Wickremaratne have a draft which can be fast-tracked in two weeks, if the Government gives the green-light. If not, the ITAK will endorse at its convention this June, the slogan of a non-violent campaign of agitation. He discloses that such a campaign had been planned and thousands of Gandhi caps stitched for use in late 2014, but was halted by the victory of the Yahapalana regime change project. So the caps will be dusted off for use from mid-2018. At a time when the government is on the decline, nothing is more certain to bury the UNP/ Yahapalanaya electorally than agitation for a new, non-unitary Constitution in the North. Nothing could be more conducive to generate a hardline majoritarian nationalist backlash which any Opposition candidate will feel tempted to surf! Nothing is more likely to trigger a military intervention in politics by civilian electoral means! At a time when the government is on the decline, nothing is more certain to bury the UNP/ Yahapalanaya electorally than agitation for a new, non-unitary Constitution in the North. Nothing could be more conducive to generate a hardline majoritarian nationalist backlash which any Opposition candidate will feel tempted to surf! Nothing is more likely to trigger a military intervention in politics by civilian electoral means! It is probably the case that the planned Northern agitation is intended by foreign intelligence agencies as a preemptive strike, setting the stage for a Kosovo-Kurdistan type separatist project once the inevitable happens and the Rajapaksas return next year. The TNA is due to launch a campaign of non-violent agitation calling for the implementation of the Governments alleged promise of a new Constitution The government has alienated itself from nationalist, and even more basic national, sentiments. Those who recall the election of 1956 and 1970the Silent Revolutionswill remember the role of the Buddhist clergy in the election campaigns. Can anyone doubt that the Sangha will mobilize itself and plunge en masse into the campaign next year? Meanwhile, in the penultimate year before decisive national elections, the government has just hiked the price of staples, milk powder and cooking gas, with signals that fuel prices and water bills will also increase. I have never seen a government quite so suicidal. James Carville famously coined the slogan of Bill Clintons campaign: Its the Economy, Stupid! In the case of this UNP governments coming demise, the appropriate slogans would be a variation: Its Not Only the Economy, Stupid! or Its Also the Economy, Stupid! As the massive May Day manifestation in Galle clearly showed, Mahindas JO-Pohottuwa is on the offensive and dominates the national political battle-space. The most important question in Sri Lankan politics is this: who will Mahinda Rajapaksas choice of Presidential candidate beGotabhaya, Basil or Chamal? The UNP takes comfort in the factional rivalry that is latent, but thought the same when Mahinda split the SLFP and backed the Pohottuwa. The UNPs assumption collapsed with MRs Feb 10th triumph over both the UNP and the SLFP. The factional rivalry can be likened to the US presidential primaries and will die down once the choice is made. Even if Mahinda were to draw lots blindfolded to pick the candidate from among his able brothers, whoever that random choice is will probably win next years election. Subscriber content preview SPOKANE (AP) Washington state officials say they'll look for money to monitor air quality downwind of a Canadian smelter after federal regulators declined to restart the testing. The Spokesman-Review reports that residents petitioned the Environmental Protection Agency to install air monitors in Northport, about 20 miles south of a lead and zinc smelter. . . . Deloitte and Google Australia have released their Outstanding 50 LGBTI Leaders list for 2018 to promote workplace inclusion and role models for LGBTI workers. The 2018 list comprises public figures across the corporate and public sectors, politicians, government officials, and business people from small, medium and large companies. There are 24 women and 26 men on the list, which also includes two transgender business leaders and an intersex leader. They join alumni from the first Outstanding 50 LGBTI Leaders list from December 2016, including Alan Joyce (Qantas), Jennifer Westacott (Business Council of Australia) Georgie Harman (beyondblue) and Michael Ebeid (SBS). Leaders on this years list include John Caldwell (Global CEO, RWR Group), Dr Cassandra Goldie (CEO, ACOSS), Louis Vega (CEO, DOW Chemicals) and Emma Dunch (CEO, Sydney Symphony Orchestra). The 2018 list also includes politicians and public figures including Liberal Senator Dean Smith, Labor Senator Penny Wong, Greens Senator Janet Rice and Chief Minister for the ACT Andrew Barr. The likes of David Jones (Owner, David Jones Electricians), Alasdair Godfrey (MD, Health Technology Analysts), Virginia Lovett (Executive Director, Melbourne Theatre Company) and Graeme Mason (CEO, Screen Australia). Many workers still not comfortable being out Deloitte CEO Cindy Hook last year named CEO of the Year by Pride in Diversity said that despite the momentous marriage equality result in November, many LGBTI Australians were still not comfortable being out in the workplace. As a CEO, one of my prime goals is creating a culture where all our people can share their voice, allowing them to be at their best, Hook said. Providing accessible role models is one of the best ways to help create change. When individuals dont feel a supportive culture at work where they can be themselves without fear or worry of being disadvantaged it impacts their wellbeing and productivity. This is an issue all business leaders should be concerned with, not only from an employee engagement perspective, but from the bottom line also. It can help address employee turnover, lost productivity and also the potential for litigation in the most serious cases of bullying and harassment. Deloitte has partnered with Google Australia in developing and promoting the list, a collaboration which Hook said was the perfect fit for this initiative. When we thought about who needed most to see these role models, we realised that we had to get access to Australians en-masse, she said. Particularly younger generations and those in remote and rural areas which are groups most significantly at risk. We saw immense value in Google as brand with the platform to help us reach these people. Have the courage to bring your whole self to work Below, a selection of leaders from the 2018 Outstanding 50 LGBTI Leaders list offer career advice for LGBTI workers and offer insights into how they are changing perceptions: Championing LGBTI acceptance in day-to-day work-life also paves the way for stronger female equality, racial acceptance and having a better attitude to anyone in minority. Our global campaigns over the past few years have featured LGBTI people represented in a positive and natural way. Our business and our brands believe in the power of diversity and we have used this belief to promote acceptance through our communications. Matthew Groskorth, Vice President of Global Marketing, LifeStyles Have the courage to bring your whole self to work this is often about leaning into your own insecurities as much as dealing with other peoples. Your authenticity will be recognised and rewarded in the long run and youll give others the courage to follow in your footsteps. Mark Gay, Chief Digital Officer, CrownBet I love the term bring your whole self to work. When I did come out at work, it gave me the freedom to be who I was all the time without having to hide any part of me. This was not only liberating but allowed me to view issues through the lens of my total life experience. Manda Hatter, Head Operations, Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) and Chair, ABC Pride Coming out in a corporate business setting can be a terrifying prospect. What I would say to LGBTI youth starting their careers is that eventually you learn to realise that the anxiety that plagues you about that split-second pause and that look on the persons face when you tell them says more about that person, than it will ever say about you. Amy Tildesley, Founder, Harvest Insights In addition to 20 per cent of Stage and Screens people identifying as LGBTI, I have LGBTI women and men on my management team. Having LGBTI leaders is critical in demonstrating and reinforcing cultural values within our business, and proof that sexuality wont define or inhibit you Tiziano Galipo, General Manager, Stage and Screen Travel. Being LGBTI is only part of who you are, it is not all that you are. Celebrate the things that make you different and unique as a person and take whatever adversity that you may face and turn it into a strength. Start your career with ambition and drive, be kind to people along the way, strive for excellence and youll have a recipe for success, whatever that may mean for you. Benjamin Wash, Entrepreneur and Co-Founder, Prism Venture Group Pty Ltd Its exhausting when you cant be yourself at work. You waste so much energy trying to censor parts of your life, energy that could be better spent doing a great job and building your career. Find a place to work where diversity and authenticity is celebrated and share your perspective. There will always be someone who will learn from you and feel stronger having you around. Jane Hill, People and Culture Director, Lion I am married in a long-term relationship with a seven year old daughter who we had via surrogacy. I am entirely open about my personal life in the workplace to break down the stereotype that can be associated with the LGBTI community, demonstrating that our community is diverse. I also do this in open forums. When presenting to external audiences, I often start with a picture of my family, wrapping a story about the subject matter linked to my family. Jason Laufer, Senior Director Asia Pacific, LinkedIn Learning and Talent Solutions Seek out the people in your community, organisation or industry who will support you, who will have your back. They can be fabulous vehicles for support and advice. Dont give up until you find the person or organisation that can assist you. Be kind. And give lots of hugs. Dr Cassandra Goldie, CEO, Australian Council of Social Service Ahead of tonights Federal Budget announcement, startups have urged the Turnbull Government to facilitate better access to finance for small businesses, extend the instant asset tax write-off scheme, better support startups with global ambitions, implement sharing economy regulations, expand the R&D tax incentive and incentivise early stage investments. Beau Bertoli (Prospa), Tim Bos (ShareRing), Mike Rosenbaum (Spacer), Ben Thompson (Employment Hero), Shendon Ewans (Gobbill) and Julian Waters-Lynch (Typehuman) shared their budget wish lists with Dynamic Business. Small business finance Beau Bertoli, joint CEO of Prospa said the online SME lender would like the $20,000 instant asset tax write-off scheme extended for small business owners because the popular initiative has enabled them to invest in their own growth, create more jobs and boost the Australian economy. Noting the Budget will include the governments response to the Review into Open Banking report produced by King & Wood Mallesons partner Scott Farrell, Bertoli said he hoped the government would reaffirm its commitment to the timetable it laid out in last years Budget. Open banking paves the way for a fairer, more accessible financial system that puts control back into the hands of customers, he said. Reducing the scope or delaying the implementation of Open Banking, will only reduce or delay innovation. The Governments approach needs to balance the clear security imperatives, with making it easier for people including small business owners to access new products and services. Bertolli said the Budget should also include measures that support the fintech sector to provide small businesses with better access to finance. We would support measures that go towards reducing the relative advantage enjoyed by larger banks, in particular around promoting the ability of non-banks to access to lower cost wholesale funding, he said. This would mean companies like Prospa could provide small business owners with even easier, lower cost access to finance, and create a more competitive finance market something Australia badly needs. Global startup approach Tim Bos, co-founder and CEO of ShareRing suggested the Government should rethink its strategy for supporting startups. Whilst the Australian government has come a long way in offering grants and tax incentives for the startup community and its investors (i.e. EMDG, R&D tax incentive), it is still very difficult to get the right level of support for a startup in Australia to truly thrive. One of the key reasons that I have seen is that the government seems to reward a startup for doing everything in Australia, which stymies our ability to actually grow our companies to a point where we can find the best talent and the most customers. For example, in Silicon Valley, a lot of governments from other countries actually support a company when they decide to relocate part of their business there, because they know that, ultimately, the skills and income will likely flow back to that countrys economy. Australia almost got there with their launch of the landing pad in San Francisco, but it was an underfunded, half-baked effort to build the Australian startup community there. In Australia, the government needs to do more to fund the overseas expansion or relocation of a startup. In addition to this, whilst we have a great R&D tax incentive, it is only good if you can afford to hire the majority of the skills from within Australia. Sometimes this just is not possible, either because of cost, or resource availability. It would be great to see the government take a more global approach to these types of incentives. The sharing economy Budgetary measures to support Australias burgeoning sharing economy were endorsed by Mike Rosenbaum, co-founder of The Sharing Hub and CEO of Spacer. Ten years ago, the sharing economy didnt really exist, so most regulations werent written with the sharing economy in mind, he explained. Our wish is for the Government to start recognising the seismic shift in how people live, consume and earn thanks to the sharing economy and ensure that this is reflected in future legislation. This will help future-proof regulations instead of creating rules for the old world. For example, if we take a look at strata rules, they currently do not address the flexible way in which we live today and the rapid adoption of platforms such as Airbnb and Spacer. With more and more consumers choosing to use the sharing economy to source affordable services and better experiences, Government support is essential. We would also welcome the appointment of a Minister for the Sharing Economy to represent the interests of the sector and promote collaboration, communication, and knowledge sharing between Government, consumers, businesses and sharing economy users. R&D incentives According to Ben Thompson, founder and CEO of HR tech startup Employment Hero, the R&D tax incentive should be expanded by the government rather than reduced or capped. The government needs to wake up to the tectonic shift occurring in the global economy, he said. The biggest technology companies on earth (Apple, Amazon, Google, Facebook and Microsoft) are growing by around 40 per cent each year and collectively they spend $70 billion on R&D. This compares to just $20 billion spent by all Australian businesses combined. This years budget needs to help Australian businesses keep pace by opening up, rather than narrowing, the opportunity for R&D subsidies. Thompsons commented were echoed by Shendon Ewans, co-founder and CEO of fintech startup Gobbill. He described the R&D tax incentive as an important lifeline for startups, enabling them to continue investing in innovative solutions. Gobbill has spent the last three years and most of our funding on R&D to develop artificial intelligence in fraud checking and bill payment automation, which has allowed us to file local and international patents and export contract opportunities, he said. This is testament to the fact that the tax incentive should remain. Any notion to reduce or cap it may have an adverse effect on Australian innovation. Ewans said the Early Stage Innovation Company (ESIC) scheme, introduced in July 2016 and reaffirmed in the 2017 federal budget, is also important to foster more early-stage investments. After we became ESIC compliant, Gobbills angel investor was able to receive a CGT (capital gains tax) free status for his half a million dollar investment, he said. ESIC encourages investors to look at higher risk investments differently, with higher rewards on the exit side. It should remain part of this years federal budget, to continue to foster and support local entrepreneurship. Cryptoassets Julian Waters-Lynch, co-founder of Typehuman said the blockchain startup would like to see budgetary measures that contribute to a well-informed regulatory evolution towards cryptoassets. Just like the internet, the technological revolution that began with the Bitcoin blockchain creates great opportunities for entrepreneurship and innovation, but it requires appropriate regulation to unlock, he said. Our interest is in the potential of blockchain technology to unleash a wave of innovation that addresses many current social challenges, and an area we are particularly interested in is regulatory development towards cryptoassets. Regulators in the past have attempted to fit tokens and other cryptoassets into existing categories. For example, in 2014 the ATO classified cryptocurrencies as intangible assets rather than currencies, which made them subject to the GST and imposed double taxation on their use. The result was Australian based crypto exchanges were more expensive than their overseas counterparts. Whilst this classification was amended in 2017, by this time some Australian startups had already relocated to more favourable jurisdictions such as the United Kingdom and Singapore. Now many places around the world are rethinking their regulatory approaches to blockchain-based innovations. Countries like Singapore, Estonia and Switzerland have led the way here, other countries are catching up. France for example just reduced its capital gains tax obligations on cryptoassets from 45 per cent to 19 per cent. Water-Lynch said cryptoassets should be redefined as a novel asset class, with particular clarification of the legal difference between security tokens and utility tokens. We are seeing some interesting regulatory innovation emerge on the subject, most recently in the state of Wyoming in the USA, he said. In Australia we find many entrepreneurs and startups want to do the right thing, but the regulatory details around how they handle and issue cryptoassets is still a grey zone. This uncertainty can stifle honest innovation locally, but does little to address the actions of bad-faith actors, or offshore activity. We would like to see initiatives in the budget that build spaces for better collaboration between regulators and entrepreneurs and startups proposing new, safe ways of using crypto tokens, so that the community can benefit from the huge promise of innovation in this area. iStock/Thinkstock(WASHINGTON) -- In stark terms, Attorney General Jeff Sessions on Monday warned families from Central America and elsewhere that they will be broken up if parents try to sneak their children into the United States illegally. If you are smuggling a child, then we will prosecute you and that child will be separated from you as required by law, Sessions said at a law enforcement gathering in Arizona. If you dont like that, then dont smuggle children over our border. His comments come as he has hardened his public rhetoric and taken further action on illegal immigration. Just last week he announced that the Justice Department would be sending 35 federal prosecutors and 18 immigration judges to the Southwest border to deal with a backlog of cases made worse by the so-called caravan of Central Americans that arrived at the U.S. border days earlier. We are not going to let this country be invaded. We will not be stampeded. We will not capitulate to lawlessness, Sessions said Monday in Scottsdale, Ariz., as he touted his new zero tolerance policy for illegal immigration along the U.S.-Mexican border. This is not business as usual. This is the Trump era, he added. Noting that 11 million people are already in the United States illegally, Sessions said restoring the rule of law with regard to immigration will help reduce crime in U.S. cities. But, he said, right now we are dealing with a massive influx of illegal aliens across our Southwest Border and the Department of Justice will take up as many of those cases as humanly possible until we get to 100 percent. Sessions said he has a simple message for those contemplating trying to sneak into the United States: If you cross this border unlawfully, then we will prosecute you. ... If you smuggle illegal aliens across our border, then we will prosecute you. If you are smuggling a child, then we will prosecute you and that child will be separated from you as required by law. If you dont like that, then dont smuggle children over our border. If you make false statements to an immigration officer or commit fraud in our system to obtain an immigration benefit, thats a felony. We will put you in jail. Copyright 2018, ABC Radio. All rights reserved. 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These products included the company's piglet feed expander, double-screw aquatic feed extruder with advanced conditioning technology, high-efficiency pig feed pellet mill, upgraded vertical micro-pulverizer, and new-type hammer mill with multi-cavity patented technology. "The atmosphere at the event was warm and Zhengchang's patented maturing technology production line and piglet feed expander became the focus of feed manufacturers," the company said in a press release. Zhengchang described its piglet feed expander as an equipment which can produce high-grade piglet feed for 7-21 days. The product utilises medium temperature and low temperature for its granulating process, in order to maintain functional materials in raw materials and realise the value of a nutritionist recipe. Zhengchang described its piglet feed expander as an equipment which can produce high-grade piglet feed for 7-21 days. The product utilises medium temperature and low temperature for its granulating process, in order to maintain functional materials in raw materials and realise the value of a nutritionist recipe. Another equipment showcased was the high efficiency pig feed pellet mill, which operates with a proper speed of the ring die based on the type of pig feed. The product can increase the work area of the ring die and thus, improve capacity. It also employs multi-point steam conditioning to heat feed rapidly and improve the maturing degree. Zhengchang's aquatic feed extruder is marketed as "a new type of conditioner", which is equipped to control the final feed maturing degree and improve uniformity. It features an optional specialised configuration for floating feed and a multifunctional configuration for both floating and sinkable feed. The vertical micro-pulveriser is suitable for micro-pulverisation of pet feed, extruded fish feed, prawn feed, and raw materials in large and medium-sized feed factory, according to Zhengchang. "We can provide customers with 60-120 meshes of grinding fineness, more than 99% sieving rate of the finished products. Output increased more than 15% compared to domestic similar machines," the company said. Zhengchang's fourth generation of high-grade piglet feed maturing technology has been introduced since 2014. It is currently put into operation in several well-known domestic feed enterprises and has received extensive praise from the market. In another development at the China Feed Industry event, Hunan Liuyanghe Group signed a contract for Zhengchang's maturing technology production line. "The cooperation is not only the continuation of the friendship between the two sides, but the recognition to Zhengchang's competitive advantage in piglet feed (production)," Zhengchang said. "Zhengchang attaches great importance to the opportunity for this cooperation, to construct a high-quality and high-grade piglet feed maturing production line." chinadaily.com.cn Updated: 2018-05-07 Tourists enjoy themselves at the Jade Belt Beach in Boao, Hainan [Photo/Xinhua] The prosperity degree of Hainan province is probably to exceed world-recognized free trade port examples of Singapore, Dubai and Hong Kong, according to a report released by the Latin American News Agency on May 3. The report pointed out that the increasing tourist attraction of Hainan will make the province a new window deepening China's reform and opening-up policy with the support of the central government. It will become an environmentally-friendly special economic zone, an international tourism consumption center, a free trade pilot zone and a Chinese characteristic free trade port applying the world's highest openness. The report said that the important decision can reflect China's future development strategy as China needs to change its current development mode to realize a balanced high-quality development against a background of increasing living standards. China now emphasizes domestic consumption and rebalance of service and technological innovation after years of decisive effects of export, industry and investment. This year marks the 40th anniversary of China's reform and opening-up, and the 30th anniversary of Hainan as a new province and a special economic zone. By early 1988 Hainan had progressed and innovated widely in infrastructure, residents' welfare, and rural and urban comprehensive treatment. In transportation, the 653-km Hainan Island High-speed Rail is the first trans-island line in the tropical region globally. Completed in 2015, it connects roads, airports and railway stations in 12 cities and counties in the province. As for environment protection, Hainan stands at the forefront. Its air, water and soil qualities are in the lead among Chinese cities. Hainan is also a rising force in tourism. Millions of foreign tourists and about 52 million domestic travelers visited the island in 2017. Since May 1, individuals from 59 countries and regions have been able to enter Hainan without a visa for a stay of up to 30 days. By AP News , May 06, 2018 PYONGYANG, North Korea (AP) With just weeks to go before President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un are expected to hold their first-ever summit, Pyongyang on Sunday criticized what it called misleading claims that Trumps policy of maximum political pressure and sanctions are what drove the North to the negotiating table. The Norths official news agency quoted a Foreign Ministry spokesman warning the claims are a dangerous attempt to ruin a budding detente on the Korean Peninsula after Kims summit late last month with South Korean President Moon Jae-in. Read More: Join us - become an Elderado today at: LarryElder.com Follow Larry Elder on Follow Larry Elder on Twitter "Like" Larry Elder on Facebook Since 16 years the embedded world Conference, organized by DESIGN&ELEKTRONIK, a leading german speaking magazine and website for embedded developers, is attracting knowledge-hungry embedded system developers as well as project and product managers. In 2018 more than 2.100 attendees were hosted. Two elements fit together perfectly: The worlds largest conference for embedded system developers, the embedded world Conference, is an integrated part of the dynamic environment of the embedded world Exhibition, publishing Know-How fur Entwickler (know how for developers) in print (13 issues/year) as well online (26 newsletter/year) inofficially DESIGN&ELEKTRONIK is called the Nerd magazine within the embedded community due to frequent product test and application reports, which you find nowhere else in this way. Since 16 years the conference audience comprises experienced, innovative and live-long learning embedded system developers, project and product managers. The international share of participants is rapidly growing as the event enjoys highest reputation within the embedded community not only in Europe, but also in Asia and the US. Consequently, the embedded world Exhibition and the embedded world Conference are the worlds largest events of its kind simply the place to be for everyone working in the embedded world. Horacio Canals Prof. Axel Sikora is heading the excellent stuffed steering board. Steering board is providing great conference program year over year Steering board is providing great conference program year over year The brains behind the rock-solid, innovative and attractive conference program come from an excellent steering board. Currently five senior engineers with excellent scientific and business records, with open minds and lots of ideas, shape the future direction of the embedded world Conference. Head of the board is Prof. Dr.-Ing. Axel Sikora, professor at Offenburg University in Germany, where he serves as scientific director of the Institute of Reliable Embedded Systems and Communication Electronics (ivESK). Also, he is deputy member of the board and head of the business unitSoftware Solutions of Hahn-Schickard Association of Applied Research, one of the leading state-funded research institutes in Southwest Germany. Prof. Sikora has more than 20 years of experience in national and international R&D projects. He is author and co-author, editor and co-editor of several textbooks and of more than 250 scientific journal and conference papers. Prof. Sikora and DESIGN&ELEKTRONIK collaborate succesfully not only at embedded world Conference, but also at the also rapidly growing annual conference Internet of Things from the sensor to the Cloud. Prof. Sikoras major interest is the development of efficient, energy-aware, autonomous, secure, and value-added algorithms and protocols for wired and wireless embedded communication. DESIGN&ELEKTRONIK DESIGN&ELEKTRONIK is a leading germanophone magazine and website for embedded developers, publishing know how for developers in print as well online. Please enable JavaScript to view the comments powered by Disqus. Das konnte Sie auch interessieren Verwandte Artikel WEKA FACHMEDIEN GmbH German Minister has threatened Turkey with visa liberalization European Union wants Turkey to leave Afrin, has threatened Turkey with visa exemption issue. As Operation Olive Branch launched by Turkish military forces to establish security and stability along Turkish borders and in the region as well as to protect Syrian people from the oppression and cruelty of terrorists continues, European countries which want Turkey to leave the region, has threaten Turkey with visa exemption issue. Germany's European Affairs Minister Michael Roth has said that Turkeys Afrin operation is against the international law so that the military forces should leave the region. Speaking on a congress, Roth said that under current circumstances there cannot be visa liberalization for Turkey. Bill Cosby continues to lose his awards and recognition in the wake of the conviction stemming from decades-old sexual assault allegations. It was the first time for Kennedy Center to do such drastic move, but the board of trustees decided to revoke the awards it had given the comedian, along with it is the Mark Twain Prize. The organization explained that the conviction had largely shadowed his outstanding career achievements that was painstakingly built for many years. "As a result of Mr. Cosby's recent criminal conviction, the Board concluded that his actions have overshadowed the very career accomplishments these distinctions from the Kennedy Center intend to recognize," the organization said in a statement released on Monday. Cosby, dubbed as America's Dad, was awarded the Kennedy Center Honor for lifetime achievement in the performing arts in 1998. He became the 12th person to receive the Mark Twain Prize in 2009. Other Organizations The news came on the heels of other organizations stripping him of awards and distinctions. Hours after he was convicted, institutions started rescinding recognitions for the disgraced actor, who could face a maximum of 30 years behind bars. Judging by his age, the 80-year-old could practically spend his life in prison. Sentencing is expected at a later date. Just days before the Kennedy Center made the announcement, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, in charge of the Academy Awards, booted Cosby and director Roman Polanski out of the group. The acclaimed director is living in France in exile after pleading guilty to having an intercourse with a 13-year-old in the '70s. Yale University and Temple University have also rescinded the comedian's honorary degrees. Trial On April 26, Cosby faced the music for the sexual assault allegations thrown at him by Andrea Constand, a staff from Temple University in 2004. The woman claimed that the actor drugged her and took advantage of her in his mansion many years ago, but the accused argued that what happened was consensual. Constand wasn't the only one who have come out slamming Cosby hard. There were many women, which has now ballooned to more than 60, who aired their stories with the same plot, being drugged by the actor before losing consciousness. However, it was the lone case that was filed against him. Sexual assault allegations against Cosby started appearing on the horizon since 2014. Since then, these cast a shadow and tainted the actor's high-flying career and image, with a lot of people looking up to him before as a father figure because of his role as Cliff Huxtable in NBC's now-defunct The Cosby Show. There are few places higher than the Met Gala for a new couple to become official. Elon Musk and Grimes did exactly that last night. Finding Common Ground Sources suggested to Page Six that the SpaceX and Tesla founder had been quietly dating the Canadian musician for a while now, but the two chose fashion's biggest night of the year to make things official. Musk and Grimes proudly walked the Met Gala red carpet in New York together, with the musician sporting a choker with a design that is seemingly inspired by the Tesla T logo. The pair reportedly met about a month ago, online, via a joke Musk was planning to Tweet only to discover Grimes had beaten him to it. The joke in question surrounded artificial intelligence and a thought experiment called Roko's Basilisk, which poses a hypothesis where a future world is ruled over by A.I. masters who punish those who don't help further its existence. Musk's joke involved merging this thought experiment with a pun using "Rococo," the 18th-century baroque style of French architecture. Although it seems complex, Grimes was three years ahead of the entrepreneur in making the same connection. Back in 2015, she created a character named Rococo Basilisk for the music video for her single "Flesh Without Blood." "I don't know if you've heard of Roko's Basilisk. [This character] is doomed to be eternally tortured by an artificial intelligence, but she's also kind of like Marie Antoinette," she explained in an interview at the time. According to a source close to the couple, Musk was toying with the idea of making a joke about Rococo Basilisk, and when he discovered Grimes had got there first, he reached out to her. "Grimes said this was the first time in three years that anyone understood the joke. They were both poking fun at AI," the source advised. Kindred Spirits Musk is well-known for warning of an impending A.I. apocalypse, which he believes is more dangerous than nuclear war. He's also been very public about his love of Grimes's work. He shared her music video for "Venus Fly," with Janelle Monae, back in March, telling his followers it was the best music video art he'd seen in a long time. The tech billionaire also shared his approval of her Spotify playlist. The musician, whose real name is Claire Boucher, initially found fame in 2012 with her third album "Visions." Her most recent studio offering, 2015's "Art Angels," was critically well received although Grimes revealed she had clashed with her label over it. The musician discussed on Instagram how she was reorienting her life and would be putting out more and more music once she had real freedom to do so. Boucher had a double major in psychology and philosophy, with minors in Russian and electro-acoustics, before dropping out of school to be a musician. George and Amal Clooney stepped out in style to celebrate the actor's 57th birthday. The happy couple chose matching outfits for their night out. Coordinating In Style Amal, 40, and her hunky hubby stepped out in New York City for a romantic dinner, just a month ahead of the first birthday of their twins Ella and Alexander. The Clooneys were spotted smiling and holding hands as they left Laconda Verde restaurant, clad in matching navy blue outfits. Amal was in a comfy, yet stylish romper with a gold belt and Jimmy Choo heels, while George played it safe in a classic blue suit, the top buttons of his shirt left casually undone. The happy couple were out in the city ahead of Monday night's Met Gala, where Amal served as co-host alongside Vogue's Anna Wintour and Rihanna. She was also in town recently for a lecture at Colombia University. George, meanwhile, just returned from Italy, where he's been in pre-production on his Catch-22 series for Hulu. The project will begin filming on the island of Sardinia later this month. Amal's father, Ramzi Alamuddin, was celebrating his 80th birthday at the Clooneys' spectacular Lake Como residence. As the first birthday of the twins draws nearer, it's worth looking back on this time last year, when the couple were excitedly anticipating their arrival. On becoming a father, the actor was shocked by how much his life changed. "[I was surprised] how much I thought I had in control and how little control I actually have. I have none! I think everybody quickly realizes that," admitted George towards the end of last year. Lighting Up The Red Carpet The stylish couple stepped onto the 2018 Met Gala red carpet looking just as chic. The two perfectly embodied the theme, "Heavenly Bodies: Fashion and the Catholic Imagination," with Amal in a stunning, strapless top from Richard Quinn. The designer was recently awarded the Queen Elizabeth II Award for British Design for her look, a silver foil bustier with a dramatic train that embodied both a dress and the pants revealed when she turned around. The human rights attorney is a fan of the strapless look, having donned a custom crimson Maison Margiela Artisanal dress by John Galliano at last year's event. Her 2018 look was significantly more daring, however, particularly the floral-printed train that skimmed the floor as she glided along. Her navy cigarette pants kept the look from going overboard, with her accessories kept to a minimum -- just a floral statement earring completed the ensemble. George, of course, was already the perfect accessory in a classic tuxedo. A closer scrutiny of the NITI Aayogs Three Year Action Agenda for education and skill development agenda makes it appear a mere technical exercise towards developing a set of unfounded strategies. The overemphasis on learning outcomes, obsession with technical education, and preference for skills over basic education have missed the broader and more meaningful vision of inclusive quality education. Indias developmental planning, which started in 1951, came to a conclusion in March 2017 with the end of the Twelfth Five Year Plan. After the dissolution of the Planning Commission, the government decided to set its development priorities and instrumentalise those priorities through the NITI Aayog. One of the major mandates of the NITI Aayog is to design strategic and long-term policy and programme frameworks and initiatives. In this direction, the NITI Aayog was advised to prepare a 15-year vision document, a seven-year strategy, and a three-year action agenda. Towards achieving this end, the NITI Aayog formulated a Three Year Action Agenda, 201718 to 201920 in August 2017. The document proposes a set of action points for policy and institutional reforms in various sectors of the economy (NITI Aayog 2017). Under the broad theme of Social sector, Chapter 20 of the document presents the vision and a three-year strategy for Education and skill development. The overarching goal of the action agenda for education is employability for Indias youth. According to the document, as the current system is ill-equipped to provide the required education and skill, the action agenda has explored some alternative actions and strategies to reap the maximum benefits from the countrys demographic dividend. A post-Brexit European military strategy has started taking shape with France at its center. Despite an impasse on how to start formal talks with Britain on a new defense and security relationship with the EU, France would like to see a two-track system. France is in favor of a bigger role for Spain in EU military missions to fill in for Britain but wants to keep London involved in a new French-led intervention force to keep tights EU-UK military ties. At the same time, Belgium and the Netherlands would like to see London more involved in the EUs new flagship defense pact. In turn, Spain and Estonia push for Britain to be part of the Galileo satellite program, which the EU is developing to compete with the US Global Positioning System (GPS) despite rules that prohibit sharing sensitive information with non-EU countries. We must avoid a rupture (with Britain), Spains Defense Minister Maria Dolores de Cospedal. Her counterpart, Swedish Defense Minister Peter Hultqvist, spoke in a similar vein: It is important that Britain is involved in Europes future security cooperation. Such plans point to the fact that the EU is not able to defend itself from Russian military threats without Britain, which is, along with France, Europes biggest security power. For its part, Britain would be vulnerable without continued access to EU databases and intelligence. Yet, formal negotiations on the future of EU-UK security relations after Brexit have not yet started. The EU still needs to come up with details of the future relationship. A future security agreement sounds logical, as nobody wants a dark space in European territory that militants could exploit, said one senior EU official. But that logic does not make a deal any easier. Part of the reason behind extra care devoted to the future security ties stems from Britains years of blocking EU defense cooperation out of the concern that an EU army and EU rules would put restrictions on the access of non-EU states to EU bodies such as police agency Europol. Written by ACM *Strasbourg/Angelo Marcopolo/- Both EU Parliament in Brussels and CoE in Strasbourg, this week, linked WebNews Investigative Journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia's Murder with the Freedom of Journalism Day, and this was Extended further to the PanEuropean Organisation's Anti-Corruption Fight, as mirrored in its specialized Watchdog, "GRECO"'s Annual Report Publication, Critical on National Judges and Prosecutors, who need Supervision, according to CoE's a.o. Findings. - Democracy needs for Journalists and Medias to be able to work in a Free, Safe and Independent Environment, acting as Guardians for the respect of Rule of Law, reportedly stressed EU Parliament's President, Antonio Tajani, at Press Freedom Day, (while receiving a Symbolic Artwork from a Maltese Artist and the Murdered Journalist's Parents), vowing to Not Stop until Efficient Investigations Find the Mastermind of that Brutal Killing and Justice is done. - President Tajani, who has already Expressed to "Eurofora" his Readiness to Cooperate with the CoE in the Investigation of Daphne's Brutal Murder, (See: http://www.eurofora.net/newsflashes/news/euparliamentpresidentoncoeandjournalistmurder.html), will soon find a Useful Help in "Heavy Weight" MEP Peter Omtzigt, a mainstream, Hyper-Active ChristianDemocrat/EPP Dutch MEP that CoE Assembly's Legal/Human Rights Committee has just Elected as special Rapporteur for that Crime, Last Week in Strasbourg. However, an UnExpected Problem for Omtzigt will, probably, be what really looks as a possible Cover Attempt to ... "HiJack" Daphne's Murder by precisely those who used to ... Censor her ! Indeed, Daphne had been Pushed, by a Systematic Censorship from her former Mainstream Newspapers of the Establishement, (mainly her "Weekly" Column at Malta's "Times", after DeParting from the "Independent", etc, which did Not Publish her Critical Investigation Findings, because they were "Pressured" by a Socialist Government and its Cronies, who Threatened, inter alia, to Cut Paid Adds, as the Victim's Son, Paul, Denounced to "Eurofora" : something that even mainstream "Economist" evokes), towards the Creation of a Website News Media at the Internet, where she could Freely Publish what she Believed Necessary, as a Real Journalist, i.e. Conscious of her Duty to the People and the Society, and Independent-minded, already as early as since 2008. Nevertheless, a Loud Publicity was Recently made about a Group of Exclusively ... Mainstream Traditional Medias of the Establishment, including even her own usual Censor : the "Times of Malta" (sic !), added to an omni-presence of Notoriously pro-"Socialist" Newspapers, (such as, f.ex., UK's "Guardian" USA's "New York Times", "Le Monde", "la Repubblica", etc), i.e. of the Same Political color as that of her Main Target in her Anti-Corruption Fight : the current "Socialist" Government of Malta, which Claimed to form an Exclusive Group supposed to Dominate, Worldwide, with a quasi-Monopoly on "Press Investigations" about her case... That's obviously Turning things Upside-Down, since Daphne's real Fight was notoriously led Thanks only to her Independent Web-News Site, Far Away from any Establishment's Media : The Only one to Guarantee her Freedom to Publish the Articles that she Believed Necessary for the Society, and in order to "Express the Opinion of others who don't have a Platform", so that her "Voice" becomes "the Voice of our Audience" (i.e. of the People, and Not Depending from the Paycheck of a Shady or even Corrupted "Boss"), as she Wrote herself, just before her Murder. That's precisely why some Hostile Mobs had brandissed Placards with Insults against Daphne accusing her to be a..."Blogger" (as Collegues Journalists Denounced : See relevant Photo). And Politically, she was notoriously Opposed not only to Malta's "Socialist" Party, but even to those "RINOS" (as they are usually called in the USA) inside the Right, who were suspected to Seek a kind of "GroKo" or Complicity Between the Left and the Right sides of that Establishment, (something that f.ex. French former Long-Time President Jacques Chirac strived to Avoid, by Sacrificing 2 Years of his Presidential Mandate in order to Escape from any Repetition of an abhorred "Co-Habitation" with "Socialists", Contrary to what he had been Obliged to do in the Past)... It's Good that, at last, some Collegues even from Mainstream, Traditional Medias of the Establishment, including several Socialists or other Left, suddenly Claimed to Seek to Help Defend the Memory of an Anti-Establishment Collegue, publishing for a Decade at an Independent, Web News Media, that she had Created and Used herself, in order to be Free to Publish, as a Real Journalist, what she Believed necessary for the Society, and in order to give an Expression to Voiceless People (as she wrote : Comp. Supra), in her Investigative and Critical Articles, withOut being Disfigured or Censored by any Shady, Abusive or Coward, if not even Corrupted "Boss", to whose PayCheck she would be EnSlaved, and Depending, having to Obey to his Orders, as in her Past. As well as to Claim that they will Help the Enquiry to Find and Punish those Responsible for her Brutal Murder. But, Where were They, when Daphne was Censored, for Years, by one of their likes (Comp. Supra) ? Why did they Abandoned her Alone to Face a Long Series of Personal Attacks in the Courts by Powerful Political Opponents sueing her for "Libell" ? Where was their "Help" when she and her Family had to Face even several Harassments, Insults, various Aggressions, Threats, etc., culminating up to her Killing ? In Fact, it's Obvious that any Credible (and Efficient) Collective Attempt to seriously Help to Search, Find and Punish those who are mainly Responsible for Daphne's Horrible Assassination, canNot Really Exist withOut, at least, the Active Participation of New, Independent and Critical, Non-Establishment Web News Medias, more or less Similar to her's, and, at any case, Inspired by the Same main Values, Ethic and Principles of what is Real Journalism's Mission in nowadays Society, and its Duty vis a vis the People and Democracy, that she explicitly Defended, (according even to ECHR's well known Case-Law under Article 10) also just a few Days Before her Violent Death, (Comp. Supra + http://www.eurofora.net/newsflashes/news/webjournalistmurder.html). + Particularly when her 3 Sons, Andrew, Mathew and Paul Caruana-Galizia, in an Article exceptionally Published this week Together with CoE's Anti-Corruption Watchdog "GRECO"'s Annual Report, Denounce mainly the Fact that "Investigative Journalists .. have No Prosecutorial Powers .... Their work can have immediate Effects on the Corrupt, Where Press Freedoms are Strong, and Law Enforcement Authorities are Independent from central Governments and Private Interests". - "But in Countries where there is No Will or Capacity to Prosecute the Corrupt Figures they Expose, Journalists often become Targets themselves", and even "the State's full Force is brough down, Not on the Corrupt, But on the Journalists and WhistleBlowers who Bring their Corruption to Light", they Warn. Thus, f.ex., "statisticsshow us that a Journalist is Murdered when institutions Fail to Investigate corruption, when they Fail to Prosecute it, and when they fail to deter it in the first place. The Murder of journalists betrays Institutional Failure, and Extreme levels of corruption". By a Coincidence, CoE has just Started on 2018 to Check the Law Enforcement Authorities of about 50 Countries, (including Malta's, where Daphne's Family has already expressed their Distrust vis a vis several Members of the Local Police, particularly when "Reuters" and Other Medias reported that Someone had Warned the 3 Suspects for the Brutal Killing of their Mother, Before they were Arrested, so that they had enough Time in order to Hide several Material Proof items). But concerning the Key role of Prosecutors (Comp. Supra) and Judges, CoE's Anti-Corruption Body, "GRECO", has Already Completed a Full Overview, during Recent Years : Until 2017, which was just Published Today. - "GRECO" "includes Media" and "Civil Society" "in its site Visits, as an Important Window", because Several among them "Work tirelessly to Espose Corrupt and DisHonest Behaviours", reminded that CoE Body's President, Marin Mrcela, vice-Chair of the Supreme Court of Croatia, (the InComing CoE's Chair from Mid-May up to November 2018). "Paying Tribute to the ...FearLess Woman, Daphne ... : the Maltese Journalist was Brutaly Murdered, and whose Investigations Focused, precisely, on Corruption Issues", Mrcela stressed that "her Legacy, and the Work of Other Investigative Journalists should be Supported and Encouraged, as Transparency is Key to Accountability". - But, precisely, "2017 was a "Dark Year" for Anti-Corruption", Because "Many Allegations ... in public and private organisations have Eroded people's Trust in them", while "Judges have been Dismissed or Imprisoned and the independent and impartial work of many Prosecutors has been Undermined; Election campaigns have been Polluted,...and Journalists ...have been Silenced, Imprisoned or Killed", Denounced "GRECO"s President. - In order to Fight Against that phenomenon, concerning, in particular, Prosecutors and Judges, we should Not "Over-Rely on the Repressive aspects of Fighting Corruption, too often Underestimating the Strength and Effectiveness of Preventive mechanisms", he points out from the outset. - Among them, it's Mainly "the NEED FOR SUPERVISION, and Enforcement of the Legislative framework" where it's already "in place", that is "Actually" a "Concern area", in relation with "the Actual Implementation of Existing Rules", GRECO's President Denounced. Indeed, according to the Facts revealed Today in GRECO's Annual Report, while, f.ex., "Prosecutors" had "Implemented" More CoE's "Recommendations" than Judges. Nevertheless, It's also PROSECUTORS who Needed much More "Supervision and Enforcement" of Standards, as well as "Ethical principles and Rules of Conduct", than Judges, reveal CoE's Statistics. JUDGES, on the Contrary, while them too Needing some Checks, (more for "Supervision", and comparatively less for "Ethical Principles"), nevertheless, they Faced the Most Risks of Corruption in the area of their "Recruitement, Career, and Conditions of Work", GRECO's latest Statistics denounce. Such Stats do not, however, seem always accurate, neither an absolutely pertinent indication : F.ex., Malta's relevant situation appears, according to GRECO's Statistics, as ...much Better than that of France (sic !), particularly as far as it concerns Prosecutors, while French Judges seem to be in a Catastrophic Situation, with Much More cases of "Not Implemented" Recommendations, than "Partially Implemented", and ... ZERO "Implemented ! It's Hard to Find Worse elsewhere, and everybody knows the Judicial System's obviously Excessive Intereference at the 1st Round of 2017's French Presidential Elections, (Only Belgium having a Similar Situation, concerning Judges), as even Bulgaria and Azerbaijan etc., look Better on GRECO's Stats, (particularly on Prosecutors, with many Recmmendations Implemented)... Those French Stats are, However, Older (from 2016), and it's to Hope that the situation would have been (at least partially) rectified more recently. -------------------------- Malta's Socialist Prime Minister Muscat, has Notoriously Boasted, in the thorny case of the Brutal Murder of Daphne, (a consistent Critic of his Policies), that he Invited USA's "FBI" to Help boost the National Investigation. But this move is Far from Convincing, particularly Nowadays, since, already inside the USA, a large Part of the FBI has Notoriously been Recently Discredited, in the eyes of Many American People, Often Accused to have shown excessive Complacency vis a vis Hillary Clinton's and the Democratic Party's (Left) various "Affairs" in the Past, (including the Non-Elucidated Killing of a WhistleBlower, etc), to have been too much Compromised with former President Barack Hussein Obama, but, on the Contrary, to be Too Intrusive and Aggressive against the New US President, Don Trump, (of the Republican Party's Right), and all his entourage, (Assistants, Counselors, Lawyers, even Family members, and Himself) recently. + At the Same Time, Many Critics also Denounced the Fact that, during Recent Years, the FBI has shown a Dangerous Incapacity and/or Indifference into Preventing or Curbing Deadly Islamuist Terrorist and other Attacks cowardly Targetting innocent Civilian People, (among Others, see f.ex. the Case of an Alaska suspect who had Denounced himself that some were Pushing him to Kill for ISIS' aims, But was let Free by the FBI, which even Returned his Gun back, soon before he Actually Kills several Victims in a Florida Airport, etc), while it was, on the Contrary, Eager to Spy on Innocent Christian Organisations and other Critics of former President Obama's Controversial policies on Imposing "Same Sex Marriage" everywhere, Federal Funding of Genetic Manipulations of Human Embryos, Submission of Children to the Power of Homosexuals under "Adoption" Pretext, (etc). Therefore, Popular Calls to make Big Changes inside the Attorney General, the Courts, and/or the FBI Police departments, (Accused to be part of an UnDemocratic "Deep State"), have Notoriously Multiplied, recently, in the USA, so that, in such conditions, it couldn't Change, but Stagnate the Establishment, while also Facing People's DisTrust. => Given all the above-mentioned Circumstances, it, therefore, Becomes Obvious that what might Help Ameliorate the relevant Situation in Malta, after Daphne's Murder, would rather be a Strong and adequate European Supervision of the Investigations. It's precisely what the Family of the Brutaly Murdered Journalist demands, right from the Start... (../..) This Page Is Under Construction - Coming Soon! Why am I seeing this 'Under Construction' page? Critical role parrotfish play in coral reef island building shown in stunning new documentary The pivotal role that parrotfish play in building and maintaining coral reef islands, unearthed by experts at the University of Exeter, will be explored in a stunning new documentary from National Geographic. Professor Chris Perry, from Exeters Geography department, will feature in the seventh and latest episode of 10-part cinematic event series One Strange Rock, narrated by world-famous actor Will Smith. The episode, entitled Terraform and which airs in the UK on Tuesday, May 8th at 8pm, focuses on how microbes, plants and animals sculpt Earths surface and atmosphere in the strangest of ways. As part of the episode, Professor Perry discusses his research that showed that the Maldives island of Vakkaru gets blanketed with 1.5 million pounds of new sand each year. Roughly 80 percent of these island-grade sediments come directly from parrotfish poop, made by the beaked fish after they chew up coral for food. Reef islands are unique landforms composed entirely of sediment produced on their surrounding coral reefs. Despite being of vital importance to island development and future maintenance, the sources of the sediment that are most important to island building, and the rates at which this sediment is produced, has remained very poorly examined. Speaking in the episode, Professor Perry said that when diving around Vakkaru and other islands, you can hear this incredible grinding noiseit gives you a sense of life on the reef. Speaking ahead of the programme, Professor Perry added: Coral reef islands are considered to be among the most vulnerable landforms to climate change and especially to future sea-level rise. It was wonderful to be able to show the findings of our research, and the critical links between the ecology of the reefs that surround these islands and the need to protect the parrotfish, in such an illustrious series. It provides a fantastic platform to raise awareness of the role these fish play in ensuring a continued supply of the sediment, from which these Maldivian reef islands are built. One Strange Rock sees award-winning filmmaker Darren Aronofsky and award-winning producer Jane Root unearth the extraordinary story of our planet. The 10-part cinematic event series, hosted by Academy Award-nominated actor Will Smith explores the fragility and wonder of planet Earth, a curiously calibrated speck of a planet in the harsh universe. The series explores some of the questions many of us take for granted, such as why is Earth the only planet that we know to support life, how fragile are the perfectly tuned systems that sustain this living planet, and what are the greatest threats to the environment and human existence on Earth. Watch the episode clip here; Parrot fish islands Help! i am trying to find a warehouse which sold second hand furniture. It used to be located in Mulhouse near to the big Carrefour supermarket a few years ago. It was kind of tucked away down a side road. The guy who owned it has closed this shop down but i remember him saying he had another one. If this rings an bell with anyone please let me know!:fingerscrossed::fingerscrossed::fingerscrossed: I got a job in Netherlands and my sponsor applied for the visa. I think I messed up because when My sponsor applied for the visa, I mentioned I am single and have no children in a email conversation. I got divorced almost two years ago and was in a marriage with someone for two months only. Most of the forms, I have filled only have two options single and married. but after the positive decision they have send me the mvv form and it has more options than single and married. It also has the divorced option and the separated option. In short, I think I messed up what should I do. My sponsor might get annoyed by the fact that I did not reveal all the details. The dutch embassy might reject my visa even though I got a positive response because it is missing this detail. Please can someone help with this complicated situation. My wife is a South African national and is applying for UK tier 2 visa. I am Nigerian and I am applying as her dependent. The issue is that you are required to submit all old passport; but on my old expired passport is a South African life partner visa I did with another lady issued May 2012, it was supposed to expire in May 2014. I married my wife in September of 2013 and got a work visa in October 2013. We have been married since then. If I submit this old passport wouldn't the British consulate see it wonder who this other lady I did a life partner visa with is? Can my visa be denied because of that? And what am I supposed to do? Hi all, Looking for some advice. Many years ago I within my traditional IRA, I bought into a private REIT offering, that subsequently went public. It immediately went underwater, but had good dividends so I kept it. It changed names three times and I changed brokers a couple of times. There's always been an issue with the cost basis transferring between brokers. I'm not sure why, I think it might be something to do with the REIT itself. Recently at my current broker, again there was no cost basis so I asked them to apply one. The original cost basis was $10 and it reverse split in December 2017 3-1 so it became a $30 cost basis. I asked my brokerage firm to apply the $10 cost basis with a 3-1 reverse split, and they duly applied a $10 cost basis (not $30) which I didn't notice when I sold the stock when it briefly went into the black. I get my 2017 statement and of course it has a huge profit on the stock. Which isn't accurate because the cost basis is wrong. I'm asking my brokerage to change the cost basis and re-run the report so I have accurate statements. But they keep coming up with all kinds of excuses as to why they can't do it, including now demanding all the original private REIT paperwork. None of this they asked for when they erroneously applied the $10 cost basis last year. So my question is, since this is a traditional IRA, does it matter? It matters to me that I have accurate paperwork in case i'm ever asked to supply it by the IRS at 59.5 when I'll start withdrawing. But from what i've read, with a traditional IRA it doesn't seem to matter how the money grew, what matters is the income rate on the years you are withdrawing the money. Is that right? My overall fear is that in many years time someone at the IRS will say "hang on a minute, you made a ton of money on that sale, and it's taxable", whereas I didn't and it's only because the cost basis was set incorrectly. The sale doesn't appear on my 1099 composite for 2017. Also not sure if that's correct or not. Am i being overly worried about the paperwork trail, or should continue to demand the brokerage fix it? SOMETIMES circumstances beyond your control can work in your favour. Thats the case for Albany-based equipment manufacturer Himac Attachments, which has been kicking a lot of goals over the past three years. The family-owned company, headed by father Russell Tindal and his four sons Darren, Craig, Roy and Simon, moved its fabrication and powder coating business from Cunderdin to Albany in 2003 and by 2005 had grown a new niche in importing implement attachments. The family, together with a pro-active staff, steered the company on a significant growth path until the value of the Australian dollar went south three years ago. A decision was made to curtail imports and focus on in-house manufacturing. Eighty per cent of the companys business is now generated by WA-made products and 20pc is accounted for with imported gear. We focused on agriculture and earth-moving equipment and developed our own manufacturing processes along with a research and development strategy, Himac general manager Darren Tindal said. The past three years have seen us record our biggest growth since we started and I have to say our staff have been major contributors to our growth. We have high staff retention and our production efficiencies have enabled us to not only compete with imported gear but gain a large market share. The Himac ethos is taken from the initials of the company name: help, inspire, make it easy, achieve and customer first. The companys success extends to exporting to the Eastern States and it is estimated that about 30pc of the companys production is ear-marked for Eastern States customers. Back-loading freight rates are very attractive and we would be sending a minimum of seven to eight attachments a day on road freight bound for the Eastern States, he said. In total were doing about 20 attachments a day for the total market. The extensive product range includes buckets, grapples, forks, augers and trenchers, rakes, concrete attachments, vegetation control and slashers. All the ag attachments are telehandler and ag loader-friendly. Give Himac a call on 1800 888 114 and discuss your requirements. Its a Torque gong for another positive WA manufacturer. Maltas Prime Minister Joseph Muscat has described his country as the global trailblazer in the regulation of blockchain-based businesses and the jurisdiction of quality and choice for world class fintech companies. New research from Morgan Stanley confirms PM Muscats assertions. Malta now accounts for the largest share of cryptocurrency trading volume in the world. The report ties Maltas success to three new cryptocurrency bills adopted by parliament on April 24. The bills grant regulatory power to the Malta Financial Services Authority to publish and enforce specific rules regarding cryptocurrencies. Malta Digital Innovation Authority Bill. It establishes the Malta Digital Innovation Authority, which on a voluntary basis, will certify blockchain platforms to ensure credibility and provide legal assurances regarding cryptocurrencies. Innovative Technology Arrangements Bill. It provides a framework for the registration of technology service providers and the certification of technology arrangements concerning system administrators and auditors. Services and Virtual Financial Asset Bill. It provides the regulatory framework for cryptocurrencies and initial coin offerings (ICOs). Cryptocurrencies are currently unregulated under Maltese law and exchanges of cryptocurrencies are deemed equivalent to commodity trading. A company utilizing cryptocurrencies isnt required to obtain a license from the Malta Financial Services Authority unless it qualifies as a collective investment scheme or carries on the business of a financial institution or payment service provider, in which case the company would need to be appropriately licensed under the Financial Institutions Act. Further, cryptocurrencies arent considered investment instruments under the Investment Services Act and dont trigger any licensing requirements under the act. Maltese has no tax legislation regulating cryptocurrencies as a medium of exchange. Only if the sale of cryptocurrency is done on a habitual basis and/or the length of ownership is very short, the consideration of the sale may be considered as being income and therefore subject to income tax at 5 percent. But because the Maltese Value Added Tax (VAT) Department follows the European Court of Justice judgment in Hedqvist (C-264/14), transactions to exchange traditional currencies for units of cryptocurrency and vice versa are exempt from VAT as well. Despite emerging as the global cryptocurrency trading hub, Malta has not yet taken any known action in cases where crytocurrencies were were used for money-laundering or other fraudulent acts. Malta has acted against financial institutions for other reasons. After adopting the European Unions Fourth Anti-Money Laundering Directive into national legislation at the end of last year, the Malta Financial Services Authority on April 24 shut down Pilatus Bank. The bank had been prominently featured in the Panama Papers. And its chairman, Ali Sadr Hashemi Nejad, was arrested in the United States on charges of money laundering and evading U.S. sanctions. He has denied all charges and pleaded not guilty. ___ Selva Ozelli, Esq., CPA is an international tax attorney and CPA who frequently writes about tax, legal and accounting issues for Tax Notes, Bloomberg BNA, other publications and the OECD. Following the release of her debut novel, Joy Pearson shares the top 10 things that her readers should know about her: Joy Pearson As an imaginative observant child, my confidence to write was eroded by my adoptive mother, who threw my poems and short stories into the fire, informing me I was useless and so were they. From that time onwards, I wrote in secret, becoming a vigilant observer of atmospheres and people. I have had two life-threatening incidents in my life, the second of which made me thankful to still be alive, so I resolved to make every day count after that. The incident was in Jerusalem, where a friend and I went to an Israeli-run camp with 1200 Palestinian people living in poor conditions. We were with the social worker, who had been shot in the leg on four occasions by the soldiers in the watchtowers and imprisoned. After half an hour drinking lemonade with him and his family, we heard gunfire, having to hide behind sofas. The problem began upon leaving, seen from the watchtower, our hire car had Palestinian number plates. A prime target, our car was hit twice, thankfully not the tyres, so with my friend zig zagging out of the open gates and myself ducking into the passenger seat, we made our escape. Have I made every day count since then? Mostly, but our complex lives attack us dont they? Money worries, ill health, divorce, tragedies, relationships, deaths, work. However, having learnt the Internet, stressful without someone on hand to advise on its vagaries, I subsequently turned to using Microsoft Word. I began to write, delete, attempt to copy and paste, eventually successfully, so wrote my autobiography from aged three to 2008. Then I began to write my novel, Untangling the Webs. I had a vague idea of who my characters might be in the book, but no idea who they might morph into. I wanted to convey parallels in peoples lives, despite different backgrounds and ages. Knowing how much the support of a close friend can bring to ones life and vice versa, that was the theme, plus their male relationships, both good and awful reported. This seems a cliche, but ideas and words streamed out of me. I never had writers block. My long-married soulmate, Pamela, always having faith in me, had encouraged for years, urging me not to hide my talents, reminding me of so many friends I had lost to death and that I was still here in her words digitus extractus. I first recorded my novel on tapes, bringing characters to life. It was easier to spot errors too. I love dry wit and quirky behaviour and there are several examples of this in my novel. I am a direct descendant of Sir Thomas More, Robin Hood and Maid Marian. I was adopted as a baby in London, grew up in Worcestershire and Im now living in Cheshire. From the beginning of my book, I made detailed notes of every character their birthdays, children, cars, homes, contents, decor, interests and backgrounds. Although I had a diffident, unloving adoptive mother, my sensitive, loving nature was within me. I know that you CAN give what you havent received. This is expressed in my debut novel. Untangling the Webs follows the parallel lives of four women and their men Alison (a single interior designer), Julia (a married beautician), Trudie (a widowed stress counsellor) and Phoebe (a wealthy widow). Aided by a loyal confidante, each woman battles deceit, toxic behaviour, emotional shocks, stalkers and infidelity. Its available to buy from Amazon, The Book Guild and all good bookshops. Today is World Ovarian Cancer Day the one day we come together to raise awareness of a disease that kills one woman every two hours in the UK. Research charity Ovarian Cancer Action (OCA) explains why awareness could be life-saving. Kim Gray Ovarian cancer isnt as well-known as other cancers, yet it kills more women than the other four gynaecological cancers combined. Unlike cervical cancer, theres no screening programme for the disease. This means symptoms-awareness is the best tool we have to catch ovarian cancer early when survival rates are highest. OCA supporter Kim Gray knows how important it is to recognise the signs of ovarian cancer and act on them. Kim was diagnosed with stage 4 ovarian cancer. Its been almost a year since her last chemotherapy session and she hopes that sharing her story will provide support and encouragement to other women who have been diagnosed. In 2016, Kim and her husband decided they needed a break from their stressful lifestyles and took a well-deserved family holiday to Mauritius. It was then Kim began to experience unusual symptoms. One evening I felt very bloated and thought the yellowfin tuna I had eaten for lunch had upset my stomach. The hotel nurse gave me some indigestion tablets, but over the next couple of days I felt increasingly worse, and noticed my stomach getting bigger and bigger. I ended up looking about seven months pregnant. By Friday I couldnt lie down, and was having trouble eating and difficulty walking. The hotel doctor examined me and sent me straight to hospital where I met Dr Gopal the doctor who was to become our guardian angel. Dr Gopal ran some investigative tests. The results revealed Kim had ovarian cancer. We were shell-shocked. This was not the perfect holiday I had wanted for my beautiful daughter and we felt extra vulnerable being so far from home. Dr Gopal offered support and reassured us that I was fit and strong and would cope well with the chemo and surgery. I remembered his words often whilst having treatment. After Kim returned home, further tests showed the cancer was advanced and inoperable. I needed chemotherapy first to reduce the tumours before they could operate. Thankfully the chemo did its job and I was lucky not to suffer too many side-effects. Kim then underwent an eight-hour surgery. Recovery was hard. After ten days in hospital I came home frightened to sleep, breathless and hardly able to walk. My amazing husband Andy encouraged me to walk a little further each day and slowly my body healed. Kim had further rounds of chemo and also had regular doses of a drug called Avastin. Thankfully she responded well to treatment and her latest scan in February 2018 showed no sign of cancer. Reflecting on the last two years, Kim says: In hindsight, I did have some warning signs. I feel very lucky to be so fit and well almost two years after my shock diagnosis. On World Ovarian Cancer Day Ill be remembering those whose lives have been taken early and those who are undergoing treatment for recurrence. WOCD is a chance to come together to increase awareness of this disease and hopefully save lives. As a Voice [awareness ambassador] for Ovarian Cancer Action I encourage women: know the symptoms and listen to your bodies. There are mothers, daughters, sisters and wives who could be saved if diagnosed at an early stage. It can make a real difference. To find out more about ovarian cancer visit ovarian.org.uk Symptoms of ovarian cancer Symptoms of ovarian cancer are often mistaken for symptoms of less serious conditions, such as Irritable Bowel Syndrome. Regular experience of the following could be a symptom of ovarian cancer, if youre worried, speak to your GP. Persistent stomach pain Persistent bloating Difficulty eating/feeling full more quickly Needing to wee more frequently Ovarian cancer: The facts[i] Ovarian cancer is the 6th most common cancer in women, with 7,400 new diagnoses made in the UK each year Ovarian cancer kills more women in the UK each year than all the other gynaecological cancers combined The UK has one of the lowest survival rates in Western Europe More than 230,000 women are diagnosed with ovarian cancer worldwide every year Globally, ovarian cancer is responsible for more than 150,000 deaths each year 90% of women diagnosed with stage 1 ovarian cancer will survive five years; however, only 4% of women diagnosed with stage 4 ovarian cancer will survive this long [i] Source: Ovarian cancer statistics, Cancer Research UK website. Accessed 16th April 2018. Category Select Category Apparel/Garments Textiles Fashion Technical Textiles Information Technology E-commerce Retail Corporate Association Press Release SubCategory Select Sub-Category Ample Foods, a San Francisco, CA-based nutrition startup, raised additional $2m in seed funding. The round was led by Slow Ventures. The company intends to use the funds to continue to expand operations and its business reach. Led by CEO Connor Young, Ample Foods provides drinkable superfood meals crafted with real-food ingredients. The company expanded its line in January and now offers three varieties: Ample original, Ample V (plant-based) and Ample K (ketogenic). The companys meals are formulated from research-backed ingredients including protein from grass-fed, rBST-free whey and collagen, probiotics, healthy fats and plant-based micronutrients. In 2017, it signed Mark Divine, creator of SEALFIT and Unbeatable Mind, and Chris Masterjohn, PhD, a nutrition expert and researcher, to advisory roles. FinSMEs 08/05/2018 BorderX Lab, Inc., a Sunnyvale, Calif.-based technology enabled, cross-border e-commerce company, raised $20m in Series B financing. The round was led by Kleiner Perkins Caufield and Byers with participation from Hillhouse Capital Group, CBC (China Broadband Capital), Welight Capital and iFly Venture Capital. The company intends to use the funds to further drive international expansion, create new platform features to improve the customer experience and continue the hiring of team members in Sunnyvale and Shanghai. Led by Dr. Albert Shen, CEO and co-founder, BorderX Lab provides a cross-border e-commerce platform that allows consumers around the world to discover and purchase authentic consumer goods and lifestyle products from Western brands. The companys mobile app and platform connects American and European brands in fashion, beauty, healthcare and lifestyle product categories with the middle class in China (and soon in other regions of the world). BorderX Lab partners with more than 50 merchants, including Saks, Peter Thomas Roth, Finish Line, Forzieri and Everlane. The company also has offices in Shanghai, China. FinSMEs 08/05/2018 HousingAnywhere.com, a Rotterdam, The Netherlands-based global accommodation platform for international students, secured 6m in Series B financing. The round was led by the Swedish fund Vostok New Ventures, with participation from existing investors Real Web and henQ. The company intends to use the funds towards product innovation, , especially by easing the process of rent collection through a peer-to-peer payment service, and market expansion. Founded by Niels van Deuren and led by Djordy Seelmann, CEO, HousingAnywhere.com provides student accommodation platform for mid-term rentals present in more than 500 cities globally since 2015, with more than 5 million visitors a year. Over 160 partner universities recommend their students to use the platform. FinSMEs 08/05/2018 Owlet Baby Care, a Lehi, Utah-based provider of a smart sock baby monitor, closed a $24m Series B funding. The round was led by Trilogy Equity Partners, with participation from existing investors Eclipse Ventures, Broadway Angels, and Enfield Ventures, and the addition Pelion Venture Partners. In conjunction with the financing, Amy McCullough, Managing Director at Trilogy Equity Partners, will join Owlets board of directors. The company intends to use the funds to accelerate its growth through the launch of additional products and continued international expansion. Led by Kurt Workman, Co-Founder and CEO, Owlet provides the Smart Sock baby monitor, which uses pulse oximetry to track a babys heart rate and oxygen levels while sleeping. In 2017, the company launched the Connected Care platform which provides parents with comprehensive data analysis and trends based on biometric information about their baby, including heart rate, oxygen levels, sleep trends and red notification history. Two new products are slated for release in 2018. Owlet Baby Care also recently announced the addition of three experts to its board of directors and executive team, including: Woody Scal, former Fitbit Chief Business Officer, joined as a board member; Mike Abbott, seasoned CFO and executive from top consumer brands, joined as as Chief Financial Officer; and Milena Adamian, MD, PhD, a cardiologist and clinical research expert, joined as as Vice President of Health Affairs. FinSMEs 08/05/2018 She Power, a Shanghai, China-based shared consulting platform for female professionals and entrepreneurs, raised US$1.5m in funding. ucommune (formerly known as UrWork (Beijing) Venture Investment Co., Ltd), a Beijing, China-based co-working space, made the investment as part of its strategy to grow the community membership. The company intends to use the funds to revamp IT infrastructure, expand network, and build a woman-oriented paid content platform. Founded in Dec 2015 in Shanghai by Ms. Qiu Yumei, CEO, She Power focuses on developing Woman Leadership and connecting businesswomen through Sister Club in China. Comprised of online and offline courses, conferences and corporate visits, She Power has over 200,000 subscribed members among which 400 C-suite executives and entrepreneurs. FinSMEs 08/05/2018 . -20 . , TACC. ... Even beauty pageant queens are subject to scandal. From cheating rumors to nude-photo pasts, pageant winners are sometimes stripped of their titles. Here are 13 times we found beauty pageant winners caught in a controversy: 1. Genesis Davila Genesis Davila lost her crown after pageant organizers accused the former Miss Florida USA winner of cheating. Davila is fighting back, seeking $15 million from the pageant for defamation. She was accused by the pageant's director, Grant Gravitt Jr., of violating the rules by getting her hair and makeup professionally done based on an Instagram post. However, Davila's lawyers argue that the photo was taken a week before the pageant and their client did not cheat. 2. Karlie Hay Karlie Hay came under fire for controvesial tweets she made in 2013 and 2014 right after she was crowned Miss Teen USA 2016. Screen grabs of Hay's old tweets showed her referring to her followers with the N-word, in a joking manner. Hay later apologized for those comments stating, "Through hard work, education and thanks in large part to the sisterhood that I have come to know through pageants, I am proud to say that I am today a better person." She got to keep her crown. 3. Vanessa Williams Vanessa Williams was the first ever African-American Miss America, but the victory was short-lived when Penthouse magazine published racy photos of the beauty taken several years prior. A humiliated Vanessa was forced to resign, but was able to triumph in the face of controversy with a highly successful career. 4. Ashley Harder The former Miss New Jersey 2007 was forced to turn in her crown after becoming pregnant, as the Miss USA rules don't allow contestants who are pregnant or have children. 5. Katie Blair Katie Blair, Miss Teen USA 2006, came under fire after stories surfaced claiming she danced on tables and made out with Miss USA Tara Connor during a night of drinking and snorting cocaine. Connor took most of the heat for the incident, but Blair faced the wrath of Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD), who announced they would no longer use her as their spokeswoman against underage drinking. Yes, we can see why that might happen. 6. Crystle Stewart Following in the clumsy footsteps of Rachel Smith, crowned Miss USA the year before, Crystle Stewart fell flat on her tush during the evening gown competition in 2008. Not exactly a scandal, but embarrassing nonetheless! 7. Katie Rees After compromising photos of Rees were posted on MySpace, the 2007 Miss Nevada USA was forced to give back her crown. She found herself in hot water once again in 2008 after an altercation with a cop led to an arrest. 8. Marjorie Wallace Wallace, the first American to win Miss World, was stripped of her title after less than four months due to behavior that was deemed inappropriate for a beauty queen, such as purported dalliences with high-profile men such as Tom Jones and George Best. 9. Oxana Fedorova When Fedorova gave up her Miss Universe crown, rumors swirled that she was pregnant. However, the beauty countered that the many responsibilities required of her interfered with her university studies. 10. Leona Gage Leona was stripped of her crown one day after winning Miss USA in 1957 when her mother-in-law revealed that she was married with two children and that her real age was 18, not 21, which was written on her application. 11. Danielle Lloyd Danielle was stripped of her Miss Great Britain 2006 title when it was revealed that she had posed for Playboy and had dated one of the judges during the time of the pageant. 12. Carrie Prejean Prejean's scandalous ventures began when, in the Miss America 2009 competition, she was asked what her views were on same-sex marriage. She answered stating that a marriage "should be between a man and a woman," for which she received a lot of hate from the public. Prejean, after the pageant, fell into more controversy when she posted nude pictures of her online, and publicly claimed that the Miss USA pageant was rigged. 13. Jenna Talackova Talackova was one of the hopefuls for winning the Miss Universe pageant in 2012, until the pageant organizers found out she was transgender, according to the National Post. The Miss Universe rules required all contestants to be born female, and as a result she was disqualified. A grassroots petition signed by thousands of fans convinced the pageant to change the rules and let the Miss Canada compete. Talackova eventually made it to the Top 12. Critics are slamming CNN contributor April Ryan for suggesting that First Lady Melania Trump is "not culturally American" when discussing the Be Best campaign to combat cyberbullying on Monday night. This is a first lady who is not culturally American, but she is learning the ways and this is not just an American issue. These are not just American issues, Ryan told OutFront host Erin Burnett. These are international issues. Cyberbullying is an international issue. Social media is international and also the opioid addiction issue, so its not just here, but its abroad as well. CNN did not respond to a request for clarification. The first lady was born in Slovenia but has been an American citizen since 2006 and has lived in the country since 1996. NewsBusters Managing Editor Curtis Houck told Fox News that Ryan showing that she's anything but a journalist and is more of a liberal advocate. Her comments are absurd considering how long the first lady has lived in this country, Houck said. Regardless of one's views of the president, the first lady is an example of 'Only in America' could this be possible. This isnt the first time Ryan has caused a stir and Houck said her comments about the president and behavior in the briefing room show Trump Derangement Syndrome in full force. Conservative commentator Carmine Sabia told Fox News that he remembers when people were called racist for saying the same thing about President Barack Obama. I also remember people like April Ryan saying that we are a nation of immigrants. This is racism and reprehensible and she should be ashamed, Sabia said. Conservative commentator Glenn Beck agrees and took to Twitter to blast Ryan for the comment. April Ryan - I know when some said that Obama wasnt fully culturally American reporters cried racism. Now that you, a reporter, are saying the same, can they cry racism? Or do you just hate foreigners? Wow, this is easy, I see why the left likes it, Beck wrote. White House Director of Strategic Response Steven Cheung wrote, What does that even mean? On a day when Mrs. Trump unveiled a very important initiative #BeBest, reporters can't bring themselves to talk about anything but rumors and innuendo. Ryan twisted Sarah Sanders' words on Thursday night in order to make the absurd suggestion that the White House press secretary is looking for a physical confrontation with the star reporter. After Ryan asked a combative question during Thursdays press briefing, accusing Sanders of being "blindsided" by comments Rudy Giuliani recently made on Fox News, Sanders told Ryan, Well, with all due respect, you actually dont know much about me in terms of what I feel and what I don't. Ryan misquoted Sanders while speaking to CNN colleague Don Lemon on-air afterwards, claiming the press secretary said, You dont know me, before declaring the phrase to be fighting words. For Sarah Huckabee Sanders, the presidential spokesperson, the mouthpiece for the President of the United States, to say, You dont know me, in certain quarters in this nation, that starts a physical fight, Ryan said. I was very shocked. It was street. I will even go beyond that, it was gutter. Ryan also famously accused Sanders of lying about whether or not she baked a pie for Thanksgiving. It seems Foxs Lethal Weapon TV series is in some serious trouble for Season 3 as reports indicate its main stars bad behavior has prompted producers to make efforts to recast him before a potential renewal. Lethal Weapon, which is one of the networks higher-rated dramas, has reportedly been having trouble with star Clayne Crawford, who plays Martin Riggs. According to The Hollywood Reporter, he has been already fired from the procedural drama, but so far every actor the studio has approached to replace him has passed. Crawford came under fire lately for his bad behavior on set, which were followed by apologies in two instances. The outlet reports the actor issued an apology after becoming angry on set when he believed he was working under unsafe conditions. Because of his outburst, he was reportedly forced to meet with human resources, undergo studio-appointed therapy and give some of his paycheck to one of the parties involved. The second incident, ironically, allegedly took place when another actor complained about unsafe conditions on an episode Crawford was directing for Season 2. I absolutely love, respect and care for my crew and cast, and would never intentionally jeopardize so many jobs," Crawford wrote. "I an incredibly sorry if my passion for doing good work has ever made anyone feel less than comfortable on our set, or feel less than celebrated for their efforts. Furthermore, I apologize to all the crew and cast for any negative attention Lethal Weapon is receiving because of these incidents, he said in a statement at the time. Its unclear at this time what the future of the show will be in the event that they fail to recast the character before the rest of the casts contracts are up in June. Neither Fox nor Warner Bros. TV offered comment when reached by Fox News. NBC News was embarrassed yet again on Monday night when its former star reporter Ronan Farrow dropped another bombshell published by the prestigious New Yorker magazine instead of the beleaguered Peacock Network, prompting media watchdogs to slam NBC for losing the investigative journalist. NBC News famously passed on Farrows reporting that helped expose disgraced Hollywood heavy hitter Harvey Weinstein a sexual predator. Farrow took his reporting to the New Yorker, where it won a coveted Pulitzer Prize and helped spark the #MeToo movement. Farrow walked away from NBC and signed with HBO earlier this year. The celebrity scions latest scoop, which was co-bylined with Jane Mayer, alleged that now-former New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman assaulted several women. Schneiderman resigned shortly after Farrow and Mayers story was published. Famed Columbia University journalism professor Bill Grueskin took to Twitter to mock NBC News Chairman Andy Lack shortly after Farrows latest bombshell was published. NBC's Andy Lack has blown so many key personnel issues -- tolerating Matt Lauer, hiring Megyn Kelly, Grueskin wrote. But his failure to keep Ronan Farrow on staff ranks near the top. Or the bottom, depending on how you look at it. Grueskin isnt the only journalism professional questioning NBCs decision making amid Farrows latest headline-grabbing report. Yahoos White House correspondent Hunter Walker also chimed in, You know whos had an awful few months? The people at NBC who couldnt make it work with Ronan Farrow. You know whos had an awful few months? The people at NBC who couldnt make it work with Ronan Farrow. Yahoo News White House correspondent Hunter Walker Reporter Yashar Ali said the way NBC executives handled Farrow is one of the biggest mistakes a news organization has made in the past decade. ThinkProgress senior editor Jason Linkins asked if anyone at NBC [is] losing their job over trading away Ronan Farrow, while Philadelphia Inquirers Rob Tornoe added, Ronan Farrow 2, NBC News 0. Farrow is on a professional tear, as he is currently promoting his book War on Peace: The end of diplomacy and the decline of American influence, while finding time to break news on a regular basis. On Sunday, Farrow wrote another piece in the New Yorker that detailed an Israeli intelligence firms attempt to squash the Iran nuclear deal. NBC News has seen its share of problems in addition to the debacle of losing Farrow. The network fired Matt Lauer for sexual misconduct and has been slammed for a lack of transparency regarding who knew about the former Today stars behavior. In response to Ali calling out NBC for letting Farrow go, Daily Caller media reporter Joe Simonson tweeted, I think we know why NBC didn't want Farrow too close to the organization. In addition to firing Lauer, NBC News has had a variety of other sexual misconduct-related incidents to contend. Legendary anchor Tom Brokaw has been accused of sexual misconduct, MSNBC admitted that star Chris Matthews had settled with a former producer who accused him of sexual harassment and MSNBC fired Morning Joe regular Mark Halperin for sexual misconduct. Lack has still not explained why they sat on another one of the biggest stories of the decade: the Access Hollywood tape of Donald Trump making lewd comments about women. The tape of Trump caught on a hot mic was leaked from within NBC to The Washington Post's David Fahrenthold, who is NBC News President Noah Oppenheim's friend from Harvard, where they worked as editors together on the student newspaper. Fahrenthold is now an MSNBC contributor. In various media appearances to promote his Weinstein reporting, Farrow took a series of jabs at NBC News for refusing to air his Weinstein reporting, implying that Lack and Oppenheim had maintained a veil of silence. Farrow's contract with NBC was not renewed and he will develop and front a series of investigative documentary specials for HBO later this year. In addition to widespread embarrassment for allowing Farrow to leave the network, the decision not to keep the star reporter has also resulted in awkward moments when NBC News and MSNBC hosts are forced to credit their former colleague when reporting his frequent headline-making scoops. The mainstream media continues to bash President Trump regardless of his accomplishments. A new study by the Media Research Center revealed that ABCs World News Tonight, NBCs Nightly News and CBS Evening News were especially hostile toward the administration during the first four months of 2018. The MRC studied all evening newscasts on the big three networks from January 1 through April 30 and found that 90 percent of comments about Trump during that time were deemed negative. The MRC, which bills itself as Americas leading media watchdog in documenting, exposing and neutralizing liberal media bias, examined 1,065 network evening news stories about President Trump and top members of his administration that aired through April 30 which resulted in 1,774 minutes of total airtime. The findings show that 39 percent of coverage focused on Trump scandals and controversies, and 45 percent was dedicated to various policy issues. The rest of the Trump-related airtime was spent on controversies involving other top Trump officials, such as EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt, according to the MRC. The story about alleged Russian collusion was given the most attention, with 321 minutes spent on the story, while news related to adult film star Stormy Daniels and other women with allegations aimed at Trump took up 92 minutes of airtime. 'The positive economic story is probably one reason why the public has rewarded Trump with higher approval ratings, despite the bad press' MRC Senior Editor Rich Noyes Network coverage of those topics, plus a host of other smaller controversies involving the President, was almost entirely negative, MRC Senior Editor Rich Noyes wrote. The MRC tallied 598 statements about Trumps personal controversies and a whopping 579 of them were negative, which is 97 percent of all coverage, according to the study. When it came to policy matters, the President fared somewhat better but only in contrast, Noyes wrote. Among 542 opinionated statements involving a policy matter, 440 of them 81 percent were deemed negative, while 102 or 19 percent were considered positive. The networks spin on immigration, Syria and gun rights was extremely negative, Noyes wrote. And, despite the potential of a breakthrough with North Korea, the coverage of that topic was tilted two-to-one against the President. While conservatives have praised Trump for progress made regarding North Korea, the evening newscasts of ABC, CBS and NBC were negative about it 68 percent of the time, according to the study. One of the few areas that received positive coverage was new related to the economy as long as it wasnt about Trumps decision to impose tariffs. New related to the tariffs were negative 90 percent of the time, according to the study. The rest of Trumps economic agenda received 73 percent positive coverage. Yet this coverage has amounted to less than three percent of TVs total coverage of the President this year, Noyes concluded. The positive economic story is probably one reason why the public has rewarded Trump with higher approval ratings, despite the bad press. Representatives from ABC, NBC and CBS did not respond to separate requests for comment. Prom season is here and one Pennsylvania teenager decided to prepare for the big dance by including something she loves: Taco Bell. I go to Taco Bell literally once every day (sometimes twice), and all of the employees know my order, Riley Papile told Fox News. So it was only fitting that I did my prom pictures there! CHICK-FIL-A HELPS TEEN EMPLOYEE GET A PROM DATE Papile said she was taking early prom pictures the dance is not scheduled until later this month with her date, Abby, on Sunday when their photographer, Rachel Beck, came up with the idea to incorporate Papiles love for the fast-food chain. [Beck} came up with the idea because she knows my love for Taco Bell. Abby and I thought it was so funny. And we were also hungry so it was a win-win! Papile told Fox News. The girls, who attend Hatboro Horsham Senior High School, headed to the Tex-Mex restaurant with Beck and started their fast-food-inspired photo shoot but not without some odd looks. We first took the photos outside, and it was slow at that time so the employees came outside and watched us, Papile said. It was super fun, and we got a lot of weird stares from customers as we were both in gowns in a fast food restaurant. And since [the employees] know me since I go there so often it was even funnier, she added. Though Papile did admit she looked a little peculiar while dining at Taco Bell. I ate with a bib on so as not to spill taco meat all over my white dress, so that probably looked even stranger, she said. FOLLOW US ON FACEBOOK FOR MORE FOX LIFESTYLE NEWS But all in all, Papile was happy with how the pictures turned out, telling Fox News that the photo shoot was everything she hoped it would be. When a California woman was diagnosed with a brain tumor in her ninth month of pregnancy, her doctors decided to delay any treatment until after the baby was born. But when she returned to the hospital for a brain scan three months after giving birth, her doctors found an unusual sight: The tumor had nearly disappeared, according to a recent report of the woman's case. The scans weren't showing some mistake. Instead, the mass on the woman's brain had seemingly done a vanishing act now you see it, now you don't so her doctors dubbed it a "Houdini tumor," after the well-known magician and escape artist Harry Houdini, according to the case report, published online April 8 in the journal World Neurosurgery. Neurologists first saw the 23-year-old woman in her 37th week of pregnancy. At the time, she told doctors that she'd had severe headaches on the left side of her forehead for one month, accompanied by nausea, vomiting and occasional episodes of blurry vision. Although this was her third pregnancy, she had never experienced these symptoms before. An MRI revealed the woman had a meningioma a common type of tumor that forms in the membranes surrounding the brain and spinal cord known as the meninges on the left side of her head behind the ear. Meningiomas aren't technically brain tumors, because they don't form in brain tissue but instead form in the tissue lining the brain, according to the Mayo Clinic. However, the tumors are sometimes categorized as brain tumors because they can compress and squeeze brain tissue, nerves and blood vessels, the Mayo Clinic says. It's unclear when the woman's tumor first appeared, but in some cases, meningiomas may be stimulated by the release of hormones during pregnancy, said case report lead author Dr. Vikram Chakravarthy, who is a neurosurgery resident at the Cleveland Clinic but who treated the woman while he was at Loma Linda University School of Medicine in California. It's possible that there was a small growth on the woman's brain before she became pregnant that increased in size during pregnancy, Chakravarthy told Live Science. The doctors suspect that pregnancy-related hormones may have played a role in the growth of her tumor during pregnancy and in its sudden disappearance not long after she gave birth. The curious case of the vanishing tumor One month after giving birth, the woman said the headaches on the left side of her head hadn't gone away but she no longer had any blurred vision when the pain arose, according to the case report. But because the woman still had significant swelling in her brain, doctors decided that surgery was needed to remove the tumor, and they scheduled it for one month later. During the woman's final medical appointment before the operation, she had another MRI. This scan, taken three months after she had the baby, showed the tumor had shrunk significantly and the swelling in her brain had disappeared, according to the case report. When the tumor was initially discovered in the woman's final month of pregnancy, it was about the size of a grape, Chakravarthy said. Three months after she gave birth, it had shrunk to about the size of a sunflower seed, he said. There have been other case reports of meningiomas that have enlarged or become symptomatic during pregnancy, as well as other published reports of symptoms decreasing and tumors reducing in size after delivery, but it is a "relatively uncommon occurrence," according to the case report. It's not entirely clear what role pregnancy may have played in the tumor's appearance during pregnancy and sudden disappearance after delivery. There is a subgroup of meningiomas that appear to have receptors for estrogen and progesterone, which may cause them to swell during pregnancy when levels of these hormones increase, Chakravarthy said. But when hormone levels drop during the postpartum period, the tumors may shrink, he said. The shrinkage of the tumor on repeat brain scans also seems to suggest that this was a benign, or noncancerous, tumor, Chakravarthy said. Because the woman's tumor had shrunk significantly on its own, she no longer needed surgery. Doctors will continue to monitor her case by periodically repeating the brain scans to ensure that the tumor continues to shrink and behaves in a benign manner, Chakravarthy said. Originally published on Live Science. NEW You can now listen to Fox News articles! President Donald Trump will decide Tuesday whether or not to quit the Iran nuclear deal. He should not hesitate to nix this flawed and dangerous agreement that is beyond fixing. The Iran deal is badso bad that bipartisan majorities in both chambers of Congress voted against it due to its many fatal flaws. The deals first major flaw is that it enriched Iran and empowered it to destabilize the Middle East. The agreement released roughly $100 billion in frozen assets to an Iranian government that the U.S. State Department describes as the foremost state sponsor of terrorism. It also required the U.S., European countries, and the United Nations to relieve key national and multilateral sanctions measures that had economically isolated Iran. Instead of using the deals financial windfall to benefit the Iranian people, Irans mullahs aggressively built up their ballistic missile program. They also used sanctions relief to ramp up their support to Lebanese Hezbollah and other terrorist groups, as well as to militant groups in Iraq and Yemen. Iran-backed Hezbollah today directly threatens Israel with over 150,000 missiles and rockets based in southern Lebanon, and is also responsible for killing 241 American servicemen in the Beirut marine barracks bombing of October 1983. Irans mullahs also used the deals largesse to prop up the Syrian dictator Bashar al Assad, whose regime is responsible for the death of hundreds of thousands, and has repeatedly used chemical weapons against innocent civilians, including women and children. Proposed fixes would do little to nothing to stop Irans development of regional-range missiles that can deliver nuclear warheads against U.S. troops in the Middle East, as well as against Israel, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and other U.S. partners. The deals second major flaw is that it paves the path for the Iranian regimewhose leaders have repeatedly vowed to destroy Israelto eventually get nuclear bombs. The deals modest and temporary limits on Irans capabilities to produce weapons-usable nuclear material will disappear in a few years. President Barack Obama even conceded in an April 2015 interview that a relevant fear [under the deal] would be that in year 13, 14, 15, [the Iranians] have advanced centrifuges that enriched uranium fairly rapidly, and at the point the breakout times [for building nuclear bombs] would have shrunk to almost zero. The agreement also failed to mandate real anytime, anywhere inspections on Irans nuclear program. In particular, the Iranian regime has adamantly refused demands to allow unfettered inspections at its military sitesincluding the Parchin military complex, where inspectors previously found man-made uranium particles. Absent a truly intrusive inspection system designed to find any undeclared activities, the danger remains that Iran could continue hidden nuclear weapons-related efforts even under the deal. That danger became more real after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu revealed last week that his government had obtained Irans secret atomic archiveover 55,000 documents and other materials that detail first-hand the regimes vast covert efforts to develop nuclear weapons know-how and ballistic missiles. This archivewhich Israel spirited out of Iran in a stunning intelligence operationapparently reveals the scope and scale of the Iranian regimes secret efforts to master nuclear weaponization, especially for the day when the nuclear deals modest limits expire. Perhaps the nuclear deals most unforgivable flaw is that its original architects chose to stand with and empower Irans mullahs over the Iranian people, whose opposition to their corrupt and criminal government continues to grow. The massive protests that erupted throughout Iran in December 2017 and January 2018 may have surprised the Iranian regime and its allies. But the protests did not surprise everyday Iranians who, despite the governments ongoing crackdowns, still find ways to show dissatisfaction, including the widespread movement of brave Iranian women who risk violent reprisals for publicly refusing to wear hijabs. Some Trump administration officials have sought to negotiate with our European partners for a possible fix to the Iran deal. But the problem is that proposed fixes fail to deal fully with the agreements most serious flaws. Proposed fixes would do little to nothing to stop Irans development of regional-range missiles that can deliver nuclear warheads against U.S. troops in the Middle East, as well as against Israel, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and other U.S. partners. Nor would they impose true anywhere, anytime inspections on Iran or mandate the regime to come clean on all nuclear activities. President Trump should nix the flawed Iran deal and impose crippling economic and financial sanctions against the Iranian regime. The American people deserve better than a bad deal that paves the Iranian terror regimes path to nuclear weapons. And the Iranian people deserve better as they continue to suffer under the regimes criminal corruption, economic mismanagement, support for terrorists and the Assad regime, ballistic missile aggression, and systemic human rights abuses. NEW You can now listen to Fox News articles! As you watch the 2018 campaign being analyzed by pundits on TV, in newspapers, and in blogs, just remember how wrong they all were in 2016. They were wrong about candidate Donald J. Trump all through the primaries. They were wrong about the impact of the Republican and Democratic conventions. They were wrong throughout the fall campaign and they kept telling us why each new headline signified the end of Trumps candidacy. Finally, they were wrong on Election Day, up until the actual results gave them no alternative but to accept the reality that Trump had won as a total outsider and defeated the ultimate insider a former first lady, U.S. senator, and secretary of state. Since then, the national media have remained ignorant of political realities. Their thinking is clouded by their hostility to the Trump presidency, their incestuous and incessant gossip about what they define as important, and their isolation from the Americans who voted for and continue to support President Trump. At the end of last year, the elites told us there was going to be a blue wave in 2018 and that the GOP could lose the House and might lose the Senate. Democrats unanimously voted against the tax bill. As the economy improves, they look more and more like the party of food stamps, welfare, and higher taxes. Now, we are seeing the blue wave may be shrinking to a blue ripple. The generic congressional ballot has tightened, and the leads Democrats averaged in the December polls have been cut nearly in half. One national expert told me last week that if the election were held now, the GOP would keep control. His research indicated the GOP was leading the generic ballot in seven of the 12 Senate races. As the benefits of the Republican tax cuts, deregulation, and growing business and consumer confidence have taken effect, approval of President Trump and support for Republicans has grown. When combined with the presidents successes in both foreign policy and trade, Americans have significantly increased their support for his presidency and agenda. With African American unemployment at a historic low, Trumps approval among black men jumped from 11 percent to 22 percent in the last week of April. While 22 percent is still a minority, it is a huge improvement over traditional Republican support in the black community. As the facts and the conversation continue, do not be shocked if President Trumps reputation as the jobs President drives his support among African Americans significantly higher. A lot has been made of Republican House retirements (43 at this time) but ironically, as a percentage, the Senate has a higher retirement rate among Republicans this election. Three out of eight (or 37.5 percent of) Republican senators in seats up for re-election are retiring. In fact, 88 of the 235 current GOP House members would have to retire to meet the Senate GOP percentage. At the same time, the huge number of vulnerable Senate Democrats (10) means they are also in worse shape than House Democrats (who have three leaders with a combined age of 233 years -78-78-77). The developing patterns reflect Democratic weaknesses as well as Republican strengths. Democrats unanimously voted against the tax bill. As the economy improves, they look more and more like the party of food stamps, welfare, and higher taxes. Furthermore, as Hillary Clinton describes a substantial part of her partys base as socialist, it is important to remember the Venezuelan nightmare of deprivation, the Cuban economic decay, and the deterioration of the British government-run health system are all creating a burden for advocates of socialism. The Democratic National Committee Deputy Chair, Keith Ellison, has been associated with the openly anti-Semitic activist, Louis Farrakhan. Other Democratic House members have launched what is essentially an atheist caucus, which will further marginalize their party. As Democrats become increasingly anti-gun, anti-male, anti-white, anti-Christian, and anti-work, it gets increasingly harder for them to build a majority. The current, obvious Democratic Senate strategy of putting partisanship above patriotism and blocking a substantial number of Trump appointments ultimately makes most Americans very uneasy. The hostility of the left is so extreme that it pushes people away. After the vicious attack on White House Press Secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders at the White House Correspondents Association Dinner, a friend of mine commented they are becoming the movement of hate and the party of hate. In California, the Democrats have passed a $0.12 gas tax increase even though they have a budget surplus. They also declared the entire state a sanctuary state, starting an open rebellion by a number of counties and cities. The California Democrats may be on the edge of rebuilding the state GOP through their extremism. There are also signs of unique local Republican strengths. The most popular governor in the country is Massachusetts Republican Charlie Baker. In fact, all of the top ten most popular governors are Republicans. Barry Casselman, a shrewd observer of midwestern politics, has been writing for months that Minnesota is becoming competitive and former Governor Tim Pawlentys decision to run for his old office may create a Republican wave in the state. You can follow Casselmans analysis here. Under President Obama, the Democrats lost over 1,000 state and federal posts, which included congressional and state legislative seats, in addition to governorships, and of course, the presidency. That has dramatically weakened the Democratic base at the state and district levels and given Republican incumbents advantages for re-election. This may be an amazingly volatile year. No one knows how North Korea, Iran, or Syria will work out. No one knows if the economy will continue to set records. No one knows if the deep state legal assault on President Trump will end with a bang or a whimper. Just remember this: None of the confident experts know either. My sense is that Republicans will gain four to six seats in the Senate, keep control of the House, and continue to pick up governorships. This is only a guess, but one that could very much turn into a reality. NEW You can now listen to Fox News articles! President Trumps expected announcement Tuesday that he will withdraw from the Iran nuclear deal could set up a nasty confrontation pitting the U.S. against China and Russia, because those two nations are strengthening ties with Iran. Russia and China have signed massive commercial deals with Iran worth hundreds of billions of dollars, and will not be deterred in building closer ties with the Islamic Republic by any action President Trump takes. In fact, a U.S. exit from the deal signed in 2015 to prevent Iran from developing nuclear weapons would likely bring Iran closer to Russia and China to counter any economic harmed caused by the reimposition of U.S. economic sanctions against Iran. As a result, Russian and Chinese trade with Iran could considerably lessen any economic harm a U.S. withdrawal from the nuclear deal would cause Iran. This would sharply reduce the chances President Trump would succeed in pushing Iran to agree to tough new restrictions on its nuclear program and its missile development, and to end its support for Syrian dictator Bashar Assad and terrorist groups. Just last week, at the Eurasia Airshow in southern Turkey two Iranian state-controlled air travel companies signed agreements to purchase 40 Sukhoi Superjet-100s from Russia for a total of $2 billion. The Superjet-100 contains components and parts that come from Russian companies that are on the U.S. sanctions list. These companies will make sure that the jets will have less than 10 percent of their components originating from the U.S., in order to avoid U.S. licensing issues. Meanwhile, China has become the main commercial and trading partner for Iran. Since the 2015 visit to Iran by Chinese President Xi Jinping, the bilateral commercial deals have reached hundreds of billions of dollars. Its as if President Trump was building a fence around Iran while Russia and China were tearing gigantic holes in the fence. In addition, European nations show no inclination to cut off trade with Iran even if the U.S. does. These deals include strategic investments such as the one for the development of South Pars gas field in Iran. This project was initially started by French company Total and risked being shut down due to U.S. sanctions. However, the South Pars project is set to be rescued by the CNPC Chinas top oil and gas company. The Chinese company has already signed a $1 billion deal that gives it the option to take over Totals stake if Total pulls out. Another major deal was between the National Iranian Oil Company and Chinas SINOPEC (China Petroleum and Chemical Corporation). Totaling almost $3 billion, the agreement gives SINOPEC the right to expand the Abadan Oil Refinery in southern Khuzestan Province in Iran. Iran ranks 11th in the world in terms of oil processing capacity. The Abadan project is part of the long-term strategy of Iranian government to overhaul its aging refining industry. In 2017 the Export-Import Bank of China inked a $1.5 billion deal to finance the electrification of a high-speed rail line between the Iranian cities of Tehran and Mashhad. This is part of a Chinese strategic plan to rebuild the railroad along the New Silk Road. The investment will be guaranteed by the Iranian government-owned Bank of Industry and Mine. With the U.S. Treasury putting pressure on Western banks to not make any deals with Iran, the Chinese state-owned CITIC bank is extending lines of credit worth $10 billion for Iranian banks. This funding will finance water, energy and transport projects. To bypass U.S. sanctions, the lines of credit will use euros and yuan currencies. In exchange for Irans multibillion-dollar contracts, Russia and China have joined forces in support of the Iran deal. Last week they jointly presented a draft resolution at the preparatory session of the 2020 Review Conference of the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons. At the meeting, the U.S. and a number of European countries opposed the adoption of the Russian-Chinese draft statement. In a joint statement at the end of the conference, Russia and China said they confirm their unwavering support for the comprehensive and effective implementation of the Iran Deal and urged all nations to refrain from undermining the deal. All these Chinese and Russian deals and many others with Iran most likely mean that nothing President Trump can do will bring Irans economy to its knees and force Iran to make more concessions on its nuclear and missile development, or its support for Assad and terrorist groups. Its as if President Trump was building a fence around Iran while Russia and China were tearing gigantic holes in the fence. In addition, European nations show no inclination to cut off trade with Iran even if the U.S. does. So while American withdrawal from the Iran nuclear deal will generate lots of news coverage around the world, dont expect it to prompt any dramatic change in Iranian behavior. In fact, a U.S. exit from the deal might even prompt Iran to move forward on nuclear development, ignoring restrictions imposed by the Iran deal once the deal is killed by the American withdrawal. NEW You can now listen to Fox News articles! A report by Ronan Farrow and Jane Mayer Monday in the New Yorker Magazine laid out shocking accusations against New York State Attorney General Eric Schneiderman and forced his resignation a few hours later. For New Yorkers, it was a strange flashback to the tumultuous tenure of Eliot Spitzer, who held the New York attorney general position for two terms before becoming governor. Spitzer stayed in office until he was caught patronizing prostitutes and forced to resign ten years ago last month. Like Spitzer, Schneiderman was the great liberal hope. He was going places and he would be defeating Republicans along the way. In a piece for the Politico Magazine titled Will This Man Take Down Donald Trump? David Freedlander wrote that Schneiderman was emerging as one of the leaders of the Resistance. And a column in the New York Daily News considered that New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman could be President Trumps greatest fear in the Russia probe. Like Spitzer, Schneiderman had all the right enemies. And like Spitzer, he felt he was above the law. This story should be an eye-opener that our tribal political squabbles have gone too far. We have to stop putting political goals before everything else. In his initial statement after the New Yorker story broke, Schneiderman said, In the privacy of intimate relationships, I have engaged in role-playing and other consensual sexual activity. I have not assaulted anyone. I have never engaged in nonconsensual sex, which is a line I would not cross. For a supposed champion of women and supporter of the #MeToo movement, the statement immediately made no sense. The women say they did not consent, and that many of the assaults happened outside the bedroom. His dismissal of their complaints didnt fit his persona. As Atlantic writer Julia Ioffe tweeted The Eric Schneiderman story is yet more confirmation of Czeslaw Milosz's idea of "Ketman": the man who rails the loudest against a sinner is often an even bigger sinner himself. The story of what he allegedly did to the women is sickening and haunting and is only made worse by the role of politics in it. At one point, according to the New Yorker article, Schneiderman told a victim who fought back while he was beating her, "You know, hitting an officer of the law is a felony." He had the power and would use it to shut her down. One of the women said that her friends dissuaded her from coming forward. A number of them advised her to keep the story to herself, arguing that Schneiderman was too valuable a politician for the Democrats to lose. She described this response as heartbreaking. Another of Schneidermans victims didnt complain because hes a good attorney general, hes doing good things. I didnt want to jeopardize that. This story should be an eye-opener that our tribal political squabbles have gone too far. We have to stop putting political goals before everything else. When we put them before our own physical safety, it is long past time to reassess. NEW You can now listen to Fox News articles! President Trumps nominee for CIA director, Gina Haspel, is set to appear before the Senate Intelligence Committee on Wednesday. As a strong supporter of her nomination, I expect she will do very well. Despite her opponents attempts to paint her as an ideological zealot, Haspel is a consummate professional whose record of accomplishment, bipartisan support, and clear love of country make her an excellent choice to lead our nations top intelligence agency. Unlike many nominees in recent years, Haspel isnt the representative of a political faction. Shes a career intelligence officer with over 30 years of experience. Haspel joined the CIA in 1985, working as a case officer for several years in both Africa and Europe. Over time, she rose up the ranks, serving as deputy director of the National Clandestine Service and chief of staff for the director of operations. In addition, Haspel served as chief of station that is, the agent responsible for overseeing all of the CIAs work in a foreign country four times. If confirmed, she would be the first CIA director in decades who has spent her entire career at the agency as well as the first woman to lead the agency. Having served under six different presidents from both parties, Haspel is far from an ideologue. Shes an institutionalist who has put in so many years of work that she commands respect throughout the rank and file at the CIA. Haspels opponents have tried to use a small sliver of her career against her by arguing, essentially, that she was just too tough on Al Qaeda for this country to bear. But Id argue that her willingness to serve in what was a highly stressful post only enhances the case for her confirmation. In the early 2000s, as the fight against Islamist terrorism heated up, Haspel asked to be reassigned to the CIAs Counterterrorism Center, where her first day on the job was Sept. 11, 2001. Its easy to forget that we lost 3,000 Americans that day in the worst attacks on American soil since Pearl Harbor and that this was an especially trying time for all those working on national security. As former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice recently said: If you were not in a position of authority on 9/11, you have no idea the pressures we faced to make sure that this country wasnt attacked again. And yet Haspel volunteered for the mission, later earning the George H.W. Bush Award, granted for excellence in counterterrorism; the Intelligence Medal of Merit; and the Presidential Rank Award, the most prestigious distinction in all of federal civil service. Its true, as her critics charge, that Haspel was involved in the use of enhanced interrogation techniques, but once again, their potshots miss the mark. The president approved this program, Congress was fully briefed on it, and it included multiple layers of legal review. Haspel did draft a cable authorizing the destruction of video recordings of a small number of these interrogations. But it was her direct supervisor who sent the cable and did so without her knowledge. In fact, Mike Morell, former acting director of the CIA, later conducted an investigation and cleared Haspel of any wrongdoing, and the special counsel who reviewed the matter closed the case without filing any charges. So instead of demonstrating a troubling tendency to go rogue, Haspels tenure shows a fierce dedication to the CIAs mission and to keeping this country safe. Haspels skill and expertise are widely known and respected on both sides of the aisle. President Obamas former CIA Director Leon Panetta said he was glad the president nominated Haspel because she knows the CIA inside-out. Another former CIA director under President Obama, John Brennan, said Haspel has the experience the breadth and depth on intelligence issues. And former CIA Director Michael Hayden, who served under both Presidents Bill Clinton and George W. Bush, has called Haspel a great choice and highly regarded. These are just three of the over 50 former national security officials who signed a letter to the Senate Intelligence Committee supporting Haspels nomination. Haspels critics maintain that confirming her nomination would send a message to the world that the U.S. endorses torture. But in fact, rejection would send a message of another kind to the men and women of our intelligence community. By rejecting Haspels nomination, the Senate would, in effect, warn people working in our intelligence community that if they ever participate in a program that the president has approved and Congress has been briefed on and that program later becomes unpopular they will be barred for promotion and open to character assassination. Haspels critics often claim to care for the morale of our intelligence community, but what would hurt morale more than such a move? Gina Haspel has spent her life defending our country. Her experience makes her a prime choice to lead the CIA at this dangerous time. As a member of the Senate Intelligence Committee, Ive worked with her during her time as deputy CIA chief and can attest to her professionalism, her work ethic, and most important of all her character. Its perhaps not as well known that the reason Haspel joined the CIA was that her first choice for a college, West Point, wasnt accepting female candidates at the time. It would be a real loss for America if her country rejected her services yet again. New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman announced his resignation Monday night, hours after The New Yorker magazine published allegations of physical abuse and controlling behavior by four women who had romantic relationships or encounters with him. "Its been my great honor and privilege to serve as Attorney General for the people of the State of New York," Schneiderman said in a statement. "In the last several hours, serious allegations, which I strongly contest, have been made against me. While these allegations are unrelated to my professional conduct or the operations of the office, they will effectively prevent me from leading the offices work at this critical time. I therefore resign my office, effective at the close of business on [Tuesday]." It was not immediately clear who would succeed Schneiderman, a Democrat who was seeking a third term as attorney general this November and had been tipped as a possible successor to New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo. Schneiderman was accused in the wide-ranging report -- co-written by Ronan Farrow -- of hitting and choking women without their consent, asking to use "about half" of a woman's prescription of the anti-anxiety drug Xanax, and mocking anti-gun demonstrators including parents from Sandy Hook Elementary School, the site of the 2012 shooting massacre, as "losers." Schneiderman, long a pillar of New York's Democratic establishment and a critic of President Trump, has cast himself as a supporter of the #MeToo movement after Farrow uncovered a long list of rape and sexual harassment accusations against the now-disgraced Hollywood titan Harvey Weinstein. WARNING: GRAPHIC DETAILS BELOW Two of Schneiderman's accusers, Michelle Manning Barish and Tanya Selvaratnam, spoke to The New Yorker on the record to document claims that Schneiderman nonconsensually hit and choked them. A third woman who also was involved with Schneiderman told her story to the other two women, but said she was too frightened to come forward. A fourth woman said Schneiderman slapped her when she rebuffed him, but also asked to remain unidentified. The New Yorker said it vetted the third woman's allegations, and saw a photo of what the fourth woman said was her injury. Manning Barish told the magazine that she dated Schneiderman, now 63, between the summer of 2013 and New Year's Day 2015. According to her account, Schneiderman started abusing her weeks after their relationship became physical. Though she reconciled with him after an initial incident, Manning Barish said that Schneiderman often would slap her during sex without her consent and made critical comments about her appearance. He "would almost always drink two bottles of wine in a night, then bring a bottle of Scotch into the bedroom. He would get absolutely plastered five nights out of seven," Manning Barish said. In one instance, she said Schneiderman told her to get a small tattoo removed from her wrist. According to her, he said the body art was inappropriate for her if she was to be a politician's wife. According to the article, Manning Barish said Schneiderman "would be 'shaking me and grabbing my face' while demanding that she repeat such things as 'I'm a little wh---.'" On another occasion, Manning Barish says that Schneiderman told her "If you ever left me, I'd kill you." Manning Barish said Schneiderman often asked to to refill her Xanax prescription so that he could take "about half" the pills for himself. She also said he frequently mocked her activism on behalf of progressive causes, in once instance referring to anti-gun demonstrators as "losers." "Taking a strong woman and tearing her to pieces is [Schneiderman's] jam," she told the magazine. The acclaimed author Salman Rushdie, who reportedly dated Manning Barish before Schneiderman did, said she told the novelist about the alleged abuse. "She called me and told me he had hit her... She was obviously very upset. I was horrified." Selvaratnam told the New Yorker she was involved with Schneiderman between the summer of 2016 and the fall of 2017. She said that he started physically abusing her in bed and asking her to find another woman for a threesome. Schneiderman also asked her to "call him Master, and hed slap me until I did." "[H]e started calling me his 'brown slave' and demanding that I repeat that I was 'his property,'" Selvaratnam told the magazine. Selvaratnam also told The New Yorker that she met with another former girlfriend of Schneiderman in February of this year. The unidentified woman told Selvaratnam that Schneiderman had slapped, choked and spat at her and also belittled her appearance. The woman told Selvaratnam that she had told "several friends" about Schneiderman's behavior. According to The New Yorker: "A number of them advised her to keep the story to herself, arguing that Schneiderman was too valuable a politician for the Democrats to lose." Schneiderman, a former New York state senator who was elected state attorney general in 2010, issued a statement to the magazine saying: "In the privacy of intimate relationships, I have engaged in role-playing and other consensual sexual activity. I have not assaulted anyone. I have never engaged in nonconsensual sex, which is a line I would not cross." After the story was published, Schneiderman posted the same statement on his official Twitter account and a representative emailed the same statement when contacted for comment by Fox News. Schneiderman's ex-wife, Jennifer Cunningham, said in a statement that "I've known Eric for nearly 35 years as a husband, father and friend. These allegations are completely inconsistent with the man I know, who has always been someone of the highest character, outstanding values and a loving father. I find it impossible to believe these allegations are true." New York politicians from both parties, led by Cuomo, had called on Schneiderman to resign. "No one is above the law, including New York's top legal officer," said Cuomo, who added that he would ask for an "immediate investigation" and would "proceed as the facts merit." Actress Cynthia Nixon, who is challenging Cuomo in the Democratic primary, tweeted that Schneiderman had made "the right decision" to resign. "The women who came forward so courageously to tell their stories and spared others from suffering are heroines," Nixon wrote. "The investigation should continue. We need to get to the bottom of the enormous culture of silence that protects those in power. We must continue to work to end this national epidemic." Manny Alicandro, a Republican candidate for attorney general who had entered the race hours earlier, told the Associated Press that Schneiderman was "a disgrace and wholly unfit for the role of New York State's chief legal officer. I believe the accusers. He needs to resign his office effective immediately and the New York City Police Department needs to get to work." An NYPD spokesman said the department had "no complaints on file" related to Schneiderman. "If the NYPD receives complaints of a crime, it will investigate them thoroughly," the spokesman said. After the story was published Monday night, Manning Barish tweeted: "After the most difficult month of my life-I spoke up. For my daughter and for all women. I could not remain silent and encourage other women to be brave for me." In February, Schneiderman filed a civil rights lawsuit against the board of The Weinstein Company and brothers Harvey and Bob Weinstein. Schneiderman alleged that top executives at the film company were aware of Harvey Weinsteins years of alleged sexual harassment and abuse, but did nothing. Last month, Schneiderman praised the reporting of the New Yorker and The New York Times in the Weinstein matter, which gave rise to a worldwide conversation about sexual misconduct and accusations against powerful men in media and entertainment. "Without the reporting of the @nytimes and the @newyorkerand the brave women and men who spoke up about the sexual harassment they endured at the hands of powerful menthere would not be the critical national reckoning underway," Schneiderman tweeted on April 16. "A well-deserved honor." Schneiderman also has been part of several efforts to push back against some of Trump's actions in the White House, like the rescinding of protection for immigrants brought to the U.S. illegally as children. Last month, he urged state lawmakers to close a loophole that he said could be used to fight state charges by anyone who has received a federal pardon for similar federal charges. Click for more from The New Yorker. The Associated Press contributed to this report. The battle for control of the Senate will kick off in earnest Tuesday evening, once voters render their verdict in three closely watched primary battles -- but none more gripping and unpredictable than the brawl in West Virginia. Indiana and Ohio also are holding Senate primaries Tuesday, and all three are states where Republicans hope to knock off a potentially vulnerable Democratic incumbent this fall. But the surge of an ex-convict and former coal baron with a penchant for shock value has made West Virginia the marquee race. Don Blankenship, jailed in connection with a tragic 2010 mining disaster in which 29 died, appears to be in a tight race with Rep. Evan Jenkins and state Attorney General Patrick Morrisey. Whoever wins will go up against West Virginia Democratic Sen. Joe Manchin. Republicans see him as a target given the state went for President Trump in 2016 with 68.7 percent of the vote, though the GOP may have a challenge unseating him no matter who wins Tuesday night. Blankenships self-funded, outsider bid continues to captivate disaffected voters, even with his racially insensitive remarks. But Trump himself has intervened in a bid to sideline Blankenships wrecking-ball campaign. Trump tweeted on Monday that Blankenship can't win in November. On Tuesday, Blankenship dismissed all the attacks against him. They are calling me a bigot, a moron, a despicable character and mentally ill, Blankenship says in a final radio ad. But even if all of this is true, I will do a better job than they have done. Republicans looking to increase or at least safeguard their narrow, 51-49 Senate majority have considered West Virginia a key opportunity to swipe a Democrat seat. But they also see strong possibilities in Indiana and Ohio, both of which Trump also won in 2016. That essentially every Republican candidate running for a Senate seat Tuesday has a pro-Trump platform is no surprise, perhaps nowhere moreso than in conservative-leaning Indiana, the home state of Vice President Pence. However, the big concern within the GOP is that their top three candidates in Indiana -- former state lawmaker Mike Braun and Reps. Luke Messer and Todd Rokita -- have spent so much energy attacking one other and trying to out-Trump the field that the winner could be too damaged by November to defeat Democratic incumbent Sen. Joe Donnelly. Theyve adopted the president's harsh immigration rhetoric and taken to the presidents tactic of assigning derisive nicknames to one another like Lyin Todd Rokita, Luke Missing Messer, and Tax Hike Mike Braun. Donnelly, a freshman senator, is running unopposed in Tuesdays Democratic primary and has $6.1 million in available campaign cash, according to OpenSecrets.org. Braun is considered the favorite, but Messer and Rokita are screaming that hes a Republican in name only. "If the listeners get one thing out of this debate, I think it's important that they understand Braun is a lifelong Democrat, Messer said in a recent campaign forum, backed by such evidence as records indicating Braun voted in Democratic primaries until 2012 and him having been listed in Republican National Committee voter databases as a hard Democrat. Braun says he is a conservative Republican but has voted in past Democratic primaries to have a say in local races dominated by Democrats. Republicans saw opportunity early in this midterm cycle to win a couple of Senate seats among the 35 up for reelection this year -- considering they have to defend just nine, compared with 26 for Democrats, including two for independents who caucus with their party. But winning in West Virginia and Indiana has become increasingly important for them in recent months, now that Democrats are posing credible challenges to GOP-held Senate seats in Arizona, Nevada and Tennessee. In Ohio, the favorite in the GOP Senate primary appears to be Rep. Jim Renacci, whom Trump has endorsed. "Hell be fantastic, the president said of Renacci at a public event they attended Saturday in Cleveland touting the recent GOP tax cuts. "We need his vote very badly." Renacci entered the race earlier this year after state Treasurer Josh Mandel dropped out because of a family health issue. He faces businessman Mike Gibbons. Trump won the swing state in 2016. But the GOP primary winner will likely have a difficult time defeating two-term Democratic Sen. Sherrod Brown. Fox News' Power Rankings list the race as "lean Democrat," as does RealClearPolitics. Gibbons, in a final-days attack, filed a million-dollar lawsuit Friday against Renacci, alleging he has made defamatory statements. I believe the voters are tired of what's going on and, Jim Renacci, I have hundreds of pages of his lawsuits, Gibbons said. He's a bully, he's [a] wealthy guy that bullies people with lawsuits. It's time to give him a little of his own medicine. Said Renacci: Mr. Gibbons has decided to do something thats kind of unusual in politics, but it is what it is. In West Virginia, Morrisey has launched a late attack against Blankenship, who served a year in jail in connection with the coal company he led being connected to the Upper Big Branch Mine explosion in West Virginia in 2010. On Saturday, Morrisey started using robocalls to potential voters saying: Convicted criminal Don Blankenship didnt vote for President Trump and is a resident of Nevada, where he must report to his parole officer. On Sunday, he moved to have Blankenship disqualified from the primary for failing to submit a financial disclosure, in violation of election law and perhaps of his probation. Blankenships campaign said the candidate has already spoken to his probation officer, who wasnt concerned about the financial disclosure. Blankenship has also taken direct aim at the Republican establishment by attacking Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell -- calling him Cocaine Mitch. He is apparently trying to link the Kentucky Republican to a 2014 news report about drugs purportedly being found on a ship owned by his in-laws. Jenkins, speaking to Fox News, also went after Morrisey for his past pharmaceutical lobbying work. "We dont need a D.C. lobbyist who made millions of dollars peddling pills in our state," he said. Fox News Peter Doocy and Ellison Barber and The Associated Press contributed to this report. President Trumps pick to head the CIA is a seasoned spymaster who has avoided the limelight during a 32-year career that has included stints running overseas black sites where dangerous terrorists were waterboarded. Gina Haspel, 61, was confirmed by the Senate on May 17, which means she can officially take command of the spy agency from Mike Pompeo, who Trump nominated as Secretary of State after firing Rex Tillerson. She has won praise from Washington insiders including Obama Director of National Intelligence James Clapper and former CIA Director Michael Hayden, but faced tough questions on the Hill about her connection to sites where waterboarding took place. The controversial practice, which simulates drowning, has been likened to torture but supporters say it has helped extract valuable information from hardened terrorists. During the hearing, Haspel defended her past actions and refused to criticize her colleagues for their tactics at the time. She did, however, say the CIA under her watch would not resume such interrogation techniques. After 9/11 I stepped up. I was not on the sidelines, I was on the frontlines in the Cold War and I was on the frontlines in the fight against Al Qaeda, she said in response to a question from Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Ore. In the end, the Senate approved Haspel with a 54-45 vote. MORE THAN 50 INTEL, SECURITY OFFICIALS FROM BOTH PARTIES BACK GINA HASPEL AS CIA TURNS OVER FILES Haspel previously served as Pompeos deputy. In stepping in as the CIA's new chief, she becomes the agency's first-ever female director. I am grateful to President Trump for the opportunity, and humbled by his confidence in me, Haspel said in a statement. Here are 5 things to know about Trump's pick for CIA director. She has been with the CIA for more than 30 years Haspel joined the CIA in 1985. She is a career spymaster with "extensive overseas experience," serving as station chief -- a government official in charge of a post in a foreign country -- during most of her assignments, the CIA wrote in post online. After decades of service, Haspel was sworn in as the CIA's deputy director on Feb. 7, 2017, becoming the first woman to hold the position. "In this position, she assists the D/CIA in managing intelligence collection, analysis, covert action, counterintelligence, and liaison relationships with foreign services," the CIA explained. She ran the CIA's first overseas detention site Haspel reportedly ran the CIA's first overseas detention site in Thailand, where imprisoned militants were repeatedly waterboarded, The New York Times reported in February 2017. Like Pompeo, Trump says torture works and pledged his support for CIA-run "black site" prisons outside the U.S. "Were worried about waterboarding as our enemy, ISIS, is beheading people and burning people alive. Time for us to wake up," Trump tweeted in February 2015. Haspel briefly ran a secret CIA prison where accused terrorists Abu Zubayadah and Abd al Rahim al-Nashiri were waterboarded in 2002, according to former U.S. intelligence officials. "Zubayadah alone was waterboarded 83 times in a single month, had his head repeatedly slammed into walls and endured other harsh methods before interrogators decided he had no useful information to provide," The Times reported. She also helped carry out an order that the CIA destroy its waterboarding videos. That order prompted a lengthy Justice Department investigation that ended without charges. Trump praised Haspel for being "tough on terror" in a May 8 tweet. "Gina Haspel, my highly respected nominee to lead the CIA, is being praised for the fact that she has been, and alway (sic) will be, TOUGH ON TERROR! This is a woman who has been a leader wherever she has gone. The CIA wants her to lead them into Americas bright and glorious future!" the president tweeted. She is well respected by former intelligence officials Veteran intelligence officials praised Trump's decision to name Haspel deputy director in February 2017, including former Director of National Intelligence James Clapper. It speaks well of him for picking a seasoned veteran of the agency who is widely and deeply respected by the workforce as well as those outside the agency, Clapper said at the time. She has also been a strong proponent for integration, not only within CIA, but across the intelligence community. TRUMP COMES TO HASPEL'S DEFENSE, SAYS DEMS 'WORRY' SHE'S 'TOO TOUGH ON TERROR' Michael Morell, who served as CIA acting director twice, called Haspel "widely respected," boasting that "she gets things done." He said he worked closely with Haspel for nearly seven years -- until his retirement from the agency in 2013. "She provides advice based on facts and analysis of facts ... She is calm under fire. She appreciates the work of all CIA officers analysts, scientists, and support specialists, as much as she appreciates operations officers," Morell said in an online statement. Michael Hayden, former CIA director, also called Haspel a "wonderful choice." "I am sure that she will be for Director Pompeo what Steve Kappes was for me --- a trusted friend, lieutenant and guide to the sometimes opaque corridors of American espionage," Hayden said. She has held several top positions in Washington In Washington, Haspel has held several top senior leadership positions, including deputy director of the National Clandestine Service and deputy director of the National Clandestine Service for Foreign Intelligence and Covert Action. She has won a handful of prestigious awards Haspel has received several prestigious awards, including the George H. W. Bush Award for excellence in counterterrorism, the Donovan Award, the Distinguished Career Intelligence Medal and the Presidential Rank Award, which recognizes individuals for "exceptional performance over an extended period of time," according to the CIA. Fox News' Adam Shaw, Frank Miles and The Associated Press contributed to this report. Sen. Orrin Hatch, R-Utah, said Monday it's ridiculous" that Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., reportedly does not want President Donald Trump to attend his funeral, and hopes the war hero has a change of heart. "I think it's ridiculous," Hatch told Politico. "Well, he's the president of the United States and he's a very good man. But it's up to [McCain]. I think John should have his own wishes fulfilled with regard to who attends the funeral." McCains closest family members reportedly informed the White House that the current plan is for the funeral to be held at Washingtons National Cathedral, and Vice President Mike Pence to attend but not Trump, according to The New York Times. McCain has been battling an aggressive form of brain cancer for more than a year. Former Presidents George W. Bush and Barack Obama have reportedly been asked to deliver eulogies at McCain's service. Trump and McCain have had a rocky relationship over the years. The two butted heads over McCains decision not to vote in favor of repealing ObamaCare in July, putting a grinding halt to one of Trumps major campaign promises. Trump also mocked McCain over his five-and-a-half-year imprisonment in Vietnam, where he was tortured, calling the veteran not a war hero. Hes not a war hero. He was a war hero because he was captured. I like people who werent captured, Trump told Iowa voters in July of 2015. The 81-year-old Arizona Senator was diagnosed glioblastoma, the same rare and aggressive brain cancer that killed Democratic Sen. Edward Kennedy and former Vice President Joe Bidens son, Beau. He recently underwent surgery for an intestinal infection. I don't know how much longer I'll be here my predicament is, well, rather unpredictable, McCain said in an audio excerpt from his upcoming memoir, The Restless Wave: Good Times, Just Causes, Great Fights, and Other Appreciations, provided to NPR. McCain also took jabs at the president, the appearance of toughness or a reality show facsimile of toughness seems to matter more than any of our values. Hatch told Politico he doesnt expect McCain to return to Capitol Hill. "That's what I've been told, said Hatch. I don't know. I hope he does. I hope he can." Hatchs spokesperson, Matt Whitlock later issued a clarification to Politico saying the Senator spoke out of turn and that hes been pleased to hear reports that Senator McCain is in good spirits and hopes to see him back in Washington soon. Hatch, 84, is retiring after this year. Fox News Christopher Carbone contributed to this report. Calling it "decaying and rotten," President Trump announced he is withdrawing the U.S. from the Iran nuclear deal and will be imposing more sanctions on the Middle Eastern nation. Trump signed a presidential memorandum on May 8 withdrawing the U.S. from the controversial agreement signed by his predecessor in 2015. He said he will be re-instituting the highest level of sanctions and warned other countries against helping the Iranian government. Trump said the U.S. would "not be held hostage to nuclear blackmail" and will not allow "a regime that chants 'death to America'" to get nuclear weapons. The nuclear deal with Iran has long been a point of contention, especially among Republicans who opposed it. The administration extended waivers on Irans nuclear sanctions earlier this year, keeping alive the landmark deal for an additional few months. Read on for a look at the agreement and why its so controversial. What is the Iran nuclear deal? The Iran nuclear deal framework officially the "Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action" was a historic agreement reached by Iran and several world powers, including the U.S., in 2015, under Barack Obamas presidency. In part, the deal was made to reduce Irans ability to produce two components used in making nuclear weapons: plutonium and uranium. In return, crippling economic sanctions on Iran were to be abated. "Every pathway to a nuclear weapon is cut off," Obama said at the time. "This deal is not built on trust. It is built on verification." WHAT'S NEXT FOR THE IRAN NUCLEAR DEAL AFTER TRUMP DITCHES ACCORD A point of contention for many opponents is the deal's so-called sunset clause which would ease some of the restrictions on Irans nuclear program over time. The deal was reached after two years of negotiations. Certification that Iran is complying with the deal must be sent to Congress every 90 days. The first under the Trump administration noted that Tehran was in compliance. In October 2017, Trump decertified the nuclear deal under U.S. law, saying the sanctions relief was disproportionate to Iran's nuclear concessions. He contended the arrangement was contrary to America's national security interests. What has Trump said about it? During the presidential campaign, Trump accused Obama and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, then his opponent, for making Iran a world power under the nuclear deal, which he called the highest level of incompetence. If you take a look at Iran from four, five years ago, they were dying, Trump said during an event in September 2016. They had sanctions, they were being choked to death and they were dying. They werent even going to be much of a threat. On Twitter, Trump has referred to the agreement as a direct national security threat, a catastrophe that must be stopped, the dumbest & most dangerous misjudgments ever entered into in history of our country and the best deal of any kind in history for Iran. Iranian President Hassan Rouhani has warned the U.S. would pay a high cost if it backs out of the agreement. What happens next? Trump is expected to reimpose all sanctions on Iran that were lifted as part of the 2015 deal, according to the Treasury Department. These sanctions include precious metals, banknotes, shipping, the automotive sector and petroleum. Iranian President Hassan Rouhani said the agreement could survive without the participation of the U.S., but has warned that his country would restart enriching uranium "in the next weeks." If that happens, and the deal collapses completely, businesses and banks doing business with Iran would have to scramble to extricate themselves or run afoul of the U.S. Oil markets are also on the alert following Trump's decision. However, analysts told CNBC the impact of the reimposed sanctions might not have the same impact it once did. And while some countries may limit their oil purchases from Iran out of respect to the U.S., there are other countries that might refuse to do so, according to CNBC. Fox News' John Roberts, Brooke Singman and The Associated Press contributed to this report. Kellyanne Conway, a counselor to President Trump, took to Twitter Monday to slam former New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman after an explosive New Yorker report that included four woman who allege abuse at the hands of the state's former top attorney. Conway reposted a Schneiderman tweet from October that read, No one is above the law, and I'll continue to remind President Trump and his administration of that fact everyday. Conway captioned the tweet, Gotcha. The New Yorker published a report Monday detailing the accounts of four women who had romantic relationships or encounters with Schneiderman, alleging he had hit or choked them, abused prescription drugs and mocked anti-gun demonstrators including parents from Sandy Hook Elementary School, the site of the 2012 shooting massacre, as "losers." Hours after the story was published, Schneiderman issued a statement announcing his resignation. In another tweet, Conway called the allegations in the report harrowing, and so tough to read you must. The presidents eldest son, Donald Trump Jr., also pointed to a past tweet from Schneiderman, where he congratulated The New York Times and The New Yorker for their reporting that led to the #MeToo movement. Schneiderman also applauded the brave women and men who spoke up about the sexual harassment they endured at the hands of powerful men. Self awareness level: 0, Trump Jr. tweeted. Or substantially less than that. Trump has also been a frequent target of Schneiderman over the years. He sued the administration on several occasions according to the Washington Post, and has been involved in a number of initiatives to push back against some of his actions in the White House. The president has repeatedly voiced his criticism of Schneiderman on twitter throughout the years, calling him the nations worst AG, in 2014. Fox News Samuel Chamberlain contributed to this report. The White House blasted opposition media Tuesday after First Lady Melania Trump was accused of plagiarism by some liberal news organizations which said materials distributed for her Be Best campaign against cyberbullying resembled an existing government pamphlet. The First Ladys communications director Stephanie Grisham issued a scathing statement in response to the criticism. First Lady Melania Trump unveiled Be Best, her initiative meant to support children and the many issues they are facing today, Grisham wrote. After giving a strong speech that was met with a standing ovation and positive feedback, the focus from opposition media has been on an educational booklet, Talking with Kids About Being Alone Online, produced by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) in 2009. Mrs. Trump agreed to add Be Best branding and distribute the booklet in an effort to use her platform to amplify the positive message within. FLOTUS spokesperson continued: As she said in yesterdays speech, she is going to use Be Best to promote people and organizations to encourage conversation and replication, and helping the FTC distribute this booklet is just one small example. Grisham said that countless media outlets were provided with ample background, information, and on-the-record comments from the FTC, but some media have chosen to take a day meant to promote kindness and positive efforts on behalf of children, to instead lob baseless accusations toward the First Lady and her new initiatives. The media outlets that Grisham condemned include The Guardian, which published a headline, Melania Trump in new plagiarism row over online safety pamphlet, and Vogue, which asked, Did Melania Trump plagiarize the Obamas (again) with her new Be Best campaign? The Mercury News wrote, Oops! Melania Trump did it again? The BBCs headline was, Melania Trump faces new plagiarism row over cyber-safety booklet. A variety of other news organizations had similar content that attempted to jab the First Lady. People Magazine, Slate, Time, HuffPost and The New Republic all ran similar headlines questioning if Melania Trump copied the Obama-era pamphlet. Grisham also included a message from FTC honcho Nathaniel Wood who said his group frequently works with Congress, the White House, and other government agencies while expressing excitement about working with the First Lady. I encourage members of the media to attempt to Be Best in their own professions, Grisham wrote to conclude her statement. Melania Trump was also accused of plagiarism when portions of her speech at the 2016 Republican National Convention featured rhetoric used by Michelle Obama in 2008. The Trump campaign chalked it up to an innocent mistake. West Virginias attorney general, Patrick Morrisey, pulled off an upset in the states Senate Republican primary on Tuesday, defeating former coal executive Don Blankenship and U.S. Rep. Evan Jenkins in the combative and colorful race that saw a last-minute appeal from President Trump. The results could be seen as a victory for Trump, who had urged Republican voters to reject Blankenship as doomed to lose to incumbent Democratic Sen. Joe Manchin in November. It could also be seen as a win for Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, who clashed with Blankenship during the campaign. Meanwhile, Indiana businessman Mike Braun and Ohio Rep. Jim Renacci will also both win their states Republican Senate primaries, according to the Fox News Decision Desk. In all three states, voters picked Republican nominees to take on some of the most vulnerable incumbent Senate Democrats in this years midterm elections. Republicans hold a slim 51-49 advantage in the Senate. In recent days, the contest in West Virginia has received the most national attention, with Blankenship portraying himself as a true conservative outsider. Blankenship made waves in recent days for airing a campaign ad referring to Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., as cocaine Mitch. On Monday, Trump appealed to the states primary voters to oppose Blankenship, arguing he cant win in the general election. Blankenship served a year in prison on a misdemeanor conviction for conspiring to violate mine safety laws, in connection with the Upper Big Branch Mine explosion in West Virginia in 2010 that killed 29 workers. At his election night gathering on Tuesday, Blankenship told Fox News that he thinks the overhang of bad headlines about the Upper Big Branch explosion had the biggest impact. The West Virginia Senate race is considered a toss-up in the midterm elections, as Republicans hope to unseat incumbent Joe Manchin, a Democrat who first won the seat in a 2010 special election. Manchin easily defeated challenger Paula Jean Swearengin in Tuesdays Democratic primary. Meanwhile in Indiana, Braun, a former state legislator who poured his own money into the race, defeated Reps. Luke Messer and Todd Rokita. Braun will face incumbent Democratic Sen. Joe Donnelly. Braun spent millions on ads arguing hes an outsider, but his primary rivals attacked him over voting records indicating he voted in Democratic primaries until 2012. Braun has responded by saying he is a conservative Republican, but he voted in past Democratic primaries to have a say in local races dominated by Democrats. His rivals have asked who he voted for in the 2008 Democratic primary race between Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama, but Braun claims he voted for neither. Braun was elected to the Indiana State House as a Republican in 2014. In Ohio, Renacci, who has been endorsed by President Trump, defeated businessman Mike Gibbons in the Buckeye States Republican Senate primary and will face Democratic Sen. Sherrod Brown in November. CLICK FOR COMPLETE FOX NEWS MIDTERMS COVERAGE Also in Ohio on Tuesday, Republican Mike DeWine and Democrat Richard Cordray won their partys primaries in the race to succeed term-limited GOP Gov. John Kasich. In North Carolina which also held primaries Tuesday a Republican congressman, Rep. Robert Pittenger, lost the Republican primary to challenger Mark Harris, a Baptist minister. Fox News Peter Doocy, Ellison Barber, Brooke Singman and The Associated Press contributed to this report. Republicans are questioning what New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo and other powerful Democrats may have known about Attorney General Eric Schneiderman ahead of the bombshell report that led to his immediate resignation. Schneiderman stepped down as the top law enforcement officer in the state Monday evening following the publication of a damning report by The New Yorker, detailing four womens claims that he had repeatedly hit them, threatened them and demeaned them. The graphic accusations included choking a former girlfriend and demanding another, who was born in Sri Lanka and whom Schneiderman reportedly referred to as his brown slave, call him Master. But Republicans are questioning who knew what, and when, about the allegations that led to Schneidermans fall from power. While there had been rumors about problems with Schneiderman and allegations of substance abuse, the deeply disturbing accounts of physical and mental abuse laid out by his victims were shocking, New York GOP Chairman Ed Cox told Fox News. Its always been clear Eric Schneiderman was drunk with political power, but now we know that extended to the dark annals of his personal private life. SCHNEIDERMAN 'HYPOCRISY' LEADS TO DOWNFALL, TAUNTING FROM REPUBLICAN FOES Cox added: It begs the question of who in New York Democratic circles knew about this, and did he decline to prosecute Governor Cuomos corruption for fear of his secrets being revealed? But Cuomo strongly suggested New York's political leaders were in the dark about the attorney general's alleged actions. He immediately called for Schneidermans resignation Monday night given the damning pattern of facts and corroboration laid out in the article, adding he did not believe it is possible for Eric Schneiderman to continue to serve as attorney general. Cuomo also said late Monday that he asked the New York District Attorney to commence an immediate investigation, and proceed as the facts merit. The attorney general is looking at a possible criminal investigation if the DA decides to go that way, Cuomo said during a press briefing Tuesday. A spokesman for Manhattan District Attorney Cy Vance confirmed the probe late Tuesday. "Our office has opened an investigation into the recently reported allegations concerning Mr. Schneiderman, Vance spokesman Danny Frost said in a statement to Fox News. A spokesperson for Cuomo did not respond to Fox News request for comment as to when the governor learned of the allegations against Schneiderman. Cuomo is one of several New York Democrats with a growing national profile, and is considered a possible 2020 presidential candidate along with Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand. Fox News requested comment from several New York Democrats as to whether they were aware of any of the allegations facing Schneiderman ahead of The New Yorker article. Among them, House Democratic Caucus Chairman Joe Crowley, D-N.Y., praised the women who came forward with their stories in a statement to Fox News, but did not say when he first learned of the accusations. ERIC SCHNEIDERMAN, POWERFUL NY DEMOCRAT ACCUSED OF VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN AND DRUG ABUSE, RESIGNS AS STATE ATTORNEY GENERAL Their courageous decision to speak out will help advance this important conversation about the violence and assault that far too many women face in the workplace, in relationships, and in society, Crowley said. I support a thorough and comprehensive investigation into the allegations against Attorney General Schneiderman. Our public leaders must be held to the highest standards. Gillibrand, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton (a former New York senator) did not respond to a request for comment. MANHATTAN DA REPORTEDLY OPENS UP INVESTIGATION INTO SCHNEIDERMAN AFTER BOMBSHELL REPORT The details in the New Yorker report indeed hit the political world like a bomb, genuinely stunning many who have watched the attorney general's rise to top prosecutor and one of the country's most outspoken opponents to the Trump agenda. At a press conference in New York City, Mayor Bill de Blasio condemned Schneiderman, calling the allegations against him horrifying, disgusting, and unacceptable. What we saw yesterday evening was absolutely disgusting, the attorney general of our state accused of doing things no one should ever dolet alone someone involved in law enforcement, DeBlasio told reporters Tuesday, explaining that he found out like so many people in this city, first hearing there was an article. Finally when I was able to read the article I was horrified, page after page it got worse and worse, de Blasio said. Thank God he resigned quickly and didnt put our state through a nightmare. De Blasio urged anyone victimized by Schneiderman who has yet to come forward to please come forward to NYPD. Rest assuredyoull be believed and it is important to break the chain for people who cant speak up, de Blasio said. The most important thing is a fast and thorough investigation. When asked whether they were aware of allegations against Schneiderman before the article, a spokesman for the New York Police Department told Fox News that it had no complaints against the attorney general on file -- but if it receives complaints of a crime, it will investigate them thoroughly. But Trump himself suggested in a cryptic Sept. 11, 2013 tweet that Schneiderman had skeletons in his closet. He tweeted that Schneiderman would be next, following the resignations of Gov. Eliot Spitzer over a prostitutional scandal and Rep. Anthony Weiner over a lewd texting scandal. Weiner is gone, Spitzer is gonenext will be lightweight A.G. Eric Schneiderman. Is he a crook? Wait and see, worse than Spitzer or Weiner, Trump tweeted. The White House did not immediately respond to Fox News request for comment. Schneiderman denied the accusations and defended himself in a statement Monday night. In the privacy of intimate relationships, I have engaged in role-playing and other consensual sexual activity. I have not assaulted anyone, Schneiderman said. I have never engaged in non-consensual sex, which is a line I would not cross. On Tuesday, Cuomo confirmed New York Solicitor General Barbara Underwood would take over as interim attorney general until the general election in November. Fox News Adam Shaw and Whitney Ksiazek contributed to this report. Democrats hoped Eric Schneiderman could bring down President Trump, but it was the crusading New York attorney general himself whose career is now in tatters, after stunning revelations Monday of bad behavior and hypocrisy that have Republicans gloating. Schneiderman quickly picked up a high-profile reputation in the Trump era for his legal pushback and acerbic criticism of some of Trumps top agenda items. He was hailed as an icon of the #Resistance by the anti-Trump left and gushing profiles by media outlets. With the rise of the #MeToo movement, pushing back against sexual harassment of women, Schneiderman also became a key figure in the growing crusade. Not only did he use his authority to take legal action against Hollywood mogul Harvey Weinstein, he has been outspoken in the push for a critical national reckoning about the harassment of women. But on Monday, The New Yorker reported on four womens claims that Schneiderman had repeatedly hit them, threatened them, and demeaned them. The graphic accusations include that he choked a former girlfriend, controlled what she ate and left her emotionally battered, and demanded that another girlfriend, who was born in Sri Lanka and who Schneiderman referred to as his "brown slave," call him Master. The article indicated the women came forward for a number of reasons, including the resignation of White House aide Rob Porter over claims he had abused his ex-wives. But the piece also reported that the womens anguish and anger grew as he used his office to become a figurehead for the growing #MeToo movement. [Y]ou cannot be a champion of women when you are hitting them and choking them in bed, and saying to them, Youre a f---ing whore, Michelle Manning Barish, one of the women speaking out, told the New Yorker. His hypocrisy is epic, she says. Hes fooled so many people. This is a man who has staked his entire career, his personal narrative, on being a champion for women publicly. But he abuses them privately, Tanya Selvaratnam told the outlet. He needs to be called out. Schneiderman denied the accusations in a statement. In the privacy of intimate relationships, I have engaged in role-playing and other consensual sexual activity. I have not assaulted anyone. I have never engaged in nonconsensual sex, which is a line I would not cross, Schneiderman said. But within three hours of the article being published Monday night, Schneiderman announced that he would step down as attorney general at end-of-day Tuesday. The accusations brought a wave of condemnation from both the right and the left (fellow New York Democrat Andrew Cuomo had called the pattern of facts and corroboration damning and called for Schneiderman to resign after the article was published.) But those on the Trump team whom Schneiderman had targeted made little attempt to hide their glee at their foes sudden downfall. Gotcha, Trump adviser Kellyanne Conway tweeted, referencing a tweet of Schneidermans in which he said that no one is above the law. Donald Trump Jr. dug up past statements Schneiderman had made about the #MeToo movement, snarking: Self awareness level 0. On Tuesday morning, he was still taunting the disgraced AG, writing Hey Eric, its not role play if only one of you is in on it. Radio host Dana Loesch also cited a statement by Schneiderman in support of sexual assault survivors, and noted that literally fighting women is not the same as fighting FOR women. Trump Jr., and other conservatives pointed to President Trumps past tweets about Schneiderman, including claims that he wore eyeliner and also a cryptic 2013 tweet that promised he was worse than disgraced New York Gov. Eliot Spitzer and New York Rep. Anthony Weiner, both of whom resigned amid sexual scandals. Its like he can see into the future, Trump Jr. tweeted. Even his media allies have turned, though. In a November interview with Full Frontals Samantha Bee, where he was presented as a superhero (nicknamed Schneider-Man and given a jingle declaring only he can save us all!), Schneiderman laid out his achievements in the Trump era. We beat him on travel ban one, we beat him on travel ban two, we beat him on environmental regulations and transgender military ban and we will continue to fight, he said, before denying that he was a superhero. Now, Samantha Bees Full Frontal tweeted a screenshot of Schneiderman boasting on Twitter of the superhero mockups the TBS show had made for his November appearance. Take this the f--- down, the tweet said. President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un are in Singapore where they will meet one-on-one for a historic summit Tuesday. After some back-and-forth on whether the meeting would actually happen, the two leaders arrived in Singapore on Sunday. They are scheduled to meet at 9 a.m. local time (9 p.m. ET Monday) with only translators present, according to the White House. The meeting will later expand to include other officials, such as Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, chief of staff John Kelly and national security adviser John Bolton. SEE KIM JONG UN'S BIZARRE NORTH KOREA PROPAGANDA PHOTOS The summit will be the first-ever meeting between a sitting U.S. president and a North Korean leader. Its important because of the potential opening it has; there is potential diplomatic progress, former Vice Adm. Robert B. Murrett, a professor of practice, public administration and international affairs at Syracuse University, told Fox News. This is something we havent been able to do for many years, said Murrett, who also serves as deputy director of the Institute for National Security and Counterterrorism at the college, specializes in national security, international relations, military and defense strategy. Why is this meeting significant? Aside from the potential diplomatic benefits between the U.S. and North Korea, the summit could benefit other countries. It not just about the United States, he said, explaining that the meeting could have also been a win for our partners in the east, such as South Korea and Japan, but also areas in the South Pacific region such as Australia. He added, "These talks have the ability to reduce security tensions in East Asia and present an opportunity for the U.S. to reinforce the strong links with South Korea, Japan and even China." TRUMP CANCELING NORTH KOREA SUMMIT DECRIED BY SOME LAWMAKERS, PRAISED AS 'RIGHT CALL' BY OTHERS What topics are Kim and Trump expected to discuss? Denuclearization will be at the fore, Murrett said. North Koreas nuclear weapons and ability to deliver them at long distances should be central, said Murrett, who added that recent talks between North and South Korea would suggest that it would remain a core issue. But Murrett also expected discussion of the Hermit Kingdom's role in the global economy. Despite various sanctions placed on the country, North Koreas economy grew by 3.9 percent in 2016. But Murrett said diplomatic talks represent the prospect of North Korea rejoining the family of the Asians if only from an economic standpoint, potentially opening the door for the country to trade with more than just China. It would be in the interest of the people of North Korea, Murrett added. Does Trump deserve credit for the summit? In short: Yes, in part. While Trump deserves credit for agreeing to meet with Kim, his decision to do so was likely sparked by the window of opportunity that has existed because of ongoing pressure on North Korea to better its relations with surrounding countries and beyond, Murrett said. South Korean President Moon Jae-in also deserves a fair amount of credit, he said, citing the recent summit between the two Koreas and the display of unity at the Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang as one of several steps toward unification in some fashion or another. Trump is one of many important players, said Murrett, noting that Chinese President Xi Jinping and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe were also key players. Abe met with Trump at Mar-a-Lago in April, where the two affirmed their strong determination to strengthen our shared resolve on North Korea, and increase the capability of the U.S.-Japan Alliance to confront all emerging threats to peace, stability, and an international order based on the rule of law, the White House said at the time. And President Xi and Kim secretly met in May in China, Chinese state television announced after the North Korean leader had already left the country. "[The leaders] had an all-around and in-depth exchange of views on China-[North Korea] relations and major issues of common concern," the Chinese news agency reported, while Kim was quoted saying that he hopes to build mutual trust with the U.S. through dialogue. Fox News' Serafin Gomez, Kathleen Joyce, Katherine Lam, Kaitlyn Schallhorn, Zoe Szathmary, Elizabeth Zwirz and The Associated Press contributed to this report. President Trump on Tuesday announced plans to leave the Iran nuclear deal, declaring the pact has failed to halt the countrys nuclear ambitions in perhaps the biggest foreign policy decision of his administration. Speaking at the White House, Trump said: I am announcing today the United States will withdraw from the Iran nuclear deal. Trump for months had left open whether he would move to scrap the pact, and his apparent decision to re-impose sanctions has rattled European rattles and leaves unclear how Tehran will respond. But Trump scorched the deal in his Tuesday remarks, saying it put only weak limits on the regime's nuclear activity and still would allow Iran to pursue a nuclear weapon once key parts of the agreement lapse. "This was a horrible, one-sided deal that should have never ever been made," he said. ... The Iran deal is defective at its core. The Treasury Department said a restoration of some sanctions will go into effect after a 90-day countdown, with the rest kicking in after a 180-day wind-down period. Once sanctions are re-imposed, the U.S. effectively would be out of the deal. At the heart of the Iran deal was a giant fiction, that a murderous regime desired only a peaceful, nuclear energy program, Trump said Tuesday. Today, we have definitive proof that this Iranian promise was a lie. "This was a horrible, one-sided deal that should have never ever been made." President Trump The Treasury Department said Trump would move to reimpose all sanctions on Iran that had been lifted under the 2015 deal, not just the ones facing an immediate deadline. If he follows through on a sweeping imposition of sanctions, the move threatens to topple the Iran nuclear agreement as a whole and with it, his predecessors signature foreign policy achievement. In theory, the so-called Iran deal was supposed to protect the United States and our allies from the lunacy of an Iranian nuclear bomb, a weapon that will only endanger the survival of the Iranian regime," Trump said. "In fact, the deal allowed Iran to continue enriching uranium and over time reach the brink of a nuclear breakout." During his speech, Trump called Iran the leading state sponsor of terror. It exports dangerous missiles, fuels conflicts across the Middle East, and supports terrorist proxies and militias, such as Hezbollah, Hamas, the Taliban, and Al Qaeda, he said. In a Tuesday evening tweet, the president added: "The Iran Deal is defective at its core. If we do nothing, we know what will happen. In just a short time, the worlds leading state sponsor of terror will be on the cusp of acquiring the worlds most dangerous weapons...." Democrats blasted Trumps withdrawal, with House Democratic leader Nancy Pelosi calling it a sad day for Americas global leadership. Former President Obama released a statement arguing the nuclear deal is working and has significantly rolled back Irans nuclear program, saying thats why Trumps announcement is so misguided. Trump started the day by warning former Secretary of State John Kerry not to meddle in the negotiations. John Kerry cant get over the fact that he had his chance and blew it! Stay away from negotiations John, you are hurting your country! Trump tweeted early Tuesday. This was a reference to reports that Kerry was meeting with foreign officials in a bid to salvage the pact. Speaking at a summit Tuesday in Italy, Kerry did not back down, saying the Middle East is safer with this agreement and framing this juncture as a choice between peace and war. Trumps announcement comes ahead of a May 12 deadline to make a decision on sanctions. It follows efforts by European allies to convince Trump to keep the deal, even with changes. But Trump was unconvinced. Since the 2016 presidential campaign, he has railed against the agreement and its Obama administration negotiators. The 2015 pact lifted most U.S. and international sanctions against the country, in exchange for Iran agreeing to restrictions on its nuclear program making it impossible to produce a bomb, along with rigorous inspections terms generally set for 10-15 years. But Israel, Gulf Arab states and many congressional Republicans said the deal was a giveaway to Tehran that ultimately paves the path to a nuclear-armed Iran several years in the future. Perhaps the nuclear deals most unforgivable flaw is that its original architects chose to stand with and empower Irans mullahs over the Iranian people, whose opposition to their corrupt and criminal government continues to grow, Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., wrote in a Fox News op-ed urging Trump to abandon the pact and ratchet up sanctions. But Trumps decision could lead to retaliation from Iran in the near-term. If the deal collapses, Iran could resume prohibited enrichment activities, while businesses and banks doing business with Iran would have to scramble to extricate themselves or run afoul of the U.S. While Trump himself was tight-lipped about his decision in the run-up to the announcement, Iranian officials also were left guessing. In Tehran, President Hassan Rouhani sought to calm nerves. "It is possible that we will face some problems for two or three months, but we will pass through this," Rouhani said. Rouhani earlier warned of grave consequences if Trump pulled back on the agreement. Obama foreign policy adviser Ben Rhodes, who played a key role in the deal, also tweeted that Trump is blowing that up with no understanding of what's actually in the Deal, no plan for what comes next, and no support from our closest European allies, Russia or China. A factor leading to Tuesdays decision may have been Israels public lobbying. A week ago, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu appealed to the U.S. president by making explosive allegations that new evidence proved Tehran had lied about its nuclear program and adherence to the pact. But even Trump's secretary of state and the U.N. agency that monitors nuclear compliance have agreed that Iran, so far, has lived up to its side of the deal. On Tuesday, Netanyahu said, "Israel fully supports President Trumps bold decision today to reject the disastrous nuclear deal with the terrorist regime in Tehran." Fox News John Roberts, Judson Berger and The Associated Press contributed to this report. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo arrived in Pyongyang, North Korea on Tuesday, following earlier remarks by President Trump who said he was going to the country to prepare for the upcoming meeting with leader Kim Jong Un. The president also hinted at the possible release of three American prisoners. Pompeo is at the Koryo Hotel in the rogue nation's capital for meetings, Fox News has learned. Trump made the surprise announcement at the White House at the same time he announced the U.S. withdrawal from the Iran nuclear deal. The visit will mark Pompeos second to North Korea, and Trump said that his new secretary of state had meetings scheduled. Plans are being made, relationships are building, he said. Hopefully a deal will happen and, with the help of China, South Korea and Japan, a future of great prosperity and security can be achieved for everyone. Pompeo confirmed his trip on Twitter, writing that he was "headed back to #DPRK at the invitation of the North Korean leadership. "I look forward to planning a successful summit between President Trump and Kim Jong-un," he tweeted. Trump also struck an optimistic but cautious tone, saying: well see how it all works out -- maybe it will, maybe it wont. He expressed similar sentiments when asked about the possible release of the prisoners. We will soon be finding out, he said. It would be a great thing if they are, well soon be finding out. Trump had hinted that the release of the prisoners was imminent last week, saying in a tweet: stay tuned. White House Press Secretary Sarah Sanders said last week that it would be seen as a sign of good will if North Korea released the prisoners. Kim Dong Chul, a South Korea-born U.S. citizen and former Virginia resident, was sentenced in April 2016 to 10 years in prison with hard labor after being convicted of espionage. He reportedly ran a trade and hotel service company in Rason, a special economic zone on North Korea's border with Russia. Tony Kim was detained at Pyongyang's airport in April 2017 and was accused of unspecified "hostile acts" against the North Korean state. He taught accounting at the Pyongyang University of Science and Technology. Kim Hak Song, an ethnic Korean who was born in China, was detained in May 2017 and also accused of "hostile acts." He worked in agricultural development at an experimental farm run by the Pyongyang University of Science and Technology, which was founded in 2010 with donations from Christian groups. A fourth American detainee, Otto Warmbier, died in June 2017 -- just days after he was brought back to the U.S. with severe brain damage. He had been arrested in January 2016 and accused of stealing a propaganda poster and was sentenced to 15 years in prison with hard labor. Pompeos trip comes amid a rapidly moving diplomatic situation in the Korean Peninsula. Kim met with Chinese President Xi Jinping in China on Tuesday, the second meeting in recent months. Trump announced on Twitter on Tuesday morning that he was due to speak with Xi on North Korea. Kim also had an historic meeting recently with South Korean President Moon Jae-in in South Korea. During the summit, the two discussed denuclearization and declared a formal end to the Korean War. The North Korean regime has also said it will end its nuclear weapons and intercontinental ballistic missile testing program. Fox News Samuel Chamberlain, Nick Kalman and The Associated Press contributed to this report. President Trump warned former Secretary of State John Kerry to stay away from Iran negotiations ahead of his crucial Tuesday afternoon announcement, where he will reveal whether the U.S. will preserve the Obama-era nuclear deal with Tehran. The presidents tweet comes as he prepares to tell the world his administrations plan for the future of the Iran pact. Ahead of a May 12 deadline, Trump tweeted that he would make the announcement at 2 p.m. ET on Tuesday. He is widely expected to re-impose sanctions, a move that could unravel the agreement, but has not yet said publicly what he will decide. The presidents latest swipe at Kerry comes amid reports that the former secretary of state had meetings with foreign leaders in a bid to save the deal, practicing what Trump has called possibly illegal shadow diplomacy. John Kerry cant get over the fact that he had his chance and blew it! Stay away from negotiations John, you are hurting your country! Trump tweeted early Tuesday. Kerry reportedly met with Iranian Foreign Minister Javad Zarif in recent months. Kerry reportedly also spoke with German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier, who was foreign minister of Germany when the deal was negotiated; French President Emmanuel Macron; and European Union foreign affairs chief Federica Mogherini. A spokesman for the United Nations secretary-general said Monday he was not aware of any meetings, but in a statement to Fox News, a spokesman for Kerry seemingly admitted the discussions. I think every American would want every voice possible urging Iran to remain in compliance with the nuclear agreement that prevented a war. Secretary Kerry stays in touch with his former counterparts around the world just like every previous Secretary of State, the Kerry spokesman told Fox News in an email on Monday. Like Americas closest allies, he believes it is important that the nuclear agreement, which took the world years to negotiate, remain effective as countries focus on stability in the region. Under the 2015 nuclear deal struck by the United States under the Obama administration, world powers, and Iran, sanctions against Tehran were lifted in exchange for Irans cooperation in restricting its nuclear program. If the deal collapses, Iran would be free to resume its nuclear activities. According to The Washington Post, Trump is expected to announce that he will not continue a waiver of sanctions against Iran. Trumps move could re-impose strong sanctions on Tehran, which could lead to retaliation from the Iranian regimewhich has warned the U.S. of grave consequences should it withdraw. Irans parliamentary speaker was quoted saying on Tuesday that the end of the accord will spark more unity and support for the Islamic Revolution among Iranians. Mr. TrumpRest assured that this loyalty in nuclear issue will [encourage] the great Iranian nation to continue on the path of the Islamic Revolution firmly behind the leadership of its supreme leader, Ali Larjani reportedly said. But Iranian president Hassan Rouhani said Tuesday that if the U.S. scraps the deal, there could be immediate difficulties -- but remained hopeful that the country would recover. It is possible that we will face some problems for two or three months, but we will pass through this, Rouhani said at a petroleum expo in Tehran on Tuesday. Rouhani did say this week though, that if the U.S. pulls out, Iran could stick with the European Union, whose economies do more business with Iran than the U.S. The deal is composed of sanctions, written agreements and staggered deadlines, so Trump has several ways to pull the U.S. out of the deal by renegotiating and scrapping some commitments. Trump could impose sanctions on Irans central bank, targeting oil exports, then would give those doing business with Iran a six-month grace period to wind down business and avoid running into problems with the sanctions. Waivers on those sanctions must be signed every 120 days, which Trump has done thus far in his administration. Fox News Lukas Mikelionis, Ben Evansky and The Associated Press contributed to this report. Gina Haspel doesn't want to be "the next Ronny Jackson." And that has sparked yet another debate over a presidential pick and the brutal confirmation process, coated by an added layer of gender politics. The sudden revelation that President Trump's nominee to run the CIA wanted to withdraw before changing her mind has put Haspel under a white-hot spotlight. The Washington Post scoop in yesterday's paper said Haspel "sought to withdraw her nomination Friday after some White House officials worried that her role in the interrogation of terrorist suspects could prevent her confirmation by the Senate, according to four senior U.S. officials." The story says Sarah Sanders and top Hill lobbyist Marc Short "rushed to Langley, Va., to meet with Haspel at her office late Friday afternoon. Discussions stretched several hours, officials said, and the White House was not entirely sure she would stick with her nomination until Saturday afternoon." Haspel told White House aides "she did not want her nomination to harm the CIA." Now here's where it gets even more interesting. There is no dispute about Haspels qualifications as a 33-year veteran of the agency and now its deputy director. But she would also have a groundbreaking status. Sanders took note in tweeting the following: "There is no one more qualified to be the first woman to lead the CIA than 30+ year CIA veteran Gina Haspel. Any Democrat who claims to support women's empowerment and our national security but opposes her nomination is a total hypocrite." That prompted New York Times columnist Michelle Goldberg to slam Sanders on MSNBC for "playing the woman card." Well, she is to some extentjust like politicians of both parties have regularly played gender and racial cards for decades when it's in their interest. When Bill Clinton named Janet Reno as first female attorney general and Madeleine Albright as the first female secretary of State, that status was touted, implicitly or otherwise, as an extra reason for supporting her. The same was true when Barack Obama named Eric Holder as the first black attorney general and Sonia Sotomayor as the first Hispanic to the Supreme Court. It's not that they weren't qualified, but the politics of opposing them became a little more complicated. So why shouldn't Sanders include that as part of Haspel's appeal? Trump was more subtle when he tweeted about the "highly respected" Haspel, saying "we have the most qualified person, a woman, who Democrats want OUT because she is too tough on terror." Too tough on terror is a loaded formulation, since the obstacle to her confirmation is her involvement in the CIA's interrogation program, which included such techniques as waterboarding, which critics view as torture. More specifically, Haspel oversaw a secret CIA detention facility in Thailand in 2002, and later was involved in the agency's destruction of nearly 100 videotapes recording the waterboarding of two suspects there. It was, of course, the Bush administration that launched the controversial program after 9/11, when terror topped the nation's agenda. Haspel was not a policymaker in those years; she was, in effect, a foot soldier. Unless she did something that went above and beyond George W. Bush's policies, is it fair to penalize her for following her orders well over a decade ago? Haspel made the comment about Ronny Jacksonwho was forced to withdraw as the VA nominee and then lost his job as White House physicianbecause she doesn't want to be a distraction, according to the Post. She is, by the way, supported by a number of national security officials from the Obama administration. Her hearing is tomorrow. Senators should ask tough questions of every high-level nominee. But even if her name was Gene instead of Gina, Haspel shouldn't be made a symbolic sacrifice for carrying out another president's policies. President Trump announced on Tuesday that he would be pulling the U.S. out of the Iran nuclear deal, calling the agreement defective at its core. At the heart of the Iran deal was a giant fiction, that a murderous regime desired only a peaceful, nuclear energy program, Trump said from the White House. Today, we have definitive proof that this Iranian promise was a lie. Under the 2015 nuclear deal struck by the United States under the Obama administration, world powers, and Iran, sanctions against Tehran were lifted in exchange for Irans cooperation in restricting its nuclear program. Following Trumps comments, former President Barack Obama released a statement on Facebook, labeling the announcement so misguided. Walking away from the JCPOA turns our back on Americas closest allies, and an agreement that our countrys leading diplomats, scientists, and intelligence professionals negotiated, Obama said. He argued that the Iran deal, also known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), is working and is a model for what diplomacy can accomplish. The JCPOA is in Americas interest it has significantly rolled back Irans nuclear program. And the JCPOA is a model for what diplomacy can accomplish its inspections and verification regime is precisely what the United States should be working to put in place with North Korea, Obama said. Indeed, at a time when we are all rooting for diplomacy with North Korea to succeed, walking away from the JCPOA risks losing a deal that accomplishes with Iran the very outcome that we are pursuing with the North Koreans. His former vice president, Joe Biden, shared similar sentiments, calling the Trump administration's move "a profound mistake." "It will isolate the United States from nearly every major world power," Biden said in a statement, adding that any talk about a "'better deal' is an illusion." The former VP added that "All it will likely accomplish is to put Iran back on the path to a nuclear weapon with no clear diplomatic way out." Politicians on both sides of the aisle also reacted to Trumps decision on the Iran deal. Speaker of the House Paul Ryan, R-Wis., credited Trump for the decision, calling the announcement a strong statement that we can and must do better. "From the beginning, the Obama-era Iran Deal was deeply flawed. Irans hostile actions since its signing have only reaffirmed that it remains dedicated to sowing instability in the region, Ryan said in a statement. The president is right to insist that we hold Iran accountable both today and for the long-term. There will now be an implementation period for applying sanctions on Iran. During that time, it is my hope that the United States will continue to work with our allies to achieve consensus on addressing a range of destabilizing Iranian behaviorboth nuclear and non-nuclear. House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., echoed Obamas response, saying Trumps decision to follow his misguided and uninformed campaign promise to destroy the Iran deal endangers global security and defies comprehension. This rash decision isolates America, not Iran. Our allies will hold up their end of the agreement, but our government will lose its international credibility and the power of our voice at the table, Pelosi said in a statement. The Presidents decision to abdicate American leadership during a critical moment in our effort to advance a denuclearization agreement with North Korea is particularly senseless, disturbing and dangerous. Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., said he was glad that Trump pulled the U.S. from the flawed Iran nuclear deal. Sen. Mark Warner, D-Va., tweeted that "withdrawing from the Iran deal makes the United States, and the world, less secure." Ohio Gov. John Kasich called Trumps decision a mistake, adding that it gave the U.S. nothing other than to remove constraints on Irans ability to produce nuclear weapons. "France, Germany, and the UK regret the U.S. decision to leave the JCPOA," French president Emmanuel Macron tweeted. "The nuclear non-proliferation regime is at stake." Israel "fully supports" Trump's decision, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu wrote on Twitter. "The deal didnt push war further away; it actually brought it closer. The deal didnt reduce Irans aggression; it dramatically increased it." Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton called the move "a big mistake" that "makes America less safe and less trusted." A follow-up tweet said that during her time leading the State Department, she "helped negotiate the crippling international sanctions that brought Iran to the table. It would be much harder a second time, now that our credibility is shot." Fox News Alex Pappas, Nicole Darrah and Brooke Singman contributed to this report. On the final day of a chaotic primary campaign, a radio announcement from Don Blankenship, Republican hopeful for Senate in West Virginia, does not seek to deny or explain away charges leveled against him by his own partys establishment. Hes embracing those attacks instead. They are calling me a bigot, a moron, a despicable character and mentally ill, Blankenship says in the ad. But even if all of this is true, I will do a better job than they have done. The former coal baron has weathered significant criticism in the closing days of his campaign for his use of the phrase China person to describe the father of Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao, who is married to Sen. Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., and China people when describing those he thinks have benefitted from McConnells policies. FOX NEWS MIDTERMS 2018 AMERICA'S ELECTION HQ But Blankenship insists in the new advertisement that his concerns about China are driven by their economic strength, and not their citizens. They seem not to realize that China is a country, not a race, Blankenship says about what he calls the fake news. The establishment has given millions of our jobs to China people and left many West Virginia people to fend for themselves. Last week, in a nationally televised debate on Fox News, Blankenship further explained the origins of China person. Im an American person, Blankenship said on stage in Morgantown last Tuesday. I dont see this insinuation by the press that theres something racist about saying a China person. WEST VIRGINIA REPUBLICAN SENATE HOPEFULS NEAR PRIMARY: A LOOK AT THE TOP THREE CANDIDATES Blankenship is competing with Rep. Evan Jenkins, R-W.Va. and West Virginia Attorney General Patrick Morrisey, among others, for a chance to challenge incumbent Sen. Joe Manchin, D-W.Va. in Novembers midterm election. Jenkins was upbeat Tuesday morning after he cast his ballot. Im encouraged I feel great today, Jenkins told Fox News. Theres always a little bit of nervousness but thats what this election process is all about. You just put so much into it. And todays the day, its the day weve been looking forward to, so its exciting. President Trump, who beat Hillary Clinton by 42 points in West Virginia in 2016, tweeted on Monday that Republicans in the state should withhold support from Blankenship, out of concern that he cannot mount a successful challenge to Manchin. Morrisey released a digital campaign ad on Monday comparing his proven, conservative credentials with that of his opponent. Patrick Morrisey is a proven conservative fighter, protecting coal jobs, pro-life, protecting our Second Amendment, the ad said. A convicted criminal or a proven conservative: That's your choice. The 68-year old Blankenship recently served a year in prison on a misdemeanor conviction for conspiracy to violate mine safety standards. His probation ends on Wednesday. Fox News multimedia reporter Emilie Ikeda contributed to this report. Considered a toss-up in the midterm elections, the West Virginia Senate race is one where Republicans hope to have the chance to unseat incumbent Joe Manchin, a Democrat who first won the seat in a 2010 special election. According to a Fox News poll, three Republicans are considered to be top tier candidates ahead of the May 8 primary: Don Blankenship, Evan Jenkins and Patrick Morrisey. Jenkins, a U.S. congressman, topped the list of Republican contenders. Earlier this month, the candidates faced off in a Fox News debate, with each one trying to align himself with the president more so than the next. All three also maligned Special Counsel Robert Muellers Russia probe. Manchin is not running unopposed; he races a primary challenger in Paula Jean Swearengin, an environmental activist whose platform is more in line with Sen. Bernie Sanders, the progressive independent from Vermont. President Trump beat Democrat Hillary Clinton by more than 40 points in the Mountain State in the 2016 presidential election. Trump has urged voters to support either Morrisey or Jenkins, saying Blankenship could not win the general election. From their focus on former President Barack Obamas policies to their courtship of coal workers, heres a look at the top three Republicans competing for the GOP nomination today. Don Blankenship Don Blankenship, 68, was imprisoned in a federal jail for a year in 2016 after he was convicted of conspiring to violate mine safety and health standards -- and hes still fighting the conviction, blaming the Obama administration every step of the way. Blankenship, the former head of Massey Energy Company, calls the 2010 explosion that killed 29 people at the companys Upper Big Branch mine the worst tragedy of my life. Blankenship has sought to have his conviction thrown out, and hes promoted a pamphlet he wrote in prison that he said sheds light on his prosecution, the explosion and an Obama administration conspiracy against him. Hes also compared the tragedy to that of the 2012 Benghazi attack, calling the blast Obamas deadliest cover-up in a campaign ad. Hes been called the villain of our times, compared to failed Alabama Senate candidate Roy Moore and dubbed the most hated man in West Virginia. Hes also been the nearly $745,000 target of the Mountain Families PAC which opposes his Senate campaign. Despite running for Senate in West Virginia, his primary residence, according to The New York Times, is a $2.4 million home near Las Vegas. As a candidate, Blankenship has a goal of hosting town hall meetings in every one of West Virginia's 55 counties, according to Politico Magazine. Hes resonating with voters such as Rev. Becky Deitch, the chairwoman of the Brooke County GOP who told Politico, The common man doesnt want another politician. I could tell from his handshake. Hes real. I think the big issue in West Virginia is jobs, and Im the guy that created a lot of jobs in West Virginia and neither of my opponents did, Blankenship told Fox News. He also said hes better positioned to deal with the nations opioid epidemic that has hit West Virginia particularly hard since his company dealt with workers who struggled with drugs. A supporter of Trump, Blankenship advocates for building a border wall and ending so-called sanctuary cities. However, Trump has urged voters not to support Blankenship, saying that he could not win the general election. That lack of support hasn't seemed to phase Blankenship, though. "Neither of my opponents can beat Joe Manchin without my support, but I will beat Joe Manchin even without the support of the establishment," he said in a statement to Fox News. "West Virginia voters should remember that my enemies are Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton and my opponents would not even be running as Republicans had I not resurrected the Republican Party in West Virginia." "As some have said, I am Trumpier than Trump and this morning proves it," Blankenship said of the president's tweet. Blankenship got into some hot water during his campaign when he said Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnells father-in-law is a wealthy China person. He has accused McConnell of creating jobs for China people and said his China family has given him millions of dollars. McConnell has been married to Elaine Chao, the transportation secretary, since 1993. Chao was born in Taiwan, and her father was born in China. Blankenship denied the comment was a target on his family, but rather an observation that Mitchs family is very well-connected in China. In Fox News' poll of Republican Senate candidates, Blankenship came in third with 16 percent of likely voters saying they would select him. Still, 24 percent of voters remain undecided, according to the poll. Evan Jenkins Rep. Evan Jenkins has been a congressman for only three years, but before that, he served as a state senator in West Virginia for 12 years. Jobs, coal, senior citizens and the Second Amendment are all important issues to Jenkins, according to his campaign website. He also focused on his anti-abortion record in his first television advertisement. Jenkins, 57, helped create the nonprofit Lilys Place, a facility that cares for newborns who are born with neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS), which occurs when babies are exposed to drugs while still in the womb. Jenkins has made a point in his campaign to distance Manchin, one of the more conservative Democrats in Washington, from Trump. However, Jenkins, too, used to be a Democrat. He switched to the GOP in 2013. But that wasnt his only party switch; Jenkins was first a registered Republican until 1993, according to Roll Call. As for jobs, Jenkins stressed the importance of coal growing the local economy in an interview with the Herald-Dispatch. He said hes worked with Trump on easing Obama-era regulations on the coal industry and has supported additional funding for clinics and healthcare services for miners who suffer from black lung disease. Jenkins told Fox News West Virginia needs a new voice to represent the state in the U.S. Senate. Theres a clear choice, Jenkins said of the race. He accused Blankenship of using his checkbook to launch a vendetta campaign thats all about his name. As for the state attorney general, Patrick Morrisey, another Senate candidate, Jenkins called him deeply flawed, in the swamp and for the opioid industry. Jenkins has also stressed during the campaign that he supported Trump in the presidential primary, as opposed to the other candidates. "We're starting to see hope and opportunity come back to West Virginia," Jenkins told Fox News, saying voters want someone "who's getting the job done, working with President Trump, bringing this renewed sense of confidence as proud West Virginians." Jenkins leads the field of Republicans in Fox News' poll with 25 percent of likely voters saying they support him. However, 24 percent of voters are still undecided. Patrick Morrisey Patrick Morrisey is the first Republican to serve as attorney general in West Virginia since 1933, his campaign website boasts. First elected to serve in the position in 2012, he was re-elected in 2016. Now Morrisey has his sights set on the U.S. Senate. In his campaign, Morrisey, 50, has harped on his efforts as attorney general to curtail the states opioid epidemic. He sued the Drug Enforcement Administration, saying it allows companies to not take into account patients needs when selling drugs. And his office has reached settlements with pharmaceutical distributors for about $47 million, the largest in the states history, according to his campaign website. But his past work as a health care attorney and his wifes work as a lobbyist who has represented several pharmaceutical clients, including those involved in opioids, have come under scrutiny. His wifes lobbying firm was also paid $460,000 by Planned Parenthood, the Charleston Gazette-Mail reported last year. Morrisey has said he is staunchly anti-abortion, opposing taxpayer dollars going to Planned Parenthood and supporting repealing Roe v. Wade. In an interview with Fox News, Morrisey said he's worked with Trump to get rid of some Obama administration regulations and to "go after" sanctuary cities. He said he has an "excellent" relationship with the president. "As voters focus the last two weeks, they're going to learn who is the proven conservative," Morrisey said, calling Jenkins a "political opportunist" who "stands for nothing." Morrisey has been endorsed by the conservative National Review, which heralded him as a rock-solid, independent-minded conservative who would be a valuable addition to the right flank of the Republican caucus. Morrisey has also been endorsed by Republican Sens. Rand Paul of Kentucky and Ted Cruz of Texas. He is just behind Jenkins, according to Fox News' poll, with 21 percent of likely voters throwing their support behind the attorney general. Fox News' Peter Doocy contributed to this report. President Trump is withdrawing the U.S. from the controversial Iran nuclear deal and imposing greater sanctions on the Middle Eastern nation, he said from the White House on May 8. Calling the 2015 landmark accord decaying and rotten, Trump said the U.S. would not be held hostage to nuclear blackmail and promised to reinstate the highest level of sanctions on Iran. For months, Trump left open whether he would move to officially scrap the agreement or renegotiate it. The deal, known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), had lifted most U.S. and international sanctions on Tehran as certain restrictions were placed on Irans nuclear program. The historic agreement was reached by Iran and several world powers, including the U.S., in 2015 under Barack Obamas presidency. But with his decision to scorch the deal, heres a look at what happens next. Sanctions are reimposed Trump is expected to reimpose all of the sanctions on Iran that were lifted as part of the 2015 deal, according to the Treasury Department. Some sanctions would be reimposed based on a 90-day timeframe and others on a 180-day period. Those sanctions include precious metals, banknotes, shipping, the automotive sector and petroleum, according to guidance from the Treasury Department. "If the regime continues its nuclear aspirations, it will have bigger problems than it has ever had before." President Trump Speaking from the White House, the president promised to reinstate the highest level of economic sanctions waived in the deal. He warned countries that aid Iran with its nuclear arsenal could also be strongly sanctioned. As we exit the Iran deal, we will be working with our allies to find a real, comprehensive and lasting solution to the Iranian nuclear threat. This will include efforts to eliminate the threat of Irans ballistic missile program, to stop its terrorist activities worldwide and to block its menacing activity across the Middle East, Trump said. In the meantime, powerful sanctions will go into full effect. If the regime continues its nuclear aspirations, it will have bigger problems than it has ever had before. Deal could collapse completely Iranian President Hassan Rouhani will send his foreign minister to negotiate with countries remaining in the deal following Trumps announcement, according to The Associated Press. Rouhani warned that his country could restart enriching uranium in the next weeks. If that happens, and the deal collapses completely, businesses and banks doing business with Iran would have to scramble to extricate themselves or run afoul of the U.S. But Rouhani said the agreement could survive without the participation of the U.S. Iran likely hopes the European Union will pass laws to protect European firms from any potential U.S. sanctions. If at the end of this short period, weve concluded that we are able to achieve our demands in the deal, the deal will survive, Rouhani said. Israel prepares Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu praised Trump for his decision to pull out of the agreement. He previously urged the president to abandon the deal. I said it from the start -- it has to be either fully fixed or fully nixed, Netanyahu said before Trumps announcement. But if you do nothing to this deal, if you keep it as is, you will end up with Iran with a nuclear arsenal in a very short time. However, after Trumps proclamation, Israels military said its forces were on high alert and urged civilians in the Golan Heights area near Syria to prepare bomb shelters. The possibility of the nuclear deal collapsing completely raised concerns it might embolden Iran to strike Israeli targets. The military also said it called up some reservists but did not elaborate. Oil markets on alert The international crude oil market was sacked with uncertainty ahead of Trumps decision, The Washington Post reported. According to OilPrice.com, prices dropped early on the day of the presidents announcement. WTI Crude was down 3.65 percent, and Brent Crude was down 3.02 percent. Trumps decision to reinstate sanctions could hinder future projects, according to The Washington Post. For example, the French oil company Total agreed to a 20-year deal with the National Iranian Oil Co. Signed in 2017, the deal, which includes China National Petroleum Corp., is a $2 billion undertaking that would create two subsea pipelines and 30 wells, The Post reported. However, analysts told CNBC the impact of the reimposed sanctions might not have the same impact it once did. And while some countries may limit their oil purchases from Iran out of respect to the U.S., there are other countries that might refuse to do so, according to CNBC. Irans crude output has risen by about 800,000 barrels per day, since January, making it the sixth-largest oil-producing country in the world, according to Fox Business. Most of its oil is reportedly purchased by Asia. Fox News Alex Pappas, John Roberts and The Associated Press contributed to this report. You won't need binoculars to catch this shiny display: Jupiter will be at its biggest and brightest Tuesday night. The gas giant will be in opposition opposite the sun rising high in the sky in the east shortly after sunset. The largest planet in the solar system will be at its highest around midnight local time. This stunning view doesn't come around too often. "Jupiter comes to opposition about every 13 months," EarthSky.org reports. "Thats how long Earth takes to travel once around the sun relative to Jupiter." Since the sun will shine directly on Jupiter, the planet will be brighter than ever. NASA RELEASES 'UNEARTHLY' PICTURES OF JUPITER, SHOWING 9 MASSIVE CYCLONES WITH CATEGORY 5 HURRICANE WINDS "It will gleam brighter than any point of light in the sky," NASA explains on its website. Here's what you need to know about the rare event. When can I see Jupiter? You can catch Jupiter shortly after the sun sets on May 8 after 7:59 p.m. ET. It will continue rising in the sky until about midnight. That's the best time to view the planet, NASA says, because its "light wont be blocked as much by Earth's atmosphere as it would closer to the horizon." By sunrise around 6 a.m. ET on May 9, the planet will set and virtually disappear. What does it mean to be "in opposition"? This means Jupiter is rising and setting opposite the sun. "A planet is 'in opposition' when it is in opposition to the sun in other words, when Jupiter rises shortly after the sun sets, or vice versa," Space.com explained in a blog post Monday. Not every planet can reach opposition, particularly Mercury and Venus. JUPITER'S STRIPES REVEAL STUNNING DETAILS IN NEW JUNO PROBE IMAGES Those planets cannot reach opposition "because they are always within Earth's orbit ... [and] remain relatively close to the Sun as seen from Earth," NASA says. When will Jupiter reach opposition again? Don't miss this spectacular show! The planet won't be as bright and visible again until June 10, 2019, according to EarthSky.org. Bright green colors reflected off the Straits of Mackinac the waterway that flows under Michigan's Mackinac Bridge, connecting Lake Michigan and Lake Huron as the Northern lights paid a welcome visit to the area over the weekend. Dustin Dilworth, of Gaylord, Michigan, located about an hour south of the Mackinac Bridge, was one of many who traveled to Mackinaw City to witness the stunning phenomenon Sunday night. He shared a 43-second timelapse of the event on his photography Facebook page Monday morning. The post went viral with more than 5,700 shares and 133,000 video views as of Tuesday afternoon. "How beautiful! Ive always wanted to see the Northern Lights!" one Facebook fan exclaimed. "Beautiful! Saw these in the late 1950s while sleeping on our boat in Lake St. Clair," another commented. "Where I first saw them 38 years ago. Spectacular!" one woman added. Northern lights, also known as aurora borealis, are created when space particles hit Earth's atmopshere. "These electrons originate in the magnetosphere, the region of space controlled by Earths magnetic field. As they rain into the atmosphere, the electrons impart energy to oxygen and nitrogen molecules, making them excited. When the molecules return to their normal state, they release photons, small bursts of energy in the form of light," NASA states on its website. Many people travel to Michigan in hopes of spotting the spectacular display. There are several spots to catch the show, thanks to the state's low light pollution, state tourism website Pure Michigan says. "Northern Michigan sits in a great location latitude-wise, as the auroral oval dips further south on nights of stronger auroral activity," Pure Michigan explains in a blog post. "The Upper Peninsula is blessed with hundreds of miles of shoreline along the south shore of Lake Superior, which provides some of the best northern lights viewing in the lower 48 due to the very dark night skies." The site lists Headlands International Dark Sky Park, Eagle River, Eagle Harbor, Copper Harbor, among other locations around the state, as optimal viewing areas. Locals hinted at other great viewing spots by tagging their locations in social media posts. The late professor Stephen Hawking was certain there was intelligent life lurking in the universe. The idea that we are alone in the universe seems to me completely implausible and arrogant, he once said. Considering the number of planets and stars that we know exist, its extremely unlikely that we are the only form of evolved life. So before he passed away on March 14 this year, he threw his support behind a project backed by Russian billionaire Yuri Milner and Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg to find that elusive alien civilization. Known as the Breakthrough Listen initiative, the project has begun a new push to survey millions of stars in the Milky Way for signals picked up by extraterrestrial technology and a recent upgrade to a famous Australian telescope is boosting the chances of finding them. A hardware upgrade which saw the CSIRO telescope known as The Dish equipped with a new high-powered receiver last year means researchers can eavesdrop on our galactic neighbors on an unprecedented scale. According to CNET, the project has been using the Parkes telescope in NSW for the past year-and-a-half but had been limited to targeting just a small sample of stars within a relatively short distance from Earth. However, the new receiver allows scientists to peer deep into the galactic plane, which is where the majority of the Milky Ways mass lies. The Breakthrough Initiative has signed up for 1,500 hours of observation time with the Parkes telescope in 2018 and the recent tech upgrade will see scientists able to process about 130 gigabits per second of observational data from deep space. All in all, that could equate to roughly five million HD movies worth of data. With these new capabilities ... we are scanning our galaxy in unprecedented detail, project scientist Danny Price from UC Berkeley said in a statement. By trawling through these huge datasets for signatures of technological civilizations, we hope to uncover evidence that our planet, among the hundreds of billions in our galaxy, is not the only where intelligent life has arisen. According to the team of scientists behind the $133 million Breakthrough Listen project, it is by far the most comprehensive, intensive and sensitive search ever undertaken for artificial radio and optical signals. It will encompass a complete survey of the 1 million nearest stars, the plane and center of our galaxy, and the 100 nearest galaxies. Once the data is collected it will be archived, open-sourced, analyzed and researchers will be able to comb through it to look for anomalies and clues that may point to signs of intelligent life. However, Prof. Hawking wasnt that optimistic about the fate of humanity should an alien species find us and decide to visit. If aliens ever visit us, I think the outcome would be much as when Christopher Columbus first landed in America, which didnt turn out very well for the Native Americans, he said. All the more reason to find them first. This story originally appeared in news.com.au. The truth is out there and its not from another planet. Previously unseen documents reveal how officials at the U.K.s Ministry of Defence handled the UFO mania of the late 1990s. In 1997, there was massive spike in interest around UFOs, fueled by the 50th anniversary of the purported UFO incident in Roswell, NM. and the global popularity of the X-Files TV series. Set against this backdrop, over-worked officials at the Ministry of Defence sought to cut their commitment to investigating UFO reports, the Guardian reports. LOST 'MINIATURE UFO' WRECKAGE DISCOVERED IN MUSEUM The documents were obtained from the MoD by Dr. David Clarke, a principal research fellow at the U.Ks Sheffield Hallam University. The new papers show the UFO desk head in 1997 wanted to get rid of an issue they considered a diversion from their main duties, Clarke wrote in a blog post. Within the files civil servants, intelligence officers and military staff debate how the British Government should respond to growing public interest in the phenomena and what they called the medias obsession with UFOs. The files run to more than 2,500 pages and some of the more sensitive papers, declassified from secret, are heavily redacted, according to Clarke. What has survived the censors pen paints a fascinating picture of the arguments that raged behind closed doors in Whitehall around the 50th anniversary of the UFO mystery in 1997, he wrote. One RAF Wing Commander, for example, urged caution on shifting focus away from UFOs. He argued that as MoD had not carried out any study of the UFO data they had collected since the 1970s it was not credible and also politically risky to continue to claim UFOs posed no threat to the realm, Clarke explained. MILITARY ENCOUNTER WITH UFO REVEALED IN 2015 FOOTAGE In 1996, the MoD commissioned a defense contractor to produce a comprehensive report on UFO sightings, which were carefully described as Unidentified Aerial Phenomena (UAP). The report, which analyzed a database of sightings between 1987 and 1997, was delivered in 2000. The study duly found that sightings could be explained by a variety of known phenomena, both man-made and natural. The incidence of relatively rare natural phenomena was also noted. This opened the door for the MoD to start scaling back its UFO-related operations. The DI55 department, which had secretly collected data on potential UFO sightings since 1967, closed at the end of 2000. The MoDs UFO Desk closed in 2009. STEPHEN HAWKING'S SEARCH FOR ALIENS GETS A BOOST It appears, however, that the writing was already on the wall for the MoDs UFO operations long before the report was finished. In a document dated April 16 1998, the reports author writes: I am particularly looking ahead to my expected recommendation, that DI55 should no longer be involved in UAP monitoring. It was the end-game, Clarke told Fox News. They created a definitive study that would draw a line under their involvement in the subject. The academic notes that in 1997 MoD officials were clearly swamped with reports of UFO sightings. At that time, the Ministry even had a UFO hotline that members of the public could call. The workload on the subject had trebled as a result of what was going on in popular culture, he said. WE COULD FIND ALIENS BY SPOTTING THEIR SATELLITES The hotline eventually closed in 2009. All our historic files which refer to UFOs have either been released, or are in the process of being released to The National Archives, explained the MoD, in a statement emailed to Fox News. The MoD continues to have no opinion on the existence, or otherwise, of extra-terrestrial life and does not investigate reported unidentified flying object sightings. Follow James Rogers on Twitter @jamesjrogers Google took the wraps off the latest version of several of its products at its I/O developer conference, but themes such as artificial intelligence and privacy received huge chunks of time as CEO Sundar Pichai said AI in particular can be a force for good, while recognizing it has nefarious use cases if it's not contained. "It's clear technology can be a positive force," Pichai told the 7,000-plus attendees on Tuesday. "But it's equally clear we can't just be wide-eyed about the changes technology creates." Pichai added that Google needs to navigate the path ahead "carefully and deliberately," while adding that AI is going to "impact many, many fields," and the company has a responsibility to get it right. GOOGLE MAPS IS BEING ABUSED BY SCAMMERS Pichai showed off several examples of where artificial intelligence can help all different walks of life, including it being implemented into Google's algorithmic keyboard, Gboard. It now supports Morse code and has the ability to come up with predictions and text outs for those who use Morse code to communicate and is available in beta later today. He also announced a new Smart Compose feature for Gmail (coming later this month), which takes care of things like addresses and suggested phrases. Google Photos, which sees more than 5 billion photos viewed everyday, is also getting enhanced AI-centric features, including the ability to understand who is in the picture and share it with that person. It can also help fix brightness or recognize a document and turn it into a PDF, something that is already available on the iPhone. Pichai also announced that Google's new machine learning chips and Google's voice assistant, known as Google Assistant, now has the ability to have six natural-sounding voices. Additionally, musician John Legend will be an available as a Google Assistant voice later this year, Pichai said. Google Assistant received additional updates, such as having children say "pretty please" to it (a feature Amazon recently added to Alexa), as well as having a more natural conversation with it, including removing the "Hey Google" prompt during a conversation. It also can make phone calls on your behalf to businesses, with Pichai showing off the example of making a hair cut appointment via Google Assistant. YOUTUBE STARS BEING PAID TO PUSH ACADEMIC CHEATING, REPORT SAYS Google is the fourth tech giant to hold its developer conference in recent weeks. Earlier this week, Microsoft held its Build developer conference, following conferences from Facebook and Amazon. Apple, which also competes with the aforementioned tech giants, is slated to hold its developer conference next month. Product updates Google refreshed several of its products at I/O, including its Google News service, which now incorporates AI, as well as some new hardware. Google News is getting new enhanced features, utilizing artificial intelligence to give readers big headlines, the top 5 stories right at the top of the app, local news, videos from YouTube and more. It will have four tabs: For you, Headlines, Favorites and Newsstand, a new, easier way to subscribe to certain publications from around the world. The new Google News is available on iOS, Android and the web in 127 countries starting later today, the company said. Android P, Google's latest mobile operating system, is using artificial intelligence to help boost battery life, expending it on "apps you care about," Google's Dave Burke said during the presentation. It can also automatically adjust screen brightness by learning a person's preferences. Android P, in beta on certain devices immediately, will also let users do tasks from their apps using Actions in the search bar, without actually going into the app itself, building on a theme Google called "digital-well being," making users lives slightly easier. GOOGLE TAPS TECH TO BATTLE OPIOID CRISIS The new OS will also let you control how much time you spend on a certain app and updates to its Do Not Disturb feature, both extensions of the "digital well-being" theme. First announced at CES, Google's Lillian Rincon showed off smart displays from Lenovo, JBL and LG, which integrate Google Assistant, Maps and YouTube, among other features, similar to Amazon's Echo Show smart device. The products will be available for purchase in July, Rincon said, who did not give an MSRP. Follow Chris Ciaccia on Twitter @Chris_Ciaccia Google I/O is upon us. The annual developers conference kicks off today at the company's headquarters in Mountain View, California, where we expect to hear a flood of news regarding Android, the Google Assistant, wearables, and more. Android P Google will no doubt show off more features in the next version of Android, codenamed P. In March, the first developer preview of Android P arrived; it revamped the way notifications are displayed and paved the way for vendors to build smartphones that cop the iPhone X's infamous "notch." The user interface on Android may also get a tweak. In April, Google accidentally revealed a redesigned on-screen navigation bar for Android P. Presumably, it'll do away with the "recents" button, which lets you switch between apps. To access the function, you'll instead swipe up on a new pill-shaped home icon. According to 9to5Google, the company has also decided to make the back button occasionally disappear when the phone goes idle. During Google I/O, the company may also highlight some new privacy features coming to Android P. Developers spotted a change to the operating system that will prevent third-party apps from monitoring your smartphone's network activity and learning when other apps are connecting to the internet. Artificial Intelligence Google started off as a search engine provider, but the company has said its future is in artificial intelligence. Helping to lead that charge has been the voice-activated Google Assistant, which is finding its way to more and more third-party products. Google I/O represents a chance for the tech giant to bring more developers on board to its platform at at time when Amazon's Alexa has been reaching into homes through the company's Echo smart speakers. So don't be surprised to hear upcoming features around Google Assistant, along with new partnerships. On Monday, for example, JBL announced that the virtual assistant software is coming to a hybrid smart speaker/TV hub called the JBL Link Bar. Wear OS The hype around Android-based smartwatches has faded, but Google isn't giving up on the technology. In March, it changed the name of its OS for wearables from "Android Wear" to "Wear OS." Google implied it did this to avoid alienating iPhone owners, who have been gravitating to the Apple Watch. "We're just scratching the surface of what's possible with wearables and there's even more exciting work ahead," a Wear OS director Dennis Troper said at the time. Days before Google I/O, the company announced some new features for Wear OS, including updates to the Google Assistant. The voice-activated assistant will now offer more responses to your questions. For instance, if you ask about the weather, your smartwatch will show you the current conditions, and display follow-up questions regarding the weather tomorrow or over the weekend. During the developer conference, Google will probably demo these features, and preview some new ones slated to arrive in the future. Google Lens One of the most promising products the company unveiled at last year's developers conference was Google Lens. It's basically a search engine that runs through your smartphone's camera. Take a picture of a restaurant, flower, or obscure word, and Google Lens will identify and pull up relevant information about it. The product was initially limited to the company's Pixel phones, but in February, Google announced plans to bring it to more compatible smartphones. Although the technology isn't always accurate, it does present a game-changing way to do hands-free searches over your smartphone. LG said in a recent press release that "more details" about Google Lens will be mentioned at Google I/O this year. Google News The company is also reportedly going to talk up a redesign to its Google News service. According to AdAge, the revamp will feature more video from YouTube's news section and load articles from media publishers faster. The company is also shutting down its Google Newsstand appa product that compiles news into a digital magazinebut incorporating its features into Google News. The change is reportedly part of a Google push to consolidate all its news services into one brand. Whether it makes for easier reading and a better experience, we'll have to see. This article originally appeared on PCMag.com. Russia will showcase its new Uran-9 robo-tank at the Victory Day parade in Moscow on Wednesday. The Uran-9 has already been used by Russian forces in Syria, according to Russias Defense Ministry. The tank is armed with anti-tank guided missiles, 30-mm automatic cannon and 7.62-mm machine gun, the Ministry, explained, in a Facebook post. A video posted on the social network shows the Uran-9 firing its weapons, destroying obstacles, and navigating difficult terrain. COULD AN 'INSANE' RUSSIAN NUCLEAR TORPEDO CAUSE 300-FOOT TIDAL WAVES? Designed to protect Russian military personnel, the tank and its armaments are operated by a commander located up to 1.8 miles from the vehicle. Operating distance increases to 3.7 miles if four robo-tanks are deployed, the Defense Ministry says. Wednesdays military parade on Red Square commemorates the 73rd anniversary of victory over Nazi Germany in World War II. Russia will also showcase Uran-6, its new mine-clearing robot, at the Victory Day parade. MEET THE US MILITARY'S WARSHIP KILLER: THESE NEW MISSILES WILL SINK ENEMY SHIPS The robot proved itself well during operations in Syria, according to the Defense Ministry. Uran-6 was used for the demining in the ancient city of Palmyra, as well as Aleppo and Deir ez Zor, the Ministry explained, in a Facebook post. Equipped with four video cameras, the Uran-6 can be remotely operated from a distance of up to 0.6 miles. This ensures complete safety of personnel, the Ministry said. The robo-sapper can be fitted with different tools, such as a striker, roller and milling trawls, as well as a bulldozer blade and a mechanical grasping implement. HISTORIC TANKS IN PICTURES Other new Russian weapons making their public debut on Wednesday include the Korsar and Katran unmanned aerial vehicles and its BMPT Terminator fire support combat vehicles. Russia typically shows off its latest weaponry at the Victory Day parade. In 2015, for example, the T-14 Armata tank made its first public appearance in the Red Square event. The Associated Press contributed to this article. Follow James Rogers on Twitter @jamesjrogers An American Airlines flight headed for Dallas was forced to return to Chicagos OHare airport following reports that the cockpit began filling with smoke. American Airlines Flight 2587, an Airbus 321 carrying 175 passengers and six crew members, left from OHare at 8:09 a.m. local time and returned just over an hour later, at 9:13, according to data from Flight Aware. SEE IT: PILOT WALKS AWAY FROM SMALL PLANE HE CRASH-LANDED IN PARKING LOT A tweet from Bruce Clark, who claimed to be the son of a passenger on the flight, said he was getting texts from his father about the planes impending emergency landing while in the air. Happening right now... Texts from my dad [en route] to Tokyo on @AmericanAir via ORD to Dallas smoke in cockpit, making emergency landing, wrote Clark. American responded to Clark shortly afterward, assuring him the plane was returning safely, and that his father would be "on his way soon." In a statement, American Airlines also confirmed that the crew decided to return from their departure city after reports of a possible odor in the cabin, but made no mention of smoke in the cockpit. FOLLOW US ON FACEBOOK FOR MORE FOX TRAVEL NEWS American Airlines flight 2587, from Chicago OHare to Dallas Fort Worth, returned to Chicago after the crew reported a possible odor in the cabin, the airline stated. The aircraft, an Airbus 321 with 175 passengers and a crew of 6, landed safely and taxied to the gate. The aircraft will be evaluated by our maintenance team, and we apologize to our customers for the inconvenience. The pilot of a Piper PA-28 that crash-landed on Monday night says a shortage of fuel was the reason he took the plane down in a Dallas-area parking lot. WATER PRESSURE RESTORED TO PHILLY AIRPORT AFTER REPORTS OF 'FECES' EVERYWHERE The plane had reportedly left from Mississippi earlier in the day for Weatherford, Texas, roughly 60 miles west of Dallas. The pilot later informed air traffic controllers he was running low on fuel and originally planned on landing in Addison Airport, just a few miles from the city, before coming down in Dallas, KTVT reports. The aircrafts wings reportedly clipped a tree as the plane descended into the parking lot of an abandoned restaurant. The pilot is also said to have put out a small fire that broke after the plane struck a light post, though he was able to extinguish it himself, according to WBAP. He escaped the crash-landing with no injuries. FOLLOW US ON FACEBOOK FOR MORE FOX LIFESTYLE NEWS The FAA is currently investigating the circumstances surrounding the crash. A broken water main in the parking lot of the Philadelphia International Airport left the airports terminals without water pressure for more than two hours on Monday evening leaving passengers with no way to flush toilets and only a small dribble of water dripping from faucets. The airport (PHL) confirmed later that night that pressure to the terminals bathrooms had been restored, but not before passengers began tweeting about the less-than-sanitary conditions. VIDEO: HIGH WINDS SEND EQUIPMENT FLYING AT TORONTO AIRPORT Theres literally blood, urine and feces in all of the toilets in each of the terminals, one passenger alleged, following news of the ordeal. Where else can we go to use the restroom? Another Twitter user simply used a vomit-face emoji to describe the airports bathrooms, while a fellow traveler said she found nothing but s----- a bathrooms throughout the terminal. Chris OConnell, a reporter with Fox 29 Philadelphia, further tweeted that travelers were complaining of horrible conditions as well as feces all over the stall. 50 LIVE CROCODILES SEIZED AT HEATHROW AIRPORT The PHLs official Twitter account first reported news of the water main breakage just before 5 p.m., informing passengers of no water pressure throughout the airport terminals and apologizing for the inconvenience. The airport continued to update its followers, sharing news of the Philadelphia Water Departments efforts to fix the problem. They also informed passengers that hand sanitizers would be distributed to the restrooms until sinks were working, but some still had questions. Where should people go to use the bathroom? asked one. How are food service employees washing their hands? another wondered. The airport later tweeted that only bottled beverages and foods would be available in the wake of the incident, as cooking operations are suspended. FOLLOW US ON FACEBOOK FOR MORE FOX LIFESTYLE NEWS The airport confirmed that pressure was eventually restored to terminals just after 7:30 p.m. Subsequent reports tied the problem to a broken water main beneath the airports economy parking lot, which partially submerged cars and created a sinkhole in the parking area. The parking authority towed away around two dozen vehicles, Philly.com reported. The Water Department announced it was planning to work all night and into Tuesday to repair the damage. A Florida woman was arrested on Friday after cops said she falsely called 911 claiming a medical emergency, when she was just thirsty. It turns out that Jennifer Sue Roberts' emergency was a need for beer, WFLA-TV reported, citing an arrest affidavit. The 57-year-old called 911 twice just after 12 noon and just before 4 p.m. claiming she had a medical emergency, according to the Tampa Bay Times. Roberts reportedly appeared intoxicated when paramedics arrived after the second call. Pinellas County Sheriff's Office records seemingly indicate Roberts, who also reportedly goes by Jennifer Sue Sunday, has been accused numerous times of dialing 911 without an emergency. WFLA reports she's made 28 false calls since February. The St. Petersburg woman was released Saturday on her own recognizance. An African monarch with a special connection to a small Ohio university will visit to give the school's commencement speech. The Springfield News-Sun reports Lesotho's King Letsie III will travel to Springfield to speak at Wittenberg University Saturday. Wittenberg history professor Scott Rosenberg has taken hundreds of students on service trips to the nation since his first visit as a Peace Corps Volunteer over two decades ago. Rosenberg's efforts inspired a student-run organization called the Lesotho Nutrition Initiative that sends meals to children. The program has sent over 600,000 meals since 2015. Student Maddy O'Malley says the graduating class is "interconnected" with the mountain kingdom. The king will speak with students at a barbecue Friday night. He will attend a Springfield Rotary Club luncheon on Monday before returning to Lesotho. ___ Information from: Springfield News-Sun, http://www.springfieldnewssun.com The suspect charged with shooting an ATF agent in the face in Chicago has been identified as a convicted felon who is the co-leader of the Almighty Saints street gang. Ernesto "Ernie" Godinez, 28, made his first court appearance Tuesday in the presence of dozens of agents from the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. U.S. Magistrate Judge Maria Valdez, at the Dirken Federal Building, ordered Godinez -- who previously has been convicted for aggravated discharge of a firearm and possession of an illegal gun -- to be held in custody until a May 17 detention hearing, the Chicago Tribune reported. Godinez is the co-leader of the Almighty Saints street gang and turned himself into police around 7 p.m. Monday, according to ABC 7. Celinez Nunez, the special agent in charge of the ATF Chicago field division, said the agent shot Friday is expected to make a full recovery. He was struck by a bullet in the Back of the Yards neighborhood around 3:15 a.m. local time. Officials have said the agent is part of a joint task force with the ATF, Chicago Police Department and Illinois State Police investigating the flow of illegal firearms into the Windy City. The Back of the Yards neighborhood has become a hotbed for gang-related shootings in the last two years, leading to the deaths of 50 people out of the more than 140 that have been hit by gunfire, according to the Chicago Tribune. A former Atlanta police officer was sentenced Monday to five years in jail for beating a man in 2014 who he falsely accused of stealing a tomato from a Walmart. Former Atlanta Police Department Sergeant Trevor King, 49, of Stockbridge was convicted in December 2017 on federal charges of unreasonable force and falsifying a police report, the Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported. OFFICIALS: GEORGIA WOMAN DEAD AFTER SHOOTOUT WITH OFFICERS King was shopping at a Walmart in Atlanta in October 2014 when he said he believed he saw Tyrone Carnegay, 53, stealing a tomato. Prosecutors said King, who was in uniform at the time but off-duty, witnessed Carnegay weighing a tomato before leaving the store. King ran over and stopped the man before he left. The officer hit Carnegay with his baton seven times, leaving him with two broken bones in the victims right leg. Surveillance video showed King hitting a man with a baton. However, King searched Carnegay and discovered a receipt showing he paid for the tomato just a few moments before the attack. King then wrote a false report to cover up his unjustified assault, prosecutors said. Additionally, King charged the victim with obstructing a shoplifting investigation and with assaulting a police officer. MILITARY PLANE CARRYING 9 CRASHES NEAR GEORGIA AIRPORT; NO APPARENT SURVIVORS, OFFICIALS SAY The former officer was indicted in 2016 and retired in 2017. Kings attorney called the sentencing heartbreaking for Mr. King, for his family. Hes a father. After Carnegay underwent surgery, he was transported to the Fulton County Jail on Kings bogus charges, prosecutors said. He got what he deserved, Carnegay said Monday following the sentencing. He did me wrong. A Florida feline had one of its nine lives saved by quick-thinking firefighters Sunday. Palm Bay Fire Rescue was responding to a house fire when firefighters found out the homeowner was still inside the building trying to save her cats. After safely evacuating the woman, firefighter Jacob Couture went back into the home to rescue the two kittens. "I'm just happy to have been at the right place at the right time," he told FOX35 Orlando. One of the kittens had to be resuscitated using an oxygen mask in a moment captured on video by firefighters. MISSING DOG 'MIRACULOUSLY' RESCUED FROM KENTUCKY RIVER IN DRAMATIC VIDEO The cat, now affectionately named "Smokey," was scared at the time but was able to be calmed down and warmed up in a blanket held by Couture. "I'm sure he likes the help," he told FOX35. The resident of the home was transported to a local hospital for treatment of smoke inhalation, according to the fire department. The cause of the blaze remains under investigation. Welcome to Fox News First. Not signed up yet? Click here. Developing now, Tuesday, May 8, 2018 President Trump says he'll announce his decision on whether the United States will stay in the Iran nuclear deal Tuesday afternoon West Virginia will be closely watched among the four states holding key primaries Tuesday as anti-establishment GOP Senate candidate Don Blankenship could test the limits of Trump outsider appeal New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman resigns after allegations of violence against women, drug abuse and more surface Hawaii residents voice demand answers as two new cracks in ground are reported and the Kilauea volcano continues to wreak havoc Walmart announces it will limit opioid prescriptions at pharmacies amid the nationwide drug epidemic THE LEAD STORY - TRUMP'S MUCH-ANTICIPATED DECISION: President Trump tweeted that he would announce a decision Tuesday on whether the United States will remain in the 2015 Iran nuclear deal ... "I will be announcing my decision on the Iran Deal tomorrow from the White House at 2:00pm," Trump tweeted Monday. The president had given himself a May 12 deadline over the deal, which he has long criticized. Trump has previously signaled that he will pull out of the agreement, but has faced intense pressure from European allies not to do so. Earlier Monday, Trump blasted former Secretary of State John Kerry for "shadow diplomacy" amid reports that Kerry had met with Iran Foreign Minister Javad Zarif as part of a bid to salvage the nuclear deal. PRIMARY TUESDAY IN 'TRUMP COUNTRY': West Virginia will join Indiana, North Carolina and Ohio in hosting primary elections in states President Trump carried in 2016 - and it may be the most closely watched, thanks to outsider GOP Senate candidate Don Blankenship ... Blankenship has repeatedly targeted Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell. Despite serving a one-year prison sentence for conspiring to violate mine safety laws, he could still become the Republican nominee for Senate on Tuesday. GOP operatives in D.C. are concerned Blankenship might have a hard time beating Sen. Joe Manchin, D-W.Va. in the fall, for the same reason Judge Roy Moore lost to Sen. Doug Jones, D-Ala., in December too much baggage. This is why President Trump urged voters to "remember Alabama" and note vote for Blankenship but support Rep. Evan Jenkins, R-W.Va. or Attorney General Patrick Morrisey. A POWERFUL DEMOCRAT'S STUNNING FALL: New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman, longtime pillar of New York's Democratic establishment, Trump critic and supporter of the #MeToo movement, announced his resignation Monday night, hours after The New Yorker magazine published allegations of physical abuse and controlling behavior by four women who had romantic relationships or encounters with him ... Schneiderman was accused in the wide-ranging report -- co-written by Ronan Farrow -- of hitting and choking women without their consent, asking to use "about half" of a woman's prescription of the anti-anxiety drug Xanax, and mocking anti-gun demonstrators, including parents from Sandy Hook Elementary School, the site of the 2012 shooting massacre, as "losers." It was not immediately clear who would succeed Schneiderman. He was seeking a third term as attorney general this November and had been tapped as a possible successor to New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo. Ex-girlfriend: Schneiderman called me his 'brown slave,' would slap me until I called him 'Master' Karol Markowicz: Schneiderman scandal: When politics takes precedence over physical safety we need to wake up TELL US WHATS GOING ON: More than 100 frustrated residents packed into Pahoa High School's cafeteria Monday night, demanding county, state and federal officials be straight with them on the danger still developing as Kilauea, Hawaiis most active volcano, continues its path of destruction Dont tell us to sit in a shelter, one angry resident said. Tell us what is going on. Rumors and fear are spreading. What is going on? Someone tell us something. There has been a growing sense of confusion from some residents in the area. They say they havent been given details on what actions are being taken to protect their homes and what dangers remain. The meeting comes as two new cracks in the ground were confirmed in the community. Twelve fissures have been reported in Leilani Estates, near the town of Pahoa. So far, more than 35 structures - 26 of them homes - have burned down. WALMART TACKLES OPIOID CRISIS: Walmart announced Monday it will begin to restrict opioid prescriptions to help stem the deadly drug epidemic ... Walmart and Sams Club pharmacies are set to limit customers opioid prescriptions to a seven-day supply, with up to a 50 morphine milligram equivalent maximum per day, the company said in a news release. The new rules align with the Centers for Disease Control and Preventions guidelines which suggest three days or less will often be sufficient for those prescribed the painkillers, and more than seven days will rarely be needed. Walmart will follow state laws for those which require opioid prescriptions to be filled for less than seven days. AS SEEN ON FOX NEWS 'THREE WOMEN, ONE DOUBLE STANDARD': "Its amazing to watch the media disparage and attack women of real substance while they laud a woman who spends most of her time hanging off a pole half or completely naked." Laura Ingraham, on "The Ingraham Angle," arguing there is a double standard between the press treatment of first lady Melania Trump and Haspel and that of porn star Stormy Daniels and that Democrats are trying to make an icon out of someone who spends "most of her time hanging off a pole." WATCH SKAKEL CASE, REVISITED: "It will never be to rest. There's no hate in our hearts [though]. That's too heavy of a burden to bear." John Moxley, brother of Martha Moxley, on "The Story with Martha MacCallum," reacting to the Connecticut Supreme Court's decision to re-hear the case against Kennedy cousin Michael Skakel, who has been previously convicted in Martha Moxley's killing. WATCH TRENDING McCain book blasts Benghazi response as bureaucratic 'a-- covering,' hits Trump. Sen. Orrin Hatch calls McCain's decision not to invite Trump to funeral 'ridiculous.' Melania Trump unveils Be Best initiative to help kids. Baby suffers stroke in womb, parents shocked to find out 6 months later. THE SWAMP Cracks in Mueller probe: Questions over Manafort charges, Flynn plea embolden Trump allies. More than 50 intel, security officials from both parties back Gina Haspel as CIA turns over files. Sessions says all illegal border crossers will be prosecuted; children may be separated from parents. ACROSS THE NATION George Zimmerman charged with stalking investigator involved in Trayvon Martin documentary. Walmart to limit opioid prescriptions at pharmacies amid epidemic. Manhunt for killer after 'multiple' people shot dead inside Maryland home. Idaho State University loses weapons-grade plutonium capable of making a dirty bomb. MINDING YOUR BUSINESS NASCAR owners reportedly considering a sale. Elon Musk scoops up $10 million in Tesla stock | Takeda offers to buy Shire for $62B. Disney earnings: ESPN streaming service, pending Fox deal, busy quarter. Why Bank of America is funding rifle maker despite pledge to end gun support. WARREN BUFFETT AND LIZ CLAMAN Warren Buffett investment pushes Apple closer to $1T. Buffett lauds Wells Fargo as it launches brand campaign. Buffett favors U.S. sticking with Iran nuke deal | Full coverage FOX NEWS OPINION Hans A. von Spakovsky: Is Mueller going to investigate George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, and Andrew Jackson, too? Salena Zito: Trump's election in 2016 was no fluke, and America's political 'experts' still don't get it. HOLLYWOOD SQUARED Met Gala's 2018 Catholic Church theme stirs up controversy on social media. Joe Piscopo blasts Stormy Daniels on 'SNL,' joins alums critical of left-leaning show's treatment of Trump, conservatives. Jeffrey Tambor on #MeToo allegations: I'm 'mean,' but I never sexually harassed anyone. DID YOU HEAR ABOUT THIS? King Tut mystery solved: No 'hidden chamber' in famous tomb, experts say. Injured bear fatally mauls man who attempted to take a selfie with it. Tourists unknowingly toss dinosaur tracks into lake at a Utah state park. STAY TUNED On Fox News: Fox & Friends, 6 a.m. ET: Former CIA officer Buck Sexton explains why John Kerry's reported efforts to save the Iran deal are 'wrong in every way.' A fallen soldier's American flag was stolen from his family and now they are asking the thief to bring it back. Plus, Lt. Col. Oliver North on becoming the next president of the NRA; and a closer look at how MS-13 is reportedly 'Americanizing' by opening its doors to female members. On Fox Business: Mornings with Maria, 6 a.m. ET: Guests include: Mick Mulvaney, director of the Office of Management and Budget; Chris Swecker, former assistant FBI director; Ian Bremmer, Eurasia Group president. Cavuto: Coast to Coast, Noon ET: Christian Whiton, former State Department senior adviser. The Intelligence Report, 2 p.m. ET: Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers. Countdown to the Closing Bell, 3 p.m. ET: Rep. John Garamendi; Mario Cordero, Port of Long Beach executive director. After the Bell, 4 p.m. ET: Jane Timken, Ohio GOP chairwoman The Evening Edit, 5 p.m. ET: Guests include: Allen West, former Fla. congressman; Marc Lotter, former special assistant to President Trump; Melissa Ackison, Republican Senate candidate for Ohio. On Fox News Radio: Benson & Harf, 6 p.m. ET: Don't miss the new show hosted by Guy Benson, political editor at Townhall.com and Marie Harf, former senior adviser of strategic communications at the State Department. The Fox News Rundown podcast: On Tuesday, four states will cast their votes to help set the stage for midterm elections in November. While Democrats are hoping for a blue wave, Republicans believe they can maintain the majority. Kyle Kondik, managing editor of Sabato's Crystal Ball at the University of Virginia Center for Politics, breaks down the competition in each state. Nearly 2,000 residents of Hawaii have been forced to evacuate their homes because of the Kilauea volcano eruption. Fox News' Lee Ross provides details from the island. Plus, commentary by Van Hipp, former deputy assistant secretary of the U.S. Army. Want the Fox News Rundown sent straight to your mobile device? Subscribe through Apple Podcasts, Google Play, and Stitcher. The Brian Kilmeade Show, 9 a.m. ET: Allen West on Trump's expected announcement on the Iran nuclear deal; Larry Sabato and Chris Stirewalt on Tuesday's primaries and their potential impact on the November midterms; comedian Dennis Miller gives his take on the day's top headlines; Brad Meltzer on his new children's book, "I am Gandhi" and James Fallows and Deborah Fallows on their new book, "Our Towns: A 100,000-Mile Journey into the Heart of America." #OnThisDay 1984: The Soviet Union announces it would boycott the upcoming Summer Olympic Games in Los Angeles. 1978: David R. Berkowitz pleads guilty in a Brooklyn courtroom to murder, attempted murder and assault in connection with the "Son of Sam" shootings that claimed six lives and terrified New Yorkers. (Berkowitz was sentenced to six consecutive life prison terms.) 1945: President Harry S. Truman announces on radio that Nazi Germany's forces had surrendered, and that "the flags of freedom fly all over Europe." Fox News First is compiled by Fox News' Bryan Robinson. Thank you for joining us! Enjoy your day! We'll see you in your inbox first thing Wednesday morning. A man who attempted to behead his wife with a pocket knife for wanting to move to Florida has been sentenced to life in prison. News outlets report that 65-year-old Donny William Eaton pleaded guilty Monday to charges including malice murder. News outlets report Eaton admitted to using a pocket knife to cut 66-year-old Roxanne Tenore Eaton's throat in an attempt to behead her. Eaton later turned himself in and told authorities he had a fight with his wife after she purchased a home in Florida. Police found Eaton's wife dead in their home with multiple face and neck wounds. Senior Cobb County Assistant District Attorney Patricia Hull says Eaton refused to leave the couple's Georgia home so the two could be closer to their children and grandchildren in Florida. A mother in Georgia pleaded guilty to allowing several men, including a 78-year-old, rape her two young daughters in exchange for cash, officials said Friday. The Fulton County District Attorney's Office said in a news release that Morgan Summerlin, 25, pleaded guilty on April 26 to cruelty to children, trafficking a person for sexual servitude and enticing a child for indecent purposes, with sentencing set for June 4. It is difficult to imagine facts that are more horrific than those found in this case," District Attorney Paul L. Howard, Jr. said in a statement. "I am hoping these two little girls can somehow survive this abuse and grow into healthy adults who can lead a productive and fulfilling life. WARNING: GRAPHIC DETAILS BELOW Officials said the two young victims told adults in April 2017 their mother would bring them to men's homes to be molested and raped for money. In one incident, the two girls said their mother brought them to the home of 78-year-old Richard Office, who was referred to as "Pop." "Pop" would give their mother drugs, and in one incident the 78-year-old raped the younger sister while the other rubbed his feet, all while Summerlin sat in his living room, according to officials. "Afterward, Office gave the girls one-hundred dollars, and the girls mother immediately took the money from them," the DA's office said. Summerlin freqeuntly posted about her children on Facebook. In another incident, Summerlin brought the girls to the home of Alfredo Trejo where a similar assault took place, officials said. ALASKAN WOMAN ACCUSED OF ORDERING RAPE OF MAN WHO OWED HER DRUG MONEY Both Trejo and Office were convicted in recent months of numerous charges, including rape, child molestation, enticing a child for indecent purposes, and sexual battery. Office was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole, plus 146 years to run concurrently while Trejo was sentenced to 25 years in prison, followed by life on probation. In addition to the men involved in the gruesome crime, officials said that the children's grandmother, Teresa Davidson, pleaded guilty to second-degree cruelty to children for failing to protect the sisters after they told her they were being sexually abused. FLORIDA MAN CHARGED WITH TRYING TO 'BARBECUE' SEX OFFENDERS AT MOTEL Davidson was sentenced to five years, to serve one minus time served. The impact that this ongoing sexual abuse had on those children is tragic, and we are grateful that the jury held the defendant (Office) accountable for his depraved conduct," Chief Senior Assistant District Attorney Irina Khasin said in a statement. A hammer-wielding home invader reportedly bludgeoned a New York City professor to death in the basement of his own home Monday night after following the victims daughter to the property. Jeremy D. Safran, a 66-year-old psychology professor at the New School for Social Research in Manhattan, was discovered dead after 6 p.m. inside his Brooklyn residence with a hammer next to his body, police sources told the New York Post. "It's shocking because we've been here for 24 years. You become so complacent you don't think about something like this, one of his neighbors, Jillian Daniels, said to the New York Daily News. The newspaper added the 28-year-old suspected intruder was found covered in blood and hiding in a closet near Safrans body before being taken into custody without incident. His name has not been publicly released and charges have yet to be filed in the killing. Multiple reports said Safran suffered head and body trauma injuries and that a medical examiner is currently analyzing the body. Police sources told the New York Post the intruder is believed to have followed Safrans daughter to the home before the attack in an apparent effort to scout out the location. At one point he allegedly engaged in a conversation with her. Other neighbors told Pix 11 that a man in a car with Ohio license plates was seen pulling up to the home and going inside just prior to the killing. A woman who lived there with her teenage daughter later came out of the house and said her husband died, they added. Dr. Safran is one of the co-founders of emotion focused therapy, his website reads. He has practiced mindfulness in Japanese, Chinese and Tibetan traditions for over 40 years, and has written extensively on the integration of mindfulness and psychotherapy. The motive for the attack was not immediately clear. One New Jersey high school is making sure no one feels left out after creating a new inclusive policy that would essentially allow a spot for every student who tries out for the cheerleading squad, doing away with skill-based selections. After one parent made a complaint that a child didnt make the cut after last months tryouts, Hanover Park High School officials rolled out the new policy which triggered backlash of its own. A letter from the Hanover Park Regional High School District Board of Education claimed that after receiving multiple appeals from several parents concerning the selection process for the cheerleading try-outs, the school decided to do away with a skills-based scoring system, and instead implement a system in which students are placed based on their grade-level. The high school administration decided to be more inclusive and not penalize any student from making the squad that did not achieve the desired scored, the letter stated. According to the board, the Black Squad, which normally would be made up of the students with the highest scores during tryouts, now will be made up of students from grades 11 and 12, and the White Squad, normally made up of those with scores ranking below the rubric, now will feature students from grades 9 and 10. BOY WHO CHALLENGED SOUTH DAKOTA POLICY WILL GET TO DANCE, JOINING GIRLS TEAM The school has defended the policy claiming that the goal is make the team more inclusive. Parents are fighting back but some say that when they confronted the school over the policy, the principal threatened to disband the 10-member squad entirely. One student told the board of education that all her hard work has been thrown out the window because of the new initiative. Although the board is reviewing the policy, it remains unclear when a final decision will be made, or if the policy will be reversed. The Associated Press contributed to this report. Times change. In 2003, Tommy Chong went to prison for financing a company that sold bongs and other drug paraphernalia. Today, he makes money selling Tommy Chongs Smoke Swipeavailable on Amazonwhich is designed to eliminate the odor of marijuana from clothes. Chong, half of Cheech & Chong, who made their name in drug-marinated humor in the 1970s, is an understandable figure to cash in on cannabis-related profits. But there are other big names that might surprise you who are taking part in the gold rush (Acapulco Gold?) thats followed the legalization movement. (On the other hand, some of them, like Chong, are no surprise at all.) For years, it was simple. Cannabis was illegal in the United States. In fact, its still illegal under federal law, even for medical use. But in the past few decades, theres been a widespread legalization movement spreading across America. At present, 30 states allow marijuana use in some form, and nine states plus the District of Columbia allow it for recreational use. Which means, as long as federal prosecutors give them room to maneuver, business interests have moved in to deliver the weed, and its accessories, to waiting customers. Some of the big names who have invested in this growth business: Oscar-winner Whoopi Goldberg has teamed up with Maya Elisabeth of Om Edibles to create Whoopi & Maya, a medical marijuana company for women with severe menstrual aches and pains. Their products include balm, bath soak and sipping chocolate. Roseanne Barr, Trump supporter and longtime marijuana user (for medical purposes), partnered with CalCann Holdings, a corporation that deals in real estate and cannabis-related businesses. A couple years ago, they announced theyd soon open Roseannes Joint, a dispensary with custom products shed design. The deal fell apart, however. Surprising no one, Snoop Dogg, rapper and all-around entertainer, is heavily involved in the marijuana business. Snoop has long been known as a fan of weedindeed, his enthusiasm even got him in trouble with the law. Since 2015, hes had his own venture capital fund, Case Verde Capital (Spanish for green house), which invests in cannabis-related start-up companies, and has raised $45 million before closing to new investors. One of those investments is cannabis news site Merry Jane, which Snoop Dogg helped create with movie star and marijuana aficionado Seth Rogen. Willie Nelson, who just celebrated in 85th birthday, has long been an activist in favor of legalization. Now that hes got it, hes a leading entrepreneur in the cannabis field. His products are available online at Willies Reserve. Rose McGowan, face of the #MeToo movement, believes in marijuana, too. Shes invested in Beboe, which offers upscale cannabis products. Beboe, known as the Hermes of Marijuana, offers sleek vape pens, vaporizers, edibles and so on. Its launch in Hollywood was attended by A-listers such as Orlando Bloom, Sharon Stone and Justin Theroux. Dick Wolf is the creator of TVs Law & Order franchise, which has produced over 1000 hours of crime drama, many of those episodes built around drugs. Now Wolf has invested over a million dollars in DigiPath, which provides top-notch cannabis testing facilities. Reality TV star Bethenny Frankel, who founded the low-calorie drink company Skinnygirl Cocktails, has been planning to launch Skinnygirl Marijuna, with specially engineered weed that wont give you the munchies. She announced this a few years ago, however, so perhaps non-munchie marijuana is a tough strain to develop. Celebrity businesspeople want to get in on the action, too. For instance, venture capitalist and PayPal cofounder Peter Thiel has invested in Privateer Holdings, a private equity firm that funds marijuana-related medical research and products. Some sports stars are eyeing marijuana-related profits. Which is why former boxing heavyweight champion Mike Tyson (who once had the munchies for opponent Evander Holyfields ears) broke ground last December on Tyson Ranch, a 40-acre plot of land in the Mojave Desert where he hopes to raise high quality strains of marijuana. It will also have a school to teach the latest in growing techniques, a factory to manufacture edibles, and campgrounds and cabins for those who want to stay a while. Perhaps the biggest surprise is some political names who are getting involved. Former House Speak John Boehner and former Massachusetts Governor Bill Weld released a joint statement in early April that they will join the board of Acreage Holdings, an owner of marijuana operations in eleven states. While Weld has always had a libertarian bent, Boehnera well-known consumer of tobaccowas no fan of cannabis while in office. In 2011, he said he was unalterably opposed to legalization of marijuana. Now a businessman, and no longer a politician, he claims his thinking on the issue has evolved. Theres no question the business of marijuana is evolving, and apparently growing every day. The only question is how high will it go. Idaho State University was fined last week for losing a small amount of radioactive, weapons-grade plutonium that is too small to make a nuclear bomb, but could be used in a dirty bomb, according to a regulatory commission. Dr. Cornelis Van der Schyf, vice president for research at the university, blamed partially completed paperwork from 15 years ago as the school tried to dispose of the plutonium. "Unfortunately, because there was a lack of sufficient historical records to demonstrate the disposal pathway employed in 2003, the source in question had to be listed as missing," he said in a statement to The Associated Press. "The radioactive source in question poses no direct health issue or risk to public safety." The school, which reported the material missing on Oct. 13, was hit with an $8,500 fine and has 30 days to dispute the measure. Victor Dricks, a U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission spokesman, said the agency has very rigorous controls for the use and storage of radioactive materials as evidenced by this enforcement action," he said of the proposed fine for failing to keep track of the material. The agency said a school employee doing a routine inventory discovered the university could only account for 13 of its 14 plutonium sources, each weighing about the same small amount. Idaho State University has a nuclear engineering program and works with the U.S. Department of Energy's Idaho National Laboratory, considered the nation's primary nuclear research lab and located about 65 miles northwest of the school. The plutonium was being used to develop ways to ensure nuclear waste containers weren't leaking and to find ways to detect radioactive material being illegally brought into the U.S. following the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, the school said in an email to the AP. The school searched documents and found records from 2003 and 2004 saying the material was on campus and awaiting disposal. However, there were no documents saying the plutonium had been properly disposed. The last document mentioning the plutonium is dated Nov. 23, 2003. It said the Idaho National Laboratory didn't want the plutonium and the school's technical safety office had it "pending disposal of the next waste shipment." The school also reviewed documents on waste barrels there and others transferred off campus since 2003, and opened and examined some of them. Finally, officials searched the campus but didn't find the plutonium. The nuclear commission said senior university officials planned to return the school's remaining plutonium to the Energy Department. It's not clear if that has happened. Energy Department officials didn't return calls seeking comment Friday. Dricks, the commission spokesman, said returning the plutonium was part of the school's plan to reduce its inventory of radioactive material. He said overall it has "a good record with the NRC." The Associated Press contributed to this report It was cocktail hour at the Met Gala, the most glittery and exclusive event on the New York social calendar, and celebrity guests were thronging around the imposing Temple of Dendur at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, sipping drinks and munching on canapes. Pretty much everyone in the room was famous, some hugely so, but one guest seemed to be getting a little more attention than most: Cardinal Timothy Dolan, the Roman Catholic archbishop of New York. "Cardinal, have you met Huma?" someone asked, leading him over to Huma Abedin, the longtime Hillary Clinton aide. Others waited their turn to speak to him. It seemed fitting, on a night when all the stars were trying to channel the theme of Catholicism, that the real-life cardinal in attendance was a star among stars. Dolan was effusive about the exhibit making its debut that evening, "Heavenly Bodies: Fashion and the Catholic Imagination." He was particularly enamored with the stunning pieces 42 of them on display from the Sistine Chapel sacristy at the Vatican, many never seen outside Rome or in public at all, including jewel-encrusted tiaras and intricately embroidered papal cloaks, known as copes. "Those pectoral crosses, those copes, are you kidding me?" he said admiringly. A waiter came by with tiny mini-grilled cheese sandwiches. "You got any tomato soup with that?" Dolan joked. Nearby stood actor Gary Oldman with his wife, Gisele Schmidt, watching the crowd quietly. The Met Gala is the kind of party where you can be this year's best actor Oscar winner, and nobody takes much notice. (For the record, best actress winner Frances McDormand was there too, with a bright blue bouquet of leaves around her head, as was last year's winner, Emma Stone no leaves.) The couple spoke admiringly of the way the exhibit drew parallels between centuries-old religious imagery and attire, and modern fashions by designers like Gianni Versace, Alexander McQueen, Christian Lacroix and others. "It's all dressing up, isn't it?" noted Oldman, of the parallels. And then there was a bugle call a very loud one, by a team of buglers. Guests were being summoned to make their way from the Temple of Dendur, or from the various exhibit galleries, to the American Wing, where a choir was performing before dinner. "Are they going to do that between every course?" quipped Oldman of the rather stunning sound. The evening began with the usual red carpet procession up the famed museum stairs not red at all, actually before a gaggle of furiously clicking cameras lining both sides, and shouts of, "Who are you wearing?!" Outside the museum entrance, crowds of onlookers stood behind police barricades, hoping to catch a glimpse of some of the more dramatically attired guests. In that latter category would be Rihanna, who never disappoints at a Met Gala and wasn't about to start now not when she could wear her own, ornate papal mitre, bejeweled minidress and cloak. Or Katy Perry, dressed as an angel, with huge wings that recalled the angel in the current Broadway production of "Angels in America." Perry isn't in that show, but Andrew Garfield is, and he was at the gala, too naturally. Once in the museum, guests were free to wander the many galleries housing the ornate exhibit, which stretched from the Anna Wintour Costume Center downstairs, where the Vatican collection was being displayed, to the Byzantine and medieval galleries on the main floor, where designer fashions were interspersed among the religious objects and artworks. One thing they weren't free to do: smoke. The museum was embarrassed last year when photos were posted on some fashion celebrities' Instagram feeds showing them puffing away in the ladies room. The museum said it would make sure that wouldn't happen again; in the ladies room this time, there was a huge no-smoking sign. The gala is famous for attracting luminaries of Hollywood, of fashion, music, sports, TV and the stage. But there was also a former presidential candidate wandering the halls Monday evening and chatting with fellow guests like Harry Connick Jr: Mitt Romney, along with his wife, Ann. "It's wonderful that the Vatican allowed the Metropolitan to show these," said the 2012 Republican candidate as he examined the Vatican objects, which include a tiara studded with 19,000 gems, mostly diamonds. "Even if you went to Rome, you wouldn't get to see these." He noted that religion and art "have always gone together." Broadway star Cynthia Erivo echoed the same idea. "There is definitely fashion in the church, and in religion," she said. "Look at the craftsmanship." The Tony winner was dressed to the nines in a velvet gown of deep purple one of the colors of Catholicism a bejeweled brow and nose ring, and most incredibly, fingernails nails adorned with detailed religious imagery. Erivo explained that she grew up in a Roman Catholic family in London, attended a Catholic school, and had deeply etched memories of attending Mass with her mother as a child. "It definitely has an effect on the way you see things," she said. For her gala attire, she said she had wanted to pay homage to the richness of church imagery, not by dressing as a nun or priest, but by channeling some of the ornate religious objects. The exhibit's curator, Andrew Bolton, has said that he initially wanted to make a multi-religion show, including Islam and Judaism, but decided to focus on Catholicism for now because there was such a wealth of material to choose from. One guest, actress Lynda Carter, wore a Star of David brooch in her hair and a golden crown with Hebrew writing that said, "Never forget." Even though she was born Roman Catholic, she noted, she had raised her children in the Jewish faith. In her teal-hued Zac Posen structured gown and her crown, Carter said she felt something like a high priestess or, she added, maybe just Wonder Woman. Many members of what's widely known as the kink community are outraged that Eric Schneiderman, in resigning as New York's attorney general, depicted his alleged violence toward several women as "role-playing and other consensual sexual activity." Aficionados of kinky sex noted that Schneiderman's accusers insisted they had given no consent which is considered obligatory among most practitioners of kink. The story brought new attention to the world of kink that's often known as BDSM standing for variations of bondage, dominance, submission and masochism. The practice though still a taboo topic in some respects has made incursions into the cultural mainstream in recent years, in part because of the popularity of the "Fifty Shades of Grey" novels and films. However, some of Schneiderman's critics noted that "Fifty Shades" hero Christian Grey meticulously negotiates a contract with Anastasia Steele before she agrees to submit to his demands. The Schneiderman story was the topic of conversation on various online communities on social media and blogs devoted to the subculture of BDSM. A Seattle dominatrix named Mistress Matisse called any non-negotiated encounter "ABUSE. End of story." Others expressed hope that it would increase public understanding of BDSM and help highlight the distinction between its traditions and non-consensual violence. Ronan Farrow, co-author of the New Yorker story that first revealed the allegations against Schneiderman, told CNN that the accusers made clear "that this was not role-playing, that this was not 'Fifty Shades of Grey.' It wasn't in a gray area at all." Ej Dickson, an editor with MensHealth.com who writes often about dating and sex, wrote Tuesday that the kink community "puts a premium on consent." "It is one of the very basic tenets of BDSM," she wrote. "Often, sex acts will be negotiated beforehand in the form of contracts, and either way, anyone practicing BDSM responsibly will implement a 'safe word' to make it clear if they are uncomfortable with anything happening." There have been previous cases where a man accused of violence toward women contended that the incidents in question occurred during consensual "rough sex." That was the gist of the defense by Jian Ghomeshi, a former Canadian Broadcasting Corp. radio host who was acquitted in 2016 of multiple charges of sexual assault involving three women. He was fired after the allegations surfaced. The so-called "preppie killer" Robert Chambers used a "rough sex" defense during his 1988 trial for the killing of 18-year-old Jennifer Levin in New York City's Central Park. Chambers was convicted and served 15 years in prison. The anger directed at Schneiderman echoed, in some ways, the LGBT's community's outrage at Kevin Spacey after he was accused by fellow actor Anthony Rapp of making sexual advances on him during a party in 1986, when Rapp was 14 and Spacey was 26. Many gay activists were furious that Spacey, in asserting he didn't remember an encounter with Rapp, took the opportunity to come out as a gay man a step he'd previously avoided despite long-running speculation about his sexual orientation. Jillian Keenan, author of the BDSM memoir "Sex with Shakespeare," mentioned both Spacey and Ghomeshi in an email to The Associated Press reflecting on the Schneiderman case. "Just as sex without consent is rape, kink without consent doesn't exist - that's assault," Keenan wrote. A male professor who made a joke in a crowded elevator at an academic conference is now facing disciplinary charges after a female professor who was there filed a formal complaint. Richard Ned Lebow, professor of international political theory at Kings College in London, was in a jammed elevator when someone asked him what floor he needed to get off on, according to a Washington Post opinion piece. Ladies lingerie, he joked. He was attending the International Studies Association conference in San Francisco at the time. Simona Sharoni, professor of womens and gender studies at Merrimack College in Massachusetts, also present in the elevator, took offense and several hours after the incident, she filed a complaint with the association, which found that Lebow violated the groups code of conduct. After Lebow was made aware of the complaint, he sent Sharoni an email telling her I certainly had no desire to insult women or to make you feel uncomfortable. He also suggested she may have interpreted my remark out of context. Like you, I am strongly opposed to the exploitation, coercion or humiliation of women, Lebow wrote, according to the Post. As such evils continue, it seems to me to make sense to direct our attention to real offenses, not those that are imagined or marginal. By making a complaint to ISA that I consider frivolous and I expect, will be judged this way by the ethics committee you may be directing time and effort away from the real offenses that trouble us both. The ISA committee found fault with Lebow characterizing Sharonis complaint as frivolous. It instructed him to issue an unequivocal apology, which he refused to do. Lebow told colleagues this is a horrifying and chilling example of political correctness that encourages others to censor their remarks for fear of retribution. "For decades, women and other marginalized groups in the academy had to put up with white men who decided what counts as a violation and what is frivolous," Sharoni told The Chronicle. "As someone who has dedicated her life to confronting sexism (and other forms of discrimination and oppression) in academic spaces, I cannot and will not remain silent when misogyny is at play." Lebow faces appropriate sanctions from ISA if he doesnt write an apology by May 15. ISA did not immediately respond to request for comment. Miami police boasted Monday they had arrested two men suspected of killing a local high school honor student and another young man. However, hours later they had to walk back the announcement after it was proven that the two men were not involved in the killings. Miami Police Chief Jorge Colina had announced during a press conference the arrest of Yaairness Rashad Bryant, 21, and Anthony Clinch, 19, - the prime suspects in the brazen daylight shooting that killed two people and wounded two others. He said a probable cause arrest warrant was issued based on the identification of an eyewitness, the Miami Herald reported. POLICE SEARCH FOR BODY OF GIRL MISSING SINCE 1979, BELIEVE PROPERTY MIGHT BE 'BURIAL SITE' FOR 4 OTHER VICTIMS The arrest, which occurred during the weekend, happened despite Clinch vehemently denying any involvement, saying he was out shopping with his mother. Hours after the announcement was made and the two men had been booked in jail detectives corroborated Clinchs claims after seeing supermarket surveillance video showing him with his mother at the time of the killings. Monday night, Colina said the department would seek the release of the men two days after they were jailed. Its the right thing to do, he told the Herald. Miami-Dade prosecutors are expected to ask a judge to quash the arrest warrants Tuesday morning in court. As for early Tuesday morning, the Department of Corrections inmate system showed both men still remained jailed at Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center. Police said Kimson Green, 17, an honor student at Northwestern High, and his friend Ricky Dixon were gunned down outside a home at the Liberty Square housing projects in broad daylight. Two others were seriously wounded. Northwestern High students took to the streets in protest and law enforcement flooded the neighborhoods for patrols. MIAMI POLICE OFFICER CAUGHT ON CAMERA KICKING HANDCUFFED SUSPECT IN HEAD Details of the murder investigation remain unclear, the Herald reported; however a meeting with top-ranking Miami police officials on Friday appeared to have prompted the arrests the next day. The newspaper reported that SWAT and patrol units stormed the apartment complex on Saturday night, arresting Bryant and Clinch, who immediately told officials he was shopping at a Hialeah-area Marshalls store and supermarket with mother at the time of the killings. Despite his assertions, Clinch was booked and jailed. Two days later, a large contingent of police officers announced the duos arrest and said they were looking for a third suspect, Deondre McDuffy. Hours later, detectives saw the surveillance video from Fresco y Mas supermarket clearing Clinch, sources told the Herald. No video evidence cleared Bryant, whom investigators still believe is involved in the killings. HANDCUFFED SUSPECT RUNS OUT OF COURTROOM, NOSE DIVES OFF 2ND-FLOOR RAILING IN STUNNING VIDEO Colina, in a prepared statement on Monday night, said after reviewing the surveillance footage, it was immediately decided both men would be released. An arrest warrant for McDuffy, which was also announced earlier that day, was canceled. "While the Miami Police Department is committed to the pursuit of justice, it is equally committed to the protection of the innocent," said Colina. An American Bald Eagle was shot and killed in Michigan last month, the states Department of Natural Resources said. The eagle was found in a tree in Grant Township on March 1, 9&10 News in Michigan reported. The culprit has not been identified. But to help authorities find the suspected poacher, a group of local sportsmen are offering a $400 reward for any information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person thats responsible, the news station said. Bald eagles are federally protected; anyone who wounds, traps or kills the bird can face hefty fines and prison time. For instance, one Virginia man was fined $100,000 after he pleaded guilty last summer to killing a bald eagle because he was upset it had been hunting and taking fish from a pond located on his property, ABC News reported at the time. A spokesperson for the Michigan Department of Natural Resources was not available for comment when contacted by Fox News on Tuesday. A volunteer firefighter is accused of setting several separate fires in southern North Dakota. KXMB-TV reports that John Iszler, a volunteer for the Elgin Fire Department, is charged with three counts of endangering by fire or explosion and one charge of criminal mischief. Authorities say Iszler admitted to starting a major fire at Dakota Farm Equipment in Elgin on New Year's Eve, as well as setting three grass fires and burning down a garage and apartment building. The fires were allegedly started and accelerated with aerosol cleaner. Iszler told investigators he was stressed out over a person calling and texting him. His first court appearance is scheduled later this month. A phone number for Iszler could not be found. Grant County court documents do not list an attorney for him. The body of a young girl who disappeared nearly 40 years ago -- and the remains of perhaps four other victims -- could be uncovered Tuesday as authorities continue a desperate dig at a vacant Michigan farm that officials believe may have been a burial ground for a potential serial killer. A spokesman for a task force led by the Warren Police Department confirmed to Fox News that cops are searching a property in Macomb Township for the remains of Kimberly King, a 12-year-old who was reported missing in September 1979. The spokesman said officials believe the location is also the burial ground for at least four other teenage girls. Its bittersweet, but by finding those remains we might bring closure to these families, Warren Police Commissioner William Dwyer told Fox News. The site, located near 23 Mile Road and North Avenue in Warren, is in the same area where police found the remains of 13-year-old Cindy Zarzycki in 2008. Convicted child murderer Arthur Nelson Ream led police to Zarzycki's body. The girl vanished in 1986 after meeting Ream, her boyfriends father and her killer, at a Dairy Queen. Authorities said Ream, now 68, tricked the teenager by telling her he was planning a surprise party for his son, the Detroit Free Press reported. Ream, a convicted pedophile who raped a 15-year-old, is currently serving a life sentence for Zarzyckis murder. Other cold cases that could be connected to Ream include Kellie Brownlee, from Novi, who was 17 when she disappeared in 1982; and Kim Larrow, who disappeared from Canton Township in 1981 at the age of 15, WDIV reported. While Dwyer did not elaborate on what prompted the search that began Monday, he said they had interviewed Ream prior to launching the investigation. Fox 2 Detroit said crews were seen on the property with a backhoe, shovels and other tools. The task force investigating what may be hidden beneath the farm's dirt is composed of the Warren Police Department, the FBI, Michigan State Police and Macomb County Sheriffs Office. King was reported missing on Sept. 15, 1979, during a stay at her grandparents home in Warren, Michigan. The girl had planned to sleep over at her friends house across the street. Around 11:30 p.m. that night, however, King called her sister from a public telephone near their grandparents home. Her sister Konnie Beyma said she told her sister to go back to her friends house, but that never happened. The next day she was reported missing. Its a day I wont forget, Beyma told WXYZ last year. Nearby property owner Ron Dehondt told Fox 2 Detroit that the property had been vacant for about 20 years or so. The front part was farm up until a few years ago, the back part is open but I think its not being developed right now," Dehondt said. "Theres a river that runs through it, the north branch of the Clinton River. The search on the property is expected to continue for several more days. A former substitute teacher in Connecticut pleaded not guilty Tuesday to accusations that he organized and supervised a shocking student fight club during a high school math class. Ryan Fish, 23, allegedly oversaw at least three scheduled fights in October that involved five boys between 14 and 16 years old, Fox 61 reported. He allegedly told police at the time that he thought the kids "needed an out." According to police, cellphone video showed Fish encouraging students to fight as they hit each other in a Montville High School classroom. He also could be seen moving items out of the way so the fights could continue. An investigation started last December after one student told a social worker that he was beaten and robbed while at school. IM AN IDIOT, SAYS EX-SUBSTITUTE TEACHER ACCUSED OF RUNNING STUDENT FIGHT CLUB Police said they learned Fish was confronted by the schools principal about the alleged fight club in October 2017 and defended what happened by telling the school official, "boys will be boys," Fox 61 reported citing a police report. Fish was fired later that day. State officials said that they were never contacted by the school over the incident in October and that it was acknowledged only after police began their investigation. The school's principal, superintendent and an assistant superintendent were arrested in April for failure to notify the proper authorities and have been placed on leave since. Fish pleaded not guilty to two counts of risk of injury to a child, four counts of second-degree reckless endangerment and one count of second degree breach of peace but reportedly told police during their initial investigation that he was sorry. "I am so sorry. ... To be perfectly honest, I was just trying to reach the kids," he reportedly said while denying the allegations. "I thought these kids were just being rambunctious. I just thought they needed an out." Fish filed his plea with an attorney in Norwich Superior Court and requested a jury trial. Fox News Amy Lieu and The Associated Press contributed to this report. Prosecutors on Tuesday dismissed more than 60 cases stemming from a 2015 shooting in Waco involving rival biker clubs that left nine dead, the latest sign of serious trouble for an ambitious pursuit of convictions following the deadliest biker shooting in U.S. history. McLennan County prosecutors tossed out 66 more cases and have dismissed or refused 154 of the original 192 cases since February, saying they wanted to focus on those who were "more culpable." Officials said in late April that only about 25 cases will be prosecuted of the more than 150 people ultimately indicted on felony charges of engaging in organized criminal activity. Police arrested nearly 200 bikers following the mayhem at a Twin Peaks restaurant involving members of the Bandidos and Cossacks motorcycle clubs. Waco police officers monitoring the gathering also fired on the bikers, shooting at least two fatally. Only one biker Jake Carrizal, a locomotive driver and the president of the Dallas chapter of the Bandidos has been tried and it ended in a hung jury and a mistrial last fall. The county's district attorney, Abel Reyna, said in a statement in February announcing the first round of disposed cases that information gleaned during Carrizal's trial was "invaluable" in his office's decision to narrow the focus of its investigation. That trial was fraught with delays as Carrizal's defense attorneys repeatedly demonstrated to the presiding judge that prosecutors had not shared all of the evidence required by law. Reyna added that prosecutors were expecting to review evidence from a federal racketeering trial in San Antonio against the former president and vice president of the Bandidos after it had concluded. The trial ended Monday, and it is unclear whether prosecutors in Waco have reviewed any federal evidence. Reyna declined to comment Tuesday. The bulk of the dismissals and refusals followed Reyna's defeat in a Republican primary election in March. A judge on Monday dismissed one of the four cases Reyna recused his office from prosecuting, an action Reyna said was taken to avoid the appearance of a conflict. In the motion to dismiss, Brian Roberts, a special prosecutor in the case, said that the biker, Matthew Clendennen, a landscape-lighting business owner in Hewitt, Texas, should never have been charged. "Frankly, you can't just wholesale charge 192 people because they were wearing vests and have some connection with a motorcycle club," Roberts said, adding that "there's more to a charging decision. Presence alone is not enough." Surveillance footage showed many bikers running from the scene and ducking for cover after gunshots rang out. A smaller number could be seen pointing and firing weapons, slinging a chain or participating in fistfights. Law enforcement officers recovered dozens of firearms, knives and other weapons from the restaurant and adjacent parking lot, many of which officers organized indiscriminately into piles on the pavement and in the back of a police vehicle, dash-cam video showed. By Tuesday, only 37 of the original 154 bikers remained under indictment. Bikers and defense attorneys expected additional dismissals during another status hearing set for Thursday in Waco. Backers of efforts to combat corruption in Guatemala say the work will not be stopped by U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio putting a hold on $6 million in U.S. funding for a U.N.-sponsored commission probing graft in the Central American country. Commission chief Ivan Velasquez tweets that "the fight against impunity and against corruption must continue." Guatemalan lawmaker Andrea Villagran said Monday that she is confident the hold "should not do significant harm, since it is not a person who makes the decisions it is a group." Rubio announced the hold Friday, saying he was concerned that the commission may have been "manipulated and used by radical elements and Russia's campaign against" three Russians who were imprisoned in Guatemala. One ruling party official urged supporters "to castrate the enemy." Another called for drowning the regime's opponents in a lake. Such hate speech spells trouble in Burundi, which is still reeling from President Pierre Nkurunziza's decision in 2015 to seek a disputed third term that provoked street protests and led to an estimated 1,200 deaths. Now Nkurunziza's government is pressing ahead with a May 17 referendum that could further extend his rule and usher in a new wave of bloodshed. "We are shocked by such kinds of speech," said Gerard Hakizimana, president of a Burundian civic group known as Folucon-F. "All Burundians must live together in peace." Burundians are being asked to vote yes or no to a proposal to extend the president's term from five years to seven, which would allow Nkurunziza to rule for another 14 years when his current term expires in 2020. His opponents are desperate to avoid that scenario, but they also seem powerless to stop him in the face of murderous threats. Even before campaigning on the referendum officially started on May 1, tensions had been rising in this East African nation amid alleged detentions and killings of its perceived opponents. Human Rights Watch has noted "widespread impunity" for authorities and their allies, including the ruling party's youth wing, as they try to swing the vote in the president's favor. Two men recently died after beatings allegedly at the hands of state agents, the rights group said. The violence is an "expression of fear" on the government's part and the "last recourse" for Nkurunziza, said Frederic Bamvuginyumvira, a former vice president who leads the opposition party Sahwanya-FRODEBU. The United States last week denounced "violence, intimidation, and harassment" against those thought to oppose the referendum and expressed concern about the "non-transparent process" of changing the constitution. Burundi's Catholic bishops issued a statement expressing concern about the referendum's timing, citing "some problems in the democracy process" and urging unity. Burundi's government strongly denies allegations it targets its own people, saying the charges are malicious propaganda spread by exiles. Last week it suspended BBC broadcasts in the country for six months, accusing it of spreading ideas that discredit the president. Voice of America broadcasts also were suspended. The international community, however, has long expressed alarm over alleged abuses. International Criminal Court judges last year authorized an investigation into allegations of state-sponsored crimes in Burundi, a country that the U.N. human rights chief has called one of "the most prolific slaughterhouses of humans in recent times." Concerns have risen in recent days. Last week Burundi's government arrested a party official who told a crowd he wanted the referendum's opponents thrown into Lake Tanganyika. Melchiade Nzopfabarushe, who once worked as a counselor in Nkurunziza's office, was swiftly convicted on charges of threatening state security and sent to prison for three years. But rights activists were not impressed by the punishment, noting that many others who have made similar comments are still at large. Members of the Imbonerakure, the ruling party's youth wing that has been accused by rights groups of perpetrating serious crimes on behalf of the government, have urged supporters in the past to harass opposition members, even to "impregnate" them. "We have to castrate the enemy," Cyprien Sinzotuma, provincial secretary of the ruling party in rural Muyinga province, said during a recent march by Imbonerakure members. "It is total determination and we will fight up to the last." SOS Medias Burundi, a network of independent journalists, has reported the arrests over a single week last month of more than 50 members of the opposition coalition Amizero y'Abarundi, whose leader Agathon Rwasa is the first vice president of the National Assembly. At least 10 of those were arrested while celebrating a colleague's successful defense of his university thesis, a meeting the authorities deemed subversive, the group said. Late last month one human rights defender, Germain Rukuki, was sentenced to 32 years in prison on charges that included rebellion, a sentence Amnesty International called "an insult to justice." U.N. experts last year urged Rukuki's release, saying they were "concerned by the seemingly arbitrary detention." Many in Burundi, a poor country that still relies heavily on foreign aid, worry that a new round of bloodshed will follow the referendum no matter its results. Already more than 400,000 people have fled the country since April 2015, according to the U.N. Nkurunziza, a former rebel leader, rose to power in 2005 following the signing of the Arusha accords that ended Burundi's civil war that killed about 300,000 people. He was re-elected unopposed in 2010 after the opposition boycotted the vote. He said he was eligible for a third term in 2015 because lawmakers, not the general population, had chosen him for his first term. Critics called his pursuit of a third term unconstitutional. "Nkurunziza is determined to capture the country's institutions and rule as an absolute monarch," activist group iBurundi said. "Of course this will not end well for him and for the country." ___ Muhumuza reported from Kampala, Uganda. ___ Follow Africa news at https://twitter.com/AP_Africa A woman from Northern Ireland was left with a hole in her skull after she was attacked with a cordless drill Saturday in what police are investigating as a possible hate crime. Brenda McLaughlin, 38, told police she believed she was targeted with the drill because she's gay, Sky News reported. The attack occurred on the street in County Tyrone, Northern Ireland, early Saturday morning. McLaughlin was at a nightclub in Strabane along with the 17-year-old male accused of carrying out the attack. WOMAN CRITICALLY INJURED AFTER DRILLED IN HEAD; HOMOPHOBIC MOTIVE PROBED The victim told authorities she heard the noise of the drill and felt her head being twisted. A detective said there was no evidence a drill bit was put in the drill that was recovered by police. McLaughlin is currently at Altnagelvin Hospital in Londonderry. "There does appear to be some sort of hole in the skull, but I cannot say how severe it is," the detective said. "The victim said she believed it was in relation to her homosexuality." The suspect, who was not immediately named, was accused of having an offensive weapon, maliciously causing grievous bodily harm and stealing the power drill from the nightclub, Sky News reported. When officials found McLaughlin, she was lying on the ground in a pool of blood. She was suffering from seizures and going in and out of consciousness. KIM JONG UN MEETS SECRETLY IN CHINA WITH XI JINPING AHEAD OF NUKE TALKS WITH US Daniel McCrossan, a member of the Legislative Assembly for West Tyrone, called the attack one of the most horrific incidents" during his time as a politician. "It is a monstrous attack and one that has sent shockwaves across the entirety of the wider Strabane community today," he said. "I actually felt sick, that this could happen." The suspect told police he has homosexual relatives and did not bear any ill will towards gay people, Ciaran McGuinness, his solicitor, said. Surveillance video showed the suspect playing with the drill as if it is a gun. The suspect is in custody and was slated to appear in court May 18. Authorities are investigating the attack as a hate crime. An Iranian military base in Syria was attacked on Tuesday, sources confirmed to Fox News. At least nine people died in the attack, Rami Abdel Rahman, director of the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights in Britain, told AFP. The report could not be independently confirmed by Fox News. The military compound that was hit is located about 10 miles south of the Syrian capital city of Damascus, western military sources said. Syrian TV reported that it was an Israeli airstrike and that Syrian air defense systems shot down two missiles. The attack happened in Kisweh, according to the official news agency SANA, about an hour after President Trump's announced that he would be pulling the U.S. out of the Iran nuclear deal. High tension between rivals Iran and Israel have prompted an increasing number of strikes as of late. Iran has promised to respond to Israeli-led attacks aimed at Iranian outposts in Syria. Those include an attack on Syria's T4 air base in the Homs province in April that killed seven Iranian military personnel. And on April 30, Israel was accused of attacking government outposts in northern Syria, which left several pro-government fighters, some of whom were Iranians, dead. On Tuesday, the Israeli military said they'd identified "irregular activity of Iranian forces in Syria" and urged citizens in Golan Heights near Syria to ready bomb shelters. Fox News Hava Pasha and The Associated Press contributed to this report. Iran has woken up to news that President Donald Trump plans to announce his decision about whether to pull America out of the nuclear deal between Tehran and with world powers. Trump's tweet came late on Monday night, meaning major newspapers across Iran missed the announcement for their front pages. Iran's state-run television broadcaster carried the announcement at 10 a.m. local time, and Iran's state-run IRNA news agency also carried a report on it. Overnight, Iran's semi-official news agencies carried the news off Trump's tweet, while others shared foreign media reports online. Trump's announcement, set for the 2 p.m. EST at the White House, will come after nightfall in Iran. Iranian officials offered no immediate reaction to Trump's upcoming decision. It was a shoe-in for the biggest foreign policy faux pas in recent memory. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu put the wrong foot forward during his Wednesday dinner with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe when the Israeli chef served dessert in a shoe -- a huge gaffe given Japanese culture's disdain for shoes inside the home. And this metal shoe wasn't just inside the home, it was on top of the dinner table, filled with chocolate pralines, The Washington Post reported. Japanese officials were reportedly horrified after learning Abe was served the dessert by Israeli celebrity chef Segev Moshe inside the shoe, designed by artist Tom Dixon. KIM JONG UN MEETS SECRETLY IN CHINA WITH XI JINPING AHEAD OF NUKE TALKS WITH US Theres no culture in the world in which you put shoes on the table. What was the distinguished chef thinking? If it was humor, we dont think it is funny; we were offended on behalf of our prime minister, a Japanese diplomat, who was not named, told Israeli newspaper Yediot Aharonot. The paper reported Monday that Japanese diplomats, Israeli Foreign Ministry officials and high-ranking Israeli diplomats who previously served in Japan were shocked by the idea. This was an insensitive decision, a senior Israeli official, who was not named, told the paper. There is nothing lower than a shoe in Japanese culture. Not only do they not wear shoes at home, you also wont find shoes in their offices. This is disrespect of the first order. MEGHAN MARKLE, PRINCE HARRY REPORTEDLY DONT INVITE SARAH FERGUSON TO ROYAL WEDDING EVENT Israels Foreign Ministry commented on the dessert catastrophe, diplomatically washing its hands of the dessert selection. We respect and appreciate the chef. He is very creative, the ministry said in a statement. We have the utmost respect for the Japanese prime minister. The chefs publicist released a statement saying the dessert was displayed in a high-quality piece of art made of cast metal in the shape of a shoe; it is not a real shoe. However, Segev Moshes followers believed the chef should have done his homework before preparing for the meal. When you cook at a diplomatic meal, the minimum you can do is inquire about the guest. In Japan, shoes are considered contemptible, they always take off their shoes at the entrance to every home, both for themselves and for others, one person commented on Moshes picture of the dessert. When President Trump visited Israel, Moshe prepared his dessert as well. For that occasion, the celebrity chef served the world leaders a creative dessert shaped in the heads of Trump and Netanyahu. North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and Chinese President Xi Jinping met secretly in northern China on Monday and Tuesday, marking the third time Kim has left the Hermit Kingdom since he took power 6 1/2 years ago. The stealth summit, which was only announced by China state television after Kim had flown out of the country, comes ahead of high-stakes nuke talks with the United States. Rumors of a visit by Kim, or another high-level diplomat, were sparked when a mysterious plane from North Korea landed in the Chinese port city of Dalian on Monday, Yonhap News Agency reported, citing China's Xinhua news agency. "[The leaders] had an all-round and in-depth exchange of views on China-[North Korea] relations and major issues of common concern," the Chinese news agency reported. During Monday and Tuesday's meeting, Kim reiterated his commitment to North Korea's denuclearization, adding that the regime didn't need nuclear weapons if a "relevant party" drops its "hostile policy and security threats" against it. "I hope to build mutual trust with the U.S. through dialogue," Kim was quoted saying. Kim and Xi met in Beijing in late March -- Kim's first trip outside North Korea as the country's leader -- before the despot held a historic April summit with South Korean leader Moon Jae-in. During the meeting with Xi, which was announced days after a mystery train appeared in the Chinese capital, Kim first said North Korea was committed to denuclearization. China, North Korea's biggest benefactor, has been eager to assert its importance in the process of lowering tensions on the Korean Peninsula. China is North Korea's only major ally, though trade between the two countries plummeted due to the United Nations economic sanctions. President Trump tweeted shortly after news of Kim's visit was confirmed about his own upcoming meeting with Xi. "I will be speaking to my friend, President Xi of China, this morning at 8:30. The primary topics will be Trade, where good things will happen, and North Korea, where relationships and trust are building," Trump tweeted. Kim traveling to China by plane also differed from the travel methods typically employed by his father, late leader Kim Jong Il, who traveled in an armored train for his trips abroad. Kim's father was afraid of flying, but Kim Jong Un appears not to be afflicted with the same panic over air travel. A North Korea's Air Koryo plane was spotted at the airport in Dalian. The Associated Press contributed to this report. A court in the Maldives has sentenced the country's chief justice to nearly five months in prison on charges of obstructing justice and government administration. The criminal court on Tuesday sentenced Abdulla Saeed to four months and 24 days for blocking the Supreme Court from receiving letters from the administration. Saeed was arrested in February during a political crisis that followed a Supreme Court order that some of President Yameen Abdul Gayoom's political opponents be released from jail and retried because of alleged due process violations in their earlier trials. Saeed also faces separate charges of terrorism which carry a longer maximum term. Maldives, known for its luxury island resorts, embraced multiparty democracy in 2008. It has lost most of its democratic gains since Yameen was elected in 2013. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is an outspoken opponent of the Iran nuclear deal, but some in Israel's security establishment see it as a least-bad option that should be preserved. President Donald Trump is set to announce Tuesday whether the U.S. will exit the 2015 agreement between Iran and world powers. The agreement lifted painful economic sanctions against Iran in exchange for curbs on its nuclear program. Netanyahu has been a leading critic of the deal, saying it did not contain sufficient safeguards to prevent Iran from reaching nuclear-weapons capability or address Iran's other activities across the region or its long-range missile program. Trump's disdain for the deal has been a welcome development for Netanyahu. But while Netanyahu has been urging the deal be either "fixed or nixed," not all are clamoring to cancel the agreement. "An American announcement that it's withdrawing from the agreement would let Iran drive a wedge between the world powers and gradually loosen international oversight over its nuclear program," Amos Gilad, a retired senior Israeli defense official, told the Haaretz newspaper for a story published this week. "If the Americans abandon the agreement, they have to prepare for alternatives, and I don't see this being done," he said. Gilad said Israel needs to prioritize the threats it faces. "If Iran now continues to suspend its nuclear project for eight or 10 years, in accordance with the agreement, that will let us focus on more urgent threats relating to the Iranian army establishing a presence in Syria, and preparing the Israeli army for the possibility that, in the future, we'll have to deal with the nuclear (issue) if a confrontation erupts," he told Haaretz. Israel considers Iran an existential threat because of its nuclear and missile programs, its support of violent anti-Israel groups in the region and frequent calls for destruction of the Jewish state. How does machine learning fit into that? We know there are a number of cancer targets [molecules that are important for cancer and could be targets for anti-cancer drugs] that are activated when Fbw7 is disrupted in tumors. But we dont know the roles of individual targets versus this whole network in different types of cancer. Because this network is so complicated we wanted to try and use a machine learning, informatics-based approach to analyze big data sets from real human tumors and see if we could learn something about the impact of this entire pathway on the overall state of the tumor cells. Our collaborators [led by computational biologist Dr. Adam Margolin] developed this method to study these types of problems, but they hadnt applied it in this way before. [Margolin is now at the Mount Sinai School of Medicine but conducted this work at the Oregon Health and Science University.] The team analyzed data sets from the National Institutes of Healths massive cancer-genome project, known as The Cancer Genome Atlas, or TCGA. In their analysis, the researchers included five cancers that often have Fbw7 mutations: bladder, colorectal, head and neck, lung, and uterine cancers. The way that we did it was to see if we could discover sets of genes that could predict which tumors of a certain type had the Fbw7 mutation. Our hypothesis was that if these sets of genes, in sum, are able to identify a tumor cell with an Fbw7 mutation, maybe theyre telling us something special about what the consequences of that Fbw7 mutation are that this is some fundamental characteristic of the state of that tumor cell with that mutation in it. And then my collaborators took their machine learning algorithm a step further. They trained it so they could look across all different kinds of cancer to identify shared properties of tumors that were dysregulated because of these Fbw7 mutations. The idea was that these shared networks may reveal the really core functionalities of what happens across cancers. What did you find? We found evidence of widespread dysregulation of metabolism that was the most predictive feature across all cancers that we studied. Several targets of this Fbw7 pathway are known to regulate metabolism, but it was pretty surprising that this [abnormal metabolism] would come across as the one conserved feature across all these different cancers. Now, you can find lots of things computationally that may or may not be true. So we then used gene-editing methods to create these Fbw7 mutations in colorectal cancer cells in such a way that the only thing that differed was these mutations. And we took a tumor with a naturally occurring mutation in this Fbw7 pathway and corrected it back to normal. We were able to show, in both of these settings, that these Fbw7 mutations directly caused the abnormal metabolism. Why was this finding about metabolism surprising? Because a lot of the targets of Fbw7 are proteins that do things like cause cells to divide abnormally or are involved in the process of cell differentiation. We hadnt really thought about metabolism as a main pathway to cancer. And the metabolic dysregulation was seen with different kinds of Fbw7 mutations, as well as tumors that have reduced amount of Fbw7, which was also pretty interesting. It really seemed to be a common feature. How could this finding open the door to new cancer treatments in the future? I dont want to overstate it too much, but in some instances in which we looked, we were able to show that the alterations in metabolism rendered the cancer cells sensitive to inhibitors that target those metabolic pathways. This not only uncovers something about what these mutations are doing to cause these cancers to occur but reveals new targets for therapy to study as well. Metabolism is one of these hallmarks of cancer that contributes to tumorigenesis [tumor formation]. [Metabolic changes] become a necessary enabling feature of cancer, and tumor cells can become dependent on that. So if you interfere with their ability to alter metabolism in the way that the tumor cells need to, it represents a vulnerability that wouldnt be there in a normal cell. Could this algorithm be applied to other problems like this one? Theres lots of really important cancer genes that have these very diverse effects on various aspects of cell division and differentiation and metabolism, these complicated pathways. We think its likely that this same approach would be applicable to these, too. What are the next steps? One step is to study a preclinical model of Fbw7-driven cancer in a mouse. So far weve done these studies on human tumor cell lines [that is, human cancer cells growing in dishes in the lab], but we really need to now develop a platform in which we can study this in the kind of comprehensive detail we need to treat cancers that closely resemble human cancers. Another step is to try to broaden this machine learning approach to study other complex and important genes that are involved in the development or maintenance of cancer. The study was funded primarily by the National Cancer Institute with additional funding from the Turkish Academy of Sciences and the Science Academy of Turkey. Talk about this story on Facebook. Free Freightnet Membership List your company in the Freightnet directory. It's Free, it's Easy and your company can be displayed in front of potential freight buyers within 24 hours. News Provisional ballots could swing some local races GALVESTON Some of the presumed winners from Saturdays local elections will have to wait a week before they can breathe easy and rest on their laurels. Galveston County election officials said Monday there are still 139 provisional ballots from the May 5 election that need to be vetted and potentially counted. The county will count those ballots on May 14, officials said. The officials could not identify on Monday which races the ballots could potentially affect. Depending on if the ballots are held up as valid, and who they reflect votes for, the provisional ballots could change the outcome of races that were separated by small margins following Saturdays election. Galvestons District 3 city council race between David Collins and Frank Maceo was decided by just five votes, according to complete but unofficial results. Galvestons District 5 race went to a runoff. John Paul Listowski received the most votes, but second-place finisher Carol Hollaway and third-place finisher Jeff Antonelli were separated by just four votes. In all, 12 of the 22 contested races managed by Galveston County were separated by 136 votes or fewer. (The county did not manage the elections for the city of Friendswood or Clear Creek Independent School District.) In all, 8,008 people voted in local elections in Galveston County, according to numbers released Monday. That doesnt include the provisional ballots. The number of provisional ballots generated by the election wasnt unusual, said Ernie Murrie, the countys chief deputy clerk for elections. On Monday, the county voter registrars office was checking the provisional ballots to see how many were cast by people properly registered to vote in the election. Most of the provisional ballots were cast because of discrepancies between a persons current address and the one they were registered to vote in, Murrie said. Only one ballot was cast because of requirements related to Texas voter ID law, Murrie said. Provisional voting was created in 2004 to allow a person to vote if his or her name does not appear on a list of registered voters because of an administrative error. To cast a provisional ballot, voters must complete affidavits stating the reasons why they are qualified to vote. Voters will receive a notice in the mail 10 days after the election is canvassed explaining if their ballots counted or not. The ballots include mail-in votes, and from the 18 Election Day voting locations across the county, Murrie said. The county operates a county-wide voting system meaning a ballot for a given race can be cast at any voting site so its difficult to prognosticate which races could be affected by the provisional ballots. Its also impossible to say which ballots will be outright rejected, Murrie said. The ballots are sealed until they can be reviewed by the countys ballot board. Its a toss-up, theres no way I can tell, Murrie said. Theres different scenarios on every one. Galveston County has faced similar close votes before. In 2010, a race between incumbent councilwoman Linda Colbert and challenger Angela Brown was separated by four votes. Another race, between incumbent councilman Tarris Woods and challenger Rusty Legg, was separated by 10 votes. In 2012, Legg was again involved in a close vote, avoiding a runoff election in District 1 by four votes. The provisional vote counts those years did not affect the final outcome of those elections. Reporter Before coming to work for The Daily News as a staff reporter, Connor worked for us as a freelance correspondent throughout 2017. He has written for other publications such as the Washington Post. On Monday morning, dozens of workers in hazmat suits could be seen picking up globs of oil from the shoreline at Huntington State Beach. 30 drug dealers targeted : Police take stock after huge raid in Tannenbusch Bonn Police conducted a large-scale raid in Bonn and the region on Tuesday morning. 23 people have been arrested and tens of thousands Euros in cash seized. Teilen Teilen Weiterleiten Weiterleiten Tweeten Tweeten Weiterleiten Weiterleiten Drucken The police have been preparing for this day for several months. From 6am on Tuesday morning, around 30 apartments and houses were searched in Bonn, Alfter, Bornheum, Niederkassel and Cologne, 20 of them in the Bonn city area. It is one of the largest drugs raids in Bonns history. The focus of the operation was in Tannenbusch. A police helicopter was also used and circled over Tannenbusch-Mitte during the morning. Police dogs were also used. Police said at the scene that the raid was also about hard drugs such as cocaine. Police took initial stock during the morning: numerous arrest warrants were executed and further arrests made. A total of 23 people were arrested. Police also said around 60,000 Euros in cash and 49 mobile phones were seized. Police found around one kilo of marijuana, 75 grammes of cocaine and several bottles of anabolic steroids in the 35 properties searched. Findings from former arrests, our own observations and findings from past proceedings against gangs in 2017 led to the trail of two brothers aged 25 and 31 who grew up in Bonn-Tannenbusch, police said at lunchtime. They are suspected of having largely organised the drug trade in Tannenbusch. More than 30 alleged drug dealers More than 30 alleged drug dealers from the Tannenbusch area have been investigated in recent months as part of undercover investigations by the police and public prosecutors. Some of the apparently closely connected suspects handled the street trade in marijuana. The suspects were hardly affected by regular police controls and isolated arrests, the police continued. Police have been able to observe in recent months how the drug deals take place. While some suspects regularly waited for drug users on trams, others were active as part of a warning system of possible approaching police personnel, said police in their announcement. Approaching customers were led to the changing handover locations for hard drugs by a chain of suspects. The two main suspects arrested on Tuesday handled the trade in cocaine, according to current information. Several suspects stored, packaged and sold the drugs on their behalf. They were also arrested on Tuesday. Connection to cases at New Year A total of twelve arrest warrants were executed on Tuesday and eleven further suspects were provisionally detained. Besides the two main suspects, police say three suspects thought to have fired New Years Eve fireworks from a moving rental car in Bonn-Tannenbusch at the end of December 2017 are also among the people arrested. A total of around 300 police officers took part in the operation. The police helicopter supported officers on site from the air to stop those being searched for warning each other and fleeing. Last month, sad news broke that EDM superstar Avicii had passed away, after taking his own life at the young age of 28 years old. The news shocked the world, with many artists and fans alike still mourning the loss of one of the genre's best and most influential performers. French Montana is the latest in a long list of musicians who have honoured the late DJ, by playing "Wake Me Up" during his rap performance at Lanstreff Stavenger music festival in Norway. The video was taken on stage by Montana's team, looking toward the crowd. And if you notice - the clouds open up and sunlight peaks through while the tribute is playing, with the crowd instinctively jumping to every beat. B-e-a-u-tiful to watch. Professor David Spiegelhalter from the University of Cambridge believes couples are less interested in sex because they watch more TV in bed. What a time to be alive. Gummon. Have we all forgotten what "Netflix and chill" was invented for? BONING. Yes: "Netflix and chill", a polite but direct way of saying: "I want to get you horizontal, put on Netflix to muffle my embarrassing sex noises and prevent awkwardness for flatmates/family, then proceed to get into your pants. In a not chill way." In 2018, this should not be news to anyone with access to the internet. However, it seems some people have lost their way during "Netflix and chill" sessions, and are actually watching Netflix - watching Netflix so much that that's all they're doing. One in eight 26 year olds were still virgins - compared to roughly one in twenty in previous generations. In 2016, Professor Spiegelhalter blamed figures showing falling rates of sex on the mass of connectivity we have now compared with just a few years ago when the TV used to close down at half past ten, the DailyMail reports. Spiegelhalter's thoughts are supported by researchers at the Lancaster University in the UK, who conducted a study which discovered the new peak time for internet use is now between 10 pm-11 pm, up from 8-10 pm. Which suggests people are watching streaming services later on into the night. Well, they're not wrong... Spiegelhalter and the University of Cambridge also found that although millennials may be the champions of Tinder - that doesn't mean they're getting any follow through. 16,000 people born between 1989-90 shared details on their sex lives for research. This research found one in eight 26 year olds were still virgins - compared to roughly one in twenty in previous generations. This is just deeply sad. Close the laptop. Brooklyn Nine Nine isn't going anywhere. How about a trip to poundtown? Ehhhh? clarajancita at 8-05-2018 12:47 PM (3 years ago) (f) A man claiming to be a staff of the Nigeria Prison Service has been nabbed and arraigned for defrauding a job seeker. The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC on Monday, May 7 2018, arraigned Mr. Chinedu Mathew Nwobi before Justice Dugbor-Oghoghorie of the Federal High Court, Enugu, on a two- count charge bordering on obtaining money under false pretence to the tune of N1,900, 000.00 ( One Million, Nine Hundred Thousand Naira) only, contrary to section 8 (a),and 1(1)(c)and punishable under section 1(3) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act,2006. A man claiming to be a staff of the Nigeria Prison Service has been nabbed and arraigned for defrauding a job seeker. The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC on Monday, May 7 2018, arraigned Mr. Chinedu Mathew Nwobi before Justice Dugbor-Oghoghorie of the Federal High Court, Enugu, on a two- count charge bordering on obtaining money under false pretence to the tune of N1,900, 000.00 ( One Million, Nine Hundred Thousand Naira) only, contrary to section 8 (a),and 1(1)(c)and punishable under section 1(3) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act,2006. Investigations carried out by the Commissions showed that the defendant, between 8th February, 2018 obtained the sum of One Million, Nine Hundred Thousand Naira only (N1, 900,000.) from the petitioner alleging that he is a staff of Nigeria Prison Service and that his colleague, Mr. Chinedu Mathew who works in the Arms Department of the Prison Service, Abuja, came to his duty post and told him that there were vacancies/slot from his uncle, Mr. Eze Ephraim who works in Interior Department Abuja. The petitioner further stated that Mr Eze further requested for additional N300,000, yet they couldnt get the job. The petitioner lamented that efforts made to get back his money proved abortive. When the case was called up, prosecution counsel M.K Basil, applied that the charge be read to the defendant to which he pleaded not guilty. The defence counsel, J.E Orji made an oral application for the bail of the defendant which was refused by the Judge who ordered him to apply formally. He subsequently remanded the defendant in prison custody and the matter adjourned to February 10th, 2018 for trial and hearing of bail application. Investigations carried out by the Commissions showed that the defendant, between 8th February, 2018 obtained the sum of One Million, Nine Hundred Thousand Naira only (N1, 900,000.) from the petitioner alleging that he is a staff of Nigeria Prison Service and that his colleague, Mr. Chinedu Mathew who works in the Arms Department of the Prison Service, Abuja, came to his duty post and told him that there were vacancies/slot from his uncle, Mr. Eze Ephraim who works in Interior Department Abuja.The petitioner further stated that Mr Eze further requested for additional N300,000, yet they couldnt get the job. The petitioner lamented that efforts made to get back his money proved abortive.When the case was called up, prosecution counsel M.K Basil, applied that the charge be read to the defendant to which he pleaded not guilty. The defence counsel, J.E Orji made an oral application for the bail of the defendant which was refused by the Judge who ordered him to apply formally.He subsequently remanded the defendant in prison custody and the matter adjourned to February 10th, 2018 for trial and hearing of bail application. Post Reply I am a metro reporter on Gistmania, I have been publishing news materials for over 5 years Posted: at 8-05-2018 12:47 PM (3 years ago) | Hero felicilin at 8-05-2018 05:09 PM (3 years ago) (f) A Kenyan activist, Boniface Mwangi has narrated on Facebook how he was kicked out of his Church just cos he got a girl pregnant. He also revealed that his Church members refused to attend his wedding when he decided to marry the lady. A Kenyan activist, Boniface Mwangi has narrated on Facebook how he was kicked out of his Church just cos he got a girl pregnant. He also revealed that his Church members refused to attend his wedding when he decided to marry the lady. Boniface Mwangi wrote: I had sex once, and was kicked out of church! I just finished photographing and interviewing 70 people between the ages of 18-70 from across Kenya. I posed two questions to them: how did you learn about sex, and whats your family planning method? Growing up, sex was a taboo subject and it was amazing to learn that people born 70 years ago had the same experience. When I turned 14, I got circumcised. Culturally, I was now a man. I assume my mother told my elder brother to talk to me about sex, but all he mumbled was that women are dangerous, and that was the end of my sex education! When I was serving in the church ministry, we were taught about abstinence and that it was a cool thing to be a virgin. The church told us sex was a beautiful cake, but if you eat it at the wrong time, it has a rotten rat inside. What a metaphor. I remember listening to a pastor who taught us how to pray dangerous prayers. The prayers went like this: Lord, if l look at a woman and desire her, strike me with blindness and if I sleep with her, infect me with HIV/Aids. Those dangerous prayers were to discourage us from engaging in premarital sex. I had sex once, and was kicked out of church after I got the girl pregnant - Boniface Mwangi But you see, my parent (I was brought up by a single mum) and my eldest brother didnt bother telling me what sex was and its context. The church told me you will discover what it is when it happens. Unfortunately, the church didnt see it fit to tell us that in case you found yourself tempted, you could use a condom. My girlfriend at the time, who is now my wife, also grew up in church. She sang in the choir and wore a chastity ring until the day two young Christians, burning with passion, had sex without understanding its consequences. Njeri got pregnant and was subsequently fired from the Christian organisation she had been working for, while I got kicked out from serving as a youth deacon. My church pastors didnt even attend my wedding and my wifes church presided over the service. Yet if we had received better sex education, we might have had sex with a condom. Sadly, we arent talking about it. Scheaffer Okore tells me she was taught that sex was for wayward people. It was a dirty word, for sinners and prostitutes. If you talked about sex, or engaged in it, you would contract HIV and die. What I find stupid about this approach is that sex education isnt about children having sex. It is about understanding sex because left in the dark, it is curiosity that ends up killing the young cats. Personally, It I dont think anyone should have sex in their teenage years. It doesnt add value to their lives and in any case they lack the emotional and monetary ability to deal with its consequences. But we are not helping kids by pretending that sex does not exist. In 1962, Kenya had 8 million people and we are at 50 million people today. We have been having sex, lots of sex and it shows because our population has exploded. We need to talk about family planning. Men, in particular, must be more responsible. We cannot continue leaving family planning to women. I am part of this campaign, #FormNiGani which is getting young adults to talk about sex and family planning freely. As writer Kingwa Kamenchu once told me, family planning is about pleasure, and if you have too many kids it will affect your pleasure calendar. Let us all take charge of our sex lives because those three seconds of passion can alter our lives for better, or for us. And lets bring children on board. If our kids can watch politicians behaving badly on national television, then they are old enough to learn about sex. I had sex once, and was kicked out of church!I just finished photographing and interviewing 70 people between the ages of 18-70 from across Kenya. I posed two questions to them: how did you learn about sex, and whats your family planning method?Growing up, sex was a taboo subject and it was amazing to learn that people born 70 years ago had the same experience. When I turned 14, I got circumcised. Culturally, I was now a man. I assume my mother told my elder brother to talk to me about sex, but all he mumbled was that women are dangerous, and that was the end of my sex education!When I was serving in the church ministry, we were taught about abstinence and that it was a cool thing to be a virgin. The church told us sex was a beautiful cake, but if you eat it at the wrong time, it has a rotten rat inside. What a metaphor. I remember listening to a pastor who taught us how to pray dangerous prayers. The prayers went like this: Lord, if l look at a woman and desire her, strike me with blindness and if I sleep with her, infect me with HIV/Aids. Those dangerous prayers were to discourage us from engaging in premarital sex.I had sex once, and was kicked out of church after I got the girl pregnant - Boniface MwangiBut you see, my parent (I was brought up by a single mum) and my eldest brother didnt bother telling me what sex was and its context. The church told me you will discover what it is when it happens. Unfortunately, the church didnt see it fit to tell us that in case you found yourself tempted, you could use a condom. My girlfriend at the time, who is now my wife, also grew up in church. She sang in the choir and wore a chastity ring until the day two young Christians, burning with passion, had sex without understanding its consequences.Njeri got pregnant and was subsequently fired from the Christian organisation she had been working for, while I got kicked out from serving as a youth deacon. My church pastors didnt even attend my wedding and my wifes church presided over the service. Yet if we had received better sex education, we might have had sex with a condom.Sadly, we arent talking about it. Scheaffer Okore tells me she was taught that sex was for wayward people. It was a dirty word, for sinners and prostitutes. If you talked about sex, or engaged in it, you would contract HIV and die. What I find stupid about this approach is that sex education isnt about children having sex. It is about understanding sex because left in the dark, it is curiosity that ends up killing the young cats.Personally, It I dont think anyone should have sex in their teenage years. It doesnt add value to their lives and in any case they lack the emotional and monetary ability to deal with its consequences. But we are not helping kids by pretending that sex does not exist.In 1962, Kenya had 8 million people and we are at 50 million people today. We have been having sex, lots of sex and it shows because our population has exploded. We need to talk about family planning. Men, in particular, must be more responsible. We cannot continue leaving family planning to women. I am part of this campaign, #FormNiGani which is getting young adults to talk about sex and family planning freely.As writer Kingwa Kamenchu once told me, family planning is about pleasure, and if you have too many kids it will affect your pleasure calendar. Let us all take charge of our sex lives because those three seconds of passion can alter our lives for better, or for us. And lets bring children on board. If our kids can watch politicians behaving badly on national television, then they are old enough to learn about sex. Post Reply Posted: at 8-05-2018 05:09 PM (3 years ago) | Hero Approximately $1 million in equipment assets Current inventory sits at $1 million COCONUT CREEK, Fla., May 08, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Via OTC PR Wire -- Bahamas Development Corporation (OTCPINK:BDCI) subsidiary company Global Consortium, Inc. DBA Cannabis Consortium has reached an agreement to purchase an operating cannabis distillate and brand manufactured and marketed in California. The cannabis distillate has been servicing the cannabis market for the past 2 years and has quickly become a household name. Their premium oil is in such high demand in the cannabis oil market it has been sought out by some of the largest names in the cannabis industry for private labeling. The acquisition allows Cannabis's Partners to begin servicing the cannabis distillate market immediately and manufacture a steady supply of premium oil to infuse its' edibles with. Cannabis Consortium will issue shares of its Common stock at $1.00 per share and cash for the transaction. The funds will be wired into Escrow this week with a Closing anticipated within the next 10 days. Global Consortium will enter into a lease and licensing transaction with its Partners to operate the Distillate in exchange for a monthly lease payment and 15% of the monthly revenue. The parties have agreed not to release the name of the Distillate until the transaction has been completed. About Cannabis Consortium: Cannabis Consortium does not own or operate any licensed cannabis operation. Cannabis Consortium is entitled to receive 15% of the annual net revenue collected by its partners from every project it is involved with. The Company is also entitled to receive 15% of the proceeds its partners receive should any company be sold. Cannabis acts as a consultant in these transactions and is not involved in any day-to-day operations or decision making for any of the licensed cannabis operations. Cannabis may own assets in the future that are leased to various licensed entities operating in the cannabis sector. Cannabis will receive rent from any asset it leases to the cannabis sector. Bahamas Development Corporation, in compliance with SEC regulations, may in the future use social media outlets like Facebook or Twitter and its own website to announce key information in compliance with Reg FD. Forward-Looking Statements This news release contains "forward-looking statements" as that term is defined in Section 27(a) of the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended and Section 21(e) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Statements in this press release which are not purely historical are forward-looking statements and include any statements regarding beliefs, plans, expectations or intentions regarding the future. Such forward-looking statements include, among other things, estimates of services and equipment markets, release of corporate apps, growth of platform, target markets, product releases, product demand and, business strategy. Actual results could differ from those projected in any forward-looking statements due to numerous factors. Such factors include, among others, the inherent uncertainties associated with new projects and development stage companies. These forward-looking statements are made as of the date of this news release, and we assume no obligation to update the forward-looking statements, or to update the reasons why actual results could differ from those projected in the forward-looking statements. Although we believe that any beliefs, plans, expectations and intentions contained in this press release are reasonable, there can be no assurance that any such beliefs, plans, expectations or intentions will prove to be accurate. Investors should consult all of the information set forth herein and should also consider that any investment in securities is at risk. Details of the Company's business, finances, appointments and agreements can be found as part of the Company's continuous public disclosure on otcmarkets.com. For additional information about this release please contact: Investor Relations: The daughter of deputy mayor of Japan and an aboriginal Taiwan young man got together because of their faith despite the huge gap between them in terms of their social status, history of ethnic grievances, language barriers, financial pressures, cultural shocks, etc. The woman became "daughter-in-law of Taiwan" and the man became a "hotel pastor." Walk Away from Prestige; Determined to Be Mother Teresa Yoko Maruyama was born in Tamansashi-ken, Japan. Her father is the vice mayor of Tamansashi-ken. She lived like a princess from birth and enjoyed a comfortable life-style. Her family name "Maruyama" was written even on the roof-top of the government mansion that she grew up in. However, Yoko Maruyama, who was born into privilege and graduated from the University of Tamansashi, did not have the wish to become a political celebrity, but determined to be Mother Teresa and go to the slums and serve the community that was neglected. Yoko Maruyama is deeply influenced by her mother who is a Christian. Her mother has always cared for the impoverished and also taught her children to do so. Yoko Maruyama has followed her parents' teaching to go to church since a young age. In a country that believes in Buddhism and Taoism, she saw the difference in Christian belief, which is the believers are honest and true on the outside as well as the inside. On top of that, church pastors embody the teachings of Jesus: the virtue of simplicity, humility and care for the weak. She was very touched and later equipped herself by entering the Ecclesia Theological Seminary in Japan. Husband Goes to Red Light District at Night; Impacted Inter-Country Relationship Yoko Maruyama met Yan, Jinlong, an Atayal youth, at the seminary. They studied together, and both have the heart to serve. An Atayal youth who was passionate and romantic, met a Japanese "princess" who was well-behaved. Love sparked between the two of them and formed a romantic inter-country love. After graduation, Yoko Maruyama opened the Taipei Shen Ai Church with her husband Yan, Jinlong as a Japanese AOG missionary. However, Yan hangs out in the Red Light District. Yoko Maruyama recounts that her husband walked into Linsen North Road at night. That place was called "seven strips." The entire street was full of Japanese-style hotels that are in the sex industry. Every night at 8:30pm, a large number of hotel prostitutes would come out for business. Pastor Yan Jinlong was there to observe and visit those ladies. There were two areas in the street and Pastor Yan could pray with the ladies in one of them. What impact did her husband entering alternative serving bring to their marriage? Yoko Maruyama said, "At first I was just visiting the aboriginal people with my husband, but later, I realized a lot of the girls worked as prostitutes in the hotels. A few girls in our church were sold to Taipei from the countryside. Their parents sold them to a middle-agent. They then worked in the hotels. I was very sad after I learned about it. Afterwards, I followed my husband to look for them together and serve this group of marginalized girls who were looked down by the society." From Hotel Lady to Minister Pastor Yan Jinlong, who has served the hotel prostitutes for about 20 years, sees these ladies change from being disappointed endlessly to becoming a new creation because of Jesus Christ. Pastor Yan mentioned that a well-known and popular prostitute, Ah Hua, who had lots of money, but was not happy at all. Pastor Yan invited her to church and led her to the truth step by step. At last, Ah Hua decided to stop being a hotel prostitute and even offered all of her time to the Lord. She studied theology and is now a devoted minister at church. Another one is Ah Xiang. She drank too much alcohol every day because of her job and got liver cirrhosis. Although she was dying, she still binged on alcohol. She felt discouraged, lost hope and thought her death was certain. Pastor Yan visited her at the hospital and led her into prayer. Ah Xiang was discouraged and hopeless at first, however, she saw a glowing angel and Jesus holding her. In the end she accepted Christ in tears. From that day on, she has not touched any alcohol and her sickness is stable under God's healing. She is part of the prayer team at church today. Pastor Yan said, "What this world brought them was endless wounds and disappointments, but we can become a new creation in Jesus Christ. The darkness in the past is a good testimony that talks about Jesus." Inter-Country Marriage Creates "Daughter-In-Law of Taiwan" and "Hotel Pastor" An inter-country marriage and the husband's ministry of the marginalized led them to a more mature path of marriage and evangelizing. With the support of his wife Yoko Maruyama, Yan Jinlong walks into the opposite of part of Taipei's glimmer, to shine God's true light into the darkness of the Red Light District and brings hope to aboriginal women who work in the sex industry. Yan Jinlong is called "Hotel Pastor". Yoko Maruyama gave up the glory on earth and offered herself to God. She humbly serves in Taiwan and is seen as the "daughter-in-law of Taiwan". (Translated from Chinese.GospelHerald.com) The marine environment is critical to Grenadas economy and closely linked to the islands income generating tourism sector. Grenadas tri-island ocean state is not just a hub of maritime activity, but also home to unique marine biodiversity Governments around the nation are working to design the best vaccine policies that keep both their employees and their residents safe. Although the latest data shows a variety of polarizing perspectives, there are clear emerging best practices that leading governments are following to put trust first: creating policies that are flexible and provide a range of options, and being in tune with the needs and sentiments of their employees so that they are able to be dynamic and accommodate the rapidly changing situation. State Attorney General Eric Schneiderman announced Monday night that he will resign amid allegations that he slapped and choked four women.Schneiderman, an outspoken supporter of the #MeToo movement against sexual harassment, bowed to pressure from politicians, including Gov. Cuomo, who called for him to step down, after the women said he physically assaulted them."It's been my great honor and privilege to serve as attorney general for the people of the State of New York," Schneiderman said in a statement at about 9:45 p.m."In the last several hours, serious allegations, which I strongly contest, have been made against me. While these allegations are unrelated to my professional conduct or the operations of the office, they will effectively prevent me from leading the office's work at this critical time. I therefore resign my office, effective at the close of business on May 8, 2018."The New Yorker, which shared a Pulitzer Prize last month with The New York Times for stories about sexual harassment, reported Monday that his accusers said Schneiderman "repeatedly hit them, often after drinking, frequently in bed and never with their consent."At least two of the women, Michelle Manning Barish and Tanya Selvaratnam, categorized the abuse as "assault." The other two women declined to be identified because they feared reprisal, the magazine said.Manning Barish and Selvaratnam did not report the allegations to the police, but both said they sought medical attention after they were slapped hard across the ear and face.They also said Schneiderman choked them.Selvaratnam said Schneiderman followed up the abuse with threats, telling her he could have her followed and have her phones tapped. Manning Barish and Selvaratnam both said he threatened to kill them if they broke up with him.A Schneiderman representative told The New Yorker that the attorney general "never made any of these threats."In an initial statement, Schneiderman, 63, denied any wrongdoing."In the privacy of intimate relationships, I have engaged in role-playing and other consensual sexual activity," he said. "I have not assaulted anyone. I have never engaged in nonconsensual sex, which is a line I would not cross."The AG resigned nearly four hours after the article went online.In a statement, Cuomo had called for Schneiderman's immediate resignation."No one is above the law, including New York's top legal officer," Cuomo said.Cuomo said he would ask one or more district attorneys to investigate the allegations.Danny Frost, a spokesman for Manhattan DA Cy Vance said Vance's office would look into the matter."Our office has opened an investigation into the recently reported allegations concerning Mr. Schneiderman," Frost said.Actress Cynthia Nixon, who is running against Cuomo in the Democratic primary for governor, called Schneiderman's accusers "brave.""We need to get to the bottom of the enormous culture of silence that protects those in power," she said. "We must continue to work to end this national epidemic."Several politicians, including U.S. Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand and New York City Controller Scott Stringer issued statements supporting the resignation.But Mayor de Blasio declined comment, saying he would speak on the matter Tuesday.Under state law, the Legislature will select Schneiderman's replacement, who will serve until the term expires in January.Schneiderman, who is divorced, was one of the most outspoken public officials as the walls caved in on Hollywood honcho Harvey Weinstein, who had been accused by dozens of women of rape and sexual assault."We have never seen anything as despicable as what we've seen right here," Schneiderman said after filing a civil rights suit against Weinstein.Manning Barish, who was romantically involved with Schneiderman from the summer of 2013 until early 2015, said she was outraged by the hypocrisy."You cannot be a champion of women when you are hitting them and choking them in bed, and saying to them, 'You're a f---ing whore,' " Manning Barish told the magazine. "How can you put a perpetrator in charge of the country's most important sexual-assault case?"She said she could no longer stay silent. "After the most difficult month of my life -- I spoke up," Manning Barish wrote in a tweet. "For my daughter and for all women. I could not remain silent and encourage other women to be brave for me. I could not."Selvaratnam said the abuse was not consensual. "This wasn't sexual play-acting," she told the magazine. "This was abusive, demeaning, threatening behavior."In the midst of the violence, she said, Schneiderman made sexual demands. "He was obsessed with having a threesome and said it was my job to find a woman," she said. "He said he'd have nothing to look forward to if I didn't, and would hit me until I agreed."She said she did not agree to a threesome."Sometimes, he'd tell me to call him Master, and he'd slap me until I did," said Selvaratnam, who was born in Sri Lanka and has dark skin. "He started calling me his 'brown slave' and demanding that I repeat that I was 'his property.' "She also said Schneiderman drank a lot and took sedatives.Schneiderman has led the charge against President Trump, heading a coalition of state attorneys general in a suit to block the White House on several immigration initiatives. He'd previously sued him over his now-defunct Trump University.Donald Trump Jr. was quick to gloat, retweeting a tweet from his father. "Weiner is gone, Spitzer is gone -- next will be lightweight A.G. Eric Schneiderman," the President tweeted in 2013. "Is he a crook? Wait and see, worse than Spitzer or Weiner."But Schneiderman's ex-wife, political consultant Jennifer Cunningham, came to the AG's defense. "I've known Eric for nearly 35 years as a husband, father and friend," she said in a statement. "These allegations are completely inconsistent with the man I know, who has always been someone of the highest character, outstanding values and a loving father." Governor's Program The Governors Official Program is comprised of a wide range of constitutional and legal duties and ceremonial and community engagements. Each year, the Governor hosts thousands of visitors to Government House to take part in investiture and award ceremonies, Open Days, receptions and meetings, and travels widely throughout Queensland to support the activities of Patron groups. View a chronological record of the Governors daily program below. Description GIS 08 May 2018: The Retreat of the Permanent Representatives Committee (PRC) Sub Committee of the African Union (AU) Commission on Multilateral Cooperation, is being held on 7 and 8 May 2018 in Mauritius. The Secretary for Foreign Affairs (SFA), Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Regional Integration and International Trade, Ambassador Mrs Usha C. Dwarka Canabady, proceeded yesterday afternoon with the inauguration ceremony at the Hilton Resort and Spa, Wolmar, in Flic en Flac. The meeting of the Retreat is focusing on cooperation with multilateral institutions as well as with several countries at the multilateral level. Several sessions are programmed including on the review of the evaluation report on strategic partnerships; and presentation of the AU Framework for strategic partnerships. In her welcome remarks, the SFA stated that as we look at strategic partnerships, one of the things that should be of basic reference to this is Aspiration 7 of AUs Agenda 2063 which states that Africa as a strong, united, resilient and influential global player and partner. According to Ambassador Dwarka Canabady, consequently it is important to start to examine the guidelines that we have set for ourselves and how these guidelines and partnerships make us strong as a continent, make us united, resilient, and influential both as a player and as a partner. The strength of Africa is our capacity to get together and represent a significant proportion of world membership and at the same time the strength of Africa also lies in the fact that we must acknowledge the realities of Africa, she pointed out. Moreover, the SFA thanked the AU for having proposed the resolution to support Mauritius in seeking advisory opinion for the Chagos Archipelago issue. If the African continent can act in harmony and in the same manner as we did for the Chagos Archipelago then Security Council agendas even would bear the strong imprint of Africa and we should not ignore the multilateral cooperation that we have, she added. For his part, the representative of chairperson of the AUC, Ambassador Jean Mfasoni, said that Mauritius is indeed a special African land which just after a few years of its Independence showed its commitment to the African continent and will always be an inspiration to Africa for its exemplary dignity in managing diversity of cultures, religious and ethnic. Speaking about Agenda 2063, Ambassador Mfasoni emphasised that the AU is determined in attaining the mission of a united, integrated, peaceful prosperous Africa driven by its citizens and taking fully its role and place in the management of the world affairs. In order to attain this objective, it has been imperative to undertake necessary actions starting with the evaluation of the AU in a spirit of responsibility, increased ownership and accountability of the entire membership of the Union, he further stated. The meeting of the Retreat of the PRC Discussions are converged on the review of the evaluation report of the nine strategic partnerships that the AU has with the European Union, China and India, amongst others. The meeting is also examining the contribution of these partnerships within the AU and what can be done in addition to further extend these partnerships so that it is mutually beneficial that is for the African continent and the countries involved. More than 40 delegates as well as representatives from Regional Economic Communities are in attendance. Participants are from the following countries: Algeria, Benin, Cameroun, Congo, Djibouti, Egypt, Gabon, Gambia, Guinea, Liberia, Mauritius, Mozambique, Seychelles, Swaziland and Zimbabwe. The PRC conducts the day-to-day business of the AU on behalf of the Assembly and Executive Council. It reports to the Executive Council, prepares the Councils work and acts on its instructions (under article 21 of the Constitutive Act). All AU Member States are members of the PRC. The PRC Bureau consists of a chairperson, three vice-chairpersons and a rapporteur. Mauritius and the OAU/AU Mauritius joined the OAU in 1968 and has always demonstrated its full commitment for the advancement of the African continent and its people at large. The country has always participated in the decision-making processes aimed at enhancing the effectiveness of the OAU/AU. Mauritius hosted the OAU Summit in 1976. On 9 September 1999, the Heads of State and Government of the OAU issued the Sirte Declaration calling for the establishment of an African Union, with a view to accelerating the process of integration in the continent to enable it play its rightful role in the global economy while addressing multifaceted social, economic and political problems . Description GIS 08 May 2018: The Chairperson of the African Union (AU) Advisory Board on Corruption, Mr. Begoto Miarom, who is leading a delegation of the AU Board on Corruption (AUABC), in Mauritius, met the Chairperson of the Parliamentary Committee, Mr. Georges Pierre Lesjongard, this morning at the Committee Room of the National Assembly in Port Louis. Discussions focused on the status of progress and development concerning the ratification of the African Union Convention on Preventing and Combating Corruption which is being envisaged by the Government of Mauritius since January this year in addition to issues pertaining to money laundering. In a statement, the Chairperson of the Parliamentary Committee, Mr. Lesjongard, expressed satisfaction regarding the meeting whereby he stated that both parties took cognizance of the stand of Mauritius on the Convention on Preventing and Combating Corruption as well as the importance of such convention for the African Continent. According to him, the prevention and combating of corruption is high on the agenda of various organisations involved in the fight against corruption as well as the African Development Bank which he added will eventually help ensure that wealth in Africa is preserved and fairly distributed among the African population. For his part, the Chairperson of the AU Advisory Board on Corruption, Mr. Begoto Miarom, reiterated the AUs full support to the Mauritian Government towards the ratification of the Convention on Preventing and Combating Corruption. He further highlighted that after the ratification of the Convention, Mauritius can share its expertise and experience to the African Continent in this domain. The delegation of the AU Board on Corruption is currently in Mauritius for a two-day regional conference for heads of Anti-Corruption bodies and Financial Units in Africa on the theme: Improving Effectiveness of the fight against Corruption and Money Laundering at the initiative of the Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) in collaboration of the Office of Integrity and Anti-Corruption of the African Development Bank. C-suite officials who leave the public sector dont typically stay very close, but Oregons technology leader, who announced his impending departure last month, has accepted a high-level post elsewhere in state government, an official confirmed toIn an April 6 news release, the state announced that Alex Pettit, its chief information officer, would be resigning effective June 1 , making way for Deputy CIO Terrence Woods to serve as interim CIO during a nationwide search for a permanent replacement.Pettit, the states CIO of four years, will join Secretary of State Dennis Richardson's office in June as the business continuity program manager, a newly created position, Debra Royal, Richardsons chief of staff, said via email.In his role as a business continuity program manager for the Secretary of State, Alex will oversee our business continuity project, enhance elections infrastructure, lead the agency emergency management program and direct the implementation of the Agency Operations Center, which will be used by agency managers to respond to crisis situations, Royal said.Pettit was previously Oklahomas first-ever CIO and has a doctorate in information sciences, Royal said, pointing out he is also designated a certified business continuity professional by Disaster Recovery Institute International (DRI), a nonprofit that helps organizations globally handle disasters.Gov. Kate Browns Press Secretary Bryan Hockaday confirmed that the states nationwide search for a permanent CIO to replace Pettit is underway but said there was nothing to update at this point.In an interview with the East Oregonian (EO) Media Groups Capital Bureau reporter Claire Withycombe, Richardson described hiring Pettit as an absolute coup and said it was part of a drive to bring world-class people to the Secretary of States office.I have great respect for him, Richardson told EO Media Group. In an interview published on May 2, Richardson told the Willamette Week he would give the state an A grade for electoral integrity and described its election system as secure or more secure than any other state.In its announcement last month, the state said Brown and the CIO had mutually agreed the time was right for a new tech leader to build on his work and move the governors vision for information technology [IT] governance forward. (TNS) Bringing broadband Internet to rural Lewis County, Wash., wont be easy, said government officials and telecommunications providers who gathered to discuss the issue Friday in Chehalis but it is essential.You can always tell when the kids are starting to do their homework, because the Internet crashes, said Rep. Ed Orcutt, R-Kalama.Orcutt said he recently toured a new computer lab at a school in Napavine.This is great, but how do they continue that learning when they get home if they dont have rural broadband? he said.It also hinders small businesses.When I hear that people cant get online, that means they cant connect with customers, they cant take orders, Orcutt said. They cant order the types of things they need to run their business.Orcutt and others heard from frustrated rural residents who said the lack of access in their communities is a major issue. All were gathered at the Lewis County Commission chambers as part of the monthly Lewis County mayors meeting.The officials offered potential solutions, such as grants and loans, that could speed up the pace of expanding broadband past the countys most populated areas.A federal omnibus funding bill passed in March includes $600 million for rural broadband, said Kirk Pearson, the Washington state director of rural development for the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Pearson is a former state senator.There are a number of grants you all need to read about and apply for, he said.Pearsons USDA counterpart, general field representative Steve Coyner, told attendees about Community Connect Grants, which can help areas with speeds of less than 10 megabits per second expand access. He urged local entities to apply.We cannot just go give money to an area that does not have broadband, he said. Somebody has to actually apply for that grant.A resident from Randle at the meeting wondered how areas that lack a local government can make bids for grant money, without hoping a telecom provider will do so on their behalf. Randle has no city council, and is represented by the Board of Lewis County Commissioners as an unincorporated area.Were going to have to figure out how were going to partner up, said Lewis County Commissioner Gary Stamper, who represents District 3 on the rural eastern side of the county. I dont have the blueprint. Im hoping we can come up with a plan.Onalaska resident Harry Bhagwandin noted that, while also unincorporated, the community had worked with TDS to apply for a grant. Still, he said, the various funding opportunities available to rural areas do not meet the need.Its pretty clear what the roadblock is. Its cash, he said. Heres the deal. Get us some more money, and lets get this problem solved.John Flanagan, a policy advisor for Gov. Jay Inslee, noted the expense of building the infrastructure, saying each mile of fiber optic expansion costs $50,000 to 75,000.Inslee is working to establish a statewide broadband office and secure the $100 million or so it will take to bring broadband across the state. His goal is a hub-and-spoke model that brings fast Internet to a hospital or school, then branches out to individual users.Efforts to expand broadband in central Lewis County have proven to cost 50 percent more than other areas, added TDS director of network engineering and construction Larry Boehm, coming to more than $10,000 per customer.It take a long time, it takes a lot of money, he said, adding that having shovel-ready projects is key to securing grant funds. Applying is one thing. Being ready when that application happens is a big deal.After an Onalaska resident complained that he was paying for high-speed Internet that is far from fast, Boehm acknowledged the issue and said its being worked on. He was hopeful it will be resolved before school starts up again in the fall.Way too many customers were sold to, he said. It just outgrew itself.Residents also heard from Janea Delk, program director and tribal liaison for the state Community Economic Revitalization Board. CERB also offers broadband loans and grants, and is holding workshops around the state on the issue. Lewis County Commissioner Edna Fund asked her to add a workshop in Lewis County to advise different communities about how to best proceed.Absolutely, Delk responded. You coming to the table and talking about a specific project in a specific community is really helping us put the puzzle together.Flanagan added that locals can help by lobbying state legislators for more broadband funding, as well pushing the Federal Communications Commission to set aside unused TV channels for White Space broadband broadcasting.If you need us in the Legislature to testify, well be there en bloc, said Fund.Pearson noted that other grants are available from the U.S. Department of Transportation, and specific funding is set aside elsewhere for telemedicine. He urged local leaders and residents to follow up with him on the issues that are keeping them from expanding broadband.We have all the players here, he said. I want you to tell me what are the roadblocks keeping you from this?Others offered more near-term ideas to help residents as they wait for full broadband expansion. Ron Averill, a former county commissioner, suggested bolstering broadband at a hub, using Centralia College as a model, that would at least give locals an access point within 1 to 5 miles.We ought to be looking at that as an interim measure, he said.Bhagwandin suggested the county assemble a list of libraries, coffee shops and other institutions with reliably fast access. Fund noted that library Internet access is available 24/7, if you sit outside in your car, as Ive done. IoT security is a public, private and international concern Can IoT security fix all cybersecurity? Now is the time to get IoT security right Standards on steroids Time is running out on setting security standards for the Internet of Things. The Presidents National Security Telecommunications Advisory Committee (NSTAC) has examined the cybersecurity implications of IoT and has determined that there is a small and rapidly closing window to ensure that IoT is adopted in a way that maximizes security and minimizes risk.While the adoption of IoT is increasing in both speed and scope, and will impact virtually all sectors of our society, NSTAC warns that if the country fails to develop and use security standards, it will be coping with the consequences for generations.The Presidents Commission on Enhancing National Cybersecurity reached a similar conclusion: The IoT facilitates linking an incredible range of devices and products to each other and the world. Although this connectivity has the potential to revolutionize most industries and many facets of everyday life, the possible harm that malicious actors could cause by exploiting these technologies to gain access to parts of our critical infrastructure, given the current state of cybersecurity, is immense.To reduce such risks, the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) Draft NISTIR 8200 Report has kept the door wide open for private-sector comments for developing much needed global IoT security standards. With IoT breaches increasing constantly, this comment request may have been just in time.IoT is everywhere and, if exploited by hackers or terrorists, could cause physical damage, including critical infrastructure devastation, human harm or even death. This puts standard groups in a precarious position of requiring international agreements on how to address IoT security on a global basis.There is an added concern with the interaction of IoT processes and unseen machine actions. For example, Intrusion Prevention System (IPS) security requires specialized authentication, validation, encryption and process management capabilities that are not necessarily possible under current cybersecurity standards.In encryption alone, two issues repeatedly come up, according to the NIST. First, IoT has limited processor and memory space that restricts high-end encryption hardening while extending connectivity to millions of new system process endpoints. Second, current authentication and encryption technologies were not designed to be implemented under these criteria.IoT offers deeper learning, systems actions and connectivity, which in turn requires security methodologies that can interoperate across all systems. These needed capabilities require security methodologies that can operate effectively across all hardware, network, protocol and software platforms with the added processor limitations and multi-protocol requirements of IoT.Securing IoT is a tall order. The comments on the NIST Draft show changes need to be made in existing standards with the potential of deploying completely disruptive cybersecurity technologies to achieve IoT security.IoT security is not typical security. It sometimes adds an entire layer of process events to an already complex operating system. Many processing systems already have security issues. Adding IoT to them could open additional weaknesses. This is the weakest link scenario, in which the smallest IoT device could cause catastrophic consequences.There is an advantage to learning how to secure IoT. If a small IoT action can be secured at the processor level of an operating system, then the same techniques that require low overhead millisecond security can be used in a variety of system process applications. IoT security could be the learning process needed in achieving complete system process security.Finding the answer to IoT security requirements isnt easy. The physical application of IoT requires many different human and machine security authentications while extending process intelligence and events throughout the system. This extension is often connected to system processes that already have security concerns, such as cloud applications and even locally isolated IoT ecosystems used in DDoS attacks. Obtaining a solid IoT security platform could be a road map in addressing all forms of cybersecurity. From encryption hardening to deep process learning, if you can secure IoT you can secure anything.The Interagency International Cybersecurity Standardization Working Group offers an interesting direction for national and international standards evaluation of IoT. Global public- and private-sector IoT applications could be greatly affected in IoT cyber-attacks. This presents NIST with the daunting task of addressing the best technological solution for IoT security while still addressing the political and corporate influence already in existing cybersecurity standards.With the private sector pointing to big problems with IoT security and the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) rejecting NSA IoT encryption algorithms , this could be the time for getting IoT security right.It could happen through government guidelines and regulations involving global standards bodies, such as ODVA OPC and ISA ; or it could happen through industry groups, such as the Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF), the Industrial Internet Consortium (IIC) security working group, or IEEE . The world understands the importance of securing IoT devices and systems, and NIST is in the forefront of this need.Now starts the hard work. We need to get these standards right and fast. IoT security answers many of the problems existing that multiple cyberdefense systems cant answer on their own. Data at rest, motion signature and key algorithms are all vulnerable to attack. So, too, is key and signature theft under current security technologies. These same signatures and keys multiplied by billions of IoT devices cannot be managed. Viewing and validating the smallest digital event must be addressed with a speed and accuracy thats never been available in current cyberdefense technologies.Security environments are already having scalability, monitoring, management and cost issues. IoT offers a whole new extended endpoint in processes that will require deeper and easier managed monitoring and security methodologies. IoT security experts must find a way that allows this to be done at the deepest, most complex systems while adding needed process security simplicity.This may require a different way of thinking in an industry that is reaching a level of complexity and employment it can no longer sustain. The comments section of the NIST Draft offers an opportunity to respond to these IoT security needs in a public- and private-sector forum. Both sectors need to participate and collaborate in addressing the global requirements of IoT security.Public- and private-sector participation in cybersecurity needs to continue. We all will gain by working together on this issue. There is no better picture of this than securing IoT. In fact, it requires international cooperation in many applications while still offering unique or even proprietary requirements for national defense and critical infrastructure.There must be a balance of authentication, privacy and security on both the human and machine level. We no longer can afford to use Band-Aids on legacy security standards. We must search and deploy security designs that dont delay but fix the problem. By choosing the right capability, we can address this.IoT has the worst security record in the industry and little has been done about it. We need to find a different way of getting the job done if we are to catch up in the race to cyberdefense. IoTs vulnerabilities have forced standards groups like NIST to think outside of the box of tweaking old standards into a whole new proof of concept era. We need to catch up in cyberdefense technologies and having a public-private collaborative approach just may be the answer. We have been given the opportunity. We must now change the opportunity to action. 15:51 | Lima, May. 8. Anti-drug operations were conducted from February 1 to May 6 within the framework of the 2018 Annual Plan for Reduction of Illegal Coca Growing Area under the National Strategy to Fight Drugs 2017-2021. In this sense, CORAH agents eradicated 3,459.13 ha in Santa Lucia (San Martin), 5,161.82 ha in Ciudad Constitucion (Pasco), and 592.75 ha in Aguaytia (Ucayali). As part of the eradication operations , the institution also reported the destruction of 4,161 square meters of seedlings, thus preventing the cultivation of illegal coca in Santa Lucia (2,135 m2), Ciudad Constitucion (1,736 m2), and Aguaytia (290 m2). For its part, Peru's National Police (PNP) which endorses CORAH efforts intervened 27 cocaine paste laboratories in Ciudad Constitucion (23), Aguaytia (3), and Nuevo Progreso (1). It must be noted these raids are supported by National Anti-Drug Agency (Dirandro) and Police Aviation Department. (END) NDP/MAO/JAA/MVB (TNS) Boston police are exploring how to use public genealogy databases to identify suspects in crimes where they collected DNA but cannot find a match after the high profile arrest of the suspected Golden State Killer.The Department has noted with interest the use of such databases by law enforcement officials in California to solve the Golden State Killer murders, Boston police spokesman Sgt. John Boyle said in a statement. (The Boston Police Department) is studying the scientific, technological, and legal issues surrounding such searches and will explore this and other investigative tools fully.Last month, investigators in California announced the arrest of Joseph DeAngelo, a former cop, and said he was responsible for a series of murders and rapes across California in the 1970s and 1980s. Authorities had searched unsuccessfully for the killer for decades, but made a breakthrough when they uploaded the DNA profile of the killer to a public genealogy website and found matches with several relatives.Boyle said BPD has never used public or commercial DNA organizations, but said the department has solved 911 cases by matching DNA found at the scene of a crime with DNA on file in either the state or federal databases.Boston police detectives, working with the Boston Police Department Crime Laboratory, make daily use of the FBIs CODIS database and the Massachusetts NDIS database to try to identify criminals from the DNA that they leave behind at crime scenes, Boyle said. The databases are an invaluable law enforcement tool.Still, the department is not prepared to start uploading every unidentified DNA sample help in evidence, Boyle said. In addition to looking at how the process would work, BPDs legal department is also working through their own questions, including whether an identification made with this strategy would be considered admissible in the courtroom.Since the details of DeAngelos arrest emerged, investigators across the country have been mulling the same questions and wondering whether they may be able to use the same strategy for their own notorious cold cases.Id be more surprised if they werent, said Bill Bratton, the former head of the Boston, Los Angeles and New York police departments. Its (going to be) extraordinarily useful to law enforcement everywhere.Already, investigators on the Zodiac Killer case in the 1960s have said they plan to submit DNA samples taken from taunting letters sent to San Francisco newspapers to a genealogy website.Authorities in the Golden State Killer case used GEDmatch, a public, nonprofit website where users can freely search for long-lost family members. Commercial sites, including 23andMe and Ancestry.com, have said they do not turn over DNA profile information to authorities without a warrant.In recent years, investigators have begun using DNA samples that do not trigger a match in law enforcement databases in new ways. Last year, state and local police investigating the murder of Vanessa Marcotte in Princeton used a sample to create a DNA-aided sketch of the suspect, despite the fact there were no witnesses. A few months after the sketch was released, police arrested Angelo Colon-Ortiz.Still, some are concerned about the potential implications of widespread DNA use by law enforcement.With DNA, just like with a number of other 21st century surveillance, the law has really failed to keep pace with technology, said Kade Crockford, director of the ACLU of Massachusetts Technology for Liberty program. The road that were headed down is a very dangerous one, and therefore its up to state legislators and Congress to think very carefully about not only under what circumstances should an investigator be able to swab someone but also the questions raised by the California case, with companies that are warehousing DNA. (TNS) VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. City police plan to begin encrypting all the radio channels they use, ending the publics ability to listen in.The encryption will go forward if the City Council approves a five-year investment of $6.2 million when they vote on their budget May 15.In city documents, police said encryption is needed because criminals listen to police communications. It would greatly increase officer safety and help protect citizens, they wrote.But it could also affect media coverage of public safety and undermine the relationship between the press and the police, said Megan Rhyne, executive director of Virginia Coalition for Open Government. Police have been encrypting scanners for a number of years, reacting to a larger trend.Information about police activity in the hands of the public is increasingly seen as a threat to police, she said. This seems to be part of that overall direction.The implementation costs are about $5 million, with another $250,000 each year for vendor support. Though it would be paid over multiple years, the multi-key encryption would be implemented in nine to 12 months. All city police radios and those used by Emergency Communications and Citizen Services dispatch and the citys liaisons in other departments and agencies would be affected 2,400 radios total.Acting Mayor Louis Jones said he expects it to be approved when council votes on the budget May 15.Its in the capital improvement program, he said. I dont anticipate that there will be any discussion on that particular issue.Virginia Beach police declined to comment for this story, but in council documents described five situations where the public being able to hear police in real time impeded their work.In 2011, they wrote, they were zeroing in on a suspect wanted for multiple burglaries who was hiding at his girlfriends house. But when they went in to nab him, he was gone.It turned out he had been listening to them talk about the impending arrest over their radios, using a police scanner app on his phone.Other examples point to Facebook groups where people listen to scanners and post what they hear. There are at least two in Virginia Beach. One has nearly 18,000 members, the other about 4,500. At least one member said in a post that he plans to fight the departments decision.About a year ago, Harry Brogan created the smaller group, Virginia Beach Police Scanners. Brogan said he sets ground rules.I do not ever want to see a specific address posted, he said. It helps keep police safe, and doesnt encourage people to show up to what might be an active scene, he said.Two screenshots of posts made by an administrator of the other Facebook group were included in documents police sent to the council. Both were by the same person one about a stabbing, the other encouraging members to aid police waiting for backup. The latter appears to date from College Beach Weekend, when thousands of young people flocked to the Oceanfront.Councilman John Moss asked police to explain their need for encryption in March, prompting the department to put their rationale in writing. He told The Virginian-Pilot in an email that he believes encryption is a good thing and that everyone should do it.Rhyne said the public doesnt necessarily have the right to listen to police scanners, just as it doesnt necessarily have the right to listen in on peoples phone calls or sit in on city staff meetings. But theres a public interest in being able to know about public safety incidents, and its an avenue toward police accountability, she said.Its uncommon for police departments in larger cities to want to encrypt all channels, said Charles Jennings, director of the Christian Regenhard Center for Emergency Response Studies at John Jay College of Criminal Justice in New York.Norfolk, Chesapeake, Portsmouth and Suffolk all use some encrypted channels for tactical reasons, but the majority of their channels are open, those departments said.Jennings said police often encrypt their tactical channels but leave general operations channels open. If a situation becomes too sensitive, officers then have the option of switching to a protected one.Encrypting all channels could also complicate communications with emergency response teams, Jennings said. The switch could prevent fire departments or emergency medical services from responding quickly unless theyre provided with or purchase their own equipment.Leaving dispatch communications open benefits the public and news outlets as well, Jennings said, especially in extremely dangerous situations.Ultimately, in a breaking disaster-type scenario, you want the press to have good information quickly so they can pass it on to the public, Jennings said. Theres always an inherent delay in a reporter waiting for a [public information officer] to craft a statement and pass it on to the media.Using encrypted channels can be beneficial for law enforcement, as long as its done properly, said Eddie Reyes, chairman of the International Association of Chiefs of Police communications and technology committee and director of public safety communications in Prince William County.Unfortunately, a lot of law enforcement agencies deploy encryption without a well-thought-out plan, Reyes said. Its a very good technology, it just has to be rolled out properly.For instance, encryption can make it difficult for a department to communicate with neighboring law enforcement agencies if they dont use the same system, he said. That could be a problem when a suspect crosses into other jurisdictions.Criminals dont know borders. They just go as fast as they can and cross as many borders as they can, Reyes said. As long as your neighbors have the same level of encryption, then there is no problem. But if they dont, that can really break down communications.Brogans been listening to scanners for about 40 years. He said he remembers when police departments switched to modulated frequencies. For a while, the technology wasnt readily available to the public. But when capable scanners hit the shelves, listeners tuned in once again.It worked for a little while, but as soon as people and companies figured out how to get around it legally, we went back to listening, Brogan said.He said he expects technology soon to provide a way around this new encryption as well. Miami is not the only US city on F1 owner Liberty Media's radar. It has emerged that authorities are close to giving the green-light for a Miami street race for 2019. In addition to Austin, it would be the second grand prix in the United States. World champion Lewis Hamilton said Miami is a "great party spot" full of "beautiful women", but he is not enthused about the proposed layout. "It's not the one. Let me design it," he wrote on social media. There may be other American races on the cards anyway. F1 chief executive Chase Carey told RTL: "We've made it clear from day one that our goal is to continue to develop the sport in the US. "We have talked about 'destination cities' like Miami, New York and Las Vegas," he added. Carey insisted, however, that adding more races in America doesn't mean F1 is walking away from its European heritage. "I want to make it very clear that this is not at the expense of formula one in Europe," he said. "Europe is the foundation of this sport, its homeland, and as far as I'm concerned that will always be the case." (GMM) Red Bull has until the end of the month to decide between Renault or Honda power for 2019. Official talks between the energy drink owned team and Honda kicked off in Baku. According to FIA rules, teams must indicate which engine supplier they will work with for the forthcoming season by May 15. It's not a strict deadline, but Renault says it needs to know for logistical reasons by May 31 at the latest. "After May 31, we will not be able to guarantee the delivery of Renault engines (for Red Bull) in 2019," boss Cyril Abiteboul told France's Auto Hebdo. "We're already giving Red Bull two extra weeks." Abiteboul said Renault is willing to keep working with Red Bull, notwithstanding the now official Honda talks and an often fraught collaboration. "After 12 years of a successful cooperation, we are ready to continue to work with Red Bull," he said. "The main problem is time." (GMM) The Jewish Film Festival 1945 by Megan Inbody From the May, 2018 issue There is a particular "what if" game that many people like to play: if you were alive during a particular historical atrocity--the Holocaust, say--would you take an active role in resistance against Nazism? Maybe by punching a Nazi, Indiana Jones-style? Or by employing Jews in your factories, a la Oskar Schindler? Possibly you'd issue fake passports, as Raoul Wallenberg did? The answer is often brushed off as a no-brainer, but history is murkier. For every Raoul Wallenberg, thousands turned in Jewish friends and coworkers, and millions more did nothing to help them. The Hungarian villagers depicted in Ferenc Toeroek's 1945 include all these types. Using striking high-contrast black-and-white cinematography and sharp, lean dialogue recalling both High Noon and Ingmar Bergman, the film ironically highlights the moral gray area in which the characters unexpectedly find themselves, examining the collective guilt of a town where some citizens actively collaborated with Nazis, others passively went along with them, and the rest maintained silence as all of the village's Jews were arrested and deported. That silence proves fragile, unraveling over the course of a few hours on a sweltering August Sunday in 1945, when two Orthodox Jews step off a train with two large trunks filled with perfumes and other luxury items. This sets off a ripple effect throughout the village that intensifies as the two men--a father and son, although that's not made clear in the film--pass through the village on their way to the derelict Jewish cemetery. Hard truths emerge as news spreads of the Jews' return. The town clerk used his office to enrich himself and others from their Jewish neighbors' misfortune, and tensions ratchet as the certainty that came from having certificates of ownership for previously Jewish property devolves into quiet paranoia and poorly concealed fury that masks uneasy fear. Nearly everyone in town is implicated, from the priest to the town drunk to an old peasant woman. The film offers a lot of food for thought but ...continued below... little in the way of resolution. Loose ends abound, and many questions remain unanswered. People are forced to see the consequences of their actions and inactions, but the film stops short of showing us what it's like to live with that knowledge.The lack of resolution is fitting. As Jewish American political theorist Hannah Arendt (who narrowly escaped Nazi Germany) notes in her 1970 essay"When all are guilty, no one is; confessions of collective guilt are the best possible safeguard against the discovery of culprits, and the very magnitude of the crime is the best excuse for doing nothing."1945 plays at the Michigan Theater on May 15 at 8 p.m. [Originally published in May, 2018.] This blog is dedicated to the understanding of the current Greek (but also European) economic, political and institutional crisis. It was created by Prof. Aristides Hatzis of the University of Athens , after many requests by his students who seek a source of reliable analysis on the Greek current affairs. Its aim is to post commentary and reports published mainly in the major U.S. and European media and to encourage a rigorous discussion. Six trucking firms operating in the Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach are deploying trucks powered by Cummins Westport (CWI) near-zero ISX12N engines (earlier post), and fueled with Clean Energy Fuels Corp.s Redeem brand renewable natural gas (RNG) in an effort to reduce emissions and improve air quality in the ports and surrounding communities. The projects goal is to introduce this ultra clean technology, which is 90% to 99% cleaner than existing port trucks, to the port drayage industry. This project aims to inspire greater interest in near-zero RNG trucks, particularly with the incentive funding that California is providing to help truckers transition to this clean technology. Near-zero trucks are also one of the strategies for reducing emissions from trucks under the ports recent update to their Clean Air Action Plan (CAAP). The realization by trucking companies that they need to do something to meet the upcoming and anticipated stricter emissions requirements in California is beginning to settle in. Fortunately, there are many ways to take advantage of grants and other resources to make the transition to the new engine technology and clean RNG virtually painless. Greg Roche, Clean Energys vice president of sustainable trucking The California Energy Commission and the South Coast Air Quality Management District provided funding for 20 near-zero Class 8 trucks. The Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach provided funding for two additional near-zero trucks. The first four near-zero trucks have been successfully operating since mid-2017 and an additional four have been operating since February 2018. Project participants include Total Transportation Services, Inc. (TTSI), 4Gen Logistics, Orange Avenue Express, CR&R, and Pacific 9 Transportation. The ultra clean CWI engines achieve the lowest emissions of any heavy-duty engine used in any truck in North America, yet deliver diesel caliber performance with reliability and durability. The US Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) and California Air Resources Board (CARB) certified these engines in December 2017 at CARBs optional low-NO x standard of 0.02 g-NO x /bhp-hr90% lower NO x emissions than the current EPA NO x standard. The new engines were tested as low as 0.01 g-NO x /bhp-hr, achieving virtually zero tailpipe emissions. Factory production of ISX12N engines began in February. All these trucks will be fueling at Clean Energys network of California stations with Redeem fuel, which reduces greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 70% versus diesel. RNG is the cleanest fuel for trucking today, with some GHG sources even reducing GHG by over 100%. Pacific 9 Transportation will soon deploy 20 other RNG-powered trucks in addition to their grant-funded ultra low-NO x trucks. The Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach enacted the latest version of their CAAP in November 2017, which adopts far reaching strategies to further reduce air emissions and support Californias vision for more sustainable freight movement. Part of the CAAP could significantly change the makeup of the 16,000 heavy-duty trucks that move in and out of the ports. The CAAP envisions transitioning the current fleet of port trucks to clean trucks through a new set of provisions that will begin to be implemented this year. by Kamran Chaudhry Ahsan Iqbal was operated twice and now his life is no longer in danger. The attacker is affiliated with Tehreek-i-Labaik Ya Rasool Allah, a radical Islamist party. For a Catholic professor, "Our own politicians have engaged in hate speech and now they are becoming its victims. Lahore (AsiaNews) Pakistan's Christian leaders are calling for a reform of the political system after the attempted assassination of Interior Minister Ahsan Iqbal during an election rally in Narowal, Punjab. The minister, who remains in critical but stable conditions, had just attended a meeting organised by the citys Christian community, which celebrated Christmas together with the minister last year. His attacker, Abid Hussain (picture 4), is a 21-year-old Islamic activist affiliated with the Tehreek-i-Labaik Ya Rasool Allah (TLYR), an extremist party. Last year, its members blocked the capital Islamabad over the issue of the lawmakers oath office to Muhammad. The would-be assassin reportedly said that he shot the minister because the latter was in favour of dropping the profession of faith to the prophet of Islam. For radicals, such a change is blasphemous. Mr Iqbal was transferred by helicopter to the Services Institute hospital in Lahore where he underwent two operations to his arm. His condition is said to be improving. However, doctors have not removed the bullet that entered Iqbal's abdomen All of Pakistans political factions have condemned the attack. Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif said that those involved in this heinous act will be brought to justice". Anjum James Paul, a Catholic professor, fears that other similar incidents may occur as the general elections on 15 July approaches. "Our own politicians have engaged in hate speech and now they are becoming its victims, he told AsiaNews. No channel is saying anything about the attackers confession, but We desperately need tolerance, both in politics and in society. [A simple] Allegation of blasphemy justifies all [sorts of] wrongdoings. Nobody is safe." Christians remember that last year violent pressure by Islamic demonstrators on the government of Nawaz Sharif led to the withdrawal of an amendment to the lawmakers oath of office. In March, the former prime minister himself was targeted by a radical who tried to hit him with his shoes who then jumped on the stage to pay tribute to Mumtaz Qadri, the murderer of Punjab governor Salman Taseer, who was killed because he had criticised the blasphemy law and defended Asia Bibi. Samson Salamat, president of the Rwadari Tehreek (Movement for tolerance), has called on the government to take action against the TLYR party. "We demand the government reveal the real reasons behind the attempted murder of the minister, he said. Sermons of hate and prejudice have reached the streets and communities. A society that hails people like Mumtaz Qadri as a hero is bound to be stained with blood. Such a situation was to be expected, since the authorities dropped all the proceedings against TLYR extremists. For Aamir Kakkazai, a writer and researcher, the "main culprits are the mullahs, to whom the government has given a free hand to incite ordinary Muslims. It is the responsibility of the government to control the religious clerics. Unfortunately, every time there are elections, attacks against politicians begin, and the latter cannot conduct their election campaign." Hamza Arshad, a n educator and political analyst, believes that "there is a widespread sense of insecurity in the air. It has now been established that the attacker acted on a well-orchestrated blasphemy hype against members of the PLM-N [Pakistan Muslim League (Nawaz)]. It is not about political issues. "Some parties use the religious card against their rivals. Religious leaders influence the public debate in the villages and towns of Punjab, where most of the inhabitants are young, semi-illiterate between the ages of 15 and 25, seething with religious rage." (Shafique Khokhar contributed to this article) Exit polls point to a victory for the Shiite group affiliated to Hezbollah and the Christian party of the Lebanese Forces, as opposed to that of the president. The Sunni bloc of Prime Minister Hariri is losing ground. Some episodes of violence. Beirut (AsiaNews / Agencies) - The first legislative elections in Lebanon after almost a decade, in which half of registered voters have participated, are underway. Exit polls point to two potential winner: the pro-Iranian Shiite group Hezbollah and the Lebanese Forces (Fl), a Maronite democratic party. According to estimates, participation stopped at 49.2% - five points lower compared to 54.08% in 2009. The lowest figure was recorded in the Christian district of Beirut I: 37.16%. Voters on the streets are split between feelings of hope, desire for change and scepticism. In one of Tripoli's seats - reports Middle East Eyes - there were more activists than voters. There was no lack of tension, and episodes of violence in various areas of the country. According to the first exit polls, Hezbollah affirms its hegemonic position also thanks to the alliance with the Amal movement: a result defined predictable by some observers, if you take into account the demographic data and the strategic support offered by Iran. In the election Hezbollah emphasized the confessional component. An example: in the south of the country, in Shaqra, the Shiite journalist Ali al-Amin wanted to present himself on a mixed list and was attacked by around 30 Hezbollah supporters. Al-Amin is still a candidate and has taken (so far) 2,500 votes with his allies. On the Christian front, Samir Geageas Fl are close to doubling the number of their parliamentary seats (in the outgoing parliament they had 8 out of 128), with significant results in the strongholds of Michel Aouns Free Patriotic Movement (Cpl) such as Baabda, Metn or Kesrouan-Jbeil. Another Fl victory comes from Baalbek-Hermel, where the Christian group managed to break the blockade imposed by Hezbollah on Deir el-Ahmar in terms of representation. Despite having lost ground in some regions, the CPL can celebrate two major victories in the capital: Vice-President Nicolas Sehnaoui (Greek-Catholic) and Edgar Traboulsi (Protestant) are winners in Beirut and Beirut II. It is the first time for the party. After an almost a rampant control that lasted since 2009, the Sunni Muslim block led by the party of Saad Hariri, defeated in the strongholds of Beirut II and Tripoli, loses ground. On the Druze side, Walid Jumblatt and his allies of the Progressive Socialist Party (PSP) have won 10 of the 13 seats up for grabs in the Choud-Aley district and the election of Wael Bou Faour in Rashaya, Abul Hadi Hosn in Baabda and Sayegh Faycal in Beirut II is almost certain. by Vladimir Rozanskij President, Ukrainian parliament and Patriarch Filaret of Kiev have asked Bartholomew to grant autocephaly. Metropolitan Hilarion of Moscow warns against a schism. The Orthodox of Kiev would be - according to Filaret - "of the Europeans", different from the "Russian" ones. Not only a possible schism, but a new and stronger division in Europe. Moscow (AsiaNews) - If the patriarch of Constantinople grants autocephaly to the Ukrainian Church (Kiev Patriarchate), there is a risk of a schism no less serious than that between Rome and Constantinople in 1054: the Orthodox Church would be divided in its main body, Slavic-Eastern. This was stated by Metropolitan Hilarion (Alfeev), head of the Department of Foreign Affairs of the Patriarchate of Moscow, on May 3 to the Interfax news agency. In fact, the request made a few weeks ago to Patriarch Bartholomew (Archontonis), by the President and the Ukrainian Parliament could have a good chance of being accepted, even if to date the Ecumenical Patriarchate has issued neither a confirmation or denial. The hope of a move in this direction is fuelled not only by the opinion of the politicians of Kiev and much of the Ukrainian public opinion: the history of the Patriarchate of Moscow itself, which was approved in 1589, teaches that Constantinople has always looked to Kiev as a possible counterweight to Moscow, to limit the excess of intrusiveness in the Orthodox world. After the invasion of Constantinople by Muhammad II in 1453, the Russian kingdom remained the only free and autonomous Orthodox country, while all the others were controlled by the Sublime Porte. A substantial part of the Russian Orthodox, in the territories of present-day Ukraine, constituted an important minority of the Kingdom of Poland and Lithuania. Returning from Moscow, Patriarch Jeremiah II of Constantinople proposed they also form the Kiev Patriarchate. The intervention of the Polish king Sigismund III finally led to the proclamation of the Union of Orthodox Ukrainians with the Church of Rome in 1596, at the Synod of Brest-Litovsk, as a response to the "imperial" patriarchate of the Russians. For decades, Russians and Poles, with the wavering alliance of the Cossacks, contended for the lands on the right and on the left of the Dnieper, called by various names: Galicia, Volynia, Little Russia, and also Ukrainian territories, that is "on the borders". In 1689 Moscow also regained jurisdiction over the Orthodox of Kiev, always with the "forced" blessing of Constantinople; the western territories remained united in Rome, where even today the majority of Greek-Catholic "uniate" reside. In fact, the Greeks have always tried to impose the patriarchal hierarchy over Moscow who - they say - it is only "a daughter" of Constantinople, and a minor daughter compared to Kiev, "mother of all Russian cities". Something the Russians, in reality, could never digest. The more recent disputes have done little other than reiterate the old diatribes, in an attempt to arrive at a showdown. The almost ninety-year-old Patriarch Filaret (Denisenko), self-proclaimed primate of the Orthodox Church in Ukraine since 1992, was well aware when he lost his election as patriarch of Moscow compared to his adversary Aleksij (Ridiger), predecessor of the current patriarch Kirill ( Gundjaev). In December 2017 Filaret displaced the Russians, gathered in the great Jubilee Synod for the one hundred years of the restoration of the patriarchate, appealing to them for reconciliation. The Russians did not take the initiative of the elderly patriarch (or ex-metropolitan, excommunicated by them) seriously, well aware of his audacity and the capacity for transformation, which already in Soviet times had the reputation of being a highly respected hierarch . In fact, the head of the Orthodox Ukrainian autonomists is also one of the major inspirers of the request for autocephaly to the patriarch of Constantinople, as he confirmed at a conference in Brussels on 3 May. Speaking to the European Parliament, Denisenko explained the reasons why "Ukraine is Europe ... More than 1000 years ago, our peoples have made their choice of civilization: they chose European Christian civilization, they joined the community of nations European. " Speaking of the importance of building Europe "on stone, not on sand", Filaret invoked legality against corruption, solidarity against exclusion, asking European politicians to support the aspirations of the Ukrainians to true autonomy, including ecclesiastical autonomy. After recalling that for four years Ukraine has been defending itself "against Russian aggression", the patriarch thanked the Europeans for supporting the sanctions against Putin, even at the cost of economic sacrifices, to prevent the Russians from "restoring the system" that existed after the Yalta conference, that is, the system of a divided world and a divided Europe ". He himself recalled the request of the Tomos of autocephaly, necessary because "Ukraine remains the only country with a predominantly Orthodox population, which does not have its own recognized local Church, although it has sought such recognition since the restoration of independence". According to Filaret, the Church faithful to Moscow is supported by only 12% of the population, while the independent Ukrainian Church has almost 40% consensus. The Ukrainian prelate also echoed the accusation that the Kremlin is using the Moscow Patriarchate as "one of the tools to spread the ideology of the 'Russian measure' - that ideology, which is the basis of the aggression of Ukraine, of Georgia and Moldova ", and asked the European Parliament to support the Orthodox leaders who oppose this ideology, starting with Bartholomew himself. The Ecumenical Patriarch, according to Filaret, "is a true leader of European Orthodoxy; Orthodoxy is not hostile to Europe, as in the interpretation of Moscow, but it constitutes the Christian foundation of Europe together with Catholicism and Protestantism ". The Ukrainians, the Eastern "borders" of Europe, then propose a question of civil and religious identity, to avoid a schism that would infiltrate the consciences of all Christians, and of all Europeans. "We have revived pride in our fatherland," Putin said during the ceremony held in the Kremlin. Two days ago, protests were held in 19 cities against "Tsar Putin" with thousands of arrests. Opposition leader Alexei Navalny was briefly detained. Moscow (AsiaNews/Agencies) Against the background of the gilded walls and crystal chandeliers of the Kremlins Andreyevsky Hall, Vladimir Putin today swore on the Russian constitution, taking his fourth oath of office as president of Russia (picture 1, video). Right after the national anthem, he gave a short speech in which he promised to "multiply the strength and prosperity of Russia. Noting that We have revived pride in our fatherland," Mr Putin added that in the past Russia had risen again from setbacks, "like a phoenix". Vladimir Putin has been in power for 18 years, either as president or as prime minister, so much so as that his adversaries call him "Tsar Putin". Two days ago, protests were held against "the tsar" in Moscow and other Russian cities. After some clashes with the police, thousands were arrested in 19 cities, in particular young people who accuse the Russian government of corruption and lack of democracy (picture 2). Putins best-known opponent, Alexei Navalny, tried to hold a protest in central Moscow, and was briefly taken into custody (picture 3). Some feared possible demonstrations today to coincide with the president's oath of office, but so far, nothing has happened. Putin was re-elected president last March with more than 76 per cent of the votes. Haiti - Economy : Announcement of unpopular measures in the coming days In order to respect its commitments made in the "Staff-monitored program" agreement with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) signed in late February https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-24021-haiti-economy-towards-further-increases-in-fuel-prices.html which includes important requirements, including the complete elimination of subsidies for petroleum products and electricity, the Government of Haiti is preparing to take measures that may be very unpopular in the coming days. Jude Alix Patrick Salomon, Minister of Economy and Finance confirms that by the end of June, fuel prices at the pump will be revised upwards, the Government will apply the mechanism of automatic adjustment of price at the pump https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-20974-haiti-flash-fuel-a-lack-of-precision-in-the-agreement-with-serious-consequences.html (not implemented since May 2017) and to eliminate all fuel subsidies. In addition, the Government is considering a drastic increase in the billing rate to reduce the recurrent shortfall of EDH which exceeds $ 200 million each year, a sum which the State fills by digging its own deficit. Finally, the Government intends to replace the Turnover Tax with a Value Added Tax (VAT). See alos : https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-20974-haiti-flash-fuel-a-lack-of-precision-in-the-agreement-with-serious-consequences.html https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-20957-haiti-flash-increase-in-fuels-this-is-only-the-beginning.html https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-24021-haiti-economy-towards-further-increases-in-fuel-prices.html https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-23659-haiti-economy-moise-accepts-the-program-of-control-and-the-requirements-of-the-imf.html S/ HaitiLibre Distell sells Uitkyk to Warwick Wine Estate By Lisa Riley Distell has sold its Uitkyk wine farm to Warwick Wine Estate for an undisclosed sum. The sale formed part of Distells strategy to streamline its asset portfolio in a way that would allow it to re-invest further into its business and achieve its growth aspirations, said MD Richard Rushton. In addition, the sale was consistent with Distells strategy to focus and increase its investment on a select portfolio of wine brands and assets, he added. Our key focus brands, like Nederburg, Alto, Fleur du Cap, Plaisir de Merle and Durbanville Hills, have shown strong performance for the financial year-to-date and this reinforces the benefits of our more focused approach, said Rushton. Wine would remain integral and pivotal to Distells long-term success, he added, with the sale of Uitkyk presenting the company with an opportunity to build this category with even greater scale. Distell will also remain fully committed to growing the South African wine industry and playing a key role in the wine category, he said. The announcement follows Distell last week reporting promising quality harvest despite experiencing one of the most challenging seasons in recent years. The company, which accounts for nearly a third of total wine production in South Africa, said the harvest had delivered healthy, good quality grapes, but that the crop was down about 30% on last years intake although yields had differed across regions. In February, Distell reported a 9.3% increase in revenues to R13.4 billion (828 million) on volumes up 3.7% in the six months to 31 December 2018. UK sales of Aperol and Campari drive group growth By Jo Gilbert Camparis stable of brands continue to drive sustainable growth for the group, including Aperol and Campari, where sales rose in the UK during the first three months of the year. In the first quarter of 2018, Campari Group reported total sales of 336 million with gross profit of 200 million. An organic sales rise of 2.2% was offset by a decline of 8.2% in value on a reported basis compared to the year before, thanks to after the exchange rate and perimeter effects, said the group. However, a very favourable sales mix driven by Aperol, Campari, Grand Marnier and Wild Turkey in core developed markets led to a gross profit organic growth of 6.7%, ahead of organic sales. This included the UK, where Aperol, the groups largest brand, saw very strong growth, along with other high potential and seeding markets such as the US, Brazil, Russia, Australia, Spain and Global Travel Retail. Global sales of the brand rose 22.8%. And while sales in North, Central and Eastern Europe were still characterised by high volatility", the region's overall positive organic growth of 6.9% was mainly driven by the UK, where sales were up 13.1% thanks to Aperol, Bulldog, Campari and Magnum Tonic. Campari continued its positive momentum, up 6.6% organically, driven by the UK, US, Jamaica, Spain, as well as the brands core Italian market. Bulldog also rose by 14.1% on the back of a good performance in UK, Germany, Portugal, Italy, Spain and Global Travel Retail. In the first quarter 2018 we achieved a positive top line organic growth, despite the impact of emerging market softness and phasing effects magnified in a small quarter, Group CEO Bob Kunze-Concewitz, said. Profitability indicators showed a sustained organic growth, ahead of sales organic development, as they benefitted from a very favourable sales mix driven by the outperformance of the key high margin combinations by brands and regions, particularly Aperol, Campari, Grand Marnier and Wild Turkey in the core developed markets. Concomitantly, on a reported basis, the overall growth rates were impacted by the forex effect as well as the divestments of non-core businesses. Barbara Underwood, New York's longtime solicitor general, will serve as acting attorney general after Eric Schneiderman resigns from office Tuesday. Amy Spitalnick, press secretary for the state attorney general's office, announced Underwood will serve as acting attorney general in a statement Tuesday. "I am honored to serve the people of New York as acting attorney general," Underwood said. "The work of this office is critically important. Our office has never been stronger, and this extraordinarily talented, dedicated, and tireless team of public servants will ensure that our work continues without interruption." Underwood has served as state solicitor general since being appointed in 2007 by then-Attorney General Andrew Cuomo. She was reappointed to the post in 2011 after Schneiderman was elected attorney general. A graduate of the Georgetown University Law Center, Underwood clerked for Supreme Court Justice Thurgood Marshall and worked as a professor at the Yale Law School from 1972 to 1982. 2018s Best & Worst States for Working Moms Wallet Hub, May 7, 2018 Women make up nearly half of the U.S. workforce, and more than 70 percent of moms with young children are working. Yet women earned only 82 percent of what men made in 2017 and have far less upward mobility, as evidenced by the fact that only 5.2 percent of S&P 500 companies chief executives are female. Such obvious inequality sparks debates about gender roles in a shifting socioeconomic environment. Workplace inequality brings up not just financial questions but also deeply ingrained social issues. For instance, should women have to choose between career and family? The real question, however, is what were doing about this fundamental problem. Progress appears to be taking shape at different rates across the nation. Not only do parental leave policies and other legal support systems vary by state, but the quality of infrastructure from cost-effective day care to public schools is also far from uniform as well. So, in order to help ease the burden on an underappreciated segment of the population, WalletHub compared state dynamics across 15 key metrics to identify the Best & Worst States for Working Moms. read Full Report Hawaii Helicopter overflight of a fast-moving lava flow emerging from fissure 20 on May 19, at 7:52 AM HST. The flow is advancing to the southeast. Lava fountaining is visible in the background. The audio is the sound of the helicopter. VIDEOS: LAVA NEWS HTH 5-20-2018: Volcanologist: Effects of laze could reach 15 miles downwind SA 5-20-2018: Presence of andesite means the lava that came up in fissure 17 could have come from magma stored in an underground reservoir dating back to before the 1955 eruption, possibly as early as the 1924 eruption or an eruption in 1840. HTH 5-20-2018: Two lava flows enter the ocean off Highway 137; Coast Guard enforcing safety zone HTH 5-20-2018: Lava crosses Highway 137 and enters the ocean in lower Puna Lava entering ocean at MacKenzie St Park morning of May 20, 2018 PHOTO:USGS HTH 5-19-2018: Lava flows cause brush fires to spread toward Kamaili Road; residents advised to evacuate immediately SA 5-19-2018: Lava flow is currently heading in the general direction of MacKenzie State Park may cross highway within 5-6 hours HAWAIIAN VOLCANO OBSERVATORY STATUS REPORT From U.S. Geological Survey Monday, May 21, 2018, 1:57 AM HST KILAUEA VOLCANO (VNUM #332010) 1925'16" N 15517'13" W, Summit Elevation 4091 ft (1247 m) Current Volcano Alert Level: WARNING Current Aviation Color Code: RED Kilauea Volcano Summit A small explosion occurred at 12:55 AM at Halema'uma'u crater at Kilauea's summit. It produced an ash plume that reached about 7,000 ft asl and was carried by the wind to the southwest. Additional explosive events that could produce minor amounts of ashfall downwind are possible at any time. Information on ash hazards and how to prepare for ashfall maybe found here: http://www.ivhhn.org/information#ash * * * * * HAWAIIAN VOLCANO OBSERVATORY STATUS REPORT From U.S. Geological Survey Saturday, May 19, 2018, 4:13 PM HST KILAUEA VOLCANO (VNUM #332010) 1925'16" N 15517'13" W, Summit Elevation 4091 ft (1247 m) Current Volcano Alert Level: WARNING Current Aviation Color Code: RED Kilauea Volcano Lower East Rift Zone Eruption of lava and ground cracking in the area of Leilani Estates subdivision continues. Beginning yesterday and into today, the rate of lava eruption has increased. Fissure 17 is weakly active now, and Fissures 16-20 have merged into a continuous line of spatter and fountaining. Flows from the consolidated Fissure 20 crossed upper Pohoiki road late yesterday afternoon and continued flowing southward. This afternoon two flows from the merged fissure complex have joined less than a mile from the coast and continue to flow southward between Pohoiki and Opihikao Rds. The lava flow from Fissure 18 is stalled. It is unknown whether the flows will continue to advance, or stop, and new lava flows are likely given the rate of activity seen at the rift zone. Volcanic gas emissions remain very high. For recent maps of activity, see: https://volcanoes.usgs.gov/volcanoes/kilauea/multimedia_maps.html Additional ground cracking and outbreaks of lava are possible in the area. Residents downslope of the region of fissures should heed all Count of Hawaii Civil Defense messages and warnings. Magma continues to be supplied to the lower East Rift Zone; however, a GPS instrument near the Lower East Rift Zone is no longer moving suggesting that the rift zone is no longer inflating in this area. Elevated earthquake activity continues, but earthquake locations have not moved farther downrift in the past couple of days. USGS/HVO continues to monitor the lower East Rift Zone activity 24/7 in coordination with Hawaii County Civil Defense, with geologists onsite to track ongoing and new fissure activity and the advance of lava flows. Kilauea Volcano Summit Small ash emissions from the Overlook crater have occurred intermittently today. Moderate trade winds were blowing to the southwest and noticeable ashfall may happen in downwind locations. Additional explosive events that could produce minor amounts of ashfall downwind are possible at any time. Volcanic gas emissions at the summit remain high. For forecasts of where ash would fall if such an explosion occur, please consult the Ash3D model output here: https://volcanoes.usgs.gov/observatories/hvo/activity_2018.html Information on ash hazards and how to prepare for ashfall maybe found here: http://www.ivhhn.org/information#ash * * * * * HAWAIIAN VOLCANO OBSERVATORY STATUS REPORT From U.S. Geological Survey Saturday, May 19, 2018, 9:16 AM HST KILAUEA VOLCANO (VNUM #332010) 1925'16" N 15517'13" W, Summit Elevation 4091 ft (1247 m) Current Volcano Alert Level: WARNING Current Aviation Color Code: RED Kilauea Volcano Lower East Rift Zone Eruption of lava and ground cracking in the area of Leilani Estates subdivision continues. Beginning yesterday and continuing overnight, the rate of lava eruption has increased. Fountaining is occurring at Fissure 17, and Fissures 16-20 have merged into a continuous line of spatter and fountaining. Flows from the consolidated Fissure 20 crossed upper Pohoiki road late yesterday afternoon and continued flowing southward. This morning, the wide flow is very active and is advancing at rates up to 300 yds per hour. A second flow from the same fissure complex is also flowing southward between Pohoiki and Opihikao Rds. The lava flow from Fissure 18 continues to advance more slowly. Fissure 17 and its flow are still active but the flow is advancing even more slowly. It is unknown whether the flows will continue to advance, or stop, and new lava flows are likely given the rate of activity seen at the rift zone. For recent maps of activity, see: https://volcanoes.usgs.gov/volcanoes/kilauea/multimedia_maps.html Additional ground cracking and outbreaks of lava are possible in the area. Residents downslope of the region of fissures should heed all Count of Hawaii Civil Defense messages and warnings. Magma continues to be supplied to the lower East Rift Zone; however, the GPS instrument near Pu`u Honua`ula is no longer moving suggesting that the rift zone is no longer inflating in this area. Elevated earthquake activity continues, but earthquake locations have not moved farther downrift in the past couple of days. USGS/HVO continues to monitor the lower East Rift Zone activity 24/7 in coordination with Hawaii County Civil Defense, with geologists onsite to track ongoing and new fissure activity and the advance of lava flows. Kilauea Volcano Summit An explosion occurred around midnight last night at Halema'uma'u with the plume extending 10,000 ft a.s.l. Moderate trade winds were blowing to the southwest and noticeable ashfall was reported from downwind locations. Additional explosive events that could produce minor amounts of ashfall downwind are possible at any time. Volcanic gas emissions at the summit remain high. For forecasts of where ash would fall if such an explosion occur, please consult the Ash3D model output here: https://volcanoes.usgs.gov/observatories/hvo/activity_2018.html Information on ash hazards and how to prepare for ashfall maybe found here: http://www.ivhhn.org/information#ash * * * * * HAWAIIAN VOLCANO OBSERVATORY STATUS REPORT From U.S. Geological Survey Saturday, May 19, 2018, 1:33 AM HST KILAUEA VOLCANO (VNUM #332010) 1925'16" N 15517'13" W, Summit Elevation 4091 ft (1247 m) Current Volcano Alert Level: WARNING Current Aviation Color Code: RED Kilauea Volcano Summit At 11:58 PM Local time, a short-lived explosion at from Halema'uma'u created an ash cloud that reached up to 10,000 ft asl and was carried southwest by the wind. Possible trace ash fall may have occurred along Highway 11. Additional explosive events that could produce minor amounts of ashfall downwind are possible at any time. Volcanic gas emissions at the summit remain high. For forecasts of where ash would fall if such an explosion occur, please consult the Ash3D model output here: https://volcanoes.usgs.gov/observatories/hvo/activity_2018.html Information on ash hazards and how to prepare for ashfall maybe found here: http://www.ivhhn.org/information#ash Kilauea Volcano Lower East Rift Zone Eruption of lava and ground cracking in the area of Leilani Estates subdivision continues. A fast-moving pahoehoe lava flow that emerged from fissure 20 this afternoon continues to flow southeast. The flow has three main lobes. The easternmost is east of Pohoiki Road and is moving about 230 yards per hour. The westernmost of the lobes is near Malamaki Road and is moving at about 40 yards per hour. These rates may change with time and USGS crews are in the area to monitor flow advance. Other fissures remain weakly active and volcanic gas emissions remain elevated throughout the area downwind. Smoke from burning vegetation as lava flows advance is also contributing to poor air quality. For recent maps of activity, see: https://volcanoes.usgs.gov/volcanoes/kilauea/multimedia_maps.html Additional ground cracking and outbreaks of lava are possible in the area. Residents downslope of the region of fissures should heed all Count of Hawaii Civil Defense messages and warnings. Magma continues to be supplied to the lower East Rift Zone as indicated by the continued northwest displacement of a GPS monitoring station. Elevated earthquake activity continues, but earthquake locations have not moved farther downrift in the past couple of days. USGS/HVO continues to monitor the lower East Rift Zone activity 24/7 in coordination with Hawaii County Civil Defense, with geologists onsite to track ongoing and new fissure activity and the advance of lava flows. SA May 18, 2018: People airlifted out of area isolated by fast-moving lava Residents from Isaac Hale Beach Park to Kalapana are advised to prepare for voluntary evacuation should Highway 137 become threatened. HTH May 18, 2018: "1.86 miles from Highway 137" HTH May 19, 2018: Another explosive eruption reported at Kilaueas summit SA May 19, 2018: Lava flow moves 1,000 feet in an hour, Lower Puna residents told to prepare to evacuate HTH May 19, 2018: Everyone accounted for after lava isolated homes on Pohoiki Road, according to Civil Defense * * * * * HAWAIIAN VOLCANO OBSERVATORY STATUS REPORT From U.S. Geological Survey Friday, May 18, 2018, 7:53 PM HST KILAUEA VOLCANO (VNUM #332010) 1925'16" N 15517'13" W, Summit Elevation 4091 ft (1247 m) Current Volcano Alert Level: WARNING Current Aviation Color Code: RED Kilauea Volcano Lower East Rift Zone Eruption of lava and ground cracking in the area of Leilani Estates subdivision continues. Late this afternoon, a fast-moving pahoehoe lava flow emerged from fissure 20 and traveled southeast where it crossed Pohoiki Road. Estimates from Hawaii County Fire Department aerial video at 6:30 pm indicate advance rate of 300-400 yards per hour; this rate may change with time and USGS crews are in the area to try and monitor flow advance. Other fissures remain weakly active and volcanic gas emissions remain elevated throughout the area downwind. Smoke from burning vegetation as lava flows advance is also contributing to poor air quality. For recent maps of activity, see: https://volcanoes.usgs.gov/volcanoes/kilauea/multimedia_maps.html Additional ground cracking and outbreaks of lava are possible in the area. Residents downslope of the region of fissures should heed all Count of Hawaii Civil Defense messages and warnings. Magma continues to be supplied to the lower East Rift Zone as indicated by the continued northwest displacement of a GPS monitoring station. Elevated earthquake activity continues, but earthquake locations have not moved farther downrift in the past couple of days. USGS/HVO continues to monitor the lower East Rift Zone activity 24/7 in coordination with Hawaii County Civil Defense, with geologists onsite to track ongoing and new fissure activity and the advance of lava flows. Kilauea Volcano Summit For much of the day, a steady, white steam plume rose from the Overlook vent within Halema'uma'u. Several minor emissions of ash were observed in web cameras. No significant explosions and no earthquakes greater than magnitude 3.5 have occurred in the summit area in the past 24 hours. Background seismic levels have been increasing slowly over the course of the day. Additional explosive events that could produce minor amounts of ashfall downwind are possible at any time. Volcanic gas emissions at the summit remain high. For forecasts of where ash would fall if such an explosion occur, please consult the Ash3D model output here: https://volcanoes.usgs.gov/observatories/hvo/activity_2018.html Information on ash hazards and how to prepare for ashfall maybe found here: http://www.ivhhn.org/information#ash * * * * * HAWAIIAN VOLCANO OBSERVATORY STATUS REPORT From U.S. Geological Survey Friday, May 18, 2018, 3:59 PM HST KILAUEA VOLCANO (VNUM #332010) 1925'16" N 15517'13" W, Summit Elevation 4091 ft (1247 m) Current Volcano Alert Level: WARNING Current Aviation Color Code: RED Kilauea Volcano Summit No explosions and no earthquakes greater than magnitude 3.5 have occurred in the summit area in the past day. Background seismic levels have been increasing slowly over the course of the day. Volcanic gas emissions at the summit remain high. Kilauea Lower East Rift Zone The lower (eastern) end of the fissure system is the most active area today. This afternoon, fissure17 is actively spattering and the flow is active but is not covering new ground. In addition, fissures 18, and 20 are active, and the flow from fissure 18 has traveled approximately 0.6 miles in a southeast direction. An area 50-100 yards wide, parallel to and north of the line of fissures between Highway 130 and Lanipuna Gardens, is disrupted with many cracks. This long cracked area is currently being filled by pahoehoe lava flows from fissures 20 and 21. Fissure 15 was active and produced a lava flow that crossed Pohoiki Road between Leilani and Hinalo Streets. Volcanic gas emissions remain elevated throughout the area downwind of the fissures. Magma continues to be supplied to the lower East Rift Zone as indicated by the continued northwest displacement of a GPS monitoring station. Elevated earthquake activity continues, but earthquake locations have not moved farther downrift in the past couple of days. USGS/HVO continues to monitor the lower East Rift Zone activity 24/7 in coordination with Hawaii County Civil Defense, with geologists onsite to track ongoing and new fissure activity and the advance of lava flows. * * * * * HAWAIIAN VOLCANO OBSERVATORY STATUS REPORT From U.S. Geological Survey Thursday, May 17, 2018, 4:54 PM HST KILAUEA VOLCANO (VNUM #332010) 1925'16" N 15517'13" W, Summit Elevation 4091 ft (1247 m) Current Volcano Alert Level: WARNING Current Aviation Color Code: RED Kilauea Volcano Summit After the explosive eruption early this morning seismic levels have been gradually increasing, but as of this report no additional explosions have occurred. No earthquakes greater than magnitude 3.5 have occurred in the past day. Volcanic gas emissions at the summit remain high. Kilauea Lower East Rift Zone This afternoon, fissure 17 is still actively spattering but the flow is nearly stalled. In addition, fissures 18, 19, and 20 have reactivated and a new fissure (21) has opened between fissures 7 and 3. An area 50-100 yards wide, parallel to and north of the line of fissures between Highway 130 and Lanipuna Gardens, has dropped slightly. This long depression is currently being filled by pahoehoe lava flows from fissures 20 and 21. Volcanic gas emissions remain elevated throughout the area downwind of the fissures. Magma continues to be supplied to the lower East Rift Zone as indicated by the continued northwest displacement of a GPS monitoring station. Elevated earthquake activity continues, but earthquake locations have not moved farther downrift in the past couple of days. USGS/HVO continues to monitor the lower East Rift Zone activity 24/7 in coordination with Hawaii County Civil Defense, with geologists onsite to track ongoing and new fissure activity and the advance of lava flows. * * * * * May 16, 2018 Eruption of Kilauea HVO/USGS Volcanic Activity Notice Volcano: Kilauea (VNUM #332010) Current Volcano Alert Level: WARNING Current Aviation Color Code: RED From Hawaiian Volcano Observatory, Thursday, May 17, 2018, 6:33 AM HST Volcanic Activity Summary: At about 0415 this morning, an explosion from the Overlook vent within Halemaumau crater at Kilauea Volcano's summit produced a volcanic cloud that reaches as high as 30,000 ft asl and drifted northeast. Continued emissions from the crater are reaching as high as 12,000 ft asl. At any time, activity may again become more explosive, increasing the intensity of ash production and producing ballistic projectiles near the vent. Resource on volcanic ash hazards: https://volcanoes.usgs.gov/volcanic_ash/ Resource on vog: https://vog.ivhhn.org/ Current NWS information on ashfall: http://www.prh.noaa.gov/hnl/watchwarn/ Recent Observations: [Volcanic cloud height] up to 30,000 ft asl [Other volcanic cloud information] Drifting generally northeast Hazard Analysis: [Ash cloud] The ashcloud is drifting downwind to the northeast. [Ashfall] Ashfall has been reported in Volcanoes National Park, and may occur further downwind. [Other hazards] Ballistic projectiles may be produced should steam-driven explosions occur. Impacts will be limited to an area around Halemaumau. [Volcanic gas] Vog or volcanic air pollution produced by volcanic gas has been reported in Pahala. Remarks: Photos of this activity may be found here: https://volcanoes.usgs.gov/volcanoes/kilauea/kilauea_multimedia_15.html * * * * * PHOTO: 1924 Eruption of Kilauea. HAWAIIAN VOLCANO OBSERVATORY STATUS REPORT U.S. Geological Survey Wednesday, May 16, 2018, 4:47 PM HST KILAUEA VOLCANO (VNUM #332010) 1925'16" N 15517'13" W, Summit Elevation 4091 ft (1247 m) Current Volcano Alert Level: WARNING Current Aviation Color Code: RED Kilauea Volcano Summit Ash emission from the Overlook crater within Halema`uma`u has generally decreased since yesterday. Although varying in intensity, at times the plume contains enough ash to be gray in color. The cloud is rising an estimated 3 to 4,000 feet above the ground, but altitudes are varying with pulses of emission. The ash cloud is drifting slowly northward from the Kilauea summit and ashfall may occur in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park and Volcano Village. Communities downwind may receive ashfall and should take necessary precautions. Several magnitude 3 or stronger earthquakes occurred beneath the summit today. The earthquakes were at shallow depth and resulted in cracks in Highway 11 near the entrance to Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park. Some facilities within the National Park were damaged as well. The explosive eruption of 1924 at the Kilauea summit was also marked by hundreds of felt earthquakes as magma drained from the caldera. * * * * * HAWAIIAN VOLCANO OBSERVATORY INFORMATION STATEMENT U.S. Geological Survey Wednesday, May 16, 2018, 2:35 PM HST KILAUEA VOLCANO (VNUM #332010) 1925'16" N 15517'13" W, Summit Elevation 4091 ft (1247 m) Current Volcano Alert Level: WARNING Current Aviation Color Code: RED KILAUEA INFORMATION STATEMENT Strong earthquakes within the summit of Kilauea Volcano continue in response to ongoing deflation and lava column drop. As of the afternoon of May 16, the floor of Kilauea caldera has dropped approximately 3 feet (90 cm). This movement is stressing faults around the caldera of Kilauea, causing them to move and resulting in strong earthquakes of up to magnitude 4.4 thus far. Employees at the Hawaiian Volcano Observatory, Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park and nearby residents are reporting frequent ground shaking and damage to roads and buildings. Hawaii County Police reports cracks across Highway 11 between mile markers 28 and 29. Although these are passable, motorists are urged to use caution. As deflation continues, strong earthquakes in the area around Kilauea Volcano's summit are expected to continue and may become more frequent. Areas further from these earthquakes may feel some ground motion as well, but much less severe. The shallow depths of these earthquakes make them more damaging in the immediate vicinity of the epicenter, and individuals need to take precautions to minimize damage from the shaking, including the removal of unstable items from walls and shelves. Steep slopes should be avoided as they may become destabilized during strong earthquakes. * * * * * HVO/USGS Volcanic Activity Notice Volcano: Kilauea (VNUM #332010) Current Volcano Alert Level: WARNING Current Aviation Color Code: RED Previous Aviation Color Code: ORANGE Issued: Tuesday, May 15, 2018, 1:23 PM HST Source: Hawaiian Volcano Observatory Volcanic Activity Summary: As of early this morning, eruption of ash from the Overlook vent within Halemaumau crater at Kilauea Volcano's summit has generally increased in intensity. Ash has been rising nearly continuously from the vent and drifting downwind to the southwest. Ashfall and vog (volcanic air pollution) has been reported in Pahala, about 18 miles downwind. NWS radar and pilot reports indicate the top of the ash cloud is as high as 10,000 to 12,000 feet above sea level, but this may be expected to vary depending on the vigor of activity and wind conditions. Ash emission from the Kilauea summit vent will likely be variable with periods of increased and decreased intensity depending on the occurrence of rockfalls into the vent and other changes within the vent. At any time, activity may become more explosive, increasing the intensity of ash production and producing ballistic projectiles near the vent. Resource on volcanic ash hazards: https://volcanoes.usgs.gov/volcanic_ash/ Resource on vog: https://vog.ivhhn.org/ Recent Observations: [Volcanic cloud height] 10,000 - 12,000 feet [Other volcanic cloud information] Drifting generally southwest with tradewinds. Hazard Analysis: [Ash cloud] The ashcloud is drifting downwind primarily to the southwest with the Trade Winds. Wind conditions are expected to change in the next 24 hours and other areas around Kilauea's summit are likely to receive ashfall. [Ashfall] Ashfall has been reported in the community of Pahala, at locations along Highway 11 from Pahala to Volcano, and in the Ka'u Desert section of Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. [Other hazards] Ballistic projectiles may be produced should steam-driven explosions occur. Impacts will be limited to an area around Halemaumau. [Volcanic gas] Vog or volcanic air pollution produced by volcanic gas has been reported in Pahala. Remarks: Photos of this activity may be found here: https://volcanoes.usgs.gov/volcanoes/kilauea/kilauea_multimedia_15.html * * * * * KILAUEA VOLCANO (VNUM #332010) 1925'16" N 15517'13" W, Summit Elevation 4091 ft (1247 m) Current Volcano Alert Level: WARNING Current Aviation Color Code: ORANGE Kilauea Lower East Rift Zone This morning, eruptive activity remained concentrated at fissure 17, with intermittent lava spattering at fissure 18. Earlier this morning, a new fissure (20) located near fissure 18 produced two small pads of lava. The aa flow spreading from fissure 17 advanced about 380 m (1,250 ft) since 2:30 p.m. HST yesterday. The advance of the flow has slowed significantly since yesterday afternoon. At 6:45 a.m. the flow was nearly 2.5 km (1.5 mi) in length. VIDEO: Helicopter Flyover of Puna Makai Lava Field Volcanic gas emissions remain elevated throughout the area downwind of the fissures. Magma continues to be supplied to the lower East Rift Zone as indicated by the continued northwest displacement of a GPS monitoring station. Elevated earthquake activity continues, but earthquake locations have not moved farther downrift in the past couple of days. USGS/HVO continues to monitor the lower East Rift Zone activity 24/7 in coordination with Hawaii County Civil Defense, with geologists onsite to track ongoing and new fissure activity and the advance of lava flows. * * * * * Ash plume at KILAUEA summit nearly continuous this morning Activity at Halemaumau crater increased this morning to include the nearly continuous emission of ash with intermittent stronger pulses that form occasional higher plumes 1-2 kilometers (3,000 to 6,000 feet) above the ground. This photo shows the ash plume at about 9 a.m. HST. Tradewinds this morning are blowing the ash generally to the southwest toward the Ka`u Desert. The dark area to the right of the ash column rising from the Overlook crater is ash falling from the ash cloud to the ground. PHOTO: HVO May 15, 2018 HAWAIIAN VOLCANO OBSERVATORY STATUS REPORT From U.S. Geological Survey Tuesday, May 15, 2018, 9:41 AM HST KILAUEA VOLCANO (VNUM #332010) 1925'16" N 15517'13" W, Summit Elevation 4091 ft (1247 m) Current Volcano Alert Level: WARNING Current Aviation Color Code: ORANGE Kilauea Volcano Summit Ash emission from the Overlook crater within Halemaumau has generally increased this morning compared to previous days. Although varying in intensity, at times the plume contains enough ash to be gray in color. The cloud is rising an estimated 3 to 4,000 feet above the ground, but altitudes are varying with pulses of emission. The ash cloud is drifting generally west and southwest from the Kilauea summit and ashfall is occurring in the Ka'u Desert. Communities downwind are likely to receive ashfall today and should take necessary precautions. The National Weather Service has issued a Special Weather Statement regarding ashfall, please see: http://www.prh.noaa.gov/hnl/ For information on the hazards of volcanic ash and how to prepare your home or business, please see: https://volcanoes.usgs.gov/volcanic_ash/ Earthquake activity in the summit remains elevated with several strongly felt events at HVO today. Most of these earthquakes are related to the ongoing subsidence of the summit area and earthquakes beneath the south flank of the volcano. For information on volcanic ash, please see: https://volcanoes.usgs.gov/volcanic_ash/ * * * * * HAWAIIAN VOLCANO OBSERVATORY STATUS REPORT From U.S. Geological Survey Sunday, May 13, 2018, 8:28 PM HST KILAUEA VOLCANO (VNUM #332010) 1925'16" N 15517'13" W, Summit Elevation 4091 ft (1247 m) Current Volcano Alert Level: WARNING Current Aviation Color Code: ORANGE Lower East Rift Zone Eruption Eruption of lava continues from the northeast end of the active fissure system. Residents in lower Puna should remain informed and heed Hawaii County Civil Defense closures, warnings, and messages (http://www.hawaiicounty.gov/active-alerts). As of late today, activity was dominated by lava fountaining, explosion of spatter bombs hundreds of feet into the air, and several advancing lava flow lobes moving generally northeast from fissure 17 at the downrift (northeast) end of the new fissure system. As of about 7 pm, one lobe was 2 yards thick and advancing roughly parallel to Highway 132. The flow front was just over a half mile southeast of the intersection of Highway 132 and Noni Farms Road. Based on overflight images late this afternoon, additional lava from fissure 17 was also moving slowly southeast. Volcanic gas emissions remain elevated. For the most recent map showing the locations of activity, please see https://volcanoes.usgs.gov/volcanoes/kilauea/multimedia_maps.html HVO field crews are on site overnight tracking the lava flow as conditions allow and reporting information to Hawaii County Civil Defense. This eruption is still evolving and additional outbreaks of lava are possible. The location of future outbreaks could include areas both uprift (southwest) and downrift (northeast) of the existing fissures, or, existing fissures can be reactivated. Communities downslope of these fissures could be at risk from lava inundation. Activity can change rapidly. For information on volcanic air pollution, please see: http://www.ivhhn.org/vog/ Kilauea Volcano Summit Deflationary tilt continues. A robust plume of steam and volcanic gas, occasionally mixed with ash, has risen from the Overlook crater within Halemaumau. Over the course of the day, rockfalls from the steep walls enclosing the Overlook crater generated ash clouds mixed with steam and gas intermittently throughout the day. These ash clouds have been relatively low concentration and have risen at most only a few thousand feet above the ground, a few generating very localized ashfall downwind. More explosive activity generating larger ash clouds remains possible and can occur with no warning. Earthquake activity in the summit remains elevated with several strongly felt events at HVO today. Most of these earthquakes are related to the ongoing subsidence of the summit area and earthquakes beneath the south flank of the volcano. For information on volcanic ash, please see: https://volcanoes.usgs.gov/volcanic_ash/ * * * * * East Rift Zone Eruption Update For Saturday May 12 At 7 PM This is a Civil Defense Message for Saturday, May 12, 2018 at 7 PM. Hawaiian Volcano Observatory reports a new fissure, number 17, is opening up about 100 meters below fissure 16. At this time, steam and lava spatter activity has started from this new fissure. Minor spattering activity from fissure (16) is diminishing and no significant lava flow was issued from this area. In addition, HVO has cautioned about the possibility of an explosive eruption at Halemaumau Crater due to the ongoing withdrawal of lava from Kilauea summit lake. This could generate dangerous debris very near the crater and ashfalls up to tens of miles downwind. Due to the volcanic activity, the following are issued: Under Emergency Provisions, any looting or vandalism during an emergency is treated as a felony. Hawaii Police Department is enforcing the Federal Aviation Administrations Temporary Flight Restriction for lower Puna area. No helicopter or drone activity is allowed without approval. Residents of lower Puna between Kapoho and Kalapana, are advised to be on the alert in the event of possible gas emissions and volcanic eruption. There may be little to no advance notice to evacuate, so take this time to prepare. If you evacuate voluntarily, the Pahoa Community Center and Keaau Community Center are open. Food will be provided and the shelters are pet-friendly. The residents of Puna are going through a very difficult time. We ask for your help and understanding. County, State and Federal partners continue to monitor the situation. You will be informed of any conditions that affect your safety. Thank you for listening. Have a safe day. This is your Hawaii County Civil Defense. SA: Residents of Halekamahina Loop Road have been ordered to evacuate this morning after an 18th fissure was verified by the Department of Public Works and police. HNN: Officials urge Lower Puna residents to prepare for possible evacuation * * * * * HVO Reiterates Warning About Explosive Summit Event From Hawaiian Volcano Observatory, May 11, 2018 The Hawaiian Volcano Observatory again cautions the public about the possibility of an explosive eruption at Halemaumau. This is caused by the withdrawal of lava from Halemaumaus summit lake, which leads to a phreatic (steam-driven) eruption. Such an eruption could generate ash plumes as high as 20,000 feet. The area affected by ash plumes could be as wide as 12 miles. Should this occur, the following are advised: The danger from this eruption is ash fallout. The major response is to protect yourself from fallout. If this event occurs while you are at home, stay indoors with the windows closed. Turn on your radio and listen for updates from authorities. If you are in your car, keep the windows closed. Ash fallout may cause poor driving conditions, due to limited visibility and slippery driving conditions. Drive with extreme caution, or pull over and park. After the hazard is passed, do check your home, and especially your catchment system, for any impact that may affect your water quality. This is precautionary information for your safety in the event that there is a Halemaumau explosive event. Hawaii County Civil Defense wants everyone in the Volcano area to be ready, and to remain safe. Keep yourself informed and on the alert. * * * * * HAWAIIAN VOLCANO OBSERVATORY STATUS REPORT From U.S. Geological Survey, Friday, May 11, 2018, 4:39 PM HST KILAUEA VOLCANO (VNUM #332010) 1925'16" N 15517'13" W, Summit Elevation 4091 ft (1247 m) Current Volcano Alert Level: WARNING Current Aviation Color Code: ORANGE Lower East Rift Zone Eruption Volcanic unrest in the lower East Rift Zone of Kilauea Volcano continues. While no lava has been emitted from any of the 15 fissure vents since May 9, earthquake activity, ground deformation, and continuing high emission rates of sulphur dioxide indicate additional outbreaks of lava are likely. The location of future outbreaks is not known with certainty, but could include areas both uprift (southwest) and downrift (northeast) of the existing fissures, or resumption of activity at existing fissures. Communities downslope of these fissures could be at risk from lava inundation. Residents in lower Puna should remain informed and heed Hawaii County Civil Defense closures, warnings, and messages (http://www.hawaiicounty.gov/ active-alerts). For maps showing the locations of eruption features, please see https://volcanoes.usgs.gov/ volcanoes/kilauea/multimedia_ maps.html Hawaii County CD Volcano Map: LINK For information on volcanic air pollution, please see: http://www.ivhhn.org/vog/ Kilauea Volcano Summit Tiltmeters at the summit of Kilauea Volcano continue to record deflationary tilt. Based on this and field observations of the past two days, the lava lake level continues to drop. Rockfalls from the steep crater walls have generated small ash clouds mixed with white condensed water vapor intermittently throughout the day. These ash clouds have been relatively low concentration and have risen only a few thousand feet above the ground generating very localized ashfall. More explosive activity generating larger ash clouds remains possible. Earthquake activity in the summit remains elevated. Many of these earthquakes are related to the ongoing subsidence of the summit area and earthquakes beneath the south flank of the volcano. For information on volcanic ash, please see: https://volcanoes.usgs.gov/ volcanic_ash/ * * * * * HAWAIIAN VOLCANO OBSERVATORY STATUS REPORT From U.S. Geological Survey Thursday, May 10, 2018, 6:51 PM HST KILAUEA VOLCANO (VNUM #332010) 1925'16" N 15517'13" W, Summit Elevation 4091 ft (1247 m) Current Volcano Alert Level: WARNING Current Aviation Color Code: ORANGE Lower East Rift Zone Eruption High levels of unrest related to the intermittent eruption of lava in Leilani Estates in the lower East Rift Zone of Kilauea Volcano continue. While no lava was noted erupting today from any of the 15 fissure vents formed thus far, earthquake activity, ground deformation, and continuing high emission rates of sulfur dioxide indicate additional outbreaks of lava are likely. The location of future outbreaks is not known with certainty, but could include areas both uprift (southwest) and downrift (northeast) of the existing fissures, or resumption of activity at existing fissures. Earthquake activity was high in the area today. Continuing ground deformation and located earthquakes were mostly in the area around and northeast of Fissure 15 at Pohoiki Road indicating that the intrusion is migrating further to the northeast. Steaming ground cracks in the vicinity of Highway 130 continue. * * * * * HAWAIIAN VOLCANO OBSERVATORY STATUS REPORT From U.S. Geological Survey Wednesday, May 9, 2018, 4:55 PM HST KILAUEA VOLCANO (VNUM #332010) 1925'16" N 15517'13" W, Summit Elevation 4091 ft (1247 m) Current Volcano Alert Level: WARNING Current Aviation Color Code: ORANGE Lower East Rift Zone Eruption The intermittent eruption of lava in Leilani Estates in the lower East Rift Zone of Kilauea Volcano continues. Visible activity this early afternoon was again focused on the northeast portion of the fissure area. Fissure 15 broke ground across Poihiki Road, generating a pahoehoe flow about 20 m (66 ft) long. During an overflight of the area about 3 p.m. HST, geologists observed a new steaming area uprift (west) of Highway 130. During a second overflight at 4:30 p.m., the area was still steaming. Rates of motion increased late this morning on a GPS station 1.5 km (1 mile) southeast of Nanawale Estates. The direction of motion is consistent with renewed movement of magma in the downrift direction (to the northeast). Rates of seismicity changed little throughout the day; located earthquakes were mostly uprift (west) of Highway 130. Gas emissions remain elevated in the vicinity of fissures. Residents should remain informed and heed Hawaii County Civil Defense closures, warnings, and messages ( http://www.hawaiicounty.gov/active-alerts ). For maps showing the locations of eruption features, please see https://volcanoes.usgs.gov/volcanoes/kilauea/multimedia_maps.html For information on volcanic air pollution, please see: http://www.ivhhn.org/vog/ Kilauea Volcano Summit Tiltmeters at the summit of Kilauea Volcano continue to record the deflationary trend of the past week and the lava lake level continues to drop. At about 8:32 a.m. HST, a large rockfall from the steep crater walls into the retreating lake triggered an explosion that generated an ash column above the crater; the ash was blown toward the south-southwest. Rockfalls and explosions that produce ash columns are expected to continue. A 3D model of the Overlook crater was created from thermal images collected during an early afternoon helicopter overflight on May 8. Based on the 3D model, the lake level was about 295 m (970 feet) below the floor of Halemaumau Crater. Earthquake activity in the summit remains elevated. Many of these earthquakes are related to the ongoing subsidence of the summit area and earthquakes beneath the south flank of the volcano. * * * * * HVO/USGS Volcanic Activity Notice Volcano: Kilauea (VNUM #332010) Current Volcano Alert Level: WARNING Current Aviation Color Code: ORANGE Location: N 19 deg 25 min W 155 deg 17 min Elevation: 4091 ft (1247 m) From Hawaiian Volcano Observatory Wednesday, May 9, 2018, 8:02 AM HST Volcanic Activity Summary: The steady lowering of the lava lake in Overlook crater within Halemaumau at the summit of Kilauea Volcano has raised the potential for explosive eruptions in the coming weeks. If the lava column drops to the level of groundwater beneath Kilauea Caldera, influx of water into the conduit could cause steam-driven explosions. Debris expelled during such explosions could impact the area surrounding Halemaumau and the Kilauea summit. At this time, we cannot say with certainty that explosive activity will occur, how large the explosions could be, or how long such explosive activity could continue. Residents of the Kilauea summit area should learn about the hazards of ashfall, stay informed of the status of the volcano and area closures, and review family and business emergency plans. Resource on volcanic ash hazards: https://volcanoes.usgs.gov/volcanic_ash/ Remarks: HAZARDS Primary hazards of concern should this activity occur are ballistic projectiles and ashfall. BALLISTIC PROJECTILES During steam-driven explosions, ballistic blocks up to 2 m (yards) across could be thrown in all directions to a distance of 1 km (0.6 miles) or more. These blocks could weigh a few kilograms (pounds) to several tons. Smaller (pebble-size) rocks could be sent several kilometers (miles) from Halemaumau, mostly in a downwind direction. ASHFALL Presently, during the drawdown of the lava column, rockfalls from the steep enclosing walls of the Overlook crater vent impact the lake and produce small ash clouds. These clouds are very dilute and result in dustings of ash (particles smaller than 2 mm) downwind. Should steam-driven explosions begin, ash clouds will rise to greater elevations above ground. Minor ashfall could occur over much wider areas, even up to several tens of miles from Halemaumau. In 1924, ash may have reached as high as 20,000 feet above sea level. Small amounts of fine ash from these explosions fell over a wide area as far north as North Hilo (Hakalau), in lower Puna, and as far south as Waiohinu. GAS Gas emitted during steam-drive explosions will be mainly steam, but will include some sulfur dioxide (SO2) as well. Currently, SO2 emissions remain elevated. WARNING TIME Steam-driven explosions at volcanoes typically provide very little warning. Once the lava level reaches the groundwater elevation, onset of continuous ashy plumes or a sequence of violent steam-driven explosions may be the first sign that activity of concern has commenced. BACKGROUND Kilaueas lava lake began to drop on May 2, 2018. From its peak on May 2 to the most recent measurement at 9 pm on May 6, the lava lake surface dropped a total of more than 200 m (656 ft). The subsidence was at a relatively constant rate of about 2 meters (yards) per hour. Measurements of subsidence have not been possible since May 6 because of thick fume and the increasing depth to the lava surface. However, thermal images indicate continued lowering of the lake surface since that time, consistent with deflationary tilt recorded at Kilaueas summit. Therefore, we infer that the lake surface continues to drop at roughly the same rate. So, while HVO cannot report exact depths of the receding lava lake, we can monitor the overall trend. USGS and HVO scientists are monitoring changes at the summit 24/7 and watching for signs that hazardous conditions have increased, or may increase. HVO is working closely with Hawaii Volcanoes National Park and Hawaii County Civil Defense to respond to this situation. * * * * * This map shows the locations of fissures and an aa flow erupted since May 3 in the order that they occurred in Leilani Estates as of 7:00 p.m. HST, May 8. The purple areas are lava flows erupted in 1840, 1955, 1960, and 2014-2015. (see large map) VIDEO: Drone over Leilani Estates at Night Contribute: Salvation Army Volcano Relief Fund HAWAIIAN VOLCANO OBSERVATORY STATUS REPORT U.S. Geological Survey Tuesday, May 8, 2018, 11:18 PM HST KILAUEA VOLCANO (VNUM #332010) 1925'16" N 15517'13" W, Summit Elevation 4091 ft (1247 m) Current Volcano Alert Level: WARNING Current Aviation Color Code: ORANGE Lower East Rift Zone Eruption The intermittent eruption of lava in Leilani Estates in the lower East Rift Zone of Kilauea Volcano continues. Activity today was focused on the northeast portion of the fissure area; two new fissure segments (13 and 14) broke ground between fissures 7 and 6. Fissure 13 cut across Leilani Street. By 5:00 pm, fissures 13 and 14 were inactive; late this evening geologists reported loud jetting and booming sounds, and some spattering, at fissure 13. At about 6:00 p.m. reports of booming sounds were reported in the vicinity of Black Sands Beach Subdivision. When HVO geologists arrived soon after, no such sounds were occurring. Earlier this morning, geologists reported the widening of cracks of about 1 to 4 cm (0.4 to 1.6 in) of cracks on Highway 130 and Aliili road. Rates of seismicity changed little throughout the day, but increased during the fissure activity in the afternoon. Gas emissions remain elevated in the vicinity of fissures. HVO field crews successfully completed the installation of two new co-located seismometers and GPS receivers on the north and south sides of the East Rift Zone. Mahalo to landowners for allowing access and use of their property. HVO geologists will be in the area overnight to track and report to Hawaii County Civil Defense on the activity, and other scientists are tracking the volcano's overall activity 24/7 using various monitoring data streams. Residents should remain informed and heed Hawaii County Civil Defense closures, warnings, and messages ( http://www.hawaiicounty.gov/active-alerts ). For maps showing the locations of eruption features, please see https://volcanoes.usgs.gov/volcanoes/kilauea/multimedia_maps.html For information on volcanic air pollution, please see: http://www.ivhhn.org/vog/ Kilauea Volcano Summit Tiltmeters at the summit of Kilauea Volcano continue to record the deflationary trend of the past week and the lava lake level continues to drop. Rockfalls from the steep crater walls into the retreating lake continue to produce occasional ashy plumes above Halemaumau crater. These plumes are expected to continue. Earthquake activity in the summit remains elevated. Many of these earthquakes are related to the ongoing subsidence of the summit area and earthquakes beneath the south flank of the volcano. * * * * * HAWAIIAN VOLCANO OBSERVATORY STATUS REPORT From U.S. Geological Survey, Monday, May 7, 2018, 5:59 PM HST KILAUEA VOLCANO (VNUM #332010) 1925'16" N 15517'13" W, Summit Elevation 4091 ft (1247 m) Current Volcano Alert Level: WARNING Current Aviation Color Code: ORANGE Lower East Rift Zone Eruption The intermittent eruption of lava in the Leilani Estates subdivision in the lower East Rift Zone of Kilauea Volcano continues. The location of activity today was focused on the southwest portion of the area. This morning, two new fissure segments broke ground. The first (fissure 11) opened in a forested area southwest of Leilani Estates about 9:30 am and was active for only 3 hours. The second (fissure 12) opened about 12:20 between older fissures 10 and 11. By 3:15 pm, both new fissures were inactive but the west end of fissure 10 was steaming heavily. Cracks on Highway 130 widened from 7 cm to 8 cm over the course of the day and additional cracks were found just west of the highway on trend with the eruptive fissures. For map of recent features discussed above, see https://volcanoes.usgs.gov/volcanoes/kilauea/multimedia_maps.html Rates of seismicity and deformation changed little throughout the day. Gas emissions likely remain elevated in the vicinity of fissures. Residents should remain informed and heed Hawaii County Civil Defense closures, warnings, and messages ( http://www.hawaiicounty.gov/active-alerts ). For maps showing the locations of eruption features, please see https://volcanoes.usgs.gov/volcanoes/kilauea/multimedia_maps.html For information on volcanic air pollution, please see: http://www.ivhhn.org/vog/ HVO geologists will be in the area overnight to track and report to Hawaii County Civil Defense on the activity, and other scientists are closely tracking the volcano's overall activity using various monitoring data streams. Kilauea Volcano Summit Tiltmeters at the summit of Kilauea Volcano continue to record the deflationary trend of the past several days and the lava lake level continues to drop. Rockfalls from the steep crater walls into the retreating lake continue to produce occasional ashy plumes above Halemaumau crater. These plumes are expected to continue. Earthquake activity in the summit remains elevated but has decreased over the past few days. Many of these earthquakes are related to the ongoing subsidence of the summit area and earthquakes beneath the south flank of the volcano. This message will be updated tomorrow morning or earlier should conditions change. HVO Contact: askHVO@usgs.gov MORE INFORMATION Activity Summary also available by phone: (808) 967-8862 Subscribe to these messages: https://volcanoes.usgs.gov/vns2/ Webcam images: https://volcanoes.usgs.gov/volcanoes/kilauea/multimedia_webcams.html Photos/Video: https://volcanoes.usgs.gov/volcanoes/kilauea/multimedia_chronology.html Lava Flow Maps: https://volcanoes.usgs.gov/volcanoes/kilauea/multimedia_maps.html Definitions of terms used in update: https://volcanoes.usgs.gov/volcanoes/kilauea/extra/definitions.pdf Overview of Kilauea summit (Halemaumau) and East Rift Zone (Puu Oo ) eruptions: https://volcanoes.usgs.gov/volcanoes/kilauea/extra/background.pdf Summary of volcanic hazards from Kilauea eruptions: https://volcanoes.usgs.gov/volcanoes/kilauea/extra/hazards.pdf Recent Earthquakes in Hawai'i (map and list): https://volcanoes.usgs.gov/hvo/earthquakes/ Explanation of Volcano Alert Levels and Aviation Color Codes: https://volcanoes.usgs.gov/activity/alertsystem/index.php https://pubs.usgs.gov/fs/2006/3139/ HVO Contact: askHVO@usgs.gov CONTACT INFORMATION: askHVO@usgs.gov U.S. Rep. John Katko approves of President Donald Trump's decision to pull the United States out of the Iran nuclear accord. Katko, R-Camillus, opposed the Iran deal when it was first announced by the Obama administration in 2015. At the time, he said the agreement "gives far too many concessions to Iran without providing safeguards for the United States and our allies in the region and beyond." The accord called on Iran to scale back its nuclear program and allow nuclear site inspections in exchange for economic sanctions being lifted. The Iranians reached the agreement with the U.S., China, France, Germany, Russia and the United Kingdom. But Trump has long criticized the agreement. During the 2016 presidential campaign, he railed against the Iran deal he referred to it as a "disaster" and hinted that he may pull the U.S. out of the pact. On Tuesday, Trump signed a presidential memorandum to withdraw the U.S. from the Iran nuclear accord. He claimed the agreement "allowed Iran to continue enriching uranium" and was one-sided in the Iranians' favor. (HedgeCo.Net) The Securities and Exchange Commission has announced the unsealing of fraud charges against a Mississippi company and its principal who allegedly bilked at least 150 investors in an $85 million Ponzi scheme. The defendants agreed to permanent injunctions, an asset freeze, and expedited discovery. The SECs complaint alleges that Arthur Lamar Adams lied to investors by telling them that their money would be used by his company, Madison Timber Properties, LLC, to secure and harvest timber from various land owners located in Alabama, Florida, and Mississippi, and promised annual returns of 12-15%. But Madison Timber never obtained any harvesting rights. Instead, Adams allegedly forged deeds and cutting agreements as well as documents purportedly reflecting the value of the timber on the land. Adams also allegedly paid early investors with later investors funds and convinced investors to roll over their investments. According to the complaint, Adams used investors money for personal expenses and to develop an unrelated real estate project. Investors should be wary anytime they are promised high or consistently positive returns, said Richard Best, Director of the SECs Atlanta Regional office. We acted quickly in this case to protect the victims of the alleged Ponzi scheme by obtaining immediate injunctive relief and an asset freeze. In a parallel action, the U.S. Attorneys Office for the Southern District of Mississippi today announced criminal charges against Adams. The SECs complaint, filed under seal in federal court in Jackson, Mississippi on April 20, 2018 and unsealed today, charges Adams and Madison Timber Properties with violating the antifraud provisions of the federal securities laws. The court granted the SECs request for an asset freeze and permanently enjoined Madison Timber and Adams from violating the antifraud provisions of the federal securities laws and ordered Adams to surrender his passport. Adams and Madison Timber consented to the entry of the court order. The SECs continuing investigation is being conducted by Krysta Cannon and Justin Delfino in the agencys Atlanta office and is being supervised by Peter Diskin. The SECs litigation will be led by Shawn Murnahan and supervised by Graham Loomis. The SEC appreciates the assistance of the U.S. Attorneys Office for the Southern District of Mississippi and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. (Bloomberg) Volta Global, the family office run by former managers of hedge fund firm Everest Capital, has turned to activism in Japan. Miami-based Voltas first target is a small construction company: its asking Asanuma Corp. to spend 10 billion yen ($92 million) on a special dividend or share buyback, and to hand over all its profit for the current financial year to shareholders, according to a March 19 letter to the Japanese company that Volta provided to Bloomberg. Volta also urged Osaka-based Asanuma to publish more information in English. To read this article: We're a family of seven living in Georgia where Andrew's working as a professor at GSU. You can read more about us here Business travellers can rent a working space or a meeting room in Helsinki from several service providers. Among these, We+ stands out for its coziness and ease of use. You are in a foreign city and want to use your time as effectively as possible. Instead of running from one meeting to another, why not schedule your clients to meet you in your own meeting room? Some call it the Airbnb of meeting rooms, others call it remote office. Whatever its called, it makes the life of business travellers much easier. In Spring 2017, We+, one of the leading coworking space operators and business acceleration communities in China, launched a co-working space at the renowned Cable Factory in Helsinki. The company, which was awarded the best CESS (China Entrepreneurship Service Summit) co-working space prize in 2017, provides comfy and harmonious office working environment and serves as a hub of various resources for start-ups, freelancers as well as established companies. Based on the concept of sharing economy, the company aims to develop a working environment that encourages communication, nurtures innovative ideas, and fosters co-operations, through design spaces, business services, and investments; and to establish a global innovation and creative ecosystem. Calling All Business Travellers Though We+ caters to a wide community, business travellers are inclined to benefit from the services offered by the company. Business travellers, whilst in Helsinki, are likely to need professional and reliable meeting places. This is We+s cue. Wei Xue, the site manager for We+ Helsinki points out the convenience of the location. Indeed, the Factory, known as Kaapelitehdas, is centrally located in the Ruoholahti business district with excellent public transportation, including a Metro station within walking distance and tram station right in front of the building. The harbour is also very close, making this the perfect co-working- and meeting space choice for business travellers arriving from the Baltic and Nordic region. What Can We Expect from We+? In addition to We+ being ideal for business travellers, its also perfect for those looking for an easy place to work for a few hours or a day. We+ accommodates the needs of start-ups and takes into account the nature of the business environment. Wei elaborates that what the company offers is more economical and convenient in comparison to the traditional work space. Customers can, for instance, opt for a monthly subscription and use a desk as much as they like or purchase a membership that gives them access to the lounge areas. Depending on their needs, customers can either choose a co-working hot desk or a dedicated desk where they can leave their belongings. Customers are also conveniently able to rent out private offices, meeting rooms and event spaces. Business travellers can use the online platform and app to reserve a meeting room or a desk for a few hours or a day. The events auditorium is also available to be booked for a few hours for a mini conference or presentation. The system is easy to use with only an email address needed for registration. We+ reservation system can be found at: https://weplus.desk.me/ We+ offers private customised offices for small to medium size teams, comfortable, ready-to-use conference rooms and meeting rooms ideal for one-on-one interviews, team meetings or transoceanic video conferences. The trendy space, which has retained the rustic vibe of the Factory, is also equipped with soundproof phone-booths manufactured by Finnish company Framery, the global market leader of sound insulated office phone booths. It is worth noting that the space offers cleaning services, high-speed wi-fi, printing and, most importantly, access to a state of the art coffee machine with numerous options from Cappuccino to hot chocolate and tea. Even a shower room is available to freshen up after a long trip. In short, the concept is well suited for those looking for convenience and a stress-free environment. Partnership with Finnair Furthermore, a partnership between Finnair and We+ was recently announced at SLUSH Shanghai. The airline, a member of Oneworld, is specialized in connections between Europe and Asia via its Helsinki hub, and flies over 10 million passengers annually. The airline and company have established a close cooperation with transferable member point policy - this means that Finnair Plus and We+ members will enjoy mutual benefits through the partnership. Depending on the Finnair membership level, customers can get access to different services. We+ customers travelling to China for work can use the workspaces in various cities in China. Finnair Plus members are able to gain Finnair points for using the services of the company and can easily log into the We+ app with their Finnair plus credentials and book spaces. Customers will be spoilt for choice as there are over 60 locations to choose from in China. Wei tells me about how We+ has been growing exponentially and has opened more than 20 venues in different cities throughout China in less than a year. The company has established relationships with more than 300 corporate partners and has ambitions for further international growth. More than 1000 brands from various sectors in China have chosen We+ as their provider and the success of the company in China is evident. Now its Finlands turn. We expect the Parliament to convene for as long as it takes to make the necessary decisions. No one has any business starting their summer break until we have made these decisions for Finns, reads a joint statement from Simon Elo (BR), Kalle Jokinen (NCP) and Antti Kaikkonen (Centre). The parliamentary group leaders of the three ruling parties have resorted to drastic measures to ensure the social, health care and regional government reform is pushed over the finish line on schedule. We believe it is important that all the relevant parliamentary committees do whatever they can to push through the reform without delay but with the appropriate attention to detail. This will definitely mean additional and lengthy meetings for some of the committees, they stated on Monday. The Finnish Parliament has traditionally begun its summer recess in the second half of June, at Midsummer. The government was initially hopeful that the reform could be put to a vote in early June before the party conferences of the Centre and National Coalition, but the objective seems increasingly elusive as the necessary parliamentary procedures have dragged on. Elo, Jokinen and Kaikkonen underscored that now is the time for action on the massive, long-discussed reform. The legislative proposals related to the reform have, for the most part, been under parliamentary consideration since last year, and there has been sufficient time to examine them. The last remaining proposals have been presented to experts for comments. Preparations are also well under way in the counties. Everyone is waiting for a decision from the Parliament, they said. Aleksi Teivainen HT Photo: Antti Aimo-Koivisto Lehtikuva Source: Uusi Suomi A MAN who had his bowel surgically removed after a serious illness has climbed Mount Snowdon for charity. Kevin Tappern, 31, of Wayside Green, Woodcote, scaled the 3,560ft peak in north Wales with his brother Steven, 35, and three friends from Reading, They raised almost 1,000 for Crohns and Colitis UK, which raises awareness of the digestive disorders. The climb took place on Mr Tapperns 31st birthday and the group reached the summit in about three hours following a 12km circular route along one of the easier ascents. They stayed at the peak for about 20 minutes to eat lunch and take photographs before coming back down. Mr Tappern, an IT technician, said: It was tougher than I expected but not necessarily because of my stoma, more just the exertion that anyone would feel climbing a mountain. It was taxing on the knees more than anything else, especially the high impact when descending on rocky and uneven ground, and it got steeper and rockier near the top so we had to steady ourselves with our hands. We were chatting among ourselves quite a bit when we started but there was a steady rise in the gradient and we increasingly kept ourselves to ourselves as we focused our energy into the climb. The weather brought a lot of walkers out, so one of the challenges was negotiating our way around everybody else as all the paths came together near the summit. We took a few breaks to relax our legs but we reached the top in a good time and really appreciated the views. It was a lovely clear day and you could see all these stunningly beautiful lakes and scenery for miles. It was also a lot hotter than the forecast so we got a bit sunburnt. After their descent, the group celebrated their achievement and Mr Tapperns birthday with beer and fish and chips. He underwent an emergency ileostomy at the Royal Berkshire Hospital in Reading in March 2016 after being struck down with acute ulcerative colitis. Despite losing more than three stone throughout his illness and treatment, he recovered his strength by walking regularly and attained his black belt in jiu-jitsu later that year. Mr Tappern said: This was a great experience and Im glad I did it but I think thats me done climbing mountains. The next step will be to find something different like a series of walks or even a skydive. Drills and brushes aren't the only instruments keeping Auburn dentist Dr. Thomas Donahue busy when he's not fixing teeth, he's tickling another kind of ivories. On Saturday, Donahue will present a new composition at a concert taking place in the 2018 Ann Arbor Conference, a competition held by the Historical Keyboard Society of North America in Michigan. Donahue said his work is a commissioned piece that can be described as "new contemporary music written for the harpsichord." Donahue said the competition has a different theme each year, and he's been involved with it since 1990. Not only has Donahue composed pieces for three of the competitions since then, but he has also served as a judge for one. He said becoming a judge was "sort of connected" to his performances, since he played "the type of music they wanted to be judged." "I play any keyboard," Donahue said. "Any keyboard." Although Donahue didn't start playing the harpsichord until he was in his 30s, he began piano lessons when he was 7. At 13, he began taking pipe organ lessons. Support Local Journalism Your membership makes our reporting possible. {{featured_button_text}} Then, in his 30s, Donahue began taking organ lessons with a teacher who also happened to teach the harpsichord, so eventually he tried his hand at it. Writer and child development specialist Joseph Chilton Pearce got it right when he said, Play is the only way the highest intelligence of humankind can unfold. The joyful, non-literal and non-goal-directed activity of play has long been known to foster creativity, intellectual development and emotional maturity. When children have free time to engage in non-structured, self-directed and pleasurable activities with each other, they learn to associate pleasurable emotions with social interactions and they practice the social skills necessary in life. What happens when a child is deprived of play? In the late 1960s, a team of researchers led by Stuart Brown of the Baylor University School of Medicine studied the childhoods of 26 murderers. They expected to find childhood abuse and trauma as likely causes of anger and violence. What they found instead was play deprivation. A dramatic example was Charles Whitman, who in 1966 climbed the clock tower at the University of Texas and systematically shot and killed 17 people and wounded 30. Family and neighbors reported that Whitmans father brought him up in a military style, under extreme discipline, and never allowed him to play with other children. The researchers found variations on this pattern repeated in virtually all 26 killers. Please log in to keep reading. Enjoy unlimited articles at one of our lowest prices ever. A recent letter by a Mr. Rob Santucci shows the misinformation and blatant bias shown by many people in regards to political contribution, guns and the NRA. John Katko did accept $12,000 from the NRA, an organization that has repeatedly been behind regulating guns, gun safety and supporting law enforcement. The donation Katko accepted is less than 5 percent of his overall political donations. And yet Big Pharma drug companies have contributed $2.5 BILLION, yes billion, to politicians and into lobbying efforts in the last decade. Meanwhile opioid deaths have quadrupled from 1999-2015, robbing our country of its youth along with snuffing the life out from people from all walks of life. Every day since the last mass shooting we lose at least 25 daily people to drug overdoses. One company in particular, Mallinckrodt, is responsible for two-thirds of the sales of oxycodone in Florida alone; that drug has huge numbers of prescriptions written for it across the country and many people become addicted to it contributing to our drug epidemic. Shanghai (Gasgoo)- JAC posted passenger vehicle (PV) sales of 18,689 units in April, edging up 6.6% from a year earlier. This is the second positive sales growth after March, in which JAC saw first positive sales growth after 17-month decline. As to specific model types, pure electric PV and MPV saw relatively large sale growth, while sales of SUV segment suffered a YoY slide of 25.95% over the previous year to 6,767 units in April. Compared to 24,189 units in March, JAC underwent MoM sales slump of 22.7% in April. During the first four months, sales of JAC passenger vehicles reached nearly 75,000 units with a YoY drop of 10.5%. The good news is that the sales drop is narrowing down. In April, JAC PV's pure electric models saw fastest sales growth of 88.55% over the previous year to 3,803 units. Currently, JAC has released the iEV, the iEVA50, the iEV6E and the iEV7S, covering mini and compact sedan as well as small-size SUV. From JAC's 2018 product plan, JAC focuses on new energy vehicles. Apart from the iEVA50 launched in April, JAC will continue to release the iEV6ES, the new iEV7S, the long-range version of the iEV7 and the iEVA60. As to PV MPVs, JAC posted MPV sales of 53.92% year on year to 7,747 units in April. In March, JAC launched the 2018 Refine M3/M4, and also offered the express and business versions of the model, which help improve the competitiveness of the model future and meet the demands of more diversified segments. In April, JAC's first family MPV, the Refine 3 hit the market, enriching its product lineup further. As planned, JAC will launch three MPV models within this year, the AT version of the Refine R3, the 2018 Refine M5 and the new-gen Sunray. When it comes to PV SUV market, JAC is expected to release the hybrid versions of the Refine S5 and the Refine S7, as well as the Refine S3 equipped with new powertrain this year. Currently, JAC's sales failure in SUV was the major factor that dragged JAC's whole sales down. Shanghai (Gasgoo)- Gasgoo summarizes those cities and provinces in China that heretofore have already issued the license plates for autonomous vehicle or ICV (intelligent-connected vehicle) road tests as below. It is worth mentioning that among the companies that have been granted the licenses to have road tests, both Baidu and FAW group have got the governmental permission from at least two cities or provinces. Shanghai Shanghai municipal government announced on March 1 that SAIC Motor and NIO have got China's first batch of license plates for the public road test of ICVs, which was accredited by the third party organization and expert panel. On the same day, the government also introduced the regulation of Shanghai ICV road test that was jointly issued by Shanghai Municipal Commission of Economy and Information, Shanghai Municipal Police and Shanghai Municipal Transportation Commission on February 27. According to the real-life road conditions in Shanghai and the evaluation made by the third party organization, Shanghai government has designated a 5.6-kilometer road with high security and low risk in Jading District as the first-phase ICV testing road in Shanghai. In the future, the government will open more roads step by step for ICV road test. On May 14, BMW obtained two license plates for the ICV (intelligent-connected vehicle) road test from Shanghai municipal government, becoming the first multinational automaker that is allowed to test ICV on roads. Reportedly, the tested vehicles from BMW are two BMW 7-Series models, which have been upgraded in line with China's road conditions. The two tested vehicles had undergone one-month testing and qualification inspection in National Intelligent Connected Vehicle (ShangHai) Pilot Zone with an overall passing rate over 99%. Beijing On March 22, Beijing issued its first batch of provisional license plates for road tests of autonomous vehicles. Beijing Baidu Network Technology Co., Ltd., Baidu Inc's subsidiary, was given 5 provisional plates. Reportedly, Beijing's provisional plates for autonomous vehicle tests are divided into 5 levels from T1 to T5. Baidu got 5 T3 provisional plates that are heretofore the highest level of plates being issued in China, which means the tested vehicle possess such capabilities as cognizing and obeying traffic regulations, executing the designed routes and coping with emergencies, etc. Only one month later, BAIC BJEV and NIO received Beijing's license to conduct road tests for their autonomous vehicles on April 26. The two companies have been included in the first batch of automakers that obtained road test licenses from Beijing's municipal government. Fuzhou On March 30, both Baidu and the Chinese commercial vehicle maker King Long gained 3 license plates for road test of autonomous vehicles from Fuzhou (capital of Fujian Province) relevant authorities. Particularly, the King Long's autonomous vehicles to be tested are all the models co-developed with Baidu Apollo. From April 22 to 24 in Fuzhou, trial rides of Baidu's self-driving bus Apolong is open to the public at the Digital China Summit. According to relevant introduction, the Apolong is the China's first self-driving microcirculation bus, which is co-developed by Baidu and King Long. Changchun On April 17, FAW Group received provisional licenses from Changchun municipal government, Jilin province that allow some specified autonomous models, including the Hongqi H7, the Besturn X80 and the Jiefang J7, to be tested on roads. Changchun municipal government released the Changchun Regulations on Intelligent and Connected Vehicles Road Testing (Trial) (Changchun Regulations) on April 13, joining Shanghai, Beijing, Shenzhen and Chongqing on issuing road test regulations for self-driving vehicles. The Changchun Regulations require the testing applicant to provide a statement or introduction regarding the tested vehicles and a work program of road test application. Besides, it also requires the testing applicant to provide a certificate of minimum traffic accident insurance of RMB 5 million or an equivalent letter of guarantee and a letter of commitment for economic compensation. Chongqing Hot on the heels of Changchun, Chongqing issued its first batch of licenses to 7 automakers and tech companies on April 18 that permitted their autonomous vehicles to be tested on roads. The 7 authorized companies are Chongqing Changan, Baidu, FAW Group, Dongfeng, GAC Group, Geely and Foton Auto. Besides, the autonomous vehicle road test in this city was officially initiated at the same day. Following Beijing and Fujian, Chongqing was the third city in China that gave Baidu licenses to road test its autonomous vehicles . As China's first CV (commercial vehicle) marker that received autonomous vehicle road test license, Foton Auto did quite a nice performance during the qualification test. Purportedly, the CV maker smoothly passed all of six items, including lane-keeping, automatic brake as well as lane-changing and overtaking, etc. Shenzhen On May 14, the Chinese Internet giant Tencent obtained an ICV (intelligent-connected vehicle) license plate from Shenzhen municipal government. Reportedly, the municipal government only issued one license plate for this time. Tencent Autonomous Vehicle Laboratory was allowed to test its autonomous vehicle on public road after the government designates the testing sectors. In 2018, Tencent will focus on proceeding with the operation and application of L3 autonomous vehicles and exploring the L4 and L5 autonomous driving technologies, according to Su Kuifeng, director of Tencent Autonomous Vehicle Lab. I recently came across a map that had belonged to my father, George Robert Pyles. He was a private first class in the 100th Infantry Division and participated in the invasion of France. I cant make much sense of the map, and would appreciate some help. Bob Pruitt, Fort Lauderdale, Florida This is an undated strip map for the 143rd Infantry Regiment. A strip map focuses on a specific route, and an examination of this one provides a great deal of information on the route of the 143rd Infantry Regimentpart of the 36th Infantry Divisionas it departs from Europe. Beginning on the first day at Goppingen, Germany, the regiment proceeds to Metz, France. The map notes there is a bivouac area there as well as a POLfor Petroleum, Oil, and Lubricantswhere vehicles can be fueled and serviced. On day two the convoy heads for Dijon, France, where a bivouac area and POL are again provided. Day three ends at Saint Rambert with only a bivouac area. Finally, on day four the convoy reaches the south coast of France and Marseille, which is labeled POE or Port of Embarkation. All of this is relatively straight-forward. What isnt clear is how Private Pyles ended up with the map. He may have been a driver; strip maps are simple to produce, but only officers, NCOs, and drivers likely would have been provided them. We do know that the 100th Infantry Division ended the war in the Goppingen area, and that the 36th Infantry Division, whose war ended in Austria, moved into the Goppingen region before December 1945. (continued below) The 100th Division began the journey from Goppingen to Marseille on December 9, 1945, following the same route the 36th Division had taken the month before. Lead elements of the 100th Division departed Marseille on New Years Eve; the last elements of the division departed in February 1946. Along with victory in World War II came a desire of citizen soldiers to be demobilized. This was accomplished in part by a points system that factored in time in service and time overseas. Since departure from Europe was by unit and not by individual, there was considerable shifting of personnel to place men with high points in units to be sent home, while men with low points stayed on in units slated for occupation duty. Based on Private Pyless discharge date of December 30, 1945the day before any unit from the 100th Division departed from Franceit seems very likely that Pyles had a high number of points and was transferred to the 36th Division to head out early. In any case, this sort of artifact is rarely encountered. Soldiers often save items associated with mobilization or combat; items retained from the return trip home are scarce. Tom Czekanski, Senior Curator and Restoration Manager This column was originally published in the June 2018 issue of World War II magazine. Subscribe here. As an existing print subscriber it is easy to get FREE access to all our online content. 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First you have to create an account and then you have to pick if you want to subscribe to digital and or print. Some people only want to be a digital subscriber to get access online and others want to also receive the print edition. If you are already a print subscriber and want online access, it is free, you simply have to create an online account and then attach your print subscription account number to the online account you create. iciHaiti - Elections : Indirect elections, suspended for 8 months ! The Citizen Observatory for the Institutionalization of Democracy (OCID) is worried about the persistent silence of the authorities on the continuation of indirect elections suspended since July 2017 on the pretext of a legal vacuum that they intended to fill rather quickly. The Observatory wishes to remind the Senate and the Executive in particular that the setting up of Territorial Collective Assemblies is a constitutional and legal obligation to which they can not escape without being guilty of violating the Mother Law on which they have taken an oath of allegiance and Decrees of 2006 on Territorial Collectivities. The OCID appeals to the vigilance of the citizens, in particular of all the elected officials of the Territorial Collectivities, to demand the respect of the constitutional guarantees for the decentralization of the country which tends to ensure a better balance of the powers between the central State and the Territorial Collectivities as well as greater citizen participation in public affairs. IH/ iciHaiti In order to maintain this blog I have to pay for its upkeep including a hosting company, support services, virus and other malicious hackers. If you appreciate what I write please make a donation. US Withdraws from Iran Deal The Fellowship | May 8, 2018 US Withdraws from Iran Deal President Trump has just announced that the US will pull out of the Iran nuclear deal, saying that the evidence Israel provided last week proves Irans real intentions: At the heart of the [Iran nuclear] deal was a fiction that a murderous regime desired only a peace nuclear program. Today we have definitive proof this was a lie. Last week, Israel published documents concealed by Iran showing that Iran planned to continue its nuclear weapons program. This was one-sided deal that shouldnt have been made. It didnt bring calm, and it didnt bring peace. In the years since it was reached, Irans military budget grew by almost 40 percent while its economy is doing badly. It used new funds to build nuclear-capable missiles and sow havoc in the Middle East and beyond. The recovery of the local property market, alongside the upturn in Macau's gaming revenue recorded since late 2016, has motivated the Macau SAR government to prepare, and submit for Legislative Council (LegCo) approval, some control measures to introduce more transparency and to increase the number of residential properties in the market. On August 10 2017, the legislators approved Law 13/2017, which introduced some amendments to the lease regime. The most important change was the provision of mandatory certification of the parties' signatures in a lease contract, which eased the collection of the applicable stamp duty and property tax. Legislators failed, however, to agree on criteria to protect the tenants against vast increases in their rental fees. Two other bills were approved by the LegCo in early February 2018, one to amend the property tax regulation (Law 1/2018), and the other to create a special stamp duty due upon the acquisition of a second, or further residential units (Law 2/2018). Law 1/2018 has put an end to the exemption of property tax previously applicable to vacant properties. Respective owners will now be subject to the payment of a six percent tax, hence it is expected that some will release properties into the market in order to cover the increased taxation. With Law 2/2018, investors will be subject to the payment of a five percent stamp duty tax on the purchase of a second residential property, and 10% on subsequent properties purchased after that. However, there is room in the law to recover the amounts paid on account of the new tax. Meanwhile, the Monetary Authority of Macau has eased the loan-to-value limits for young adult buyers who qualify as first-time homebuyers, for the purposes of them applying for mortgage loans. The effectiveness of these rules is yet to be proved by the market, and it is certain that the Macau people will demand further intervention from the government. Joao Nuno Riquito Bruno Almeida 2021 Euromoney Institutional Investor PLC. For help please see our FAQs. Share this article The Federation for American Immigration Reform, a non-profit organization advocating for lower immigration to the U.S., has sued U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services for failing to comply with a Freedom of Information Act request seeking data on the top 20 H-1B employers, many of whom are Indian companies. USCIS director L. Francis Cissna is pictured. (Saul Loeb/AFP/Getty Images) President Donald Trump speaks to workers at the headquarters of tool manufacturer Snap-On on April 18, 2017 in Kenosha, Wisconsin. During the visit, Trump signed an executive order to try to bring jobs back to American workers and revamp the H-1B visa guest worker program, used by many Indian companies. (Scott Olson/Getty Images) Gurdev Khush, an Indian American professor emeritus of plant sciences at UC Davis, will receive this years UC Davis Medal. Owing in large part to Khushs contribution, world rice production increased from 257 million tons in 1966 to 718 million tons in 2011. (UC Davis photo) A group of Indian American immigration activists are shown in the state office of Sen. Kamala Harris, D-California, with June Williams, Northern California district director for the Office of U.S. Senator Kamala D. Harris. Williams (center) met with the group for more than an hour Jan. 30 to hear rationale for continuing the H-4 EAD program, which provides work authorization to the spouses of some H-1B visa holders. (Kalpna Singh/Save H4 EAD photo via Facebook) Thank you for reading! Please log in, or sign up for a new account and purchase a subscription to continue reading. The Caliphate of Trump And a Planet in Ruins By Tom Engelhardt May 08, 2018 " Information Clearing House " - They are the extremists. If you need proof, look no further than the Afghan capital, Kabul, where the latest wave of suicide bombings has proven devastating. Recently, for instance, a fanatic set off his explosives among a group of citizens lining up outside a government office to register to vote in upcoming elections. At least 57 people died, including 22 women and eight children. ISISs branch in Afghanistan proudly took responsibility for that callous act -- but one not perhaps quite as callous as the ISIS suicide bomber who, in August 2016, took out a Kurdish wedding in Turkey, missing the bride and groom but killing at least 54 people and wounding another 66. Twenty-two of the dead or injured were children and the bomber may even have been a child himself. Such acts are extreme, which by definition makes the people who commit them extremists. The same is true of those like the caliph of the now-decimated Islamic State, Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, who order, encourage, or provide the ideological framework for such acts -- a judgment few in this country (or most other places on the planet) would be likely to dispute. In this century, from Kabul to Baghdad , Paris to San Bernardino , such extreme acts of indiscriminate civilian slaughter have only multiplied. Though relatively commonplace, each time such a slaughter occurs, it remains an event of horror and is treated as such in the media. If committed by Islamists against Americans or Europeans, suicide attacks of this sort are given 24/7 coverage here, often for days at a time. And keep in mind that such extreme acts arent just restricted to terror groups, their lone wolf followers, or even white nationalists and other crazed men in this country, armed to the teeth, who, in schools , workplaces, restaurants , and elsewhere, regularly wipe out groups of innocents. Take the recent charges that the Syrian government of Bashar al-Assad used outlawed chemical weapons in a rebel-held suburb of Damascus, that countrys capital, killing families and causing havoc. Whether that specific act proves to have been as advertised or not, there can be no question that the Assad regime has regularly slaughtered its own citizens with chemical weapons, barrel bombs , artillery barrages, and (sometimes Russian) air strikes , destroying neighborhoods, hospitals, schools, markets, you name it. All of this adds up to a set of extreme acts of the grimmest kind. And such acts could be multiplied across significant parts of the planet, ranging from the Myanmar militarys brutal ethnic-cleansing campaign against that countrys Rohingya minority to acts of state horror in places like South Sudan and the Congo. In this sense, our world certainly doesnt lack either extreme thinking or the acts that go with it. We here in the United States are, of course, eternally shocked by their extremism, their willingness to kill the innocent without compunction, particularly in the case of Islamist groups, from the 9/11 attacks to ISISs more recent slaughters. However, one thing is, almost by definition, obvious. We are not a nation of extreme acts or extreme killers. Quite the opposite. Yes, we make mistakes. Yes, we sometimes kill. Yes, we sometimes even kill the innocent, however mistakenly. Yes, we are also exceptional , indispensable , and great ( again ), as so many politicians and presidents have been telling us for so many years now. And yes, you might even say that in one area we are extreme -- in the value we put on American lives, especially military ones. The only thing this country and its leaders are not is extremist in the sense of an al-Qaeda or an ISIS, an Assad regime or a South Sudanese one. That goes without saying, which is why no one here ever thinks to say it. Brides and Grooms in an Extreme World Still, just for a moment, as a thought experiment, set aside that self-evident body of knowledge and briefly try to imagine our own particular, indispensable, exceptional version of extremity; that is, try to imagine ourselves as an extreme nation or even, to put it as extremely as possible, the ISIS of superpowers. This subject came to my mind recently thanks to a story I noticed about another extreme wedding slaughter -- this one not by ISIS but thanks to a Saudi double-tap airstrike on a wedding in Yemen, first on the grooms party, then on the brides. The bride and possibly the groom died along with 31 other wedding goers (including children). And keep in mind that this wasnt the first or most devastating Saudi attack on a wedding in the course of its brutal air war in Yemen since 2015. To take out a wedding, even in wartime, is -- I think you could find general agreement on this -- an extreme act. Two weddings? More so. And nowhere near the wars battle lines? More so yet. Of course, given the nature of the Saudi regime, it could easily be counted as another of the extreme governments on this planet. But remember one thing when it comes to that recent wedding slaughter, another country has backed the Saudi royals to the hilt in their war in Yemen: the United States. Washington has supported the Saudi war effort in just about every way imaginable -- from refueling their planes in mid-air to providing targeting intelligence to selling them billions of dollars of weaponry and munitions of every sort (including cluster bombs ) used in that war. This was true in the Obama years and is, if anything, doubly so at a moment when President Trump has put so much energy and attention into plying the Saudis with arms. So tell me, given that the staggering suffering of civilians in Yemen is common knowledge , shouldnt our support for the Saudi air war be considered an extreme policy? Keep in mind as well that, between December 29, 2001, when U.S. B-52 and B-1B bombers killed more than 100 revelers at a wedding in a village in eastern Afghanistan, and December 2013 when a CIA drone took out a... yep... Yemeni wedding party, U.S. air power wiped out all or parts of at least eight weddings , including brides, grooms, and even musicians, killing and wounding hundreds of participants in three countries (and only apologizing in a single case). The troops of present Secretary of Defense James Mattis, when he was commanding the 1st Marine Division in Iraq in 2004, were responsible for one of those slaughters. It took place in Western Iraq and was the incident in which those musicians died, as reportedly did 14 children. When asked about it at the time, Mattis responded : How many people go to the middle of the desert... to hold a wedding 80 miles from the nearest civilization? And that response was no more callous or extreme than the New York Daily Newss front-page headline, so many years later, for that U.S. drone strike in Yemen: Bride and Boom! Are You Tired Of The Lies And Non-Stop Propaganda? Get Your FREE Daily Newsletter Imagine, for a moment, that a wedding party in some rural part of the United States had been wiped out by a foreign air strike and an Iraqi insurgent leader had responded as Mattis did or an Iraqi paper had used some version of the Newss headline. I dont think its hard to conjure up what the reaction might have been here. Add another little fact to this: to the best of my knowledge, TomDispatch was the only media outlet that tried to keep a record of those American wedding slaughters; otherwise they were quickly forgotten in this country. So tell me, doesnt that have a feeling of extremity and of remarkable callousness to it? Certainly, if those massacres had been the acts of al-Qaeda or ISIS and American brides, grooms, musicians, and children had been among the dead, theres no doubt what we would be saying about them 24/7. A New Kind of Death Cult? Now, for a moment, lets consider the possible extremism of Washington in a more organized way. Here, then, is my six-category rundown of what I would call American extremity on a global scale: Garrisoning the globe: The U.S. has an estimated 800 or so military bases or garrisons, ranging from the size of American small towns to tiny outposts, across the planet. They exist almost everywhere -- Europe, South Korea, Japan, Australia, Afghanistan, the Middle East, Africa, Latin America -- except in countries that are considered American foes (and given the infamous Guantanamo Bay Detention Center in Cuba, theres even an exception to that). At the moment, Great Britain and France still have small numbers of bases, largely left over from their imperial pasts; that rising great power rival China officially has one global garrison, a naval base in Djibouti in the horn of Africa (near an American base there, one of its growing collection of outposts on that continent), which much worries American war planners, and a naval base , in the process of being built, in Gwadar, Pakistan; that other great power rival, Russia, still has several bases in countries that were once part of the Soviet Union, and a single naval base in Syria (which similarly disturbs American military planners). The United States, as I said, has at least 800 of them, a number that puts in the shade the global garrisons of any other great power in history, and to go with them, more than 450,000 military personnel stationed outside its borders. It shouldnt be surprising then that, like no other power in history, it has divided the world -- every bit of it -- as if slicing a pie, into six military commands; thats six commands for every inch of the globe (and another two for space and cyberspace ). Might all of this not be considered just a tad extreme? Funding the military : The U.S. puts approximately a trillion dollars annually in taxpayer funds into its military, its 17 intelligence agencies, and whats now called homeland security. Its national security budget is larger than those of the next eight countries combined and still rising yearly, though most politicians agree and many regularly insist that the U.S. military has been badly underfunded in these years, left in a state of disrepair , and needs to be " rebuilt ." Now, honestly, dont you think that qualifies as both exceptional in the most literal sense and kind of extreme? Fighting wars : The United States has been fighting wars nonstop since its military invaded Afghanistan in October 2001. Thats almost 17 years of invasions, occupations, air campaigns, drone strikes, special operations raids, naval air and missile attacks, and so much else, from the Philippines to Pakistan, Afghanistan to Syria, Libya to Niger. And in none of those places is such war making truly over. It goes without saying that theres no other country on the planet making war in such a fashion or over anything like such a period of time. Americans were, for instance, deeply disturbed and ready to condemn Russia for sending its troops into neighboring Ukraine and occupying Crimea. That was considered an extreme act worthy of denunciations of the strongest sort. In this country, though, American-style war, despite invasions of countries thousands of miles away and the presidentially directed targeting of individuals across the globe for assassination by drone with next to no regard for national sovereignty is not considered extreme. Most of the time, in fact, its seldom thought about at all or even seriously debated. And yet, isn't fighting unending wars across thousands of miles of the planet for almost 17 years without end, while making the president into a global assassin , just a tad extreme? Destroying cities : Can there be any question that, in the American mind, the most extreme act of this century was the destruction of those towers in New York City and part of the Pentagon in Washington, D.C., on September 11, 2001, with the deaths of almost 3,000 unsuspecting, innocent civilians? That became the definition of an extreme act by a set of extremists. Consider, however, the American response. Across significant parts of the Middle East in the years since, the U.S. has had a major hand in destroying not just tower after tower, but city after city -- Fallujah, Ramadi , and Mosul in Iraq, Raqqa in Syria, Sirte in Libya. One after another, parts or all of them were turned into literal rubble. A reported 20,000 munitions were dropped on Raqqa, the capital of the brief Islamic State, by U.S. and allied air power, leaving at least 1,400 civilians dead, and barely a building untouched or even standing (with the Trump administration intent on not providing funds for any kind of reconstruction). In these years, in response to the destruction in whole or part of a handful of buildings, the U.S. has destroyed (often with a helping hand from the Islamic State) whole cities, while filling the equivalent of tower after tower with dead and wounded civilians. Is there nothing extreme about that? Displacing people : In the course of its wars, the U.S. has helped displace a record number of human beings since the last days of World War II. In Iraq alone, from the years of conflict that Washington set off with its invasion and occupation of 2003, vast numbers of people have been displaced, including in the ISIS era, 1.3 million children . In response to that reality, in the homeland, the man who became president in 2017 and the officials he appointed went to work to transform the very refugees we had such a hand in creating into terrifying bogeymen, potentially the most dangerous and extreme people on the planet, and then turned to the task of ensuring that none of them would ever arrive in this country. Doesn't that seem like an extreme set of acts and responses? Arming the planet (and its own citizens as well) : In these years, as with defense spending, so with the selling of weaponry of almost every imaginable sort to other countries. U.S. weapons makers, aided and abetted by the government, have outpaced all possible competitors in global arms sales. In 2016, for instance, the U.S. took 58% of those sales, while between 2002-2016, Washington transferred weaponry to 167 countries , or more than 85% of the nations on the planet. Many of those arms, including cluster bombs , missiles, advanced jet planes, tanks, and munitions of almost every sort, went into planetary hot spots, especially the Middle East . At the same time, the citizens of the U.S. themselves have more arms per capita (often of a particularly lethal military sort ) than the citizens of any other country on Earth. And appropriately enough under the circumstances, they commit more mass killings . When it comes to weaponry , then, wouldnt you call that extreme on both a global and a domestic scale? And thats only to begin to plunge into the topic of American extremity. After all, we now have a president whose administration considers it perfectly normal, in fact a form of deterrence policy, to separate parents from even tiny children crossing our southern border or to cut food aid and raise the rent on poor Americans. Were talking about a president with a cult-like following whose government is ideologically committed to wiping out environmental protections of every sort and pushing the further fossil fuelization of the country and the planet, even if it means the long-term destruction of the very environment that has nurtured humanity these last thousands of years. Think of this perhaps as a new kind of death cult, which means that Donald Trump might be considered the superpower version of an Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi. As with all such things, this particular cult did not come from nowhere, but from a land of growing extremity, a country that now, it seems, may be willing to preside over not just cities in ruin but a planet in ruin, too. Doesnt that seem just a little extreme to you? Tom Engelhardt is a co-founder of the American Empire Project and the author of The United States of Fear as well as a history of the Cold War, The End of Victory Culture . He is a fellow of the Nation Institute and runs TomDispatch.com . His latest book is Shadow Government: Surveillance, Secret Wars, and a Global Security State in a Single-Superpower World . His next book, A Nation Unmade by War (Dispatch Books), will be published later this month. Follow TomDispatch on Twitter and join us on Facebook . Check out the newest Dispatch Book, Tom Engelhardt's A Nation Unmade by War , as well as Alfred McCoy's In the Shadows of the American Century: The Rise and Decline of U.S. Global Power , John Dower's The Violent American Century: War and Terror Since World War II , John Feffer's dystopian novel Splinterlands , and Nick Turse's Next Time Theyll Come to Count the Dead . Copyright 2018 Tom Engelhardt ===== Join the Discussion Will a Torturer Become CIA Director? Gina Haspel faces a confirmation hearing on Wednesday to become CIA director despite her record of supporting torture, which even the Pentagon admitted does not work, says Ray McGovern. By Ray McGovern Special May 08, 2018 " Information Clearing House " - The Senate Intelligence Committee is scheduled on Wednesday to decide whether to recommend that Gina Haspel be confirmed as director of the Central Intelligence Agency. The mind boggles. It is no secret that Haspel oversaw detainee torture, including waterboarding, at a CIA black site base in Thailand. The nonprofit National Security Archive, housed at The George Washington University, reports that Haspel later drafted a cable ordering the destruction of dozens of videotapes of torture sessions, including some from before her arrival. Haspel also helped feed repeated lies about the supposed effectiveness of torture to CIA superiors, Congress, and two presidents. So how does President Donald Trump think he can get this nomination approved? It is a sad story. Polling shows that most Americans, including Catholics, have been persuaded by Hollywood films and TV series, other media, and Trump himself that torture works. Absolutely, I feel it works, Trump told ABC News in January 2017. Given the utilitarian tone dominating the discussion, I will first address whether there is any evidence that torture works, and then comment on the tendency to equivocatein what one might call a jesuitical wayabout the morality of torture. I must, however, point out upfront that the civilized world has long since decided that torture is intrinsically evil: always wrong. It is also against international and domestic law, of course. But torture is not wrong because it is illegal. It is the other way around. Torture is illegal because it is just flat wrongalways. Coercing False Intelligence On Sept. 6, 2006, Gen. John Kimmons, then the Army deputy chief of staff for intelligence, chose to address this issue publicly at a Pentagon press conference just one hour before he knew that President George W. Bush would publicly extol the virtues of torture methods that became known as enhanced interrogation techniques. Gen.l Kimmons said, No good intelligence is going to come from abusive practices. I think history tells us that. I think the empirical evidence of the last five yearshard yearstell us that. Are You Tired Of The Lies And Non-Stop Propaganda? Get Your FREE Daily Newsletter Here is the exception, however: Torture can work like a charm when interrogators are told to coerce false intelligence that can be used, for example, to start a war. Army Colonel Lawrence Wilkerson, who was chief of staff to Secretary of State Colin Powell, has explained how his boss was mousetrapped by CIA Director George Tenet and his deputy John McLaughlin as Col. Wilkerson was putting the final touches on Secretary Powells misbegotten speech on Iraq to the UN Security Council on Feb 5, 2003. Mr. Tenet used information he knew was from torture to mislead Powell into claiming there was a sinister nexus between Saddam Hussein and al-Qaeda. According to Col. Wilkerson, Tenet did not tell Powell that this intelligence came from a source, Abu Yahya al-Libi, who had been rendered to and waterboarded by Egyptian intelligence. The Defense Intelligence Agency had officially pronounced unreliable what al-Libi had said, but Tenet never told Powell. Al-Libi then recanted less than a year later, admitting that he fabricated the story about Saddam and al-Qaeda in order to stop the torture. Intrinsic Evil Those of us who attended Jesuit institutions decades ago were taught that there was a moral category called intrinsic evilactions that were always wrong, including rape, slavery and torture. Sadly, at my alma mater Fordham University, torture seems to have slipped out of that well-defined moral category into a gray world. In spring 2012, graduating seniors who were aware of Homeland Security Advisor (and later CIA head) John Brennans checkered career strongly opposed the decision by Fordhams president, Joseph M. McShane, S.J., to invite Brennan, who graduated from Fordham College in 1977, to give the university commencement address on the Bronx campus and be awardedof all thingsa doctorate of humane letters, honoris causa. Brennan was already on record defending extraordinary rendition, secret prisons abroad and enhanced interrogation techniques. Many Fordham students saw scandal in that the violent policies Brennan advocated were in stark contrast to the principles that Fordham University was supposed to stand for as a Catholic Jesuit University. Scott McDonald, a graduating senior, asked to meet with President McShane to discuss those concerns, but Brennan remained as commencement speaker. McDonald left the meeting wondering if the moral theologians at Fordham now considered torture a gray area. Last year, Fordham again honored Brennan by appointing him distinguished fellow for global security at the schools Center on National Security. And Brennan has endorsed the Haspel nomination. I feel all this on a deep personal level. Not only have I been a proud Fordham Ram since 1953 but, more important, we have nine grandchildren, seven of whom have not yet chosen their college. It pains me greatly not to be able to recommend my alma mater. Ray McGovern originally drafted this article at the request of the Jesuit weekly, America. It was circulated in-house but then nixed for publication. Ray McGovern works with Tell the Word, a publishing arm of the ecumenical Church of the Savior in inner-city Washington, D.C.. A Fordham alumnus, he spent 27 years as a CIA analyst, from the Kennedy administration to the first Bush administration. He holds a certificate in theological studies from Georgetown and is a graduate of Harvard Business Schools Advanced Management Program. This article was originally published by " Consortiumnews " - ===== Join the Discussion The Dangerous Groupthink of the British Media Not everyone in the media is as independent as they might like to think. By Ian Sinclair NEVER has a single tweet caused such consternation among the British commentariat. The main thing Ive learned from working in the British media is that much of it is a cult. Afflicted by a suffocating groupthink, intolerant of critics, hounds internal dissenters, full of people who made it because of connections and/or personal background rather than merit, Guardian columnist Owen Jones tweeted last month. The indignant responses perfectly illustrating Joness argument came thick and fast. No-one tells me what to think, replied Deborah Haynes, the defence editor at The Times. Nobody tells me what to think or write, parroted political commentator and Time Person of the Year in 2007 Jane Merrick a point repeated again by Sebastian Payne, political leader writer at the Financial Times. Balls Owen, was David WMD Aaronovitchs considered take. There is a long history of journalists making this arrogant and self-deceiving assertion about their own independence. The most stupid boast in the history of present-day journalism is that of the writer who says: I have never been given orders; I am free to do as I like, noted the muckraking US foreign correspondent George Seldes in the 1930s. Speaking in 1993, US writer Michael Parenti said his response to journalists who make this stupid boast is: You say what you like, because they like what you say. He continued: You dont know youre wearing a leash if you sit by the peg all day. Its only if you then begin to wander to a prohibited perimeter that you feel the tug, you see. So youre free because your ideological perspective is congruent with that of your boss. Are You Tired Of The Lies, Bull*hit And Non-Stop Propaganda? Get Your FREE Daily Newsletter Largely ignored by the mainstream media, there are journalists who have spoken honestly and critically about the limits of the supposedly free and critical Western media. For example, Matt Kennard was a reporter with the Financial Times for over four years, reporting from four continents before he left to write his expose of the global elite, The Racket: A Rogue Reporter vs The Masters of the Universe. The default position in our media which is what they call unbiased is to support corporate power and US militarism, Kennard argued at the launch of his book in Waterstones in 2015. If you do that you are unbiased. If you deviate from that you are a leftist, you are a radical, you are a maverick. Kennard recently gave a good example of the ideological straitjacket worn by most mainstream media journalists. You learn by accretion (and subconsciously) what can and cannot be said, he tweeted. So you learn you can say Russian expansionism but you can't say US imperialism. You can say Russia-backed Assad regime but you can't say US-backed Saudi regime. It's insidious. After working for 15 years as a foreign correspondent for The New York Times, Chris Hedges has become a strong voice for radical progressive change. He is also highly critical of the corporate media, which, in a 2014 piece entitled The Myth of the Free Press, he argues plays an essential role in the dissemination of official propaganda. Those reporters who care about truth will eventually become management problems, Hedges explained in the 2016 documentary film All Governments Lie: Truth, Deception and the Spirit of IF Stone. And the ones who can read power, in essence function as courtiers, know how to play the game, the veneer of objectivity, neutrality, impartiality, truth, and yet assiduously serve, in essence, power, are the ones who rise within the institution. I personally encountered the limits of our so-called free press writing for a progressive column published in the Eastern Daily Press regional newspaper in the mid-2000s. In 2004 I submitted an article that summarised some of the human rights abuses perpetrated by British armed forces in recent history, ending with the death of the Iraqi Baha Mousa in British custody in 2003. The paper refused to publish this column. The news editor told me it had been rejected for two reasons: first, the column was too contentious, and second they felt it was not appropriate to publish the column in a week when two British soldiers had died in Iraq. The academic evidence highlighting the medias pro-Establishment bias also largely ignored by the mainstream media, unsurprisingly broadly echoes these individual experiences. In his new book Media, Propaganda and the Politics of Intervention, Dr Florian Zollmann, a lecturer in journalism at Newcastle University, notes: The news media in liberal democracies operates as a propaganda system on behalf of state-corporate elite interests. Conducting a detailed content analysis of elite Western press coverage of human rights abuses in recent conflicts, Zollmann finds: If countries designated to be enemy states of the West conduct human rights violations, the news media highlights these abuses and conveys demands for action to stop human rights abuses. However, if Western states or their allies are the perpetrators of human rights violations the news media employs significantly less investigatory zeal in its reporting and virtually no measures to stop abuses are conveyed. Writing in the books foreword, Professor Richard Keeble highlights the hypocrisy of the Western media: There is no hysterical, sustained, highly personalised demonisation of the leaders of Saudi Arabia as applied in the past to dictators including Saddam Hussein, Colonel Gadaffi and Slobodan Milosevic. Turning to domestic politics, Dr Mike Berry, a Lecturer at Cardiff Universitys School of Journalism, Media and Cultural Studies, conducted a study of the BBC Today programme coverage of the financial crisis, focusing on the two weeks around the bank bailouts. The results? Opinion was almost completely dominated by stockbrokers, investment bankers, hedge fund managers and other City voices, he noted in a 2013 article for The Conversation. Civil society voices or commentators who questioned the benefits of having such a large finance sector were almost completely absent from coverage. The evidence from the research is clear, Berry concludes. The BBC tends to reproduce a Conservative pro-business version of the world. Berrys conclusions about the BBC Today programme can be applied more broadly to the wider British media, it seems. Summarising his new co-edited book The Media and Austerity, Steve Schifferes, professor of financial journalism at City, University of London, noted in another article for The Conversation that the UK financial press was much slower to criticise the austerity policies of the government than in other parts of Europe. This meant austerity has become accepted as the only way to tackle the legacy of the global financial crisis of 2007-08, despite many economists arguing it would further damage the economy. Reaffirming Berrys findings about the BBC, Schifferes notes when the press consulted economists at all it quoted City economists for comment on short-term news events, rather than seeking out a deeper understanding of government policy. Pushing back against this media-driven consensus on Western foreign policy and austerity is Jeremy Corbyns Labour Party. However, because of the very real challenge to the status quo that Corbynism represents, the media have savagely and repeatedly attacked the Labour leader and his allies. Corbyn was represented unfairly by the British press through a process of vilification that went well beyond the normal limits of fair debate and disagreement in a democracy, a 2016 London School of Economics study found after analysing the first few months of his leadership. The British press has repeatedly associated Corbyn with terrorism and positioned him as a friend of the enemies of the UK, the reports summary explains. The overall conclusion from this is that in this case UK journalism played an attack dog, rather than a watchdog. It is not all bad news. The ongoing work of non-corporate organisations such as Media Lens, Novara Media, Open Democracy, Peace News and the Morning Star, along with writers such as Dr Tom Mills, author of the essential The BBC: Myth of a Public Service, have contributed to a growing awareness of the propagandistic nature of the British media. Will mainstream journalists join them in thinking critically about the ideological limitations and groupthink of the Fourth Estate? Dont hold your breath. Follow Ian Sinclair on Twitter @IanJSinclair. This article was originally published by " Morning Star " - ===== Join the Discussion Home Search ICH Trump Flushes What Little Integrity The U.S. Has , Down The Sewer Watch This was a horrible one-sided deal that should have never, ever been made, Trump said at the White House in announcing his decision. It didnt bring calm, it didnt bring peace, and it never will. Posted May 08, 2018 Are You Tired Of The Lies And Non-Stop Propaganda? Get Your FREE Daily Newsletter My fellow Americans, today I want to update the world on our efforts to prevent Iran from acquiring a nuclear weapon. The Iranian regime is the leading state sponsor of terror. It exports dangerous missiles, fuels conflicts across the Middle East, and supports terrorist proxies and militias such as Hezbollah, Hamas, the Taliban, and al-Qaeda. Over the years, Iran and its proxies have bombed American embassies and military installations, murdered hundreds of American servicemembers, and kidnapped, imprisoned, and tortured American citizens. The Iranian regime has funded its long reign of chaos and terror by plundering the wealth of its own people. No action taken by the regime has been more dangerous than its pursuit of nuclear weapons and the means of delivering them. In 2015, the previous administration joined with other nations in a deal regarding Irans nuclear program. This agreement was known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, or JCPOA. In theory, the so-called Iran deal was supposed to protect the United States and our allies from the lunacy of an Iranian nuclear bomb, a weapon that will only endanger the survival of the Iranian regime. In fact, the deal allowed Iran to continue enriching uranium and, over time, reach the brink of a nuclear breakout. The deal lifted crippling economic sanctions on our end in exchange for very weak limits on the regimes nuclear activity and no limits at all on its other maligned behavior, including sinister activities in Syria, Yemen, and other places all around the world. In other words, at the point when the United States had maximum leverage, this disastrous deal gave this regimeand its a regime of great terrormany billions of dollars, some of it in actual cash. A great embarrassment to me as a citizen and to all citizens of the United States. A constructive deal could easily have been struck at the time, but it wasnt. At the heart of the Iran deal was a giant fiction that a murderous regime desired only a peaceful nuclear-energy program. Today, we have definitive proof that this Iranian promise was a lie. Last week, Israel published intelligence documents, long-concealed by Iran, conclusively showing the Iranian regime and its history of pursuing nuclear weapons. The fact is, this was a horrible, one-sided deal that should have never, ever been made. It didnt bring calm, it didnt bring peace, and it never will. In the years since the deal was reached, Irans military budget has grown by almost 40 percent, while its economy is doing very badly. After the sanctions were lifted, the dictatorship used its new funds to build nuclear-capable missiles, support terrorism, and cause havoc throughout the Middle East and beyond. The agreement was so poorly negotiated that even if Iran fully complies, the regime could still be on the verge of a nuclear breakout in just a short period of time. The deals sunset provisions are totally unacceptable. If I allowed this deal to stand, there would soon be a nuclear-arms race in the Middle East. Everyone would want their weapons ready by the time Iran had theirs. Making matters worse, the deals inspection provisions lack adequate mechanisms to prevent, detect, and punish cheating, and dont even have the unqualified right to inspect many important locations, including military facilities. Not only does the deal fail to halt Irans nuclear ambitions, but it also fails to address the regimes development of ballistic missiles that could deliver nuclear warheads. Finally, the deal does nothing to constrain Iran's destabilizing activities, including its support for terrorism. Since the agreement, Iran's bloody ambitions have grown only more brazen. In light of these glaring flaws, I announced last October that the Iran deal must be either renegotiated or terminated. Three months later, on January 12, I repeated these conditions. I made clear that if the deal could not be fixed, the United States would no longer be a party to the agreement. Over the past few months, we have engaged extensively with our allies and partners around the world, including France, Germany, and the United Kingdom. We have also consulted with our friends from across the Middle East. We are unified in our understanding of the threat and in our conviction that Iran must never acquire a nuclear weapon. After these consultations, it is clear to me that we cannot prevent an Iranian nuclear bomb under the decaying and rotten structure of the current agreement. The Iranian deal is defective at its core. If we do nothing, we know exactly what will happen. In just a short period of time, the world's leading state sponsor of terror will be on the cusp of acquiring the world's most dangerous weapon. Therefore, I am announcing today that the United States will withdraw from the Iran nuclear deal. In a few moments, I will sign a presidential memorandum to begin reinstating U.S. nuclear sanctions on the Iranian regime. We will be instituting the highest level of economic sanction. Any nation that helps Iran in its quest for nuclear weapons could also be strongly sanctioned by the United States. America will not be held hostage to nuclear blackmail. We will not allow American cities to be threatened with destruction and we will not allow a regime the chance death to America to gain access to the most deadly weapons on Earth. Todays action sends a critical message. The United States no longer makes empty threats. When I make promises, I keep them. In fact, at this very moment, Secretary Pompeo is on his way to North Korea in preparation for my upcoming meeting with Kim Jong-Un. Plans are being made, relationships are building, hopefully a deal will happen, and with the help of China, South Korea, and Japan, a future of great prosperity and security can be achieved for everyone. As we exit the Iran deal, we will be working with our allies to find a real, comprehensive and lasting solution to the Iranian nuclear threat. This will include efforts to eliminate the threat of Iran's ballistic missile program, to stop its terrorist activities worldwide, and to block its menacing activity across the Middle East. In the meantime, powerful sanctions will go into full effect. If the regime continues its nuclear aspirations, it will have bigger problems than it has ever had before. Finally, I want to deliver a message to the long-suffering people of Iran: The people of America stand with you. It has now been almost 40 years since this dictatorship seized power and took a proud nation hostage. Most of Iran's 80 million citizens have sadly never known an Iran that prospered in peace with its neighbors and commanded the admiration of the world. But the future of Iran belongs to its people. They are the rightful heirs to a rich culture and an ancient land and they deserve a nation that does justice to their dreams, honor to their history, and glory to their god. Iran's leaders will naturally say that they refuse to negotiate a new deal. They refuse and that is fine. I probably would say the same thing if I was in their position. But the fact is they are going to want to make a new and lasting deal, one that benefits all of Iran and the Iranian people. When they do, I am ready, willing, and able. Great things can happen for Iran and great things can happen for the peace and stability that we all want in the Middle East. There has been enough suffering, death, and destruction. Let it end now. Thank you. God bless you. ===== Iran wants constructive, win-win relations with world: Rouhani Trump trying to satisfy Israel by reneging on Iran deal: EU top diplomat calls others to honor Iran deal after Trump pulls out Join the Discussion It is not necessary for ICH readers to register before placing a comment. We ask that you treat others with respect. Take a moment to read the following - Comment Policy - What Or Who is Information Clearing House and Purpose and Intent of this website: It is unacceptable to slander, smear or engage in personal attacks on authors of articles posted on ICH. Those engaging in that behavior will be banned from the comment section. Search Information Clearing House === Click Here To Support Information Clearing House Your support has kept ICH free on the Web since 2002. Click for Spanish , German , Dutch , Danish , French , translation- Note- Translation may take a moment to load. Eclipsing Factionalism: The missing story from the Gaza protests By Ramzy Baroud May 08, 2018 " Information Clearing House " - The Gaza border protests must be understood in the context of the Israeli Occupation, the siege and the long-delayed Right of Return for Palestinian refugees. However, they should also be appreciated in a parallel context: Palestines own factionalism and infighting. Factionalism in Palestinian society is a deep-rooted ailment that has, for decades, thwarted any unified effort at ending the Israeli military Occupation and Apartheid. The Fatah and Hamas political rivalry has been catastrophic, for it takes place at a time that the Israel colonial project and land theft in the West Bank are occurring at an accelerated rate. In Gaza, the siege continues to be as suffocating and deadly. Israels decade-long blockade , combined with regional neglect and a prolonged feud between factions have all served to drive Gazans to the brink of starvation and political despair. The mass protests in Gaza, which began on March 30 and are expected to end on May 15 are the peoples response to this despondent reality. It is not just about underscoring the Right of Return for Palestinian refugees. The protests are also about reclaiming the agenda, transcending political infighting and giving voice back to the people. Inexcusable actions become tolerable with the passing of time. So has been the case with Israels Occupation that, year after year, swallows up more Palestinian land. Today, the Occupation is, more or less, the status quo. The Palestinian leadership suffers the same imprisonment as its people, and geographic and ideological differences have compromised the integrity of Fatah as much as Hamas, deeming them irrelevant at home and on the world stage. Are You Tired Of The Lies And Non-Stop Propaganda? Get Your FREE Daily Newsletter But never before has this internal division been weaponized so effectively so as to delegitimize an entire peoples claim for basic human rights. The Palestinians are divided, so they must stay imprisoned. The strong bond between US President Donald Trump and Israels Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, is being accompanied by a political discourse that has no sympathy for Palestinians whatsoever. According to this narrative, even families protesting peacefully at the Gaza the border is termed as a state of war, as the Israeli army declared in a recent statement. Commenting on the Israeli killing of scores and wounding of hundreds in Gaza, the US Secretary of State, Mike Pompeo, repeated a familiar mantra while on a visit to the region: We do believe the Israelis have a right to defend themselves. Thus, Palestinians are now trapped West Bankers are under Occupation, surrounded by walls, checkpoints and Jewish settlements, while Gazans are under a hermetic siege that has lasted a decade. Yet, despite this painful reality, Fatah and Hamas seem to have their focus and priorities elsewhere. Since the establishment of the Palestinian Authority in 1994, following the signing of the Oslo Peace Accords, Fatah dominated Palestinian politics, marginalized its rivals and cracked down on any opposition. While it operated under the Israeli military Occupation in the West Bank, it still thrived financially as billions of dollars of aid money poured in. More, the PA has used its financial leverage to maintain its control over Palestinians, thus compounding the oppressive Israeli Occupation and various forms of military control. Since then, money has corrupted the Palestinian cause. Donors money, billions of dollars received by the PA in Ramallah has turned a revolution and a national liberation project into a massive financial racket with many benefactors and beneficiaries. Most Palestinians, however, remain poor. Unemployment today is skyrocketing . Throughout his conflict with Hamas, Abbas never hesitated to collectively punish Palestinians to score political points. Starting last year, he took a series of punitive financial measures against Gaza, including the suspicious PA payments to Israel for electricity supplies to Gaza, while cutting off salaries to tens of thousands of Gazas employees who had continued to receive their paycheck from the West Bank authority. This tragic political theater has been taking place for over ten years without the parties finding common ground to move beyond their scuffles. Various attempts at reconciliations were thwarted, if not by the parties themselves, then by external factors. The last of such agreements was signed in Cairo last October. Although initially promising, the agreement soon faltered. Last March, an apparent assassination attempt to kill PA Prime Minister, Rami Hamdallah, had both parties accuse one another of responsibility. Hamas contends that the culprits are PA agents, bent on destroying the unity deal, while Abbas readily accused Hamas of trying to kill the head of his government. Hamas is desperate for a lifeline to end the siege on Gaza and killing Hamdallah would have been political suicide . Much of Gazas infrastructure stands in ruins, thanks to successive Israeli wars that killed thousands. The tight siege is making it impossible for Gaza to be rebuilt, or for the ailing infrastructure to be repaired. Even as tens of thousands of Palestinians protested at the Gaza border, both Fatah and Hamas offered their own narratives, trying to use the protests to underscore, or hype, their own popularity amongst Palestinians. Frustrated by the attention the protests have provided Hamas, Fatah attempted to hold counter rallies in support of Abbas throughout the West Bank. The outcome was predictably embarrassing as only small crowds of Fatah loyalists gathered. Later, Abbas chaired a meeting of the defunct Palestinian National Council (PNC) in Ramallah to tout his supposed achievements in the Palestinian national struggle. The PNC is considered the legislative body of the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO). Like the PLO, it has been relegated for many years in favor of the Fatah-dominated PA. The PA leader handpicked new members to join the PNC, only to ensure the future of all political institutions conforms to his will. In the backdrop of such dismaying reality, thousands more continue to flock to the Gaza border. Palestinians, disenchanted with factional division, are laboring to create a new political space, independent from the whims of factions; because, for them, the real fight is that against Israeli Occupation, for Palestinian freedom and nothing else. This article was originally published by " Middle East Monitor " - ===== Join the Discussion AWKACONFUSION trailed weekends ward congress of All Progressives Congress, APC, in Anambra State, with the partys candidate in last years governorship election, Dr Tony Nwoye accusing the Minister of Labour and Productivity, Senator Chris Ngige of a plot to hijack the party in the state. Ngige Ngige, on his part, however, said there was no problem, insisting that every effort was to ensure that APC was properly organized in the state. Tempers rose during the harmonization of lists from the wards following allegations that few party chieftains merely compiled names from all the 326 wards in the state. At the meeting in Awka, Nwoye alleged discrepancies in the lists and accused Ngige of usurping the functions of the congress committee. According to him, it was improper for Ngige to say that ward congress held on Saturday when none took place. Nwoye, who is a member of the House of Representatives, said he was refraining from speaking because he might be accused of being bitter over the conduct of many APC chieftains during the governorship election, which he ran and lost on the platform of the party. He said: Some of you here worked against me during that election, but my joy is that I lost the election and you lost too, because all those people who worked against us have not risen either. We have failed as a party because we do not have any position in Anambra State, but it will not work for people to put this party in their pocket so that they can write election results in their houses. I will not let Ngige take the function of the panel. We have a panel that is supposed to conduct that congress, and they just came here today (Sunday), whereas he (Ngige) is trying to tell us that elections were held yesterday (Saturday) when no congress took place in any ward. How can Ngige be the one to conduct the congress when there is a committee? But Senator Ngige, who took offence over what he described as personal attack on his person by Nwoye, said there was no trouble in the party, describing the gathering as a brotherly affair. He said: We do not have any trouble and we are here to further the cause of our party. People were querying the guideline given by the NEC of the party and I said no. The issue was over zoning of positions. We said go to the ward and if anyone had resigned, we replace him, because this is a brotherly contest. Amidst the confusion and charged atmosphere, security operatives were shooting in the air to scare those trying to attack dignitaries. Senator Ngige was hurriedly moved out of the charged venue of the harmonisation exercise. Source: https://www.vanguardngr.com New York Nigeria told the UN General Assembly in New York that the Boko Haram terrorists no longer held any territory in the country. Boko Haram carried out a fresh wave of massacres in northeastern Nigeria on July 3, locals said, killing nearly 200 people in 48 hours of violence President Muhammadu Buhari blasted as inhuman and barbaric. AFP PHOTO Nigerias Ambassador and Deputy Permanent Representative to the UN, Samson Itegboje, stated this while presenting Nigerias message at the High-Level Meeting of the General Assembly on Peacebuilding and Sustaining Peace at the UN headquarters. Itegboje said the meeting was being convened at a time when the global community was facing unprecedented threats, geo-political tensions, social dislocation, cyber attacks, threat of climate change and terrorism. Nigeria has had her fair share of these crises when, amongst other vices. Boko Haram insurgents annexed 14 Local Governments in Borno in the North East of Nigeria. However, on assumption of office in 2015 President Muhammadu Buhari ensured the recovery of the annexed territories. Today, Boko Haram insurgents no longer hold any territory in Nigeria, he said. He noted that Resolutions 70/262 of the General Assembly and 2282 (2016) of the Security Council on the Review of the UN Peacebuilding Architecture addressed the UN approach to peace, focusing on prevention. The Resolutions also call for a broader concept, which encompasses peace building, that links peace and security with development, human rights and humanitarian action. Itegboje said: Nigeria is of the opinion that, while sustaining peace should not be seen as an infringement on sovereignty. It should also not be used as a guise for the infringement on sovereignty of member states as the centrality of national and inclusive ownership of sustaining peace cannot be overemphasised. The emphasis on prevention is commendable and we recommend that the Peacebuilding Architecture should have, as a component, an Early Warning System that should be accompanied by an Early Action System. Itegboje said Nigeria had consistently been in the vanguard of supporting and participating in international efforts at conflict-prevention, peacekeeping, peacebuilding and sustaining peace both sub-regionally, regionally and globally. He said since 1960, Nigeria had been an active participant in UN peacekeeping missions, deploying Military contingents, unarmed Military Observers, Military Staff Officers, formed Police units, Police advisor and Civilian Experts to over 25 UN Missions. The Nigerian envoy also noted that Nigeria was the worlds 14th largest troops contributing nation to the UN peacekeeping operations. According to him, Nigeria shares the view that the maintenance of human rights is critical to sustaining peace and has embarked on mainstreaming human rights into its security architecture. In this context, progress has been made in enhancing civil-military relations, establishing legislative oversight on the security sector in relation to defence spending, procurement and general budgetary matters. Efforts have also been stepped up to create a better partnership between civilians and armed forces, the Nigerian envoy said. He said Nigeria believed that ensuring the meaningful participation of women and girls in all areas of society was vital, adding gender equality yields greater economic growth and higher standards of living. He added that womens participation in peacebuilding helped prevent relapse into conflict and Nigerian was addressing emerging security issues, social gaps and ensuring substantial women contributions to peacebuilding and peace maintenance in the country. Itegboje said the Nigerian government was tackling youth unemployment through interventionist programmes like N-POWER and an ambitious three-year medium term economic development strategy Economic Recovery and Growth Plan. The Nigerian envoy added: More importantly, corruption is being tackled headlong as it is seen as a big obstacle to the economic growth of the country. Nigeria will continue to support international efforts aimed at peace building and sustaining peace across the world. In order to save succeeding generations from the scourge of war, we call on the rest of the world to emulate and join Africa in its ambitious program to silence the guns in the year 2020. (NAN) Source: https://www.vanguardngr.com NIGERIA has become a breeding ground for despair with the people witnessing a succession of disenchantment. The degree of imbalance among the geopolitical zones in terms of dispersion of opportunities ranging from political appointments, employment in the Federal bureaucracy and promotions, allocation of projects skewed in favour of selected zones have remained a source of worry to those cheated or schemed out. Also, we have deepening cleavages in matters relating to religious wranglings and strife; the increasing level of savagery across the nation; rising incidence of kidnapping; Boko Haram insurgency. All these make the country very unsafe to live in or carry out legitimate businesses. The ailing economy which has famished Nigerians is another big puzzle or a monster to tame. Indeed, the people of this country have been consumed with discomfort and also shattered by recurring fighting and altercation within. This explains the cry of marginalisation from various sections of the country, whether real or imagined. Though, the clamour for addressing these problems to allow the country move to the path of growth and development has been on before the All Progressive Congress, APC, administration gained access to Aso Rock, but came to its crescendo under President Mohammadu Buharis watch with more Nigerians becoming more frustrated and restive . The sad aspect of these problems is the worsening internal cohesion, making Nigerians think less of Nigeria and need to move towards consensus building. The on going call for restructuring which has pitted the North against the South, is a pointer to the fact that the nation is drifting to an unpredictable direction. These problems are like pieces of jigsaw puzzles strewn all over the place with Nigerians waiting for our political leaders to assemble them into shape and enable her confidently take the strides of the Giant of Africa, the leading light of the continent. The unity of Nigeria is being threatened by all these visible lapses highlighted above. Several sections of the country or tribes feel alienated, they have lost confidence in Nigeria. The separatist agitation by IPOB is a case in point. These weighty problems are enough to penetrate the conscience of President Buhari who attempted four times to lead a troubled country, which he confessed some time ago is difficult to rule. His long polished plan to rule the country coupled with his romance with APC, the child of an amalgam of some parties, was to cleanse the Augean stables and enthrone a new dawn, free from corruption, ethnicity, religious bigotry, insecurity, with people havinga sense of belonging which is clearly lacking. While breaking his fast in Abuja at the end of 2016 Ramadan month with members of his cabinet, President Buhari, stated with confidence that the period strengthens our resolve to build our country to make it stronger and to make sure that the incoming generations are sufficiently motivated to be patriotic. He contended further that, It is no news that we are the biggest country in Africa, we are the economic engine of Africa, which is true by the way. But we must always be patriotic in our dealings with others. Like his Christian counterparts who just ended a month long retreat then, he was full of vigour and aplomb that he would resolve all outstanding issues bedeviling Nigeria and restore the peoples hope. But the President got it wrong. One, his government like that of his predecessors have not created the atmosphere to motivate young Nigerians, whom we refer to as leaders of tomorrow. They are unemployed because there are no jobs for them. Two, his government has not taken a decisive effort to unify Nigeria nor take a clear step to move us towards National integration. Three, the prevailing atmosphere in the country creates fear, insecurity, people are just not comfortable. Four, The APC administration has not serviced the economic engine of Africa to work, the industrial sector is groaning in pains. All these have eroded the spirit of patriotism and oneness among Nigerians. With the decay in all facets of the nation, it is obvious that APC leadership did not study the mood of the nation, particularly President Buhari before embarking on this critical and prestigious mission to salvage a nation afflicted with all sorts of debilitating malaise that are now moving us inexorably into string of political crises that cannot be contained by our political leaders. The critical question one has to ask is is the APC leadership really out to salvage Nigeria and Nigerians? I doubt, because our president, his cabinet, the National Assembly are still dithering over serious matters that can plunge the country deeper into trouble. It is baffling that politicians including the Kaduna State Governor Mallam Nasir El-Rufai are working assiduously to ensure the presidents victory in 2019 elections. How can the present administration steer us to the path of stability, unity and economic development when the president and his party including the Kaduna State Governor have not come out to accomplish their slogan of Change? A pious wish? From the above account, it is obvious that a thunderstorm is brewing dangerously across the Nigerian State, promising to develop into a catastrophe, God forbid. The task before APC with President Muhammadu Buhari on the drivers seat, is to commence adroitly assembling the pieces of jigsaw puzzle to pave way for him tosteer the nation on a careful course to greatness. He should evolve policies that will mollify the ruffled feelings of angry and frustrated Nigerians. There is no way he can calm frayed nerves if he does not place Nigeria on the path of unifying the diverse groups of Nigeria, place them on the path of National integration to allow Nigeria achieve stability. The APC Central government should not fail to resolve all these lingering issues especial now that Nigerians no longer trust politicians nor have confidence in them. To avoid the country sliding further into anarchy, the president should return to the drawing board with his cabinet members and patriotic Nigerians to advise him wisely and not sycophants currently milling around him to cause commotion. Members of his team should have a rethink especially APC leaders who preoccupy themselves with reckless and unpromising statements that tend to cause disharmony among Nigerians. Nigerians expect policies that will restore hope, promote patriotism, encourage people from all parts of the country to live together without fear. If the president fails to address these problems now, he will be bequeathing a jumbled nation to his successors and he will inevitably join the league of failed leaders who did nothing to lead this country to greatness. Source: www.vanguardngr.com Otedolas daughter Djcuppy causes uproar on twitter after she tweeted that she left lagos for london just to catch small breeze. She Wrote:- Why is it so hot in London I left Lagos to catch small breeze! #bankholidaysunshine Source Naijaloaded Pastor Tunde Bakare spoke recently about campaign against corruption by the current government, saying that the Federal Governments approach to the fight was straight-forward and is yet to produce any serious conviction after three years. On Channels Television programme, Roadmap 2019, on Monday, Pastor Bakare, said the only reason , President Muhammadu Buharis war against corruption hasnt yielded any fruit is because the war has not been fought in a sustainable and holistic manner. The Overseer of the Latter Rain Assembly,while some of the accused had been treated with kids gloves, others had been hammered even when their guilt had not been completely established. Here is what Bakare, who was Buharis running mate during the 2011 general elections, said All I hear today is corruption is fighting back. Its a thing of deep concern for me that up till this hour, three years after, except the likes of Sambo Dasuki who had been detained more or less forever for whatever reasons, I have not seen any serious conviction. I have seen pats on the back via return some and leave the rest and I have seen sensationalism. If we turn the searchlight into the body polity in Nigeria, it will not be absolutely out of place to say the synonym for politics in Nigeria is banditry, regardless of who is in power. Global anti-corruption watchdog, Transparency International, TI, had in February ranked Nigeria low in its 2017 Corruption Perception Index, CPI, placing Nigeria in the 148th position out of 180. The members of the house of representatives have begun looking into the extrajudicial killing of a Nigeria student by police officers. According to a report by punch metro, the House of Representatives has ordered an investigation into the alleged extrajudicial killing of a student, Ifeanyi Okafor, by the police for allegedly refusing to yield to a N500 bribe demand. The House said the police shot Okafor on February 9, 2018 in Okwelle, in the Onuimo Local Government Area of Imo State. The resolution to probe the incident followed a motion moved by the Chairman, House Committee on Aviation, Mrs. Nkeiruka Onyejeocha, who said a police team stopped the victim on the highway to demand the bribe. The proceedings of the House, which was obtained by Punch Metro in Abuja on Monday, indicated that Onyejeocha narrated the incident to lawmakers on the floor of the House. She said, It is a pathetic story. This boy did not have money to pay for his school fees. His father, who is poor, was the one who advised Okafor to assist a lorry driver as a motor boy in order to make some money for his fees. On their way to Okigwe to deliver sand, the police team stopped their lorry. The policemen demanded N500, but the boy said they didnt have the money. The next thing was that a policeman pointed a gun at Okafor and shot him. This is one extrajudicial killing too many in recent years. The House noted that the incident was in breach of Section 33 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), which guaranteed all Nigerians right to life. Lawmakers had raised the alarm over rising cases of extrajudicial killings in the country, saying between 2009 and 2017, such reported cases totalled 337. Amnesty International Special Report for 2016/2017 indicated that 240 civilians, including 29 children and babies, were killed by operatives of Nigerian security agencies, especially the army and the police, a document tendered before the House, stated. The copy of the House proceedings showed that the Committee on Police Affairs was mandated to investigate the killing of Okafor. It said, The House was informed of the unfortunate and unwarranted killing of the late Ifeanyi Okafor by a police officer right opposite the Okwelle Police Station in Onuimo Local Government Area, Imo State. The House was also informed that on February 9, 2018, the said police officer demanded the sum of N500 from the deceased, but when his demand was not met, the police officer fatally shot Okafor. (The House is) worried that many incidents of extrajudicial killings by security agents in Nigeria often go unchecked and largely unreported. The House recalls a recent outcry against similar extrajudicial killings by men of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad across the country, which made the police authorities to promise to reorganise the SARS. (The House) observes that extrajudicial killings erode the confidence of Nigerians in the Nigeria Police Force, and this distrust has a direct adverse effect on the cooperation between the police and the public to combat crimes. Nollywood Actress, Entrepreneur and mother of one, Tonto Charity Dike has dished out some words of advise for couples to spice up their love. Tonto shared a post on IG which listed out a number of things that should be done in a marriage. Read what she wrote below Kim Kardashian stepped out on the 2018 Met Gala red carpet putting her famous figure on display. For the second year in a row, Kim Kardashian is seen without her husband, Kanye for fashions biggest night. She looked like liquid gold in her custom chainmail Versace dress featuring crosses embroidered on the bodice and hip. She teamed the look with double cross necklaces, super long extensions and a Cleopatra-like makeup look featuring a smoky blue cat eye and a very 90s over-lined lip that would make co-host Donatella Versace proud. Noticeably missing from her side, husband Kanye West, who has been focusing on his upcoming music in Jackson Hole, Wyoming, after a chaotic few weeks in the spotlight, during which he continually voiced support for President Donald Trump, opened up about his 2016 breakdown. He revealed he was addicted to opioids after undergoing liposuction, and the most controversial, calling slavery a choice during a live stream interview with TMZ, leading to an outcry from many of his fellow musicians and former fans. Before hitting the Met red carpet, Kim joined her husband in Wyoming. Kim happily joined Kanye in Jackson Hole. She wants to be supportive so he can finish his album, a Keeping Up with the Kardashians source told PEOPLE. The album has caused Kanye a lot of stress. He is a perfectionist and wants the music to be amazing. The source adds: Kim is absolutely concerned about Kanye. She likes being in Jackson Hole so she can keep an eye on his health. She wants to make sure he eats and sleeps enough. She doesnt want him to push himself beyond his limits. She wants a healthy Kanye. The 2017 Met Gala marked the first time Kim attended fashions biggest night without husband Kanye West. Hes at home, the reality star told Vogues Andre Leon Talley at the event. Hes been taking some time off and really loving that. Leave a Comment comments Punch The Senior Pastor of the Latter Rain Assembly, Pastor Tunde Bakare, has said the Federal Governments approach to fighting corruption in the country was defective and therefore had yet to produce any serious conviction after three years. Vanguard New York Nigeria told the UN General Assembly in New York that the Boko Haram terrorists no longer held any territory in the country. The Sun The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control ( NAFDAC), has clamped down on three pharmaceutical firms, Emzor Pharmaceuticals Ind. Ltd., Peace Standard Pharmaceutical Limited and Bioraj Pharmaceutical Limited that were implicated in the codeine syrup following the BBC documentary. Thisday The death toll in Saturdays attack by armed bandits in Gwaska Community, Birnin Gwari Local Government of Kaduna State has reportedly risen to 61. Daily Trust The crisis rocking Ekiti state chapter of All Progressives Congress (APC) over inconclusive governorship primary last Saturday took a new dimension on Monday as scores of party members announced.. Leadership The ongoing trial of alleged kidnap kingpin, Chukwudumeme Onwuamadike yesterday took a dramatic twist, as he broke down in tears before the Lagos State High Court in Igbosere, alleging that prison officials are maltreating him. Tribune The Catholic Bishop of Osogbo Diocese, Most Reverend John Akin Oyejola on Monday raised an alarm over looming herdsmen and farmers clash in some communities in Osun and Ondo states, saying security agencies and relevant government agencies must deploy proactive measures to nip the development in the bud. The Nation On three separate occasions, General of Police, Ibrahim Kpotun Idris has been summoned by the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to clarify certain happenings in the country in recent times but Idris has snubbed the senate on all three(3) occasions. The first time was in October 2017, the Nigerian senate had invited IGP Idris to testify, about allegations of collecting N120 billion bribes from VIPs for providing them with police escorts. Idris rather went to court to challenge the power of the Senate to invite him. Justice Abba Bello Muhammad of the FCT High Court, Abuja, who entertained the case, ruled that Idris suit lacked merit as Sections 88 and 89 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (1999) empowered the National Assembly to carry out investigations in the public interest and summon anyone who in its view could assist it in doing so. Secondly, following the spate of killings by suspected armed Fulani herdsmen around the Middle Belt and South, especially in Benue and Taraba states, police and other security personnel had stood akimbo as a group of eight thugs suspected to be hirelings of suspended Senator Ovie Omo-Agege, stormed the plenary of the Senate, wreaked havoc, abducted the Mace and went scot-free. Up till the time this article was being written, no arrest had been made by the IGs Special Monitoring Squad set up by IGP Idris. Thirdly, Idris was asked to appear before the Senate on Wednesday 25th April 2018, was that a very vocal senator, Dino Melaye, whom the Police and the Kogi State Government had accused of gun running and sponsoring of criminals, was being rough-handled by police personnel who had arrested him. Idris was required to provide insights as to why these unwholesome events were taking place under his watch. Instead of appearing in person, he chose to send the Deputy Inspector-General of Police in Charge of Operations, Joshak Habila, to represent him. Idis was given another date Wednesday, 2nd May to appear but stood the senate up one more time. Vanguard Adeniyi Johnson was a guest on Channels TVs Rubbin Minds hosted by Ebuka Obi-Uchendu. He was on the show to talk about the Nigerian movie industry and the areas for growth. He also talked about his personal life and he confirmed that he is engaged to be married to his producer partner soon and he also shed some light on his marriage of two years with actress Toyin Abraham. According to Adeniyi, he has stayed away from talking about the marriage in the media because he believes that will make him less of a man. He explained that some allegations about him, especially on infidelity, were untrue. On the flip side, he explained that Toyin Abraham had started dating her now-ex boyfriend Seun Egbegbe even before their marriage crashed. He also revealed that even though he is engaged to be married, his marriage with Toyin Abraham has not yet been legally annulled. Watch the interview below; On Nollywood: [youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=noTxFW3MF60] On his Personal Life: [youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xG8Hgf5Qtpc] Leave a Comment comments This content is from: Corner Office Exchange-traded funds have changed primary markets and how active managers run bond funds. Executives from some of the biggest names in ETFs are launching a start-up to target the next leg of the market evolution. Vancouver, British Columbia - May 8, 2018 (Newsfile Corp.) (Investorideas.com Newswire) TerraX Minerals Inc. (TSXV: TXR) (FSE: TX0) (OTC Pink: TRXXF) is pleased to announce assay results from the remaining 11 holes drilled at the Yellowknife City Gold project this winter. Four of these holes (1,170 m) were drilled on the high-grade Crestaurum gold bearing structure to test whether gold mineralization continued to depth. All four holes hit mineralized structure, with two holes containing visible gold. All holes intersected significant gold with selected intervals of: 8.84 g/t Au over 2.49 m and 5.38 g/t Au over 0.63 m in hole TCR18-076 3.08 g/t Au over 2.80m, and 5.57 g/t Au over 2.06 m, in hole TCR18-078 13.30 g/t Au over 1.24 m, and 4.41 g/t Au over 0.80 m, in hole TCR18-079 3.86 g/t Au over 0.56 m in hole TCR18-077 The upper portion of the Crestaurum structure has been previously drilled with 187 drill holes over 1.4 kilometers of strike length, from surface down to a depth of approximately 100-150 meters depth, outlining a lode style shear and vein deposit (including 5.00 m @ 62.90 g/t Au, news release October 2, 2013). Although the structure is very continuous the high grade lodes are more discrete and these initial widespread deeper holes were designed to intersect structure to determine whether there was probability of high grade lodes continuing at depth potentially doubling the size of the mineralized zones. A drill hole location map can be found here and a long section of the Crestaurum main shear are available here. Joe Campbell, CEO of TerraX, states "This small program of four holes successfully demonstrated that the Crestaurum zone continues at depth on multiple surfaces, potentially doubling the size of the zone. The 300 meter vertical depth tested with these holes is still considered very shallow for Archean lode gold deposits and mineralization remains open for further expansion, both along strike and at depth." TerraX also tested the Sam Otto west zone, another lode style shear and vein deposit near TerraX's Sam Otto Main zone (1.90 m @ 13 96 g/t Au, news release May 2, 2017). This drilling included 5 holes totaling 2,081 m testing strike and depth potential (down to 250 meters vertical) on this zone. All holes hit gold mineralized structure with best results of 3.00 g/t Au over 2.69 m in hole TSO18-038, 1.06 g/t Au over 4.00 m in hole TSO18-041, and 1.32 g/t Au over 2.70 m in hole TSO18-036. All holes included intersections of 2.0 to 5.6 meters of 0.71 to 0.81 g/t Au. The continuous presence of the gold mineralized structures that now extend over more than a kilometer of strike and 250 meters of depth, with alteration and mineralization styles like the high grade zones from the nearby Con and Giant mines, makes this a good target for continued exploration. A single hole (TSO18-039, 430 meters) was drilled approximately 500 m south along strike from the Sam Otto Main zone, and 600 meters north of TSO18-037 (1.92 g/t Au over 11.52 meters, news release Mach 9, 2018). This hole confirmed the continuity of the Sam Otto structure between the known extents of the Sam Otto Main and Sam Otto South zones, intersecting a broad zone of deformation and alteration (0.10 g/t Au over 157.75 m) consistent with the Sam Otto style of mineralization, including multiple 2.50 m - 9.10 m wide zones of 0.35 g/t Au 0.82 g/t Au. All holes were drilled approximately normal to projected strike and dip of the zones of mineralization and are interpreted to be approximately 80-95% of true thickness The 2018 winter drill program at the Yellowknife City Gold project is now complete. TerraX drilled 3,681 meters and collected 2,331 samples for assay from the drilling reported here. Results ranged from below detection to 21.8 g/t Au. Drill hole collar locations were surveyed to sub-meter accuracy. Down hole surveying was completed on all holes. TerraX inserts certified standards and blanks into the sample stream as a check on laboratory QC. Drill core samples are cut by diamond saw at TerraX's core facilities in Yellowknife. A halved core sample is left in the core box. The other half core is sampled and transported by TerraX personnel in securely sealed bags to ALS Chemex's (ALS) preparation laboratory in Yellowknife. After sample preparation, samples are shipped to ALS's Vancouver facility for gold and ICP analysis. Gold assays of >3 g/t are re-assayed on a 30 gm split by fire assay with a gravimetric finish. ALS is a certified and accredited laboratory service. ALS routinely inserts certified gold standards, blanks and pulp duplicates, and results of all QC samples are reported. The technical information contained in this news release has been approved by Joseph Campbell, the Chief Executive Officer of TerraX, who is a Qualified Person as defined in "National Instrument 43-101, Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects." About the Yellowknife City Gold Project The Yellowknife City Gold ("YCG") project encompasses 772 sq km of contiguous land immediately north, south and east of the City of Yellowknife in the Northwest Territories. Through a series of acquisitions, TerraX controls one of the six major high-grade gold camps in Canada. Being within 10 km of the City of Yellowknife, the YCG is close to vital infrastructure, including all-season roads, air transportation, service providers, hydro-electric power and skilled tradespeople. The YCG lies on the prolific Yellowknife greenstone belt, covering 70 km of strike length along the main mineralized break in the Yellowknife gold district, including the southern and northern extensions of the shear system that hosted the high-grade Con and Giant gold mines. The project area contains multiple shears that are the recognized hosts for gold deposits in the Yellowknife gold district, with innumerable gold showings and recent high-grade drill results that serve to indicate the project's potential as a world-class gold district. For more information on the YCG project, please visit our web site at www.terraxminerals.com. On behalf of the Board of Directors "JOSEPH CAMPBELL" Joe Campbell CEO For more information, please contact: Samuel Vella Manager of Corporate Communications Phone: 604-689-1749 Toll-Free: 1-855-737-2684 svella@terraxminerals.com Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. This news release contains forward-looking information, which involves known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual events to differ materially from current expectation. Important factors - including the availability of funds, the results of financing efforts, the completion of due diligence and the results of exploration activities - that could cause actual results to differ materially from the Company's expectations are disclosed in the Company's documents filed from time to time on SEDAR (see www.sedar.com). Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this press release. The company disclaims any intention or obligation, except to the extent required by law, to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, events or otherwise. 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Happy Birthday Wishes May 8, 2018 (Investorideas.com Newswire) Ron Struthers of Struthers Resource Stock Report profiles a microcap company with a prospective cobalt property in BC's Golden Triangle. A key element in lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) is cobalt. I have focused a lot on graphite and lithium, but cobalt is unique in its own regard and probably has more bullish factors than graphite, lithium and nickel. There are two major factors that differ cobalt from the other LIB metals. Most of the world's cobalt is currently sourced from an unstable political source, namely Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). Wars continue to rage there and currently, The Guardian writes that 13 million Congolese need humanitarian aid. No doubt it is one of the worse places on earth today, very sad. The other factor is cobalt is only mined as a byproduct of other mines, with 98% as a byproduct of nickel and copper mines. Only Moroccan and some Canadian arsenide ores extract cobalt only. Cobalt is classed as a critical raw material by the EU due to both being an essential mineral in creating a sustainable planet, and 55% of the global supply originating from the politically unstable DRC. The large percentage of cobalt that originates from the DRC highlights the importance for companies to follow Due Diligence procedures with regards to responsible sourcing. Unlike lithium, graphite and nickel, the major end use of cobalt is already denominated by the LIB market. The other major use is alloys and if you lump together the similar items here such as hardfacing, super alloys and hard materials, it gets close to the LIB demand. The LIB demand started to heavily influence the cobalt price in early 2017 and it shows no signs of abating yet. It will be difficult to bring new supply on stream because it has to come as a byproduct of nickel or copper. The heavy reliance on the DRC, where China gets a lot of its supply, is very precarious. This graphic comes from a cobalt report by Palisade Research and although it is from 2016, nothing has really changed on this front and is still very relevant. The cobalt price moved over $15 in February 2017 and shows no sign of slowing. Not long ago I pointed out that copper was the best performing element among base and precious metals. If we add in the battery-tech metals, cobalt up 180% moves to number one ahead of copper. In the past year lots of junior companies have been rushing around trying to find good cobalt projects. The best place to find cobalt is the mining camp in Ontario in the vicinity of the town called Cobalt. Over 50 million tons have been mined there. At PDAC this year, I was very fortunate to meet, through an associate of mine, "The King of Cobalt" for an anomalous name to use at this time. Talk about foresight, because this fella spent many of the last several years accumulating properties in the camp. For the most part, the majors held the best ground but they let it go as the metals bear market pummeled downward from 2011. Most of the juniors sourced their projects through this gentleman. As you might expect, he has kept the best properties to himself but they are in a private company. This will go public later this year and as far as I am concerned there is no sense buying the others here, when in due course we can buy into the best. That is many months away yet and I want to take advantage of the current market correction to buy another cobalt company that is cheap, a new play so not known yet and we can buy in the ground floor. The next best area for cobalt in Canada is British Columbia, and no other than the Golden Triangle near Hazleton where Garibaldi and Jaxon reside. The company just went public in March, has hardly traded and is not known yet. Primary Cobalt Corp. CSE:PRIM Recent Price $0.13 Shares outstanding 19.6 million Management Patrick CT Morris, CEO and Director, is an entrepreneur and capital markets executive experienced in a number of industries including resource exploration, pharmaceutical cannabis, Blockchain technologies and finance. With 15 years capital markets experience raising funds for microcap companies and executing corporate development strategies, Mr. Morris has taken numerous companies public via IPO, RTO and CPC. Kenneth Phillippe, Chief Financial Officer, is a Chartered Professional Accountant and received a Bachelor of Commerce degree from the University of British Columbia in 1976 and obtained his professional accounting designation in 1981, after articulating with the firm of Thorne Riddell (now KPMG). In 1981 he established a private accounting practice, which continues to the present. He is currently an officer/director of a number of junior listed companies. Barry Hemsworth, Director, received a Bachelor of Commerce degree from the University of British Columbia (UBC) in 1964 and a law degree from UBC in 1965. (At the time he was enrolled in a combined commerce/law program at UBC). He was a practicing lawyer and a member in good standing with the Law Society of British Columbia from 1966 to 2009 when he retired. In the past five years, Mr. Hemsworth has acted as a consultant to several reporting issuers and been involved in the establishment of several private companies. John Michael Mackey Director, received a Bachelor of Arts in International Studies and Political Science in 1961 from UBC and a law degree from UBC in 1964. He was a practicing lawyer and a member in good standing with the Law Society of British Columbia from 1965 to 1991. He was a director of the following two TSX.V companies: Vangold Resources Ltd. from January 2008 to December 2013 and Vanoil Resources Ltd. from January 2009 to February 2013. Management is very strong in corporate finance and they can leverage this as they have just done in their partnership with ExcoMining in Spain. Projects RD Cobalt Property, 100% option, 7,327 hectares, NW B.C. South of Hazelton The property is approximately 1 km south of the Yellowhead Highway, a major interprovincial highway in western Canada. Paved and gravel roads, rail, and power transmission lines run adjacent to the northern edge of property. The BC Hydro 138 kV supply line for the region passes through the property, with a secured substation at New Hazelton. The west end of the property (the Golden Wonder area) can be reached by a gravel road that links to Highway 16 southwest of Sealey Lake Provincial Park. ATV trails run west from this road north (for ~1,400 m) and south (for ~1100 m) of Denys Lake. The northern section of the property (Wests Knoll, Daley West areas) is mostly accessible from Highway 16 by ATV along trails or by foot. Access to the south-central area of the property above the treeline (Black Prince, Blue Lake, Silvertip Glacier, and Hecla areas) is limited to helicopter. Most exploration on the property dates pre-2000 and virtually no modern exploration has been done. In May 2017, Dahrouge Geological Consulting Ltd., on behalf of Primary Cobalt, prospected the area and collected rock and stream sediment samples for analysis. The goal of the exploration program was to confirm historic showings, identify possible new targets, and become familiar with the field conditions. A total of 47 person-days were spent in the field examining rocks, collecting samples and examining familiar with the area. Ninety-five (95) rock samples and 19 stream pan concentrate samples were collected from the property to confirm historical assays and guide in development of potential exploration targets. As mentioned above, cobalt is mined as a byproduct of mostly nickel and copper. The Golden Wonder showing gives us a clue that this will be a copper/gold system with some good cobalt numbers. This is just one of several zones reporting anomalous copper, gold and cobalt. The outcrop appears to be several meters thick with potential strike of 400 meters. Gold samples ran as high as 17.8 g/y and cobalt up to 0.53%. Spain The birthplace of Rio Tinto, Spain has a rich history of mining, dating back to the Phoenicians and Romans. This, along with its large labor pool, has attracted many mining firms to the country and now it is a leading region of the European mining renaissance. The historical Rio Tinto mine, Corta Atalaya, built in 1873 in the town of Minas de Riotinto, which gives the company its name, was once one of the largest mines in the world and was actively mined until 1992. It was reopened by EMED Mining in 2015. On April 26, Primary Cobalt entered into a strategic partnership with ExcoMining based in Madrid, Spain, subject to signing a final agreement. The agreement forms the foundation for a strategic relationship between ExcoMining and Primary, enabling the joint evaluation and potential acquisition of battery mineral research permits in Spain. Discussions between the parties are focused on the near-term acquisition of high-value battery exploration permits in southern and central Spain. Spain has one of Europe's most diversified mining sectors, which produces mostly industrial minerals and stone. Spain encompasses almost 90% of the Iberian Peninsula, which is considered to be the most mineralized zone in the European Union. The historical San Carlos Cobalt mine was producing up to 70 tonnes cobalt per year. Lithium is found at other historical mines in Spain. Patrick Morris, CEO of Primary, commented: "This agreement provides a unique opportunity for Primary to be able to access projects that it may normally not be able to. The agreement also enables Primary to have continued access to local geological and technical expertise of ExcoMining. In turn, we believe that Primary's public company platform will provide access to the capital markets for necessary financing for opportunities which arise under the agreement. Spain is an excellent jurisdiction in which to operate and we believe that the opportunity to enter the country with the latest exploration and development technology and search for a key battery metal commodities at a provincial and national scale." Financial With the IPO, a small financing was done at 10 cents for 4 million shares, raising gross proceeds of $400k. This will give the company ample funding for the first work programs at its RD Cobalt property. Summary I like to get into good junior companies early and this is right at the start. I mentioned the management is strong on the corporate finance front and they structured this deal right so the stock can appreciate and further financing done at higher prices. There are just 19.6M shares out and at 15 cents the market cap is only $2.9 million. There are no warrants outstanding and only 1.9M 10-cent options outstanding good for five years. The stock is well held and the recent financing was done through Haywood Securities. I believe this stock will easily move a lot higher and is very cheap compared to other early stage cobalt companies: To clarify and for a proper comparison, these other juniors have advanced their properties and some with drilling. That is what Primary will be doing in the months ahead. If we assume a doubling in shares outstanding for further financing to advance projects, Primary would have 40 million shares out and at least be in the ranks of the bottom four companies that have an average market cap of $25 million. $25 million / 40 million shares = $0.625 It would be quite reasonable to expect the stock over $0.50 and makes a good-first target. Ron Struthers founded Struthers' Resource Stock Report 23 years ago. The report covers senior and junior companies with ample trading liquidity. He started his Millennium Index of dividend stocks in 2003 - $1,000 invested then was worth over $4,000 end of 2014 and the index returned 26.8% in 2016. He retired from IBM after 30 years in customer service, systems and business analyst, also developing his own charting software. He has expertise in junior start-ups and was a co-founder of Paramount Gold and Silver. Disclosure: 1) Ron Struthers: I, or members of my immediate household or family, own shares of the following companies mentioned in this article: Primary Cobalt. I personally am, or members of my immediate household or family are, paid by the following companies mentioned in this article: None. My company currently has a financial relationship with the following companies mentioned in this article: Primary Cobalt is an advertiser on playstocks.net. I determined which companies would be included in this article based on my research and understanding of the sector. 2) The following companies mentioned in this article are sponsors of Streetwise Reports: None. Click here for important disclosures about sponsor fees. 3) Statements and opinions expressed are the opinions of the author and not of Streetwise Reports or its officers. The author is wholly responsible for the validity of the statements. The author was not paid by Streetwise Reports for this article. 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More Info: This news is published on the Investorideas.com Newswire - a global digital news source for investors and business leaders Disclaimer/Disclosure: Investorideas.com is a digital publisher of third party sourced news, articles and equity research as well as creates original content, including video, interviews and articles. Original content created by investorideas is protected by copyright laws other than syndication rights. Our site does not make recommendations for purchases or sale of stocks, services or products. Nothing on our sites should be construed as an offer or solicitation to buy or sell products or securities. All investing involves risk and possible losses. This site is currently compensated for news publication and distribution, social media and marketing, content creation and more. 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Please read Investorideas.com privacy policy: https://www.investorideas.com/About/Private_Policy.asp May 8, 2018 (Investorideas.com Newswire) On the heels of its newly released prefeasibility report, a Canadian mining company gets the green light on fast production on its fully permitted and built Arizona gold mine where the company continues to make high-grade discoveries on its large land package. Kerr's Copperstone project Arizona ranks second in the U.S. for mineral production, with copper topping its list of mineral products, followed by molybdenum, which is often found in tandem with copper. A number of large mining companies are active in the state: The mining behemoth Freeport-McMoRan Inc. (FCX:NYSE) has five mines open-pit copper mines in the state, and is actively exploring the Lone Star project, which is located adjacent to its Stafford project. The company believes that production from Lone Star could begin in 2021 and could have a 20 year mine life. Lone Star would use Stafford's existing infrastructure. Resolution Copper is developing another copper mine in Arizona that could become the U.S.'s largest copper mine, capable of meeting 25% of the U.S.'s demand each year. The deep mine, over a mile underground, is being built under the historical Magma copper mine. The company is a joint venture between subsidiaries of two mining giants, Rio Tinto Plc (RIO:NYSE; RIO:ASX; RIO:LSE; RTPPF:OTCPK) and BHP Billiton Ltd. (BHP:NYSE; BHPLF:OTCPK). Arizona is also seeing zinc exploration. Arizona Mining Inc. (AZ:TSX) recently received, four months ahead of plan, all the permits required to construct two exploration declines at its Taylor zinc-lead-silver project in Santa Cruz County. The project currently has a Measured mineral resource of 15.2 million tons grading 9.6% zinc equivalent; 85 million tons grading 10.5% zinc equivalent Indicated; and 43 million tons grading 11.9% zinc equivalent Inferred. Gold has a much lower profile than copper and zinc in the state. While visitors can pan for gold along several of Arizona's rivers, larger-scale gold mines are as scarce as water in the Sonoran desert. That is about to change. Kerr Mines Inc. (KER:TSX; KERMF:OTC; 7AZ1:FRA) has been actively exploring bringing the past-producing Copperstone Gold Mine in western Arizona back to life. Copperstone, located in mining-friendly Arizona, has a lot going for it. The fully permitted mine is built and there is infrastructure on site. It already has a 300,000 ounce resource, and the land package offers lots of exploration potential. Copperstone was mined by Cyprus Minerals as a heap-leach surface mine from 1989 to 1993, when it was decommissioned. Between 2010 and 2014, a previous junior mining company developed a small underground operation that was put on care and maintenance due to engineering and financial issues, as well as a downward trending gold price. Some 500,000 ounces of gold have been produced at the mine. Kerr acquired Copperstone in 2014. The previous owners of the mine had made large investments in infrastructure and drilling. The existing underground access, mill, surface impoundments and related infrastructure are well built and are in sound working condition, according to the company. The infrastructure investments were made relatively recently and cost the previous operator between CA$50 million and CA$60 million; today they would cost over CA$100 million to replicate, Kerr CEO Claudio Ciavarella told Streetwise Reports. Kerr over the last six months or so has released some eye-popping drill results. On Feb. 21, the company announced that Copperstone hole KER-17U-50 returned a 7.3 meter drill hole interval with 102.7 g/t gold, an off-the-charts result. On January 15, Kerr announced an increase of 255% of mineralized extents in the Footwall zone, "including an increase of 223 meters of strike and 91 meters of dip extents compared to previously announced Footwall Zone." The company also noted the discovery of a "new and separate Footwall mineralized zone with 105 meters of strike and 240 meters of dip." This area remains open along strike and dip. The company also noted the presence of copper as high as 2.78%, which could be an additional revenue source for the mine. And on December 5, Kerr noted that hole KER-17U-12's total interval length is 60.5 feet at 27.0 g/t gold, another high-grade result that also increased the down-dip extension of the deposit. The company released results from its prefeasibility study on April 10. According to the prefeasibility study, the 300,000-ounce resource begins beneath an open pit 500-feet deep, and the company's biggest news suggests interesting numbers for future development. Based on the company's recent news release, it expects to jump into production quickly. A Clear Path to Production The study shows strong highlights for both the quality and quantity of the gold found in Copperstone. The company announces a base case of $1,250 per ounce of gold, which is about $65 below today's price. With average annual sales of 38,347 ounces gold, the company expects payback of initial capital ($22.7 million) within 2.3 years of a 2019 production start. That low capex of $22.7 million also includes a mine equipment capital lease. With a study life operating margin (EBITDA) of $89 million and an internal rate of return of 40%, the company is confident in starting production next year. With the infrastructure in place and strong numbers, the company says it has a 95% average of recovering gold using crushing, grinding, and whole ore leach. CEO Claudio Ciavarella estimated that the company could be looking at 100,000 ounces of gold per 100 vertical feet of its Copperstone project. While the open pit was initially 500 feet deep, the company has added an additional 300 feet. Ciavarella says Kerr Mines could go another 400 to 500 feet deep. "If this mineralization continues at the same rate, this would mean that we could grow the resources to around the 1,200-1,400-foot level and add another 300,000 to 400,000 ounces in resources," explained Ciavarella. Kerr Mines' president, Martin Kostuik, shares the excitement: "The results of this PFS display the strong near-term production opportunity for the Copperstone Mine and robust returns for our investors. This is just the beginning." The company threw out big-picture numbers for the long term. According to the study, the study life operating margin (EBITDA) is $89 million, with an internal rate of return of 40%. 5-Year Projection The company has identified its first five years of gold production. Per the company's production schedule, the company expects to mine over 1.2 million tonnes in total. "The impressive exploration upside displayed by the 2017 Phase I program, the historical production of over 500,000 gold ounces and the potential to generate solid positive cash flows by identifying the first four years of gold production, all point toward the opportunity of many more years, beyond the Study timeframe, of profitable production," said Kostuik. Furthermore, the company is pleased that there are 100,000 ounces of measured and indicated mineral resources that were not included in the confirmed mineral resources. According to the company, part of this additional 100,000 ounces of gold is immediately accessible for drilling and potential inclusion during the phase 2, 2018 drill program. A Copperstone Gold Mine tour video is available here. Fundamental Research Corp. released an investment analysis for Kerr Mines on April 18. Analyst Siddharth Rajeev noted that "at an average grade of 7.36 gpt (across the resource categories), the Copperstone project is of significantly higher grade than most of the deposits in the western U.S." Rajeev also expressed the belief that "the PFS was very conservative as it only accounted for 63% of the measured and indicated resource. Also, we believe the current resource and NPV estimates do not account for any upside potential from the ongoing exploration. A newly discovered Footwall zone has potential to be of the same dimensions as the main Copperstone zone." "Approximately 100 Koz of measured and indicated resources were not included in the reserve estimate, which we believe would have added another 2 to 3 years to the mine life, and potentially $50 million in additional operating profit," Rajeev added. Fundamental Research has a Buy rating on Kerr and assigns a fair value estimate of C$0.49 per share. The stock currently sits at CA$0.24. Currently, there are 255 million shares outstanding, with 32% held by management and directors. Eric Sprott has an approximately 7% stake in the company. Technical analyst Clive Maund on April 10 reiterated Kerr Mines as a strong buy: "It looks like Kerr will break to the upside soon from the current tight range, and it is therefore rated a strong buy here." Read what other experts are saying about: Disclosure: 1) Nikia Wade compiled this article for Streetwise Reports LLC and provides services to Streetwise reports as an independent contractor. She or members of her household own securities of the following companies mentioned in the article: None. She or members of her household are paid by the following companies mentioned in this article: None. 2) The following companies mentioned in this article are billboard sponsors of Streetwise Reports: Kerr Mines. Click here for important disclosures about sponsor fees. As of the date of this article, an affiliate of Streetwise Reports has a consulting relationship with Kerr Mines. Please click here for more information. An affiliate of Streetwise Reports is conducting a digital media marketing campaign on this article on behalf of Kerr Mines. Please click here for more information. 3) Comments and opinions expressed are those of the specific experts and not of Streetwise Reports or its officers. The information provided above is for informational purposes only and is not a recommendation to buy or sell any security. 4) The article does not constitute investment advice. Each reader is encouraged to consult with his or her individual financial professional and any action a reader takes as a result of information presented here is his or her own responsibility. By opening this page, each reader accepts and agrees to Streetwise Reports' terms of use and full legal disclaimer. This article is not a solicitation for investment. Streetwise Reports does not render general or specific investment advice and the information on Streetwise Reports should not be considered a recommendation to buy or sell any security. Streetwise Reports does not endorse or recommend the business, products, services or securities of any company mentioned on Streetwise Reports. 5) From time to time, Streetwise Reports LLC and its directors, officers, employees or members of their families, as well as persons interviewed for articles and interviews on the site, may have a long or short position in securities mentioned. Directors, officers, employees or members of their immediate families are prohibited from making purchases and/or sales of those securities in the open market or otherwise from the time of the interview or the decision to write an article, until one week after the publication of the interview or article. As of the date of this article, officers and/or employees of Streetwise Reports LLC (including members of their household) own securities of Kerr Mines, a company mentioned in this article. Disclosures from Fundamental Research Corp., Kerr Mines Inc., April 19, 2018 The opinions expressed in this report are the true opinions of the analyst about this company and industry. Any forward looking statements are our best estimates and opinions based upon information that is publicly available and that we believe to be correct, but we have not independently verified with respect to truth or correctness. There is no guarantee that our forecasts will materialize. Actual results will likely vary. FRC and the Analyst do not own shares of the subject company. Fees were paid by KER to FRC. The purpose of the fee is to subsidize the high costs of research and monitoring. FRC takes steps to ensure independence including setting fees in advance and utilizing analysts who must abide by CFA Institute Code of Ethics and Standards of Professional Conduct. Additionally, analysts may not trade in any security under coverage. Our full editorial control of all research, timing of release of the reports, and release of liability for negative reports are protected contractually. To further ensure independence, KER has agreed to a minimum coverage term including an initial report and three updates. Coverage cannot be unilaterally terminated. CliveMaund.com Disclosure: The above represents the opinion and analysis of Mr Maund, based on data available to him, at the time of writing. Mr. Maund's opinions are his own, and are not a recommendation or an offer to buy or sell securities. Mr. Maund is an independent analyst who receives no compensation of any kind from any groups, individuals or corporations mentioned in his reports. As trading and investing in any financial markets may involve serious risk of loss, Mr. Maund recommends that you consult with a qualified investment advisor, one licensed by appropriate regulatory agencies in your legal jurisdiction and do your own due diligence and research when making any kind of a transaction with financial ramifications. Although a qualified and experienced stock market analyst, Clive Maund is not a Registered Securities Advisor. Therefore Mr. Maund's opinions on the market and stocks can only be construed as a solicitation to buy and sell securities when they are subject to the prior approval and endorsement of a Registered Securities Advisor operating in accordance with the appropriate regulations in your area of jurisdiction. Clive Maund: I, or members of my immediate household or family, own shares of the following companies mentioned in this article: None. I personally am, or members of my immediate household or family are, paid by the following companies mentioned in this article: None. My company has a financial relationship with the following companies mentioned in this article: None. More Info: This news is published on the Investorideas.com Newswire - a global digital news source for investors and business leaders Disclaimer/Disclosure: Investorideas.com is a digital publisher of third party sourced news, articles and equity research as well as creates original content, including video, interviews and articles. Original content created by investorideas is protected by copyright laws other than syndication rights. Our site does not make recommendations for purchases or sale of stocks, services or products. Nothing on our sites should be construed as an offer or solicitation to buy or sell products or securities. All investing involves risk and possible losses. This site is currently compensated for news publication and distribution, social media and marketing, content creation and more. Disclosure is posted for each compensated news release, content published /created if required but otherwise the news was not compensated for and was published for the sole interest of our readers and followers. Contact management and IR of each company directly regarding specific questions. More disclaimer info: https://www.investorideas.com/About/Disclaimer.asp Learn more about publishing your news release and our other news services on the Investorideas.com newswire https://www.investorideas.com/News-Upload/ and tickertagstocknews.com Global investors must adhere to regulations of each country. Please read Investorideas.com privacy policy: https://www.investorideas.com/About/Private_Policy.asp May 8, 2018 (Investorideas.com Newswire) The Global Water Summit 2018 took place on 15 - 17th April 2018 at the Marriott Rive Gauche Hotel & Conference Center, Paris, France. The conference brought together over 700 executives and business leaders from across the water, finance, technology, and industrial sectors of over 60 countries to examine the widespread changes forecast for the water industry, with new project finance strategies and $100 billion of national infrastructure spending plans being unveiled in several key water markets. The Global Water Summit 2018 opened with a pre-conference workshop on 15th April focused on Saudi Arabia's ambitious national water privatisation programme, with the Kingdom contemplating the largest water privatisation programme since the UK government sold off its water assets in 1989. The workshop was hosted by Global Water Summit organisers GWI (www.globalwaterintel.com) in partnership with Saudi Arabia's Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture (MEWA), National Water Company (NWC), Water and Electricity Company (WEC) and the Saline Water Conversion Corporation (SWCC). Officials from each of the four government institutions outlined their plans, targets, and needs for the national privatisation programme, which offers a $60 billion investment opportunity to the water industry. The workshop marked a landmark discussion between Saudi officials and 130 delegates representing official government organisations, Saudi water companies and leading international project developers. The conference's Day 1 Opening Plenary followed on 16th April, beginning with a keynote speech from Zanny Minton Beddoes, Editor-in-Chief, The Economist, who argued that the world is in the same position as it was in 1900, with some difficult geo-political times and demographic changes ahead, but implored that the water industry should be optimistic in the wake of financial and technological innovation. Following on from the keynote speech, the Summit's Opening Plenary featured a speaker panel composed of Haje Schutte, Head of Financing for Sustainable Development Division, OECD, Jeffrey Kightlinger, General Manager of The Metropolitan Water District of Southern California, Laurent August, Senior Executive Vice President - Development Innovation & Markets, Veolia and Gail Klintworth, Partner, SYSTEMIQ. The panel provided insights on the use of blended finance strategies to mobilise development and private finance for water projects, drought resilience plans, and the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals, with Gail Klintworth remarking "we need to look for the business opportunities behind the SDGs for water". The summit's two-day agenda featured a wide range of expert-led sessions, roundtables, and technology competitions, relating to the conference's five strand session themes: Industry, Desalination, Finance, Digital Solutions and Leading Utilities. The sessions featured over 150 speakers across the two-day agenda and unpacked some of the most pressing topics in the water industry, from customer and R&D innovations in desalination, to smart digital solutions for water, and the successes and technology needs in the utility sector. Finance flows into water infrastructure were also a major focus at the conference, with GWI running several finance sessions at the summit in partnership with The World Bank and The Global Water Leaders Group. The finance sessions brought together delegates from development finance institutions, governments, and utilities from across the world, to discuss how blended finance can be used to fund water projects and how utility bankability can be achieved. The outcome saw some of water's most important stakeholders agreeing that a Water Finance Network' should be established to help mobilise project finance and procurement and capitalise on investment opportunities on a global scale. Current water infrastructure investment opportunities were further discussed in the summit's roundtable sessions which featured discussions on countries with national infrastructure spending plans that together represent $100 billion of investment. Water specialists from countries such as Argentina, Vietnam, Indonesia, Oman, and Nigeria hosted roundtable discussions on the investment opportunities and plans for private sector partnerships for water projects in these markets. Meanwhile, the Global Water Awards took place in Paris alongside the Summit, with the 2018 winners and distinctions being announced at a Gala Dinner at the Pavillon d'Armenonville on 16th April 2018. The full list of 2018 winners & distinctions can be found on www.globalwaterawards.com The Global Water Summit 2018 agenda culminated in a Closing Plenary on 17th April which featured C-suite executives from major water companies Gradiant, Xylem, Evoqua and Suez discussing the outlook for the water sector over the coming years and the companies' future strategies. The Closing Plenary saw India voted as water's major growth opportunity by the delegate audience, who also chose political instability and populism' as the greatest risk for the water sector, with more than half of the votes (58.7%). The complete Global Water Summit 2018 agenda and speakers line-up can be found at: www.watermeetsmoney.com Gilda Kirkpatrick has been eliminated fromstar was the first celebrity to be sent home during the second week of the competition. During the first week, Kirkpatrick and her dancing partner Shae Mountain danced the Tango and scored a total of 18 points.Video clip of Gilda and Shae dancing the tango in week one.During week two, the pair danced the samba to Luis Fonsi and Daddy Yankee's international Spanish hit "Despacito." The judges - whose scores combine with votes from those watching at home to - gave her a paltry 6, 6 and 5, a total score of 17 points, which wasn't enough to save her making her the first celebrity to be eliminated from the Channel Three competitive reality show.During her elimination, Gilda admitted she was "not a dancer", but was happy she got to dance for her kids. She apologized to the Starship Foundation, her chosen charity, for getting eliminated. In the New Zealand edition, celebrities dance for their chosen charity.Gilda was the first celebrity to be revealed for the current season of DWTSNZ. Ive never had any sort of dance instruction, so its going to be a completely new experience for me, Gilda said at that time . But this seems like a great opportunity to learn how to dance from professionals, plus its obviously a great stage on which charities can benefit.For more information on the Starship Foundation,Photo Credit: Three Kenya Moore admits she ended up getting pregnant thanks to vitro fertilization. The Real Housewives of Atlanta star reveals that she had heard about the difficulties surrounding IVF: the painful shots, the raging hormones and, of course, the disappointment of it potentially not working. However, the former Miss USA beauty queen reveals she was lucky. I dont have a horror story, Moore told, weeks after announcing that she and husband Marc Daly are expecting their first child together.Its weird because you hear other peoples troubles with the injections and the hormones. And for me, it was a pretty simple process, she adds.Moore opened up to the publication about her entire IVF experience, from self-administering her hormone shots to finding out she was, indeed, pregnant.You take the hormones to stimulate your ovaries, you go in for the procedure obviously youre being monitored every day to where they need to see how many [ovarian follicles] you have, how big theyre getting, when to extract, she revealed how her IVF process was. And then, obviously, the process when they grow to make sure theyre growing at a certain rate and reach a certain size.After that, theyre ready to be implanted. You dont go under any anesthesia for the process and it doesnt hurt. You have to rest, which is always a great thing. To be quite honest, the thing that hurt the most was them sticking me with the IV when they had to extract the eggs because my veins are so tiny. But thats the only thing that was uncomfortable. The rest of it wasnt painful.Did the hormones affected her IVF process? I dont think so, but I guess you would have to ask people around me. I think I was okay. I think I felt a little emotional but I wasnt going zero to 100 or anything like that. It just wasnt as bad as I heard other people go through. The injections were fine, I got through that by myself, it was fine. I didnt feel crazy, I didnt feel like I was losing control or anything like that.Then, Moore revealed how she handled the injection process. I thought I would be the worst person for the injections. Honestly, the first time I did it, I had to do it by myself. I imagined myself going to the clinic every day, having a nurse do it for me. Or hiring a nurse to come to my home to do it, she toldI tried it the first time, and Im unusually afraid of needles. I cant look when my blood is drawn and I hyperventilate when I see a needle. I hate it. But these needles, theyre very small. And it didnt hurt. And the first time I did it, it was okay. It wasnt any big deal. I just felt blessed because I was stronger than I thought I would be.Then, Moore revealed the moment she found out she was expecting her first child with husband Marc Daly. [With IVF] they specifically tell you a start date to go and take a blood test because the ones you take over the counter, the pee-on-the-stick kind, dont always show the hormone level if its not strong enough so it may give you a negative when its actually positive. So they rely on a blood test to show you how much of it you have in your system and how its progressing, she explains.I was nervous because I hate to have my blood drawn. And then the technician who was drawing my blood said, Did you cheat? And I said, What do you mean? And she said, Most people go and theyll take the test over the counter. And I said, No because its not as accurate as the blood test and I just dont want any false alarms or to be let down when I really wasnt supposed to be and its only a few hours away, so why not wait and get the proper results?As soon as I take the [blood] test and Im driving home, Im like, I should just go and get a test from the supermarket. So I rode to the supermarket and literally took the test in the supermarket bathroom because I could not wait. It was just overwhelming. I could not wait. And it was positive. And then I got the call from the doctor later that day confirming that I was indeed pregnant and had a positive test and what my HCG levels were. She said it was all really good news. I was like, Oh my God, I dont know what to say!Kenya admits she's feeling tired these days due to the pregnancy. I dont have the stamina that I had before, so Im taking it a little easy not working out and going on long walks with the dogs and things like that. But its nothing I dont feel that bad. I dont feel hyper-emotional. I have a little bit of sensitivity to smells that make me nauseous, and had a slight loss of appetite. But Ive been okay!So are Kenya and Marc expecting a boy or a girl? Were going to try to not find out, she told. We want to be surprised and we want to make it as natural as we can at this point. We just want a healthy baby. And it doesnt matter to either of us boy, girl, we dont really care.Photo Credit: Bravo Chiamparino, President of the Piedmont Region: "This gem is everybody's heritage". Tapestries, paintings, inlaid furniture, altarpieces and much more. There is a varied sample of Italian artistic heritage in the exhibition "The fragility of beauty", inaugurated at the Reggia di Venaria Reale, it is part of the eighteenth edition of the "Return" program of Intesa Sanpaolo bank, which will remain set until September 16th. 212 works coming from 17 Italian regions make up the articulated route of the exhibition, with works by Tiziano, Van Dyck and Twomby, among others. The exhibition involved 44 protection boards and 63 owners, to whom the works will return after the closing of the exhibition in Venaria. The exhibition is also an opportunity to underline the development of the place, the Palace, once characterized by neglect and since ten years returned to its splendor. This is the message launched by the two editors of the project "Restituzioni", Carlo Bertelli and Giorgio Bonsanti. "Even this place is regained - said Bertelli - and the exhibition gives the visitor the feeling of the variety of life". "Here there is an evolution - added Bonsanti - also of our studies and our techniques. The protection must be combined with valorisation ". "I am honored and proud to welcome this exhibition - commented Roberto Falcone, Mayor of Venaria - that will give great impetus and visibility to the Consortium of Savoy Royal Residences. In addition there is a strong link with our territory, another reason for us to be pride of ". A positive response, also underlined by Sergio Chiamparino. "This jewel - he explained - is increasingly a heritage of all. It is also important the involvement of the Venaria Restoration Center, on whose potential many, including me, were not very convinced, instead it is becoming an effectiveness on which we must invest ". The president then thanked Intesa Sanpaolo, underlining the commitment of the banking institution in the various cultural realities of Turin, such as the International Book Fair. "Restituzioni" has the specific purpose of protecting and enhancing the bank's artistic heritage, making it accessible to the public. Faced with the various fusions throughout history, which have led Intesa Sanpaolo to include over 300 banks, today the institute boasts a collection of about 20,000 works. "The bank - added Giovanni Bazoli, president emeritus of the group - has become the guardian of this legacy. Beauty is threatened by the passing of time and by negligence, but the loss of integrity of our art treasures would cause an irremediable vulnus to our identity ". "The bank thinks it's fair to return - added Gian Maria Gros-Pietro, president of the board of directors of Intesa Sanpaolo - but the project is dedicated to that great open-air museum that is Italy". "This is a place found and returned - concluded Mario Turetta, director of the Reggia di Venaria - and this exhibition is a natural consequence. It is the third that we inaugurate this year, two more will follow from here to May and the entrances of these days are comforting ". 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. What You're Missing Out on in May on the Oregon Coast Published 05/06/2018 at 5:55 PM PDT By Oregon Coast Beach Connection Staff (Oregon Coast) Two months in particular tend to be woefully neglected on the Oregon coast, and one is happening right now. May along with April, actually can have some of the most interesting action on the beaches: between the extreme low tides, the end of the stormy season and its beachcombing delights, weather that seems to be resplendent yet secret, and startlingly low lodging rates. On top of it all, Killer whales can really make, well, make a splash right about now. May is an especially delectable time because of these aspects. Many of the heads of the local visitor centers agree on this and would like to see the word get out. One of the big secrets of the Oregon coast is that the weekend just before Memorial Weekend can be astoundingly dead. Nearly deserted. Yet interestingly enough, the big weekend gets uncomfortably crammed with traffic and people. Mothers Day certainly sees a big spike, but aside from that, tourism experts say the real treasures happen just before the holiday weekend. Jon Rahl, director of the Seaside Visitors Bureau, said this time of year is definitely underutilized. Its definitely a value season for visitors and with a little bit of planning, folks can sneak in a short excursion or staycation for a rate they wont find once the school year ends, Rahl said. Minus tides during the morning and early afternoon in mid-May and late-May are also perfect times to visit and you could strike gold with a nice 65-70 degree day. By this point in spring, the sporadic but fascinating stormy action of April has disappeared and May calms considerably. More warm weather days pop up, then June often sees a return to more rainy patterns. I think in general, May has been a time of year where travel to the coast slows down, Rahl said. Were well past all of the spring break travel but families are nearing the end of the school year and tend to hold tight on any travel before schools close up for the summer. Great weather days get a little more publicity now in the digital age, and thus tourism entities are saying May is getting a little more attention but not much. Nan Devlin, head of the Tillamook Coast group, which is essentially the visitor center for all of Tillamook County, agreed that weather is the important factor. Shes also noticed the weekend before Memorial Weekend can be exceptionally slow, but she says theres an uptick if the weather is good. People are making plans for the big weekend and she partially blames the annual May slowdown on the recent run of spring breaks in March and April. However, it might also be that because March and April had several weeks of spring break between Oregon, Washington, California, Idaho (all big visitors here), that families are waiting for Memorial Day weekend for a getaway, Devlin said. Spring has been growing quite a bit for tourism dollars. Rahl said the visitor numbers are comparable to October. Just like the fall season, great weather tends to drive people out here regardless of the day of the week, but it typically presents travelers with tremendous value on hotels, he said. And the crowds are much lower than youll find by the end of June or early July. (See the lodging deals) Another big feature of this time of year is the increased visibility of Orcas. Killer whales often show up in April, usually lingering through May. This tends to be more on the central coast, but they do make appearances up north around Cannon Beach and Seaside. Essentially, this is an unusual pod of Orcas that scientists dont know much about, except that theyre here to gobble up baby gray whales as they continue their migration north with their mothers. As of May 6, there are many sightings of killer whales on the north Oregon coast, with the bulk coming from around the wreck of the Peter Iredale. Also see What They Don't Tell You About Oregon Coast's Spring; Video. Oregon Coast Lodgings for this event - Where to eat - Maps - Virtual Tours More About Oregon Coast hotels, lodging..... More About Oregon Coast Restaurants, Dining..... Coastal Spotlight LATEST Related Oregon Coast Articles Back to Oregon Coast Contact Advertise on BeachConnection.net All Content, unless otherwise attributed, copyright BeachConnection.net Unauthorized use or publication is not permitted Focus on Lisa Netz, co-owner of The Lavish Loft Submitted by Haleh Rabizadeh Resnick, Federation Business and Community Development Director For the Voice What was your path to South Jersey? I grew up in... Focus on Peter Hecht Partner at Magna Legal Services Tell me about your connection to the South Jersey Jewish Community? I actually grew up in East Brunswick, Exit 9 off the Turnpike. But weve... Focus on Abigail Dahan: Owner of the Bake School Tell me a bit about your life in South Jersey. I grew up in Cherry Hill. We moved here from Paris when I was six... Today Rain likely. Potential for heavy rainfall. High 71F. Winds ENE at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 100%. Rainfall around a quarter of an inch. Tonight Rain likely. Low 63F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 70%. Rainfall around a quarter of an inch. Tomorrow Rain early with thunderstorms developing in the afternoon. High near 70F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 80%. One minute your brain cant come up with a thing, then BOOM. There it is. Its not that writers are curmudgeons (okay, yeah, maybe) its just an impossible question to answer. Mostly ideas are not there, and then they are. Like the name of the person who sat next to you in sophomore English. Israel Supreme Court President Justice Esther Hayut at a swearing-in ceremony for 18 newly appointed judges at the presidents residence on Monday expressed serious concerns [inaugural address, in Hebrew] about a bill approved on Sunday by the Knessets [official website, in Hebrew] Ministerial Committee on Legislation, which she termed a blatant and unprecedented attack on the nations judiciary. Hayut stated that the bill effectively gutted the Basic Law of Human Dignity and Liberty [text], enacted by the Knesset approximately 25 years ago. Hayut particularly criticized the separation wall being built by the government between the executive, legislative, and judiciary branches of the government stating that this contradicts any accepted perception anywhere in the reformed democratic world of the relationship that should exist between the three branches of government. In elaborating on the principle of separation of powers and the system of checks and balances inherent therein, Hayut noted the delicate and fragile nature of such a system whereby the government has excess power vis-a-vis the Knesset and highlighted the role of the judiciary as authorized interpreters of the law that conduct judicial review of the actions of the other branches of government. Referencing the US and Canadian constitutions during her address, Hayut added: Yesterday, as stated, the Ministerial Committee on Legislation decided that the Government of Israel would support a private bill that states that when the Knesset legislates a law that unlawfully violates any of the rights enshrined in the Basic Law: Human Dignity and Liberty, such a law may remain in force despite the violation It is mistaken for those who believe that the cessation clause overcomes the court. In fact, this is a matter of overcoming the human rights of every individual in Israeli society, and of granting the Knesset, with the governments support, the right to legislate without hindrance laws that violate human rights. Therefore, the main issue on the agenda is not the issue of the status and powers of the Supreme Court, which is also an issue that should not be underestimated. The main issue is the emptying of the Basic Law: Human Dignity and Liberty of all content. This [bills] very enactment will stain the Israeli constitutional enterprise that has not yet been completed, create constitutional chaos and turn the constitutional protection granted to human rights in Israel under the Basic Law: Human Dignity and Liberty into an empty tool. It is therefore a bad proposal, dangerous and harmful. Justice Minister Ayelet Shaked criticized [JP report] Hayuts address stating: I hate to disappoint the eulogized, but go outside, look around. Israeli democracy is alive, breathing and kicking, and stronger than any of its critics. And believe me, it can handle different opinions and ideas. The influx of announcements about the death of democracy is completely absurd. Others, such as Member of Knesset Nachman Shai, voiced support for Hayut adding: The Supreme Court is aware of its limitations and has always been careful in canceling laws. The pile-on initiated by the Right [wing] against one of the symbols of Israeli democracy undermines the Jewish and democratic foundations of the State of Israel. MEDFORD, Ore. For better or worse, the passage of the Agriculture and Nutrition Act of 2018 by the U.S. Congress would reverberate throughout the nationand Oregon is no exception. Although the bill addresses U.S. agriculture broadly, it also takes aim at food assistance programs, such as SNAP. Over five million Americans receive some sort of food assistance (nearly 400,000 in Oregon), and this bill could affect their ability to buy groceries. BY THE NUMBERS - Follow this link to see exactly how many Oregonians are on SNAP benefits by area, including the dollar figures. The greater Rogue Valley area alone contains over 66,000 people on SNAP benefits, receiving over $8 million dollars in benefits per year. The new bill would impose stricter work requirements on as many as 5 million of the 42 million Americans who rely on the program a number that would mostly target able-bodied adults without children, as well as millions of school-age parents who are currently exempt in many states. SNAP rules currently require that all recipients meet work requirements unless they are exempt due to age or disability. Children, seniors, and those with disabilities comprise almost two thirds of SNAP participants. USDA rules state that able-bodied adults without dependents who arent disabled can only receive SNAP for three months in three years if they do not meet special work requirements. Able-bodied adults without children or other dependents are already required to participate in a training program for 20 hours per week or to work to keep their SNAP benefits longer than three months over a three-year period. However, states largely exempted participants from those time limits during the Great Recession. Waivers have been slowly lapsing as the economy recovered. But about 36 percent of the U.S. population lives in an area where that rule is still waived, and the House bill is expected to rein in that flexibility. CLICK HERE for our previous coverage on this story, after an interview with Senator Ron Wyden. American Enterprise Institutea conservative-leaning think tankestimates that around 9 million people, or about one-fifth of SNAP recipients, are able-bodied and not working. But Democratic aides said the proposal would likely result in at least a million recipients dropping off of SNAP over an unspecified time period due to stricter work requirements and income limits in some states. The current law regulating U.S. nutrition is set to expire on September 30 of this year. The Agriculture and Nutrition Act of 2018 just passed the House Committee on Agriculture after a party-line vote, and will soon be debated on the floor of the House. Should it pass the House and Senate, the new bill will govern U.S. agriculture and nutrition just as the old one expires. The Trump administration has voiced support for the Republican-drafted bill. President Donald Trumps 2019 budget made waves for proposing to replace half the food stamp benefits families get with a Harvest Box full of shelf-stable foods, part of a broader pitch to cut more than $214 billion from the program over a decade. The full text of the Agriculture and Nutrition Act of 2018 may be found below. By JOSH LEDERMAN and CATHERINE LUCEY , Associated Press WASHINGTON (AP) President Donald Trump announced Tuesday the U.S. will pull out of the landmark nuclear accord with Iran, dealing a profound blow to U.S. allies and potentially deepening the president's isolation on the world stage. "The United States does not make empty threats," he said in a televised address. Trump's decision means Iran's government must now decide whether to follow the U.S. and withdraw or try to salvage what's left of the deal. Iran has offered conflicting statements about what it may do and the answer may depend on exactly how Trump exits the agreement. Trump said he would move to re-impose all sanctions on Iran that had been lifted under the 2015 deal, not just the ones facing an immediate deadline. This had become known informally as the "nuclear option" because of the near-certainty that such a move would scuttle the deal. Supporters of fixing the agreement had hoped Trump would choose a piecemeal approach that could leave more room for him to reverse himself and stay in the deal if he could secure the additional restrictions that European nations tried unsuccessfully to negotiate with him. Still, the administration planned to allow a grace period of at least three months and possibly up to six months so that businesses and governments can wind down operations that will violate the re-imposed U.S. sanctions. A slower withdrawal process could allow more room for Trump to reverse course later and decide to stay if he secures the additional restrictions on Iran that European nations tried unsuccessfully to negotiate to prevent him from withdrawing. Indeed, as administration officials briefed congressional leaders about Trump's plans Tuesday, they emphasized that just as with a major Asia trade deal and the Paris climate pact that Trump has abandoned, he remains open to renegotiating a better deal, one person briefed on the talks said. The agreement, struck in 2015 by the United States, other world powers and Iran, lifted most U.S. and international sanctions against the country. In return, Iran agreed to restrictions on its nuclear program making it impossible to produce a bomb, along with rigorous inspections. In a burst of last-minute diplomacy, punctuated by a visit by Britain's top diplomat, the deal's European members gave in to many of Trump's demands, according to officials, diplomats and others briefed on the negotiations. Yet they still left convinced he was likely to re-impose sanctions. Macron was to have a conference call with British Prime Minister Theresa May and German Chancellor Angela Merkel about half an hour before Trump's announcement. Trump spoke with French President Emmanuel Macron and Chinese leader Xi Jinping about his decision Tuesday. Macron vigorously supports the deal and tried to persuade Trump to stay committed to it during a visit to Washington last month. The British Foreign Secretary traveled to Washington this week to make a last-minute pitch to the U.S. to remain in the deal, according to a senior British diplomat. The diplomat, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the British objective will remain to uphold and maintain the deal. Hours before the announcement, European countries met to underline their support for the agreement. Senior officials from Britain, France and Germany met in Brussels with Iran's Deputy Foreign Minister for Political Affairs, Abbas Araghchi. If the deal collapses, Iran would be free to resume prohibited enrichment activities, while businesses and banks doing business with Iran would have to scramble to extricate themselves or run afoul of the U.S. American officials were dusting off plans for how to sell a pullout to the public and explain its complex financial ramifications, said U.S. officials and others, who weren't authorized to speak ahead of an announcement and requested anonymity. Building up anticipation, Trump announced on Twitter he would disclose his decision at 2 p.m. at the White House. In Iran, many were deeply concerned about how Trump's decision could affect the already struggling economy. In Tehran, President Hassan Rouhani sought to calm nerves, smiling as he appeared at a petroleum expo. He didn't name Trump directly, but emphasized that Iran continued to seek "engagement with the world." "It is possible that we will face some problems for two or three months, but we will pass through this," Rouhani said. Under the most likely scenario, Trump would allow sanctions on Iran's central bank intended to target oil exports to kick back in, rather than waiving them once again on Saturday, the next deadline for renewal, said individuals briefed on Trump's deliberations. Then the administration would give those who are doing business with Iran a six-month period to wind down business and avoid breaching those sanctions. Depending on how Trump sells it either as an irreversible U.S. pullout, or one final chance to save it the deal could be strengthened during those six months in a last-ditch effort to persuade Trump to change his mind. The first 15 months of Trump's presidency have been filled with many such "last chances" for the Iran deal in which he's punted the decision for another few months, and then another. Other U.S. sanctions don't require a decision until later, including those on specific Iranian businesses, sectors and individuals that will snap back into place in July unless Trump signs another waiver. A move on Tuesday to restore those penalties ahead of the deadline would be the most aggressive move Trump could take to close the door to staying in the deal. Even Trump's secretary of state and the U.N. agency that monitors nuclear compliance agree that Iran, so far, has lived up to its side of the deal. But the deal's critics, such as Israel, the Gulf Arab states and many Republicans, say it's a giveaway to Tehran that ultimately paves the path to a nuclear-armed Iran several years in the future. Iran, for its part, has been coy in predicting its response to a Trump withdrawal. For weeks, Iran's foreign minister had been saying that a re-imposition of U.S. sanctions would render the deal null and void, leaving Tehran little choice but to abandon it as well. But on Monday, Rouhani said Iran could stick with it if the European Union, whose economies do far more business with Iran than the U.S., offers guarantees that Iran would keep benefiting. For the Europeans, a Trump withdrawal would also constitute dispiriting proof that trying to appease him is futile. The three EU members of the deal Britain, France and Germany were insistent from the start that it could not be re-opened. But they agreed to discuss an "add-on" agreement that wouldn't change the underlying nuclear deal, but would add new restrictions on Iran to address what Trump had identified as its shortcomings. Trump wanted to deter Iran's ballistic missile program and other destabilizing actions in the region. He also wanted more rigorous nuclear inspections and an extension of restrictions on Iranian enrichment and reprocessing rather than letting them phase out after about a decade. Negotiating an add-on agreement, rather than revising the existing deal, had the added benefit of not requiring the formal consent of Iran or the other remaining members: Russia and China. The idea was that even if they balked at the West's impositions, Iran would be likely to comply anyway so as to keep enjoying lucrative sanctions relief. Although the U.S. and Europeans made progress on ballistic missiles and inspections, there were disagreements over extending the life of the deal and how to trigger additional penalties if Iran were found violating the new restrictions, U.S. officials and European diplomats have said. The Europeans agreed to yet more concessions in the final days of negotiating ahead of Trump's decision, the officials added. ___ Associated Press writers Matthew Lee, Jill Colvin, Zeke Miller and Ken Thomas in Washington and Amir Vahdat and Nasser Karimi in Tehran, Iran, contributed to this report. A Shell logo is seen at a petrol station in London on January 20, 2016. Royal Dutch Shell is selling its stake in Canadian Natural Resources Ltd. for about $4.3 billion.The sale of more than 97 million shares represents Shell's entire interest in Canadian Natural, a roughly eight per cent stake in the company. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP, Kirsty Wigglesworth The head office and logo of Valeant Pharmaceutical are pictured in Montreal on May 27, 2013. Valeant Pharmaceuticals International Inc. says it's changing its name to Bausch Health Companies Inc. The company, which has been working to turn itself around in recent years, says the switch will come in July and also involves changing its stock market ticker symbol to BHC. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Ryan Remiorz FILE - In this Sept. 22, 2017, file photo, a barista pours steamed milk in a coffee at a cafe in Los Angeles. Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Elihu Berle issued his final decision Monday, May 7, 2018, that Starbucks and other coffee companies failed to show that benefits from drinking coffee outweighed any risks. (AP Photo/Richard Vogel, File) Andre Gaudreault is seen in this undated handout photo. Andre Gaudreault of Universite de Montreal, who helped create Canada's first PhD program in film studies, is being commended for his research on the influence of technological innovation on the cinematic form. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Joel Lehmann, Labo CineMedias *MANDATORY CREDIT* Anna Wintour attends The Metropolitan Museum of Art's Costume Institute benefit gala celebrating the opening of the Heavenly Bodies: Fashion and the Catholic Imagination exhibition on Monday, May 7, 2018, in New York. (Photo by Charles Sykes/Invision/AP) On the 200th anniversary of Karl Marxs birth, his hometown unveiled a new statue donated by the Chinese government. The event drew praise from EU and German politicians, as well as outrage from pro-liberty thought leaders across Europe and around the world especially those who had lived under Communist regimes. The president of the European Commission praised Marxs creative aspirations, while anti-Communists called his decision to attend the event deeply worrisome and outrageous. What is the new Karl Marx statue? The Chinese government announced its intention to donate a statue of Karl Marx to his German hometown of Trier. The famous Chinese artist Wu Weishan sculpted the 2.5-ton, 14-foot-tall bronze statue, which depicts a thoughtful Marx walking astride while holding a book. Last March, city council members voted 42-7 to accept it, although they reduced its proposed size of 18 feet. What did the EU say about the statue and Marx this weekend? European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker attended the unveiling ceremony in Trier, where Marx was born on May 5, 1818. He told the crowd of 200, which teemed both with cheering far-Left ideologues and jeering conservative anti-Communists, that Marx isnt responsible for all the atrocities his alleged heirs have to answer for. One has to understand Karl Marx from the context of his time and not have prejudices based on hindsight; these judgments shouldnt exist, he said. In fact, Juncker said, in the popular imagination Marx now stands for things which he is not responsible for and which he didnt cause, because many of the things he wrote down were redrafted into the opposite. Is is true that Marxs philosophy was the opposite of violence and repression? In a word, no. Although he did not theorize the full contours of Bolshevism as propounded by Vladimir Lenin, Karl Marx advocated the ruthless use of revolutionary terror as part of the global uprising of the proletariat. In May 1849, Marx wrote: [T]here is only one way in which the murderous death agonies of the old society and the bloody birth throes of the new society can be shortened, simplified and concentrated, and that way is revolutionary terror. We have no compassion and we ask no compassion from you. When our turn comes, we shall not make excuses for the terror. In 1850, Marx urged his followers to sustain popular violence as long as possible. Far from opposing the so-called excesses instances of popular vengeance against hated individuals or against public buildings with which hateful memories are associated the workers party must not only tolerate these actions but must even give them direction, he wrote. Likewise, his co-author, Friedrich Engels, wrote in January 1849, The next world war will result in the disappearance from the face of the earth not only of reactionary classes and dynasties, but also of entire reactionary peoples. And that, too, is a step forward. What did the statues opponents say? Juncker received a letter on May 3 from free-market think tank leaders representing former (Poland, Hungary, and Georgia) or current (Cuba) Communist nations including Roxana Nicula of Spains Foundation for the Advancement of Liberty, who grew up in Romania asking that he cancel his appearance. As defenders of individual liberty, we consider this event to be cruel and disrespectful towards millions of European Union citizens who suffered communist dictatorships for over half-a-century. We remind you that even today there are still many countries in the world where the population suffers from the ideological abomination created by Karl Marx, they wrote, citing the 100 million people killed by Communist regimes during the twentieth century. Entire societies in the eastern part of Europe were starved, exploited and denied basic human rights, they noted. What did the statues local supporters say? Some cast the unveiling as an overdue homecoming for a prodigal son. The premier of the state, Malu Dreyer, said, We stand by the child of our city. And we deal with Karl Marx in a constructive and active way. Trier Mayor Wolfram Leibe added, It was a conscious act to bring Karl Marx into the city, so that we dont have to hide him. Local officials also expressed hope that the statue will increase Chinese tourism to the city, which does a healthy business selling socialist souvenirs, including appropriately enough the face of Marx emblazoned on a zero euro bill. Dreyer called the present from China a pillar and a bridge for our partnership with the PRC. Why did China bestow this gift? On Friday, Chinese President Xi Jinping said the gift should declare our firm belief in the scientific truth of Marxism and acclaim Marx as the number one thinker of the millennium or, in case that were too modest, the greatest thinker in the history of mankind. (President Jinping may wish to review his nations condition when Beijings economic party line hewed closer to the scientific truth of Marxism.) Others see the gift as a symbolic projection of Chinese power into central Europe. One popular interpretation, summarized by Zhu Dake of Shanghais Tongji University, is that sending the statue is tantamount to sending his ideas back to try to reignite the spark of revolution. Where does Marx stand in the contemporary West? With the receding memory of Communism, Marx has enjoyed growing popularity, especially since the Great Recession of a decade ago. In the UK, he has been hailed by everyone from UK Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn; to the partys Shadow Chancellor of the Exchequer, John McDonnell; and the governor of the Bank of England, Mark Carney. In the United States last Monday, the New York Times published an op-ed titled, Happy Birthday, Karl Marx. You Were Right! How would a disinterested observer evaluate Marxism? Every other idea is judged by its necessarily crude, incomplete and imperfect real-world approximations, warts and all, Kristian Niemietz of the Institute of Economic Affairs in London (where Marx is buried) wrote in CapX. Only Marxism has the luxury of being judged purely as a set of ideas, which something as mundane as real-world experience could never blemish. Aside from Marxisms history of mass murder and genocide in every nation where it has been implemented thus far, the ideology is a proven failure, as Niemietz has documented in one nation after another. How should people of faith view Karl Marx? Marx propounded a fully materialist conception of the human race, where even a persons thoughts were determined by membership in a socioeconomic class. That, coupled with his advocacy for violence and terror, should disqualify Karl Marx from the support of any Christian. (For Roman Catholic readers, Pope Pius XI wrote that the mission of the Vatican is to defend truth, justice and all those eternal values which Communism ignores or attacks in his 1937 encyclical Divini Redemptoris.) The full text of the letter to Juncker by European free-market think tank leaders, in English and its original Spanish, is as follows: Mr Jean-Claude Juncker, President of the Commission of the European Union, Brussels May 3rd 2018 Dear Mr President, I am writing to you on behalf of the undersigned organizations, gathering European citizens in several EU member states. Our think tanks, foundations, and associations promote civil liberties and economic freedom across our continent. We find it both deeply worrisome and outrageous to learn that, on behalf of the Commission, you are planning to attend the 200th Birth Anniversary of Karl Marx in the city of Treveris [Trier] on May 5th. As defenders of individual liberty, we consider this event to be cruel and disrespectful towards millions of European Union citizens who suffered communist dictatorships for over half-a-century. We remind you that even today there are still many countries in the world where the population suffers from the ideological abomination created by Karl Marx. More than 100 million people died as a direct consequence of communism in the past century all over the world. A president of the European Commission is not allowed to forget this when acting on behalf of the European Union and representing all of its citizens. Entire societies in the eastern part of Europe were starved, exploited and denied basic human rights, even to the extent of systematically forcing children out of school to work in the fields every year. We know that the president of the European Commission would certainly refuse to participate in an anniversary of the Nazi ideologue Alfred Rosenberg. We call upon you to reflect on this and cancel your participation in the Karl Marx anniversary event, in order to avoid celebrating the single highest intellectual contributor to the tyrannical regimes that destroyed entire societies, in our continent and worldwide. On the contrary, it is today more necessary than ever to debunk Karl Marxs wrong theories. We also request you to make a formal apology to the victims of communism for this mistake. Roxana Nicula, Chairperson, Foundation for the Advancement of Liberty (Spain) Tomasz Wroblewski, President Warsaw Enterprise Institute (Poland) John Suarez Free Cuba Foundation Version en Espanol A la atencion del sr. D. Jean-Claude Juncker, Presidente de la Comision Europea de la Union Europea, Bruselas 3 de mayo de 2018 Estimado Sr. Presidente, Le estoy escribiendo esta carta en representacion de varias organizaciones formadas por ciudadanos europeos de diferentes paises miembros de la Union Europea. Nuestras instituciones y think tanks promueven las libertades civiles y economicas en todo el continente. Nos preocupa y a la vez nos produce horror el hecho de que, en nombre de la Comision Europea, Ud tiene planeado participar en la inauguracion de las fiestas del 200 Aniversario de Karl Marx en la ciudad de Treveris el 5 de mayo. Como defensores de la libertad individual, consideramos este evento como algo cruel y falto de respecto hacia millones de ciudadanos de la Union Europea que sufrieron la dictadura comunista durante mas de medio siglo. Deseoamos recordarle que a dia de hoy, todavia hay muchos paises en el mundo donde la poblacion esta sufriendo la abominacion ideologica creada por Karl Marx. Mas de cien millones de personas murieron en el mundo como consecuencia directa del comunismo en el pasado siglo. Un presidente de la Comision Europea no puede permitirse olvidar estos hechos cuando actua en nombre de la Union Europea y representa a todos sus ciudadanos. Sociedades enteras en el Este de Europa sufrieron hambrunas, fueron explotadas y los Derechos Humanos basicos de sus integrantes violados hasta extremos en que los Estados comunistas llevaban por la fuerza y de forma sistematica a realizar las labores del campo a los ninos en cada comienzo de curso escolar y parte de las vacaciones de verano cada ano. Sabemos que el presidente de la Comision Europea rechazaria participar en un aniversario del ideologo del nazismo, Alfred Rosenberg. Por ello, le pedimos que piense nuevamente lo que implica su participacion en el aniversario del ideologo del comunismo, Karl Marx y cancele su viaje. Ello evitara la celebracion del mayor contribuyente intelectual a los regimenes tiranicos que destruyeron sociedades enteras en nuestro continente y en el mundo entero. Hoy es mas necesario que nunca desenmascarar las teorias equivocadas de Karl Marx, y ademas le exijimos una disculpa formal por este error a las victimas del comunismo. Roxana Nicula, Presidenta, Fundacion para el Avance de la Libertad (Espana) Tomasz Wroblewski, Presidente Warsaw Enterprise Institute (Poland) Gia Jandieri, Vice-President New Economic School Georgia (GE) John Suarez, Free Cuba Foundation Mate Hajba, Director Free Market Foundation (Hungary) (Photo credit: Jan Maximilian Gerlach. This photo has been cropped. CC BY-SA 2.0.) FILE - In this March 21, 2016, file photo, New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman speaks at a new conference in New York. Schneiderman resigned from office after several women accused him of violently slapping and choking them. They say the abuse happened during romantic encounters, and that they were also verbally abused and threatened. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig, File) In this photo released by official website of the office of the Iranian Presidency, President Hassan Rouhani addresses the nation in a televised speech in Tehran, Iran, Tuesday, May 8, 2018. Iranian President Hassan Rouhani said Tuesday he'd send his foreign minister to negotiate with countries remaining in the nuclear deal after Donald Trump's decision to pull America from the deal, warning he otherwise would restart enriching uranium "in the next weeks." (Iranian Presidency Office via AP) In our climate of heightened racial tensions, many evangelicals have sought to openly affirm human dignity and join the fight against racial injustice. For a recent example, one can look to the ERLCs recent event on the 50th anniversary of Martin Luther King Jr.s death, during which 4,000 evangelicals joined together to reflect on the state of racial unity in the church and the culture. Yet amid such efforts, weve also seen a range of critiques from progressive evangelicals, claiming that the pro-life ethics of evangelical conservatives stand in stark opposition to the priorities of racial justice. Such claims target a broad range of conservative positionsfrom economic justice to educational freedom to basic law and orderbut their weaknesses become clearest in their attacks on opponents of abortion. In an essay at Public Discourse, Hunter Baker exposes the biggest cracks, arguing that a true and consistent Christian vision of the human person is, indeed, pro-life across the spectrum of social issues and debatesfrom protecting the life and affirming the dignity of the unborn to doing the same for those suffering from racial oppression. If an unborn child is wanted, then he or she has status and protection. If the same child is not desired by its mother, then she and the health care apparatus have the same godlike dominion once extended by the owner of chattel slaves, Baker writes. In fact, the unfortunate unborn life now disposed of may also become an object of commerce in various waysThe two struggles are against the same enemy. The struggle against racism is directed against dehumanization, and so is the fight against abortion. These are not competing issues or positions; they are intricately linked together in both their underlying causes and overarching solutions. As Baker explains, each requires a concerted fight against the same enemy. The fight for the lives of the unborn has been part of the fight against the dehumanization and disposability of human beings. It is not part of some competition within that movement. Those who fight for life and against racism fight for the same thing. For some reason, it is considered a trifle that pro-lifers vigorously seek to protect the large populations of minority unborn children in danger of abortion and that many cross-racial public policy alliances occur for exactly that reason. Planned Parenthood has its own complicated racial legacy. It remains the case, as some have noted, that the most dangerous place for a black child to be in the United States is in the womb. In addition, we should not underrate the extent to which the pro-life movement bridged the enormous rift between Catholics and Protestants. Anyone over fifty-five or so can attest to the monstrous slanders to which many Catholics were subjected before the two communities reached a greater appreciation of what they have in common via the pro-life movement. (My own mother was asked whether Catholic brides had to sleep with a priest on their wedding night. We can also remember the Catholic Churchs frequent characterization as the whore of Babylon.) The love for John Paul II among Protestants had much to do with the leadership and moral authority he and Mother Teresa exercised on behalf of the cause of life. In both cases, we see struggles against legal regimes and cultural movements that seek to institutionalize particular forms of dehumanization. These arent the only issues and areas where we see clear common cause in the defense of human life, dignity, and freedom, but if we cant recognize it here, were bound to be blind to the same struggles elsewhere. Racism is a sin. Abortion is a sin, Baker concludes. Both deny human dignity. Both degrade a being made in the image and likeness of God. We must combat both. Image: James McNellis, At the 2017 March for Life (CC BY 2.0) Doug Britton, 71, feeds gasoline to a water pump on Tuesday, May 8, 2018 at his home in Quispamsis, N.B. on the Kennebecasis River, near a hot tub that floated away from underneath his deck. Britton estimates the water level is roughly three meters higher than usual. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Aly Thomson The sky was the limit as Our Lady of Sorrows Catholic School celebrated its 10th annual Ultimate Author Day! Recently, the school hosted Ultimate Author Day with the theme "Oh, the Places We Will Go!" Aerospace Corporation Principal Scientist and Astronaut Dr. Lawrence James DeLucas was this year's speaker. He kicked off this fun and educational event with an assembly in the Family Life Center. "We were so excited to have DeLucas as our keynote speaker for our 10th anniversary of Ultimate Author Day," said OLS Principal Mary Jane Dorn. "His amazing accomplishments are such an inspiration for our students and our staff." DeLucas is the first-civilian NASA scientist-astronaut and is internationally known for his work. He has a long history of exceptional accomplishments and has won a number of awards including The Sunday Times of London's top 18 scientists predicted to make a major impact on the 21st century; induction into the National Optometry Hall of Fame" NASA's Public Service Medal, and Brazil's "Order of the Rio Branco." (https://www.bhamwiki.com/w/Larry_DeLucas). During the assembly, he shared his experiences with the students through amazing pictures and videos, as he gave inspirational advice to aim high, work hard, and persevere. He intertwined his personal story of how he was selected to travel to space and all the work that was involved in getting to that point, as he proved that even the sky is not the limit when you are determined to achieve your goals. Ultimate Author Day honors each student in grades Wee-K3 through 8th as an accomplished author. Having worked diligently throughout the school year to write, illustrate, and publish their own book or another form of written medium, the school provided an entertaining and informational day for the students. A variety of invited professionals shared their expertise and experiences with the students in breakout sessions, workshops, and special performances. All of the children's books were on in the school library. Cindy Westbrook, OLS kindergarten teacher and Chair of Ultimate Author Day, said, "This year's theme told the story of ten years of student writing and exposure to various forms of language expression - 'Oh the Places We Will Go.' Through the hundreds of dynamic and insightful local, state, and national guests who have shared their expertise with OLS students, we know that our children are achieving beyond measure, realizing their potential, and feel empowered as writers. With our loving and supportive families, the faith-based, safe, and high academic standards of OLS, our students' opportunities to succeed are out of this world!!" Some of the many professionals and authors who attended Ultimate Author Day include: * PATTI CALLAHAN HENRY - New York Times bestselling author. Ms. Henry has written 13 novels. (https://www.patticallahanhenry.com/) * GINNY PHILLIPS ASHE - Award-Winning Author of five novels. Recipient of the 2009 Barnes & Noble Discover Award for her book The Well and the Mine. Her work has been sold in 29 countries. Her latest novel is Fierce Kingdom. (https://ginphillips.com/) * MIKE HALE - Sheriff of Jefferson County. (https://jeffcosheriff.net/about-us/meet-sheriff-mike-hale/) * DR. JOHN LOWMAN - UAB Associate Professor in the Department of Physical Therapy. (https://www.uab.edu/shp/pt/rsphd/phdfaculty/20-facultyandstaff/phd-faculty/67-john-lowman) * DR. JENNIFER RAY - University of Montevallo Technology Professor. Recipient of the Montevallo 2017 Adjunct Teaching Award. * JANICE NELSON - Catholic Author of children's books Rhyme Time, and Stations of the Cross with an Examination of Conscience. * JARED DANKS - Chef, Teacher, and Program Director at Virginia College. He has appeared several times on Food TV. (https://www.culinard.com/locations/birmingham/) * MIKA THORNTON - Missionary to Uganda, and President of Tendo Ministries. (http://tendoministries.com/) * LAURA TUCKER - Homewood Public Library storyteller. * MISSY LITTON - Local artist. http://www.missymlitton.com/about/ * MELVIN UPCHURCH - CPA, Real Estate Broker, Entrepreneur. * ANGIE WAGNER - Rehabilitation specialist for the visually impaired (Angie herself is legally blind). * JOHN SCALICI - Award-winning teaching artist, internationally recognized drum circle facilitator, musician, author, and speaker (http://www.johnscalicimusic.com/) * and much more ... Our Lady of Sorrows Catholic School fosters the religious, academic, and social development of every child, recognizing that knowledge enlightened by faith and realized through service is at the heart of Catholic education. To learn more about Our Lady of Sorrows Catholic School, visit olsschool.com. The team from Charity Navigator, the nation's largest independent charity evaluator and leading donor advocate, shares their thoughts on emerging nonprofit-sector issues and offers tips to better inform your intelligent giving decisions. Return to Main Site | Find a Charity | Receive Email Updates | Support Charity Navigator Berikut beberapa tips bermain togel singapore.. Jika Anda adalah pemain lotre pertama yang menemukan trik untuk melakukan lotre di Singapura, berikut adalah beberapa trik paling populer. Karena ada bandar taruhan online, bermain game lotere jauh lebih berpengalaman. Taruhan taruhan online adalah layanan perjudian virtual. Bermain permainan togel melalui layanan taruhan online memiliki banyak fitur. Ini dimulai dengan mudah, nyaman, mudah, nyaman, dan nyaman. Jadi, pemain Indonesia sekarang bermain lotere secara online. Anda dapat mendengar suara bermain lotere dengan kontrak online. Yang harus Anda lakukan adalah mendaftar dan setoran Anda akan dimulai. 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Anda dapat melakukan trik, bermain, bermain, dan berdagang lotere di Singapura. SPRINGFIELD, Ore. -- An on-duty taxi driver was arrested for a DUII near the I-105 Westbound on-ramp from Mohawk Boulevard early Monday morning. Police said around 2 a.m., the 61-year-old John Nate Jelley of Eugene was spotted on Mohawk Boulevard driving an Oregon Taxi with no headlights or taillights. Police say he had a customer in the car at the time he was pulled over. Police said they could smell the odor of marijuana in the car. They also found a marijuana bud and concentrated marijuana oil in the car. Additionally, they said Jelley failed a sobriety test he voluntarily performed. "Unlucky for the driver, the officer that stopped him was the municipal DUII enforcement officer of the year," Sgt. Brian Humphreys, with the Springfield Police Department, said. "He was just awarded that a couple of days ago. So he is very very good at his job. He conducted an investigation upon the signs of impairment he was observing, and ultimately he arrested the driver of the taxi cab for DUII." Police said Jelley initially started his taxi fare in downtown Springfield, so he had already driven a few miles before he was pulled over. "As he was asked to step out and take field sobriety tests, he did ask the officer if he could radio for another cab," Sgt. Humphreys said. "He was granted that request and did so. Another cab arrived a short time later to take that young lady home." Jelley is facing charges of DUII and reckless driving. KEZI 9 News reached out to the Oregon Taxi Company for comment, but they have not responded. CORVALLIS, Ore. -- As people in Hawaii continue to evacuate their homes, we wanted to know if any volcanoes in Oregon could do similar damage. Massive mounds of lava are rolling up streets and swallowing cars in the southeastern part of the Big Island. It has destroyed more than 30 homes and has forced 1,800 people to evacuate their homes. Experts said the eruptions, and the hundreds of earthquakes that have hit that area over the past week, could continue for days, weeks or even months. KEZI spoke to Adam Kent who is a volcanologist and professor at Oregon State University. He said the last large eruption that happened in Oregon was more than 200 years ago. Kent said Oregon has a variety of volcanoes with most of them located in central Oregon. The volcanoes here are steeper sided than the ones in Hawaii which are rounder. Since they are steeper in Oregon, he believes the lava wouldn't flow as far as it does in Hawaii if they were to erupt. However, he said volcanoes are very unpredictable. "We could get a range of things going from something like Mt. St. Helens in 1980 which produced an eruption that threw a lot of magma in the air, then that ash sort of dispersed a long way, said Kent. But we could also get an eruption a lot more like in Hawaii over the weekend which is sort of runnier magma that would come out of the ground and flow long distances." He said the Kilauea volcano has been erupting on and off for the last several decades. Kent said the next large eruption in Oregon probably wont happen for hundreds if not thousands of years. EUGENE, Ore. Mandy is a sweet Labrador retriever mix who could live with most families. This dog is a favorite with Greenhill Humane Society volunteers because she loves everybody and just wants to be petted by everyone she meets. She could live with children of any age. She could also go to a home with another mellow dog or a cat. She readily got into the car and was calm and quiet on her way to KEZI to appear on the Midday newscast as Pet of the Week. She enjoys going for walks and cuddling. Mandy is 8 years old and has a good energy level. She weighs 78 pounds. Her adoption fee is $85, which includes which includes the cost of vaccinations, microchip identification, spaying or neutering, a certificate for a free veterinary exam and more. Every Tuesday, Greenhill Humane Society showcases homeless pets on KEZI 9 News Midday at 11 a.m. If you are interested in Mandy or any other animals at Greenhill Humane Society, call 541-689-1503 or click here. To ensure a good match is made, potential adopters must go to Greenhill in person to meet with the animal and kennel staff. All family members should be present to ensure the dog is compatible with everyone in the household. Greenhill Humane Society is located at 88530 Green Hill Road. The phone number is (541) 689-1503. Greenhill hours are Friday through Tuesday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. It is closed Wednesday and Thursday. First Avenue Shelter is located at 3970 W. First Avenue in Eugene. The phone number is (541) 844-1777. Its hours are Tuesday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. It is closed Sunday and Monday. ROSEBURG, Ore. An attack on the computer system in the Roseburg School District has left them without email or a website. The district is working to get it back up and running with as little disruption as possible. The website was still down as of Monday evening. School officials said they realized Monday morning their computer system was infected by a computer ransomware attack. It also froze access to their business and accounting software. The district isnt releasing specific details about the demands of the ransomware. They dont believe the personal information of students or staff was stolen. YONCALLA, Ore. A Yoncalla couple is without a home after a fire destroyed their single-wide trailer Monday afternoon. Fire officials said they were called to Williams Road around 3:15 p.m. after kids playing outside saw the trailers car port on fire. Crews sprayed the surrounding homes to prevent the fire from spreading any further. Several propane tanks caught on fire, but no explosions were reported. Fire officials said the homeowner went to Drain just before noon, and the fire started while he was gone. The Red Cross is now assisting the couple. The cause of the fire is still under investigation. PASCAGOULA, Mississippi -- Ingalls Shipbuilding celebrated the start of fabrication of its latest Arleigh Burke-class destroyer, the Jack H. Lucas (DDG 125), on Monday. The start of fabrication is one of the milestones in the construction of a ship and signifies the first 100 tons of steel have been cut. "The start of fabrication on a new destroyer is always exciting," said George Nungesser, DDG 51 program manager. "DDG 125 is no exception. Our shipbuilders have delivered 30 of these ships to the U.S. Navy and back-to-back building has allowed them to gain experience and talent that is unmatched in our industry. "They are eager to use their skillset to incorporate the Navy's Flight III modifications into DDG 125 and provide the Navy with yet another state-of-the-art ship." The Jack H. Lucas will be the first in the Arleigh Burke-class of destroyers to feature "Flight III" technology, which incorporates a new Advanced Missile Defense Radar (AMDR) system, replacing the existing SPY-1 radar on previous DDG 51 ships. DDG 125 is named in honor of U.S. Marine Capt. Jack H. Lucas, who at the age of 14 forged his mother's signature on enlistment papers to join the Marine Corps during World War II. Lucas turned 17 five days before the U.S. invasion of Iwo Jima and stowed away on the USS Deuel in order to fight in the invasion. During a firefight with Japanese forces, two hand-grenades were thrown into a U.S. trench. Lucas threw himself on one grenade and pulled the other under his body. Miraculously, one grenade did not detonate, while the other exploded, but only injured Lucas. His action saved the lives of three fellow Marines and earned Lucas the U.S. Congressional Medal of Honor. He is the youngest Marine ever to win the Medal of Honor and the youngest of any branch of service to do so during WWII. Lucas' namesake ship is the fifth of five Arleigh Burke-class destroyers for which Ingalls was awarded a contract in June 2013. The five-ship contract allows Ingalls to construct the warships more efficiently by buying material in bulk and moving the workforce from ship to ship. Ingalls has delivered 30 Arleigh Burke-class destroyers to the U.S. Navy. Other destroyers currently under construction at Ingalls include the Paul Ignatius (DDG 117), Delbert D. Black (DDG 119) Frank E. Petersen Jr. (DDG 121) and Lenah H. Sutcliffe Higbee (DDG 123). CHARLES CITY, Iowa Three Floyd County burglars have been given probation. Jeremie Jay Clay, 39 of Charles city, Alea Marie Slessor, 22 of Clear Lake, and Dylan Leroy Meister, 21 of Clear Lake, were accused of stealing thousands of dollars worth of items from a house, barn, and a metal shed in the 1300 block of March Avenue during the summer of 2017. Clay and Meister pleaded guilty to 3rd degree burglary and 2nd degree theft. Slessor entered a guilty plea to 3rd degree theft. All three received three years of probation and must pay $16,039 in restitution. KIMT NEWS 3 Area teens are coming together to raise money for people who need it. Teens in Clear Lake make up Project Hope. On Sunday, they had a rummage sale to raise money for homeless shelters in North Iowa. All of the items they sold were donated from community members. These young organizers hope their actions not only make a difference, but send a message. Giving hope to everyone, Alaina Dodd, a freshman at Clear Lake, said, and trying to inspire people to do more in their community, help out. If you missed the sale, theyll be having it again on Sat., May 12 from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. at the old Gift World store in Southbridge Mall. MASON CITY, Iowa - Absentee ballots can now be cast for primary elections in Iowa, but while thats happening what plans are in place to keep your vote safe? Many sit in voter booths at our voting precinct and hope our vote counts. In terms of election integrity, that's a very, very hard thing to disrupt. Iowa still uses a paper system. We have machines that count the votes, we have paper record, we keep those paper ballots, Riley Dirksen said. Dirksen, Cerro Gordo County's Auditor, explains there are two major things auditors like himself along with the secretary of state keep safe: the election system itself and your voter registration information, like your date of birth and drivers license information. We do that by using encrypted flash drives. If we need to transfer data to one network to another, strong password, the secretary of state voter registration system is making a bunch of new security sensors, Dirksen said. Another thing Dirksen says you need to realize is Iowa's voting system has yet to be hacked. While the site is scanned nearly daily by those wanting our information, which they would classify as an attack, the information is yet to be stolen. It's very important that people maintain faith in their elections, so even if the risk is low, that confidence level is so important to know that we're doing everything we can to make sure their vote counts, their vote gets counted correctly, Dirksen said. One way to keep your information safe is do not take a photo of your ballot. HAMPTON, Iowa - Hampton residents are safe after a concerning two hours. Around 1:15 Monday afternoon, a call came into dispatch about a suspicious item in the front lobby of the Hampton post office. Within a half hour, residents and businesses, including the Franklin County Courthouse, were evacuated within a 2-block radius of the post office, and Highway 3 was diverted around the area. Around 2:30 p.m., an alert was sent to Hampton residents, telling them to avoid the radius. The Hampton-Dumont School District also posted on social media, saying that police had asked that buses taking children to that area of town be re-routed. At 3:29 p.m., the all-clear was given for people to return to their homes, and the security perimeter was taken down. As of now, police are not releasing any information about the package that prompted the threat. The postal inspector and fire marshall are investigating the situation. After today, resident Doris Beer, who lives in the Parkway Apartments across from the post office, knows she can count on her community to come together in hard situations. "There was a couple of the gals in the apartment building that came and checked on me after I got back to see if I was OK, which is very nice of them. I think that I found out that we kinda of look after each other," Beer says. The Hampton Police Department was assisted by the Franklin County Sherriffs Office, Iowa State Patrol, Iowa DNR, Iowa DOT, U.S. Postal Inspector, State of Iowa Fire Marshall, Sheffield Police Department, City of Hampton Public Works, Hampton Fire Department, Franklin County EMA, Franklin General Ambulance, and North Iowa Public Transit. CRESCO, Iowa- We are learning more information regarding a Howard-Winneshiek School District employee who is accused of sexual activity with a student. Tiffany Ranweiler-Oblander was a high school/middle school teacher in the school district. She was arrested last week after police believe she had sex with a student and has been placed on administrative leave. It's a toplic that many in the town of Cresco are still talking about. I was shocked, you dont think a teacher would do that kind of thing, said Amanda Roe. This town will have rumors no matter what, said Mike McGuire, of Cresco. Roe has two kids in the school district as well as a younger sister. Its disappointing and kind of scary, he said. Teachers are supposed to help our children and support them, and they arent supposed to do this. Police say they obtained a cell phone belonging to a student who is 18 and determined Ranweiler-Oblander and the student engaged in sex acts at least four times at the students house. While Roe said the situation worries her, Mike McGuire said theres no reason for concern. He was 18 years of age and I understand its an ethical (thing) but he was of age, he said. I dont think she should be allowed at the school or anything, but I dont know what the laws are as far as criminality. While McGuire and Roe disagree wuth the outcome of the situation, they both like the way the school handled it. One of my kids is in elementary school, they sent a mass email to all the parent and they had it so everybody could read it, said Roe. They heard about. They contacted the police department and they investigated, said McGuire. One Monday the school district released this statement: Statement from the Howard-Winneshiek Community School District "On Monday, April 30, the Howard-Winneshiek Community School District was notified that a secondary teacher had allegedly engaged in professionally inappropriate conduct. The conduct in question would violate both the districts school board policy and the Iowa Code of Professional Conduct and Ethics. The individual in question has been placed on administrative leave and will be prohibited from entering school grounds indefinitely. Local law enforcement officials are now conducting an investigation. The Howard-Winneshiek Community School Districts top priority is the safety and well-being of our students and staff. We will continue to work cooperatively with local law enforcement officials as they conduct their investigation. While we cannot share any further information at this time due to privacy concerns, we will continue to update our school community as we are able in the coming days." A move that is putting parents such as Roe at ease. You dont think something like this could happen, but I guess things can happen anywhere, she said. STARKVILLE, Mississippi -- It's been four years since Mississippi State University and Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College announced a partnership to bring an affordable means of earning an Engineering degree through their joint "Engineering on the Coast" program. This week, the first graduating class of that program will receive their degrees. All six graduates majored in Mechanical Engineering: Tyler S. Quave and Timothy R. Wilson of Ocean Springs; Jonathan W. Massaro and Cassidy E. Voelkel of Pascagoula; Richard A. "Rikki" Pribanic of Lucedale; and Tedd R. Dixon of D'Iberville. "In summer 2014, we laid out a vision to deliver Mississippi State University engineering degrees on the Mississippi Gulf Coast," said Jason M. Keith, Dean of MSU's Bagley College of Engineering. "We are proud to have brought that vision to reality with our first cohort of graduates in mechanical engineering." The program allows students to complete a two-year Associates degree in Science from MGCCC before moving on to either Electrical or Mechanical Engineering programs through MSU. The classes are offered through the Bagley College of Engineering either on campus at MGCCC's Jackson County campus in Gautier and/or online from MSU"s Starkville campus. "Without questions, this is all about creating unique opportunities for students, for businesses and for the Mississippi Gulf Coast," said MSU Provost and Executive Vice President Judy Bonner. MGCCC President Mary Graham also praised the success of the program, noting that the six initial graduates "demonstrate how successful a partnership like this one can be for MGCCC students, residents of south Mississippi and MSU's Engineering program. "It is always exciting to see our students further their education and career opportunities," Graham added. "The program's continued growth and expansion will allow our students access to degrees in high-demand, high-paying jobs." One of the graduates, Tyler Quave, acknowledged the benefits of the small class sizes and being able to remain close to home. "The class sizes at MGCCC have been small, so I've really gotten to know my teachers and other students pretty well," he said. "Working with people every day has made a big difference. We all had to come together as a team to solve problems, and that's the No. 1 thing you need to know how to do on the job." Keith added that support from Mississippi Power Co., Chevron and International Paper "helped us initiate these programs and construct state-of-the-art teaching laboratories for our students." The National Science Foundation ranks MSU in the top 10 percent nationally for engineering expenditures in research and development. U.S. News & World Report ranks Mississippi State's undergraduate and graduate programs in the top 100 nationwide. The Bagley College offers degree programs in eight different academic engineering departments and 10 certificate programs. For more on the Bagley College of Engineering and Engineering on the Coast program, visit www.bagley.msstate.edu/coast. KIMT NEWS 3 Sunday is a day to celebrate the past in North Iowa. Thats because the Kinney Pioneer Museum had its 50th Anniversary. The museum is full of local treasures dating back decades. Mildred Evans lives in Mason City and said theres lessons that come from museums like this one. There's so many things with progress and that, you lose sight of a lot of the good stuff that we've had, Evans said, and so I think it's really something that most people appreciate. I know I do. The museum is open Tuesday through Sunday from 1:00 to 5:00 p.m. ROCHESTER, Minn.- Minnesota is making it illegal for pet owners to claim their pet as a service animal without proper training. Last month, Gov. Mark Dayton signed a bill into law saying if someone misrepresented their pet as a service animal they can be fined up to $100. Lawmakers say this bill is helping those who are disabled and need service animals. Dozens of other states have passed or are considering a similar bill. This new law goes into effect August 1. ROCHESTER, Minn. - As the nation continues to struggle with the opioid epidemic, Narcan is being more widely used. It's a life-saving drug that reverses the effects of an opioid overdose. Mayo Clinic Gold Cross in Rochester has experienced a spike in the need for the drug. In all of 2016, they administered 88 doses of Narcan and to date in 2018, they have administered 49. Gold Cross Operations Manager, Michael Juntunen, said the use of Narcan has climbed substantially. In 2017, paramedics gave out 108 doses. Juntenen told KIMT his biggest concern is that people in need of the drug won't call 911 for help, because they are fearful of going to jail. "We don't have to report things like illegal narcotics. So when we get there we want to know what that person has taken so we can help them and make that situation better," explained Juntunen. Gold Cross Paramedics are able to administer Narcan through the use of an IV. It allows the drug to hit the bloodstream much faster than a nasal spray and in a more controlled dosage. KIMT spoke to Mason City Fire Department's Deputy Chief who said they have also seen a spike in their numbers. To date they have given 16 doses of Narcan. In years prior Mason City Fire Department administered the following doses: 21 doses - 2015 17 doses - 2016 30 doses - 2017. OSAGE, Iowa A St. Ansgar man charged in connection with a deadly crash is pleading not guilty. Justin William Slaichert, 22, is accused of supplying alcohol to someone under the legal age, resulting in death. His trial is set to begin July 18 in Mitchell County District Court. Authorities say Slaichert provided alcohol to Hannah Nichole Pfeifer, 19, before she drove off the road on January 6 and died after hitting a tree near the intersection of Highway 105 and Grain Millers Drive in St. Ansgar. Law enforcement says Pfeifer had a blood alcohol content over twice the legal limit at the time of the crash. Court documents state Pfeifer had been drinking at the Carpenter Community Center before the crash and that Slaichert, Pfeifers boyfriend, admitted to buying her three beers. WASHINGTON (AP) President Donald Trump is set to reveal his decision on whether to keep the U.S. in the Iran deal on Tuesday, a move that could determine the fate of the 2015 agreement that froze Iran's nuclear program. The announcement is set to cap more than a year of deliberation and negotiation that has at time pitted Trump against some of his closest aides and key American allies. Trump is facing a self-imposed May 12 deadline over whether to uphold the 2015 nuclear agreement, which he long has criticized. The president has signaled he will pull out of the pact by the deadline unless it is revised, but he faces intense pressure from European allies not to do so. "I will be announcing my decision on the Iran Deal tomorrow from the White House at 2:00pm," Trump tweeted Monday. The president has been the subject of an intense lobbying effort by American allies to maintain the agreement, with British Foreign Minister Boris Johnson making a last-ditch appeal to the administration in a visit to Washington this week. European leaders say that they are open to negotiating a side agreement with Iran, but the existing framework must remain untouched for that to happen. It is not immediately clear what Trump will announce Tuesday or whether he will announce the end of the deal or push for a renegotiation. Trump in October "decertified" the deal with Iran, but did not move to re-impose sanctions, known as a "snap-back." On Monday, Iranian President Hassan Rouhani said Iran would be willing not to abandon the nuclear deal even if the United States pulls out, providing the European Union offers guarantees that Iran would keep benefiting from the accord. Rouhani said that "what we want for the deal is that it's preserved and guaranteed by the non-Americans" a reference to other signatories of the 2015 agreement. U.S. officials and European allies share the conclusion that the deal, known formally as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), has halted Iran's development of nuclear weapons. Trump has objected to a sunset provision that would allow Iran to restart some nuclear development in 2025. Supporters of the deal argue that withdrawing from the JCPOA would undermine Trump's push for North Korea, which has a far more advanced nuclear program than ever possessed by Iran, to denuclearize. Trump is planning on meeting with North Korea's Kim Jong Un within the next month. Earlier Monday, Trump criticized John Kerry after reports that the former secretary of state has been promoting the Iran nuclear deal. Trump said on Twitter: "The United States does not need John Kerry's possibly illegal Shadow Diplomacy on the very badly negotiated Iran Deal. He was the one that created this MESS in the first place!" Kerry, who was also the lead negotiators for the Obama administration on the Paris climate accord, has been promoting both agreements since he left office. The Boston Globe reported Friday that Kerry, the lead negotiator on the deal for the Obama administration, had been privately meeting with foreign officials to strategize on how to keep the U.S. in the deal. Kerry has met with Iran's Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif. At least one of their meetings was at a June 2017 public event in Oslo, Norway, where they sat on the same panel with EU foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini and extolled the virtues of the nuclear deal. Kerry, a keen environmentalist who regularly derided climate change skeptics and championed ocean health while secretary of state, has also continued to speak out on those issues since becoming a private citizen. Last week at an event in Dallas, Trump mocked Kerry over a bicycle accident he had three years ago. WASHINGTON (AP) President Donald Trump announced Tuesday the U.S. will pull out of the landmark nuclear accord with Iran, dealing a profound blow to U.S. allies and potentially deepening the president's isolation on the world stage. "The United States does not make empty threats," he said in a televised address. Trump's decision means Iran's government must now decide whether to follow the U.S. and withdraw or try to salvage what's left of the deal. Iran has offered conflicting statements about what it may do and the answer may depend on exactly how Trump exits the agreement. Trump said he would move to re-impose all sanctions on Iran that had been lifted under the 2015 deal, not just the ones facing an immediate deadline. This had become known informally as the "nuclear option" because of the near-certainty that such a move would scuttle the deal. Senator Jon Ernst of Iowa issued the following statement about the President's decision: I have stated time and time again that the loophole-ridden JCPOA did not go far enough in its efforts to permanently dismantle Irans nuclear program. The agreement, negotiated by then-President Obama, lacks basic oversight and enforcement, and allows a dishonest Iran to continue its destabilizing activity and potentially restart its nuclear weapons program at the sunset of the JCPOA. Iran continues to pose a serious threat, not only on the global stage as they are allowed to advance their unfettered ballistic missile capacities, but also in the Middle East. We know that Iran continues to support and finance terrorist organization proxies that destabilize the region, endangering American servicemembers and our partners. I am encouraged by the Presidents decision to withdraw from the JCPOA today, and have full confidence that the President and Secretary Pompeo will work with Congress to develop a comprehensive strategy that permanently addresses the threat that a nuclear-capable Iran poses to U.S. and international security." Supporters of fixing the agreement had hoped Trump would choose a piecemeal approach that could leave more room for him to reverse himself and stay in the deal if he could secure the additional restrictions that European nations tried unsuccessfully to negotiate with him. Still, the administration planned to allow a grace period of at least three months and possibly up to six months so that businesses and governments can wind down operations that will violate the re-imposed U.S. sanctions. A slower withdrawal process could allow more room for Trump to reverse course later and decide to stay if he secures the additional restrictions on Iran that European nations tried unsuccessfully to negotiate to prevent him from withdrawing. Indeed, as administration officials briefed congressional leaders about Trump's plans Tuesday, they emphasized that just as with a major Asia trade deal and the Paris climate pact that Trump has abandoned, he remains open to renegotiating a better deal, one person briefed on the talks said. The agreement, struck in 2015 by the United States, other world powers and Iran, lifted most U.S. and international sanctions against the country. In return, Iran agreed to restrictions on its nuclear program making it impossible to produce a bomb, along with rigorous inspections. In a burst of last-minute diplomacy, punctuated by a visit by Britain's top diplomat, the deal's European members gave in to many of Trump's demands, according to officials, diplomats and others briefed on the negotiations. Yet they still left convinced he was likely to re-impose sanctions. Macron was to have a conference call with British Prime Minister Theresa May and German Chancellor Angela Merkel about half an hour before Trump's announcement. Trump spoke with French President Emmanuel Macron and Chinese leader Xi Jinping about his decision Tuesday. Macron vigorously supports the deal and tried to persuade Trump to stay committed to it during a visit to Washington last month. The British Foreign Secretary traveled to Washington this week to make a last-minute pitch to the U.S. to remain in the deal, according to a senior British diplomat. The diplomat, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the British objective will remain to uphold and maintain the deal. Hours before the announcement, European countries met to underline their support for the agreement. Senior officials from Britain, France and Germany met in Brussels with Iran's Deputy Foreign Minister for Political Affairs, Abbas Araghchi. If the deal collapses, Iran would be free to resume prohibited enrichment activities, while businesses and banks doing business with Iran would have to scramble to extricate themselves or run afoul of the U.S. American officials were dusting off plans for how to sell a pullout to the public and explain its complex financial ramifications, said U.S. officials and others, who weren't authorized to speak ahead of an announcement and requested anonymity. Building up anticipation, Trump announced on Twitter he would disclose his decision at 2 p.m. at the White House. In Iran, many were deeply concerned about how Trump's decision could affect the already struggling economy. In Tehran, President Hassan Rouhani sought to calm nerves, smiling as he appeared at a petroleum expo. He didn't name Trump directly, but emphasized that Iran continued to seek "engagement with the world." "It is possible that we will face some problems for two or three months, but we will pass through this," Rouhani said. Under the most likely scenario, Trump would allow sanctions on Iran's central bank intended to target oil exports to kick back in, rather than waiving them once again on Saturday, the next deadline for renewal, said individuals briefed on Trump's deliberations. Then the administration would give those who are doing business with Iran a six-month period to wind down business and avoid breaching those sanctions. Depending on how Trump sells it either as an irreversible U.S. pullout, or one final chance to save it the deal could be strengthened during those six months in a last-ditch effort to persuade Trump to change his mind. The first 15 months of Trump's presidency have been filled with many such "last chances" for the Iran deal in which he's punted the decision for another few months, and then another. Other U.S. sanctions don't require a decision until later, including those on specific Iranian businesses, sectors and individuals that will snap back into place in July unless Trump signs another waiver. A move on Tuesday to restore those penalties ahead of the deadline would be the most aggressive move Trump could take to close the door to staying in the deal. Even Trump's secretary of state and the U.N. agency that monitors nuclear compliance agree that Iran, so far, has lived up to its side of the deal. But the deal's critics, such as Israel, the Gulf Arab states and many Republicans, say it's a giveaway to Tehran that ultimately paves the path to a nuclear-armed Iran several years in the future. Iran, for its part, has been coy in predicting its response to a Trump withdrawal. For weeks, Iran's foreign minister had been saying that a re-imposition of U.S. sanctions would render the deal null and void, leaving Tehran little choice but to abandon it as well. But on Monday, Rouhani said Iran could stick with it if the European Union, whose economies do far more business with Iran than the U.S., offers guarantees that Iran would keep benefiting. For the Europeans, a Trump withdrawal would also constitute dispiriting proof that trying to appease him is futile. The three EU members of the deal Britain, France and Germany were insistent from the start that it could not be re-opened. But they agreed to discuss an "add-on" agreement that wouldn't change the underlying nuclear deal, but would add new restrictions on Iran to address what Trump had identified as its shortcomings. Trump wanted to deter Iran's ballistic missile program and other destabilizing actions in the region. He also wanted more rigorous nuclear inspections and an extension of restrictions on Iranian enrichment and reprocessing rather than letting them phase out after about a decade. Negotiating an add-on agreement, rather than revising the existing deal, had the added benefit of not requiring the formal consent of Iran or the other remaining members: Russia and China. The idea was that even if they balked at the West's impositions, Iran would be likely to comply anyway so as to keep enjoying lucrative sanctions relief. Although the U.S. and Europeans made progress on ballistic missiles and inspections, there were disagreements over extending the life of the deal and how to trigger additional penalties if Iran were found violating the new restrictions, U.S. officials and European diplomats have said. The Europeans agreed to yet more concessions in the final days of negotiating ahead of Trump's decision, the officials added. ___ Associated Press writers Matthew Lee, Jill Colvin, Zeke Miller and Ken Thomas in Washington and Amir Vahdat and Nasser Karimi in Tehran, Iran, contributed to this report. NORA SPRINGS, Iowa - A North Iowa family and community is in mourning following the sudden death of a 12 year-old. Nora Springs Police say Karson Ott died after an accident in the 700 block of N. Shell Rock Ave. Sunday night. Karson Ott Karson Ott Authorities say he was helping his father load a safe onto a trailer when it fell and hit Karson. Not only is his family dealing with this harsh reality, so are Karson's friends and peers. He went to Central Springs Middle School, and the news hit principal Rob Hoffman hard. He says Karson loved being outside and playing with his friends. Hoffman and their middle school counselor went into classrooms Monday morning to break the news. "We have some students who are visiting with counselors. We have some students making cards for the family. Other students are going about their typical day. They all deal with it in different ways. For some students, it's the first time they have to deal with the loss of a friend," Hoffman says. Jamie Martin is the 4th-8th-grade counselor at the school, and remembers what a good kid Karson was. "Karson was a really kind student. He wanted to be helpful and he wanted to do good work. He really enjoyed being hands on with ... fixing things, being outside ... so that's the kind of student he was. Just an all-around good student," Martin says. Counselors will be on hand for as long as students need. ST. PAUL, Minn. Two Texans caught in Freeborn County have pleaded guilty to federal drug crimes. Maria Antonia Preciado and Manuel Lucio Lara, both from Ft. Worth, Texas, were arrested after a traffic stop on April 15, 2017. Law enforcement said six pounds of methamphetamine was found in the bed of their pickup truck. Manual Lara Manual Lara Preciado and Lara have now entered guilty pleas to possession with intent to distribute meth, a crime punishable in federal court by between 10 years and life in prison. Preciado is scheduled for sentencing at September 28. No sentencing date is listed for Lara. (Kitco News) - Gold prices are once again weaker in early U.S. trading Tuesday. The yellow metal at present is caught in a strangle-hold from an appreciating U.S. dollar index that hit a 4.5-month high overnight. June Comex gold futures were last down $3.50 an ounce at $1,310.30. July Comex silver was last down $0.01 at $16.485 an ounce. It is critical for the gold market bulls to keep their precious metal above chart support at $1,300.00. A drop below that key level would set off sell stop orders in the futures market, which would likely help to trigger of a solid leg down in prices. There is growing concern the U.S. will not renew a deal struck with Iran in 2015 to curtail its nuclear arms development. President Trump says he will announce his decision on the matter Tuesday afternoon. The Iran nuke agreement expires Saturday. If the U.S. pulls out of the agreement, sanctions against Iran will be reapplied, including ostensibly sharply curbing Iranian oil exports. In overnight news, Chinas exports increased 12.9% in April, year-on-year, while its imports were up 21.5%. Both numbers beat market expectations. Chinas top economic advisor will travel to the U.S. next week to resume trade-dispute negotiations between the worlds two largest economies. The outside markets today find crude oil prices lower on profit taking after hitting a 3.5-year high above $70.00 on Monday. Todays announcement from Trump is likely to move the oil markets. Meantime, the U.S. dollar index is higher and hit a 4.5-month high overnight. The index is in a steep price uptrend and the greenback bulls have technical power to suggest more upside in the near term. U.S. economic data due for release Tuesday includes the weekly Goldman Sachs and Johnson Redbook retail sales reports, the NFIB small business index, and the IDB/TIPP economic optimism index. Technically, June gold bulls and bears are on a level overall near-term technical playing field. Gold bulls' next upside near-term price breakout objective is to produce a close above solid technical resistance at $1,338.00. Bears' next near-term downside price breakout objective is pushing prices below solid technical support at $1,300.00. First resistance is seen at this weeks high of $1,320.10 and then at $1,325.00. First support is seen at the May low of $1,302.30 and then at $1,300.00. Wyckoff's Market Rating: 5.0 July silver futures bears have the overall near-term technical advantage. Silver bulls' next upside price breakout objective is closing prices above solid technical resistance at $17.00 an ounce. The next downside price breakout objective for the bears is closing prices below solid support at $16.00. First resistance is seen at last weeks high of $16.62 and then at $16.75. Next support is seen at $16.38 and then at $16.25. Wyckoff's Market Rating: 3.5. MILAN (Reuters) - Italys Prime Minister Paolo Gentiloni said on Tuesday the Iran nuclear agreement must be preserved, after President Donald Trumps decision to withdraw the United States from the 2015 accord and to reimpose economic sanctions on Tehran. (The agreement) contributes to the security in the region and puts a brake on nuclear proliferation, Gentiloni said in a tweet, adding that Italy would stand with its European allies, confirming commitments made. Reporting by Giulia Segreti; Editing by Gareth Jones 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. Now 80, 90 after the quasi new people face all kinds of hard to avoid can feel dazzling theme wedding, I don't know how to determine their own wedding theme, and I don't know which theme wedding to creative, can let oneself not only remember life, and can infect the coming wedding banquet guests! Here is the wedding theme selection strategy, perhaps you can find the most suitable! The wedding theme selection strategy is unique to remember the whole life. 1. Campus wind wedding theme. Campus wind wedding is like a fresh blue, standing in today's wedding fashion. It not only witnessed the warmth of the new couple, but also showed the youth and vitality of contemporary people. The theme of setting up your wedding as a campus breeze can let you enjoy the love of your first love and the unforgettable love story of our youth. 2. Country style themed wedding. Nowadays, urbanites want to be able to return to the pure countryside, even if it is only in the countryside for a few days to be able to be fully relaxed, full of positive energy back to the busy city! The theme wedding ceremony of the country style wedding ceremony is also relatively simple, the stage design that is less brilliant, but appears more colorful. Hung with colored cloth decoration, put a piece of elegant chair, this place is the wedding stage, compared with lighting effects, the wedding in this simple and simple but elegant environment, makes you better to listen to each other's voice. 3. Lawn wedding Lawn wedding as a kind of outdoor wedding more and more the favor of new people, with the green grass carpet and flowers to build a happy arch can bring new people unlimited romance and happiness. There is not only the lively atmosphere, the wonderful music, but also the blue sky and the warm breeze, how easy it is to have a wedding in such a comfortable natural environment! New people can create a unique wedding with some creative decorations or wedding links to make the most beautiful memories for themselves. 4. Manor wedding Nowadays, more people are paying more attention to the environment and atmosphere. If there is a good environment, it might be better to have a manor wedding. A manor wedding can usually be made in a hotel or resort in the form of a suburban manor, either from a service or a facility that can meet the needs of the new couple. And held in the manor also can be extended to become European theme in the form of the wedding ceremony, imagine, newcomer under melodious violin accompaniment, holding hands slowly, such scenes will appear abnormal romance. 5. Beach wedding Beach wedding is also one of the most popular choice in the summer theme wedding, on the beach of exquisite, with the beauty of the surrounding sandy, don't need too much, only need to highlight the natural scenery is very beautiful. Beach weddings don't have to be too elaborate, and simple rituals can serve as a foil to a wedding. But choose a beach wedding to pay attention to weather conditions, if the weather is not good, there are wind waves are not suitable for the wedding on the beach. Or you really like it, but you don't know what the weather is like, and you'd better think of a plan in advance for a rainy day. 6. Fairy tale wedding The young new people must have experienced a time in the fairy tale world, when the fantasy is the characters and things that can appear in the real world. Maybe this little wish will come true at your wedding. If you still have a childlike innocence, if you happen to like cartoons very much, or like a cartoon character, you might as well make your wedding a fairy tale. You can choose to make every detail of the wedding scene into the details of a cartoon character, so that the whole scene becomes more unified and appropriate. The fairy tale wedding can give a person a kind of dreamy feeling, let you be like an immersive situation, let like the fairy tale you like in the fairy tale real scene. 7. Balloon themed wedding. Colorful, colorful balloons can always create another romantic atmosphere, hold a balloon theme wedding, novel and unique, not only can make the wedding is full of mystery and tong qu. The balloons can be used not only for wedding scenes, but also for wedding photos, as well as more beautiful wedding rooms to give new people the most dreamy feeling. Read more at:bridesmaid dress | purple bridesmaid dresses ANKARA (Reuters) - A spokesman for Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan said on Tuesday that the decision by the United States to unilaterally withdraw from the 2015 Iran nuclear deal will cause instability and new conflicts. In a tweet, Ibrahim Kalin also said the multilateral agreement would continue with the other nations, and added that Turkey would continue to oppose all forms of nuclear weapons. Reporting by Tuvan Gumrukcu; Editing by Hugh Lawson Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are those of the author and may not reflect those of Kitco Metals Inc. The author has made every effort to ensure accuracy of information provided; however, neither Kitco Metals Inc. nor the author can guarantee such accuracy. This article is strictly for informational purposes only. It is not a solicitation to make any exchange in commodities, securities or other financial instruments. Kitco Metals Inc. and the author of this article do not accept culpability for losses and/ or damages arising from the use of this publication. WASHINGTON (Reuters) - A senior White House official on Tuesday denied a New York Times report that said U.S. President Donald Trump had told Frances President Emmanuel Macron that he would be withdrawing from the Iran nuclear deal. The president did not tell Macron those things, the official said. Reporting by Steve Holland; Writing by Makini Brice; Editing by Bill Trott 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. Supply Chain Risk Management (SCRM) is complicated. But sometimes, the complexity resolves down to a single event. And that event can be tragic. The supply chain for agricultural products in the United States is really complex. Somehow, that integrated set of capabilities brings fresh lettuce from Yuma, Arizona to my home outside of Boston, Massachusetts. The supply chain network has a lot of players running an interwoven network that moves fresh produce through echelons from coast to coast. According to the Washington Post on May 2, The nationwide food poisoning outbreak from E. coli-contaminated romaine lettuce has claimed its first fatality, an unidentified person in California, and the infections have sickened a total of 121 people in 25 states, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention announced Wednesday. That lettuce is believed to have come from the Yuma area. There are no simple supply chains. A head of lettuce may be simple, but the associated supply chain processes are complex. That complexity brings risk and danger. Just ask the family in California. The Defense Acquisition University defines SCRM as a systematic process for managing supply chain risk by identifying susceptibilities, vulnerabilities and threats throughout DoDs supply chain and developing mitigation strategies to combat those threats whether presented by the supplier, the supplied product and its subcomponents, or the supply chain. Supply Chain Risk Management includes more than cyber threats, so it isnt just an IT problem. Risk touches all functions in the supply chain, and it needs to be addressed by the operators, too. The next time somebody tells you that supply chain risk is an IT problem and tries to kick the can down the hall, remember that family in California. The White House is asking Congress to cut $7 billion from the Childrens Health Insurance Program, or CHIP, which Congress recently renewed, as part of an effort to cut $15 billion from the federal governments bottom line, mostly from unspent funds, senior administration officials said Monday. The CHIP program, which helps low-income children get access to health care, cost about $15.6 billion in federal and state spending in fiscal year 2016, according to the Kaiser Family Foundation . The proposed cuts include $5 billion from the Childrens Health Insurance Fund, to help reimburse states for certain expenses, according to the Washington Post . Senior administration officials said that the authority to use those funds expired last fall, so it cant be legally tapped. Another $2 billion in CHIP funds is for a program that states can help handle higher-than-expected enrollment, according to the Post. The White House estimates that no state will end up needing those funds, because CHIP enrollment is going down, not up. Importantly, White House officials said they plan to later introduce a package that would make midyear cuts to the $1.3 trillion bipartisan spending bill that Congress passed earlier this year. That could include proposed cuts to education programs, since Congress provided more money for the U.S. Department of Education than the Trump team asked for. The Trump budget request for fiscal 2018 sought major cuts to several K-12 programs, including the elimination of $2.1 billion in Title II spending for educator professional development, $1.1 billion in funding for after-school programs, and $400 million in Title IV funding, a block-grant program for districts to use in a variety of areas. Congress rejected the cut to Title II, boosted after-school spending by $20 million, and dramatically hiked Title IV to $1.1 billion. Advocates are taking the potential threat seriously, Andrew reported last month . But they note that GOP lawmakers agreed to the budget blueprint that allowed for that spending. Image: Getty Images Follow us on Twitter at @PoliticsK12 . Parent support can help keep students on track academically, but a new international study suggests a light touch can be more helpful for students in the long run. Researchers from the University of Eastern Finland and the University of Jyvaskyla tracked 365 students who were participating in the longitudinal First Steps study , which followed 1,800 students born in 2000 through elementary and secondary school. As part of the study, the researchers analyzed childrens and their mothers interactions around homework in relation to the childrens academic progress from grades 2 to 4. The study focused on mothers rather than fathers. They found that overall, children benefitted from their mothers helping with homework, but the type of help mattered. Children whose mothers provided homework help when askedbut also gave students opportunities to work independentlyboth persisted at tasks longer and did better in school over time. By contrast, moms who gave very concrete helpfor example, sitting down every night to go over every assignment, even if the child had not asked for helphad children who were less persistent over time. One possible explanation is that when the mother gives her child an opportunity to do homework autonomously, the mother also sends out a message that she believes in the childs skills and capabilities. This, in turn, makes the child believe in him- or herself, and in his or her skills and capabilities, said Jaana Viljaranta, a co-author of the study and an associate professor at the University of Eastern Finland, in a statement. The researchers also found that the parents and childrens behavior reinforced one another. The more often students disengaged from homework, the more likely moms were to handhold them through it, while mothers whose children stuck out homework longer gave them more autonomy in future assignments. Image Source: Getty Disney in Concert / Courtesy of Credia South Korean President Moon Jae-in vowed efforts to help Japan improve its ties with North Korea, calling it a key to denuclearizing the North and enhancing peace and stability in the countries' shared region. "Japan can play a very important role for peace and prosperity on the Korean Peninsula. It is partly in that the normalization of North Korea-Japan relations may be a necessary part of a security guarantee for North Korea and that close cooperation between South Korea, the United States and Japan may be necessary for complete denuclearization (of the Korean Peninsula)," Moon said in an interview with Japan's Yomiuri Shimbun published Tuesday. "Should the North-Japan relations be normalized, it will greatly contribute to the peace and stability of the Korean Peninsula and the Northeast Asian region," he added, according to a full script of his interview released by the presidential office Cheong Wa Dae. Moon's first exclusive interview with a Japanese newspaper came ahead of his trip to Tokyo on Wednesday for a three-way summit with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and Chinese Prime Minister Li Keqiang. The South Korean leader noted the importance Japan places on the issue of Japanese nationals abducted by Pyongyang and said he has raised the issue with North Korea at nearly every opportunity, including his recent summit with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un. "I have also discussed the North Korea-Japan relationship with Chairman Kim Jong-un," he said, referring to the North Korean leader by his official title as the head of the state affairs council. "I told Chairman Kim that Prime Minister Abe is willing to normalize the North-Japan relationship based on the spirit of clearing the problems of the past, and he said he is willing to talk with Japan at any time." Moon urged the two countries to start discussing the issue, saying only dialogue can help narrow differences. "When we look back, pessimistic views had outnumbered optimistic views about a change in North Korea's behavior, including the North Korean nuclear issue. But our continued efforts for dialogue made a small breakthrough at the PyeongChang Winter Olympic Games and at the South-North Korea summit. North Korea agreed to compete denuclearization and the establishment of permanent peace," the president said. The historic Moon-Kim summit, held April 27, followed the rapprochement between the divided Koreas prompted by the North's participation in the Winter Olympics held earlier this year in South Korea. By Park Si-soo, Oh Young-jin North Korean leader Kim Jong-un is visiting the Chinese city of Dalian to meet his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping, according to reports. If the reports are true, Kim seems to be involved in last-minute diplomatic coordination with Xi before his historic summit with U.S. President Donald Trump. Trump has said the date and place for the summit with Kim are set, saying "stay tuned." The Chinese foreign ministry remained silent over the rumors. South Korea's foreign ministry hinted at Kim visiting China, but did not specify. A foreign ministry official told reporters on Tuesday afternoon that the ministry "keeps an eye on what's happening." The official said he has "nothing to share, with nothing officially announced yet in Beijing." China's 'exclusion anxiety' in North Korea talks China discontent with NK's US approach: reports China factor could overshadow denuclearization talks South Korea's Yonhap News Agency first reported on "a high-ranking North Korean official visiting Dalian" on Monday. Citing multiple anonymous sources, the news wire said the official flew in a private plane and arrived at Dalian airport on Monday amid heavy security. Yonhap did not identify the official. But rumors are spreading on Chinese social media that it is Kim. Seoul-based broadcaster KBS reported that Dalian airport was closed to the public from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Monday and roads around the Bangchuidao Guesthouse in the city were also closed Monday afternoon. The guesthouse is normally reserved for foreign VIP visitors. There is speculation that the North Korean official is visiting to attend the launch of China's first domestically built aircraft carrier, the Type 001A. By Lee Min-hyung North Korean leader Kim Jong-un expressed his willingness to have a dialogue with Japan to resolve decades-long bones of contention between the two nations, South Korean President Moon Jae-in said in an interview with Japanese local media, Tuesday. "Dialogue between Pyongyang and Tokyo should be resumed, as possibly normalized bilateral relations between the two countries will help bring peace and stability to Northeast Asia," President Moon told Yomiuri Shimbun. The interview was released a day before Moon's visit to Tokyo for the trilateral meeting with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and Chinese Premier Li Keqiang. Moon's remarks were largely based on his summit with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un late last month. In particular, Moon delivered Kim's intention and willingness for normalizing Pyongyang-Tokyo relations. "I told Kim about Abe's intention to proceed with the normalization of relations with the North by settling the past problems between both sides. Kim clearly said he was ready to have a dialogue with Japan anytime." U.S. President Donald Trump's decision to leave the nuclear deal with Iran puts the Korean peninsula peace process in doubt, Yevgeny Serebrennikov, first deputy head of the defense and security committee in the Russian Upper House of Parliament, told the RIA news agency. Vladimir Chizhov, Russian envoy to the European Union, was quoted separately by RIA as saying that Russia will continue its efforts to keep the Iran nuclear deal functioning. (Reuters) Leaders of the Broward County, Fla., school district have back tracked on claims that former student Nikolas Cruz, on trial for shooting and killing 17 people at a Parkland high school, never participated in an alternative discipline program there. Cruz had been referred to the program , called PROMISE, after he vandalized a school restroom in middle school, WLRN reported Sunday. The revelation has fueled a conversation that started with the Feb. 14 attack at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School: What, if anything, could the school district have done to prevent the incident? Teachers and students have said Cruz had a known history of behavioral and disciplinary problems, and some community members have asked if the district could have handled them differently. Some observers, including conservative organizations that have questioned recent national trends in school discipline, have pointed fingers at the PROMISE program, which is meant to limit school-based referrals to police by diverting some students with problematic behaviors to alternative schools for counseling and behavior remediation. If Cruz had been arrested at school, it would have put him on the radar of police, critics of PROMISE argue, and it may have provided them a chance to intervene earlier. Defenders of the program say its misguided to blame it for Cruzs behavior. Broward County Superintendent Robert Runcie has deflected criticisms by saying Cruz wasnt involved with PROMISE. Please note, contrary to media reports, the District has no record of Nikolas Cruz committing a PROMISE-eligible infraction or being assigned to PROMISE while in high school, Runcie said in a statement distributed to the media and to a congressional committee questioning the districts discipline policies. He repeated the statement in a Sun Sentinel editorial about the PROMISE program . Theres no connection between Cruz and the districts Promise program, Runcie said at one news conference. WLRNs revelation that Cruz had been referred to the program before his time at Stoneman Douglas stirred up new criticism about Browards discipline policies. Some students and their families wondered if the district was taking their concerns seriously. Others wondered whether the district didnt report Cruzs middle school referral because of intentional dishonesty or whether it was an oversight. Here are a few important things to know about PROMISE and Cruzs referral. Its Unclear If Cruz Completed the PROMISE Program The Broward County district changed its discipline policies in 2013 in response to a state law that called on schools to reduce the school-to-prison pipeline. At the time, the district had one of the highest student arrest rates in the state. And, like many other districts, black students were disciplined at higher rates than their peers. The new policies included a decision-making matrix that was designed to lead to more consistent student discipline by offering specific responses to students behavior. That matrix defines what behaviors can spark certain kinds of discipline and when police can intervene. Specifically, it sought to reduce police interactions with students in response to non-violent behaviors. In addition to the matrix, the PROMISE program was designed to respond to more serious behavioral concerns, offering an alternative to referring students to the justice system. The district said Sunday that Cruz was referred to PROMISE while in middle school, but it is unclear if he ever completed the program. Some questions to consider: If Cruz hadnt been referred to PROMISE for the bathroom vandalism, would he have been arrested instead? Should vandalizing a school restroom lead to an arrest? What is the appropriate disciplinary response? If Cruz had been arrested for that offense, would it have made a difference down the road? If its determined that Cruz didnt complete the PROMISE counseling program, is it possible that doing so might have helped prevent future misbehavior? Cruz Was Disciplined Frequently and Saw Counselors for His Behavior In the days after the shooting, administrators noted that Cruz was disciplined frequently for his behavior. Disciplinary records leaked to outlets like the Washington Post show he was suspended repeatedly throughout middle school and high school. Local outlets obtained his counseling records and evidence that he was once referred for a threat assessment , which is used to determine if a student may pose a danger to himself or others. Its unclear if such an assessment was completed. Also complicating schools responses to Cruzs behavior : He received special education services for a developmental delay, the Sun-Sentinel reports. Federal laws prohibit schools for disciplining students for behavior deemed a manifestation of a recognized disability. Two investigations should shed more light on how schools and law enforcement handled Cruz and the response to the shooting. The district has hired an outside consultant to review Cruzs history with the schools and all of the policies that were in place when he was a student there. A report from that investigation is expected in June. And a state task force that includes the parents of several victims has subpoena power to explore the shooting. That task force is expected to issue periodic reports. What This Means for the Larger School Discipline Debate Questions about Cruzs history come as U.S. Education Secretary Betsy DeVos is reviewing Obama-era civil rights guidance on school discipline . That guidance took aim at racial disparities in school discipline and encouraged schools to clarify when law enforcement should be involved in student discipline. And the Obama administration as a whole encouraged schools to rethink the use of suspensions and expulsions, especially for non-violent offenses. It spotlighted programs like Broward Countys and research that links suspensions to poor outcomes, like low student engagement in school. Civil rights groups have pointed to student arrests for non-violent behaviors, like refusing to surrender a cell phone to a teacher, as causes for concern. U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio, a Florida Republican, has encouraged DeVos to review Broward Countys discipline policies and how they are linked to the Obama-era guidance. A review of that guidance is also on the agenda of the White House school safety task force, which DeVos chairs. Civil rights groups say recent nationwide efforts to reform school discipline have been crucial for students of color. It would be wrong to change course on such broad policies because of one, rare incident, they argue/ Reactions in Parkland Amid anger about the new revelation, Runcie tweeted out a link and thanked WLRN for the report. We will continue to provide the best information we have at any point in time. The independent review will be completed in a few weeks & we will share additional information at that time. Thanks @WLRN for sharing this information. //t.co/xVhAGfwd4A -- Supt Runcie (@RobertwRuncie) May 7, 2018 Ryan Petty, whose daughter Alaina was killed in the shooting, called the news a stunning revelation in a Twitter thread about the report. However stunning, the focus should not be on any specific program. Its the totality of District failures that must be addressed. -- Ryan Petty (@rpetty) May 7, 2018 Cameron Kasky, one of the Stoneman Douglas students who helped organize protests in favor of new gun laws, also pointed criticism at Runcie Monday. I implore you all to look into just how awful @RobertwRuncie s leadership of the Broward County School board is. Im very excited to meet his replacement. -- Cameron Kasky (@cameron_kasky) May 6, 2018 Photo:AP The Parkland School Shooting: Complete Coverage Follow @evieblad on Twitter or subscribe to Rules for Engagement to get blog posts delivered directly to your inbox. Japan and North Korea should begin talks to normalise relations between the two countries and contribute to peace and stability in the region, South Korean President Moon Jae-in told a Japanese newspaper on Tuesday. "In particular, I think dialogue between Japan and North Korea should be resumed," Moon said in the interview with the Yomiuri newspaper. "If Japan-North Korea relations are normalised, that would greatly contribute to peace and security in Northeast Asia beyond the Korean peninsula," he said in written answers to questions submitted by the newspaper. At Moon's summit last month with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, both sides agreed to work towards denuclearisation. Kim said during that meeting he was "ready to have a dialogue with Japan anytime", Moon told the newspaper. There was no immediate comment from the Japanese government, which has called Pyongyang's nuclear weapons and missile programmes the toughest security threat facing Japan since World War Two. Moon's interview was conducted ahead of a summit on Wednesday between Moon, Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and Chinese Premier Li Keqiang in Tokyo. North Korea was expected to be high on the agenda but a Chinese diplomat said last week the talks were about regional cooperation and not focused on the Korean peninsula Nevertheless, months of frosty relations between Beijing and Pyongyang appear to have thawed since Kim's secretive visit to Beijing in March, where he met Chinese President Xi Jinping. Analysts said Kim's meeting with Xi strengthened North Korea's negotiating position by aligning the two nations ahead of Kim's summit with U.S. President Donald Trump in the coming weeks. A high-ranking North Korean official visited the Chinese city of Dalian this week, South Korea's Yonhap News Agency said on Tuesday, citing multiple anonymous sources. Frederic H Dustin is hard at work surrounded by cats in this 2015 photo. / Courtesy of Robert Neff By Robert Neff On the rainy morning of May 5 (Children's Day), Frederic H Dustin, the doyen of Jeju Island's expat community and the founder of Kimnyoung Maze, passed away after a long battle with health issues. Born in Bellingham, Washington, on Jan. 12, 1930, he joined the military in 1951 and arrived in Korea on Easter Sunday 1952. After completing his service, he went back to school and obtained his degree, then returned to Korea as an English teacher, first at Yonhee University (now Yonsei) and then later at Chung-Ang University. In the early 1960s he worked here as a gold miner. It was hard work and paid very little but, according to Dustin, it was one of the greatest periods of his life. It was hard to get a straight answer out of him for the sudden change of occupations depending on his mood and audience, he sometimes attributed it to the unwanted advances of a young woman who followed him from the United States and other times he confessed he just got tired of teaching. An injury at the mine led to new careers: copy editor at a newspaper, auditor with a religious organization and even a fishmonger. But it was the success of helping to start and manage a poultry company that eventually led him to Jeju Island. When the company was sold, Dustin acquired his 'golden egg' a large plot of land on the island. At about the same time, he fell in love with a missionary named Marie-Louise and asked her to marry him. Just prior to the wedding, what should have been a time of bliss was darkened by her diagnosis of terminal cancer. He urged her to marry him and she agreed asking him to build her a house on Jeju, which he did. He lost her two years later. A wind-battered pecan tree, planted in her memory, still stands in front of the house he built for her a testament of his love. Despite his tragic loss, he was determined to stay and the land became his field of dreams. Over the course of nearly two decades, he planted thousands of trees: mulberry, cedar, orange, pecan and kiwi but most died due to the poor soil, typhoons and forest fires. Mother Nature even destroyed his fields of garlic and carrots. But he refused to give up. He had several "pipe dreams" as he described them several decades later for the land. Some, like a hunting lodge and a school camp, never really got off the ground, while others, like his boat-building enterprise, enjoyed a degree of success. But one dream did become a reality the establishment of the Kimnyoung Maze in the late 1980s. By the early 2000s it was one of the most popular and successful attractions on Jeju Island and continues to draw crowds. In previous years, visitors to the maze often found him sitting out in front of his office, chewing gum while surrounded by the stars of the maze a large number of friendly cats who relished having their heads scratched and tummies rubbed. Always willing to talk, Dustin delighted in telling anecdotes of his long and interesting life in Korea, occasionally spicing them up with an exaggeration here or there to make them more entertaining. Success meant responsibility. He was a firm believer in giving back to the community and made large donations to the Cheju National University Hospital, local schools, students of all ages and scholars Korean and foreign. He also continued to teach and support a class for senior citizens called "Seniors in the Schools." His efforts were not forgotten. His funeral drew large numbers of friends, employees, colleagues, students and members of his Korean family. And even the rain could not dampen the spirits of those who witnessed his remains being returned to his beloved maze on May 7. He will be missed but never forgotten. May he rest in peace. Panama-registered Sunny Orion is on fire in waters off Tongyeong, South Gyeongsang Province. / Captured from Marine Traffic By Park Si-soo A Panama registered 7,770-ton oil tanker caught on fire in waters off Tongyeong, South Gyeongsang Province, Tuesday. The fire started at 9:10 a.m. and was extinguished 30 minutes later. There were neither oil leaks nor casualties, said Korea Coast Guard. The extent of the damage to the tanker is yet unknown. The cause of the fire is under investigation. The affected tanker is Panama-registered Sunny Orion and 21 sailors are reportedly on board. The ship, bound for the South Korean coastal city of Ulsan in the southeast from Hong Kong, was carrying some 4,700 tons of highly flammable Mix-Xylene. It's Parents' Day on Tuesday. A variety of events across the country expressed gratitude for parents' love and sacrifice and wished them good health and well-being. Take a look at what happened on Parents' Day. Mercedes-Benz Korea President Dimitris Psillakis, right, and Mercedes-AMG Management Board Chairman Tobias Moers pose with the Mercedes-AMG Project ONE plug-in hybrid electric vehicle during the opening ceremony of the AMG Speedway race track in Yongin, Gyeonggi Province, Tuesday. / Courtesy of Mercedes-Benz Korea By Nam Hyun-woo YONGIN, Gyeonggi Province -- Mercedes-Benz Korea (MBK) on Tuesday opened the world's first speed track carrying the name of AMG, as well as showcasing the Mercedes-AMG Project ONE plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) and a slew of other high-performance monsters, in Yongin. AMG Speedway, the refurbished Everland Speedway near Yongin, Gyeonggi Province, features a 4.3-kilometer track for sport driving and other activities to experience high-performance cars. Mercedes-AMG Management Board Chairman Tobias Moers hosted the opening ceremony, praising Korean customers' heightening interest in Mercedes-AMG. "Korea is making an increasing contribution to the growth of Mercedes-AMG and rising as one of the most important bases for the high-performance car market," Moers said. "This is not only a very important point for MBK but also for Mercedes-AMG." As Moers said, Korea is emerging as a lucrative market for not only Mercedes-Benz but also AMG. Last year, Mercedes-AMG sold 131,970 vehicles globally, up 33 percent from a year earlier. Of them, 3,206 AMG cars were sold in Korea, up 56 percent during the same period, leading the carmaker to call Korea one of its top 10 markets in the world. The plan to build the track was first revealed in November last year and MBK has been collaborating with Samsung C&T to remodel Korea's first racing circuit, built in 1992. The venue is flanked by the AMG Lounge and other facilities which will initiate programs including a driving academy, night racing and drag racing, which MBK President Dimitris Psillakis said will be offered to not only AMG customers but also to owners of other cars. Along with his visit, Moers also brought the Mercedes-AMG Project ONE PHEV and the AMG GLC 63 S 4MATIC+ for their first appearances in Korea. First unveiled in September last year, Project ONE is a concept car based on the Formula 1 PHEV system, which has a 1.6 liter V6 turbocharged engine and four other PHEV motors, all yielding more than 1,000 horsepower and capable of reaching a speed of 350 kilometers per hour. The GLC 63S 4MATIC+, which the company describes as a performance SUV that allows dynamic driving and comfort, made its international debut in April last year. It is powered by 4.0 liter V8 Biturbo engine, which produces 510 horsepower and accelerates from zero to 100 kilometers per hour in 3.8 seconds. MBK said it plans to release five AMG models, the E53, E63 S, G63, CLS 53 and GT 4-Door Coupe this year. President Moon Jae-in, right, shakes hands with newly appointed Ambassador to Vietnam Kim Do-hyun at Cheong Wa Dae last week. By Oh Young-jin The Foreign Ministry Tuesday admonished the new ambassador to Vietnam, Kim Do-hyun, for his critical remarks about the United States during an interview with a vernacular Korean paper. The remarks in question are as follows: "The reason why the inter-Korean summit was successful is because pro-United States diplomats were not put in charge. ... a majority of Korean diplomats have thought they could get promoted if they were close to Americans and if not, they would have no future." New Korean Ambassador to Vietnam Kim Do-hyun By Lee Min-hyung A series of arranged meetings scheduled for this month will determine the fate of the Korean Peninsula, with leaders from the two Koreas, China, Japan and the U.S. set to discuss details of Pyongyang's pledge for denuclearization. Starting Wednesday, South Korean President Moon Jae-in will have a trilateral summit in Tokyo with Chinese Premier Li Keqiang and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe. Leaders of the Asian countries will discuss their positions and roles on the North's recent shift in its nuclear policy. According to Japanese local media, the three leaders will push for adopting a joint declaration urging the North to carry out complete, verifiable and irreversible denuclearization (CVID). On the table, they are expected to narrow their differences on how to push the regime to realize its denuclearization pledge. The trilateral talks have been held annually since 2008, but were discontinued after November 2015 when Seoul was the host country of the event. South Korea, however, is in a position to continue dialogue with the North to realize the recent Panmunjeom Declaration under which both Koreas agreed to completely denuclearize the peninsula and put an end to any military attacks and provocations against each other. Cheong Wa Dae said last week the government does not have any plans to adopt a trilateral agreement with the CVID message again the North. By John J. Metzler UNITED NATIONS Amid startling twists, turns and tribulations, the United States is preparing for a once improbable summit with North Korea to dismantle Pyongyang's nuclear weapons and ballistic missile threat. Earlier in the year the "experts" and those who instinctively know better were predicting a probable war between the U.S. and North Korea. The narrative was that a rhetorically volatile Trump administration in Washington would militarily counter the blatant and rising military threat from Kim Jong-un to attack Hawaii or the U.S. mainland. The bellicose and blustering "Little Rocket Man," as he was dubbed by Trump, seemed to have painted a big target on himself and his quaintly titled Democratic People's Republic of Korea. What happened? A reality check on all sides. Despite the heated and dangerous rhetoric, sober reality set in. China did not want a war. Needless to say neither did neighboring South Korea nor Japan. A judicious combination of American military deterrence and behind-the-scenes diplomacy with Beijing and our East Asian allies in Seoul and Tokyo stopped the ticking doomsday clock. Since the PyeongChang Winter Olympics in South Korea, there has been a discernible political thaw in the once glacial standoff between both sides of the divided peninsula. First came Kim's unexpected secret trip to the Chinese capital. In a scene reminiscent of the "Godfather" movie, China's paramount leader Xi Jinping, North Korea's longtime political enabler, summoned Kim to Beijing for a little chat. Basically play nice; China does not want a regional war which would be decidedly bad for business. Then former CIA Director Mike Pompeo made a clandestine visit to Pyongyang to meet with Kim and sound out the North Koreans on the summit. The South-North summit at Panmunjeom at the DMZ took place in April. Both dictator Kim Jong-un and his democratically elected South Korean counterpart Moon Jae-in, met as fellow Koreans, not as leaders of the estranged Korean nation. The summit, while prompting style over substance, produced a positive narrative. That's important. Yet the legacy of high level Korean negotiations and summits is precisely that; high level hype followed by a slide back to the status quo. This has happened on a number of occasions most especially following the historic 2000 "sunshine" summit between both sides, where Seoul's massive economic inducements supported humanitarian aid to the North. Yet many of the same experts who breathlessly predicted war earlier this year, are now acting as if a deal with the DPRK is somehow done. It's not. U.N. Secretary General Antonio Guterres applauded the "truly historic summit between the leaders" of the two Koreas. Through a spokesman he stated that "he looks forward to these gains being consolidated and advanced" in the upcoming U.S.-ROK summit. Now expectations for an elusive deal are in political overdrive. Significantly President Trump has stated that if the North Koreans don't come clean on denuclearization and swerve off the summit agenda on denuclearization, the Donald walks out. As President Trump stated of the upcoming event, "if the meeting when I'm there isn't fruitful, I will respectfully leave the meeting." Expecting to walk out from the highly scripted diplomatic event may actually be part of President Trump's wider strategy. Despite such a high-stakes sit-down, the president does not seek a deal for its own sake, but rather a security bond ensuring East Asia and the U.S. of Pyongyang's verifiable disarmament. It's still a big gamble. Naturally Kim Jong-un will try to "play" the president and very likely create a negotiating position which the American side walks away from. Then the North Koreans will blame Washington for any collapse in the talks. The mainstream media will join the chorus of recriminations. Indeed summit diplomacy is usually built upon great expectations if only to counter the dark alternative of an inevitable clash. One of the biggest words in diplomacy is "if." And if the parties seriously sit down to draft and sign a peace treaty to replace the 1953 armistice ending the Korean War, that would be a great step forward. Denuclearization of North Korea is far more complicated. Essentially nukes are an insurance policy for the DPRK regime. While Kim will show some superficial flexibility, don't expect a major breakthrough. The carrot and stick of easing U.N. sanctions may ensure transparency. Will the Donald use "The Art of the Deal" diplomacy to finally solve the 65-year-old Korean crisis? If he does, South Korea's President Moon suggested that there's a Nobel peace prize in it for President Trump. If John J. Metzler (jjmcolumn@earthlink.net) is a United Nations correspondent covering diplomatic and defense issues. He is the author of "Divided Dynamism: The Diplomacy of Separated Nations: Germany, Korea, China." Trump, Kim should keep up momentum for diplomacy The U.S. is getting tougher on North Korea as the world awaits an announcement on where and when the U.S.-North Korea summit will take place. There has been much media focus on the venue of the summit, with Trump even bringing up the possibility of the truce village of Panmunjeom, the site of the third inter-Korean summit on April 27. President Trump said last week the time and location were set. But a delayed announcement has triggered speculation the two countries were engaging in a last-minute tussle over key topics, such as North Korea's denuclearization. The U.S. administration has lately used the term "permanent, verifiable, irreversible dismantlement" (PVID). New U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo mentioned PVID during his inauguration ceremony last week, underlining an "unprecedented opportunity to change the course of history on the Korean Peninsula." "We are committed to the permanent, verifiable, irreversible dismantling of North Korea's weapons of mass destruction program and to do so without delay,"Pompeo said. PVID is considered a tougher approach than the complete, verifiable, irreversible dismantlement (CVID) of North Korea's nuclear program that Washington had often used. Also signaling a more hard-line approach, U.S. National Security Adviser John Bolton said negotiations would also include North Korea's ballistic missiles as well as biological and chemical weapons programs and its abduction of foreign citizens. "Now, we've got other issues to discuss as well _ their ballistic missile programs, their biological and chemical weapons programs, their keeping of American hostages, the abduction of innocent Japanese and South Korean citizens over the years. So there's a lot to talk about," Bolton said during a recent interview with CBS. In response to added pressure from Washington, Pyongyang slammed the U.S. for spoiling the mood for dialogue in a message by the foreign ministry spokesperson Sunday, saying Washington was distorting public opinion by claiming the Panmunjeom Declaration was a result of its sanctions and pressure. Pyongyang blamed the U.S. for arousing tension on the peninsula by continuing its pressure campaign until it completely gives up its nuclear program. Amid the tension, President Moon Jae-in will meet with President Trump on May 22. Moon's role as a mediator between the U.S. and North Korea is crucial for narrowing their differences. The leaders of the U.S. and North Korea should keep in mind that the entire world is expecting them to make a breakthrough deal for peace on the peninsula. They must keep up the rare momentum for diplomacy. By Lee Seong-hyon U.S. President Donald Trump famously said that North Korea is China's problem to fix. It reflects the international community's recognition of Beijing's leverage over Pyongyang. However, China has consistently distanced itself from being identified as such, passing the buck to the United States. The official view from the Chinese foreign ministry Sept. 12, 2016, goes: "Since the North Korean nuclear issue is actually a matter between North Korea and the United States, the U.S. should take responsibility." Similar statements have been repeatedly made on Sept. 19, 2017, also on Jan. 3 and Jan. 26. It's like China is making an annual proclamation that it is not responsible for the North Korean nuclear issue, and it doesn't want to be associated with it. However, a sudden and important shift has been made amid the rapid developments on the Korean Peninsula and there is now a view that China is being "sidelined" in this process. On April 19, the Chinese foreign ministry said, "As a 'party' (dang shi fang) to the Korean Peninsula issue, China is willing to play an active role." What is noteworthy here is that China, this time, is identifying itself as a party to the problem of the Korean Peninsula. Until recently, China's narrative on the matter was to position itself as a "unique" (dute) country on North Korea's nuclear issue or a nation that plays a "constructive" (jianshexing) role. However, it stopped short of identifying itself a "party." Thus, this is an important public shift in China exerting its role about North Korea. Browsing the Chinese foreign ministry's record, one can see that China in the past listed the following countries as "parties" to the North Korean nuclear issue: the U.S., North Korea, and South Korea, without including itself. China also urged these countries to actively engage in resolving the North Korean issue. "We hope 'the direct parties' involved in the issue of the Korean Peninsula will bravely take the responsibility to fulfill their share of the obligation and play their roles," the Chinese government said on Aug. 30, 2017, as if it saw itself a third-party referee. In addition, China has positioned itself as a primary mediator of the North Korean nuclear issue, particularly through its well-recognized role as the host of the six-nation talks, aimed at tackling North Korea's nukes. In this vein, China has also emphasized that Washington and Pyongyang should accept the China-proposed "freeze-to-freeze" formula as a solution. Clearly, China positioned itself as a mediator, not a party to North Korea's nuclear issue. However, when it sensed that it was being sidelined in the currently unfolding rapid development on the Korean Peninsula, China suddenly declared itself as a "party" to the Korean Peninsula issue, despite the logical contradiction that China itself should be keenly aware of. China is not going to tolerate the North Korean nuclear issue being decided without its presence at the table and is not going to stand by idly as the North Korea talks proceed in ways goaded by the U.S. and South Korea, without consulting China. From a U.S.-China rivalry perspective, Trump's announcement that he would sit down with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un perturbed China's anxiety sufficiently. It would mean that Washington no longer needs Beijing in reaching out to Pyongyang and may even solve the North Korean issue without help from China. It would also mean that China is losing one of its long-time cherished strategic cards in geopolitics surrounding the Korean Peninsula. Chinese scholars say that China will express its discomfort if the U.S. and South Korea "alienate" China and try to solve the North Korean nuclear issue. Perhaps to make this point clear, China sent a military aircraft to intrude into the Air Defense Identification (ADIZ) of South Korea without any prior notice. For four hours, the Chinese military airplane flew along the proximity of the South Korean territory, in a pattern that "enveloped" South Korea. This act of aggression happened just one day after the inter-Korean summit. China wants Seoul and Washington to respect the Chinese traditional sphere of influence over North Korea and hopes Seoul and Washington will put Beijing more in the loop. When neglected and sulked, Beijing is inclined to demonstrate "who calls the shots" on the North Korean affair (as shown in the abrupt summit between Xi Jinping and Kim Jong-un), and even "daluan" (disrupt) the ongoing process, to borrow a Chinese interlocutor's expression. Lee Seong-hyon (sunnybbsfs@gmail.com), Ph.D., is a research fellow at the Sejong Institute. Amid the recent wave of large-scale teacher protests over pay , states should be supporting districts to strategically rethink teacher compensation, one report says. A new policy brief by the National Council on Teacher Quality , a Washington-based think tank, examines teacher pay for each state and the District of Columbiaand concludes that states should be doing more to make sure teachers are meaningfully compensated for exemplary teaching. Typically, decisions about teacher pay are left up to individual school districts. Most districts have a step and lane salary scheduleteachers earn a step increase in pay for each additional year of experience, and can earn a lane increase by having more education. In most states, these salary schedules are determined through collective bargaining, which is a process in which local teachers unions negotiate salaries, working conditions, benefits, and other factors with the school district. See also: Teacher Pay: How Salaries, Pensions, and Benefits Work in Schools Only a handful of states have a statewide salary schedule that establishes a minimum salary for teachers (though districts can go beyond what the state requires). But NCTQ wants states to go beyond counting years of experience and degrees earned, and consider rewarding teachers for other factors. The group counts just nine states that require districts to consider performance in their teacher compensationand only three states that require districts to consider new teachers relevant, non-teaching work experience when determining starting salaries. Thirty-five states explicitly support additional compensation or incentives for teachers who work in high-needs schools and/or subjectsa practice supported by NCTQ. While NCTQ supports differentiated pay structures and linking salary increases to teacher evaluation, those policies are controversial and have been hotly debated for over a decade. Past research has been mixed on how performance-pay initiatives affect student achievement, although a recent study found that in schools that offered pay-for-performance bonuses , students got the equivalent of four weeks of additional learning. The report lists a few states that NCTQ considers to have promising practices regarding compensation. School districts in Louisiana establish salary schedules based on teacher effectiveness; prior experience; and demand (certification area, the particular school, geographic area, and/or the subject-area need). Districts can provide stipends to teachers in shortage-area subjects and low-performing or high-poverty schools, and can compensate new teachers for their prior relevant, non-teaching experienceso an engineer who wants to become a high school science teacher, for example, will get credit on the salary schedule for his prior work as an engineer. Louisiana also says that any teacher who was rated ineffective may not receive a salary increase the following year. Meanwhile, Utah requires districts to base their compensation systems on annual teacher evaluations. Teachers who score well on their evaluations receive raises and teachers who are rated ineffective do not receive any salary advancement. Effective teachers can receive an additional stipend to teach in high-needs schools and subjects. NCTQ also points to North Carolina as a state thats doing something right: The state gives financial rewards to highly qualified teaching graduates who teach in a shortage-area subject or in low-performing schools during the first few years of their careers. North Carolina also moves teachers with relevant, non-teaching experience up one year on the salary schedule for every year of experience after earning a bachelors degree. However, despite those policies, North Carolina teachers are still engaging in a widespread protest over pay and school funding. Teachers there are requesting leave in mass for May 16 to protest at the state capitol , forcing districts across the state to cancel classes. North Carolina is the latest state to see such large-scale teacher activism: Teachers in West Virginia, Oklahoma, and Arizona all went on strike over low pay, and in each case, they ended the work stoppage with a salary increase. Teachers in Colorado have also closed districts across the state as they protested at the capitol for higher wages and more school funding. Its important to note that in all of these walkouts and protests, teacher evaluation and other performance-related policies have been conspicuously left out of the narrative. As my colleague Stephen Sawchuk reported , lawmakers are not trying to attach any performance-related strings to the salary increases they have awarded striking teachers. Even supporters [of teacher-performance policies] want to keep those efforts under the radar screen, and thats why youre not seeing people connecting the issue of teacher compensation and performance in this outbreak of labor unrest, Martin West, an associate professor of education at the Harvard Graduate School of Education, told Sawchuk for the article (which was published before NCTQs report came out). See also: The Teachers Are Winning. What Does It Mean for the Profession? NCTQ recommends that states should set parameters for districts to develop compensation systems, including taking into account teacher effectiveness, the school and subject area the teacher is working in, and relevant, non-teaching experience. The group also encourages states to work with districts to identify funding for these practices. Even in a resource-constrained environment, every state has the opportunity to be strategic about how compensation resources are allocated, the report concludes. Readers can examine the compensation policies in each state here . Image via Getty, chart courtesy of the National Council on Teacher Quality Oracle Korea CEO Kim hyung-rae By Baek Byung-yeul Oracle Korea employees have demanded fair wages and working conditions, claiming the local unit of the U.S. tech giant Oracle is stiffing its employee on their wages. Kim Chul-soo, leader of Oracle Korea's labor union, said there have been numerous cases of the company failing to pay out correctly, claiming the company abruptly increased quotas for work performance in order to decrease commission wages. "Oracle Korea has been operating its employment contract system preposterously. There are many colleagues who are not paid correctly even though they fulfill their given quotas," Kim told The Korea Times, Tuesday. Kim said employees working as consultants for Oracle Korea have been renewing their employment contracts on a yearly basis. Their contracts include a so-called "compensation plan." Under the compensation plan, Oracle Korea consultants have to fulfill a given quota to receive their full salaries. "In order to get fully paid, we have to fulfill our quotas. But the company changes the given quotas too often in order to pay less on commissions. "Many employees have complained that the compensation system is not clear and the pay raises are confusing and limited to only certain employees. This system is causing disharmony among employees," Kim said. Kim also said Oracle Korea has been stiffing employees on their wages, as some employees didn't receive minimum overtime pay. "Employees working in sales consulting have to deal with complaints made by customers of Oracle's products. Working late is frequent in this position but the company didn't pay overtime," Kim said. Oracle Korea employees established a labor union last September. It was a rare move among employees working for foreign IT companies to form a labor union. This was also 28 years after Oracle opened its branch here in 1989. Although Kim refused to mention the exact number of union members, it is expected almost 50 percent of all employees of Oracle Korea applied to join the labor union. The Korea branch has about 1,000 employees. Though Oracle Korea's labor union received an official approval from the Ministry of Employment and Labor, Kim said the company hasn't recognized organization as its labor union. "We have not reached an agreement in union negotiation with the company yet. The company is claiming they will recognize us if we stop raising questions about wage adjustments but that is a basic right of labor unions," Kim said. Oracle Korea and its labor union have went into mediation under the National Labor Relations Commission. The two sides are set to have their third meeting under the arbitration of the commission Tuesday. Employees of Hyundai Mobis work at the firm's plant manufacturing head-up displays (HUD) and premium sound systems in Tianjin, northeastern China. / Courtesy of Hyundai Mobis By Jun Ji-hye Hyundai Mobis is expected to win more than 1 trillion won ($927 billion) worth of contracts in China this year, the firm said Tuesday. This means the firm has successfully passed through the difficulties it endured last year caused by disputes between Korea and China over the deployment of a U.S. anti-missile system in Korea. The company, which is a key part of Hyundai Motor Group's shareholder restructuring efforts, said it has won contracts worth $423 million in China as of this month. The figure is higher by almost 50 percent compared to that of the whole of last year. The firm said the value of new contracts this year is expected to almost quadruple compared to that of last year. Hyundai Mobis attributed its growth to its higher value-added advanced products such as head-up displays (HUD), premium sound systems and motor-driven power steering (MDPS) systems. The firm could obtain even more contracts thanks to such products, it said. "Our contracts to supply higher value-added advanced products to the Chinese market as of May grew 1.5-fold from last year," a Hyundai Mobis official said. Hyundai Mobis has recently signed a contract worth $200 million with a Chinese carmaker to supply its premium sound system that will be installed in the Chinese company's major models by 2020. Hyundai Mobis also signed a contract worth $35 million with another Chinese carmaker to start supplying HUDs next year. Last year, the company won contracts worth $6 billion with overseas carmakers. The figure is expected to exceed $7 billion this year and $10 billion in 2022, the firm said. "This year, we expect large-scale, new contracts in North America, Europe and Japan as well as in China," the official said. "For the medium and long term, we will obtain more than 40 percent of the sales of our auto parts business from other carmakers besides Hyundai Motor and Kia Motors." In an April 26 regulatory filing, the firm said 25 percent of its 2025 sales will come from its future technology businesses, including self-driving and connectivity cars, while its parts businesses such as braking and steering will account for 16 percent. Free seats at Samil PwC's new office in the new Amore Pacific building in Yongsan-gu, Seoul / Courtesy of Samil PwC By Lee Suh-yoon An increasing number of companies here are adopting "a free seating system" to create a more open and collaborative workspace. Some employees, however, have expressed concerns it could encroach on their privacy and reduce worker productivity. Kim Young-sik, CEO of Samil PwC / Korea Times file By Jung Min-ho At least 20 people have been killed on the Philippine islands of Mindanao, Luzon and Visayas in the run-up to the May 14 barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections, police said Monday. Twelve of the victims were incumbent barangay officials, two were running for barangay captain and six were civilians. A barangay is a small municipal division. A Sangguniang Kabataan is a youth council. National Police Director General Oscar D. Albayalde has urged the public to cooperate with authorities to ensure peaceful and orderly elections. He said the government will use all means possible to curb poll violence, including a massive deployment of troops to polling centers across the regions. The Korean Embassy in Manila has issued safety warnings to Koreans living in the country. / Captured from Segev's Instagram By Park Si-soo The chef at the Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's residence in Jerusalem reportedly stepped out of line last week when he served dessert in a shoe to visiting Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and his wife. Abe reportedly felt "offended" and the Israeli celebrity chef Segev Moshe, who prepared the dinner, has become the target of criticism for his offensive faux pas. To serve food in a shoe is unthinkable in Japan, South Korea and many other Asian countries whose culture keeps footwear not just off the table but outside the front door. "This was a stupid and insensitive decision," a senior Israeli diplomat who served in Japan told the Hebrew-language newspaper Yedioth Aharonot, according to The Jerusalem Post. "There is nothing more despised in Japanese culture than shoes. Not only do they not enter their houses while wearing shoes, you will not find shoes in their offices either. Even the prime minister, ministers and members of parliament do not wear shoes to work ... It is equivalent to serving a Jewish guest chocolates in a dish shaped like a pig." It is unclear what message the chef was trying to send by serving the chocolates in a shoe. / Captured from Segev's Instagram Posted 5/7/18 Osteoarthritis of the joints can affect people of all ages but is one of the leading causes of disability in the aged population in the United States. A study published in the Caspian Journal of Kendallville, IN (46755) Today Generally cloudy. Slight chance of a rain shower. High 73F. Winds SE at 5 to 10 mph.. Tonight Cloudy with occasional rain showers. Low 62F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 60%. Grief in open waters Im sitting by an open window, watching how the morning light filters in, feeling the brisk accent in the wind.... Remember When Last week I was talking about grocery stores and box stores we all used to go to, so I thought... Not all who wander are lost If youre a fan of the Lord of the Rings trilogy (like I am), then youre probably familiar with one... Remember When How America was settled is a passion of mine, since part of my family got here in the 1600s from... Last month, Mick Mulvaney, interim head of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, caused a stir after telling a group of banking executives that as a South Carolina congressman he always met with constituents but met with out-of-town lobbyists only if they gave him campaign money. In the speech, Mulvaney also took aim at the consumer watchdog agencys complaint database, which contains more than 1.5 million complaints from consumers about their credit cards, bank accounts, mortgages and other financial arrangements. I dont see anything in here that I have to run a Yelp for financial services sponsored by the federal government, Mulvaney said during his address to the American Bankers Assn. meeting. I dont see anything in here that says that I have to make all of those public. A review of Mulvaneys campaign contributions finds some overlap between the two issues: Eight of the 10 companies subject to the most consumer complaints about their banking practices contributed to Mulvaneys political campaigns, according to a report by Public Citizen, a liberal consumer-rights group, released Tuesday. Nineteen of the top 30 contributed $140,500 to Mulvaney. Equifax, the credit reporting firm that is under investigation by the CFPB after a massive data breach last year that exposed the sensitive data of millions of people, has received the most complaints 83,252, according to Public Citizens analysis. Equifaxs political action committee contributed $5,000 to Mulvaneys campaigns. An Equifax competitor, Experian, has been the subject of more than 72,000 complaints and contributed $6,000 to Mulvaneys campaigns, according to the report. Advertisement JPMorgan Chase, Bank of America and Wells Fargo, the biggest banks in the country, have received more than 50,000 complaints each and contributed thousands of dollars to Mulvaneys campaigns. Mulvaney resigned from his House seat in 2016 when President Trump appointed him White House budget director. We cannot respond to an inquiry about a report that we have not seen, CFPB spokesman John Czwartacki said in a statement. We will be happy to respond after we have had a chance to review the report. The database, which was created in 2011, has long drawn the financial industrys ire. Industry executives say that it is full of errors and unverified complaints and that most companies already have avenues for resolving disputes with their customers. Under the law, the CFPB must maintain the database. But the agency is not required to make it public online, Republicans and the financial community say. The CFPB will maintain the database as required by law, Mulvaney said at the bankers conference. But I could make the case that ... having a database that is publicly facing, but is not completely vetted, is probably not consistent with our overall mission, he said. The CFPB, which asks companies to respond to complaints posted in the database within 15 days, has used the information to spot patterns of bad behavior, consumer advocates say. If it is not open to the public, companies will feel less compelled to respond to complaints, they say. Is it possible that Mulvaneys horrible idea of hiding the CFPBs complaint database is connected to the fact that the most complained-about companies contributed to him? Michael Tanglis, senior researcher for Public Citizens Congress Watch division and author of the report, said in a statement. As a congressman, Mulvaney was one of the CFPBs staunchest critics, and Democrats complain that he is weakening the consumer watchdog. Mulvaney has launched a top-to-bottom review of the agencys operations, slowed the pace at which it penalizes industry bad behavior and proposed that lawmakers curb the agencys powers. He has portrayed the CFPB as too closely aligned with Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), who as a Harvard professor came up with the idea for the agency. Mulvaney has even called for changing the agencys name. It should be known as the Bureau of Consumer Financial Protection rather than the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, he has said. Shuffling the words in the name, advocates warn, is part of an effort to play down the agencys focus on helping consumers. The fight over net neutrality is back. This time, Democrats and other supporters of the controversial internet traffic regulations are seeking to turn the tables on Republican opponents by using a legislative tactic, popularized recently by the GOP, to resurrect the rules the Federal Communications Commission struck down last year. The effort formally begins Wednesday as backers file a petition in the Senate that will force a vote next week to undo the FCCs action. Amazon, Netflix, Facebook, Google and other online giants support the move. Dozens of websites, including Etsy and Reddit, are expected to launch a red alert online blitz on Wednesday to encourage their users to lobby their lawmakers to reinstate the 2015 rules that were designed to ensure the uninhibited flow of data online. Advertisement Although theyre poised for a narrow win in the Senate, net neutrality supporters acknowledge the attempt to restore the Obama-era regulations is a long shot. The hurdles include strong opposition from House Republicans and telecommunications companies, such as AT&T Inc. and Comcast Corp., as well as a likely veto from President Trump. Regardless of the outcome, the debate over net neutrality and by extension, the future of the internet appears headed for a key role in Novembers congressional midterm elections. Theres a political day of reckoning coming against those who vote against net neutrality, warned Sen. Ed Markey (D-Mass.), who is leading the Senate effort to restore the rules. Democrats are using the maneuver to keep the issue alive heading into this falls elections, which will determine control of the House and Senate, said Daniel Lyons, an associate professor at Boston College Law School who specializes in telecommunications and internet legal matters. It keeps the issue in the headlines, and it forces some members of Congress to stake a position theyd perhaps rather not stake, said Lyons, a visiting fellow at the American Enterprise Institute think tank. Both sides in the matter say they are trying to preserve the open nature of the internet. The debate, going on for more than a decade, had been about what role the federal government should play in doing that. In 2015, the then-Democratic controlled FCC took the boldest step yet. It voted 3-2 to enact regulations that prohibited broadband and wireless internet service providers from selling faster delivery of certain data, slowing speeds for specific video streams and other content and blocking or otherwise discriminating against any legal online material. To enforce the rules, the FCC classified broadband as a more highly regulated utility-like service under Title 2 of federal telecommunications law. Republicans and telecom companies argued that the threat of heavy-handed regulation would stifle investment in expanding internet access and speeds. AT&T, other companies and industry trade groups sued to block the rules, arguing that the FCC exceeded its authority in approving the regulations. But a federal appeals court upheld the regulations in 2016. Trumps election roiled the issue again. Republicans gained control of the FCC, and Trump tapped Ajit Pai, a commissioner who had voted against the rules in 2015, to be the new chairman. Pai quickly targeted net neutrality, and on another 3-2 vote, the FCC voted along party lines in December to repeal the rules. Republicans said they were reestablishing the light-touch regulatory approach that allowed the internet to flourish. The repeal meant that the strict regulatory structure largely gave way to market forces. Telecom companies said they were committed to the principles of net neutrality and had no plans to change their practices. But the companies have hedged on whether they would start charging additional fees to transport video streams or other content at a higher speed through their network in a practice known as paid prioritization. Paid prioritization could accelerate the development of autonomous vehicles and home health monitoring, which would need reliably fast service. But net neutrality supporters worry telecom companies will set up toll lanes on the internet, cutting deals with some websites to deliver their content faster and squeezing out start-ups and small companies that lack the money to pay for faster service. A brief, strange history of net neutrality (including a series of tubes, a dingo and James Harden) Just like the issue itself, the attempt to restore net neutrality is complicated. A group of 23 Democratic state attorneys general, including Californias Xavier Becerra, filed a lawsuit in February to block the FCCs repeal. But Markey and other supporters also are employing another strategy: the Congressional Review Act. The procedure allows Congress, with simple majority votes in both chambers and the presidents approval, to reverse regulations enacted by federal agencies. It had been little used before Trump took office, but since then, Republicans have employed it more than a dozen times to overturn Obama-era regulations. Because there has been some bipartisan support for net neutrality, supporters are trying to use the Congressional Review Act to restore the rules. Markey has lined up 50 votes in the Senate: all 47 Democrats, the two independents (Angus King of Maine and Bernie Sanders of Vermont) that are aligned with them, as well as Republican Susan Collins of Maine, to back the repeal of the FCCs action so far. On Wednesday, Markey will file a petition to force a Senate vote that Republican leaders cannot block. With Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) absent as he battles brain cancer, the repeal measure is set to squeak by on at least a 50-49 vote next week. But Markey said supporters plan a full-court press to convince other Republicans to vote for the measure and provide some momentum as it then would head to the House. Im clear-eyed, but optimistic about the political common sense that ultimately is going to put more votes up on the scoreboard for net neutrality than people today believe is possible, Markey said. And as we head toward the election, I think there are people who vote no who are going to regret their vote. Net neutrality supporters are targeting Sen. John Kennedy (R-La.) and other Republicans who have bucked the partys leadership in the past. On Tuesday, Kennedy told reporters he had not made a decision yet on how he would vote. Backers of the regulations hope a Senate win will provide momentum as the issue moves to the House, which must vote on the measure by the end of the year or it will die. Republicans have a larger House majority, and about two dozen of its members would have to vote for the net neutrality repeal. Net neutrality supporters note that 15 Republicans crossed the aisle in March 2017 on another internet issue. They voted to uphold FCC broadband privacy regulations that Republicans successfully used the Congressional Review Act to repeal. But net neutrality regulations were much more widely opposed by Republicans. Conservative activists are lobbying lawmakers to oppose the effort to reinstate the regulations. We want to make sure were fighting back and showing Republicans who may be on the fence on this issue that this is not an issue worth giving in on because theyre nervous about the fall elections, said Patrick Hedger, director of policy for FreedomWorks, a free-market group. Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.), who opposed the net neutrality regulations, said Tuesday that he didnt expect the attempt to reinstate them would go any further than the Senate. This isnt going anywhere in the House, Thune said. Its not going to be signed into law. Trump looms as a major hurdle. The Trump administration supports the FCCs efforts to roll back burdensome, monopoly-era regulations, Hogan Gidley, deputy White House press secretary, said in a written statement this week when asked about the presidents position. In 2014, Trump tweeted his opposition to the FCCs regulations as they were being considered. But he has been quiet on the matter ever since, and supporters of the regulations hold out hope he could be swayed if the measure somehow gets approved by the Senate and House. jim.puzzanghera@latimes.com Twitter: @JimPuzzanghera The Los Angeles City Council on Tuesday approved a plan allowing SpaceX to build and operate a facility at the Port of L.A., where the Hawthorne space company will produce its next-generation BFR rockets and spacecraft. The vote gives formal approval to a plan that got the greenlight last month from the L.A. Board of Harbor Commissioners. During a presentation to the council, L.A. City Councilman Joe Buscaino said the project could result in up to 700 new jobs. Under the terms of the deal, SpaceX will have an initial 10-year lease with two additional 10-year extension options. The companys initial rent will be $1.38 million a year, with annual adjustments based on the Consumer Price Index, but it can offset a total of $44.1 million in rent by making improvements to the Terminal Island site at Berth 240 in its first 20 years of tenancy. Advertisement SpaceX officials have said the easy access to water at the 19-acre site is key to transporting the massive rockets and spacecraft from the manufacturing facility to launch sites. When the spaceship is stacked atop the rocket, the two pieces together are expected to be more than 340 feet tall. A SpaceX official told the Board of Harbor Commissioners last month that production of the rocket and spacecraft system would begin in two to three years. SpaceX Chief Executive Elon Musk has said the BFR system eventually will replace the companys workhorse Falcon 9 rocket as well as its newly debuted Falcon Heavy, which first flew in February. The BFR system is also key to the companys plans to colonize Mars. samantha.masunaga@latimes.com Twitter: @smasunaga Fans of renewable energy anticipate a bonanza blowing off the coast of California. But a map released by the U.S. Navy puts large swaths of the state off-limits to future offshore wind farms including all of San Diego and Los Angeles counties, extending up to the Central Coast. The military does not have the final say in the matter, as federal and state officials as well as wind energy companies and at least one member of Congress are working with the Department of Defense to develop a more flexible plan. But the back-and-forth adds an extra layer of complexity to the nascent industry on the West Coast, where geographic features make it harder to construct wind farms in the Pacific Ocean than on the East Coast. Advertisement Theres a lot at stake here for California to meet its ambitious clean energy goals, said Robert Collier, a policy analyst at the Green Energy Program at the UC Berkeley Center for Labor Research and Education. California is going to need a lot more renewable energy from all sources. Offshore wind is not the only potential solution, but it is part of a multi-pronged strategy. The sight of wind turbines anchored into the ground, their blades turning like giant pinwheels, has become more common in recent years. But its rare to see a wind farm looming over open water at least in the United States. European companies with projects in places such as Denmark and Scotland have taken the early lead in offshore wind energy. The first commercial offshore wind facility in the U.S. was launched in December 2016 the 30-megawatt Block Island Wind Farm in Rhode Island and more are in the works. In the Atlantic, offshore wind turbines can be bolted into the seabed in relatively shallow water. But the continental shelf off the coast of the Pacific plunges quickly and steeply. That leaves developers with only one option: floating wind farms tethered, or moored, by cables to the ocean floor that dont penetrate the surface. Electricity from the turbines would be transmitted to a floating substation and carried to a power plant onshore via a buried cable. Its estimated that nearly a terrawatt of electricity could be generated off the coast of California, 13 times more capacity than what is generated by all the land-based wind farms across the country. But in the past year, some of the lofty expectations have been tempered. Two years ago, a Seattle-based company called Trident Winds filed an unsolicited lease request to build a floating wind project 33 nautical miles off the coast of Morro Bay near San Luis Obispo. Since then, Norwegian energy giant Statoil also has expressed interest. At the request of Gov. Jerry Brown, the federal governments Bureau of Ocean Energy Management established an intergovernmental task force to look into opportunities for offshore wind in California. State waters extend from the ocean shoreline outward by three nautical miles. Federal waters extend from three miles to 200 nautical miles. Floating offshore wind projects typically would be located in federal waters, but because the cables connect onshore, they would cross state waters. That means state as well as federal agencies would be involved. The Department of Defense was asked to provide its assessment of the California coast. Last summer, the Navy released a map, using the colors of a traffic light green for no restrictions, yellow for site-specific stipulations and red for what it called wind exclusion, where the military wanted no wind farms at all. (Blue areas were coded for sites designated as National Marine Sanctuaries.) The red no-go areas covered all of Southern California from the southern tip of the Mexican border, extending through San Diego, Los Angeles and Santa Barbara counties and all the way to Big Sur. The area included the Central Coast site of the potential Morro Bay projects. The only areas colored green were north of Mendocino. The Navy said the red areas should be off-limits to wind projects because they would conflict with the requirements of Navy and Marine Corps missions conducted in the air, on the surface, and below the surface of these waters. The map was updated in February and became even more restricted; all the green areas turned yellow. Rep. Salud Carbajal, a congressman and Democrat from the San Luis Obispo area, wants the Navy to be more flexible. He met with naval representatives in March in Washington and came away encouraged. A service vessel passes below wind turbines of the German offshore wind farm Amrumbank West. (Tobias Schwarz / AFP/Getty Images ) Why is all of Southern California in the red zone? Steve Chung, the Navys encroachment program director for the southwest region, pointed to the Point Mugu Sea Range north of Los Angeles and the sprawling Southern California Range Complex off the coast between Dana Point and San Diego. The complex encompasses more than 120,000 square miles of sea space for training, equipping and maintaining combat-ready forces, supporting the largest concentration of naval forces in the world, Chung said. The area also is used by the Marine Corps, the Air Force (Vandenberg Air Force Base is near Lompoc) and, to a lesser extent, the Army. Its a very congested environment out there, Chung said, and we start [by] pointing out other activities such as marine traffic or civilian air traffic. When you begin presenting structures such as wind turbines, now youre introducing additional complexities. When asked whether putting wind farms in Southern California would be difficult, Chung said, Southern California is beyond a hard nut to crack. I dont see any realistic, conceivable manner where we can find offshore wind to coexist with the degree and complexity of operations that are occurring in Southern California. The wind blows harder as you move up the California coast, and thats where wind developers have really set their sights. Its also attractive to California policymakers to meet the states renewable energy goals. The states renewables portfolio standard requires power companies to derive 50% of their energy from renewable sources by 2030. Renewables have a problem with intermittency solar energy dips when the sun doesnt shine, and land-based wind falls off when the wind doesnt blow. Offshore wind blows harder and more consistently, which, its supporters say, will help balance the states grid while allowing for more integration of clean energy sources. A small community power authority in Humboldt County is in position to become the first to establish a floating wind farm in the country. Were excited, said Lori Biondini, the director of business development and planning at the Redwood Coast Energy Authority, a community choice aggregator, or CCA. We like to be pioneers of things in the energy world. Last month, the group formed a consortium to erect a 100- to 150-megawatt wind farm of between 12 and 15 turbines more than 20 miles off the coast of Eureka, near the Oregon border. The turbines, Biondini said, will be 700 to 900 feet tall. The project is expected to go online in 2024 or 2025. We have a world-class wind resource, Biondini said. We have a way, way better wind resource up here than they do in Southern California. Average wind speeds off the Humboldt County coast exceed 10 meters per second, or 22 mph. The Navys updated map changed the coast of Humboldt County from green to yellow, but the project is still definitely workable, Biondini said. Chung said the color was changed largely because the North American Aerospace Defense Command wanted more information about the turbines to make sure they dont interfere with long-range radar. But like Biondini, Chung sounded upbeat, saying, We will continue to be very encouraged and very optimistic for the art of the possible in Northern California. The outlook for the Central Coast is more cloudy, though. Its in a holding pattern, said Alla Weinstein, the founder of Trident Winds, the company that wants to construct a wind farm off the coast of Morro Bay. Were working on the issues, but it will take some time to work them through. If given the go-ahead, the Trident Winds project would be about six times more powerful than the facility planned at Humboldt Bay. They didnt come in with an obstructionist attitude, Carbajal said. They expressed a willingness to continue the conversation with various companies and to find opportunities within the challenges they have outlined in their mapping. Nikolewski writes for the San Diego Union-Tribune. Economists call it perfect competition and its basically the opposite of a monopoly. Its when a market has a sufficient number of players to ensure the highest level of efficiency for both buyers and sellers. Its a principle thats once again being put to the test as T-Mobile and Sprint seek a merger that would reduce the number of major wireless carriers in the United States from four to three. The two companies make an interesting case. Theyre arguing that amid a costly race to introduce next-generation 5G wireless networks, theyd be better able to compete with market leaders AT&T and Verizon by pooling their resources. Theyre saying its better for consumers to have three strong market players, rather than two strong ones and two weaker ones. Advertisement Analysts are mixed on the validity of this argument, but theyre not dismissing it out of hand. The story theyre telling is a plausible one, said Daniel Lyons, an associate professor at Boston College Law School who specializes in telecom matters. The question is whether, after a merger, theyd have the scale to compete with the two larger players, he said. The answer is we dont know and we dont know the effect this would have on the market. Nicholas Economides, an economist at New York University, said that for a market to be considered truly competitive, it should have at least 10 players. In the case of the wireless market, he said, were already talking about an oligopoly. So a merger would just make an even more concentrated oligopoly. Going from four to three players, Economides said, makes it extremely likely prices will be higher. Thats usually the case. Less competition in an industry almost always translates to higher prices, worse service and less innovation. Yet so far the wireless industry has largely bucked the trend. Even with just a handful of providers, prices have remained relatively stable and at various intervals have come down amid price wars among carriers. Thats mostly been a factor of T-Mobile keeping rivals honest with scrappy moves such as getting rid of contracts, roaming fees and data limits. So the question for federal officials is whether a more muscular T-Mobile would be able to come up with even more disruptive and consumer-friendly ideas, or if the market would be better served by preserving what little numerical competition remains. Last September, the Republican majority of the Federal Communications Commission issued a report saying the U.S. wireless market had reached a state of effective competition for the first time since 2009, when there were nearly twice as many players duking it out for market share. Most reasonable people see a fiercely competitive marketplace, declared FCC Chairman Ajit Pai. No, most reasonable people do not see a fiercely competitive marketplace. They see average monthly wireless bills of $73 and spotty coverage that can cause entire neighborhoods to fall into black holes. And if four players constitute fierce competition, what does the FCC call the cable market, where consumers typically have only one provider to choose from? Moderate competition? Both the FCC and Department of Justice are tasked with making sure proposed telecom mergers are in the public interest. Among other factors, they weigh how a possible decline in competition would affect consumers. The DOJ frequently requires merger partners to alter deal terms as a condition of approval. My sense is that as our wireless oligopoly heads toward an eventual duopoly of AT&T and Verizon, the big dogs will feel increasingly comfortable exploiting their market clout, just as phone and cable companies have shown no hesitation pricing services as high as possible. While having more market players than you can count on your fingers and toes is obviously preferable, economists frequently turn to whats known as the Herfindahl-Hirschman index, or HHI. The Justice Department uses the HHI in its scrutiny of proposed mergers. Its a calculation that produces a number from less than 1 to 10,000 indicating the concentration of a market. If there was only one company in a market, a monopoly, that would be an HHI of 10,000. If there were thousands of players, the HHI would be nearly zero the blissful state of perfect competition mentioned above. Any HHI above 1,800 is considered a sign that a market is highly concentrated, or seriously lacking competition. As of last year, the HHI of the U.S. wireless market was close to 3,000. More than anything else, this stat poses trouble for the T-Mobile-Sprint deal. The companies which say they would ditch the Sprint name and call themselves T-Mobile will need to make a case to authorities that somehow their merger will make for a more robust marketplace, all evidence to the contrary notwithstanding. The combined companies will create a fierce competitor with the network scale to deliver more for consumers and businesses in the form of lower prices, more innovation and a second-to-none network experience, T-Mobile CEO John Legere said in a statement. The combination of these two dynamic companies can only benefit the U.S. consumer, chimed in Sprint CEO Marcelo Claure. Thats hooey. What is believable, though, is that a wireless landscape shaped by superfast 5G services will require size and very deep pockets, and a merged T-Mobile-Sprint arguably would be in better shape to stand up to AT&T and Verizon. Thats where they need to come up with a compelling story, said Gerald Faulhaber, a Wharton University professor emeritus of economics and former chief economist for the FCC. The level of competition in wireless isnt strictly determined by the number of players, he said. Is it four? Is it five? Is it six? Theres no hard and fast rule. But if the companies want to pass muster with the FCC and DOJ, Faulhaber said, they cant just make lofty claims about being a stronger competitor. Theyre going to have to prove it. I dont think they can just as AT&T was unable to make the case when it tried (and failed) to merge with T-Mobile in 2011. T-Mobile and Sprint arent helped by the fact that each company was crowing just a few months ago that they looked forward to being 5G leaders. Nor does it bolster their case that Sprint last week reported its most profitable fiscal year ever. The company cited its growing customer base and initiating deployment for the first truly mobile 5G network in the U.S. Teresa Harrison, an associate professor of economics at Drexel University, said corporate executives always try to defend proposed mergers by saying they just wont be able to compete with other industry players unless they can combine forces. My guess is the data wont bear that out here, she said. T-Mobile and Sprint are already big, and theyre already doing well. They just need to do better. That means theyll have to keep prices below those of AT&T and Verizon. Theyll have to offer superior service. Theyll have to innovate. Maybe thats not perfect competition in the economic sense. But its chutzpah. Id settle for chutzpah. 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. An unexpected buyer has emerged in the sale of late billionaire A. Jerrold Perenchios valuable Malibu real estate portfolio: the city of Malibu. The city council unanimously voted to buy three land parcels, totaling about 30 acres, for $42.5 million. Estimates value the total for all eight parcels, about 71 acres, at $150 million. The largest of the three parcels Malibu is buying, an 18.5-acre plot near Point Dume, will go for $18.2 million. The most expensive of the trio, a 9.5-acre plot near the Malibu Country Mart, will sell for $21.1 million. The smallest of the bunch, a 1.1-acre plot at the intersection of Webb Way and Civic Center Way, will sell for $3.2 million. All three are commercially zoned. Advertisement 1 / 8 Jerry Perenchios Malibu real estate portfolio (Agency) 2 / 8 Jerry Perenchios Malibu real estate portfolio (The Agency) 3 / 8 Jerry Perenchios Malibu real estate portfolio (The Agency) 4 / 8 Jerry Perenchios Malibu real estate portfolio (The Agency) 5 / 8 Jerry Perenchios Malibu real estate portfolio (The Agency) 6 / 8 Jerry Perenchios Malibu real estate portfolio (The Agency) 7 / 8 Jerry Perenchios Malibu real estate portfolio (The Agency) 8 / 8 Jerry Perenchios Malibu real estate portfolio (The Agency) According to a report from the city, the seller, Perenchios Malibu Bay Company, sought to move all eight parcels as a single package but agreed to sell the three properties separately upon the citys request. Undeveloped land anywhere in Malibu is rare, and its value cannot be quantified in dollars alone, Mayor Rick Mullen said in a news release. By acquiring this land we will be making sure that this great treasure, our communitys heritage, will benefit the future generations of Malibu. Some of the property may be used to meet the unmet demand for parking, the release said. The package hit the market late last year for the first time in three decades. Following his death last May at 86, the former Univision CEOs properties have been sprouting up for sale across the city. His oceanfront Mediterranean in Malibu Colony is currently on the market for $13.95 million. In addition, his former home in Bel-Air, a French Neoclassical-style mansion, has a $350-million asking price. Its the most expensive residential listing in the country. jack.flemming@latimes.com Twitter: @jflem94 MORE FROM HOT PROPERTY: For the right price, Hidden Valley offers a luxury haven Its not an emergency, but Sherry Stringfield is looking for a buyer in Malibu Spocks onetime Sherman Oaks space is up for sale. Fascinating Retired NFL referee Ed Hochuli makes quick work of selling San Diego condos A 14-year-old yeshiva student in the New York borough of Queens was punched and called a "Jew boy" on Sunday in an attack that the police are investigating as an anti-Semitic incident, the Forest Hills Post reported. The boy was reportedly walking home outside Yeshivath Shaar Hatorah Grodno at around 8:00 p.m. when a man allegedly punched him in the face and cursed at him. The New York Police Department says that the victim received medical attention at the scene, and that his face was sore and red. Police are also reportedly looking for a man who broke into the yeshiva four times between November and April, stealing hundreds of dollars in cash and electronics. Anti-Semitic crime appears to have risen in New York in recent weeks, including three known attacks on Hasidic Jews in the Crown Heights neighborhood alone. In one such incident, a visibly Jewish man was assaulted in broad daylight; the victim claimed that his assailant yelled at him, "You f-ing Jews! You stole my money! I gotta kill you!" Sometimes, a persons profession seems preordained, as is the case with one of Broadways most prolific poster artists, Frank Fraver Verlizzo. Verlizzo signs his work Fraver, a mash-up of the first three letters of his first and last names. Its synonymous with some of the most memorable poster art of all time, including the iconic yellow-and-black feline motif for The Lion King and the boisterously wicked pen-and-ink lines for the original Broadway production of Sweeney Todd starring Angela Lansbury. Those and others are featured in the book Fraver by Design: 5 Decades of Theatre Poster Art from Broadway, Off-Broadway, and Beyond, released this month. Verlizzo grew up loving movies, and in the early 1970s, he studied at Brooklyns Pratt Institute, where a well-connected and professionally accomplished professor sent him to meet with one of Broadways biggest ad agencies at the time. Ive been in heaven ever since, Verlizzo said by phone from New York, where since 2010, he has been working as a free agent because, well, he can. Fravers reputation precedes him now that hes designed more than 300 Broadway and off-Broadway show posters. Hes pretty much been given free reign to let his imagination run loose when hes hired. Most productions are in the very early stages of development when the poster art is commissioned. Verlizzo is usually given a script, and then hell have a conversation with the producers about the message they would like to convey with the art. After that, hes off and running. He says his favorite poster is the one he did for Stephen Sondheim and James Lapines Sunday in the Park With George, which opened on Broadway in 1984 starring Mandy Patinkin and Bernadette Peters. It went on to get 10 Tony Award nominations and to win two. I was a lot younger, and had a lot of meetings at the [producing] Shubert Organization, which was very imposing, Verlizzo said. I got to meet and talk with Sondheim and James Lupine, which was very exciting. I found out later on I was the only artist they ever asked to design that poster. I did three comps, and they chose one and stuck with it. All his hard work in the name of theater has not gotten in the way of his enjoyment of theater. As a voting member of the Drama Desk, Verlizzo attends many shows. Most recent: both parts of Harry Potter and the Cursed Child. I loved it, he said. Frank "Fraver" Verlizzo Frank "Fraver" Verlizzo Frank "Fraver" Verlizzo Frank "Fraver" Verlizzo Frank "Fraver" Verlizzo Frank "Fraver" Verlizzo Frank "Fraver" Verlizzo jessica.gelt@latimes.com @jessicagelt MORE THEATER: The critic: Tony nominations reflect an anemic year for original ideas The count: Mean Girls and SpongeBob lead a year of adaptations and revivals The complete list: 2018 Tony nominations in every category Ten years ago, L.A. artist Michael Gittes thought he had superpowers. As a student at Wesleyan University, he said, he was gripped by a mental crisis so profound that he spoke mostly in colors and numbers, and he thought he could stop traffic simply by walking into the street. He was placed in a mental institution. When his mother brought him back to Los Angeles, Gittes said, she put him in the care of Dr. Lewis Engel, who happens also to be an artist. Today, Gittes credits the doctor with saving his life and has organized an exhibition featuring work by both of them. Since We Met, on view by appointment (email contact@mgittes.com) through Thursday at the Gabriella Foundation in downtown L.A., is a celebration of their relationship and a tribute to arts role in Gittes recovery. It is also, some will say, a problematic blurring of the therapeutic boundary between doctor and patient. Engel is still his doctor, but Gittes prefers to see the show as an evolution of their relationship. Gittes also will be included in the group show "Michael Jackson: On the Wall" opening in June at the National Portrait Gallery of London. He recently sat down in his live-work space in the Arts District for this conversation, which has been edited for length. Michael Gittes' "A Transition Into Water," part of the show "Since We Met." Christina House / Los Angeles Times How did this L.A. show come about? It was my idea, and I had been pushing for it for years. First and foremost, I liked Dr. Engels work, but I just knew I wanted to show with him, and for whatever reason, he for years said, "No." And then, after my dad died last year, he agreed to do the show. How did you and Dr. Engel meet? I had a serious mental episode for a year or so where I slowly became a different person, and then eventually I was a completely different person, from my religious beliefs to my morals and ethics. A girl who I loved more than anyone else meant nothing to me. It was the weirdest thing, almost like "the ultimate betrayal," is how I think of it. As I got crazier and crazier and crazier, I eventually ended up in a mental institution in Connecticut, and I essentially had stopped speaking. I would speak almost exclusively in numbers and colors because I remember thinking that too much got lost in translation, even in the same language. It was really, really hard to communicate with me. This guy, Dr. Engel, figured it out. He figured out that the color that I was naming had significance to what we were talking about. I was extremely surprised, because I really thought that no one else could ever get to my level. But I was also just really relieved, because it felt like I had been alone for so long. Workers install Michael Gittes' work for "Since We Met." Christina House / Los Angeles Times SIGN UP for the free Essential Arts & Culture newsletter Do you think he understood you because he's an artist? I think so. I think that we're vastly different people, but that overlap is important. I think if you really care about art, a lot of that is just honesty and understanding. And I don't think it's just necessarily painting and drawing; it could be music or surfing. I want to celebrate this language, and I want to celebrate the fact that he knows it, and the combination of those two things, I think, is frankly why I'm alive today. So would he speak back to you in numbers? He asked me a question and I think I said, "Red." And he said, "No," and I went, "Then blue!" And he said, "Yes." And that was, like, "Ooh!" I could finally just relax, because somebody was finally there with me. I was no longer on the other side. To many people, this exhibition sounds like a breach of the doctor-patient relationship. What do you think about that? I haven't really talked to him about it. I think he wants to do [the show] for me because I think he knows that it's really important to me that people know that therapy is important. But for me, a big part of it is coming to terms with the fact that it happened, and wearing that feeling as a badge. Yes, it was embarrassing; it was shameful and it was terrible. But because of this man and because of art I was able to heal. How were the works in Since We Met selected? It's inspired by when Dr. Engel and I met, which was May 6, 2008, and it's our favorite works weve done since we met. But "Since We Met" means a lot of other things as well. It's when I met art. It was like meeting myself for the first time. But also it's, for me, a celebration of the fact that I'm comfortable in my own skin and I have a relatively good sense of my identity. So now I'm capable of functioning in the real world. So the "we" is me and you, the audience. What's important to me is celebrating the idea that there exists a mechanism for finding harmony with something that's bigger and more beautiful than all the things on Earth that cause you pain. And I don't know how it works for other people, but I do believe that that area of understanding, and expression, and fun, that's the gravity that holds us all together. Michael Gittes' Diagram of a Day (2017) is included in "Since We Met." Christina House / Los Angeles Times See all of our latest arts news and reviews at latimes.com/arts. MORE ART: The art of existence: Meleko Mokgosi's provocative show at the UCLA Fowler Museum Mark Innerst at Kohn Gallery: City of light, and loneliness Rashid Johnson at David Kordansky Gallery: Power, protection, plus 'Ugly Pots' If youre watching HBOs first-year comedy Barry, then you know that one of the years greatest pleasures has been Henry Winklers turn as self-styled master acting teacher Gene Cousineau. A classic narcissist, Gene really cares about his students ability to pay on time and in cash, Winkler tells The Times in a video interview, displaying the same perfect comic timing seen on the show. The way Gene homes in on these novices acting insecurities in order to build them up is kind of terrible, but Winkler performs the role in such a good-natured, over-the-top manner that its impossible not to love the guy. Plus, Genes romance with Det. Moss (Paula Newsome), an officer investigating murders possibly perpetrated by Bill Haders hitman title character is wonderful and, like just about every other element of the series, completely unexpected. I think underneath all of his baloney he is smitten by this woman, Winkler says, adding that Gene makes a great eggs Benedict with a sauce that, if its eaten at the moment, is unbelievable. Winkler adds he cant compare to Genes skills in the kitchen, though he does go on to share the secret to really fluffy scrambled eggs (a splash of heavy cream) that well be trying out the next time we remember to buy eggs. Advertisement Barry concludes its first season run on Sunday, and Winkler says he has no idea where the shows co-creators, Hader and Alec Berg, are going to take it next. Ive had a wonderful career and have done many different things, Winkler says, and then Barry comes into your life. When I read that script you gasp. Its like reading cashmere instead of a cotton blend. Speaking of fabrics, Winkler also talks about leather (Fonzies jacket) and a host of other things (acting advice, embracing the Fonz) in the interview, which you can watch in full below. Aaaaaay! Henry Winkler says he didnt realize just how coveted his role on Barry really was until he started telling others about it. He talks about working with Bill Hader on the HBO series and more. glenn.whipp@latimes.com Twitter: @glennwhipp For the first time, the Cannes Film Festival banned selfies on the red carpet. The organization is taking the new rule so seriously that when journalists retrieve their press passes this year, they are also given a bright red postcard reminding them of the rule, decrying offenders will be denied entrance to the screenings. Off the red carpet, however? Apparently anything goes. At the opening news conference here on Tuesday, meant to introduce the star-studded jury to the media, reporters toting cellphones gathered en masse at the front of the room. When the eight jury members including president Cate Blanchett, Kristen Stewart and Ava DuVernay arrived at their seats, the journalists remained, snapping photos of celebrities just mere inches from their face. Eventually, a moderator shooed the crowd away so the event could commence. But the instant the news conference concluded, many rushed to the stage again, seeking autographs. One woman even took Blanchetts half-empty water bottle and took a sip from it. Tres chic! READ MORE: A kiss is not just a kiss at Cannes, where the mood is edgy this year Kenneth Turan Advertisement As the head of the jury which is rounded out by Chang Chen, Robert Guediguian, Khadja Nin, Lea Seydoux, Denis Villeneuve and Andrey Zvyagintsev Blanchett fielded the majority of the questions during the 30-minute affair. Though she went to lengths to remain equanimous describing Cannes as a nonpolitical festival and giving inoffensive answers on the subject of #MeToo and women in the film industry she was also, at moments, fierce. When she was asked how female empowerment squares with a festival where actresses pose in high heels and gowns, she retorted: Being attractive doesnt preclude being intelligent. And when a journalist asking why movies still matter addressed the question only to the filmmakers on the jury, she bristled with sarcasm. Actresses, dont answer that question. Because you have no idea how to answer that question. DuVernay made an oblique reference to the debate between the theatrical and streaming experience in her answer Cannes didnt allow Netflix to compete for the Palme dOr this year noting that she believes a film is a film whether it is in a theater or not. A film is a story told by a filmmaker, and the way in which that film is presented to the audience, I dont think has any bearing on whether or not it is a film, she said. DuVernay made the documentary 13th for Netflix and continues to work with the streaming platform. As for how the jury will select the festivals top prize, Stewart said she would be looking for a movie that left her fundamentally, undeniably moved. Yes, the topical nature of films in festivals is important, the actress said. But I think its more important to know that in ten years time it will stand and I think its pretty obvious when you watch a movie like that. Only three of the films competing for the Palme dOr were made by women, a fact which Blanchett lamented. But change will not happen overnight, she noted, adding that she believes coming to Cannes as a director is an exposing sport and you wanna know that the filmmakers are ready to have their films displayed. Would I like to have more women displayed? Absolutely. But we are dealing with what we have this year. Our job as industry members away from this festival is to help with change, she said. Is [#metoo] going to have a direct impact upon the films in competition this year, six, nine months on [from the Harvey Weinstein controversy]? Not specifically. There are several women in the competition, but they arent there because of their gender. They are there because of the quality of their work. amy.kaufman@latimes.com Follow me on Twitter @AmyKinLA With a screen presence that exists on a spectrum between earthy and ethereal, actress Mackenize Davis comes across as both otherworldly and familiar. Which is what makes her role in the new film Tully one of the best showcases for her talent yet. The third collaboration between screenwriter Diablo Cody and director Jason Reitman, Tully is a story of reassessment and renewal, what happens when the reality of middle-aged responsibility confronts the wacky wisdom and ambitious idealism of youth. Davis plays the title character, a night nurse who enters the life of a woman named Marlo played by Charlize Theron to help out after the birth of Marlos third child. As Tully becomes a bigger part of Marlos life, they both confront who they are and who they will become. It feels very different from other roles Ive played. I felt so comfortable playing this part in a way that was really satisfying, Davis said during a recent interview in Los Angeles. Not to be cynical and not to be sardonic and not to have a wall up I find some of the characters I play have a real hardness to them that is really fun but also so different from me that it can feel really sad. The labor can be really nourishing and fun but leave you feeling really drained. With this the labor was really energizing. Advertisement Watch Justin Chang onTully, one of the more viscerally accurate, in-your-face portraits of parenthood, and specifically motherhood, that Ive seen in a movie lately. And read Changs full review. They are both brave, brilliant women who happen to have incredible chemistry. And my job is: the camera better be rolling. Tully director Jason Reitman on Mackenzie Davis and Charlize Theron Even after four seasons on AMCs acclaimed but little-watched tech-drama series Halt and Catch Fire, Davis may be better known to many for her appearance in the award-winning San Junipero episode of Netflixs Black Mirror anthology series. Her film work includes last years Blade Runner 2049 and the 2016 indie drama Always Shine, for which she won a best actress prize at the Tribeca Film Festival. It was recently announced she will star in a Terminator reboot. But it was her first film role, in Drake Doremus Breathe In, and her subsequent work on Halt that caught Reitmans eye. He had read with her for a role in another film, and when it came to find an actress to play off Theron he knew where to look. Mackenzie is clearly one of the bright lights of her generation, Reitman said. She just kind of pops from the screen. Mackenzie Davis and Lee Pace in AMCs Halt and Catch Fire. (James Minchin III / AMC ) Some of the characters I play have a real hardness to them that is really fun but also so different from me that it can feel really sad. Mackenize Davis Because Davis plays a character who only arrives at night, when the rest of the house is asleep, her scenes are entirely with Theron. The two actresses make for an interesting pairing, as the low-simmering rage and frustration of Therons Marlo is tempered by the beatific generosity of Davis Tully. Reitman said the chemistry between the two was immediate. I wish I could say that I brought some magic to the table and got over some impressive hurdle, Reitman said. But the truth is [Billy] Wilder talked about it you pick a great screenplay and you pick great actors and a lot of it is going to work itself out. And thats the truth. They are both brave, brilliant women who happen to have incredible chemistry. And my job is: the camera better be rolling. Mackenzie Davis, left, and Charlize Theron. (Chris Pizzello /Invision P ) Davis, 31, hails from Vancouver, Canada, and studied acting in New York before moving to Los Angeles. Part of her career learning curve has been discovering how interviews can be a platform for talking about the things she actually wants to talk about, gaming the system as she put it. While promoting Always Shine in late 2016, Davis and director Sophia Takal spoke about issues of representation and identity faced by women in front of and behind the camera. In the time since, the broader cultural conversation has shifted toward those issues as well, meaning that they have remained a through-line in Davis interviews. And while these are still topics very much on Davis mind, returning to them again and again can be taxing. I would also like the conversation to produce change and move fast, because you get tired spinning your wheels, Davis said. And you just want it to happen and to stop being asked about it. Its an interesting conversation, but its only interesting in so far as there is action, and pretty immediate action. The issues touched on by Tully have provided more to think and talk about. Although the movie is ostensibly about motherhood, it is also about grappling with how one sees oneself and the sense of satisfaction one does or does not derive from where they are in life. Davis found a lot to wrestle with within Codys script. Mackenzie Davis in Tully. (Kimberly French / Focus Features ) I think in this era of people striving to tell more authentic stories about women regardless of whether its a story you can directly relate to or not you relate to the authenticity of the telling of it, Davis said. It makes you feel seen even if you are not a part of that particular demographic. So I felt seen as a woman in this movie of people talking about how [difficult] it is, the upkeep of the facade of a perfect life, to be a perfect woman, she said. Even though I dont have children and thats not part of my upkeep, I still can relate to the upkeep itself. Since Halt began, Davis has been able to jettison the sort of girlfriend/sidekick/ingenue parts that Hollywood would conventionally put forward for someone in her career position. This has led to an unpredictable filmography, yet one that somehow still hangs together, even as she moves between smaller-scaled films such as the upcoming Izzy Gets the Across Town, on which she takes her first producer credit, to big-budget bonanzas like Blade Runner 2049. I think everyone has an idea of what they want to do, I just dont think everyone knows how to achieve it, said Always Shine director Takal, who has remained close to Davis. She can look at the landscape and the environment and understand how the choices she makes will affect other choices shell have to make down the road. Mackenzie Davis, right, as Yorkie and Gugu Mbatha-Raw as Kelly in the Netflix series Black Mirror. (Laurie Sparham / Netflix ) Davis recently finished shooting The Turning for director Floria Sigismondi and costarring Finn Wolfhard (Stranger Things) and Brooklynn Prince (The Florida Project). Even with her Terminator movie on the horizon, she noted that it takes all kinds of projects to make a career. If you do big movies, you get to make smaller movies, because all of a sudden you have this power, she said. I would only make small movies if I could only make small movies, but theres a limit to that, to how long that can last. So you have to invest in yourself and then go back to making the scrappy movies. With her mix of insight, intuition and intelligence, there should be little doubt of what Davis can accomplish when she sets her mind to something. And she acknowledges, somewhat reluctantly, that she wants even greater control over her material. I want to be in charge of the stuff thats being made, she said. I feel sort of weird talking about it because every actor says they want to direct, and I dont want to talk about it until I have something to talk about. ALSO Charlize Theron and Mackenzie Davis breathe the miracle of life into the dark motherhood story of Tully Charlize Theron and Diablo Cody on busting the myth of the supermom in Tully We Gotta Get Out of This Place actress Mackenzie Davis breaks out Mackenzie Davis brings an edge to the sharp vacation thriller Always Shine SIGN UP for the free Indie Focus movies newsletter Mark.Olsen@latimes.com Follow on Twitter: @IndieFocus On a chilly night just before Christmas, helmeted black-clad soldiers pursued a homeless person in an otherwise quiet Grand Park. The disheveled man struggled up one of the parks long concrete stairways as the armed phalanx closed in. Cornering their helpless prey, the squad parted to make way for their leader a swaggering young woman wearing an outfit that could be called Lenny Kravitz casual who brandished a samurai sword. Have City Halls efforts to manage a homeless crisis in downtown Los Angeles reached a surreal, authoritarian peak? Not yet. The scene was actually a dramatic moment being filmed for an episode of FXs Legion, a spinoff of Marvels X-Men films that launches its second season May 8. The bearded vagrant was the heavily made up Dan Stevens, who stars as David Haller, a powerful telekinetic mutant who reckons with questions of madness, reality and identity. Advertisement The drama has been hailed by critics, whove said its mix of sound, visuals and unconventional narrative has redefined where a superhero story can go. Based on what the second season has shown, Legion has no intention of playing things straight now. Theres now, what, 500 shows on the air? series creator Noah Hawley asks in a phone call. And so many of them have gotten so good at doing all the things that traditional great storytelling does, right? I guess my feeling was, Well, if its not just about creating an emotional arc that rides along a predictable rail, what happens if we take this roller coaster off the rails? Hallers katana-weilding adversary in the scene was Kerry Loudermilk (Amber Midthunder), usually one of Davids allies and a fellow mutant who, in a complicated bit of Marvel Universe physics, shares a body with Cary Loudermilk (Bill Irwin). Cary is a scientist and the brains of the two, which makes the younger Kerry (who ages only when outside their body), the brawn. If this already sounds confusing, it was for the actors too, especially as Legions strange world was established in the first season. We all know this year how to navigate the madness, Midthunder says between takes, huddled under a long down coat over her caramel-colored sleeveless leather duster costume. I think we all understand how to not understand anything, she adds with a laugh. I really do! Despite the fantastic elements to the scenes being filmed downtown, Legion did not always appear to be out of sync with the normal atmosphere of the area. It was amazing how few people batted an eyelid, Stevens said of the shoot in a later phone call (prosthetics left him barely able to speak on set that day). This crazed man shuffling along the streets, barking you dont have to go far in this town to see that, anyways. It was interesting to step out and see how much of the weirdness of our show is not all that foreign. Amber Midthunder in a scene from the new season of Legion. (Suzanne Tenner/FX ) Last year, Legion was one of a handful of shows that moved their productions to Los Angeles from Vancouver, Canada, to take advantage of a tax credit. But even when the series was shooting in Canada, it remained cagey about when and where it took place, with a mix of otherworldly technology and design flourishes that drew from the 60s and 70s. We never say what the environment is. Theres no kind of geopolitical name to anything, says episode director John Cameron, who is also an executive producer. But we knew we were moving, and it was going to be somewhat of a road season. L.A.s the perfect location for most things, because we kind of have everything here. You have the paradigm of a place that is a paradise, but its also a desert at the same time, adds Hawley, an Emmy-winning producer of the networks Fargo, which he created. Theres just a lot of impossible things about this city that are interesting to explore. As if to further complicate things, the episode filmed in Grand Park finds a distraught Haller wishing to live in any other reality than his own, and in an apt, Its a Wonderful Life-like twist given the timing of shoot, the episode explores multiple other ways his life could have turned out differently. In this reality, he is alone, raving and homeless, and judging by the gunmen in pursuit, it does not end well. That night, with a head full of prosthetic teeth and makeup, Stevens joined Cameron around a monitor to review the scene he was just in. He watched footage of his character scrambling up the stairs and, for a moment, looking desperate in front of the parks cheerfully pink Christmas tree. Behind him, the pale majesty of City Hall towered overhead. Its an iconic, even heroic shot for a show that despite its ties to the X-Men series does not often allow such things. But what Legion does embrace is the bizarre, both in its storytelling and atmosphere. Hawley credits podcasts like Radiolab as inspiration for this seasons instructional interludes explaining (in a dark, Legion sort of way) a few mental health concepts. Some of this years visual flourishes the basket-headed Adm. Fukuyama and a virus that immobilizes people into teeth-chattering zombies are as haunting as the villainous Shadow King, played by Audrey Plaza, who at times also appears as a nightmarishly pale, obese figure. The X-Men were originally called The Uncanny X-Men, and uncanny is such a specific word that refers to a certain kind of horror you feel when familiar things act in unfamiliar ways, he says. A haunted house story is terrifying, because your house isnt supposed to do that, and whats really unsettling about people frozen with their teeth chattering is its not what people are supposed to do. So, rather than having to work hard to create some kind of horror thats a lot bigger, often its those simple elements. Yet for all its ventures into swanky astral planes and various mazes within the mind, the new season of Legion has also evolved to become something maybe even more unexpected topical. With its exploration of how unhealthy ideas can spread from person to person, this season reminded Stevens of how personal information from Facebook was used in the Cambridge Analytica scandal. There was one headline that said, The data was used to target users inner demons, Stevens said. And I thought, To see the phrase inner demons in a headline? Thats really what a lot of Legion is all about is inner demons, those deeply rooted psychological fears and how theyre preyed upon. [To be] exploring this very abstract space, looking at the philosophy of the mind and mind control, and then to see it echoed in reality is bizarre. Hawley agreed, to an extent. If Season 1 is the story of an insane man in a sane world, maybe Season 2, now we realize David is sane, [but] maybe the world has gone crazy on him, he says. That a society can succumb to an idea and become someplace where, just a few years ago, if you looked forward to see where we were, it would seem insane. And yet, somehow we get these moments in history where what is considered normal suddenly becomes very abnormal. If thats a topical subject, that wasnt necessarily on purpose. Back at the park, a camera swoops along an overhead cable to capture the advancing soldiers, Hallers labored attempt to flee toward what looks like (even without digital effects) a harsh end. Or maybe it isnt. As the cameras reset, Cameron deflects when asked about a theory on what might lie ahead. Could happen, anythings possible, he says. Thats the bottom line for Legion. See the most-read stories in Entertainment this hour Legion Where: FX When: 10 p.m. Tuesday Rating: TV-MA-LV (may be unsuitable for children under the age of 17 with advisories for coarse language and violence) chris.barton@latimes.com Follow me over here @chrisbarton. ALSO: Roseanne Barr leaves her Trump-tweeting behind somewhat in a stand-up stop in Vegas White House Correspondents Dinner and the Comedy Central Roast of Donald Trump: What a difference seven years make Bill Hader breaks out of the SNL mold with HBOs Barry, the story of a hit man with a dream Sunday best was how the dress code was described for the 2018 Met Gala, which celebrated the opening of the Metropolitan Museum of Arts new exhibition, Heavenly Bodies: Fashion and the Catholic Imagination. Its true that the outfits that crossed the arrivals red carpet were perhaps a little less revealing skinwise than in past years, but they actually revealed a good deal about the celebrities wearing them in that what-does-your-Halloween-costume-say-about-you kind of way. Its a feeling that was heightened by the fact that religion is perhaps one of the least-discussed topics on the red carpet today (or any day). And since celebrity culture and the Catholic Church are two of the most rigidly hierarchical social structures around, what the Met Gala congregants chose to wear Monday night was an intriguing exercise in sartorial symbolism. No one leveraged this to greater effect than Rihanna, one of the evenings co-hosts, who arrived in full pontiff regalia a pearl-and jewel-embellished, seafoam and silver Maison Margiela Artisanal bustier mini-dress, jacket and open skirt ensemble topped off with a bishops mitre. RiRis skirt didnt trail behind her like so many others on the red carpet but, lets face it, when your outfit says head of the Roman Catholic Church a long, flowing train is kind of superfluous. Also at the top of the fashion food chain? Vogue editor in chief Anna Wintour, who quipped on the carpet that she was wearing Cardinal Chanel as in Chanel couture, an all-white dress with a high, priest-like collar accessorized with a jeweled rosary necklace front and center. Rounding out the highest-to-heaven contingent was Guccis holy trinity creative director Alessandro Michele, Jared Jesus Leto and singer Lana Del Rey who arrived together looking like refugees from a Renaissance tapestry, the latter in full Our Lady of Sorrows mode, complete with a stitched gold metal heart pierced with a half-dozen daggers. In the Catholic Church, cardinals rank just below the pope, and it was easy to imagine that those who arrived in shades of red occupied a similar plane. Anne Hathaway and Bee Shaffer (both in Valentino), Amber Heard, Priyanka Chopra (in a scarlet-red velvet Ralph Lauren evening gown) and Andrew Garfield in a watermelon-red velvet Tom Ford shawl-collar cocktail jacket memorably had us seeing red on Monday night. Advertisement Wearing red, of course, can also be a nod to the cartoonish representation of the devil incarnate. That seemed to be what Nicki Minaj was aiming for in her devil of a red dress from Oscar de la Renta. Minaj even referenced the devilish side of the equation on the red carpet. I wanted to make sure the bad guy was here, she said by way of explanation, presumably referring to Old Scratch. Scarlett Johansson seemed to be sending a message as well with her choice of a burgundy-red gown by Marchesa, marking a return to the red carpet for the label co-founded by Georgina Chapman, ex-wife of Harvey Weinstein. Major stars had avoided Marchesa throughout this years awards season, but in a statement to multiple press outlets, Johansson said, I wore Marchesa because their clothes make women feel confident and beautiful and it is my pleasure to support a brand created by two incredibly talented and important female designers. Gucci creative director Alessandro Michele, from left, Lana Del Rey and Jared Leto (all in Gucci) mined religious motifs for the 2018 Met Gala. (Jamie McCarthy / Getty Images ) Every movement has its flag-waving contingent, and one fact visitors might glean from the Heavenly Bodies exhibition that officially opens at New Yorks Metropolitan Museum of Art on Thursday is that the predominant color of the Vatican flag is yellow. Those showing their colors (knowingly or not) Monday night included Amanda Seyfried (in Prada), Gabrielle Union in a Prabal Gurung stunner and former Hillary Clinton aide Huma Abedin. Metallic gold, which represents, well, gold, to most of the world, can symbolize the birth and resurrection of Christ when used in liturgical vestments, so it comes as no surprise that there was a deep vein of the precious metal at the 2018 Met Gala. Evan Rachel Wood made the color her own thanks to an Altuzarra ensemble with a golden metallic feather-covered cape that evoked a pair of angels wings folded neatly behind her. Other golden girls included Kerry Washington (in Ralph Lauren), Kim Kardashian West in an Atelier Versace form-fitting liquid gold chain mail gown embellished with beaded Byzantine crosses and Olivia Munn in a golden chain mail-inspired H&M Conscious Collection dress. Munn was hardly alone. A surprising number of women opted for chain mail and armor motifs. While the trend could easily be seen as a symbolic reference to the medieval Crusades (a dark chapter in the churchs history if ever there was one), Michelle Williams (in Louis Vuitton) and Zendaya (in Atelier Versace custom-molded gunmetal chain mail with Swarovski crystal embellishments) tipped the scale in favor of a full-on Joan of Arc vibe. And what better heroine to reference in the #MeToo era than a warrior woman who, after being burned at the stake at age 19 was later canonized as a Roman Catholic saint. The church is nothing without its choir of angels to spread the good word (the word angel comes to English from the Greek word for messenger), and the Met Galas worker bees were out in full force. Preachers kid Katy Perry was the evenings fine-feathered focus-puller in this department, arriving in a custom-made Atelier Versace look that paired a gold chain mail mini-dress with angel wings so super-sized she had to arrive in a convertible. At the opposite end of the spectrum (make that pew) was Kate Moss, who made her return to the Met Gala as an angel of darkness in an inky black mini-dress, her bare shoulders graced by the sparest jets of black ostrich feathers. Others did their angelic best by rocking riffs on the halo, ranging from Lily Collins subtle semicircle to Cardi Bs bejeweled Moschino headpiece, with some regal-looking crowns in the mix for good measure (Mindy Kaling, Lynda Carter and Madonna). And we dont even know where to start with Sarah Jessica Parkers towering Dolce & Gabbana Alta Moda topper that seemed more like a music box than any kind of headgear. For those not wanting to get caught up in the coded messages of religious iconography (think of them as the four-times-a-year churchgoers), a simple solution was to go with either an all-white look (Kendall Jenner in Off-White, Hailee Steinfeld in Prabal Gurung are two that come to mind) or an all-black one (Solange in Iris van Herpen and Bella Hadid in Chrome Hearts). A few other outliers appeared like window dressing almost literally by choosing designs that evoked the look of stained-glass church windows, such as Gigi Hadid in an Atelier Versace gown, or church decor: Ariana Grande in a custom strapless, silk organza ball gown that depicted scenes from Michelangelos The Last Judgment fresco in the Sistine Chapel. Amanda Seyfried in Prada from left, Huma Abedin and Gabrielle Union in Prabal Gurung were among the 2018 Met Gala attendees to wear eye-catching shades of yellow. (Jamie McCarthy / Getty Images, Evan Agostini / Invision / Associated Press, Neilson Barnard / Getty Images ) Lena Waithe in a custom Carolina Herrera rainbow-striped cape. (Neilson Barnard / Getty Images ) But perhaps the evenings best symbolic use of color came courtesy of writer and The Chi creator Lena Waithe, who won the evening and threw no small amount of shade at the Catholic Church in the process by hitting the 2018 Met Gala arrivals red carpet in a black tuxedo, which she wore under a voluminous custom Carolina Herrera cape designed to look like the rainbow-striped gay pride flag. adam.tschorn@latimes.com For more musings on all things fashion and style, follow me at @ARTschorn. ALSO: Met Gala 2017: A run on red, a bouquet of florals and a show-stopping trench coat Met Gala 2016: A sea of silver, a flock of feathers and a field of flowers Met Gala 2015 red carpet: Who was barely covered, who wore a fiery headdress UPDATES: 6:05 p.m. May 8: This article was updated with additional details. This article was originally published at 9:25 p.m. May 7. Venus Gentrix of marble, dated to the 3rd century A.D. and considered one of the best of its kind in the world, priced at Barakat at $1.2 million - photo by Scott Smith Its ironic: Los Angeles, the city where the distant past is last months movie receipts, boasts one of the worlds greatest collections of antiquities for those who want to own a beautiful and extraordinary piece of history. Barakat Gallery, for decades located on or around Rodeo Drive in Beverly Hills, recently moved to a two-story, 7,500 square foot building at 941 N. La Cienega, just south of Santa Monica Blvd. in West Hollywood, where some of owner Fayez Barakats vast treasures finally have the museum-quality exhibition they deserved. Barakat grew up in a family that had vineyards near Hebron, on the West Bank of the River Jordan in Palestine. From the late 19th century, the Barakats found or were brought antiquities from the area, which they sold at a Jerusalem shop. As a child, Fayez helped archaeologists on their local digs, but had planned to become a medical doctor. When his photographic memory and facility for languages came to the attention of Father James McGuire, he helped him obtain a Fulbright scholarship. But his father, wanting his son to continue to work in the family businesses, hid the university acceptance letter until the deadline passed. Then Dr. Nicholas Glueck, president of Hebrew Union College in Jerusalem, invited the boy to attend classes taught by renowned scholars and archaeologists, where he developed expertise in a variety of areas, including ancient coinage (rare coins are now an important part of the Barakat offerings). Museums sometimes criticized the Barakats for accepting artifacts of uncertain origin (often from neighbors claiming to have found them on their own land), because they asserted this encouraged looting. But there is much self-righteous hypocrisy in this attitude, since these institutions largely built their own collections from the booty of plundering imperial armies and resist returning anything to the countries of origin. Their criticism seems at least in part to stem from a desire not to have to compete with private collectors for acquisitions. Barakat has also gone to great lengths to document his sources for everything from jewelry to mummies, across cultures and history from China to the Americas. Gerald A. Larue, emeritus professor of Biblical History and Archaeology at the University of Southern California, wrote in a Barakat catalog, The protection of ancient sites is the responsibility of the respective governments. Once an object has been removed from its setting its true provenance is forever lost. Fayez Barakat is salvaging art objects for future generations. When I first met Barakat in 1997, he seemed loathe to part with anything: he grew attached to every item because he had the knowledge to fully appreciate its true value. In the following decade he gradually handed over much of the day-to-day work of his galleries to his son and employees, but in 2011 his son died and then his wife passed away shortly thereafter and the gallery was moved to a smaller location that required many of the pieces to be placed in storage. Paul Henderson, who holds an interdisciplinary degree that fostered his interest in ancient history, discovered Barakat in 2012. He helped with the design of his catalogs and website www.barakatgallery.com and a few years ago took over management of the galleries, including the move to West Hollywood. Barakat remarried a Korean woman and they opened a gallery in Seoul (there are two in Hong Kong, one in London and Amman, and another planned for opening in Marrakech, which Barakat has said is one of his favorite cities in the world). West Hollywood has a large Russian population, so its appropriate that the gallery has a 200-strong collection of Russian religious icons, part of a group bought by Barakat in Jerusalem from priests in the 1960s. One of the most outstanding is a 19th century painting called Christ the King, listed for $10,000 (icons typically were not signed by the artists). The objects from a recent Pre-Colombian display were being reinstalled when I visited in April 2018 and one of the most interesting I was able examine (Barakat allows some pieces to be touched) was a terracotta incensario in the form of a deity from a 1200-1400 A.D. Mixtec burial in Veracruz, Mexico. Items that were buried are often exceptionally well-preserved and this is priced at $24,000. The West Hollywood has some African antiquities that are 500-1,500 years old, made of terra-cotta, stone, and metals, such as the Ife bronze head from the 16th century that is valued at $600,000. However, a number of factors has made those a challenge to obtain, since foreign armies sent back the best treasures for their nations museums, locals sold off relics to private collectors, and the weather in many places and the materials used combined to cause artifacts to disintegrate. Much of what is readily available is early 20th century ceremonial regalia, valued both for its ritual significance and its artistic excellence. The expressionistic faces of African masks were imitated by modern artists like Pablo Picasso (whom Barakat met in Jerusalem and his own abstract realism paintings, inspired by Picasso, hang on the gallerys walls). West Hollywood also has some prehistoric artifacts, such as the large flint spearhead found in France dated 6000-4000 B.C, which is priced at $18,000. There many sculptures from Asia, especially Buddhas, including the red-lacquered wood statue of him standing from Myanmar (formerly Burma) that is dated to the 9th-10th centuries and being sold for $900,000, while a gilt bronze one of him sitting, created in Thailand in the 18th century, is listed at $75,000. The West Hollywood gallery opened a special exhibit on ancient Egypt in May 2018 (coinciding with the display of King Tut artifacts at the California Science Center). One of Barakats most important items is the small head of Tuts father, Akenaten, who started a monotheistic religion the temporarily replaced the Egyptian polytheistic hierarchy. Made of lapis lazuli and dated to 1314 B.C., it is one of the best-preserved of its kind and listed for $1.2 million. In July, the gallery will have an event Living with Antiquities, which will showcase eight spaces which showcasing how to incorporate antiquities and ancient art into design. Designer Phillip Lim and his business partner, Wen Zhou, celebrated the one-year anniversary of their downtown Arts District concept store and Cinco de Mayo a little early on Friday night with a tequila- and music-fueled fete that kicked off a monthlong celebration of Mexican craftsmanship. The 5,000-square foot space, which officially opened its doors on June 7 of last year, was strung with papel picado and its back wall adorned with an installation of colorful sombreros for the festive occasion, which also included the musical styling of local bands Sin Color, the Mexican Standoff and the all-female Mariachi Lindas Mexicanas; eats by Sqirls Jessica Koslow and Contramars Gabriela Camara; and cocktails courtesy of small-batch tequila producer Casa Dragones. Simon Doonan, second from left, Jonathan Skow, center, and Trina Turk watch Sin Color perform at a party at the 3.1 Phillip Lim concept store in downtown L.A.'s Arts District. (Adam Tschorn / Los Angeles Times ) In addition to dispensing the evenings social lubricant, the San Miguel de Allende, Mexico-based tequila brand has collaborated with Lim and Zhou for a monthlong, on-premises celebration of Mexican art and design dubbed Global Series: Mexico that will include such events as documentary screenings, talks and tequila workshops against the backdrop of artwork including an Emanual Tovar sculpture, photographs by Graciela Iturbide and the aforementioned sombrero installation (by Claudia Fernandez). Advertisement Among those turning out to celebrate with Lim and Zhou were husband-and-wife designer duo Trina Turk and Jonathan Skow, Barneys New Yorks creative ambassador-at-large Simon Doonan; Josh Peskowitz, co-founder of Culver City mens store Magasin; and Casa Dragones co-founder and chief executive Bertha Gonzalez Nieves. Global Series: Mexico at 3.1 Phillip Lim, 743 E. 3rd St., Los Angeles, through June 2. For more information on the concept store and its upcoming events, tune in to the 3.1 Phillip Lim Instagram feed. adam.tschorn@latimes.com For more musings on all things fashion and style, follow me at @ARTschorn. After eight award nominations, Providence chef Michael Cimarusti has once again been snubbed by the James Beard Foundation. Cimarusti was one of a handful of talented Los Angeles chefs who were left empty handed after Monday nights awards ceremony, held at the Lyric Opera in Chicago. At this rate, Cimarusti who is also behind West Hollywood seafood restaurant Connie and Teds, Cape Seafood and Provisions seafood shop, Best Girl at downtown L.A.s Ace Hotel and il Pesce Cucina at Eataly is becoming the Peter OToole of the Beard Awards. The James Beard Award nominees and winners are chosen each year by a group of culinary professionals and media from around the country. Cimarusti, along with Sqirls Jessica Koslow, Gjelinas Travis Lett, Rustic Canyons Jeremy Fox and Atelier Crenns Dominique Crenn were all up for the Best Chef West award. The medal went to Crenn. Advertisement Last year, the foundation named Cimarusti, Fox, Ludo Lefebvre (Trois Mec, Petit Trois, Trois Familia) and Lett as finalists; the award went to Corey Lee of Benu in San Francisco. Cimarusti, along with the other Los Angeles finalists, has been instrumental in elevating the citys dining scene, producing some of the most delicious, innovative and thoughtful food in the country. There were a couple of bright spots for Los Angeles. Caroline Styne of Suzanne Goins Lucques Group (A.O.C., Lucques, Tavern) took home the award for outstanding restaurateur. And Jose Andres, who has multiple restaurants at the SLS hotel in Beverly Hills, was named humanitarian of the year for his efforts in Puerto Rico, California and beyond. Other Los Angeles chefs who were in the running included Miles Thompson, a finalist for the Rising Star Chef of the Year award; Evan Funkes Felix Trattoria in Venice and Sarah Hymanson and Sara Kramers Kismet in Los Feliz, both finalists for the Best New Restaurant award; and Republiques Margarita Manzke, who was a finalist for the Outstanding Pastry Chef award. In the media awards, which were announced in New York City in April, Times restaurant critic Jonathan Gold was awarded the Craig Claiborne Distinguished Restaurant Review Award. For a full list of winners, visit www.jamesbeard.org. jenn.harris@latimes.com Instagram: @Jenn_Harris_ George Deukmejian, a perennially popular two-term Republican governor of California who built his career on fighting crime, hardening the states criminal-justice stance and shoring up its leaky finances, died Tuesday. He was 89. Deukmejian, who was elected governor in 1982 and 1986, died at his home in Long Beach, according to a statement from his family. During his many years of public service, including 16 years as a state legislator and four as state attorney general, Deukmejian sponsored the successful use a gun, go to prison bill, oversaw development of a workfare program for welfare recipients and negotiated with the Democratic-controlled Legislature to create an $18.5-billion, 10-year transportation plan. The son of Armenian immigrants, Deukmejian had years of public office on his resume before winning election as governor and emerging as the most prominent Armenian American politician in the United States. Advertisement His identification with Armenians, who were victims of genocide during the early 20th century at the hands of the Ottoman Turks, would infuse his life with a determination to ensure the rule of law. News of Deukmejians death brought praise from all corners of the states political community. The California Republican Party called him one of the great governors of the last century, and Gov. Jerry Brown noted that he had friends across the political aisle. Gov. Deukmejians humility and passion for doing what was best for California is a model for all who seek public service, said Allan Zaremberg, president of the California Chamber of Commerce and Deukmejians former legislative affairs secretary. Never, during a career that spanned three decades, did he waver from his law-and-order crusade or his passion for public safety. Steven Merksamer, Deukmejians onetime chief of staff and longtime advisor, said that one way to understand his former boss was to realize that, for him, public safety whether it be crime control or retrofitting bridges for earthquake protection was part and parcel of a basic philosophy. Coverage of California politics The paramount reason he ran for governor in the first place was his commitment to public safety, Merksamer said in 1989. It has been the hallmark of his whole life much more so than taxes or other issues. Its something he has told me he was brought up with. After serving as Californias attorney general, he rode the crime issue into the governors office in 1982 and, during the eight years he governed the state, guided the criminal-justice system toward tougher sentencing. He also oversaw the expenditure of $3.3 billion to build eight new penitentiaries. The number of felons in prison tripled to nearly 97,000 during his tenure. He also moved vigorously to put judges on the bench who took a hard line on crime. Deukmejian had watched as his predecessor, Brown, appointed liberals to the court, including making the controversial Rose Bird the chief justice of the state Supreme Court. When it was his turn, Deukmejian backed an initiative campaign which voters overwhelmingly approved to oust Bird and two other high-court justices, Cruz Reynoso and Joseph Grodin. As a result, Deukmejian was able to almost completely remake the court, appointing five of the courts seven justices. The governor wanted justice to be sure as well as just, and to be perceived as such by Californians, said Douglas W. Kmiec, who was constitutional legal counsel in the Reagan and the George H.W. Bush presidencies. Deukmejians judges tended to be law-and-order judges. They knew the law well, and they did not look to make new law from the bench. Besides remaking the state Supreme Court, Deukmejian appointed a raft of conservatives, including many prosecutors, to the states lower courts. His appointments reached 1,000 by the time he left office in 1991. In all, Deukmejian spent almost 28 years in Sacramento, enjoying a reputation as someone of unquestioned integrity but whose manner was so severe that he earned the nickname Iron Duke. Deukmejian said he was not trying to be difficult but merely trying to stick by my position and stick by my principles. Sign up for the Essential Politics newsletter Charles E. Young, who was chancellor of UCLA when Deukmejian was elected governor, said that he had wondered at first if he would be able to work well with Deukmejian. But Young came to view Deukmejian as one of the great modern-era governors of California. I believe he never took a position that he didnt believe sincerely, and if he believed sincerely in it, it didnt make any difference what anybody else thought, Young told The Times. Deukmejian was popular with voters who were anxious about crime. Unlike others before and after him, however, he did not try to ride his popularity to the White House, though he once conceded that, had he been asked to be George H.W. Bushs running mate in 1988 instead of Dan Quayle, I might have agreed to it. Although he played a part in California politics after he left office, attending Republican events and supporting various GOP candidates, he maintained a largely private profile. In 1991, he joined the Los Angeles office of the Sidley & Austin law firm, retiring 10 years later. Deukmejian liked not having to run the state after he left office. You get up every morning and you dont have to worry about 30 million people, deal with 120 legislators, deal with the press, Deukmejian told The Times George Skelton in 1992. It took me about five minutes to adjust to a private, normal life without all those concerns and headaches. Courken George Deukmejian Jr. was born June 6, 1928, in Menands, N.Y., a small village set among the rolling hills and aging brick factories along the Hudson River near Albany, the state capital. At home, Deukmejians parents spoke Armenian, Turkish and English but taught George and his sister, Anna, only English. This experience left him with the belief that any child could learn another language and cemented his lifelong opposition to mandatory bilingual education classes in public schools. The Deukmejian home was in the center of town next door to the police station and volunteer fire department. When I started to go to kindergarten, they would drive me in the [motorcycle] sidecar, he once told the San Francisco Chronicle. But it was something much more profound than these boyhood memories the Armenian genocide in the early 20th century that was the source of his passion for public order and motivated him to seek a political career. Both Deukmejian and his wife, Gloria, also an Armenian American, had been raised on stories about the genocide. Deukmejians aunt was killed by Ottoman Turks, and his parents fled to America to escape persecution. During his entire political career, Deukmejian attempted to get official recognition for the genocide. Deukmejians Armenian loyalties also led to one of the more surprising moves he made as governor: the 1986 decision to use his considerable influence to urge the University of California Board of Regents to immediately divest UCs vast teacher and employee retirement funds from firms that did business in South Africa, which was then ruled by a white-minority government that imposed apartheid rule against the majority blacks. As a staunch conservative, Deukmejian had previously vetoed a similar proposal by the Legislature to divest. But about a year after his veto, South Africa was hunting down and jailing anti-apartheid activists, which troubled Deukmejian so deeply that he convinced two of his own appointees on the board of regents and the boards Democratic appointees to support divestiture. Deukmejian was raised in what a longtime friend described as a typical Old World household where politeness, family honor and hard work were the order of the day. He always stood up when his mother came into the room. Young Deukmejian was a choirboy and an acolyte. During his high school years, he wrapped meat at a butcher shop and made coat hangers. One summer, he picked crops at a nearby farm. Deukmejian earned a bachelors degree in sociology from Siena College in Loudonville, N.Y. He dabbled during that time in politics, volunteering for the 1948 presidential campaign of New York Gov. Thomas Dewey. I was always interested in current events, he said in a 2013 television interview. In 1952, Deukmejian graduated with a law degree from St. Johns University School of Law in Brooklyn. Upon Upon Deukmejians graduation from law school, his student deferment expired and he was drafted into the Army, destined for a two-year infantry stint in Europe. But he convinced the brass to assign him to the Army Judge Advocate Corps in Paris. In 1955, his military duty over, Deukmejian, then 27, left New York and headed for Los Angeles, mainly because that was where his sister lived. Deukmejian got his first job working for Texaco in its land and lease department. Soon after, he got a job as a deputy county counsel for Los Angeles County. At a wedding in 1956, Deukmejians sister arranged his introduction to a young Armenian American named Gloria Saatjian, a Los Angeles art school graduate. They were married six months later. The couple moved to Long Beach in 1958, and Deukmejian opened a law office. One of his law partners was Malcolm Lucas, whom Deukmejian years later named as chief justice of the California Supreme Court. In Long Beach, the politically ambitious Deukmejian became involved in a host of civic activities including the Lions Club, the Community Chest, the Red Cross, the Boy Scouts and the Elks. He was named Long Beach Man of the Year in 1959. In 1962, Deukmejian won election to the Assembly after campaigning against crime, communism, big government and what he called the trend toward socialism. Within a month of his arrival in Sacramento, he introduced his first set of crime bills, including one that would have imposed the death penalty for armed robbery. During the 1970s, he led a successful fight to restore the death penalty in California, which had been struck down by the state Supreme Court. He was a strong opponent of reducing penalties for marijuana possession. Deukmejian spent four years in the Assembly before moving on to the state Senate in 1966, where he served 12 years. In 1970, Deukmejian announced his candidacy for attorney general, running on a platform of greater protection and security for people. He finished a distant fourth out of four candidates in the Republican primary. Deukmejian finally met with success in 1978, when he won the GOP nomination for attorney general and went on to beat Democrat Yvonne Brathwaite Burke in the general election, again campaigning on a law-and-order platform. As attorney general from 1979 to 1982, Deukmejian maintained a high profile as a crime fighter. On one well-publicized occasion, he donned a flak jacket and accompanied police officers as they raided marijuana fields in Northern California. But Deukmejian had set his sights on the governors office, and his chance came in 1982 when he squeaked by Los Angeles Mayor Tom Bradley. He would defeat Bradley again in a 1986 rematch. When Deukmejian first went to Sacramento as governor, he inherited a $1.5-billion budget crisis from his predecessor, Brown. Setting the tone for the remainder of his administration, Deukmejian immediately took a stern line with the Legislature and opposed raising what he called general taxes. Before the year was out, an upsurge in the economy erased the deficit, a stroke of luck that gave the new governor a significant political boost. Deukmejians two terms were replete with fights with the K-12 education community. Schools advocates became so frustrated that, in 1988 they succeeded in getting voter approval for Proposition 98, which reserved the bulk of state budget spending for K-12 education and community colleges. Deukmejian also got into a bitter name-calling fight with state Superintendent of Public Instruction Bill Hoenig over school funding. Both were left tarnished. During his two terms, the governor rejected about $7 billion in spending proposed by the Legislature, much of it in health, welfare and education programs. In all, he vetoed 2,298 bills a sixth of those that came before him from the Democratic-controlled Legislature earning him the nickname Governor No. None of his vetoes were overridden. One of Deukmejians biggest successes as governor came on the issue of transportation. Although he had previously resisted working with legislative leaders, during his second term he finally opened the door to limited negotiating with key Assembly and Senate leaders in order to devise an $18.5-billion, 10-year transportation improvement plan financed mostly by a 9-cents-per-gallon gas tax increase which voters later endorsed. Democrat Gray Davis, then the states controller, called the measure the most significant piece of legislation to pass on [Deukmejians] watch and said that Deukmejian could thus claim to have contributed significantly to Californias transportation future. Among Deukmejians other major legislative accomplishment was a landmark program that required welfare recipients to undergo job training and perform community-service work in exchange for their checks. He also worked out a deal with Democratic legislative leaders that led the way toward making California the first state to ban military-style assault weapons. The weapons ban was a surprising turn for a Republican politician who had in the past opposed gun controls. It came after a drifter named Patrick Purdy killed five children in a crowded Stockton schoolyard with an AK-47 rifle on Jan. 17, 1989. Deukmejian responded in a way that sent a shudder through many members of his own party as well as the gun lobby, which had until then met with nothing but success in warding off gun controls. He said that he did not see any reason why anybody has to or needs to have a military assault-type weapon, even somebody who is a sportsman or a hunter. Sumner Offill, one of Deukmejians earliest supporters, recalled an occasion after Deukmejian left office when the governor was asked at a symposium in the state Senate chamber what he thought were the toughest issues he faced in governing the state. He said the toughest moments didnt have to do with the budget crises or any big political battles, Offill said. He said the toughest moments he had were when he met the wives and children of the law enforcement people who had been killed in the line of duty. With that disclosure, Deukmejian choked up, holding back sobs. News reports at the time said that the Senate chamber became very still. It showed me who he was, the depth of his identification and commitment to those who gave of themselves, and it was really something to see, Offill said. To have the Iron Duke become so emotional was really quite a moment. Deukmejian was long seen as a senior statesman in Republican politics, quietly advising potential candidates. He appeared on a number of panels with the states other former governors most frequently his successor, Pete Wilson. A state courthouse named in his honor opened in Long Beach in 2013. That same year, he joined the former governors in filing a lawsuit against federal efforts to force the state to reduce its prison population. In addition to his wife, Gloria, Deukmejian is survived by his daughters, Leslie Gebb and Andrea Pollak; and his son, George Deukmejian, Jr. Luther and Paddock are former Los Angeles Times staff writers. Times staff writer John Myers contributed to this report. UPDATES: 6:10 p.m.: This article has been updated with additional quotes and information on survivors. This article was originally published at 4 p.m. I spent a lot of the weekend on my laptop, immersed in the manosphere, the name given to an unaffiliated collection of blogs, websites and conversation threads that are animated by the conviction that women oppress men, that a womans value is tied to her sexual desirability and that women owe men sex. Its a peculiar world to visit right now, as so much of our attention has lately been consumed by the avalanche of revelations about men who have sexually assaulted and harassed women in the workplace. In the manosphere, you dont read much about the positive impacts of the #MeToo movement. If its alluded to at all, its more likely to be described in pejorative terms, such as Gynocentric Hellscape, which is the title of a recent post about how women exploit men on a Reddit subthread called Men Going Their Own Way. I was moved to explore some of the less savory reaches of the internet because of the noisy cultural conversation weve been having after last months murderous rampage in Toronto. A man driving a rental van swerved onto a sidewalk, killing 10 pedestrians, mostly women. Advertisement The 25-year-old male suspect, Alek Minassian, is a self-described incel, a man who is involuntarily celibate, and not very happy about it. Suddenly, I was reading all about incels and their bros-in-arms, pickup artists who try to scam women into having sex (because of course, thats the only thing you really want to do with a woman). These are distinct subcultures of the manosphere, which is basically where the mens rights movement of the 1980s and 90s decamped after the internet made it so much easier for like-minded people to find each other. The Incel Rebellion has already begun! wrote the Toronto rampage suspect on his since deleted Facebook page. We will overthrow all the Chads and Stacys! All hail the Supreme Gentleman Elliot Rodger! Rodger was the disturbed 22-year-old who went on a killing spree near UC Santa Barbara four years ago. He left behind a 137-page manifesto teeming with misogyny and resentment, and a video in which he said, For the last eight years of my life, ever since I hit puberty, Ive been forced to endure an existence of loneliness, rejection and unfulfilled desires. Girls gave their affection and love to other men but never to me. Minassians rage is also presumably the result of his thwarted sexuality, which (as incel theory goes) is the result of a deeply unfair social hierarchy in which good-looking guys (Chads) get all the good-looking chicks (Stacys) and the incels are left with ugly girls they dont want to have sex with, even if they could. Shortly after the Toronto attack, an economist at George Mason University, Robin Hanson, posited on his blog that sexual inequality of the sort that animates incels (that is, the gap between people who have a lot of sex and those who have none) might be addressed in the same way we might address income inequality by redistribution. One might plausibly argue that those with much less access to sex suffer to a similar degree as those with low income, Hanson wrote, and might similarly hope to gain from organizing around this identity, to lobby for redistribution along this axis and to at least implicitly threaten violence if their demands are not met. (The threats are not just implicit. They are over the top. On one Reddit subthread I came across a warning that would have seemed comical before the Santa Barbara and Toronto murders. The incels are not the problem, wrote the anonymous poster, but rather they are a symptom that something is very wrong in our society and unless their legitimate grievances are addressed this could very soon spiral out of control just like what happened in Iraq, Libya and Syria when their respective governments refused to address and deal with the legitimate grievances a portion of their population had.) A few days after Hansons post sparked predictable outrage, New York Times columnist Ross Douthat drew the wrath of the commentariat when he speculated that maybe Hansons idea wasnt so crazy after all. Maybe sex workers and sex robots will help end the unequal distribution of sex, Douthat wrote. Whether sex workers and sex robots can actually deliver real fulfillment is another matter, he wrote. But that they will eventually be asked to do it in service to a redistributive goal that for now still seems creepy or misogynist or radical, feels pretty much inevitable. This is smack-my-head stuff. The only thing that feels inevitable about it is that men even smart ones who should know better would seriously try to address a perverse and dangerous issue, i.e. that men have the right to have sex with women. Framing this idiotic idea as a real social problem is another assault on the hard-won right of American women to control their own bodies a right, I might add, that is under constant attack by conservative state legislatures such as Iowas, which just passed the most restrictive anti-abortion law in the country. The incel community is not motivated by sexual frustration. That is a smoke screen for the real agenda, which you can figure out if you spend three minutes on sites such as Reddit or 4chan (the font of so much online misogyny and racism). It is motivated by old-fashioned misogyny, rank sexism and male entitlement. Like so much else in the manosphere, its really just a lot of old garbage in a shiny new dumpster. robin.abcarian@latimes.com Twitter: @AbcarianLAT USC names retired aerospace executive Wanda Austin as acting president, announces Nikias departure By Harriet Ryan USC appointed a retired aerospace executive as interim president and laid out a detailed plan for selecting a permanent leader Tuesday, ending speculation about whether outgoing President C.L. Max Nikias might remain in the post. Nikias, embattled over his administrations handling of a campus gynecologist accused of sexually abusing patients, relinquished his duties after a meeting of USCs board. The trustees tapped one of their own, Wanda Austin, an alumna and former president of the Aerospace Corp., to temporarily run the university. The trustees also approved the formation of a search committee and the hiring of firm Isaacson, Miller to coordinate the selection of a successor. A second search company, Heidrick & Struggles, will also advise trustees. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Ex-student sues elite Brentwood School after teacher is charged with sexually abusing him By Richard Winton A former student sued the elite Brentwood School on Monday in the wake of a female teacher being charged with repeatedly having sex with the minor, alleging that other faculty members encouraged the unlawful behavior and failed to report it to authorities. The lawsuit accuses the private school, whose students include the children of many of Hollywoods elite and L.A.s powerful, of acting negligently and allowing Aimee Palmitessa to abuse and batter the teenager sexually. The suit alleges that the student was abused in summer 2017 after one of the schools counselors offered words of encouragement to the then-17-year-old, identified in the suit as only John Doe, to engage in an illegal relationship with the teacher. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Civil jury vindicates fired Montebello school executives in whistleblower case By Howard Blume The Montebello school district is in dire straits at risk of insolvency and under apparent criminal investigation. An outside audit in July found some teachers earning more than $200,000 a year, as well as improper raises, excess paid vacation time and inappropriate overtime, sick leave and car allowances. Fixing the district and pinpointing blame could take time. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print L.A. schools fall short on safety measures, new report warns By Howard Blume After the mass shooting at Floridas Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in February, Los Angeles school officials reassured parents that much had been done to keep local schools safe. California had tougher gun laws, after all, and the school district paid close attention to students mental health. But a new report issued Monday by a panel convened to take a close look offers some cause for concern, flagging inconsistent campus safety measures, thinly spread mental health staff and inadequate coordination between the school district and other public agencies. With the stakes this high, we must strive to do better, said L.A. City Atty. Mike Feuer, who assembled the panel. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Advertisement L.A. school district says more are graduating, but rate may not show it By Howard Blume The L.A. Unified School District has hopes of continuing its winning streak this year with another record graduation rate, but the official numbers may not show it. A senior district administrator warned the board Tuesday that graduation rates were likely to decline 2% to 3% across the state, even though L.A. Unified is likely doing better than ever in producing graduates, he said. The issue is that the state will now count high school students who transfer to adult school as dropouts, said Oscar Lafarga, who heads the districts office of data and accountability. Previously, schools treated these students as though they had simply enrolled in another high school, he said. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Betsy DeVos to California: Not so fast on that federal education plan By Joy Resmovits Education Secretary Betsy DeVos (Erik Lesser / European Pressphoto Agency) In April, Californias top education officials breathed a sigh of relief. After months of debate and back-and-forth with Betsy DeVos staff, they had finalized a plan to satisfy a major education law that aims to make sure all students get a decent education. The state focused on aligning its plan to fulfill the requirements of the federal Every Student Succeeds Act with Californias Local Control Funding Formula, which gives extra money to districts to help students who come from low-income families, are in the foster system or are English learners. But this week, DeVos team said not so fast. Jason Botel, the U.S. Department of Educations principal deputy assistant secretary, sent California education officials a letter asking for more information in such areas as measuring student progress, graduation rates and English learners. In an unsigned statement, the California Department of Education declared itself surprised and disappointed because officials thought after a meeting with federal officials in Washington that they were on the right track to get approval. Now the Every Student Succeeds Act plan will be up for discussion once again at the July meeting of the State Board of Education. The U.S. Department of Education has already approved most state plans. Every Student Succeeds is the Obama administrations 2015 replacement for the No Child Left Behind Act. Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print L.A. school board sets a new goal: prepare every grad to be eligible to apply for Cal State or UC By Sonali Kohli Last month, Los Angeles school board president proposed a spate of highly ambitious mandates aimed at ensuring that every district graduate be eligible to apply to one of the states public four-year universities by 2023. By the time the L.A. Unified school board unanimously approved the resolution Tuesday, the original language had been watered down. The goal is no longer that in five years 100% of students meet the long list of benchmarks, which include not just college eligibility for graduates but first-grade reading proficiency and English fluency by sixth grade for all students who enter the district in kindergarten or first grade speaking another language. The original college-readiness goal, for example, called for 100% of all high school students to be eligible to apply to one of the states four-year universities. Now the goal seems to offer more wiggle room: Prepare all high school graduates to be eligible to apply to a California four-year university. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Advertisement We have been hurt. More women say they were mistreated by USC gynecologist By Richard Winton USC student Anika Narayanan says she vividly recalls her first appointment with Dr. George Tyndall at the campus health center, alleging that he made several explicit comments during an examination she felt was inappropriate and invasive. When she came back for a second visit in 2016 after a nonconsensual sexual encounter, he allegedly chastised her, she said in a civil lawsuit and at a press conference Tuesday. He asked me if I had forgotten to use a condom again, said Narayanan, 21. At one point, she said, Tyndall asked if I did a lot of doggy style, she said. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print L.A. Unified gives inspector general brief contract extension By Howard Blume The Los Angeles school board on Tuesday extended the contract of Ken Bramlett, its inspector general, by three months, though his job is far from secure and questions remain about the future direction of his watchdog office. Board members also unanimously promoted Vivian Ekchian, who had been the runner-up for the superintendents job, to deputy superintendent the districts No. 2 position. Both moves had elements of peacemaking between different factions on the board. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print USCs handling of complaints about campus gynecologist is being investigated by federal government By Harriet Ryan The U.S. Department of Education announced Monday that it has launched an investigation into how the University of Southern California handled misconduct complaints against a campus gynecologist, the latest fallout in a scandal that has prompted the resignation of USCs president, two law enforcement investigations and dozens of lawsuits. In revealing the inquiry by the departments Office of Civil Rights, officials rebuked USC for what they alleged was improper withholding of information about Dr. George Tyndall during a previous federal investigation. Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos, who has been criticized for taking a less vigorous approach to examining sexual misconduct than predecessors, called for a systemic examination of USC and urged administrators to fully cooperate. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Advertisement Judge to sentence woman and her boyfriend for the murder of an 8-year-old that led to L.A. child welfare reforms By Marisa Gerber A woman and her boyfriend are expected to be sentenced Thursday for the torture and murder of an 8-year-old boy whose killing in 2013 provoked public outrage, prompted sweeping reform of Los Angeles Countys child welfare system, and led to unprecedented criminal charges against social workers who handled the childs case. Pearl Sinthia Fernandez, 34, faces life in prison without the possibility of parole for her role in the death of her son, Gabriel. A jury decided last year that her boyfriend, Isauro Aguirre, 37, should be executed. When paramedics arrived at the boys Palmdale home in May 2013, Gabriel had slipped out of consciousness. He had a fractured skull, broken ribs, burned skin, missing teeth and BB pellets embedded in his groin. A paramedic would later testify that every inch of the boys small body had been abused. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print L.A. Unifieds spending out of step with similar school systems, task force says By Howard Blume The Los Angeles school district is out of step with similar school systems, spending more on teachers pay and health benefits and less on activities that could enhance student learning, according to a new report by an outside task force. The L.A. Unified School District Advisory Task Force did not make specific recommendations, but instead posed a series of questions it said the district needs to answer to make sure its funding is aimed at providing a full opportunity for all students to succeed. What were trying to say is: Lets put the data on the table. Lets look at the truth. Lets be transparent and here are the numbers, said task force member Renata Simril. This is not to say that we should cut teachers salaries. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Advertisement Top USC medical school official feared dean was doing drugs and alerted administration, he testifies By Paul Pringle A former vice dean of USCs Keck School of Medicine testified Tuesday that he feared the schools then-dean, Dr. Carmen A. Puliafito, could be doing drugs and expressed concerns about his general well-being to the universitys No. 2 administrator before Puliafito abruptly left his job in 2016. Dr. Henri Fords testimony at a hearing of the state Medical Board marks the first suggestion that any USC administrator had suspicions about Puliafitos possible drug use before he stepped down. A Times investigation in 2017 found Puliafito led a secret second life of using illegal drugs with a circle of young criminals and addicts. Puliafito testified about his behavior at the hearing Tuesday, saying he took drugs with one young woman on a weekly basis. Ford said that he decided to alert USC Provost Michael Quick after receiving reports in early 2016 that Puliafito was partying in hotels with people of questionable reputation, and that he came to worry about his mental stability. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Why L.A. Unified may face financial crisis even with a giant surplus this year By Jessica Calefati With more than half a billion dollars socked away for next school year, the Los Angeles Unified School District hardly seems just two years from financial ruin. Its a scenario that is especially tough to swallow if youre a low-wage worker seeking a raise or a teacher who wants smaller classes. But budget documents show that todays $548-million surplus cannot be sustained and that even basic services face steep, seemingly unavoidable cuts because of massive problems barreling the districts way. Theres a disconnect between the rosy short-term picture and what we know is coming, said board member Kelly Gonez. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print We have failed: Top USC officials try to reassure students amid gynecologist scandal By Joy Resmovits Top administrators at USC are reaching out to students in the wake of misconduct allegations against the universitys longtime gynecologist, acknowledging failings and vowing reforms as they try to address growing outrage over the revelations. Several USC deans have sent out messages trying to reassure students and faculty that the university is committed to changing. We have failed, wrote Jack H. Knott, dean of USCs Sol Price School of Public Policy, in a May 24 letter. What happened is antithetical to everything we know is right. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Advertisement Rick Caruso is named chair of USCs trustees, vows swift investigation of gynecologist scandal By Thomas Curwen The University of Southern Californias board of trustees has elected mall magnate Rick Caruso to be the new chair of the board, giving fresh leadership as the university navigates a widening scandal involving a longtime campus gynecologist. The move marks the latest effort by USC to address the case, which has sparked a criminal investigation by the Los Angeles Police Department and dozens of civil lawsuits. More than 400 people have contacted a hotline that the university established for patients to make reports about their experience with Dr. George Tyndall. In his first act as chairman, Caruso announced that the white-shoe L.A. law firm OMelveny & Myers would conduct a thorough and independent investigation into the gynecologists conduct and reporting failures at the clinic. He set an ambitious timeline for the review, pledging it would conclude before students return for the fall semester. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print UC Berkeley students persistence helps win more liberal rules for in-state tuition By Teresa Watanabe Ifechukwu Okeke thought shed be a shoo-in for in-state tuition when she was admitted to UC Berkeley for fall 2016. She had moved to the United States from Nigeria in 2012 to go to Chaffey College in Rancho Cucamonga. By the time she got her acceptance to transfer to UC to study molecular and cell biology, she had lived in California four years. She had a California drivers license, bank account and rental records as proof. UC Berkeley, however, ruled she was a nonresident which meant she would have to pay nearly $27,000 more. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Advertisement State medical board calls former County-USC doctor a sexual predator, suspends his license By Matt Hamilton A UCLA cardiologist has been temporarily stripped of his medical license after state regulators described him as a sexual predator who assaulted three female colleagues when he was working and training at L.A. County-USC Medical Center. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Global California 2030' aims to get more students learning more languages By Joy Resmovits Tom Torlakson (Andrew Seng / Associated Press) Outgoing state Supt. of Public Instruction Tom Torlakson on Wednesday announced a new statewide effort to encourage students to learn more languages. Called Global California 2030, its goal is to help more students become fluent in multiple tongues. Torlakson said that by 2030, he wants half of the states 6.2 million K-12 students to participate in classes or programs that lead to proficiency in two or more languages. By 2040, he wants three out of four students to be proficient enough to earn the State Seal of Biliteracy. Torlakson announced the initiative at Cahuenga Elementary School, which offers a dual-language immersion program in English and Korean. Californias public school students speak more than 60 languages at home, and 40% come to school with knowledge of a language other than English. Torlakson called his plan a call to action that invites parents, legislators, educators and community members to pool resources to expand language offerings in schools and get more bilingual teachers trained. He said the state already is working with Mexico and Spain to expand a teacher-exchange program. Fluency, the plan argues, can help students succeed economically and language acquisition can help their overall critical thinking. The initiative builds on Proposition 58, a ballot initiative passed in 2016 that undid an earlier requirement that English learners be taught in English-immersion classes unless their parents signed waivers. Torlakson recently visited Mexico and met with that countrys education secretary. They later signed a pact to increase collaboration, particularly in language education. This [Global California 2030] is great follow-through on Toms part and very important, Patricia Gandara, a UCLA education professor who hosted the Mexico meeting, said in an email. It hands over a plan to move forward in an area in which California has a unique advantage, but must seize the opportunity. Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Advertisement Jury convicts man of murder in 2015 slaying of UCLA student found inside her burning apartment By Marisa Gerber A jury on Tuesday convicted a man in the 2015 slaying of a UCLA student found dead inside her burning apartment a gruesome stabbing case that led to a fierce rebuke of the police response amid concerns that the killing could have been prevented. The panel deliberated for about six hours before finding Alberto Medina, 24, guilty of murder, arson, burglary and animal cruelty. On Sept. 21, 2015, firefighters found the charred body of Andrea DelVesco inside her apartment after responding to the complex a block from campus. The 21-year-old student an Austin, Texas, native known to her sorority sisters as a fearless giver who befriended others with ease was stabbed at least 19 times, authorities said. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print LAPD begins sweeping criminal probe of former USC gynecologist while urging patients to come forward By Adam Elmahrek The Los Angeles Police Department said Tuesday it is investigating 52 complaints of misconduct filed by former patients of USCs longtime campus gynecologist as detectives launch a sweeping criminal probe into the scandal that has rocked the university. LAPD detectives also made an appeal for other patients who feel mistreated to come forward, noting that thousands of students were examined by Dr. George Tyndall during his nearly 30-year career at USC. More than 410 people have contacted a university hotline about the physician since The Times revealed the allegations this month. Tyndalls behavior and practices appear to go beyond the norms of the medical profession and gynecological examinations, said Asst. Chief Beatrice Girmala. We sincerely realize that victims may have difficulty recounting such details to investigators. We are empathetic and ready to listen. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print At L.A.'s only school for the deaf, parents want leaders who speak the same language By Anna M. Phillips Ever since her son was 6 months old, Juliet Hidalgo has been bringing him to the Marlton School, a low-slung building in Baldwin Hills that for generations has been a second home for deaf and hard-of-hearing students in Los Angeles. Marlton staff taught Hidalgos brother and sister, both of whom are deaf. The school was where her deaf son learned to make the signs for milk and food. Hidalgo had planned to enroll her daughter, taking advantage of a popular program that allows hearing children to learn American Sign Language alongside their deaf siblings. But after more than a decade of involvement, she and other family members are considering withdrawing their children. They are not alone. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Fueled by unlimited donations, independent groups play their biggest role yet in a California primary for governor By Ryan Menezes An unprecedented amount of money from wealthy donors, unions and corporations is flowing into the California governors race, giving independent groups unrestricted by contribution limits a greater say in picking the states chief executive than ever before. The groups have already spent more than $26 million through Thursday, the most ever spent by noncandidate committees in a gubernatorial primary, according to a Times analysis of campaign finance reports. California elections have always been expensive, and the future is even more expensive, said Jack Pitney, a political science professor at Claremont McKenna College and a former state Republican leader. The stakes are very real. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Advertisement 2 hurt in Indiana middle school shooting; suspect in custody, authorities say By Associated Press Authorities say two victims in a shooting at a suburban Indianapolis school are being taken to a hospital and the lone suspect is in custody. Bryant Orem, a spokesman for the Hamilton County Sheriffs Office, said in a news release that the victims in Friday mornings attack at Noblesville West Middle School are being taken to Methodist Hospital in Indianapolis and their families have been notified. He says no other information is available about the victims. Orem said the suspect is believed to have acted alone and was taken into custody. No additional information about the suspect was made public. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print For new L.A. schools chief Austin Beutner, some key unions are giving no honeymoon period By Howard Blume In the less than two weeks since Austin Beutner took charge of Los Angeles schools, unions representing teachers and administrators have staged a job action and a protest. Theyve made it clear that they will not give the new superintendent the traditional honeymoon period, and they are bashing him for his wealth and lack of experience running either a school or a school district. Beutner is a billionaire investment banker with zero qualifications, local teachers union President Alex Caputo-Pearl told members in a phone alert urging them to participate in a Thursday afternoon rally in Grand Park. The board is saying that billionaires who made their money blowing institutions up and making money off it know best not the education professionals who have dedicated our careers to working with students. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Advertisement Pressure grows on Board of Trustees amid USC gynecologist scandal By Paul Pringle USCs large and powerful Board of Trustees is coming under growing pressure to provide a stronger hand as the university faces a crisis over misconduct allegations against the campus longtime gynecologist that has prompted calls for President C.L. Max Nikias to step down. Allegations that Dr. George Tyndall mistreated students during his nearly 30 years at USC have roiled the campus, with about 300 people coming forward to make reports to the university and the Los Angeles Police Department launching a criminal investigation. USC is already beginning to face what is expected to be costly litigation by women who say they were victimized by the physician. So far, the trustees to whom Nikias reports have expressed sympathy for the women who have come forward and launched an independent investigation while also publicly backing the president. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print UC regents approve leaner budget for Janet Napolitano By Teresa Watanabe University of California regents on Thursday unanimously approved a leaner, more transparent budget for President Janet Napolitano, moving to address political criticism over the systems central office operations. The $876.4-million budget for 2018-19 reflects spending cuts of 2%, including reductions in staffing, travel and such systemwide programs as public service law fellowships, carbon neutrality and food security. Napolitano shifted $30 million to campuses for housing needs and $10 million to UC Riverside to support its five-year-old medical school. She also permanently redirected $8.5 million annually to help enroll more California students, as required by the state. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print USCs Academic Senate calls on university president to resign after a series of scandals By Matt Hamilton The body that represents USCs faculty called on President C.L. Max Nikias to resign Wednesday in the wake of relevations that the universitys longtime gynecologist faced years of accusations of misconduct by students and colleagues at the campus health clinic. The Academic Senate took the vote late Wednesday afternoon after a fiery town hall meeting attended by more than 100 faculty members, many of whom voiced outrage over Nikias and the Board of Trustees leadership. The vote came a day after the trustees executive committee stood firmly behind Nikias, saying it has full confidence in his leadership, ethics and values. At the town hall meeting, Senate President Paul Rosenbloom said he did not think Nikias or Provost Michael Quick committed wrongdoing but that the university president deserved criticism for a lack of transparency. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Californias public universities on the way to getting a big longed-for boost in funding By Teresa Watanabe The University of California and California State University systems are poised to get major funding boosts that will help them enroll thousands of additional state students and eliminate the need for tuition increases in the coming school year. A key Assembly budget panel on Wednesday approved $117.5 million in new funds for the UC. A Senate panel approved a similar sum last week. The same committees recently approved even more funding for the Cal State system. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Advertisement UC regents to scrutinize Janet Napolitanos office budget in a step toward stronger oversight By Teresa Watanabe University of California regents this week plan to scrutinize the budget of President Janet Napolitano, whose office came under political fire last year for questionable spending and murky accounting. Regents will vote on the proposed $876.4-million budget for 2018-19 during their two-day meeting, which starts Wednesday, at UC San Francisco. They also will discuss state funding, financial aid, online education and transfer student policies. Board Chairman George Kieffer said regents are stepping up to exert stronger oversight of the presidents office after a blistering state audit last year found financial problems including an unreported $175 million budget reserve. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print State legislative panels approve major funding boost for Cal State By Teresa Watanabe Cal State students protest against a tuition increase outside the chancellors office (Irfan Khan) After months of intensive lobbying, Cal State University has convinced two key legislative panels to approve funding to enroll nearly 11,000 more students, hire more faculty and expand housing aid to those without shelter this fall. An Assembly budget panel on Tuesday approved $215.7 million more for Cal State, adding to Gov. Jerry Browns proposed $92.1 million general fund increase. A Senate budget panel approved a similar increase last week. The extra funding which went beyond Cal States own request to the Legislature of $171 million is still subject to final budget negotiations with Brown. But the actions by the Senate and Assembly panels amount to a demand from Democrats that the governor hike higher education spending. Cal State University is the workhorse undergraduate university serving hundreds of thousands of Californians, said Assemblyman Kevin McCarty (D-Sacramento), who heads the Assembly Budget Subcommittee on Education Finance. We need more graduates for the California workforce and higher education is the ticket to the middle class. Cal State Chancellor Timothy P. White hailed the actions, but said it was too soon to celebrate. The CSU has a singular focus on helping students earn high-quality degrees sooner, and the entire university community has rallied to reinforce that message to our states lawmakers, he said in a statement. The actions taken thus far by the Assembly and Senate are promising and show that our message is being received, but there is still work to be done. Funding for the University of California was not taken up Tuesday as originally scheduled. McCarty would not comment on sticking points but said he was confident that a resolution would be reached this week. Were looking to provide resources above whats in the governors budget, but negotiations are ongoing, he said in an interview. State per-student funding is not what it once was, leaving both Cal State and the UC in a tough financial squeeze. Both systems raised tuition last year after a six-year freeze on higher costs. For this year, Cal State had asked for funding to enroll an additional 3,621 students, but both the Senate and Assembly panels approved three times that amount. Cal State, the largest public university system in the nation, turned away 32,000 eligible students last year because its campuses werent able to accommodate them. The panels asked that at least $50 million of the extra funding be used to hire more tenure-track faculty to help boost graduation rates. The Assembly panel also approved one-time funding of $5 million to ease hunger on campuses and $14 million for rapid rehousing pilot projects at three campuses, offering needy students rental support and short-term case management. Other items approved include $5 million to support the CSU Long Beach Shark Labs research on sharks and beach safety and $2 million for equal employment opportunity practices. This post has been updated to include comments from Assemblyman Kevin McCarty and Cal State Chancellor Timothy P. White. Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Faculty members call for USC president to step down: He has lost the moral authority to lead By Matt Hamilton Two hundred USC professors on Tuesday demanded the resignation of university President C. L. Max Nikias, saying he had lost the moral authority to lead in the wake of revelations that a campus gynecologist was kept on staff for decades despite repeated complaints of misconduct. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Advertisement Gun battle, negotiations lasted 15 minutes before Texas school shooter was apprehended, sheriff says By Molly Hennessy-Fiske Minutes after a school shooter opened fire in an art class last week, killing 10 people and wounding 13, including a local police officer, fellow officers returned fire in a protracted gun battle before isolating the suspect, the local sheriff said Monday. Galveston County Sheriff Henry Trochesset praised first responders as well as Santa Fe Police Officer John Barnes, who was working as a resource officer at the school the day of the shooting. Their actions, he said, prevented the attack from spreading to other classrooms and potentially claiming additional victims. As officials continue to probe last Fridays shooting at Santa Fe High School, students are worried about returning to the scene of the attack when classes resume next week. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print 6 women sue USC, alleging they were victimized by campus gynecologist By Richard Winton Six women filed civil lawsuits Monday alleging that a longtime gynecologist at the University of Southern California sexually victimized them under the pretext of medical care and that USC failed to address complaints from clinic staff about the doctors behavior. One woman alleged Dr. George Tyndall forced his entire ungloved hand into her vagina during an appointment in 2003 while making vulgar remarks about her genitalia, according to one of the lawsuits. Another woman alleged that Tyndall groped her breasts in a 2008 visit and that later he falsely told her she likely had AIDS. A third woman accused the doctor of grazing his ungloved fingers over her nude body and leering at her during a purported skin exam, the lawsuit states. The wave of litigation comes as USC continues to grapple with the scandal, which legal experts said could prove costly to the university as scores of former patients come forward about their experiences with the gynecologist. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Advertisement Fatalities reported in Texas high school shooting; suspect arrested, officials say By Associated Press Houston-area media citing unnamed law enforcement officials are reporting that there are fatalities following a shooting at a local high school Friday morning. Television station KHOU and the Houston Chronicle are citing unnamed federal, county and police officials following the shooting at Santa Fe High School, which went on lockdown around 8 a.m. The Associated Press has not been able to confirm the reports. The school district has confirmed an unspecified number of injuries but said it wouldnt immediately release further details. Assistant Principal Cris Richardson said a suspect has been arrested and secured. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print This student followed the new L.A. schools chief on his first-day tour L.A. schools Supt. Austin Beutner is greeted by Van Nuys High School principal Yolanda Gardea. (Melissa Barales-Lopez) Melissa Barales-Lopez, a senior at Garfield High School followed Supt. Austin Beutner on his first day on the job, as he toured a variety of programs around the Los Angeles Unified School District. Heres what she took from the experience. LAUSD students and staff alike are looking for a personal champion, someone who will address and improve the difficulties afflicting their education. What LAUSD students need is someone whos willing to listen and learn, someone who can understand the current issues affecting their schools and act to efficiently amend them, someone who can unlock the full potential of LAUSD students and enable them to reach their goals. During the entirety of his first day, superintendent Austin Beutner did indeed demonstrate a willingness to learn. Posing questions to teachers and students, Beutner engaged with the student communities he encountered to gain a better comprehension of the minutiae and nuances that distinguish each school inside an overwhelmingly large district. From inquiries about Grand View Boulevard Elementary Schools dual language program to questions regarding the services of LAUSDs after-school program, Beyond the Bell, Beutner revealed he has a lot to learn about the system. But, Beutner also showcased a willingness to tackle challenges head-on on his first day. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print USC let a gynecologist continue treating students despite years of misconduct allegations By Matt Hamilton For nearly 30 years, the University of Southern Californias student health clinic had one full-time gynecologist: Dr. George Tyndall. Tall and garrulous with distinctive jet black hair, he treated tens of thousands of female students, many of them teenagers seeing a gynecologist for the first time. Few who lay down on Tyndalls exam table at the Engemann Student Health Center knew that he had been accused repeatedly of misconduct toward young patients. The complaints began in the 1990s, when co-workers alleged he was improperly photographing students genitals. In the years that followed, patients and nursing staff accused him again and again of creepy behavior, including touching women inappropriately during pelvic exams and making sexually suggestive remarks about their bodies. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Advertisement Cal State trustees to discuss Browns latest budget proposal, which they say still falls $171 million short By Joy Resmovits Just how much money does California State University need to serve its students? In recent years, this question has been front and center for the nations largest public university system. Cal States leaders say that to keep their campuses quality from slipping, they need much more money than the state is giving them. This year, theyre also at odds with Gov. Jerry Brown on the question of whether any extra money should come in one-time bursts or be ongoing. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print On his first day as L.A. schools chief, Beutner plans a day of visits across the district By Howard Blume L.A. Unifieds new superintendent, Austin Beutner, will kick off his first day of work on Tuesday with a choreographed tour of the nations second-largest school district, from the San Fernando Valley to Carson. His day is scheduled to begin at 5:15 a.m. at a school bus depot and end more than 12 hours later at a parent meeting at Garfield High School. Along the way, Beutner is expected to be joined by school district administrators, L.A. Unified board members and the vice president of the union that represents school bus drivers. Though he will be covering a lot of ground, Beutners tour has him skipping Tuesdays school board meeting, when board members are expected to discuss labor negotiations in closed session. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Cal State trustees to discuss Browns latest budget proposal, which they say still falls $171 million short By Joy Resmovits Just how much money does California State University need to serve its students? In recent years, this question has been front and center for the nations largest public university system. Cal States leaders say that to keep their campuses quality from slipping, they need much more money than the state is giving them. This year, theyre also at odds with Gov. Jerry Brown on the question of whether any extra money should come in one-time bursts or be ongoing. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Advertisement Why a handful of rich charter school supporters are spending millions to elect Antonio Villaraigosa as governor By Ryan Menezes California voters have seen a barrage of sunny television ads in recent weeks touting former Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosas record on finances, crime and education, aired by Families & Teachers for Antonio Villaraigosa for Governor 2018. But the group is, in fact, largely funded by a handful of wealthy charter-school supporters. Together they have spent more than $13 million in less than a month to boost Villaraigosas chances in the June 5 primary at a time when his fundraising and poll numbers are lagging. Reed Hastings, the founder of Netflix, jump-started the group with a $7-million check, by far the largest donation to support any candidate in the election. Their efforts are part of a broader proxy war among Democrats between teachers unions longtime stalwarts of the party and those who argue that the groups have failed low-income and minority schoolchildren. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Talking schools with L.A. Unifieds new superintendent By Anna M. Phillips Al Seib / Los Angeles Times ( Incoming L.A. schools Supt. Austin Beutner talks to students at Belmont High School.) Austin Beutner, who officially starts Tuesday as the new superintendent of the Los Angeles Unified School District, is taking on a famously difficult job at a particularly difficult time. The school board is divided and did not back him unanimously. The nations second-largest school district has deep-seated problems, including declining enrollment, lagging academic achievement and rising pension and healthcare costs that eat away at its budget. The 58-year-old former investment banker and former L.A. Times publisher has years of experience in the financial world but none as an educator. Earlier this week, he sat down with the Times education team to discuss the challenges facing the district, which has about 60,000 employees and 500,000 students in traditional public schools. He did not talk about his plans saying repeatedly, stay tuned but he spoke in broad terms about his mindset in approaching the tough decisions ahead. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Suspect detained, authorities search campus after reports of armed man at Palmdale high school By James Queally One person has been detained after a report of an armed man at a Palmdale high school sparked a massive law enforcement response Friday morning. The suspect was spotted at 7:05 a.m. on the campus of Highland High School in Palmdale, according to Sheriffs Department spokeswoman Nicole Nishida. The person was detained in a nearby parking lot, according to Nishida, who did not know whether that person was an adult or juvenile. Deputies at the scene are clearing the school methodically, and students will be transported home via school buses once the campus is deemed safe, Nishida said. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Advertisement The education of Bertha Perez: How a UC Merced custodians disenchantment led to a political awakening By Robin Abcarian Its the third day of a three-day strike, and UC Merced custodian Bertha Perez is taking a break from a picket line at the universitys unremarkable entrance, an intersection with stop lights. Photos from other UC campuses this week have shown big crowds of striking service workers members of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees marching and chanting pro-labor slogans as they try to force the University of California back to the negotiating table. But here, at UC Merced, whose handful of big buildings rise from a flat expanse of farmland, the picket line is tiny, maybe two dozen workers and a few students. Its not a big-city-style show of force. Then again, a union sympathizer is banging relentlessly on a snare drum, so its noisier than youd expect. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Ref Rodriguez resigns from teacher credentialing commission By Howard Blume Ref Rodriguez appears during a court appearance. (Al Seib/Los Angeles Times) Los Angeles school board member Ref Rodriguez has resigned from the states Commission on Teacher Credentialing, which oversees the integrity and quality of Californias teachers. Rodriguez faces felony and misdemeanor charges for political money laundering. Separately, his former employer, a charter school organization, has accused him of improperly authorizing checks to a nonprofit under his control. Rodriguez has denied wrongdoing. Rodriguezs resignation from the state body was effective May 4, days after he cast a crucial vote as part of a narrow majority that voted to authorize contract negotiations with Austin Beutner to become superintendent of the L.A. Unified School District. Beutners first official day on the job is Tuesday. Rodriguez remains in his $125,000-a-year position on the Los Angeles Board of Education. The mission of the state body is to ensure integrity, relevance, and high quality in the preparation, certification, and discipline of Californias teachers. Critics had questioned Rodriguezs continued service on the commission, given that teachers can be suspended from work if they face criminal charges. They also can lose their jobs for lapses in personal behavior, such as excessive drinking, with the potential to affect their performance. Police in Pasadena arrested Rodriguez on a Friday afternoon in March for public drunkenness. He was not charged in the incident and has apologized. The state commission reviews teacher discipline cases and can take action to remove a teachers credential to work in a California classroom. The commission has 15 members. Rodriguezs departure was disclosed in a one-sentence announcement on the agencys website. Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print School board members request for restraining order against blogger is rejected By Priscella Vega An Orange County Superior Court judge on Wednesday denied a school board members petition for a permanent restraining order against a Huntington Beach blogger. Attorney Jeffrey W. Shields filed the petition on behalf of Ocean View School District trustee Gina Clayton-Tarvin, 46, who alleged in court documents that Charles Keeler Johnson, 56, has threatened her on social media and at school board meetings, causing her to fear for my own safety and for that of my immediate family members. Johnson, who goes by Chuck and publishes HBSledgehammer.com, said the trustee tried to stifle his freedom of speech. He also contended that Clayton-Tarvin took his blog posts and Facebook comments too seriously and out of context, saying anyone who is afraid of metaphors has serious issues. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Advertisement Deal with workers averts one-day strike that could have shut down L.A. schools By Howard Blume Los Angeles school district and union officials announced a contract agreement Tuesday night that averted a one-day strike planned for next week. The pact, which runs through June 2020, removes one labor problem from the desk of incoming Supt. Austin Beutner whose first day on the job would have coincided with the strike. Plenty of other challenges remain. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print UC labor strike expands with show of support from more unions By Teresa Watanabe Fong Chuu is a registered nurse who has assisted with countless liver transplants, kidney surgeries and gastric bypasses during 34 years at UCLA. Working with her are scrub technicians who sterilize equipment, hand medical instruments to the surgeon and dress patient wounds. They are a team, Chuu says, which is why she walked off her job Tuesday in support of those technicians and other members of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees Local 3299. The 25,000 member AFSCME local, the University of Californias largest employee union, launched a three-day strike Monday. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print We are humans too: Voices of UCLAs striking custodians, hospital aides and imaging technicians By Joy Resmovits Demonstrators parade in front of Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times) This week, thousands of UC employees are staging a three-day strike for better pay and working conditions. On Monday, more than 20,000 custodians, cooks, lab technicians, nurse aides and other members of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees Local 3299 walked off their jobs. By Tuesday, two more unions joined in sympathy strikes. The union and UC reached a bargaining impasse last year. The university has said it wont meet the workers demands. The strikers said they wanted better pay, more equity in the allocation of work, stable healthcare premiums and an end to the universitys use of contract workers. These are their stories. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Advertisement Massive UC workers strike disrupts dining, classes and medical services By Joy Resmovits A massive labor strike across the University of California on Monday forced medical centers to reschedule more than 12,000 surgeries, cancer treatments and appointments, and campuses to cancel some classes and limit dining services. More than 20,000 members of UCs largest employee union, the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees Local 3299, walked off their jobs on the first day of a three-day strike. They include custodians, gardeners, cooks, truck drivers, lab technicians and nurse aides. Two altercations involving protesters and people driving near the rallies were reported at UCLA and UC Santa Cruz. At UCLA, police took a man into custody Monday after he drove his vehicle into a crowd, hitting three staff members. They were treated for minor injuries at the scene and released, said Lt. Kevin Kilgore of the UCLA Police Department. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Sen. Kamala Harris to skip UC Berkeley commencement in support of striking workers By Teresa Watanabe Sen. Kamala Harris (Chris Dekmas) California Sen. Kamala Harris has canceled plans to deliver UC Berkeleys commencement address this weekend in support of UC workers who are on strike over wages and health benefits. Due to the ongoing labor dispute, Sen. Harris regretfully cannot attend and speak at this years commencement ceremony at UC Berkeley, said a statement from Harris office issued Monday. She wishes the graduates and their families a joyous commencement weekend and success for the future. They are bright young leaders and our country is counting on them. UCs largest employee union, the 25,000-member American Federation of County, State and Municipal Employees Local 3299, launched a three-day strike Monday and had earlier called for a speakers boycott. The union and university reached a bargaining impasse last year and subsequent mediation efforts have failed to produce an agreement. The union is asking for a multiyear contract with a 6% annual pay increase while the university is offering 3% annual increases over four years. UC Berkeley Chancellor Carol Christ will deliver the keynote address instead, the university announced. About 5,800 students are expected to participate in the ceremony Saturday. Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Advertisement School mural depicting Trumps bloody, severed head sparks controversy By Gary Warth A Chula Vista school mural that depicts the bloody, severed head of President Trump on a spear sparked a controversy that prompted officials to cover it and issue a response distancing themselves from the work. The statement also said the artist will alter the painting. We understand that there was a mural painted at the event this past weekend that does not align with our schools philosophy of non-violence, read the statement from MAAC Community Charter School director Tommy Ramirez. We have been in communication with the artist who has agreed to modify the artwork to better align with the schools philosophy. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print New blackface incident at Cal Poly prompts calls for state investigation By Kim Christensen Cal Poly San Luis Obispo officials have asked the state attorney generals office to investigate after a new photo of a white student in blackface surfaced on a fraternity groups private Snapchat. I am outraged, Cal Poly President Jeffrey D. Armstrong said in a video address Friday to the campus. These vile and absolutely unacceptable acts cannot continue. We must not allow these acts to define us as an institution. Armstrong said the latest photo was intended to imitate an incident last month in which a white member of the Lambda Chi Alpha fraternity was photographed at a party wearing blackface. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print More than 50,000 UC workers set to strike this week but campuses will remain open By Teresa Watanabe More than 50,000 workers across the University of California are set to strike this week, causing potential disruptions to surgery schedules, food preparation and campus maintenance. The systems 10 campuses and five medical centers are to remain open, with classes scheduled as planned. UCs largest employee union, the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees Local 3299, plans to begin a three-day strike Monday involving 25,000 workers, including custodians, gardeners, cooks, truck drivers, lab technicians and nurse aides. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Advertisement New L.A. schools chief Beutner pledges to listen, learn and take action By Howard Blume New Los Angeles schools Supt. Austin Beutner proved Wednesday that hes a quick learner even without an education background. Like countless public officials before him, he appeared at an important event his first speech and news conference with a photogenic background of students. His message that he would put those students first seemed heartfelt if hardly original. Nor was it a huge surprise that he pledged to push cooperatively but unflinchingly to improve the districts academic performance and stabilize its finances. As an introduction, Beutner, a former investment banker who made a fortune on Wall Street, offered little flash, but that was partly the point. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print In a school lockdown, one student takes stock of the stressful scene (Phalaen Chang) At the beginning of lunch one day late last month, Duarte High School, Northview Middle School, and California School of the Arts-San Gabriel Valley were advised by the Los Angeles Sheriffs Department to go into lockdown mode due to police activity in the immediate area. Phalaen Chang, a junior at the California School of the Arts, wrote a series of notes on her iPhone while she sat in a room with her classmates. By the time the lockdown ended an hour later, she wrote, she knew which of her friends would hold open the door for others, be the ones calming others down, be the ones barricading the doors. She knew that all of them have the potential to be such strong people. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Advertisement Tale as old as time: L.A. Unified superintendent pick follows a historical pattern of outside-the-box choices By Joy Resmovits Navy Vice Adm. David L. Brewer III, superintendent from 2006-2008. (L.A. Times file photo) L.A. Unified has long gone back and forth between picking insiders and outsiders to run the nations second largest school district. The choice of Austin Beutner, announced Tuesday, places the district squarely back in the outsider camp months after a consummate insider, Supt. Michelle King, announced that she had cancer and would not return to the job. Check out this timeline of former L.A. superintendents to see how the school board members have changed their minds, sometimes favoring leaders who come from the world of education and sometimes executives from elsewhere, recruited to shock the system into change. At one point, the district hired someone from the military retired Navy Vice Adm. David L. Brewer III, who served as superintendent from 2006-2008. In hiring Brewer, board members had opted for a non-educator largely because they sought a fresh thinker, unwedded to the bureaucracy, unafraid to make bold, even unorthodox moves, reads a 2008 Times story. Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Austin Beutner named superintendent of Los Angeles schools By Howard Blume Austin Beutner, a philanthropist and former investment banker, on Tuesday was named superintendent of the Los Angeles Unified School District, the nations second-largest school system. His selection was the biggest move yet by a Los Angeles school board majority elected with major support from charter school advocates. The decision came after lengthy public testimony, most of it in support of the other remaining finalist, interim Supt. Vivian Ekchian, who is well known within the school system. Beutner, 58, has no background leading a school or school district. Less than 2 years ago, a school board with a very different balance of power named Michelle King, a former teacher who rose through the district throughout her career, to L.A. Unifieds top job. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Hearing delay gives both sides more time in Ref Rodriguezs potential trial By Howard Blume Ref Rodriguez and his attorneys will have more time to prepare their defense against charges of political money laundering, a judge ruled Monday. The preliminary hearing in the case had been scheduled to begin May 9, but that date will now be pushed back to July 23 per the ruling from L.A. Superior Court Judge Deborah S. Brazil. Rodriguez, 46, faces three felony charges of conspiracy, perjury and procuring and offering a false or forged instrument, as well as 25 misdemeanor counts related to the alleged campaign money laundering. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Advertisement L.A. school board poised to name Beutner as superintendent By Howard Blume The Los Angeles Board of Education is poised to select philanthropist and former investment banker Austin Beutner to be the next superintendent of the nations second-largest school system. Barring a last-minute development, the only mystery is whether Beutner emerges with four or five votes from the boards seven members. Terms of his contract already have been under discussion, according to sources close to the process who requested anonymity because they are not authorized to speak. The selection of Beutner, 58, who has no experience managing a school or a school district, would be a signal that the board majority that took control nearly a year ago wants to rely on business management skills instead of insider educational expertise. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Teacher walkouts in Arizona and Colorado continue national debate on money for schools By Michael Livingston Following the lead of teachers who walked off the job in other states in recent weeks, thousands of teachers and their supporters took to the streets in Arizona and Colorado for the second day in a row to demand better pay and more funding for education. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Three decades before the #MeToo movement, UC San Diego led the way against sexual assault By Teresa Watanabe When Nancy Wahlig first started her fight against sexual assault, one company was marketing a capsule for women to stash in their bras and then smash to release a vile odor. Because of the very nature of society, the only person who can prevent rape is the woman herself, read a 1981 advertisement for the Repulse rape deterrent. Ideas about how to prevent sexual violence have come a long way since then, and Wahlig has helped lead that evolution on college campuses. In 1988, she started UC San Diegos Sexual Assault Resource Center (SARC), the first stand-alone program at the University of California. Today, she remains the systems most senior specialist. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Advertisement Andres Alonso withdraws from consideration for L.A. schools job By Howard Blume Andres Alonso, believed to be one of three remaining finalists to lead the Los Angeles school system, has withdrawn from consideration. The remaining known candidates in the confidential search are former investment banker Austin Beutner and interim Supt. Vivian Ekchian. Alonso, 60, announced his decision on Twitter on Thursday night, saying he had notified the L.A. Unified School District on Monday. The exit of Alonso, the former Baltimore schools chief, seems to solidify the front-runner status of Beutner, who also was a former L.A. Times publisher and a Los Angeles deputy mayor. He held each of those positions for about a year. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Heres why the apparent increase in autism spectrum disorders may be good for U.S. children By Karen Kaplan The prevalence of autism spectrum disorder among American children continues to rise, new government data suggest. And that may be a good thing. Among 11 sites across the U.S. where records of 8-year-olds are scrutinized in detail, 1 in 59 kids was deemed to have ASD in 2014. Thats up from 1 in 68 in 2012. Normally, health officials would prefer to see less of a disease, not more of it. But in this case, the higher number is probably a sign that more children of color who are on the autism spectrum are being recognized as such and getting services to help them, according to a report published Thursday by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print UC shelves tuition increase for now, in hopes of getting more state funding By Teresa Watanabe University of California regents will not vote on a tuition increase next month, shelving the plan for now in hopes that state lawmakers will come through with more funding. Raising tuition is always a last resort and one we take very seriously, UC President Janet Napolitano said Thursday in a statement. We will continue to advocate with our students who are doing a tremendous job of educating legislators about the necessity of adequately funding the university to ensure UC remains a world-class institution and engine of economic growth for our state. Last week, Cal State Chancellor Timothy P. White said the 23-campus system no longer would consider a plan to raise tuition for the 2018-19 academic year. But unlike Cal State, UC officials have not taken a tuition increase off the table entirely. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Advertisement A chemical spill, unchecked eyewash stations, poor training: Audit details Cal States lax lab safety By Joy Resmovits In May 2016, two bottles tumbled off a poorly supported shelf and broke, leading to a chemical spill in a Sacramento State University lab. The liquid got onto one students legs and soaked anothers feet. Five employees cleaned up the mess, even though no one knew for sure what it was and whether it was dangerous. They called fellow employee Kim Harrington, their union representative, to let her know what happened. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print After blackface incident, minority students at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo say they dont feel welcome By Hailey Branson-Potts Aaliyah Ramos was walking through the Cal Poly San Luis Obispo campus last year when a prospective student approached her. Ramos was the only black person, the young woman said, that she and her mother had seen that day. They asked about the quality of education and the diversity of the student body. Ramos, a mechanical engineering student, didnt want to sugarcoat the truth: Cal Poly long has been predominantly white. But she told the young woman who also was black that she didnt want to discourage her from applying, because that wouldnt help with diversity at a school where only 0.7% of students are African American the lowest percentage of any university in the California State system. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Advertisement El Camino Real Charter High School in Woodland Hills wins the 2018 U.S. Academic Decathlon By Carlos Lozano El Camino Real Charter High School in Woodland Hills has won the 2018 U.S. Academic Decathlon, officials said. The winner was announced early Saturday at a ceremony in Frisco, Texas. More than 600 students from the U.S., Canada, China and the United Kingdom gathered there over the last three days to compete in the 37th annual U.S. Academic Decathlon. Congratulations to El Camino Real Charter High School for another impressive victory, said Vivian Ekchian, interim superintendent of the Los Angeles Unified School District. Your academic stamina and competitive spirit to win is remarkable. The entire L.A. Unified family is so proud of you. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Advertisement Anticipation mounts as L.A. school board meets over superintendent selection By Howard Blume L.A. schools superintendent candidate Andres Alonso got an endorsement Friday, but Austin Beutner and Vivian Ekchian also have supporters. (Elizabeth Malby) The Los Angeles Board of Education is reconvening in closed session Friday at noon as anticipation mounts about the choice of the next leader of the nations second-largest school system. The presumed front-runner is former investment banker and philanthropist Austin Beutner, but interim Supt. Vivian Ekchian and former Baltimore Supt. Andres Alonso also are in the running. Most district insiders appear to be rooting for Ekchian, who has spent her entire career in education within the school system. After her 10 years as a teacher, her roles have included head of human resources, chief labor negotiator and regional administrator for campuses in the west San Fernando Valley. Shes managed the district since September, when then-Supt. Michelle King went on medical leave and chose Ekchian to fill in for her. King, who is battling cancer, never returned and announced her retirement in January. Numerous influential civic leaders have urged and pressured the board to select Beutner. Also lending their weight have been advocates for charter schools, which are independently operated, growing in number and competing for students with district-operated campuses. Four of the seven board members enough to control the outcome were elected with major financial support from charter supporters. Beutner has two ongoing connections with the L.A. Unified School District. The first is his leadership of an outside task force that is making recommendations on how to improve the school system. The second is his charity, Vision to Learn, which supplies glasses to low-income students. The charity and the school system are in a dispute at the moment over who is responsible for delays in providing services to students as part of a $6 million contract, half of which is paid for by L.A. Unified. Unlike Ekchian and Buetner, Alonso, who currently teaches at the Harvard Graduate School of Education, has no deep-seated local constituency, but the prospect of his selection has generated some excitement. While in Baltimore, Alonso was recognized for pushing for progress at low-performing schools, and for being willing to take strong action. While in Baltimore, he also weathered a test-score cheating scandal and occasionally rocky relations with the teachers union. But by the time he resigned, after six years, he and union leaders seemed to be working together without rancor. Leaders of some community groups have split from the pro-Beutner camp. They worry that Beutners approach to confronting the districts financial problems could shut out their voices or involve severe economic cutbacks that would undermine programs that are helping students. Some prefer Ekchian; some Alonso. Theyve been reluctant to speak out publicly because theyll have to work with whoever is selected, but they have tried to get the ear of board members. On Friday morning, one leader of a community group decided to come out in favor of Alonso. L.A. Unified has the opportunity to bring in an instructional leader of color with a history of success, said Alberto Retana, president and chief executive of Community Coalition, which works on behalf of low-income students and families in South Los Angeles. If we have a shot at that, we should go for it because its in the best interests of our kids and of our community. Retana said his statement was not meant to criticize Beutner or Ekchian but to alert board members that there also is community support for Alonso. Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Cal State leader shelves proposed tuition hike: Its the right thing to do, but its not without risk By Joy Resmovits Cal State, the nations largest public university system, will no longer consider a plan to raise tuition for the 2018-19 academic year, Chancellor Timothy P. White announced Friday. The decision is a bet that Sacramento will come through in the end. If Cal State loses that bet, it could mean cuts to campus programs. White said in an interview that Californias economy is strong enough that families should not be shouldering the burden of higher college costs. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print L.A. students to participate in national walkout activities on Friday By Joy Resmovits (Los Angeles Times) Students are taking to the streets again Friday to protest gun violence on the 19th anniversary of the Columbine school shooting. Starting at 10 a.m., students at many schools will spend 13 seconds honoring the 13 people 12 students and one teacher killed on that day in Littleton, Colo. After that, theyll participate in a host of different activities. Within L.A. Unified, one school is having an open-mic event for students to talk about school violence, and lawmakers are visiting campuses to hear students thoughts. According to a central hub for organizing the protests written by the students of Ridgefield High School in Connecticut the walkouts are intended to drive the political change necessary to curb school violence. The day is also a time for students to interact on an elevated platform they have never had before, the site states. It is a day of discourse and thoughtful sharing. Bringing together communities and students to get a national discussion rolling. Organizers have suggested using the event to convey the importance of curbing gun violence to legislators. They are encouraging students to push legislation that would ban assault weapons and tighten up rules around who can buy guns and how. Over 2,500 schools nationwide are expected to participate. In L.A., some students at campuses including Eagle Rock High School, the Ramon C. Cortines School of Visual and Performing Arts and Bravo Medical Magnet plan to walk out. Students from various schools expect to join area marches, including those in Santa Monica and Huntington Park. Other schools are hosting career days and voter registration drives. At 1 p.m., students plan to start a rally in front of L.A. Unified headquarters. For the record: An earlier version of this article stated that 12 teachers and one student were killed in the Columbine shooting. The opposite is true: twelve students and one teacher died. Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Stabbing of popular student devastates South El Monte High School; teen friend suspected in slaying By Sonali Kohli When administrators at South El Monte High School called Jeremy Sanchezs parents to say he never showed up for class Wednesday, his father began to worry. It was unusual for the 17-year-old junior to miss school, so his father filed a missing persons report and assembled two of Jeremys close friends to look for the popular student-athlete. Their search took them to a scenic stretch of the San Gabriel River Trail, where one of the friends a 16-year-old boy made a tragic discovery. Among the bushes in the riverbed near Thienes Avenue and Parkway Drive was Jeremys body, punctured with stab wounds, according to Lt. John Corina of the Los Angeles County Sheriffs Department. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Advertisement Racist fliers spark outrage at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo By Alene Tchekmedyian Soon after Neal MacDougall arrived on the Cal Poly San Luis Obispo campus Tuesday, the professor noticed university police standing outside a restroom near his office. A racial slur against African Americans had been scrawled in red marker on a stall wall. Later, he discovered a series of racist fliers pinned up next to his door. Someone had also slashed posters hed hung outside his office supporting students in the country illegally. The discovery was the latest controversy on the prestigious campus which the president said is less than 55% white that MacDougall said demonstrates a culture of racism at the university. Last week, photographs emerged of white fraternity members, including one in blackface, flashing gang signs. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Advertisement The superintendent waiting game, paying for L.A.'s College Promise, Princetons slave history: Whats new in education By Joy Resmovits Acting LAUSD superintendent Vivian Ekchian is a finalist for the permanent job. (Gary Coronado / Los Angeles Times) In and around Los Angeles: The L.A. Unified school board spent 10 hours interviewing and discussing candidates for superintendent. When they adjourned after 10 p.m., they said they would reconvene on Friday. Who is paying for Mayor Eric Garcettis much-touted College Promise, a program that promises two years of community college for LAUSD grads? In California: The Legislature is considering a proposal that would boost K-12 education funding for black students. When the cost of living is taken into account, California has the highest rate of child poverty. Nationwide: The families of two children killed at Sandy Hook Elementary School are suing Alex Jones and Infowars for saying the school massacre never occurred. Princeton will name two spaces an arch and a garden after slaves who lived or worked on the campus. Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print L.A. school board meets privately with finalists and debates choice for school district leader By Howard Blume The Los Angeles Board of Education adjourned late Tuesday after spending more than 10 hours interviewing candidates and trying to reach a decision on who would be the next leader of the nations second-largest school system. When the meeting finally recessed at 10:11 p.m., a spokesman announced only that the school board would reconvene Friday at noon. Going into the days meetings, there were apparently four finalists, according to sources who could not be named because they were unauthorized to speak. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Two Sandy Hook families sue Alex Jones and Infowars for saying the school massacre never happened By David Altimari Families of two children killed at Sandy Hook Elementary School have filed lawsuits in Texas against controversial radio host Alex Jones for continually claiming the massacre never happened. Neil Heslin, the father of Jesse Lewis, and Leonard Pozner and Veronique De La Rosa, whose son Noah Pozner died in the massacre, filed separate lawsuits late Monday in Travis County, Texas. The lawsuits allege that Jones defamed the parents by constantly calling them crisis actors and insisting the shooting was a false flag operation; they also claim Jones accusations have led to death threats against the Sandy Hook families by Jones followers. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Advertisement Beutner emerges as a top pick for L.A. schools superintendent amid last-minute jockeying By Howard Blume Austin Beutner has emerged as a leading contender to run the Los Angeles school district, with backers saying he is smart enough and tough enough to confront its financial and academic struggles. Though he does not have a background in education, the former investment banker has in the last year examined some of the districts intractable problems, serving as co-chair of an outside task force with the support of then-Supt. Michelle King. Sources inside and outside the school district said Beutner appears to have more support on the seven-member board than other finalists, and his name could come up for a vote as early as Tuesday. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Challenge at Chicago school construction site: Watch for 38,000 unmarked graves By Nereida Moreno A 15-year effort to build a school in Chicagos Dunning neighborhood is underway with an unusual complication: Construction workers are taking careful steps to avoid disturbing human remains that may lie beneath the soil. The $70-million school is to be built on the grounds of a former Cook County Poor House, where an estimated 38,000 people were buried in unmarked graves. Among the dead are residents who were too poor to afford funeral costs, unclaimed bodies and patients from the countys insane asylum. There can be and there have been bodies found all over the place, said Barry Fleig, a genealogist and cemetery researcher who began investigating the site in 1989. Its a spooky, scary place. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Oklahoma teacher walkout winds down despite lawmakers failure to meet demands By Washington Post Oklahomas largest teachers union has announced an end to a walkout that has drawn thousands of educators out of classrooms and to the state Capitol demanding greater investment in the states schools, which have endured the nations steepest funding cuts. The announcement Thursday from the Oklahoma Education Assn. does not necessarily end the protests at the Capitol, as teachers not affiliated with the union vowed to stay longer. Instead of a walkout, the union and school districts across the state have said they plan to send delegations of teachers to Oklahoma City to keep the pressure on lawmakers. Teachers and their supporters have also promised to push education issues to the forefront of November elections, when the state chooses a new governor. As school districts begin to reopen, the protests may lose steam. The Legislature is not in session Friday, and observers are waiting to see what happens Monday, when lawmakers return. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Advertisement Most Californians are worried about school shooting threats and oppose arming teachers, survey finds By Joy Resmovits Hamilton High School student Aiyana Dabriel holds a sign during a March 14 walkout in support of the Parkland shooting victims. (Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Times) Most Californians are worried that a school shooting like the one that occurred in Parkland, Fla., in February could shed blood closer to home, a new survey found. Some 73% percent of adults and 82% of public school parents said they were very concerned or somewhat concerned about school shootings. The Public Policy Institute of California surveyed 1,704 adults in the state by phone just after the March for Our Lives protest against gun violence. Latino and black respondents were significantly more likely to be concerned about school violence than white or Asian respondents, the institute found. Two-thirds of adults and public school parents said they opposed letting more educators carry weapons in school. The response differed across party lines, with 86% of Democrats and 69% of independents voicing their opposition, while 60% percent of Republicans said they would support a measure to arm educators. The poll, which had a margin of error of 3.2% in either direction, also asked Californians about school funding, educational issues in the governors race and the impact of immigration enforcement on students. You can find the full results here. Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Californias largest virtual charter school network agrees to contract with its teachers By Anna M. Phillips Nearly four years after teachers at Californias largest online charter school voted to unionize, they have reached a deal to increase pay and create job protections, according to a spokesman for the California Teachers Assn. The contract, which is still tentative and subject to ratification, is a victory for the teachers union. Although charter schools are publicly funded, most are privately managed and their employees arent protected by labor contracts. Under the terms of the contract the result of years of negotiation and legal wrangling approximately 500 teachers working for California Virtual Academies will no longer be at-will employees who can be dismissed for almost any reason. Their average salary will rise to just over $45,000, according to union estimates, a figure that remains far below the norm for traditional public school teachers. Still, it is an improvement over the previous average of $38,000. The accord also places a limit on the number of students each teacher is responsible for monitoring in online homeroom classes. Were very satisfied with the gains we made, said teacher Brianna Carroll, president of California Virtual Educators United. I think were going to see some extraordinary changes in our schools. According to Carroll, teachers at California Virtual Academies better known as CAVA had grown frustrated with the organizations foot-dragging and were making preparations to go on strike when CAVAs leadership agreed to the deal. CAVA and K12, the Virginia-based for-profit company linked to its schools, did not immediately respond to an email Tuesday asking for comment. The network currently operates nine virtual charter schools across California. In 2016, the charter network agreed to pay $8.5 million to settle claims of false advertising, misleading parents and inadequate instruction. The state attorney generals office had also accused K12 of controlling the charters for its own financial benefit. Neither CAVA nor K12 admitted to wrongdoing in the settlement. A year later, the state imposed a $2-million fine on CAVA after an audit found that it had misspent public funds. The network disputed the findings. Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Advertisement School board approves a new formula for funding high-need schools By Sonali Kohli L.A. schools will soon get more money if they are located in neighborhoods with such problems as high levels of gun violence and asthma. The Los Angeles Unified school board voted unanimously Tuesday to adopt a new formula to determine how to dole out some funding to schools, based not only on the characteristics of the student populations but on the traumas that affect the communities around campuses. The new formula will be applied to $25 million in funding next fiscal year and about $263 million annually in future years a small part of the districts $7.5 billion annual budget. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Protesters demand Ref Rodriguez resignation outside school board meeting By Sonali Kohli Students, parents, teachers and UTLA marching outside the board meeting chanting "Ref resign" pic.twitter.com/W0LRWZSIXY Sonali Kohli (@Sonali_Kohli) April 10, 2018 A few dozen parents, students and teachers marched outside the Los Angeles Unified School Board meeting Tuesday, some calling for board member Ref Rodriguez to resign the week after news broke that he was taken into custody on suspicion of being drunk in public at a Pasadena bar and restaurant. Rodriguez was not cited or charged in that incident, but was held for more than five and a half hours before being released. The school board member faces felony and misdemeanor charges for political money laundering. He is accused of getting more than two dozen people people to donate to his campaign for his school board seat with the understanding that he would reimburse them. He stepped down from his post as school board president after he was charged last fall, but he did not give up his seat on the board. He has pleaded not guilty to three felony counts of conspiracy, perjury, and procuring and offering a false or forged instrument, as well as 25 misdemeanor counts related to the alleged campaign money laundering. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for May. He cant give his full focus to our students, said Rebecca LaFond, a Highland Park parent whose three children marched with her as she chanted, Ref resign. One daughter marched in front of her, using a drum stick to hit the bottom of a gallon-size empty water jug. Our kids deserve someone who has the utmost ethical standards representing them, LaFond said. The protests continued into the board meeting, where some addressed Rodriguez directly, calling on him to step down during public comment portions of the meeting. Rodriguez, through his chief of staff, declined to comment. Some parents outside the board meeting did not know about the charges against Rodriguez but came out to protest the possibility of sharing their school campuses with charter schools. Protesters also oppose colocation not all of the parents are here to ask Ref Rodriguez to step down pic.twitter.com/1Co8zQ9zSi Sonali Kohli (@Sonali_Kohli) April 10, 2018 Cynthia Martinez said her son, who goes to Christopher Dena Elementary School in Boyle Heights, has been bullied in the past by students from a charter school sharing the campus. She said she didnt know who Rodriguez was. Some parents and teachers are worried about losing computer labs, robotics rooms and fitness centers if they are required to share their campus with charter schools, said Ilse Escobar, a parent community organizer for United Teachers Los Angeles. The issues of Rodriguez and colocation are related, Escobar said. Rodriguez is part of a majority on the school board elected with financial backing from charter school supporters, and many parents, she said, feel that the school board is compromised if he is a part of it. Staff reporter Howard Blume contributed to this post. Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Advertisement Delaine Eastin tries to gain momentum in the California governors race, one voter at a time By Seema Mehta Delaine Eastin was a sophomore in high school when a drama teacher urged her to try out for a part in The Man Who Came to Dinner. She hesitated until he told her: This is a metaphor for your whole life. If you never try out, you will never get the part. Eastin auditioned and won the role. Decades later, the advice sticks with the former state schools chief, this time in her unlikely run for governor. Despite calls for more women in leadership roles in state politics following sexual misconduct allegations in Sacramento, Eastin has been largely overlooked in the race, lagging far behind her Democratic rivals in fundraising and the polls. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Arizona high court rejects in-state tuition for DACA recipients By Associated Press Young immigrants granted deferred deportation status under a program started by President Obama are not eligible for lower in-state college tuition, the Arizona Supreme Court ruled Monday. The unanimous ruling will affect at least 2,000 students attending the states largest community college district and hundreds more at other colleges and the states three public universities. The Maricopa County Community Colleges District and state universities said they would begin raising tuition immediately for the coming school year. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print New York high school students injured when bus strikes overpass By Associated Press A charter bus carrying teenagers returning from a spring break trip Sunday night struck a bridge overpass on Long Island, seriously injuring six passengers and mangling the entire length of the top of the bus. The crash happened shortly after 9 p.m. Sunday on the Southern State Parkway in Lakeview, according to New York State Police. One of the six injured passengers had very serious injuries, said State Police Maj. David Candelaria. Thirty-seven other passengers suffered minor injuries. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Some good news for California in national student test scores By Joy Resmovits National test scores for fourth- and eighth-graders were generally flat from 2015, but eighth-grade reading scores showed some improvement. Every two years, the nations fourth- and eighth-graders are tested in math and reading and newly released results from last years tests give California at least a little reason to be pleased. The 2017 results out Monday night were mostly flat nationwide compared with 2015, though the average score in eighth-grade reading went up. But while that improvement largely came from the increased scores of the highest-performing students, California eighth-graders showed some reading progress from the lowest levels to the highest. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Advertisement Under state control, Inglewood school districts financial picture worsened By Anna M. Phillips When Eugenio Villa agreed to return to the Inglewood schools for a second tour last summer, he knew the district remained one of Californias most troubled. Inglewood Unified had been nearly insolvent when it was taken over by the state Department of Education in 2012. Six years later, its enrollment was still declining. Its school buildings were tired some edging into decrepitude. Its test scores and graduation rates were still below the state average. And the public was out of patience. Still, Villa, who had signed back on as the districts chief business official, was shocked at what he found when he arrived in June 2017. Two years earlier, he had left the school system on what he thought was firm ground. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Charter school group drops two lawsuits against L.A. Unified By Howard Blume A charter schools advocacy group last week announced that it would end two long-running lawsuits in which it was seeking more classroom space and construction money from the Los Angeles school district. The decision, the California Charter Schools Assn. said, reflects better relations between charter schools and the L.A. Unified School District. But the move also suggests that the litigation, which already contributed to significant gains for area charters, was unlikely to produce much more. It takes time, money and effort to litigate, said Ricardo Soto, general counsel for the charter group. Maybe its better to see if we can find the time and opportunity for collaboration. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print L.A. school board member Ref Rodriguez is arrested on suspicion of public intoxication By Richard Winton Los Angeles school board member Ref Rodriguez was arrested recently on suspicion of being drunk in public at a Pasadena restaurant, the latest trouble for an elected official who faces political money-laundering charges. Pasadena police took Rodriguez into custody on March 16, according to city spokeswoman Lisa Derderian. Officers arrested Rodriguez at about 4:30 p.m. at the Yard House restaurant and bar at the Paseo Mall and held him in jail for more than five-and-a-half hours. Rodriguez was ultimately released without being cited or charged, Derderian told The Times. Other details about the arrest were not available, she This week, thousands of UC employees are staging a three-day strike for better pay and working conditions. On Monday, more than 20,000 custodians, cooks, lab technicians, nurse aides and other members of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees Local 3299 walked off their jobs. By Tuesday, two more unions joined in sympathy strikes. The union and UC reached a bargaining impasse last year. The university has said it wont meet the workers demands. Workers covered UCLAs Westwood campus Monday. They wore green T-shirts that proclaimed in big yellow block letters, We run UC. Medical workers gathered in front of the Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center. One marched with an infant swaddled to her chest. Another walked a large dog. As they approached the front entrance, a man at the door waved to one of his workers in the crowd. Are you missing us inside the lab? the worker asked. No wonder its so busy! said her manager, with a smile. Can you just come back? When you sign the contract, we will," the worker said, before rushing to catch up with her friends. The strikers said they wanted better pay, more equity in the allocation of work, stable healthcare premiums and an end to the universitys use of contract workers. These are their stories. Workers with UC's largest employee union begin a three-day strike Monday. Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times We are humans too Senior custodian Davina Woods held two megaphones Monday though she has a voice loud and sharp enough to spread her message without them. Im very boisterous, she said, in a break between leading chants. Woods, a member of the unions negotiation team, works from 5:30 p.m. to 2:00 a.m. to make the Arthur Ashe Student Health and Wellness Center shine. Im out here fighting for a fair, safe, just and unbiased contract, she said. She said shes had to supplement her work with odd jobs to keep up with rising costs. I wear the pants and the dress, said the single mother of four. Im just tired of surviving. I want to live. When she started working, she made about $13 an hour. Seven years later, she makes $18.64. Weve sat down with UC seven or eight times within a year, and its gotten nowhere, she said. Maybe with this little exposure now, maybe they will make some type of movement and consider us, because we are humans too. Theyre trying to ruin peoples pensions Jose Plascencia, a radiology technician, said he feels he is treated fairly but joined the picket line on behalf of his colleagues. Theyre trying to ruin peoples pensions, and they can lay off whoever they want, Plascencia said. He sometimes does per diem work for Cedars-Sinai Medical Center to boost his pay. Were busting our ass all the time, he said. Thousands gather on the UCLA campus to support the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees Local 3299 Monday for the first day of a three-day strike. Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times My working condition is horrible As a materials management worker, Rafaella Del Rosario is responsible for making sure the medical centers operating rooms are fully stocked and ready for surgery. She orders supplies such as gauze and surgical blades. My working condition is horrible, she said. No one gets treated fairly. When she started seven years ago, she said, she was paid $18 an hour. Now, she makes $24.80 per hour. But her rent keeps rising, and her Inglewood residence now costs $1,600 a month. She is raising three children ages 2, 10 and 17. The budget is tight, especially with one child about to go to college. To make ends meet, she said, shes started working weekends, picking up overtime and driving for Lyft but its hard, because she wants to spend time with her baby. Sometimes she takes the bus just to save money on parking. Trying to provide for our families For Chenelle Gabourel, a lead custodian at UCLA, childcare is a juggling act. Her mother and her fiance also work at UCLA. She starts her job at 6 a.m. and works weekends. Her mother finishes at 2:30 a.m. and helps watch Gabourels 4-year-old and 3-year-old twins. Gabourels biggest gripes are with her weekend shifts and the possibility of rising healthcare premiums. Giving up weekends is a big sacrifice, she said. She wants to plan activities and trips with her toddlers, but she doesnt have a lot of spare money and her schedule makes it hard. Were all trying to provide for our families, she said. She said she was considering bringing Sariah, her 4-year-old, to the picket line Tuesday so she could see how hard were fighting. Demonstrators gather on the UCLA campus to support the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees Local 3299 who began a three-day strike Monday. Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times Its always quality time and never quantity Monica Martinez has worked as a certified nursing assistant at UCLA for 18 years. The Lincoln Heights resident is on the job from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. She said she was striking to fight inequality and gaps in pay between white people and people of color. Ten years ago, the single mom had to work two jobs to support herself and four children. Now, she no longer has dependents and lives with her sister, but she is still toiling away at two jobs: she does the same work for a different hospital. I try to schedule outings, quality time with my grandchildren, she said. But its always quality time and never quantity. Three department veterans have been chosen as finalists to replace outgoing Los Angeles Police Chief Charlie Beck in one of the nations most prominent law enforcement positions, according to three sources familiar with the selection process. Each member of the racially diverse trio Robert Arcos, Michel Moore and Bill Scott has decades of experience with the L.A. Police Department, coming of age during the 1992 riots, helping to implement reforms dictated by a federal consent decree and being promoted to high positions by Beck. The winnowing to three finalists by the citys Police Commission follows a months-long, nationwide search that from the beginning seemed likely to come down to a department insider as the odds-on favorite. Notably absent in the final cut were female candidates. Arcos, a third-generation Mexican American, is in charge of Central Bureau, which includes downtown and northeast Los Angeles. If selected by Mayor Eric Garcetti, he would be the first Latino police chief of a city that is nearly 50% Latino. Moore oversees the LAPDs patrol operations. Scott, who is African American, left the LAPD more than a year ago to become police chief in San Francisco. Advertisement Many LAPD and City Hall insiders had expected a woman to be in the top three and potentially go on to become the departments first female police chief. Sandy Jo MacArthur, the LAPDs highest-ranking woman when she retired three years ago as an assistant chief, was among those interviewed for the job but did not make the final round, according to the three sources, who were not authorized to discuss the selection process publicly. The highest-ranking woman in the department, Assistant Chief Beatrice Girmala, was considered an initial front-runner but did not apply for the job. Arcos and Moore said they could not comment on the selection process. Scott did not respond to a request for comment. Last week, the Police Commission interviewed Arcos, MacArthur, Moore, Scott and LAPD Deputy Chief Phil Tingirides out of a field of 31 applicants. The civilian commission, which oversees the LAPD, forwarded its top three choices to Garcetti on Friday. Commission President Steve Soboroff has declined to name any of the finalists, saying that releasing the names is up to the mayor. Bucking recent precedent, Garcetti said Monday that he will not release the names, to protect the confidentiality of the candidates. Arcos and Moore have confirmed to The Times that they applied for the job. For Scott, who went to San Francisco in January 2017 promising to turn around a troubled police department, the optics are more delicate. After The Times reported that he was one of the five candidates interviewed by the commission, Scott told ABC7 News in San Francisco that he would not confirm an unsubstantiated source. What Id like to say is what Ive been saying. I have to be focused on this job, he said in the interview. We have a lot of work to do. In selecting three finalists with deep roots in the department, the commission signaled a desire to build on the foundation Beck laid, with his emphasis on community policing and working with former gang members to tamp down violence. The new chief will face a host of thorny challenges: continued public scrutiny on police shootings and demands for transparency, an escalating homelessness problem, immigrants who fear deportation under President Trump, deeply rooted mistrust of law enforcement among some black and Latino residents, and crime rates that have ticked up in recent years. Whichever one of the three is chosen by Garcetti will be the second consecutive homegrown chief, after Beck. William Bratton, Becks predecessor, was brought in from the East Coast to change the culture of a department rife with corruption and where some officers were accused of disrespecting the residents they policed. The three finalists are among the LAPD leaders who embraced that cultural shift. After Beck announced his retirement in January, the commission held public meetings, with many residents saying they wanted a police chief who understands the uniquely polyglot nature of their sprawling city. Those comments have been echoed by some City Council members, who will vote on Garcettis choice. Michael Downing, a 35-year LAPD veteran and former interim chief who is now a security executive, said all three men are intelligent, thoughtful and reflective leaders. L.A. cant go wrong with any of three, said Downing, who retired as a deputy chief of the counterterrorism bureau. Garcetti has said he will interview the three finalists one on one and then probably do a second round of interviews with some City Council members present. He expects to pick the new chief by the end of the month and possibly earlier, which would be weeks before Becks June 27 departure. The commission has ranked the finalists, but the mayor is not obliged to abide by the order. Moore was ranked first in 2009, but Beck got the job. Garcetti, who is contemplating a run for U.S. president, has described his ideal police chief: someone who is respected by the rank and file but is not afraid to discipline officers when necessary, who embraces reforms, who works to improve relationships with residents and who finds ways to get things done with a limited budget. He has said that he is not looking for a chief from a particular demographic. Arcos, 57, grew up in Texas and L.A. He has the backing of the Mexican American Bar Assn. of Los Angeles County, which also interviewed MacArthur and Moore before endorsing Arcos. As the deputy chief over Central Bureau, Arcos has taken on two of the LAPDs most pressing issues: homelessness and fear of deportation among the citys immigrant residents. Moore, 57, is first assistant chief over the office of operations, making him Arcos direct supervisor. Moore is known as a detail-oriented manager with a mastery of crime statistics. Early in his career, he developed a version of the computerized crime-mapping systems that are heavily used today. In 2000, he was assigned to clean up the Rampart Division after a corruption scandal there resulted in the overturning of more than 100 criminal convictions. His father was a Basque immigrant, and he is listed as Hispanic on department rosters, but his heritage has not played a significant role in defining him in the department. Scott was the LAPDs highest-ranking African American officer when he left to lead the San Francisco Police Department, which was reeling from controversial police shootings and a scandal involving racist texts sent by police officers. He is working to implement reforms recommended by the U.S. Department of Justice in San Francisco and has pushed to arm all his officers with Tasers. In his 27 years at the LAPD, Scott helped oversee reforms required by the federal consent decree. He finished his career as deputy chief of South Bureau, which includes much of South Los Angeles. richard.winton@latimes.com Twitter: @LAcrimes david.zahniser@latimes.com Twitter: @DavidZahniser james.queally@latimes.com Twitter: @JamesQueallyLAT cindy.chang@latimes.com Twitter: @cindychangLA UPDATES: 8:05 p.m.: This article was updated with additional details and comments about the finalists. This article was originally published at 2:55 p.m. Adelanto Mayor Rich Kerr had a plan to cure the long-struggling citys deep financial woes. He would make the desert town, with its vast stretches of cheap land, into the Silicon Valley of marijuana. Since 2015, under Kerrs leadership, officials have worked diligently to attract the cannabis industry. The efforts drew national attention and led to a land rush as entrepreneurs sought to take advantage of Adelantos welcoming posture. But the San Bernardino County city and its cannabis industry have also drawn the attention of federal investigators. On Tuesday, FBI agents served search warrants at Kerrs home, City Hall and a local marijuana dispensary. Advertisement The raids come amid an ongoing investigation into corruption in the city, which came to light last year after charges were filed against Mayor Pro Tem Jermaine Wright, who was accused of accepting bribes to fast-track a marijuana business, among other things. An FBI spokeswoman confirmed that agents were executing federal search warrants in the city on Tuesday but declined to comment further because the affidavits in support of the warrants are under seal. Kerr was seen being removed from his home in handcuffs Tuesday morning, according to the Victorville Daily Press. Officials, however, told The Times that Kerr had not been arrested. In a written statement, city spokesman Michael Stevens said the city was unaware of the nature of the FBI investigation but was prepared to cooperate with any investigation being conducted. Because of the search warrants, City Hall was closed Tuesday but should reopen Wednesday, Stevens said. The City Council wants to assure the public that the city will continue to focus its efforts on providing the services that residents and businesses expect, Stevens said. The agencies involved in Tuesdays searches included the FBI, the Internal Revenue Services criminal investigation division and the San Bernardino County district attorneys office, according to Thom Mrozek, a spokesman for the U.S. attorneys office in Los Angeles. San Bernardino County sheriffs deputies and FBI investigators lead a handcuffed man into the Jet Room, a marijuana dispensary, in Adelanto, Calif. (James Quigg / Daily Press ) In addition to City Hall and Kerrs home, investigators served search warrants on the Jet Room, a marijuana dispensary in Adelanto whose website boasts that at least half of its employees would be Adelanto residents. No expense has been spared in order to provide the best experience for their patients, all while staying compliant, the website quotes owner Lisa Marie Guerra as saying. The business has been controversial in the city. Last year, the Daily Press reported that Councilman John Bug Woodard had acted as a broker when the property for the business was purchased. It was later re-zoned to allow for the dispensary. Investigators on Tuesday also served search warrants at 1300 N. Mountain View Ave. in San Bernardino, officials said. That address is listed in state filings as a corporate address for Jet Room Inc. Kerr and representatives of the Jet Room did not return calls requesting comment. Tristan Pelayes, a Riverside attorney and former mayor of Adelanto, said corruption has been an ongoing problem in the city. Pelayes now represents Adelanto City Manager Gabriel Elliott, who was put on paid leave late last year following sexual harassment allegations. Pelayes said Elliott was placed on leave as retaliation after he went to the district attorneys office to complain about possible corruption related to marijuana businesses in the city. Adelantos long history of corruption is well documented. An Adelanto resident finds the doors locked at Adelanto City Hall after federal agents executed a search warrant there. (Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times ) In 2008, former Mayor James Nehmens and his wife were sentenced to six months in jail after pleading guilty to embezzling thousands of dollars from the citys Little League. In 1997, former Adelanto Police Chief Philip Genaway was sentenced to four years in prison for embezzling nearly $10,000 from the canine unit. The police department was later disbanded. Mrozek declined to comment about the nature of the investigation because the warrants are sealed. The existence of the current probe into Adelanto corruption allegations became public in November, when Wright, the mayor pro tem, was accused of accepting bribes and of asking an undercover FBI agent to burn down his restaurant so he could collect insurance payouts. Wright, 41, allegedly met with an undercover FBI agent posing as a marijuana cultivator last year and agreed to vote, in exchange for $20,000, in favor of a measure expanding the parts of Adelanto where marijuana could be grown, according to a criminal complaint. Money did not change hands, but Wright did agree to accept the bribe, according to the complaint. After the council vote, Wright also agreed to accept a $15,000 bribe in exchange for helping fast-track the undercover agents proposal for a marijuana business, prosecutors said. Wright also confessed last year to a separate plot to hire another man, also an undercover FBI agent, to burn down a restaurant he owns called Fat Boyz Grill, prosecutors said. Wright stood to gain $300,000 in insurance payouts, prosecutors said. When confronted by FBI agents during a search of the restaurant in October 2017, Wright admitted to the arson plot and agreed to cooperate with the FBIs continuing investigation into Adelanto corruption, prosecutors said. Kerr was accused of sexual harassment late last year, but an independent investigator cleared the mayor of wrongdoing in February. Citing confidentiality laws, the city did not release or discuss the investigators findings. james.queally@latimes.com paloma.esquivel@latimes.com Follow @JamesQueallyLAT for crime and police news in California. Follow @palomaesquivel for news out of the Inland Empire. UPDATES: 9:00 p.m.: This article was updated with changes throughout. 11:35 a.m.: This article was updated with a statement from the city. 11 a.m.: This article was updated with information about additional search warrants. 10:15 a.m.: This article was updated with additional background information and comments from the U.S. attorneys office. This article was originally published at 9:25 a.m. CHI Memorials cardiac and oncology television commercial series won the Silver Award at the 35th Annual Healthcare Advertising Awards. This program is the oldest, largest and most widely respected healthcare advertising awards competition. More than 4,000 entries were received this year. Entries are judged based on creativity, quality, message effectiveness, consumer appeal, graphic design, and overall impact. We have a wonderful group of physicians who believe strongly in the healing ministry of CHI Memorial, said Lisa McCluskey, vice president, marketing and communications. Their passion for providing the Chattanooga region with the best care, and revolutionary procedures and treatments is highlighted throughout these commercial series. Each physician is dedicated and committed to all who trust CHI Memorial for their healthcare needs. We appreciate the physicians help sharing the message about the wonderful care that happens inside CHI Memorial every day. The award winning commercial series can be viewed at the links below. The series was produced by Franklin Street, a Richmond, Tn.-based agency. The Chattanooga Heart Institute Trust - https://youtu.be/EtNOWTAd_gw The Chattanooga Heart Institute MitraClip - https://youtu.be/uUZDhGqLJFQ The Chattanooga Heart Institute Multidisciplinary Team - https://youtu.be/rb4EabdxJwc The Chattanooga Heart Institute Imaging - https://youtu.be/j-1shq6kS04 CHI Memorial Rees Skillern Cancer Institute Hidden Scar https://youtu.be/-DZJx5Cw_Lk CHI Memorial Rees Skillern Cancer Institute Advanced Treatment - https://youtu.be/edEjdaO-7BU CHI Memorial Rees Skillern Cancer Institute Technology - https://youtu.be/596ocyRUsdE CHI Memorial Rees Skillern Cancer Institute Collaboration https://youtu.be/xwg-GO7YvFw A full list of the 35th Annual Healthcare Advertising Awards can be found here. Two people were arrested at Los Angeles Police headquarters Tuesday morning after a substance was thrown at Chief Charlie Beck during a meeting of the city Police Commission, officials said. The incident happened about 9 a.m., and involved activists who normally attend the commissions sometimes contentious weekly meetings, said Josh Rubenstein, the departments chief spokesman. Black Lives Matter activists at the meeting identified the two women as Melina Abdullah, a Cal State L.A. professor and local Black Lives Matter organizer, and Sheila Hines-Brim, whose niece, Wakeisha Wilson, died while in the departments custody in 2016. LAPD Officer Mike Lopez said the woman who threw the substance at Beck was Hines-Brim. Before the room was cleared, he said, Abdullah assaulted a police officer. He did not know how. Advertisement Both women were booked on suspicion of battery on a police officer, Lopez said. Jail records show bail was set at $20,000 each and they were released Tuesday evening. Beck was not hurt, and it was not immediately clear what the substance was. Rubenstein said the activists may have claimed they threw Wilsons ashes at Beck. Nearly a dozen Los Angeles firefighters were seen entering LAPDs downtown headquarters about 11 a.m. Lopez said authorities tested the substance and determined it was not hazardous. He said he did not know what it was. The substance was collected and booked as evidence. In a statement, Beck called the incident not only disrespectful to the office of the chief of police, but more importantly to a process of community engagement that has been recognized across the nation. This only created chaos and fear for any Angelenos who wanted to voice their opinion about policing in our city, he said. Some activists have rejected the finding that Wilson committed suicide, saying she died as a result of a confrontation with detention officers. Police officials have said that there were no signs of an altercation and that the officers did not use force against Wilson. Her death, however, prompted internal reviews of some LAPD practices, including when jail staff should contact a mental health unit about an inmate, and how police and coroners officials notify families about deaths. Wilsons mother did not learn of her daughters death until after the woman missed a court hearing. The city paid nearly $300,000 last year to settle legal claims brought by Wilsons relatives. Times staff writer Cindy Chang contributed to this report. james.queally@latimes.com alene.tchekmedyian@latimes.com Follow @JamesQueallyLAT for crime and police news in California. UPDATES: 8:40 p.m.: This article was updated with to reflect the two women were released from custody. 6:45 p.m.: This article was updated with a statement from Chief Beck. 5:30 p.m.: This article was updated to reflect that the two women involved were booked on suspicion of battery on a police officer. This article was originally published at 12:25 p.m. The Los Angeles City Council rejected a proposed agreement Tuesday for a logistics company to continue using a warehouse near the Port of Los Angeles under a federal program, saying that privilege should not be provided to a firm accused of flouting labor laws. The unanimous vote sends the decision back to the Board of Harbor Commissioners, which had backed the one-year agreement with California Cartage Co. LLC to continue operating the space in Wilmington under the Foreign-Trade Zone program, which allows for companies to delay paying fees. For the record: This article was updated to include comment from California Cartage clarifying that the Tuesday decision does not halt all operations at the Wilmington facility. Councilman Joe Buscaino argued that the city should not extend the agreement while the company faced accusations of exploiting workers. Last year, City Atty. Mike Feuer sued trucking companies linked to California Cartage, alleging they had misclassified drivers as independent contractors, depriving them of employee benefits and improperly forcing them to bear company costs. Workplace safety regulators have been investigating complaints against the firm and have fined it in the past, federal records show. Advertisement Theyve been forced into debt. Theyve worked past exhaustion. And they have been left with nothing. And thats completely, outright wrong, Buscaino said Tuesday. How can we incentivize a company that is treating its employees like crap? Its not going to fly with me, and it shouldnt fly with you, Buscaino told fellow lawmakers. A California Cartage representative declined to comment after the vote Tuesday. The Long Beach company and its affiliates were acquired last year by a Delaware corporation, NFI, which did not respond to requests for comment. Later in the week, California Cartage issued a statement calling the decision very disappointing and based on misinformation and unsubstantiated claims. Cal Cartage has been a contributing member of the Los Angeles community for more than 75 years, the company said in a written statement Thursday. Being a good corporate citizen is, and will always be, an important Cal Cartage priority and guiding principle. The company added that the decision would not halt all operations at the Wilmington facility. The warehouse is part of the federal Foreign-Trade Zone program that allows importers to hold goods until they are needed and put off paying fees until products are brought into the country. The zones are restricted-access sites on U.S. Customs and Border Protection territory. California Cartage, which has been storing roughly $1.8 million in cargo annually at the Wilmington site, has been operating there since 1995, according to port officials. If the proposed agreement were approved, the harbor department would have received $7,750 from the company in a year. California Cartage said Thursday that the decision would not stop it from performing non-FTZ operations at the Wilmington site. Those other operations will continue, the company wrote. Port spokesman Phillip Sanfield said that while the company cant receive the benefits the federal program allows them, California Cartage can still operate at the site and do all their other operations, which includes trucking and warehousing. Earlier this month, port officials cautioned Buscaino that rejecting the warehouse agreement could have significant legal implications. Michael DiBernardo, deputy executive director at the port, said that the port had a very limited and administrative role in approving such agreements. If a company meets the requirements of the federal program, DiBernardo said, the port will approve it. In a written report prepared for harbor commissioners, port staffers said that the existence of pending litigation and claims against Cal Cartage did not affect their decision to press forward with the proposed agreement. DiBernardo told lawmakers earlier this month that it was unclear how the company and the U.S. Department of Commerce might react if the agreement were rejected, but that a dispute could potentially lead to a lawsuit, federal fines or losing privileges to Foreign-Trade Zone sites. The company could also go to another zone inside or outside the state and shift its operations elsewhere, officials said in their report. In reaction, Buscaino pointed to a section of the proposed agreement requiring the company to operate in line with federal, state and local laws. The councilman said he was concerned about the outpouring of complaints that lawmakers had heard from truck drivers, as well as claims of management retaliation and threats being heard before the National Labor Relations Board. In February, an NLRB administrative law judge concluded that California Cartage and a partner company had violated federal law by interrogating and impliedly threatening workers about legally protected activities and ordered the firm to stop. California Cartage has since contested many of those findings, and the case remains open. Buscaino also cited a series of stories on the issue by USA Today, which reported last year that more than 40 drivers who worked for California Cartage affiliates had filed wage complaints and lawsuits in civil court since 2012. Labor groups and their allies applauded the Tuesday decision. This shows were not going to keep allowing lawbreakers to get special treatment, said Celene Perez, co-executive director of the Warehouse Worker Resource Center, following the vote at City Hall. We would like this warehouse operator to follow the law and if not, to have a warehouse operator that will. Sanfield said Tuesday that officials were unsure Tuesday about what might happen after the warehouse agreement was rejected. The previous agreement for California Cartage to use the Wilmington site under the federal program expired in late April, port officials said. Dennis Gleason, policy director for Buscaino, said the councilman would be open to approving a shorter-term agreement that would give the company enough time to shut down operations under the program. Its kind of uncharted territory here, Gleason said. We dont know exactly what the applicant is going to do. emily.alpert@latimes.com Twitter: @AlpertReyes UPDATES: 5:20 p.m.: This article was updated with minor edits. This article was originally published at 12:20 p.m. The backlash against a new California law that protects immigrants continued in Santa Clarita as the City Council voted to formally oppose the so-called sanctuary law and file a brief in support of the Trump administrations lawsuit against the state. With the 5-0 vote early Wednesday morning, Santa Clarita became what is believed to be the first city in Los Angeles County to officially oppose Senate Bill 54, joining a handful of municipalities elsewhere in Southern California that have challenged the law since Gov. Jerry Brown signed it in October. The council chamber was packed Tuesday night, with people standing in aisles and doorways and spilling out into an overflow room as approximately 200 had signed up to speak. Many wore red Make America Great Again caps. Some snacked on popcorn while others cooled themselves with fans. Some said SB 54, which limits cooperation by local law enforcement with federal immigration authorities, would promote criminality, while others said it would make communities safer. Some cited legal explanations for why the law violates the Constitution, while others argued that California was within its rights. Advertisement I dont understand. When these people have committed a crime why cant one agency be able to call another agency? Annette Burns said. California has overreached, Susan Agnes, a resident and mother of two, said. The atmosphere was often tense, punctuated by moments of levity. Audience members repeatedly heckled and booed one another, prompting reprimands from Mayor Laurene Weste including a brief lesson on the 1st Amendment. Some yelled Line cutter, No signs or Time! to enforce the rules. At one point, the audio cut out and someone shouted, Russians! More often than not, statements veered into the broader immigration debate and the symbolism of the resolution. By 9:30 p.m., about 100 people were still in line to speak. Councilman Bob Kellar listens to speakers at Santa Clarita City Hall before a vote on Californias sanctuary law Tuesday night. (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times ) I consider myself a patriot, said Alex Reza, a Newhall resident and veteran. I also consider myself a person who appreciates the tremendous contributions of immigrants, both documented and undocumented. By opposing SB 54, you are sending a loud message to Latino communities that [Santa Clarita] is not a family-friendly city, he continued. In March, Los Alamitos approved an ordinance claiming exemption from SB 54. That same month, Orange County signed on to the federal lawsuit against California over SB 54 and other laws protecting immigrants. Huntington Beach has also sued California in state court. Two weeks ago, a resolution by San Dimas City Councilman Ryan Vienna to oppose SB 54 failed, though he has personally filed a brief supporting the federal lawsuit. Santa Clarita City Councilman Bob Kellar initiated discussion on this issue in March. I feel very strongly that this whole thing of having a sanctuary state and sanctuary cities is ridiculous, he told the Santa Clarita Valley Signal at the time. We are putting our American citizens at additional risk and theres no question about this its costing our state ungodly billions of dollars. Outside the City Council chambers Tuesday afternoon, about 150 demonstrators and counter-demonstrators lined up ahead of the meeting. On one side of the building, protesters opposed to the resolution chanted No hate, no fear, immigrants are welcome here. They carried signs in English and Spanish that said Immigrants = America and Not all Santa Clarita are proud racists, a reference to a remark Kellar previously made saying he was a proud racist. On the other side, counter-demonstrators wearing We [heart] I.C.E. pins and President Trump neckties waved American flags and sang the national anthem. Occasionally they traveled over to the opposing side, shouting socialists and Speak English, youre in the United States. About a dozen sheriffs deputies stood watch. Raagib Quraishi, 30, a Santa Clarita resident and business owner, called Tuesdays resolution useless. This clearly does not effect any change in laws, he said. It only brought out hate. Matt Thurman, 42, another Santa Clarita resident, disagreed. Its not about racism, its not about hate, Thurman said. Its about people that are here illegally that got caught doing something wrong. The resolution states the citys opposition to provisions in SB 54 that conflict with federal law. The law, which went into effect Jan. 1, prohibits state and local police agencies from notifying federal authorities in many cases when individuals potentially subject to deportation are about to be released from custody. Santa Claritas resolution also directs the city attorney to file a brief in support of the Trump administrations lawsuit against the state of California if and when appropriate. (A hearing on the administrations request for a preliminary injunction is scheduled for June. The deadline for submitting briefs supporting the administration was April 6.) The measure is largely symbolic. Santa Clarita contracts with the L.A. County Sheriffs Department for law enforcement services and is bound by that departments policies, including on immigration. Still, symbolic politics is a part of politics, said Raphael Sonenshein, executive director of the Pat Brown Institute for Public Affairs at Cal State Los Angeles. This is an opportunity to mobilize the conservative base around the issue that most animates the conservative base, which is immigration, Sonenshein said. It doesnt mean that the City Council has the power to change anything right now but it elevates the issue and certainly Republicans see it as an issue that might bring people to the polls. Santa Clarita is the fourth-largest city in L.A. County, with a population of about 180,000. About 32% identify as Hispanic or Latino, according to 2016 census estimates. The area voted for Hillary Clinton in the 2016 general election but elected Republicans in down-ballot congressional and state races. In this years midterm elections, Rep. Steve Knight (R-Lancaster), who represents the 25th Congressional District including the Santa Clarita Valley, faces a challenge from four Democrats: Bryan Caforio, Jess Phoenix, Mary Pallant and Katie Hill. Supporters of the sanctuary state law raise their hands at Santa Clarita City Hall before a vote Tuesday. (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times ) Times staff writer Alene Tchekmedyian contributed to this report. nina.agrawal@latimes.com Twitter: @AgrawalNina UPDATES: 6:55 a.m.: This article was updated with the City Council voting to oppose SB 54. 9:55 p.m.: This article was updated with comments from the City Council meeting. 6:20 p.m.: This article was updated with comments from demonstrators outside City Hall. This article was originally published at 2:55 p.m. The man charged in the 2016 execution-style slaying of a Los Angeles County sheriffs sergeant confessed to the shooting and told police he emptied his revolver into the officers body, according to records made public Monday. Trenton Lovell, who is awaiting trial in the murder of Sgt. Steve Owen, told investigators he shot the veteran law enforcement officer in the face in Lancaster and then walked up and finished the job by firing several rounds into Owens prone body. Lovells statement was contained in a memorandum released by the Los Angeles County district attorneys office, which concluded that Deputy Zachary Anderson used lawful force when he shot and wounded Lovell during the October 2016 confrontation. According to the memorandum, Lovell made the statement to investigators following his arrest and it was recorded. Advertisement Lovell, 28, has been charged with murder, attempted murder, burglary and false imprisonment in connection with Owens death and the manhunt that followed. He has pleaded not guilty. Monica Lee Thelen, the public defender representing Lovell, declined to comment Monday because she had not seen the district attorneys memo. The Sheriffs Department declined to comment. The district attorneys office has not decided whether to seek the death penalty, a spokeswoman said. A preliminary hearing is set for June 19, records show. Owen was responding to a break-in when he confronted Lovell at gunpoint. Lovell is accused of shooting Owen once in the head before standing over him and firing several additional fatal shots. Anderson was the second deputy to arrive on scene, and opened fire on Lovell after the suspect pointed a firearm at him, officials have said. Anderson shot and wounded Lovell, who tried to steal Owens patrol car before fleeing the area on foot, according to prosecutors. Lovell is accused of breaking into a nearby home and holding two teenagers hostage at knifepoint for an hour. The teens were able to text their mother and contact deputies while coaxing Lovell into stepping outside of the home. Lovell was captured a short time later. Lovell had been arrested 11 times prior to the shooting, twice landing in state prison, officials have said. Owen, a 29-year veteran of the Sheriffs Department, was beloved in the Lancaster area he patrolled. Dozens of people came forward to praise Owen in the aftermath of the shooting, even some who the sergeant had previously arrested. james.queally@latimes.com Follow @JamesQueallyLAT for crime and police news in California. A high school senior in Chula Vista was charged Monday in federal court with recruiting classmates to smuggle drugs from Mexico into the United States, officials said. Phillip Junior Webb, 18, was charged with conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine and smuggling foreign nationals into the U.S. for financial gain, according to a statement from the U.S. attorneys office. Webb is accused of recruiting at least four students between July and Oct. 23 of last year to smuggle drugs from Mexico into the U.S. on multiple occasions, according to the criminal complaint. Webb asked the minors to strap methamphetamine and fentanyl onto their bodies before they crossed into the U.S. at the San Ysidro or Otay Mesa ports of entry, according to the U.S. attorneys office. Advertisement One minor told agents that he successfully smuggled the drugs into the county about 15 times, sometimes twice a day, the criminal complaint said. Another minor who said he had smuggled drugs for Webb told agents he was paid about $300 to do so and that Webb paid him during one transaction in the bathroom at Castle Park High School, authorities said. If he is convicted of all counts, Webb could spend a minimum of 13 years in prison, according to the U.S. attorneys office. The former Castle Park High student was caught last week when he attempted to smuggle a Chinese and Mexican national into the United States in the trunk of his vehicle, the U.S. attorneys office statement said. The Mexican national told agents that he was trying to go to Stockton for work and that he paid Webb $14,000 smuggle him into the U.S., according to the criminal complaint. Webb is set to appear in court again on Thursday for a detention hearing. In an unrelated criminal complaint, a 27-year-old San Diego man was also charged Monday with conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine. The suspect, Alejandro Barba, was detained on May 1 after agents spotted an unnamed minor enter his vehicle that was parked at San Ysidro High School, remove items from his backpack and then leave the car, according to a criminal complaint. When agents stopped Barbas car, they found five kilograms of methamphetamine in the backseat, the criminal complaint said. Barba is accused of recruiting the San Ysidro High student to smuggle methamphetamine across the border. Barba is set to appear in court this week. We are seeing a very troubling trend and we want to warn parents and high schoolers, U.S. Atty. Adam L. Braverman said in a statement. Our youth are being recruited by drug cartels to smuggle dangerous drugs across the border. We are going after the recruiters who exploit these kids, but the kids also need to know that they are gambling with their lives when they do this. U.S. Atty. Sherri Walker Hobson said students who live in Mexico and cross the border to attend high school in the U.S. are most susceptible and are ones most likely to be exploited. The message has to go out to students. We are going to do put up billboards at these high schools and educate these young people to let them know what they are being asked to do is deadly, Hobson said. melissa.etehad@latimes.com Follow me on Twitter @melissaetehad UPDATES: 1:35 p.m.: This article was updated with a statement from U.S. Atty. Sherri Walker Hobson. This article was originally published at 11:30 a.m. Bob Carter has long complained to the city about the cracking road that winds along the green slope near his Woodland Hills home. They put me off for years, Carter said. Dozens of people once signed a petition pleading for Los Angeles city crews to repave the short and shabby stretch of San Miguel Street, saying it was dangerous. Another neighbor is now suing the city, complaining that water rushing through gaping cracks in the street caused an estimated $400,000 in damage at her property downhill. Neighboring streets have been repaved, but not the bulk of San Miguel, where the pavement is so broken it looks like alligator skin. Advertisement The reason? The road was withdrawn from public use more than eight decades ago, officials said. San Miguel is one of more than 200 streets that were officially withdrawn under an ordinance passed during the Depression, when Los Angeles said it didnt have enough money to fix dangerous streets. At the time, city engineers warned that hillside banks on San Miguel and other Woodland Hills streets were sliding and blocking traffic. A scattering of hillside roads from the Hollywood Hills through the San Fernando Valley were pulled from service. Other roads in Los Angeles were withdrawn in the decades after because they were not up to city standards, were prohibitively expensive to maintain or were a magnet for boisterous or criminal activities, according to engineering bureau reports from 1986 and 1988. In one case that went to court, residents in a Hollywood Hills neighborhood got roads withdrawn in 1985 and erected gates to try to stave off crime and graffiti. In some instances, city records indicate, private or homeowner groups agreed to maintain the withdrawn streets instead and some were gated off entirely. But in Woodland Hills, many withdrawn streets seem just like other roads in the rolling hillsides, lined with houses and regularly traveled by motorists, and no one else has taken over their upkeep. Some have still not been reinstated decades later, despite complaints from residents. And as the city has trumpeted increased funding to fix its worst roads, such streets have been left out. City officials say Los Angeles does not even assign them a letter grade ranging from A to F the key measure the city uses to gauge the quality of its sprawling network of streets. This is bizarre, Councilman Joe Buscaino said at a City Hall hearing about the issue 3 years ago, chuckling in disbelief. Whos been maintaining these streets the last seven decades? Note: Some streets were withdrawn for other reasons in the years since. The map may include some roads that have since been reinstated. (Jon Schleuss / Los Angeles Times ) San Miguel Street is like many other roads in Woodland Hills except that its withdrawn from service, with no one in charge of maintaining it. (Kent Nishimura / Los Angeles Times ) The Bureau of Street Services said city crews will fill potholes and make other minor repairs on such streets but will not repave them. The short stretch of San Miguel has gotten a new asphalt curb, had some potholes filled and appears to have undergone some stabilization work in the past, based on photos supplied by residents. But most of it has not been resurfaced, save for an intersection with another Woodland Hills street that is not out of service. City officials declined to confirm exactly what work has been done on San Miguel because of the ongoing lawsuit, but they said besides that intersection which was resurfaced as part of normal maintenance the withdrawn stretch of San Miguel had not been repaved. After residents raised concerns about San Miguel four years ago, a Bureau of Street Services engineer told council aides that the city had minimal responsibility for maintenance on such streets and that we are only required to keep the roadway passable, emails obtained by residents show. When L.A. first moved to withdraw the streets, a city engineer told lawmakers that it would prevent possible claims against the city for damages arising from defective streets, archival records show. The 1936 decision came one year after California introduced a new statute allowing cities to pull municipally owned or controlled property out of public use. That state code has since been repealed. And in the decades since, city attorneys have advised that L.A. still bears legal responsibility for such damages on withdrawn streets, according to city records, including a 1988 engineering report and a 2014 motion made by a city councilman. The city attorneys office said it could not comment on confidential advice given to its client. Such streets were supposed to be outfitted with barricades and warning signs, according to the original ordinance. But on San Miguel, the only sign of its obscure status is the seam between the crumbling street and the smoother pavement leading up to it. Members of the public were supposed to be barred from using withdrawn streets, but city officials said they knew of no cases in which anyone has been prosecuted. Thirty years ago, The Times reported that a phalanx of orange warning signs suddenly went up on streets that snaked through canyons in West Los Angeles and the San Fernando Valley, perplexing residents who had no idea that their streets had ever been withdrawn. At the time, one Woodland Hills resident told the newspaper that similar signs had gone up in his neighborhood a decade earlier, then abruptly disappeared without explanation. Many residents have no idea that their street is withdrawn until they try to get it fixed, said Councilman Bob Blumenfield, whose district includes Woodland Hills. This whole thing is kind of crazy, Blumenfield said. The reality is, whether we like it or not, were liable for these streets anyway, he added. Smoother pavement ends where San Miguel Street meets Escobedo Drive in Woodland Hills. (Kent Nishimura / Los Angeles Times ) Blumenfield has asked city staffers for a report that would list all the withdrawn streets, detail how the city decides whether they can be reinstated, and spell out what resources it will take to assess repair costs. The City Council approved that request in March. Decades ago, city staffers told lawmakers that such streets needed to be up to city standards including curbs, gutters and other features to handle drainage, and pavement thick enough to withstand three or four decades of use in order to be reinstated. But under the original 1936 city ordinance, L.A. can return withdrawn streets to public use whenever they are deemed safe and passable. Blumenfield said that four years ago, when he first asked about reinstating all the streets in his council district that had been withdrawn during the Depression, he got pushback from city officials who said it would take enormous resources to even figure out what that would take. So instead, the councilman said, he tried to start reinstating them one at a time. Nine roads in his district have been reinstated after city officials reexamined them, and more are on the way, according to Blumenfield aides. But when Blumenfield first proposed reinstating San Miguel, city engineers found that an erosion gully had formed down the slope and recommended restoring the hillside. Council aides have also said that the short stretch of San Miguel is not as wide as it is supposed to be, which could complicate fixing it in the future because some neighbors have built near the street. Lawmakers can, however, approve street-by-street standards allowing narrower roads. All in all, San Miguel has a unique set of circumstances that has been problematic, Blumenfield spokesman Jake Flynn wrote in an email, adding that the lawsuit severely limits what we can say about the situation. Years of back-and-forth over the broken street have aggravated neighbors like Bobbie Wasserman, who said that last year a storm triggered a downpour like Niagara Falls from the roadway into her yard downhill, swamping it with mud and cracking retaining walls. In September, she filed suit against the city, complaining that the damage was caused by the shoddy state of the road. Bobbie Wasserman sued the city over the shoddy state of San Miguel Street. (Kent Nishimura / Los Angeles Times ) At a recent community meeting in Woodland Hills, she lamented that trying to get the street fixed was like being on a hamster wheel. Wasserman said city officials had given shifting explanations about what it would take to reinstate San Miguel, even as the city made other fixes they had been told were needed to bring it back. Her neighbor Doug Litten chimed in, arguing that other withdrawn streets had been repaved without rhyme or reason, pointing to the smooth surface of other out-of-service streets in the area. The Times confirmed with the Bureau of Street Services that some withdrawn streets in Woodland Hills have been repaved, but the department was unable to quickly determine exactly why. Bureau spokeswoman Elena Stern said that although its policy is not to resurface those streets, withdrawn roads might be semi-improved because of a lawsuit or when discretionary funds become available. Its this constant barrage of excuses, Wasserman said one afternoon. Whatever they need to do to maintain it, she said in frustration, they just need to do it. Times staff writer Ben Poston contributed to this report. emily.alpert@latimes.com Twitter: @AlpertReyes A Northern California man has been sentenced to life in prison in the 1974 murder of Patricia Ann Ross, according to the Orange County district attorneys office. Larry Clark Stephens, 68, was found guilty in March of one felony count of first-degree murder. He was sentenced Friday. In court, the victims brother spoke about the loss of his 30-year-old sister. She was at the center of our family, he said. When she died, my parents almost died from grief. Advertisement He added of the defendant: This person does not need to be exposed to freedom anymore. Stephens was arrested on suspicion of domestic violence in March 2015. The DNA sample he provided to the Santa Rosa Police Department matched the DNA profile collected from the murder scene 40 years ago. Orange County prosecutors said that on the night of Dec. 11, 1974, Ross was alone in her apartment in La Palma as she got ready to go on a double date at another couples home in Huntington Beach, where she would meet her date. They said Stephens entered her apartment and strangled Ross. After Ross failed to show up in Huntington Beach, a friend drove to check on her. When he entered the apartment, he found her naked, face-down in the bedroom. The friend immediately called La Palma police. At first, investigators didnt have much to work with. There were no signs of burglary and no forced entry. They spoke to neighbors who told them that they had heard a knock on a door and a conversation, but no sound of a violent struggle. The case went cold. A year after her death, Frank Ross, the victims ex-husband, offered a $5,000 reward for information that would lead to the capture of Ross killer. I want that man caught and I know of no other way of doing it, Frank Ross was quoted saying in a 1975 Los Angeles Times article. It was a senseless, senseless thing to do, and I cannot allow it nobody can. She never hurt anybody, she was a light in a lot of lives, he added. In 1988, The Times mentioned the case as one of many that were unsolved in Orange County. Investigators expressed their frustrations. We talked to literally dozens and dozens of people, none of which panned out, investigators said. Nobody saw anything. Weve exhausted every single one of our leads. Occasionally, every few years, we may get a call related to the homicide, but none has provided any leads. In 2008, the La Palma Police Department began a joint investigation with the Orange County district attorneys office and Orange County Cold Case Homicide Task Force. Stephens would be arrested and charged in the 1974 killing seven years later. ruben.vives@latimes.com For more Southern California news, follow @latvives on Twitter. The Los Angeles Police Department is asking for the publics help in identifying the man suspected of carrying out a series armed robberies at Trader Joes markets in Long Beach, Irvine, Culver City and Los Angeles. Authorities have released a sketch of the suspect, and the city is offering a $15,000 reward for information that may lead to his arrest and conviction. The suspect is described as a black male, of medium built and weight, and 25 to 35 years of age. The Los Angeles Police Department released a sketch of a man suspected of carrying out armed robberies at Trader Joes markets. (Los Angeles Police Department ) Advertisement LAPDs Robbery-Homicide Division detectives said they have identified eight connected robberies: four in Los Angeles, two in Long Beach, one in Irvine and one in Culver City. No injuries have been reported. Investigators believed the armed holdups began in February in the Long Beach area, with the last one occurring April 22. The four robberies in Los Angeles occurred in the Van Nuys, Topanga, Wilshire and West Valley areas. Police said a Trader Joes store on Bellflower Boulevard was robbed twice in two weeks. The first robbery took place about 8:30 p.m. on Feb. 15; police said the robber pulled a gun on a store employee, demanded money and fled on foot. The store was robbed again March 2. Detectives said they obtained a composite sketch of the suspect involved in the Wilshire robbery on April 16, just days after a Trader Joes in Culver City was struck. This series of armed robberies is a direct threat to the people of Los Angeles and the families who shop in these establishments, and the quicker we bring them to justice the sooner Angelenos can rest, said City Councilman Paul Koretz, who pushed for the reward during a meeting last week. Authorities have asked anyone with information to call a police department or submit tips to a hotline at (800) 222-8477. ruben.vives@latimes.com For more Southern California news, follow @latvives on Twitter. Border Patrol agents found the man walking a little boy up a dirt road north of the Rio Grande near Mission, Texas, with eight other Central American migrants. The pair wore matching blue-striped polo shirts. Ely Fernandez explained that he was a taxi driver who had fled San Pedro Sula, a notoriously dangerous city in northern Honduras. Fernandez, 43, said a gang had threatened to kill him for not paying money they wanted to extort from him. He had crossed the border illegally in March hoping to join his wife in Louisiana, and the boy, he told agents, was their 5-year-old son, Bryan. Whens the boys birthday? an agent asked. Jan. 21, Fernandez said, but he couldnt remember the year a red flag for agents. Since October, more than 700 migrant children have been taken from adults claiming to be their parents, including more than 100 children under age 4. U.S. officials said they were trying to protect children who may be victims of trafficking or exploitation, but migrant advocates argue its the latest attempt by the Trump administration to stop migrant families from seeking asylum. Migrants in McAllen, Texas, wait to be transported to a detention center. Carolyn Cole / Los Angeles Times A zero tolerance border enforcement policy that took effect last week and was announced Monday by Atty. Gen. Jeff Sessions may result in families who illegally cross the border being separated after their arrest, with parents going to adult detention facilities and youths going to juvenile shelters. A Border Patrol spokesman who spoke on background said the agency strives to maintain the family unity, but that parents may be separated from their children because of insufficient detention space, criminal histories, abuse and fraud, including questionable familial relationships. He said agents often rely on a childs verbal and nonverbal cues to assist in determining a bona fide claim of parentage or legal guardianship, including the childs familiarity and/or interaction with the adult, the child referring to the adult by his/her first name, and the childs apprehensiveness toward the adult. Its difficult for migrants to assert parental rights. Many cross the border with their childrens birth certificates tucked in pockets or plastic bags. Agents often call local consulates to check families documents. But the documents can be faked, agents said. Even if consular staff verify them, agents may still challenge migrants claims to their children. In Texas Rio Grande Valley, where most families have been crossing the border in the last five years, the Border Patrol reported 462 cases of fraud among children and family migrants and prosecuted 60 cases this fiscal year, which began in October. Agents have also separated parents by detaining and charging them with illegal entry in federal criminal court and placing children in temporary shelters. Katie Waldman, a Homeland Security Department spokeswoman, said in a statement that the agency is looking at all options in conjunction with the attorney general's zero tolerance policy for those illegally crossing the border. She said they had a legal obligation to protect the best interests of the child whether that be from human smugglings, drug traffickers or nefarious actors who knowingly break our immigration laws." Migrant advocates are fighting the separations. A boy is detained along with family members. (Carolyn Cole / Los Angeles Times) Angie Paz Pineda, 18, with Hailyn Paz, 2, traveled from Honduras. (Carolyn Cole / Los Angeles Times) At left, a boy is detained along with family members. At right, Angie Paz Pineda, 18, with Hailyn Paz, 2, traveled from Honduras. (Carolyn Cole / Los Angeles Times) The ACLU sued after immigration officials separated a Congolese mother and daughter who had fled to San Diego seeking asylum in November. The mother, identified in court records as Ms. L, was detained and ordered deported. Her 7-year-old daughter was sent to a shelter in Chicago. Government lawyers argued in court that any potential hardship that separation might cause to a parent and child is heavily outweighed by public and governmental interests in ensuring the safety and welfare of the child. After four migrant parents and a grandparent were separated from their children and charged with entering the country illegally in El Paso last year, government attorneys argued that their parental rights had not been violated because they have never offered any evidence at any point in these proceedings indicating that they are, in fact, the parents (or grandparents) of the juveniles that accompanied them and the government is not in a position to readily make that determination for aliens entering the country. Border Patrol officials have said they may require migrants to undergo DNA testing as part of a pilot program in the Rio Grande Valley that later could be expanded. We believe that a lot of these kids are not necessarily part of a family and theyre being trafficked and exploited, Antonio Tony Trindade, the Border Patrols associate chief of enforcement systems, told a crowd at the annual Border Security expo in San Antonio in February. David Martinez, 31, and his 11-year-old son are detained by Border Patrol Agent Robert Rodriguez. Carolyn Cole / Los Angeles Times Migrant advocates said it was not uncommon to see children arrive with adults who are not their parents. Parents may cross the border alone to find work, leaving children to be raised by relatives who later accompany them north. One thing we have seen a lot of are people coming with children who are not theirs, Sister Norma Pimentel at Sacred Heart shelter in the border city of McAllen, Texas, said recently. Sometimes the adults are relatives an aunt, grandparent or step-parent, she said. They do weed out a lot who say they are parents but they are not, she said of the Border Patrol. The shelter had 64 migrants that day, many of them families, mostly Central Americans. Maria Ramirez said the Border Patrol questioned her about her children, ages 17, 15 and 5. Agents didnt believe she was their mother, even after she produced Honduran birth certificates, Ramirez said. They said they were fake, she said. They gave me the impression I would be deported and told me I had to sign the papers. Ramirez, 37, saw other parents at the processing center who were told the same thing. Unlike her, they had signed the paperwork and were deported. Ramirez refused to sign deportation papers, insisting her childrens birth certificates were real. She and her 5-year-old son were held separately from her older daughters for five days, but were ultimately reunited. Some migrant advocates support the use of DNA tests. Ely Fernandez is questioned by Border Patrol Agent Robert Rodriguez after being detained with son Bryan, 5, center. Carolyn Cole / Los Angeles Times In cases like that of the Congolese mother separated from her daughter, DNA testing could help reunite families and win their release, said Lee Gelernt, the womans New York-based ACLU attorney. He questioned why, if the Border Patrol suspects that smugglers are posing as parents, it doesnt test DNA. Is that the reason theyre really separating kids? Were skeptical, said Gelernt, deputy director of the ACLUs national Immigrants Rights Project. They need to find some way to figure it out. They have ways short of DNA, but I think any parent would be willing to agree to DNA. Theyre bringing documents but theyre not believing them. Guards are telling them, You know how to see your child again: Go home. Other advocates said DNA tests could add to migrants legal problems. There are other ways to be able to identify when a child is trafficked, that it doesnt have to be as intrusive as a DNA test, said Astrid Dominguez, director of the El Paso-based ACLU Border Rights Center. How long are you going to keep it for? What are you going to use it for? And who are you going to share it with? Its unnecessary. When agents further questioned Ely Fernandez, the Honduran taxi driver, he produced a birth certificate for the boy he had been with on the dirt road. Thats me! Bryan shouted, pointing to the photograph. This is my proof that he is mine, Fernandez said. Agents dropped the matter for the moment, loading the migrants into a van. Thats just the preliminary check. They will ask them more at the processing center, said Border Patrol Agent Robert Rodriguez. Wilson Ortega, 32, and his daughter Adrian, 8, at a shelter in McAllen, Texas. Carolyn Cole / Los Angeles Times Support our journalism Please consider subscribing today to support stories like this one. Get full access to our signature journalism for just 99 cents for the first four weeks. Already a subscriber? Your support makes our work possible. Thank you. molly.hennessy-fiske@latimes.com @mollyhf Congressional Democrats, including several who initially opposed the Iran nuclear deal, lashed out Tuesday at President Trumps controversial decision to end U.S. participation in the pact, while praise came from many but not all in the GOP. Most Republicans accepted Trumps argument that the landmark multinational agreement was fundamentally flawed and that efforts to contain Iran had to expand beyond its nuclear program. But Trump critics lamented a move that they say only puts the world, and especially allies in the Middle East, at greater risk. Senate Minority Leader Charles E. Schumer (D-N.Y.) vigorously opposed the deal at its inception in 2015 and then its execution the following year. On Tuesday, however, he said alienating U.S. allies who helped negotiate the deal will weaken joint efforts to rein in Irans support for militant groups such as Hezbollah in Lebanon. Advertisement By dividing our allies youre making it harder to go after Hezbollah, youre making it harder to go after Iranian activities that are really dangerous, and youre probably making it harder to come to a North Korea deal. Numerous skeptics have warned that U.S. abrogation of the deal with Iran will cause North Korea to be wary of any agreement with the Trump administration, which plans nuclear talks with Pyongyang in the coming weeks. Like Schumer, Sen. Robert Menendez (D-N.J.), the top Democrat on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, initially opposed the deal, but said Tuesday that walking away from it was a grave mistake. With this decision President Trump is risking U.S. national security, recklessly upending foundational partnerships with key U.S. allies in Europe and gambling with Israels security, Menendez said. Todays withdrawal from the [Iran deal] makes it more likely Iran will restart its nuclear weapons program in the future. Sen. Marco Rubio, a fierce critic of Iran, supported Trumps decision to withdraw from what the Florida Republican called a flawed and dangerous agreement that is beyond fixing. Todays announcement will have an IMMEDIATE chilling effect on lucrative deals with [the] Iranian regime, Rubio said via Twitter. One of his (and Trumps) principal complaints was the return of billions of dollars in frozen Iranian assets, which Rubio argues Iranian officials spent on producing ballistic missiles, not on improving the welfare of the countrys citizens. House Speaker Paul D. Ryan (R-Wis.) echoed those sentiments, although he said he would rather have fixed the deal than nix it. But he added, The presidents announcement today is a strong statement that we can and must do better. The president is right to insist that we hold Iran accountable both today and for the long term. There were scattered voices of dissent, however, among Republicans. Rep. Michael R. Turner of Illinois, chairman of a House Armed Services subcommittee, said the Iran deal was deeply flawed and its provisions for inspections insufficient. But he said that without proof that Iran is in violation of the agreement, it is a mistake to fully withdraw from this deal. Now we need to work with our allies to fix this flawed agreement to ensure the world is not facing a nuclear Iran. Rep. Mac Thornberry (R-Texas), chairman of the House Armed Services Committee, said he would have preferred to give European allies more time to strengthen the deal. A strong, international effort is required to curtail Irans aggressive behavior in a number of areas, he said. Sen. Bob Corker (R-Tenn.), chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, said he hoped Trumps decision to exit the deal has not doomed future negotiations. It is disappointing that the administration was unable to reach an agreement with our allies, Corker said. However, based on conversations I have had in recent days, it is my sense that the administration will move quickly to work toward a better deal that prevents Iran from being able to produce a nuclear weapon. Republican Gov. John Kasich of Ohio, a frequent critic of Trump and one of his opponents in the 2016 Republican presidential primaries, also said the decision was a mistake that has gotten us nothing other than to remove constraints on Irans ability to produce nuclear weapons and create disunity at a time when the United States must confront challenges from Russia and China. Overall, most congressional reaction fell along partisan lines. Within the California contingent, Sen. Dianne Feinstein was among 12 leading Democrats who wrote Trump urging him to stick to the deal. After his announcement, she blasted the decision as a strategic mistake that harms national interests and was made in Trumps eagerness to undo everything President Obama achieved. Todays actions may force the president to sanction the very same partners and allies who helped us negotiate the agreement in the first place, Feinstein said. Worse, Iran may choose to resume its nuclear activities, raising the possibility of yet another major conflict in the region. Rep. Adam B. Schiff of Burbank, the top Democrat on the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, expressed his disapproval in similar terms. There is no question that in taking this action unilaterally, we have isolated ourselves and weakened our credibility on the world stage in a way that will be difficult to repair, Schiff said. Republicans from California, including Reps. Dana Rohrabacher of Costa Mesa and Darrell Issa of Vista, offered Trump their full-throated approval. Staff writer Sarah D. Wire contributed to this report. tracy.wilkinson@latimes.com cathleen.decker@latimes.com For more on international affairs, follow @TracyKWilkinson on Twitter UPDATES: 3 p.m.: This story was updated with reaction from Kasich, Feinstein and Schiff. This story was originally published at 1:40 p.m. As summer kicks off and families hit the road for vacation, the Soddy Daisy Police Department is partnering with the Tennessee Highway Safety Office (THSO) to remind motorists to "Click It or Ticket." From May 21 to June 3, participating agencies across the state will increase seat belt enforcement as part of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's (NHTSA) nationwide mobilization. "Buckling up is such a simple task that can keep you and your family safe in the car," said Officer Pam Weathers. "But it's more than that. Buckling up is the law. Our law enforcement personnel see the consequences of not buckling up. We see the loss of life. Often, it could have been prevented with the simple click of a seat belt. This should be automatic." According to Tennessee's Integrated Traffic Analysis Network (TITAN), 315 people killed in Tennessee traffic crashes last year were not wearing a seat belt. This represents approximately 30 percent of the state's total traffic fatalities in 2017. According to the NHTSA, nearly half (48%) of the passenger vehicle occupants killed in crashes in 2016 were unrestrained. At night from 6 p.m. to 5:59 a.m.,that number soared to 56 percent of those killed. That is why one focus of the "Click It or Ticket" campaign is nighttime enforcement. Participating law enforcement agencies will be taking a no-excuses approach to seat belt law enforcement, writing citations day and night. For more information about seat belt safety or the THSO, visit www.tntrafficsafety.org. Wrongful convictions plague Californias criminal justice system, and pretty much all participants and observers agree on the leading cause: faulty testimony from eyewitnesses. Police line up the suspects or show photos to people who saw either the crime or the events that led up to or followed it, and urge the witnesses to help them close the case and put the criminal behind bars. Wanting to do their duty, witnesses sometimes say, I think thats the guy when what they are thinking is, I really cant tell. Thats essentially what happened to Francisco Franky Carrillo Jr., who was wrongfully convicted in a fatal drive-by shooting and spent nearly 20 years in prison after a Los Angeles County sheriffs deputy showed a 15-year-old eyewitness a photo and said the person depicted Carrillo was the leading suspect. Six months later, five other eyewitnesses were shown the photo and identified Carrillo. They all later recanted. After the conviction was overturned in 2011, two men confessed to the crime. The same thing has happened to many others in California. They are sent away for crimes they did not commit based on testimony from eyewitnesses who either were pressured or gently led into falsely identifying a suspect. Advertisement More than a decade ago, the late John Van de Kamp, a former California attorney general, led an investigation into failures of the criminal justice system. Under his leadership, a commission found such obvious problems with eyewitness identifications that it didnt even wait for its final report before issuing a series of recommendations for badly needed improvements: Police should use double-blind procedures in which the person conducting the lineup or showing the photos doesnt know which person is the leading suspect, and therefore cant lead the witness to make the proper identification. Witnesses should be told that the suspect may or may not be among the people in the lineup or the photos, so that they dont feel pressure to pick someone even if they dont recognize him or her. Lineups and photo spreads should be videotaped, so that the integrity of the procedures can be examined after the fact. The California Innocence Coalition identifies 66 wrongful convictions based on eyewitness misidentification 28 of them in Los Angeles County. Two bills mandating such procedures were sent to Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger who promptly vetoed them. In the midst of a budget meltdown, the governor said that imposing new requirements on local law enforcement agencies was too expensive, because of the cost of video equipment and storage and because the police might have to hire non-officer administrators to conduct the double-blind procedures. Later bills never made it out of committee. In a country that promises to treat suspects as innocent until they are proven guilty and in which the Constitution guarantees a fair trial and due process under law penny-pinching is scant excuse for ensuring the integrity of a conviction. Besides, police agencies can pay now or pay later. Los Angeles County paid Carrillo $10.1 million in damages for the wrongful conviction. The state paid him $683,300 in compensation. Cities and counties meaning, of course, their residents pay millions of dollars each year for the damage caused by their police and sheriffs departments improperly conducting eyewitness identifications. The California Innocence Coalition identifies 66 wrongful convictions based on eyewitness misidentification 28 of them in Los Angeles County. It is time now for California to do what it should have done in 2008 require police agencies to abide by a set of standards to protect lineups, photo identifications and other eyewitness procedures from improper influence. Those overdue mandates are now set forth in SB 923, authored by state Sen. Scott Wiener (D-San Francisco) and Assemblyman Marc Levine (D-San Rafael). Lawmakers should quickly send the bill to Gov. Jerry Brown, who should sign it into law. Follow the Opinion section on Twitter @latimesopinion and Facebook When a desperate family fleeing violence in their homeland arrives at the border, what kind of heartless and inhumane nation would separate the parents from the children, prosecute the parents for crossing into the country illegally and send the kids off to a youth detention center? Ours. Atty. Gen. Jeff Sessions revealed Monday that the departments of Justice and Homeland Security have agreed to take a zero-tolerance approach to people who cross into the U.S. along the southwestern border outside an official point of entry. Homeland Security, which oversees the Border Patrol, will refer every adult entrant to the Justice Department for criminal prosecution, while children (even mere infants or toddlers) will be held separately without charge but left to their own devices to seek asylum or otherwise avoid deportation. In a prepared speech to state law enforcement officials, Sessions said, If you cross this border unlawfully, then we will prosecute you. Its that simple. If you are smuggling a child, then we will prosecute you and that child will be separated from you as required by law. If you dont like that, then dont smuggle children over our border. Advertisement Leave it to Sessions to describe parents seeking to migrate with their families as child smugglers. It is technically a crime to enter the United States outside official points of entry. But under international treaties that the United States has signed, people fleeing their home countries can legally enter a country and ask for asylum anywhere. Thats why so many of the people apprehended by the Border Patrol have actually sought out the agents and turned themselves in. Prosecuting those migrants would violate international law. Leave it to Sessions to describe parents seeking to migrate with their families as child smugglers. Granted, most of those crossing the border illegally are not families seeking refuge. But lawlessness, intimidation and over-the-top violence in parts of Central America are changing the composition of border-crossers, decreasing the share of solo men searching for work in favor of families searching for safety. In his speech, Sessions claimed that the U.S. was seeing a massive influx of illegal aliens along our southwest border, adding: We are not going to let this country be invaded. We will not be stampeded. In fact, the number of people detained at the border is still far, far below the level prior to the last recession, and remains near last years unusually low rate. It has risen in recent months in keeping with seasonal patterns. The new policy is not just cruel and in violation of our treaty obligations toward asylum seekers, its unworkable. The number of court cases would increase roughly 500% without a commensurate increase in judges, prosecutors or lock-ups. The Obama administration had a far more affordable and humane solution, which was to have asylum seekers monitored by case managers but not detained. The Trump administration abandoned that approach and is now trying to deter families from entering the country by promising to break them up. Thats just an excuse for making their situation more desperate than it already is, and we shouldnt stand for it. Follow the Opinion section on Twitter @latimesopinionand Facebook Real estate speculation and price-gouging are driving Californians to impossible commutes, overcrowded housing, and into the streets. According to a 2014 UCLA study, California is the least affordable state and Los Angeles is the least affordable city for renters in the nation. A third of Angelenos spend more than half their income on rent. When housing costs are factored in, one in four of us lives in poverty. By voting for the Affordable Housing Act ballot measure this November, Californians can restore the rights of cities to use a powerful tool to stop this escalating crisis: rent control. At a time when shrinking state and federal budgets cant provide enough government-subsidized housing to meet our needs, rent control doesnt require government funding. It takes years to build subsidized homes and decades for market-rate ones to become affordable; rent control can be implemented immediately. By keeping rent increases reasonable and protecting tenants from eviction, rent control builds strong and stable communities. As rents spike and the unhoused population swells, its time we return the rights of local governments to control price-gouging and speculating. Advertisement Twenty years ago, however, Sacramento legislators took away the rights of local California governments to regulate the cost of rental housing. Passed by one vote in 1994, the Costa-Hawkins Rental Housing Act froze or undid Californias municipal rent-control laws. Ratifying the Affordable Housing Act would repeal Costa-Hawkins and give those rights back. Republicans and the landlord lobby, which spent $50 million to push Costa-Hawkins, claimed the law would incentivize developers to build more housing, which would cause rents to fall. Yet rents are soaring, and affordable housing is scarce. When Boston lost its rent control laws in 1994, both median rent and the homeless population doubled. Instead of a building spree beneficial to California renters, Costa-Hawkins accomplished four things, each devastating to the affordability of housing in the state. Costa-Hawkins exempted single-family homes from rent control, encouraging Wall Street speculation. Before 1995, most municipal rent control laws applied to buildings of all types and sizes, protecting all renters from market whims. Costa-Hawkins mandated that rent control could no longer apply to single-family homes. The laws designers claimed the exemption would help mom and pop landlords maintain an investment property. Instead, it made the single-family market a playground for corporate gambling. Invitation Homes managed by Blackstone, one of the worlds biggest financial firms with $450 billion in assets is now L.A.s primary landlord of single-family homes. Because of Costa-Hawkins, every one of these homes is exempt from rent protections. Tenants have no options but to pay up or leave when faced with rent increases or run-down conditions. Meanwhile, Blackstone can spend $100 million a week acquiring foreclosed homes it once bought 3,000 California homes in a day. It even invented a financial instrument to profit from all its rental income: rent-backed securities. Instead of protecting mom and pops, Costa-Hawkins has lined the pockets of the biggest corporations in housing. Costa-Hawkins removed all vacancy controls, making once affordable homes expensive. According to the law, when Californians move out of a rent-controlled apartment, landlords can reset the rent at whatever they want for the next tenant. As rents soar, a target grows on the backs of long-term tenants, whom landlords are incentivized to evict. Harassment, deportation threats and buyout scams are some of the means by which landlords accomplish this goal. Before Costa-Hawkins, Santa Monica had whats called vacancy control there were limits on how much of an increase the next tenant would get. As a study by Santa Monicas Rent Board has shown, before Costa Hawkins, 82% of that citys rent-stabilized apartments were affordable to low-income households. A decade after Costa-Hawkins, only 14% remained affordable. Costa-Hawkins legalized price-gouging. Municipal rent control on apartments still exists in many cities, but Costa-Hawkins froze these laws at the year of their passage. For L.A., this is 1978. If you live in a building built after 1978, your landlord can raise your rent however much he wants, and at any time. A notification is all thats required for a rent increase: 30 days for a 10% increase, 60 days for more. Extreme rent hikes have become commonplace. Last fall, Boyle Heights residents were hit with rent increases up to 80%, or $800 a month. Two-hundred families in Westlake recently saw increases of as much as 40%, or $475 a month to name just two examples. Costa-Hawkins supersedes local democracy. The state law makes it illegal for Los Angeles and every other California municipality to step in and stop such rent hikes in their own backyards. But the relative success of L.A.s limited rent control shows the promise of its expansion. L.A.s 1978 ordinance limits rent increases to around 3%-5% a year this is why even without vacancy controls, Mayor Eric Garcetti compared having a rent-controlled apartment to winning the lottery. As a 2009 report by L.A.s Housing Department made clear, the ordinance protects tenants from being priced out of their homes when hot markets boil. It also gives landlords reasonable returns on their investments as well as allowances to pass on renovation costs. As rents spike and the unhoused population swells, we can return to local governments the right to deter price-gouging and speculating, by repealing the 20-year-old, landlord-lobby Costa-Hawkins law. Tracy Jeanne Rosenthal is a member of the L.A. Tenants Union. She tweets @xxexegesis. Follow the Opinion section on Twitter @latimesopinion or Facebook President Trump believes in the art of disruption, of deliberately creating crises to get his own way. Thats how he operated in business; its how he ran his presidential campaign. Now hes applying the principle to American diplomacy. When Trump announced on Monday that he is withdrawing the U.S. from its 2015 nuclear deal with Iran, he described it as an easy decision: When I make promises, I keep them. The president predicted with breezy optimism that breaking the deal would lead to a better agreement in the future that would not only impose tougher limits on Irans nuclear research but force Tehran to change its entire foreign policy as well. But he never explained exactly how wed pull that off. And thats the central flaw of Trumps move. Its long on self-confidence but weak on strategy. It scraps an agreement that stopped Iran from building nuclear weapons and replaces it with, little more than sanctions. Thats not a plan, its a gamble. Advertisement Trumps decision is likely to be remembered as a blunder unless it turns out to be a catastrophe. Thats not just my diagnosis; its the conclusion of those reluctant allies the president is counting on for help after he spurned their pleas to stay inside the multinational deal. What is the plan B? French President Emmanuel Macron asked after meeting with Trump last week. His experience with North Korea is that when you are very tough, you make the other side move, and you can try to go to a good deal, Macron told reporters. That can work in the short term, but its very insane in the medium to long term. In the case of North Korea, the United States at least has significant leverage: international economic sanctions backed by a commitment to eliminate Kim Jong Uns nuclear threat by U.S. force. In Iran, the international sanctions were dismantled as a result of the 2015 agreement, and no other country has offered to join the United States in re-imposing them now. Instead, Britain, France, Germany, Russia and China have all expressed their intention to keep the nuclear deal in force. If, once U.S. sanctions are back in place, the Trump administration tries to punish European banks or oil companies for doing business with Iran (as U.S. law requires), that will create a crisis pitting the United States against its own allies. And that would suit Iran fine. Iranian President Hassan Rouhani says hell stay in the agreement as long as other countries continue to buy his oil. Some experts believe that China may even increase its oil purchases from Iran, especially if it gets a distress-sale discount. The history of economic sanctions has yielded one clear rule: Unilateral sanctions, even from a country as powerful as the United States, never work. (See Cuba, where a tyrannical regime has withstood a U.S. trade embargo for more than half a century.) But lets imagine that the Treasury Department gets tough on Europe, makes sanctions effective and does damage to Irans already sputtering economy. Does it seem likely that Tehran will meekly sign a new agreement with the president who walked away from the previous accord? Thats a hope, not a strategy. But thats what the president says will happen. Irans leaders will naturally say that they refuse to negotiate a new deal . and thats fine, Trump said. Id probably say the same thing if I was in their position. But the fact is they are going to want to make a new and lasting deal. Maybe. Or the regime might collapse, an outcome Trump didnt call for explicitly but seemed to hint at. Or Irans hardliners, with their backs against the wall, could revive their nuclear-weapons program and confront the West with the choice of going to war or accepting a nuclear Iran. Thats the eventuality the 2015 deal was designed to avoid. As Macron told Germanys Der Spiegel when asked about the most likely consequence of U.S. withdrawal: That would mean opening Pandoras box. It could mean war. And thats the gamble. Trumps decision is likely to be remembered as a blunder unless it turns out to be a catastrophe. Along the way, though, the president will have accomplished at least one historic feat. For decades, other countries have looked to the United States for leadership to avert global crises. But under Trump, the United States is creating crises and relying on others to solve them. Memo to the president: They dont give Nobel prizes for that. Doyle McManus is a contributing writer to Opinion. Twitter: @DoyleMcManus Follow the Opinion section on Twitter @latimesopinionand Facebook One of my favorite restaurants, Kebeer, sat at the unlovely terminus of Coney Island Avenue in Brooklyn. Kebeer was a glorious wonderland of what has come to be known as cultural appropriation, the liberal borrowing of ethnic tropes by outsiders. The restaurant was outfitted like a German beer hall, though it served the cuisine of Central Asia. The food itself was cultural appropriation on a plate, an unspeakably delicious amalgam of influences from Russia, the Middle East, India and East Asia. (The peoples who lived along the Silk Road took without asking, remixed without fear.) Plus, there were burgers. Kebeers eventual demise was not the result of activists massing on the corner of Coney and Brighton, demanding the place account for its freewheeling culinary approach. But charges of cultural appropriation did lead to the shuttering of Kooks Burritos in Portland, Ore., because some found it unpalatable that two white women would dabble in Mexican cuisine. Same for Hapuna Kahuna Tiki Bar & Kitchen, also in Oregon, a white mans clumsy foray into the cuisine of Hawaii. And Hot Joy of Dallas is no more, accused of being a clueless white-dude fantasy in which Asian identity and cuisine are reduced to a string of ironic cliches (the food was reportedly terrible, so shed no tear). This kind of anger is not confined to kitchen. Last week, an 18-year-old in Utah named Keziah Daum tweeted images of herself getting ready for her senior prom. The message was merely PROM, and the pictures were not risque, not even by pre-Trumpian standards. But, Daum, who is not ethnically Chinese, was wearing a qipao, or cheongsam, the tight-fitting dress with a high collar and a side slit, adorned with floral designs, that you are far more likely to see in a decades-old James Bond film than in any setting where modern Asian women live and work. Appropriation is the food on which culture thrives. Advertisement The reaction was fast and furious, the kind of terrifying social-media brush fire that is the stuff of Netflixs Black Mirror. My culture is NOT your prom dress, tweeted someone named Jeremy Lam. For it to simply be subject to American consumerism and cater to a white audience, is parallel to colonial ideology, Lam added. Though he appears to have been the primary offense-taker, his messages were shared thousands of times, making an ordinary teen into a rapacious conquistador. But, as a matter of fact, Daum properly grasped the role of culture in an open, humanistic society. It expresses what a society values, aspires to, recoils from. This can be true of an opera, a building, a joke. And while culture demands our participation, it refuses claims of absolute ownership. Think of the Taliban, blowing up ancient statues of the Buddha, insisting that only it alone could decide Afghanistans essential character. Not all such usurpations fail quite so violently, but they do all fail. Appropriation is actually the food on which culture thrives. Pablo Picasso learned about portraiture from African masks; Picassos work in turn informed Jean-Michel Basquiat, who applied similar techniques to chronicle the life of an African American male in the late 20th century. As for the qipao, it was appropriated by the fashion houses of Shanghai from the Manchurian people in northern China. When cross-cultural engagement is cruel or crass as when, last year, a bar in Orange County mocked migrants who are here illegally in its bid to sell booze on Cinco de Mayo reasonable citizens can resort to condemnation and shame, powerful tools that weve largely forgotten how to use for the civic good. Daum didnt deserve defamation; she wasnt being malicious or impertinent. She may not have picked her prom dress out of any deep identification with Asia or its people, but she wasnt putting on blackface or dressing up for Halloween as a concentration camp victim. Daums detractors seem to misunderstand the notion of culture, even as they wield the word with righteous fury. There can be no shared culture if Daums detractors and their ilk have their way, if culture attaches to us in absolute terms, tethered tightly to place of origin and ancestry. Its impossible to have our culture if were all shouting about my culture. The opposite of cultural appropriation is not universal reverence but, rather, segregation, a deterioration of our ability and desire to communicate with each other, a crude and insular tribalism. Outrage over Daums dress is a gift to nativists and xenophobes who have always been suspicious of Americans with skin darker than theirs, with homelands outside Northern Europe, holidays other than Christmas, and foods other than hot dogs. The irony in Daums case is that people in China were perfectly fine with her sartorial statement. I am very proud to have our culture recognized by people in other countries, one person posted on a Chinese social network, according to New York Times reporting. Daum didnt back down from the decision to wear her red-and-gold qipao. Im not deleting my post because Ive done nothing but show my love for the culture, she wrote on Twitter, showing admirable restraint in the face of an outrage blitzkrieg. Its just a dress, she added, along with a well-deserved expletive for emphasis. And its beautiful. Alexander Nazaryan is a national correspondent for Yahoo News. Follow the Opinion section on Twitter @latimesopinionand Facebook To the editor: I find it completely disgusting that a 9-year-old, Addy Soltau, has a love affair with guns. (Shes a YouTube sensation and NRA darling: Meet 9-year-old sharpshooter Alpha Addy, May 6) At a time when children are being brutally killed in school with assault weapons, this little child has an unhealthy interest in weapons of mass destruction. Has anyone brought the horrendous mass shootings to her attention? Gerald Orcholski, Pasadena .. Advertisement To the editor: It is about time that you had a positive article about firearms owners and competitive shooters. I have competed in cowboy action shooting for more than 20 years and have rarely met anyone who I wouldnt want to have to my house for dinner. The top shooters in our sport are teenagers. Teach the kids early to have respect for the tools of our sport, and youll never read about them in the newspaper except when they win shooting matches. Robert M. Beberfall, Ontario .. To the editor: Shame on the Los Angeles Times for featuring on its Monday front page a story on a 9-year-old poster girl at the National Rifle Assn. convention, and for quoting obscene advertising slogans like Keystone Sporting Arms never too young to understand freedom. This child is being used by the adults around her, who are then also being used by the American arms industry that has made the NRA so powerful for so long. It is little wonder we have become such a laughingstock to the rest of the world. J. R. Ball, Inglewood .. To the editor: As Im sure the article about the 9-year-old NRA sensation will create quite a stir, perhaps it is time to rewrite the 2nd Amendment: A well regulated student body, being necessary to the security of a free elementary education, the right of the children to keep and bear arms, shall not be infringed. We certainly need better legislation in a society where, every year, more people get shot by children with guns than commit voter fraud. Frank J. Lepiane, San Diego Follow the Opinion section on Twitter @latimesopinion and Facebook To the editor: As a citizen and a mother, I am outraged by Atty. Gen. Jeff Sessions new zero tolerance border enforcement policy of charging all undocumented migrants, including asylum-seekers, at our borders with a crime and then separating parents from their children. This is morally despicable. It is a Gestapo tactic designed to deter migrants by striking at the deepest emotional bonds and at the most vulnerable the children. It is also very likely illegal, according to international law, which requires that an orderly asylum process be followed. This law makes me ashamed and reminds me that Henry David Thoreau wrote about a higher law, which calls for civil disobedience when the state violates basic ethics and human rights. Martina Ebert, Claremont Advertisement .. To the editor: Sessions recently said, We cant take everyone on this planet who is in a difficult situation. No one is making that argument but how about taking in people from those countries that the United States has helped to make unstable? According to State Department cables published by WikiLeaks, the Obama administration supported the 2009 Honduras coup that overthrew that countrys democratically elected president. The new government immediately launched a crackdown that killed hundreds of people. The Trump administration has close relations with the government in Honduras, which held onto power last year via an election widely condemned as fraudulent. We helped create the difficult situation, and now we tell the people trying to flee from it that they must stay home. So much for being the land of the free. Ralph Armbruster-Sandoval, Santa Barbara .. To the editor: I understand that immigration is a complicated issue, but while reading about implementation of new policies in which children may be separated from their parents at the border, these words kept echoing in my mind: Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free. What has happened to our country? Ann Kleinsasser, Glendale Follow the Opinion section on Twitter @latimesopinion and Facebook Allies balk at Trump administration bid to block Chinese firm from cutting-edge telecom markets By David S. Cloud Britain and Germany are balking at the Trump administrations call for a ban on equipment from Chinese telecommunications giant Huawei, threatening a global U.S. campaign to thwart Chinas involvement in future mobile networks. Both countries are expected to limit Huawei and other Chinese companies from providing core components including routers. But other types of Chinese equipment for next-generation, high-speed communications could still be installed on British and German networks, officials and analysts say. The U.S. push to ban Huawei has provoked a global dispute in recent weeks, with senior U.S. officials, including Secretary of State Michael R. Pompeo, publicly urging NATO allies in Europe to exclude the company and warning that the United States might limit its military presence in countries that did not do so. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Confucius Institutes: Do they improve U.S.-China ties or harbor spies? By Don Lee Hanging red lanterns welcome visitors to the University of Marylands Confucius Institute, the oldest of about 100 Chinese language and cultural centers that have popped up over the last 15 years on American campuses, subsidized by millions of dollars from Chinas central government. But last fall, when four U.S. Senate investigators walked into the Confucius offices in Maryland and spent hours questioning staff, they werent looking for an educational exchange. The committee has been seeking detailed information from the university about the program, including contracts, email exchanges and financial arrangements that school administrators have kept under wraps since it started in 2004. American colleges once viewed these jointly funded institutes as an economical way to expand their language offerings one that could also bring warmer ties with China and, importantly, an influx of Chinese international students paying full tuition. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Watch Live: White House holds surprise news briefing amid government shutdown Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Advertisement U.S. policy toward China shifts from engagement to confrontation By David S. Cloud For decades, China had no closer American friend than Dianne Feinstein. As San Francisco mayor in the 1970s, she forged a sister-city relationship with Shanghai, the first between American and Chinese communities. As U.S. senator, she dined with Chinese leaders at Mao Tse-tungs old Beijing residence. And in the 1990s, she championed a trade policy change that opened a floodgate of Western investment into China. Today the Democratic senator sees China as a growing threat, joining a broad array of Trump administration officials, national security strategists and business executives who once favored engagement with Beijing and now advocate a confrontational approach instead. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Mnuchins attempt to calm markets backfires as Trump takes another shot at the Federal Reserve By Jim Puzzanghera An attempt by Treasury Secretary Steven T. Mnuchin to calm plunging financial markets backfired Monday, further rattling investors with new fears about whether major U.S. banks have enough cash on top of worries about interest rates, political instability in Washington and a slowing global economy. Adding to the volatile mix was a fresh attack on the Federal Reserve by President Trump, who declared that the central bank was the U.S. economys only problem and that it didnt have a feel for the market. The Fed is like a powerful golfer who cant score because he has no touch -- he cant putt! Trump said on Twitter. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print He speaks to Democratic hearts. But is Beto ORourke a serious White House contender? By Mark Z. Barabak Hes a failed U.S. Senate candidate with an undistinguished congressional record who, for the moment, is a blazing-hot 2020 presidential prospect despite the fact that he may not run and faces long odds if he does. Beto ORourke suggests the will-he-or-wont-he speculation is something he himself cant quite fathom. I think thats a great question, he responded in a Dallas Morning News interview when asked whether his unsuccessful November Senate bid merited a promotion to the White House. I ask that question myself. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Russian disinformation teams targeted Robert S. Mueller III, says report prepared for Senate By Craig Timberg, Tony Romm, Elizabeth Dwoskin Special counsel Robert S. Mueller III. (Associated Press) Months after President Trump took office, Russias disinformation teams trained their sites on a new target: special counsel Robert S. Mueller III. Having worked to help get Trump into the White House, they now worked to neutralize the biggest threat to his staying there. The Russian operatives unloaded on Mueller through fake accounts on Facebook, Twitter and beyond, falsely claiming that the former FBI director was corrupt and that the allegations of Russian interference in the 2016 election were crackpot conspiracies. One post on Instagram which emerged as an especially potent weapon in the Russian social media arsenal claimed that Mueller had worked in the past with radical Islamic groups. Such tactics exemplified how Russian teams ranged nimbly across social media platforms in a shrewd online influence operation aimed squarely at American voters. The effort started earlier than commonly understood and lasted longer while relying on the strengths of different sites to manipulate distinct slices of the electorate, according to a pair of comprehensive new reports prepared for the Senate Intelligence Committee and released Monday. Read more Timberg, Romm and Dwoskin report for the Washington Post. Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Advertisement President Trump announces Mick Mulvaney as acting White House chief of staff By Associated Press President Trump says budget director Mick Mulvaney will serve as acting chief of staff, replacing John F. Kelly in the new year. I am pleased to announce that Mick Mulvaney, Director of the Office of Management & Budget, will be named Acting White House Chief of Staff, replacing General John Kelly, who has served our Country with distinction. Mick has done an outstanding job while in the Administration.... Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 14, 2018 Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print It aint over when its over: In Michigan, Wisconsin and elsewhere, losers seek to undermine election results By Mark Z. Barabak Democrat Gavin Newsom has yet to become California governor, but already a candidate for state Republican Party chairman is promoting a recall effort. In Michigan and Wisconsin, GOP lawmakers have rushed through legislation to thwart their incoming Democratic governors and hamper others in the opposing party from doing the jobs voters chose them to do. In Congress, GOP leaders have echoed President Trump and sought to undermine the legitimacy of Democrats strong midterm performance, raising unsubstantiated allegations of fraud and political malfeasance. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print New CFPB Director Kathy Kraninger says she wont be a puppet of Mick Mulvaney By Jim Puzzanghera On her first full day leading the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, Kathy Kraninger said she wont be a puppet of Mick Mulvaney, the controversial acting director whom she replaced in the powerful regulatory position. To underscore that point, the former White House aide said she would even reconsider a Mulvaney action that critics saw as a gratuitous jab at Democrats who championed the agencys creation: changing its name to the Bureau of Consumer Financial Protection. Kraningers declaration during a meeting with reporters Tuesday addressed one of the main criticisms of her selection. She is considered a protege of Mulvaney, her boss at the White House Office of Management and Budget who has executed a dramatic, industry-friendly shift at the watchdog agency. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Trumps pick for chief of staff, Nick Ayers, out of running By Associated Press Nick Ayers, right, with Supreme Court Justice Neil Gorsuch, at the funeral service for George H.W. Bush on Dec. 3. (Jabin Botsford/The Washington Post via Associated Press) President Trumps top pick to replace John F. Kelly as chief of staff, Nick Ayers, is no longer expected to fill that role. Thats according to a White House official who is not authorized to discuss the personnel issue by name and spoke on condition of anonymity. Ayers is Vice President Mike Pences chief of staff. The official says that Trump and Ayers could not agree on Ayers length of service. The father of young children, Ayers had agreed to serve in an interim capacity though the spring, but Trump wanted a two-year commitment. The official says that Ayers will instead assist the president from outside the administration. Trump announced Saturday that Kelly would be departing the White House around the end of the year. Thank you @realDonaldTrump, @VP, and my great colleagues for the honor to serve our Nation at The White House. I will be departing at the end of the year but will work with the #MAGA team to advance the cause. #Georgia Nick Ayers (@nick_ayers) December 9, 2018 Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Advertisement U.S. hiring slows to 155,000 jobs, unemployment rate holds at 3.7% By Jim Puzzanghera Job growth slowed significantly in November but still was solid, indicating the economy remains in good shape but not expanding so quickly that it will lead to sharply higher interest rates. U.S. employers added 155,000 jobs last month, well below analyst expectations and a steep decline from Octobers strong 237,000 figure, the Labor Department reported Friday. Still, monthly job gains are averaging 206,000 this year, the best since 2015. Even the slower pace of 170,000 over the last three months is close to last years average of 182,000 and well above the amount needed to keep up with population growth. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Trump is expected to pick State Department spokeswoman for U.N. ambassador By Associated Press Heather Nauert at a briefing at the State Department on Aug. 9, 2017. (Alex Brandon / Associated Press) President Trump is expected to nominate State Department spokeswoman Heather Nauert to be the next U.S. ambassador to the United Nations. Two administration officials confirmed Trumps plans. A Republican congressional aide said the president was expected to announce his decision by tweet on Friday morning. The officials were not authorized to speak publicly before Trumps announcement. Trump has previously said Nauert was under serious consideration to replace Nikki Haley, who announced in October that she would step down at the end of this year. Trump has been known to change course on staffing decisions in the past. Nauert was a reporter for Fox News Channel before she became State Department spokeswoman under former Secretary Rex Tillerson. Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Senate confirms new consumer financial protection chief: Kathy Kraninger, protege of industry-friendly Mick Mulvaney By Jim Puzzanghera The Senate, in a party-line vote Thursday, confirmed White House aide Kathy Kraninger to head the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau and experts predicted a continuation of the industry-friendly shift it has taken since President Trump installed an acting director last year. Kraninger is a protege of acting director and White House budget chief Mick Mulvaney, an outspoken critic of the agency that was created in the aftermath of the 2008 financial crisis to prevent predatory lending and other abuses that led to it. Democrats and consumer advocates have denounced him for sharply departing from the aggressive watchdog role the bureau had pursued under its first director, Obama-appointee Richard Cordray, including scaling back enforcement and moving to reassess tough new rules on payday loans and narrow the definition of abusive practices by banks and other firms. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Advertisement Shutdown postponed by two weeks under plan approved by Congress By Erik Wasson Senate Minority Leader Charles E. Schumer (D-N.Y.), shown at the Capitol on Tuesday, says President Trumps border wall is a waste of money. (J. Scott Applewhite / Associated Press) Congress passed a two-week stopgap spending bill that will delay the chance of a partial government shutdown until Dec. 22 as lawmakers and President Donald Trump negotiate over his demands to pay for a wall on the southern border. The House and Senate passed the measure Thursday without dissent, and Trump has indicated hell sign the bill before the current shutdown deadline of midnight Friday. Negotiations were delayed by memorial services this week for former President George H.W. Bush. The temporary measure gives Democrats and Republicans more time to find a resolution to their biggest hurdle: funding a wall on the U.S. Mexico border wall. Trump says he wants $5 billion for parts of a concrete wall on the southern border and is willing to shut down the government if he doesnt get it. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer of New York has said Democrats will provide no more than $1.6 billion for border security, because the wall is a waste of money. The presidents demands for wall funding from Congress come after he said during the campaign that Mexico would pay for it. This week he said on Twitter that a $25 billion border wall would pay for itself in two months, without providing evidence. Most of the U.S. governments $1.2 trillion discretionary budget has been appropriated already by Congress for the fiscal year that began on Oct. 1. Departments at a risk of a partial shutdown late this month include the departments of State, Interior, Agriculture, Commerce, Justice, Treasury and Homeland Security. Talks to resolve the differences have been on hold since a meeting among Trump, Schumer and House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi of California originally slated for Dec. 4 was postponed due to Bush memorial events. The three are scheduled to meet on Tuesday, according to a person familiar with the matter. Senate Appropriations Chairman Richard Shelby of Alabama told reporters the rest of the seven-bill spending package being negotiated is basically done. Shelby in recent weeks had tried to broker a compromise in which Trumps $5 billion request would be split over two years, but Schumer has rejected that. Some Democrats have been willing to trade border wall funding for deportation protections for young undocumented immigrants. Pelosi ruled out such a deal in remarks to reporters Thursday. The stopgap government funding measure also would extend the National Flood Insurance Program, which provides subsidized coverage for homes in flood-prone areas, to Dec. 21. Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Bipartisan Senate group wants to formally blame Saudi crown prince for journalists killing By Karoun Demirjian Saudi Arabias Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman at the G-20 summit in Buenos Aires. (Associated Press) A bipartisan group of senators filed a resolution Wednesday condemning Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman as responsible for the killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, directly challenging President Trump to do the same. This resolution -- without equivocation -- definitively states that the crown prince of Saudi Arabia was complicit in the murder of Mr. [Jamal] Khashoggi and has been a wrecking ball to the region jeopardizing our national security interests on multiple fronts, Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) said in a statement accompanying the release of the resolution. It will be up to Saudi Arabia as to how to deal with this matter. But it is up to the United States to firmly stand for who we are and what we believe. The resolution put forward by Graham and Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.), who are expected to lead the Judiciary Committee together next year, comes just one day after CIA Director Gina Haspel briefed leading senators about the details of the agencys assessment that Mohammed ordered and monitored the killing and dismemberment of Khashoggi in the Saudi Consulate in Istanbul, Turkey. Senators emerged from that closed-door briefing furious not only with Saudi Arabia, but Trump as well for dismissing the heft of the CIAs findings. You have to be willfully blind not to come to the conclusion that this was orchestrated and organized by people under the command of MBS and that he was intricately involved in the demise of Mr. Khashoggi, Graham said following the briefing, referring to Mohammed by his initials. He added that Secretary of State Michael R. Pompeo and Defense Secretary James N. Mattis, who briefed senators last week, were at best being good soldiers and at worst were in the pocket of Saudi Arabia for presenting the evidence of Mohammeds involvement as inconclusive. The release of the resolution condemning Mohammed also comes as the Senate is preparing to move ahead with debate on a resolution to curtail U.S. support for the Saudi-led military campaign in Yemen. Though the Yemen resolution does not directly address Khashoggis murder, its popularity is a sign of how strained the United States patience with Saudi Arabia is on multiple fronts, including its role in worsening the civilian cost of the war in Yemen, cited by the United Nations as the worlds worst humanitarian crisis. Last week, the Senate voted 63 to 37 to advance the Yemen resolution past an opening procedural hurdle. But Graham and Feinsteins resolution on the crown prince has the potential of drawing broader support, especially from Republicans, who are deeply divided about how fiercely to punish Saudi Arabia over Khashoggis killing. Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.), who has been an outspoken advocate for human rights and is seen as one of the more influential foreign policy voices in the GOP, did not vote for the Yemen resolution last week or sign on to a bipartisan measure last month to sanction Saudi officials and cease weapons transfers to the kingdom. But he is an original co-sponsor of the resolution condemning Mohammed over Khashoggis death. So is Sen. Todd Young (R-Ind.), who represents the other end of the GOP spectrum in terms of recent Saudi-related votes and endorsements. Young was an initial co-sponsor of the bill Graham wrote with Sen. Robert Menendez (D-N.J.) to sanction Saudi officials deemed responsible for Khashoggis killing and stop the sale of anything but exclusively defensive weapons to the kingdom until it ceased hostilities in Yemen. Young also voted to advance the Yemen resolution something Graham did as well, though Graham has signaled he will not be lending any similar support to the measure, fearing it may establish a precedent of invoking the War Powers Act too broadly. Sens. Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.) and Chris Coons (D-Del.) are listed as original co-sponsors of the resolution condemning Mohammed, which also urges Saudi Arabia to negotiate with Houthi rebels to end the Yemen war, work out a political solution to its standoff with Qatar and release political prisoners. But how much sway the resolution has probably comes down to how forcefully the administration decides to heed it -- and thus far, Trump has not shown any interest in condemning the crown prince the way the senators hope he will. Demirjian reports for the Washington Post. Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Los Angeles County offices and U.S. Postal Service closed Wednesday in honor of George H.W. Bush By Brian Park The Honor Guard carries the casket of former U.S. President George H. W. Bush following his funeral on Dec. 5 in Washington, DC. (Doug Mills - Pool/Getty Images) The U.S. Postal Service will suspend regular mail delivery Wednesday, which President Trump has declared a national day of mourning in honor of former President George H.W. Bush. All retail postal outlets will be closed, and package delivery will be limited. In Los Angeles, all nonessential county departments, offices and libraries will be closed for the day, L.A. County officials said. The Los Angeles County Library said no overdue fines will be assessed for books, and due dates will be moved forward one week. Los Angeles County Department of Public Health offices also are closed Wednesday. The Sheriffs Department, Fire Department, clinics and hospitals will continue to operate, the county said. The Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health clinics are being operated with reduced staffing, and the department asked patients to confirm or reschedule any appointments. All county courts and the disaster recovery centers for the Woolsey fire in Malibu and Agoura Hills will remain open. Larger federal government operations will be closed Wednesday. To honor the life and legacy of President Bush, the Postal Service will observe the National Day of Mourning. Learn how Postal operations will be affected. https://t.co/Mffch7bPCh pic.twitter.com/vG46BsIOpm U.S. Postal Service (@USPS) December 4, 2018 L.A. County offices and libraries will be closed tomorrow (Dec 5) in observance of the #NationalDayOfMourning for President George H. W. Bush. The Countys Disaster Recovery Centers in Malibu & Agoura Hills will remain open from 10 a.m. - 8 p.m. pic.twitter.com/Sv1J7GoJ7T Los Angeles County (@CountyofLA) December 4, 2018 @LAPublicHealth offices will be closed tomorrow December 5 in observance of the national Day of Mourning for President George H. W. Bush. Essential Services including clinics and other services will remain open: https://t.co/tZGoGGHRlg pic.twitter.com/ypXsV6vlYY LA Public Health (@lapublichealth) December 4, 2018 Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Former Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick to skip 2020 White House race, sources say By Associated Press Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick speaks during an interview in Boston on Dec. 15, 2014. (Elise Amendola / Associated Press) Former Gov. Deval Patrick of Massachusetts will soon announce he wont launch a 2020 presidential campaign, according to three sources familiar with his plans. They did not say why the Democrat decided against a run. A formal announcement was delayed as the country observed a day of mourning for President George H.W. Bush, one source said. News of Patricks plans was first reported by Politico. Patrick, 62, served two terms as governor, from 2007 to 2015, was assistant attorney general for civil rights in the Clinton administration and since leaving the governors office has been a managing director for Bain Capital. Patrick traveled the country in support of Democratic candidates in the recent midterm election. Earlier this year, some of Patricks supporters and close advisors started the Reason to Believe political action committee, a grassroots organization dedicated to advancing a positive, progressive vision for our nation in 2018 and 2020. Reason to Believe PAC had been holding meetups across the country, including in early presidential primary states. While Patrick is opting against a 2020 run, dozens of Democrats are considering jumping in, including nearly a half-dozen members of the Senate, several House members, and other Massachusetts politicians. On Tuesday, Michael Avenatti, the attorney for adult film star Stormy Daniels and a vocal critic of President Trump, said in a statement that he would run. Patrick had previously expressed some concerns about breaking through if he sought the nomination, telling David Axelrod, a former advisor to President Obama, that he wasnt sure he could stand out in such a large field. Its hard to see how you even get noticed in such a big, broad field without being shrill, sensational or a celebrity, and Im none of those things and Im never going to be any of those things, Patrick said in a September interview with Axelrod. Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Advertisement Former Trump adviser Roger Stone invokes 5th Amendment right and wont testify before Senate Judiciary Committee By Associated Press Roger Stone in 2017. (Joe Raedle / Getty Images) Roger Stone, an associate of President Trump, says he wont provide testimony or documents to the Senate Judiciary Committee. An attorney for Stone said in a letter to Sen. Dianne Feinstein, the committees top Democrat, that Stone was invoking his 5th Amendment right against self-incrimination in refusing to produce documents or appear for an interview. Stone has been entangled in investigations by Congress and special counsel Robert S. Mueller III about whether Trump aides had advance knowledge of Democratic emails published by WikiLeaks during the 2016 election. Stone has not been charged and has said he had no knowledge of the timing or specifics of WikiLeaks plans. In the letter to Feinstein, Stone said the committees requests were far too overbroad, far too overreaching and far too wide-ranging. Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Watch live: Vice President Pence and lawmakers honor George H.W. Bush at the U.S. Capitol before he lies in state Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Rebuilding crumbling infrastructure has bipartisan support. But who gets to pay for it? By Jim Puzzanghera The grades for major U.S. infrastructure would give any parent indigestion if they were on a childs report card. Roads: D; bridges: C+; dams: D; ports: C+: railways: B; airports: D; schools: D+; public transit: D-. The nations overall grade: D+, which translates to being in fair to poor condition and mostly below standards with significant deterioration and a strong risk of failure, according to an evaluation last year by the American Society of Civil Engineers. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Advertisement Trump calls former lawyer Michael Cohen a weak person who is lying By Associated Press President Trump says his former lawyer Michael Cohen is lying to get a reduced sentence. The president is reacting to Cohens guilty plea Thursday to lying to Congress about work he did on a Trump real estate project in Russia. During a surprise court hearing, Cohen admitted to lying in testimony to the Senate Intelligence Committee about a plan to build a Trump Tower in Moscow. Cohen in his guilty plea said he made the false statements to be consistent with Trumps political message. Cohens lawyer says he continues to cooperate with special counsel Robert S. Mueller IIIs investigation into Russian election interference and possible coordination with Trump associates. Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print As California Republicans confront a congressional wipeout, GOP leader Kevin McCarthy faces a reckoning By Mark Z. Barabak When the House voted to repeal the Affordable Care Act, Kevin McCarthy trooped with other Republican lawmakers to a splashy Rose Garden celebration, smiling alongside President Trump as they celebrated the moment. As majority leader, McCarthy had helped round up the votes to narrowly pass the hard-fought legislation, convincing 13 other California Republicans to go along, even though several faced tough reelection fights. Fewer than half will be returning in January. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print As California Republicans confront a congressional wipeout, GOP leader Kevin McCarthy faces a reckoning By Sarah D. Wire When the House voted to repeal the Affordable Care Act, Kevin McCarthy trooped with other Republican lawmakers to a splashy Rose Garden celebration, smiling alongside President Trump as they celebrated the moment. As majority leader, McCarthy had helped round up the votes to narrowly pass the hard-fought legislation, convincing 13 other California Republicans to go along, even though several faced tough reelection fights. Fewer than half will be returning in January. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Michael Cohen, President Trumps ex-lawyer, pleads guilty to lying to Congress about Trump real estate project in Russia By Associated Press Michael Cohen, President Trumps former personal lawyer, pursued a Russian real estate project on candidate Trumps behalf well into the 2016 campaign, he said Thursday while pleading guilty to lying to Congress. Cohen had previously said that the project was abandoned in January 2016, but he now admits he continued to pursue a deal and says he updated Trump and members of his family about the negotiations, according to a new court document. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Advertisement James Comey says acting Atty. Gen. Whitaker may not be the sharpest knife in our drawer By John Wagner Acting Atty. Gen. Matthew Whitaker speaks at the Justice Department in Washington on Nov. 14. (Pablo Martinez Monsivais / Associated Press) Former FBI Director James B. Comey apparently isnt too impressed with the mental prowess of President Trumps acting attorney general. Matthew Whitaker may not be the sharpest knife in our drawer, Comey said during a radio interview on Monday night in which he sized up the man Trump installed this month to replace ousted Atty. Gen. Jeff Sessions. Comey was asked by WGBH News in Boston if he thinks Whitaker could derail the investigation of special counsel Robert S. Mueller III into Russian interference in the 2016 presidential election. Whitaker has spoken critically of the probe, and Trump as recently as Tuesday continues to call it a witch hunt. I think its a worry, but to my mind not a serious worry, Comey said. The institution is too strong, and [Whitaker], frankly, is not strong enough to have that kind of impact. He may not be the sharpest knife in our drawer, but he can see his future and knows that if he acted in an extralegal way, he would go down in history for the wrong reasons, and Im sure he doesnt want that, added Comey, who was fired by Trump last year and later wrote a book that portrays the president as an ego-driven congenital liar. Whitaker, a former U.S. attorney in Iowa, was Sessions chief of staff before being picked by Trump to lead the Justice Department. Trump has called Whitaker a very smart man. Earlier this year, Trump called Comey an untruthful slime ball. Wagner writes for the Washington Post. Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Interior Department watchdog clears Zinke in investigation of Utah national monument By Juliet Eilperin Secretary of the Interior Ryan Zinke, third from the left, and Gov. Jerry Brown tour fire damage in Paradise, Calif., on Nov. 14. (Rich Pedroncelli / Associated Press) The Interior Departments Office of Inspector General has cleared Secretary Ryan Zinke in a probe of whether he redrew boundaries of a national monument in Utah to aid the financial interests of a Republican state lawmaker and stalwart supporter of President Trump. In a Nov. 21 letter to Zinkes deputy, David Bernhardt, Deputy Inspector General Mary Kendall wrote that her office found no evidence that the secretary or his aides changed the boundaries of Utahs Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument in an effort to help former Utah state representative Mike Noel, who serves as executive director of the Kane County Water Conservancy District. Last December, Trump shrank the monument, first established by President Clinton in 1996, by 46% based on Zinkes recommendation. Noel owns 40 acres that had been surrounded by the monument, but now lies outside its boundaries. The new boundaries also would make it easier to construct the proposed Lake Powell Pipeline, which would deliver water to sites in Kane County that include Noels property. Earlier this year, the Interior Department had proposed selling off 120 acres of federal land from the former monument that lay adjacent to some of Noels land holdings, but later reversed the plan. We found no evidence that Noel influenced the DOIs proposed revisions to the [monuments] boundaries, that Zinke or other DOI staff involved in the project were aware of Noels financial interest in the revised boundaries, or that they gave Noel any preferential treatment in the resulting proposed boundaries, Kendall wrote. Neither the Interior Department nor the inspector generals office would release the actual investigative report. In the letter, Kendall writes that her office will provide the report to Congress no sooner than 31 days from Nov. 21, when it is provided it to Zinkes office. The Associated Press first reported the inspector generals conclusions Monday night, but did not provide details from the report itself. Noel emailed Zinke about the effort to alter Grand Staircase-Escalante, according to emails released by Interior under the Freedom of Informational Act. But those emails do not make references to Noels land holdings. Noel also pushed to rename a Utah highway in honor of Trump, but abandoned that effort in March after some of his fellow Republicans objected to the idea. Noel did not respond to requests for comment Tuesday. The inspector generals office still has at least two ongoing probes of the secretary, including one focused on his real estate dealings in Whitefish, Mont., and another regarding his decision to deny a permit to two Connecticut tribes who were hoping to jointly run a casino after MGM Resorts International lobbied against it. Interior Department spokeswoman Heather Swift welcomed the watchdogs conclusions. The report shows exactly what the secretarys office has known all along that the monument boundaries were adjusted in accordance with all rules, regulations and laws, she said in an email. This report is also the latest example of opponents and special interest groups ginning up fake and misleading stories, only to be proven false after expensive and time consuming inquiries by the IGs office. But Kendalls spokeswoman, Nancy DiPaolo, defended the inquiry, even though she said the report has not been publicly released and we will not be speaking specifically about the matter at this time. The OIG opens investigations based on credible allegations and reports our findings objectively and independently, DiPaolo added. Any time or resources spent investigating conduct or activity that may be a violation of law, regulation or policy is a service to the public, Congress and the Department. Rep. Raul Grijalva of Arizona, the top Democrat on the House Natural Resources Committee, said in a statement that he still intended to investigate the way Zinke and his colleague redrew the boundaries for Grand Staircase-Escalante and another Utah national monument, Bears Ears, next year. I have great respect for the inspector general, and I accept these findings, but Secretary Zinke should have known the people he listened to while destroying our national monuments had disqualifying conflicts of interest, he said. Should I chair the Natural Resources Committee in the next Congress, the process he and President Trump used to destroy Bears Ears and Grand Staircase-Escalante will be front and center in our oversight and investigations efforts. We need to know why they ignored overwhelming public expressions of support for both Bears Ears and Grand Staircase-Escalante, why they ignored Native American tribes throughout their decision-making, and why they removed protections on parcels of land with known mineral deposits. Eilperin and Rein report for the Washington Post. Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Trump advisor Larry Kudlow says China must do more to end trade war By Jim Puzzanghera Larry Kudlow, President Trumps top economic advisor, said Tuesday that Chinas response to U.S. efforts to rework the two economic superpowers trade relationship has been extremely disappointing but the planned meeting this weekend between the nations leaders is an opportunity for a breakthrough. They have to do more. They must do more, Larry Kudlow, director of the White House National Economic Council, told reporters ahead of a Saturday dinner between Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping at the Group of 20 Summit in Argentina. I think the president is exactly right to show strong backbone when prior administrations did not, to break through these Chinese walls, Kudlow said. Theyre so resistant to change. We have to protect the country. We have to protect our technology, our inventiveness, our innovation. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Watch live: White House Press Secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders holds a media briefing amid tensions at the border By Los Angeles Times Staff Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Advertisement Democrat TJ Cox grabs lead over Republican David Valadao in nations last remaining undecided House race By Maya Sweedler Democrat TJ Cox slipped past Republican incumbent David Valadao on Monday to take the lead in the countrys sole remaining undecided congressional race, positioning Democrats to pick up their seventh House seat in California and 40th nationwide. Cox, who trailed by nearly 4,400 votes on election night, has steadily gained as ballot counting continues nearly three weeks after the Nov. 6 election, a pattern consistent with the states recent voting history. On Monday, he pulled ahead by 438 votes after Kern County updated its results. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Former CIA director Michael Hayden hospitalized after suffering a stroke By Deanna Paul Then-CIA Director Michael Hayden testifies before a Senate committee in 2008. (Saul Loeb / Getty Images) Former CIA Director and retired Air Force Gen. Michael Hayden has been hospitalized after suffering a stroke, his family said Friday. He is receiving expert medical care for which the family is grateful, according to a statement issued by his namesake organization. The General and his family greatly appreciate the warm wishes and prayers of his friends, colleagues, and supporters. Hayden, 73, served as director of the CIA and National Security Agency during the George W. Bush and Obama administrations. He retired from the CIA in 2009. Hayden has been a vocal critic of Donald Trumps campaign and presidency. Earlier this year, after Trump decided to revoke the security clearance of former CIA director John Brennan, Hayden was one of several former intelligence leaders who signed a statement in opposition. Criticizing the president for crossing a line, he quickly became one of the individuals whose security clearance Trump threatened to review. Deanna Paul writes for the Washington Post. Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Trump tells troops hes thankful for what hes done for the U.S. and rails against courts and migrants By Associated Press President Trump talks with troops via teleconference from his estate in Palm Beach, Fla., on Thanksgiving. (Susan Walsh / Associated Press) President Trump used his Thanksgiving Day call to troops deployed overseas to pat himself on the back and air grievances about the courts, trade and migrants heading to the U.S.-Mexico border. Trumps call, made from his opulent private Mar-a-Lago club in Palm Beach, Fla., struck an unusually political tone as he spoke with members of all five branches of the military to wish them happy holidays. Its a disgrace, Trump said of judges who have blocked his attempts to overhaul U.S. immigration law, as he linked his efforts to secure the border with military missions overseas. Trump later threatened to close the U.S. border with Mexico for an undisclosed period of time if his administration determines Mexico has lost control on its side. The call was a uniquely Trump blend of boasting, peppered questions and off-the-cuff observations as his comments veered from venting about slights to praising troops You really are our heroes, he said as club waiters worked to set Thanksgiving dinner tables on the outdoor terrace behind him. It was yet another show of how Trump has dramatically transformed the presidency, erasing the traditional divisions between domestic policy and military matters and efforts to keep the troops clear of politics. You probably see over the news whats happening on our southern border, Trump told one Air Force brigadier general stationed at Bagram Airfield in Afghanistan, adding: I dont have to even ask you. I know what you want to do, you want to make sure that you know who were letting in. Later, Trump asked a U.S. Coast Guard commander about trade, which he noted was a very big subject for him personally. Weve been taken advantage of for many, many years by bad trade deals, Trump told the commander, who sheepishly replied, Mr. President, from our perspective on the water we dont see any issues in terms of trade right now. And throughout, Trump congratulated himself, telling the officers that the country is doing exceptionally well on his watch. I hope that youll take solace in knowing that all of the American families you hold so close to your heart are all doing well, he said. The nations doing well economically, better than anybody in the world. He later told reporters, Nobodys done more for the military than me. Indeed, asked what he was thankful for this Thanksgiving, Trump cited his great family as well as himself. I made a tremendous difference in this country, he said. Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Advertisement Trump contradicts CIA assessment that Saudi crown prince ordered Jamal Khashoggi killing By Josh Dawsey | Washington Post (Susan Walsh / Associated Press) President Trump on Thursday contradicted the CIAs assessment that Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman had ordered the killing of Washington Post columnist Jamal Khashoggi, insisting that the agency had feelings but did not firmly place blame for the death. Trump, in defiant remarks to reporters from his Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida, defended his continued support for Mohammed in the face of a CIA assessment that the crown prince had ordered the killing. He denies it vehemently, Trump said. He said his own conclusion was that maybe he did, maybe he didnt. I hate the crime .... I hate the cover-up. I will tell you this: The crown prince hates it more than I do, Trump said. Asked who should be held accountable for the death of Khashoggi, who was killed at the Saudi Consulate in Turkey, Trump refused to place blame. Maybe the world should be held accountable because the world is a very, very vicious place, the president said. He also seemed to suggest that all U.S. allies were guilty of the same behavior, declaring that if the others were held to the standard that critics have held Saudi Arabia to in recent days, we wouldnt be able to have anyone for an ally. Trumps remarks came after he held a conference call with U.S. military officers overseas, during which he repeatedly praised his administration and sought to draw the officers into discussions of domestic policy. Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Former FBI Director James Comey gets subpoena from House Republicans By Bloomberg Former FBI Director James B. Comey said he has received a subpoena from House Republicans, according to a Twitter post on Thursday. Bloomberg News reported last week that Comey would be receiving a subpoena alongside former Atty. Gen. Loretta Lynch as part of continuing probes into their handling of investigations into Hillary Clinton and Russian election meddling, according to a top House Democrat. Happy Thanksgiving. Got a subpoena from House Republicans. Im still happy to sit in the light and answer all questions. But I will resist a closed door thing because Ive seen enough of their selective leaking and distortion. Lets have a hearing and invite everyone to see. James Comey (@Comey) November 22, 2018 Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Republican David Valadaos lead slips to 447 votes over Democrat TJ Cox in still-undecided Central Valley House race By Mark Z. Barabak Rep. David Valadao (R-Hanford), right, finds himself in an increasingly harrowing cliffhanger against Democrat TJ Cox. (Bill Clark / CQ Roll Call) On election night, it looked like Rep. David Valadao had survived a close shave and was destined to return to Washington for his fourth term. But on Wednesday, when Fresno County announced its latest vote totals, the Hanford Republican found himself in an increasingly harrowing cliffhanger against Democrat TJ Cox, with his lead in the Central Valley district shrunken to 447 votes. Thousands remain to be counted. Valadao, a repeated Democratic target, finished election night with a lead of nearly 4,440 votes. Cox, an engineer and a business owner who unsuccessfully ran for Congress in 2006, has steadily gained ground in the 21st Congressional District ever since. The trend is consistent with historic patterns showing Republicans in California tend to vote early and Democrats later, meaning their mail ballots continue to stream in past election day. Under California law, ballots postmarked up to midnight on Nov. 6 will be counted. Democrats have already picked up six House seats in California. They ousted Reps. Dana Rohrabacher, Mimi Walters, Steve Knight and Jeff Denham and won the seats of retiring Reps. Ed Royce and Darrell Issa. All six represented districts that backed Hillary Clinton over Donald Trump in 2016. Valadao was the seventh California Republican in a district Clinton won, though his previous successes he last won reelection by a 14-point margin suggested his ouster was a longer shot for Democrats. If Cox prevails, it would give Democrats a 40-seat gain nationwide, far more than the 23 seats needed to take control when Congress reconvenes in January. Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Advertisement Trump says no new punishments against Saudi Arabia in Jamal Khashoggi murder By Eli Stokols In this Oct. 25 photo, candles are lit in front of a photo of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi. (Lefteris Pitarakis) President Trump made it clear on Tuesday that he does not intend to punish Saudi Arabia or Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman for the murder of dissident journalist Jamal Khashoggi, an American resident killed by Saudi officials in Turkey in October. In a remarkable statement replete with exclamation points, Trump cast doubt on the CIAs reported conclusions that it has a high degree of confidence that the crown prince ordered Khashoggis murder and sent his closest allies to Saudi Arabias consulate in Istanbul to carry it out. Read MoreThis article has been updated with staff. Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Sixteen House Democrats vow to oppose Nancy Pelosi as next speaker By Mike DeBonis | Washington Post House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (J. Scott Applewhite / Associated Press) Sixteen House Democrats said Monday that they will vote to deny Rep. Nancy Pelosi another stint as House speaker, a show of defiance that puts her opponents on the cusp of forcing a seismic leadership shake-up as their party prepares to take the majority. Their pledge to oppose Pelosi (D-San Francisco), both in an internal caucus election and a Jan. 3 floor vote, delivered in a letter sent to Democratic colleagues, comes as Pelosi has marshaled a legion of supporters on and off Capitol Hill to make her case. But her opponents said Monday they are convinced it is time to select a new leader. We are thankful to Leader Pelosi for her years of service to our Country and to our Caucus, they wrote. However, we also recognize that in this recent election, Democrats ran on and won on a message of change. Pelosi has expressed complete confidence that she will retake the speakers gavel in January eight years after she lost it following massive Republican gains in the 2010 midterms and 16 years after she was first elevated to the top Democratic leadership post in the House. Come on in, the waters fine, she said Friday about a potential leadership challenge. The signers might not be able to force Pelosi out themselves. The size of the Democratic majority remains in flux, but Democrats have already won 232 seats, according to the Associated Press, with five races still undecided. All those races have Republican incumbents, but the Democratic challenger is ahead in only one of them. If the leads hold in the uncalled races, Democrats would have won 233 seats, a 16-seat majority. That means Pelosi could lose as many as 15 Democratic votes when she stands for election as speaker on Jan. 3. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Democratic senators sue over Whitakers appointment as acting attorney general By Associated Press Acting U.S. Atty. Gen. Matthew Whitaker (Nicholas Kamm / AFP/Getty Images) Three Senate Democrats filed a lawsuit Monday arguing that Acting Atty. Gen. Matthew Whitakers appointment is unconstitutional and asking a federal judge to remove him. The suit, filed by Sens. Richard Blumenthal of Connecticut, Mazie Hirono of Hawaii and Sheldon Whitehouse of Rhode Island, argues that Whitakers appointment violates the Constitution because he has not been confirmed by the Senate. Whitaker was chief of staff to Atty. Gen. Jeff Sessions and was elevated to the top job after Sessions was ousted by President Trump on Nov. 7. The Constitutions Appointments Clause requires that the Senate confirm all principal officials before they can serve in their office. The Justice Department released a legal opinion last week that said Whitakers appointment would not violate the clause because he is serving in an acting capacity. The opinion concluded that Whitaker, even without Senate confirmation, may serve in an acting capacity because he has been at the department for more than a year at a sufficiently senior pay level. President Trump is denying senators our constitutional obligation and opportunity to do our job: scrutinizing the nomination of our nations top law enforcement official, Blumenthal said in a statement. The reason is simple: Whitaker would never pass the advice and consent test. In selecting a so-called constitutional nobody and thwarting every senators constitutional duty, Trump leaves us no choice but to seek recourse through the courts. The lawsuit comes days after a Washington lawyer challenged Whitakers appointment in a pending Supreme Court case dealing with gun rights. The attorney, Thomas Goldstein, asked the high court to find that Whitakers appointment is unconstitutional and replace him with Deputy Atty. Gen. Rod Rosenstein. Rosenstein, the second-ranking Justice Department official, has been confirmed by the Senate and had been overseeing special counsel Robert Muellers Russia investigation. Whitaker is now overseeing the investigation. The Justice Department issued a statement Monday defending Whitakers appointment as lawful and said it comports with the Appointments Clause, the Federal Vacancies Reform Act and legal precedent. There are over 160 instances in American history in which non-Senate confirmed persons performed, on a temporary basis, the duties of a Senate-confirmed position, Justice Department spokeswoman Kerri Kupec said. To suggest otherwise is to ignore centuries of practice and precedent. Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Advertisement Gov. Rick Scott says Sen. Bill Nelson concedes Florida Senate race By Associated Press Republican Senate candidate Rick Scott speaks with his wife, Ann, by his side at an election watch party in Naples, Fla., on Nov. 7. (Wilfredo Lee / Associated Press) Floridas Republican Gov. Rick Scott says incumbent Democratic Sen. Bill Nelson called him to concede defeat in their extremely tight race. Scott issued a statement Sunday saying Nelson graciously conceded their Senate race shortly after the states recount ended. The final results show Scott defeated Nelson by just over 10,000 votes out of 8 million cast. Nelson is scheduled to release a videotaped statement later Sunday. The defeat ends Nelsons lengthy political career. The three-term incumbent was first elected to the U.S. Senate in 2000. Before that he served six terms in the U.S. House and as state treasurer and insurance commissioner for six years. Scott spent more than $60 million of his own money on ads that portrayed Nelson as out-of-touch and ineffective. Nelson responded by questioning Scotts ethics and saying he would be under the sway of President Trump. Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Orange County goes blue, as Democrats complete historic sweep of its seven congressional seats By Michael Finnegan Gil Cisneros defeated Republican Young Kim on Saturday in the last of Orange Countys undecided House races, giving Democrats a clean sweep of the states six most fiercely fought congressional contests and marking an epochal shift in a region long synonymous with political conservatism. With Cisneros victory, Democrats will constitute the entirety of Orange Countys seven-member congressional delegation, the first time since the 1930s that the birthplace of Richard Nixon, home of John Wayne and spiritual center of the Republican Party will have no GOP representative in the House. Sitting back in the 1960s, I would never have believed this would happen, said Stuart K. Spencer, a party strategist who spent more than half a century ushering Republicans, including President Reagan, into office. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Going, going ... with midterm wipeout, California Republican Party drifts closer to irrelevance By Michael Finnegan For a party in freefall the last two decades, California Republicans learned that its possible to plunge even further. The GOP not only lost every statewide office in the midterm election again, in blowout fashion but Democrats reestablished their supermajority in Sacramento, allowing them to legislate however they see fit After major defeats in Orange County and the Central Valley, two longtime strongholds, Republicans will have a significantly smaller footprint on Capitol Hill. (Democrats hold both Senate seats.) When the vote-counting is finished, the GOP may not even have enough lawmakers in Californias 53-member House delegation to field a nine-person softball team. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Congresswoman-elect Katie Porter says she will support Rep. Nancy Pelosi for speaker By Maya Sweedler Democratic Rep.-elect Katie Porter is congratulated by volunteers at her campaign headquarters in Irvine. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times) Congresswoman-elect Katie Porter said she plans to support Rep. Nancy Pelosis bid for speaker of the House and will make campaign finance reform her top priority when she enters the chamber in January. Im going to continue to have conversations, but so far I feel like Leader Pelosi is definitely making the things that were a priority to the families that elected me her priorities, including announcing her support for campaign finance reform and anti-corruption as HR1, Porter said in her first public appearance since being declared the winner in Californias 45th Congressional District on Thursday evening. It means a lot to me that she is a Californian. She understands our state, Porter added. When we talk about environmental protections, this is a person who understands as a Californian how fragile our environment is and whats at risk in things like drilling off our coasts. Porter, a law professor at UC Irvine, defeated two-term Republican Rep. Mimi Walters. The 45th District, covering inland Orange County, has never been represented by a Democrat. Porter became the third Democrat to claim a Republican-held seat in Orange County, following the victories of Harley Rouda in the 48th District and Mike Levin in the 49th. A fourth, Gil Cisneros, is running slightly ahead of his Republican opponent in the race for the open seat in the 39th District, which extends into Los Angeles and San Bernardino counties. Porter attributed the massive political shift in the county, for decades a conservative stronghold, to increased levels of political engagement. Folks here care about education, they care about the environment, they believe climate change is real, they want healthcare that protects preexisting conditions, they want a tax system that doesnt punish California, they want our schools and places of worship to be safe from gun violence, she said. Those are the issues we campaigned on, and to the extent that Donald Trump and Mimi Walters were on the wrong side of those issues, the voters have made clear what direction they want us to go. Porter was flying back from the East Coast when her race was called, she said. She turned on her phone to find 167 text messages from friends and supporters. Among them was Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), who was one of Porters teachers in law school and with whom she has remained close. The pair spoke via FaceTime this morning, she said. Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Advertisement Bitter battle for Senate seat in Florida goes to hand recount By Associated Press Employees look through damaged ballots during a recount Thursday in West Palm Beach, Fla. (Wilfredo Lee / Associated Press) Floridas acrimonious battle for the U.S. Senate headed Thursday to a legally required hand recount after an initial review by ballot-counting machines showed Republican Gov. Rick Scott and Democratic Sen. Bill Nelson separated by less than 13,000 votes. But the highly watched contest for governor between Republican Ron DeSantis and Democrat Andrew Gillum appeared to be over, with a machine recount showing DeSantis with a large enough advantage over Gillum to avoid a hand recount in that race. Gillum, who conceded the contest on election night only to retract his concession later, said in a statement that it is not over until every legally casted vote is counted. The recount so far has been fraught with problems. One large Democratic stronghold in South Florida was unable to finish its machine recount by the Thursday deadline due to machines breaking down. A federal judge rejected a request to extend the recount deadline. We gave a heroic effort, said Palm Beach County Supervisor of Elections Susan Bucher. If the county had three or four more hours, it would have made the deadline to recount ballots in the Senate race, she said. Meanwhile, election officials in another urban county in the Tampa Bay area decided against turning in the results of their machine recount, which came up with 846 fewer votes than originally counted. Media in South Florida reported that Broward County finished its machine recount but missed the deadline by a few minutes. Counties were ordered last weekend to do a machine recount of three statewide races because the margins were so tight. The next stage is a manual review of ballots that were not counted by machines to see whether there is a way to figure out voter intent. Scott called on Nelson to end the recount battle. Its time for Nelson to respect the will of the voters and graciously bring this process to an end rather than proceed with yet another count of the votes which will yield the same result and bring more embarrassment to the state that we both love and have served, the governor said in a statement. The recount has triggered multiple lawsuits, many of them filed by Nelson and Democrats. The legal battles drew the ire of U.S. District Judge Mark E. Walker, who slammed the state for repeatedly failing to anticipate election problems. He also said the state law on recounts appears to violate the U.S. Supreme Court ruling that decided the presidency in 2000. We have been the laughingstock of the world, election after election, and we chose not to fix this, Walker said during a morning hearing. Walker vented his anger at state lawmakers and Palm Beach County officials, saying they should have made sure they had enough equipment in place to handle this kind of a recount. But he said he could not extend the recount deadline because he did not know when Palm Beach County would finish its work. This court must be able to craft a remedy with knowledge that it will not prove futile, Walker wrote in his ruling turning down the request from Democrats. It cannot do so on this record. This court does not and will not fashion a remedy in the dark. The overarching problem was created by the Florida Legislature, which Walker said passed a recount law that appears to run afoul of the 2000 Bush vs. Gore decision by locking in procedures that do not allow for potential problems. A total of six election-related lawsuits are pending in federal court in Tallahassee as well at least one lawsuit filed in state court. Walker also ordered that voters be given until 5 p.m. Saturday to show a valid identification and fix their ballots if they have not been counted due to mismatched signatures. Republicans appealed the ruling, but an appeals court turned down the request. State officials testified that nearly 4,000 mailed-in ballots were set aside because local officials decided the signatures on the envelopes did not match the signatures on file. If those voters can prove their identity, their votes will be counted and included in final official returns due from each county by noon Sunday. Walker was asked by Democrats to require local officials to provide a list of people whose ballots were rejected. But the judge appointed by President Obama refused the request, calling it inappropriate. Under state law, a hand review is required with races that have a margin of 0.25 percentage points or less. A state website put the unofficial results showing Scott ahead of Nelson by 0.15 percentage points. The margin between DeSantis and Gillum was at 0.41 points. The margin between Scott and Nelson had not changed much in the last few days, conceded Marc Elias, an attorney working for Nelsons campaign. But he said that he expected the vote tally to shrink due to the hand recount and the ruling on signatures. The developments fueled frustrations among Democrats and Republicans alike. Democrats want state officials to do whatever it takes to make sure every eligible vote is counted. Republicans, including President Trump, have argued without evidence that voter fraud threatens to steal races from the GOP. Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Democrat Gil Cisneros pulls ahead of Republican Young Kim as more votes are tallied in Orange and San Bernardino counties By Michael Finnegan Congressional candidate Gil Cisneros (Kent Nishimura / Los Angeles Times) Democrat Gil Cisneros pulled ahead of Republican Young Kim in one of Californias undecided congressional races Thursday, an ominous sign for a GOP already reeling from its loss of four House seats in the state. In updated vote counts released by the registrars for Orange and San Bernardino counties, Kim fell 941 votes behind Cisneros in the contest to succeed Republican Rep. Ed Royce in Californias 39th Congressional District. The 39th straddles Los Angeles, San Bernardino and Orange counties. In another unresolved House race, Democrat Katie Porter pulled further ahead of Republican incumbent Mimi Walters in the 45th District, which includes Mission Viejo, Tustin, Irvine, Rancho Santa Margarita and Laguna Hills. Porter, a consumer attorney and UC Irvine law professor, is now 6,203 votes ahead. The Nov. 6 midterm election has been devastating to Republicans in California. If Cisneros and Porter win, the party will have lost six of its 14 House seats in the state, essentially a wipeout in every contest that both parties spent heavily to win. The three Republicans already bounced from Congress are Reps. Dana Rohrabacher of Costa Mesa, Steve Knight of Palmdale and Jeff Denham of Turlock in the San Joaquin Valley. Democrat Mike Levin won the seat of retiring GOP Rep. Darrell Issa of Vista in the fourth district flipped so far. Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Florida Senate race likely headed to second recount By Associated Press A Palm Beach County Sheriffs deputy walks past boxes of ballots before a recount on Nov. 15 in West Palm Beach, Fla. (Wilfredo Lee) Unofficial Florida election results show that the governors race seems to be settled after a machine recount but the U.S. Senate race is likely headed to a hand recount. Republican Ron DeSantis is virtually assured of winning the nationally watched governors race over Democrat Andrew Gillum. Florida finished a machine recount Thursday that showed Gillum without enough votes to force a manual recount. Unofficial results posted on a state website show the margin between U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson and Gov. Rick Scott is still thin enough to trigger a second review. State law requires a hand recount of races with a margin of 0.25 percentage point or less. Counties have until Sunday to inspect the ballots that did not record a vote when put through the machines. Those ballots are re-examined to see whether the voter skipped the race or marked the ballot in a way that the machines cannot read but can be deciphered. The election will be certified Tuesday. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Pelosi says she has the votes to become the next House speaker By John Wagner Democratic leader Nancy Pelosi speaks during a news conference in Washington on Nov. 14. (Susan Walsh) House Democratic leader Nancy Pelosi insisted Thursday that she has the votes to become the chambers speaker despite solid opposition from more than a dozen Democrats who want fresh leadership when the party takes control next year. I have overwhelming support in my caucus to be speaker of the House, the San Francisco lawmaker told reporters. I happen to think at this point, Im the best person for that. A vote within the Democratic caucus is scheduled for Nov. 28. The full House votes on Jan. 3 to elect a new speaker. During her remarks, Pelosi touted the size of the Democratic victory in the midterms, which she called almost a tsunami. With a few races still to be decided, Democrats are poised to pick up close to 40 seats in the chamber. Pelosi called that the biggest victory for the Democrats since 1974, when the Watergate babies came in. Pelosis comments come as she faces solid opposition from at least 17 Democrats, setting the stage for a battle over who will ascend to one of the most powerful positions in Washington. After a campaign in which some Democrats prevailed in competitive districts by promising to oppose her, a coalition of incumbents and newly elected members has denied her a smooth path to the speakership. The defections, if they stand, would leave Pelosi, who has led the Democrats for more than 15 years, several votes short of the 218 she would need when the full House votes for speaker Jan. 3. However, no Democrat has stepped forward to run against her for a job she held from 2007 through 2010. Rep. Marcia Fudge (D-Ohio) told reporters Wednesday that shes being encouraged to stand for speaker if Pelosi doesnt have the votes. In an interview with the Washington Post on Thursday, she said she has been overwhelmed by the support from many of her colleagues for her possible entry into the race for House speaker. Over the last 12 hours, Ive been overwhelmed by the amount of support Ive received, Fudge said, adding that there are probably closer to 30" Democrats who have privately signaled that they are willing to oppose Pelosi. Things could change rapidly, Fudge said. Fudge, 66, a former chair of the Congressional Black Caucus, said she is building a diverse coalition as she mulls a speaker run, talking with allies in the caucus, moderate Democrats and newly elected members. To this point, Pelosi has enjoyed the strong backing of the Congressional Black Caucus. On Thursday, Rep. Bobby Rush (D-Ill.), one of its members, wrote a letter to colleagues praising her insight, fortitude and strategic thinking and urging support for her speakership bid. Former Atty. Gen. Eric H. Holder Jr., an African American who is contemplating a 2020 presidential bid, also voiced support for Pelosi, praising her in a tweet as an architect of the recent midterm success. Rep. Seth Moulton (D-Mass.), a leader of the resistance to Pelosi, said during an interview on CNN on Thursday that Fudge is the kind of new leader that we need in this party. Shes in touch with middle America. She understands what the American people want. Shes a next-generation leader that people will look to and say, Thats the future of our party, thats the future of our country, and thats exactly the kind of leader that I want to see as our next speaker. Wagner reports for the Washington Post. The Posts Robert Costa, Erica Werner, Mike DeBonis, Paul Kane and Elise Viebeck contributed to this report. Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Advertisement GOP Rep. Jeff Denham concedes to Democrat Josh Harder in Central Valley race By Maya Sweedler Rep. Jeff Denham (Bill Clark / CQ Roll Call) Republican Rep. Jeff Denham has conceded to Democrat Josh Harder in the race to represent Californias 10th Congressional District in the San Joaquin Valley. It has been an absolute honor to serve our community and represent the Central Valley in Congress over the past eight years, the 51-year-old congressman said. The enormity of the responsibility was never lost on me. My wife Sonia and I look forward to starting the next chapter of our lives. Harder said he had spoken with Denham and the two were committed to a productive transition. Denham, an Air Force veteran, previously represented the region in the state Senate for eight years and founded a company specializing in plastic packaging used in agriculture. While a member of Congress, he sat on the Transportation and Infrastructure, Veterans Affairs and Agriculture committees. First-time candidate Harder was born and raised in the district. After graduating from Stanford University, he served as vice president of a Silicon Valley venture capital firm. Since moving back, he has been teaching at Modesto Junior College. Denhams House seat is one of four in California that Republicans lost in the Nov. 6 election, with two contests in Orange County still undecided as of Thursday morning. Jeff Denham called me this morning and we had a very productive conversation. I'm honored that I've been chosen to serve our community in Congress, and we're both looking forward to a productive transition that best serves the people of District 10. Josh Harder (@JoshHarder) November 14, 2018 Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Democrat Katie Porter now nearly 3,800 votes ahead of GOP Rep. Mimi Walters By Maya Sweedler Rep. Mimi Walters thanks all of her supporters as she watches election results in Irvine on Nov. 7, 2018. (Alex Gallardo / Associated Press) Democrat Katie Porter opened a 3,797-vote lead Wednesday over Republican Rep. Mimi Walters in Orange Countys 45th Congressional District. In the neighboring 39th, Democrat Gil Cisneros has nearly tied the race against Republican Young Kim. Cisneros now trails Kim by a razor-thin margin of 122 votes. The 39th District straddles Los Angeles, Orange and San Bernardino counties; Wednesdays updated ballot counts came from the latter two. There are more than 202,000 ballots left to count in Orange County, which includes parts of seven congressional districts. The 45th is entirely in inland Orange County. In California, the ballots counted first tend to lean Republican and those tallied later skew Democratic. In the Central Valleys 21st Congressional District, Democratic challenger TJ Cox has pulled within 2 percentage points of Rep. David Valadao, who is serving his third term. The Associated Press had projected a win for Valadao on election night, but his 4,839-vote advantage has shrunk to 2,090. Back in CA-21, Valadao (R) wins a batch of ballots from his stronghold in Kings Co., but by a considerably smaller margin (14 points) than his previous ~30-point margin in the county. We're moving to Lean R from Likely R; today a bit scary for Valadao.https://t.co/WqJVUVkqGW Nate Silver (@NateSilver538) November 15, 2018 A spokesman for Valadao told the Fresno Bee that the changes were expected and that [s]tatistically, David Valadao has won this race. Democrats in California have already flipped four House seats, defeating three Republican incumbents and claiming an open seat previously held by the GOP. Reps. Steve Knight of Palmdale, Dana Rohrabacher of Costa Mesa and Jeff Denham of Turlock have already lost their races, and retiring Rep. Darrell Issas San Diego County seat was claimed by Democrat Mike Levin. Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Trump aide departs West Wing after rebuke from Melania Trump By Associated Press First Lady Melania Trump. (Alain Jocard / AFP-Getty Images) Deputy national security advisor Mira Ricardel is leaving the White House, one day after First Lady Melania Trumps office issued an extraordinary statement calling for her dismissal. No replacement was named. Aides said Ricardel clashed with the first ladys staff over her visit to Africa last month. Yet it is highly unusual for a first lady or her office to weigh in on personnel matters, especially the presidents national security staff. White House Press Secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders said Ricardel would have a new role in the administration. On Tuesday, Stephanie Grisham, the first ladys spokeswoman, released a statement saying, It is the position of the Office of the First Lady that she no longer deserves the honor of serving in this White House. President Trumps White House has set records for administration turnover. Ricardel was the third person to hold the post under Trump. An ally of national security advisor John Bolton, Ricardel began her service in the Trump administration as associate director in the White House Office of Presidential Personnel, then moved to the Commerce Department last year. Bolton brought her into the West Wing shortly after taking the job in April. He is traveling in Asia this week alongside Vice President Mike Pence. Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Race for House Minority Leader is Kevin McCarthys to lose By Associated Press (Bill Clark / CQ Roll Call) House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy is running to take over next years shrunken caucus in closed-door elections that will set the tone for the new Congress. The race for minority leader is McCarthys to lose Wednesday. But the California Republican, who is an ally of President Trump, must fend off a challenge from conservative Jim Jordan of Ohio. Jordan is a leader of the House Freedom Caucus. The two encountered questions and finger-pointing during a private meeting with lawmakers Tuesday night as the GOP sorted through the midterm defeat that put Democrats in the majority next year. Elections Wednesday will also determine party leadership in the Senate. Voting for the biggest race, Nancy Pelosis bid to return as the Democrats nominee for speaker, is later this month. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Advertisement Melania Trump calls for the firing of deputy national security advisor By Justin Sink First Lady Melania Trump arrives at the Chateau de Versailles outside Paris on Nov. 11. (Alain Jocard / AFP/Getty Images ) First Lady Melania Trumps office said she wants Mira Ricardel, the deputy national security advisor, ousted from the White House. It is the position of the Office of the First Lady that she no longer deserves the honor of serving in this White House, Trumps spokeswoman, Stephanie Grisham, said in a statement in response to a question about reports the first lady had sought Ricardels removal. Ricardel is the top deputy to national security advisor John Bolton. She drew the first ladys wrath after threatening to withhold National Security Council resources during Melania Trumps trip to Africa last month unless Ricardel was included in her entourage, one person familiar with the matter said. Grishams statement comes as several media outlets have reported that President Trump is considering a broader shakeup of his administration, including ousting Homeland Security Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen. Sink and Jacobs report for Bloomberg. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print CNN sues Trump over the suspension of Jim Acostas White House press credentials By Jim Puzzanghera CNN said Tuesday that it is suing President Trump and other administration officials over the decision to suspend the White House press credentials of correspondent Jim Acosta after a conflict at a news conference last week. The suit, to be filed in U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia, escalates an ongoing battle between Trump and the cable news outlet that he frequently accuses of disseminating fake news for its aggressive coverage of him and his administration. The wrongful revocation of these credentials violates CNN and Acostas 1st Amendment rights of freedom of the press, and their 5th Amendment rights to due process, CNN said in a written statement. If left unchallenged, the actions of the White House would create a dangerous chilling effect for any journalist who covers our elected officials. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Maxine Waters to take aim at Wells Fargo and Deutsche Bank as new head of House Financial Services Committee By Jim Puzzanghera Rep. Maxine Waters plans to zero in on two big banks Wells Fargo & Co. and Deutsche Bank when she becomes head of the powerful House Financial Services Committee. The Los Angeles congresswoman, now the committees top Democrat, is widely expected to gain the gavel after her party won control of the House in last weeks elections. While Waters has outlined a wide-ranging agenda, she said her focus on bank oversight will target two large institutions she has been tangling with for a while including one, Deutsche Bank, that spills into her bitter feud with President Trump. With Trump in the White House, I know that our fight for Americas consumers and investors will continue to be challenging. But I am more than up to that fight, Waters wrote in a letter last week to her Democratic colleagues on the committee that was obtained by The Times. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Advertisement Heres how a controversial voting system will decide a congressional race in Maine By Kurtis Lee For the first time in U.S. history, a controversial voting system known as ranked choice is being used to decide a federal election. Its happening in Maine, which adopted the system in 2016. Rather than marking a single candidate, each voter ranks them all, assigning a first-place vote, a second-place vote and so on down the ballot. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print ACLU files suit to stop Trumps new asylum limits By Associated Press A group of Central American migrants march to the office of the U.N.'s humans rights body in Mexico City on Nov. 8. (Rebecca Blackwell / Associated Press) The American Civil Liberties Union has filed a legal challenge to President Trumps order denying asylum to migrants if they cross the U.S.-Mexico border illegally. The lawsuit was filed Friday in federal court in San Francisco and argues the new rules are against the law. Attorney Lee Gelernt said the regulations will put families in danger. The suit seeks to declare the regulations invalid and wants a judge to stop the rules from going into effect while the litigation is pending. The new rules were spurred in part by caravans of Central American migrants slowly moving north on foot, but officials say they will apply to anyone caught crossing illegally. Officials say about 70,000 people who enter the country illegally claim asylum. The order invoked the same national security powers Trump used to push through his travel ban. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Trump on new acting AG: I dont know Matt Whitaker By Associated Press President Trump talks with reporters before departing for France on the South Lawn of the White House on Nov. 9. (Evan Vucci / Associated Press) President Trump is moving to distance himself from Matthew Whitaker as he faces criticism over his choice for acting attorney general. Trump told reporters Friday that I dont know Matt Whitaker and said he didnt speak with Whitaker about special counsel Robert Muellers Russia investigation. Whitaker has made public comments critical of Muellers investigation, and critics have called on Whitaker to recuse himself from oversight of the inquiry. Under former Atty. Gen. Jeff Sessions, the investigation was overseen by Deputy Atty. Gen. Rod Rosenstein. Of the scrutiny Whitaker is facing, Trump said: Its a shame that no matter who I put in they go after. He also called Whitaker a very highly respected man. Whitaker was Sessions chief of staff before Trump made him Sessions interim replacement. Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Advertisement Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg out of hospital after fall By Associated Press The Supreme Court says 85-year-old Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg is home after being released from the hospital. She had been admitted for treatment and observation after fracturing three ribs in a fall. The court said Ginsburg was released Friday. Supreme Court spokeswoman Kathy Arberg says she is doing well and working from home. The court had previously said the justice fell in her office at the court on Wednesday evening and went to George Washington University Hospital in Washington early Thursday after experiencing discomfort overnight. Ginsburg broke two ribs in a fall in 2012. She had two prior bouts with cancer and had a stent implanted to open a blocked artery in 2014. Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Gun-control activist Lucy McBath defeats GOP Rep. Karen Handel in Georgia By Associated Press Lucy McBath speaks during a rally for Democratic gubernatorial candidate Stacey Abrams on Nov. 2 at Morehouse College in Atlanta. (Alyssa Pointer / Atlanta Journal-Constitution via AP) Democratic gun-control activist Lucy McBath has defeated Republican Rep. Karen Handel of Georgia in a suburban congressional district long considered safe for the GOP. Handel had to seek reelection after winning her seat last year in a close special election race against Democrat Jon Ossoff. McBath became an advocate for stricter gun laws after her son, Jordan Davis, was fatally shot at a Florida gas station in 2012 by a man angry over loud music the teenager and his friends were playing in a car. McBaths margin of victory was narrow enough for Handel to have requested a recount. The Associated Press declared McBath the winner Thursday after Handel conceded. Handel conceded in a statement Thursday morning, stating that after reviewing all of the election data, its clear she came up a bit short in Tuesdays vote. Handel congratulated McBath, offering good thoughts and much prayer for the journey that lies ahead for her. McBath, who is African American, declared victory Wednesday. Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg hospitalized after fracturing 3 ribs in fall By Associated Press Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg (Jacquelyn Martin / Associated Press) The Supreme Court says 85-year-old Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg fractured three ribs in a fall in her office at the court and is in the hospital. The court says the justice went to George Washington University Hospital in Washington early Thursday after experiencing discomfort overnight. The court says the fall occurred Wednesday evening. Ginsburg was admitted to the hospital for treatment and observation after tests showed she fractured three ribs. Ginsburg broke two ribs in a fall in 2012. She has had two prior bouts with cancer and had a stent implanted to open a blocked artery in 2014. Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print White House suspends press pass of CNNs Jim Acosta after heated exchange with Trump By Associated Press The White House on Wednesday suspended the press pass of CNN correspondent Jim Acosta after he and President Trump had a heated confrontation during a news conference. They began sparring after Acosta asked Trump about the caravan of migrants heading from Latin America to the southern U.S. border. When Acosta tried to follow up with another question, Trump said, Thats enough! and a female White House aide unsuccessfully tried to grab the microphone from Acosta. White House Press Secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders released a statement accusing Acosta of placing his hands on a young woman just trying to do her job as a White House intern, calling it absolutely unacceptable. The interaction between Acosta and the intern was brief, and Acosta appeared to brush her arm as she reached for the microphone and he tried to hold onto it. Pardon me, maam, he told her. Acosta tweeted that Sanders statement that he put his hands on the aide was a lie. CNN said in a statement that the White House revoked Acostas press pass in retaliation for his challenging questions Wednesday, and the network accused Sanders of lying about Acostas actions. This conduct is absolutely unacceptable. It is also completely disrespectful to the reporters colleagues not to allow them an opportunity to ask a question. President Trump has given the press more access than any President in history. Stephanie Grisham (@PressSec) November 8, 2018 Contrary to CNNs assertions there is no greater demonstration of the Presidents support for a free press than the event he held today. Only they would attack the President for not supporting a free press in the midst of him taking 68 questions from 35 different reporters... Stephanie Grisham (@PressSec) November 8, 2018 As a result of todays incident, the White House is suspending the hard pass of the reporter involved until further notice. Stephanie Grisham (@PressSec) November 8, 2018 Sanders provided fraudulent accusations and cited an incident that never happened. This unprecedented decision is a threat to our democracy and the country deserves better, CNN said. Jim Acosta has our full support. Journalists assigned to cover the White House apply for passes that allow them daily access to press areas in the West Wing. White House staffers decide whether journalists are eligible, though the Secret Service determines whether their applications are approved. Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Advertisement Trump spars with reporters at post-election news briefing, ordering several to sit down By Associated Press President Trump assails CNNs Jim Acosta at a White House news conference. President Trump sparred with reporters at his post-election news conference, ordering several to sit down and telling another hes a rude, terrible person. He told another reporter hes not a fan of yours, either. The presidents mood turned sour Wednesday after reporters pressed him on why he referred to a migrant caravan making its way to the U.S. on foot through Mexico as an invasion. Trump ramped up his anti-immigrant rhetoric against the caravan in the final days of the midterm elections. Trump was also pressed on why his campaign aired an ad featuring a Mexican immigrant convicted of killing American police officers and linking the mans actions to the caravan. Several television networks pulled the ad after airing it or declined to air it at all. Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Im living one hour at a time at this point By Christine Mai-Duc Republican congressional candidate Young Kim and gubernatorial candidate John Cox campaign in Rowland Heights. (Irfan Khan / Los Angeles Times) Republican congressional candidate Young Kim greeted gubernatorial candidate John Coxs giant campaign bus, the words HELP IS ON THE WAY emblazoned across it, as it rolled into the parking lot outside her Rowland Heights field office. Standing beside Cox on Saturday, Kim predicted that a string of GOP victories Tuesday would start with voters repealing the gas tax hike. Can you imagine Gavin Newsom being our governor? Can you imagine Gil Cisneros being your representative? Kim asked the crowd, to loud boos and cries of Nooo! The former state assemblywoman who worked for retiring Rep. Ed Royce (R-Fullerton) is vying for his seat with Democrat Gil Cisneros. She led the crowd in chants of Enough is enough! and, though short-lived, Drain the swamp! Ive served you in Sacramento and Ive seen dysfunction personally, Kim continued. We cannot continue that route. She urged her supporters to stay and help make phone calls or walk neighborhoods. Lets get out there the 72 hours is really critical. Its all going to come down to a few votes, it could be your vote, she said pointing to her left, then pivoting right, it could be your vote. So dont sit back and do nothing. Every night I go to sleep thinking, OK, how many more votes can I get or how many more people can I call tomorrow? Kim said. It can be physically exhausting but Im mentally, emotionally very energized. She listed off her events so far that day and the next one she was heading to. Thats just what I can remember, she said. Im living one hour at a time at this point. Kims campaign invited press to two of her events on Saturday. After she was whisked away to her next event a high tea fundraiser in Walnut, a couple dozen volunteers remained. John Freeman, a statewide field manager for the state Republican Party, tried to pump them up. This is the Super Bowl. Were not in an NFL stadium, were not getting paid millions of dollars, but you know what? Freeman said. Were walking on the field right now. This is that high-stakes-level game. Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Advertisement Its going to be tough out there Democratic candidate Katie Porter speaks to volunteers in Mission Viejo. Jon Bauman, Bowzer from the band Sha Na Na, is in the background. (Victoria Kim / Los Angeles Times ) Judging from the cheers in the crowd, about half those assembled at Katie Porters campaign headquarters in Mission Viejo Sunday morning were old enough to remember 70s rock n roll star Bowzer from the band Sha Na Na. Jon Bauman, as Bowzer is known off stage, said it was her position on senior issues including retirement and social security that has him out supporting Porter over her opponent, incumbent Rep. Mimi Walters. I want you to make sure every phone is called and every door is knocked, he told the crowd of about 80 volunteers. There has never been a more important election. Both Bauman and his nephew, California Democratic Party Chairman Eric Bauman, were interrupted by yells from Trump supporters coming from an adjoining hillside. We love Trump, the voice cried out. We love him too, he makes great fodder, the younger Bauman retorted, before introducing Porter. Porter, a UC Irvine law professor and first-time candidate, acknowledged the uphill battle some of her canvassers might face in this more conservative end of the long-red Orange County district. I know its going to be tough out there, she said, motioning to the hillside. But she said the attacks meant the other side viewed her campaign as a significant threat. This election is going to be close, she said. If we dont fight all the way to the finish line, until 8 oclock on Tuesday, this could slip away. Bowzer then took to a keyboard piano to lead the crowd in a reworded rendition of the song Good Night Sweetheart: Good night, Mimi Walters, he crooned. A woman in a black tank top, jeans and flip flops holding a cup of coffee later joined the crowd with her two sons, 17 and 14, the younger one wearing a Trump 2016 T-shirt. She declined to give her name, saying she was concerned about being attacked, but said she lived up the hill and said she had been the one yelling. She said she was encouraging her sons to talk to people on both sides and make up their own minds. We need to have a government that runs the way government teachers are telling kids its supposed to be run, said the woman, a retired registered dental assistant who voted early for Mimi Walters. Referring to Democrats, she said: Theyve had control over all these years and Californias gone to crap. Among those canvassing was Stacie Campbell, 37, who was at the launch with her husband Jerome and three children, the youngest of whom was 2 months old. Campbell, a Mission Viejo resident who runs a business, had never canvassed or volunteered for campaigns before, and her husband is a French citizen and unable to vote. She said they had been talking to their children the older ones are 5 and 2 about the presidency and the government since Trumps election. Together, they worked on homemade Katie Porter lawn signs and put them up around town. This is the first time its felt like a big deal and there isnt a president up for election, she said. Because her city is a mix of conservatives and liberals her next-door neighbor is an NRA-supporting Republican she the race felt m Hixson community partners are joining together to recognize the month of May as Homeless Awareness Month. This is a collaborative effort spearheaded by two Chattanooga Chamber of Commerce member companies, Dominion Senior Living of Hixson and RE/MAX Renaissance of Hixson. A series of guest speakers will be making presentations and sharing their experiences working with the homeless population at Dominion this month. Residents will also be collecting sample sized toiletries for a local shower ministry. "Together, our community can make a difference," said Brenda Purcell, broker of RE/MAX Renaissance. Herb Hooper, coordinator of the weekly Shower Ministry at First Baptist Church at the Golden Gateway, recently estimated that some 18-20 homeless residents in Chattanooga receive weekly showers while 23-25 receive free laundry services. Mr. Hooper, a former vice-president at Chattanooga State Community College, oversees the weekly program that additionally provides 25-30 haircuts and facials by the colleges cosmetology students. He estimates about 10 percent of their customers are veterans. In addition to the shower, laundry and personal hygiene services, Mustard Tree Ministries, an inner city ministry affiliated with First Centenary Methodist Church under the leadership of Reverend Barry Kidwell, hosts a weekly dinner at First Baptist. Presently, a network of 15 area inter-denominational churches and over 100 volunteers provide a warm meal and an optional worship service on Thursday evenings. The nutritionally planned meals are prepared by the church members. It is estimated that approximately 120-160 individuals are fed at this meal. Shuttle service is provided to and from First Baptist Church by Mustard Tree. The number increases towards the end of the month as many homeless or near homeless run out of money. Some recipients receive limited monthly checks like SSI and disability but there is just not enough money to go around for the entire month. The Shower Ministry is in current need of sample sized toiletries (shampoo, lotion, soap, and deodorant) to distribute. Additionally, laundry detergent pods and dryer sheets are requested. Drop these items off at Dominion Senior Living Center of Hixson, 2143 Northpoint Blvd., or at RE/MAX Renaissance, 6402 Hixson Pike. For more information, please contact Erica Klein at RE/MAX Renaissance at 648-8200 or Brenda Purcell at 322-0011. Republican voters in West Virginia opted Tuesday for a safer nominee for U.S. Senate over a combustible one, picking state Atty. Gen. Patrick Morrisey to face Sen. Joe Manchin III, one of the Democratic incumbents most threatened in November. ------------ For the record: This article states Don Blankenship, a candidate for the GOP nomination for U.S. Senate in West Virginia, was a wealthy felon. Blankenship was convicted on a misdemeanor charge; he was found not guilty of felony charges. FOR THE RECORD: This article states Don Blankenship, a candidate for the GOP nomination for U.S. Senate in West Virginia, was a wealthy felon. Blankenship was convicted on a misdemeanor charge; he was found not guilty of felony charges. ------------ Advertisement Don Blankenship, a wealthy felon who ran racially charged ads aimed at Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell and his family, came in third, behind Morrisey and U.S. Rep. Evan Jenkins. That came as a relief to President Trump and other Republicans who feared a Blankenship nomination would cost the party an otherwise winnable Senate seat. Republicans now hold by a two-seat margin that has effectively been cut in half by the absence of ailing Sen. John McCain of Arizona. The West Virginia seat is one of several the party has focused on in its effort to expand its majority. Blankenship, former chief executive of Massey Energy, served a year in prison for actions connected to the 2010 explosion that killed 29 miners at the Upper Big Branch mine in Montcoal, W.Va. He campaigned as the heir to Trumps drain the swamp mentality, but his political negatives led the president on Monday to urge a vote for either Jenkins or Morrisey. To the great people of West Virginia we have, together, a really great chance to keep making a big difference. Problem is, Don Blankenship, currently running for Senate, cant win the General Election in your State...No way! Trump tweeted Monday. Remember Alabama. Vote Rep. Jenkins or A.G. Morrisey! Trumps Alabama reference was to the candidacy of Roy Moore, the Republican nominee for a U.S. Senate seat in December who was accused of sexual misconduct against several young women when he served as a local prosecutor. In the Republican primary in Alabama, Trump backed Luther Strange, who had been appointed to the seat when the president chose Jeff Sessions as his attorney general. Trump supported Moore in the general election, but the Republican lost in an upset to Democrat Doug Jones. In addition to West Virginia, three other states held primaries Tuesday. In Indiana, a bitter Senate primary campaign helped businessman and former state legislator Mike Braun defeat two members of Congress, Reps. Luke Messer and Todd Rokita. Braun will face Democrat Joe Donnelly like Manchin, among the most threatened Senate incumbents. In a House primary, Greg Pence won the GOP nomination for the seat once held by his brother, now Vice President Mike Pence. In Ohio, Richard Cordray, former head of the federal Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, defeated former Cleveland Mayor Dennis J. Kucinich for the Democratic nomination for governor. Cordray will face Ohio Atty. Gen. Mike DeWine for the job now held by Republican John Kasich. Rep. James B. Renacci, who was endorsed by Trump, won the Republican nomination for the U.S. Senate seat in Ohio now held by Sen. Sherrod Brown, a Democrat. At an ostensibly nonpolitical gathering in Cleveland on Saturday, Renacci sat next to Trump, who encouraged voters to side with him and turned the microphone over to the candidate to make his pitch. In North Carolina, most incumbents were easily winning reelection but for one: Republican Rep. Robert Pittenger lost in the states 9th Congressional District. He became the first Republican congressional incumbent to lose a primary in this election cycle. Manchin, a former West Virginia governor, was first elected to the Senate in 2010 to replace Robert C. Byrd, who had died in office. Manchin won reelection in 2012 by almost 24 points. But the state has lurched dramatically toward the GOP since then, setting up a steep challenge for Manchins 2018 effort. In 2016, Trump defeated Hillary Clinton in West Virginia by more than 42 points. Any Republican other than Blankenship would likely have the edge in November, analysts said before the vote. The way Blankenship chose to campaign would only have exacerbated Republican divisions in the fall. Blankenship closed his campaign with audacious and offensive ads that targeted his own party, and particularly McConnell. In one, he said that one of his goals as a senator will be to ditch Cocaine Mitch, a reference to the discovery of the drug on a cargo ship owned by the family of McConnells wife, Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao. In another ad, Blankenship drew attention to Chaos ancestry. Swamp captain Mitch McConnell has created millions of jobs for China people. While doing so, Mitch has gotten rich, the ad said. In fact, his China family has given him tens of millions of dollars. The remarks, which Blankenship denied were rooted in racism, drew outrage from establishment Washington and McConnells defenders. For those asking, this is my response to West Virginia Roy Moore: This clown is a walking, talking case study for the limitation of a prisons ability to rehabilitate, tweeted McConnell strategist Josh Holmes. In the Alabama race, the accusations against Moore led to a split between groups usually united in their quest for victory. Outside fundraising groups withheld support for the Republican nominee, but the Republican National Committee supported him. A Blankenship win could have set up a similar dynamic in West Virginia, diminishing the odds of a Manchin defeat. Sen. Jeff Flake of Arizona, a Republican, said that a Blankenship victory on Tuesday would prompt him to donate to Manchin. McConnell, who will hold significant sway over the spending of outside finance groups, was asked Tuesday what his response would be if Blankenship won. Well, were going to find out what happens in West Virginia tonight, he said. And I may have more to say about that tomorrow. Late Tuesday, McConnells campaign Twitter account posted a picture of the majority leader in a shower of white powder. Thanks for playing @DonBlankenship, the tweet said. Blankenship said before the votes were counted that he was set to celebrate regardless of the outcome. The former coal barons probation restrictions, put in place after his year in prison, were due to end at 12:01 a.m. Wednesday, an aide told CNNs Dan Merica. I get my guns back in a day or two, so I am going to win either way tonight, he told Merica. The latest from Washington For more on politics from Cathleen Decker cathleen.decker@latimes.com Twitter: @cathleendecker UPDATES: 8 p.m.: This article was updated with election results. This article was originally published at 4:20 p.m. A week after voting with fellow Democrats to raise Californias gas tax, state Sen. Josh Newman was vacationing with his wife on a Caribbean island when he saw a news alert on his phone that said Republicans were targeting a lawmaker for recall over the action. I thought to myself: Wow, somebodys in trouble. Thats crazy. And then I clicked on the link, and lo and behold it was a picture of me, the Fullerton lawmaker said. That was obviously a jolting surprise for me, to find that I was the one person, of 81 people who voted for the same thing, who was ostensibly guilty of treason. In a year when Californians will pick a new governor and fill dozens of other key posts, the recall has drawn an inordinate amount of money and attention from top officials. The contest has become a surrogate battle between the state Republican and Democratic parties over whether the Democrats will regain a supermajority in the state Legislature. The Democratic Party and its leaders, including Gov. Jerry Brown, have helped Newman amass a $2.6-million war chest to fight the campaign to remove him from office. Advertisement Brown has campaigned for Newman, saying at a recent event at Mt. San Antonio College in Walnut that hes at the top of the list of good state lawmakers, and wins legislative battles for his district. He praised Newman for his intelligence, his hard work, his experience in the military. He knows how to fight. The state Republican Party spent more than $800,000 to collect enough signatures to qualify the recall for the June 5 ballot. A separate question on the ballot asks voters to choose among three Democrats and three Republicans, including former GOP Assemblywoman Ling Ling Chang, if Newman loses his seat. The recall campaign is headed by former San Diego City Council member Carl DeMaio, a Republican activist who noted that Newman had won election in 2016 by only 1% of the vote against Chang. We want to make an example of Josh Newman for his vote on car [fees] and gas-tax hikes, DeMaio said. He was elected with the least amount of support in 2016, and thats why weve nicknamed it the gazelle strategy. We decided to target Newman, who was the deciding vote and also was clearly the weakest member of the state Senate, for punishment. Republican gubernatorial candidate John Cox, left, and organizer Carl DeMaio, center, stand April 30 outside the San Diego Registrar of Voters building. (Julie Watson / Associated Press ) Newman, 53, disputes that assessment. He was one of 26 Democrats in the Senate supporting the bill increasing the gas tax, and was not the last to cast a vote. Because a two-thirds vote was needed to pass the tax measure, Democrats had to persuade termed-out Republican Sen. Anthony Cannella of Ceres to join them in voting for the bill, which he did only after the governor agreed to provide $400 million for a rail project serving his district. Still, Newman says he is prepared to fight for his political career. A Yale University graduate with a bachelors degree in history, Newman served as a captain in the U.S. Army. His military assignments included a nuclear weapons detachment in South Korea. Later, Newman headed a veterans charity, ArmedForce2Workforce, when he ran for the Senate and beat Chang by fewer than 2,500 votes. He chairs the Senate Veterans Affairs Committee and lives in Orange County with his wife and daughter. The election in June is expected to be close. Including portions of Los Angeles, Orange and San Bernardino counties, the 29th Senate District has 36% Democratic voters and 34% Republicans. Newmans election in 2016 was a remarkable political start, in part because the state Democratic Party endorsed another candidate in the race. Newman was relatively unknown. He worked as a set designer in film production and had bit parts in the movies The World According to Garp and Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery. In the raunchy comedy, Newman played one of a group of security guards shot down by guns protruding from the breasts of a FemBot. Newmans first campaign demonstrated a sense of humor. He drew attention with campaign volunteers who stood at Orange County intersections dancing in a bear costume and carrying a sign that read HELLO, your choice is NEWMAN, a reference to a memorable line from TV comedy Seinfeld. Candidate Newman also donned the bear costume on occasion, including onstage at the state Democratic Party Convention in May 2017. But soon after Newman was elected, he was faced with making a serious decision one that stood to anger many constituents. The freshman legislator was asked by Brown and Democratic leaders in April 2017 to support a bill that would raise gas taxes and vehicle fees to bring in more than $5.4 billion annually for road and bridge repairs and improvements to mass transit. Years of neglect had left the states infrastructure crumbling, supporters argued. I wasnt happy about it, and I dont take lightly at all raising anybodys taxes, Newman said of the vote. The measure raised the gas tax by 12 cents per gallon, boosted the diesel fuel tax by 20 cents per gallon and increased vehicle fees. Newman noted the vote came just after powerful storms had washed out major bridges and threatened the collapse of the Oroville Dam. Fixing the states problems is what people want, Newman said. Im certainly not the tax-and-spend liberal Democratic pawn that I have been portrayed as by my opponents. After the recall drive started, Newman said people yelled at him in public for raising taxes. He was regularly roasted on a popular conservative radio talk show on KFI-AM in Southern California. I get that people are justifiably angry that after 20 years of dithering, we passed a bill that seemed kind of abrupt, Newman said. I wasnt there for the 20 years of kicking the can down the road, of not only not funding transportation but of diverting [transportation] funds to other uses. Newman added that he wrote a measure on the June ballot that would require all of the new gas tax and vehicle fee money to be spent on roads and transportation. But Chang, a Diamond Bar resident, accused Newman of being out of touch with his district. I believe that the gas tax is punishing hard-working families, and thats why you see its not just Republicans who are angry, but its also Democrats and independents, Chang said. Fullerton City Councilman Bruce Whitaker, another Republican candidate for Senate, said district residents have been damaged by [Newmans] votes for higher taxes and regulations. Critics also cite extraordinary measures taken by Democrats to sabotage the recall campaign. The majority party approved a new law in June that requires additional steps to qualify a recall the state Department of Finance must conduct a study of the costs of holding a special election and submit it for review to the Legislature before a recall measure can be certified for the ballot. That action had the effect of delaying the recall and avoiding a special election, before the June 5 primary, which could have potentially drawn a smaller turnout with more conservative voters. A larger share of Democrats is expected to turn out in the statewide primary, which could help Newman. In addition, the Senate Democratic Caucus persuaded the state Fair Political Practices Commission to lift a $4,400 cap on contributions to Newmans anti-recall campaign from other senators. Democratic leaders say they are outraged over the Republican-led recall drive, which is a partisan power grab, according to Senate President Pro Tem Toni G. Atkins (D-San Diego). The attempted recall of Josh Newman, one of our most effective and independent senators, is a dangerous and unjust abuse of the recall process which will do nothing to fix our roads or reduce our taxes, Atkins said. Newmans contributions have come from organized labor, corporate interests and fellow lawmakers. They included $40,000 from a ballot measure committee controlled by Sen. Jim Beall (D-San Jose), as well as $50,000 from the group Professional Engineers in California Government, and $25,000 from the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees. Separately, a committee funded largely by the State Building and Construction Trades has raised $680,000 to fight the recall. The California Republican Party, which has $4.3 million in the bank for all state races and campaigns, reported it spent $275,000 in just the last month urging voters to recall Newman with mailers, ads and door-to-door canvassers. Josh Newman is completely out of touch and out of control, said Matt Fleming, a spokesman for the state GOP. Helping the concerned voters in Josh Newmans district get him out of office before he raises their taxes again is absolutely a top priority for us. Newman said the GOPs involvement in the recall is unseemly. The effort to recall me did not emanate from my district, he said. The campaign is strange, he said, because he is not really running against the six contenders for his seat, so there has been no public debate between them. Still, the postponement of the election until June has resulted in a calmer electorate and one he hopes will be more thoughtful, he said. There doesnt seem to be the level of anger that was directed at me that was present at about this time last year, Newman said. I havent had anybody come up and yell at me in a grocery store lately, and that was happening all the time. patrick.mcgreevy@latimes.com Twitter: @mcgreevy99 In a shift that puts early detection of prostate cancer back on the agenda of middle-aged men and their doctors, a federal panel of experts is recommending that men ages 55 to 69 weigh the potential harms and benefits of prostate cancer screening and judge whether getting tested feels right to them. A recommendation issued Tuesday by the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force judged the net benefits of screening these men for prostate cancer to be small. But the panel said the prostate-specific antigen, or PSA, test should be offered to them based on professional judgment and patient preferences. For men 70 and older, the task force stuck with an earlier recommendation against routine prostate cancer screening. The new guidance for men in late middle age is an unusual reversal of advice the panel offered in 2012. At that time, the task force suggested that for most men at any age, getting screened for prostate cancer just wasnt worth the risks including anxiety, infection, erectile dysfunction and incontinence of the unnecessary treatment that too often came with it. Advertisement Since then, the ledger of risks and benefits has changed on both sides. As large studies have followed men for longer periods of time, researchers have seen that the PSA test can save lives at least a few more lives than earlier believed when used to screen men in their late 50s and 60s. In a European clinical trial, periodic testing was initially found to prevent seven deaths for every 10,000 men screened. But with four years of additional follow-up, researchers have discovered the number of lives saved per 10,000 men screened is closer to 13. And mathematical models suggest that number will likely rise further as the men in the trial get older. The increase is not a big number, said Dr. Alex H. Krist, vice chairman of the task force, an independent group that operates under the auspices of the federal Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality. But the new data gave his panel a little bit more confidence that fewer men would die when more were screened before age 70. At the same time, the responses of both doctors and patients to a prostate cancer diagnosis have undergone a significant shift. In 2012, 90% of men who had their diagnosis confirmed with a biopsy were quickly ushered into surgery or treated with radiation, despite growing evidence that many of these cancers would never become dangerous. Now, no more than 60% of such men proceed directly to treatment. The rest begin a process of active surveillance in which surgery or radiation is used only if the cancer progresses. Meanwhile, urologists are using genetic testing, more precisely targeted biopsy procedures and improved imaging techniques to identify the more aggressive prostate tumors that warrant quick action. Despite efforts to improve prostate cancer treatment, surgery and radiation therapy still exacts a high toll on patients: two out of three men will experience long-term erectile dysfunction, and about 20% of those who undergo radical prostatectomy will experience urinary incontinence. But as more men watch and wait, fewer men are exposed to the negative effects of treatment that might never have been necessary in the first place. That has changed the math of risks and benefits for screening, said Dr. David Penson, who chairs the Department of Urologic Surgery at Vanderbilt University in Nashville and was not involved in the new task force recommendation. Take that small benefit and then reduce the harms of screening, and suddenly, the equation looks quite different. In the United States, a mans risk of being diagnosed with prostate cancer at some point in his life is 13%, but his risk of dying of the disease is just 2.5%. Without screening, many men would never even know they had the disease, which can grow slowly for years. One-third of men who died in their 70s of other causes were found to have had prostate cancer. For men between 55 and 69, the evolution of both knowledge and medical practice have made the question of whether to get the PSA test a potentially complex judgment call. This is whats called a preference-sensitive decision, said Ruth Etzioni, a biostatistician at Seattles Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center who crunched the numbers from two of the largest clinical trials on prostate cancer screening but was not directly involved in setting the new guidelines. It means the benefits and harms of the decision are going to be different for different people. Screening might be a good decision for you, but your friend may come up with a different decision. Race would likely be a factor in those deliberations: African American men are nearly twice as likely to die of prostate cancer as white men. A family history of prostate cancer, and of cancers called adenocarcinomas (which include breast, ovarian, pancreatic and colorectal cancer), also might nudge a man toward regular screening. Smoking, too, is linked to a higher risk of death from prostate cancer. The task force cautioned, however, that there is insufficient evidence on the role of race and family medical history to draft separate recommendations for subgroups. My typical prostate cancer consultation used to be 30 minutes, said Dr. Inderbir S. Gill, chairman of USCs Department of Urology. Now its become a one-hour, 15-minute consult, and were not finished. Thats the price of our evolving knowledge. A mans decision should also take into account such intangibles as his tolerance for uncertainty and his willingness to act in response to an ambiguous threat to his health. Dont ask the question if youre not sure what youll want to do with the result, said Dr. Christopher Saigal, the vice chair of urology at UCLAs Geffen School of Medicine who studies how doctors and patients make decisions about prostate cancer treatment. Saigal, who was not involved in the task forces deliberations, said he remains convinced that for most men in the designated age group, PSA screening is a sensible choice. This is still the most common solid cancer in men, and its treatable, he said. But some men are skeptical of screenings value, and others are anxious that any possible threat to their health should be reckoned with head-on. Some have family histories of cancer, and others have so many health issues that a long-term threat like prostate cancer takes a back seat to more immediate concerns. The key thing is talking to the man before you draw his blood, Saigal said. Such nuanced discussions take time, and in modern medicine, time is in short supply. Were moving into an era in which personalized medicine and shared decision making is going to come to the forefront. The data is too complex, and people are too complex, for one model to fit everyone. The new task force recommendations are in line with those of the American Urological Assn., which specify that men ages 55 to 69 with a life expectancy of more than 10 to 15 years be informed of screenings benefits and harms. The AUA notes that successive screening tests should be performed at least two years apart. USCs Gill praised the new recommendations. But he added that the task force was not wrong in issuing its earlier, more skeptical views on prostate screening. This group very rightly said in 2008 and 2012, You urologists are hurting far more patients than youre helping, and the whole rigamarole starts when you take the PSA, Gil said. They have certainly stirred soul-searching in the urological community. They have certainly prodded urologists into acknowledging that yes, not every prostate cancer needs to be treated. They have done a great service. melissa.healy@latimes.com @LATMelissaHealy MORE IN SCIENCE Its not just you, were all living in the United States of Anxiety Looking for clues about the dangerous breast cancers that turn up between mammograms Global travel may be good for the soul, but its huge carbon footprint means its bad for the planet Glendale YWCAs 21st annual Legacy Luncheon recently honored women who serve the Burbank and Glendale communities and raised the most money in its history $50,000. That success was because of an increase in attendance and sponsors, said Tara Peterson, the organizations executive director. Since it was founded in 1929, the YWCA of Glendales purpose has been to provide women and girls the opportunity to realize their potential. The organizations domestic violence program is celebrating 40 years in the community, and it continues to empower individuals and families to break the cycle of violence and achieve self-sufficiency. Proceeds from the Legacy Luncheon benefit the domestic violence program. The residential program serves more than 2,000 women, children and families each year, providing shelter, advocacy, legal help, childcare, housing support, counseling and peer support. There are programs that teach about domestic violence and what is a healthy and safe relationship. YWCA Glendales annual operating budget of just over $2 million is supported largely by government and foundation funding, so administrators look for additional support of more than $180,000 annually from the community to sustain the work it does in Glendale and surrounding communities, said Sylvia Chinn, associate director. Serving as master of ceremonies for the luncheon was actress Sundra Oakley, who read the biographies of the Heart & Excellence honorees. Carol Ann Burton is a board-certified obstetrician/gynecologist who practiced from 1988 to 2005 at Providence St. Joseph Medical Center, Glendale Adventist and Glendale Memorial. She is an associate professor at Keck USC Medical School. She has served on the YWCA Glendale board of directors and is a member of Soroptimist International of Glendale and the Philanthropic Educational Organization, which both support education for women. Marilyn Kay Butler grew up in Glendale and spent time in a Y-sponsored service club. She is a longtime member of Providence St. Joseph Medical Center Guild. She has been a member of the Associates of Family Service of Los Angeles, which provides counseling and assistance to families in need. She is also a member of Las Candelas, which helps to improve the lives of vulnerable children, and the Philanthropic Educational Organization. Sona A. Tatiyants is a lawyer and founder of Lynk Law, Inc., a law firm that helps families and businesses with estate planning. As a law student, Tatiyants interned at YWCA Glendale and volunteered there after she took the bar exam. She and her colleagues co-founded the Exchange LA, a networking group with a nonprofit component, she said. The Western Diocese of the Armenian Church, Agape Circle, also received the Heart of Excellence Award. It is a volunteer and philanthropic organization that provides direct support to community organizations that strive to alleviate human suffering. The Agape Circle recently refurbished the computer room at YWCA Glendale. A highlight of the luncheon was the announcement of the first recipient of the Camis Courage Memorial Scholarship. The $1,000 award is funded by Cameron Burtons parents, honoree Burton and her husband, Alasdair Burton. The recipient was Amira Chowdhury, who was born and raised in Dhaka, Bangladesh, and immigrated to the United States in 2012. She has volunteered and served as a campaign manager, head staffer and organizer in election campaigns on city, state and national levels. She will attend the University of Pennsylvania in the fall pursuing a triple major in philosophy, international affairs and political science. Serving on the luncheon committee were Allison Fuller, chair, Suzonne Slaughter, board president, as well as Ani Adjemian, Richard Bennett, Ilena Blicker, Wendy Grove, Jane Karageorge and Seda Khojayan. More than 250 people attended. JOYCE RUDOLPH can be reached at rudolphjoyce10@gmail.com. A ruptured pipe sent water gushing onto a Burbank street Sunday evening, lifting up chunks of the road and temporarily flooding the area. The flooding occurred sometime around 8 p.m. when a water main located beneath the intersection of Magnolia Boulevard and First Street ruptured. There was a crack in one of the water mains, about an 8-foot crack to a section of pipe, said Joe Flores, a spokesman for Burbank Water and Power. The ruptured pipe sent hundreds of gallons of water onto the street, but Burbank Water and Power customers were unaffected by the incident. Flores said pipes like the one that broke are in the neighborhood of 60 years old but are designed to last a lot longer and that the water main suffered a premature rupture. He said the broken pipe will be removed and replaced with a new section. Flores added that Burbank Water and Power is looking into how the rupture occurred in the first place. A pipe can rupture if its not properly supported underneath or if theres too much weight on top of it, he said. Just some kind of pressure placed on the pipe can stress it, Flores said. That may not be the case that happened here, but thats one possibility. andy.nguyen@latimes.com Twitter: @Andy_Truc As a lifelong Democrat who moved here 34 years ago, I never got involved in O.C. political races because I deemed doing so hopeless. In June 2017, I went to a meet and greet for Dr. Hans Keirstead, whos challenging Rep. Dana Rohrabacher for Congress. I was blown away and have been volunteering for his campaign since August. A scientist, a highly successful businessman, an environmentalist and an expert in healthcare, Keirstead is the perfect candidate to unseat Rohrabacher. The California Democratic Party recognized that by endorsing him on Feb. 25. The good news is theres never been a better opportunity for a Democrat to win the 48th Congressional District. The bad news for Dems is we could end up with two Republicans on the November ballot and no Dem. How? Rules changed. Primary rules now state the two contenders with the most votes will be on the ballot in November no matter their party affiliation. Unfortunately the seven Democrats who vied for the partys endorsement and lost the California Democratic Partys endorsement to Keirstead will still be on the June 5 ballot. So Democratic voters could dilute the vote, helping assure that come November Rohrabacher or Scott Baugh, another conservative Republican, are the only choice voters have. If it werent for too many candidates on the ballot, the race would be a slam dunk for Keirstead. God knows we need a scientist. We need a congressman who accepts facts. We need someone who has a wealth of experience in health care. Keirstead has worked with the Food and Drug Administration and the Centers for Disease Control, insurance companies, pharmaceutical companies, etc. That kind of experience in perhaps the most important and complex domestic issue facing the country is sorely lacking in Congress. We can change that by making sure Keirstead is the winner June 5. Be sure to vote in this crucial primary. And vote for Keirstead hes a class act. VIRGINIA CASSARA lives in Corona del Mar. A certain glow shimmered over the Music Center on the evening of April 14 as the Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra celebrated its 50th anniversary season with The Golden Gala, a spectacular fundraiser that brought in $750,000. More than 400 guests attended a historic concert at the Mark Taper Forum, the theater where LACO began its journey half a century ago, followed by a sumptuous dinner and after party at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion. The black-tie party honored the families of LACOs founding members James Arkatov, Joseph Troy, Sir Neville Marriner and Richard D. Colburn, each of whom helped create Americas finest chamber orchestra, as Public Radio International has called it. The musical program at the Mark Taper Forum featured actress/vocalist Rumer Willis and included a special guest clarinetist, Andrew Marriner, son of LACOs first music director, the late Sir Neville Marriner. On the concert program were the world premiere of a new orchestration of Tag Rag, written by former LACO Composer-in-Residence Derek Bermel; the first movement of Mozarts Clarinet Concerto in A major, one of the composers crowning achievements; and Prokofievs Symphony No. 1, Classical, long a beloved staple of LACOs repertoire. In a nod to the orchestras roots in the film recording industry, a selection of songs from the Golden Age of Hollywood were performed by Willis with both LACO and her own band. For dinner back at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion, guests dined on organic baby beet salad, Cabernet-braised beef short rib with Parmesan risotto, caramelized trumpet mushrooms, parsnip salad and desserts of banana foster bread pudding and chocolate rocher bal. The gala was chaired by Sandy and Pat Gage. Honorary co-chairs were James and Salome Arkatov, Carol Colburn Grigor, Lady Molly Marriner and Brigitta B. Troy. * * * The April general meeting of Las Candelas was held at Oakmont Country Club where, during a luncheon, the philanthropic club awarded three different area agencies with recognition and funds to continue their work. Receiving monetary gifts from the club were Hillsides in Pasadena, Ascencia in Glendale and the Didi Hirsch Mental Health Service of Glendale. Las Candelas President Nancy Stone presented a grant to Hillsides chief advancement officer Carrie Espinoza to be used in the Hillsides Youth Moving On program. This program provides help for former students of Hillsides who are 18 or over and who need help with job searches, living quarters and higher education. Ascencia Executive Director Natalie Profant Lomuro gratefully accepted the Las Candelas grant, which will be used for the organizations Art Therapy for Children program. Ascencia is a transitional homeless shelter for families and normally houses 10- to 15 children who, with their parents, have been displaced from their homes. Heather Sardella and Christina Brinn of Didi Hirsch Mental Health Services of Glendale thanked the members of Las Candelas for their gift and for the many years of support for their charitys child therapy programs. Las Candelas also awarded a grant in November to Tara Peterson of the Glendale YWCA, for the Ys summer camp programs for children living in the domestic violence shelter. Las Candelas also provides more than $25,000 annually in speakers, field trips and parties for the children at Hathaway-Sycamores and Hillsides Education Center located here in La Canada Flintridge. The local organizations primary means of fundraising is its biennial luncheon fashion show, which normally draws over 600 attendees. The next Candelas benefit is scheduled for March 4, 2019, at the Los Angeles Marriott Burbank Airport Hotel. For more information about the club visit its website at lascandelas.org. JANE NAPIER NEELY covers the La Canada Flintridge social scene. Email her at jnvalleysun@aol.com with news of your special event. A 3-year-old male bear, seen this weekend frolicking through La Canada yards and dining from trash cans, caused a social media buzz before a game warden spotted it near Foothill Boulevard Sunday morning and was forced to tranquilize it. The 225-pound bruin was relocated to the Angeles National Forest, but by Tuesday more sightings were reported in and around the Ross Dress for Less parking lot and surrounding residential area, sheriffs officials reported. Residents said they see this pretty much every year at this time because theyre coming out of hibernation, said Sgt. Dirk Blansfield of the Crescenta Valley Sheriffs Station, who tracked the creature on Sunday to a Palm Drive home, where the bear ate tree fruit and swam in a pool before heading to an outdoor fridge. He opened it and ate all the fish out of the freezer, Blansfield said Tuesday. He was eating calamari and looked up at me like a kid whod been caught with his hand in the cookie jar. Andrew Hughan, a spokesman for California Department of Fish and Wildlife, said deputies contacted game warden Adam Smith and provided updates on the animals whereabouts. By the time it was discovered on Palm Drive, it was just yards from heavy traffic and two major freeways, the spokesman reported. That becomes a danger, not only to the bear but to others, so the warden got out his dart gun and was able to immobilize it safely, Hughan said, adding the animal was relocated to a safe spot inside the Angeles National Forest. The light-colored bear had a red tag on its left ear, a tell-tale sign it had been captured and relocated at least three years earlier, the last time red tags were used. Hughan expressed hope this time the bear would stay put in the wild. Historically, the migration of bears southward from the forest into communities north of the Foothill (210) Freeway tended to remain within definable seasons, usually around springtime, Hughan said. In recent years, however, bear sightings have become a year-round occurrence with increased sightings during warm weather. If it pops up real hot, there will be lots of bears over the next two weeks, he added, warning residents to be diligent by putting their trash cans out the day of pickup and not the night before. Do not help wildlife is the key takeaway, Hughan said. Information from the California Department of Fish and Wildlife on how to bear-proof ones home can be found online at www.wildlife.ca.gov/Keep-Me-Wild/Bear. sara.cardine@latimes.com Twitter: @SaraCardine Forget stars homes. These tours visit pot growers and bong makers By Hugo Martin In Napa and Sonoma, tour bus operators ferry oenophiles between tasting rooms and vineyards. In Hollywood and environs, they shepherd the starstruck past the homes of the rich and famous. Now theyre giving customers a mind-expanding look at one of Los Angeles burgeoning industries: pot. Since recreational use of marijuana became legal a year ago, a pot tourism business has emerged, taking visitors behind the scenes of Californias estimated $7-billion cannabis industry. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Plans for a state-backed pot bank arent feasible, a study says By Sam Dean Hopes that California might create a public bank to serve the states legal marijuana industry are nothing but a pipe dream, the authors of a new feasibility study told state officials Thursday. In the end we were not able to find any approach to doing this that makes any sense whatsoever, said William Roetzheim, founder and chief executive of Level 4 Ventures, the consulting firm hired to carry out the study for the State Treasurers Cannabis Banking Working Group. California voters approved Proposition 64 in 2016 to legalize growing, possessing and selling marijuana for recreational use. But since cannabis remains illegal under federal law, most banks which are federally chartered and insured by the FDIC refuse to hold weed money. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Santa Cruz marijuana company fined $50,000 for explosion that badly burned employee By Hannah Fry A Santa Cruz-based marijuana manufacturing company is being fined more than $50,000 by state regulators for safety violations after an employee was severely burned in a propane explosion, officials have announced. An employee at Future2 Labs Health Services was working alone inside a 128-square-foot portable storage container in Watsonville on June 19, extracting oil from cannabis leaves with propane, when a spark ignited the tank and it exploded. The worker was hospitalized with severe burns, according to the California Division of Occupational Safety and Health. The process of using a highly flammable gas to extract oil from cannabis leaves is dangerous, Cal/OSHA Chief Juliann Sum said Thursday in a prepared statement. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print FDA casts shadow on hemp win, calling CBD products illegal By Associated Press The hemp industry still has work ahead to win legal status for hemp-derived cannabidiol, or CBD oil, as an ingredient in food or dietary supplements despite the big farm bill President Trump signed this week designating hemp as an agricultural crop. CBD oils have become increasingly popular in lotions, tinctures and foods, but their legal status has been murky and the Food and Drug Administration has sent warning letters to some companies making health claims for CBD. In a statement following Thursdays bill signing in Washington, FDA Commissioner Scott Gottlieb restated his agencys stance that CBD is a drug ingredient and therefore illegal to add to food or health products without approval from his agency. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Advertisement One year of legal pot sales and California doesnt have the bustling industry it expected. Heres why By Patrick McGreevy When Californians voted in 2016 to allow the sale of recreational marijuana, advocates of the move envisioned thousands of pot shops and cannabis farms obtaining state licenses, making the drug easily available to all adults within a short drive. But as the first year of licensed sales comes to a close, Californias legal market hasnt performed as state officials and the cannabis industry had hoped. Retailers and growers say theyve been stunted by complex regulations, high taxes and decisions by most cities to ban cannabis shops. At the same time, many residents are going to city halls and courts to fight pot businesses they see as nuisances, and police chiefs are raising concerns about crime triggered by the marijuana trade. Gov.-elect Gavin Newsom, who played a large role in the legalization of cannabis, will inherit the numerous challenges when he takes office in January as legislators hope to send him a raft of bills next year to provide banking for the pot industry, ease the tax burden on retailers and crack down on sales to minors. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Hemp is about to be legal under the 2018 farm bill. You cant get high from it but you can wear it By Kurtis Lee Hemp a close relative of marijuana that can be used to make textiles and other products has long been classified as a Schedule I drug by the federal government. Thats set to change. President Trump is soon expected to sign a farm bill that includes a section that legalizes the commercial cultivation of hemp nationwide. The bill, years in the making, comes as public support for cannabis legalization has increased over the years, offering a cover of sorts to politicians who see the potential for boosting state tax revenue. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Students sent home after Marysville middle schooler brings pot brownies for class to eat By Alejandra Reyes-Velarde Several students at a middle school in Marysville, Calif., were sent home this week after eating marijuana-laced brownies, officials said. Staff at Anna McKenney Intermediate School called police Wednesday morning after learning that a 13-year-old girl had passed out the brownies to her classmates, said Marysville Police Sgt. Jason Garringer. Nine students were sent home, Garringer said, but no one who ate the brownies showed obvious signs of being under the influence. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Mistletoke, luxe vape cases and other gift suggestions for the cannabis enthusiast on your nice list By Adam Tschorn Now that some form of cannabis use is legal in 33 U.S. states and the District of Columbia and Californias era of legal adult-use weed is almost a year old (though it remains illegal under federal law), its easier than ever to find a little something special for the cannabis consumer on your nice list. Below are a few items that with the exception of the first item which is available in L.A. only are legal, widely available and, if ordered soon, can still be under the tree in the U.S. by Christmas Day. For those who want to do good while feeling good and score a little holiday decor at the same time L.A.-based Zoma Cannabis is prepared to send some lucky L.A. residents a limited-edition floral-meets-cannabis Mistletoke arrangement that intertwines sprigs of mistletoe with three trimmed buds (roughly five grams total) of its Santa Cruz-grown True OG and/or Gelato strain cannabis flower all tied up in a big red Santa-worthy bow. No purchase is necessary, but recipients are highly encouraged to make a donation to the charity reforestation group One Tree Planted to aid in the recovery efforts from the 2017 and 2018 California fires. Zoma will match donations dollar for dollar. Each dollar donated means one tree gets planted, and that means the green you donate for its green means a greener Golden State moving forward. Zoma is set to deliver the decor right to your door if you live in L.A., are over the age of 21 and are one of the first 50 folks to fire off an email to info@zomacannabis.com with the word Mistletoke in the subject line. Supplies willing, orders placed as late as Dec. 20 will arrive in time to make your Christmas very merry indeed. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Advertisement 3 marijuana businesses win OK in Costa Mesa as another is put on hold By Bradley Zint The Costa Mesa Planning Commission this week approved three new marijuana facilities but postponed a decision on a fourth due to the absence of one commissioner, whose vote likely will decide the fate of the business. After two commissioners expressed support and two expressed opposition for Triiads proposal for a marijuana distribution facility, the panel voted 3-1 on Monday night, with Commissioner Jeffrey Harlan absent, to hold a special meeting Monday to reexamine the matter. Commissioner Carla Navarro Woods dissented. The proposed location at 3525 Hyland Ave., Suite 265, is in Hyland Plaza, north of South Coast Collection in an area identified under city law as permissible for marijuana uses. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Marlboro cigarette maker places a $2.4-billion bet on marijuana By Associated Press Altria Group Inc., one of the worlds biggest tobacco companies, is diving into the cannabis market with a $2.4 billion buy-in. The Marlboro cigarette maker is taking a 45% stake in Cronos Group Inc., the Canadian medical and recreational marijuana provider said Friday. Altria will pay an additional $1.4 billion for warrants that, if exercised, would give Altria a 55% ownership stake in the Toronto company. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Utah voters approved medical marijuana in November. State lawmakers just passed big changes to the ballot measure By Associated Press Lawmakers in Utah passed sweeping changes Monday to a voter-approved medical marijuana ballot measure under a planned compromise that secured the support of the influential Mormon Church but sparked a backlash from pot advocates. Supporters of the compromise cheered the vote, saying it would help suffering patients while creating safeguards against broader recreational use. I believe this agreement was a landmark day for our state, and we are helping people, said outgoing Republican House Speaker Greg Hughes, who sponsored the legislation and helped bring together the players for talks. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Advertisement Los Angeles County sheriffs deputy, two others arrested on drug charges after heist at pot warehouse By Maya Lau The Los Angeles sheriffs deputy pulled up to the pot-filled warehouse just after three in the morning. He held up an official-looking document to a guard, who promptly unlocked a gate. The deputy and two other men, each of them armed and dressed in sheriffs jackets, got out. After locking the guard and two other employees in the back of the deputys SUV, the men went to work lugging bags of marijuana from the warehouse. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Cannary West dispensary to host Higher Standards pop-up shop Saturday through Feb. 28 By Adam Tschorn The Higher Standards X Cannary West pop-up is slated to run from Saturday through Feb. 28. (Higher Standards) Following its successful (and still running) pop-up space inside the Pottery dispensary in L.A.s Mid-City, purveyor of luxury-level cannabis accoutrements Higher Standards has announced plans to take up temporary residence inside the Cannary West dispensary in the Rancho Park neighborhood just in time for the holidays. On track to pop-up on Saturday (with a 20% opening day discount) and run through the end of February, itll serve up a similar curated mix of high-end smoking tools and accessories from brands like Marley Naturals, Grav Labs, Dr. Dabber and Puffco (makers of the futuristic-looking Peak dab rig) as well as home goods for the discerning head by Jonathan Adler, Malin+Goetz and Forestry Wool. Higher Standards X Cannary West Where: 2435 Military Ave., Los Angeles. Entry is restricted to those 21 and older. Hours: 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sundays through Thursdays, 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays from Saturday through Feb. 28. Info: cannarywest.com, higherstandards.com Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print I fell off the way. A charismatic pastor-turned-marijuana smuggler heads to prison By Kristina Davis On Easter Sunday 2007, Pastor John Lee Bishop drew about 15,000 worshipers to a sports arena in Portland, Ore. With a flair for showmanship, Bishop a jeans-clad minister sporting a youthful, moppish haircut relished building buzz around his Living Hope Church, based in Vancouver, Wash., on the north bank of the Columbia River. One time, it was bringing a Bengal tiger onstage. Another, according to an account in the Columbian newspaper, it was advertising a sermon series with the word sex prominently facing a busy street. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print For all your weed needs, theres now a pot superstore in Las Vegas By David Montero The employee in the red shirt counseled the two men on what or what not to buy. Now, if you start thinking dolphins are talking to you, that might be too much, she explained. The two young men nodded slowly. One stroked his beard. Neither had ever talked to dolphins before. Or even yelled at them on Sundays when they play against the New England Patriots. Above them, the continuous light show on the ceiling was like an electric lava lamp orbs expanding and dividing in an endless trip. Then it was gone and replaced by flowers and a Saturn-like planet floating in the sky. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Advertisement 4 more marijuana permit applications await Costa Mesa Planning Commission review By Luke Money The recent parade of permit applications from marijuana manufacturing and distribution businesses looking to open in Costa Mesa will continue next week, when the city Planning Commission is scheduled to review four more. All the requests on Mondays agenda are for conditional use permits, which are among several approvals required to open a cannabis company in the city. Here is the latest lineup of applicants: Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print With Jeff Sessions out at the Justice Dept., the marijuana movement exhales By Kurtis Lee He described marijuana as a very real danger and has said its effects are only slightly less awful than those of heroin. Once, during a drug hearing when he was a Senator, he said he wanted to send a clear message: Good people dont smoke marijuana. So when Atty. Gen. Jeff Sessions was ousted recently, a collective sigh of relief rose up from proponents of legalized pot activists, politicians, investors who felt targeted by the nations top law enforcement officer. Sessionss departure has translated into spiking stocks for cannabis companies and a reset of sorts for the legalization movement which, since 2012, has seen nearly a dozen states pass recreational pot measures. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print This is what a cannabis executives party pad looks like By Kavita Daswani Dont expect to find bongs, water pipes and empty packets of Funyuns at the Los Angeles-area home of Will Htun. When we asked to look inside the home of the CEO of cannabis brand Sherbinskis, we found a sleek and minimal space where he could host chef-catered, cannabis-paired dinners on the rooftop and take meetings in a high-ceilinged front room. Htun, 34, moved into the 2,700-square-foot townhouse in July 2016, after he and brand founder Mario Sherbinski, who is based in San Francisco, decided it would make an ideal live/work space. With its three en-suite bedrooms, Htun opens up the home to associates in town for business instead of housing them in a serviced apartment. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print First recreational pot shops in Eastern U.S. to open in Massachusetts By Associated Press Two marijuana stores in Massachusetts have been given the green light to begin selling to recreational customers, making them the first commercial pot shops in the eastern United States. Both stores, one located in Northampton and the other in Leicester, said they would open Tuesday morning after the Cannabis Control Commission, the states marijuana regulatory agency, on Friday authorized them to begin operations. The announcement ended a long wait for commercial sales to begin in Massachusetts. The states voters legalized the use of recreational marijuana by adults 21 and older in 2016, but its taken more than two years for state legislators and regulators to reach the point where the first stores can finally open. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Advertisement Heres whats behind Mexicos radical move toward legalizing marijuana during its war on drugs By Kate Linthicum Mexico may soon legalize marijuana, a radical shift for a country whose prohibition on narcotics has been at the heart of its long and violent war against drug traffickers. Legislation submitted to Congress last week by the party of leftist President-elect Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador would regulate cannabis, allowing it to be grown, sold and consumed for recreational use. Proponents of legalization say it would reduce bloodshed in Mexico by weakening drug cartels and freeing up police officers and prosecutors to focus on more serious crimes. But the proposal has critics, including the Catholic Church, which holds significant sway in Mexican politics. A poll in Mexico last year showed a majority of respondents opposed legalizing marijuana. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Curious about all the CBD-infused products you see? By Kavita Daswani Some chew it, or place a few drops under the tongue or let it soak in through the skin. There are numerous ways to consume cannabidiol better known as CBD. Its touted for its therapeutic effects, but, unlike its better-known cousin THC, does not get you high. Hemp-derived CBD is increasingly in the limelight these days, at natural products stores and even fashion boutiques, catering to widening demand from consumers who find it helps them with pain, anxiety and insomnia. Despite Californias marijuana-friendly laws, however, the state announced earlier this year it is waiting for the federal government to rule on the use of CBD oils and products before giving the green light to sales. Critics, meanwhile, have been asking for clarity, to help consumers who want options. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print 6 cannabis cookbooks with recipes from basic to gourmet By Amy Scattergood As cannabis is legalized although it remains illegal under federal law and goes mainstream in California and other states, the cookbook industry has churned into high gear with books on what ways to use jazz cabbage beyond the bong. What to look for? A lot depends on your level of expertise not just in the kitchen but with cannabis itself. If youve been making batches of pot brownies and want to expand your repertoire to, say, French macarons, there are cookbooks to help you out. Many books have lengthy introductions that outline the specifics of cooking with cannabis, so find one that fits with what you know or dont know. Bong Appetit: Mastering the Art of Cooking With Weed by the editors of Munchies (Ten Speed Press, $30) This book, based on the Munchies and Viceland television series Bong Appetit, was published in October by Ten Speed Press. (This is in itself notable, as Ten Speed is one of the best cookbook publishers around, and continues the legitimate trajectory of the cannabis cooking genre.) The book has a comprehensive introduction that includes topics such as dosing, techniques, methods of decarboxylation and infusion, cannabis pairing tips, questions to ask your dispensary, tips on equipment and more. The recipes are sourced from the Munchies test kitchen and from many well-known chefs, whose recipes are recalibrated to add cannabis. Thus: Korean fried chicken from Deuki Hong of San Franciscos Sunday Bird; fried soft-shell crab with shishito pepper mole from Daniela Soto-Innes of Cosme and Atla; and (my favorite) Joan Nathans preserved lemons. The Munchies test kitchen also has some fun ones, including herb focaccia with, well, herb; and confit octopus, in which a whole octopus is poached in cannabis-infused olive oil. If that sounds too aspirational, there are instructions for making an apple bong a hollowed-out apple filled with weed-infused mezcal at the end of the drinks chapter. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Sativa or indica? CBD or THC? What to know before cooking with cannabis By Brette Warshaw Dont know the difference between MSG and THC? Heres a guide to the terminology youll encounter. Cannabis sativa and cannabis indica are two of the three species of cannabis. (The third species, cannabis ruderalis, is less attractive due to its smaller stature and low concentration of THC.) Sativa is a warm-weather species characterized by tall plants and thin leaves. The plant takes 10 to 15 weeks to mature and is known for a cerebral, energetic and invigorating high thats particularly suited for daytime use. Medically, it can be used to help people with depression and chronic pain. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Advertisement California pot tax revenue improves but is still short of projections (Mathew Sumner / Associated Press) The amount of money collected by the state from taxes on cannabis grown and sold legally in California continues to increase but is still falling short of budget estimates, according to figures released Wednesday. Tax revenue reported from the cannabis industry totaled $93.1 million for the three months ending Sept. 30, according to the California Department of Tax and Fee Administration. That is an increase from the $80.2 million collected during the second quarter of the year. If revenue continues to grow by the same 16% per quarter, pot taxes will bring in $471 million during the fiscal year that began July 1, while the budget approved by the governor and Legislature estimates the taxes would bring in $630 million during the fiscal year. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Eaze launches (nearly) nationwide delivery of hemp-derived CBD products By Adam Tschorn Eaze Wellness offers non-psychoactive CBD products derived from hemp. (Eaze) Eaze, the San Francisco-based technology platform thats been coordinating dispensary-to-consumer home deliveries of cannabis in Los Angeles since April, has expanded its reach for CBD-containing products, that is to most of the United States. (CBD, a.k.a cannabidiol, is a cannabis compound said to have anti-inflammatory and anti-anxiety properties but none of the high associated with THC. These claims have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration.) Through the just-launched Eaze Wellness website, consumers over the age of 21 in 41 states and the District of Columbia can order a range of hemp-derived CBD tinctures, tablets, balms, bath bombs, patches, vape pens and pet products for delivery within four to six days. (Shipping is free for orders $50 and up; otherwise, itll cost you $5.) Much like its in-state marijuana-delivery service, which coordinates deliveries with local dispensaries, Eaze isnt doing the shipping itself, but rather working with a third-party partner to get goods from brands such as Plant People, Cannuka, BeTru Wellness and Vital Leaf from point A to point B. Although the laws surrounding the legality of CBD are murky at best (a loophole in federal law has been widely interpreted as making CBD derived from hemp grown for research purposes legal), one point B that Eaze Wellness wont be coordinating shipping to is its home state of California. (The company cites state regulations as the reason.) Yes, California, where cannabis even the kind that gets you high has been legal under state law since the beginning of the year. Additional information is available at www.eazewellness.com. Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print What THC-infused edibles are most popular? Fruit-flavored gummies and chocolate-covered coffee beans for starters By Adam Tschorn Nearly a year in to the state-legal cannabis scene, theres no shortage of THC-infused items on the market for 21-and-older consumers, from sachets of herbal tea and cans of citrus-flavored soda to honey mustard pretzels, with analysts and dispensary owners seeing it as a growing side of the business. Since recreational use was legalized in January, edibles have seen a 20%-30% hike in sales, said Nick Danias, managing partner of the Pottery and Cannary West dispensaries in Los Angeles, who added that edibles have proved particularly popular with new cannabis users who might be reluctant to start experimenting by smoking cannabis flower. Edibles companies have been able to offer consumers micro dosing that allows for a controlled amount of THC to be ingested, he said. (State law requires that edibles be portioned or scored into servings that contain no more than 10 milligrams of THC per piece and no more than 100 milligrams of THC per package.) Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print 5 more marijuana permit applications await Costa Mesa Planning Commission By Luke Money The torrent of applications from marijuana manufacturing and distribution facilities looking to open in Costa Mesa continues Thursday, when city planning commissioners will review five more during a special meeting. Should the commission grant all the requested conditional use permits, it would bring the total number of marijuana facilities with such approvals to 22 including nine in the past month. The applications up for review this time are: Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Advertisement Two shot and killed in Koreatown marijuana dispensary By James Queally Two people were shot and killed early Monday morning after gunfire erupted inside a Koreatown marijuana dispensary, authorities said. Officers responded to reports of a shooting in the 400 block of Western Avenue in Koreatown around 4:20 a.m. Monday, according to a statement issued by the Los Angeles Police Department. There, they found a locked and sealed marijuana dispensary, according to the statement. A female employee told police she and several customers were inside the dispensary when they heard gunshots in the waiting room. They fled through the back of the building, and when officers gained entry, they found two people who were pronounced dead at the scene. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Party of Mexicos president-elect wants to legalize marijuana By Associated Press The party of Mexicos president-elect submitted legislation Thursday that would legalize marijuana possession, public use, growing and sales. Sen. Olga Sanchez Cordero presented the measure, saying that everyone should have the right to carry up to 30 grams [1 ounce] of cannabis. People could carry more than an ounce if they obtained a permit to do so under the proposal. From the point of view of negative effects, there is no reason why marijuana should not be legal, if alcohol and tobacco are, according to the bill. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Want to grow your own marijuana? This class will show you how By Jeanette Marantos California law lets anyone over 21 grow up to six marijuana plants in their yard or home, as long as the plants are not accessible to the public. (Check your City Hall for any additional local rules.) Unsure how to start? Check out Fig Earth Supplys two-hour workshops, Cannabis Cultivation for the Home Grower, on Nov. 10 or Nov. 17, taught by professional cannabis growers. Attendees must be at least 21. No plants or seeds will be sold. Workshops cost $95 and start at 5 p.m. at 3577 N. Figueroa St., Los Angeles. More info: figearthsupply.com Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Whats that smell? Survey asks Venice Beach denizens if theyre vexed by odor of marijuana By Joseph Serna They descended on free-wheeling Venice Beach with clipboards and questions in hand. Their goal: to gauge humanitys tolerance for the smell and sight of public pot smoking. Akbar Karriem considered them ridiculous. Everybody be smoking, Karriem said as he sat on the boardwalk and lit a marijuana pipe. Its part of the culture here. Its like a religion. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Advertisement Las Vegas newest and biggest pot shop aims to entertain By Jay Jones Prepare to be entertained at Las Vegas newest and biggest cannabis store a mile west of the Strip. Planet 13 combines light shows and fog-making fountains to wow visitors at the shop, which sells recreational pot, cannabis extracts and cannabis-infused products. The idea is to meld a cannabis shop with an entertainment complex. Visitors, who must be at least 21, can change the colors of 13 giant LED-lighted lotus flowers blooming on the roof of the building. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print CBD-infused products are being sold everywhere in California but are they legal? By Laura Newberry Greg and Gary Avetisyan make no secret of it: They proudly sell all manner of products infused with CBD, from essential oils to bath bombs to fruity tea-like beverages that promise calming relief in a frantic world. CBD, short for cannabidiol, is a molecule derived from cannabis. But unlike its chemical cousin THC, it wont get you high. What it might do, according to some research, is alleviate anxiety, seizures, chronic pain and dozens of other ailments. The Avetisyan brothers belief in the alleged benefits of the extract is so steadfast that they opened Californias first CBD-only store, Topikal, in Tarzana last year and opened a second along the Venice Beach boardwalk in April. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Review: Documentary Weed the People looks at cannabis and pediatric cancer By Kimber Myers An urgent cry for help, Weed the People explores the effects of cannabis on pediatric cancer, as well as the establishments disinterest in researching its efficacy. With the lack of scientific studies available, Abby Epsteins moving documentary primarily devotes its time to five children and their families who are trying to survive using the alternative treatment. Weed the People doesnt ease into its multi-story narrative, wasting no time in sharing the stories of these kids with cancer. With parents desperate for their children to feel better, they turn to medical marijuana to ease the pain, as well as directly addressing the cancer cells. Without studies and lack of nationwide legalization, there is little regulation in the industry. Enter Mara Gordon, a former process engineer who brings precision and rigor to her medical cannabis company, offering the families hope for healing. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Denver verdict on pot odor and property values could discourage homeowners from filing RICO lawsuits By Associated Press A Colorado jury likely threw cold water on future legal challenges against cannabis companies by homeowners who consider filing racketeering lawsuits alleging that proximity to pot operations hurts their property values, analysts and industry lawyers said Thursday. A federal jury in Denver on Wednesday rejected claims involving the odor from a pot farm made in a case that was closely watched by the marijuana industry. It was the first such lawsuit to reach a jury. Three others are pending in California, Massachusetts and Oregon. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Advertisement Santa Barbara County Sheriffs Office makes its largest seizure of illegal marijuana plants By Joseph Serna An estimated 400,000 marijuana plants were destroyed by Santa Barbara County sheriffs investigators this week in what authorities are calling the countys largest seizure of pot plants at one site. The plants were hidden among farmland in Santa Maria and discovered by sheriffs investigators on Monday, the sheriffs office said in a statement. The crop belonged to a resident who, authorities said, had applied for a temporary state cannabis license using false information and did not have a valid cannabis license. Investigators found the 400,000 plants in various levels of maturity and tapped state Department of Fish and Wildlife personnel to help in the case. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Is Rohrabacher trying to lose Republican voters by caving on marijuana policy? To the editor: I was disappointed to read in a column on voters trying to flip an Orange County congressional district that Rep. Dana Rohrabacher (R-Costa Mesa) wants to weaken federal laws against marijuana. Recently-approved state laws legalizing marijuana have not been beneficial. In Colorado, following the legalization of recreational marijuana, the number of traffic fatalities involving marijuana-impaired drivers more than doubled. Surveys have found a majority of marijuana users in Colorado do not believe driving high is dangerous, leading some to get behind the wheel impaired. As a retired law enforcement officer who has had the opportunity to work with people impacted by drug addiction, and as a lifelong Republican, I feel Rohrabacher is making a mistake. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Berners Melrose birthday bash celebrates a new dispensary and a collaboration with the G Pen Gio By Adam Tschorn The Cookies dispensary at 8360 Melrose Ave. celebrated its grand opening on Saturday. (Grenco Science) On Saturday morning, the lines were stretching around the corner and down the block outside the bright blue Beverly Grove storefront with the word Cookies above the door. The enthusiastic members of the crowd werent queued up for baked goods, though. They were waiting to get into a new cannabis dispensary and to help celebrate the birthday of its founding partner, Bay Area rapper and entrepreneur Berner (born Gilbert Millam Jr.). Minimalist, awash in natural light and appointed in the brands blue and white color scheme and emblazoned with the cookie-with-a-bite-missing logo, it marks the second Cookies dispensary in Los Angeles County; the first, Cookies Los Angeles, is located in Maywood. Like that one, its stocked with a wide variety of cannabis flower, oils, edibles and the like, with a particular emphasis on the proprietary strains from the Cookie Family collective (the growers who originated the strain formerly known as Girl Scout Cookies as well as other dessert-named strains such as Gelato and Sunset Sherbet). It also stocks three different Cookies-logoed colors (blue, white and black) of the new G Pen Gio ($29.95), a vaporizer pen that uses cannabis concentrate cartridges for a super-simple, draw-activated plug-and-puff experience. The Cookies G Pen Gio from Grenco Science x Berner collaboration officially launched at the Saturday Berner bash, and includes Gio cannabis-oil cartridges filled with Gelato, London Poundcake, Sunset Sherbet or Snowman strains ($60 for 500 mg, which Tim Patenaude, Grencos vice president of marketing, says marks the first time those Cookie strains have been commercially available as concentrates. (Gio pod cartridges are now available at 500 dispensaries across 12 states, according to Patenaude, including MedMen, BARC and the Pottery locally, as well as through the Eaze delivery service.) Shown are Berners blue-and-white birthday cake, left, and vape pens and cartridges from his Cookies G Pen Gio collaboration. (Grenco Science) Patenaude says the partnership with Berner has its roots in Grencos 2014 partnership with another rapper Wiz Khalifa (Wiz Khalifas weed guy was Berner, Patenaude said, and thats how we first met him.). He calls Berner the most important person in cannabis today, citing not only Berner and his partners wildly successful strains, but the rapper/entrepreneurs brand-building abilities outside of the cannabis space. His Cookies clothing label is sold in every Zumiez in every mall in America, Patenaude said. In a chat with the Los Angeles Times Rolling Paper, Berner said that the Cookies SF streetwear label he launched out of his garage less than a decade ago saw $12.8 million in revenue in 2017 and that hes aiming to open a store next door to the dispensary hopefully in time for the Black Friday shopping season. (Theres currently a single flagship store in San Francisco.) He also said the dispensary opening bash was a good way to usher in his 35th year on the planet. Man, I couldnt be happier, he said. Were turning [over] customers left and right, theres no holdup anywhere, everyone is super-juiced and there was a line down the block and wrapped around [the corner] at 6 a.m. You cant ask for anything else. Cookies Melrose, 8360 Melrose Ave. (at North Kings Road), Los Angeles. Additional information on the G Pen Gio (including local availability) is at gpen.com. Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print 2 Chainz wants to put a THC tiger in your tank with his new cannabis brand Gas By Adam Tschorn Rapper 2 Chainz attends the launch party for Gas, his fuel-themed cannabis line now available in flower and pre-rolled joints. (Adam Tschorn / Los Angeles Times) Rolling into the Friday launch party for his new cannabis brand Gas, the first thing Grammy-winning rapper 2 Chainz did was brandish a joint in one hand and a smartphone in the other to record the rows of boldly packaged cannabis flower and pre-rolled joints in a video to share with his 5.7 million Instagram followers. The second thing he did was stand back and take in the moment. I cant believe it, thats why I was over here just trying to take it all in, 2 Chainz said about seeing all the green, yellow and black plastic pouches filled with marijuana, and a jerrycan converted into a display tray overflowing with green buds. Ive been told for over a year that we were doing this line, so now Im just trying to live in the moment. I dont do that a lot. The launch party took place at the Mid-Wilshire offices of Green Street Agency, a cannabis-focused branding and licensing company that is one of the rappers two Southern California partners in the venture. The other is L.A.-based Mazel Management Group (owners of the Westside Station dispensary in Van Nuys). Before joining the throng of well-wishers, industry friends and employees dressed in logo-emblazoned overalls, 2 Chainz (born Tauheed Epps), chatted with the Los Angeles Times Rolling Paper about his new project, how cannabis branding is like music and what took so long for the project to come to fruition. (Hint: There was lots of taste-testing). The Rolling Paper: Where does the name of your line Gas come from and what does it mean? 2 Chainz: Its Atlanta lingo that we use that basically signifies that this is a stronger type of flower a stronger cannabis. Ive been saying it since I came into the rap game and Ive used it in a few verses of a few songs. At first people were like: What do you mean by [the line] gas in the ashtray? After it caught on and basically went mainstream, I figured why veer off from what got me here? So we started a legal line of cannabis called Gas. TRP: Ive heard that you were pretty picky in the development process. 2C: It took months and months and about 30 different kinds of [cannabis] flower. I think I was looking for that first impression that first pull how it made me feel. Were there fireworks or no fireworks? What kind of memory did it create? Thats what I was looking for. TRP: The three different types of flower youre launching with dont have names but numbers 87, 89 and 93 are those supposed to be kind of like octane ratings but for marijuana? 2C: Thats a great way of describing it. The 87, for example [a Petrol OG hybrid, with a THC content of 14%] is for functioning throughout the day, [and for] people who are on the go [or] at work and cant get that whole indica sleepy feeling during the middle of the day. I think 87 will be sufficient. The 89 [a Sour Gas hybrid, 17% THC] is for when people go out for cocktails after work, when they want to get ready for the wind-down it signifies the medium [strength]. And the 93 [an indica called Gods Fuel No. 2 with a THC level of 20%] Id definitely say is the strongest. Thats for night-night. TRP: How did the fuel theme and octane ratings and all that evolve from the name? 2C: I approached this the way I do in my music which was come up with the concept and follow all the way through with it. So, when you have Gas, you have to have the gas cans and the imagery that actually represents the gas pumps and things that tie in to the brand itself. I think that gives it legs gives it a little more substance and sustainability. And I used these colors because I knew they would be very catching and appealing to the eye and I know that I will kind of have to muscle my way in as far as getting where I need to be on [dispensary] shelves these days. I figure I could be on the back of the shelf and you could still see this green, this yellow and this black packaging. Gas prices range from $12 to $14 (for 1-gram pre-rolled joints) and $36 to $48 for 3.5 gram packages of flower. Currently available at Westside Station, 7022 Valjean Ave., Van Nuys. Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Advertisement A chemical found in liverwort has surprising similarities to the THC in marijuana By Noga Tarnopolsky Its an amazing plant that produces hypnotic effects, according to online testimonials. Some people who have ingested it or inhaled its smoke say it gave them a mild, marijuana-like high. Now scientists have weighed in. In experiments with more than 100 mice, they found that chemicals in the liverwort plant produced four of the same key effects as THC, the primary psychoactive ingredient in marijuana. An hour after being injected with the experimental chemicals, the mice entered a trance-like state, lost some of their ability to move, became less responsive to pain and experienced a drop in body temperature, according to a study published this week in the journal Science Advances. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Hours-long standoff at Tarzana weed dispensary ends after police learn building is empty By Hailey Branson-Potts The police standoff lasted more than six hours, shutting down a busy six-lane stretch of Ventura Boulevard in Tarzana for most of the evening. An armed robbery suspect, authorities said, had barricaded himself inside an illegal marijuana dispensary in a strip mall in the 18300 block of Ventura Boulevard. He was believed to be one of four suspects and was thought to have a female hostage. But when officers searched the building after 8:20 p.m., there was no one inside, said Officer Mike Lopez, a spokesman for the Los Angeles Police Department. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print State officials decline to drop plan to allow home deliveries of pot in California cities that ban marijuana stores Cities and law enforcement leaders say a state proposal to allow pot delivery to homes would increase crime. (Mathew Sumner / Associated Press) Despite objections from cities and police chiefs, state officials on Friday declined to drop a proposal allowing marijuana firms to deliver to homes everywhere in California, including in areas that have banned pot shops. The proposed rule, which was made public in July, was opposed by the League of California Cities, which represents the states 482 municipalities, and the California Police Chiefs Assn., which said it would jeopardize public safety. But the state Bureau of Cannabis Control announced Friday that it is moving forward with the proposed rule after a series of public hearings and after weighing hundreds of comments from residents and interested parties. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print San Diego plans to crack down on marijuana ads, especially billboards By David Garrick San Diego officials say they plan to crack down on marijuana advertising, particularly the billboard ads that have become increasingly common with recreational use of the drug now legal in California. Legislation proposed by City Councilman Chris Cate aims to keep marijuana billboard ads out of areas where young people congregate and to prevent illegal marijuana businesses from advertising anywhere. The proposal, which would go beyond relatively new state laws that govern marijuana advertising, will be included in a series of city code updates that Mayor Kevin Faulconers staff plans to present to the City Council next year. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Advertisement Drinking before a flight is common. Now some fliers are turning to pot before takeoff By Hugo Martin Commercial flights can be so stressful cramped seats, delays, turbulence, loud seatmates that more than 60% of travelers in a recent survey said they down a drink or two before heading to the airport. But the survey by a drug treatment organization found that nearly as many fliers are now turning to marijuana to relax before getting on a plane. The online survey of 1,137 people who have flown in the past year was taken by Florida-based Delphi Behavioral Health Group. It found that nearly 30% of respondents said they had smoked marijuana and another 25% had consumed pot-infused snacks before arriving at an airport. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Marijuana issues dominate Costa Mesa Planning Commission agenda By Luke Money Cannabis-related companies will be front and center in Costa Mesa again Monday, when city planning commissioners will consider four applications for proposed marijuana manufacturing and distribution facilities. Should the Planning Commission OK all the requests, it would bring the number of marijuana businesses with city-approved conditional use permits to 17. First up will be Aureus LLC, which is looking to open in a 5,556-square-foot industrial space at 3505 Cadillac Ave., Building A. The company proposes to manufacture cannabis concentrates, particularly oils intended for use in vaporizer cartridges, according to city planning documents. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Canada is now the worlds largest legal marijuana marketplace By Associated Press Ian Power was among the first to buy legal recreational marijuana in Canada but he has no plans to smoke it. He plans to frame it. Canada became the largest country with a legal national marijuana marketplace as sales began early Wednesday in Newfoundland. Power was first in line at a store in St. Johns, Newfoundland. I am going to frame it and hang it on my wall. Im not even going to smoke it. Im just going to save it forever, Power said. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Bloom Farms doubles its meal donations on Oct. 16 in observance of World Food Day By Adam Tschorn Bloom Farms Pineapple Single Origin vape cartridge is a World Food Day exclusive that will be available only in October. (Bloom Farms) In recognition of the United Nations designation of Oct. 16 as World Food Day 2018, Oakland-based cannabis company Bloom Farms is doubling its usual meal-donation-per-sale for purchase made through the Eaze delivery service (which is doing its part by offering a day-long 20% discount on all Bloom Farms products) as well as participating dispensaries statewide (including Buds & Roses, Urban Treez and Green Dot locally). The company says that since 2014 it has donated about 1.4 million meals to food banks statewide through its one-for-one program, with a goal of donating 5 million meals. World Harvest Food Bank in Los Angeles and the San Diego Food Bank are among the SoCal beneficiaries of the Bloom Farm donations. Although the double-down on meal donations lasts only one day, Bloom Farms has a couple of slightly less time-sensitive promotions to raise awareness and drive donations in furtherance of the U.N.s mission of a zero-hunger world by 2030. One is a partnership with vaporizer maker Pax which has pledged $10,000 to fund meal donations that includes a free Pax Era vape pen (custom-engraved on-site) with the purchase of two Bloom Farms Pax pods at special dispensary events throughout the month, the second is an exclusive, October-only Pineapple Single Origin vape cartridge that, after the purchase of any two Bloom Farms products can be purchased for just a penny. Additional information and a calendar of dispensary events and demonstrations can be found at getbloomfarms.com/events. Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Advertisement Screened at U.S. border, Canadians who are honest about using marijuana could be banned from the U.S. By Kurtis Lee Bill Powers flipped through the sworn statement he gave to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, the printed pages taking him back to that August afternoon back to the border checkpoint into Washington state where agents asked if he had ever smoked marijuana. Yes, he answered, not initially thinking much of the question. The 57-year-old Canadian has a license for medical marijuana, and pot had been legal in Washington for six years. Like that, U.S. Customs and Border Protection agents turned him away with an extreme decree: He had been banned from the United States. Its absolutely out of control. Here I am being honest with the United States and I get the boot, Powers said on a recent afternoon as he stood in his driveway in this farming town an hour east of Vancouver. I have a license yet theyre turning people away for pot? It makes not a single bit of sense. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Newport mayor says he wants to sell his boat factory site, not grow marijuana on it By Hillary Davis Despite having local and state approvals to cultivate or distribute medical marijuana on the site of his boat factory in San Bernardino County, Newport Beach Mayor Marshall Duffy Duffield says he isnt a pot farmer. Rather, he says, he sought the entitlements to make the property more attractive to buyers so he can move his factory to Utah. Duffield said in a statement emailed to the Daily Pilot on Sunday that he split his 4.7-acre property in Adelanto into thirds and sought a cannabis distribution permit from the California Bureau of Cannabis Control to take advantage of increased property values that followed Adelantos passage of a medicinal cultivation ordinance in 2015 and creation of a cultivation zone in 2016 that later expanded to include the factory site. As a property owner, I am trying to maximize the value to sell the land, not grow pot, Duffield said. I am actively manufacturing electric boats at the plant and there is no room to be growing pot. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print NHL: Legal pot in Canada wont affect league policy By Associated Press Now a handful of years into retirement from more than a decade of junior and pro hockey, former enforcer Riley Cote is a proponent of cannabis and its oils as an alternative to more addictive drugs commonly used by athletes to play through pain. Marijuana can be detected in a persons system for more than 30 days, is banned by the World Anti-Doping Agency without a specific therapeutic use exemption and is illegal in much of the United States. Canada on Wednesday will become the largest country in the world to legalize recreational marijuana. That means it will be available under the law in seven more NHL cities (its been legal to adults in Denver since 2012). The move is a step forward for those who, like Cote, believe marijuana has been stigmatized and should be accepted as a form of treatment. It was so tainted for a long time, Ottawa Senators forward Matt Duchene said. And now people are starting to learn a little bit more about it and there is definitely some positive uses to different elements of it. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Costa Mesa council to review marijuana permit decision By Luke Money Costa Mesas review process for marijuana-related businesses will enter uncharted territory Tuesday when the City Council takes a second look at an earlier decision to award a required permit. So far, whats separated this particular application by Pivot Naturals LLC from the dozen other marijuana manufacturing and distribution facilities that previously sailed through City Hall isnt so much the question of whether the business should be allowed to open, but when. City planning commissioners decided last month to grant the business a conditional use permit to operate within a 5,283-square-foot industrial space in Suite 101 at 3595 Cadillac Ave. However, they added a new wrinkle by restricting hours to 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Advertisement Business linked to Newport mayor paid councilman to help create marijuana facility in Inland Empire, records show By Hillary Davis A business linked to Newport Beach Mayor Marshall Duffy Duffield paid his City Council colleague Scott Peotter to help convert part of Duffields boat manufacturing facility in San Bernardino County to a medical marijuana cultivation or distribution hub, records show. Peotter made at least $10,000 from DC Developments, a Duffield-associated company, according to Peotters state-required statement of economic interest forms. A string of corporations that financially tie the two together appears to answer a question has Peotter ever worked for Duffield? that has dogged them for weeks as they seek reelection in November. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Following California, pot legalization campaigns across the U.S. aim to throw out old convictions By Kurtis Lee Rob Jenkins tried for four years to find a job, scouring the internet for anything that seemed at all appealing a maintenance position at a Chevron refinery, a counselor for foster kids, a clerk at Hertz. Some employers seemed interested, until they found out about his 2008 misdemeanor conviction for growing marijuana. I was stuck, recalled the 37-year-old college graduate. No job opportunities were coming in. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Canada is about to legalize marijuana. How did that happen? Justin Trudeau, for starters By Kurtis Lee Politicians herald it as transformative. Residents offer resounding support in the polls. Investors see billions of dollars on the horizon. When Canada legalizes marijuana on Oct. 17, it will join Uruguay as the only countries to allow recreational cannabis nationwide. The South American country became the first in 2013. The effort, years in the making, is unlike the piecemeal approaches to marijuana legalization that have been passed in the United States and the Netherlands. For pot proponents around the world, Canadas implementation of legal marijuana is being closely watched. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Can you carry marijuana in LAX? Yes, but its more complicated than that By Chris Erskine LAX wants you to know this about the marijuana you may be taking with you on your trip: Whats legal on the street is also legal in the terminals. Up to a point. Travelers can carry the legal amount of marijuana in California up to 28.5 grams through the airport areas that are under city supervision, that is up to pre-security checkpoints. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Advertisement Dont you dare light up at Las Vegas new cannabis museum By Jay Jones Inhale we mean through your nose in the new marijuana museum in Las Vegas. You wont smell a thing, even though recreational pot is legal in Nevada. Signs in the elevators at Neonopolis, the downtown entertainment, dining and retail center thats home to the immersive Cannabition museum, make it clear that consumption in public is still against the law. Just steps away, a colorful mural covering the museums exterior depicts the changing attitudes toward marijuana, from the scare tactics of the 1930s to strict law enforcement in the 80s to growing tolerance today. That history is depicted in greater detail once youre inside. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Costa Mesa Planning Commission awards permit to 13th marijuana business By Luke Money A 13th marijuana manufacturing and distribution facility took a step closer to opening in Costa Mesa after the city Planning Commission decided Monday to grant it a required permit. The 3-2 vote, with Chairman Stephan Andranian and Vice Chairman Byron de Arakal opposed, awards a conditional use permit to Pivot Naturals LLC to operate in an existing 5,283-square-foot industrial space in Suite 101 at 3595 Cadillac Ave. Pivot Naturals intends to process cannabis oils into a powder for use in a variety of products, including tablets, food and beverages. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Kindergartner can take cannabis drug to school, judge says By Associated Press A kindergartner can keep bringing a cannabis-based drug used for emergency treatment of a rare form of epilepsy to her public school, a judge ruled Friday. The Santa Rosa Press Democrat reported that a judge sided with the family of 5-year-old Brooke Adams. The Rincon Valley Union School District in Santa Rosa sought to ban the ointment from school grounds because it contains the active ingredient in marijuana. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Glendale police seize hundreds of marijuana plants after reportedly discovering elaborate grow operation By Andy Nguyen What started as a routine wellness check by Glendale police officers on Monday led to the alleged discovery of an illegal marijuana grow operation and the seizure of more than 600 plants. Officers with the Glendale Police Department were in the 100 block of Wonderview Drive at around 12:40 a.m. after receiving a call about a person yelling for help from one of the homes in the neighborhood. After speaking with the homes occupant, 38-year-old Rui Yun Guan, officers entered the residence and discovered it had been converted into an elaborate marijuana grow operation, according to Tahnee Lightfoot, a spokeswoman for the department. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Advertisement Tilrays wild ride shows how hyped pot stocks are catching up to the crypto craze By Craig Giammona Tilray Inc. investors could probably use a bit of the companys products right now. The Canadian maker of medicinal cannabis extracts finished a whipsaw session Wednesday with its share price 38% higher. But Tilray was up as much as 94% earlier in the day, peaking at $300. Fifty-three minutes and four trading halts later, it was in negative territory. The closing flourish that added $63 to the share price it finished up $59.08 to $214.06 took just six minutes. It left a sea of bodies, both longs and shorts, behind in its wake, said Dave Lutz, managing director at JonesTrading. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Marijuana industry fights stoner, pot and other words that stigmatizes people By Gary Robbins Theres a badge on her uniform, possibly a gun on her hip, and her arms are spread a little, suggesting shes ready for anything. You might think that youre looking at a police officer walking a beat. But what youve seen on billboards and, more recently, the internet is an effort by MedMen Enterprises of Culver City to remind you that marijuana users come from all walks of life. They can be cops, nurses, teachers, scientists, construction foremen and grandmothers. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Police arrest eight people after searching illegal cannabis store in San Fernando Valley By Alejandra Reyes-Velarde Los Angeles police arrested eight people at an illegal cannabis store in the San Fernando Valley after serving a search warrant, officials said Wednesday. About 4:30 p.m. Tuesday, the Los Angeles Police Departments Mission Area Narcotics Unit searched a cannabis retail shop in the 15400 block of Devonshire Street and confiscated several items of evidence and contraband, police said in a news release. The store was operating without proper permits and was considered a nuisance location, authorities said. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print More than 2 million U.S. middle and high school students have vaped marijuana, study finds By Karen Kaplan Electronic cigarettes are the most popular tobacco product among U.S. teens, but tobacco isnt the only thing theyre vaping. A new report from researchers at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says that more than 2 million middle and high school students have used an e-cigarette to vape marijuana. That figure is based on survey results from the 2016 National Youth Tobacco Survey, which polls a representative sample of American students in grades 6 through 12. Among the questions the 20,675 participants were asked in 2016 was, Have you ever used an e-cigarette device with a substance besides nicotine? One of the possible answers was this: Yes, I have used an e-cigarette device with marijuana, THC or hash oil, or THC wax. (THC, short for tetrahydrocannabinol, is the mind-altering chemical that produces marijuanas high.) Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Advertisement Police chiefs warn of increased crime if California allows pot deliveries statewide By Patrick McGreevy The prospect of vans loaded with pot delivering to homes in quiet Morgan Hill makes Police Chief David Swing uneasy. Like most cities in the state, the upscale San Jose suburb has banned pot shops. But now, as California considers a proposal to allow marijuana businesses to send home-delivery vans into communities where retail stores are prohibited, Swing and others in law enforcement say they are preparing for the worst. This will make it easier and more lucrative to rob a delivery person than a liquor store, said Swing, who is president of the California Police Chiefs Assn. He notes drivers would be allowed to carry up to $10,000 in cash. Robberies are the tip of the iceberg. They can lead to other crimes, including aggravated assaults and homicides. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Tesla erupts in chaos after senior executives leave and Elon Musk tokes up By Dana Hull The turmoil at Tesla Inc. reached a fever pitch Friday, as news emerged that two senior executives will leave Elon Musks electric-car maker a matter of hours after he smoked marijuana during an hours-long interview with a comedian. Chief Accounting Officer Dave Morton gave notice Tuesday that he was resigning less than a month into the job, according to a filing. Teslas stock plunged, then extended declines after Gabrielle Toledano, the head of human resources whos been on a leave of absence, told Bloomberg News that she wont rejoin the company. Morton, a former chief financial officer for computer-drive maker Seagate Technology Plc, joined Tesla the day before Chief Executive Musk tweeted that he was considering buying out some investors at $420 a share and taking the company private. Musk abandoned that take-private effort 17 days later, and in the process drew a subpoena from the Securities and Exchange Commission and a series of lawsuits alleging market manipulation. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Elon Musk smokes a blunt live on YouTube with podcaster Joe Rogan By Russ Mitchell Elon Musk apparently smoked dope with comedian and podcaster Joe Rogan live on YouTube late Thursday night, then giggled about turning Mars into a big Jamaica. I mean, its legal, right? Musk said, accepting a lit blunt from Rogan in the Los Angeles studio, where The Joe Rogan Experience is webcast live. Rogan told Musk hed rolled marijuana in tobacco leaves. Musk took a single deep toke. If the pair were joking about what they were smoking, they didnt say so. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print L.A. launches crackdown on unlicensed marijuana businesses; more than 500 people are charged By Joseph Serna A police crackdown on local unlicensed marijuana businesses has ended with misdemeanor charges against more than 500 people in Los Angeles, the city attorneys office said. In 120 criminal cases filed since May, City Atty. Mike Feuer has charged 515 people in connection with 105 illegal marijuana businesses, grow sites, extraction labs and delivery companies located throughout the city, his office announced Friday. All of the defendants were charged with unlicensed commercial cannabis activity within the city, which carries a potential sentence of six months in jail and $1,000 in fines. Local judges have been hearing the cases since May with arraignments scheduled through the end of October, Feuers office said. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Advertisement 12th marijuana business wins permit approval in Costa Mesa By Luke Money Costa Mesa planning commissioners Monday evening gave their blessing to another local marijuana manufacturing and distribution facility, bringing the total number of approvals to 12. On a 4-0 vote with Chairman Stephan Andranian absent the commission awarded a conditional use permit to Pure Labs Inc., which is looking to open in a 2,025-square-foot space in Unit M-103 at 3505 Cadillac Ave. The decision is final unless appealed to the City Council within seven days. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Former L.A. mayor Villaraigosa joins board of local cannabis firm MedMen By James Rufus Koren Former L.A. Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa is joining the board of publicly traded cannabis company MedMen, marking his return to the business world following a resounding defeat in Junes Democratic gubernatorial primary. MedMen, a Culver City company that operates high-end cannabis shops in California, Nevada and New York and has aggressive expansion plans, announced Villaraigosas appointment Wednesday morning. Villaraigosa adds political and governmental experience to a board made up of branding, entertainment and accounting executives. Other recent additions to the companys board include Stacey Hallerman, a former executive at the conglomerate that owns luxury brands Montblanc and Cartier, and Jay Brown, the chief executive of of RocNation, the entertainment company co-founded by Shawn Jay Z Carter. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Newport man accused of operating illegal marijuana dispensary in Costa Mesa By Luke Money A Newport Beach man is accused of operating an illegal marijuana dispensary in Costa Mesa, according to authorities. Omid Delkash, 47, was charged Monday with four misdemeanor counts of unlawful transportation, sale and furnishing of marijuana. He pleaded not guilty and is in custody at Orange County Jail, records show. He is scheduled to appear in court Friday for a pretrial hearing. Costa Mesa law prohibits the retail sale of marijuana or marijuana products anywhere in the city. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Advertisement California lawmakers want the state to collect data on drivers under the influence of pot By Patrick McGreevy After she was injured in a car accident allegedly caused by a driver impaired by pot, state Controller Betty Yee is backing a bill approved Monday by the Legislature that aims to begin addressing the problem of drugged driving on California roads. The measure sent to Gov. Jerry Brown would require the California Highway Patrol to report on how many motorists stopped for impaired driving are allegedly under the influence of marijuana. Its what other states have done like Colorado and Washington to at least start collecting state-level data, Yee said. They just want to understand the extent of cannabis-impaired driving. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Marijuana use is rising among pregnant patients. Not so fast, doctors warn By Jenny Gold Marijuana may be losing its image as a dangerous drug, but mounting research suggests women should steer clear of it if they are pregnant or breastfeeding, according to new recommendations from the American Academy of Pediatrics. The advice comes as more than half of the states, including California, have legalized marijuana for medical or recreational use. Growing acceptance of the drug has made it seem harmless, or even beneficial. As a result, doctors fret that more and more babies are being exposed to the drug. The march toward legalization has outpaced scientific research about marijuanas health effects. Because it is a Schedule 1 drug one with potential for abuse and no approved medical use studies have been limited by federal law. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Mormon Church ramps up opposition to medical marijuana effort in Utah, speaking out publicly By Kurtis Lee The Mormon Church has played a quiet role in the fight against an effort to legalize medical marijuana in Utah, releasing measured statements and helping to bankroll lawsuits. But on Thursday, leaders of the powerful Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints came out from behind the scenes. We are deeply concerned by the history of other states that have allowed medical and recreational use of this drug and have experienced serious consequences to the health of its citizens, Elder Jack N. Gerard, flanked by politicians, medical professionals and other church leaders, said at a news conference at the state Capitol. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print California lawmakers move to help expunge pot-related convictions California lawmakers voted Wednesday to ease the process for clearing the records of those convicted in the past of marijuana offenses. (Gary Coronado / Los Angeles Times) With recreational marijuana legalized by the states voters, Californians with past convictions for cannabis-related offenses would get state help in expunging their records under a bill sent by lawmakers to the governor on Wednesday. Proposition 64, which state voters approved in 2016, legalized the sale and use of marijuana for recreational use and permitted those with past convictions for the activity to petition the courts to clear their records. But state Sen. Scott Wiener (D-San Francisco) told his colleagues Wednesday that the process is complicated, and many with pot convictions do not know about the opportunity. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Advertisement By next year, you can buy medical marijuana in Hawaii, but youll still have to jump through some hoops By Jay Jones Out-of-state medical marijuana users next year will be able to buy cannabis products at dispensaries in Hawaii. The only hitches: Visitors will need to apply online and pay $45 (plus a $4.50 processing fee) for a temporary Hawaii medical marijuana card thats valid for 60 days. Weve been fielding a lot of calls daily about reciprocity, said George Bullock, director of the Cure Oahu marijuana dispensary in Waikiki. We really look forward to being able to serve them in the future. The Hawaii Department of Health plans to allow medical marijuana cardholders from other states to make purchases at dispensaries on Oahu, Maui and Kauai. But state officials are not using the word reciprocity because those out-of-state cards wont work. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Teen sold weed from her bedroom, with her parents as suppliers, Merced County officials say By Joseph Serna A teenage girl who sold marijuana out of her bedroom was using her gun-toting parents as her suppliers, the Merced County Sheriffs Office said. On Friday, deputies served a search warrant on the home of Jose Reyes Martinez, 44, and his wife in Delhi, Calif., where they found 80 pounds of packaged marijuana and a dozen large plants along with two firearms, officials said on Facebook. The packaged weed was found in the master bedroom closet alongside a loaded AK-47, deputies said. A makeshift greenhouse in the backyard held a dozen large plants, authorities said. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Newport Beach sues to halt what city calls a marijuana dispensary at Church of the Holy Grail By Hannah Fry Newport Beach officials are asking an Orange County Superior Court judge to block an operation that identifies itself as a church but the city says is a marijuana dispensary violating local law. Brick-and-mortar marijuana dispensaries are prohibited in Newport Beach under municipal code. Cultivation, processing, distribution and delivery of cannabis have been banned in the city since 2016. A civil lawsuit Newport filed June 25 seeks an injunction to forbid the organization known as Church of the Holy Grail from operating at 2072 Bristol St. It isnt clear how long it has been operating, though the lawsuit states the location has been running without a business license since at least Jan. 24. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Proposal to create state-chartered banks for California marijuana industry fails to advance Virgil Grant arranges containers of various strains of medical marijuana in a display case at a dispensary he runs in Los Angeles. (Frederic J. Brown / AFP/Getty Images) California lawmakers on Thursday shelved a proposal to allow the state to license private banks to handle the billions of dollars expected to be generated by the states legal marijuana industry amid questions about the plans feasibility. Voters approved Proposition 64 in 2016 to legalize growing, possessing and selling marijuana for recreational use, but newly licensed pot shops and farms say they cannot put their money in federally chartered banks because cannabis remains illegal under federal law. Sen. Bob Hertzberg (D-Los Angeles) proposed that the state could license special privately financed banks that would issue checks to the businesses to pay rent and state and local taxes and fees, and to compensate vendors for goods and services provided to their businesses. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Advertisement Parent of Corona beer bets $3.8 billion on U.S. love of marijuana By Bloomberg Constellation Brands Inc., which for seven decades has made its money off beer, wine and whiskey, sees its future in a marijuana leaf. In the biggest (legal) marijuana deal, the Victor, N.Y., beverage company will spend about $3.8 billion to boost its stake in Canadian grower Canopy Growth Corp., betting legalization will gain traction around the world and especially in the United States. This is rocket fuel, Canopy Chief Executive Bruce Linton said on the companys earnings call Wednesday. Were going to be way more global. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Marijuana is not really legal in California if residents dont have a reasonable way to buy it By The Times Editorial Board California law allows adults to buy marijuana. It allows licensed businesses to deliver marijuana to customers, and it says specifically that cities and counties cannot prevent delivery services from traveling on public roads. Yet even though cities cant stop deliveries traveling through their jurisdiction, many cities currently ban deliveries to their jurisdiction. That means that unlike deliveries of virtually every other legal, adult-use product including alcohol and cigarettes, which can be ordered over the internet in California marijuana deliveries are barred. The practical effect is that residents in some places have little to no access to legal medical or recreational cannabis products because of local regulations which seems contrary to the intent of Proposition 64. Roughly half of Californians live in cities or counties that prohibit marijuana stores and delivery services form opening in their jurisdictions. An analysis by the Sacramento Bee earlier this year found residents in 40% of the state had to drive 60 miles or more to find a licensed dispensary to buy legal marijuana medical or recreational. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print California cities oppose plan to allow pot delivery in areas where sales are banned California cities are objecting to changes in the states rules on marijuana that they say undermine local control. (Mathew Sumner / Associated Press) California cities on Monday objected to a state proposal that would allow marijuana delivery to homes in areas where storefront pot sales have been banned locally. The changes, which are being considered by the state Bureau of Cannabis Control, will undermine a citys ability to effectively regulate cannabis at the local level, Charles Harvey, a legislative representative for the League of California Cities, said in a letter to the bureau. The cities group, which represents the states 482 municipalities, supports other changes to clarify the rules of Proposition 64, which was approved by voters in 2016 and allows the growing and sale of marijuana for recreational use. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Cypress Hills B-Real set to open a Sylmar dispensary, as Cannary West takes flight Saturday By Adam Tschorn B-Real, from left, Kenji Fujishima and Rojo Desantis in front of the soon-to-open Dr. Greenthumbs dispensary in Sylmar. (Dr. Greenthumbs) Rapper and marijuana entrepreneur Louis Freese, better known as Cypress Hill frontman B-Real, plans to celebrate the grand opening of his flagship dispensary in Sylmar with a day-long bash next Wednesday. Called Dr. Greenthumbs a name music fans will recognize as the title of a 1998 Cypress Hill song the Foothill Boulevard dispensary will be heavy on strains from B-Reals Insane brand of cannabis as well his Phuncky Feel Tips product line (glass tips designed to fit the business end of a hand-rolled joint). It will also serve as the home base for the rappers online BReal.TV network. According to todays announcement, the Wednesday event will be open to the public (though youll need to be at least 21 or 18 with a medical marijuana card) and feature a line-up of BRealTVs DJs as well as a slew of surprise guests [making] appearances throughout the day. A second Dr. Greenthumbs is expected to open in Cathedral City later this year. Dr. Greenthumbs grand-opening party, Aug. 15 from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m., 12751 Foothill Blvd., Sylmar (just west of the 210 freeway between Arroyo and Vaughn streets). Cannary West In other dispensary-opening news, a rebooted and relocated Cannary West (this version by the folks behind the stylish, upscale Venice Blvd. dispensary the Pottery), officially opens its doors Saturday. Although parts of the space in the Rancho Park neighborhood are still under construction, its only because plans include adding sustainable on-site cultivation (a process also underway at the Pottery), it does already have one of Los Angeles real estates most enviable features a dedicated off-street parking lot for customers around back. To mark the grand opening, the first 200 customers who spend $30 or more after the dispensary opens for business at 10 a.m. will receive a little something special for their efforts. Cannary West, grand opening, Aug. 11 from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m., 2435 Military Avenue, Los Angeles (just south of Pico and two blocks east of Sepulveda). Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Advertisement As budget remedies, Huntington Beach may explore marijuana-related revenue and boosting fines for illegal short-term rentals By Priscella Vega With general-fund revenue increases projected to taper off in coming years, the Huntington Beach Finance Commission this week recommended several potential budget-tightening and revenue-generating solutions. Among them are increasing fines for illegal short-term rentals, reducing city staff and exploring opportunities for marijuana-related revenue. Some recommendations will be unpopular with employees, but at the same time we hope they realize implementing some recommendations may make funding available for salary increases, Finance Commission Chairman Nouha Hreish told the City Council during a study session Monday. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print High Times rolls out new online video network By Adam Tschorn High Times, which launched as a print magazine in 1974, has added a streaming video service to its offerings. (High Times TV) Los Angeles-based cannabis media brand High Times, which launched as a print magazine in 1974, has added a streaming video service to its offerings. Announced Thursday, the ad-supported web channel High Times TV is both a showcase for the brands own content (behind-the-scenes videos from its Cannabis Cup events, for example, and how-to videos for ganja guacamole) as well as a platform for an assortment of independent cannabis-content creators like the Stoner Mom (a Colorado mother with a family of six who focuses on living a responsible cannabis lifestyle), StrainCentral (a strain review site founded by Joshua Young) and That High Couple (Hollywood-based couple Alice and Clark who chronicle their THC-infused life via social media). While High Times newest venture is hardly a unique move- there isnt a legacy media brand out there that isnt trying to capitalize on streaming video it could end up being a lifeline for the independents in the stoner space who have seen their traditional social media channels (particularly YouTube) threatened, restricted or suspended in a cannabis-content crackdown that began earlier this year. High Times TV is now available as an app on Android, Roku and Apple TV as well as online at tv.hightimes.com. Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Newport Beach lawsuit seeks to ban marijuana business that operated in residential neighborhoods By Hannah Fry Newport Beach officials are asking an Orange County Superior Court judge to block a marijuana business from operating in two homes in violation of city law. A civil lawsuit filed May 4 seeks an injunction to forbid the business known as OC Healing House, Bud Man OC and Bud Man Newport Beach from operating at a home on Drakes Bay Drive in Corona del Mar and a home on Promontory Drive in Newports Promontory Point community. The city attorneys office says the business was using the homes for marijuana delivery and distribution. The lawsuit calls the business a public nuisance. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Marijuana is a gift from God. A battle over pot pits the Mormon Church against an unlikely group: other Mormons By Kurtis Lee Brian Stoll faced a dilemma as his wedding day approached. For more than a year, he had been smoking marijuana to treat severe back pain, but to remain in good standing with the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and get married in the temple, he had to stop using pot. Since marijuana was illegal under Utah law, church leaders told him, it was forbidden. Stoll turned to an opioid painkiller and has continued using it since his marriage three years ago, despite unpleasant side effects and its inability to match the soothing qualities of marijuana. This was devastating ... I had to choose between my health and my fiancee, Stoll said recently. It seemed asinine that if I lived in another state, I wouldnt have to make such a difficult decision. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Advertisement Roommates were unaware of drug lab operation in Glendale home, police say By Andy Nguyen Authorities arrested a man on Friday suspected of operating an illegal butane honey-oil lab out of a Glendale home. John Kelly, 52, was taken into custody after the Glendale Police Department received a tip about the suspected manufacturing operation in the 1400 block of Randall Street. The information was derived from an ongoing narcotics investigation, according to Sgt. Dan Suttles, a spokesman for the department. Butane honey oil is a type of concentrated cannabis product made when marijuana is soaked in butane in order to extract the plants essential oils. The process can lead to explosions if the butane gas builds up in an enclosed area and ignites from a spark. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Rams guard Jamon Brown says marijuana is reason for suspension By Gary Klein Rams starting right guard Jamon Brown, suspended for the first two games of the season for violating the NFLs substance-abuse policy, said Thursday that the suspension stemmed from a 2017 incident in Kentucky that involved marijuana. Brown still worked with the first-team offense Thursday as the Rams held their first training camp practice at UC Irvine. Brown, a fourth-year pro from Louisville, said that before last season he was pulled over for speeding and that police found marijuana in the car. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Democrats still havent figured out that legal weed is a winning issue By Tom Angell Every Democratic U.S. senator rumored to be considering a 2020 presidential run supports marijuana legalization. So do 77% of Democratic voters. The partys 2016 national platform backs states rights on cannabis and calls for a reasoned pathway for future legalization. So why is the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee the entity charged with winning back control of the U.S. House attacking a Republican congressman over his support for marijuana reform? And why is it citing a right-wing magazine to make the case? Rep. Dana Rohrabacher (R-Costa Mesa) has a cult-like fixation on marijuana, said a National Review article excerpt the Democratic committee highlighted in a tweet posted Monday. The party organ said the GOP congressmans cannabis advocacy is one reason why [Democratic nominee] @HarleyRouda needs your help flipping this seat...from #RedToBlue. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print They worked at Apple, Amazon and Lyft. Now theyre working to get you stoned By Tracey Lien For much of her career, Natasha Pecor followed a path well-worn by tech workers. She built her reputation with her first employer in the industry, earning the title head of platform at Yelp. Then she jumped to one of the giants, Amazon, where she worked as a product manager. Most recently she parlayed that experience into a leadership role at a smaller start-up a common move among techies willing to take a risk for a new challenge and perhaps a big payday. But this start-up wasnt exactly a tech company. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Advertisement Fountain Valley man sentenced to life in prison in kidnapping and torture of marijuana dispensary owner By Hannah Fry A Fountain Valley man was sentenced Friday to spend the rest of his life behind bars for kidnapping a medical marijuana dispensary owner and his roommate in 2012 and torturing the dispensary owner as part of a plot to extort money. Orange County Superior Court Judge Gregg Prickett gave Kyle Shirakawa Handley, 39, the maximum sentence of life in state prison. A Superior Court jury in January swiftly found Handley guilty of of kidnapping, aggravated mayhem and torture, all felonies. Prosecutors contended that Handley, a marijuana grower who supplied the victims dispensary, and three other defendants kidnapped the man and his female roommate from their 25th Street home on the Balboa Peninsula in Newport Beach on Oct. 2, 2012. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print More California kids are having pot-related health scares, poison control officials warn By Patrick McGreevy State and local officials say they are alarmed by a spike in calls they have received to report children and teenagers ingesting marijuana products since California legalized cannabis for recreational use by adults in 2016. The number of calls to poison control centers involving people 19 and younger who were exposed to marijuana has steadily risen from 347 three years ago to 588 last year. In the first six months of this year, there have been 386 calls to poison control centers involving marijuana exposure by underage people. If that trend continues, there could be more than double the reports in 2018 as there were 2015. Nearly half of the calls received last year 256 involved children 5 and younger, including 38 children under 12 months old, and 64 toddlers who were a year old, according to Stuart E. Heard, executive director of the California Poison Control System. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print With marijuana legal, California flooded with dubious health claims about the drug By Gary Robbins Spend a few minutes surfing Twitter and youre likely to encounter a startling claim that comes without proof: Cannabis cures cancer. The online world is awash with such posts, startling scientists and physicians who are urging weeds proselytizers to tap the brakes. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Advertisement Gov. Jerry Brown appoints members to new cannabis permit appeals panel Marijuana on display at the Harborside dispensary in Oakland. (Mathew Sumner / Associated Press) Six months after California began licensing growing and selling marijuana, Gov. Jerry Brown on July 3 appointed the first members of a new Cannabis Control Appeals Panel to consider objections from those denied permits or those facing penalties for violating regulations. The governor gets to name three of the five members of the panel and appointed county prosecutor Sabrina D. Ashjian of Fresno, college lecturer Diandra Bremond of Los Angeles, and a staff attorney for the governor, Adrian Carpenter of Plumas Lake. The other two appointments will be made by the Senate Rules Committee and the speaker of the Assembly. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Federal law? State law? Which takes precedence when you want to travel with cannabis? By Catharine Hamm You cant take it with you. Actually, you can. But its not a good idea when youre traveling, especially for the risk-averse. We speak, of course, of cannabis; its use was approved by 57% of California voters in November 2016. Proposition 64, known as the Adult Use of Marijuana Act, allows the recreational use of marijuana in the Golden State; medical marijuana had been legal for about a decade before that. Legal, it should be noted, in California. Not legal according to federal law, although President Trump has signaled his willingness to support legislation that, according to an L.A. Times article, would end the federal ban on marijuana. Read More Facebook Twit Millions of people around the world will watch Prince Harry and Meghan Markles wedding celebration on TV on May 19. That will include passengers aboard Cunards three royal vessels the Queen Mary 2, the Queen Victoria and the Queen Elizabeth where special celebrations will honor the couple. Besides screening the wedding, Cunards Royal Celebration will include an afternoon tea, themed cocktails and more. Each ship will serve a cake inspired by the bride and grooms wedding cake, which includes lemon and elderflower. The tea will feature cakes made for the occasion, a Chocolate Crown among them, and traditional finger sandwiches, scones, clotted cream and jams. Later, a commemorative dinner with Champagne will be served. Passengers also will receive a keepsake menu. The Queen Mary 2 will be at sea on a transatlantic voyage heading to England at the time of the wedding. The Queen Elizabeth will be in St. Petersburg, Russia, and the Queen Victoria will be in Portree, Scotland. Advertisement There are limited spaces aboard all three cruises, according to Cunard. The 14-night Baltic Highlights aboard the Queen Elizabeth starts at $3,819 per person; the 13-night British Isles voyage aboard the Queen Victoria starts at $1,399 per person; and the eastbound transatlantic crossing from New York to Southampton starts at $3,129 per person. Prices exclude taxes and fees, and are based on double occupancy. Cunard has long had a history with the royal family. Queen Elizabeth II, the grooms grandmother and longest serving regent on the British throne, has launched four ships, including the Queen Elizabeth (1938), the QE2 (1967) and the Queen Elizabeth 2 (2010). Cunard also threw viewing parties and celebratory events when Prince Harrys brother, Prince William, and Kate Middleton married on April 29, 2011. The Queen Mary 2, which offers regularly scheduled transatlantic crossings between May and December, offers pre- and post-voyage tours of London with stops at Buckingham Palace and Westminster Abbey, among other regal venues. Info: Cunard, (800) 528-6273 ALSO Just in time for Mothers Day: zoo babies in the West Enter the Fillmore, San Franciscos cradle of psychedelia that continues to rock Escape to Creston, cowboy country on Californias Central Coast travel@latimes.com @latimestravel The League of Women Voters of Chattanooga will hold a public meeting addressing access issues that people with disabilities face when voting. The public meeting is sponsored by the Chattanooga State Community College Disabilities Support Services. The public meeting is scheduled for Sunday, May 20, from 3-4:30 p.m. at Chattanooga State Community College, Room 1083 in the Health Science Center. Attendees will hear from the keynote speaker, have the opportunity to provide feedback, and learn about the League of Women Voters of Chattanooga. Carol Westlake is the founding executive director of the Tennessee Disability Coalition where she has served for 28 years. Ms. Westlake is also a member of the League of Women Voters of Nashville and serves on the state legislative action committee. In 2015, Ms. Westlake received the Dr. Clifton Meador Community Health Leadership Award from the Safety Net Consortium of Middle Tennessee and Project Access Nashville for her lifelong dedication to the disability community. Full political participation for Tennesseans with disabilities is a top priority," said Ms. Westlake. "We are working across the state with partners on a non-partisan campaign to eliminate barriers to voting, promote accessibility of voting technology and polling places; educate voters about issues and candidates; promote turnout of voters with disabilities across the state; engage candidates and the media on disability issues, and protect eligible voters right to participate in elections." The League of Women Voters of Chattanooga invite all to attend and participate in the public meeting. For more information visit the Facebook page. Travelers eager for Highway 1 to reopen in Big Sur will have to wait a little longer. It has been a year since a massive landslide rained debris down on Californias iconic coastal route, making a drive along the entire 655-mile roadway impossible. The date for reopening has been set at mid-September as crews work to realign the highway, Caltrans announced Monday. For the record: A prior version of this story said the road was supposed to reopen in May. That was incorrect. The reopening date has been set for mid-September. The slide at whats known as Mud Creek will cost about $54 million to fix. Both lanes of a quarter-mile segment of Highway 1 roughly between the Big Sur Ranger Station in the north and Gorda in the south will remain temporarily shut while workers try to rebuild it on top of the slide. Crews currently are working on the northern side. The reopening date could be reevaluated in July, the Caltrans statement said. When the road does reopen, it likely will be a single lane handling one-way controlled traffic. Advertisement The work on Highway 1 near Mud Creek as of March 8. The north side is covered in debris as work above the road continues to release loose debris as part of the construction process. (Joe Johnston / Associated Press ) In addition, another slide area called Pauls Slide, south of Lucia, will be closed in both directions from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. next Monday, complicating the drive for anyone still game for a coastal getaway. However, travelers should know that businesses on both sides of the Mud Creek closure are open and welcoming tourists after the disastrous winter of 2017. Heavy rains caused problems at several places on Highway 1. At one point, Big Sur was cut off from the rest of the state. One of the biggest disasters was the collapse of the Pfeiffer Canyon Bridge in Big Sur in February 2017. It took eight months to repair, reconnecting the tourist town along a crucial part of Highway 1. ALSO Highway 1 was buried under a massive landslide. Months later, engineers battle Mother Nature to fix it A part of Highway 1 in Big Sur has reopened, but other issues remain on the coastal route Parts of Hawaii Volcanoes National Park reopen to visitors travel@latimes.com @latimestravel A month ago, Nikol Pashinian, a bearded former journalist and skilled political orator, seemed an unlikely candidate to break a decade of one-party rule in Armenia that was tainted by corruption and cronyism. Armenias opposition was fractured. Pashinian was a recognized opposition politician but lacked widespread support. Moreover, political consultants warned him that any protest he organized would draw only a few hundred people and make the opposition look weak. So it was a remarkable moment on Tuesday when Armenias parliament elected him prime minister, culminating an unprecedented nonviolent street protest movement that forced the ruling elite to forfeit their grip on power. Pashinians Velvet Revolution employed acts of civil disobedience that gave Armenians a voice in the countrys peaceful transition of power, largely uniting the former Soviet republic. Advertisement Today you won, he told the crowd during a postelection speech in Republic Square, the central gathering point in Yerevan, Armenias capital. It is not a victory that I have been elected prime minister. It is a victory that you have chosen who will be prime minister! Now, entrusted with the hopes of this tiny nation of 2.9 million, Pashinian faces the bigger challenge of keeping his promises. Better known for his street politics than his political prowess, Pashinian must prove to his followers that he can be both a practical and pragmatic leader capable of steering Armenia out of its biggest political crisis since independence from the Soviet Union in 1991. We knew him as a protester, and his program was always against something, said Alexander Iskandaryan, the director of the Caucasus Institute, a think tank in Yerevan. But now he is prime minister, and there should be something proposed. And theres nothing on the table yet. Even before Pashinian took the stage in Republic Square on Tuesday afternoon to give his victory speech, euphoric Armenians had been celebrating in the street for several hours. Armenians celebrate after a rally in support of protest leader Nikol Pashinian in Yerevans Republic Square after he was elected prime minister by parliament. (Brendan Hoffman / For The Times ) Crowds dressed in white shirts began streaming into the square in the morning. Many came draped in Armenias red, blue and orange flag. They wore hats and shirts with the slogans of the revolution, such as Dukhov, which roughly translates as with courage. Cars honked in rapid succession as they drove down the capitals main drags. Before the parliament debate began, the square was nearly full, with tens of thousands coming to watch the proceedings on a large screen. As the votes were tallied and Pashinian was declared prime minister around midday, shouts and cheers erupted from the crowd. Chants of Nikol! and Victory! echoed across the square and bounced off the walls of the columned, Stalin-era buildings that encircle its oval shape. Champagne corks popped. Small circles formed for the traditional Armenian kochari dance. This change will be good because weve been static for so long, said Mesrop Harutyunyan, a journalism professor at Yerevans State Linguistic University. But the demand for change is different for everyone, and its hard to see what will happen next. The demonstrators saw Pashinians election as a victory over an attempted power grab by the ruling Republican Party, which had tried to make former President Serzh Sargsyan prime minister. Sargsyan served 10 years, during which the countrys economic growth benefited those closely linked to the Republican Party. Meanwhile, ordinary Armenians watched as the poverty rate grew to 30%, and hundreds of thousands left the country in search of work. Constitutional reforms enacted this year turned Armenia into a parliamentary republic from a presidential one. The Republican Party nominated and eventually elected Sargsyan as prime minister to keep its hold on the countrys power and wealth. Protests took to the streets, at times paralyzing Yerevan with roadblocks and labor strikes. Sargsyan capitulated and resigned April 23, paving the way for a new election in parliament. The Republican Party, still in the majority, failed to elect Pashinian on May 1 in a special session. Hundreds of thousands of demonstrators returned to Yerevans streets. On May 3, the Republican Party said it would support Pashinians nomination, and it called for the new election that was held Tuesday. Pashinian ran as a member of Civil Contract, an opposition party in coalition with two other parties. He immediately called for new parliamentary elections, which will most probably be held in the fall, and said he would begin setting up a temporary government to implement popular demands for economic and political reforms. To accomplish this, he will need to change election laws, for which he will need the majority Republican Party to support him, Iskandaryan of the Caucasus Institute said. We still dont know if he will be able to convince them to support his initiatives, Iskandaryan said. We just dont know what his plan is. Meeting the high expectations of those who supported Pashinians populist movement is likely to be a challenge. We have a lot of trust in this guy, but he needs to not just destroy corruption, but to construct the new system here, said Artak Manukyan, chairman of the National Center for Public Policy Research, a think tank in Yerevan. People really want to see immediate, short-term effects, which is difficult. We are winning a battle, but not the whole game yet. Pashinian will have to keep the faith of supporters such as Artyom Gasparyan, 40, who set off in his 1973 white Volga sedan from his northwestern village at 5 a.m. in order to get his parking spot on Republic Square. Dressed in a white T-shirt with You are Nikol written across it in Armenian, Gasparyan stood proudly in front of his 45-year-old Russian-made car as others climbed onto its roof to get a better view of the stage where Pashinian was expected to appear. Pashinian would be able to turn things around in Armenia within a maximum of two years, Gasparyan said with confidence. Bureaucracy and the Republican Partys lack of support for small enterprises had forced too many Armenians to emigrate in search of ways to support their families, Gasparyan said. His construction materials business once had 30 employees. Hes had to reduce it to 12 in order to keep supporting his family, he said. If things dont change, Im going to have to leave myself, and this whole country will be nothing but a nation of pensioners like my parents, he said. I want Pashinian to help us make it better, so all the diaspora come back and build the motherland we deserve. In addition to keeping promises to his base, Pashinian would eventually have to deal with another reality in Armenias future: how to maintain the delicate balance between Russia and the West. Armenia is deeply dependent on Russia for economic and security reasons. Pashinian has promised to not alter Yerevans relationship with either Moscow or Europe. Russia, for its part, stayed uncharacteristically passive and permissive toward the Velvet Revolution despite the fact that the Republican Party and its closely linked oligarch class have traditionally been friendly to Moscow. This, in turn, was matched by an absence of Western influencers, allowing Pashinians movement to remain Armenia-centric. But this is just a snapshot in time, warned Richard Giragosian, the director of the Yerevan-based Regional Studies Center. No matter which government comes, the geopolitical element is inevitable, and the reason is the clash of values. Rule of law and democratic values are all seductive values in Armenia, Giragosian said. Russian values, of corruption and authoritarianism, are affiliated with the old regime, he said. Eventually, the seductive European values could shift Armenia further away from Moscow, he said. We are in the gravitational orbit of Russia for the short or medium term whether we like it or not, Giragosian said. There is no exit strategy yet. sabra.ayres@latimes.com Twitter: @sabraayres Ayres is a special correspondent. UPDATES: 12 p.m.: This article has been updated with additional analysis, quotes, description. This article was originally posted at 8:05 a.m. The leader of protests that gripped Armenia for weeks was named the countrys prime minister on Tuesday, overcoming the immediate political turmoil but raising uncertainty about the longer term. The parliaments approval of Nikol Pashinian by a 59-42 vote capped a fast-moving month of massive protests, the surprise resignation of the prime minister and political maneuvering. Many Armenians have stewed for years about the countrys poverty and widespread corruption, but Pashinian was able to galvanize the discontent into a mass movement that was occasionally raucous but largely peaceful. The protests focused on former leader Serzh Sargsyans transition from president to prime minister, a move that opponents saw as effectively allowing him to remain the countrys leader indefinitely. Advertisement Sargsyan was president for a decade but stepped down this year because of term limits. However, Armenia has changed its government structure, giving the prime minister more power at the expense of the presidency. Soon after Sargsyan stopped being president, he was named prime minister by the parliament, where his Republican Party has the majority of seats. Faced with the mass protests, Sargsyan left the premiership on April 23, six days after his election. In a concession last week, the Republicans agreed to support any prime minister candidate nominated by a third of the parliament members, paving the way for Pashinians election. On the capitals central square, supporters were ecstatic on Tuesday after the vote. We chose a new road in Armenia where the driver will be the people and not clans. Jobs will appear, people will return, corruption will disappear, said demonstrator Tigran Azizian, a 42-year-old worker in the citys subway. But for all the delight, Pashinian faces significant challenges, not least that the Republicans remain a sizeable majority in parliament. The intense hopes that Pashinians supporters invested in him could fade fast if he does not move decisively to implement changes and call snap elections that could drive the Republicans from the majority. Pashinian also suggested that he will push for recognition of the sovereignty of the Nagorno-Karabakh region one of Armenias most difficult and volatile problems. The Nagorno-Karabakh region in Azerbaijan has been under the control of ethnic Armenian forces backed by Armenia since the end of a separatist war in 1994. Fighting periodically breaks out between those forces and Azerbaijani troops stationed on the other side of a demilitarized zone. In a speech to parliament preceding his election, Pashinian said that his revolution will lead to the de jure recognition of realizing the rights of Karabakh to self-determination. He later announced he would visit the region on Wednesday, a move certain to anger Azerbaijan. European leaders reacted with dismay but determination Tuesday after President Trump announced that the United States would pull out of the nuclear agreement with Iran and impose tough new sanctions. The move marked a profound rupture with the United Nations and with the deals other signatories, including Britain, France and Germany, and threatened to become the biggest fracture in transatlantic relations in a generation. Seconds after Trump made the announcement, French President Emmanuel Macron, who tried to sway the American leader to maintain the deal during a visit to Washington last month, tweeted his disappointment. France, Germany, and the UK regret the U.S. decision to leave the JCPOA. The nuclear non-proliferation regime is at stake. Emmanuel Macron (@EmmanuelMacron) May 8, 2018 Advertisement We will work collectively on a broader framework, covering nuclear activity, the post-2025 period, ballistic activity, and stability in the Middle-East, notably Syria, Yemen, and Iraq. Emmanuel Macron (@EmmanuelMacron) May 8, 2018 In a joint statement issued moments later, Macron, British Prime Minister Theresa May and German Chancellor Angela Merkel expressed regret and concern over Trumps announcement to withdraw from the deal, known officially as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, Together we underline our continued support in favor of the JCPoA. This agreement represents a particular importance for our common security. We would remind people that the JCPoA was endorsed unanimously by the United Nations Security Council in Resolution 2231. It continued: We appeal to all parties to continue to fully comply and to act in a spirit of responsibility. According to the International Atomic Energy Agency, Iran continues to conform to the restrictions laid down in the JCPoA and its obligations under the nuclear arms nonproliferation treaty. The security of the world is strengthened by this. The statement went on to ask the United States to ensure that the structure of the deal remains in place and to avoid any measure that would prevent their being adhered to by other parties. Donald Tusk, president of the European Council, said there would be a united European approach to Trumps decision. He said European Union leaders would address the issues of the Iran deal and sanctions at a summit next week. In a hard-hitting and defiant statement, Federica Mogherini, the EUs high representative for foreign affairs and security policy, said at a news conference that the U.S. decision would not only hurt Iran but also hit crucial benefits for the EU. She added that the EU was fully committed to the deal. I am particularly worried about the announcement tonight of new sanctions. I will consult very closely with all our partners in the coming hours and days to assess the implications, Mogherini said. The agreement, she added, has been working and it is delivering on its goal, which is guaranteeing that Iran doesnt develop nuclear weapons. Iranian President Hassan Rouhani said the Islamic Republic would remain in the deal for now and open negotiations with the remaining signatories about preserving it. Iranian President Hassan Rouhani said his country would stay in the nuclear deal and seek to preserve it. If we can guarantee our interests, we will save the JCPoA, he said in a televised speech shortly after Trump spoke. But Rouhani warned that he had ordered two Iranian atomic energy organizations to be ready to resume industrial-scale nuclear enrichment in weeks, if the negotiations are not successful. I am sorry for the American people, who are a great people but unfortunately administrated by people who are not wise, Rouhani said. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who has been a foe of the Iran deal from the beginning, praised Trumps decision, saying the disastrous pact had pushed the region closer to conflict. The deal didnt push war further away; it actually brought it closer, he said in a televised address. The deal didnt reduce Irans aggression; it dramatically increased it. Others in Israel, however, said that Trumps announcement had raised the risk level, and the military and educational authorities began preparing for war. Within two hours of the presidents statement, Israel called up reserve troops with the air defense, military intelligence and Home Front Command. The Israeli army said in a statement that after detecting unusual movements of Iranian forces in Syria, it had ordered northern Golan Heights communities, which lie on the border with Syria, to open their air raid shelters. Saudi Arabias ambassador to the United States said the kingdom, Irans main rival in the Middle East, fully supported the measures taken by Trump. With regards to the deal, we are on auto pilot heading towards a mountain, Ambassador Khalid bin Salman, the brother of Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, said in a series of tweets. The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia fully supports the measures taken by @POTUS with regards to the JCPOA. we always had reservations with regards to sunset clauses, ballistic missiles program, and Irans support for terrorism in the region. Khalid bin Salman (@kbsalsaud) May 8, 2018 He said the deal had provided Iran with a financial windfall that it used to spread sectarian strife and chaos in the region. Since the deal was inked, instead of behaving like a responsible member of the intl community, the regime doubled down on its support for terror, providing dangerous weapons (such as ballistic missiles) to terrorist proxies including the Houthis In Yemen to target civilians in Saudi Arabia, the ambassador wrote. The landmark JCPoA agreement was signed in July 2015 after almost two years of intensive talks involving Iran and the U.S., Britain, France, Russia, China and Germany. Under the deal, Iran pulled the plug on its military nuclear program in return for the lifting of debilitating sanctions. Hours before Trumps statements, officials from Britain, France, Germany and the European Unions foreign policy service met Irans deputy foreign minister, Abbas Araghchi, in Brussels and emphasized their support for the deal. Earlier in the day, Florence Parly, the French minister for armed forces, told the RTL news agency that European countries would continue to support the deal with or without the Americans. While not being perfect, it has nevertheless some virtues, one of which is that it suspended a nuclear program that did not appear to be pacifist, she continued, and it allowed the regular and strict verification of the Iranians to see if they were respecting the agreement. They were respecting it. Macron and Trump spoke Tuesday and were reported by French press to have covered questions about the peace and stability of the Middle East. Jean-Yves Le Drian, the French foreign minister, said Monday that France was determined to save this agreement because it saves us from nuclear proliferation. Macron was reported to have spoken to May and Merkel 30 minutes before Trumps announcement. Francois Durpaire, a U.S. expert for BFMTV, said the decision was politics, not geopolitics. All deals passed before he was president, Donald Trump was against. Clearly Emmanuel Macron didnt convince Donald Trump but does killing the Iran agreement solve the Iranian problem? Willsher is a special correspondent. Times staff writer Alexandra Zavis and special correspondent Noga Tarnopolsky in Jerusalem and special correspondent Ramin Mostaghim in Tehran contributed to this report. UPDATES: 4:45 p.m.: This article has been updated with reaction from Israel, Iran, Saudi Arabia. This article was originally posted at 1:25 p.m. After weeks of Palestinian demonstrations on the Gaza Strip border, Israel is facing global condemnation for answering the agitators with tear gas and bullets. Israel, though, sees its action far differently: defending its border from a lawless terrorist organization. Its easy to criticize us from the comforts of a faraway couch, says a senior Israeli military commander during a tour of the border. Army regulations stipulate that senior officers never use their name when speaking publicly. If the tiny, tidy community of Nahal Oz population 400 wasnt located just half a mile from the volatile Gaza border, Israel believes its aggressive efforts to defend the towns and communities in the borderlands would be better understood. How would America, they wonder, choose to defend itself against an enemy militia pelting it with mortar fire and rockets and digging tunnels so terrorists could infiltrate the country. Advertisement But after six straight Fridays of Palestinian demonstrations on the Gaza border, Israel is now struggling to convince the world that its response is proportional. Forty-eight Palestinians, including two journalists and at least two teenagers, have been killed in the border clashes and thousands more have been injured, many with bullet wounds to the legs. Israeli army forces fire tear gas at Palestinian protesters in the Gaza Strip during clashes at the border fence on May 4, 2018. (Mohammed Saber / EPA / Shutterstock ) Gaza, a dense territory of 2 million residents wedged among Israel, Egypt and the Mediterranean Sea, has endured an onerous blockade since 2007, when the Islamic militant group Hamas seized it from the Palestinian Authority in a bloody coup. On April 7, a day after the photographer Yasser Murtaja, 30, was shot and killed during the second week of protests, Christophe Deloire, secretary-general of Reporters Without Borders, accused Israel of targeting journalists. He was obviously the victim of an intentional shot, Deloire said in a tweet, pointing out the photographer was wearing a vest that clearly said Press. The Israeli army said that it was dealing with tens of thousands of people approaching the [border] fence, all instigated by Hamas, and that it does not deliberately target journalists. The army said the photographers death is under investigation, though no findings have been released in the intervening five weeks. On April 20, 15-year-old Mohammed Ibrahim Ayoub was killed in the border riots. A widely circulated video appeared to show he was shot in the head. It is OUTRAGEOUS to shoot at children! tweeted Nickolay E. Mladenov, the United Nations special coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process and a former defense minister of Bulgaria. How does the killing of a child in #Gaza today help #peace? It doesnt! It fuels anger and breeds more killing. #Children must be protected from #violence, not exposed to it, not killed! The U.S. has so far stood alone in focusing criticism on the Palestinians. Jason Greenblatt, President Trumps special representative for international negotiations, urged protest organizers to march peacefully and denounced leaders and protesters who call for violence or who send protesters including children to the fence, knowing that they may be injured or killed. Israeli Defense Minister Avigdor Lieberman said, Hamas sends terrorists under the guise of civilians to harm our sovereignty, and the world presents this parade of terror as a civil protest. Some in Israel also question the use of lethal force to quell protesters. Two weeks ago, Israels Supreme Court heard arguments in a case brought against the state by five Israeli human rights groups and the Gaza-based Al Mezan Center for Human Rights, arguing that the laws of armed conflict dont apply regarding the Gaza riots, and that the armys rules of engagement dont meet international standards for law enforcement. Lethal force against unarmed civilians who do not pose a danger is illegal, says Michael Sfard, a lawyer for the organizations. Israelis living along the border, and the troops there to protect them, dispute the characterization. We face armed, dangerous rioters whose aim is to harm civilians, the senior officer says. There is nothing peaceful about this. Nahal Oz is no stranger to spillover violence from Gaza. The last Israeli civilian victim of the 2014 war between Hamas and Israel, in which more than 2,000 Palestinians and nearly 80 Israelis died, was Nahal Oz resident Daniel Tragerman, a 4-year-old killed by a piece of shrapnel that penetrated his family home after a mortar round landed just outside, splattering the house with debris. The three-second air-raid warning was not enough for the boy to make it to a safe room. Israel argues that the demonstrations are organized by Hamas and cannot be defined as civilian demonstrations. Like Israel, the U.S. considers Hamas a terrorist group. Hamas says the weekly rallies known as the Great March of Return will be capped by thousands of Gazans storming Israels relatively flimsy border fence on May 15. And that is the nightmare scenario that worries residents of Nahal Oz and neighboring communities. After every Friday protest, Israel issues a detailed yet sterile summary of what it had to contend with Molotov cocktails hurled at troops, explosives attached to kites or hot-air balloons launched across the border, attempts to affix bombs to the fence and efforts to damage infrastructure and installations on the border. The Israeli army issues almost identical weekly statements, such as Fridays, declaring that it will continue to ensure the safety of Israeli civilians and will operate against those who attempt to harm the safety of the state of Israel. A Palestinian protester deploys stones with a slingshot during clashes along Gaza-Israel border fence. (Mohammed Saber / EPA/Shutterstock ) The cyber-denunciations are worlds apart from the dusty ribbon of earth separating Israel from Gaza. Here the air is acrid with tear gas. Booms of unknown origin disrupt the steady buzz of shouted slogans, the motors of armored cars and the quiet hum of the drones Israel is testing to watch the chaos below. The long-duration drones, called HoverMasts and produced by an Israeli start-up called Sky Sapience, are already in use by the U.S. army. Their cameras offer a remarkably detailed window on the border clashes but also expose the limits of technology: One second the shade of green on a mans striped shirt is clearly visible, the next a black cloud eclipses the entire field of vision. The smoke from burning tires turns into a dark murk on the screen. The use of live ammunition is always the last resort, says the senior Israeli military commander. He disputes the accusations of indiscriminate force and says soldiers are authorized to shoot only at protesters legs in order to reduce the risk of fatalities. The most likely way for a person entirely uninvolved in the violence to be killed is if somebody moves suddenly, tires are set aflame and a crowd runs towards the fence. You aim at a foot but could hit a major artery, he says. On the ground, the insurrection has a surprisingly intimate quality. On the Israeli side, soldiers lean into berms, weapons drawn, eyes trained across the border fence, threaded with an electric wire that can be set aflame as it has every Friday for more than a month. Every death is very bad for us, the senior officer says. It is bad for morale, bad professionally, it is bad in every way that people are killed here. But his, he says, is a straightforward job. The Israeli army has a simple mission: to protect civilians living here, to prevent rioting Palestinians from crossing the fence and to prevent them from damaging the fence. Thats what we do, he adds. Tarnopolsky is a special correspondent. The Iran-backed paramilitary movement Hezbollah is poised to be a dominant force in Lebanons next parliament, based on official but incomplete election results announced Monday, an outcome that probably will unsettle the United States and its Persian Gulf allies. Hezbollah and its political allies won more than half the 128 seats, giving them the power to block any attempt to force the Shiite militant group to disarm, as demanded by its foreign and domestic opponents. Hezbollah, which the U.S. considers a terrorist organization, maintains Lebanons most powerful military force and has deployed thousands of fighters to neighboring Syria to prop up President Bashar Assads government there. Lebanese Prime Minister Saad Hariri, an ally of the U.S. and Saudi Arabia, said his Future Movement lost a third of its seats. But he remains the Sunni Muslim leader with the biggest bloc in parliament, making him the front-runner to form the next government. Advertisement Under complicated power sharing arrangements instituted at the end of Lebanons 1975-1990 civil war, the countrys prime minister must be a Sunni, while the speaker of parliament is a Shiite and the president a Maronite Christian. Interior Minister Nohad Machnouk announced the results late Monday but said vote counting was still underway for seven seats in the northern Akkar district. Even before the official results were announced, supporters of the major parties started celebrating, driving through Beirut and other cities in cars decked out with party flags and firing guns in celebration . At least one person was critically injured by a stray bullet, Machnouk said. Hezbollahs leader, Hassan Nasrallah, hailed the results in a televised speech as a great political, parliamentary and moral victory for the resistance, a reference to the regional forces opposed to Israeli and American influence in the region. But he urged his supporters not to gloat, saying the elections were over and it was time for the Lebanese people to unite. The sectarian, doctrinal, regional speeches or even the words aimed at hitting some nerves theyre done, he said. Hariri echoed that sentiment at a news conference in the capital, Beirut, saying he was satisfied with the results and was extending his hand to all those who seek stability in Lebanon. He joined forces with Hezbollahs allies to form the outgoing cabinet and indicated he would do so again. This country cannot be ruled by excluding any of its political components, he told reporters. If we really want to achieve the citizens needs, we should work together. But Hezbollahs growing political clout could complicate relations with Western allies at a time when the country is counting on international support to help revive a stagnant economy and cope with a million refugees from the war in Syria. Though Hezbollah may not increase its share of seats from its current 13, the groups press office said with its allies the bloc will control 71 seats. Just over 49% of registered voters cast ballots Sunday, Machnouk said. That fell short of the 54% participation rate in 2009. Analysts blamed frustration with the countrys political leaders and confusion over complicated new election rules. I hate all of them because they didnt do anything for the Lebanese citizens, said Fady Masri, a 28-year-old graphic designer who spent election day camping in a forest with friends. Lebanons problems are indeed significant: corruption, unemployment, persistent power outages and perennial problems with trash collection. Lebanon was supposed to have elected a new parliament in 2013, but lawmakers instead extended their term, citing security concerns related to the Syrian war and their inability to reach agreement on electoral reforms. Sundays election was the first to be held under the countrys new proportional voting system, which allocates seats based on the share of the vote received, instead of the former winner-takes-all system. Voters were asked to pick a slate of candidates and a preferred candidate from that list. The system appeared to be causing some confusion Sunday. In Beiruts densely populated Basta Tata neighborhood, a supporter of the prime minister flagged down a passing observer as he waited to vote at a school and asked how he would know who to pick for his so-called preferential vote. Are their pictures inside? asked Ahmad Mahran, a 60-year-old retired flight attendant. The observer explained that he was there on behalf of another list and couldnt advise him. At another school in the up-market Achrafiyeh neighborhood, Maria Joseph Sawana, 70, peered anxiously at the ballot she had just been handed and asked if she should mark it with a cross or a check mark. Do what you like, an official told her. Sawana decided a cross would be best and marked the box for Nadim Gemayel, the son of one of Lebanons most prominent Christian civil war leaders, who was assassinated after being elected president during Israels 1982 invasion. I will stay with him, she said, even if the son isnt the father. But for critics of Lebanons entrenched elites, its an example of what is wrong with the countrys sect-based political system. In theory, the new voting procedures should give a chance to candidates who arent from the main political blocs. Civil society activists in Beirut seized on the opportunity to field their own slate of candidates, known as Kulna Watani, or We Are All the Nation. But without the resources of the more established parties to buy television airtime and blanket neighborhoods with posters, they struggled to make themselves heard. Their only seat went to a well-known journalist and television host, Paula Yacoubian. Another candidate, author Joumana Haddad, had appeared poised for victory Sunday. But the seat went instead to Antoine Pano, a member of President Michel Aouns Free Patriotic Movement. Haddads supporters gathered outside the Ministry of Interior on Monday to protest what they said was evidence of fraud. In addition to reports of intimidation and vote buying, they said party representatives were told to leave a room where ballots were being tallied while a technical problem was addressed. But another candidate on the list, Gilbert Doumit, remained optimistic. Until this election, he said, there was no organized platform for those who want to break free of sectarian politics. He said Kulna Watani was determined to continue putting forward fresh ideas, holding political leaders accountable and entering candidates in elections. Its just a beginning, he said. This is why I am very hopeful. Tobia is a special correspondent. I stood on a stage, rude lights assaulting my face as I strained to focus on the sea of my peers in a darkened ball room at an Orlando hotel, my stomach somersaulting like little boys recklessly tumbling down a long hill. The senior class and their families and the faculty of our seminary had gathered for a senior banquet just prior to our graduation. I cannot now remember what I had been specifically asked to speak about. But I recall well what I did wind up addressing as three of us had been privileged to give a few words of reflection. For me it was an open forum to tremulously meditate, in front of my friends, on a question that had nagged at me like an unattended alarm clock in a room across the hall that wont shut off its rude blaring. The motto of a rival seminary, if it could be so called, had insisted in their communiques that A Seminary Education is Successful Only If A Student Loves Jesus Christ More at the End Than He or She did at The Beginning. Or something similar. Self-Scrutinizing I put the question to myself often. It seemed fitting. Jesus thrice petitioned a faltering and tear-stained Peter whether he loved him. I wondered about it with regularity. And as I graduated from seminary, and was about to join a remarkable group of folks who had called me to help as they planted a new church on the mountain, it seemed like a question whose affirmative answer I ought to have been securely carrying around with me, stuck with confidence in my hearts wallet like an old drivers license. But alas, after three rigorous years of wrestling and inner-churning, reading more than I thought one could, and discussing even more, praying and worshipping, and struggling in all manner of previously unknown anguishes, I stood, alarmingly unsure how to answer. Did I love Christ more than ever? And why was it so hard to answer? An issue for debate? My wife, Im sure, would have hastily said yes. Ill bet my friends would have done the same had either she or they had been forced to answer for me like a parent might for an reluctant child standing before an inquiring barber on the best way to cut his hair. What may have been clear to them by external clues remained, like many things do to us most the time, a cloudy conundrum. So it was that question I took up as my subject before an audience of some of my dearest friends, and faculty-members I esteemed and trembled before a tad. I Came in Full, I Go Away Empty Since I was prone, earlier in my seminary career to drink voluminous amounts of Citrus Hit, the Publix brand knock-off of Mountain Dew, I decided to bring several empty Citrus Hit bottles with me and lined them up in front of me. (I havent had a soft drink in 14 years or so, so dont be alarmed--I eventually, a few years after seminary, amended my ways). Im sure the crowd was nervous. For me. This wasnt a youth group skit. Or a talk before high school YoungLife club. This was addressing a group of Master of Divinity Students and faculty with PhDs from prestigious institutions. And here I placed empty, green, plastic two-litter bottles in front me like a barricade and spoke of a process of deprivation, confusion, and sometimes violent-to my insides emptying that had happened in me or to me as I contended in a life and death battle with the things of God over our joint three years in this formational community. The Twitter version of my gut-wrenching thesis in answer to the question of whether I now, in fact, after finishing seminary, loved Jesus more than I had when I began, was I cant say for sure, but I want him more than ever. I had come to this graduate school program of study eager and full. I was leaving beat up and empty. I had in some ways been poured out like those empty bottles. And felt like a plastic shell of a man. But was gifted in that state of deprivation to learn, in some small individualized measure what the Israelites experienced in their much fiercer and longer desert. I caused you to hunger, so that I might feed you, reveals their Lord as he explains his desert process of taking the Egypt out of them, and weaning them from a dangerous but indigenous self-trust. The Apostle Paul had done some whispering in those days too as he recounted being utterly, unbearably crushed, feeling his heart the sentence of death. Yet he, unlike me, was given a reason---which I decided to borrow for my own uncertainty and crushed spirit, But these things happened so we might not rely on ourselves but on God who raises the dead. It is insisted in Hallmark cards and maxims we thoughtlessly prattle off that absence makes the heart grow fonder. I thought, as I addressed my peers behind the props of empty bottles once holding yellow #5, and plenty of high-octane, caffeinated, sugar- water, that my life was a scientifically accurate proof of that proverb. Loves Acute Ache I had come to seminary full of anticipation. Expecting that God and I would be more intertwined and cozy than ever when my studies were through. That I would know things deeply and him fervently. And here at the end, I stood, having worked harder than I ever had, wrestled more with anguish, sadness, anxiety, and the thorniest existential questions about God and this troubled world of ours, and wasnt sure I could even say I now loved him more. And by the way, where was he? But the absence, the not knowing, the unsettling, the sleeplessness, the wrangling....it had made an ache for him grow acute and focused in me. Maybe then, I reckoned, it was a failure of language that was sinking me. Or a truncated vision of love. Perhaps I had seen too much tv as a kid, and let romantic comedies dictate to me what love was. So I interrogated myself with a wider array of loves width and breadth from biblical concepts as a self-diagnostic tool: Did I want him? Why, more than water a great deal of the time. Did he matter to me? Oh, beyond reasonability during so many of my waking hours. Did pleasing him seem important to me? Well, I think I could have said with Luther, that I would have stood on my head if I thought it could make him pleased with me. Did his words and ways have any sway in my life? I wanted them to but feared not enough. I saw how much I couldnt keep, how little my obedience was, and how much my experience jibed with Whitfield who once insisted even my repentance wants to be repented of. There was a cloud of not-enough following me around like Pig Pens dust cloud in the Peanuts cartoon strip. A cloud Ive sensed learned hovers around many who come to see about themselves what is rarely visible to those around them. But you know what? In giving that talk, and living many days since I came to realize that I could have just as well said an emphatic and emancipating YES! I do love him! Because I wanted him, wanted to be near him, to please him, and not to displease him. He mattered to me a great deal, Jesus did. I just didnt have but a very narrow conception of loves semantic range beforehand. Since then I have heard others wonder it too. Earnest, troubled, and anguished, they hear the experience of their more certain friends declaring their own undying affection for their Risen Savior and, knowing what they know of their own jangled insides, feel disingenuous at worst and timid at best making the same pronouncement themselves. Sometimes love wears the suit of desire and is tasted by an absence that makes the wanting fiercer. At others, it looks more like obedience. And still at others, it presents as basic consideration and affection. I hadnt realized that in seminary. I had failed to remember the basic realization of a jealous, confused, hurt, nearly slipping psalmist in one of his prayer love-letters to God that starts like an angry accusation but ends with the poetry of desire... Whom have I in heaven but you? And earth has nothing I desire besides you. My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever. (Psalm 73) I would never have known an experience even approximating this love-desire, had I not been emptied out like Citrus Hit and left wobbling like an empty, flimsy, plastic jug. And so I try to remember each time the harrowing, emptying, (and UNWANTED) desert seasons barge into the living room of my life that perhaps, the King of Love is merely, once again, deepening my capacity for Him to matter most, because, for reasons never clear to me, we matter so alarmingly much to Him. ------ Contact Eric Youngblood, pastor of Rock Creek Fellowship on Lookout Mountain, at eric@rockcreekfellowship.org Volkswagen Chattanooga on Tuesday announced that it has achieved a production milestone with the completion of the 700,000th Volkswagen Passat assembled in Chattanooga. Assembled in the LEED Platinum-certified production facility in Chattanooga, the 700,000th Passat is a 2018 Passat GT, finished in Reflex Silver, with two-tone black and grey interior. The limited-edition model uses the 3.6-liter VR6 engine and a 6-speed DSG Tiptronic dual-clutch automatic transmission. The history of Volkswagen Chattanooga is intertwined with the history of the U.S. Passat," said Antonio Pinto, president and CEO of Volkswagen Chattanooga. "As we grow and add models, we take pride in continuing to produce quality Passats in the state of Tennessee. I am very proud of our team for reaching this important milestone and look forward to more to come. The 2018 Passat GT was designed by the companys North American engineering hub in Chattanooga and its Design Center in California based on extensive feedback from U.S. customers and dealers. The Passat GT is an example of how the Volkswagen North American Region is incorporating a local perspective into our global engineering expertise, said Dr. Matthias Erb, chief engineering officer, and head of Product Strategy, Volkswagen North American Region. The collaboration between U.S. engineers and designers allows us to create vehicles that meet the needs and desires of customers here. Officials said the Passat GT is a true sport sedan. With 280 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque, it offers power and luxury-class driving comfort with surprising fuel economyEPA estimated fuel economy is 19 mpg city and 28 mpg highway. Features include a black roof, 19-inch aluminum-alloy wheels, a honeycomb grille, GTI-like red accents, and a sport suspension that lowers the cars stance. In addition to the Passat, Volkswagen Chattanooga currently assembles the Volkswagen Atlas, a seven-passenger, midsize SUV designed for the American market. In March, Volkswagen also announced that Volkswagen Chattanooga will be the production home of the all-new five-seater SUV, a variant of the seven-passenger Atlas, built on the same award-winning MQB platform. The 700,000th Volkswagen Passat will be commemorated on Volkswagen Chattanoogas social media pages, as the assembly of the car was followed from the body shop, to paint shop and to its final stop at the assembly shop. These six fugitives were arrested in a warrant sweep, the Northampton County Sheriff's Department said May 8, 2018. Courtesy photos | For lehighvalleylive.com By Kurt Bresswein | For lehighvalleylive.com The Northampton County Sheriff's Department helped pick up six fugitives from justice, the department's Sgt. George Volpe announced Tuesday. Making the arrests were the U.S. Marshals Violent Fugitive Task Force comprising members of the Pennsylvania State Police, Pennsylvania State Probation and Parole Agents and the Northampton County Sheriff's Department Criminal Warrant Unit, according to Volpe. The following fugitives were arrested, according to the sheriff' department: Don't Edit Jessica Martin Don't Edit Courtesy photo | For lehighvalleylive.com Jessica Martin, 27, was apprehended without incident in the 3100 block of Highfield Drive in Bethlehem Township. She was wanted by Northampton County Adult Probation for allegedly violating conditions of parole on an original felony charge of receiving stolen property. She also had an active bench warrant for felony drug possession with intent to deliver out of Columbia County, Pennsylvania. She was Northampton County's fugitive of the week on April 6, community tips assisted in her apprehension, Volpe said. Bethlehem Township police assisted with the apprehension, and suspected heroin was recovered along with cash, authorities said. Martin was sent to Northampton County Prison to await disposition of her cases. Don't Edit Jose Maldonado Don't Edit Courtesy photo | For lehighvalleylive.com Jose D. Maldonado Jr., 42, was with Martin and was also apprehended without incident in the 3100 block of Highfield Drive in Bethlehem Township. Maldonado was wanted by Northampton County Adult Probation for allegedly violating his conditions of parole on an original charge of drug possession. Maldonado was also wanted by Lehigh County Probation for allegedly violating his conditions of supervision on an original charge of possession of drug paraphernalia. He was sent to Northampton County Prison to await disposition of his cases. Don't Edit Don't Edit Matthew Martin Don't Edit Courtesy photo | For lehighvalleylive.com Matthew Martin, 25, was apprehended with his sister, Jessica Martin, and without incident in the 3100 block of Highfield Drive in Bethlehem Township. Martin had two active warrants from Carbon County for allegedly failing to appear in court on original charges of DUI and possession of a controlled substance. Don't Edit Keith Bisher Don't Edit Courtesy photo | For lehighvalleylive.com Keith Bisher, 40, was apprehended without incident in the 200 block of North 10th Street in Easton. Bisher was wanted by Easton police for felony delivery of crack cocaine. He was arraigned before Judge Antonia Grifo and sent to Northampton County Prison in lieu of $35,000 bail. Don't Edit Fugitive assaults task force members during arrest, authorities say Don't Edit Don't Edit Aaron Peterson Don't Edit Courtesy photo | For lehighvalleylive.com Aaron Peterson, 32, was apprehended in the 800 block of Spring Garden Street in Easton. Peterson was wanted by Northampton County Adult Probation for allegedly violating his conditions of parole on an original felony charge of criminal trespass. Peterson allegedly struggled with task force members and was charged with three counts of aggravated assault and two counts of resisting arrest. He was arraigned before Grifo and sent to Northampton County Prison in lieu of $50,000 bail. Don't Edit Tito Aguirre Don't Edit Courtesy photo | For lehighvalleylive.com Tito Aguirre, 35, was apprehended without incident in the 1600 block of Capouse Avenue in Scranton. He was wanted by the State of New York for allegedly violating his conditions of supervision. Aguirre has original felony charges of sexual assault and is a violent offender, according to the Northampton County Sheriff's Department. Don't Edit MORE CRIME NEWS Don't Edit Don't Edit Kurt Bresswein may be reached at kbresswein@lehighvalleylive.com. Follow him on Twitter @KurtBresswein and Facebook. Find lehighvalleylive.com on Facebook. A memorial service for Pennsylvania's fallen police officers on Monday included special recognition for a Lehigh County sheriff's officer nine years after his death. Scott Moyer was 43 when he died in September 2009. He suffered a heart attack after apprehending a man on a warrant and went home, according to the Officer Down Memorial Page website. He reportedly was hospitalized and died a short time later. Moyer was an Emmaus High School alum and graduated from Lehigh Carbon Community College and the Allentown Police Academy in 1993, according to his obituary. He had worked as a Lehigh County sheriff's officer since 1992 and had also worked in the Macungie and Alburtis police departments. He was survived by his wife of 11 years and his son, who was 5 at the time. Moyer was among four officers included in a special remembrance Monday at the Pennsylvania Fraternal Order of Police's 25th annual memorial service in Harrisburg. The others were Shawn D. Rager of the Johnstown Police Department, Pennsylvania State Trooper Michael Paul Stewart III, and Brian David Shaw of the New Kensington Police Department. Thank you to all who joined us today as we honored our fallen officers. We are a stronger, safter commonwealth because of the service and sacrifice of these heroes and their families. #Heroes #PoliceWeek2018 PA FOP (@PA_FOP) May 7, 2018 "Today, in addition to the thanks we give all of our fallen officers, we specifically recognize the sacrifice of four men who laid down their lives in service of others," Gov. Tom Wolf said in a news release. "Let us always remember these officers, and all who came before them for the sacrifice they made to keep all of us - our children, our families, and our communities, safe." Moyer's name will also be added to the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial this weekend in Washington, D.C., The Morning Call reports. Steve Novak may be reached at snovak@lehighvalleylive.com. Follow him on Twitter @type2supernovak and Facebook. Find lehighvalleylive.com on Facebook. Republican U.S. Rep. Charlie Dent of Pennsylvania says Friday will be his last day in Congress, after saying last month that he wouldn't finish his seventh term. Dent, the leader of a group of GOP moderates, had said last year he wouldn't seek re-election. Dent has been a frequent critic of President Donald Trump and the polarization on Capitol Hill. He was facing a potentially hostile electorate in 2018. Last month, Dent said he'd leave early, making him the third Pennsylvania Republican to resign from Congress this session. A special election to fill the final two months of Dent's term will be held Nov. 6, the day of the general election. Dent's district was redrawn in February under court order and it's now considered a toss-up. There are six Democrats running in the May 15 primary to represent the new 7th Congressional District covering Lehigh, Northampton and southern Monroe counties. On the Republican side, two candidates seek the nomination to run in the general election. The Lehigh Valley race has drawn attention outside the area, given the lack of incumbent and newly redrawn district comprising urban, suburban and rural voters. On Saturday, U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., visited Allentown to endorse one of the Democratic candidates. Find lehighvalleylive.com on Facebook. Science HEAR, HEAR! OPTIMISED HEARING DEVICES FEATURING FIBRE-OPTIC TECHNOLOGY MADE IN AUSTRIA 08.05.2018 10:21:58 - Austria-based Karl Landsteiner University of Health Sciences and partners move closer to developing fully implantable hearing aid Krems (Austria), 8 May Groundbreaking technology for the transmission of acoustic signals, designed for use in fully implantable hearing aids, has been successfully tested for the first time. The technology is based on completely contact-free fibre-optic technology, which senses the tiniest ossicle movements and uses them to stimulate the acoustic nerves. A joint Austrian-Serbian team including Karl Landsteiner University of Health Sciences, Austria, has now successfully tested this new innovation. The tests produced important findings on future use of the technology on humans. The results were published in the international journal Biosensors and Bioelectronics. (live-PR.com) - Hearing aids should be heard, not seen. And this is precisely what fully surgically implantable hearing devices can deliver. Their Achilles heel is the microphones, which receive sounds and use a sophisticated process to transform them into impulses for the acoustic nerves. It is essential that they can function error-free inside the human body for many years. With existing technology, - Hearing aids should be heard, not seen. And this is precisely what fully surgically implantable hearing devices can deliver. Their Achilles heel is the microphones, which receive sounds and use a sophisticated process to transform them into impulses for the acoustic nerves. It is essential that they can function error-free inside the human body for many years. With existing technology, this is only possible to a limited extent, so new solutions are urgently needed. One such advance could be the use of fibre-optic measuring technology that picks up vibrations in the ossicles. Working in collaboration with counterparts from Serbia, an Austrian team, in which Karl Landsteiner University of Health Sciences in Krems, Austria, (KL Krems) is playing a decisive part, has now tested the technology under realistic conditions. AUDIBLE PROGRESS Speaking about the background to the latest breakthrough, Prof. Georg Mathias Sprinzl, head of the Ear, Nose and Throat Department at St Polten University Hospital, which is part of KL Krems, commented: "Even state-of-the-art hearing aids often require parts outside the ear. This has many disadvantages for people who wear hearing aids: they can be stigmatised if the device is visible, parts of the ear often become inflamed and the wearers own voice can sound distorted. Fully implantable hearing aids can overcome these problems but the technology still needs to be fine-tuned. And thats what we are working on." One highly significant advance is the use of contact-free fibre-optic measuring technology to detect sounds, which would allow the microphone to be positioned inside the ear. The technology is based on low-coherence interferometry, a method which picks up superimposed sound waves. The team used this approach for the optical measurement of nanometre-sized ossicle vibrations. As Prof. Sprinzl explained: "The ability to pick up sound from the ossicles is a huge advantage because it fully preserves the natural amplification function of the outer ear and the eardrum. On the technological side, this also minimises signal distortion and feedback." SOUND PREPARATION However, with a view to deploying the system in the human ear, Prof. Sprinzl and his colleagues needed to address a number of fundamental requirements. For example, they had to develop the operative procedure for the implantation, as well as the means of "targeting" the laser used for sensing. Prof. Sprinzl, who performs over 1,000 implants of various types of hearing aid each year, noted: "Obviously, we did not carry out this development work on people. Instead, we used artificial and animal models, which allowed us to optimise the quality of the ossicle vibration sensing system." The recently published findings confirm the effectiveness of the technology and that, in principle, it could be used inside the ear for long periods. In these initial tests, the team found that the laser beam which is critical for sensing vibrations remained accurately aligned with the selected ossicle for five months. The teams measurements also showed that the system can distinguish between the sounds to be transmitted and background noise, although more work will be required in this respect in future. Aspects such as system miniaturisation and electricity consumption will also be addressed by the team, which comprises ACMIT GmbH, the Medical University of Vienna, the University of Belgrade, KL Krems and ENT specialists. The project team includes surgeons working alongside engineers and software developers. KL Krems participation in this cutting-edge innovation project, which is supported by NO Forschungs- und Bildungsges.m.b.H., the Lower Austrian research and education agency, once again underlines the universitys focus on niches in bridge disciplines related to health policy. Original publication: In-vitro and in-vivo measurement of the animal's middle ear acoustical response by partially implantable fiber-optic sensing system. Z. Djinovic, R. Pavelka, M. Tomic, G. Sprinzl, H. Plenk, U. Losert, H. Bergmeister, R. Plasenzotti. Biosens Bioelectron. 2018 Apr 30;103:176-181. doi: 10.1016/j.bios.2017.12.015. About Karl Landsteiner University of Health Sciences Karl Landsteiner University of Health Sciences (KL) is a pioneer for innovation in medical and health sciences education and research, and a catalyst for groundbreaking work which will benefit society at large. Research at KL focuses on niche fields in bridge disciplines such as biomedical engineering, psychodynamics and psychology, as well as topics including water quality and related health issues. Study programmes include health sciences, human medicine, and psychotherapy and counselling and have full European recognition. A network of university hospitals in St Poelten, Krems, and Tulln provides students with quality-assured, research-led education; it enables them to do top-class clinical research that is recognised worldwide. Karl Landsteiner University received accreditation by the Agency for Quality Assurance and Accreditation Austria (AQ Austria) in 2013. Scientific Contact Prof. Georg Mathias Sprinzl Clinical department of ear, nose and throat University Hospital St.Poelten Dr.-Karl-Dorrek-Strae 30 3500 Krems / Austria T +43 2742 9004-12901 M +43 / 664 / 845 1510 E georgmathias.sprinzl@stpoelten.lknoe.at W www.stpoelten.lknoe.at Karl Landsteiner University of Health Science Barbara M. Peutz Communications, PR & Marketing Dr.-Karl-Dorrek-Strae 30 3500 Krems / Austria T +43 2732 72090 230 M +43 664 889 558 49 E barbara.peutz@kl.ac.at W www.kl.ac.at/ Copy Editing & Distribution PR&D Public Relations for Research & Education Ira Paschinger Mariannengasse 8 1090 Vienna / Austria T +43 / 1 / 505 70 44 E paschinger@prd.at W www.prd.at/ this is only possible to a limited extent, so new solutions are urgently needed. One such advance could be the use of fibre-optic measuring technology that picks up vibrations in the ossicles. Working in collaboration with counterparts from Serbia, an Austrian team, in which Karl Landsteiner University of Health Sciences in Krems, Austria, (KL Krems) is playing a decisive part, has now tested the technology under realistic conditions.AUDIBLE PROGRESSSpeaking about the background to the latest breakthrough, Prof. Georg Mathias Sprinzl, head of the Ear, Nose and Throat Department at St Polten University Hospital, which is part of KL Krems, commented: "Even state-of-the-art hearing aids often require parts outside the ear. This has many disadvantages for people who wear hearing aids: they can be stigmatised if the device is visible, parts of the ear often become inflamed and the wearers own voice can sound distorted. Fully implantable hearing aids can overcome these problems but the technology still needs to be fine-tuned. And thats what we are working on."One highly significant advance is the use of contact-free fibre-optic measuring technology to detect sounds, which would allow the microphone to be positioned inside the ear. The technology is based on low-coherence interferometry, a method which picks up superimposed sound waves. The team used this approach for the optical measurement of nanometre-sized ossicle vibrations. As Prof. Sprinzl explained: "The ability to pick up sound from the ossicles is a huge advantage because it fully preserves the natural amplification function of the outer ear and the eardrum. On the technological side, this also minimises signal distortion and feedback."SOUND PREPARATIONHowever, with a view to deploying the system in the human ear, Prof. Sprinzl and his colleagues needed to address a number of fundamental requirements. For example, they had to develop the operative procedure for the implantation, as well as the means of "targeting" the laser used for sensing. Prof. Sprinzl, who performs over 1,000 implants of various types of hearing aid each year, noted: "Obviously, we did not carry out this development work on people. Instead, we used artificial and animal models, which allowed us to optimise the quality of the ossicle vibration sensing system."The recently published findings confirm the effectiveness of the technology and that, in principle, it could be used inside the ear for long periods. In these initial tests, the team found that the laser beam which is critical for sensing vibrations remained accurately aligned with the selected ossicle for five months. The teams measurements also showed that the system can distinguish between the sounds to be transmitted and background noise, although more work will be required in this respect in future. Aspects such as system miniaturisation and electricity consumption will also be addressed by the team, which comprises ACMIT GmbH, the Medical University of Vienna, the University of Belgrade, KL Krems and ENT specialists.The project team includes surgeons working alongside engineers and software developers. KL Krems participation in this cutting-edge innovation project, which is supported by NO Forschungs- und Bildungsges.m.b.H., the Lower Austrian research and education agency, once again underlines the universitys focus on niches in bridge disciplines related to health policy.Original publication: In-vitro and in-vivo measurement of the animal's middle ear acoustical response by partially implantable fiber-optic sensing system. Z. Djinovic, R. Pavelka, M. Tomic, G. Sprinzl, H. Plenk, U. Losert, H. Bergmeister, R. Plasenzotti. Biosens Bioelectron. 2018 Apr 30;103:176-181. doi: 10.1016/j.bios.2017.12.015. www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/29273266 About Karl Landsteiner University of Health SciencesKarl Landsteiner University of Health Sciences (KL) is a pioneer for innovation in medical and health sciences education and research, and a catalyst for groundbreaking work which will benefit society at large. Research at KL focuses on niche fields in bridge disciplines such as biomedical engineering, psychodynamics and psychology, as well as topics including water quality and related health issues. Study programmes include health sciences, human medicine, and psychotherapy and counselling and have full European recognition. A network of university hospitals in St Poelten, Krems, and Tulln provides students with quality-assured, research-led education; it enables them to do top-class clinical research that is recognised worldwide. Karl Landsteiner University received accreditation by the Agency for Quality Assurance and Accreditation Austria (AQ Austria) in 2013.Scientific ContactProf. Georg Mathias SprinzlClinical department of ear, nose and throatUniversity Hospital St.PoeltenDr.-Karl-Dorrek-Strae 303500 Krems / AustriaT +43 2742 9004-12901M +43 / 664 / 845 1510Karl Landsteiner University of Health ScienceBarbara M. PeutzCommunications, PR & MarketingDr.-Karl-Dorrek-Strae 303500 Krems / AustriaT +43 2732 72090 230M +43 664 889 558 49Copy Editing & DistributionPR&D Public Relations for Research & EducationIra PaschingerMariannengasse 81090 Vienna / AustriaT +43 / 1 / 505 70 44 Author: Till C. Jelitto e-mail Web: http://www.prd.at Phone: +43 - 1 - 505 70 44 08.05.2018 10:21:58 - Disclaimer: If you have any questions regarding information in this article please contact the author. Please do not contact Live-PR.com. We are not able to assist you. Live-PR.com disclaims content contained in this article. Live-PR.com is not authorized to give any information about content and not responsible for content posted by third party. Stock Market News AstraZeneca offloads Seroquel rights for $538m, gets Lynparza green light 08-05-2018 07:16 Stock News headlines are gathered from financial news sources around the web. Views and opinions on each item are from their respective authors and website. They are not opinions of LiveCharts.co.uk Stock Market News BGEO recognised for work with women-owned businesses 08-05-2018 11:17 Stock News headlines are gathered from financial news sources around the web. Views and opinions on each item are from their respective authors and website. They are not opinions of LiveCharts.co.uk Stock Market News Commodities: US pulls out of Iran nuclear deal 08-05-2018 20:47 Stock News headlines are gathered from financial news sources around the web. Views and opinions on each item are from their respective authors and website. They are not opinions of LiveCharts.co.uk China's goods trade rose 8.9 percent year on year to 9.11 trillion yuan (about 1.43 trillion U.S. dollars) in the first four months of this year, customs data showed Tuesday. Photo taken on May 8, 2018, shows a port in Qingdao, Shandong province. [Photo: IC] China's goods exports rose 6.4 percent year on year to 4.81 trillion yuan in the January-April period while imports grew 11.7 percent to 4.3 trillion yuan, resulting in a trade surplus of 506.24 billion yuan, which narrowed by 24.1 percent, according to the General Administration of Customs. Stock Market News Europe midday: Stocks down ahead of US decision on Iran deal 08-05-2018 12:03 Stock News headlines are gathered from financial news sources around the web. Views and opinions on each item are from their respective authors and website. They are not opinions of LiveCharts.co.uk Stock Market News Faron Pharmaceuticals crashes on results of disappointing study 08-05-2018 08:49 Stock News headlines are gathered from financial news sources around the web. Views and opinions on each item are from their respective authors and website. They are not opinions of LiveCharts.co.uk Stock Market News FTSE 100 movers: Shire shoots higher, WPP slips as Sorrell speaks 08-05-2018 14:30 Stock News headlines are gathered from financial news sources around the web. Views and opinions on each item are from their respective authors and website. They are not opinions of LiveCharts.co.uk Stock Market News FTSE 250 movers: Virgin rallies on CYBG approach; FirstGroup tanks 08-05-2018 14:32 Stock News headlines are gathered from financial news sources around the web. Views and opinions on each item are from their respective authors and website. They are not opinions of LiveCharts.co.uk Stock Market News Hiscox sees slower growth after strong first quarter 08-05-2018 08:16 Stock News headlines are gathered from financial news sources around the web. Views and opinions on each item are from their respective authors and website. They are not opinions of LiveCharts.co.uk Stock Market News Savills trading in line, says UK residential market picking up 08-05-2018 12:09 Stock News headlines are gathered from financial news sources around the web. Views and opinions on each item are from their respective authors and website. They are not opinions of LiveCharts.co.uk Stock Market News Standard Life Aberdeen contests Lloyds' 109bn fund withdrawal 08-05-2018 07:06 Stock News headlines are gathered from financial news sources around the web. Views and opinions on each item are from their respective authors and website. They are not opinions of LiveCharts.co.uk Stock Market News Trump to pass judgement on Iran nuclear deal on Tuesday 08-05-2018 11:03 Stock News headlines are gathered from financial news sources around the web. Views and opinions on each item are from their respective authors and website. They are not opinions of LiveCharts.co.uk Twitter/@CeciliaZalkind(WASHINGTON) -- The halls of Congress were filled today not with lobbyists in suits but with babies in strollers and toddlers waddling alongside their parents to demand help from legislators. Its really important that our legislators are taking care of our kids futures because its our countrys future too, said Amy Lingerfelt, who traveled from Kansas with her husband and 2-year-old son, Noah. Noah is not just a kid in Kansas, she said. He could be an astronaut or the president one day. Noah has a sensory processing disorder and has been in early Head Start since the age of six months, according to Lingerfelt. Due to stomach issues, he also relies on a special formula that the family receives through the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC). Theres no way our family would be able to afford that without WIC, said Lingerfelt, referring to the federally-funded program that provides nutrition services for low-income women and children up to age 5. Protecting and increasing funding for programs like WIC is just one of the policy priorities of Strolling Thunder, which brought in families from all 50 states and the District of Columbia to meet with their members of Congress. The lobbying day is organized by Zero to Three, a national non-profit organization focused on supporting children up to age 3. The science is clear that our brains grow faster between ages of 0 to 3 than at any stage later life, said Dr. Myra Jones-Taylor, the organizations chief policy officer. Babies brains form more than 1 million new neural connections each second. She added, Parents are the best advocates for their children and we believe strongly in raising the voices of parents. The lobbying event included a rally featuring House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, but mostly it gave parents like Karina and Ben Hoff a chance to show legislators that funding requests are more than just numbers in a bill. The Hoffs daughter, Lucia, 14 months, was born with a cleft palate and is on Medicaid. The couple, who are both visually impaired, also rely on a home health nurse through a federally-funded program. Weve definitely benefited from several programs and we want to make sure there is funding for future generations, Karina Hoff said. Accessibility to health care helps us succeed in taking care of our children. There were approximately 11.9 million children under the age of 3 in the U.S. as of 2016, according to the most recent U.S. Census data. Those children scored a "historic win" earlier this year, according to Jones-Taylor, when Congress passed an omnibus spending bill that included a $2.37 billion boost to the Child Care and Development Block Grant (CCDBG), which helps offset the cost of childcare for low-income families. The bill also included a $115 million increase in funding for Early Head Start, a program for low-income pregnant women, infants and toddlers up to age 3, and first-time funding for mental health support for infants and toddlers. Strolling Thunder parents want to make sure that the funding, which Jones-Taylor described as a "down payment," is not reversed and continues to grow. The funding should matter to everyone, even people who are not currently benefiting from the programs, according to Lingerfelt. "This is not something that I ever thought would be in the realm of possibilities," Lingerfelt, 25, said of lobbying Congress for funding for early childhood intervention. "I think its important for other people to realize that kids like Noah, and kids of all ages, theyre going to be our future." In addition to funding requests, Strolling Thunder participants are also asking Congress to pass the Family and Medical Insurance Leave (FAMILY) Act, that would create a national program to make paid leave available to all workers and their families. Their attention is also focused on the Childcare for Working Families Act that would build on the Child Care and Development Block Grant, with particular focus on childcare for infants and toddlers. "Ive had job opportunities but I couldnt take them because I didnt have anyone to watch [Lucia]," Hoff said. "I had to decline because childcare is very expensive and if we had cheaper childcare parents would have better opportunities to get a job." Beyond Washington, D.C., Strolling Thunder is also happening on the local level -- with rallies planned in Colorado, New Jersey, Georgia, North Carolina, Rhode Island, California and Washington state this month and next -- and online at ThinkBabies.org. "Babies who dont get what their growing brains need during this critical time can face lifelong health, physical and developmental problems that end up costing this country in many ways," said Jones-Taylor. "It is such a waste to not make sure each child reaches their full potential." Copyright 2018, ABC Radio. All rights reserved. The material on this site is for law firms, companies and other IP specialists. It is for information only. Please read our Terms and Conditions and Privacy Notice before using the site. All material subject to strictly enforced copyright laws. 2021 Euromoney Institutional Investor PLC. For help please see our FAQs. To access our in-house intelligence please request a trial here. Read this article and more for a 30 day period. Are you already an Managing IP subscriber? Login here In secret, behind locked gates, our Nation's Oldest City dumped a landfill in a lake (Old City Reservoir), while emitting sewage in our rivers and salt marsh. Organized citizens exposed and defeated pollution, racism and cronyism. We elected a new Mayor. We're transforming our City -- advanced citizenship. Ask questions. Make disclosures. Demand answers. Be involved. Expect democracy. Report and expose corruption. Smile! Help enact a St. Augustine National Park and Seashore. We shall overcome! During the night of 7 April, our comrade Martin Oskarsson passed away at the age of 59 years. He was hit by a sudden bout of pneumonia that led to blood poisoning. Despite being under intensive care, it was unfortunately not possible to save him. Our thoughts are with his close friends and relatives. Martin Oskarsson was one of the most dedicated and loyal members of Revolution and the International Marxist Tendency. He was one of the founders of the paper that is today called Revolution. Because of his illness he was unfortunately unable to be as active as he would have liked during his last years. Martin joined the Marxist movement in the 1970s and continued being active until the end. He never lost his revolutionary conviction for a second. On the contrary, he maintained his firm belief that the Swedish and international working class both can and, sooner-or-later, will change society and build socialism. Martin dedicated his whole life to this cause. The red region of Adalen Martin was a child of his time and birthplace. He grew up in the red Adalen, where some of the greatest battles of the Swedish class struggle were waged. Here, the strike in Sundsvall broke out in 1879 and ushered in an era of unionising in Sweden. Here, the Communist Party more than in any other place challenged the dominance of Social Democracy in the trade union confederation LO in the 1930s. During the bitter strike movements throughout 19311934, LO and the Social Democracy again and again showed their complete loyalty to the capitalist system and just how far these reformist, so-called leaders were willing to go to prevent working-class struggle. Martin was not only well-read in working-class history. He also had a genuinely nuanced and dialectical view on it. Time upon time he explained to younger comrades that history does not have a predetermined course. Neither the victory of Stalinism nor the dominance of Social Democracy was inevitable Martin always stressed that development is decided by the struggle of living forces. Like he always said: once the working class moves into struggle, there is always a possibility of transforming the workers movement into a militant tool for changing society. When Martin became politically active as a young teenager, many of these battles were long forgotten. Sometimes there is a close connection between the life of an individual and the development of history. This was the case with Martin. At the time of his becoming socialist, the working class moved into action in Sweden and internationally. It led to an immediate crisis of the reformist mass organisations. A swing to the left followed. In Sweden, Social Democracy was deeply affected, especially young unionists and even more the members of the Social Democratic Youth. Slogans of overthrowing capitalism, stopping the imperialist wars, supporting the struggle of national liberation in different countries all of this suddenly came to the fore. But early on Martin saw the difference between radicalism in words and being a genuine revolutionary. The Marxist Tendency In 1975, at a camp of the Social Democratic Youth, two young Social Democrats showed up with a Marxist paper of the workers movement. Martin didnt hesitate. He understood that this was what he had been looking and longing for. From this moment he was a revolutionary Marxist. The following years were characterised by a stream of successes in the Social Democratic Youth, the unions and in the Social Democratic party. Where Martin was active between Sundsvall and Umea in the north the Marxists grew rapidly, both in terms of influence and numbers. Martin at a protest against the Vietnam War in the 1970s / Image: Revolution After the 1980s, with the in-part successful struggle of Thatcher and Reagan against socialism and even more after the fall of the Soviet Union many of Martins generation of comrades were demoralised and left the movement. Others went in an ultra-left and sectarian direction. Martin never fell into these traps, but instead tried to use these crises to deepen his understanding of Marxism. He always explained that theres an important difference between the theoretical preparation for the revolutionary situation that will arrive one day, and the actual ability to act when the time is right. For decades, the Marxists had repeated that the crisis of capitalism also will mean a crisis of reformism. Still when the leadership of Social Democracy openly went over to the side of the bourgeoisie and started attacking their own welfare state some of the old comrades were shocked. But Martin just clenched his fists and had another go at it. Time and time again he began from scratch with a new generation of youth. Many of us who knew him, would consider him a bit rough, stubborn and sometimes rigid. But in truth, what other personality could have achieved what Martin did? Without his unyielding work, especially during the years when he was the only older comrade, it is not likely that the Marxist tendency would have survived in Sweden. He played a decisive role in the building of the IMT in Sweden, especially throughout the years around 2010, when the tendency was rebuilt around the paper now called Revolution. Even though he couldnt be active towards the end, he was very happy about the success of the younger comrades and always sent enthusiastic and warm praise when he received the reports. He also educated his son Hannes in Marxism, who became an active member of the IMT. An enormous knowledge Martins enormous knowledge of Marxist theory, history and the traditions of the movement made him an invaluable teacher for the younger comrades. He was always prepared to speak at length, whether the topic was the political history of South Africa, the Bolshevik party, imperialism, Marxist economics, the Soviet Union, philosophy, working-class struggle in Sweden and a host of other fields. He always showed up to branch meetings with a new book in his hands that he would place on the meeting table. Maybe the book was about the Spanish Revolution or Rosa Luxemburg, and since he himself had usually read it, he often left the book behind. Many suspected that this was a way to encourage others to read. He always encouraged comrades to study and understand Marxism in depth for themselves, and not just take things for granted. Many have gotten their first education in Marxism during lengthy meetings and discussions with Martin, where he patiently explained the basic ideas to every young comrade who was prepared to listen. He had an ability to always add something new to a discussion. Gave everything for the struggle At the end of his life he ended up in a very tough personal situation after having become very ill. The authorities (Forsakringskassan) denied his application for sick pay despite him having many papers from his physicians proving that he could not work at all. Many are subjected to such psychological and also physical torture under this system. But Martins response to this was never individual despair but political struggle. He wrote many letters to the bourgeois press and articles in Revolution during this time, about how he and others are mistreated, without help from the state. During this time he took the initiative himself to collect money for the publication of Alan Woods book, The History of Philosophy, with a Swedish translation by Hans Akesson. He showed up to one of Revolutions meetings with a bag full of books and encouraged everyone to study it. Without knowing philosophy you can not build a revolutionary organization, he urged! Martin (middle) at Hands Off Venezuela meeting No one was so disinterested in personal flattery as Martin. He understood that we have a task to carry out that is much larger than any single individual. This is the lifeblood of Marxists, as Trotsky summed up: Life is not an easy matterYou cannot live through it without falling into frustration and cynicism unless you have before you a great idea which raises you above personal misery, above weakness, above all kinds of perfidy and baseness. Martins big ideal was socialism: a just and equal world without classes, where no one is being oppressed and everyone can live in full freedom and harmony. On the shoulders of those who came before us Martin dedicated his life to the struggle for the emancipation of mankind, to his last breath. We have a responsibility to carry on this struggle, to prepare that revolution that he dedicated his life to. We will remember him as a role model and an inspiration. Martin with comrades on 1 May 2017 / Image: Revolution We remember this revolutionary and class fighter. His struggle will continue to inspire and make its mark on the Swedish class struggle. The ideas he defended until his death the ideas of Bolshevism remain the only ideas that can put an end to capitalist barbarism. Martin was a proletarian revolutionary who never gave up. Without his efforts the Swedish section of the IMT would never have been where it is today. Let his life and struggle be an inspiration to the coming generations of class fighters who are growing up under conditions of capitalist crisis. We can only hope that we will make a contribution that is as loyal, honest and fervent as this dedicated revolutionary. Note: Martins funeral took place on May 4th in Gothenburg. Please send any condolences to editor@marxist.se and copy to hannes.marxist@gmail.com. Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, May 8) -- Oil giant Petron Corp. opened the year strong with a P5.8-billion consolidated net income for the first quarter, calling the figure "its highest quarterly income in history." The net income is 4 percent higher from the P5.6 billion posted in the same period in 2017. "Our financial and operating performance in the first quarter of 2018 is a strong indication that we are on track for another unprecedented year," Petron President and CEO Ramon Ang said in a statement Tuesday. Petron also said improving operations in its refinery in Bataan province, northwest of Manila, contributed to the company's performance. "While we are focused on high-margin segments such as retail, we are also fast-tracking our logistics projects to further integrate our value chain, reflecting increased demand for Petron's superior products," Ang said. The company also posted consolidated revenues of P129 billion in January to March, 21 percent higher than year-ago's P106 billion. "This year promises to be a challenging one but with our ability to quickly deal and adapt to trends and changes, we will remain the market leader, secure better results, and continue to be a great company to work in and to own," he said. SPRINGFIELD -- Luis Sanchez says he fled Puerto Rico four months ago because the aftermath of Hurricane Maria made it impossible for him to resume his career as a personal trainer. Juan Collins said he was homeless for more than three years until Catholic Charities found him a permanent place to stay about six months ago. Both men live in Chestnut Towers, a down-at-the-heels high-rise in downtown Springfield that has a new owner focused on improving not only the property, but the lives of those who live in there. Collins, 22, and Sanchez, 25, are two of four Chestnut Towers residents attending the Massachusetts Casino Career Training Institute, with their landlord paying their tuition. Their first class in a course for blackjack dealers was Monday night. Collins said he wants to get a job and move forward with his life. Sanchez needs a job to care for family still living in his devastated hometown of Lares. Before the storm, he worked at a seaside gym in a nearby town. After the storm destroyed the building, thieves stole all the equipment. "It's very difficult to start again from almost nothing," he said. "I know English. I need more skills." Jeffrey I. Brodsky, vice chairman of Chestnut Towers owner Related Companies -- a former minority stakeholder in the property that took over a controlling interest last year -- said the Towers hosted an information session for residents highlighting jobs at MGM. The $960-million casino complex is within walking distance, and many who live in Chestnut towers 480 units need work -- or jobs that are better than the ones they have. But residents like Sanchez and Collins say it doesn't matter that MGM Springfield is willing to reimburse the tuition they'd have to pay to attend the gaming school and qualify for a job on the casino floor. "I couldn't have afforded it," Collins said. "With bills and everything, it's just too much." Brodsky said the solution was simple: Related Companies would front the money. Courses at the Massachusetts Casino Career Training Institute cost from $199 to $599 each. To qualify for a job, students must pass at least two courses. MGM has pledged to pay back students who go on to win jobs at the Springfield casino. Another nine Chestnut Towers residents who want jobs at the casino but are not qualified for dealer jobs will get training through the New England Farm Workers Council, Brodsky said. Residents were told up front that working as a dealer requires a license from the Massachusetts Gaming Commission, and that license requires a clean criminal background. The Farm Workers Council can help residents find English as a second language classes or training in mathematics or other basic skills. Once they have that training, the residents can apply for some of the entry-level jobs at MGM Springfield in food service, maintenance or some other department, Brodsky said. "We really talk about this as helping people help themselves," he said. He said he looks forward to MGM reimbursing the gaming school tuition to Related, because that would mean the tenants are employed there and doing well. But, he said, "The goal of this is not to get the money back." Michele Cabral, director of the Massachusetts Casino Career Training Institute, said she never expected a landlord to step up in such a way. "I think it is fantastic," she said. Brodsky said a few of the new students didn't have the required clothing for class -- black-pants and a white-button-down shirt -- so Related staffers in Springfield bought the outfits for them. "We are just trying to be helpful. The barriers can be so simple to remove, yet they are high for the individuals," Brodsky said. The Massachusetts Casino Career Training Institute is a cooperative arrangement between MGM, Springfield Technical Community College and Holyoke Community College. Students learn the basics of customer service, of state gaming law and how to deal games like craps, blackjack and roulette. MGM Springfield said it is seeking to hire 450 dealers for table games and poker. These are tipped positions, earning about $5 an hour in base pay but up to $20 or more an hour with tips. The jobs also offer benefits. Cabral said the gaming school has about 200 students right now. Forty-six people have graduated with courses in two games. Of those, nine have been offered jobs. There are more interviews scheduled, and some students who have passed two courses are delaying their job interviews until after they pass a third course or until they practice more and hone their card-handling skills and dexterity, she said. Those jobs are a fraction though of the more than 3,000 positions MGM is trying to fill before the August opening date. Built in 1976 as a modern, mixed-income apartment building, Chestnut Towers has been low-income housing for many years and has faced a slew of complaints about upkeep and facilities. All that's changing, Brodsky said. He hopes to finalize a loan package soon that will pay for a $40-million renovation plan including new kitchens, bathrooms, elevators and an amenity package with a lounge, fitness center, workspace with computer stations so folks can apply for work, and a centralized laundry. In the meantime, a police substation is probably 30 days from opening. Related is also cooperating with the city-planned renovation of nearby Pynchon Plaza, and the company has encouraged retailers in Chestnut Towers to offer more fresh and healthy food instead of beer, cigarettes and lottery tickets. "We are just trying to do our part in this community. We see the renaissance happening," Brodsky said. This is the first-time Related Companies, which has properties across the country, has paid tuition for its residents. Elsewhere, it has built space for afterschool programs and worked with health care organizations to provide blood pressure screening and other services so seniors can age in place. In some facilities, it provides space for kids to do homework or playgrounds so they can get exercise. "The issue is that we are looking to help people feel proud about where they live. A place that is respectful of their and their family's needs," Brodsky said. And, he said, once Related earns a good relationship with tenants, those residents are more apt to work with the company to manage and care for the property. SPRINGFIELD -- Work will begin later this month on a revamped Platform C at Union Station, and the Massachusetts Department of Transportation expects the 18- by 362-foot platform will be completed by November. MassDOT said Tuesday it awarded the $8.2 million contract for the work to J.F. White, of Framingham. White and Schiavone Construction Co., of Secaucus, New Jersey, are partners in the nearly completed reconstruction of the Interstate 91 viaduct through downtown Springfield. Train passengers now are using Platform D at the station to access Amtrak. CTrail, the new commuter service to New Haven via Hartford, will also use Platform D, which is to the rear, or Lyman Street, side of the building. All passengers will use Platform C once it opens. Platform C didn't open with the rest of Union Station in June 2017 following a $95 million rehab because it didn't meet modern handicapped accessibility rules. There is only 5 feet, 6 inches of floor space on either side of the head house, the building that contains the top of the stairway and the elevator. Federal handicapped accessibility regulations call for six full feet of space. The Springfield Redevelopment Authority, which owns Union Station, tried to get a waiver for the accessibility rules, but couldn't. The new platform platform will be 5 feet high and built on top of the existing platform to meet federal accessibility regulations for Amtrak and CTRail customers, MassDOT said. J.F. White will also install a new elevator from the station concourse to Platform C. Union Station train passengers who need an elevator now use an old one left over from when Amtrak used only a small part of the building prior to the 2017 renovation. "The revitalization of Springfield's Union Station has been a priority of mine for decades," said U.S. Rep. Richard E. Neal, D-Springfield, in a written statement. "Since last June, the iconic structure has been transformed into a state-of-the-art intermodal transportation hub serving all of western New England. The completion of Platform C will make Union Station more accessible for the thousands of passengers that will pass through the facility each day when rail service is expanded in June. It is another important step forward in this exciting and historic project." Neal was the driving force behind the renovation and reopening of Union Station. Built in 1926, Union Station was mostly closed in 1973 and sat empty and unused on the edge of Springfield's downtown. SPRINGFIELD -- Cheers rang out at regular intervals Tuesday at the MassMutual Center as MGM Resorts International's newest Springfield employees emerged from an escalator in the arena's convention center to the second floor. These people were completing the hiring process and were getting their official welcome as MGM Springfield employees. MGM Springfield invited 700 job seekers to the MassMutual Center Tuesday and Wednesday for the first two of four mass-hiring events it'll conduct to staff the $960 million resort casino nearing completion in Springfield's South End. Over the two days this week, MGM expects to hire 234 employees contingent on their passage of background checks, drug screening and -- where required -- obtaining a license from the Massachusetts Gaming Commission, said Marikate Murren, vice president of human resources for MGM Springfield. A second set of two events in June will be larger, with about 1,500 invitees and and 700 expected job offers, Murren said in an interview after welcoming job seekers. The hiring events are by invitation only. "The call to action here is to apply," Murren said. "Apply for a position with us, and that begins the process." She said MGM is receiving a sufficient number of applications, but she'd still like to see more coming in. "I'd like to see a lot more people not wait," Murren said. "I think a lot of people drive by and see the construction. They don't know that we are hiring now. Be aware that we are going to be open on the 24th (of August). We are getting ready." The casino promises to hire 3,000 people, and most employees will start a few weeks prior to the Aug. 24 grand opening, MGM said in a news release. Job creation was a major reason why voters and legislators approved casino gambling in Massachusetts after decades of debate and false starts. While the labor market has improved since the depths of the Great Recession, Springfield as a city still has a 6.5 percent unemployment rate as of March. The region -- Springfield and surrounding towns -- has lower unemployment at 4.6 percent, but even that measure trails the state's total unemployment rate of 3.5 percent. MGM is hiring to fill job categories based on the needs of the facility and the length of training required. MGM is hiring security now because the building is nearing completion and someone has to patrol it as equipment is installed. Food workers will get hired as the employee dining room gets up and running, for instance. Tuesday's mass hiring was for security employees, food and beverage workers and "cage" workers. At a casino, the cage is where gamblers buy chips and cash in chips they have won. Slot machines are ticket-in, ticket-out, so winning slot players can cash them at the cage as well. The jobs there are similar to tellers at a bank, according to MGM. Dealers and others who will work the table games are hired through a separate process following completion of gaming school. In June, MGM will hire for food and beverage, operations and maintenance, environmental services and other jobs. Tuesday's process was a bit like an assembly line. Aspiring MGM workers were given a time to show up. They got a short introduction, then went into their interviews. For potential food service employees, that interview involved a knife test where they chopped an onion under the watchful eye of experienced chefs. If they were hired, they went upstairs -- to the cheers of the crowd -- for paperwork, license application and a cheek-swab drug test. Then it was on to the "celebration room," where a disc jockey spun the latest dance beats and new employees could eat candy. The New England Patriots may have a couple team planes reserved just for the team and players. But the Boston Celtics? They've got a special plane that fans can board out of Logan Airport. On Monday, the Celtics and JetBlue teamed up to unveil "Lucky Blue," a new Celtics-themed Airbus A320 livery painted up in Celtics green and featuring Lucky the Leprechaun on the tail. JetBlue unveils Boston Celtics plane ahead of Game 4 against 76ers https://t.co/DiSKBOjqCA #7News pic.twitter.com/fC01Hi9CC1 7News Boston WHDH (@7News) May 7, 2018 According to Boston.com, there is no way for fans to specifically book this particular plan for a flight, but it will be included in the airline's "normal slate" of planes going in and out of Logan. "It's great to be able to extend our partnership with JetBlue with the development of this unique co-branded aircraft," Celtics Team President Rich Gotham said in a press release. "Celtics fans are everywhere, and it will be a special thrill for them to board this aircraft, sporting the iconic Celtics logo and colors." Here's another look at the plane's unveiling at the JetBlue terminal at Logan Airport. Holyoke - The Girl Scouts of Central & Western Massachusetts (GSCWM) elected two new western-Massachusetts members, including one girl member to the Board of Directors and a new Board Chair, Vice-Chair and Treasurer at its Annual Meeting on April 29. New board members include: Ms. Brenda Denison of Montague, Ms. Gabriella Wilkerson of Northampton; new GSCWM Board officers include: Ms. Joan Bertrand of Sterling, President/Chair; Mr. Casey Freeman of Worcester, Vice Chair; Mr. Chris Michael Mendoza of Wilbraham, Treasurer. Ms. Joan Bertrand, a GSCWM board member since 2011, was appointed as the new chair of the GSCWM Board of Directors. Ms. Bertrand is the Vice President of Human Resources at AdCare Hospital of Worcester, inc. and an adjunct professor at Assumption College. She served two terms on the GSCWM Finance Committee, two terms as Treasurer, and as a member of the Camp Green Eyrie 85th and 90th Anniversary Committees and is a Lifetime Member of the Girl Scouts. Joan previously served on the Board of Girls Inc. as Treasurer and Board President, Alumni Board of Anna Maria College; Nature's Classroom, and the Fallon Community Employers Advisory Board. She holds an MBA in Personnel Management and certification form the Society of Human Resource Management. Ms. Bertrand and her husband reside in Sterling. Mr. Casey Freeman, past GSCWM board member at large, was appointed the First Vice Chair. Mr. Freeman is a Wealth Management Advisor with Merrill Lynch Wealth Management in Worcester where he leads a four person team. Mr. Freeman sits on the Board of Directors for Worcester's Oak Hill Community Development Corporation. He is a graduate of University of Tampa with a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Economics. He and his wife and daughter reside in Worcester. Chris M. Mendoza DBA, a member of the GSCWM board since 2014, has been appointed Treasurer. Dr. Mendoza is a financial services marketer and strategist specializing in Multicultural Markets. Chris is also a faculty member at the University of Phoenix where he teaches business at the undergraduate and graduate levels. Chris holds a doctorate in business administration. His research and thought leadership on Hispanic entrepreneurship and diversity marketing are published in academic and industry journals. Chris and his children are Wilbraham residents. GSCWM's new board members were elected to serve a two-year term. The are: Brenda Denison is an Assistant Vice President at Greenfield Cooperative Bank and has worked in the banking industry for more than 30 years. She is a member of the Advisory Board for the Money Management Program, a service of Life Path, Inc., which assists elders and persons with disabilities who have difficulty writing checks or managing their basic living expenses. Brenda serves on the Advisory Board for the Financial Realty Fair which helps high school student learn how to balance wants and needs as practice for making adult budgeting decisions. She is a member of the Auditing Committee for the Montague Elks Lodge and an active volunteer for the American Cancer Society's Relay for Life for more than 25 years. Brenda resides in the Town of Montague with her teen daughter and father. Gabriella Wilkerson is a Girl Scout Senior with seven years of Girl Scout experience. Gabriella earned her Silver Award with a project to educate youth about Global Warming. She plans to start working on her Gold Award this summer and was elected to represent GSCWM as a Delegate at the National Girl Scout Council Session in Oct. 2017. Gabriella is an honors sophomore at Northampton High School. She is active in the Model United Nations Club, the Math Team, and Teen Advocacy Group. She helps teach dance twice a week to younger children and is involved with two dance companies, one modern, one Irish. She is passionate about human rights, animal rights, and the environment, and frequently volunteers in her community. Girl Scouts of Central and Western Massachusetts serves 7,500 girls in grades K through 12 with the strong support of 3,600 adult volunteers in 186 towns and cities in central and western Massachusetts. Girl Scouts' mission is to build girls of courage, confidence and character who make the world a better place. Since 1912, girls have explored new fields of knowledge, learned valuable skills, and developed strong core values through Girl Scouts. Today, Girl scouts is, as it always has been, the organization best positioned to help girls develop important leadership skills they need to become successful adults. For more information about GSCWM, visit www.gscwm.org. Senior Judge Mark L. Wolf said it is "quite clear" U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement violated due process rights for Lucimar de Souza, a mother who has been detained for three months during a hearing in federal court Tuesday. Wolf heard the first oral arguments in the ACLU of Massachusetts' class action lawsuit against the Trump administration. The lawsuit was born out of the case of Lilian Calderon, a 30-year-old mother of two who came to the United States from Guatemala when she was 3 years old. Calderon was detained by ICE in January following an interview she completed at the Rhode Island United States Citizenship and Immigration Services. She and her husband were confirming their marriage, according to a press release from the ACLU. While Calderon was released in February, many others, like de Souza, are still detained. In April, the ACLU of Massachusetts along with law firm WilmerHale, filed a class action suit on behalf of Calderon and other immigrants and their U.S.-citizen spouses affected by the Trump administration's actions. On January 30 de Souza was arrested immediately following an interview to confirm their marriage. She has been held at the Suffolk County House of Corrections in Boston since - separated from her husband and 10-year-old child. Wolf butted heads with Mary Larakers, a lawyer for the justice department, for nearly an hour and a half at the start of the hearing. The violations regard notices that the Department of Homeland Security, in its own rules, are required to send to lawyers of detainees within predetermined time frames. It has become a "pattern," Wolf said that the notices are sent late or directly to the person in question rather than his or her lawyer, as is required by the statute. The court has taken a brief recess but will return at noon. The Massachusetts Institute of Technology says it is investigating allegations that Junot Diaz, a Pulitzer Prize-winning author and professor at the school, cornered and "forcibly" kissed one woman and showed aggressive behavior toward others. "As MIT looks into concerns shared on social media regarding Professor Diaz, we wish to make clear that we do not tolerate sexual harassment at MIT: at all times, we encourage any member of our community who has experienced or witnessed harassing behavior to report it using the resources we make available," the school wrote in a statement. "Both accusers and the accused have rights and protections within the process we follow -- and we strive to protect the privacy of all parties involved." Allegations about Diaz piled up over the weekend after author Zinzi Clemmons confronted him during a live Q&A session at the Sydney Writers' Festival. Clemmons later elaborated on Twitter saying when she was a grad student she invited Diaz to a workshop on issues of representation in literature. As a grad student, I invited Junot Diaz to speak to a workshop on issues of representation in literature. I was an unknown wide-eyed 26 yo, and he used it as an opportunity to corner and forcibly kiss me. I'm far from the only one he's done this 2, I refuse to be silent anymore. zinziclemmons (@zinziclemmons) May 4, 2018 "He I was an unknown wide-eyed 26 yo, and he used it as an opportunity to corner and forcibly kiss me. I'm far from the only one he's done this 2, I refuse to be silent anymore," Clemmons wrote in a tweet. Writer Monica Byrne tweeted an account of a dinner she had with Diaz where he shouted "rape" in her face. She called it: "bizarre, disproportionate, and violent." I was 32 and my first novel hadnt come out yet. I was invited to a dinner and sat next to him. I disagreed with him on a minor point. He shouted the word rape in my face to prove his. It was completely bizarre, disproportionate, and violent. https://t.co/WQr0hLW8Z5 Monica Byrne (@monicabyrne13) May 4, 2018 Carmen Maria Machado, also an author, said Diaz berated her after she asked him a question during his book tour for "This is How You Lose Her" a novel about a deeply misogynistic man and his relationships with women. During his tour for THIS IS HOW YOU LOSE HER, Junot Diaz did a Q&A at the grad program I'd just graduated from. When I made the mistake of asking him a question about his protagonist's unhealthy, pathological relationship with women, he went off for me for twenty minutes. https://t.co/7wuQOarBIJ Carmen Maria Machado (@carmenmmachado) May 4, 2018 Other women who said they had looked to Diaz for mentorship recounted similar incidents of Diaz yelling or belittling them at conferences, colleges, and cocktail parties. Former Boston Globe reporter and author Alisa Valdes wrote a long blog post describing her own tumultuous relationship with Diaz. "I publicly said Diaz was a misogynist opportunistic liar more than ten years ago, after he mistreated me, and I was severely punished for it - by Diaz, and by the publishing and Latino communities," Valdes wrote. Diaz is a beloved Latino author known for his books "The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao" and "Drown." Valdes, also Latina, said she was chided for bringing down "one of our own" and effectively silenced. Diaz published his own account of sexual abuse in a New Yorker article in April. He said he was raped by a man he trusted when he was 8 years old. Of the allegations against him, Diaz said, "I take responsibility for my past. That is the reason I made the decision to tell the truth of my rape and its damaging aftermath. This conversation is important and must continue. I am listening to and learning from women's stories in this essential and overdue cultural movement. We must continue to teach all men about consent and boundaries" in a statement to the New York Times. Diaz withdrew from the Australia conference hours after the confrontation. Quill Books & Beverage, a bookstore in Westbrooke, Maine, and Duende District, a store in Washington, D.C., both said they will stop carrying Diaz's books, according to the Washington Post. The Boston Children's Museum canceled a reading by Diaz of his new children's book "Islandborn" scheduled for May 17. In a statement to the Globe, the museum said, "until there is clarification and resolution around these accusations, Boston Children's Museum has the responsibility to not put its visitors -- children and families -- in an uncomfortable or confusing situation." Boston police are searching for leads after a man was stabbed to death near a homeless shelter on Southampton Street Tuesday afternoon. Police responded to a report of a stabbing near 112 Southampton Street around 12:07 p.m. There, they found a man in his fifties suffering from a stab wound. "The victim, suffering life-threatening injuries, was transported to an area hospital where he was later pronounced deceased," police said in a statement. A Boston Police public information officer told MassLive the stabbing occurred outdoors, not within the shelter building. A spokeswoman for the Boston Public Health Commission, which operates the shelter, said she could not comment on the case due to medical privacy concerns. The investigation is ongoing and police are asking anyone with information to contact the department's homicide unit at (617) 343 4470. "Given the heavy amount of vehicular and pedestrian traffic at the time of the incident, we are asking anyone who was in the area to report anything they may have seen that appeared to be suspicious," police said. "Even small details can make a big difference to our investigators." Anonymous tips can be made to the CrimeStoppers Tip Line at 1 (800) 494 TIPS or by texting the word 'TIP' to CRIME (27463), police said. Police are searching for a man who they say stabbed a waitress at a restaurant in Chelsea in the neck after skipping out on his restaurant bill. The woman was working at Las Pupusas Del Chino on Washington Street when the patron left without paying his tab around 11 p.m. Monday, Chelsea Police Chief Brian Kyes told WCVB Boston. The waitress told police that she chased the customer out to his car, where he pulled out a knife and stabbed her in the neck and right hand before fleeing down Blossom Street, according to 7 News Boston. The woman was taken to Mass. General Hospital in Boston where she was treated for non life-threatening injuries, police told the television stations. No arrests have been made. Protestors at the University of Massachusetts Boston plan to walk out of classes on Tuesday to tell state leaders that they are unsatisfied with a lack of funding and the proposed deal between UMass Amherst and Mount Ida. Some UMass Boston faculty, staff and students will walk out to the university plaza between noon and 1 p.m. on Tuesday to highlight the school's crushing debts and other issues. Protestors insist the decision by UMass Amherst to acquire Mount Ida and create a satellite campus in Newton will have a negative impact on UMass Boston. On a Facebook event page for the walk-out, the description reads that the deal would provide UMass Amherst "with two campuses while we UMB don't even get one." Faculty have long cited layoffs, budget cuts and crumbling infrastructure as ongoing problems at the UMass Boston campus in Dorchester. "There's been a periodic squeezing of our university," Shoshanna Ehrlich, a UMass Boston professor of women's gender and sexuality studies of 25 years, said recently at a public board of higher education meeting. "The diverse minority-majority campus is not getting the same funding and respect, and we're sick of it. It's not fair to us or our students," Ehrlich added. UMass Amherst, considered the flagship campus of the five-college UMass system, has set its ambitions in accordance with the national Top 20 public universities list published by the U.S. News & World Report. UMass Amherst Chancellor Kumble Subbaswamy has said he would not act to impede the operations of sister schools in the state university system, and in a letter to state legislators said that the UMass schools "are seldom in direct competition for students due to their distinct characteristics, programs, and missions." Advocates at UMass Boston say the school's location and working-class student body make them the "Diversity Flagship" campus, and the rising ambitions of Amherst will hurt them. Among those voicing concern is Mass. higher education official Richard Freeland, who has worked as an administrator at UMass Boston, the president of Northeastern University and the Massachusetts commissioner of higher education. "They must determine whether these initiatives for Amherst are not outweighed by the negative impacts on other campuses," Freeland said at a public board of higher education meeting in April. "The likely impact is the cannibalization of enrollments at UMass Boston, and other public campuses in the area and also area private colleges and universities," Freeland added. UMass President Marty Meehan has responded to concerns by saying that UMass Amherst looked at the Mount Ida acquisition from a business perspective. Meehan has also said that the state should step in and help fix the structure of UMass Boston, which is still feeling the impacts of a "corruption-plagued construction" scandal state decades ago by state senators who were later convicted of receiving payoffs. Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, May 8) The website of fast food chain Wendy's Philippines has been hacked, exposing over 80,000 records including the personal data of its customers and job applicants. Wendy's issued a statement on Tuesday notifying those affected, despite the breach happening on April 23. "Wendy's website has already been shut down and we are currently conducting investigation on the incident," it read. This comes after the National Privacy Commission (NPC) issued an order dated May 2 obliging Wendy's to notify all concerned parties. "We are coordinating with the NPC, our host provider, and payment gateway for immediate action to prevent damage to our data subjects," it added. The statement revealed that names, email addresses, home addresses, contact numbers and resumes might have been compromised. In a separate advisory, the NPC said account passwords, transaction details, and modes of payment were also exposed. "On an analysis of the data exfiltrated, it can be ascertained that the exposure of certain sensitive personal information or financial information within the database puts the affected data subjects in harm's way," NPC said. The NPC also ordered Wendy's to submit an updated version of the website's privacy policy, an update on the internal investigation, the policy on transaction procedures, and all recommendations for information security measures which were not implemented. Wendy's was also required to conduct a Privacy Impact Assessment to address the vulnerabilities exposed through the data breach. Meanwhile, the NPC also ordered fast-food giant Jollibee Foods Corporation on May 4 to shut down its delivery website as a preventive measure to address vulnerabilities that surfaced during a testing by a marketing firm. NPC said the website will remain suspended "for an indefinite time until the site's identified vulnerabilities are addressed, as validated by a duly certified penetration testing methodology." CNN Philippines has reached out to Jollibee, which has yet to release a statement on the matter. The friendly yellow Labrador dog named "Chief" is reunited with his owner after Boston Police tracked down a car theft suspect. Boston Police say they have arrested David Brady, 50, of East Boston, around 6 p.m. Monday for allegedly stealing a woman's Hyundai Santa Fe car that had her pup Chief inside of it on Sunday. Chief is home and one man has been arrested after allegedly stealing an SUV while Chief was in the back. @7News pic.twitter.com/haJVwFoacE John Cuoco (@JCuocoNews) May 8, 2018 The victim told police the car theft took place around 10 a.m. on Sunday at 16 Triden Street in East Boston. Everett Police tracked down the stolen vehicle, and Chief was still inside and unharmed. Boston Police found Brady at Bremen Street Community Park in East Boston, and chased him on foot until they placed him in custody around Brooks Street and Paris Street. Brady was charged with Larceny of a Motor Vehicle and Resisting Arrest, and will appear in East Boston District Court. SPRINGFIELD- Some schools have a poet in residence, and some have a musician in residence. But Springfield's American International College now has a therapy dog in residence. That dog is "Woody," an 8-year old golden retriever mix from Texas that was adopted by AIC's Senior Public Relations Specialist Candy Lash six years ago. "He's too nice a dog not to share," said Lash. After enrolling Woody in a therapy dog class, Lash talked with her peers and administrators at AIC who all welcomed the idea of a resident therapy dog. Woody's importance to the AIC community really shines during final exam time. Students are under more stress than usual and the Lash team is constantly fielding requests for visits from the faculty. Last week, Woody's presence was requested by Phyllis Clapis, a professor in the Doctor of Physical Therapy program, whose students were nervously preparing for their upcoming lab practical exams. "I care very much about the emotional well-being of my students and thought that Woody could make a contribution," said Clapis. "This is a particularly difficult time for them in the course of their studies. When I told them Woody was coming for a visit, they were really excited. He definitely took their stress level down a few notches." Besides reducing stress, Woody often provides a link to students who miss their pets back home. "He's really a wonderful benefit," says Lash. Every student ends up with a smile when Woody visits, but some relate to him on a more emotional level. "I had one student who loved seeing him and her reaction every time she saw him was to break into tears. It was really just a stress relief for her, she would throw her arms around him and cry. But it was a good cry," said Lash. "I just walked out of this exam and I feel happy that I see this puppy!" said Marisa Concilio, a graduate student in occupational therapy. Graduate student Will Traver had a more basic reason for enjoying his time with Woody. "He's fluffy," he said. Maybe the best testament to the popularity of Woody on campus was the remark by Melanie Corso, a graduate physical therapy student. "I saw you on instagram the other day with your bow," commented Corso. SPRINGFIELD - State Attorney General Maura Healey has announced the appointment of new Western Massachusetts Regional Chief Amy Karangekis. Karangekis was previously the deputy regional chief as well as holding the role of managing attorney for the Springfield office since 2015. In that role, she supervised all of the office's criminal cases including human trafficking, public corruption, organized crime and narcotics trafficking. According to a statement from Healey's office, Karangekis joined the Springfield office in 2008. "Our office's work is driven by the expertise of our attorneys and staff who help us fight on behalf of the people of Massachusetts every day," the statement reads. "Amy has been a champion of our office in Springfield for the past 10 years and we are excited she will take the helm as our regional chief and lead our efforts throughout Western Massachusetts." Healey's Western Massachusetts office handles cases across the region including investigating and prosecuting crime plus pursuing fraud and consumer protection cases. It also has purview over workers' and civil rights. The AG's Western Massachusetts arm recently played a role in a number of high-profile cases locally including the indictment of a man and a woman for alleged sex trafficking under the guise of "massage parlors," and the prosecution of a pair of loansharks - Rex Cunningham Jr. and Brian Hoyle. Cunningham and Hoyle were sentenced to jail in Hampden Superior Court while the other case is ongoing. Karangekis replaces Assistant Attorney General Bart Hollander in the role, according to a spokeswoman for Healey's office. This story elaborates on an article posted at 10:17 a.m. Tuesday, May 8, 2018: Capt. Manuel Febo chosen new chief of Holyoke Police Department, 1st Latino to head force HOLYOKE -- Capt. Manuel Febo knows the significance of his becoming not only the next police chief here but the first Latino to lead the department in a city where half the residents share that background, he said today. "It's also a great honor to be the first Hispanic police chief in the city of Holyoke. It means a lot to me. I know my parents are proud," Febo, 47, told The Republican. (see video above) This city of about 40,000 is roughly half Latino, with many having been born in Puerto Rico or descendants of Puerto Ricans. Mayor Alex B. Morse announced at a City Hall press conference that he had selected Febo, a veteran of over 22 years, to take over as chief when Police Chief James M. Neiswanger retires July 20. "It's an absolute honor to lead the Holyoke Police Department," Febo said. "Growing up at 298 Elm St., and Chestnut Park every day is where I played, I couldn't have imagined the opportunity I would have today." Among the favored assignments in his career have been walking and biking in community policing details in his home neighborhood of Churchill and working as a school resource officer, he said. "I learned that building trust and relationships with kids was very, very important," Febo said. Working under Neiswanger showed him a chief can balance responsibilities to the people in the community and to the department's officers, he said. "The real work in a any police department is done by the men and women who work and answer emergency calls for service every day. As chief of police, I will do my best to make sure the officers of the Holyoke Police Department have the tools, resources and training to do the job, the great job, that they do every day," he said. He will continue the community policing philosophy Neiswanger supported and Morse has touted, Febo said, though funding limitations have reduced community policing details in recent years. Febo announced two initiatives: He wants to expand the Police Department's social media presence and would like to establish a citizens police academy, in which residents can spend time in the Police Station at 138 Appleton St. "and see first hand the type of work that our officers experience every day." He concluded by saying Morse has been supportive of the Police Department, wishing Neiswanger well and telling Capts. Denise Duguay, David Pratt and Matthew F. Moriarty he looked forward to working with them. "They'll all be an equal partner in my command staff," Febo said. Febo becomes the first chief chosen from inside the department in two decades as he is about to head a force led by Neiswanger for seven years and Anthony Scott before that. "Because of Chief Neiswanger's leadership, the Holyoke Police Department is stronger than at any time in recent memory - both internally, and in its relationship to the wider community," Morse said. "Given this, for the first time in nearly two decades, I made the decision to look within the department for our city's next police chief." The mayor thanked Duguay, Pratt and Moriarty, all of whom attended the press conference, and said all were qualified to be chief. "With that said, there was one captain in particular that stood out. This is a captain who has excelled throughout his entire career with the Holyoke Police Department. And that Captain is Manny Febo," Morse said. "While Manny's experience in the department and his various assignments are impressive in their own right, it is who he is as a person that makes him the right person for the job. Manny is a stand up guy. He knows that policing is more than locking people up. He recognizes the power of positive personal interactions between officers and the public. He values people and their unique circumstances and realizes that the reward of being an officer isn't making an arrest, but preventing an arrest," he said. LONGMEADOW -- When Dixie Joan Hernandez arrived to Massachusetts from Puerto Rico after Hurricane Maria, there was a lot of uncertainty in her life, but one thing was for sure: She would continue her education. Hernandez took advantage of a scholarship offered by Bay Path University to women who were forced to discontinue their education in Puerto Rico due to the hurricane. "After the disaster that remained on my island after the passage of Hurricane Maria, starting a new life from scratch has been challenging," Hernandez said in a press release. "At the same time, though, I have grown both academically and as a human being. I see myself fulfilling my dream of graduating in the near future and I do not regret having accepted the opportunity of the scholarship to study here. I know I'm getting the most out of it." The university has extended the deadline to Aug. 1 for Puerto Rican students displaced by the hurricane to apply for the remaining eight presidential scholarships. The scholarships are for undergraduate enrollment in fall 2018, each worth up to $25,000 per student per year. Four of the scholarships will be made available to commuter students and four will be made available to students who choose to reside on the Bay Path University campus. For those four students who choose to reside on campus, Bay Path will provide free room and board for the duration of their enrollment in the program. "In this time of need for our fellow citizens from Puerto Rico, we want to extend a helping hand to those women who had to put their dreams of earning a bachelor's degree aside after being displaced because of the devastation from Hurricane Maria," Bay Path President Carol A. Leary said. "We welcome them to achieve their college education at Bay Path, surrounded by our supportive community." Hernandez, who is majoring in child psychology, urges other students to apply. "Studying at Bay Path has been one of the most enriching experiences I have had in my entire life, not only because of the drastic change of country, but because of the great opportunity I have been given to be able to share with people from different cultures," she said. Applicants must meet the following terms: The offer is available to women who are residents of Puerto Rico or those who have moved out of Puerto Rico due to the hurricane. Proof of residency is required. Students will be allowed a maximum of four years to complete the program, earning no more than 120 credits. The special scholarship is valid for new enrollment in the fall 2018 semester only. Students interested in enrolling under the program must submit an application for admission to the Traditional Undergraduate Program at Bay Path University and must meet all admission standards. To learn more and begin the enrollment process, contact Dean of Admissions Dawn Bryden at dbryden@baypath.edu or 413-565-1235. CHICOPEE - A cross made with red and white carnations has been used for years on Memorial Day to remember the six men who were killed in the War on Terror, but this year those veterans finally have a permanent memorial of their own. The city will officially dedicate the War on Terror Memorial on May 19, a week before Memorial Day. It honors the six men who were killed between 1983 and now, said Delfo Barabani Jr., president of the city's Memorial and Patriotic Committee. "A lot of it is recognition of a loss the family suffered and to show the city remembers their sacrifice," he said. The Chicopee Memorial and Patriotic Committee, which includes the 11 veterans' organizations in the city, and the Department of Veterans' Services joined forces to raise money and create the monument, Barabani said. The group together raised more than $50,000 and commissioned the monument, which is made of granite and has a base of Montana sandstone. It depicts a female in the military kneeling in front of a soldier's boots, helmet, dog tags and gun, which is known as a battlefield cross. On the base are the names of the six men who have ties to the city and were killed in battle during the war on terror. They are: Marine Gunnery Sgt. John S. Fredette, who was shot in the back in May 1990 while on assignment in Olongapo City in the Philippines. Marine Sgt. Steven B. LaRiviere, who was one of 241 servicemen killed in a suicide truck bombing in Beirut on Oct. 23, 1983. Marine Capt. John W. Maloney, who was killed by a roadside bomb in Iraq on June 16, 2005. Army Staff Sgt. Daniel A. Newsome, who was killed by a roadside bomb in Iraq on June 27, 2007. Army Sgt. Christopher M. Wilson, who was killed by a rocket-propelled grenade while on patrol in Afghanistan on March 29, 2007. Army 1st Sgt. Kevin A. Dupont, who died on June 17, 2009, three months after he was seriously injured when his Humvee ran over an improvised explosive device in Afghanistan. Dupont lived in Templeton but grew up in Chicopee. Some ask if it was proper to include the two men killed before the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks, but Barabani said it is important to remember anyone killed while defending the country and there is little question the attacks were done by terrorists. "One of the issues of the War on Terror is it is ongoing and we may have subsequent casualties," he said. "There is money held in reserve if there is a necessity to add names to it." Barabani said there are blank spots on the monument if names must be added but he said everyone hopes that will never happen. The city also has other monuments to some of the veterans. There is a memorial to LaRiviere at the Public Safety Complex and one to Fredette at Comprehensive High School. The former Chicopee High School was renamed for Dupont when it was renovated and converted to a middle school and the Chicopee High School field is named in honor of Maloney. It took about three years for the money to be raised and the monument built, Barabani said. The committee's original plan was to have the monument ready to be dedicated for last Memorial Day but there was not enough time. The monument was completed in late November and committee members agreed it made more sense to install the monument at Veterans' Memorial Plaza on Front Street, where it will sit with others remembering casualties from World War 1, 2, Vietnam and Korea, Barabani said. The weather made it difficult to schedule a dedication ceremony then so officials agreed to delay it to better time. If the monument was not erected, the city would have to move it, find a place to store it and then move it again, he said. The dedication is scheduled for 3 p.m., May 19 at the monument on Veterans' Plaza on Front Street. The public is encouraged to attend and there will be a reception after the event, said Stephanie Shaw, director of the Department of Veterans' Services. "We have a former commander of one of the fallen as our guest speaker and have invited all local elected officials and government bodies to attend to share their respect for the ultimate sacrifice," she said. SOUTH HADLEY - The Massachusetts State Police Bomb Squad was summoned to Mount Holyoke College Monday after museum curators, cataloging Civil War artifacts for an upcoming display, discovered some potentially hazardous items - including a 4-inch cannonball containing lead shot and powder. Both the Mount Holyoke College Art Museum and the Skinner Museum produced items for state troopers attached to the bomb squad to examine, Jennifer Mieth, spokeswoman for the state Fire Marshal's office, said. Items produced by the art museum were X-rayed and deemed to be inert, said Mieth, who had no information on what those items were. The cannon ball and a firearm cartridge, among the Civil War era items produced by the Skinner Museum, required further action, however, Mieth said. The cartridge was determined to contain live primer and powder inside the split-in-half cannon ball, was deteriorating. Both items were taken to a safe location and "counter-charged" to be rendered safe, Mieth said. The state police bomb squad was summoned to the college about 1:45 p.m. The South Hadley police and fire departments also responded. Skinner Museum is located a short distance away from the campus at 33 Woodbridge St. Mount Holyoke College museum officials could not immediately be reached for comment. MBTA officials plan this summer to show off a model of the new Red Line trains getting assembled in Springfield. A factory in Springfield, built for the Chinese-owned company, CRRC MA, is assembling both Red Line and Orange Line cars. The company has a contract with the MBTA to build and assemble 252 Red Line vehicles and 152 Orange Line vehicles. MBTA officials say they're still working on details for when and where the public will be able to see a model or mock-up of a new Red Line car. Inside a mock-up/model of the #MBTA's new Red Line train car (similar to the Orange Line) Pic via staff report to fiscal control board pic.twitter.com/8eeoFiMYqG Gintautas Dumcius (@gintautasd) May 8, 2018 In April 2017, small crowds swarmed a model of the new Orange Line car placed on Boston City Hall Plaza. The new train cars, coupled with signal and control system upgrades, are expected to boost capacity and reliability on two congested and overcrowded train lines. The trains will feature seats that fold up, wider doors, digital displays and security cameras. The models, made in China, serve as a way for MBTA staffers and engineers to see if any changes need to be made before the company starts mass-producing the vehicles. Assembly of the Orange Line cars in Springfield started in April 2018. Jeff Gonneville, deputy general manager of the MBTA, on Tuesday checked out the production line inside the factory. #MBTA Deputy GM Gonneville today checked out the production line in Springfield where the new #OrangeLine cars are being fully assembled pic.twitter.com/aDvTDMSVbX MBTA (@MBTA) May 8, 2018 The first four Orange Line pilot cars are undergoing testing inside the MBTA's Wellington facility in Medford. In late March 2018, MBTA staffers visited Changchun, China, and took a look at the Red Line model train. The delivery date of the Red Line pilot cars is March 2019. HOLYOKE -- Police have ordered a Level 3 sex offender from Westfield who allegedly was seen taking photos of students at McMahon School with a cell phone to stay away from all Holyoke public schools, an official said Monday. "As the students came outside for recess (one day last week), a man appeared to be taking photos of students with a cell phone in the grassy area across from the building's front door. Students and playground staff quickly notified the principal who contacted the Holyoke police," said Stephen K. Zrike, state-appointed receiver managing the Holyoke public schools. "Please be advised that at no point did this individual come in contact with any of our students," said Zrike, in a statement sent to families of students who attend the 75 Kane Road school. Level 3 is the highest level of sex offender in Massachusetts, meaning that an individual has a high risk of re-offending and poses a high degree of danger to the public, according to the state website about levels of sex offenders. The man has been "trespassed" from all Holyoke public schools, meaning that if he returns to any of those properties, he will be charged with the crime of trespassing. Here is the statement Stephen K. Zrike, state-appointed receiver managing the Holyoke public schools, sent to families of students who attend McMahon School, 75 Kane Road: We wanted to inform you of an incident that occurred last week during 5th and 6th grade recess. As the students came outside for recess, a man appeared to be taking photos of students with a cell phone in the grassy area across from the building's front door. Students and playground staff quickly notified the principal who contacted the Holyoke Police. After conducting a thorough investigation, the police have now identified a potential suspect from Westfield. As part of this investigation, the Holyoke Police has determined that this individual is a Level 3 sex offender and are working closely with the Westfield Police to take appropriate action. Please be advised that at no point did this individual come in contact with any of our students. The individual has been trespassed from all Holyoke Public Schools and staff has been provided information about this individual. Our staff, along with the Holyoke Police, will remain vigilant to that this individual does not return to our school property. I am grateful to our staff and students for immediately sharing their concern with me and the Holyoke Police Department for their prompt response. Please do not hesitate to contact me or the Holyoke Police Department if you have any further questions about this matter. Lucimar de Souza will be released from custody Tuesday night. She is one of eight plaintiffs in the ACLU of Massachusetts' case against the Trump administration. In a twist, Mary Larakers, a lawyer for the justice department, returned from lunch break to say she had reached out to United States Citizenship and Immigration Services and the agency agreed to release de Souza, with some conditions to be determined by May 9. Larakers, speaking for the government, admitted the Department of Homeland Security violated de Souza's right to due process in failing to properly notify her of custody review 30 days in advance. Senior Judge Mark L. Wolf ordered ICE officials, and other witnesses, return to court May 15 to provide testimony about the circumstances surrounding her detention. April, the ACLU of Massachusetts along with law firm WilmerHale, filed a class action suit on behalf of Calderon and other immigrants and their U.S.-citizen spouses affected by the Trump administration's actions. On January 30 de Souza was arrested immediately following an interview to confirm their marriage. She has been held at the Suffolk County House of Corrections in Boston since - separated from her husband and 10-year-old child. Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, May 7) Tourism Secretary Wanda Tulfo-Teo attended the 25th Cabinet Meeting in Malacanang palace on Monday, despite calls for her resignation for her office's payment of P60 Million for television advertisement on the show of her brothers on state-run network PTV-4. In a press briefing earlier Monday, Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque said there is no reason why Teo could not attend the meeting. "Lahat po ng Cabinet members (All Cabinet members) are in fact required, not invited, to attend the Cabinet meeting," Roque said. Photos from both Special Assistant to the President Christopher "Bong Go" and the Presidential Photographers Division showed Teo shaking hands with President Rodrigo Duterte. There were no immediate details if the ad controversy was discussed at the Cabinet meeting or if Teo and Duterte talked about it. On May 3, Roque also said the President still trusts Teo. "Every Cabinet member, unless they are fired, enjoys the trust and confidence of the President," he said. The Tourism Secretary has been in hot water after the Commission on Audit revealed her department has placed P60 million-worth of TV advertisements on the show of her brothers, Ben and Erwin Tulfo, on PTV-4. READ: Tulfos to return P60M from DOT ad deal to end controversy Teo's lawyer Teo's legal counsel Ferdinand Topacio said Bitag Media Unlimited Inc., the media outfit owned by Ben Tulfo, will return the P60 million paid to them by the Tourism Department. Activist group Akbayan said the move to return the money is an admission of guilt. The group also continued to call on Teo to resign from her post. READ: Opposition solons want Tourism Secretary Tulfo-Teo to resign over PTV-4 ad deal Roque previously said the Palace is already investigating the matter. AMHERST -- Officials with the Embassy of Mexico on Tuesday declined to release documents on the investigation into the death of Amherst College student Andrew Dorogi, citing privacy laws and saying "this is a sensitive matter." A spokeswoman for the embassy's Washington-based office said in an email Monday that "murder has been ruled out as a cause of death." The statement followed a report by The Boston Globe citing a family member who said Dorogi, who was scheduled to graduate this month, was murdered. Dorogi died when he was electrocuted on tracks at a train station, Mexican officials have said. Asked for more details about how investigators ruled out foul play, spokeswoman Paulina Chavez Alonzo said Tuesday, "[T]his is a sensitive matter and as an ongoing investigation, all information must be handled with the utmost confidentiality in respect to the family and in observance of our privacy laws. "As I mentioned, we have offered to show the videos to the family as well as full-access to the investigation for them or their representative. It would be up to them to make the details public." Family members could not be reached Tuesday morning. Alonzo wrote that Dorogi, whose body was found in March in Mexico City, traveled from Los Cabos, Baja California, to the Benito Juarez International Airport in Mexico City to take his connecting flight to New York. "However, he never took the flight. Instead, he exited the airport and asked for directions to the metro station, according to witnesses' accounts and video footage," Alonzo said. "The criminal investigation report confirms that the body did not had (sic) any signs of violence, physical aggression or defending wounds," Alonzo said. "Therefore, a murder has been ruled out as cause of death." She said the investigation into Dorogi's death remains open by the Mexico City Attorney General's Office. Dorogi's grandfather, Joseph Dorogi, told the Globe he was frustrated with the investigation. "I don't think the Mexican government is really doing that much," he said in a telephone interview with the Boston newspaper. Dorogi, an economics major from Ohio, had a job lined up at Wells Fargo in New York. A Massachusetts State Trooper arrested Saturday for allegedly driving under the influence may have his charges dropped under a diversion program for military veterans. Trooper Alfred G. Burgos, 35, was scheduled for arraignment on Tuesday afternoon. But a Peabody District Court judge continued the arraignment until June 20, pending an evaluation of whether Burgos is eligible for the Valor Act diversion program, the Essex District Attorney's Office said. That program, established under at 2012 state law, allows district court judges to direct veterans with no previous convictions or outstanding warrants to treatment programs, rather than proceeding with criminal charges. Burgos is a former Marine, the DA's office said. The veteran trooper was stopped by another state trooper and arrested on suspicion of drunken driving at the Goodwin Circle Rotary in Lynnfield around 11:40 p.m. Saturday. "The trooper located the vehicle at the rotary after State Police received calls from motorists reporting a white SUV being operated erratically on Routes 28 and 95," State Police said in a statement. Boston 25 News reported that Burgos was arrested while driving from the Irish American Police Officers Association's annual awards dinner, where he was given a Medal of Valor for his actions in a 2016 Roslindale shootout with armed suspects. Burgos was transported to the Danvers state police barracks, where he was charged with driving under the influence of alcohol, negligent driving and a marked lanes violation. Burgos, who is assigned to the Division of Investigative Services, was relieved of duty pending a duty status hearing. Ida Rotman would greet people by their first name when they came into her family's famous Worcester-based furniture store. It was a quality Tim Garvin got to know her for, and love. "As I got to know her, she was wonderful," said Garvin, the CEO and president of the United Way of Central Massachusetts. The plan was to hand Rotman an award Tuesday. But she died 10 days ago at 104 years old. From his research, Garvin said he believes that Rotman is the longest continuous giver to the United Way. And not just to the Central Massachusetts chapter, Garvin said. The United Way as a whole. Records indicate that Rotman donated for more than 70 years consecutively. "You talk about a legacy," Garvin said. "That's a legacy." A few of Ida's children stepped onto the stage at Mechanics Hall to accept the Aubrey Reid Award on the Rotman family's behalf. At a podium lined with canned goods -- a reminder for guests to go through their cabinets and donate a bag of food so children can have meals through the summer -- Garvin thanked the nearly 400 attendees for their dedication to the United Way. In addition to Rotman, other awardees at the United Way of Central Massachusetts' 98th annual community celebration were Sue Mailman, who received the Tocqueville Award; POW! WOW! Worcester, which received the Coghlin Award; and Atlas Distributing, which received the Stoddard Award. Brian Brousseau, a member of the Roofers and Waterproofers Union Local 33, was also recognized for his community service, including his work with the ramp gang, which installs ramps for those in need. "We don't have anything to show other than people whose lives are better every day," Garvin said. The event kicked off with a performance from the Boys and Girls Club of Worcester "In Da Zone" dance team. Garvin touted the high graduation rate for children who get involved with the club. In a last-ditch effort to save Worcester's historic Notre Dame des Canadiens Church, a local group is asking the City Council to support a three-month delay on demolition of the structure. The Save Notre Dame Alliance plans to ask the Council to support a three-month demolition delay during its meeting Tuesday night. While the legislative body cannot order property owner Hanover Insurance Group Inc. to halt the process, the group said that having the Council's support on-record will be helpful. Two weeks ago, the Council voted to refer the matter to City Manager Edward Augustus, who said he would discuss it with Hanover. "I believe the plan for tonight is to once again ask the City Council to offer their support in slowing down, giving a reprieve basically, for three months on the demolition work that is currently being done on the interior of the church," Save Notre Dame Alliance member Elaine Gardella said. "We would like to show public support from our city leaders." The demolition process for the 1929 church has already begun with an environmental abatement of the interior. That work is expected to take six to eight weeks. Then, the structure will be dismantled piece by piece. The entire process is expected to take about four months. "Once you start going into windows and the roof, then you get into it becomes less marketable, so we would like to slow that process down," Gardella said. The church at 5 Salem Square was closed by the Diocese of Worcester in 2007. While developers have said the church is too far gone to repair, preservationists have advocated for redevelopment of the church into a mixed-use property with potential for a brewery or other uses. Salem-based engineering consulting firm Structures North assessed the structural integrity of the building and in September conducted a visual inspection of the property. The inspection found deteriorated interior masonry, rusted structural elements, cracked concrete, a collapsing chimney and a leaking roof, but also came to an optimistic conclusion about the building's prospects, finding that it could be saved. Pamela Jonah, spokeswoman for developer CitySquare II, previously told MassLive that cost estimates for repairing the facade, roof, windows, doors and more have been between $8 and $10 million. The Save Notre Dame Alliance has been meeting twice a week to come up with a strategy to save the building. Gardella said the group believes a three-month delay is reasonable because if no opportunities for reuse can be found, the demolition process won't be pushed into the winter months. "We have had some recent people in the past that have expressed an interest in it, I think there is some new and viable ideas out there," she said. "We're looking for more aggressive marketing in terms of letting people know it's available - I think that has been a more passive approach over the past several years." The idea of repurposing the building has also received support from Congressman Jim McGovern. In a letter to the Save Notre Dame Alliance, Rep. McGovern expressed his support for the group's effort to find a developer who could provide a fair an alternative to demolition of the building, saying he would help find funding sources including grants and tax credits. Jonah previously said that CitySquare II will continue to consider "fair and reasonable" offers from serious investors who have demonstrated the ability to reclaim the structure, including the financial wherewithal, expertise, marketing plan and commitment to make any proposal viable within a reasonable timeframe. "Such proposals must include a detailed investment and development plan, with the sale and purchase price viewed as only one element of a comprehensive development proposal that carries a high likelihood of long-term success. Unfortunately, although we have received proposals and inquiries in the past, each withdrew after further consideration of the project," Jonah said. By Harry Litman Special To The Washington Post "We don't have to comply with a potential Mueller subpoena," President Donald Trump's lawyer, Rudy Giuliani, recently declared on ABC. "He's the president of the United States. We can assert the same privileges other presidents have." Giuliani did not attempt to specify what other presidents he had in mind or what privileges he was referring to. Most likely, he had nothing concrete in mind, since there is scanty legal basis for this claim. The initial problem with Giuliani's assertion is that no president has ever successfully resisted a lawful subpoena. On the contrary, the precedents point unanimously in the opposite direction. They begin with Aaron Burr's 1807 trial for treason, presided over by Supreme Court Chief Justice John Marshall. Marshall approved Burr's issuance of a subpoena to President Thomas Jefferson for letters sent to the president that ostensibly demonstrated Burr's treasonous intentions. Jefferson pushed back on the grounds of executive privilege, but eventually a compromise was worked out and the documents were produced. In justifying his initial resistance, however, Jefferson cited the risk that personal attendance in court could interfere with his responsibilities for running the government. Marshall's response to the argument contains seeds of support for both Trump and special counsel Robert Mueller. On the one hand, Marshall rejected the notion that the president had special standing to not be subpoenaed. But, in a passage certain to be cited in any challenge by Trump, he recognized the possibility that the president could resist a subpoena by arguing that "his duties as chief magistrate demand his whole time." The precedents in support of the Giuliani position go downhill from there. President Richard Nixon resisted Watergate special prosecutor Leon Jaworski's subpoena for audiotapes, claiming "executive privilege" anchored in the need for confidentiality in high-level presidential communications. The Supreme Court unanimously rejected that claim, noting that "the generalized assertion of privilege must yield to the demonstrated, specific need for evidence in a pending criminal trial." It is significant that the Nixon case did not involve a subpoena to testify, which doubtless entails a greater encroachment on presidential authority. But that's not the distinction that Giuliani was arguing. Instead, he contended outright that Trump needn't comply with a Mueller subpoena. To support a subpoena for Trump's testimony, Mueller likely will rely heavily on Clinton v. Jones, which involved President Bill Clinton's attempt to resist a subpoena for his testimony in a civil suit involving sexual-harassment claims brought by Paula Jones. Clinton invoked executive "immunity" - not executive privilege - in arguing that the distractions of providing live testimony would impermissibly compromise his ability to discharge his presidential duties. Citing half a dozen cases in which presidents had complied with subpoenas in civil cases, the Supreme Court unanimously rejected the argument. Still, Clinton v. Jones leaves a sliver of an argument for Trump - though, again, nothing remotely resembling support for Giuliani's brazen assertion. First, echoing Chief Justice Marshall, the court acknowledged that the presidency is "so vast and important that the public interest demands that he devote his undivided time and attention to his public duties." Second, the historical record turned out to undercut the court's confidence that the case would not present a significant distraction. Instead, it triggered a legal battle royal (to be sure, because Clinton dissembled in the deposition) that led to his impeachment. Third, and most importantly, Clinton v. Jones leaves room for Trump to argue that a subpoena to testify in a criminal case in which one is a subject, as Trump is in the Mueller probe, imposes a heavier burden than deposition testimony, and one that would hamstring Trump's discharge of his constitutional duties. Giuliani seemed to refer to this argument in an interview last week with Maria Bartiromo of Fox Business Network, asserting that in the United States, "the head of state is not to be prosecuted until after they leave office. Not to be subjected to criminal process. Different if it was a civil case." Giuliani was shorthanding the argument that, because the Constitution provides that the president may be removed from office only through the mechanisms of impeachment (or the 25th Amendment), a sitting president cannot be criminally prosecuted. If so, this argument continues, a president would be similarly protected, while in office, from having to testify in a criminal proceeding in which he is a subject or target. This remains an open question. When independent counsel Kenneth Starr served a subpoena on Clinton in the criminal case that led to Clinton's impeachment, some advisers urged that he challenge the subpoena as an encroachment on presidential powers. Former White House counsel Jack Quinn wrote in the Wall Street Journal that "the argument that the president must answer unproved allegations against him before a grand jury is scary. If Mr. Starr were deemed to possess such power, it would not be limited to independent counsels, because any state or local prosecutor could similarly haul a president before a grand jury." But Clinton decided against mounting the court challenge. He concluded that testifying was a political imperative, and in return for his "voluntary" testimony, Starr withdrew the subpoena. Clinton thereafter testified under special conditions before the grand jury and wound up adding perjury to the counts of impeachment against him. With the legal issue unsettled, the Trump team at least has some room to construct an argument to resist a subpoena from Mueller. Still, it is unlikely this assertion would prevail at the Supreme Court. Both the Nixon and Clinton cases cast large shadows, even if they don't foreclose the claim. But this is the sort of lawyerly argument that is likely Trump's best bet. The legal effort can only be impeded by Giuliani's rash freelancing, and its stark and offensive implication that the president is above the law. Harry Litman teaches constitutional law at the University of California, San Diego and practices law at Constantine Cannon. He served as deputy assistant attorney general in the Justice Department from 1993 to 1998 and U.S. attorney for the Western District of Pennsylvania from 1998 to 2001. By Ed Rogers Special to The Washington Post Speaking at an event in New York City last week, Hillary Clinton said something interesting about Democrats today and their lurch to the left. Clinton said being a capitalist "probably" hurt her when campaigning against democratic socialist Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., in 2016. Think about that. Part of the reason so many Republicans are frozen like a deer in headlights when it comes to President Donald Trump is the horror of thinking about Clinton as president. It is stunning to realize how in today's Democratic Party, being a capitalist is something one must either apologize for or at least give qualified acceptance. Talk about nostalgia for the 1950s. It seems that socialism is making a comeback. I think if Bill Clinton had been asked the same question Hillary was, he would have thought it was a softball and proceeded to give a valuable history lesson on the negative impact of socialism versus the global benefits of capitalism. Of course, Hillary Clinton's instinct is to pander and hedge, but it is nevertheless revealing that she thought she had to do so to keep from alienating the socialists. Democrats want to talk about Republicans living in the past, but the new progressives, as they like to call themselves, are in fact a lot like the old socialists. They want free college, free cash, free health care, new mandates for this and that, and so on. The latest progressive policy du jour to be gaining traction among Democratic Party presidential hopefuls is the so-called "job guarantee." Sen. Cory Booker, D-N.J., announced one, Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., has one in the works, and Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, D-N.Y., says she supports the idea, too. Yet there are some signs of intellectual honesty on the left. Kevin Drum, a liberal blogger for the progressive gospel Mother Jones, thinks the jobs guarantee is a ludicrous idea: "Even our lefty comrades in social democratic Europe don't guarantee jobs for everyone. It would cost a fortune; it would massively disrupt the private labor market; it would almost certainly tank productivity; and it's unlikely in the extreme that the millions of workers in this program could ever be made fully competent at their jobs." Well said. If Democrats go down this road, their only way forward will be to one-up each other in every primary election. Clueless liberals such as Facebook co-founder Chris Hughes want to guarantee $500 per month for every American earning less than $50,000 a year. But why not $550? Or should we go ahead and call it an even $600? A guaranteed monthly stipend would become the floor. And every subsequent election would be a referendum on whether voters want to support the candidate promising the larger pay raise from Washington. Is that where we want our elections to go? Anyway, Clinton's admission of the Democrats' matter-of-fact acceptance of socialism couldn't have been any timelier. Saturday marked the bicentennial of Karl Marx's birth, and as Paul Kengor reminded us in his smart Wall Street Journal commentary last week, Marx's communist philosophy "set the stage . . . for the greatest ideological massacres in history." Marx's rebuke of capitalism and individual property rights inspired the likes of Vladimir Lenin, Leon Trotsky, Mao Zedong, the Kim family, the Castros and countless others to wage mass murder against millions of innocents. But never mind that, at least according to many of today's millennial voters. According to the 2017 YouGov-Victims of Communism Memorial Foundation Report on U.S. Attitudes Toward Socialism, more millennials would prefer to live in socialist countries than they would in capitalist countries. That fact reveals a powerful force shifting today's Democratic Party. Barack "you didn't build that" Obama and his contempt for private business is starting to seem quaint. It certainly means every Democrat running for president in 2020 will be asked if they favor socialism or capitalism. It will be interesting to see if they blush, stammer and wince, or if any of them will have the confidence to give a robust endorsement of free enterprise and a historically accurate critique of socialism vs. capitalism. I'm not holding my breath. Rather than there be a wholesale capitulation to the shallow-minded embrace of socialism, I hope at least a few Democrats will have the courage to teach millennials and others the history of socialism's debilitating, murderous past and the historic human advancement that has been produced by a free market. Remember, socialism is just a kinder, gentler version of communism. Democrats should think twice before they abandon capitalism. Expect subtlety to be in awfully short supply when President Donald Trump's pick to head the CIA appears before the Senate Intelligence Committee on Wednesday. No, not from the nominee, Deputy CIA Director Gina Haspel, but from Democrats on the panel, with a sympathetic Republican or two perhaps joining in on the action. Those seeking a preview of the kind of ridiculousness ahead need look no further than to the reports on some left-leaning news Websites in the run-up to Wednesday's confirmation hearing. One example: A headline in Vanity Fair referred to the nominee as "CIA Torture Queen Gina Haspel." Subtle, indeed. Expect lots of grilling along those lines as Haspel looks to win approval from the Senate. Those opposed to her nomination will doubtless focus on her oversight of a so-called black site in Thailand in 2002 where al-Qaida terrorism suspects were subjected to enhanced interrogation techniques after the attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon. They'll also cite her role in the destruction of recordings of the harsh methods employed at the site. Those opposing Haspel's nomination will seek to paint her as the worst person in the world, as evil incarnate. But they'll be leaving out so much of the real story. The interrogation techniques used by the CIA after the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks had been approved not only by President George W. Bush, but also by the White House counsel. In addition, the CIA had briefed key members of Congress -- from both political parties -- about what it was doing. But today's Democrats will say they are shocked -- shocked ! -- by the news of the interrogation techniques. Waterboarding. Sleep deprivation. Confinement to unimaginably small spaces. All of these, and more, they'll assert, are just torture by another name. Well, that's easy to say today. But they weren't legally considered torture when they were being used. It's been long enough since the attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, that one can forget how earth-shattering were the events of that horrific day. As the news was unfolding, no one knew what exactly was happening. The details that came to become clear provided no relief, but only confirmed the people's sense of vulnerability. We all of us awoke on Sept. 12 to a changed world. And with countless questions, but no answers. Were more attacks coming? Had what happened the day before been only the beginning? Was World War III at hand? If those who would do us harm had other plans, the intelligence community needed to find out, to do its utmost to stop even more attacks from being carried out. Haspel, now a 33-year veteran of the Central Intelligence Agency, was part of those efforts. She was one of those on the front lines, working to keep us safe. As such, those who'd mindlessly portray her as a "torture queen" are doing a great disservice, not only to Haspel herself, but also to the CIA and the nation as a whole. Haspel, it should be noted, didn't order the destruction of the recordings of the interrogations at the black site. It was her boss who did that. And she didn't wake up one fine morning and decide it would be a real hoot to have agents under her command torture a few random folks. Just for the heck of it. We were a nation at war. And we were seeking to prevent more attacks. What Haspel was a part of had been approved by the president, the White House counsel, and was done with the knowledge of top members of Congress. It's illegal now, but had been declared legal back then. Some will try to tell a different tale in an effort to derail Haspel's nomination. Don't believe them. Former President Barack Obama criticized his successor Tuesday for announcing that the United States will withdraw from the Iran nuclear deal -- an agreement which the Democrat argued "is working" and has "significantly rolled back" Tehran's nuclear program. Obama, whose administration helped strike the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action with the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Russia, China and Iran in July 2015, defended the agreement and touted the benefits seen since it took effect. He further called President Donald Trump's decision to leave the agreement -- which has been hailed as the Obama administration's signature foreign policy achievement -- "misguided," arguing that it risks the country's ability to reach similar deals in the future. Seeking to offer "facts" and counter critics' claims, Obama argued that the nuclear agreement: "has worked in rolling back Iran's nuclear program;" is rooted in "the most far-reaching inspections and verification regime ever negotiated in an arms control deal," does not expire and was never intended to solve all issues regarding Iran. The former president further contended that "Iran is complying" with the deal, which ended decades of western sanctions and isolation in exchange for Iran removing nearly all of its nuclear fuel and agreeing to end production of new nuclear fuel for more than a decade. "Because of these facts, I believe that the decision to put the JCPOA at risk without any Iranian violation of the deal is a serious mistake," he said in a statement. "Without the JCPOA, the United States could eventually be left with a losing choice between a nuclear-armed Iran or another war in the Middle East. ... If the constraints on Iran's nuclear program under the JCPOA are lost, we could be hastening the day when we are faced with the choice between living with that threat, or going to war to prevent it." The Democrat also raised concerns about the impact Trump's decision could have on talks between the United States and North Korea, which has also been working to develop nuclear weapons. "At a time when we are all rooting for diplomacy with North Korea to succeed, walking away from the JCPOA risks losing a deal that accomplishes - with Iran - the very outcome that we are pursuing with the North Koreans," he said. "That is why today's announcement is so misguided. Walking away from the JCPOA turns our back on America's closest allies ... the consistent flouting of agreements that our country is a party to risks eroding America's credibility, and puts us at odds with the world's major powers." Trump announced he would withdraw the United States from the Iran nuclear deal and reimpose sanctions against Tehran during an Tuesday afternoon White House event. The president, an outspoken critic of the deal, argued that it has failed to stop Tehran from pursuing nuclear weapons, supporting terrorism and expanding its influence in Yemen and Syria. Trump said his action should send the message that the United States "no longer makes empty threats." He, however, said he's open to a new version of the agreement. "They are going to want to make a lasting deal, one that benefits all of Iran and the Iranian people. When they do, I am ready, willing and able," he said. "Great things can happen for Iran and great things can happen for the peace and stability that we all want in the Middle East." Saying she was "deeply troubled" by the "disturbing" allegations against her counterpart in New York, Massachusetts Attorney General Maura Healey backed Eric Schneiderman's decision to resign. The New Yorker reported Monday night that multiple women accused Schneiderman, a Democrat, of physical abuse. Schneiderman resigned hours later. "My heart goes out to the women who bravely came forward to share their stories, and my hope is that each of these stories helps to change our culture of violence against women," Healey, a fellow Democrat, said in a statement. Healey worked with Schneiderman on cases involving ExxonMobil and climate change, as well as federal lawsuits over Volkswagon fraud allegations, the addition of a US citizenship question to the Census and the Federal Communications Commissions over a vote to roll back net neutrality protections. "The women and men who serve in the New York Attorney General's Office work every day to enforce the law and protect the rights of all Americans," Healey said. "I look forward to working with the next Attorney General of New York to continue that important work." Schneiderman, in his own statement, called the allegations "serious" but added that he "strongly" contests them. "While these allegations are unrelated to my professional conduct or the operations of the office, they will effectively prevent me from leading the office's work at this critical time," he said. "I therefore resign my office, effective at the close of business on May 8, 2018." In an earlier statement Monday evening, when the New Yorker story first broke, Schneiderman denied assaulting anyone. "In the privacy of intimate relationships, I have engaged in role-playing and other consensual sexual activity," he said, according to the New Yorker. President Donald Trump's Tuesday decision to exit the Iran nuclear deal drew pushback from Massachusetts lawmakers, who cautioned that the move could leave the United States isolated from its allies, jeopardize national security and encourage nuclear proliferation. Members of the state's U.S. House and Senate delegations were quick to criticize the president for announcing he would withdraw the United States from the 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, which sought to keep Iran from pursuing nuclear weapons, and again impose sanctions against the country. Although Trump offered that his decision will make the United States safer, U.S. Sen. Ed Markey, D-Massachusetts, argued that it "gravely undermined America's national security interests." "The United States is walking away from a deal that prevented Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons forever, and we got absolutely nothing in return," he said in a statement. "Instead, President Trump's decision has left us isolated from our closest European allies, less secure and without any strategy to prevent Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons other than another deadly war." Markey, a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, further contended that the United States' withdrawal from the agreement could actually push Iran and other countries to pursue nuclear capabilities. "Iran is now free to immediately restart high-level enrichment and nuclear activities without monitoring. Withdrawing from the deal also encourages Iran's neighbors and rivals like Saudi Arabia to pursue their own nuclear weapons programs, potentially sparking a Middle East arms race, and empowers the hardliners and extremists within Iran," he said. "Instead of committing to an agreement that strengthened America's position against Iran, President Trump just threw away a deal that was our roadmap forward toward engagement and peace and have again turned toward confrontation and war." U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Massachusetts, questioned why the president moved to withdraw from the agreement "without offering any real alternative to stop Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon." "Creating chaos and confusion isn't a strategy -- it's a recipe for disaster," she tweeted after Trump's afternoon announcement. Even the Trump Administration has conceded that Iran is complying with the deal. Now @realdonaldtrump has pulled out without offering any real alternative to stop Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon. Creating chaos and confusion isnt a strategy its a recipe for disaster. Elizabeth Warren (@SenWarren) May 8, 2018 The senator added that the president's action hurts the United States' credibility with its allies, "empowers Iranian hardliners and doesn't make us any safer." Congressman Richard Neal, D-Springfield, said he's "deeply concerned" by the president's action and the impacts it may have on U.S. national security interests. "Withdrawal will damage our credibility and isolate the United States from the international community ... The United States should be strengthening the agreement to make sure Iran does not pursue its nuclear ambitions, rather than walking away from a diplomatic accord that already has rigorous enforcement and verification protocols," he said in a statement. U.S. Rep. Jim McGovern, D-Worcester, called Trump's decision to exit the Iran deal by not extending waivers on sanctions "one of the most reckless and dangerous things he's done since taking office." The Worcester Democrat called on the White House to reverse its decision. "By abandoning the Iran Deal, as well as adding other poorly-conceived unilateral sanctions and conditions against Iran, President Trump has put America's national security at risk and the threat of a nuclear-armed Iran back on the table," he said in a statement. "Americans deserve better from their leaders. I urge President Trump to immediately reconsider this dangerous move and put the safety of the American people first by reversing this terrible decision." Congressman Bill Keating, D-Bourne, contended that the president's actions are "dangerous," bring the United States closer to immediate conflict and will likely lead to more nuclear weapons in the Middle East. Keating, the top Democrat of the House Foreign Affairs Committee's Terrorism Nonproliferation and Trade sub-panel, noted that members on both sides of the aisle urged the president against exiting the 2015 agreement. "I hope Congress and our committee can move forward and take a larger role to send the right message to our own citizens, our global allies, and our enemies that we will continue to stand together and be strong," he said in a statement. "But to do so we can't take the course that the president laid out for us today." U.S. Rep. Niki Tsongas, D-Lowell, meanwhile, argued that while the Iran deal was not perfect, it "was hard-won after years of intense negotiations with a hard-line adversary in order to prevent Iran from coming any closer to acquiring the materials to build a nuclear weapon." "The consequences of walking away from this deal cannot be underestimated," she tweeted. While not perfect, the deal was hard-won after years of intense negotiations with a hard-line adversary in order to prevent Iran from coming any closer to acquiring the materials to build a nuclear weapon. The consequences of walking away from this deal cannot be underestimated. Niki Tsongas (@nikiinthehouse) May 8, 2018 Congressman Seth Moulton, D-Salem, called the president's decision "a gift that makes the world more dangerous--and America less secure." U.S. Rep. Katherine Clark, D-Melrose, raised concerns that Trump's announcement "made without regard to facts or merit." "He has no plan on how to prevent Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon or curtail its ballistic missile program -- all on the eve of nuclear negotiations with North Korea," she said in a statement. "Trump's reckless behavior is threatening the security and prosperity of the American people." The Massachusetts Democrats' criticism came shortly after Trump announced he would withdraw from the agreeement -- which the U.S., United Kingdom, France, Germany, Russia and China struck with Iran in July 2015 -- during an afternoon White house event. Although the president called the 2015 agreement "a one-sided deal that should never have been made," he offered that he's open to a new version of it. Hailed as the Obama administration's signature foreign policy achievement, the nuclear deal ended decades of western sanctions and isolation against Iran in exchange for Tehran removing nearly all of its nuclear fuel from the country and agreeing to end production of new nuclear fuel for more than a decade. Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, May 8) Representatives of the government and communist rebels are holding talks for the possible resumption of peace negotiations, six months after President Rodrigo Duterte walked away from the talks. The Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process in a statement on Tuesday confirmed that "informal back channel talks" are now taking place in Europe, but did not specify the place. "Our team is now in Europe and we are informed that there are initial positive results so far," said Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process Jesus Dureza. Government Peace Panel Chairman Silvestre Bello III said the team is determined to meet the deadline set by the President. On April 5, Duterte announced the government and the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) and its political wing, the National Democratic Front (NDF), have 60 days to restart the talks. The NDF represents rebels in talks to end the armed conflict which has been going on for 48 years, the longest-running in Asia. It welcomed the possible resumption of peace talks. Duterte issued Proclamation 360 in November 2017 ending the on-off negotiations with communist rebels. It was the first time in 18 years that peace talks had been terminated. READ: How peace talks with communist rebels failed Duterte issued another proclamation in December that year, this time declaring the CPP and its armed wing New People's Army (NPA) a terrorist organization. This designation will be official once approved by a regional trial court, according to the Human Security Act of 2007. The petition to formally declare communist rebels as terrorists may be held in abeyance should peace talks resume, Malacanang has said. Nearly 70 percent of the state's population lives in communities that have adopted local policies raising their tobacco-buying age to 21, and a bill teed up for Wednesday's House session would extend that age hike statewide. Along with raising the minimum age for purchasing tobacco products from its current 18, the bill would impose new regulations on e-cigarettes, including banning their use in places where state law already prohibits smoking. It would also prohibit the sale of tobacco products by pharmacies. With the Senate last session overwhelmingly backing a bill to accomplish the same goals and more than half of House lawmakers supporting a version this session, the bill stands a good chance of making it to the desk of Gov. Charlie Baker, who is "conceptually" supportive of the age increase. In April 2016, the Senate voted 32-2 to pass a similar bill, which died when the House did not take it up before the session ended. Wednesday will mark the first time in this two-year term that either branch has taken up the tobacco-age bill. "It was something which I'd been thinking about for quite a while, just waiting for it to go from Public Health to Health Care Finance to Ways and Means, various committees talking about changes, perfections to it," House Speaker Robert DeLeo said Monday. "Quite frankly, it's been something which I think has been due for a while, I think especially now with the number of cities and towns that have already changed the age in their particular communities makes it also more timely than ever. Bottom line, I think it's something we should be doing." In 2005, Needham became the first town in the country to raise its smoking age to 21. As of March 30, 2018, 170 cities and towns, accounting for 69.5 of the state population, had raised their tobacco age, according to the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids. That number includes the hometowns of DeLeo (Winthrop), Gov. Baker (Swampscott), and Senate President Harriette Chandler (Worcester). Baker on Monday reiterated a stance he staked out in 2016, when he said he "conceptually" backed an increase in the tobacco age. "It depends on which version ultimately makes it through the process, but conceptually when you guys first started talking about it last year, we expressed support generally for the idea," the governor told reporters Monday after meeting with DeLeo and Chandler. In April 2016, Baker said, "Obviously it depends on the language, but I don't think philosophically we have a problem with raising it to 21." The bill the House plans to take up Wednesday is a Public Health Committee redraft (H 4109) of legislation originally filed by Dedham Rep. Paul McMurtry and other tobacco-related bills. It's now pending before the House Ways and Means Committee, and representatives have until 3 p.m. Tuesday to file amendments. A majority of House lawmakers -- 96 out of the chamber's 160 seats -- signed on as co-sponsors of McMurtry's bill, including members of both parties and some who have since left the House. The bill has an effective date of July 1, 2018 and would exempt those who turned 18 before Jan. 1, 2017 from being subject to the higher statewide age. BOSTON -- The Supreme Judicial Court will decide whether to levy fines on Attorney General Maura Healey's office for the misconduct of two former assistant attorneys general in the case of rogue Amherst drug lab chemist Sonja Farak. Farak was arrested in 2013 for stealing samples from the Amherst state drug lab to feed her own addiction. She pleaded guilty to evidence tampering and drug charges. Two former assistant attorneys general, Anne Kaczmarek and Kris Foster, who worked for former Attorney General Martha Coakley, have been reported to the Board of Bar Overseers for withholding important evidence related to the time frame in which Farak was using drugs. The SJC heard arguments Tuesday on whether sanctions and additional policy measures are necessary to prevent future misconduct. "This is the most significant record of harm as a result of prosecutorial misconduct that this court has ever seen, and I hope most courts have ever seen," said ACLU attorney Matthew Segal, who represents drug defendants who are asking for their cases to be dismissed. "This is a case where there has been wrongdoing by individuals but there also has been serious missteps by institutions," Segal said. "One reason for sanctions is to hold institutions accountable for making sure this type of misconduct doesn't occur, and when it does, it's mitigated." Assistant Attorney General Thomas Bocian said there are already deterrents in place to make sure this does not happen again, and fines are not warranted. Farak went to jail. Foster and Kaczmarek were reported to the Board of Bar Overseers, were called out by name by a Hampden Superior Court judge, and have been the subject of national negative media attention. "There are a lot of deterrents," Bocian said. "I would have to think no one in this environment thinks this is something that's OK and should happen." The justices noted that taxpayers would be on the hook for any fines against Healey's office. "You and I and the rest of us are going to pay that sanction," Justice Scott Kafker said to Segal. "Are we punishing ourselves by sanctioning the AG's office?" Chief Justice Ralph Gants added that either sanctions would be large and would diminish the ability of the attorney general's office to operate. Or a sanction could be a symbolic slap on the wrist that does not reflect the magnitude of the harm. Segal responded that taxpayers should be considered when setting the amount of a fine, but judgments are often levied against government officials. Segal argued that sanctions are important to deter future prosecutors from misconduct. "This is a case about real harm to real people," Segal said, noting that drug defendants were sent to prison, kept in prison or had to suffer collateral consequences based on faulty evidence. Healey wrote in court briefs that her office created a new internal ethics committee and increased training on prosecutorial ethics and criminal discovery. It implemented a new policy to increase supervision and reporting in the "rare" cases when exculpatory evidence can be withheld. Her office is helping lead a Bar Association committee on conviction integrity programs. The Committee for Public Counsel Services, the public defenders' office, says those steps are not enough. Segal, who is working with the public defenders, said the attorney general's office is doing the right thing "after exhausting all the other alternatives." The public defenders are asking the court to impose a standing policy for how cases are dealt with when there is prosecutorial misconduct, which could result in case dismissals. Healey's office supports a new standing policy order. But the state's district attorneys oppose the proposal. Assistant District Attorney Joseph Pieropan said misconduct will happen regardless of the rules, and existing rules are adequate. "We're all humans. We can only hope the rules we implement are followed, and we have procedures in place that will punish knowing violation of those rules," Pieropan said. Several times, Gants questioned whether the state did enough to investigate the scope of Farak's misconduct, given the large number of case dismissals that would result from it. "I understand what a nightmare this has been," Gants said to Pieropan. "There's a reluctance to open up a nightmare by trying to find out just how bad this problem is. But we all agree his needs to happen. How can we make sure it happens next time?" Pieropan said, "The DA's do not shirk from any nightmare." He said policies can prevent incompetence more than intentional misconduct, and if a prosecutor withheld evidence for years, the prosecutor would be indicted. Gants raised similar concerns with Bocian, wondering if the attorney general wanted to avoid another "Dookhan mess," referring to a previous case of misconduct by a state drug lab chemist. "We shouldn't be in a position of having to say don't close your eyes to the duration and scope of misconduct that may be affecting a whole lot of case, but that's what happened here," Gants said. Bocian defended the attorney general's investigation and an audit by the state police as thorough. He said the record shows "concern, upset and confusion" in the attorney general's office after it became clear that assistant attorneys general had withheld evidence. In addition to weighing potential sanctions, the SJC will also decide whether to dismiss additional drug cases in which samples were tested by chemists other than Farak. The district attorneys already agreed to dismiss 8,000 cases where Farak analyzed the drugs. Healey has said cases tested in the Amherst drug lab between June 2012 and January 2013 should be considered for dismissal, since Farak admitted to stealing drugs from samples that were tested by other chemists at that time. The public defenders say all cases processed by the lab since 2004, when Farak started working there, should be dismissed, since Farak's testimony that she only started stealing from other chemists' samples in 2012 is unreliable. The district attorneys argue that dismissing the cases where Farak signed the certificate is sufficient, since there is no evidence Farak touched her colleagues' cases before 2012. The justices questioned the attorneys on the strength of the evidence that Farak's misconduct was limited to a particular time. "I worry we have a heavy drug user digging into all the drugs, with no controls in place," Kafker said to Bocian. "I wouldn't believe a word she says at this point." BOSTON -- Gov. Charlie Baker's administration has frequently touted its success in moving homeless families out of hotels and motels and into more suitable places to live. But some low-income individuals and advocates say the administration has gone too far in the other direction by refusing to place homeless families in hotels even if it is the best place for them to be. The Supreme Judicial Court on Tuesday will hear arguments regarding whether the Department of Housing and Community Development is doing the right thing in not moving homeless people with disabilities into hotels. In Rosanne Garcia vs. Department of Housing and Community Development, a group of low-income plaintiffs who are dealing with a disability sued the state for refusing to place them in hotels. One mother of a toddler with spina bifida who needed care at Boston Children's Hospital was placed 30 miles away, in Lowell. The long ride was painful for the child, and it took a court case for the family to be moved closer to Boston. Another family was placed in a third-floor walkup in Worcester even though a son was about to undergo knee surgery, which would make the apartment inaccessible for him. In both cases, the state cited a lack of available shelter space in refusing to move the families. State officials said except for in rare cases, they no longer place new intake families in hotels or motels. A Superior Court judge ruled that the state was wrong in not placing families in hotels to accommodate their disability-related needs. The plaintiffs write in court briefs that shared shelter space is often inappropriate for families with unique health needs. Some sick children need specialized treatment in Boston, so sites that are further away are unacceptable. While advocates for homeless families have long objected to the use of hotels instead of shelters for most families, attorneys for the plaintiffs say there are some situations where hotels are the most appropriate form of shelter. Denying that accommodation violates the Americans With Disabilities Act, they claim. "DCHD's refusal even to consider motel placements for disabled individuals is a prototypical refusal reasonably to accommodate a disability," they wrote. The plaintiffs are represented by attorneys from the ACLU, Greater Boston Legal Services and Ropes & Gray. The Department of Housing and Community Development, represented by the attorney general's office, responds that motels "are justly criticized as poor shelter" and have been used primarily to create capacity in times of recession. Since late 2013, state officials say they added enough new shelter beds to mostly eliminate the use of motels. Now, motels are only used when there are no vacancies in the system. State officials say the order by the Superior Court judge to place families in motels "threatens significant disruption to the program." Attorneys for the Department of Housing and Community Development write in court briefs that motels generally lack kitchen facilities, are too cramped for families and lack sufficient oversight to make sure they meet sanitary requirements. Unlike shelters, hotels do not have staff trained to work with families or to connect homeless families with other resources. "DHCD uses (motels) only as a safety-valve, when no other appropriately sized, accessible family shelter space is available," attorneys for the department write. The attorneys write that DHCD regularly accommodates disability-related requests. DCHD says it does not have money to pay additional motels. Today, there are 187 families seeking transfers for disability-related reasons, and it could cost the state $8 million a year to move them all into motels. The agency said the shift from hotel to shelter placements has not moved individuals with disabilities farther from their home communities and has not affected people with disabilities' access to the shelter program. SPRINGFIELD -- Mayor Domenic J. Sarno urged the City Council on Tuesday to "come to their senses" and approve the expenditure of $3.7 million in state funds for local road construction projects in fiscal 2019. Sarno's comments occurred after the council voted Monday to refer the state fund allocation for roads to its Maintenance and Development Committee. "This has always been a routine acceptance and not only could this jeopardize the funding but just as important delay and/or postpone any neighborhood streets," Sarno said. Council President Orlando Ramos said the matter is being delayed just one week, and the referral was fully justified. At a subcommittee meeting Monday, councilors were told by city Finance and Public Works officials that a one-week delay would not negatively impact the road program, Ramos said. Sarno's expectation for immediate approval "doesn't give the City Council an opportunity for any input on when it comes to road projects funded by state Chapter 90 funds," Ramos said. "When the administration fails to communicate with the City Council and doesn't allow council input, then they should not be surprised when there is a delay," Ramos said. Sarno said he is calling on councilors to call for a meeting as soon as possible. "This program has been on the books for decades and affords us the opportunity to maintain our streets throughout the city," Sarno said. "In the last 10 years, it funded well over $30 million in neighborhood repaving projects." Sarno said the Old Hill Neighborhood Council asked recently when Eastern Avenue will be paved. Public Works Director Christopher Cignoli, in an email response to the neighborhood dated Tuesday, said the City Council had not yet approved the state funds "so at this time the paving date has been postponed indefinitely." Ramos said the Maintenance and Development Committee will meet before Monday night's vote. Councilor Jesse Lederman said the council is doing its job and due diligence is reviewing the road projects. Lederman said utility companies have done extensive work on Eastern Avenue and surrounding streets, and should be responsible for repaving costs there. if so, it would help free up more state funds for as many streets as possible, he said. Ramos, who represents Ward 8, said he and other councilors do have streets they consider to be top priorities for repair, some of which were not chosen. But he said he did not want to list examples. Cignoi said there is no specific deadline on accepting the state funds. However, if the approval is delayed until June, "work would not begin until mid-August, meaning a lot more work would not get completed this calendar year and would need to be pushed until next year." The Massachusetts Department of Transportation notified the city of the Chapter 90 funding amount, $3.7 million, on Feb. 26. The Department of Public Works subsequently developed its list of arterial and residential street paving list. The proposed list is included on the third page of the following document: Springfield Chapter 90 Funds by The Republican/MassLive.com on Scribd U.S. Rep. Richard Neal, D-Springfield, took issue Tuesday with President Donald Trump's request that Congress rescind $7 billion in previously approved funding for the Children's Health Insurance Program -- a move which he argued would make it "harder for millions of kids to get the health care they need." Neal, the top Democrat on the House Ways and Means Committee, slammed the president for offering a $15.4 billion rescissions package that seeks to cut billions in funding from the program that provides health coverage to nearly 9 million low-income children. Although the White House stressed that the president's request targets "spending that is unnecessary, unused or cannot be used for its original purpose," the congressman cast the proposal as yet another GOP-led effort to slash CHIP funding and pay for recent tax cuts. "In order to shower benefits on the well-off and well-connected, President Trump and congressional Republicans want to slash funding for a program that provides health care to children in middle-class and low-income families. Tax cuts don't pay for themselves, and Republicans' most recent $2.3 trillion gift to their wealthy donors is no exception," he said in a statement. "Now, on top of saddling the next generation with crushing debt, the GOP is making it harder for millions of kids to get the health care they need." Neal added that Democrats "understand that health insurance costs are a significant financial burden for families" and are committed to making health care more affordable and accessible. Administration officials, however, argued that the proposed $7 billion in CHIP cuts will have "no programmatic impact" or affect health care access as most of that funding comes from dollars allotted in 2017 that cannot be spent. "The Children's Health Insurance Program--which the administration strongly supports overall--contains $7 billion in funds that are either no longer necessary or can't be spent because the authority to do so expired last year," the administration said in a statement. "Rescinding these funds will have no impact on the program." Officials added that "at some point Congress will likely 'rescind' those funds as a budget gimmick to offset new spending elsewhere, as it did on the recently passed omnibus." "Instead Congress should rescind the money now," the White House said. Despite the White House's claims, the proposal has drawn pushback from Democrats and even some Republicans -- particularly in the Senate, according to reports. U.S. Sen. Susan Collins, a Maine Republican who helped create CHIP, told the Washington Post that the reported cuts were concerning and that she did not know why there would be funds left in the program's account. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-New York, meanwhile, contended that the president's proposal seeks to "appease the most conservative special interests and feel better about blowing up the deficit to give the wealthiest few and biggest corporations huge tax breaks." Aside from the proposed CHIP cuts, Trump has also requested that Congress rescind: $4.3 billion from the Advanced Technology Vehicles Manufacturing Loan Program, which officials said has not made a loan since 2011; $800 million from the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation, which the White House said is in excess of funds needed for fiscal years 2018 and 2019; and $252 million "in excess funds remaining from the 2015 Ebola outbreak response," among other things. Congress now has 45 days to act on the rescissions package before it expires. The president's rescissions package came just months after he signed a pair of spending bills that reauthorized CHIP funding for 10 years. Massachusetts officials had raised concerns about the program's future after its authorization expired and was not immediately renewed. Massachusetts spent $769 million on CHIP last year, of which $677 million was reimbursed by the federal government, the Executive Office of Health and Human Services reported. About 160,000 Massachusetts children relied on CHIP for health insurance as of February. NEW YORK -- The Red Sox have activated Brock Holt (hamstring) from the disabled list a day earlier than expected. He went 1-for-3 in a rehab game for Triple-A Pawtucket yesterday. He played seven innings at shortstop. The Red Sox optioned Tzu-Wei Lin to Pawtucket to make room for Holt on the roster. Holt went 16-for-34 (.471 batting average) with six doubles, one homer and six RBIs in nine games before being placed on the DL. He suffered his hamstring injury April 26 in Toronto. Toronto Blue Jays closer Roberto Osuna was arrested for assault on a woman Tuesday morning, according to Toronto Police. Police would not give any more details about the alleged incident to protect the identity of the victim. Osuna was released from custody and has a court appearance on June 18. Osuna, 23, is in his fourth season with the Blue Jays, and has collected nine saves while posting a 2.93 ERA this season. The MLB released a statement regarding the incident and placed Osuna on administrative leave. Official MLB statement on Roberto Osuna: MLB takes all allegations of this nature very seriously. We are investigating the circumstances and have placed Roberto Osuna on Administrative Leave in accordance with the Joint MLB-MLBPA Domestic Violence Policy.#BlueJays Scott Mitchell (@ScottyMitchTSN) May 8, 2018 The Blue Jays released this statement regarding Osuna as well. Statement from the Toronto Blue Jays regarding Roberto Osuna. pic.twitter.com/ZnPOCjDSoR Toronto Blue Jays (@BlueJays) May 8, 2018 MLB can place a player on paid administrative leave for up to seven days while it investigates. Players like Jose Reyes (51 games), Aroldis Chapman (30 games), Jeurys Familia (15 games) and Steven Wright (15 games) have all been suspended under the league's policy, and a conviction is not necessary for the league to suspend a player. A new National Park Service report shows the 4.1 million people who visited Yellowstone in 2017 spent $498.8 million in communities near the park. That spending supported 7,354 jobs in the local area and had a cumulative benefit to the local economy of $629.6 million. Yellowstone welcomes people from across the country and around the world who contribute significantly to the local economies in Wyoming, Montana and Idaho, said superintendent Dan Wenk. http://mtstandard.com/lifestyles/recreation/visitors-spent-m-in-communities-near-yellowstone-national-park-in/article_9a837086-52a3-561c-a931-1afdad72f30f.html#tracking-source=home-the-latest A massive talent shortage will hit in about a decade, leaving the world short of 85 million skilled workers and having a financial impact of as much as $8.5 trillion in unrealized annual revenue, according to a report by Korn Ferry, Man Bites Dog and Oxford Analytica. The report forecasts a labor deficit of 3% of the workforce in 2020 and 11% by 2030. The ever-widening gap between employers needs and workers skills could drive massive lost financial opportunities over the next decade-plus. David McCann http://ww2.cfo.com/people/2018/05/think-theres-a-talent-shortage-now-just-wait/ La Private Notice Question du leader de lOpposition a 15 h 00 ce 28 fevrier 2020 sera pour le ministre du Service Financiers sur ce sujet qui secoue ce secteur depuis une petite semaine. Mahen Seeruttun va repondre aux question du Dr Arvind Boolell et autres parlementaires de lopposition sur cette liste dite grise. Pour rappel , le ministre des Services Financiers avait anime une conference de presse sur le sujet en presque fin de journee du 26 fevrier 2020. Partager et informez vous aussi...... 0 shares Share Tweet LinkedIn WATCH: Things to know about Benham Rise Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, May 8) President Rodrigo Duterte will go to Benham Rise this month with 50 Filipino scientists who will conduct research in the vast undersea region, the Palace said Tuesday. Duterte's visit is set on May 15-16 to commemorate the renaming of Benham Rise to Philippine Rise, Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque said in a press briefing. On May 16 last year, Duterte signed an executive order formalizing the change of name after Chinese survey ships were spotted in the area two months earlier. Benham Rise is an undersea plateau covering 13 million hectares some 135 miles off the coast of Aurora province. The United Nations has recognized it as part of the country's extended continental shelf over which the Philippines has sole sovereign rights. In April, Duterte said he would visit the area to assert the country's rights. "Next week... I'm going to Benham Rise and I will make a statement there that nobody owns this place (except the Philippines)," Duterte said in an April 26 speech, adding that he would "go to war" if any other country claimed it. Filipinos to conduct research The President's visit "will also be to launch the start of scientific research to be conducted by around 50 scientists," Roque said. The government was earlier criticized for allowing China to do research in waters off the northeastern part of the country, including Benham Rise, in partnership with the University of the Philippines-Marine Science Institute. But China later said the research was done "in waters under the Philippines' jurisdiction, but not in the Benham Rise" The region lies on the other side of the Philippine achipelago where the contested waters of the South China Sea is located. The Philippines and China are among the six claimants in the maritime dispute. The Palace in February said foreigners may do research in Benham Rise as long as they get approval from the National Security Adviser. Benham Rise, named after U.S. geologist Andrew Benham who discovered it in 1933, is believed to be rich in marine resources, natural gas, oil, and minerals. Last year, China named some undersea features of Benham Rise which were recognized by the International Hydrographic Organization. Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, May 8) President Rodrigo Duterte said he just fired another government official because of corruption. News of this recent action came on the heels of Wanda Tulfo-Teo's resignation as Secretary of Tourism. It's unclear, though, if the President was referring to Teo who earlier denied a report saying that the President asked her to resign. Speaking at the oath taking ceremonies of new Armed Forces officials Tuesday, the President said, "Marami akong napaalis sa corruption...merong bago. It has nothing to do at all with any other reason." [Translation: I removed a lot of people because of corruption...there's a new one. It has nothing to do at all with any other reason.] Duterte went on to say that most of those he has fired were the ones who pushed him to run for President. "Pero ang masakit nito, most of those I have dismissed actually were the very same people that urged me to run in the first place. Sila yung pabalik-balik ng Davao, sila yung udyok nang udyok," he said. [Translation: The thing that hurts is most of those I have dismissed actually were the very same people that urged me to run in the first place. They were the ones who kept going back to Davao, thy were the ones who kept pushing me.] One of Duterte's campaign promises was to eradicate corruption in government, and he has said he would fire officials at the "first whiff of corruption." Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, May 8) With conflicting official reports on deaths allegedly caused by the dengue vaccine Dengvaxia, President Rodrigo Duterte has ordered the creation of an independent experts panel to look into the controversy. Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque on Tuesday said Duterte wants experts all from Asia to look into the effect of the dengue vaccine administered to over 800,000 children. "The President, after much discussion, said that he will create a three-man panel of experts. He will be bound by the findings of this three-man experts on the issue whether or not Dengvaxia actually caused deaths," he said in a media briefing on Tuesday. The Public Attorney's Office (PAO) in February said there's a link between the deaths of 22 children IT autopsied and the dengue vaccine. On the other hand, the Philippine General Hospital's (PGH) Dengue Investigative Task Force has found that out of the 14 deaths investigated, only two deaths may be due to Dengvaxia failure. "The problem of the President, although there's a finding of PAO experts and PGH panel of experts finding, as a lawyer and a prosecutor, he knows expert witnesses can cancel out each other's testimonies," Roque said. He added Duterte's requirements were the three experts should be foreign nationals who are not linked to the government and vaccine maker Sanofi Pasteur. "Pakikinggan niya ang opinyon ng ekspertong ito nang makausad na tayo sa Dengvaxia. Nag-aantay pa ng mas malinaw na scientific finding kaya bubuuin ang panel," he said. Roque also said Duterte is urging the Congress to pass a law to allow the use of the 1.16 billion refunded from Zuellig Pharma for the medical needs of children injected with Dengvaxia. Dengvaxia was administered to over 800,000 students in a school-based government immunization program in April 2016. Pharmaceutical company Sanofi Pasteur in November 2017 announced the vaccine posed potentially severe dengue risks among those with no dengue history. The resulting panic prompted the Health Department to suspend its program and the Senate to investigate the 3.5 billion spent on it. Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, May 8) President Rodrigo Duterte accepted the resignation of Tourism Secretary Wanda Tulfo-Teo on Tuesday. Teo handed in her resignation letter to Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea Monday in the wake of the 60-million tourism advertising deal between the government network and the television program of her brothers. This was hours before her one-on-one meeting with President Rodrigo Duterte after the Cabinet meeting in Malacanan Palace. Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque told CNN Philippines it seemed like a "very serious discussion," but said he was not privy to what they talked about. He added the President did not give any reason for accepting Teo's resignation and has not chosen a replacement as yet. Teo's legal counsel Ferdinand Topacio said in a media briefing "her decision to leave her position was made after a long and deliberate reflection and soul-searching with respect to the events that have transpired the past few weeks." He added, "She wants to show she has delicadeza." Topacio said Teo initially planned on staying on as Tourism Chief to clear her name, but said she felt she was harming the President's credibility. "She thought it would be better to spare everyone further pain, including the President, to simply leave the office... Notwithstanding the fact that she felt she still enjoyed the trust and confidence of the President, the enemies of the President were seizing upon this issue to do harm to the presidency," he said. Topacio reiterated Duterte did not fire Teo nor ask her to resign. "Teo reiterates that she has done no wrongdoing, and that all the dealings of the DOT went through all legal processes, were above-board and done in good faith, and with total absence of malice," he said. Teo is the fifth official to leave the Cabinet, following the resignation of Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre. Others were Commission on Higher Education Chair Patricia Licuanan, Information and Communications Technology chief Rodolfo Salalima, and former Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council Chairman, Vice President Leni Robredo. Teo had denied conflict of interest in the ad deal, saying the Tourism Department also placed television commercials and TV features in other local and international media networks. READ: Tulfos to return P60M from DOT ad deal to end controversy Teo's lawyer The Tourism Secretary got caught in the controversy after the Commission on Audit (COA) revealed her department paid 60.009 million in three tranches to state-run television network PTV-4. PTV-4 then paid Bitag Media Unlimited Inc (BMUI) the production house owned by Tulfo-Teo's brother Ben Tulfo - to place commercials on "Kilos Pronto." It is the show on PTV-4 which features Ben and Erwin Tulfo and Alex Santos. The Tulfo program is a blocktimer so the show is supposed to pay PTV-4 for the air time. COA said the transaction lacked supporting documents. Topacio said Teo was not aware her brothers hosted "Kilos Pronto" and Ben Tulfo owned Bitag Media. He added Bitag Media Unlimited Inc - the production house owned by Ben Tulfo - will still return the P60 million paid to them by the Tourism Department despite Teo's resignation. "It's delicadeza to protect the family name and to show the Tulfos do not wish to benefit from government funds," he said. Not yet off the hook Malacanang said it expects the Office of the Ombudsman to look into possible criminal charges that may be filed against Teo and other officials linked to the ad deal. "Hinahayaan na po ng palasyo sa Ombdusman na mag-imbestiga para malaman kung may pananagutang criminal pa po si secretary Teo. Inaasahan po namin ang mabilis at transparent na imbestigasyon ng Ombudsman," Roque said in a media briefing on Tuesday. Roque said the Office of the Executive Secretary has looked into the allegations, but he's uncertain if the probe's been concluded. "Sabihin nalang po natin na parang naunahan na ng resignation ang pinal na rekomendasyon ng executive secretary," he said. He added Malacanang does not see Teo's resignation as an admission of guilt. "I think, Sec. Teo being a close associate of the president, did what she thought was the best course of action and we thank her," Roque said. Senator Nancy Binay has filed a resolution to look into how the Tourism Department spends its budget in advertising and marketing. "Siguro kailangan natin alamin kung paano nila nira-rationalize ang local advertising placements and if they are congruent with the strategic marketing and media plans of the department," she said in a statement on Monday. A number of senators said the investigation should push through. "Yes, and definitely this Senate will scrutinize this particular budget item of departments, not just DOT (Department of Tourism)," Senator Joel Villanueva said. Ombudsman Conchita Carpio Morales said it will initiate an investigation on the issue. Topacio said Teo is ready to face investigations if she is summoned by the Senate or the Ombudsman. "We welcome that to show she really did not know it will come to this. She was not informed of the fact that 'Kilos Pronto' is hosted by her brothers and produced by Ben Tulfo. She was only informed later on. Do you think if she knew, she wouldn't have vetoed it?" he said. CNN Philippines' Eimor Santos contributed to this report. Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, May 8) Authorities arrested an alleged sniper of ISIS-linked Maute group in Cubao, Quezon City Monday. Philippine National Police Chief Oscar Albayalde on Tuesday said reports from concerned citizens led to the arrest of suspect Unday Macadato. Authorities recovered a caliber .45 pistol and a grenade from the suspect. "This is a good indication na yung ating mga communities are cooperating sa ating mga kapulisan lalung-lalo na sa ating intelligence operatives sa pagbibigay ng information sa atin," Albayalde said. [Translation: This is a good indication that our communities are cooperating with our police and intelligence operatives.] Initial investigation showed the suspect was among Maute members who escaped from the main battle area during the five-month war in Marawi City, the capital of Lanao del Sur, which was the battleground of government forces and terrorists from May to October last year. More than 900 terrorists, 47 civilians, and 165 government troops were killed. Albayalde said Macadato was among over 100 suspects ordered arrested by the government on rebellion charges amid the declaration of martial law in Mindanao. In April, authorities arrested two suspected members of international terror network ISIS in Laguna. Martial law remains in effect in Mindanao until December this year after Congress approved President Rodrigo Duterte's request for an extension as the government rehabilitates war-torn Marawi. CNN Philippines' Gerg Cahiles and Eimor Santos contributed to this report. Journalist Seth Freed Wessler wins Medills John Bartlow Martin Award Writer of magazine article on U.S. Coast Guard detentions to visit Medill May 17 May 8, 2018 | By Geordan Tilley (BSJ18) Investigative reporter Seth Freed Wessler, winner of the 2018 John Bartlow Martin Award An investigative reporter who exposed harmful detention practices by the U.S. Coast Guard has won the 2018 John Bartlow Martin Award for Public Interest Magazine Journalism given by Northwestern Universitys Medill School of Journalism, Media, Integrated Marketing Communications. Seth Freed Wesslers piece, The Coast Guards Floating Guantanamos , was published in the November 2017 edition of the New York Times Magazine in partnership with The Investigative Fund. The John Bartlow Martin Award recognizes the writer(s) of a story or series that sheds light on the causes, consequences or remedies of a problem in American society. Wessler will receive a $4,000 cash prize. In the year he worked on the story, Wessler culled thousands of pages of federal court records and used a Freedom of Information Act request to obtain data on Coast Guard interdiction, detention and prosecutions that targeted suspected low-level drug smugglers in international waters. He corresponded with former detainees and visited some of these men in federal prisons where they are now serving long sentences. He toured a Coast Guard cutter, developed sources inside the Coast Guard, and traveled to Ecuador to meet with former detainees as well as their relatives and advocates. I was thrilled to receive news that my reporting would be honored, and especially by this award, which focuses on reporting committed to the public interest and uncovering hidden harm, Wessler said. For me, this award is also a recognition of the men who told me about their detention aboard U.S. ships. They shared stories of trauma in hopes the practices might change in the future. Following publication of Wesslers piece, numerous current and former members of the Coast Guard reached out to share their experiences on the cutters and call attention to practices that one called compromising. The story also has prompted advocates to look closer at the rights violations Wessler uncovered. In January, the Coast Guards top officer proposed operating a dedicated prison ship that would cut down on some of the conditions Wessler exposed. Wessler paints an extraordinary picture of government overreach, said Medill Associate Professor Patti Wolter and the selection committees lead judge. His story epitomizes the John Bartlow Martin Award in its attention to vivid writing and thorough, detailed reporting while exposing until-now hidden injustices to the drug trades most vulnerable. Wessler will be honored at a ceremony on May 17 in Chicago. He also will participate in a panel discussion with members of Medills Hall of Achievement on Thursday, May 17 from noon to 1 p.m. in the MFC Forum, 1870 Campus Drive, Evanston. The panel will be followed by a mix-and-mingle lunch from 1-1:30 p.m. immediately outside of the MFC Forum. Both events are open to the public, and no RSVP is required. The judges awarded honorable mentions to two other entries: Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, May 8) Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) Interim President Celestina De la Serna confirms the spending called out by state auditors, but said these were above-board. She said there was nothing irregular with the over 923,000 in allowances, per diem, and travel expenses. "With the justification or supporting documents we submitted to (the Commission on Audit), I am confident that this will all be cleared," Dela Serna said in a media briefing Tuesday. "To the public, I assure you that no money of the public is being used anomalously," she added. The Commission of Audit (COA) revealed in an audit observation memorandum a total of 923,174.21 in PhilHealth expenditures which it flagged as irregular. The breakdown is as follows: Local travel expenses reimbursed: 627,293.04 Allowances received despite Notices of Disallowance: 143,881.17 Per Diem for Meeting Through Video Conference: 152,000.00 The audit report adds to PhilHealth's issues as it takes a hit for a hefty net income loss worth 8.92 billion in 2017 from 251 million in 2016. De la Serna said she was covered by a board resolution and travel order signed by Health Secretaries she had worked with. She hoped COA would reconsider her documents. Travel, accommodations are 'modest' A year into her position as officer-in-charge of the country's health insurance system, De la Serna has racked up over 627,000 in travels to and from Tagbilaran, Bohol. The expense includes accommodation in hotels near the PhilHealth office in Mandaluyong City. In a statement on Tuesday, De la Serna said these expenditures were "above board" and "purely official in nature." She added, "These are all reimbursements that underwent processing." De la Serna explained she did not relocate to Manila because she did not know if she was appointed for good. "It is therefore not viable to rent a housing facility which normally requires a minimum of six months to one year lease," her statement read. She also insisted that she was "well within the limit" for accommodation expenses, and she always "(gets) the cheapest (seat)" on flights. On allowances, per diem Dela Serna's statement also noted she received over 143,000 worth of allowances. The were tagged with notices of disallowance and are all on appeal. "We clarify that mere issuance of a [notice of disallowance]... is not necessarily in itself illegal," the statement read. Dela Serna was also called out for missing documents regarding payments for meetings through teleconferencing, but the official said "these were all duly complied with already." President to investigate PhilHealth De la Serna also appealed to the President to listen to her side. She claimed some of her reforms, like removing board members' privileges, prompted some officials to swipe back. Malacanang spokesperson Harry Roque said on Monday that "everyone will be heard." He also said the Office of the President was looking into the allegations. "Alam ko po iimbestigahan din po iyan ng Presidente," said Roque. "Kung hindi po malilinis ang hanay ng PhilHealth, hindi po magkakatuparan itong universal healthcare." [Translation: From what I know, the President is already investigating... Until Philhealth is cleaned, we won't be able to achieve universal healthcare.] Regional Vice Presidents respond De la Serna also pointed to regional PhilHealth officials as the reason the corporation fell behind on its payments. "I would just like to say that the payments of these health facilities are the job of our regional vice presidents," she said. "If there are problems of payments, it is not the central office that is supposed to do this job." Around 13 regional officers slammed the allegations as baseless in a joint statement on Tuesday. "If Dr. De la Serna really believes in its merits, then she should put her money where her mouth is and immediately file the corresponding administrative, civil, or even criminal charges against the 'culprits,'" the statement said. It added that Dela Serna should "not muddle the issue and answer the charges leveled against her." A number of regional vice presidents previously filed a case against De la Serna for usurpation of office in November 2017. De la Serna was voted interim officer-in-charge, president, and CEO of the corporation in April 2017, succeeding Hildegardes Dineros. CNN Philippines correspondent Rex Remitio contributed to this report. 1. U.S. acceptance of coexistence as the only alternative to atomic war. 2. U.S. willingness to capitulate in preference to engaging in atomic war. 3. Develop the illusion that total disarmament of the United States would be a demonstration of moral strength. 4. Permit free trade between all nations regardless of Communist affiliation and regardless of whether or not items could be used for war. 5. Extension of long-term loans to Russia and Soviet satellites. 6. Provide American aid to all nations regardless of Communist domination. 7. Grant recognition of Red China. Admission of Red China to the U.N. 8. Set up East and West Germany as separate states in spite of Khrushchev's promise in 1955 to settle the German question by free elections under supervision of the U.N. 9. Prolong the conferences to ban atomic tests because the United States has agreed to suspend tests as long as negotiations are in progress. 10. Allow all Soviet satellites individual representation in the U.N. 11. Promote the U.N. as the only hope for mankind. If its charter is rewritten, demand that it be set up as a one-world government with its own independent armed forces. (Some Communist leaders believe the world can be taken over as easily by the U.N. as by Moscow. Sometimes these two centers compete with each other as they are now doing in the Congo.) 12. Resist any attempt to outlaw the Communist Party. 13. Do away with all loyalty oaths. 14. Continue giving Russia access to the U.S. Patent Office. 15. Capture one or both of the political parties in the United States. 16. Use technical decisions of the courts to weaken basic American institutions by claiming their activities violate civil rights. 17. Get control of the schools. Use them as transmission belts for socialism and current Communist propaganda. Soften the curriculum. Get control of teachers' associations. Put the party line in textbooks. 18. Gain control of all student newspapers. 19. Use student riots to foment public protests against programs or organizations which are under Communist attack. 20. Infiltrate the press. Get control of book-review assignments, editorial writing, policymaking positions. 21. Gain control of key positions in radio, TV, and motion pictures. 22. Continue discrediting American culture by degrading all forms of artistic expression. An American Communist cell was told to "eliminate all good sculpture from parks and buildings, substitute shapeless, awkward and meaningless forms." 23. Control art critics and directors of art museums. "Our plan is to promote ugliness, repulsive, meaningless art." 24. Eliminate all laws governing obscenity by calling them "censorship" and a violation of free speech and free press. 25. Break down cultural standards of morality by promoting pornography and obscenity in books, magazines, motion pictures, radio, and TV. 26. Present homosexuality, degeneracy and promiscuity as "normal, natural, healthy." 27. Infiltrate the churches and replace revealed religion with "social" religion. Discredit the Bible and emphasize the need for intellectual maturity which does not need a "religious crutch." 28. Eliminate prayer or any phase of religious expression in the schools on the ground that it violates the principle of "separation of church and state." 29. Discredit the American Constitution by calling it inadequate, old-fashioned, out of step with modern needs, a hindrance to cooperation between nations on a worldwide basis. 30. Discredit the American Founding Fathers. Present them as selfish aristocrats who had no concern for the "common man." 31. Belittle all forms of American culture and discourage the teaching of American history on the ground that it was only a minor part of the "big picture." Give more emphasis to Russian history since the Communists took over. 32. Support any socialist movement to give centralized control over any part of the culture--education, social agencies, welfare programs, mental health clinics, etc. 33. Eliminate all laws or procedures which interfere with the operation of the Communist apparatus. 34. Eliminate the House Committee on Un-American Activities. 35. Discredit and eventually dismantle the FBI. 36. Infiltrate and gain control of more unions. 37. Infiltrate and gain control of big business. 38. Transfer some of the powers of arrest from the police to social agencies. Treat all behavioral problems as psychiatric disorders which no one but psychiatrists can understand. 39. Dominate the psychiatric profession and use mental health laws as a means of gaining coercive control over those who oppose Communist goals. 40. Discredit the family as an institution. Encourage promiscuity and easy divorce. 41. Emphasize the need to raise children away from the negative influence of parents. Attribute prejudices, mental blocks and retarding of children to suppressive influence of parents. 42. Create the impression that violence and insurrection are legitimate aspects of the American tradition; that students and special-interest groups should rise up and use united force to solve economic, political or social problems. 43. Overthrow all colonial governments before native populations are ready for self-government. 44. Internationalize the Panama Canal. 45. Repeal the Connally reservation so the United States cannot prevent the World Court from seizing jurisdiction over nations and individuals alike. Page Content On 16-17 May members of the European Committee of the Regions (CoR) will voice their concerns about the European Commission's far-reaching proposals to direct EU funding away from regional development after 2020, and will adopt a position on the UK's withdrawal from the EU after a year of consultations, surveys and studies with local and regional authorities. The CoR's members will also consider ways in which cultural policies can contribute to reinforcing European identity. Watch the entire plenary streamed live in all EU languages EU long-term budget: what impact for regions and cities? (16 May) Gunther Oettinger , the European Commissioner for Budget & Human Resources, will debate the EU long-term budget proposals for 2021-2027 published on 2 May and its potential implications for regions and cities. Included in the proposals are cuts to the EU's cohesion policy, which will have consequences for future EU funding regions and cities, an issue already raised by the Committee . The debate is expected to focus on proposed cuts to regional development funding through cohesion policy but it is also likely to address reductions in funding for farmers and linkages with rule of law and national economic policies. A press conference withEU Commissioner Oettinger and theCoR's President Lambertz will be held at 4:30pm in the listening room of the European Commission's Charlemagne building, Brussels. Brexit resolution (17 May) The CoR will adopt a resolution on the UK's withdrawal from the European Union that will consider the impact on local and regional authorities, measures needed to minimise the effects of Brexit, and the future relationship between the UK and the EU. The resolution will stress the importance for local and regional authorities of avoiding a hard border in Ireland and will, for example, consider the role of state aid, cohesion policy, and the common agricultural policy. Consideration will also be given to cooperation through mechanisms such as macro-regional strategies and European Groupings of Territorial Cooperation (EGTC), as well as to cooperation in education, culture, research, innovation, and security, border and migration management. The resolution develops an earlier position adopted by the CoR in March 2017 , after a speech by and debate with the EU's chief negotiator, European Commissioner Michel Barnier . Over the past 14 months, the CoR has conducted a range of surveys of its members, local and regional authorities and local chambers of commerce, as well as commissioning a study of the implications of Brexit for regional economies. On 22-23 May, the presidents of the CoR's political groups will travel to the Republic of Ireland, for talks with the joint committee on European Union affairs of the Houses of the Oireachtas, and to Northern Ireland, to meet the local government association. Culture and European identity (17 May) How cultural policies can strengthen European identity will be the focus of a debate with Tibor Navracsics, European Commissioner for Education, Culture, Youth and Sport, Luca Jahier, the newly elected President of the European Economic and Social Committee, and Petra Kammerevert (DE/S&D), Chairperson of the European Parliament's Culture and Education Committee . On the same day, the CoR will set out its position on how to strengthen European identity through education and culture, by debating an opinion drawn up by Tanya Hristova (BG/EPP), Mayor of Gabrovo and head of the CoR's Bulgarian delegation. The CoR will also consider "cultural heritage as a strategic resource for more cohesive and sustainable regions in the EU", based on recommendations by Babette Winter (DE/PES), State Secretary for Europe and Culture from the Land of Thuringia. 2018 is the European Year of Cultural Heritage. Gas pipelines entering the EU internal market (16 May) CoR members will vote on an opinion prepared by Mauro D'Attis (IT/EPP), Member of Roccafiorita Municipal Council (Messina) and newly elected member of the Italian Parliament, reacting to the European Commission's proposal to extend common EU gas rules to import pipelines. The aim is that all gas pipelines arriving in the EU from third countries fully comply with existing EU rules, including transparency requirements, fair tariffs and a proper separation of the supply chain from production to distribution. CoR rapporteur D'Attis will advocate the essential need for the EU to safeguard its own imports, whilst avoiding situations of excessive dependence, abuse by suppliers and risk for local communities. Other opinions to be adopted: Plans for one specific EU fund after 2020, the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund . Rapporteur: Alberto Nunez Feijoo (ES/EPP), president of the Galicia region Practical information: Where : Charlemagne building Hemicycle, European Commission When : 16 May, 3pm-9pm 17 May, 9am-1pm See the plenary's agenda & documents Watch the plenary streamed live on the CoR's website Contact: PresseCdr@cor.europa.eu The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said it is "deeply concerned" with the pace of the recall of Ford Ranger and Mazda B-Series trucks with potentially fatal Takata air bags installed in a Monday, May 7 statement. The division within the U.S. Department of Transportation said in a news release that these vehicles under a "do not drive" plea are not being fixed fast enough. The recall includes high-risk 2006 Ford Rangers and 2006 Mazda B-Series trucks that have parts that "must be replaced immediately." "According to the manufacturers, 49.2 percent of the 33,320 impacted MY 2006 Ford Rangers have been mitigated, and 58 percent of the 2,205 impacted Mazda B-Series trucks have been mitigated," the NHTSA reports. "Both Ford and Mazda have authorized their dealers to tow these vehicles free of charge so consumers can safely obtain the free repair." Back in February of this year, Ford added older 33,000 Ranger pickup trucks to a previous recall and "do not drive" warning due to an increased risk concerning the potentially fatal Takata air bag inflators. The initial warning was issued in January after an exploding Takata air bag inflator killed a person in West Virginia. The fatal crash occurred in July, and Ford found out and started investigating the incident in December 2017. It was discovered that the inflator built in this fatal crash was manufactured the same day as another one of Takata's fatal, defective inflators from a previous incident. Owners are asked to bring their affected trucks into dealers, who will make the necessary repairs free of charge. There have been more than 20 deaths related to the Takata recall in the United States, Malaysia and Australia. People have been killed in California, Louisiana, Florida, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Virginia, Texas and South Carolina stateside. Across the world, 19 different automakers have recalled around 100 million inflators around the world. In the U.S., the 69 million recalled inflators represents the largest automotive recall in the country's history. Fatal crashes have occurred inside the Honda Civic, Accord, City, Civic, CR-V, and Acura TL and 2006 Ford Ranger models with Takata air bags. To search active recalls, use the NHTSA's website to search your 17-character VIN at this link. VIN numbers are typically located under the driver's side windshield, or along the inside of the doors behind the seat or under the steering wheel. To sign up for NHTSA safety alerts for a specific vehicle, sign up at this link. With a typical safety recall in the U.S., the manufacturer first notifies the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, then a notice is sent to vehicle owners informing them to take the vehicle to a local dealership who generally makes the fixes free of charge. "NHTSA's number one priority is making sure that everyone is safe on our roads. I cannot stress strongly enough the urgency of this recall - these airbags are dangerous," NHTSA Deputy Administrator Heidi King said in the release. "Every vehicle must be accounted for now." NASA and Uber will team up to study and develop a safe and efficient method for future delivery drone and small passenger aircraft operations in crowded populated areas, the two announced Tuesday, May 8. The U.S. space agency says the goal of this agreement with Uber is to explore ideas and technologies related to urban air mobility. Urban air mobility is defined by NASA as "a safe and efficient system for vehicles, piloted or not, to move passengers and cargo within a city." The move is being looked at as Uber attempting to work as closely as possible with the government as it looks to make its flying taxi project a reality. Uber will share information and data from the development of this program (Uber Air), and NASA will look for any added potential risks in crowded areas through simulations. "This is the new era in air transportation that NASA and a community of government, industry and academic partners are working together on, right now," NASA reports. "The goal, known as Urban Air Mobility (UAM), is a safe and efficient air transportation system where everything from small package delivery drones to passenger-carrying air taxis operate over populated areas, from small towns to the largest cities. And it's no dream." An artist's conception of an urban air mobility environment, where air vehicles with a variety of missions and with or without pilots, are able to interact safely and efficiently. -- NASA says this agreement represents the first to primarily hone in on urban air mobility operations. With this agreement, NASA says Uber will share its plans for an "urban aviation rideshare network" and that the space agency will use airspace management computer modeling and simulation methods to assess the potential impact. "NASA is excited to be partnering with Uber and others in the community to identify the key challenges facing the UAM market, and explore necessary research, development and testing requirements to address those challenges," Jaiwon Shin, associate administrator for NASA's Aeronautics Research Mission Directorate, said in the release. "Urban air mobility could revolutionize the way people and cargo move in our cities and fundamentally change our lifestyle much like smart phones have." Once work starts, NASA will analyze data shared by Uber at its research facility at Dallas Fort Worth International Airport. The space agency will take Uber's data, and simulate a small passenger-carrying plane as it makes it way through the airport's airspace during peak hours. After this, NASA will take the results and identify the key issues these added aircraft to crowded airspace would pose. "The new space act agreement broadening Uber's partnership with NASA is exciting, Jeff Holden, Uber's chief product officer, said in the release, "because it allows us to combine Uber's massive-scale engineering expertise with NASA's decades of subject matter experience across multiple domains that are key to enabling urban air mobility, starting with airspace systems." LANSING, MI - Michigan's restaurant industry is struggling with a labor shortage that's causing business owners to dig deep for creative ways to staff their establishments. Trouble hiring workers was the top concern for 61 percent of respondents in a survey of Michigan restaurant owners conducted by the Lansing-based Michigan Restaurant Association. That statistic, said Michigan Restaurant Association CEO Justin Winslow, was the most alarming data that came out of the first quarter survey that gathered responses from more than 400 restaurants and food establishments representing about $565 million in annual revenue. "You're getting a decent feel for what's going on out there with restaurants across the state," Winslow said. "We knew what some of the hot button issues or trends are out there, but the degree to what the labor shortage was, was surprising." While the restaurant industry is not unique in its struggle to hire enough workers, Winslow said the shortage in the food industry has a greater impact because of its position as the second-largest job provider in the state. "You feel that magnitude of that labor shortage and you see it on the street more than in other industries," Winslow said. Michigan residents can expect to see more "Help Wanted'" signs in storefronts throughout the year. The MRA report said 32 percent of respondents plan to step up routine hiring numbers in 2018. The job pool will deepen over the next decade, with the National Restaurant Association estimating an additional 7.5 percent, or 33,200, jobs by 2028. In addition to the ongoing labor shortage, business owners face other challenges like low profit margins, heightened competition and changing consumer attitudes, according to the group. "There's some concerns on the horizon that that growth is in jeopardy because there quite literally aren't enough capable or available workers out there to fulfill the demands this industry has," Winslow said. Despite those barriers to success, he said restaurant operators are maintaining optimistic attitudes and reported they expect a 4.5 percent rise in sales for 2018 after seeing a 1.6 percent increase in same-stores sales during the first quarter. Winslow pointed out that businesses in different parts of the state are seeing varying levels of challenges and sales growth, influenced by seasonal factors and demographics. In one region that includes Livingston, Jackson, Washtenaw, Hillsdale, Lenawee and Monroe counties, around 73 percent of restaurant operators said sales came in as expected for the last quarter of 2017, versus 56 percent of the rest of the state. It is a notable difference that Winslow said can be linked to the metropolitan area of Ann Arbor, which has been named as a Best Foodie Town by regional magazine Midwest Living and is home to more than 300 restaurants. "Ann Arbor is an exceptionally strong restaurant community known throughout the state that draws people in from other areas," Winslow said. "It's able to weather a more challenging period. In the wintertime, outside of peak tourism, the up-north part of the state can struggle a little bit." MRA is looking to ease that burden of finding skilled restaurant workers with initiatives like the national high school program ProStart, which takes food service curriculum into the classrooms of more than 5,000 students across the U.S. Winslow called it the "first step to ignite the passion" for high school juniors and seniors that enables them to receive college credits and scholarships and introduces them to the possible careers available in the industry. Six students from Saline High School took that first step in 2017 and advanced to the national level after taking first place in the culinary division of the Michigan ProStart Competition. There's another segment of the population that could be a boost for the workforce shortage in the future and could make a difference for both employees and employers, Winslow said. Around 77 percent of restaurant operators said they would be willing to hire a previously incarcerated individual, Winslow said, another surprise revealed in the first quarter report. The finding has prompted MRA to expand its work with the Michigan Department of Corrections and train prison inmates in topics like food safety, restaurant management and culinary skills. The training results in lower recidivism rates and experienced workers who are eager for opportunities to test their skills in the restaurant industry, Winslow said, "When people are paroled, they come out with certifications and experience in this industry that makes them really attractive to employers," Winslow said. "That creates a real pathway to a real life when they get out." Two restaurant owners taking that notion to heart is Phillis Engelbert and Joel Panozzo, partners in the vegan restaurants The Lunch Room and Detroit Street Filling Station in Ann Arbor who created the Youth Justice Fund in 2017. Engelbert said the organization is aimed at employing recently paroled inmates. At least two are employed at the Detroit Street Filling Station location. With eight in 10 restaurant owners starting their careers in entry-level positions, according to the National Restaurant Association, Winslow said the hiring demands could also mean big rewards for those looking to move up. "It's now becoming an industry that can demonstrate there are reliable and rewarding careers and there's a ladder to start from," Winslow said. "It shows the larger population that it doesn't have to be a first job or a job during college, it's something you can do for life." ANN ARBOR, MI - A classic rock radio station out of Detroit is asking for public support to have a road in Ann Arbor named after musician and Michigan native Bob Seger. Jim O'Brien, host of Big Jim's House on 94.7 WCSX in Detroit, recently reached out to the Ann Arbor School Board to see if an unnamed road on the campus of Ann Arbor Pioneer High School could be named after Seger, a graduate of the school in the '60s. "Imagine our surprise when we discovered no one had dedicated a street to Bob Seger," O'Brien said. "Why wait until people are gone to show them how much they matter to us?" The radio station spearheaded the campaign to have Glenn Frey Drive added in Royal Oak and is looking to do the same for other notable, local artists, O'Brien said. The school board told the station it must first drum up local support before a renaming could be considered. The show is asking interested Ann Arbor residents to email bigjimshouse@wcsx.com with stories, photos and more on why the road should be named after Seger, which the station plans pass to the school board. O'Brien said Seger's music and reputation have earned him the honor and he hopes locals will feel the same. "Think about what his music means in our lives - it's been an anthem for so many in Michigan," O'Brien said. "Maybe Bob Seger Boulevard is a small way of saying thank you." For more information, visit wcsx.com. ANN ARBOR, MI - Ann Arbor resident Kai Petainen has lived in the United States for more than 20 years, but it wasn't until last year that he ever really worried about being deported. A Canadian, he came to the U.S. legally, has been a legal permanent resident, and has worked legally for the University of Michigan. But after Donald Trump took office and ramped up efforts to seek deportation of many immigrants, both documented and undocumented, Petainen saw how even green card holders could be detained and kicked out of the country for offenses such as shoplifting or marijuana, even if those offenses occurred years ago. Though he didn't have a criminal record making him deportable, Petainen no longer saw his green card as enough assurance that he could always live and work here and stay with his U.S.-citizen wife Naomi and their 3-year-old son Erik in the place they call home. So, he decided it was time to seek citizenship. "When you're a green card holder or permanent resident, you are worried of any little minor infraction," he said Monday night, May 7, after taking the naturalization oath inside Ann Arbor's city hall. "Even driving here tonight, you think about the crosswalk laws. You worry about hitting a pedestrian. You worry about driving through a red light," he said. "I live near a park, and to get to that park a lot of people go over the railroad tracks, and you worry that if you cross those railroad tracks, then am I going to get a federal charge for that? So, you worry about every little minor thing like that because you don't know what you're going to be kicked out of the country for." With his right hand raised, Petainen swore the oath of allegiance to the United States during Monday night's Ann Arbor City Council meeting, officially making him a U.S. citizen. He choked up and fought back tears toward the end as the significance of the occasion overwhelmed him. And then he smiled, looking back toward his family. "Congratulations," the magistrate judge said, after which Ann Arbor's newest citizen and soon-to-be voter received a standing ovation from city officials and other residents in the audience. "I thank you for this incredible honor, I'm proud to be an American, and may the USA bless others with love and hospitality," Petainen said. U.S. District Court Magistrate Judge David Grand, husband of Council Member Julie Grand, administered the oath, which includes renouncing allegiance to any foreign state, agreeing to support and defend the U.S. Constitution and laws against all enemies, bearing arms on behalf of the U.S. if required and agreeing to perform non-combative service in the Armed Forces if required. Petainen said he is still a dual citizen of both Canada and Finland in addition to now being a U.S. citizen. While Monday night's ceremony was a new experience, the council chambers on the second floor of city hall is a familiar setting for the 43-year-old Ann Arborite, who is a known friendly face to city officials, including those in both camps on City Council. Petainen has been a close watcher of city hall for years and regularly attends the council's meetings. He often speaks out at the end of hours-long meetings, letting council members hear his take on the issues of the day, offering praise or polite criticism as he sees fit. Petainen was scheduled to take the naturalization oath at the U.S. District Court in Detroit later this week alongside dozens of other immigrants on the verge of citizenship, but Julie Grand heard about it and pulled some strings to arrange a special ceremony for him. Mayor Christopher Taylor gave a three-minute speech honoring Petainen before the ceremony, saying a good way to get involved and learn about what's going on in the community is to regularly attend and participate in council meetings. He said Petainen has exemplified "sort of the ideal participant." David Grand said he appreciates Petainen's calm optimism and hope about the future. "I am incredibly proud and honored to become an American and to be here at City Council," Petainen said, giving a speech of his own after the oath. "It's here at City Council where I would sit and watch civil discussion and debate every other week, and sometimes those discussions would go until 1 a.m." Petainen said watching what happens at council meetings is part of why he wanted to become an American. "Do you realize that not once did anyone on City Council ever make me feel like my opinion didn't matter because I wasn't American? Not once," he told council members, indicating he actually has heard that line elsewhere, but never from anyone at city hall. "You may have civilly disagreed with my political opinions, but every one of you made me feel important and that I mattered." Petainen was featured in the 2010 book "The Warren Buffetts Next Door" by Forbes Investment Editor Matt Schifrin. "Kai Petainen, who teaches investments at the University of Michigan's Ross Graduate School of Business and contributes to Forbes, has built a quantitative model that predicts which stocks institutional investors are going to find attractive," Forbes wrote about him in 2013. "By anticipating what institutional investors, the elephants of the investing world, are going to buy, Kai's Marketocracy portfolio has a 10-year track record showing an annualized return of 18% a year." Out of fear, Petainen said he hasn't spoken much about immigration, but he had some things he wanted to say Monday night. He said English actor Patrick Stewart of "Star Trek" fame inspired him last year when he said he wanted to become a U.S. citizen to fight back against Trump's agenda. "Stewart realized that if you become an American, then you can get involved in fixing things and setting things right civilly," he said. Petainen said he realizes he's fortunate it only took him four months to go from applying for citizenship to being naturalized, as many others are not as fortunate. He said his faith teaches him that people are to love one another and show hospitality to strangers. "And so, when I hear stories about how people with incredibly minor infractions are kicked out of the country, or how legal green card holders are denied entry, or how Dreamers are removed - it breaks my heart and it goes against the ideals of my faith," he said. "And I know that City Council has been supportive of those who are not American and you represent some of the best of America. But I challenge those outside these halls, those who believe that we are to show love and hospitality to others - I challenge them to reach out and to help these non-Americans instead of kicking them out." He added, "For those who claim to prescribe to the faith of 'love one another' and that we are to 'show hospitality to strangers'; I tell them that they should not treat non-Americans as poorly as the current president has. Show love. Show hospitality. Show what is right." In addition to his wife and son, Petainen was joined at city hall by his 70-year-old mother, Outi Petainen, who lives in Canada. She said she came with her family from Finland to New York City by boat when she was 8 years old and then took a train to Canada. "It was right at the end of October we arrived," she said of her journey as an immigrant 62 years ago. "We had been on the Atlantic for seven days in real stormy weather and I felt like I would never stand up straight when I came off there. And then we were at the train station ... waiting for a train to take us up to Quebec, where dad was going to be working in the mines." She said she heard that America was the land of milk and honey and things would be better than in post-war Finland. But when she was sitting at the train station in New York, she said, she looked around and saw kids in "the worst kind of clothing I had ever seen in my life" and everybody was begging. "And I thought, no, this doesn't seem right that these kids are all begging," she said. "They're going from person to person with these paper bags and they have just barely any clothes on, all kinds of weird outfits. Well, little did I know it was Halloween night, and I was just dumbfounded. It was the biggest culture shock for me." She recalled going with her son to New York City two summers ago and finding her name still on the immigration registry, now on a computer system, from when she was 8. She said witnessing her son become an American citizen Monday night was exciting for the whole family. Kai Petainen said he came to the U.S. in 1997 under "fiance status" and married a great woman, but they later divorced. In order for his legal permanent resident status to be approved, he said, he had to prove to immigration authorities he got married in good faith. He said time went on and then he met and fell in love with his current wife. "We just celebrated our 15th wedding anniversary, and we just adore our 3-year-old son," he said. The family stood together inside city hall Monday night as Mick Dedvukaj, the Detroit-based district director for U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, handed off a new citizen packet that included a small American flag, a naturalization certificate, citizen's almanac, U.S. passport application, and other documents and information. Now that he's a citizen, Kai Petainen said he was planning to register to vote at the city clerk's office on Tuesday. As he was studying for his immigration tests previously, he said, the study guide spoke about how federal law does not prohibit permanent residents from voting in local elections. "However, I couldn't vote in Ann Arbor because it's state law that prevents permanent residents from voting," he told council members. "You, as politicians, could work together with local and state politicians to change that law. Demonstrate diversity and show support for non-Americans by changing the law in Michigan to allow permanent residents to vote in local elections for local politicians." ADRIAN, MI - Police have found the 12-year-old girl from Adrian who had been missing since May 3. Brianna Longarder was found unharmed in Charlotte County, Florida, according to the Adrian Police Department. The person suspected of taking her is in custody and awaiting extradition to Michigan to face charges of kidnapping - custodial interference, police said. The felony charge carries a maximum penalty of one year and one day incarceration. The identity of the suspect will be released upon their arraignment in 2A District Court, police said. However, police previously said Brianna was last seen leaving on foot from 653 S. Madison St. in Adrian with her mother, Ryla Hubbard, who does not have legal custody. Hubbard had threatened to take Brianna to an unknown location, but had contacts in Indiana and Florida, police previously said. The Charlotte County Sheriff's Office assisted in locating Brianna and securing her safety, police said. ANN ARBOR, MI - Police continue to search for a man wanted in connection with a stabbing Monday afternoon in downtown Ann Arbor. The man fled after stabbing another man in the back of the neck about 4 p.m. Monday, May 7 at Liberty Plaza, 310 S. Division St., police previously said. The suspect was spotted running south on Division Street following the incident, police said. Ann Arbor police Lt. Colleen McCarthy said police are looking for the man, who has yet to be identified. Huron Valley Ambulance spokesman Matt Rose said paramedics transported one person in stable condition to the University of Michigan Hospital. His name is not being released at this time. The stabbing occurred after a verbal argument turned physical between the two men, McCarthy said. Police taped off Liberty Plaza about 4:30 p.m. Monday and were seen talking with potential witnesses. The case remains under investigation. ANN ARBOR, MI - During a recent trip to El Paso, Texas, to visit detained Mexican journalist Emilio Gutierrez Soto, Lynette Clemetson was struck by how optimistic and enthusiastic he was at the prospect of simply being in the company of other journalists. Clemetson, director of the University of Michigan's Knight-Wallace Fellowships for Journalists program, is trying to make that happen. The Knight-Wallace program has offered Gutierrez, who currently held in a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement detention facility, an opportunity to join its 2018-19 Fellowship class as a Senior Press Freedom Fellow. Gutierrez, who is seeking asylum in the United States following death threats related to his reporting, has been held in an ICE detention facility near El Paso, Texas since December. He was previously denied asylum. Representatives from ICE and the Board of Immigration Appeals could not be reached for comment. "One of the things I was most moved by was his excitement about the opportunity to just be in the company of other journalists," Clemetson said. "Since December, he's been in a detention facility in a barracks room with 62 other detainees, so I think the idea of intellectual stimulation was clearly something that made him emotional." Gutierrez, a longtime journalist in Mexico, came to the United States as a legal asylum seeker in 2008 to escape death threats tied to his investigative reporting on drug cartels. In 2017, an immigration judge in El Paso denied Gutierrez's asylum request and he was scheduled for deportation. The deportation was halted after protest from numerous journalism organizations including The National Press Club, Reporters Without Borders and the American Society of News Editors. The Knight-Wallace Fellowships for Journalists is one of several organizations that signed amicus briefs organized by The National Press Club in support of Gutierrez's case. The Wallace House announced it was awarding its Press Freedom Fellowship to Gutierrez on World Press Freedom Day, a few days after UM named its Knight-Wallace Journalism Fellows for the 2018-19 academic year on Monday, April 30. The program invites a select group of accomplished, mid-career journalists to spend an academic year at UM pursuing individual research and collaborative learning through classes, seminars, training workshops and travel. If released and permitted to stay in the United States while his asylum case is appealed, Gutierrez will join the class to study issues related to global press freedom and safety. Knight-Wallace Fellows receive a stipend of $75,000 for the eight-month academic year plus full tuition and health insurance. "Emilio would add greatly to our class because of his really unique experiences, particularly on border issues, at a time when that has become a big issue," Clemetson said. "We expect he'd add tremendously to the knowledge of the other fellows in the program, and that he would be able to expand on his own knowledge." National Press Club Freedom Fellow Kathy Kiely said releasing Gutierrez would be an important step in the United States upholding its designation as a "beacon of free speech." "Emilio was run out of Mexico because of his reporting on corruption and on the drug cartels," Kiely said. "As our own president pointed out, there are problems on the border. Reporting on that corruption is really important for maintaining safety, not just in Mexico, but on our side of the border." OWOSSO, MI -- Shiawassee County's largest manufacturing employer is looking to hire 50-75 new machine operators. CIE Newcor MTG , formerly Machine Tool & Gear, is hosting a job fair on Saturday, May 19 from 8 a.m. to noon at 401 S. Chestnut St. in Owosso. The company is planning to hire people for second and third shifts. Wages start at a minimum of $11.97 per hour plus shift premiums and benefits. Multiple calls to the company seeking comment were not returned, but Brent Jones, vice president of the Shiawassee Economic Development Partnership, said the new jobs are a result of steady investing by the manufacturer over the past year. "We're always excited when companies are growing and thriving," Jones said. "There's a number of companies throughout the county that are in a substantial hiring mode right now." Job fair attendees will get the the chance to tour the facility and meet the company's management and human resources staff. Applications will be available to complete on site. CIE Newcor MTG is a contract manufacturing company supplying the automotive industry. A 50,000-square-foot addition was recently completed at the Owosso plant. Detroit is looking to use a work training program to wipe out Driver Responsibility Fees for thousands who have had their driver's licenses suspended as a result of the outgoing penalty policy. About 76,000 Detroiters owe $1,600 on average in responsibility fees, and the city is offering residents a chance to complete 10 hours of workforce development training to get their licenses back, rather than waiting for statewide fee forgiveness to kick off in Oct. 1, the city announced Tuesday. Driver Responsibility Fees were established in 2003 to fill a state budget hole, adding additional fines of $100-$1,000 a year to certain driving offenses. The fees resulted in suspended licenses for some 350,000 drivers around the state who failed to pay the fines. The state legislature and the governor earlier this year agreed to forgive the fines, with relief taking effect in October. Detroit is offering a speedier way out with the training program. "Along with the need for training, Driver Responsibility Fees have been one of the biggest barriers to connecting Detroiters to jobs and opportunity," Mayor Mike Duggan said. "It's not just an issue for logistics opportunities like truck driving. We are seeing significant growth in skilled trades opportunities, but these jobs often require a license because workers may need to be at a work site on the east side in the morning and the west side in the afternoon." The city's "Detroit at Work" initiative coordinated with agencies across the state to allow Detroiters to apply for fee forgiveness once the program is complete. Additionally, a $125 Driver's License Reinstatement Fee will be waived through the end of the year. Detroiters who want their fees waived early can complete the training online or at events scheduled across the city. Residents can start the process here. The program is expected to help residents strengthen job readiness skills and introduces them to other services offered by the Detroit at Work initiative. "Many Detroit residents have had offers of employment, but could not accept them because their license was suspended due to these fees, so for many jobseekers waiting until October 1 is not an option," said Jeff Donofrio, director of workforce development. Arthur Ream MDOC photo MACOMB TOWNSHIP -- Multiple police agencies equipped with bulldozers and other heavy machinery are searching a plot of wooded land near the Clinton River's north branch in Macomb County, where the body of a 13-year-old girl was discovered in 2008. Arthur Ream, 68, led police to the location in Macomb Township about 25 miles north of Detroit a decade ago after confessing to the rape and murder of 13-year-old Cindy Zarzycki, for which he is currently serving a life sentence. Cindy was last seen alive on April 20, 1986 in Eastpointe, about 15 miles from the burial site. Investigators believe Ream abducted the girl after offering her a ride to his son's surprise party Ream, at the time of his confession, was serving up to 15 years in prison for the criminal sexual assault of another 14-year-old girl in Gladwin County. According to WDIV-TV, Channel 4 News reporters Nick Monacelli and Dave Bartkowiak Jr., Warren police, Macomb sheriff's deputies and FBI agents returned to the site located southwest of North Avenue and 23 Mile Road this week to search for possible remains of up to three other missing girls, including Kim Larrow, who was 15 when she disappeared from Canton Township in 1981; Kimberly King of Warren, who disappeared in 1979; and Kellie Brownlee of Novi, who was 17 when she disappeared in 1982. Law enforcement arrived at the location Monday and continued their search Tuesday, focused on an area near the waterway, WDIV reports. Ream's crimes involving children trace back to 1975, when he was convicted of indecent liberties with a child sentenced to five years in prison, according to Michigan Department of Corrections records. Messages seeking comment on the search were left with Warren police, the Macomb County Sheriff's Office and the FBI. FLINT, MI -- A pair of Flint Police Department officers whose budding romance was featured as a part of the Netflix series "Flint Town" has married. Sgt. Robert Frost and Detective Bridgette Balasko married on May 1, according to Genesee County vital records -- two months after the documentary premiered. The Flint Police Department announced the union on its Facebook page. Frost and Balasko's relationship became a primary storyline in "Flint Town." In the opening episode of the series, Frost talked about coping with the overwhelming number of calls for help, and Balasko was shown responding to an assault the day after it happened, an attack that left a victim with more than a dozen stitches. Later, they are shown together off-duty, watching television, attending a funeral and at a picnic. "I found Bridgette. She's amazing," Frost said on the program. "She makes me happy, and we make each other happy." The couple's chemistry was noticed in reviews, including "The Hollywood Reporter," which called Frost a "salty conservative, wedded to the city and the region so totally that he's never even been on an airplane." The publication described Balasko as "almost bubbly and giddy about advancing her career, making detective and eventually going federal." "They're basically a Shonda Rhimes show brought to life and you wouldn't even need to recast the photogenic subjects," the review says. UPDATE: Done deal: Burton selected for new GM parts processing center BURTON, MI - General Motors officials have offered some additional details on an estimated $65 million investment that's expected to bring a new parts processing center to Burton. City council members approved an industrial facilities exemption certificate Monday night for the company that would provide a 12-year tax abatement on the 141-acre site near the intersection of Genesee and Davison roads. John Blanchard, director of local government relations for General Motors, said the site is expected to be the home for a new "state of the art" parts processing plant, with millions going into the project between the company and Riverdale, Missouri-based NorthPoint Development. NorthPoint purchased the property for $268,000 in mid-January that included a nondisclosure agreement that kept General Motors' name out of the headlines until they applied for the tax abatement certificate. General Motors would lease the approximately 1.1 million-square-foot building and property from NorthPoint Development. The certificate allows for a tax abatement at a new or replacement facility for no more than 12 years and covers property taxes and personal property assets within a facility, such as machinery, computers, and hardware. Blanchard noted the company asked for a 50 percent break on real property taxes. James Cain, a spokesman for General Motors, said the company "appreciates the City of Burton's unanimous approval of a tax abatement application to support a proposed new, state-of-the-art facility." "We appreciate the hard work Mayor Zelenko, the city council and the planning commission have put into this project," he said. Final approval of a tax abatement for a business must come from the State Tax Commission. Blanchard said the property is "strategically located" in terms of the company's parts processing, with the potential of hundreds of jobs coming in as part of the project. However the company has not finalized a move to the Burton facility. Some residents have expressed concerns at the plan, primarily revolving around noise, additional traffic, and lighting that may come with the development. Burton Mayor Paula Zelenko has countered that there would be no more traffic than when AC Delco and Delphi operated plants in the local vicinity. "It's the same type of truck noise, road noise that they had before, so there should be no big surprise to residents in that are or any more disruption than they were accustomed to 10, 20 years ago," she said. General Motors has invested in the last decade in the Flint and Genesee County area, including a $600 million paint shop, $877 million body shop, and $79 million trim shop -- all located at the Flint Assembly plant, the company's oldest North American facility. Duane Haskins, vice president of the Burton City Council, said after some negatives in the past for the Genesee County community, he called the potential development an "uplifting, enthusiastic, positive moment." Work on the site is expected to begin later this month and be completed in early 2019. GRAND RAPIDS, MI - Pat Cwayna, CEO of West Michigan Aviation Academy, has been named the 2018 Michigan Association of Public School Academies' Administrator of the Year. The announcement was made Monday, May 7, at a surprise assembly in the school gym without Cwayna knowing about it. "I was duped," he said, jokingly. Cwayna said fake meetings had been set up for him that day off-campus. When he got back to the school and entered the gym, he knew something was up. The students were assembled there, but so were some of his mentors and his family, including his grandchildren. "I knew something nice was going to happen," he said. The West Michigan Aviation Academy is a tuition-free public charter high school founded by Dick DeVos with encouragement from his wife, Betsy DeVos, according to the school's website. The school opened its doors in the fall of 2010 and is located on the grounds of the Gerald R. Ford International Airport. After spending over 20 years as East Grand Rapids High School principal, Cwayna took on a new challenge in 2010 as the founding CEO of the West Michigan Aviation Academy. "What Pat Cwayna has done at West Michigan Aviation Academy is nothing short of remarkable," MAPSA President Dan Quisenberry said. "He came from the world of traditional education, and he discovered that because his new school was a charter school, he was able to be innovative and creative, and design a school that was entirely focused on the student. "There's no other school in America that's quite like West Michigan Aviation Academy." As a science, technology, engineering and math-focused school, West Michigan Aviation Academy has produced graduates who have been accepted to some of the top engineering schools in the country, according to a MAPSA press release. Cwayna said the school has had 61 students earn their private pilot licenses. Cwayna has 45 years of experience as an educator in Michigan. He said the last eight years as the academy CEO have been a "dream position to hold." He said the single biggest reason students at the school are so successful is due to the teaching staff, which is "exceptional in every way." He said he was thankful to MAPSA and all the wonderful people he's worked with over the past eight years for the recognition. "It's a reflection of the whole," he said. "I'm just fortunate to be where I'm at in the organization." HOLLAND, MI - Holland police defended the handling of a high-risk traffic stop that was recorded - and shared online - by a black pastor who criticized police for "excessive, traumatizing force." Police say they took the safest path to arrest a suspect reported to have a firearm. Jalen Anthony The Rev. Denise Kingdom Grier held a rally Monday, May 7, at Maple Avenue Ministries, to share concerns about minority treatment by police. Over 100 people showed up for the event, WHTC-AM/FM reported. "The one thing that bothers me the most is what looks to be to be excessive, traumatizing force," Grier told MLive and The Grand Rapids Press. She happened to record the traffic stop from inside her church office and shared it on Facebook Live. Police on Friday, May 4, conducted a felony stop in the church parking lot. Officers ordered the four occupants out of the car at gunpoint. One of them was wanted for allegedly assaulting a woman that morning while she held her child, and for smashing her cell phone when she tried to call 911. Police were told that the suspect had a black handgun with him, and found a loaded gun in the car. "When there is a suspect of a crime where a gun was used, and it is believed that suspect is in a vehicle, we consider that a high risk stop," Holland Department of Public Safety said in a statement issued by Capt. Keith Mulder. "The stop was handled as any high risk stop would be where all occupants are removed at gunpoint until the gun is recovered and it is considered safe. If you compare universally accepted police training across the country on how to deal with high risk traffic stops involving weapons, to how this incident was handled by our officers, they are consistent." Officers are trained in "the safest way to take a potentially violent person off the street and keep the public and our officers safe ... ," the statement said. Police arrested Jalen Anthony, 19, who lives in Holland and South Haven. He was arraigned Monday in Holland District Court on felony charges of carrying a concealed weapon and interfering with an electronic communication device and misdemeanor domestic assault, records showed. He is held on $25,000 bond. KALAMAZOO, MI - Authorities are investigating a shooting incident that left one man injured Monday night. Police were dispatched to the incident around 6:45 p.m. Monday, May 7, after receiving a report of shots fired in the 1600 block of Race Street, according to a Kalamazoo Department of Public Safety news release. When officers arrived on scene, they found a house in the area that had several bullets fired into it, police said. During the investigation a man also arrived at a nearby hospital with a not life-threatening injury from the same incident, police said. The man's name was not immediately released. Police said they are looking for a black or charcoal sedan, possibly a Chevrolet Impala SS, believed to be involved in the shooting. At the time of the incident the vehicle was occupied by two men with partially covered faces. If you have information about the incident you can contact the Kalamazoo Department of Public Safety at 269-337-8994 or Silent Observer at 269-343-2100. GRAND RAPIDS, MI -- It's May election day 2018 and voters are out at the polls to weigh in on various tax requests. Polling locations are open until 8 p.m. Tuesday, May 8. Eight communities in Kent and Ottawa counties have an issue on the ballot, the majority of which are for tax proposals from school districts including Godfrey-Lee Public Schools, Grand Haven Public Schools, Hudsonville Public Schools, Kent City Community Schools, Tri County Area Schools, West Ottawa Public Schools and Zeeland Public Schools. Holland voters will be asked to support or decline a 1-mill property tax renewal for the operation of the Holland Community Aquatic Center. Voters can visit the Michigan Secretary of State website to check if there's an election in their community or school district, and to view a sample ballot. On requests for a millage increase, you can calculate the effect on your property taxes by multiplying your property's taxable value by the number of mills and dividing by 1,000. Join our Community! Our community is FREE to join. To participate you must either login or register for an account. New York's Lake Champlain's very brief - and much derided - designation as one of the Great Lakes has apparently resurfaced to reward it, to the tune of $1 million in annual research funding. The Lake Champlain Sea Grant Program is now formally recognized an "institute," the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration announced this month, according to the Associated Press. This designation could be worth a boost in federal funding up to $1 million a year for research projects to study and clean up the lake. The Sea Grant program was created two decades ago, only because of Champlain's brief stint as a Great Lake. Its odd inclusion was the work of U.S. Sen. Patrick Leahy, who in 1998 designated Lake Champlain as a Great Lake by putting a line into a bill for water research funding, the AP said. The Vermont Democrat's move irked the states that ring lakes Michigan, Huron, Superior, Ontario and Erie. Lake Champlain is not only in a different area of the country, it's tiny. It measures just 120 miles long. The new addition was roundly ridiculed: A Detroit News and Free Press headline: "Great Lakes get a little brother; now there are 6. Pond in Vermont wins status battle." Steve LaTourette, a former congressman from Ohio, said "If Lake Champlain ends up as a Great Lake, I propose we rename it 'Lake Plain Sham,'" the AP said. The official designation lasted only a few weeks. But it allowed for Lake Champlain's sea grant program to form a year later and set up the funding opportunity it's looking at now. There have been some people who have suggested it's time to "make Champlain Great again." Um, no. Michigan State University trustee Brian Mosallam rolled out a series of policy proposals in response to the fallout from former employee and convicted sexual abuser Larry Nassar Tuesday, calling for 'drastic voluntary remediation' to improve the school's culture. In a Tuesday morning statement, Mosallam said the university "should no longer stand in a defensive posture" as the administration continues to grapple with the Nassar scandal. "We must embrace our obligation to apologize and offer justice," Mosallam said. "MSU should mercilessly cull out all that which permeated and perpetuated the culture that allowed for the likes of Larry Nassar and all the other sexual misconduct on this campus to fester and go improperly addressed." Nassar sexually abused women and girls over decades of medical practice at MSU and in the gymnastics community before being sentenced on federal child pornography charges and state criminal sexual conduct charges. Hundreds of women are currently suing the MSU and other institutions associated with Nassar for failing to protect them from abuse. William Strampel, former dean of MSU's College of Osteopathic Medicine and Nassar's boss at the university, was flagged early on in the state Attorney General's investigation of the school and is now facing several charges related to misconduct in office and sexual harassment. As part of his plan, Mosallam said he wants to start an independent internal review of the Nassar situation to show those impacted that "drastic voluntary remediation is better late than never." Mosallam also called for an escalation policy for all sexual misconduct complaints and requiring any involving faculty or staff to be immediately reported to the board. He also recommended hiring a Chief Compliance, Ethics and Culture Officer and an outside compliance consultant to monitor MSU's culture and policy changes, as well as implementing an Independent Sexual Misconduct Ombudsman and a Sexual Misconduct Survivors' Advisory Committee. "The administration must set a tone that this University's expectations for ethical conduct are uncompromising," Mosallam said. "We need full transparency and accountability without reservation for loyalty or friendship." Mosallam is a Democrat from Dearborn and was elected to the board in 2012. He's been one of the more publicly visible members of the board following the Nassar scandal and hosted a town hall meeting to discuss the issue of sexual assault on campus and the board's decision to hire former Michigan Gov. John Engler as interim president. Critics have blasted the Board of Trustees for their response to the Nassar scandal thus far, and many of Nassar's victims have called for the resignations of Engler and the entire Board of Trustees. Members of Michigan's Congressional delegation said they appreciated President Donald Trump's interest in upgrading the Soo Locks. Now, they want to make sure he follows through with continued support. In a letter to the president dated May 4, all 13 sitting Michigan U.S. representatives joined more than 50 members of Congress to urge Trump to remain engaged on rebuilding and improving the Soo Locks. The representatives said they were committed to making headway in Congress on the project as well. The letter was led by Michigan U.S. Reps. Paul Mitchell, R-Dryden, Jack Bergman, R-Watersmeet and John Moolenaar, R-Midland and Ohio Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur. "We believe this project is consistent with your commitments to rebuilding our nation's infrastructure, and feel that the Soo Locks can be the crowning achievement for this effort," the letter reads. Midwestern lawmakers have been calling for significant upgrades to the Soo Locks, located in Michigan's Upper Peninsula, for decades. Those efforts recently got a signal boost when President Donald Trump said he supported revamping the decades-old structure during a rally in Macomb County. "Do you know what the Soo Locks are? Well, the Soo Locks are going to hell. We're gonna get them fixed up," he told supporters. "We're gonna start that as soon as I get back." "It hasn't been fixed in 50 years," Trump continued. "After spending all that money in the Middle East, we cant fix a lock." Trump said he planned to call the Army Corps of Engineers the following day to fix them, but didn't elaborate on additional details of how he'd get the process moving. Michigan's Soo Locks in Sault Ste. Marie are a connector for shipping iron, coal, grain and other materials from the shores of Lake Superior to the rest of the country. Currently, the biggest of the locks, the Poe Lock, is operating normally, but experts say an unexpected breakdown of the lock could cripple the U.S. economy within weeks. An upgrade to convert two smaller locks into another lock the size of Poe has mostly languished without funding since it was initially authorized in 1986. State officials were also excited by Trump's interest in upgrading the Soo Locks. Gov. Rick Snyder's administration has put together a "Fix the Soo Locks" website to house information and updates on the prospective project. "The Soo Locks are in dire need of an upgrade and the clock is ticking on this aging infrastructure," Lt. Gov. Brian Calley said in a statement following a recent visit to the Soo Locks. "The Soo Locks represent millions of American jobs -- the locks are quite literally an artery in the heart of the American economy." BLAIR TOWNSHIP, MI - Authorities are looking for a person who shot and killed six ducks in Northern Michigan. According to the Grand Traverse County Sheriff's Department, someone shot the birds, part of a Grawn-area youth 4-H project, sometime between 7:30 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. on Monday, May 7. The ducks were killed with what appears to be small caliber ammunition near Blair Town Hall Road and Adam Lane in Blair Township, police said. Anyone with information should contact the sheriff's department at 231-922-4770 (X5971) or anonymously at 231-947-8477. JACKSON, MI - If you decide to wear your favorite Jackson Public Schools T-shirt to the polls today, don't be surprised when you're asked to cover it up. People wearing any JPS-related apparel are being asked to take off or conceal it to abide with state election laws that prohibit campaigning within 100 feet of a polling place. Voters are deciding today, Tuesday, May 8, whether or not to approve an $86.7-million bond proposal for JPS. "Though we understand simply wearing a piece of school apparel is not necessarily campaigning, we want to avoid any perceived violation of the election laws," said Carol Raykovich, a polling coordinator for Jackson's Sixth Ward. A voter might feel pressured to vote a certain way if they see someone wearing school gear, Raykovich said. Raykovich said polling places had a similar policy when a millage vote was going on for the Jackson Transportation Authority. Northwest Community Schools, which also has a ballot proposal being voted on today, is also asking for voters to avoid wearing school apparel to the polls. Greetings Mountie Nation, There has been some confusion in one township regarding what is "campaign gear" and what is "... Posted by Northwest Community Schools on Tuesday, May 8, 2018 Michigan has prohibited displaying election-related materials, such as campaign shirts or buttons, at the polls for decades, according to the Michigan Secretary of State Office. Those going to the polls wearing prohibited items will not be turned away but will instead be asked to remove the prohibited item or cover it up while in the polling place, Raykovich said. Polling locations are providing jackets and shawls to wear while voting if taking an item off is not possible, Raykovich said. KALAMAZOO, MI -- Jacqueline Dauch will be one of 48 students to become the first graduates of the Western Michigan University Homer Stryker M.D. School of Medicine. "Everyone is so proud of everything we've accomplished," Dauch said. "We've definitely left a great stamp in this community." The inaugural class will cross the stage of Miller Auditorium in a ceremony that begins at 2 p.m. Sunday, May 13, before leaving for their residency programs across the country. Jacqueline Dauch will be one of 48 students to graduate from WMed Sunday, May 13. Courtesy of Western Michigan Homer Stryker M.D. School of Medicine Dauch, 31 of Bloomfield Hills, said her experience at the school, known as WMed, and the support she felt from the Kalamazoo community made her feel fortunate to be a part of the new program. The small class size allowed her to connect with professors and feel like she was treated as an individual, said Dauch, who will speak during Sunday's commencement. Her grandfather's words will ring through her mind Sunday as she speaks to her classmates about the "unique experience" of being the first class to graduate from the new medical school, she said. "You only pass through once, but what you leave behind is what you stand for," Dauch said quoting her grandfather. Sunday's ceremony is the finish line for the inaugural class, which started with 54 students in August 2014. The ceremony also marks a significant milestone for Western Michigan University. Planning for the new medical school began in 2008, not long after former WMU President John Dunn arrived in Kalamazoo the prior year. It was built with private donations, including a $100 million gift from Ronda Stryker, the granddaughter of Homer Stryker, and her husband, Bill Johnston, who serves on WMU's Board of Trustees. In 2011, Dr. Hal Jenson came to Kalamazoo from Massachusetts to serve as the founding dean of the medical school. Today, WMed is a private, nonprofit 501(c)(3). Its 11 board members are representatives of WMU, Borgess Health, Bronson Healthcare, the community and the faculty. The medical school was granted full accreditation from the Liaison Committee on Medical Education in 2018. The seven-year journey toward accreditation began in 2011 when WMed first began preparing for the LCME accreditation. In 2012, WMed was granted preliminary accreditation, which allowed for the acceptance of student applications for the class of 2018. Meanwhile, the medical school continues to grow. Earlier this month, WMed announced it would begin residency programs in Battle Creek next summer. Jenson said during the school's Match Day that graduation of the first class shows that the school "completed a full cycle." The entire class matched with a residency, and this is representative of the "above average" academic abilities of the students, he said at the event in March. For Dauch, coming to Kalamazoo after applying to a handful of medical schools was an easy choice. She said WMed's faculty and staff were "hands down the most enthusiastic" about the students. Feeling like "just another number" was never the case in Kalamazoo, Dauch said. Being the inaugural class was "a really unique position to be in because everyone knows who we are ... It is such a small class with such a huge support system behind it," she said about the community's embrace of the new medical school. Dauch will go on to study general surgery for five years at the University of Arizona. Dr. Alan Shapiro, senior medical director of Community Pediatric Programs at the Children's Hospital at Montefiore in New York, will give the commencement address Sunday. He was also the keynote speaker at the White Coat Ceremony for the Class of 2018 in September 2014. Also speaking during the ceremony will be Jenson and Dr. Peter Ziemkowski, associate dean of Student Affairs. In addition to commencement, an open house is planned for Saturday. The community is invited the celebrate the students' accomplishments at the event from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, May 12 at the W.E. Upjohn M.D. Campus, 300 Portage St. The public is welcome, and no RSVP is required the open house on Saturday or commencement on Sunday. MUSKEGON COUNTY, MI - The men and women staying at the Muskegon County Jail have a new sanctuary for quiet reflection, prayer and spiritual inspiration. They have a new chapel, furnished through the love and generosity of community members. "I'm a firm believer you don't need a chapel to pray. You can do it anywhere," said Muskegon County Sheriff Michael Poulin. "But some people need to be placed in that atmosphere to help them along." The non-denominational chapel is in a former activities room on the jail's third floor, where women are housed. The activities room, one of two in the jail, was barely used, Poulin said. When jail officials began gathering quotes for items for the chapel, businesses offered to donate them, Poulin said. CNC Floor Coverings installed carpeting that it donated. Living Word Church provided pews and a lectern. West Michigan Process Service chipped in as well, he said. The chapel will house programs offered by the Forgotten Man Ministries, which Poulin said help inmates transition back into the community and their church families. The chapel will also be available for sheriff department staff seeking a space for contemplation and comfort. "It's a nice space," Poulin said. "I'd really like it to be a space not just for ministry services for inmates, but even if staff need to go and reflect." MUSKEGON COUNTY, MI - Work on upgrades at Muskegon County's Veterans Memorial Park is expected to resume this week, with park improvements expected to be completed this fall. Crews are expected to begin work on the final phase of upgrades this week, said Michael Baauw, director of Muskegon County Department of Veterans Affairs. That includes choosing and planting new, water-tolerant flowers and trees around the pond, leveling out a few sunken portions along the walkway, posting new signage and replacing the park's bridges and memorial markers that were removed during construction. Most work is expected to be completed within a month, with full completion by early September, said Kathy Evans, environmental program manager with the West Michigan Shoreline Regional Development Commission. WMSRDC helped secure grant funding for the project and is helping with environmental oversight. Veterans Memorial Park is located in the Veterans Memorial Causeway between Muskegon and North Muskegon. The goal is to return the park to its "1934 splendor," when the park was created to honor veterans from or living in Muskegon County. Major work was completed last year, including removing cattails, draining the pond, redeveloping the banks, and reconnecting the pond to the Muskegon River for fresh flowing water. Evans said most of the aesthetic work should be done by June. WMSRDC and the Veterans Affairs department plan to hold a special tour then for residents and veterans hoping to catch an intimate glimpse of the park before it is officially reopened. Several factors, including record high water levels, have prevented crews from finishing the upgrades, which started in May 2017, Evans said. High water from the Muskegon River has made it difficult to plant new flora, which include low-growing perennial flowers and water-tolerant trees. "Everything we're planting will tolerate high water, but putting in during high water poses some challenges," Evans said. "We also chose plants that like having their feet wet, but also ones that fit the design and are available right now. We didn't want our contractors coming back saying they couldn't get the plants we wanted because they weren't available." Some of the trees that were planted in spring have been subjected to potential water damage. Evans said crews will monitor those trees, and if there is damage, they will swap them out. Rain has also posed an issue, which has puddled up on several low areas of the walkway. Evans said those areas will be raised and brought back up to grade to ensure greater mobility during rainy seasons. The park's bridges also are being replaced, a hope of local veterans that at first didn't seem would happen. Grant restrictions prevented one of the the bridges from being replaced, but the project contractor stepped up, Evans said. Jackson-Merkey is replacing one of the bridges as a gift, Evans said. One of the bridge's approaches also needs to be raised before the structure can be replaced, she said. Finally, new memorial markers will be placed under newly-planted trees. Interactive signage will be posted in the park with QR codes to help visitors locate markers. Veterans Memorial Park was once dubbed as "Michigan's Most Beautiful Mile," and Evans said the upgrades will ensure that part of the park's legacy. In what turned out to be a strange scene, a video shows a sheriff's deputy in Maryland shoot a groundhog as it attempted to cross a congested roadway after trying to get the animal out of the area. CBS Baltimore reports the Carroll County Sheriff's Office says the deputy shot the animal in front of several cars in plain sight after he believed "the groundhog to be either sick or injured." Police told the outlet in a statement that the deputy shot the animal "for the public's safety." Watch the embedded video below with caution. It starts with the deputy cornering the animal before he backs to the other side of the road and then kneels as the animal crosses the street toward him while firing his handgun: -- "The deputy was travelling on Rt 26 in the area of White Rock Road when he observed traffic backing up along the road," the sheriff's office reportedly said in a statement. "He found that the groundhog in question was walking into the roadway, causing vehicles to stop and creating a hazard. He got out of his vehicle to assess, and as he tried to direct the groundhog off of the roadway, he realized that it was not responding as expected for an animal that was not being cornered or trapped." NASA will take a big step on its quest toward reducing sonic booms for commercial travel this November when it conducts a series of tests simulating a "soft thump" to gauge the community's response. The U.S. space agency reports in a news release that it will conduct a series of tests in November using its Low-Boom Flight Demonstrator aircraft in the area of Galveston, Texas. Teams from several of its facilities from California to Virginia to Texas will oversee the test flights NASA is calling "Quiet Supersonic Flights 2018." The space agency says its F/A-18 jets will perform a specific supersonic dive to create a "soft thump" comparable to that of a sonic boom. Supersonic flights are typically not allowed over land, so results from these tests will recommend new standards to replace existing restrictions. As for what these tests could lead to that matters to the general public, NASA says that the "goal is to eventually accommodate jets that can fly from New York to Los Angeles in two hours." "We are doing important research that is a precursor to a national effort to understand how people react to the sound of a quiet supersonic aircraft flying overhead," project manager Peter Coen said in the release. "We are learning about the best ways to engage communities, collect acoustic data, and conduct surveys of in response to sounds that people in a community normally do not hear." NASA says these tests with F-18s will provide any recommendations to support the growth and possibility of any future Low-Boom Flight Demonstrator flights. The space agency says future community response LBFD flights will start as early as 2022. The space agency says these response LBFD flights starting in 2022 will take place over numerous communities in the U.S. "to collect a large database that fully represents community response to quiet supersonic flight." "The research in Galveston will be conducted by flying the F/A-18 in an oval flight pattern offshore, where it will dive from approximately 49,000 feet and briefly go supersonic, before recovering to level flight at approximately 30,000 feet," NASA says. "This type of dive produces a sonic boom in such a way that the sound is perceived in a specific area as a quieter "thump", similar to the predicted sound signature of LBFD. NASA also will operate audio sensors in the area to measure the acoustic levels of this sound." In the Trump administration's budget for fiscal year 2019, the White House fully-funded an "experimental supersonic airplane" while increasing "hypersonics research funding." This included the full funding of the Low-Boom Flight Demonstrator, or "X-plane, set for launch in 2021. "This 'X-plane' would open a new market for U.S. companies to build faster commercial airliners, creating jobs and cutting cross-country flight times in half," the White House's budget for fiscal year 2019 reads. "The Budget also increases funding for research on flight at speeds more than five times the speed of sound, commonly referred to as hypersonics. Hypersonics research is critical to understanding how crewed and robotic spacecraft can safely enter and exit the atmospheres of planets. Hypersonics also has applications for national defense." NASA conducted similar tests back in August 2017, when they flew test F-18s as often as four times a day for 10 days. In these specific tests, NASA took its F-18 jets from Daytona Beach at 41,000 feet high to southern Florida at heights of 32,000 feet while breaking the sound barrier (about 767 mph). The goal in August 2017 is similar to what the space agency hopes to accomplish in November, create a sonic boom capable of reaching the ground to study the data and gauge the potential community effect. Back in April of this year, NASA awarded Lockheed Martin a $247.5 million contract to build its Supersonic X-Plane The space agency touts it has been working on this mission, in a way, since it broke the sound barrier with the X-1 back in 1947 when it was known as the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics. NASA says the X-plane's design is based on a Lockheed Martin preliminary design, which will make an aircraft 94 feet long with a wingspan of 29.5 feet and weigh in at 32,300 pounds with a full tank of fuel. Once complete and ready for flight in 2021, the space agency says the plane will cruise at an altitude of 55,000 feet at 940 mph, and that its top speed will be a projected 990 mph with one pilot in the cockpit. On the inside, the X-plane will have a single General Electric F414 engine, which is "the powerplant used by F/A-18E/F fighter jets. COMSTOCK PARK - Oliver Jaskie has pitched at Fifth Third Ballpark three times in high school and in summer league, but never as a professional. So, when the native of Ada saw Fifth Third Ballpark from his well-embedded seat after a five-hour trip from Clinton, Iowa, in the wee hours of Monday, he laughed. "It was a weird feeling," he said. "Especially when we got to our hotel and finally got here. I looked out and realized that, 'Hey, I'm about three miles from my house.'" Jaskie, in his first season with the LumberKings, is scheduled to start Wednesday's noon start against the West Michigan Whitecaps, a team he grew up watching. It will be the sixth start of the Class-A season for Jaskie, his first full year as a pro after the Seattle Mariners drafted him in the sixth round last June. The 6-foot-3, 210-pounder is 1-1 with a 4.50 ERA. In 22 innings he has struck out 28, walked 12 and allowed 23 hits. Jaskie played at Forest Hills Central and transferred his senior season to Grandville and then pitched three seasons at the University of Michigan. He went 17-6 with a 3.82 ERA in 52 games, 31 as a starter. As a senior in 2017, he went 8-3 with a 3.77 ERA, tied the Michigan single-season strikeout record with 119 and was an All-Big Ten first-team selection. The 22-year-old played in front of his parents many times in high school and college, but it will be just the second time as a pro for his dad, and third for his mom (she saw him pitch in Washington with Everett in the short-season Northwest League after he signed late last summer. This appearance back home presents a fresh challenge. "I'll be honest, I'm a little nervous," Jaskie said. "It will be kind of funny because, obviously, I want to do well in front of family and friends. But I just have to control the nerves like any other start and do my best." So far, that's been pretty good as Jaskie has twice been unscored upon in starts, including seven innings of five-hit ball against Wisconsin on April 23. However, he allowed seven earned in four innings in his last start. It's still been far better than what happened at Everett, when he went 0-1 with a 6.82 ERA in 13 games in his first dose as a pro. "There are adjustments," Jaskie said. "In college, my freshman year was rough, and I figured it out better in my sophomore year, and last summer was not an easy summer for me. But I worked hard in the offseason and had a few good starts and I'm much better and more prepared than last year." His manager, Denny Hocking, has been a fan so far. "I've seen how he is last batter and he doesn't go looking in the dugout and, on the other side, he's been very respectful when I've taken the ball from him," Hocking said. "I love his work ethic, love what he brings." Hocking recalled seeing Jaskie in spring training and he thought of Mariners' starter James Paxton, a lefty who is similar in size at 6-4, 235. "Immediately I said, come on over here Big Maple," he said with a chuckle at Paxton's nickname. "To me, he looks the part of Paxton. "When you look at him, he's off the charts in appearance. He passes the eye test. And every time I go by the gym he is full lather. His work ethic will take him farther than his skill set, wherever that tops out at. And he's only at the tip of the iceberg as far as talent goes." One of Jaskie's biggest adjustments has been to a five-man rotation. At Michigan, he knew he'd start most every Friday. Now it's waiting for that fifth day. "Talent level isn't that big of a thing, really, but in college I knew I'd pitch on Fridays and here with having the days shrink down a bit was a big adjustment," he said. "You just have to be a little bit better than in school and learn quickly from the mistakes you do make." [May 08, 2018] HGC and China Telecom cooperate for the first carrier-to-carrier Interconnection at Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau Bridge HONG KONG and CHICAGO, May 8, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- HGC Global Communications Limited (HGC), a fixed-line operator with extensive Hong Kong and international network coverage, and China Telecommunications Corporation (China Telecom), Mainland China's largest fixed-line and FDD LTE operator with abundant international cable network resources and a global communications service provider, today announced that the two companies have entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for construction of a network interconnection system via the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau Bridge (HZM Bridge). This will be the first interconnection between Hong Kong and Mainland China fixed telecommunication network service providers on the HZM Bridge, and is HGC's fifth cross-border route between Mainland China and Hong Kong. Since 2000, HGC has self-financed and constructed fibre optic cable systems at Lok Ma Chau, Man Kam To and Lo Wu, and in 2008 was the first carrier to provide cross-border telecom services through the Hong Kong-Shenzhen Western Corridor. When the fibre connection on the HZM Bridge comes into operation, HGC will retain its leading position among Hong Kong carriers as operating the most cross-border connections to the mainland. The new link boosts capacity by at least 100 Gbps, with design capacity of 8Tbps. Adding the fifth connection will strengthen network routing diversification, and thus cater to high-end customers' demand for high quality and reliable telecom services. The Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macau Greater Bay Area (Greater Bay Area) initiative set out in China's 13th five-year plan intends to highlight the region's role and aspiration in the global economic supply chain, with the inclusion of the Special Administrative Regions of Hong Kong and Macau. The key economic sectors of the area include high-tech manufacturing, logistics, digital and innovation industries. The new fibre connection will provide capacity for anticipated growth in cross-border traffic. Once the interconnection is in place, the fibre cable will stretch along the 29.6 km dual 3-lane carriageway - including a 6.7 km tunnel - and connecting the Boundary Crossing Facilities in Hong Kong, Zhuhai, and Macau. , Chief Executive Officer of HGC, said: "HGC has a long history of partnership with China Telecom, where the two entities' networks and assets have been fully utilised to reach common goals. This evolves from traditional bilateral cooperation to a common platform which can address different possibilities and mutually benefit both HGC and China Telecom and ultimately reinforce Hong Kong's leading position as Asia's telecom hub. The fibre cable deployed by HGC at the "Hong Kong Link Road section" of the HZM Bridge is now in service, offering fibre and transmission capacity even before the official opening of the bridge." Deng Xiaofeng, Managing Director, Global Business Department of China Telecom, said: "China Telecom is pleased to establish an interconnection with HGC at the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau Bridge. With both parties' diverse network connection routes and our history of close cooperation, the new fibre connection will help both parties providing customers with stable and reliable service, meeting the ever-increasing demand in the Greater Bay Area and neighbouring countries and regions." About HGC Global Communications Limited HGC Global Communications Limited (HGC) is a leading Hong Kong and international fixed-line operator. The company owns an extensive network and infrastructure in Hong Kong and overseas and provides various kinds of services. It provides telecom infrastructure service to other operators and serves as a service provider to corporations and households. The company provides full-fledged telecom, data centre services, ICT solutions and broadband services for local, overseas, corporate and mass markets. HGC owns and operates an extensive fibre-optic network, four cross-border telecom routes integrated into tier-one telecom operators in mainland China and connects with hundreds of world-class international telecom operators. HGC is one of Hong Kong's largest Wi-Fi service providers, running over 29,000 Wi-Fi hotspots in Hong Kong. The company is committed to further investing and enriching its current infrastructure and, in parallel, adding on top the latest technologies and developing its infrastructure services and solutions. HGC is a portfolio company of I Squared Capital, an independent global infrastructure investment manager focusing on energy, utilities and transport in North America, Europe and selected fast-growing economies. For more information, please visit HGC's website at: www.hgc.com.hk About China Telecommunications Corporation China Telecommunications Corporation ("China Telecom") is one of the largest state-owned telecommunication companies in China. At present, the size of China Telecom's total assets exceeds RMB 800 billion, with annual revenue of more than RMB 410 billion. Ranking 133rd in the 2017 Fortune Global 500, China Telecom was awarded the Most Honoured Company, the Best Managed Company in the Asia Telecom Sector, as well as the Best Managed Company in Asia by esteemed international institutions for consecutive years. With the world's largest broadband Internet network and a leading-edge mobile network, China Telecom is capable of providing cross-region, fully-integrated information services to global customers through its sound customer service channel system. Its comprehensive service capability has earned China Telecom a large customer base. By the end of 2017, the number of its broadband Internet subscribers exceeded 160 million, mobile subscribers exceeded 260 million, and IPTV subscribers exceeded 100 million. To drive corporate transformation, China Telecom has rolled out Transformation 3.0 strategy with a focus of upgrading intelligent network, service ecosystem and smart operation for the digital ecosystem. China Telecom will strive to become a leading comprehensive intelligent information service provider, with the aim of becoming a powerhouse in the Internet and cyber realms in order to serve the society and enhance people's wellbeing. View original content:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/hgc-and-china-telecom-cooperate-for-the-first-carrier-to-carrier-interconnection-at-hong-kong-zhuhai-macau-bridge-300644301.html SOURCE HGC Global Communications Limited (HGC) [ Back To www.mobilitytechzone.com\broadband-stimulus's Homepage ] Effects of COVID-19 on children the focus of first Pennridge Community Partnership event The struggle is real. The average investor has lagged behind the average fund for the past 10 years. The reason is that, in aggregate, investors timing is not very good. Over the 10 years ended 2016, the average U.S. investor in diversified equity funds enjoyed a 4.36% return, even though the average diversified equity fund returned 5.15%. Thats a fair amount to give up. In fixed income, the gap was nearly as large, and thats painful because the returns are much smaller. In bondland, we found the average investor received a 2.99% return, versus 3.72% for the average bond fund. Combining all funds, we come up with a return for the average fund of 4.33% compared with a 3.96% return for the average investor. This is why I always take time out to warn you to "Mind the Gap." Saving enough money and selecting the right investments are crucial to your success. But timing is another vital piece that investors tend to forget. Inside the Data To calculate fund investor returns, we adjust the official returns by using monthly flows in and out of the fund. Thus, we calculate a rate of return generated by a funds investors. As with an internal rate of return calculation, investor return is the constant monthly rate of return that makes the beginning assets equal to the ending assets, with all monthly cash flows accounted for. In order to roll up that data, we asset-weight investor returns so that we arrive at the average investor return for an asset group. We then compare that with the average fund to see whether investors timed their investments well. To add a new wrinkle, I compared these numbers with asset-weighted total returns based on funds asset sizes at the beginning of the time period in order to judge whether investors made wise changes over the subsequent 10 years, or whether they should have stood pat. You can find Morningstar Investor Return data for a fund on its Morningstar.com page by selecting the Performance tab. As you look, it is worth thinking about the investor return on its own as well as the gap with total returns. The investor return is essentially the aggregate investors bottom line. Even if the gap is significant, as long as the investor return is good, you know they did OK. If you see a big gap, its worth considering why that gap happened and whether it might be an issue for you. All single-fund investor returns come with the caveat that there is a fair amount of randomness in them that is beyond the fund managers control. Two funds doing the same thing might have different investor returns just because they are in different sales channels or had different launch dates. Some factors are more within the fund companys control than others, such as how a fund is positioned, the soundness of the strategy, and how volatile a fund is. All of these things play key roles in how well investors use a fund. What if Everyone Left Their Funds Alone? Hmmmm. That might be a good idea. When I asset-weight returns using assets from 10 years ago, I get better results than from either investor returns or a straight average of returns. For example, the typical diversified equity fund investor would have had a return of 5.31%, topping the 5.15% average fund return and the 4.36% average investor return. For bond funds, the hands-off return was 4.30%, compared with 2.99% for the average investor return and 3.72% for the average fund return. Even allocation funds lagged the hands-off portfolio: They enjoyed 4.31% returns compared with 4.298% for asset-weighted results at the beginning of the period and 3.87% for the average fund. Why did investors get it right in allocation? Because of 401(k)s and target-date funds. Investing in a 401(k) means you invest every paycheck, and thats even better than standing pat because you are buying low during sell-offsprovided you dont panic and give up in a sell-off. As the results show, most investors were able to stick to their plans. Factors in Investor Returns We sliced and diced the fund universe based on some factors to see if there was a link with investor returns. Expense ratios had the strongest link. The gap grew for each successive quintile of fund expense ratios in equities, and investor returns steadily declined, too. For example, the cheapest quintile (at the start of the 10 years) in diversified equity returned 4.59% compared with 1.78% for the priciest. That means investor returns were much worse in higher-cost funds even if you were to add fees back in. In that same group, the returns gap grew from 1.24% to 2.57% for the priciest funds. In bonds, the gap was steady across fee groups, though investor returns were higher for cheaper funds. Specifically, cheap funds had investor returns of 3.14% compared with 2.34% for pricey funds. However, the data understate the impact of fees because many high-cost funds were liquidated over the 10-year period we studied and their returns did not make it into the final data. Bond funds in the cheapest quintile were twice as likely to survive as those in the priciest and eight times as likely to survive and outperform their peer group. Thus, the gap issue is hidden by the fact that the high-cost failures were wiped out. We also tested standard deviation, Morningstar Risk rating, and manager tenure. The results were mixed. Equity funds with lower standard deviation and risk rating had modestly better investor returns than those that were more volatile. However, those factors didnt really move the needle for bonds or allocation funds. In addition, manager tenure showed no link at all with investor returns. Global Perspective Weve expanded our look at investor returns to some key markets around the world. In general, the gaps and behavior patterns were not so different from what we saw in the U.S. However, in most cases we were limited to five years worth of data. Those figures probably understate the gap because markets have generally trended up and because the gap compounds over time. You can see the gap around the globe in this map. You can find our white paper on global investor returns here. Strong Results for Automatic Investment Plans In South Korea, investors had particularly good timing in fixed-income funds. In Australia, superannuation funds enjoyed positive gaps. In the U.S., allocation funds had positive gaps. The link across these markets was automatic investment plans. In the U.S., target-date funds have consistently had positive gaps because U.S. investors contribute to their 401(k) savings with every paycheck. In South Korea, general savings plans feature automatic monthly investments, though they are not the only means of investing in funds. These relatively simple plans work wonders at keeping investors on track and preventing them from unwise market-timing moves. Seeing this work in three different investment cultures is a strong endorsement for the practice worldwide. This is a structure that many regulators around the world are considering as a way to encourage retirement savings. The most recent example is the launch of the Default Investment Strategy on April 1, 2017, by Hong Kongs Mandatory Provident Fund Schemes Authority. The evidence suggests the idea has merit for its ability to help investors realize the potential of retirement plans. It combines some of the strengths of defined benefit with defined contribution by making low-cost diversified investments the default option. This happens from time to time on Mondays. Either due to a holiday overseas or some other distraction, a data-free Monday ends up being a complete dud in terms of volume and volatility in the US trading session. Such was the case today, with the most obvious culprit being the market closure (scheduled) in London--a critical hub for overnight trading activity in Europe, at least as far as US Treasuries are concerned. Case in point, this was the lowest volume day of the year for 10yr Treasury futures. Amid light volume, any given trader has a bigger-than-normal impact on prices/yields because their dollars constitute a bigger-than-normal piece of the day's pie. Even with that in mind, the trading range was quite narrow. The illiquidity allowed the 8:20am CME crowd to have a visibly positive impact on rates in the morning, but once that initial pop was digested, the remaining traders took yields right back to 'unchanged.' 10yr yields would go on to hold inside a 1bp range through the close and Fannie 3.5's never strayed more than 2/32nds (0.06 in terms of PRICE) from unchanged after the morning volatility passed. For all intents and purposes, we're waiting until tomorrow to see how the week truly begins. Yesterday's recap labeled the trading day as an official 3rd day of the weekend due to an absence of volume or volatility. The underlying culprit (apart from Mondays generally being slower) was a bank holiday in the UK that contributed to a very slow start in Europe. Everyone is back in the office today, and we may soon find that the lesser of 2 evils would have been to simply lament low volume/liquidity. Reason being: as trading activity returns from its unofficial 3-day weekend, it's been increasingly challenging for bonds. The implication is that the most closely-watched technical level of the past 2 weeks--2.95% in 10yr Treasury yields--remains very much in play. 2.95% had acted as a firm floor on Friday 4/27 and it kept playing the same role during the first 3 days of last week. Bonds had begun to chip away at the floor by Friday morning. Immediately following the NFP data, it looked as if 2.95% was definitively broken, but by the end of the day, yields drifted back up to 'unchanged.' No in the current week we've only had the one uninspired trading session and--well... today. So far, it's not looking good for 2.95%. Daytons comedy scene is booming! You can find comedy nights popping up all over town, with open mic nights as well as professional shows at two dedicated comedy clubs. Heres a quick rundown of where to find the funny this week: Monday, May 7th: Ollies Place Sign ups 9 show 10. See Jayson Aldridge to signup. Open Mic at Hannahs on Ludlow. Showtime will be 7:30pm 9pm. See Raymond Jackson to signup. Sugar Melon Clubs Open Mic. 330 East Dayton Dr. Fairborn. Signup at 8pm, Show at 8:30pm. Host Gary R Henry. Headliner Wendi Furguson. Wednesday, May 9th: Open Mic at the South Park Tavern. 9pm. 1301 Wayne Avenue. Comedy and music are featured on this show. Sign up online. Choose the upcoming Wednesday you want. Scroll down and read through any existing comments to find out which slots are still OPEN. Sign up for an available 30 minute slot in the comments section at the bottom of the page. Thursday, May 10th: Open Mic at the Hookah Bazaar! Thursday 10pm. 9:30pm sign up. Show up Go up! See Nick Taylor to signup. Spirited Goat Coffee House in Yellow Springs! Open Mic Nights are every Thursday at 7pm! If you wish to sign up, just give them a call or stop in the shop any time after 3pm on that day! Springfield Country Club Comedy Night with Leslie Norris Townsend 7pm show $40 Dinner & Show, $25 show only Reserveations (937) 399-4215 Her blend of stand-up comedy, music and audience participation will move your audience from tears to laughter, while motivating, mesmerizing and captivating each one. Lesliea 30+ television appearances include Comedy Central, A&Es An Evening at the Improv and sketches seen on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno. She was even a Grand Finalist on Star Search. Leslie left behind a promising acting career to create a better life for her children. In the classic fish-out-of-water tale, she moved from Hollywood to rural Ohio to live on her familys 100 year old farm. This only added new material to her already hilarious routines. Jordan Rock at the Dayton Funny Bone 88 Plum Street, Sutie 200 at The Greene Thursday, May 10th 7:30pm Friday, May 11th 7:30 & 10pm Saturday, May 12th 7:30 & 10pm Sunday, May 13th 7:30pm Jordan says he feels like he wouldnt be true to himself if he hadnt pursued stand-up comedy. And for good reason, as his older brothers Chris and Tony have made a pretty good name for themselves. Im the Solange of my family, he likes to say, referring ot Beyonces less famous sister. Jordan Rock is in his mid-20s, half Chriss age. He is his own comic with his own voice, working out his material in clubs and pursuing an acting career, too. Hes got a recurring role portraying Kevi in Love on Netflix. He has also released his own 2011 comedy special Ladies and Gentlemen, Jordan Rock. Rock will be in Dayton this weekend talking about his dating life, his tiny hands, his brothers and politics. Also on the show is Brad Gill as emcee and feature Chris Harvey. You can even score FREE tickets here. Brian Swinehart at Wileys Comedy Club 101 Pine St. in the Oregon District Fri, May 11 8pm Sat, May 12 7:15 & 9:30pm Brian left his small country town in Ohio to travel to California to pursue a career as an entertainer. Prior to his departure many of the town locals joked with Brian saying Youll be back. See you in six months. Its been over a decade since Brians move and he has not looked back. He has only gained speed and momentum a long the way. Swinehart has delighted crowds around the world with his wit and charm. Brian has a crowd pleasing style that blends stories, one liners and impressions. DMM READER BONUS: Weve got some FREE Tickets for this show- if youd like a pair, email us by Thursday and tell us why you should be the winner! Saturday May 12th: Touch of Splash Presents DC Young Fly Live Trap Comedy at Deja Vu at 4321 Salem Avenue. Hosted by Kevin Lackey. With Action Jaxon, Mark Paul Gregory, Dusty Lewis, Chris Brown, Darnae Hill. Get your tickets at supremeticket.com or Action Wear and All Dayton city gear locations Videos Sorry, there are no recent results for popular videos. Former YouGov Sweden CEO Joins Norstat Fieldwork firm Norstat has hired former YouGov Sweden CEO Erik Tageson as Sales and Marketing Director for the Swedish market. Tageson (pictured) joins with twenty years' MR industry experience, the last nine of which were spent at YouGov, latterly as CEO in charge of two offices in Sweden. Earlier, he was the firm's Sales Director/Sales Manager, having joined the company in 2007 as Research Team Manager, responsible for a team of consultants. Before this, he spent six years at Synovate as a Senior Consultant. Commenting on the appointment, Henrik Aquist, MD of Norstat in Sweden, said: 'We are pleased to have Erik on board. He adds a solid knowledge and experience from the research industry, as well as a deep methodological understanding, especially in online. Erik will be a key person for further strengthening our position in the market'. Web site: www.norstatgroup.com . Mari Buche has been appointed associate dean of the School of Business and Economics (SBE), effective July 1, 2018. Buche, associate professor of management information systems and affiliate associate professor of data science, has been at Michigan Tech for 15 years. During those years, she has won SBEs Teacher of the Year award three times (05, 12 and 14) and has served on numerous University-wide committees including University Senate. Buche fills the position vacated by Professor of Economics Tom Merz, who served as SBEs associate dean for three terms under four deans. Merz will return to the SBE faculty. During his nine-year tenure as associate dean, Merz twice helped the SBE retain accreditation through the AACSB. Buche, who will usher the SBE's re-accreditation next year, says she is "looking forward" to the process. Merz says Buches appointment is well deserved and knows the SBE will be in good hands. While Merz says he learned a lot in his nine years in administration, the most important lesson he learned is also his chief piece of advice to Buche: You dont have to know all the answers, what you have to know are the phone numbers of the people who have those answers. There are people on this campus who will do anything for you if you just ask them. But you have to know who to contact. Michigan Technological University is a public research university, home to more than 7,000 students from 54 countries. Founded in 1885, the University offers more than 120 undergraduate and graduate degree programs in science and technology, engineering, forestry, business and economics, health professions, humanities, mathematics, and social sciences. Our campus in Michigans Upper Peninsula overlooks the Keweenaw Waterway and is just a few miles from Lake Superior. HoMs and Ministers of the government during the photo session at Iririki Island Resort. ANKARA, Turkey (AP) A witness testifying anonymously against a U.S. pastor accused of spying and terror-related charges in Turkey claimed Monday that the American helped Kurdish militants and aimed to create a Christian Kurdish state, the country's state-run news agency reported. Pastor Andrew Craig Brunson forcefully rejected the claim in the second session of his trial, insisting he never permitted "politics to enter the church," the Anadolu Agency reported. The 50-year-old evangelical pastor from Black Mountain, North Carolina, faces up 35 years in prison in Turkey on charges of "committing crimes on behalf of terror groups without being a member" and "espionage." He denies any wrongdoing. Brunson was arrested in the aftermath of a 2016 coup attempt in Turkey for alleged links to the outlawed Kurdistan Workers' Party, or PKK, as well as a network led by U.S.-based Muslim cleric Fethullah Gulen, who is blamed by Turkey for the political unrest. Gulen denies any knowledge of the failed coup. Anadolu said a "secret witness" described as a former parishioner and codenamed "Serhat" testified via a long-distance system and claimed that Brunson helped Kurdish militants in various ways, including those fighting in Syria. He also claimed a Syrian who converted to Christianity helped Brunson. Brunson, who has lived in Turkey for decades, forcefully rejected the claims. Anadolu quoted Brunson as responding: "These accusations are shameful and disgusting. There is not one photograph or tape recording praising the PKK at the (Izmir) Resurrection Church. Our church had several Turkish followers. Our doors were open to everyone. I strived to prevent politics entering the church." Brunson later requested his release from jail, saying he wanted "go home," Hurriyet newspaper reported. The court adjourned the trial until July 18 and ruled that he remain in jail. The case has strained ties between Turkey and the United States. U.S. President Donald Trump tweeted in Brunson's defense last month, saying: "Pastor Andrew Brunson, a fine gentleman and Christian leader in the United States, is on trial and being persecuted in Turkey for no reason." Trump added: "They call him a Spy, but I am more a Spy than he is. Hopefully he will be allowed to come home to his beautiful family where he belongs!" The Trump administration later warned Turkey that it is considering punitive "consequences" if the NATO ally does not throw out the charges or acquit Brunson. Sandra Jolley, vice chair of the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom, which has campaigned for Brunson's release insisting he is innocent, attended court Monday and said the 11 hours of proceedings "were dominated by wild conspiracies, tortured logic, and secret witnesses, but no real evidence to speak of." "Worse still, the judge's decision at the conclusion of today's hearing to dismiss all of the witnesses called by Pastor Brunson's defense without listening to a single minute of their testimony is simply unconscionable," Jolly said in a statement. "The truth is that this case is part of a larger decline in personal freedoms, including religious freedom and human rights, that we are witnessing in Turkey in recent years," she said. "We are looking to the Turkish judiciary to uphold pastor Brunson's innocence." Brunson served as pastor of Izmir Resurrection Church, a small Protestant congregation, and has lived in Turkey for 23 years. Prosecutors are seeking a 15-year prison sentence for crimes Brunson is charged with committing in the name of Gulen's group and the PKK. They want the pastor to serve another 20 years if he also is found guilty of obtaining state secrets for political and military spying purposes, using his religious work as cover. The indictment against him based on the testimony of witnesses, including three secret ones, and digital evidence claims the pastor worked to convert Kurds to Christianity to sow discord in Turkey. Copyright 2018 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. The Middle East is bracing for milestone events packed into one week that could reverberate in unforeseen ways and change the trajectory of a region shaped by growing conflict between Iran and Saudi Arabia, leaders of the Shiite and Sunni Muslim camps. On Tuesday, President Donald Trump announced that the U.S. is withdrawing from the Iran nuclear deal. Early next week, the U.S. will move its embassy in Israel to contested Jerusalem, provoking Palestinians at a time when many thousands plan to march from blockaded Gaza to Israel's border and perhaps overrun it. A look at what's ahead: ___ THE IRAN DEAL U.S. President Donald Trump announced Tuesday that he is pulling out of a 2015 deal that gave Iran relief from sanctions in return for curbing its nuclear program. A pullout is opposed by other world powers, but supported by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. The U.S. withdrawal and the possibility of an eventual collapse of the deal raises concerns about escalation, even war particularly if Iran is seen as resuming its pursuit of nuclear weapons and Israel retaliates. Tensions between Israel and Iran already are high over Iran's efforts to expand its military presence in Syria and airstrikes attributed to Israel that killed Iranian fighters there, prompting threats of reprisal by Tehran. Netanyahu says he'll counter "Iran's aggression ... even if this means a struggle." Israeli security officials say forces are already on high alert in northern Israel. Netanyahu's critics inside Israel warn that he is pursuing a risky course by trying to torpedo the nuclear deal, without assurances that the U.S. has prepared for the fallout. Iran could respond by activating regional allies Lebanon's Hezbollah and the Gaza-based Hamas but faces limits. Both groups have to keep in mind local constituencies that endured painful Israeli airstrikes in previous cross-border confrontations. Hezbollah, armed with tens of thousands of rockets trained at Israel, hopes to integrate further into Lebanese politics after scoring gains Sunday in the country's first election in nine years. Hezbollah's calculations could change if it succeeds in setting up military positions in southwestern Syria, allowing it to launch rockets without concern for Lebanese civilians being harmed in counterattacks. Sunni Muslim Hamas, which has had ambivalent ties with Shiite-led Iran since seizing Gaza in 2007, wants to avoid another war with Israel and is betting on mass border protests to break a decade-old blockade of Gaza by Israel and Egypt. ___ A U.S. EMBASSY IN JERUSALEM On May 14, Israel's 70th anniversary, the U.S. ceremoniously opens its new embassy in Jerusalem, in line with Trump's recognition in December of the city as Israel's capital. Israel has excitedly welcomed the move. For Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, it spells the end to hopes that the U.S. would one day get Israel to cede the West Bank and Gaza Strip and east Jerusalem lands it captured in 1967 to a Palestinian state. Trump's predecessors have said conflicting claims to Jerusalem must be resolved through negotiations. His claims that the Jerusalem policy shift doesn't preclude talks on how to share the city is met with scorn by Abbas, who suspended ties with Washington and considers it unfit to keep serving as the sole Mideast broker. Abbas warned recently that he would take "tough steps" against the U.S. and Israel, but didn't spell them out. Options endorsed last week by the Palestine Liberation Organization include suspending recognition of Israel and walking away from interim peace deals of the 1990s. Signaling that he's in no rush to respond, Abbas left Sunday for a trip to Venezuela, Chile and Cuba. Even if he's back by May 14, he won't have time to get far-reaching decisions approved, if only as a formality, by senior PLO figures. Jordan's King Abdullah II seems to have resigned himself to the U.S. shift on Jerusalem, whose Israeli-annexed eastern sector, sought as a Palestinian capital, houses major shrines of Islam, Christianity and Judaism. U.S. officials have told the monarch he would continue to serve as custodian of Islamic and Christian holy sites in the city. Beyond such assurances, the kingdom, where most residents are of Palestinian origin, relies on U.S. aid and discreet security ties with Israel. Despite Abdullah's tough rhetoric on Jerusalem, he recently ended a months-long diplomatic crisis with Israel, signaling he is ready to move on. Sunni Arab states might issue new statements critical of the U.S. Embassy move to appease domestic audiences. However, the Saudi-led camp has cheered Trump's aggressive stance toward Iran, and will likely avoid hurting the new alliance. ___ BORDER MARCH On the day of the U.S. Embassy move, Hamas plans to bring the largest crowd yet to the Gaza-Israel border, as part of an open-ended blockade-busting protest campaign. Since the weekly demonstrations began in late March, protesters have mostly thrown stones and burned tires on the Gaza side, stopping short of large-scale border breaches. Two senior Hamas officials said such breaches will become inevitable when crowds gather on May 14, the day of the embassy move, and likely also on May 15, when Palestinians mark their "nakba," or mass uprooting during the 1948 Mideast war over Israel's creation. More than two-thirds of Gaza's 2 million people are descendants of refugees. Blockade-linked hardships, from 16-hour-a-day power cuts to sweeping travel bans, have pushed more people to go to the border, despite the risks. So far, 40 protesters have been killed and more than 1,700 wounded by Israeli troops. A mass breach is bound to lead to more casualties. Israel has dug in, despite international criticism of its use of lethal force against unarmed protesters. Israel says it needs to maintain the blockade to contain Hamas and that it will defend its border at all costs. The border marches are expected to continue at lower intensity during the Muslim fasting month of Ramadan, which begins around May 16, said the two Hamas officials, who spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not allowed to discuss internal deliberations with reporters. Hamas is investing as much in the new tactic as it did in its military wing, responsible in the past for suicide attacks and rocket fire on Israel, the officials said. The group believes the protests have become the only remaining tool for breaking the blockade. Abbas is not expected to try to compete with Hamas during "nakba" rallies. In the West Bank, his security forces have kept demonstrators away from Israeli army positions. ___ Associated Press writer Mohammed Daraghmeh in Ramallah, West Bank, contributed to this report. Copyright 2018 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. HARTFORD, Conn. (AP) A Connecticut judge has cited government immunity in dismissing a lawsuit by the parents of two children killed in the 2012 Newtown, Connecticut, school massacre against the town and its school district over alleged inadequate security measures. Superior Court Judge Robin Wilson, in a decision released Tuesday, granted the town's request to dismiss the lawsuit, agreeing school officials were immune from being sued and the security procedures in place were discretionary. "Emergencies, by their very nature, are sudden and often rapidly evolving events, and a response can never be one hundred percent scripted and directed," Wilson wrote. "To say that the faculty and staff of the school were to act in a prescribed manner in responding to an emergency situation would likewise be illogical and in direct contradiction to the very purpose of governmental immunity: allowing for the exercise of judgment without fear of second-guessing," she wrote. The shooting killed 20 first-graders and six educators at Sandy Hook Elementary School on Dec. 14, 2012. Gunman Adam Lanza, 20, fatally shot his mother at their Newtown home before going to the school, where he killed himself as police arrived. Lanza shot his way through a locked glass entryway to get into the building. The parents of two first-graders killed in the shooting, Jesse Lewis and Noah Pozner, sued the town on several claims, including that school officials didn't follow security procedures including immediately ordering a school lockdown after Lanza shot his way in, which they say may have saved lives. They also said the school's classroom doors could only be locked from the outside in the hallway, making it impossible for teachers to safely lock them as Lanza approached their classrooms. Their lawyer, Donald Papcsy, said they will appeal the ruling and hope the state Supreme Court overturns it. "This ruling (which every parent should read) should serve as NOTICE to all parents of young boys and girls: Our children are not safe in public schools," Papcsy said in a statement. "From our neighbors in Sandy Hook, to the young men and women of Parkland, the legislatures and judicial systems have decided for all of us that, even when the facts support a total breakdown of school security protocol, the 'immunity' laws are used as an excuse to prevent parents from holding them accountable," he said. "We will continue to fight for this cause so that, someday, we can live in a world where we know our children are going to come home at the end of the school day." The lawsuit also alleged that school officials failed to provide keys to either teacher Victoria Soto or substitute teacher Lauren Rousseau so they could follow school lockdown procedures, if ordered, and lock their doors. Fifteen students and Rousseau were killed in Room 8, and five students and Soto were slain in Room 10. Charles DeLuca, a lawyer for the town, said Lanza was solely responsible and liable for the shooting. "We don't believe that there was any evidence that the town or its employees or the Board of Education was negligent or at fault in any way for this tragedy that occurred," DeLuca said Tuesday. Copyright 2018 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. BEIJING (AP) North Korean leader Kim Jong Un met with Chinese President Xi Jinping in a northern Chinese port city and pledged his continuing commitment to denuclearization ahead of his expected summit with U.S. President Donald Trump, state media said Tuesday. The meeting Monday and Tuesday in Dalian is the second between Xi and Kim in recent weeks, following Kim's March visit to Beijing his first since taking power six years ago. In comments carried Tuesday night by Chinese state media, neither leader was quoted as directly referring to either the planned Trump meeting or Kim's summit with South Korean President Moon Jae-in late last month. However, state broadcaster CCTV quoted Xi as saying China "supports North Korea to stick to denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula and supports North Korea and the U.S. in solving the peninsula issue through dialogue and consultation." Trump tweeted Tuesday that he planned to speak with Xi later in the day to discuss trade and North Korea, where he said "relationships and trust are building." Kim was quoted as telling Xi that North Korea remains committed to denuclearization and has no need to possess nuclear weapons if a "relevant party" drops its "hostile policy and security threats" against it, a clear reference to the United States. "I hope to build mutual trust with the U.S. through dialogue," Kim was quoted as saying. A political resolution of tensions on the peninsula and denuclearization should proceed in stages, with all sides moving in concert, he said. The Trump administration has demanded that North Korea immediately commit to denuclearization. The Kim-Xi meeting was the top news story in North Korea, with its most famous television announcer, Ri Chun Hui, again called out of her semi-retirement to report the event, underscoring its importance. Ri, wearing a traditional Korean-style dress, often smiled as she reported the news. The report, which lasted about 20 minutes, did not show any photos or video of the visit. Kim was accompanied by his younger sister, who has taken on an increasingly public role as the North Korean leader has tried to present a "softer" face to the outside world. North Korea's official Korean Central News Agency said there was a "deep exchange of opinions" between Kim and Xi on the changes around the Korean Peninsula that are "drawing the world's eyes and ears." Kim offered his views on how North Korea and China would "firmly grasp the strategic opportunity," it said. Though rumors are likely widespread, North Korea's media still have not explicitly confirmed the expected summit with Trump. The recent South Korean summit and the potential U.S. talks have received more attention internationally, but China's role as an economic lifeline for North Korea makes the talks between Xi and Kim all the more crucial. Kim needs to make sure that whatever negotiations he has with Trump align to some degree with Beijing's positions, which could certainly complicate his task ahead. China's official Xinhua News Agency said Xi hosted a welcome banquet for Kim on Monday and the two leaders strolled along the coastline at a government guesthouse and had lunch together on Tuesday. "At a crucial time when the regional situation is developing rapidly, Kim said he came to China again to meet with (Xi) and inform him of the situation," Xinhua said. CCTV showed Xi wearing a western business suit and Kim in his standard high-collared Mao suit. They stood on a beach, sat under an awning on an outdoor deck, strolled through lush gardens and sat at a conference table. "In a cordial and friendly atmosphere, the top leaders of the two parties and the two countries had an all-round and in-depth exchange of views on China-DPRK relations and major issues of common concern," Xinhua said, using the initials for North Korea's official name, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea. China is North Korea's only major ally, although trade has plummeted in recent months as Beijing enforces United Nations economic sanctions in response to the North's nuclear bomb and ballistic missile tests. China has also been eager to assert its importance in the process of lowering tensions on the Korean Peninsula. It has called for a halt to weapons tests and large-scale military exercises and a return to six-nation denuclearization talks it previously hosted in Beijing. It was not known how long the Xi-Kim meeting had been planned or why Dalian was chosen. Hong Kong's South China Morning Post newspaper cited two unidentified sources as saying that Xi had flown to Dalian on the coast east of Beijing to preside over the official launch of sea trials for China's first entirely self-built aircraft carrier. Chinese internet users posting on social media described heavy security in the city and extensive flight delays on Monday. Others said they spotted a set of Red Flag limousines used by state leaders. As with Kim's March visit to Beijing, his presence in Dalian was not officially confirmed until he had left China. Reports said his jet flew out of Dalian airport on Tuesday afternoon. ___ Associated Press writers Eric Talmadge in Pyongyang, North Korea, and Hyung-jin Kim in Seoul, South Korea, contributed to this report. Copyright 2018 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. A Roman Catholic priest was arrested and charged Tuesday with sexually abusing at least two boys during his four decades in the Erie, Pennsylvania, diocese, and making one of them say confession after the alleged assaults. State Attorney General Josh Shapiro announced the arrest of the 64-year-old Rev. David Poulson, of Oil City, as part of a statewide grand jury investigation. According to court records, Poulson is facing at least eight charges, including indecent assault and child endangerment for incidents dating to 2002. Court records did not list an attorney for Poulson, and a phone call to a number listed for him was not answered Tuesday. Poulson was being held Tuesday on $300,000 cash bail. He faces a maximum of 64 years, if convicted, and $135,000 in fines. Prosecutors said Poulson resigned from the diocese in February after a phone call was received a month earlier from an military chaplain in Fort Hood, Texas, saying a 23-year-old had disclosed he was abused by Poulson starting when he was 8 years old. Poulson allegedly abused one of his victims in multiple church rectories more than 20 times while he served as an altar boy. Poulson would then require the boy to make confession to him and confess the sexual assault to receive absolution. "This was the ultimate betrayal and manipulation by Poulson he used the tools of the priesthood to further his abuse," Shapiro wrote in a release about the charges. The allegations also state Poulson took that victim and another boy at separate times to a secluded hunting camp without electricity or running water, where he would watch horror movies with them on his laptop then assault them. Prosecutors said the Erie Diocese had received complaints about what they say were Poulson's "sexual predator tendencies" as far back as 2010, but did not report him to law enforcement until the grand jury issued a subpoena in September 2016. The diocese produced a May 24, 2010, "secret memorandum" that showed leaders had received complaints about Poulson's inappropriate contact with minors. The attorney general's office release said the memo contained an admission from Poulson that he was "aroused" by a boy and shared sexually suggestive texts with other boys. The diocese, "did nothing to stop this abuse. They did nothing throughout those years until very recently to alert law enforcement. They did nothing to alert other parishioners, especially parishioners who had young children," Shapiro said at a news conference Tuesday. A diocese spokeswoman said in a voicemail she was preparing a statement on Poulson's arrest. Shapiro said the abuse and cover-up largely occurred under a previous bishop's tenure. Last month, the diocese released a list of priests and lay people who it had received credible accusations against over several decades. Poulson's name was on that list. Shapiro said nine other possible victims spoke to the grand jury, but a criminal statute of limitations prevented the office from filing charges. He called on the governor and state legislature to abolish the statute of limitation on child sexual assaults. The statewide investigative grand jury looking into the response to clergy abuse in six of the state's eight Roman Catholic dioceses began in 2016, shortly after a comprehensive grand jury report on the Altoona-Johnstown diocese was released. That report included a description of canon law dictating that criminal allegations against priests be kept under lock and key accessible to only the bishop. The statewide grand jury was scheduled to end its term on April 30. Shapiro would not discuss Tuesday when a final report would come out or whether more charges in the other dioceses might be possible. The Philadelphia District Attorney's office released one of the most comprehensive and earliest of such grand jury reports on the Philadelphia diocese in 2005 and revisited concerns about priest abuse in a second grand jury report in 2011. Copyright 2018 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. BEIRUT (AP) Syrian state-run media said Israel struck a military outpost near the capital Damascus on Tuesday, saying its air defenses intercepted and destroyed two of the incoming missiles. The reported attack came shortly after President Donald Trump announced he was withdrawing from the Iran nuclear deal, calling Tehran a main exporter of terrorism in the region. The official news agency SANA said the attack occurred in the countryside in Kisweh, just south of Damascus, an area known to have numerous Syrian army military bases. It did not elaborate. Syrian TV reported earlier large explosions in the area. An official with the Iran-led regional alliance supporting Syrian President Bashar Assad said the strike targeted a Syrian army position but killed a Syrian man and his wife passing by in their car. He said there were jets in the sky but it was likely the position was targeted by surface-to-surface missiles from the Golan Heights. The official spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to give official statements. There was no immediate comment from Israel, which almost never confirms or denies airstrikes in Syria. Such strikes have become more frequent recently, amid soaring tensions between regional archenemies Israel and Iran. Iran has vowed to retaliate to recent Israeli strikes in Syria targeting Iranian outposts in the country. They include an attack last month on Syria's T4 air base in Homs province that killed seven Iranian military personnel, for which Tehran has vowed to retaliate. On April 30, Israel was said to have struck government outposts in northern Syria, killing more than a dozen pro-government fighters, many of them Iranians. Israel's military, however, said Tuesday its forces were on high alert near its border with Syria after spotting Iranian activity and was urging civilians in the Golan Heights near Syria to prepare bomb shelters. Later, the Israeli military said in a statement it had called up some reservists but did not elaborate. The military directive Tuesday came "following the identification of irregular activity of Iranian forces in Syria." It said defense systems have been deployed. The military said it is prepared for "various scenarios" and warned "any aggression against Israel will be met with a severe response." Israel has warned it will not tolerate Tehran establishing itself militarily on its doorstep in Syria. ___ Associated Press writers Albert Aji in Damascus, Syria, Bassem Mroue in Beirut and Ian Deitch in Jerusalem contributed reporting. Copyright 2018 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. TITUSVILLE, Fla. -- Brevard County school leaders are considering dropping a plan to allow school staff to voluntarily carry weapons in order to stop a potential school shooter. Brevard Public Schools considers hiring armed security person Some parents divided over arming school staff School board held town hall meeting at 7 p.m., Monday Instead, the Brevard Public Schools is looking into hiring a dedicated armed security person, in addition to installing a school resource officer in every school in the county. Brevard County Sheriff Wayne Ivey and school board members originally announced plans to allow school staff to carry guns nearly two weeks after the school shooting in South Florida. "I fear that having more guns means more opportunity for accidents, and more opportunity for my son to be hurt," said Titusville parent Bridget Michels. Since that February announcement, the district has set up town hall meetings to get the opinions of parents and community members. "It needs to be done," said Marlene Brown, a Mims grandmother who supports arming school staff, "(we need) to protect the children, there's a lot of loonies out there." Parents make voices heard Monday was the final town hall meeting before the school board is expected to make a decision on Tuesday. The meeting at Andrew Jackson Middle School in Titusville was the last chance for parents in Brevard County to make their voices heard before the school district moves to vote on arming school staff. According to a recent school district survey, a slight majority of parents throughout Brevard, and particularly the northern part of the county like Titusville, do support the guardian program proposed by the district. The program would allow certain, voluntarily trained staff to carry guns on campus. Many parents voiced their support for the program. "We have guns protecting everything except for our schools," one parent said. "Le'ts let the state know we know how to keep our students safe!" another parent echoed. However the same survey showed a majority of students and actual school staff who responded are opposed to the idea. During the same town hall, the majority of those attending were opposed to the program. "It's showing more violence in the schools, and you know with half the people being afraid of guns, I don't see how the problem is going to be solved, and I don't see where two wrongs make a right," grandparent of one student Jeanie Huppert said. Tuesday night the School Board will take up this issue of training and arming some school staff. However, the school board asked staff to look into other options for hiring full-time armed security specialists -- they are still looking into it. Reporter Jerry Hume contributed to this story. WEDGEFIELD, Fla. -- Neighbors in one East Orange County community are raising concerns as the Florida Public Service Commission considers a request from their private water utility to raise rates. Wedgefield neighborhood raise concern about water utility Pluris wants to increase its rates up to 13.8 percent PSC commissioners expected to revisit issue w/ Pluris May 8 Its absolutely ridiculous. We are already paying over double what a normal water bill should be and youre going to raise it over 13 percent? said Kelly Taylor. Thats a lot of money and that shouldnt be the case. Not for something thats an inferior product. Six years ago, Taylor and her family moved to the Wedgefield neighborhood, located off State Road 520. Taylor described the neighborhood as quiet -- a great place to raise her young daughter. But Taylor's only problem, she said, is with the water, joining a chorus of neighbors who complain about water quality issues and costly bills from their private water provider Pluris. We sodded the grass and used the water to water it three times a week," she explained. "We get a water bill for over $300. While most of her monthly bills total around $120, Taylor said that clothes have been ruined, bleached by over-chlorinated water, and glasses marked by water spots. We had people out testing the water. They told it was some of the hardest water theyd ever seen," she said, adding that the family's water softener is a necessity. If we didnt have this, it would definitely be unusable water. Those issues took center stage as Pluris asked the Florida Public Service Commission, or PSC, for a 13.8 percent rate hike for water and 6 percent increase for wastewater. Pluris files for rate increase The utility filed for the increase on July 28, 2017, citing costs associated with four projects: installation of meters and water softening equipment, construction of a maintenance building and replacement of a wastewater main. Im proud of our operations in Florida," said Maurice Gallarda, Pluris's President, during the April 20 hearing in Tallahassee. Gallarda, a professional engineer, told PSC Commissioners that when Pluris acquired utility in 2010, they were "naive" with regards to water quality issues in the region, such as elevated levels of nitrogen and nitrates. "The aquifer isn't known to be the greatest quality of water in the Central Florida region," Gallarda said. "We knew we had to address water quality. Over time and recently, as of this last year, we brought in commercial-grade water softeners. I'm convinced we're delivering soft water. Gallarda said that the company meets FDEP and EPA primary and secondary treatments, touting their recent win for best tasting water in a regional taste test competition. But commissioners pushed back, pressing Gallarda to address complaints. Customer comments According to the PSC, they received 70 customer comments leading up to the April 20 meeting, some of which protested the proposed rate increase. One letter lamented customers have received "none of the benefits." We have been receiving a lot of customer letters, emails regarding quality," said Commissioner Julie Brown. As a commissioner, sitting back here and getting complaints from your customers, theres only so much we can do. The Office of Public Counsel filed a letter expressing concern with the utilities filing, arguing at the meeting that a different rate of return was used to calculate costs. Then the Florida PSC tabled the discussion, with staff filing a written recommendation. PSC Commissioners are expected to revisit the issue Tuesday, May 8 during a meeting. We shouldnt have to pay extra to have a decent quality of water," said Taylor. Im hoping that either they fix the water and do it at their own expense, or be taken over by the county. Orange County confirmed they are in procurement to hire an acquisition consultant to approach Pluris and see if they want to sell. In the past, the private utility company has said that they are not for sale. The county also commented that its too early to disclose any numbers associated with a purchase. Spectrum News 13 also reached out to Pluris Monday but did not hear back. MARION COUNTY, Fla. -- The Florida Department of Health is warning Marion County residents that an unvaccinated emu has tested positive for eastern equine encephalitis. Emu in Marion Co. tests positive for EEE Officials: 3rd case in 2018 of EEE in Marion According to Department of Health officials, this is the third case of EEE in the county so far in 2018 -- the first two cases involved horses. The department says EEE is 80 to 90 percent fatal in emus and horses, while theres a 30 to 45 percent fatality rate among people. The virus is mosquito-borne and cycle between mosquitos and birds in swampy, freshwater areas, says officials. It can infect mammals, reptiles, birds and amphibians. Health officials in a press release are urging residents to drain standing water, cover skin with repellant and clothing, and to cover doors and windows with screens. KISSIMMEE, Fla. -- Transitional housing organizations designed to help inmates get on their feet after leaving the prison system may soon shut down because of funding cuts. Funding cuts may force transition houses to shut down State legislators approve $24.9 million cut from Dept. of Corrections Advocates contacting local legislators to talk emergency funds The Transition House of Kissimmee works with non-violent offenders who are currently in the prison system. During the program, inmates go through job counseling, can enroll in education classes, and the program is specifically designed to help those with addiction issues. They also provide job training and have flexible work release programs for inmates about to move out of the system. So the goal is to completely redirect their lives from a negative one to a positive lifestyle, said Transition House CEO Thomas Griffin. Right now, the facility helps around 150 people at their Kissimmee location, but there are half a dozen other similar facilities throughout the state, which operate similar programs. Now those programs may have to close, because last week the Florida Department of Corrections announced how major funding cuts would impact these special programs. Although the legislative session has been over for a few weeks, the Department of Corrections announced that state legislators approved a budget cut of about $24.9 million from their fund. That cut means programs like the Transition House will be cut, as well. Spectrum News 13 received dozens of calls over the course of just a few days from families of inmates at Transition House of Kissimmee. One concerned mother, Yolanda Butler, said Transition House has given her son new hope for when he steps out of prison in 2019. What are you going to do? Take somebody whos been here in one years time -- hes been here one year and now youre going to send him back to prison? You gave him hope, and now youre taking it away, said Butler. In 2007 her son, George Butler, known to his family as Billy, killed two people in a drunk driving crash and was sentenced to 15 years in prison. Yolanda Butler says in the last year at Transition House, shes noticed a dramatic change in her son and has hope that when released, he will be equipped with a set of job skills to help him move forward in life. Now, with the possibility of the program closing, Butler and her son are concerned. When they are doing this, they are hurting the people who have the least, Butler said. Now the Butlers and the CEO of Transition House said they are contacting local legislators for a special session this summer to talk about allocating emergency funds to help keep the house open to inmates. Otherwise, the FDOC will send buses on June 30 to take inmates back to prison. Its unclear what would happen to their work release jobs if they are sent back to prison. PORT CANAVERAL, Fla. -- The first cruise ship from Port Canaveral bound for Cuba is now on its way. 1st cruise ship from Port Canaveral to travel to Cuba Norwegian Sun can hold more than 2,000 passengers Travel to Cuba was made possible in 2015 All booked up, some 2,000 excited passengers on the Norwegian Sun are headed to a country many thought they could never see, since relations have been strained between the U.S. and the island nation for more than five decades. The Sun departed from Cruise Terminal 10 around 4 p.m. Monday afternoon, making it the first home-ported ship at Port Canaveral to head to Cuba. &nbsp; Three years ago, President Obama made it known that diplomatic relations would become normal again, opening up cruising to Cuba. There are some travel guidelines, which Port Canaveral CEO Captain John Murray says cruise lines make simpler for guests to travel there. You have to have certain cultural reasons for visiting. What the cruise lines do is deliver that. They can put the whole package together so it's in compliance with U.S. laws, said Captain John Murray, Port Canaveral CEO. (Spectrum News 13) And you know about the cars -- if you love old cars, it's the place to go, said Thomas Houseman, a cruise passenger. Guests say they are excited to see the 'old world' and history of Cuba. The Norwegian Sun's home at Port Canaveral, Cruise Terminal 10, recently underwent a $35 million renovation. The four-day trip includes an overnight stay in Havana, stop in Key West and returns home Friday. Reporter Deborah Souverain contributed to this story. I can give you the man made legal definition, which you cling to as a reason to be able to kill human life. Human pro creation produces human beings therefore when conception happens that is a human being, your legal terms are simply ways for you to murder with a clear conscience. Good for you, I hope you sleep well knowing what you support. It is ghoulish. That is my answer, so asking for more will simply get you the same answer because I want you to have to think about it continually. PORT ST. JOHN, Fla. -- A retired Puerto Rican racehorse is being taken care of on the Space Coast after being flown in from hurricane-ravaged Puerto Rico. Retired racehorse from Puerto Rico finds new home Mateo training to compete in Retired Racehorse Project Visit rescue's website: Hidden Acres Rescue Now he's being welcomed with open arms and a chance at a new life after racing. "It's really great to get him from not so great conditions down there," said Suzanna Norris of Hidden Acres Rescue for Thoroughbreds. Mateo is a retired racehorse, who literally just stepped off the track a few months ago. "Get his second chance after the 'track," Norris told Spectrum News 13. Mateo's track name was 'Big Twist', and in a twist of fate, he along with countless other horses like him found themselves in hurricane-torn Puerto Rico last year. Much like the people on the island, horses are struggling too. "We kind of selected him," said Norris, who got in touch with Caribbean Thoroughbred After Care, a group committed to giving these type of race horses a second life or even career. It was a perfect match in Mateo, who is now being trained to compete in the Retired Racehorse Project up in Kentucky. "The idea is to promote the versatility of the thoroughbred," she says. Mateo will be competing at the Kentucky Horse Park in early October. After that, Hidden Acres will find him a new retirement home. ROCKLEDGE, Fla. -- A former Rockledge police officer has accepted a plea agreement for allegedly shooting a teen he was trying to take into custody. Ex-officer accepts plea deal in alleged shooting of teen Nicholas Galluzzi to plead guilty to culpable negligence RELATED: Former Rockledge officer charged with attempted manslaughter On Tuesday, the Office of the State Attorney announced Nicholas Galluzzi pleaded guilty to culpable negligence and has surrendered his law enforcement certification. In 2017, Galluzzi was arrested on attempted manslaughter charges in relation to the shooting of 17-year-old boy during an attempted arrest over car burglaries. The 17-year-old surrendered at the scene and was shot once while lying face-down on the ground, said the State Attorney's Office. An affidavit says just after the shooting, the teen asked Galluzzi why he shot him, to which he said the teen had moved his hands. Galluzzi wont be able to work as a police officer in Florida again. ORLANDO, Fla. -- The man shot by Orlando Police officers during a confrontation at an Orlando shopping center Monday and died has been identified. Man shot, killed by Orlando cops at Colonial Plaza ID'd He was driver of van who drove at officers, police say 2 women charged with murder, grand theft in incident The man, 32-year-old Juan Alberto Silva, was the driver of a van who investigators say drove at officers after they tried to stop him and two women at the Colonial Plaza shopping center on Colonial Drive and Bumby Avenue. The two women, Brittany Chandler and Jocelyn Villot, appeared before an Orange County judge Tuesday. Orlando Police say a security guard caught Chandler and Villot stealing from the Marshalls store at the shopping center. When officers arrived, investigators say they jumped in the van, which drove at them. That's when police opened fire, striking Silva. "All of a sudden I heard this crack, or the shooting, and it was very scary and people said, 'You cant go out, you cant go out," said Dorothy Sloan, a shopper. Silva's body was found in the van a short time later. Chandler, 26, and Villot, 32, both face charges of felony murder, grand theft and resisting an officer. Two OPD officers are on paid administrative leave, which is standard procedure. A fourth person was detained at the scene but was not arrested. CAPE CANAVERAL AIR FORCE STATION, Fla. -- Striking United Launch Alliance workers took to the picket line Monday, protesting long work assignments and pay. United Launch Alliance workers go on strike Union workers protesting low pay, long work assignments At this point, no ULA launches will be impacted Several members of the International Machinists and Aerospace Workers 1163 and 610 union set up outside gates at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station. It was part of a nationwide protest including about 600 people. ULA workers at Decatur, Alabama, and Vandenberg Air Force Base in California also rejected ULA's contract offer. Workers say a sticking point is spending up to a month away from home, working long, out-of-town launch assignments and not accepting 1.5 percent wage increases. "It's more about what's going to happen down the line if we accept what they've done to us. They haven't bargained fairly, they really haven't," said John Louwerse, a striking ULA worker. At this point, no upcoming United Launch Alliance launches are impacted. Workers plan to strike until a deal is reached. National Geographic WILD is home to a big family of animal caretakers and rescuers. In these special episodes, check out how the Men of WILD are helping all kinds of creatures one case at a time. Fridays from 8:30pm AEDT. Sign up to receive the First Reading newsletter, your guide to the world of Canadian politics. First Reading is your guide to the world of Canadian politics. Sign up now> Thousands of feet up in the air, Ashley Spencer suffered a dangerous allergy attack. Fortunately, two doctors were onboard to help save her life. Spencer, 28, was traveling from Philadelphia to Cleveland when the incident took place last Saturday, May 5. A Terrifying Allergic Reaction According to News 5 Cleveland, the American Airlines flight only just took off from the ground when she passed out suddenly. It was apparently an allergic reaction to a bag of chips Spencer consumed before boarding her flight. She has a severe peanut allergy. "I stopped breathing," Spencer recalls to the news publication. "I still had a pulse. That's when the stewardess said, 'Is there any medical professionals on the aircraft? It's an emergency.'" Two doctors rushed to her side to offer their aid, Dr. Erich Kiehl, an electrophysiology fellow from the Cleveland Clinic, and a nephrologist from Duke University, according to New York Daily News. They used an Epi-Pen on her four times and then observed her vitals throughout the flight. Spencer's allergies aren't her only problem, though, as she has a rare autoimmune disease called Eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis (EGPA), a disease that she says has weakened her heart. In and out of chemotherapy the past several years, she's actually traveling to Cleveland during the incident to meet with doctors who could potentially shed more light on her EGPA. Spencer is set to visit Cleveland Clinic, the same clinic Kiehl is part of. Due to her disease, she adds, it's fortunate that Kiehl was on the plane to monitor her heart. The airplane had an emergency landing at Pittsburgh, where Spencer was shuttled to a hospital. Top-Notch Treatment From Her Heroes With her allergies and condition, it's not the first time Spencer has gone into anaphylactic shock. However, she praises the doctors on the plane who went above and beyond the call of duty. "I am beyond thankful," Spencer says. "I could have died up there." In gratitude, she bought plaques for the two doctors who helped her survive the attack. For his part, Kiehl is keeping a low-profile after saving Spencer's life. "Dr. Kiehl ... says he was just using his medical training and doing his job," Andrea Pacetti, spokeswoman for Cleveland Clinic, says in a statement on Daily News. "And that this was really a team effort among him, the other physician, the flight attendants, the pilot and the other passengers on board." By Online Desk The Cannes film festival is the world's biggest (even dethroning the Oscars, some would say) celebration of cinema, held every year in May at Cannes, a picture-perfect city located on the French Riviera. The 71st edition of the Festival de Cannes (May 8-19) will once again witness an impressive lineup of films from across genres and countries. Dozens of films will be screened as part of the competition, not to mention Out of Competition films like the upcoming Star Wars movie 'Solo: A Star Wars Story'. C for cinema, C for Cannes? Nope, Besides all the films and the film stars and the models, the Cannes film festival is also synonymous for its glamorous parties and haute couture. And not to forget, dazzling red carpet appearances, a much-awaited (and much-criticised, by stodgy film buffs) visual spectacle. Designer brands Dior and Chopard spend millions of dollars on five-star hotel suites along the Mediterranean seafront dressing their celebrity ambassadors for their few moments of fame on the red carpet. Cannes is also the paradise for film distribution where films which otherwise would not have had anyone taking notice gets its market. Heres all you need to know about what the Cannes Film Festival: HOW TO SAY CANNES From 'Cah-nes' to 'Kah-nes', the word is pronounced differently. If you're a snooty film critic, then go ahead with the correct one: Kan (the 's' is silent). The Palm D'Or Prize is the biigest prize at Cannes (AP Photo) HOW DID IT START Under pressure from Adolf Hitler and Benito Mussolini, the jury members at the Venice Film Festival changed the award winners a few hours before announcing the official results in favour of a Nazi propaganda documentary. Outraged French diplomat and historian, Philippe Erlanger, thought about organising a free festival, and this idea received approval from Jean Zay, the then French Ministry of Education. The International Film Festival opened in Cannes on 1 September 1939, at the same time as the Venice Film Festival. WHO IS IN THE JURY THIS YEAR In a year rocked by the #MeToo movement, the jury of the Cannes film festival is both majority female and led by a woman for the first time. Cate Blanchett, Chang Chen, Kristen Stewart, Khadja Nin, Ava DuVernay, Robert Guediguian, Lea Seydoux, Denis Villeneuve and Andrei Zvyagintsev are the nine jury members this year. The Cannes film festival jury (Facebook Photo | Festival de Cannes) WHAT ARE THE FILMS IN THE RUNNING THIS YEAR These are the selected films from the two major categories. Besides this, there are midnight screenings, out of competition films and more. Competition category Everybody Knows (dir: Asghar Farhadi) opening film Penelope Cruz and Javier Bardem in Everybody Knows (Facebook Photo | Festival de Cannes) At War (dir: Stephane Brize) The Wild Pear Tree (dir: Nuri Bilge Ceylan) Ayka (dir: Sergei Dvortsevoy) Dogman (dir: Matteo Garrone) Le Livre dImage (dir: Jean-Luc Godard) Knife + Heart (dir: Yann Gonzalez) Asako I & II (dir: Ryusuke Hamaguchi) Sorry Angel (dir: Christophe Honore) Girls of the Sun (dir: Eva Husson) Ash Is Purest White (dir: Jia Zhang-Ke) Shoplifters (dir: Hirokazu Kore-eda) Capernaum (dir: Nadine Labaki) Burning (dir: Lee Chang-Dong) BlacKkKlansman (dir: Spike Lee) Under the Silver Lake (dir: David Robert Mitchell) Three Faces (dir: Jafar Panahi) Cold War (dir: Pawel Pawlikowski) Lazzaro Felice (dir: Alice Rohrwacher) Yomeddine (dir: AB Shawky) Leto (LEte) (dir: Kirill Serebrennikov) Un Certain Regard Donbass (dir: Sergei Loznitsa) opening film Angel Face (dir: Vanessa Filho) Border (dir: Ali Abbasi) The Dead and the Others (dir: Joao Salaviza & Renee Nader Messora) El Angel (dir: Luis Ortega) Euphoria (dir: Valeria Golino) Friend (dir: Wanuri Kahiu) The Gentle Indifference of the World (dir: Adilkhan Yerzhanov) Girl (dir: Lukas Dhont) The Harvesters (dir: Etienne Kallos) In My Room (dir: Ulrich Kohler) Little Tickles (dirs: Andrea Bescond & Eric Metayer) Muere, Monstruo, Muere (dir: Alejandro Fadel) My Favorite Fabric (dir: Gaya Jiji) On Your Knees, Guys (Sextape) (dir: Antoine Desrosieres) Sofia (dir: Meyem BenmBarek) WHICH BOLLYWOOD STAR IS EXPECTED TO MAKE A RED CARPET APPEARANCE Cannes red carpet regulars Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, Sonam Kapoor and Deepika Padukone will be heading to Cannes to add glamour at the red carpet. Aishwarya will be completing 17 years at the red carpet and will be attending the festival on May 12 and May 13. Deepika will be walking the red carpet for the second time on May 10 and May 11. Sonam will be completing eight years at Cannes and will attend the festival on May 14 and May 15. Sonam Kapoor poses for photographers at the 69th international film festival Cannes southern France on May 15 2016. | AP File Photo WHY IS IT MORE POLITICAL THIS YEAR The most political Cannes film festival in years opens Tuesday with female stars vowing to protest on the red carpet, two top directors barred from attending and bans hanging over other movies. With the industry still reeling from the Harvey Weinstein scandal, and Cannes under fire for its dearth of women directors, Cate Blanchett and Kristen Stewart are likely to join actresses and women directors Saturday in a protest in support of the #MeToo and Time's Up movements. But with no less than a dozen films with LGBT themes, and others tackling child abuse, male prostitution and an eye-watering DIY sex change, it has all the makings of a vintage year for scandal and controversy. The 71st Cannes Film Festival begins May 8 and ends on May 19 (Facebook Photo | Festival de Cannes) ME TOO In a year dominated by the #MeToo movement, the Cannes film festival (the first one without Harvey Weinstein, a regualr) is feeling the heat to address glaring gender imbalances in the competition for its top prize, the Palme d'Or. Of the 268 filmmakers who have claimed one of Cannes' top three prizes, only 11 -- or four percent -- have been women, an analysis by AFP shows. New Zealand's Jane Campion remains the only female director to have received the highest accolade, the Palme d'Or, awarded for her masterpiece "The Piano Lesson" in 1993. This year's selections, including three female directors among the 21 Palme contenders, have done little to quell pleas for more female storytellers at the world's most prestigious film festival. Questions of gender equality are especially pointed at Cannes, which for the last 20 years had been a seaside playground for Harvey Weinstein, long one of the festival's most ubiquitous operators. Some say the the move to have a female majority jury, headed by Cate Blanchett, an outspoken member of the Time's Up movement, is merely a pacification attempt. NETFLIX Online streaming giant Netflix withdrew five films in the running for the world's top festival after Cannes artistic director Thierry Fremaux had announced a ban on films from the main competition which do not have a proper theatrical release in France. A film in France can be streamed online only three years after its theatrical release. Last year, cinema owners protested at the inclusion of two of Netflix's films, "Okja" and "The Meyerowitz Stories". "Netflix are cinephiles, people of taste who love cinema, and who have made possible what was never done before," Fremaux told French radio. "Again last night I wrote to my friends at Netflix so that we might find a solution. They find our love for (watching films in) cinemas hard to understand," he added. DIRECTORS IN CONFLICT WITH LAW Terry Gilliam A Paris court will weigh whether the festival can legally show Monty Python star Terry Gilliam's long-awaited film "The Man Who Killed Don Quixote" or not. Portuguese producer Paulo Branco, who initially worked with Gilliam on the film, claimed he has the rights to the movie and sued Cannes organizers to stop them from showing it. Gilliam, 77, contested Branco's claims. Judges in Paris will decide Wednesday whether the film, which Gilliam has laboured on for nearly two decades, can be shown. Rafiki The first Kenyan movie to be selected for the world's top festival has already been banned in its homeland for daring to depict a lesbian romance. The Kenya Film Classification Board has banned the film 'Rafiki' which depicts a love story between two women, accusing it of having "clear intent to promote lesbianism in Kenya contrary to the law." Three Faces Despite a plea by US director Oliver Stone, Tehran has refused to lift a travel ban on Iranian master Jafar Panahi, whose "Three Faces" is in the running for the top Palme d'Or prize. The dissident director made it clandestinely after being banned from making films for 20 years for his activism after the "stolen election" of 2009. Kirill Serebrennikov Appeals to bail Russia's Kirill Serebrennikov, under house arrest in Moscow on embezzlement charges his supporters claim are political, have also fallen on deaf ears. His film 'Leto' tells the story of Soviet-Korean rock legend Viktor Tsoi, whose songs are seen in Russia as anthems of the late 1980s Perestroika era. Festival director Thierry Fremaux told reporters Monday that it was ironic that both Iran and Russia should be "punishing the directors when neither film is political". WHAT ARE THE NEW FESTIVAL RULES Cannes, a feverish pageant of celebrity and cinema, is trying to both rigorously guard tradition and adapt to fast-changing times. The festival this year even altered its sacred schedule to eliminate morning press screenings ahead of premieres a strategic switch intended to blunt the effect of press-corps boos marring film premieres, a practice that had emerged as a kind of blood sport at Cannes. Freumax said the festival would improve the male-to-female ratios of its selection committees, name more women as jury president and, in the future, select more films directed by women. Selfies on the red carpet have been banned too. (With inputs from agencies) Champaign, IL (61820) Today Thunderstorms likely this morning. Then a chance of scattered thunderstorms this afternoon. High 73F. Winds S at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 70%.. Tonight Variable clouds with thunderstorms, especially early. Low around 60F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 60%. I am a retired newspaperman. I live in Poca, WV, with my wife of 44 years, Lou Ann. I grew up in Cleveland. Three kids. Grandfather. Report all errors to DonSurber@GMail.com This week Yakima, Washington's Bale Breaker Brewing is celebrating the start of Oregon distribution with Maletis Beverage with a series of launch parties. The first launch party is tonight at Bailey's Taproom's The Upper Lip with two more launch parties on both Wednesday and Thursday at other locations.A variety of Bale Breaker beers will be tapped at launch events May 8-10, including some limited-release, small-batch beers brewed on the Yakima brewerys 5-barrel pilot system and typically only found at their onsite taproom, like Pipers Comet IPA, Equis Barrel-Aged Brett Blonde, Wood & Wire Imperial Stout, Wandering Creek Hazy IPA, and more. Launch events include: Tuesday, May 8 The Upper Lip (Portland) 7-9pm The Upper Lip (Portland) Wednesday, May 9 Beer Oclock (Portland) 4-6pm Beer Oclock (Portland) Wednesday, May 9 Belmont Station (Portland) 6-8pm Belmont Station (Portland) Thursday, May 10 Volcanic Bottle Shop (Hood River) 5-6:30pm Volcanic Bottle Shop (Hood River) Thursday, May 10 Route 30 (The Dalles) 7-9pm Look for 6-packs of Topcutter IPA, Leota Mae IPA, Field 41 Pale Ale, Bottomcutter Imperial IPA, and the limited release 5thAnniversary beer, Fresh off the Farm IPA, rolling out to accounts in northwest Oregon throughout the month of May.More from Bale Breaker Brewing's press release:Since its founding in 2013, Bale Breaker has become one of the most popular breweries in Washington state. The Smiths, a multi-generational hop farming family, started Bale Breaker to showcase the Yakima Valley hops that have grown outside their front door since 1932.Oregon craft beer drinkers have been asking for our fresh-off-the-farm beers, like Topcutter IPA and Field 41 Pale Ale, and we are excited to be able to make them available. said Meghann Quinn, co-owner and president.Bale Breaker has seen tremendous growth over its first five years, exceeding 23,000 barrels in 2017. Thanks to recent fermenter additions, capacity is over 32,000 barrels. The past twelve months have brought a talented team together, including three full time QA staff, giving Bale Breaker the resources to expand its production of high-quality, hop-forward beers.Maletis Beverage is thrilled to bring fresh off the farm Bale Breaker beer from the Yakima Valley to the great State of Oregon, noted Rob Maletis, owner of Maletis Beverage. A fourth-generation hop-growing family partnering with a fourth-generation beer distributor makes this partnership extremely unique. Our entire team at Maletis Beverage is eager to bring the world-class portfolio of Bale Breaker beers to our retailer partners in Oregon.Kevin Quinn, Bale Breaker co-owner and sales manager, adds, Our strategy has always been to stay close to home, and Oregon allows us to do that. We know Maletis is a partner who shares our entrepreneurial spirit and values.///ABOUT BALE BREAKERCrafting fresh-off-the-farm brews from the middle of a hop field, Bale Breaker is a family-owned brewery located in the Yakima Valley. Backed by four generations of hop farming experience, Bale Breaker started in 2013, and has grown to become the fifth largest independent craft brewery in Washington. With a 30-barrel brewhouse at a 27,000 square foot facility, Bale Breaker crafts four year-round canned beers, including the widely celebrated Topcutter IPA, and a diverse offering of seasonal beers in kegs. The onsite taproom hosts frequent food trucks and events, with a beautiful outdoor patio and lawn area, perfect for enjoying the Yakima sunshine. For more information, visit www.balebreaker.com or follow on Facebook and Instagram.///ABOUT MALETIS BEVERAGEFounded in 1935 by Chris Maletis Senior, Maletis Beverage is a locally owned and operated distributor of domestic, craft and import beers. The company also distributes a world-renowned portfolio of cider, wine, champagne, mead and sake, as well as an extensive portfolio of non-alcoholic products.Under the leadership of Chris Maletis Junior, the company saw tremendous growth as it built a portfolio of brands that have established Maletis Beverage as the preeminent beverage distributor in the Portland metropolitan area.Since 2000, Rob Maletis has continued to grow Maletis Beverage while also keeping the company true to the principles established by his grandfather and father. Under his guidance, Maletis Beverage has grown into one of the largest beverage distributors in the Pacific Northwest, leading the industry in service, quality products and customer satisfaction. Get the news faster. Tap to install our app. Access Newser even faster. Click here to install our app on your desktop. X (Newser) A couple attacked by a crocodile wedded days later in a Zimbabwean hospital, where the bride was recovering after losing an arm. "In one week we went from shock and agony to a truly amazing experience," 27-year-old Jamie Fox told the AP on Monday. Fox and his then fiancee, Zenele Ndlovu, were canoeing on the Zambezi, one of Africa's longest rivers, when a crocodile attacked them on Apr. 30. Zenele lost her right arm and suffered injuries to her left hand. Five days later, they married in a hospital chapel. "We were glad we still had our lives and managed to keep our wedding date, although we had to do with a much smaller venue. The celebrations went ahead at the original venue but Zenele and I had to remain at the hospital," said Fox. He described the wedding as "incredible." story continues below Victoria Falls Guide, a travel website, describes canoeing on the Zambezi above the Victoria Falls "the perfect activity for those who not only want to see the abundant bird and animal life but also want to experience the peace, tranquillity and beauty of the Zambezi River." For the couple, the experience turned into a terrifying incident. "I was shouting, trying to save her. She was not complaining of pain when we managed to pull her out of the water, maybe because of the shock. We were hoping the doctors would save her arm but that was not to be," said Fox, adding that the couple had dated for about 18 months. "I proposed in February. We are hoping to settle in the UK so we are sorting out her visa and then we will think of the honeymoon," he said. Zenele was discharged from the hospital on Monday. (Others have not been as lucky.) (Newser) Actor Jeffrey Tambor has spoken out for the first time since he was accused of sexual harassment by two transgender women on the set of Emmy-winning Amazon series Transparent. In the exhaustive story in the Hollywood Reporter, the actor defends himself against accusations from his former personal assistant, Van Barnes, and former co-star, Trace Lysette, while admitting he wasn't always a joy to be around. "I did raise my voice at times, I was moody at times, there were times when I was tactless. But as for the other stuff, absolutely not," he said. The "other stuff" is presumably Barnes' allegations of sexual propositions and unwanted touching and similar claims by Lysette. story continues below He says anxiety over his role as a transgender woman had a lot to do with tension on the set. "I drove myself and my castmates crazy. Lines got blurred," he says. "I was scared, because I was a cisgender male playing Maura Pfefferman. And my whole thing was, 'Am I doing it right? Am I doing it right? Am I doing it right?' To the point that I worried myself to death." Tambor was officially fired from the show Feb. 15, but will return to screens May 29 with the premiere of Arrested Development season 5. Read his lengthy THR interview here. (Read more Jeffrey Tambor stories.) (Newser) First Lady Melania Trump on Monday unveiled the platform she'll work on while her husband holds office: "Be Best." It focuses on children and has three main objectives, CNN reports: well-being, fighting opioid abuse, and positivity on social media. As the New York Times notes, Melania had promised to fight cyberbullying as first lady but had initially backtracked on that due to criticism of President Trump's own online behavior; ultimately, however, she did decide to include social media as one part of a broader campaign. "There are too many critical issues facing children today for her to choose just one," her spokesperson says. "She wants to use her platform as first lady to help as many children as she can." More coverage surrounding the launch: story continues below Watch Melania's full speech announcing the platform here. The New York Daily News rounds up some of the issues the unveiling faced, from confusion about what the name means to website glitchiness. Some are also accusing Melania of ripping off the Obamas with the name of her initiative; The Root says she "swaggerjacked" Michelle Obama. The day before the launch, the Washington Post ran a lengthy piece on the Trumps' "complicated" life together in the White House, in which they have almost completely separate schedules and, basically, their own separate wings. Slate sees Melania's initiative as "a direct rebuke to her husband." The Post piece says Melania has a "very good relationship" with the permanent White House staff, and she's also enjoying increased popularity with the public: A new CNN poll found 57% of respondents have a favorable impression of her, her highest number in any CNN poll yet. The Post also takes a look at the history of first ladies' initiatives. (Read more Melania Trump stories.) (Newser) A university has admitted to misplacing a gram of weapons-grade plutonium, and federal authorities want to fine them $8,500. Per CNN, Idaho State University has not been able to account for the bit of radioactive material since 2003 but, nonetheless, believes it was properly stored at a licensed disposal facility. However, with no documented proof, the US Nuclear Regulatory Commission said Friday it must propose the fine. Dr. Cornelis Van der Schyf, vice president for research at the university, blamed partially completed paperwork from 15 years ago as the school tried to dispose of the plutonium. "Unfortunately, because there was a lack of sufficient historical records to demonstrate the disposal pathway employed in 2003, the source in question had to be listed as missing," he said in a statement to the AP. story continues below The statement said the plutonium "poses no direct health issue or risk to public safety." The plutonium was being used to develop ways to ensure nuclear waste containers weren't leaking and to find ways to detect radioactive material being illegally brought into the US following the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. While the missing amount could not be used to make a nuclear bomb, it could be used to create a so-called dirty bomb to spread nuclear contamination. The university, which has 30 days to dispute the proposed fine, reported the plutonium missing on Oct. 13, according to documents released by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission. The agency said a school employee doing a routine inventory discovered the university could only account for 13 of its 14 plutonium sources, each weighing about the same small amount. (Read more plutonium stories.) (Newser) As Arizona Sen. John McCain gets his affairs in order, focus has moved to the 81-year-old's funeral. NBC News reports that former presidents George W. Bush and Barack Obama have each been asked to deliver eulogies at the event at the National Cathedral in Washington, DC, while President Trump hasn't even received an invite. McCain, battling brain cancer, has reportedly asked Vice President Mike Pence to attend in the president's place in a move that "highlights the depths of the Trump-McCain feud," dating to 2015, when Trump insulted McCain's years as a POW in Vietnam, per Vanity Fair. As CNN's Jake Tapper puts it, per HuffPost, "This is a real moment for the country where an American hero, somebody beloved in many, many ways is saying, 'I don't want this guy at my funeral.'" story continues below Sen. Orrin Hatch thinks McCain should reconsider. "John should have his wishes fulfilled with regard to who attends his funeral," but it's "ridiculous" not to invite Trump, he tells CNN. "He's the president," and "would be a very interesting speaker and would do a good job for John," the Senate's president pro tempore says. In an editorial at the Boston Herald, Michael Graham even argues Trump "belongs at McCain's funeral." "Chances are there never would have been a President Trump" without McCain, who attacked the GOP base before Trump rallied it, Graham writes. But Rep. Gregory Meeks, a Democrat, disagrees. As "McCain is known for being honest, just the opposite of Donald Trump," inviting Trump to his funeral "would be a mischaracterization of who he is," Meeks says. (Read more John McCain stories.) (Newser) President Trump says he will announce his decision on the Iran nuclear deal at 2pm Tuesdayand he's widely expected to declare that the US is pulling out. European diplomats who've been trying to change the president's mind now say the chances of him staying in the agreement are "very small," the New York Times reports. The diplomats say they've been trying to persuade Trump that withdrawal could lead to confrontation with Tehran, but the president, who has called the agreement a "disaster," believes pulling out will bring Iran back to the negotiation table. The deal, seen as one of Barack Obama's biggest foreign policy achievements, lifted sanctions in return for a freeze on Iran's nuclear program. story continues below In a tweet Monday, Trump slammed John Kerry's reported attempts to save the deal, saying the US doesn't need his "possibly illegal Shadow Diplomacy on the very badly negotiated Iran Deal. He was the one that created this MESS in the first place!" Over months of talks, senior officials from Britain, France, and Germany didn't agree to changes in the deal, and in the event of a US pullout, they could face sanctions if they continue to do business with Iran, the Telegraph reports. Iranian President Hassan Rouhani said Tuesday that the country wants to keep "working with the world," adding that it's "possible that we will face some problems for two or three months, but we will pass through this," the AP reports. (Amid uncertainty over the deal, oil prices have surged past $70 for the first time since 2014.) Sunday I was surprised to see California wing-nut Mimi Walters, pushing out a message about how GOP tax policies are helping Americans. They're not-- especially not in her Orange County district, where people are paying significantly higher taxes because of those policies that she voted for. Katie Porter is Walters' progressive opponent in the June 5th jungle primary. Today she told us that "the tax policies that Mimi Walters is pushing will be a shock to middle-class families pocketbooks. These devastating tax changes will tilt our entire system even more towards the top 1% at a time when multinational corporations are parking record profits offshore, a handful of top-tier billionaires are getting richer and richer, and when the middle class is getting squeezed."Monday morning Reuters released a report by David Morgan, Republicans in key election races turn down volume on Trump's tax cuts . It doesn't take much imagination to understand why this is very bad news for rubber stamp Republicans like Mimi Walters, who will have to face a powerful progressive Democrat, Katie Porter, with a coherent message of economic revitalization very different from Walters' bullshit. Morgan noted that right after congressional Republicans passed their tax scam in December-- a reverse Robin Hood operation that robs from the poor to give to the wealthy-- GOP leaders like Trump, Paul Ryan and Mitch McConnell were "buoyant." McConnell told reporters that "If we cant sell this to the American people, we ought to go into another line of work." Soon they will have no choice-- to find another line of work. "Four months later, McConnells attempt at levity could prove prophetic." The most vulnerable Republican incumbents in the tightest congressional races in the November elections are talking less and less about the tax cuts on Twitter and Facebook, on their campaign and congressional websites and in digital ads, the vital tools of a modern election campaign, a Reuters analysis of their online utterances shows. All told, the number of tax messages has fallen by 44 percent since January. For several congressmen in tough reelection fights, Steve Knight in California, Jason Lewis in Minnesota, and Don Bacon in Nebraska, messaging is down much more-- as much as 72 percent. Right after the tax law passed, lawmakers piggybacked on a surge of corporate announcements of tax-cut fueled bonuses to employees, wage hikes and job creation plans to tout the benefits of the bill to voters. As those corporate announcements trailed off in March and April, so did Republican politicians messages about tax relief, the Reuters review found. With the exception of a flurry of news releases on or around April 17, when federal tax returns were due, few incumbents kept up the pace. The Reuters review did not capture candidates email, direct mail or private conversations with donors or voters or stump speeches. Most of the 13 Republican incumbents in the most competitive reelection bids, and their aides, declined to answer Reuters questions on why they were communicating less online about the tax cuts. But a Reuters/Ipsos poll conducted from March 14 to 29 found that just 3 percent of American adults were aware of receiving a material benefit from the Republican legislation. Ford OConnell, a Republican strategist, said that is why his partys candidates need to energize voters by talking about other issues, too, like restricting immigration and stopping Democrats from taking control of the House of Representatives so that they cannot impeach President Donald Trump. Jesse Hunt, a spokesman for the National Republican Congressional Committee, acknowledged there has been a downtick in what voters are hearing from members and businesses on the tax reform front. He said it was because lawmakers had moved on to other issues. Candidates and members need to make sure that they stay focused on what is our signature achievement in this Congress, Hunt said. Five of the 13 candidates who did respond to Reuters said they do talk regularly to voters at events. The Republican tax law sharply cut the corporate tax rate, encouraged corporations to repatriate overseas income at lower rates, and at least temporarily, cut taxes for the wealthy and most other Americans. Many of the benefits to individuals wont become obvious until they file their tax returns in early 2019, and that is long after the congressional elections. ...Some polling results suggest that taxes are not the burning issue for voters that Republicans hoped they would be. A Quinnipiac University poll released in March said only 8 percent of voters thought taxes was the most important issue in deciding how to vote in the congressional elections. It was fifth, behind healthcare, the economy, gun policy and immigration. It is also harder for Republicans to talk about lower taxes in states with high local taxes like New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania and Virginia [and California]. That also happens to be where 10 of the 17 most competitive congressional races are. Many taxpayers in those states will pay more in federal taxes because the new law reduces the deduction for state and local tax payments. About one in four Americans expect their state and local income taxes to rise because of the Republican tax law, while only 11 percent expect them to fall, according to a recent Reuters/Ipsos poll. ...Don Bacon, of Nebraskas 2nd district, sees economic growth, and the threats posed by North Korea and Islamic State as the election-winning issues for Republicans. Taxes will be one of the pillars of our campaign, but more indirectly. In the end, its going to be about an economy thats growing. (Newser) Is Rudy Giuliani going to go the way of the Mooch? Insiders tell Politico that President Trump is becoming increasingly frustrated with his new lawyer and is considering firing him after days of media drama resembling the short-lived tenure of former White House communications director Anthony Scaramucci. In his recent media blitz, Giuliani has drawn fresh attention to the Stormy Daniels hush money saga, contradicted earlier statements made by Trump and attorney Michael Cohen, hinted Trump may have paid off other women, and suggested the president might plead the Fifth in the Russia investigation. Sources tell the AP that Trump has told aides that Giuliani might be "benched" from future TV interviews. story continues below Trump said Friday that Giuliani is a "great guy" who will soon "get his facts straight." The remarksand Giuliani's media appearanceswere mocked by late-night hosts Monday, the New York Times reports. "He's a former mayor and US attorney whos now the lawyer for the president of the United States, and Trump talks about him like hes a trainee at Chipotle," Seth Meyers quipped. "'Excuse me, my burrito fell apart.' 'I'm sorry, he just started yesterday. He's a great guy.'" White House press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders said Monday that Trump still feels Giuliani "adds value" to his legal team. Scaramucci, meanwhile, says he is enjoying the comparison. Giuliani "is loyal, tough, and a fierce competitor," he tweeted. (Read more Rudy Giuliani stories.) (Newser) Army wife Angela Ricketts was soaking in a bubble bath in her Colorado home, leafing through a memoir, when a message appeared on her iPhone from hackers threatening to slaughter her family. "Dear Angela!" the Facebook message read. "Bloody Valentine's Day!" Ricketts was one of five military wives who received death threats from the self-styled CyberCaliphate on the morning of Feb. 10, 2015. The warnings led to days of anguished media coverage of ISIS militants' online reach. Except it wasn't ISIS. The AP has found evidence that the women were targeted not by jihadists but by the same Russian hacking group that intervened in the American election and exposed the emails of Hillary Clinton's presidential campaign chairman, John Podesta. story continues below The operation's attempt to hype the threat of radical Islam presaged the inflammatory messages pushed by online trolls during the US presidential race. Links between CyberCaliphate and the Russian hackerstypically nicknamed Fancy Bear or APT28have been documented previously. On both sides of the Atlantic, the consensus is that the two groups are closely related. But that consensus never filtered through to the women involved, many of whom were convinced they had been targeted by ISIS sympathizers right up until the AP contacted them. "Never in a million years did I think that it was the Russians," says Ricketts, an author and advocate for veterans and military families. She calls the revelation "mind blowing." (Read more Russian hackers stories.) (Newser) John Oliver publicly and gleefully spent like a drunken sailor at Russell Crowe's very successful divorce auctionto the tune of almost $80,000 on items that included a used leather jock strapbut Crowe just dropped the mic on the late-night host, reports the Guardian. After musing earlier this month about finding "something special" to do with the money, Crowe has apparently found his cause: The John Oliver Koala Chlamydia Ward at the Australia Zoo's wildlife hospital. The actor tweeted a video in which Terri Irwin and her children Bindi and Robert announced Oliver's new honor, complete with a plaque. story continues below For his part, Oliver delightedly seems to think he's now reached the pinnacle, notes People. "Well played, Russell Crowe. Well played, indeed. That may honestly be the greatest thing Ive ever seen, said Oliver as he pretended to clean out his desk on the set of Last Week Tonight. "What Im essentially saying here is weve accomplished everything we set out to do on this show. Which means thanks very much everyone, but we are f---ing done here. Thats right, lets shut it down. This show is over." (Read more John Oliver stories.) (Newser) If you dread doing burpees, this stat might make you blanch: A Melbourne, Australia, woman set a world record last weekend for the most burpees done in 60 minutes by a female at 1,490, topping the previous record of 1,321. Except the internet is freaking out a bit over whether they were really burpees at all, thanks to a short video 7 News Adelaide posted to Facebook that shows her doing them. According to the folks at Guinness World Records, the start position is with hands and feet on the ground in a plank; all Elizabeth Llorente, 37, had to do when she got to the jump position was remove her hands and feet from the ground. So the personal trainer gives a little froglike hop rather than standing up and doing a full jump with arms to the sky; she also skips the pushup element. story continues below "I definitely know what a burpee is," Llorente tells the Washington Post, which notes she trained for three months before undertaking the challenge and did burpee sessions as long as two hours. She says she was just sticking to the rules and keeping "as close to the floor as possible in order to minimize energy output for the maximum number of reps in total." The video has been viewed more than 1 million times, and commenters aren't convinced. "Still waiting for that first rep," quips one. "This literally is not even half a burpee she should do 2980!!! At least," wrote another. Others who had quibbles did note her good intentions: Llorente raised more than $5,000 for Multiple Sclerosis Australia as part of her effort; news.com.au reports her best friend and one of her clients have MS. (This feat is a more gluttonous one.) (Newser) It's a huge day for both political parties with primary voters in four statesWest Virginia, Ohio, Indiana, and North Carolinagoing to the polls. Despite the small number of states involved, the results could go a long way in determining which party will be in control of the Senate next year. The race getting the most attention is in West Virginia, where a once-imprisoned coal executive, Don Blankenship, is vying to become the GOP candidate for the Senate against two more mainstream opponents. Republican leaders, including President Trump, are actively trying to prevent that. More details and highlights: Blankenship: The GOP thinks it has a rare chance to flip a Senate seat in November by ousting vulnerable Democratic incumbent Joe Manchin in West Virginia. But party leaders say that won't happen if the controversial Blankenship wins Tuesday's primary. Late polls show he has a chance, however, especially if his two GOP foes "split the anti-Blankenship vote," per Politico. The GOP thinks it has a rare chance to flip a Senate seat in November by ousting vulnerable Democratic incumbent Joe Manchin in West Virginia. But party leaders say that won't happen if the controversial Blankenship wins Tuesday's primary. Late polls show he has a chance, however, especially if his two GOP foes "split the anti-Blankenship vote," per Politico. How bad? So what if Blankenship wins? "I don't know," says John Thune of South Dakota, the third-ranking Republican senator. "But let's just hope and pray that that doesn't happen." It's possible the party would cut ties with its own nominee in November, reports the Washington Post. story continues below Indiana Senate: This is another closely watched contest because incumbent Joe Donnelly is seen as one of the most vulnerable Senate Democrats up for re-election, reports the Hill. Three Republicans (Reps. Luke Messer and Todd Rokita, along with businessman Mike Braun) are competing for the nomination. All are big Trump supporters, and the GOP is confident any of them can defeat Donnelly. Braun was surging in late polls. This is another closely watched contest because incumbent Joe Donnelly is seen as one of the most vulnerable Senate Democrats up for re-election, reports the Hill. Three Republicans (Reps. Luke Messer and Todd Rokita, along with businessman Mike Braun) are competing for the nomination. All are big Trump supporters, and the GOP is confident any of them can defeat Donnelly. Braun was surging in late polls. Ohio Senate: Trump is strongly backing Rep. Jim Renacci against businessman Mike Gibbons to be the GOP candidate to face Democratic incumbent Sherrod Brown in November, reports the New York Times. As with West Virginia and Indiana, Trump carried the state in 2016, and the Times sees Ohio as more of a bellwether than the other two. Trump is strongly backing Rep. Jim Renacci against businessman Mike Gibbons to be the GOP candidate to face Democratic incumbent Sherrod Brown in November, reports the New York Times. As with West Virginia and Indiana, Trump carried the state in 2016, and the Times sees Ohio as more of a bellwether than the other two. Ohio governor: The race to replace Republican John Kasich is wide open and also "one of the most important governor's races in the country," explains Vox. On the Democratic side, it's Rich Cordray (former head of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau) against former Congressman Dennis Kucinich. For the GOP, it's State Attorney General Mike DeWine vs. Lieutenant Governor Mary Taylor. ObamaCare and a brewing FBI corruption probe are factors. The race to replace Republican John Kasich is wide open and also "one of the most important governor's races in the country," explains Vox. On the Democratic side, it's Rich Cordray (former head of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau) against former Congressman Dennis Kucinich. For the GOP, it's State Attorney General Mike DeWine vs. Lieutenant Governor Mary Taylor. ObamaCare and a brewing FBI corruption probe are factors. Ohio special election: Democrats think they can steal a GOP seat in traditionally red territory in the contest to replace Republican Pat Tiberi. The primaries will determine who will face off in that August vote, and the key contest is on the GOP side, between the establishment pick (state Sen. Troy Balderson) and a more conservative hard-liner (Melanie Leneghan), per Talking Points Memo. Either way, Republicans are leery of another close special-election contest. Democrats think they can steal a GOP seat in traditionally red territory in the contest to replace Republican Pat Tiberi. The primaries will determine who will face off in that August vote, and the key contest is on the GOP side, between the establishment pick (state Sen. Troy Balderson) and a more conservative hard-liner (Melanie Leneghan), per Talking Points Memo. Either way, Republicans are leery of another close special-election contest. North Carolina: The races here are lower profile than in the other states, but one to watch is the primary challenge to GOP Rep. Robert Pittenger, reports the AP. His challenger is Charlotte pastor Mark Harris, who accuses Pittenger (who features Trump in his ads) of not supporting Trump strongly enough. (Read more primaries stories.) (Newser) In 2000, Paige Patterson told a story, and 18 years later, it's coming out of the woodwork and fomenting outrage. The Washington Post explains Patterson is the head of the Fort Worth-based Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, described as one of the biggest seminaries in the world. He's set to grab the spotlight in June, when he's slated to give the main sermon at the annual meeting of the Southern Baptist Convention, America's second-largest Christian denomination. But a tape of his 2000 interview was posted online on April 28, leading thousands of Southern Baptist women to call for his ouster. In it, he recounts counseling a woman whose husband was abusing her; Patterson's recommended course of action was for her to pray for the man. She subsequently returned to him with black eyes. "She said: 'I hope you're happy.' And I said 'Yes Im very happy,'" because her husband had gone to church for the first time in the wake of the beating. More: Patterson has been steadfast in saying divorce is "always wrong counsel," and the Fort Worth Star-Telegram mentions a 2013 sermon in which he elaborated on that point by saying a congregant who seeks a divorce could end up dissuading the judge from becoming a Christian. story continues below NPR reports a 2014 sermon is also causing grief. In it, he told of speaking to a woman, her son, and his friend. A teen girl walked by the group, and one of the boys commented on how "built" she was, to the mother's reprimands. "I said, 'Ma'am, leave him alone,'" Patterson recalled. "'He's just being biblical. That is exactly what the Bible says'"that women are "beautifully and artistically" created by God. NPR gets at the heart of the controversy: "How Southern Baptists should interpret their commitment to 'complementarianism,' a doctrine which holds that the Bible assigns different but complementary roles to men and women" ... [and] that women should follow biblical directions to 'submit' to their husbands." The remarks spurred Liberty University English professor Karen Swallow Prior to join with about 30 other women to pen a letter to the seminary's board of trustees requesting Patterson be removed. In the first 24 hours after it was written, 2,100 Southern Baptist women added their names to it, per NPR. Christianity Today notes this tweet from Prior: "This is the most heartbreaking letter Ive ever signed. Ive been Baptist most of my life, Southern Baptist for almost two decades. I made this appeal privately but was not heard." An excerpt from the letter: "The world is watching us all, brothers. They wonder how we could possibly be part of a denomination that counts Dr. Patterson as a leader. They wonder if all Southern Baptist men believe that the biblical view of a sixteen-year-old girl is that she is 'built' and 'fine'an object to be viewed sexually. They wonder if all Southern Baptist pastors believe it is acceptable to counsel an abused woman in the way that Dr. Patterson has done in the past. They wonder if the Jesus of the Bible is like such men. We declare that Jesus is nothing like this and that our first duty as Southern Baptists is to present a true picture of Jesus to the world." In an April 29 email to the Post, Patterson stated that "75 years of experience teaches me (though a slow learner) that no one's life is made materially better by entering these discussions. I have said enough." That same day he posted a 600-word statement that spoke of a "deliberate misrepresentation" and "hatred." As for the black-eye story, he wrote, "I was happynot that she had suffered from his anger, but that God had used her to move her husband to conviction of his sin. I knew that she was going to be happy for him also. That morning, he did make his decision for Christ public before the church, and she was ecstatic." "I can't apologize for what I didn't do wrong," he told the Post on Friday. NPR on Monday reported he had thus far not apologized for the remarks. The Star-Telegram reports Southern Baptist Convention leader Steven Gaines has offered only this Saturday tweet on the subject: "Southern Baptists are biting and fussy when we should be praying and weeping. Start talking directly to people, not about them." The Baptist Press reports that on Sunday the seminary announced its board of trustees will meet May 22 "in light of recent events" at "Patterson's request." (Read more Southern Baptist stories.) (Newser) Lava continues to flow on Hawaii's Big Island after the eruption of the Kilauea volcano, destroying dozens of homes so far. A new video shows how terrifying it can be, albeit very slowly terrifying (an expert told the Los Angeles Times over the weekend that lava was flowing away from one fissure at "significantly less" than 1mph). The video, shot by Mississippi natural disaster chaser Brandon Clement on Sunday, shows lava slowly crossing a road in the Leilani Estates community and then engulfing a Ford Mustang on the other side. "It looked like the movie [The] Blob, but on fire," he tells CNN. story continues below He watched the lava build up behind a gate, eventually forcing it open, before taking about 10 minutes to cross the 20-foot-wide street. He estimates it moved 300 feet in 35 minutes. As of early Tuesday, a dozen fissures, or lava vents, had opened in the area, and lava had destroyed 35 structures, the AP reports. Gov. David Ige has called the White House and the Federal Emergency Management Agency to inform officials he believes Hawaii will require federal help. KHON reports volcanic activity has slowed and lava is no longer coming from the fissures, but officials say the danger hasn't passed yet. "This is not over," a USGS geologist tells Hawaii News Now. "There's still magma within the rift zone. In the foreseeable future, this eruption is likely to continue." (Read more Kilauea volcano stories.) (Newser) In a move he's been signalling for some time, President Trump on Tuesday withdrew the US from the 2015 nuclear accord with Iran, reports NBC News . This is a horrible, one-sided deal that should have never ever been made," said the president in a televised news conference. "It didn't bring calm, it didn't bring peace, and it never will. Trump, who accused Tehran of lying about its nuclear ambitions, also said the US would be reimposing the highest level of sanctions and warned other nations not to assist Iran, reports the AP . After his news conference, he signed a presidential memorandum to make the move official. The decision puts the US at odds with its European allies, which urged Trump to stick with the deal, and raises the possibility of tension with Russia and China, notes the New York Times story continues below We cannot prevent an Iranian nuclear bomb under the decaying and rotten structure of the current agreement, Trump said in his remarks, adding that the agreement was "defective at its core" and an "embarrassment to me as a citizen and all citizens of the United States. Doing away with what was considered President Obama's signature foreign policy achievement fulfills an oft-stated campaign pledge of Trump's, notes the Washington Post. Trump cited documents revealed last week by Israel suggesting that Iran had a nuclear weapons program in the 1990s, something it has repeatedly denied, and lied about that fact during negotiations for the 2015 accord. "At the heart of the Iran deal was a giant fiction," Trump asserted. (Read more President Trump stories.) (Newser) Tom Brady showed up at the Met Gala, famous for attendees in extravagant outfits, wearing a tuxedo with gold embroidery on the lapelsand the internet can't stop mocking him for it, writes Brian J. White in the Boston Globe, where he implores everyone to stop making fun of the Patriots QB. (For a sample of the teasing, check out CBS Sports, which refers to the outfit as "a magician's suit.") Brady has attended a number of Met Galas, which always have a theme, and he's never adhered to the theme before. No one cared. "Lots of men show up at the gala doing the least with formal wear while the women are doing the most with all kinds of fun fashion," White writes. Commentators complain about the men not trying, but then "this year, when Brady tried, albeit just a little bit, he got dragged like a Cub Scout trying to tackle Rob Gronkowski." story continues below And that's reflective of a wider truth. "We still live in a world where men are expected to live within a pretty muted range of self-expression. Every time someone is able to step outside those expectations, every time someone can smash a gender norm, the world gets a little bit better." It's not fair to joke that Brady is a "joyless, soulless" bore and then roast him when he dodges society's expectations. "Sure, the jacket wasnt a huge blow against toxic masculinity. But you dont get a flower without nurturing the seedling. And you certainly dont get one by stomping the seedling into the ground. Lets give men (and everyone else) room to bloom. The world will be a more beautiful place if we do." As for Brady, who told People wife Gisele Bundchen chose the now-infamous outfit, it sounds like he's not a huge Met Gala fan; he told the magazine his favorite part is "the end." (Read more Tom Brady stories.) Sorry! This content is not available in your region which candidates. There are especially It's primary day in West Virginia, Ohio, Indiana and North Carolina, all states Trump won in 2016, but all staes with pockets of resistance and all states with lots and lots of buyers' remorse. There should be plenty of interesting results up and down the ballots in November when Democrats go up against Republicans. But today is the day when each party pickscandidates. There are especially bloody Senate GOP primaries in West Virginia and Indiana . But the most important primaries for Blue America today are congressional races in North Carolina's 5th district to pick a nominee to oppose Virginia Foxx and in Indiana's 9th district to pick a nominee to oppose Trey Hollingsworth. Neither is a "normal" place for an important race. NC-05 has a PVI of R+ 10 and Trump won the district 57.4% to 39.8%. And IN-09's PVI is worse-- R+13, with a Trump victory of 61.1% to 34.2%. Yet two of the most promising candidates Blue America has endorsed this cycle are running for those two seats. The DCCC has backed neither, nor have the Blue Dogs, New Dems nor any of the crooked Inside the Beltway groups that endorse and validate candidates in America. Jenny Marshall and Dan Canon have been on their own and today they have no one to count on but their own grassroots efforts. Dan tackled the question of why primaries matter. If youve noticed how our elected officials are mostly members of the 1%, then youve noticed that they are-- de facto-- not representative of the other 99% of people they are meant to serve. Its hardly surprising when they vote for measures that favor themselves and their friends and hurt people in need. They dont understand what most people are facing, so their solutions-- if they offer any at all-- are tragically out of touch, and wholly inadequate to address the myriad, complex ways everyday people are struggling. Low voter turnout in primaries has a lot to do with this. When we dont get to know candidates and dont support candidates who are, in a word, us, we allow the person with the most money-- and the wealthiest friends-- to be the loudest and most persuasive voice. In order to take back our government and elect people who will in fact serve us-- all of us-- we must seek out and support candidates who are truly representative of the people they would serve. I was raised by a single, working mom, dropped out of high school, earned my GED, and became the first person in my family to graduate college. Im not the model of a politician that weve come to expect (and largely dislike) in the United States. Ive lived paycheck to paycheck. I've gone without health insurance. I have student loan debt. I've been divorced and remarried. From representing people here for years - and experiencing the problems of the working poor in my own life-- I've gained an intimate knowledge of the real problems we face every day. Ive learned to listen, and I've learned that real solutions come not from Washington D.C., but from working directly with people who are experiencing real problems. I have a lifetime of personal and professional experience doing just that-- and getting real results. My first order of business will be to establish a substantial constituent services program right here in IN-09. People here do not want platitudes and promises; they want to see you getting elbow-deep in the community and taking real action. I plan to run services out of those offices-- enough that no one has to drive a half-day to reach one - that are responsive to everyday constituent needs, and also a hub for directing people to other valuable resources in their communities. People need to know that the federal government is doing something for them, and what better way to show that than to... do things for them? Not just by voting for legislation, but on a day-to-day, personal basis. This is has been sorely lacking in IN-09 for a long time, and is something I believe will lead to this no longer being a "swing district" in the future. Jenny Marshall came to our attention because she was a successful Bernie organizer in a state where Bernie's message hadn't penetrated yet. But Bernie did significantly better in the counties she was organizing in than in the rest of the state. We noticed right from the start that Jenny is a kind of Every Woman, a school teacher trying to make her community a better place for everyone-- and in a district where Virginia Foxx has all but ignored the 99% in favor of her own wealthy campaign contributors. "I became a teacher," Jenny told us yesterday in her last minute message, "to stand up for those kids who needed a little more help because they didn't fit the typical model of student. I advocated for their learning and their rights to be successful against a system that wasn't built for them. I got used to being the voice in the room that demanded we do better for our students. As my level of advocacy spilled outside of my classroom, I saw bigger obstacles that needed to be addressed. The push for charter schools and voucher was draining money from our already strapped public school system. My already struggling students were being left out in the cold. I began making trips to the state house to talk to the powers that be about the legislation they were trying to pass. I talked to everyone who would listen and dogged everyone who avoided me. It didn't matter what party, if the representative was attacking public education I fought back. I didn't take this on alone. I created a group that grew to over 9,000 strong of both parents and educators who also took on the General Assembly. We used our collective voice to demand our representatives protect education and return education back into the hand of the professionals rather than the bureaucrats. We were able to mitigate some of the more draconian measures they were trying to push. At every turn I stood up and demanded that we do right by our communities. That is why I decided to run for Congress. We need strong leaders who are not afraid to say the truth even if it is unpopular. We need people who remember what it is like to struggle to make ends meet just like the majority of Americans. We need people who don't just look past people's troubles, but who actively seek to help those in need. We need people like me who are committed to strengthening communities, empowering people and building a better future for all of us." It's not to late to make a difference for these two candidates who will-- unlike most candidates for Congress-- actually make a difference. If you live in their districts, you can vote today. If you have friends or family in their districts, you can call and try to persuade them to get out and vote-- for Dan Canon in Indiana and for Jenny Marshall in North Carolina. America is depending on candidates like Jenny and Dan to remake Congress and to protect the country until 2021 when Trump finally leaves the White House. "This is a weblog that is truly welcome in blogtopia a new blog doesn't seem to be frantically trying to score points for any party. That does NOT mean it's afraid to take a stand or be critical....You really can't predict exactly where The Debate Link will come down on all issues. It's not chanting anyone's mantra." -- The Moderate Voice "[A]n emerging genius in legal scholarship and commentary." -- Jim Chen "It's on my 1st cup of coffee rss feed." -- Hanno Kaiser "I heart this blog.... he referenced Wittgenstein, and it was entirely appropriate and non-pretentious." -- kath.A.rine "[F]unny, thoughtful, acclaimed ...." -- The Core New Delhi: Taking over the Congress campaign trail in Karnatakas Bijapur, UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi on Tuesday launched a blistering attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi, saying his speeches cannot fill empty stomachs. Gandhi was holding her first election rally in two years in Karnataka where the Assembly elections were due on May 12. Addressing the rally, she accused the Modi government of discriminating against the Congress-ruled Karnataka, and questioned his slogan of sabka saath, sabka vikas. Taking a jibe at PM Modis eloquence, Sonia said that Modis speeches were not enough to fill the empty stomach of poor. "Modi-ji is proud of the fact that he is a very good orator, I agree with this. He speaks like an actor. I'll be happy if his speeches can end hunger of the country but speeches cannot fill empty stomachs, food is needed for that... You cannot fill your stomach with your speeches. Modi-ji's speeches cannot cure diseases. You need medicine to cure diseases," the UPA chairperson said. Launching a counter offensive against the prime minister, who has relentlessly targeted the Siddaramaiah government over corruption, Sonia asked what happened to the institution of Lok Pal, the anti-graft watchdog that was proposed to be set up. Modi is "possessed by the devil" of the Congress-mukt Bharat and for the last four years he has only undone the good work of the previous Congress governments, Gandhi said. "Modi ji has junoon (passion) of Congress mukt bharat. He is possessed by the devil of Congress mukt bharat (Congress mukht bharat ka bhoot laga hai)... Let alone Congress mukt bharat, he cannot tolerate (bardasht) anyone standing in front of him. The country is surprised that wherever he goes he speaks wrong. He distorts history, and for his political selfishness he uses our great freedom fighters as pawns on the chess board," she said. Here are the top quotes of Sonia Gandhi from her rally in Bijapur: 1. Congress has worked for development of Karnataka and you must know that the central government is working in a biased manner when it comes to Karnataka. Congress made Karnataka countrys number 1 state and started numerous scheme for people. 2. Standing by each other and working together, that is the essence of Karnataka & of India: 3. We have worked tirelessly for the poor. We started Mahatma Gandhi NREGA scheme which was objected by the BJP and by Modi Ji. 4. Farmers of Karnataka have been suffering due to drought, your CM Siddaramaiah wanted to meet PM over this issues but he refused. By doing this he has insulted not only the farmers but also the state of Karnataka. 5. All states that suffered drought were given compensation (by centre), Karnataka was provided with the least. This was like rubbing salt into the wounds of farmers. I ask Modi ji, is this your sabka-saath, sabka-vikas? 6. Modi ji is proud of the fact that he is a very good orator, I agree with this. He speaks like an actor. Ill be happy if his speeches can end hunger of the country but speeches cannot fill empty stomachs, food is needed for that. 7. Modi is obsessed with the idea of congress-free India, he has been possessed with a ghost of that, leave Congress, he cannot tolerate anyone in front of him. 8. Wherever Modi Ji goes he says wrong things and distorts historical facts. He uses the names of heroes from our history for his political motives. New Delhi: A Dubai-based investment firm on Tuesday announced its entry into the Indian market with an initial commitment to invest $300 million in the real estate and technology sectors over the next five years. Relam Investment LLC will make India its investment hub in Southeast Asian markets, its chairman and managing director Sultan Ali Rashed Lootah said. "We have allocated an investment portfolio of USD 50 million to fund emerging technology companies and another USD 250 million into the real estate sector," Lootah was quoted as saying by PTI. The company is investing in three technology companies - Oya, Bricx and T-Hub, and the investment will be done over a period of next five years, he said. "In the real estate sector, we would be looking at investment in commercial as well as affordable, energy-efficient and sustainable housing projects," he said. The company is open to either invest directly in a real estate project or partner with any domestic company to invest, Lootah added. Relam Investment LLC, a joint venture between UAE-based Vault Investment and Vietnamese MIG Holding, also signed a cooperation agreement with Mumbai-based RRP S4E Innovation on Tuesday, to set up renewable energy plants in the country. The company also plans to focus on investments in energy, oil and gas, trading, healthcare, retail and agriculture sectors. For all the Latest Business News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. New Delhi: Congress MPs Pratap Singh Bajwa and Amee Harshadray Yajnik, who challenged Vice President and Rajya Sabha Chairman Venkaiah Naidu's dismissal of the impeachment motion against CJI Dipak Misra, on Tuesday pulled out their petition. A five-judge bench headed by Justice AK Sikri declared the petition as dismissed as withdrawn. While withdrawing their petition, two Congress MPs questioned listing of their plea, challenging rejection of impeachment notice against CJI, before 5-judge Supreme Court bench. Senior advocate Kapil Sibal, appearing for the MPs, asked the apex court that who passed the order for setting up a 5-judge bench to hear the matter. Sibal said that the matter was listed before 5-judge bench through an administrative order by the Chief Justice. He said that the CJI can't pass such orders as the matter directly involved him. The Congress leader said that they need to have a copy of the order on setting up of the constitution bench by the CJI as they may consider challenging it. However, justice Sikri refused to give Sibal the copy of the order, following that the Congress MPs withdrew their petition. Early on Monday, Bajwa and Yajnik had filed a petition in the apex court challenging Naidu's dismissal of the impeachment motion notice against CJI Misra. In their petition, the Congress MPs said that the decision by the Rajya Sabha Chairman was "illegal and arbitrary" and taken in a "cavalier, cryptic and abrupt manner". On Monday, CJI Misra had set up a five-judge constitution bench, comprising Justices AK Sikri, SA Bobde, NV Ramana, Arun Mishra and AK Goel, to hear the petition challenging rejection of his removal. The bench didn't include any of the four senior most Supreme Court judges who revolted against CJI Misra by holding an unprecedented press conference and raised questions about the apex court's functioning. For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. At UCOM only: Tv sets at 10% discount + 1 month free UMIX package + 4k tv channel Ameriabanks Special Offer for New Clients of Hrazdan Branch "Fall forward": Gurgen Khachatryan, the Co-Founder of the Galaxy Group of Companies, addressed a message to young people in Armenia UCOM hosted interns of Russian CBOSS corporation for a month Google Ad The 20-episode Bloody bet thriller to be broadcast on Ucom's Armenia Premium TV channel Statement by the Co-Chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group UCOM offers affordable gadgets at bigger discount Foreign Minister of Armenia Ararat Mirzoyan will pay a working visit to New York Governments preventing publication of Haykakan Zhamanak newspaper during state of emergency UCOM prolongs the unlimited internet offer for the level up 4700 and level up 5500 subscribers Ucom employees received recognition for their services to the homeland Karen Vardanyan has allocated 105 million AMD to rescue the Yerevan Botanical Garden. 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Artak Hanesyan UCOMS LEVEL UP 1700 REGIONAL TARIFF PLAN USERS TO RECEIVE MORE THAN THOSE IN YEREVAN Joint statement Statement by the Co-Chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group Covid-19: 163 new cases in Armenia Armenia: Remarks by Commissioner Oliver Varhelyi at the press point with Acting Deputy Prime Minister Mher Grigoryan The United States Welcomes Azerbaijans Release of Armenian Detainees and Armenias Actions to Facilitate Demining The Coronavirus-Related Situation in Armenia International aviation: Council greenlights signing of major agreements with four countries With UCOMs level up tariff plans subscribers have unlimited access to Netflix, Duolingo and Zoom Armenia: Statement by the Spokesperson on the early parliamentary elections New Delhi: With Karnataka Assembly polls 2018 just four days away, both the BJP and the Congress have intensified their election campaign trail in the high-stake south Indian state. Former Congress president and UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi will make a comeback after almost two years and address a public rally in Bijapur (Vihaypura) district. The BJP also switched over to mission mode as the campaigning will come to an end 48 hours before voting on Saturday. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will address three major rallies in Vijayapura, Mangaluru, and Bengaluru. The BJP, which has already released its manifesto for Karnataka, will also release a separate manifesto for Bengaluru. BJP president Amit Shah and Congress chief Rahul Gandhi will also continue their election campaign across the states. Highlights # 04:40 PM:A LIVE: UPA Chairperson Smt. Sonia Gandhi addresses a gathering in Vijayapura. LIVE: UPA Chairperson Smt. Sonia Gandhi addresses a gathering in Vijayapura. #MahilaParaCongress https://t.co/vkInh4I8qh a Congress (@INCIndia) May 8, 2018 #01:35 PM: Rahul's road show fetches large crowd:A Rahul gandhi is holding a roadshow inA Gauribidanur, Karnataka.A Earlier he offered floral tributes to Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose at Chikkaballapur. # 01:30 PM: Congress done nothing for farmers:A What has the Congress done for the farmers of Karnataka? When the state was suffering due to droughts, Ministers handling key portfolios were busy in Delhi doing politics. # 01:27 PM: Congress searching excuses for defeat:A Instead of going among the people, the Congress leaders are thinking about what excuses to make about a certain defeat. # 01:25 PM: The large crowd means support for BJP: "People have gathered here for this rally in large numbers. They are here because they want to show their support for BJP and aspire a better life in the coming five years," says PM. People have gathered here for this rally in large numbers. They are here because they want to show their support for BJP and aspire a better life in the coming five years : PM @narendramodi #KarunadalliModiHawa pic.twitter.com/pav8EDvP81 a BJP (@BJP4India) May 8, 2018 # 01:20 PM: WatchA LIVE: PM Modi addresses public meeting at Vijayapura, Karnataka. LIVE : PM Modi addresses public meeting at Vijayapura, Karnataka. #KarunadalliModiHawa https://t.co/T4efuwbn12 a BJP (@BJP4India) May 8, 2018 # 12:30 PM: BJP hits back at Rahul gandhi:A This man just doesn't seem to get it.A A We are also repeatedly telling you that you stand on much lower footing compared to BS Yeddyurappa,. While HC has acquitted all charges against Yeddyurappa, you still face a 5000 cr corruption charge & are out on bail; yet you see pipedream of becoming PM! # 12:25 PM: Amit Shah a "murder accused":A Rahul Gandhi launched a scathing attack on BJP president and said, "People in India forget that Amit Shah, a murder accused is the president of the party." # 12:20 PM:A Why a "jailbird" chosen as BJP's CM face, Rahul asks PM Modi:A "We are repeatedly asking the Prime Minister why has he chosen a corrupt person, who has been in jail as his party's CM candidate?" # 10: 45 AM: BJP mocks Sonia Gandhi, says Karnataka needs no lessons from person responsible for wasting India's 10 years:A Today, Ms. Antonio Maino (Sonia Gandhi's birth name) is here in K'taka to save her last citadel from falling!A A Madam Maino, K'taka needs no lessons from the person who was solely responsible for wasting India's 10 precious years.A And to Congress, need to remind you of your 'import' jibe? # 10:45 AM: Congress chief Rahul Gandhi interacts with citizens in Bengaluru:A #10:40 AM: Congress President Rahul Gandhi's schedule:A Rahul Gandhi will start his day with an interaction with eminent citizens of Karnataka. Later, he will give a reception speech at Chikkaballapur. After that, the Congress president will hold corners meetings in Tumkur.A A The second day of Congress President @RahulGandhi's 9th phase of #JanaAashirwadaYatre begins with an interaction with the eminent citizens of Karnataka. We'll bring you all the updates! #CongressMathomme #INC4Karnataka pic.twitter.com/NE8GCu25j6 a Congress (@INCIndia) May 8, 2018 # 10:35 AM: BJP President Amit Shah'sA schedule in Karnataka today. Schedule of BJP National President Shri @AmitShah's roadshows on 8 May 2018 in Karnataka. Watch at https://t.co/6OZR86CVth pic.twitter.com/j58t5qprbC a BJP (@BJP4India) May 7, 2018 # 10:32 AM: Here is Prime Minister Narendra Modi'sA schedule in Karanataka today. PM Shri @narendramodi will address three rallies on 8th May 2018 in Karnataka. Watch at https://t.co/vpP0MInUi4. Dial 9345014501 to listen LIVE. pic.twitter.com/D6vgEEEVS2 a BJP (@BJP4India) May 7, 2018 #10: 30 AM:A Hello and Welcome to News Nation Live updates. Karnataka Assembly election is just four days away and both the BJP and Congress have intensified their election campaign for the high-stake polls in the southern state. From Sonia Gandhi to PM Modi and Amit Shah to Rahul Gandhi, star campaginers of both parties will hold rallies and roadshows to woo the voters. We will bring you all the latest updates and happenings from their rallies in Karnataka.A For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Tuesday slammed Narendra Modi-led central government for the sheer contempt of its orders by not framing a scheme to distribute Cauvery water among Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Kerala, and Puducherry. The apex court ordered Secretary of the Union Water Resources Ministry to appear before it on May 14 and submit a draft of the Cauvery management scheme. Earlier on February 16, the apex court had asked the Centre to set up the Cauvery management board to ensure distribution of the Cauvery water as per its judgment on the decades-old dispute. The apex court raised the 270 tmcft share of Cauvery water for Karnataka by 14.75 tmcft and reduced Tamil Nadus share, while compensating it by allowing extraction of 10 tmcft groundwater from the river basin, saying the issue of drinking water has to be placed on a higher pedestal. A bench headed by Chief Justice Dipak Misra told the Centre that once the judgment has been delivered on the issue, it has to be implemented. We do not want to come back to square one. Once the judgment has been delivered, it has to be implemented, the bench also comprising Justices AM Khanwilkar and DY Chandrachud said. Attorney General KK Venugopal had sought more time citing Prime Minister Modis busy schedule due to the Karantaka Assembly elections. The Attorney General argued that the Union Cabinet could not meet due to the ongoing campaigning for the Assembly polls in Karnataka. Senior advocate Shekhar Naphade, appearing for Tamil Nadu, opposed the AGs plea and said this is the fit case for contempt. Somebody has to be sent to jail. The apex court had modified the Cauvery Water Disputes Tribunal (CWDT) award of 2007 and made it clear that it will not be extending time for this on any ground. (With Inputs from PTI) For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. New Delhi: Amid the warning of a thunderstorm accompanied by squall in the national capital, the Delhi Police on Tuesday issued a traffic advisory for the public. The Police has put the field formulation on alert to remove obstacles like fallen trees and soft structure for the smooth flow of traffic in the city. Early on Monday night, a dust storm, with wind speed of 70 kilometres per hour, hit the national capital followed by a squall, bringing down the temperature after a hot day. India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued fresh warning of a thunderstorm, accompanied by heavy to moderate squall on acorss north India Tuesday. In wake of the thunderstorm warning, the Delhi police has started an emergency helpline. People can contact Delhi Police civic and traffic helpline 1095, 25844444 if they are caught in any trouble during the storm. The Delhi Traffic Police has issued following guidelines for the public: Avoid travelling during the storm. Keep away from overhead electric wires, tinned roofs, trees etc. while stopping or parking vehicles. In need, take shelter under concrete structure or strong shelters. Use dipper or parking lights while driving. Keep yourself updated about weather conditions and plan your journey accordingly. Be careful and alert. In case of any emergency, call any Delhi police helpline or civic helpline or Traffic police helpline 1095, 25844444 or whatsapp 8750871493 or tweet @dtptraffic. You can also follow News Nation Thunderstorm LIVE Updates for all the information about the changing weather scenario and alerts of India Meteorological Department. For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. New Delhi: Former Congress president Sonia Gandhis decision to campaign in the Karnataka assembly election in the northern part of the state from where she had won the Bellary Lok Sabha election in 1999 is a reflection of the seriousness with which the Congress views Prime Minister Narendra Modis electoral challenge with his impactful campaigning. Even Congressmen grudgingly acknowledge in private that Congress president Rahul Gandhi is no match for Modis oratorical skills and his penchant for swaying the masses. Sonia Gandhi has not campaigned for almost two years. She was absent from the election scene during electioneering in Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat, Punjab, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Meghalaya, Tripura, and Nagaland. The last that Sonia was into active campaigning was during a road show in Varanasi on August 2, 2016, ahead of the Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections when she had to be rushed to hospital in New Delhi due to ill health. While Sonia commands some loyalty in the Bellary region, she has not nursed that constituency and can hardly expect any magical results. Coincidentally, Modi would be campaigning in the same district on the day Sonia addresses her rally. He would indeed have some wisecracks up his sleeve. Cleverly, Sonia Gandhis campaign was chosen to be in Vijayapura, located around 40 km from Basavana Bagewadi, the birthplace of 12th century philosopher, social reformer and poet Basavanna, the founder of the Lingayat movement. The idea apparently was to strike an emotional chord with the numerically-strong community. The Lingayats constitute a strategically-important vote bank because they are nearly 17 per cent of the southern states population. Although the Bharatiya Janata Partys chief ministerial candidate Yeddyurappa is a Lingayat, the Siddaramaiah government began efforts to wrench them away from the BJP on the eve of elections by announcing his governments decision to seek minority religion status for the politically influential Veerashaiva-Lingayat community from the Centre. The BJP has recovered some ground by competing with the Congress in wooing the Lingayat seers but there can be little doubt that the Lingayats will not vote en bloc with the BJP. At the time of the last Assembly elections, the BJP had forsaken Yeddyurappa due to corruption charges against him. That had led to him forming his own party which cut into BJP votes. The effect that had had on the BJPs traditionally-strong hold on that community was significant which propelled the party leadership to rehabilitate him as party chief. In the caste-polarised politics of Karnataka, this would be a test case of BJPs clout with the Lingayats, with the return of Yeddyurappa and the Congress new-found acceptability in view of Siddaramaiahs trumpcard of seeking special status for the Lingayats as a religious minority. Whether an ailing Sonia Gandhis wooing of the community by making an exception of campaigning in their area would impress them enough to vote for the Congress only time will tell. But there surely will be some propaganda mileage to gain for the Congress. Sonia is accompanied on the tour by her daughter Priyanka and son-in-law Robert Vadra. Whether Priyanka would pitch in with a speech at the rally would be interesting to watch. The limitations of Rahuls oratory, his inability to connect with the masses and the absence of any other bigwig Congress campaigners have been handicaps for the party. Siddaramaiah is a star campaigner but he needs support from the high command. Sonias participation will raise the morale of Congress cadres but would that be enough is the moot question. It would also be watched whether Sonia makes an attempt to build bridges with Kumaraswamy and his Janata Dal=Secular through secret parleys and/or through her speech. The turnout at Sonias rally would also perhaps determine whether the longtime Congress chief would decide to address more rallies in the state. New Delhi: For the first time, the government is seeking public opinion whether it should allot spectrum for commercial use without auction. A Supreme Court order of February 2012 in the 2G scam case makes it mandatory for the government to give spectrum only through auction. Interestingly, the arguments of the government are exactly the same as were given by former telecom minister A Raja while allotting spectrum without bidding that resulted in Rs 1.76 lakh crore 2G scam. Recently, the department of telecommunications (DoT) released a draft National Digital Communications Policy, 2018, inviting comments from the public. At the centre of the controversy is highly valuable spectrum (Rs 11 lakh crore as performer CAG Vinod Rais calculations that valued the 2G spectrum at Rs 1.76 lakh crore) in e-band and v-band that the government has been trying to allot without auction to a few companies on first-come-first-served (FCFS) basis. Under Section 1.2 of the draft Policy, the government has sought public comments on Enabling light touch licensing/de-licensing for broadband proliferation for allotting spectrum. De-licensing means allotting spectrum without auction. It also implies that spectrum has to be issued only through first-come-first-served (FCFS) basis as network installed by first operator has to be protected in case of interference. It is a settled principle of law that what cannot be done directly cannot be done indirectly. Just by de-licensing spectrum, the government cannot allot spectrum without auction violating the Supreme Court February 2012 order. Similarity between arguments of Raja (during 2G scam of Rs 1.76 lakh crore) and of the Modi government in allotting spectrum without auction Rajas arguments during 2G scam The arguments put forth by the former communications minister A Raja while allotting spectrum without auction on FCFS basis, in 2008, were: One, it will increase telecom proliferation (as number of players increased); Two, it will bring down tariff as spectrum is priced low; and Three, Socio-economic benefit of society as high telecom penetration will provide many facilities and services to people and increase their income. Four, Raja also constituted special committees comprising outside experts, mainly professors from IIT (Chennai) and IIT (Kanpur) to decide on various spectrum pricing-related issues. These special committees justified government views. Five, during the 2G scam, lobbyists of different groups quoted international best practices to justify their viewpoint. (Interestingly, some of them are also active now). Modi governments arguments To justify its move to allot spectrum without auction, the Narendra Modi governments arguments are: One, it will increase broadband proliferation. There is a need for optimal pricing of spectrum to ensure sustainable and affordable access to Digital Communications. Two, the government has to meet its goal of Provisioning of broadband for all by 2020. Three, it is needed for public benefit to achieve Indias socio-economic goals. Four, following Rajas practice, the Telecom Ministry has been seeking views of IIT professors and other outside agencies on issues related to spectrum allocation and pricing to justify its viewpoint. It is expected that they will also comment in the policy document favouring the government move. Five, the government has also quoted best international practices to justify allotting spectrum without auction in e-band and v-band. Now the role of IIT professors, lobbyists and outside agencies would become important. Value of e-band and v-band spectrum by Vinod Rai formula It becomes difficult to quantify the real loss to the exchequer if spectrum in V-band and E-band is given on FCFS basis, as the real value can be realised only through an auction. However, if we go by the methodology adopted by former CAG Vinod Rai under whom the national auditor had calculated notional loss, the size of potential revenue loss could be at least Rs 4,77,225 crore from V-band and another Rs 7,00,000 crore from E-band. In October 2016, the government sold 965 MHz of spectrum in various bands ranging from 800 MHz to 2,500 MHz for Rs 65,789 crore. The price achieved through auction for 1 MHz of spectrum was Rs 68 crore. In the V-band, 7,000 MHz of spectrum is available. Hence, loss to the exchequer could be to the tune of Rs 4,77,225 crore. Similarly, loss in E-band would be about Rs 7,00,000 crore. Supreme Court judgment on spectrum allocation In its February 2, 2012 judgment in the 2G case (Centre for Public Interest Litigation, (2012) 3 SCC 1) the Supreme Court verdict states: 96. In our view, a duly publicised auction conducted fairly and impartially is perhaps the best method for discharging this burden, and the methods like first-come-first-served when used for alienation of natural resources/public property are likely to be misused by unscrupulous people who are only interested in garnering maximum financial benefit and have no respect for the constitutional ethos and values. In other words, while transferring or alienating the natural resources, the State is duty-bound to adopt the method of auction by giving wide publicity so that all eligible persons can participate in the process. The constitution bench affirmed this order when the government sought presidential reference. Presidential order by the constitution bench clearly says: 83. we are convinced that the observations in Paras 94 to 96 could not apply beyond the specific case of spectrum, which according to the law declared in the 2G case, is to be alienated only by auction and no other method Pranav Sachdeva, who was a lawyer for the petitioner Centre for Public Interest Litigation in the 2G case and in the subsequent presidential reference, said: In the 2G judgment, the Supreme Court has made it mandatory that spectrum, which is a scarce natural resource, would be allocated by the government only through a transparent auction process. This would achieve both fair competition and maximising revenue for the state. This was affirmed by a Constitution bench judgment related to allocation of natural resources in which the Constitution bench said that as far as Spectrum is concerned, it can be allotted only by auction, Sachdeva added. Some DoT officials, however, are misguiding decision makers by citing the non-spectrum natural resource allocation part of the judgment with spectrum allocation (which can be done only through auction). It may be noted that when DoT sought TRAIs opinion on this issue, the regulator didnt give its opinion. It simply stated: From letter dated 08.06.2015 it emerges that the main issue is that in view of the judgement dated 02.02.2012, whether spectrum can be allotted by a means other than auction It is for DoT to take a policy decision as to whether it is legally tenable to allocate spectrum by any other mechanism (viz. administrative) than auction in consultation with the Ministry of Law. It appears that the draft Policy that has all figures in USD, million and billion instead of Rupee, Lakh and Crore has only one objective of giving spectrum without auction to a few selected business houses. Spectrum in V-band and E-band is important in view of the explosion of broadband services. It has high potential for providing both the high speed access services at data transfer speed of up to 7 Gbps and for backhaul spectrum. Japan and China are unlikely to mention that the waters and airspace around a group of uninhabited islets controlled by Japan and claimed by China are subject to a bilateral communication mechanism aimed at averting unintended clashes, Japanese government sources said Monday. Not making any specific geographic reference is a compromise on the part of both nations, whose relations have been buffeted by tensions over access to the waters and airspace around the Senkaku Islands in the East China Sea, the sources said. How the two countries address the matter will be one of the most closely scrutinized aspects of a meeting Wednesday between Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and Chinese Premier Li Keqiang on the sidelines of a trilateral summit with South Korean President Moon Jae In. On the economic front, Japan and China are making arrangements to launch a public-private sector council to consider specific projects of cooperation related to Beijing's "One Belt, One Road" cross-border infrastructure initiative, according to the sources. Tokyo is hoping to further improve ties through the launch of the council to focus on infrastructure development in third countries. There has been a recent thaw in bilateral relations strained by wartime history issues and the Senkakus, which China claims and calls Diaoyu. The islets are also claimed by Taiwan, which refers to them as the Tiaoyutais. The territorial row intensified after Japan decided to bring the Senkakus under state control in 2012, prompting China to send vessels into the waters around the islets. But last month, Japan and China held a high-level economic dialogue in Tokyo after a roughly eight-year hiatus, and also agreed to plan mutual visits by Abe and Chinese President Xi Jinping. Japan is of the view that the waters and airspace around the islands should not be subject to the "Maritime and Aerial Communication Mechanism," while China has argued otherwise. Hidden cameras were found in a restroom at a park in Toyota City that was used for a girlsa softball tournament over the weekend, reports Tokai Television According to city officials, a cleaning personnel found the first camera inside a garbage can for a stall of the restroom at a the Toyota City Softball Field at around 2:30 p.m. on May 4. The following day, another camera was found in a different stall of the same toilet. Both cameras are cube-shaped with 2-centimeter dimensions. The battery-operated devices are capable of shooting video, the officials said. On the morning of May 4, a girlsa softball tournament was held at the field. It is believed that the cameras were installed to take tosatsu, or illicit, video during the event. The city is now preparing to lodge a complaint with police. Work began Monday to demolish care home buildings in Sagamihara, Kanagawa Prefecture, where dozens of disabled people were killed and injured in a stabbing rampage in 2016. The work at the care home, Tsukui Yamayuri-en, started with installing temporary fences for noise pollution prevention and safety purposes. According to the Kanagawa prefectural government, buildings in which the knife attack took place, including the residential and workshop wings, with a total floor space of some 6,740 square meters will be dismantled by March 2019. Construction of replacement buildings is scheduled to start in fiscal 2019 beginning in April the same year and end in fiscal 2021. Facilities where no one was killed or injured, such as the administration building and gymnasium, will be used as they are after Tsukui Yamayuri-en reopens. "I hope the work will be the first step to create a good living environment for users," said Takashi Ono, the 74-year-old father of a resident who was wounded in the attack. In a bid to reduce the amount of food discarded uneaten, Japan's Environment Ministry will promote a campaign encouraging consumers to choose food products approaching their use-by dates, officials said Monday. The ministry will create promotional posters for the drive and start asking retailers to put them up in their stores around June, the officials said. Changes in consumer behavior are considered a key to reducing the amount of food products that are removed from the shelves for disposal because they are approaching their use-by dates. The U.N. Sustainable Development Goals, adopted in 2015, aims to halve per capita global food waste by 2030. Japan plans to include a national target of halving food waste by fiscal 2030 from the fiscal 2000 level in a new basic plan to realize recycle-based society due out soon. Sales of Sony Corp.'s new artificial intelligence-equipped Aibo robot dog in Japan are off to a solid start, with the electronics giant saying Monday that 11,111 units were sold in three months since its release in January. Sony said the new Aibo -- an upgrade on its predecessor AIBO launched in 1999 and discontinued in 2006 -- is seeing greater-than-expected demand, prompting the company to consider boosting output for the robot. The figure for the number of units sold through mid-April is the first disclosure since Aibo sales started in January. Sony sold a total of 150,000 units of the previous models. Unlike previous one, Nikol Pashinyan not asked questions (video) Discussion of Nikol Pashinyan's candidacy for the post of the prime minister started today at the special session of the National Assembly. Lena Nazaryan, a member of the Yelk (Way out) faction, said in her speech that there is a last chance not to go against the interests of the country and national security. In his speech Nikol Pashinyan mentioned that the victory of the pan-national movement will be recorded today in Shushi's liberation day. "The Armenian people today is as enthusiastic and victorious as those days, as they trust in the future and believe in their strength. There will be no privileges in the RA, and there will be no artificial monopolies, and the corruption will be ended, law will be established, our Government will be changed. The law should be equal for all political opponents. Those who are in the Diaspora, dear compatriots, the time of your return has come, I will be the guarantor of all kinds of obstacles and illegalities, and this process should begin immediately, this is also a security issue." Ruben Vardanyan and Noubar Afeyan congratulate Nikol Pashinyan on his election as Prime Minister of Armenia Ruben Vardanyan and Noubar Afeyan congratulate Nikol Pashinyan on his election as Prime Minister of Armenia: "We congratulate Nikol Pashinyan on his election to the position of Prime Minister of the Republic of Armenia and share the sense of urgency and determination demonstrated by the Armenian people throughout the process that culminated with this election. Together with many Armenians within and outside Armenia, we stand ready to support and propel Armenias just and peaceful development. With this turning point, we have an opportunity to bring together the skills and enthusiasm of Armenians across the globe who are able to contribute to accelerating Armenias and Artsakhs growth and prosperity. It was with this same intent that 17 years ago we began the Armenia 2020 initiative to rally global know-how and create scenarios through which Armenia could achieve a vibrant future. Since then, through our many joint socio-economic development initiatives - the National Competitiveness Foundation, the IDeA Foundation, the Tatev Gateway complex, UWC Dilijan, the Aurora Humanitarian Initiative, Foundation for Armenian Science and Technology we are learning how to rebuild Armenia towards its historic greatness and beyond, one initiative at a time. Starting from day one, we accepted as the ultimate judges and beneficiaries of our efforts, above all else the children of the day. During the past week, we witnessed first-hand the hopes, ambitions and power of students and young professionals who were the very children we had set out to enable. Today, the young Republic of Armenia has new leadership, entrusted with the mandate of its citizens to build a healthy and prosperous country, rich with humanitarian values, and committed to justice, freedom and equal opportunity for all. In only two years we will reach 2020. And although the goals of an idealized Armenia cannot be reached in just two years, the research and resources that already exist and that are necessary for the planning process can be utilized to accelerate progress. The sectors we researched and planned for in 2003 -- Education, Agriculture, Health, Tourism, IT, Finance -- remain critical for Armenias development. In an evolving environment of rule of law and equal opportunity, these sectors are destined to become the avenues for greater Diaspora and international engagement and the productive vectors of Armenias and Artsakhs growth and strength. Today, we remain steadfastly committed to enabling the future of all Armenians by supporting the President of the Republic and the Prime Minister in pursuing our common goals." Miami is not the only US city on F1 owner Liberty Medias radar. It has emerged that authorities are close to giving the green-light for a Miami street race for 2019. In addition to Austin, it would be the second grand prix in the United States. World champion Lewis Hamilton said Miami is a "great party spot" full of "beautiful women", but he is not enthused about the proposed layout. "Its not the one. Let me design it," he wrote on social media. There may be other American races on the cards anyway. F1 chief executive Chase Carey told RTL: "Weve made it clear from day one that our goal is to continue to develop the sport in the US. "We have talked about destination cities like Miami, New York and Las Vegas," he added. Carey insisted, however, that adding more races in America doesnt mean F1 is walking away from its European heritage. "I want to make it very clear that this is not at the expense of formula one in Europe," he said. "Europe is the foundation of this sport, its homeland, and as far as Im concerned that will always be the case." Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria, MACBAN, yesterday faulted the implementation of the anti-open grazing bill by the Benue State government on grounds that its lead to the recent killings in Benue.South East zonal chairman of the association, Alhaji Idris Gidado in an interview with journalists in Awka said the Benue State Governor, Samuel Orton misfired by implanting the bill, saying that it was the cause of the long drawn crisis that has claimed many lives in the state.If I was consulted on the bill, I would have told the government that the approach is wrong. What they said is banning cattle grazing and establishment of cattle ranches in Benue State and not what government has done, he said.According to him, the bill is indirectly a measure to deal with the Fulanis, noting that whoever advised the Benue government on the bill is not a good adviser.While commiserating with the families whose relatives lost their lives in the Benue killings, Gidado reasoned that the crises could have been averted if the state government had not insisted on the implementation of the bill and evolved another subtle approach.He said: Both the farmers and the cattle leaders are suffering from the violent crisis in Benue state. The government as a matter of urgency should come out with a blue print that will put an end to the killings. The crisis can be resolved through dialogue.Fulani herdsmen are seen as the killers in Benue because they are the people who were offended by that obnoxious bill. Thousands of cattles have been confiscated by the government while hundreds of Fulanis have been killed in the crisis.The Fulanis have no capacity to do what they are being accused of. If they have the capacity, they should have stopped the people who confiscated their cattle and those that killed their brothers.Gidado appealed to the Benue State government to carry out a proper investigation to find out the remote and immediate cause of the crisis in order to end the killings in the state. At UCOM only: Tv sets at 10% discount + 1 month free UMIX package + 4k tv channel Ameriabanks Special Offer for New Clients of Hrazdan Branch "Fall forward": Gurgen Khachatryan, the Co-Founder of the Galaxy Group of Companies, addressed a message to young people in Armenia UCOM hosted interns of Russian CBOSS corporation for a month The 20-episode Bloody bet thriller to be broadcast on Ucom's Armenia Premium TV channel Statement by the Co-Chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group UCOM offers affordable gadgets at bigger discount Foreign Minister of Armenia Ararat Mirzoyan will pay a working visit to New York Governments preventing publication of Haykakan Zhamanak newspaper during state of emergency UCOM prolongs the unlimited internet offer for the level up 4700 and level up 5500 subscribers Ucom employees received recognition for their services to the homeland Karen Vardanyan has allocated 105 million AMD to rescue the Yerevan Botanical Garden. "The Power of One Dram" to overcome childhood cancer Generation A 13 your chance to be the change President of the Artsakh Republic Arayik Harutyunyan met with Russian Co-Chair of the OSCE Minsk Group Igor Khovayev "uDays" special offer at Ucom: discounts for all smartphones and accessories for 2 days only Google Ad For more than 3 hours, 50 or more Azerbaijani servicemen have blocked the interstate road Call on the international community for an adequate response against azerbaijani aggresssion Transformation and trust are important for success in modern banking. Artak Hanesyan UCOMS LEVEL UP 1700 REGIONAL TARIFF PLAN USERS TO RECEIVE MORE THAN THOSE IN YEREVAN Joint statement Statement by the Co-Chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group Covid-19: 163 new cases in Armenia Armenia: Remarks by Commissioner Oliver Varhelyi at the press point with Acting Deputy Prime Minister Mher Grigoryan The United States Welcomes Azerbaijans Release of Armenian Detainees and Armenias Actions to Facilitate Demining The Coronavirus-Related Situation in Armenia International aviation: Council greenlights signing of major agreements with four countries With UCOMs level up tariff plans subscribers have unlimited access to Netflix, Duolingo and Zoom Armenia: Statement by the Spokesperson on the early parliamentary elections Tunde Bakare, senior pastor of the Latter Rain Assembly, has warned President Muhammadu not to allow the cabal make a mess of his admini... Tunde Bakare, senior pastor of the Latter Rain Assembly, has warned President Muhammadu not to allow the cabal make a mess of his administration. In an interviewith Channels TV, the pastor said Buhari has allowed himself to be misguided by certain members of the political class who have restricted him from taking decisive action on national issues. If a seventy something year old man is saying there are people that are teleguiding me, he will have himself to blame at the end of the day because nobody voted for the cabal and nobody trusted the cabal, he said. I do not know who that strong cabal is but if someone truly has the interest of this nation in his heart like he has claimed a number of times, then some of the misgivings should have been corrected. If there is any cabal there, then he has lost his power. So if you (Buhari) allow the cabal make a mess of this administration and this government, at the end of the day, the buck ends on his table. Bakare criticised a number of issues including how long it took for the presidency to remove the secretary general of the federation and the open fights between the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Department of State Services (DSS), saying he could not understand it. Commenting on governments battle against corruption since 2015, Bakare said it has mostly been selective. All I hear today is, corruption is fighting back. Its a thing of deep concern for me that up till this hour, almost three years after- except the likes of Dasuki who have been detained for whatever reasons- Ive not seen any serious conviction, he said. Ive seen pat on the back, via return some and live on the rest, and Ive seen sensationalism. If we turn the searchlight into the body politic in Nigeria, it would not be absolutely out of place to say that the synonym, veiled synonym for politics in Nigeria is banditry, regardless of who is in power. President Muhammadu Buhari has asked the senate to confirm seven nominees for the board of the Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC).... President Muhammadu Buhari has asked the senate to confirm seven nominees for the board of the Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC). This was contained in a letter read by Senate President Bukola Saraki on the floor of the upper legislative chamber on Tuesday. Jude Okeke, a judge of the federal high court, Abuja on Tuesday ordered the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to pay N180 million to Samuel O... Jude Okeke, a judge of the federal high court, Abuja on Tuesday ordered the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to pay N180 million to Samuel Okutepa, a senior advocate of Nigeria (SAN), being his professional fee. Okeke, who delivered judgment in a suit filed by Okutepa against the PDP, said Okutepa deserved to be paid the money for handling the cases for the party. The defendant is directed to pay the claimant N180 million being the earned professional fee for defending and prosecuting their cases listed out in the applicants statements of claims, the judge held. The court also ordered PDP to pay N50,000 to Okutepa for successfully handling the cases. The judge held that it was not right for the PDP not to pay for the work they knew was well handled by the plaintiff. He said the defendant claimed that they did not give him job to do, as no legal agreement was signed by the parties. The judge said in the records before the court, the applicant was given the brief by Gabriel Suswam, former governor of Benue, and the attorney-general of Benue. He added that the constitution of PDP recognised a state governor as a high officer who can give instructions on behalf of the party. The instructions given to the applicant to handle the matter is binding on the PDP. The defendant was aware that the applicant conducted the cases and never questioned the instructions of the governor, he said. The defendant kept quiet and benefited from his services, permitted and encouraged him to labour only to claim that a legal contract was not signed. The defendant is not in denial that the applicant did not handle the cases, but they claimed they did not engage him. President Muhammadu Buhari and the Attorney General of the Federation, AGF, on Tuesday told a Federal High Court in Enugu that they were not opposed to the suit, challenging the attempt by the National Assembly to re-order the sequence of the 2019 elections through amendment of Electoral Act.The Solicitor General of the Federation and Permanent Secretary of Federal Ministry of Justice, Dayo Akpata, made the position of both parties known at the hearing of the suit brought before the court by a chieftain of All Progressives Congress, APC, Chief Anike Nwoga.The suit has the National Assembly and the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, as the 1st and 2nd defendants while President Buhari and AGF are 3rd and 4th respondents respectively.Addressing the court presided over by Justice A.M. Liman, Akpata who came to court with a team of lawyers from the Federal Ministry of Justice, explained that by virtue of Section 4 Subsection 8 of the Nigerian constitution, the court has jurisdiction to entertain the matter, adding that the exercise of legislative powers of the National Assembly must be subject to review by the court.Citing relevant cases including Habib vs. AGF, AGF vs. ANPP and Attorney General of Bendel State vs. Attorney General of the Federation, Akpata argued that if in the exercise of legislative powers conferred on the National Assembly by the constitution, there is a defect, as to say that a bill is not passed according to the law, the bill is null and void.The Solicitor General of the Federation maintained that the Supreme Court could legislate on this issue, which constitutes a limitation to legislative powers.On whether the plaintiff (Nwoga) has the locus standi to institute the suit, Akpata made it clear that every citizen of the country has the right of access to justice when there is a breach of the constitutionHe also drew attention of the court to the fact that the affidavit filed by the plaintiff has not been controverted.On whether the subject matter is still a life issue, since it may have been overtaken by events, Akpata said, the case of Amechi vs. Omehia makes it clear that constitutional issue can never be termed an academic exercise.Buttressing his argument with the case of CBN vs. Oladele Amao, he said a declaration could be made even where a matter has been rendered dead, if the issue in question has to do with the constitution.Akpata added that the recent decision of the Abuja Federal High Court also looked at the same issues.Making submissions earlier, counsel to the plaintiff, Godwin Onwusi, urged the court to grant the five reliefs sought by his client.Onwusi asked the court to determine whether the National Assembly has the powers to compel INEC to conduct election in a particular sequence and even if they could, whether they could by law change the timetable already released by the electoral body before the passage of the bill.The plaintiff counsel argued that case laws show that the National Assembly do not have such powers, as the powers given to INEC to supervise, conduct and organize elections is not subject to control by either the executive or the legislative arms of government.Making his own submission, counsel to INEC, the 2nd respondent, Chineme Onuoma, said the commission was neither opposed or in support of the suit.The National Assembly was however not represented in court and did not file any documents.After listening to the submissions of the parties in court, Justice Liman reserved judgment for May 18. The Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, Ojaja II, has advised Nigeria political leaders to go home, rest and leave governance for Nigerian youths who he described as the owners of the country.Ooni of Ife Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi to Olu of Warri, Ogiame, Ikenwoli at his palace in Warri South, Delta stateThe monarch also commended youths in the country who he said make up 60 percent of the countrys population, for keeping the nation together because of the activities they engage themselves in.The Ooni gave the charge Tuesday during the launch of a N100 million Professional Chair and N10billion Endowment Fund for the Michael and Cecilia Ibru University, MCIU, Agbarha-Otor, Delta State.Speaking to the leaders, the monarch said: Youths of this nation owns this country. This country does not belong to the leaders and elders of this nation. Let the youths takeover, go and rest and rest very well.He stated that it is about time for the youths to have a sense of ownership by rising up to what belongs to them naturally, saying, Very soon, the youths would start claiming what belongs to them as this country does not belong to anybody else except the youths.The youths of this country should please come and take charge. We should all come together and say enough is enough. You cannot tell us what we should be doing, we would tell you what we want you to do.Admonishing Nigerians who make their money in the country and take such monies abroad to invest, the monarch said: Stop making money in this land and continue to spend it outside the shores of this land. It is not good, it is not adding value to this nation, and its not making any impact in this nation.It is a big shame because you are not laying good example for the youths that owns this country. You spend the money that you are making outside the land that is blessing you. Let us believe in this country, we do not have any other country or anywhere to go.The land too has a spirit in it, stop causing the land, stop using your mouth to say negative things about the land. Give back to the land that is blessing you in everything you do so that your dynasty can be sustained.Earlier in his remarks, father of the day, Mr. Goodie Ibru, said: I am assured that the visit of his Imperial Majesty, will further encourage our youths to aspire to greater heights as he has already inspired millions of young people in Nigeria and across the Atlantic.Todays historic visit to MCIU, will further cement the special relationship this university and the Urhobo kingdom enjoys with the Oduduwa kingdom as this special relationship, will strengthen our core values and preserve our cultures.On his part, chairman of the MCIU Endowment Fund Committee, Prof. Polycarp Chigwe while explaining how the institution plans on seeking donors for the fund, said: Though the donors are drawn from the alumni of the university, a greater part of the donors are made up from friends and beneficiaries of the institution. President Muhammadu Buhari will be returning to London on Tuesday for a medical check-up. President Muhammadu Buhari will be returning to London on Tuesday for a medical check-up. The president is expected to spend four days with his doctors, according to a statement issued by the presidency. Meanwhile, Nigerians have been reacting on Twitter For a health related trip. Nigeria is closing in on 60 years. We don't have a facility good enough for our president. Or maybe he feels the ones we have are not good enough. Two different things! #buharitravel #NowPlaying #Buhari is traveling again.For a health related trip.Nigeria is closing in on 60 years. We don't have a facility good enough for our president.Or maybe he feels the ones we have are not good enough.Two different things! #Nigeria May 7, 2018 That said, I wish him well & hope he resigns due to concentrating on his health concerns. Have any attempts been made since #Buhari took the presidency to upgrade the state of Nigerian hospitals?That said, I wish him well & hope he resigns due to concentrating on his health concerns. https://t.co/QJuEebHSIp May 7, 2018 President Buhari lied to Nigerians. Read his words line by line, compare it with today's reality. He has no integrity, now you know. pic.twitter.com/leKkDQf8de May 7, 2018 While innocent people are dying like flies every day at home, Buhari will be in London yet again to receive world-class medical care in London, a fraction of which he can't even provide to residents of the President Villa where he lives. Yet he wants to rule Nigeria for 8 years. https://t.co/qGcUA6zEHD May 7, 2018 Buhari has probably made more trips to London in 2018 than Dangote and Otedola combined. Jet lag! Mayor Of Obudu (@JudeAgba) May 7, 2018 Doesnt Buhari get embarrassed whenever he tweets about going to see his doctor in London? The Angry Nigerian (@amsoangryy) May 7, 2018 @USCongress_GTA https://t.co/8atjD64pOU So Buhari you are not ashamed. Nigeria Doctors are on strike because u didn't pay them, but u have money u can pay London doctors, ur a disgrace to humanity. APC Govt is a Calamity to Nigerians @realDonaldTrump May 7, 2018 President Buhari off to London tomorrow till next week. In this light, i will be off work from tomorrow too till next week. Na hunger go finish my family POOJA... (@PoojaMedia) May 7, 2018 Buhari the Junketing President... Lagos today.. London tomorrow ... JOSiaH . (@Joshariez) May 7, 2018 Buhari is going to London again and y'all are excited that "He has been summoned by his Doctor" when JOHESU has been on strike for over two weeks. The health sector is in shambles but 'Hail Buhari'. Oba (@OlaseniOladejo) May 7, 2018 May 7th. 2018 Budget nowhere to be found. Maybe buhari wants to show Aunty Theresa when he reaches London tomorrow before they pass it Dr. O-the3rd (@Edmundorbini) May 7, 2018 Pres. Buhari is going to London at the request of his doctor, hes going to treat his doctor. Our president is amazing! The Don (@basilokpara) May 7, 2018 I heard Mr. Sick-President is travelling again to London tomorrow for his treatment. The money Nigeria as a Country have spent on Buhari's health since 2015 would be enough to build second ASO ROCK. Jesse Ukachukwu (@JesseUka) May 7, 2018 Buhari has probably made more trips to London in 2018 than Dangote and Otedola combined. Jet lag! Mayor Of Obudu (@JudeAgba) May 7, 2018 President Buhari just loves flying around. If he truly wants Nigeria to grow, His doctor should fly down here instead, whatever equipments and knowledge he has should be brought down to a hospital here to improve our health care system. Mr. President think Nigeria, grow Nigeria Yul Edochie (@YulEdochie) May 7, 2018 when campaign begins later this year, I guess buhari will still go to London for medical check up. It clearly shows he's not fit to govern Nigeria. Samuel Opara (@_Samuelopara) May 7, 2018 The people of Birnin-Gwari local government area of Kaduna State, where a village was attacked and scores killed on Saturday, said more b... The people of Birnin-Gwari local government area of Kaduna State, where a village was attacked and scores killed on Saturday, said more bodies have been discovered as Governor Nasir El-Rufai visited the area on Monday.The Birnin-Gwari people under the auspices of Birnin-Gwari Vanguards for Security and Good Governance said, death toll in the Saturday attack has now rises to 71.This was also as the Vanguards said information from the survivors of Gwaska attack, has it that, Dogo Gide that killed Buharin Daji renegades are planning to attack other villages and towns in the area.It however called on the concerned authorities to further take security measures at Doka and Maganda districts from the grabs of the armed bandits.The Vanguards statement made available to newsmen in Kaduna on Monday evening was titled: THIRTEEN MORE BODIES RECOVERED AS EL-RUFAI VISIT GWASKA IN BIRNIN-GWARI.According to the community, As Governor Nasir El-Rufai visited Birnin-Gwari and Gwaska village today, thirteen more dead bodies were recovered and buried. This bring the total number of people killed to 71. Many people are still missing.We would like to acknowledged the solidarity visit by the Governor El-Rufai to the scene of Attack at Gwaska village today. Although he was unable to address the survivors of the attack due to resistance of the youth at Gwaska and Doka Village respectively.However, we commend the governor for identifying with us for the first time in this hour of grief and sorrow. It is our hope that, his promise of a military battalion in Birnin-Gwari will be actualized in earnest to forestall further attacks.We would like to draw the attention of authorities concerned to further take security measures at Doka and Maganda districts from the grabs of the armed bandits.We are calling on the authorities based on reliable information from the survivors of Gwaska attack, that, Dogo Gide that killed Buharin Daji renegades are planning to attack other villages and towns. We pray that God will not allow them.While commending the gallant vigilantes and volunteers as well as security agencies for their sterling performance in the rescue and evacuation of casualties, we are appealing for all peace loving people of Birnin-Gwari to be on alert and report suspicious persons and movements to the security agencies. The statement read. President Muhammadu Buhari has expressed outrage over the killing of 71 people in Birnin Gwari, Kaduna State. He said the killings ... He said the killings were meant to instigate war for selfish reasons, adding that they are not spontaneous.Buhari said: I am deeply outraged by this unwarranted, unprovoked and reckless destruction of lives by bandits who belong to the lowest level of civilisation. I feel the pains and devastation of the families of the victims, and this administration will do everything possible to ensure we defeat these enemies of humanity.The measures to end the killings and general insecurity in the Middle Belt were stated in a statement by presidential spokesman Garba Shehu yesterday.These include the confirmation that a new battalion of the Army and a new Police Area Command have been sited in Birnin Gwari.The statement said: The new Army Battalion and the Police Area Command are the latest in a series of law enforcement measures to ensure more effective protection of lives and property, in and around Benue, Kaduna, Taraba, Zamfara and Nasarawa states.Last week, the Nigerian Air Force took delivery of two new helicopter gunships, for deployment to parts of the country affected by banditry.A Quick Response Wing has been established by the Nigerian Air Force in Taraba State. A Joint Military Intervention Force is in Benue State..The Kaduna State Police Command also yesterday announced the deployment of three additional police mobile units to reinforce security in Birnin Gwari where 45 people were killed on Saturday in Gwaska village.Its spokesman Mukhtar Aliyu told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Kaduna that no arrest had been made, but that efforts were on to track down the killers.He said that the policemen were detailed to comb the area for the killers and other criminals.President Buhari also said security remained a priority of his administration, which he added would not tolerate the persistent killing of innocent people to set Nigerians against one another.These persistent killings are not spontaneous; there are subterranean forces with a sinister agenda to instigate war in the country for selfish purposes.Although unconventional war is particularly complicated, our security forces are making rigorous efforts to better understand these enemies with a view to decisively checkmating their evil attacks.In another statement, a reaction to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)s accusation against the President on killings in the country, Shehu said: What can President Buhari possibly gain from the killings? There is no intelligent angle from which you analyse the matter and see any possible gain for this government in the wanton destruction of life and property going on.For the new PDP leadership on the other hand, incapable of thinking big about the nation, they see and treat the unfortunate spate of killingS of innocent Nigerians as political gift, about which they seem very happy to cite as the basis for a return to power. They feel bad at every turn the country improves, which is beyond comprehension. They should bury their heads in shame.He added: The various lengths to which President Buhari has gone to end the spate of killings, such as mobilising state resources against the attackers, approving the setting up of new police and army formations in the affected areas, and the recruitment of thousands into the police and other arms of the military, are a few of the several steps taken , which a more reasonable opposition will acknowledge. Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo said on Monday that the Federal Governments efforts at fighting corruption and ensuring good governance in... Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo said on Monday that the Federal Governments efforts at fighting corruption and ensuring good governance in the nation were being applauded worldwide.Describing corruption as a threat to the nations existence, Osinbajo insisted that the scourge was responsible for the nations failure to save but invested only very little in infrastructure and jobs in spite of record oil revenues between 2011 and 2013/14Osinbajo, who spoke in Abuja at the opening of a five-day Open Government Partnership Week 2018, said within the period, despite the billions of dollars reportedly invested in security, the Boko Haram insurgency did not abate.The Vice-President had recently come under criticism by the opposition Peoples Democratic Party for commenting on corrupt practices under the previous administration.Undeterred by the criticism, Osinbajo while speaking on the topic, The impact of Open Government Partnership to Nigerias Anti-Corruption Efforts, insisted that for too long, the resources meant for the majority have been sadly cornered by a greedy minority.He said, Our government came into office on the back of a three-pronged agenda: ensuring security, rebuilding the economy, and vigorously prosecuting the fight against corruption.This last issue, corruption, has been an existential issue for Nigeria, threatening the very fundamentals of our existence.It has ensured that for too long the resources meant for the majority have been sadly cornered by a greedy minority.He lamented that the issue of corruption underlined every aspect of national life, from the security situation to the state of the economy.It was the reason why, in spite of record oil revenues between 2011 and 2013/14, we saw no savings, and very little investment in infrastructure and jobs, and, in spite of the billions of dollars reportedly invested in security, the Boko Haram insurgency did not abate, he added.He said the President Muhammadu Buhari administration, on coming on board, adopted a two-step approach to dealing with the scourge of systemic corruption, first by stopping grand corruption and the accompanying impunity.He said the Buhari administration had since its assumption of office three years ago made remarkable progress in pushing the frontiers of transparency and accountability in the Federal Government and the efforts were being applauded globally.Osinbajo further stated that the Federal Government saved more than N200bn after it eliminated ghost workers from the federal civil service.The Federal Government has also established the Presidential Initiative on Continuous Audit to clean up the federal payroll and pension systems across our ministries, departments and agencies and this has saved the FG over N200bn by eliminating ghost workers, he said.Also speaking at the event, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Mr. Boss Mustapha; and the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mr. Abubakar Malami (SAN), expressed the Federal Governments commitment to running a transparent government and ensuring citizensparticipation.Malami said Nigeria had developed a National Action Plan following a robust consultative process between civil society groups and government.It covers four thematic areas of fiscal transparency, anti-corruption, access to information and citizens engagement, he said.Meanwhile, the United States Ambassador and the British High Commissioner to Nigeria, Mr. Stuart Symington and Mr. Paul Arkwright, respectively, have advocated openness and willingness to listen to citizens concerns.Arkwright, the guest speaker who spoke on the topic, Renewing citizens trust in government, said in many countries of the world, delivery of critical services such as health and education were weak, resulting in the lack of trust by citizens in governments.He said as a result of this, people often do not pay taxes because they do not believe the money will be used properly.Instead, services are accessed through bribes because citizens cannot see any other way to get even basic health care or education.People suffer in poverty, and citizens become disengaged. In some contexts, this can feed grievances, based on lack of opportunity and marginalisation, which lead to support for violence and extremist groups.His American counterpart, Symington, urged the Nigerian government to ensure not just cooperation and open governance but also democratic freedom itself, the process or the idea or an action. Reno Omokri, former aide of ex-President Goodluck Jonathan, says two of the individuals alleged by Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo to have st... Reno Omokri, former aide of ex-President Goodluck Jonathan, says two of the individuals alleged by Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo to have stolen $3 billion under the former president, were not members of his cabinet. He also accused the vice-president of belittling his office by lying. While speaking at The Platform, a programme organised by Covenant Christian Centre, Lagos, Osinbajo the duo looted the nations treasury when Jonathan was in power. Osinbajo had said: Grand corruption remains the most enduring threat to our economy. Three billion US dollars was stolen in what was called the strategic alliance contracts in 2013, three Nigerians were responsible, today three billion dollars is N1 trillion and our budget is N7 trillion. The strategic alliance agreement (SAA) was between the Nigerian Petroleum Development Company (NPDC) Ltd, a subsidiary of NNPC, and Atlantic Energy Drilling Concepts (AEDC) owned by Omokore and Aluko. In a statement on Monday, Omokri said the vice-president had belittled his office by lying. It goes without saying that both Jide Omokore and Kola Aluko were private businessmen who had dealings with various corporations and whose dealings are the subject of litigation, the statement read. Yes, Diezani Alison-Madueke was a member of the Jonathan cabinet. Yes, allegations and charges have been brought against her. However, she challenges these allegations and is ready to have her day in court, but no-where has she ever been accused of stealing $3 billion. She has also never been convicted by any court of competent jurisdiction in Nigeria or any country in the world. He said it was unfortunate that a government embroiled in controversy over the illegal withdrawal from the excess crude account could be levelling allegations against others. It is funny that an administration that illegally withdrew $496 million from the excess crude account without due process, allegedly to pay for 12 Super Tucano jets, is accusing the Jonathan administration of illegal withdrawals, he said. Nigerians and the international community are aware that the illegal withdrawal by the Buhari government triggered an impeachment attempt against the president at the senate of the national assembly which is still raising dust. According to the worlds premier aviation intelligence agency, Flight Global, the cost of a Super Tocano aircraft is $10 million. Rather than make false allegations against the Jonathan government, the Buhari administration should rather tell Nigerians why an aircraft that is sold for $10 million each is costing Nigeria almost $40 million each? In November 2017, Afghanistan bought 6 A-29 Super Tucanos at a total cost of $174.5 million, a price tag which included aircraft transportation, maintenance spares and advanced sensors. Why is Nigeria paying $496 million for 12 of the same aircrafts? The excuse given by the Buhari administration that it had to make haste and pay for the Super Tocano jets because of the anti-terror war does not make sense since the US has announced that the jets would not be ready until the year 2020. What is the hurry to pay for 2020 planes to fight a 2018 problem? Also, when Osinbajo said These cases of grand corruption and open looting of public resources pauperized Nigeria and left us with little or no savings, he has forgotten that on October 28, 2017, he said When we came in, we had a foreign reserve of $32 billion. If indeed Jonathan left the Buhari administration with with little or no savings, then from whom did they inherit the $32 billion in foreign reserves that the vice president admitted to at the Greater Nigeria Pastors Conference organised by the Berean Ministers Group? Osinbajo is also challenged to boldly tell Nigerians how much was left by the Jonathan administration in the sovereign wealth fund which the Jonathan government set up. While doing that, can he also tell Nigerians how much the Buhari administration met in the coffers of the Nigerian Liquefied Natural Gas companys account to be inherited by the incoming government. National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Uche Secondus, has decried the arrest, harassment and intimidation of members o... National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Uche Secondus, has decried the arrest, harassment and intimidation of members of the opposition. Secondus, in a chat with journalists on Monday in Abuja, also condemned treatment of some members of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). He said: We are not in the military era. Look at how Sen. Dino Malaye was also treated. A senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria should be treated with all amount of civility. We believe that if he has done anything wrong, let him be taken to court in a good manner and not like a common criminal. So, you can see that more of things like this will be coming to the opposition; if they could treat their own person like this. Remember when we raised alarm of the conspiracy theory of the All Progressives Congress (APC)? You know what is happening to distinguished Sen. Shehu Sani. He has been framed up and quite a number of people, they just pick them and label them. The Senate on Tuesday announced the receipt of a request from President Muhammadu Buhari for confirmation of seven-member Governing Board of Nigerian Deposit Insurance Corporation(NDIC).President of the Senate, Dr Bukola Saraki, read the letter conveying the request, dated March 27, 2018, signed by Buhari.In compliance with Section 5(4) of the Nigerian Deposit Insurance Corporation Act, 2006, it is my pleasure to forward the underlisted nominees for confirmation as Chairman and members of the Board of the Nigerian Deposit Insurance Corporation.Their CVs are attached herewith. It is my hope that the Distinguished Senate will consider and confirm the nominees in the usual expeditious manner, the letter stated.The nominees are Olabode Mustapha from Ogun, who will be chairman. Members are Alhaji Garba Buba from Bauchi, Bello Garba from Sokoto, Brig.-Gen. Josef Okoloagu (retd) from Enugu.Others are Mustapha Mudashiru (Kwara), Festus Keyamo (Delta) and Adewale Adeleke (Ondo).Similarly, a letter requesting the confirmation of Attahiru Madami as a Resident Electoral Commissioner to represent Niger at the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) was also received by the Senate. The Senate has summoned four leading Global System for Mobile Communications, GSM operators; the MTN, Airtel, Globacom, and 9Mobile to appear before its Committee on Communications to explain, among others, why the frequent unsolicited calls, product and Programme promos.According to the Senate, these companies also trick Nigerians to subscribe to riddles bad jokes, indiscriminate religious contents and caller tunes, adding that the summon was part of moves to check intrusive and unsolicited adverts from them to their numerous customers.Also to appear before the Senator Gilbert Nnaji, PDP, Enugu East led Senate Committee on Communications are the Nigerian Communications Commissions, NCC; the Consumer Protection Council, CPC; and the Association of Advertising Practitioners of Nigeria, AAPN.According to the Senate, their appearance would enable the Committee seek ways of addressing what the upper chamber described as worrisome situation.The upper legislative chamber particularly urged the NCC to ensure that any person, or entity found to have abused regulatory guidelines, is sanctioned, in accordance with the extant rules and regulations.Resolutions of the Senate yesterday were sequel to a motion by Senator Yahaya Abdullahi, APC, Kebbi and titled, Need to check Intrusive and Unsolicited Adverts by Telecom Companies and Service ProvidersPresenting the motion, Senator Abdullahi who recalled with sense of nostalgia, the euphoria that attended the commencement of the GSM, 17 years ago in Nigeria, said that he was really worried about the continued deterioration of GSM services in the country.He regretted that though the service providers have been reaping huge revenues from their investments, Nigerians have not enjoyed commensurate quality of services.According to him, he was worried about increased incidence of dropped calls, unaccounted disappearance of airtime from devices, weak signals across networks and false report of unavailable call destinations.Senator Abdullahi further expressed concern about the issue of frequent unsolicited calls, product and programme promos, as well as instances of tricking Nigerians to subscribe to riddles and jokes, indiscriminate religious contents and caller tunes that sometimes offend subscribers sensibilities.He also noted that even with the setting up of the Do-Not-Disturb, DND opt-out application, as demanded by the NCC, the GSM operators have not done enough to educate the public on its availability and workings.With high tariffs and an estimated 150 million subscribers in the country, the four leading operators within the industry, namely MTN, (53.4million, or 39%), Airtel, (38.3 million, or 26%), Globacom, (38.2 million, or 26%) and 9Mobile, (16.8%, or 12%), the companies are yet to fully integrate themselves into the larger Nigerian economy, in ways that could provide opportunities for Nigerians to benefit from their operations, he observed.In his contribution, the Senate Deputy Leader, Senator Bala Ibn NaAllah (APC Kebbi South) however urged the National Assembly to rise to the occasion by halting the trend in the interest of Nigerian subscribers.In his remarks, Senate President Bukola Saraki called on the NCC, CPC, AAPN, and other stakeholders to ensure that they address the situation without allowing it to affect the nations economy. Shehu Sani, chairman, senate committee on local and foreign debt, has advised Nasir el-Rufai, governor of Kaduna, to use the meagre reso... Shehu Sani, chairman, senate committee on local and foreign debt, has advised Nasir el-Rufai, governor of Kaduna, to use the meagre resources available to run the state. In an interview with NAN on Monday, the senator wondered why governors could not use distributions from the excess crude account and Paris Club Refund to execute projects. He said the senate rejected the Kaduna governments request for a $350 million loan due to the states high debt profile. The senate rejected the request on March 29, following a strong opposition from the three lawmakers representing the state at the upper legislative chamber. Last week, el-Rufai described the senators as enemies of the state, saying their action showed that they are useless. The senators from the state who worked against the World Bank loan are useless; they came out and said this loan should not be given. What is their reason for rejecting the loan? It is because they are haters of the masses in Kaduna state, he had said. He added that senators from the state were not privy to the loan, and that contributed to its unanimous rejection. How can you be governor of a state and all your three senators, including the one from PDP, are opposed to it? he asked. I have never heard of it. I have treated cases of loan here as the chairman of committee on local and foreign debt. There were cases where one senator is opposed to it but two are for it or the other way round. As a governor of a state, if you are desirous of a loan, the first people you should consult are the legislators; he did not do that. So, I do not think the attitude of consistent insult on us and the institution of the national assembly will be of value. If you need loan, you do not go insulting a bank manager; you have to convince him that you are worth it. Sani said approving the loan for a state with a high debt profile will put a lot of burden on future generations. We rejected the loan to save the children of Kaduna state from the slavery of debt that will overtake them in the future, he said. Most political elite leave behind for their children, hotels, houses, mansions and estates, but they leave mountains of debts for the children of the poor. I do not see the reason why state governors cannot use the Paris Refund, the bailout funds and Excess Crude Account distributions to execute their projects and programmes. Why must they go for loans? If Gombe State is where it is today and other states like Sokoto are still working and they have never approached us for loan, why Kaduna state. If the loan is even reasonable, you will look at it from that point of view. The tenure of a government is at most eight years and you leave behind 20, 30, 40 years of loan for people to pay. He said that as chairman of the committee on loans, he owed it a duty to the state and all other states to ensure that states that were in debt did not acquire more debts. It is my duty as the chairman of the committee to do what I need to do to save a state that is already in so much debt, he said. My state is indebted to the tune of about 225 million dollars, the second most indebted state in the country and you tell me to approve another loan of 350 million dollar. Garba Shehu, presidential spokesman, says the petition the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) sent to the United Nations is beyond comprehensi... Garba Shehu, presidential spokesman, says the petition the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) sent to the United Nations is beyond comprehension. In a letter signed by Uche Secondus, PDP national chairman, the party alleged the All Progressives Congress (APC) administration is clamping down on the opposition. It also accused the federal government of thoughtless abuse of human rights and a predetermined plan by President Muhammadu Buhari to truncate Nigerias democracy. out of desperation. In a statement, Shehu said the PDP wrote the letter, which he described as preposterous and comical,out of desperation. He added that the allegation that President Muhammadu Buhari is behind the herdsmen and farmer clashes is embarrassing, asking what the president stands to gain from the continuous killings. What can President Buhari possibly gain from the killings? he asked. There is no intelligent angle from which you analyse the matter and see any possible gain for this government in the wanton destruction of life and property going on. The various lengths to which President Buhari has gone to end the spate of killings, such as mobilising state resources against the attackers, approving the setting up of new police and army formations in the affected areas, and the recruitment of thousands into the police and other arms of the military, are a few of the several steps taken which a more reasonable opposition will acknowledge. For the new PDP leadership on the other hand, incapable of thinking big about the nation, they see and treat the unfortunate spate of killing of innocent Nigerians as political gift, about which they seem very happy to cite as the basis for a return to power. They feel bad at every turn the country improves, which is beyond comprehension. They should bury their heads in shame. Shehu also asked how the lecture of democracy is coming from a party with intolerance for dissent as its hallmark. He asked Secondus not to mislead the UN, saying the anti-corruption war should not be misinterpreted as an attack on human rights. PDPs lecture on democracy and the rule of law, coming from a party with a tradition of undemocratic rule, is a desperate attempt to pervert history and the course of justice, he said. The sermon, is both trite and hollow, coming from a party with intolerance for dissent as its hallmark. A party that humiliated opposition parties and stunted their growth. This was the atmosphere that nurtured the birth of the All Progressives Congress (APC.) The war against corruption, for which many more politicians may soon be docked, cannot be misrepresented as an attack on human rights and Mr Secondus should not try to mislead the UN. Nigerian politicians at all levels have been used to dispensing with state funds in whatever manner they please, and to have someone, an administration, finally saying, No. It doesnt matter how big or important you think you are; the law must come against you That is not something they are used to at all. For the PDP, as has now emerged, national security was the major source of their funding. The PDP chairman and all other politicians against whom the countrys anti-corruption agencies have on-going investigations should be assured that it is only a matter of time before the law catches up with them, and make them pay for the grief their mismanagement of the past has caused, and is still causing Nigerians. Nigerians suffered because of the poison sowed by the PDP. A former Bergen County Prosecutor's Office employee will receive $625,000 to settle her federal lawsuit alleging that then-Prosecutor John Molinelli sent her to a psychiatric hospital and forced her to resign as a favor to one of his friends. Barbara Harrington, 59, who was a data processor in the prosecutor's office, had sued for $10 million in damages, though the settlement finalized last week, said her attorney, Anthony M. Rainone of Roseland. "My client will never again be the same person she was before the alleged events," Rainone said Tuesday. "This litigation was our best attempt to bring her some peace of mind after all of the years of pain she has endured." Harrington, of East Rutherford, claimed Molinelli had her committed to Bergen Regional Medical Center in Paramus in 2012 as a favor to his longtime friend Patricia Speake-Martin, according to the lawsuit, which was filed in U.S. District Court. Speak-Martin apparently didn't like Harrington because she had moved in with Speak-Martin's estranged husband, David Martin, in East Rutherford and developed a relationship with their children, according to court documents filed in 2014. Harrington, who worked for the county for nearly 30 years, was ultimately forced to resign. Mollinelli said Tuesday he had no role in the decision to settle the case and denied wrongdoing. "The county entered into the settlement I had no part of it," said Mollinelli, who left the prosecutor's office in January 2016. He now works in private practice. "No one tried to commit her, she was merely asked to undergo an evaluation based on circumstances that I would rather not go into," Mollinelli said. "Her evaluation determined that she was not fit for duty and I have nothing further to offer as to why the settlement was reached but was advised that mounting legal fees was a significant factor." The suit states Molinelli and Speake-Martin have been law colleagues since 1985. The two worked together for the borough of Woodcliff Lake, were business partners and neighbors, according to the suit. Speake-Martin and her husband, who have three children, separated in 2005 but remained married, the suit states. In 2012, Harrington's home went into foreclosure and Martin, who was a co-worker, invited her to live with him and two of his children, according to the lawsuit. "Speake-Martin was very displeased and opposed to Martin and (Harrington's) living arrangement," the suit says. Speak-Martin communicated her disgust to Molinelli, the suit states. Harrington's lawyers say she and Martin were nothing more than "roommates." On Sept. 21, 2012, Harrington accidentally texted Martin and Speak-Martin's children that "Someone (has) reported David Martin in an accident." The suit says Harrington had been using the cellphone's voice dictation feature and that another shopper talking loudly interfered with the text message. Though Harrington claims she apologized about the erroneous text to Speake-Martin and her children, she claims Speake-Martin was furious. A few days later, both Harrington and Martin were summoned to a meeting with Molinelli and other supervisors, the suit states. "They told Martin that (Harrington) was a 'sick' person and posed a 'danger' to herself and Martin's children," the suit states. Harrington was suspended with pay and told she was being committed for psychiatric evaluation, the suit states. A sheriff's detective escorted Harrington to a law library, where she "was forced to remain in custody and was specifically not permitted to leave except to use the restroom one time," the suit states. After an hour in the library, two detectives drove Harrington in a patrol car to Bergen Regional Medical Center, the suit states. A doctor at the facility determined Harrington was not psychotic or a danger to herself or others and released her after a few hours, the suit states. After her release, Harrington remained suspended from her job pending fitness-for-duty evaluation by a doctor in New York, according to the suit. That doctor determined that Harrington was not a danger to herself or others but that she should not return to work because she was "nervous and anxious," according to the suit. Harrington and her attorneys claim the ordeal of involuntary committal caused her to develop post-traumatic stress and left her unable to work. Molinelli refused to extend Harrington's suspension and she was forced to resign on May 1, 2013, the suit claims. The suit accused the former prosecutor of abuse of power and all of the defendants of violating Harrington's civil rights. Speake-Martin could not be reached for comment. The settlement agreement states Bergen County and the defendants, including Molinelli, admit to no wrongdoing. Anthony G. Attrino may be reached at tattrino@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @TonyAttrino. Find NJ.com on Facebook. For the second time in less than a week, a Rutgers University student has been found dead on campus -- though foul play is not suspected in either case, school officials said Tuesday. Kyle R. Gotchel, a sophomore business major, was found outside Hardenbergh Hall on the New Brunswick campus Monday, university officials said in statement. Campus police are investigating the death, though it is not considered suspicious, school officials said. They gave few details about the incident and it is unclear if Gotchel may have fallen or jumped from his second-floor window. "This tragic incident remains under investigation, but foul play is not suspected. The university extends its sincerest condolences to Kyle's family and friends," Rutgers officials said in a statement. Hardenbergh Hall, a six-story building, is one of Rutgers' "River dorms" overlooking the Raritan River. Because there is a lobby level, the second floor is three stories above the ground. Residents of Hardenbergh Hall received an email about Gotchel's death Monday, according to a report in the Daily Targum, the student newspaper. Rutgers counselors are available for students, the email said. Gotchel was a 2016 graduate of West Deptford High School. Last week, another Rutgers student was found dead on the Busch campus in Piscataway. Akash S. Taneja, a graduate student in medicinal chemistry from India, was found dead Friday morning, though the location was not disclosed. Taneja's death is not considered suspicious, though it is being investigated by the Middlesex County Prosecutor's Office, school officials said. Kelly Heyboer may be reached at kheyboer@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @KellyHeyboer. Find her at KellyHeyboerReporter on Facebook. Manuel Yglesias is standing in a line of 14 immigrants. His image is carved, like the others, from a granite stone as massive as their dreams of a better life. Among the men, women and two children, Yglesias is the third person from the rear, wearing a top coat and a somber face of hope. The boat next to them is heading to America, where they will find a home in the Ironbound section of Newark. Yglesias arrived in 1918 from northern Spain. He worked hard and owned several businesses, including a Spanish specialty food store. His Ironbound story is similar to that of many immigrants from Europe and of African-Americans migrating from the South, as well as recent immigrants from Central and South America. They came looking for opportunity, and that spirit is captured in the Ironbound Immigrants Memorial Monument, a major piece of public art unveiled Saturday as a tribute to their American journey. MORE: Recent Barry Carter columns The monument, worth one's time to visit, is behind Newark Penn Station in Peter Francisco Park. There's no way to miss its colossal stature on Ferry Street. Created by Sculptor Camilo Satiro of Kearny, the monument is 16 feet tall, 25 feet in length, 9 feet wide and weighs 2 tons. It could easily be sitting next to statues on the National Mall in Washington, D.C. But this life-size historical artifact belongs in Newark --thanks to the vision of East Ward Councilman Augusto Amador, who collaborated with the Ironbound Business Improvement District (IBID) to make it happen. More than $250,000 in donations was raised to pay homage to a population that, Amador said, contributed to the fiber of this community. "They are the faceless men and women who did nothing but get up in the morning, work hard, take care of their family and care for their neighborhood," Amador said. Yglesias, who was 81 when he died in the late 1980s, is one of those faces, as are others from the Ironbound who represent different ethnic groups that arrived as far back as the 19th century. They include Germans, Irish, Italians, Jews, Portuguese, Lithuanians, Spanish, Brazilians, Ecuadoreans, Mexicans and Peruvians. "My father was fortunate to be one of the people on the monument," said IBID President Steven Yglesias. "We are incredibly honored." Maria Lurdes DiJulio stared at the sculpture and could see herself at age 23. That's how old she was when she left Portugal 55 years ago, fleeing her homeland, which was under the authoritarian government of President Antonio de Oliveira Salazar. "This is for the people to remember the way people came to America," said Lurdes DiJulio, 78, who still lives in the Ironbound. Not only is the monument a representation of the East Ward, said Mayor Ras Baraka, but of Newark as a city of immigrants, "a city of folks who are coming here for an opportunity, looking for growth in their family, looking for a way to move up into the middle class." The crowd that gathered was impressed with the monument, except for a small group of demonstrators who identified themselves as Stop Immigration Detentions in Essex County. One of its members, Jay Arena, called the monument a "farce" because unauthorized immigrants now are being arrested, detained and deported. "Immigrants are being attacked and these people (city officials) are posturing as a friend of immigrants," said Arena. Essex County Sheriff Armando Fontoura took issue with the group in his remarks, correcting them when they said he operates the immigration detention center. Directing his comments to the protesters, Fontoura said Newark has been an oasis for immigrants from countries that didn't allow them to protest against their government. They came to this country, Fontoura said, and served in the military, like he did, "so that you can have freedom of speech." Ironbound residents and their families erupted in applause, cheering Fontoura because they said this day was about honoring immigrants -- past and present - who made the Ironbound the vital community that it is today. Mary Azagra, 87, is one of them. She has lived in the Ironbound since she was 3 months old. Born in Spain, Azagra was an infant when her father, the late Dario Vazquez, sent for her and her late mother, Remedios Vazquez, who made the 30-day voyage by boat. Her father, a World War I soldier, was a truck driver for the city of Newark. "We needed this," she said, speaking of the monument. "Practically every nation lives in the Ironbound. We live next to each other; we talk to each other." MORE CARTER: Newark letter carrier walks his way to 50 years on the job | Carter Antonio Evaristo, 85, came to Newark in 1960, working construction. He is still in the neighborhood, and so is daughter, Rose Marie Ruivo, 60, who was 2 years old when she came from Portugal. "It's the Ironbound," she said. "Roots are roots." Carlos Farinhas is not leaving, either. He was 19 when he left Portugal in 1956. Like many immigrants, he started as a laborer in construction. Farinhas, however, would become a foreman, a superintendent and eventually own his construction company, Scafar Contracting Inc., until he retired in 2003. The monument, nearly 21/2 years in the making, was supposed to be installed last July on a traffic island at five corners, an area in the Ironbound where five streets intersect in front of St. Stephan's Grace Community Church. The location changed when Amador and improvement district officials learned that sewer pipes ran under the traffic island, which would not support the monument's weight. The park, a gateway to the Ironbound, turned out to be the best place. "This is our Statue of Liberty," said IBID Executive Director Seth Grossman. "It says welcome to Newark." Barry Carter: (973) 836-4925 or bcarter@starledger.com or nj.com/carter or follow him on Twitter @BarryCarterSL Yoriani Encarnacion, like most six-year-old girls, loved to dance. And at a family gathering on Sunday, she spent most of her time swaying to merengue and bachata. The following day, shortly before midnight, Yoriani was playing with other children when she fell out of an open window. Yoriani had danced so much the day before, "it was almost like she was saying goodbye," Arelis Cedeno, the girl's aunt, told NJ Advance Media on Tuesday. Yoriani was taken to University Hospital where she was pronounced dead at about 4:30 a.m., Acting Essex County Prosecutor Robert D. Laurino said. The Essex County Prosecutor's Office Homicide/Major Crimes Task Force, which includes detectives from the Newark Police Department, is investigating the death. The family, who are originally from the Dominican Republic, is "devastated," said Cedeno, who spoke briefly in Spanish on South 14th Street Tuesday afternoon. Cedeno was leaving Utopia Apartments in Newark, where the girl, an only child, lived with her mother. Her father lives in the Dominican Republic and is aware of her death, the aunt said. "We're very sad," Cedeno said. The window of the third-floor apartment did not have a window guard. A woman working in a grocery store on the first floor of the apartment building said she remembers seeing the girl with her mother but she thought they had just moved there recently. Editor's Note: This story has been updated to correct information about how Yoriani fell out of the window. Prosecutors had initially said she was jumping on a bed. Karen Yi may be reached at kyi@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter at @karen_yi or on Facebook. Election Day has finally arrived in the Peninsula City. Bayonne voters will go to the polls Tuesday to vote in five races, including the all-important mayoral race. Mayor Jimmy Davis, who was first elected in 2014, seeks another term in office, while a pair of challengers -- former state Assemblyman Jason O'Donnell and Dr. Mitchell Brown -- hope to unseat him. Meanwhile, all five seats on the City Council are also up for grabs. In the First Ward, the incumbent councilman Tommy Cotter faces O'Donnell team member Sharma Montgomery. In the Second Ward race, Councilman Sal Gullace looks to hold off challenger Kevin Kuhl, a member of O'Donnell's slate. It's a three-way race in the Third Ward, as Councilman Gary La Pelusa faces Matt Klimansky -- another member of O'Donnell's ticket -- and Mark Urban, the city's zoning board chairman who is running independently. Lastly, voters will select two at-large candidates. City Council President Sharon Nadrowski and Councilman-at-Large Juan Perez are seeking their second terms, while O'Donnell team members Dan Ward, a longtime educator, and Melissa Enriquez-Rada, a local community activist, are looking to upset the incumbents. The top two vote-getters will be elected. In the mayoral and Third Ward races, if no candidate receives more than 50 percent of the vote, runoff elections will be held in June. Polls open at 6 a.m. The Jersey Journal sat down with all three mayoral candidates for editorial board interviews that were livestreamed on the paper's Facebook page Here's a look back at those interviews: Posted by The Jersey Journal on Thursday, April 12, 2018 Posted by The Jersey Journal on Monday, April 16, 2018 UK Minister for Europe statement on election of new Armenian Prime Minister Minister for Europe, Sir Alan Duncan said: "I am pleased that a solution to the political situation in Armenia has been found, via negotiation and through the Parliament, and congratulate Nikol Pashinyan on his election as Armenias new Prime Minister. "It is to the credit of all involved that events over the last three weeks have unfolded peacefully and largely without incident. "It is important that the restraint and statesmanship shown by all parties continues and that the political process moves forward, based on solid constitutional and legal foundations. "In my two visits to Armenia in the last 12 months, I have seen first-hand the countrys rich history, and its huge potential. I was particularly impressed by the many young people I met, who are determined to build a bright future for Armenia. "The UK, as a longstanding friend of Armenia, stands ready to support its efforts to strengthen its democracy, deliver good governance, and improve economic opportunities for all." JERSEY CITY Four people filed a lawsuit in Newark federal court on Tuesday morning aimed at stopping a plan to remove the Exchange Place monument commemorating the victims of a 1940 Polish massacre. The lawsuit alleges Jersey City and Mayor Steve Fulop do not have authority to remove the 34-foot Katyn Memorial because the City Council has not approved any relocation. The plaintiffs Bart Bagniewski, Boguslava Wang, Slawek Platta, and sculptor Andrzej Pityank are seeking a temporary restraining order stopping the city from moving the monument. "Our mayor cannot, cannot have himself as a ruler of the city," Platta, of Queens, said during a City Hall press conference on Tuesday afternoon. "There is a process." Jersey City and Polish officials have spent more than a week feuding over the monument, which was unveiled in 1991. The chair of the Exchange Place business group planning and paying for a renovation at the plaza said he wants the statue relocated. The city previously stated the statue would "return to the public" after the renovations were complete, but Fulop tweeted Saturday the monument is "100% being moved" three blocks away from its longtime home. Fulop, in a statement, called the lawsuit "political grandstanding" and remains committed to moving the statue. The City Council originally approved placing the statue at 75 Montgomery St. in 1986, but three years later passed a measure for the monument to be placed at Exchange Place. It's not clear whether the council would have to OK moving the statue. Of the nine council members, six declined to take a position, saying they need more information. Council members Rich Boggiano and Michael Yun say it should remain at Exchange Place. Requests for comment from Council President Rolando Lavarro were not returned. "I'm not sure what legal ground any of these lawsuits are based in," Fulop said. "Imagine the precedence if a court ruled that once a statue is in place it is entitled to that location for eternity. The reality is that we remain committed to building a park for Jersey City residents here and placing a statue at a new location in Jersey City." The lawsuit was filed on behalf of the plaintiffs by attorney Bill Matsikoudis, who unsuccessfully ran to unseat Fulop during the November mayoral race. Matsikoudis said Fulop has not been consulting with the community about the project and is "acting in conjunction with real estate developers." "He's governing by Twitter in a way that is misleading, it's deceptive, and we need the courts to intervene," Matsikoudis said. The lawsuit additionally alleges moving the statue violates Pitynski's rights as an artist because the statue was specifically designed with the Exchange Place location in mind. Pitynski previously told The Jersey Journal he was "pissed off" and wanted the statue to remain at its current location. Matsikoudis says a hearing on the temporary restraining order could be heard as soon as Tuesday afternoon. Jersey Journal staff writer Terrence T. McDonald contributed to this report. Caitlin Mota may be reached at cmota@jjournal.com. Follow her on Twitter @caitlin_mota. Find The Jersey Journal on Facebook. JERSEY CITY -- Three people were injured during a shooting on Ocean Avenue, officials said. The shooting occurred near Wade Street on Thursday at about 10:20 p.m., city spokeswoman Kimberly Wallace-Scalcione said. One man suffered a graze wound, a second man was shot in the lower right leg, and a woman was shot in the buttocks, she said. None of the injuries were considered life-threatening. Then at about 12:30 a.m. on Saturday, police responded to a disorderly crowd near Brinkerhoff and Monticello avenues. The officers heard two gunshots and found a 25-year-old with wounds to his hand and abdomen, officials said. The Jersey Journal requested details about the shootings multiple times before the information was released by city officials. Caitlin Mota may be reached at cmota@jjournal.com. Follow her on Twitter @caitlin_mota. Find The Jersey Journal on Facebook. JERSEY CITY -- Jurors entered their fourth day of deliberations today in the trial of a North Bergen 'sexorcist' charged with using his stature as a 'prophet' to prey on a young man. Gregorio Martinez, 50, is charged with sexually assaulting the man when he was 18-years-old and he faces up to 10 years in prison if convicted. Martinez, who is said to speak in tongues, is already serving four years in prison for molesting a 13-year-old boy and five years for bail jumping. After this trial, Martinez has two more trials pending on sex charges. The jury began deliberating around noon on Thursday and on Friday jurors passed a note to the judge saying they were deadlocked. The judge urged them to continue deliberating and sent them back into the jury room. The jury has continued deliberating since then. During this trial, the now 27-year-old man said he thought of Martinez as a mentor and an internationally prominent religious figure. He said during a road trip to a prayer service, Martinez began fondling his crotch. He said he pushed Martinez's hand away. The man said that on another occasion, Martinez asked him to go into a car with him alone because he wanted to pray over him. He said that while praying, they closed their eyes and Martinez reached inside his pants. Finally, the man said Martinez came to his Jersey City home unannounced one day, took him aside and asked him about his sexual habits. He said Martinez became concerned and said he wanted to pray over him again, so they went inside. The 27-year-old said he pulled down his own pants and underwear and Martinez prayed over his genitals, which he also touched and kissed. The man testified that at the time, he thought Martinez's actions had religious purpose and were proper. Hudson County Assistant Prosecutor Andrew Baginski argued that the defendant used religion to manipulate the man for his own sexual gratification. In his closing argument, defense attorney Daniel Gonzalez told the jury that there was not one shred of evidence to corroborate the allegations, and that the case was rife with reasonable doubt. Martinez jumped bail and missed his original sentencing date for molesting the boy. When captured in Latin America, his fingers were bloody and bandaged as a result of having attempting to remove his fingerprints, officials said. Martinez faces up to 10 years in prison if convicted. The trial is before Hudson County Superior Court Judge Mirtha Ospina in the Hudson County Administration Building in Jersey City. JERSEY CITY -- Jurors could not reach verdict Tuesday afternoon, forcing a mistrial to be declared in the trial of the North Bergen "sexorcist" accused of using his stature as a "prophet" to sexually assault a young man 10 years ago. Hudson County Superior Court Judge Mirtha Ospina set June 5 as the tentative date for the retrial of Gregorio Martinez, 50, who faces up to 10 years in prison if found guilty. The former North Bergen pastor, who was convicted in 2015 of molesting a 13-year-old boy and faces two more trials on sex charges, appeared to be pleased by the declaration of a mistrial as he was led from court in handcuffs this afternoon. Martinez, who is said to speak in tongues, is already serving four years in prison for the molestation and five years for bail jumping. The terms are consecutive. The 50-year-old was out on bail at the time of the conviction when sentencing day rolled around, he was nowhere to be found. He was then tracked to Nicaragua in 2016 and arrested in Honduras. "I was disappointed because there was no evidence other than the alleged victim in the case," Martinez's lawyer, Daniel Gonzalez said of the mistrial. "On cross examination, there were clear inconsistencies in his trial testimony and his original statement. There's no question that the trial testimony was embellished." Gonzalez said his client is trying to clear his name so he was clearly disappointed by the mistrial. The attorney said it is a tough case for both the state and the defense and he would try his best to prepare even better for the retrial. Authorities say that Martinez, who his followers say speaks in tongues, sexually assaulted the 27-year-old man when the alleged victim was 18 years old. The jury began deliberating on Thursday around noon and by about the same time on Friday, jurors passed a note to the judge saying they were deadlocked. Hudson County Superior Court Judge Mirtha Ospina asked the jurors to keep deliberating and sent them back into the jury room. The jurors continued deliberating until about 11:40 a.m. today when they passed a second note to Ospina saying they were deadlocked. The judge asked them to return to the jury room and have lunch before deciding if they were truly hung. This afternoon, the jury passed a final note saying, "After further deliberation, we have reached an impasse and we firmly believe that we will not be able to reach a unanimous decision." Ospina called the jurors into the courtroom at 2:42 p.m., released them and declared a mistrial. During the trial, the alleged victim said he thought of Martinez as a mentor and an internationally prominent religious figure. He said during a road trip to a prayer service, Martinez began fondling his crotch and he pushed the preacher's hand away. The man said that on another occasion, Martinez asked him to go into a car with him alone because he wanted to pray over him. He said that while praying, they closed their eyes and Martinez reached inside his pants. Finally, the man said Martinez came to his Jersey City home unannounced one day, took him aside and asked him about his sexual habits. He said Martinez became concerned and said he wanted to pray over him again, so they went inside. The 27-year-old said he pulled down his own pants and underwear and Martinez prayed over his genitals, which he also touched and kissed. The man testified that at the time, he thought Martinez's actions had religious purpose and were proper. Hudson County Assistant Prosecutor Andrew Baginski argued that the defendant used religion to manipulate the man for his own sexual gratification. In his closing argument, Gonzalez told the jury that there was not one shred of evidence to corroborate the allegations, and that the case was rife with reasonable doubt. The nine-member Jersey City school board has narrowly approved a $600 million budget for the 2018-19 school year, a spending plan that comes with a 6.5 percent tax levy hike and zero layoffs. The board in March introduced a budget that had a $71 million budget deficit, raising fears that hundreds of positions would be eliminated to cut costs. The two major measures cited by school officials who closed that gap are $15 million in expected savings from a new health benefits plan for district employees and $18.5 million from a surplus-like account. The budget adopted Monday night also includes $5.3 million more in local school taxes than planned previously, a change made after local activist group Jersey City Together pushed board members to increase local funding to the legal limit. Voting for the budget were board members Mussab Ali, Amy DeGise, Luis Fernandez, Marilyn Roman and Matt Schapiro. Voting against were Board President Sudhan Thomas, Board Vice President Lorenzo Richardson, Vidya Gangadin and Angel Valentin. The district has 29,000 students. The $660,214,829 budget for 2018-19 includes a local tax levy of $124,367,357. School officials say they cannot estimate how much the levy will impact the average homeowner because city officials have not shared new assessment data related to the property revaluation. The total levy represents a 6.5 percent increase from the current school year. The district's initial plan was to hike the levy by just 2 percent to $119 million, but Jersey City Together urged it to use what's called a "banked cap." New Jersey generally does not allow school districts to hike tax levies by more than 2 percent without seeking voter approval. But there are items that are exempt from that cap, like costs associated with increased health care spending. A district can "bank" those amounts over three years and use them without asking voters. Jersey City Together activists told board members they "cannot afford to leave local revenue on the table." Local education advocates are concerned that planned changes to state education funding could lead to a dramatic decrease in outside aid for Jersey City's school district, which relies on the state for 60 percent of its budget. "We still have a long way to go to provide and fund the education our children deserve," said a statement from Jersey City Together. "This will take courageous and creative action by leaders at both the local and state level." The district's overall budget is about $100 million less than what the state calls an "adequacy budget," the amount the state believes it would cost to provide a "thorough and efficient education" to every pupil. Some local officials have used that to call Jersey City's school district "underfunded," which irritates school officials elsewhere in the state who think the state gives too much aid. The district's "local fair share" the amount the state says local taxpayers can afford to kick in for the school budget is about $200 million higher than what Jersey City taxpayers pay now. Thomas, in a message he posted Monday night on Facebook, said he intends to fight for an increase in state aid. "We will not rest until every dollar due to Jersey City is paid to ensure excellent education for our 30,000 students and give them a real shot at the American Dream," Thomas said. "We have delivered on our promise on zero layoffs and we invite every citizen of Jersey City to join us in the civil rights battle of our generation." Terrence T. McDonald may be reached at tmcdonald@jjournal.com. Follow him on Twitter @terrencemcd. Find The Jersey Journal on Facebook. JERSEY CITY -- Three Jersey City men charged with trying to rob a Union City man during a fake drug deal were quickly found not guilty on all counts Monday. "The victim was not truthful when he reported the crime to police and we zeroed in on that during the trial," said defense attorney Scott Finckenauer, who represented Edgar Santos-Cabral, 22, at trial. Santos-Cabral, Marco A. Sanchez, 23, and Christopher Saturria, 23, all of Jersey City, had faced up to 20 years in prison on charges including armed robbery and weapons offenses. All three were found not guilty after less than one hour of jury deliberation. "I think it's a shame that the victim made up a story and these guys spent 11 months sitting in jail waiting for a jury to set them free," Finckenauer said after the verdict, which came following the trial which consisted of four days of testimony. The original allegation was that on June 19, 2017, the three men went to Union City to set up a fake drug deal so they could rob the victim who was shot during a struggle after one of the men pulled out a gun. Finckenauer said the defense argued that the "victim" was the one who pulled out the gun and tried to rob money from the three men charged. The other two defendants were represented by Hope Mitchell and Kathleen Theurer. The trial was before Hudson County Superior Court Judge Mark Nelson in the Hudson County Administration Building in Jersey City. JERSEY CITY -- A 19-year-old Union County man charged in the fatal shooting of an 18-year-old on Rose Avenue was arraigned on murder and weapons offenses today. Kahsaun Bell, of Roselle, was wearing the green garb of the Hudson County jail when he was arraigned for the homicide of Angel Cruz before Hudson County Superior Court Judge Mark Nelson this morning. Defense attorney Hope Mitchell entered a plea of not guilty on her client's behalf at the hearing. Hudson County Assistant Prosecutor Keith Travers said there was no plea offer on the table at this time and the Prosecutor's Office intended to speak to the victim's family again before making an offer. Jersey City police officers responding to a home on Rose Avenue at 9:38 a.m. on Jan. 29 found Cruz in a first-floor hallway suffering from apparent gunshot wounds to his torso, according to the criminal complaint. Cruz, a Lincoln High School student, was rushed to the Jersey City Medical Center where it was determined he had been struck in the chest, abdomen and side. He was immediately sedated and rushed into surgery but died at 3:23 a.m., according to the complaint. The victim was then transported to the state Regional Medical Examiner's Office in Newark where it was determined he died as a result of the gunshot wounds and that the manner of death was homicide, the complaint says. A family member told The Jersey Journal that Cruz had received a phone call from a "friend" asking for some water and when he went to meet the person, gunshots rang out. The complaint describes Cruz and Bell as "friends." At a previous hearing, Travers said probable cause for the charges against Bell include the defendant's statement, the statement of an eyewitness, surveillance video and cellphone data. Nelson set June 11 for the next hearing in the matter. Bell is being detained through the course of his prosecution. Murder carries a possible sentence of 30 years to life upon conviction. The former owner of a New Jersey gymnastics school has been indicted on a child pornography charge. Ronald J. Charles, 53, of Freehold Township, faces up to five years in prison if he is convicted of endangering the welfare of a child for possession of child pornography, the Monmouth County Prosecutor's Office said in a statement Tuesday. Charles was arrested in December 2015 after authorities received a tip that he tried to send multiple images of child pornography using his personal email address, authorities said. Investigators obtained a search warrant, seized a computer from his home and found the images, authorities said. He posted $40,000 bail and his since been free. Charles owned the now-defunct Galaxy Gymnastics in Freehold Township. "We're prepared to vigorously fight the charge," Charles' attorney' Eric Nelson said. "By his plea of not guilty, he denies the charge." Jeff Goldman may be reached at jeff_goldman@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @JeffSGoldman. Find NJ.com on Facebook. The gunman accused of opening fire and killing a 24-year-old motorist in Freehold Township last week appeared to have chosen his victim at random, according to police reports. Kader Mustafa The victim, Sciasia Calhoun, was driving with her boyfriend and their 1-year-old child on Route 33 west in Freehold when they first encountered the gunman, Kader Mustafa, who was driving in a white "beat up" Chevrolet Impala, according to the affidavit of probable cause in the case. Calhoun was driving a 1997 blue Mazda Protege with her high beams on because her headlights weren't working properly, the affidavit states. (The couple were initially heading east, to Neptune, but turned around when the headlights stopped working.) Calhoun pulled up behind Mustafa on Route 33 near The Cabin restaurant around 11:44 p.m. on Thursday. Moments later, Mustafa, a 34-year-old Hightstown resident, pulled over and left Calhoun pass him, the report states. He then "came up on them aggressively," it states, at which time Calhoun's boyfriend told her to take the Halls Mills Road exit to evade the Impala. As Mustafa passed them, he fired a shot at the car and then continued on Route 33, the report states. The shot hit Calhoun in the head, it says. She was pronounced dead at the scene at 12:46 a.m. Her boyfriend and the child were not injured. Mustafa was arrested the following morning in Manalapan. Authorities are investigating the possibility he's responsible for two non-fatal shootings in Neptune Township and Holmdel on April 27 and 28, respectively. In those cases, a gunman randomly opened fire at occupied vehicles but did not injure any occupants. Police seized two handguns from Mustafa's vehicle when he was arrested. Monmouth County Prosecutor Christopher Gramiccioni told NJ Advance Media that his office doesn't have any reason to believe Mustafa legally owned the guns that were seized. Authorities have said they are ballistically testing the guns to see if there are any links. First Assistant Monmouth County Prosecutor Lori Linskey said at a press conference on Friday that detectives are "confident" there's no connection between the Freehold shooting and the highway shooting on Route 18 in Colts Neck in which Lloyd Earl Sanders was killed. Mustafa, who's charged with murder, attempted murder and two counts of unlawful possession of a weapon and possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose, is scheduled to appear in Monmouth County Superior Court Wednesday morning for a detention hearing. Alex Napoliello may be reached at anapoliello@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @alexnapoNJ. Find NJ.com on Facebook. Have a tip? Tell us. nj.com/tips The 911 caller said there was a strange noise and smoke coming from the car parked Saturday morning in the 100 block of West Lincoln Avenue in Roselle Park. There was possibly someone inside, the caller said. By the time patrol officers Robert Harms, Michael Smith, Jeffery Smith and Avsar Patel got there about 7:40 a.m., the car was burning and filled with black smoke, making it impossible to see inside. Then Harms smashed a window with an axe. "Harms was able to see the silhouette of a head in the driver's seat of the vehicle," police said in a statement posted to social media. Harms and Deputy Fire Chief Steven Thompson reached in and pulled out a man who had been slumped over the steering wheel. The man initially refused to get out, police said. But as the flames grew and the smoke billowed, Harms and Thompson were able to pull him free of the car, along with help from members of the Roselle Park Volunteer Fire Department. The entire incident was caught on video and posted to Facebook. Police said the 42-year-old man, who is from Washington state, was disoriented. They said he may have been sleeping in the car and running the vehicle for extended periods, which caused the engine to overheat. He was taken to a local hospital for treatment. Roselle Park Police Chief Paul W. Morrison commended citizens for calling to report the car and the officers who responded, saying they put themselves at risk of injury to save the man's life. "The heroic efforts of all involved played an instrumental part in the positive outcome of this incident," the chief said. Anthony G. Attrino may be reached at tattrino@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @TonyAttrino. Find NJ.com on Facebook. A New Jersey gun rights group is hosting a free firearm training safety day for students from Lacey Township High School, where controversy erupted in March when two students were suspended over a photo taken at a gun range. The suspension of the boys, who were never named, ignited an uproar on social media and led to the district changing its policy on student possession weapons off-campus. The students were at a private range with parents when the photo was taken. The suspensions drew the attention of a New Jersey gun advocacy group -- the Association of New Jersey Rifle & Pistol Clubs -- which sent a cease and desist letter to the district threatening a lawsuit if its policy remained unchanged and the suspensions was not overturned. The New Jersey Second Amendment Society announced this week it is holding a training session later this month at a gun club. The NJ2AS said its president recently spoke at a Lacey board of education meeting and offered to teach gun safety. "After speaking to the superintendent several times, the school board and the principal, NJ2AS is confident we are going to develop a long standing relationship to work together and not against each other," the NJ2AS said in a statement. "This is why it is important to not always come out guns blazing and threaten costly litigation as an initial reaction." The high school's student handbook originally said "any student who is reported to be in possession of a weapon of any type for any reason or purpose whether on or off school grounds," would be subject to penalties including up to a one-year suspension. It now omits any mention of possessing a weapon off school grounds and doesn't mention a specific suspension length. It also includes a note on buses. "Students are forbidden to carry any type of weapon or simulated weapon to school," the revamped policy states. "Strict disciplinary action and legal actions will result if this occurs. Any person who knowingly has in his possession any imitation firearm in or upon any part of the building... without the written authorization of the governing officer of the institution, or while on any school bus is a disorderly person." The photo of four rifles, magazines and a gun duffel bag was shared by one of the students on the social media app Snapchat with the caption "fun day at the range," according to Lacey resident Amanda Buron, a family friend of one of the students. A screen capture of the image made the rounds among other students and later brought to the attention of Lacey High School officials. Buron said the students received a five-day, in-school suspension for violating the school's policy on weapons possession. District officials never acknowledged that the students were suspended. The free training day will be held May 20 at the Union Hill Gun Club on Union Hill Road in Monroe, Middlesex County from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Registration is limited to 100 students. "NJ2AS turned a negative into a positive without any litigation and/or waste of gun owner resources," the gun group said on its website, adding that the outcome is a "best case scenario." Jeff Goldman may be reached at jeff_goldman@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @JeffSGoldman. Find NJ.com on Facebook. In the escalating farce known as Donald Trump's legal defense strategy, lead attorney Rudy Giuliani has hurled two more affronts at the rule of law: His client could defy a subpoena from special counsel Robert Mueller, or he could invoke the Fifth Amendment to avoid testifying before a grand jury. These options were floated during another televised train wreck Sunday, when Giuliani essentially explained why Trump should stonewall the Mueller investigation in any way possible. Yes, Trump still "wants to testify," Giuliani noted, shortly after conceding that "every lawyer in America thinks he would be a fool to testify." This is likely the opening bid in what will be a lengthy negotiation over the terms of Trump's cooperation. But Giuliani, his latest stalking horse, apparently needs a reminder of what this probe is all about: Mueller is trying to ascertain what Russia did to the 2016 election and whether Vladimir Putin had any help. It is not complicated. The foundation of the American democracy was attacked by an adversary, and these attacks will persist because the president has shown no interest in stopping them, the intelligence community has told Congress. Yet Trump's lawyers shield him from such implications like he's a petulant child one step away from a Twitter meltdown. It is a distressing moment for our democracy when the man whose sworn obligation to protect the administration of justice cannot be trusted to tell the truth under oath. It is equally distressing that the president's lawyers are afraid he will incriminate himself by failing to memorize plausible lies, whether they pertain to alleged collusion with Russians or the firing of the FBI director who was tasked with investigating it. Rep. Trey Gowdy, R-S.C., who chairs the Oversight Committee, had the best advice for Trump's legal team in March: "If you have an innocent client, act like it. Russia attacked our country. . . .If you've done nothing wrong, you want the investigation to be as fulsome and thorough as possible." Every unartful dodge makes it more suspicious, and beneath the legal machinations is the politics: Trump continues to make threats about firing Mueller, deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein, and Attorney General Jeff Sessions, because the rule of law is a great inconvenience for him right now. Pres. Trump's attorney Rudy Giuliani says he can't be confident the president won't invoke the Fifth Amendment if he speaks with the special counsel: "I've got a client who wants to testify... I hope we get a chance to tell him the risk that he's taking." https://t.co/bKAHeA5LAy pic.twitter.com/ZKCako038J This Week (@ThisWeekABC) May 6, 2018 On March 5, Mueller told Trump's legal team that he'll have no choice but to issue a subpoena for the president to appear before a grand jury if he refuses to cooperate. If forced to testify, Trump has a right to keep it zipped, but one legal expert would find that self-defeating: "The mob takes the Fifth," candidate Donald Trump said two months before the election. "If you're innocent, why are you taking the Fifth Amendment?" He has a point. Especially since there is probably a perfectly innocent story behind the 50-plus contacts between Trump campaign staffers and Russian nationals. The president knows invoking the Fifth won't shield him from public disdain. A Fox News poll released two weeks ago found that 67 percent want the investigation to continue. Eight in 10 believe Trump should testify, a Monmouth poll found. So with unconvincing zeal, Giuliani says Trump wants to testify as he tries to run out the clock. He should remind his client that he has two choices: He can tell the truth or he can invoke the Fifth, but neither option is likely to support his claim that he has nothing to hide. Bookmark NJ.com/Opinion. Follow on Twitter @NJ_Opinion and find NJ.com Opinion on Facebook. By Jennifer Rubin Democratic leaders are right to caution their members and candidates against talking up impeachment. There is the obvious political consideration that impeachment is disfavored, at least now, by many voters, especially those in red states where Democrats need to hang on to precious Senate seats. But there is something more important, both for the party fighting against the erosion of democratic norms and for the country: We cannot normalize impeachment. Rep. Adam Schiff of California, ranking Democrat on the House Intelligence Committee, writes that "it is clear that if President (Donald) Trump participated in a conspiracy to defraud the United States during the campaign by colluding with the Russians, there is a historical basis for the Senate to remove him from office. It is even more clear that if he committed the offense of obstruction of justice while in office, that would provide a legal basis for removal." Saying there is a basis for impeachment does not, however, mean it is the wise course of action. Schiff argues that while the impeachment standard "cannot be easily or uniformly defined, I think in the present context it means the following: Was the president's conduct so incompatible with the office he holds that Democratic and Republican members of Congress can make the case to their constituents that they were obligated to remove him?" The risk of moving on less-than-compelling grounds is a gigantic political divide and holds the potential for an endless cycle of recrimination and retaliation. Schiff asserts: "This is a very high bar, and it should be. Impeachment is an extraordinary remedy, not to be entertained lightly, and in the case of a president, would mean putting the country through a deeply wrenching process. It is instead a remedy that must be considered soberly, mindful of the fact that removing a president from office should be the recourse for only the most serious transgressions. "Should the facts warrant impeachment, that case will be made more difficult politically if part of the country feels that removing Mr. Trump is the result that some of their fellow Americans were wishing for all along." What does this mean in practice? Let's start with situations in which I do not think the awesome power of impeachment should be exercised: If, putting aside obstruction, cooperation between the Trump campaign and Russians did not directly involve Trump and he did not have contemporaneous knowledge of such cooperation. If the only act of obstruction by Trump was the firing of FBI Director James Comey to disable the Russia probe. If the sole violation of law committed by Trump is failure to report the expenditure to pay off Stormy Daniels. These actions are not acceptable and suggest sloppiness, dishonesty and contempt for the rule of law. They should preclude Trump's re-election and warrant censure by Congress. However, they do not in and of themselves rise to the level that would forge consensus on impeachment. Impeachment would be a largely partisan affair. What would be sufficient to convince a strong majority of Americans that impeachment was warranted? A pattern of conduct showing Trump's ongoing efforts to disrupt or end the Russia investigation. This would include repeatedly misleading the American people, attempts to prevent witnesses from cooperating, pressure tactics to prevent legal action against Trump friends or family members, deliberately misleading investigators and threats directed at law enforcement. Maintenance of a slush fund to pay off multiple women during the campaign to prevent harm to Trump's campaign, with the intent to hide such payments by, among other things, excluding expenditures from Federal Election Commission reports signed under penalty of perjury. Trump's contemporaneous knowledge and approval of outreach to Russian operatives by aides and associates for the purpose of securing help (e.g., the timed release of hacked emails) to defeat Hillary Clinton. Finally, even if there is ample evidence to prove one or more of these three scenarios, there still should be serious consideration of whether removal by the Senate is feasible. There is little to be gained by impeaching Trump if he then is not removed. Rightly or wrongly, Trump and his supporters would take the Senate's failure to convict as vindication, suggesting the conduct they engaged in is acceptable. Does this give immense power to Senate Republicans who will determine whether there is a supermajority for impeachment? Absolutely. And history, as well as the voters in 2020, 2022 and beyond, will judge them accordingly. Moreover, even if Congress did not pursue impeachment due to lack of consensus, every elected official would have an obligation to call for Trump's resignation. The GOP would lose legitimacy as a national party if it permitted Trump to run for re-election. Jennifer Rubin is a Washington Post columnist, writing from a conservative perspective. Bookmark NJ.com/Opinion. Follow on Twitter @NJ_Opinion and find NJ.com Opinion on Facebook. Mayor owes an apology I am a first-generation immigrant, having immigrated to Jersey City from my native Poland when I was five years old. English is my second language. I have attended public school here nearly my entire academic career, including Dr. Michael Conti P.S. #5, McNair Academic High School, and New Jersey City University. I am not Jersey City-born but I am certainly Jersey City-bred. And I have never felt unwelcome in my own city, until now. I would often visit Exchange Place as a child. In fact, I can still hear the sounds of those wooden planks as I rode my bicycle around the pier. I can still feel the rhythmic thuds reverberating through the handle bars and up my arms. When I tired, I would take shelter in the shadow of that soldier. Gazing up at him, I realized how fortunate I was to live in this country, and specifically in this city, that welcomed people like me with such open arms. Running my fingers along the bronze inscriptions, I would read aloud the names of all those people that contributed to that monument. I would picture all those generations of people that came before me, arriving from Poland, Italy, Ireland, the Dominican Republic, the Philippines, and other places. They struggled throughout their American experiment but were rewarded with a permanent inheritance in this city's legacy. You can read about lessons of sacrifice and democracy in text books, or see them in museums, but to understand them you need to experience them. Jersey City prides itself as the most diverse city in the country, a beacon of tolerance, social justice, and open-mindedness. Mayor Fulop would have you believe his administration embraces such values but, in reality, Jersey City residents have never felt more abandoned in their lives. For the first time in nearly thirty years, the monument dedicated to victims of genocide, which was donated by the Polish-American community that helped build Jersey City, is disappearing from its landscape. Its presence is an apparent obstruction to the design of the proposed park in Exchange Place, which is to be void of any vestiges of its current glory and any memorial to the sacrifices of previous generations of Jersey City residents. It is to be removed, hidden from public view, and eventually relocated somewhere far out of sight of those hoping to make yet more money off the skyline view across the Hudson. All in the mayor's effort to deliver more "progress". But in the name of progress, he talks out of both sides of his mouth. First, he stated to me in an email intent of the Special Improvement District (which more closely resembles a reelection steering committee rather than a civic organization) is to return the monument back to its current location once work on the park is complete. When Mike DeMarco made his preference for the location of the monument public, the mayor abruptly shifts gears and in another email confirms that it is the city's property and will be the city's decision whether to move it or not. What that decision is has been made clear. Was his intention to get rid of the monument all along? Why the underhandedness? Why the deceit? In the name of progress, the mayor wants to remove a monument that has united the Polish-American community from Jersey City and abroad, veteran groups, and victims of the September 11th terrorist attacks. Elected officials, foreign dignitaries, and even the President of the Republic of Poland, have visited Jersey City and paid respects at the monument. The mayor has made it clear that he is answerable only to the people of Jersey City but it is those he represents that he has treated the worst. When members of the Jersey City community arrived at City Hall for a scheduled meeting with the mayor last week, he abruptly cancelled it on the spot as his staff shooed them away. Why was the local Polish-American community never consulted during this entire process? If it was for a lack of clarity on the monument's cultural significance, shouldn't the public have an input now that it has backfired in the mayor's face? Why silence the voices of those that elected you? In the name of progress, it appears the mayor pays more attention to twitter than those that directly plead for his help. As for the tolerance and inclusivity which he touts, he hurls personal attacks at those that question or disagree with him. We should all be ashamed at the level of vitriol and contempt that has surfaced in recent weeks. For an elected official to accuse an opponent of the most egregious sins, including calling someone a white supremacist, an anti-Semite, and a Holocaust denier, is disgraceful and un-American. Where is the dignity? Where is the dialogue? More importantly, where is the common sense? Such behavior makes President Trump look like Honest Abe. In the name of progress, the downtown building boom has proven a bust to those that cannot afford to live in luxury apartments or dine in posh gastropubs. Affordable housing is nearly nonexistent. Crime is rampant. Corruption allegations are common. But Exchange Place will have its park, and those pesky Poles won't have a say. Why commission the gruesome painting of entire buildings and facades throughout the city in the pursuit of art, but denigrate other forms of art that have existed well before you ever moved here? The more things change in Jersey City, the more they stay the same. It takes great strength and courage to admit you are wrong; it takes cowardice to presume you have no need to. The Polish-American community of Jersey City, our ancestors that helped built Jersey City, and every person the mayor has insulted, each deserves an apology. As I child, I looked at the Katyn memorial and felt safe knowing what happened to that soldier would never happen to us here. As an adult, I look at him, with his helpless hands bound behind his back, his mouth gagged to silence his screams for help, stabbed in the back, and I say to myself: now I know how it must have felt. Michael Wisniewski, Jersey City Thanks for different points of view Thank you nj.com for posting articles reflecting differing perspectives. Thank you Kristen Zadroga-Hart for your guest piece "Let's talk abut Katyn Monument's history lesson on atrocities before moving it" and sharing your own personal connection to the Katyn monument. It has inspired others to act for those Jersey City residents and constituents that care about the monuments broader significance. Joanne M. Lowkis, Howard Beach, NY Ohio governor and 2016 Republican presidential candidate John Kasich hinted that he may challenge President Donald Trump in 2020, stating "all my options are on the table." Many have urged the moderate Republican to run -- Kasich would bring some much-needed decency back into politics. But others think Kasich challenging Trump would be a terrible idea. It would only divide the Republican Party, and Kasich wouldn't stand a chance against Trump. What do you think? PERSPECTIVES Kasich has hinted at a possible 2020 run for a while now. When asked recently if he'd challenge Trump, Kasich said: "all my options are on the table." But for now, Kasich is focused on his last nine months as Ohio's governor. Many are excited about the prospect of a Kasich 2020 run. Unlike the majority of Republican leaders, Kasich has remained firm on his anti-Trump stance. Kasich has always put country over party and has the potential to win both disaffected Republicans and Democrats who are unsatisfied with their leadership. There is a chunk of the electorate is amenable to 3rd party or to a centrist Dem Party. Kasich may have a great deal to do with the alternative to Trumpism that emerges. Disaffected Republicans need an option; more important, the country needs one https://t.co/VqaQmARAfY Jennifer Rubin (@JRubinBlogger) April 30, 2018 But others think Kasich would get trounced by Trump. He represents everything Trump supporters hate about politicians. Like Mrs. Bill Clinton Kasich is struggling with the fact that the American people want nothing to do with him. His childish behavior of not participating at the 2016 GOP convention in his home state of Ohio told us everything we needed to know about him. https://t.co/cgzMpabqRp David A. Clarke, Jr. (@SheriffClarke) May 2, 2018 Kasich is your typical elitist politician who thinks we're too stupid for having voted for @realDonaldTrump for POTUS and he needs to come to the rescue. Skip it John, I don't need to be rescued by you. You'd make a great running mate for Mrs Bill Clinton. https://t.co/cgzMpabqRp David A. Clarke, Jr. (@SheriffClarke) May 2, 2018 And polling suggests Kasich is a long way away from ever defeating Trump. NEW POLL: Trump way ahead of Kasich, Flake in 2020 New Hampshire matchup https://t.co/TJWB0xtPpn pic.twitter.com/pFCmANDKvR The Hill (@thehill) May 2, 2018 The Tylt is focused on debates and conversations around news, current events and pop culture. We provide our community with the opportunity to share their opinions and vote on topics that matter most to them. We actively engage the community and present meaningful data on the debates and conversations as they progress. The Tylt is a place where your opinion counts, literally. The Tylt is an Advance Digital, Inc. property. Join us on Twitter @TheTylt or on Facebook, we'd love to hear what you have to say. The Iranian regime is a threat to America and Israel, an aggressive regional player that supports terrorist groups like Hezbollah and war criminals like Syria's Bashar al-Assad. Virtually everyone in Washington agrees on that, as do our European allies. But by what twisted logic are we made safer by adding nuclear weapons to that mix? Thanks to the agreement struck under President Obama in 2015, Iran surrendered 97 percent of its enriched uranium stockpile, destroyed much of its nuclear infrastructure, and submitted to the most rigorous inspection regimen in history. And Iran has respected the terms of the accord, even according to Trump's own secretary of defense, James Mattis, who urged him to stick with the agreement that the president abandoned Tuesday. The most chilling possibility is that Trump has grander plans and intends to overthrow the regime in Tehran. That might seem insane after the disaster in Iraq, but listen to the words of John Bolton, Trump's new national security advisor, speaking at a conference in Paris just last year. "The behavior and the objectives of the regime are not going to change," he told a gathering of Iranian dissidents. "And, therefore, the only solution is to change the regime itself. And that's why, before 2019, we here will celebrate in Tehran!" Bolton was one of the architects of the Iraq invasion, and a chief peddler of the lies used to justify it. He remains unrepentant, an armchair warrior who admitted that he joined the National Guard in 1970 to avoid serving in Vietnam. Now, it seems, he's ready to risk another war that our young men and women will have to fight. His guts, their blood. It's not clear what will happen next, except that the United States will be more isolated than ever on the world stage. It follows Trump's withdrawal from the Paris climate accord, his abandonment of the Pacific Trade Partnership, and the new steel tariffs imposed on some of our close allies. Relations with our allies in NATO are at special risk, since American financial sanctions on Iran are designed to hit any country that engages with Tehran by restricting their access to the American banking system. It's not clear yet if that means German, French and British firms will be sanctioned, but Trump ordered the Treasury Department yesterday to study the options. If Iran withdraws from the accord, which would be entirely justified after Trump breaks its terms, it could resume work on nuclear weapons. Both America and Israel have threatened military attack to prevent them from building one, a horror scenario that is now far more likely to become reality. Military experts warn that it would require weeks of steady pounding to eliminate the threat, even for a few years. What then? Do we occupy Iran to prevent it from resuming the program? Do we install a puppet regime that will do our bidding, as we did in 1953? Do we send troops to protect that government? Trump says the accord is flawed because it does nothing to curb Iran's bad behavior in places like Syria and Yemen, and nothing to limit its development of ballistic missiles. But does he have a better strategy? Is he keeping it secret? Sen. Robert Menendez was among the chief critics of this accord, but even he believes Trump's withdrawal is dangerous. "It is a grave mistake to walk away from this deal without a plan for ensuring that Iran does not restart its nuclear program, without a strategy for countering Iran's dangerous non-nuclear activities, and without our allies and partners," Menendez said after Trump's announcement. We have a dangerously ignorant and impulsive president who is listening to poisonous advice from extremists. We are increasingly isolated, in a day when nearly every challenge, from climate to terrorism, requires international cooperation. Nicholas Kristof of the New York Times summed up Trump's statement like this: "What we saw was not foreign policy. It was vandalism." Next up, North Korea. God save us. Tom Moran may be reached at tmoran@starledger.com or call (973) 836-4909. Follow him on Twitter @tomamoran. Find NJ.com Opinion on Facebook. If former pharmaceutical executive Bob Hugin is successful in his underdog challenge to oust sitting Democratic U.S. Sen. Robert Menendez, he would be among Congress's richest lawmakers, based off his 2017 and early 2018 earnings. Republican Hugin, whose campaign gave reporters two hours late Monday to comb through two-year's worth of tax returns, took home more than $48.4 million in 2017 and the first three months of this year, according to his financial disclosure. Hugin stepped down as Celgene's executive chairman in February. The job he's running for pays $174,000 a year. According to his filings, Hugin reported an income of $19.5 million in 2015 and $14.3 million in 2016, and paid an effective tax rate of 46 and 40 percent each of those years. He reported more than $46.9 million in salary, bonus, stock option and equity grants in 2017 through March 31, 2018, according to his financial disclosure, which included more than $1.5 million in other employment income. Hugin's wealth puts him in a position to spend big on his campaign. He entered April with $6.8 million to spend after lending his campaign $7.5 million. He also raised $352,670. Menendez had $5.3 million in the bank as of March 31. The tax forms show that Hugin paid $7.5 million in state, local and federal taxes for 2015 and $4.8 million in 2016. Hugin donated more than $5 million to charity in 2015 and another $3.9 million in 2016. The bulk of the 2015 charitable contributions -- $4.8 million -- went to his own non-profit, the Hugin Family Foundation. Details about his 2016 charitable contributions were missing from his returns. Hugin's campaign gave reporters two hours to sift through the records and wouldn't permit anyone to take photocopies or leave the building with them. Gov. Phil Murphy, a Democrat, had a similar strategy when he was campaigning. And so has the man who Hugin wants to oust, Menendez. A Menendez spokesman, Mike Soliman, said in a statement the senator would release his returns "very soon." Then he took at shot at Hugin for how he accumulated his wealth. "While there is nothing wrong with being rich, Bob Hugin's getting rich by ripping off cancer patients is despicable," Soliman said. "Bob Hugin has gotten very, very rich from overcharging cancer patients for the drugs they depend upon -- and apparently he has no shame in showing off how much money he made from doing that." The attack was a reference Hugin's company's multi-year battle against efforts to lower drug prices for consumers and the federal government as it fought legislation that could cost the company billions of dollars. In his final year there with Hugin at the helm, Celgene spent $2.8 million on lobbying in 2017, its most ever, as it helped block legislation that could have sped up generic alternatives to its biggest seller, Revlimid, used to treat the rare blood cancer multiple myeloma. However, Menendez is far from unscathed in his attempt to win another term. Last month, a bipartisan committee in Washington D.C. "severely admonished" him for accepting gifts from a friend and campaign donor, Dr. Salomon Melgen, and ordered him to repay their value. The committee said that the senator advanced Melgen's "personal and business interests" while accepting those gifts. Menendez had been indicted in April 2015 on charges that he intervened improperly with federal agencies on behalf of Melgen in exchange for trips and campaign contributions. He was one of only 12 U.S. senators ever to be indicted. After a federal jury initially deadlocked on the charges, the U.S. Justice Department decided not to retry Menendez. Melgen was convicted of Medicare fraud in an unrelated case. Menendez held a double-digit lead -- 17 points -- over Hugin in a March poll. NJ Advance Media Staff Writer Jonathan D. Salant contributed to this report. Matt Arco may be reached at marco@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @MatthewArco or Facebook. One of New Jersey's top Republicans said Tuesday there's a bipartisan "meeting of the minds" that is aligned against the more than $1.5 billion in tax increases in Gov. Phil Murphy's proposed state budget. State Assembly Minority Leader Jon Bramnick, R-Union, labeled Murphy's fiscal agenda "scary and extreme" and said the Democratic governor's young administration is disconnected from Republicans and members of his own party. "I see a meeting of the minds between Democrats such as Steve Sweeney and Craig Coughlin, Republicans such as Tom Kean and myself, all agreeing that this governor's position on taxing, spending is extreme and dangerous to the vitality of the state," Bramnick said at a Statehouse news conference. To be sure, both state Senate President Stephen Sweeney, D-Gloucester, and Assembly Speaker Craig Coughlin, D-Middlesex, have pushed back against Murphy's call for higher taxes. The governor wants to impose a new, 10.75 percent tax on income over $1 million, and bring the sales tax back to 7 percent, among other proposals. Sweeney, who once led the charge for a millionaires tax, now says in the wake of federal tax reform, New Jersey can't afford to raise taxes on the well-to-do. He's embraced an argument long made by Republicans who warn of an upper class exodus if the state raises the top tax rate from 8.97 percent. "I can't speak for Craig, but I've been saying for quite some time that taxes are a last resort, and I'm not changing my tone on that," Sweeney told NJ Advance Media Tuesday. "But I don't think Phil Murphy is extreme. Look at the legislation we've been working very closely on. We've actually got a lot of stuff done," the south Jersey Democrat continued. Coughlin declined comment Tuesday. But he has also said lawmakers shouldn't be looking at tax increases right now. They're key to making Murphy's $37.4 billion progressive budget work. His budget ramps up funding for public pensions, boosts school funding, offers some funding toward free community college, and raises the gross income tax deduction for property taxes from $10,000 to $15,000. Bramnick said he's forecasting a budget showdown among the powerful Democrats who run state government. "It's hard for me to understand how the Democrats can come to terms with an extreme and scary tax-filled agenda of this governor," he said Tuesday. A spokesman for Murphy, Dan Bryan, said the governor will work with Democratic leaders on the budget, and "he will work to ensure that any attempt by Republicans in the Legislature to turn the page back to Christie-era policies and gimmicks is thwarted." Bramnick also went after the deal Murphy recently struck with the Communications Workers of America on a contract for 32,000 state workers that awards them two, 2-percent raises and the clothing allowances and step increases -- raises given when workers hit certain longevity milestones -- that former Gov. Chris Christie, a Republican, froze during a contract dispute with the CWA. Murphy's administration estimated that contract will cost $150 million, which Bramnick called a gift to public workers. "Where is the money coming from? In my judgment it's coming from the pockets of senior citizens and it's taking the money directly out of the Homestead rebate. Simple as that," Bramnick said. It's not quite that simple. Funding for the contract costs is spread over two fiscal years. The current budget signed by Christie included $85.6 million for salary increases and other benefits for all state workers. Murphy's proposed budget for the fiscal year beginning July 1 includes $64.3 million more. Murphy's budget for next year also underfunds the Homestead benefit by about $150 million. He budgeted just $143.5 million for the program, for which full funding is closer to $290 million. He wasn't the first to do so. The state Legislature and Christie also included only have the previous funding in this year's budget. Lawmakers expected the state, under a new governor, to pony up the rest of the money in the coming fiscal year, but Murphy's budget doesn't do so. Democrats and Republicans in the Legislature have pledged to boost funding for Homestead credits in the budgets passed out of the Senate and Assembly. Murphy said last week he'd like to, as well, "if we can figure it out." NJ Advance Media staff writers Brent Johnson contributed to this report. Samantha Marcus may be reached at smarcus@njadvancemedia.com . Follow her on Twitter @samanthamarcus. Marine Corps Colonel Konstantine Zoganas, an Iraq War veteran and Scotch Plains resident since 1995, will serve as grand marshal of the 2018 Fanwood-Scotch Plains Memorial Day Parade on Monday, May 28. Zoganas graduated from Saint Joseph's College of Maine in 1987 and worked as an accountant. After attending a friend's wedding in Newport, he "felt a calling" and enlisted in the Marine Corps in October 1990. One of the older enlisted men, his colleagues, sometimes almost a decade younger, referred to him as "pops." "There's no greater honor than serving your country," said Zoganas, whose father served in a medical M.A.S.H. unit in Korea. "The military is a fantastic route. You have the opportunity to lead as an 18- or 19-year-old. You make life-and-death decisions that impact your own men and the lives of the people of that country. Upon graduation from training at Parris Island, South Carolina, he attended the Fire Direction Controlmens course at Fort Sill, Oklahoma, and was assigned to Alpha Battery 1st Battalion, 10th Marines in Camp Lejeune, North Carolina. He was selected for Officer Candidate School in 1992 and was commissioned on April 10, 1992. While assigned to Battery R, 5th Battalion, 10th Marines he served as Forward Observer, Fire Direction Officer, Guns Platoon commander, and Battery Executive Officer. He left active service in September 1995 and entered the Marine Corps Reserve in March 1996. He later served as Operations and Executive Officer from November 2003 to May 2009 and was deployed to Iraq from July 2006 to April 2007. As Task Force Military Police Executive Officer in command of 1,500 Marines, his mission included setting up convoy escorts for military suppliers, managing the regional detention facility, working with military dogs, and training the Iraqi police force. "Training the Iraqi police was the toughest part of the mission. Patriotism wasn't always their strength. Many of them were just in it for the pay check," Zoganas said. "The Iraqi people want the same things we want - they want to raise their children and have a good life." Zoganas later commanded the 3rd Battalion, 14th Marines, from May 2009 to July 2011. He was reassigned later to the Marine Air Ground Task Force Staff Training Program in Quantico, Virginia, where he served as the detachment Operations Officer and subsequently the Chief of Staff from October 2013 to August 2017. He is currently assigned to the National Defense University in Washington, DC., where he provides training and exercise support to the Center for Applied Strategic Learning and will retire on June 1. His decorations include the Meritorious Service Medal, Bronze Star Medal, Navy Marine Corps Achievement Medal, Iraqi Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, National Defense Service Medal, and Armed Forces Reserve Medal. In civilian life, Col Zoganas is currently employed as Senior Vice President and Director of Information Technology for Lakeland Bank. He remains active at St. Bartholomew the Apostle Church and serves on several ministries. Additionally, he is an active member of UNICO and the Scotch Plains Italian-American Club. He is married to the former Barbara Suriano of Scotch Plains. They have one son, Niko, a fourth grader. "It's a big deal to serve as grand marshal. I'm honored that the Township of Scotch Plains and the Borough of Fanwood see enough in me to lead the Memorial Day Parade," Zoganas said. "In my remarks, I plan to acknowledge the support system of the families who are left behind (when soldiers are deployed). They are part of 'the fallen'." Submitted by the Fanwood-Scotch Plains Memorial Day Parade Committee More than a million Louisiana drivers with State Farm auto insurance will see rates drop by 3 percent after state regulators approved a rare request for a decrease. The rate decrease goes into effect in July. Louisiana has for years been one of the worst states in the country for auto insurance. Last year, the average rate for a policy went up 9 percent. Louisiana Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon said he is "cautiously optimistic" State Farm's request for a decrease in 2018 will ripple out into the larger auto insurance market. The insurer is the state's largest provider of private passenger auto insurance, with roughly a third of the market. Donelon noted distracted driving and cheap gas, which encourages people to drive more, have caused rates to spike in recent years. Car repairs are also getting more expensive as automakers pack more high-tech gadgets into bumpers, side mirrors and other key equipment, he said. Donelon said State Farm's request points to a broader inflection point in the market -- insurers have raised rates enough to have the funds to cover the wave of new risk factors. In its request, State Farm also credited the boost it got from tax cuts baked into the massive GOP tax bill passed late last year. "I am cautiously optimistic that this will play out across the market," Donelon said. What should Louisiana drivers expect? If you are one of the State Farm's 1,026,725 policyholders, the rate decrease will kick in the next time your policy renews. (Auto insurers renew policies every six months in Louisiana.) Top stories in New Orleans in your inbox Twice daily we'll send you the day's biggest headlines. Sign up today. e-mail address * Sign Up The changes in indvidual premiums will vary depending on various factors, but the average Louisiana customer can expect to save about $48 annually, according to a news release from State Farm. If you are new to State Farm, the rate decrease will apply to anyone who gets a policy after July 1. Last year, Louisiana was second only to Michigan for pricey car insurance rates, with an average annual premium of $1,921, according to analysis by Insure.com, which tracks rates nationwide. Average rates are about 30 percent higher in New Orleans and 15 percent higher in Baton Rouge. In addition to higher density population, experts note Louisiana's largest metros account for the largest chunk of the state's auto litigation originates. Overall, State Farm's request amounts to rate reduction of more than $45.7 million. Auto insurance rates change can often vary depending on where you live, but Donelon said the 3 percent cut appears to be uniform across the state. New Orleans and Baton Rouge, however, will continue see higher rates than suburbs or rural areas. While other insurers have yet to request decreases, Donelon said his office has noticed the increases being requested are getting smaller. For example, Louisiana Farm Bureau recently requested a 7 percent increase in rates. That's half of the 14 percent hike it sought and received last year. Donelon said it is promising State Farm, the state's largest auto insurer, can justify a rate cut. "They are a driver of our overall numbers," Donelon said. A man charged with opening fire inside an RTA bus in February, injuring the driver and a man who was in a car nearby, was found incompetent to proceed with his case at a hearing Tuesday (May 8). Dimitris Polk, 30, suffers from "paranoid ideation," and would have trouble rationally assisting his attorney at trial, Dr. Richard Richoux, a forensic psychiatrist who's a member of the court-appointed sanity commission, said. Criminal District Judge Paul Bonin agreed with Richoux's findings, and sent Polk to the Eastern Louisiana Mental Health System in Jackson. Richoux said Polk is "subject to distorting things that go on in his immediate environment, including intentions of other people toward him." That could interfere with his ability to listen to witnesses and point out inconsistencies to his attorney that could help with his defense, Richoux said. Paranoid ideation could also impact Polk's ability to testify and his ability to make rational decisions, he said. Polk is facing 29 charges stemming from a Feb. 15 incident in which authorities said he opened fire inside an RTA bus on St. Claude Avenue in the Bywater, then ran into his neighbors' home and threatened to kill the couple and their 9-month-old baby. The shooting left the bus driver and a man riding in a nearby car injured, police said. According to a warrant for Polk's arrest, he told police, "I'm sorry I shot those people. I took a lot of crystal meth, I'm having a bad trip. People are after me." Court records show Polk was indicted April 12 on two counts of attempted first-degree murder, three counts of attempted second-degree murder, three counts of aggravated criminal damage to property, one count of aggravated burglary, three counts of being a felon in possession of a firearm, nine counts of second-degree kidnapping, two counts of discharging a firearm during a violent crime and six counts of aggravated assault of a firearm. Top stories in New Orleans in your inbox Twice daily we'll send you the day's biggest headlines. Sign up today. e-mail address * Sign Up He pleaded not guilty to 11 of those charges at a hearing on April 16, court records show. Bonin said Tuesday that Polk has not yet been arraigned on the remaining charges. Richoux said Polk developed paranoid ideation "at some point in time prior to him being charged with the offenses he's currently facing." Court records show Polk has previous domestic abuse and marijuana possession convictions in Orleans Parish. He has aggravated battery, marijuana and cocaine possession, and felon in possession of a firearm convictions in Jefferson Parish, according to court records. Assistant District Attorney Daniel Smart asked Richoux whether he knew if competency issues were raised in Polk's previous cases in Orleans Parish. Richoux said he was not aware of competency issues being raised then. At his arraignment in April, Smart said Polk "started to make a scene" when Bonin said he was charged with attempted murder, not aggravated assault. Smart asked Richoux whether knowing that had an impact on his opinion that Polk was incompetent. Richoux said recognizing the factual difference between charges does not make him competent. Also, Richoux said, that doesn't mean Polk isn't "subject to distortions." Dr. Rafael Salcedo, a forensic psychologist who's also a member of the court-appointed sanity commission, did not testify Tuesday, but said he agreed with Richoux's assessment. Bonin set an Aug. 14 hearing date, but noted proceedings would be suspended until doctors either declare Polk competent, or say his competency can't be restored. New Orleans police have arrested 37-year-old David Collins in connection with the fatal shooting of Kevin Dunkley in April. Officers found Dunkley at 9:18 p.m. April 18 on the ground in the open-air loading area between two rows of units at CubeSmart self-storage in the 3500 block of Behrman Highway. Dunkley, 38, had been shot in the chest and was pronounced dead at the scene, police said. An investigation into the homicide led NOPD to Collins, who was arrested Tuesday (May 8) in the 100 block of Lighthouse Point in Slidell. Collins have previously pleaded guilty to aggravated assault charges in a separate case in February 2011. Police also had an outstanding warrant for his arrest on a simple battery charge in connection with an incident that occurred in May 2011. NOPD said Collins would be booked into the Orleans Parish Justice Center on the battery charge as well as homicide charges related to Dunkley's shooting, but, as of late Tuesday morning, he had not appeared in online records. A photo of Collins was not immediately available. On Monday night (May 7), chef Nina Compton of Compere Lapin and the cocktail bar Cure both won James Beard Awards, considered the highest honors in the culinary world. The awards were announced at a ceremony in Chicago. New Orleans had eight nominations this year. Compton was named Best Chef: South. She was nominated for the same honor in 2017. Compton, a native of St. Lucia, moved from Miami to New Orleans in 2015 to open Compere Lapin, her debut restaurant. She first visited New Orleans as a contestant on the locally shot season of Bravo's "Top Chef: New Orleans," where she was voted fan favorite. Compere Lapin, which draws on Compton's Caribbean heritage and her experiences cooking at high-end Italian and French restaurants, has gained numerous local and national accolades since opening three years ago. In 2016, NOLA.com | The Times-Picayune named Compere Lapin its restaurant of the year. Compton opened a second restaurant called Bywater American Bistro in early March. Cure, owned by bartenders Neil Bodenheimer and Kirk Estopinal, along with Matthew Kohnke, won the national award for Outstanding Bar Program. Food and restaurant news in your inbox Every Thursday we give you the scoop on NOLA dining. Sign up today. e-mail address * Sign Up When it opened in 2009, Cure raised the standards for cocktails in New Orleans. It continues to be a training ground for bartenders in the city. Cure was nominated in 2016 and 2017. Last year, Arnaud's French 75, led by head bartender Chris Hannah, took the Outstanding Bar Program award. Bodenheimer, along with Gary Solomon and Gary Solomon Jr., recently took over the cocktail conference Tales of the Cocktail, which is held each July in New Orleans. In January, the James Beard Foundation announced that Dong Phuong, the Vietnamese bakery in New Orleans East, would receive an America's Classics Award, which celebrates long-running family-owned restaurants. The foundation also inducted Lally Brennan and Ti Adelaide Martin, who run Commander's Palace, into its Who's Who of Food & Beverage in America. Check back to NOLA.com | The Times-Picayune for updates. As recently as Sunday, Ti Martin and Lally Brennan were planning to fly to Chicago to attend the James Beard Awards. The ceremony is the closest thing the restaurant world has to the Oscars, and the cousins, who operate Commander's Palace, were to be inducted into the James Beard Foundation's Who's Who of Food & Beverage in America. Brennan and Martin had plane tickets and dinner reservations. They'd taken to calling themselves the "Who's Who Dats." They ultimately decided to stay in New Orleans to be with Ella Brennan - Martin's mother, Brennan's aunt and the restaurant family's matriarch who has been in poor health. "Lally and I just feel like we might be getting some extra innings here, so we wanted to be around for that," Martin said on Monday afternoon, referring to her mother, who is 92. "We've had a rough couple weeks and it was just not the right time to not be here." Martin and Brennan were seated at a table in Commander's wine cellar, along with executive chef Tory McPhail and Dottie Brennan (Ella's sister) and her son, Brad Brennan, a partner in the restaurant. They had just raised a glass of Champagne with the staff and were continuing to mark the moment they were missing in Chicago with a platter of fried, caviar-topped oysters and a bottle of Corton-Charlemagne, one of Ella Brennan's favorites. Asked why she opened a 1989 vintage, sommelier Kristin Estadt said, "It was the oldest bottle we had." Food and restaurant news in your inbox Every Thursday we give you the scoop on NOLA dining. Sign up today. e-mail address * Sign Up The Commander's family has plenty of Beard experience. Ella Brennan was inducted into the Who's Who back in 1984 and was awarded the recipient of its Lifetime Achievement Award in 2009. Commander's has won Beards for Outstanding Service (1993) and Outstanding Restaurant (1996), and McPhail took home the Outstanding Chef: South award in 2013. Lally Brennan was particularly looking forward to the Who's Who honor because she knew in advance how it would turn out. "You don't have to sit there, worrying you're going to lose," she said, chuckling. "And you don't have to make a speech," added Martin. Steve Woodruff and Don Strunk, Commander's operations manager and general manager, respectively, made the trip to Chicago for Monday night's ceremony, where New Orleans was well-represented: Both Nina Compton, chef and co-owner of Compere Lapin and Bywater American Bistro, and the cocktail bar Cure took home awards, and Dong Phuong was named an America's Classic. Martin said she always considered her trips to the Beard galas as opportunities to praise New Orleans food culture on a national stage. "Missing that was not part of the plan," she said. "But family comes first." Brett Anderson is restaurant critic and features writer at NOLA.com | The Times-Picayune. Follow him on Twitter at @BrettEats. Email him at banderson@nola.com The first version of El Libre, a Cuban bar and restaurant, was a tiny spot in the French Quarter. The new location, Uptown on Calhoun Street, is a little bigger but still tightly focused. The menu, expanded from the original, includes classics like ropa vieja, black beans and a Cubano sandwich. It even has a ropa vieja po-boy, a Caribbean take on the local roast beef sandwich. At the bar, you can order Daiquiris, Mojitos, Cuba Libres and strong coffee. The new El Libre takes over a long-running Bud's Broiler outlet. To make sure the Bud's fans aren't disappointed, El Libre will still be grilling burgers. The restaurant even made its own, souped-up version of Bud's barbecue sauce. Opened: May 4 On the menu: Ropa vieja (stewed beef) with black beans and plantains ($12); pollo del Libre (slow-cooked chicken with mojo marinade); ropa debris po-boy ($12); hamburgers (starts at $5.25) (See the full menu online) Need to know: The original, French Quarter location of El Libre is now Manolito, also a Cuban cafe and bar. Food and restaurant news in your inbox Every Thursday we give you the scoop on NOLA dining. Sign up today. e-mail address * Sign Up Hours: Wednesday through Monday 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. El Libre: 3151 Calhoun St., New Orleans, 504.309.2699 Correction: The original version of this story listed the wrong hours for El Libre. *** Got a tip? Know some restaurant news? Email Todd A. Price at TPrice@NOLA.com or call 504.826.3445. Follow him on Twitter (@TPrice504) or join the conversation at www.facebook.com/groups/wherenolaeats. The state Department of Natural Resources violated provisions of a state law designed to protect the public and environment in issuing a coastal use permit for construction of the controversial Bayou Bridge Pipeline, and the permit must be reconsidered, according to a state district court judge in St. James Parish. The state agency overseeing the pipeline permit eliminated state-required environmental and safety protections for neighborhoods in St. James Parish and coastal areas that the pipeline will pass through by improperly applying provisions of the state's Coastal Zone Management Act, 23rd Judicial District Court Judge Alvin Turner Jr. ruled in his April 26 decision, made public Monday (May 7). Turner also ordered DNR to require Bayou Bridge to develop emergency evacuation and response plans for areas the pipeline runs through before any permit is issued. Elizabeth Livingston de Calderon, a supervising attorney with the Tulane Environmental Law Clinic representing environmental and community groups that filed suit challenging the permit, said the ruling will require construction to stop on the 162-mile pipeline until DNR reconsiders the permit, once a formal judgment is issued in the case, which could take another week or so. Patrick Courreges, a spokesman for DNR, said the agency's staff believed it was following the rules correctly under state law. "The court has ruled otherwise," he said, adding that no decision has been made on whether to accept the judge's ruling remanding the permit for rehearing, or whether to appeal the decision to the state 5th Circuit Court of Appeal. Bayou Bridge Pipeline is jointly owned by Energy Transfer Partners and Phillips 66. Its route runs from Lake Charles to St. James Parish, including a long segment that crosses the Atchafalaya River Basin. "We do not typically comment on pending or current litigation," said Energy Transfer Partners spokeswoman Vicki Granado. "We would like to reiterate, however, that we will continue to follow all of the stipulations of our permits, as we have always done." Two St. James residents among those filing the suit praised the ruling in a press release announcing the decision. "It seems like the state agency didn't think too much about the people who live here when it was giving Bayou Bridge this permit, and neither did Bayou Bridge," said Harry Joseph Sr., pastor of Mount Triumph Baptist Church in St. James. "So we went to court, to somebody who we felt would listen to us, and he did." "Here in St. James, we are in desperate need for an evacuation plan that will allow us to get out fast when something spills or explodes," said Genevieve Butler, a St. James resident. "More facilities keep coming, and each one puts us at more risk, but none of them want to do anything about our situation. Well, now Bayou Bridge has to step up. I hope all the others see this ruling as a sign that they have to give our community the protection we deserve." A separate federal lawsuit by environmental groups seeking to overturn an Army Corps of Engineers permit and halt construction in the basin resulted in a temporary restraining order blocking construction. But that order was itself blocked by a 3-judge panel of the U.S. 5th Circuit Court of Appeals until an appeal of the federal judge's ruling could be appealed. A hearing on that appeal by a separate 3-judge panel occurred last week, and no ruling has been issued by that panel. Environmental news in your inbox Stay up-to-date on the latest on Louisiana's coast and the environment. Sign up today. e-mail address * Sign Up At issue in Turner's ruling are three guidelines governing permitting under the state's Administrative Procedures Act, which governs how agencies make decisions under other laws, like the coastal zone act: 711(A), which governs rules dealing with commercial and industrial surface alterations; 719(K), which governs "oil, gas and mineral activity;" and 705, a less-stringent guideline applicable to "linear facilities." Turner said DNR decided against applying the surface alteration guideline because it felt the oil, gas and mineral activity guideline would apply. But then the agency decided that guideline also didn't apply, which eliminated its justification for not using the surface alteration guideline, he said. Instead, it used the less stringent linear facilities guideline, "thereby eliminating the increased protections which should have been afforded prior to issuing a permit to transport crude oil through the neighborhoods of St. James Parish and coastal areas." He said state law requires the use of one or more of the guidelines when it is appropriate to do so, and that failing to do so "without articulating any rational basis for doing so is arbitrary, capricious," and in violation of state law. Turner said that once the pipeline was completed, it would not result in surface alteration. "However, it cannot be disputed that once constructed, use of the pipeline could conceivably change the usability of the land." More troubling, he said, was the department's failure to apply the guideline dealing with oil, gas and mineral activities, which ie said is defined as "those activities which are directly involved in the exploration, production and refining of oil, gas and other minerals." "It cannot be reasonably disputed that the transportation of crude oil is directly involved in the refining of oil," Turner wrote. "Oncecrude oil is extracted it has to be transported via pipeline to a refinery, where it is thereafter converted to various refined oil products." At a minimum, he said, that guideline should have been considered in determining whether to grant the permit. Turner declined to rule on a state constitution argument raised by the groups opposing the permit: that DNR violated its public trust duty by not requiring an emergency response plan or considering potential adverse impacts. But in ordering DNR to reconsider the permit, he ordered the agency to require Bayou Bridge Pipeline LLC "to develop effective environmental protection and emergency or contingency plans relative to evacuation in the event of a spill or other disaster "PRIOR to the continued issuance of said permit." The ruling follows a Jan. 4 hearing by Turner on the suit challenging the state permit filed in May 2017 by attorneys with the Tulane Environmental Law Clinic on behalf of Joseph; Butler, a resident of the community; the Humanitarian Enterprise of Loving People (HELP), an organization of pastors and residents on the west bank of St. James Parish; the Gulf Restoration Network; Atchafalaya Basinkeeper, an environmental organization focusing on the river basin; and Louisiana Rise, formerly Bold Louisiana, an environmental group opposing the pipeline. Correction: Tulane Environmental Law Clinic supervising attorney Elizabeth Livingston de Calderon said the ruling will require a halt to construction of the Bayou Bridge Pipeline, once a final judgement is filed. An earlier version said the ruling might require a halt to construction. Germany has decided on a novel approach to dealing with its "crayfish plague,'' the nation's international public broadcaster, DW.com reports. Berliners will now be allowed to eat crawfish. "Populations of the Louisiana crayfish (Procambarus clarkii), originally from the southern USA and northern Mexico, have taken on plague proportions since last summer in lakes in the Tiergarten and Britzer Garten parks in the German capital,'' DW.com reported. The German government theorized the crawfish were probably introduced to the country by someone dumping pets into a park. "The permission to catch the creatures, which runs to the end of 2018, was given after Berlin environmental authorities ascertained that they did not contain dangerous levels of heavy metals or other toxins." A small family-owned fishery from Berlin's Spandau district has received a permit to sell the crawfish to restaurants and individuals, DW.com reports. The German news agency suggests this method of cooking crawfish: clean them in salt water, then put them live into a large pot of boiling water already seasoned with salt, cayenne pepper, lemon, garlic, onion and bay leaves. Sounds legit? An air quality alert has been issued for Tuesday (May 8) in the greater New Orleans area. Ozone is forecast to rise to levels potentially unhealthy for children, elderly adults and other sensitive groups. The Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality is forecasting an "Ozone Action Day" on Tuesday for New Orleans and surrounding parishes, including Jefferson, St. John the Baptist, St. Charles, St. Bernard, St. Tammany and Plaquemines parishes. The alert will be in effect from noon to 7 p.m. Low-level ozone is an atmospheric pollutant that forms when gases released by vehicles or industry react with sunlight. An ozone action day is declared when weather conditions -- like heat and humidity -- may pose the risk of health problems. The city of New Orleans, through its NOLA Ready Twitter account, is advising active children and adults, the elderly and people with respiratory diseases to "avoid prolonged outdoor activities and exertion." As of Monday evening, the New Orleans metro area was still under a moderate ozone warning, signified by the color yellow on AirNow, an air quality website that uses Louisiana DEQ data. Ozone levels are expected to increase to the orange level by Tuesday, which may cause "unhealthy air quality during the afternoon hours," according to a Louisiana DEQ alert. In addition to limiting outdoor activity, officials are asking residents to take voluntary steps to reduce emissions, including driving less and making sure your automobile is in "good working condition." Other ozone-reduction tips include: Make sure your gas cap is on tight. More information is available at the Louisiana DEQ website or by calling 866-896-5337. Jonathan Talley, on trial for the 2016 murder of his estranged girlfriend and the kidnapping of their 3-year-old son, was suicidal and reckless on the night Aimee Kirst died of a gunshot wound to the back of the head, but he had no intention of killing the Pearl River woman, his attorney said Monday (May 7) during opening arguments at the St. Tammany Parish courthouse. Characterizing the killing of Kirst as accidental, defense attorney James Carrington told the jury that Talley went to Kirst's home on Ed Yates Road north of Pearl River on June 30, 2016 to kill himself, not to murder the mother of his son. "This is a heartbreaking case of mental illness and recklessness and a dysfunctional relationship," Carrington said. "It is sad and it's tragic," but it's not murder, he said. The defense attorney said Talley had attempted suicide "a half dozen times" before Kirst's body was found at her home on July 1, 2016. He said while Talley is responsible for the woman's death, his intent was not to kill her. He described the defendant as "broken down and distraught." In her opening statement, prosecutor Casey Dieck painted a different picture of Talley, 37, who she said had administered physical, emotional and verbal abuse that led to Kirst obtaining a protective order against him in March of 2015. Dieck said the two met and began dating in 2012. In 2013, Kirst gave birth to their son. The defendant was "in and out of their lives" over the next two years as the couple's relationship worsened. Kirst wanted the elder Talley in her life but she didn't want the abuse that came along with it, Dieck said. "She needed financial support and she wanted (her son) to have a father," the prosecutor said. But she said violence and manipulation were part of the dynamic. St. Tammany top stories in your inbox A weekly guide to the biggest news in St. Tammany. Sign up today. e-mail address * Sign Up On June 30, 2016, Dieck said testimony will show that Kirst texted Talley to ask for money to repair a burst water pipe at her the Pearl River home where she lived with the boy. An argument followed and Talley left his father's Bogalusa home with a gun, despite the father's attempt to take it away. Several hours later, Talley showed up at his mother's home in Lucedale, Miss., with the boy and told her he accidentally shot Kirst. Evidence will show that the gun used in the killing contained the DNA of both Kirst and Talley, but that only the DNA of Talley was found on the trigger, Dieck said. "Jonathan Talley was locked and loaded and there was a bullet meant for Aimee's head, not his own," Dieck said, noting that the killing apparently took place while the boy was present. In addition to second-degree murder, Talley is also charged with second-degree kidnapping. Carrington said his client did not kidnap the boy, but rather sought to remove him from the scene of the shooting. "He wanted to get his son away from his dead mother," Carrington said. "He was taking his son out of a terrible situation ..." Talley was also charged with possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. Jury selection in Talley's trial, which is being conducted before Judge Scott Gardner of the 22nd Judicial District Court, began Monday morning followed by the opening statements from attorneys in the late afternoon. Testimony will begin Tuesday and the trial is expected to last at least one week. The St. Tammany Parish Sheriff's Office is asking for the public's help in finding a woman missing since May 1. Slidell area resident Angelle Marie Hovey, 35, was last seen driving a white Toyota Camry at the Coast Guard Air Station in New Orleans. The Camry has Louisiana license plate YRZ746, the Sheriff's Office said Tuesday (May 8). The Sheriff's Office said Hovey is considered an "endangered person" due to mental health issues. Anyone with information is asked to contact Detective Lopez at (985) 726-7826. As if Louisiana hasnt had enough of tropical weather this summer, Gov. John Bel Edwards was told Saturday that the states residents need to brace themselves for the possibility of another system coming ashore perhaps as early as next Friday. Even a barge hitting a Mardi Gras World's warehouse couldn't stop the celebration for LaToya Cantrell, New Orleans' first woman mayor, at her Inaugural Ball Monday night (May 7). The date is also significant because it was the date 300 years ago that New Orleans was founded. Thankfully, no one was hurt in the barge accident, which happened to a warehouse that housed Carnival parade floats, adjacent to the ball venue. "Celebrate history we are making together," said Mayor Cantrell during her speech. With an estimates of about 500-plus people in black-tie attire filling Mardi Gras World's River City Venue inside and out, it seemed liked everyone was there, including her family from New Orleans (husband Jason and daughter RayAnn), California and Alabama, and local VIPS such as Rhesa and Alden McDonald, Frances and Calvin Fayard, Cherice Harrison-Nelson, and various City Council members who had been sworn in earlier that day at the Mahalia Jackson Theater with the mayor. Many had already been to other events surrounding the inauguration, including a Mass at St. Louis Cathedral, a reception in Armstrong Park, and a Veterans Reception at the National World War II Museum. Organizers proved that they knew how to throw a party: inside there was DJ Soul Sister, Rumba Buena Latin Band, Gina Brown, New Cupid and Cyril Neville's family, while outside the Versailles Lion Dance Team, Meschiya Lake, James Andrews Family Band and the Crescent City All-Stars, Glen David Andrews, DJ Big Al, Big Freedia (who after Mayor Cantrell garnered the most photo ops with attendees), DJ Jubilee andPartners-N-Crime, with 21st Century Brass Band closing out the night. In the middle of the party, spectacular fireworks over the Mississippi River thrilled, setting the tone for the rest of the evening. ******* To reach Sue Strachan, send an email to socialscene@nola.com or call 504.450.5904. Find her on Twitter and Instagram as @suestrachan504, with the hashtag #nolasocialscene. Visit her on Facebook. And, come back to NOLA.com/society for more New Orleans area event and party news and photos. Travis Washington stood along Cherry Street late Monday afternoon (May 7), holding his 2-year-old nephew as he watched New Orleans firefighters battle a two-alarm blaze that scorched part of his family's home in Hollygrove. Less than an hour before, Washington and his friend, David Andrews Jr., were in the living room when Washington heard a commotion outside. "We heard the neighbors yelling, so we came outside, and they said something was on fire," Washington said. "I ran to the back--and the whole patio is on fire." Washington said he then went back into his family's home, on the second floor of a duplex in the 3300 block of Cherry Street, and warned other family members of the blaze. At this point, Washington said, the rear of the home was in flames, the smoke too thick for him to grab any prized possessions. "I just started feeling the heat and the tension," Andrews added. Washington's stepfather and nephew escaped unharmed, as did residents of the first-floor home. The family's dog, a terrier mix named Max, also got out safe. The New Orleans Fire Department confirmed that no injuries were reported in the fire, which began about 4:44 p.m. at the two-story duplex and then spread to an adjacent garage. As for the duplex, Travis Washington and his mother, Taquisha Washington, said they were not sure how their home fared. "They say the back is real messed up, but no, we haven't been in there yet," Taquisha Washington said as she stood along Cherry Street, her light-blue scrubs damp in spots from holding Max, the family's terrier mix, who had been wrapped in a wet blanket likely hit by streams from firefighters' hoses. Taquisha Washington said she had received a phone call while at work at Ochsner Medical Center on Jefferson Highway. She could see the smoke all the way from the hospital, which sits roughly two miles away, she said. According to the NOFD, the first fire company arrived at 4:49 p.m. to find heavy smoke and fire coming from the rear of the wood-framed duplex, which has a brick veneer. The adjacent two-story garage was also on fire. Though the home fronts Cherry Street and the garage faces Olive Street, the rear of the home sits near the back of the garage. Firefighters called for a second alarm two minutes after reaching the scene. "Firefighters were able to aggressively attack the fire in the rear of the duplex and gain control quickly," fire officials said in a news release. "The fire in the garage proved to be much more stubborn." Top stories in New Orleans in your inbox Twice daily we'll send you the day's biggest headlines. Sign up today. e-mail address * Sign Up Several factors made the garage fire a tougher battle, NOFD officials said, including "a number of extremely flammable items in the garage that helped to fuel the fire." The garage was deemed unsafe for firefighters to enter, and minimal access points made it a challenge to fight the blaze from outside. After firefighters created openings on the first floor of the garage, the fire was placed under control relatively quickly, officials said. About 5:45 p.m., Light gray smoke continued wafting from the charred garage. A small group of firefighters crouched in an adjacent side yard, directing a hose onto the charred garage, as another group of firefighters directed a large spray of water into the building's raised garage door, which fronts Olive Street. Several cars were parked in front of the garage. Around the corner on Cherry Street, light smoke still curled from the roof line of the duplex. Fifteen NOFD vehicles, including at least a half-dozen firetrucks and a vehicle marked HAZMAT, carrying 35 fire personnel brought the fire under control at 6:02 p.m. "Firefighters did a great job halting the progression of this blaze, especially considering the time of day, as well as the high temperature," NOFD officials said. The cause of the fire remains under investigation, according to fire officials. Several residents, as well as the property owner, said they did not know how the fire began. "No idea," said Mikkel Allen, who owns the property and lives in the duplex. Standing on the sidewalk along Cherry Street Monday evening, Allen said everyone would be assured that everyone would be provided with a place to stay the night, including Max the dog. "Everyone's totally safe," Allen said. As the sun began lowering Monday evening, Andrews and Travis Washington, both seniors and athletes at George Washington Carver Collegiate Academy, still seemed stunned as they recounted the fire. "I don't even have words for it," Andrews said. "It's unbelievable is what it is." A tank containing hazardous material burst Tuesday afternoon (May 8) at Napoleon Wharf as Coast Guard personnel were inspecting it, according to the New Orleans Fire Department. Around 12:42 p.m., NOFD received word that a tank containing "crude sulfate turpentine" released a small amount of product and contaminated the three Coast Guard members who were inspecting it. During high temperatures, the tank's relief valve will release product to prevent over pressurization, a fire department release said. The Coast Guard members transported themselves to a local area hospital for treatment. They were treated and released. Firefighters located the leak and secured the area before also heading to the hospital for precautionary decontamination procedures. In total, 25 NOFD personnel were at the scene. It took three hours to bring the leak under control. New Orleans firefighters battled a 2-alarm fire at a garage and neighboring two-story home Monday afternoon (May 7) in Hollygrove. At least a half-dozen NOFD fire trucks and an emergency vehicle labeled HAZMAT were stationed at Olive and Cherry streets, where firefighters were directing streams of water into a small, two-story building with a garage door and several cars parked in front. Light gray smoke wafted from the building which appeared to be charred in some areas. As several firefighters crouched in an adjacent yard, directing a hose onto the blackened structure, another group of firefighters directed a large spray of water into the building's raised garage door, which fronts Olive Street. Firefighters also focused on a two-story home fronting Cherry Street. The rear of the home was charred and Monday evening, light smoke still curled from the home's roof line. Though the home and the garage face two different streets, the rear of the home sits very near to the rear of the garage. Check back with NOLA.com|The Times-Picayune for more on this breaking story. Mardi Gras World, a major New Orleans attraction, was struck Monday evening (May 7) by "several barges," which inflicted significant damage to the building, according to the New Orleans Fire Department. About 6:45 p.m., "a tug lost steering and ran several barges into the Mardi Gras World facility," said NOFD Superintendent Tim McConnell. "Mardi Gras World sustained some pretty heavy damage," McConnell said. "As the barges came in, they broke the pilings and caused the wharf structure to fall in," he said. The structure on top then caved in, he said. No one was inside the building at the time. About 200 feet of wharf have been affected, McConnell said. Structural engineers were on the scene Monday evening but the full extent of the damage will not be known until after daylight Tuesday, he said. The incident did not affect incoming Mayor LaToya Cantrell's inaugural ball, which was being held nearby, McConnell said. However, access to the wharf area was being restricted, he said. "It just slammed right into it," said Whitney Sterk, a volunteer who was working the inaugural event. She said the third of a string of barges headed downriver slammed into the wharf. "It was just like bam!" Sterk said. "The middle section sort of lost control." Top stories in New Orleans in your inbox Twice daily we'll send you the day's biggest headlines. Sign up today. e-mail address * Sign Up After the collision, dust clouded the air, looking like smoke, Sterk said. "You see all the dust and you're like, oh shoot, is that a fire because you don't know what is this barge carrying." No injuries were reported. The Coast Guard will be in charge of investigating the collision. "The building is significantly damaged," said Barry Kern, CEO and President of Mardi Gras World and Kern Studios. "There were floats and props and things that were damaged in what we call our prop-shop." Kern said a full damage assessment will take place Tuesday. "Thank God no one was hurt," Kern said. Blaine Kern's Mardi Gras World is a famed float-making facility that doubles as a tourist attraction and event venue, allowing guests a peek at how assorted materials are transformed into ornate displays of Mardi Gras magic. Blaine Kern Studios opened Mardi Gras World in 1984 after fielding repeated requests for private tours. About 10 years ago, Mardi Gras World moved from Algiers to a much larger spot, its current location near the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center. Reporter Laura McKnight contributed to this report. Martin Sorrell Martin Sorrell today promised to return to the ad/PR business following last month's "extraction" from WPP in the aftermath of an internal probe into his personal conduct. At the Techonomy conference in New York, Sorrell said leaving WPP provided him with a better perspective of the challenges faced by legacy agencies. His plans to "start again" revolve around establishing a lean and more agile agency structure that is focused on data and content. He does not have a "no-compete" arrangement with WPP, which he founded 33 years ago. Sorrell, who has been warning of the threat to ad/PR by "frenemies" (Google, Facebook, Apple, Amazon) for the past decade, said they are now discovering that they are responsible for the content that flows through their networks. Sorrell's session was billed as, "The Global Economy, the Future of Media, and How to Think About Donald Trump." Portable solar panels are reshaping how backcountry explorers think about access to electricity. Solar has become far more affordable and widely available in less than a decade. As a result, these handy systems are increasingly being turned to for added electrical generation while stationary during off-road/overland trips. Understanding the basics of solar systems will help you know whether they make sense for expanding the capabilities of your rig and/or trailer. If youre new to electrical systems, and especially thse in vehicles, dont worry. The first article in this Gear Doctor series provides a better understanding of how an off-road power grid works. Start there, and then you can begin looking at which hardware to equip yourself with. READ MORE: Solar 101: Learning the Basics Getting Started Because solar components are often sold as individualized pieces, its common to not have all thats essential as you dive into the purchase of starter components (e.g., a solar panel). For that reason, most companies offer kits, which bundle all the needed parts into a set with matching capacities. Taking the guesswork out of matching up components is, for most consumers, a godsend. Rather than costing a premium, such bundled kits typically offer cost savings (as well as saving headaches and the very real possibility of buying twice due to an mis-matched initial purchase). Solar kits include, at a bare minimum, the solar, or photovoltaic (PV), panel itself along with a charge controller (sometimes integrated into the back of the panel) and the wires connecting them. Expanded kits may have an inverter, for converting the DC electricity to AC, and/or a battery for storage (or sometimes merely a battery box featuring common connection ports, such as for USB cables). Thats it in a nutshell. After that the differences between models are about each individual component, but the variations can be very important to understand. Shop for PowerFilm Solar Kits If youre expecting solar systems to have easy interchangeability I have some disappointing news to share. Companies typically offer systems within which one component is configured to connect to the next. However, the connectors used in different companies systems dont always link up. There are 4 major connector options: SAE, Anderson Power Pole, MC4 and Delphi Weather Pack. [In addition, fixed connections are sometimes made, but typically entail stripped wire held within a fixed set screw or other clamp, such as with an inverter.]. These four connectors vary by how secure their linkage is, as well as by how weather resistant and how commonly available they are. The most secure (and similar) are the MC4 and Delphi modules. Anderson connectors have been popularized with the ham radio crowd and robotics. SAE connectors are simple, commonplace and, unlike the other three, rely only on friction to resist separation. Goal Zero utilizes more proprietary friction connectors with its systems. For instance, their 4.7 and 8mm plug connectors mean youll need a solution for linking products such as their Yeti line to other companies components. With a few tools (e.g., connector-specific crimp pliers) and modest wiring skills, you can re/configure wiring of solar system elements to assure you have compatible connectors. Adapter cables can also be purchased or made to provide solutions. Fully testing your intended configuration (virtually, before purchase, and physically, after purchase) is a key step to avoid frustration. It only takes one incompatibility in a would-be system to render it a non-functional pile of expensive parts. In particular, be mindful of appropriately sizing wire gauge to avoid choking off electrical flow (and potentially dangerous overheating). If youre a consumer whose blood pressure rises at the thought of configuring a system, as opposed to buying a simple plug-n-play string of connect-the-dots, then youre not alone. To varying degrees, companies in the off grid solar marketplace recognize that and try to attract your business with pre-configured kits, or at least pre-selected components with proper compatibility. Renogy, Goal Zero and others have sought to make PV as close to plugging into a home wall socket as possible. The drawback is that you often get a system that does not readily connect to others components. Youll also want to keep in mind compatibility with external connections. This includes devices youre hoping to power with the system (e.g., camp lights, a laptop). There are a bevy of connectors used by these devices cables. The most common examples are 12v cigarette plugs, alligator clamps, 120v AC plugs, and USB cables. Consider what you will need, and how each product enables or restricts your needs. While theres a lot of benefit to plug-n-play systems, including lowering the technical skills required by a user, ease of use is not a substitute for quality. Whatever system you purchase its still important that you look over it thoughtfully to assure youre getting all you need. Solar Panels Only a few years ago, consumers had but one option in choosing a photovoltaic panel: rigid ones. The advent of pliable PV film has meant that storing and/or mounting a large rigid panel is no longer necessary. Today, buyers instead need to ask which is better for their needs: a foldable or rollable film panel, a flexible panel (i.e., one that can be modestly bowed), or a traditional rigid unit. Each has distinct advantages and disadvantages. The obvious advantage of flexible film units is their portable size for stowing thanks to the ability to fold/roll them, along with their durability. They can be set up any number of ways, can be strapped down through their simple corner grommets (e.g., Nite Ize GearTies), will pack up relatively small, are not prone to breakage, and can endure rough treatment (e.g., dropping them), including accidentally stepping on them, depending upon the surface underneath. They usually lack the structural rigidity to simply lean them against an object, though they can be laid on a flat surface facing the sun (e.g., windshield). Shop for Go Power! Solar Kits Flexible, or semi-rigid, panels allow for gentle bowing thanks to a durable base material. These units can conform to more varied mounting surfaces than rigid panels, and yet are strong enough to allow for resistance to wind and movement. Some models can also withstand being walked upon or otherwise handling modest impacts and loading pressure. They give up packability as a consequence. For the most part, they are intended to be fixed mounts, though their overall rigidity also helps them stand up when propped against a tire or tree. The simplest, oldest and most economical designs are the rigid panels. Often fragile, and requiring thoughtful framing and mounting to preserve their more delicate construction, some rigid panel makers have begun to innovate with one or more hinged folds to permit these otherwise cumbersome panels to be reduced in size by half or more. These are the types of panels that our family, as well as other homeowners and businesses, are using for large roof-mounted renewable energy systems. Panel Efficiency Sizing of your offroad solar system should be is based upon your electricity usage, coupled with projected energy uptake from the available rays. Where you will travel (and especially camp) sets the context for your system. The latitude, climate, terrain and forest cover your trips will take you through dictate available sunlight. The type and wattage of panels you use, along with overall battery storage capacity, must take this into account. For example, if you live in Vermont the topography and dense deciduous forests could mean only a fraction of the available light that a friend who explores Nevada can expect. Adjust for shorter daylight hours if you explore into the colder months and that figure could drop yet again. To compensate for these losses of available light, systems need to have proportionately higher wattage ratings, and/or optimize energy uptake from indirect and dappled light. Panel type relates to efficiency in two ways: efficiency of solar conversion, and wattage per sq ft. Generally speaking, efficiency is best in rigid panels, followed by flexible models, and finally folding/rollable ones. For instance, commercial Sunpower panels boast an impressive 22% efficiency, as do the Panasonic HIT used in our homes 5.9kW solar system. The efficiency that is never quoted by manufacturers, however, may be the figure off-road enthusiasts most want to know. I term this wattage per square foot (wsf). Its a rating that translates into how compact (or unwieldy) a panel is to array. This measurement, which is not provided by any manufacturers that I am aware of, varies significantly. Flexible and rollable panels typically yield ~4-7wsf. Among the very best are models from South Africas Flexopower, whose models like the expandable Mojave offer nearly 13wsf. Flexible panels are a good deal better, with top quality brands such as Solbian and Go Power! rated at ~15wsf. Better still are rigid panels, the best of which are in the 18wsf range. The added cost of manufacturing packable panels underscores the importance of considering your needs. Is space at a premium? Do you care if your panels are permanently attached to a vehicle/trailer? Will you want to take them with you on a flight to distant lands? Between their attractive efficiency and cost, the rigid/flexible panels may be the right choice for many adventurers, at least when it comes to powering a large battery. And that points to the sizing question. Panel Sizing Want to know the simple secret? Buy more wattage than all the online calculators prescribe. Real life outputs will routinely disappoint you using even the best of panels, whether rigid or flexible. While its true that you do not want to risk damage to an all-in-one battery unit rated for 120w input by pairing it with a 200w set of panels, in reality, panels routinely fail to exceed 50-60% of their maximum rated output. As a rule of thumb after testing numerous panels from leading manufacturers, I suggest buyers only count on 50% of a panels rated wattage. One of the main reasons is the quality and duration of available solar rays. Although I have not seen a calculation for adjusting panel output for the solar capabilities of different regions, its not unreasonable to assume that even while in regions with high quality sun (e.g., the Southwest where I live) you will gain no more than 2/3 of a panels rated maximum wattage. Having the capability to daisy chain panels will provide more flexibility than having a single enormous panel. Here again, before you hope to chain different brands of panels be sure to check their connection types. Better still, buy matching panels (e.g., Flexopower builds their larger wattage Mojave and Atacama systems by pairing multiples of the same 120w and 79w panels, respectively, rather than making a single larger unit). Shop for Folding Solar Kits Mounting and orientation is critical for reaping the most of a panels capabilities. To understand this, think of your panel as not a thin, flat surface, but as a set of invisible tubes thru which the Suns rays must pass to reach the photovoltaic surface. The more perpendicularly aligned the panel is to the sun the more unimpeded those rays will pass thru that tube and reach the panels absorptive surface. Consequently, even a modest misalignment with the path of those rays will decrease energy absorption and wattage. This factors significantly in panel sizing. If your panels will reside in a fixed position, such as flat on your roof rack, where they cant be adjusted at will, you can expect only a relatively short time of optimal solar absorption. Conversely, if you will be able to reorient the panels to face the suns ever changing arc then expect much better efficiency. But also realize that the suns arc equates to ~15degree change every hour. When your goal is enjoying time in the field, spending it fretting over and fiddling with panel orientation is not going to be a welcome activity. Its made worse when panels do not easily move and/or stay propped up. So annoying is the prospect that on our overland trailer we built a dual-axis rotating array. The system holds two Go Power! 100w flexible panels, and can be quickly locked into 64 different positions using, you guessed it, 15 degree increments. Charge Controllers Solar panels dont care when or in what way you need electricity. Electricity created through solar panels is inconsistent. It arrives intermittently and continuously varies in its flow rates. This means your system needs a valve of sorts, along with a conversion of the flow. This critical function is the responsibility of charge controllers. Situated immediately after the solar panel, charge controllers turn electricity from your panels into the electricity your batteries need. Charge controllers, also termed charge regulators, function as voltage and/or current gatekeepers for how electricity reaches a battery. The most important function is to keep batteries from being harmed from overcharging. Batteries typically need 14 to 14.5 volts to charge. Charge controllers can both cap the amount of charge, thus preventing overcharging, and they can optimize the electricity from the panel so as to most rapidly complete the batterys charge. Charge controllers also prevent the unseen back flow of electricity out of the battery. Thats right, panels leech electricity from your battery if something doesnt stop it! Think of water seeking its level between two basins. The controller acts like a back flow preventer in water pipes. Without it your batteries will slowly send electricity out. Fortunately, all controllers prevent the back flow of electricity. Their main purpose is actually to get the electricity into the battery, and to manage draw from the loads you apply to the system. Controllers prevent over draining of the battery by again acting as a flow preventer if the battery voltage drops below a safe level. All those functions are critical, the two major types of controllers both provide them. The real distinctions in selecting a charge controller lie in the electronics wizardry hidden within their similar looking cases. The differences arent any clearer in their names: PWM and MPPT. The differences though are first seen at the cash registeror Amazon cart. MPPT controllers are priced higher to match their increased performance. Specifically, they transform a higher percentage of the panels electricity into the batterys storage. Pulse width modulation, or PWM, controllers differ from maximum power point tracking, or MPPT, controllers in that they cant convert excess voltage into amperage. They also can only handle smaller wattage solar panels. This means that one might only benefit from half of the watts a 240w array can produce if a PWM controller is used. PWM controllers function by acting as a switch, opening and closing many times per second, so as to mitigate the voltage flowing to the battery. They also perform within a much smaller climate band, basically in moderate to high temperatures. MPPT controllers were developed to handle panels with more cells, the early panels having been fitted with 36-cell photovoltaics. This allows higher wattage panels, some with 60-cell configurations to be used. Their magic lies hidden inside. The complexity of MPPT controllers electronics drives their performance and their expense. The result is that unless you only plan to run a small panel, or are on a tight budget, the added cost of an MPPT controller will pay you back in how it more effectively achieves charging goals, as well as avoiding frustration at paltry charging performance. How much more does this performance cost? First ask how much you need a controller that is effective across the extremes of low and high temperatures? How much do you want the capability of running longer cables? Are you willing to pay to have a controller with the capacity to add more panels? In the past, the cost difference was enough that for panels smaller than 200w in total, a PWM may have been the better option. Today, the prices and number of available MPPT controllers has made the difference in cost less significant. With either controller, however, be sure that you size the controller to your panel wattage, as well as thinking through your future needs. Batteries Batteries are the buffer and savings account of photovoltaic systems. At their most basic, they resolve the highs and lows of power production from panels, helping you enjoy longer periods of consistent power to devices regardless of the time of day or whether youve been able to get your panels in the path of the Suns rays. For all our best intentions, the circumstances that conspire to keep you from harvesting solar energy are many. Clouds, trees and canyon walls are all your enemies in solar power production. More easily overlooked are winds, potential for theft, stop-n-go travel, and forgetfulness from any manner of camp distractions that mean panels are overtaken by shadows. In short, anything that keeps you from placing panels in the sunlight will result in your electricity coming from battery storage. As a result, the power storage side of your solar system should have flexibility and a carefully thought out capacity. Similar to the adage about panel capacity, battery storage (i.e., amp hours of storage) should have an added margin that you budget for in estimating how long you will need to operate between reliable recharging. For instance, the ability to operate without recharging for 48 hours is plenty for one persons habits, but may provide others far too little reserve capacity. You will also need to take into account future loads that could be added to the system. Shop for Batteries A vehicles starting, or ignition, battery is the beginning point for electrical storage. Most people, in fact, rely solely on this battery. However, that solution offers little margin for extra capacity (or safety), and requires that the battery be a dual function design. There are batteries, such as the Odyssey line from EnerSys, that offer both deep cycle and starting capacities. However, the limitations of single-battery systems are numerous, with simplicity and cost being the only real arguments in their favor. Dual battery configurations are the most common alternative. They add significant capacity, as well as the potential for security and peace of mind. For most off-road solar systems, a dual battery setup in the vehicle can permit the solar panels to regenerate the electricity stored in one or both batteries as loads draw down either, depending upon how they are isolated. Cost aside, the limitations of dual battery systems are primarily their lack of portability. Their flexibility can be improved through well thought out power ports and connections. For instance, Genesis Offroads smart system offers accessory cables for remote quick Anderson connectors, allowing ready plug-in options at different points on the vehicle for connecting jumper cables, a fridge, or a trailers battery/solar system. Two rival solutions to the traditional vehicle-based dual battery system have recently grown in popularity: trailer-mounted auxiliary batteries, and, in particular, stand alone all-in-one battery/inverter/controllers. All-in-one products have been popularized by the likes of Goal Zero, Renogy and others who have vastly simplified users lives by packaging everything but the solar panel into one feature-rich box. Some are housed in military ammo cans, while others are handsome works of industrial design artistry. Their costs are not cheap if you wish to have meaningful power levels. Why? You are still paying for the same hardwarea battery, AC/DC inverter and a charge controller so that your solar panel can be plugged in directlybut the manufacturer is having to squeeze it all into a very compact enclosure. That resulting exterior simplicity spells R&D headaches and added costs all to overcome interior complexities that result from assuring a clean exterior package and simplified user experience. Simplified versions of all-in-ones have become popular as well. These cost-saving options include models ranging from little more than a battery box with pre-wired ports for plugging in accessories, to models with an integrated solar charge controller but no inverter (e.g., Flexopowers Karoo battery box) or, vice versa, an inverter built into the battery box, but reliant upon an external solar charge controller. As you may have noticed, most of these products will exclude the battery itself. This reduces the cost, and allows the consumer to choose the battery quality s/he wishes to use. Regardless of whats on the inside, most of these products require the buyer to devise a plan for physically securing the unit. Thats a very important consideration for a buyer, as that expensive and heavy power unit (20-80lb typically) could become a lot more costly if it goes airborne and strikes a window, an occupant in your rig, or the trail. Consider fixed methods, ratchets or quality load straps such as Nite Ize CamJams. Trailer-Mounted Systems While there is no denying the convenience of clean, condensed packaging in such systems, some users prefer a more customized configuration. Trailer-mounted set-ups epitomize this approach. Trailers typically have both the space capacity to more easily build in or bolt on the three separate components that make up an all-in-one, as well as the solar panels themselves. Configuring such a system is occasionally handled by trailer manufacturers to take the guesswork and pain out of the consumers hands. These pre-built systems can be very high quality, and have excellent protective enclosures. But DIY fans are well served by the likes of Solbian, Go Power! and others. Your battery should be placed for convenient access, weight distribution (e.g., low CG) and protection. Unlike with dual battery installations under a vehicles hood, trailer mounted systems often can handle a larger battery, or even a bank of two or more batteries, and are much simpler to integrate. As a fixed weight, they are often situated on the tongue. This also allows relatively easy connections to a fridge in the back of a vehicle, as well as all trailer-based devices. The brutal environments in which trailers operate means an onboard electrical system needs proper protections. Quality weatherproof enclosures are key, as are sealed plug-in ports to various receptacles. The benefits such power provides are numerous. Water from a remote tank can now be drawn from a simple 12v pump. Arriving late to camp only requires pressing a switch to illuminate 360 degrees with low wattage LED area lights. The effort put in to plan and set up such a system, while significant, pays back in simplicity later on. And finally, there is one other solar option that requires no installation at all. Small, portable devices available today have meant that energy need not be bolted into your trailer or truck. Goal Zero broke a lot of ground in this realm with products like the Yeti line of solar generators. Such products offer a foundation to pair with efficient LED lights, expanding their versatility. A new, more unique strategy has been the integration of such lights piggybacking into a modest battery. Gear Aid, long known for their repair adhesives and patches, broke into this portable power sector in 2016, offering three variable capacity rechargeable lithium-ion battery/LED combos. These compact devices can be mounted in innumerable locations and positions thanks to RAM and GoPro mounts. They also allow you to charge from their USB ports. With these simple devices you can easily add temporary light and power. Shop for Goal Zero Yeti Products The Takeaway A revolution in off grid solar systems and their paired storage devices have opened a new era for explorers and travelers. The ability to not only have reliable electricity on the trail but to have it in abundance and in a sustainable fashion is reshaping how we spend time in the backcountry. Portable, affordable solar systems have become abundant, and are finally putting buyers in a competitive position to choose. The key is to understand your needs, and to honestly assess how much you value convenience over cost. If youre serious about selecting a solar power system, and want to be sure of the quality youre getting, there are several proven manufacturers to consider in the 44 market. Weve been testing some of the best over the last year, and will be sharing the results in a series of reviews in the coming months. Each of these Gear Doctor articles will feature products with different functions or targeted uses, and will give a glimpse into the company behind their innovations. Leading Brands Go Power! PowerFilm P3 Solar Solbian Flexopower Genesis Offroad Odyssey CTEK Chargers Goal Zero Renogy About the Gear Doctor Sean Michael has been designing, abusing and testing outdoor gear since the 1980s. He began reviewing for Off-road.com in 2000, and today lives in the Northern Wasatch Mountains, where he is Director of the Outdoor Product Design & Development program at Utah State University (opdd.usu.edu). Follow his trips and gear at thegeardoctor in Instagram. We are committed to finding, researching, and recommending the best products. We earn commissions from purchases you make using the retail links in our product reviews. Learn more about how this works. Bob Marleys Granddaughter To Sue California Police After They Mistook Her For An Airbnb Burglar Elijah C. Watson Elijah Watson serves as Okayplayer's News & Culture Editor. When UPDATE: The Rialto Police Department has released bodycam footage from the incident involving Donisha Prendergast. Three videos of bodycam footage were shown at a press conference to counter claims that Prendergast and two other friends who are also black were racially profiled. The owner of the Airbnb the women stayed at was also present and said the situation could have been avoided had her guests used some common courtesy. If the kids had simply smiled at (my neighbor) and waved back and acknowledged her and said, Were just Airbnb guests checking out, none of this would have ever happened, she said. But instead, they were rude, unkind, not polite. Read the original story below and view the video here. Three black women, one of whom is Bob Marleys granddaughter, were recently accused of burgling a home that they were actually Airbnb guests at. READ: Airbnb Cancels Bookings, Deletes Accounts Of People Attending White Supremacist Rally Donisha Prendergast, a 33-year-old filmmaker as well as the descendant of the iconic reggae artist, and two of her friends Kells Fyffe-Marshall and Komi-Oluwa Olafimihan were confused for thieves as they were getting ready to leave their Airbnb in Rialto, California. According to a report from CBS News, the trio was packing their luggage when a neighbor called the cops on them, reportedly telling officers that she saw three black people stealing stuff. The neighbor had also reportedly waved at the group but they didnt acknowledge her back, which contributed to her calling the police. Both Prendergast and Fyffe-Marshall posted a video of the incident on their social media. https://www.facebook.com/directedbykells/videos/10160498802620121/ We were surrounded by 7 cop cars. The officers came out of their cars demanding us to put our hands in the air, Fyffe-Marshall wrote in a Facebook post. They informed us that there was also a helicopter tracking us. They locked down the neighborhood and had us standing in the street. The trio served the Rialto Police Department with notice of a pending lawsuit Monday in regards to the incident. However, the department believes responding officers acted professionally. It was a very low-key contact, Captain William Wilson of the Rialto Police Department said. Nobody had their hands up in the air. There was no guns pointed. Nobody was put on the curb. A representative for Prendergast declined to comment further but pledged to release a longer version of the video and details of the pending lawsuit. Source: CBS News There are too many things people dont know about Zora Neale Hurston, renowned primarily for her novel Their Eyes Were Watching God. Thats not to slight the novel or its significant influence on later writers like Toni Morrison and Maya Angelou, but to say that Hurstons scholarly work deserves equal attention. A student of famed anthropologist Franz Boas while at Barnard College, Hurston became the first African American to chronicle folklore and voodoo, notes the Association for Feminist Anthropology. Before turning to fiction, she traveled the Caribbean and the American South, collecting stories, histories, and songs and publishing them in the collections Mules and Men and Tell My Horse. Hurstons work in ethnography informed her fiction and opened up the field to other African American scholars. It also produced one of the most important works of American nonfiction in the 20th century, a book that, until now, sat in manuscript form at Howard Universitys library, where only academics could access it. Barracoon: The Story of the Last Black Cargo tells the story of Cudjo Lewis (1840-1935), the last known survivor of the Atlantic slave trade, in his own words. Hurston met Lewisborn Oluale Kossola in what is today the country of Beninin 1927. She conducted three months of interviews and published a study, Cudjos Own Story of the Last African Slaver, that same year. But when she tried to publish the interviews as a book in 1931, she was told she had to change Lewis language. For at least two publishing houses, writes Meagan Flynn, Lewiss heavily accented dialect was seen as too difficult to read. Hurston refused. Now, the book has finally been published by HarperCollins, with Lewiss speech intact as Hurston recorded it. HarperCollins editor Deborah Plant tells NPR, Were talking about a language that he had to fashion for himself in order to negotiate this new terrain he found himself in. As published excerpts of the book show, his speech is not hard to understand. He describes the kind of bewilderment all enslaved Africans must have felt after arriving on alien shores and forced to toil day in and day out under threat of whipping or worse: We doan know why we be bring way from our country to work lak dis, he says, Everybody lookee at us strange. We want to talk wid de udder colored folkses but dey doan know whut we say. Lewis tells the story of his capture by the King of Dahomey, whose warriors raided his village of Takkoi and sold the captives to American Captain William Foster, operating an illegal operation (the slave trade had been outlawed for almost 60 years). Forced aboard the ship Clotilda with over 100 other African men and women, Lewis was transported to Mobile, Alabama and sold to a businessman named Timothy Meaher. Cudjo and his fellow captives were forced to work on Meahers mill and shipyard, Gabe Paoletti writes at All Thats Interesting. As a slave, he started to go by the name Cudjo, a day-named given to boys born on a Monday, as Meaher could not pronounce the name Kossola. Deborah Plant sees the rejection of Hurstons book in the 30s as akin to Lewiss loss of his name, country, and culture. Embedded in his language is everything of his history, she says. To deny him his language is to deny his history, to deny his experience, which is ultimately to deny him period, to deny what happened to him. 87 years after the books writing, Lewiss story offers a timely reminder of the history of slavery. The book arrives just after the discovery of what historians and archaeologists believe to be the wreck of the Clotilda, a vessel owned and operated, says AL.com reporter Ben Raines in the video above, by two already wealthy men who smuggled slaves to prove that they could get away with it, then burned the evidence, the ship, to escape detection. When police arrived at Meahers property to charge him with illegally smuggling enslaved people, he had hidden away the captives, writes Paoletti, and had erased all trace of them having been there. Thanks to Hurston, we have an invaluable firsthand account of what it was like for one West African man who not only endured war and capture at the hands of a rival tribe, but also sale at a slave market, the middle passage across the Atlantic, and forced labor in the deep Southand who lived through the Civil War, Emancipation, Reconstruction and well into the early 20th Century. Related Content: Hear Zora Neale Hurston Sing Traditional American Folk Song Mule on the Mount (1939) Actors from The Wire Star in a Short Film Adaptation of Zora Neale Hurstons The Gilded Six-Bits (2001) Massive New Database Will Finally Allow Us to Identify Enslaved Peoples and Their Descendants in the Americas Josh Jones is a writer and musician based in Durham, NC. Follow him at @jdmagness A weekly collection of new hires, transitions, promotions and award winners in Oregon and southwest Washington: MOVES/HIRES: Content Creators Coalition, Portland a non-profit, artist-run, advocacy organization for musicians, announced that Maggie Vail, executive director of nonprofit CASH Music, is joining the executive board. Vail will help boost the organization's efforts in advocating for music creators and music lovers. The Port of Vancouver USA has hired Mike Bomar as director of economic development. Bomar joined the port on May 1. Prior to joining the port, he served as president of the Columbia River Economic Development Council, led the Southwest Washington Contractors Association and worked in government affairs for the Building Industry Association of Clark County. Bomar holds a bachelor's degree in Political Science and Communications from the University of Washington and a master's degree in Public Affairs from Washington State University, Vancouver. Portland-based Skyward, makers of drone operations software and a Verizon company, has made two executive leadership changes. Mariah Scott, previous co-president, has been named president of Skyward. Her former co-president, Jonathan Evans, will assume a newly-created role as head of innovation. Oregon Ballet Theatre announced the selection of Marion Tonner as the new director of Oregon Ballet Theatre School. Tonner, who officially joins the company in June, comes to OBT from the Orlando Ballet School, where she has served as principal. She has danced professionally with the Maryland Ballet, where she later served as ballet master. Identity Clark County today announced the appointment of Esther Cho Liu and Chad Sessions to its board of directors. Liu is associate principal of LSW Architects, a firm she joined in 2011. Sessions is co-owner of Real Living the Real Estate Group. Stoel Rives LLP has hired attorney Allison Reynolds as of counsel in the Environment, Land Use & Natural Resources group in the Portland office. Reynolds focuses her practice on permitting commercial and residential real estate projects, including large-scale oil and gas, mining, solar, and wind projects. Reynolds Defense Firm has hired Zachary Pedrazzi as an associate attorney. Pedrazzi has six years of experience both in criminal defense and immigration law, most recently in private practice. The Board of Governors of the Oregon Manufacturing Innovation Center Research and Development and the Oregon Institute of Technology has named Larry "Craig" Campbell of Kaiser, as its first executive director. Campbell will be leading OMIC R&Ds operations at the organization's Scappoose manufacturing R&D site. Streem, a mobile platform connecting home service professionals to their customers through on-demand, augmented reality and enhanced video collaboration, has hired Liz Pearce to its leadership team as chief revenue officer. NIKE has announced that Amy Montagne has been named the vice president of global categories. Montagne, a 13-year Nike veteran, has held senior management roles across the company including, most recently, vice president and general manager of the Global Nike Women's category. AWARDS: The FedEx Small Business Grant Contest has awarded the Bronze Prize to Dauntless Wine Company from Gaston, Oregon. Dauntless is veteran-owned and operated company that is committed to helping veteran causes, which includes donating its end of year net profits to veterans' charities and providing wine for auctions that benefit veterans. The award includes a $7,500 grant and $1,000 in FedEx Office print and business services. The Oregon Primary Care Association has awarded PacificSource Health Plans' Miguel Angel Herrada the "Health Equity Award" for leading the cause to improve health equity for Central Oregonians. Herrada serves as PacificSource's health equity and diversity strategist. Herrada has been recognized by the OPCA for the work he has done with Mosaic Medical, where he serves on the organization's board of directors. Mosaic Medical is a nonprofit community health center system with Central Oregon-based primary care clinics that serve individuals and families regardless of income or insurance status. Have a new hire, promotion or business award to share? Email us at business@oregonian.com, and put Attention: Business Movers in the subject line. Updated at 4:25 p.m. Jeffrey Jessie Two Portland teens are accused of shooting the half-brother of Portland Trail Blazer star Damian Lillard in a Clackamas County mall parking lot in March. Jeffrey C. Jessie, 19, and Taivon Campbell, 17, were arrested separately Friday by Portland police and the Clackamas County Sheriff's Office. Both teens are also accused in separate prior Portland shootings. Jahrell H. Lillard, 20, of San Leandro, California, was shot several times March 29 on the way to his car while on the north side of Clackamas Town Center in Happy Valley, authorities said. Lillard went back into the mall after being shot, collapsed and was found by someone inside. Police haven't said if investigators have determined what led to the shooting. Lillard survived and is recovering from his injuries. Forensic evidence found after the mall parking lot shooting led to police arresting Jessie at a Happy Valley apartment and Campbell in Portland, according to the Clackamas County Sheriff's Office. Jessie was arraigned Monday in Clackamas County Circuit Court on accusations of of attempted murder, first- and second-degree assault and unlawful use of a weapon. Jessie is also accused along with another man in a March 12 Northeast Portland shooting, according to Portland police. In that case, authorities said someone in a car fired at a group of people outside a business in the 6300 block of Northeast Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard. At least one person in the group fired back, police said. No one was injured, but bullets hit several cars, a building and a fence. Campbell's charges in the March 29 shooting aren't immediately clear. He is accused of attempted aggravated murder, first-degree robbery, first- and second-degree assault, unlawful use of a weapon, third-degree escape and unlawful possession of a firearm in connection with the March 8 shooting of a 16-year-old boy in the 11900 block of Southeast Ash Street. The 16-year-old survived being shot in the torso, but his bladder was damaged, his spleen had to be removed and he sustained mild paralysis on one side of his body because a bullet was lodged close to his spine, according to a probable cause affidavit in the case. The teen was shot while he was accompanying his sister and another person to sell an iPhone 7 for $500, the affidavit said. Campbell was the prospective buyer, pulled a gun and fired after demanding to see the phone without showing any money, the court documents said. He ran away after. According to the affidavit, Campbell admitted to that shooting when he was arrested and claimed he pulled a gun because he thought he might be robbed. He told investigators that he regretted the shooting and wrote the victim an apology letter. Campbell is being held at the Donald E. Long Juvenile Detention Center. -- Everton Bailey Jr. ebailey@oregonian.com 503-221-8343; @EvertonBailey A 21-year-old man shot by a Hillsboro police officer last week told investigators he'd been taking ecstasy leading up to his encounter with two officers, admitted to being the "aggressor" in the incident and claimed he didn't mean to harm the cops, according to court documents. While recovering at Legacy Emanuel Medical Center from being shot in the arm, Brandon Syharath told investigators that he "lunged" at Hillsboro officers Jesus Rios and Yuri Astorga with what he described as a "pressure point tool" used as a weapon in martial arts, a probable cause affidavit said. He said he was trying to get past the officers when they confronted him inside an under-renovation home owned by his parents. He got into a scuffle with one and was shot by the other. Syharath said he didn't remember breaking into a car across the street from the home beforehand, which led to a 911 call from a neighbor that brought Rios and Astorga, the affidavit said. Syharath was released from the hospital Friday and booked into the Washington County Jail. He was arraigned Monday in Washington County Circuit Court on suspicion of second-degree assault, court records show. Another man was shot by police in Washington County the week before Syharath and also survived. Hillsboro police described the item Syharath had during the encounter as appearing to be a small handheld pick and said he'd tried to stab Rios. Rios, who has been a Hillsboro officer for 10 years, had a scratch mark down his arm after the struggle with Syharath, the affidavit said. Astorga, who has been with Hillsboro police for one year, shot Syharath. According to the affidavit, a neighbor told police he and his girlfriend went to her car parked outside their home around 7:20 a.m. last Wednesday when they noticed one of the windows broken out. They saw a man later identified as Syharath leaving their property while carrying a black crowbar and claiming another man gave him permission to be there. When the neighbor asked Syharath if he broke the car window, the neighbor claimed he said something to the effect of "yes, it is fun breaking things, you should try it," the affidavit said. Syharath then reached into the car, took out a bucket of putty, and ran across the street to the under-renovation home with the crowbar and bucket, according to the court documents. The neighbor told police he saw Syharath inside the home cutting the screen from a front window and recognized him as being associated with the house, the affidavit said. He said he suspected Syharath "was on drugs and was acting different from other times he has had contact with him," the affidavit said. Rios and Astorga ordered Syharath to come to the front door when they arrived, the neighbor told investigators. A scuffle began after they told him to get on the ground after, the affidavit said. The neighbor said he heard the officers tell Syharath to stop fighting with them, saw them use a Taser on him and heard Astorga yell "stop or I will shoot," when he continued fighting with them, the affidavit said. Ten to 15 seconds later, the neighbor said he heard one gunshot. -- Everton Bailey Jr. ebailey@oregonian.com 503-221-8343; @EvertonBailey By E.J. DIONNE JR. WASHINGTON -- Do you wonder why the proportion of Americans declaring themselves unaffiliated with organized religion has skyrocketed in recent decades? This trend is especially pronounced among adults under 30, roughly 40 percent of whom claim no connection to a religious congregation or tradition and have joined the ranks of those the pollsters call the "nones." To understand how so many now prefer nothing to something when it comes to religion, ponder the news over the last few days. The same newspapers and broadcasts that were reporting on how President Trump finally admitted that he had indirectly paid a porn star to keep quiet about an alleged affair also offered accounts of what we'll call Jesuitgate, the controversy over who should be the chaplain of the House of Representatives. On Thursday, Speaker Paul Ryan backed down from his effective dismissal of Rev. Patrick Conroy, a Jesuit priest, as chaplain. Ryan had said he asked the cleric to quit because he had provided inadequate "pastoral services," but denied that Father Conroy was ousted because of a mild prayer for justice he delivered during the debate over the GOP tax cut. That phrase "pastoral services" must inspire a chuckle from your average millennial agnostic. It makes the work of holy men and women sound like the this-worldly tasks of the accountant, the mechanic or the dentist. (As the grateful son of a dentist, I speak with respect for these extremely useful professions.) Conroy had initially agreed to Ryan's request to step aside but withdrew his resignation in a quietly stinging letter. The priest noted that he had never been informed of the shortcomings of his "pastoral services." If he had, he would "have attempted to correct such 'faults.'" Conroy also quoted Ryan's chief of staff, Jonathan Burks, as telling him "something like 'maybe it's time we had a chaplain that wasn't a Catholic.'" Ryan's office vehemently denied this (the Catholic vote is substantial) but the speaker announced he didn't want to have a "protracted fight" and that Conroy could stay. Many of us could have told the speaker that it's a mistake to mess with a Jesuit. But think about it: The House Republican leadership was more inclined to push out a chaplain than to impose accountability on a president who is a proven liar and trashes the rule of law for his own selfish purposes day after day. This degree of partisan irresponsibility only aggravates the already powerful skepticism among the young about what it means to be religious. In their landmark 2010 book, "American Grace," the scholars Robert Putnam and David Campbell found that the rise of the nones was driven by the increasing association of organized religion with conservative politics and a lean toward the right in the culture wars. Revealingly, Putnam and Campbell found that millennials with tolerant and open views on homosexuality were more than twice as likely to be religious nones as their statistically similar peers with conservative or traditionalist views on homosexuality. Many young people came to regard religion, in Putnam and Campbell's words, as "judgmental, homophobic, hypocritical and too political." If you want a particularly exquisite hypocritical moment, consider that last Thursday, the very day when Trump had to admit his lies on the Stormy Daniels payoff, the president tweeted in commemoration of the National Day of Prayer. "Prayer is the key that opens us to the treasures of God's mercies and blessings," he proclaimed in a pious 42-second video set to a sentimental soundtrack of peaceful strings. I guess Trump can use some peace and a lot of mercy right now. What's maddening about all this is that religion has a strong case to make for itself -- to the young and to everyone else -- given its historical role as a prod to personal and social change and the ways in which movements for justice have been inspired through the centuries by the words of Exodus, Micah, Isaiah, Amos and Jesus. Conroy was getting at this in the most uncontroversial way possible when he spoke in his now-contested prayer of how "our great nation" has created "opportunities that have allowed some to achieve great success, while others continue to struggle." If a chaplain could be rebuked for voicing that simple and undeniable truth, what's the point of the "religious liberty" that Trump and his GOP allies celebrate? And when will those who advertise themselves as religion's friends realize they can do far more damage to faith than all the atheists and agnostics put together? -- E.J. Dionne's email address is ejdionne@washpost.com. Twitter: EJDionne. (c) 2018, Washington Post Writers Group A $6 million lawsuit filed against the Oregon Department of Human Services accuses child welfare workers of failing to intervene after a 7-year-old girl reported that her grandfather was sexually abusing her. Over the next two years, the girls paternal grandfather repeatedly molested her, according to the suit. The abuse stopped only when the girl told police, the suit says. Her grandfather ultimately was sentenced to 10 years in prison. The lawsuit, filed Monday in Multnomah County Circuit Court, is the latest in a string of litigation over the years accusing the child protective agency of failing to shield children from abusers despite clear warnings that the children were in danger. Agency spokeswoman Christine Stone declined comment, citing the pending lawsuit. According to the suit, the girl told her therapist in May 2011 that her grandfather would lay on top of her in bed and move his hips back and forth over her. The therapist immediately called the Department of Human Services' child abuse hotline. The suit says the girl's father didn't believe the grandfather was abusing the girl but agreed not to let the grandfather see her anymore. Child protection officials didn't investigate further or take any action, the suit says. But the girl did see her grandfather again and again and sometimes slept over at his Vancouver house. The girl, who was from Oregon, was living with her father when the abuse started and with her mother in 2012, shortly after the department closed the case. The abuse continued until August 2013, when the girl, then 9, told Vancouver police that her grandfather was molesting her. The suit faults the Department of Human Services for allegedly failing to act on the girls initial report of abuse. It also faults the agency for allowing the girl to live with her father, despite his trips in and out of jail and his failure to attend a parenting class, according to the suit. The father's criminal history includes convictions for cocaine possession and raping a minor, and he was required to register as a sex offender, the suit says. The girl is now 14. Portland attorneys John Devlin and Josh Lamborn filed the lawsuit on behalf of the girl. -- Aimee Green The Northern Oregon Regional Correctional Center changed its policy last month, saying it no longer holds inmates facing local charges on U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement detainers, which call for undocumented immigrants to be held until federal agents can arrive to take them into custody. The change means undocumented immigrants booked into the jail based in The Dalles will not continue to be held if their sentence is complete, have been released from custody by the court or posted bail. "NORCOR does not accept or detain any individuals whose only violation of law is that they are persons of foreign citizenship present in the United States in violation of federal immigration laws," according to the jail's immigration and customs housing policy, which was updated April 2. According to court records, a federal judge in Portland four days later ordered the dismissal of a lawsuit from Javier Esquivez Maldonado, 40, of Hood River, who said he was held at NORCOR for nearly 20 hours in July 2017 and turned over to ICE agents. He had gone to court earlier that month on a misdemeanor charge of first-degree criminal trespass and was ordered by a county circuit judge to report to the jail within a week and a half to be booked and released. The jail didn't allow Esquivez Maldonado to leave as ordered, and ICE paid NORCOR $80 for holding him, the lawsuit said. ICE detainers call for inmates to be held for up to 48 hours. [Read the lawsuit] In a response to Esquivez Maldonado's lawsuit, NORCOR admitted that he was ordered by a judge to be booked and released, that jail staff received a detainer from ICE while he was being booked due to his immigration status, they held him as an "exclusive ICE prisoner" only because of the detainer and federal agents left with him the next morning. [Read the response to the lawsuit] It's not clear from the lawsuit or court documents what happened after Esquivez Maldonado was taken into federal custody. The federal lawsuit was dismissed because of a settlement, court documents show. The jail agreed to pay Esquivez Maldonado $40,000, OPB reports. He was convicted of second-degree criminal trespass, a violation, in February and was ordered to pay a $300 fine, according to Oregon court records. NORCOR's policy up to the recent change had been to notify ICE every time a person booked was born outside the U.S., passing along the person's name, date of birth, charges and place of birth to the federal agency. The jail cites Oregon law as the reason. NORCOR, which houses inmates from Gilliam, Hood River, Sherman and Wasco counties, plans to continue holding inmates for ICE who face federal charges, have been sentenced and awaiting transportation to prison or are awaiting a hearing on their immigration status or deportation. The jail received 105 detainers from ICE between November 2014 and October 2017, according to Willamette Week. The jail declined one detainer request during that time span. Jails across the state stopped complying with ICE detainers after a U.S. District Court judge in Portland ruled in 2014 that a woman's Fourth Amendment rights were violated when she was held at the Clackamas County Jail for possible immigration law violations. -- Everton Bailey Jr. ebailey@oregonian.com 503-221-8343; @EvertonBailey Republican gubernatorial candidate Knute Buehler tried to upstage Gov. Kate Brown after her media event Tuesday in Eugene. The governor, who is running for reelection this year, was in Eugene to tour a program that helps families to stay together while parents receive addiction treatment. Brown also proclaimed May as foster care month in Oregon, according to a news release from her office. Brown's office invited the press to attend the 11 a.m. event, where she delivered comments. Buehler, who must win the Republican primary next Tuesday if he is to face Brown in November, announced in a press release Tuesday morning that he would also deliver remarks immediately after Brown, outside the same treatment program. Buehler, a doctor and state representative from Bend, attacked Brown's handling of Oregon's foster care crisis, according to his campaign and local television coverage. Buehler has a history of attacking Brown's handling of foster care problems. In January, a scathing audit documented how Oregon officials repeatedly abandoned attempts to reform foster care, including since Brown took office in 2015. Brown's communications director Chris Pair told the Salem Statesman-Journal at the time that audits from the Secretary of State's office, headed by Republican Dennis Richardson, "are just about politics." Buehler responded to the audit by calling for lawmakers to appropriate an additional $50 million to make fixes recommended by auditors. Brown responded a couple weeks later with a request for lawmakers to approve $14.5 million in new spending, which the Legislature granted. -- Hillary Borrud 503-294-4034; @hborrud (Jo Ann Hardesty, pictured outside Portland City Hall on April 11, 2018. Mark Graves/Staff) BY GORDON R. FRIEDMAN Follow @GordonRFriedman Portland City Council hopeful Jo Ann Hardesty launched a searing criticism of Mayor Ted Wheeler on Sunday over his opposition to an initiative petition that would tax large retailers operating in Portland to benefit people of color and eco-friendly jobs. The proposed tax, which Hardesty has helped to write and promote, would levy a 1 percent surcharge on businesses with at least $1 billion in total sales and $500,000 in Portland. Supporters say it would raise tens of millions a year to fund eco-friendly building projects and job training for low-income residents and people of color. Late last month, Wheeler made public his plans to keep the tax off Portland ballots. The mayor praised the Oregon Just Transition Alliance -- a coalition of social justice and environmental groups behind the tax -- as trying to do the right thing. But Wheeler said he is not a fan of taxing businesses before-profit earnings. Hardesty, in the email blasted out to supporters Sunday from her campaign account, wrote that Wheeler is trying to kill three years of work by communities of color by working against the tax with the Portland Business Alliance. The Alliance, which is the citys preeminent business lobbying group, has said it would back Wheelers own plan to increase business taxes by $15 million, but only if the bigger potential retail tax is withdrawn. In her email, Hardesty slammed the mayors dealings with the business group, saying, Mayor Wheeler has decided that he and the Portland Business Alliance know whats best for the city rather than the residents themselves. She said private negotiations between the mayors office and the Business Alliance threaten the publics faith in our governments transparency and democratic process. Asked Monday what Wheeler should have done differently, Hardesty said he ought to have consulted Just Transition members. Hardesty said she believes Wheelers stance against the Just Transitions petition is about winning approval from the business community for his own tax increase, which would help fund more police officer positions. Don't Edit (Mayor Ted Wheeler pictured at Portland City Hall on April 30, 2018. Gordon R. Friedman/Staff) Wheeler spokesman Michael Cox refuted Hardestys characterizations Monday, defending the mayor as seeking only to broker a compromise. Cox said the mayors office was in contact with the Just Transition group before Wheeler went public with his opposition to their initiative petition. He didnt talk about killing anything, Cox said of the mayor. He talked about finding a solution that is a win for all parties without an expensive and damaging ballot fight. Its unclear where the other council race frontrunners -- Commissioner Loretta Smith and mayoral aide Andrea Valerrama -- stand on the tax. Smiths campaign said she is still reviewing the petition, but supports carbon reduction efforts, clean energy usage and workforce programs targeted at the low-income and people of color. A campaign representative for Valderrama did not return a request for comment. Don't Edit During the press conference at which Wheeler made clear his opposition to the retailer tax, he proposed a deal where the Energy Trust of Oregon, a non-profit that promotes energy conservation, would direct some of its $150 million annual budget toward the Just Transition groups goals. He expressed his desire for an amicable, agreed-to solution. Hardesty said Monday that she wouldnt back Wheelers deal because Energy Trust doesnt specifically serve low-income people. Energy Trust spokeswoman Hannah Cruz said the organization is aware of the Just Transitions initiative and Wheelers comments. She said the Energy Trust does not comment on policy proposals. She said expanding energy efficiency and renewable energy programs to low-income people and people of color is integral to our mission. With a series of favorable court decisions last week, backers of the eco-related tax can now begin to collect the 34,156 valid signatures needed to put their initiative on the November 2018 ballot. Signatures are due in early July. -- Gordon R. Friedman GFriedman@Oregonian.com 503-221-8209 Are group strip searches of inmates at Multnomah County's Inverness Jail a violation of their constitutional rights? A three-judge panel of the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals considered the case Tuesday of Joseph Cunningham, one of thousands of inmates who had to undergo the strip searches after every kitchen duty shift at the jail in Northeast Portland. The inmates were required to expose and manipulate their genitals and bend and squat in the presence of at least nine other inmates. Cunningham, in custody at Inverness from September to October 2011, complained that the searches violated his civil rights and were even more humiliating because they were done in the presence of other inmates with no privacy. As a result, the county began requiring dividers in November 2011 to afford some privacy. A curtain is drawn over the windows of the room where searches are done. They're visual-only inspections, with no physical contact and last less than a minute, according to the county. But Cunningham and others argue that the searches remain unconstitutional and represent an "exaggerated response to security interests.'' A U.S. District Court judge in 2016 dismissed Cunningham's lawsuit against the county, finding valid reasons for the jail to search inmates to ensure prisoners aren't smuggling contraband from the kitchen. Cunningham's appeal of the dismissal notes that sheriff's deputies supervise kitchen workers and staff account for all utensils and equipment for each shift. Jail officers have found no dangerous contraband during any of the mass strip searches, nor has an inmate been disciplined for possessing contraband after a kitchen duty shift, according to Cunningham's lawyers. "Yet for more than a decade, kitchen workers endured intrusive mass strip searches without a scintilla of privacy,'' attorneys Tonna K. Farrar and Leonard Berman wrote on Cunningham's behalf. Jackie Kamins, a Multnomah assistant county attorney, said the federal appellate court has upheld "visible body cavity strip searches'' when there's a reasonable suspicion of contraband in a jail or where there's an opportunity to access contraband. In this case, there was such an opportunity, Kamins said. Inverness Jail houses between 700 and 900 inmates, some serving sentences and others awaiting trial. The jail has open dormitories. Since 2012, the jail has recorded more than 500 instances of contraband, including alcohol, drugs, needles, batteries and lighters recovered from inmates, according to the county. Inmates serving sentences are required to work. Those in the kitchen have access to knives, can lids, wooden pallets, metal pieces of kitchen machinery, food and even plastic wrap that can create a security concern, Kamins said. Circuit Judge Jacqueline Nguyen asked during the hearing why the group searches had previously been done without any privacy protections. "This was a highly intrusive search, and it was done in group settings, where inmates are lined up in front of each other,'' Nguyen noted. "Is there something that justifies that sort of group search?'' Kamins responded, "Nobody had complained, and it was the more efficient way to conduct the search.'' It enabled deputies to search more inmates at one time, and privacy panels aren't required for a strip search to be constitutional, she added. "A visual body cavity search, while undoubtedly is intrusive, has been recognized as one of the lesser means to search an inmate,'' Kamins said. "It's non-tactile.'' The appeals panel, hearing arguments in Portland this week and next week, will issue a written ruling at a future date. -- Maxine Bernstein mbernstein@oregonian.com 503-221-8212 @maxoregonian Mike Abbate, the director of Portland Parks & Recreation, announced his resignation Monday, telling city officials in an email that he is leaving his position "to pursue other opportunities," according to a copy of the email obtained by The Oregonian/OregonLive. Abbate, 60, wrote that being Parks & Recreation director is "the greatest honor of my professional career" and that holding the job "was truly a dream come true." His last day is May 15. Abbate wrote that his time at Parks had been marked by "remarkable progress, often in the face of difficult budget reductions and heavy social burdens." He praised "our amazing parks system" while listing a dozen accomplishments realized during his tenure. Among them: passage in 2014 of a $68 million parks bond, Portland's parks system being named the nation's best and building or upgrading many parks. Abbate's resignation comes as his bureau is facing the prospect of a steep budget cut. Though Mayor Ted Wheeler has proposed a parks budget of nearly $200 million, that is nearly $10 million less than the previous year's budget. The cut budget includes plans to close two community centers and eliminate several jobs, among other budget reductions. Abbate has been director of Parks & Recreation since 2011, when he was appointed by Commissioner Nick Fish, then the commissioner-in-charge of parks. Abbate had previously been a high-level manager at the bureau, a planning manager at the city of Gresham and a consultant. Parks & Recreation spokesman Mark Ross said Monday that Abbate does not plan to grant interviews about his resignation. Commissioner Amanda Fritz, the current parks commissioner, told officials in an email obtained by The Oregonian/OregonLive that the city will conduct a national search for Abbate's replacement. Fritz said Kia Selley, who worked as a Parks & Recreation division head until she resigned in 2016, has been named the bureau's interim director. Fritz spoke highly of Abbate in her email, saying he "achieved significant accomplishments" while leading Parks & Recreation and "forged exemplary relationships" with the labor union that represents parks employees. Noting her "tremendous gratitude" to Abbate, Fritz said, "I wish him the best." -- Gordon R. Friedman 503-221-8209 SAN DIEGO -- A "zero-tolerance" policy toward people who enter the United States illegally may cause families to be separated while parents are prosecuted, U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions said Monday. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security said it would refer all arrests for illegal entry to federal prosecutors, throwing its weight behind Sessions' policy announced last month to vastly expand criminal prosecutions of people with few or no previous offenses. A conviction for illegal entry carries a maximum penalty of six months in custody for first-time crossers, though they usually do far less time, and two years for repeat offenses. "If you cross the border unlawfully, then we will prosecute you. It's that simple," Sessions told reporters on a mesa overlooking the Pacific Ocean, where a border barrier separating San Diego and Tijuana, Mexico juts out into the ocean. Nearly one of every four Border Patrol arrests on the Mexican border from October through April was someone who came in a family, meaning any large increase in prosecutions is likely to cause parents to be separated from their children while they face charges and do time in jail. Children who are separated from their parents would be put under supervision of the U.S. Health and Human Services Department, Sessions said. The department's Office of Refugee Resettlement releases children traveling alone to family and places them in shelters. "We don't want to separate families, but we don't want families to come to the border illegally and attempt to enter into this country improperly," Sessions said. "The parents are subject to prosecution while children may not be. So, if we do our duty and prosecute those cases, then children inevitably for a period of time might be in different conditions." A heckler interrupted Sessions on a megaphone, shouting, "Why are you doing this? Do you have a heart?" Thomas Homan, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement's acting director, said there is no "blanket policy" to separate families as a way to deter others, echoing recent comments by Homeland Security Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen. But he said immigration authorities have long separated families if they have reason to doubt the relationship or if parent is prosecuted. "Every law enforcement agency in this country separates parents from children when they're arrested for a crime," Homan said alongside Sessions. "There is no new policy. This has always been the policy. Now, you will see more prosecutions because of the attorney general's commitment to zero tolerance." Advocacy groups blasted the moves as cruel and heartless, especially in cases where the family is seeking asylum in the United States. "Criminalizing and stigmatizing parents who are only trying to keep their children from harm and give them a safe upbringing will cause untold damage to thousands of traumatized families who have already given up everything to flee terrible circumstances in their home countries," said Erika Guevara-Rosas, Amnesty International's Americas director. U.S. Rep. Bennie Thompson of Mississippi, the top Democrat on the House Homeland Security Committee, said, "Criminalizing parents seeking protection for themselves and their children is inhumane, excessively punitive, and can deliberately interfere with their ability to seek asylum." The American Civil Liberties Union is challenging the practice in a case involving a Congolese asylum seeker who was separated from her 7-year-old daughter for five months and a Brazilian woman who was separated from her 14-year-old son after being arrested and serving nearly a month in jail for illegal entry. At a hearing in San Diego last week, a Trump administration lawyer did not dispute a report in The New York Times that more than 700 children had been taken from their families since October. The attorney, Sarah Fabian, said she couldn't say whether there was a shift since Trump took office because officials didn't have historical data. A sharp increase in prosecutions will strain the court system. Sessions said he has assigned an additional 35 prosecutors and 18 immigration judges to the border regions. -- Elliot Spagat WASHINGTON (AP) -- President Donald Trump is set to reveal his decision on whether to keep the U.S. in the Iran deal on Tuesday, a move that could determine the fate of the 2015 agreement that froze Iran's nuclear program. The announcement is set to cap more than a year of deliberation and negotiation that has at time pitted Trump against some of his closest aides and key American allies. Trump is facing a self-imposed May 12 deadline over whether to uphold the 2015 nuclear agreement, which he long has criticized. The president has signaled he will pull out of the pact by the deadline unless it is revised, but he faces intense pressure from European allies not to do so. I will be announcing my decision on the Iran Deal tomorrow from the White House at 2:00pm. Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) May 7, 2018 "I will be announcing my decision on the Iran Deal tomorrow from the White House at 2:00pm," Trump tweeted Monday. The president has been the subject of an intense lobbying effort by American allies to maintain the agreement, with British Foreign Minister Boris Johnson making a last-ditch appeal to the administration in a visit to Washington this week. European leaders say that they are open to negotiating a side agreement with Iran, but the existing framework must remain untouched for that to happen. It is not immediately clear what Trump will announce Tuesday or whether he will announce the end of the deal or push for a renegotiation. Trump in October "decertified" the deal with Iran, but did not move to re-impose sanctions, known as a "snap-back." BREAKING: US to face "historic regret" if nuclear deal ends, says Iranian President Hassan Rouhani https://t.co/JWTHKKBKFr pic.twitter.com/5CoYQlGaCA Al Jazeera English (@AJEnglish) May 6, 2018 On Monday, Iranian President Hassan Rouhani said Iran would be willing not to abandon the nuclear deal even if the United States pulls out, providing the European Union offers guarantees that Iran would keep benefiting from the accord. Rouhani said that "what we want for the deal is that it's preserved and guaranteed by the non-Americans" -- a reference to other signatories of the 2015 agreement. There was no negotiation - and all of that changed with JCPOA. Blow up the deal and you're back there tomorrow! 4/4 John Kerry (@JohnKerry) May 1, 2018 U.S. officials and European allies share the conclusion that the deal, known formally as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), has halted Iran's development of nuclear weapons. Trump has objected to a sunset provision that would allow Iran to restart some nuclear development in 2025. Supporters of the deal argue that withdrawing from the JCPOA would undermine Trump's push for North Korea, which has a far more advanced nuclear program than ever possessed by Iran, to denuclearize. Trump is planning on meeting with North Korea's Kim Jong Un within the next month. Earlier Monday, Trump criticized John Kerry after reports that the former secretary of state has been promoting the Iran nuclear deal. The United States does not need John Kerrys possibly illegal Shadow Diplomacy on the very badly negotiated Iran Deal. He was the one that created this MESS in the first place! Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) May 7, 2018 Trump said on Twitter: "The United States does not need John Kerry's possibly illegal Shadow Diplomacy on the very badly negotiated Iran Deal. He was the one that created this MESS in the first place!" Kerry, who was also the lead negotiators for the Obama administration on the Paris climate accord, has been promoting both agreements since he left office. The Boston Globe reported Friday that Kerry, the lead negotiator on the deal for the Obama administration, had been privately meeting with foreign officials to strategize on how to keep the U.S. in the deal. Kerry has met with Iran's Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif. At least one of their meetings was at a June 2017 public event in Oslo, Norway, where they sat on the same panel with EU foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini and extolled the virtues of the nuclear deal. Kerry, a keen environmentalist who regularly derided climate change skeptics and championed ocean health while secretary of state, has also continued to speak out on those issues since becoming a private citizen. Last week at an event in Dallas, Trump mocked Kerry over a bicycle accident he had three years ago. By ZEKE MILLER and CATHERINE LUCEY, Associated Press. AP writers Matthew Lee and Josh Lederman contributed to this report from Washington. UPDATED 12:40 P.M. WASHINGTON -- President Donald Trump announced Tuesday the U.S. is pulling out of the landmark international nuclear accord with Iran, declaring he was making the world safer but dealing a profound blow to allies and deepening his isolation on the world stage. "The United States does not make empty threats," he said in a televised address from the White House. Trump said the 2015 agreement, which included Germany, France and Britain, was a "horrible one-sided deal that should never ever have been made." He added that the United States "will be instituting the highest level of economic sanction." Trump's decision means Iran's government must now decide whether to follow the U.S. and withdraw or try to salvage what's left of the deal. Iranian President Hassan Rouhani said he was sending his foreign minister to the countries remaining in the accord but warned there was only a short time to negotiate with them and his country could soon "start enriching uranium more than before." The leaders of Britain, Germany and France immediately urged the U.S. not to take any actions that could prevent them and Iran from continuing to implement the agreement. The statement from Prime Minister Theresa May, Chancellor Angela Merkel and President Emmanuel Macron also urged Iran to "show restraint" and continue fulfilling its own obligations such as cooperating with inspections. In Washington, the Trump administration said it would re-impose sanctions on Iran immediately but allow grace periods for businesses to wind down activity. The Treasury Department said there will be "certain 90-day and 180-day wind-down periods" but didn't specify which sanctions would fall under which timelines. Treasury says at the end of those periods, the sanctions will be in "full effect." National Security Adviser John Bolton said nobody should sign contracts for new business with Iran. In his remarks, Trump blasted the deal as "defective at its core." As evidence, he cited documents recently released by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, a leading critic of the deal. Netanyahu unveiled documents seized by Israeli intelligence showing Iran had attempted to develop a nuclear bomb in the previous decade, especially before 2003. Although he gave no explicit evidence that Iran violated the deal, he said Iran had clearly lied in the past and could not be trusted. Iran has denied ever pursuing nuclear arms. Trump's announcement drew mixed reaction from Congress. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, a Kentucky Republican, said the Iran deal "was flawed from the beginning," and he looked forward to working with Trump on next steps. House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, a California Democrat, slammed Trump in a statement, saying this "rash decision isolates America, not Iran." Oregon Sen. Ron Wyden decried the move as "reckless." Because of Trump's decision, he said, "the United States and our allies are at greater risk today than we were yesterday." His Democratic colleague, Sen. Jeff Merkley, dubbed it a "mistake of enormous proportions" for the nation's safety and security." Merkley serves on the Senate Foreign Relations committee. The agreement had lifted most U.S. and international sanctions against Iran. In return, Iran agreed to restrictions on its nuclear program making it impossible to produce a bomb, along with rigorous inspections. In a burst of last-minute diplomacy, punctuated by a visit by Britain's top diplomat, the deal's European members gave in to many of Trump's demands, according to officials, diplomats and others briefed on the negotiations. Yet they still left convinced he was likely to re-impose sanctions. Trump spoke with French President Emmanuel Macron and Chinese leader Xi Jinping about his decision Tuesday. The British foreign secretary traveled to Washington this week to make a last-minute pitch to the U.S. to remain in the deal, according to a senior British diplomat. The diplomat, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the British objective will remain to uphold and maintain the deal. Hours before the announcement, European countries met to underline their support for the agreement. Senior officials from Britain, France and Germany met in Brussels with Iran's Deputy Foreign Minister for Political Affairs, Abbas Araghchi. If the deal collapses, Iran would be free to resume prohibited enrichment activities, while businesses and banks doing business with Iran would have to scramble to extricate themselves or run afoul of the U.S. American officials were dusting off plans for how to sell a pullout to the public and explain its complex financial ramifications. In Iran, many were deeply concerned about how Trump's decision could affect the already struggling economy. In Tehran, President Hassan Rouhani sought to calm nerves, smiling as he appeared at a petroleum expo. He didn't name Trump directly, but emphasized that Iran continued to seek "engagement with the world." "It is possible that we will face some problems for two or three months, but we will pass through this," Rouhani said. Under the most likely scenario, Trump would allow sanctions on Iran's central bank -- intended to target oil exports -- to kick back in, rather than waiving them once again on Saturday, the next deadline for renewal, said individuals briefed on Trump's deliberations. Then the administration would give those who are doing business with Iran a six-month period to wind down business and avoid breaching those sanctions. Depending on how Trump sells it -- either as an irreversible U.S. pullout, or one final chance to save it -- the deal could be strengthened during those six months in a last-ditch effort to persuade Trump to change his mind. The first 15 months of Trump's presidency have been filled with many such "last chances" for the Iran deal in which he's punted the decision for another few months, and then another. Even Trump's secretary of state and the U.N. agency that monitors nuclear compliance agree that Iran, so far, has lived up to its side of the deal. But the deal's critics, such as Israel, the Gulf Arab states and many Republicans, say it's a giveaway to Tehran that ultimately paves the path to a nuclear-armed Iran several years in the future. Iran, for its part, has been coy in predicting its response to a Trump withdrawal. For weeks, Iran's foreign minister had been saying that a re-imposition of U.S. sanctions would render the deal null and void, leaving Tehran little choice but to abandon it as well. But on Monday, Rouhani said Iran could stick with it if the European Union, whose economies do far more business with Iran than the U.S., offers guarantees that Iran would keep benefiting. For the Europeans, Trump's withdrawal constitutes dispiriting proof that trying to appease him is futile. Although the U.S. and Europeans made progress on ballistic missiles and inspections, there were disagreements over extending the life of the deal and how to trigger additional penalties if Iran were found violating the new restrictions, U.S. officials and European diplomats have said. The Europeans agreed to yet more concessions in the final days of negotiating ahead of Trump's decision, the officials added. --The Associated Press Sign up to receive daily headline news from Ottawa Citizen, a division of Postmedia Network Inc. Thanks for signing up! A welcome email is on its way. If you don't see it, please check your junk folder. The next issue of Ottawa Citizen Headline News will soon be in your inbox. Mayfield Messenger Terry Froman (right) and Michael Bufkin, his defense attorney, appear Monday in Graves Circuit Court. Froman's trial was set to begin May 7, 2019, and continue Tuesdays through Fridays for the rest of that month, if needed. For those of you living under rocks or on social media cleanses for the last 24 hours, the Met Gala's theme last night was "Heavenly Bodies." The accompanying exhibition at the Metropolitan Museum of Art will, "examine fashion's ongoing engagement with the devotional practices and traditions of Catholicism." Related | The 2018 Met Gala Looks Everyone's Talking About The red carpet at last night's gala was decorated with headpieces, wings, Joan of Arc references, and the appearance of our new pope. It was also quite the event for James Martin, a literal priest and editor at large at America Magazine who attended last night. Last night, Martin attended the Met Gala in his traditional priest's clothing, and tweeted that he got a number of compliments on his "costume." He was told he was the best dressed person there, and even complimented on his "sexy priest" outfit. Martin clarified in a second tweet that all the quotes he mentioned were real, writing, "Those are verbatim." Martin served as a consultant for The Met's head Costume Institute curator Andrew Bolton. He told The Los Angeles Times that Bolton and his team were extremely well prepared to curate the exhibit, saying, "I was so impressed with Andrew Bolton and his team. They were tremendous. Highly intelligent, sensitive, thoughtful, well-read you couldn't ask for a better person to curate this, truly. I speak to him and sometimes it's like speaking to a theologian. He's read up on Catholic teaching. He understands theology as beauty." Image via Getty The theme of the 2018 Met Gala is "Heavenly Bodies: Fashion and the Catholic Imagination," but Lena Waithe made a statement on the red carpet: God is a gay Black woman, and we need to bow the fuck down. Sporting a tailored tuxedo and a flowing silk rainbow Pride flag, Waithe used her first Met Gala appearance to bring some desperately-needed social commentary to the red carpet. The Catholic Church has a nasty history when it comes to queer folks, so Waithe's statement refocuses the conversation onto the marginalization faced by the Church. We are LIVING. Waithe's cape even includes the two new flag colors proposed by LGBTQ+ advocates in Philadelphia: black and brown. The newly redesigned Pride flag proposal was unveiled in 2017, and was designed by Philadelphia Office of LGBT Affairs in order to recognize the people of color in the community. It's meant to make the flag more inclusive and highlight the unique intersectional challenges faced by LGBTQ+ POC. The black stripe matches her black tux at the shoulders, before falling gracefully into the beautiful colors of the Pride flag. Fans were stoked about Waithe's grand cape, and how she's re-centering the conversation back onto the queer community. Fashion being used to fight power on the red carpet? We love it. "You were made in God's image, so that's what I'm rocking tonight" she said. Let's get Waithe to appear at the Met Gala every year. Every homophobic catholic has been found dead Lena Waithe did not come to play tonight #MetGala pic.twitter.com/HqzGOd4LDE p (@bIondhampton) May 7, 2018 #metgala: the theme is religion Lena Waithe: ok hold my rainbow flag pic.twitter.com/6nkPKlsUsK Call Me By My @ (@NotAgainBen) May 7, 2018 Lena Waithe as queer priestess. This is the PERFECT response to "hey let's theme an evening around Catholicism". PERFECT. pic.twitter.com/Pvwjxf0C6F Jared Pechacek (@vandroidhelsing) May 7, 2018 lena waithe wearing a whole ass LGBT cape to an event with a religious theme is the level of iconic im trying to be #metgala pic.twitter.com/nlm6NQdg8q gabi (@harleivy) May 7, 2018 Lena Waithe is the lesbian superhero the world needs. This cape is divine. #MetGala pic.twitter.com/XWR2J4M5MI Michael Blackmon (@blackmon) May 7, 2018 The theme to me is be yourself. You were made in God's Image." -@LenaWaithe pic.twitter.com/ZO2SvEq14M Complex (@Complex) May 7, 2018 Photo by Neilson Barnard/Getty Images. The Met Gala is basically prom for very, very famous people, so fittingly, everyone shows up in style. Last night, vans tall enough for celebrities to stand in to avoid crinkling their outfits and big enough to house their entire glam teams peppered the Upper East Side, housing some of the world's richest and best dressed people as they made their way to the red carpet. Amidst all the glamour, though, one former boy-band member did something much of New York does twice a day: he hopped on the subway. That's right, a Dolce & Gabbana and cross-clad Nick Jonas posed for a picture at the 68th street stop, presumably before taking it uptown to the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Related: Nick Jonas All Grown Up: The Pop Star On HIs Broadway Debut One subway user captured Jonas leaving with a camera crew and a crowd of curious onlookers. Perhaps the musician will join Cynthia Nixon in fighting to revive the constantly delayed, headache-inducing MTA. Other celebrities who have been similarly transportation-humble include Mindy Kaling and Karlie Kloss, who came to last year's Met Gala via subway and cab, respectively. The subway! New York's hottest club! Image via BFA The National Rifle Association has named retired Marine Corps Lieutenant Colonel Oliver North as its newest president. He is replacing Pete Brownell, who has declined to run for another term in order to spend more time with his family, The Wrap reports. North will become president in a few weeks after a formal process has been completed. Oliver North is currently a contributor at Fox News, a position he will step down from upon commencing his duties as President. He was also involved in the Iran-Contra conflict in the 1980s. He worked as deputy director of political military affairs for President Reagan's National Security Council when the United States secretly sold weapons to Iran. Part of the funds from the sale were then sent to the rebel Contras group in Nicaragua. In 1989, North was fined $150,000 and convicted of three charges "destroying government documents, accepting illegal gratuity, and aiding and abetting in the obstruction of Congress," according to The New York Times. The criminal charges were dropped in 1991. NRA Executive Vice President and CEO Wayne LaPierre commented that he is very excited for North's term as president, saying, "This is the most exciting news for our members since Charlton Heston became president of our Association. Oliver North is a legendary warrior for American freedom, a gifted communicator and skilled leader. In these times, I can think of no one better suited to serve as our president." Related | 16 Signs From New York's March For Our Lives Protest The NRA has been under intense scrutiny for years, as the United States has a gun violence problem unparalleled in most other countries. In recent months, after a shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglass High school left 17 dead, many students have mobilize for gun legislation reform, speaking publicly about how students have a right to feel safe from gun violence, and organizing an international protest called The March For Our Lives. Image via Getty Rihanna stopped us all in our tracks when she showed up at the 2018 Met Gala. She's on the of event's co-chairs, and as per usual, she brought us some serious papal realness. John Galliano for Maison Martin Margiela Artisanal designed her extraordinary look, complete with intricate beading that studded the entire garment. It references his Dior Couture 2001 collection, which was inspired by papal regalia. Pearls and gems traced a stunning pattern, with swirls and fleurs and crosses; like an abstract painting, you could stare at it all day. Her Christian Louboutin shoes were accented by diamond anklets, because who else could pull those off? But the focal point of the look is that stunning headpiece it recalls the Pope's pointed crown, which is apparently called a mitre. Pope John Paul II was fond of wearing the mitre, while our current Pope Francis favors the small zuchetto skullcap. Related | Break the Rules: Rihanna Fans instantly declared that Rihanna is our new Pope, and we are so down with confessing all our sins to her. Is she taking over season 2 of HBO's Young Pope? Is she moving into the Vatican? We can only hope that she'll ascend to her proper levels of the divine order. Check out some of the best fan reactions, below. RIHANNA IS DRESSED AS THE GOD DAMN POPE #MetGala pic.twitter.com/xWFiV1G8p1 Kelly Keegs (@kellykeegs) May 7, 2018 rihanna came to show y'all how to follow a mf theme since you bitches don't know how to act... the pope??? found dead. jesus christ?? shamefully crawling back to his grave in his dusty sandals. her mind is too powerful #metgala pic.twitter.com/1kMTR1WUEI gabi (@harleivy) May 7, 2018 Pope Rihanna at the 2018 Met Gala. // Archbishop Henry Chichele (of the 15th century) by an unknown artist. pic.twitter.com/547ToLuiM4 TabloidArtHistory (@TabloidArtHist) May 7, 2018 Robyn, 2010: "when in Rome I sat down with the Romans/said we need a black pope and she better be a woman" Rihanna, 2018: pic.twitter.com/mAclB2eRLX Sam (@bamslizzard) May 7, 2018 I can't believe Rihanna is the pope now pic.twitter.com/dNbi6KMurn A.B. (@AlannaBennett) May 7, 2018 POPE FRANCIS WHO??? RIHANNA DID T H A T #MetGala pic.twitter.com/vGDeYhG7ci infinity war ruined michelle (@shurishoco) May 7, 2018 rihanna being the pope is incidentally the only way i'd ever be a catholic again Molly Priddy (@mollypriddy) May 7, 2018 News and commentary on organized crime, street crime, white collar crime, cyber crime, sex crime, crime fiction, crime prevention, espionage and terrorism. U.S. will face 'historic remorse' if it quits nuclear deal, Iran's President Rouhani warns 05/07/18 Source: Tehran Times Iranian President Hassan Rouhani said on Sunday that the U.S. will suffer "historic remorse" if Donald Trump's administration quits the 2015 nuclear deal, known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action. The warning by Rouhani came just a week before Trump decides to either stay in the multilateral accord or leave it. Source: Iranian daily Kaenat Iran has threatened to resume its nuclear activities with a speed higher prior to the conclusion of the nuclear agreement if the nuclear agreement is ditched. "I tell the Iranian people very clearly that the necessary directives have been given to the country's executive sectors since several months ago. Necessary directives have been given to the Atomic Energy Organization and I talked to this organization's senior officials a few days ago," Rouhani told a gathering of people in Sabzevar in northeast Iran. Ali Akbar Salehi, Iran's nuclear chief who is a nuclear physicist, has said his agency will resume enriching uranium to the purity level of 20 percent in a matter of few days if the agreement is ditched. Rouhani also said necessary decisions have been made in case certain sanctions that had been removed under the nuclear accord are snapped back. "The economic sector has also received the necessary orders." Iranian President Hassan Rouhani Under the nuclear accord Iran is obliged to scale back its nuclear activities in exchange for termination of nuclear-related sanctions. Since the nuclear deal went into effect in January 2016, the International Atomic Energy Agency has issued 10 reports each time confirming that Iran has been honoring its commitments. "We have been committed to our obligations [under the JCPOA] in spite of the U.S. impediments. "Since 15 months ago, Trump has started to say that the deal is the worst deal ever which is harmful to the U.S. but beneficial to Iran... but we negotiated with logic and reached an agreement which was approved by the UN (Security Council)," Rouhani explained. 'We will build as many weapons as the country needs' Rouhani also said that Iran will build as many weapons and missiles as the country needs. The West, led by the Trump administration, has been creating a commotion over Iran's missile program which Tehran has been insisting is purely deterrent. "It is not related to anybody that what decision the Iranian nation has taken for their defense," Rouhani asserted. To convince Trump to stay in the nuclear deal, the three European countries party to the nuclear deal (France, Britain, and Germany) have backed negotiations with Iran over its missile program. However Rouhani said, "We will not hold negotiations on our defense capabilities." Elsewhere in his remarks, Rouhani said Iran is not after war in the region and seeks "peace, stability and security". He added, "We do not seek war and tension, however, we defend determinedly against any plot." Related Info: UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres warned last week against ditching the nuclear deal if it could not be replaced with a viable alternative. "If one day there is a better agreement to replace it, it's fine. But we should not scrap it unless we have a good alternative," Guterres said in a May 3 interview. The three European countries that signed the agreement, Britain, France and Germany, have repeatedly tried to persuade Trump not to withdraw. China and Russia also signed the deal. All of the signatory countries are members of the United Nations Security Council. Iranian Lawyers: Rouhani Government Can Challenge Judiciary's Ban on Telegram Messaging App 05/07/18 Source: Center for Human Rights in Iran Iranian President Has Refused to Directly Counter Ban on Widely Used Social Network Iran's Communications Minister Mohammad Javad Azari Jahromi Two lawyers in Tehran told the Center for Human Rights in Iran (CHRI) that the Iranian president has the authority to object to the prosecutor's order to ban the Telegram messaging app. Unlike political hardliners, President Hassan Rouhani and his Communications Minister Mohammad Javad Azari Jahromi had previously repeatedly stated they were not interested in banning foreign social media apps, but they have not taken any substantive counter-measures since Telegram, used by a reported 40 million Iranians, was blocked in Iran on April 30, 2018. That day, the Iranian Judiciary's news site reported that Branch 2 of the Culture and Media Prosecutor's Office in Tehran had ordered all internet service providers and the Telecommunications Ministry, which operates under President Rouhani, to "prevent access to content on the [Telegram] network with any kind of software, including circumvention tools." The order also warned that anyone who violated the ban would be prosecuted. An attorney in Tehran specializing in media affairs, who spoke on the condition of anonymity due to the threat of reprisals by the judiciary, told CHRI: "From a legal standpoint, orders issued by assistant prosecutors must be enforced but they can be challenged. As the target of this order, the government can lodge a complaint and ask the provincial court to make a ruling. But the question is, does the government want to take legal action or not? This is more of a political issue. In the same manner, the judiciary had invoked security laws to shut down 40 newspapers in 2000." Asked whether the government has taken legal action, he said: "As far as I know, the government has not taken a legal position. The only reaction was a statement that was good of course but unfortunately, the government's legal advisers have acted as if they don't exist." Without naming Telegram, the Rouhani government's Information Dissemination Council issued a statement on May 1 indirectly blaming the judiciary for blocking the popular network. The statement said in part: "The Supreme National Security Council (SNSC) has sole authority to determine threats, make policy and take appropriate actions regarding national security," adding, "issuing orders regarding public affairs that concern the needs and wishes of tens of millions of citizens cannot be solely based on selective judicial decisions." Commenting on the ban, Mostafa Tajzadeh, a former advisor to President Mohammad Khatami and political prisoner tweeted: "The government's statement regarding the banning of Telegram... shows that the president believes decisions related to cyberspace is within the jurisdiction of the SNSC and he does not believe that this judicial order is lawful." A different attorney who has represented people that have been prosecuted in Iran for their online posts told CHRI: "As the head of the executive branch, Mr. Rouhani can lodge a complaint and say that using Telegram is not against national security." The lawyer added: "When an assistant prosecutor issues an order, especially regarding an important matter such as blocking a messaging app in the whole country, he is affecting the government's realm and the government can object and express its opposition to the prosecutor by challenging him in court and even appeal to higher courts." On May 4, three days after Telegram was blocked, Rouhani posted a note on his Instagram page suggesting that the ban was issued by Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei; "If a decision has been made by the highest level of the state to restrict or block people's communications, the people, who are the real owners of this country, should be informed. In Farsi he also added the hashtags, #WeHaveNoSecrets, #TopDownRuling." But to date, he has refused to launch any direct or legal action against the ban despite being urged to by reformist newspapers in Iran. On May 4, the Etemad daily carried an interview with Tehran attorney Nemat Ahmadi who said, "Regardless of whether the judicial official had the authority to order the banning of Telegram or not, we have to ask what sort of legal decision is this?" The report added that Nemati had "called on the government to take action against the ban on Telegram by invoking Article 116 of the Criminal Procedures Regulations, which according to him would send the matter to court for a ruling." Article 116 states, "The assistant prosecutor, acting in his jurisdiction in compliance with the contents of this law, can launch an investigation into the following areas where necessary by law: When a crime has occurred in his legal jurisdiction. When a crime is committed elsewhere but is discovered, and the suspect is arrested, in his jurisdiction. The crime was committed elsewhere but the suspect is a resident in his jurisdiction." Ahmadi also told Etemad, "The law says if the assistant prosecutor makes a decision, the opposing side can challenge it. What I want to know is, doesn't the government have legal assistants? Why doesn't the government use its legal options under Article 116? Right now the government can go to the Criminal Court in Tehran and submit a petition against the assistant prosecutor and ask for a ruling. The government has a duty to take action because it has been given an order that it is unable to carry out." Ahmadi said that legal actions are taken either by private plaintiffs or, in cases concerning public matters, by prosecutors. He told Etemad: "Regarding Telegram, if we make the determination that it is a public matter, then the relevant prosecutor subject to Article 114 can only enter the case if the crime has taken place within his area of jurisdiction. Has that been the case?... Where is the area of Telegram's operation according to the law? The Tehran assistant prosecutor has made a decision that is not within his jurisdiction. That's against the law. The order states that the government should block Telegram so that it cannot be accessed even with a circumvention tool, but this is not within the government's capability. It has been required to do something that it cannot. This indicates that the deciding authority does not even have a grasp of the matter at hand." But the director of the Supreme Cyberspace Council (SCC), Mohammad Hosseinpour, has defendedthe judiciary's action, stating in an interview on April 30: "The blocking of Telegram is on the basis of a judicial order and completely lawful and it must be carried out accordingly." Asked if decisions on this matter are instead within the jurisdiction of the SCC, Hosseinpour said: "Judicial orders do not contradict the decisions of the SCC and they have to be carried out." "Instead of telegram, filter poverty." cartoon by Mansoureh Dehghani, Ghanoon daily Government's Silence Increases Public Distrust In addition to Rouhani, his communications minister has also been noticeably reluctant to directly criticize the judiciary's ban on Telegram and has made no comment on whether the government will challenge it. Hours after Telegram was blocked, Mohammad Javad Azari Jahromi tweeted, "Even if one application can no longer be used, citizens' access to sources of information is unstoppable." He added, "We cannot ignore the fact that there is no international standard to protect the sovereignty of countries over cyber applications. Most countries are facing this conflict. When a country's laws are not repeated, the reaction of the states will appear un-natural and irrational." Iranian hardliners have repeatedly accused Telegram, which is based in Berlin, of being a tool for foreign adversaries to foment discord in Iran as well as of violating Iranian censorship laws. Although Jahromi referred to the people's "unstoppable" access to "sources of information," he was at the same time justifying the judiciary's action by arguing that Iran has the right to block whatever app it wants if that app violates Iranian laws. But Iranian officials have also violated their own laws by illegally encroaching on citizens' online information through wiretaps, hacking and malware, as well as international standards on personal privacy. This double standard has not been lost on the Iranian people or foreign-based social media networks, like Telegram, that have ignored or refused to comply with Iran's demands to block content on their apps. The ongoing arrests and prosecution of journalists as well as civil and political activists in Iran for publishing material on the internet that allegedly "insulted" the supreme leader or "disturbed public opinion"-actual crimes in Iranian law-also shows that despite Jahromi's protestations, it is in fact the Iranian state that is ignoring international standards. The Iranian peoples' increasing distrust of officials' statements including their justifications for banning apps and websites, is due to the domination of security, intelligence and judicial agencies over the country's internet infrastructure, and the government's inability to protect online privacywhen users opt to utilize domestic apps and online services. In recent years, domestic messaging apps in Iran have made little progress in attracting Iranian users despite receiving financial and legal backing as well as endorsements from the state. Reacting to Jahromi's statements, Member of Parliament Gholamreza Heydari tweeted: "As a citizen who believes in supporting him [Jahromi], I must say he has made a lot of false promises. It is cowardly of him to make certain promises when he needed votes for his confirmation but did nothing to carry them out. Despite existing pressures, Mr. Rouhani himself should give answers." "I don't trust the communications minister and I don't know how much of what he says is true because at one time he used to be deeply involved in these issues and now he's a minister," he added. "Of course, I'm not making a judgment but I don't trust him. Any citizen can distrust another person. I see inconsistencies in his statements." Nkosuohene of Wiamoase, Nana Dr. Baffour Osei Kwame "Despite", together with the CEO of Special Group of Companies, Dr Ernest Ofori-Sarpong will today, Monday, 7th May, 2018 commission a newly-constructed Police Station at Tesano in Accra, to enhance police activities in the area. In March this year, he unveiled a similar edifice in his hometown, Wiamoase in the Ashanti Region. Prior to that, he constructed and handed over an ultramodern Children's Block at the 37 Military Hospital. All these projects were part of a promise he made as part of his birthday celebrations on February 2nd this year. Dr Osei Kwame promised to make three donations, a childrens block at the 37 Military hospital, (which was commissioned on his birthday), a new Office complex for the Tesano police Divisional Headquarters / DOVVSU in Accra (which is being commissioned today) and another newly built Police Complex at his hometown, Wiamoase which was inaugurated in March. Today's occasion is expected to be graced by his Excellency, President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, senior government officials, the police hierarchy and other dignitaries. See Photos & video below: Tesano Ultra-Modern Police Station by Osei Kwame Despite Tesano Ultra-Modern Police Station by Osei Kwame Despite Tesano Ultra-Modern Police Station by Osei Kwame Despite Tesano Ultra-Modern Police Station by Osei Kwame Despite Tesano Ultra-Modern Police Station by Osei Kwame Despite Tesano Ultra-Modern Police Station by Osei Kwame Despite Tesano Ultra-Modern Police Station by Osei Kwame Despite Tesano Ultra-Modern Police Station by Osei Kwame Despite Tesano Ultra-Modern Police Station by Osei Kwame Despite Tesano Ultra-Modern Police Station by Osei Kwame Despite Tesano Ultra-Modern Police Station by Osei Kwame Despite Tesano Ultra-Modern Police Station by Osei Kwame Despite Tesano Ultra-Modern Police Station by Osei Kwame Despite Tesano Ultra-Modern Police Station by Osei Kwame Despite 0 Source: Rebecca Addo Tetteh/Peacefmonline.com Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has launched a USD$100 million endowment fund for the University of Ghana as part of efforts to commemorate the 70th anniversary of the countrys premier university. The establishment of the fund dovetails into the vision of the UG to become a world class research intensive university over the next decade. According to the President, from modest beginnings in 1948, the University College of Gold Coast as it was then known, has evolved into one of Africas best universities and that today, there was world-wide recognition of the excellence of the universitys faculties and students and also for the professional successes chalked by her alumni both at home and abroad. Three of the five Presidents elected in the 4th Republic, have been produced here. The university continues to be a pacesetter, mentoring several higher tertiary institutions and think tanks in the country the President noted. UG has lived up to expectation Over the years, the President added, the university has lived up to its mission of developing world class human resources and capabilities to meet the nations needs for development and also global challenges. Indeed, he said the university continued to be the centre of many scientific and technological innovations adding that the diversity of her research efforts and output in different disciplines, had been internationally acclaimed. It is thus laudable and appropriate that the university is establishing an endowment fund in this anniversary year to provide additional funding and resources to enable the university improve upon the delivery on its mandate, the President said. According to him, the proceeds from the fund were to assist in the provision of additional facilities to enhance research and teaching adding that this is an excellent initiative. The President said the endowment fund such as the one being put in place by the university, formed the fulcrum around which most world class universities operated. My government fully supports and shares in your vision to become a research-intensive university and will do all in our power to help you actualize it, he pledged. Conduct innovative research The President charged the university authorities and all other tertiary institutions in the country to find effective and innovative ways of linking up with industry and the corporate world to engage in quality and strategic research targeted at finding practical solutions to real life challenges of the society so that research findings would inure to the benefit of the country. Indeed, pursuant to our manifesto promise, to establish a research fund in addition to the book and research allowance, to facilitate further research innovation, I am pleased to inform you that this is currently receiving active consideration at the Cabinet level and I am confident that shortly, it will be establish by an act of Parliament. Drawing on the history of the school, the President said anniversaries inevitably beget memories and for him, the most finite of those memories was the unassailable work that Dr J.B. Danquah did in mobilising and nationalizing the Ghanaian people to insist on the building of this university. The role of Dr J.B. Danquah He described the effort of Dr Danquah as far visionary leadership saying he was a great scholar and nationalist who was described as the doyen of Gold Coast politics. His efforts, the President recounted, energized the Ghanaian people to reject the colonial governments proposition that a single university should be established in Ibadan, Nigeria to cater for the entire British West Africa and getting them to agree to establish a separate university for Ghana. The President described that decision as felicitous and greatly contributed to the growth and development of modern Ghana. It would be wholly appropriate and not at all farfetched to describe Joseph Boakye Danquah as the founder of this university. A fact, which on the 70th anniversary of this university should be vividly recalled by all of us who are the beneficiaries of his work the President posited. The Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ghana, Professor Ebenezer Oduro Owusu said 2018 marked the 70th anniversary of the university. Delivering on a mandate He said in commemoration of its 70th anniversary, the endowment fund was being established to provide additional non-restricted funding to enable it improve the delivery on her mandate. Prof. Oduro Owusu said it was expected that proceeds from the fund would assist in the provision of additional facilities and resources to enhance research and teaching. It is also envisaged that the funds so generated will be used for graduate training and thesis research, as well as for the upgrade of internet connectivity on all UG campuses and for the expansion of access to library facilities, he explained. Professor Oduro Owusu was assertive that the University of Ghana is poised to distinguish herself in the area of research to make impact both at the national and international levels. 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. Featured Video The plan to connect Ghana and Burkina Faso by rail, has been taken a notch higher following the opening of an international competitive tender for potential contractors to submit bids. The proposed rail network is expected to pass through the eastern corridor of Ghana starting from the Tema Port, through Akosombo, Ho, Hohoe, Yendi, Tamale and to Paga. The line will continue in Burkina Faso from Dakola going through Po along the national highway number 5, integrating the pole of growth of Bagre and ends at Ouagadougou. The governments of Ghana and Burkina Faso in a joint press announcement requesting for expression of interest from potential contractors explained the move was part of measures to improve the bilateral trading activities between the two countries. The project is expected to be undertaken through a Public Private Partnership (PPP) arrangement with the intention to reduce the time and resources people spend transacting business between Ghana and Burkina Faso. Contractors interested in the project have up to May 21, 2018 to submit their bids. Below is a copy of the Request of Expression of Interest The Republic of Ghana and Burkina Faso are two countries in West Africa sharing a continuous international land border of about 549 kilometers. The two countries, members of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), represent one of the most dynamic economies of the sub-region with a growth rate estimated at 8.4% for Burkina and 8.7% for Ghana in 2017. The two countries are historic trading partners with north-south cross-border road traffic of nearly 465 vehicles per day, the two countries are connected on the Burkina side mainly by the national roads No. 5, 6 in the North-South direction giving access to the Port of Tema and Takoradi. The dependence of trade on mainly the road mode limits trade between these two countries, notwithstanding the mining and commercial potentials they have. In line with ECOWAS policy and Railway Master Plan emphasizing the need for rail interconnectivity among sister ECOWAS countries, the two countries have agreed to seek technical and financial partners for the construction and operation of a railway system between the two countries on a PPP basis. In this regard, the Governments of Ghana and Burkina Faso intend to pursue a PPP arrangement for the development of the Ghana - Burkina Railway Line on a Build, Operate and Transfer (BOT) basis. The Ghana leg of the proposed railway corridor is towards the easternmost part of the country and starts from the Tema Port, through Akosombo, Ho, Hohoe, Yendi, Tamale and to Paga. The line continues in Burkina Faso from Dakola going through Po along the national highway number 5, integrating the pole of growth of bagre and ends at Ouagadougou. The procurement of the private sector partner(s) to develop the project will be carried out in accordance with the applicable procurement laws of both Ghana and Burkina. The objective of the project, which is to improve the transport and logistics chain on the rail corridor towards accelerating economic growth and development of both countries, is expected to be fully funded through a public-private partnership (PPP) arrangement. The Governments of the Republic of Ghana and Burkina Faso through their respective Ministries of Railways Development and Transport, Urban Mobility & Road Safety are therefore inviting prospective bidders (firms) to express their interest for the development of the Project on a BOT basis. The Expression of Interest should include the following: a letter of expression of interest specifying the purpose of the assignment; The financial strength/capacity of the prospective bidder; The prospective bidders technical experience/capacity in carrying out the above project on a BOT basis; and The bidders past experience in similar projects. Bidders may form consortiums with other firms to enhance their qualification and must include significant level of Ghanaian and Burkinabe participation. Bids are invited from firms from all countries and interested bidders may obtain further information at the Ministry of Railways Development in Ghana and Ministry of Transport, Urban Mobility and Road Safety in Burkina Faso. Source: Graphic.com Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video The University of Education, Winneba, has dismissed a report by the local chapter of Amnesty International that authorities of the University are abusing some of its officers and staff. The Acting Vice Chancellor of the University, Rev. Prof. Anthony Afful Broni at a news conference on Tuesday, described Amnesty Internationals accusations levelled against the University as one-sided, mischievous and actuated by malice. Prof Afful Broni noted that the University was appalled by Amnesty International for allowing some individuals use it's much-respected platform for such unethical conduct that seeks to dispute the integrity and image of the University. Amnesty International on the 4th of May 2018 organized a news conference accusing the University of Education of human rights violations, claims the University has discounted. The University cited its disappointment in the conduct of one Samuel Agbotsey who they say was operating under the banner of Amnesty International to destroy the image of UEW and Ghana as a whole. According to the Acting Vice Chancellor, Mr. Agbotsey was on a mission to set an agenda of his own and perhaps his paymasters. Prof Afful Broni added that the University is also aware if the mischievous role of one of its lecturers, Dr. Vincent Adzahlie-Mensah, who is on the Amnesty International Board and is using Amnesty International platform and Mr. Samuel Agbotsey as his proxy to pursue his own parochial interest. According to Rev. Anthony Afful Broni, the University of Education, Winneba, similar to other institutions of higher learning, is governed by an Act of Parliament, statutes and other rules that have been designated to ensure the highest academic freedom and conducive knowledge-seeking environment for members of the University community, as such, those peddling what the University calls lies of alleged human rights abuses are individuals who have decided that the rules and regulations of the University should only be applied if they serve their interest and causes. The University, according to the Acting Vice Chancellor intends to send a petition and protest to Amnesty International on this unethical behaviour by their local chapter in Ghana. Why should Amnesty International engage in generalities and fail to give direct evidence of specific individuals who have found themselves in any such situation without due process, if indeed any of such cases exist? he quizzed. The University emphasized that their campuses have been peaceful since the academic year began in August 2017 and reports intended to cause disaffection and confusion would not be entertained. Source: Ghanaweb.com Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video Nigerian police recruits will have to go through psychiatric, HIV and pregnancy tests before they are allowed to join the force, a police official has said. Emmanuel Inyang, the deputy inspector general in charge of training, said the psychiatric test would essentially check whether or not the applicant was using drugs. However, many are now wondering if the police intended to use such criteria as an easy way to slash the list of applicants. More than 130,000 applicants have made the shortlist for just 6,000 jobs. Others are asking if the test will be extended to officers already in service, based on reported abuse faced by some Nigerians in the hands of some policemen. Source: BBC Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video Nigeria's food and drugs agency has shut down three companies manufacturing cough syrup containing highly-addictive codeine, Punch newspaper reports. Mojisola Adeyeye, National Agency for Food and Drug Administration director, said in statement the decision follows an investigation by her agency. She said Peace Standard Pharmaceutical Limited, Bioraj Pharmaceutical Limited and Emzor Pharmaceuticals would be shut. However, they could reopen at a later date - although this "will depend on the level of cooperation that is shown during the comprehensive investigation". Nigeria had announced a ban on the production and import of cough syrup containing codeine after a BBC investigation into its role in an addiction epidemic. Source: BBC Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video National Security Minister Albert Kan Dapaah Thursday evening visited the Manhyia palace over the seeming tension between the Otumfuo and the New Patriotic Party, Starr News has learnt. It comes after some senior executives of the ruling party were seen, in a photo gone viral, kneeling before the Ashanti Monarch. The king is reportedly angry over attempts by some individuals in government to pitch him against Akyems. Meanwhile, a group calling itself the Concerned Youth of Ashanti has strongly accused a leading member of the New Patriotic Party, (NPP), Gabby Asare Otchere Darko and the Executive Secretary to the President Asante Bediatuo of speaking ill and undermining the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II. Dr. Nana Agyenim Boateng, President of the Concerned Youth of Ashanti said all the negative things being said about the Asantehene by the two individuals have contributed to the Monarchs anger. In an interview with Starr News, Agyenim Boateng said a couple of years ago under the leadership of Akufo-Addo, his nephew and relatives started making some comments concerning the Asantehene and the Asantehene himself mentioned Gabby Asare Otchere Darko and Asante Bediatuo at the Manhyia Palace. Everything they are saying about the Asantehene, he is in Manhyia Palace but he has heard of itso it is a warning and an advice to them. According to Agyenim Boateng, the two top NPP members claim that the Asantehene is involved in money laundering and tacitly supports the NDC. Source: starrfmonline.com Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video Audio Attachment: Ohemaa on Peace FM Popular NPP supporter Hajia Fati has been widely condemned for assaulting an Adom FM reporter, Ohemaa Sakyiwaa Ahwenepa. Ohemaa was assaulted in the line of duty at the headquarters of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) while contestants of various positions in the party were picking their forms. Hajia Fati is alleged to have slapped Sekyiwaa on her face when she tried interviewing her (Hajia Fati) about issues regarding the NPPs National Delegates Conference. This attack on the journalist occurred a day after Ghana hosted World Press Freedom Day. Meanwhile, the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) has condemned the attack. At a press conference, Mr. Affail Monney said the Association is considering legal action against the fiery NPP fanatic as a legal team has been put together to address the issue. On Tuesday, Ohemaa told Kwami Sefa-Kayi in an interview on Peace FM morning show 'Kokrokoo' what actually happened and how she is recovering. Click the audio above to listen Source: Rebecca Addo Tetteh/Peacefmonline.com Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video Deputy Upper East Regional Secretary of the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP), Elvis Figo A. Awonekai, has exposed former President John Dramani Mahama. He said when Mr Mahama was president he always flew to the region because the roads were not in good shape, adding But he did nothing about it and is rather turning round to create the impression that he has the people in the area at heart. The NPP regional secretary also said that the processes leading to the award of the contract for the construction of the Bolgatanga-Bawku Road that Mr. Mahama claimed had been abandoned by President Akufo-Addos NPP government was not transparent. He added that it was awarded when his (Mahamas) National Democratic Congress (NDC) government was on its way out of office. Clear Incitement During the so-called NDC Unity Walk at Bolgatanga over the weekend, Mr Mahama appeared to incite the people of the Upper East Region against President Akufo-Addo when he said he (Akufo-Addo) had not done anything for the people over there. A lot of the projects we started have stalled. Many of the hospitals we were building have come to a stop. Many of the schools we were building have come to a stop. Many of the roads we were building have come to a stop. But I have one appeal. If there was one project that we started, that is critical to the economic development of the Upper West Region, it is the Bolga-Bawku road, the former president posited. If President Akufo-Addo wont do anything for us in Upper East at all, we beg him, as for that road, he should continue it and finish it for us, Mr Mahama emphasised. Hypocrisy However, Mr. Awonekai, in an open letter, says the former presidents concerns for the people of the region smack of hypocrisy. The 116km road contract was awarded on 7th December, 2016 elections day. Interestingly, Mr. John Dramani Mahama during his accounting to the people tour, had cut the sod, at Lamboya, near Zebilla, for the construction of the same road on Monday, 11th July, 2016, where he landed with a helicopter in a Hollywood style for sod cutting. The sod cutting was to enable him come to the Upper East Region because he had made assurance to the chiefs and people of Bawku while speaking at the 27th annual SAMANPIID Festival celebrated by the Kusuag people in the Bawku municipality, Mr. Awonekai claimed. Mode of Payment According to the NPP deputy regional secretary, Payment certificates as contained in the contract are to be paid from the Road Fund. This is not the right source for funding the contract. He said, The magnitude of the contract (over $600 million) requires that payment be effected directly from the budget and not from the Road Fund. The Road Fund was established for the preservation of Ghanas road network and not for the payment of big constructions such as this. The road is 116km long. Thirteen kilometers out of this have been awarded to a Ghanaian contractor MAWUMS Constructions Ltd as a special contract. The remaining 103km have been awarded to a Brazilian contractor Queiroz Galvao. The reason for awarding such a special contract to MAWUMS Constructions Ltd is still questionable. Mr. Awonekai asked the Special Prosecutor, Martin Amidu, to take keen interest in this sole-sourced contract awarded by Mr. Mahamas government, insisting that the processes leading to the contract, being sole-sourced, are suspicious and in breach of the Public Procurement Act. Congratulation He said he was congratulating the good chiefs and people of Upper East Region for making Mr. John Dramani Mahama to walk on our soil. Hitherto it has always been helicopter from Accra to venue grounds in the region with the excuse that we are very far. This eventually led to the unprecedented 44.4% which is still fresh in our minds. The NPP regional secretary continued, Mr Mahama, I am a Frafra from Tanzui Bolgatanga, I am your brother as you like it, but to be fair and honest, you are Ghanas biggest problem and a disappointment to Upper East Region. We are disappointed in you because you presided over impunity, immorality and an internationalized looter government with corruption as its hallmark. He said, Since your unprecedented and humiliating defeat, the NPP government has demonstrated its willingness and commitment to work hard towards addressing the numerous challenges facing region. Its rather unfortunate that whenever Mr. John Dramani Mahama gets the opportunity to speak to unite the NDC, he ends up using the platform to insult, abuse, disrespect the good people of Ghana in one way or the other. Source: Daily Guide Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video Host of Peace FM's Flagship programme "Kokrokoo", Kwami Sefa Kayi has condemned NPP Firebrand Hajia Fati for assaulting a journalist. Hajia Fati is reported to have physically assaulted Adom FM reporter, Ohemaa Sekyiwaa at the NPP Headquarters. The assault occurred after Hajia Fati forcefully prevented Sammy Crabbe, a suspended official of the party from picking up forms to contest the NPPs chairmanship position. Ohemaa Sekyiwaa narrating the incident in an interview on Kokrokoo on Tuesday stated that she "only went there to do my job and didn't flout any law as I was cooperative. The atmosphere was not too friendly so I wanted to capture the environment. As soon as I took out my camera, Hajia Fati smashed my phone and heavily punched me. We are currently looking at the law to possibly take a legal action against her". In a radio interview, Hajia also explained her actions saying she thought the reporter was Sammy Crabbes understrapper who has been contracted by her boss to take pictures of her for ulterior motives, adding that she looked more like an onion seller than a reporter. The woman standing there did not look like a reporter. I thought it was one of Sammy Crabbes women who wanted to take pictures of me. The lady did not look like a reporter. She resembled an onion seller. She did not look like a reporter at all, she said. Addressing the issue, Mr. Sefa Kayi cautioned the NPP to bring Hajia Fati to order. He wondered why the party seems to be afraid to issue punitive measures against her to ensure she stops putting up such violent demeanor. Mr. Sefa Kayi sent a strong signal to the NPP that the journalism fraternity may boycott the party if it doesn't sanction Hajia over this issue and other matters involving her. This whole thing is not about Sammy Crabbe. Its a fact that if Sammy Crabbe hadnt gone there, this might not have happened but it is not about Sammy Crabbe. It is about the behaviour of a woman in your party at your headquarters who has constantly displayed a particular attitude you are all privy to. Address Hajia Fati! That is where the issue is...This nonsense must stop! he stressed. Source: Ameyaw Adu Gyamfi/Peacefmonline.com/Ghana Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video "The only three people who truly know what happened in the house were the three people in the house," Bucks County First Assistant District Attorney Gregg Shore was quoted as saying Monday about the killings of a twenty-something couple by a heroin addict. But the autopsy reports on all three victims do shed light on the gruesome last moments of Tyler Christopher Roy, 28, and his wife, Christina Celenza Roy, 27, in their Northampton Township home last week. Those final moments came at the hands of killer Daniel Kenneth Mooney, 26, who was actively battling a heroin addiction when he slipped inside the couple's Churchville, Pa., home through an open door last Tuesday. Here are the autopsy details, as reported by Philly.com: Evidence indicates that Mooney slipped into the home through an unlocked door, Shore said. There were signs of a prolonged struggle on the upper floor and that Mooney had remained in the house for an unknown period of time afterward. Officially, the autopsies determined the cause of their deaths as "multiple stab and slash wounds." After the initial attack, the killer shot them with a rifle that belonged to Tyler Roy, according to the report. As for a connection to the heroin-addicted killer, officials could find none, other than the fact that Mooney's parents lived nearby, Philly.com reports: "Certainly he chose that house, and we're not sure why he chose that house," Shore told Philly.com. "We have no indication to say that this act was anything but random." Mooney died of a drug overdose in Philadelphia. He was taken to Temple University Hospital's Episcopal Campus after suffering an apparent drug overdose around 9:30 p.m. last Tuesday in the city's Kensington section. Efforts to revive him failed. However, Mooney had no identification and police did not learn of his death until last Wednesday afternoon, when an all-out search for him was ongoing in wake of a house painter finding the couple's bodies earlier that same day. Now, friends and family are preparing for the couple's funeral, according to Philly.com: The Roys' family is holding a viewing for relatives and friends Tuesday night at St. Albert the Great Church in Huntingdon Valley. After a Funeral Mass Wednesday, the couple will be buried at Resurrection Cemetery in Bensalem. Tyler Roy, a construction estimator, and Christina Roy, a professional photographer, were high school sweethearts described by friends and neighbors as a warm and outgoing couple. Three employees of Roadside America near Shartlesville are launching a fundraising campaign to purchase the exhibit's historic display. The employees aim to raise $750,000 through a Kickstarter campaign to purchase the village, revitalize it and move it to a new location in Berks County, according to a press statement. Last month, Roadside America's owners said they are selling the display, billed as the "world's greatest miniature village," and 26-acre property. It is listed for sale for $2.3 million by Commonwealth Real Estate in Wyomissing. Owner Dolores Heinsohn's two daughters are pursuing other careers and have their own dreams they want to follow, said her son-in-law Brian Hilbert in April. Ideally, he said, the family is looking for someone who loves and respects the display and wants to maintain its integrity. The nearly 6,000 square-foot display was crafted by Laurence Gieringer and has remained unchanged since his death in 1963. The tiny town portrays American life from the early pioneer days to the middle of the 20th century with working trains, gushing fountains, lights and buzzing airplanes. "Maintaining the integrity of the display is a top priority. We want to keep it as close to the original as humanly possible but with a fresher, more vibrant look and better operating condition," said Jon Jordan, village supervisor and one of the prospective buyers. He said they chose the Kickstarter platform for several reasons including the fact that backers won't be charged unless the goal is met. In addition, those who donate will be rewarded with perks including names on a "Wall of Honor" and a miniature representation of themselves in the new village. Other partners include Richard Peiffer, the exhibit's road foreman of track, trains and trolleys, and Jeff Marks, landscape and restoration artist. The Kickstarter campaign starts 10 a.m. May 8 and runs through midnight on June 13. "We know that crowdfunding this kind of capital is a long shot but we also know that there is an absolutely incredible community that loves Roadside America and doesn't want to see anything negative happen to it. Our plan to relocate the display might not be favorable to some, and if it were viable for us to keep it in its current location we would," Jordan said. On May 8, 1945, President Harry S. Truman announced on radio that Nazi Germany's forces had surrendered. "This is a solemn but glorious hour," said Truman. "General Eisenhower informs me that the forces of Germany have surrendered to the United Nations. The flags of freedom fly all over Europe. Victory in Europe Day celebrates the acceptance of Nazi Germany's unconditional surrender of its armed forces, marking the beginning of the end of World War II in Europe. Massive celebrations erupted around the world. VE-Day also happened on Truman's 61st birthday. And, Truman and his family had just moved into the White House the day before. In his address, however, Truman, went on to note that World War II was not over. His words, from the American Presidency Project: "We can repay the debt which we owe to our God, to our dead, and to our children, only by work, by ceaseless devotion to the responsibilities which lie ahead of us. If I could give you a single watchword for the coming months, that word is work, work, and more work. We must work to finish the war. Our victory is only half over." Now, we have got another little release here, which doesn't go into the speech, but it informs the Japanese what they can expect. We are going to be in a position where we can turn the greatest war machine in the history of the world loose on the Japanese; and I am informed by the Chiefs of Staff, by the Secretary of State, and the Secretary of the Navy, that Japan is going to have a terrible time from now on. This release here, I will read it. "The Japanese people have felt the weight of our land, air, and naval attacks. So long as their leaders and the armed forces continue the war, the striking power and intensity of our blows will steadily increase, and will bring utter destruction to Japan's industrial war production, to its shipping, and to everything that supports its military activity. "The longer the war lasts, the greater will be the suffering and hardships which the people of Japan will undergo-all in vain. Our blows will not cease until the Japanese military and naval forces lay down their arms in unconditional surrender. "Just what does the unconditional surrender of the armed forces mean for the Japanese people? "It means the end of the war. "It means the termination of the influence of the military leaders who brought Japan to the present brink of disaster. "It means provision for the return of soldiers and sailors to their families, their farms, and their jobs. "And it means not prolonging the present agony and suffering of the Japanese in the vain hope of victory. "Unconditional surrender does not mean the extermination or enslavement of the Japanese people." "The West is free but the East is still in bondage to the treacherous tyranny of the Japanese. When the last Japanese division has surrendered unconditionally, then only will our fighting job be done. We must work to bind up the wounds of a suffering world - to build an abiding peace, a peace rooted in justice and in law." On Aug. 14, 1945, Japan surrendered. That surrender was accepted in September by Gen. Douglas MacArthur, ending World War II. On Memorial Day, PennLive launches the "100 Years of Heroes," a project honoring Pennsylvania's veterans on the 100th anniversary of Armistice Day. To nominate a veteran to be featured, go to 100yearsofheroes.com. Police are at the scene of a shooting at North 18th and Boas streets, Harrisburg, Monday night. The shooting was reported at about 8:15 p.m., and officers remained at the scene more than an hour later. One person was reportedly taken to a hospital, but no update on his or her condition was immediately available. Police have the intersection blocked off to traffic as forensic personnel work in and around a car sitting in the middle of the intersection, doors open. Police at scene of shooting at intersection of 18th and Boas streets in #HBG Investigation focusing on this vehicle with the turn signal still on. @PennLive pic.twitter.com/cb8KkHOq2K Joe Elias (@josephmelias) May 8, 2018 Video from the scene: Shooting reported along Boas Street in Harrisburg. Posted by PennLive.com on Monday, May 7, 2018 This post will be updated as more information is available. A Catholic priest who up until just two months ago was in active ministry in the Diocese of Erie has been charged with multiple child sex crimes. Pennsylvania Attorney General Josh Shapiro on Tuesday announced felony charges against Father David Poulson, 64, of Oil City, saying he sexually assaulted two boys over the course of many years. Poulson groomed and abused the boys, "manipulating the tools of the priesthood-- making one victim confess the abuse during the sacrament of confession," according to the information released by the attorney general's office. One of the victims was 8 years old when Poulson began abusing him. The second victim was 15 when the abuse started. The Diocese of Erie knew since at least May 2010 of the abuse, Shapiro said in announcing the arrest on Tuesday. Bishop Lawrence Persico, head of the Erie Diocese, in April released the names of 34 priests facing credible allegations of sexual abuse, as well as 17 lay people. Attorney General Josh Shapiro on Tuesday said the Erie Diocese had known of predatory priest David Paulson since 2010. Pictured here is Bishop Lawrence Persico of Erie. Poulson, who had been a priest in the Erie diocese for four decades until earlier this year, was arrested this morning and charged with indecent assault, endangering the welfare of children and corruption of minors. Three of the counts against Poulson are felonies. The charges against Poulson were recommended by a statewide grand jury that has been investigating allegations of child sex crimes across six Catholic dioceses in Pennsylvania: including Harrisburg, Allentown, Pittsburgh, Greensburg, Erie and Scranton. Sources close to the investigation speaking on background indicate that the 18-month investigation has been completed. The findings could be released as early as this month. Victims advocates generally believe the findings could lead to a number of arrests among church officials. Investigators found that Poulson sexually assaulted the boys while employed in active ministry as a diocesan priest. "Poulson assaulted one of his victims repeatedly in church rectories," Shapiro said at a news conference at the Erie County Courthouse. "He made that victim go to confession and confess the abuse - to Poulson. This was the ultimate betrayal and manipulation by Poulson. He used the tools of the priesthood to further his abuse." According to the grand jury's presentment made public today: Poulson sexually assaulted one victim repeatedly in church rectories at St. Michael's Catholic Church in Fryburg and Saint Anthony of Padua Catholic Church in Cambridge Springs. The abuse at the rectories usually happened on Sundays - after this victim served as an altar boy at Mass.These assaults took place more than 20 times. Poulson required this victim to make confession in church and confess to the sexual assaults - to Poulson, who served as the priest receiving the boy's confession. Poulson also assaulted this victim and a second victim at a remote hunting cabin that he owned with a friend in Jefferson County. The cabin was off-the-grid and was located 10 minutes off the main road in a rural location. It lacked electricity, heat or running water. Poulson would bring the youths to the cabin, watch horror movies with them on his laptop, and then assault them. Victim 1, who is now 23, told investigators that Poulson began to sexually molest him when he was approximately eight and continued until he was 16. The abuse happened on a bi-weekly basis from 2002 to 2010, the victim said. Poulson made him go to confession and confess the abuse. Victim 2 said he had contact with Poulson between 2003 and 2006 when he was 15 to 18 years old. Shapiro said the diocese knew since at least May, 2010, of Poulson's sexual predator tendencies but did nothing to report him to authorities until September 2016, in response to a subpoena from the grand jury. The diocese even produced a May 24, 2010 secret memorandum, in which diocesan leaders confirmed complaints had been made about Poulson's inappropriate contact with minors. In the memo - hidden in church archives for six years - Poulson admits being "aroused" by a boy, and sharing sexually suggestive texts with numerous other boys. The Diocese of Erie "The time of protecting powerful institutions over vulnerable children is over, and anyone who abuses kids will have to answer to my office," Shapiro said. "Children are targeted by predators because they are vulnerable, they are young and they struggle with shame, confusion, or fear. But once a victim finds the courage to come forward, law enforcement must take action. Poulson faces serious felony charges for the sexual abuse of a child. We will hold him accountable." Diocese officials interviewed Poulson, who admitted he owned the hunting cabin and that he took an estimated 20 trips there, half of which were with young boys. He admitted he was attracted to young men and provided the names of the boys he took to the cabin. The diocese, by this point cooperating with the Office of Attorney General and the ongoing grand jury investigation, turned the boys' names over to investigators. The grand jury heard from nine other men who had contact with Poulson when they were minors. The men told similar stories: Poulson was a "cool" young priest who befriended them, flirted with them, "wrestled" with them, and "joked" about his sexual preference for young boys. Poulson plied the boys with gifts, cash, dinners and alcohol. In at least one of these cases, prosecutors believed evidence of a sexual assault existed, but it was barred on statute of limitations grounds. Shapiro asked anyone with information about sexual abuse by Poulson or any priest to contact the Office of Attorney General's Clergy Abuse Hotline at 1-888-538-8541. Editor's note: This story was updated to correct the date of an arrest. Four Lancaster County residents are charged with felony drug-dealing after local detectives recently interrupted the transport of 5,000 bags of fentanyl-laced heroin. The Lancaster County Drug Task Force, assisted by East Cocalico Township police, stopped a vehicle April 30 on Route 222 at the Denver/Pennsylvania Turnpike exit. Two sisters in the vehicle were transporting the drugs from New Jersey, according to the Lancaster County district attorney's office. The sisters, Xiomara Figueroa, 21, and Kiomara Figueroa, 19, are at Lancaster County Prison on $500,000 bail apiece. Detectives determined the sisters picked up the drugs for 26-year-old Antonio J. Rivera, who conspired to sell it with his girlfriend, Haydee Gomez, 29, according to the district attorney's office. The Lancaster County district attorney's office provided this photograph of fentanyl-laced heroin seized by the drug task force in an April 30 arrest. Rivera and Gomez, of East Main Street, Landisville, were arrested at their home May 3 and are being held in Lancaster County Prison on $500,000 bail each. Gomez had a gun in her vehicle. Rivera is also being held by federal and state authorities for probation and parole detainers. The heroin was branded and packaged in 500 bundles (10 baggies per bundle). The street value of the seized heroin is about $50,000 according to detectives. Field testing revealed the baggies also contained fentanyl. "This was no small seizure," Lancaster County District Attorney Craig Stedman said in a news release. "Considering this heroin was laced with fentanyl, there is no telling how many lives it could have taken." All four are charged with felony drug-dealing and conspiracy. The investigation, assisted by East Hempfield Township police and state parole officials, is ongoing. YORK - With his health deteriorating, Phillip Livingston probably knew he wasn't going to survive his trip to York. But with a war under way and the Continental Congress meeting at the city, he saw it as his duty to make the journey. So in 1778 Livingston, who had signed the Declaration of Independence and represented New York in the Congress, said goodbye to his friends and traveled to York. When he died that June he was not returned to his New York home for burial. Instead, he was buried in York. Today a marble obelisk marks Livingston's grave in Prospect Hill Cemetery, near the crest of the hill for which the cemetery is named. A bronze plaque denotes him as a signer of the Declaration, while closer to the cemetery's entrance a state historical marker denotes his presence in the graveyard. Philip Livingston, a Continental Congress delegate from New York, was a signer of the Declaration of Independence. He died in York and is buried at Prospect Hill Cemetery. Three men are on a mission to find and document all of the graves of the country's 'Founding Fathers'. The results will be published in a series of books. April 5, 2018. Dan Gleiter | dgleiter@pennlive.com Any school child can probably rattle off the name of our most famous founding fathers - such as Benjamin Franklin, John Adams and George Washington. But what of the rest? What of the hundreds of men (and a few women) who played pivotal roles in the nation's founding - people like Phillip Livingston, James Smith and Thomas Mifflin? While Livingston's grave and marker are in good repair, far too many of the Founding Fathers' final resting places have - or are being - lost to time, said Joe Farrell, who along with co-author Joe Farley and their publisher, Lawrence Knorr, the CEO of Sunbury Press, have begun working on a book series and a project to better memorialize the lesser-known founders. While the trio were initially conducting research for a series of books on the founders, the state of many of the founders' memorials was dispiriting, they said. "I'd say about a third of the graves we've seen are in some state of disrepair or some need of attention," Knorr said. "And there's a good number of them that are in really bad shape or there's a really bad story associated with the grave -- everything from 'can't find it' to it's not maintained, or it's off in the middle of a field somewhere." In Virginia the trio found Richard Henry Lee -- who signed the Articles of Confederation and made the motion for independence at the Second Continental Congress -- buried in a hard to access soybean field. In Trenton, N.J., George Clymer -- one of only six men to sign the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution -- appears to be buried on the edge of a parking lot. They were unable to locate some graves (as in the case of Daniel of St. Thomas Jennifer, whose grave may or may not have been removed from his plantation decades ago to allow for a subdivision). READ MORE: Five Founding Fathers with Pa. roots with the most interesting stories Others have gone unmarked, as is the case of Rufus King, a constitution signer buried in Jamaica, New York. His stone, the trio said, is unreadable and serves as his only historical marker, despite being just a block or two away from a museum. "As we went around, we were kind of shocked and stunned by some of the things we found," Farrell said. "So it morphed from writing the books to let's do something about the situations we're finding." To date they have created a registry of graves at www.adoptapatriot.com and have visited about 40 percent of the 200-plus founders they have identified. In addition to locating the graves, they are photographing and documenting the conditions in which they exist. In their travels they've been chased by dogs, driven down dusty roads with signs warning that trespassers may attract bullets, and sweet-talked janitors into unlocking cemetery gates in their quest to find the founding fathers. Larry Knorr, left, Joe Farrell, center, and Joe Farley look at the grave of Philip Livingston. Philip Livingston, a Continental Congress delegate from New York, was a signer of the Declaration of Independence. He died in York and is buried at Prospect Hill Cemetery. Three men are on a mission to find and document all of the graves of the country's 'Founding Fathers'. The results will be published in a series of books. April 5, 2018. Dan Gleiter | dgleiter@pennlive.com The trio are also trying to urge local groups and civic organizations to adopt public memorial sites and organize a larger effort around the nation's 250th anniversary in 2026, possibly with one of the national organizations involved in planning the celebrations. One of the organizations they have met with is USA250, a nonprofit which formed in 2011 to organize organizations around the sestercentennial. "It seems like a great project they are working on," said Jon Herrmann with USA250. "We are constantly meeting with folks who have many ideas and projects that can be done relative to 2026," and the founding fathers project, he continued, certainly was an interesting one worth exploring. At the moment efforts to organize the 250th are beginning to get off the ground -- the federal government has appointed a commission to begin exploratory planning, and a bill in the Pennsylvania legislature would create a similar committee at the state level. Inventorying -- and preserving -- historical artifacts as they relate to the anniversary seems like a natural extension of whatever programming is created. In some cases, they said, it could be as simple as sprucing up a gravesite. Other locations could use better historical markers or explanations as to why an individual is notable. Grave sites that are on private land, or otherwise inaccessible could theoretically be relocated to either a national memorial center or regional sites near major cities. And then there is the preservation of the stories that surround the founders of this nation -- some of which are hard to believe are true -- as in the case of Thomas Mifflin, Pennsylvania's first Governor who in 1800 was buried penniless in Lancaster, and possibly not in the church's cemetery, but rather in its front yard next to the street. He was, by accounts, a colorful character -- a merchant from Philadelphia who served multiple times in the Continental Congress (including a stint as president) and signed the U.S. Constitution. During the War for Independence he served as a quarter master and a general (for which he was expelled from the Quaker Church) and, afterword, helped write Pennsylvania's constitution. Although his wife is buried in Philadelphia, towards the end of his life he began to unravel, falling heavily into debt. After ending his third term as governor in 1799, he fled from Philadelphia to Lancaster to escape his creditors and it was there that he died. Penniless, he was buried at the state's expense at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church on South Duke Street -- but where exactly he was buried is something of a mystery. Thomas Mifflin, a president of the Continental Congress, and a delegate to the Pennsylvania convention to ratify the Constitution, and the first governor of Pennsylvania, is buried at the Lutheran Church of the Holy Trinity in Lancaster. Three men are on a mission to find and document all of the graves of the country's 'Founding Fathers'. The results will be published in a series of books. April 5, 2018. Dan Gleiter | dgleiter@pennlive.com At the time the church had a graveyard adjacent to to its chapel. Records do not indicate whether or not Mifflin was interred within the graveyard -- but a memorial marker bearing his name does appear in the front wall of the church, possibly indicating that he was buried in the front yard -- and not the graveyard -- of the church. As to why he would have been buried in front of the church and not in its nearby graveyard, no readily available records offer an explanation (although perhaps it was because he was not a Lutheran). Another notable Pennsylvanian, Thomas Wharton, also has a marker in the church's front yard, even though records indicate that he was actually buried inside the church itself. If he was, for whatever reason, buried in the front yard by the sidewalk, that may have saved Mifflin's grave from disturbance. As the church grew portions of its graveyard were relocated (most graves were removed to the Woodland Hill's Cemetery) and a new building was built on top of the former graveyard. There are also references in published accounts from 1884 and in the 1930s to his grave being "buried just outside the wall in front of the Lutheran Church in Lancaster," where a now-hard-to-read memorial plaque and a newer tablet on the wall of the church donates his (probable) final resting place. In Mifflin's case, it appears that around the time of the American Centennial celebration there was an effort to further memorialize his grave. According to Papers of the Governors, edited by George Edward Reed in 1902, in 1887 the legislature passed an act authorizing $1,000 to be spent to create a "suitable monument" to Mifflin. "Negotiations were commenced with the officers of the church ... and verbal assent given," Reed writes. "A bid was made by a competent artist ... the authorities of the church, however declined to allow it to be erected on their grounds and the effort to carry out the provisions of the act of assembly were necessarily thereupon abandoned." While some graves may be hard to find, or ill kept, and some, like Mifflin's have strange stories to tell, other graves stand in danger of being worn away by time and the elements. In the cemetery of Paxton Presbyterian Church, numerous flags wave in the breeze, marking the sites of veteran's graves. The large, well kept church cemetery is among the oldest in the Harrisburg area; On either side of the gate are two plaques, one bearing the names of soldiers interned who fought in the Revolutionary War, the other of those who fought in the French and Indian War. Many names -- including those of John Harris Jr., the city's founder, and William Maclay, who served in the Continental Army and, along with Robert Morris, was one of Pennsylvania's first sitting U.S. Senators -- appear on both plaques. The grave of William Maclay at Paxton Presbyterian Church cemetery in Paxtang. Maclay, along with Robert Morris, were the first elected U.S. senators from Pennsylvania. Along the northern wall of the cemetery is where the two men (both of whom died a few months apart in 1791) and their wives are buried, both marked by large inscribed marble slabs which lie perpendicular to the ground -- Harris' at ground level, Maclay's raised on pedestals. As Knorr noted, the two men must have been friends, given their close proximity and having served in the French and Indian War, and later, the Revolutionary War together. There is, in this corner of the graveyard, a palpable sense of the history -- of the stories -- these two men must have seen, having played roles in not just the founding of the nation, but of Harrisburg itself. At some point during the intervening 225 years someone, or more likely some organization, added plaques to the two men's monuments. While twin plaques memorialize both Maclay and Harris and (briefly) note their contributions to history, the original inscriptions on their graves is nearly illegible, worn away by time and the elements. "This is typical when you see these worn, flat stones ... you can barely read them," said Knorr, who said he was concerned that, if let alone, the original inscription will eventually be impossible to recover. "See, this will be lost forever, Knorr said, looking at the gravestone and the faded lettering. "It's just going to deteriorate. You have to preserve it." A second man is accused of luring a man to a drug buy and then killing him in retaliation for sexually assaulting women. A warrant on homicide charges was issued Friday for Kevin Michael Galvin, 56, currently in Lancaster County prison. Galvin was charged with criminal homicide and conspiracy in the death of Aaron Wollman, 25, of Denver, on April 16. Wollman was found fatally shot in Lower Chanceford Township, York County. Lleland Wade, 32, was arrested the next day at an East Lampeter Township Days Inn. Wollman was shot 7 times total - four times in the back, and three times in the head. Police found text messages on Wollman's phone with Wade. A report in York Daily Record says Wade has changed his story, telling police he stole a handgun from a friend in Wrightsville the night of the murder. He now says he and Galvin planned to kill Wollman because they believe he had sexually assaulted several women they knew, said the report. Wade said he and Galvin drove Wollman to a Lower Chanceford Township intersection, wher6 Galvin shot Wollman. Initially Wade told police he killed Wollman with a gun he found in his hotel room. The mother and uncle of a 3-year-old Dauphin County girl who wandered away from home and drowned in a neighbor's swimming pool won't be jailed for what authorities said was criminal neglect. Instead, county President Judge Richard A. Lewis on Tuesday sentenced Austin Biller, 19, of Lower Swatara Township, to a 12-month term in the county work-release center. Biller's sister, Tiffany Graham, 24, was sentenced by Lewis to 6 months of probation. Biller pleaded no contest to involuntary manslaughter and child endangerment charges. He was supposed to be watching the girl, Leliana Danowski, when she escaped from his home and drowned on July 31, 2016, investigators said. Graham pleaded guilty to a child endangerment charge. That count was based on allegations that she left her daughter in Biller's care even though Leliana had wandered away from his home before. "I don't think a term of incarceration...solves anything," Lewis said before imposing Biller's sentence. He said the trauma Biller's and Graham's family is facing over the tot's death must be "close to unbearable." After the work-release stint, Lewis ordered Biller to spend 3 months on house arrest and another 21 months on probation. He also fined Biller $2,500 and ordered him to perform 200 hours of community service. Biller must report to the work-release center on May 22. Chief Deputy District Attorney Jennifer Gettle noted the guideline range sentence for Biller's offenses was 9 to 16 months behind bars. Neither Biller nor Graham had sentencing agreements with the DA's office. Biller's attorney, Gail Souders, argued for leniency. "This was a very unfortunate set of circumstances," she said. "He thinks about this every day." "My kids are good kids. They just made a mistake," said Biller's and Graham's mother. "I know what happened is a tragedy. We will never forget it. Ever." "I think about that day all day and all night...wondering what I could have done different so my niece would be here with us," Biller told the judge. "I took care of her like she was my own daughter. Not a day goes by that I don't miss her." Police said Biller was baby-sitting Leliana while Graham, a single mother who has since given birth to a son, was at work. Graham's attorney, Amanda Batz, said her client was too emotionally overwrought to address the judge. She said Graham is struggling with post-traumatic stress disorder because of her daughter's death. Gettle said the Biller house was not secured well enough to prevent Leliana from getting outside, even though the child had a history of repeatedly roaming unattended. Three days before her death, the girl had gotten out of Graham's apartment and wandered through Middletown, investigators said. "This is a tragic situation," Gettle said. "The commonwealth did not relish filing charges. But we could not ignore the history of this child getting out of the care of the family." "We have a lot of wandering (child) cases. I hope that this...will be a wake-up call to some of these other parents," she added. In return for the Biller and Graham plea deals the prosecution dropped separate witness intimidation charges. Leliana's grandfather, Craig Biller, 55, of Middletown, pleaded guilty to evidence tampering charges for removing the girl's clothes from the death scene. Lewis sentenced him to 6 months on probation. LEWISBURG - The SEDA Joint Rail Authority is reviewing three options following the decision last week by a Commonwealth Court panel to give an Oakmont railroad company the contract to operate five shortlines. Following a lengthy executive session Monday with its solicitors, the authority said it would schedule a special meeting to decide what action to take regarding last Thursday's appellate court decision. That ruling validated a 7-3 vote awarding Carload Express Inc. a seven-year contract, with a five-year-option to operate the shortline over 200 miles of authority track. The options discussed were to let the three-member panel decision stand, request the entire Commonwealth Court consider the case or ask the state Supreme Court to accept an appeal. The court panel overturned a 2017 ruling by Clinton County Judge Michael F. Salisbury, who had declared nine votes were needed to award the contract to Carload. Despite the 7-3 vote in 2015, the authority never executed a contract with Carload but sought a court ruling on what constituted a majority. Six of the 16 authority's members abstained when the vote was taken, five on the grounds their employers were customers of the shortlines. The authority had told those that responded in 2014 to its request for proposals that nine votes would be needed to award a contract. The Commonwealth Court panel, citing the Pennsylvania Municipality Authorities Act, ruled the seven authority members who voted for Carload constituted a majority since only 10 votes were cast. The decision also pointed out the nine-vote requirement was not included in request for proposals documents. READ MORE: Seven is enough: Authority can't deny railroad contract to winning bidder, Pa. court says If the court ruling stands, Carload will replace Susquehanna Union and Carload Co. of Northumberland as the authority's shortline operator. In the authority's ranking of the proposals submitted by the two firms, Carload came out ahead by one point. Susquehanna Union, better known as North Shore Railroad, has had a contract to operate freight trains on former Conrail track since 1985. Carloan Express Chairman Russell Peterson Monday applauded the court decision. In a statement he said it "lifts the cloud of confusion and uncertainty" that had been hindering the rail authority's request for proposals process. This uncertainty has delayed a new operating agreement for more than two years, he said. The old contract expired last June 30, but Susquehanna Union continues to operate the shortlines. "We are hopeful the Commonwealth Court's decision can be taken by all parties as an opportunity to move past the confusion, delay and expense of any further litigation," Peterson said. But Susquehanna Union has asked Salisbury to throw out the 7-3 vote. It claims the five of authority members who abstained did not have a conflict and should have voted because tariffs to move freight are set by larger railroads like Norfolk Southern and Canadian Pacific, not shortlines. The authority does not oppose the shortline operator's effort to invalidate the vote, said Jeffrey Stover, its executive director. The five shortlines affected by the Commonwealth Court ruling are: Lycoming Valley Railroad between Avis and Muncy through Williamsport. Nittany & Bald Eagle between Lock Haven and Tyrone with a branch into Bellefonte Juniata Valley in the Lewistown area. North Shore between Northumberland and Berwick by way of Danville. Shamokin Valley between Sunbury and Mount Carmel through Shamokin. The shortlines have connections with Norfolk Southern in Northumberland, Lock Haven and Tyrone and with Canadian Pacific in Sunbury. The authority receives approximately $1.25 million annually from the shortlines it uses for capital projects. The shortlines are responsible for track maintenance. The $1.25 million represents 10 percent of Susquehanna Union's gross revenue. Carload operates the Allegheny Valley and Southwest Pennsylvania railroads in western Pennsylvania, Ohio Terminal Railway in the Ohio River Valley bordering Ohio and West Virginia and the Delmarva Central Railroad on the Delmarva Peninsula in Maryland and Delaware. The company has 85 employees and serves more than 100 customers along 218 miles of track. As early as this month, the findings of a grand jury investigation into clergy sex abuse across six Pennsylvania dioceses could be released by the state's Office of Attorney General. The findings into the abuse of children by priests and church workers in the dioceses of Harrisburg, Scranton, Allentown, Greensburg, Pittsburgh and Eric would mark the latest chapter into the decades-old clergy sex abuse scandal in this country. This three-minute video helps broadly explain the some of the key developments in this country, particularly out of Pennsylvania. National analysts have focused on Pennsylvania's new 10th Congressional District as the site of a potential dogfight in the fall. But we say that's cart before horse. First, the district's Democratic voters must decide which of the candidates in a four-person field gets the opportunity to make the race against incumbent U.S. Rep. Scott Perry. All the hopefuls - Shavonnia Corbin-Johnson, Eric Ding, Alan Howe and George Scott - share standard party positions on issues like gun control, expanding access to health care, preserving abortion rights, raising the minimum wage. And the big one: providing stronger legislative resistance to President Donald J. Trump and his GOP allies in Congress. For more on the candidates' issues positions, and links to their campaign Web sites, click here. But what Democratic voters also have to discern -- and this is the new part especially for those in Cumberland and York counties -- is who is the most electable in a race against Perry. The borders of the newly drawn 10th -- now consisting of all of Dauphin County, most of Cumberland and the northern half of York County -- creates a true, Capitol region district with the potential for a competitive race. Based on 2016 results, Republicans still hold a clear edge. The average major party result across the new 10th for all five statewide races in 2016 was Republicans, 53.9 percent, Democrats, 46.1 percent. But gone are the days of 2-1 vote margins. So for Democrats, this should be getting interesting. Here's a look at the various candidates' resumes, strengths and weaknesses. Shavonnia Corbin Johnson. Shavonnia Corbin-Johnson York native Corbin-Johnson has shown herself to be a high achiever. Raised by her paternal grandparents in York Township, she received a scholarship to attend York Country Day School, and then earned admission to Georgetown University. She parlayed a college internship with Casey's office into a permament staff job there, then moved over to the Obama Administration's Office of Management and Budget in 2015. Corbin-Johnson is now making a triumphant return home to further her service in a new way. Some regional party officials see Corbin-Johnson appealing to the more progressive wing of the Democratic party. That has undeniably helped spur fundraising success. People for Corbin-Johnson has raised $196,000 through April 25, and has more than $100,000 left for a late media blitz. But her campaign path is also one of blazing trails, and history shows that can be harder than taking the beaten path. She seeks to become the first African-American or woman elected to Congress from the midstate. The race question is not a political show-stopper in a district where at least four cities and towns - Harrisburg, York, Carlisle and Middletown - have elected African-American mayors in the recent past. Being the only woman in the field could work to Corbin-Johnson's advantage in this primary, too. But on both points, she is asking voters here to do something new. And then, there's youth. Corbin-Johnson, who turns 27 this month, would be one of the youngest people ever elected to Congress from Pennsylvania. Opponents have suggested that, impressive as her recent experiences have been, she simply doesn't have enough of them at this point. Corbin-Johnson and her supporters push back that that's a more relevant argument for someone running for an executive role, as opposed to a legislative role, where the job is more setting policy than running the machine. Voters should also consider, Corbin-Johnson says, "I am the only candidate that worked on the (U.S. Capitol) Hill, and in tandem with the Hill....So I chose to run for a seat where I actually have skills, and have knowledge of." Eric Ding. Eric DIng Ding, a 35-year-old public health scientist, is an intriguing candidate. He has a stellar academic resume and has shown the ability to raise funds from a network of supporters across the country. Ding worked until recently as a research scientist at Harvard's School of Public Health. While there, he co-authored an analysis of clinical trials that helped document the harms of the painkiller Vioxx, a then-popular painkiller that had been pulled from commercial use two years before. The 2006 study received widespread attention at the time, because drugmaker Merck was in the midst of defending itself against thousands of lawsuits claiming Vioxx's use caused heart attacks and other injuries. More recently, Ding says, he has helped to develop several digital public health initiatives, and worked on health care models used to serve international refugee communities. Now, increasingly frustrated by the shunting aside of science in the public debate, this scientist believes the most useful lab project he can undertake is to take facts and data back to Washington and apply them to public policy. One political test Ding faces is that he's asking for votes for Congress literally as he's unpacking his bags in the midstate and meeting residents here for the first time. Ding moved back to the area just within the past year, and only registered to vote in Cumberland County in March, public records show. To be fair, Ding did grow up in Shippensburg -- not in the 10th, but close -- and insists he never lost touch with Pennsylvania. His mom is a professor at Shippensburg University. He was, he notes, among those who rallied in 2009 to save the select governor's schools for high achievers from state budget cuts. His plan, Ding said in an interview, was to move back to the midstate with his family in preparation for a run for Congress in 2020, but that plan simply got accelerated when the courts redrew the maps this year. So for now, he's living out of an apartment in Camp Hill and running for Congress. If voters like his qualifications and issue positions, Ding and his supporters argue, he shouldn't be punished for having left home and accomplishing great things elsewhere. Ding may be helped in that battle by his media campaign. He leads all candidates in fundraising through the primary cycle, with $235,000. "I am Central Pennsylvania," he told PennLive. "It's made me who I am. It gave me all my opportunities." Alan Howe. Alan Howe Howe is a 24-year veteran of the U.S. Air Force who, since retirement, has completed a bachelor's degree (George Mason), and dabbled in causes as varied as helping connect African-American communities to their civil rights history, to immigration reform. He moved to Carlisle full-time, after a first attraction built around fly-fishing, in 2014. Howe decribes himself as a "serial instigator," who can't resist getting his hands dirty when he sees a problem. And he sees a lot of problems in the federal government. Articulate and well-read -- how many candidates have you seen add a "what I've been reading" tab on their campaign sites -- Howe doesn't cheat voters on his ability to come to well-reasoned position on a vast array of issues. On health care, for example, he has proposed a phased lowering of the eligiblity age for Medicaid to 62, and a phased increase of the income limits for Medicare, with the goal of expanding those safety nets gradually. He would also like to explore offering health care to first responders through the Veteran's Administration as a way to encourage recruitment to fields like volunteer firefighting. In this field full of Trump foes, he has stood out for two things: His determination to work toward Trump's impeachment -- irregardless of the outcome of the Mueller investigation -- because of actions that Howe sees as an ongoing threat to the national security. A confidence bordering on braggadocio -- Howe, for example, has told forums during the primary that he "chased" incumbent U.S. Rep. Lou Barletta from a re-election bid in the old 11th District, pre-redistricting. Some party regulars have privately scoffed at the notion Barletta was chased from seeking a fifth term in a House seat he routinely won with more than 60 percent of the vote to take on two-term incumbent Sen. Robert P. Casey. Howe's all-volunteer candidacy will rise or fall in this compressed campaign based on the word-of-mouth generated by people who've seen him in action at candidate debates, his own town halls, social media platforms and his volunteer army. The problem is much of Howe's early work in the old 11th District became irrelevent after the February redistricting. The question now is, with just $3,642 on hand as of the last campaign finance report, does he have the time and resources to complete the pivot to the new 10th? George Scott. George Scott Like Howe, Scott's first career was military service. An Army ROTC graduate of Georgetown University, the Franklin Township, York County resident served 20 years in the Army, retiring at the rank of lieutenant colonel. After some subsequent work for federal defense contractors, Scott changed things up in 2009 with a decision to enroll in the Lutheran Theological Seminary in Gettysburg. He has been pastor of Trinity Lutheran Church in East Berlin since 2013. On leave from his congregation for the campaign, Scott sees service in Congress as the next logical extension to a career built on service to others. Scott argues his mix of military service and more recent work as a pastor, coupled with his family's midstate roots (he is a native of Littlestown, Adams County) will resonate with local voters. If that sounds like channelling your inner Conor Lamb, well, it's not too far off the mark. Some say in the primary Scott's appeal to more progressive Democrats, however, may be limited, but he counters "I'm best positioned to earn votes from Democrats, Republicans and independents." Scott grabbed beyond-the-district attention last month with his gun control ad, but lost in the raised eyebrows over "burning" an assault rifle was the point that he's not afraid to tackled a hot-button issue head-on. Howe immediately counter-attacked with a critique that Scott's bonfire had just rallied NRA nation to Perry, making it harder for any Democrat to unseat the Republican in the fall. But Scott, seen in uniform both for God and country, says he's going for a broader point: That he can neutralize any advantage Perry, an officer in the Army National Guard, may seek on faith and values questions. The race seems wide open, in part because none of the candidates hail from Dauphin County, home to a slight majority of the district's registered Democrats. Dauphin has 82,513 registered Democrats; Cumberland, has 40,174; and York, 32,317. So the paths to victory are varied: roll to a win in your backyard, and then do well enough in Dauphin to seal the deal? Try to roll to a big win in Dauphin County and let that be the mark to beat? Perry, and the rest of us, are eager to see how it plays out. The mysterious infectious agents responsible for chronic wasting disease - the always fatal disease in deer and related species - have been found in wild, naturally occurring soil. According to researchers at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, it's the first time that CWD prions have been detected in samples collected at sites where deer congregate. They searched for the prions at mineral licks, spots that multiple deer frequent to find essential nutrients and minerals. Of 11 sites sampled in a CWD endemic area in southcentral Wisconsin, 9 had detectable levels of the prions in both soil and water. Those dealing with the expanding CWD crisis, which has been found in deer and other cervids like elk, in Pennsylvania, 22 other states and 2 Canadian provinces, have suspected that the prions can accumulate in the environment where deer congregate. "This is the first time that anyone has demonstrated the existence of prions in naturally contaminated soil," noted Joel Pedersen, professor of soil science and one of the leaders of the study. Environmental prions have previously been shown to infect deer in heavily contaminated experimental enclosures of deer. In 2009, researchers in Colorado also identified prions in untreated water entering a water treatment plant. Scientists believe that such environmental reservoirs of the prions could be an additional transmission route for CWD, which also passes between deer through direct contact. The study, which was funded by the U.S. Geological Survey with support from the National Science Foundation, was published May 2 in the journal PLOS ONE. The prions were detected using a technique that amplifies the small amount of misfolded, diseased version of prion proteins isolated from soil or water samples. The misfolded varieties are added to a pool of properly folded proteins from mice engineered to produce them. The diseased folding state is transmitted to properly folded proteins, increasing the number of diseased prions and facilitating measurement. It is not clear if the quantity of soil-dwelling prions detected in the current study are sufficient to infect deer. "Although we are able to detect prions, quantifying the amount present is still difficult using this technique," explained Pedersen. Previous research in his lab demonstrated that soil-bound prions are more effective than free prions at infecting hamsters. Michael Samuel, emeritus professor of wildlife ecology and co-leader of the study, said the significance of prion-contaminated environments in the spread and persistence of CWD among free-ranging deer remains unknown. "We know it can occur, but we just don't know how it occurs in the wild, or how important it is relative to deer contacting each other," he said. Don Waller, professor of botany and environmental studies, commented, "We manage most diseases by trying to interrupt their spread. Having CWD concentrated at animal licks means that's going to be difficult. "It's not easy to test for CWD, but this result suggests we should be looking for hotspots of CWD prions in the environment and doing all we can to cover them up so animals can't get to them. We may also want to do more testing in other animal species to see which may be vulnerable to CWD infection." More about CWD: Lidia Bastianich is seen in this undated handout photo. Celebrity chef Lidia Bastianich says she was "devastated" when she heard of the recent sexual misconduct allegations made against fellow culinary star Mario Batali. The two have worked together under B&B Hospitality Group, which operates several of their restaurants.THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO, Diana DeLucia, Penguin Random House *MANDATORY CREDIT* Jennifer Lopez, left, and Alex Rodriguez attend The Metropolitan Museum of Art's Costume Institute benefit gala celebrating the opening of the Heavenly Bodies: Fashion and the Catholic Imagination exhibition on Monday, May 7, 2018, in New York. (Photo by Charles Sykes/Invision/AP) Raymond and Georgine Melatini in the living room of their home at Delta Mobile Home Park. The couple is facing eviction after 24 years at the site. 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. Newfoundland and Labrador's premier says confusion and uncertainty over federal efforts to protect marine areas have stranded crucial offshore oil investment. Dwight Ball says future decisions should be timely and based on good science -- not pressure from what he called special interest groups. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Paul Daly NDP MP Christine Moore rises in the House of Commons in Ottawa on Wednesday, April 4, 2012. NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh has temporarily suspended Quebec MP Christine Moore from her duties with the party and ordered an investigation after a veteran of the war in Afghanistan accused her of inappropriate sexual behaviour. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld In this Sunday, May 6, 2018 photo provided by the U.S. Geological Survey, a lava flow moves across Makamae Street in the Leilani Estates subdivision near Pahoa on the island of Hawaii. Kilauea volcano has destroyed more than two dozen homes since it began spewing lava hundreds of feet into the air last week, and residents who evacuated don't know how long they might be displaced. The decimated homes were in the Leilani Estates subdivision, where molten rock, toxic gas and steam have been bursting through openings in the ground created by the volcano. (U.S. Geological Survey via AP) In this May 5, 2018 photo, President Donald Trump speaks during a roundtable discussion on tax reform at Cleveland Public Auditorium and Conference Center in Cleveland, Ohio. Trump says he will announce his decision on whether to keep the U.S. in the Iran nuclear deal on Tuesday. (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta) In this May 4, 2018 photo, former U.S. Marine Lt. Col. Oliver North speaks before giving the Invocation at the National Rifle Association-Institute for Legislative Action Leadership Forum in Dallas. The NRA announced today that North will become President of the National Rifle Association of America within a few weeks, a process the NRA Board of Directors initiated this morning. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki) Pirate offense sputters in loss The downpour of rain that drenched Pirate Field in the fourth quarter was probably an accurate representation of just how Perryville football coach Brent Roth and his team felt following the game.The Indians have fun in shutout victory over Bayless St. Vincent football coach Tim Schumer said that his team had a lot of fun on Friday night. The Indians scored early and often, then dominated on defense as they shutout Bayless 59-0 Oil prices keep slipping Tuesday ahead of Trump's Iran decision By Barbara Kollmeyer MADRID Petroleumworld 05 08 2018 Oil prices continued to drop on Tuesday, on the heels of a late-session selloff in the U.S., as investors awaited a decision from President Donald Trump on the Iranian nuclear deal. The U.S.'s allies in Europe were preparing for a withdrawal, though some officials there hoped Trump would move slowly to reapply sanctions, which would leave more time for negotiations. On Monday, prices soared to levels not seen since late 2014 as investors bet that Trump would pull the U.S. out of the agreement, which lifted economic sanctions on Iran in return for restrictions on the country's nuclear program. Such a move would cut global supply by making it tough for Iran to export oil. However, late Monday, investors began to cash in some on those big bets, and oil started to sell off, after Trump said in a post to Twitter that he would announce his decision at 2 p.m. Tuesday, four days ahead of the May 12 deadline. On Tuesday, June West Texas Intermediate crude oil CLM8 , -1.22% was down 86 cents, or 1.2%, to $69.88 a barrel. Futures closed 1.5% higher at $70.73 a barrel on Monday, the highest settlement for a front-month contract since Nov. 26, 2014, according to FactSet data. International benchmark July Brent crude LCON8, -0.89% meanwhile, fell 75 cents, or 1%, to $75.42 a barrel. On Monday, the contract finished up 1.7% to $76.17 also the highest finish since late November 2014. Iran, meanwhile, remains defiant . The country's state-run oil company (NIOC) has mechanisms to sell Iran's oil and has creatively preserved them after four decades of being targeted by the sanctions, said Amir Hossein Zamani-nia, Iran's deputy petroleum minister for international affairs and trading on Monday, according to SHANA , the oil ministry's news service. Looking beyond this week, a decision to leave the Iran deal can only be long-term bullish, but it is likely that much of the recent strength in oil comes from the strong demand backdrop and the continuing deterioration in Venezuela's oil industry, said Michael Cohen and a team of commodities analysts at Barclays, in a note to clients. Among other energy products traded on Nymex, June gasoline RBM8, -0.78% fell 1% to $2.113 a gallon, while June heating oil HOM8, -0.71% dropped 0.8% to $2.167 a gallon. June natural gas NGM18, +0.15% slipped 0.3% to $2.734 per million British thermal units. Petroleumworld.com Hit your target - Advertise with Us Guyana lack specialists lawyers in oil and gas and other areas Caricom's study By Kaieter News GEORGETOWN Petroleumworld 05 08 2018 Guyana has the fourth highest population of lawyers among countries in the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), but lacks lawyers in specialist areas of oil and gas, energy, agriculture and intellectual property. The deficiency was highlighted in the final report based on a Survey of Legal Education System in CARICOM Member States. Guyana has an estimated 1, 120 lawyers and a population of 735,909. This works out to about one lawyer per 657 persons with between 25 and 30 new lawyers qualifying annually. The report highlights that among the CARICOM member states, there is an insufficiency in criminal defence lawyers which leads to delays in trial; shortage of lawyers in the areas of aviation, cybercrime, insurance, marine, telecommunications and intellectual property. The report pointed out that in a particular country about five lawyers are added to the profession annually and are likely to find places in the private sector, leaving the government and judiciary to find it necessary to recruit lawyers from outside the country. The report highlighted the scarceness of lawyers in rural areas and insolvency, too few insolvency and financial services practitioners and other specialized areas. According to the report, there are situations in which magistrates are now dealing with increasingly serious cases are not legally qualified. There are times when criminal law specialists are being seconded to civil work; lack of senior lawyers in Government service. The report establishes that there are an estimated 10, 900 lawyers in CARICOM between 2015 and 2016 with Trinidad and Tobago topping the list with approximately 3,000, followed by Jamaica with 2, 642, the Bahamas with 1, 317. Guyana was fourth. Fifth was Barbados with 972, followed by Belize with 251. In St. Lucia there is an estimate of between 100 and 200 lawyers while in Antigua and Barbuda there is an active cohort of 138 lawyers. Over in St. Kitts and Nevis there is an estimate of 129 lawyers; while in St. Vincent and the Grenadines and Grenada there is an estimate of 100 lawyers respectively. The report highlighted that in Dominica there is actually an estimate of 30 lawyers but 100 of them are on roll. There is an estimated 21 lawyers in Montserrat. The Report is the result of a survey conducted between 2016 and 2017 by the Improved Access to Justice in the Commonwealth Caribbean (IMPACT Justice), a regional justice sector reform project being funded by the Government of Canada and being implemented from within the Caribbean Law Institute, Faculty of Law, University of the West Indies (UWI), Cave Hill, Campus, in Barbados. The Consultants Ching and Watson visited Guyana in October, 2016 and held meetings with members of the judiciary, representatives of the University of Guyana (UG), a senior practitioner, the Attorney General and members of his staff and the Minister of Education. Petroleumworld.com Hit your target - Advertise with Us Story from Kaieter News Kaieteurnewsonline.com 05 07 2018 Copyright 1999-2018 Petroleumworld or respective author or news agency. All rights reserved. We welcome the use of Petroleumworld (PW) stories by anyone provided it mentions Petroleumworld.com as the source. Other stories you have to get authorization by its authors. Internet web links to http://www.petroleumworld.com are appreciated. Petroleumworld welcomes your feedback and comments, share your thoughts on this article, your feedback is important to us! We invite all our readers to share with us their views and comments about this article. Write to editor@petroleumworld.com By using this link, you agree to allow PW to publish your comments on our letters page. Any question or suggestions, please write to: editor@petroleumworld.com Best Viewed with IE 5.01+ Windows NT 4.0, '95, '98,ME,XP, Vista, Windows 7,8,10 +/ 800x600 pixels November 13 - 15, 2018. Gubkin University, Moscow SPE Student Chapter Eximbank's Forex Facility opens in Port Spain By Geisha Kowlessar PORT SPAIN Petroleumworld 05 08 2018 Eximbank's Forex Facility, which was launched yesterday at the Hyatt Regency in Port-of-Spain, has been capitalised with US$100 million to fund the operations and import requirements of local manufacturers and exporters. To qualify, at least 30 per cent of a business's production must be for export and companies must agree to repatriate a suitable amount of their foreign exchange earnings, Finance Minister Colm Imbert said. Start-ups of fledgling manufacturers with a lower level of export production but with a feasible export plan will also be considered favourably, he added. Imbert said the initial allocation of US$100 million will be reviewed and adjusted as necessary once more manufacturers join the new export promotion programme. He said the shortage of foreign exchange is not due to Government interventions, or the lack thereof, but the drastic reduction in foreign exchange conversions by the private sector from $US 5.8 billion in 2013 to US $3.6 billion in 2017a reduction of 38 per cent. Much of this decline can be attributed to the downturn in the energy sector, but there has also been a significant reduction in the conversions of foreign exchange by the non-oil sector, which inevitably leads to speculation about hoarding, he said. Fortunately, we are seeing the signs of a recovery in the energy sector, with average daily natural gas production increasing by over 15 per cent over the last 12 months. The gap between supply and demand in the natural gas sector is closing steadily. Noting that T&T is a nation of importers and distributors, he said: We import everything from food to household goods to cell phones and luxury motor cars. Many important businesses in Trinidad and Tobago are net users of foreign exchange. These import-focused businesses employ thousands of people and contribute in no small way to the economy and we must support them as well. In this context, it is noteworthy that most the Government's foreign exchange that is injected into the banking sector by the Central Bank is given by the commercial banks to importers. But in the face of a shortage of foreign exchange we must be sensible and prioritise our efforts where they will have positive effects. It goes without saying that successful export businesses increase economic activity, encourage inward private sector investment, generate foreign exchange and much needed meaningful and sustainable employment. It should also be noted that manufacturing currently contributes over 18 per cent of our country's GDP and is thus a vital pillar of our economy. Imbert said Government is fully committed to doing its part in providing an avenue for eligible exporters to access foreign exchange to acquire raw materials and other manufacturing essentials or their businesses. Eximbank chairman John Tang Niam said the theme for the launch, Shifting the export paradigm . . . Facilitating export expansion, was apt. He said economic diversification is one of the bank's main overarching strategies facilitated by its unique suite of trade financing products, including export credit insurance, raw material and asset financing, factoring and invoice discounting. Tang Niam assured that each application will be treated fairly and there will be highest level of transparency. Petroleumworld.com Hit your target - Advertise with Us Former trinidad & tobago ministers sceptical on mid-year review By Clint Chan Tack PORT SPAIN Petroleumworld 05 08 2018 FORMER government ministers Conrad Enill, Mariano Browne and Vasant Bharath yesterday expressed different views on what the public could expect when Finance Minister Colm Imbert presents the mid-year review in the House of Representatives on Thursday. However, they all agreed that issues such as debt, economic diversification and foreign exchange must be urgently addressed in order to strengthen the economy. Economist Dr Ronald Ramkissoon agreed, saying it may be time to take the bitter medicine in order to get better. At the launch of the Export Import Bank's (Eximbank) foreign exchange (forex) facility last Thursday, Imbert said the population could expect good news in the mid-year review. Enill told Newsday the good news Imbert referred to could be a result of oil prices rising to US$70 per barrel yesterday. Based on efforts by Government to strengthen the energy sector, Enill said, Imbert's optimism could also be based on the expectation of increased gas production. This means more revenue to reduce the budget deficit from $21 to $15 billion and pay wages on time, he explained. However, Enill said while these are positive developments, We are not out of the woods yet. Browne believed the review will be pure public relations. He said Government has no control over global oil prices rising. Any domestic incentives to boost the energy sector were left behind by the former People's Partnership government, Browne added. He anticipated that Imbert will avoid announcing any measures such as gas-price hikes or new taxes like the plague. Browne said TT's Gross Domestic Product today is five to eight per cent of what it was in 2008, and revenues from the non-energy sector have been declining. He also believed Imbert is not treating with issues raised by Standard and Poors (S&P) and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) about measures to improve the economy. Bharath described Energy Minister Franklin Khan accepting blame for S&P receiving the wrong energy forecast as a ruse. Imbert should have ensured that the proper data was sent through his ministry and approved by him, Bharath said. Saying a finance minister must give people confidence to invest in a country, Bharath claimed Imbert's public pronouncements have had the opposite effect, alleging that Imbert's statements have created fear and uncertainty in the minds of potential investors. Any good news announced by Imbert will be temporary, and with energy plants in TT operating at between 75 to 80 per cent capacity, Bharath said any new gas will go to fill those shortfalls. He opined that Government's strategy to boost revenue through taxation and selling off certain assets has been unsuccessful. Bharath said he had no problem with Government borrowing money, but it must be put to productive use. There is no evidence, he said, of any significant capital expenditure projects by Government in recent times. Ramkissoon said whenever there are improvements in the energy sector, everyone from captain to cook postpones the long-overdue conversation about economic transformation, and the country continues to live beyond its means and in a sense of false comfort. Saying all governments are to blame for this situation, Ramkissoon regretted that Imbert's presentation on Thursday will be the same old same old. Petroleumworld.com Hit your target - Advertise with Us Conoco eyes to take over Venezuelan PDVSA's Caribbean assets By Marianna Parraga and Deisy Buitrago HOUSTON/CARACAS Petroleumworld 05 08 2018 U.S. oil firm ConocoPhillips has moved to take Caribbean assets of Venezuela's state-run PDVSA to enforce a $2 billion arbitration award over a decade-oil nationalization of its projects in the South American country, according to three sources familiar with its actions. The U.S. firm targeted facilities on the islands of Curacao, Bonaire and St. Eustatius that accounted for about a quarter of Venezuela's oil exports last year. The three play key roles in processing, storing and blending PDVSA's oil for export. The company received court attachments freezing assets at least two of the facilities, and could move to sell them, one of the sources said. Conoco's legal maneuvers could further impair PDVSA's declining oil revenue and the country's convulsing economy. Venezuela is almost completely dependent on oil exports, which have fallen by a third since its peak and its refineries ran at just 31 percent of capacity in the first quarter. The Latin American country is in the grip of a deep recession with severe shortages of medicine and food as well as a growing exodus of its people. PDVSA and the Venezuelan foreign ministry did not respond on Sunday to requests for comment. Dutch authorities said they are assessing the situation on Bonaire. Conoco's claims against Venezuela and state-run PDVSA in international courts have totaled $33 billion, the largest by any company. Any potential impacts on communities are the result of PDVSA's illegal expropriation of our assets and its decision to ignore the judgment of the ICC tribunal, Conoco said in an email to Reuters. The U.S firm added it will work with the community and local authorities to address issues that may arise as a result of enforcement actions. PDVSA has significant assets in the Caribbean. On Bonaire, it owns the 10-million-barrel BOPEC terminal which handles logistics and fuel shipments to customers, particularly in Asia. In Aruba, PDVSA and its unit Citgo lease a refinery and a storage terminal. On the island of St. Eustatius, it rents storage tanks at the Statia terminal, owned by U.S. NuStar Energy, where over 4 million barrels of Venezuelan crude were retained by court order, according to one of the sources. NuStar is aware of the order and assessing our legal and commercial options, said spokesman Chris Cho. The company does not expect the matter to change its earnings outlook, he said. Conoco also sought to attach PDVSA inventories on Curacao, home of the 335,000-barrel-per-day Isla refinery and Bullenbay oil terminal. But the order could not immediately be enforced, according to two of the sources. Last year, PDVSA's shipments from Bonaire and St Eustatius terminals accounted for about 10 percent of its total exports, according to internal figures from the state-run company. The exports were mostly crude and fuel oil for Asian customers including ChinaOil, China's Zhenhua Oil and India's Reliance Industries. From its largest Caribbean operations in Curacao, PDVSA shipped 14 percent of its exports last year, including products exported by its Isla refinery to Caribbean islands and crude from its Bullenbay terminal to buyers of Venezuelan crude all over the world. PDVSA on Friday ordered its oil tankers sailing across the Caribbean to return to Venezuelan waters and await further instructions, according to a document viewed by Reuters. In the last year, several cargoes of Venezuelan crude have been retained or seized in recent years over unpaid freight fees and related debts. This is terrible (for PDVSA), said a source familiar with the court order of attachment. The state-run company cannot comply with all the committed volume for exports and the Conoco action imperils its ability to ship fuel oil to China or access inventories to be exported from Bonaire. At the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC), Conoco had sought up to $22 billion from PDVSA for broken contracts and loss of future profits from two oil producing joint ventures, which were nationalized in 2007 under late Venezuela President Hugo Chavez. The U.S. firm left the country after it could not reach a deal to convert its projects into joint ventures controlled by PDVSA. A separate arbitration case involving the loss of its Venezuelan assets is before a World Bank tribunal, the International Centre for the Settlement of Investment Disputes. Exxon Mobil Corp also has brought two separate arbitration claims over the 2007 nationalization of its projects in Venezuela. Petroleumworld.com Hit your target - Advertise with Us Odebrecht construction unit working for $3.6 bln in new contracts By Reuters SAO PAULO Petroleumworld 05 08 2018 The construction unit of Brazilian conglomerate Odebrecht SA is trying to win $3.6 billion in new contracts, a senior executive of the corruption-ensnared group said. Last week, Odebrecht Engenharia e Construcao (OEC) announced two new contracts totaling $704 million to build a private port in the southeastern state of Espirito Santo and public transportation systems in the northern state of Para. Odebrecht's director for infrastructure, Jose Quintella, said the company will try to win contracts around $3.6 billion, including one to build a hydroelectric dam in Tanzania. OEC failed to pay $144 million in bonds due last month. Its parent is still in talks with banks to obtain new funds and repay the bond within the 30-day grace period. Petroleumworld.com Hit your target - Advertise with Us Mexican populist maintaining lead in presidential race: poll By Reuters MEXICO CITY Petroleumworld 05 08 2018 Mexican leftist Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador has maintained his lead in the race to win the presidency with less than two months remaining before the country's July 1 election, an opinion poll showed on Monday. The survey of 1,200 voters by polling firm BGC showed Lopez Obrador winning 42 percent support, up by two percentage points from a previous poll by the company published on April 20. His closest rival Ricardo Anaya, who heads a right-left coalition, advanced one percentage point to 33 percent support, while Jose Antonio Meade, candidate of the ruling Institutional Revolutionary Party (PRI), slipped three points to 19 percent. The BGC poll, carried out between May 3-6, contrasted with recent surveys that showed Lopez Obrador's advantage over Anaya narrowing somewhat at the end of April. Lopez Obrador, runner-up in Mexico's last two presidential elections, has led in opinion polls for months. His bid has capitalized on deep-seated discontent with the PRI over rising gang violence, corruption scandals and sluggish economic growth. The poll also showed Lopez Obrador's National Regeneration Movement (MORENA) backed by 39 percent of Mexicans in voting for the lower house of Congress. Two parties allied to MORENA were forecast to win another 5 percent between them. Support for Anaya's center-right National Action Party (PAN) stood at 25 percent, while its two coalition partners garnered another 10 percent. The PRI was seen winning 18 percent of the vote in the lower house, with two allies together mustering another 3 percent. The survey had a margin of error of 2.9 percentage points, BGC said. Petroleumworld.com Hit your target - Advertise with Us Oil rises as uncertainty on geopolitical risks proliferate Sanctions could disrupt supplies from Iran or Venezuela . Saudis push for higher prices; Trump talks to North Korea - Play Video - Oil Rises as Market Braces for Trump's Iran Nuclear Call By Christopher Sell LONDON Petroleumworld 05 08 2018 Plunging Venezuelan crude production; sanctions disrupting Iranian oil exports; Saudi Arabia pushing for even higher prices; North Korea peace talks -- the coming weeks bring an abundance of risks for the oil market. The geopolitical premium has already helped lift crude prices to a three-year high. There are several dates coming up which could have a significant impact on global oil supply and demand, or at the very least elevate the risk of a market-moving presidential tweet . Iran Sanctions Within five days, U.S. President Donald Trump must choose whether to pull out of the Iran nuclear deal and reimpose restrictions on oil shipments from the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries' third-largest producer. It's a decision that could remove a big chunk of supply from the market -- about 1 million barrels a day under the previous sanctions regime -- and risk further escalating regional tensions. In early April, analysts said it was a toss-up whether Trump kills or preserves the deal. Since then, the odds have tilted toward a U.S. pullout. The friendly embrace of French President Emmanuel Macron failed to convince Trump to accept an improved version of the existing deal. Last week, Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu did his best to convince the U.S. president that the pact was a mistake and Iran couldn't be trusted . In our view President Trump's decision on the waiver looks likely to be both the largest upside and downside risk to oil prices over the next 11 days," analysts at Standard Chartered wrote in a report on May 2. Venezuelan Election A collapsing economy has already taken a huge toll on this South American OPEC member's oil production. Things could get even worse if the U.S. finds cause to question the legitimacy of the presidential election on May 20 and imposes oil sanctions . Venezuela's industry is in a terrible state. Since 2015, daily production has plunged by about a million barrels to 1.55 million, according to data compiled by Bloomberg. It's output has fallen five times more than required by the OPEC-Russia supply deal, helping the cartel achieve a record level of cuts . As access to credit dries up and international companies limit their activities or pull out employees , this figure could drop to a 70-year low of about 1.38 million by year-end, according to the International Energy Agency. Former oil minister Rafael Ramirez says the state-owned oil company is on the brink of collapse . "If you ask me what the biggest geopolitical disruption risk to oil supply between now and December, I would say Venezuela," said Bob McNally, president of the Rapidan Energy Group. Rapidan expects the country's output to slump to 1.1 million barrels a day by year-end. "In terms of geopolitical risk, Iran is just as important. But are we going to lose 400,000 barrels a day of Iranian production by the end of the year? I don't think so. North Korea Summit The sudden detente between Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong-Un doesn't directly affect the oil market, but the stakes are high for a region that's still the largest source of demand growth. There's little risk priced in currently and the summit between the two leaders planned for early June would only move the market if it's a spectacular failure, said McNally. If Trump were to walk out saying Kim was being unreasonable and we are going to have do this the hard way then it would be bearish for crude, he said. Northeast Asia generates 20 percent of global GDP and a significant amount of oil demand growth. Such an outcome isn't likely, said Ole Sloth Hansen, head of commodity strategy at Saxo Bank A/S. "I would imagine that the meeting will be a kiss and hug meeting as the details will have been worked out before," he said. The potential for an escalation in the Syrian conflict involving Israel is more worrying, Hansen said. A Saudi Squeeze OPEC and Russia's production cuts have all but achieved their primary aim of eliminating surplus oil stockpiles. Yet the group's most important member, Saudi Arabia, says the job isn't done and is championing a push to further tighten the market and boost prices. The weeks leading up to the June 22 OPEC meeting could bring more bullish rhetoric from Saudi Minister of Energy and Industry Khalid Al-Falih. The kingdom needs to earn $88 a barrel to balance its national budget this year, according to the International Monetary Fund, an increase of 26 percent since October. Higher prices would also ease the way for Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman's ambitious plans to modernize and diversify the kingdom's economy. "They increasingly seem determined on raising the price, said Hansen. This strategy could disrupt the market in two ways -- further accelerating the boom in production from outside OPEC or curbing global demand growth. For the Saudis, neither factor is high on their focus list at this stage," he said. Petroleumworld.com Hit your target - Advertise with Us At OAS Pence demands that Venezuela suspend So-Called' elections Andrew Harrer/Bloomberg Vice president Mike Pence speaks at Organization of American States. Announces new sanctions against narcotics kingpins' - Play Video - Pence Calls For OAS To Kick Out Venezuela, Suspend Elections (Full Speech) By Justin Sink and Jose Enrique Arrioja WASHINGTON/NEW YORK Petroleumworld 05 08 2018 Vice President Mike Pence called on Venezuela to suspend its presidential election later this month because of corruption concerns, declaring that the results would be fraudulent. The Trump administration joined the European Union in calling on Venezuela to postpone the May 20 election without assurances it will be a free and fair contest. President Nicolas Maduro is seeking a second six-year term, and opposition lawmakers have said security forces have physically threatened them and their supporters. Maduro, Pence said in a speech to the Organization of American States, promised people he would restore prosperity but delivered only deep poverty. He promised renewed greatness but he has only brought that nation suffering. The so-called elections in Venezuela scheduled for May 20 will be nothing more than a fraud and a sham, Pence said. There will be no real election in Venezuela on May 20 and the world knows it. The U.S. also announced new sanctions on three Venezuelans, including Pedro Luis Martin Olivares, a former intelligence official under indictment in Florida on drug trafficking charges, and 20 companies the Treasury Department said were connected to the targeted Venezuelans. The three men were sanctioned under a U.S. law targeting drug kingpins. Elections in Venezuela are traditionally held in December, but the country's National Electoral Council scheduled the contest for spring -- a move critics say aims to take advantage of divisions within the opposition. The U.S. State Department has said not all political parties have agreed to the elections, limiting the ability of individuals to run. The U.S. continues to weigh whether to ban imports of Venezuelan oil, which accounts for 95 percent of the country's foreign-currency earnings. Venezuela, a founding member of OPEC, has the world's largest proven reserves and is South America's largest oil exporter. It is the third-largest source of U.S. imported oil. Petroleumworld.com Hit your target - Advertise with Us A restaurant serving Central American street food taquitos, papusas, and tostadas wouldn't fly in Philadelphia, Sofia Deleon was thinking a couple of years ago. Deleon, a native of Guatemala who moved to the United States for college and a career in food marketing, believed she had to soften up the market. And soften she did, starting her business El Merkury with Grubhub deliveries, weekly pop-ups at Garage and Fooda, and event catering. Last week, Deleon, 28, took the plunge with an actual restaurant, taking the former Agno Grill at 2104 Chestnut St. It's counter service. "There are so many Mexican restaurants, hoagie shops, Italian nothing Central America," she said, explaining that the cuisine is steeped in Mayan traditions of corn, beans, chili, and chocolate (hence, a full dessert menu of churros). "I also want to represent my country in a different light," she said. "What you hear about [her country] may be corruption and poverty, but I want people to know there's more." Everything on the savory side of the menu is gluten-free. Hours for now are 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily. El Merkury, 2104 Chestnut St. An exhibition featuring art-works of Uruguay's Guarani people displays more than 150 pieces at the National Art Museum of China in Beijing on April 20. [Photo/ namoc.org] This year marks the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relation between China and Uruguay. To celebrate the ties, an exhibition featuring artworks of Uruguay's Guarani people was unveiled at the National Art Museum of China in Beijing on April 20. The 158 showpieces include 18 Baroque Guarani-style sculptures, 43 pieces (sets) of traditional Mbya-Guarani folk artworks, and 85 pieces (sets) of contemporary folk art-works. Many crafts were made from wood, bark, fur and even pumpkins. "The cultural exchange keeps on narrowing the distance between the two nations. The exhibition provides a window to Chinese people to know the life of Uruguayan people in the past 400 years," Wu Weishan, director of the museum, said. Camille Cogswell of Zahav with her Beard Award for rising star chef. Read more CHICAGO Camille Cogswell, pastry chef at Zahav restaurant in Society Hill, on Monday was named rising star chef of the year at the James Beard Awards at the Lyric Opera House. She was Philadelphia's lone winner this year. "It means so much to me, knowing that people believe in me," said Cogswell, 27, her neck bearing a ribbon and the Beard medal. "It's a lot of pressure," she said. "All these people nominated me based on what they think I'm going to do. This is really about the future." The future starts Friday, when she is due to return to work at Michael Solomonov and Steve Cook's modern-Israeli restaurant. Cogswell, who was nominated last year as well, grew up in Asheville, N.C., and attended the Culinary Institute of America before working at top New York restaurants. She joined Zahav in late 2015. She is only the second pastry chef to win the award. Cogswell is engaged to Drew DiTomo, chef de cuisine at Amis. The makeup of this year's winners was remarkably diverse, even by Beard standards. Best new restaurant JuneBaby, a Southern themer in Seattle, is run by Edouardo Jordan, who is African American, as is best pastry chef Dolester Miles of Highlands Bar & Grill in Birmingham, Ala.; the best chef from the South, Nina Compton of Compere Lapin; and the best chef, Southeast, Rodney Scott of Rodney Scott's BBQ. The year's top baker, Belinda Leong, who with Michel Suas owns B. Patisserie in San Francisco, is of Chinese descent. Jose Andres, the Washington, D.C.-based chef who led hunger-relief work in Puerto Rico, was given the Beard's humanitarian award Monday night. Philadelphia's three additional nominees were: Ellen Yin, who helped transform Old City two decades ago with the bistro Fork and who with partners grew an empire that includes a.kitchen, High Street on Market, and High Street on Hudson in New York City, was nominated for restaurateur of the year. Asked of her immediate goals, she replied: "Right now, we'd like to solidify what we have. We've grown so rapidly." Chef Eli Kulp, a business partner, has relocated to Philadelphia. Rich Landau, chef/partner with his wife, Kate Jacoby, at the vegan destination Vedge in Washington Square, was nominated for best chef in the mid-Atlantic region. The couple's holdings also include Wiz Kid and V Street, both also specializing in plant-based cooking, as well as the new Fancy Radish in Washington. Landau and Jacoby brought along eight employees, all of whom have worked for them for at least four years. Zahav, owned by Solomonov and Cook, again was nominated for service. General manager Okan Yazici credited his staff's "humbleness and sincerity." Philadelphia cleaned up in last year's Beards, as Stephen Starr won for best restaurateur, Solomonov won for best chef, and Greg Vernick won for best chef in the mid-Atlantic region. The winners: Rising Star Chef of the Year Camille Cogswell (Zahav, Philadelphia) Baker Belinda Leong and Michel Suas (B. Patisserie, San Francisco, CA) Pastry Chef Dolester Miles (Highlands Bar & Grill, Birmingham, AL) Wine, Beer, or Spirits Professional Miljenko Grgich (Grgich Hills Estate, Rutherford, CA) Wine Program FIG (Charleston, SC) Chef: Mid-Atlantic (DC, DE, MD, NJ, PA, VA) Jeremiah Langhorne (The Dabney, Washington DC) Chef: Southeast (GA, KY, NC, SC, TN, WV) Rodney Scott (Rodney Scott's BBQ, Charleston, SC) Chef: South (AL, AR, FL, LA, MS, Puerto Rico) Nina Compton (Compere Lapin, New Orleans, LA) Chef: Great Lakes (IL, IN, MI, OH) Abraham Conlon (Fat Rice, Chicago, IL) Chef: Northeast (CT, MA, ME, NH, NY State, RI, VT) Karen Akunowicz (Myers + Chang, Boston, MA) Chef: Northwest (AK, ID, MT, OR, WA, WY) Edouardo Jordan (Salare, Seattle, WA) Chef: Southwest (AZ, CO, NM, OK, TX, UT) Alex Seidel (Mercantile Dining & Provision, Denver, CO) Chef: West (CA, HI, NV) Dominique Crenn (Atelier Crenn, San Francisco, CA) Chef: Midwest (IA, KS, MN, MO, NE, ND, SD, WI) Gavin Kaysen (Spoon and Stable, Minneapolis) Chef: New York City Missy Robbins (Lilia, Brooklyn, NY) New Restaurant JuneBaby, Seattle, WA Service Zuni Cafe, San Francisco, CA Restaurateur Caroline Styne, The Lucques Group, Los Angeles, CA Restaurant Highlands Bar & Grill, Birmingham, AL Chef Gabrielle Hamilton (Prune, NYC) Restaurant Design (75 seats and under) Firm: The MP Shift Designers: Amy Morris, Anna Polonsky, and Julie Nerenberg Project: De Maria, NYC Restaurant Design (76 seats and over) Firms: Aidlin Darling Design with a l m project Designers: Joshua Aidlin, David Darling, Adam Rouse, and Andrea Lenardin Madden Project: In Situ, San Francisco Chef Andrew Zimmern arrives at the James Beard Awards. A Pennsylvania legislator introduced a bill Monday that would give medical marijuana patients a chance of expunging a conviction of marijuana possession if the charge resulted from their use of cannabis for medical purposes. The bill is sponsored by State Sen. Daylin Leach (D-Montgomery), and does not have any support yet from Republicans who control the legislature. To be expunged, patients would have to prove they had a doctor's diagnosis for one of the 21 approved serious health conditions at the time of the conviction. The patient would also have to provide evidence they were using cannabis to treat the condition. Qualifying ailments in Pennsylvania include ALS, cancer, Crohn's disease, glaucoma, Inflammatory Bowel Disease and Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). "People who have used marijuana for medical purposes do not deserve to have a criminal record. I've met countless Pennsylvanians who have told me that marijuana is the only medicine that relieves their pain," Leach said in a statement. "This will give people the opportunity to go to court and prove that they do not deserve to have a criminal record." Police in Pennsylvania arrested about 19,700 people for marijuana possession in 2016, according to the FBI's Uniform Crime Report. The GSK building at 5 Crescent Dr. in the Philadelphia Naval Yard. Read more Korea Investment Management Co. has acquired the U.S. headquarters building of pharmaceutical giant GlaxoSmithKline at the Philadelphia Navy Yard, according to a release from asset manager Coretrust Capital Partners. KIM bought the 208,000-square-foot 5 Crescent Dr. office building from Liberty Property Trust for $130.5 million, or $628 per square foot, Coretrust, which advised KIM on the deal, said in the release Tuesday. The acquisition is Seoul-based KIM's second in Philadelphia, after its February 2016 purchase of the 870,000-square-foot former 30th Street Station post office building, now an office building called Cira Square. KIM was represented in the deal for 5 Crescent Dr. by commercial real estate firm CBRE. Wyndmoor Hills Health Care & Rehabilitation Center is one of nine Skyline Healthcare facilities taken over by the Pennsylvania Department of Health on April 27 after Skyline ran into financial trouble. Wyndmoor Hills is shown here in an image from a brochure. Read more A nursing-home administrator in a supermarket buying 20 loaves of bread for residents, workers forming a chain to pass food trays up three flights because the elevator was broken, and a manager handing out his credit card and pass code to a van driver who needed gas to transport patients. Those are just some of the events that happened at Skyline Healthcare nursing homes in Pennsylvania as the New Jersey company neared financial collapse, as described on Monday by administrative organizers with SEIU Healthcare Pennsylvania, a union that represents 320 workers at four Skyline facilities. Skyline agreed to step aside on April 27 at nine of Skyline's facilities in Pennsylvania, and the Pennsylvania Department of Health installed Complete Healthcare Resources as a temporary manager late last month. Over the course of the last week, Complete Healthcare Resources, which is based in Dresher and is know as CHC, appears to have restored some semblance of order, according to employees. "Members are very relieved and thankful because they feel that they're going to get some help now," said Chris Sloat, an SEIU Healthcare administrative organizer who works with members at Skyline facilities in Lancaster and Reading, but the experience of Skyline running the seven former Golden Living facilities starting in February 2017 has been unsettling for SEIU members, which include nursing assistants and licensed practical nurses. "They are nervous about being taken over again. This wasn't a good experience for them," said Sloat, who spoke with the Lancaster administrator about the bread purchase on April 30 and witnessed a manager hand over the credit card, also at Lancaster Care & Rehabilitation Center. CHC also stepped in at Willow Terrace in Philadelphia and Wyndmoor Hills Health Care & Rehabilitation Center in Montgomery County, which Skyline had owned for years before adding the Golden Living facilities. A similar collapse of Skyline's operations has been underway in the Midwest since March. The Pennsylvania health department announced the appointment of a temporary manager last Wednesday, saying it had "confirmed that the company could no longer fiscally operate the facilities." However, the state had received complaints since last summer that at least one Skyline facility, Rosemont Care & Rehabilitation Center, was not paying insurance premiums, utilities, taxes, and vendors, including the medical transportation company, according to Wendy Johnson, who said Monday that she worked in the business office at Rosemont for a year until February, when she was fired. She said she didn't even ask why she was let go because she didn't care at that point. Johnson said that, last fall, she sent a list of all the vendors who weren't getting paid to a state health department surveyor. "She never called any of them," Johnson said. "There were 50 names and phone numbers on there." Department of Health officials could not confirm or deny the information. While she still worked at Rosemont, Johnson said, she went to the dentist for a teeth cleaning and was told she had to pay because she didn't have insurance even though the money was being taken out of her paycheck every other week. An employee at another facility said he was slammed with a $900 dental bill from work done in December because Skyline wasn't paying the premiums. Now, no one who works in the Rosemont facility has any health insurance, despite ongoing payroll deductions, said Julie Dixon, who works at the facility as a cook, on Monday. A Skyline spokesman said it had endeavored to provide good-quality coverage to all employees who qualified. Even as vendors were not getting paid and deductions were coming out of employees' paychecks but not being paid to insurers, Skyline's owner, Joseph Schwartz, was collecting $2,500 from every biweekly payroll, Johnson said. "Normally, if you own your own company, you're the last person to get paid, not the first. Now, I don't think he was really doing anything, but he was making sure he got paid," Johnson said. The Skyline spokesman said the payments stopped. "As it became evident that the company was experiencing financial issues," a Skyline spokesman said, "Mr. Schwartz was not, in fact, seeing revenue, but was making sure that there was enough to operate until the receiverships were adequately in place." Daymond Garner, 29, was shot and killed inside his home last year. Here, his uncle, Daniel Garner (left), and his father, Daymond Garner (right), are pictured at a next of kin meeting with Philadelphia Police. Read more Lauronda Fletcher had turned over every detail of her son's murder in her mind since the January 2017 night someone fired multiple rounds into 26-year-old Maurice Riley while he worked on his car on a Philadelphia street. And now here she was, in a bare back room at the offices of Concilio, a community nonprofit on East Hunting Park Avenue, mining every recollection, every conversation, and every street whisper for potential leads that might help the detective sitting across from her. With each offering, Detective Robert Fetters, a soft-spoken veteran investigator, scribbled in his notepad. Sometimes, he pulled a police report or a witness statement from a folder to help refresh his memory which is understandable, given that 312 people were murdered in Philadelphia last year. As of Thursday, this year 94 people have been slain another round of homicides to solve and families desperate for answers. Yes, he told Fletcher, they'd talked to that witness, and that one, too. He'd tried to call one of them that very day, but the guy's number was no longer working. That's OK, he reassured Fletcher when he looked up from his notes to see her stricken face. "We're not giving up." Fletcher's hands shook. Her voice, at times rising barely above a whisper, cracked as she shared that she was just now rejoining the living. How just recently more than a year later she was able to go back to the job at a local college that proved unbearable when every student's face reminded her of her son's. "I'm sorry," she apologized. "I just I just haven't been doing well." At times, Monday night's "next of kin" meeting that the Philadelphia Police Department held for family members of open 2017 homicide cases felt more like a therapy session than an informational meeting, as seasoned homicide detectives tried as best they could to counsel families through their grief and anger sometimes anger that was directed squarely at them. Before I'd joined Fletcher and her best friend in the back room, I'd been speaking to the family of Daymond Garner. Garner, 29, was executed last June inside the West Oak Lane home he shared with his grandmother. He was shot at 14 times. Tears streamed down the face of Garner's father as his mother recounted that night. Irene Garner was upstairs when she heard what she thought were firecrackers. When she came down, she thought her grandson had collapsed from the sickle cell anemia he'd battled his whole life. "But he was gone," she said softly, her walker perched nearby. When I asked the family members what they hoped to hear from the detective working the case, Garner's uncle, Daniel Garner, spoke while comforting his brother. "Tell us what you're doing." he said. "Tell us something. Tell us someone isn't going to get away with killing him." Both hope and fear brought about 25 families to the center. That, and wanting to make sure that the people charged with hunting down their loved ones' killers also knew that their growing caseload was filled with people who were loved, no matter the circumstances of their deaths. To help punctuate that, Tahira Fortune came with a large photo of her 18-year-old son, Samir, gunned down in his home in February. For all the years on the jobs, all the reasons to be hardened by the people behind the murders, that didn't seem lost on the detectives who joined the families in frustration. "Next to telling a family member that their loved one had been murdered," Detective Fetters told Fletcher, "telling them that the case remained open was the hardest part of the job." Maybe some cases, with fresher leads, rise to the top, temporarily, he conceded. But that doesn't mean they stop working on cases like her son's. There was always hope that new evidence would surface, that a witness would grow a conscience or, more likely, that people would need to make a deal when they found themselves in trouble. As Fetters wrote down new leads to pursue, I could pick up snippets of conversation from the next room, where another detective was meeting with another family equally desperate for answers. "Don't understand." "Makes no sense." "Somebody knows." Even when family members were satisfied that police were doing all they could, they were afraid of what seems like the inevitable in a city where nearly half of homicides go unsolved. Read more: Ubinas: Unsolved murders in Philly haunt mothers waiting for justice "We've been waiting for a year," said Kim Mills, who with her sister Gail Sills had come to meet with a detective about their brother's murder during a robbery last March. "But there are people who have been waiting a lot longer, and what that tells these families is that nobody cares, what that says is that we're a city that doesn't care." Back inside the room with Fletcher, after about an hour, there didn't seem much more to say to the grieving mother. "Unfortunately," Detective Fetters said, "I don't have an answer that is going to satisfy your heart today." In this May 5, 2018 photo, President Donald Trump speaks during a roundtable discussion on tax reform at Cleveland Public Auditorium and Conference Center in Cleveland, Ohio. Read more Nothing could better illustrate the dangerous incoherence of President Trump's foreign policy than his announcement Tuesday that he is withdrawing from the Iran nuclear deal and reimposing "powerful" sanctions on Tehran. Contrary to his woeful effort at explanation, this move will not make America safer. On the contrary, it means that Iran will restart a frozen nuclear program and reach bomb-making capacity sooner rather than later. Nor will Trump's move constrain Iran's regional misbehavior; more likely, it will spur further Iranian aggression. Most dangerous is that there is no sign the president has any Plan B for what to do when his decision worsens the Iran problem. Judging from his words and those of national security adviser John Bolton the new White House goal is to facilitate regime change in Tehran. Shades of George W. Bush's 2003 pipe dreams about regime change in Iraq led by exiles. Such willful ignorance led to the misbegotten Iraq War, and now could drag the United States into a war with Tehran. Here are five reasons why Trumps blindness in junking the Iran deal is an awful mistake: 1. Rather than making it less likely Iran will get a bomb, the president's move hastens that outcome. Under the deal, Tehran shipped 97 percent of its low-enriched uranium out of the country and dismantled two-thirds of its centrifuges. This increased the time needed for Iran to produce enough fuel for a single bomb from two to three months to at least one year. Recent Israeli revelations that Iran lied about a pre-2003 nuclear weapons program don't tell us anything new; U.S. intelligence revealed the same thing in 2007. Those lies make it more, not less, necessary to keep intrusive inspections. (The Israeli documents can be used to pressure Iran for additional access.) However, all inspections will end if the deal is junked. True, the deal had flaws, including sunset clauses that permit Iran to restart the program under continued inspection after 10 to 15 years. Nor did it cover missile development or Iran's expansionist behavior in the Mideast or firmly specify the need to inspect Iranian military sites. But as America's European allies have argued, those flaws should be addressed by additional talks and/or sanctions. "Why would we want to relieve Iran of its commitments and restraints now rather than 10 to 15 years in the future?" rightly asks the Brookings Institution's Robert Einhorn, a former State Department special adviser on arms control. Especially when U.S. intelligence officials, including ex-CIA chief, now Secretary of State, Mike Pompeo say Iran is in compliance. 2, Quitting the deal will make any Iranian threat to the United States worse, not better. Although Trump railed against Iranian expansionism, he has proposed pulling 2,000 U.S. special forces out of Syria, which has already emboldened Tehran. Now, Iran will likely up the pressure on those U.S. troops and on U.S. soldiers in Iraq. How does it help curb Iranian militias in Syria or Iraq if Trump frees Tehran to restart making nuclear fuel? 3. Contrary to the claims of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Israeli military brass say abandoning the deal now will make Israel less secure. According to Israel Defense Forces Chief of Staff, Lt. Gen. Gadi Eizenkot, "Right now, the agreement, with all its faults, is working and is putting off realization of the Iranian nuclear vision by 10 to 15 years." Maj. Gen. (res.) Amos Gilad, former research chief at Military Intelligence, told the newspaper Haaretz that the deal gave Israel a vital window to focus "on more urgent threats" in Syria, where Iran is trying to build military installations that threaten Israel. The deal's collapse will mean the Iranian nuclear threat once again becomes imminent with Israel urging Washington to join in air strikes against Iran. 4. Withdrawing from the deal puts Washington at sharp odds with its European allies. Will Trump impose secondary sanctions on Paris, Berlin, and London? Such a fierce split among Western allies ends the united front that kept pressure on Tehran, which can now play the victim. That will please Moscow and Beijing. 5. The president has clearly bought the line from Bolton (and Pompeo) that America should push for regime change in Tehran. Bolton admires the Mujahedeen-e-Khalq (MEK) opposition group in exile that until 2012 was on the U.S. terrorism list for having killed Americans and Iranian civilians. The group has little support within Iran because it allied with Saddam Hussein against its own countrymen in the Iran-Iraq War of the 1980s. In July 2017, Bolton told an enthusiastic crowd at an MEK conference: "The only solution is to change the regime itself, and that's why before 2019 we here will celebrate in Tehran." Before 2019? Really? The deal may take a while to unravel, but if the White House continues down this senseless path, Tehran will restart its nuclear program sooner or later. What then, President Trump? The two Friends' Central School teachers fired last year after a flap over inviting a Palestinian professor and peace activist to speak to students have sued the Main Line Quaker school and its top officials, claiming they were wrongfully terminated. In a lawsuit filed this week in federal court in Philadelphia, Ariel Eure and Layla Helwa claim that the Wynnewood school not only violated their civil rights by firing them after the slated talk by Swarthmore College professor Sa'ed Atshan was canceled in February 2017 but that school officials made a series of defamatory statements against them. The suit also targets the head of school, Craig Sellers; chief trustee Phillip Scott; and unnamed board members for the alleged defamation campaign that, according to the suit, cast the teachers in a "false light." It seeks back pay and other compensation as well as punitive damages. Filed by attorney Mark Schwartz, the suit states that "the absolute tragedy is that a school which professes to operate according to the fundamental Quaker principles of tolerance has proven to [be] intolerant where the administration and board maintain an illegal atmosphere depriving two teachers of their civil rights." Friends' Central attorney David Fryman said in a statement that the lawsuit "lacks merit" and that the school has attempted to mediate a resolution, but he did not provide details. The school, Fryman said, "engaged in a thorough and thoughtful Quaker process before deciding not to renew [the teachers'] contracts. We expect the court will agree." Officials at Friends' Central previously said the teachers were fired because they were present at student protests against the cancellation of Atshan's lecture, which came after some Jewish parents and others complained about the proposed speaker's past statements on the Israel-Palestinian conflict. The civil rights lawsuit replaces an earlier federal Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) complaint filed against Friends' Central when the school initially placed the pair on administrative leave. The teachers had said the school offered them $5,500 each in severance pay if they would drop the EEOC case when they were notified of their firing in May 2017. The EEOC terminated its investigation once the federal lawsuit was filed. "I am disappointed that Quaker organizations have been silent on the outrage that occurred at a purportedly Quaker school," Schwartz said Tuesday, adding: "I am gratified that there is a forum which Mr. Sellers can't control, namely the federal courts." The lawsuit is the latest turn in the ongoing controversy over free speech and the fiery cauldron of Middle East politics at one of the region's more prestigious private schools. It began when the teachers invited Atshan who'd been raised as a Quaker on the disputed West Bank and is now as assistant professor of peace and conflict studies at Swarthmore to speak in February 2017 to a student Palestinian peace club that they served as advisers. But the talk was canceled when some parents complained about Atshan's support for the Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions movement, or BDS, which aims to pressure Israel to end the occupation of the West Bank. In the face of student protests, as part of a series of proposed steps to foster dialogue on the Middle East conflict, Friends' Central officials later invited Atshan to speak there on his peace efforts. But the professor said he wouldn't address the school unless Eure and Helwa were reinstated. In a sign of how divisive the issue remains on the Friends' Central campus, the school's director of strategic initiatives, Lydia Martin, sent an email to stakeholders on Monday urging them to "please refrain from comment" if contacted by anyone about the lawsuit. The 58-page lawsuit lays out in extensive detail an escalating conflict over the formation of the club, the inviting and subsequent disinviting of Atshan, and the subsequent fallout including the suspension and firing of the teachers. The filing explicitly accuses the school of racism at times in its treatment of Eure, who is gay and African American, and Helwa, who is also gay and is a Muslim, stating the teachers "came to resent this racist, 'You are one of them, so you deal with it,' attitude" in pushing them to get involved with students on matters of race or sexuality. It also claims several white teachers who violated school directives were not disciplined. The suit cites the school's positive reviews for Eure and Helwa, as well as its initial approval of their actions in inviting Atshan followed by an abrupt change in interactions between the teachers and school leaders after complaints from parents over the invitation. It also claims that school officials, led by Sellers and Scott, sought to "scapegoat" the two teachers for the controversy over the canceled speech and the bad publicity that came with it. It cites a statement that Sellers posted on the school website on Feb. 13, 2017, saying, "There are very real concerns about the conduct of Ariel Eure and Layla Helwa for their disregard of our guiding testimonies" as an example of the alleged defamation campaign. The suit also accused the unnamed board members of not properly supervising Sellers in his handling of the matter. Editor's note: A previous version of this story stated that Mark Schwartz was an alumnus of Friends' Central. He is not. Francesca Viola, a journalism professor at Temple, was publicly outed as having posted anonymous comments under the username truthseeker. Read more A Temple University journalism professor has been publicly outed as the user behind an anonymous account linked to conspiracy-theory comments on news websites, and is criticizing the site that identified her. Francesca Viola, a former reporter for WPHL (Channel 17) and WTXF (Fox 29), was named on Twitter over a comment made on the website of Harvard University's Nieman Journalism Lab using an account named "truthseeker" on the commenting platform Disqus. The "truthseeker" account had made comments, including an anti-Muslim remark, on a number of right-wing and mainstream websites that used the Disqus commenting system. The sites included Philly.com, which recently moved away from the Disqus platform. "I think that this attitude permanently rejecting a news source because it accurately reports something you don't like is exactly what you want in a journalism professor, yes?" Nieman Lab director Joshua Benton posted on Twitter on Friday, along with a screenshot of the comment and identifying Viola as "truthseeker." Viola criticized Benton's decision to publicly identify her. "I dispute the incorrect attributions and specious allegations posted by Joshua Benton on his Twitter feed at Harvard's Nieman journalism think tank. I am appalled by his improper 'doxxing' and by his flagrant violation of the Twitter, Disqus, Nieman and Harvard's terms of service, the apparent violation of the Consumer Fraud and Abuse Act as well as the ethical and legal standards of journalism," she said in a statement. "I consider this a personal defamatory attack as well as an attempt to silence academic freedom and people everywhere. Most importantly, as an investigation is now underway, I would ask the community not to assume I am the author of some or all of those comments." Benton said in a statement that "no one was doxxed." In the digital world, the distribution of someone's personal information against the person's will is known as "doxxing," an act that has at times come under criticism for being used for retaliation or intimidation. "Ms. Viola voluntarily logged into a commenting service and left a comment on our site using her Temple email address," Benton said. "All I did was click one link to see all the other comments she had posted using her Temple email address." David Boardman, dean of Temple's Klein College of Media and Communication and board chair of the Lenfest Institute for Journalism, which owns the company that operates the Inquirer, Daily News and Philly.com, said in a statement that the university was looking into the situation. He said some of the posts were made by Viola. "Professor Viola has admitted to writing some but not all of these posts and specifically denies writing the post that is derogatory of Muslim protesters, a comment we find particularly abhorrent," he said. "We are troubled by the content of some of the other cited posts but acknowledge that those in the Temple community are entitled to exercise free speech within constitutional parameters." The derogatory comment Boardman referred to was posted by the "truthseeker" account on Gateway Pundit, a conservative website that regularly peddles conspiracy theories. On a story posted in June 2017 claiming Muslims praying in front of Trump Tower were "working on their Islamic takeover," "truthseeker" commented, "Scum. Deport them. They hate us. Get rid of them." It's unclear which other posts, if any, Viola contended she did not write. All of the posts in question were linked to a Disqus account that used her university email address, an account that has since been removed from the commenting platform, according to the Temple News, which viewed the messages before the account was deleted. In some of the posts, the commenter shared information that lines up with Viola, including the fact she was a "East Coast professor," lived and worked in Philadelphia, and received a degree from Widener University. Some of the comments from "truthseeker" simply espouse conservative viewpoints on the news or criticize the media. Others, however, promote conspiracy theories from far-right circles, such as the debunked idea that former Democratic National Committee staffer Seth Rich was killed for releasing DNC emails to Wikileaks, which would seemingly disprove intelligence assessments that Russia hacked the emails. "I watch Hannity and he's absolutely right about this Seth Rich thing," "truthseeker" posted on one Philly.com story. "Seth Rich leaked the DNC plot to sabotage Bernie to Wikileaks. The DNC had him killed," the commenter wrote on a different Philly.com story. Viola has contributed to the Inquirer and Daily News. In October 2017, she wrote an opinion column criticizing NBC News for spiking a story about allegations of sexual assault and harassment by Hollywood mogul Harvey Weinstein. The story, written by Ronan Farrow, who at the time was under contract with NBC, ultimately ran in the New Yorker and earned the Pulitzer Prize for public service. Viola also served as a reporter on Inquirer News Tonight, a 10 p.m. news program anchored by Steve Highsmith and Toni Yates that aired on WPHL from 1994 to 1996. Wrestler Hulk Hogan poses during a spring training game between the Phillies and the Pittsburgh Pirates on Friday, March 9, 2018 at Spectrum Field in Clearwater, FL. Read more Most folks don't sit around wondering who would win a matchup between two fake fighters who are old enough to be in the AARP, but Hulk Hogan has some thoughts on the matter. Hogan, 64, told TMZ this week that he would defeat Rocky Balboa himself, Sylvester Stallone, 71, in a fight if the two ever actually squared up. Previously, the two stars fought one another for the cameras in 1982's Rocky III, in which Hogan, real name Terry Bollea, played wrestler Thunderlips, The Ultimate Male. The match was a draw. "Look at him fishing, trying to come up with something. He's trying to catch a Stallone fish," Hogan told a TMZ cameraman who asked about a potential matchup outside LAX. "Yeah, Stallone's a strong guy what do you think I'm going to say? Brother, come on. Come on, brother." Hogan may be getting ready for a return to the WWE following a sex tape scandal that ended in the dissolution of Gawker, so it makes sense that he might have fighting on the brain. But, then, it could just be another case of testosterone poisoning. For what it's worth, though, Hogan might not be exaggerating all that much. According to a WWE bio, the wrestler stands 6'7", and weighs in at 302 pounds. Stallone, on the other hand, is older than Hogan, and stands at 5'10" and about 185 pounds by most estimates, meaning that the fight wouldn't exactly be a fair one. Plus, as Stallone told VH1 back in 2013, Hogan basically did beat him up during the filming of Rocky III. In fact, Hogan once hit him so hard, he thought the blow broke his collarbone. "The hardest I was ever hit was by him," Stallone said. "I'm in the corner and Rocky's been stunned. I'm laying there, and I see this guy running, and he comes down and hits me. I'm laying on the ground saying, 'Don't shove me, don't roll me over. I know there's a bone sticking up here with a vein, and part of my heart.'" Ultimately, Sly wasn't injured. But he updated the story in 2017, writing on Instagram that Hogan actually sent three people to the hospital during the filming of Rocky III. "Believe it or not, when he jumped into the audience to fight with the stuntmen, three of them had to be treated at the hospital," Stallone wrote. Back at LAX, however, Hogan seemed to hint that there were no hard feelings between the two, even if he could beat up Stallone. "You know what's so cool is right now, he's the same good, Italian home boy that he always was back then," Hogan said. "He hasn't changed a bit through all the fortune and fame. He's the same exact guy he was." On that part, at least, Hogan appears to be correct. Stallone is currently back in Philadelphia working on Creed II, the eighth installment in the Rocky franchise. Creed II is currently scheduled for a Nov. 21 release. Actor Mark Wahlberg stopped by Atlantic City over the weekend, where he had dinner at Girasole Ristorante & Lounge. Sources say Girasole, an Italian restaurant that closed a Philly location last year, received a request to close the restaurant from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Saturday night from Ocean Resort Casino owners Bruce Deifik and Frank Ruocco. The pair had plans to have dinner with a special guest who turned out to be Wahlberg. The dinner was taped, as photos show, but it is unclear whether the footage was to be used for Ocean Resort promotional materials or a Wahlberg project. But the group did enjoy meatballs, pasta, branzino, and Italian wines. The group stayed past their 7 p.m. window, prompting Girasole owner Gino Iovino to open doors to guests. Some even managed to snag a few photos with the star before he departed from the restaurant around 8 p.m. on Saturday. Wahlberg was likely in town on business. The actor plans to open a Wahlburgers location at Ocean Resort Casino, as well as a bar called Entourage this summer, according to the Washington Post. Ocean Resort Casino has taken over the failed Revel Casino Hotel location, and is scheduled to open June 28, the same day the new Hard Rock. Photo for illustration (Source: langvietonline.vn) Aiming to introduce culture and customs of the Central Highlands, events will draw the participation of about 80 people from the Tay, Dao, Mong, Thai, Muong, Kho Mu, Ta Oi, Co Tu, Raglai, Ede and Khmer ethnic groups, local people, artisans and students from Hanoi University of Culture. Photos of Uncle Ho and the community of ethnic groups will be displayed at an exhibition at the village from May 12th to 31st. Artifacts, literary works and articles featuring Uncle Ho with ethnic minorities will be also exhibited. An exhibition Lotus in Vietnamese cultural life will be organized from May 19th to 20th, featuring lotus in photos and lotus-made foods such as tea, jam and porridge, along with music performances about Uncle Ho and his sentiment for Vietnamese ethnic communities. During the time, visitors to enjoy a program praising Uncle Hos sentiments for the community of Vietnamese ethnic groups. A number of traditional festivals of ethnic groups will be held such as a wedding ceremony of the RagLai ethnic group in the central province of Ninh Thuan, and a new house warming ceremony by the Cham ethnic group in Ninh Thuan province. On May 27th, Khmer pagoda complex to host a ceremony celebrating the Buddhas birth anniversary./. Precision medicine the ability to target treatments to an individual patient's disease has revolutionized cancer treatment. David Wolk, a neurologist who is codirector of the Penn Memory Center, thinks a similar approach is the "next frontier" in Alzheimer's disease, the deadly memory disorder that still has no effective treatment for slowing the disease process, let alone curing it. New research is revealing just how complex and diverse dementia is in terms of symptoms, underlying pathology, and genetics. This variability may help explain why so many drug trials have failed, but also explains the hope that more precise medications will work for different groups of dementia patients. Wolk spoke Monday at a daylong conference for professional and family caregivers sponsored by the Alzheimer's Association Delaware Valley Chapter. It drew an overwhelmingly female crowd of about 400 to the Valley Forge Casino Resort, where speakers discussed science, the nitty-gritty of caregiving, and the psychological impact of caring for a person who has been changed by a disease but whose essential humanity can still surprise and nourish. Dementia is an umbrella term that includes Alzheimer's as well as other cognitive disorders of aging such as Lewy body, frontotemporal, and vascular dementias. It once could be definitively diagnosed only by autopsy, when pathologists looked for brain changes or specific proteins that are signs of disease. The diagnosis of Alzheimer's rests on finding errant forms of amyloid and tau. Even at specialized centers like Penn's, doctors were correct only 70 percent of the time when they thought dementia patients had Alzheimer's. About 20 percent of the time, a patient they thought had another form of dementia actually had Alzheimer's. Now doctors can make much more accurate diagnoses in live patients by using imaging to evaluate the structure of the brain some parts shrink in Alzheimer's and see amyloid and tau. Other "biomarkers" such as levels of proteins in spinal fluid can also help. Wolk illustrated the diagnostic challenges by describing two patients in their 60s who both came to him complaining of cognitive changes. One was having trouble with memory; he couldn't learn a new computer system at work. But his attention and language skills were fine. The other was functioning without major problems. She had detailed recall of current events. But she was having trouble finding words when she spoke. Brain scans showed that the man had shrinkage in the hippocampus, or memory center, a classic sign of Alzheimer's. The woman had normal brain volume, but there was decreased activity in the back of her brain, another possible sign of Alzheimer's. That, combined with deposits of amyloid, showed that she, too, had Alzheimer's. Wolk said that Alzheimer's patients don't just have different symptoms. Recent research has revealed more than 20 genes that increase risk in small ways that may offer different drug targets. Plus, most Alzheimer's patients also have vascular dementia or other problem proteins, factors that influence which drugs might work and how progress is monitored. Stephen Post, a psychologist at Stony Brook University School of Medicine who has written about ethics and Alzheimer's disease, spoke about the value of people with dementia. He prefers the term deeply forgetful. He said such people can still be creative as artists. They appreciate music and poetry. Even after long periods when it seems they are unable to speak, they can offer surprising insights. When he asked the crowd how many caregivers had experienced that, most people raised their hands. "I always tell caregivers: Don't give in to hypercognitive values," he said, cautioning against thinking of people with dementia as a husk or shell. "There's always a person underneath this communicative breakdown," he said. While acknowledging how sad it can be to watch a loved one succumb to dementia, Rabbi Dayle Friedman urged caregivers to be open to thinking of dementia as not just a journey of suffering. It can be a powerful teacher. Because of their memory problems, people with dementia can be cut off from both the past and the future. That makes them really good at what many of the rest of us struggle with: living fully in the present. "Many experience unabated capacity for joy and love," she said. Learning to accept the changes that dementia brings can help us realize that our loved ones are more than their intellect, their memory, their cognition. "We learn that we are, too," she said. "We learn to value ourselves for our very essence." The Johns Hopkins team that performed the penis transplant was led by W.P. Andrew Lee (center, aqua tie) and included Cooper surgeon Steven Bonawitz (right, red tie.) Read more An Afghanistan war veteran who lost his genitals and both legs above the knee due to injuries from a roadside bomb recently received the first full penis-scrotum transplant ever performed. The 11-surgeon team at Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore included Steven C. Bonawitz, head of plastic and reconstructive surgery at Cooper University Health Care in Camden. The 14-hour surgical feat was performed in March, and surgeons have said they are optimistic about recovery prospects of the patient, who is remaining anonymous to protect his privacy. Cooper shared the news of Bonawitz's participation in the surgery recently, but the surgeon hasn't been available for an interview. Although two other penis transplants have been successful in the last four years one in South Africa and the other at Massachusetts General Hospital those procedures were less extensive. The Hopkins patient also received the scrotum and part of the abdominal wall from a deceased donor. Bonawitz was invited to join eight other plastic surgeons and two urological surgeons because of his history with Johns Hopkins School of Medicine's "composite" transplant program, which requires attaching blood vessels, bones, nerves, muscles, and soft tissues. As an adjunct faculty member, Bonawitz has helped with some of these challenging surgeries at Hopkins. >> READ MORE: Penn Medicine will offer uterine transplants The patient was on the waiting list for more than a year. During that time, Bonawitz traveled to Baltimore to rehearse the complex, staged procedure. His role was to help remove damaged and scarred tissue from the combat veteran, then locate and prepare the vital blood vessels that were attached to the transplanted tissue. "It was a very humbling experience to be able to participate as a member of a team of this caliber and to be able to help someone who had given so much through his own service," Bonawitz said in a statement from Cooper. "Advances like this offer the hope of returning to a more normal life following devastating injuries." The transplant leader, W.P. Andrew Lee, director of plastic and reconstructive surgery at the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, called Bonawitz "a consummate microvascular surgeon." "We are fortunate that he was involved in both the extensive preparation and execution of our penile transplant operation," Lee said. Composite transplantation of faces, hands, and genitals remains controversial because, unlike major organ replacements, it is not lifesaving. Patients must take immune-suppressing drugs to prevent transplant rejection, just like organ recipients, and these drugs have significant side effects. For the wounded veteran, the loss of his genitals was so traumatic that he struggled with depression. He was unable to tell anyone but those closest to him about the full extent of his injury, and thought he would never be in a relationship, he said in an interview with the New York Times. "That injury, I felt like it banished me from a relationship," he told the Times. "Like, that's it, you're done, you're by yourself for the rest of your life. I struggled with even viewing myself as a man for a long time." Initially, he consulted Lee about the possibility of reconstructing a penis using tissue from other parts of his body. But a prosthetic implant would have been necessary to achieve an erection. The patient said the transplant immediately made him feel a new sense of recovery. "When I first woke up, I felt finally more normal [with] a level of confidence as well. Confidence like finally I'm OK now," he said. Lee said, "We are hopeful that this transplant will help restore near-normal urinary and sexual functions for this young man." (He will not be able to father children; the donor's testes were not transplanted for ethical reasons.) Bonawitz honed his skills and interest in difficult restorative microsurgeries through training and fellowships at the University of Rochester, the Medical College of Wisconsin, and the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center. In addition to composite transplantation, he specializes in surgery to treat cancer or correct defects of the neck, face and jaws. He also does breast reconstruction in cancer patients who have had unsatisfactory results or problems with previous attempts. Emelia Perry (center) is flanked by her friend, Keith Rodemer and sister Mariko Perry after Sundays Broad Street Run. The former runner, competed in the Broad Street Run twice before returning to compete in the wheelchair division. Read more Emelia Perry ran her first Broad Street Run in 2016 and happily finished the 10-mile race at an impressive clip of one hour, four minutes, and 45 seconds. The following year, she had an equally good showing, completing the course just a smidgeon slower in one hour, six minutes and 17 seconds. On Sunday, Perry competed for the third consecutive year but this time she competed in a wheelchair. In June, Perry injured her spinal cord in a fall from a ladder while hosting a party on the roof of her West Philly apartment. Doctors at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania told her she had injured her T12 vertebra, located near the base of her spine, and was paralyzed from the waist down. They weren't sure if she would ever walk again, much less run. That's a depressing diagnosis for anyone, especially someone who loves running and exercise as much as Perry does. But she didn't let it stop her. She fought back with a vengeance. and less than a year after losing her ability to use her legs, she was back at the Broad Street Run, this time using her upper body to propel herself. She finished the race just a shade slower than she probably would have run it, crossing the finish line in one hour, eight minutes, and 38 seconds. It's really remarkable when you stop and think about it. That's why I didn't want to let this year's race day memories fade without giving a shout-out to this brave young athlete. The 25-year-old Ursinus College graduate didn't let her injury defeat her and keep her from getting back to what she loves doing. She kept on pushing, even though for now that means doing it from a wheelchair. When I reached out to her on Sunday, she was still weary from having competed earlier that day. Humble and soft spoken, she doesn't recall much about that awful night of June 9, when she fell while descending a ladder. All she remembers is that she and her friends had been drinking wine and enjoying themselves at her party in honor of the full moon. The next thing she knew she was in an emergency room and unable to move her legs. Even lifting her arms was difficult. Her parents rushed from their native Japan to be by her bedside. "They said they don't know if I can or cannot walk again," she told me in her lightly accented English. "But the doctors told me, 'Usually like three to six months is when people see like the most recovery." Ever the optimist, she told herself, "at least they didn't say no, that I was never going to be able to walk again." Perry drew strength from that and pushed herself to get back to her old life. These days, she's living in an apartment in Center City. She works part time at Di Bruno Bros. and is trying to figure out what she's going to do for a career. She graduated from Ursinus in 2015 with a degree in exercise science, thinking she might be a personal trainer or go into physical therapy. Friends help her get her wheelchair and racing chair to the Schuylkill River Trail so she can train for races in November, she participated in the Rothman Institute 8K. She's come a long way in such a short amount of time. I had just come across the finish line myself on Sunday when I heard about Perry's amazing accomplishment. I was so impressed that I went over to Perry, who was having a celebratory meal with her sister and a friend in the VIP area. I felt like high-fiving her. What fortitude. What strength. "It's easier to be happy than to be sad," she said simply when I reached her by phone later. Marissa Montenegro Matteo, a spokeswoman for Magee Rehabilitation, pointed out that "some folks, after their injury, it takes a little while for them to get back to the things that they used to enjoy doing." "Folks that come to Magee have had a life-changing event," she added. "Their lives are changed, but that doesn't mean their lives can't be great. Emelia is proof of that." A lawsuit that has the potential to reshape the way schools are funded in Pennsylvania cleared another legal hurdle on Monday. A panel of Commonwealth Court judges swept away some of the state's objections to a suit, brought by plaintiffs including Philadelphia parents and the William Penn School District in Delaware County, that contends Pennsylvania's school funding system is unfair, inadequate, and unconstitutional. The court overruled a claim by Republican lawmakers that William Penn and the other petitioners had not proven that the current funding system caused harm to students. Judges did, however, say they wanted to hear more information from the plaintiffs including whether a 2016 funding formula rendered inequalities moot, and information about whether education is a fundamental right. Lawyers for House Speaker Mike Turzai (R., Allegheny) have argued that students have "no fundamental right to equal education" under the state constitution. The funding formula does not discharge the state from its obligations, said Maura McInerney, an Education Law Center lawyer representing the plaintiffs along with the Public Interest Law Center. Just 2 percent of all education funding flows through that formula. As to the larger question, "I think it's very clear to almost everyone other than the legislature that education is an important right," McInerney said. "This is clear in the language of our constitution." Pennsylvania has the largest gap in funding between wealthy and poor school districts, federal data show. The funding lawsuit was first brought in 2014. It alleges state officials have "adopted an irrational school funding system that does not deliver the essential resources students need and discriminates against children based on where they live and the wealth of their communities." The Commonwealth Court judges ordered further discovery by both sides. There is no timetable for when a trial may occur. McInerney said the case, which could affect more than 1 million children in 500 school districts across the state, is important. "Pennsylvania children are suffering extraordinary harm," she said. In front of a colorfully clad bridal party and Rita Shah, groom Krshna Patel pops a just-shaken bottle of champagne and a million tiny white bubbles are frozen against a backdrop of dark sky. Read more Theirs may have been a traditional Indian wedding, but the favorite photo from their September nuptials was anything but: In front of a colorfully clad bridal party and bride Rita Shah, groom Krshna Patel pops a just-shaken bottle of champagne and a million tiny white bubbles are frozen against a backdrop of dark sky. "It's so raw, and you can see clearly everyone's emotions," said Shah, 30, of Logan Square. The wedding party stayed miraculously dry, but photographer Tyler Boye of Blue Bell and his $10,000 camera got soaked. Wet photographer? No worries. Sticky camera? Worth it! Super-messy wedding venue? All is fair game when Instagram favorites and Facebook likes are at stake. And this champagne shot which went viral when Boye posted it five years ago is making the wedding circuit: The number of Pinterest "saves" for champagne-popping photos was up 116 percent from March 2017 to last month, company spokeswoman Amanda Switzer said. She said an increase in champagne shots initially popped up on the site almost two years ago, mostly for weddings, but also for Greek-life events and graduations. "The first time, I thought the champagne was just going to go up a little bit, people would smile and laugh, and I'd take the picture," said Boye, who first tried the shot when a groom requested it in 2013. It's become his niche now 70 percent of brides ask him for it; and it was this shot that first attracted Shah to Boye. "What I didn't know was that the groom would spray it right at me." But it was worth it. He saw the bubbles frozen in midair, and he was hooked as were, seemingly, everyone else. "It was posted and literally caught fire right away." Now, Boye wears a raincoat and protects his camera the best he can, but "if it's done right, the camera gets champagne on it," he said. He just makes sure it's his last shot of the event. Of course, sometimes even the participants get wet not ideal when that's before the ceremony. That was the case for Catherine Calderon, 26, of Phoenixville, when she and her bridal party were getting ready for her April 2017 wedding and she thought to get everybody on the bed to pop some champagne. Having spent several hours with the stylist trying to get her straight hair to curl, one bridesmaid couldn't help but run off the bed every time the champagne popped which resulted in Boye attempting the shot three times and the bridesmaid earning the nickname "runaway" for the rest of the day. Media photographer Gabriel Fredericks first took the shot six years ago and now takes it a handful of times during his 75 annual weddings. In the beginning, he kept it from the venue staff and stealthily cleaned up after himself. But once a manager at the Crystal Tea Room saw the picture, he gave photographers the green light, and now the venue has staff at the ready with mops. Of the 12 weddings held there each month, five or six have a champagne-popping shot. Only once did things go awry: A cork hit a painting on the wall and the glass shattered. "But we allow it because it seems to be the one picture that people ask about," said Thomas Finley, vice president of Finley Catering, which runs the Crystal Tea Room. Most venues ask that the shot be taken outside, Boye said. And other photographers, locally and around the country, put their own spin on the shot. For Kait and Kevin Stephens' wedding in June, Fredericks took the champagne shot on the Art Museum steps. Kait Stephens, 28, who grew up in Medford and now lives in New York, posted the picture on Instagram and Facebook, which got about 1,000 views. Upon seeing one of the champagne shots, Gina McGarvey knew she wanted one taken at her May 2016 wedding. With the bride in white and the groom and bridal party in black, the white bubbles seem to float down as snow. "I'm obsessed with the way it turned out," said McGarvey of Chestnut Hill. "It's an awesome action shot with the capturing of the champagne and bubbles, and everybody in the picture looks like they're having a great celebration." Diana Taylor is charged with murder and involuntary manslaughter in the death of her 2-year-old-daughter. Read more A 35-year-old Bustleton woman has been charged with murder in the death of her 2-year-old daughter, police said Tuesday. Diana Taylor also is charged with involuntary manslaughter and endangering the welfare of a child. She is being held without bail awaiting a preliminary hearing set for May 23. Police did not say how the toddler, identified as Faith Taylor, was killed. Medics who were called to Taylor's home along the 10000 block of Wilbur Street just before 6 p.m. Friday found the girl unresponsive and took her to Jefferson-Torresdale Hospital, where she was pronounced dead at 6:23 p.m., police said. Taylor was arrested Saturday and charged over the weekend, according to court records. She is being represented by the Defender Association of Philadelphia. Lena Waithe (left) wears a rainbow cape at the Met Gala in New York on Monday. The cape has black and brown stripes, similar to Philadelphias LGBT flag (right). Read more The rainbow cape that queer black actress Lena Waithe wore Monday to the Met gala in New York included black and brown stripes, mirroring the pride flag in Philadelphia, which last year became the first city to add black and brown stripes atop its pride flag to represent LGBT people of color. Philadelphia LGBT Affairs Director Amber Hikes, a queer black woman who made the decision to add the stripes, lauded Waithe's outfit on Facebook. (The brown stripe on Philadelphia's flag appears in a slightly different order than on Waithe's cape, but the design is similar). "We got the black and brown, you know," Waithe, co-writer of the Netflix show "Master of None," said Monday. "I'm repping my community. And I want everybody to know that you can be whoever you are and be completely proud." Waithe shared a similar message last year when she became the first black woman to win an Emmy award for comedy writing. She told the LGBT community, "I see each and every one of you. The things that make us different, those are our superpowers." Waithe last month attended an LGBT event at Rutgers University, where she wore a pride pin with the black and brown stripes. Hikes' office tweeted a photo and gave a shout-out to Waithe. "She's very well aware of the flag," Hikes said, though her office hadn't known about the cape until they saw it Monday. "It totally blew us away. It's totally surreal." Philly's decision to add black and brown stripes to its pride flag last June came as the city grappled with racism in the Gayborhood, where bars were ordered to undergo anti-bias training. Black patrons reported having to show multiple IDs to gain entry and bouncers turning them away for wearing sweatpants or Timberland boots. ICandy owner Darryl DePiano was also caught on video saying the N-word. The new pride flag led some white people to question whether there should be a white stripe, but many others welcomed the change. Hikes said last year she had received calls from officials in Los Angeles, New York City and Atlanta who wanted to use the flag. Last month, Philadelphia also held its first march celebrating LGBT people of color. At Monday's event, a benefit gala for the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Costume Institute where the theme was the influence of Catholicism on fashion, Waithe's cape stood out as one of the few colorful outfits. It was designed by Wes Gordon. This article includes information from the Associated Press. The project is aimed at improving ethnic minoritys living standards in Xi Man District in particular and local people in the northern mountainous area in general, said Deputy Minister of Finance Tran Xuan Ha. The loan agreement has manifested the close economic cooperation between the two sides, he added. On behalf of the Vietnamese Government, he expressed thanks to Kuwaiti people and the Kuwait Fund for supporting the Vietnamese Government and people, committing to facilitating the implementation of the project. Deputy Director General of the Kuwait Fund Hesham Al-Waqayan asserted to join hands in addressing arising issues during the implementation process of the project. The Kuwait Fund has provided around USD182.2 million for Vietnam in launching 15 projects, focusing on such areas as transport and irrigation for difficulty-hit provinces. A number of projects came into operation such as Dau Tieng irrigation project, Van Dinh irrigation project, Dac Ta-Ngoc Linh highway and Phu Thong-Khang Ninh highway./. When Gloria DeGuio and her husband are out walking, they slow down near every young woman they see sitting alone, hoping, praying, that it's their granddaughter Amanda. In nearly four years, they have not found her. "You don't know how hard this is for me," DeGuio said Monday, surrounded by her family, inside the Upper Darby Township police station. "My heart beats every second for her." Amanda DeGuio, a 28-year-old mother of two, was last seen in Drexel Hill in June 2014. Investigators in the township have renewed their efforts to find answers as the fourth anniversary of her disappearance nears. Police Superintendent Michael Chitwood has assigned the case to two detectives who he said are working "around the clock" chasing down leads. He said the case has been reclassified from the search for a missing person to a criminal investigation. "When you look at all the facts, four years without hearing from her, it leads us to believe foul play is involved," Chitwood said. "We feel strongly that there needs to be a new direction to the investigation." Chitwood announced that a $5,000 reward for information leading authorities to DeGuio or for information leading to the arrest and conviction of anyone involved in her death has been posted by the Upper Darby Police Foundation. He said new information had recently come to light about DeGuio, but declined to elaborate. At the news conference, he suggested that people previously interviewed by police might know what happened but were "not being truthful." Kevin Ryan, a private investigator hired by the DeGuio family, said Monday that he has been working the case since 2015, traveling as far as Texas to search for clues. He's run into countless dead ends, including remains found in Ridley Creek State Park in 2016 that Chitwood initially speculated might be DeGuio's body. Forensic evidence later proved otherwise. Still, Ryan said he is "convinced that someone out there knows something." "We're asking for people who know. We need an answer," Amanda's mother, Joanne DeGuio, said Monday. "We're asking that this not die out, because if it dies out, we lose our chance of finding her." DeGuio was frank about her daughter's struggles with substance abuse, about how an abscess led to a prescription for opiate painkillers and about how a dependency on those painkillers developed into an addiction to heroin. At the time of DeGuio's disappearance in 2014, police said she might have been involved in prostitution and was frequently seen around Philadelphia's Kensington neighborhood. "We're not hiding the fact that she had addiction problems," Amanda's sister, Nicole DeGuio, said. "But right before she went missing, she was really trying to get back together. She was looking forward to figuring it out." During a trip to Walt Disney World just weeks before they last saw her, Amanda's family said she was detoxing with the help of Suboxone. She talked about wanting to go on job interviews and start a career. But that final memory doesn't jibe with the reality of her disappearance: Joanne DeGuio said her daughter left abruptly one day, not even bothering to take anything with her. "She just walked out the door and vanished," said DeGuio, who added that her daughter usually called her every day to check in, especially when she knew she wouldn't be home at night. "There's someone out there who knows where she went. How can you not come forward. How do you not have the heart?" Anyone with information is asked to contact Sgt. Phil Lydon at 610-734-7677 or plydon@udpd.org. Tipsters may remain anonymous. New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman speaks during a news conference in New York. Read more Presidential adviser Kellyanne Conway is taking aim at the latest politician to find himself in the center of an abuse scandal. Conway, who hails from South Jersey, took to social media Monday after a report from The New Yorker detailed allegations of physical abuse against New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman, who announced his resignation hours after the story's publication. Conway called The New Yorker story "harrowing,"later unearthing a past tweet the Democratic prosecutor posted in October 2017 that read: "No one is above the law, and I'll continue to remind President Trump and his administration of that fact everyday." "Gotcha," Conway wrote. The president has a history of levying his own criticism against Schneiderman, who has taken on the Trump administration in a number of areas, including the travel ban and air pollution. Schneiderman also filed a lawsuit challenging the credibility of Trump University in 2013. While Trump hadn't commented on Schneiderman's resignation as of Tuesday morning, Conway wasn't the only vocal member of the president's staff. Donald Trump Jr. was also quick to dig into Schneiderman in a series of tweets. Conway's thoughts didn't escape criticism of their own, however. MSNBC Morning Joe hosts Mika Brzezinski and Joe Scarborough tackled the subject on their show Tuesday, calling attention to the president's own history of alleged sexual misconduct. "Given that tweet, it seems that Conway has given a license to remind people that she's been less eager to comment on another powerful man who said it on tape that he kisses and grabs women without consent," Brzezinski said, referencing the Access Hollywood tape that was widely publicized before the 2016 presidential election. "In the last several hours, serious allegations, which I strongly contest, have been made against me," Schneiderman said in a statement Monday. "While these allegations are unrelated to my professional conduct or the operations of the office, they will effectively prevent me from leading the office's work at this critical time." In announcing his resignation, Schneiderman he would step down at the end of business Tuesday. Former U.S. Marine Lt. Col. Oliver North acknowledges attendees as he gives the Invocation at the National Rifle Association-Institute for Legislative Action Leadership Forum in Dallas on Friday. Read more Oliver North slated to become president of the NRA Retired Marine Lt. Col. Oliver North, a central figure in the Iran-contra affair in the 1980s, has been named president of the National Rifle Association. The NRA's board of directors chose North to be the organization's president Monday morning after NRA President Pete Brownell decided not to seek a second term. "This is the most exciting news for our members since Charlton Heston became president of our Association," NRA Executive Vice President and CEO Wayne LaPierre said. "Oliver North is a legendary warrior for American freedom, a gifted communicator and skilled leader. In these times, I can think of no one better suited to serve as our president." North will assume the presidency in coming weeks and has retired from Fox News, where he was a commentator, effective immediately. "I appreciate the board initiating a process that affords me a few weeks to set my affairs in order, and I am eager to hit the ground running as the new NRA President," North said in a statement. North, 74, worked on the staff of the National Security Council in the Reagan White House when some within the administration arranged to sell U.S. arms to Iran in exchange for hostages and diverted part of the proceeds from those sales to help Nicaraguan contra forces. That type of aid was banned by Congress. North was convicted in 1989 of charges including obstructing Congress, unlawfully mutilating government documents and taking an illegal gratuity. He was fined $150,000 and was given a three-year suspended sentence and two years' probation. A federal judge dropped the criminal charges against North in 1991. North has long been active in the NRA, and he is a member of its board. He attended a prayer breakfast at the NRA's annual meeting in Dallas on Saturday. "I want my grandkids to say that Granddad was a person who taught me how to fight the good fight, how to finish the race, how to keep the faith," North said. "You see, that's the most important lesson of all: We're in a fight. We're in a brutal battle to preserve the liberties that the good Lord presents us." North was an active Marine for 22 years. He hosted "War Stories with Oliver North," a series of military history documentaries, on Fox News, and worked as a contributor for the network before retiring Monday. North ran for Senate in 1994 as a Republican in a bitter race against Democrat Charles S. Robb in Virginia. North and Robb were in a statistical tie fewer than two weeks before the election when former first lady Nancy Reagan blasted North, saying he lied about her husband's role in Iran-contra. "Ollie North has a great deal of trouble separating fact from fantasy," Nancy Reagan said at the time, "and he lied to my husband and lied about my husband, kept things from him that he should not have kept from him." Robb won the race by three percentage points. North was one of the few Republicans to lose in the 1994 election, when the party took over Congress. North is taking over the NRA presidency as the organization has been directly challenged by students, activists, corporate America and politicians in th wake of a February shooting in Parkland, Fla., that left 17 dead. "Perhaps the NRA is feeling the pressure from the past few months to change their leadership, but it's downright baffling that they'd choose to install a walking lightning rod at the top of the organization," said Kris Brown, co-president of the Brady Campaign and Brady Center to Prevent Gun Violence. "Instead, they are doubling down on a polarizing leadership style that serves only the interest of gun manufacturers at the expense of real American freedom - the right to live life without the fear of being shot." NRA spokeswoman Dana Loesch tweeted that North is a "total warrior for freedom" and "the last person that anti-gun advocates would want as the new president of the NRA board." The NRA's 147th annual meeting drew tens of thousands of people to Dallas last weekend; President Trump and Vice President Pence addressed the meeting Friday. Sara Appleby and Joseph Ross are getting married May 19. But two weeks ago, and less than a month before their scheduled I-dos photographer, flowers and food all settled they got a call: The Fishtown venue they'd booked nearly two years prior was closing. With guests flying in from as far as Scotland, rescheduling wasn't an option. A friend who's an event coordinator helped them find a new space the following day. But as Appleby, 26, and Ross, 32, continue to sweat the details, they still haven't recouped their $12,000 deposit. The couple were told their original venue, Skybox Event Center at 2424 E. York St., was shutting down due to a recent neighborhood spat related to zoning. Instead, city records reveal a lengthy saga in which the Skybox owner has for years battled for the permissions needed to operate large events out of the space, which is in a residential area. Throughout that time, the owner continued to schedule and host events without the license to do so. Others who booked events often years ago to take place at Skybox in 2018, including at least three engaged couples, are similarly out of luck. Skybox owner Chris Voz has gone dark. Some who booked events have attempted to get back thousands of dollars in deposits, to no avail. One of the property owners, Scott Janzen, said Voz is in default on his lease, which he plans to terminate, and Voz won't be operating events out of the space any longer. In fact, no one will be. Despite recent efforts by building owners to take over the space in partnership with another tenant for banquets and church services, the Zoning Board of Adjustment denied the variance April 25 that neighbors had protested for months. Janzen said he won't appeal the decision, and he's looking to turn Skybox into a coworking space. "The ZBA was conclusive, the neighborhood was adamant," said Janzen, who bought the building with co-owner Peter Bloomfield in December 2014. "And we have a different perspective than the neighborhood. But there's no point in continuing the fight." Efforts to reach Voz were unsuccessful. (Though he does business as Voz, a 2016 tax lien and other legal actions filed against the diner he also owned indicate his name is Christos Aivazoglou.) Jordan Rushie, a Philadelphia attorney who represented Voz through court proceedings this spring, also didn't respond to a request for comment. The listed phone number for the Skybox Event Center is not in service. Skybox Productions, which was incorporated in 2009 and has hosted weddings, parties and other banquets, operated two venues (the Skybox and the smaller Joia Room, which also won't hold any more events) inside 2424 Studios, a 19th-century former factory building in Fishtown that's home to dozens of businesses, including attorneys, media companies and real estate agents. Appleby and Ross booked their wedding and reception in the summer of 2016. Yet Skybox's Special Assembly and Occupancy License a license required for gathering spaces with dancing and more than 50 people expired in August 2015, said Karen Guss, an L&I spokeswoman. Janzen said the lease provided that it was Voz's obligation to maintain the required licenses. Guss said while there may be a private owner-tenant arrangement, the code is written to require that "as property owners, these are your responsibilities." Nearly two years went by before L&I cited Skybox in June 2017 for failing to obtain that license, and that August, L&I served Skybox with a cease-operations order. Shortly thereafter, Skybox filed with the city to obtain the licensing it would need but was unsuccessful. So, to honor those events that were booked prior to the cease operations order, Voz, in August, November and March, obtained extensions and court permissions to maintain operations. The last time that happened, on March 16, Voz won an emergency injunction allowing him to host two weddings scheduled for the following day and March 24. Court records show his attorney argued that the weddings had been planned many years in advance. The judge ordered Skybox pay a $10,000 fine to operate those events, and the city stood down. One of those weddings was Jenna and Dan Garrison's. But Jenna said the venue never informed her the city had threatened to shut down her March 17 wedding, necessitating an eleventh-hour court order. Ditto for Meghan McClurg, who got married the following weekend and said she wasn't told either. While Voz was winning in court to continue hosting his prescheduled events, Janzen and Bloomfield teamed up with Liberti Church East, its tenant at 2424 Studios, to seek a zoning variance that would allow them to legally operate the events space. (Despite Voz's holding an occupancy permit through 2015, the space was never zoned properly for events of more than 50 people that include dancing.) The process required property owners and church leaders, who wanted to use Skybox as a nonprofit, to meet with the neighbors association. In December 2017, neighbors who attended the Fishtown Neighbors Association's zoning committee meeting shot down the proposal for reasons including concerns about noise and parking. Alanna Ralph, a Fishtown native who owns Salon Blush across the street from 2424 Studios, helped lead the charge. She estimates she called the police 30 times over the last several years to report disturbances, whether it was valet lines snarling traffic or intoxicated partygoers spilling out and fighting after midnight. Sgt. John Massi, a patrol supervisor with the Philadelphia Police 26th District, wrote in an April letter to the zoning board that he'd received complaints about Skybox for the last five years. He wrote that "a significant amount" of police resources were expended to handle the "unruly crowds and poor management of this building." Ralph said the community wasn't necessarily against the church taking over the space. Neighbors were instead frustrated with building owners who they said misled the community in a December letter that assured them Voz wouldn't host any more events there, she said. In April, building owners and Liberti Church East presented a second, new proposal to hold smaller events at the space. Ian Wilson, the neighborhood association president, said the community didn't feel its concerns "were adequately addressed." The zoning board denied the request April 25. The day after, an event coordinator delivered the news to Appleby and Ross. Others who booked events through Skybox are working to get their deposits back. Dana Pidliskey and Matt Chin, an engaged couple from Bloomfield, N.J., in January 2017 booked their November 2018 wedding reception to take place at the Skybox, and family put down a $3,000 deposit. Last fall, the couple were told renovations would take place, making them uneasy about what the venue might look like for their reception. Then, in February, they noticed something odd: Skybox's website no longer existed, and calls and e-mails to the owner went unanswered. At the beginning of March, they drove on a whim to Philadelphia to see the space, where they found a notice on the building indicating Skybox was seeking new zoning. "There was two months of complete stress," Pidliskey said, "where we were pulling out our hair." The couple secured another venue. They've attempted to reach Voz and have not heard back. They are now looking at legal options to get back their deposit. A third couple is facing a similar problem but they haven't yet booked a new venue for the August wedding they scheduled to take place at Skybox. The groom-to-be, a 31-year-old from the Philadelphia area, did not want to be identified to avoid attention during a stressful time. He and his fiance found out in March that Skybox wouldn't be able to host their wedding and have since been unable to get back the $3,000 deposit they put down after booking in early 2017. The couple is looking at other venues, and may be forced to change their wedding date. Meanwhile, Appleby and Ross are moving forward. Even though they only had three weeks' notice, they're getting married next Saturday at the National Museum of American Jewish History. Di Bruno Bros. is catering. The couple have filed a complaint with the state Attorney General's Bureau of Consumer Protection to try to reclaim the money they're out. "They had so many opportunities to tell us that this was a potential issue," Appleby said. "To wait until three weeks before and then disappear, it's crazy that a business owner would do that." Foreign Ministrys Spokesperson Le Thi Thu Hang (Photo: VNA) Hang was in reply to reporters questions related to news run by foreign media that China has placed missiles at structures it illegally constructed on Vietnams Truong Sa (Spratly) archipelago. Vietnam is deeply concerned about the information, said Hang, affirming that all militarised activities, including the installation of missiles on Truong Sa archipelago, seriously violate the countrys sovereignty over the islands, go against the agreement on basic principles guiding the settlement of sea-related issues between Vietnam and China, and infringe the Declaration on the Conduct of the Parties in the East Sea (DOC) between ASEAN and China. The actions cause tension and instability in the region and harm efforts of nations in negotiating for a Code of Conduct in the East Sea, she added. Vietnam has sufficient legal foundations and historical evidence proving its sovereignty over Hoang Sa and Truong Sa archipelagos in line with international law, she stressed. Vietnam asks China not to conduct militarised activities and withdraw all military equipment that it has illegally deployed in structures belonging to Vietnams sovereignty, Hang underscored. She also requested China to respect Vietnams sovereignty over Hoang Sa (Paracel) and Truong Sa archipelagos, and strictly abide by the agreement on basic principles guiding the settlement of sea-related issues between Vietnam and China as well as the DOC./. Legislation to impose federal penalties on people who deliberately target law enforcement officers for attack was introduced in both the House and Senate today. The legislation titled the "Protect and Serve Act" has support from both Democratic and Republican lawmakers. National Fraternal Order of Police President Chuck Canterbury said in a statement that he "applauded" the news that twin bills had been introduced in both houses of Congress. "Already this year we have 87 officers shot in the line of duty and 28 of them were killed," Canterbury said. "This is 75% higher than this time last year. Our nation's law enforcement officers face dangers every day in the course of protecting their communities, but now they face a new threatdeliberate attacks, often by ambush, by people who desire nothing more than to wound or kill an officer. Finally, Congress has decided to act." The ACLU issued a statement immediately after the bills were introduced. The statement said the Senate version of the bill designates deliberate attacks against police as a federal hate crime. This bill serves no purpose other than to further dangerous and divisive narratives that there is a war on police. The House creation of a new criminal statute for offenses against police is superfluous, given the many existing federal and state laws that protect law enforcement officers specifically," Kanya Bennett, ACLU legislative counsel said. "The Senates version is nothing short of offensive to historically persecuted and marginalized communities across this country. Federal hate crimes laws were passed to correct the centuries of inaction and injustice that too often were the response to violence based on immutable traits and identities, including race, gender, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, and disability. Under no possible interpretation could this definition include being a member of law enforcement. Congress should vote this down quickly and decisively." The bill is sponsored in the Senate by Orrin Hatch (R-UT) and Heidi Heitkamp (D-ND). The House version of the bill was sponsored by John Rutherford (R-FL) and Val Demings (D-FL). Rutherford is the former sheriff of Duval County. Demings is the former Orlando chief of police. The 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals has blocked a lawsuit against Baltimore States Attorney Marilyn J. Mosby brought by five city police officers who claimed she maliciously prosecuted them after the death in 2015 of Freddie Gray. Mondays ruling by the federal appeals court overturned a January 2017 decision by U.S. District Judge Marvin J. Garbis, who ruled at the time that charges including malicious prosecution, defamation and invasion of privacy could move forward against Mosby and Assistant Baltimore City Sheriff Samuel Cogen, who wrote the statement of probable cause in the case. Garbis dismissed other counts, including false arrest and false imprisonment. We resoundingly reject the invitation to cast aside decades of Supreme Court and circuit precedent to narrow the immunity prosecutors enjoy, Chief Judge Roger Gregory wrote in the courts opinion. And we find no justification for denying Mosby the protection from suit that the Maryland legislature has granted her. That the Officers disagree with Mosbys decision to prosecute as most defendants do or with the information in the application for Statement of Charges which inherently contains defamatory information does not entitle them to litigate their disagreement in court, and much less recover damages, Gregory wrote. The officers have 90 days to submit a petition to the Supreme Court to hear the case, according to court documents, the Baltimore Sun reports. Retired NYPD officer Mark J. Natale died Monday of 9/11-related cancer. (Photo: Family) Mark J. Natale was a New York City police officer on Sept. 11, 2001, when two commercial jets commandeered by terrorists were flown into the World Trade Centers Twin Towers in Manhattan. He and his partner Michael Henry, officers in the 94th Precinct in Greenpoint, Brooklyn, helped dust-covered people fleeing Manhattan over bridges to Brooklyn and on ferries to New Jersey, then stood guard at the gates around Ground Zero in the days that followed, Henry recalled. The officers covered their faces, he said, with the masks worn by house painters. Thats all they gave us, he told Newsday Monday. In the four months after the 9/11 attacks, Mark Natale also worked on and off at the embarkation point in lower Manhattan for barges moving the debris out to the Fresh Kills landfill on Staten Island, said Matthew McCauley, a retired NYPD officer who is a lawyer at Turken and Heath in Armonk. McCauley has assisted many first responders, including Natale, with their benefit claims with the September 11 Victims Compensation Fund. On Friday, Natale succumbed to the brain cancer that had been certified as related to his exposure to Ground Zero toxins. He was 55. Natale was not ill when he retired in 2005 after 20 years on the job. John Feal, founder of the FealGood Foundation who lobbies on behalf of 9/11 first responders and maintains a memorial at Nesconsets 9/11 Responders Remembered Park, said more than 2,000 first responders have now died from a certified 9/11-related illness. The average age of the first responder was 39, he said. Now add all these debilitating illnesses and these men and women are getting weaker and sicker as they age. (Photo: Beaudry Police Authority Sales) Beaudry Police Authority Sales GEM/Zero Electric Police Motorcycle The GEM/Zero Electric Police Motorcycle was designed and manufactured by Beaudry Police to act as a green alternative to patrol motorcycles. With a 196-mile estimated range and 116 ft-pounds of torque, it's made to keep up with its gas-powered brothers. The company saw the potential for converting this distinctive two-wheeled platform into a law enforcement tool whether for daily patrol or stealth operations. The GEM/Zero is mission capable along with almost zero cost per mile, according to the company. www.zeropolice.com (Photo: Brunswick Commercial & Government Products) Brunswick Commercial & Government Products 850 Impact D-Collar Boat Brunswick's Impact D features a hybrid air/foam-filled collar mounted to a solid fiberglass gunnel. Instead of a fully circular tube, the Impact D-collar allows for more space on deck and added maneuverability and versatility for the crew. The D-collar gives customers the best characteristics of a standard fiberglass hull with the benefits of an RHIB. Law enforcement finds this design especially suited to tactical maneuvers, where boarding another craft may be necessary, according to the company. www.brunswickcgp.com (Photo: Lake Assault) Lake Assault Custom Patrol Boat The Lake Assault custom patrol boat is now on duty with the Rockland County Sheriff's Department in New York. Manufactured from high-strength marine grade aluminum, the hull and superstructure are MIG and TIG welded throughout for added strength and long life. The craft is 31 feet long and features a full-width and forward leaning pilothouse, a davit crane, and a full array of advanced electronics. It is powered by dual 300 hp Mercury Verado 4-stroke outboards. www.lakeassault.com (Photo: Munson Boats) Munson Boats 24' Dive/Rescue Boats The Virginia State Police Search and Recovery Team operates a pair of easily trailerable Munson 24-foot landing craft that are used for dive operations, swift water rescues, evidence recovery, and wildland fire and oil spill response. Outfitting includes a walk around cabin with forced air heater, dive bottle racks, dive ladder, tow post, lifting davit, Lowrance HDS-9 side scan sonar, FLIR infared camera, and EZ Loader trailer. www.munsonboats.com (Photo: Polaris Government and Defense) Polaris Government and Defense Polaris Ranger The Polaris Ranger helps improve response time and reach to locations both urban and off-road where cars, trucks, or helicopters cannot operate. Rangers are also a budget-friendly alternative to full-size vehicles, as are the maintenance, parts, and repair costs. Ranger law enforcement units provide professional, squad car-type capabilities in a nimble vehicle complete with the same sirens, horns, PA system, and emergency lighting from Federal Signal, professionally upfit by Action Fleet and under warranty from Polaris. Purchase as a single vehicle from Polaris, NJPA or GSA. Polaris.com/Law (Photo: Westward Industries) Westward Industries GO-4 Parking Enforcement and Patrol Vehicle Westward Industries' GO-4 parking enforcement and light patrol vehicle is used by cities from San Francisco to New York. It uses a 100+-mile-range lithium battery pack or 66 hp gas engine and has a very small footprint, allowing for exceptional maneuverability while alleviating traffic congestion. Built domestically with a 2.5-inch steel roll-cage, this vehicle is made to offer superb safety and durability. Cities deploying these vehicles can increase productivity and reliability, therefore recognizing a high return on investment. www.westwardindustries.com (Photo: The Armored Group) The Armored Group Ballistic Armored Technical Transport The Armored Group (TAG) BATT-APX is a fully modular armored rescue vehicle that can be built on a variety of chassis, allowing ease of use and reduced maintenance costs. Designed and engineered in Detroit, the BATT-APX features proven and independently verified .50 caliber armor protection and offers capabilities including adjustable hydraulic ram, gas injection devices, thermal cameras, winches, and turret protection. This new modular platform can also be adjusted for EOD, Medevac, and Border Patrol teams to help save law enforcement officers' lives. www.armoredcars.com New member of Hungary's 4th Orban cabinet reveals some plans Hungarys government is planning new fiscal stimulus measures to keep economic growth above 4.0%, a senior aide told Reuters late on Monday. Gergely Gulyas, Prime Minister Viktor Orbans new chief of staff, is also ruling out a Polish-style conflict with European Union authorities over the rule of law. Fiscal measures Orban won his third successive term in power on 8 April at an election dominated by his fierce anti-migrant campaign which was also targeting Hungarian-born financier and philanthropist George Soros. The no-holds-barred campaign resonated well with large swathes of the electorate, especially in poorer, rural areas. The landslide gave Orbans ruling Fidesz party the power to rewrite any laws, including the constitution.As we have highlighted in several articles last week, the fourth (and third successive) cabinet led by PM Orban, plans to keep economic growth persistently over 4.0%. We also warned that this is a highly ambitious objective, although we still do not know the new growth stimulating measures.Gulyas, who is currently the leader of the parliamentary group of Orbans Fidesz party, confirmed that keeping economic growth above 4.0% in the coming years would require additional measures, adding that these have been currently discussed but no decisions have been made. From the agriculture sector, to industry, the machinery sector and construction, we would like to see that this development is broad-based , Gulyas told Reuters , declining further comment on the specific proposals being discussed. He did say, however, that the new government would press on with hikes in the minimum wage, which have filtered through to the broader economy, helping Orbans re-election bid. Gergely Gulyas, Vice President of the Fidesz party and leader of the partys parliamentary group talks with the press in the building of Parliament on 25 April 2018. Front page photo by MTI Foto/ Zsolt Szigetvary Hungarian euro Gulyas said the wage rises and strong economic growth could help Hungary catch up to western living standards faster, adding however that in his personal opinion, joining the euro zone would not be likely during the next four years.For now, there is a consensus among most economists that we should enter the euro zone, when we reach 80 to 90% of the average EU living standards," Gulyas said, adding that Hungary was currently at 69%. We should join the euro zone when it serves the interests of the Hungarian economy and citizens. What else is up the cabinets sleeve? While the ruling Fidesz party has a two-thirds majority in Parliament, which gives it the power to rewrite any laws, including the constitution, Gulyas said no reforms were in the pipeline that would undermine judicial independence.Poland, eastern Europes biggest economy and Hungarys key ally in the EU, has been locked in a legal battle with the European Commission over reforms affecting its judiciary. Should there be any changes, that will not affect the constitutional requirement of judicial independence About the next EU budget , Gulyas said when asked whether a similar conflict could emerge in Orbans next term in power, after a batch of sweeping reforms following his 2010 election victory.If there should be any intention to change this, that would pertain to the justice minister. However, as of today, I am not aware of anything to that effect," he added.Gulyas also said Hungary would not be headed into talks about the EUs next budget with an intention to veto it.The European Commission presented its proposal for the 2021-2027 Multiannual Financial Framework (i.e. budget) last week. Orban said on Friday "the key advice is to "take it easy" because this will be a long debate."The seven-year budget must be created in full unison and until the Hungarians say its a go, there will be no budget , he pointed out. Orban said the migrants should not be granted "a single cent", everyone should take care of that from their own budget. He added that he is also against cutting the agricultural budget. The new MFF proposed by the EU executive will trigger battles among members over how to fill the funding gap left by Britains exit next year.Poland, which the Commission has in its sights with a new mechanism to penalize authoritarian governments that impinge on independent judges, warned of a long road ahead" to reach the unanimous compromise required to put the budget into effect.We belong to those, who approach the departure of the second-strongest economy from the EU rationally," Gulyas said. We have taken up a negotiating position that is open to sensible proposals." Photo for illustration This is part of the important content which was approved by the two sides at the 15session of the Vietnam - Singapore Tourism Cooperation Joint Committee, recently held in Singapore. In 2017, the two sides exchanged more than 800,000 tourist arrivals, in which Vietnamese tourists to Singapore reached over 530,000, a 21% rise over a year earlier. Cruise tourism cooperation between Vietnam and Singapore presented many development opportunities. Many cruise ships visited Vietnam and Singapore in 2017, such as Royal Caribbean Cruises, Princess Cruises, Silver Sea Cruise, and Costa Cruises. According to Cruise Line International Association, Princess Cruises will carry 80,000 passengers to Vietnam in 2018, up about 40% from the previous year. However, in the 2013-2017 period, the growth rate of cruise ship visits to Vietnam only reached 4.6%, 8.1% lower than the average across Southeast Asia and 26.3% lower than Asia. In the coming time, the two sides will continue to work together to exploit hot spots connecting Singapore and Vietnam, and destinations bringing experiences for maritime passengers./. 1. KETTLE BLACK SOUTH MELBOURNE is an airy space within the last traditional terrace house on Albert Road, encompassed by a modern building that dwarfs the cafe. Inside, bright interiors heighten the languid desire to while away a lazy afternoon over coffee and brunch classics with a local flavour ( Chili Scrambled Eggs with Cured Flinders Island Wallaby ). We felt uplifted both from the ambience and the coffee - espresso made using Five Senses house blend for him, a latte brewed from Small Batch beans for me - and then I promptly put myself into a blissful carb coma with their famous ricotta hotcakes (rumoured to be one of the worlds best). But those yearsin which his baby brother was dying of a fatal genetic disorder (maybe the first diagnosis of Tay-Sachs at Mayo Clinic), and his resident-doctor father was struggling with the pressure of a new job and his sons devastating diagnosiswould define the rest of Freedmans life. Those years in Rochester, according to Freedman, would drive him to devote his career to helping those without voices. Freedman would go on to write a series of editorialsthose Pulitzer Prize-winning piecesthat were instrumental in the passage of the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986, a law that granted amnesty to more than three million Mexicans living in the United States. He would write a bookFrom Cradle to Grave: The Human Face of Poverty in Americathat helped start a campaign to ensure prenatal care for every child in California. He would, throughout it all, remember Rochester. Jonathan Freedmans first memory comes from his familys "tiny little house in a tract development," one of the stretch of single-story homes in the 1500 block of Seventh Avenue Northeast just west of Quarry Hill. He remembers the incessant screaming from his little brother, Dougie. That was 1954. Freedman was four. Today, Freedman is living in California and co-editing Solito, Solita: Youth Migrants from Central America, a book of narratives by young people who emigrated to the U.S. Like much of his work, Solito, Solita tells subjects stories in their own words. Here, then, is Freedmans story. In his own words. Recalling Rochester My first memory of Rochester is lying on the sunny floor in the sunshine with my dog, Missy, who was a Dalmatian who had been saved from a medical experiment by my dad as a puppy and was our dog. And hearing in the background intense crying from my brother, Dougie. I was hearing this intense burst of crying and screaming because heI didnt understand this at the timecouldnt digest food properly, and he had to have enemas every day to block his digestive tract, and he screamed, and screamed, and screamed. Thats my first memory. My dad was working as a resident and a surgeon at Mayo. And my mom tells a story of once she was driving to the hospital and I was little, and I pointed out the window at the hospital and I said, "Thats where Daddy lives." Because in those days, they worked shifts that are no longer legal. I remember going to the little lake, Silver Lake, and feeding the ducks. And I remember being dragged down the street in a red wagon to a birthday party. It might have been at our neighbors, the Litins, who had a son more or less my age But our lives were really overshadowed by this dying brother of mine and by my parents. I do remember that the Mayo Clinic to me was an orderly place designed around scientific research and patient treatments. That created in me the sense of an orderly universe where reason, and teamwork, and high standardsnot monetary, but high standards of medical practicecould really result in an improvement in peoples lives and in their health. The diagnosis (by a dad, of his son): Its a death sentence My parents, Marshall and Betty, moved to Rochester just weeks before I was born. A year and a half later, my brother Dougie was born. Much handsomer than I. Really beautiful child. But their second child was not developing fast enough. My mother brought him down to pediatrics at Mayo. They said, "Mrs. Freedman, theres nothing wrong with this child, people develop at different speeds." But after six or eight months, he was still not sitting up, and he was showing signs of frailty after being a big healthy baby. She took him down again and the doctor said, "We dont know what this is." When the chief of pediatrics could not diagnose what Dougie had, my father tried to diagnose his son. Eventually, my father, who had trained at Mt. Sinai Hospital in New York, remembered this obscure disease, called Tay-Sachs, named after the two doctors who had discovered it. It only affected Ashkenazi Jews, which we were. That was probably why Mayo had never seen it. The telltale sign was a cherry red spot on the back of the eye. So my father, who was quite a smart diagnostician, took a light and looked in the back of Dougies eye and saw that cherry red spot. Mom said, "What is that?" and Dad said, "Its a death sentence." It was a death sentence because all Tay-Sachs babies die. Theres an enzyme used by normal babies to regulate fat in the brain, but TS babies dont have that, so fat develops in the brain. This impedes the vision and affects the hearing and mental development. It also affects the ability to absorb food. My parents had this really wonderful life, both very hard-working people, and then this thing happened. The aftermath My father was under stress at home and under stress at work. His skin was allergic to Latex and, under the pressure of all this, my fathers hands exfoliated, meaning all the skin fell off his hands. I remember visiting him at the hospital, which was strange because he was in the hospital bed with these white bandages and his hands completely covered. So he had to give up surgery at the same time. Eventually, Dougie was unbearable to my parents and they thought it was influencing me. They eventually put Dougie with a farm family that took cases like this. Eventually, Dougie went blind and deaf, and was mentally incapable and in terrible pain. He died when he was not yet three. After Dougie died, his ashes were spread over Silver Lake. Actually, I dont know if its that lake or if they went to one of the Minnesota lakes to do this. Thats one of the sadnesses. At the same time, my father had gone back to Mayo to retrain in internal medicine since he couldnt do surgery with his hands like that. My father was very good at diagnostics, but when his residency was up he was not hired by Mayo Clinic to be a doctor there. He had wanted to stay. We moved to Colorado and my father became a prominent doctor there. One of the states first gastroenterologists. In retrospect, we look at things differently than things were looked at in those days. I dont think my parents felt a tremendous amount of guilt about sending Dougie away. I feel a tremendous amount of sadness imagining this little baby boy, my brother. I think the people owned a farm or something like that, and there he was, crying and crying without his parents and his family there. Yes, I feel not guilty, but I feel very sad that this happened. But I dont know that he was even conscious of where he was. By the time they put him away in this farm familys home, he was already blind and deaf, and I dont know. I mean, I dont want to excuse it in any way, but the reason my parents gave for this, which does make me feel bad, was that they thought his constant screaming was affecting me very badly. I was, whattwo, three, four years old. The parallels That was my view of the world. And I think it shows up in my editorial writing, which was always advocating. I wrote a book called From Cradle to Grave: The Human Face of Poverty in America, which was based in part on an experience that I had that was related to my brother, Dougie. And the editorial was called, "The Silent Scream of the No-Care Babies." It was about babies who did not get prenatal care in San Diego where I was writing for the Tribune, and who ended up in intensive care for infants. And I had been writing this long series about immigration. And then I got a call from a colleague at the hospital who said, "Jonathan, youve got to come over here and see this." I went over to the hospital. I was brought into the infant neonatal unit where these tiny little babies that were born premature were in isolettes, these little incubators. And the nurse said, "Mr. Freedman, I want you to see this." She dragged me over to an isolette where there was a tiny, tiny baby no larger than my fist. In every orifice and every part of the body there was a needle or a tube. This baby, this tiny baby was lying on her back screaming and screaming and no sound came out because there was a tracheotomy tube. And this nurse told me, "Mr. Freedman, this couldve been prevented with a $16 penicillin shot. But because this babys mother got no prenatal care, this baby will always be blind and deaf. And it may live for a long time at hundreds of thousands of dollars in costs and never have a normal life." And I realized later that this was my brother. This little baby girl was my brother, Dougie. And thats why I started this campaign to get prenatal care for every child in California. Today My title now is Grandfather. Ive lived in California since 1981, and I lived two years in Switzerland from 2008 to 10. Something like that. Before California, I was living in Portugal. Before that, Spain. Before that, Washington D.C. Before that, Rio De Janeiro, Brazil. Sao Paolo, Brazil. Before thatlets see. New York City, Columbia University. And then before that, Denver, and then before that, Rochester, Minn. I have four children and three grandchildren. Ive been married twice, both to wonderful women. My wife, Isabelle Rooney, is a medical director at a company called Genentech, where she does clinical trials for people with advanced fatal cancer. And her group came out with a pharmaceutical product for people with end-stage skin cancer, which is now sold around the world. So she, like my dad, is a medical professional committed to research. I have two children who are older. One lives in Oak Park Illinois. Shes a psychotherapist and has three children. And my son lives in Santa Cruz, and hes a really tremendous surfer. My younger daughter is 17, is a straight-A student and thespian, and applying to colleges. And my younger son is age 15, is totally into computer programming and robotics. Well, I think, isnt life rich these days? Its really rich. I mean, its difficult, et cetera, but its really rich. Chinese Premier Li Keqiang addresses a launching ceremony of the 15th anniversary of China-ASEAN Strategic Partnership at the ASEAN Secretariat in Jakarta, Indonesia, May 7, 2018. (Xinhua/Pang Xinglei) JAKARTA, May 7 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Premier Li Keqiang on Monday pledged to jointly promote trade and investment liberalization and facilitation with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), so as to inject positive energy into the world economy. Li made the remarks while addressing a celebration ceremony of the 15th anniversary of the China-ASEAN strategic partnership at the ASEAN Secretariat in Jakarta, capital of Indonesia. At the 32nd ASEAN Summit and related meetings held in Singapore in late April, leaders of ASEAN countries agreed to work towards an early conclusion this year of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), a free trade agreement (FTA) scheme of the 10 ASEAN member states and its FTA partners, namely China, Australia, India, Japan, South Korea and New Zealand. In his speech, the Chinese premier also called for substantive breakthroughs made in the negotiations on the RCEP. China and ASEAN countries are all beneficiaries of free trade, Li said, adding that it is in line with their common interest to safeguard multilateralism and the international trading system. China is ready to work with ASEAN countries to promote the early completion of the RCEP, build the East Asian economic community and promote trade and investment liberalization and facilitation, so as to inject positive energy into the world economy, Li said. He said the importance of cooperation between China and ASEAN has gone beyond the bilateral scope and has increasingly become the support and engine for maintaining regional peace and stability as well as promoting regional common prosperity. China has always put ASEAN as a priority for its foreign policy with neighboring countries and stood for friendly cooperation with ASEAN, said the premier. He said China supports the establishment of the ASEAN community, supports ASEAN's central position in regional cooperation and supports it to play a bigger role in building an open and inclusive regional framework. This year marks the 40th anniversary of China's reform and opening-up, and the ASEAN also ushered in its second 50-year period, said Li. Last month, Chinese President Xi Jinping proposed new initiatives for furthering opening-up at this year's Boao Forum for Asia annual conference. Li said China's development would bring new and greater opportunities to all countries in the world including ASEAN. China is ready to work with ASEAN to build a closer community with shared destiny and jointly write a new chapter in their cooperation, said the premier. In his welcome remarks, Secretary-General of ASEAN Lim Jock Hoi thanked Premier Li for his visit to the ASEAN Secretariat and his attendance at the Launching Ceremony of the 15th Anniversary of China-ASEAN Strategic Partnership. China has always been an important partner of ASEAN, he said, noting that China's support has strongly promoted the integration of ASEAN, helped ASEAN narrow its internal development gap and deepened the friendship between the people of the two sides. ASEAN is willing to work with China to strengthen economic and trade cooperation, especially in such areas of innovation and digital economy, so as to achieve common prosperity and mutual benefit, said Lim. Congratulating China on its tremendous achievements in reform and opening-up, Lim said he appreciated China's commitment to an open and rules-based multilateral trade system. He said he believed that China's broad prospects for development will not only benefit the Chinese people but will also improve the well-being of all people in the region. Li launched the ceremony together with Lim and Tan Hung Seng, the permanent representative of Singapore to ASEAN. More than 200 participants attended the ceremony. Li arrived in Jakarta Sunday for an official visit to Indonesia, the first stop on his first overseas trip since the new cabinet took office in March. [ Editor: Zhang Zhou ] At some point it gets embarrassing to keep up with the daily failure of the climatistas. Exhibit 1 today is Japan, one of the most energy-efficient industrial economies in the world, but which is now in the process of building a whole bunch of new coal-fired power plants. Sciencemagazine reports: Bucking global trends, Japan again embraces coal power Most of the world is turning its back on burning coal to produce electricity [not true, incidentallySH] but not Japan. The nation has fired up at least eight new coal power plants in the past 2 years and has plans for an additional 36 over the next decadethe biggest planned coal power expansion in any developed nation (not including China and India). And last month, the government took a key step toward locking in a national energy plan that would have coal provide 26% of Japans electricity in 2030 and abandons a previous goal of slashing coals share to 10%. Why is Japan reversing course so dramatically? Chiefly because they decided to scale back nuclear power after the disaster at Fukushima in 2011: Not long ago, coal was on its way out in Japan. In 2010, coal plants accounted for 25% of Japans electricity, but the powerful Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) planned to reduce that share by more than half over 20 years. The ministry counted on nuclear power to pick up the slack, with its share of the nations electricity set to increase from 29% in 2010 to 50% by 2030. But the 2011 Fukushima nuclear accident forced a reassessment. All 54 of Japans reactors were shut down pending compliance with new safety standards. Just seven have restarted. Utilities have turned to liquefied natural gas and coal, which surged to provide 31% of the countrys electricity in 2014. In many other nations, natural gas has replaced coal as a fuel source because gas costs less. But in Japan, coal is cheap, says Takeo Kikkawa, an energy economist at Tokyo University of Science and a member of an METI advisory council on energy. Thats because the nation must import natural gas in its relatively expensive liquefied form. But, but but . . . hasnt Japan heard they can get all the power they need from wind and solar? Apparently not. Hold that thought for the moment. First, lets check in with Europe, where . . . oops: European Union carbon emissions increased in 2017 as French President Emmanuel Macron continues dinging the Trump administration for leaving the Paris agreement. Carbon emissions in the EU increased 1.8 percent since 2016, EUs statistics office Eurostat said Friday. There was also a double-digit increase in Malta and Estonia, while Germanys emission levels remain unchanged. And guess which nations greenhouse gas emissions continue to fall, and have fallen the most over the last decade? Yesthat would be us, the United Trumpified States of America. In fact, the U.S. has already achieved the year 2025 emission reduction targets called for in Obamas so-called Clean Power Plan that Scott Pruitt has wisely canceled. This is, of course, the result of the natural gas revolution, which happened without the permission or direction of Washington DC; it happened without a signing ceremony on the White House lawn, or a diktat from the EPA. It happened because of market forces. And naturally the left hates this. Meanwhile, lets not forget this evergreen (heh) fact about Germanys energiewende (energy revolution), as reported in the New York Times: Germany has spent an estimated 189 billion euros, or about $222 billion, since 2000 on renewable energy subsidies. But emissions have been stuck at roughly 2009 levels, and rose last year, as coal-fired plants fill a void left by Germanys decision to abandon nuclear power. That has raised questions and anger over a program meant to make the countrys power sector greener. . . Julian Hermneuwohner, a 27-year-old computer science student, said his family paid an additional 800 a year because of Energiewende. But it hasnt brought lower CO 2 emissions, he said. Its frustrating that were paying so much more, because the country hasnt gotten anything for it. The coup de grace for this story is a recent study in Energy Policywhich concludes that the rush to force renewable energy into the electricity grid has actually increased the use of fossil fuels to maintain overall power output and grid stability. The study looked at 10 European countries that have emphasized renewable energy, and amidst the usual specialized jargon and complicated regressions, some shocking conclusions are impossible to disguise or obscure: Nevertheless, as RES [renewable energy sources] increases, the expected decreasing tendency in the installed capacity of electricity generation from fossil fuels, has not been found. Looking more closely, the study finds that solar power has some effect in reducing fossil fuel consumption, but that wind power increasesit: Regarding the ECA, an increase of 1% in the installed capacity of solar PV decreases electricity production from oil and natural gas by nearly 0.11%, and 0.20% respectively in the long-run. In contrast, an increase of 1% in the installed capacity of wind power provokes an increase of 0.26%, and 0.22% in electricity generation from oil and natural gas, respectively in the long-run. . . In fact, RES cannot satisfy electricity consumption without resorting to fossil fuel electricity generation.This has hindered the shift from fossil fuels to RES, and has cancelled out the advantage of the shift to electrification, because of the need to burn fossil fuels. Furthermore, it should be stressed that natural gas, hydropower and cross-border markets are flexible, and their contribution to the electricity grid has been essential to back up RES intermittency and to satisfy peaks of demand. This is exactly what we found in the study I co-authored on energy policy in Minnesota for Johns think tank, the Center of the American Experiment: when wind power flags in the summer and winter (and when, not coincidentally, electricity demand peaks), the gap is being filled almost entirely by coal-fired power, and hence Minnesotas greenhouse gas emissions are flat are slightly rising, despite all the windmills it has installed over the last decade. This one chart tells the story succinctlynotice how coal power spikes when wind output falls. (Though I suspect theres a three-way story herecoal is used to provide baseload power during slack wind periods in the winter and summer, while natural gas is the swing producer to meet the intra-day peaks in demand.) Nice going greenies. Maybe youll want to rethink your fundamentalist opposition to nuclear power some day. We noted here a few weeks ago how London, which has no guns but somehow still has achieved a higher murder rate than New York City, is trying to ban knives because of an epidemic of knife violence. The London Times reported Sunday that the problem of knife violence is actually worse outside of London: The Sunday Times disclosed last month that Londons murder rate had overtaken New Yorks in February and March. At least 36 people in the capital have been stabbed to death so far this year. Knife crime is up 20% in London over three years. But in the home counties the increases since 2014 are far steeper. Knife crime incidents in Hertfordshire are up 150% from 229 incidents in 2014 to 573 in 2017; Hampshire is up 102%, Cambridgeshire up 83%, Warwickshire up 180%, Bedfordshire up 86%, Essex up 86%, Thames Valley up 50% and north Wales up 134%. Norfolks knife crime rate has rocketed 274%. Heres the chart: Pretty clear England needs to institute greater knife control right away. Reminder from a recent Week in Pictures: As Attorney General of the State of New York, Eric Schneiderman has posed as a liberal crusader. Among many other things, he has accused Exxon Mobil of committing securities fraud in connection with climate change, filed a civil suit accusing Trump University of fraud, and initiated more than 50 lawsuits seeking to block Trump administration environmental regulations. Schnedierman has also endorsed the #MeToo campaign and has gone after Harvey Weinstein. So I confess to being gratified by the fact that four women have accused Schneiderman of assault. The New Yorker broke the story: Michelle Manning Barish and Tanya Selvaratnam, have talked to The New Yorker on the record, because they feel that doing so could protect other women. They allege that he repeatedly hit them, often after drinking, frequently in bed and never with their consent. Manning Barish and Selvaratnam categorize the abuse he inflicted on them as assault. Selvaratnam says that Schneiderman warned her he could have her followed and her phones tapped, and both say that he threatened to kill them if they broke up with him. A third former romantic partner of Schneidermans told Manning Barish and Selvaratnam that he also repeatedly subjected her to nonconsensual physical violence, but she told them that she is too frightened of him to come forward. (The New Yorker has independently vetted the accounts that they gave of her allegations.) A fourth woman, an attorney who has held prominent positions in the New York legal community, says that Schneiderman made an advance toward her; when she rebuffed him, he slapped her across the face with such force that it left a mark that lingered the next day. Schneidermans defense, apparently, is that these incidents involved role playing. Maybe he was playing the role of a psychopath. One of the four women gave this account, stressing that at the time of the assault, she was fully clothed: All of a sudden, he just slapped me, open-handed and with great force, across the face, landing the blow directly onto my ear, Manning Barish says. It was horrendous. It just came out of nowhere. My ear was ringing. I lost my balance and fell backward onto the bed. I sprang up, but at this point there was very little room between the bed and him. I got up to try to shove him back, or take a swing, and he pushed me back down. He then used his body weight to hold me down, and he began to choke me. The choking was very hard. It was really bad. I kicked. In every fibre, I felt I was being beaten by a man. She finally freed herself and got back on her feet. I was crying and in shock, she says. She recalls shouting, Are you crazy? To her astonishment, Schneiderman accused her of scratching him. At one pointshe cant remember if it was at this moment or in a later conversationhe told her, You know, hitting an officer of the law is a felony. Hitting an officer of the law is a felony. Spoken like a true liberal! Or like a sociopath. Still, one thing you can say in Schneidermans defense: he has accomplished the difficult feat of making his predecessor as Attorney General, Eliot Spitzer (client #9), look good. PAUL ADDS: In 2013, Donald Trump tweeted: Weiner is gone, Spitzer is gone next will be lightweight A.G. Eric Schneiderman. Is he a crook? Wait and see, worse than Spitzer or Weiner. Trump may have heard some things. President Trump is to announce his decision this afternoon on our continued participation in the Iran deal. Reasonable observers may draw inferences from President Trumps description of it as the worst deal ever. If President Obama had presented it to the Senate as a treaty, it would never have been ratified. In the Senate it would not even have attained a majority, let alone the two-thirds support necessary for ratification. He therefore entered into it as an executive agreement. Senator Tom Cotton and 46 of his colleagues pointed out in his famous March 2015 letter to the friends of John Kerry in the Iranian regime (embedded below), the deal therefore constituted nothing more than an executive agreement between President Obama and Ayatollah Khameni. He warned: The next president could revoke such an executive agreement with the stroke of a pen Democrats and their media adjunct wildly abused Senator Cotton and otherwise went nuts. As usual, however, Senator Cotton was how to put it? right. From the perspective of opposition to the Iranian regime, the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (its formal name) certainly looks like the worst deal ever. The deal lavished financial benefits and the unraveling of complicated economic sanctions at the front end. The mullahs took the money and ran. Bad as the Munich Agreement was Winston Churchill exposed its deficiencies at the time in his remarkable speech not even Neville Chamberlain thought to fund Hitlers aggression. To promote the the worst deal ever, President Obama and Secretary Kerry sank to humiliating depths. Obama and Secretary of State Kerry cited a nonexistent Iranian fatwa against the development of nuclear weapons. This fatwa had never been issued and the Iranian leaders statements vouching for it were a lie. MEMRIs Yigal Carmon and A. Sayyon have now collected their research on the question. It signifies. What it signifies is a complete and utter farce. Iran violated the agreement at inception by lying about the history of its nuclear program. This was the point of Prime Minister Netanyahus public presentation revealing a few of the secrets of the Iranian nuclear archive the half ton of documents removed by Israeli intelligence from Tehran to Tel Aviv. Netanyahu conducted his presentation with Trumps blessing and encouragement. If so, it constitutes a leading indicator of Trumps decision this afternoon. The Iranian regime has reacted to Trumps possible extrication of the United States from the deal with dire threats. The regime intensely desires continuation of the status quo. By the same token the American foreign policy elite foresees dire consequences if Trump follows through with disapproval of the deal (by refusing to renew current sanctions waivers). Yet the average American doesnt like threats and must have serious doubts about the merits of a deal so dearly beloved by our avowed enemy in Iran. Entry into the deal with Iran represented a sort of humiliation of the United States. Obama sought to reconcile us to the continuation of the Iranian regime and to amplify its influence in the Middle East. Trump finds continued certification of the deal and acquiescence in its underlying lies and rationale unacceptable. He understands the humiliation of the United States implicit in the deal. One way or another, his displeasure is bound to be made manifest this afternoon. Senate Republican letter to Iran's leaders by zbeaucha on Scribd President Trump announced today that the United States will withdraw from the Iran nuclear deal (the Joint Comprehensive Plan of ActionJCPOA). Here are talking points sent out by the White House. President Trump is terminating United States participation in the JCPOA, as it failed to protect Americas national security interests. The JCPOA enriched the Iranian regime and enabled its malign behavior, while at best delaying its ability to pursue nuclear weapons and allowing it to preserve nuclear research and development. The President has directed his Administration to immediately begin the process of re-imposing sanctions related to the JCPOA. The re-imposed sanctions will target critical sectors of Irans economy, such as its energy, petrochemical, and financial sectors. . Those doing business in Iran will be provided a period of time to allow them to wind down operations in or business involving Iran. Those who fail to wind down such activities with Iran by the end of the period will risk severe consequences. United States withdrawal from the JCPOA will pressure the Iranian regime to alter its course of malign activities and ensure that Iranian bad acts are no longer rewarded. As a result, both Iran and its regional proxies will be put on notice. As importantly, this step will help ensure global funds stop flowing towards illicit terrorist and nuclear activities. Iran negotiated the JCPOA in bad faith, and the deal gave the Iranian regime too much in exchange for too little. Intelligence recently released by Israel provides compelling details about Irans past secret efforts to develop nuclear weapons, which it lied about for years. . The intelligence further demonstrates that the Iranian regime did not come clean about its nuclear weapons activity, and that it entered the JCPOA in bad faith. The JCPOA failed to deal with the threat of Irans missile program and did not include a strong enough mechanism for inspections and verification. The JCPOA foolishly gave the Iranian regime a windfall of cash and access to the international financial system for trade and investment. . Instead of using the money from the JCPOA to support the Iranian people at home, the regime has instead funded a military buildup and continues to fund its terrorist proxies, such as Hizballah and Hamas. . Iran violated the laws and regulations of European countries to counterfeit the currency of its neighbor, Yemen, to support the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Quds Forces destabilizing activities. President Trump will work to assemble a broad coalition of nations to deny Iran all paths to a nuclear weapon and to counter the totality of the regimes malign activities. Nations must work together to halt the Iranian regimes destabilizing drive for regional hegemony. . In Syria, the Iranian regime supports the Assad regime and is complicit in Assads atrocities against the Syrian people. . In Yemen, the regime has escalated the conflict and used the Houthis as a proxy to attack other nations. . In Iraq, Irans IRGC sponsors Shia militant groups and terrorists. . In Lebanon, the Iranian regime enables Hizballah to play a highly destabilizing role and to build an arsenal of weapons that threatens the region. The Administrations actions are directed against the malign behavior of the Iranian regime, not against the Iranian people, who are the regimes longest-suffering victims. President Trump is making clear that, in addition to never developing a nuclear weapon, the Iranian regime must: Never have an ICBM, cease developing any nuclear-capable missiles, and stop proliferating ballistic missiles to others. Cease its support for terrorists, extremists, and regional proxies, such as Hizballah, Hamas, the Taliban, and al-Qaida. End its publicly declared quest to destroy Israel. Stop its threats to freedom of navigation, especially in the Persian Gulf and Red Sea. Cease escalating the Yemen conflict and destabilizing the region by proliferating weapons to the Houthis. End its cyber-attacks against the United States and our allies, including Israel. Stop its grievous human rights abuses, shown most recently in the regimes crackdown against widespread protests by Iranian citizens. Stop its unjust detention of foreigners, including United States citizens. We will have plenty more to say about President Trumps decision, Im sure. But I wanted to give the first word to the White House, especially because its points will be largely ignored in mainstream media coverage of the decision. The Dearborn Police Department is seeking information on the location of three men suspected of stealing a catalytic converter from a car Monday, April 30. Police reported pursuing three black men who were in a late-model burgundy Kia Optima, suspected of removing a catalytic converter from a vehicle in the area. The pursuit was terminated, due to the danger it posed to the public. Anyone with information on the suspects is asked to call the Dearborn Police Department at (313)943-2241, or to remain anonymous, dial Help Eliminate Auto Theft (HEAT) at (800)-242-HEAT. The City of Dearborn has reported a recent increase in the amount of catalytic converters stolen from vehicles, according to a news release. ( Read 5615 Times) Source : Jaipur, Vodafone India recently announced and felicitated the two lucky customers from Rajasthan for the The 30 Day Pugathon. Vodafone customer Gaurav Sharma from Jaipur won an iPhone 8 and Yogesh Kumar from Nagaur took home an iPhone 7.The 30 Day Pugathon was a month long national gaming contest available for all Vodafone prepaid and postpaid customers on My Vodafone App. The intuitive and customised interface of the app allowed customers to surf through various pages and find the adorable Vodafone Pugs hidden in different sections of the App. On collecting 7 pugs or more, customers were eligible for the Super Apple Hamper worth Rs 2 lakh. Apart from the iPhone 8 and Super Apple Hamper, customers also won an assured surprise gift with every pug they spotted. Every day, one lucky winner stood a chance to win an iPhone 8.Congratulating the winners, Amit Bedi, Business Head Rajasthan, Vodafone India said, At Vodafone, we believe that we win if our customers win. Our commitment to customer centricity motivates us to launch the best in line products and services that appeal to all customer segments. Vodafone contests on mobile have always drawn enthusiastic mass participation. I would like to thank all our customers in Rajasthan for their continued trust in the brand. Please stay connected for ongoing attractions and deals on your fingertips, through My Vodafone App.My Vodafone App is a one-stop destination for customers to manage their Vodafone account. Customers can visit the app and discover its in-built features and capabilities, like, track bill payments and recharges, get detailed real-time understanding of plans/packs, subscribe to new products, and much more. ISLAMABAD, May 8 (Xinhua) -- The education department in Pakistan's south Sindh province has submitted a summary to the provincial government, seeking early summer vacations for educational institutions owing to extremely hot weather, local reports said Monday. The education department suggested that the government should announce vacations for students before the beginning of the forthcoming fasting month from May 16 to June 16. Normally the summer vacations lasts from June-August in the country, but last year the education department announced early summer vacations from May 26 due to rising mercury ahead of the fasting month. This year, the move came following mercury hit 50.2 centigrade last month in the province, marking the highest temperature recorded for the month of April. Keeping the current weather situation in mind, the education department wants students to stay at home to avoid the scotching heat which may cause heat stroke. [ Editor: WPY ] MUMBAI, May 8, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- ~ Omidyar Network and Village Capital invite emerging entrepreneurs to be India's future game changers by developing new technological solutions to solve India's civic issues ~ Global philanthropic investment firm, Omidyar Network, in partnership with venture capital firm, Village Capital, announced today that applications are now being accepted for aspiring entrepreneurs in India to participate in a first-of-its kind initiative - the Civic Tech India 2018 Accelerator program. The six-month accelerator program will train and invest in early-stage civic engagement ventures in India by bringing together entrepreneurs, influencers, the government and potential funders, through forums and workshops. Following an intensive five-step process, the Civic Tech India 2018 Accelerator program will then select a cohort of 6-12 ventures post the application using VIRAL, a proprietary evaluation framework developed by Village Capital. "We are really excited about the growing potential of civic technology in India. To harness this opportunity, we want to support promising entrepreneurs, who are using tech to tackle some of India's most pressing social challenges, and to empower citizens to better engage with the government and their communities," said Bharath Visweswariah, Director for Governance and Citizen Engagement Investments at Omidyar Network in India. Speaking about the collaboration with Omidyar Network, Deepak Menon, Regional Director, Emerging Markets, Village Capital, stated, "Governance and civic issues cut across several of Village Capital's focus areas such as health, education and environmental sustainability. Through the Civic Tech India 2018 Accelerator program, Village Capital and Omidyar Network hope to catalyze the ecosystem for entrepreneurs in this space; supporting them to sustainably improve basic quality of life across populations and regions in India, and create impact at scale." The selected cohort will receive support and training over a period of three to five months to hone their expertise, refine and improve their business models, and increase their scalability and impact. This program has been designed to encourage Indian entrepreneurs to develop solutions to tackle the country's toughest civic and social challenges, which include infrastructure, education, health, sanitation, governance and administration among others. Unleashing entrepreneurial creativity towards addressing these civic challenges will likely yield better and more durable solutions to these issues. It will also aid public involvement in critical decision-making processes. The use of civic technology can thereby help dramatically improve delivery of services to citizens and refine the government's overall responsiveness to civic issues. Through the Civic Tech India 2018 Accelerator program, Omidyar Network and Village Capital aim to support and further develop India's civic technology sector as a whole. The Civic Tech India 2018 Accelerator program is now open for applications until Friday, June 15, 2018, till 5 PM IST. Interested applicants can find out more about the program and apply here. About Omidyar Network Omidyar Network is a philanthropic investment firm, established in 2004 by eBay founder Pierre Omidyar and his wife Pam. We create opportunity for people to improve their lives by investing in market-based efforts that catalyze economic and social change. In India, Omidyar Network focuses on helping the hundreds of millions of Indians in low-income and lower-middle-income populations, which we define as ranging from the poorest among us to the existing middle class. Omidyar Network has committed more than $1 billion through equity investments in for-profit companies and grants to non-profit organizations that foster economic advancement and encourage individual participation across multiple areas, including digital identity, education, emerging tech, financial inclusion, governance & citizen engagement, and property rights. To learn more, visit http://www.omidyar.com and follow on Twitter @omidyarnetwork #PositiveReturns About Village Capital Village Capital builds bridges for entrepreneurs who are creating an inclusive and sustainable world. Our programs connect high potential, early-stage entrepreneurs with the people, institutions, and capital they need to succeed. Since 2009, Village Capital has supported more than 1,000 entrepreneurs through our programs, and partnered with affiliated investment funds, including VilCap Investments, that have invested seed capital in more than 90 program graduates. Media Contact: Lynn Verghese [email protected] +91-82919-92694 FleishmanHillard for Omidyar Network SOURCE Omidyar Network Accordingly, out of a total of 250,000 tonnes of rice in the deal offered by the Philippines, Vietnam will supply 130,000 tonnes and the remaining 120,000 tonnes will be provided by Thai businesses. The NFA said that Vietnam will supply 50,000 tonnes of 15% broken rice to the Philippines at US$526.5 per tonne and 80,000 tonnes of 25% broken rice at US$517.5 per tonne. The shipment will arrive at the designated ports in the Philippines in three deadlines, not later than May 31 for the first package of 40,000 tonnes of 25% broken rice, June 15 for the remaining 40,000 tonnes of 25% broken rice and June 30 for the 50,000 tonnes of 15% broken rice. In addition, the NFA will also open a new bid for rice supply on May 22. Statistics from the Vietnamese Ministry of Industry and Trade show that rice export turnover in the first four months in 2018 reached US$1.1 million tonnes, up 22.3% in volume and 38.3% in value annually. The positive increase is mainly due to a range of winning contracts for exporting rice to large markets since the beginning of the year. Along with the recent rice contract to the Philippines, rice exports in the near future look set to flourish after a long time in difficulties, experts have said. In addition to the Indonesian market, since the beginning of 2018, rice export turnover has also increased sharply due to the significant increase in demand from the Chinese and the Philippines market. In addition, Iraq is also emerging as one of the strongest importers of Vietnamese rice. With favourable momentum, the Vietnam Food Association predicts that the rice export volume will reach about 6.5 million tonnes for the whole year. PUNE, India, May 8, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- According to a new market research report "Data Wrangling Market by Business Function (Marketing and Sales, Finance, Operations, HR, and Legal), Component (Tools and Services), Deployment Model, Organization Size, Industry Vertical, and Region - Global Forecast to 2023", published by MarketsandMarkets, the market size is expected to grow from USD 1.29 Billion in 2018 to USD 3.18 Billion by 2023, at a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 19.7% during the forecast period. (Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/660509/MarketsandMarkets_Logo.jpg ) Browse 78 market data Tables and 43 Figures spread through 164 Pages and in-depth TOC on "Data Wrangling Market" https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/Market-Reports/data-wrangling-market-7833295.html Early buyers will receive 10% customization on this report The key growth factors for the global Data Wrangling Market are the emergence of big data across industry verticals and the increasing need to incorporate AI and ML technologies to gain ultra-competitiveness and sustainability to stay afloat in the dynamic world. Healthcare and life sciences vertical is expected to grow at the highest CAGR during the forecast period Data wrangling in healthcare is gaining traction. Various types of data related to patients, such as personal information; disease, treatment, and medical history; and payment data are generated, which need to cleaned, prepared and set in a proper format to do analysis. Data wrangling tools would be adopted exponentially with the rise of digitalization in the healthcare and life sciences vertical. A complete end-to-end digitalization in healthcare would only be possible if right tools are adopted to clean, de-duplicate, and format the data to investigate and analyze such datasets. The Operations business function is expected to grow at the highest CAGR during the forecast period Enterprises are deploying comprehensive analytical solutions to recognize the log pattern, identify the root cause, and analyze the user behavior. Data wrangling tools are thus expected to be aggressively used toward cleaning, profiling, and standardizing data. It would help operations team to have a wider control over their systems. Inquiry Before Buying @ https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/Enquiry_Before_Buying.asp?id=7833295 With edge analytics gaining widespread adoption, data wrangling tools are expected to be adopted across verticals. These tools would enable to filter out unwanted data and systemize the data that would be efficiently used by AI and ML algorithms to analyze and provide due insights. Operations being a core function are expected to adopt data wrangling tools significantly in near future. North America is expected to hold the largest market size; and APAC to grow at the highest CAGR during the forecast period North America is expected to continue to dominate the market during the forecast period. The region remains the single largest contributor when it comes to the adoption of data wrangling tools and services. This region houses some of the major vendors of data analytics and data wrangling tools, such as Trifacta, IBM, Hitchi Vantara, SAS, and Oracle that have their headquarters as well as direct sales offices over there. Moreover, growing partnerships, agreements, and strategic alliances also testify that the region will be at the forefront in the adoption of digital technologies. APAC is expected to grow at the highest rate in the global Data Wrangling Market during the forecast period. Major APAC countries, such as Australia and New Zealand, China, Singapore, and Japan, are witnessing growth in big data and analytics startups. This would create numerous growth opportunities especially in China, India, and Bangladesh. With an increasing number of smart cities and proliferation of IoT devices, the region is expected to witness huge growth in the coming years. The major vendors offering data wrangling tools and services include Trifacta (US), Datawatch (US), Dataiku (France), IBM (US), SAS Institute (US), Oracle (US), Talend (US), Alteryx (US), TIBCO (US), Paxata (US), Informatica (US), Hitachi Vantara (US), Teradata (US), Datameer (US), Cooladata (US), Unifi (US), Rapid Insight (US), Infogix (US), Zaloni (US), Impetus (US), Ideata Analytics (India), Onedot (Switzerland), IRI (US), Brillio (US), and TMMData (US). These players have incorporated various strategies to expand their global presence to increase their market shares. The strategic partnerships, mergers and acquisitions, product upgrades, and expansions are some of the major strategies embraced by these players. Know more about the Data Wrangling Market: https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/Market-Reports/data-wrangling-market-7833295.html About MarketsandMarkets MarketsandMarkets provides quantified B2B research on 30,000 high growth niche opportunities/threats which will impact 70% to 80% of worldwide companies' revenues. Currently servicing 5000 customers worldwide including 80% of global Fortune 1000 companies as clients. Almost 75,000 top officers across eight industries worldwide approach MarketsandMarkets for their painpoints around revenues decisions. Our 850 fulltime analyst and SMEs at MarketsandMarkets are tracking global high growth markets following the "Growth Engagement Model - GEM". The GEM aims at proactive collaboration with the clients to identify new opportunities, identify most important customers, write "Attack, avoid and defend" strategies, identify sources of incremental revenues for both the company and its competitors. MarketsandMarkets now coming up with 1,500 MicroQuadrants (Positioning top players across leaders, emerging companies, innovators, strategic players) annually in high growth emerging segments. MarketsandMarkets is determined to benefit more than 10,000 companies this year for their revenue planning and help them take their innovations/disruptions early to the market by providing them research ahead of the curve. MarketsandMarkets's flagship competitive intelligence and market research platform, "Knowledge Store" connects over 200,000 markets and entire value chains for deeper understanding of the unmet insights along with market sizing and forecasts of niche markets. Contact: Mr. Salgarkar MarketsandMarkets INC. 630 Dundee Road Suite 430 Northbrook, IL 60062 USA: +1-888-600-6441 Email: [email protected] Visit Our Blog: http://www.marketsandmarketsblog.com/market-reports/telecom-it Connect with us on LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/company/marketsandmarkets SOURCE MarketsandMarkets - New European/Canadian Clinical Study Initiated to Evaluate the AcQMap System During an Atrial Fibrillation Retreatment Ablation Procedure - Company to Present Data at the Heart Rhythm Society's 39th Annual Scientific Sessions - FDA clearance received on additional accessory sheath catheter CARLSBAD, California, May 8, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Acutus Medical, a global heart rhythm technology company, today announced that the AcQMap High Resolution Imaging and Mapping System has been utilized for the first time in U.S. patients. The company also revealed initiation of a new clinical study to evaluate the technology during atrial fibrillation retreatment ablation procedures in Europe and Canada. "Enabling physicians to see complex, irregular arrhythmias in real-time should provide important new insights and enable truly personalized and individualized ablation therapy planning. We hope that this unique capability, combined with the ability to quickly re-map after each ablation, will lead the way to further improvements in clinical outcomes for patients suffering from complex arrhythmias," said Vince Burgess, Chairman, President and CEO, at Acutus Medical. "Together with institutions across the country, we hope to transform the lives of people suffering from complex arrhythmias through our innovative technology and are pleased that U.S. patients now have access to AcQMap." The AcQMap System has been used in Europe in 15 centers and in more than 500 procedures. Heart Rhythm Society Meeting Participation Several international presentations featuring the AcQMap System will be presented at the Heart Rhythm Society's 39th Annual Scientific Sessions on May 11 from 9:30 AM EST 12:00 PM EST in Boston, MA. The company will also be highlighting newly formed strategic collaborations with the goal of improving patient care and physician experience in electrophysiology. Clinical Trials Acutus also announced today the first enrollment in the RECOVER AF clinical study. The study is a prospective, single-arm, multi-center trial designed to provide clinical data regarding the use of the AcQMap System during first or second atrial fibrillation retreatment ablation procedures. The RECOVER AF study will enroll up to 100 patients in Europe and Canada. The first procedure was successfully completed by Tim Betts, MD, MBChB, FRCP at John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford University Hospitals in Oxford, United Kingdom. "In patients undergoing re-do ablation for persistent AF we often need to look beyond simple pulmonary vein isolation and identify additional electrophysiological mechanisms driving the arrhythmia," said Dr. Betts. "In this particular patient, I was able to map both the left and right atriums, direct my ablation strategy at rotational activity and focal firing and acutely terminate the longstanding persistent AF back to sinus rhythm. Seeing the System's immediate impact has made me optimistic that this patient will now be free of AF." FDA Clearance The FDA has also cleared the AcQRef Introducer Sheath for use in percutaneous procedures to facilitate venous access from the lower extremities for introduction of catheters and other devices, and to sense intravenous signals. Strategically placed electrodes along the introducer shaft can be used as a cardiac electrical reference when used in conjunction with the AcQMap System. About the AcQMap High Resolution Imaging and Mapping System The AcQMap High Resolution Imaging and Mapping System detects and displays both standard voltage-based and higher resolution dipole density-based (charge-source) maps of the heart. The AcQMap System uniquely combines ultrasound anatomy construction with an ability to map the electrical-conduction of each heartbeat to identify complex arrhythmias across the entire atrial chamber. Following each ablation treatment, the heart can be re-mapped in seconds to continually visualize any changes from the prior mapping. About Acutus Medical Acutus Medical is a global heart rhythm technology company transforming the way electrophysiologists diagnose and treat cardiac arrhythmias. Acutus Medical is a privately held company located in Carlsbad, CA. To learn more, visit http://www.acutusmedical.com. Forward Looking Statements This press release contains forward-looking statements that are subject to many risks and uncertainties. Forward-looking statements include statements regarding our intentions, beliefs, projections, outlook, analyses or current expectations concerning, among other things, our ongoing and planned product development, and clinical and regulatory milestones. We may use terms such as "believes," "estimates," "anticipates," "expects," "plans," "intends," "may," "could," "might," "will," "should," "approximately" or other words that convey uncertainty of future events or outcomes to identify these forward-looking statements. Although we believe that we have a reasonable basis for each forward-looking statement contained herein, we caution you that forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and that our actual results of operations, financial condition and liquidity, and the development of the industry in which we operate may differ materially from the forward-looking statements contained in this press release. As a result of these factors, we cannot assure you that the forward-looking statements in this press release will prove to be accurate. Acutus Medical expressly disclaims any intent or obligation to update these forward-looking statements, except as required by law. Related Links http://www.acutusmedical.com SOURCE Acutus Medical NEW DELHI, May 8, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Gadfly CitiHub India's first democracy tech app has launched the new 'Are You Election Ready' module for Karnataka assembly elections. The 2500+ candidates participating in the elections have been geotagged to the 224 constituencies in the state. In addition, detailed information has been presented for all the candidates including their social profiles. With this app, voters have a huge opportunity to better analyse each candidate. The app shows the candidates' YouTube videos, twitter feed and latest news. Voters have an opportunity to get in touch with candidate directly from the app via email or phone for more information. For busy citizens to get a detailed list of candidates with information such as political experience, age and education in one spot based on their voting constituency is of a huge benefit. Nikhil Bapna, President at Wabi Tech says, "Often there is too much noise and too little thought behind who to vote for. Now voters have a tool to help cut out the noise and get straight to the facts. Over time we have plans to take this public service to the next level with a host of innovative features that will make choosing a leader a much better process for citizens." The Economic Intelligence Unit recently rated India as a flawed democracy with a rank of 42 out of 165. The highest ranked countries received top marks for political culture and participation. In countries where political systems are mature - the concept of citizens reaching out to candidates is a standard practice. To be able to share ideas, suggestions and give feedback on potential new laws is a very important aspect of a mature democratic system. With Gadfly this function is greatly enhanced in India and other places. Gadfly will help the country rise in the Global Democracy Index. A beta version of 'Election Ready' was launched for the Tripura elections that took place in February. The response was great and many politicians from various parties got involved in sending additional information to be listed in the app. Currently Gadfly is available in India, USA and Canada. In India all Members of Parliament, State legislators and Municipal Corporators have been listed. The database is being constantly updated and improved. In June, Gadfly will be taking 'Election Ready' to Canada for the Ontario Provincial elections. Gadfly CitiHub was initially launched in October of 2017 with the aim of connecting citizens to their local elected representatives. The app uses location tech to detect and identify the correct information. Part of the technology rollout included drawing geospatial maps for all the constituencies in India and other countries. Elected representatives have been positive about Gadfly. Previously they would find it hard hearing from citizens but now they have a simple method to get feedback and have more interaction with their electoral base. Representatives often list their contact information around their constituencies on billboards. Gadfly is a high-tech method to do the same thing. In the age where technology is used to solve every problem hearing from citizens about their concerns and ideas gives the elected representatives clear direction on the thoughts and mood of the people. The possibility of the app being used as a tool to send spam is almost negligible because it is taking advantage of all the spam filters set up by social media companies like Twitter and Facebook. Hence spam is blocked and filtered and almost none gets through. Developed by tech startup - Wabi Tech, Gadfly CitiHub is free and available on the Google Play Store and Apple App Store. It is available in English, Kannada and Hindi. Nikhil Bapna, says, "Tech already makes a huge difference in our lives. The goal going forward with Gadfly is to improve how democracy works around the world." The project has a long and detailed technology roadmap all to make the democratic process streamlined and more efficient. The app plans on having a hundred thousand user base by the end of 2018. Price: Free Google Android Play Store: https://goo.gl/YyBh1m Apple iOS App Store: https://goo.gl/NA2q2Y Minimum system requirements: Android 4.1 Jelly Bean & above, iOS Version 9 & above. About Wabi Tech Wabi Tech is the maker of mobile app Gadfly CitiHub. With a strong group of engineers in different domains the main focus of the company is solving democracy issues using technology. Based out of South Delhi the company was founded in 2016 by Nikhil Bapna. Nikhil, studied at the University of Southern California and Brandeis University both in the USA. He majored in International Relations, Economics and Finance. Nikhil has had a diverse set of work experiences, working in sales and digital marketing for tech company - Amkette. Thereafter he worked in the CFO's office doing M&A for a multinational company before beginning Wabi Tech. Nikhil Bapna is currently the President at Wabi Tech. Media Contact : Nikhil Bapna [email protected] +91-9910277891 Wabi Tech SOURCE Wabi Tech PUNE, India, May 8, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- The report "GFRG (Glass Fiber Reinforced Gypsum) Market by Type (Type X, Type C), Application (Interior and Exterior), End User (Residential and Non-Residential), and Region (North America, Europe, APAC, Latin America, MEA) - Global Forecast to 2023", published by MarketsandMarkets, the market is projected to grow from USD 2.45 Billion in 2018 to USD 3.44 Billion by 2023, at a CAGR of 7.0% between 2018 and 2023.GFRG has good strength, good temperature resistance, and ease of rapid construction. However, the requirement of all the properties, such as high strength and good temperature resistance in building products increases their need in the construction industry. Hence, the increase of construction projects is one of the most significant factors projected to drive the GFRG Market. (Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/660509/MarketsandMarkets_Logo.jpg ) Browse 69 market data Tables and 38 Figures spread through 108 Pages and in-depth TOC on "GFRG (Glass Fiber Reinforced Gypsum) Market" https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/Market-Reports/glass-fiber-reinforced-gypsum-market-121107995.html Early buyers will receive 10% customization on this report Based on type, the type X segment of the GFRG Market is projected to grow at the highest CAGR during the forecast period, in terms of value and volume. The GFRG Market is segmented on the basis of type into type X, type C, and others. The other type of GFRG includes mold & moisture resistance, abuse & impact resistance, and weather resistance, among others. The GFRG Market is led by the type X segment. Type X comprises glass fiber reinforced gypsum core. These fibers reduce the extent and severity of cracks in the board when exposed to fire, thereby increasing its performance. It is the most commonly used type, owing to its good fire resistance property and low cost. Get PDF Brochure @ https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/pdfdownload.asp?id=121107995 The non-residential end user segment is projected to lead the GFRG Market during the forecast period, in terms of value and volume. GFRG are increasingly being used in residential and non-residential buildings. The non-residential end user segment is projected to lead the GFRG Market between 2017 and 2023, in terms of both, value and volume. Advantages of GFRG include visual attractiveness, fire resistance, sound absorption, good fatigue, and rapid installation. GFRG also offer several other benefits, such as moisture absorption, impact resistance, weather resistance, and durability, which, in turn, is contributing to the increased demand for GFRG in the building & construction industry. Europe is estimated to be the largest market for GFRG in 2018, in terms of both value and volume. Europe is estimated to be the largest market for GFRG in 2018. The growth of the Europe GFRG Market can be attributed to the growth of the building & construction industry and presence of well-established GFRG manufacturers, such as Gillespie (UK) in the region. Additionally, the increase in the number of residential and non-residential construction activities in various European countries is contributing to the growth of the Europe GFRG Market. Key players operating in the GFRG Market include Continental Building Products (US), USG Corporation (US), American Gypsum (US), CertainTeed (US), American Gypsum (US), Knauf Danoline (Denmark), Saint-Gobain Gyproc (France), and Georgia-Pacific (US). Know more about GFRG (Glass Fiber Reinforced Gypsum) Market: https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/Market-Reports/glass-fiber-reinforced-gypsum-market-121107995.html About MarketsandMarkets MarketsandMarkets provides quantified B2B research on 30,000 high growth niche opportunities/threats which will impact 70% to 80% of worldwide companies' revenues. Currently servicing 5000 customers worldwide including 80% of global Fortune 1000 companies as clients. Almost 75,000 top officers across eight industries worldwide approach MarketsandMarkets for their painpoints around revenues decisions. Our 850 fulltime analyst and SMEs at MarketsandMarkets are tracking global high growth markets following the "Growth Engagement Model - GEM". The GEM aims at proactive collaboration with the clients to identify new opportunities, identify most important customers, write "Attack, avoid and defend" strategies, identify sources of incremental revenues for both the company and its competitors. MarketsandMarkets now coming up with 1,500 MicroQuadrants (Positioning top players across leaders, emerging companies, innovators, strategic players) annually in high growth emerging segments. MarketsandMarkets is determined to benefit more than 10,000 companies this year for their revenue planning and help them take their innovations/disruptions early to the market by providing them research ahead of the curve. MarketsandMarkets's flagship competitive intelligence and market research platform, "Knowledge Store" connects over 200,000 markets and entire value chains for deeper understanding of the unmet insights along with market sizing and forecasts of niche markets. Contact: Mr. Salgarkar MarketsandMarkets INC. 630 Dundee Road Suite 430 Northbrook, IL 60062 USA: +1-888-600-6441 Email: [email protected] Visit Our Blog: http://www.marketsandmarketsblog.com/market-reports/chemical Connect with us on LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/company/marketsandmarkets SOURCE MarketsandMarkets MUMBAI, May 8, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Financial Highlights: Q4 FY2018 witnessed a: - 12% Growth in Revenue from Operations - 11% Growth in Average Ticket Price - 13% Growth in Spend per Head - 59% Growth in Advertisement Revenue - 75% Growth in EBITDA The Board of Directors of INOX Leisure Limited (INOX) announced its audited financial results for the last quarter of the financial year, and the full financial year 2017-18, following its meeting on 7 May, 2018 in Mumbai. For the quarter ending 31 March, 2018, INOX reported Rs. 323.6 crore of revenue from operations, a growth of 12%, YOY, last year. The earnings before interest tax and depreciation (EBITDA) amounted to Rs. 43.9 crore (75% higher than the corresponding quarter last year) for the quarter ending 31 March, 2018. On a full year basis, the Revenue from Operations has grown from Rs. 1220.7 crore to Rs. 1348.1 crore (10% growth), EBITDA has grown from Rs. 146.1 crore to Rs. 210.4 crore (44% growth) and PAT has grown from Rs. 30.6 crore to 114.6 crore (274% growth). Commenting on the results, Mr. Siddharth Jain, Director - INOX Group, said, "Content was relatively great following which the profits delivered was also substantially higher. We continue to deliver a robust increase in advertising revenues which definitely is heartening. INSIGNIA has also started showing some great numbers which is evident in the results declared. Our focus for the following year continues towards growth and enhancing our brand value keeping in mind the three pillars that we operate on - technology, luxury, and service." About INOX Leisure Ltd. INOX Leisure Limited (INOX) is amongst India's largest multiplex chains with 123 multiplexes and 492 screens in 61 cities. INOX has redefined movie experiences in India making it truly 7-star. Each INOX property is unique with its own distinct architecture and aesthetics. INOX boasts of bringing the very latest in projection and audio technology, plush micro adjustable leather recliners with a butler on call facility, gourmet meal choices by celebrity chef, designer staff uniforms and many more. For easy and convenient ticket booking, INOX offers online booking on http://www.inoxmovies.com and through its smartphone applications across Android and Apple platforms. For movie updates and various offers, one can follow us on: Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/INOXLEISURE) Twitter (https://twitter.com/inoxmovies) Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/inoxmovies/) LIVE THE MOVIE only at INOX! Media Contact: Shweta Poojari [email protected] +91-22-40626921 General Manager, Corporate Communication INOX Leisure Ltd. SOURCE INOX Leisure Ltd. MUMBAI, May 8, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- - Game Changer Move to Drive Industry Volumes; Double Customer Base in 18 Months Kotak Securities Ltd. (KSL) today announced its vision for the future of stock market investing in the presence of Vikram Limaye - Managing Director & CEO of National Stock Exchange. With an aim to become a catalyst in wealth creation for the nation and the common man, KSL today launched 'Free Intraday Trading' - a first of its kind offering that gives self-directed investors freedom from brokerage on intraday trades across cash, future and options segments at an annual subscription of Rs. 999/-. Further, investors get free access to KSL's research and robust technology platform for seamless and secure execution of trade transactions. (Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/688354/Kotak_Securities_Ltd_Logo.jpg ) Free Intraday Trading is KSL's innovation-led ambitious organic growth charter to double its customer base in 18 months. It will change dynamics of the broking industry as secondary market volumes will grow exponentially. KSL's endeavour to boost retail participation in stock markets derives strength from the structural reforms initiated by the government - a stable and thriving IndiaStack, formalisation of the Indian economy (GST) and financial savings (less-cash digital India), which has led to significant growth in all forms of financial assets. Further, India has the potential to be a US$ 10 trillion economy by 2030. Vikram Limaye, Managing Director & CEO, National Stock Exchange Ltd. said, "Though equity markets are well developed in India, only 5% of household savings finds its way here. Structural changes in the Indian economy have resulted in robust growth in all forms of financial assets including direct investments in capital markets. This aids capital formation, which in turn helps employment generation. I commend Kotak Securities for coming up with innovative products to improve retail participation." Kamlesh Rao, Managing Director & CEO, Kotak Securities Ltd. said, "We have always believed in value creation for our stakeholders. Free Intraday Trading has all the right ingredients - technology, free research and cost economics, to deepen and widen equity markets as it will encourage retail participation and further aid channelling of savings into the formal system. As market intermediaries, the onus is on us to break barriers and help millions of Indians achieve their wealth creation goals through informed, friction-free access and in a cost efficient manner. Free IntraDay Trade will drive up market volumes as well, and a robust secondary market augurs well for wealth creation for India and the common man." "Kotak Securities' is on the cusp of innovation led growth. With Free IntraDay Trade, we are embarking on a bold organic growth journey. We are aiming to double our customer base in 18 months," added Rao. As a digital pioneer in the broking industry, KSL has invested in an ecosystem that facilitates economic and efficient trading experience to customers. Last year, KSL launched 'Chat to trade', 'Happy Hours', 'Happy Day' and 'Double or Quits'. About Kotak Securities Limited Kotak Securities Limited (KSL) is a wholly owned subsidiary and the stock broking arm of Kotak Mahindra Bank Limited. The broking company processes over 6,00,000 secondary market trades every day. KSL has a pan-India presence - 1,325 branches, franchisees representative offices, and satellite offices across 351 cities. KSL offers a wide range of financial products such as Stocks and Shares, Derivatives, distribution of IPOs, Mutual Funds and Insurance. For more detail, please visit https://www.kotaksecurities.com/ For Further Information, please contact: Rohit Rao Kotak Mahindra Bank Phone: +91-22-6166-0001 [email protected] Jaydeep Raval Kotak Mahindra Bank Phone: +91-22-6166-0001 [email protected] Rakesh Sharma [email protected] 91-98335-37679 Fortuna PR SOURCE Kotak Securities Ltd. (KSL) Early bird registration now open for annual user conference SILICON SLOPES, Utah, May 8, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Pluralsight, the enterprise technology learning platform, today announced that Malala Yousafzai will keynote the second-annual Pluralsight LIVE conference, held August 28 30, 2018 at the Grand America Hotel in Salt Lake City, Utah. A student, activist and the youngest person ever awarded the Nobel Peace Prize, 15 year-old Malala was shot by the Taliban for speaking out against their ban on girls' education. Malala recovered, continued her campaign and, as co-founder of Malala Fund, is building a global movement of support for 12 years of girls' education. "We are honored to have Malala take the stage at Pluralsight LIVE 2018," said Aaron Skonnard, co-founder and CEO of Pluralsight. "We believe education is a fundamental human right, and there is no better person to speak about this topic than Malala. Since the age of 11, and even in the face of an attack on her life, Malala has continued to fight for the educational rights of girls and children around the world." Pluralsight LIVE brings together the brightest innovators and visionaries to explore a world with limitless potential. Attendees will have the opportunity to learn and interact through panels and sessions with selected speakers and Pluralsight authors, business leaders, partners and learners from around the world. Last year's inaugural conference welcomed prestigious speakers from various fields, including Code.org founder Hadi Partovi, Stack Overflow CEO Joel Spolsky, former Slack iOS engineering director and startup advisor Cynthia Maxwell, Founder of Pulsra and former VP and CIO at Facebook Tim Campos, former U.S. Secretary of Education and Pluralsight board member Arne Duncan, and former First Lady Michelle Obama. Early bird registration for Pluralsight LIVE 2018 begins now for $899. For more details on Pluralsight LIVE and to watch speakers from last year's conference, visit pluralsightlive.com. 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. Media Contacts Pluralsight PR DJ Anderson VP, Communications [email protected] Mariangel Babbel Director, Communications [email protected] Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/405106/Pluralsight_Logo.jpg Related Links https://www.pluralsight.com SOURCE Pluralsight The Honor 9 Lite is distinguished by its ultra-thin, sleek and stylish look, and brought to life by an exquisitely designed 2.5D glass back that shimmers like a diamond. Beautiful both inside out, the Honor 9 Lite features two dual-lens 13MP + 2MP cameras on both the front and rear. These are complemented by an upgraded, customizable and in-depth beautification feature that is perfect for capturing your individuality. Powered by the latest EMUI 8.0 update, the Face Unlock function is also available on the Honor 9 Lite for an all-new and improved user experience. Praise received for the Honor 9 Lite: Android Authority, a US-based international top-tier technology news blog, gave the Honor 9 Lite an impressive score of 8.3 out of 10, saying it is "four lenses on a budget". Android Authority commended the stunning design of the Honor 9 Lite, saying it "feels more premium than any other metal unibody phone in its price segment and stands out in a crowd". ZDNet, an international business technology news publication, gave the Honor 9 Lite an outstanding and excellent score of 8.5 out of 10, awarding the phone the title of "Leader of the affordable Android pack" on February 20, 2018. Honor prides itself on being accessible for a younger generation and in recognition of the Honor 9 Lite's accessibility ZDNet said it "sets a new high bar for the GBP200 price point, making it the affordable Android handset to beat". Top UK-based technology publication Tech Advisor recommended Honor 9 Lite, giving an expert rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars. In view of the price, of just GBP199, the 18:9 screen, Android Oreo and no less than four cameras, Tech Advisor said, "(the Honor 9 Lite is) one of the cheapest phones around to offer an 18:9 screen with a bezel-free design". Stuff, one of the world's best-selling technology gadget magazine, offered a perfect score of 5 stars for the Honor 9 Lite on March 9, 2018. Citing its quad cameras, an 18:9 screen and a glass back, Stuff named the Honor 9 Lite "a total steal for under GBP200" and "one of the best budget phones to buy". As an innovative and trend-setting brand loved by the young generation, Honor unveiled its first-ever fashion partnership with a fashion designer brand KOCHE during Paris Fall/Winter Fashion Week in February. Designated for Honor 9 Lite, they co-created a one-of-a-kind and all-round integration between technology and fashion and reinforced their trendy statement for the latest stylish quad-lens smartphone. Honor overseas sales doubled in January to April 2018 compared with the same period of 2017. Followed by its overwhelming support across the world, the Honor 9 Lite has set a number of sales records on Flipkart, becoming the site's best-selling product in India. The Honor 9 Lite also sold out within minutes during its first flash sale, winning the Top 10 Best Seller on Tiki within one month in Vietnam. Consumers can purchase Honor 9 Lite online at: www.hihonor.com. About Honor Honor is a leading smartphone e-brand. In line with its slogan, "For the Brave", the brand was created to meet the needs of digital natives through internet-optimized products that offer superior user experiences, inspire action, foster creativity and empower the young to achieve their dreams. In doing this, Honor has set itself apart by showcasing its own bravery to do things differently and to take the steps needed to usher in the latest technologies and innovations for its customers. For more information, please visit Honor online at www.hihonor.com or follow us on: https://www.facebook.com/honorglobal/ https://twitter.com/Honorglobal https://www.instagram.com/honorglobal/ https://www.youtube.com/honorglobal Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/688289/Honor.jpg Related Links http://www.hihonor.com SOURCE Honor MUMBAI, May 8, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Hon'ble Governor of Maharashtra, Shri C. Vidyasagar Rao , Chief Guest addressed the august audience, lauds CREDAI-MCHI's role in the process of nation-building Hon'ble State Cabinet Minister of Housing, Shri Prakash Mehta , Hon'ble State Industries Minister Shri Subhash Desai and Hon'ble Member of Legislative Assembly Shri Mangal Prabhat Lodha presented the coveted Awards "CREDAI-MCHI rendering unparalleled services to the real estate industry," Mayur Shah , President, CREDAI-MCHI The prime awards of the real estate industry had a thunderous opening, which had all the makings of the biggest and brightest awards Ceremony of the industry. The impressive line up of who's who from the government and industry, across the spectrum, spoke volumes about the strength of Golden Pillar, leaving the august audience with several sensational moments. (Photo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/688376/Golden_Pillar_Awards_2018.jpg ) (Photo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/678739/CREDAI_MCHI_Golden_Pillar_Awards.jpg ) Anchoring by celebrities Mandira Bedi, Aman Varma and exuberant Ritvik Dhanjani was an interesting concoction of grace, wit and excitement. Dome @ NSCI was packed to the full capacity with 1,500+ guests, comprising of top executives of Banks, HFCs, IPCs, Educational Institutes, Architectural Firms, International brands and allied industry players, thus representing the entire spectrum of the real estate industry. Amidst gracious presence of His Excellency, Governor of Maharashtra, Shri C. Vidyasagar Rao, Shri Prakash Mehta, State Cabinet Minister of Housing, Govt. of Maharashtra and Shri Subhash Desai, Minister of industry and First Lady of the State, Mrs Amruta Devendra Fadnavis at the first awards ceremony by CREDAI-MCHI witnessed several eclectic moments. In his address to real estate fraternity, Hon'ble Governor Shri C. Vidyasagar Rao said, "In the gathering comprising of celebrated personnel from the real estate industry, I would like to congratulate your role in building cities & smart cities and thereby contributing to the process of nation building and CREDAI-MCHI for instituting Golden Pillar Awards for honouring excellence in various fields associated with real estate." For the first time ever, the real estate industry invited a 'People's choice award' which saw the nominees trying their best to promote the activity leading to a viral trend on the day of the event. The website saw over one lac votes. The award was conceptualised by AGENCY09, who were the on-board digital agency for the event. The presence of I.A.S. officers Mr. Ajoy Mehta, MCGM Commissioner, Dr. Malini Shankar, Director General Shipping, Govt. of Maharashtra, Shri S.S. Sandhu, Additional Chief Secretary, Cooperation, Govt. of Maharashtra, Mr. Gautam Chatterjee, Chairman, MahaRERA and Dr. Vijay Satbir Singh, I.A.S. (Retd.) Member, MahaRERA at the biggest real estate awards ceremony was another feather in the cap. Mr. Jaxay Shah, President, CREDAI National and Mr. Getamber Anand, Chairman, CREDAI were present on the occasion along with the managing committee members of CREDAI-MCHI. Mr. Mayur Shah, President, CREDAI-MCHI, said: "MCHI is one of the oldest associations rendering unparalleled services to the real estate industry and all other stakeholders for more than 30 years, thus touching upon lives of millions of Mumbaikars providing housing and workplaces for decades. With Golden Pillar Awards, we are celebrating excellence in the entire spectrum of the real estate industry and this is the ultimate recognition of the efforts put in by the industry players." Mr. S. B. Nahar, Chairman, Awards Committee, CREDAI - MCHI, said, "The awards are the culmination of a dream to celebrate excellence in real estate industry." The awards were presented across all encompassing and most comprehensive categories in the entire spectrum of real estate sector. Mrs Amruta Fadnavis gave away 'Women Achiever of the Year' award and appreciated the efforts made by developers in creating the Mumbai of today. Mr. Rajnikant Ajmera, Chairman, Ajmera Group and Past President, CREDAI-MCHI was bestowed with coveted 'Lifetime Achievement of the Year' Award. Renowned sand artist Kaushik in a most outstanding Jugal-Bandi of classical rendition by Vishal Kothari of Indian Idol fame and classic sand art, kept the audience mesmerised. Stand-up artist Dr. Sumedh Shinde had the audience in splits with mimicry of Varun Dhawan, Hrithik Roshan, Aamir Khan and Nawazuddin Siddiqui. Emcee Ritvik Dhanjani, la Film Fare style picked up developers from the audience for some interesting conversations. The performance of Karishma Tanna on the medley of Bollywood melodies added appropriate glamour to the awards. Mr. Domnic Romell, Secretary, CREDAI-MCHI proposed the vote of thanks, said: "Golden Pillar Awards couldn't have got bigger than this." The list of Awardees is in the enclosure for your ready usage. CREDAI MCHI The Golden Pillar Awards 2018 Awards Categories 1 Green Project of the year - Residential - Completed Godrej Platinum(Phase I)-Godrej Construction 2 Green Project of the year - Commercial - Completed L&T Seawoods Grand Central -L&T Seawoods Ltd 3 Iconic Project of the year - Residential - Completed Ahuja Towers - Ahuja Constructions 4 Iconic Project of the year - Commercial - Completed One BKC - Radius Developers 5 Iconic Project of the year - Residential - Under-construction Crescent Bay - L&T Realty 6 Iconic Project of the year - Commercial - Under-construction Neptune Eastern Business District and Parinee-I, Parinee Realty 7 Affordable Project of the year - Residential - Completed Mayfair Vishwaraja - Mayfair Housing 8 Affordable Project of the year - Residential - Under-construction ArihantArshiya - Arihant Superstructure 9 Integrated Township Project of the year - Under-construction Urbania - Rustomjee Co 10 Themed project of the year - Under-construction Kanakia Zen World - Kanakia Spaces 11 Best Amenities project of the year - Mid segment (2 to 5 crs) - Completed Promenade @ the Address - Wadhwa Group 12 Most admired society Re-development project of the year - Completed Supreme Badrinath - Supreme Universal & Neelkanth Regent - Neelkanth Group 13 CSR program of the year Prerna & Sparsh by Kalpataru Ltd 14 Life time achievement award Rajni Ajmera - Ajmera Group 15 Young Turk of Real Estate in MMR Navin Makhija - Wadhwa Group 16 Debutant of the year Ashish Kanakia - Kanakia Group & Harshul Savla - Suvidha Group 17 Women Achiever of the year Poonam Gundecha - Gundecha Group & Geetha Nagu - St Angelos VNCT Ventures 18 Interior designer of the year - Residential Jami Jambusarwala & Associates 19 Interior designer of the year - Commercial Shahen Mistry Architects 20 Real estate Education and Trainers of the year NMIMS 21 Leading real estate project finance company of the year Piramal Finance 22 Leading Home Loans provider of the year SBI 23 Most admired 'Make in India' building material product of the year Supreme Industries 24 Most admired Research & Development work and facility by a building material supplier BASF 25 People's Choice Award Romell Group and Ekta About CREDAI-MCHI The Maharashtra Chamber of Housing Industry (CREDAI-MCHI), formed in 1982, is the most prominent and the recognized body of Real Estate Developers in Mumbai and MMR. CREDAI-MCHI brings together members dealing in Real Estate Development on one common platform to address various issues facing the Industry. With a strong Membership of over 1,800 leading Developers in Mumbai and The CREDAI-MCHI has expanded across MMR, having its own units in Thane, Kalyan -Dombivali, Mira - Virar City, Raigad and Navi Mumbai. Members of CREDAI-MCHI account for 80% of the organized Development of new residential and commercial properties in Mumbai and MMR. Website: http://bit.ly/goldenpillarawards Media Contact: Bienu Vaghela, [email protected], +91-9767141962, CREDAI-MCHI SOURCE CREDAI-MCHI NEW DELHI, May 8, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Conference on Developing World Class Universities in India Expressing serious concern over the state of higher education in the country, experts have suggested the need for urgent academic reforms, quality benchmarking systems and pursuit of international rankings. These observations were made at a day-long Conference on Developing World-class Universities in India: Role of Data Benchmarking organized by the global rankings organisation, Times Higher Education (THE) and the O.P. Jindal Global University (JGU) in New Delhi on 2nd May. Eminent academics deliberated on the importance and impact of benchmarking and global rankings of higher educational institutions and universities in India. It was recognized that a 'mirror' should be held to the education system in the form of rankings which must be 'objective' and the higher educational institutions must look at the reality by looking at rankings regularly. Referring to serious challenges like the availability of adequate resources, qualified faculty and a eco system in the form of favourable policy environment and strong academic leadership, it was emphasized that these issues must be addressed in the quest of Indian universities to enter international rankings. These observations were made at a day-long Conference on 'Developing World-class Universities in India: Role of Data Benchmarking' organized by the global rankings organisation, Times Higher Education (THE) and the O.P. Jindal Global University (JGU) in New Delhi on 2nd May. Eminent academics deliberated on the importance and impact of benchmarking and global rankings of higher educational institutions and universities in India. In his inaugural address, Professor (Dr) Deepak Nayyar, Emeritus Professor of Economics, Jawaharlal Nehru University and former Vice-Chancellor, University of Delhi, highlighted systemic flaws which stifled excellence in the higher education. Calling for innovative structures of governance, he emphasized the appointment of competent persons as Vice Chancellors who have the courage to stand up. Quoting a former Chief Justice of India, Justice J.S. Verma, he said, "A good Vice Chancellor is one who does not have a past and who does not want a future." Dr. Nayyar also stressed the importance of working on the fundamental issues of education while addressing structural and operational gaps, local needs and provisioning of equal opportunities for all before focussing on higher rankings. "We need to boost the quality of education, create exemplary academic institutions on par with global counterparts. IITs and IIMs have met global standards, but there is still a need to provide qualitative opportunities to other institutions at large. This will eventually create more opportunities for the masses," asserted Prof (Dr) Deepak Nayyar. In his welcome address, Professor (Dr) C Raj Kumar, Founding Vice Chancellor, O.P. Jindal Global University (JGU) underscored the need to strengthen internal mechanisms in Indian universities for improving quality. "Posterity will not forgive us if we do not strengthen current internal mechanisms, which is expected of us by the society at large." This year, Dr. Raj Kumar pointed out that seven Chinese universities have made it to the list of top 200 Universities in the world by focussing on research and attracting massive funding and they also contributed to increase of GDP and thereby to nation-building. India has an opportunity and the current reforms relating to autonomy and the institutions of eminence, if pursued in the right spirit has the potential to help Indian build world class universities in the future. Professor (Dr) Sushma Yadav, Member, University Grants Commission, Professor, Indian Institute of Public Administration, said, "India is progressing towards developing world-class universities and intends to create and nurture 20 public and private world-class universities, which will consciously improve their position in the global higher educational rankings. Despite a competitive world, we don't wish to join the rankings bandwagon before adequately addressing the demands of our populace. Emerging economies like ours need educational reforms and resolving of issues at the fundamental level. Data plays a pivotal role in accomplishing this. We need to interpret data for public good and be mindful of basic issues affecting the nation." Mr Trevor Barratt, CEO, Times Higher Education (THE) opined that global benchmarking powers reputation, strengthens research and derives quality. Multiple factors and processes such as performance data from universities as well as reputation and bibliometric data from academics are assessed before compiling the world university rankings. More than 1,457 institutions have submitted their data, while 3,513 universities have voted for it and 63 million citations analysed for 2018. Elaborating on the rise of China with many of its higher educational institutions entering the global rankings, he emphasised that Indian institutions need to evolve. "China has increased its funding for education 360 times in 31 years and now stands at 3.2 billion. While China will have 37.4 million enrolments of students by 2020 - in the 18-22 age group - India will have 27.8 million students," Mr Trevor Barratt stated. Mr Phil Baty, Editorial Director, Times Higher Education, mentioned that institutions wishing to succeed via benchmarking and rankings should have a robust proportion of foreign or foreign-qualified faculty, a reasonably healthy mix of domestic and foreign students, and a faculty-to-student ratio not less than 1:20. He highlighted the importance of a good teacher-student ratio of 1:10. "Educational institutions should engage in applied research and innovation through strong financial support. They should pursue research collaborations and promote a culture encouraging faculty members to publish regularly," noted Mr Baty. He also presented the trajectory underlining India's growth in rankings from a global standpoint. Terming rankings and benchmarking as 'a role model here to stay', Mr Francisco Marmolejo, Global Lead of Tertiary Education at the World Bank stated that improving the quality of higher education institutions is a global responsibility and it is necessary to explore new ways of working together. "Rankings and benchmarking are an inspiration for institutions engaged in change. This concept has captured the imagination of key stakeholders such as parents, students, faculty members, companies and governments. This promotes quality with recognition of the value of education and competition among institutions, inculcating a sense of pride, recognition, prestige and status," Mr Francisco Marmolejo contended. He declared that government policies may have unrealistic ambitions, often fuelled by political motives and so assumptions could be drawn that world-class universities can be created by decree. Dr Jagdish Arora, Director, INFLIBNET, Gandhinagar, discussed the National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF). The NIRF outlines a methodology in ranking institutions in India. Speaking at the session, 'Global Data Benchmarking and India's National Ambitions', he said the methodology draws from the overall recommendations of a core committee set up by the Ministry of HRD, Government of India, identifying the broad parameters for ranking various universities and institutions. The parameters broadly cover teaching, learning and resources, research and professional practices, graduation outcomes, outreach and inclusivity and perception. Professor (Dr) N V Varghese, Vice Chancellor, National Institute of Educational Planning and Administration, (NIEPA), New Delhi, claimed that rankings have acquired a level of obsession among institutions. While this practice has succeeded in some countries, in many others it hasn't. Speaking at the session, 'India's Imagination of World-class Universities', Prof (Dr) N V Varghese noted, "China is an example of adopting a fast-track model in gaining rankings for its higher educational institutions and India is adopting a similar approach. We need to work on student-teacher ratio, which is lopsided across most Indian universities, except for a few private ones that promise a decent ratio." Professor (Dr) Sunaina Singh, Vice Chancellor, Nalanda University, Rajgir (Bihar), stressed that before a student is enrolled in a higher educational institution, s/he should be exposed to exemplary school education, which remains a daunting challenge for India. Speaking at the session, 'India's Imagination of World-class Universities', Prof (Dr) Sunaina Singh commented, "To create global institutions, we need excellent resources, including talented teachers, researchers and students. The Government should allocate sizeable funds for research, providing contract research from public organizations and private entities and earnings from endowments, gifts and tuition fees. Besides freedom, autonomy and leadership are other factors that help in making an institution world-class." Professor (Dr) Rupamanjari Ghosh, Vice-Chancellor, Shiv Nadar University, said: "India is emerging as a key driver of the knowledge economy. Our aspirations as a nation and the rising concern of education policy-makers vest with improving higher education standards, which need to be revisited, evaluated and addressed." University rankings often bring much-needed change and invigorate the system. Speaking at the session, 'Global Data Benchmarking and India's National Ambitions', Prof (Dr) Ghosh expressed concern that the rankings system may reduce and narrow diversity, innovation and excellence, which needs to be assessed. Professor (Dr) Saumen Chattopadhyay, Professor and Chairperson, Zakir Hussain Centre for Educational Studies, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi, spoke about the role of rankings in higher educational institutions. Speaking at the session, 'Global Data Benchmarking and India's National Ambitions', Prof (Dr) Saumen Chattopadhyay explained, "The best faculty and best students are at the core of every leading university. The rankings must ensure that horizontal diversity is not undermined while various parameters are evaluated and assessed, based on the needs of the institutions that are crucial to social and economic requirements." In concluding remarks, Professor (Dr) Y S R Murthy, Registrar, JGU and Senior Fellow, IIHEd underlined the need to create quality consciousness in the higher educational institutions. He also welcomed many important suggestions that emerged at the Conference which include, among others, metrics like student employability, social outreach, diversity of revenue sources and university social responsibilities and discipline that educational institutions need to meet in making a mark globally. Professor (Dr) P Prakash, Vice Chancellor, SRM University, Delhi-NCR, Sonipat, Professor (Dr) Ranbir Singh, Vice Chancellor, National Law University, Delhi and Mr Kavit Yagnik, Research Solutions Manager, South East Asia and ANZ, Elsevier/Scopus were among many experts who addressed the Conference. A 'Master-class on rankings methodology was conducted by Times Higher Education' led by Mr. Phil Baty, Editorial Director. Dr. Furqan Qamar, Secretary General, Association of Indian Universities also addressed the gathering. THE's mission is to help create the conditions and ambience to fuel the success of universities by providing them with data and insights from the world's top universities. For five decades, THE has been a leading provider of data, insights and intelligence on higher education. In India, THE has ranked 42 higher educational institutions and universities. About O.P. Jindal Global University O.P. Jindal Global University (JGU) is a non-profit global university established by the Government of Haryana and recognised by the University Grants Commission (UGC). JGU was established as a philanthropic initiative of its Founding Chancellor, Mr. Naveen Jindal in memory of his father, Mr. O.P. Jindal. JGU has been awarded the highest grade 'A' by the National Accreditation & Assessment Council (NAAC). JGU is one of the few universities in Asia that maintains a 1:13 faculty-student ratio and appoints faculty members from India and different parts of the world with outstanding academic qualifications and experience. JGU is a research intensive university, which is deeply committed to its core institutional values of interdisciplinarity and innovative pedagogy; pluralism and rigorous scholarship; and globalism and international engagement. JGU has established eight schools: Jindal Global Law School (JGLS), Jindal Global Business School (JGBS), Jindal School of International Affairs (JSIA), Jindal School of Government and Public Policy (JSGP), Jindal School of Liberal Arts & Humanities (JSLH), Jindal School of Journalism & Communication (JSJC), Jindal School of Art & Architecture (JSAA) and Jindal School of Banking & Finance (JSBF). Media Contact: Devadeep Konwar [email protected] +91-7027850344 Assistant Director, Communication and Public Affairs O.P. Jindal Global University SOURCE O.P. Jindal Global University The leader made the pledge when receiving a letter of credentials presented by Vietnamese Ambassador to Mexico Nguyen Hoai Duong in Mexico City on May 7. He spoke highly of the achievements that Vietnam has gained in more than 30 years of renewal, while highlighting the huge potential for bilateral cooperation. The President also expressed his belief that Ambassador Duong will have a successful working tenure in Mexico. For his part, the Vietnamese Ambassador vowed to do his utmost to foster the friendship and multi-faceted collaboration between Vietnam and Mexico. He said he believes that the multi-faceted cooperation will grow further, based on the current positive relations, particularly since the meeting between the Presidents of the two countries within the framework of the APEC Economic Leaders Week in Vietnams Da Nang City in November 2017 and after the two countries sign and ratify the CPTPP. Vietnam and Mexico set up diplomatic ties on May 19, 1975 and two-way trade between the countries has enjoyed an average annual growth of around 10%, standing at over US$5 billion in 2017. PUNE, India, May 8, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- The report "Packaging Resins Market by Type (LDPE, PP, HDPE, PET, PS, PVC), Application (Food & Beverage, Consumer Goods, Healthcare, Industrial), and Region (North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Middle East & Africa, and South America) - Global Forecast to 2022", published by MarketsandMarkets, the market is estimated at USD 192.17 Billion in 2017, and is projected to reach USD 277.13 Billion by 2022, at a CAGR of 7.6% from 2017 to 2022. Plastic packaging is replacing traditional packaging types, such as metal cans. Factors, such as increasing consumer preference for convenient packaging, increasing demand from the food & healthcare sectors, ease of use, and lightweight nature drive the demand for plastic packaging, which are thereby expected to drive the Packaging Resins Market. (Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/660509/MarketsandMarkets_Logo.jpg ) Browse 69 market data Tables and 33 Figures spread through 124 Pages and in-depth TOC on "Packaging Resins Market" https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/Market-Reports/packaging-resins-market-89167175.html Early buyers will receive 10% customization on this report Among types, the LDPE segment led the packaging resins in 2016 LDPE is projected to be the largest segment of the Packaging Resins Market, owing to its excellent properties, such as flexibility, moisture barrier, toughness, chemical resistance, lightweight, low cost, and heat sealing. In addition, increasing demand for applications, such as squeezable tubes and bottles, bags and wrappers for food packaging is expected to drive the market during the forecast period. Get PDF Brochure @ https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/pdfdownload.asp?id=89167175 Among applications, the food & beverage segment is expected to lead the Packaging Resins Market during the forecast period Food & beverage is the largest application segment of the Packaging Resins Market. Plastic packaging of food & beverage products reduces the possibility of product contamination and also protects products from environmental factors, such as moisture, gas, light, and temperature. These factors are expected to drive the demand for packaging resins in the food & beverage sector. The Packaging Resins Market in the Asia Pacific is projected to grow at the highest CAGR during the forecast period Asia Pacific is the largest and the fastest-growing market for packaging resins due to the rising demand from the food & beverage industry in the region. In addition to this, the increasing population in these countries presents a significant customer base for FMCG products and food & beverages, which in turn is expected to lead to the growth of the Packaging Resins Market. Key players in the Packaging Resins Market Key players in the Packaging Resins Market are ExxonMobil Corporation (US), Sinopec Corporation (China), LyondellBasell Industries Holdings B.V. (Netherlands), SABIC (Saudi Arabia), PetroChina Company Ltd. (China), and DowDupont Inc. (US). These companies undertake dynamic business strategies to sustain their growth in the Packaging Resins Market. Know more about Packaging Resins Market: https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/Market-Reports/packaging-resins-market-89167175.html About MarketsandMarkets MarketsandMarkets provides quantified B2B research on 30,000 high growth niche opportunities/threats which will impact 70% to 80% of worldwide companies' revenues. Currently servicing 5000 customers worldwide including 80% of global Fortune 1000 companies as clients. Almost 75,000 top officers across eight industries worldwide approach MarketsandMarkets for their painpoints around revenues decisions. Our 850 fulltime analyst and SMEs at MarketsandMarkets are tracking global high growth markets following the "Growth Engagement Model - GEM". The GEM aims at proactive collaboration with the clients to identify new opportunities, identify most important customers, write "Attack, avoid and defend" strategies, identify sources of incremental revenues for both the company and its competitors. MarketsandMarkets now coming up with 1,500 MicroQuadrants (Positioning top players across leaders, emerging companies, innovators, strategic players) annually in high growth emerging segments. MarketsandMarkets is determined to benefit more than 10,000 companies this year for their revenue planning and help them take their innovations/disruptions early to the market by providing them research ahead of the curve. MarketsandMarkets's flagship competitive intelligence and market research platform, "Knowledge Store" connects over 200,000 markets and entire value chains for deeper understanding of the unmet insights along with market sizing and forecasts of niche markets. Contact: Mr. Salgarkar MarketsandMarkets INC. 630 Dundee Road Suite 430 Northbrook, IL 60062 USA: +1-888-600-6441 Email: [email protected] Visit Our Blog: http://www.marketsandmarketsblog.com/market-reports/chemical Connect with us on LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/company/marketsandmarkets SOURCE MarketsandMarkets PUNE, India, May 8, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- According to a new market research report "Permanent Magnet Motor Market by Type (PMAC, PMDC, and Brushless DC), Power Rating (Up to 25 kW, 25-100 kW, 100-300 kW, and 300 kW & Above), End-User (Industrial, Commercial & Residential, and Healthcare), and Region - Global Forecast to 2023", published by MarketsandMarkets, the global market is expected to grow from an estimated market size of USD 29.50 Billion in 2018 to USD 45.13 Billion by 2023, at a CAGR of 8.87%, from 2018 to 2023. The global market is set to witness a significant growth because of the increasing implementation of permanent magnet motors across industries. Growing robotics technology presents a significant opportunity for the Permanent Magnet Motor Market. (Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/660509/MarketsandMarkets_Logo.jpg ) Browse 65 Tables and 40 Figures spread through 137 Pages and in-depth TOC on "Permanent Magnet Motor Market" https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/Market-Reports/permanent-magnet-motor-market-218887711.html Early buyers will receive 10% customization on this report Permanent Magnet AC Motor: The largest segment, by type, during the forecast period The permanent magnet AC motor segment is expected to hold the majority share of the Permanent Magnet Motor Market during the forecast period. Growing investment in consumer electronics and government initiatives to promote the use of energy-efficient motors are the major factors driving the Permanent Magnet Motor Market in the Asia Pacific region. The Asian market players, such as Yaskawa, Nidec, Toshiba Corporation, and Johnson Electric are involved in the manufacturing of permanent magnet AC motors. These factors have resulted in the highest market share of the permanent magnet AC motor segment in the Permanent Magnet Motor Market. Ask for PDF Brochure @ https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/pdfdownload.asp?id=218887711 The up to 25 kW segment accounts for the largest share of the Permanent Magnet Motor Market, by power rating, during the forecast period The up to 25 kW segment is expected to be the largest market, by power rating, from 2018 to 2023. The factors driving the market for permanent magnet motors ranging up to 25 kW include vast implementation of these permanent magnet motors in textile, pulp & paper, medical devices, aerospace, robotics, window shutters, air conditioners, door shutters, and electrical vehicles. Asia Pacific: The fastest-growing market for permanent magnet motor In this report, the Permanent Magnet Motor Market has been analyzed on the basis of five regions, namely, Asia Pacific, North America, Europe, and the Middle East & Africa. The Permanent Magnet Motor Market in Asia Pacific is driven by countries such as China, India, Japan, and Australia. Asia Pacific has economies with increasing industrial & manufacturing sectors, automotive, consumer electronics, chemicals and processing, and paper & pulp. The demand for permanent magnet motors in these sectors is driven by rapid industrialization, rising population, and urbanization. Countries such as China and Japan have implemented energy efficiency standards to save electricity consumption. This drives the market for permanent magnet motors. Governments of major economies in Asia Pacific promote the use of energy-efficient motors in order to save electricity. This drives the market for permanent magnet motors in Asia Pacific. To enable an in-depth understanding of the competitive landscape, the report includes the profiles of some of the key players in the Permanent Magnet Motor Market. These include GE (US), Siemens (Germany), ABB (Switzerland), Toshiba Corporation (Japan), and Emerson (US). The leading players are trying to establish themselves in the markets in developing economies and are adopting various strategies to increase their market shares. Know more about the Permanent Magnet Motor Market: https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/Market-Reports/permanent-magnet-motor-market-218887711.html About MarketsandMarkets MarketsandMarkets provides quantified B2B research on 30,000 high growth niche opportunities/threats which will impact 70% to 80% of worldwide companies' revenues. Currently servicing 5000 customers worldwide including 80% of global Fortune 1000 companies as clients. Almost 75,000 top officers across eight industries worldwide approach MarketsandMarkets for their painpoints around revenues decisions. Our 850 fulltime analyst and SMEs at MarketsandMarkets are tracking global high growth markets following the "Growth Engagement Model - GEM". The GEM aims at proactive collaboration with the clients to identify new opportunities, identify most important customers, write "Attack, avoid and defend" strategies, identify sources of incremental revenues for both the company and its competitors. MarketsandMarkets now coming up with 1,500 MicroQuadrants (Positioning top players across leaders, emerging companies, innovators, strategic players) annually in high growth emerging segments. MarketsandMarkets is determined to benefit more than 10,000 companies this year for their revenue planning and help them take their innovations/disruptions early to the market by providing them research ahead of the curve. MarketsandMarkets's flagship competitive intelligence and market research platform, "Knowledge Store" connects over 200,000 markets and entire value chains for deeper understanding of the unmet insights along with market sizing and forecasts of niche markets. Contact: Mr. Salgarkar MarketsandMarkets INC. 630 Dundee Road Suite 430 Northbrook, IL 60062 USA: +1-888-600-6441 Email: [email protected] Visit Our Blog: http://www.marketsandmarketsblog.com/market-reports/energy-and-power Connect with us on LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/company/marketsandmarkets SOURCE MarketsandMarkets PUNE, India, May 8, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- The report "Pet Food Ingredient Market by Ingredient (Cereals, Meat & Meat Products, Vegetables, Fruits, Fats, and Additives), Source (Animal-based, Plant-based, and Synthetic), Pet (Dog, Cat, and Fish), Form (Dry and Liquid), and Region - Global Forecast to 2023", published by MarketsandMarkets, the market is estimated at USD 34.96 Billion in 2018 and is projected to reach a value of USD 45.44 Billion by 2023, at a CAGRs of 5.4%. The market is driven by factors such as increasing pet population and pet humanization. The major players in the food industry are investing in research & development activities to develop innovative pet food ingredients, along with engagement in expansion activities of their production facilities and geographic expansion through strategic acquisitions to strengthen their production capabilities and increase their product portfolio. (Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/660509/MarketsandMarkets_Logo.jpg ) Browse 95 market data Tables and 47 Figures spread through 176 Pages and in-depth TOC on "Pet Food Ingredient Market" https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/Market-Reports/global-pet-food-and-care-products-market-147.html Early buyers will receive 10% customization on this report The meat & meat products segment accounted for the largest share of the Pet Food Ingredients Market in 2017. On the basis of the ingredient, meat & meat products accounted for the largest share of the Pet Food Ingredients Market in 2017, followed by cereals. Meat & meal products form a key source of proteins, which are an essential nutritional requirement in the development of pets. Majority of meat & meat products are by products of food products manufactured for human consumption, and thus prove to be an economical solution for pet food manufacturers. Along with being cost-effective, meat & meat products enhance the palatability and acceptability of pet food. These factors have fueled the growth of this segment. Ask for PDF Brochure @ https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/pdfdownload.asp?id=147 The dog segment accounted for the largest market share in the Pet Food Ingredients Market in 2017. Among all the pets, the dog segment accounted for the largest market share in 2017. The growing demand for dog food in developed as well developing countries such as China is one of the driving factors for the large market share of the dog segment. Emerging markets such as China present a positive outlook for the dog food market, with the dog population outnumbering the cat population, the rise in popularity of dogs as pets, the established e-commerce sector, and high dog ownership rates in the urban cities of China. A majority of European and North American countries have been following the premiumization trend and are feeding their dogs with high-quality dog food. With multinational dog food manufacturers capitalizing on this trend and strengthening their presence in emerging markets such as China and Brazil, the market for dog food ingredients is projected to grow at a steady rate. These factors have accelerated the growth of this segment. The dry segment accounted for the larger market share among the two forms of pet food ingredients in 2017. On the basis of form, the dry form of pet food ingredients accounted for a larger market share. Dry ingredients are used in pet food on a large scale, and their popularity can be attributed to their cost-effective nature and low moisture content, which facilitates convenient handling during processing and storage. As opposed to animal-based ingredients such as fresh meat, which have a higher moisture content, meat meal, being dehydrated, is more concentrated and economical than the former. Due to these factors, the market for the dry form of pet food ingredients accounted for the larger share. North America dominated the Pet Food Ingredients Market in 2017. North America accounted for the largest market share in 2017. The Pet Food Ingredients Market is consolidated in North America and dominated by several companies such as ADM, Cargill, Ingredion, SunOpta, DowDuPont, Darling Ingredients, and Kemin. In North American countries such as the US and Canada, the Pet Food Ingredients Market is driven by the expansion of production plants of leading companies and acquisitions to meet the rising demand from the pet food industry. These factors have fueled the growth of the Pet Food Ingredients Market in the North American region. This report includes a study of marketing and development strategies, along with the product portfolios of the leading companies. It includes profiles of leading companies such Archer Daniels Midland Company (US), Koninklijke DSM N.V. (Netherlands), Cargill, Incorporated (US), BASF SE (Germany), Ingredion Incorporated (US), Roquette Freres (France), SunOpta (Canada), Darling Ingredients Inc. (US), Omega Protein Corporation (US), DowDuPont Inc. (US), Kemin Industries, Inc. (US), InVivo (France), and John Pointon & Sons Ltd. (UK). Know more about the Pet Food Ingredients Market: https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/Market-Reports/global-pet-food-and-care-products-market-147.html About MarketsandMarkets MarketsandMarkets provides quantified B2B research on 30,000 high growth niche opportunities/threats which will impact 70% to 80% of worldwide companies' revenues. Currently servicing 5000 customers worldwide including 80% of global Fortune 1000 companies as clients. Almost 75,000 top officers across eight industries worldwide approach MarketsandMarkets for their painpoints around revenues decisions. Our 850 fulltime analyst and SMEs at MarketsandMarkets are tracking global high growth markets following the "Growth Engagement Model - GEM". The GEM aims at proactive collaboration with the clients to identify new opportunities, identify most important customers, write "Attack, avoid and defend" strategies, identify sources of incremental revenues for both the company and its competitors. MarketsandMarkets now coming up with 1,500 MicroQuadrants (Positioning top players across leaders, emerging companies, innovators, strategic players) annually in high growth emerging segments. MarketsandMarkets is determined to benefit more than 10,000 companies this year for their revenue planning and help them take their innovations/disruptions early to the market by providing them research ahead of the curve. MarketsandMarkets's flagship competitive intelligence and market research platform, "Knowledge Store" connects over 200,000 markets and entire value chains for deeper understanding of the unmet insights along with market sizing and forecasts of niche markets. Contact: Mr. Salgarkar MarketsandMarkets INC. 630 Dundee Road Suite 430 Northbrook, IL 60062 USA: +1-888-600-6441 Email: [email protected] Visit Our Blog: http://www.marketsandmarketsblog.com/market-reports/agriculture-industry Connect with us on LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/company/marketsandmarkets SOURCE MarketsandMarkets MUMBAI, May 8, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- SPJIMR's prestigious Post Graduate Programme in Management (PGPM) will host a wide range of industry leaders and professionals for a series of five conclaves on May 18 and 19 centered around the theme 'Going Digital: Changing the way of doing business'. (Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20160817/398834 ) The conclave series called 'Samavesh' is an annual event led by the PGPM students and hosted on the SPJIMR campus. Over the years, 'Samavesh' has grown to become a significant industry engagement platform that brings together industry and academia to help exchange ideas, share best practices and learn from each other. 'Samavesh' is a platform where practice meets theory. Business leaders bring in practical knowledge and academics comes in with theoretical frameworks, a confluence that can open new avenues of learning and growth. The five conclaves planned this year are Consulting, Information Management, Finance, Marketing and the Operations & Supply Chain. Each conclave will discuss how digitalisation is making an impact on business today, how business models are changing and the likely way in which these changes will play out in the future. The first day of 'Samavesh', May 18, will see the inaugural Consulting Conclave around the theme 'Consulting Opportunities in the Digital Era'. The Information Management Conclave will explore the various dimensions of the theme 'Digital Disruptions Leading to Innovation in Business Models'. The topic for the Finance Conclave, the last conclave on the first day, is 'Opportunities and Challenges in the Evolving Financial Landscape'. May 19 will open with the Operations & Supply Chain conclave around the theme: 'Transforming the Supply Chain in Industry 4.0', also referred to as 'the fourth industrial revolution', which will discuss aspects of disruptive changes of digitalisation in the supply chain industry. The final conclave on Marketing with the theme 'Digital Marketing: Is it the End of Traditional way of Doing Business?' will delve in the different facets of digital technology revolutionising conventional marketing approaches. Prof. Prem Chandrani, Chairperson, PGPM, said, "'Samavesh' has reached a position now in the ecosystem where people respect it. This student driven initiative is not only a highlight of the PGPM programme, but also an event that is looked forward to by practitioners from industry. We look forward to welcoming business leaders and professionals and hope to drive meaningful conversations in what will surely be an action packed weekend on the SPJIMR campus, full of new insights and learnings." About SPJIMR S.P. Jain Institute of Management & Research (SPJIMR) (http://www.spjimr.org) is a constituent of the Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan and is ranked among the top ten business schools of India. As a premier school of management, SPJIMR is noted for pedagogic innovations and pioneering programmes, which have helped the Institute stand out for its unique and distinctive path in management education. SPJIMR's mission is to 'influence practice' and 'promote value-based growth'. The Institute currently operates from its 45-acre campus in Andheri, Mumbai, and a campus in New Delhi. To avoid confusing us with any other institution, look for the five strokes logo and the Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan association. Media Contact: Prof. Abbasali Gabula, [email protected] +91-9821362495 Deputy Director (External Relations & Administration) S.P. Jain Institute of Management & Research SOURCE SP Jain Institute of Management & Research GCI's strong merchant network and successful track record will allow Swych's Global Gifting network to expand faster into the South Asian gifting and loyalty market PLANO, Texas, May 8, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Swych, Inc., the pioneer of the revolutionary Swych digital gifting platform, and the world's first global gifting network, today announced the acquisition of Mumbai-based Gift Cards India (GCI Network Pvt. Ltd). Founded in 2011 by Firoz Khan and Cory York, GCI has successfully operated a robust aggregation and distribution network for gift cards and has been serving millions of consumers, enterprises, loyalty platforms and wallet operators in the Indian market. GCI has become well known in the market for providing consumers and businesses with a reliable, efficient and high-quality source of the widest selection of gift products from over 250 of the top brands in India. With this acquisition, Swych is extending its leadership position as the only connected digital global network making gifting truly borderless between consumers who might be thousands of miles apart. The unique power of the Swych digital gifting technology combined with GCI's South Asia expertise and established partnerships will also bring borderless digital gifting to businesses, digital wallets, loyalty platforms, financial institutions and others wherein the recipient of a gift can "Swych" it to spend it at their favorite brand across a global catalog. "Digital gifting is an increasingly powerful engagement tool for retailers to attract consumers via offers, for consumers to gift their loved one on a special moment, for businesses to reward employees, and as a redemption method for loyalty points and miles. GCI's track record for all these use cases and innovation in the Indian market has been impressive," said Deepak Jain, Swych founder and CEO. "By integrating GCI's presence and expertise with the powerful Swych platform, we aim to greatly accelerate our mission of becoming a truly global digital gifting powerhouse." According to Firoz Khan, GCI Network's founder and CEO, "The synergy between GCI Network and Swych further supports the mission of bringing borderless gifting services to consumers across multiple markets. We now provide even greater options, brands and flexibility of delivery to our customer base." Swych continues to add innovative services and features to delight customers and remains committed to continued innovative offerings via an ever expanding global coverage and technology advancements in fraud management, artificial intelligence, bots and data analytics that make the Swych network the most powerful global gifting and shopping network on the planet. This network now features retailers in the United States, India, United Kingdom and Australia, with planned expansion to include popular retailers in Europe, Middle East, Canada, Japan, Colombia and Philippines. Swych is showcasing its instant digital cross border gifting service between US and India this week at the Finovate Spring 2018 conference in Santa Clara, California. About Swych Swych's patent pending mobile gifting platform enables users to send "swychable" gifts from their mobile device that can be instantly redeemed for electronic gift cards from more than 120 popular brands. Swych users can instantly buy, send, re-gift, upload, Swych and redeem gift cards conveniently from their mobile device. Swych is a private company funded by seasoned angel investors from the banking, financial services, payments, gifting, telecom and enterprise computing space. Swych is headquartered in Plano, Texas, with offices in San Francisco, California, as well as Swych Canada, Inc., in Toronto and Swych International Pvt. Ltd. in Vadodara, India. For more information please visit www.goswych.com. To download the award winning Swych app, visit www.goswych.com/download. Follow us on Twitter @GoSwych, like us on Facebook at fb.com/goswych and follow us on Instagram at instagram.com/goswych. CONTACT: Tracee Beebe, [email protected] Related Links http://www.goswych.com SOURCE Swych LONDON, May 8, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Chubb has announced that it has completed the successful roll out of its Independent Broker Team initiative across the UK and Ireland. Chubb has established six Independent Broker Teams in London, Leeds, Manchester, Birmingham, Glasgow and Ireland each dedicated to working with local Independent Brokers and to providing bespoke insurance solutions for their clients. The Independent Broker Teams are an integral part of Chubb's focus on its UK and Ireland mid-market business which it is developing by providing service-led solutions for brokers and also by offering a more flexible and integrated insurance proposition specifically for mid-market clients. Hannah Hosking, Head of Distribution Independent Brokers UK and Ireland, Chubb said: "Chubb's Independent Broker Teams allow us to work with Independent Brokers in a highly-focused and intuitive way. The teams offer a fixed point of contact which helps us develop much closer relations with these brokers and this in turn also means we are better able to understand and cater for their needs. "We have tried to simplify the process for brokers as much as possible, especially around multiline and more complex specialist requests. Instead of brokers speaking to several different people to get multiple quotes, our Independent Broker Teams coordinate and oversee the entire process. "Brokers feed in their submissions to the teams who come back with one joined up response. This streamlines the process for the broker and also allows us to be much more flexible in terms of the solutions we are able to offer for their clients and this is really important. "Since Chubb established its first Independent Broker Team in October 2017 we have already seen demonstrable results and the feedback from brokers using those teams has been incredible." Note for Editors Hannah Hosking, Head of Distribution Independent Brokers UK and Ireland, Chubb and Sara Mitchell, Head of Corporate Division, UK and Ireland, Chubb, will both be available to talk about Chubb's Independent Broker Team initiative at the BIBA Conference in Manchester. Contact Mike Jones at Chubb (details below) for further information or to arrange an interview. About Chubb Chubb is the world's largest publicly traded property and casualty insurance company. With operations in 54 countries and territories, Chubb provides commercial and personal property and casualty insurance, personal accident and supplemental health insurance, reinsurance and life insurance to a diverse group of clients. As an underwriting company, we assess, assume and manage risk with insight and discipline. We service and pay our claims fairly and promptly. The company is also defined by its extensive product and service offerings, broad distribution capabilities, exceptional financial strength and local operations globally. Parent company Chubb Limited is listed on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE: CB) and is a component of the S&P 500 index. Chubb maintains executive offices in Zurich, New York, London and other locations, and employs approximately 31,000 people worldwide. Additional information can be found at: chubb.com/uk Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/324916/Chubb_Logo.jpg Related Links https://www.chubb.com/uk SOURCE Chubb (Photo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/687782/Clickatell_Touch.jpg ) Clickatell Touch enables live chat across a company's website as well as social platforms (Twitter and Facebook) and mobile apps, bringing customer care and engagement into a single business platform. "Today's consumers expect to engage with your brand on the digital channel of their choosing. They want to message your business and instantly have queries resolved, find the information and services they are looking for, without the need for a voice call. Clickatell's Touch makes that happen with the right level of capabilities for businesses of all sizes," explains Deon van Heerden, Clickatell Engage CEO and Group CFO. Businesses can start using Touch Go immediately, with a free Starter option. Touch Go requires no credit card for sign-up and is fully featured with a simple setup process. It offers customizable branding, a unified chat desk business application as well as reports and analytics. As the business scales up its digital customer care, it can opt-in for the Touch Enterprise offering. Touch Enterprise is designed for scaling up customer care efforts through advanced capabilities including AI driven virtual agents, sentiment analysis, automated workflows, enterprise integrations and in-channel mini-applications. "Customer care has become a defining factor for sustained business success. In an ever-increasing mobile native world, customers often choose to interact digitally, but they also expect to be able to reach a human immediately, should they need. Monitoring multiple channels and providing immediate action becomes challenging with siloed deployments. Touch's unified solution allows businesses of all sizes to provide the customer delight in a simple modular approach," says Nirmal Nair, Clickatell Engage EVP Product & Marketing. Businesses interested in Touch can begin immediately by signing up on the Clickatell website. About Clickatell Founded in 2000, Clickatell is a leader in global mobile messaging, helping businesses connect with their customers. Clickatell is a privately held company headquartered in Silicon Valley, CA with over $12 million in funding led by Sequoia Capital and DAG Ventures. Clickatell has served billions of messages for close to 28,000 customers. Clickatell's customers include market leaders such as Visa, IBM, Avaya, McKinsey & Company and WhatsApp. For more information, please visit https://www.clickatell.com/who-are-we/ SOURCE Clickatell Mobile minutes represent one-fifth to one-third of travel-related minutes, yet reaching mass-market appeal with mobile apps is proving to be a challenge LONDON, May 8, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- comScore today announced it has published its 2018 " EU Travel Report, " which uses multi-platform data from five European countries (France, Germany, Italy, Spain and the UK) to highlight online trends impacting the travel sector, outlining key differences in consumers' behavioural patterns. The UK leads the pack with 94 percent of its digital population visiting travel sites the highest proportion in Europe. In contrast, that figure is 65 percent in Germany. The numbers are 67 percent, 69 percent and 86 percent for France, Italy and Spain, respectively. Compared with desktop, fewer mobile apps have reached mass-market appeal, as defined by audiences with more than one million unique visitors: 12 mobile apps reached that threshold, while 51 desktop sites did so. "'The EU Travel Report' shows that reaching mass-market appeal on mobile apps is a challenge," said Guido Fambach, senior vice president, EMEA at comScore. "Marketers in the travel sector still have to work with different roles of different platforms: information gathering on mobile, transactions on desktop." Insights included in the Report include: In January 2018 , travel spending on desktop computers averaged 350 to 460 euros -per-buyer, depending on the country. , travel spending on desktop computers averaged 350 to -per-buyer, depending on the country. Some site categories perform better in terms of attracting heavy travel site users than others. For example, in the UK and in Germany , weather information sites are 2.7 and 2.4 times, respectively, more likely to attract heavy travel site users. To download a copy of the comScore 2018 "EU Travel Report," please visit www.comscore.com/eu-travel-report About comScore comScore is a leading cross-platform measurement company that measures audiences, brands and consumer behaviour everywhere. Built on precision and innovation, comScore's data footprint combines proprietary digital, TV and movie intelligence with vast demographic details to quantify consumers' multiscreen behaviour at massive scale. This approach helps media companies monetize their complete audiences and allows marketers to reach these audiences more effectively. With more than 3,200 clients and a global footprint in 70 countries, comScore is delivering the future of measurement. Shares of comScore stock are currently traded on the OTC Market (OTC:SCOR). For more information on comScore, please visit comscore.com. Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/327730/comScore_Logo.jpg Related Links https://www.comscore.com/ SOURCE comScore MEDITECH Holdings announces growth into the United Kingdom and Ireland, where it will market Expanse in partnership with MEDITECH US. WESTWOOD, Massachusetts, May 8, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Leading the way in healthcare across the world, MEDITECH Holdings is proud to announce it is expanding its global presence and launching MEDITECH UK in the United Kingdom and Ireland. In partnership with MEDITECH in the United States, MEDITECH UK will deliver Expanse the next-generation, web-based Electronic Patient Record (EPR) platform to customers in the UK and Ireland for the first time. "MEDITECH Holdings is thrilled about the opportunity to exclusively deliver Expanse to our UK and Ireland customers. We are fortifying our presence and amplifying our commitment to their healthcare needs," said Charlotte Jackson, CEO at MEDITECH Holdings. "In addition, with MEDITECH UK, MEDITECH Holdings will have even stronger, more unified control over our strategy and vision in the UK and Ireland markets." This pivotal move demonstrates MEDITECH's commitment to transforming healthcare globally. The company's intuitive EPR platform has been improving care delivery and efficiency for customers in the UK and Ireland for more than 25 years. Now, MEDITECH UK will have a dedicated team of experienced healthcare professionals stationed in the UK to provide sales and support to NHS Trusts, private hospitals, and other facilities across the region. "For nearly 50 years, MEDITECH has been developing, installing, and supporting integrated EPR solutions to meet the evolving information management needs of healthcare organisations worldwide," said Howard Messing, President and CEO at MEDITECH. "We are excited to partner with MEDITECH Holdings in continuing to grow our footprint in the UK and Ireland, and providing our clinically-integrated Expanse solution to meet the needs of the market." MEDITECH Expanse is an integrated, web-based EPR designed for mobile, tablet-based navigation with a familiar web-user interface. Created collaboratively with consultants and clinicians to reduce clicks as well as improve efficiency and productivity, Expanse connects patient care across the spectrum. Featuring customisable clinical workflows and navigation tools, this dynamic platform is revolutionising the way consultants and clinicians work. Heading to UK e-Health Week, May 15-16 at the Olympia Exhibition Centre in London? Learn more about MEDITECH UK and visit us at stand #254. About MEDITECH For over 25 years, MEDITECH has been developing, implementing, and supporting information systems to meet the needs of healthcare organisations throughout the United Kingdom and Ireland. Our integrated and interoperable solutions are based on the evolving needs of our customers and changing trends in the healthcare industry. Today, MEDITECH's solutions empower 2,350+ customers across 23 different countries to provide higher quality care, with greater efficiency, to more people, at a lower cost. Our patient-centred technology spans the healthcare continuum, including unique functional capacity for acute care, emergency services, outpatient care, GP practices, paediatric care, oncology, maternity services, population health, regional pathology services, home health, and community care. Contacts Paul Berthiaume Senior Manager, Marketing Communications MEDITECH 781-774-5742 pberthiaume@meditech.com Liz Carroll Manager, Public Relations and Media Relations MEDITECH 781-774-3297 ecarroll@meditech.com Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/537704/MEDITECH_Logo.jpg Related Links http://www.meditech.com SOURCE MEDITECH (Photo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/687225/Rose_Palhares.jpg ) Taking place from 8 to 19 May in Cote d'Azur, France, the Cannes Film Festival continues to drive the development of cinema, helping celebrate the international film industry. Rose Palhares, as the fashion designer and creator of the Mastercard fashion lounge collection, is back at the festival for the second time at the invitation of the brand. Rose Palhares, General Director and founder of the brand says: "The exclusive collection of the Mastercard fashion lounge at the Cannes Film Festival has a very unique identity, because I was inspired by warm and festive colours and smooth, albeit elaborate and bright, textures. I find that this collection follows a trend of garments that can be transformed and break with traditional precepts, such as long dresses with low necklines and asymmetric slits. Simultaneously, I want silhouettes to pronounce themselves in absolute precision, as they seal values of autonomy, elegance and feminine mutability." She adds: " The sophistication of the collection's 600 items, featuring materials such as lace, sequins, silk, organza and taffeta details may seem unusual, but after all, I like to discover fabrics and their enhanced textures, because my work is not only fashion, I also interpret it as art." The Rose Palhares brand, present in Portugal (an atelier in the heart of the Portuguese capital) and in Angola (on the Island of Luanda), specialises in tailor-made fashion and ready-made clothing, with most African designers following suit. Born in Angola, Rose Palhares also holds Portuguese nationality. She has a degree in Fashion Design from the University of Vale do Itajai, in the Brazilian state of Santa Catarina. She has won several prizes: at the Moda Luanda in 2017 and 2013, and was also described by Vogue Italy in 2016 as the Most Interesting Designer of Angola. Fashion Diva of Angola and Best Designer of the Year in 2017, Rose Palhares was also acclaimed International Designer of the Year at the Angola Fashion Week 2015, Woman of Merit by the GMA-Grupo das Mulheres Africanas (African Women's Group) (in 2016) and "one of five designers to follow closely in the years ahead" by Elle South Africa in 2016. More information http://www.rosepalhares.com | https://www.facebook.com/RosePalhares/ |http://www.instagram.com/rosepalhares/?hl=pt SOURCE Rose Palhares Unipessoal, Lda The launch of the GEMMES model in Vietnam was secured under a memorandum of understanding (MoU) signed between the MONRE and the AFD as part of Vietnamese Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trongs visit to France in March of this year. The project reflects the French Governments reaffirmation to support Vietnam in developing a long-term strategy in responding to the impacts of climate change as well as facilitating the countrys implementation of the objectives of the Paris Agreement and its commitments to the international community. The model was developed by AFD economists as a quantitative modelling tool helping in making informed macroeconomic decisions regarding climate change and energy transition. There are currently three versions of GEMMES: one at the global level, one at the European level, and a third version adapted to the national level, in which GEMMES model applications are being adapted in Brazil, Cote dIvoire, Vietnam, Tunisia, and Colombia. The inauguration ceremony was attended by Vietnamese Ambassador to Cambodia Vu Quang Minh and Cambodian Minister Delegate Attached to the Prime Minister and UC President Kao Kimhourn, among others. Speaking at the event, Kao Kimhourn stressed that the Vietnam Room will help UC students learn more about Vietnam and its people in many fields, including politics, economy and cultural and social affairs. He also expressed his hope that the Vietnamese Embassy in Cambodia will strengthen cooperation to maintain the efficient operation of the university and the Vietnam Room in particular. For his part, Minh lauded the UCs initiative to open the Vietnam Room as well as Rooms of other ASEAN members. He voiced his belief that the universitys efforts will enhance mutual understanding between Cambodia and ASEAN countries, especially Vietnam. After the ceremony, the Vietnamese diplomat delivered a presentation on Vietnam- Cambodia relations in front of the universitys leaders, lecturers and students. Founded in June 2003, the UC has become one of the leading and most reputable higher education institutions in Cambodia. If you were looking for the Charlestown Democratic Town Committee website and ended up here, try this Got news tips, gossip, suggestions, complaints?E-mail us: progressivecharlestown@gmail.com We strive to avoid errors in our articles. Our correction policy can be found here Week 6 of Big 7 football is upon us With this being Week 6 of Valley high school football, the mid-point of the 2021/2022 season is upon us. While some teams have played one game more or less than others, depending on when they each had their bye weeks scheduled, going into this weekend, five At a time when sentiments about immigrants have proven divisive, the story of highly-talented, professionals coming to the United States to help this country become even stronger is one that everyone should support. Thomas J. Arkell, the creator of NationalInterestWaivers.com, spoke today about the importance of immigration to business innovation in the United States. With the recent news of President Trumps travel ban - which restricts entry to foreign nationals from seven countries - the topic is top of mind for many. And according to Arkell, it should be. Its no secret that individuals from other countries helped found companies such as Google [Sergey Brin], Yahoo [Jerry Yang], and Intel [Andrew Grove], Arkell explained. If brilliant people choose to immigrate to other countries because the immigration system in the United States is too cumbersome, then our national economy will suffer. The travel ban makes it more difficult for citizens from Iran, Libya, North Korea, Somalia, Syria, Venezuela, and Yemen to travel to America. However, there are still ways for especially qualified individuals to gain entry. One method in particular deserves special attention, says Arkell, particularly in light of the Trump administrations emphasis on drawing the best and brightest from the world over to the US - the National Interest Waiver. A National Interest Waiver petition allows foreign nationals to bypass the U.S. labor certification process ordinarily required to obtain a green card through the EB-2 employment-based immigration category. The National Interest Waiver provides a unique route for talented individuals to become permanent residents and earn their green cards. Acquiring a green card through the NIW category allows a qualified PhD student or postdoctoral researcher to more freely travel for conferences and presentations, obtain better grants and funding, acquire security clearance, and access a wider selection of roles and jobs within their field. The category allows qualified PhD students to secure their green card before they graduate, opening up additional career options and further aiding in their job search. Arkell has already helped many talented professionals through the process, such as Dr. Swarnamali Indumathie Rupassara. A Sri Lankan native, Dr. Rupassara is currently helping to revolutionize the world of vaccines with an edible, orally-administered fruit-based treatment for Human Respiratory Synctial Virus (RSV). This will be the first of many developed by her startup, FruitVaccine. Before engaging in this groundbreaking research, Dr. Rupassara decided to leave South Asia to pursue her PhD at the University of Illinois. She sought Arkells services to help her obtain a National Interest Waiver and permanent residency in the U.S. Everything was going well until the night before her appointment with U.S. Immigration authorities when a terrible blizzard hit,, she lost visibility on her way to Indianapolis and her card got stuck in a snowbank. I was worried Id miss my appointment, so I called Tom, explains Dr. Rupassara. He not only worked quickly to pinpoint my location and arrange for a towing company to assist me, but also managed to reschedule my appointment. I can never forget the help he gave me that day - I felt like he was my dear brother. Dr. Rupassara is just one of many individuals Arkell has helped through the National Interest Waivers process - all of whom have been taken aback by his heartfelt support and professionalism. For his part, Arkell firmly believes in the importance of well educated and highly skilled immigrants helping the United States at every level imaginable, from national interests down to the local community. At a time when sentiments about immigrants have proven divisive, the story of highly-talented, professionals coming to the United States to help this country become even stronger is one that everyone should support, explains Arkell. The scientists and researchers I represent conduct cutting-edge cancer research, perform pediatric heart surgery and save peoples eyesight, I am proud to help the best and brightest from all over the world to become permanent residents of this country so they can help this country become even better. Unstoppable: A Recipe for Success in Life and Business, book cover, by Betsy Craig My hands felt like immobile claws. My face was so tight that blood would drip down the sides of my face. Not being able to hug my daughter devastated me. I desperately wanted to give up but knew if I did that, Id be dead. In her new book Unstoppable: A Recipe for Success in Life and Business, Betsy Craig shares a roadmap to conquer lifes challenges and to live with purpose. For Craig, her journey began when she got sober at the age of 20 after years of alcohol and drug abuse, then beat the odds against the autoimmune disease scleroderma that wanted her dead and now shes the CEO of her own million-dollar company, MenuTrinfo. Through her determination and spirit, Betsy became a leader in the foodservice industry protecting lives and health through nutrition and food safety training showing all along the way what it means to be unstoppable. Over the past 30 years, Betsy has lived by a set of 10 guiding principles that are the key ingredients in her recipe for success. They have helped her navigate through challenges and celebrate triumphs. In her book, Craig empowers the reader to not only cope but to create abundance out of trying circumstances. Craig speaks from direct experience, with grace, humor, and humility. Alcoholism brought Craig to the brink of death as a teen. When she got sober at 20, her spiritual quest began. Then, at 39, in the picture of health, Craig was diagnosed with scleroderma. She was given 18 months to live. Scleroderma, translated from Greek as hard skin, causes tightening of the skin and connective tissues that provide the framework for your body. In many, such as Craig, it also damages internal organs and the digestive tract. Craig weaves lessons in overcoming fear amid graphic episodes from her ongoing battle with chronic illness. My hands felt like immobile claws, said Craig. I couldnt button my own pants. My face was so tight that my ears were pulling away at the earlobe and blood would drip down the sides of my face daily. I walked around feeling like a leper. Not being able to hug my daughter or husband without it causing excruciating pain devastated me. I desperately wanted to give up but knew if I did that, Id be dead. Considered rare, an estimated 300,000 Americans have the disease. Currently, there is no cure. During a debilitating round of chemo, Craig pledged that if she survived shed do something worthwhile in her life. Having reduced her scleroderma symptoms by avoiding foods that tend to cause inflammation, she formed a vision to challenge prevailing paradigms in the food industry. Craig committed to helping the 15 million people in the U.S. with food allergies, some life-threatening. Each year in the U.S., 200,000 people require emergency medical care for such reactions, according to Food Allergy Research & Education. This book is an inspiration to those impacted by scleroderma as well as entrepreneurs and business women everywhere, said Cyndy Besselievre, Executive Director of the Scleroderma Foundation, Rocky Mountain Chapter. [Craig] is a true testament that anything can be overcome and that we can all achieve our goals in life with passion, integrity, facing our fears and persistence. In Unstoppable, Craig opens her playbook. On the heels of the economic downturn in 2010, Craig launched MenuTrinfo, a menu labeling and nutritional help desk service. Today, her woman-owned company has grown into a million-dollar business. Shes developed services that include certification for allergen and gluten-free products and food allergy training. Craig lays out road-tested, successful strategies deployed during her tenure at MenuTrinfo. These include disciplined focus; learning when to pivot; self-belief and playing on your strengths; leading with love, kindness, and gratitude; building team culture; delivering on goals; and, nurturing clients. To me, the principle of persistence equates to being unstoppable, said Craig. Its about facing challenges head-on and not giving up until you have succeeded or tried every avenue possible and once you have tried everything possible you dig a little deeper and try just a few more things. A portion of the proceeds from the sales of Unstoppable will be donated to the Rocky Mountain Chapter of the Scleroderma Foundation. Unstoppable scheduled for release Jun. 5 is available for pre-order as an e-book and paperback on platforms such as Amazon, iBooks, Kindle, Nook, and Ingram. Visit betsycraig.org for the full media kit that includes an infographic, sell sheet, sample Q&A, photos, book cover, excerpt, and table of contents. Follow Craig's care journey on her Facebook page and LinkedIn profile. Media inquiries Dave Rizzotto dave@signaltoaction.com 970-658-0817 "There is much that we can do to prepare our clients to proactively document their medical decision-making, to defend against allegations of inappropriate prescribing, and to mount an effective response when something goes wrong." The public health crisis of opioid abuse, misuse, and diversion has prompted a tsunami of new regulations and guidelines governing the prescribing of opioid analgesics for pain management. Even more troubling has been the attendant onslaught of litigation directed at prescribing healthcare practitioners who are struggling to address the needs of their patients with pain. The elevation of what traditionally has been referred to as negligence or unprofessional conduct to criminal prosecution demonstrates the need for frontline legal practitioners to understand and ultimately stand up against the ongoing conflation of medical and legal standards in all forms of civil, criminal, and administrative actions against practitioners who treat pain with opioids. PAINWeekJD, a new educational offering from the producers of PAINWeek, will be a fresh and comprehensive exploration of the landscape of litigation confronting opioid prescribers and the legal professionals who provide their counsel. Presented concurrently with the 12th annual PAINWeek National Conference, PAINWeekJD will convene on Saturday, September 8 at The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas. A distinguished roster of PAINWeek legal and medical faculty will be joined by frontline attorneys who are experienced in the defense of their clients prescribing decisions and medical practices. Senior PAINWeek faculty presenter Jennifer Bolen, JD, Founder of The Legal Side of Pain in Knoxville, Tennessee, commented, Im excited to be participating in this groundbreaking exploration of the fast-changing legal environment for pain practitioners and the business and litigation counsel charged with their defense. There is much that we can do to prepare our clients to proactively document their medical decision-making, to defend against allegations of inappropriate prescribing, and to mount an effective response when something goes wrong. The full-day program will examine specific issues regarding pain management laws, regulations, and policies; standards of care and expert witness testimony unique to opioid prescribing and chronic pain management; and what can be done when the pain practitioner is accused of getting the patient addicted or causing the overdose death of the patient. Course offerings include The State of Pain Law 101; What Constitutes Standard of Care; Confrontingand Engagingthe Expert Witness; The Role of the Addiction Label in Inappropriate Prescribing Cases; When Prescribing Cases Involve Opioid Overdose; and Fraud and Inappropriate Prescribing. Participants will leave PAINWeekJD with tactics and strategies for representing the frontline pain practitioner, and with tools to counsel their clients in the establishment of a safe and defensible framework for opioid prescribing. Registration fee for PAINWeekJD : $795. To learn more and register online, please visit painweekjd.org. Continuing Legal Education Accreditation PAINWeekJD is provided by ALM. ALM has been certified by various CLE boards as an Accredited Provider. This program will be accredited in multiple jurisdictions. Participants can receive up to 7.25 credits, which includes 3 in mental health/substance abuse. The categories of credits a participant can receive are subject to the rules and regulations of the individual CLE boards. For state specific information please contact ALM at (212) 457-7912. "Combining Advantage|ForbesBooks' team of experts with the niche expertise of GKIC and Oxford creates an unparalleled marketing and growth opportunity for businesses." Advantage|ForbesBooks, the business book publishing and authority marketing company based in Charleston, SC, has announced that it has added two renown business-growth companies to its team. It has acquired both GKIC of Chicago, IL and Oxford Center for Entrepreneurs of Atlanta, GA. Both companies complement Advantage|ForbesBooks' mission of helping entrepreneurs, CEOs and professionals grow their businesses. Founded by marketing guru and acclaimed author of the No B.S. series of business books Dan S. Kennedy, GKIC is a global community of entrepreneurs providing market-tested business and marketing mentorships, ideas, products and support in order to help its members increase their streams of income, find hidden opportunities and create smarter marketing strategies. The Oxford Center is the largest 'Know, Grow & Exit' platform for second-stage business owners and high-growth entrepreneur leaders. Through educational events, CEO roundtables and commerce connections, Oxford members interact and are educated on how to know and grow their businesses. "The addition of GKIC and Oxford Center enhances our goal of helping members grow their business through smart, strategic planning," said Adam Witty, Founder and CEO of Advantage|ForbesBooks. "Since 2005, we've helped over 1300 CEOs, entrepreneurs and professionals achieve success. Combining our proven team of experts, the recent addition of News & Experts Public Relations and the niche expertise of GKIC and Oxford Center, Advantage|ForbesBooks has created an unparalleled, one-of-a-kind opportunity for business people to successfully create, market and grow their companies." "Adam and I are well-aligned philosophically, notably the belief that entrepreneurs are the greatest force for good," says Dan Kennedy of GKIC. "By joining the Advantage|ForbesBooks family, we become part of a home with a thriving, growing, resource-rich enterprise with great synergies and a true 'A-team' of people." "We are thrilled to be part of Advantage|ForbesBooks," said Cliff Oxford, founder of Oxford Entrepreneurs. "Oxford was founded as a forum to propel successful fast-moving entrepreneurs into accelerated growth. We can't think of a better place to do that in than at Advantage|Forbesbooks." ABOUT ADVANTAGE|FORBESBOOKS Advantage|ForbesBooks is the business growth company, helping entrepreneurs, CEOs and professionals grow their business by becoming the authority in their field. In 2016, Advantage Media Group partnered with Forbes to create Advantage|ForbesBooks, the first-ever publishing imprint by the media giant. Advantage|ForbesBooks focuses on the establishment of authority through publishing, using book authorship as a strategic tool in branding and business-building. It offers the unique opportunity for busy business people to create a book in less than 24 hours of their time. ABOUT GKIC GKIC was founded by Dan S. Kennedy - known world-wide as an author, speaker, marketing advisor and serial entrepreneur. GKIC works with its members from across the globe - running businesses from $1 million to $1billion in size - rely on GKIC's techniques and offerings to help them grow and prosper, combining classic lead generation advertising with effective multi-step, multimedia plans to target new customers, create referrals, get current clients to spend more money and inactive clients to come back to do business. ABOUT OXFORD CENTER FOR ENTREPRENEURS Oxford Center for Entrepreneurs is a membership organization that brings together second stage and high growth CEO Entrepreneurs interested in accelerating their growth through education, shared insights and commerce connections that push their thinking and businesses forward. VRCS President Nguyen Thi Xuan said that the society has stocked relief goods worth more than VND100 billion (US$4.4 million), including home repair kits, tarpaulins, tents, portable toilets, water purification tablets and water purifiers. Last year, the society coordinated a large relief programme to support more than 33,600 households struck by Typhoon Damrey, with the total funding amounting to more than VND82 billion (US$3.6 million). In 2017, the VRCS also implemented various programmes on disaster-proof housing, urgent relief operations and development projects. According to the National Centre for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting, 12-14 typhoons and tropical depressions are forecast to form in the East Sea, of which four to six are expected to directly hit Vietnams mainland. The weather service said storms and tropical depressions are more frequent in the East Seas northern area in the early rainy season before moving further south towards the final months of the year. Vietnams central region is likely to be greatly affected by these weather phenomena, while the Mekong Delta is expected to witness more severe floods this year. However, the intense heat spells will arrive later in the year and will not last as long as those in 2017. "Beautifully told, funny, and unexpected. Inspiring to see a huge theatre completely filled by this brave and honest piece." Julia Lederer, playwright Actorvist Debrianna Mansini (Better Call Saul and Breaking Bad) will be in Los Angeles in June to perform the LA Premiere of The Meatball Chronicles as part of the Hollywood Fringe Festival. But the show alone is not enough for Mansini- she will also use the opportunity to advocate for those who need an extra voice. She will be working to raise awareness for New Mexico congresswoman Michelle Lujan Grishams Bipartisan Anti-Lunch Shaming bill HR 2401 and Senator Tom Udalls senate Anti-Lunch Shaming Act, S.1064. Grisham is currently running for Governor of New Mexico, the first state to ban Lunch Shaming last year in 2017. California also banned the practice of Lunch Shaming as of January 1st, 2018 after public pressure and hard work by Childrens Defense Funds Marian Wright Edelman and CA Senator Robert Hertzbergs SB 250. Mansini is partnering with Hollywood's Chef Hunter of Hunter and Charlie's Restaurant throughout The Meatball Chronicles LA run to create theme menu selections including Debriannas spinach bread, sauce from a recipe passed across generations and of course meatballs. Chef Hunter will host the opening night party as well as a special luncheon on June 9th following the show as a benefit for Project Angel Food. Project Angel Food has provided a vital lifeline of hope and nutrition to our neighbors struggling with illness. They cook and deliver more than 11,000 medically tailored meals every week to people who are too sick to shop and cook for themselves. On June 9th, the team is hosting this kitchen table talk as a benefit luncheon for Project Angel Food, along with local stakeholders and Hollywood Fringe patrons to first raise awareness, while also taking action to demand that Congress end lunch shaming once and for all across the United States. The benefit luncheon will follow the performance at Hunter and Charlie's. Debrianna Mansini will be working this fall on a new film. She has been seen in both film and television in Hell or High Water, Crazy Heart, Breaking Bad, and Better Call Saul, to name a few. She is also an actor, creator, and co-writer of the web series Cyphers and the upcoming Reaction 21. She is a New York trained actor with a passion for activism. "I believe deeply in using my skills to promote community and consciousness. I am proud to be using my voice and my passion to do some good where I can. Project Angel Food is one of those programs, and their motto Love=Food is exactly what my show is about. It is a perfect collaboration with me and Chef Hunter to spread good in the world. The Los Angeles premiere of her original show The Meatball Chronicles June 2nd ( with opening night party following) at The Broadwater Second Stage. As playwright Lisa Konoplisky Sfg I says of The Meatball Chronicles: Theatre should be engaging, challenging, and authentic. Debrianna Mansinis Meatball Chronicles is all of this and more. She mines both the joyful and soul-crushing extremes of her experience and transforms them, making the personal universal and delivering the necessary catharsis. The result is a an experience of both triumph and transendencecomplicated, mature and completely recognizable to all of us who have loved and been loved by family. The laughter and the pain she shares is vulnerable and hilarious. Buckle up, its quite a ride! Thank you Debrianna for shining so brightly." Mansini crafts this piece in a way that transcends her own story into universal themes that anyone who has a family can love. As she kneads the dough and thickens the sauce through each Italian recipe, the stories associated with those recipes reveal the complex ways that families cope, laugh, grieve, and show their love through food. Ms. Mansini is thrilled to be connected to the LA Female Playwrights Initiative while at the Fringe Festival. TRAILER: https://youtu.be/spgPcrCxSI0 Hear Mansini talk about her career and "activism" with Two Broads Talking: https://twitter.com/TwoBroadsTalk/status/992596266055061504 WHERE: The Meatball Chronicles opens at The Broadwater Second Stage 6320 Santa Monica Blvd. Hollywood, 90038 WHEN: Saturday, June 2nd at 5 PM Wednesday, June 7th at 7 PM Saturday, June 9th at 11 AM Sunday, June 10, 8 PM Wednesday, June 13th, 5 PM. HOW: Tickets for the play are $15 and available at: http://www.hollywoodfringe.org/4847 To purchase lunch and the show tickets on June 9th enter the discount code. The show and luncheon tickets are $25. A ticket for the show only is also available for the regular price of $15. https://2885C7.campgn4.com/MBC-LA Media Contact: anitaleeagain@gmail.com - sjkukerpr@gmail.com or 818-416-1628 Environmental Award presented to Hallak Cleaners' plant. Hallak Cleaners is very excited to announce their annual Earth Day tote bag giveaway was another success. Once again, both of their stores located in Manhattan and Bergen County took part in passing out branded reusable tote bags. The bright green totes are to symbolize the importance of everyone doing their part. With slight changes in one's day to day routines, people can make a difference. From April 19th through April 21st this year, customers were greeted with a bag to take home. Hallak's Manhattan storefront located at 1232 Second Avenue also had an outside greeter handing out the freebie to passerby's. Hallak takes their responsibility to the environment and the surrounding communities very seriously. Along with organic-based solvents, the company goes a step further by utilizing various 'green' operations. Additional environmentally safe practices include: Clodagh transforms spaces, not just visually, but also energetically, incorporating spiritual, emotional and wellness aspects into every space. The Global Wellness Summit (GWS), the foremost gathering of international leaders in the $3.7 trillion global wellness economy, today announced that Clodagh, head of New York-based interior design firm Clodagh Design, will take the stage at the 2018 conference to share her belief that wellness is a crucial requirement in design that makes a positive impact on our collective health and happiness. In a keynote entitled Wellness By Designfrom the Cradle to the Departure Lounge, Clodagh will explore the importance of creating environments that put human wellness front and center. Clodagh infuses everything she does with wellnessnot only the breathtaking environments she creates-but every aspect of her life is approached through the lens of imagining how she can create physical and emotional joy, said Susie Ellis, Chairman and CEO of the Global Wellness Summit. As new movements like wellness architecture take hold, Ive often found myself thinking that the design world is finally catching up with Clodaghs original vision, and yet she continues to raise the bar with her one-of-a-kind spaces. Clodagh is considered a vanguard of wellness design, as evidenced by her keen interest inand use ofapproaches like feng shui, biophilia (the healing power of nature), chromatherapy, wabi sabi and aromatherapy. Long before it was a global trend, Clodagh was advocating for sustainable and eco-conscious design principles, using natural materials to enrich projects with warmth and beauty. Design is emotional, and great design is an experience. We make the invisible visible, explains Clodagh, whose third book Life-Enhancing Design focuses on the value ofand need fordesigns that appeal to every sense. Clodagh transforms spaces, not just visually, but also their very energy, incorporating spiritual, emotional and wellness aspects into every space, said Anna Bjurstam, Wellness Pioneer, Six Senses. Clodaghs designs played a key role in the success of Six Senses Douro Valley and she has once again performed her trademark magic on the Six Senses Kaplankaya in Bodrum, Turkey. Wellness is a holistic pursuit and the spaces where we dwell, work, eat and shop all contribute to creating a lifetime of overall wellbeing, said Clodagh. My goal is to have everyone walk away from one of our projects with a huge smile on their faces. I want to make people feel good by creating spaces that imbue both visual and emotional hugs. Clodaghs groundbreaking work has garnered numerous accolades and awards, including induction into the Interior Design Hall of Fame and Hospitality Design Platinum Circle, and being named among the Top 100 Designers in the World by Architectural Digest. The Robb Report also included her in their Top 10 Interior Designers in the World, and Traditional Home magazine calls her one of the Top Twenty Design Icons. In addition, she is known for her extensive philanthropic work and is a recipient of the Manny Steinfeld Humanitarian Award. The 12th-annual Summit will focus on the current business landscape and future trends for the ten diverse segments that make up the nearly $4 trillion global wellness economy, including the $134 billion* wellness lifestyle real estate sector. The Summit is the worlds largest conference on the business of wellness. Ellis noted that first-time delegates can apply to attend but should do so soon because its always a sold-out event. For images, click here. About the Global Wellness Summit: The Global Wellness Summit (GWS) is an invitation-only international gathering that brings together leaders and visionaries to positively shape the future of the $3.7 trillion global wellness economy. Held in a different location each year, Summits have taken place in the U.S., Switzerland, Turkey, Bali, India, Morocco, Mexico and Austria. The 12th-annual Summit will be held at Technogym Village, Cesena, Italy from October 6-8, 2018. *The Global Wellness Institutes Build Well to Live Well Report, January 2018 Capitol Sheds, the small storage solution company doing BIG things, is happy to celebrate 20 years of helping property owners organize and store their belongings. Capitol Sheds offers storage sheds, pool houses, sun rooms, garages, car ports, dog houses, chicken coops and more. The company prides itself on interacting with clients to discover which shed solution will best suit their needs. Each shed comes with a full 10-year warranty that covers windows, doors, and reveling. Another distinguishing feature of the company is that sheds are delivered and installed by Capitol Shed employees, not third-party contractors. Growing to four locations in Virginia, and shipping products nation-wide, Capitol Sheds is proud of its 20 years in the industry and looks forward to the next 20 and beyond, said Loren Shetler, President, Capitol Sheds. Shetler invited all current and prospective customers to visit the company website. For a storage shed solution that works for your needs and your property, visit capitolsheds.com/aboutus.html. About Capitol Sheds Capitol Sheds offers a wide variety of solutions, from classic storage sheds to bird houses and dog kennels. Sheds are covered with a complete 10-year warranty and are delivered and installed by trained technicians. Customers can design their perfect shed on the companys website, using an interactive 3D design tool. Contact Details: 8813 Jefferson Davis Hwy Fredericksburg, VA 22407 Phone: (540) 318-1997 Source: Capitol Sheds ### Business Software, Inc. (BSI), a leading provider of U.S. payroll tax profile, tax calculation, tax deposit, tax filing and supporting solutions in the cloud, will host a presentation at the annual American Payroll Associations (APA) Congress, taking place May 15 - 19 in National Harbor, Maryland. This 36th annual event offers workshops, networking opportunities and educational sessions for Payroll and Human Resources professionals. The presentation, titled Keeping It All Together, Keeping It All Straight, will take place on May 15, and will focus on payroll record retention requirements. While at the APA Congress, BSI will also present its suite of cloud-based complementary solutions for payroll that automate and streamline payroll tax processes, while increasing efficiency, improving accuracy and reducing costs. Attendees can visit BSI at booth #416 to view these product offerings. A featured product at this years event is ComplianceFactory - a powerful, multi-tenant, cloud-based suite of SaaS solutions that helps organizations pay tax liabilities, file returns and amend reports. This on-demand payroll tax filing solution can be easily integrated with payroll systems to help schedule, reconcile, pay and file payroll taxes for Federal, State, Local and Territory tax jurisdictions. BSI will also showcase TaxProfileFactory - a cloud solution that sets up employee tax configurations for payroll. TaxProfileFactory creates the required tax profiles for new hires, for employees with changes to their data, for newly enacted taxes, and more. For almost four decades, we have been an innovator in the field of payroll tax compliance, said Russell Rindik, BSI Vice President of Operations. We have been a proud member of the APA for 26 years and are pleased to participate this year as a presenter, as well as an exhibitor. Non-Surgical Treatment We see about 85 percent of our patient's get significant relief from their pain. The non-surgical spinal decompression therapy table has shown to provide noticeable relief for patients in the Greater Toronto Area. It also supports the results found in the 2010 edition of the open-sourced, peer-reviewed BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders journal, as part of the BMC series which publishes studies focused on serving the needs of individual research communities across all areas of biology and medicine. This refutes a report also from 2010 news report questioning the efficacy of spinal decompression. This report has created a gross misconception of non-surgical spinal decompression since. Dr. Godrej Engineer is a chiropractor and the owner/Clinic Director of Physiomed, a physiotherapy clinic based in Toronto with 30 locations across Canada, is seeing impressive results for his patients after purchasing a spinal decompression table for his clinics just a few years ago. We have seen fantastic results overall, Dr. Engineer said. We see about 85 percent of our patient's get significant relief from their pain. I would think anecdotally, treating the same conditions through traditional means like chiro, physio, massage, and acupuncture, we would only see 50 per cent of our patient's report the same satisfaction as they would from the table. The 2010 BMC study -- Restoration of disk height through non-surgical spinal decompression is associated with decreased discogenic low back pain -- has supported the high level of satisfaction among patients that continues to be seen in 2018. In 2010, CBC News conducted a Marketplace report questioning the legitimacy of spinal decompression therapy. In it, Dr. Hamilton Hall, a leading Canadian spine specialist, challenged the claims of Dr. Richard Liem, the founder of the Toronto-based Low Back Clinic. Dr. Liem claimed a success rate of between 86-89 per cent among his clients. Dr. Hall disputed this, saying that no back treatment has an 89 percent success rate. However, physiotherapists and chiropractors across North America continue to see the benefits of spinal decompression eight years on from the BMC study and CBC report, such as Dr. Steven Shoshany at his New York-based Chiropractic and Spinal Decompression Center. "In addition to the results they report in the BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders study, we have found DRX treatment effective in degenerative, or ruptured discs, as well as sciatica, posterior facet syndrome, and many failed back surgery cases," said Dr. Shoshany, who has been a chiropractor in New York City for the past 20 years. For more information: https://www.physiomed.ca/treatments/spinal-decompression-therapy/ Before choosing BridgeWave, we considered other alternatives including service from Comcast and some local ISPs. However, the costs and contract terms were unfavorable compared with using BridgeWave. BridgeWave Communications, a market leader in wireless backhaul systems, today announced that University of the Pacific (UoP), the oldest chartered university and the first independent co-educational campus in California, has selected the BridgeWave Flex4G-100080GHz system to enable gigabit, low latency network throughput for faculty and staff located in a leased, off-campus building. The BridgeWave Flex4G-1000 system, installed by BridgeWave partner Pacific Communications, provides gigabit connectivity, reliability, and availability to educators and administrative staff, including the Universitys treasury and IT departments. We used an earlier BridgeWave system for years to provide connectivity to this off-campus location, but we needed to refresh as our previous BridgeWave model was nearing end of maintenance, said Scott Douma, network engineer at UoP. Before choosing BridgeWave again for the upgrade, we considered other alternatives including service from Comcast and some local ISPs. However, the costs and contract terms were unfavorable compared with using BridgeWave. Purchasing the BridgeWave system will give us a return on our investment in less than two years, and we own the equipment. The decision to choose BridgeWave was an easy one. In fact, we are using the older BridgeWave system for back up to the new one in the unlikely event that we experience any downtime. The new BridgeWave link has been perfectly reliable since its installation even during several rain storms this winter. BridgeWave backhaul systems increase backhaul network capacity without the hassles and costs of new or leased fiber. The Flex4G-1000 system chosen by UoP delivers gigabit capacity, 256-bit AES encryption for highest data security, and high system gain for maximum throughput. For multi-gigabit connectivity, BridgeWave offers its flagship system, the Flex4G-10000, which delivers true fiber capacity, and the Flex4G-LITE, upgradeable from 1Gbps to 3Gbps. UoP is a prestigious private California university, and its long relationship with BridgeWave certainly validates our technology and the robustness of our carrier-class wireless backhaul systems, said Pamela Valentine, vice president of marketing, BridgeWave Communications. With the Flex4G-1000, UoP has the backhaul capacity it needs delivered to its off-site faculty and staff affordably, quickly, and without trading off performance and reliability. Like all of our systems, the Flex4G-1000 delivers impressive ROI over other wireless alternatives, and is indicative of why we continue to experience high demand for our solutions from customers throughout the world. About University of the Pacific University of the Pacific is a nationally ranked university with three distinct campuses united under one common goal: to educate and prepare the leaders of tomorrow through intensive academic study, experiential learning, and service to the community. Widely recognized as one of the most beautiful private university campuses in the West, the Stockton Campus offers more than 80 areas of study in nine schools and colleges, including 25 graduate programs and 10 accelerated programs. The university's distinctive Northern California footprint also includes its San Francisco Campus, home to the Arthur A. Dugoni School of Dentistry and graduate programs in health, food and technology fields, and the Sacramento Campus, home to the Pacific McGeorge School of Law and graduate programs in health, education, business, public policy and data science. http://www.pacific.edu/ About Pacific Communications With over 5,000 installations completed, Pacific Communications is a licensed California Contractor (# 814121) offering complete end-to-end wireless network solutions. Our office is in San Jose, California. Paccomm has been providing the High Tech industry of Silicon Valley excellent service for over two decades. The following is a list of available services: point to point wireless backhaul, point to multipoint wireless bridges, WiMax backhaul, wireless mesh products, indoor Wi-Fi, and municipal Wi-Fi. Pacific Communications delivers the highest level of knowledge and competence with both unlicensed wireless Ethernet Bridges and licensed microwave communication network connectivity. http://www.paccommp2p.com/ About BridgeWave BridgeWave Communications provides high-capacity microwave and millimeter wave backhaul and wireless connectivity solutions to operators, carriers, service providers, governments, and private enterprises. With over 35,000 systems deployed in more than 60 countries, the companys innovative solutions have been entrusted by customers to enable highly reliable and secure, high-capacity, gigabit connectivity while reducing operating costs relative to fiber. Founded in 1999, BridgeWave is headquartered in San Diego, California. For more information, visit https://bridgewave.com/. Courtesy of City of New Orleans We had done some work with the New Orleans office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness. We did an upgrade to that facility in July of last year and prior to that, we had done some work for Homeland Security with their mobile command bus Residents and tourists are feeling more secure in New Orleans thanks to Christie technology and Interstate Electronics Systems (IES). The Real Time Crime Center (RTCC) comes complete with over 80 cameras in the French Quarter alone and another 125 located at various crime hot spots, capturing video and acting as a deterrent for illegal activity. With an additional 125 cameras set to be installed around the Big Easy, the RTCC is part of a $40 million public safety program that will also allow residents, property owners and business owners to register their private cameras with the city and permit police to quickly locate camera footage after a crime occurs. In some cases, the private cameras will link to the Real Time Crime Center, allowing the footage from the cameras to be immediately available to law enforcement. Bringing in the IES and Christie experts With its expertise already deployed on numerous projects with Homeland Security and familiarity with the Christie Phoenix video wall processor, having used it in other installations, IES was the ideal choice for this endeavor. We had done some work with the New Orleans office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness. We did an upgrade to that facility in July of last year and prior to that, we had done some work for Homeland Security with their mobile command bus, said Mike Rideau, managing partner, Operations, Interstate Electronics Systems. We had deployed the Phoenix product in an EOC (Emergency Operations Center) in St. Tammany Parish, the Port of Morgan City, and the Livingston Parish sheriffs EOC. For the RTCC project, the IES team, which also included managing partner Lloyd Francioni and system specialist Lindsay Weidman, selected Christie Phoenix and Christie FHD553 LCD flat panels. The Center includes a main command center with 2 x 19 wraparound wall of flat panels as well as a collaboration space featuring a 2 x 2 LCD panel wall. In addition, another room used for press conferences and Homeland Security issues uses a 2 x 4 flat panel wall with the Phoenix system providing immediate data collection and recollection. The RTCC ties into the 911 dispatch system and when dispatch gets a call, the RTCC immediately sees the location thanks to the its cameras and geo-mapping and the information is then shared in real-time with 911 and reported to the officers involved, said George Barlow Brown, COMMS / IT Manager, New Orleans Real Time Crime Center. If, for example, there is a break-in and the perpetrator is wearing a red shirt, they pull up the cameras in the area and the RTCC relays that information to local officers - thus, narrowing the search parameters. Completed in five months, Rideau noted the effective teamwork among those involved in the project and called it a true collaboration. You dont always get that with a manufacturer and vendor, Rideau concluded. Everybody was working towards the same goal and the consistency of interaction between Christie, IES, the owner was able to get this project completed in that amount of time. The byproduct of it is that there is a wow-factor when you walk into that room and see that large wall wrapped around that room. Its impressive and useful. Thats the biggest take away from me: everybody involved worked very hard and consistently to get it done. About Interstate Electronics Systems We are a premier Audiovisual Systems Integrator located in New Orleans, Louisiana. We are a superior provider of design, procurement, installation, programming, training, and after sale service and support of audiovisual systems. Our clients reside in a wide range of markets including Universities, Hospitals, Houses of Worship, Governmental Agencies, Corporate, and Large Venue facilities. Our staff consisting of Certified Technicians, Programmers and Systems Specialist ensure our clients will have the best system possible for their facility. We are committed to providing quality products and services resulting in complete satisfaction and lasting partnerships with our clients. Visit https://www.ies-llc.com/ About Christie Christie Digital Systems USA, Inc. is a global visual and audio technologies company and a wholly-owned subsidiary of Ushio Inc., Japan (JP:6925). Consistently setting the standards by being the first to market some of the worlds most advanced projectors, complete system displays, and cinema audio solutions; Christie is recognized as one of the most innovative visual technology companies in the world. From retail displays to Hollywood, mission critical command centers to classrooms and training simulators, Christie display solutions and projectors capture the attention of audiences around the world with dynamic and stunning images, accompanied by awe-inspiring sound. Visit http://www.christiedigital.com. Being named a Top Workplace again could not be achieved without the unwavering support of our WorkWise team members. WorkWise, a leading Wisconsin-based ERP and CRM software developer, announced today it has been named one of the Top Workplaces in Wisconsin by the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. This marks the eighth consecutive year WorkWise has received this honor, making it part of a very exclusive list of companies to be recognized year after year. The Top Workplaces are determined exclusively on the results of an employee feedback survey administered by a leading third-party provider of technology-based employee engagement tools, Energage, LLC. The survey asks employees to measure a variety of aspects related to workplace culture and wellness, including Alignment, Execution and Connection, to name a few. Top Workplaces is more than just recognition, said Doug Claffey, CEO of Energage. Our research shows organizations that earn the award attract better talent, experience lower turnover, and are better equipped to deliver bottom-line results. Their leaders prioritize and carefully craft a healthy workplace culture that supports employee engagement. The honored workplaces come from multiple industries including retail, real estate, education, technology and healthcare and have employee staff sizes ranging from as small as fifty to thousands. Achieving this accomplishment for the eighth year in a row reflects WorkWises dedication to making its employees and culture an integral part of the companys success. On this honor, WorkWise President and CEO Wayne Wedell states, Being named a Top Workplace again could not be achieved without the unwavering support of our WorkWise team members. They play an essential role in the growth of our business and Im delighted to work with such a talented team whose excitement for and commitment to WorkWise is directly responsible for our success. A breakfast awards ceremony will be held May 4th at the Wisconsin Center Ballroom in celebration of the winners. For more information about the 2018 Top Workplaces lists, visit http://www.jsonline.com. About WorkWise: WorkWise is a leading developer of Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) and Customer Relationship Management (CRM) solutions along with comprehensive implementation and support services. Our flagship products, WorkWise ERP and OnContact CRM are easy-to-use, quick to implement, provide a high return on investment and are offered either in a Cloud or on-premise deployment. Use of WorkWise applications provide more accurate and timely information that helps enable companies to grow and increase productivity. OnContact CRM is a full-featured, award-winning, browser-based CRM software solution that automates a companys sales, marketing and customer service areas. OnContact CRM has been awarded the TopTenREVIEWS Excellence Award in recognition of its unique design, customizability and superior features. WorkWise ERP offers make-to-order, repetitive and mixed-mode solutions to manufacturers to shorten cycle times and optimize manufacturing information, supply chain management, and manufacturing execution and planning. WorkWise ERP enhances operations by taking time out of the business processes and increasing value-add in products and services. In addition, WorkWise has pre-configured integration between WorkWise ERP and OnContact CRM, which is unavailable from other ERP and CRM suppliers. WorkWise is headquartered in the greater Milwaukee, WI area and has been inspiring companies to achieve new levels of success for over 15 years. WorkWises proven business philosophy is customer inspired because they put customers first, listen to their requirements and deliver innovative business solutions. Inspire Your Growth to new levels of success with WorkWise software. For eight consecutive years, WorkWise has been recognized by the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel for being a Top Workplace. WorkWise has also been recognized by The Business Journal for being one of the areas Healthiest Employers. Our drinking water is vital to our daily lives, but do you know where it comes from? Many people dont, said AWWA CEO David LaFrance. During Drinking Water Week, we encourage everyone to learn about their local water source. As Drinking Water Week continues, the American Water Works Association and water professionals across North America are encouraging water consumers to get to know their local H2O. Finding information about local water is simple. As required by the Safe Drinking Water Act, water utilities must provide customers with an annual water quality report, also called a Consumer Confidence Report. A CCR identifies the quality of local drinking water and if any contaminants are detected and if so, which ones. Also available in the report is information on each communitys local source for drinking water. Additionally, information on local source water is available through the U.S. Environmental Protection Agencys Surf Your Watershed. Canadians can find similar information through Health Canada. Our drinking water is vital to our daily lives, but do you know where it comes from? Many people dont, said AWWA CEO David LaFrance. During Drinking Water Week, we encourage everyone to learn about their local water source, whether its an underground aquifer, a stream, lake or reservoir. More information about local water sources is available on DrinkTap.org. About Drinking Water Week For more than 40 years, AWWA and its members have celebrated Drinking Water Week, a unique opportunity for both water professionals and the communities they serve to join together in recognizing the vital role water plays in daily lives. Additional information about Drinking Water Week, including free materials for download and celebration ideas, is available on the Drinking Water Week webpage. Established in 1881, the American Water Works Association is the largest nonprofit, scientific and educational association dedicated to managing and treating water, the worlds most important resource. With approximately 50,000 members, AWWA provides solutions to improve public health, protect the environment, strengthen the economy and enhance our quality of life. Speaking at the signing ceremony in Hanoi on May 7, Deputy Minister of Finance Tran Xuan Ha said the project is expected to improve living standards of local ethnic minority people in Ha Giangs Xin Man district and the northern mountainous region in general. Ha also expressed his hope that the Kuwait Fund will provide more preferential loans for Vietnam, especially for disadvantaged localities. Deputy Director General of the Kuwait Fund Hesham Al-Waqayan said this is an important and meaningful project to help Ha Giangs ethnic minority inhabitants better their lives. The fund is willing to give more support for Vietnam to carry out similar projects in the future, he promised. The Kuwait Fund has so far provided loans worth over US$182 million for Vietnam to carry out 15 projects, focusing on building infrastructure in rural areas and small irrigation works in disadvantaged provinces. HRH Prince Emanuele Filiberto of Savoy with Gail Abarbanel, Executive Director of Stuart House at the Notte di Savoia Gala Beverly Hills April 28, 2018 Being able to contribute to the incredible work that the Stuart House performs in assisting Los Angeles children every day makes our first Notte di Savoia all the more rewarding and impactful. On Saturday, April 28th, His Royal Highness Prince Emanuele Filiberto of Savoy was the guest of honor at a formal charity gala which benefited Stuart House at UCLA-Santa Monica Medical Center. The inaugural Notte di Savoia event was organized by the American Foundation of Savoy Orders, successfully continuing the spirit and traditions of charitable giving from the historic, thousand-year dynastic orders of knighthood and merit of the Royal House of Savoy. The evenings festivities took place at the elegant Montage Beverly Hills, providing the perfect setting for the Notte di Savoia, which recreated the traditions and pageantry reminiscent of 19th Century European style court events, but with an open-air, southern California flair and ambiance. Following a red-carpet entrance and glittering reception, dignitaries and guests in formal attire, some in white-tie and decorations, processed to a candle-lit dinner on the Montages Terrace. Guests were entertained by a string quartet ensemble and an a capella Neapolitan solo by actor Paul Sorvino and amazed by mentalist Kevin Viner. Attendees included Italian actress Elisabetta Canalis and her husband Dr. Brian Perri, Los Angeles City Councilman Joe Buscaino, philanthropist chef Bruno Serato, and Gail Abarbanel, Executive Director of Stuart House. Prince Emanuele Filiberto, the grandson of the late King Umberto II, Italy's last reigning sovereign, commented, Being able to contribute to the incredible work that the Stuart House performs in assisting Los Angeles children every day makes our first Notte di Savoia all the more rewarding and impactful. Gail Abarbanel, Executive Director of Stuart House said: We are absolutely delighted to have been selected as beneficiary charity for this event. Funds raised will have a huge impact for Stuart House, enabling us to support more children and families who have suffered from sexual abuse and exploitation. The Princes ancestor, King Victor Emmanuel II, united the nation of Italy under his rule between 1861 and 1870. The Savoy Orders are ancient orders of knighthood which date back to the Crusades, have traditionally been devoted to charitable works, and recognize individuals for their contributions in public service, medicine, the arts, music, government, business and philanthropy. The American Delegation through its charitable arm, the American Foundation of Savoy Orders, contributes to humanitarian, hospitaller and charitable projects and initiatives across North America and abroad, particularly in health and hospice care, disaster relief, education programs and children's causes. ABOUT THE AMERICAN FOUNDATION AND DELEGATION OF SAVOY ORDERS: Headquartered in New York City, the American Delegation of Savoy Orders, which includes the United States of America and Canada, is among the 35 delegations of the Savoy Orders located throughout Europe, the Americas and Japan. The Dynastic Orders of the Royal House of Savoy are among the oldest of chivalry in the world. Their origins and their principles, traditions and humanitarian goals, like those of the Royal House of Savoy that has the hereditary right to confer, date back a thousand years. The American Foundation of Savoy Orders supports local, national, and international charities focusing on medical, educational, social assistance and humanitarian fields, including philanthropy for hospitals, relief agencies, childrens causes and hospice care for the poor, infirm and elderly. The Foundation is a Non-Governmental Organization in Roster Consultative Statues with the Economic and Social Council of the United Nations. ABOUT STUART HOUSE AT UCLA-SANTA MONICA MEDICAL CENTER: Stuart House is an internationally-recognized, model program created by The Rape Foundation to serve the special needs of sexually abused children and their families. Through an exemplary public/private partnership, Stuart House co-locates in a child-friendly facility, an onsite, multi-agency child protection team (police, prosecutors and DCFS workers) to respond immediately to children who report sexual abuse and to expedite child protection actions. Stuart House also provides comprehensive state-of-the-art treatment (24-hour emergency medical care, forensic services, and specialized therapy) to help child victims and their families cope with the traumatic effects of sexual abuse, and to prevent the potentially long-term deleterious effects of childhood victimization on childrens physical and psychological health. Stuart House fosters healing and resilience. All Stuart House services are free for the children and families served. nGageIT Digital Health plans to be one of the first companies in the world to deploy pioneering state-of-the art digital medicine solutions to battle the opioid crisis. The company developed novel breath sensor technology for the epidemic of medication non-adherence and in cases such as opioids, the company has solutions to prevent the overuse of prescribed medicines. We are excited about the increasing momentum surrounding NGageIT Digital Health Solutions, said NGageITs CEO Raj Reddy. New partnerships will swiftly advance nGageITs medication breath sensor technology to tackle the staggering human costs of opioid abuse. Currently there is enough prescription opioids prescribed to medicate every American adult around clock for a month, he said. With nearly five people in Ohio dying each day due to a drug overdose, the staggering cost to of fatal and non-fatal opioid poisoning in Ohio is nearly $3.6 billion, said Dr. Jennifer Murdoch, nGageITs cofounder. It is time for advanced technological solutions like nGageITs digital medicine technology to battle the opioid crisis especially to prevent women of child bearing age from becoming addicted and then pregnant, said Dr. Jennifer Murdoch, who is an expert in healthcare systems and a mid-wife. nGageITs detects the unique fingerprint of medications you take from your breath. Its NanoSmart oral encoding platform turns any approved oral dosage into a digital object that addresses medical non-adherence by measuring, through a patients breath a more accurate and unique bio-identifier than facial recognition or even fingerprints when medications have been taken. nGageITs NanoSmart Biosensor can detect a single, digitally encoded nanoparticle from the more than 2,500 substances in the human breath. The biosensor detects digitally encoded nanoparticles using food grade safe NanoSmart particles, reading them like an ingestible bar code from a detection device called the Noz. nGageITs platform does not require cumbersome sensor patches to be worn the patient would simply breathe. This data is automatically uploaded to the cloud through the patients smart phone and can be tracked in real-time by health care providers and in clinical trials. nGageIT plans to use Artificial Intelligence to leverage its patient-facing big data and machine learning to generate better decision-making; improve the efficiency of research and of clinical trials; create new tools for physicians, consumers, insurers, and regulators, and create an improved value in the pharmaceutical ecosystem worth billions including helping curb the opioid epidemic. nGageIT is also actively reviewing life science partners who wish to utilize its novel NanoSmart technology to prevents drug counterfeiting by creating uniquely nano bar-coded tablets. In April, nGageIT was selected from a group of applicants from over 20 countries and 30 states to compete at a medical innovation conference, the theme of which was the The Next Generation of Healthcare how big data, artificial intelligence, enhanced reality and other disruptive technologies will engage patients and clinicians, and take healthcare to new levels. nGageIT won a $25,000 innovation prize at the conference by showcasing its NanoSmart technology and how it plans to use Artificial Intelligence to leverage its patient-facing big data and machine learning to generate better decision-making, improve the efficiency of research and of clinical trials, create new tools for physicians, consumers, insurers, and regulators, and create a vastly improved value chain in the pharmaceutical ecosystem worth billions. Our digital breath sensor technology can identify use and misuse patterns from patients in real-time using Artificial Intelligence which allows healthcare providers to immediately tailor their approach to reduce opioid addiction, said Reddy. nGageIT plans to deploy our novel digital medicine platform through our partners at major health systems in Ohio and Virginia making these health systems the first in the world to deploy digital medicine to curb opioid abuse, said CEO Raj Reddy. The opioid epidemic could claim another 500,000 lives over the next decade, destroy families and cost the healthcare system billions if leading edge solutions arent deployed immediately. ### nGageIT Digital Health Solutions (ngageittec.com) makes medicine smarter using NanoSmart ingestible encoding technology and injection sensors to turn any drug into a digital object. Physicians use the real life experience of patients gathered from nGageITs sensors to optimize clinical outcomes. For more information or to arrange interviews, please contact us at info(at)ngageittec.com, Coinfirm, an anti-money laundering and counter terrorist financing technology platform, change to Coinfirm, the leading regtech company and anti money laudering platform for Blockchain. B21 will deploy the Coinfirm technology during its token sale to ensure that B21 is fully compliant with AML regulation. Coinfirm is a leading regulatory technology company with an objective to secure the safe adoption and use of blockchain financial transactions, mainly by deploying the Coinfirm AML/CTF Platform. Coinfirms platform helps companies to streamline and automate compliance processes and aims to be the global standard for AML, in turn enabling a high level of transparency for cryptocurrency and blockchain based transactions. Coinfirms AML platform will make it possible for B21 to identify funds from risky or illegal sources and assess risks connected to dealing with contributing wallet addresses serving Bitcoin, Bitcoin Cash and Ethereum "Correct AML and transparency is a key for the correct adoption of blockchain based projects, especially in highly regulated sectors. Coinfirm bridges the gap between the traditional economy and the possibilities offered by blockchain and cryptocurrency, raises the effectiveness of counteracting money laundering, brings analysis of the source of funds and solutions that secure the safe use of this new system" - said Pawe Kuskowski, CEO and Co-Founder of Coinfirm. B21 has integrated with Coinfirm so that it will have streamlined access to reports and risk scores for all participants in its token sale, which also launched in private sale on March 28th, 2018. B21 will use this valuable data to block and refund transactions on those wallets marked as high risk. We look forward to working with Coinfirm ensuring B21 leverages the best technology and processes available to us in order to protect our business and customers, said Miles Paschini, Co-Founder of B21, and goes on to say, A key differentiator in B21 s business model is a comprehensive regulatory framework and a commitment to transparency to our customers on how we conduct our business. We aim to bring investment strategies in cryptoassets to millions of individuals and thus bring a much-needed liquidity to the market. About B21 B21 is a fintech company headquartered in Gibraltar and is the developer of a personal wealth management platform for cryptoassets that enables the mass market to invest in cryptoassets by creating their own portfolio of cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin, Ethereum, EOS and others. The B21 app enables customer to invest using local fiat currency and has a user-friendly portfolio dashboard, the application also supports recurring investments. Historically managing a portfolio of cryptocurrencies would require a user to open several accounts, manage multiple passwords and have a strong technical knowledge. With B21 you only need a single account to manage all your cryptoassets. B21 is founded by industry veterans Miles Paschini, Nitin Agarwal and Simon Pearson and the company is advised by DNA Fund, as well as widely known blockchain investor and chairman of The Bitcoin Foundation, Brock Pierce. http://www.b21.io/#/ About Coinfirm Coinfirm is a recognized leader in their field, ranked among the most influential blockchain and regtech companies and serves as a foundation for the safe adoption and use of blockchain. The Coinfirm AML/CTF Platform uses proprietary algorithms and big data analysis to provide structured actionable data that increases efficiency, reduces costs and streamlines compliance to near automation. The blockchain agnostic platform benefits companies operating around blockchain as well as major financial institutions, asset management companies and BI companies. http://www.coinfirm.io https://amlt.coinfirm.io/ TBX, the industry leader in employee benefits administration, education, and enrollment has announced the addition of two new executives. Kirk Vitry joins the company as Vice President of Operation and Belinda Maffei as Vice President of Marketing. Both join the executive leadership team at TBX to drive results as the company continues to grow. Kirk most recently served as the Digital Process Manager at Capital One where he directed efforts to provide industry leading tech in the financial sector targeted at improving the customer experience and was a key player in the companys efforts in migrating EDI data transfer to modern API. Prior to his Digital Process Manager role, he led the customer contact service center for the banking team at Capital One which was comprised of more than 400 team members. "Kirks unique background and skill set is going to propel TBX to the next level of excellence as we scale our organization and further expand our best in class technology and services across the country, said Buck Wagner, Chief Marketing Officer at TBX. "Kirks proven track record of creating and implementing innovative ways to improve processes and outcomes will undoubtedly add tremendous value across the organization, stated TBX President and CEO Joe Fernandez. Belinda Maffei transitioned from her role as Regional Sales Director at TBX to Vice President of Marketing. Prior to joining TBX, Ms. Maffei enjoyed a tremendously successful 25-year career with Colonial Life where her duties included third party administration of IRS Section 125 Flexible Benefit Programs, managing operational activities, negotiation of Underwriting risks, and culminated with the development and execution of comprehensive, integrated marketing programs and brand strategies enabling the company to consistently achieve sales growth objectives. We are excited to see where Belinda will lead our Marketing and Creative teams as she is recognized for building winning environments that consistently add value, deliver measurable results, and enhance organizational integrity, viability, sustainability, and growth, said Wagner. Fernandez added, Belinda brings highly relevant in-market experience and marketing leadership to TBX and brings an unmatched work ethic to the table. For more information on TBX visit us at http://www.tbxbenefits.com. Phoenix-based Envoy America, a specialized ridesharing program that offers accompanied transportation plus assistance and companionship for seniors and patients and recipient of the prestigious Dementia SMART Award, announced today that it has launched in the Chicago, Austin and Albuquerque markets to provide accompanied transportation services to senior citizens. Envoy America is disrupting the ridesharing industry with an elevated level of service that targets the aging population, one of the fast-growing demographics in the country. This expansion marks the 12th market for Envoy America with nearly 10 additional cities slated for 2018. Instead of the standard pick up and drop off service of other transportation companies, Envoy America offers a door-to-door service where driver companions not only drive, but also provide assistance at all points along the journey from pushing a grocery cart, to running errands and taking clients to and from appointments. Drivers remain with clients until they are back home. All drivers undergo specialized training and are mature adults themselves, which makes them especially, qualified to understand their clients. Services include transportation, providing a helping hand for doctors' appointments, grocery shopping, social outings, religious services and more. In most cases, Envoy America rates cost less than a taxi or other ridesharing service. The Chicago area will be led by General Manager and Director of Operations Steven Wolf. Mr. Wolf is a former 9-year home care agency owner in Chicago who has a deep understanding of a day in the life of a Caregiver and a lifelong passion for taking care of our vital senior citizens. The Austin area will be led by General Manager and Director of Operations John Redford. Mr. Redford is a native Texan and has 20+ years experience in the senior living market as an Executive Director, Regional Executive Director and Regional Director of Operations with marquee companies like Brookdale, Senior Lifestyle and Atria Senior Living. The Albuquerque area will be led by General Manager and Director of Operations Jerry Martinez. Mr. Martinez is honorably discharged from the United States Army where he has served for 7 years. He has 15+ years experience in the senior and healthcare markets as Director of Marketing for home health and hospice companies. "I am excited to introduce Envoy America to Chicago. As a Chicago native, and former home care agency owner, I was able to see firsthand the travel challenges and limitations senior citizens experience as they age. There is a tremendous need for maintaining independence and Envoy America is able to satisfy transportation needs by way of our compassionate and trained drivers who see serving seniors as a calling rather than just a job," said Wolf. "The aging-in-place technology market is estimated to grow to more than $30 billion by 2030 and Envoy America is well positioned as a leader in helping our aging population live a life full of connections and care on their own terms," said Redford. "Future expansion into new markets and delivery channels will provide Envoy America with countless ways to connect with prospective clients and partners - I look forward to being part of this journey." "As a technology startup targeting the seniors - a market that is on a trajectory to swell to more than 72 million by 2020, Envoy America is poised for rapid growth," said Martinez. "I am pleased to join Envoy America in the early stages to help the company set up a strong foundation for future success. The opportunity to focus on the core business while also making a positive impact on such a crucial segment of our population that has also been so influential in my life is something I am eager to be a part of," added Martinez. "Wolf, Redford and Martinez combine functional expertise and proven experience with high-growth companies, as well as a shared passion for applying innovative thinking to the challenges facing our aging population," said K. C. Kanaan, co-founder and CEO of Envoy America. "Envoy America clients will benefit greatly from their collective expertise and willingness to think differently about transportation as one of the top concerns for aging Americans." About Envoy America: Envoy America's mission is to help seniors, stay independent, healthy and socially active - all without getting behind the wheel of a car. Envoy America is the fastest growing rideshare company in the US that is solely focused on seniors and people that cannot or should not drive. Envoy America is preferred by senior passengers and drivers for its safe and friendly experience. It is committed to affecting positive change for the future of seniors. Envoy America is partners with the American Cancer Society, American Medical Response/Access 2 Care and Surpass Senior Living. Envoy America is currently operating in Phoenix, Tucson, Dallas, Houston, San Antonio, Austin, Santa Fe, Tacoma, Seattle, Olympia, Albuquerque and Chicago. For more information, visit http://www.envoyamerica.com or visit our Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/EnvoyAmerica/ To schedule a ride or to learn more about Envoy America, please call 888-375-5558 or visit http://www.envoyamerica.com. # # # Freshdesk, the leading cloud-based customer engagement software from Freshworks, opens a new data centre in Mumbai, India. The release will help local users have faster data transfers, lower latencies, and faster business performance. Freshdesk, the leading cloud-based customer engagement software from Freshworks, today announced that it will be opening a new data centre in Mumbai, India. The Chennai-based company said that the data centre would provide additional security for its Indian customers. India is our third largest market and we are committed to growth on our home ground. When we started scaling in the mid-market industry, we realized that the data centre is an important requirement for customers especially in the health and financial industries, said STS Prasad, Senior Vice President of Engineering for Freshworks. The release will help local users have faster data transfers, lower latencies, and faster business performance, he added. This is the companys fifth data centre globally, and second in the APAC region. The other locations are Virginia in the United States, Dublin in Ireland, Frankfurt in Germany, and Sydney in Australia. Girish Mathrubootham, CEO of Freshworks, said that the new Mumbai data centre is testament to Indias growth potential. The time when everyone believed that Indian customers wont pay for good business software is long gone. Indian businesses are now adopting software on par with other global companies, and SaaS spend is a good chunk of it. With the new data centre, we are well placed to serve our Indian customers, especially in the enterprise space, he said. Freshdesks customers in India include Saavn, Decathlon, Grofers, Lenskart, Oyo Rooms, Byju's, and Goibibo. With this announcement, Freshdesks India customer list is only likely to grow. ZTR "This is an important move for ZTR that aligns with our 2020 vision, to further expand into Europe and strengthen our presence as the definitive global telematics solutions provider. ~ Paul Wilson, ZTR Director of Commercial Development ZTR Control Systems has further solidified itself as a global leader in intelligent industrial equipment management solutions by becoming the newest member of the European Rental Association (ERA). ZTR is proud to be one of only two telematics companies currently accepted as members. ZTR is a global high-tech company that develops new and innovative solutions for off-road industrial equipment markets, integrating complex components into personalized telematics solutions for OEMs, rental companies, and fleets of compact construction equipment. The company strives to be recognized for earned leadership, trusted value and proven technology and has won several awards and accolades throughout its 30 year history. Were thrilled to be accepted as ERA members and value the opportunity to build strong global relationships through this international organization. The European rental industry is seeing the value that integration and data driven decision making, through the Industrial Internet of Things, can bring to its bottom line. ZTR continues to provide personalized and proven solutions that drive value for each rental customer. This is an important move for ZTR that aligns with our 2020 vision, to further expand into Europe and strengthen our presence as the definitive global telematics solutions provider. ~ Paul Wilson, ZTR Director of Commercial Development. The ERA acts as the representative association of the equipment rental sector at the European level, complementing the activities of the national rental associations. This work focuses on four key areas: Promotion of the rental concept, technique, statistics on the rental market, and sustainability. We take great pride in our membership process and are proud to welcome ZTR into the European Rental Association. As the technological landscape in the rental industry evolves, we must stay current and offer the best possible benefits to all of our members. ZTR has a reputation of innovation that supports our key focus of promoting the rental concept. As that vision changes and grows, ZTR adds value to the ERA with its in-depth knowledge of the technological advancements in the rental industry that address the needs of global rental businesses. We welcome ZTR as a valued contributor. ~ Michel Petitjean, ERA General Secretary. ZTR will be exhibiting at the ERA Convention May 23 & 24, 2018 in Vienna, Austria at Stand #13. Please email imunro(at)ztr(dot)com to set up a meeting. About ZTR ZTR Control Systems is a proven telematics company and global leader in intelligent industrial equipment management solutions. ZTR provides innovative industrial telematics solutions to numerous industries, allowing companies to remotely monitor and manage both mobile and fixed assets. ZTR was a pioneer in the development of Industrial Internet of Things (IoT) technologies and works with over 50 industrial Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) and many of the top rental houses in the world. About ERA The European Rental Association was created in 2006 to represent national rental associations and equipment rental companies in Europe. Today, the membership includes over 5,000 rental companies, either directly or through 14 rental associations. ERA is active through its committees in the fields of Promotion, Sustainability, Statistics, Technical and through its Future Group. Counsel Financial, the nations trusted leader in law firm financing, announced today that it will once again sponsor the upcoming Mass Tort Med School seminar hosted by HB Litigation Conferences. The program will take place May 9-11, 2018 in New York City. Conference attendees will gather for an in-depth look into the scientific data and medicine supporting the largest mass tort litigations taking place. Some of the nations leading litigation experts will give updates on current hot legal topics and call attention to new areas of litigation growing rapidly, such as the opioid crisis. In addition, the concurrent Class Action Mastery program will offer advice on how to navigate this complex area of the law. Counsel Financial is set to co-host the conferences welcome reception, being held Wednesday, May 9 at the Knickerbocker Hotels St. Cloud Rooftop. It will be a great opportunity for networking and camaraderie while enjoying the expansive, birds-eye views of New York Citys iconic Times Square. Counsel Financial is the only law firm financing company exclusively endorsed by the American Association for Justice and The National Trial Lawyers, and continues to be the trusted source for law firm funding. The companys services extend beyond financing to include assistance with budgeting and financial analysis, industry insight and co-counsel introductions for its clients. I think the AcctTwo team's organizational skills played a huge role in our successful implementation. AcctTwo, a leading consulting firm and provider of cloud-based financial management solutions and managed accounting services, announced that the firm has implemented a new accounting and financial management system for Slice, a software and consumer app company based in New York City. Slice is uniting and empowering local pizzerias with tech, data, and marketing to take charge of their industry, to bring their business into the digital world, and to provide handcrafted, quality pizza with the utmost convenience. Unlike other online ordering services that drive down a pizzerias quality and value by charging high order fees, Slice builds a true partnership for a fair cost. After a rigorous software evaluation, Slice chose Sage Intacct over other cloud and on-premises solutions as the best fit to meet the needs of the organization. Previous Business Challenges Faced by Slice: Slice's legacy accounting system was no longer able to handle the requirements of a growing software and technology company. The company needed a best-in-class system that can handle most of their financial management needs without add-ons, but can still to connect with other systems, including their proprietary software, via APIs. Slice wanted to enhance their reporting capabilities on both financial and non-financial data without the need for spreadsheets or 3rd party reporting add-ons. As a visionary technology company, Slice saw the need for collaboration tools within the financial management system, something unavailable in their legacy accounting software. The company wanted a modern solution that relies on configuration rather than customization, where the finance team is empowered to make changes to the system as their needs change without having to rely on IT or outside consultants. Reasons for Selecting Sage Intacct and AcctTwo: The company considered both Sage Intacct and NetSuite during the sales cycle, and chose Sage Intacct because it met the company's needs both today and in the future. Additionally, the company's Director of Finance had previous experience with Sage Intacct and had a very high opinion of the product. Sage Intacct provides Slice with powerful integration capabilities, the ability to report on both financial and non-financial information in one system of record, and the revenue recognition functionality today's software and SaaS companies need. Sage Intacct Collaborate, a social layer that comes standard with the accounting system, allows the finance team to collaborate and communicate on specific journal entries, accounts, projects, invoices, purchase requisitions, and more, providing context and keeping conversations out of buried email threads. Sage Intacct is built by accountants for accountants keeping changes to the software in the configuration layer and allowing customers to make changes to the system with a few clicks. As Sage Intacct's Partner of the Year for four straight years, AcctTwo has shown deep expertise in the software and SaaS space. AcctTwo's consultants have a great deal of experience with revenue recognition, contract management, integrations, and technical services in the Sage Intacct software ecosystem. Highlighted Comments from Slice's Finance Team: On working with AcctTwo's Lead Implementer, Theresa Spicer: "Theresa was definitely very organized," says Bianca Marquez, Accountant at Slice. "Ive been involved in implementations of financial systems before, and we were probably throwing hundreds of emails Theresas way and asking tons of questions and she was so on top of everything. There was not a time where she hadnt responded or where I had a lingering question. I think the AcctTwo team's organizational skills played a huge role in our successful implementation." "In prior implementations, Ive sat down with our solutions architect and explained what we needed, and a lot of times I felt like they had a hard time understanding what we needed. Theresa had such a good way of understanding of what we were asking and what we needed. I dont think there is anything AcctTwo could have done better." About AcctTwo: AcctTwo is a leading consulting firm and reseller of cloud-based accounting, ERP, Financial Planning & Analysis (FP&A), and Corporate Performance Management (CPM) software. Our sophisticated systems solve the issues growing middle market companies and nonprofit organizations face today. AcctTwo also provides Managed Accounting Services (MAS), allowing clients to focus on the core competencies of their business. We provide the people, processes, technology, and office facilities to perform these functions, while allowing clients to collaborate interactively through an online portal. AcctTwo is headquartered in Houston, Texas. For more information, please visit http://www.accttwo.com or call 713-744-8400. Contacts: Peter Wagner Director of Marketing AcctTwo Cell: 512.415.6846 Email: pwagner(at)accttwo.com Paul Vitenas, M.D., F.A.C.S. was recently named as part of the 2018 RealSelf 100. For the sixth time, Vitenas Cosmetic Surgery has ranked in the top 1% of all participating providers on the social media site. The annual list of RealSelf 100 nominees are released each spring, honoring their most influential and active physicians. RealSelf started in 2006, as a repository for plastic and cosmetic surgery information and reviews. Over the last 12 years, the site has become the number one online source for aesthetic information, testimonials, and practice information. Including a variety of before/after photographs, patient reviews, and doctor Q&As, the site helps both existing and potential patients find the information they need to ensure safe and satisfying aesthetic results. A wide range of physicians work tirelessly on the RealSelf forums, answering patient questions and responding to consumer comments. These include board-certified specialists in plastic and cosmetic surgery, dermatology, otolaryngology, and cosmetic dentistry. Last year, the 20,000 participating doctors answered more than 100,000 patient questions. Being a physician in the elite, RealSelf 100, tells consumers that doctor is deeply committed to patient education, devoting their time to improving aesthetic outcomes. The 2018 RealSelf 100 marks the 8th year of the award. RealSelf CEO, Tom Seery, is thrilled to announce this years honorees and applaud the physicians for their efforts. He explains, "The RealSelf 100 recognizes committed medical professionals who are leading the way to help educate and empower consumers to make smarter decisions about aesthetic treatments,". He then continues, RealSelf 100 honorees are among the most engaged doctors on RealSelf,. Named as part of the RealSelf 100 six times, in 2012, 2013, 2015, 2017, and in 2018, Dr. Vitenas is considered an expert contributor on the website. Currently, Dr. Vitenas has posted over 2,000 answers to patient questions and maintains an exemplary rating, with more than 130 patient reviews. To find out more about Dr. Vitenas and the latest RealSelf 100 Award winners, go to https://www.realself.com/RS100. ABOUT VITENAS COSMETIC SURGERY Dr. Paul Vitenas is a board-certified plastic surgeon, with more than 30 years of aesthetic experience. A graduate of Tulane University Medical School in New Orleans, Dr. Vitenas completed a competitive Orthognatic Surgery Fellowship at the Louisiana State Medical Center. He also completed highly selective Fellowships in Craniofacial and Cosmetic Surgery at Hospital Necker and Clinic Belvedere in Paris, Miami Childrens and Victoria Hospital at the University of Miami. Specializing in body contouring procedures such as breast augmentation, the Mommy Makeover, and the Brazilian Butt Lift, Dr. Vitenas is also known for bringing his patients an innovative range of noninvasive techniques. Vitenas Cosmetic Surgery is located on the corner of Richmond Avenue and Drexel Street, in the heart of Houstons Highland Village and River Oaks Shopping District. The office is easy to reach from any side of town, as well as either of the citys two, international airports. To schedule a complimentary consultation with Dr. Vitenas, call Vitenas Cosmetic Surgery at 281.484.0088 or fill out the online Contact Us form. * Cuba is a model of South-South cooperation to promote equality and development, the head of the United Nations Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC) said on May 7 during a ceremony marking Cuban National Day. * Visiting Chinese Premier Li Keqiang on May 7 called for taking concrete measures to strengthen relations with Indonesia and promote the synergy of the two countries' development strategies. * US President Donald Trump said on May 7 that he would announce his decision on the Iran nuclear deal on May 8. Iranian President Hassan Rouhani earlier on May 7 hinted that Iran would likely remain in the nuclear deal even if the United States decides to pull out, official IRNA news agency reported. * World Trade Organization (WTO) Director General Roberto Azevedo urged members during a meeting in Geneva on May 7 to step up their engagement towards tackling a number of systemic challenges, including rising trade tensions among major members. * US President Donald Trump will request a package of US$15 billion in spending cuts from Congress on May 8, including some US$7 billion from the Children's Health Insurance Program championed by Democrats, senior administration officials said on May 7. * Belarus and China are going to sign an agreement on 30-day visa-free regime, Belarusian parliament speaker Mikhail Myasnikovich said on May 7 in a joint interview with visiting Chinese journalists. * Libyan coast guard on May 7 rescued 406 illegal migrants of African and Asian nationalities off the country's western coast, navy spokesman said. * A Russian Ka-52 attack helicopter has crashed in eastern Syria, killing both pilots on board, the Russian Defense Ministry said on May 7. * Austrian Chancellor Sebastian Kurz met with his Slovakian counterpart Peter Pellegrini in Vienna on May 7, as both countries prepare to take on leading roles in European organizations. Fareportal, the travel technology company powering CheapOair.com and OneTravel.com, was honored recently with a Gold Award at the Hermes Creative Awards for hosting an exceptionally successful social media sweepstakes campaign. In celebration of Valentines Day, the flight-focused online travel agency partnered with Fiji Airways to giveaway a romantic trip for two to Fiji including roundtrip airfare and 5-star accommodations. The success of the campaign was unprecedented for CheapOair.com and far surpassed the goals set prior to the promotion. The campaign generated a 4% social engagement rate which is significantly higher than the industry average of 0.9%. In addition, 36% of entrants opted-in to receive future CheapOair.com promotional emails. The Hermes Creative Awards are sponsored and judged by the Association of Marketing and Communication Professionals (AMCP). The international organization consists of several thousand professionals in production, marketing, communication, advertising, and public relations. AVA Digital recognizes outstanding achievement by creative professionals involved in the concept, direction, design, and production of media that is part of the evolution of digital communication. Social media plays a vital role in how todays travelers research and plan their trips and therefore is becoming a key component of our marketing strategy, said Sam S. Jain, Founder and CEO at Fareportal. Our Social Media team is constantly working with our partners to generate interesting campaigns that engage our followers and keep CheapOair top of mind when booking a trip. About Fareportal Fareportal is a travel technology company powering a next generation travel concierge service. Utilizing its innovative technology and company owned and operated global contact centers, Fareportal has built strong industry partnerships providing customers access to over 450 airlines, 1 million hotels, and hundreds of car rental companies around the globe. With a portfolio of consumer travel brands including CheapOair and OneTravel, Fareportal enables consumers to book online, on mobile apps for iOS and Android, by phone, or live chat. Fareportal provides its airline partners with access to a broad customer base that books high-yielding international travel and add-on ancillaries. About CheapOair CheapOair is a flights-focused hybrid travel service that enables consumers to book online, on mobile apps, by phone or live chat. CheapOair (http://www.cheapoair.com, 1-800-566-2345) bridges the gap between an online and traditional travel agency with certified travel agents available 24/7 to help find deals and offers to destinations worldwide on over 450 airlines, 150,000 hotels, and 100s of car rental companies. Partner airlines benefit from access to CheapOair's broad customer base that books high yield international travel and add-on ancillaries at above the industry average. Follow CheapOair on Facebook and Twitter to learn how to travel the world for less. - This partnership with Intel underpins our larger mission to make it easy for developers to see hardware as an innovation layer, and were excited to increase awareness and adoption of Intel Optane technology. Packet, the leading provider of infrastructure automation solutions for developers, is collaborating with Intel to accelerate adoption of Intel Optane SSD as a datacenter fast storage and memory solution. Packet will provide on-demand access to a fleet of Intel Xeon Scalable servers with large format Intel Optane technology at no cost. This will provide an easy way for open source and commercial software projects to benchmark and optimize this cutting edge technology, and ultimately unleash new innovations and deliver enhanced user experience. Intel Optane technology is a unique combination of 3D XPoint technology, Intel Memory and Storage Controllers, Intel Interconnect IP and Intel software. Together these building blocks enable users to accelerate applications for fast caching and storage, reduce transaction costs for latency-sensitive workloads and increase scale per server. Intel Optane technology also allows users to deploy bigger and more affordable datasets to gain new insights from large memory pools. At Packet, we are dedicated to exposing the latest and greatest hardware to developers and the broader software ecosystem, noted Jacob Smith, SVP of Engagement and a co-Founder at Packet. This partnership with Intel underpins our larger mission to make it easy for developers to see hardware as an innovation layer, and were excited to increase awareness and adoption of Intel Optane technology. Accelerating the adoption of transformative technology like Intel Optane technology starts with establishing a robust ecosystem of users who can experience its benefits first hand through easy access, said Chris Tobias, General Manager, Optane Solutions, Intel Non-Volatile Memory Solutions Group. Packet is well known as a place where developers turn to develop against leading hardware. This is a great opportunity to help increase community excitement around Intel Optane technology. As well as providing access to infrastructure, Intel and Packet will dedicate outreach and systems engineers to partner with the software community around Intel Optane technology, both online and at meetups. To support the community, Packet has launched AccelerateWithOptane.com to enable users, software projects, and commercial partners to access information, request infrastructure access and share success stories. Getting access to reliable, developer-friendly infrastructure is always the first step for optimizing around new hardware, and Packets platform is uniquely crafted to help accelerate our work, said Dor Laor, founder of ScyllaDB. About Packet Founded in 2014, Packets proprietary technology automates physical servers and networks without the use of virtualization or multi-tenancy to provide on-demand compute and connectivity. Customers can either build on Packets public cloud service or leverage advanced automation software to enable their own private compute infrastructure. The company is headquartered in New York City and maintains an advanced global IP network between its 18 data center locations including facilities in New York Metro (Parsippany, NJ), Sunnyvale (CA), Amsterdam (NL) and Tokyo (JP). Packet is a member of the Cloud Native Computing Foundation (CNCF) where it donates the Community Infrastructure Lab, and is also a supporter of many open source projects, including Memcached.org and Kernel.org. Intel, the Intel logo and Intel Optane are trademarks of Intel Corporation or its subsidiaries in the U.S. and/or other countries. Morrison & Foerster, a leading global law firm, is pleased to announce that Michael D. Birnbaum has joined the firms Securities Litigation, Enforcement and White-Collar Defense Practice Group (SLEW) as a partner in New York. Coming from the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), Mr. Birnbaum follows numerous other senior government officials who have joined Morrison & Foerster over recent years. He will represent financial institutions, corporations, and individuals in regulatory enforcement proceedings, internal and government investigations, and civil securities litigation. Mr. Birnbaum spent the last 11 years at the SEC, most recently as Senior Trial Counsel. He previously spent eight years in private practice. Michaels extensive trial and investigations experience will further strengthen our already deep bench of securities and enforcement litigators, said Jordan Eth, co-chair of Morrison & Foersters SLEW Group. Michael brings up-to-the-minute SEC enforcement knowledge and an impressive investigative and enforcement background. Joel Haims, co-chair of Morrison & Foersters SLEW Group, added: Michael is the latest in a series of high-profile additions that bring significant government experience to our white collar and investigations practice, particularly on the East Coast. Were proud to have Michael join the ranks of our most recent former government lawyers, including former Assistant U.S. Attorneys Carrie H. Cohen and Joshua Hill, Jr.; top FCPA prosecutors Chuck Duross and James Koukios; and risk, privacy and national security lawyers John P. Carlin and Robert S. Litt, from the Department of Justice and the Office of the Director of National Intelligence, respectively. At the SEC, Mr. Birnbaum was involved in matters regarding domestic and foreign financial companies, including commercial and investment banks, audit and accounting firms, investment advisers, and broker-dealers. He has a wide range of investigative experience, including insider trading, Investment Advisers and Investment Company Act violations, disclosure fraud, data breaches, and cryptocurrency matters. Mr. Birnbaum has significant trial experience in cases facing the financial services industry, including allegations of fraudulent securities offerings and registration violations, and supervisory failures related to the sale of securities. Among his many successfully resolved cases, Mr. Birnbaum obtained unprecedented injunctive relief in the Reserve Fund litigation stemming from the 2008 financial crisis. Other representative matters include Reliance Financial Advisors LLC, et al., Donald Anthony, et al. (fraud case against McGinn, Smith & Co. brokers), and SEC v. Empire Development Group. Morrison & Foerster has a global reach and a reputation as a litigation powerhouse, said Birnbaum. I look forward to working with the firms growing ranks of former fellow government officials and the rest of my new colleagues. The firm offers a great fit for my practice and Ive been consistently impressed by the firms culture and attorneys. ABOUT MOFO Morrison & Foerster is a global firm with exceptional credentials. Our clients include some of the largest financial institutions, investment banks, Fortune 100, and technology and life sciences companies. The Financial Times has named the firm to its lists of most innovative law firms in Northern America and Asia every year that it has published its Innovative Lawyers Reports in those regions. In the past few years, Chambers USA has honored MoFos Bankruptcy and IP teams with Firm of the Year awards, the Corporate/M&A team with a client service award, and the firm as a whole as Global USA Firm of the Year. Our lawyers are committed to achieving innovative and business-minded results for our clients, while preserving the differences that make us stronger. SGF Physicians Drs. Frank Chang, Jason Bromer, and Shruti Malik at the 2017 Cade Race The Maryland Race for the Family is a wonderful opportunity for patients and staff to come together in support of the infertility community and help to raise funds for those who are in need of infertility treatment or adoption in order to build their families. Shady Grove Fertility (SGF) and the Cade Foundation will host the annual Maryland Race for the Family on Saturday, June 16, 2018, at the Maryland Zoo in Baltimore, Maryland. SGF physicians, staff, and current and former patients will come together for this event to celebrate the strength and courage it takes to overcome infertility. The event includes a 5k run/walk and a 1 mile Family Fun Run. The Maryland Race for the Family is a wonderful opportunity for patients and staff to come together in support of the infertility community and help to raise funds for those who are in need of infertility treatment or adoption in order to build their families, said Frank E. Chang, M.D., of Shady Grove Fertilitys Rockville, MD office. Individuals as well as teams can register for the race. Registration includes complimentary zoo access, as well as the chance to win up to $10,000 in fertility treatment, provided by SGF. The Tinina Q. Cade Foundations Family Building Grant is an annual award that provides up to $10,000 to an infertile family. This grant assists with either the costs associated with infertility treatment at SGF or domestic adoption. Another grant awarded at the Maryland Race for the Family is the Savannah Grant, which is only available to SGF patients undergoing IVF. Established in 2010, the Savannah Grant was created to provide up to $10,000 for an SGF patient pursuing IVF treatment. This grant is in honor of Savannah Caroline Pereira. All proceeds from the event fund family building grants that help others afford the costs associated with fertility treatment or adoption. To date, there have been 92 grant recipients and 75 babies born. The Tinina Q. Cade Foundation is a non-profit organization that is dedicated to serving the needs of families battling infertility through education, outreach, and grants that help couples pay for infertility treatment or domestic adoption. In the past decade, through events like the Race for the Family, SGF and the Cade Foundation have raised more than $700,000 that is used to build awareness about the 1 in 8 couples struggling with infertility. About Shady Grove Fertility (SGF) SGF is a leading fertility and IVF center of excellence with 50,000 babies born and counting. With 41 physicians and 29 locations throughout MD, PA, VA, D.C., and GA, we offer patients individualized care, accept most insurance plans, and make treatment affordable through innovative financial options, including treatment guarantees. More physicians refer their patients to SGF than any other center. Call 1-888-761-1967 or visit ShadyGroveFertility.com. About The Cade Foundation The Tinina Q. Cade Foundation is a non-profit organization that serves the needs of families battling infertility through education, outreach, and grants. For more information about the Cade Foundation please visit http://www.cadefoundation.org Keith MacDonald, Vice President at Impact Advisors, a leading provider of healthcare information technology services, has been named one of the Top 25 Consultants of 2018 by Consulting Magazine. Keith is one of four to be recognized in the Excellence in Healthcare category. He will attend the Top 25 Consultants awards dinner on June 14th at The Mandarin Oriental in New York. Each year, Consulting Magazine ranks those consultants making the greatest impact within their industry. Keith and other consulting leaders were recognized in various categories including Excellence in Leadership, Client Services, Financial Services and Technology. This year the magazine received nearly 400 nominations. It is truly an honor to be named one of Consulting Magazines Top 25 Consultants for 2018, said Keith. I am especially proud to be recognized for Excellence in Healthcare, and have 250 talented colleagues at Impact Advisors to thank for making it easy to be that much more successful with our clients. Keith has 30 years of healthcare experience and leadership. His background includes strategic planning; vendor evaluation and selection; workflow improvement/redesign; implementation project planning and management; operations management; and market research. He possesses both broad and deep clinical information systems experience and has tracked and reported on IT market trends, operational best practices and vendor capabilities. Keith has been with Impact Advisors since 2010 and is a Client Services Executive for Impact Advisors Northeast clients. For more information on Impact Advisors, visit http://www.impact-advisors.com or follow the company on LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter. About Impact Advisors, LLC Impact Advisors is a nationally recognized healthcare consulting firm that is solving some of the toughest challenges in the industry by delivering strategic advisory, technology implementation and performance improvement services. Our comprehensive suite of digital health, clinical optimization and revenue cycle services span the lifecycle of our clients needs. Our experienced team has a powerful combination of clinical, revenue, operations, consulting and IT experience. The firm has earned a number of prestigious industry and workplace awards including Best in KLAS for nine consecutive years, Healthcare Informatics HCI 100, Crains Chicago Business Fast Fifty, as well as best place to work awards from: Modern Healthcare, Consulting Magazine, Beckers Hospital Review and Achievers. For more information about Impact Advisors, visit http://www.impact-advisors.com. Our goal is to help as many new businesses as possible find the money that they need to launch the company of their dreams Seek Capital is a leading provider of startup business loans. Lending Express is a leading marketplace for business loans in the United States. Seek Capital is proud to announce that it has partnered with Lending Express to make it easy and affordable for new business owners to get startup loans. According to Seek Capital CEO Roy Ferman, "We are thrilled about our new relationship with Lending Express. Our goal is to help as many new businesses as possible find the money that they need to launch the company of their dreams. Lending Express is a leading online marketplace for business loans. Together, we plan to help a lot more businesses in the very under-serviced startup space. ABOUT LENDING EXPRESS Lending Express is a leading marketplace for business loans in the United States and Australia. The company helps small-to-medium businesses get the right funding solutions by matching them with optimal lenders in the quickest and simplest way possible. The Lending Express marketplace offers multiple business funding products such as unsecured business loans, lines of credit, merchant cash advances and invoice factoring. The company has partnered with more than 25 leading lenders and FinTech companies such as OnDeck, Kabbage and Fundbox and now Seek Capital. Lending Express is rapidly growing with over 55,000 loyal customers registered through its platform. ABOUT SEEK CAPITAL Seek Capital is the leader in startup business funding. Launched in 2015, Seek Capital has helped solve the challenge of early stage business owners obtaining capital in the form of an unsecured line of credit to launch or growth their small business. The company has grown by combining the Seek Capital proprietary lender matching platform, Capital Seeker with its dedication to providing a hands on, consultative approach to each client. By utilizing the Capital Seeker the company is able to provide real time underwriting decisions allowing business owners to instantly know their funding options. To date, the company has matched over 20,000 successful applications across the United States. Seek Capital has an A rating with the Better Business Bureau, is a consistent Top 3 rated or Winner of Lending Trees Lender Award and was Ranked #44 by Glassdoor Best Place to Work 2017. For more information, visit Seek Capital Eisenhower Fellowships will welcome former U.S. Secretary of Defense Robert M. Gates as its new chairman at its Annual Meeting and Awards Dinner on May 17, 2018. Secretary Gates, who served eight American presidents of both political parties, will become the 9th chairman of the independent, nonpartisan, nonprofit international leadership organization. He succeeds General Colin L. Powell (USA, Retired) as chairman of Eisenhower Fellowships (EF). Secretary Gates will present the 2018 Dwight D. Eisenhower Medal for Leadership and Service to David and Susan Eisenhower at the EF Annual Awards dinner at the Philadelphia Museum of Art. David and Susan Eisenhower, are widely respected authorities in American politics and foreign policy and energy issues, respectively. Both are grandchildren of President Eisenhower, serve on the EFs Board of Trustees and are active ambassadors for the organization. Secretary Gates will also bestow EFs 2018 Distinguished Fellow Award, the organizations highest honor for a Fellow, to Mari Pangestu of Indonesia. Dr. Pangestu is a deeply engaged Eisenhower Fellow with a distinguished career as a government minister, professor and entrepreneur spanning 30 years in government, academia, diplomacy and private sector. At a reception before the Awards Dinner, Philadelphia Mayor Jim Kenney will welcome Secretary Gates to the City of Brotherly Love, home to Eisenhower Fellowships for the past 65 years. Established by the EF Board of Trustees in 1988, the Eisenhower Medal for Leadership and Service is awarded annually to a business leader, states person, or other public figure who has achieved, through direct personal contacts across boundaries, widely-recognized advances toward President Eisenhowers vision of peace and productivity through person-to-person international dialogue. In announcing the 2018 award recipients, Secretary Gates paid tribute to David and Susan Eisenhowers many professional accomplishments and their commitment to the EF mission of enhancing international understanding. Both David and Susan Eisenhower are champions of President Eisenhowers vision of a more peaceful, prosperous and just world, Secretary Gates said. They share a deep commitment to Eisenhower Fellowships mission and their grandfathers legacy of fostering greater understanding and collaboration between the United States and the rest of the world. In todays turbulent times, this mission is more important than ever before. David Eisenhower is a pre-eminent scholar of the American political system and the institution of the presidency. He has served on the Eisenhower Fellowships board since 1986. A professor at the University of Pennsylvania, David frequently meets with Eisenhower Fellows to share his insights on the U.S. presidency and memories of his grandfather. Susan Eisenhower, is an accomplished author and expert in national security, with extensive hands-on experience in the former Soviet Union and deep expertise in nuclear proliferation, the militarization of space and more recently, international and national energy policy. An Eisenhower Fellowships Trustee for the last 30 years, Susan frequently hosts Fellows at her office in Washington, D.C. Preceeding the Awards dinner, Eisenhower Fellowshipss Annual Meeting will be held this year at the Ritz-Carlton Hotel in Philadelphia, where the organization marks the completion of its spring Global Program, which brings some 25 ascendant leaders from around the world to the United States for individualized seven-week fellowships. Eisenhower Fellowships Founded in 1953 as a tribute to President Dwight Eisenhower, Eisenhower Fellowships is an independent, nonpartisan, nonprofit international leadership organization that identifies outstanding midcareer leaders from all fields and brings them to the United States for individualized fellowships of meetings with top experts across the country, and sends ascendant American leaders overseas to do the same. Since its inception, Eisenhower Fellowships has sponsored more than 2,400 leaders from more than 115 countries around the world, among them four heads of state, more than 300 who have served at the Cabinet or ministerial level, and hundreds of business leaders, university presidents and heads of major non-governmental organizations. For more information, please visit http://www.efworld.org or contact: Susan Kohler Reed, Director of Programs and Communications skohler(at)efworld(dot)org 215-965-1973 Were investing in capital equipment and acquiring new companies to complement our operations. Just this week we finalized an acquisition of a 45-year old company specializing in FDA 501K medical equipment and industrial air filtration systems. The buzz surrounding RGF Environmental Group, Inc.s (RGF) recent invitation and visit to the White House caught the attention of Florida Governor, Rick Scott. Scott is hot on the campaign trail as a candidate for US Senate and decided to return to RGF to connect with local workers and talk about his plans to make Washington work. Term limits and the elimination of many bureaucratic obstacles for business owners are among his priorities. Governor Scott spoke to guests and RGF employees about tax cuts benefiting Florida businesses and how he intends to replicate what he has proven to work in our state when he gets to Washington. His platform Lets Get to Work focuses on American workers, the creation of jobs and the benefits that a sustainable quality of life affords American families. RGF President and CEO, Ron Fink illustrated the direct effect of recent tax breaks on capital investments, pointing out a $1MM laser cutting machine that was purchased in the last year. The business saw record growth in 2017 with a 38% increase over the prior year and is currently constructing an additional 3,000 square feet of office space to accommodate its growing staff. RGFs VP of Business Development, Tony Julian, elaborated on other benefits the company has seen due to Floridas pro-business and pro-growth tax policies. Were investing in capital equipment and acquiring new companies to complement our operations. Just this week we finalized an acquisition of a 45-year old company specializing in FDA 501K medical equipment and industrial air filtration systems. Later this year, well be commissioning a new plastic extrusion line to make a component here that we previously outsourced. This is something that will substantially increase our competitive advantage in key commercial and industrial markets, Tony told the crowd. As guests and employees filtered out of the plant, heading back to their business of the day, the atmosphere was positive and optimistic. For RGF employees, Florida business owners and senatorial candidate Rick Scott, the future indeed looks bright! About RGF Environmental Group, Inc. RGF manufactures over 500 environmental products and has a 33+ year history of providing the world with the safest air, water and food without the use of chemicals. RGF is an ISO 9001:2015 certified research and innovation company, holding numerous patents for wastewater treatment systems, air purifying devices, and food sanitation systems. Situated in the heart of the Port of Palm Beach Enterprise Zone, RGF Headquarters span 7.5 acres, with 103,000 square feet of manufacturing, warehouse and office facilities. RGF has recently upgraded their facilities, creating an increased vertical approach to manufacturing, further allowing the company to provide the highest quality and best engineered products on the market. E.M.M.A. International Consulting Group, Inc. We are excited to attend FMMCs Annual Symposium this year, said Kira Jabri, Vice President/COO of EMMA International. FMMC is a great association to be a part of because Florida has the second highest concentration of FDA registered medical device establishments in the United States and FMMC wor E.M.M.A. International Consulting Group, Inc. (EMMA International) a global leader in FDA compliance consulting, is attending the Florida Medical Device Manufacturers Consortiums (FMMC) Annual Symposium from May 14th to May 15th in St. Petersburg, FL. FMMCs Annual Symposium is Florida's premier event for medical device manufacturing firms, featuring nationally recognized speakers, expert panels on regulatory issues and industry trends, exhibiting companies, legislative updates and quality networking opportunities. Dr. Carmine Jabri, E.M.M.A. Internationals President/CEO, will be participating in a panel discussion moderated by FDAs Blake Bevill, Division Director, Office of Medical Device and Radiological Health Operations (OMDRHO/Division 2). The panel will discuss FDA Hot Topics, including: CAPAs, Responding to 483s and Warning Letters, and the Coming Changes to Device Inspections. We are excited to attend FMMCs Annual Symposium this year, said Kira Jabri, Vice President/COO of EMMA International. FMMC is a great association to be a part of because Florida has the second highest concentration of FDA registered medical device establishments in the United States and FMMC works tirelessly on behalf of the medical device professionals. EMMA International will be exhibiting at the event. For more information about EMMA Internationals events, visit their website at http://www.emmainternational.com or follow them on LinkedIn, Twitter, and Instagram. About E.M.M.A. International E.M.M.A. International Consulting Group, Inc. is a global leader in management consulting services, with headquarters in Farmington Hills, MI, as well as offices in FL & PA. We focus on quality, regulatory, and compliance services for the Biotechnology, Pharmaceuticals, and Medical Device industries. E.M.M.A. International has services available to satisfy all your quality and compliance needs. We exclusively offer QualiPro, an Enterprise Quality Management Software (EQMS), through our partnership with Saphir Consult. For more information, visit http://www.emmainternational.com/ If you would like additional information, please contact Janet Bloom, Marketing and Operations Manager at 248-987-4497 or email at janet.bloom@emmainternational.com. It is admirable to see that Visions has taken this matter to heart, and has invested in improving their internal control environment, to address these matters that impact their own operations and delivery of services to its clients. Juan Vargas, Assure Professional, Senior IT Security Auditor Visions, one of the largest, Native American owned, direct marketing and print manufacturing providers in the United States, has successfully completed a Service Organization Controls (SOC) 2 Type 2 plus Health Information Trust Alliance Common Security Framework (HITRUST CSF) core requirements examination (SOC2+HITRUST.) The audit was performed by Assure Professional - a leading cybersecurity, assurance and compliance solutions provider. Visions print and fulfillment system is SOC 2+HITRUST compliant, by the standards established by the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA.) Governance, risk, and compliance are necessary in every business, but many lack the commitment to establish the required internal framework to meet these challenges. It is admirable to see that Visions has taken this matter to heart, and has invested in improving their internal control environment, to address these matters that impact their own operations and delivery of services to its clients, said Juan Vargas, Assure Professional, Senior IT Security Auditor. The SOC 2+HITRUST report is a collaboration between HITRUST and the AICPA, that utilizes the HITRUST CSF controls as the base framework, combined with the SOC 2 criteria for each of the Trust Services Principles (TSP) of security, availability, processing integrity, and confidentiality, to test the efficiency of an organizations security and privacy practices. Compliance is determined by tests and reports conducted by a qualified, independent auditor, on the structure and operational soundness of a service organizations controls, over a period of six months to a year. The audit accounts for the system of the data center, and the suitability of its design of controls, as reported by the company. The audit also includes verification of an auditors opinion on the operating effectiveness of the controls. Visions successful completion of the audit process confirms their current information security policy is aligned with the requirements of Statement on Standards for Attestation Engagements 16 (SSAE 16) SOC 2 Type 2 protocol, as well as International Organization for Standardization (ISO) 9001:2008 quality management system and Current Good Manufacturing Practices (cGMP.) "Data is the most valuable customer asset we handle at Visions, and we're proud to provide this high level of security," said Jon Otto, Visions President/CEO. "When it comes to the customer experience, were committed to continuously improving our processes while maintaining the highest standards for protecting sensitive customer data. Recognized as one of the largest Native American owned direct marketing and print manufacturing providers in the United States, Visions provides integrated marketing services and specializes in full-service commercial printing, graphic design and interactive web solutions, combining traditional media with new media to offer a powerful menu of direct-marketing solutions that optimize results and ROI. About Assure Professional Assure Professional, a leading cybersecurity, assurance and compliance solutions provider, specializes in providing due diligence, private equity, and accounting services as well as compliance related engagement programs including, SOC 1 (formerly SSAE 16) Audits, SOC 2 + HITRUST Audits, SOC Readiness Assessments, SOC for Cybersecurity, SOC for Vendor Supply Chain, ISO 27001 Assessments and HIPAA/HITECH Assessments. The firms leadership team has nearly 70 years of combined business management, operations and related information technology (IT) experience. Headquartered in De Pere, Wisconsin, Assure Professional has implemented business and technology best practices for companies across a variety of industries in US states, as well as Canada, South America, and several European countries. Visit http://www.assureprofessional.com. Assure Professional Social: Facebook, Twitter @assurepro, LinkedIn. About Visions With more than 30 years evolving within the industry, Visions is one of the largest Native American owned direct marketing and print manufacturing providers in the United States. Headquartered in Brooklyn Park, Minnesota, Visions provides integrated marketing services and specializes in full-service commercial printing, graphic design and interactive web solutions, combining traditional media with new media to offer a powerful menu of direct-marketing solutions that optimize results and ROI. Through its ISO 9001:2008 quality management system, supported by LEAN manufacturing principles, Visions is able to focus on providing the highest levels of quality assurance and risk management to its customers nationwide. Visit http://www.visionsfirst.com. Visions Social: Facebook, Twitter @visionsfirst, LinkedIn. Chinese Premier Li Keqiang (L) and Indonesian President Joko Widodo meet the press after their talks at the presidential palace in Bogor, Indonesia, May 7, 2018. (Xinhua/Wang Ye) BOGOR, Indonesia, May 7 (Xinhua) -- China is willing to build on the good momentum of the comprehensive strategic partnership with Indonesia and jointly achieve greater development, visiting Chinese Premier Li Keqiang said here on Monday. While meeting with Indonesian President Joko Widodo in the presidential palace in Bogor, West Java, Li said that China and Indonesia are important neighbors and natural cooperative partners with common interests. The two heads of state have held several successful meetings and promoted the political mutual trust and pragmatic cooperation to reach a new level, Li said. Both as major developing countries and important states in the region, China and Indonesia working hand in hand to seek common development is of strategic importance for not only the two countries and two peoples, but also for the region and the whole world at large, Li added. For his part, Widodo welcomed Li's visit to Indonesia, the first stop on the Chinese premier's first overseas trip since the new cabinet took office in March. Li's visit comes as this year marks the 5th anniversary of the establishment of the China-Indonesia comprehensive strategic partnership. The visit shows that China highly values its relations with Indonesia, Widodo said. The bilateral cooperation conforms to the interests of the two countries and two peoples and is of great significance to the global peace and development, Widodo added. The two sides also exchanged views on international and regional issues of mutual concerns. Chinese Premier Li Keqiang (R) attends a welcome ceremony held by Indonesian President Joko Widodo before their talks at the presidential palace in Bogor, Indonesia, May 7, 2018. (Xinhua/Rao Aimin) Learn how a trusted financial advisor can provide valuable guidance to many aspects of your life including 20 questions to ask a prospective financial advisor. David Katzs Beyond Performance is a very readable AND actionable tome, intended to help individuals and families make better financial decision throughout their life. Tash Elwyn, President, Private Client Group, Raymond James & Associates Choosing a financial advisor is an important decision for any investor. David Katz, AIF, AAMS, managing director and financial advisor of the Boca Raton, Florida, office of Raymond James & Associates (RJA) has written a timely book, Beyond Performance How Financial Advisors Deliver Added Value to Their Clients, packed with ideas, insights and practical advice for investors. Ideally a good advisor will listen carefully to your hopes and dreams in order to understand your personal goals in life, says Katz. He notes that a good financial advisor should also address your concerns, explain complicated financial concepts and identify both risks and opportunities in helping you plan for the future. David Katzs book Beyond Performance is very readable and actionable, says Tash Elwyn, president, Private Client Group, Raymond James & Associates. It is intended to help individuals and families make better financial decisions throughout their life including how to select the right financial professional(s). Drawing on decades of experience, Katz advises readers to take a long-term approach in developing savings and investment strategies to reach their financial goals. Take a deep breath, relax and dont worry so much about the constantly changing daily values of your assets and return on your portfolio, he says. In his book, Katz covers a wide range of financial-related topics, including the impact of marriage, a child, divorce and death. He also looks closely at retirement planning and being able to enjoy the later stages in life. But one of his key themes is asking the right questions to find an advisor who can help clients beyond investment performance. As Chris Jeppesen, chief of advisory practices, First Trust Portfolios, L.P., says, Beyond Performance is a concise and panoramic collection of actionable strategies that an investor can use to not only assess his or her current financial plan to ensure every piece of the puzzle is addressed, but also how to ensure their relationship with a financial advisor is a good fitif someone is focused primarily on returns, it would be easy to trivialize the value of a financial professional who deploys an all-encompassing process that integrates wealth and risk management factors. Free Download Click on following heading Your Data Worksheet Financial Plan to receive a free download. About the Author David I. Katz is an Accredited Investment Fiduciary (AIF) and an Accredited Asset Management Specialist (AAMS) who advises professionals, retirees, families and other clients on personal financial strategies. He has more than 25 years of investment and wealth management experience. His first book, A Financial Prescription for Doctors and Dentists: Strategies for Achieving Your Personal and Career Goals was published in 2015 by Outskirts Press. About Raymond James & Associates Raymond James & Associates, Inc., member New York Stock Exchange/SIPC, which has built a national reputation for more than 50 years as a leader in financial planning for individuals, corporations and municipalities, is a wholly owned subsidiary of Raymond James Financial, Inc. (NYSE-RJF), a leading diversified financial services company with approximately 7,300 financial advisors in 3,000 locations throughout the United States, Canada and overseas. Total client assets are $704 billion. Accredited Asset Management Specialist SM and AAMS, are trademarks or registered service marks of the College for Financial Planning in the United States and/or other countries. LinkedIn for David Katz Facebook For David Katz 2018-018613 Conference Proposals Sought on Critical Issues, Relevant Technologies and New Strategies for Today's Dynamic Security Market The Security Industry Association (SIA) and ISC Security Events have announced that the SIA Education@ISC team is seeking quality session proposals for two upcoming events: ISC East 2018 Nov. 1415 in New York City and ISC West 2019 April 912 in Las Vegas, NV. The deadlines to submit speaking proposals are May 25 for ISC East 2018 and June 11 for ISC West 2019. ISC West North Americas largest security event with an attendance of 30,000 and ISC East the premier security event in the Northeast, and attended by 4,500 security professionals are considered the two leading U.S. events for the security industry. The ISC Security Events provides offerings in many areas, covering solutions such as access control, alarms and monitoring, biometrics, identity management, IP security, video surveillance/CCTV, networked security products and cybersecurity. ISC East 2018 and ISC West 2019 attendees will discover the newest security products and technologies, network with colleagues and security professionals and gain valuable security industry training and knowledge. SIA Education@ISC is the educational conference program within the ISC West and ISC East tradeshows, and the conference-program delivers high-quality information and insight into the most relevant new technologies, critical issues and strategies shaping today's evolving security market. Hands-on learning lab sessions offer practitioners opportunities to learn theory while having practical interactions for tangible takeaways they can apply back on the job, said Kimberly Roberts, SIAs director of education. Our workforce needs this kind of learning at industry events. SIA Education@ISC East session content is particularly designed for two groups: systems integrators/security installing firms and security practitioners. The program at ISC West features content from many aspects of the channel, including unmanned systems, video surveillance and business development. All educational sessions must be commercial free; presenters are prohibited from marketing products or services through the sessions. Security experts, technologists, educators and trainers are all encouraged to submit proposals. Learn more about submitting for ISC East here and ISC West here. About SIA SIA (securityindustry.org) is the leading trade association for global security solution providers, with more than 850 innovative member companies representing thousands of security leaders and experts who shape the future of the security industry. SIA protects and advances its members interests by advocating pro-industry policies and legislation at the federal and state levels, creating open industry standards that enable integration, advancing industry professionalism through education and training, opening global market opportunities and collaborating with other like-minded organizations. As a proud sponsor of ISC Events expos and conferences, SIA ensures its members have access to top-level buyers and influencers, as well as unparalleled learning and network opportunities. SIA also enhances the position of its members in the security marketplace through SIA Government Summit, which brings together private industry with government decision makers, and Securing New Ground, the security industrys top executive conference for peer-to-peer networking. About ISC East ISC East is the northeast United States security industrys premier convention for new products, solutions and technologies. Each year, ISC East hosts international and domestic security product manufacturer companies and security professionals. SIA is the sole sponsor of the ISC East event. The event is also proudly supported by the New York State Electronic Security Association (NYSESA), the New Jersey Electronic Security Association (NJESA), the Connecticut Alarm & Systems Integrators Association (CASIA) and the Pennsylvania Burglar & Fire Alarm Association (PBFAA). The 2018 show will take place November 1415 at the Javits Center in New York City. For more information or to pre-register, visit isceast.com. About ISC West ISC West (sponsored by SIA) is the largest, converged security event of the year, constantly evolving to educate security professionals on the tools and skills needed to protect against todays emerging cyber-physical security threats and the anticipated ones of tomorrow. The iconic ISC brand has been trusted for over 50 years to provide the assets and knowledge needed to fight emerging threats. Over 1,000 international and domestic manufacturers across physical, IT and IoT security debut their new products at the tradeshow to over 30,000 security industry professionals. Through its partnership with SIA, ISC West offers accredited educational sessions on all types of industry topics through SIA Education@ISC. ISC West 2019 will take place April 1012 at the Sands Expo in Las Vegas, NV. SIA Education@ISC will kick off a day prior to the exhibits, on April 9. For more information, visit iscwest.com. About Reed Exhibitions Reed Exhibitions is the world's leading events organizer, with over 500 events in over 30 countries. In 2016 Reed brought together over seven million active event participants from around the world generating billions of dollars in business. Today Reed events are held throughout the Americas, Europe, the Middle East, Asia Pacific and Africa and organized by 41 fully staffed offices. Reed Exhibitions serves 43 industry sectors with trade and consumer events and is part of RELX Group, a world-leading provider of professional information solutions. For more information, visit reedexpo.com. May 2018. Young Venezuelans sell items on the street in Riohacha, La Guajira, Colombia. Credit: Ana Olarte/Mercy Corps While Venezuela has been hurtling toward economic, social and institutional collapse for several years, the region now faces a full-blown humanitarian crisis The global organization Mercy Corps is expanding its Colombia operations to meet the urgent needs of Venezuelans seeking refuge and opportunity in Colombia, which is hosting more than 600,000 Venezuelan refugees and migrants. The organization will initially provide vouchers to Venezuelans who have arrived in the department of La Guajira so that they can purchase food, medicine and other essential supplies. Tens of thousands of people are leaving their families behind out of desperation, just on the hope of a shred of opportunity in Colombia, says Provash Budden, Americas Regional Director for Mercy Corps. Once they get to Colombia, most people cant afford food or medicine. They have to beg until they have enough money to buy coffee, candies and other small items to sell on the street. If theyre lucky, they might earn between $2 and $5 a day to scrape by or send money back to Venezuela. In recent assessments in two border areas, Mercy Corps found that most Venezuelans arrive with little more than the clothes on their back after walking for hours on dangerous routes plagued by robberies and violence. By the time they arrive in Colombia, they have been robbed or extorted of most, if not all, of their money and belongings. Many arrivals are young women at high risk of exploitation, harassment and sexual violence, and some women have resorted to sex work for survival. More than 1.5 million Venezuelans are displaced in the region. Almost 90 percent of Venezuelas population has dropped below the poverty line and more than half of families are unable to meet basic food needs. Local organizations have warned that 300,000 Venezuelan children are at risk of dying from malnutrition. While Venezuela has been hurtling toward economic, social and institutional collapse for several years, the region now faces a full-blown humanitarian crisis, says Budden. Regional governments and international and local organizations responding to this crisis need funding and a coordinated response to continue meeting urgent needs and scale up in preparation for a continued exodus from Venezuela. Since 2005, Mercy Corps has worked in Colombia to connect people affected by armed conflict with the resources they need to rebuild their lives. The organization provides humanitarian assistance to vulnerable and marginalized people displaced by conflict; works in schools to educate young people and protect them from violence; and supports land titling, agricultural value chains and natural resource management to help farmers lift themselves out of poverty. Join us and support Mercy Corps work in Colombia and elsewhere in the world. Panitch Schwarze partners Dr. Weihong Hsing, John Simmons, and Dennis Butler participated in the 34th Annual Joint Patent Practice Seminar on May 2 in New York City. The JPPCLE is an annual one-day seminar that features knowledgeable speakers such as judges, government officials, and attorneys discussing the latest trends and important topics in intellectual property law. Hsing, chair of Panitch Schwarzes Life Sciences practice, acted as moderator during the Biotech & Hi-Tech panel. Simmons and Butler, who both concentrate their practice on IP litigation, presented on legal ethics related to exceptional attorneys fees for bad conduct during the litigation panel. The firm also acted as a sponsor of the event. Featured speakers include Hon. Pauline Newman, U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit; Andrew Hirschfield, Commissioner for Patents, USPTO; and Nathan Kelley, Deputy General Counsel for IP Law and Solicitor, USPTO. CLE credits for Connecticut, Delaware, New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania were available to attendees. About Panitch Schwarze Belisario & Nadel LLP Panitch Schwarze Belisario & Nadel LLP is a boutique intellectual property law firm with offices in Philadelphia and Wilmington, Delaware. The firms IP law practitioners provide strategic litigation, licensing and counseling service relating to patents, trademarks, copyrights and trade secrets, domain names and internet issues domestically and internationally. The firms long-standing relationships with a network of associates worldwide enable its attorneys and advisors to provide clients with global intellectual property advice and protection. AmeriFab presented a check for $2,000 to guest representatives of WIT at 1 PM on Monday, May 7, 2018, in booth 2225 at AISTech 2018. AmeriFab is a family-owned and family-oriented business, and were simply looking for a way to help families that are less fortunate than those in our regular sphere of influence. Richard Manase AmeriFab, Inc., a designer and manufacturer of melting and refining furnaces, water-cooled equipment and systems, off-gas duct systems and current-conducting electrode arms for the steel manufacturing industry, today announced that it will forgo its traditional branded trade show booth promotion, in lieu of a new philanthropic program. AmeriFabs Umbrella Donation Initiative will take monies that would have previously been budgeted for trade show promotions, as well as donations made by exhibitors and attendees, and will invest them in a worthy cause within each city hosting the Association for Iron & Steels AISTech event. AmeriFab is a family-owned and family-oriented business, and were simply looking for a way to help families that are less fortunate than those in our regular sphere of influence, Richard Manasek, chief executive officer of AmeriFab, Inc., said. Our new Umbrella Donation Initiative is just an expansion of the charitable culture we have been nurturing within our company since its inception. AmeriFabs management realized that it spends thousands of dollars each year on trade show-related expenses, including booth space and shipping, as well as travel, lodging and meals for attending staff. They also realized that although they clearly had a positive economic impact on the cities hosting their trade shows, there were many in those cities who never felt that impact. Though the umbrellas have been popular among attendees, the funds supporting the companys long-standing umbrella promotion were deemed better used as a targeted philanthropic gift to a deserving charitable organization in a host city. AmeriFabs Umbrella Donation Initiative kicked off at AISTech 2018, in Philadelphia. AmeriFab has selected Women In Transition (WIT), a Philadelphia-based organization offering counseling, advocacy, peer support, substance abuse intervention, referrals, education, training and self-defense services for women and families threatened by domestic abuse. AmeriFab presented a check for $2,000 to guest representatives of WIT at 1 PM on Monday, May 7, 2018, in booth 2225. A second donation will be made following the conclusion of the show and will include additional donations made by AISTech 2018 exhibitors and attendees. Designated AmeriFab staff will use upside-down umbrellas to collect donations, and anyone contributing to the cause will be invited to sign a commemorative umbrella that will be presented to WIT with the final post-show proceeds. Each donor will also be given a complimentary Umbrella Donation Initiative button. In the spirit of charity, industry camaraderie and a little old-fashioned competition, wed like to challenge other exhibitors and attendees alike to participate in our inaugural Umbrella Donation Initiative, Andrew Akers, president of AmeriFab, said. Weve given away a lot of umbrellas at AISTech over the last decade, but something tells me that the autographed one we give the folks at Women In Transition with our donations after the show, will be the most memorable thing weve done in our 25 years of attending. Those wishing to arrange larger donations, to make anonymous donations or to support AISTechs Umbrella Donation Initiative in other ways can contact Andy Akers at (317) 231-0100. Anyone interested in contributing directly to WIT may contact their offices at (215) 564-5301 and ask for their giving and development extension 125 or visit http://www.helpwomen.org/donations-support. For more information on AISTech, please visit https://www.aist.org/conference-expositions/aistech About AmeriFab Inc. AmeriFab, Inc., based in Indianapolis, Ind., USA, is a supplier of custom-designed, -engineered (including FEA) and manufactured melting and refining furnaces, ancillary equipment, water-cooled equipment and systems, off-gas duct systems and current-conducting electrode arms. AmeriFab patented and proprietary products that increase operational uptime and profitability in electric arc furnace (EAF) and basic oxygen furnace (BOF) applications include AmeriSpline (steel and copper), AmeriBronze, AmeriAntiSlag and AmeriCOP technologies. Learn more at http://www.amerifabinc.com/Home. AmeriFab, AmeriSpline, AmeriBronze, AmeriAntiSlag and AmeriCOP are registered trademarks of AmeriFab, Inc. Most important is having a central location that increases our ability to attract engineers, designers and modern thinkers, which is key in growing our company. - Founder and President Howard Horn Larger central NH location is convenient for clients and closer to talent pool. The new facility at 34 Hall St., Concord, NH, will allow Advanced Kiosks to expand manufacturing capacity and access a larger pool of talent in Southern New Hampshire and the nearby Boston area. The more than 7,500-square-foot kiosk manufacturing factory is just a half mile from I-89 and I-93, and close to Manchester-Boston Regional Airport, making it a convenient location for visiting clients and partners. Moving our headquarters to Concord is going to make us more accessible and give us the space we need to increase capacity and more quickly turn around larger orders, said Founder and President Howard Horn. Most important is having a central location that increases our ability to attract engineers, designers and modern thinkers, which is key in growing our company. Southern New Hampshire has a long manufacturing history, and Concord, the state capital, is growing into an increasingly vibrant community and place to do business. The combination of the two makes Concord the perfect place for Advanced Kiosks relocation. The move reinforces Advanced Kiosks commitment to quality and customer service. The companys US-made interactive kiosks are known for unmatched quality construction, powerful kiosk software, third-party integration and functionality. Combine that with the recent addition of expanded support offerings and they are everything a business needs to stay ahead in one turnkey package. About Advanced Kiosks Advanced Kiosks was started by parent company, H32 Design and Development (H32) Engineering, founded in February 2000 in the cellar office of Horns garage. As more and more industries began to adopt kiosk technology, the demand for self-service became evident. Advanced Kiosks was started in 2003 as a division of H32 and is built on the philosophy of helping users solve problems. The kiosks and technology are tailored to specific industries, including churches, education, government, healthcare, human resources, retail and marketing, self-storage, and ticketing. In 2008 Advanced Kiosks began to develop and offer kiosk software, including the recently added Kiosk Rescue Program, a support service that uses our Zamok software to repair competitors kiosks. For full announcement, see https://advancedkiosks.com/growth-spurs-advanced-kiosks-move-to-a-new-location/ For more information about Advanced Kiosks, go to https://advancedkiosks.com/ For images, more information, or to schedule an interview, please contact Margo Bowie at (603) 865-1034 or email margo@advancedkiosks.com. Ginger Coves achievement of the 5-Star Rating by CMS recognizes the skill, dedication and compassion of our talented staff. Providing residents exceptional care has been our culture for 30 years, and this achievement recognizes the 'above and beyond' we do every day. We couldnt be prouder. Ginger Cove, a waterfront life-plan community located in Annapolis, Maryland, announced today that it has been awarded the Five Star Ratingthe highestafforded by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). Ginger Coves achievement of the 5-Star Rating by CMS recognizes the skill, dedication and compassion of our talented staff, said Phyllis Boulden, Administrator of Ginger Cove. Providing residents exceptional care has been our culture for 30 years, and this achievement recognizes the 'above and beyond' we do each and every day. We couldnt be prouder of this exceptional recognition. The Annapolis areas only CARF-accredited retirement community (Commission for the Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities, an international organization), Ginger Cove offers a continuum of care for its residents to include independent living, assisted living, and short and long term rehabilitation and skilled nursing care. The Five-Star CMS achievement refers to the quality of care provided in Ginger Coves skilled nursing facility. CMS created the Five-Star Quality Rating System to help consumers, their families, and caregivers compare skilled nursing facilities more easily. Organizations are assigned an overall star rating between one and five stars by CMS, based on specific ratings based on Health Inspections, Staffing levels, and Quality Measures. Ginger Coves rating of 5 stars indicates that it offers the highest level of care, much above average quality and nursing. About Ginger Cove Established in 1988, Ginger Cove is an independent, not for profit life-care retirement community serving 350 residents on a 30-acre wooded, waterfront campus located just minutes from the Annapolis Historic District. Contact: Joan Williams, Director of Marketing, 410-224-8141 or williams(at)gingercove(dot)com We are pleased to see more military spouses investing in themselves with the help of the funding NMFA offers. The National Military Family Association (NMFA), a nonprofit that works to strengthen military families, announced the opening of their scholarship application period. This application period runs from May 1-June 30, with a second round opening in the fall. Spouses from all seven branches of the uniformed services are eligible to apply for degree funding, career advancement funding, or spouse-owned business funding. Since the programs inception in 2004, NMFA has awarded nearly $4 million in scholarships to more than 4,000 military spouses. The expansion of the Military Spouse Scholarship program has welcomed partner schools and colleges, vocational programs, fellowships, and career-focused funding opportunities from National Sponsors, Prudential, Corvias Foundation, and the Fisher House Foundation. Those partnerships provide everything from discounted tuition to full-ride scholarships. Military spouses go above and beyond in support of their loved ones, said Joyce Wessel Raezer, NMFAs Executive Director. And for many, that means putting education, career, and business aspirations on hold while their military member serves our country. We are pleased to see more military spouses investing in themselves with the help of the funding NMFA offers. NMFAs scholarship recipients can use their awards for a range of pursuits, including GEDs, all degree levels, licensure fees and exams, professional certifications, clinical supervision, continuing education, and most recently added, spouse-owned business expenses. One scholarship recipient, a Navy Reserve spouse using her funding to pay for medical licensure exams, noted, As a military spouse, we know obstacles are plenty, but the goal is to keep moving forward. Through the journey of obtaining licensure for my career, life becomes less difficult and dreams are made into reality. NMFA scholarships range from $500 to $2,500, depending on whether theyre for career advancement, degrees or businesses expenses. Any spouse with a valid military ID is eligible to apply here: https://scholarships.militaryfamily.org/offers/nmfa-spouse-scholarship/ About the National Military Family Association The National Military Family Association is the leading nonprofit dedicated to serving the families who stand behind the uniform. Since 1969, NMFA has worked to strengthen and protect millions of families through its advocacy and programs. They provide spouse scholarships, camps for military kids, and retreats for families reconnecting after deployment and for the families of the wounded, ill, or injured. NMFA serves the families of the currently serving, veteran, retired, wounded or fallen members of the Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, Coast Guard, and Commissioned Corps of the USPHS and NOAA. To get involved or to learn more, visit http://www.MilitaryFamily.org LeanIX, the leading global provider of Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) solutions in Enterprise Architecture Management (EAM), today announced it has received certification of its application with ServiceNow, Inc. to help customers seamlessly integrate IT service management (ITSM) and Enterprise Architecture (EA) data. Certification by ServiceNow signifies that LeanIX has successfully completed a set of defined tests focused on integration interoperability, security and performance. The certification also ensures that best practices are utilized in the design and implementation of LeanIX with ServiceNow. The disconnect between data at the service level in ITSM and at the application level is holding Enterprise Architects (EAs) back from achieving fully integrated IT management. This information gap combined with the varying language used to describe services and applications with respective technologies prevents good decisions and renders implementations difficult. LeanIX Integration for ServiceNow dissolves the boundaries between ITSM and APM. Information is entered once and runs through both systems. Applications are planned and set up in LeanIX and then transferred to ServiceNow, where they function as a business service for establishing the ITSM framework. Software and hardware, discovered via ServiceNow, is then mirrored on LeanIX to connect applications to corresponding IT components. EAs can leverage the flexible analysis of lifecycles and their impact on the application landscape to adjust the IT roadmap. To minimize technology sprawl, standards (e.g. preferred database technologies) can be planned in LeanIX and are then used in ServiceNow. "IT infrastructure needs are rapidly evolving, and IT service and application management must keep pace to meet tomorrow's business needs," said Andre Christ, Co-CEO and Co-Founder, LeanIX. "LeanIX Integration for ServiceNow helps Enterprise Architects plan with confidence - in both operations and strategic decision-making. This is a critical connection that will arm organizations with the necessary visibility into technology risks within the business context via a shared platform for IT management." LeanIX Integration for ServiceNow uses automatic bi-directional integration to strengthen the practice of Application Portfolio Management (APM). With LeanIX for ServiceNow, Enterprise Architects can identify end-of-life technologies and their dependencies, in order to reduce the risk of IT incidents, avoid additional cost and protect against security attacks. In addition, it enables leaderships to make better decisions by analyzing real-time operational data in its strategic context, using LeanIX, the leading EA platform for APM. "LeanIX's out of the box ServiceNow integration saved us months of development time," said John Walsh, CTO, Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey. "Flexible analysis on integrated data is a critical component of our IT transformation. LeanIX gives us an unmatched level of agility, along with configurable mapping between both systems, which has enabled us to achieve our core use cases today and will support additional needs going forward." LeanIX is now available via the ServiceNow Store. It supports all active versions of ServiceNow, from Helsinki to Kingston. Find out more here: https://www.leanix.net/servicenow. LeanIX will join IT industry leaders and innovators from around the world at ServiceNows Knowledge18 taking place May 7-10 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Visit LeanIX at Knowledge18 Booth #1525. About LeanIX LeanIX offers a Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) platform for Enterprise Architecture (EA), which enables organizations to make faster, data-driven decisions. Hundreds of global brands such as Adidas, DHL, Merck, Vodafone or Zalando use the LeanIX platform to increase transparency, visibility and drive real-time efficiencies. LeanIX addresses ITs critical need to ensure high quality, real-time data is accessible to the people who need it. Use cases include application rationalization, technology risk management and the shift from monolithic architectures to microservices. LeanIX was founded in 2012 by Jorg Beyer and Andre Christ. The company is headquartered in Bonn, Germany, with additional offices in Boston, Massachusetts and Houston, Texas. To learn more about LeanIX, visit http://www.leanix.net or @leanix_net on Twitter. We chose to affiliate with QualDerm because they have a successful track record of growing dermatology practices while maintaining the highest quality of patient care. QualDerm Partners, a company that creates market-leading dermatology practice partnerships through affiliations and de novo development, today announced Bain Dermatology has joined the company as an affiliate practice. Based in Raleigh, NC, Bain Dermatology provides general and cosmetic dermatology care as well as Mohs surgery to patients throughout the Raleigh-Durham-Cary region. The practices clinical staff includes founder E. Eugene Bain III, MD, a Board-certified dermatologist and fellowship-trained Mohs surgeon, and Lindsay D. Clarke, PA-C. We chose to affiliate with QualDerm because they have a successful track record of growing dermatology practices while maintaining the highest quality of patient care, says Dr. Bain. Were eager to collaborate with other QualDerm-affiliated physicians to advance the practice of dermatology and expand patient access to care. Under the partnership agreement, QualDerm will provide Bain Dermatology with management support, guidance and capital to expand their services. QualDerm currently has a total of 20 practice locations in North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia, Tennessee, and Ohio. The company has plans to expand into other regions by year end. Were excited to partner with Bain Dermatology to help them grow their practice, says Bill Southwick, Chief Executive Officer of QualDerm. Each of QualDerms affiliated practices is dedicated to delivering the highest level of care. Bain Dermatologys commitment to patient-centric care perfectly aligns with our corporate culture. Recently QualDerm announced the launch of its physician-led Quality Council. This Council was established to help advance the clinical excellence for QualDerms affiliated practices and is responsible for advising QualDerm leadership of leading-edge clinical practices and strategies to be considered for adoption. About QualDerm Partners QualDerm Partners helps top-tier dermatologists position their practices for sustainable growth and profitability. The company creates market-leading practice partnerships through affiliations and de novo development. QualDerm provides the management support, capital, and guidance for growth. Under QualDerms True Partnership(SM) model, physicians are partners, not employees, and retain their own practice brand. This doctor-driven model is designed to maintain physicians clinical autonomy and ensure the highest-quality patient care. QualDerm offers physicians tailored partnership structures to meet their needs, as well as the option to sell their practices. For more information, visit http://www.QualDerm.com. About Bain Dermatology Bain Dermatology is a comprehensive center for skin cancer prevention, detection and treatment. The practice offers a full range of medical, surgical and cosmetic dermatologic services and provides unrivaled, individualized care to patients in the Raleigh-Durham-Cary region of North Carolina. The practice was founded by E. Eugene Bain III, MD, a Board-certified dermatologist and fellowship-trained Mohs surgeon. For more information, visit http://www.baindermatology.com. Contact: Nikki Cary 6 Columns Marketing Group nikki(at)6Columns(dot)com 615.500.2924 Chinese Premier Li Keqiang reaffirmed China's commitment to economic globalization and free trade while addressing the China-Indonesia Business Summit in Jakarta on Monday. Chinese Premier Li Keqiang addresses the China-Indonesia Business Summit in Jakarta on Monday, May 7, 2018. [Photo: Xinhua] "Both China and Indonesia believe in economic globalization and free trade. We both support the rules-based multilateral trading system and stand for equal consultation in settling trade disputes," Li said at the summit that was also attended by Indonesian Vice President Jusuf Kalla. China highly values its relations with Indonesia, a major developing country and an emerging market economy carrying significant weight in the world, Li told more than 600 business people attending the summit. During Chinese President Xi Jinping's visit to Indonesia in 2013, the two sides charted a course for the development of bilateral relations, which have embarked on a fast lane of growth, Li said. "Business cooperation has been the most vibrant and productive component of overall relations." He proposed closer cooperation in such fields as investment, industrial capacity, trade and people-to-people exchanges. Li expressed China's willingness to forge greater synergy between the Belt and Road Initiative and Indonesia's vision as a global maritime fulcrum. China will support Chinese companies in participating in the development of Indonesia's regional comprehensive economic corridors, encourage Chinese enterprises to support Indonesia's infrastructure improvement and explore cooperation in ports, maritime economy, industrial processing and overseas warehouses, Li said, adding that Indonesia is also welcome to open an investment promotion center in China. He also elaborated on China's stance on trade and investment liberalization and facilitation. "China is ready to buy more competitive goods from Indonesia," he said. "The two sides have also agreed to boost cross-border e-commerce to facilitate the cooperation between small and medium-sized enterprises." On people-to-people exchanges, Li said China is committed to extensive exchanges and cooperation with Indonesia on education, culture, tourism, media and sports. The two sides have agreed to deepen tourism cooperation, open more direct flights and work toward the goal of three million mutual visits annually. Noting that China had made concentrated efforts to promote the supply-side structural reform, innovate and improve macro-control, as well as nurture new driving forces for growth under the complex domestic and international circumstances, Li said that the Chinese economy has achieved stable and sound development in recent years. Currently, the contribution rate of new development momentum to economic growth exceeded 30 percent, and that to new employment reached about 70 percent, Li said. He said since the beginning of this year, the Chinese economy had continued its steady development and made a good start. China has confidence and capabilities to maintain a medium-high growth rate and achieve high-quality development in the long term, he added. This year marks the 40th anniversary of China's reform and opening up. Li stressed that China will open a new course of reform and opening up, adding that there is no end to the reform. Noting that expanding opening up is an independent and inevitable choice for China, Li said China will open up to a higher level and achieve mutual benefits and win-win results to a deeper level. "A more open and prosperous China will offer more opportunities to the development of Indonesia and other countries." For his part, Kalla said the convening of the China-Indonesia Business Summit demonstrated the strong confidence of both countries' business leaders in bilateral economic and trade development. China is welcome to expand investment in Indonesia, increase two-way exports, and join Indonesia in building regional comprehensive economic corridors, Kalla said, adding that he hoped the two countries could deepen cooperation on tourism, digital economy, manufacturing, energy, environment, and infrastructure. The governments of the two countries will also formulate policies to create a better environment for investment and business operation, Kalla said. Ive learned a lot during the many years Ive worked in the realm of IT managed services, and Im happy to share my knowledge to help aspiring tech experts succeed. Kevin Rubin, president and COO of Stratosphere Networks, will speak to a group of students from the IT Club at Wilbur Wright College on Friday, May 11 at 10:15 a.m. at the CompTIA Worldwide Headquarters in Downers Grove, IL. Rubin will speak as a representative of the IT industry at the event, which is hosted by Creating IT Futures, a charitable organization established by CompTIA. Creating IT Futures aims to create on-ramps for people to prepare for and succeed in IT careers. Its the leading charity of CompTIA, the worlds largest IT industry association. Wilbur Wright College is City Colleges of Chicagos Center of Excellence for IT and an educational partner supported by Creating IT Futures through a grant from the Chicagoland Workforce Funder Alliance. Rubin is an executive council member of the CompTIA Managed Services Community, a group of industry leaders that that provide guidance on programs, education, and research offered by CompTIA. He will answer the students questions and provide advice on securing a career in IT. Im looking forward to discussing the IT industry and offering some insights into how to transition from college to a career in the Chicago tech sector, Rubin said. Ive learned a lot during the many years Ive worked in the realm of IT managed services, and Im happy to share my knowledge to help aspiring tech experts succeed. Stratosphere Networks is a multifaceted Chicago IT managed service provider that delivers comprehensive technology services and solutions to businesses across all industries. The company offers expert cloud consulting services and managed cybersecurity solutions in addition to managed IT services and Chicago IT support. Rubin co-founded the company and has received numerous accolades for his work in the realm of IT managed services, including being named as one of the Top People in Managed Services by MSPmentor with the MSPmentor 250 award. To learn more about CompTIA and Creating IT Futures, visit http://www.creatingitfutures.org/. About Stratosphere Networks Stratosphere Networks is a Chicago-based multifaceted IT managed service provider focused on delivering comprehensive technology services and solutions to meet and exceed always-changing, diverse business needs. Since 2003, Stratosphere Networks has grown exponentially and continues to provide best-in-class and cost-effective solutions to businesses of all sizes and across all industries. Visit http://www.stratospherenetworks.com for more information. For more information contact: Lori Leonardo 847-440-8608 LoriL(at)stratospherenetworks(dot)com Kim Martin-Fisher and Jennifer Martin Faulkner Haute Residence welcomes Kim Martin-Fisher and Jennifer Martin Faulkner to its invitation-only network of top real estate professionals. As Haute Residence partners, Martin-Fisher and Faulkner represent the exclusive real estate market in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida. Accomplished real estate agents on their own, both Martin-Fisher and Faulkner have earned accolades that have attested to and cemented their top position in Northeast Florida as well as nationally. Utilizing their in-depth knowledge of the local market and connections within the larger real estate industry, they possess personal dedication and professional expertise to find their clients the best deals. About Kim Martin-Fisher: Coldwell Banker Vanguard Realtys #1 Top Producing and Listing Agent company-wide and #1 Selling Agent in Ponte Vedra, Martin-Fisher is consistently recognized as one of the top agents throughout Northeast Florida as well as one of the top Sales Associates in the entire state. She is listed as one of the top 1 percent of Coldwell Banker Agents worldwide. Martin-Fisher has gained recognition as a Premier Agent with Coldwell Banker International, having achieved Presidents Premier Agent award consistently since joining in 2013. Always a self-starter, Martin-Fisher moved her family to Ponte Vedra Beach in 1996, where she entered real estate sales full time. Starting at ground zero she is now at the pinnacle of success. Through hard work and dedication, she has grown her business to a production of more than $63 million in annual sales. Her marketing background, contract-negotiation skills and relationships with the top area architects, general contractors, home inspectors, attorneys, appraisers and bankers have allowed her to provide the best of service with no clients questions left unanswered. About Jennifer Martin Faulkner: Ranked #18 in Jax Business Journal and #4 in the company for 2017 sales, Faulkner has been a consistent Coldwell Bankers International Presidents Circle Award Winner since 2014. She also ranks in the top 5 percent of Coldwell Banker agents worldwide. A UCF alumna and a fourth-generation realtor, Faulkner specializes in the Jacksonville Beaches area, including Ponte Vedra Beach, Nocatee, Jacksonville Beach, Neptune Beach, Atlantic Beach, and Intracoastal West. Her reputation and trusted working relationship with top area brokers, bankers, inspectors, and appraisers are excellent and make for incredibly smooth transactions. With over 10 years of experience, Faulkner has extensive executive level relocation training with the nations top relocation companies. About Haute Residence: Designed as a partnership-driven luxury real estate portal, Haute Residence connects its affluent readers with top real estate professionals, while offering the latest in real estate news, showcasing the worlds most extraordinary residences on the market and sharing expert advice from its knowledgeable and experienced real estate partners. The invitation-only luxury real estate network, which partners with just one agent in every market, unites a distinguished collective of leading real estate agents and brokers and highlights the most extravagant properties in leading markets around the globe for affluent buyers, sellers, and real estate enthusiasts. HauteResidence.com has grown to be the number one news source for million-dollar listings, high-end residential developments, celebrity real estate, and more. Access all of this information and more by visiting: http://www.hauteresidence.com Deb Schroeder Haute Residence welcomes acclaimed broker Deb Schroeder to its exclusive network of top real estate professionals. As a Haute Residence partner, Schroeder exclusively represents the high-end market in Windermere, Florida. A licensed real estate broker and owner of Infinity Realty Group, Schroeder is a consistent top producer in Orlando. In Orlandos Top 100 agents by Orlando Magazine, she is a Certified Negotiation Expert and has her GRI (the nations number one real estate designation). In addition, Schroeder is a Certified Luxury Marketing Home Specialist and a Multi-Million Dollar producer. She specializes in the Southwest Orlando market including Windermere, Florida. About Haute Residence: Designed as a partnership-driven luxury real estate portal, Haute Residence connects its affluent readers with top real estate professionals, while offering the latest in real estate news, showcasing the worlds most extraordinary residences on the market and sharing expert advice from its knowledgeable and experienced real estate partners. The invitation-only luxury real estate network, which partners with just one agent in every market, unites a distinguished collective of leading real estate agents and brokers and highlights the most extravagant properties in leading markets around the globe for affluent buyers, sellers, and real estate enthusiasts. HauteResidence.com has grown to be the number one news source for million-dollar listings, high-end residential developments, celebrity real estate, and more. Access all of this information and more by visiting: http://www.hauteresidence.com This years scholarship recipients are Meenu Bhooshanan, Isiah Franklin and Jonathan Marcus. The recipients were chosen by a committee based on their extracurricular activities and how they plan to give back to their communities in post-graduate life. Three local high school seniors were each awarded a $10,000 scholarship at the inaugural Vector Wealth Strategies Community Scholars Fund Awards Dinner Tuesday, May 1 at The Ledges in Huntsville. This years scholarship recipients are Meenu Bhooshanan, Isiah Franklin and Jonathan Marcus. The 16 applicants were all so strong and talented in many different ways, Kim Backer, chairperson of the scholarship committee, said. After hearing the candidates talk about their dreams, plans for the future and the ways they plan to give back to their communities, it gave me hope and confidence in our next generation. In 2017, the Vector Community Scholars Fund was established to focus on two groups in the greater Huntsville community. Half of the money raised each year goes to a student(s) whose parents or grandparents work in the local defense industry, while the other half provides scholarship money for a student(s) who is heading to college as a result of The Cap & Gown Project. The C&G Project focuses on making college a reality for underprivileged kids attending high school in Madison County. The recipients were chosen by a committee based on their extracurricular activities and how they plan to give back to their communities in post-graduate life. We hope that this scholarship also helps express our gratitude to parents like Srinivas Bhooshanan, Mark Marcus and the thousands of others who service our community through their dedication to careers in the aerospace and defense industry, Jay Dryden, managing partner of Vector Wealth Strategies, said. The men and women of the aerospace and defense industry are the backbone of our economy in Huntsville, Alabama, and they deserve to be recognized and appreciated for their service to our community. Bhooshanan attends Bob Jones High School, where she has a 5.05 grade point average and is involved in countless extracurricular activities such as being a competitive pianist and swimmer, founding of her schools Interfaith Club and volunteering hundreds of community service hours. She plans to major in international relations and Arabic at Washington University in St. Louis, Missouri. Franklin attends Mae Jemison High School. As a Cap & Gown participant, he visited several college campuses. The visits inspired him to continue his education after graduation he took the ACT three times, bringing his score from a 19 to a 29. He received a full scholarship to Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tennessee, where he plans to study English and possibly double major in political science or philosophy. "Our goal is to take kids like Isiah from a part of town who have never seen beyond University and the Parkway, show them there's more out there and then, encourage them to obtain it through hard work, Devyn Keith, executive director of The Cap & Gown Project, said. Marcus attends James Clemens High School, where he has a 4.0 grade point average. He is an AP scholar, animal shelter volunteer, saxophone player and a black belt in karate, among other activities. He plans to study meteorology/atmospheric science and fulfill his childhood dream of becoming a meteorologist and a weather researcher at the National Severe Storms Laboratory. We had a vision for what this would be, and we have already exceeded that, Dryden said. We want to thank our donors and The Cap & Gown Project for making this possible. We look forward to making this event even bigger and better next year. Vector Wealth Strategies is committed to serving our community through leadership development. We strive to build up the leaders of tomorrow and replace ourselves over time with the philanthropic funders of the future. To learn more about Vector Wealth Strategies and the Community Scholars Fund, visit vectorwealthstrategies.com/community-scholars-fund/ or call 256-469-7711. For more information on The Cap & Gown Project, visit capandgownproject.org. Kokua Hyatt Centric We know the importance and value of investing in business intelligence and look forward to having our monthly reporting packages deliver more performance information in flexible formats. Aptech Computer Systems announced Chartres Lodging Group, LLC and Kokua Hospitality, LLC have selected Aptechs suite of financial solutions; Execuvue Hospitality Business Intelligence, Targetvue, and PVNG to streamline the companies data collection, analysis, forecasting, and reporting processes. Chartres Lodging Group, an investment and advisory company focused on the investment, asset management, and development of high-quality lodging assets, works in tandem with Kokua Hospitality, an independent hotel management company with a portfolio of independent and branded hotels throughout the mainland U.S. and Hawaii. The two San Francisco-based companies are pleased to join forces with Aptech, the leading provider of hospitality business intelligence, budgeting and forecasting, and enterprise accounting hotel software systems. Click here for more on Aptechs products and services. We wanted a proven hospitality budgeting and forecasting system that would provide our varied properties with accurate forecast reporting, said Andrea Mue, EVP and CFO for Chartres Lodging Group and Kokua Hospitality. I have designed budget systems and understand what is important. We evaluated several systems and Aptechs Targetvue systems management of our specialized budgeting and forecasting needs out-performed the others. Chartres/Kokua also selected Aptechs cloud-based Execuvue Hospitality Business Intelligence, and PVNG Enterprise Accounting Systems. The systems are expected to be live in the Q2 of 2018. Aptechs PVNG Enterprise Accounting and Execuvue Hospitality Business Intelligence are integrated to seamlessly exchange data. This integration saves manual processing time and ensures accuracy, Mue said. We know the importance and value of investing in business intelligence and look forward to having our monthly reporting packages deliver more performance information in flexible formats. Kokuas property teams will benefit from greater corporate visibility into operations, while our corporate team and our owners will benefit from the teams ability to optimize profitability and manage by the numbers. Kokua Hospitality is a flexible operator with a portfolio of multiple brands and independents that span the country. Aptechs integrated cloud-based systems are a good fit for their operation, said Jill Wilder, Aptech VP. Our systems will gather data from each hotel for centralized analysis and performance reporting to support management decisions. Both of our companies understand the importance of providing value and service. The Aptech professional team is committed to Chartres and Kokuas success. Aptechs professional team will be hosting meetings at BITAC May 15 -17 at the Innisbrook Resort in Tampa, Florida. Please call Aptech at 800-245-0720 or 412-963-7440 to schedule a meeting. Aptech Computer Systems is both an IBM and Prophix Business Partner. It offers Execuvue web-enabled Hospitality Business Intelligence, Targetvue Budgeting and Forecasting, and PVNG Enterprise Accounting systems that are 100% hospitality specific. Aptech is the only company that provides a complete suite of financial management and analysis solutions for the hotel industry. About Chartres Lodging Group, LLC The Chartres Lodging Group, LLC, is an investment and advisory company focused on the investment, asset management, and renovation of high-quality lodging assets. As investors, Chartres team of experts brings operational knowledge, market intelligence, and an entrepreneurial mindset to each asset under management. Augmenting our investment professionals, Charters Lodgings in-house development management team has extensive development and renovation experience. Together with its subsidiary property management company, Kokua Hospitality, LLC, and a network of consultants and industry experts, Chartres Lodging is the one-stop company for hotel and hospitality asset investment and management. Chartres Lodging is headquartered in San Francisco, with offices in New York, Los Angeles, Chicago and Tokyo. For more information on The Chartres Lodging Group, please visit http://www.chartreslodging.com About Kokua Hospitality, LLC Kokua Hospitality, LLC is an independent hotel management company founded with the drive to become the operator of choice for strategic institutional and select private lodging investors. Created by veteran lodging investment and management experts to appeal to an investors sensibility, Kokua Hospitality blends best-in-class operating practices with an owners DNA, while serving as an extension of their ownership teams. The San Francisco-based company manages a diverse portfolio of hotels and resorts nationwide, including a constantly growing collection on the West Coast and in Hawaii. Kokua Hospitality and their partners received such honors as Hyatt Hotels & Resorts Full Service Adaptive Reuse Project of the Year 2017 and NAIOP Hawaiis Renovation Project Award of Excellence 2017 for the development of Hyatt Centric Waikiki Beach; both testaments to Kokuas expertise in successful asset repositionings and conversions. For more information on Kokua Hospitality, please visit http://www.kokuahospitality.com and follow along on Twitter and Facebook. About Aptech Computer Systems, Inc. Aptech Computer Systems, Inc., based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, is the only provider of a fully integrated enterprise accounting, business intelligence and planning ecosystem to the hospitality industry. All of its clients are companies like yours, which own or manage hotels. Its solutions help customers at both the corporate and property levels understand their financial and operational data for faster goal achievement. The company is renowned for introducing business intelligence into the hotel industry, and offers a solid resource of hospitality professionals. Aptech is an IBM Software Value Plus partner and Premier Solution Provider, as well as a Prophix Premier Business Partner. Incorporated in 1970, Aptechs state-of-the-art back office, true business intelligence and enterprise planning solutions are 100% hotel specific. Solutions include PVNG, Execuvue, and Targetvue. Clients comprise over 3,500 properties - including large chains, multiple-property management companies and single-site hotels. Execuvue is registered to Aptech Computer Systems, Inc. All other trademarks are owned by their respective holders. For more information please visit http://www.aptech-inc.com. Luc Filiatreault I am absolutely thrilled to accept this appointment as CEO. I joined Ayuda in September 2017 and have since become enamored with the company, team, and the DOOH industry altogether. We have incredible plans for continued growth, and I'm looking forward to delivering on them. - Luc Filiatreault Ayuda Media Systems Inc. (Ayuda), a leading ERP & Business Optimization software company whose technology is used by of out-of-home (OOH) media companies globally to run their day-to-day operations, announced today at the Geopath / OAAA 2018 conference that it completed a change in Chief Executive Officers. Andreas Soupliotis, Founding CEO since the companys inception 15 years ago, will be moving to the role of Vice-Chairman of Ayuda, while the current President Luc Filiatreault has been promoted to CEO. Soupliotis will continue to advise the company on strategy from his board seat. He has been acting as CEO of two companies, Ayuda and Hivestack, since Hivestacks inception as a separate, programmatic ad tech company. The change was initiated by Soupliotis himself to permit full-time dedication to Hivestack operations as its CEO while moving to a non-operational role at Ayuda. Soupliotis commented on the change: Luc has done a phenomenal job since he joined last year. During his initial short tenure as President, he has already transformed the business in many positive ways that have laid a foundation for spectacular growth. I have full faith in Lucs ability to take Ayuda to new heights as I pass on my role as CEO to him. Filiatreault also commented on the change: I am absolutely thrilled to accept this appointment as CEO. I joined Ayuda in September 2017. I have since become enamored with the company, the team and the DOOH industry altogether. We have incredible plans for continued growth, and Im looking forward to activating and delivering on them. Andreas is leaving big shoes to fill, and I look forward to his guidance as I continue where he left off. Soupliotis offered a parting note: We founded Ayuda in 2003 with the mission of empowering OOH media owners with state-of-the art software to their run day-to-day operations optimally while automating workflows. Almost 15 years and almost one hundred OOH media owners later, vendors globally use Ayuda to operate highly efficient front & back-office OOH business units. I would like to take this opportunity to extend a wholehearted thank you to all the OOH media owners that have chosen Ayuda to run their business. I see where Ayuda is headed, and the best is yet to come. About Ayuda Ayuda is an ad tech company specializing in OOH business optimization. The Ayuda Platform is used globally by some of the worlds largest OOH companies to manage day-to-day business operations. It includes an end-to-end ERP specially built for OOH, a fully native ad-based digital signage platform, and programmatic integrations that enable OOH media companies to tap into new digital revenue streams and modernize their trading models. Ayuda is a proud member of the DPAA, OAAA and FEPE. For more information, visit http://www.ayuydasystems.com Alex Ohlandt "We believe luxury is a level of service, and that everyone deserves the exceptional. Now those interested in purchasing or selling in Hartford County can experience this exceptional service for themselves as we bring to them our sophisticated marketing, cutting-edge tools and expert sales force." William Pitt Sothebys International Realty, the premier residential real estate brokerage firm serving Connecticut, Westchester County, N.Y., and the Berkshires, Mass., has opened a new regional office in Hartford County, Conn., the company announced today. The opening greatly expands the firms presence in the state while bringing the global Sothebys International Realty brand and its luxury real estate services into the Hartford market area. The brokerages address at 45 East Main Street in Avon, Conn., was strategically selected to provide a central foothold and easy accessibility within Hartford Countys Farmington Valley region. The new facility is currently under construction and set to open in July, with business operations already underway in the area through a temporary office space. When completed, the permanent brick and mortar office will be outfitted with all the state-of-the-art technological features the company is known for in its other locations. The preeminent luxury real estate brand returns to Hartford The firm previously operated in Hartford County with local offices from 2005 to 2007 at a time when the Sothebys International Realty brand had only just introduced its new worldwide affiliate network model, with William Pitt Sothebys International Realty being one of the first firms to join the luxury real estate network in 2005. The company made the decision to contract its presence as the market headed for the downturn that began in 2008. Since that time, the company has experienced tremendous growth. In 2009, William Pitt Sothebys International Realty expanded into Westchester County, N.Y., where it does business as Julia B. Fee Sothebys International Realty, and soon after expanded into Litchfield County, Conn. In 2014, the firm established operations in Berkshire County, Mass. Today the company manages a $4.2-billion portfolio with more than 1,000 sales associates in 27 brokerages, which ranks the company as one of the largest affiliates in the network and the 34th-largest real estate company by sales volume in the United States according to RISMedia. Globally, the Sothebys International Realty brand has become a prestigious worldwide real estate referral network consisting of 950 offices throughout 69 countries and territories on six continents. In the contiguous Litchfield County marketplace, the company has now dominated in market share for several consecutive years, ranking in 2015, 2016 and 2017 as the no. 1 real estate company in dollar volume and sold units, according to SmartMLS. Based on the explosive growth of our company and brand in recent years, we feel its the perfect time for us to reenter the Hartford market, said Paul E. Breunich, President and Chief Executive Officer of William Pitt Sothebys International Realty. We believe luxury is a level of service, and that everyone deserves the exceptional. Now those interested in purchasing or selling in Hartford County can experience this exceptional service for themselves as we bring to them our sophisticated marketing, cutting-edge technological tools and expert sales force, as well as the strength of our global affiliate network. We have already been receiving calls from potential sellers in the Hartford area, excited for the chance to now list their home with us. Seasoned expert to oversee new office The brokerage manager for the new office will be Alex Ohlandt, previously a top-producing sales associate and multi-year Gold Award-winning agent with the real estate brokerage firm Houlihan Lawrence in Westchester County, N.Y. Prior to entering real estate, Ohlandt enjoyed a 15-year career on Wall Street, working with Citigroup and Morgan Stanley. Finding the right person for this role was a challenge. With his significant real estate expertise and passion for the business, combined with his deep knowledge of the area, Alex is a natural fit, said Kristine Newell, regional manager for Litchfield County, the Berkshires, and now Hartford County, where she will offer additional support. Alexs success in the competitive worlds of both Wall Street and real estate are a testament to his unwavering commitment to his clients, who appreciate his integrity, enthusiasm and professionalism, along with his attention to detail and tireless work ethic. Ohlandt and his wife, Cristin, who was born and raised in West Hartford, were frequent visitors to the region over their 15-year marriage. When the opportunity presented itself to lead William Pitt Sothebys International Realtys Hartford County office, he decided the timing was perfect to relocate his family to the area they know and love so well. About William Pitt and Julia B. Fee Sotheby's International Realty Founded in 1949, William Pitt and Julia B. Fee Sotheby's International Realty manages a $4.2-billion portfolio with more than 1,000 sales associates in 27 brokerages spanning Connecticut, Massachusetts, and Westchester County, New York. William Pitt and Julia B. Fee Sotheby's International Realty is one of the largest Sotheby's International Realty(R) affiliates globally and the 34th-largest real estate company by sales volume in the United States. For more information, visit the website at williampitt.com. Sotheby's International Realty's worldwide network includes 950 offices throughout 69 countries and territories on six continents. Use this logo This month, Novant Health is pleased to announce a new partnership with BB&T at selected Winston-Salem branches, which will offer one-stop banking and healthcare resources to the local Spanish-speaking community. This partnership is aimed at increasing healthcare access for Winston-Salems underserved Latino community. Novant Health will provide a bilingual Novant Health team member at a local bank to help BB&T customers find healthcare providers, schedule appointments and engage with MyChart, Novant Healths online portal. BB&T Multicultural Banking Centers have cultural and language proficiencies, and the branch located at 2710 Peters Creek Parkway was selected for the partnership as the market area serves a high volume of Spanish-speaking customers. The Novant Health representative will be onsite on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Based on a focus group of Latino community members, Novant Health recently launched a Spanish version of its website and also created a Spanish version of MyChart, a secure online portal that connects patients with their electronic health record and providers. MyChart allows patients to request and manage appointments and receive information about their health. The partnership with BB&T enables Novant Health to take the next step in improving care for the local community by letting community members know what services are available to them. About Novant Health Novant Health is an integrated network of physician clinics, outpatient facilities and hospitals that delivers a seamless and convenient healthcare experience to communities in Virginia, North and South Carolina, and Georgia. Named in 2016 by Beckers Hospital Review as one of the nations 150 best places to work in healthcare, Novant Health network consists of more than 1,500 physicians and over 26,000 employees that provide care at over 470 locations, including 14 medical centers and hundreds of outpatient facilities and physician clinics. Headquartered in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, the health system serves more than 4.4 million patients annually and in 2016 provided more than $725.5 million in community benefit, including financial assistance and services. Diversity MBA has recognized the organization as one of the 50 best places for women and managers of diverse background to work and SK&A ranks Novant Health among the top 25 integrated health systems in the nation. In 2017, the magazine Hospitals & Health Networks also recognized Novant Health as one of the countrys Most Wired Hospitals. Novant Health provides care in Virginia under the joint operating company, Novant Health UVA Health System. For more information, please visit our website at NovantHealth.org. You can also follow us on Twitter and Facebook. About BB&T BB&T is one of the largest financial services holding companies in the U.S. with $221.6 billion in assets and market capitalization of $38.9 billion as of December 31, 2017. Building on a long tradition of excellence in community banking, BB&T offers a wide range of financial services including retail and commercial banking, investments, insurance, wealth management, asset management, mortgage, corporate banking, capital markets and specialized lending. Based in Winston-Salem, N.C., BB&T operates over 2,000 financial centers in 15 states and Washington, D.C. A Fortune 500 company, BB&T is consistently recognized for outstanding client service by Greenwich Associates for small business and middle market banking. More information about BB&T and its full line of products and services is available at BBT.com. ARI Network Services, Inc. announced today that LS Tractor has selected ARI as its preferred provider of co-op eligible dealer websites for its network of North American dealers. LS Tractor USA, is a subsidiary of LS Mtron, a company that specializes in the manufacturing and distribution of high quality sub-compact, compact and utility tractors and attachments. Qualified dealers can utilize co-op funds towards an ARI Dealer Website. LS Tractor dealers should reference the LS Tractor co-op guidelines for eligibility and reimbursement details. We wanted to help provide our dealers with a website platform that would engage with online shoppers and, at the same time, provide consistent branding and messaging across our entire dealer network, said Mike Blount, CEO of LS Tractor USA. Were committed to helping our dealers grow their business, and were confident that having a robust online presence will help them do that. ARI Dealer Websites make it easy for online shoppers to explore the entire LS Tractor product offering with access to brochure content on LS Tractors entire whole goods product catalog. Were excited that LS Tractor has chosen ARI as its preferred provider of co-op eligible dealer websites, said Paul Berkholtz, ARIs Director of Business Development Outdoor Power. Since more and more prospective customers are using the internet to research equipment online before they buy in-store, its more important than ever for dealers to have an all-around, solid online presence. Dealers need to make it fast and easy for website visitors to find their website and the information they need so they can make that buying decision from you instead of a competitor. Fully optimized for search engines and mobile browsing, ARIs Dealer Websites offer industry-specific features, including enriched OEM and aftermarket brochures and parts catalogs for the industrys leading manufacturers, a merchandise manager that allows dealers to display their inventory, service scheduling tools, eCommerce functionality and more. Dealers interested in learning more about ARI can visit arinet.com/outdoorpower/ or call 877.805.0803. About LS Tractor LS Tractor USA, and its tractor manufacturing parent LS Mtron, are member companies of the LS Group, among the largest corporations in South Korea with annual sales of $1 billion. About ARI ARI Network Services, Inc. offers an award-winning suite of SaaS, software tools, and marketing services to help dealers, equipment manufacturers and distributors in selected vertical markets Sell More Stuff! online and in-store. Our innovative products are powered by a proprietary data repository of enriched original equipment and aftermarket electronic content spanning more than 17 million active part and accessory SKUs and 750,000 equipment models. Business is complicated, but we believe our customers technology tools dont have to be. We remove the complexity of selling and servicing new and used vehicle inventory, parts, garments and accessories (P&A) for customers in the automotive tire and wheel aftermarket, powersports, outdoor power equipment, marine, home medical equipment, recreational vehicles and appliance industries. More than 23,500 equipment dealers, 195 distributors and 3,360 brands worldwide leverage our web and eCatalog platforms to Sell More Stuff! For more information on ARI, visit arinet.com. Additional Information Follow @ARI_Net on Twitter: twitter.com/ARI_Net Become a fan of ARI on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/ARInetwork Join us on G+: plus.google.com LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com Read more about ARI: arinet.com/about-us Images for media use only ARI Logo Hi Res| ARI Logo Low Res For media inquiries, contact: Chris Damico, ARI Marketing Manager, chris.damico(at)arinet.com Russian President Vladimir Putin addresses his inauguration ceremony in Moscow, capital of Russia, on May 7, 2018. Vladimir Putin took the oath of office Monday to start his fourth term as Russian president. (Xinhua/Sputnik) MOSCOW, May 7 (Xinhua) -- Vladimir Putin took oath of office on Monday to start his fourth term as Russian president. "It is my duty and the meaning of my entire life to do everything for Russia, its present and future, to ensure that it is peaceful and prosperous, to preserve and perpetuate our great people, and bring prosperity to every household in Russia," Putin said at the inauguration ceremony in the Grand Kremlin Palace. He said Russia needs to build a free society. "We need breakthroughs in all areas of life... Such progress can only be achieved by a free society that embraces everything new and advanced, and rejects injustice, stagnation, ignorant protectionism and bureaucratic deadness," he said. The president said Russia must focus its energy on working out a solution that raises its competitiveness in economic growth and technology development. Putin won a landslide victory in the March 18 presidential election. Some 6,000 people were invited to the inauguration ceremony, including members of the government, deputies and senators, judges of the Constitutional Court, heads of diplomatic missions and representatives of the clergy and youth organizations. Putin is expected to name a new prime minister and submit the nomination to parliament later on Monday. ARS/Rescue Rooter of Illinois Can Castle Our employees had a great time constructing the castle, but more importantly, we were all overwhelmed by the mass of the donations, and we know they will be put to good use. American Residential Services (ARS), a Memphis, Tenn. based, privately-held national provider of air conditioning, heating and plumbing services, held its 2nd Annual Can Castle Competition to assist in combatting food shortages during the summer months. ARS/Rescue Rooter made a commitment to help with the need while making the collection a chance for friendly competition. During the school year, low-income students may receive breakfast, lunch, snacks and weekend mealsall distributed through their school. However, when schools close, there are fewer options for kids to get food and more pressure on families. ARS had 41 service centers participate in a can and non-perishable food drive to support their local food banks. However, in order to keep things creative, ARS made the competition a Can Castle Competition, where the items collected were constructed into castle-like structures. Locations around the country collected from their employees from March 26th to April 26th, and the final count and winners were announced May 4th. Branches were judged on creativity as well as the number of items collected, and the center ARS/Rescue Rooter Illinois won the grand prize. The branch made an intricate castle complete with turrets and watchtowers. Additionally, Chicago employees donated over 10,000 items for their local food bank. An essential part of our culture here is giving back to our community, says Scott Toomey, General Manager for ARS/Rescue Rooter Illinois. Our employees had a great time constructing the castle, but more importantly, we were all overwhelmed by the mass of the donations, and we know they will be put to good use. The 1st and 2nd Runners-Up was ARS/Rescue Rooter of Richmond and ARS/Rescue Rooter of Cleveland, respectively, both with over 2,500 items donated per branch. According to No Kid Hungry, five out of six kids who rely on free or reduced-price school meals arent getting free meals in the summer. ARS/Rescue Rooter is looking forward to actively and artistically fulfilling that need. ABOUT AMERICAN RESIDENTIAL SERVICES: Based in Memphis, Tenn., privately-owned ARS operates a network of more than 70 locally-managed service centers in 23 states, with approximately 6,500 employees. The ARS Network features industry-leading brands including, A.J. Perri, Aksarben ARS, Allgood, Andys Statewide, ARS, Aspen Air Conditioning, Atlas Trillo, Beutler, Blue Dot, Bob Hamilton, Brothers, Columbus Worthington Air, Comfort Heating & Air, Conway Services, Efficient Attic Systems (EAS), Florida Home Air Conditioning, Green Star Home Services, Irish Plumber, McCarthy Services, Rescue Rooter / Proserv, Rescue Rooter, RighTime Home Services, RS Andrews, The Irish Plumber, Unique Services, "Will" Fix It, and Yes! Air Conditioning and Plumbing. As an Exceptional Service Provider, the ARS Network serves both residential and light commercial customers by providing heating, cooling, indoor air quality, plumbing, drain cleaning, sewer line, radiant barrier, insulation and ventilation services. Each location has a knowledgeable team of trained specialists. ARS requires background checks and drug tests on all employees. We hire professionals with the highest level of integrity. Providing exceptional service and ensuring the highest standards of quality, ARS has the experience to do any job right the first time, with all work fully guaranteed. ARS: "Making it work. Making it right." ### Welcome Guest! You Are Here: Welcome Guest! You Are Here: Home Regional News East The founder and leader of New Jerusalem Church located in Tongaren, Kenyas Bungoma County told Tuko.co.ke that: "God showed me through a vision that we are not allowed to touch or attend burials even if the deceased is a close family member." He added that: "I am a spiritual helper and my calling is specifically to help broken spirits but not bury them when they die." The self-acclaimed Jesus whose members are mostly women who per their doctrines are not allowed to shave any part of their bodies said, any church member who dares either attends a burial service or touches the corpse of a dead relative will forfeit their membership of the church. READ MORE: Pickpocket arrested after stealing 1200 phones from commuters He said: "My followers know it very well. Even if they secretly attend burials, I will definitely know and the person will be suspended from attending church services until they are clean." So what happens to the corpse of a dead relative or even the church members themselves when they die? A member of New Jerusalem Church was quoted as saying: "In case I die, I can be buried or left for animals to feed on my flesh. But if I have to buried, then let a church and a bishop do that but not Jesus of Tongaren." Yesu as he is popularly referred to, the acclaimed man of God said he is preparing to outdoor a third testament in July which according to him is the biblically appropriate time for Easter celebration. He said the Old and the New Testaments are incomplete hence he "will add the books of Bingu mpya (new heaven) and Nchi Mpya (a new Nation) to be published after The New and Old Testament respectively to make it complete." Russian President Vladimir Putin arrives for his inauguration at the Grand Kremlin Palace in Moscow on Monday. [Photo/Agencies] China extends sincere congratulations on Vladimir Putin's inauguration as Russian president, Foreign Ministry spokesman Geng Shuang said at a regular news conference on Monday. The Chinese side believes that under the leadership of President Putin, Russia will keep making achievements in its nation building and social and economic development, Geng said. President Xi Jinping had previously congratulated Putin on his re-election in a telephone conversation in March. The inauguration ceremony at St. Andrew Hall in the Grand Kremlin Palace in Moscow began with Putin's arrival from his office in the Kremlin in a new Russian-made limousine, which made its debut for the occasion. Putin previously had been elected president in 2000, 2004 and 2012. "Russia is a country with a great history and culture, and I, as the president, am obliged to extend them to our next generations," Putin said after taking the oath of office. Putin affirmed in his address the "security and military capability" of Russia and promised renewal of the economy and restoration of family values. He stressed the importance of the development of technology, so that it can boost the development of the society and benefit the Russian economy. Raising the real income of the Russians will be a major task for the country's leadership in the coming years, he said, adding that the actions of the government would help the economy to overcome the slump and to revitalize many sectors. Over 5,000 guests were invited to the ceremony, according to the Kremlin. Putin later put forward Dmitry Medvedev for the post of prime minister, the Kremlin said in a statement on its website. Medvedev's candidacy still has to be approved by the State Duma, or the lower house of parliament. The bilateral relationship between China and Russia has maintained high-level development and their comprehensive strategic partnership of coordination has reached a historical high, thanks to the two presidents' strategic leadership and personal influence, Geng said. With both China and Russia at a crucial stage in their development, "we trust that under the leadership of the two presidents, the essence of the comprehensive strategic partnership of coordination between China and Russia in the new era must be further enriched and the path for cooperation between the two countries will become wider," Geng said. They claim the Minister is hot headed and he doesn't mean well for poultry farmers in Ghana. Dr. Owusu Afriyie Akoto is an arrogant minister who does not listen to advice from us concerning the welfare of the ministry and our jobs, Former National Chairman of the association, Mr Kwadwo Asante said. The former Chairman, who was granting an interview on radio in Kumasi said the Dr. Akoto and his deputy are both clueless. Last year, a lot of poultry farmers had problems concerning an agro company which bred chicken for them but unfortunately, most of them lost their business because the chickens did not survive. However, all efforts to seek redress from the Ministry has proved futile, Kwadwo Asante said. According to him, the association petitioned the ministry in the year 2017 on the incident but till date no response has been made by the minister despite scheduling a meeting with them but never turned up till date. According to the Chief Convener of the Centre for Democratic Governance (CDG), a political think tank, Dr Ebenezer K. Hayford, the inability to create jobs for the jobless masses is a breach of moral and spiritual obligation. He said under the leadership of former President John Mahama, he embarked on several projects which resulted in the creation of jobs for many Ghanaian nurses, doctors, engineers, administrators, carpenters, masons, electricians, drivers, labourers, surveyors, contractors and shop owners. He said President Akufo-Addo "is unable to think outside the box to roll out projects that can create massive jobs." He has therefore admonished the president to learn the skill of creating jobs from his predecessor, Mahama and the NDC government. He added that the government of Nana Addo worsened the situation of joblessness when he dismissed 5,000 Community Police personnel because their two-year contract with the Youth Employment Agency (YEA) had ended. He said Nana Addo has failed to protect the public purse on the contrary and spending lavishly. "One of the things the President also promised to do was to protect the public purse. On the contrary, he is spending lavishly the tax payers money. Hajia Fati created a scene at the party's headquarters after slapping a journalist with Accra-based radio station Adom FM, when Sammy Crabbe went to pick his nomination forms last Friday. She said, she slapped Ama Sekyiwaa because the reporter did not introduce herself adding that she had not sought her permission before taking pictures. NPP's Nana Akomea explains Paul Afoko suspension "She was snapping [taking pictures of] me, I dont know her, she didnt approach me, she didnt tell me anything. I only saw a flash on my face twice, the third time, I slapped her because I didn't know who she was," she said. The party in a statement signed by the acting General Secretary of the NPP John Boadu, said it distances itself from the act and "condemn it unreservedly." "The party wishes to assure Ghanaian journalists that, it respects and cherishes the role of the media as partners in development and does not condone any action intended to suppress press freedom. "No journalist should feel intimidated and must continue to discharge his/her duties without fear," the statement added. Read below the full statement: NPP condemns attack on journalist The NPP has noted with concern an alleged attack on a journalist by one of its supporters, Hajia Fati. We distance ourselves from the act and condemn it unreservedly. The party wishes to assure Ghanaian journalists that, it respects and cherishes the role of the media as partners in development and does not condone any action intended to suppress press freedom. No journalist should feel intimidated and must continue to discharge his/her duties without fear. Though the New Patriotic Party has already begun an internal enquiry into the alleged incident, we will also cooperate with other agencies investigating same. Signed John Boadu It was the first time that Belgium authorities have charged anyone in connection with a case which has already led to charges against several people in France and raids on the offices of European aviation giant Airbus. De Decker was one of the lawyers for Patokh Chodiev, a Kazakh businessman known to have close ties to the government in Astana. The former Belgian development cooperation minister is suspected of having sought, in 2011, "to facilitate the granting of a transactional procedure" in favour of Chodiev, according to a statement from the prosecutor's office in Mons, western Belgium. A magistrate "sent a letter notifying him of his indictment for influence peddling, adding that the alleged events took place in 2011. At that time De Decker, a lawyer by training, had just joined the team in charge of defending Kazakh oligarchs, including Chodiev, in a corruption case in Belgium. De Decker, also a former vice president of the Belgian Senate, allegedly used his influence to obtain a meeting at the home of the then justice minister, Stefaan De Clerck, to plead his client's cause. In June 2011 Chodiev and his two co-defenants avoided trial and paid a hefty fine. The "Kazakhgate" probe, opened in March 2013 in France, to establish whether kickbacks were paid to intermediaries in a massive 2010 trade deal with Kazakhstan, which included the sale of helicopters and trains. Those already indicted in France include Jean-Francois Etienne des Rosaies, a former adviser to the French presidency and former senator Aymeri de Montesquiou, a former representative in central Asia for the then French president Nicolas Sarkozy. The African lender launched the Africa Investment Forum in Johannesburg, South Africa, on Tuesday, May 8, 2018. Akinwumi Adesina, AfDB president, during the launching of the forum, said Africa should not develop by begging, rather, it should be a place for business and investment. During his speech, he emphasised that the forum wants to make Africa a place where its young people can thrive. He added that "Africa's natural resources are badly managed and this happens partly as a result of poor negotiations and bad contracts. The African Investment Forum will provide a much-needed global platform that will help catalyse private-sector investments in Africa, by bringing in developers, strategic investors, venture capital funds, pension funds, global sovereign wealth funds, and insurance companies. Dr Adesina added that Africa urgently needs to industrialize. To make this happen, we need investments in infrastructure. At the African Development Bank, we are talking about using aid to massively leverage private capital to fund Africas development. Africa is not a poor continent. It has vast amounts of resources whose potential simply has to be unlocked. We intend for this to be an investment marketplace to do transactions with impact. Nhlanhla Nene, South Africas Minister of Finance, while speaking at a meeting with the bank delegation on Monday, said: The Africa Investment Forum is indeed Africas investment marketplace. We have no doubt that it will have the desired development impact. South Africa is not only a gateway for investments on the continent but also a leading African investor. We thank you for allowing South Africa to host the inaugural event. As Africa's industrial hub, we have invested over 30 billion US dollars in different regions in the country and across Africa. About the African Investment Forum The forum is an open platform to organise efforts among multilateral institutions, governments and the private sector to improve the pipeline of projects that can transform the continent. The AfDB is working with several global partners and stakeholders to make the African Investment Forum the springboard for African economic transformation. According to AfDB, financing Africas Sustainable Development Goals will require an estimated US $600-700 billion per annum. Of this, approximately US $130-170 billion a year in infrastructure investment will be needed, to keep pace with demographic shifts, consumer demand, and economic development. In 2017, the West African country adopted the policy under the new consolidated World Health Organisation (WHO)s HIV prevention, care, treatment and support strategy. Under the new policy guidelines, a person is immediately put on antiretroviral drugs (ARVs) as soon as they test positive. The Ghana AIDS Commission (GAC) says the waiting period before putting on medication gives room for some persons diagnosed with the virus to either escape the treatment or go hiding and only come back with serious implications. According to the Chief Executive Officer of the West African AIDS Foundation, Dr Naa Ashley Vanderpuye, the programme will help reduce the rate of infection in unborn babies. She noted that 20,000 new infections were recorded among pregnant women every year while the total new infections rate increased by 21 percent across all ages in 2016. The test and treat policy recommends that all HIV-infected individuals are eligible for antiretroviral treatment at diagnosis, regardless of their disease stage and CD4 cell count. This approach replaces the existing HIV treatment guidelines that recommended only infected persons with advanced-opportunistic secondary infections of tuberculosis and with low CD4 cell count for ARV drugs. Fresh off winning the award for "Best Performer" at the 2018 edition of the Headies Awards, Yemi Alade alongside her Ova Sabi band stormed Amsterdam, Netherlands to wrap up the European leg of her "Black Magic Tour". The tour which has witnessed sold out concerts in several European cities like London, France, Sweden, Germany, Italy, Spain, Finland, Belgium etc, came to an historic end as Alade treated fans who filled up the halls of the iconic Melkweg, in Amsterdam with a mind-blowing performance. The set which lasted 1 hour and 45 minutes boasted live music from the Effyzzie Music star's catalog. According to her reps, Yemi Alade will also embark on an African and United States of America leg of the "Black Magic Tour" in the near future. Before heading out on tour, Yemi Alade held a Wakanda themed birthday party in March. According to the reports, the deceased toddler who is said to have been the son of the park ranger, was being watched by a nanny in the unfenced staff quarters at a safari lodge in Queen Elizabeth National Park when the attack took place. ALSO READ: Man mauled to death by bear for selfie LIB reports that the child had followed the nanny outside on Friday night, May 4, 2018, when the leopard snatched and dragged him into the bush. The wildlife authority spokesman, Bashir Hangi said that the remains of the young child were found the following day, adding that the leopard is currently being hunted down so it can be removed from the park. Speaing with AFP, Hangi said: "The maid was not aware the child followed her. She heard the kid scream for help, she intervened but it was too late the leopard had vanished with it in the bush and a search was mounted until we got the skull the next day. "The hunt is on with the intention of capturing the leopard and removing it from the wild because once it has eaten human flesh, the temptations are high to eat another human being, it becomes dangerous." May his soul rest in peace. Boy, 7, eaten alive by crocodile In a similarly tragic incident, one Manuel Abraham, 7, Mexico, was playing with his father with a balloon when a strong wind suddenly carried it to the river bank. It was at the moment he rushed to catch the balloon that the killer crocodile leaped from the water and went for his neck. The father and other eyewitnesses rushed to save the boy but it was too late, he was dragged into the river by the predator and most likely eaten, alive. Despite the immediate rescue efforts of military, civil protection groups and fishermen, neither Manuels remains nor the crocodile were found. While speaking to journalists, the grieving father blamed city officials that did not warn about the possibility of crocodile attacks. He said: We had come to visit relatives when we decided to go for a walk and play with the balloon. When it blew down to the shore I wasn't worried as no one had told me there were crocodiles around. Drew Angerer/Getty Images(NEW YORK CITY) -- Eric Schneiderman took on major cases in his role as New York state's top law enforcement official. And now he is going to be added to the list of boldfaced names under investigation. Schneiderman announced his resignation from his post as the state's attorney general hours after a New Yorker story reported alleged abuse by him against four women. Schneiderman denied the assault claims. Prior to leaving his post on Tuesday evening, Schneiderman counted moguls like Donald Trump and Harvey Weinstein among the targets of some of his office's investigations. Taking on Trump Schneiderman helped arrange last month's $25 million settlement with the Trump Organization over fraud claims against Trump University. The settlement was first announced in November 2016, without Trump making any admission of wrongdoing. The then-President-elect said that the settlement was "for a small fraction of the potential award because as President I have to focus on our country." Schneiderman's probes of Trump-related endeavors didn't end there. His office previously investigated the Trump Foundation over alleged improprieties. Schneiderman's investigation into the Trump Foundation started in 2016 over a donation that was made to a political fundraising group associated with Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi. Schneiderman ordered that the foundation stop fundraising in late 2016, and it was shuttered in November 2017. Schneiderman's actions didn't solely target Trump businesses. Through amicus briefs and other legal actions, New York's Attorney General had taken on Trump policies from the environment to immigration. In September 2017, Schneiderman issued a joint statement with Gov. Andrew Cuomo threatening legal action against the White House if the Trump administration ended the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, or DACA, program. Handling Harvey Schneiderman's office was directed by Cuomo in March, 2018 to investigate the initial handling of sex assault allegations against Weinstein by the New York Police Department and the Manhattan District Attorneys office. He was already looking into whether the sexual misconduct and harassment allegations made against the Hollywood producer could be indicative of discrimination and other civil rights violations. "No New Yorker should be forced to walk into a workplace ruled by sexual intimidation, harassment or fear. If sexual harassment or discrimination is pervasive at a company, we want to know," Schneiderman said in an October 2017 statement. In February, 2018, Schneiderman filed a civil lawsuit to make sure any victims of Weinstein were compensated as part of any future sale of The Weinstein Company. In the dozens of allegations that were brought against Weinstein of varying degrees of harassment and sexual misconduct, Weinstein has apologized for his behavior but "unequivocally denied" any allegations of non-consensual sex, according to a statement provided by his publicist last fall. Big businesses under purview Schneiderman wielded considerably more power than other states' attorneys general because the country's economic markets are located in New York. The state's Martin Act grants the attorney general expansive powers to investigate and prosecute crimes connected to the stock, bond and commodities markets. With that power, Schneiderman's office has taken on corporate titans like Exxon Mobil and executives at insurance giant AIG. Copyright 2018, ABC Radio. All rights reserved. A soldier wears a new brassard for members at Djibouti Logistics Support Base of People's Liberation Army. [Photo/www.81.cn] The People's Liberation Army has published a badge for its troops stationed overseas and a brassard for members at its Djibouti Logistics Support Base. These new items will be used by service personnel at the Djibouti base starting June 1, according to the PLA Daily. Unlike other chest badges used by the PLA, the overseas troop badge has no elements representing particular branches, such as the ground force or navy, but features a PLA emblem. The brassard for the Djibouti base highlights the Chinese national flag and olive branches, indicating the base will contribute to world peace and stability, the newspaper said on its website on Monday. A picture of new badges for troops stationed overseas and a new brassard for members at Djibouti Logistics Support Base [Photo/www.81.cn] A soldier wears a new badge for troops stationed overseas and a new brassard for members at Djibouti Logistics Support Base. [Photo/www.81.cn] The User identified as Ekeakita Hector Chinem revealed in his post that deceased identified as Victor Ochoma was beaten to death by an angry mob over the stolen rods, a case in which the facts are yet to be ascertained. ALSO READ: Why strip people naked in public? See his post below: Chinem however, failed to reveal how or why Ochoma was blamed for the theft or the circumstances within which he was beaten to death. May his soul rest in peace. Suspected car thief beaten, burnt to death The suspected car thief was pictured naked and bloody from the beatings he received before he was thrown over a ruined car and burnt to death, Instablog9a reports. ALSO READ: Thief arrested locked inside victims car The incident which is no longer shocking, reportedly occurred in Obudu, Cross River State. The identity of the victim is yet to be confirmed, making him another victim of the menace which is quickly becoming the norm in Nigeria. In a similar occurrence, another suspected car thief was reportedly beaten to a bloody pulp in Abia state, while tied up like an animal. Like a movie, a chain of events unfolded on a day of terror in Diamond Estate, Sangotedo, Ajah, where the couple lived. Odibi reportedly purchased new knives as part of plans to eliminate her partner who had earlier contacted family members concerning her desire to kill him. This is according to Punch News in a report containing a statement released by Lagos State Police Commissioner, Edgal Imohimi, on Monday, May 7, 2018. The police chief confirmed that the female lawyer reached out to her sister via WhatsApp prior to the alleged murder. On the day of the incident, the suspect sent a WhatsApp message to her sister-in-law complaining about her husband and asking her to pray for them. She equally asked God to forgive her. The suspect, Udeme Odibi, in her statement, confessed to the commission of the alleged crime and called her mother on the telephone that she had killed her husband. The suspect had hit her husband with a frying pan on his head before stabbing him with a knife. The suspect had procured a set of knives which she used to execute her plan. "She had packed all her certificates and made arrangements to travel to the United Kingdom that Thursday through Virgin Atlantic. The autopsy on the deceased is currently being carried out at the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital, Ikeja, by a team of pathologists, while the forensic analysis result is being compiled and will be made public later," the Lagos police commissioner revealed. ALSO READ: Loved ones to hold Banana Island rally in memory of late singer Reports concerning alleged murder The incident occurred late in the evening on Wednesday, May 2, 2018, at Diamond Estate located in Sangotedo. According to reports, the controversy began over a disagreement concerning the husband's belongings which she reportedly wants for herself. The woman, Odibe, who allegedly engaged in an extra-marital affair, was rescued after also harming herself. Instablog9ja reports that the suspect who hails from Farantama, Kano State, was arraigned before the court by the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) on a two-count charge of obtaining nine underage victims to traffic them to Sudan for possible exploitation. ALSO READ: 42-yr-old woman arraigned over alleged teenage girls prostitution The suspect who is a farmer and trader, was apprehended by officers of the Nigerian Immigration Service, Yobe State Command, Damaturu, in 2017 while trying to cross the Geidam/Niger border with the victims. Salihu was later transferred to NAPTIP for proper investigation and prosecution. 13 victims rescued by NAPTIP from Abuja hotel The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) has sealed up the Amazonia Guest House located at Dagri in Gwagwalada, FCT, after 13 women suspected to be victims of human trafficking were rescued on Friday, May 4, 2018. Instablog9ja reports that two suspects, including the Manager of the guest house, were arrested during the operation. ALSO READ: NAPTIP rescues 50 victims of human trafficking According to the reports, one Hafeez Abdulsalam who has been on NAPTIP's watch list as a suspected trafficker in the South-West and is notorious for trafficking young girls to Saudi Arabia was reportedly responsible for bringing the girls from various states to Abuja. One of the victims identified as Rokibat, 22, from Oyo state, disclosed that her aunt in Saudi Arabia asked her mother to bring her to Saudi through Abdulsalam, promising to get her a job as a housemaid. Another victim, Rodiya, aged 23, from Lagos state, stated that Abdulsalam who is a family friend had promised to take her to Saudi Arabia to earn a living since she was not currently employed. Mwaze Kingsley Eze, 41, and his Namibian girlfriend Nghitanua Azelika aged 32 were arrested after a large supply of illicit drugs was found in their possession. The two were nabbed with commercial quantities of cannabis during a special operation by the drug enforcement division of the Namibian Police in Swakopmund, a beach city on the east coast of the country. The arrest was made at a house in Witbooi Street after the raid had focused on the Mondesa neighbourhood of the city. According to the Coordinator of Crime Investigations in Erongo, the region of Namibia where the couple was nabbed, the two were arrested for dealing in loafs or blocks and a transparent plastic bag also known as a bankie of cannabis." The value of the drugs is estimated at 9100 Namibian dollars. International/Local Later, another Namibian, Silvanus Amgabeb was arrested for possession of two large and eight small bankies of cannabis estimated at a value of 1,500 Namibian dollars. The couple, along with two other Namibians, were all charged with dealing in large amounts of cannabis. Arrests like this add some perspective to the xenophobic reality faced by many Nigerians in South Africa. Pastor Chris Mordi who is the General Overseer of the Miracle of Fire Ministry, was gearing up to make the 'revelation' known to his congregation in Langbasa, Ajah, at a crusade themed Beware of Catholic Women Organisation (CWO) and the Knights for they are occultists. The truth must be unveiled.. The Police got wind of his plans when publications to that effect were intercepted on May 5. The 35-year old was consequently arrested by an order of the Lagos State Commissioner for Police, Imohimi Edgal, who rightly described the attack on the group on the basis of their religion as hate speech. "This is a case of insult to religion and propagation of hate speech which contravene Sections 124 and 168 of the Criminal Laws of Lagos State 2015.", Edgal said. This should be a lesson to be imbibed by all religious leaders. We must encourage and preach religious tolerance, he said. Mordi has however insisted that he was sent to do the will of God and did not intend to bring harm or threaten the safety of any group of people. God revealed to me that those people are occultists. I didnt mean any harm. Im a messenger of God. I have to tell the world what God told me., Mordi retorted. A message of hate However, considering the fact that he was planning to amplify this suposed message from above, the odds are not exactly his favour. Mordis hateful antics only follows a pattern of extremist religious leaders who are preaching messages of exclusion among their congregations. The people of this hazy town in the hills call the practice, Money Woman Marriage. The Becheve tribe is made up of 17 sister tribes who live in the thick mountainous terrain of Obanliku Local Government in Cross River State, an area that is also home to the former tourist attraction, Obudu Cattle Ranch. Together, these tribes practice an ancient tradition where young girls are given out as money wives, sometimes before they are born, in exchange for some lump sum or to settle a previous debt, or further still, to offset some gifts or handout. ALSO READ: Communities in Africa practice these 7 shocking traditions These wives are essentially handed out to their husbands as chattels, to do as they please, while the family is absolved of the debt or continues to enjoy access to some benefit. Sometimes, the relatives of the money wife continue to visit her new husband (owner) to pick up gifts and money. Apart from the main man who gives out the girl into Money Marriage the relatives of the girls mother are free to go and collect stuff from their in-law. Anything offered them during their visit is given monetary value and recorded by their in-law (the man who is marrying the girl). Wives or Collateral If the mother is the greedy type, shell often visit her in-law to get stuff, he said. The girls have no say in any stage of this. The decision is often made while they are young. Some are even sold off before they are born. As one would expect, the girls are often left scarred mentally, and many times, physically. To them, growing up as girls in a healthy family environment is a luxury that they cannot relate to. In Becheve, young 'money wives' are sold into marriage to repay debts The tradition is closely tied to what the missionary calls the greed of the men or more accurately, the pride of patriarchs in Becheve families. ALSO READ: 8 most bizarre religious traditions practised around the world As Channels reports, one would be hard-pressed to find a family where a man does not own a money wife; she is essentially property, and when the husband dies, she is passed down to his next-of-kin. Even worse, if the money wife dies without giving a child, her family is liable to give a replacement. Regardless of the stringent and elaborate rules that guard this tradition, the woman is not considered. Once she is brought over, the money wife ceases to be her familys responsibility. As her new husband sees her more as property than a woman for whom he is liable to care, she is often left to fend for herself. Sold off and abandoned Victoria Tabang, who spoke in the local dialect said she has remained helpless since her husbands death. I lived with him since I was young but upon his death, I couldnt do anything. Im expected to just remain here. Even when I went to my people, they drove me away, saying I now belong elsewhere, she told Channels. By way of an obsolete tradition that strips young girls of their dignity and agency, many young money wives are scattered all over Becheve or under the welfare of the missionary, left to pick up what bits of their lives they can put together. The Wife of the Cross River State Governor claims that efforts are underway to stem the practice and support the women left at a disadvantage by the practice. Yet, it remains to be seen how this attempt to rip a barbaric tradition will be interpreted by the Becheve people. What they see as a marriage practice could be called a form of slavery, a harsh variant of the sexist traditions that are found embedded in many Nigerian cultures Fashion Enters 7,500 square foot Factory in North London manufactures 10,000 garments a week for leading retailers such as ASOS and David Nieper and incorporates a Fashion Studio for sampling and small production runs for London Fashion Week designers and new business start-ups. As Development Director Jenni plays an active role in the business support for new and emerging designers ensuring the next generation of fashion creatives receive the right guidance they need including; mentoring, seminars, workshops, advice and promotion via Fashion Enter's sister company FashionCapital.co.uk - the UK's portal for the industry. The site fully supports the fashion industry as a one-stop online resource with a dedicated team of journalists, mentors and industry experts to ensure users receive a unique and comprehensive insight into the world of fashion, manufacturing and business. As the Headline speaker, Jenni Sutton will be discussing the British fashion industry and how Fashion Enter now successfully produces up to 10,000units a week in a fully compliant factory, whilst offering accredited qualifications across the complete garment life-cycle for succession planning. She will also be explaining how their model can be replicated in Nigeria The FFA 2018 Conference and Epic Show is a three-day event running from Friday 25 May to Sunday 27 May 2018; it will be three days of nonstop fashion with a lot of development activities for those in the business of fashion and for lovers of fashion. Following the conference on Friday Morning, in the evening there would be a prestigious Awards Ceremony to celebrate those who have made a mark in the fashion industry. The fashion show will hold on Saturday and Sunday, featuring Student designers, New and Emerging designers and established designers out of Africa. In addition, FFA 2018 will also play hosts to a wide range of Exhibitors and marketplace vendors giving fashion lovers the opportunity to shop till they drop. Event Statement from Jenni Sutton: The Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity to the president, Malam Garba Shehu, in a statement in Abuja on Monday said these were part of measures to scale up the security response to the banditry affecting the area. The presidential aide quoted the president as strongly condemning the latest massacre of innocent Nigerians in the area. The president said: I am deeply outraged by this unwarranted, unprovoked and reckless destruction of lives by bandits who belong to the lowest level of civilisation. I feel the pains and devastation of the families of the victims, and this administration will do everything possible to ensure we defeat these enemies of humanity. According to the president, security remains a priority for his government, and his administration will not tolerate the persistent killing of innocent people in order to set Nigerians against one another. He observed that these persistent killings are not spontaneous; there are subterranean forces with a sinister agenda to instigate war in the country for selfish purposes. Although unconventional war is particularly complicated, our security forces are making rigorous efforts to better understand these enemies with a view to decisively checkmating their evil attacks. Buhari extended his condolences to the families of the victims, the government and the people of Kaduna State over this unfortunate tragedy. He assured that his administration would never abandon them to their fate. The statement observed that the new Army Battalion and the Police Area Command are the latest in a series of law enforcement measures to ensure more effective protection of lives and property, in and around Benue, Kaduna, Taraba, Zamfara and Nasarawa states. It recalled that the Nigerian Air Force last week took delivery of two new helicopter gunships for deployment to parts of the country affected by banditry. While plenary was being conducted in the National Assembly on April 18, 2018, hoodlums, allegedly connected to disgruntled Delta lawmaker, Senator Ovie Omo-Agege, stormed the chamber and ran away with the he mace. The mace was later recovered by the police on April 19 after it was found by a passer-by under the flyover before the City Gate in Abuja where the hoodlums abandoned it. During a meeting between Buhari, Saraki and the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara, at the Presidential Villa on Monday, May 8, the Senate President revealed that the theft of the mace was one of the issues discussed. According to him, the president promised a proper investigation of the incident as it is an issue of national security that must be taken seriously. While speaking to State House correspondents on Monday, Saraki said, "Well, we came on the invitation of Mr. President. He wanted to brief us on his trip to the United States and also the issue of the budget. "We also talked on the issues of concern to us - the invasion of the national assembly, which he showed great concern about and said action would be taken to investigate that. "Of course, he sees it as an embarrassment to the country and that there will be a proper investigation because it is something that is not just about the national assembly, it is about the country." Saraki reports IGP to Buhari Saraki also revealed that they reported the evasive conduct of the Inspector-General of Police, Ibrahim Idris, to the president after he turned down two invitations to appear before the National Assembly for questioning over the perceived persecution of Kogi lawmaker, Senator Dino Melaye, and also matters of insecurity in the country. "We also raised the issue of the non-appearance of the IG at the senate and felt that they must continue to ensure that he continues to apply obedience to the issue of constituted authority. New tech allows checks on workers state of mind when under pressure A worker wearing a helmet reacts to the camera in Hangzhou, Zhejiang. Photo: IC Workers in China have been given hats fitted with sensors that detect their brainwaves to tell if they are losing their concentration while on the job. The technology has been either tested or used among high-speed railway drivers, factory workers, patients, university students and also military officers, said industry insiders reached by the Global Times. In December 2015, some drivers of the high-speed trains that run between Shanghai and Hefei in East China's Anhui Province began wearing the equipment for safety reasons. The brain surveillance system includes a sensor built into the brim of the driver's hat that can collect brainwave information, a smart watch that can detect the pulse as well as other smart devices, according to the developer, a Shanghai-based technology company named Deayea. The system, with an accuracy of over 90 percent, can gauge the attention span of drivers, and also their mood, such as whether and when they are depressed, sleepy or fatigued while driving, Xie Wenjun, an employee from Deayea's marketing department, told the Global Times. The system will grade the driver from 1 to 100 based on his attention and fatigue level. If the grade drops below 85, the watch will vibrate to warn the driver. When the grade goes below 65, the driver will receive a voice reminder and a message will be sent to a backstage operator who can call the driver to wake him up or replace him, Xie elaborated. One of these devices costs around 100,000 yuan ($15,800), and includes service fees, according to Deayea. The company is working with a Beijing-based air force institute on a pilot selection system that can detect "unstable emotions" in candidates during training, said Xie. Boosting profits The technology is also being used in factories in Hangzhou at State Grid Zhejiang Electric Power, which said it could increase the overall efficiency of the workers by adjusting the frequency and length of break times to reduce mental stress, the South China Morning Post reported in April. It has boosted the Hangzhou company's profits by about 2 billion yuan since it was rolled out in 2014, said the report. Currently, brain surveillance devices are able to measure vigilance, attention, sleepiness and fatigue, Ma Qingguo, head of Academy of Neuroeconomics and Neuromanagement in Ningbo University, told the Global Times. Ma created China's first neuromanagement laboratory and is currently heading the university's Neuro Cap project, one of the leading projects conducting research in this field in the country. Brain surveillance devices in the market are mostly first generation products, and certain problems such as differences between individuals should be studied more in future, said Ma. The detection of brain activity is significant for jobs that require agile decision-making and the ability to work under high pressure, he added. According to industry insiders, the systems designed for drivers for long-distance transportation as well as for vehicles carrying dangerous chemicals are being studied. Though the use of such technologies is helpful for public security, the scope of use should be strictly supervised to avoid legal and moral risks, Zhu Wei, a professor at the China University of Political Science and Law, told the Global Times. Security risks Researchers at the University of Alabama suggest that brainwave-sensing headsets, also known as EEG or electroencephalograph headsets, need better security, after a study revealed hackers could guess a user's password by monitoring their brainwaves, US-based science news website Science Daily reported in July 2017. The supervision of stored data must be enhanced to avoid data trading and leaking. "Workers wearing the device should also be fully informed about the purpose and work mode of the surveillance devices," Zhu warned. Stressing that the hats are not brain-reading machines, as they can only measure the mood and not read the reasons behind them, Ma noted that the technology does not infringe on users' privacy. "It's about providing information to ensure workplace safety, for better management and higher efficiency," Ma said. In market research, there are diverse applications for EEG headsets internationally, digital news site born2invest.com reported in December. In Singapore, one tourism company used the Emotiv EEG headset to monitor the reactions of children and adults at various tourist attractions. Just as in other countries, China has used the technology in the military, where it shows promising prospects, Ma said. Though China's research in the field did not start until a decade ago, the country's technology on brain information collecting and analysis is on a par with that of developed Western countries, said Ma. The governor, during the visit, assured the communities of government's continuous efforts to overcome the bandits terrorising them. He met with the emir and community leaders before proceeding to Gwaska, the scene of fatal attacks. The governor expressed sorrow and condoled with the people and offered prayers for the victims. He said, "I came here to share the pains and anguish of our people, the predicament of innocent citizens whose lives were cut short due to terrorism of bandits and criminals who have been tormenting us. "I and my team will be proceeding to Gwaska and other communities to see for ourselves and talk directly to the people. "But I want to say again, that we are not sleeping and by the grace of God, we will overcome this evil act and terrorism being unleashed on our people." The Emir of Birnin Gwari, Malam Jibril Zubair II, commended federal and state governments "for demonstrating commitment to the plight of the people. "We thank you for the visit and the condolences and empathy. We are grateful for all your commitments in resolving the plight of Birnin Gwari people. "As a member of the state security council, I am in the know of federal and state government's commitments. "The IGP and the GOC were here and have confirmed the establishment of a battalion of the army and Police Area Command in the area. I am also happy that you are going to Gwaska and other communities to see for yourself." Malam Isa Musa, the leader of Gwaska community, narrated how bandits carried out the heinous attack in the area. Musa said, "The attackers were heavily armed with sophisticated weapons and were not ordinary gunmen. They came from different directions and circled us, shooting and burning our houses with impunity. "We appreciate your commitments but we wish to let you know that only full military action on both land and air can match these terrorists. They are mercenaries and marksmen. "As you can see, it is about seven kilometres to Dansadau in Zamfara and other boundaries with Katsina State and Niger with us here in Birnin Gwari Local Government." El-Rufai again reassured them that both the state and federal governments would intensify action to address the lingering problem of rural banditry. The partys National Publicity Secretary, Mr Kola Ologbondiyan, on Tuesday in Abuja at a press conference said it was unfortunate the Presidency had chosen to shroud the issue in secrecy. He claimed that the Presidents men appear to be more concerned about the next election, instead of the consequences of the health situation and the constitutional breaches. The PDP urges President Buhari to be well guided and take care of his health. Ologbondiyan said while PDP had nothing against President Buharis decision to take care of his health, Nigerians do not like the deception which has trailed the handling of his health issue. Even as we speak, Nigerians are not aware of the Presidents health situation and the identity of the doctors and the hospital attending to him. He added that it was unfortunate that Buhari would always embark on medical tourism abroad when government has refused to address the poor state of the health sector in Nigeria. The PDP spokesman, however, said Presidencys confirmation of Buharis latest journey to the UK for medical attention had confirmed the partys position on his health. Ologbondiyan said the admission, though belated and coming after intense public pressure, has put to rest speculations on the health status of the President... Nigerians will recall that shortly before the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in April, the President, without transmitting a letter to the National Assembly as required by the Constitution, undertook a private visit to the UK, five clear days ahead of CHOGM. Nigerians were left in the dark for the period in spite of demands for the full disclosure by the PDP. Only last week, two days after his departure from the U.S. where he had gone for a state visit, Mr Presidents whereabouts was unknown. When concerns began to mount on his whereabouts, the Presidency claimed he had a technical stopover in the UK, citing flight issues, only for revelations to emerge from the same Presidency, on Monday, that Mr. President was actually in the UK to see his doctors. He also decried the Presidencys response to the petition filed by PDP to the United Nations (UN). The Libyan coast guard perched aboard the Italian-provided Ras Jadir vessel, arrived the scene first to rescue the drowning migrants. The German aid group Sea Watch 3 also responded with dinghies and rescued some 59 people. An estimated 20 people drowned on the day. Most of them Nigerians. Legal and human rights organisations who are backing the Nigerians on the case, told a press conference that the Italians used EU funds to train and equip the Libyan coast guard to patrol its coasts and bring migrants back. Italy defends itself The Nigerians also allege that the Italians gave tacit approval to the slavery, torture and other degrading and inhuman treatment unleashed on them by Libyans. The AP reports that Italy has defended its support of the Libyan coast guard. Italian officials say the policy has saved lives and slowed to a trickle the number of migrants who risk their lives paying Libyan-based smugglers to ferry them to Europe aboard flimsy dinghies. 6,731 migrants have arrived Italy so far from Libya in 2018, 84 percent down from 2017 and 78 percent down from the year before, according to interior ministry figures. But human rights groups say that under its policy, Italy is shirking its international responsibilities to rescue migrants at sea and bring them to safety. Nigeria has been evacuating most of its citizens from Libya in the wake of the migrant scandal which exposed how Nigerians and citizens of other African countries were often beaten and kept in detention camps in Libya; with little or no food. The president is scheduled to leave Nigeria on Tuesday, May 8, and head to London to meet his doctor for a medical appointment that is scheduled to last for four days. While speaking about the trip in an interview on Channels Television on Tuesday, the president's Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina, said there's no cause for alarm over the president's health as he's merely travelling for a medical 'review'. When asked if the president will return to the country after the scheduled four days, as he's previously extended medical trips in the past, Adesina said only God has the guarantee over such matters. However, he also noted that if all goes well with his doctor, the president will return to Nigeria as has been officially announced. He said, "When you talk of guarantee, man cannot guarantee anything. Man cannot even guarantee life because somebody that is here in the morning could be gone in the afternoon; so in terms of guarantee, nobody can guarantee anything. "But then, in terms of the health of Mr President, I'll just say there's no cause for alarm because he is up and about, he's doing his duties and what he's going for is a review. We all need that from time to time. There's nobody that is 100% healthy. He's just going for a review so I want to believe that he'll leave today and come back on Saturday as has been planned. "But like I said, you know, it is only God that has a final authority on things but all things being equal, he'll be back on Saturday." The presidential aide also dismissed quotes attributed to the president about putting an end to medical tourism during his tenure amid criticism of his frequent medical trips to the United Kingdom. During the interview, Adesina also reiterated his position that the president doesn't have to disclose his ailment to Nigerians as he has a right to his privacy. President Buhari is expected to return from his medical trip on Saturday, May 12. Buhari flying to London on doctor's orders In a statement released by Buhari's Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, on Monday, May 7, the president's doctor requested his presence when he recently had a "technical stopover" in London. The president had stopped there on his way back to Nigeria while flying from a working visit to the United States. Shehu said on Monday, "In the course of the technical stop-over for aircraft maintenance in London on his way back from Washington last week, the President had a meeting with his doctor. "The Doctor requested the President to return for a meeting which he agreed to do." Suspicious London stopover President Buhari was missing from the public eye for two days before the presidency disclosed that he stopped in London because his plane was under repairs. Shehu said on Thursday, May 3, "The big jet is under repairs. It has been taken for major repairs. So the president is using a small plane and there is a limit to the distance the small plane can cover. "So the technical stopover I talked about is that the journey from US to Abuja is broken into two. Technical stopover is that the plane stops at a point, refuel, do some checks and then proceed on the journey. Despite the presidency's claim, many media reports suspected that the president stopped in London to see his doctors, a theory that has now been admitted by the presidency. In 2017, President Buhari spent a combined 154 days in London on two separate medical visits to treat an undisclosed illness, prompting concerns about how fit he is for duty. Police authorities had previously confirmed that 45 people were killed when armed bandits attacked Gwaska village in Birnin Gwari on Saturday, May 5, 2018. The bandits overpowered the local vigilante team which was defending the community, killing dozens, including children. However, the Emir of Birnin Gwari, Malam Zubair Jibril Mai Gwari II, told AFP on Tuesday, May 8, that more bodies have been recovered in the aftermaths of the attack. He said, "The death toll now is 71 with more bodies being evacuated. We hope that the security measures being taken will curb the issue." El-Rufai condoles with affected communities On Monday, May 7, state governor, Nasir El-Rufai, paid a visit to the community where the attack took place, after meeting with the emir and community leaders, to assure them of the government's continuous efforts to overcome the bandits terrorising them. The governor expressed sorrow and condoled with the people and offered prayers for the victims. In a statement signed by El-Rufai's Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Samuel Aruwan, on Sunday, May 6, 2018, he disclosed that President Muhammadu Buhari has approved the establishment of a permanent Battalion of the Nigerian Army in the Birnin Gwari general area. The creation of a Birnin Gwari Police Area Command and two new Divisional Police Headquarters have also been announced by the Inspector General of Police, Ibrahim Idris. With help from hoodlums, Melaye had allegedly briefly escaped from police officers while he was being transported from Abuja to Kogi on Tuesday, April 24, 2018. Hours later, the Senator resurfaced at the , Abuja, in an ambulance before he was rearrested and moved to the National Hospital. He was later arraigned on Wednesday, May 2, before an Abuja Magistrate Court sitting at Wuse Zone 2 charged with criminal conspiracy, causing damage to government property, attempted suicide and escape from lawful custody. He was then driven to Lokoja on Thursday, May 3, where he was arraigned before the Senior Magistrate Court 2 charged with criminal conspiracy, unlawful possession of prohibited firearms, kidnapping, armed robbery, murder, political thuggery and other violent crimes in the state. Even though the court remanded him in police custody despite appearing on a stretcher with an apparent spinal cord injury sustained during the alleged escape, Ozekhome filed two applications before the Chief Judge of the state, Justice Nadir Ajanah. The first application sought the court to order that the lawmaker be moved to the National Hospital in Abuja where his medical demands can be met while the other asked that the court review the decision of the Magistrates court to remand him in custody, arguing that he's not a flight risk. During a hearing at the Kogi High Court on Friday, May 4, Justice Ajanah granted the application to have Melaye moved to Abuja for treatment but he adjourned the hearing for the bail application till Monday, May 7. During the hearing on Monday, Ozekhome complained about the maltreatment of the lawmaker in the custody of police officers. He told the court that Melaye had to escape from the police vehicle because he feared for his life and had been deceived about the destination of the car journey. He also noted that the lawmaker was not trying to escape as claimed by the police but was simply acting on instincts to avoid being killed after he was tear-gassed. He said, "The truth of the matter is that initially, the police told Melaye that they would take him to a high court in Abuja for prosecution but the police suddenly decided to head to Lokoja and Melaye said while they were in the vehicle, the police tear-gassed him twice. "Melaye protested against why they were taking him to Lokoja instead of Abuja. So, as soon as the vehicle carrying Melaye came to a standstill at Area One intersection roundabout, Melaye forced the door of the vehicle open and jumped down because he was gasping for breath and he did not want to suffocate and die. "Again, when Melaye jumped from the bus and started shouting, the people around that area and his lawyers sympathised with him and took him to a medical centre in Abuja where the police again came and bundled him to the National Hospital in Abuja, where they chained him to his bed like a common criminal. "The question is if someone has the plan to jump bail, he will not allow himself to be in the hospital, he will run to his village or can even run out of the country." Shehu has been caught telling a lie he had no business telling. Buhari's Washington meeting After Buharis meeting with U.S President Donald Trump on April 30, 2018, the Nigerian leader was supposed to be airborne the next day for Abuja. And of course Buhari did leave Washington the next day, because on May 1, the presidency told us that the nations presidential jet had taken off from the Joint Base Andrews Airport in Maryland; which meant that Buhari was Abuja bound. However, on May 2, journalists who had been tracking the presidents flight,wondered why Buhari was nowhere near Abuja just yet. It was then it occurred to everyone that the presidents official Eagle One aircraft had landed in London instead of Abuja on Tuesday, May 2. Of course everyone who has been following Buhari and his London medical trips knew that the nations number one citizen had stopped over in the UK to keep a date with his doctors. Shehu says Buhari's jet touched down in London for technical stopover When Shehu was asked why the president was in London instead of Abuja as pre-planned, the phrase technical stopover was born into the nation's lexicon. "They had a technical stopover in London. I am sure if you keep your ears to the ground, you will hear of his arrival soon, Shehu said of the delay, without flinching. He later clarified: "The big jet is under repairs. It has been taken for major repairs. So the president is using a small plane and there is a limit to the distance the small plane can cover. "So the technical stopover I talked about is that the journey from US to Abuja is broken into two. Technical stopover is that the plane stops at a point, refuel, do some checks and then proceed on the journey. "It is a routine thing. The plane can do Abuja-Washington, that's about 12 hours and the maximum the plane can fly is 12 hours, 40 minutes. But you don't need to push it to the edge. This is very normal. There is nothing unusual about it. In any case, they are already on their way back home." Mind you, there was no point in Shehus explanations where he talked about Buhari stopping over in London to see his doctors. Shehu revisits his "technical stopover" chorus Fast forward to Monday, May 7, 2018. Buhari announces that hell be embarking on a four day trip to London to keep a date with his doctors. I will be travelling to the United Kingdom tomorrow to see my doctor at his request. Will be away for four days. Back in Abuja on Saturday May 12, President Buhari announced. Of course the job of cleaning up the mess and going back on that technical stopover phrase fell on Shehu. And then the presidents spokesperson told the nation that that technical stopover had everything to do with Buharis health. In the course of the technical stop-over for aircraft maintenance in London on his way back from Washington last week, the President had a meeting with his doctor, Shehu confessed. The doctor requested the President to return for a meeting which he agreed to do. President Buhari will return on Saturday, May 12th, Shehu added. If you read carefully between the lines, you would have noticed that Buhari didnt stop over in London from Washington on May 2 because his jet needed refueling or checks or because the president was using a small plane and there is a limit to the distance the small plane can cover. It was an unnecessary lie The presidency told the nation a bare-faced lie. A lie that was totally unnecessary. The fib was a disaster in information management and public relations; and everyone involved in this unforced spin should be bowing their heads in utter shame. It is like taking an entire nation for a ride. And this outright mendacity from the presidency isnt even the first in recent times. On Monday, April 9, 2018, Buhari departed for Londonnine days before a Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) slated for April 18. Of course several other meetings were scheduled for Buhari during his nine-day vacation before the CHOGM. Till this day, no one from the presidency has explained to taxpayers if Buhari saw his doctors or not before the CHOGM. Lets be clear here: Theres nothing wrong with the president seeing his doctors now and again because the man has been battling an undisclosed ailment since he was elected. Ahead of a rigorous electioneering season, its only normal that Buhari consults with his doctors a lot more. We all fall ill and no one is going to live forever. The president has our best wishes at this time like he's always done. However, what is wrong is not levelling up with Nigerians and appearing to conceal what should be common knowledge to every taxpayer in this nation. Nigerians want a presidency that tells them the truth when they should be told the truth. Speaking at plenary on Tuesday, May 8, 2018, Sani expressed concerns that sophisticated weapons are getting to the hands of the wrong people. A situation, he said, would make Nigeria an AK-47 nation. The lawmaker blamed the influx of arms into Nigeria on the political class who according to him, employ violence as means of assuming and remaining in power. Sani who condemned the killings in the country further called for a political reorientation. He noted that there are more arms in the hands of bandits than in the control of the military. His words: There are more firearms in this country than we have tractors. The proliferation of arms is central and key to the destabilizing the peace of Nigeria. I have heard suggestions of inviting security chiefs to come and brief us on the issue of proliferation of firearms. But no matter how many of them we invite here, the central issue is the political class is complicit in the proliferation of arms in Nigeria. It is not possible for our security agencies to bring an end to the violence, killings, bloodshed and proliferation of arms in this country as long as the political class includes violence as party of their political strategy to retain political power or to assume political power. We are becoming an AK-47 nation. People are killed every day and our country is becoming a failed state. It is a concern to every Nigerian today that the state is failing. People in rural areas and isolated places are being killed and all we can do is condole, condemn, deliberate, discuss and offer one-minute-silence and the silence continues. We must not deceive ourselves. The scale of arms in this country is has the capability and capacity to bring an end to our nation as a republic. The motion before us here brings to spotlight the reality of the Nigerian state. It should also touch our conscience that we must move fast. There is a limit to what the security agencies can do in a political atmosphere where the people in power are openly advocating and canvassing for violence. Hardly, in this country, will you find a politician who does not have a reserve of arms and services which he deploys during congresses, primary and general elections. Until we have a new national reorientation where people should not see politics as a do or die affair but as an opportunity to serve, this problem may not end. We have seen violence in the northeast, north-central and it is about the proliferation of arms. We have seen theories, conjectures and hypothesis saying all these arms come from Libya. What happened to our border guards, military, customs and immigration? What happened to the billions of naira spent on protecting our borders? It is unfortunate that we are moving towards the 2019 general elections and the handwriting on the wall is very clear. People are adopting the act of violence to retain their office and assume office. We have a duty as a parliament to bring out laws but the fundamental issue is that our political orientation and culture is one that promotes, aides, and abates violence. Political parties in Nigeria were not founded on any ideology but as a vehicle for assuming political offices. They have prepared to do so by all means. Violence is not simply about herdsmen and insurgents but we have seen an institutionalized adoption and adaptation of violence as a policy and strategy of people in the position of power. The political class teach the people how to use guns. You bring them in. It is everywhere on the pages of the newspaper. We have even seen violence on this floor here and nothing was done about it. So, what are you inviting the security chiefs to come and do? We need to change our political orientation from the top to down. People were killed in local government and even the Army have withdrawn from the area because they do not have enough firepower to confront the herdsmen and bandits. There are more sophisticated arms in the hands of anonymous people than we have in stock as a state," he added. Earlier, Senator Suleman Hunkuyi had raised a motion on the proliferation of firearms into Nigeria. Evans had on Monday, May 7, cried out before the Lagos High Court sitting at Igbosere that he is not well fed and that he gets beaten all the time as if there is a plan to kill him. "I have an explanation to make. Since I have been in the maximum prison, they have been maltreating me: no visit, they dont feed me well, I have eye problem and I cannot see far. What have I done to you people? They have been beating me, there is no good food, I have been locked up in one place since August 30, last year. Why are they taking my case personal? Let me face my trial alive; why do you people want to kill me?," Evans explained to the court why he initially refused to disembark from the 'Black Maria' (Prison vehicle) that brought him to the court. Doctor's visit A prison warder from Kirikiri Maximum Prison, however, countered the billionaire kidnapper's statement. The unnamed warder said that in fact, a doctor is frequently allowed to examine him, adding that the medical personnel still checked him out on Monday morning before he was brought to court and that he was certified healthy. The warder said, "We have been treating him very well; he is well fed, and people have been visiting him; a doctor has been checking him; the doctor checked him yesterday and even this morning before he was brought to court. The doctor says he is healthy and can be brought to court." Buttressing the warder's point, the Lagos State Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), Titilayo Shitta-Bey, said the suspect was just making up the maltreatment story. "That was the same thing he said before an Ikeja High Court and we wrote the prisons and they wrote us back that he was being taken care of like every other inmate", the DPP said. ALSO READ: How police officer who arrested kidnap guru was killed The presiding judge, Adedayo Akintoye, however, asked the prisons to ensure that Evans is well taken care of like the other inmates, noting that the defendants are still presumed innocent until proven guilty. The Lagos State Government has brought a fresh five-count charge bordering on conspiracy to kidnap, kidnapping and attempted murder against Evans and three others. Belarus and China are going to sign an agreement on 30-day visa-free regime, Belarusian parliament speaker Mikhail Myasnikovich said here on Monday in a joint interview with visiting Chinese journalists. National flags of China and Belarus were hanging in front of the Tiananmen square to welcome the visiting of President Lukashenko of Belarus on Sept. 29th, 2016, Beijing. [File photo: VCG] National flags of China and Belarus were hanging in front of the Tiananmen square to welcome the visiting of President Lukashenko of Belarus on Sept. 29th, 2016, Beijing. [File photo: VCG] The signing of a visa-free agreement for the period of up to 30 days will be one of the main event of the Year of Tourism of Belarus in China, greatly promoting the development of tourism, the official said. Several events will be held in the Year of Tourism to promote the development of Belarus as a tourist destination, including Belarusian art exhibitions and special activities with Chinese airlines, he added. More than 20,000 tourists from China visited Belarus in 2017. With the development of medical tourism, the number of Chinese visitors to Belarus may increase, Myasnikovich said. On February 13, 2018, Belarus and China's Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) waived visas and started visa-free regime. The Belarusians and the Chinese citizens living in Hong Kong will be allowed to enter, leave, remain within, or transit through Hong Kong and Belarus, respectively, without visas for the period of up to 14 days. I believe my confidence comes from the quality of the vision that I carry in my heart and I believe that that vision is not unique only to me. Its the same vision in the hearts of 180 million Nigeriansyoung and old, rich or poor. I think that everyone wants a new Nigeria. I think everyone knows when someone is just proposing a vision because you are running for election. I have been carrying this vision in my heart for 14 years. And I believe that its a vision that Nigerians want. I think Nigerians will vote for that vision. I believe that the set of values that I carry and I share and I live by are the same values that almost every Nigerian wants for their children, for their wives, for their homeland and I believe people will vote for those set of values. And more importantly, on the 29th of May, 2018, we are going to be unveiling the journey to a new Nigeria. And I know that its a journey that people will believe in. Im confident because of the vision. Im confident because of the values and Im confident because of the road map that we have. I believe that Nigerians want a new Nigeria and we will get it together. There was this article published in the back page of ThisDay where you said God has told you youll be president. Its not in there. I said God told me that Nigeria will be the most desirable nation to live in. Theres nowhere in that article.and Im sure you probably can go and read it..If you read itbecause a lot of people have wanted to say that thats whats in there..most of those people obviously did not read it. Theres been that debate online about you saying God asked you to run.... But this is one of the things that is very interesting about a generation. We are a most powerful generation. We have the power of technology, information and communication on our hands. On that phone, we can always check. People should not just believe things because somebody said so. If you Google it, you can always find it. The article said: On the 23rd of November 2004, I had an encounter and God said to me that by 2025 Nigeria will be the most desirable nation to live in". I never said to anybodyand everybody can go and read the article. Dont take my word for it. Go and read the article yourself. I didnt say to anybody that God said Ill be president of Nigeria. People want to say that thats what I said. But thats because they either didnt read it or they are just being mischievous. Theres this whole thing about experience. I know you touched on it on ThePlatform and you dwelt a bit on it here again. They are those who say, why dont you just wait for 2023? That 2019 is too soon You know, like they always say, the best time to plant a tree is 20 years ago. The next best time is always now. And for me I think that Nigerians are tired. We are all tired. And the next best time to start doing what we should have started doing 10, 15, 20 years ago is now. So, ask anybody who wants a new Nigeria when is the best time to start running for a new Nigeria. The best time is now. Its not about winning an office or not winning an office. Its about building a new nation. And the best time to start getting people involved in running for office across all the levels is now. The best time to start getting yourPermanent Voters Cards (PVCs) to vote for people who carry and share your vision and values and your dreams for a new Nigeria is now. The best time for you to go and join a political party and insist that that party will have voters rights for members is now. The time to join INEC and to help to bring free and fair elections is now. We should never postpone our dreams. Now is the best time. There is no better time than now. A school of thought says you should have started as a senator, maybe run for Governor first. Some people have even said I should have started as a ward council member. Some people have even said I shouldnt have run for anything, that I should just be a member of a party. Look, I always say it doesnt matter what Fela is doing, the question is what are you doing? Take your focus off Fela because its not Fela alone that is going to help to build a new Nigeria. You are going to help to build a new Nigeria. Wherever Fela starts from, where are you starting from? And I think that thats the real big question people should be asking. If you are tired of the way things are in Nigeria and you know that Nigeria can be better if we were able to just get people who have a good heart, who are competent, who have demonstrated leadership in whatever area they have done..if you know all that, then I will ask you, when do you think that anyone should start and whenever you think that they should start, where are you starting from? And if you want to start in the political space, go and start from any level you want to start and thats fine. I will not judge that. But the most important thing is start something. Do something. Dont sit down there, wondering where somebody else is starting from and that becomes a distraction to you. You go start something wherever you are. Start from where you are. Your political party doesnt have the kind of grassroot structure to beat the PDP and APC at their own game. We are just a few months away from a 36-State general election. Seriously, how do you even think you stand a chance? We are going to do it by doing what we are currently doing and we are moving very fast. And today, in literally every local government in Nigeria, we already have people who are local government coordinators, we are at the level of getting ward coordinators in almost all 19,000 wards that are in Nigeria. Let me be clear about something. Nigerians all across, want a new Nigeria. This is not about Fela Durotoye. This is about the Nigeria that people want and that is why people are adjoining. And this is not just about getting Fela Durotoye to become president because even if Fela Durotoye becomes president and we still have the people who throw chairs in the legislature, or steal maces they are still going to hold our bills and say if you dont pad it, they will not approve the budget. The point we are making is that we need a whole transformation. In the words of Donald Trump, we need to drain that swamp. That is what is exciting people. This is not about getting one man elected. This is about getting a whole generation to win an election. This election is not about Fela. This election is about our generation. And our generation is ready. And thats why we are doing everything we are doing as quickly as we are doing it. Punch reports that the meeting was called to harmonise the results of the partys ward congresses which held on Saturday, May 5, 2018. There was a feeling among some APC chieftains in Anambra that Ngige was back in the State to rig the congress elections. It was all the event needed to turn violent. Gunshots rang in and around the venue of the meeting as everyone scampered for safety. As a mob bayed for Ngiges blood, security personnel shot into the air to keep them at bay. In the ensuing melee, Ngige was quickly whisked away to safety by security personnel before he could be lynched, various reports say. Nwoye goes against Ngige According to a member of the States ward congress committee identified simply as Ali, was not that lucky to escape as he was beaten to a pulp and stripped naked on allegations that he was among those drafted to the State to work for Ngige. Mr. Tony Nwoye who contested and lost the November 18, 2017 Anambra governorship election on the platform of the APC, pointedly accused Ngige of trying to rig the ward congress elections. Nwoye also said the minister intends to hijack the APC structure in Anambra. I will not let Ngige take over the function of the panel, Nwoye vowed. We have a panel that is supposed to conduct that congress and they just came here today, whereas you are trying to tell us that elections were held yesterday. How can Ngige be the one to conduct the congress when theres a committee? As of 7pm on Saturday, people were being denied the forms because they wanted to contest positions, and what that means is that the forms have been given out to those they like. We will not let that happen, Nwoye said. However, Ngige took exception to Nwoye's accusations. The minister said he only got into trouble because he stood for what was right. We do not have trouble here and we are here to further the cause of the party. People are querying the guidelines given by the NEC of the party and I said no. The issue was over zoning of positions. We said go to the ward and if anyone resigns, we replace him because this is a brotherly contest, Ngige said. APC violence everywhere Anambra isnt the only State in Nigeria where APC gatherings became a theater of war. In Ughelli, Delta State, Mr. Jeremiah Oghovetawas reportedly stabbed to death during ward congresses in that oil rich region. And in Ekiti State, the APC governorship primary ended on a violent and inconclusive note after party chieftains accused Solid Minerals Minister Kayode Fayemi of trying to manipulate proceedings. The News Agency of Nigeria, (NAN) reports that a total of 1,968 delegates were accredited and voted at the primary poll. Out of the total of number of votes, as announced by leader of PDP electoral committee, Gov. Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta, Eleka scored 1,190 to defeat the only challenger in the race, a former Minister of Works, Mr Dayo Adeyeye, who scored 771 votes. Seven of the votes were declared invalid by the electoral committee. NAN reports that Adeyeye, who left the venue at about 8p.m, accepted the outcome of the primary election, which he agreed was conducted under free and fair atmosphere. In his acceptance speech, Eleka thanked the delegates for counting him worthy. ALSO READ:PDP chairman says party will retain Ekiti He expressed gratitude to Adeyeye for exhibiting high volume of dexterity and courage throughout the period of the pre-primary election. The deputy governor who praised Gov. Ayo Fayose for standing by him, vowed to defeat the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the coming July 14 governorship election in the state. Hon. Pwajok, in his submission, said: No better person can support a newly born baby than the father which will make the child more emotionally stable if the father stays close. This will not be peculiar to Nigeria alone, its done globally, Pwajok added. What the Optional Paternity Leave is all about - The bill was meant to give an optional two-week or more (depending on the decision of the of House) paternity leave to ensure that mother and child get adequate care from the father. - The presence of the father to play a very significant role if the mother or the child had health challenges. - The bill would allow the father to support the mother and take care of the child during that early stages post-childbirth. However, this bill was rejected by the floor. What the Female lawmakers said A female lawmaker, Hon. Rita Orji, wondered why Nigerian men would need a paternity leave when they have nothing to recover from. Hon. Orji, while contributing to the debate, added that many men are negligent in their duties as husbands as they often do not know when their wifes expected delivery date is, and that some are even nowhere to be found while their wives are in labour. She also said that some men take to their heels when their wives deliver multiple babies and asked if these were the same sort of men who ought to now be rewarded with paternity leave. But her colleague, Hon. Betty Apiafi (Rivers State) who stood on the defence said an amendment to the Labour Act may be a better alternative since that already specifies maternity leave for women and all that would need to be done is to amend it to cover men too. Other Nigerian lawmakers arguments Hon. Uzoma Nkem-Abonta said that the bill is long overdue but raised concerns about the prevalence of polygamy and modalities which would need to be put in place to ensure that such situations do not enable abuse of the law. He also suggested stepping down the bill and amending the Labour Act instead. Hon. Kingsley Chinda spoke against the bill, saying that men and women do not go through the same thing and the idea is not worth considering at this stage. He argued that the concept is alien to the Nigerian society and that the better option would also be to amend the labour law. Prof. Mojeed Alabi, Osun State, also opposed the bill on grounds of the negative effect on productivity. He said that a major problem in Nigeria is the presence of too many holidays and that in addition to lazy youths, we would also be breeding lazy husbands if the bill is passed into law. Hon. Henry Okon Archibong, Akwa Ibom, cited Biblical guidelines on gender roles; he said men are to provide for their families and the idea of paternity leave goes against that. He concluded by saying that Hon. Pwajok was comparing Nigeria to the United States and other Western countries, forgetting that our circumstances are different. The lawmakers rejected the bill in a voice note put forward by Speaker Yakubu Dogara. This is not the first time Nigerian lawmaker would be kicking against progressive ideas and policies citing cultural and traditional differences. Malley, now the head of the International Crisis Group peace-building think tank, said in an interview that the 2015 agreement's original European backers must try to keep Tehran inside the deal. Through his constant attacks on the "terrible" agreement, Trump has shifted the narrative away from the prior international consensus that the deal has successfully curtailed Iran's nuclear ambitions. But Malley, who served on Obama's White House National Security Council, holds out hope that fellow deal signatories Britain, France and Germany can work with Tehran to keep the agreement alive. And the agreement, he argued, remains critical to preventing Iran from resuming its alleged search for a nuclear weapon. "This is the most comprehensive verification regime ever negotiated by a country other than one that's been defeated in war," Malley said in Washington on the eve of Trump's decision. "If they do try to cheat, there are so many tripwires to know when they're cheating, where they're cheating... it would be discovered." President Emmanuel Macron of France, Chancellor Angela Merkel of Germany and British Prime Minister Theresa May have sought to "mollify" Trump by offering to negotiate tougher anti-Iran measures. But they remained determined the Iran deal implementation mechanism -- the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) -- must remain in place, even if a supplemental agreement is found. Trump now seems unlikely to renew the US sanctions waivers that Obama announced as the US commitment under the JCPOA, but it is unclear whether Iran will seize on this to renew its nuclear program. If Europe is willing to impose tougher penalties on Iran's ballistic missile program and regional military adventurism, Malley said, it is only because they want to preserve the underlying nuclear deal. "It is a slight inflexion, I won't deny that," he added. "And frankly, I think if what Trump wants is to be able to claim victory he could do that. Perpetual uncertainty "He could say 'without me, Europe never would have cared so much about Iran's ballistic missiles program, never would have cared so much about its regional behavior.'" Malley said Trump is bent on undoing whatever foreign policy legacy Obama has, and fails to understand that pressure without compromise will not curtail Iran's other provocations. "Either Trump will walk away from the deal or he will stick with the deal for another period and say I'm going to postpone my decision. I'm going to wait for the Europeans to fix it," Malley predicted. "That's going to perpetuate all the uncertainty that currently surrounds the deal. That's going to make it very unlikely for businesses to invest in Iran. "It's clear that the US is in the mode of killing the deal." Malley's International Crisis Group, therefore, has been urging the Europeans to shift their attention from Trump and to work instead on convincing an angry Tehran not to break its end of the bargain. "It's going to be a very tough endeavor," he said. "What we try to do... is to say here are steps that the European can take mitigate the harm of the reimposition of US sanctions." Smaller EU businesses that do not have investments in the United States that could be exposed to renewed US sanctions, could work together to do business with Iran, he suggested. Economic dividends "It's not easy but that's the effort the Europeans need to be engaged in and Iranians too," Malley said. Such trade, he added, could show "why preserving this deal is better for Europe and it's better for Iran even if the economic dividends of the deal that Iran expected to get they're not going to see now." And he has a message for the Iranians: "Isn't it better to have some kind of continued commercial and trade relations with Europe and have the US being isolated, than have you isolated and have the Europeans and the Americans on your case? "Because the truth is if tomorrow the US reimposes the sanctions and the Iranian response is 'We're leaving the deal too,' Europe won't have the choice," Malley warned. Outgoing PresidentJuanManuelSantos, whose government has been accused of failing to implement key elements of the peace deal, said recently that Colombians "have an enormous challenge ahead" to consolidate peace. Santos, who is barred by the constitution from seeking a third term, was one of the chief architects of the peace deal with the FARC that brought to an end decades of conflict, for which he won the Nobel Peace Prize in 2016. Now disarmed, the rump guerrilla movement has transformed itself into a political party. But the agreement is far from complete. And its implementation will be one of the chief tasks of Santos' successor. Violence has broken out in some areas abandoned by the FARC and dissident rebels have joined up with armed groups. "The next president of Colombia will have to decide to apply it as it is or to modify it," said analyst Cristian Rojas, head of the political science faculty at La Sabana University. Favorite to succeed Santos is Ivan Duque, a 41-year-old lawyer who has spearheaded opposition to the peace deal. He is running for the Centro Democratico party led by senator and former president Alvaro Uribe, who has built a political career on a tough stance against the guerrillas. The left in the second round? Colombia's five-decade conflict drew in paramilitary groups and state forces in what became a many-sided war fueled by drug trafficking, leaving about 260,000 people dead and seven million displaced. If elected, Duque "will likely pose a problem for the major structural reforms that are planned in the framework of the agreements, such as electoral reform, land reform," said Yann Basset, head of the Observatory of political representation at Rosary University. In the polls, the CD candidate is 10 points ahead of his leftist opponent Gustavo Petro, a 58-year-old former Bogota mayor who was once a member of the now disbanded M-19 guerrilla movement. But neither Duque nor Petro has enough momentum to carry the election in the first round, analysts say, likely leaving the left contesting a runoff for the first time in Colombia's history. Behind them come Sergio Fajardo, a centrist candidate with 12 percent, former vice president German Vargas Lleras with 7.5 percent and former peace negotiator Humberto de la Calle, with 2.5 percent. But the trend can change. "There's a lot of volatility in preferences," said Basset, who said the rise of the left, boosted by a promising showing in recent legislative elections, is explained by the fact that 'there isn't as much fear of the guerrillas as before". The FARC failed to get even 1.0 percent of the vote in March legislative polls and it leader, Rodrigo Londono, pulled out of the presidential election after heart trouble. Odebrecht's millions There is also a "climate of discontent with the political class, with many corruption cases in the last two years, and the famous Odebrecht scandal," Basset said. The Brazilian construction giant has admitted paying out $11.1 million in bribes in Colombia. State prosecutors believe the full amount paid to the political elite is much higher, more than $27 million. Violence and insecurity in former FARC strongholds pose another challenge for the incoming government. Dissident former rebels as well as drug lords and members of the National Liberation Army (ELN) guerrilla group fighting for control of the cocaine market, of which Colombia is still the world's largest producer. "There is a very strong challenge for whoever the president is, and that is to control the territory. The success of the implementation of everything that is agreed on, rests on the state recovering a monopoly of strength, while also making its institutional presence felt," said Juan Cardenas, professor of political science at La Sabana. "Today, drug-trafficking remains the main threats to peace," Santos warned in his farewell speech to the UN last month. Santos, who is due to step down in August after eight years in office, still dreams of forging a "complete peace" by signing a peace deal with the country's last rebel group, the ELN. But the kidnapping and murder of two Ecuadoran journalists and their driver in March generated tensions with Quito, whose government no longer wants to host the long-running peace talks. Both countries struck a controversial deal in February 2017 aimed at stemming the flow of people trying to cross the Mediterranean in the hope of arriving in Europe. Lawyers prosecuting the case say they want the court to order Italy to pay "moral reparations" and end the agreement, which it says violates international law, as was ruled in 2012 for a similar deal struck between former Italian prime minister Silvio Berlusconi and dictator Moamer Kadhafi in 2008. The agreement has been hailed as a success in Italy thanks to an over 80 percent drop in arrivals so far in 2018 compared to the same period of last year, according to Interior Ministry figures. However the lawsuit argues that Italy was responsible both for the actions of the Libyan rescuers due to their fundamental help with logistics, and liable for the subsequent abuses in Libyan detention centres, which are well-documented. Libya only has the capability to intercept migrant ships thanks to EU funding and support from both the Italian coast guard in Rome and an Italian Navy ship located off the coast of Tripoli. The lawsuit was filed on Thursday and originates from a search-and-rescue operation on November 6 involving NGO Sea Watch which saw the German charity tussle with a Libyan coast guard vessel for the migrants. Sea Watch estimates "at least" 20 people died and claims the Libyan coastguard "beat and threatened" survivors as they pulled them out of the sea and off a stricken dinghy, while some dived back into the sea in an effort to reach the Sea Watch boat. Five bodies were recovered during the operation, which saw 59 people rescued and taken to Italy by Sea Watch and 47 returned to Libya. Once the sea had been cleared of survivors the Libyans sped off with one person hanging off the side, prompting an Italian navy helicopter to move in to tell the Libyans to slow their vessel down. The rights groups, including Sea Watch, told reporters that fifteen of the claimants were in Italy while the other two were back in Nigeria after spending time in a Libyan Department of Combatting Illegal Migration (DCIM) facility. The two were given a choice between going home or staying in a DCIM centre, places which United Nations human rights chief Zeid Raad al Hussein called "an outrage to humanity" after UN monitors visited the country in November. Rome decided on Monday evening to allow 105 migrants to land in Italy following an ordeal that saw them kept at sea while the Italians and British stalled on a decision. "This is another example of the delays and confusion in coordination that is creating even more risk for lives in the central Mediterranean, already the most deadly maritime area in the world," said Nick Romaniuk, relief coordinator on rescue ship Aquarius. The Aquarius is chartered by SOS Mediterranean and Medecins Sans Frontieres and was involved in the weekend's rescue operation. At dawn on Sunday the Italian coastguard reported a vessel in distress off the coast of Libya to a boat run by NGO Proactiva Open Arms, before then announcing that the Libyan coastguard had taken control of the operation. When Libya coordinates rescue operations it means that the migrants are taken back to the North African country, where they face a new cycle of detention, violence and extortion. But according to an Italian MP aboard Proactiva's ship, the Astral, the Libyan coast guard were not there when the Astral met the migrants and didn't respond to radio calls. At that point they decided to take the 105 migrants on board. During operations coordinated by Rome, the Astral would quickly transfer the people to a larger ship that would take them to Italy. But this time Rome asked London to deal with the migrants because the Astral bears the Union flag. In the night, London asked the Astral to transfer the migrants to the Aquarius, a larger ship, which flies the (British) flag of Gibraltar. The two ships met Monday morning about 30 nautical miles off the coast of Tripoli, but waited all day for written confirmation from either London or Rome, the only guarantees that a European port would have been designated for the migrants to disembark. The UK coast guard told AFP that had been informed of the incident but that "this is not a UK coordinated incident." The United States is pushing ahead with plans to relocate its embassy from Tel Aviv on May 14, a move that has sparked major protests by Palestinians, who consider east Jerusalem the capital of their future state. "We hope that some countries across Latin America won't go moving their embassies to Jerusalem, because that is against international law," Abbas said during a meeting with Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro in Caracas. The Palestinian leader thanked ally Maduro for rejecting Washington's decision to recognize Jerusalem as the capital of Israel and relocate its embassy, reversing decades of US policy in the region. JAKARTA, May 8 (Xinhua) -- Premier Li Keqiang on Tuesday concluded his official visit to Indonesia, reinforcing bilateral ties and partnership between China and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and sending a strong message of defending economic globalization and free trade. Ranging from increased imports of Indonesia's products and synergy of development strategies to consensus on South China Sea, Li's visit saw a series of agreements and statements, demonstrating China's willingness to build a close community of shared future with its southeast Asian neighbors and share its development opportunities with all. STRONGER PARTNERSHIP Indonesia was the first stop on Li's first overseas trip since the new cabinet took office in March, highlighting the country's importance in China's diplomacy. Li arrived in Jakarta on Sunday afternoon. His tight schedule on Monday started with laying a wreath at the Kalibata National Heroes Cemetery. Then he headed for Bogor to meet with Indonesian President Joko Widodo. The premier suggested Beijing and Jakarta build up three pillars of all-field cooperation at bilateral, regional and global levels within the framework of comprehensive strategic partnership established in 2013 when President Xi Jinping paid a state visit to Indonesia. Promoting the synergy of the Belt and Road Initiative and Indonesia's "Global Maritime Fulcrum" vision was high on the agenda of Li's visit. The two sides should push forward the landmark projects of Jakarta-Bandung high-speed railway and Indonesia's regional comprehensive economic corridors, so that the two peoples can enjoy the social and economic benefits at an early date, Li told President Widodo. Pledges are backed by concrete measure that Li proposed in various occasions: more cooperation in ports, maritime economy, industrial processing and overseas warehouses; more imports of palm oil, coffee and fruits; more direct flights and the goal of three million mutual visits annually ... For Widodo, the cooperation between Indonesia and China, which is based on respect to international laws, not only caters to the interests of the two countries, but also bears great significance to the world's peace and development. The president's remarks were echoed by Li who addressed the China-Indonesia Business Summit later in the day. "Our partnership, which rests on solid complementarity and is win-win in nature, is well-positioned to be stable, resilient and lasting in the context of a changing international environment," Li said at the summit attended by Indonesia Vice President Jusuf Kalla. In a joint statement between the governments of the two countries, both sides said they were "optimistic about further accomplishments in the two countries' national development and brighter future of China-Indonesia bilateral ties." As major developing countries, China and Indonesia shoulder responsibilities of contributing to global governance and building a new type of international relations, said Xu Liping, a researcher with the National Institute of International Strategy at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences. "Li's visit has boosted bilateral pragmatic cooperation that sets a good example of cooperation in the region and beyond." CHINA-ASEAN COMMUNITY WITH SHARED FUTURE China has always put ASEAN as a priority for its foreign policy with neighboring countries and stood for friendly cooperation with ASEAN. Calling ASEAN a good neighbor, friend and partner of China, Li reassured that China supported the establishment of the ASEAN Community, ASEAN's central position in regional cooperation and the community's greater role in building an open and inclusive regional framework. To build a closer community with shared future with ASEAN, China is willing to be a partner of ASEAN for common development, peace-building, opening-up and win-win cooperation, innovation as well as inclusiveness and mutual learning, Li said when addressing a launching ceremony of the 15th Anniversary of China-ASEAN strategic partnership. He said China would actively implement the "3+X Cooperation Framework" with ASEAN, strengthen the alignment between the Belt and Road Initiative and ASEAN's development strategy, construct the economic development belt along the Lancang-Mekong River Basin and increase cooperation with BIMP-EAGA countries. The BIMP-EAGA includes Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines. The BIMP-EAGA, or the East ASEAN Growth Area, was launched in 1994 by the four countries to accelerate and balance their economic development. China is willing to work with the ASEAN countries to maintain positive developments in the South China Sea, resolve differences through friendly consultations, steadily advance the negotiation on the Code of Conduct (COC) in the South China Sea, so as to make it "a sea of peace, friendship and cooperation," said the premier. ASEAN Secretary General Lim Jock Hoi said that China has always been an important partner of ASEAN. China's support has strongly promoted the integration of ASEAN, helped ASEAN narrow its internal development gap and deepened the friendship between the peoples of the two sides, Lim said. CHORUS OF FREE TRADE During his visit, the premier reaffirmed China's commitment to trade and investment liberalization and facilitation, especially so when economic globalization is encountering the headwinds of rising protectionism and unilateralism. "Both China and Indonesia believe in globalization and free trade," Li told more than 600 business people at the China-Indonesia business summit. "We both support the rules-based multilateral trading regime and stand for equal consultation in settling trade disputes." "China does not go after trade surpluses," he said, noting that last year saw Indonesia's deficit with China decrease by 42 percent over the previous year, and bilateral trade achieved overall balance in the first quarter of this year. China is ready to buy more competitive goods from Indonesia, the premier said. His announcement of increasing the import of Indonesia's palm oil was followed by applauds from the audience at the summit. As part of the fruits of Li's visit, both sides have agreed to enhance cooperation on customs, inspection and quarantine, and mutual recognition of QC certification to improve trade facilitation. The two sides have also agreed to boost cross-border e-commerce to facilitate the cooperation between small and medium-sized enterprises. Li also pledged to promote free trade with ASEAN, injecting positive energy into the world economy. He called for joint efforts to make substantive breakthroughs in the negotiations on the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), a free trade agreement (FTA) scheme of the 10 ASEAN member states and its FTA partners, namely China, Australia, India, Japan, the Republic of Korea (ROK) and New Zealand. This year marks the 40th anniversary of China's reform and opening up. Li stressed China would open up to a higher level and achieve mutual benefits and win-win results to a deeper level."A more prosperous and open China will certainly bring greater opportunities for the development of all countries in the world." After the trip to Indonesia, Li will leave for Japan on Tuesday to attend the 7th China-Japan-ROK leaders' meeting and pay an official visit to Japan. While top executives are tasked with broad and delicate responsibilities, they are also compensated handsomely. Under the Kenyan law, the Capital Markets Authority requires all publicly listed companies to publish all the payments made to company directors and senior executives. The filings made such companies have helped shed light on the top earners in the Kenyan corporate industry. Here is a list of the top three highest paid executives for the year ended 2017. 1. Joshua Oigara The KCB CEO earned a total of Sh281 million in 2017. He received a salary of Sh57 million and bonuses that totalled to a whopping Sh224 million. In simpler terms, Oigara's pay translated to about Sh23 million a month or, assuming he is works 40 hours a week - Sh143,750 per working hour. 2. James Mworia The Centum CEO emerged second in the list of executives for top executives in 2017. 3. David Ohana The Kenol Kobil CEO earned Sh203 million in 2017 - Sh 52.9 million in basic salary and annual bonuses amounting to Sh151.2 million. Here are the other top earners: 4. Lamin Manjang Standard Chartered CEO - Sh 141.04million 5. Tom Gitogo CEO at CIC Insurance - 125.4 million 6. Jeremy Awori Barclays Bank of Kenya CEO- Sh122.95 7. Tejinder Singh - Head of Global Banking in Sh130.3million 8. James Mwangi - CEO at Equity Group - Sh117.21 9. Frank Ireri - HFC Managing Director - Sh108.9 million The main terrorist groups including ISIS, Al-Qaeda and Al-Shabaab have all issued fatwa calling for increased attacks during the holy month, said part of the statement signed by Charles Wahongo, the Director Corporate Communications, in the National Police Service. The Police called on members of the public to be on high alert especially those in populated public places adding that the Coastal region, North Eastern and major towns in the country remain to be high targets. The NPS also assured the public that security agencies were on high alert during the Ramadan period. We are closely monitoring activities across our border with Somalia in order to thwart any attempts directed to launching cross border attacks, said the statement. The vocal Jubilee MP dismissed Odingas proposal to amend the constitution and introduce a three-tier government structure claiming it was meant to secure the political future of some leaders. Kega stated that Odinga was starting an elaborate campaign to ensure that his close political allies, led by Governor Joho, are given a lifeline after completing their terms in 2022. I know Joho is a very close friend of Raila and his term will end in 2022. Raila wants to create jobs so that Joho can become a regional kingpin in coast province after he retires. The same will happen to Oparanya (Kakamega Governor Wycliffe Oparanya) and in all other areas, Kega stated. The Kieni MP, who is a close ally of Deputy President William Ruto, urged Kenyans to avoid making any constitutional changes that are geared towards creating jobs for specific individuals. More than 40 county and city officials from across eastern New Mexico learned about the House Bill 98 that will consolidate all elections through county clerk offices. This will go into effect July 1, repealing all municipal election code with the states election code, said Sen. Daniel Ivy-Soto. Soto spoke to the county clerks, city clerks and the deputy clerks during a presentation on May 2 at the Quay County Fairgrounds. Counties and cities attending included Tucumcari, Quay County, Clayton, Harding County, Union County, Santa Rosa and Quadalupe County. Soto said the purpose of the meeting was to introduce the language of HB 98 and explain the impact and benefits of the recently passed legislation. He said while there are still some areas of the bill being worked out but for the most part, it will simplify elections and lower the cost of elections held by municipalities, school boards and soil, water conservation districts. The election costs will be paid for by the funds gathered from an annual assessment paid to the Secretary of State, said Ellen White, Quay County Clerk. White said through this bill, the cost of holding an election will be greatly reduced. She said normally an election can cost between $3,000 and $8,000. Soto said those entities that opt into this plan will pay $250 per million of the general fund expenditures. He said for Tucumcari that would be an annual assessment of $1,250 and for Logan $250 per year. The funds would pay for the poll workers, polling places, publication and ballots, Soto said. Soto said through the bill, all elections would be handled by the county clerks office. He said the canvas would be conducted by the county commission with a second canvas done by the Secretary of State. White said the regular local elections would be held in November of the odd-numbered years. She said Municipal Officer elections would be held in March of the even number years. Soto said any special elections would be conducted by a mail ballot. He said residents wanting to participate in those elections would need to ensure their address is correct on their voter registration. With the county clerk handling the election, what level of publication, advertisement would city clerks need to complete during a municipal election? asked Rosalee Rachor, Village of Logan Clerk. Soto said the publication and advertisement would be handled through a proclamation from the Secretary of States Office. He said any further publication or advertisement of the election would be done by the County Clerks office. Soto said there are options for municipalities who want to opt out of the proposed legislation. He said there would be additional meetings held to discuss any updates or changes to the legislation. Quay County Rabies Clinics will be held Saturday throughout the county at the following locations (all times Mountain unless otherwise noted): Nara Visa 10 a.m.,-11:30 a.m., CDT at the Fire Station Logan 1 p.m.,-3 p.m. at the Village Warehouse. City licenses will be available. San Jon 4 p.m.,-5 p.m. at the old fire station. City licenses will be available. Tucumcari 9 a.m.,-noon and 1 p.m.,-4 p.m. at the City Warehouse located at 302 West Center Street. City licenses will be available. Rabies vaccinations for dogs and cats are $8 each, other vaccinations will be available at additional cost. Please have dogs on a leash and cats in a carrier. 100 miles were laid, $19M spent including supplies, manpower. A major Union Pacific Railroad track maintenance project through Quay and Guadalupe counties was just finishing up, a UP spokesperson said Wednesday. The project, which began in February, involves 100 miles of track between Tucumcari and Vaughn, Jeff DeGraff, media relations director for UP's Southern Division said. The Southern Division includes the states of New Mexico, Arizona, Arkansas, Kansas, Louisiana, Missouri, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Texas, according to the railroad's website. The railroad spent $19 million on the project, including supplies and manpower costs, DeGraff said. Crews replaced more than 135,000 wooden railroad ties and installed more than 92,000 tons of ballast rock on railbeds, he said. As the track maintenance crews advanced along the tracks, DeGraff said, they evaluated the condition of ties and replaced ones they knew were at the end of their useful life. The ties are staggered, he said, so they alternate older ones with newer, so we have a stable base. While the maintenance crews did not include local employees, he said, they contribute to local economies by using local lodging and restaurants. The crews numbered up to 100, DeGraff said, Some would shift in and out, but that was about the average size during the project, he said.. The crew that has been working on the Tucumcari-to-Vaughn project will now head to Nebraska, DeGraff said. In all, DeGraff said, the railroad plans $38 million in capital expenditure in New Mexico. From 2013-2017, the news release said, UP has invested more than $115 million on New Mexico tracks. Our targeted investments support customers and enhance our efficiency to deliver the goods American businesses and families use daily, said Brenda Mainwaring, UP's assistant vice president for public affairs in the southern region, in the news release. Union Pacific Railroad serves 10,000 customers in 23 states in the western two-thirds of the country, the news release said. Decades ago, I was involved with a movement called, The March for Jesus. The idea was that Christians across the nation would gather locally and march around important buildings in their towns, like schools. We all marched at the same time on the same day, and sang the very same songs in unison. That was the whole plan. We had some idea that it was being done in imitation of Joshuas march around Jericho. (Except, Israel annihilated Jericho with its strategy, and we were only aiming for meager improvements.) Marchers were encouraged to make large signs and colorful banners to display. But, the event organizers were careful to caution us that political statements of any kind were not allowed. Quote Scripture. Say great things about Jesus Christ. Make it loud. Make it dazzling. But dont make it uncomfortable for anyone who might read them. It was acceptable to make a banner declaring that Jesus is King of kings, and Lord of lords. But anything that could be interpreted as political was out-of-bounds. For the record, yes, that is ironic. This is not meant to insult The March for Jesus campaign. Its an illustration of a common oversight on the part of many Evangelicals. Weve been told that Christians should be wary of political involvement. We should just preach the Gospel instead. Jesus is Lord. The Roman government of the first century saw that statement as an active threat to the supremacy of Caesar. Nero, for instance, put many Christians to death for openly declaring another king, Jesus (Acts 17:7). The charge was not religious heresy, but political rebellion. If only time travel was a thing, we might save them all by sending back a modern, American Christian to explain that when we say he is Lord and King, we dont mean anything by that: See, youve been misunderstanding us. We mean hes Lord over our hearts and thats it. Hes our spiritual, inward King. When we say, King of kings, were not talking about actual kings in reality, like yourself, your highness. Whats that? Um, yes, our book does say that every knee shall bow. Oh, I see, you thought you were included in that? stammers our nervous representative, waving his hands. No, no. Rest assured that you are in fact our real king. The Christians were not executed for worshiping a deity named Jesus in their hearts. The Romans had no problem with their subjects serving whatever gods they liked, as long as they confessed that the head of Rome was the supreme god. The problem came when the tyrants realized that Jesus is Lord meant that the Christians Savior had authority over Caesar, and could call him to account, demanding obedience. Pay attention when you hear people quote the Great Commission from the end of Matthews Gospel. Theyll be passionate about the going; the disciple-making; and the baptizing. They will be less passionate about teaching the nations to obey. They will also routinely leave out the preface to the Commission, which is its reason for existence. The resurrected Lord Jesus, conqueror of death and hell, appeared to his disciples and said, All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to Me. (Matthew 28:18) Evil rulers who see that claim as a threat are not wrong. Gordan Runyan is the pastor of Immanuel Baptist Church in Tucumcari. Contact him at: [email protected] The Navajo Nation is commemorating an important milestone this year, the 150th anniversary of the Treaty of 1868 and the return of the Dine people to their ancestral homeland. From 1863 through 1866, more than 11,500 Navajos were marched to Bosque Redondo near Fort Sumner, a distance of 350 to 400 miles. It became known as The Long Walk. The Navajo people werent allowed to leave internment at Fort Sumner and return to their ancestral homeland until Navajo leaders signed a treaty with the United States on June 1, 1868. Of the more than 11,500 Navajos on the Long Walk, only about 8,500 returned home. The others succumbed to age, illness and harsh conditions, according to Navajo Nation Vice President Jonathan Nez. We were not wanted in this land at one time, and it was almost total annihilation of our people, he says. Now, 150 years later, we are the most influential indigenous nation in the world. Today, there are 350,000 Navajos, and they have a homeland that covers 27,000 square miles, stretching across parts of New Mexico, Arizona and Utah. The Navajo people have made invaluable contributions to both New Mexico and the United States, with their rich culture and unique language. It was, after all, the Navajo Code Talkers who played an instrumental role in helping the U.S. and its allies win World War II. The elite group of Marine recruits used their native language to create a code that proved to be unbreakable by the Japanese. Nez says retelling the history of The Long Walk, as well as the entire history of the Navajo people, from the Navajo perspective will encourage a renaissance in the Navajo culture, language and way of life. To commemorate the 150th anniversary of Navajos returning to their ancestral homeland, the two known copies of the treaty will be on display in June at the Navajo Nation Museum in Window Rock, Arizona, and from June 8 through August at the Bosque Redondo Memorial Museum at Fort Sumner State Monument. This anniversary offers an opportunity for all of us to reflect on the contributions of the Navajos and other native people to our state and nation. Albuquerque Journal Olympians Presented With Keys To Queens Two beloved daughters of Queens took their rightful place in the pantheon of iconic borough residents on October 1, as Queens Borough President Donovan Richards,... Van Bramer Dedicates George S. Kaufman Way The man largely responsible for the resurrection of New York Citys motion picture production industry, and for the renaissance of a local neighborhood, was honored... Dromm Co-Names Street In Elmhurst After Polish War Heroes On September 18th, New York City Council Member Daniel Dromm, in partnership with Elmhurst History & Cemeteries Preservation Society, celebrated the Street co-naming of 43rd... A chance meeting In 1990s, Philippe Streiff, who worked for the tourist board of Neuchatel, criss-crossed the world to raise awareness of his region. Switzerland has a number of iconic landmarks, including Genevas water jet, the Matterhorn in the Valais, and the Pont de la Chapelle in Lucerne. But what would help Neuchatel to stand out from other cities? The answer is watches, and the way the watch industry has influenced the regions urban architecture (which led to its classification as a UNESCO World Heritage Site on 27 June 2009). So what better way to promote the watch industry than to offer a visit to a watch manufacture, enabling visitors to witness first-hand how timepieces are created? The potential was clearly there, but the project was surprisingly difficult to get off the ground, largely because the watch industry is based on manufacturing, and the processes are often shrouded in secrecy. And yet, against all expectations, a meeting with Jean-Claude Biver, President of LVMHs watch division, turned the situation around and made what was previously impossible, possible. In 2018, four years later, the project is complete, and the dream has become a reality. Why Zenith? Collaborating with the Zenith watch manufacture seemed like the obvious thing to do, with the Le Monde Etoile de Zenith guided tour as a focal point, offering an invitation to explore the world of watchmaking in a dynamic, contemporary and fun way, explains Yann Engel, Director of Neuchatel Tourism. Nothing has been left to chance where Zeniths world premiere is concerned. Yann Engel (Director of Neuchatel Tourism), Julien Tornare (CEO of Zenith), Jean-Nathanael Karakash (State Councillor in charge of the cantonal Department of Finance and Social Services) and Michel Etter (Director of Thematis) Zenith Whats more, the visitor project fits in perfectly with the values the company wants to project. As CEO Julien Tornare notes, Zenith is a local manufacture that aims to be close to the client. This behind-the-scenes look at the world of mechanical watchmaking gives clients the opportunity to meet the watchmakers and dive into the heart of the brand, which has its headquarters in Le Locle, the cradle of watchmaking. The regional authorities have also lent their support to the project, which will help to promote the towns of Le Locle and La Chaux-de-Fonds. Jean-Nathanael Karakash, State Councillor in charge of the he cantonal Department of Finance and Social Services, says that the towns were created by and for watchmaking, which is why they have a very strong link with the reality, the urbanism, the culture and the DNA of the region. Visit in three parts Every Friday, from 9 to 12 am, the Zenith manufacture now opens its doors to offer guided tours to the public. Reservations are essential for anyone hoping to enjoy this unique experience, which is divided into three themes: the brand history, the six stages of production and the products themselves. The scenography was designed by Thematis, a multidisciplinary team that specialises in museography and showcasing heritage. The attics of Charles Vermot Zenith The story begins in the attics of the manufacture. This is where, when the quartz crisis struck in 1975, workshop foreman Charles Vermot hid all the tools and jigs that were used to make mechanical movements, to ensure they would not be sold off. The visit continues with an exploration of the star-spangled world of Zenith, which was founded by Georges Favre-Jacot in 1865. Visitors plunge into the universe of precision engineering, taking a closer look at iconic watch models, archives, chronometry certificates, and movements such as the legendary 5011. The El Primero calibre, which was created in 1969 and which, with the latest El Primero 21, is now accurate to 100th of a second, celebrates its 50th anniversary in 2019. WorldTempus/Cloe Mugny At the end of 150 years of history, its time to discover how the watches are made, with a tour of the workshops. Production is split into six stages: design, R&D, machining, blanking, assembly and encasing, plus quality control. The visit ends with a presentation of the products and the opportunity to purchase a timepiece. Zenith Whether you are a serious watch collector, or just intrigued by the fascinating world of mechanical watches, why not take a journey back in time with Zenith, and discover the mysteries of mechanical watchmaking? A fascinating experience awaits. Practical information OPENING DAYS Every Friday from 9 to 12 am DURATION 3 hours PRICE CHF 40 per person RESERVATION OBLIGATORY Explore Swiss Watchmaking 0041 32 889 68 82 info@explorewatch.swiss www.explorewatch.swiss NUMBER OF PEOPLE 1 to 8 persons LANGUAGES French (German, English, Chinese, Japanese, Spanish) MINIMUM AGE 14 years QUIZ: Guess the Road Songs We can't wait to get back on the road again! Play this quiz and see if how many you can get right! THAILAND: UK company Fenix Signalling has acquired a majority shareholding in Bangkok-based signalling consultancy MGB Systems Ltd, which has been renamed Fenix Southeast Asia Ltd. It is a watch that is laced with history and emotion, as well as a uniqueness that will make it coveted among a community of collectors of a brand that is already highly collectible. The unique piece 1815 Homage to Walter Lange that will be sold by Phillips in Association with Bacs & Russo during the spring watch sales on the weekend of 12-13 May in Geneva has a poignancy to it. Walter Lange had long wanted to reproduce in a contemporary watch the patent of his grandfather Emil Lange (one of the first patents to be awarded in Germany) for a one-second movement with jumping hand. Sadly, the project only came to fruition after Walter Langes death just before the SIHH 2017 and was completed in a record time of just 10 months. 1815 Homage to Walter Lange A. Lange & Sohne The unique piece completes a collection of limited edition watches produced in quantities with an historical significance for the brand. There are 145 of the white-gold version (corresponding to the number of years between the original foundation of the company in 1845 and 7th December 1990 the date on which Walter Lange registered Lange Uhren GmbH), 90 in rose gold (taken from the 1990) and 27 in yellow gold (the 27 years to the day between the foundation of Lange Uhren GmbH and the launch date of this new collection). The models are priced at 47,000, which sets a benchmark for the auction estimate. This unique piece is, however, in stainless steel, which has not been seen in the A. Lange & Sohne collection for over 15 years. This, combined with the sublime three-part dial in black enamel and the fact that the proceeds from the sale are going to the Children Action Foundation that was dear to Walter Langes heart, mean that the sky is the limit as far as the final sale price is concerned. Case back view A. Lange & Sohne If the unique nature of the piece, its unique stainless-steel case, its charitable benefit and general provenance arent enough, true watch geeks will no doubt appreciate the singular complication inside the 1815 Homage to Walter Lange piece. It has a central deadbeat seconds hand, which beats to the second precisely. But unlike most other such watches, it also has a subsidiary continuous seconds dial at 6 oclock. Furthermore, the centre seconds can be stopped and started using a separate pusher at 2 oclock, which can be used like a chronograph without the elapsed time counters for minutes and hours. This unusual mechanism is based on the flirt and star principle, which is explained in detail in Ashton Tracys technical article and was the object of the above-mentioned patent. It is indeed a fitting tribute to the man who not only brought back the Lange family watchmaking tradition but also made it into one of todays most prestigious and most collectible high-end watch brands. Rantoul, IL (61866) Today Variable clouds with scattered showers and thunderstorms, mainly during the afternoon hours. High 72F. Winds S at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 50%.. Tonight Scattered thunderstorms early, then variable clouds overnight with more showers at times. Low around 60F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 50%. Russian investigators open probe into Ukrainian Military Prosecutor's Office officials RIA Novosti, Valery Melnikov 13:43 08/05/2018 MOSCOW, May 8 (RAPSI) A criminal case has been opened against a top official of the Ukrainian Chief Military Prosecutor's Office Vadim Priymachok and his colleagues over prosecution of Russian judges, Russias Investigative Committees press service reports Tuesday. According to investigators, Ukraines law enforcement authorities instituted criminal proceedings in which an agreement on reunification of Crimea and Sevastopol with Russia was identified as willful acts aimed at the countrys territorial changes. As part of this investigation, Priymachok and other officers of the Military Prosecutor's Office of Ukraine ignored provisions of Russian legislation and international law, and illegally prosecuted 19 judges of the Russian Constitutional Court because they approved a decree declaring the agreement between Russia and Crimea constitutional, the statement reads. According to Russian investigators, judges made their decisions in accordance with regulations of Russian and international laws. The Ukrainian defendants are suspected of prosecution of persons known to be innocent, according to Russias Investigative Committee. Telegram appeals Supreme Courts ruling on decoding messages RIA Novosti, Kirill Kallinikov 16:25 08/05/2018 MOSCOW, May 8 (RAPSI) - Telegram Messenger LLP has appealed the Supreme Courts refusal to cancel the Federal Security Services (FSB) decree establishing the procedure for provision of information on decoding of user data, the representative of Human rights association Agora Dmitry Kolbasin has told RAPSI. According to Kolbasin, the appeal was filed on Tuesday against the Supreme Courts ruling issued in March. On March 20, the Supreme Court upheld the right of FSB to request information-dissemination organizers for data on decoding of user messages. In its appeal, Telegram seeks to overturn that ruling. According to lawyer Ramil Akhmetgaliyev, the decree in question issued on July 19, 2016, regulates provision of data for decoding messages of the Internet users. The decree cant be issued by FSB because it contradicts the federal law on information. Such measures can be adopted and regulated only by the government, Akhmetgaliyev told RAPSI earlier. In June 2017, Roskomnadzor requested Telegram management to comply with the Russian legislation or face blocking of the messenger. Telegram founder Pavel Durov agreed to register the service in Russia. However, he refused to abide by laws incompatible with Telegram privacy policy, Durov wrote on his VKontakte (VK) page in late June. In July, Durov received the FSB requests to provide information for decoding messages of six app users. In September, law enforcement authorities drew up administrative protocols against Telegram because of law violation, as Durov failed to reply for the request. The Meshchansky District Court of Moscow has fined the company 800,000 rubles ($14,000) for refusal to provide FSB with information on message decoding concerning several users. The messenger insists that it is technically impossible to transfer encryption keys. Telegram has been found guilty of failure to store and (or) furnish information on users and their messages to law enforcement agencies. The ruling has become effective. In December, Telegram Messenger LLP filed a lawsuit with the Supreme Court of Russia seeking to cancel the Federal Security Services (FSB) decree establishing the procedure for provision of information on decoding of user data. On March 19, the lawsuit was dismissed. Telegram was obliged to comply with the FSB order within 15 days. The company filed an appeal with the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) against the fine, lawyer Damir Gainutdinov told RAPSI on March 22. Moscows Tagansky District Court ordered restriction of access to Telegram in Russia on April 13. The court tasked Roskomnadzor with putting a stop to sending and receiving messages in Telegram until the messenger fulfills its obligations by providing deciphering keys. The ruling came into force immediately. Roskomnadzor started blocking the messenger on April 16. According to the Federal Law On Information, Information Technologies and the Protection of Information, organizers of information distribution on the Internet must submit information about users and their messages to the authorized governmental bodies conducting investigative activities and ensuring the state security. Accomplice of Komi Republics ex-head Gaizer gets 6 years in prison RIA Novosti, Vladimir Pesnya 17:16 08/05/2018 MOSCOW, May 8 (RAPSI) A court has sentenced Demyan Moskvin, an accomplice of the former head of Russias Komi Republic Vyacheslav Gaizer, to 6 years in prison for embezzlement, money laundering and participation in a criminal organization, the press service of the Investigative Committee reports Tuesday. Additionally, he has been fined 2 million rubles ($32,000). Moskvin has controlled offshore financial flows of the gang, the statement reads. During investigation the defendant testified against his accomplices, the Investigative Committee said. Investigators believe that a criminal gang involving Gaizer, another Komi Republics ex-head Vladimir Torlopov, ex-deputy head Alexander Chernov, ex-Chairman of the Republican State Council Igor Kovzel and 10 other people, was organized in 2006. Depending of their involvement and role in crimes, they are charged with taking bribes, embezzlement and money laundering. According to investigation, the gang leaders and members committed crimes aimed at occupation of the regions highly profitable enterprises or instituting control over them for the purposes of unlawful enrichment. They allegedly caused a 4.5-billion-ruble (over $70 million) damage to the republic. Investigators also accuse the gang members of taking bribes totaling to 160 million rubles in 2013. Moreover, Gaizer himself received 37.5 million rubles in bribes for assignment of a person identified by investigators to the post of the Syktyvkar liquor producers director. In August 2016, one of the defendants, businessman Anton Faershtein died in a Moscow detention center. CNN, April 29, 2018 By Ehsan Popalzai Three people are dead after children found and played with an unexploded mortar in Afghanistan on Sunday, provincial authorities said. A mother, her daughter and another girl died when the mortar detonated in the Sorkhrod district of Nangarhar Province, the Nangarhar authority media office said. Eight other people were injured, including two girls, it said. The mortar is believed to have been fired by Taliban militants on Saturday, with the deadly explosion occurring Sunday at 7 a.m. The Taliban has been waging a bitter fight in Afghanistan with the ultimate goal of ruling the country and imposing its strict interpretation of Islamic law. The group controlled Afghanistan until 2001, when it was overthrown by the US-led coalition that invaded the country following the 9/11 attacks. In recent years, a resurgent Taliban has taken control of significant swaths of the country. Unexploded ordnance While Sunday's explosion is thought to be the result of a mortar fired just a day earlier, decades of conflict have left a dangerous legacy in Afghanistan. Mine-clearing organization Halo says Afghanistan has been left littered with unexploded ordnance, with more than 23,500 casualties recorded between 1979 and 2015. Last year, the UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan said the number of child casualties had jumped in 2016 -- spiking 24% from 2015 -- in large part from leftover munitions. "Children have been killed, blinded, crippled -- or inadvertently caused the death of their friends -- while playing with unexploded ordnance that is negligently left behind by parties to the conflict," said Zeid Ra'ad Al Hussein, UN high commissioner for human rights, in a February 2017 report. In 2012, the Mine Action Coordination Centre of Afghanistan said unexploded ordnance accounted for three times as many casualties as mines. The Intercept, May 4, 2018 By Johnny Dwyer In October 2008, the Justice Department and the Drug Enforcement Administration heralded the arrest of Haji Juma Khan on narcotics and terror charges. His capture, they said, dealt a punishing blow to the Taliban and the symbiotic relationship between the insurgent group and Afghan drug traffickers. Yet, unbeknownst to all but the closest observers of the largely forgotten Afghanistan War, Khan was quietly released from Federal Bureau of Prisons custody last month. After nearly 10 years at the Metropolitan Correctional Center in Lower Manhattan, the terms of his release like nearly everything else about his case remain shrouded in secrecy. Juma Khan ran the Talibans opium production and heroin smuggling operations after the U.S. invasion of Afghanistan. He was arrested in Indonesia in 2008 and extradited to the U.S. Khan was quietly released from Federal Bureau of Prisons custody last month. After nearly 10 years at the Metropolitan Correctional Center in Lower Manhattan, the terms of his release like nearly everything else about his case remain shrouded in secrecy. (Photo: US DOF) Juma Khan ran the Talibans opium production and heroin smuggling operations after the U.S. invasion of Afghanistan. He was arrested in Indonesia in 2008 and extradited to the U.S. Khan was quietly released from Federal Bureau of Prisons custody last month. After nearly 10 years at the Metropolitan Correctional Center in Lower Manhattan, the terms of his release like nearly everything else about his case remain shrouded in secrecy. (Photo: US DOF) The secrecy reflects the U.S. governments conflicted relationship with Khan. Before his arrest, the alleged drug trafficker worked with the CIA and the DEA, received payments from the government, and, at one point, visited Washington and New York on the DEAs dime. After his arrest, federal prosecutors sought to link Khans support for the Taliban to a suicide bombing, as well as a separate attack on a Kabul hotel that killed one American. A trap set by the top DEA official in Kabul ultimately led to his arrest. Since 2012, the filings in Khans case have been under seal. As a result, it is impossible to determine whether he pleaded guilty to any of the charges against him, whether he received a sentence or was ordered to pay restitution to victims, or, upon his release last month, whether he was deported or allowed to remain in the United States. All this ambiguity suggests that Khans relationship with the government did not end with his arrest. The charges in the initial indictment carried a mandatory minimum sentence of 20 years. His release signals that he likely cut another deal, offering cooperation in the hope of obtaining a reduced sentence. Both the office of the U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York and the DEA declined to discuss Khans release. Khans attorney, Steve Zissou, also would not comment on his clients case. Haji Juma Khan, 64, comes from Afghanistans Nimruz Province, along the border with Iran and Pakistan. Law enforcement officials have described Khan as Afghanistans biggest drug kingpin and the leader of one of the largest drug trafficking organizations in the Central Asia region. The Obama White House designated him as among the worlds top drug traffickers. Khan maintained close ties to the Taliban, providing money and weapons to the militants while running an empire that traded tons of heroin and opium, according to investigators. In 2008, the DEA lured Khan to Jakarta, Indonesia, where he was taken into custody and brought to New York. His case became a signature prosecution under a new narco-terrorism statute, touted in press releases and congressional testimony as a template for targeting the national security threat posed by the nexus of terrorism and the drug trade. Gretchen Peters, author of Seeds of Terror: How Drugs, Thugs, and Crime Are Reshaping the Afghan War, said Khans case illuminates the competing priorities of different U.S. agencies. The Drug Enforcement Administration is tasked with fighting the drug trade. You see certain agencies of the U.S. government, namely often the CIA, getting in bed with or hiring or putting on their payroll people who are involved in the drug trade, whether it is Ahmed Wali Karzai or Haji Juma Khan, Peters told The Intercept. Haji Bashar was an Afghan drug lord who supported the Taliban before working as an undercover agent for the U.S. The U.S. asked him to come to New York for a debriefing. Bashar agreed after being told he would not be arrested for smuggling heroin into the U.S. He was arrested 10 days after his arrival and is currently in jail in the U.S. (Photo: AP) Haji Bashar was an Afghan drug lord who supported the Taliban before working as an undercover agent for the U.S. The U.S. asked him to come to New York for a debriefing. Bashar agreed after being told he would not be arrested for smuggling heroin into the U.S. He was arrested 10 days after his arrival and is currently in jail in the U.S. (Photo: AP) After the collapse of the Taliban government, U.S. forces were forced to confront the reality that Afghanistan was not simply a religious autocracy, but also a narco-state that generates between 2,000 and 9,000 metric tons of opium each year. A handful of traffickers dominated the drug economy, including Haji Bagcho Sherzai, Haji Bashir Noorzai, and Haji Juma Khan. Each of those three men would be targeted by the DEA and federal prosecutors; Sherzai and Noorzai were tried and convicted in federal court and sentenced to life in prison. Khan is the outlier: His case never went to trial, and the outcome remains a secret. Nearly as soon as Khan entered a Manhattan courtroom in October of 2008, the sensitivity of his relationship with the U.S. government presented problems. In a January 2009 status conference, Sabrina Shroff, a federal public defender representing Khan, pointed to government evidence that discussed several law enforcement agencies from the United States approaching people in Afghanistan, including Mr. Khan, and requesting assistance, and as I understand it payments made, services requested from my client and others. The prosecutor, Assistant U.S. Attorney Eugene Ingoglia, cautioned, I think we should be careful if we are talking about agencies that are not DEA to avoid inadvertently making any kind of disclosure of classified information. Over the last decade, Khan only appeared in open court three more times, including once to plead not guilty to a superseding indictment brought by the government in April of 2009; his final public hearing occurred a year later. Despite the lack of discernible public results, officials have touted the law enforcement work that led to Khans prosecution as a success. Sen. Dianne Feinstein, co-chair of the Senate Caucus on International Narcotics Control, described Khan in 2010 as one of the worlds most significant heroin and opium traffickers, who provided direct support to the Taliban from his drug trafficking revenue. Simply put: Narco-terrorism investigations have proven to be an effective tool in Afghanistan, she wrote in a 2010 Senate report on Afghanistan. So it should be a priority for funding and action. Yet at least one account undermines the notion that Khans arrest was part of a coherent policy. In his 2015 memoir, The Dark Arts: My Undercover Life in Global Narco-Terrorism, Edward Follis, the DEAs Kabul attache who became close to Khan, recounts the competing objectives that led to Khans arrest. In the summer of 2008, according to Follis, the Defense Department had placed Khan on a kinetic list a list of targets for military strikes and sought the agents help drawing Khan to a remote location where a drone could strike with little collateral damage. Follis, by his account, wanted to spare Khans life, and instead created a ruse to draw the Afghan to Jakarta where he could be rendered into U.S. custody. Id always envisioned the inevitable endgame being HJK in my custody in a federal prison cell continuing to provide valuable and actionable intel that could save American lives, perhaps lead us to UBL or other high-ranking Al Qaeda and Taliban leaders, not charred to death in a smoldering Toyota on a red-dust highway somewhere in the province of Nimruz, Follis wrote. Yet the use of the criminal justice system as a way station for intelligence assets is controversial. Any time we allow the intelligence mission to obscure our criminal justice system, were doing damage to the system overall, said Mike German, a former FBI agent and fellow with the Brennan Center for Justices Liberty and National Security Program. He also questioned the lack of transparency around any representations the government may have made to advocate for Khans release: You couldnt trust him eight years ago, but now you can trust him? Thats a hard case to make. Oh, well, hes been good for the last 10 years. Thats because hes been in prison. Its hard to be smuggling in Afghanistan or Iran when youre in prison. Khans case, like the war in Afghanistan itself, has dragged on for years; yet it is unclear what end, if any, has been served. In 2017, the amount of Afghan land seeded with opium was higher than ever before at nearly 328,000 hectares (about 810,505 acres), according to the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime. In Nimruz, Khans home province, poppy cultivation increased 116 percent over the previous year. More than 14,000 U.S. troops remain stationed in Afghanistan; the Pentagon projected the war will cost $45 billion this year alone. On Monday, one American was killed and another wounded in a combat operation in eastern Afghanistan; also killed or wounded were an unknown number of Afghan troops. Both Haji Bashir Noorzai and Haji Juma Khan came forward and tried to negotiate with U.S. forces immediately after the Taliban government fell, said Gretchen Peters. We can never know the answer, but 17 years more than 2,400 American lives and more than $1 trillion later it is tantalizing to think what might have happened if we demanded they hand over Osama bin Laden in 2001 and then left them be. BBC News, May 6, 2018 The wounded were rushed to hospital after the blast. (Photo: AFP) The wounded were rushed to hospital after the blast. (Photo: AFP) At least 17 people have been killed and 37 wounded in an explosion at a mosque in the Afghan province of Khost, local officials say. People had gathered for afternoon prayers at the mosque, which was also being used as a voter registration centre. Some of the injured are said to be in a critical condition. No group has claimed responsibility but the Islamic State group has carried out similar attacks in the past. The latest incident appears to have been caused by explosives left in the mosque, rather than by a suicide bomber. There have been a number of attacks on voter registration centres since the process started last month for October's parliamentary elections. On 22 April, a suicide bomb attack at a voter registration centre in the capital Kabul killed at least 57 people. The Kabul attack was claimed by IS, but the Taliban has also warned people not to take part in the elections, which are said to be a key test of President Ashraf Ghani's credibility. In another development, police in the province of Baghlan say that seven Indian engineers and their Afghan driver, working for an electricity provider, were kidnapped by the Taliban on Sunday morning. A police spokesman, Zabihullah Shuja, told the BBC that they were travelling to a government-run power station in Pul-e Khomri, the capital of the northern province. Two prominent ridesharing companies Uber and Careem hailed a new Egyptian law passed on Monday that will permit and regulate their operations in the country nearly two months after their services were put at risk by a court order suspending their activities. In an official statement on Monday evening, San Francisco-based Uber described the passing of the law by the Egyptian parliament as one that "marks an important day for the ridesharing industry as Egypt becomes one of the first countries in the Middle East to vote for progressive regulations that support part time, flexible work for hundreds of thousands of drivers." In April, a Cairo court of urgent matters blocked the implementation of a March court order that was set to suspend the activities of the two companies in Egypt following a lawsuit by a taxi drivers' association that alleged the two companies were operating in the country illegally. April's court ruling permitted Uber and Careem's continued operations pending a ruling on the matter by the High Administrative Court, which is set to continue hearing the case on 12 May. "We are excited to continue working with the prime minister and the cabinet in the coming months to finalize the details of the law, and look forward to providing more Egyptians with the benefits of Uber's technology," the statement concluded. UAE-based Careem also praised the new law, calling it the first of its kind passed in the company's countries of operation, and designating it a "major move for Careem, Egypt, and the whole region." "The issuance of this law sends an important message: that Egypt aims to attract major investments and continue to be a technological innovation hub," the company said. The law mainly addresses licenses granted to the companies and drivers, as well as data-sharing regulations. According to the legislation, the ridesharing companies must acquire five-year renewable licenses from the Egyptian government for a fee of EGP 30 million (approximately $1.71 million). According to Article 2 of the law, ride-hailing services that use private vehicles or mass transport systems should adjust their legal status pursuant to the provisions of the law within six months. Article 9 stipulates that the companies are obliged to provide information on users to national security bodies upon request, with respect to privacy as mandated by Egypt's 2014 constitution. In late 2017, Uber announced it would invest $20 million over the next five years in its Cairo support centre, saying Egypt is one of its fastest-growing markets with 157,000 drivers in 2017 and four million users since 2014. Careem also launched its operations in Egypt in 2014. Search Keywords: Short link: 'The Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code is neither beneficial to banks nor helpful for the borrower.' 'Genuine people who are caught in economic stagnation will lose everything and thousands will lose jobs.' IMAGE: In this file photograph, Vijay Mallya leaves after an extradition hearing at the Westminster Magistrates Court in central London, Britain\. Photograph: Hannah McKay/Reuters The All India Bank Employees Association, the oldest and largest national trade union of bank employees in India, has been raising bank-related policy and regulatory issues for decades. "The IBC proceedings in the case of Vijay Mallya are against Kingfisher Airlines, not Mallya. So the company and its employees will suffer and the banks will take a haircut, but Mallya can start another business," AIBEA General Secretary C H Venkatachalam tells Gireesh Babu. What, according to you, are the reasons for the crisis faced by banks in India? With development finance institutions such as ICICI and IDBI becoming banks, and with economic growth leaving banks with surging deposits but not many retail lending opportunities, commercial banks were compelled to lend to huge projects for which they did not have the expertise. There are people who took loans, but were not able to repay. There are crooks who know that banks are under compulsion to lend, and came up with huge projects so that they could cheat. The banking crisis is a combination of many factors. The government must have a deep understanding of this crisis. On the one hand, it says it wants to give autonomy to banks, and, on the other hand, it interferes in many routine matters. The government should support banks if NPAs occur because of genuine reasons and take action against crooked businessmen who are responsible for them. Or else, banks will not be viable in the long term. This will erode the confidence of people in the banking system. Bank deposits are an important conduit for social capital. Private sector banks too are facing issues. What is your take on this? So far allegations have been that public sector banks are irresponsible, inefficient, not making profits, a drag on the economy, etc. After the Punjab National Bank-Nirav Modi fraud, many people said it was time to privatise the public sector banks. Some wanted IDBI Bank to be modelled on Axis Bank. Now you have seen what happened in Axis Bank. ICICI Bank was built as a role model for the banking industry. Now the balloon has burst. In 1961, the Deposit Insurance Corporation was set up, and a special clause, Section 45, was added to the Banking Companies Act, as demanded by the AIBEA, to merge failed, small, banks with other banks. Hundreds of private banks were closing then and several were merged into public sector banks. The government has brought in the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code, bank recapitalisation, and several other measures. Do you think it is not doing enough? The IBC route is neither beneficial to banks nor helpful for the borrower. It is killing banks and enterprises. Through this route, banks will not get all their money back. Their sacrifice will be very high. It will result in huge haircuts, a minimum of 50 per cent. Genuine people who are caught in economic stagnation will lose everything and thousands will lose jobs. On the other hand, it is likely to benefit crooked borrowers. For instance, the IBC proceedings in the case of Vijay Mallya are against Kingfisher Airlines, not Mallya. So the company and its employees will suffer and the banks will take a haircut, but Mallya can start another business. The Reserve Bank of India must publish the names of wilful defaulters. The government is doing a blunder. Instead of helping banks to recover their money, it has brought in the Financial Resolution and Deposit Insurance (FRDI) Bill. There is a clause in the Bill that if the bank faces liquidation, the government will not bail out the bank and the depositors' money will be utilised to bail it out. This is creating panic among depositors. While the government says it is recapitalising banks to the tune of Rs 2,110 billion, the capital given to the banks is just Rs 180 billion. This would create a wrong impression among the public that banks are not utilising the opportunity offered by the government. More loans need to be disbursed because our bank loan to GDP ratio is 46, 47 per cent, while it is as high as 110 per cent in some countries. What is your take on the cash crunch in certain regions? This government's understanding of many economic problems is superficial. It has no answer to how more than demonetised money has returned to the banking system after demonetisation. This shows its understanding of black money is shallow. After demonetising Rs 1,000 notes, it brought in Rs 2,000 notes, which is foolish because the idea was to curb black money. This has hit banks very badly. Banks deal with almost 600 million people. Agriculture, the rural economy, and small-scale industry suffered because of this. They are yet to come out of the mess it created. Maybe to push its digital agenda, the government is reducing the printing of notes of smaller denominations. The problem is how to take the masses to digital banking. If you create a scarcity, they may be compelled to switch to digitisation. How are these affecting bank employees? There are about 1 million employees and officers in banks. The cash shortage affected them daily. There was rationing in many places. Customers shout at them, not at the finance minister or RBI governor. The government is forcing its schemes on public sector banks. If private banks are so efficient, why is the government not going to them with such schemes? There are about 200,000 vacancies in banks. The existing staff is being pressured to cope with the increased volume of work. Banks are outsourcing core jobs to agencies. Public sector banks must have people on their permanent rolls. Merging public sector banks: What is your stand on this? Privatisation, the weakening of social banking, and consolidation are three demands companies have. Banks have deposits of Rs 1,100 billion, which is people's money. If they are privatised, corporates will control people's money. If the government privatises banks, corporates would like the big ones to be put on the block. The government says through consolidation banks will become bigger. India needs stronger, good, banks and not necessarily big banks. Big banks are not necessarily good banks. Also, even if they consolidate, our banks will not become big. Today there are 20 public sector banks whose capital is only $3 billion, so even if all the 20 are consolidated into one bank, the capital will be $3 billion, whereas in the global banking scenario, multinational banks' capital size is in the range of $60 billion to $80 billion. Consolidation will be on the agenda when growth is saturated. In India, it is still under-banked. We need banks' expansion, not consolidation. In America, with around one-third of the Indian population, there are more than 300 banks. So we can afford to have more banks. Is the RBI over-regulating or under-regulating banks? The RBI's regulations are adequate and are one of the best in the world. That is why the Indian banking system has been safe so far. The government is trying to weaken those regulations under corporate pressure to liberalise and de-regulate. It is also a matter of regret that the RBI is not using its powers effectively. If the RBI had monitored the banks' working, such huge accumulations of bad loans would not have taken place and many private banks would not have faced problems since their weakness would have been detected much earlier. Define ownership proportionately at the time of registration to ensure that you don't face problems on the taxation front, experts tell Tinesh Bhasin. When you purchase a house jointly with your wife or any other relative, make sure that the proportion of ownership is defined at the time of registration. It will ensure that the tax liability is in proportion to percentage of ownership. Also, both the owners can take the tax benefits based on their share in the house. If you ignore the paperwork, there can be tax-related issues later. On selling the house, for example, an individual has to pay tax on the gains made, but s/he can save the tax by making some investments. For this, s/he needs to invest the proceeds in a new house or invest in capital gain bonds. A husband and wife may have pooled money to purchase a property. In the absence of any evidence of joint ownership, one of them may not be able to get the tax benefit. "If you look at the laws, they all need ownership to be defined at the time of registration. Property documents are the key to decide ownership even for tax purpose," says Naveen Wadhwa, general manager, Taxmann.com. "In certain cases, however, income tax tribunals and courts have taken a lenient view based on the merits of the case and ruled in favour of the taxpayer," Wadhwa adds. Depending on the individual case and documentary evidence, there are chances that taxpayers get the capital gains tax benefit in cases where a husband pays for the house entirely, but registers it in the name of his wife or makes her the joint owner. Investment proof is essential In a recent case, the Income-Tax Appellate Tribunal's Bangalore bench rejected the plea of a couple that was trying to claim exemption on long-term capital gains. They argued that both have separately but contributed equally towards building a house on a plot of land. In fact, when the house was let out, they split the rent between them and paid tax on it. After they sold the property, they invested the proceeds in capital gain bonds separately. The tax officer, however, was not convinced as the property was registered only in the husband's name. The tribunal too didn't buy the couple's argument. It pointed out that the property was registered in the husband's name and there was no evidence to show that the wife had contributed equally. Also, she was a Malaysian citizen when the property was purchased. She had to, therefore, obtain Reserve Bank of India permission for buying a property in India, which she had not done. According to a note from PwC India, the ruling highlights that 'co-ownership in a property can only be considered from the recitals of the relevant documents and not from any stated intention or claim made, which is legally unsustainable.' Many times, a husband and wife make an arrangement where one pays for the house, and the salary of the other is used for household and other expenses. For the couple, it's a joint effort in monetary terms, but if the wife's name is not there on the property papers and there's also no proof to show she contributed, she will not be considered as the owner. If the couple decides to split, there can be further complications. For a couple, the best thing to do is to opt for a joint home loan or split the responsibility for payment of home and household expenses equally between them. Keep in mind clubbing provisions There are times when the husband pays for the property entirely but registers it in the name of the wife or makes her a joint owner. When such property is sold, there can be a confusion on who is responsible for the tax regarding the gains. Many such cases have gone to the tribunal, and it has ruled that whoever has paid for the house should be responsible for the tax as well as the benefit. For such transactions, the trail of money should prove who has contributed to the purchase. "A family is not run on the basis of tax laws. There are many considerations for a family when they are buying a house. The tribunals have, therefore, taken a liberal view in such cases based on the evidence," says Shailesh Kumar, director, direct taxation, Nangia & Co. The converse also holds true. A husband may have paid for the house entirely and made the wife the joint owner or made her the sole owner. When the house is sold, the husband has to bear the entire tax liability or enjoy the benefit. It cannot be split for the sake of lowering the tax liability. In such a case, the clubbing provision of income tax will apply. Tribunals have been liberal Tax experts say that tribunals have been liberal in cases where the assessee has sought the benefit of capital gains by investing in another property or capital gain bonds. In a recent case, a couple sold a jointly owned property. When they purchased a new one to save tax, it was registered only in the husband's name instead of registering it together again. While the tax officer denied the couple the tax benefit, the tribunal ruled in favour of the taxpayers. There have been similar cases where a couple sold a house flat. The new one was purchased in the name of a minor daughter, or the husband registered the new property in joint ownership with his brother instead of the wife. In all such cases, tribunals have let taxpayers take the benefit. Illustration: Uttam Ghosh/Rediff.com UP has 14 mango belts in Lucknow (Lucknow, Malihabad, Bakshi-ka-Talaab), Saharanpur and Sambhal-Amroha-Muzaffarnagar districts. Apart from Dussehri, the other major varieties in UP comprise Langda, Chausa, Amprapali and Mallika. Mango exporters of Uttar Pradesh are gearing up to showcase indigenous mango varieties in Iran, China and Tajikistan next month during a promotional event, planned by Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (Apeda). Uttar Pradesh, the countrys top mango producer with four million tonnes (mt) in a year, is looking at export virgin destinations of Iran and China this season. Although UP accounts for 25 per cent of the annual domestic production, pegged at 20.7 mt for FY18, and despite its most famous Dussehri acquiring the first Geographical Indication (GI) registration for a mango brand in 2010, the state has a minuscule share of mango exports compared to other states such as Maharashtra, Gujarat and Andhra Pradesh. Mango exports from UP are the result of individual efforts of exporters and mango growers/traders. Nadeem Siddiqui, the promoter of UP-based export house Shahnaz Exports, told Business Standard that Apeda had long been promoting Indian mango brands in other countries, yet it had been neglecting UP all these years. However, this year, they have planned the mango promotional event in June when the famous Dussehri brand would be available in the market. This would allow us to explore the new markets with government support, he said. In fact, India is the worlds leading mango producer, corresponding to over 40 per cent of the global production, followed by China, Thailand and Pakistan. However, Indian mango exports, currently at 2.2 mt, have always been on the lower side despite high annual production since the bulk of production is consumed domestically. Pakistan's vicinity to the lucrative Gulf market is another reason for India getting a tough competition from its neighbour. UP has 14 mango belts in Lucknow (Lucknow, Malihabad, Bakshi-ka-Talaab), Saharanpur and Sambhal-Amroha-Muzaffarnagar districts. Apart from Dussehri, the other major varieties in UP comprise Langda, Chausa, Amprapali and Mallika. However, mango from other states notably Alphonso (Maharashtra), Neelam and Kesar (Gujarat), Safeda and Badami (Andhra Pradesh) have been more successful in capturing the export market and attaining popularity. Meanwhile, Insram Ali, president, Mango Growers Association of India, has written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and UP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath seeking support for the state's mango growers in the form of incentives. Photograph: PTI Photo Readying its game plan, the Bengaluru-based e-commerce giant plans to renew talks of investments in various companies such as Swiggy, BookMyShow, Pepperfry, UrbanClap Flipkart is gearing up for the next phase of expansion after its merger with Walmart and has kept aside around a billion dollar for mergers and acquisitions (M&As), sources said. Readying its game plan, the Bengaluru-based e-commerce giant plans to renew talks of investments in various companies such as Swiggy, BookMyShow, Pepperfry, UrbanClap, a slew of smaller firms, including insurance companies for the next stage of expansion. According to sources, Flipkart was in talks with these firms last year for investment after receiving $2.5 billion from the SoftBank group. However, the talks were stalled after Walmart showed interest in buying a majority stake in Flipkart. The firm has been trying to create a whole ecosystem of services as well as products to take on Amazon India and Paytm, all hinged on its app as well as payments wallet PhonePe. Swiggy, Pepperfry and UrbanClap did not comment on the story and BookMyShow could not be contacted. Flipkart believes that by investing in companies such as Swiggy, Pepperfry, and BookMyShow, it would be able to fight off competition, coming from both Amazon and PhonePe. "The first thing it would do after the merger with Walmart is secure minority stakes in all these players to complete the number of services its gives via its app, said the source, adding the talks for these investments and mergers would be headed by Kalyan Krishnamurthy and his team, who is touted to continue with the company after Walmart takes over the firm. According to analysts, after the merger there will be consolidation in the services sector and companies are either going to align with Amazon, Flipkart or Paytm. Amazon India has already partnered with a slew of companies to expand their services and is using Amazon Pay as the primary wallet for payments of these services. The company has tied up with firms such as movie ticketing platform JusTickets, bus tickets portals Abhibus and redBus, mobile recharge and bill payments site Haptik, FreshMenu, Faasos, and InnerChef and others. It has also brought on-board services companies such as Housejoy.in, education app Byjus and offline chains such as Cafe Coffee Day and gems and jewellery major Orra. Paytm also provides a host of services starting from bill payments, travel, hotel bookings and ticketing, and online marketplace. It is soon going to launch mutual funds and investments on its app. Flipkart has been trying to bolster its grocery services and plans to make an acquisition. While Paytm Mall is now working closely with BigBasket, it is also expanding its own grocery segment. Amazon India has also a host of grocery services - Pantry and Amazon Now. Flipkart would be doing something similar as it knows that users now want one-stop shop solutions for everything. That is how it can get long-term customers and not just the ones who are looking for discounted rates, the source added. Photograph: PTI Photo 'How can the monument where the prime minister unfurls the flag on Independence Day, in a ceremony broadcast and telecast nationally, be maintained by a private entity?' asks Jyoti Punwani. Photograph: Saumya Khandelwal/Reuters Is the Red Fort any old monument? The majestic ramparts from which the flag is ceremoniously raised on Independence Day are part of our consciousness. Many Indians may not know who built the monument, or how old it is, but we know it as a symbol of our sovereignty. The monument is also an architectural marvel. This writer has visited the Red Fort a number of times and remains in awe of its stately aura. It is not just a magnificent structure, with its Diwan e Aam and Diwan e Khaas, the exquisite Moti Masjid reflecting Aurangzeb's sobriety, the Mumtaz Mahal... it is simply redolent with history. Will this history now be diluted with billboards of Dalmia Bharat all over the complex? Will we emerge from Diwan e Aam and see a hoarding of a cement company instead of red sandstone and latticed walls? In China, the global coffeehouse chain Starbucks was allowed to open an outlet inside the Forbidden City in 2000. It used an existing structure and thereby blended with the surroundings in this 15th century imperial complex, home to China's emperors. But just seeing the name 'Starbucks' on their ancient heritage angered the Chinese so much that the coffee chain had to shut shop in 2007, after half a million Chinese signed an online petition against it. It may be a dictatorship, but China is more responsive than India when its citizens get agitated and take mass action against something that disturbs them. So an online petition to stop Dalmia Bharat taking over the Red Fort may not work here. Signs of typical Indian official arrogance were evident when Minister of State for Tourism K J Alphons pooh poohed opposition to the proposal and declared the government would go ahead with its plan to hand over more monuments to corporates. Alphons is an ex-bureaucrat, hence responsiveness to public sentiment isn't his forte; arguing his case is. He pointed out that the Congress government at the Centre had earlier given Humayun's Tomb, another of Delhi's iconic monuments, to the 'foreign' Aga Khan Trust for Culture. Alphons can see no difference between a trust known worldwide for its success in restoring historic architectural structures and a cement company! Even the Aga Khan Trust is being blamed by experts for not carrying on restoration work in keeping with the style of Humayun's Tomb. There are two aspects to the BJP government's move. First, the ethics of it. How can the monument where the prime minister unfurls the flag on Independence Day, in a ceremony broadcast and telecast nationally, be maintained by a private entity? No one can believe that the Centre doesn't have enough money to maintain this monument. One of India's top tourist attractions, it ranks fifth in terms of revenue earned through tourism. In 2013-2014, it earned more than Rs 6 crore (Rs 60 million). The Dalmias will spend Rs 25 crore (Rs 250 million) in five years. So, the Red Fort already earns more than what the Dalmias are going to spend on it! What then is the rationale behind this move except to rid itself of the responsibility of maintaining this crucial monument? This is a government that describes itself as the only nationalistic government to have ruled the country. It silently endorses physical attacks by its supporters on those who do not stand up for the national anthem in cinema halls. Yet, it sees nothing shameful about washing its hands off a monument symbolising our sovereignty. One reason for this puzzling sense of self-respect could be that no member of the party that makes up this government took part in the freedom struggle. Do they know that the trial of Subhas Chandra Bose's comrades in the Indian National Army took place inside the Red Fort in December 1945? P K Sahgal, Shahnawaz Khan and G S Dhillon were the first to be tried. The three, each following a different faith, became symbols of our freedom struggle. A century earlier, the last Mughal emperor Bahadur Shah Zafar had been tried here. The INA heroes were defended by the Congress and top lawyers of the day: Bhulabhai Desai, Jawaharlal Nehru, K N Katju, Tej Bahadur Sapru, Asaf Ali. But all this must mean nothing to the BJP, which tries to appropriate Bose without believing in a fraction of his vision. In fact, the Red Fort may well be looked upon by this Hindutva party as a symbol of the Mughals whom they hate. Remember Narendra D Modi's speech in Parliament soon after he became PM, rueing the mentality created by '1,200 years of slavery'? There is no doubt that the Red Fort is a symbol of the Mughals, that fascinating dynasty that ruled us for near 200 years. The Fort is part of the Mughals' magnificent legacy, the jewel among the many monuments Delhi is so fortunate to have. Indeed, first time tourists to Delhi are often left overwhelmed with the sense of history the capital imparts. But one doubts that BJP members feel a surge of pride when they look at the Lal Qila, the Juma Masjid, the Qutb Minar, Humayun's Tomb, the Lodhi monuments. Given that the second most popular leader in the ruling party is on record saying that the Taj Mahal is not part of his cultural heritage, one can guess that the narrow-minded men and women of this party may feel belittled by these grand monuments. For them, Gujarat's restored Somnath Temple may be the biggest symbol of national pride. Interestingly, the Somnath Temple Trust has our PM, and the second most important man in the country, the BJP president, on its board. Also on the Board are party stalwarts L K Advani and Keshubhai Patel. For these men, Somnath is not just a temple, but a living entity. Obviously, the Red Fort isn't. But, will it be so for the Dalmias? Vishnu Hari Dalmia is a former president of the Vishwa Hindu Parishad that demolished the Babri Masjid. In an interview with this Web site in 2001, he had said its aim was to make India a Hindu country. Two years ago, he asked the PM to build the Ayodhya temple in time for VHP leader Ashok Singhal's 90th birthday. However, it is not known whether all Dalmias share his views. For our sake, we hope they don't. The second troubling issue in the Centre's decision are the terms of the contract. The Dalmias will not be liable for 'loss, costs and expenses' if any are claimed by the Archeological Survey of India, which is, along with the ministries of culture and tourism, also a signatory to the MoU. What if some part of the Red Fort is damaged during the 'landscaping' that the Dalmias are allowed to carry out? What if their cafe ruins something built almost 400 years ago with so much care? How can they not be held liable? When asked, Alphons replied that nothing would be done without the ASI's permission, and the government didn't want the Dalmias 'getting caught in unnecessary legal hassles'. If only this government showed half the concern for the Red Fort that they show for the corporate entrusted with its care! Will the ASI keep a hawk's eye on the Dalmias? Our government bodies are not known for looking corporates in the eye. Additionally, the ASI comes under the ministry of culture. Culture Minister Mahesh Sharma made it clear within a year of being appointed that his ministry's mission was to get rid of the 'sanskrutik pradushan' (cultural pollution) apparently choking our country's heritage. Sharma justified changing the name of Delhi's Aurangzeb Road to A P J Abdul Kalam Road by saying that Kalam was a nationalist and a humanist, 'despite being a Muslim'! Finally, according to Sharma, the Koran and the Bible do not reflect the soul of India as do the Ramayan and the Gita, which should be made part of school syllabi. What regard can this man have towards the Lal Qila? The Dalmias may well have to incorporate Sharma's view of history -- the RSS view -- in the sound and light show at the Red Fort (if it is not already their own view). Will Shah Jahan be described as a 'videshi hamlaawar (foreign invader)? Will there be descriptions of the forced conversions and mass rapes of Hindus that populate their fantasies? The Taj Mahal, the envy of the world, which we are so lucky to have as our own, is turning green and yellow, its minarets are getting damaged, yet, this government has remained silent. Is it any wonder we get a sinking feeling at the BJP government's proposal to hand over the Red Fort for five years to a cement company? In the first of a two-part series, Y V Reddy argues that while the merits of the proposal to hold simultaneous elections to Parliament and all state assemblies appear self-evident, the reality might be very different. IMAGE: The proposal to conduct simultaneous polls enjoys the support of many informed and respectable citizens. Photograph: Danish Siddiqui/Reuters Simultaneous elections to Parliament and all state assemblies have been mooted by the Union government. The President and prime minister lent support to it. It is supported by the 79th report (December 2015) of the Parliament of India (Rajya Sabha) titled 'Feasibility of holding simultaneous elections to the House of People (Lok Sabha) and state legislative assemblies'. The analytics behind the proposal are described in detail in a 2017 NITI Aayog discussion paper, 'Analysis of simultaneous elections: The what, why and how.' More recently, the Law Commission seems to have put out a draft paper endorsing the proposal for simultaneous polls in which it is reported to have said that the Constitution needs to be amended to enable simultaneous polls. The proposal enjoys the support of many informed and respectable citizenry, since merits of the proposal appear self-evident. I felt the reality may be very different from the apparent and hence, this unusual opinion piece. The justification for replacing the existing electoral cycle is said to be its infirmities, namely, (a) imposition of model code of conduct by the Election Commission resulting in policy paralysis; (b) massive expenditure on elections by government and other stakeholders; and that (c) frequent elections disrupt normal public life; warrant engagement of security forces for significantly prolonged periods; perpetuate caste, religion and communal issues across the country; and adversely impact the focus of governance and policy making. First, it is undeniable that the model code of conduct is, on occasion, making timely policy actions difficult, and in any case, contentious. But to amend the Constitution changing electoral cycle in a federal set-up to reduce the downside of a code of conduct appears odd. One could instead ask: How effective has been the model code of conduct in achieving the objective of ruling party influencing election outcomes? Is it possible to help the voters become conscious of such practices, rather than have a shut period for unfettered governance by elected governments? In a way, the present system of code of conduct is demanding energies of the Election Commission to give a ruling, based on limited information on policy decisions or expenditure decisions. Perhaps the Election Commission could comment on the propriety of proposed decisions to enlighten the voters rather than prohibit decisions that are likely to influence the outcomes. In fact, it could outsource this function of commenting on violation of code of conduct to a group of eminent persons and putting it in the public domain. This would give relief to the Election Commission to eliminate restraints on legitimate functioning of the government, and empower people with full information. If people could distinguish between national party manifesto and state party manifesto in simultaneous polls, as claimed by the discussion paper, they should be able to decide whether specific decisions are meant to influence the outcomes. In brief, a revision of the model code of conduct system to reduce its adverse impact would render contentious recourse to simultaneous elections somewhat superfluous. Second, it is undeniable that expenditures are incurred in connection with elections. There are limits to what candidates can spend. Obviously, the reference here is to massive expenditures incurred by governments, Union and states, on account of elections. As a percentage of the total budget in the year in which elections were held, the expenditures of the Union government since 1967 till 2014 ranged from a low 0.11 per cent in 2009 to a high 0.32 per cent in 1991-92 and 1999-2000. The elections are not annual but periodical, and hence on an annualised basis the expenditures are insignificant. Consequently, savings through simultaneous elections will be minuscule. Of course, the states bear the bulk of the expenditure. The framework for allocation of expenditure is: (a) for Lok Sabha elections, the Union bears all the expenses, and for state elections, the state concerned bears all the expenses. If they are concurrent, expenses are shared 50:50 basis. All expenditures towards law and order, be it Lok Sabha or state, the states share the cost. In a way, the states rather than the Union should be more concerned with the cost in the conduct of simultaneous polls, vis-a-vis the current system. There is no evidence that states are at the forefront in pleading for simultaneous polls. Third, the argument that frequent elections are a diversion from the focus of governance is strange because elections are to be held to ensure legitimacy of governance. Indeed, simultaneous polls will call for amending the Constitution to make possible a reduction/extension of the tenures of Parliament/state assemblies where required, thereby undermining this legitimacy. These amendments will place greater powers in the hands of the President/governors for them to carry out administrative functions when the tenures of Parliament/state assemblies are extended. This may violate the parliamentary system of governance which is a central pillar of our democracy. The engagement of security forces for a prolonged period is principally a reflection of several factors and not unique to the electoral system. Is the problem simultaneous elections or law and order? It will be interesting to compare the expenditure on security forces deployed for the personal security of legislators and parliamentarians in 1950, 1970 and now. Any election is a diversion from normal activity. So, where, how and when does one draw the line between necessary and not necessary diversion? Is this diversion new or proving to be not worthwhile now? It is not clear how caste and communal issues are brought out in election times only. How many communal riots have coincided with elections? The most critical factor to be considered is, whether simultaneous elections impact the voter behaviour in a way that influences electoral outcomes at the Union and at the state levels? Data indicate that the turnout for parliamentary elections is generally higher when simultaneous elections are held. It is hard to imagine that the relative positions of the contesting parties will remain unaffected when turnout is more in one system. The available evidence is indicative of possible advantage for national parties over regional parties in simultaneous polls. If that be the case, the federal democratic structure of the Indian polity could be harmed. However, such concerns are somewhat summarily dismissed in paragraph 4.16 of the discussion paper, saying that these concerns would be over-simplifying the complexity of voting behaviours and undermining the maturing of Indian electorate as well. Y V Reddy is a former governor of the Reserve Bank of India. To be concluded The Supreme Court on Tuesday warned the Centre that it was in "sheer contempt" of its February 16 verdict by not yet framing the Cauvery management scheme on river water sharing between four southern riparian states. It asked the secretary of the Union water resources ministry to appear before it on May 14 with the draft scheme. The harsh comments of the top court came after Attorney General K K Venugopal said the Union Cabinet has not been able to meet to approve the draft scheme as the leaders, including the prime minister, were busy in the ongoing poll campaign in Karnataka. The Union Cabinet had last met on May 2. The apex court had in its verdict asked the Centre to frame the Cauvery management scheme, which will also includes creating the Cauvery Managament Board, within six weeks for smooth release of water from Karnataka to Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Puducherry with a caveat that the deadline cannot be extended. "You (Centre) are in sheer contempt," a bench headed by Chief Justice Dipak Misra said when the Tamil Nadu Government alleged that the non-framing of the policy was the blatant violation of the crucial judgement in the Cauvery case. "We do not want to come back to square one. Once the judgment has been delivered, it has to be implemented," the bench, also comprising Justices A M Khanwilkar and D Y Chandrachud, said. The bench directed the Secretary of the Union Water Resources Ministry to personally appear before it on May 14 with the draft of the Cauvery management scheme to implement its verdict on water sharing between four riparian states. At outset, senior advocate Shekhar Naphade, appearing for Tamil Nadu government, said that the state, facing acute water shortage, was not getting its due share. "We are being taken for a ride by the central government ... Are we waiting for the votes to be cast on May 12 (in Karnataka polls)," the lawyer asked. He vehmently opposed Venugopal's plea that the case be adjourned till May 14 as the Union Cabinet could not meet to approve the draft Cauvery scheme due to campaigning in Karnataka. "This is the fit case for contempt. Somebody has to be sent to jail," Naphade said. Venugopal referred to the sensitive nature of the Cauvery water dispute and said that Tamil Nadu and Karnataka have witnessed violent protests over it in the past. The top law officer referred to previous orders including the one which was passed on May 3 and said "the cabinet was not available on that day and this is why we are seeking six to eight days time till May 14". Venugopal also referred to the violent protests across the country after the apex court judgement in the SC/ST matter and said the Cauvery draft scheme would be put before the cabinet as soon as possible. Taking exception to the submissions, the counsel for Tamil Nadu said, "Now, the cat is out of the bag.. we will not be getting the water". The bench intervened by saying, "We must understand the purspose behind framing the (Cauvery management) scheme. It is for implementation of the order". The apex court had on February 16 asked the Centre to formulate a scheme to ensure compliance of its judgement on the decades-old Cauvery dispute. It had modified the Cauvery Water Disputes Tribunal award of 2007 and made it clear that it will not be extending time for this on any ground. The top court had then raised the 270 tmcft share of Cauvery water for Karnataka by 14.75 tmcft and reduced Tamil Nadu's share, while compensating it by allowing extraction of 10 tmcft groundwater from the river basin, saying the issue of drinking water has to be placed on a "higher pedestal". The constituency comprises nearly 60,000 Kurubas -- a community which the CM belongs to -- and a Muslim population of at least 20,000. With their unified backing, there is no overt danger to the CM, reports Aditi Phadnis. IMAGE: Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah is contesting from two constituencies -- Chamundeshwari and Badami. Photograph: @siddaramaiah/Twitter When Chief Minister Siddaramaiah announced he was contesting from two constituencies, Chamundeshwari and Badami, his friends asked him why. He explained somewhat elliptically: We are all chief ministers. Of all of us, I consider Jayalalithaa the strongest CM that India has ever had -- she never had to explain her decisions, never had to answer to anyone. Here, if I put a foot wrong, my esteemed colleagues will go rushing to the (party) high command. Who knows what might happen after that? His friends knew who the reference was to -- D K Shivakumar, the Vokkaliga leader with a direct line to the Congress in Delhi. Why the CM chose Badami also became clear -- the constituency has only a small Vokkaliga population, and a large Muslim and Kuruba (shepherd community) presence. The CM is also a Kuruba. The day Siddaramaiah filed his nomination, the procession extended over one kilometre. When he had reached halfway, the CM took off his traditional headgear and put on a skull cap. Why would he do that, if not to tell the Muslim constituency he was there to take care of them? asks Andanayya, who calls himself a proud Veerashaiva and detests the Congress governments efforts to divide them and the Lingayats by offering the latter the status of a minority. Speaking from the dark recesses of his small store, selling electrical appliances in the main Badami market where he is considered a local leader, Andanayya hopes the Bharatiya Janata Party wins from the constituency. Adding, however, that with the unified backing of Muslims and Kurubas, there is no overt danger to the CM. Badami is not used to attention -- except from tourists and fancy sari ladies, he says somewhat contemptuously. Badami is a major centre for the famous Ilkal saris and home to the most incredible stone carvings on temples, dating back to the Chalukya era. The chief minister referred to the founder of modern Karnataka, Visvesvarayya, in a demeaning fashion. He is equally dismissive about leaders of other castes. A chief minister is the leader of all Karnataka -- he should be someone who respects all castes, not just his own says Srinivas Javali, a cloth merchant with a shop neighbouring Andanayyas which stocks Ilkal saris and sees a stream of customers. With a Muslim population of at least 20,000 and a Kuruba population of nearly 60,000, the CM has an advantage. But, equally popular is the BJP candidate and mining baron, B Sriramulu, who represents Ballari as MP. What can we say about him? There is no shortage of money. We can feel it already, says Mallikarjun, the owner of a small Lingayat khanawali (restaurant) that serves the famous jowar roti as its signature dish. Mallikarjun does not hide his irritation. All these people are outsiders. When we need them, they will not be there for us. Already, people are coming from Bengaluru and telling us, stand aside, we know better. What is the use of such people? The local is the Janata Dal-Secular candidate, Hanumant Mavinamarad, who was born and grew up in Badami. The JD-S is leaving no stone unturned in campaigning for him and H D Deve Gowda himself is in Badami, campaigning for his candidate. Locals are unaffected by glamour and money. They are simple people; all they want is development and water, says Mavinamarad, amid hectic arrangements for the public meeting that Deve Gowda was to address. In a reminder that the water dispute with Goa is putting livelihoods in serious danger here, a set of farmers are on a serial strike in a small shelter just outside the city. Their green flag flutters valiantly in the hot breeze as they sit with posters describing the betrayal of farmers in north Karnataka. It is 41 degree Celsius and throats are parched. The only sign of water amid vast landscapes of shaved crops and newly turned black soil is a small tank which appears to be the source of water for villages around. Andanayya says the contest will be close. Not only in Badami but also in Bengaluru. Srinivas Javali says: Siddaramaiah would have been the best CM -- if he hadnt become so arrogant. What about B S Yeddyurappa? He closes his eyes, as if in pain. The Congress president also said that he was pretty confident that Narendra Modi would not be the next prime minister. IMAGE: Congress president Rahul Gandhi also said that the BJO does not stand a chance if all parties come together against it. Photograph: Shailendra Bhojak/PTI Photo For the second time in nine months, Congress president Rahul Gandhi on Tuesday spoke about his prime ministerial aspirations, asserting he was ready for the top post, sparking ridicule from the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party which said he should first try to win state elections. Gandhi said he is ready to occupy the prime ministerial post if the Congress emerges as the "biggest" party in the 2019 Lok Sabha polls. "Well, it depends....it depends on how well the Congress does in the election....I mean, if it emerges as the biggest party, yes," Gandhi said, when asked during an interaction in Bengaluru if he would be the next prime minister after the next Lok Sabha elections. Gandhi, who also said that the opposition unity would not allow the BJP to remain in power, was speaking at a function where he launched 'Samruddha Bharat Foundation'. This is not the first time Gandhi has spoken about his prime ministerial ambitions. In an interaction at the Berkeley University in the United States in September last year, Gandhi had said he was "absolutely ready" to be the prime ministerial candidate of the Congress in the 2019 general elections. The BJP took potshots at Gandhi over his remarks, saying the Congress president, who is harbouring "lofty dreams" despite his party's losing spree, should first try to win state elections. BJP spokesperson Shahnawaz Hussain said while it is Gandhi's right to "dream" about becoming the prime minister, even Congress' allies were not accepting him as their leader. He reminded Gandhi that after he became Congress vice president, "his party lost 13 states and after he took over as party president, it has lost five states and Karnataka will be the sixth one". "Look at the irony, Congress is losing state after state ever since Gandhi took over as party's vice president and then party chief. But he is dreaming to become the prime minister. Even Congress' allies are not accepting him as their leader," Hussain told reporters in Delhi. The Sharad Pawar-led Nationalist Congress Party said there was nothing wrong in Gandhi's statement aspiring to become the prime minister. "If people decide to entrust the Congress with the job of ruling the country, he (Rahul Gandhi) will be the prime ministerial candidate," NCP national spokesman Nawab Malik said in Mumbai. Amid the cut and thrust of the Karnataka Assembly polls, Gandhi said he is "pretty confident" that Narendra Modi would not be the next prime minister, and if the Congress acts as a "platform" (with other parties in a coalition), the BJP does not stand a chance of winning the elections. "It is highly unlikely that BJP will form the next government, and the second part is that it is close to impossible that Modi will be the next prime minister," Gandhi said. But Shahnawaz Hussain emphasised that the country will once again elect Narendra Modi as their prime minister. "Aakhir dil ki baat zubaan par aa hi gayi (Finally what was in his heart has come out," Hussain said on Gandhi's ambitions. "It is good to see that he has such lofty dreams. It is his right. But, to become the prime minister, he has to win some, at least some state elections and make chief ministers of his choice. Under his leadership, the party is not winning any state election and he is dreaming of becoming the prime minister," he added. Oil Minister Dharmendra Pradhan likened Gandhi to "Mungerilal" for his statement. "Bhai, koi Mungerilal ko sapna dekhne se mana kar sakta hai (can anyone stop Mungerilal from dreaming)," Pradhan remarked when reporters on sidelines of an industry event asked about Gandhi's statement. Mungerilal was the main character of the popular show, 'Mungerilal Ke Haseen Sapne', on Doordarshan in the 1990s. The show was about a clerk who is bullied by his boss in the office and wife at home. His escape from his unpleasant world is through daydreaming where he takes revenge from his boss and also dates his pretty colleague. Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis also made light of Gandhi's remarks. "Nobody can become a prime minister just because the person says so, it is the people who decide who will be the prime minister," Fadnavis told reporters in Mumbai while responding to a query on the comments made by Gandhi. Samruddha Bharat Foundation is a platform to propagate liberal, secular and republican values across the country. Its trustees include veteran film director Shyam Benegal and noted Supreme Court advocate KTS Tulsi. The brother of an Egyptian businessman and contractor, who is suspected of murdering his family before committing suicide at the family home in the wealthy Cairo suburb of Rehab, has dismissed initial reports supporting this possibility, saying his brother and his family were killed by professional criminals. Initial investigations by Egypt's New Cairo prosecution on Sunday said that the man, a company owner, had accumulated debts exceeding EGP 2 million. Investigators said these debts may be related to the incident. The 56-year-old father shot his 43-year-old wife, two sons aged 22 and 18, and his 20-year-old daughter, before killing himself with the same unlicensed weapon, according to initial investigations. Records of late payments on outstanding debts were found as security personnel conducted their investigations, the prosecution said. Raafat Saad, the brother of the deceased businessman, phoned in Monday to anchor Ahmed Moussa's night-time TV program on Sada EL-Balad channel to refute reports that his brother committed suicide after the crime. "The forensic report said my brother was shot by three bullets, which physically eliminates the possibility that he committed suicide after killing his family members," Saad said. "The wife and children were shot each by two bullets in the head; this is a crime done by professionals and not a normal person," Saad said. A final autopsy report of the father's body has not been released. During the phone call, Saad admitted that his brother had faced financial problems lately, but said that talk of him killing his family and committing suicide were "exaggerating and impossible." Initial investigations into the murders revealed that the house's doors were closed from the inside, which supports the possibility that the crime was committed by the father. The reports also said that bullet shells matching the unlicensed gun were found near the father's body. However, earlier local media reported unverified news that the prosecution is investigating a number of suspects, raising the possibilty of criminal involvment in the case. According to these unverified reports, the suspects under investigation include those who contacted the father before the killings, which are believed to have occurred on 30 April. Security sources were quoted as saying that the prosecution is currently working on recovering the phone call records of the victims. The initial crime report affirmed that nothing was stolen from the villa, which eliminates the possibility of theft as a motive. The murders initiated debate on social media, raising questions about security measures in wealthy compounds such as Al-Rehab, which is owned by Egypt's influential developer Talaat Mostafa group. Investigations are still ongoing, with a final report on the incident expected. On Sunday, Hesham Abdel-Hamid, Head of Egypt's Forensic Department, told Al-Ahram Arabic website that autopsies of the wife and three children found two bullets shot into the heads of each victim. Abdel-Hamid said that a final report on the father's body is still ongoing. Suicides connected with financial problems are reported periodically in Egypt, and usually involve people from lower-income backgrounds; family killings as a result of such problems are relatively rare. Search Keywords: Short link: The US president said new sanctions would be imposed, adding America will not be held hostage to nuclear blackmail. IMAGE: US President Donald Trump holds up a proclamation declaring his intention to withdraw from the JCPOA Iran nuclear agreement after signing it in the Diplomatic Room at the White House in Washington. Photograph: Jonathan Ernst/Reuters United States President Donald Trump on Wednesday pulled out of the 2015 landmark nuclear deal with Iran, an Obama-era accord, which he has repeatedly criticised as disastrous. It is clear to me that we cannot prevent Iran nuclear bomb. The Iran deal is defective at its core. Therefore, I am announcing today that the United States would withdraw from the Iran nuclear deal, Trump said. Moments later he signed fresh set of sanctions against Iran and warned countries against any cooperation with Tehran on its controversial nuclear weapons programme. The disastrous deal gave Iran millions in cash and did not prevent it from acquiring nuclear weapons, he said. In reversing the signature foreign policy accomplishment of his predecessor Barack Obama, Trump by taking this decision ignored advice against such a move from his key European allies and top US Democratic leaders. Describing this as a bad deal, Trump said that the nuclear deal is unlikely to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons. Before Trumps announcement in this regard, which was televised live, top administration officials including Vice President Mike Pence informed Congress about his decision. The Iranian promise of abandoning its nuclear weapons is a lie, Trump alleged. Allowing the deal to stay would result in an arms race in the region, he said, adding that the deal does nothing to constrain Irans destabilising behaviour. Ever since his election campaign, Trump has frequently criticised the Obama-era Iran nuclear deal, also known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action. He had described the agreement, which was negotiated by then US secretary of state John Kerry, as a bad deal. The Iran nuclear deal was reached in Vienna in July 2015 between Iran and the P5 (the five permanent members of the UN Security Council) plus Germany and the European Union. IMAGE: US President Donald Trump speaks after withdrawing from the Iran nuclear agreement in the Diplomatic Room at the White House in Washington. Photograph: Jonathan Ernst/Reuters Trumps decision would have global ramifications, straining Iranian economy and heightening tensions in the Middle East. Referring to his consultation with key American allies, Trump said it is that they cannot prevent an Iranian nuclear bomb under the decaying and rotten structure of the current agreement. If we do nothing, we know exactly what will happen. In just a short period of time, the worlds leading state sponsor of terror will be on the cusp of acquiring the worlds most dangerous weapons, he said We will be instituting the highest level of economic sanction. Any nation that helps Iran in its quest for nuclear weapons could also be strongly sanctioned by the United States. America will not be held hostage to nuclear blackmail. We will not allow American cities to be threatened with destruction, and we will not allow a regime that chants Death to America to gain access to the most deadly weapons on earth, Trump said. Announcing to terminate the JCPOA, Trump said the deal allowed Iran to continue enriching uranium and over time reach the brink of a nuclear breakout. The deal lifted crippling economic sanctions on Iran. It exchanged for very weak limits on the regimes nuclear activity and no limits at all on its other maligned behaviour, he alleged. In theory, the so-called Iran deal was supposed to protect the United States and our allies from the lunacy of an Iranian nuclear bomb, a weapon that will only endanger the survival of the Iranian regime, he said. IMAGE: An American citizen protests outside of the White House as U.S. President Donald Trump announces the U.S. withdrawal from the Iran deal. Photograph: Leah Millis/Reuters Alleging that the heart of the Iran deal was a giant fiction, that a murderous regime desired only a peaceful nuclear energy programme, Trump said the US has definitive proof that this Iranian promise was a lie. Last week, Israel published intelligence documents, long concealed by Iran, conclusively showing the Iranian regime and its history of pursuing nuclear weapons, he said. The fact is, this was a horrible one-sided deal that should have never, ever been made. It didnt bring calm, it didnt bring peace, and it never will, he said. In the years since the deal was reached, Irans military budget has grown by almost 40 per cent while its economy is doing very badly. After the sanctions were lifted, the dictatorship used its new funds to build nuclear-capable missiles, support terrorism and cause havoc throughout the Middle East and beyond, he said. The agreement was so poorly negotiated that even if Iran fully complies, the regime can still be on the verge of a nuclear breakout in just a short period of time, he noted. The deals sunset provisions are totally unacceptable. If I allowed this deal to stand, there would soon be a nuclear arms race in the Middle East. Everyone would want their weapons ready by the time Iran had theirs, Trump said. Making matters worse, the deals inspection provisions lack adequate mechanisms to prevent, detect and punish cheating. And dont even have the unqualified right to inspect many important locations, including military facilities, he said. Not only does the deal fail to halt Irans nuclear ambitions, but it also fails to address the regimes development of ballistic missiles that could deliver nuclear warheads, he said. Finally, the deal does nothing to constrain Irans destabilising activities, including its support for terrorism. Since the agreement, Irans bloody ambitions have grown only more brazen, Trump said. Egypt's Supreme State Prosecution on Tuesday handed down a 15-day detention order for an Egyptian satirical blogger over accusations of "joining an outlawed group and spreading false news." The prosecution charged former satirical show reporter Shady Abu Zeid with joining an outlawed group which aims to subvert the law and constitution, and obstruct the state and its institutions from carrying out its duties. He is also accused of spreading false news against the Egyptian state through Muslim Brotherhood-affiliated broadcast organisations. Abu Zeid started in 2016 his own satirical page on Facebook, named The Rich Content, which features videos of him interviewing citizens on the street with ironic questions. He is best known for his video reports featured on satirical show Abla Fahita in 2016, which aired on private satellite channel CBC. He quit the show in 2016 after controversy resulted from a video of himself and a friend, young actor Ahmed Malek, distributing inflated condoms to police in Tahrir Square during the fifth anniversary of the January 25 revolution, which coincides with Egypt's National Police Day. The prosecution's decision comes nearly two days after Abu Zeid's sister, Rola, said her brother was arrested on Sunday at dawn outside the family's house. Search Keywords: Short link: Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi said on Tuesday he had stressed to his Ugandan counterpart Yoweri Museveni Egypt's keenness to find an end to the long debates on the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam. Museveni arrived in Cairo on Tuesday for a two-day visit, on the sidelines of a joint governmental committee meeting between Egypt and Uganda. Bassam Radi, spokesman for the Egyptian president, said in an official statement that the bilateral talks between the two presidents highlighted the strong ties between the countries. During a joint press conference, both leaders spoke about the importance of Nile water for the people of the two countries. "I have expressed to my dear brother during our talks Egypt's keenness to reach an agreement on the issue issue concerning the Ethiopian dam," said El-Sisi. He also stressed on the importance of sticking to the Declaration of Principles signed by Egypt, Ethiopia and Sudan in 2015, which preserves the rights of all countries to their share of the Nile. The two presidents also discussed the Nile water issue and agreed on the importance of enhancing cooperation between the Nile Basin countries to achieve the sustainable use of water resources. On Monday, Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry said that latest round of negotiations on the GERD between Egypt, Ethiopia and Sudan, held last week, were unsuccessful due to Ethiopia and Sudans refusal to share a report on the study conducted to determine the impact of the dam on downstream countries. Egypt has long feared that the $4.7 billion dam would reduce the countrys share of Nile water. Further cooperation hailed Museveni congratulated El-Sisi on winning a second term as Egypt's president, in a March election, while hailing his role in fighting terrorism. "I congratulate the Egyptian president for rescuing Egypt from being taken over by extremists who have caused a lot of problems to Egypt and to Africa," said Museveni. He also described El-Sisi as being "a freedom fighter" like the late Egyptian president Gamal Abdel-Nasser. I am very happy that Egypt is under a stable and progressive leadership," he said. Radi said that a number of agreements and memorandums of understanding were signed on Tuesday between both countries to boost cooperation and enhance investment. Museveni pointed to the broad prospects for developing cooperation between the two countries in many fields, especially in the economic field. He also expressed his aspirations to increase the activity of the Egyptian private sector in Uganda. The two leaders also discussed security issues concerning countries in Africa including South Sudan, Libya and central and eastern parts of the continent. "We have discussed cooperation to combat terrorism and the means to cut off all funding for terror acts, which represent a great danger to our people," said El-Sisi during the press conference. The two presidents also agreed on the importance of enhancing projects in African countries and developing cooperation between the private sector, and ensuring practical steps are implemented, like the maritime linkage project between Lake Victoria and the Mediterranean. Museveni said that the Nile should be used as a mean of transportation. "God gave us the Nile as a highway; this Nile will give us water and should as well be used as a way of transportation." Search Keywords: Short link: Sterling, VA -- (ReleaseWire) -- 05/08/2018 --ACT or Air Cleaning Technologies is a name to trust when it comes to a wide range of services related to the HVAC systems and components. They have years of experience working with some of the leading manufacturers. The company also has a team of certified technicians who can assess, maintain, design, restore as well as replace the HVAC units and all its parts. As such, this company is one of the leading names in the industry for all the good reasons. Apart from offering air duct sanitizer in Alexandria and Annadale Virginia the company is involved in developing custom equipment solutions that seamlessly integrate with the existing systems. Also, they can come up with solutions and valuable advice on new systems. Air Cleaning Technologies is dedicated to offering their clients' with improved air quality. They work closely with mechanical contractors as well as HVAC specialists who have the knowledge and expertise to come up with quick solutions. One quality that set them apart from the rest is their commitment towards identifying and solving air quality problems within the shortest time. The company is equally notable for their commercial air duct cleaning in Arlington and Fairfax Virginia. Their certified technicians are well trained in cleaning the commercial air ducts that are prone to getting dirtier. They cater to clients' across various fields that include healthcare facilities too where they help in cleaning biological contaminants along with dust and mold. ACT is a distributor of American Air Filters Flanders. They boast of a 30,000 square-foot warehouse with filters in all standard sizes, low and high efficiency, and all MERV ratings, as well as other commonly-sought products for customer convenience. Get in touch with them at 703-547-1680 for details. About Air Cleaning Technologies Air Cleaning Technologies is a reliable company offering a wide range of services related to HVAC systems and its components. The company serves customers throughout the U.S. with headquarters, an air filter testing facility, showroom, and distribution center in Sterling, VA and offices in Pittsburgh, PA and Baltimore, MD. A senior Egyptian military envoy attended on Tuesday with Libyan military commander Khalifa Haftar the graduation of the 51 Libyan Military class in Benghazi. Pictures of the Egyptian delegation headed by Major General Mohamed El-Keshki, assistant minister of defense for external relations, with Libyan commander Haftar, were shown as they attended a military show during the graduation ceremony. The ceremony ended with the speech by Haftar, who congratulated all the members of the Libyan armed forces on their victories over the forces of terrorism in Libya. He also praised victories of the army in eastern, western and southern Libya. The Libyan commander said that military operations will not stop until Libya is liberated from militias and extremist groups. The graduation of the Libyan military class coincides with the fourth anniversary of operation Karama (battle for dignity), launched by the army in 2014 to combat rival militias. Haftar, who dominates eastern Libya, is seen by Cairo as playing an important role in restoring stability and security in Libya, and also in safeguarding Egypt's national security interests along the Egypt-Libyan border. The Egyptian delegation visit comes a month after Libya's internationally recognised government launched a new offensive against remnants of the Islamic State group operating in the country. The operation is being carried out by counter-terrorism forces in an area spreading from 60 kilometres east of the city of Misrata to the outskirts of five other towns: Bani Walid, Tarhouna, Msallata, Al-Khoms, and Zliten. The Libyan commander said during the ceremony that the time has come to liberate Libya's eastern port city of Derna. He has also warned civilians living in and around cities of conflict to seek safety. In late 2016, local forces aligned with the Government of National Accord (GNA) ousted the Islamic State group from its stronghold in the city of Sirte with help from U.S. air strikes. Haftar, 75, returned to Benghazi in late April after receiving medical treatement in Paris for about two weeks. Haftar has long been seen as a contender for national power, and reports about his health sparked a flurry of speculation inside Libya, including claims that he was gravely ill and that rivals were maneuvering to replace him. Haftars Libyan National Army (LNA) is aligned with a parliament and a government that has been based in eastern Libya since 2014. They control most of eastern Libya, including the majority of its oil fields and ports, as well as parts of the south. Haftar declared victory in July 2017, though sporadic fighting continued until late last year. Search Keywords: Short link: The death toll from a bloody clash between armed bandits and militiamen over the weekend in northern Nigeria has risen to 71, a traditional ruler told AFP on Tuesday. More bodies were recovered after bandits overran a local militia protecting the village of Gwaska in Kaduna state on Saturday, putting the spotlight on the increasing violence in West Africa's largest economy ahead of presidential polls next year. "The death toll now is 71 with more bodies being evacuated," said the Emir of Birnin Gwari Malam Zubair Jibril Mai Gwari II. "We hope that the security measures being taken will curb the issue." In a statement on Monday, United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres strongly condemned the attack, calling for those responsible to be "swiftly brought to justice". Kaduna state governor Nasir El-Rufai visited Gwaska on Monday to denounce the "terrorism of bandits and criminals who have been tormenting us." The government established a new army battalion and the creation of a police area command to protect the area, according to Kaduna state spokesman Samuel Aruwan. The weekend killings follow the deaths of 13 people in prolonged clashes between cattle thieves and local civilian militia in the neighbouring state of Zamfara last week. The attacks underlined the diversity of security threats in Nigeria that persist because of an overstretched army and security forces. Rural communities in Zamfara have for years been under siege from cattle rustlers and kidnapping gangs, who have raided herding communities, killing, looting and burning homes. To defend themselves, villages and herdsmen have formed vigilante groups, but they too are often accused of extra-judicial killings, provoking a vicious cycle of retaliatory attacks. Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari has been criticised for failing to curb the violence, which is becoming a key election issue in the upcoming 2019 election. The military and police are fighting Boko Haram jihadists in the north and militants and pirates in the oil-rich south. There is further insecurity in the country with a simmering separatist movement in the east as well as an escalating conflict between herdsmen and farmers spanning the vast central region. Search Keywords: Short link: Israel has instructed local authorities in the Israeli-held Golan Heights to "unlock and ready (bomb) shelters" after identifying what the military described on Tuesday as "irregular activity of Iranian forces in Syria". The announcement came minutes before US President Donald Trump declared he was withdrawing from the 2015 international nuclear deal with Iran, a move that has stirred concern about a possible regional flare-up. Israeli media said the order to prepare bomb shelters was unprecedented during Syria's seven-year-old civil war, in which Israel is formally neutral, though it has carried out cross-border strikes at suspected deployments by Iranian forces supporting Damascus and arms transfers to Hezbollah guerrillas. Iran has blamed Israel for an April 9 strike that killed seven of its personnel at a Syrian airbase and has vowed revenge. In its statement, Israel's military further said that its defence systems had been deployed "and IDF (Israel Defence Force) troops are on high alert for an attack". Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu made a televised address after Trump's announcement, lauding the US president's hard tack on Iran and alluding to the tensions over Syria. "For months now, Iran has been transferring lethal weaponry to its forces in Syria, with the purpose of striking at Israel," Netanyahu said. "We will respond mightily to any attack on our territory." Search Keywords: Short link: A Place for All Conservatives to Speak Their Mind. Saudi Arabia welcomed President Donald Trump's decision on Tuesday to withdraw the United States from the international nuclear agreement with Iran and to reimpose economic sanctions on its arch-foe Tehran. The kingdom, a key U.S. ally, said it would work with the United States and the international community to address Iran's nuclear programme as well as its ballistic missile programme and support of militant groups in the region. "Iran used economic gains from the lifting of sanctions to continue its activities to destabilise the region, particularly by developing ballistic missiles and supporting terrorist groups in the region," according to a Saudi Foreign Ministry statement. It confirmed "the need to deal with the danger that Iran's policies pose to international peace and security through a comprehensive view that is not limited to its nuclear programme but also includes all hostile activities" in the region. The 2015 deal, the signature foreign policy achievement of Trump's predecessor Barack Obama, eased sanctions on Iran in exchange for Tehran limiting its nuclear program to prevent it from being able to make an atomic bomb. Trump has frequently criticized the Iran accord because it does not address Iran's ballistic missile programme and its role in conflicts in Yemen and Syria, its nuclear activities beyond 2025, and the terms under which international inspectors can visit suspect Iranian nuclear sites. Saudi Arabia has called the 2015 nuclear deal a "flawed agreement", and in March Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman told CBS news that his kingdom would without a doubt develop nuclear weapons if Iran did so. The Sunni Muslim kingdom has been at loggerheads with Shi'ite Iran for decades. They have fought a long-running proxy war in the Middle East and beyond, backing opposing sides in armed conflicts and political crises including in Iraq, Syria, Lebanon and Yemen. Search Keywords: Short link: British Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson on Tuesday dismissed as "crazy" a government proposal for customs arrangements with the EU after Brexit, forcing cabinet divisions into the open once again. Johnson, an outspoken supporter of Britain's withdrawal from the European Union, said the plan backed by Prime Minister Theresa May would not fulfil many of the promises of Brexit. "If you have the new customs partnership, you have a crazy system whereby you end up collecting the tariffs on behalf of the EU at the UK frontier," he told the Daily Mail. He added: "If the EU decides to impose punitive tariffs on something the UK wants to bring in cheaply there's nothing you can do." Citing the pledges of the Brexit campaign, Johnson said: "That's not taking back control of your trade policy, it's not taking back control of your laws, it's not taking back control of your borders. "And it's actually not taking back control of your money either, because tariffs would get paid centrally back to Brussels." London has put forward two options to ease cross-border trade with the EU, and -- with Brexit looming in March next year -- the bloc is waiting for a final decision. May's preferred option, the customs partnership, was reportedly rejected at a cabinet meeting last week. Downing Street admits the plan, which would involve Britain collecting EU tariffs on goods heading into the bloc but charging its own on UK-destined products, is untested. A second option, the so-called "maximum facilitation" option, would involve using technology to minimise customs checks but would likely not reduce them as much as the first proposal. Business Secretary Greg Clark made the case on Sunday for the prime minister's preferred option, highlighting the importance of reducing "frictions" to firms dependent on complex, cross-border supply chains. He cited Toyota, which employs 3,500 people in two British manufacturing plants, saying the customs partnership model would allow them to import parts from elsewhere "without any checks at the border". "You can compare models but actually you need to have in mind the future jobs but also the very important jobs for people today," he told BBC television. Johnson dismissed his warning as "Project Fear". A final decision is not expected to be taken for at least another week, ahead of a crucial EU summit in June. Search Keywords: Short link: US President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping agreed in a phone call on Tuesday that it was important to continue sanctions on North Korea over its nuclear and missile programs until it permanently dismantles them, the White House said. Trump also affirmed his commitment to ensuring the US trade and investment relationship with China was "balanced and benefits American businesses and workers," the White House said in a statement. Search Keywords: Short link: A senior White House official on Tuesday denied a New York Times report that said US President Donald Trump had told France's President Emmanuel Macron that he would be withdrawing from the Iran nuclear deal. "The president did not tell Macron those things," the official said. Earlier today, the New York Times reported, citing a person briefed on the conversation between Trump and Macron, that the United States was going to pull out of the international nuclear agreement with Iran. The source said the United States is preparing to reinstate all sanctions it had waived as part of the deal and impose additional economic penalties, the Times reported. Search Keywords: Short link: Hong Kongs polished imports up 10% in Q1 2018 08 may 2018 News Hong Kongs polished-diamond imports increased 10% to $5.17 bn in the first three months 2018. By volume, imports grew 6% to 5.3 mn cts, while the average price increased 3% to $982 per ct. Polished imports from India, its biggest supplier of diamonds, increased 4% to $2.36 bn, while Belgium went up by 27% to $504.4 mn, US to rose 2% to $493 mn, while imports from Israel dropped 7% to $434.3 mn. Hong Kongs polished exports grew 4% to $3.53 bn for the quarter. Polished exports to mainland China too rose 11% to $808.1 mn. Rough imports increased 61% to $539.1 mn, with rough exports up 85% to $907.6 mn. Net rough imports stood at negative $368.5 mn, compared with a low of $155.1 mn a year ago. Aruna Gaitonde, Editor in Chief of the Asian Bureau, Rough & Polished A number of upcoming events are planned in the MonDak region for car enthusiasts. From classic cars to hot rods, there will be more than a few occasions to stop by area towns to peruse impressive vehicles on display that were brought from far and near to be shown in style. The Sheridan Classics Car Club, which is in Plentywood, MT, has several events on the calendar for the weekend of June 1-2. There will be a "Meat and Greet" at the Harvest Church Plentywood Campus and will be a family and kid-friendly event. The event will include a "burn-out contest" and barbeque, which will be paid for by a free-will offering. This will kick off the next day's bigger event. Now in its 43rd year, the Motorcraze Weekend Car and Bike Show in Plentywood will feature vehicles from all over the region and beyond. The two-day event will be held at the Sheridan County Fairgrounds and will begin at 9 a.m. on Saturday, June 1 and will allow registration and parking of vehicles at 1 p.m. Later in the afternoon, votes for various categories for best-in-show will be taken and tallied, with awards given at 2:30 p.m. A parade will follow at 3 p.m., and a catered banquet at 7 p.m. that evening. Transportation will be provided from town to the fairgrounds via shuttle every thirty minutes or so. Also that evening, the Plentywood Fire Department will host a rib cook-off, with proceeds going to benefit the Plentywood Fire Department. The Roundup spoke to Jason Rusbult, who explained the variety to be expected at the show, explaining, "We've got all kinds of different vehicles coming. We have some British vehicles that are coming down from Canada, we have some exotic cars coming down from Canada and will be bringing Ferraris, Lamborghinis, Porches and that type of thing." "We've got everything from Model-Ts to Corvettes to new Challengers," Rusbult continued. "It is pretty much open to anything." Rusbult spoke of the show's influence and impact on the small town, saying, "We do it for the love of the car. We love looking at other people's cars that they spend so much time working on. It is a big thing as far as Plentywood goes. We usually have a hundred cars that show up. There's a good number of Canadians that come down. We work on this all year trying to put this together." There is a small registration fee for those showing their vehicles, but no fee for those attending the show. If one desires more information, they may call show president, Jason, at 406-480-0015. Williston, ND will also be hosting a car show at its annual Band Day Celebration on May 12. In its 42nd year, the citywide festivity will again feature vehicles on display for the public to peruse and admire. Beginning at 11 a.m. and ending at 5 p.m. on May 12, the event will be held at the Raymond Family Community Center in Williston. This event has a general admission price of five dollars, with those twelve and under getting in free. To register a vehicle to show, the price is twenty dollars. Raffle prizes and show awards will also be provided. The Williston car show, hosted by the Basin Kruzers, has multiple categories for awards. There are four award classes for cars, based upon year, model, four truck classes, Best of Show, Tuner Class, People's Choice, Street Rods, Motorcycles, and under 21 years of age. Basin Kruzers organizer, Doug Ginther, spoke to the Roundup and said, "We have several out of town vehicles this year coming. These include hot rods from Canada, some Edsels from South Dakota, and we're going to have some new high-tech Highway Patrol cars that nobody has really even seen yet. It will be a surprise to us, too." Ginther told The Roundup, "We are also going to have a 1935 patrol control, which is one of the first patrol cars ever. It will be coming from a museum in Fargo. We also have some Hemi cars, both old and new, that guys have built. Some new Challengers will be there. Hopefully we'll have a brand new Corvette there." For more information regarding the event, you can call Doug Ginther at 701-770-5447. The Watford City Chamber holds a car show during their Best of the West Ribfest event each year. This year's event will take place Aug. 10. For more information visit http://www.watfordcityribfest.com. Car enthusiasts in Sidney, MT, have taken an altogether different approach to their vehicular hobbies, making their car show a weekly affair throughout the summer. Gene Trudell explained the car show to The Roundup, "We thought we would just get together and visit while people are already out running around. We get together on Wednesday evenings at have 20 to 40 cars there every night. We've had people from as far Grenora, North Dakota or Glendive come. People from Williston even come." "We meet in the Reynolds parking lot," Trudell continued, "and Reynolds has been really good about it. Everybody has been quite supportive of it. Young people and old people show up, and it gives husbands an opportunity to do something while their wife is shopping, so it's good for everybody." Trudell said, "It's from about 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at night. We've even had riding lawnmowers down there. There are pickups, cars, motorcycles, and virtually everything you would want to see." Trudell says that the vehicles can be seen every Wednesday night from the first part of May to the end of September. For more information, you can contact Gene Trudell at 406-480-3939. Glendive, Montana will also have a car show on June 22-23, hosted by the Badlands Drifters. Registration for this event will be next to NAPA at the Westpark Plaza parking lot and will begin Friday evening at 5:30 p.m. Scheduled events for the "Cars in the Park 2018" event will be the Cruise and Fun Run, Participant Dash plaques, concessions, a crafts show, door prizes, goody bags, and more than 30 trophies to give away. At 9 p.m. on Friday evening there will be a Midnight Gearhead Gathering at the Westpark Plaza parking lot. The Roundup spoke to Jerry Glaser, an event organizer, who explained that the Glendive car show is actually quite sizeable. Glaser said, "Just when you think you've seen them all, you see something new. We usually have between 150 and 200 vehicles. This is going to be our 29th year and we're really excited about it." For more information, you can contact Glaser at 406-365-5342. Ever wander around a sugar beet factory? Want to learn about the controversy surrounding the Lower Yellowstone Intake Diversion Dam? Plan to take part in the Montana Farm Bureau Young Farmers and Ranchers Regional Ag Tour June 1-2 in Sidney. The tour, which departs from the Best Western Golden Prairie Inn, kicks off mid-Friday afternoon with a stop at the Sidney sugar beet Factory followed by a tour, social and dinner at Meadowlark Brewing. Saturdays first tour stop is Safflower Technologies, which grows seed for farmers in Montana and North Dakota, as well as buys back the seed to sell as bird food. Following the tour of Safflower Technologies, the group will visit the Eastern Ag Research Station for a look at how their latest research is helping farmers and ranchers. Next stop: the Steinbeisser Farm will talk about their diverse production of sugar beets, soybeans, alfalfa and malt barley, along with their 2500-head feedlot. Following lunch, the group will travel to the Lower Yellowstone Intake Diversion Dam to discover more about the controversy surrounding it. Included in the visit will be a glimpse into the Montana Caviar Company that harvests paddlefish eggs to sell as a unique value-added high-end delicacy. Each year, the YF&R Tour focuses on different regions of Montana, said MFBF YF&R Chair Gil Gasper. We will get a view of the diversity of Eastern Montana Agriculture, from seeing irrigated crops like sugar beets and malt barley to learning about the hot topics surrounding the Lower Yellowstone Intake Diversion Dam. Were planning to invite members of the North Dakota Farm Bureau Young Farmers and Ranchers, so it will make a great networking opportunity for all. Its exciting that we have a chance to showcase what our ag producers do in Eastern Montana. Registration is $50/person with all meals and activities included. Attendees are responsible for making their own hotel reservations. Contact the Best Western Golden Prairie at 406-433-4560 and request the Montana Farm Bureau room block for the special $70 room rate. Seats are limited to the first 30 people. Register online today at http://www.mfbf.org. Questions? Contact Sue Ann Streufert at [email protected] or 406-587-3153. Tuesday, June 5th, Richland County voters will have a chance to vote for party representatives to be voted on for the general elections on November 6th. It is the primary but for offices where all candidates are representing the same party, like Clerk and Recorder this year, June 5th is it. Two different but worthy candidates are running for Clerk and Recorder. Stephanie Verhasselt is Richland County's current Clerk and Recorder. She was born and raised in Sidney and moved back to work after taking several business classes at MSU Minot and DSU Dickinson. She first ran for Clerk and Recorder in 2010 after eight years of working in the office. She said, "The previous Clerk and Recorder was undecided if she was going to run and I felt, as Chief Deputy, I had a good idea of what was expected and that I could do the job." Two terms later and she still loves the job. She feels the job is challenging, rewarding and the staff is great to work with. Stephanie also feels she is experienced and confident enough for the job but told me, "There is always something new and different tasks assigned, and changes made in laws that affect the office and the Clerk and Recorder needs to stay on top of it." She feels she can continue to bring a good understanding and knowledge of the laws, rules, and policies a Clerk and Recorder would have to work with. Kari Sinks is the other candidate. She grew up in Savage, Montana and attended Williston State College. She got an Associate degree in Applied Science with focus on being a Legal Administrative Assistant . After college she moved to Billings for a year, then back to Richland County to marry Gary, her high school sweetheart. She has not run for an elected office before but seems confident in her ability in promoting herself. She has worked for Richland County before, though, in the Accounts Payable position. At the time Stephanie Verhasselt was her supervisor. When I asked her about her time serving in the position she said, "I enjoyed it and miss it." I also asked Kari what she thought of the position of Clerk and Recorder. She said she likes a good challenge and there is a lot of responsibilities involved in it. She wants to try it. Stephanie Verhasselt Traditionally the Clerk and Recorder's office is responsible for many things such as recording of documents, payroll, claims, assisting the public when looking up records, birth and death certificates. All of these things the Clerk and Recorder needs to have knowledge of and be able to do and answer questions on. The Clerk and Recorder is also responsible for entering budgets, and tracking them, the annual financial report and making sure it is submitted with all the proper reports and forms, and working with the auditor throughout the year. The Clerk and Recorder is the clerk of the County Commissioners as well.There is more, however. Richland County's Clerk and Recorder also handles the elections, is the county's Human Resources and serves as an unlicensed county surveyor. It is a big job. Port of Pascagoula The Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality (MDEQ) has been awarded a $574,000 grant to fund planning, surveying and permitting for a 4,300-foot rail connection in Jackson County. The grant awarded to MDEQ, which was announced by U.S. Sens. Roger Wicker (R-Miss) and Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Miss), as well as Rep. Steven Palazzo (R-Miss), is being provided as part of the Resources and Ecosystems Sustainability, Tourist Opportunities, and Revived Economies of the Gulf Coast States Act of 2012 (RESTORE Act). The legislation provides funding for Gulf Coast states affected by the Deepwater Horizon explosion and oil spill. Better rail infrastructure will help Mississippi businesses more efficiently move their products to markets and will support our ports as hubs of commerce and trade, said Sen. Wicker. This grant lays the groundwork for a rail link that will reduce rail congestion and improve safety. The connection is a component of the Port of Pascagoulas Intermodal Improvement Project to establish a more efficient rail connection to the port. The port is looking to construct a connection between the rail bridge over the Escatawpa River to the new route made possible by a FY13 $14 million Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery (TIGER) grant. This connection will route unit trains from the existing Mississippi Export Railroad line on to the newly re-established line, funded by the TIGER grant. Preliminary estimates show the cost of 4,300 feet of rail, one bridge box, two yard switches, and additional materials to cost approximately $6.4 million. This sort of investment to improve infrastructure on the Mississippi Gulf Coast is needed to realize the full potential of the Port of Pascagoula. The planning and surveying work is an important step to making this Jackson County rail project a reality, Hyde-Smith said. This project will increase commerce for the port authority and provide new opportunities in Jackson County. These are RESTORE Act funds that will be used for another sound infrastructure investment on the Mississippi Gulf Coast, and will assist the Jackson County Port Authority in beginning a year-long multi-faceted intermodal project, Palazzo said. This grant was approved by the U.S. Treasury Department Office of Gulf Coast Restoration. Russia's foreign ministry is "deeply disappointed" by US President Donald Trump's decision to pull out of the 2015 Iran nuclear deal, the ministry said in a statement on Tuesday. "There are no - and can be no - grounds for breaking the joint comprehensive action plan (JCPOA). The plan showed its full efficiency," the ministry said. "The United States is undermining international trust in the International Atomic Energy Agency." The ministry said it was open to further cooperation with other Iran deal members and would continue to actively develop bilateral ties with Tehran. Search Keywords: Short link: New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman was allegedly physically violent with four women he was romantically involved with, according to their accounts published Monday in The New Yorker. Schneiderman said Monday night he would resign as attorney general in the wake of the allegations, which he denied, saying he would be unable to do the job. Eric Schneiderman said, "It's been my great honor and privilege to serve as Attorney General for the people of the State of New York. In the last several hours, serious allegations, which I strongly contest, have been made against me. While these allegations are unrelated to my professional conduct or the operations of the office, they will effectively prevent me from leading the office's work at this critical time. I therefore resign my office, effective at the close of on May 8, 2018." For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com Business News Industrial production and foreign trade figures from Germany are due on Tuesday, headlining a light day for the European economic news. At 1.45 am ET, the Swiss State Secretariat for Economic Affairs is set to release unemployment data. The jobless rate is forecast to remain unchanged at 2.9 percent in April. At 2.00 am ET, Destatis is slated to issue Germany's industrial output and foreign trade figures for March. Economists forecast industrial output to grow 0.9 percent on month, reversing a 1.6 percent drop in February. Germany's exports are forecast to climb 1.8 percent on month and imports to grow 1 percent in March. In the meantime, Statistics Norway publishes industrial production data for March. At 3.00 am ET, industrial production data is due from Hungary. Output had increased 0.5 percent on month in February. At 3.30 am ET, UK Halifax house price data is due for April. House prices are forecast to drop 0.2 percent on month, in contrast to a 1.5 percent rise in March. For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com 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. AstraZeneca (AZN.L,AZN) said it reached an agreement with Luye Pharma Group, Ltd. for the sale and licence of the rights to Seroquel and Seroquel XR in the UK, China and other international , including Brazil, Australia, Saudi Arabia, Mexico, South Korea, Thailand, Argentina, Malaysia and South Africa. Luye Pharma will pay $538 million in consideration including $260 million immediately following closure of the transaction. In addition, a milestone is payable on the successful transition of certain activities to Luye. AstraZeneca will continue to manufacture and supply Seroquel and Seroquel XR to Luye Pharma during a transition period. The upfront and future payments will be reported as Other Operating Income in the Company's financial statements. The transaction is expected to close by the end of the second-quarter of 2018, subject to customary closing conditions and regulatory clearances. In fiscal year 2017, Seroquel generated annual sales of $85 million in the markets covered by this agreement, while Seroquel XR generated $63 million. The agreement does not change the Company's financial guidance for fiscal year 2018. The transaction is part of AstraZeneca's strategy to focus on its three main therapy areas of Oncology, Cardiovascular, Renal & Metabolism and Respiratory. Seroquel, used primarily to treat schizophrenia and bipolar disease, has lost its compound patent protection globally; the Seroquel XR formulation patents have now also expired in the vast majority of markets. AstraZeneca partnered the rights to Seroquel and Seroquel XR in Japan and Venezuela under prior agreements. For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com Business News Editors Pick Chevrolet is all set to launch an electric version of its Chevrolet Silverado globally on January 5, 2022 at the Consumer Electronics Show 2022 (CES 2022), the world's most influential technology event. The full-size pick-up truck will be unveiled during the opening keynote delivered by General Motors Chair and CEO Mary Barra. Solana Beach, California-based ElliptiGO Inc. is recalling Arc model stand-up bicycles citing fall and injury risks, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission said. The recall involves about 3,800 units of three models of ElliptiGO Arc bicycles, such as ElliptiGO Arc 3, ElliptiGO Arc 8 and ElliptiGO Arc 24, sold in the United States. In addition, about 31 units were sold in Canada. United Airlines has teamed with digital payments firm PayPal to introduce QR Codes as inflight payment option, to facilitate contactless payments amid the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic. Starting next month, United customers on select flights can make touch-free inflight purchases while on board by just scanning a QR code - with or without Wi-Fi. Japan's Takeda Pharmaceutical (TKPHF.PK, TKPYY.PK) announced Tuesday that it has reached an agreement on the terms of a recommended offer to acquire Irish drugmaker Shire Plc. (SHPG,SHP.L). The offer of 49.01 pounds per Shire Share values the entire share capital of Shire at approximately 46 billion pounds. The Shire Directors consider the terms of the acquisition to be fair and reasonable and intends to recommend unanimously that Shire Shareholders vote in favor of the Scheme at the Court Meeting. Under the terms of the acquisition, each Shire Shareholder will be entitled to receive $30.33 in cash for each Shire Share and either 0.839 New Takeda Shares or 1.678 Takeda ADSs. The acquisition terms imply an equivalent value of 48.17 pounds per Shire Share based on the closing price as at the Latest Practicable Date; and 49.01 pounds per Shire Share based on April 23, being the day prior to the announcement that the Shire Board would, in principle, be willing to recommend the Consideration. In addition, Shire Shareholders will be entitled to receive any dividends announced, declared or paid by Shire in the ordinary course prior to the Effective Date. The deal represents a premium of 64.4 percent to the Shire closing price on March 23, being the last Business Day prior to rumours of Takeda's possible interest in an offer for Shire. Immediately following completion of the Acquisition, Shire Shareholders will own approximately 50 percent of the Combined Group. Subject to customary governance and shareholder approval, Takeda has agreed that up to three Shire Directors will join the Takeda Board with effect from completion of the Acquisition. Takeda will announce its results for the financial year ended March 31, 2018 on May 14. For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com Business News Oracle Corp., the second largest software company globally, will unveil its blockchain software starting this month, Bloomberg reported, quoting Thomas Kurian, Oracle president of product development. The company plans to introduce a platform-as-a-service blockchain product this month and decentralized ledger-based applications next month. Oracle's products will be compatible with other platforms, he said. According to him, Oracle is working with Banco de Chile to log inter-bank transactions on a hyperledger, and the government of Nigeria, which has sought to document customs and import duties on blockchain. Oracle's products will also be used in pharmaceutical companies to track and trace batches of medicine, which may potentially ease recalls. In recent times, many major companies have announced plans for blockchain products. Spanish BBVA bank recently became the first bank in the world to issue a loan using Blockchain . The bank said that the use of blockchain technology cut the time needed to complete the 75 million euros loan process from days to hours. South Korean electronics giant Samsung also intends to use blockchain for managing its global supply chain. The company's IT subsidiary, Samsung SDS, is looking to implement the technology, to cut costs by up to 20 percent. Salesforce.com Inc. Chief Executive Officer Marc Benioff had reportedly said in March that his company would unveil a blockchain product by its annual Dreamforce conference this fall. International Business Machines Corp. and Amazon.com Inc.'s cloud unit have also both sought enterprise uses for blockchain technology, Bloomberg reported. For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com Business News Malta's industrial production declined for the third straight month in March, figures from the National Statistics Office showed Tuesday. Industrial production fell a working-day-adjusted 4.8 percent year-over-year in March, slower than the 7.5 percent fall in February. Among main industrial groups, production of intermediate goods decreased the most by 19.2 percent annually in March, followed by durable consumer goods with 3.5 percent drop. On a monthly basis, industrial production rose a seasonally adjusted 0.7 percent from February, when it slid by 2.4 percent. It was the first increase in four months. For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com 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. European stocks were mostly lower on Tuesday even as U.K. held somewhat steady, helped by a weakening pound and deal-making news. Amid little positive triggers, investors awaited an announcement by U.S. President Donald Trump on whether he would withdraw from a landmark nuclear deal with Iran. On the data front, reports on German industrial output, exports and U.K. house prices painted a mixed picture of regional economies. The pan-European Stoxx Europe 600 index was down 0.3 percent at 388.49 in late opening deals after rising 0.6 percent on Monday. The German DAX was losing half a percent and France's CAC 40 index was declining 0.4 percent while the U.K.'s FTSE 100 was marginally higher as trading resumed following a long holiday weekend. Cement giant LafargeHolcim lost 3 percent after its first-quarter recurring EBITDA fell 7.7 percent on a like-for-like basis, affected by the especially harsh winter in North America and Europe. Adecco Group tumbled 5.4 percent. The staffing firm's first-quarter net income fell 26 percent due to one-offs and investments. Danish hearing aid maker William Demant Holding plummeted 8 percent after warning of lower revenue. Deutsche Post shares slumped nearly 6 percent. The German postal and logistics group confirmed its 2018 targets after reporting a fall in first-quarter consolidated net profit. On the positive side, consumer products giant Unilever rallied 2.5 percent after commencing the first tranche of its share buyback program. Shire Plc shares jumped 4 percent in London after Japan's Takeda Pharmaceutical announced it had reached an agreement on the terms of a recommended offer to acquire the Irish drugmaker. Similarly, Virgin Money Holdings soared 8.7 percent after receiving a preliminary and conditional proposal from CYBG. For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com Market Analysis Australian startup IOT Group said its unit IOT Blockchain Pty. Ltd has inked an agreement with mining hardware distributor Royalti Blockchain Group, BitFury's authorized Australian integrator and approved partner, to install BitFury's bitcoin mining hardware. In a statement, IOT said BitFury's servers in Australia will be housed at IOT's proposed Blockchain Applications Complex or BAC in the Hunter Valley. The is worth A$190 million, reports said. Executive Director and Founder of IOT Group, said, "This is a cornerstone Agreement for IOT Blockchain and, assuming completion, is expected to provide substantial revenue streams for the next ten years, thereby building Shareholder value." Under the deal, Bitfury's approved partner, Royalti Blockchain, would build and supply the infrastructure and servers, while IOT would to provide land and power. IOT said Bitfury servers will be under a long-term Power Purchase Agreement, which will be for an initial 5 years with an option for a further 5 years. The PPA is for 20 Megawatts of power over a ten-year term at an estimated cost of 11 AUD cents per KWh The Terms Sheet is subject to completion by Hunter of its proposed acquisition of all right, title and interest in the Redbank Power Station among others. For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com Technology News Crude oil futures were lower Tuesday morning, easing from 4-year highs despite ongoing tensions between Iran and the U.S. Profit-taking ensued after a strong rally in the previous few sessions. President Donald Trump is considering whether to pull out of an Obama-era deal with Iran that removed sanctions on Tehran. Trump yesterday hinted he was leaning towards backing out of the deal. "The United States does not need John Kerry's possibly illegal Shadow Diplomacy on the very badly negotiated Iran Deal. He was the one that created this MESS in the first place!" Trump tweeted. WTI light sweet oil was down 74 cents at $69.98 a barrel. U.S. energy inventories data are due out over the next two days. On the economic front, the Labor Department's Job Openings and Labor Turnover Survey or JOLTS report that tracks monthly change in job openings and offers rates on hiring and quits will be released at 10.00 am ET. The consensus is for 6.100 million, while it stood at 6.052 million in February. For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com Market Analysis The Bibliotheca Alexandrina has established a new Egyptology centre in Cairos Smart Village in honour of former minister of antiquities Zahi Hawass. The centre is part of the Bibliothecas role in documenting Egyptian scientists who have served the world through their achievements. It is one of the first projects adopted by Director of the Bibliotheca Alexandrina Mostafa El-Feki in the light of the role played by Hawass around the world through his public lectures and writings. In a statement, the Bibliotheca Alexandrina explained that the new centre would encompass research, education, and training departments, and organise archaeological, historical, and educational workshops, as well as offer scholarships to students working on scientific research. It will also give out Hawass Awards to the best archaeological research or archaeologist from the Ministry of Antiquities. The centre is named after Hawass due to his efforts in the field of archaeology and the important role he has played locally, regionally and internationally. At an event on Monday marking the opening Hawass met with children at the Giza Pyramids who are passionate about history and discuss the building of the Pyramids and other aspects of Egypts long history. Hawass told Al-Ahram Weekly that the centre would be a venue for young Egyptologists, as well as children and young people in general who have passion for Egypts heritage and history. Through a series of lectures, workshops and events, the centre aims at raising awareness about Egypts cultural heritage and promotes public engagement at various historical sites, Hawass said. He continued that it would provide a fruitful programme of events both locally and internationally. On the international level, the programme will include a lecture three times a month by Skype to school students in the United States, Australia and Japan. This lecture will also be available in European countries such as Italy. An Internet training course to teach hieroglyphics online is also to be provided to children and adults, as well as another course to teach ancient Egyptian history. A series of courses on Egypts history, the most important discoveries that have influenced history, and the top 10 discoveries made in Egypt, such as the discovery of the golden mummies in the Bahariya Oasis and the workmens cemetery on the Giza Plateau, will be provided online. Hawass said that at the local level the centre has another programme. In collaboration with the Ministry of Education, art teachers in Egyptian schools will teach their pupils how to draw the hieroglyphic alphabet starting next week. In collaboration with Nahdet Misr Publishers, a collection of books for children on the Ancient Egyptian civilisation will be printed to teach children how the Ancient Egyptians ruled with peace and justice and the greatness of their civilisation. Among these books, Hawass said, was a book on the boy-king Tutankhamun entitled A Journey with the Boy King that would be produced in both Arabic and English. Other books on art, science, medicine and engineering will be produced and distributed among students of universities in Egypt. A full schedule has been drawn up to raise the students awareness of the Ancient Egyptian civilisation, Hawass pointed out, adding that this had been started with a series of lectures on history and Ancient Egyptian civilisation in the Cairo, Zagazig, Damietta, Helwan and 6 October universities. A three-volume encyclopaedia of Ancient Egyptian civilisation is to be produced in Arabic and English to highlight topics such as love, language, and kings and queens in Ancient Egypt. The encyclopaedia is written by renowned Egyptologists and archaeologists, Hawass said. During the ceremony that was held on Thursday at the Egyptian Museum to launch the new centre, the Ministry of Antiquities honoured Hawass by renaming the Saqqara Training Centre the Hawass Saqqara Training Centre. * This story was first published under the title "Zahi Hawass Centre launched" in Al-Ahram Weekly Canadian stocks may struggle to extend gains from the previous session, as crude oil prices failed to hold $70 a barrel. Energy stocks may suffer some profit-taking after their recent strong performance. In big news from the oil patch, Royal Dutch Shell plc will sell its entire stake in Canadian Natural Resources Limited (CNQ, CNQ.TO). It will result in total pre-tax proceeds of approximately $3.3 billion. Valeant Pharmaceuticals International Inc. (VRX, VRX.TO) reported that its net loss for the first-quarter ended March 31, 2018 was $2.693 billion, as compared to net income of $628 million for the same period in 2017. In an effort to re-brand, Valeant will change its name to Bausch Health Companies Inc., effective in July 2018, and will trade under the symbol BHC. Aimia (AIM.TO) named Jeremy Rabe as its new president and CEO on Tuesday, effective immediately. George Weston (WN.TO) raised its dividend, and reported a $180-million Q1 profit. Quebecor (QBR.B.TO) is buying Caisse's stake in Quebecor Media for $1.69 billion. Markets are nervous today, President Donald Trump is considering whether to pull out of an Obama-era deal with Iran that removed sanctions on Tehran. Trump yesterday hinted he was leaning towards backing out of the deal. "The United States does not need John Kerry's possibly illegal Shadow Diplomacy on the very badly negotiated Iran Deal. He was the one that created this MESS in the first place!" Trump tweeted. For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com Market Analysis Bitcoin started Tuesday in the red, while Ethereum was moving higher as were relieved after the rumored SEC hearing on its status as an asset never took place. Boosting confidence was the news that new head of South Korea's financial market watchdog is likely to relax some regulation. Here is a wrap of the main news from the cryptocurrency and blockchain space over the past 24 hours. South Korea May Ease Cryptocurrency Regulations The new head of South Korean financial regulatory agency has hinted that he will consider relaxing the country's cryptocurrency regulations. Yoon Suk-heun, who was confirmed as the new Governor of Financial Supervisory Service (FSS), was addressing a press conference in Seoul Tuesday when he shared his outlook on financial policies and cryptocurrency regulations. Read more... Oracle To Offer Blockchain Products: Bloomberg Oracle Corp., the second largest software company globally, will unveil its blockchain software starting this month, Bloomberg reported, quoting Thomas Kurian, Oracle president of product development. The company plans to introduce a platform-as-a-service blockchain product this month and decentralized ledger-based applications next month. Read more... Buffett, Munger And Gates Slam Bitcoin Again Billionaire investor and Berkshire Hathaway CEO Warren Buffett, his confidant Charlie Munger and Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates damped the recent rally in cryptocurrencies with their renewed criticism. At the Berkshire annual shareholder meeting on Saturday, Buffett said that Bitcoin was "probably rat poison squared." Read more... Australia's IOT Blockchain Signs Crypto Mining Deal With Royalti Australian startup IOT Group said its unit IOT Blockchain Pty. Ltd has inked an agreement with mining hardware distributor Royalti Blockchain Group, BitFury's authorized Australian integrator and approved partner, to install BitFury's bitcoin mining hardware. In a statement, IOT said BitFury's servers in Australia will be housed at IOT's proposed Blockchain Applications Complex or BAC in the Hunter Valley. The is worth A$190 million, reports said. Read more... Over 300 Websites Hacked Using Cryptojacking Software More than three hundred websites running an outdated and vulnerable version of the Drupal content management system have been hacked with malicious software used to mine the cryptocurrency Monero. The latest high-profile cryptojacking incident was discovered by Troy Mursch, the security researcher behind the website Bad Packets Report. Read more... Venezuela's Only 7-Star Hotel To Accept Payments In Petro A landmark seven-star Hotel in the Venezuelan capital will receive payments for services in the country's national cryptocurrency, Petro. This was announced by Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro as he inaugurated the revamped Hotel Humboldt in Caracas. Read more... Tutorial: Crypto Lexicon - DYOR DYOR is short for Do Your Own Research. The term means investors should study the details of a cryptocurrency such as the whitepaper, the people behind it, trading technicals, news and comments on the social media before putting their money on it. Read more... Current Prices As of 9.54 am ET on Tuesday, Bitcoin was down 1.63 percent at $9,113.01 and Ethereum was up 2.99 percent at $728.38 on Coinbase. For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com Forex News The European were stuck in a sideways pattern for the majority of Tuesday's session and ended the day with mixed results. Traders were in a cautious mood ahead of U.S. President Donald Trump's decision on the Iran nuclear deal. Trump is widely expected to withdraw from the agreement, which lifted sanctions on Iran in exchange for limits on the country's nuclear program. Energy stocks were under pressure ahead of the announcement. Crude oil prices retreated after rising above $70 a barrel on Monday. Investors also weighed the possibility of a snap election in Italy after the third round of talks aimed to form a coalition government ended in failure. The pan-European Stoxx Europe 600 index advanced 0.08 percent. The Euro Stoxx 50 index of eurozone blue chip stocks decreased 0.19 percent, while the Stoxx Europe 50 index, which includes some major U.K. companies, lost 0.14 percent. The DAX of Germany dropped 0.28 percent and the CAC of France fell 0.17 percent. The FTSE 100 of the U.K. declined 0.02 percent and the SMI of Switzerland finished lower by 0.38 percent. In Frankfurt, Deutsche Post sank 6.49 percent. The postal and logistics group confirmed its 2018 targets after reporting a fall in first-quarter consolidated net profit. In London, consumer products giant Unilever rallied 1.97 percent after commencing the first tranche of its share buyback program. Shire jumped 4.63 percent after Japan's Takeda Pharmaceutical announced it had reached an agreement on the terms of a recommended offer to acquire the Irish drug-maker. Similarly, Virgin Money Holdings soared 9.96 percent after receiving a preliminary and conditional proposal from CYBG. Cement giant LafargeHolcim lost 3.05 percent in Zurich after its first-quarter recurring EBITDA fell 7.7 percent on a like-for-like basis, affected by the especially harsh winter in North America and Europe. Adecco Group tumbled 5.10 percent. The staffing firm's first-quarter net income fell 26 percent due to one-offs and investments. Hearing aid maker William Demant Holding plummeted 9.48 percent in Copenhagen after warning of lower revenue. Germany's exports increased for the first time in four months in March, while imports continued to drop, figures from Destatis showed Tuesday. Exports climbed 1.7 percent on month, in contrast to a 3.1 percent fall in February. Shipments were expected to grow 1.8 percent. This was the first increase since November 2017. Meanwhile, imports slid 0.9 percent after declining 1.4 percent a month ago. Economists had forecast a 1 percent rise. As a result, the trade surplus increased to a seasonally adjusted EUR 22 billion from EUR 19.4 billion in February. Germany's industrial production recovered in March, provisional data from Destatis showed Tuesday. Industrial production grew by more-than-expected 1 percent month-on-month in March, reversing a 1.7 percent fall in February. Output was forecast to grow 0.8 percent. UK house prices decreased for the first time in three months in April, data from the Lloyds bank subsidiary Halifax and IHS Markit showed Tuesday. House prices declined 3.1 percent in April from March, when they rose 1.6 percent, reflecting the volatility in the short term monthly measure. Prices were forecast to fall marginally by 0.2 percent in April. This was the first decrease in three months. China's exports recovered at a faster than expected pace in April and imports growth accelerated notably, data from General Administration of Customs revealed Tuesday. Exports advanced 12.9 percent year-on-year in April, reversing a 2.7 percent drop in March. Economists had forecast an increase of 8 percent. At the same time, imports growth accelerated to 21.5 percent from 14.4 percent in the previous month. Imports were expected to rise 16 percent. Consequently, the trade surplus totaled $28.8 billion in April, above the expected level of $27.75 billion. For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com Market Analysis Canadian stocks inched higher Tuesday, as the energy sector withstood wome early profit taking after recent gains. The TSX Composite Index was up 34.08 points to 15,842.71. Markets were relatively calm after President Donald Trump announced the US would formally withdraw from Iran's nuclear deal. "It is clear to me that we cannot prevent an Iranian nuclear bomb under the decaying and rotten structure of the current agreement," Trump said. "The Iran deal is defective at its core. If we do nothing we know exactly what will happen." Trump will initiate "the highest level" of new sanctions. "The so-called Iran deal was supposed to protect the United States and our allies from the lunacy of an Iranian nuclear bomb, a weapon that will only endanger the survival of the Iranian regime," the President said. "In fact, the deal allowed Iran to continue enriching uranium and over time reach the brink of a nuclear breakout." Royal Dutch Shell plc will sell its entire stake in Canadian Natural Resources Limited (CNQ, CNQ.TO). It will result in total pre-tax proceeds of approximately $3.3 billion. Shares of CNQ fell 1.9 percent. Valeant Pharmaceuticals International Inc. (VRX, VRX.TO) reported that its net loss for the first-quarter ended March 31, 2018 was $2.693 billion, as compared to net income of $628 million for the same period in 2017. In an effort to re-brand, Valeant will change its name to Bausch Health Companies Inc., effective in July 2018, and will trade under the symbol BHC. Shares jumped 8.8 percent. Scotiabank (BNS.TO) has joined rivals in raising their fixed mortgage rates. Aimia (AIM.TO) named Jeremy Rabe as its new president and CEO on Tuesday, effective immediately. George Weston (WN.TO) raised its dividend, and reported a $180-million Q1 profit. Shares were flat. Quebecor (QBR.B.TO) is buying Caisse's stake in Quebecor Media for $1.69 billion. For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com Market Analysis (Agencia CMA Latam) - The Brazilian state-owned oil company Petrobras and the country's government should conclude negotiations on the "transfer of rights" area by May 17, according to the firm's president, Pedro Parente. "Discussions with government are evolving well and meetings are still happening. In Petrobras' view, yes, it will be possible to end them by May 17, due to the large effort that the government is doing and so are we," said the executive. The "transfer of rights" is a system that has given Petrobras the right to explore and produce up to 5 billion barrels of oil and gas in the Brazilian pre-salt layer in exchange for a company reimbursement to the federal government. Contract values, however, are under review, as oil prices fell from almost US$ 100 to about US$ 50 a barrel since the signing of the agreement, recovering to around US$ 70 barrel as of recently. Petrobras argues that the government should pay the company to make up for the difference. Analysts say that one way the Brazilian government could solve the dispute would be to pay Petrobras with extra oil from the "transfer of rights" area. The government, however, argues that it owes nothing to Petrobras and should receive more payments from the company. by Agencia CMA Latam For comments and feedback: editorial@rttnews.com 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. Material found so far at the site testifies to the high status of its General Iwrkhy and his family Professor of Egyptology at Cairo University Ola El-Aguizy has announced the discovery of an important tomb belonging to the great Ramessess II era General Iwrkhy in Saqqara, in a speech delivered to attendees of the Faculty of Archaeology Prom 2017. The tomb was discovered in the New Kingdom necropolis south of the Causeway of King Unas in Saqqara, during the last excavation season in 2017/2018. El-Aguizy, head of the mission that uncovered the tomb, said it most likely dates to the reigns of both Sethi I and Ramesses II. The site has yet to be fully excavated, but has already provided a wealth of material testifying to the high status of its owner and his family. The tomb belongs to General and High Steward of the estates of Ramsses II in the Domain of Amun. His name is inscribed on the tomb along with that of his son Yuppa and grandson Hatiay -- the latter occupying a significant position in the inscriptions on the walls still in place. Iwrkhy began his military career under King Sethi I and reached the highest positions in Egyptian court during the reign of Ramesses II. His tomb appears to mimic the style of contemporary tombs in the area, which include a forecourt, statue room with adjacent plastered vaulted storehouses, perystile court and western chapels (which have yet to be excavated), El-Aguizy said. Archaeologists believe the general came to Egypt as a foreigner, one of many who settled here and managed to reach high positions in the court of the New Kingdom. The scenes that remain on the walls of the statue room and on blocks found buried in the sand show a number of unusual scenes, many related to Iwrkhy's military career, and foreign relations with neighboring countries. These include an image of moored boats unloading Canaanite wine jars. One block, most likely detached from the northern wall, shows an exceptional scene of an infantry unit and charioteers crossing a waterway with crocodiles. Preliminary studies of the scene determined that its fortified walls represent the eastern borders of Egypt. The scene has only one parallel, depicted on the outer north wall of the hypostyle court of Karnak temple in Thebes. The scene shows Sethi I coming back from a victorious campaign against the Shasu Bedouins, entering Egypt by the same waterway with crocodiles. The remains of such fortified walls were recently discovered by archaeologist Mohamed Abdel Maksoud and his team on the site known as Tell Heboua I and II on the Pelusian branch of the Nile in Eastern Qantara, North Sinai. Discoveries in the Saqqara tomb also show signs of active daily life in this garrison, including wine cellars and livestock depicted on the walls. The scenes of the high steward's tomb are quite exceptional, with artistic features characteristic of the time of Sethi I and Ramesses II. This indicates that the tomb was constructed over a number of phases. The prominence of the names of Iwrkhy's family -- Yuppa and Hatiay -- suggests that this may have been a family tomb. Further excavation of the sanctuary and shaft are needed to confirm this. Search Keywords: Short link: Cairo is set to enjoy a moderate temperatures on Tuesday, a break from an inclimate wave of rainfall and dust over the past weeks. In an official statement, Egypt's Meteorological Authority (EMA) said the country will experience moderate weather from the northern coast to the Nile Delta and Cairo, though some rain is expected for the northern coast and some parts of the delta. The capital is expected to see a high of 29 degrees Celcius and a low of 18 C, while Alexandria governorate will see a high of 24 C and a low of 18 C. Nile Delta governorates will experience a high of 29 C and a low of 17 C. The statement added that northerly winds will pick up dust from the country's south to the Red Sea, leading to a disturbance in maritime navigation. The temperate weather on Tuesday comes one day after Egypt's General Traffic Directorate closed four Upper Egyptian desert highways due to dust storms. Search Keywords: Short link: Congress President Rahul Gandhi on Monday took a dig at Prime Minister Narendra Modi by likening him to a mobile phone, saying that "Modiji uses only speaker and airplane mode and not work mode". Gandhi's retort came in response to a query from reporters about Modi's jibe at an election rally that the Congress would be reduced to "PPP (Punjab, Puducherry and Parivar) Congress" after the Karnataka polls. "There are three modes in a cell phone: the first is the work mode, the other two are speaker mode and airplane mode. Modiji only uses speaker and airplane mode, he never uses work mode," Gandhi said. Gandhi, who held a protest here over rise in prices of petroleum products, alleged that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)'s chief ministerial candidate in Karnataka B.S. Yeddyurappa and Reddy brothers were "most corrupt" and asked Modi why he was "shielding" them. Gandhi also targeted Modi on issues like atrocities against Dalits, who were being "suppressed, crushed in the country". He accused the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), the ideological fountainhead of the BJP, of being against the progress of the Dalits. "There is the example of Rohith Vemula. Whenever a Dalit goes towards education, wants to transform his life, the RSS and its thinking stops him," he said. "Modiji said B.S. Yeddyurappa is their chief ministerial candidate. Yedyurappaji is the most corrupt CM that the country has ever seen. Reddy brothers are the most corrupt people that this country has ever seen. Modiji should tell why he is protecting corrupt Yedyurappaji and Reddy brothers," he said. Gandhi also accused Modi of ignoring the farmers of the state. "He should tell what he was doing when the farmers of Karnataka were seeking a loan waiver. The Karnataka government waived off loans of Rs 8,000 crore. Why did Modiji not contribute a single rupee?" he said asked. He further said that Modi had not raised the Doklam issue with China during his recent visit to the neigbhouring country. "Modiji should tell is why did he go to China. China has intruded into Doklam, it is constructing a helipad there and our PM is having tea and greeting them. He did not speak a word on Doklam," he said. "The Congress will return to power here. Siddaramaiahji has done very good work. We will win elections," he added. By Joyetter Luamanu In Nukualofa, Tonga Tackling corruption is on the agenda for media representatives gathering in Tonga this week. This is part of the United Nations Pacific Regional Anti-Corruption (U.N.-P.R.A.C.) Project on the role of media in oversight and accountability workshop. The two-day workshop is part of the Pacific Media Summit in the Kingdom. The workshop is funded by U.N.P.R.A.C. in collaboration with Pacific Islands News Association (P.I.N.A.) and is held prior to the P.I.N.A. biannual conference. According to the U.N-P.R.A.C., Pacific journalists have a key role in keeping Governments accountable on anti-corruption commitments and the proper functioning of integrity agencies. This workshop from the U.N-P.R.A.C. Project aims to provide working journalists with the tools, story ideas and investigative skills to fully cover the work of Pacific integrity institutions, well beyond just rewriting a media release provided by the Government or agency. This will be a practical workshop conducted by professional media trainers and peer journalists, targeting journalists who will be able to take these tools, techniques and skills back to their home media association and help train other local journalists. This workshop will be conducted in the form of a training of the trainer and the participants will be expected to further transfer their knowledge in-country, says U.N.-P.R.A.C. The U.N.-P.R.A.C. project aims to build the capacity of journalists from the Pacific Island nations to prevent, detect and investigate cases of corruption through greater awareness of the medias role as a non-state actor. Professional U.N. and other media working in the corruption field will assist as resource persons and to assist participants to mold their case studies into quality journalism, with a particular focus on building from the work of integrity agencies in the Pacific. Civil society representatives and the local Youth of Tonga against Corruption will also participate and contribute on how corruption impacts on individual community members. The gender impact of corruption on women and girls will also be addressed. The U.N.-P.R.A.C. team can contribute the factual information and potential media entry points on the U.N. Convention against Corruption. By Joyetter Luamanu In Nukualofa, Tonga Corruption undermines the rule of law and that is why the role of the media is important. So said Tongas Minister of Justice and Prisons, Vuna Faotusia, at the opening of the 5th Pacific Media Summit, 2018. He welcomed the journalists from across the Pacific and representatives of the United Nations Pacific Regional Anti-Corruption (UN-P.R.A.C.) Project and the Pacific Islands News Association. The workshop here aims to build the skills of our Pacific media in undertaking investigative journalism professionally, to create a common understanding of anti-corruption and the economic, social and political impacts, he said. Corruption is not entirely a new concept. Since the beginning of time, corruption has been there. It exists in every country- to varying degrees but it is fundamentally, the same evil. Corruption diverts public funds that would otherwise have been used for public services such as education and the building of hospitals. It undermines the rule of law. It encourages serious organized crimes such as drug trafficking and money laundering. At the end of the day, it weakens and erodes our peoples trust in leaders of the country. He said the media in the Pacific have played a key role in providing a space for citizens to understand the important role of integrity agencies such as the Ombudsman and Auditor-General. As Minister for Justice, my Department has a key role in ensuring that the agencies of government, in particular the integrity agencies, are proving effective in ensuring one of the key Sustainable Development Goals, S.D.G. 16, does indeed provide justice for all. Though Tonga has yet to accede to the UN Convention Against Corruption (UNCAC), our Government is committed to implementing good practices in corruption prevention and co-operation with other integrity agencies across the Pacific and our region. It is also notable to say that the Office of the Auditor General over the past few years has been reporting to Parliament directly, instead of to the prime minister. This ensures that this office is accountable to the People and their functions are carried out. This allows for Parliament to make sure that public funds and public policies are used and carried out effectively and wisely. However, like most small Pacific nations, we often lack the capacity to perform these roles efficiently. This is why we require and always appreciate the assistance of the international community and our development partners such as UN-PRAC. He reminds that Good Governance is an important platform that we as leaders of this country stand on. And I hope that the media will continue to work tirelessly in cooperation with the integrity agencies, parliament and governance strengthening institutions to ensure that the fight against corruption remains a priority. We look forward to listening to the good practices of media in investigative journalism across the Pacific and in Tonga that have helped to create meaningful oversight, transparency and accountability in governments, the private sector and civil society. The visiting Rheumatic Relief team from Utah yesterday thanked the Ministry of Health for their continuous support towards their work over the years. They met the Ministry of Healths Director General, Leausa Dr. Take Naseri. The team is here to identify children with rheumatic heart disease (R.H.D.) and provide support and medical treatment to those who have been identified with the disease. I was quite happy with the support of the government and the Prime Minister given for this project, Leausa said. We do not know the significance of R.H.D. in Samoa. Sometimes we might have the skills, but we do not have the equipment and the facilities to do it. I think for the past years we have been able to achieve quite a lot. And I think we have benefited a lot from this programme. We look forward to another year and another time we will meet again. This is continuing to be strengthened and improved. The Rheumatic Relief Team Programme Director, Lori Ellen said: We have five heart cardiologists working with us, seven cardiologists, 22 university students, and we have Master and PhD students along with some professors from B.Y.U, she said. The team of 55 people will be visiting some schools all over Samoa. We scan and teach the children, teach the parents and the teachers and principals. The most change we can do and what I see from the programme is awareness. When we drive around and people see our shirts, they know who we are. Through this awareness, they are able to see it in their own family the possibility of heart disease. That is what we are trying to reach. Mrs. Ellens husband Marvin is a Cardiologist and is also part of the team. There are opportunities for services to help the people here in Samoa. The donation support of the families we got, we really appreciate. We love to come here to Samoa, we love the people and children, Mr. Ellen said. We have amazing students here and what we want is to connect them with the environment and to show them that health is related to everyone. We do some work in the village of Saipipi, looking at the impact of climate change, he said. Mrs. Ellen added: We really appreciate the partnership with the Government and the support of the Prime Minister. The Prime Minister has always got our back and so does Dr. Take. I think with their support, it minimizes the challenges we face. We are here in a spirit of humanity and service. We are very dedicated to the culture of Samoa. The work that is produced in Samoa, we do not have in any other country. We are here with you to work with you (Dr. Take) and we appreciate this opportunity, Mrs. Ellen said. This time last year, two Chinese men were convicted of stealing money to the tune of $70,000 from Automated Teller Machines belonging to the Bank of South Pacific. Zhong Shuiming and Yang Quigreen were convicted by Judge Fepuleai Ameperosa Roma for charges including intentionally accessing A.T.M. without authority and theft. During the hearing, the Court was told by Shirley Pauga, Manager of the Retail Banking of the Bank of the South Pacific, that the men had used a number of fake cards as part of their scam. Matautu was the first machine where we had captured most of the cards (that had been swallowed), the Court was told. From there, we saw most of the transactions were rejected by the machine for the reasons that Ive mentioned before like, invalid pins and so forth. During the investigation, the bank found nearly thirty cards. These cards all look the same. Its colour is blue and black. The only stuff on the card is the word VIP on the top left corner and five digit numbers down the bottom. They all look the same except different digit numbers at the bottom. The men are today serving jail terms of five years each. But Judge Fepuleai made some very interesting comments. There is a high degree of planning and premeditation, he said. These were no ordinary thefts and most likely involved others. You might have been the ones making the withdrawals but there was obviously a great deal of planning before you arrived in Samoa, and started stealing from the A.T.Ms. It would have involved a fraudulent process obtaining identities and back data of overseas customers. He added that the scheme involved the manufacturing of counterfeiting cards using information that was retained. It also involves you traveling all the way from China, with those counterfeit cards to an island where you have never been before and withdrawing numerous and substantial sums from A.T.M.s of a bank within three days. Now this was in May 2017. Fast forward to May this year, the front-page story titled Romanian guilty of sophisticated theft published on the Sunday Samoan brought back that feeling of dejavu. This time, a Romanian man who came to Samoa and used counterfeited cards to steal money from the Bank of South Pacifics Automated Teller Machines (A.T.M.) was found guilty. Catalin Raazvan appeared before District Court Judge Alalatoa Rosella Papalii where he was found guilty of 30 charges in connection with the theft. And like Judge Fepuleai, Judge Alalatoa expressed very similar concerns about this latest offending. I must say that the modus operandi by the defendant here was more than sophisticated. He had in his possession six cell phones. I mean who does that? Also found in his possession as well were the sticker dots, she said. Prior to being picked up and arrested in Samoa, the Romanian had tried the same thing in Tonga. Obviously when he came to Samoa, he thought he could get away with it. Thankfully, the Bank, probably still smarting from what the Chinese had done, immediately caught him. The photo sent from Tonga to B.S.P. produced as exhibit depicted the clothing the person was wearing and tattoos clearly evident on the nape of his neck. The same clothing and cap was produced as evidence. The same counterfeit card depicting Palasia Hotel he evidently used on the machines here was the same as that depicted in the Tongan alert. Although I am mindful that the defendant was not charged at all in Tonga, I am satisfied on the uncontested evidence before me, that he is the same person referred to in the alert. Now the Romanian has yet to be sentenced. But we can probably put our money on it that he will soon join the Chinese men at Tafaigata Prison. Which is a worry, isnt it? Lets not underestimate these men. They are true blue scammers who are capable of doing anything. The warning from Judge Alalatoa about these men needs to be taken very seriously. The whole modus operandi you undertook was dishonest and fraudulent. Samoa doesnt need them even if they are in jail. One of them here is enough. Two, three or four of them is way too many. Its time to get them out of here before they start to influence the other criminal minds in Samoa or we might hear the end of this. What do you think? Have a peaceful Wednesday Samoa, God bless! Re: Former Head of State fooled Wow, so there are big lauias and small lawyers. Hawaii, Maori, and the Aborigine, they had big lauias too, then investors arrived, and soon after, the big lauias became small fishes swimming in the small pond, while the investors became big lauia hunting in the Pacific ocean. The paopao just couldnt keep up with the manuao. And it is still happening today, just hire a lawyer from New Zealand to argue a case and the matter will turn into a no case. Now imagine if you have problem with your land you take the matter to court, and the big lauia from NZ, Australia, England and the US come over to represent the investor who leases from you. Guess what? You lose. Segale Manusina New Japan International Cooperation Agency( J.I.C.A.) volunteers, Takahiro Kojima, a Science Teacher at Manono-Uta Primary School and Misaki Sasajima, a Physical Therapist for Loto Taumafai Society, have landed in Samoa. They are in their mid to late twenties respectively, and had chosen to experience volunteering their services abroad - in a foreign country where they have ultimately been selected to serve in Samoa for two years. They are both looking forward to learning the Samoan language, as this will help them to communicate with the local people. They will also experience first-hand village life, each staying with a Samoan family along the East Coast. For the month of April 2018, 2,584 J.I.C.A. volunteers were dispatched to work in 77 countries around the world. From this total, 2,192 are J.O.C.V. or Japan Overseas Cooperation Volunteers, aged between 20 to 39 years. The remaining 392 are Senior Volunteers aged between 40 to 69 years. Japan through J.I.C.A. Samoa Offices technical cooperation program, continue friendly relations with Samoa, since establishing in 1972. Samoa is a good place for a family getaway. Dear Tourist yesterday met grandmother, Kerry Allan, her son Chris and his wife, Laura and the kids, Jack, 6 and Harper, 3. They arrived in Samoa on 1st May fom Canada and they are here for a month. Years ago we went to New Zealand and had a stopover on Cook Islands. We loved this Pacific Island, Laura explained. What we read about Samoa is that it is safe to come with kids. So that is why we choose Samoa over Bali or Asia. Chris added: Compared to the Cook Islands, it is definitely less commercialised here. It is easier to see how the economy works in the village. We have not seen this in Rarotonga or the Cook Islands. They were staying at Lalomanu for three night and just came to Apia before they leave for Savaii today. Everyone has been so friendly here, it is nice to see that, Chris said. It is easy to get into a conversation with the locals. They are always waving and saying hey. We got a lot of comments like, thank you for coming to Samoa. We feel really safe here too. There are no beggars around. We never got asked for money, which is really nice. If you go to Canada down the street there are people begging, here we have not seen that. One thing the family missed while driving around were the street signs. They definitely need some street signs because you really do not know where you are, even on a map, Chris said. It is very hard for us to find restaurants. Just the location, with a price range and the kind of food they sell on a map would have helped us. What we also thought of is in case of emergency was we would not know where to go because there are no signs to the hospitals, Chris said. They were also impressed with the family-oriented society in Samoa. In the village we could see the pride they have. They obviously do not have a lot, but they appreciate what they have. That is hard. I think of life differently when I go home. We wont complain about the Internet is too slow. It absolutely opened my eyes to see this, Kerri shared. This trip is also a time for the children to witness what life is like away from the comfort of their city life. We met a family when we were lost, the man and some of the kids came up to help us. They live with six children in the middle of nowhere. They did not have any clothes, chicken or meat, nothing. They were not asking for anything from us. They were just friendly. We bought them rice and flour. It was nice to see our kids so excited to give the gifts to them, Laura shared. There was a store near by so we got there and bought them a lot of food. Harper picked up lollipops for the other kids. They have been so thankful. This experience is good for all of us. It was my favorite day. The lady said the next time she sees us she will have a gift for us. Kerri said. A senior Reporter for the Samoa Observer Newspaper Group, Ilia L. Likou, has passed away. She was surrounded by her family, church members and work colleagues during her final moments yesterday before she was taken off life support at the Tupua Tamasese Meaole Hospital. The cause of death could not be ascertained. She was 36. Ms. Likou, of Vaitele and Sogi, had worked for the Samoa Observer for more than 10 years, covering current affairs, Politics, Parliament and Court. She also spent time working in the Samoan section of the newspaper, now known as Fofoga Samoa. Her passing, after just over two weeks at the hospital, comes as devastating news to her family, friends and colleagues who all agreed that she has gone way too soon. This is obviously a very difficult time for Ilias family as well as the Samoa Observer family, said the Editor Mataafa Keni Lesa. Ilia was a very special person who possessed unique qualities that we will dearly miss. She was hard working, humble and a very respectful person." When it comes to her job, she was fearless and she was not afraid to ask the tough questions. The Samoa Observer and the media family in Samoa has lost a very committed journalist. Our thoughts and prayers are with her family, loved ones and friends. Colleagues and friends immediately paid tribute to Ms. Likou through social media posts. You would always volunteer your time when it was needed, former work colleague, Taina Kami Enoka said. You worked hard and will always be remembered for your faith, your loyalty and commitment. Thank you for being you and a true testimony of faith. Vaitogi Asuisui Matafeo remembered her kindness. Your presence, love and kindness will forever be with us. Rest for now until we meet again. R.I.P. my beautiful sister. Sarafina Sanerivi said Ms. Likou was taken too soon. She wrote: They say the good die young, but I wish....I wish you didn't have to leave so soon my dear. My heart aches from missing you so much. But I know you are in a better place now. You were an angel on earth and Im sure you'll shine up there. TV1 Presenter and friend, Sioeli Alofaifo found the news hard to believe. Rest in Peace my dear friend Iri, he wrote. E le galo oe. Ms. Likou did not just have an impact on her Samoan colleagues. Even non-Samoans were touched by her wonderful spirit. I just knew you for two month, but it was enough time to see your beautiful soul, said Anina Kazaz who is from Switzerland. Lady Ilia, from the first day I met you, I was fascinated by your fluidity in your communication with people from all walks of life. I admired your writing, work ethic and the respectful, gentle way you always treated others." But I also saw a fearless leader in you Iri and you were well respected by everyone around you who looked up to you as a sister and yes sometimes a mother affectionately known as the Faletua in our workspace. I will miss your bright spark and I know that you will never be forgotten, reporter Elizabeth Ah-Hi said. They say Good people will always be remembered I guess thats true. But I believe thats true. But I believe that it is the legacy that you leave behind that will permanently tattoo your name on so many hearts. We have shared so many good memories together, and that I will forever cherish. This one is for you Iri, FLY HIGH, Samoa Observer photographer, Misiona Simo wrote. It is going to be a big empty space, which no one is able to replace. I hope you are in good hands now, I know you are, because you deserve it. Fijian work colleague and Sub Editor, Ivamere Nataro said: Iri, my dear sister, seven months in Samoa and with Samoa Observer has been a blessing for me because I got to meet such a beautiful soul. " I thank God for allowing our paths to cross and for the chance to meet you. You have taught me a lot about life and being strong in a place far away from home. I will miss you dearly my sister. You will always be part of my memories. I love you. When you open a book by Raymond E. Feist, you enter a dream world. King of Ashes: The Firemane Saga is the first novel in Feists new epic fantasy series. The two main characters, Declan and Hatushaly, will influence the Kingdoms of Garn. Feist, a New York Times bestselling author and San Diego resident, will be at a ticketed Mysterious Galaxy event on Tuesday evening. Q: What makes King of Ashes different from your previous works? Advertisement A: A few things, really. Its a darker narrative than the early run of the Riftwar Cycle. As a writer, I think Ive evolved from 30 odd years ago. Readers have also evolved in their tastes and, frankly, in their tolerance for adult themes. I wanted to dial in on a single foundation concept: revenge and what it does to people. Q: Do your two main characters have special skills? A: Skills were something that I wanted to contrast. Declan knows one thing, being a smith. Its very straightforward but like any craft, the skill level can range from poor to brilliant. I wanted Declan to be prodigious at his craft. Hatushaly, on the other hand, is something of an actor. Hes raised to be a fighter, spy, assassin; to blend in and be a jack of all trades, rather than a master of one. Q: Why are secondary characters important? A: Secondary characters are important and sometimes a writer can overlook that point. When you get to the secondary characters, you need to develop them as much as you do your main characters. Daylon is a deeply conflicted man with an overriding loyalty to his people, his land, his heritage, and mostly to his family. Bodai is a scholar at heart that uncle at Thanksgiving who pretty much has a commentary on every subject that comes up Q: Why is your female lead, Hava, essential to the plot? A: Originally, she was the girl in school Hatushaly admired from afar and that absolutely didnt work. I have never thrown more pages away, metaphorically speaking. Lots of deleted pages with that girl. When I made her Hatushalys best friend, magically, Donte appeared at their side. I realized I was dealing with a sort of Three Musketeers vibe. Dontes the joker of the bunch. Hatushaly is struggling with a lifetime of barely pent-up rage he cant explain. She becomes the anchor, the more or less grounded one. She also is taking over the second book. Literally, I was sitting around sipping coffee while I was considering a plot and a thought popped into my head: Hava wants to be a pirate. Where that came from, I dont know. I had never for a second thought of making her a pirate. Queen of Storms, the second book, will be more about Hava than the boys. I learned years ago when characters tell me something, to pay attention. Q: Please describe the world of Garn. A: Its a bit like 14th century Earth, kingdoms and spheres of influence, but no great overarching Empire like Rome, the Aztecs, or the Mongols. Its a bit like third century Earth in the rise of a church thats very political and seeking to build its power on the foundation of a fading Rome. Mostly, its like all centuries on Earth with people just trying to get by, take care of their families, and live a good life. Q: Can you give fans a hint for whats next? A: Well, Hava becomes a pirate, at least for a while. And she becomes one to save herself and to rescue Hatushaly. A new character is introduced, a major player from The Church of The One, and thats about all Im going to say. Q: How has the science fiction/fantasy genre changed over the years? A: Its gotten more sophisticated and adult. J.R.R. Tolkien was the product of a 19th century education and it shows. He grew up reading Sir Walter Scott. I grew up reading Sir Walter Scott, too. Ivanhoe is one of my all-time favorite novels, but also Robert Louis Stevenson, Arthur Conan Doyle, and Robert A. Heinlein, Fritz Leiber, Jack Vance, and a host of other fantastic writers. Mary Renault and Rosemary Suttcliffs historical tales of Theseus and Mordred, respectively, were wonderful. Now people are telling me Im an influence, which is a bit scary, if you ask me. Ive been reading this stuff for 60 years, so theres a pretty big leap from the The Hobbit to Song of Ice and Fire. King of Ashes: The Firemane Saga: Book One by Raymond E. Feist, Harper Voyager, 512 pages. Conversation and book signing: Raymond E. Feist When: 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, May 8 Where: Mysterious Galaxy, 5943 Balboa Ave., Suite 100, San Diego Tickets: This is a ticketed event. Priority tickets to the signing line are given only with the purchase of King of Ashes from Mysterious Galaxy. Books may be purchsed online, in-store, or over the phone, but all books must be paid in full in order to receive a ticket. Phone: (858) 268-4747 Online: mystgalaxy.com Chart-topping hip-hop maverick J. Cole has announced his 2018 North American tour with fellow rapper Young Thug. The tour is in support of Coles latest release, KOD. It is the fifth consecutive album by Cole whose full name is Jermaine Lamarr Cole to enter the national Billboard charts at No. 1. Last week, he became the first act in the history of the Billboard Hot 100 single charts to debut three songs in the Top 10 simultaneously. That topped Ed Sheeran and Drake, who last year each debuted two songs in the Top 10 in the same weeks. Coles tour opens Aug. 9 in Miami and concludes Oct. 10 in Boston. It includes an Aug. 22 show at Viejas Arena at Aztec Bowl at San Diego State University. All tour dates appear below. Tickets for thee tour go on sale to the general public beginning at 10 a.m. local time Saturday at dreamville.com and LiveNation.com, as well as by phone at (800) 745-3000.. Advertisement A pre-sale for American Express card members begins today, Tuesday, at 10 a.m. and concludes Friday at 10 p.m. A 12-hour Spotify pre-sale begins Friday at 10 a.m. local time. KOD bundle sales, which provide fans early access to ticket pre-sales, begin Friday at 7 a.m. PST through https://smarturl.it/KODStore. J. Cole KOD tour dates: Aug. 9 - Miami, FL - AmericanAirlines Arena Aug. 11 - Tampa, FL - Amelia Arena Aug. 12 - Atlanta, GA - Infinite Energy Center* Aug. 14 - New Orleans, LA - Smoothie King Center Aug. 15 - Houston, TX - Toyota Center Aug. 17 - San Antonio, TX - AT&T Center Aug. 18 - Dallas, TX - American Airlines Center Aug. 21 - Phoenix, AZ - Talking Stick Resort Arena* Aug. 22 - San Diego, CA - Viejas Arena at Aztec Bowl SDSU Aug. 24 - Los Angeles, CA - Staples Center Aug. 29 - Oakland, CA - Oracle Arena Sept. 2 - Boise, ID - Taco Bell Arena Sept. 4 - Sacramento, CA - Golden 1 Center Sept. 5 - Anaheim, CA - Honda Center Sept. 7 - Las Vegas, NV - T-Mobile Arena Sept. 8 - Salt Lake City, UT - Vivint Smart Home Arena Sept. 10 - Denver, CO - Pepsi Center Sept.t 12 - Little Rock, AR - Verizon Arena* Sept. 13 - Birmingham, AL Legacy Arena at The BJCC Sept. 17 - Nashville, TN - Bridgestone Arena Sept. 18 - Kansas City, MO - Sprint Center Sept. 19 - Minneapolis, MN - Target Center Sept. 21 - Detroit, MI - Little Caesars Arena Sept. 22 - Chicago, IL - Allstate Arena Sept. 23 - Columbus, OH Schottenstein Center Sept. 25 - Buffalo, NY - KeyBank Center Sept. 26 - Hartford, CT - XL Center Sept. 28 - University Park, PA - Bryce Jordan Center Oct. 1 - New York, NY - Madison Square Garden* Oct. 4 - Toronto - Air Canada Centre Oct. 5 - Montreal - Bell Centre Oct. 6 - Philadelphia, PA - Wells Fargo Center Oct. 8 - Washington, DC - Capital One Arena* Oct. 10 - Boston, MA - TD Garden *Young Thug not performing george.varga@sduniontribune.com Twitter @georgevarga Most of the more than 6,000 sailors and Marines in the mighty Theodore Roosevelt Carrier Strike Group are home. The Big Stick pulled into its North Island pier on Monday, several hours after its cruiser escort, the Bunker Hill, slipped into Naval Base San Diego. Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron 6 flew back to its North Island hangars on Sunday and the strike group left the Hawaii-based guided-missile destroyer Preble at its Oahu pier last week. Officials said that the destroyer Sampson is due to return to Hawaii on Wednesday with the Halsey, a destroyer based in Washington, up to two weeks later. Advertisement The strike groups seven-month journey stretched more than 56,000 miles through the Pacific and Indian oceans and into the Persian Gulf and included 1,164 combat sorties over Iraq, Syria and Afghanistan targeting the self-proclaimed Islamic State. The Roosevelts skipper, Capt. Carlos Los Sardiello, said that the force of 70 aircraft in the skies of Iraq, Syria and Afghanistan and their crews had a flawless combat deployment. His boss, the carrier strike group commander Rear Adm. Steve Web Koehler, said it was the perfect example of a carrier strike group. Early in the Roosevelts deployment, the flattop joined two other American carriers the Ronald Reagan and the Nimitz to conduct Exercise Valiant Shield, the largest American maneuvers in the Western Pacific since 2007. The November war games took place amid rising tensions in the region sparked by North Koreas nuclear and ballistic missile programs and ongoing territorial claims in the South China Sea by Beijing. Although the strike missions against Islamic State garnered the headlines, a key mission for the Roosevelt, Bunker Hill and their destroyer and submarine escorts was to experiment with new ways of waging war in the Western Pacific. Theres a lot of tactics, techniques and procedures that we worked on throughout the deployment and the lead up to it, said Koehler, a career Navy fighter pilot. I think that the biggest thing we learned is that as the fight gets difficult and the training we were given is as difficult we see the sailors and Marines rise to the occasion. And amid all the technology and all the advanced weapon systems we have, when it comes down to it we have Marines and sailors with the toughness and grit to fight through adversity. Thats what we saw and it was awesome. Koehler has orders to take charge of the Operations Directorate at Pacific Command in Hawaii. Hell serve under Adm. Phil Davidson, who was recently confirmed by the Senate as the new commander of all military forces in the Pacific Rim. The training was well matched to the challenges we would see on deployment, said Sardiello, a career S-3B Viking anti-submarine jet pilot. Given the level of our training, we were on top of our game but we were also given the latitude to innovate and develop new tactics I think will serve us well as the threat environment and the security environment, particularly in the Asia-Pacific region, continues to change. Once the air squadrons and their equipment are offloaded, Sardiello will oversee a lengthy shipyard visit by the Roosevelt, which is scheduled to undergo modernization and repair work. The bulk of his crew will go on post-deployment leave. The Rough Riders are considered one of the best crews in the Navy. Last year, they were awarded the Battle Efficiency E Award for West Coast carriers, along with the Jacqueline G. Brown Excellence in Logistics Award and the Postal Excellence Award. During their tour, the carrier mail room processed more than 439,000 lbs of letters and parcels and sailors loaded 3.6 million pounds of other supplies on pallets and bulk containers. Military Videos On Now D-Day paratrooper from Coronado jumps again in France at age 96 On Now Remembering war's fallen, one name at a time On Now In Ramona, an airplane and an aviator provide living lessons on World War II 1:43 On Now Video: Navy's newest vessel sails into San Diego and a new future in surface warfare On Now Video: U.S. Navy files homicide charges over warship collisions On Now Stopping Marine hazing On Now Video: U.S. Navy Air Crew Grounded After Creating Vulgar Sky Drawing On Now Navy says Asia Pacific ship collisions were avoidable On Now Hundreds of recruits get sick at Marine boot camp On Now Cutler Dawson Talks Navy Federal cprine@sduniontribune.com UPDATES: This story was corrected to show the homeports of the guided-missile destroyers Sampson and Halsey. Sampson is stationed in Hawaii and the Halsey is based in Washington. The military is investigating the Sunday shooting of two troops during a live-fire exercise at the sprawling Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center at Twentynine Palms in San Bernardino County. Both of the Marines were taken to an area hospital. One has been released but the other remains in serious condition, officials said. The troops were assigned to the Thundering Third 3rd Battalion, 4th Marines, a Twentynine Palms unit that falls under the command of the Camp Pendleton-based 1st Marine Division. Military training is an inherently dangerous task and the 1st Marine Division takes every precaution to ensure the safety of our training, said Lt. Samuel Banks, a spokesman for the division, in a statement emailed to the San Diego Union-Tribune. Our commitment is to ensure that our training is as safe as possible. The training we conduct ensures our readiness to respond to any task we are assigned. Advertisement Citing federal medical privacy laws, Banks said in a telephone interview that he could not name the Marines but insisted they appear to have been shot while conducting a maneuver under fire during the live-fire exercise when they sustained their injuries. Military records show that members of 3rd Battalion, 4th Marines have been participating in Integrated Training Exercise 3-18. Called an ITX by the troops, the nearly month of training is designed to simulate combat conditions that might be encountered by a Marine Air Ground Task Force. On Jan. 13, 2017, Lance Cpl. Austin Ruiz, 19, was killed and another Marine injured during a similar live-fire exercise at the Mojave Desert base. Military Videos On Now D-Day paratrooper from Coronado jumps again in France at age 96 On Now Remembering war's fallen, one name at a time On Now In Ramona, an airplane and an aviator provide living lessons on World War II 1:43 On Now Video: Navy's newest vessel sails into San Diego and a new future in surface warfare On Now Video: U.S. Navy files homicide charges over warship collisions On Now Stopping Marine hazing On Now Video: U.S. Navy Air Crew Grounded After Creating Vulgar Sky Drawing On Now Navy says Asia Pacific ship collisions were avoidable On Now Hundreds of recruits get sick at Marine boot camp On Now Cutler Dawson Talks Navy Federal cprine@sduniontribune.com A California Supreme Court justice, dissenting Monday in a death penalty decision, called for new rules to curb inaccurate eyewitness identification, a leading cause of wrongful convictions. The dissent came in a case in which the court decided 5 to 2 to uphold the death sentence of Ennis Reed, convicted of killing two people in Compton. Justice Goodwin Liu wrote the dissent, calling on the courts to better police eyewitness testimony. Justice Leondra Kruger did not sign Lius dissent but wrote separately, saying she was dissenting in Reeds case for some of the reasons Liu cited. Reed was sentenced to death in 1999 for killing Amarilis Vasquez and Paul Moreland in separate incidents. Advertisement Evidence at Reeds death penalty trial showed he had dropped out of school after seventh grade, when he was performing at the level of a third- or fourth-grader, and had been convicted in 1992 of attempted murder for driving a car in which a passenger shot someone from the vehicle. In the appeal of his death penalty case, Reed, who is African American, argued that the prosecutor discriminated against African Americans in picking the jury and that the evidence, largely testimony by eyewitnesses, did not support the convictions. Reed also challenged the eyewitness testimony. In the case of one of the witnesses, Reed was the only bald person in a six-photo array and the only person to appear in both the photos and the in-person lineup. Justice Mariano-Florentino Cuellar, writing the majority ruling, rejected Reeds claims. Cuellar cited a variety of reasons that justified the prosecutors decision to exclude some African Americans while keeping others. The court majority also said the eyewitness identification was buttressed by evidence that placed Reed near the scene of one of the killings and with an individual whose last name matched someone police chased that night into a home that contained the murder weapon. Moreover, the majority said, an eyewitness in one of the killings identified Reed in two lineups and at the preliminary hearing. Liu, joined by Kruger, said the conviction had to be overturned because the trial judge failed in his legal responsibility to examine the prosecutors motives after Reeds lawyer objected to the removal of several African American prospective jurors. As a result of the trial courts error, we cannot be confident that Reed was convicted by a jury selected without regard to race, Liu wrote. Liu went further, though, stressing that the law was not keeping pace with the science on eyewitness identification. The eyewitnesses in Reeds case saw the assailant while they were under great stress, in poor lighting and at a distance, Liu said. They also were a different race from the perpetrator, and one of them did not identify Reed in a photo lineup until several months after the killing. Citing an array of research, Liu said new jury instructions should be written to help jurors understand the problematic nature of eyewitness testimony and weigh its accuracy. Law enforcement also can reduce the risk of inaccuracy, Liu wrote, by videotaping lineups and ensuring the operator of the lineup does not know which person is the suspect. But there is little that courts can do to induce law enforcement to adopt these practices unless courts themselves subject such evidence to greater scrutiny, Liu said in a portion of the dissent that Kruger did not join. He said the state high courts of Oregon and New Jersey have taken steps to try and ensure that trial judges better police eyewitness testimony and called on the Legislature and the Judicial Council, the policymaking body for the courts, to address the issue. This case provides another example of the problematic nature of eyewitness identification evidence, particularly where such evidence is the sole or principal evidence against the defendant, Liu wrote. maura.dolan@latimes.com Twitter: @mauradolan Five people were injured in back-to-back shootings Monday night in downtown San Diegos East Village, police said. The first happened on the corner of 15th Street and Island Avenue about 11 p.m., police Capt. Mike Holden said. Three men and one woman were standing on the east sidewalk, just north of Island, when two men approached and started firing. One resident in a nearby building, Patricia Botello, said the shooting went on and on like it wasnt going to stop. Officers found four victims suffering from gunshot wounds. Although two of them had serious injuries, all four are expected to survive, Holden said. Advertisement The assailants were seen running east on Island Avenue. Near 19th Street, they are suspected of shooting a fifth person, the captain said. Detectives are investigating whether the initial shooting was gang-related. Its unclear what the motivation for the second shooting might be, Holden said. Police dont believe the fifth victim knew the other four. Witnesses described the suspects as black men between 18 and 25. One man was said to be armed with a gun. He was wearing gloves and was about 6 feet 2. The other man was wearing a sweatshirt with blue or white squares on the front. The East Village was quickly flooded with officers. A stretch of Island Avenue between 15th and 19th streets remained closed for hours. This is the third shooting in two days. On Sunday afternoon, two men were fatally shot in front of the Mountain View Recreation Center. About seven hours later, a man was shot and killed in Logan Heights. Holden said police are looking into whether the shootings are related. Winkley writes for the San Diego Union-Tribune. Two men have been accused in unrelated cases of using San Diego County high schoolers to smuggle drugs across the border, according to court records. In the first case, Phillip Junior Webb, an 18-year-old senior at MAAC Community Charter School in Chula Vista, was arrested Friday after authorities caught him trying to smuggle a Chinese national and Mexican national into the U.S. in the trunk of his Nissan Maxima, according to the complaint filed in San Diego federal court. The Mexican man told authorities his sister had arranged for him to be smuggled for a $14,000 fee, and that he was headed to Stockton for work. The Chinese woman told authorities that her church in China had made the arrangements for an unknown fee and that she was going to New York, the complaint states. But investigators say Webb, a U.S. citizen who lives in Tijuana, had a part in a larger smuggling scheme. According to the complaint, Webb recruited classmates at Castle Park High School in Chula Vista where he attended last year to strap methamphetamine and fentanyl to their bodies and walk into the U.S. at the San Ysidro or Otay Mesa Ports of Entry. Advertisement Customs and Border Protection officers caught five students in four attempts last year, the complaint states. The students said they were asked by various friends, including Webb, to smuggle the drugs for a fee of up to $500. One juvenile said hed smuggled about 20 times, mostly delivering the drugs to San Diego but a few times up to San Bernardino, according to the complaint. Another student said he was asked by a female friend from Chula Vista High School to smuggle for a friend as a favor, but when he changed his mind he was threatened on Facebook. In that case, the student was caught with more than 2 pounds of fentanyl strapped to his lower back. In a separate case, a 26-year-old San Diego man was arrested on May 1 after a sheriffs deputy saw what appeared to be a drug deal go down in the parking lot of San Ysidro High School. The deputy saw a student enter the parked vehicle of Alejandro Barba, remove items from his backpack and then exit, the complaint states. Barba was stopped by authorities and found in possession of 5 kilograms of meth in his back seat. The student told authorities that he delivered the drugs for another student, and that student told investigators that hed crossed the border with the meth earlier that day. The arrests come after border authorities held a news conference a few weeks ago warning about such smuggling schemes that enticed youth with promises of easy money and few consequences. We are seeing a very troubling trend and we want to warn parents and high schoolers, U.S. Attorney Adam Braverman said in a statement this week. Our youth are being recruited by drug cartels to smuggle dangerous drugs across the border. We are going after the recruiters who exploit these kids, but the kids also need to know that they are gambling with their lives when they do this. Dont throw away your future. kristina.davis@sduniontribune.com Twitter: @kristinadavis In the Trump administrations latest move to escalate immigration enforcement, the federal government will now prosecute every person whether smuggler or asylum seeker who crosses the border illegally. Going forward, the Department of Homeland Security will refer everyone caught crossing illegally to the Department of Justice for prosecution in federal criminal court, Attorney General Jeff Sessions announced on Monday while yards away from the border fence at Friendship Park. Paired with a zero-tolerance policy Sessions implemented last week at the DOJ, the move will likely pack federal prisons with migrants. Any families caught crossing will be separated as the parents will be charged and held in custody. Their children will be turned over to the Department of Health and Human Services. Asylum seekers who cross illegally between ports of entry will also be prosecuted, Sessions said. Advertisement Today, were here to send a message to the world that were not going to let our country be overwhelmed, Sessions said. People are not going to caravan or otherwise stampede our border. Just over a week prior, the migrant caravan that Sessions referenced and its supporters celebrated at Friendship Park before members went to the port of entry in San Ysidro to request asylum. A little over 200 people from the caravan with asylum claims have been processed at the port. Sessions and other members of the Trump administration railed against the caravan as it made its journey north. At the time, the attorney general called the caravan a deliberate attempt to undermine our laws and overwhelm our system. Though caravan organizers led members to a port of entry for processing, which would not be prosecuted under the new policy, the caravan leaders criticized the new zero-tolerance policy for people fleeing their countries for similar reasons who cross illegally between ports to ask for help. Tearing children from the arms of parents who are trying to save them from violence and persecution in their home countries is unconscionably cruel, said Alex Mensing of Pueblo Sin Fronteras. Sessions mischaracterization of Central American asylum seekers is prejudiced and dangerous and completely ignores the reality of conditions in the Northern Triangle and on the migrant route in Mexico. The attorney general sent 35 prosecutors to the southwest border to bring charges in support of his zero-tolerance policy for illegal crossings. He also sent 18 immigration judges to the border to process civil immigration cases more quickly. That is a separate court from the system that will decide criminal convictions for illegal entry or reentry. These actions are necessary, and they are made even more necessary by the massive increases in illegal crossings in recent months, he said. The number of people arrested by Border Patrol after they were caught illegally crossing into the U.S. rose over the past year after dropping to a historic low of 11,127 in April 2017. Agents arrested 37,383 people crossing illegally in March 2018 and 38,234 in April. The Trump administration has called the increase a crisis. The decision to prosecute asylum seekers who cross illegally into the U.S. goes against the Refugee Convention of 1951, which says that the countries signing the agreement will not penalize asylum seekers for illegal entry as long as they present themselves without delay to the authorities and show good cause for their illegal entry or presence. Persons who enter our border, even if they want to claim asylum, if they dont come through the port of entry, they would be subject to prosecution. They may yet still be able to make a claim of asylum, Sessions said. Were looking at this entire process of asylum claims, and weve got some of our best lawyers thinking through it. Weve got some improvements to do, I think. Thomas Homan, the deputy director of Immigration and Customs Enforcement, who accompanied the attorney general to the border, added, Everybody is going to get due process. Some of these families have asylum cases, certainly, but many dont. One lone protester wearing an anti-fascist shirt hiked down the beach to reach the park shortly before Sessions began to speak. Megaphone in hand, San Diego resident Will Johnson tried to interrupt Sessionss speech, calling the attorney general racist and evil. Why are you here? Get out of here! Johnson said. We dont want you in our county. We dont want you in our state. A large yellow kite flew on the Tijuana side of the double fence with a message Parques, no muros. Parks, not walls. Down the hill in Mexico, a little girl in a pink bathing suit splashed in the waves. Underneath the kite, a band played Norteno music, the cool breeze carrying the bass and accordion across the border to where Sessions stood. On the U.S. side, four mounted Border Patrol agents watched by the fence. Sessions is the third high-ranking official from the Trump administration to visit the Southern California border in as many weeks to send a message that the border will be enforced. Homeland Security Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen and Vice President Mike Pence each visited fence construction in Calexico in the last two weeks. The illegal flow of immigrants into the country is costing us a good deal, Sessions said when asked about the repeat trips. We want to see those numbers go down. California and South Texas are two of the biggest areas with the highest numbers of illegal entrants. Thats why were focusing here. Our goal is to have the whole world know that this border is not open. The number of people criminally prosecuted for immigration violations decreased 14 percent between fiscal 2016 and fiscal 2017, from 69,636 to 59,910 , according to data from the Transactional Records Access Clearinghouse out of Syracuse University. That looked likely to change in fiscal 2018 even before Sessionss new policy announcement. Between February and March, the number of immigration prosecutions increased almost 24 percent, according to TRAC data. Case filings were up about 21 percent from the previous March. Reentry a felony was the most common charge, with 1,794 charges filed in March. Illegal entry a misdemeanor was charged 221 times. The Western District of Texas had the highest number of prosecutions at 611. The Southern District of California was second with 476. Andrew Nietor, a former Federal Defender whose current practice includes both immigration and criminal law, said he found Sessionss announcement shocking. Were now going to be treating asylees as criminals instead of adhering to what our obligation is under federal and international law to give asylees the opportunity to make their claim, Nietor said. Hed been told that clients would be held in custody in Santa Ana or San Bernardino, requiring the federal government to transport them long distances for court appearances in San Diego. He called the prosecutions a waste of resources. He predicted that the ramp up in prosecutions will flood a system that is not staffed to handle the increase. The defense attorneys are going to be overwhelmed, he said, noting that unlike immigration court, migrants are provided attorneys to represent them in federal criminal court. The judges are going to be overwhelmed. The U.S. Marshals are going to be overwhelmed. Andrea Guerrero, executive director of Alliance San Diego, called the move draconian. Threatening to prosecute and incarcerate migrants, including parents of children, is neither a practical nor a humane response to people who may be seeking refuge or who may not have a line to stand in to apply for legal status, Guerrero said. An enforcement-first and enforcement-only approach is not the answer. It does not reflect our values of inclusion and compassion and does nothing to address an outdated and insufficient immigration system. The attorney general gave a speech in the morning in Arizona to the State Association of Criminal Investigative Authorities before flying to San Diego where he met with the acting U.S. attorney at the San Ysidro Port of Entry to discuss immigration enforcement priorities, according to a department official. He was scheduled to go to Tennessee next to speak at a law enforcement training conference. Immigration Videos On Now New developments in family separation case 9:53 On Now A San Diego woman volunteered as a medic in Texas helping migrant families 2:35 On Now Immigration policy protests in Carlsbad nearly cancelled after permit issue 1:38 On Now When children are separated from their parents at the border, here is where they go next On Now Prospects of a deal for 'Dreamers' may hinge on separating Trump from hard-liners on his staff On Now What is DACA? On Now Border wall prototype contractors selected On Now Video: Ukrainian boxer wins asylum in U.S. On Now 30 apprehended after Border Patrol agents discover tunnel On Now Video: Kurdish diaspora prepare to vote on independence Follow me on Facebook for live updates about immigration news kate.morrissey@sduniontribune.com, @bgirledukate on Twitter Katie Holley was jolted awake by a cold thing what she had initially thought was a small piece of ice that somehow slid down her left ear. Still disoriented, she rushed to the bathroom, grabbed a cotton swab and slowly stuck it inside her ear. And then Holley felt something move. It was like a rhythmic movement, she recalled, as if whatever that thing was was trying to burrow deeper into her ear canal. She pulled out the cotton swab and saw small, dark brown pieces that looked like legs. Cockroaches have been a nuisance in the Holley household since she and her husband, Jordan, bought their first home last year, she wrote in Self magazine this week. They thrive in warm and damp places, and that includes Florida, where the young couple live and where flying cockroaches called palmetto bugs are most common. Households in warm cities, such as New Orleans, Houston and Atlanta, report more problems with cockroaches than much of the country. A few weeks earlier, an exterminator sprayed every room inside the couples house in Melbourne, Florida, and Holley felt what turned out to be a very temporary sense of relief. Advertisement That morning, around 1:45 a.m. on April 14, Jordan Holley rushed to the bathroom to help his panicking wife, grabbed a flashlight and looked inside her ear. And there it was, a small part still visible from the outside as it stayed there, lodged in the middle of the ear canal. Jordan Holley managed to pull out a couple of legs using a pair of tweezers, but the intrepid bug had crawled too deep. The young couple drove to the emergency room just a few miles away. A man sitting behind a desk near the hospitals entrance saw the look of panic in Katie Holleys face and asked whether she was in pain. A roach crawled into my ear while I was sleeping and it was stuck, Holley said she told him. She was given a wristband and taken to a room, where she lay on her side on a gurney, whimpering. A nurse injected the bug with the anesthetic Lidocaine to try to kill it. Holley said she felt the roach move, twitching and wriggling further into her ear as it tried to avoid death. Two minutes later, it stopped moving. It took the doctor about 20 seconds to pull out chunks of the dead roach, and Holley saw what she thought was the remains of a small insect. She left the hospital nearly two hours later with a prescription for antibiotics and ear drops, relieved that it was all over. She and her husband vowed to never let the experience happen again, stopping by a Walmart to buy earplugs. Nine days passed, but Holleys ear still didnt feel normal. It was still numb, she said, and she felt some discomfort every time she yawned. Her medicine drops also had stopped passing through her ear, leading her to think that perhaps earwax had built up inside. She went to her physician for her regularly scheduled appointment and asked the doctor whether she could check her ear. Her doctor and a physician assistant flushed her ear four times. Using an otoscope, they peeked inside, and there it was: another leg. Holleys doctor pulled out six pieces of the roachs remains but feared there was still more left. Holley said her physician arranged for her to see a doctor who specializes in treating the ears, nose and throat later that day. As she went home and waited, Holley tried to remember how much of the roach was taken out at the emergency room more than a week ago. Did they find the head? Antennae? she wrote. I couldnt recall. But I could only hope that the ENT would only need to remove another teensy leg or two. The ENT doctor placed what looked like a microscope next to Holleys face. A few minutes later, she felt something bigger was getting extracted out of her ear canal. And then she saw it. Not a teensy leg or two. Not the remains of a baby roach. But a head, a torso, limbs and long antennae of what looked like a fully grown palmetto bug. For nine days, much of the dead roach sat in Holleys ear. I was furious. I was really disappointed with the ER for not having seen that, for letting me believe it was all out, Holley, a 29-year-old sales and marketing manager, told The Washington Post on Saturday. They said this is something that happens often. I was told theres no need to see anyone or a specialist. Holley declined to name the hospital she first went to in April. Luckily for her, palmetto bugs generally dont bite, and if they do, their bites arent harmful. Holley said she didnt have any permanent damage or infection. Cockroaches have been known to burrow into peoples ears. A South African hospital, for example, pulled two dozen critters out of peoples ears over a period of two years, according to a National Geographic article published last year. Roaches are searching for food everywhere, entomologist Coby Schal of North Carolina State University told National Geographic. And earwax might be appealing to them. But, still, as Holley said: It was still a roach. In my ear. For weeks Interim District Attorney Summer Stephans campaign has been promoting the not-so-closely held rumor that billionaire financier and criminal justice reform advocate George Soros was planning sizable campaign funding for rival candidate Genevieve Jones-Wright. Rumor became fact Monday when campaign finance records filed late Friday showed Soros contributing $1.5 million to the California Justice & Public Safety committee, which is supporting Jones-Wright. The contribution may be the largest individual money drop ever in a county campaign, excluding candidates who self-financed. It is the largest made in a race for the District Attorneys Office, which has had only three competitive races in nearly a quarter century in 1994, 2002 and 2014. Its unclear if all of the money will be spent for Jones-Wright. Statewide campaign finance reports show Soros and the same PAC have supported district attorney candidates in Sacramento County and Contra Costa County this year. Advertisement The campaign finance report filed Friday in San Diego showed the PAC had spent $402,459 in support of Jones-Wright, buying television ads, digital ads, and campaign literature and mailings. Soros is a liberal advocate for criminal justice reform policies ranging from charging decision to incarceration policies. Jones-Wright, a deputy public defender with the county who announced she was running last July, has built her campaign on similar calls for changes in the system. She also picked up more support Monday from the founder of the Akonadi Foundation, a progressive group in Oakland that says it supports powerful social change movements to eliminate structural racism and create a racially just society. The groups founder contributed $150,000 to another PAC formed by the San Diego progressive group Alliance San Diego that is supporting Jones-Wright. The Stephan campaign reacted strongly to the Soros donation. Campaign consultant Jason Cable Roe said they expect Soros to spend at least $1 million on the San Diego race, and sounded the campaigns theme that Soros is supporting Jones-Wright as an anti-law enforcement candidate. It is a shockingly large amount of money to dump into this race and will overwhelm the airwaves, Roe said in an email. Soross agenda is to expand the rights of criminals at the expense of victims. It is dangerous and scary for San Diego. Stephan has wrapped up every major endorsement from law enforcement and prosecution labor unions and organizations in the race, who are also raising money and spending it in support of her campaign. The PAC for prosecutors reported Friday it had plopped down $25,000 for a media buy, bringing its total support for Stephan to more than $227,526. The campaign has also been bracing for Soross entrance, recently launching a website ThreatToSanDiego.com that blares San Diego Public Safety Is Under Attack, with photos of Soros superimposed over pictures of far-left Antifa demonstrators. Stephan was appointed by the Board of Supervisors to fill the balance of the term left by predecessor Bonnie Dumanis when Dumanis in April 2017 said she was retiring, designating Stephan as her preferred successor. Jones-Wrights campaign has used that succession scenario to portray Stephan as an establishment figure unwilling to bring change to the office. She sounded those themes again on Monday in the wake of the Soros contribution. In a statement from her campaign she said she was thrilled to have the support of Soros and said the money will help level the playing field in a race that was rigged by my opponent from the beginning. Criminal justice reform is getting the attention it deserves as a life and death issue for communities, she said. The people of San Diego county deserve an elected DA, not a selected DA and an honest conversation about the issues of criminal justice. The latest campaign reports showed Stephan had $241,627 on hand, far more than the $144,591 Jones-Wright had available. The Soros money will allow Jones-Wright, whose name recognition is far less than Stephans, to compete, said political consultant Tom Shepard. San Diego County is bigger in size than 21 states, and limits under county rules for individuals contributing directly to campaigns as opposed to PACs and independent expenditures not connected to the campaign make it daunting to raise the funds necessary to compete, he said. The cost of introducing yourself to voters county-wide is simply enormous, he said. A spokeswoman for the California Justice & Public Safety PAC said in an email that because the group is involved in several different elections around the state not all of the money contributed by Soros will go to Jones-Wright. Twitter: @gregmoran greg.moran@sduniontribune.com Five people were injured in two back-to-back shootings, one which might be gang related, in East Village late Monday night, San Diego police said. The first happened on the corner of 15th Street and Island Avenue about 11 p.m, police Capt. Mike Holden said. Three men and one woman were standing on the east sidewalk, just north of Island, when two men walked up to them and started firing. One resident who lives in a nearby building, Patricia Botello, said the shooting went on and on like it wasnt going to stop. Officers found all four victims suffering from gunshot wounds. Two had serious injuries, but all four are expected to survive, Holden said. Advertisement The assailants were seen running east on Island Avenue. They are suspected of shooting a fifth person a man on Island near Interstate 5, about one-tenth of a mile from the initial shooting, the captain said. Detectives are investigating whether the initial shooting was gang related. Its unclear what the motivation for the second shooting might be, Holden said. Police dont believe the fifth man knew the other four victims. That victims injuries were not believed to be serious. As of 9 a.m., no arrests had been made in the shootings. Witnesses described the suspects as black, between the ages of 19 and 25, and at least 6 feet tall. They were wearing black clothing and dark hoodies, and at least one of the men was armed with a firearm, Holden said. They are just starting their investigation here. We are trying to interview witnesses that are here, Holden told San Diego News Video early Tuesday morning. He said he didnt know if the victims had been targeted or picked at random. The East Village area was quickly flooded with officers. A stretch of Island Avenue between 15th and 19th streets remained closed for hours. Officers on Tuesday morning found a vehicle on 15th Street that may have been hit by a stray bullet in the shooting, said police Lt. Brent Williams. This is the third shooting incident to occur in two days. On Sunday afternoon, two men were fatally shot in front of the Mountain View Recreation Center. Then, about seven hours later, a man was shot and killed in Logan Heights. Currently the San Diego Police Department is working around the clock investigating the three recent shooting incidents that have occurred, and are putting all our available resources toward these investigations, Williams said. The departments gang unit will be handling the investigation into Mondays shooting. Police officials are asking anyone with information about the shootings to call the San Diego Police Department on its non-emergency line at (619) 531-2000 or at Crime Stoppers at (888) 580-8477. Twitter: @LAWinkley (619) 293-1546 lyndsay.winkley@sduniontribune.com UPDATES: 9:15 a.m.: This article was updated with additional details. 6:25 a.m.: This article was updated with additional details. 3:00 a.m.: This article was updated with additional details This article was originally published on May 7 at 11:20 p.m. Three gang members accused of killing a man they mistook for an undercover police officer and shooting and paralyzing a 19-year-old woman during a two-week crime spree last month pleaded not guilty to a slew of charges in San Diego Superior Court on Monday. Cesar Alvarado, 39; Britney Canal, 29; and Michael Anthony Pedraza, 27, were all ordered held without bail. They face special circumstance allegations of lying in wait, murder during a robbery or kidnapping and murder by discharging a firearm from a motor vehicle. This is a cold-blooded case the community should be grateful law enforcement officers were able to bring a stop to when they did, said Deputy District Attorney David Grapilon. The crime spree began about 8 a.m. on April 1 when Alvarado and Canal are believed to have robbed two people at gunpoint at a motel in Chula Vista. Then, on April 10, the couple, joined by Peraza, allegedly robbed a woman who was reportedly using drugs with a friend in a South Bay parking lot, Grapilon said. Advertisement The three assailants then shocked the woman with a stun gun and kidnapped her. They allegedly forced the woman, identified as Mya H. in court documents, to call family and friends to ask for money. On April 11, the trio and the woman were parked in a vehicle in Chula Vista, attempting to get money from one of the womans friends, when Mario Serhan briefly parked across the street from them, Grapilon said. The defendants became convinced Serhan was an undercover police officer surveilling them, Grapilon said. They followed him down a Chula Vista street, and Alvarado allegedly shot Serhan in the head. Theres no evidence at all that (Serhan) was connected to them or that he even knew he was next to them, Grapilon said. He was a complete innocent who was in the wrong place at the wrong time. The spree continued later that day when the defendants allegedly beat a man they accused of taking money from Pedrazas wallet, which he had dropped at a San Ysidro hotel. Early the next morning, the trio reportedly forced Mya H. to walk down to the ocean at Sunset Cliffs, where Pedraza shot her three times, Grapilon said. The defendants had accused the woman of stealing from them and snitching on others in the past, the prosecutor said. Tourists found her hours later, and she was taken to a hospital, where she underwent surgery, Grapilon said. She is paralyzed and remains in critical condition. Later that afternoon, Pedraza is suspected of stabbing a man at a National City park, Grapilon said. The alleged victim pursued his attackers in his car, and, during the chase, Alvarado reportedly shot at but missed the victim, the prosecutor said in his court filing. Grapilon said investigators believe the defendants may have committed other crimes around the time of the spree and encouraged anyone who feels they have information related to the case to contact police. City News Service contributed to this report. Twitter: @LAWinkley (619) 293-1546 lyndsay.winkley@sduniontribune.com Because Jemma-Linda was born with jaundice, her family would occasionally place her rocker outside so the infant could soak up the suns rays. Thats where she was when a neighboring pit bull pulled away from his home and attacked the 2-month-old infant in Logan Heights on Monday. He tried to kill her, and if it wasnt for the dog owner putting his hand into the dogs mouth, he probably would have, said the babys older sister, Shermane Eugene. The child was in the back yard of her home on Irving Avenue near Sicard Street when the pit bull ran over and bit her head about 2:30 p.m., Eugene said. Advertisement Jemma-Linda was rushed to a hospital with severe injuries. The older sister said the infant suffered a fractured skull, puncture wounds to her head, eye injuries and a broken nose. The child underwent surgery on Monday night and her prognosis is still unclear, said Eugene. The family started a GoFundMe account to help pay for any medical costs that might arise. The dog, which appeared to be about 18 months old, was detained by police until county Animal Services arrived to take the animal into custody. The owner told officers the attack was out of character for the dog, NBC7 reported. Twitter: @LAWinkley (619) 293-1546 lyndsay.winkley@sduniontribune.com San Diego police on Tuesday released the names of three men shot and killed in two separate incidents in south San Diego neighborhoods over the weekend. The first shooting happened about 1:20 p.m. Sunday, when two men were gunned down in front of the recreation center at Mountain View Park, on 40th Street, Lt. Anthony Dupree said. The preliminary investigation indicated that the victims were standing in front of the center when a man in dark clothing walked up and opened fire. Dupree identified the two victims as Tony Jackson, 33, and Robert Brown, 37. Both were given medical aid at the scene and taken to a hospital, where they were pronounced dead. Advertisement Less than seven hours later, shortly after 8 p.m., police responded to a report of gunfire in the area of 28th and Sampson streets in Logan Heights. Officers arrived to find a man down, with a gunshot wound to his upper body. He was taken to a hospital, where he died. Dupree identified the victim as 29-year-old Matthew Hargraves. teri.figueroa@sduniontribune.com (760) 529-4945 Twitter: @TeriFigueroaUT A chance encounter in Rome led a Minnesota woman to seek spiritual solace from a San Diegan studying for the Roman Catholic priesthood, Jacob Bertrand. She received his prayers and a sexual relationship that Bertrand later described as the second holiest sacrifice next to Jesus and Mary on Calvary. In a Minnesota courtroom Monday, Bertrand was sentenced to 10 years probation and a $1,000 fine for criminal sexual conduct. He was also ordered to complete an assessment as a sex offender and then undergo any recommended therapy. Under the terms of a plea agreement, Bertrand would face up to four years imprisonment if he violates the terms of his probation. Advertisement The plea agreement in this case was entered into after considerable discussions with the victim and upon receiving her consent, said the prosecutor, Dakota County Attorney James C. Backstrom. We are pleased that Mr. Bertrand has been held accountable for his actions. Bertrand violated a Minnesota statute that forbids sex between members of certain professions and the people they counsel. You cant have sex with your clients, said Patrick Wall, a former priest who now investigates clergy sexual abuse cases in several states, including Minnesota and California. Doctors, psychologists, priests, those people working with very sensitive populations. In 2009, while a deacon studying in Rome, Bertrand met a woman who was studying spirituality and, she told Bertrand, hoped to find a husband. They began to meet every Wednesday for what Bertrand called holy conversation, which sometimes dwelled on Bertrands sexual history. In June 2010, Bertrand and the woman both flew to San Diego, where he was ordained. A month later, while visiting her in Minnesota, he initiated several sexual encounters with her, once during a private Mass celebrated in the basement of the womans parents home. Returning to San Diego, Bertrand repeatedly contacted her and urged her to keep their relationship secret. The devil tempts me to think that you will tell someone, he said during a December 2011 telephone call, and ruin my ministry. She complained to church officials in Minnesota in 2012 and 2014, the latter complaint being forwarded to the San Diego diocese. In April 2016, she went to the police and made a criminal complaint. Bertrand was indicted in Minnesota in October 2016. This January, he pled guilty to the single charge of criminal sexual conduct. For the Roman Catholic Diocese of San Diego, Bertrand served in four parishes: St. Rose of Lima in Chula Vista (2010-2013), Santa Sophia in Spring Valley (2013-2015) and St. Vincent de Paul in Mission Hills and St. John the Evangelist in Hillcrest, (both 2015-2016). He also gave talks to college students at San Diego State Universitys Newman Center. In August 2016, he took a leave of absence. Father Jacob is not expected to return to active ministry, Kevin Eckery, a diocesan spokesman, said Monday. Bertrand faced maximum penalties of 15 years in prison and $30,000 in fines. Powerful. Mesmerizing. Nature at its finest. UC San Diego volcanologist Geoff Cook used those words Monday to describe the lava flows that are destroying homes and cars on the Big Island of Hawaii, where the Kilauea volcano is erupting. But he also warned people against trying to get a close look at the lava, saying that its moving slowly, but it is extremely dangerous. The lava is about 2,000 degrees Fahrenheit. And the eruption is emitting lots of gas sulfur dioxide. That can affect a persons respiratory system, especially if they have asthma. Hawaii authorities are limiting access to the flow area, which is located on the southeast side of the island, near Pahoa. Cook, who works at UC San Diegos Scripps Institution of Oceanography, visited the region about six weeks ago. Advertisement The latest flareup at the volcano sent lava poring out of fissures in the so-called East Rift Zone. This is a very passive eruption, even though it looks powerful, Cook said. We call this kind of lava spatter. If it was shooting high into the air like jets it would be called a fire fountain. We had a lot of those in 1960, Some of them shot more than 1,000 feet into the air. CNN and other news outlets aired footage on Monday that showed lava rising up, over and through a parked car something that appeared to occur in slow motion. The kind of lava weve been seeing typically moves very slowly, Cook said. Id say it moved about a half mile in eight to 10 hours. If it went down a slope, it would pick up speed. The volcano has an ample supply of lava. This could go on for weeks, if not months. The candidates running to become Californias next governor aggressively clashed in the most contentious and consequential face-off of the campaign Tuesday night, trying to make the case that they are best suited to lead the state as voters begin receiving ballots in the mail. Democrat Gavin Newsom took the stage with a target on his back as the clear front-runner. And the attacks grew deeply personal as the candidates were asked about marital infidelities Newsom and former Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa had while they were in office. Newsom had an affair with a close friends wife who worked for him when he was mayor of San Francisco. If you cant trust Gavin with his best friends wife, how can you trust him with your state? Republican Assemblyman Travis Allen asked. Newsom responded that he had apologized for the relationship and admitted he was wrong, but he also alluded to the numerous allegations about inappropriate behavior that have been leveled at President Trump. Advertisement Its hard, with respect, to hear from Mr. Allen, who is a devout supporter of Donald Trump, talk about the issue of sexual harassment, Newsom said. Though Newsom took many hits, several blistering exchanges took place between the three candidates within reach of second place in the June 5 primary Democrat Villaraigosa and Republicans John Cox and Allen as well as state Treasurer John Chiang, who had perhaps the most to gain during the debate. Chiang was once seen as the dark horse of the Democratic field, but his campaign has yet to ignite. A poll released in April by the nonpartisan Public Policy Institute of California put him in fourth place, favored by just 7% of likely voters. Perhaps as a result, Chiangs campaign has gotten more combative, ripping Villaraigosa for accepting donations from an attorney on Bill Cosbys legal team, criticizing Newsom for flip-flopping on single-payer healthcare and attacking both for their records as mayor. But those attacks have largely come from Chiangs staff not him something that changed Tuesday night. Democratic candidate Gavin Newsom took the stage with a target on his back as the clear front-runner among the gubernatorial hopefuls. (Aric Crabb / Bay Area News Group ) Whos running for governor? He repeatedly attacked Newsom and Villaraigosa by name, saying that their proposals to build 3.5 million homes were unrealistic, accused them of criminalizing homelessness when they were mayors of San Francisco and Los Angeles, respectively, and blasted them for supporting funding from the Trump administration for sending the California National Guard to the border. Fake news, Villaraigosa responded. The two Republicans on the stage repeatedly attacked each other as they attempted to consolidate support among GOP voters. Cox accused Allen of improperly using $300,000 donated to an effort to repeal the gas tax, while Allen labeled Cox my angry opponent from Chicago. Moderator Chuck Todd cut them off, saying, You guys can take that behind the scenes later. The 90-minute debate, probably the last among all the top candidates before the June 5 primary, took place at the California Theater in San Jose and was sponsored by the Silicon Valley Community Foundation and NBC Bay Area. Topics discussed included high-speed rail, affordable housing and homelessness. But the conversation turned time and again to bickering between the candidates. Villaraigosa was also asked about the affair he had with a television reporter while he was mayor of Los Angeles. I also acknowledge that I made a mistake. I lost my marriage. I lost my family for a time. I took responsibility for it, Villaraigosa said. Throughout the debate, Villaraigosa argued that he had the proven track record to lead California, and subtly swiped at Newsom when he spoke of the need to focus on the states needs rather than publicly sparring with Trump. Talking and tweeting about Trump every day is not going to solve problems, its not going to fix our healthcare or our schools, he said. Newsom, the states lieutenant governor, leads in fundraising and the polls. He has not participated in a debate in more than a month, and as expected, he took fire from all sides, notably on immigration policy. Newsom called himself the poster child of the sanctuary city policies, but that didnt stop attacks on his record as mayor by both Chiang and Allen. Chiang accused Newsom of turning over an undocumented child to federal immigration officials about a decade ago under a city policy he imposed as mayor, which allowed law enforcement to report children in the U.S. illegally who were accused of felonies to Immigration and Customs Enforcement. When the San Francisco Board of Supervisors overturned Newsoms policy, the mayors office continued to turn over arrested undocumented juveniles to federal authorities, according to a report in the San Jose Mercury News. Newsom never responded to Chiang. Allen, an advocate for the controversial border wall, ripped Newsom for supporting the sanctuary city policy in San Francisco that Allen blamed for the 2015 death of Kate Steinle, who was killed by a Mexican national who had previously been deported. Newsom said the real solution is comprehensive immigration reform at the federal level, and called Allens reference to Steinle shameful. Until that happens, we will defend our values, we will defend our diverse communities, we will defend our Dreamers and we will push back against Travis Allen and John Cox and push back against Donald Trump and Jeff Sessions and all the others here who are trying to divide us, Newsom said. Delaine Eastin, the former state schools chief, described Trump as a racist misogynist. I believe the state of California needs to stand tall on behalf of the things that we believe in, and we need to not let people misrepresent whats going on here, she said before turning to Cox, who decried high education spending in California. We have not had vast increases in education. We are 41st in per-pupil spending. We used to be fifth, we used to be tied with New York. New York is now spending twice as much as California on every kids education. Thats wrong. Todd concluded the debate by asking the six candidates what they thought of Californias top-two primary system, and whether they would face a Republican or Democrat in the general election. No Republican has won a statewide race in California since 2006, so any Democrat who advances to the November election would have a much better chance of winning if theyre facing off with one of the GOP candidates. A Republican would be ideal in the general election, Newsom said with a grin, then glanced over at Cox and Allen. Either one of these would do. Be careful what you wish for, Gavin, Cox said. Chiang said he didnt care whom he faced, implying that hed be happy just to be on the ballot in November. Allen used the question to take another shot at his GOP rival, who earlier in the debate acknowledged that he did not vote for Trump in the 2016 presidential election but said he wishes he had. Theres only one Republican in the race anyway, Allen said. Follow live coverage of the debate seema.mehta@latimes.com Twitter: @LATseema phil.willon@latimes.com Twitter: @philwillon Updates on California politics ALSO California Republicans cant agree on a candidate for governor at state party convention In his bid to be Californias next governor, John Chiang touts his battles with a previous one Californias next governor: These are the people running in the June 5 primary UPDATES: 9:10 p.m. This story has been updated throughout with details of the debate. This story was originally published at 12:05 p.m. California is in an odd place politically. In part because of its largely Democratic elected leaders failings, housing costs are so extreme that homelessness has exploded and scores of middle-class families not just poor people live paycheck-to-paycheck. A state home to many of the worlds richest companies and individuals has the highest effective poverty rate in the U.S. And with public education, some individual schools and districts enjoy strong reputations, but statewide test scores generally put California well behind liberal states (Massachusetts and New Jersey) and conservative states (Florida and Texas) that have all embraced reforms. In a normal state facing such circumstances, the dominant political party would be on its heels. But not here. The same California GOP that produced Presidents Richard Nixon and Ronald Reagan is now content to be a minority party. Its only statewide wins in the 21st century came when it ran intriguing moderates movie star Arnold Schwarzenegger and tech tycoon Steve Poizner against unpopular Democrats. But instead of learning from history, this weekends state GOP convention attendees in San Diego provided a fresh reminder of how the party faithful prefer their traditional greatest hits such as hard lines on taxes and immigration and skepticism about climate change to trying to attract a majority of voters. The upshot could be a November election that both underscores California Republicans weakness and adds to it. Polls show it is a real possibility no Republican will advance as one of the two final candidates in both the governors and U.S. Senate races in Novembers general election. Republican turnout could actually be depressed if neither Rancho Santa Fe businessman John Cox nor Huntington Beach Assemblyman Travis Allen finishes second in the gubernatorial primary which looks more likely after a weekend in which neither could obtain the partys official endorsement. If that happens, it would increase the chances the GOP could lose seven of the 14 California House seats it now controls making it possible San Francisco Democrat Nancy Pelosi would get an encore as speaker. If this happens, California Republicans will be forced into some soul-searching. Their self-inflicted wounds may please those who see many Republicans as divisive and disastrously wrong about global warming and other issues, but it shouldnt please Californians in general. Its unhealthy for California to be so dominated by one party especially when that party is too complacent about education, over-regulation, the bullet-train boondoggle, costly public-employee pension programs and more. Advertisement This complacence invites criticism of Democrats. But the grim twist for Republicans is they may not benefit from it. This year, decline-to-state voters are on the brink of outnumbering registered GOP voters, with both having about 25 percent of total registration. Thats a lot of voters who reject both parties but would vote for appealing candidates. So pay attention to Poizner, who is seeking a second term as insurance commissioner while running as an independent. And look to Republicans like Schwarzenegger, former Assembly GOP leader Chad Mayes and Oceanside Assemblyman and congressional candidate Rocky Chavez, who are launching an organization called New Way California in favor of moderate positions on issues like the environment. Some Californians have an appetite for change and for Reagans big tent so long as the focus is on making the state function better, not embracing a Republican agenda on its way to irrelevance. If, as the cliche says, insanity is repeating yourself and expecting different results, the state GOP is ready to be fitted for a straitjacket. Twitter: @sdutIdeas Facebook: San Diego Union-Tribune Ideas & Opinion Illegal immigration affects housing costs Re Is the California housing crisis leading to a tech brain drain? (May 3): Does it occur to anyone in our local government or on the U-T editorial staff that solving the affordable housing crisis is incompatible with being a sanctuary state? Patricia Campbell Pacific Beach Advertisement Allowing in refugees invites more trouble Re U.S. played role in creating refugees (May 5): Letter writer Dolores Welty blames U.S. policy for the wave of asylum seekers coming from Central America, citing the Eisenhower administrations fear of communism and U.S. corporate interests for the regions current troubles. There is no question that U.S. administrations from the 1940s through the 1980s violated the democratic sovereignty of Central American states, justifying to some extent the struggle against imperialism. But Welty would be hard-pressed to find CIA fingerprints in the liquidation of 43 student teachers in Mexico or the mass killings of MS-13 victims in El Salvador. Because in the vast catalog of Central American crime, inequality, poverty and violence are all homegrown, leaving little room for apology by the United States. Granting asylum to Latin American refugees, while generous, also allows a cancer to flourish. Doug Bell Rancho Penasquitos Why support any kind of lawless behavior? Re Support for sanctuary city lawsuit political (April 25): What part of illegal do these people not understand? It is a proven fact that many of the illegals arrested in any sweep are criminals, some with outstanding warrants. A sanctuary city designation only makes our cities more unsafe. Why would any city/state/law enforcement agency choose to ignore the law? We can understand Jerry Brown, but families and law enforcement? Shame on them. Walt Bratten Oceanside Letters and commentary policy The U-T welcomes and encourages community dialogue on important public matters. Please visit this page for more details on our letters and commentaries policy. You can email letters@sduniontribune.com or leave a comment below. Follow @UTLetters on Twitter and UTOpinion on Facebook. Re Border gathering aims to relaunch minutemen (May 6): As a retired Marine Corps infantry officer, I found the pictures and article disturbing. Militias and warlords outside the control of the government, and often fighting against the nations interests, are common in Iraq and Afghanistan. They are a symptom of the decline of the nation-state and the reign of chaos. Americans that want to protect and serve their country, carry weapons, wear cammies and patrol should join the military or a law enforcement agency. Private citizens doing this on their own are not assisting federal officers or mobilized National Guard. They are, at best, a hindrance and, at worst, a threat to law and order. Minutemen of the colonial and revolutionary era fought armed and dangerous opponents. They existed when there was a need for them before our modern military, federal agencies, and state and local law enforcement organizations. These individuals are not Minutemen. John M. LaCrosse Advertisement Oceanside Letters and commentary policy The U-T welcomes and encourages community dialogue on important public matters. Please visit this page for more details on our letters and commentaries policy. You can email letters@sduniontribune.com or leave a comment below. Follow @UTLetters on Twitter and UTOpinion on Facebook. Californias state primary election is just weeks away, so theres never been a better time to catch up on whos running for local, state and federal offices, including one of the most high-profile races to replace Gov. Jerry Brown. Luckily for voters in the state, the front-runner candidates for governor are all gathering in Northern California on Tuesday night to debate over important political issues and try to prove themselves worthy of the office. How can you watch? What will be discussed? Advertisement Heres what you should know about tonights gubernatorial debate. Where is the debate? Candidates will gather at the California Theatre in downtown San Jose, California. When is the debate? It will take place Tuesday from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m., Pacific Daylight Time. What is the format and what will be discussed? The first 30 minutes will focus specifically on issues facing Northern California and the remaining hour will be about issues affecting the entire state. NBC Bay Area says housing, transportation, the environment, education and issues affecting children are some of the statewide topics that will be discussed. Who are the candidates attending? Assemblyman Travis Allen, a Republican. Treasurer John Chiang, a Democrat. John Cox, a Republican businessman. Delaine Eastin, a Democrat, former state superintendent of public instruction and state assemblywoman. Lt. Gov. Gavin Newsom, a Democrat. Antonio Villaraigosa, a Democrat who has served as mayor of Los Angeles and state assemblyman. Who is hosting and who is moderating? The Silicon Valley Community Foundation and NBC Bay Area are hosting the debate together. Its being called Decision 2018: The Race for Governor. The moderator is Chuck Todd, NBC News Political Director and host of Meet the Press. How can I watch? NBC stations across the state will be broadcasting the debate live in San Francisco, Los Angeles, San Diego, San Luis Obispo and Fresno. Online, check out the livestream here from NBC Bay Area. How else can I follow along? Californians can also tune in via radio to local stations associated with NBC, Telemundo and NPR. NBC is asking voters to send questions to @nbcbayarea and @siliconvalleycf. The hashtag for those tweeting along with the debate is #CAGovDebate. How can I prepare? Ahead of the debate, read up one where each candidate stands on the issues. Click on their names below to head over to their campaign websites. On March 25, there was a gubernatorial debate here in San Diego hosted by the California Council for the Social Studies. Allen, Cox, Eastin and Villaraigosa attended and discussed everything from gun violence to sexual harassment. Take a look at some of their responses on each topic by clicking the links below. You can watch the full debate below from March 25 below. Email: abby.hamblin@sduniontribune.com Twitter: @abbyhamblin A Southern California cop remains under investigation for pulling out his gun after mistakenly suspecting another man of stealing a pack of Mentos at a gas station and video of the incident has attracted national scrutiny over whether drawing a gun was justified at all. The Buena Park Police Department has been investigating the conduct of the officer, police chief Corey Sianez said in a Facebook post on Friday when the video emerged. Sianez also said that if the officer violated policy, he would be held accountable. I want you to know that after I watched the video I found it to be disturbing, as Im sure it was to you, Sianez said in the statement. The Orange County Register first published the story and the accompanying surveillance camera video on Friday, which shows 49-year-old Jose Arreola paying $1.19 for a pack of Mentos before the officer pulls his gun. The officer was off duty and not wearing a uniform at the time the incident happened on March 16, The Register reported. And as of yet, the officers name has not been made public. The video, linked here, shows the incident from at least two camera angles. The exchange happens as follows: Officer to Arreola: Give that back police officer. Arreola: No, I paid for it. I just paid for this. Officer: Put it back. Try stealing that again. Arreola: I just paid for it. Officer: Get your cash and leave. After Arreola turns to leave, the officer asks the clerk, did he pay for this? Clerk: Yes. Officer: Are you sure? Clerk: Yes. At that point, the officer turns to Arreola and says, my apologies. In his Facebook post, the Buena Park police chief acknowledges that the officer drew his weapon but he denies that he pointed it. The video shows him cocking the gun and pointing it at Arreolas hip. As of Tuesday, the video had been seen more than 656,000 times on YouTube, and the Buena Park polices Facebook Page has also been flooded with comments blasting the officer and the department. Theres no excuse for drawing a deadly weapon on an innocent victim, Robert Lee Ely III wrote on a Facebook comment. I love and respect our officers. That being said wtf pulling a gun for a pack of Mentos? Vicky Fritz-Ortega also wrote. National media like CNN, The New York Times and The Washington Post have also drawn attention to the video. On Twitter, many called on the officer to be fired. But the incident has also renewed questions of judgment that police officers use. Some asked, why was the cop so quick to judge and pull out a weapon? Others thought, what if the officer had mistakenly thought Arreola was pulling a weapon? Would he have shot and killed him, over a pack of Mentos? Overwhelmingly, at the heart of the debate, people asked whether drawing a weapon was justified at all. It remains to be seen what city officials in Buena Park would do, but councilman Fred Smith told The Orange County Register on Monday that all members of the city council had seen the video and that no one liked it. (The officer) is going to go through due process this is not the kind of city we want or like to see, Smith told the newspaper. Arreola, who is a printer from Bellflower, California, has hired a lawyer and filed a complaint. He told The Register that he feared for his life and that the officer treated him like a piece of trash. Was the police officer justified in drawing his gun over a suspected theft of Mentos? What do you think should happen to the officer? Do incidents like these erode the publics trust in police? Weigh in with your thoughts in this developing story. Email: luis.gomez@sduniontribune.com Twitter: @RunGomez Read The Conversation on Flipboard. Theres an air of intrigue behind the walls of speakeasies. Once built to hide the consumption of alcohol, modern speakeasies may be difficult to find, but now they boast about the specialty cocktails that await the guests. Enjoy a night out by taking a leap back in time to the Prohibition era or to where cool breezes blow in tiki oases. Enjoy craft cocktails and the mysterious charm of each speakeasy you find around San Diego County. Raised By Wolves The newest speakeasy on the scene, its in possibly the most unassuming location of the bunch a mall. Located in the northwest corner of Westfield UTC, Riased By Wolves is fronted by an upscale bottle shop. A sneaky fireplace mantle in the shop doubles as the entrance to the beautifully adorned hidden speakeasy. I feel like this is the best cocktail menu weve ever done, said CH Projects operations team member and Polite Provisions bartender Erick Castro. 4301 La Jolla Village Dr., Ste. 2030 at Westfield UTC, 619.629.0243 Advertisement 1 / 14 Raised by Wolves opened recently at Westfield UTC and the centerpiece is the hidden bar in the lounge, a walk back in time to the era of the speakeasy. (Howard Lipin / The San Diego-Union-Tribune) 2 / 14 Raised by Wolves opened recently at Westfield UTC, a high-end bar and boutique bottle shop, a walk back in time to the era of the speakeasy. (Howard Lipin / The San Diego-Union-Tribune) 3 / 14 Raised by Wolves opened recently at Westfield UTC, a walk back in time to the era of the speakeasy and features a portion of the lounge area in the style like that of London libraries. (Howard Lipin / The San Diego-Union-Tribune) 4 / 14 Raised by Wolves opened recently at Westfield UTC, a high-end bar and boutique bottle shop. Its a walk back in time to the era of the speakeasy and includes a hidden rotating wall with a fireplace. (Howard Lipin / The San Diego-Union-Tribune) 5 / 14 Raised by Wolves opened recently at Westfield UTC, a high-end bar and boutique bottle shop, a walk back in time to the era of the speakeasy. 6 / 14 Raised by Wolves opened recently at Westfield UTC, a high-end bar and boutique bottle shop, a walk back in time to the era of the speakeasy. (Howard Lipin / The San Diego-Union-Tribune) 7 / 14 Raised by Wolves opened recently at Westfield UTC, a high-end bar and boutique bottle shop, a walk back in time to the era of the speakeasy and includes custom mural work. (Howard Lipin / The San Diego-Union-Tribune) 8 / 14 Raised by Wolves opened recently at Westfield UTC, a high-end bar and boutique bottle shop, a walk back in time to the era of the speakeasy. (Howard Lipin / The San Diego-Union-Tribune) 9 / 14 Raised by Wolves opened recently at Westfield UTC, a high-end bar and boutique bottle shop, a walk back in time to the era of the speakeasy. (Howard Lipin / The San Diego-Union-Tribune) 10 / 14 Raised by Wolves opened recently at Westfield UTC, a high-end bar and boutique bottle shop. Its a walk back in time to the era of the speakeasy that features bottles of liquor for sale, including a $20,000 bottle of Very Very Old Fitzgerald Straight Bourbon Whiskey, right. (Howard Lipin / The San Diego-Union-Tribune) 11 / 14 Raised by Wolves opened recently at Westfield UTC and the centerpiece is the hidden bar in the lounge which includes a fountain with running water. (Howard Lipin / The San Diego-Union-Tribune) 12 / 14 Raised by Wolves opened recently at Westfield UTC, a walk back in time to the era of the speakeasy and features different seating vignettes in the lounge area around the hidden bar. (Howard Lipin / The San Diego-Union-Tribune) 13 / 14 Raised by Wolves opened recently at Westfield UTC, a walk back in time to the era of the speakeasy and features different seating vignettes in the lounge area around the hidden bar including bar stools with Pierre Frey custom velvet cushions. (Howard Lipin / The San Diego-Union-Tribune) 14 / 14 Raised by Wolves opened recently at Westfield UTC, a walk back in time to the era of the speakeasy and features a portion of the lounge area in the style like that of London libraries. (Howard Lipin / The San Diego-Union-Tribune) Noble Experiment Located inside Neighborhood , a restaurant/beer bar in downtown San Diego, is a secret passageway to the early 20s. Head to the restaurants restroom and find a pile of kegs, which is really the secret door to Noble Experiment. Enter the intimate space and sip on handcrafted cocktails from simpler times. Make sure to make a reservation exactly one week before wanting to check it out by texting 619.888.4713. 777 G St., downtown, 619.888.4713, nobleexperimentsd.com Flycatcher cocktail at Noble Experiment in downtown San Diego. (Brogen Jessup) (Brogen Jessup Photography / Brogen Jessup Photography) Prohibition Lounge Leave your cell phones behind, dress to impress and drink with an open mind by embracing days of yore at the Prohibition Lounge. Expect to find men behaving chivalrously and ladies sipping on their favorite martini. Enjoy live music and handcrafted cocktails that will make your night out one to remember. 548 Fifth Ave. downtown, 619.501.1919 prohibitionsd.com/rules Prohibition. (Kevin Daniels) False Idol Located inside the revamped Craft & Commerce behind the stainless steel door and walk-in cooler closet is the tiki speakeasy False Idol. Partnering with tiki expert Martin Cate (of Smugglers Cove in San Francisco and Lost Lake in Chicago), Consortium Holdings Projects (those responsible for Noble Experiment as well), the space features a fully immersive environment with Polynesian artifacts and tiki decor alongside exotic, tropical drinks collaborated upon by Cate and CH Holdings mainstay Anthony Schmidt. 675 W. Beech St., Little Italy, 619.269.2202, falseidoltiki.com Bar Three Price If you love to sip on various kinds of whisky, Bar Three Price has your fix. Inspired by the whisky bars in Japan, this establishment is hidden behind North Parks Seven Grand Whiskey Bar located in North Park. In this backroom youll find the nights featured live music, which has included some of San Diegos top jazz performers. 3054 University Ave., North Park, 213hospitality.com/barthreepiece The Charles Kenneth Speakeasy Enter a dapper world at this special escape from reality, and enjoy an atmosphere built to entertain. In order to make your way inside you must know the secret password and enter around the corner from The Land and Water Company. Once inside, follow the simple rules of staying off your phone and dress to impress while opening your mind to a new experience. Enjoy your favorite booze and the popular Tiki Wednesdays (where the best dressed of the evening can win a free drink). 2978-2998 Carlsbad Blvd., Carlsbad, 760.450.8139, thecharleskenneth.com High-end liquor lines shelves behind the bar in The Charles Kenneth speakeasy bar in the basement of the historic old building that houses the Land & Water Company restaurant and bar. (Charlie Neuman) (Charlie Neuman / ) The Grass Skirt By day (and into much of the night) its front is Good Time Poke, which serves fresh seafood bowls. But enter the kitchens refrigerator doors and youll be transported to the tiki oasis of The Grass Skirt. Explore one of the exotic cocktail offerings, snack on plates and pu-pus all while kicking back in cozy booths or up front at the main bar. If youre really a rum nut, join the Rum Club and get discounts on your bill, exclusive invites to rum tastings, plus entry to rum and cocktails knowledge classes. 910 Grand Ave., Pacific Beach, 858.412.5237, thegrassskirt.com The Grass Skirt tiki bar (Courtesy Photo) Vin de Syrah While technically not known as a speakeasy, you must enter this wine parlor through a hidden door underneath the Melting Pot restaurant in downtown San Diego. Once you find it, youll be lead down the rabbit hole to this Alice in Wonderland inspired establishment. Oh yeah, and theres a TV inside the bar area that shows people at the entrance trying to find the door. Let the hilarity ensue. Enjoy a wide selection of wines, cocktails and amazing cheeses, along with other small bites that allow you to feel the vibes of the evenings jazzy music and electric lounge setting. 901 Fifth Ave., downtown, 619.234.4166, syrahwineparlor.com Thank you for reading! On your next view you will be asked to log in to your subscriber account or create an account and subscribepurchase a subscription to continue reading. Rockville, MD -- (SBWIRE) -- 05/08/2018 -- A new report available with Fact.MR, about the global high purity aluminium market, provides a comprehensive outlook of the industry trends. Sharp-eyed analysis of the changing global needs and consumption of high purity aluminium are few of the prime factors impacting the growth of the market. The recent restrictions enacted by Trump's Administrations on steel and aluminium import in the United States and its predictable influence on the global aluminium market is another important factor considered in the report analysis. With such thorough analysis, the report provides the most credible go-to forecast of the global high purity aluminium market. Derived from bauxite ore, based on purity levels, high purity aluminium finds application in multiple industries. Notable demand for the highly pure material is observed in electronics, chemical and high purity alloy sectors. Purity of high purity aluminium ranges from 99.99% to 99.999% which is also referred to as 4N to 6N. Manufacturing titans use three-layer electrolysis as well as the segregation or the fractional crystallization methods to refine aluminium. Request TOC of this Report- https://www.factmr.com/connectus/sample?flag=T&rep_id=625 Demand from the Electronics Industry to Boost Market Growth The electronics industry has witnessed a steady growth in past decade. Currently, the industry is helmed by Asian countries including India, China, and Malaysia. Due to its intrinsic properties, the highly pure metal finds application in the manufacturing of electrolytic capacitor foils, high purity alumina (HPA), the semiconductor industry, photovoltaic cells, TFT LCD applications, decorative uses or for electronic storage systems. Its utilization becomes irreplaceable for the industry as the metal provide high electric and thermal conductance as well as low tensile strength. To address the increasing requirements of high purity aluminium, manufacturers are enhancing their capacities and personnel in metallurgy, application technology, metal purification, as well as trace analysis. As electronic industry significantly penetrates in other end-user industries, demand for stated electronics components is set to rise. Owing to this, the market for high purity aluminium is likely to witness persistent growth in future. Steady Bauxite Extraction & High Purity Aluminium Production Top global locations popular for surplus bauxite resources includes Australia, China, Brazil, Indonesia, Guinea, India, Jamaica, Kazakhstan, Russia and Republic of Suriname. Individual regional analysis has reported accretive growth of bauxite extraction in the fiscal year 2017 worldwide. For instance, the Mines Ministry of Guinea reported production of 5 million tons of bauxite from one of Guinea's largest mines per year from 2019. This represents a threefold increase in bauxite production by 2020 in Western African countries. Although China reported highest bauxite export in 2017, air pollution crackdowns may influence the future alumina and bauxite demand. Amidst this scenario, steady bauxite extraction was witnessed globally and is estimated to rise in future. According to the World Bureau of Metal Statistics, world bauxite production is projected to grow at the rate of 8% annually in 2018 and 2019, and to reach 337 million tons by the end of 2019. In addition, helmed by China, world alumina production and consumption also witnessed a rise in 2017. Thus, stable bauxite extraction and growing high purity aluminium demand is likely to influence the market growth in near future. To know more about High Purity Aluminium Market Trends, check the link - https://www.factmr.com/report/625/high-purity-aluminium-market Key Company Developments in High Purity Aluminium Market - Showa Denko KK (SDK), a leading Japanese chemical engineering firm has enhanced production capacities of high-purity aluminium foil in China in 2017. High purity aluminium foil is one of the most prominent materials of aluminium electrolytic capacitor. The SDK expansion is aimed at responding to the rising demand for aluminum electrolytic capacitors worldwide. - Norsk Hydro, a Norwegian aluminium company that operates throughout Brazilian aluminium chain has recently announced reduction in alumina production by 50%. Alunorte which is owned by Norsk Hydro by 92.1% of shares, delivered lesser alumina to Albras due to reported residue leakage. Hence, Albras which is owned by Norsk Hydro by 51% of shares reported significant decline in production. - Altech Chemicals Ltd., an Australia-based leading supplier of highly pure alumina (HPA), has applied for manufacturing license application to the Malaysian Investment Development Authority in Malaysia. The company has plans to produce HPA from kaolin clay supplied from Altech's kaolin plant based in Western Australia. To address the rising demand from end-users, industry titans are focusing on enhancing production capacities with respect to delivery of refined, reliable and defined material quality which is a prerequisite to meet intense competition in the global market. Pre-book this Report- https://www.factmr.com/checkout/625/S About Fact.MR Fact.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 Us Fact.MR 11140 Rockville Pike Suite 400 Rockville, MD 20852 United States Email: sales@factmr.com Web: https://www.factmr.com/ Read Industry News at - https://www.industrynewsanalysis.com/ Westmont, IL -- (SBWIRE) -- 05/08/2018 -- Rasdale Stamp Company, a Westmont-based stamp auctioneer, has acknowledged the power of the internet in the philatelic industry. In a recent article shared on various industry blogs and websites, the company appreciated how the internet had revolutionized the business side of stamp collection. Rasdale Stamp Company, a family owned and managed philatelic auctioneer from Illinois has posted a factual acknowledgement of the power of the World Wide Web in philatelic engagement and marketing. Amply titled "The Internet and Stamp Collection: 4 Online Tools That Have Really Changed the Hobby, the insightful blog post has discussed four functional digital tools that have revolutionized all the operations in the philatelic industry. The article starts by reminiscing some of the business hurdles that were faced before the digital age. Rasdale accurately notes that the internet has transformed the whole "planet into a compact and interactive global village (where) geographical and location barriers" are a nonexistent. Rasdale focuses on four incredible digital tools that have had the most impact in the philatelic industry. According to Rasdale, Online Catalogs have really changed marketing operations in the philatelic industry. The company describes how stamp auctioneers relied on printed catalogs before the internet was invented. Rasdale laments the inconvenience, ineffectiveness, and the high costs of these printed catalogs that had to be published on various media publications to market any public stamp sale. Nowadays things are a lot easier thanks to online catalogs that are readily available for online viewing or printing from the auctioneer's website. The internet has also facilitated the opening and running of 24-Hr Online Philatelic Stores. Customers can now buy stamps throughout the day from any place in the world. Another remarkable internet tool for the philatelic industry comes in the form of Online Bidding. Stamp auctioneers like Rasdale offer live online bidding, which is far much convenient and cheap than on-the-floor bidding, during their public stamp sales. And last but not least, the internet has spurred the founding of countless Online Forums & Clubs where interested collectors can meet and interact to advance their philatelic interests and dreams. Further details can be found at https://plus.google.com/117999151930492453804. About Rasdale Stamp Company Rasdale Stamp Company, one of the oldest stamp houses in the United States, has lauded the internet for making things a lot easier in the philatelic industry. The company was founded back in 1932 and is now very much renowned for hosting four public stamp auctions a year on February, May, August, and November. Rasdale Stamp Company maintains a host of philatelic experts in its research department to support its superior services for buying or selling postage stamps, coins, or other vintage collectibles resulting in unmatched results. Visit https://www.google.com/maps/place/Rasdale+Stamp+Company/@41.816317,-87.9773567,17z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m5!3m4!1s0x0:0x4f0ef1314e1483cc!8m2!3d41.816317!4d-87.975168?hl=en for company reviews. Contact: Kim Kellermann Company: Rasdale Stamp Company Phone: 630-794-9900 Fax: 630-794-9958 Address: 35 Chestnut Avenue, Westmont, IL 60559 Email: info@rasdalestamps.com Website: https://www.rasdalestamps.com/ Pune, India -- (SBWIRE) -- 05/07/2018 -- The 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. Global in-mold labels market is estimated to grow at ~ 5% CAGR during the forecast period. In-Mold labels are made up of plastic films printed with various printing techniques. The film is cut to give the required shape of the label. The label is placed in the mold being used for the manufacturing of the container. With the heat of the molten or expanding plastic, the back surface of the in-mold label also melts slightly and adheres on the surface of the container. On getting cooled in atmospheric temperature, the container and the label forms a strong bond and acts as a single unit. In-mold labelling results in no post-labelling processes, thereby saving time and labour. In-mold labelled containers are weightless due to no usage of glue for labelling. Offset printing is widely adopted for printing in-mold labels. The food packaging industry is the most prominent consumer of in-mold labels along with other industries such as beverage, pharmaceutical, chemical, automotive, etc. The prime factors powering the demand for in-mold labels are a growing demand for food packaging, complete recyclability, no label look, no requirement of glue, and a saving in time and effort in post-labelling. In-mold labels can be printed with various printing technologies including high graphic flexography, digital, offset and other printing technologies. Low weight containers due to no requirement of glue for labelling and enhanced strength of the in-mold labelled container are other factors that influence consumer attraction. In-mold labels can be made up of barrier IML, which provides barrier to oxygen, light and odour. Transparent look, where contents of the in-mold labelled container are clearly visible enhances the consumer experience at the time of consumption. Get a Sample Copy of Global Report "In-mold Labels Market Research - Forecast to 2023" @ https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/sample_request/1790 With increasing GDP and purchasing power of consumers, the demand for attractive packaging is rising. In-mold labelling increases the shelf life of the label as the labels do not fall off easily. The bond between the label and the container requires a lot of effort for separation. Barrier in-mold labels, made up of barrier materials such as EVOH, PVOH, PVDC and others provide various barriers such as barrier to oxygen, light, odour and others. This increases the quality and shelf life of packaged food and pharmaceutical products. The in-mold label is placed inside the mold of the container and subsequently melts with the heat of the expansion of the plastic resin that forms into the container. Thus, it requires no extra heat and labour for the post-labelling process. These factors are anticipated to boost revenue growth of the global in-mold labels market over the forecast period. Industry News In November, 2017 Constantia Flexibles to expand production capacity at Austrian pharma plant. Constantia Flexibles Group will invest a double-digit million euro amount in the expansion of production capacity at its manufacturing site for pharmaceutical packaging, Constantia Patz, in Austria. The company will install one double-sided lacquering machine for foils and laminates, as well as one slitting machine operating in a new class 8 cleanroom. In November, 2017 Coveris Holdings SA, a premier global packaging manufacturer, announced that it has realigned its operations into four business units: Americas, Rigid, EMEA, and UK Food & Consumer. This action was taken to continue to enhance how the company delivers service in response to changing market demands. In October, 2017 CCL Industries acquires 100% of Acrus CCL a Chilean venture for approximately 6.3 USD Million. Key Players 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 are some of the prominent players profiled in MRFR Analysis and are at the forefront of competition in the global in-mold labels market. In-Mold Labels Global Market - Competitive Analysis In-Mold Labels market will continue to develop globally, as the market for packaging is highly competitive and there is always a rising demand for subsequent packaged goods. The prominent market players continuously strive for sustainable development of their product, so as to stay on top in the In-Mold Labels market. Most of the major market share is hold by the tier 1 companies in the electrical component industry. New entrants are highly subjected to risk while competing in a well matured market, whereas it will be less competitive for the new entrants to enter into emerging economies. 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. Geographically, the global In-Mold Labels market has been divided into North America, Europe, Asia Pacific and Rest of the World. European region accounted for the largest share in terms of both value and volume followed by North America and Asia Pacific with APAC being the fastest growing market. The share is attributed to the flourishing food & beverages industries in the region. Furthermore the demand is also augmented by the increased consumption of cosmetics, mark-up products, skin care products, etc. APAC is expected to show similar results with its fastest growing market by the end of the forecasted period. Get Attractive Discount on Global Report "In-mold Labels Market Research - Forecast to 2023" @ https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/check-discount/1790 In-Mold Labels Global Market Segmentation The scope of Global In-Mold Labels Market is segmented into three major segments which are explained below: By Technology - Extrusion blow-molding process - Injection molding process - Thermoforming - Others By Material - Polypropylene - Polyvinylchloride - ABS resins - Others By Application - Food & Beverage - Chemicals - Personal Care - Consumer goods - Others 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. London, UK -- (SBWIRE) -- 05/08/2018 -- A new website called French Chateau Sales is making waves in the property industry at the moment throughout Europe. The site aims to assist buyers to find the best chateaus and castles available on the French market right now, and there are some fantastic listings at rock bottom prices. From the small to the enormous, from dilapidated properties right through to the luxury castles which have already had work done to them - anyone can find all the chateaus available for purchase in France using this site in a matter of minutes. French Chateau Sales is a straightforward listing site that offers simple navigation and does not require users to signup to view properties. There are already a plethora of chateaus and castles anyone can check out right now, and more get added every week. Buying a chateau or castle in France is an excellent idea because the market is booming at the moment, and property prices look set to rise during the next few years. Also, compared to homes in the UK, chateaus and castles in France are available for a fraction of the cost. Many new buyers claim they find themselves drawn towards these unique and unusual properties because they have considerably more character than anything they can find on housing estates in the UK or elsewhere. France also benefits from excellent weather during the summer months, and so it's the ideal location for those who want to relax in the sunshine. Indeed, a significant number of retirees relocate to France every single year, but that doesn't mean the area is not suitable for young people. Far from it. The experts at French Chateau Sales deal with many clients who are nowhere near retirement age. From properties that need a lot of work to those ready for inhabitants today, anyone who visits the French Chateau Sales website is guaranteed to find something that meets and exceeds their expectations. The team behind this website works hard to ensure they advertise the most charming chateaus and castles available on the market, and they've already assisted many happy people to purchase their dream home. Those who would like to know more about French Chateau Sales and the properties they promote should visit the website today and get in touch. There is a contact page with an email form, and the entrepreneurs behind this venture aim to respond to all correspondence as quickly as possible. With a bit of luck, French Chateau Sales will remove all the hassle of buying a dream home in France this year. Contact: Howard Hanson Company: French Chateau Sales Address: 20-22 Wenlock Road, London, N1 7GU, UK Phone: 0738815450 Email: howard@frenchchateausales.com Website: https://frenchchateausales.com Sarasota, FL -- (SBWIRE) -- 05/07/2018 -- Next Generation Packaging Market: Overview Rising need for sustainable packaging techniques and advancements in packaging materials has led to the development of next generation packaging, which is one of the advanced forms of packaging technology. It offers various advanced benefits such as the extension of product shelf life, traceability, and availability of product quality information. It is an aggregation of three types of packaging, which includes intelligent packaging, active packaging, and modified atmosphere packaging. Download Research Report Broachers @ https://www.zionmarketresearch.com/requestbrochure/nextgenerationpackagingmarket Next Generation Packaging Market: Facts The food packaging will have innovations being made that will represent the next generation packaging. Intelligent packaging in the food will have sensors that are created based on the carbon nanotechnology, biotechnology, printed electronics, and silicon photonics. The remote and the nondestructive monitoring will be enabled using the sensor-enabled RFID tags. Next Generation Packaging Market: Segmentation The global next generation packaging market is segmented into its packaging type, and application. On the basis of packaging type, the market is divided into intelligent packaging, active packaging, and modified atmosphere packaging. Active packaging further includes gas emitters, gas scavengers, antimicrobials and moisture, and corrosion control. Intelligent packaging further includes tags, indicators, and sensors. Based on application, the market is segregated into logistics and supply chain, personal care, healthcare and pharmaceuticals, food and beverages, and others such as the automotive and industrial segments. Request Free Sample Report @ https://www.zionmarketresearch.com/sample/nextgenerationpackagingmarket Next Generation Packaging Market: Growth Factors Advancements in packaging material, increase in the geriatric population, and rising need for a sustainable packaging technique are the driving factors of the next generation packaging market. Other factors influencing the growth include growing adoption of QR codes on packaging, increasing research and development spending on packaging technology, and development of advanced sensors to track the packages during shipment of the products. Demand for next generation packages will be boosted in the food and beverage segment. However, since these packages have limited commercial application it will limit the growth of the market. Request Report TOC (Table of Contents) @ https://www.zionmarketresearch.com/toc/nextgenerationpackagingmarket Next Generation Packaging Market: Regional Analysis The largest share in the next generation packaging market is held by North America. The U.S. and Canada are at the forefront of this growth. Following North America in its growth is Europe. Countries such as Germany, the U.K., France, Italy, Spain, Netherlands, Belgium, and Luxembourg are the chief contributors to the growth in the European region. Asia Pacific will also be contributing a significant share to the market growth. The economies in Latin America are undergoing rapid industrialization, which is anticipated to escalate the demand in the next generation packaging market. Next Generation Packaging Market: Competitive Players Few of the prominent market players in the global next generation packaging market include WestRock Company, Amcor Limited, Sonoco Products Company, Bemis Company Inc., Stora Enso Oyj, WS Packaging Group Inc., Multivac, Ulma Packaging, Sealed Air Corporation, and Active Packaging Ltd. Browse detail report @ https://www.zionmarketresearch.com/report/nextgenerationpackagingmarket About Zion Market Research Zion Market Research is an obligated company. We create futuristic, cutting edge, informative reports ranging from industry reports, company reports to country reports. We provide our clients not only with market statistics unveiled by avowed private publishers and public organizations but also with vogue and newest industry reports along with pre-eminent and niche company profiles. Our database of market research reports comprises a wide variety of reports from cardinal industries. Our database is been updated constantly in order to fulfill our clients with prompt and direct online access to our database. Keeping in mind the client's needs, we have included expert insights on global industries, products, and market trends in this database. Last but not the least, we make it our duty to ensure the success of clients connected to usafter allif you do well, a little of the light shines on us. Washington, DC -- (SBWIRE) -- 05/08/2018 -- Solve.Care and Arizona Care Network will unveil new blockchan application at VA Healthcare Summit May 14-16, 2018, in Washington D.C. at MGM National Harbor. Attendees at the 2018 VA Healthcare Summit will hear from Pradeep Goel, CEO of Solve.Care and Dr. David Hanekom, CEO of Arizona Care Network (ACN) as they introduce a new application, based on Blockchain technology, that can transform veteran healthcare, making it more accessible and efficient. The 2018 VA Healthcare Summit assembles more than 300 individuals associated with healthcare for veterans. Both U.S. and global stakeholders will be present to discuss the challenges at the forefront of veterans' healthcare operations, policy, and procurements. Participants in the conference range from VA officials, healthcare executives, government officials, and academic professionals. During the summit, Goel and Hanekom will discuss how they are revolutionizing the patient experience and eliminate inefficiencies in the healthcare system using smart automation and blockchain technology. Participants have several opportunities to learn about the solution and see the technology in action on Wednesday, May 16: - 10-11 a.m. Demonstrations of the Veterans' Care.Wallet in the Operating Theater - Noon-1 p.m. - Goel and Hanekom will overview the program and veterans' care solution at an open session keynote and fireside chat - 1-2 p.m. - Goel and Hanekom will be available for media interviews Solve.Care has recently signed a multi-year contract for its decentralized healthcare administration platform with Arizona Care Network (ACN), a leading accountable care organization (ACO) in the US with a network of more than 5,500 physicians covering 250,000 members. Working together, ACN and Solve.Care are introducing new technologies, for a new way to improve clinical outcomes, relieve administrative burdens and reduce costs within the healthcare system. "This assembly of people who care about veterans and are responsible for the future of their healthcare provides a perfect opportunity for Dr. Hanekom and me to present a solution for making veteran care accessible, accountable and achievable," said Goel. About Solve.Care Solve.Care platform is a revolutionary healthcare administration platform that patients, employers, physicians, healthcare organizations and insurance companies can use to make care delivery more efficient, effective and affordable. It improves care coordination, while empowering individuals to effectively manage their healthcare decisions and replaced inefficient and duplicative systems with intelligent automation to save billions of dollars in costs per year. Solve.Care platform is designed to synchronize insurance companies, government agencies, hospitals and providers, pharmacies and businesses to achieve better care coordination and more effectively manage the delivery networks while engaging all stakeholders. The platform is also designed to combat and eliminate fraud, waste and abuse in the healthcare system by injecting unprecedented levels of accountability and transparency into the administration of care. Employers can also use the platform to administer benefits, reduce costs and reward their employees, while physicians and hospitals can issue prescriptions, manage appointments and coordinate with specialists. Solve.Care has signed a multi-year contract for its decentralized healthcare administration platform with Arizona Care Network (ACN), a leading accountable care organization (ACO) in the US with a network of more than 5,000 physicians covering 250,000 members. For more information about the company, please go to http://www.solve.care/ or contact us via email at info@solve.care About Arizona Care Network Arizona Care Network is a physician-led and governed accountable care organization that improves healthcare and reduces costs by actively managing care for its patients. ACN is a partnership between Dignity Health Arizona and Tenet-owned Abrazo Community Health Network and is affiliated with Phoenix Children's Care Network for pediatric care. The network is comprised of more than 5,500 primary care and specialty physicians providing a broad range of clinical and care coordination services to adult and pediatric patients in Maricopa and Pinal counties. For more information, visit www.azcarenetwork.org. Mount Laurel, NJ -- (SBWIRE) -- 05/08/2018 -- Mother's Day is approaching, which means that many people are scrambling to figure out what to give their mother to show her their love and appreciation. Fortunately, they do not have to look far. Residents in New Jersey and Pennsylvania are encouraged to gift their mom a treatment from SV Massage this Mother's Day. SV Massage offers a variety massage treatments that any mother would be pleased to receive. Sharon Villa, licensed massage therapist and owner of SV Massage, offers Swedish Massage, Deep Tissue Massage, Back, Neck & Shoulder Massage, and more. The various therapeutic treatments are personalized to meet the needs of the one who is receiving the massage. Whether someone is feeling stressed or they'd like to take a day to themself, a massage is a good answer. Those who receive massages regularly may experience a variety of health benefits, including but not limited to eased chronic muscular tension and pain, fewer headaches, improved circulation and posture, and increased joint flexibility. Those who are tired of giving their mother the same types of gifts on Mother's Day are encouraged to seek out Sharon Villa from SV Massage. Mothers who are not familiar with massage may find the Swedish Massage the most satisfying, as it is a relaxing, full-body massage that uses a combination of different strokes to relieve stress, reduce muscle tension, and relax the body. This Mother's Day, residents of New Jersey and Pennsylvania can give their mother the perfect gift. To learn more about the various treatments offered by SV Massage, contact them at 609-736-2312 or visit their website at https://www.svmassage.com/. About SV Massage SV Massage is a private practice located inside Crossfit Hygge in Mt. Laurel, NJ. Licensed massage therapist and owner Sharon Villa offers a variety of professionally customized therapeutic massage treatments including but not limited to Swedish massage, Deep Tissue massage, and Corporate Chair massage. For more information, visit https://www.svmassage.com/. Designing their futures Senior capstone course gives an entree into the professional world As a freshman, Alex King had doubts about whether she really wanted to be an engineer it seemed like nothing but math, especially in the first few semesters. From left, mechanical engineering seniors Alex King, Brooks Wilhelm, Syed Noor and Alejandro Rodriguez worked together for two semesters on a part design for AGY, an industrial firm that makes high-strength glass fibers. But by the time she and three other mechanical engineering majors teamed up for their senior capstone design course, all that math paid off and the lightbulb came on as they worked together to solve a real-world problem for an industrial manufacturer. You have to be patient and stick it out, says King, an Enoree, South Carolina, native who is anticipating a job offer ahead of May graduation. The math and the other foundational courses help you when you get to the challenging parts of engineering. Challenging is probably an apt word to describe the College of Engineering and Computings senior capstone design course, a required two-semester sequence that often has students rubbing elbows with industrial partners. It might be a manufacturer looking to improve the efficiency or ergonomics of an existing system or perhaps a product development issue that needs tweaking. Occasionally, a business might have a novel idea but not the bandwidth to further its development. They might just want to see what our students can come up with to advance the idea, says Andrew Sabalowsky, a mechanical engineering instructor who helps coordinate the senior capstone design courses. Seniors in each of the colleges disciplines computer science, biomedical, civil and environmental, chemical, computer, electrical and mechanical complete the capstone design courses, and there are plans to grow the program. A value-added proposition Hossein Haj-Hariri, dean of the College of Engineering and Computing, has a vision for expanding the capstone courses by finding more corporate partners to sponsor them. Eventually, he wants to construct an innovation center in the universitys former biomass energy building near the Swearingen Engineering Center, turning it into a large lab and collaboration space for students, mentors and entrepreneurs. Theres a lot of value in what our students generate in these capstone courses, Haj-Hariri says. For our corporate partners, its a phenomenal return on their investment. They usually get a good solution to their engineering problems, and they essentially get to interview a group of students for nine months. Thats a good opportunity for the companies and for our students. In 2017-18, 53 senior capstone design courses were funded by corporate partners, who covered basic costs associated with the projects. For the 2018-19 academic year, the college hopes to have 90 sponsored projects for seniors and perhaps twice that many in the next few years, Haj-Hariri says. With 3,200 undergraduates, the college must continue finding new partners who want to work with students. For our corporate partners, its a phenomenal return on their investment. They usually get a good solution to their engineering problems, and they essentially get to interview a group of students for nine months. Thats a good opportunity for the companies and for our students. Hossein Haj-Hariri, dean, College of Engineering and Computing With software and prototyping tools like 3D printing, we have capabilities that would have been impossible even 10 years ago, he says. The capstone design program is helping us build relationships that persist with corporate partners. Its a nice ecosystem, and eventually the corporate partner participants will pay enough into the program to sustain it. Haj-Hariri points to the Global Supply Chain and Operations Management program in the Moore School of Business, which over time has developed a steady stream of business partners who pay an annual fee in return for student teams taking on logistical projects. Were not going to charge the same type of fees, he says, but our partners need to have some investment in these projects; they wont be committed to something if theres no cost to them. Lessons learned Back in the lab, King and her student partners spent long days and evenings thinking through manufacturing equipment modifications needed by AGY, an industrial firm that makes high-strength glass fibers. The company sought assistance in solving a production-line issue that involved modifying an important piece of equipment. By March, the students felt they had a solution in hand that met the companys design criteria and cost parameters. We learned a lot about the process of coming up with a new part, says Brooks Wilhelm of Baltimore, Maryland. It seemed at first like we could just come up with a solution right away. But the further we got into it, the more we realized just how exact everything had to be. Team leader Alejandro Rodriguez from West Columbia, South Carolina, says the project has involved more than calculations. As an engineer, you have to consider what the workers needs are in this case, safety is a big issue, he says. Its opened my eyes to what engineering really is. I think I have an idea now what to expect when Im out in the real world. For Syed Noor of Mount Pleasant, South Carolina, the capstone design project reinforced the idea of simplicity. Sometimes the intricate design is not the best design, he says. The more you keep everything simple, the more cost efficient and time efficient it is. And if things go wrong, its usually easier to fix the simpler design. Pathway to professional careers Cassandra Cook, a Wilmington, Delaware, native, led a team this year with three other biomedical engineering seniors to develop a mobile device app that can display blood oxygen levels and pulse on a smart phone or tablet. From left, biomedical engineering seniors Riley Meekins, Jillian Carroll, Cassandra Cook and Olivia Coyle worked on a project to develop a smart device app to wirelessly display blood oxygen levels and pulse in a home care setting. The app could save money in home care settings, eliminating the need for expensive medical devices when continuous vital sign monitoring is necessary. The students project supported the research enterprise of computer science professor and associate dean Homayoun Valafar, whose own NIH- and NSF-sponsored work focuses on medical informatics and related fields. This project has roots in biomedical practice, but the execution of creating the application had a lot to do with computer science and electrical engineering, while having a large learning curve for the medical device industry, says Cook, who will start a position after graduation in May with Omnicell, an automated health care solutions firm in San Francisco. Team member Riley Meekins, who plans to work as an engineer for a few years before pursuing an MBA, says the project helped her develop better collaborative skills, which she says make you a more appealing candidate in the application process and a more valuable member of a company. Olivia Coyle is headed to the UofSC School of Medicine this fall, and says the project taught her the value of compromise. Not everyone will always agree on every detail, and without compromise nothing would be accomplished, she says. Our group focused on our ultimate goal and we all made a conscious effort to listen to and value each other's opinions equally as fellow engineers. The big picture The objectives of the senior capstone design course are about more than meeting the technical demands of a project and learning to work as a team. Students are learning the soft skills of the business world, Sabalowsky says. First, they go to the industrial site and wrap their brains around the problem at hand, and then they interact with a professional engineer at the company repeatedly, over the course of two semesters, who is very busy and needing results. They quickly realize they have to bring their A-game, Sabalowsky says. Students learn to be more professional in their emails and hone their presentation skills. In general, theyre learning how to function in the professional world. These are skills not specifically taught through curriculum, but vital to their abilities to gain and maintain employment. This opportunity polishes and prepares them in ways no classroom experience can, to ideally set them up for successful careers. Become a partner All Engineering and Computing capstone design projects are brought to the university through a business and industry team that confirms the project framework will bond the students coursework and experience while ultimately supplying a real-life work opportunity. For more information about bringing a project to capstone design, contact Abdel Bayoumi, associate dean for corporate relations, 803-777-1845, Tanja van Tooren, industrial coordinator for Capstone Projects, 803-576-6627, or Danielle Gadow, administrative coordinator, 803-777-9596. Share this Story! Let friends in your social network know what you are reading about Library detectives Information investigators pack subject expertise, customer service skills into their case-solving toolkit University Libraries' Graham Duncan is transcribing the handwritten business journals of 19th century South Carolinian John Peyre Thomas. Meet the Library Detectives, a team of University Libraries professionals with remarkable resource-seeking vision and powers of perception. These scholarly sleuths are dedicated to solving the most puzzling cases for their student and faculty patrons. Grappling with graphology Graham Duncan often gets lost in translation. His latest project has him transcribing Diary of Weather and Occurrences, the handwritten business journals of 19th-century South Carolina plantation owner John Peyre Thomas. His handwriting is pretty wonderful, actually, says Duncan, his head tilted into the book as he deciphered another page for the growing Thomas and Muller Family Papers digital collection. He has transcribed and digitized six of the 16 journals, and they are now full text searchable. Ive worked with these kinds of manuscripts for as long as Ive worked here, says Duncan, a South Caroliniana Library manuscripts expert who came to University Libraries as a student employee in 2002. In this passage, Thomas describes the birth of his second daughter, and here he describes how his family plans to escape mosquitos at night. As youre transcribing, you learn things like what a cursive S looked like in the 18th and 19th centuries. It looks like a strange letter F. Double S tends to look like P. Once you know characteristics like these, you can fill in some blanks. There are different schools of handwriting that you can study, too, and there are tips and tricks you can learn. To decipher the journal, Duncan needs about an hour to translate one month. He and fellow manuscripts expert Edward Blessing are planning a workshop for later this year that will cover the basics of translating and reading cursive, a lost art for many of todays students. The Spanish acquisition For Amie Freemans faculty patron, the search for a 19th-century Spanish serial was a race against time. A USC professor of Spanish and comparative literature needed access to a Spanish serial published in 1886, and he wanted to obtain this item before other researchers did so that he could be the first to publish on the subject, says Freeman, Interlibrary Loan Librarian. A lot of times were able to locate an item through WorldCat, a global catalog that makes library collections around the world findable and accessible. But rarer items like this serial publication often dont get indexed in WorldCat, so you have to go from library catalog to library catalog in the hope of finding it. So in this particular case, the patron had an idea of where the item might be, and he provided some information to point me in the right direction. I was able to ultimately find the serial through a catalog in a library in Berlin. I emailed that library with our request, and they explained that they had the only known existing copy and, for obvious reasons, it was noncirculating and could not be loaned to us. But I was able to arrange for the item to be digitized exclusively for our patron. They scanned it for us and emailed me a TIF file, which I forwarded to the patron, giving him access to a full, digitized scan of the material for his research. He was thrilled: I dont think he expected to have access to it without having to travel to Berlin to see it in person. And he was the first academic to make use of the serial in a publication. In praise of marginalia Michael Weisenburg and Jeanne Britton were about to send ten students on a treasure hunt through the Thomas Cooper Library stacks. But first, a pep talk. You should be able to find a lot of markings today, but remember we are not looking for 21st-century markings in old books, Weisenburg says as he holds up an 18th-century volume whose yellow-highlighted pages practically glow. As youre transcribing, you learn things like what a cursive S looked like in the 18th and 19th centuries. It looks like a strange letter F. Double S tends to look like P. Once you know characteristics like these, you can fill in some blanks. There are different schools of handwriting that you can study, too, and there are tips and tricks you can learn. Graham Duncan, University Libraries We want to find handmade markings made by readers from the past in early 20th-, 19th-, and 18th-century books, and sometimes those markings hide in interesting places, he says. Be on the lookout for embossed bindings, old bindings, old covers. Look for bookplates with the owners name. Names written on an inside page that look like they were written with a quill or steel-point pen. Gift inscriptions such as Happy birthday to Mary from Momma. Handwritten question marks in the margins. A date written on the last page of a book signifying when a reader finished reading the book. Something stuck between the pages of a book, like a letter or card. The student discoveries for this day include a volume of Thomas Hoods "Poetical Works" (1879). It had been used as a kind of scrapbook, with lots of newspaper clippings glued onto the endpapers and throughout the book. It also contained extensive underlining and marginal notations, along with several doodles. Weisenburg, Instructional Librarian in the Irvin Department of Rare Books and Special Collections, is co-principle investigator on a USC Provost Humanities Grant to collect, catalog and disseminate significant marks left by historical readers. In fall 2016, he and co-PI Jeanne Britton, Irvin Department Curator, hosted a similar event when Andrew Stauffer of the University of Virginia visited campus to discuss his "Ghostwriting" project. The USC finds are being added to library records following the model of UVAs "Booktraces. Semper find Greg Wilsbacher is a Moving Image Research Collections curator with University Libraries. (Photo by Tut Underwood, SC Public Radio) Thanks to Greg Wilsbacher, a Marine has been reunited with his memories. We were contacted by a U.S. Marine Corps cameraman who is in his early 90s, says Wilsbacher, Moving Image Research Collections curator. He asked if we could search through our newly acquired U.S. Marine Corps Film Archive and find some of the films he shot in the 1960s, toward the end of his career when he was in Vietnam. To my delight and to his we were able to find two of them. We promptly got those scanned, turned them into DVDs, and mailed them to him in Texas. The diploma disappearance Lisa Wrightenberry was asked to do something no one else had been able to do: find Rufus McDonald. An article in the Chicago Tribune revealed that McDonald, a contractor hired to clear out an old house in Chicago, had uncovered a trove of documents belonging to Richard Greener (1844-1922). As its first African-American graduate, Greener was important to Harvard University. And because Greener was Carolinas first African-American professor, a graduate of the law school and a campus librarian, he was also important to South Carolina. When Dean McNally learned that Richard Greeners law degree and law license had been found, he knew the documents belonged in our collection, says Wrightenberry, the deans administrative coordinator. Chicago is a big city, and all we knew was that Rufus worked for a trash removal company in the Chicago area. I was handed four pages listing more than 35 trash removal companies in Chicago. Instead of making all those cold calls, I did some extensive internet research, used Google maps, and found a zip code for a Rufus McDonald. From there I found an address and phone number. The phone number was incorrect, so I took a chance, wrote a letter and sent it to someone I thought could be him. The letter praised McDonald for recognizing the importance of such historical documents and planted the idea that the documents needed to be home. It also included the deans phone number and a request to call. Dean McNally was away on a business trip when he called me and exclaimed, Guess who I just talked to?, Wrightenberry says. He was ecstatic that we reached out to the right Rufus and he had immediately gotten in touch. It was the start of our friendship with him, and the first step in bringing the Greener documents to USC. After talking several times a week, Wrightenberry and McDonald became friends. I encouraged him to hang onto the rest of the Greener documents, and I helped him search for collectors and organizations who might be interested in buying them. As it turns out, a long-time University Libraries friend purchased the documents and donated them to the university. Now theyve all been reunited in our collection. Romancing the syllabus If Kathy Snediker had a moniker, it might be Resource Whisperer. The research and instruction librarian has a way of leading faculty and students to the material they need and then seamlessly making that material available to them. Kathy has been most helpful when I have taught Historians Craft (HIST 300), a methods course that teaches students how to be historians, history professor Wanda Hendricks says. Two of the most important aspects of the course are teaching and showing the students what primary and secondary sources are and locating those sources. Kathy does a superb job of guiding the students during her presentations. Kathy also assisted me with the Rise of Industrial America: Gilded Age and Progressive Era (HIST 405) course Im teaching this spring. One of the graded assignments is daily readings in newspapers during the 50-year period from 1870 to 1920. Kathy came to Gambrell Hall to show my students how to locate newspapers from the time period, and she created an online library guide for them that is now linked to Blackboard. Thanks to Kathy, for the first time in my teaching career I did not assign a hard copy textbook to the class, Hendricks says. All of the readings, including the free textbook 'American Yawp' and three monographs, are digital copies that students can retrieve from the University Libraries site. Ultimately, the only items that students needed to purchase were two blue books for exams. Share this Story! Let friends in your social network know what you are reading about The ship will depart Mondays on a four-night itinerary to Havana for an overnight call and Key West, alternating with a three-night weekend Bahamas getaway to Nassau and Great Stirrup Cay. Sailing from renovated Cruise Terminal 10 Norwegian Sun returned to Port Canaveral to begin its summer sailing season fresh from a dry dock enhancement. The ship will be berthed at the recently remodeled Cruise Terminal 10, which underwent more than $35m in renovations. Earlier, Norwegian Sun called Port Canaveral home from 2010 to 2012. Port CEO Capt. John Murray expressed pride in Canaveral's partnership with Norwegian Cruise Line and the ability to offer travelers a new itinerary this summer. Murray and Canaveral Port Authority chairman Wayne Justice presented Norwegian Sun Capt. Teo Grbic with a plaque welcoming the ships return. Investments validated 'Todays embarkation to Cuba validates the ports ongoing investments in state-of-the-art facilities and continuous improvement in cruise operations, earning the confidence of some of the worlds most successful cruise brands,' Justice said. The 78,309gt Norwegian Sun was built in 2001. Pricing for the newly freshened 1,936-passenger ship includes unlimited drinks. The facility will feature the worlds first container terminal that will be fully equipped with remote control technologies and will set a new global standard in port operations, Hutchison Ports said in a press release. Terminal D will comprise a total of three phases and when eventually completed will add 3.5m teu of capacity to the fast-growing port. Read More: HK's HIT launches new remote controlled cranes at CT9 North Hutchison Ports Thailand & Southeast Asia md Stephen Ashworth said: We are proud to be able to contribute to the Thai governments vision for economic prosperity and Terminal D is our latest investment boosting Laem Chabang Ports ability to facilitate the countrys growing trade activities. The new Terminal D is an integral part of Thailand s Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC) under Thailand 4.0s objective to modernize the economy through improved infrastructure and innovation. The new terminal will be capable of handling some of the largest ocean vessels currently in operation, offering customers more choice and flexibility, as well as improved efficiency and productivity. Among the benefits of using remote control technology are higher operational efficiency and productivity, an improved working environment for crane operators, improved industrial safety and a cleaner terminal environment by reducing carbon emissions. Learn more about smart ports at Seatrade Maritime Middle East in October 2018 The Hutchison Ports network includes 52 ports in 26 countries around the globe. We bring significant expertise to Laem Chabang, as well as global best practices, the worlds leading technology, and strong relationships with the worlds leading shipping lines. With the Governments support, our advanced technologies will help to ensure Thailands sustainable growth, concluded Ashworth. In January, Washtenaw County and the city of Ann Arbor announced the joint "One Community" initiative aimed at advancing local racial equity. Now, county commissioner Felicia Brabec, one of the initiative's leaders, says the question is: "How do we have this not fail?" The original press release on the initiative states there is a 10-year difference in life expectancy between black and white residents in the county, and a 16-year difference in life expectancy between Latinx and white residents. Another statistic positions Washtenaw County at 80 out of 83 counties in Michigan for income inequality. Brabec says the county is like a tale of two cities, citing titles Ann Arbor has received in the past such as "the best place for young professionals" and "most educated." "But then in the same place you have kids who have 30- to 40-point differences in test scores," Brabec says. By reviewing all areas of government through the lens of equity, county and city officials aim to address the years of structural disparities that have normalized and perpetuated notions of discrimination. But Brabec says 70 to 80 percent of initiatives with similar aims fail, and considering the present level of disparity in the city and county, One Community's success will require hard work and deep commitment. "This is a long game," says Brabec. Short-term effects One Community's most immediate effect has been a series of trainings for government officials provided by the Local and Regional Government Alliance for Race and Equity (GARE). GARE, a joint project of Race Forward and the Haas Institute for a Fair and Inclusive Society, has worked on equity initiatives in nearly 100 governments nationwide, including Grand Rapids. GARE conducted an introductory training and overview of its program in Ann Arbor last June. Since January, a nine-session training program has been underway with a focus on awareness and history of racial inequity. The next phase will train government officials to train their own employees. Gordon Goodwin, GARE Midwest regional project manager, says racial equity analysis benefits people of all races. Goodwin says government has historically played a significant role in the enforcement of laws that directly created racial inequities, such as whether a person could be a citizen, vote, or own property. "While those laws have gone away primarily because people held government accountable for that change, people of color have not had the same access and opportunity to freedom and justice in our society," Goodwin says. Ann Arbor city council member Chuck Warpehoski attended GARE's initial trainings. He says in one lesson he learned there were many black teachers before segregation was outlawed, but many of them were fired when schools were integrated, creating negative implications for education. Another lesson discussed redlining in particular, how black people looking to invest in property were denied access to certain neighborhoods and ultimately missed out on wealth-building opportunities. Warpehoski says the lessons also covered communication skills and how to talk about racial equity issues. "These are highly charged issues," says Warpehoski. "A lot of people feel anxious and unprepared to talk about them, especially in a public setting." Additionally, Warpehoski says the initiative is pertinent to eliminating implicit bias in local police work. County administrator Greg Dill says county sheriff Jerry Clayton and his senior leadership team are "very supportive and very committed" to the initiative, although they have not yet taken GARE training. As a city council member, Warpehoski is enthusiastic about the partnership between city and county officials. "By working shoulder to shoulder with county government, we are able to identify new opportunities and new ways to work together on these goals that we wouldn't have ... had we implemented this on our own," says Warpehoski. Warpehoski says the city has had similar efforts in the past, but none during his time on council. "(Past initiatives) were a one-off thing," says Warpehoski. "One training and that was it. The ongoing structural approach, not just naming the problem but defining action plans to address equity goals, is something I haven't seen the city tackle before. I have seen some nonprofits address it and some businesses, and I think it's time the city get on board as well." Long-term goals In the long term, Dill says One Community is an "opportunity to look at our community in a more wholesome way." "It's an opportunity for us to infuse equity into some of the investments we make as a community," he says. The county's annual general fund is upwards of $110 million, and the 2018-2021 budget is currently under discussion. Dill is confident it will include an investment plan for equity. He says issues of equity must be thought about in "deeper and broader ways." "Unless we are willing to do that from a foundational level and understand differences, understand the challenges we face and think about them in a different way, we'll never be able to achieve those things," Dill says. One of the initiative's main goals is to develop a sustainable strategy. Ann Arbor city administrator Howard Lazarus says One Community's goal is to provide everyone in the county the benefit of enjoying an exceptional quality of life. That includes safety for children, access to good schools and economic opportunities, fair and equitable delivery of services, and programming structured around those who need it most. It's yet to be defined how those strategies will be implemented in the long term. Brabec is a strong advocate for an equity ordinance as a way for the initiative to go on for generations. Dill says he is a huge supporter of the county having an equity office that would help sustain One Community's evolution. "We want (equity) to be a component of the DNA of our organization," says Dill. County commissioner Jason Morgan says addressing equity in the county is "absolutely critical." "Ann Arbor and Ypsilanti are some of the most economically segregated cities in the state, if not the country," he says. "The fact that we haven't done enough to address that is extremely concerning and disheartening." Morgan hopes to bring more community engagement initiatives to the county, as not everyone can attend weeknight meetings or easily access the internet. He says improving community engagement efforts is another way to sustain One Community and a way to better serve the community. Morgan sees equity disparities as the county's biggest challenge, and says there must be vigilance involved so One Community doesn't lose steam. "It is sustainable only as quickly as we advance the issues," he says. Afaf Humayun is a reporter, poet, artist, and activist who works to preserve and expand the future of the humanities while staying engaged on issues of inclusion. You can find some of her writings at The Keel Port Huron and The Arab American News. She lives in Ypsilanti. All photos by Doug Coombe Statement of Senator Nancy Binay on the resignation of Secretary Wanda Corazon Tulfo-Teo as Department of Tourism (DOT) secretary We thank Secretary Wanda Corazon Tulfo-Teo for her service at the Department of Tourism (DOT). It is unfortunate that her name was dragged into a controversy. I, however, commend her decision to resign and to spare the President from undue pressure. The President has too many things on his plate to be dragged into this issue, most especially solving the diplomatic gap between our country and Kuwait, where 260,000 of our countrymen depend for their livelihood. I also call on the president to immediately appoint her replacement, as not to put the DOT's programs and projects to a standstill, especially in light with the rehabilitation of Boracay Island. Press Release May 8, 2018 Legarda: Climate Finance Crucial To Achieve Paris Agreement Goals Senator Loren Legarda today underscored the need to address concerns on climate finance in order to ensure that the goals of the Paris Agreement are met. Legarda made the statement as she participated in the "In Session Workshop on Long-Term Climate Finance" organized by the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) as part of the 48th Session of the Subsidiary Bodies of the UNFCCC in Bonn, Germany where the Senator is Head of the Philippine Delegation. "The session allowed Parties to discuss climate financing issues in our respective countries and explored ways to close the gap between our goals and the means to achieve these under the Paris Agreement," she said. "Among the major challenges pointed out include the lack of information on available finance, complex application rules, delivery of financial commitments by the developed nations, time consuming accreditation, and lack of community engagement, among others," she added. Legarda echoed the call of UNFCCC Executive Secretary Patricia Espinosa, who said that, "We need to dramatically raise our ambition in all aspects of our work and we must work together to achieve it...Addressing climate change with the level of financing that we have now is like going to face a hurricane with an umbrella. We need to transform that." Espinosa said urgency, ambition and opportunity must be at the core of our action. Legarda stressed that the Philippines, in spite its insignificant contribution to global greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions at 0.3%, remains fully committed to achieving a 1.5 degrees Celsius-compatible Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC). In a press conference organized by the World Resources Institute (WRI) prior to the Long-Term Climate Finance Workshop, Legarda said, "We continue pursuing this development path consistent with 1.5 degrees Celsius not only because we know it is the best way to protect our people and climate, but also because we know it will spur economic growth." "We need bold climate action, transformation in all sectors, multi-sectoral involvement, community level local climate action, and industrialized nations leading the low carbon pathway. All of these are necessary so that the 1.5-degree target is met and to bring about sustainable development," the Senator stressed. Legarda, who chairs the Senate Committees on Foreign Relations, Finance, and Climate Change, said that while the Philippines' commitment to reduce carbon emissions by 70% is conditional, it has been pursuing initiatives to mitigate because it sees mitigation as a function of adaptation. Aside from crafting laws such as the Climate Change Act and the People's Survival Fund Law, which is the country's first adaptation finance mechanism dedicated to supporting local climate adaptation efforts, Legarda ensures that the annual national budget of the Philippine Government is a climate-sensitive budget to proactively address the impacts of climate change and extreme weather events. Aside from funding, there are provisions in the national budget that mandates government agencies to integrate disaster and climate resilience in their programs. "It is not an option whether or not countries should reduce their carbon emissions. All countries must do so. That is why we are advocating for a more ambitious climate goal of 1.5 degrees Celsius because any level beyond this would be extremely difficult for us to survive and thrive," Legarda concluded. New Zealand shares rose, joining a regional rally, as investors predict whether an upcoming MSCI index review will spur major activity next week. Fletcher Building, which could exit the index, gains, while new addition a2 Milk Co fell. The S&P/NZX 50 index increased 6.65 points, or 0.1 percent, to 8,594.59. Within the index, 29 stocks gained, 12 fell and nine were unchanged. Turnover was $132 million. Investors are waiting to see the outcome of upcoming MSCI index changes after the rapid ascent of a2 Milk to claim the title as New Zealand's biggest listed company and the decline of long-standing bluechip stock Fletcher Building. Brokers anticipate next week's reweighting will lead to a busier day than the previous review when about $1.1 billion of Contact Energy and Fisher & Paykel Healthcare shares changed hands. A2 fell 3.2 percent to $12.75, the day's biggest decline, while Fletcher led the bourse higher, up 3.7 percent to $6.53 "If a2 is included which is what most people predict, then we're talking probably the largest daily traded volume that's going to occur at the end of May than we've ever seen before," said Rickey Ward, NZ equity manager at JBWere in Auckland. "It'll be a day of significant volume if a2 goes in." Next week, Fletcher will also hold the shortfall bookbuild for any shares not taken up by retail investors in a discounted share issue, and Ward said people are "preparing themselves to back into that bookbuild". The shortfall bookbuild for the institutional component of the capital raise priced Fletcher shares at $6.15 apiece. Among other gainers, Scales Corp rose 1.9 percent to $4.75, and Trade Me Group advanced 1.3 percent to $4.80. Port of Tauranga gained 1.2 percent to $5.16 after a Westpac Banking Corp regional economy report said increased March quarter volumes going through the port underpinned upbeat economic confidence in the Bay of Plenty. Te Puke-based Comvita advanced 1.9 percent to $7.10, and Tauranga-based Trustpower rose 0.5 percent to $5.87. Property For Industry rose 0.9 percent to $1.67 after holding its annual meeting and declaring an increased first-quarter dividend of 1.8 cents per share. Other stocks that fell included Air New Zealand, down 1.4 percent to $3.285 as global oil prices gained. There was a 1.1 percent decline in Kathmandu Holdings to $2.64, while Fisher & Paykel Healthcare slipped 0.7 percent to $12.70. Outside the benchmark index, Evolve Education was unchanged at 55 cents after notices showed Regal Funds Management increased its stake in the early childhood education provider to almost 17 percent and Salt Funds Management boosted its holding to 11 percent. Metro Performance Glass fell 3.4 percent to 85 cents after First NZ Capital downgraded its rating and target price on the glass products maker, citing the prospect of a slowing building cycle. Dual-listed banks Australia & New Zealand Banking Group rose 1.2 percent to $29.99 and Westpac Banking Corp gained 0.8 percent to $31.90 after the sector fell out of favour as a Royal Commission across the Tasman raised questions about those lenders' business practices. AMP fell 0.5 percent to $4.39 after three directors chose to step down from the financial services firm's board ahead of today's annual meeting in Melbourne. New Zealand lender Heartland Bank was unchanged at $1.78. Among the bluechip stocks, Auckland International Airport rose 1.1 percent to $6.55, Meridian Energy gained 0.5 percent to $2.965, and Spark New Zealand slipped 0.4 percent to $3.515. (BusinessDesk) Comments from our readers No comments yet Add your comment: Your name: Your email: Not displayed to the public Comment: Comments to Sharechat go through an approval process. Comments which are defamatory, abusive or in some way deemed inappropriate will not be approved. It is allowable to use some form of non-de-plume for your name, however we recommend real email addresses are used. Comments from free email addresses such as Gmail, Yahoo, Hotmail, etc may not be approved. Anti-spam verification: Type the text you see in the image into the field below. You are asked to do this in order to verify that this enquiry is not being performed by an automated process. Related News: 7th October 2021 Morning Report Just Life Group Limited (NZX: JLG) Acquisition of Intenza New Zealand and Market Update Experience Comvita's Story of Innovation and Connection at World Expo 2020 Dubai National Day of Vaccination Backed by Business The a2 Milk Company Limited (NZX: ATM) The a2 Milk Company to Defend Class Action 6th October 2021 Morning Report NZME Limited (NZX: NZM) Market Update - COVID-19 Impacts QEX Logistics Limited (NZX: QEX) NZ Markets Disciplinary Tribunal Censure 5th October 2021 Morning Report 4th October 2021 Morning Report Agriculture Minister Damien O'Connor wants officials to keep Kiwi consumers in mind in a review of the regulatory regime governing dominant dairy processor Fonterra Cooperative Group. The minister today released the terms of reference for a review of the Dairy Industry Restructuring Act, which enabled the 2001 creation of Fonterra, which is expected to lead to legislative changes next year. The government passed temporary legislation to delay the expiry of provisions requiring Fonterra to accept milk from any South Island farmer wanting to join the company to allow a deeper look into the industry. The review will be split along export and domestic lines, which are seen as separate but connected, and include whether the dairy sector is operating in the long-term interests of New Zealand consumers in terms of prices, availability, quality and product range. While it will focus on the DIRA legislation, officials will account for the wider regulation system including the Resource Management Act, Animal Welfare Act, Health and Safety at Work Act, Immigration Act, Overseas Investment Act, Financial Markets Conduct Act and Commerce Act. "In particular it will look at open entry and exit for farmers, the raw milk price setting process, contestability for milk, the risks and costs for the sector, and the incentives or disincentives for dairy to move to sustainable, higher-value production and processing," O'Connor said in a statement. "The whole dairy sector needs to look ahead to see what trends and potential disruptions are coming our way and get ahead of consumer trends." The Ministry for Primary Industries will lead the review with support from the Ministry for Business, Innovation and Employment, Treasury, the Ministry for the Environment, the Ministry for Foreign Affairs and Trade, the Commerce Commission, and external experts. Holding legislation to prevent the expiry of Fonterra's contestability and efficiency provisions was needed after independent processors collected 22 percent of all milk solids in 2015, triggering a review of the law. The previous administration had planned to relax some of the conditions on Fonterra to accept milk supply from new dairy conversions and would phase out the need to sell regulated raw milk to large rival processors. Those proposals followed a Commerce Commission review that found Fonterra's market dominance still warranted regulation. In a cabinet paper, O'Connor said he expected the main concerns will be the open entry and exit provisions requiring Fonterra to accept milk from all-comers and their impact on the industry's environmental outcomes and Fonterra's ability to invest in value-add processing, and the requirement for Fonterra to sell milk to rivals and how that affects the future structure of the industry. Fonterra's milk price-setting processes and their impact on land use, land values, and incentives to invest in innovation were also seen as a likely focus, as was Fonterra's cooperative structure and how that weighs on the company's ability to raise capital, and how the changing dynamics of wholesale domestic supply affects the long-term interests of New Zealand consumers. Officials will meet with stakeholders and identify issues and options between May and August, before considering potential options for change in the final three months of the year. Government is expected to receive a report early next year with legislation tabled in Parliament in 2019, the terms of reference say. O'Connor told cabinet the dairy herd improvement supporting national genetic gains would be excluded from this review and will be part of a separate process. The terms of reference also exclude the financial, environmental, and animal health and welfare performance of dairy farming which comes under MPI's farm systems change project, international trade and access rules that fall under the new trade agenda, and quota access allocations in foreign markets. (BusinessDesk) Comments from our readers No comments yet Add your comment: Your name: Your email: Not displayed to the public Comment: Comments to Sharechat go through an approval process. Comments which are defamatory, abusive or in some way deemed inappropriate will not be approved. It is allowable to use some form of non-de-plume for your name, however we recommend real email addresses are used. Comments from free email addresses such as Gmail, Yahoo, Hotmail, etc may not be approved. Anti-spam verification: Type the text you see in the image into the field below. You are asked to do this in order to verify that this enquiry is not being performed by an automated process. Related News: 7th October 2021 Morning Report Just Life Group Limited (NZX: JLG) Acquisition of Intenza New Zealand and Market Update Experience Comvita's Story of Innovation and Connection at World Expo 2020 Dubai National Day of Vaccination Backed by Business The a2 Milk Company Limited (NZX: ATM) The a2 Milk Company to Defend Class Action 6th October 2021 Morning Report NZME Limited (NZX: NZM) Market Update - COVID-19 Impacts QEX Logistics Limited (NZX: QEX) NZ Markets Disciplinary Tribunal Censure 5th October 2021 Morning Report 4th October 2021 Morning Report Karnataka, which was hauled up on May 3 by the apex court for not releasing sufficient Cauvery water, today filed an affidavit through its Chief Secretary, claiming that 2017-18 has been a "distress water year in the Cauvery basin" the third time in a row. : Karnataka on Monday told the Supreme Court that it has supplied 116.697 tmcft of Cauvery water, instead of 100.04 tmcft, to Tamil Nadu by applying the distress formula, even though the current year has been water deficient. However, Tamil Nadu, in its affidavit, on Monday alleged that Karnataka was acting like "a judge of its own cause" and has failed to comply with the order of the tribunal affirmed by the top court. It demanded framing of the Cauvery Management Scheme by the Centre. In its affidavit, Karnataka said "on applying the alleged distress sharing formula based on 'recorded flow' as relied upon by the state of Tamil Nadu...before this court claiming damages or short supply in distress year 2012-13, the share of Tamil Nadu, at the end of April 2018 at the inter-state border work out to 100.04 tmcft. "However, Karnataka has ensured 116.697 tmcft at Billigundulu. Therefore, the excess ensured is 16.66 tmcft." It said that even in the months of March and April of this "distress year", the share of Tamil Nadu "has been met by ensuring 1.4 tmcft as against 1.24 tmcft for March and 1.10 tmcft as against 1.22 tmcft for the month of April. Therefore, Karanataka has not committed any default in ensuring water releases, as alleged." Karnataka has been reporting the status of water flows to the supervisory committee constituted after the top court's order of May 10, 2013, its affidavit said. "Even if Tamil Nadu were to draw for drinking water etc, at the rate of 719 cusec for the remaining 28 days in May and 30 days in June (if rainfall is delayed), the total drawls would be 3.60 tmcft. Therefore, there is no shortage for drinking water in the Cauvery basin area in Tamil Nadu," it said. In its affidavit, Tamil Nadu alleged that Karnataka has been acting as "a judge of its own cause and fails to comply with the binding order of the tribunal as affirmed by this court." It said it would be appropriate that the issues relating to the implementation of the decision including the release of water are dealt by the Cauvery Management Board. "There cannot be any substitute to the machinery for the implementation of the final order of the tribunal," Tamil Nadu said, adding, "the central government is duty bound to implement the apex court's order on framing of Cauvery Management Scheme". Earlier, a bench headed by Chief Justice Dipak Misra had warned Karnataka and asked it to apprise the bench "as to how much water can be released" and fixed the matter for hearing tomorrow. It had also taken strong note of the Centre for not yet framing the Cauvery management scheme to implement its verdict on river water sharing between four southern states, even as Tamil Nadu had attacked the union government for its "partisan" attitude saying this was the "end of cooperative federalism". Earlier, the court had also asked the Centre to file an affidavit by May 8 giving details of steps taken to frame the scheme, which was ordered for smooth release of water from Karnataka to Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Kerala and Puducherry. Attorney General K K Venugopal had said the hearing on setting up of the scheme, under which Cauvery Management Board (CMB) has to be constituted, be deferred by ten days till the Karnataka polls are over as the Prime Minister and his cabinet colleagues were busy campaigning. Venugopal also said the draft scheme, which has to be approved by the Union Cabinet, could not be put for approval due to the ongoing campaign. On April 9, the court had asked the Centre to formulate and file the draft Cauvery management scheme before it by today and directed Tamil Nadu and Karnataka to ensure peace in the meantime. The bench had made it clear that the judgment has to be complied with all the stake holders. The apex court had asked the Centre to formulate a scheme to ensure compliance of its 465-page judgement on the decades-old Cauvery dispute. It had modified the Cauvery Water Disputes Tribunal award of 2007 and made it clear that it will not be extending time for this on any ground. The top court had on February 16 raised the 270 tmcft share of Cauvery water for Karnataka by 14.75 tmcft and reduced Tamil Nadu's share, while compensating it by allowing extraction of 10 tmcft groundwater from the river basin, saying the issue of drinking water has to be placed on a "higher pedestal". With the apex court's verdict, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Kerala and Union Territory of Puducherry would be annually entitled to 404.25 tmcft, 284.75 tmcft, 30 tmcft and 7 tmcft of Cauvery water respectively out of the total of 740 tmcft. : The Congress President Rahul Gandhi when asked on Tuesday if he was willing to be PM in 2019, struck a confident note, saying, "Yes, why not?" That is of course, if the Congress is the single largest party in 2019. Rahul also said today that the Congress was repeatedly asking the Prime Minister why has he chosen a corrupt person, who has been in jail as his party's CM candidate? STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- Today we shine the Advance spotlight on two standout Staten Island sons who are representing their borough well in the United States Navy. This just in from the Navy Office of Community Outreach: Meet Petty Officer 2nd Class, Jesse Bruno An Eltingville resident and St. Joseph by-the-Sea grad in the Class of 2009, Bruno is serving in the U.S. Navy aboard one of its newest attack submarines, USS Hawaii. Bruno works as a machinist's mate (auxiliary) serving aboard the Pearl Harbor-based submarine, one of 56 fast attack submarines in the U.S. Navy. Interestingly, a Navy machinist's mate (auxiliary) is responsible for maintaining and operating diesel engines and hydraulic plants. "I like the technical knowledge that I am gaining while serving aboard the Hawaii," said Bruno. "It is a unique experience." Jobs are highly varied aboard the submarine, according to Navy officials. Approximately 130 men and women make up the submarine's crew, doing everything from handling weapons to maintaining nuclear reactors. Navy officials explain that attack submarines are designed to hunt down and destroy enemy submarines and surface ships; strike targets ashore with cruise missiles; carry and deliver Navy SEALs; carry out intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance missions; and engage in mine warfare. "Our submarine teams are small, elite, and rely heavily on extraordinary individual performance," said Rear Adm. Daryl L. Caudle, commander, Submarine Forces, U.S. Pacific Fleet. "It is no surprise that our sailors continue to set the standard for excellence, and the country continues to be well served by their service and sacrifice. I couldn't be more proud to lead this professional fighting force." Because of the demanding environment aboard submarines, personnel are accepted only after rigorous testing and observation. Submariners are some of the most highly trained and skilled people in the Navy. Regardless of their specialty, everyone has to learn how everything on the ship works and how to respond in emergencies to become "qualified in submarines" and earn the right to wear the coveted gold or silver dolphins on their uniform. Becoming a submariner is an accomplishment in itself, but Bruno also is proud of earning a Navy Achievement Medal for restoring all of the plumbing and potable water systems. Bruno also has military ties with family members who have previously served and is honored to carry on the family tradition. "Both of my grandfathers were in the Navy way back when," said Bruno. Challenging submarine living conditions build strong fellowship among the elite crew, Navy Officials explained. The crews are highly motivated, and quickly adapt to changing conditions. It is a busy life of specialized work, watches and drills. "Serving in the Navy means that I will be set up to get good job when my time is done here," said Bruno. Meet Petty Officer 3rd Class, Kurt Mitchell Another Staten Island son and 2014 Curtis High School grad is serving in Japan in the U.S. Navy aboard USS Germantown. Mitchell, a logistics specialist aboard the ship operating out of Sasebo, Japan, is responsible for ordering, receiving, inspecting, stowing, preserving, packaging, shipping, and issuing materials and cargo. They perform postal counterwork, including sale of stamps and money orders and process incoming and outgoing mail. They process claims and inquiries, account for government materials, and prepare and maintain required forms, records, correspondence, reports, and files. Mitchell is proud to serve in the Pacific and fondly recalls memories of Staten Island. "Do your best in whatever you do. I learned this from my mom," said Mitchell. "Anything, whatever it is, no matter what you do, do it to the best of your ability." Mitchell has received the Blue Jacket of the Quarter as well as Blue Jacket of the Year awards. He was awarded those by his superiors who believed he exemplified how a sailor should work and carry themselves. With more than 50 percent of the world's shipping tonnage and a third of the world's crude oil passing through the region, the United States has historic and enduring interests in this part of the world. The Navy's presence in Sasebo is part of that long-standing commitment, explained Navy officials. Commissioned in 1986, Germantown is the second Navy ship named after the Revolutionary War Battle of Germantown. With a crew of more than 900 sailors and Marines, Germantown is 609 feet long and weighs approximately 16,000 tons. Designed specifically to operate landing craft air cushion small craft vessels, Whidbey Island-class dock landing ships have the largest capacity for these landing craft out of any U.S. Navy amphibious ship. "You have to make sacrifices to serve here," said Mitchell. "The good thing is that you experience what the Navy really is all about. You learn and grow as sailor and an individual. My leadership skills have improved since from before I joined the Navy. My work ethic is stronger." As a member of one of the U.S. Navy's most relied-upon assets, Mitchell and other sailors know they are part of a legacy that will last beyond their lifetimes providing the Navy the nation needs. "My favorite part about serving in the Navy is that I'm able to travel and see other countries and take advantage of education provided to me," said Mitchell. Seventh Fleet, which is celebrating its 75th year in 2018, spans more than 124 million square kilometers, stretching from the International Date Line to the India/Pakistan border; and from the Kuril Islands in the North to the Antarctic in the South. STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- Members of the local judiciary and students from several area schools attended Staten Island's Richmond County Bar Association Law Day ceremony on Tuesday. The keynote speaker was Hon. Matthew Sciarrino, Jr., acting justice of the Supreme Court of The State of York, Kings County. The event chairperson was William Barillari. The theme for this year's ceremony -- held at Richmond County Courthouse, St. George -- was "Separation of Powers: Framework for Freedom." In attendance were students from New Dorp High School's Law Institute, Curtis High School, New World Preparatory Charter School, PS 29 and St. Clare School. Ximena Figueroa, a freshman at Curtis High School, and Corrine Randazzo, a junior at New Dorp High School, both presented speeches during the event about the three branches of government -- executive, judicial and legislative. "I feel very honored, and it shows how hard work pays off," said Figueroa during her presentation. "I'm glad to be in the company of so many great people." Randazzo said she was speechless and honored to be around people she looks up to. "It's an absolute honor to have this opportunity," she said. "Ever since I was young, I've wanted to go into law." After presenting, the two students received plaques applauding their work and participation. At the end of the program, students were given a chance to visit some of the courtrooms at the courthouse. Every year during the ceremony, the Richmond County Bar Association recognizes a distinguished member of the legal community by giving an award honoring the memory of the late Justice Thomas R. Sullivan. This year's recipient of the Hon. Thomas R. Sullivan Award is Myron G. Lasser, who has practiced law since 1959 and is a former president of the Staten Island Trial Lawyers Association. Law Day was established by a Proclamation of Congress during the presidential administration of Dwight D. Eisenhower to celebrate the system of justice and educate the public. FOLLOW ANNALISE KNUDSON ON FACEBOOK AND TWITTER. STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- Of the 13 alleged rapes reported so far this year in the 121st Precinct, all have one thing in common: The victims knew their attackers. A recent spike, which stretches from Travis to Port Richmond, represents a 550-percent increase in the precinct compared to this time last year, according to the NYPD's CompStat figures. Borough-wide, incidents were up 82 percent, as of April 29, which includes slight increases in the 120th and 122nd precincts. Rapes reportedly were down on the South Shore, where only one was reported so far this year. Of the 13 incidents handled by police in the 121, 10 occurred in 2018 and three occurred prior to this year, police said. Nine of the alleged rapes involved an attacker who was a friend or acquaintance of the victim, while four were domestic-related, which could mean a married couple or older and younger relative. Here's a closer look at some of the alleged incidents, arrests and pending cases: SLEEPOVER IN WILLOWBROOK Not all incidents counted ultimately carry a rape charge at the prosecutorial level. Included in the statistics is the case of a 62-year-old man who was arrested this year in connection with multiple alleged sex assaults involving two under age children. David Gonzalez, of Willowbrook, currently is being held on Rikers Island for charges of sex abuse, sexual conduct against a child, forcible touching and endangering the welfare of children. From 2014 to 2018, Gonzalez allegedly abused a girl on multiple occasions inside his home; one of the incidents occurring during a sleepover, according to police and court records. A separate case involving an incident in June, 2017, involved a girl inside of a home in Stapleton, records show. Defense attorney Patrick Parrotta, who according to public records was retained by Gonzalez, did not immediately return a request for comment. Gonzalez is being held on $160,000 bond or $110,000 cash. He's due back in court May 10. RAPE CHARGE DROPPED The CompStat numbers also include the case of a Newark, N.J. man who was arrested in January and charged with raping a female acquaintance, according to police. The 33-year-old victim told police the defendant, 49, was inside her Bulls Head home at about 2 a.m. near Graham Avenue and Commerce Street when the rape occurred, court records show. Without her consent, the defendant allegedly laid on the bed next to her and pressed his body against hers, despite her asking him to stop. Police said he then proceeded to have sexual intercourse with her. However, according to online court records, the rape charge was dismissed and the suspect eventually pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor count of forcible touching and was sentenced to probation. ARRESTS SO FAR As of last week, investigators had effected seven arrests for rapes reported to police this year. The remaining six incidents remain under investigation by the NYPD's Special Victims Squad. Nine of the 13 incidents were classified, at least initially, as first-degree rapes. In New York, that includes forcible intercourse with another person or intercourse with a child under 11 years old. MOST WALK FREE On two occasions this year, according to police, alleged rape victims on Staten Island refused to initially provide police with the name of their attacker. One incident involved the victim's boyfriend, and the other was a male acquaintance. Because a majority of rapes go unreported or perpetrators go unidentified, about 994 out of every 1000 perpetrators walk free, according to data published by the Rape, Abuse and Incest National Network (RAINN). Among the most common reasons for victims not reporting incidents: Fear of retaliation, doubt that police wouldn't pursue the case and the belief the incident was a personal matter, according to the RAINN website. China resists push at UN for Myanmar probe of Rohingya attacks United Nations, United States, May 8 (AFP) May 08, 2018 China is resisting a British push at the UN Security Council for a statement calling on Myanmar to try those responsible for attacks on the Rohingya, according to a draft seen by AFP on Tuesday. Back from a visit to Myanmar and Bangladesh last week, the Security Council is holding negotiations on a statement that would spell out how to address the crisis from the forced exodus of 700,000 Muslim Rohingya from Myanmar. Britain last week circulated a text that stressed the importance of "credible and transparent investigations" of human rights violations and urged Myanmar to hold those responsible for the violence to account. China, a supporter of Myanmar's former ruling junta, on Monday put forward an amended statement that dropped all mention of investigations or accountability. Myanmar has come under international scrutiny since a military campaign launched in August drove more than 700,000 Rohingya from their homes in northern Rakhine state. China's draft statement stresses "the need to address the root causes of the issue" and calls for investment in Rakhine state to "achieve stability through development." Diplomats said Britain, backed by France and the United States, had rejected the proposed changes by China and negotiations were continuing. The 15 ambassadors last week met with traumatized refugees living in overcrowded camps in Bangladesh and toured burned-out villages in Rakhine state. The council adopted a statement in November that called on Myanmar to rein in its military, but there has been no resolution, a stronger measure that China would likely block as one of the veto-wielding permanent members. Myanmar has said the military operation in Rakhine is aimed at rooting out extremists and has rejected accusations from the United Nations, Britain, France and the United States of "ethnic cleansing." The council has urged Myanmar to allow the safe return of the Rohingya and take steps to end decades of discrimination that the Muslim minority has suffered in Buddhist-majority Myanmar. ~ Prime Minister should hold referendum on Independence.~ PHILIPSBURG:--- MP Christopher Emmanuel urged the Council of Ministers and Parliament to begin thinking outside of the box and legalize the use of marijuana. Emmanuel said that the state of Nevada have been making large sums of monies on the sale of marijuana. He said that even Jamaica and St. Vincent approved the law to decriminalize the sale and use of marijuana. Emmanuel said that he intends to bring an amendment to the opium legislation in order to decriminalize the sale and use of marijuana for medicinal and recreational use. He said St. Maarten could solve its budget deficit problems just by legalizing marijuana. The former Minister explained that St. Maarten is busy killing the goose that lays the golden egg (the Tourism product). Emmanuel asked the Ministers to tell parliament exactly how much money St. Maarten will get for the recovery and rebuilding from the Netherlands. As for the ultimatum given by the Kingdom Council regarding the budget. He called on the Ministers to research the word autonomy because in his view St. Maarten is currently in a colonial state. He urged the Interim Prime Minister to call for a referendum for independence within a six month period. He pointed out that the British Virgin Islands threatens to go independent due to interference from the British. Emmanuel said that the Dutch have been interfering in St. Maartens affairs (autonomy) and he personally has had enough of the interference. The MP said while the chairlady already said she was not born with balls its time that she grow some balls to put an end to the constant interference by the Dutch. MP Emmanuel referred to the amount of votes MP Theodore Heyliger gets at the end of each election since 2010, yet Heyliger cannot be a Minister in his own country. Emmanuel also highlighted the fact that the Prosecutors office is looking to dismiss the Supervisory Board of the Harbor Group of Companies. He called on the Prosecutors Office to know their place and stick to the prosecution of law breakers. He asked the Minister of Justice if he is aware of the situation that brewing in the Court of First Instance since a senior staff member has been suspended. He also asked the Minister of Justice to tell parliament how many of the vehicles sent to St. Maarten post Irma for the Police Force are in operation. Emmanuel said that St. Maarten has a criminal organization operating right here as he refers to the lunch meeting the Judges, Prosecutor and head of the TBO had. He said that the Attorney General has to give St. Maarten some sort of explanation because the explanation given by the judges and prosecutor is an insult to the people of St. Maarten. Emmanuel asked the Prime Minister to explain to Parliament why did the Netherlands chose to use the World Bank to manage the recovery funds. DOMINICAN REPUBLIC:-- A male patient from St. Maarten that was staying at the La Casona Dorada Hotel was arrested on Monday afternoon in front of the hotel. SMN News understands that police in the Dominican Republic caught the patient with marijuana in his possession. According to information provided to SMN News the patient was also stopped on Friday with marijuana possession and he was warned that day. However, on Monday afternoon police searched the male patient and again found the illegal substance in his possession thus he was arrested. SMN News understands the patient was sent to the Dominican Republic by USZV for a surgery on his shoulder. It is further understood that the patient had been in the Dominican Republic for the past two weeks and to date he has not yet undergone the surgery. The content herein, unless otherwise known to be public domain, are Copyright 1995-2018 - Space Media Network. All websites are published in Australia and are solely subject to Australian law and governed by Fair Use principals for news reporting and research purposes. AFP, UPI and IANS news wire stories are copyright Agence France-Presse, United Press International and Indo-Asia News Service. ESA news reports are copyright European Space Agency. All NASA sourced material is public domain. Additional copyrights may apply in whole or part to other bona fide parties. Advertising does not imply endorsement, agreement or approval of any opinions, statements or information provided by Space Media Network on any Web page published or hosted by Space Media Network. Privacy Statement As US military air crash toll rises, lawmaker calls for probe Washington, May 7 (AFP) May 07, 2018 A senior US lawmaker introduced legislation Monday to create a panel looking into military aviation mishaps, following a string of deadly incidents including one last week that killed nine airmen. The US military has been beset by a series of air accidents and crashes in recent years, and the rise has been shown to correlate with budget cuts introduced in 2013. The most recent incident occurred May 2, when a Hercules C-130 cargo plane belonging to the Puerto Rico Air National Guard crashed in the southern state of Georgia, killing all nine people on board. Congressman Adam Smith, the top Democrat on the House Armed Services Committee, introduced a bill to establish an independent commission on military aviation safety. We need to "understand exactly what causes are contributing to military aviation accidents, how current rates compare to historic averages, and what steps we can take to improve military aviation safety," Smith said. The commission would review military aviation mishaps between fiscal year 2013 and 2018, compared to historic averages. 2013 was chosen because that was the first year of large congressional budget cuts, known as sequestration. According to a Military Times review, at least 133 service members were killed from fiscal year 2013-2017 in aviation mishaps. The budget cuts took hold just as warplanes and their crews were being ordered on near non-stop deployments, such as to Iraq and Syria to fight the Islamic State group. The cutbacks meant pilots' flight-training hours were reduced, and the Pentagon slashed the numbers of its most experienced plane maintainers, Military Times found. Fiscal year 2018, which started on October 1, has already seen 12 fatal accidents resulting in 35 deaths of military pilots and crew -- a six-year high, Military Times reported. "It is essential for our aviators and their families -- as well as for our military's ability to recruit, retain, and perform its mission -- that Congress have an authoritative, objective, apolitical look at the causes of this problem so that we can figure out what is going wrong and what actions need to be taken," Smith said. Last month, an F-16 crashed near Las Vegas, killing the pilot. Just a day earlier, four crew members died when a Marine Corps helicopter crashed while on a routine training mission in southern California. And in Djibouti, two incidents triggered the grounding of US military flights. According to local news reports in Puerto Rico, one of the pilots of the C-130 that crashed last week had told a friend he was reluctant to board it because it needed serious repairs. Still, the Pentagon has been reluctant to portray the accidents as indicative of broader systemic failings. "This is not a crisis," Pentagon spokeswoman Dana White said on Thursday. "But it is a crisis for each of these families. And we owe them a full investigation, and to understand what's going on." Court blocks sending American 'IS fighter' to third country Washington, May 8 (AFP) May 08, 2018 A US appeals court on Monday blocked the government's plan to hand over to a third country an American citizen captured in Syria allegedly fighting for the Islamic State group. In a two-to-one decision, a panel of judges at the US Court of Appeals in Washington left in place a lower court's injunction preventing the man, a dual US-Saudi national, from being turned over by the US military to the Saudi government. The American Civil Liberties Union, which has been representing the man, known in court documents only as "John Doe," asked the court to block the transfer, arguing that he has not been charged with a crime and has the right to due process under US laws. The US government maintains he is an "enemy combatant," which the man denies, and announced on April 17 that it intends to send him to a third country, which court documents implied was Saudi Arabia. The court's reasoning for its decision to keep the injunction in place remained under seal. "The appeals court's judgment vindicates due process, limits on executive authority, and the protection of an American's constitutional rights," said ACLU attorney Jonathan Hafetz in a statement. "The president does not get a blank check to dispose of the liberty of US citizens just because international relations or military actions are involved." The case is a key test for how the administration of President Donald Trump handles US citizens detained abroad for supporting extremist organizations like the Islamic State group (IS). The man is the only known US citizen held as an alleged enemy combatant from the battlefields of Iraq and Syria. Between 100 to 200 US nationals traveled to Syria and Iraq after 2010 to work and fight in IS's ranks, according to various estimates. It is not clear why the government refuses to hand him over to the US justice system, as other Americans accused of terrorism have been. But analysts think the Trump administration wants to avoid the fundamental question of whether an American caught fighting for IS has any rights. The Justice Department on Monday said it would was reviewing the decision to see what steps it will take next. "This individual's alleged activities with (IS) implicate numerous national security, law enforcement, international relations and foreign policy concerns," said spokeswoman Kerri Kupec. "Both domestic and international law confer on the US military broad discretion over battlefield operation, including the transfer of individuals captured on overseas battlefields." Israeli soldier freed after serving manslaughter term Ramla, Israel, May 8 (AFP) May 08, 2018 An Israeli soldier convicted of manslaughter for shooting dead a prone Palestinian assailant was freed from prison on Tuesday and greeted by supporters as a hero after serving nine months behind bars, half his original sentence. Elor Azaria was initially condemned to 18 months in prison for the 2016 killing of Abdul Fatah al-Sharif in the occupied West Bank city of Hebron. Armed forces chief of staff Gadi Eisenkot later reduced the term by four months and in March a parole board ordered a further cut, to a total of nine months. Azaria was released two days ahead of schedule, and as word of it spread a small group of supporters began to visit his home in Ramla near Tel Aviv, including the city's mayor. Israeli media said he was freed early from Tzrifim military prison, near Tel Aviv, to allow him to attend his brother's wedding. The military confirmed his release but provided no further details. A sign outside Azaria's home said "welcome back Elor the hero". "I'm here to thank all the people of Israel for their support, for their embrace," his sister Etti Azaria said outside the home, an Israeli flag held up behind her. "They were with us all the way." Like other members of the family, she wore a T-shirt with Azaria's photo on it. Education Minister Naftali Bennet, head of the far-right Jewish Home party, tweeted his congratulations to Azaria along with a picture of the family, saying "it's good to have you home". Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who had called for the former soldier to receive a presidential pardon, told reporters he was "happy that the affair is over". - 'Nothing we can do' - The release however drew further anger from Palestinians, who have called his sentence outrageously short. The mother of the Palestinian killed by Azaria spoke of her resignation. "There is nothing we can do," Rajaa al-Sharif told AFP at her home in Hebron. "This is something natural for them." Azaria, who was 19 at the time of the 2016 shooting, began serving his sentence on August 9. Prisoners in Israel often have their sentences cut by a third for good behaviour. The shooting incident was caught on video by a human rights group and spread widely online. It showed Sharif, 21, lying wounded on the ground, shot along with another Palestinian after stabbing and wounding a soldier, according to the army. Some 11 minutes after the initial shooting, Azaria, a sergeant and military medic at the time of the incident, shot him in the head without any apparent provocation. He said he feared Sharif was wearing an explosive belt and could blow himself up, a claim judges rejected. The trial captivated Israel and highlighted deep divisions in public opinion between those who denounced the shooting and others who said it was justified. Senior army officers strongly denounced Azaria's actions, but right-wing politicians, including Netanyahu, called for him to be pardoned. Comparisons have been drawn to sentences handed out to Palestinians for lesser crimes. Those critical of Azaria's sentence have in particular pointed to the jail term of Palestinian teenager Ahed Tamimi. She was sentenced to eight months in prison in a plea deal after a video that went viral showed Tamimi, 16 at the time, slapping two Israeli soldiers in the West Bank in December. jjm-hb-jod-scw/mjs/hkb After war against IS, Iraq fighters target election victory Basra, Iraq, May 8 (AFP) May 08, 2018 Not long ago they were battling against the Islamic State group -- now members of Iraqi paramilitary units have swapped the bullets for ballots as they compete in upcoming elections. Abdel Amir Najem was quick to sign up to fight when Iraq's top Shiite cleric Ayatollah Ali Sistani issued a call to arms back in 2014 to stop the rampaging jihadists. The former security officer was one of tens of thousands who volunteered to join the Hashed al-Shaabi (Popular Mobilisation Units) that fought alongside Baghdad's regular forces. Five months after Iraq declared IS beaten, Najem is making a first foray into politics by standing for national parliamentary elections on May 12 in his southern home region Basra. Running at the head of an alliance of local civil society figures and technocrats he says his experience in battle is perfect preparation for taking on Iraq's corrupt elite. "After the victory that we achieved at the front, we now have to battle those politicians who are just as bad as IS," Najem tells AFP. He vows to focus on education and hopes he can break through "the tribal allegiances, personal interests, promises, bogus projects and vote buying" that mar Iraqi politics. - 'Want a change' - The rise of the Hashed as a political force has shaken up the landscape ahead of the vote with some concerned their ties to Iran mean Tehran could gain more influence. Members of the Shiite-dominated units feature widely on political lists vying for seats in the parliament. Falih Khazali is running for the Conquest Alliance headed by Hashd leader Hadi al-Ameri, seen as one of the main challengers to incumbent Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi. Khazali -- an imposing figure who lost his right eye in battle -- is no stranger to the minefield of Iraqi politics. He was elected to parliament just before IS swept across his homeland in 2014 -- but spent most of his mandate fighting on the front lines. Together with his comrades, he says, he helped "win victory where even the 66 countries of the international coalition couldn't fight". This experience is clearly a major selling point with potential voters. "Someone who has sacrificed for Iraq will for sure make a good member of parliament," says Tareq Jabbar, a 55-year-old civil servant as he listens to their pitches. Labourer Mahmud Yassin, 48, insists that people simply "want a change" as they are tired of the "same old faces" who have dominated Iraq since the fall of Saddam Hussein in 2003. - Corruption, economy, employment - Not everyone appears entirely convinced. Clutching an excercise book and calculator, student Ammar Mufid, 24, is not willing to pay any price for the reforms he wants to see. "Some are using their combat against IS for political ends but what we really need are people who will fight against unemployment," he says. These concerns seem to have been taken on board by some of the ex-combattant candidates. Khazali's campaign headquarters are a hive of activity as dozens of youths busy away putting the finishing touches to his political programme. He says he already has plans on "the economy, youth, poverty, housing, employment, agriculture and industry", and has collated 50 dossiers of corruption cases he wants solved. "Even during the past three-and-a-half years away at the front, I did not stop following politics," he insists. "Now we are relying on the conscience of the voters". The 2015 Iran nuclear deal Paris, May 8 (AFP) May 08, 2018 In a hard-won deal struck in 2015, Iran agreed to freeze its nuclear programme in return for the lifting of punishing international sanctions. It was a breakthrough that ended a 12-year standoff between Iran and the West, concerned Tehran was developing a nuclear bomb. On Tuesday US President Donald Trump is due to announce his verdict on the US sanctions relief underpinning the accord, which he insists was "very badly negotiated." Here is some background: - 21 months of talks - Negotiations start in June 2013 between Iran and the five permanent members of the UN Security Council -- Britain, China, France, Russia and the United States -- plus Germany. By November they reach an interim deal that is finalised in April 2015 and signed on July 14 that year. The UN Security Council adopts the deal on July 20, 2015 and it comes into force on January 16, 2016. - Main points - The accord brings to a minimum of one year, for at least 10 years, the "breakout time" that Iran needs to produce enough fissile material to make an atom bomb. Among other points, Tehran agrees to slash the number of centrifuges, which can enrich uranium for nuclear fuel as well as for nuclear weapons, from more than 19,000 to 5,060, maintaining this level for 10 years. The deal limits all enrichment to only one facility. It also stipulates that Iran's pre-deal stockpile of 12 tonnes of low-enriched uranium -- enough for several nuclear weapons if further enriched -- must be reduced to 300 kilogrammes (660 pounds) for 15 years. Only enrichment to low purities is allowed, also for 15 years. - Controls - The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) is charged with regular inspections of facilities such as uranium mines and centrifuge workshops for up to 25 years. UN inspectors have certified Iran's compliance with the deal nine times, most recently in November. - Sanctions eased - The accord paved the way for a partial lifting of international sanctions on Iran, opening the door for foreign investors with French energy giant Total and carmakers PSA and Renault quick to strike deals. UN embargoes on the sale of conventional arms and on ballistic missiles to Iran have however been maintained up to 2020 and 2023 respectively. - May 12 ultimatum - In October 2017, Trump refuses to certify that Iran is respecting its commitments on the agreement but he does not re-impose sanctions or abandon the deal itself. Trump again waives sanctions in January but he demands that European partners "fix the terrible flaws" in the accord before May 12, the next decision deadline for Trump on the deal. Ahead of the deadline the US leader says he will announce his decision Tuesday, putting an abrupt end to efforts over the past weeks by the UK, Germany and France to save the deal. "If the United States leaves the nuclear agreement, you will soon see that they will regret it like never before in history," Iranian President Hassan Rouhani says on Sunday. acm-alc/eab/dcr PSA PEUGEOT CITROEN TOTAL APRIL US-backed Kurdish fighters resume anti-IS ops: coalition Washington, May 8 (AFP) May 08, 2018 A US-backed Kurdish-led alliance this week launched a new offensive against holdouts from the Islamic State group in eastern Syria, an official said Tuesday. Kurdish members of the Syrian Democratic Forces -- made up of Kurds, Syrian Arabs and other groups -- had quit the Middle Euphrates River Valley in February after Turkey sent troops into Syria and launched an operation against the Kurdish People's Protection Units (YPG) militia in its Afrin enclave. But the SDF last week announced it was relaunching efforts to clear IS from the few areas in Syria where they maintain a presence, including in the eastern oil-rich province of Deir Ezzor near the border with Iraq. "This week, following an increase in coalition strikes against the final ISIS controlled areas in Syria, the Syrian Democratic Forces resumed offensive operations to clear the final ISIS held territory in eastern Syria," British Army Major General Felix Gedney, a deputy commander of the US-led coalition fighting IS, told Pentagon reporters. The first phase of operations aims to secure the southeast portion of the Syria-Iraq border in coordination with the Iraqi security forces, Gedney said. He did not say how many IS fighters remain, though noted that local jihadists are abandoning the fight, causing tension among those remaining. "Observations from eastern Syria suggest that morale among ISIS fighters is sinking," Gedney said. "Frictions are mounting between native- and foreign-born ISIS fighters as ISIS's privileged leadership continues to flee the area leaving fighters with dwindling resources and low morale. ISIS fighters continue to surrender rather than face certain death." He added that more than 400 IS fighters are now in SDF custody. IS jihadists swept across large parts of Syria and neighboring Iraq in 2014, declaring a so-called "caliphate" in areas they controlled. But the jihadists have since lost most of that territory to various offensives in both countries. Saudi Arabia 'supports and welcomes' Trump Iran move Riyadh, May 8 (AFP) May 08, 2018 Saudi Arabia, regional rival of Iran and longtime US ally, said it "supports and welcomes" President Donald Trump's decision on Tuesday to withdraw from the 2015 Iran nuclear deal. "The kingdom supports and welcomes the steps announced by the US president towards withdrawing from the nuclear deal ... and reinstating economic sanctions against Iran," the foreign ministry said. Trump on Tuesday announced the US withdrawal from the "defective" multinational nuclear deal with Iran, as Washington moved to reinstate punishing sanctions against the Islamic republic. After consulting with US "friends" across the Middle East, Trump said his country would "not be held hostage to nuclear blackmail". Following his address, the US leader signed a presidential memorandum to start reinstating US nuclear sanctions on the Iranian regime. Saudi Arabia accused Iran of "taking advantage of the revenue generated by the lifting of the sanctions to destabilise the region", the foreign ministry said. The Sunni-ruled Gulf kingdom is locked in multiple proxy wars with its Shiite rival in the Middle East, including in Yemen, Syria and Iraq. France, Germany, Britain say 'committed' to upholding Iran deal Paris, May 8 (AFP) May 08, 2018 France, Germany and Britain said Tuesday that they were committed to implementing the 2015 Iran nuclear deal despite US President Donald Trump's decision to pull out and his threat of sanctions. "Our governments remain committed to ensuring the agreement is upheld, and will work with all the remaining parties to the deal to ensure this remains the case including through ensuring the continuing economic benefits to the Iranian people that are linked to the agreement," said a joint statement. The statement from British Prime Minister Theresa May, German Chancellor Angela Merkel and French President Emmanuel Macron suggests a transatlantic clash is looming over Trump's decision amid warnings for European firms working in Iran that they could be subject to sanctions. "We urge the US to ensure that the structures of the JCPoA (Iran deal) can remain intact, and to avoid taking action which obstructs its full implementation by all other parties to the deal," the joint statement said. It added that Trump's decision had been noted with "regret and concern" and it urged Iran to continue complying with its obligations. "We encourage Iran to show restraint in response to the decision by the US; Iran must continue to meet its own obligations under the deal," it added. Saudi Arabia 'supports and welcomes' Trump Iran move Riyadh, May 8 (AFP) May 08, 2018 Saudi Arabia, regional rival of Iran and longtime US ally, said it "supports and welcomes" President Donald Trump's decision on Tuesday to withdraw from the 2015 Iran nuclear deal. "The kingdom supports and welcomes the steps announced by the US president towards withdrawing from the nuclear deal... and reinstating economic sanctions against Iran," the foreign ministry said. Riyadh's allies in the Gulf, the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain, also issued statements via their foreign ministries in support of Trump's decision, which has thrown a wrench between the United States, Europe and their allies in the region. The US Navy's Fifth Fleet is based in Bahrain, strategically located between Saudi Arabia and Iran. Trump on Tuesday announced the US withdrawal from the "defective" multinational nuclear deal with Iran, as Washington moved to reinstate punishing sanctions against the Islamic republic. After consulting with US "friends" across the Middle East, Trump said his country would "not be held hostage to nuclear blackmail". Following his address, the US leader signed a presidential memorandum to start reinstating US nuclear sanctions on the Iranian regime. Saudi Arabia accused Iran of "taking advantage of the revenue generated by the lifting of the sanctions to destabilise the region", the foreign ministry said. The Sunni-ruled Gulf kingdom is locked in multiple proxy wars with its Shiite rival in the Middle East, including in Yemen, Syria and Iraq. Saudi Arabia 'supports and welcomes' Trump Iran move Riyadh, May 8 (AFP) May 08, 2018 Saudi Arabia, regional rival of Iran and longtime US ally, said it "supports and welcomes" President Donald Trump's decision on Tuesday to withdraw from the 2015 Iran nuclear deal. "The kingdom supports and welcomes the steps announced by the US president towards withdrawing from the nuclear deal... and reinstating economic sanctions against Iran," the foreign ministry said. Riyadh's allies in the Gulf, the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain, also issued statements via their foreign ministries in support of Trump's decision, which has thrown a wrench between the United States, Europe and their allies in the region. The US Navy's Fifth Fleet is based in Bahrain, strategically located between Saudi Arabia and Iran. Trump on Tuesday announced the US withdrawal from the "defective" multinational nuclear deal with Iran, as Washington moved to reinstate punishing sanctions against the Islamic republic. After consulting with US "friends" across the Middle East, Trump said his country would "not be held hostage to nuclear blackmail". Following his address, the US leader signed a presidential memorandum to start reinstating US nuclear sanctions on the Iranian regime. Saudi Arabia accused Iran of "taking advantage of the revenue generated by the lifting of the sanctions to destabilise the region", the foreign ministry said. The Sunni-ruled Gulf kingdom is locked in multiple proxy wars with its Shiite rival in the Middle East, including in Yemen, Syria and Iraq. Riyadh's ambassador to the United States, and son of the Saudi Arabian king, on Tuesday did not hold back in linking the nuclear deal with his country's interests across the region. "Since deal was inked... the (Iranian) regime doubled down on its support for terror, providing dangerous weapons (such as ballistic missiles) to terrorist proxies including the Huthis in Yemen to target civilians in KSA," or Saudi Arabia, tweeted Prince Khalid bin Salman. Saudi Arabia and the United States say Iran is arming Yemeni rebels, known as the Huthis, who are fighting their country's Riyadh-backed government. The rebels have amped up missile attacks on Saudi Arabia, which borders Yemen to the north, in recent months. Turkey says fears 'new conflicts' after Trump Iran decision Istanbul, May 8 (AFP) May 08, 2018 The Turkish presidency said Tuesday it feared US President Donald Trump's decision to pull out of the Iran nuclear deal could open up "new conflicts". "The unilateral withdrawal of the United States from the nuclear deal is a decision that will cause instability and new conflicts," said Ibrahim Kalin, spokesman for President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, on Twitter. "Turkey will continue to resolutely oppose all types of nuclear arms." Despite calls from many of its allies, Trump announced Tuesday he was pulling the US out of the 2015 agreement. Trump said the US would restore punitive sanctions on Tehran, after he concluded "that we cannot prevent an Iranian nuclear bomb under the decaying and rotten structure of the current agreement." Turkey and Iran are striving to develop pragmatic relations with each other, particularly over Syria which borders both countries, despite a long-standing, reciprocal distrust. Syria downs two Israeli missiles near capital: state media Damascus, May 8 (AFP) May 08, 2018 The Syrian army on Tuesday night intercepted two Israeli missiles fired towards a district near Damascus, the official SANA news agency said. According to SANA, "anti-aircraft defences intercepted two Israeli missiles launched against (the district of) Kissweh and destroyed them". Rami Abdel Rahman, director of the Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, told AFP that missiles targeted an "arms depot belonging to Hezbollah and the Iranians". Key Trump quotes on US withdrawal from Iran nuclear deal Washington, May 8 (AFP) May 08, 2018 President Donald Trump on Tuesday announced America's withdrawal from the Iran nuclear deal that Washington brokered in 2015 with Tehran and five other world powers -- Britain, China, France, Germany and Russia. Here are the key quotes from Trump during his address from the White House: - 'Defective' deal - "The Iran deal is defective at its core. If we do nothing, we know exactly what will happen. In just a short period of time, the world's leading state sponsor of terror will be on the cusp of acquiring the world's most dangerous weapons. "Therefore, I am announcing today that the United States will withdraw from the Iran nuclear deal." - No peace - "The fact is this was a horrible, one-sided deal that should have never, ever been made. It didn't bring calm, it didn't bring peace, and it never will." - 'Lie' - "At the heart of the Iran deal was a giant fiction that a murderous regime desired only a peaceful nuclear energy program. Today, we have definitive proof that this Iranian promise was a lie." - State sponsor of terror - "The Iranian regime is the leading state sponsor of terror. It exports dangerous missiles, fuels conflicts across the Middle East, and supports terrorist proxies and militias such as Hezbollah, Hamas, the Taliban, and Al-Qaeda." - Sanctions - "In a few moments, I will sign a presidential memorandum to begin reinstating US nuclear sanctions on the Iranian regime. We will be instituting the highest level of economic sanction. Any nation that helps Iran in its quest for nuclear weapons could also be strongly sanctioned by the United States." Senior aides to Trump later specified that companies would have 90 to 180 days to "wind down" business in Iran or face punitive measures. - 'Lasting solution' - "As we exit the Iran deal, we will be working with our allies to find a real, comprehensive, and lasting solution to the Iranian nuclear threat. "This will include efforts to eliminate the threat of Iran's ballistic missile program; to stop its terrorist activities worldwide; and to block its menacing activity across the Middle East." - No nukes - "America will not be held hostage to nuclear blackmail. We will not allow American cities to be threatened with destruction. And we will not allow a regime that chants 'Death to America' to gain access to the most deadly weapons on Earth." - Iran's future - "It has now been almost 40 years since this dictatorship seized power and took a proud nation hostage." "But the future of Iran belongs to its people. They are the rightful heirs to a rich culture and an ancient land. And they deserve a nation that does justice to their dreams, honor to their history, and glory to God." - Ready to renegotiate - "They are going to want to make a new and lasting deal, one that benefits all of Iran and the Iranian people. When they do, I am ready, willing, and able." Trump deploys Pompeo to N.Korea to prepare Kim summit Washington, May 8 (AFP) May 08, 2018 US President Donald Trump announced Tuesday that Washington's chief diplomat Mike Pompeo was en route to North Korea to prepare for a landmark nuclear summit, as a flurry of diplomacy with Pyongyang at the center gathered pace. Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un are expected to meet later this month or early in June for talks that would have been nearly unthinkable a year ago, when the two mercurial leaders were trading barbs and Pyongyang tested a barrage of missiles. But after a historic summit between Kim and South Korean President Moon Jae-in, held amid a spectacular detente on the Korean peninsula, the mood is decidedly more upbeat, and Trump has said a date and location have been set for his face-to-face with the North's leader. "At this very moment, Secretary Pompeo is on his way to North Korea in preparation for my upcoming meeting with Kim Jong Un," Trump said in a televised address from the White House. "We have our meeting set. The location is picked -- the time and the date. Everything is picked. And we look forward to having a very great success," he said. "We think relationships are building with North Korea. We will see how it all works out. Maybe it will, maybe it won't. But it can be a great thing for North Korea, South Korea, Japan and the entire world." Pompeo, who met Kim in Pyongyang about a month ago while still director of the CIA for exploratory contacts about a possible summit, left Washington on Monday night with a delegation of senior officials, bound first for Japan, then North Korea. Speaking to reporters accompanying him on the unannounced trip, the secretary of state said he expected to meet with "the most senior leaders" in Pyongyang, including possibly Kim himself. "We're prepared to meet with anyone who is speaking on behalf of the North Korean government and can give us solid answers so we're prepared," he said. - 'Stay tuned' - Pompeo said his trip aimed first and foremost to nail down a "framework for a successful summit between the two presidents" -- including an agenda, a precise date and time and specific venue. Its second purpose, he said, was to establish that the United States would not "relieve sanctions until such time as we achieved our objectives." "We are not going to do this in small increments, where the world is essentially coerced into relieving economic pressure," he warned. "That won't lead to the outcome that I know Kim Jong Un wants and I know President Trump is demanding." "We're hoping to set out that set of conditions that will give them this opportunity to have a historic, big change in the security relationship between North Korea and the United States, which will achieve what the president has tweeted about and talked about: complete, verifiable, irreversible denuclearization." In addition to planning the summit, Pompeo has been pressing the regime to free three detained US citizens. Trump has said to "stay tuned" on the issue, and Pompeo said their possible release would be on the agenda of his meetings in Pyongyang. "We'll talk about it again," he told reporters. "I think it'd be a great gesture if they would choose to do so." - Pompeo 'clear-eyed' - Pompeo's trip came on the heels of talks in northeast China between Kim and China's Xi Jinping -- their second meeting in six weeks -- at which Kim reiterated his commitment to the denuclearization of the Korean peninsula. Kim's unannounced trip to the northeastern Chinese port city of Dalian was his second visit to China since March, highlighting efforts by the Cold War-era allies to mend relations that cooled as Beijing supported UN sanctions over Pyongyang's nuclear and ballistic missile programs. A senior State Department official traveling with Pompeo said he "will be listening for signs from North Korea that things have substantially changed since Kim declared on New Year's Eve that he would mass produce nuclear warheads and the means to deliver them." "The secretary is clear-eyed about not repeating the mistakes of the past," the official said. "We are not going to fall for theatrical pronouncements on the end of their nuclear program. That is not convincing evidence of dismantling their nuclear program. It wasn't then, and it won't be now." Syria brands Trump withdrawal from Iran deal as 'aggression': state media Damascus, May 8 (AFP) May 08, 2018 Syria strongly condemned President Donald Trump's decision Tuesday to withdraw from the Iran nuclear deal and said its ally would overcome what it called US "aggression", state media reported. Damascus "strongly condemns the US president's decision to withdraw from the nuclear deal with Iran, which shows once again that the United States is not honouring its commitments and international agreements," a Syrian foreign ministry source was quoted as saying by SANA news agency. It affirmed its "total support for the Islamic Republic of Iran... and confidence in its ability to overcome the impact of the aggressive position of the US administration that affects the security and stability of the region and the world". Iran has been a key ally of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, providing military advisers and organising "volunteer" fighters. Russia 'deeply disappointed' at Trump Iran decision: foreign ministry Moscow, May 8 (AFP) May 08, 2018 Russia's foreign ministry on Tuesday said Moscow was deeply disappointed by US President Donald Trump's decision to abandon the Iran nuclear deal, a move it called a blatant violation of international law. In a statement, the ministry said it was "deeply disappointed by the decision of US President Donald Trump to unilaterally refuse to carry out commitments under the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action," the official name for the 2015 deal. Washington's actions were "flagrantly trampling on the norms of international law", the ministry said, saying it is "highly concerned that the US is once more acting contrary to the opinion of the majority of countries." Moscow condemned Trump's decision as "fresh proof of Washington's inability to negotiate" alleging that US criticism of Iran's "absolutely legal nuclear activity" was "just a smokescreen for settling political scores with it." A joint commission of world powers that reached the deal "must swiftly and very scrupulously examine and assess the current situation," the ministry said. Russia is "open to further cooperation" with the rest of the group of world powers that reached the deal and "will continue to actively develop bilateral cooperation and political dialogue with Iran," the ministry said. The Kremlin has previously warned Washington against abandoning the landmark 2015 deal, saying this would deal a heavy blow to international relations and non-proliferation efforts. The agreement was signed between Iran and six world powers -- Britain, China, France, Germany, Russia and the US -- at talks coordinated by the European Union. Russian President Vladimir Putin visited Tehran in November last year and both countries are pushing for a peace deal in Syria where they are key backers of President Bashar al-Assad. Moscow and Tehran have had close political and economic relations, and in the nuclear field Russia has already built one reactor at Iran's Bushehr plant and started work on two new ones. Nine pro-govt fighters killed in Israeli strike near Damascus: monitor Beirut, May 8 (AFP) May 08, 2018 At least nine pro-government fighters were killed Tuesday in an Israeli missile strike near Damascus, a monitor said. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said that members of Iran's Revolutionary Guards and other Iranian-backed combattants were killed in the strike on the district of Kissweh, south of the capital. The Observatory's head Rami Abdel Rahman said the strike "targeted weapons stores belonging to the Revolutionary Guard." Trump withdraws from Iran deal, defying allies Washington, May 8 (AFP) May 08, 2018 President Donald Trump pulled the United States out of a landmark deal curbing Iran's nuclear program and reimposed crippling sanctions on Tuesday, defying European pleas and prompting international outcry. Trump poured scorn on the "disastrous" 2015 accord, describing it as an "embarrassment" to the United States that does nothing to contain Iran's nuclear ambitions. "I am announcing today that the United States will withdraw from the Iran nuclear deal," Trump said in an address to the nation from the White House. Slapping aside more than a decade and a half of careful diplomacy by Britain, China, France, Germany, Iran, Russia and past US administrations, Trump called for a "new and lasting deal." That grand bargain, he said, would have to include not just deeper restrictions on Iran's nuclear program, but on its ballistic missiles and support for militant groups across the Middle East. "We cannot prevent an Iranian nuclear bomb under the decaying and rotten structure of the current agreement," he claimed. "We will not allow American cities to be threatened with destruction and we will not allow a regime that chants 'Death to America' to gain access to the most deadly weapons on Earth." It remains far from clear if the international community, or Iran, will play along. Iran's President Hassan Rouhani -- whose standing at home now risks being undermined by the deal's collapse -- was furious, accusing Trump of "psychological warfare". Trump's onerous demands and his warning that Iranians deserve better than their current "dictatorship" will only heighten suspicions his ultimate goal is regime change. "If the regime continues its nuclear aspirations, it will have bigger problems than it has ever had before," he warned. - Foreign adventures - Hawkish US officials believe that after 38 years in power, Iran's clerical regime is substantially weakened by domestic economic pressure, changing demography, public demonstrations, and costly foreign military adventures. The decision marked a stark diplomatic defeat for Europe, whose leaders, repeatedly and in person, begged the mercurial US leader to think again. In a joint statement, Germany's Angela Merkel, Britain's Theresa May and France's Emmanuel Macron voiced their "regret and concern" at Trump's decision. European firms doing business in Iran now have a six month deadline to wind up investments, or risk US sanctions, Trump's hawkish advisor John Bolton warned, while ruling out talk of reconsideration. "We're out of the deal. We're out of the deal. We're out of the deal," he said. Washington's new ambassador to Berlin, Richard Grenell, said on Twitter: "US sanctions will target critical sectors of Iran's economy. German companies doing business in Iran should wind down operations immediately." And Treasury Secretary Stephen Mnuchin made it clear that Washington was acting "under both our primary and secondary sanctions authorities," meaning that European firms with investments or operations in the United States could be targeted if they continue to trade with Iran. In a sign of the depth of European displeasure, plans are already being drawn up in Brussels to introduce measures blocking US sanctions, an extremely rare move against an allied government. While Iran's arch foes in Israel and Saudi Arabia welcomed Trump's decision, signatories to the existing deal vowed to plow ahead without the United States. The European Union's chief diplomat Federica Mogherini, who helped oversee the accord, insisted it was "delivering on its goal which is guaranteeing that Iran doesn't develop nuclear weapons." "The European Union is determined to preserve it," she added. Trump's decision offers him a domestic political victory, fulfilling a longstanding campaign promise and underscoring his no nonsense political brand. - 'Bold decision' - But the long term impact for American foreign policy and for the Middle East was less clear. Former US president Barack Obama -- whose administration inked the deal -- made a rare public criticism of his successor, describing Trump's decision to abandon the Iran nuclear deal as "misguided" and a "serious mistake." "The consistent flouting of agreements that our country is a party to risks eroding America's credibility, and puts us at odds with the world's major powers." In contrast, Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who last week released a trove of intelligence on a pre-2003 Iranian plan to develop a nuclear weapon which Trump cited approvingly in his speech, was overjoyed. "Israel fully supports President Trump's bold decision today to reject the disastrous nuclear deal," Netanyahu said, in a televised address. Shortly after, Syrian state media reported nine pro-government fighters were killed in an Israeli missile strike near Damascus, where Iranian proxies are known to operate. Israel had already opened bomb shelters and put the military on high alert in case of attack from the Iranian forces deployed in Syria in defense of Bashar al-Assad's regime. SPIEGEL+-Zugang wird gerade auf einem anderen Gerat genutzt SPIEGEL+ kann nur auf einem Gerat zur selben Zeit genutzt werden. Hier weiterlesen Klicken Sie auf den Button, spielen wir den Hinweis auf dem anderen Gerat aus und Sie konnen SPIEGEL+ weiter nutzen. Bir Lehlu, May 8, 2018 (SPS) - The government of the Saharawi Arab Democratic Republic (the SADR) observes with satisfaction the successful recovery and the sale of a cargo of phosphate rock illegally exported from the occupied part of Western Sahara. On May 1, 2017, the 55,000 tonne cargo aboard the Marshall Islands registered bulk carrier NM Cherry Blossom was detained by a civil court order after the ship anchored at Port Elizabeth, South Africa. The South Africa High Court later determined that the SADR had a prima facie claim to ownership of the cargo and directed the claim be subjected to a trial of its merits. On February 23, 2018 the Court concluded that: (1) the SADR was the owner of the whole of the cargo of phosphate presently laden on the motor vessel NM Cherry Blossom and (2) ownership in the phosphate has never lawfully vested in the Moroccan state owned companies OCP SA and Phosphates de Boucraa SA, and they were, and are, not entitled to sell the phosphate. The SADR government will enforce an order from the case awarding it court costs payable by OCP SA and Phosphates de Bucraa SA, including against the worldwide assets of each company in jurisdictions where they may be located. In the aftermath of the South Africa case, and a parallel case in May 2017 in Panama concerning the m.v. Ultra Innovation, the SADR government continues with a policy position of asserting sovereign rights to the natural resources of occupied Western Sahara and to insisting on a documented approval for any removal of them from the the territory. Where resources are found to have been illegally exported, including contrary to international humanitarian law, the default position is that they must be returned to the territory to properly ensure a full realization of the Saharawi peoples right to self-determination. The Panama and South Africa cases, in tandem with others in the European Court of Justice (the CJEU), mark the use of law to ensure Saharawi self-determination and a preservation of natural resources pending the restoration of sovereignty throughout Western Sahara. The SADR government anticipates similar civil legal proceedings in other countries against the remaining Saharawi phosphate purchasing enterprises involved. In addition, measures against the ongoing central Saharan coast fishery will be advanced. The SADR government again cautions shipping interests, including time charterers, to safeguard themselves and their ships from such prospective liability and compensation-attachment proceedings. Voyage charterers and managing enterprises may not always disclose such risks. The SADR government strongly recommends contracts between ship interests prohibit the carriage of resources (or any commodity) from Western Sahara. A suitable charterparty term might read as follows: Charterers are not permitted to trade this vessel to El Aauin (also known as Laayoune) and Dakhla in Western Sahara. Emhamed Khadad, a senior member of the Saharawi government observed that the SADR government took legal action in countries of the Global South to demonstrate that the rule of international law is as robust as it has been so recently applied in Europe. The Saharawi people had unequivocally for years protested a taking of their resources, and now have an established and durable basis to close down such trade and to illuminate other consequences of a vicious, illegal occupation. (SPS) 062/SPS Chinese Premier Li Keqiang's visit to Indonesia, his first overseas trip since the new cabinet took office in March, will enhance economic cooperation between the two countries under the Belt and Road initiative, and is expected to give a boost to China's overall relations with Southeast Asian countries, analysts said. Li arrived in Jakarta on Sunday and is expected to hold talks with Indonesian President Joko Widodo and Vice President Jusuf Kalla, and attend a China-Indonesia business summit, the Xinhua News Agency reported. His schedule also includes witnessing the signing of cooperation documents. This year marks the fifth anniversary of the China-Indonesia Comprehensive Strategic Partnership and the 15th anniversary of the strategic partnership between China and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). Li will also visit the ASEAN Secretariat to underscore China's commitment to its relations with the 10-nation community. "Indonesia is the third largest developing country in the world and the largest economy in ASEAN, which holds considerable sway in the region Premier Li's visit to Indonesia is significant for both bilateral relations and China's relations with the region," Xu Liping, a senior research fellow at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, told the Global Times on Monday. Chinese President Xi Jinping first proposed the Maritime Silk Road initiative in a speech to the Indonesia Parliament in October 2013. "China and Indonesia have enjoyed friendly relations in recent years and Indonesia's leader has maintained close interactions with Chinese leadership since taking office. If a major country like Indonesia attaches great importance to developing ties with China, smaller ASEAN countries will follow suit," Shen Shi-shun, an Asia-Pacific expert at the China Institute of International Studies, told the Global Times on Monday. "Indonesia's nonaligned foreign policy makes the country unlikely to join a US-led coalition to contain China. Its nonalignment also helps create a favorable atmosphere for the Chinese premier's visit," Shen said. China has been Indonesia's largest trade partner for seven straight years. Business opportunities Analysts said the Belt and Road initiative and Indonesia's Global Maritime Fulcrum complement each other in many ways, and Li's visit could create business opportunities. In April, China and Indonesia signed five contracts worth $23.3 billion including a hydropower plant, facilities to convert coal to dimethyl-ether and a steel smelter. Xu said Li's visit may lead to strategic agreements in areas such as industrial parks, production capacity cooperation, agriculture and maritime logistics. The Jakarta-Bandung high-speed railway project could also be discussed during the visit. The Jakarta Post reported that Indonesia hopes to further narrow its trade deficit with China and plans to promote its agricultural products, including palm oil, coffee and cocoa as well as various tropical fruits. Xu said it is also possible for the two countries to cooperate in e-commerce to broaden import channels. Clearing the air Aside from the cooperation, analysts said the Indonesia government should work to defuse deep-rooted misunderstandings toward Chinese working in the country and not to politicize frictions. In 2016, rumors over "the influx of 10 million illegal Chinese workers in Indonesia" had spread across the country. Some Indonesians are concerned that Chinese companies may be bringing their own workers instead of hiring Indonesians. "A majority of the Chinese working in Indonesia are technicians, engineers and management staff, people who possess special skills and cannot be sourced in the local market. Many Chinese companies are willing to hire locals as labor costs are much cheaper than hiring Chinese workers. But as the project moves forward, the number of Chinese hires will diminish," Shen noted. Wang Liping, commercial counselor of the Chinese embassy in Indonesia, said in 2017 that major Chinese-invested projects can help create tens of thousands of jobs in Indonesia and, in general, one Chinese working in Indonesia can help create 10 local jobs. New data from these statistics will be published on the home page of the Students and qualifications. Published: 8 May 2018 Number of doctorate degrees fell by 7 per cent from the previous year According to Statistics Finland's Education Statistics, 31,000 university degrees were completed in 2017, which is almost 900 fewer than in the previous year. The number of doctorate degrees fell proportionally most, by seven per cent compared with the previous year. The number of lower university degrees decreased by three per cent and that of higher university degrees by two per cent from the year before. Completed university degrees 20012017 University degrees In all, 14,000 lower university degrees, 15,100 higher university degrees, 100 licentiate degrees and 1,750 doctorate degrees were completed. Fifty-eight per cent of those having completed a degree in 2017 were women. Nearly seven per cent of the degrees were attained by foreign students, the figure being almost 11 per cent for higher university degrees and 23 per cent for doctorate degrees. According to the national classification of education (2016), most degrees in 2017 were completed in the field of business, administration and law, 18 per cent of all degrees. Sixteen per cent of degrees were completed in arts and humanities and around 14 per cent of degrees were completed in both social sciences, journalism and information and engineering, manufacturing and construction. Most doctorate degrees were completed in the fields of health and welfare, and engineering, manufacturing and construction, in both around one-fifth of all completed doctorate degrees. Examined by university, the highest numbers of degrees were completed at the University of Helsinki, good 6,000. The second most degrees were completed at the University of Turku, nearly 3,500 and the third most at Aalto University, 3,400. University students In 2017, a total of 24,900 new students started studies, which is 700 fewer than one year previously. The number of new students studying for higher university degrees decreased by 10 per cent. By contrast, the number of new students studying for lower university degrees went down by only one per cent and the number of new doctoral programme students, in turn, grew by 11 per cent compared with the year before. In all, 16,400 students started studying for a lower university degree and close on 6,600 for a higher university degree. Nearly 1,900 students started studies for a doctorate degree. University students by fields of education (Finnish Standard Classification of Education) and gender in 2017 In 2017, a total of 153,300 students were studying at universities, which is one per cent lower than in the previous year. In all, 78,300 students were studying for a lower university degree and 56,200 for a higher university degree. There were 18,600 post-graduate students, of whom good 900 were studying for a licentiate degree and around 17,700 for a doctorate degree. In 2017, the highest numbers of students were studying in the field of arts and humanities, 17 per cent. The second most students were studying in the field of business, administration and law, 15 per cent. Fourteen per cent of students were studying in the field of engineering, manufacturing and construction and 13 per cent in social sciences, journalism and information. The proportion of women of all students attending education leading to a degree was 53 per cent but the variation was large between fields of education. Good four out of five students in education were women, while in the field of information and communication technology (ICT), the proportion of women was nearly one-fifth of students. In arts and humanities and social sciences, journalism and information, women made up good two-thirds of students. Health and welfare, and agriculture and forestry were also female-dominated: around two-thirds of students were women. In contrast, both sexes represented around one-half of students in business, administration and law, and natural sciences. The number of students was highest at the University of Helsinki, 31,300. The second most students were found at Aalto University, good 17,300, and the third most at the University of Turku, about 16,200. More detailed time series data on university students and degrees by education and university are available in the tables in databases . Source: Education. Statistics Finland Inquiries: Jukka Jalolahti 029 551 3588, koulutustilastot@stat.fi Director in charge: Jari Tarkoma Publication in pdf-format (281.8 kB) Updated 8.5.2018 Referencing instructions: Official Statistics of Finland (OSF): University education [e-publication]. ISSN=2324-0148. 2017. Helsinki: Statistics Finland [referred: 7.10.2021]. Access method: http://www.stat.fi/til/yop/2017/yop_2017_2018-05-08_tie_001_en.html A brigade of the PLA Army's 75th Combined Corps holds a grand rally to mark the establishment of the 17th Chinese peacekeeping force to Lebanon on May 7, 2018. (yn.people.cn) By Zhang Guijie and Yang Shuangquan BEIJING, May 8 (ChinaMil) -- The 17th Chinese peacekeeping force to Lebanon held a grand rally to mark its founding and expedition to Lebanon Monday. The majority of the peacekeepers come from a brigade of the PLA Army's 75th Combined Corps. The 400-strong peacekeeping force consists of a multi-functional engineer detachment, a construction engineer detachment and a medical detachment. They are scheduled to leave China for Lebanon in two batches in the second half of May and take over the responsibility of the 16th Chinese peacekeeping force to Lebanon. In the one-year mission period, the three Chinese peacekeeping detachments will be mainly undertake tasks of landmine clearance, engineering construction, Blue Line boundary markers planting and humanitarian medical assistance. Which issue is most critical to the U.S. right now? Fighting COVID-19 (47%, 15 Votes) Securing the border (41%, 13 Votes) Guarding against terrorism (6%, 2 Votes) Climate Change (6%, 2 Votes) Total Voters: 32 JERUSALEM, May 8 (Xinhua) -- Elor Azaria, a former Israeli soldier convicting of killing a Palestinian during his military service, was released on Tuesday after spending nine months in prison. Azaria was originally supposed to be released on Thursday but he asked to be released on Tuesday to attend his brother's wedding on Wednesday. The military approved his request. His release came after a military parole committee decided in March to cut a third of his 14-month prison time. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who urged for Azaria to be pardoned, said in a statement he was "glad that this is over." Azaria was welcomed in his town, Lod, east of Tel Aviv, with celebrations. On March 24, 2016, Azaria was a 19-year-old military medic in the West Bank city of Hebron when Abdel Fattah al-Sharif, 21, and Ramzi Aziz al-Qasarwi carried out a knife attack, lightly injuring a soldier. Troops shot dead al-Qasarwi and gravely wounded al-Sharif. Azaria arrived at the scene and shot a single bullet to his head. The deadly shooting was caught on a video by a human rights organization and spread widely on social networks. In 2017, a military court in Tel Aviv found Azaria guilty of manslaughter. He was sentenced 18 months of prison, of which he had to serve only 14 after Israel's Chief of Staff Gadi Eiznkot slashed his punishment by four months. Azaria's case divided the nation, with many, including political leaders, hailing him as a hero who was unjustly punished harshly. Taiwan's independence-leaning president, Tsai Ing-wen, weighed in with a tweet, saying, "We call on all businesses to resist #China's efforts to mischaracterize #Taiwan." Unlike self-ruled Taiwan, Hong Kong and Macau are Chinese territories operating with some degree of autonomy. "Foreign enterprises operating in China should respect China's sovereignty and territorial integrity, abide by China's law and respect the national sentiment of the Chinese people," Geng said. "Whatever the U.S. says will never change the objective fact that there is only one China in the world and the Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan regions are an inalienable part of China's territory," Foreign Ministry spokesman Geng Shuang said in a statement Sunday posted online. China has dismissed White House criticism of its "Orwellian" demand that foreign airlines not refer to self-ruled Taiwan as a country, saying companies operating in China must respect its sovereignty. The government of Chinese President Xi Jinping has been increasingly assertive about its claims to Taiwan, which it has threatened to invade to bring under its control. Delta Air Lines, hotel operator Marriott, fashion brand Zara and other companies have apologized to China for referring to Taiwan, Hong Kong, and Tibet as countries on websites or promotional material. The White House on Saturday condemned China's efforts to control how U.S. airlines refer to Taiwan, Hong Kong and Macau, saying the push to make them comply with Chinese standards is "Orwellian nonsense." China's Civil Aviation Administration has demanded the change from 36 foreign airlines, including some American carriers, according to the White House. President Donald Trump will "stand up for Americans resisting efforts by the Chinese Communist Party to impose Chinese political correctness on American companies and citizens," press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders said in a statement. "This is Orwellian nonsense and part of a growing trend by the Chinese Communist Party to impose its political views on American citizens and private companies," Sanders said. She said the Trump administration is calling on China "to stop threatening and coercing American carriers and citizens." The harshly worded statement came as a high-level trade delegation led by Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin returned from negotiations in China and as Secretary of State Mike Pompeo spoke with a member of the Chinese Communist Party leadership. In their telephone conversation on Saturday, Pompeo and Politburo member Yang Jiechi "affirmed the importance of a constructive, results-oriented bilateral relationship," State Department spokeswoman Heather Nauert said in a statement. Australian carrier Qantas is among the airlines told to change how they refer to Taiwan, prompting comments from Foreign Minister Julie Bishop that any such pressure is inappropriate. "The terms that private companies choose to list destinations are a matter for them," Bishop said in comments provided by her office. "There should be no pressure from governments, whether ours or others, that threatens the ordinary operations of business." Bishop said she hoped the current understanding with China could continue and that her department would continue to liaise closely with Qantas. It wasn't clear what China had demanded Qantas do, or what the penalties for non-compliance might be. As China leverages the power of its massive domestic market to bend foreign companies to its political will, its retribution has sometimes targeted those firms' online presence. Regulators ordered Marriott to close its China-based website and app for one week after criticizing the company for referring to Tibet and Taiwan as countries in a customer survey. Air France's share price dived Monday after its CEO quit and the French government warned that the country's flagship carrier might collapse. A new strike Monday over wage demands, meanwhile, prompted the cancellation of about 15 percent of Air France flights worldwide. The number of striking staffers appears to be slightly declining as the airline enters its 14th day of walkouts this year, but the labor action has already cost the company more than 300 million euros ($360 million) in a matter of weeks. Air France's share price plunged nearly 13 percent at the open Monday and was trading 10.9 percent lower at 7.21 euros early afternoon Paris time amid questions about its future management and direction. The share price woes follow the resignation Friday evening of Air France-KLM CEO Jean-Marc Janaillac after workers rejected the company's latest wage proposal. The Air France drama is posing yet another problem for President Emmanuel Macron's government as he marks one year in office. The airline's labor dispute come as separate strikes over Macron's labor reforms are hitting France's national railways. French Finance Minister Bruno Le Maire on Sunday said the government, which owns 14 percent of Air France, would not rescue the airline. He urged striking pilots, crew and ground staff to be "responsible" and said "the survival of Air France is at stake." "Air France will disappear if it does not make the necessary efforts to be competitive," he said on BFM television. Increasing numbers of foreigners are still adopting Korean babies even though the country is now among the world's richest economies and has an alarmingly low birthrate. According to the U.S. State Department, Korea ranked third among countries from which Americans adopted babies last year with 276 infants. First was China with 1,905, followed by Ethiopia with 313. Korea's ranking rose one notch from 2016 because adoptions from Congo and Ukraine declined. Altogether 398 Korean were adopted by families from overseas last year, going to Australia, Canada, Norway and Sweden. The reason is that Koreans are not only reluctant to have their own children but also stopped adopting. Only 465 babies were adopted by Korean families last year, down 14.5 percent from 2016. "This is largely because family traditions based on blood ties still prevail and the adoption climate chilled last year because there were a lot of stories about bullying of adopted children," said Kim Won-deuk of the Korea Adoption Services. Most prospective adoptive families in Korea prefer infant girls, with girls making up 65 percent of all children adopted here in 2016, most of them under 1 year old. As a result, many boys who found no adoptive families here were put up for adoption overseas. A Ministry of Health and Welfare official said, "There's a bias that it's easier to bring up girls than boys and there'll be less trouble with the inheritance later." But another reason for the decline is that courts set the bar for families to qualify for adoption very high and screening takes a long time due to a manpower shortage. The U.S. State Department has made it clear that North Korea must also stop developing intercontinental ballistic missiles, Voice of America reported on Sunday. Asked by VOA whether a request to stop missile launches includes a halt to satellite launches, a State Department spokesman said, "Any satellite launch using ballistic missile technology would be a clear violation of these resolutions." North Korea has repeatedly claimed that its launches of ICBM prototypes were for the purpose of launching peaceful satellites, though no signal has ever been detected from space. "Multiple UN Security Council resolutions require North Korea to suspend all activities related to its ballistic missile program, re-establish a moratorium on missile launches, stop conducting any launches using ballistic missile technology, and abandon its ballistic missile program in a complete, verifiable, and irreversible manner," the spokesman added. Avance Gas Holding Ltd - Reports Unaudited Results for the First Quarter of 2018 BERMUDA, 8 May 2018 - Avance Gas Holding Ltd (OSE: AVANCE) today reported unaudited results for the first quarter of 2018. HILGHLIGHTS: The average time charter equivalent (TCE) rate for the fleet was $12,637/day, up from $11,164/day in Q4 2017 TCE earnings in Q1 2018 were $14.5 million, up from $14.0 million in Q4 2017 Daily ope Rating expenses (OPEX) decreased to $7,408/day, down from $7,636/day in Q4 2017 Avance Gas reported a net loss of $12.3 million, up from a net loss of $13.6 million in Q4 2017 Avance Gas' available liquidity at quarter end was $97.1 million, consisting of available undrawn revolving credit facilities of $50.0 million and the company's cash balance of $47.1 million US LPG production and export is the key driver for the VLGC freight market. The freight market in Q1 2018 weakened due to reduced exports from US, as low winter temperatures increased domestic LPG demand. However, US official statistics (EIA) show continued growth US LPG production and the US LPG exports are expected to return as domestic demand normalizes. Furthermore, as the new Mariner East II pipeline is commissioned during second half 2018, the Marcus Hook terminal on the US East Coast is expected to increase exports. Average monthly US Gulf/US East Coast VLGC exports decreased to 46 cargoes Q1 2018, down from 48 cargoes in Q4 2017 but up from 45 cargoes for full year 2017. After recording 50 cargoes in January, the US Gulf/US East Coast export fell to 38 cargoes in February. This has had a negative impact on the freight market in March which has continued into Q2 2018. In March, VLGC export returned to 50 cargoes. Export volumes from Middle East were 8.6 million tons in Q1 2018, compared to 8.4 million tons in Q4 2017. Four newbuildings have been delivered in Q1 2018. One more ship was delivered in April and five more ships are due for delivery before year-end. In 2019 and 2020, 32 ships are due for delivery, representing an aggregate 13% of the global fleet. The Avance Gas Spot Index (adjusted 30 days) for Q4 2018 averaged $11,124/day, compared with $9,400/day in Q4 2017. The full report and interim financial statements are attached to this press release. For further queries, please contact: Christian Andersen, President Tel: +47 22 00 48 05 Email: c.andersen@avancegas.com Peder C. G. Simonsen, CFO Tel: +47 22 00 48 15 Email: p.simonsen@avancegas.com ABOUT AVANCE GAS Avance Gas Holding Ltd operates in the global market for transportation of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG). The company is one of the world's leading owners and operators of very large gas carriers (VLGCs), operating a fleet of 14 modern ships. For more information about Avance Gas, please visit: www.avancegas.com. FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS Matters discussed in this announcement may constitute forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are statements that are not historical facts and may be identified by words such as "anticipate", "believe", "continue", "estimate", "expect", "intends", "may", "should", "will" and similar expressions. The forward-looking statements in this release are based upon various assumptions, many of which are based, in turn, upon further assumptions. Although Avance Gas believes that these assumptions were reasonable when made, these assumptions are inherently subject to significant known and unknown risks, uncertainties, contingencies and other important factors which are difficult or impossible to predict and are beyond its control. Such risks, uncertainties, contingencies and other important factors could cause actual events to differ materially from the expectations expressed or implied in this release by such forward-looking statements. The information, opinions and forward-looking statements contained in this announcement speak only as at its date and are subject to change without notice. This information is subject to disclosure requirements pursuant to Section 5-12 of the Norwegian Securities Trading Act. 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: Avance Gas Holding Ltd via Globenewswire Shares is the leading weekly publication for retail investors. It is packed with investment ideas, news and educational material to help build and run portfolios and get more from your money. Shares puts on free Investor Events throughout the year across the country. They provide an opportunity for investors to learn more about companies on the stock market and hear from a range of investment experts including fund managers and Shares journalists. The Mossad operation in January that got half a ton of top-secret Iranian nuclear weapons program documents out of Iran and back to Israel in less than 24 hours has provided Iranian leaders with multiple aftershocks. For one thing, most Iranians dont care about the document theft. No Iranians were injured in the operation, it was assumed to have been made possible by the widespread corruption in Iran and an Iranian religious dictatorship that seems to care more about destroying Israel than improving the lives of Iranians. When news of the Mossad operation were made public by the Israelis at the end of April the public opinion polls in Iran showed that most Iranians didnt care and those that paid any attention to the matter felt it was just another example of how incompetent their government was and why change was needed. The Iranian government was justifiably concerned that publicizing these documents, as Israel was now doing, would lead to the cancellation of the 2015 treaty that lifted sanctions on Iran. The American president will announce the new U.S. position on May 12th and it does not look good for Iran. The stolen documents show that the nuclear program did exist and apparently is still underway disguised as many different scientific research projects. Iran always insisted that it never had a nuclear weapons program even though the Israelis had uncovered much evidence that the program existed and the attitude of most Iranians was that the program existed and why not because Iran had long been the regional superpower. But since the 2015 treaty went into effect the promised economic improvements for most Iranians have not happened and at the end of 2017 that triggered widespread public protests against the religious dictatorship. The Shia clerics who run the government have been arguing openly about how to deal with these problems and now the hardline Shia clerics, who insist that destroying Israel be the main priority of Iran, are humiliated by the nuclear documents theft going public. Some of the hardliners want to do whatever it takes to strike back at Israel but most Iranians see Israel as an unofficial ally in the popular effort to get rid of the religious dictatorship in Iran. This is nothing new. In the wake of the American-British invasion of Iraq in 2003, and quick (three weeks) overthrow of the Saddam Hussein government, many Iranians openly called for the Americans to come invade Iran and get rid of the religious dictatorship that had been ruling Iran since the 1980s on the promise they would one day get Saddam for invading Iran in 1980 and starting a war that neither side was able to win. That counted as an Iranian defeat to most Iranians and to make matters worse the chaos of the war allowed Shia clerics to take, and keep, control of the government. Before that Israel and Iran were allies and a growing number of Iranians seeing that as a better arrangement than the current one. All this gives little comfort, and not many options, for the Iranian leadership. The Realities Of The Iranian Threat The Iranian government prefers to retaliate against Israel indirectly. Iran has long used foreign proxies (like Hezbollah or other non-Iranian Islamic terrorists) to attack Israel. Iran does not have modern weapons (because of decades of sanctions) and Iranian leaders are smart enough to realize that Iran itself trying to attack Israel would most likely result in another humiliating Iranian defeat. Israel has anti-missile defenses against Iranian ballistic missiles. Yet Iran has enough of these missiles to attempt a saturation attack on Israel using explosive or chemical warheads. Iran could also use a dirty warhead by adding radioactive material to a high explosive warhead. A few of these missiles landing in Israel, especially in a major urban area, would be a great propaganda victory. But Israel also has ballistic missiles (armed with nuclear warheads) and, worse, hundreds of modern fighter-bombers that could hit two key economic targets using smart bombs. These two targets are Kharg Island, in the Persian Gulf. This is the main export facility for 90 percent of oil and gas exports) Income from these exports pay for over a third of the government budget and these facilities cannot be rebuilt quickly. The other economic target is Bandar Abbas in southern Iran. This is the main container port handling some 90 percent of containers bringing in foreign goods, like items needed to repair damage to Kharg Island. Bandar Abbas is where all the modern tech and consumer goods arrive. Shutting down Bandar Abbas for months, or more would be quickly felt by most Iranians. With Arab states between Israel and Iran now allowing Israeli airstrikes free passage, the Israeli air strikes are certain to succeed and inflict major damage. Meanwhile, Iran is portrayed as the evil (and ineffective) aggressor while Israel hits Iran where it hurts most. The Iranian religious dictatorship is under a lot of pressure to provide some relief for years of poverty and unemployment. The 2015 treaty that lifted sanctions was supposed to help but it didnt. Instead, the government spends billions on the war in Syria. That effort has not yet improved Iranian capabilities when it comes to destroying Israel. Thats because the Assad government forces (including most of the 50,000 Iranian mercenaries in Syria) are still busy with the remaining rebels and ISIL (Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant) fighters. In Lebanon, the Iranian financed Hezbollah is not very enthusiastic about going to war with Israel. Thats because the two million Lebanese Shia that are the main support for Hezbollah are unhappy with the thousands of Lebanese Shia who have been killed or crippled fighting in Syria. Iran insisted that Hezbollah send forces to Syria in 2012 and even though Iran was paying combat bonuses, death benefits and for extended medical care, the Lebanese Shia were, in general, unhappy about the losses suffered from fighting in an Iranian war. Israel has told Lebanon and Hezbollah that a repeat of the 2006 war between Hezbollah and Israel would result in even heavier losses for Hezbollah and Lebanon. Hezbollah leaders pretend to be unafraid but the opinion polls in Lebanon say otherwise. So as humiliated as the Iranian rulers are by the latest Israeli efforts (grabbing all those nuclear documents in February and regularly bombing weapons shipments to Syria) they understand Iranian options are not promising. Given the growing popular opposition the religious dictatorship is facing inside Iran, another major defeat inflicted by Israel is not an option. New ideas are being sought and retaliation is not yet ruled out but retaliation is seen as a move that would make things worse for Iran. Managing Russia Russia is trying to dissuade Israel and its Western allies from attacking more Syrian targets, especially those that harm the many Iranians and Iranian mercenaries supporting the Syrian forces. Russia also does not want to put its high tech weapons to the test because so far these electronic and anti-aircraft systems have proved ineffective against Israeli attacks and probably wont do much better against the Americans. This is bad for business, as Russia has been touting the combat experience in Syria to get more sales for their new stuff. It would also be disastrous for Russian diplomacy which has presented Russia as a powerful and technically advanced ally for Syria, Iran and Turkey. Although Russia talks tough against Israel and the Americans it does not want to take this any further, nor does it want to appear like Russia is backing off. Russia is in an embarrassing situation and not getting much sympathy from anyone, not even Russians. The most often used combat edge the Russians demonstrate is their EW (Electronic Warfare) gear. This is an area where they feel they are competitive and have demonstrated that a few times. Problem is, the more you use EW the more you erode your opportunities to surprise your opponent in the future. The opportunity to test new EW gear and tactics was too great to pass up and, as the Russians have discovered, EW may be the only military edge they have in Syria (and the world). Moreover, Syria is the only place where Russia can confront their two most powerful potential EW opponents (the United States and Israel). Syria is second to Donbas as an area where Russia is honing its new EW hardware and how best to use it. Russia could still turn an EW edge into a more visible victory but at the moment EW is the only edge they have and these invisible battles continue largely out of sight and with little visible effect. Hamas Has Another Plan Since March 30, when weekly demonstrations in Gaza near the security fence began, 48 Palestinians have been killed. The demonstrations are all about the Palestinian demand that all Arabs who fled Israel in 1948 (as Arab troops from several countries sought to prevent the creation of Israel) and their descendants be allowed to return to Israel. Those returnees would outnumber the Jews and destroy Israel. The demonstrations are all about getting media attention for this right of return and trying to make Israel look bad in the media. This campaign will end on May 15th. At that point, Hamas will declare a victory and switch to another plan for destroying Israel. The demonstrations are actually a diversion for multiple Hamas attempts to get terrorists into Israel or inflict casualties on Israeli forces. That does not appear to have succeeded because the Israelis do not take personnel from other parts of the Gaza border to deal with the demonstrations but instead call up reservists and order all Gaza border guards to be alert for Hamas crossing attempts. Earlier in 2018 Hamas quietly approached Israel about a long-term truce. Hamas has proposed this before but the problem remains that Hamas is not united and no one can guarantee there wont be organized and persistent efforts in Gaza to carry out terrorist operations in Israel if the blockade is lifted (as part of a new truce deal). At the moment Hamas cannot even agree to restore cooperation with Fatah (which runs the West Bank) and establish a united Palestinian government. Israel is not going to try and make peace with a group that is not in control of its own territory and membership. Hamas continues to feud with Fatah, the Palestinian group that runs the West Bank and is a bit less open about its desire to destroy Israel rather than make peace. Meanwhile, one the oldest and most powerful Palestinian backers, Saudi Arabia, has told the Palestinians to make peace, taking whatever they can get. Fatah might go for this but current Hamas leaders would not. Worse, Hamas is running out of options. Sending terrorists into Israel didnt work (the high-tech security fence ended that). The mass rocket attacks didnt work (Israelis would shoot back and send in troops). The occasional rocket attacks didnt work (Iron Dome and firing back). The tunnels into Israel didnt work (Israel extended their security fence and sensors deep underground). Offering financial incentives to get large crowds of demonstrators to border crossings is nothing new. Doing it for six weeks straight didnt succeed either. What next? Well now the main sponsor Hamas sponsor is Iran and the Iranians have lots of new ideas, especially when it is Arabs who are going to do most of the dying. Most of the current Hamas leadership is opposed to backing an Iranian attack on Israel, but a minority faction of Hamas is all for any offensive operations against Israel. This minority is at a disadvantage because even the Arab nations that long supported Hamas and Fatah are fed up with the corruption and inept leadership Hamas and Fatah provide. It has become fashionable for publications in Arab nations, especially the Gulf oil states and Egypt, to allow writers to dwell on the obvious; that Israel is the most prosperous and powerful nation in the region and a lot of that has to do with the democracy and judicial system Israel maintains. Corrupt Israeli politicians can be voted out of office and the judicial system allows prosecutions of corrupt politicians and sending convicted ones to jail. That does not happen with any regularity, and often not at all, in Arab countries. The leader of Saudi Arabia is openly pointing this out and trying to implement some of those Israeli features (like an efficient and honest justice system) in Saudi Arabia. This new attitude in Arab nations has made possible improved economic, military and diplomatic links with Israel. Victory Comes At A Cost The Israelis also suffer casualties, just fewer of them. In the past year 71 security forces personnel have died, as well as twelve civilian victims of terror attacks. Many of the security forces deaths were accidents, the result of handling dangerous equipment (like tanks and aircraft) on a regular basis. Egypt Has Prospects Egypt is predicted to be the third fastest growing economy in the world with average annual GDP growth of 6.6 percent over the next eight years. India is first with 7.8 percent and Uganda is second with 7.4 percent. For all three of these countries, the main threat to actually achieving those growth rates is Islamic terrorism. Egypt is the most vulnerable with ISIL still active in Sinai and the Western Desert (near the Libyan border). In the Nile River Valley, radical factions of the Moslem Brotherhood again threaten the economy, as they did in the 1990s. The Brotherhood was defeated but not destroyed in the 1990s. One faction went on to establish itself in Gaza as Hamas and take control of Gaza after the Israeli troops left in 2005 (as a peace gesture that did not work). The Brotherhood sought to take advantage of the 2011 Arab Spring uprising and turn Egypt into a religious dictatorship but that attempt failed and now the Brotherhood radicals are back to violent efforts to cripple the economy. That is very unpopular in Egypt. While most Egyptians are not happy with the return of corrupt rule by another former general (Sisi, as opposed to Mubarak), they know that if there is peace the Egyptian economy can grow and bring a measure of prosperity to most Egyptians. This is the most important goal for most Egyptians and a major asset in the government counter-terrorism campaign. Tips from civilians play a major role in limiting the strength and attack capabilities of Islamic terror groups. But the Islamic radical minority of Egyptians have been a constant in Egyptian culture for over a thousand years and remain a threat to living standards of most Egyptians and the lives of the civilians who tend be most frequent victims of Islamic terrorist violence. Thus it is no surprise the Egyptian opinion polls show stability is the main concern for most Egyptians. So much so that they will tolerate a lot of corruption if it means more stability. Economists tell the government leaders that less corruption and less bureaucracy would lead to even more economic growth and prosperity. That is the lesson Israel demonstrates and it has become fashionable in most major Arab nations to openly admit that and to urge Arabs to try the Israeli approach (which is also the Western approach). This sort of thing runs into a lot of popular resistance because for many centuries Jews, and now (since 1948) Israel have been depicted as deadly enemies of Islam and Arabs and a foe that must be destroyed. Arabs and Moslems who have spent any time in the West (especially in Israel) have an easier time appreciating this new attitude, but most people have not experienced these seemingly magical solutions to their problems. This sort of change takes time and Islamic radicals take advantage of that as much as they can. May 5, 2018: In Gaza, an explosion in a residential area of Zawayda left six members of Hamas dead and three wounded. Hamas blamed Israel but the cause was probably sloppy handling of explosives. This is a common problem among Islamic terror groups. In some respects, this is related to Israel, which has found that targeting Hamas leadership at all levels as well as technical experts makes the Islamic terrorist organization much less effective and more prone to losses from accidents. Hamas later said the explosion occurred while Hamas men were trying to dismantle an Israeli missile that did not explode when used against a Gaza target. Hamas still has some of these missiles and bombs from the 2014 war but there are still occasional dud bombs or missiles from recent Israeli retaliation (for attacks on Israel) strikes. Elsewhere in Gaza, an Israeli airstrike hit, for the first time, the area where Hamas prepared incendiary kites to launch against Israel when the wind is right. These kites have caused some property damage but, so far, no injuries. Elsewhere in the Sinai Peninsula the Egyptian Air Force carried out several airstrikes against Islamic terrorist targets and claimed at least fifteen enemy dead. May 4, 2018: In Gaza Hamas again mustered about 7,000 Palestinians to try and push through the security fence into Israel. These regular Friday demonstrations usually get some of the more aggressive Palestinians killed but today there were no fatalities although 150 Palestinians were wounded. Two Israeli commercial UAVs, taking video of the demonstration, crashed inside Gaza. Palestinians celebrated this as a great victory. May 3, 2018: In the south, a fire kite from Gaza caused a forest fire in Israel. Earlier in the week, another kite set fire to a wheat field. Civilians in southern Israel have been warned not to touch any large Gaza kites they found as some of them may be rigged with explosives. May 1, 2018: An Arab-Israeli journalist had an article published in the last few days that once more pointed out how most of the international media pays more attention to the weekly casualties Gaza Palestinians suffer while trying to force their way into Israel. At the same time, these same media outlets are ignoring the larger number of Palestinians being killed in Syria as the Syrian army once more attacks Yarmouk refugee camp outside Damascus. In 2011, when the Syrian rebellion began Yarmouk (population 160,000) was the largest Palestinian community in Syria, holding about 30 percent of the Palestinians in Syria. Hamas got involved in the fighting between Palestinians loyal to the camp leadership (a Palestinian terrorist organization, which has long enjoyed the support of the Assads) and Palestinians who support the Syrian rebels. Hamas realized that if the rebels won, and during the first two years of the rebellion it looked like they would, Hamas would be driven out unless pro-rebel Palestinians take control of Palestinian refugee camps (which are actually separate towns or neighborhoods occupied and run by Palestinians.) Hamas had long received support from the Assads. But under pressure from major donors (oil-rich Sunni Arabs), Hamas turned on the Iran-backed Assads. In early 2012 Hamas moved its headquarters out of Syria and openly denounced the Assaads. Hamas apparently also told the Syrian Palestinians to oppose Assad if they wanted Hamas and other Arab states to persuade the new rebel government to allow loyal Palestinians to remain and avoid retribution. The 600,000 Palestinians in Syria were 1.7 percent of the Syrian population back then. By 2018 Yarmouk was largely empty of Palestinians, most having fled the constant air, artillery and ground attacks by the Assads. Far more Palestinians have been killed by the Assads in Syria since 2011 than died in Israel (including Gaza and West Bank). Most of the Palestinians killed in Israel were trying to kill Israelis. Arab journalists who are not Israeli citizens generally do not report the Palestinian situation in Syria unless they want to risk considerable backlash and risk of jail or worse. Another underreported aspect of the Gaza demonstrations is that most (over 70 percent) of the Palestinians killed are known member of Hamas or other Gaza based Islamic terror groups. These men realize that the largely civilian crowds that Hamas has encouraged to attend these demonstrations are largely unemployed young men and teenage boys. With the proper encouragement and leadership, many of these civilians can be persuaded to charge at the security fence and closed crossing points. Islamic terrorists are equipped with wire cutters and other tools while the civilian followers are armed with rocks, firebombs, sling shots and so on. The Israelis know who the leaders are as for as long as Hamas has been in Gaza Israel has been collecting information on Hamas membership and activities. Same goes for the other Islamic terror groups in Gaza. So Israel knows most of the crowd leaders by name (and rank in what group). The goal of the Islamic terrorists is to get civilians killed or wounded and thus make it easier to blame Israel for the situation. A more ambitious (and less likely to accomplish) goal is to get close enough to the fence to plant bombs. The Israelis have managed to spot these efforts so far and disable the bombs. The ultimate goal of the attacks is to mix it up with Israeli riot control forces and actually grab an Israeli and haul him back to Gaza and hold him, or his dead body, for ransom. When the risk of this increases so does the firepower used by the Israelis to prevent it. At this point, the Israeli snipers kill known leaders and prepare to disable or kill any members of a civilian crowd that is too close to Israeli security personnel. By now most Gazans have figured out how this works and are less eager to follow some Hamas guy into a dangerous situation. April 30, 2018: The Israeli prime minister went on TV to show the huge number (over 110,000) of documents Mossad (Israeli intel) agents had taken from a warehouse in Iran. Mossad used Iranian smugglers to get it across the border to Azerbaijan and then to Israel all in less than 24 hours. The Mossad operation, which involved moving half a ton of documents, took place in at the end of January and the Iranian effort to send a bomb laden UAV into Israel on February 10th is seen as a response to the Mossad operation. Since the documents arrived in Israel American, Israeli and other foreign experts (on intelligence, nuclear weapons and Iranian technical capabilities) translated and scrutinized the huge haul of information and concluded that the documents were authentic and proved that Iran does have a nuclear weapons program, something they have always denied. Opinion polls conducted in Israel after the prime ministers revelations showed that 58 percent of Israeli Jews support how the government is handling the Iranian threat. In Iran, the government had to respond to this Israeli revelation and did so by ordering the arrest and prosecution of those responsible for guarding the stolen documents. In Egypt another week of counter-terror operations in northern Sinai resulted in 30 Islamic terrorists dead (including four known leaders), 173 suspects arrested and hundreds of hideouts and hidden stockpiles of weapons and equipment found. The government insisted that the anti-terror campaign would end soon and that would allow promised economic development projects for Sinai to happen. Like the rest of Egypt, the major source of anti-government sentiment is unemployment and poor economic opportunities. The government has done some construction but this sort of activity is something local Islamic terrorists go after because a stronger economy means less support for Islamic terrorists. April 29, 2018: Israeli warplanes attacked a Syrian base near Aleppo containing a large number of Iranian missiles that had recently been flown in from Iran to the Hama airport. The presence of these missiles was obvious because of the intensity of the secondary explosions as the Israel missiles detonated some of the Iranian missiles which set off a chain reaction and a series of explosions so large that it registered as a mild (2.6 on the Richter scale) earthquake on sensors as far away as Europe. All these explosions killed 40 people, including 18 Iranians and 22 Iranian mercenaries. Another 60 people were wounded. At least 13 buildings, including some large warehouses, were destroyed or heavily damaged. The next day satellite photos were released showing the extent (considerable) of the damage (massive). In response of the attack, the Israeli parliament voted to give the prime minister to declare war because it was obvious Iran was supporting preparations for another attack on Israel by Hezbollah and Iranian mercenaries in Syria. Egypt and France confirmed that they are working together to assist Libya in holding elections by the end of 2018 and thus making possible a united government. April 28, 2018: In the north (Golan Heights) Hezbollah forces again fought with Syrian rebels just across the border. Hezbollah and the Syrian army have been pushing Syrian rebels away from the border for over a year now. The fighting today continued over the weekend and on the 30th resulted in a stray mortar shell landing in Israel. There was return fire, as is often the case, especially when Hezbollah is involved. April 27, 2018: In Gaza, Israeli warplanes attacked six Hamas targets associated with Hamas maritime operations. The Israeli army released video showing hundreds of Palestinians trying to force their way into Israel by using explosives, fire bombs cutting the border fence while relying on numbers to enable some Palestinians to get past Israeli troops. The effort shown in the video failed but three Palestinians were killed and hundreds wounded. April 26, 2018: An Israeli commercial satellite photo company released recent photos showing renewed activity at the underground Iranian Fordo uranium enrichment plant. As part of the 2015 treaty to lift sanctions Iran agreed to use Fordo for something non-nuclear. But now major changes are taking place at Fordo. April 24, 2018: Israeli leaders again publicly warned Russia not use their air defense systems against Israel because if that happened Israel would retaliate (go after those air defense systems). The Israelis have developed SEAD (Suppression of Enemy Air Defenses) techniques for the latest Russian air defense systems (S-400) but would rather not use them because that would reveal surprises that the Russians could develop countermeasures for. That would be a consolation prize because if the Israel SEAD worked it would make the S-400 a difficult export sale. Israel makes these threats to make sure potential export customers are reminded of what is at stake here. April 23, 2018: Israeli defense officials have repeated warnings to Russia about delivering S-300 anti-aircraft systems to the Syrian government. Israeli opposition is something the Russians have to take seriously. The Israelis recognize that the S-300 is a modern system that has capabilities. What is not said is that Israel can defeat the S-300 but would prefer not to do so in Syria. That would expose some of the techniques Israel has developed to deal with the S-300 and enable Russia to create and install S-300 upgrades that would force Israel to develop new countermeasures. That would take time and meanwhile, S-300 systems in Iran would be more dangerous to Israeli warplanes. But in the midst of all this Russian would be taking a hit as well because if the Israelis demonstrated in Syria that the S-300 could be defeated it would be much more difficult for Russia to sell these systems to export customers. April 22, 2018: For the first time since October 2017 ISIL issued an official statement via the Internet. This one informed members and supporters about the new ISIL strategy. No surprises in that as the message repeated the call for ISIL members to return home, if possible, and organize terror attacks there. The primary ISIL targets are the apostate governments of Iraq, Iran, Saudi Arabia, Syria, Egypt, Gaza (Hamas) and the West Bank (Fatah). In addition, the Taliban of Afghanistan is the main target in Afghanistan because the local ISIL branch competes with the Taliban to control drug smuggling routes that provide large amounts of cash that ISIL in Afghanistan needs to survive. For Israel, the main ISIL message is that ISIL will not bother with Israel until it has overthrown the current apostate Moslem governments in the Middle East. So for the moment, ISIL is admitting that Israel is not worth the effort (without saying carrying out attacks in Israel has proved to be nearly impossible). Sudan and Ethiopia have refused an Egyptian request to resume discussions about the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) project. Egypt fears the dam will reduce the amount of Nile River water it receives. April 21, 2018: A fire kite from Gaza set fire to a warehouse in southern Israel. In Malaysia, the killing (by gunmen on a motorcycle) of a Palestinian engineer (Fadi al Batsh) known to work for Hamas (designing locally made rockets armed UAVs) was attributed to Israel. No one took credit for the killing and Mossad seemed the likely culprit given the reputation of Batsh (who taught at a Malaysian university). But Mossad explicitly denied responsibility for this killing and given the current state (ugly) of internal Hamas politics the killer could have been another Palestinian faction. For example, Hamas is monitoring pro-Fatah families of recently killed demonstrators after they have erected a mourning tent. These tents are traditional but since 2017 Hamas has, in some cases, forbidden families of men who joined ISIL in Egypt and were killed there from openly mourning their loss. For one thing, these events are often used to recruit more Gaza residents to join ISIL for operations in Egypt. Many of the recruits are from elite Hamas units and these men are technically deserters. Such desertions continue and these former Hamas men continued to get killed in Egypt, where ISIL continues to be a problem for Egyptian security forces. As part of the existing peace deal with Egypt Hamas has to crack down on ISIL activity in Gaza. With fewer ISIL related mourning tents to monitor Hamas can pay attention to pro-Fatah families who use these mourning tent situations to denounce Hamas for getting their son killed for nothing. This sort of talk is why Fatah support has been growing in Gaza and why Hamas shuts down mourning tents where they find such treasonous talk taking place. The big problem for Hamas is that such treasonous talk is common even without the fence demonstration casualties or Fatah partisans. Most Gazans are fed up with Hamas and all the other Islamic terror groups (which, these days, includes Fatah as well) and the fact that these groups bring nothing but poverty and misery to most Gazans and take most of the cash (mostly foreign aid) and keep it for themselves. This cash pays for thousands of armed followers who will use violence to suppress any opposition in Gaza. Because of this situation, it should come as no surprise why the Israeli informant network survives. The Israelis pay well in cash and favors. They also provide useful advice on how to remain undetected. As it is most of those accused of spying for Israel are not and just caught up in some other dispute. Most of the Arab foreign aid contributors have come to understand how unpopular, and ineffective, Hamas is and either cut off aid or cut back on aid and told Hamas to make peace with the Israelis or face the loss of all aid. Similar pressure is being put on Fatah. Even the Western aid suppliers are losing faith in Hamas and Fatah. Iran is becoming the major supplier of foreign aid in Gaza, which is not good for most Gazans and a growing number of Gazans are so desperate that they will openly protest to Hamas about the situation. April 19, 2018: After more than a year (since early 2017) of negotiations between Hamas and Egypt over a deal to trade the remains of two Israeli soldiers killed in the 2014 and two Israeli civilians detained in Gaza, an agreement was reached. But, as many expected, Israel did not agree to the terms. Israel warned Egypt that major killers and those released in earlier agreements and rearrested for new offenses were not eligible for exchange. The Israelis can afford to be hardline here because this time around Hamas is not holding live soldiers or kidnapped civilians. The two Israelis held by Hamas are mentally ill civilians who got into Gaza and were seized by Hamas. One of these Israelis is a Jewish migrant from Ethiopia and the other is a Bedouin (and Moslem). Hamas was hoping to get a deal like they did in 2011. Back then, for the first time since 1985, Israel exchanged imprisoned Palestinians for a captured Israeli soldier (Gilad Shalit). Hundreds of the 1,027 Palestinian prisoners released in the Shalit deal returned to terrorism and dozens of Israelis have since been killed or wounded because of that violence. During the 2014 Gaza War, many of those 1,027 were rearrested on terrorism charges and put back in prison. Others were known to have died fighting for Hamas in Gaza. So Egypt has an agreement that is only acceptable to Hamas and Hamas has said they will not accept anything less. Egypt has had similar success in trying to get Hamas and Fatah to form a unified Palestinian government. April 18, 2018: Israel (quietly) and Saudi Arabia (openly) are trying to persuade the Americans to keep their troops in Syria. The U.S. recently announced that withdrawing American troops was a possibility although it appears all this has more to do with negotiations with Turkey over a number of issues, like membership in NATO and relations with the EU and America. There is also little enthusiasm in the United States for continued American troop presence in Syria. The popular attitude is that Syria and Iraq are regional problems. The U.S. helped to destroy ISIL and that effort continues around the world. The U.S. remains committed to the defense of Israel and any Arab states who agree with that, but permanently stationing troops in the Middle East is very unpopular with Americans. In Egypt airstrikes in northern Sinai left at least 15 Islamic terrorists dead. Ground operations, which lasted more than a week left over a hundred Islamic terrorists dead, including the ISIL leader for Sinai. At least 30 soldiers died as well. April 17, 2018: Syrian media announced two more airstrikes on Syrian air bases (one in the north near Homs and the other outside Damascus). No one took credit for these attacks, there were no photos of any after-effects and Syria claims to have shot down some of the attack missiles. Syria has to be careful with false claims because Israel has its own photo satellites passing over Syria several times a day. This has made it difficult for Syria to stage faked events. The Israelis have also made it clear they keep a tab on who has what where and that is causing problems for Iran and Russia as well. April 16, 2018: Iran has threatened to retaliate against Israel for the latest attack on Iranian facilities at the T4 base in Syria. These threats were not unexpected but so far Iran has not been able to carry out an attack on Israel itself. Iran has been supporting efforts from its allies in Gaza but there have been nothing but failures so far. Israel recently revealed that the Iranian UAV shot down on February 10th as it entered Israeli airspace was armed with explosives. The UAV incident prompted the attack on Iranian UAV bases in Syria. Another reason for the T4 attack was also revealed; Iran had just set up a new air-defense system that might have made a later attack less successful. Meanwhile, the Iranian inability to strike a blow against Israel is making the Iranian radicals (IRGC, Quds) back in Iran look bad at a time when they are under attack for corruption and brutally suppressing widespread protests by Iranians against the misrule of the Iranian radicals and the religious dictatorship the radicals serve. To make matters even worse the radicals campaign against Saudi Arabia and other Arab oil states has resulted in the Saudis openly siding with Israel and reveling in the apparent Iranian ability to hurt Israel. All this makes for a dangerous situation as the Iranians are notoriously sore losers and far more adept with technology than the Arabs. April 15, 2018: In the south (Gaza) four Islamic Jihad Islamic terrorists died when the vehicle they were in exploded near the Israeli border. This was apparently an accidental explosion. In Egypt, the parliament extended the state of emergency (martial law) for three more months. This gives the government nearly unlimited power to investigate anyone anyway they can, arrest and hold people without warrants or obligation to bring charges and basically run the country like a dictatorship. The three decades of Mubarak rule, which ended in 2011, was made possible by a permanent state of emergency and getting rid of that was one of the main demands of the 2011 rebels. The current state of emergency began in April 2017 because of increased Islamic terrorist activity, especially efforts to attack Israel from Egyptian territory. So far Egypt has continued to uncover and attack or arrest Islamic terrorists all over Sinai and to a lesser extent elsewhere in the country. There has been more Islamic terrorist activity coming out of Libya apparently because of recent defeats ISIL and other Islamic terror groups have suffered there. But the martial law is generally unpopular and the government is under growing popular pressure to end it. Israel has told Russia that the proposed sale of S-300 systems to Syria was unacceptable for Israel and would not be allowed. April 14, 2018: The United States, Britain and France launched 105 missiles at three Syrian facilities that developed, produced and stored Syrian chemical weapons. Satellite photos later showed that all of the missiles apparently hit their targets. This was backed up by cell phone photos that got out of Syria showing the damage in great detail. Russia had immediately announced that the Russian supplied Syrian air defense system had performed as designed and shot down 71 of the missiles. This was an attempt to protect the reputation of the Russian air defense systems and even though there will be no wreckage of the 71 missiles Russian insists their systems shot down they will continue with the invented story. The Americans revealed that the Syrian air defense system went into action after the missiles hit and the coordinated attack had all the missiles hitting their targets with a few minutes of each other. French, British and American aircraft delivered some of the missiles and they all returned safely. There was no response from Russian naval forces against the American and British warships that launched most of the missiles. The only one to keep believing the Russian version are many Russians who depend on state controlled media for all their news. There Russians are also told that the Syrian use of chemical weapons in Douma was a hoax perpetrated by the British, as was the earlier incident in Britain where someone (apparently a Russian agent) tried and nearly succeeded in killing a former Russian intelligence agent who had defected to the British. The failure of Russian air defense systems in Syria is going to cost Russia export sales as well as much embarrassment. All Russian claims about the success of their new weapons in Syria will be devalued. This is something Russia cant even discuss publicly because the official Russian position is that none of their systems have failed. Iran has been a big customer for Russian air defense systems and Turkey has indicated interest in buying the S-400 system. Turkey and Iran have to reconsider in light of recent experience. Later today there were reports of explosions at an Iranian base outside Aleppo. Iran denied that this was the result of another Israeli air strike and insisted the explosions were part of rebuilding the base. American and Israeli officials revealed that Israel was given over 12 hours advance warning of the joint missile attack on Syrian chemical warfare targets. This advance warning was to ensure that the missile strike did not conflict with any Israeli operations over Syria. In Egypt (central Sinai) Islamic terrorists attacked a large army checkpoint leaving at least twenty soldiers dead. The attack force of fourteen (including four wearing explosive vests) was wiped out but not before doing some damage to the base. Troops kept the attackers from overrunning the entire facility. Stratfords Boston Tea Party coffee shop will ban disposable cups on 1 June as part of a bold move by the company. All of the independent chains 21 cafe's across the South East and Midlands will impose the ban though the company owner admits it could cost them more than 1million. Customers will now have to bring their own reusable cups, take advantage of a cup loan scheme or buy a cup in store when disposable cup. Karl Wyatt, manager at Boston Tea Party in Stratford, said: Our mission at the start of the year was to stop issuing single use plastics and the coffee cups are the last piece in the jigsaw. Its great to be leading the way in making this change and we hope our customers get behind what we are trying to do. I really hope that as a town we can all get on board this amazing scheme and slowly change how we do things. Stratford could play a massive part in revolutionising the industry and the environment and I for one really think that it will be a great success, given the chance. For every takeaway hot drink purchased the 10p cost of a takeaway cup will be donated to a local good cause. North Korea has dispatched a squad of assassins after a senior North Korean military officer who disappeared in China in February may have fled to the U.K., press reports said last week. The Daily Telegraph said the North "has launched an international manhunt for one of its most senior counter-espionage officers, who disappeared in late February and is believed to have defected, possibly to Britain." It said the official, identified as Kang, is "a colonel in his 50s with the Ministry of State Security and responsible for monitoring dissident and espionage efforts in Russia, China and Southeast Asia." Kang is reportedly a direct descendant of Kang Pan-sok, regime founder Kim Il-sung's mother. Citing sources who spoke to the Seoul-based Daily NK news website, the daily said Kang was in charge of "directing intelligence-gathering and ground operations, as well as overseeing the obtaining of data for North Korea's nuclear program by arranging covert exchanges between scientists." It added that Kang supervised counter-espionage operations from the Chilbosan Hotel in Shenyang, a key base for North Korean hackers operating in China. But he was caught in corrupt activities and reportedly fled with a "machine capable of printing American dollars," as well as a large amount of foreign currency. "At least 10 of Pyongyang's agents had been dispatched with orders directly from Kim Jong-un, the North Korean leader, to assassinate him before he can be granted asylum in Europe," the daily said. According to a source here, immediately after he disappeared, the regime sent seven expert killers, but they came back empty-handed and it sent another three. The National Intelligence Service here said it is trying to find out whether the report is true. North Korea has sent a high-ranking official to the northern Chinese port of Dalian ahead of the U.S.-North Korea summit amid massive security in the business hub. One source in Dalian said security was "hugely beefed up in downtown Dalian on Sunday night, and the same was the case around Dalian Airport from Monday morning until 2 p.m." "Considering the level of security in Dalian, we are considering all possibilities" including that North Korean leader Kim Jong-un came for a meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping, another source there said. But China may simply have invited a high-ranking North Korean official to attend a ceremony marking the test voyage of China's first homegrown aircraft carrier. Maritime officials in Liaoning Province have issued an alert for a military operation from May 4 to 11 and prohibited other vessels from entering its northern waters. North Korea and Russia plan to build a bridge across the Tumen River that runs through their border and are set to start negotiations next month. U.S. news service NK News on Friday said Aleksandr Krutikov, a deputy minister for development of Siberia, said that North Korea will provide the labor and Russia the equipment and materials. At present, the only link over the Tumen River connecting the two countries is a rail bridge that was built in 1959. The two sides discussed the project during talks in Pyongyang in March. North Korea's Deputy Premier Ro Tu-chol told Alexandr Galushka, Russia's Far East development minister, "There are 23 automobile checkpoints between North Korea and China, and none with Russia." Ro pointed out that products made in Siberia therefore have to be transported through China, and the bridge could make trade much easier. After the meeting, the Russian government set up a working group to deal with the construction of the bridge. Meanwhile, North Korea's exports to China rose to $11.8 million in March after plunging to $8.8 million in February due to tougher international sanctions, according to Voice of America. One diplomatic source in Washington said the U.S. "may have assessed North Korea's secret military installations much more accurately than the North thinks." The U.S. National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency recently launched a project that tracks the movements of all vehicles in and out of North Korean military installations, CNN reported. Washington has also monitored North Korean responses to American fighter planes flying overhead to arrive at an overall assessment of the North's hidden military bases. The success of any verification hinges on accurately assessing North Korea's nuclear weapons and missile stockpiles, most of which are hidden away. Already U.S. intelligence agents are going all out to gather data about the North's nuclear and ballistic missile facilities. U.S. officials project "the most extensive inspection campaign in the history of nuclear disarmament, one that would have to delve into a program that stretches back more than half a century and now covers square miles of industrial sites and hidden tunnels across the mountainous North," according to the New York Times on Sunday. The U.S.' call for a "permanent, verifiable, irreversible dismantlement" of North Korea's nuclear and ballistic missile programs would pose a monumental task for international inspectors. The New York Times cited the RAND Corporation as arriving at no better assessment than that North Korea has 20 to 60 nuclear warheads and around 40 to 100 nuclear facilities, while one nuclear facility has more than 400 buildings. "While there is no question Iran hid much of its weapons-designing past, North Korea has concealed programs on a far larger scale," the daily said. The RAND Corporation predicts that it would take 273,000 U.S. troops just to locate and secure North Korea's weapons of mass destruction, which is more than the number of American soldiers deployed in Iraq at the peak of the U.S. invasion. It warned that the International Atomic Energy Agency has only 300 inspectors, and 80 of them are already assigned to monitoring activities in Iran. If the North agrees in principle to denuclearize, the IAEA will have a huge task simply finding the personnel. North Korea could easily conceal highly enriched uranium which could be used to produce a nuclear bomb, and it would be virtually impossible to find if the North fails to cooperate. Justice Party lawmaker Kim Jong-dae, who recently visited Washington, told reporters that North Korea has "tens of thousands of facilities related to nuclear and missile development, while there are around 10,000 underground tunnels and storage facilities in the Mt. Baekdu area." "Realistically, the U.S.-North Korea summit should discuss nuclear arms reduction rather than complete dismantlement," he added. Mac Thornberry, head of the U.S. House Armed Services Committee, told Fox New that he is "very skeptical" that North Korea will completely dismantle its weapons of mass destruction and advised the U.S. to "prepare for the worst." But others warned that North Korea could face a grim future if it attempts to fool the U.S. Hardline U.S. lawmaker Lindsey Graham said in a radio interview that North Korea played "every president before - Clinton, Bush, all of them" but warned that Pyongyang would regret it if it tries to dupe the Trump administration since this would mean the "end of the North Korean regime." Hyundai and affiliate Kia have set a combined sales target of 7.55 million cars this year, up five percent from last year amid an ongoing business downturn. The target is still short of their combined sales of 8.01 million cars in 2015, but they are determined to rebound. The carmakers have faced rising competition from Chinese rivals, and China's unofficial boycott of Korean goods last year dealt a heavy blow. They also failed to release new models to respond to growing demand for SUVs in China and the U.S., their biggest markets. Last month, Hyundai rolled out the Encino (Kona in Korea) compact SUV and Kia Zhipao (Stonic in Korea), which helped their sales for the month increase 10 percent on-year. Prof. Kim Pil-soo at Daelim University said, "To keep up the momentum throughout the year, they need to sell more premium cars in the American market and find new markets in Southeast Asia, as well as solving fundamental problems in productivity, including labor relations." Brentwood, Mo. -- Nordstrom Rack is apologizing after three black teens were falsely accusing of stealing from one of its stores. Mekhi Lee, Eric Rogers and Dirone Taylor were shopping for prom clothes at a Nordstrom Rack on Thursday in Brentwood, Missouri, outside St. Louis. Lee is a college freshman and the others are high school seniors, . Lee told the Post-Dispatch that he and his friends noticed they were being watched by store employees. Workers followed the three as they moved around the store. Lee called his mother and she encouraged him to speak with a manager, but a manager never came. A customer became involved in the situation and called one of the teens a "punk," Lee said, according to the Post-Dispatch. An altercation broke out between the men and the customer and management stepped in, . The three left the store and were surrounded by police. Officers said they had been called about three black men shoplifting, according to the Post-Dispatch. "The police were actually good," Rogers said, according to KMOV in Missouri. "They understood where we were coming from and they showed us that they were just doing their job." Police investigated on the spot and let all three go without any charges, the station said. The St. Louis NAACP said it wants to work with Nordstrom Rack and its employees on how to handle such situations, KMOV said. The young men and their families want to prevent something similar form happening in the future, the NAACP said, according to the Post-Dispatch. Nordstrom Rack's president, Geevy Thomas, contacted the families of all three and asked to meet with them. "We didn't handle this situation well and we apologized to these young men and their families," the company said in a statement, according to the Post-Dispatch. "We're enhancing our internal practices and trainings to help ensure this doesn't happen again. We want all customers to feel welcome when they shop with us and we don't tolerate discrimination of any kind." Contact Kevin Tampone anytime: Email | Twitter | Google + | 315-454-2112 BALDWINSVILLE, N.Y. -- A Baldwinsville man faces a felony charge after a domestic dispute with a woman Monday, according to New York State Police. Thomas Wilkins IV, 39, is accused of threatening to kill the victim, while assaulting and physically restraining her. He is also accused of taking the victim's cell phone in order to prevent her from calling 911, state police said. Troopers were called to the North Medical Center on West Taft Road in Liverpool at 7:30 p.m. Monday to investigate the woman's injuries. Wilkins fled the area after the dispute and was located Monday just outside of Buffalo by the Amherst Police Department, state police said. Wilkins was transported back to Onondaga County, where he was charged with the following: First-degree unlawful imprisonment, a felony Third-degree assault, a misdemeanor Criminal obstruction of breathing, a misdemeanor Fourth-degree criminal mischief, a misdemeanor Wilkins was remanded to the Onondaga County Justice Center on $3,500 bail or bond. He is scheduled to appear Friday in Baldwinsville Village Court. Syracuse, NY -- A former Corcoran high school student charged with stabbing a substitute teacher while fighting with another student is headed to trial after rejecting a judge's plea offer. Zhuantina Hayes, 17, was due in court today to decide whether she wanted to take the judge up on his offer, which last stood at 5 years in prison. Hayes is accused of stabbing substitute teacher Ryan Elsenbeck, who intervened in a May 2017 fight between Hayes and someone else. Defense lawyer Kerilyn Micale has argued that Hayes was acting in self-defense: apparently protecting herself from the other student and accidentally stabbing the teacher. The entire episode was caught on the school's surveillance camera. Footage has not been released. Hayes was indicted on a first-degree assault charge, punishable by up to 25 years in prison. That indictment upped the ante when it came to any plea agreement. County Court Judge Stephen Dougherty removed the Onondaga County DA's office from the case because Elsenbeck is a part-time employee of the DA's office. Oswego County DA Greg Oakes was appointed by the area's top judge. And he signaled a willingness to negotiate a plea agreement with Hayes' lawyer that might be less than 5 years in prison. But those negotiations became a moot point when Dougherty, the judge, decided that he wouldn't accept any plea less than 5 years -- that's the minimum sentence allowed for a first-degree assault conviction. The judge has decried Hayes' prior arrests, but praised her work ethic in obtaining a G.E.D. while in jail. After more than a month to think about it, Hayes rejected the offer today. Her case is now scheduled to go to trial in June. If convicted of assault, her punishment could be anywhere from 5 to 25 years. LIVERPOOL, N.Y. -- A Liverpool man has been arrested he broke nine of his mother's ribs, punctured her lung and caused other internal injuries in an assault, according to New York State Police. William P. Tonon, 46, was charged Thursday with 2nd-degree assault and criminal obstruction of breathing, police said in news release Tuesday. Police responded the Grenadier Village apartment complex on Wednesday for a call about a woman in a car with injuries, police said. They found a 74-year-old woman, Tonon's mother, who said she had been assaulted by her son, police said. She had "significant injuries throughout her body" and was taken to Upstate University Hospital, police said. She is in stable condition, police said. Tonon admitted to assaulting his mother in their apartment, police said. He was arraigned in Syracuse City Court and held in the Justice Center jail on $10,000 bail and $20,000 bond, police said. He was still in jail Tuesday afternoon. A full stay away order of protection was issued, police said. Chubb Ltd. and a subsidiary have agreed to pay a $1.3 million fine for unlawfully selling National Rifle Association-branded "self-defense" liability insurance to gun owners in New York. The New York State Department of Financial Services said Chubb and its subsidiary, Illinois Union Insurance Co., sold "Carry Guard" liability insurance that would cover gun owners even for acts of intentional wrongdoing, and improperly provided legal services insurance for gun owners and their family members who may be charged with a crime involving a legally possessed firearm. Chubb, the world's largest publicly-traded property and casualty insurance property, sold the insurance through Lockton Affinity. Lockton is licensed to sell insurance in New York, but the NRA is not. Nevertheless, Lockton paid the gun lobby organization royalties and profit-sharing from the sale of the insurance, the DFS said. The department fined Lockton $7 million last week for its part in selling the insurance. The department said the NRA actively marketed the insurance through a website, email and direct mail, among other channels. According to the DFS, one NRA promotion boasted that the insurance provides a "cutting edge set of features that will help gun owners mitigate the potentially costly financial and legal consequences flowing from armed encounters, even if they did everything right." "Today's action is another step in addressing the unlicensed and improper activity connected with the NRA's unlawful "Carry Guard" program," Maria T. Vullo, superintendent of the Department of Financial Services, said in a statement Monday. "DFS will continue its comprehensive investigation into this matter to ensure that New York insurance law is enforced and that consumers are no longer conned into buying so-called 'self-defense' insurance coverage." The "Carry Guard" insurance provided coverage in any criminal proceeding against the policyholder or the policyholder's family members, including coverage for bail money, premiums on bonds, attorney consultation fees and retainers, expenses for the investigation or defense of criminal charges, and other costs in a criminal proceeding arising out of a shooting. Chubb told the DFS that it sold the insurance to 681 people in New York between April and November of 2017 and that no claims have been filed against the policies. Some gun-control groups have called the product "murder insurance." Igor Volsky, director of the Guns Down group, said the insurance, which cost $14 to $49 a month, encouraged gun owners to "shoot first and ask questions second." Chubb issued a statement Monday saying it "recognizes its responsibility to ensure that its policies comply with New York law" and that it "at all times intended and believed its coverage to be in full compliance" with state law. A lawyer for the NRA told Reuters the gun advocacy groun "acted appropriately at all times." In addition to paying the fine, the company agreed in the consent order to refrain from: Participating in the "Carry Guard" insurance program or any similar program in New York. Entering into any other agreement or arrangement to sell insurance involving the NRA, directly or indirectly. Issuing insurance for any act of intentional wrong-doing or providing legal services insurance in a civil or criminal proceeding. Illinois Union also must cancel all "Carry Guard" insurance policies and refund policy holders' premiums. Contact Rick Moriarty anytime: Email | Twitter | Facebook | 315-470-3148 President Moon Jae-in will visit Tokyo on Wednesday for trilateral talks with China and Japan. The last time a Korean president visited Japan was more than six years ago. During the Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang in February, Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe came Korea, so it seems that shuttle diplomacy between the two countries is being restored. Bilateral relations turned sour back in 2011, when then President Lee Myung-bak was in office, due to the issue of compensating Korean women who were forced to serve as sex slaves for Japanese troops during World War II. The Park Geun-hye administration said that Korea-Japan ties could not progress without resolving the issue, only to reach a shady backroom deal in late 2015. But the Moon Jae-in administration effectively binned the agreement due to the lack of transparency that accompanied the deal. Moon has stressed the need to separate past history from diplomacy, and he should let his trip serve as the first step in acting on his words. Seoul-Tokyo relations have to be strengthened to ensure progress in North Korean denuclearization. First, South Korea and Japan must cooperate to ensure that the U.S.-North Korea summit does not end up merely removing the nuclear threat against the U.S. mainland. It would be catastrophic if North Korea was left to possess mid-range ballistic missiles capable of striking South Korea and Japan. If the North Korean nuclear impasse is resolved successfully, trade with the North will resume, which would increase the role played by Japan. There are many other tasks Seoul and Tokyo need to deal with. Bank of Korea Governor Lee Ju-yeol said he would strive to resume a currency-swap agreement that was in place for 14 years until 2015 but severed due to conflict over Japan's flimsy claim to Korea's Dokdo islets and the issue of compensating the former sex slaves. Those issues could now serve as opportunities in bridging the gap between the two neighbors. Update: Gov. Andrew Cuomo late Tuesday appointed a special prosecutor to investigate the allegations against Eric Schneiderman. Add former New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman to the list of powerful men felled by the #MeToo movement. Four women who dated Schneiderman told The New Yorker that he slapped, choked and psychologically abused them. Within hours of the story's publication Monday night, the attorney general resigned. It feels like another cultural turning point when: --Women who blow the whistle on abuse by powerful men are believed - even if the man in question is a crusader for women's rights and against domestic violence, as Schneiderman was as a state legislator and attorney general. --The politically powerful man at the center of the allegations can maintain that the behavior was consensual, and still see the futility of trying to hold onto his office. Schneiderman made the right calculation; he could not function effectively as the chief law enforcement officer of the state with such accusations hanging over him. These things just don't blow over anymore. (Aside: Maybe it's time for a woman to hold this job.) --Schneiderman's allies in the Democratic Party -- not all of them his friends -- were among the first to call on him to resign after The New Yorker piece came out. It's a refreshing change from many in the Republican Party who went to the mat for Senate candidate Roy Moore of Alabama, and who continue to defend Gov. Eric Greitens of Missouri and President Donald Trump despite credible accusations of sexual misconduct against them. Sadly, neither party has a monopoly on sexual predators or rank hypocrites. In public, Schneiderman portrayed himself as a defender of women's rights, including abortion rights. As a state senator, he introduced the Strangulation Prevention Act to make choking someone to unconsciousness a violent felony - a law often used to prosecute cases of domestic abuse. As attorney general, Schneiderman supported renewing the federal Violence Against Women Act and opposed cuts to women's health care. He called sexual assault and harassment allegations against Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein "despicable," and sued Weinstein and his company under civil rights law. In private, according to The New Yorker piece, Schneiderman slapped the faces of his sexual partners hard enough to leave marks. Tanya Selvaratnam and Michelle Manning Barish, who spoke on the record, described being choked by Schneiderman. Both said he threatened to kill them if they broke up with him -- an accusation Schneiderman denies. He also denies abusing the four women but admits engaging in "role-playing and other consensual sexual activity." "I am the law," Schneiderman is reported to have told Manning Barish once. Considering the power he wielded as the state's top cop, it took tremendous courage for her and the three other women to speak out. We don't know who the other two are because they fear retribution if they go public. We are in the midst of a reckoning over the way powerful men treat women. It is painful, swift and overdue. As the Manhattan district attorney mulls criminal charges, amid calls for the governor to appoint a special prosecutor, Schneiderman's downfall shows that even the state attorney general is not above the law. Syracuse.com editorials Editorials represent the collective opinion of the Advance Media New York editorial board. Our opinions are independent of news coverage. Read our Members of the editorial board are Tim Kennedy, Stephen Cvengros, Jason Murray and Marie Morelli. To respond to this editorial: Post a comment below, or submit a letter or commentary to . Read our If you have questions about the Opinions & Editorials section, contact Marie Morelli, editorial/opinion leader, at Max Boot, a Washington Post columnist, is the Jeane J. Kirkpatrick senior fellow for national security studies at the Council on Foreign Relations and a global affairs analyst for CNN. A best-selling historian, he is the author most recently of "The Road Not Taken: Edward Lansdale and the American Tragedy in Vietnam." By Max Boot | The Washington Post The outlook for Gina Haspel's nomination to run the CIA is not good. As The Washington Post revealed, White House aides had to talk Haspel out of withdrawing her nomination on Friday. On Monday, CNN reported a backup nominee is in place in case Haspel isn't confirmed: Susan Gordon, the current deputy director of national intelligence. If accurate, this removes the strongest argument for Haspel, and the reason her CIA colleagues have been inappropriately lobbying for her nomination: the fear that it is either her, or an unqualified ideologue such as Sen. Tom Cotton, R-Ark., who would politicize intelligence. If the alternative to Haspel is another intelligence professional who isn't marred by involvement in torture and the destruction of evidence, then it is difficult to see why wavering senators would want to stick their necks out to vote for her. Especially when doing so risks lending legitimacy to repugnant interrogation techniques. But it is clear President Donald Trump sees the reopening of the torture debate as not an excruciating foray into morally fraught terrain but an opportunity to simple-mindedly bash Democrats as terrorist sympathizers. Faux tough-guy Trump tweeted on Monday: "My highly respected nominee for CIA Director, Gina Haspel, has come under fire because she was too tough on Terrorists. Think of that, in these very dangerous times, we have the most qualified person, a woman, who Democrats want OUT because she is too tough on terror. Win Gina!" Sorry, Mr. President, but you can be tough on terror and still oppose torture. That, in fact, is precisely the position of your own defense secretary, Jim Mattis, who said during his job interview, "Give me a pack of cigarettes and a couple of beers, and I do better with that than I do with torture." Trump reluctantly acceded to Mattis' view by banning torture while insisting that it "works." In a very narrow sense, Trump is right: torture does elicit information. But Mattis is also right: empathetic interrogation also elicits information. Even if torture can produce more information more quickly, it does not mean it's worth doing. The use of torture always becomes public and causes blowback that, in a liberal democracy, typically outweighs the benefits of any information that might have been derived via waterboarding, "stress positions," sleep deprivation or other fiendish techniques. It is something I failed to appreciate in the past when I was more sympathetic to "enhanced interrogation techniques" as a tool in the war on terror. France discovered how counterproductive torture was during its war in Algeria from 1954 to 1962. It was common for French forces to hook up detainees to a dynamo called the gegene that administered an excruciating electrical shock. The information thus obtained helped French soldiers to administer tactical defeats to Algerian independence fighters but ultimately cost them the public support they needed to win the war. The United States had a similar experience after the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, when the Bush administration, in an understandable panic, resorted to the use of "enhanced interrogation techniques" at black sites -- including one run by Haspel in Thailand. A Jesuitical debate still rages over whether these techniques produced useful information that disrupted terrorist attacks or helped lead to the killing of Osama bin Laden. Democrats on the Senate Intelligence Committee produced a lengthy report that claimed abusive interrogations did not produce any intelligence that was not available elsewhere. This was strongly rebutted by the CIA, with former Deputy Director Michael Morrell arguing it would have taken a long time to elicit the same information from other sources, and that the enhanced interrogations pointed the agency toward leads that might otherwise have been lost in a lot of white noise. The CIA position is more persuasive, but that doesn't mean we should torture in the future. The blowback from the CIA program, and the unauthorized abuses at Abu Ghraib prison in Iraq, sullied America's reputation and gave a propaganda boost to our enemies. More than that: CIA involvement in such unsavory acts morally compromised its officers, including Haspel, and harmed the agency. That is something then-FBI Director Robert S. Mueller III understood when he ordered FBI agents to steer clear of coercive interrogations. Since those dark days, we have developed something close to a national consensus that we shouldn't engage in torture. The CIA, FBI, and Department of Defense formed a High-Value Detainee Interrogation Group in 2009 to employ "authorized, lawful, non-coercive techniques that are designed to elicit voluntary statements and do not involve the use of force, threats, or promises." While rejecting torture, our political leaders, on a bipartisan basis, also rightly rejected attempts to prosecute intelligence officers who carried out what they believed were lawful orders. But there is a difference between avoiding prosecution and being promoted to CIA director. It's a close call, and though she is eminently qualified, I would vote against Haspel's nomination if I were in the Senate. And I would fight like hell Trump's loathsome attempts to profit politically from his advocacy of torture. Utah Sen. Orrin Hatch called John McCain's decision not to invite President Donald Trump to his funeral "ridiculous" and urged the cancer-stricken senator to change his mind. Hatch blasted McCain's plans to invite Vice President Mike Pence instead of Trump, telling CNN, "I think that's ridiculous. He's the president of the United States. He's a very good man." McCain, who was diagnosed with brain cancer last year, has had a checkered history with the president, who famously said, "He is not a war hero. He's a war hero because he was captured. I like people who weren't captured." Hatch said, "(Trump) would be a very interesting speaker and would do a good job for John." And while Hatch said he would encourage the Arizona senator to reconsider, he acknowledged the decision is ultimately up to McCain. "I think John should have his wishes fulfilled with regard to who attends his funeral," Hatch said. In recent weeks, friends and family have visited McCain, 81, at his ranch in Arizona, where he continues to undergo cancer treatment following surgery for an intestinal infection last month. McCain "knows he's in a very, very, very precarious situation," said former Vice President Joe Biden, who spoke to The New York Times after visiting his longtime friend at the end of April. McCain did not return to Washington in December as he had initially anticipated, and his health has potential repercussions for the GOP's control in the Senate. If McCain dies or resigns before the end of May, a special election for his seat may pose another opportunity for Democrats to turn the red state blue. If he remains in office into June, the election will probably be held off until 2020. -- By Jessica Chia, New York Daily News CHARLESTON, W.Va. (AP) -- Voters in the heart of Trump country are ready to decide the fate of Don Blankenship, a brash West Virginia businessman and GOP outsider with a checkered past who is testing the appeal of President Donald Trump's outsider playbook in one of the nation's premiere U.S. Senate contests. The stakes are high for a Republican Party bracing for major losses in this fall's midterm elections. A victory on Tuesday for Blankenship, an ex-convict who has run racially charged ads, could cost Republicans a Senate seat come November. But the anti-establishment fervor unleashed by Trump's 2016 campaign has proved difficult for GOP leaders to rein in. On the eve of West Virginia's Senate primary election, Trump himself warned on Twitter that a Blankenship win would destroy Republicans' chance of defeating Democratic Sen. Joe Manchin in November. Blankenship "can't win the General Election in your State...No way!" the president wrote of the retired coal executive, who was released from prison last year for his role in the deadliest U.S. mine disaster in four decades. Firing back at the Republican president, Blankenship described himself as "Trumpier than Trump" as he shrugged off Trump's call for local Republicans to support one of his two opponents. "West Virginia will send the swamp a message: No one, and I mean no one, will tell us how to vote," Blankenship declared. On Tuesday, West Virginia will join Indiana, North Carolina and Ohio in hosting primary elections in states Trump carried in 2016. The Republican contests largely feature candidates jockeying to be seen as the most conservative, the most anti-Washington and the most loyal to the president. In Indiana, Republicans will pick from among three Senate candidates who have spent much of the race praising Trump and bashing one another. The winner will take on another vulnerable Democrat, Sen. Joe Donnelly, this fall. In Ohio, Republicans will likely nominate a more conservative candidate than outgoing GOP Gov. John Kasich, a 2016 presidential candidate and frequent Trump critic. Even Kasich's former running mate, Lt. Gov. Mary Taylor, has pledged to unwind some of Kasich's centrist policies, including the expansion of the Medicaid government insurance program. Ohio also features primary elections in both parties to decide the candidates for an August special election to replace GOP Rep. Pat Tiberi, who resigned earlier in the year. North Carolina Republicans will weigh in on the fate of Republican Rep. Robert Pittenger, who faces a primary challenger who almost upset him two years ago. Pittenger features Trump prominently in his campaign, while challenger Mark Harris, a prominent Charlotte pastor, has called Pittenger a creature of Washington who refuses to help Trump "drain that swamp." Yet none of Tuesday's contests is expected to have more impact on the 2018 midterm landscape than West Virginia. Blankenship has embraced Trump's tactics -- casting himself as a victim of government persecution and seizing on xenophobia, if not racism -- to stand out in a crowded Republican field that includes state Attorney General Patrick Morrisey and Republican congressman Evan Jenkins. Republicans have long seen the state as a prime opportunity to expand the party's two-seat majority in the Senate by defeating Manchin. On paper at least, the GOP prospects look good: No state gave Trump a larger margin of victory than West Virginia, where Trump defeated Democrat Hillary Clinton by 42 points. Yet Republicans across Washington are convinced that Blankenship, an unapologetic conservative who lives part time near Las Vegas, cannot defeat Manchin. In addition to Trump's warning, the head of the Senate Republican campaign arm has highlighted Blankenship's criminal history. And a group allied with the national GOP, known as Mountain Families PAC, has spent more than $1.2 million in attack ads against Blankenship in recent weeks. The retired businessman was released from prison less than a year ago for his role in a 2010 mine explosion that left 29 men dead. Blankenship led the company that owned the mine and was sentenced to a year in prison for conspiring to break safety laws, a misdemeanor. He has repeatedly blamed government regulators for the disaster, casting himself as the victim of an overzealous Obama-era Justice Department -- an argument Trump regularly uses to dismiss federal agents investigating his campaign's ties to Russia. Blankenship has used race and ethnicity to appeal to supporters in the campaign's final days, just as Trump did throughout his campaign. The Senate candidate took aim at Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., in an ad claiming that McConnell has created jobs for "China people" and that his "China family" has given him millions of dollars. McConnell's wife is U.S. Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao, who was born in Taiwan. Blankenship also called McConnell "Cocaine Mitch" in a previous ad. That reference stems from a 2014 magazine article alleging drugs were found aboard a commercial cargo ship owned by Chao's family. Arizona Republican Sen. Jeff Flake, a frequent Trump critic, suggested that Blankenship presents a moral problem for the GOP, not just a political one. He said he's ready to donate to Manchin's campaign if Blankenship becomes the GOP nominee. "You get somebody like that in the Senate, you might get us one seat but you lose your soul," Flake said. By Kenneth Lovett, New York Daily News (TNS) ALBANY, N.Y. -- New York mayoral candidate Cynthia Nixon took heat Monday from black leaders over her comments that creating a legalized pot industry in New York could serve as a form of reparations in black communities. Nixon on Saturday told Forbes magazine "now that cannabis is exploding as an industry, we have to make sure that those communities that have been harmed and devastated by marijuana arrests get the first shot at this industry." "We (must) prioritize them in terms of licenses. It's a form of reparations." The comments came under fire from some community leaders. "I'm for legalizing marijuana and I like Cynthia Nixon but putting pot shops in our communities is not reparations," the Rev. Al Sharpton tweeted. "Health care, education!!" Manhattan Democratic Party Chairman Keith Wright, a former long-time state assemblyman from Harlem, said Nixon's comment "is ill-informed, lacks understanding of the greatest crime in history, and should cease and desist." "Reparations is a repayment for the free labor that built this country," said Wright, a former state Democratic Party chairman under Gov. Andrew Cuomo. "Ms. Nixon should relegate her comments to legalization, pro or con," he said. "I believe social equity should be a part of licenses to sell marijuana, if and when legalization does occur. However, it is insulting to my soul, that the free labor that my ancestors gave to this country would be equated with the selling of marijuana." Black Lives Matter of Greater NY blasted Nixon's comments as "offensive and ignorant." "It does a disservice to our community for her to play into harmful stereotypes of African-Americans as drug users and dealers," the group said in a statement. "And it does an even greater disservice to the enduring consequences of both slavery and Jim Crow and the inequities these systems of oppression perpetuated to claim that legalizing marijuana would somehow erase that experience." The group called on Nixon to apologize. Nixon on Saturday attended a rally for the legalization of pot in New York. She has focused heavily on the issue and the fact that the disproportionate number of pot arrests impact people of color. A Nixon spokeswoman could not be immediately reached for comment. A year after calling pot a "gateway drug," Cuomo this year has ordered a state study into the issue of legalizing marijuana. He has argued that with Massachusetts having already legalized it and New Jersey considering it, the issue has changed. NEW YORK (AP) -- The Manhattan District Attorney's office is investigating allegations of violence against women by New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman, who resigned just hours after accounts of abuse by four women. It was a swift and stunning fall for a Democrat who held himself out as a champion of women and a liberal foil to President Donald Trump and who pledged to use his office to hold others accountable for abusing their power. The women described being slapped and choked, verbally abused and threatened by Schneiderman. Some also described him as a heavy drinker. The abuse often happened during what were supposed to be romantic encounters, but the women said the violence was not consensual. Schneiderman, 63, implied in a statement that his conduct was either welcomed by the women, or was not as they described. "In the privacy of intimate relationships, I have engaged in role-playing and other consensual sexual activity. I have not assaulted anyone. I have never engaged in non-consensual sex, which is a line I would not cross," he said. Danny Frost, a spokesman for Manhattan District Attorney Cyrus R. Vance Jr., said in a statement late Monday that prosecutors would look into the claims. It's an unusual twist: Schneiderman's office had been tasked with investigating the Manhattan District Attorney's office over its handling of a 2015 sex assault probe involving Harvey Weinstein that resulted in no criminal charges. NYPD officials said they had not received any complaints, but would investigate thoroughly should anyone come forward. The state's Solicitor General, Barbara Underwood, will serve as acting Attorney General. She has a long history of legal work including serving in the Eastern District of New York and in the Manhattan, Brooklyn and Queens district attorney offices. Schneiderman capitulated quickly after fellow Democrats in New York, including Gov. Andrew Cuomo and U.S. Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, called for his resignation. "In the last several hours, serious allegations, which I strongly contest, have been made against me," he said in a statement late Monday. "While these allegations are unrelated to my professional conduct or the operations of the office, they will effectively prevent me from leading the office's work at this critical time." He said he would resign at the close of business on Tuesday. Two women who spoke to The New Yorker on the record, Michelle Manning Barish and Tanya Selvaratnam, both said the physical abuse escalated over time. The Associated Press is identifying the women because they agreed to tell their stories publicly. "After the most difficult month of my life-I spoke up. For my daughter and for all women. I could not remain silent and encourage other women to be brave for me. I could not," Manning Barish wrote on Twitter after the story was published. Manning Barish said she was involved with Schneiderman from mid-2013 through the end of 2014. Selvaratnam said she was involved with him from the summer of 2016 until fall 2017. Manning Barish said Schneiderman became violent a few weeks after they began dating. She said she confided in friends, including novelist Salman Rushdie. Selvaratnam, who was born in Sri Lanka, said Schneiderman started calling her his "brown slave" and made her say that she was "his property." "After I found out that other women had been abused by Attorney-General Schneiderman in a similar manner many years before me, I wondered, who's next, and knew something needed to be done," Selvaratnam said in a statement to the AP. Schneiderman has been a vocal supporter of the #MeToo movement. He filed a lawsuit in February against Weinstein and the Weinstein Co. following an investigation into allegations of sexual misconduct. Schneiderman said the company broke New York law by failing to protect employees from "pervasive sexual harassment, intimidation and discrimination." He launched a civil rights probe into the New York City-based company in October after The New York Times and The New Yorker exposed allegations of sexual assault and harassment spanning decades. The company later fired Weinstein. The women accusing Schneiderman said seeing him speak out on these issues was part of what prompted them to come forward. The former state senator became attorney general in 2010 and had been running for re-election this year. He also has been a longtime critic of Trump, and has been part of several efforts to push back against some of his actions in the White House, like the rescinding of protection for immigrants brought to the U.S. illegally as children. Last month, he urged state lawmakers to close a loophole that he said could be used to fight state charges by anyone who has received a federal pardon for similar federal charges. On Twitter, Donald Trump Jr. offered pointed commentary. He showcased one of Schneiderman's tweets from last year saying that he would remind President Trump that no one was above the law, with Trump Jr. adding, "You were saying???" SYRACUSE, N.Y. -- The Syracuse University chancellor's blistering remarks about the Theta Tau fraternity videos have made it nearly impossible for its members to get a fair shake at a hearing that will decide their academic futures. That's the belief of a law professor who is assisting three of the 18 accused students fighting against possible expulsions. "This is a political case," said Gregory Germain. "The university has taken a position on the outcome. The penalty was meted out before the process began." Since mid-April when the videos first surfaced, Chancellor Kent Syverud has repeatedly called them "disgusting" and "unacceptable." The videos show pledges acting out a racist, anti-Semitic "parody" oath: "I solemnly swear to have hatred in my heart for n*ggers, sp*cs and most importantly the f*ckin' k*kes." A second video shows fraternity pledges miming the sexual assault of a person with disabilities. Syverud chastised the students' behavior in written and video messages, a press conference and at forums. "There is absolutely no place at Syracuse University for behavior or language that degrades any individual or group's race, ethnicity, sexuality, gender identity, disability or religious beliefs," Syverud said in the university's first public statement. "What happened at Theta Tau serves as a reminder that violations of codes of honor, behavior and values will be met with swift and appropriate consequences." Syverud and other college officials have not explicitly stated or predicted what those consequences will be. They have said all along that suspension and expulsion are potential outcomes of judiciary proceedings. A university spokeswoman defended the fairness of the process in a statement. She declined to comment on specifics, saying it would be "inappropriate" given the pending case. "Syracuse University's student conduct process respects the rights of all students, and is designed to lead to fair outcomes in difficult cases," said Sarah Scalese, associate vice president for communications. Scalese said the process is equipped to handle individual issues between students, as well as conduct alleged to "create a hostile environment on campus or in its programs." On one side, protesters have criticized the chancellor for not speaking out enough, and for not expelling the students immediately. But Germain, who is urging the administration to value due process and the fraternity pledges' free speech, said remarks by the chancellor and other officials "made it clear" that the university intends to expel the students. That's why Germain proposed an "independent" hearing panel made up of tenured professors, whose jobs wouldn't be at stake for rendering a decision that isn't favorable to the administration. The university said no, according to Germain. Germain, who has taught at SU since 2002, said he believes administrators, nontenured professors and anyone who reports to Syverud could feel pressured to reach a verdict of expulsion or suspension, or face repercussions. "I don't think these kids have a real chance," he said. Germain is serving as a "procedural advisor" to three of the 18 students who were charged as a result of the Theta Tau videos. He discussed his role and his proposals for a fairer process during a wide-ranging interview with Syracuse.com. Here's what he said about the upcoming disciplinary hearings. Gregory Germain, Syracuse University School of Law professor, is acting as a "procedural advisor" to three Theta Tau fraternity pledges who are facing expulsion over offensive videos that surfaced after a "roast" event. Young people's lives in the balance Germain said he is concerned the fraternity brothers are being "railroaded" and used as "scapegoats" for the school's historical problems with fraternities and its poor track record of welcoming minorities on campus. The students who do not accept punishments proposed by the university will face a disciplinary panel on Wednesday, according to Germain. Germain echoes many of the criticisms in the lawsuit filed by a handful of the accused students last week. He shares their concerns about the process being rushed, and about the university being quick to "brand them" as racists and bigots, without viewing the videos in context -- as a parody that was never intended for public viewing. According to Germain, most of the 18 students are freshmen. The three he is working with are either 18 or 19 years old. He and the lawsuit both note it's a diverse group of young men, who represent many of the minority groups lampooned in the videos. A clean break According to Germain, the students he has talked to are open to a compromise, including a clean break from SU. He said all three students have apologized. It's the university, he said, that is unwilling to negotiate. So far, SU's only offers to the students have been suspension or expulsion, he said. He argues these students are teenagers in an academic setting and should be treated as such. He said they feel humiliated and their parents are distraught. The students have good grades and no prior disciplinary history, he said. "They're really young kids. I think if the chancellor sat down and met them, he would have a totally different attitude," Germain said. "Even if you accept the chancellor's characterization [of the students' behavior], I think there's room for compassion and forgiveness." Germain said he thinks the students would be willing to transfer or agree to other solutions, as long as they don't receive a "scarlet letter" -- notice of suspension or expulsion -- on their transcripts. "The students' goal is not to have their lives ruined," he said. "That has a very significant effect." Ambiguous process Germain and other "procedural advisors" can be present with the students, but are not allowed to speak during the hearing unless the panel asks for their participation. "I'm a potted plant in the room," he said. "I can't do anything. It's going to be very frustrating." The advisors can answer the students' questions or give procedural advice, Germain said. According to Germain, the university provided the students with "charge letters" that don't specify what actions or behaviors the university alleges violated certain rules. "We don't even really know what we're responding to," Germain said. Germain has urged the university to immediately dismiss some of the charges, which he believes officials know to be "false," including allegations the students were drinking during the event shown in the recording. Germain filed a complaint on behalf of three students with the federal Department of Education. In it he outlines his concerns about SU's procedures and whether they are being followed in this case. Mediation Another of Germain's proposals is to hold a "community mediation" to let the accused students talk with administrators, faculty and student representatives from groups maligned by the videos. Federal Department of Education Title IX guidelines encourage schools to use mediation and other informal procedures to resolve issues in some cases. The department dictates some of these procedures, which are continuing to evolve under the Trump administration. Germain argues that in cases like this one, involving free speech, officials should consider a less punitive measure, like mediation, and be willing to think outside the box in order to teach the students and community. He said in this case the "victim" appears to be the community, not any individual student who has filed a complaint, so he asked the university to organize a dialogue in which the participants could learn something from each other and work out a conclusion that everyone agrees to. He said officials rejected this proposal. "I am disappointed," he said. "It strikes me as fundamentally wrong." Read our continuing coverage of Theta Tau's expulsion Public Affairs Reporter Julie McMahon covers courts, government and other issues affecting taxpayers. She can be reached anytime: Email | Twitter | 315-412-1992 President Donald Trump said he will speak with Chinese President Xi Jinping on Tuesday to discuss trade and North Korea, following last week's U.S.-China trade meeting and amid efforts to address Pyongyang's weapons programs. "I will be speaking to my friend, President Xi of China, this morning at 8:30. The primary topics will be Trade, where good things will happen, and North Korea, where relationships and trust are building," Trump wrote in a post on Twitter. Earlier Tuesday, China said Xi had met with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un in a northern Chinese port city. Posted on Monday, May 07, 2018 Texas A&M University-Kingsville staff members Jason Marton, assistant director of marketing, and Yolanda Ballard, assistant director of administration for the Caesar Kleberg Wildlife Research Institute, were named Bringers of Light by the campus group, Servants of Las Luminarias. An anonymous collection of campus community members, the Servants of Las Luminarias select those that they feel are bringers of the light of the knowledge of goodness to the Texas A&M University-Kingsville campus community. As honorees, Ballard and Marton each received a ceramic luminaria, or large ornamental candle holder, a plant and a framed certificate of recognition. The certificate states that Ballard and Marton had, through word and deed, selflessly and consistently shone the light of goodness into our midst. About Yolanda Ballard Ballard first saw the flowers on her desk, then the luminaria and plaque. Her co-workers tried to understand how it had all been placed in the office without anyone getting caught. I was surprised and excited to receive the award, Ballard said. To the anonymous campus group, THANK YOU for a wonderful memory. I am honored and humbled. Ballard has worked at A&M-Kingsville for 32 years, and all of that time has been with the Caesar Kleberg Wildlife Research Institute (CKWRI). Ballard began as a part-time student worker, helping process a mass mail-out of annual reports; she would earn a B.B.A. in Marketing from then-Texas A&I University in 1985. After graduation, she earned a part-time secretary position, and went on a host of different positions at the institute, including Accounting Clerk, Word Processor Operator, Administrative Assistant and Office Manager, before being named Assistant Director-CKWRI Administration. I enjoy working with the students and helping them navigate the system, Ballard said. I also enjoy interacting with lots of people around campus. I especially like the diversity and challenges the job provides. You can have your day planned when you walk in the office and, in a matter of minutes, you may be headed in a totally different direction. The Freer native found more than a career at the CKWRIshe met her husband Dr. Bart Ballard there. Bart Ballard is a professor and the C. Berdon & Rolanette Lawrence Endowed Chair in Waterfowl Research. Yolanda describes Bart as her best friend and partner for over 25 years. The two have a son, Derek, who is currently attending Iowa State University pursuing a masters degree in wildlife ecology. When asked what brightens her day, the Bringer of Light listed the followingWorking with a great group of people, especially the support staff of CKWRI. Helping someone who is having a bad day and hopefully making it better, even if its something as simple as a smile or hello. Just choosing to be happy and positive each day. About Jason Marton Marton knew all about the Bringer of Light award he found in his office one morning. Ive been lucky enough to write news releases for the last 14 years about the previous Bringer of Light winners, meeting some of the best people on campus in the process. I have a lot of respect for the award, he said. Receiving it wasjust an amazing surprise. I am terribly flattered and honored to be thought of in such a way. Marton first came to Texas A&M-Kingsville and its then-Office of Public Affairs in 2003. He left in 2008 for a few months to pursue some freelance opportunities, but came back to the university full-time in 2009 and has been here ever since. Prior to A&M-Kingsville, Marton was an announcer and program director at KEDT-FM, South Texas Public Radio in Corpus Christi. The communication skills I earned there were a great fit for the university; its been a bonus that A&M-Kingsville and KEDT-FM have joint projects Ive been a part of through the years, he added. The universitys marketing office has offered such a wide range of opportunities, I feel like Ive learned and grown a lot professionally. More than that, I truly enjoy the people I work with in my office and throughout campus, Marton said. Texas A&M-Kingsville is filled with Bringers of Light. One of the biggest challenges has always been finding enough time in the day to share as much good news as possible about the campus and its people. Marton was born into a military family in San Antonio and raised in Aransas Pass. Ive lived in Rockport for the last 18 years raising my own family with my amazing wife Nicole. We have a son, Max, whos a year away from attending college and a daughter, Samantha, living and working in Austin. We have been blessed to have my parents and my wifes parents within 10 miles of us, so my kids have always had grandparents in their lives, and my wife and I have had our parents to share life experiences with, which is the best. Life is all about people, Marton said. The loved ones in your life supersede everything elseIll never own anything or spend time on any activity that means as much to me as my family and friends. -TAMUK- Manufacturing in Malaysia is embracing Industry 4.0, which involves the integration of digital and physical technologies to improve business processes, operations, productivity, growth and innovation. Unlike previous eras, Industry 4.0 looks to create new business models and enhance existing ones, says leading data and analytics company GlobalData. According to the Department of Statistics Malaysia (DOSM), manufacturing sector employed more than one million people in 2016. Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation (MATRADE) and DOSM report that the sector accounts for over 80% of all exports and 23% of GDP. However, manufacturers are under pressure and face significant challenges. Dustin Kehoe, Technology Service Director of APAC at GlobalData, says: On the supply side, the industry is seeing an increase in global commodity prices and diversification from traditional low-cost production markets. On the demand side, average order value is falling, the demand for customization is increasing and margins by and large are under pressure. To address these challenges and drive the evolution of a technology-driven global economy, Malaysia is gearing up to launch the national policy by mid-2018. In the past, innovation was focused on one company. Industry 4.0 looks to extend these capabilities across the entire upstream and downstream supply chain. It focuses on the convergence of operational technology hardware and software that monitor and control physical equipment and processes integrate with traditional IT systems. Industry 4.0 introduces what is referred to as smart factory in which cyber physical systems monitor real time physical progress of the factory and are able to make decentralized decisions. This is being driven by a number of breakthrough technologies such as autonomous robots, big data analytics, cloud computing, Internet of Things (IoT), additive manufacturing (3D Printing), system integration, cybersecurity, augmented reality and simulation. Kehoe continues: The manufacturing sector in Malaysia will continue to adopt new technologies to help increase visibility in both production and process. Having more granularity in both areas through technology drives better quality control, such as fewer defects and overall business efficiency. Uptime is very important for this industry. An unplanned outage can lead to significant delays and costs. In terms of technology, Artificial Intelligence (AI) will drive IoT adoption and the two technologies are converging. The integration of AI and IoT will lead to further innovation, automation and data management. Manufacturing will be among the early adopters of AI-enabled IoT. The first deployments are starting in areas such as machine sensors, advanced electronics and will gradually move to other areas such as robotics, driverless vehicles and drones. The unmanned SpaceX Dragon has successfully returned to Earth on May 5, 11:59 a.m. PT after delivering cargo to the International Space Station. The Dragon space vehicle, which splashed down the Pacific Ocean west of Baja, California, brought back 1,800 kilograms (4,000 pounds) of NASA cargo, including science and technology demonstration samples from the ISS. Dragon will be taken to Long Beach to unload some cargo for NASA before it will be transported back to SpaceX's test facility in McGregor, Texas. "Good splashdown of Dragon confirmed, completing SpaceX's third resupply mission to and from the @Space_Station with a flight-proven spacecraft," tweeted Elon Musk's space company. The Dragon capsule brought home Metabolic Tracking that could help produce more effective and less expensive drugs, as well as the APEX-06 and Fruit Fly Lab-03 projects, which studied effective crop growing in space and disease genes and immunity to help prepare for long-term missions in the future. Expensive Cargo Dragon launched its second resupply mission to the ISS on April 2, where it came aboard Falcon 9 rocket from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida. SpaceX's Dragon rocket is currently the only space vehicle capable of returning cargo to Earth. SpaceX is charging higher prices to deliver less cargo to the American space station, according to a recent analysis by NASA. NASA inspector general Paul Martin said the agency will have to pay $400 million more for SpaceX to deliver another round of cargo for contracts that will run between 2020 and 2024. This is despite the calculation that NASA will be moving 6 tons less of cargo to the ISS, leading to about 14 percent increase in costs. SpaceX reportedly has increased its bid price to NASA by 50 percent. This new development surprised critics, especially that SpaceX has charged relatively lower costs than NASA's other partner, Orbital ATK. For missions between 2012 and 2020, SpaceX is set to complete 20 resupply missions at $152.1 million per flight. On the one hand, Orbital ATK is scheduled to fly 11 missions at $262.2 million each. "Officials believe competition has contributed to lower prices for NASA launches," the report stated. "To that point, NASA officials reviewed past launch pricing and found the cost for a basic Atlas V configuration decreased by roughly $20 million per launch after the Falcon 9 became eligible in 2013 to compete for launch services contracts through the Agency's Launch Services Program." However, the costs are expected to balance out in the second round of resupply missions as Orbital ATK is set to reduce its price by 15 percent. 2021 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. A new geophysics survey rules that there is no secret chamber within Tutankhamun's tomb housing Queen Nefertiti's tomb despite a previous study concluding otherwise. Mostafa Waziri, Egypt's secretary general of the Supreme Council of Antiquities, announced the current finding on Sunday at the ongoing fourth Tutankhamun International Conference. The new announcement disproved the investigation conducted by Egyptologists and National Geographic grantee Nicholas Reeves three years ago. He suggested at the time that the tomb of 18th Dynasty queen Nefertiti has been hidden inside a secret chamber within or adjacent to Tutankhamun's tomb all this time. Tutankhamun 'Secret Chamber' Does Not Exist Waziri said the current study, which was led by Francesco Porcelli of the Polytechnic University of Turin, used ground-penetrating radar to analyze the surroundings of Tutankhamun's tomb. Based on his GPR analysis, Porcelli ruled that there is no marking suggesting that the natural rocks of the tombs were slashed to make way for man-made walls. Furthermore, the GPR readings revealed that there are no jambs or lintel of a doorway to a supposed secret grave. The radar scan also showed that there are no plane reflectors that could hint about chamber walls or hollowed sections behind the paintings on Tutankhamun's tomb. "It is concluded, with a very high degree of confidence, that the hypothesis concerning the existence of hidden chambers or corridors adjacent to Tutankhamun's tomb is not supported by the GPR data," Porcelli said. Porcelli conducted the analysis with a team of experts from two geophysics companies, namely Geostudi Astier and 3DGeoimaging. The two companies obtained the data from within Tutankhamun's tomb in February 2018. Egypt's Ministry of Antiquities mentioned that two previous scans from Japanese and American scientists were open to doubt, asserting that analysis done by Porcelli and his team closed the lid surrounding theories of that Queen Nefertiti's crypt would be found inside. The matter was put in the spotlight again as the ministry headed the transfer of King Tutankhamun's belongings to a new museum outside Cairo, near the Giza Pyramids. Queen Nefertiti Mystery The location of Queen Nefertiti's tomb has become the longest continuing historical mystery in Egypt, particularly because if her tomb is found, it could drastically alter Middle Eastern history. Until her tomb is found, Egyptologists would remain baffled about the precise royal succession that took place during her time. Queen Nefertiti was married to King Akhenaten who brought radical changes during his reign including worshipping only one god named Aten. Tutankhamun is Akhenaten's son but it has yet to be ruled by historians whether he was also the son of Nefertiti. However, when Akhenaten died, Tutankhamun did not immediately inherit the throne. Instead, a shadowy figure known as Smenkhkare ruled for about two years. History has revealed so little about Smenkhkare that experts continue to suspect that he was Queen Nefertiti who assumed an entirely male persona in order to rule after her husband's death. 2021 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. The Massachusetts Institute of Technology takes a different approach to self-driving vehicles with its self-driving car system called MapLite. Unlike most, it does not only work in well-mapped cities but handles navigation everywhere else. Exploring New Paths For a while now, self-driving vehicle technology is mostly applied by companies within big cities due to the availability of navigation information. Details like GPS coordinates, lanes, signs, and curbs are all taken into consideration for the program to properly position the car and navigate on its way to the destination. Meanwhile, the team from MIT created a new system that is reportedly able to work its way around unpaved roads and paths. Roads Less Traveled According to reports, MIT's Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence Laboratory, otherwise known as CSAIL, in cooperation with Toyota, created a new self-driving car system called MapLite. The new framework still relies on GPS to establish its location relative to its destination. However, during navigation, it apparently does not rely on 3D maps like most of the autonomous vehicle technology. In its place, the program takes advantage of the various sensors onboard to generate a path to its destination. Moreover, the entire setup uses LiDAR to come up with a rough estimate of the road's edges. The technology is far from perfect but it seems like a step in the right direction for self-driving cars in the future. A Work In Progress As the technology is still in its infancy, the team admits that there are still some challenges that need to be tackled. At its current state, the system needs more work in order to properly identify sudden changes in elevation, which is common with mountain roads. It is speculated that the ultimate goal of the autonomous navigation technology is to properly identify its location, detect the type of paths available, and switch to the appropriate sensors seamlessly. Once perfected, it will allow the artificial intelligence to take over and improvise when it is needed. Unfortunate Incidents With Self-Driving Tech News about different improvements for self-driving car technology is definitely great but the challenges in regard to public safety could be given more focus. While experts are pressured non-stop to develop new ways to make autonomous vehicles to function seamlessly in public, there are recent incidents, which should be taken into account in terms of overall safety. Just last week, a Waymo self-driving van was involved in a crash in Chandler, Arizona resulting in minor injuries. Back in March, an Uber self-driving car made the headlines when it hit a pedestrian in Tempe, Arizona, which unfortunately resulted in a fatality. Teams from MIT and other companies involved with self-driving cars can hopefully work on more safety measures to prevent accidents like the ones stated above. 2021 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. A YouTube video uploaded on May 5 shows what they claim to be a triangular-shaped UFO traveling inside of a lightning bolt. It was spotted during a lightning storm in the Czech Republic. The title of the video is They Dwell In The Lightning. UFOs In Lightning YouTube uploader Secureteam10 says that the UFO in the video can be seen traveling through the lightning bolt or harvesting power from the lightning bolt. Conspiracy theorists are saying that no manmade spacecraft are able to travel through lightning that easily. In the video, more footage can be seen of other UFOs traveling inside of lightning bolts from around the world. Secureteam10 is run by Tyler Glockner. In the video Glockner says that this is a new capture of a UFO in a lightning storm. He adds that in the video the UFO is either being struck, caught within, or siphoning energy from a lightning bolt as it was coming down. This footage was captured by another UFO hunter and not by Glockner himself. In a still image of the footage, Glockner claims a spacecraft can be seen passing through the lightning bolt. A second video was posted on May 5 showing another UFO sighting in Arizona. The second video shows that there was a light spotted flying over Phoenix, Arizona. The image was posted on social media by the Arizona Department of Transportation. Secureteam10 Controversies Secureteam10 has come under fire for allegedly posting fake videos of UFOs. It has posted videos that claim to show aliens flying by the International Space Station, what it says is a fortress on the moon, and black cubes that are sucking energy from the sun. The channel has been called out by rival channels of posting videos that are damaging real UFO research. A rival channel called Lion's Ground produced videos that question the claims being made by Glockner in his channel. Lion's Ground said that one video showing aliens in Antarctica turned out to be a pond. In 2017, Secureteam10 was demonetized by YouTube. Glockner said that the Secureteam10 channel hosts alternative news and called the demonetization censorship. He was forced to start a Patreon account to accept donations The channel has also been called out by users in the UFOs Reddit. Some have said that Glockner is trying to make a living while others are saying that the channel is posting anything for the sake of views. Glockner has admitted to pretending to be an expert for one of his own videos. Unless definitive proof is offered by a legitimate source, it is always helpful to take these video with a grain of salt. 2021 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Global tourism is on the rise, and it is not good for the environment. A new study shows for the first time global tourism being measured as a contributor to greenhouse gas emissions. The number of greenhouse gases produced by tourism now exceeds previous estimates. Global Tourism's Carbon Footprint New research conducted by Integrated Sustainability Analysis from the University of Sydney found that global tourism produces four times the greenhouse gas emissions than previously estimated. Global tourism includes air flights, car rentals, lodging, and the shopping done by tourists while traveling. Researchers focused on the period between 2009 and 2013, which saw tourism's carbon footprint grow. Prior to the study, carbon emissions related to tourism had not been measured accurately. Now, scientists were able to trace the carbon flows in 160 countries, going as far as tracing the carbon footprint from the origin to the destination. They found that between 2009 and 2013 the carbon footprint grew from 3.9 to GtCO2-e. GtCO2-e stands for gigatonnes of equivalent carbon dioxide. Previous studies found that global tourism accounted for 3 percent of all greenhouse emissions but it turns out that travel actually accounted for 9 percent of all global greenhouse emissions. Researchers found that people from richer countries are driving the increase of the greenhouse gas emissions. At the top of the list were the United States, China, Germany, and India. In these countries, most of the travel done was domestic. Meanwhile, people from Canada, Switzerland, the Netherlands, and Denmark have a higher carbon footprint when they travel than when they are in their own countries. The study was published in the journal Nature Climate Change. Recommendations For Global Tourism In the study, the authors made recommendations to offset the damage being done by traveling. Researchers suggest that financial and technical assistance should be offered to combat the change in greenhouse emissions. They say that this rise most affects winter sports, higher sea levels in low-lying islands, and pollution in vulnerable destinations. Some recommendations by the study include calling for less travel, staying closer to home when traveling, and paying carbon offset. Co-author of the study Ya-Sen Sun said that paying carbon could help the slow process of changing the behavior of travelers. Researchers estimated that carbon tax would be $425 for a round-trip flight from Sydney to London. They do acknowledge that while this benefits the planet, this could change who gets to travel and how much it would cost to offset carbon emissions in the future. 2021 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. A new study has revealed that climate patterns on Earth are changes in cycles that have been greatly influenced by other planets in the solar system. What Was Discovered? Scientists discovered that the planets Jupiter and Venus impact the way climate is on Earth. The findings verify that the gravitational pull from Jupiter and Venus cause the Earth's orbit around the sun to change every 405,000 years. This impacts the weather patterns on Earth. The findings from the study were published on May 7 in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America. Lead author Dennis Kent, an expert in paleomagnetism at Columbia University's Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory and Rutgers University, studied the cores of rocks in two different areas. First, his team examined a butte from Arizona's Petrified National Forrest. They examined volcanic ash layers with radioisotopes and determined that the rocks were formed over 200 million years ago. Kent and his team compared the Arizona rocks with other samples from New York and New Jersey. Those samples contained evidence of contrasting wet and dry periods during the same time. What Was Known In The Past? Previously, scientists examined the relationship between the Earth's orbit and climate in terms of Milankovitch cycles. Named after a Serbian geophysicist, the Milankovitch cycles detail the changes in the Earth's movement related to climate. They describe the shifts in the Earth's orbit, the tilt of the Earth's axis, and the impact on the weather. The Milankovitch cycles each had a 100,000-year period, including a proposed 41,000-year ice age. For years, this is what scientists have gone by when comparing Earth's orbit and climate. There have been a lot of debates in the scientific community about the data from the Milankovitch cycles. For example, the frequency of shorter cycles has evolved over time, with no exact number in place. Some of the cycles are on top of each other. This is why more research has to be done. What Does This Discovery Mean? This new research will change the way that scientists examine life on Earth. There are immediate implications for the way that climate is studied. It could even change the way that scientists study the dinosaurs. "Scientists can now link changes in the climate, environment, dinosaurs, mammals and fossils around the world to this 405,000-year cycle in a very precise way," said Kent. 2021 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. China to import 500,000 more tons of palm oil from Indonesia From:ChinaDaily | 2018-05-07 22:18 Premier Li Keqiang said on Monday that China will import 500,000 more metric tons of palm oil each year from Indonesia. He made the announcement in a speech at a China-Indonesia business summit attended by more than 600 business people. More content to follow. Please refresh the page later. Doctors initially blamed bad allergies for Kendra Jackson's constant runny nose. Jackson, however, suspects that it had to be something else. Constant Runny Nose After 2013 Accident In 2013, she had a car accident during which she hit her face on the dashboard. After the incident, she started having endless runny nose, sleep problems, and painful headaches. She thought that her chronic headaches have something to do with hitting her head on the dashboard, but this could not explain the runny nose she thought was a cold symptom. "Everywhere I went I always had a box of Puffs, always stuffed in my pocket," she said. "[It was] like a waterfall, continuously, and then it would run to the back of my throat," Jackson said. It was until she went to an ear, nose, and throat specialist at Nebraska Medicine in Omaha when she finally confirmed what she has long suspected: her runny nose was not from allergies. Cerebrospinal Fluid The cause of liquid constantly trickling down Jackson's nose turns out to be a symptom of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leaking from her brain. CSF is the liquid around the brain and the spinal cord. It is made by a group of cells known as choroid plexus that are deep inside the brain. The colorless fluid goes around the brain and the spinal cord cushioning these organs, picking up important supplies from the blood, and eliminating waste products from brain cells. Risks Of CSF Leak Doctors informed Jackson that she was losing about 8 ounces of brain fluid a day, which is nearly half of the 17 ounces of CSF that the brain produces per day. If left untreated, this could lead to life threatening infections such as meningitis. Jackson had a brain surgery a few weeks ago to fix the problem. Doctors used her own fatty tissue to plug the source of the leak: a small hole between her skull and nostrils. "Kendra had a CSF leak - cerebrospinal fluid from her brain was leaking out of her nose," Nebraska Medicine shared on Facebook. "Rhinologist Dr. Christie Barnes and neurosurgeon Dr. Dan Surdell surgically fixed the potentially dangerous problem a few weeks ago." After the operation, Jackson said that her head felt clear and she no longer have to carry around tissues with her. She was also able to get good night sleep for the first time in five years since her accident. Doctors said that she is recovering well. 2021 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. The MultiCare Good Samaritan Hospital in Puyallup, Washington is in the middle of a scandal after revealing that one of its nurses potentially exposed 2,600 of its patients to hepatitis C. Arrested And Released Cora Weberg, the emergency room nurse suspected of stealing narcotics and spreading hepatitis C to patients admitted to the hospital's emergency department, was arrested last week as she attempted to cross the border to Canada. She was booked into Pierce County Jail but was later released. Her ordeal, however, isn't over. License Suspended On Monday, the Washington State Department of Health suspended Weberg's license. The suspension means that she cannot work as a registered nurse until issues against her are resolved. State officials said that two of the patients whom Weberg administered with pain medications later tested positive for hepatitis C. The statement on the suspension of Weberg's license said that the nurse administered the controlled substances fentanyl and hydromorphone to two patients in the emergency department at Good Samaritan and both of these patients later tested positive for hepatitis C. "Cora Weberg (RN.60712470) has been immediately suspended by the Washington State Nursing Care Quality Assurance Commission (NCQAC) due to alleged diversion of controlled substances," the state department of health said in a statement. The statement added that a complete genetic sequence testing of the blood samples from the patients revealed that the hepatitis C in their blood has the same source. Weberg is reportedly the only nurse at the hospital who treated both of these patients. Used As A Scapegoat? Good Samaritan officials said that during an investigation, Weberg admitted that she was stealing injectable drugs and she was tested positive for hepatitis C. Weberg's lawyer Bryan Hershman, however, denies this. He claims that his client is being used as a scapegoat by the hospital after its officials began to take heat about patients becoming infected through other means. "When an officer makes an arrest but no charges are filed, that's a good indication of how strong their case really is," Hershman said. "My client did not stick anyone with a needle. My client did not pass hepatitis C to anyone. In fact, we still don't even know if she even has Hep. C." The hospital is still testing former patients who were administered narcotics, sedatives, and antihistamines at the emergency department while Weberg was on duty from August 2017 to March this year. 2021 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Pudong to regulate service centers From:Shine | 2018-05-08 01:29 The Pudong New Area has announced a set of directives to manage and regulate the 1,282 neighborhood service centers in 36 communities, towns and villages in the district. The centers are a one-stop service for residents to deal with various administrative issues, including residence permits for foreigners. Previously there were no governing regulations, complicating the efforts of both service providers and receivers. Shanghai is governed by more than 100 regulations that serve urban dwellers well but they lack specific standards for districts, according to Lu Fangzhou, deputy director of Pudong. New ways of managing neighborhoods are emerging amid the citys call for effective governance. But a lack of regulations can lead to chaos and cannot guarantee service quality. The new rules are thus aimed at improving the situation. Pudong and the citys quality and technology supervision authority have issued the directives and an evaluation system to test the performance of grassroot officials. The new measures and the evaluation system will be tested first in the free trade zone. It is not mandatory. Instead, it acts like a suggestion to the grassroot service providers and a commitment from the government to the residents, said Chen Xiaojun, deputy director of Shanghai Quality and Technology Supervision Bureau. The measures will ensure working hours for officials, the services they provide, a unified logo and even layouts such as like reception space and counselling rooms, and areas for holding activities. Once we try out the new measures, we may extend it to cover the whole of Pudong. It can be used later as a reference by the city authorities, said Lu. Pudong started building neighborhood service centers in May 2017 to provide multiple services to residents at their doorstep. Most of them are in neighborhood committees. They provide more than 120 services that includes elderly and medical care. The Lianyang Community is a high-end foreigner-friendly community. The center at this venue allows foreigners to apply for residence documents and even offers Chinese classes. In rural Xuanqiao and Datuan towns there are classes available for agricultural training. Anti-Israel committee urges global rejection of transferring U.S. embassy to Jerusalem From:Xinhua | 2018-05-07 20:58 Video PlayerClose GAZA, May 7 (Xinhua) -- The Palestinian committee organizing the anti-Israel mass rallies in the Gaza Strip, known as the "the Great March of Return," Monday called for global rejection of the U.S. move to transfer its embassy in Israel from Tel Aviv to the disputed city of Jerusalem. "May 14 must be a decisive day in the face of the occupation...Palestinian, Arab and Islamic anger must be escalated," Islamic Jihad official, Khaled al-Batsh, read the committee's statement in Gaza during a press conference. The committee, comprising Palestinian political factions, right groups, youth and public organizations, also called for the participation in the march of return on Friday. About 47 Palestinians have been shot dead and 7,000 others injured by Israeli soldiers since mass anti-Israel rallies, which are held in five areas along Gaza-Israel borders, started on March 30. The rallies, which always witness high turnout on Fridays, are expected to peak on May 15, when the Palestinians mark the forcible transfer of two thirds of the Palestinian people and the ethnic cleansing of 418 Palestinian villages. Israel rejects the protests and vows to respond to any border infiltration attempts that may threaten its sovereignty as well as its residents. Israel also accuses Hamas movement, which rules Gaza since its forcible takeover of power in 2007, of organizing the rallies. The marches will continue until achieving its goals of freedom and breaking the blockade Israel has been imposing on Gaza since 2007, according to the statement. Israeli media reports said two days ago, the U.S. Ambassador to Israel David Friedman sent invitations for the opening ceremony of the U.S. embassy in Jerusalem on May 14. U.S. President Donald Trump said he might attend the ceremony. The ties between Palestine and the United States have been witnessing rising tensions since last October, and reached a prime when U.S. President Donald Trump recognized Jerusalem as the capital of Israel and ordered to move the U.S. embassy to Jerusalem on Dec. 6, 2017. The status of the city is not settled as the Palestinians want to make East Jerusalem, occupied by Israeli in 1967, the capital of their future state, while Israel declared the integrity of Jerusalem as its capital, a claim not recognized by the international community. Jerusalem is one of the ultimate questions of the Palestinian-Israeli peace process, which has been stalled since April 2014 following nine months of U.S.-sponsored talks without progress. UN chief to arrive in Cuba for regional meeting From:Xinhua | 2018-05-07 20:33 Video PlayerClose HAVANA, May 7 (Xinhua) -- UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres is to arrive here Monday to attend the 37th session of the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC), according to an official release by the Cuban Foreign Ministry. He will deliver a keynote speech at the opening of the ECLAC meeting, which is scheduled to last until May 11. The UN chief will also hold talks with Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel and touring Old Havana during his stay in Cuba. This is Guterres' first official visit to Cuba as the head of the United Nations. He visited Cuba in 1999, when he was serving as Portugal's prime minister. He is not the first UN chief to visit the Caribbean Nation. His predecessor Ban Ki-moon visited Havana in June 2016 to chair the signing of a peace agreement between the Colombian government and the FARC guerrillas. CONVENT Gramercy Mayor Steve Nosacka and Jody Chenier, the retired longtime No. 2 official in St. James Parish government, accepted immunity deals in exchange for their testimony in the ongoing malfeasance in office prosecutions against the parish president and his right-hand man. Prosecutors with 23rd Judicial District Attorney Ricky Babin and the state Attorney General Jeff Landry's Office disclosed the deals in court papers filed last week. The state also recently revealed more details about the charges against Parish President Timmy Roussel and parish Director of Operations, Blaise Gravois, including over negotiations to build a new gas line to the Millennium Galvanizing plant north of Convent. In September 2016, a St. James Parish grand jury charged Roussel and Gravois of illegally directing public work on private property, some of it in the months before Roussel's re-election bid in 2015. In the case of Millennium, both Roussel and Gravois have been accused of authorizing and overseeing the installation of a gas line using parish employees with the company not having to pay the parish for the work. The immunity agreements for Nosacka and Chenier were granted sometime in 2016 while the grand jury probe was underway, according to the new court papers and the men. The newly disclosed documents related to the immunity agreements dont say why the men would need them or whether they faced any criminal liability. But among the court papers is a 2016 order from 23rd Judicial District Judge Jason Verdigets ordering Nosacka to testify before the grand jury and any future criminal trial. In exchange for not allowing Nosacka to invoke his 5th Amendment right against self-incrimination, Verdigets' order says Nosacka can't be prosecuted for anything he discloses, except for perjury. The court papers don't include a similar order for Chenier but instead provide an undated memo from the District Attorney's Office saying he had been granted immunity in exchange for any information about parish government. Both Nosacka and Chenier were in a position to know about the public works at issue. Chenier, who worked 31 years in parish government, retired in mid-July 2015 from the position that Gravois now holds and oversaw public works. At the time of Chenier's departure, Gravois was Chenier's top deputy. Nosacka has had a long-standing contract as the parish's economic development consultant and helped market its utility services to industrial clients. +5 Judge removes DA from malfeasance case against St. James Parish president CONVENT A state district judge has ordered that 23rd Judicial District Attorney Ricky Babin's office must step down from a more than year-ol +3 With prosecutorial misconduct finding upheld, defense attorneys pursue grand jury testimony CONVENT Defense attorneys for indicted St. James Parish operations director Blaise Gravois want to probe the depth of possible prosecutorial +2 Appellate panel upholds official's indictment but finds prosecutorial misconduct in St. James Parish malfeasance case A state appellate court panel this week reinstated a five-count malfeasance in office indictment against a top official in the St. James Paris Defense attorneys have claimed that the charges against the two men amount to the criminalization of normal public projects and were the result of a political dispute between Babin and Roussel. They have said repeatedly neither man got something in exchange for the alleged improper work and always intended on Millennium paying for the work. Millennium officials also previously testified that they always intended on paying for the line. The new filings allege that while donation of the gas line was in discussion, Gravois angled for a job from Millennium for his daughter, Maci Gravois, which she was given in November 2015. Prosecutors accused Blaise Gravois of restarting the Millennium project in July 2015 when he took over from the retired Chenier and knew the parish had no deal for the work. Chenier had stopped work three months earlier when the parish and Millennium could not agree on a gas supply deal to recoup the cost of the gas line installation. Top stories in Baton Rouge in your inbox Twice daily we'll send you the day's biggest headlines. Sign up today. e-mail address * Sign Up Quoting email exchanges among parish and Millennium officials, the new filings reveal that Nosacka discussed with Millennium officials and with Roussel and Blaise Gravois the possibility of donating the gas line, which was then under construction. Originally, in 2014, a proposed parish gas supply contract was being discussed with Millennium that would have reimbursed the cost of the line but the deal fell through, the new filings say. In one series of emails on March 28, 2016, Nosacka asked Roussel about a nearly $23,000 parish invoice for gas service that had been sent to Millennium. Millennium was buying gas from another supplier, not from the parish. Roussel responded to Nosacka that he will have to talk to Gravois first, but added, I am sure that they are not even buying gas from us. They are not , Nosacka responded. I suspect this is the gas line installation cost. If you recall we discussed this, but never came to a conclusion as to what to do about it. My recommendation was/is that we not bill them for reimbursement. +4 DA gives stern lecture to St. James Parish Council: 'I decide' on prosecutions VACHERIE District Attorney Ricky Babin has reminded St. James Parish Council that the Louisiana State Constitution gives him the sole author Almost since the two were indicted, the separate Roussel and Gravois cases have run into tough sledding in court, putting prosecutors on the defensive. Two state district judges and an appellate panel have found fault with Assistant District Attorney Bruce Mohons roles as the parish's legal adviser and as a criminal prosecutor while the investigation into Roussel and Gravois was underway. According to court testimony, Mohon, who maintains he was not involved in the criminal case, advised the then-Parish Council chairman against accepting payment for the gas line from Millennium around the time the indictments came down. One judge found Mohon's misconduct so severe she threw out all Gravois charges. An appellate panel later reinstated them but found Mohons dual roles amounted to misconduct. Relying on that ruling, the judge presiding over Roussels case recently recused Babin's office. The state Attorney General's Office is now prosecuting the case. After misconduct finding, St. James parish attorney replaced, but promoted within District Attorney's Office St. James Parish attorney Bruce Mohon has been replaced as parish government attorney after nearly 15 years on the job, following a judge's ru In response to the latest filings, attorneys for Roussel and Gravois asserted the allegations were baseless and an attempt to perpetuate a case that is without merit. Matthew Chester, defense attorney for Gravois, accused Babins office, which filed the newest accusation against Blaise Gravois over getting his daughter a job, of resorting to a new low," was a college graduate who was over qualified for the job. Brian Capitelli, defense attorney for Roussel, said the immunity deals are an attempt by the state to create a crime where none exists, just as it did when Mohon attempted to thwart the payment by Millennium. Where there is no crime there is no need for immunity. Mr. Roussel looks forward to being cleared of these baseless allegations, Capitelli said. He added that nowhere in the state's latest filings does it show that Roussel agreed to provide the gas line for free. Prosecutors with the District Attorneys and state Attorney Generals Office declined to comment. Citing the litigation, Crest Industries, the parent company of Millennium Galvanizing, also offered no comment Monday through attorney Brad Myers. Chenier said Friday he testified before the grand jury, cooperated fully with prosecutors and doesn't believe he even needed an immunity deal. "I was contacted by the DA's Office and asked questions, specific questions about certain things that were done. I just told the truth, and that was it," Chenier said. Nosacka said Friday he also cooperated fully, turning over emails and correspondence prosecutors requested even before he received the immunity deal. He maintained it was always the parish's intent to recoup the cost of the lines through the sale of gas. "The tough part is they're still trying to make a case out of something that doesn't exist," Nosacka said of prosecutors. Kathmandu, May 8 Nepals government is preparing to issue a global tender to seek proposals from qualified companies to construct the 1,200 MW Budhigandaki hydro project which was to be built by a Chinese company under Beijings OBOR scheme. The news comes five months after the government cancelled an agreement with Chinas Gezhouba Group, which was supposed to develop the project under the EPCF model. Then Energy Minister Kamal had told mediapersons in Kathmandu that the mega project will be developed by mobilising domestic resources. Energy Minister Barsa Man Pun told reporters in Kathmandu on Tuesday that the government is planning to issue a global call for qualified companies to bid for the project. We are not going to handover the project to any company without competition, Pun said. He added that the contract will be awarded to the deserving company selected through competition. The government, last year, decided to scrap the controversial agreement signed with the Chinese company citing irregularly and imprudently. China had considered the project as a part of One Belt One Road upon Nepals request. A joint meeting of the Finance Committee and the Agriculture and Water Resource Committee of Parliament in September had told the government to scrap the deal citing the Chinese company was not efficient for the big project. The Cabinet led by CPN-Maoist Centre Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal on May 23 had decided to hand over the assignment to the Chinese firm. Accordingly, the two sides had signed the agreement on June 4. Immediately after the agreement, voices had been raised that the deal was against national interests. Former Prime Minister and Naya Shakti leader Baburam Bhattarai had led various movements demanding that the project be constructed by Nepal itself with the domestic investment. The Chinese company had said it would construct the project in engineering procurement contract with finance (EPCF) model. According to the model, the company itself would make investments in the project, which Nepal would pay back after the construction. The detailed project report has estimated that the project would cost Rs 250 billion. Following the cancellation of the deal, Indias state-owned NFPC had also publicly expressed interest in bidding for the project. WASHINGTON (AP) Democrats on the House intelligence committee have released more than 3,500 Facebook ads that were created or promoted by a Homeowners in East Baton Rouge, Ascension and Livingston parishes who are recovering from the August 2016 flood can expect another year of property tax breaks through reduced assessments in 2018. Promising the most sweeping cut among the three parishes, Livingston Parish Assessor Jeff Taylor said he will reduce property tax assessments by 20 percent in 2018 for the 21,000 taxable structures that flooded nearly two years ago. In Ascension and East Baton Rouge parishes, also heavily affected in the historic flood, reductions will be focused on a more targeted set of properties but could also offer deeper individual assessment reductions than Livingstons across-the-board cut, the assessors said. Can't see the video below? Click here. The assessed value reduction in Livingston, down from a one quarter cut in 2017, will affect more than 40 percent of all taxable structures in the parish, assessors office figures show. Taylor said he wanted to provide continued relief to people still in some phase of rebuilding but also did not have the manpower to do more focused reductions by reinspecting houses to see who has finished repairs. "There's people who are back in their house, but they may not be finished. They may just be living in it, because they don't have nowhere else to go," he said. +6 Re: your property tax bill, major reductions coming on flooded EBR, Livingston structures Faced with the daunting task of reassessing thousands of flood-damaged buildings, assessors in East Baton Rouge and Livingston parishes have d Taylor pointed to his own situation as an example. He is living in his flooded home, but some repairs are still left to be finished. Across the street, two families are living in trailers as they complete repairs. East Baton Rouge Assessor Brian Wilson said that he expects to follow a procedure similar to last years, which put the onus on the property owner to seek a reduction. After broad assessed value reductions in 2016, his office put all properties back at their pre-flood assessed values for 2017. And the folks who were not in or were still flooded and doing repairs, you know, they called in to us and then we made some reductions based on what was going on with their situation, so were kind of in the same boat again this year, Wilson said. He said homeowners who werent back home for the entire year had their assessed values reduced to the homestead exemption level, which applies to the first $75,000 in market value. That meant homeowners and businesses didnt pay any parish taxes, such as for the school board or sheriff, but continued to pay city taxes. Wilson expected the same level of reduction for those not back home in 2018. In neighboring Ascension Parish, that assessor will continue to allow those with unfinished, unoccupied homes or other properties to retain the assessment reductions they received immediately after the flood. +3 Ascension assessor finds half as many flooded homes, businesses as parish estimates did GONZALES The Ascension Parish tax assessor's new tally of homes and businesses that flooded last month suggests damage from the historic flo "Until we see that they physically moved in their house, we're going to continue to give them the same break," Ascension Parish Assessor M. J. "Mert" Smiley Jr. said. The reductions vary with the home and the damage, but Smiley added most who received the assessed value reductions are paying "little or very little on their properties right now." In the months after the flood, officials in Ascension said the reductions were as high as 75 percent in some cases but averaged around 40 percent to 50 percent. Also, nearly a third of the flooded properties then in the parish had values below the homestead exemption, so they didn't pay most property taxes even before the flood. Top stories in Baton Rouge in your inbox Twice daily we'll send you the day's biggest headlines. Sign up today. e-mail address * Sign Up Exactly how many of the formerly flooded property owners in Ascension will continue to receive assessed value reductions in 2018 is unclear at this point. Smiley said he has a crew inspecting formerly damaged homes. Of the 6,214 flooded properties that Smiley's office found in 2016, the property owners have returned to 4,571 of them, or nearly 74 percent, according to office statistics. These restored, reoccupied homes and businesses are reassessed and usually end up with the value they had before the August 2016 flood, Smiley said. Another 395 are still in the process of being demolished, renovated, rebuilt or built wholly new again and will continue to receive the tax break. The remaining 1,248 are currently under review. Wilson wasn't able to provide statistics immediately Monday but said most people are back in their homes. Assessor: Livingston Parish agencies should prepare for cut in property tax revenues LIVINGSTON Public agencies in Livingston Parish should expect to see a decrease in their property tax revenue next year, although just how b A property's assessed value forms the base from which property tax bills are calculated and to which tax rates set by local governments, such as school boards, sheriff's offices or parish and municipal governments, are applied. Assessed values are derived from an assessor's estimate of a property's market value. The assessed value cuts wind up reducing not only property owners tax bill but also the revenue to local governments who rely on those taxes. Mindful of the impact sweeping reductions could have on agency budgets, Livingston Assessor Taylor said he talked first with those agencies about the coming reduction. The biggest agencies that rely most heavily on property tax the school board and sheriff also get sales tax revenue, which spiked shortly after the flood and made up for some of the property tax losses, Taylor noted. "They understood that with such a massive event that happened, that I was going to be the one in the middle trying to make sure that everything was held in place. The districts have to have a certain amount of money. The constituents need to feel like they're getting their discount," he said. "Seventy to seventy-five percent over the four years, when you add it all up, I think that's a pretty good discount that we've been able to do." Taylor, who had to make cuts to his own property tax-reliant office due to assessed value reductions, said he also wanted to avoid tax assessment challenges in 2018 that could end up leaving agencies short on expected tax revenue. A major reason that Smiley, the Ascension assessor, attributed to homes still being unfinished and in need of tax assistance is that people are still waiting for recovery grants. Smiley said that as his workers speak with property owners, they have found that many who aren't finished are waiting on some phase of the Restore Louisiana recovery program. "That's what a lot of the people are telling us, that they are waiting on that money, so they can receive their repairs and everything," Smiley said. He said the federal duplication of benefits policy a major complaint of Restore officials, Gov. John Bel Edwards and the state's congressional delegation and also other procedural pitfalls in the federally funded state recovery program have been the stumbling blocks. "It's the entire bureaucracy of the system," Smiley said. The duplication of benefits policy reduces homeowners' potential Restore grant award by the amount of aid or loans that they received from insurers, the Federal Emergency Management Agency, the U.S. Small Business Administration or other sources. Often some of that early funding is used for immediate needs after a disaster, so, later, homeowners are left short of funds for reconstruction. Smiley said his field workers have developed a good record of where people are in recovery but said, eventually, if homes aren't repaired, his office may have to put the underlying land, not the home, back on the tax roll. Livingston Assessor Taylor said he is tentatively planning to give a 10 percent reduction in 2019. All properties will be reassessed in 2020, which will account for house sales. "We figure that four years out from the flood will be a good idea of what we're doing," Taylor said. The criminal case against a former Brookstown Middle Magnet School assistant principal accused in the 2016 killing of a pregnant colleague and their unborn child has been thrown into limbo by the suspension of his attorney. New Orleans lawyer Lionel "Lon" Burns, who is defending Robert Jovantie Marks against second-degree murder and first-degree feticide charges, was suspended for a year on May 1 by the Louisiana Supreme Court. Louisiana Supreme Court hands 1-year suspension to New Orleans attorney Lionel 'Lon' Burns The Louisiana Supreme Court has suspended well-known New Orleans attorney Lionel Lon Burns from practicing law for one year. Marks, 41, of Zachary, is scheduled to stand trial Aug. 6 in the slaying of Brookstown Middle Magnet instructional specialist Lyntell Washington, 40, and her unborn child. East Baton Rouge Parish District Attorney Hillar Moore III, whose office is prosecuting Marks, said Burns' suspension is problematic. "At this point we are not sure how we will proceed or how the trial will be affected," Moore said Friday. "This raises concerns for us in keeping this trial date." State District Judge Beau Higginbotham, who is presiding over the case, has been made aware of Burns' suspension, Moore noted. "We expect that the court will hold a meeting to discuss how to proceed given the action taken against Mr. Burns," he added. Moore said his office may have to wait for Burns' suspension to end before moving on with the prosecution of his case. Burns has been representing Marks since June 2016. Marks hired him. "He has the right to his retained counsel," Moore said. The district attorney acknowledged it is an unusual situation. Top stories in Baton Rouge in your inbox Twice daily we'll send you the day's biggest headlines. Sign up today. e-mail address * Sign Up Burns did not reply to email, phone and text messages sent to him Friday for comment. Washington was seven months pregnant when she was found June 14, 2016, in an Iberville Parish field with a gunshot to the head. +3 BR asst principal indicted on murder, feticide charges in pregnant school admin's slaying An assistant principal at a Baton Rouge magnet school was indicted Wednesday on murder and feticide charges in the June killing of a pregnant Her car, and her 3-year-old daughter wandering near it, were discovered five days earlier in a parking lot on Newcastle Avenue in Baton Rouge. The car was spattered with blood. The girl told investigators she was with her mother and "Mr. Robbie" when she heard a loud bang and saw "Mr. Robbie" trying to clean up blood. Marks, who is free on $500,000 bail, has pleaded not guilty to the charges. After a court appearance in the case last summer, Marks with Burns at his side insisted he "had nothing to do with" Washington's killing. +2 Ex-BR assistant principal: I had 'nothing to do' with pregnant colleague's murder In a rare public comment, a former Brookstown Middle Magnet School assistant principal accused in the June 2016 shooting death of a pregnant c Cellphone records apparently indicate Marks and Washington were in the Iberville Parish area about 9:45 p.m. the night she went missing, a police report says, and 15 minutes later the cell phone trail leads to the area in Baton Rouge where the toddler was found. Police have speculated a motive for the slaying could be that Marks, who is married, did not want anyone to know Washington was pregnant with his child. Investigators have said they believe Washington wanted Marks to accept responsibility for their unborn child. In a text message to Marks that was included in a police affidavit, Washington asked Marks if he was trying to avoid responsibility for "our unborn child." Marks was fired in October 2016, about two weeks after he was indicted by an East Baton Rouge Parish grand jury. The Supreme Court suspended Burns for violating duties owed to the legal profession by sending a paralegal to stand in for him at a court hearing and then providing misleading testimony about it after the fact. Dikisha Hardnett Viges never worried that her older brother would be in danger of falling victim to gun violence "because of type of person he was" a loving family man with a generous heart. But on Friday evening, Desmond Hardnett, 29, became the latest gun violence statistic in Louisiana's capital city. In addition to being devoted to his family, Hardnett was proud of his work as an agent for the nationally recognized Baton Rouge rapper YoungBoy Never Broke Again, who was himself arrested in a shooting on Kentucky Street last year. One of the probation conditions for the rapper, whose real name is Kentrell Gaulden, was that he perform 250 hours of community service or alternatively produce a recording condemning the promotion of violence in rap music. NBA YoungBoy has made a name for himself nationally with recent songs on the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart. Alleged co-gunman of Baton Rouge rapper NBA YoungBoy arrested in 2016 drive-by shooting Another associate of Baton Rouge rapper NBA YoungBoy has been arrested amid heightened scrutiny of longstanding local rap beefs that authoriti "Helping (NBA YoungBoy) grow, traveling to concerts, making music videos. That was just a big thing in his life," Viges said of her brother. "He was always into music." Hardnett grew up in Baton Rouge and worked in construction and landscaping before finding his passion in the music industry, his sister said. On Friday just before 6 p.m., Hardnett was chatting with family and friends on Nairn Street when someone pulled up in a vehicle and fired several shots, killing Hardnett and injuring a woman standing near him. Viges said about five or six witnesses watched in shock as Hardnett fell to the ground outside his uncle's house next door to his childhood home. Top stories in Baton Rouge in your inbox Twice daily we'll send you the day's biggest headlines. Sign up today. e-mail address * Sign Up Both victims in the shooting Friday were transported to the hospital, where Hardnett later died. Police said the woman's injuries appeared non life threatening. Investigators have not yet identified any suspects or motives, though police confirmed that shots were fired from a passing vehicle, which left the scene immediately after the shooting. Man dies in hospital after Friday night double shooting on Nairn Drive, police say A man was killed and a woman was injured in a shooting on Nairn Drive Friday just before 6 p.m., said Baton Rouge police spokesman Don Coppola Jr. Hardnett's family is continuing to search for answers days after losing the man they called "Dump," a nickname he received because he loved to play with dump trucks as a child. "I wouldn't think anyone would want to harm him because he never did no harm and never looked for trouble," Viges said. "We are lost for words because we don't understand. This hurt a lot of people in the Baton Rouge community." Viges described her brother, who was born only 15 months before her, as central to their family, always hosting crawfish boils and barbecues whenever he could think of a reason to celebrate. She said he was "the king of family functions" and wanted everyone to be together, especially after their mother and grandmother both passed away in recent years. Hardnett's sister said he consistently bought his nieces and nephews the most extravagant gifts possible. She said Hardnett got married last year and he and his wife were planning to have a baby. "He loved the kids more than anything," she said. "He didn't have any children of his own, but he wanted a child so bad and I just hate that he never got that. But he had a purpose in life and that was to give." Federal judges may support construction of the Bayou Bridge pipeline, but a St. James jurist may have thrown the brakes on construction near the structure's terminus. The state, in issuing its permit, did not adequately consider protocol in case of an emergency that could affect a minority community along the pipeline, according to a ruling from 23rd Judicial District Judge Alvin Turner Jr. +2 Bayou Bridge pipeline winds up in court as environmentalists, state square off A state judge is weighing arguments about whether to overturn a necessary permit for Bayou Bridge, the proposed crude oil pipeline that would Bayou Bridge is an under-construction pipeline designed to carry crude oil between Lake Charles and St. James. Proponents say it's easier and safer than other transfer methods, while detractors worry about spills, especially into drinking water and environmentally-sensitive areas. St. James residents, represented by Tulane University lawyers, sued the state Department of Natural Resources, arguing the state was negligent in issuing a permit for the project before having an approved emergency response plan in the event of an environmental catastrophe. +3 Federal appeals court lifts stay blocking pipeline construction through Atchafalaya Basin A divided federal appeals court ruled on Thursday that construction of the Bayou Bridge Pipeline can go forward, overturning a lower court's Judge Turner, who sided with pipeline opponents in their challenge of the DNR permit, did not return calls Monday seeking an explanation of his decision. DNR has jurisdiction over a small portion of the pipeline near its terminus in St. James in the state's coastal zone. Elizabeth Livingston de Calderon, an attorney for Tulane's Environmental Law Clinic, said Turner's ruling should halt construction in the coastal zone, though it was unclear whether construction along the rest of the pipeline route would be affected. DNR believes it has followed all applicable laws, said press secretary Patrick Courreges. He declined to speculate whether the department would formally contest Turner's decision. The Attorney General's office, which represented Natural Resources, did not return calls seeking comment. +2 Judge rules Bayou Bridge pipeline can continue building through Acadia Parish property A state judge on Monday ruled against an Acadia Parish landowner who wanted to halt construction of a 163-mile oil pipeline until resolution o Top stories in Baton Rouge in your inbox Twice daily we'll send you the day's biggest headlines. Sign up today. e-mail address * Sign Up Energy Transfer Partners, the lead backer of Bayou Bridge, responded to the judgment with a brief statement. "We do not typically comment on pending or current litigation. We would like to reiterate, however, that we will continue to follow all of the stipulations of our permits, as we have always done," wrote spokeswoman Alexis Daniel. Federal judges have wavered on whether to allow the pipeline to proceed as designed through the Atchafalaya Basin but at last count have given their approval over the objections of environmentalists and crawfishermen. Pipeline proponents argue the Bayou Bridge pipeline will allow oil to be transferred more safely and will bolster Louisiana's energy sector. In St. James, opponents have specifically noted that the state is quick to wave through oil and gas infrastructure, as long as they're in minority communities. Turner tangentially referenced the disparity in his decision. "The permit application does not include an emergency response plan nor does it address potential spills that may occur after construction once the pipeline is operational. The Department of Natural Resources did not consider the potential pollution, noise and traffic in the St. James community, an area which is largely populated by African Americans," the decision states. Pipeline opponents were elated by Monday's announcement. It seems like the state agency didnt think too much about the people who live here when it was giving Bayou Bridge this permit, and neither did Bayou Bridge. So we went to court, to somebody who we felt would listen to us, and he did," Harry Joseph, pastor of Mount Triumph Baptist Church, wrote in a statement. As early as this week thousands of Louisiana seniors and other nursing home residents could begin receiving notices that they will have to move out of the facilities in less than two months if lawmakers dont shore up the states finances before then. "When people get the letters, they are going to be frantic," Sen. Regina Barrow, D-Baton Rouge, said during a budget hearing at which the Edwards administration outlined steps that it is taking to prepare people for the worst-case budget scenario and stressed that the letters are not meant as a definite signal that elderly and disabled people are going to be evicted this summer. About 35,000 letters will be mailed Thursday to people who rely on Medicaid health care programs deemed "optional" under federal guidelines. The letters include 17,000 to nursing home residents across the state whose assistance would end July 1 if the Legislature doesn't cover funding for those programs in a budget that is currently being crafted. "These people cannot be taken care of at home and many of them are at an age where there is no home to return to," said Mark Berger, executive director of the Louisiana Nursing Home Association, often a politically powerful group in the State Capitol. Beyond patients with mental and physical limitations being threatened with the possibility of having to move out, Berger said the news also could trigger layoffs at nursing homes. "This budget cut looms large over the entire program," he said. Gov. John Bel Edwards and legislative leaders have said they want to end the regular session early to begin work toward filling a nearly $650 million gap before nursing home evictions and other fallouts from funding cuts take effect. The regular session is scheduled to end June 4, but leaders have said they hope to be able to wrap up by May 18 to allow time for a special session. Currently, House Bill 1, which carries the state spending plan annually, is awaiting Senate action, with House leaders threatening that they won't end session early without its passage. About $1.5 billion in temporary tax measures will expire June 30 and lawmakers' repeated attempts to cover the looming "fiscal cliff" have been unsuccessful. House GOP Caucus Chair: Legislature 'would have extracted too many tax dollars' if had acted in special session The chairman of the House Republican Delegation says he believes the Louisiana Legislature can wrap up its work near mid-May to give time for Jay Dardenne, Edwards' chief budget architect, said the administration wanted to give people advanced notice that their programs would be cut if revenue isn't raised to cover a portion of the expiring taxes. The state plans to then work with people to see if there are other programs for which they may qualify. "We know that it's difficult to explain to families," said LDH Deputy Secretary Michelle Alletto. Families with medically-fragile children and advocates for people with disabilities and the elderly packed the Senate hearing on the budget Monday. The scoop on state politics in your inbox Get the Louisiana politics insider details once a week from us. Sign up today. e-mail address * Sign Up Abbey Benjamin of Monroe choked back tears as she told the panel about her daughter Avery's health needs. At three months old, Avery began having seizures, she said, so the Benjamins enrolled her in a pediatric day health center, essentially a day care operated by medical professionals that would not be funded under the House-passed health plan. "I was so thrilled there was something like this that was offered," Benjamin said of looking for a program to help Avery. Senate panel evaluates House-approved spending plan: 'I will never vote for this budget' Facing a $650 million fiscal cliff and calls for yet another special session, state senators are split over whether the Louisiana Legislature Because a nurse alerted her to a condition, Abbey Benjamin said Avery was eventually diagnosed as having a rare form of epilepsy. "This type of seizure she was having would have gone unnoticed," Abbey Benjamin told the committee. Several members remarked on the emotional weight of the day, which has become a ritual as the state has struggled to address structural budget issues that have left life-sustaining health care programs particularly vulnerable to cuts. "There were people begging us and crying at the table today," said Sen. Bret Allain, R-Jeanerette. But officials also repeatedly stressed that the Legislature wants to prevent the cuts and still has time to do so. Sen. Jack Donahue, R-Slidell, remarked that lawmakers have repeatedly been able to stave off cuts that would affect the vulnerable populations that testified. "I have no thought that we are not going to be able to help," he told the crowd Monday. Some also questioned whether the state should have waited to offer notice or if the notices amount to scare tactics. "We don't know if we're going to come up short yet," said Sen. Bodi White, R-Central. He said the state should instead look to cost savings from able-bodied Medicaid recipients, such as copays, to help cover the costs. "It's something we've got to look at before we get into cutting everything," he said. A House panel wants to form a task force to study ongoing issues at the Baton Rouge zoo. House Resolution 148 made it out of the House & Governmental Affairs Committee on Tuesday. If approved by the full House, a task force would report back to the lower chamber on BREC's policies related to the management, funding and location of the zoo. The task force, in its current form, would be made up of the mayors of each of the cities in East Baton Rouge Parish as well as a representative from the Metro Council, a practicing veterinarian, a BREC member, a representative from a zoo advocacy group and a representative from the Baton Rouge North Economic Development District. The group would be tasked with submitting a report back to lawmakers by the end of the year. The effort comes after the House last week narrowly agreed to urge the state's auditor to review BREC, also prompted by ongoing concerns over the zoo. The scoop on state politics in your inbox Get the Louisiana politics insider details once a week from us. Sign up today. e-mail address * Sign Up Lawmakers ask legislative auditor to review BREC The Louisiana House is asking the state's auditor to review BREC, the commission that oversees parks and the zoo in East Baton Rouge Parish. Because the auditor request, House Resolution 59, is a resolution it doesn't force an audit but urges the legislative auditor to conduct one. It passed the chamber without a vote to spare in a 53-33 Thursday. Distrust between some Baton Rouge lawmakers and BREC officials has been simmering for months, over BRECs ultimately-defeated proposal to relocate the zoo from its current location in a predominantly black area of north Baton Rouge to predominantly white southeast Baton Rouge. After months of debate, BREC board members voted in March to leave the zoo at its current location. Rep. Barbara Carpenter, a Baton Rouge Democrat, sponsored both resolutions after controversy swirled over the proposal to relocate the zoo, followed by the zoo's loss of accreditation from the Association of Zoos and Aquariums. Kathmandu, May 8 India has hinted that it is positive towards establishing an energy bank in Nepal so as to overcome power outage issues in both Nepal and India. The concept of energy banking was put forth to supply electricity to the southern neighbour from Nepal during rainy season and import the needed quantity of electricity from India during winter season in Nepal. According to Prabal Adhikari, spokesperson at the Nepal Electricity Authority, Nepal has agreed on installing production equipment at all its sub-stations as the errors in substations in Nepal might affect the system of India. It is being done as per the suggestion by the Indian Electricity Authority, he adds. The decision was made during a meeting of the Nepal-India Joint Operation Committee held recently. The committee comprises six members. Likewise, the meeting decided to form a production committee to solve the the problems that might arise at the Nepal-India intercountry transmission line. Amid committee opposition, House Speaker Taylor Barras shelved his own bill that would set up statewide rules to govern Lyft and Uber and widen access to the ridesharing service. The measure, House Bill 749, earlier won lopsided approval in the state House. Bill to regulate Uber, Lyft clears House; key test in Senate Legislation that would set up statewide rules for Uber and Lyft won Louisiana House approval Tuesday evening. But the proposal triggered criticism in the Senate Judiciary A Committee, where a similar plan died last year. Bill to set up statewide rules for Uber, Lyft shelved and possibly dead A bill that would set up statewide rules for ridesharing services Uber and Lyft was shelved Tuesday in a Senate committee, killing the House-p At the end of a nearly two-hour hearing, Barras asked that his bill be set aside, which lawmakers do when they see little chance of their plan winning committee approval. The action means the proposal is likely dead for the session, which has to end by June 4 and may finish earlier. Sen. Danny Martiny, R-Metairie, a member of the committee, led criticism of the legislation. Martiny repeatedly charged that Uber and Lyft officials were unfairly asking to be treated differently than taxi cabs. "Someone has to convince me this is more than just a hyrid cab operation," he said of ridesharing services. "What we are doing here is we are basically saying you do the same thing as those cab drivers over there but they had to do more and put up more money," Martiny said. Barras said his bill is needed because of uneven oversight of Uber and Lyft, and the fact that access varies widely. He said while ridesharing is offered in Lafayette it is not available in Broussard, Carencro and other nearby communities. Barras said that could result in five different sets of regulations for those towns in addition to those for Lafayette. The scoop on state politics in your inbox Get the Louisiana politics insider details once a week from us. Sign up today. e-mail address * Sign Up Bill to expand, regulate Uber and Lyft in Louisiana breezes through House committee A second push to craft uniform rules for Uber and Lyft, and expand the ride-sharing service to rural areas, cleared the House Transportation C The speaker said 44 other states have uniform rules for Uber and Lyft. Drivers wearing pink Lyft t-shirts and black Uber t-shirts filled the Senate committee room. Enrique Bush, a Lyft driver in New Orleans, urged the committee to approve the bill. "These companies have provided opportunities for parents like myself and also the public," Bush said. "It would allow an expansion of public transportation for those people in need." Scott Sternberg, general counsel for the Louisiana Press Association, said the bill would allow records governing ridesharing services to remain confidential. The measure was opposed by the Louisiana AFL-CIO. Martiny said he was not trying to advocate for cab drivers. "I think there should be an even playing field," he said. "I think it should be regulated in the same way," Martiny said. "I think it should be regulated by the Public Service Commission. Why in the hell would we have it regulated by the Department of Agriculture?" Last year a similar bill died amid concerns on how it would affect fee schedules between Uber, Lyft and local governments in Baton Rouge, New Orleans and elsewhere. This time the bill would grandfather in fee agreements in place on March 1. Leaders of Uber and Lyft criticized Tuesday's developments. "Political gamesmanship blocked residents and visitors across Louisiana from getting the access to reliable rides and flexible work opportunities they need," Evangeline George, Uber Southeast Public Affairs Manager, said in a statement. In the same statement Lyft spokesman Scott Coriell said, "We know that an overwhelming majority of Louisianans and their representatives in the Legislature understand that expanding access to ridesharing benefits local businesses, riders and drivers." When Donald Trump was running for president in 2016, Louisiana-born porn star Stormy Daniels had 130,000 reasons to keep quiet about what she claims was a 2006 sexual rendezvous with the future leader of the free world. Daniels is Louisianas very own Monica Lewinsky. She has a sitting president sweating out an inquiry into a coverup of a sexual relationship he denies. But while Lewinsky was initially shy and retiring, Daniels is all in when it comes to sponging up publicity. Trump marks National Day of Prayer amid scandal over Stormy Daniels hush money WASHINGTON (AP) President Donald Trump celebrated the National Day of Prayer by announcing a White House initiative that he said would under The former Stephanie Clifford of Scotlandville Magnet High School is cashing in on her fame this month with a return to her home state. The gumshoes at the Hollywood Reporter say she is going on a multicity tour that will feature appearances in Louisiana at two Penthouse locations New Orleans and Baton Rouge. Daniels can work the levers to create free publicity, and she may have learned just how easy it is in 2010, when she ran a faux senatorial campaign against David Vitter, fresh off a juicy prostitution scandal. A hypocrite like Vitter may have deserved a poke in the eye from his voters, so Daniels could have had a chance. But she lacked one critical qualification: She didnt live in Louisiana. That was nearly a decade ago, and now Daniels is probably more famous than 95 of the 100 senators. She even took her act to "60 Minutes." The website for the Penthouse Club in New Orleans says Daniels will be appearing this week as the pet of the century. And its only 2018. A New York-style deli and bagel shop has arrived in the CBD, via a connection through Atlanta. Goldbergs Fine Foods opened this week as a full-service restaurant with an attached take-out operation for bagels, deli salads and meats, pastries and coffee and grab-and-go meals. Goldbergs got its start in Atlanta in 1972, and has grown to nine locations there, including two in the Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta Airport. The New Orleans expansion is its first foray outside of the Atlanta region. The restaurant serves an extensive menu with breakfast all day, classic and specialty deli sandwiches and entrees. Bagels are a big part of the brand, and theyre made in 26 varieties, with a dozen cream cheese flavors on the menu. Goldbergs developed a few new dishes specifically for the New Orleans location, including bagel beignets, made with fried bagel dough finished with cinnamon and powdered sugar and warm strawberry compote. Theres a crawfish quesadilla and also a seafood gumbo next to the chicken noodle and matzo ball soup. The restaurants signature sandwich, dubbed the famous po' boy is a little different from the local po-boy norm its corned beef, bologna, salami, turkey, Swiss cheese and a sliced dill pickle. The New Orleans location is a large restaurant, about 6,500 square feet, with a main dining room lined by deep, diner-style booths, a full bar in the middle and the deli/bagel shop up front. It holds down what had been a quiet corner at the intersection of Common Street and Roosevelt Way, in the ground floor of the 925 Common building. Its windows look out to the facade of the Orpheum Theater, while the Roosevelt Hotel is just next door. Food and restaurant news in your inbox Every Thursday we give you the scoop on NOLA dining. Sign up today. e-mail address * Sign Up Goldbergs Fine Foods 925 Common St., 504-267-3564 Sun.-Thu., 7 a.m.-10 p.m.; Fri./Sat.: 7 a.m.-11 p.m. The two James Beard Awards coming back to New Orleans this year belong to a newcomer who quickly carved her own niche in the local restaurant community and to a bar that helped reset the citys famous cocktail scene, founded by a bartender now making bigger moves in the field. The cocktail lounge Cure won the national award for Outstanding Bar Program, and chef Nina Compton, of Compere Lapin and the recently opened Bywater American Bistro, won the regional award for Best Chef: South. The James Beard Foundation presented its high-profile awards Monday night at a gala in Chicago. The nominees for the awards were whittled down from a list of some 20,000 chefs, restaurants and bars submitted by the public during an open call last fall. New Orleans has been well-represented in these awards in recent years, and this time eight New Orleans finalists were in the running, along with a few other New Orleans names honored by the group outside of its awards categories. Cure won its award after three consecutive years as a finalist for Outstanding Bar Program. Founded in 2009 by bartenders Neal Bodenheimer and Kirk Estopinal and business partner Matthew Kohnke, Cure was an early addition to the now-bustling restaurant row on Freret Street. At the time, it turned heads as an upscale addition to an old commercial stretch only beginning to see redevelopment. Cure also raised some eyebrows with a craft cocktail approach that emphasized fresh ingredients and precise compositions, which was then far from mainstream in New Orleans. Soon, though, Cure became the city's pacesetter for modern cocktails. "When Cure started nine years ago, our two goals were to make a great neighborhood cocktail bar and not go out of business, Bodenheimer said while accepting the award Monday night. This award did not even exist then, so to say this exceeds our wildest expectations is an understatement. The team behind Cure later developed other spots, including the French Quarter restaurant and cocktail destination Cane & Table. Earlier this year, Bodenheimer and local event producer Gary Solomon Jr. and the Solomon family also took over leadership of Tales of the Cocktail, the annual spirits industry event in New Orleans. Their new team has since revamped the organization as a nonprofit and has begun a program of grants to cultivate progressive ideas for the hospitality industry and beyond. Food and restaurant news in your inbox Every Thursday we give you the scoop on NOLA dining. Sign up today. e-mail address * Sign Up This is the second consecutive year that a New Orleans establishment took home the Outstanding Bar Program award. In 2017, it went to the French 75 bar at Arnaud's Restaurant. Nina Compton won the Best Chef: South award three years after arriving in New Orleans. A native of the Caribbean island of St. Lucia, Compton moved here in 2015 after her star turn on the series "Top Chef." Compere Lapin, which she developed with her husband, Larry Miller, was her first restaurant. Compton blends her Caribbean roots with Italian and French styles for an original, refined yet readily approachable cuisine. It was an immediate hit and has proved to be a consistent draw among the new guard of New Orleans fine dining. It also has developed a prominent standing in the city's hospitality business. A stint at Compere Lapin has become the kind of gig that young chefs highlight on their resumes when theyre ready to make their own moves. In accepting the award, Compton thanked the team behind her restaurants and shared her gratitude for the recognition. "I never dreamed coming from a very, very small island of St. Lucia that I would be here today," she said. Other local nominees this year were Slade Rushing of Brennan's restaurant and Michael Stoltzfus and Kristen Essig, the co-chefs of Coquette. New Orleans chef Rebecca Wilcomb of Herbsaint won the Best Chef: South award in 2017. New Orleans also had a pair of new inductees this year in the James Beard Foundation's list of Who's Who of Food & Beverage in America. The honor was shared by Lally Brennan and Ti Adelaide Martin, the cousins who together run Commander's Palace. The restaurant's founders, Ella Brennan and the late Dick Brennan, were named to the same list earlier. Earlier this year, the James Beard Foundation announced another local establishment Dong Phuong, the Vietnamese restaurant and bakery in New Orleans East would be a 2018 recipient of its Americas Classics Awards. Separate from its chef and restaurant awards, the Americas Classic Awards recognize establishments of timeless appeal that serve food that reflects the character of their communities, according to the foundation. Hansens Sno-Bliz, Moscas and Willie Maes Scotch House are other New Orleans businesses to win the Americas Classics Award in past years. Other New Orleans names up for big awards Monday night were Donald Link of the Link Restaurant Group for Outstanding Chef (which went to Gabrielle Hamilton of Prune in New York); JoAnn Clevenger of Upperline for Outstanding Restaurateur (it went to Caroline Styne of Lucques Group in Los Angeles); Kelly Fields of the cafe/bakery Willa Jean for Outstanding Pastry Chef (it went to Dolester Miles of Highlands Bar & Grill in Birmingham, Alabama); and Bacchanal, the Bywater wine shop/eatery/bar for Outstanding Wine Program (it went to Fig in Charleston, South Carolina). The story started with a tip called into the newsroom, as so many do. The tip found its way from an editor to me: The man running Mississippi's cleanup from the BP oil spill had been an active member of the Ku Klux Klan, the caller said. Check it out, my editor said. I don't remember, but I'm sure I sighed a long and heavy sigh. I was thinking about how angry this guy, George Malvaney, was going to be when I called him. He would probably chew me out and hang up on me. That's not what happened. Stephanie Grace: Time for LaToya Cantrell to seize her own narrative When LaToya Cantrell won the New Orleans mayoral runoff way back in November, nobody knew quite how the unusually long transition would be. Instead, we talked over a long lunch and Malvaney told me, unflinchingly, about his Klan involvement. The Klan recruited him after he joined the Navy at age 18, while he was stationed in Virginia. We talked in June 2010, at the height of the cleanup. Malvaney was working days, nights and weekends as chief operating officer of U.S. Environmental Services, a BP subcontractor. He dealt with Mississippi Gulf Coast mayors, legislators, congressmen and higher-ups in the government agencies overseeing the work. His Klan involvement was 30 years earlier, he said. He was a different man then. The Navy honorably discharged him because of his Klan activity. He returned to Jackson, Miss., and, through Klan contacts, got involved with a hapless group plotting to stage a military coup on the Caribbean island of Dominica. Federal agents caught up to them before they could pull it off. Malvaney spent 1 years in prison. Being thrown into a racially mixed environment allowed Malvaney, for the first time, to really get to know some black men. Letters: Don't take money away from coast In 2017 Governor John Bel Edwards declared a state of emergency for Louisianas coast, saying, "The Louisiana coast is in a state of crisis th He didn't change overnight. His awakening is described in a remarkable book, Cups Up: How I Organized a Klavern, Plotted a Coup, Survived Prison, Graduated College, Fought Polluters and Started a Business. In the book, he describes his life-altering experience writing letters home for some of the black prisoners he met. His fellow convicts whispered personal stories meant for their mothers, their sisters. For the first time, he told me when we talked recently, he saw life through their eyes not his. Top stories in New Orleans in your inbox Twice daily we'll send you the day's biggest headlines. Sign up today. e-mail address * Sign Up Malvaney decided he wanted his life to be different when he left prison. He describes in the book his love of the outdoors, hunting, fishing and hanging out on the Pearl River as a child. Any Mississippian reading these early chapters will relate to his descriptions of hunting, fishing and hanging out on the Pearl River. His love of the outdoors and his determination to transform himself led to a career with the Mississippi Department of Environment Quality and, eventually, USES. Today, 58-year-old Malvaney works as a Jackson-based environmental consultant and co-owns cleanup company E3 Environmental. I wasn't the first to write about his involvement with the KKK and a failed coup. Other reporters discovered his past over the years and penned articles. There's even a book about the coup, Bayou of Pigs. But now Malvaney himself has documented how he got swept up in the Klan and how he escaped, telling tales of racists and murderers he met along the way, including Sam Bowers. In the afterward, he says: I wrote this book because I wanted to show that we are not our pasts. ... But most important, I wrote this book to try to give others who may be traveling a difficult path in life, as I once was, some inspiration and hope. Determination, focus, and hard work can help us overcome some pretty terrible experiences and bad personal traits. Finally, I wrote this book to try and explain myself not just to others but to me. He said he never would have written the book but for that 2010 article in the Sun Herald. He expected anger, scorn and professional repercussions. Instead, he said, he received only positive comments, even from black co-workers and friends. Those who read the article appreciated his honesty, as did I. "Now," he said, "it's out there. "I've never tried to hide it. I didn't talk about it, either. I know it's always been whispered about. "I think me writing the book really made me understand me better. I didn't realize how much I had changed." --- Editor's note: This column originally appeared in the Biloxi Sun-Herald. Click here for the full version. Anita Lee can be reached at 228-896-2331 or @CAnitaLee1 The Louisiana Tumor Registry at LSU Health New Orleans School of Public Health has been awarded a one-year, $1.8 million contract by the National Cancer Institute, with a potential of $17.7 million total over 10 years, to continue its cancer registry work as part of the SEER Program. The Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results Program award includes options for an additional nine years of funding for a total $17.7 million, if all options are exercised. There are now 16 competitively awarded SEER cancer registries in the United States. The institute's SEER Program collects cancer incidence and survival data from cancer registries for research. In addition to providing essential information for tracking the nations progress against cancer, SEER data and data analysis tools provide researchers with unique opportunities to explore and explain cancer trends," said Robert T. Croyle, director of the institute's division of cancer control and population sciences. "The impact of SEER on science, policy and practice reflects both the quality of the data collected and the creative expertise of the many scientists who use it. The primary function of a cancer registry is to record the occurrence of cancer in a population. Information collected by the registries includes demographic data; tumor characteristics, including cancer type, biomarkers and stage of disease; treatment; and survival. The data often provides clues for special research studies conducted by scientists. The funding awards will broaden the type of research the Louisiana registry can support by enabling the collection of more clinically relevant data to complement clinical trials and basic and translational cancer research. Dr. Xiao-Cheng Wu, professor and director of the registry, said the 10-year contract will allow the registery to explore new mechanisms to auto extract more clinically relevant data from electronic clinical documents, collect patient-report data, as well as biospecimen samples for cancer research, and will expand the use of registry data through collaborations with researchers. The SEER Program is one of the most authoritative sources of information on cancer incidence and survival in the United States, said Dr. Larry Hollier, chancellor of LSU Health New Orleans. Continued designation recognizes the excellence of our Louisiana Tumor Registry and confirms the exceptionally high quality of its data. Two years ago, Amelia Phares was heading for a neighborhood swimming pool near Covington to enjoy the first day of summer vacation with friends. The carefree outing, according to her parents, ended with police cars surrounding the home of her girlfriend and a trip to Children's Hospital in New Orleans, where Amelia, 16, was given a rape exam. She told her parents that an 18-year-old man she had met for the first time that night, Blake Cowell, had forced himself on her in his truck. Although Amelia was young, she had already encountered some difficulties in life, her mother, Kim Phares, said. She had been bullied at school, and like most teenagers, she sometimes clashed with her parents. But she had a playful side, too, delighting in things like a pair of SpongeBob SquarePants pajamas she had received as a gift. Less than six months after the day Amelia said she was raped, her parents buried her in those pajamas. Their daughter took an overdose of sleeping pills on Nov. 14, 2016, leaving behind a 12-minute video farewell in which she did not directly refer to what had happened at the pool but said she could no longer live with the pain she was feeling. "I've got to think that's what she was talking about," her father said. Her parents said Amelia's pain was not limited to what happened at the Versailles Estates pool near Covington on May 21, 2016. As the St. Tammany Parish Sheriff's Office investigation lagged, Amelia, a junior at Fontainebleau High School, faced accusations on social media of lying about the incident, compounding her hurt. In retrospect, I'm not really happy that we did it, Tim Phares Jr. said of the decision to alert the authorities and have his daughter get a rape exam. Considering what has and has not happened mostly what has not happened basically, I think I did more damage in telling her to follow the police's instructions than helping her." Three months ago more than a year after Amelia's suicide Cowell was issued a misdemeanor summons for carnal knowledge of a juvenile, according to the Sheriff's Office. That law does not address the issue of whether sex was consensual; it simply prohibits sex between a minor and someone who is at least two years older. The statute of limitations for misdemeanors is two years, so unless 22nd Judicial District Attorney Warren Montgomery charges Cowell by May 21, the case against him will be closed. If he is charged and convicted, he would face a maximum of six months in jail. "He walks free; he has a life. And our daughter doesn't," Kim Phares said. An attorney for Cowell declined to comment on the case Monday. Handwritten notes on Amelia's medical records from that night, provided by her parents, say she had bruises on her head, arm and leg. The notes also quote Amelia as saying, "I was raped by somebody I didnt know. The girl told Sheriff's Office investigators that she and two friends had climbed into Cowell's truck to warm up, but at some point, the friends left and she was alone with Cowell, who she said wouldn't allow her to leave. "When I tried to leave, he pushed me back and he raped me, she is quoted as saying in the medical notes. Her parents say she never wavered in her account of what happened. But the parents say that for months, they got conflicting stories from the Sheriff's Office detectives handling the case, including being told at times that the case had been closed. St. Tammany top stories in your inbox A weekly guide to the biggest news in St. Tammany. Sign up today. e-mail address * Sign Up Two months after the incident, Tim Phares texted a detective asking for an update. The text response said, DNA pending. Also have a couple more interviews." More than a year later in October 2017, almost a year after Amelia's death another deputy told the family the Sheriff's Office was waiting to get the report on the DNA evidence before requesting a warrant for the suspect's DNA." The parents finally were able to read the full police report last month, Tim Phares said, and they learned then that the rape kit contained the suspect's DNA in Amelia's bikini bottoms. They were not allowed to make a copy of the report. We have nothing but questions about how the police have handled this, he said. At one point, Tim Phares said, they were told that because Amelia was dead, the suspect would not be able to face his accuser at a trial, violating his rights. The crime of rape in Louisiana requires prosecutors to prove the victim did not consent, but carnal knowledge of a juvenile does not. Consent is not a defense for that crime because it is illegal to have sex with a minor, Tulane University law professor Tania Tetlow said, adding that DNA can prove such a case even when the victim is dead. While the victim's death makes prosecution of a rape charge more difficult, Tetlow said, it doesn't make it impossible. Statements made by the victim to family and friends could be admissible, she said. Amelia's grandfather, an investigator for the Kenner Police Department, has pushed for answers. He said he wrote two letters to St. Tammany Parish Sheriff Randy Smith, one to Montgomery and one to Louisiana Attorney General Jeff Landry asking for help in getting justice for his granddaughter. He said sheriff's deputies told him twice that the case had been closed because Montgomery said there wasn't enough evidence to get a rape conviction. But the elder Phares said Montgomery called him after receiving his letter and told him that he had not closed the case in fact, that he had not yet received the case from the Sheriffs Office to review. The case was finally turned over to the District Attorney's Office last month, the family said, and they have met with a prosecutor from the office. My father attempted to file an internal affairs complaint" with the Sheriff's Office, Tim Phares said. "He was told he couldn't do that until he spoke with the major. He spoke with the major, and the major still wouldn't take the internal affairs complaint from him. The elder Phares eventually sent a certified letter to Smith who became sheriff in July 2016, six weeks after Amelia said she was attacked to file a complaint. "I have no great faith that internal affairs is independent enough to review the actions of the deputies involved," he wrote. "But maybe you'll offer some explanation for the various failures of the Sheriff's Office and the reason for all the misinformation and lies my family has endured." Smith did not directly respond to the letter. His spokesman said he was unable to comment and directed questions to Montgomery. The Sheriffs Office has yet to respond to a public records request filed by The Advocate on April 13 for the results of any internal investigation into the actions of the two deputies handling the case. The Phares family is left with questions and regrets. Amelia's mother recalls the nightmares her daughter suffered as that summer went on and the panic attacks that she started experiencing when classes resumed, eventually leading them to put her in what's called Homebound, to do her schoolwork from home. "She didn't like to talk about it; she kept it bottled up," Tim Phares said. "But obviously, it was eating away at her. ... I don't think I did my daughter a service by telling her to trust the police." Opposing lawyers presented sharply diverging narratives Monday as the trial got underway in St. Tammany Parish for Jonathan Talley, a Mississippi man charged with second-degree murder for killing his former girlfriend in 2016 in front of their 3-year-old-son. The incident happened either June 30 or July 1 at the Pearl River home of victim Aimee Kirst, 33, who was found shot in the back of the head. In its opening statement to the jury, the defense argued that the shooting was a botched suicide attempt by Talley and that Talley thought he was acting in the best interest of his son when he brought him after the shooting to the house of Talley's parents, where he admitted killing Kirst and was later arrested. Talley, 37, is also being tried on a second-degree kidnapping charge relating to that action and a charge of being a convicted felon in possession of a firearm following a 2004 conviction for simple robbery. The prosecution doesnt buy the claim that Talley accidentally killed his ex-girlfriend while trying to end his own life. Prosecutor Casey Dieck told the jury, Aimee knew that one day a bullet could come through her head. Defense attorney Jay Carrington acknowledged that Talley was at fault for Kirsts death but said that doesnt make him a murderer. Jonathan Talley went to Aimees house to do what he had tried to do a number of times in the past, which is to kill himself, Carrington said. Hes tried to kill himself half a dozen times. Top stories in New Orleans in your inbox Twice daily we'll send you the day's biggest headlines. Sign up today. e-mail address * Sign Up Following an assault in early 2015, Kirst had an active restraining order against Talley at the time of her death. Prosecutors said that was because of continued physical and emotional abuse by Talley, which included at one point allegedly showing a gun to one of Kirsts friends. But Kirst remained in contact with Talley. Dieck said she needed Talley partly for financial support but mainly to help raise her son. She could not bear the thought of Seth not having a father, Dieck said, though she added that the final dispute leading to her death was about money. According to Dieck, Kirst texted Talley asking for money to replace a broken pipe, setting off a quarrel that escalated throughout the day until Talley snapped, going to Kirsts home and killing her in front of Seth, the prosecutor said. He shot Aimee right in front of their 3-year-old son, she said. Daddy shot Mommy in the head right in his room. Those facts arent in doubt, Carrington said, but the nature of the killing is. As sad and as tragic as this incident is, it doesnt make it a murder, he said. This was a man who was broken down and distraught and was angry that he wasnt dead. He loved Aimee Kirst. The trial continues Tuesday in Judge Scott Gardners 22nd Judicial District courtroom. Three passengers were injured when a tugboat caught fire and crashed into another boat at the Poland Avenue wharf in the Bywater early Monday afternoon, according to the New Orleans Fire Department. The tugboat, named the "Uncle Robert," had struck another boat after workers realized it was on fire and attempted to dock quickly, NOFD said. Officials said the "Uncle Robert" then caused the other boat to break loose from its mooring, injuring three workers on board. The NOFD was alerted to the incident shortly after 12:30 p.m., according to Captain Edwin Holmes, when the department received a 911 call reporting the accident and fire. Holmes, an NOFD spokesman, said that the first NOFD company arrived on the scene about 10 minutes later to find the Uncle Robert docked at the wharf with heavy smoke billowing from the lower decks. Firefighters then boarded the boat to fight the fire inside, but the "intense smoke and heat made the attack extremely difficult," Holmes said. The Port of New Orleans fire boat, Kelly, then responded as well, attacking the fire with heavy streams of water. Officials said the extra help allowed firefighters to get inside. At that point, the NOFD Incident Commander called for additional units, as firefighters must rotate out of a scenario involving a boat fire at a quicker pace than normal to avoid heat exhaustion and fatigue, Holmes said. Top stories in New Orleans in your inbox Twice daily we'll send you the day's biggest headlines. Sign up today. e-mail address * Sign Up In a release, Superintendent Timothy McConnell equated the attack to "fighting a fire inside of an oven being fueled by diesel." "Scenarios like this are what our members train for tirelessly," McConnell said. "This scenario can quickly take a severe toll on fire crews. The workers on the boat that was hit got "unspecified injuries" and were brought to a local hospital, Holmes said. Crews were able to secure that boat quickly after the accident, preventing further damage. Ultimately, NOFD firefighters were able to also save "Uncle Robert" from sinking after they discovered a valve that was causing the tugboat to take on water, according to Holmes. Authorities said the tugboat will be towed to a boat repair yard for further assessment once it's safe to move. All in all, 14 NOFD units carrying 32 personnel helped fight the fire. Officials from the New Orleans Police Department, Harbor Police, Homeland Security and the United States Coast Guard responded as well. NOFD said the fire was put under control just before 2:30 p.m., nearly two hours after firefighters first arrived on scene. Monday 05 September, 2016 Reliable information reaching Biafra writers desk has it that the life of Nnamdi Kanu, the leader of the Indi... Lyme Bay Winery releases Lugger Rum Lyme Bay Winery, based in Devon, has launched an addition to its portfolio with the release of Lugger Rum. Lugger Rum joins Lyme Bays founding Jack Ratt brand, inspired by a local smuggler from the South Devon coast called Jack Rattenbury. Said to be an adventurer, Jack forged his career in the 18th Century smuggling contraband into Lyme Bay using fishing boats called Luggers, from which Lugger Rum derives its name. Managing director James Lambert says: Given the West Countrys smuggling history, our passion for making the finest, innovative drinks and the growing consumer appetite for aged spirits, spiced rum seemed like the next irresistible challenge for our team of winemakers. Head wine-maker Liam Idzikowski says: With Lugger Rum our aim was to produce a spiced rum that, unlike many commercial spiced rums, isnt overpowered by vanilla, but instead displays a full profile of spices. It was also important to us to tone down the customary sweetness of spiced rum, increasing the products versatility as a high-quality spirit for mixers and cocktails. The product design, a collaboration between Lyme Bay and Devon design house Bluesoup Ltd, was constructed with the intention of conveying the spirit of Jack Rattenburys adventures while maintaining the elegance for which Lyme Bays range of drinks are known. Sara Walters, head of sales says: Its hard to say which is more striking; the eye-catching design of the bottle or the combination of spices in the rum itself. Either way, even at this early stage, this is a product that is absolutely blowing customers away. Available now in cases of six, Lugger Rum trade price is 22.99 per 70cl bottle with an RSP of 38.50 and is currently available direct from www.lymebaywinery.co.uk and select independent stockists. 4 May 2018 - Sam Coyne The Drinks Report, news editor Carter Wong redesigns identity for TicketyBrew British craft-beer producer TicketyBrew has updated its brand identity with studio Carter Wong. Carter Wong has worked with TicketyBrew since its inception in 2013 and has helped refine the brands structure and visual identity following the rapid expansion of the product range. Having launched with a core range of three beers, TicketyBrew has since expanded with a wide array of complex and experimental flavour profiles, including Blueberry & Ginger IPA, Peach Iced Tea and Salted Caramel & Coffee. Having quickly expanded to include more than 35 flavours the brand had begun to suffer from a series of tweaks to its overarching visual identity. To restore impact Carter Wong refocused TicketyBrews messaging, stripping the brand back to a simplified identity with a more contemporary look and feel. The range was then segmented to provide structure, splitting the portfolio into a Core Range of 11 beers and a Limited Editions range of approximately 26 more flavours. Carter Wong retained the original colour palette for the Core Range but reduced the volume of written content on the wraparound label for a cleaner feel. Each flavour within the Core Range now has a number to help distinguish between the products, with a stamp design to celebrate where the beer is made and touches of bright colours to appeal to the latest trends. Across the Limited Editions range, a patterned background in vibrant tones creates standout to differentiate from the Core Range, with four patterns on rotation and colourways chosen based on the individual flavours. Where the Core Range shows a stamp of origin in a contrasting hue, the Limited Editions have the year the flavour was introduced. With new flavour profiles released every four-six weeks, a newly-introduced digital print approach enables TicketyBrew to amend and print new versions quickly and easily. Engaging a more informed consumer Sarah Turner, managing director, Carter Wong, says: Since the launch of TicketyBrew in 2013, the craft beer market has grown considerably and as a result, the average consumer is more knowledgeable about their options. Once fit for purpose, the TicketyBrew brand had begun to lose impact as the craft beer category became more competitive. We retained the core brand identity with its wrap-around labels and perforated tickets with hidden glass shape but refined the core messaging for an evolved marketplace. The updated design sets the brand apart in an increasingly crowded sector, with added flexibility to introduce new flavour profiles as it continues to grow. Keri Barton, managing director, TicketyBrew, says: From day one Carter Wong captured the essence of TicketyBrew with a playful identity that stands out on the bar and shelf. This powerful brand has enabled us to grow rapidly over the past few years but as our flavour range began to expand, so the brand had to work even harder. For us it made perfect sense to return to Carter Wong when the brand needed updating. They have refined and refocused our identity and delivered an adaptable toolkit of commanding brand assets to support our continued expansion. 8 May 2018 - Sam Coyne The Drinks Report, news editor Disney World has given us a sneak peak into its brand new Toy Story Land, and it's so epic! The theme park will open at the Disney World Resort June 30 promises EVERYTHING. We're talking a Slinky Dog roller coaster through Alien Swirling Saucers and more! Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Vincent Lingga (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Tue, May 8, 2018 09:04 1248 a7124a1e87885b91d244660f9e299c09 1 Opinion #commentary,industrial-revolution,workforce,labor,skilled-workers,Industry-4-0,digital-technology,unemployment Free Technological changes and jobs are taking center stage, becoming the central theme of four out of more than two dozen seminars and meetings held on the sidelines of the 51st Asian Development Bank (ADB) Annual Meeting of the Board of Governors which ended here on Saturday. The rationale is quite obvious. In previous industrial revolutions, technology and jobs usually had symbiotic relationships and changes were more gradual. But the latest wave of digital technology amid the fourth industrial revolution tends to be disruptive, not only causing job losses at least in the short term. The searing pace of the technological changes has also swamped regulatory institutions, often catching them off guard due to difficulties in anticipating changes. But even though technologies are inherently disruptive, most panelists at the seminars shared the same views that countries with flexible policies, steady improvements in education, an economy open to foreign investors and professionals, and a stronger and broader social safety net will be able to take great benefits of the changes. A wide variety of business models showcased at the seminars show how the application of digital technology has enabled people to enhance their lives, giving them access to education, better healthcare and other personal care services. Yet more encouraging is that digital technology also serves to lower barriers to market entry for entrepreneurs and enable organizations of all sizes to be more efficient, innovative and increase their market reach, as well as help governments efficiently provide better public services. Finance Minister Sri Mulyani Indrawati, a member of the ADB Board of Governors, described at one of the seminars how new service enterprises have been mushrooming in Indonesia using the digital technology as their driving force. Now we can have food and even massage services delivered to our homes by Go-Jek riders. This massage service could become popular during the World Bank-IMF annual meetings in Bali in October, Sri Mulyani jokingly said, referring to Indonesias biggest app-based ride-hailing service. Digital technology has enabled the Philippines to become the worlds second-largest business process outsourcing (BPO) center for companies overseas after India, employing more than 1.3 million workers with revenues of up to US$23 billion last year, almost matching the $25 billion the country received in remittances from migrant workers. Supported by the government with the right policies, which are friendly to foreign investors and workers, and strong information and communication technology (ICT) infrastructure, the Philippine BPO industry started in the early 2000s with call service centers, then moving up to higher value-added jobs as medical transcriptions, back office operations in accounting and finance and software development. Most of the BPO services involve repetitive tasks that are considered low-skilled in much of the developed world. However, such services are often provided by high-skilled professionals in the developing world who are attracted to the sector by higher wages. According to the Philippine Public-Private Partnership (PPP) Center, which is responsible for preparing bankable infrastructure projects for private investors, the BPO industry now accounts for about 6 percent of the countrys gross domestic product (GDP). An ADB report credited the remarkable achievement of the Philippine BPO industry to the establishment in 2001 of the Information Technology and e-Commerce Council (ITTEC) to serve as the countrys highest policymaking body. It provides policy direction on information and communication technology to develop the country as an e-services hub. In 2005, the government launched the Philippine Cyberservices Corridor, an ICT belt stretching over [965 kilometers] from Baguio City to Zamboanga, capable of providing a variety of BPO services. It covers at least three primary urban centers in Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao, as well as 15 other provinces across the country. For BPO investors, the key factors that can greatly affect their location decision are costs, infrastructure, human capital and governance. The expansion of the BPO industry will greatly depend on high-quality, reliable and lowcost infrastructure services. Like in India, the explosive growth of the Philippine BPO industry has been generated by the inflow of foreign direct investments, as overseas firms started looking for low-cost locations to outsource service delivery. In fact, the first wave of growth occurred as multinational companies from the United States and Europe started establishing subsidiaries in the Philippines. Study reports by the ADB and International Labor Organizations (ILO) presented at the seminars here concluded that due to technological advancement, more and more routine tasks are being automated or taken over by machines, and jobs are becoming more polarized. Many jobs requiring routine tasks will be replaced by machines. In such an environment of change, skills development and human capital will play an even greater role in future economic development. The problem though, is that Indonesia has a wide skill gap that urgently needs to be addressed, otherwise future economic development will be constrained. As the experiences of Vietnam and Thailand have shown, one way of addressing the skill gap within the short to medium term is by massively expanding vocational education. Implementing well-resourced, well-targeted vocational training can prove to be a better long-term investment in skill acquisition that helps workers whose prospects look to be quite bleak cope with the difficulties they face. Improved access to better vocational education can contribute greatly to higher income for workers and help bridge the skill mismatch. Economists have deemed skill mismatch as the cause of structural unemployment, whereby the job opportunities cannot be filled by the skills available. Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin EDITORIAL (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Tue, May 8, 2018 08:11 1248 a7124a1e87885b91d244660f9e295fb8 4 Editorial #Editorial,Japan,China,South-Korea,international-relations,East-Asia,trilateral-summit,Tokyo-summit,Indonesian-foreign-policy,ASEAN Free The result of Wednesdays trilateral summit between the host, Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, his guests Chinese Premier Li Keqiang and South Korean President Moon Jae-in will be a decisive factor for the next United States and North Korea meeting. There is a real chance that the decades-long nuclear threat from the North will eventually be resolved amicably, which would be beneficial for all. ASEAN, with the leadership of Indonesia, should not miss the chance to seriously engage in the crucial peace negotiations. Japan, China and South Korea are facing serious difficulties in their respective bilateral relations. They know they must be able to put aside differences and agree to take a united position in pushing for the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula. Despite the delicate conflicts with the two countries, PM Abe will be the summits main benefactor with a good chance to improve relations with Japans two former colonies. The occupation history remains an emotional issue for them. The annual summit itself has been delayed since 2015 as Abe failed to persuade them to come to Japan. Next month, US President Donald Trump will meet with North Korean Supreme Leader Kim Jong-un to discuss normalization of their diplomatic ties. Kim previously assured President Moon of his seriousness in totally ending his nuclear program. The world will scrutinize his words during his encounter with Trump. President Joko Jokowi Widodo should ensure that ASEAN does not merely monitor the Tokyo meeting from afar. He also needs firsthand information from each of the summit participants about the meeting. The US and North Korea reportedly have agreed to choose Singapore as the venue for the historic summit between Trump and Kim. The choice was based on the position of Singapore as the current ASEAN chair, reports said. Jokowi had openly offered Indonesia to host the summit, but though he may be disappointed, as a statesman, he must work with Singaporean Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong in ensuring the summits success. What is at stake here is the security and stability of the whole region. ASEAN should be much more active from now on because whatever happens on the Korean Peninsula will directly affect our own regional neighborhood. Therefore, ASEAN must move from its long-standing tradition to distance itself from the nuclear crisis. On the latest progress, in the statement issued after the leaders retreat summit in Singapore last month, the leaders only said We reiterated our support for international efforts to bring about the complete, verifiable and irreversible denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula in a peaceful manner, and expressed hope for a peaceful and amicable resolution to the issue. Indonesia has good relations with the three Tokyo summit participants and also with North Korea. The President should capitalize on the positive factors for the sake of the security of Southeast Asia and also for his own citizens. Art lovers, artists and collectors are beginning to flock to Yogyakarta for Jogja Art Weeks. The annual event held every May and June sees local galleries and art centers simultaneously holding art-related activities such as exhibitions, art performances, music performances, film screenings, discussions and art workshops. Jogja Art Weeks is the brainchild of Yogyakarta artists and has materialized into a non-profit movement that gathers all art-related information in Yogyakarta and publishes it to ease access to art for art lovers and artists alike. This year, more than 80 art galleries in Yogyakarta are displaying the works of the citys artists including senior artists such as Djoko Pekik, Heri Dono and Eko Nugroho. ARTJOG, the contemporary art exhibition still serves as the main magnet for the festivities. In 2017, the exhibition attracted 70,000 visitors to the Yogyakarta National Museum. The high volume of interest motivated other galleries in the city to display their art collections. Read also: ARTJOG 2018 kicks off with new, fresh look Jumaldi Alfi, a contemporary artist from Yogyakarta said, Yogyakarta artists must be thankful for ARTJOG, because of it, visitors that originally came to only visit ARTJOG also make time to visit surrounding galleries. He also noted that Jogja Art Weeks not only benefits those in the art world, The number of visitors to Jogja Art Weeks also affects the economy in general, especially in the tourism, culinary and trade sectors, he added. In Jogja Art Weeks, Jumaldi exhibits his work along with other artists at the SaRang Building, Bantul, Yogyakarta. Other galleries that are also holding exhibitions include Pelataran Djoko Pekik, Sangkring Art Space, Studio Kalahan, Galeri Lorong, Langgeng Art Foundation, Indie Art House and many more. (asw) The countrys biggest contemporary art event, ARTJOG 2018, kicked off at the Jogja National Museum (JNM) in Gampingan, Wirobrajan, Yogyakarta, where ARTJOG is being held from May 4 to June 4. The event offers a new look and curatorial concept compared to previous events. Heri Pemad of Heri Pemad Art Management, the events organizer, said this years ARTJOG was indeed different from previous ones, especially in terms of appearance and curatorial concept. You will promptly notice it once you are here, ARTJOG 2018s curator Bambang Toko Witjaksono told The Jakarta Post on the sidelines of the VIP preview, which was held prior to the official opening ceremony on Friday afternoon. Entering the venue, visitors will be impressed by the knitting work of this years commissioned artist, Mulyana. Titled Sea Remembers, the installation is placed in a dome-like exhibition room, creating a feeling of being in an undersea world with its colorful coral reefs and fish. Read also: Mulyana: Blowing fresh wind with crochet for ARTJOG The hallway has a brand new look thanks to Nasiruns Hutan Dilipat (Folded Forest) installation made of tissue, paper, yarn, spinning tools and video measuring 7.5 meters in length. It is installed on the hallways ceiling from end to end. Bambang said to give the event a new look, his team also created a curved door leading visitors to the stairs heading to the second floor of the venue. The team even had to break down some walls for three new curved doors in the building to connect one exhibition room to another to ease the flow of visitors. Participating artists, performers and merchants were asked to follow the theme of this years ARTJOG, Enlightenment: Towards Various Futures. All the participating performers and merchants have to follow the theme in presenting their respective [works], Bambang said, adding that during the event, ARTJOG would present daily performances with three to four individual or group performers and merchant projects involving 80 participants. Other fringe programs include curatorial tours, meeting the artists and young artist awards dedicated to participating artists under 33 years old. Since its first inception in 2008, the annual ARTJOG has attracted not just local art lovers but also international ones. Read also: Jakpost explores Yogyakarta Its very cool. I for sure will not hesitate to return for ARTJOG in the future if I am given another chance to do so, said Leni Marliza from Tanjung Pinang, Riau Islands province. British expat Esther Lutman, who flew from Jakarta, and her visiting friend, Catherine Howell, expressed the same enthusiasm, saying the displays offered them inspiration as museum curators back in London, England. This is an amazing display of artworks, said Howell, adding that she had heard about ARTJOG from a friend and decided to attend the opening event on Friday. New Zealand print and collage artist Davina Stephens, who has been staying in Denpasar, Bali, on and off for the last seven years, quickly found her favorite artwork. I really enjoy the ones displayed at the first two floors. I especially enjoy Gilang Fradikas paintings and illustrative artist Ronald Venturas works presenting great illustrations of the many faces of human beings, like half human, half animal, she said. Having visited Yogyakarta for ARTJOG for the third time, Stephens said she saw much progress in the organization of the annual art event, a sentiment that participating artist Mella Jaarsma concurred with. Its been an interesting development with ARTJOG, especially in the way they are convincing young artists to come here to the event to see these artworks. This is really amazing, the spirit they have, she said. Brazil's first lady Marcela Temer leapt fully clothed into a lake at the presidential palace to rescue her pet dog -- then got roasted on social media. The 34-year-old former beauty queen jumped into the lake after her Jack Russell named Picoly went after some ducks but struggled to get back out. Although the drama occurred on April 22, it only became public this week. Brazilian media and Twitter wits mocked the first lady's heroics, making the incident a top trending topic late Monday. Given that her husband Michel Temer is the most unpopular president on record in Brazilian history, leftist blogger Leonardo Stoppa joked that Marcela's aim was not to save the dog but the duck. "She despaired, because she saw one of Temer's few voters," he said in a YouTube broadcast. Michel Temer, who is more than four decades older than his wife and embroiled in multiple corruption investigations, took another hit from blogger Jose Simao, who tweeted: "Marcela's dog tried to commit suicide! It couldn't put up with Temer!" Referencing comparisons between Temer and vampires -- a jibe that took center stage at this year's Rio carnival -- one tweeter said he wasn't surprised Marcela cared so much about animals. "It's obvious," he wrote. "Because she married a BAT." We cannot heal what we will not face." This key message of the Chinese Whispers (CW) digital graphic novel, which looks at how the May 1998 riots in several cities in Indonesia were triggered by political engineering that intentionally evoked racial sentiments, brought tears to some audience members during its launch at the Makassar International Writers Festival in Makassar, South Sulawesi, on Saturday. Accessible on thechinesewhispers.com, the graphic novel follows the journey of actor and performance-maker Rani Pramesti, who feels her identity was split into two following the May 1998 riots: She is an Indonesian who was regarded as a Chinese. Born in 1986, Rani shared in the novel, narrated in her own voice, about her happy childhood in which her parents used to take her to explore different regions in Indonesia and instill a strong love for the country; but everything changed after the riots, which occurred when she was just 12 years old. CW was born from my personal experience during the May 1998 riots in Jakarta, where I was born. My mother was an activist at the time and I heard so many stories of how women, from children to adults, who look like me, were raped and persecuted. Several months after the incident, my older sibling was sent to Australia and I followed after in 1999. But I never forget that feeling of being an Indonesian but regarded as a Chinese. It became one of the factors that motivated me to start the creative process of making CW, she told the audience of mostly students. Adapted from her own original work in the form of a performance and installation held in Melbourne in 2014, where the audience was invited to enter a labyrinth-like installation made of fabrics while wearing headphones to listen to a 40-minute audio, Rani said it took her team five years to be able to present CW as an Indonesian-language digital graphic novel, which is set to be translated into English as well. Read also: Literature plays crucial role as Indonesia enters 20th year of reformation Rani Pramesti shows a trailer of the 'Chinese Whispers' digital graphic novel to the audience at the Makassar International Writers Festival in Makassar, South Sulawesi, on May 5. (JP/Keshie Hernitaningtyas) I was frustrated with [the installation] as there were only around 300 people that enjoyed our work for over two years. Since 2014, I started to think of ways to spread CWs key message, she said, adding that the novel was introduced for the first time in Jakarta just a few days ago. I dont want to make an installation [in Indonesia]. This digital graphic novel form allows people to easily access it, and hopefully it can reach 135 million Indonesian people, which is reportedly the number of people who currently have internet access in this country. Illustrated by Cindy Saja last year, the graphic novel's launch coincided with a reflection on 20 years of the Reform Era and presents an engaging illustrations, audio, music composition and interview quotes from the perspective of women. [The novel features the accounts of] human rights activists, journalist and writer, an Indonesian of Chinese descent who welcomed hundreds of refugees in Melbourne, a 19-year-old girl who shared how her family was broken following the riots, as well as my personal story. Indonesians, Australians and Americans are said to be among those making donations for the project through crowdfunding. Around Rp 200 million (US$14,261) has been raised. As the issue is still considered sensitive for some people, the project was launched in collaboration with the National Commission on Violence Against Women (Komnas Perempuan) and the Education and Culture Ministry. CW was born from three loves: the love for Indonesia, the love for storytelling and the love for the young generation of Indonesia. As a storyteller, we seek to spread the message so that people wont forget [about what happened] and the young generation will know about the history. Move over, candy and flamethrowers. Elon Musk tweeted out plans Monday for yet another side venture: alleviating the nation's housing crisis. "The Boring Company will be using dirt from tunnel digging to create bricks for low-cost housing," he wrote in a tweet about his nascent tunneling enterprise. A company spokesman confirmed the plans, saying the bricks will come from the "excavated muck," and that "there will be an insane amount of bricks. Musk has also suggested he has plans to sell them, and the company said future Boring Co. offices will be constructed from the companys own bricks. How many affordable housing units those bricks will create, though, is a different matter, says Juan Matute, a lecturer at the University of California, Los Angeles, and associate director of UCLA's Institute of Transportation Studies. Musks tweet "assumes that housing costs are driven by construction materials, and particularly, construction materials that can be replaced by bricks," Matutue said. "That's not the case." At least in California, the only state where Boring Co. has started digging a tunnel, land and labor drive prices more than anything else. Going forward, a spokesman said, the company plans to make bricks out of excavated mud from all Boring Co. tunnels, not just the one currently under construction in Hawthorne, California, on land owned by Musk's Space Exploration Technologies Corp. Read also: Elon Musk, visionary Tesla and SpaceX founder When it comes to actual housing construction, bricks tend to be expensive, in part because assembling brick walls takes more work than other options, such as putting up panels. And because bricks dont stand up well to earthquakes, a major concern in fault-riddled California, building codes typically require buttresses such as reinforced steel and rebar when bricks are used. On its website, Boring Co. says bricks could potentially also replace concrete in a portion of its tunnels' linings, which it says would help the environment as concrete production creates significant greenhouse gas emissions. Musk seemed well aware of the possible risks in a separate plan for the tunneling byproduct that he tweeted out in March. Boring Co. could soon sell "life-size LEGO-like interlocking bricks made from tunneling rock that you can use to create sculptures and buildings," he wrote. "Rated for California seismic loads, so super strong." Another potential hurdle: Chemicals have contaminated much of the land under Los Angeles. Any contaminants showing up in the excavated Boring Co. soil would complicate efforts to make that material into bricks used for housing. Challenges around the idea may not prevent Muskwho has a track record of delivering on projects that others dismissfrom getting it done, Matute said. "That doesn't mean the Boring Company can't buy some land and build a few low-cost houses, with a partner like Habitat for Humanity," Matute said. "And say, 'Look what we did.'" Katy Perry came as an archangel, Rihanna dressed like the pope, and Kim Kardashian was a golden goddess for New Yorks Met Gala on Monday on a night of high fashion inspired by religion. Bejeweled crosses, veils and halo-inspired headdresses ruled on the red carpet, dubbed the Oscars of the east Coast for its celebrity guest list and stunning outfits. From saints to sinners, guests took to heart the 2018 theme of Heavenly Bodies: Fashion and the Catholic Imagination at the Metropolitan Museum of Arts Costume Institute ball. Although some commentators had feared the Catholic theme might yield the most controversial Met Gala ever, most of the actors, models and music stars stayed on the right side of propriety in colors of red, white, gold and black. Rihanna, one of the Met Gala co-hosts, dressed like a pope, sporting a head-turning, jewel-encrusted mitre with matching mini-dress and a priestly-style cape designed by Maison Margiela. Katy Perry wowed in enormous, feathered six foot high white wings teamed with a Versace gold mini-dress paired with thigh-high gold boots. The invitation-only Met Gala is a fundraising benefit for the Metropolitan Museum of Art, and also marks the opening of the Costume Institutes annual fashion exhibition. The 2018 exhibit shows how Catholicism has influenced fashion and designers through the decades and features more than 50 vestments and other religious items direct from the Vatican. Read also: Rihanna, Amal and Donatella named Met Gala 2018 hosts Madonna, a key religious provocateur early in her pop career, turned demure in a black, long-sleeved gown, with a huge gold crown, and a full face veil. Kim Kardashian, appearing without husband Kanye West, kept it simple in a curve-hugging, gold metallic floor length dress with plunging neckline by Versace. Sex and the City actress Sarah Jessica Parker opted for a gold Dolce & Gabbana gown embroidered with sacred hearts and a towering nativity scene headpiece. Jennifer Lopez chose a Balmain dress, split to the hip, with a large cross across the breast and a black feathered train. Model Bella Hadid was among those opting for the darker side of religion, wearing a Chrome Hearts black latex and leather outfit with long black gloves, and a black veil trailing to the floor. Actors Olivia Munn, Zandaya and Priyanka Chopra went for Crusades-inspired chain-mail outfits, while Black Panther star Chadwick Boseman was among the few men going avant-garde in an ivory cape with gold beaded crosses, an embellished suit, and gold colored shoes. Other guests chose looks ranging from heavenly white (Dakota Fanning) to angelic yellow (Amanda Seyfried) and skin-baring black lace (Zoe Kravitz). Lawyer Gaile Walters has no time for the British monarchy but still believes the wedding of American actress Meghan Markle to Queen Elizabeth's grandson Prince Harry marks an important moment for Britain's black community. "It has to be significant. The fact of someone black being married into the royal family represents a widening and a diversion and an inclusion that it's never had before," Walters told Reuters as she shopped in Brixton, south London. "I'm still not pro-monarchy at all because I don't think anybody is born to rule. However, I do understand symbolism and this is very powerful." The upcoming marriage of the British prince, sixth-in-line to the British throne, to Markle, whose father is white and mother is African-American, has been heralded as demonstrating how Britain has become more egalitarian and racially mixed. Just 60 years ago, marrying a divorcee was considered unacceptable for a British royal, and only in 2013 did it become permissible to wed a Catholic without being removed from the line of succession. So Markle's entry into an exclusively white royal family, who wield hugely emotional symbolic power in Britain, should not be underestimated, said Afua Hirsch, author of "Brit(ish): On Race, Identity and Belonging". "It represents a real change in the messaging to young people growing up in Britain and that idea that blackness and Britishness are mutually exclusive," she told Reuters. "I think for me when I was younger that would have made a huge difference to me psychologically in my sense of legitimacy and confidence that this is my country." Read also: Meghan Markle has new role to master: British royal protocol "Rivers of blood" The wedding comes at a time race issues have been prominent in Britain. Last month saw the 25th anniversary of the murder of black teenager Stephen Lawrence by white racists which led to London's police force being labelled institutionally racist by an inquiry due to its botched handling of the case. It was also 50 years since the infamous "Rivers of blood" speech by politician Enoch Powell in which he warned that "the black man will have the whip hand over the white man" if immigration was not stopped. The British government has also found itself mired in a scandal about treatment of some descendants of the "Windrush generation" of Caribbean migrants who were invited to Britain after World War Two but have been left without documents and denied basic rights. Markle, whose maternal ancestors were slaves, and Harry attended a memorial service to mark the Lawrence anniversary and there has been much commentary about how attitudes have changed since the days of Powell. But others say the Windrush episode betrays the true picture. "(The wedding) means nothing. It really is a non-event in terms of what it means for society," Kehinde Andrews, an associate professor of sociology at Birmingham City University and author on race issues. He described racism "as British as a cup of tea". "What on earth could we possibly be celebrating in the fact that there's a splash of coffee in the premier symbol of whiteness in the UK? "That's for me the problem with a lot of the coverage of this wedding. The monarchy is an institution. Adding a black face, one black face, one very light-skinned, pretty black face is not going to change the institution." A survey for the British Future think-tank last month suggested most Britons would barely notice Markle's ethnicity and the vast majority welcomed it. However, 12 percent of those questioned thought someone of mixed race marrying into the royal family was bad and 25 percent would be uncomfortable with their child to having a serious relationship or marrying someone of a different race. It also found 33 percent of ethnic minority respondents thought racial prejudice was as high as when Lawrence was murdered. In a TV interview last month, London mayor Sadiq Khan, who is a Muslim, said most institutions in Britain had "problems with institutional racism". Read also: Meghan Markle: fashionista facing a royal makeover "Straight outta compton" Ever since it was first reported the couple were dating, Markle's ethnicity has attracted attention, and by no means always positive. In late 2016, Harry issued a rare rebuke to the press, condemning the racial undertones of some articles. One story about the Los Angeles neighbourhood where Markle's mother Doria Ragland lives carried the headline "Harry's girl is (almost) straight outta Compton: Gang-scarred home of her mother revealed" while Rachel Johnson, sister of British Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson, wrote she would bring "rich and exotic DNA" to the Windsors. Asked about such focus in a TV interview to mark their engagement last November, Markle said such coverage had been "disheartening". "But I think you know at the end of the day I'm really just proud of who I am and where I come from and we have never put any focus on that, we've just focused on who we are as a couple," she said. In the street market in Brixton, where many Windrush immigrants settled and which has a large black population, the overwhelming view of the royal marriage was positive, some likening it to Barack Obama becoming America's first black president. Those reactions echoed the warm reception the engaged couple received when in January they visited Brixton, an area that became synonymous with inner city deprivation following race riots in 1981. "I think it's good for the nation to see somebody like her marrying in the royal family," transport worker Noel Davis, 60, told Reuters. Rhianne Fleming, 23, said: "I think it's going to be exciting, especially the fact that she's mixed race. "It shouldn't be that important. But the historical context ... I guess it is a bit of a 'Wow, oh my god this is happening' when it shouldn't be," she added. Hirsch said younger people she had spoken to admired Markle. "They are interested in this royal wedding in ways they have never been in previous royal weddings," she said. "Because there is something there who looks like them, like somebody they are close to, whose mother resembles somebody they are close to." However, for Andrews and others, it just showed how bad the situation is. "Markle is not Britain's Obama moment and shouldn't be covered as such. Being chosen by a prince is not democracy," author Reni Eddo-Lodge wrote on Twitter after the engagement was announced. "Because racism is so bad and so historic and so entrenched that we tend to look for things, anything," Andrews said. "So any symbol that could possibly be good we tend to over-celebrate. But when we sit back and actually analyse what's happened and what's changed, we'll realise it means nothing at all. "The serious issues of entrenched racism, unemployment, all these issues that really face us, the monarchy is part of the problem and she's now part of the problem not the solution." For many on the streets of Brixton though, race was ultimately not the main issue of the wedding. "If the people love each other, then it doesn't matter if they are royal or common," Walters said. "It's love that matters." Its no secret that sales of vinyl music are at the highest in decades. Even the lowly cassette tape is regaining popularity as some millennials embrace analog music over digital downloads and streaming services. But for the first time in more than two decades, a German company is reviving what may be the ultimate format: a new reel-to-reel tape machine. Dusseldorf-based Roland Schneider Precision Engineering this week will introduce four Ballfinger reel-to-reel machines, bringing back a technology that dominated professional music recording for most of the 20th century and is now making a comeback with audiophiles and artists including Lady Gaga. The sleek machines, some of them customizable, will retail from about 9,500 euros ($11,400) for the basic version to about 24,000 euros for the high-end model, which features three direct-drive motors, an editing system and walnut side panels. Digital media is great, but experiencing music is more than just listening to a sound file -- its sensual, its reels that turn and can be touched, says Roland Schneider, the machines designer. When it comes to audio quality, nothing else in the analog world gets you closer to the experience of being right there in the recording studio than reel-to-reel tape. Schneiders machines made a big splash when he unveiled prototypes at an industry fair in Hamburg last year. A designer who has built a high-end record player, watches and a Bauhaus-inspired table lamp, Schneider spent about six years developing the machines. He says he has since received distribution requests for them from more than 80 companies, including ones in the U.S., Hong Kong and Dubai. Read also: Sales of vinyl, cassettes reach all-time high in 2017 Reel-to-reel dominated professional audio recording from the late 1940s, when Bing Crosby helped introduce the technology in the U.S., until the early 1990s, when digital technologies took over because they made editing and reproduction easier and cheaper. These days, more people have likely seen Uma Thurman in Pulp Fiction playing Urge Overkill on a reel-to-reelthan have ever seen one in the flesh. Yet with a growing demand for music that sounds different than the overly polished digital recordings that have dominated the charts for the past two decades, studios are dusting off their analog equipment and musicians are rediscovering the old way of producing songs. Lady Gaga, Ryan Adams and the Black Keys are just a few of the artists who have recorded songs to tape in recent years. Industry press has speculated that other manufacturers such as ReVox may follow to revive the format from its glory days. Vintage tapes are widely available on the internet sites such as The Tape Project or second hand on ebay, but are more readily available in the U.S. than elsewhere. Blank tapes for recording can be bought directly from York, Pennsylvania-based ATR Magnetics as well as French manufacturer Mulann, which offers its RecordingTheMasters brand. Schneider and Mulann, the biggest tape maker, plan to cooperate, but the designer said he couldn't yet share more details of the agreement. While reel-to-reel is making a comeback, it still barely moves the needle. Schneider, who says he has the capacity to produce about 200 machines a year, seeks to sell 20 to 30 players this year and about double that next year. And hes in talks with other producers with more manpower (Schneider has two employees and a handful of freelancers) to potentially license his technology, he said. The high end hi-fi market is a difficult one, and companies are desperate for innovation, Schneider said. Even if the innovation is decades old. Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Andi Hajramurni (The Jakarta Post) Makassar Tue, May 8, 2018 08:00 1248 a7124a1e87885b91d244660f9e295895 1 Politics abraham-samad,KPK,#2019PresidentialElection,eastern-Indonesia,Makassar,Budi-Gunawan,politics Free A former leader of the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK), Abraham Samad, is gathering support for a run in the 2019 presidential election from a group calling themselves the Eastern Indonesian Peoples Coalition. The group declared its support on Losari Beach in Makassar, South Sulawesi, on Monday. Before hundreds of people Samad said he was ready to dedicate his life to Indonesia. He said that after he retired from the KPK he had visited the regions and said people trusted him to improve Indonesia. He said he contacted several political parties, although he declined to specify the names. We havent touched on the details. Only to discuss about our shared vision and mission, he said. Samad said he was open to the possibility of becoming a vice-presidential candidate. He also said he had yet to decide his political leaning. During his speech on Monday, he reiterated how corruption ailed Indonesia and that he was the one who could cure it. In 2015 Samad was embroiled in scandals involving alleged document forgery and intimate pictures of a man looking like him with a woman. The scandals became public shortly after he along with then KPK colleague Bambang Widjojanto named then police chief candidate Gen. Budi Gunawan as a suspect in its investigation into the police general's suspicious bank accounts worth billions of rupiah in 2010. Budi is now the National Intelligence Agency chief. (evi) Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Gemma Holliani Cahya (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Tue, May 8, 2018 18:30 1248 a7124a1e87885b91d244660f9e2c1dcd 1 National amnesty,AmnestyInternational,Amnesty-International,blasphemy,Blasphemy-Law,Criminal-Code Free Amnesty International has urged the government to release Alnoldy Bahari, a farmer from Pandeglang regency in Banten, who was sentenced to five years in prison and ordered to pay Rp 100 million (US$ 7,150) by Pandeglang District Court on April 30 for blasphemy. In November last year, Alnoldy was reported by his neighbors who accused him of insulting Islam and spreading hate speech on Facebook. The offending statements included I am a Muslim and I truly testify that there is no god but Allah. I have seen Allah, have you? and If a fake Muslim cleric has entered the political realm, then Quranic verses are not absolute truth anymore. He was arrested in December 2017 and charged with blasphemy under Article 156(a) of the Criminal Code, and Article 28(2) of the Electronic Information and Transaction (ITE) Law. Having only peacefully expressed his right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion, Alnoldy Bahari is a prisoner of conscience and must be immediately and unconditionally released, Amnesty International said in an official release on Tuesday. Amnesty International called on the authorities to immediately and unconditionally release Alnoldy and all other individuals who have been detained solely for peacefully exercising their human rights and also to repeal or amend all blasphemy provisions set out in laws and regulations, which violate the rights to freedom of expression and thought, conscience and religion. Also, ensure that judges and prosecutors are aware of Indonesias international human rights obligations and the need for the application of national law to be consistent with them, it further said. Amnesty International recorded that 11 people were convicted for blasphemy in 2017 either under the ITE Law or the Criminal Code. Alnoldy was the first to be convicted in 2018. Blasphemy laws have been used by the authorities in attempts to stifle the rights to freedom of expression and religion in Indonesia, the group said. (ebf) Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Andi Hajramurni (The Jakarta Post) Makassar, South Sulawesi Tue, May 8, 2018 13:15 1248 a7124a1e87885b91d244660f9e2aeb86 1 Politics KPK,corruption,corruption-eradication-commission,corruption-eradication,corruption-case,abraham-samad,2019-presidential-election,2019-elections,death-penalty Free Former Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) chairman Abraham Samad called for the implementation of the death penalty for corruption convicts during a speech in which he declared his intention to run as a presidential candidate, in Makassar, South Sulawesi, on Monday. Corruptors must be given a severe punishment [...] and their assets must be confiscated by the state. Implement the death penalty for corruptors, if necessary. This can provide legal certainty, said Abraham. He further said corruption had damaged the country and led to poverty, causing the state to lose its authority. How can we get out of this slump? The only answer is by combating corruption. Whatever the way is, no matter how scary the risk is, we must fight against corruption, he said. The Eastern Indonesian People's Coalition declared its support for Abraham Samad to run as a presidential candidate at Losari Beach in Makassar on Monday afternoon. Time to run: Former Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) chairman Abraham Samad declares his readiness to run as a presidential candidate at Losari Beach in Makassar, South Sulawesi, on May 7. (JP/Andi Hajramurni) The coalition said Indonesia needed a tough and brave leader with integrity and a strong commitment to combating corruption. Abraham was a figure with all of those leadership qualities, it stated. During his speech, Abraham also said politics must bring the nation to prosperity. Politics that only cared about money must be banished since it would only fool and mislead the people, he said. In 2015, Abraham and former KPK commissioner Bambang Widjajanto, along with KPK investigator Novel Baswedan, were arrested by the police over suspected law violations. Human rights organizations called the polices move an effort to criminalize the KPK leaders. (hol/ebf) Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Bambang Muryanto (The Jakarta Post) Yogyakarta Tue, May 8, 2018 21:04 1248 a7124a1e87885b91d244660f9e2c6920 1 National NYIA,Yogyakarta,Komnas-HAM,Angkasa-Pura-I,angkasa-pura,Kulonprogo,Kulon-progo Free The National Commission on Human Rights (Komnas HAM) has accused the government, along with state-owned airport operator Angkasa Pura (AP) I and the Yogyakarta Police, of violating human rights in the clearing of land for the New Yogyakarta International Airport in Kulon Progo. In a letter expressing its rejection of the project, the commission says it suspects the land clearing, which was marred with the destruction of trees and art objects as well as electricity supply disruption, violated peoples right to prosperity, especially the right to ownership, as stipulated in Article 37 (2) of Law No. 39/1999 on human rights. Signed on May 2 by Amiruddin, a member of Komnas HAMs human rights enforcement subcommission, the letter is addressed to Yogyakarta Governor Sri Sultan Hamengkubuwono X, the Yogyakarta Police and Kulon Progo Regent Hasto Wardoyo. Yes, we have sent them the letter, Amiruddin told The Jakarta Post on Tuesday. Art of resistance: Residents of Kulon Progro, Yogyakarta, who have formed an association rejecting eviction in Kulon Progo, stage an art performance on Tuesday to express their opposition to the planned New Yogyakarta International Airport. (JP/Bambang Muryanto) Komnas HAM called on AP I and the Kulon Progo Police to avoid repressive action and intimidation. The Yogyakarta government, in this regard the Kulon Progo administration, and AP I must open a dialogue with all residents organized in the PWPP-KP [pressure group] and accommodate their complaints and expectations by pushing forward social and cultural aspects, said Amiruddin. On Dec. 5, 2017, security authorities had arrested 12 activists supporting residents opposed to the construction of the new airport. PWPP-KP lawyer Teguh Purnomo said Komnas HAM had proven that AP I, the government and the police had violated human rights. Those proven guilty of violating human rights must be punished, he said. (ebf) Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Winny Tang (The Jakarta Post) Tangerang Tue, May 8, 2018 09:22 1248 a7124a1e87885b91d244660f9e29f092 1 Business Apple,developer,digital-technology,Apple-Developer-Academy,Research-and-Development,bina-nusantara-university,university,Education Free United States tech giant Apple has opened a developer academy in Bumi Serpong Damai on the outskirts of Jakarta as part of its move to comply with a government regulation on local content requirements (TKDNs). The newly opened Apple Developer Academy is the first in Asia and third in the world, with two other academies located in Italy and Brazil. Apple plans to open at least two more academies, one in Java and another outside of Java. Based on the government regulation, there is a 30-percent local content requirement for all 4G gadgets sold in Indonesia. The TKDN is calculated based on manufacturing, software and innovation development. To comply with the regulation, Apple chose to use the TKDN calculation with a focus on innovation development, Industry Minister Airlangga Hartarto said on Monday. In the past, [the public thought] TKDNs were about hardware. However, it is also about innovation, the minister told reporters during the inauguration of the academy in Tangerang, Banten. Under Industry Ministry Regulation No. 29/M-IND/PER/7/2017 on provisions and procedures used to calculate local component levels for cellular phones, handheld devices and tablet computers, there are three TKDN calculation models: TKDNs based on manufacturing, software or innovation centers. Discussions about a plan by Apple to invest in the construction of a research and development (R&D) center in Indonesia began circulating in local media in August 2017. However, the tech giant decided to build an innovation center, instead of an R&D center for hardware and software. There are various types of R&D, such as for engineering and manufacturing. Instead of doing that, they are focusing on human capital and app development, Communications and Information Minister Rudiantara said. The academy, inaugurated by Apple on Monday in collaboration with Binus University, trains local students to develop applications for the iOS operating system, with a total investment of US$44 million from 2017 to 2019. The academy is situated on 1,500 square meters of land in BSD City, Tangerang. The tech giant agreed to rent the space from property developer Sinar Mas Land for five years. Apple-trained instructors have been teaching 75 Binus students at the academy as part of a one-year program. Students are being taught programming languages Objective-C and Swift. Swift is Apples programming language, which was created to build apps for iOS, Apple TV and Apple Watch. We are thrilled to be opening the Apple Developer Academy in Jakarta to help provide the next generation of developers the skills they need to develop iOS apps and join the fast-growing app economy, Lisa Jackson, Apples vice president of Environment, Policy and Social Initiatives, said in a statement. During the facility tour on Monday, students from Binus University registered with the program presented the results of their two to three week group collaboration on creating apps. The results include prototypes of an app called Toll X, designed to help people identify toll fares in advance, as well as another app developed by a group of young students called S.A.F.E, created to simplify access to emergency services. In the next phase, the Apple developer academy will open to students of other universities in the country. With the new innovation center, the government hopes that Apple can help the country to create around 200 new local developers every year. Apple said the iOS developer community in Indonesia was expanding, with an increase of over 50 percent in the last two years. In 2017, iOS developers worldwide earned $26.5 billion. Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Marguerite Afra Sapiie (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Tue, May 8, 2018 09:45 1248 a7124a1e87885b91d244660f9e29fd8a 1 World Li-Keqiang,territorial-disputes,China,South-China-Sea,Jokowi,Joko-Widodo,ASEAN Free China is committed to achieving a peaceful settlement of territorial disputes in the South China Sea with ASEAN nations, Chinese Prime Minister Li Keqiang told President Joko Jokowi Widodo on Monday. Speaking at a joint press conference following a bilateral talk at the Bogor Palace, Jokowi and Li highlighted the importance of advancing cooperation to realize peace and stability in the region. In his statement, Li said China shared the same commitment as that of Southeast Asian countries to maintain peace in the South China Sea despite differing views. Together [China and ASEAN] will safeguard peace, stability and freedom of navigation over flight in the South China Sea, Li said. The Chinese prime minister's visit to Jakarta marked the fifth year of the Indonesia-China Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, as well as 15 years of the ASEAN-China strategic partnership. The meeting was held on the heels of growing concerns over reports on China's militarization in the area. A US broadcaster claimed recently that China had missiles on disputed reclaimed islands in the South China Sea. Jokowi said in his statement that the Indonesia-China partnership must be able to contribute to the realization of world peace, stability and prosperity based on a respect to international laws and norms. Over the course of 50 years, ASEAN had been able to contribute significantly to peace and stability in Southeast Asia, Jokowi said. Such achievement will be maintained and improved by ASEAN, he added. (ebf) Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin (Agence France-Presse) Beijing, China Tue, May 8, 2018 13:41 1248 a7124a1e87885b91d244660f9e2b0a58 2 Business China,economy,US,USA,trade-war,surplus,economic-growth,rate,Beijing,Washington Free China's surplus with the United States widened in April, underlining an imbalance between the economic titans as they struggle to reach an agreement on averting a potentially damaging trade war. The figures Tuesday will likely reinforce Washington's determination after high-level talks in Beijing last week ended with both sides admitting there were big differences to overcome, with threats of tariffs on billions of dollars of goods casting a shadow. The record imbalance is at the heart of US President Donald Trump's anger at what he describes as Beijing's unfair trade practices that are hurting American companies and destroying jobs. Customs data showed the surplus grew 4.2 percent on-year to $22.2 billion last month, with exports rising by a tenth and imports up more than 20 percent. Compared with March, the surplus was up 43.9 percent, though analysts say seasonal factors such as Chinese New Year had dampened exports for the month. Attention now turns to a visit next week by a delegation led by Chinese Vice Premier Liu He -- considered President Xi Jinping's right-hand man on economic issues -- hoping to iron out the differences. However, there are concerns about the chances of success. "We don't expect all core differences in the US-China trade relationship to be resolved," Wang Tao, chief China economist in Hong Kong for UBS, wrote in a recent report. "Lingering trade tension and uncertainty will likely negatively affect China's export orders and related business investment," he said, according to Bloomberg News. China ranks 110th, or "mostly unfree", on a global ranking of economic freedom put out by the conservative American think tank Heritage Foundation. The two countries have been engaging in high-stakes negotiations to head off the threatened tariffs -- Washington has targeted $150 billion in Chinese imports while Beijing put $50 billion of US goods on the firing line. China's trade with the wider world also continued improve, Tuesday's figures showed, after it posted a rare deficit in March. Exports surged 12.9 percent on-year, while imports rose 21.5 percent -- both figures beating expectations. "The data suggest that foreign demand for Chinese goods has started to soften, with the prospect of possible US tariffs weighing on the outlook," said Julian Evans-Pritchard, China Economist at Capital Economics, in a note. The strong import figures point to growing demand within China, a boon for the country's transition to consumption-fuelled growth from a decades-long dependence on exports and investment, analysts say. "While softer foreign demand is being largely offset by domestic strength for now, the headwinds to growth from slower credit creation look set to increase," said Evans-Pritchard. Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Nethy Dharma Somba (The Jakarta Post) Jayapura, Papua Tue, May 8, 2018 18:14 1248 a7124a1e87885b91d244660f9e2c12bc 1 National language,language-center,Great-Dictionary-of-the-Indonesian-language,dictionary,Papua Free Linguists have suggested that epen, a Papuan word, be included in the Great Dictionary of the Indonesian Language of the Language Center (KBBI). Epen, which is widely used by the people of Papua, is actually an abbreviation of a two word phrase, emang pentingkah? (Is it so important?). Epen is used to reject an attempt to encourage someone to do or believe in something he or she does not consider as something important from the very beginning. For example, when someone doesnt want to talk with a person he or she doesnt trust, they will say: Is it epen [so important for me] to talk with him or her? said Nunung, a linguist who participated in a language enrichment dissemination program held by the Papua Language Center in Jayapura. Nunung said epen was widely used not only by native Papuans but also by people outside Papua who had visited the province or become acquainted with Papuan people. In addition to epen, trada is another Papuan word that has been recommended for inclusion in the Great Dictionary of the Indonesian Language. Trada is used by everyone in Papua. It means no. Its getting rarer for people in Papua to use tidak. They often use tra or trada, said Lita, another dissemination program participant. We, from the Papua Language Center, have proposed 1,000 Papuan words to be included in the KBBI, but only 384 words have been approved, the agencys head Toha Machsum said. To enrich the Indonesian language, the Education and Culture Ministry in Jakarta has developed an application at kkbi.kemdikbud.go.id. The application makes it easier for people to propose words for inclusion from their respective regions into the KBBI. Our selection team will assess whether their proposals can be approved, said Toha. (ebf) Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin News Desk (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Tue, May 8, 2018 16:35 1248 a7124a1e87885b91d244660f9e2bd609 1 City financial-aid,elderly,jakarta Free Hundreds of senior citizens gathered Tuesday at an integrated child-friendly public space (RPTRA) in Tanah Tinggi, Central Jakarta, to receive Kartu Lansia Jakarta (KLJ), cards for the Jakarta seniors program, which launched that morning. The program, initiated by Jakarta Governor Anies Baswedan, allows senior citizens to receive Rp 600,000 (US$43) in financial aid per month. The elderly can withdraw the funds at ATMs using the KLJ cards, issued by city-owned lender Bank DKI. We are happy to see you all happy, Anies told program participants while handing them cards. Please use the money wisely." The administration plans to provide the cards to 12,141 elderly people across Jakarta. Around 321 card holders are from Tanah Tinggi, while the administration will distribute the remaining cards in other locations gradually, kompas.com reported. (vny) Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Claire Jiao (Bloomberg) Manila Tue, May 8, 2018 11:35 1248 a7124a1e87885b91d244660f9e2a809f 2 Business Uber,Grab,Gojek,ride-hailing-application,RideHailingApps,ride-hailing-service,Philippines,Go-Jek,Grab-Bike Free A slew of ride-hailing ventures are taking to the gridlocked streets of Manila, undeterred by the market dominance of Grab now that it controls Uber in the Philippines. Hype Transport Systems Inc. and Ipara Technologies and Solutions Inc. are just two of the five new entrants approved by the regulator since Grab agreed to take over the operations of Uber Technologies Inc. across Southeast Asia. PT Go-Jek Indonesia, the biggest remaining rival in the region, will seek to enter the Philippines, said Aileen Lizada of the transportation agency. Grab now controls more than 90 percent of the ride-hailing market in the Philippines but struggles to keep up with demand, with just 35,000 vehicles on its app to service as many as 600,000 requests a day. Ride-hailing has proven especially popular in Manila, where poor infrastructure and limited public transport contribute to traffic snarls estimated to cost the economy 3.5 billion pesos (US$68 million) a day. Thats created an opening for startups like Ipara and Hype, both of which plan to start services this month. This is the perfect time to enter the market, Paolo Libertad, chief operating officer of Ipara, said in a phone interview. Commuters are realizing how difficult it is to have Grab as their only option. Go Lag Inc. and Micab Systems Corp. are two other approved new entrants planning to start operations before the end of May while Hirna Mobility Solutions Inc. hasnt disclosed a target date. An estimated 19 percent of commuters in Manila use ride-hailing, nearly double the 10 percent average in Southeast Asian capitals, according to a study by Boston Consulting Group. The entry of new players and continuing demand for services may force the regulator in the city to again raise the cap on ride-hailing vehicles, which was just increased by 42 percent in February to 65,000. With the Philippine Competition Commission estimating Grabs market share at 93 percent, the Singapore-based giant is taking action to allay criticisms. While Grab said it welcomes competition, the company is vowing to suspend drivers who cancel trips and has started masking destinations to prevent drivers from being selective. Ipara plans a similar strategy. Hype is promising fares at least 20 percent lower than Grabs by charging only for the distance traveled, not the time it takes to get through the capitals clogged roads. Hirna founder Coco Mauricio is lobbying the transport regulator to cap fares and limit the promotions and incentives that only Grab can afford to offer. Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin News Desk (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Tue, May 8, 2018 11:15 1248 a7124a1e87885b91d244660f9e2a46da 1 Business Sri-Mulyani,Sri-Mulyani-Indrawati,finance-minister,rizal-ramli,rizalramli,LPDP-scholarship,state-budget,foreign-debt Free Finance Minister Sri Mulyani Indrawati said she was not scared of debating narrow-minded people and those who did not believe in Indonesias potential. I see that the minds of these people are narrow, [] always scared, only living their lives full of suspicion, unable to bear with people who are different [from them], unable to associate with people who are different. They are an alarming future. I am not scared of challenges to debate, Sri Mulyani said in a speech late on Monday in front of hundreds of alumnae of the Endowment Fund for Education (LPDP) higher education scholarship, as reported by kompas.com. Previously, former Coordinating Maritime Affairs minister Rizal Ramli had challenged Sri Mulyani to a debate about Indonesias foreign debt and the countrys management of the state budget. Sri Mulyani, however, did not specify the names of the "narrow-minded" people she was referring to. She said the LPDP alumnae were the future of Indonesia, and urged them to make their voices heard. This country is in your hands. So if today there are people complaining Ibu Sri Mulyanis state budget is full of foreign debt, I challenge you to make your voice heard, give your voice of reason. I am not scared of anything, but I am scared of people's way of thinking, especially the younger generation, who sometimes refuse to be open-minded, she said. (dwa) Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Marguerite Afra Sapiie (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Tue, May 8, 2018 12:37 1248 a7124a1e87885b91d244660f9e2abe35 1 World China,Li-Keqiang,Jokowi,Joko-Widodo,orange,Trade-Ministry,Prime-Minister,Chinese-Prime-Minister Free Chinese Prime Minister Li Keqiang has requested that President Joko Jokowi Widodo increase the import quota of mandarin oranges from China, saying that such oranges are good quality. In a joint press statement at the Bogor Palace on Monday, Li said that during a bilateral meeting between the two leaders, he had conveyed Chinas concerns about a limitation on mandarin orange imports imposed by Indonesian authorities. I hope Indonesia can increase the importation of our mandarin oranges, Li said in his statement. We guarantee that the standard quality of the oranges is in accordance to Indonesia's quality standards." (Read also: China committed to peaceful settlement of South China Sea disputes) A ministerial regulation on the importation of horticulture products issued by the Trade Ministry in 2017 has limited the importation of dozens of products, including mandarin oranges, potatoes, garlic, carrots and grapes. The regulation stipulates that only importers with an importer identification number (API) and state-owned companies under the State-Owned Enterprises Ministry are allowed to import the listed products. Based on reports, the ministry did not issue any permits for the importation of mandarin oranges from China between January and March this year, resulting in scarcity of the commodity in various regions outside Java during Chinese New Year in February. During the Chinese prime minister's visit to the Bogor Palace, which included tete-a-tete between the two leaders and a banquet lunch, Jokowi and Li discussed ways to improve trade partnerships between the two countries. Jokowi also requested that Li increase commodity imports from Indonesia, including swifts nests, coffee and cocoa, as well as tropical fruits such as mangosteen and dragon fruit. (ebf) Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin (Agence France-Presse) Tehran, Iran Tue, May 8, 2018 17:10 1248 a7124a1e87885b91d244660f9e2bf515 2 World Iran,election,hezbollah Free A senior Iranian official on Tuesday hailed the "victory" of Hezbollah in Lebanese elections as a success in the "fight against Israel" and the United States, the state broadcaster reported. "The Lebanese people and their representatives, Hezbollah and the other resistance groups, scored this victory in the fight against Israel and its allies, including the United States," said Ali Akbar Velayati, foreign policy advisor to supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. He referred to Hezbollah's military support for Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, saying the election result reflected the group's "decisive help to Syria against the terrorists". "This victory of the Lebanese people and of the resistance... is a sign of approval for the Lebanese government's policy of preserving Lebanon's independence... against Israel," he added. After Sunday's election -- the first since 2009 -- Hezbollah and its allies look set to secure a parliament bloc large enough to thwart attempts for it to disarm, a longstanding demand of its political enemies. The Shiite movement was created with Iranian support in 1982 to fight against Israel and is listed as a terrorist organisation by the United States. It is the key partner in Iran's "resistance front" against Israeli and US interests in the Middle East, along with allies in Iraq, Syria and the Palestinian Territories. "The strength of the resistance front will be considerably reinforced in the world" after this election and that in Iraq on Saturday, Velayati said. Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Ivany Atina Arbi (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Tue, May 8, 2018 15:56 1248 a7124a1e87885b91d244660f9e2ba7c8 1 City business-permit,jakarta,application Free The Jakarta administration launched at City Hall on Monday a new smartphone app named JakEVO to simplify the procedures for obtaining business permits (SIUP) and registration certificates (TDP). Jakarta One-Stop Integrated Service Agency (PTSP) head Edy Junaedi said with the app, both of the permits can be obtained in less than an hour, without requiring applicants to visit the PTSP office or service points to get their SIUP and TDP. The applicants only need to upload required documents, tag their location and approve of the terms and conditions within the app. In around 30 minutes, they will receive the permits in an email, Edy said. JakEVo can be downloaded for free from the Google Play Store and the App Store. The city administration expressed hope that the initiative could help the country achieve a rank of 40 on the Ease of Doing Business index compiled by the World Bank. The country is currently ranked at 72, a jump of 19 places from its previous rank of 91. In the World Bank publication Doing Business 2017: Equal Opportunity for All, Indonesia jumped 15 places to 91 from 106. Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin (Reuters) Murnau, Germany Tue, May 8, 2018 19:08 1248 a7124a1e87885b91d244660f9e2c4473 2 World Jordan,foreign-minister,Iran-US-nuclear-deal,warning,Germany Free Jordanian Foreign Minister Ayman al-Safadi on Tuesday warned of "dangerous repercussions" and a possible arms race in the Middle East unless a political solution was found to free the region of nuclear weapons and other weapons of mass destruction. Al-Safadi spoke in Germany before an expected announcement by United States President Donald Trump on whether he will pull out of the Iran nuclear deal or work with European allies who say it has successfully halted Iran's nuclear ambitions. Al-Safadi said he did not know what the US president would do, but urged continued conversation and dialogue with Iran, despite what he called widespread concerns among Arab countries about Iran's "interventionism" in the region. "We all need to work together in making sure that we solve the conflicts of the region ... and strive for a Middle East that is free of all weapons of mass destruction," he told reporters after a meeting with leaders of Chancellor Angela Merkel's right-left "grand coalition" government. "If we do not look at the political picture and ... find a way to ensure that the whole region is free of (these weapons), we'll be looking at a lot of dangerous repercussions that will affect the region in terms of an arms race," he said. In March, Saudi Arabian Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman told CBS news that his kingdom would "without a doubt" develop nuclear weapons if Iran, Riyadh's arch foe, did so. Israel is widely believed to be the only nuclear-armed state in the Middle East, although it neither confirms nor denies possessing atomic weapons. Trump has consistently threatened to pull out of the 2015 agreement because it does not address Iran's ballistic missile program or its role in wars in Syria and Yemen, and does not permanently prevent Tehran from developing nuclear weapons. A senior US official close to the process said France, Germany and Britain had moved significantly to address Trump's concerns over the ballistic missile program, the terms under which international inspectors visit suspect Iranian sites, and "sunset" clauses under which some terms of the deal expire. But it was not clear whether those efforts had made enough progress to persuade Trump to stay in the pact. Germany and France on Monday vowed to stand by the 2015 nuclear deal between Iran and world powers even if the United States pulls out. Volker Kauder, head of Merkel's conservatives in parliament, said continued dialogue was needed to avoid isolating Iran. "That would only further exacerbate the situation in the Middle East," Kauder told reporters in Murnau, where Merkel and other leaders of the coalition government are gathered for a retreat. Andrea Nahles, head of the Social Democrats, junior partner in the coalition, also warned against a US decision to withdraw from the accord. "The situation is more difficult than ever. Things are falling apart at every corner," she said. Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Jeff Skerrit (Bloomberg) Winnipeg, Canada Tue, May 8, 2018 18:35 1248 a7124a1e87885b91d244660f9e2c288a 2 Business Canada,Maple-Syrup,Pancakes,breakfast Free The OPEC of maple syrup has a plan to cover this years shortfall of the sticky breakfast staple. Output of maple syrup in Quebec, the largest global producer, is poised to fall as much as 27 percent to 110 million pounds (49,900 metric tons), according to the Federation of Quebec Maple Syrup Producers -- a government-sanctioned sales agency that sets bulk prices for about 72 percent of the worlds syrup and limits farmer output through quotas. Production was hurt after below-average daytime temperatures resulted in less sap flowing from the provinces trees. The good news is nobodys waffles will go bare, thanks to the agencys strategic reserve, which warehouses more than 96 million pounds of extra syrup in case of such a crisis. With the strategic reserve of syrup, nobody will miss maple syrup from Quebec, spokeswoman Helene Normandin said in an emailed statement. This year the cold weather caused this situation. The reserve, which was the scene of a notorious 2012 heist, hasnt been tapped to offset production shortfalls since 2015. Quebec has recently moved to increase quotas and boost output of maple syrup as US producers are increasing their share of the world market. Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin News Desk (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Tue, May 8, 2018 15:49 1248 a7124a1e87885b91d244660f9e2b95b0 1 Business telecommunications-ministry,celullar-phone,telecomunication,phone-registration,KTP Free The Communications and Information Ministry has lifted the restriction on cellphone numbers from three per person to unlimited following protests from shop owners. Communications and Information Minister Rudiantara issued a letter, which was distributed to telecommunication service providers, to lift the cap on cellphone numbers per citizenship identity number (NIK), kompas.com reported. The government previously issued a regulation that required all cellphone owners to register their numbers along with their NIK. The ministry then proceeded to issue a regulation restricting the ownership of cellphone numbers to three per person The previous regulation stated that while one NIK may have more than three cellphone numbers, the telecommunication providers should file a report once every three months on NIKs that were registered to multiple numbers. Cellphone shop owners protested the regulation, which they said had killed off their livelihood. Previously, the Indonesia Cellular Trade Association (KNCI) said the regulation had decreased their income to 80 percent. The ministry, in the past few months, has continued to change the regulations on cellphone number registration, which have caused confusion among cellphone owners and stores alike. (dwa) Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Rachmadea Aisyah and Marchio Irfan Gorbiano (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Tue, May 8 2018 Looking ahead: Indonesian Committee chair of the Pacific Economic Cooperation Council (PECC) Mari Elka Pangestu (third left) talks to Finance Minister Sri Mulyani Indrawati at the first CSIS Global Dialogue and 25th PECC General Meeting in Jakarta on Monday. They were accompanied by executive director of the Centre for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) Philips Vermonte (left), Industry Minister Airlangga Hartarto (second left), board member of the CSIS and PECC Standing Committee member Jusuf Wanandi (second right) and chair of PECC Standing Committee Donald Campbell. (Antara/Ama) The government has underlined the importance of maintaining multilateral relations amid potential risks stemming from the global economic uncertainty that has arisen due to trade disputes between the worlds economic behemoths the United States and China. Speaking at the first Cen... Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin (Agence France-Presse) Beijing, China Tue, May 8, 2018 17:06 1248 a7124a1e87885b91d244660f9e2be800 2 World China,North-Korea,Japan,visit,kim-jong-un,summit,Geng-Shuang,Donald-Trump Free An airplane normally used by North Korean VIPs flew out of China on Tuesday, Japanese media reported, sparking speculation that Kim Jong-un may have made a secret visit to the country. NHK television showed images of two planes taking off from the northeastern port city of Dalian -- one belonging to North Korea's Air Koryo, and another used by high-profile officials from Pyongyang. The Chinese foreign ministry would not confirm or deny that a North Korean official had visited the country. "I have no information to offer at this moment," foreign ministry spokesman Geng Shuang told a regular press briefing. "China and the DPRK are close neighbors and we maintain normal communication and exchanges with each other," Geng said, using North Korea's official acronym. If confirmed, the visit would be the latest diplomatic venture for Kim, who met South Korean President Moon Jae-in last month and could hold a historic summit with United States President Donald Trump in June. Kim travelled to Beijing by train in March for his maiden official trip abroad and met President Xi Jinping for the first time since taking power in 2011. His trip was kept secret until he returned to North Korea. One of the planes seen in Dalian resembled the one used by Kim's sister and close aide, Kim Yo-jong, to travel to South Korea for the Winter Olympics in February. NHK television showed images of a motorcade of cars with black-tinted windows travelling through Dalian, where roads and air traffic had been temporarily restricted a day before. China has sought to improve relations with its Cold War-era ally after ties chilled over Beijing's support of United Nations sanctions over Pyongyang's nuclear activities. Beijing is keen to avoid being left out in the cold as North Korea holds talks with South Korea and the United States. China's top diplomat, Wang Yi, met with Kim in Pyongyang last week -- the first trip there by a Chinese foreign minister since 2007. Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Nurul Fitri Ramadhani (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Tue, May 8, 2018 16:47 1248 a7124a1e87885b91d244660f9e2bd777 1 Politics politics,PAN,Zulkifli-Hasan,presidential-election,2019-elections,political-party,Prabowo-Subianto,Gatot-Nurmantyo,Jokowi,joko-widodo Free National Mandate Party (PAN) leader Zulkifli Hasan met with former Indonesian Military (TNI) chief Gatot Nurmantyo on Tuesday, in another signal of the partys attempt to break away from the ruling coalition ahead of the 2019 general election. While other political parties in the ruling coalition the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P), the Golkar Party, the NasDem Party, the Hanura Party and the United Development Party (PPP) have declared their support for Jokowi, PAN has been busy courting the incumbents potential challengers. Zulkifli, who is also the Peoples Consultative Assembly speaker, initiated Tuesdays meeting with Gatot, which was held at his office at the House of Representatives. He said he discussed the political situation in the country ahead of the elections. Gatot was an important figure whose opinions were worth consideration, he stressed. He is fit to be a presidential candidate, he said. Gatot has officially declared his presidential bid, though no political party has made a commitment to nominate him. Last week, Zulkifli met with former coordinating maritime affairs minister Rizal Ramli, who was fired by Jokowi in a 2016 reshuffle. Rizal has since become the voice of opposition to the government and is now touted as a potential presidential candidate. In April, Zulkifli also attended a Gerindra Party event during which the party officially nominated its leader, Prabowo Subianto, as its presidential candidate. Even though PAN is a member of the ruling coalition and has one of its members in Jokowis cabinet, the party has often broken ranks with the pro-government coalition and sided with the opposition. Its chief patron, Amien Rais, is one the most outspoken critics of Jokowi and has been pushing the party to unseat Jokowi in 2019. Coalition leader PDI-P appears uncomfortable with PANs political maneuvering. PAN, for instance, was the only member of the ruling coalition not invited by Cabinet Secretary and senior PDI-P politician Pramono Anung to his office on Monday. Maybe we just forgot [to invite PAN], Pramono said when asked about the absence of PAN executives from Mondays meeting. PAN, along with the Democratic Party and National Awakening Party (PKB), has yet to officially announce its presidential candidate. The party, which does not have enough votes to field its own candidate in the presidential election, may join the Jokowi camp, the Prabowo camp or set up a third alliance with the PD and the PKB. (ahw) Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin News Desk (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Tue, May 8, 2018 13:54 1248 a7124a1e87885b91d244660f9e2b1398 1 Politics PAN,Hizbut-Tahrir-Indonesia,HTI,disbandment,Law-and-Human-Rights-Ministry,PTUN,Perppu,mass-organizations,mass-organization-law Free National Mandate Party (PAN) executive Yandri Susanto said his party was supporting Muslim group Hizbut Tahrir Indonesias (HTI) plan to file an appeal against the Jakarta Administrative Courts (PTUN) ruling to reject the groups lawsuit against its disbandment by the Law and Human Rights Ministry. He said the appeal process was HTIs effort to seek justice over an arbitrary movement caused by the implementation of Law No.16/2017 on mass organizations. Any entity, not only HTI, that has been disbanded by the government without a proper legal procedure and that feels that the move has resulted in their losses can file a lawsuit against the disbandment via the court. I think such an arbitrary movement to disband an organization is not right and is unfair, said Yandri as quoted by kompas.com in Jakarta on Monday. Yandri said PAN last year rejected the ratification of the government regulation in lieu of law (Perppu) on mass organization (Ormas). He said there was a potential for the law to be misused as a tool to arbitrarily disband mass organizations that were not in line with the government. We have rejected Perppu Ormas since the very beginning. This is because disbanding a mass organization must be conducted in a proper way, not like what has happened today. The state must first take legal measures against a mass organization before disbanding it, said Yandri. As previously reported, PTUN Jakarta rejected HTIs lawsuit against the Law and Human Rights Ministrys decision to disband the group. The courts panel of judges said the ministrys decision was in line with existing procedures. (ebf) Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin (Agence France-Presse) Stockholm Tue, May 8, 2018 22:49 1248 a7124a1e87885b91d244660f9e2cb458 2 World Sweden,mosque,Muslim,religion,Islam,communities,Europe Free Swedish police on Tuesday granted a mosque permission to hold a weekly call for prayer, triggering divisions among politicians and the public five months ahead of elections in a country which has taken in waves of asylum seekers in recent years. The police permit, which is valid for a year, has caused concern among some politicians that it will exacerbate cultural tensions, while others maintained a neutral stance of the September 9 general election. "Call to prayer will not strengthen integration in (the southern city of Vaxjo), but it will rather risk pulling the city further apart," city council Anna Tenje of the conservative Moderates told TT news agency. But Sweden's Social Democrats Prime Minister Stefan Lofven said that ending segregation goes hand in hand with tackling unemployment and making sure schools and neighbourhoods have high standards. "The entire society in Sweden is built on having different religions," he told TT. According to a poll conducted by the social research company SIFO and published by the private broadcaster TV4 in March, 60 percent of respondents said they wanted to ban the Islamic call to prayer from mosques in Sweden. - 'Differences make us stronger'- The police said in their statement that the mosque in Vaxjo will be allowed to hold the Islamic call to prayer, the Adhan, every Friday for three minutes and 45 seconds. Leader of the Christian Democrats Ebba Busch Thor, who contested the decision, said "people shouldn't have to hear it in their homes." The police said the volume of the mosque's speakers was not allowed to exceed a certain level so as not to risk disturbing households nearby. They added the decision was based on the nation's public order laws and not on religion. Vaxjo's mosque is the country's third to be allowed to hold a call to prayer, following one in a Stockholm suburb and another in the nation's southeast. Avdi Islami, a spokesman for the Muslim community in Vaxjo, said thousands of Muslims visit the mosque every year and likened the prayer calls to ringing church bells. "We have a society in which we are different...it's therefore better to think of the differences as making us stronger," he told TT. It's difficult to know exactly how many Muslims there are in Sweden, but the Swedish Agency For Support To Faith Communities estimate the number to be at 400,000. As the far-right Sweden Democrats are on the rise, with around 20 percent in support according to the latest polls, the main issues during the election campaign are expected to be health care, education and immigration. Sweden has registered around 400,000 asylum requests since 2012, or one for every 25 inhabitants, a record in Europe. Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin News Desk (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Tue, May 8, 2018 18:45 1248 a7124a1e87885b91d244660f9e2c3080 1 City taxi,driver,death,West-Jakarta Free A taxi driver reportedly died while driving on the Sedyatmo toll road in West Jakarta on Tuesday, the fourth such case reported in the media in two months. Kalideres Police chief Comr. Effendi said on Tuesday said that the driver with the Gading Taxi company, identified as 55-year-old Tamrin, was a resident of Kampung Ranca Gede in Tangerang, Banten According to eyewitness accounts, the victim was driving the taxi from Soekarno Hatta International Airport in Tangerang heading to Jakarta, Effendi said in a written statement. While driving his passengers, Tamrin slowed the car into the left lane of the toll road until the car was brought to a stop. The witnesses tried to alert the driver, but he was already unconscious, Effendi said. The victim was declared dead and his body was taken to Cipto Mangunkusumo Hospital for an autopsy. The police found no signs of violence on the victims body and suspect the victim died of natural causes. Several reports have emerged recently of drivers being found dead on Jakarta roads. On April 27, an employee of a travel agency was found dead in a parked car, with the engine running, at Soekarno-Hatta airports Terminal 1C. Another man, identified as Suyono, was found dead in the drivers seat of a car on the Tanjung Barat overpass in South Jakarta on April 24. The man had allegedly died of exhaustion while driving. Earlier on April 8, a Blue Bird taxi driver, identified as Aliudin, was found dead, apparently while parking his car, at Kalideres Mall in West Jakarta. (ami) Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Richard Cowan and Jeff Mason (Reuters) Washington, United States Tue, May 8, 2018 07:28 1248 a7124a1e87885b91d244660f9e294fc0 2 Business Donald-Trump,US,economy,spending,fiscal-policy,finance,health,insurance Free U.S. President Donald Trump will request a package of $15 billion in spending cuts from Congress on Tuesday, including some $7 billion from the Children's Health Insurance Program championed by Democrats, senior administration officials said on Monday. The proposal comes as the White House and conservative Republicans in the U.S. Congress were edging away from a threat to pick a new budget fight with Democrats after Republicans initially floated some $60 billion in cuts a few weeks ago. Senior administration officials said the initial package of proposed cuts was targeted at federal funds that were sitting unspent. It would not affect a two-year budget deal agreed in February. More "rescission" packages, including a "large" one that would address cuts Trump wants from that deal, would be forthcoming, one senior administration official said. The proposed cut to the CHIP program drew a rebuke from U.S. Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer. "It appears that sabotaging our health care system to the detriment of middle-class families wasnt enough for President Trump and Republicans; now theyre going after health care dollars that millions of children rely on, especially during outbreaks of the flu and other deadly illnesses," he said in a statement after an initial report about the CHIP proposal. The senior administration official, speaking to reporters on a conference call, said the cuts would not hurt the program. Of the total amount, $5 billion came from an account from which the money is not authorized to be spent under the law, he said. The administration is also proposing $4.3 billion in cuts from an advanced technology vehicle loan program, which the official said had not made a loan since 2011. The pullback from a larger figure comes after Republican Party elders, including Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, warned against cuts that would unravel the two-year budget deal enacted with the help of Democrats in February. The senior official said the package was never intended to be $60 billion. Even the reduced cuts could antagonize Democrats, whose votes will be needed in months ahead to help pass bills to keep the government running in the fiscal year starting on Oct. 1. The conservative group Americans for Prosperity, backed by the billionaire industrialist Koch Brothers, floated spending cut proposals on Monday totaling about $45 billion. Most reductions were aimed at non-defense spending, including nearly $1.5 billion in child nutrition programs, $700 million in student grants and $2.2 billion in international disaster aid. Such spending programs are typically defended by Democrats. Washington was consumed for much of 2017 by fiscal infighting that pitted conservative Republicans against moderates in their own party and Democrats, with the federal deficit and national debt soaring in the background. Congressional elections also loom in November, as Republicans battle to maintain control of both the House of Representatives and Senate. Democrats in the House and Senate were withholding judgment on Trump's scaled-back cuts, pending more details. Some lawmakers worried that some of the targeted unspent money was still needed, such as funds earmarked for fortifying U.S. coastlines against hurricanes. That money was enacted after Hurricane Sandy in 2012. In an op-ed published by the Washington Examiner newspaper, House Republican leader Kevin McCarthy wrote of "giving the bloated federal budget a much-needed spring cleaning." McCarthy is hoping to replace House Speaker Paul Ryan next year. To do that, McCarthy would need the support of conservative House Republicans, who spoke last month of taking an "aggressive" approach to budget rescissions. That has rankled Democrats. They noted that they opposed tax cuts Republicans enacted in December that have ballooned federal budget deficits in recent months and were projected to add at least $1.9 trillion to the $21 trillion national debt. Massive increases in defense and non-defense spending agreed to in March by both parties will add $1.3 trillion more to the debt. Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Bryce Baschuk (Bloomberg) Geneva Tue, May 8, 2018 17:23 1248 a7124a1e87885b91d244660f9e2bfc3f 2 Business China,trade-war,USA,united-states,WTO Free The US and China are set to clash in Geneva on Tuesday as envoys from the worlds two largest economies address the World Trade Organization amid threats of a trade war. Chinese Ambassador Zhang Xiangchen will criticize Washingtons proposed tariffs on US$150 billion of Chinese goods as well as levies on steel and aluminum that went into effect in March, according to an agenda of the meeting. Zhangs US counterpart, Dennis Shea, is expected to defend the measures and find fault with Beijings retaliation. The debate comes just after a US team led by Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin ended trade negotiations in China with little progress other than agreeing to keep talking. The White House said on Monday that Chinese President Xi Jinpings top economic adviser, Vice Premier Liu He, will travel to Washington next week for follow-up trade talks. Meanwhile, data released on Tuesday in Beijing showed the trade surplus with the US isnt showing any signs of disappearing, despite US President Donald Trumps threats of tariffs. The surplus increased to $22.2 billion in April, the first time that the gap has widened since November, according to Customs Administration data compiled by Bloomberg. The European Central Bank and International Monetary Fund have both warned that rising protectionism could undermine the strongest economic growth the world has seen in years. Economists expect a 3.7 percent expansion this year and next after 3.8 percent last year. Unilateralist and protectionist measures taken by one major WTO member is putting unprecedented threats to the rules-based multilateral trading system, Zhang said at a meeting on Monday in a prelude to the more formal general council gathering the following day. Responding collectively to ensure the functional and effective operation of the organization becomes a pressing and most urgent matter for the moment. Trump has upended the global trading system by threatening to put levies on as much as $150 billion in Chinese imports in retaliation for alleged violations of intellectual property. Washington also introduced import tariffs of 25 percent on steel and 10 percent on aluminum in the name of preserving national security. China and the European Union, which received a waiver from the metals levies until the end of the month, have said they would retaliate. Deputy US Trade Representative Shea also took aim at the WTO, which is headquartered in Geneva, on Monday, saying that the regulatory body will be in grave jeopardy if members can take advantage of the dispute settlement system to promote unfair, trade-distorting behavior. This organization has been living off the fruits of a previous generations negotiations for too long, and members have over the years turned to litigation to impose new rules where none had been agreed, Shea said. The intensifying conflict has sparked worries that worldwide growth could suffer. The ECB warned this week -- joining a growing chorus that includes the IMF and the European Commission -- that a rise in protectionist policies may damage the global economy. Zhang is also expected to criticize the Trump administrations refusal to appoint new members to the WTO appellate body, which has created an existential threat to the organization. If the US continues its hold, the WTOs ruling body will be paralyzed in late 2019 because it wont have the required number of panelists to sign off on decisions. The Trump administration has censured the appellate body, saying it applies an activist approach and makes unnecessary findings, among other criticisms. Shea also found fault with the panel for reshaping the system and expanding its authority without consent from the WTOs 164 members. Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin (Agence France-Presse) Washington, United States Wed, May 9, 2018 04:25 1247 a7124a1e87885b91d244660f9e2cf5ab 2 World Iran,EU,Europe,US,nuclear-pact,Donald-Trump,reaction Free US President Donald Trump's decision to withdraw from the Iran nuclear deal prompted furious reaction in Tehran, regret in Europe and cheers from Israel and Saudi Arabia. The following is a selection of reactions from around the globe to Trump's biggest foreign policy move since taking office: - 'Psychological warfare' - "This decision was an act of psychological warfare against Iran." -- Iranian President Hassan Rouhani - Uranium enrichment to resume? - "I have instructed the Iranian Atomic Energy Organization to take the necessary measures for future actions so that, if necessary, we can resume industrial enrichment without limit." -- Rouhani - Stay the course - "Stay true to your commitments as we will stay true to ours and together with the rest of the international community, we will preserve this nuclear deal." -- European Union diplomatic chief Federica Mogherini - 'Regret' - "France, Germany and the UK regret the US decision to leave the JCPOA. The nuclear non-proliferation regime is at stake. We will work collectively on a broader framework, covering nuclear activity, the post-2025 period, ballistic activity and stability in the Middle East, notably Syria, Yemen and Iraq." -- French President Emmanuel Macron, on Twitter, referring to the Iran deal by its formal name, the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action - Compliance - "I call on other JCPOA participants to abide fully by their respective commitments under the JCPOA and on all other member-states to support this agreement." -- United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres - 'Bold decision' - "Israel fully supports President Trump's bold decision today to reject the disastrous nuclear deal with the terrorist regime in Tehran." -- Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu - Support from Saudi - "The kingdom supports and welcomes the steps announced by the US president toward withdrawing from the nuclear deal... and reinstating economic sanctions against Iran." --Saudi Arabia's foreign ministry - 'Misguided' - "The reality is clear. The JCPOA is working... That is why today's announcement is so misguided... I believe that the decision to put the JCPOA at risk without any Iranian violation of the deal is a serious mistake." -- former US president Barack Obama, whose administration brokered the 2015 deal Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin (Agence France-Presse) Kinshasa, DR Congo Wed, May 9, 2018 03:41 1247 a7124a1e87885b91d244660f9e2cefbd 2 World ebola,virus,outbreak,Congo,health,disease Free Seventeen people in northwest Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) have died from Ebola, the health ministry said on Tuesday, describing the fresh outbreak as a "public health emergency with international impact." "Twenty-one cases of fever with haemorrhagic indications and 17 deaths" have been recorded in Equateur province, it said, citing a notification to the ministry as of May 3. It is the DRC's ninth known outbreak of Ebola since 1976, when the deady viral disease was first identified in then-Zaire by a Belgian-led team. In Geneva, the World Health Organization (WHO) said lab tests in the DRC confirmed the presence of Ebola virus in two out of five samples collected from patients. "WHO is working closely with the government of the DRC to rapidly scale up its operations and mobilize health partners, using the model of a successful response to a similar... outbreak in 2017," it said in a statement. It said it had released $1 million (840,000 euros) from an emergency contingency fund, set up a coordination group and deployed more than 50 experts to work with the DRC government and health agencies. "The action plan prepared by the health ministry has been approved," an official statement released after a cabinet meeting said. - No new deaths - "Since the notification of the cases on May 3, no deaths have been reported," it said, without specifying when the first case came to light. The outbreak occurred in Bikoro, on the shores of Lake Tumba. All the cases were reported from a clinic at Ilkoko Iponge, located about 30 kilometres (20 miles) from Bikoro, where treatment capacities are limited, the WHO said. A team of experts from the WHO, Doctors without Borders (DRC) and Equateur province travelled to Bikoro on Tuesday to beef up coordination and carry out investigations, it said. Ebola is one of the world's most notorious diseases, being both highly infectious and extremely lethal. It is caused by a virus that has a natural reservoir in the bat, which does not itself fall ill, but can pass the microbe on to humans who hunt it for "bushmeat". The virus is handed on by contact with bodily fluids -- touching a sick or dead person is a well-known source of infection. Following an incubation period of between two and 21 days, Ebola develops into a high fever, weakness, intense muscle and joint pain, headaches and a sore throat. That is often followed by vomiting and diarrhoea, skin eruptions, kidney and liver failure, and internal and external bleeding. The worst-ever Ebola outbreak started in December 2013 in southern Guinea before spreading to two neighbouring west African countries, Liberia and Sierra Leone. That outbreak killed more than 11,300 people out of nearly 29,000 registered cases, according to WHO estimates, although the real figure is thought to be significantly higher. More than 99 percent of victims were in the three West African countries, although cases occurred in other parts of the world, often stirring panic. There is no current vaccine to prevent Ebola or licensed treatment for it, although a range of experimental drugs are in development. Early care with rehydration may boost the chance of survival. Given the lack of a pharmaceutical weapon against Ebola, health experts have responded with time-honoured measures of control, prevention and containment. They use rigorous protocols to protect medical personnel with disposable full-body suits, masks, goggles and gloves and disinfecting sprays. Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Steve Holland (Reuters) Washington, United States Wed, May 9, 2018 03:22 1247 a7124a1e87885b91d244660f9e2ce159 2 World Donald-Trump,nuclear-pact,US,Iran,nuclear-arsenal,conflict,Middle-East Free President Donald Trump on Tuesday pulled the United States out of an international nuclear deal with Iran in a step that will raise the risk of conflict in the Middle East, upset America's European allies and bring uncertainty to global oil supplies. Trump, speaking in a televised address from the White House, said he would reimpose economic sanctions on Iran. "This was a horrible one-sided deal that should have never, ever been made," Trump said. "It didn't bring calm. It didn't bring peace. And it never will." The 2015 deal, worked out by the United States, five other international powers and Iran, eased sanctions on Iran in exchange for the country limiting its nuclear program. The pact is seen by many in the West as a way to prevent Iran from obtaining a nuclear bomb. But Trump complains that the agreement, the signature foreign policy achievement of his predecessor Barack Obama, does not address Iran's ballistic missile program, its nuclear activities beyond 2025 nor its role in conflicts in Yemen and Syria. He also said the agreement did not prevent Iran from cheating and continuing to pursue nuclear weapons. "It is clear to me that we cannot prevent an Iranian nuclear bomb under the decaying and rotten structure of the current agreement," he said. "The Iran deal is defective at its core." Trump said he was willing to negotiate a new deal with Iran, but Tehran already has ruled that out and threatened unspecified retaliation if Washington pulled out. Iranian President Hassan Rouhani said on Tuesday that Iran will remain in the nuclear deal without Washington. Iranian state television said Trump's decision to withdraw was "illegal, illegitimate and undermines international agreements." Abandoning the Iran pact is part of Trump's high-stakes "America First" policy, which has seen the United States announce its withdrawal last year from the Paris climate accord and come close to a trade war with China. Trump has attempted to erase major parts of Democrat Obama's legacy and last year withdrew from the 12-nation Trans-Pacific Partnership trade deal. Renewing sanctions would make it much harder for Iran to sell its oil abroad or use the international banking system. Oil prices recouped some losses after Trump's announcement, in a volatile session in which prices slumped as much as 4 percent earlier in the day. Brent crude futures LCOc1 settled 1.7 percent lower at $74.85 a barrel while U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude futures CLc1 ended the session 2.4 percent lower at $69.06 per barrel. Wall Street remained in negative territory while energy stocks cut earlier losses after Trump spoke. Trump's decision is a snub to European allies such as France, Britain and Germany who also are part of the Iran deal and tried hard to convince the US president to preserve it. The Europeans must now scramble to decide their own course of action with Tehran. China and Russia also are signatories to the Iran deal. RENEWED SANCTIONS Trump did not provide details of what he described as the highest level of economic sanctions that he is reimposing on Iran. According to the US Treasury, sanctions related to Iran's energy, auto and financial sectors will be reimposed in three and six months. Iran's growing military and political power in Yemen, Syria, Lebanon and Iraq worries the United States, Israel and US Arab allies such as Saudi Arabia. Israel has traded blows with Iranian forces in Syria since February, stirring concern that major escalation could be looming. Minutes before Trump's announcement, Israel said it had instructed local authorities in the Israeli-held Golan Heights to "unlock and ready (bomb) shelters" after identifying what the military described as "irregular activity of Iranian forces in Syria." The military statement said its defense systems had been deployed "and IDF (Israel Defence Force) troops are on high alert for an attack." Senator Bob Menendez, the top Democrat on the Foreign Relations Committee, said abandoning the Iran deal was a threat to US national security. "With this decision President Trump is risking US national security, recklessly upending foundational partnerships with key US allies in Europe and gambling with Israels security," Menendez said. Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin M Jeghatesan (Agence France-Presse) Kuala Pilah Tue, May 8, 2018 10:12 1248 a7124a1e87885b91d244660f9e2a13a6 2 SE Asia Malaysia,election,politics,political-actors,Muslim-voters,OppositionLeader Free Malaysia's opposition hopes a surge of support from disillusioned members of the country's Muslim majority can carry them to an unlikely victory in Wednesday's elections. The optimism has been triggered by the decision of 92-year-old former leader Mahathir Mohamad, a champion of the country's Muslim Malays, to run as the opposition's prime ministerial candidate. They believe his connection to rural Muslim voters can trigger what they have dubbed a "Malay tsunami" and unseat Prime Minister Najib Razak's coalition after six decades in power. Amid escalating anger over a massive financial scandal, Mahathir came out of retirement to take on his former protege Najib, upending an election race that had long looked like an easy win for the government. Malays, who make up some 60 percent of the country's 32 million people, have long formed the bedrock of support for Najib's Barisan Nasional (BN) coalition, and winning over the group is key to victory in a Malaysian election. BN has pushed policies that favour Malays over the country's substantial ethnic Chinese and Indian minorities, supporting them with financial handouts and priority in securing government jobs. The opposition, which has sought to project a more multi-racial image, has been unable to mobilise support among rural Malays, adding to difficulties of trying to unseat a deeply entrenched government. But the decision of Mahathir, who ruled Malaysia with an iron fist for 22 years, to join the opposition is threatening Najib's Muslim support base as anger grows over soaring living costs and corruption. In the small town of Kuala Pilah, Malay businessman Abdul Moktar Awalluddin said he had dropped his life-long support for Najib's United Malays National Organisation (UMNO), the main party in the ruling coalition. "Enough is enough," the 70-year-old told AFP, angrily waving his fading UMNO membership card. "Rural Malays are suffering economically and many -- including myself -- will vote for the opposition led by Mahathir Mohamad." - 'Failed the Malays'- Despite the anger, Najib is still expected to win due to what the opposition claims is poll-rigging, and a system that requires only a simple majority of MPs in parliament to maintain power. Malay complaints over rising costs and stagnant wages have been growing louder in recent years, especially in the countryside, and after the introduction of an unpopular sales tax in 2015. The scandal surrounding sovereign wealth fund 1MDB has not helped, although in rural areas the complex controversy has generally taken a back seat to economic worries. Mahathir has sought to capitalise on his enduring popularity among Malays to win them over to his four-party opposition alliance. Many still remember him fondly as a champion of the Muslim majority and father of modern Malaysia and the architect of policies that transformed a sleepy Southeast Asian backwater into a relatively affluent country. Some do feel uneasy about his comeback -- he was accused of being authoritarian during his time in power, and was criticised for jailing opponents and undermining the country's institutions. He has nevertheless successfully tapped into rising anger among Malays in rural areas and many have swung behind his new Bersatu party, switching from UMNO. "UMNO under Najib has not only failed the Malays but also other communities," said Eddin Syazlee Shith, a former ruling party member who left to join Bersatu, and is now a parliamentary candidate for Kuala Pilah. But Najib has been fighting back, touring rural Malay heartlands and warning that victory for the opposition would undermine the privileges enjoyed by the country's Muslims. "We cannot be confident that (the opposition) will look after our interests, especially the people in the rural areas, the interests of Islam and the interests of the Malays," he told a rally in Pahang state at the weekend, state news agency Bernama reported. But most analysts believe the swing in Malay support will not be strong enough to produce an opposition win. A survey last month by leading independent pollster the Merdeka Center showed that BN had lost eight percent Malay support, but that this support was split between the main opposition grouping and a smaller Islamic party. James Chin, a Malaysia expert from the University of Tasmania, said many Malays would find it hard to switch their allegiance. "The rural Malays have been brainwashed since independence, so they will find it hard to abandon UMNO," he said. Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin (Agence France-Presse) Kuala Lumpur Tue, May 8, 2018 19:39 1248 a7124a1e87885b91d244660f9e2c4f8a 2 SE Asia Malaysia,opposition,Mahathir-Mohamad,Najib-Razak,election,Anwar-Ibrahim Free Jailed opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim has made an impassioned plea to Malaysians to vote out scandal-plagued Prime Minister Najib Razak at the elections on Wednesday. Anwar, 70, has allied himself with his former tormentor, ex-premier Mahathir Mohamad, who came out of retirement to spearhead an opposition challenge to the ruling Barisan Nasional coalition. The unlikely Anwar-Mahathir partnership is one of the most remarkable aspects of a gruelling campaign for an election many expect to be one of the country's closest ever. Their high-profile falling out in the late 1990s shook Malaysian politics. "I urge you all to join the people's movement to demand change," Anwar said in a statement posted on the Facebook page of his People's Justice Party late Monday. "I call upon the people to support him (Mahathir) in repairing the damage to our country," added Anwar. "In 24 hours, the future of the country and fate of the people will be determined by you all." On Tuesday leading independent pollster Merdeka Center released an opinion survey indicating that the ruling coalition would maintain power but lose the popular vote, for the second consecutive general election. Under the Malaysian system, a party needs to get a majority of MPs in parliament to maintain power but not the most votes. The survey conducted in Peninsular Malaysia between April 28 and May 8 showed BN winning 37.3 percent of the popular vote, with Mahathir's opposition coalition winning 43.4 percent. For the ruling coalition, that would be about 10 points lower than it achieved at the last election in 2013. The survey did not include voters in Malaysia's two states on Borneo island. Head of the pollster Ibrahim Suffian predicted with these votes included, BN's share of the overall popular vote would rise another three to four points. Anwar once served as Mahathir's deputy before he was sacked in 1998 in a bitter political feud, and later jailed on sodomy and corruption charges. The verdict was overturned in 2004 and Anwar was freed, but he was jailed for sodomy again in 2015, a conviction that his supporters said was politically motivated. He is due to be released in June. In the years since, Anwar has become a key figure in the opposition, which won the popular vote at the last election in 2013 but could not form the government as the BN won more seats in parliament. Mahathir and Anwar united to take on the ruling coalition after Najib was caught in a multi-billion-dollar corruption scandal linked to Malaysian state fund 1MDB. Najib and the fund deny any wrongdoing. Mahathir is challenging Najib for the premiership but has said he will eventually make way for Anwar to take over should the opposition win. Najib, 64, is still expected to triumph because of what critics claim is widespread manipulation of the electoral system, and a first-past-the-post system that requires a simple majority of MPs for victory. Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin (Agence France-Presse) Phnom Penh, Cambodia Tue, May 8, 2018 19:47 1248 a7124a1e87885b91d244660f9e2c58cb 2 SE Asia Cambodia,press-freedom,Phnom-Penh-Post,Hun-Sen Free Seven more journalists resigned from Cambodia's embattled Phnom Penh Post on Tuesday as foreign staff revolt against new ownership accused of crushing the newspaper's independence. Concern over the fate of the English-language daily has been mounting since it was sold on Saturday to a Malaysian investor whose PR firm once worked for Cambodia's authoritarian Prime Minister Hun Sen. Hun Sen's government has taken a hammer to the fragile democracy's once-vibrant media scene over the past year, leaving the Post as one of few remaining watchdogs in the graft-riddled country. The paper's main rival, the Cambodia Daily, and dozens of radio stations were shuttered last year as part of a wider crackdown on critics ahead of 2018 polls that Hun Sen is determined to win. Now many fear the Post's independence will be compromised under a new owner, Sivakumar Ganapathy, who is the CEO of a public relations firm that lists Hun Sen as a former client. On Monday the paper's Cambodian editor-in-chief and at least four other staff were fired or quit after they were ordered to take down an article detailing the new proprietor's business history with Cambodia's government. Seven more foreign staff handed in their resignations on Tuesday, gutting the news desk of a small but feisty paper founded in 1992. "We got to a point with our new editor-in-chief, to me at least, where it seemed like there was an irreconcilable difference when it came to editorial independence," said Erin Handley, one of the reporters to resign on Tuesday. The Post could not immediately be reached for comment. On Sunday Ganapathy released an irate statement listing his objections with the article his representative had demanded reporters remove. He said it was "untrue" to describe his company, Asia PR, as linked to the Cambodian government. This "cannot be concluded based on what happened between the firm and the client more than 25 years ago," the statement said. Asia PR's website lists "Cambodia and Hun Sen's entry into the government seat" as one of its former projects. The firm has declined repeated requests for comment, while a Cambodian government spokesman said he was unaware of the sale. Cambodia plunged 10 places in this year's media freedom ranking by Reporters Without Borders, which described the country as hosting a "climate of terror that has drastically curtailed press freedom". The rapid deterioration of the media scene has compounded concerns over the country's lurch into authoritarianism. The main opposition party -- Hun Sen's only real rival -- was dissolved in a court ruling last year, in a move that rights groups condemned as a death knell for the country's democracy. Back in 2016, owners of the Ludlow Street bar, No Fun, sued the Lower East Side Dwellers community organization for defamation. The other day, the Dwellers put out a press release announcing that the lawsuit had been dismissed in state supreme court. Operators of the bar, located at 161 Ludlow St., took issue with the Dwellers contention in emails and during a public meeting that the night spot lacked a certificate of occupancy. They claimed that this assertion damaged the bars reputation. In the lawsuit, the owners went further, arguing that The Lower East Side Dwellers are on a mission to destroy every establishment with a liquor license on the Lower East Side that does not bend to its will by any means necessary. In her ruling, State Supreme Court Judge Lynn Kolter said the case against the local group fell short of the legal standards for libel and slander. The judge pointed out that No Fun lacked a certificate of occupancy for a significant period of time, even if it had obtained the proper permits by the time LES Dwellers leader Diem Boyd made her assertions. Kolter said the plaintiff failed to prove its reputation was damaged (No Fun eventually got its liquor license renewal). She also indicated in her ruling that the libel claim was not made within the statute of limitations. The Dwellers made their argument under New Yorks anti-SLAPP statute (SLAPP stands for strategic lawsuits against public participation). The statute is meant to protect free speech. In a statement, Boyd said: Dismissing this defamation suit is a victory for free speech Our primary concern is for the safety and livability of our communities we will not be deterred from our mission or intimidated or harassed into silence We are grateful for Judge Kotlers vigorous defense of our First Amendment Right, claiming this a victory for every citizen in New York City. Highly profitable bars and nightclubs with deep pockets will think twice about filing lawsuits that target individuals or groups with meager resources with the sole intent of burdening and burying them in costly legal fees in order to squelch their right to speech and protest. Adam Mehrfar, an attorney for No Fun, told The Lo-Down today: For No Fun, the legal action was about standing up to bullies who spout falsehoods with impunity. We believe the decision by the Court is deeply flawed. We intend to appeal. Meanwhile, the Dwellers are moving forward with a counterclaim against No Fun under the SLAPP statute. No Fun vs. Lower East Side Dwellers (Ruling) by The Lo-Down on Scribd In Melissa McCarthys new film Life of the Party, she goes back to college after her husband asks for a divorce out of the blue. The twist? Her daughter studies there too, and her sorority seems like the perfect place to start making friends. Now, mothers can be a little embarrassing sometimes, but we wouldnt change them for the world. We wouldnt mind if we had mothers like these crashing our uni experiences! These celeb mother/daughter duos are hashtag goals! 1. Jada Pinkett-Smith / Willow Smith Credit: WENN Will and Jaden round off this awesome foursome killer skilled artists. From acting to making music to saving the world, all whilst serving the freshest looks, this is a family no one would be embarrassed to be part of. 2. Goldie Hawn / Kate Hudson Academy Award winner and all round superstar Goldie is mother to Academy Award nominated all round superstar Kate, and were not sure who were more jealous of! Kate describes her mum as "the woman that I've learned the most from, and who I look up to, who has conducted her life in a way that I can look up to." 3. Kris Jenner / The Kardashians Kanye publicity stunts and baby drama aside, its easy to forget that the Kardashian-Jenner clan are first and foremost a family. Kris has been a grandma for years now, but thats not stopping her from keeping up with the best of them. 4. Lisa Bonet / Zoe Kravitz The Cosby Show star Lisa Bonet is one of the coolest mums around, so it makes total sense that Zoe Kravitz is such a legend. She walked away from being famous because she didn't really care about it, Zoe said about her mum. She is the most true artist I have met. She doesn't change for anybody... I admire her so much - and the fact that she's my mom is just so cool! 5. Hillary Clinton / Chelsea Clinton Credit: ABC The release of Chelseas book She Persisted in 2017, and her mothers persistence in pursuing the political top spot cement both these nasty women as feminist heroes. "I hope that we have more women throwing their hat in the ring, and I look forward to supporting those women in the future, said Chelsea after Hillarys loss. 6. Melanie Griffith / Dakota Johnson Working Girl Melanie Griffith and her daughter Dakota Johnson always kill it on the red carpet but I guess she doesnt always agree with Dakotas career choices! Honestly, whod blame her! Would you really want your mum to see you in 50 Shades!? 7. Peggy Lipton / Rashida Jones Youll recognise Peggy as Norma Jennings from Twin Peaks, and Rashida from Parks and Rec, and they make a killer duo! My mother and I are more than best friends; we are partners in crime, said Rashida. 8. Judy Garland / Liza Minnelli Icon of American screen, stage, and song, Judy Garlands daughter Liza is certainly a chip off the old block! Both absolute icons in their own right, you really cant get any more legendary than this mother-daughter duo. Liza remembers Judy saying to her: ''Watch me, learn from me and learn from my mistakes.'' 9. Diana Ross / Tracee Ellis Ross Credit: Getty Images Motown queen Diana and Black-ish star Tracee are yet another powerful pair that dominate their respective creative fields. My mom is so supportive. I have a really good mommy, said Tracee. Watch this video of Tracee talking about her mum too! 10. Debbie Reynolds / Carrie Fisher Singing in the Rain star Debbie Reynolds and Star Wars star Carrie Fisher are maybe one of the most influential mother-daughter duos to have graced the big screen. They both passed away within days of each other in 2016, but the moving documentary Bright Lights: Starring Carrie Fisher and Debbie Reynolds commemorates their loving relationship. Life of the Party releases in cinemas on May 11th. James Muldoon, University of Exeter and Robert Jackson, Manchester Metropolitan University As the world reflects on 200 years since the birth of Karl Marx, his writings are being sampled by more and more people. If youre new to the work of one of the greatest social scientists of all time, heres where to start. Marxs own writing James Muldoon, University of Exeter The long history of brutal, totalitarian Marxist regimes around the world has left many people with the impression that Marx was an authoritarian thinker. But readers who dive into his work for the first time are often surprised to discover an Enlightenment humanist and a philosopher of emancipation, one who envisaged well-rounded human beings living rich, varied and fulfilling lives in a post-capitalist society. Marxs writings dont just propose a revolutionary political project; they offer a moral critique of the alienation of individuals living in capitalist societies. 1. An Introduction to a Contribution to the Critique of Hegels Philosophy of Right (Available (Available here Originally published in 1844 in a radical Parisian newspaper, this fascinating short essay captures many of Marxs early criticisms of modern society and his radical vision of emancipation. It also introduces several of the key themes that would shape his later writings. Marx claims that the bourgeois revolutions of the 18th century may have benefited a wealthy and educated class, but did not challenge private forms of domination in the factory, home and field. Marx theorises the revolutionary subject of the working class, and proposes its historic task: to abolish private property and achieve self-emancipation. 2. Economic and Philosophic Manuscripts of 1844 (Available (Available here Not published within his lifetime, and only released in 1932 by officials in the Soviet Union, these notes written by Marx are an important source for his theory of capitalist alienation. They reveal the essential outline of what Marxism is, and provide the philosophical basis for humanist readings of Marx. In these manuscripts, Marx analyses the harmful effects of the organisation of labour in modern industrial societies. Modern workers, he argues, have become estranged from the goods they produced, from their own labour activity, and from their fellow workers. Rather than achieving a sense of satisfaction and self-actualisation in their labour, workers are left exhausted and spiritually depleted. For Marx, the antidote to modern alienation is a humanist conception of communism based on free and cooperative production. 3. The Communist Manifesto (Available (Available here Opening with the famous line, a spectre is haunting Europe the spectre of communism, the Communist Manifesto has become one of the most influential political documents ever written. Co-authored with Friedrich Engels, this pamphlet was commissioned by Londons Communist League and published on the cusp of the various revolutions that rocked Europe in 1848. The manifesto presents Marxs materialist conception of history and his theory of class struggle. It outlines the growing tensions between the bourgeoisie and the proletariat under capitalist relations of production, and predicts the triumph of the workers. 4. The German Ideology (Available (Available here For anyone seeking to understand Marxisms deeper philosophical and historical underpinnings, this is one of his most important texts. Written in around 1846, again with Engels, The German Ideology provides the full development of the two mens methodology, historical materialism , which seeks to understand the history of humankind based on the development of its modes of production. Marx and Engels argue that individuals social consciousness depends on the material conditions in which they live. He traces the development of different historical modes of production and argues that the present capitalist one will be replaced by communism. Some interpreters view this text as the point where Marxs thought began to emerge in its mature form. Published in 1867, Capital is Marxs critical diagnosis of the capitalist mode of production. In it, he details the ultimate source of wealth under capitalism: the exploited labour of workers. Workers are free to sell their labour to any capitalist, but since they must sell their labour in order to survive, they are dominated by the class of capitalists as a whole. And through their labour, workers reproduce and reinforce both the economic conditions of their existence and also the social and ideological structure of their society. In Capital, Marx outlines a number of capitalisms internal contradictions, such as a declining rate of profit and the tendency for the formation of capitalist monopolies. While certain aspects of the text have been questioned , Marxs analysis informs economic debate to this day. For anyone trying to understand why capitalism keeps falling into crisis, its still hugely relevant. On Marx and Marxism Robert Jackson, Manchester Metropolitan University 1. A Companion to Marxs Capital David Harvey From social movements to student reading groups, from Thomas Pikettys Capital in the Twenty-First Century to articles in the Financial Times , Marxs economic writings are at the centre of debate once again. And one of the figures most associated with these discussions is the geographer David Harvey. Based on his popular online lecture series, Reading Capital with David Harvey , this book makes Marxs Capital accessible to a broader audience. Guiding readers through Marxs challenging (but rewarding) study of the laws of motion of capitalism, Harvey provides an open and critical reading. He draws out the connections between this world-changing text and todays society a society which, after all, is still shaped by the economic crisis of 2008. 2. Karl Marx: A Nineteenth-Century Life Jonathan Sperber For Jonathan Sperber , a historian of modern Germany, Marx is more a figure from the past than a prophet of the present. And, as its title suggests, this biography places Marxs life in the context of the 19th century. Its an accessible introduction to the history of his political thought, particularly as a critic of his contemporaries. Sperber discusses Marx in his many roles a son, a student, a journalist and political activist and introduces the multitude of characters connected with him. While Francis Wheens well-known Karl Marx: A Life is a more freewheeling account, Sperbers writing is both highly readable and more deeply rooted in historical scholarship. 3. From #BlackLivesMatter to Black Liberation Keeanga-Yamahtta Taylor Writing about the US just over 150 years ago, Marx noted that: Labour in a white skin cannot emancipate itself where it is branded in a black skin. And the influence of his ideas about the relationship between race and class is visible in debates right up to the present day. Penned by academic and activist Keeanga-Yamahtta Taylor , who came to popular prominence in the recent #BlackLivesMatter movement, this is a timely read for those interested in the various ways Marxs thought is being rebooted for the 21st century. A penetrating book, it connects the origins of racism to the structures of economic inequality. With plenty of Marxist ideas (among others) in her toolbox, Taylor critically examines the notion of a colour-blind society and the USs post-Obama order to great effect. 4. Why Marx was Right Terry Eagleton A call to reconsider the widely accepted notion that Marx is a dead dog from renowned literary theorist Terry Eagleton . In this provocative and highly readable book, Eagleton questions the plausibility of ten of the most common objections to Marxs thought among them, that Marxs ideas are outdated in post-industrial societies, that Marxism always leads to tyranny in practice, that Marxs theory is deterministic and undermines human freedom. Always witty and passionate, Eagleton peppers his spirited defence (with some reservations) of Marxs ideas with his own literary and cultural insights. 5. Jacobin magazine edited by Bhaskar Sunkara (available edited by Bhaskar Sunkara (available online My friend and colleague, state Rep. Darrin Camilleri (D-Brownstown Township), recently introduced a three-bill package to create the Meeting Immediate Transportation, Rail and Infrastructure Needs (MI-TRAIN) account. House Bills 5831-5833 would allocate $13 million annually to the fund, which would help to address the continuing train crossing issues that Downriver and other communities throughout the state are facing. RELATED: State rep vows to keep fighting for Downriver railroad grade separations after setback This is an extremely important topic and Im very proud of Rep. Camilleri and his strong leadership ability for trying to find a remedy for this problem. Last year, there was a report that a train blocked a crossing in the city of Plymouth for nine hours. While people may be able to turn around and find other routes to their destination, emergency vehicles only have so many routes they can take to get to a crisis situation as quickly as possible. Having a crossing blocked for nine hours, or any amount of unreasonable time, is just unacceptable. The Federal Railroad Administration cites several reasons for delays at railroad crossings, including accidents, trains having mechanical issues or because train crews reach their duty limits and the train is required to stop to allow another crew to arrive. While all of these reasons are sound and many cannot be avoided, Michigan residents should not have to be penalized by having to sit at railroad crossings for an unreasonable amount of time. The Downriver community has some of the longest and most expansive crossings throughout Michigan and money from the MI-TRAIN Account would help aid efforts in installing grade separations at these congested railroad crossings. I am honored to be a co-sponsor on this vital bill package. I will continue to work with my colleagues residents, and stakeholders to try and find solutions to this ongoing problem. It is my hope the Legislature will address this issue quickly, and House Bills 5831-5833 will move swiftly through the process. State Rep. Robert Kosowski (D-Westland) represents the 16th District. KXLG radio maintains local ownership after death of Faehn Drawing from Faehn's guidance and her dedication, Herrboldt said she will ensure that Watertown will keep its "local and live" radio for years to come. Posted Tuesday, May 8, 2018 4:36 am Those looking at one option for a zero down payment on a home in Battle Ground will have to look elsewhere as changes to the United States Department of Agricultures (USDA) eligibility maps have the growing city removed from its rural designation effective June 4. Back in March the USDA announced its proposed changes to the eligibility map for its Single Family Housing Guaranteed Loan Program. The change in the map is nationwide, however effects in Clark County will have the cities of Camas and Washougal being declared ineligible alongside Battle Ground, the only city or town in North Clark County receiving a map change. Luke Loiselle, an agent with Keller Williams Realty, explained that the USDAs eligibility maps were based on population per square mile. He said these changes to the maps happen periodically every few years. Battle Ground was a great area for that (loan), Loiselle said, noting its proximity to Vancouver and Portland while still retaining the rural designation and eligibility. The only other ways would-be home buyers in Battle Ground could get a zero-down payment loan would be Washington State loans through the Federal Housing Authority or through the Veterans Administration, Loiselle explained, with both requiring significantly more of applicants than the USDA does. The USDA (loan) really opens it up to everybody underneath a certain income, Loiselle remarked. For potential homebuyers with households up to four people and an income below $85,900, or five or more people with an income below $113,400, places like La Center, Ridgefield and much of unincorporated Clark County will still be eligible. But come June, Battle Ground homebuyers will be out of luck. Regarding impacts, data from the National Association of Realtors (NAR) 2017 Profile of Home Buyers and Sellers showed average down payments were divided between new and veteran homebuyers, with first-time buyers having a national average of 5 percent down and repeat home buyers at 14 percent. A summary from the NAR about the report noted that the discrepancy was likely due to repeat buyers using sale proceeds of their old home to help put money down. Based on an average home price of $380,000 which Loiselle said was consistent with Battle Ground, those numbers would translate to $19,000 on a 5 percent down payment and up to $53,200 at 14 percent. Though a down payment could be nixed through use of the USDAs eligibility, the total cost (along with closing costs) would still need to be paid. Loiselle said the zero down payment was advantageous to would-be homebuyers unable to save up the money for a large down payment but with adequate resources to pay a higher monthly payment. They make enough money, they just havent been able to chunk away the change. They want to make that move into home ownership, Loiselle said. That payment being probably $50 to $100 more is much more doable than saving up $13,000, $20,000. There is still a slight chance that those already somewhere in the process of house hunting in Battle Ground can take advantage of a down-payment-free loan, as the USDAs release included criteria that if met could have that loan guarantee provided to them. If the applicant has a signed/ratified sales contract on a property that is dated prior to June 4, 2018, those loans would still be available given that the application is dated and received by the lender prior to June 4, 2018 and the loan estimate was issued by the lender within three days of application receipt. That doesnt leave a whole lot of time, as Loiselle said in most cases would-be homebuyers are out of luck if looking in Battle Ground. He said it is important to talk with a preferred lender before making any decisions. Though Loiselle said given Battle Grounds population growth it was probably time for a map update, he had not heard much of anything about the change until this past winter. Since then he has been telling clients of the coming change, noting that areas just outside city limits for the most part were still eligible. Its important to know exactly what that guideline is and where that stops because there are still some great homes just across the street from the ones that cant qualify, Loiselle said. Loiselle reiterated that loans covered by the FHA or the VA with zero-down payments were an option for those who qualify. If none of those are available, he also mentioned crowdfunding as an option. He mentioned that other than gifts or informal loans from family, there were also opportunities in services like HomeFundMe.com, which sets up a crowdfunding page on the internet for friends and family to help chip in ones down payment. Though there are options available to pay or drop the down payment, ultimately the switch would change up the housing market in Battle Ground to some degree. The bottom line? Its going to restrict the amount of people who can purchase homes in Battle Ground, Loiselle said. Posted Tuesday, May 8, 2018 4:38 am Longtime owners of Mortons Stove, Pool and Spa, Rob and Heather Porter, have sold both of their locations to concentrate on another business, have more time for family and be more available for the community that has supported them for years. Back in 2006, Heather purchased the Vancouver location on Mill Plain Boulevard. It had originally been known as Clemmers and operated for many years as a family run business before changing names and then changing hands. In just two short years the Porters saw a growing demand for the products they sold and, with an increasing population in Battle Ground, a storefront on Main Street made sense. The year 2008 was not an ideal time to open a business of any kind but Mortons endured. One of the main reasons we survived was by going above and beyond. Everyone felt welcomed and cared about, Heather said. In fact, according to Heather, Mortons was featured in an industry magazine based on the fact that they were able to provide services in a difficult economy. This vein of reciprocity runs throughout the 12-year story of Rob and Heather. As a family, the Porters are very involved in the Rocksolid Community Teen Center of Brush Prairie as well as North County Community Food Bank. As a couple, Rob and Heather are active in Battle Ground and Lewis River Rotary. I have always, even when I was young, been involved in giving back to the community, Heather said. Its not because Im a business owner that I give back. Because Im a business owner I can afford to donate monetarily but I have always, at least, given of my time. She went on to urge people to find a cause or interest they are passionate about and find a way to advance or support that effort. Growing up, Heathers family did not have a lot of money so food banks hold a special place in her heart. From that involvement, an interest in Rocksolid was a logical next step since, as she explained it, theres a lot of crossover between the families that utilize the food bank services and the after-school program provided by Rocksolid. Similarly, one of the programs that Battle Ground and Lewis River Rotary participate in annually is a school backpack program. Backpacks are filled with food for children to take home on the weekends with the stipulation that the packs be returned on Monday to refill for the following weekend. These are programs that are important to her and, serendipitously, have synergistic qualities. Although the Porters are no longer in the sales business of stoves, pools and spas, they are still very much involved in the market with their second business, Accurate Installers. Also opened in 2008, Accurate Installers is the installation and maintenance arm of Mortons. Accurate Installers was born out of a desire to carry the same exceptional customer service they received through the purchasing phase on into the installation stage of wood, gas and pellet stoves as well as swimming pools and spas. As licensed and bonded contractors, Accurate Installers has always been a separate entity from Mortons. Now that Mortons has been purchased by Chris Loper, a colleague in the parts industry who was looking to purchase a store front, Accurate will continue to focus on growing their business one positive experience at a time. We have a lot of really smart consumers in the area that will work to rebuild what they have versus purchasing new. We also have a lot of repeat and word-of-mouth customers, Heather said. Finding a better balance for their family, their marriage and the community they adore led the Porters to consider downsizing their commercial presence and begin a serious conversation about a year ago. Their oldest daughter, Casey, is 25 but Norah and Jack are 11 and 9 respectively and have already savored a weekday outing at the Seaside Aquarium with mom. As Accurate Installers, the Porters plan to have more time to be involved in community events as well as everyday family moments two important facets of their life that previously required a choice. While awaiting their new website, Accurate Installers can be reached at 360-949-6997. Posted Tuesday, May 8, 2018 4:48 am Navaraj Lamichhane loves reading inspirational stories. Perhaps one day, there will be a book published on his own. Growing up poor in Nepal, Lamichhane never dreamed of coming to the United States and earning a college degree. On Saturday, the 26-year-old achieved an American dream when he graduated from Washington State University Vancouver with a Bachelors in business administration. I am very proud to be a VanCoug. I never imagined I would come this far, Lamichhane said. It seems like I did most of the work. Behind me, there were a lot of people who pushed me to come here. Thank you everyone for giving me this opportunity. Orphaned at a young age and separated from his siblings, Lamichhane grew up in the Bright Horizon Childrens Home School in Matatirtha, Nepal. After completing high school and two years of college, Lamichhane met Beverly Questad, an English teacher at Skyview High School in Vancouver. She was inspirational in bringing Lamichhane to America, giving him a place to live and encouraging him to pursue a college degree. She really saw a drive in me, Lamichhane said. I have made so much progress, and she has been there every step of the way. He started attending classes at WSUV in January of 2016. He served as president of the International Students Association, volunteered at the Student Diversity Center and brought a Hindu festival of lights to WSUV for the first time. He doesnt wait for something to happen, said Keri Dedford, Lamichhanes Student Affairs supervisor and academic coordinator. He is able to articulate his situation and what he desires so that people can connect with him and help in the cause. Lamichhane said he learned something new every single day on campus. My English wasnt that good when I first got here. Now, I can translate more in my brain. Im doing better, I can write better and I can understand better, Lamichhane said. Its just great to be able to meet people with different skills and expertise. Its a terrific experience in America. Lamichhanes resilience was recognized on Saturday as he won the Chancellors Award for Student Achievement. On May 10, Lamichhane heads back to Nepal to see his friends and family. He plans to return to Vancouver and go to graduate school. Nepali people are extremely hard working, but they dont see progress that much, Lamichhane said. With my story, I want to inspire them. This can turn into a fantastic thing or like a magical thing. They can accomplish things. They just need to believe in themselves. Posted Tuesday, May 8, 2018 4:41 am A Washington State University Vancouver professor has received some big-name endorsements for Washingtons 3rd Congressional District seat as Democratic candidate Carolyn Long announced last week support from Washington State Attorney General Bob Ferguson and a former Washington governor, Christine Gregoire. Gregoire cited Longs willingness to work with disagreeing viewpoints as well as her community connection. Carolyns solutions-minded approach to governing and dedication to helping those who disagree find common ground will make her an effective representative in Congress, Gregoire was quoted as saying in a news release. Carolyns work in her community over the last twenty-two years and connection to hundreds of families through her teaching gives her unique insight into the challenges faced by 3rd District residents. Ferguson stated that Longs dedication to our constitutional system makes her an ideal candidate to serve as a check on this executive and protect the rights of Southwest Washingtonians. Carolyn Long is the right person to represent Washingtons 3rd Congressional District in Congress, Ferguson said in the release. Im honored to be endorsed by Attorney General Ferguson and Governor Gregoire. As champions for Southwest Washington, they feel as I do, that we deserve new leadership in Congress, Long stated in the release. Apart from statewide endorsements, Longs campaign also has local support in State Sen. Dean Takko, D-Longview, State Rep. Monica Stonier, D-Vancouver, Clark County Treasurer Doug Lasher, and former Third District Representatives Don Bonker and Brian Baird. Long is one of three Democratic challengers, who alongside a Republican challenger, are looking to unseat incumbent Jaime Herrera Beutler, R-Battle Ground. The primary election is set for Aug. 7 with the general election Nov. 6. Estonian tourist climbs the Italian alps in search for his hotel room while on the piss. We've all got a mate we've learned to keep an eye on. Everytime you go to a gig, or any kind of social gathering for that matter, they're the ones stressing that you've got to keep together, still getting salty at you for losing them last time... Then two minutes in the door, you turn around and they've gone and disappeared again, without even an "I'm just off to buy a hot dog" or a "shit mate, gotta hit the pisser, seeya in a sec." Four hours later you find them in the centre of the mosh, going ham while tripping dicks on mushrooms, with foam coming out the side of their face, shirtless and wearing a rando's fedora. Yep, we've all got a wanderer in our lives. However, inebriated escapades are one thing. Climbing a bloody mountain is something entirely different. Now, allow us to introduce Pavel. Pavel is an Estonian tourist who recently necked a few cold ones at his resort in Italys Valle dAosta, then wanted to head back to his hotel room. Only instead of climbing into bed, Pavel accidentally climbed a mountain. Presumably Pavel got lost on the short walk back to his room, but paced on and up the alps in his drunken stupor, determined he'd find that bed eventually. According to Italian La Stampa newspaper, Pavel didn't realise his blunder 'til much too late. Ever had hours dissappear while on the rinse? Yes. And then suddenly ended up on the top of a mountain? Not so much. But we can see how it could happen... Thankfully, Pavel found a drunken sanctuary. Much like our missus' doorstep. Only... different. At around 2 am, at a 2,400m altitude, Pavel stumbled upon a restaurant named Igloo, nestled into the mountain. Success! An email has been sent to with a link to confirm list signup. remaining of Thank you for reading! On your next view you will be asked to log in to your subscriber account or create an account and subscribepurchase a subscription to continue reading. US Senate candidate Chele Farley (R.C. Reform) on Tuesday, 23 Iyar, called on President Trump not to recertify the Iran deal. Speaking as she left Yad Vashem, Israels national Holocaust memorial, Farley said: Never Again is now! We cannot allow the genocidal regime in Tehran to obtain a nuclear bomb. I call upon President Trump not to recertify the Iran deal on May 12. She added, Iran is a threat to the free world and that deal should have never been signed. Anyone who supported such a terrible deal should be held accountable. Farley went on to blast the Democratic incumbent she is running against: Kirsten Gillibrand pays lip service to Israel but supported the Iran nuclear deal, which effectively will pave the way to Iranian nuclear weapons. These missiles will not only be pointed at Israel, but also New York. For decades, Tehran has made their stance clear: First they are coming for Israel, then America. Being in Israel has only strengthened my faith and support for this incredible nation. They have risen from the ashes to create a thriving country. As Iran threatens her very existence, Israel must never be forgotten. America has no greater friend in the Middle East. As American patriots we need to stand unwavering in our support for the Jewish State, said Farley. Farleys visit includes a number of religious, historical and cultural destinations across Israel, as well as meetings with prominent Israeli & American officials. The US Senate candidate has publicly expressed her support for pro-Israel congressional legislation, unlike her opponent. Senator Gillibrand voted against the Taylor Force Act on March 23, 2018 and announced that she had withdrawn her prior co-sponsorship of the anti-BDS Boycott Act in August 2017. Chele Farley is an outsider with over 25 years of experience in the private sector. She is the endorsed Republican, Conservative and Reform Party candidate for US Senate. Farley lives in New York City with her husband Richard and their three sons. For more information about US Senate candidate Chele Farley, one may visit her website. www.CheleFarleyforSenate.com (YWN Israel Desk Jerusalem/Photo Credit: Chele Farley for Senate) Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, this evening (Tuesday, 8 May 2018), issued the following statement: Israel fully supports President Trumps bold decision today to reject the disastrous nuclear deal with the terrorist regime in Tehran. Israel has opposed the nuclear deal from the start because we said that rather than blocking Irans path to a bomb, the deal actually paved Irans path to an entire arsenal of nuclear bombs, and this within a few years time. The removal of sanctions under the deal has already produced disastrous results. The deal didnt push war further away, it actually brought it closer. The deal didnt reduce Irans aggression, it dramatically increased it, and we see this across the entire Middle East. Since the deal, weve seen Irans aggression grow every day- in Iraq, in Lebanon, in Yemen, in Gaza, and most of all, in Syria, where Iran is trying to establish military bases from which to attack Israel. Despite the deal, the terrorist regime in Tehran is developing a ballistic missiles capability, ballistic missiles to carry nuclear warheads far and wide, to many parts of the world. And as we exposed last week, since the deal, Iran intensified its efforts to hide its secret nuclear weapons program. So if you leave all of this unchanged, all this combined is a recipe for disaster, a disaster for our region, a disaster for the peace of the world. This is why Israel thinks that President Trump did an historic move and this is why Israel thanks President Trump for his courageous leadership, his commitment to confront the terrorist regime in Tehran and his commitment to ensure that Iran never gets nuclear weapons, not today, not in a decade, not ever. Japanese carmaker Nissan will gradually phase out the production and sale of diesel cars in Europe, new reports have suggested. It's the latest auto manufacturer to respond to weakening demand for the under-fire fuel type, as customers have shifted away from diesel due to tax rises and talks of restrictions and bans on their access to cities in numerous countries. The move could be bad news for workers at Nissan's Sunderland plant, which currently employs around 7,000 people. Motor industry jobs at risk: Nissan's decision to phase out diesel cars could have an impact on the 7,000 workers employed at its UK manufacturing facility in Sunderland A Nissan spokeswoman said there would be a gradual withdrawal of diesel cars in Europe. It comes after a significant decline in sales was sparked last year by new measures introduced by governments to curb their use in a bid to reduce air pollution in their respective nations. Latest figures released by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders last week showed just how far out of favour diesel has fallen. New diesel registrations in April were down 25 per cent compared to a year ago. As a result, the market share for diesel has dropped from 45 per cent to just 30 per cent in the space of 12 months. The fall in demand could have ramifications for the Sunderland factory, which churns out more cars than any other facility in the UK. Last year it produced some 495,206 vehicles from the one facility. Only Jaguar Land Rover built more vehicles in the UK, assembling 532,107 cars at three different sites. The Sunderland plant is the single biggest car production facility in the UK. Last year it produced almost half a million cars Nissan is the latest car makers to move away from diesel following weakening demand In a statement released last month, the car maker said: 'As previously communicated, we are transitioning to a new range of powertrains over the next year. 'As we make the operational changes required to support this, we will be managing a planned short-term reduction in powertrain supply and plant volumes at NMUK (Nissan Motor Manufacturing UK) in line with our 2018 Business Plan. 'We are now discussing these operational changes with our employees.' Nissan said last month that it was 'discussing operational changes' with its employees as part of the process of shifting production to new cleaner powertrains The Sunderland factory produces the Nissan Qashqai - the best-selling SUV in the country It follows in the footsteps of Toyota, Fiat Chrysler and Porsche to wind down diesel efforts. The auto industry and its suppliers are facing a global regulatory crackdown on diesel emissions and are adjusting their businesses, including investing heavily in electric vehicles. German carmaker Volkswagen is also still in the process of emerging from a 2015 emissions cheating scandal that resulted in about $30 billion in fines and other costs. 'Along with other manufacturers and industry bodies we can see the progressive decline of diesel but we do not anticipate its sudden end in the short-term. At this point in time and for many customers, modern diesel engines will remain in demand and continue to be available within Nissan's powertrain offering,' said the Nissan spokeswoman. 'In Europe, where our diesel sales are concentrated, our electrification push will allow us to discontinue diesel gradually from passenger cars at the time of each vehicle renewal,' she added. The owner of Clydesdale and Yorkshire banks has made a 1.6billion takeover offer for Richard Branson's Virgin Money, the challenger banks have confirmed today. CYBG made an all-share offer which would see Virgin Money shareholders receive 1.13 new CYBG shares for each Virgin Money share, representing a 15 per cent premium to their price. The deal means Virgin Money shareholders would own around 36.5 per cent of the new business. A takeover could mean a major payout for founder Sir Richard Branson, whose Virgin Group holds a controlling stake in the lender The news boosted Virgin Money's shares, which climbed 8.1 per cent to 337.7p, but had initially a negative effect on CYBG, which however bounced back, with shares up 1 per cent at 321.4p. The deal could be the first of a series of takeovers among challenger banks as they try to take on their biggest peers. News of the offer also sent shares in other smaller lenders higher. Onesavings, the owner of Kent Reliance, rose by 3.7 per cent to 410.2p, while Metro Bank shares rose 3 per cent to 3,342p. A takeover could also mean a major payout for founder Sir Richard Branson, whose Virgin Group holds a controlling stake in the lender. Virgin Money said it was considering the offer. A formal offer must be tabled no later than 5pm on June 4. CYBG said the combination would create the 'UK's leading challenger bank offering both personal and SME customers a genuine alternative to the large incumbent banks'. 'With this further strengthened customer franchise and national reach, CYBG believes the combination would deliver increased value for shareholders and wider benefits to other stakeholders,' the group added. Artjom Hatsaturjants, research analyst at Accendo Markets, said: 'Unsurprising news from UK challenger banks this morning, as CYBG has made a 1.6B all-share takeover offer for Virgin Money (a 15% premium to VM's market value). 'The deal structure (i.e. full share, no cash, small premium) raises a question whether new financial upstarts, that sought to challenge the UK's Big 4 banking titans, stand a chance to steal any meaningful market share within the gruelling financial sector environment on their own.' Gary Greenwood, an analyst at Shore Capital Markets, said the combination would bring together CYBG's SME banking capabilities and branch network with Virgin Money's 'better brand' and strong intermediary mortgage franchise. However, he warned that there are likely to be hurdles to any tie-up. 'While there is much logic in this combination and significant potential cost savings to be made, combining two banks is never a simple process. 'The challenges of bringing together and integrating two IT systems in particular represents a significant challenge, one that will not doubt receive significant regulatory attention given the recent issues at TSB, where the migration onto Sabadell's platform has been a disaster.' He also added that regulators and politicians may also flag concerns that the deal combination removes a competitor from the market. EZULWINI Waterman Swaziland has set its eyes on competing internationally through introducing a range of soft drinks manufactured from indigenous Swazi fruits. Reigning Entrepreneur of the Year and Waterman Eswatini Managing Director (MD) Thabiso Kunene disclosed that plans were at an advanced stage to introduce the soft drink into the market between August and September this year. He said the factory would be situated at a 1 000 square metre plot at the Matsapha Industrial Site. Plans are well underway to introduce a soft drink to be called Pola Cola with six different flavours that have already been finalised, Kunene informed Minister of Commerce, Industry and Trade Jabulani Mabuza, Principal Secretary Siboniso Nkambule, Swaziland Enterprise Development Companys (SEDCO) Dorrington Matiwane, government officials and dignitaries who were at the companys offices at the Gables yesterday. Kunene said the product would be produced with strict adherence to the environment in line with global standards as set out by the World Health Organisation (WHO). He mentioned that standards of the product would be set out by the Swaziland Standards Authority (SWASA). In terms of value of investment, Kunene requested to disclose the exact amount of money to be injected into the project when it hits the market later this year. However, he stated that about 30 Swatis would be employed during the first phase of the project. Minister of Commerce, Industry and Trade Mabuza said it was pleasing to note Waterman was growing as a brand. He pointed out that it was vital for businesses that win EYA to inspire both upcoming and thriving entrepreneurs to work even harder towards attainment of their goals. He urged Kunene to impart the valuable knowledge acquired during his reign to other businesses especially those run by the youth. It is important to share information because it helps entrepreneurs to be more innovative. Government fully supports entrepreneurship and wants the Kingdom of Eswatini to be a country of firsts, said Mabuza. LOBAMBA The suspension of the Municipal Council of Mbabane Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Gideon Mhlongo, was not necessary. For Minister of Housing and Urban Development Phiwayinkhosi Mabuza, there was nothing that warranted the suspension of Mhlongo. Instead, both the councillors and Mhlongo should have met and sorted out whatever issues that led to his eventual suspension. The minister was speaking during the adoption of a Parliamentary motion without notice, where MPs demanded that he clarified why he was interfering in the administration of the capital city. Interestingly, Mabuza did not dwell on the exact reasons that led to Mhlongos suspension. Contract The minister has been accused of having sent one of the ministrys officers, Tito Simelane who holds the position of Director of Urban Government, to allegedly interfere in the discussion of Mhlongos contract by councillors. Simelane, according to the MPs, did not just sit in the public gallery of the conference room, but literally joined the councillors as they discussed the issue of Mhlongos contract. The MPs said as the discussion went on, he not only disturbed the proceedings but demanded certain documents, saying they were needed at the ministry. Before the adoption of the report, MPs debated it, with most of them demanding some clarifications on what the minister had said. MP Patrick Pha Motsa demanded to know if the suspension of Mhlongo would not have legal implications. The American Civil Liberties Union is requesting $51.646.16 in legal fees from Kansas Secretary of State Kris Kobach. Last month, U.S. District Judge Julie Robinson found Kobach in contempt of court. She didn't impose a fine but ordered Kobach to pay for damages, including attorney fees. The Trump administration announced Monday that it is rejecting Kansas's request to impose lifetime limits on Medicaid benefits, drawing a line against a new level of conservative changes to the program. The administration has already approved work requirements in Medicaid, a controversial move in itself, but Monday's decision indicates that time limits on Medicaid coverage are going too far for the Trump administration. A 23-year-old Independence woman was struck by a car and killed Sunday on Interstate 70 when she was highly distressed and ran into traffic, her mother said. Tabetha L. Estep was fatally injured about 2:30 p.m. in the eastbound lanes of I-70 just east of Little Blue Parkway, the Independence Police Department said in a written statement Monday. Kansas City Good Life Double Take Go inside KC's $120 million Two Light apartment tower [PHOTOS] - Kansas City Business Journal Stepping out onto the outdoor patio at Two Light Luxury Apartments, the amenities are as clear as the panoramic view of Downtown. Lounge chairs line an infinity pool that runs to the edge of the eighth story. An outdoor grilling space sits near a "floating" sun deck that extends beyond the edge of the building. Urban Core Gunpoint Drama Deets Woman's friend showed up with robber and watched as carjacker held gun to her head Kansas City police are investigating a carjacking early Tuesday in which a woman said a robber held a gun to her head and fled with her purse and 2016 Dodge Charger. The incident was reported just before 1 a.m. in the 3100 block of East 49th Street. Local Bus Crash Aftermath At least 6 hurt following two accidents involving KCATA buses At least six people were injured following two accidents involving KCATA buses Monday afternoon. The first accident happened shortly after 4 p.m. near the intersection of East 35th Street and Prospect Avenue. Kansas City police say none of the injuries were life-threatening. The second happened moments later just a block away near East 34th Street and Montgall Avenue. Kansas City Supply Chain Probz Ford shuts down Kansas City Assembly Plant after fire at Meridian - Kansas City Business Journal Ford Motor Co. halted production at Kansas City Assembly Plant in Claycomo from Monday through May 14 after a fire at a key supplier caused a parts shortage. The Meridian Lightweight Technologies plant in Eaton Rapids, Mich., experienced explosions and a massive fire about 1:30 a.m. May 2, injuring two people. Policing Police In WyCo Wyandotte County District Attorney's office file charges against KCK officer Watch live: Want to watch Fox 4's newscast? Click here. KANSAS CITY, Kan. -- The Wyandotte County District Attorney's office announced Tuesday that they filed charges against a KCK officer and will hold a news conference to discuss those charges at 4 p.m. A spokesperson for the attorney's office said they filed the charges Monday. The Local Hipster Preview This weekend's first annual Workers Revival Fest promises some work, plenty of play - and Downtown Boys Farrah Skeiky Though the objective of this month's first annual Workers Revival Fest is to improve labor conditions here in the Kansas City area, the inspiration behind it was 5,000 miles away, in Uruguay. Last year, Missouri Jobs with Justice organizer Natalie Patrick-Knox attended a labor conference in the country and was taken aback by its vibrant atmosphere. Home Team Trading Day??? A way too early post-trade deadline 25-man roster prediction The thing about rebuilding teams is that their rosters can change pretty drastically as prospects come up, veterans are traded, and rookies wash out or encounter struggles. The Kansas City Royals are a rebuilding team, and their roster come August 1 will be very, very different from the one that they began with in March. Kansas City Hipster Hangout At This Kansas City Art Space, Loitering Is Both Subversive And Neighborly Sometimes, a work of art is just what its creator says it is. And sometimes, an art gallery is exactly the offbeat destination intended by its design. Rarely do these two phenomena play together as though they were made for each other, but that's what's happening this month at Open House, a quasi-guerrilla space in a West Plaza house. OPEN THREAD Check newsworthy tribute to the adventures of a resourceful hottie:Closer to home here's a glimpse at some of the most important news links we've found and want to share . ..And this is thefor right now . .. Americas unemployment rate is holding at a 17-year low, but Harvard University professor Edward Glaeser suggests a deeper look. Where only 5% of prime age men between 25 and 54 were jobless in 1967, the proportion is 15% today despite a far healthier economy. The problem stems in part, he says, from public policies creating incentive not to work, from unemployment benefits and food stamps to disability insurance and housing vouchers. Glaeser examines the issue and how to address this war on work and its fallout, pushing for the reform of social programs, new forms of vocational training, and entrepreneurial stimulation among other things, making it easier for small businesses to open and operate in low-income areas. Thursday, May 10, 2018 Reception: 6 pm Program: 6:30 pm 4801 Main Street Kansas City, MO 64112 An important look at an upcoming talk takes an alternative view of the social safety net and hopes to offer more insight into how public policy often discourages the labor market.Checkit:Check the description . . .You decide . . . "In Kansas City the only May Day celebrations are put on by communists and other small left groups. There is no official large rally downtown, no union organized rallies, and no history of May Day celebrations in recent times. So when we hit the streets and start canvassing for May Day, the people are often confused about the purpose of the holiday and why we are so excited about it. But we are determined to build up Red May Day and build up class consciousness around the importance of this militant working class holiday, even if it takes years in the process." "Much has been made by liberals about our appearance the masks and guns and openly communist banners making us unapproachable to the public at large. Once again, we found this concern unfounded. While the pigs and reactionaries find us threatening and unapproachable at actions, we once again had no trouble having conversations with passers-by and receiving enthusiasm and support from them. Women walking home and families with their children felt safe enough standing alongside us and asking questions about our purpose, proving once again that the masses understand who the real threat to their lives are." "As soon as the police informed us that we would need to move to the sidewalk, comrades in the center began to instruct other marchers to tighten the formation and carry on. Comrades more prepared to be met with police aggression moved themselves to the edges of the procession, but even the less experienced and confident marchers did not make an effort to remove themselves or to suggest compliance. Every one of our marchers stood firm and carried on chanting and marching and waving red banners high. For some comrades in the mass orgs, this was their first action of this nature and their consistent courage and enthusiasm was even more impressive in this light. "In very short order, more than five cop cars were following us, with more on the way. They did not wait long after we had refused their warnings to take action. Although they profess to be protecting public safety and enforcing the law, their first actions were to block the entire street and snatch up a comrade who was exercising his right to open carry. They, as expected, provided no explanation for his arrest . . . "Once again, undeterred by the initial arrest, our comrades took the streets with a renewed energy. They held the flags high and their chants were louder and more defiant. In between calls for revolution and affirmations of the power of the masses, comrades were able to quickly add chants expressing their anger at the pigs at this injustice. More comrades than ever were confident enough to lead new chants and carry on well-established ones." "We finished the march and began the final part of our demonstration. We burned an American flag while a speech written by one of our detained comrades was read aloud. The police looked on, but did not attempt to stop us, although they did call in a fire truck to block another lane of traffic. "Although we did not have the community involvement we had hoped for in this march, we did garner support and were pleasantly surprised by the solidarity and excitement from onlookers when we demonstrated a refusal to bend to the will of the pigs. "This further proved to us that the people of our city are eager for change." Obviously, our TKC blog communitywith destroying a beloved symbol of U.S. Freedom & Liberty.But ignoring strident and growing protest on local streets does a disservice to the local discourse and doens't provide an accurate depiction of life on Kansas City streets.And so, as a because ourwe are must acknowledge this alternative news that was unreported by the local mainstream media.In a very long but comprehensive diatribe, the "Red Guards" in Kansas City have posted this statement on a Wordpress site:Background on the holiday and their motivations:Public reaction according to this group:Their side of confrontation to police:KC Red Guard Statement On Burning The Flag:Conclusion and admission that their group is still relatively small but (reportedly) growing:You decide . . . The politics of the new JaxCo Sheriff situation are so touchy that the current top cop decided to opt out of the selection committee rather than stand in judgement of a former colleague. WE'RE ASKING OUR TKC BLOG COMMUNITY TO DETERMINE WHICH KCPD CHIEF IS BETTER: SMITH OR FORTE?!?! - Former Chief Forte touts a record low homicide number during his tenure whilst Chief Smith took command amid a historic homicide spike. - Under Chief Smith, Community Interaction Officers have made a permanent comeback whilst former Chief Forte took them off the street. - Former Chief Forte engaged in social justice debate and shared public comments about police shooting Black men. Meanwhile, Chief Smith seems reluctant to engage in cultural commentary and maintains a far lower profile. The top cop job in Kansas City has always been a tough one.Now, the former KCPD Chief is leading the competition to earn a spot as the new Jackson County Sheriff which will not only put him back as a top ranking local law enforcement official but also provide embattled Exec Frank White with much needed support.However . . .Locals don't have the luxury of refusing to consider law men in charge of local streets . . . And so, ranking the two Chiefs offers important perspective on career opportunities currently in question.Accordingly . . .A few things to consider . . .Finally, Chief Forte actively engaged with the public via social media whereas current KCPD Chief Smith seems more comfortable sending his messages via more traditional channels via press release.And so . . .We ask readers to rate these top raking KCPD honchos given that law enforcement has become increasingly political in Kansas City therefore the public deserves an opportunity consider the officials in charge.Developing . . . . Tourexpi, turizm haberleri, Reiseburos, tourism news, noticias de turismo, Tourismus Nachrichten, , travel tourism news, international tourism news, Urlaub, urlaub in der turkei, , holidays in Turkey, , global tourism news, dunya turizm, dunya turizm haberleri, Seyahat Acentas, This site is best viewed with Microsoft Internet Explorer 6.0+, at a minimum screen resolution of 1024 x 768. Bank of Sharjah has reported a net profit of Dh84 million ($22.8 million) for the first quarter of the year, up by 45 per cent compared to the same quarter of 2017, a media report said. Total operating income reached Dh158 million, up by 11 per cent compared to 31 March 2017 and net operating income rose to Dh165 million, up by 25 per cent compared to 31 March 2017, reported Emirates news agency Wam. Earnings per share for the period ended 31 March 2018 were up by 51 per cent and reached 3.99 fils compared to 2.64 fils in 2017. Customers Deposits reached Dh21,037 million, a 3 per cent decrease over the corresponding 31 December 2017 balance of Dh21,630 million. Total comprehensive income for the period ended 31 March 2018 increased by 198 per cent to total comprehensive income of Dh134 million versus a total comprehensive income of Dh45 million for the same period of 2017. This was due to an upturn in the market value of strategic investments and a positive effect from change in fair value of issued bonds. Basel III Common Equity Tier 1 ratio at 15.57 per cent compared to a minimum required ratio of 8.5 per cent. Leading global industry experts will converge in Riyadh this October to explore the trends, opportunities and challenges shaping the global investment landscape at the second Future Investment Initiative (FII) being hosted by Saudi Public Investment Fund (PIF). The event is being held under the patronage of Saudi King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud, and the leadership of HRH Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz, the Crown Prince, Deputy Prime Minister, Chairman of the Council of Economic and Development Affairs and also the PIF. To be held from October 23 to 25 in capital Riyadh, the FII 2018 will bring together renowned visionaries with the power to shape the future of global investment to discuss three broad themes. These are: Investing in Transformation focusing on how the worlds top investors are creating new cities and transforming economies; Technology as Opportunity considering how technologies are enabling new economic opportunities through personalisation and industrialisation at scale; and Advancing Human Potential looking at a world where humans and machines work together to create safer, more productive and happier lives. FII was launched as a substantial international platform for expert-led debate between investors, innovators and governments as well as economic leaders, said the statement from PIF. The inaugural event last year saw over 3,800 participants from more than 90 countries, join in the discussions and debates to explore future developments in the world economy, including investment trends around areas such as energy, infrastructure, Artificial Intelligence (AI) and robotics as well as new growth areas. The second edition aims to continue building active, global networks of influential actors to further explore the emerging industries that will shape the global economy and investment environment over the coming decades, said the statement. Yasir Al Rumayyan, the managing director of PIF, said: "After the success of the inaugural event, we are pleased to announce the 2018 edition of the Future Investment Initiative. The PIF is developing into one of the worlds leading and most impactful sovereign wealth funds, and we look forward continuing to build strong strategic partnerships while also showcasing the opportunity for private sector participation as Saudi Arabias economy continues to expand and diversify." Last years event saw the launch of the Public Investment Fund Program (2018-2020), one of twelve Vision 2030 Vision Realization Programs, which will act as a roadmap to help drive the economic diversification in the kingdom and transform Saudi Arabia into a global investment powerhouse, stated Al Rumayyan. In addition, an expo featuring cutting edge technology also showcased Saudi Arabias future Giga Projects, a key element of the Kingdoms Vision 2030 economic program, he noted. The expo opened following the launch of Neom by HRH Prince Mohammad bin Salman Al-Saud, Crown Prince, Deputy Prime Minister, Chairman of the Council of Economic and Development Affairs and of PIF, said the statement. Launched to promote global collaboration, FII has already fostered new partnerships that will help transform industries in Saudi Arabia and globally. The 2017 edition saw future initiatives announced with Blackstone, SoftBank, Virgin Galactic, The Spaceship Company and Virgin Orbit, it stated. The FII is being organised in the context of Saudi Arabias Vision 2030, the ambitious blueprint that is already charting the path for the kingdom to harness its strong investment capabilities and use its unique strategic location to become a global investment hub connecting three continents, it added.-TradeArabia News Service Dividend Gate Capital (DGC), a newly-formed private equity company, has appointed Talal Al Zain, a renowned name in Bahrains banking and financial sector, as the first chairman of its board of directors. Al Zain is a graduate of Mercer University and an attendee of Harvard Business Schools Management Development Programme. The former CEO of Bahrains sovereign wealth fund Mumtalakat brings strategic insight into the investment potential within Bahrains SMEs, said a statement from DGC. Al Zains illustrious career includes very senior positions held with PineBridge Investments, Investcorp, and Chase Manhattan Bank, it added. DGC targets opportunities with businesses operating in sectors such as F&B (food and beverages) construction services, industrial, e-commerce and financial technology (FinTech). This distinctive approach aims to build growth in these sectors for the equity group as well as the companies that they are working with. On the appointment, Al Zain said: "DGC is an exciting new private equity investment company for Bahrain and it is an honour to be chosen, by a very accomplished board of directors, to be the first chairman of the company." "This is the start of a journey that will create wealth not only in monetary terms but through expertise for all those involved in DGC. It is inspiring for all of us to be part of a vision that will create added value for the kingdoms small and medium enterprises by utilizing the practical commercial expertise and knowledge of experts who are either directly or indirectly part of the company," he added.-TradeArabia News Service The campus of University of Balamand in Dubai (UOBD) is in advanced stages of completion prior to its opening in September 2018, said Dubai Investments, a leading, diversified investments company. Spread across approximately 8,000 sq m, the UOBD campus in Dubai Investments House in Dubai Investments Park [DIP] will be equipped with the most modern classrooms, laboratories and resource centres to enhance the learning process for approximately 1,200 students. Fit-out work and latest technological innovations in classrooms and laboratories are currently being finalized. A high-level delegation from the University of Balamand, led by Dr Elie Salem, president of University of Balamand [UOB], and accompanied by Khalid Bin Kalban, managing director &CEO of Dubai Investments, recently conducted a site visit of the new campus to monitor the progress. UOBD will be the first university in DIP and admissions for September 2018 intake are currently under way. The DIP campus will be also the first for UOB outside Lebanon, where it operates five campuses. Khalid Bin Kalban said: Amidst a robust demand in the UAE higher education sector, Dubai Investments is committed to play a strong role by bringing world-class educational institutions to the country. The launch of University of Balamand in Dubai in September, backed by its legacy in the region, is part of this strategy to enhance the segment, which is witnessing a compounded annual growth of over 8 per cent. At UOBD, students will have access to high-quality education and proven expertise of its faculty and management. UOBD is licensed by the UAE Ministry of Education and will offer undergraduate Bachelor of Science programmes in chemical engineering, civil engineering, biology, chemistry, mathematics and physics. All programmes are accredited by the Commission for Academic Accreditation [CAA], a government-run institutional licensure and degree accreditation department of MOE. UOBD will also offer Bachelor of Arts in English Language and Literature and Professional Teaching Diploma. All degrees are based on the American model of higher education. Founded in 1988, the University of Balamand is a private, independent educational institution of higher education with over 5,700 students in its rolls across its five campuses in Lebanon, which provide 70 undergraduate majors, 55 graduate majors and six post-graduate programmes. TradeArabia News Service Dubais Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) and Transit Australia Group, one of the biggest public transport companies in the country, have signed an agreement for boosting the strategic partnership and cooperation. The memorandum of understanding (MoU) will remain valid for five years. Ahmed Hashim Bahrozyan, CEO of Public Transport Agency, signed for RTA, while Michael McGee, signed for Transit Australia Group. The MoU calls for sharing expertise, technical consultancies and best practices in public transport sectors in areas of practices planning, designing and operating public buses in both Dubai and Australia. The MoU also calls for exchanging technical visits of delegations and deputationists for familiarisation with public transport experiences, joint mobility, design & scheduling of network lines, and bus management & operation. The two parties share many objectives and can share the best practices in planning, operation and maintenance of buses. According to the MoU, the two parties will benchmark public transport between Dubai and Brisbane and the development of sustainable public transport. Examples include express buses on dedicated lanes, electric buses, modern technologies for charging batteries and share expertise in planning and operating the transit of visitors during major events, like Expo 2020, said Mattar Al Tayer, director-general and chairman of RTA. Jackie Trad MP, Deputy Premier, Treasurer for Aboriginal and Torres Strait of the State of Queensland, Australia, praised the sweeping development seen by Dubai, especially the infrastructure of public transport; which plays a key role in the mobility of Dubai residents. He stressed the importance of the MoU as it avails the two parties the opportunity to pick up experience and knowledge and familiarise with the highest global standards. TradeArabia News Service The Dubai Chamber of Commerce and Industry has announced plans for state-run trade and investment promotion agency Enterprise Estonia to open a representative office at its premises in Dubai before the end of this year. The announcement was made during a business roundtable in Tallinn, Estonia, which was hosted by the Chamber in cooperation with Enterprise Estonia and attended by a Dubai Chamber-led delegation, as well as Estonian government and business leaders. The roundtable was organised as part of Dubai Chambers high-level roadshow to the Baltic states, which is taking place May from May 6-11. The roadshow is exploring trade and investment opportunities in Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania, and the delegation is joined by prominent businessmen representing leading companies in the UAE. During the roundtable, Dubai Chamber officials welcome the announcement of Estonias planned representative office in Dubai which they said would provide companies in Dubai with valuable insights on investment opportunities in the dynamic European country. Majid Saif Al Ghurair, chairman of Dubai Chamber, noted that Estonia is among the world's most attractive hubs for ICT, smart city solutions and entrepreneurship. He described the Baltic country as a market of strategic importance which offers tremendous business potential to Dubai Chamber members and the wider business community in Dubai. Dubai Chambers Chairman revealed that Dubais non-oil trade with Estonia exceeded $55 million in 2017, and explained that there is plenty of scope of bilateral trade in the future. He noted that the roadshow to Estonia followed a recent trade mission to the Baltic states led by the UAE Ministry of Economy, and said that such efforts reflect the UAEs strong commitment to strengthening its ties with countries in the region. In addition, Al Ghurair revealed the Chambers plans to organise a country focus briefing in Dubai soon which would aim to familiarise companies in the emirate with business opportunities in Estonia. For his part, Hamad Buamim, president and CEO of Dubai Chamber, called for the launch of direct flights between Dubai and the Estonian capital of Tallinn and said such a development would build new bridges between UAE and Estonian companies. He said the Chamber-led roadshow provided an ideal opportunity for UAE businessmen to learn about Estonias business environment and explore new growth prospects within the countrys telecommunications, information technology, tourism, healthcare and agricultural sectors. Buamim revealed that the Chamber is coordinating with Estonias Ministry of Economic Affairs and Communications on efforts to double the number of Estonian companies in Dubai by 2019. He encouraged Estonian companies to participate in Expo 2020 and benefit from the unique advantages and opportunities that the mega event has to offer them. - TradeArabia News Service Microsoft Build 2018, Microsoft Corps annual developer conference in the US city of Redmond, showcased new technologies to help every developer be an AI developer on Microsoft Azure, Microsoft 365 and across any platform. Building for AI is more important to developers than ever, as technology continues to change the way people live and work every day, across the cloud and across edge devices. The era of the intelligent cloud and intelligent edge is upon us, said Satya Nadella, CEO, Microsoft. These advancements create incredible developer opportunity and also come with a responsibility to ensure the technology we build is trusted and benefits all. The company also announced AI for Accessibility, a new $25 million, five-year programme aimed at harnessing the power of AI to amplify human capabilities for more than 1 billion people around the world with disabilities. The programme comprises grants, technology investments and expertise, and will also incorporate AI for accessibility innovations into Microsoft Cloud services. It builds on the success of the similar AI for Earth initiative. Advancements in the intelligent edge and intelligent cloud Smart devices are proliferating in homes and businesses across the globe, with more than 20 billion expected by 2020. These devices are so smart, in fact, they are powering advanced ways to see, listen, reason and predict, without constant connectivity to the cloud. That is the intelligent edge, and it is opening opportunities for consumers, businesses and entire industries, from the operating room to the factory floor. Today Microsoft is announcing new capabilities for developers to extend to the edge: Microsoft is open sourcing the Azure IoT Edge Runtime, allowing customers to modify, debug and have more transparency and control for edge applications. Custom Vision will now run on Azure IoT Edge, enabling devices such as drones and industrial equipment to take critical action quickly without requiring cloud connectivity. This is the first Azure Cognitive Service to support edge deployment, with more coming to Azure IoT Edge over the next several months. DJI, the worlds biggest drone company, is partnering with Microsoft to create a new SDK for Windows 10 PCs, and it has also selected Azure as its preferred cloud provider to further its commercial drone and SaaS solutions. The SDK will bring full flight control and real-time data transfer capabilities to nearly 700M Windows 10 connected devices globally. As part of the commercial partnership, DJI and Microsoft will co-develop solutions leveraging Azure IoT Edge and Microsofts AI services to enable new scenarios across agriculture, construction, public safety and more. Microsoft announced a joint effort with Qualcomm Technologies, Inc. to create a vision AI developer kit running Azure IoT Edge. This solution makes available the key hardware and software required to develop camera-based IoT solutions. Developers can create solutions that use Azure Machine Learning services and take advantage of the hardware acceleration available via the Qualcomm Vision Intelligence Platform and Qualcomm AI Engine. The camera can also power advanced Azure services, such as machine learning, stream analytics and cognitive services, that can be downloaded from the cloud to run locally on the edge. Data and AI development for a new era Using data, machine learning and cognitive intelligence, developers can build and manage AI-rich solutions that transform the ways people work, collaborate and live: Microsoft announced Project Kinect for Azure, a package of sensors, including our next-generation depth camera, with onboard compute designed for AI on the Edge. Building on Kinects legacy that has lived on through HoloLens, Project Kinect for Azure empowers new scenarios for developers working with ambient intelligence. Combining Microsofts industry-defining Time of Flight sensor with additional sensors all in a small, power-efficient form factor, Project Kinect for Azure will leverage the richness of Azure AI to dramatically improve insights and operations. It can input fully articulated hand tracking and high-fidelity spatial mapping, enabling a new level of precision solutions. A Speech Devices SDK announced today delivery of superior audio processing from multichannel sources for more accurate speech recognition, including noise cancellation, far-field voice and more. With this, developers can build a variety of voice-enabled scenarios like drive-thru ordering systems, in-car or in-home assistants, smart speakers, and other digital assistants. Azure Cosmos DB updates include new and differentiated multi-master at global scale capabilities, designed to support both the cloud and the edge, along with the VNET general availability for increased security. With these new updates, Cosmos DB delivers even greater cost-effectiveness and global scale, further cementing it as the fastest-growing database service in the world. A preview of Project Brainwave, an architecture for deep neural net processing, is now available on Azure and on the edge. Project Brainwavemakes Azure the fastest cloud to run real-time AI and is now fully integrated with Azure Machine Learning. It also supports Intel FPGA hardware and ResNet50-based neural networks. New Azure Cognitive Services updates include a unified Speech service with improved speech recognition and text-to-speech, which support customized voice models and translation. Along with Custom Vision, these updates make it easier for any developer to add intelligence to their applications. Microsoft is making Azure the best place to develop conversational AI experiences integrated with any agent. New updates to Bot Framework and Cognitive Services will power the next generation of conversational bots enabling richer dialogs, and full personality and voice customization to match the companys brand identity. A preview of Azure Search with Cognitive Services integration. This new feature combines AI with indexing technologies so its possible to quickly find information and insights, whether via text or images. Multi-sense and multidevice experiences Microsoft also demonstrated mixed-reality capabilities to enable richer experiences that understand the context surrounding people, the things they use, their activities and relationships: A new initiative, Project Kinect for Azure a package of sensors from Microsoft that contains our unmatched time of flight depth camera, with onboard compute, in a small, power-efficient form factor designed for AI on the Edge. Project Kinect for Azure brings together this leading hardware technology with Azure AI to empower developers with new scenarios for working with ambient intelligence. With Microsoft Remote Assist, customers can collaborate remotely with heads-up, hands-free video calling, image sharing, and mixed-reality annotations. Firstline Workers can share what they see with any expert on Microsoft Teams, while staying hands on to solve problems and complete tasks together, faster. With Microsoft Layout, customers can design spaces in context with mixed reality. Import 3-D models to create room layouts in real-world scale, experience designs as high-quality holograms in physical space or in virtual reality, and share and edit with stakeholders in real time. Modern tooling and experiences for any platform in any language Microsoft is empowering developers to build for the new era of the intelligent edge, across Azure, Microsoft 365 and other platforms, using the languages and frameworks of their choice: With Azure Kubernetes Service (AKS), developers can drastically simplify how they build and run container-based solutions without deep Kubernetes experience. Generally available in the coming weeks, AKS integrates with developer tools and workspaces, DevOps capabilities, networking, monitoring tools, and more in the Azure portal, so developers can write code, not stitch services together. In addition, Microsoft is now offering Kubernetes support for Azure IoT Edge devices. Visual Studio IntelliCode is a new capability that enhances everyday software development with the power of AI. IntelliCode provides intelligent suggestions to improve code quality and productivity and is available in preview today in Visual Studio. Visual Studio Live Share, now in preview, lets developers easily and securely collaborate in real time with team members who can edit and debug directly from their existing tools like Visual Studio 2017 and VS Code. Developers can use Live Share with any language for any scenario, including serverless, cloud-native and IoT development. Building on our shared commitment to developers and open source, Microsoft announced a new partnership with GitHub that brings the power of Azure DevOps services to GitHub customers. Today, we released the integration of Visual Studio App Center and GitHub, which provides GitHub developers building apps for iOS and Android devices to seamlessly automate DevOps processes right from within the GitHub experience. Available today, the new Microsoft Azure Blockchain Workbench makes it easier to develop blockchain applications by stitching together an Azure-supported blockchain network with cloud services like Azure Active Directory, Key Vault and SQL Database, reducing proof-of-concept development time dramatically. TradeArabia News Service Adsertor, one of the UKs leading technology companies, has teamed up with Bahrain Fintech Bay to build a strategic partnership and has selected Bahrain as its new GCC operation base. The office will be located in Fintech Bay, the largest financial technology hub in the Mena region. Adsertor has come to Bahrain as Corporate Partners to Fintech Bay and will be working together to deliver value added digital services to the Fintech community as well as the wider business community in the region. The technology stack will also benefit Bahrain and regional Government entities who are embarking on digital transformation projects. Sohail Nawaz MBE, CEO of the Mena region, commented on Adsertors choice of Bahrain Fintech Bay: Our decision to partner with Fintech Bay is due to their leadership team and their innovative approach to creating and delivering real value to organisations within their eco-system." Fintech Bay provides an excellent value proposition for Adsertors plans to expand its footprint across the GCC and the Mena region, and this coupled with the wealth of local Bahraini entrepreneurs makes Bahrain a superb location to base our operations from. The geographical location of Bahrain to Saudi Arabia, the lower cost base compared to other parts of the GCC and the fantastic support of EDB Bahrain also played a major part in our decision to come here. We are committed to supporting local companies to benefit from the digital economy, Nawaz added. Timothy Roberts, Group CEO of Adsertor, says the expansion of Adsertor into Bahrain and the GCC was a big decision. "Following several visits and meetings in the region it became clear that the positive 'can do attitude and support was in abundance at Fintech Bay, Bahrain. We look forward to building a successful and long-term partnership with Fintech Bay and work closely with Khalid Saad and his team. Under Sohails leadership, the utilization of the Adsertor Technologies, artificial intelligence, retargeting and marketing strategies will open up major opportunities for the Bahrain Finance and Business Community. We are all looking forward to supporting the regional business communities with their digital transformation projects." Adsertors technology platform provides real-time predictive analytics, empowering businesses to better understand the interaction and engagement of their website visitors through building valuable insights that highlight recency, frequency and monetary patterns of their visitors. One of Adsertors USPs is the ability to consolidate all client data from existing systems such as CRM, Payment Gateways, Property Management Systems, Case Management Systems and EPOS and overlay website visitor insight information to the central database. This enables an enhanced understanding of how clients currently interact and engage, which is the first stage of any Big Data and AI strategy." Khalid Saad, CEO of Bahrain FinTech Bay, commented: We welcome Adsertor to Bahrain and Fintech Bay. Adsertors inclusion as part of the Fintech Bay community adds a unique technology service provision by providing added value business intelligence dashboards which will facilitate and accelerate digital engagement of Bahrains business community with their clients, Adsertor is the only platform of its kind on the island that is General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) compliant and will fast become the go-to system for any business that is serious about its Big Data and AI strategy planning and implementation. - TradeArabia News Service Radisson Hotel Group, one of the worlds leading hospitality companies, has unveiled exciting plans to launch its first Park Inn by Radisson hotel in Malaysia. Continuing the rapid recent expansion of this colorful midscale concept, the group has signed a management agreement for Park Inn by Radisson Putrajaya - a new-build hotel currently under development in De Centrum City, close to Malaysias administrative capital, Putrajaya, and just 20 kilometers from Kuala Lumpur. Owned by Protasco Berhad, this bright, vibrant hotel will become a key element of De Centrum City, an impressive MYR10 billion ($2.5 billion), 40-hectare mini-city that will feature a shopping center, residential apartments and offices, adjacent to the existing campus of the Infrastructure University of Kuala Lumpur (IUKL). Nestled midway between Kuala Lumpur and Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA), Park Inn by Radisson Putrajaya is perfectly positioned for travellers seeking convenient, contemporary and well-connected accommodation. Park Inn by Radisson has experienced impressive global growth in recent years, catering for the rising consumer demand for comfortable, modern upper midscale stays. We are now delighted to announce the arrival of this versatile brand in Malaysia - one of Southeast Asias most visited countries and the home of affordable travel, said Katerina Giannouka, president, Asia Pacific, Radisson Hotel Group. Radisson Hotel Group envisages strong potential for all our brands in Malaysia, and the signing of Park Inn by Radisson Putrajaya is the first step in a broader expansion plan for this dynamic country. This follows two Radisson Red hotels in Kuala Lumpur which were recently signed. We look forward to welcoming guests to our exciting new hotels in future. Park Inn by Radisson Putrajaya will offer 191 contemporary rooms, all featuring comfortable beds and guest-friendly facilities such as complimentary wi-fi, TVs with international satellite channels, ergonomic working areas and modern bathrooms with power showers. Guests can enjoy local and international cuisine throughout the day at the hotels stylish restaurant, or grab a quick coffee, tea or snack at the lobby lounge. Business meetings and other events can be organized, supported by the latest audio-visual technology, and guests can keep up their fitness routines at the hotels gym. Park Inn by Radisson Putrajaya will also feature ample on-site parking ideal for guests traveling to the hotel via the main North-South Expressway which connects Kuala Lumpur with Kuala Lumpur International Airport. We are delighted to be partnering with Radisson Hotel Group, which is undoubtedly one of the worlds leading hospitality companies, said Ir. Edward Khoo, executive director, Property & Construction, Protasco Berhad. Park Inn by Radisson is a globally recognised brand with a proven track record of success in the upper-midscale sector. I look forward to introducing guests to our vibrant accommodation and international amenities in future. Park Inn by Radisson promises warm welcomes, hassle-free stays and complete convenience for all guests, in line with the brands signature, Feel Good. Along with the arrival of Park Inn by Radisson in Malaysia, Radisson Hotel Group has firm plans to bring this modern upper-midscale brand to more destinations all across the Asia Pacific region as its expansion gathers pace. - TradeArabia News Service FINRA Eyes Making OTC Minimum-Quote Pilot Permanent Industry pilots have a way of taking on a life of their own, but the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority looks to make a six-year pilot into a permanent rule change. The market regulator launched a pilot designed to simplify the minimum-quotation sizes for over-the-counter equities on inter-dealer platforms that support quotations. FINRA launched the pilot on November 12, 2012, and the SEC approved its extension ten times since its launch. The pilot is set to expire on June 7. Under the pilot, FINRA reduced the then nine tiers of minimum-quote sizes to six tiers and expanded the rule's scope to all member quotation on an inter-dealer quotation from just the market markers' proprietary quotes on such platforms. As part of the pilot, OTC market makers are not required to display a customer limit order on an inter-dealer quotation system unless doing so would comply with the minimum equitation size applicable to the price of the quotation under the rule. Based on data collected from the pilot's start to June 30, 2013, FINRA noted that the pilot had either a neutral or a slightly positive impact regarding market quality compared to the pre-pilot period. The aggregated tiers witnessed a 13% increase in the number customer limit orders that met the minimum quotation sized to be eligible for display under the pilot, according to FINRA's filing. And when the self-regulatory organization extended its analysis from July 1, 2013, to July 21, 2014, the number of limit orders that met the minimum-quote size from the aggregated tiers increased 18.45%. The regulator also saw a significant increase in the number of customer limit orders in securities priced between $0.20 and $100 that became eligible for display during the initial pilot period. Additionally, FINRA staff found that time-weighted quoted spreads continued to narrow during the pilot's first two years and these positive changes in time-weighted quoted spreads between the pre-pilot and the first two years of the pilot were statistically significant for all tiers, according to the SRO's filing. All comments on FINRA's proposal are due by May 22. For more information on related topics, visit the following channels: La Tuscia is a historical landscape rich with breathtaking Borghi (or boroughs): Civita di Bagnoregio (aka The Dying Village), Capranica and Tarquinia just to name a few. In this one-of-a-kind region, the visitor can experience a multitude of natural beauty and historical sites that make this territory one of the most unique in Italy. (TRAVPR.COM) ITALY - May 8th, 2018 La Tuscia is located just North of Rome Italy in the province of Viterbo known as The City of the Popes. Its a region that defines a deep historic and cultural heritage linked by the ancient peoples of the area known as the Etruscans and later the Romans; and, beyond that, the Italian Renaissance. The famous Italian writer and director Pier Paolo Pasolini described this territory as the most beautiful vista in the world, characterized by craggy-rock formations that alternate with lush vegetation divinely laid out upon the Earth. La Tuscia is a historical landscape rich with breathtaking Borghi (or boroughs): Civita di Bagnoregio (aka The Dying Village), Capranica and Tarquinia just to name a few. In this one-of-a-kind region, the visitor can experience a multitude of natural beauty and historical sites that make this territory one of the most unique in Italy. One of the the best kept Italian secrets! La Tuscias natural white sandy coastline which abounds with real sand-dunes and extraordinary Mediterranean vegetation. From the sea, pushing inland, the territory is initially flat in the Maremma area and then hilly to Mount Cimino that stands at over 1000 meters above sea level and then descends into the historic Tiber valley. This ancient volcanic landscape favores two lake basins, Bolsena lake (the first volcanic lake in Europe) and lake Vico, both natural oases of rare beauty in these now extinct and magnificent craters. And theres much much more, including thermal waters, sulfur baths and gastronomic wonders of simple yet genuine culinary delights made from products provided by local Italian farmers and producers - all there to satisfy the most demanding tourist. Promozioni Alberghi is an association founded in 2010 by the need to be able to educate and attract the foreign tourist to La Tuscia, one of the most fascinating undiscovered regions of Italy. Stephen Scott, our Director of Sales North America, has been promoting the region for years now and says many hoteliers in the La Tuscia region of Italy work closely with us in order to effectively reach new markets, expand their client-base and increase their visibility in North America Why? Because American tourists have been among the greatest supporters, worldwide, of Italian culture, and, Italy as a travel destination. ### DUBAI Laurent A. Voivenel, Senior Vice President, Operations and Development for the Middle East, Africa and India, Swiss-Belhotel International, unveiled the groups expansion plans for the region at the Global General Managers Conference held in Jakarta, Indonesia, last week. (TRAVPR.COM) UNITED ARAB EMIRATES - May 7th, 2018 - DUBAI Laurent A. Voivenel, Senior Vice President, Operations and Development for the Middle East, Africa and India, Swiss-Belhotel International, unveiled the groups expansion plans for the region at the Global General Managers Conference held in Jakarta, Indonesia, last week. Laurent stated, We have chalked out a very aggressive expansion strategy for the Middle East and Africa with 17% of our global portfolio of hotels comprising 3500 rooms centered in the region. Our goal is to have 20 hotels in operation and 10 under construction by 2021. Out of these five projects would be in Africa while the remaining will be in gateway cities across the Middle East with a significant presence in the GCC. Built on a heritage of passion and professionalism, our ultimate aim is to position Swiss-Belhotel International as the best alternative to blue chip companies offering superior returns, unbeatable value and unforgettable experiences. Commenting on the industrys long-term economic outlook in the region, Laurent said: Tourism performance in the main cities across the Middle East is expected to remain strong with the fruition of major infrastructure projects such as airport expansions, increased global connectivity and growth of low-cost carriers, new leisure attractions, enhanced business facilities and a year-long calendar of regional and international events. Swiss-Belhotel International was recently named by TOPHOTELPROJECTS among the top ten most active brands in Saudi Arabia. KSA is a very significant market for us with 35% of our development pipeline concentrated in the Kingdom. In 2018 we have six new hotels opening in quick succession and out of these three are located in Saudi Arabia. Our success is testament to the relationships we have built with owners and investors in the region. With 14 well-established brands, we are well equipped to meet the needs of every segment of the market. This diversity of brands allows owners the flexibility to pick the right fit for their property. About Swiss-Belhotel International Swiss-Belhotel International currently manages a portfolio of more than 145* hotels, resorts and projects located in Cambodia, China, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Vietnam, Bahrain, Egypt, Iraq, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Australia, New Zealand, Bulgaria, Georgia, Italy and Tanzania. Awarded Indonesia's Leading Global Hotel Chain for six consecutive years, Swiss-Belhotel International is one of the world's fastest-growing international hotel and hospitality management groups. The Group provides comprehensive and highly professional development and management services in all aspects of hotel, resort and serviced residences. Offices are located in Hong Kong, New Zealand, Australia, China, Europe, Indonesia, United Arab Emirates, and Vietnam. www.swiss-behotel.com *Numbers may fluctuate For media contact: Hina Bakht Managing Director EVOPS Marketing & PR Mob: 00971 50 6975146 Tel: 00971 4 566 7355 Hina.bakht@evops-pr.com www.evops-pr.com ### editorial@tribune.com Tribune News Service Amritsar, May 8 The District Health Department has issued an appeal to city residents to observe every Friday as dry day and devote it on cleaning and changing of water in coolers, pots, swimming pools and other such places which can act as mosquito breeding sites. The advisory has been issued in view of the coming malaria season. The department officials said mosquito breeding takes place in stagnant water and to avoid the same, it is necessary that water is changed frequently to inhibit larvae growth. District Malaria Officer Dr Madan Mohan said, Malaria causing mosquitos breed in stagnant water. The panchayats and local bodies have been instructed to use waste oil to check mosquito breeding. He said all institutes which have plots where water accumulates after rains are required to make arrangements to check mosquito breeding. He said the department would also initiate a drive to inspect private and public places and faulty establishment would be challaned. The residents are also required to take ample precautions at their residences, said the officials. sanjiv@tribunemail.com Vijay C Roy Tribune News Service Chandigarh, May 8 After three years, basmati has regained the top slot in the exports of agri and processed food category in 2017-18, surpassing buffalo meat. During the year, basmati contributed 22.60% to the countrys total agricultural and processed food products exports (value-wise), followed by buffalo meat (21.86%). Buffalo meat has been the highest agri-related export item from India for three consecutive years i.e in 2014-15, 2015-16 and 2016-17. In 2013-14, basmati was the top agri export item from the country. According to Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authoritys (APEDA) provisional data, basmati worth Rs 26,841 crore was exported in 2017-18 as compared to Rs 21,605 crore in 2016-17. Basmati exports for 2017-18 stood at 40.52 lakh tonnes as compared to 39.85 lakh tonnes during the corresponding period of the previous year. Though the volume-wise growth was not significant, the value-wise growth was around 25%. The rise in exports is attributed to increased buying from Iran and the UAE and higher per-unit realisation. As against per-tonne realisation of around $805 during 2016-17, basmati commanded an average price of $1,028 per tonne in 2017-18. Punjab and Haryana account for nearly 70% of the total basmati production in the country. On the other hand, the total value of buffalo meat exports was Rs 25,988 crore in 2017-18 as compared to Rs 26,303 crore in 2016-17. Industry sources said low realisation and almost flat growth were the main reasons for decline in value. They added that because of ban on trade of cattle for slaughter in certain states, the volume growth was less than 2%, which attributed to decline in value. sanjiv@tribunemail.com New Delhi, May 8 The worlds largest retailer Walmart Inc is close to clinching a deal to buy a majority stake in Flipkart for roughly $15 billion, according to sources. The deal, which will see some of the biggest investors in Flipkart offloading their stake in the countrys largest e-commerce company, could be announced any day now, sources with direct knowledge of the development said. Japans SoftBank Group Corp and Tiger Global Management are said to be selling almost their entire 20% stake each in Flipkart. Walmart will likely end up with 60-80% of Flipkart, valuing the company at about $20 billion, they said. Flipkart was valued at about $12 billion last year, according to researcher CB Insights. The deal will help the US retail giant which has seen consumers migrate to online platforms like those run by Amazon get a foothold in the worlds fastest growing economy with a market of 1.3 billion people. The Flipkart model would help the bricks-and-mortar retail giant to take on its global rival Amazon. For Flipkart, the deal would give it additional capital and retail muscle to fight Amazon. Together, Flipkart and Amazon control majority of Indias $30 billion e-commerce market that is forecast to grow to $200 billion by 2026 (Morgan Stanley estimate). E-mails sent to Walmart and Flipkart remained unanswered. A SoftBank spokesperson, in an e-mailed statement, said the company does not comment on ongoing discussions or speculations. PTI editorial@tribune.com Tribune News Service Mohali, May 5 As many as 1.03 lakh passengers will have to alter their air travel plans from the city as the Chandigarh international airport will remain closed for civil and military operations from May 12 to May 31 for the second time this year on account of runway repair. Flight operations at the airport were earlier suspended for a fortnight from February 12 to 26. Chandigarh International Airport Limited (CHIAL) CEO Sunil Dutt said, The total passenger traffic at the airport is approximately 1.6 lakh a month. The 20-day closure is likely to affect more than 1 lakh passengers in the short run. However, it will facilitate long-haul flights from Chandigarh to destinations in Europe, the USA, Canada and the UK in the long run. Dutt said there was no intimation as of now of any new flights from June. The Indian Air Force (IAF) had last week released details of the ongoing runway extension and strengthening work, stating that the work was being done in three phases. Phase I, which is currently on, involves improvement of 7,200 ft of bitumen surface, including laying of eight separate layers of dense asphaltic concrete (DAC). Phase II involves extension of the runway from the existing 9,000 ft to 12,400 ft and is expected to be completed by the end of 2018. Phase III involves installation of runway lights and other navigational aids. The completion of Phase III will permit unrestricted day and night operation at the airport by mid-2019. An airport official said during the 20-day closure, the top layers of the bitumen runway surface would be laid. Change in watch hours Deepesh Joshi, CHIAL PRO, said there would be a slight change in the watch hours when the flights resume. From June 1, the watch hours at the airport, currently operational from 7.20 am to 5.30 pm, would change to 6.30 am to 5.30 pm. However, the airport would remain closed on Sunday. The airport currently operates 28 flights, including three international flights to Dubai, Sharjah and Bangkok. A majority of the flights operate between Delhi and Chandigarh. In the absence of flights from Chandigarh, passengers are expected to either fly from Delhi or Amritsar, the nearest airports in the region, or switch to buses, trains and private cabs. Taxi operators are expected to cash in on the surge in the demand. Inderjit Singh, president, Mohali Taxi Services Union, said with the suspension of the flights, the private taxi services between Delhi and Chandigarh would see a surge in the business. The taxi business is expected to see a 15-20 per cent surge. Cabs offer a more convenient travel experience, especially for people who have a connecting flight to catch from Delhi, he said. editorial@tribune.com Tribune News Service Mohali/Chandigarh, May 7 The UT Administration on Monday clarified that there was no need to shut schools on Tuesday. There is no need to panic. On Monday, we shut the schools after noon. However, the weather remained fine. All schools will remain open on Tuesday, said Education Secretary BL Sharma. We closed the schools at noon on Monday, but there was no storm. I have requested the UT Administration to take a wise decision as children are laughing at us. For the past so many years, there have been so many storms, but we never closed schools. We are running from proper buildings and not from shanties, said HS Mamik, president of the Independent Schools Association. However, as notified earlier, all educational institutions will remain closed in Panchkula on Tuesday. These include schools and colleges. In fact, Panchkula Deputy Commissioner Mukul Kumar has put his disaster management team on alert and has advised people to keep caution. The schools in Mohali will remain open on Tuesday. The Mohali administration has not issued any direction to close the schools in view of the storm forecast for Tuesday. Mohali Deputy Commissioner Gurpreet Kaur Sapra said no such direction had been issued in any part of Punjab. There was also a forecast of strong storm on Monday, but the weather remained clear throughout the day. The schools in Mohali district will remain open on Tuesday. In case of any emergency, a decision in this regard will be taken early on Tuesday morning, said Sapra. UT sought advice from met dept The UT Administration obtained advice from the Met Department regarding the forecast for Tuesday. According to it, the situation does not warrant closure of schools and, therefore, all private and government schools in Chandigarh will remain open on May 8. However, the Education Department has asked the school management to stay alert and take all preventive measures in this regard. editorial@tribune.com Our Correspondent Kharar, May 7 Abhinav Sehgal (20), a resident of Kiran Vihar in Delhi, died on the spot, while his friend, Umang, also from Delhi and aged around 20, was seriously injured when the motorcycle they were riding rammed into a tipper on the busy Kharar-Ropar National Highway-21 near Khanpur village here on Monday morning. According to the Kharar police, the accident took place when the driver of the tipper (PB 23 T 1383), which was going towards Kharar, suddenly applied brakes and the bike, being ridden by Abhinav, rammed into it from the rear side. Both bikers were rushed to the Kharar Civil Hospital in a critical condition, where Abhinav was declared dead on arrival, while Umang was shifted to the PGI. Abhinav's father, Anil Sehgal, who reached here after getting the distress call, told reporters that Abhinav and his friend Umang had left home on Friday to go to Manali. Abhinav had joined a firm in Gurugram as a sales manager after graduation. He has a younger sister. Yogendra Yadav Yogendra Yadav Secularism must be distinguished from pro-minorityism. Two recent incidents, both related to Friday namaz, invite us to draw this distinction sharply. The first incident relates to a dispute about whether Muslim teachers in Delhi should be given special leave for Juma namaz, the Friday prayers. The Minority Commission of Delhi wrote to the department of education making this recommendation. This is not a pre-existing practice but they wanted this concession to minority teachers in view of the special obligation to perform Friday namaz in a congregation. The Directorate of Education of the Delhi Government rejected this suggestion on the ground that this will cause disruption in school schedule and will result in loss of studies for students. Interestingly, the AAP government in Delhi distanced itself from this decision. Secular intellectuals and politicians did not comment on this issue. I took to social media to support this decision of the directorate. My reasoning was simple: if such leave is not granted to any other employee of the Delhi Government, and if similar concession is not given to a teacher of any other faith, why should it be given only to Muslim teachers? My opposition was not to teachers attending Friday congregation, but to them being given special leave for it. It was unnecessary as teachers could adjust the time of their visit for namaz, either during lunch breaks or before or after the school timing in case of double-shift schools. If necessary, the mosques could adjust the timing of the prayer. My comments were greeted with an uproar and lot of abuses, mostly from Muslim twitterati. I was accused of finally showing my Hindu colours, of cosying up to the RSS or of total ignorance about Islamic practices. There were some serious questions as well. Many critics claimed that attending Friday prayers was a constitutional right. I pointed out that prayer was a constitutional right, getting sarkari leave was not. It was argued that Friday prayer with congregation is a compulsory duty for the faithful. I responded that all the five namaz were compulsory and that while performing Friday namaz with congregation was mandated, exceptions were also provided for. My suggestion that mosques could adjust their timing was interpreted as an insult. I pointed out that namaz can take place anywhere between 12:20 and 3:30. pm and that it is very normal for mosques to adjust their timing within this limit to suit local requirements, including market timings. So why not do it for schools? I dont know if I managed to convince many of my critics but I stood my ground. I did so as I believe that any demand for special symbolic concessions for minorities actually damages the case for a secular state policy. It distracts from the real and substantive issues of disadvantage and discrimination that Muslims often face in this country. In fact, symbolic and special concessions for Muslim are directly linked with substantive disadvantage and discrimination. This demand was pro-minority but not necessarily secular. The second case presented itself immediately thereafter and very close by. In Gurugram, a small band of self-styled leaders came and disrupted Friday namaz being offered in an open place. They also attacked the namazis leading to injuries. Thankfully, the incident was captured on a video that went viral, thus forcing the police to register an FIR and catch the disruptors. There were meetings between community leaders and the police, where local Muslim leaders agreed not to hold Friday namaz in three places that could cause public disturbance. Yet the matters did not end here. Two weeks later, several teams of aggressive young persons prevented Friday namaz in seven other locations. The police stood and did nothing. At the time of writing, the situation is still unresolved. The holy month of Ramazan is approaching. The local Muslim community is apprehensive. There is no resolution. When I intervened to express shock at the denial of their right to perform Friday prayers, this time I was attacked from the opposite side. Usual abuses followed: sickular, pro-Muslim, anti-Hindu, and what not. There was an insinuation that the Friday namaz was followed by anti-India slogan, but there was not a shred of evidence to support it. It was argued that namaz was causing disruption to neighbourhood life and was a traffic obstacle, but, except the three cases mentioned above, there was no complaint from the neighbourhood. There was apprehension that regular namaz would be followed by encroachment on land to make mosque. But not a single such case has been reported so far. Actually, there is a religious injunction in Islam prohibiting the building of mosque on a land that is not properly owned. So, that apprehension was ruled out. That still leaves one serious argument: Why perform namaz in a public place and not inside a mosque or an eidgah? Sadly, the argument was put forward by the CM of Haryana, that too on a day when vigilante groups had attacked those performing prayer. This argument holds for regular prayer activity. But Friday namaz is special. Thats why the numbers during Friday namaz are unusually high. In most places, small mosques are unable to accommodate these numbers and a nearby public place is used for a couple of hours for this purpose. The case of Gurgaon is even more special. After Partition, there were virtually no local Muslims in the city. Muslims from nearby Muslim concentration area, Mewat, are negligible. The Muslim population in Gurgaon is almost entirely that of migrants, mostly poor working class migrants from UP, Bihar and West Bengal. Thus the city has no large old mosques and has very few and small recently mosques. Therefore, Friday congregations are held in the open in more than a hundred places. In this context, a refusal to allow them to hold namaz in public places would tantamount to denying them the right to perform prayers, which is a violation of their constitutional rights to practice their religion. Incidentally, this is not something new. This has always been accepted in colonial and post-colonial India. Such a concession is not special to Muslims. All over North India, kirtans and jagratas are held in public places, often by blocking roads and streets. Religious processions that hold up traffic are taken out by followers of all religions. Therefore this falls in the category of normal citizen rights, not a special minority concession. This distinction between pro-minorityism and secularism, between special symbolic concessions to a community and equal constitutional rights of all citizens, could serve as a compass to guide secular politics. Thus, Haj subsidy and similar such concessions should not be supported. Triple talaq or similar anti-women provisions in any religion must be opposed. Secular politics must retain its focus on equal access to education, employment opportunities, housing, and equal treatment by police and state agencies. Those who uphold this distinction must be willing to face attacks. But this is critical at a time when the idea of secular India is facing testing times. yogendra.yadav@gmail.com vermaajay1968@gmail.com By the time Vladimir Putin ends his fresh term as President of Russia, he would have controlled the Kremlin for an unprecedented 25 years. A man the West loves to loath, Putins years at the rudder have seen Russia making a significant turn from the Europeanism that guided the two terms of Boris Yeltsins unpredictable and whimsical rule. Weary of poverty and lawlessness, Russian welcomed the arrival of Putin but thats where its relationship with the West plummeted. Apart from Germany, Russia has few friends in the trans-Atlantic alliance and is now at the receiving end of an intense campaign to restrict its area of influence. India leveraged Wests antagonism towards Putin in a variety of ways, mainly by transfer of high-tech Russian technology and deepening its energy relationship that began only after the end of the Cold War. That window seems to be closing with the Countering Americas Adversaries Through Sanctions Act (CATSA). US President Donald Trump believes the Act is flawed but that perception has not stopped the legislation from casting a shadow on high-end Russian arms export to India such as the S 400 anti-missile defence, the developing trilateral transport partnership between Russia, Iran and India or the burgeoning relationship in oil that has made the Russian Rosneft the biggest FDI investor in India. Putin owes his power to the St Petersburg elite whose historical and cultural impetuses push it for a closer relationship with Europe. But the Kremlin now believes that its destiny is with Asia. India has to be creative to address the future problems that may arise from CATSA in order to make the most from Russias pivot towards Asia. Despite its dalliance with Pakistan, Russia too is aware that its interests will be better served by a balance between India and the Sino-Pakistan alliance. There is much that suggests Russia may be a declining power. Despite several structural weaknesses, it has always bounced back because of its geopolitical location, resource potential and great power tradition. Russia bez Putina (Russia without Putin) is not yet a foreseeable possibility and India needs to make the most of that. sanjiv@tribunemail.com Deepender Deswal Tribune News Service Hisar, May 7 A Head Constable was killed when three assailants opened fire on an undertrial at Siwani courts complex in Bhiwani district on Monday. The police claimed the assailants had come to eliminate Sunil, alias Kala, member of a rival gang, who was produced in court in connection with a murder case. The undertrials, including Kala, were being escorted back to a police vehicle when the assailants opened fire. Head Constable Bhagirath was hit in the head and died on the spot. ASI Gauri Shankarand and undertrials Kala and Jai Kumar, alias Bhadaria, suffered splinter injuries, the police said. SP Ganga Ram Punia said the police and a special police officer (SPO) overpowered one of the alleged shooters, while another was caught by bystanders. The two have been identified as Sumit and Manjit, residents of Mithi village in Bhiwani. The third assailant, Ajay Isharwal, is at large. Police spokesperson Nase-eb Singh said the incident was the fallout of gang rivalry and the Mithi gang had come to eliminate rival gang member Kala. In 2015, Kala and accomplice Kapil had allegedly killed Bijender of Mithi village and two others in Rajasthan. Kapil was later killed allegedly by Bijenders brothers Sunil and Sonu, who are lodged in jail. DGP BS Sandhu, while expressing sorrow over the demise of Bhagirath, announced assistance of Rs 30 lakh for the next of kin. A job under the special ex-gratia scheme would be offered to one of the family members. The Bar Association of Siwani, meanwhile, has decided to suspend work indefinitely to protest lax security at the courts. Past violence at courts May 14, 2015: Undertrial shot, cop hurt at Hisar district courts complex March 28, 2017: Gangster Ramesh Lohar shot by two men outside Rohtak courts May 18, 2017: Undertrial Sher Singh shot by three men inside Bhiwani courts May 31, 2017: Three injured in firing on murder accused near Karnal courts complex Sept 8, 2017: Murder accused freed, four cops injured in firing at Mahendragarh editorial@tribune.com Tribune News Service Chandigarh, May 8 Determined to double the income of farmers by 2022, Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar has invited technologies and investment and sought collaborations in the fields of waste water treatment, micro-irrigation, precision farming, crop innovation, and sprinkler system to assist and enable farmers of the state to produce more and earn more. Speaking during the inaugural session of the 20th International Agritech on Tuesday in Tel Aviv, where high profile ministers, governors and delegates from 51 countries participated, the Chief Minister invited potential partners, companies, and research institutions from Israel to come forward and be a part of the growth story of Haryana. Stressing on the need for family and integrated farming to combat desertification, he said integrated farming also reflected the social character of the joint family system in India. The Chief Minister said ways should also be explored for the development of arid and semi-arid regions where industrialisation could play an important role. Positing Haryana as a leading state, both in industry and agriculture, the Chief Minister said the state had emerged as a preferred investment destination among foreign investors. He invited Israeli companies to come and invest in the shared future of Haryana and Israel. The representatives of the Israeli Government lauded the contribution of Haryana. editorial@tribune.com Pradeep Sharma Tribune News Service Chandigarh, May 8 Haryana State Agricultural Marketing Board (HSAMB) employees having doubtful integrity in the past 10 years will not get bonus. Employees, whose integrity is adverse or doubtful in any annual confidential report (ACR) of the past 10 years, will not be paid bonus. Besides, an employee whose overall grading in the ACR is below average in any of the past three years and who does not possess overall 70 per cent record in the past three years will not be entitled to bonus, stated an order of the HSAMB Chief Administrator to officers. The HSAMB has recently approved bonus for its staff for 2015-16 and 2016-17 at the rate of 15 per cent of salary subject to a maximum of Rs40,000. The Class I or equivalent officers are entitled to bonus. Besides, an employee convicted of a criminal offence by a competent court of law in the past 10 years will be debarred from getting bonus or performance award. The order also made it clear an employee, who was inflicted a major penalty in the past 10 years or a minor penalty during the relevant year for the payment of bonus, would not get bonus. Those on deputation, daily-wage workers and contractual workers will not be paid bonus. editorial@tribune.com Sushil Manav Tribune News Service Chandigarh, May 8 A survey by the Haryana Waqf Board has identified 326 new Waqf properties spread over 1,791 kanals and 7 marlas across the state. The survey is complete in Sonepat, Jhajjar, Rohtak, Karnal, Kurukshetra, Yamunanagar, Ambala and Sirsa districts, while the process is in progress in other districts. For the purpose of the survey, Divisional Commissioners, Deputy Commissioners and Sub-divisional Magistrates were appointed Survey Commissioners, Additional Survey Commissioner and Assistant Survey Commissioner of their areas, said Hanif Qureshi, IG (Security) and Chief Executive Officer of the board. He said several Waqf properties were yet to be identified, as many of them were under illegal occupation. Waqf Board properties are mosques, idgahs, burial grounds and land attached with them by the Muslim population of the area before Partition. Sources said that as large number of Muslims migrated to Pakistan during Partition, their mosques, idgahs and burial grounds remained unused for long. Hence, influential people encroached upon the properties. After the increase in Muslim population, most of who migrated to Haryana from other states for jobs, the need for more mosques has arisen. Recently, youths from Gurugram had stopped Muslims from offering namaz in parks and other public places. The board had, on Tuesday, requested the authorities to free 19 mosques from illegal occupation. Qureshi said, The Haryana Waqf Board has 12,975 properties across the state. Of them, the records of 12,620 properties are uploaded on the website of the Waqf Management System of India (WAMSI). He said that during the National Waqf Conference in New Delhi on Monday, Haryana was lauded for managing Waqf properties. He said Waqf Boards of Haryana, Punjab, Himachal Pradesh and Chandigarh demanded the bid system for leasing out properties be done away with. We have no problem with the bid system for a new lease. But for existing lessees, the system should be abolished as Waqf income has decreased from Rs 28 crore per annum to Rs 14 crore after the introduction of the bid system, making it difficult for us to even pay salaries, Qureshi said. He said that on the request of Waqf Boards of the four states, Union Minister Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi had constituted a committee under the chairmanship of Justice Zakiullah Khan (retd) of the Allahabad High Court to examine the matter and submit a report. sanjiv@tribunemail.com Satya Prakash Tribune News Service New Delhi, May 7 The Supreme Court on Monday transferred the Kathua gang-rape and murder case to a sessions court in Pathankot, Punjab, and ordered protection for witnesses, the accused, the victims family and their lawyers, and the lone juvenile accused in the case. A three-judge Bench headed by Chief Justice of India ordered a day-to-day trial without any adjournments to fast-track it. Examination-in-chief and cross-examination of witnesses have to be done without any break, it said. It ordered an in-camera trial where only the accused, witnesses and lawyers concerned shall remain present. The Bench made it clear that only the Supreme Court will hear cases relating to the Kathua gang rape case. It passed the order after a 90-minute hearing during which senior counsel Gopal Subramanium and Jammu and Kashmir Advocate General Jehangir Iqbal Ganai for the state, senior counsel Indira Jaising for the victims biological father, senior counsel Meenakshi Arora and Geeta Luthra addressed it on various aspects of the case. Subramanium told the Bench that the Crime Branch would soon file an additional chargesheet. The Bench also comprising Justices DY Chandrachud and Indu Malhotra chose to keep the issue of a CBI probe open and posted petitions on the issue for further hearing on July 9. It gave liberty to the J&K Government to appoint public prosecutors to conduct trial. The proceedings have to be conducted in accordance with the Ranbir Penal Code applicable to J&K, the Bench said. The victim an eight-year-old girl from a nomadic community had disappeared from near her home in a village in Kathua on January 10. Her body was found in the same locality a week later. The Crime Branch of J&K Police had taken up the probe on January 22 and filed a chargesheet against seven accused and a separate chargesheet against a juvenile accused on April 9. The minor girl was allegedly kidnapped, drugged and raped inside a place of worship before being killed, the police had alleged. The court directed the Kathua sessions court to send all the relevant case files and documents to the court in Pathankot. The statements recorded by the police in Urdu have to be translated into English and Hindi for the Pathankot Sessions Judge and accused, the Bench ordered. Food for the witnesses and the accused has to be arranged by the state of Jammu and Kashmir, the top court said. Faced with demands from the victims family and the accused for shifting of trial and investigation, respectively, the Supreme Court had on April 27 stayed the trial in the Kathua gang-rape and murder case till May 7. While the biological father of the victim had sought transfer of the trial to Chandigarh, the accused had demanded that the probe be taken away from the state police and handed over to the CBI. pardeepdhull@gmail.com Dinesh Manhotra Tribune News Service Jammu, May 8 Amid unabated violence in Kashmir, Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti has convened an all-party meeting here on Wednesday to discuss the situation in the state. Sixteen persons have been killed in the the Kashmir Valley in the past four days. On Saturday, three militants were killed in Srinagars Chattabal area and a teenager was run over by a police vehicle. On Sunday, five militants and five civilians were killed in a gunfight in Shopian. A tourist from Chennai was killed during stone-pelting in Baramulla on Monday. A teenager, injured during the Bandipora gunfight, died on Tuesday morning. Deputy CM Kavinder Gupta told The Tribune that a four-member BJP delegation would attend the meeting to put across the partys viewpoint. Pradesh Congress Committee chief Ghulam Ahmed Mir said he would try to evolve a consensus after consultations with his party colleagues. He claimed the state had plunged into anarchy. Panthers Party chief BS Mankotia said they would send a three-member delegation to the meeting. He blamed the amnesty announced for stone-pelters for the situation turning from bad to worse. rchopra@tribunemail.com Srinagar, May 8 Former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Omar Abdullah has condemned the killing of a tourist hailing from Tamil Nadu during stone-pelting incident in Narbal area on Srinagar-Gulmarg road here. Omar also lashed out at the state government saying the PDP-BJP ruling alliance was a failure. Weve killed a tourist by throwing stones at the vehicle he was travelling in. Lets try and wrap our heads around the fact that we stoned a tourist, a guest, to death while we glorify these stone-pelters & their methods, Omar said in a series of tweets. A 22-year-old tourist, R Thirumani, from Chennai was critically injured in a stone-pelting incident at Narbal on Monday morning. He was shifted to a hospital here for treatment but succumbed to injuries, police said. This young man from Chennai died in my constituency & while I dont support these goons, their methods or their ideology, Im deeply, deeply sorry that this happened at all & that too in an area Ive been proud to represent since 2014, Omar said. The National Conference working president also wished speedy recovery to a girl from Handwara who was also injured in stone-pelting. Im also pained to know that among the injured from the stone pelting in Narbal is a young woman from Handwara in North Kashmir. I pray she & the others injured make a quick recovery, he said. Omar lashed out at the state government saying the PDP-BJP ruling alliance was a failure. The J&K Govt has failed, the CM (Mehbooba Mufti) has failed, the BJP-PDP alliance has failed. How much blood will have to be shed in Kashmir before the Hon PM (Narendra Modi) realises the gravity of the situation in J&K? When will enough finally be enough? he asked. PTI editorial@tribune.com Ishfaq Tantry Tribune News Service Srinagar, May 8 In a new twist to the operation involving the killing of five militants in Badigam village of Shopian on Sunday, the police are investigating why Kashmir University Assistant Professor Rafi Ahmad Bhat was not able to come out as the police officers who led the operation are certain that the Professor had been convinced by them to surrender before getting killed. The police have sought ballistic and medical opinion of gunshot wounds sustained by the slain Professor to ascertain whether he was prevented from surrendering by other militants or shot or he had changed his plan to surrender at the last moment. During the combing operation of the gunfight site, apart from the assault rifles of the slain militants, the police have also recovered a pistol from the possession of the slain militants, sources said. The other four militants killed in the Sunday encounter have been identified as Saddam Padder, Adil Malik , Bilal Moulvi, all hailing from Shopian district, and Towseef Ahmad Sheikh of the neighbouring Kulgam district. In the operation, which was led by Shopian SSP Shailendra Kumar Mishra along with formations of the Rashtriya Rifles and the CRPF, four hardcore and longest-surviving militant commanders of the Hizbul Mujahideen were killed along with Assistant Professor Rafi, who had gone missing on May 6 (Friday) after delivering a lecture to students at Kashmir University. We handled the operation professionally employing all the SOPs (standard operating procedures) required. Besides, I put in all my efforts and time to motivate the trapped guys, particularly the Assistant Professor, to come out and surrender, SSP Mishra said, who is also seen in a video at the encounter location, asking the trapped militants to stop the fire and come out. As per the understanding reached during those crucial moments, the Professor was supposed to take out all his upper garments to make sure he came out unharmed. The family of Dr Rafi was so confident that he would surrender that his father, brother and wife set out from Ganderbal to Shopian, he said. In the video when the SSP is appealing to the militants to surrender, a background voice of a security man points to the cover fire by the forces. Mishra, however, clarified: It was not cover fire. It was the fire from the militants from inside the building when I was asking them to surrender, he said. In fact, one of the trapped militants, Bilal Moulvi, who was finally killed, is said to have talked to the police for about five minutes. He had been assured that if he came out, he wouldnt be harmed. During an active operation, both sides have a little time to decide. Taking that into consideration, we gave enough time to the militants, particularly the Assistant Professor, to surrender, the SSP said. Going by the events, the police are suspecting that the Professor was prevented from coming out of the building by his companions. We have taken the photographs of the gunshot wounds of the Professor and other evidence for the ballistic opinion to find out if the wounds were sustained by the bullets fired by the militants or our forces, Mishra disclosed, adding that the police did not have specific inputs about the presence of the Professor along with four hardcore Hizb commanders in the house. The intelligence was of general nature. We came to know later that the missing Professor was also there with them, and that was surprising, he said. The conversation that Rafi had with his father wherein he asked for his forgiveness, as reported in a section of the media, appeared to suggest that the Professor was not ready to surrender. The SSP, however, said: We have not heard that conversation between the father and the son. Incidentally, SSP Mishra is the same officer who last year at a function in Mumbai had labelled the killings of Kashmiri militants as our collective failure. Shopian gunfight: What SSP said... editorial@tribune.com Srinagar, May 7 In a tragic incident, a tourist from Chennai died on Monday after getting caught in stone-throwing near Narbal village on the Srinagar-Gulmarg road. The tourist was hit by a stone while on way to Gulmarg on Monday morning. Four tourist vehicles from Chennai were plying on the Srinagar-Gulmarg road when miscreants suddenly attacked them with stones near Narbal on the outskirts of Srinagar around 11.30 am, a police official said. One tourist travelling in a vehicle was hit by a stone in the head. He was shifted to Shri Maharaja Hari Singh Hospital in Srinagar, but succumbed to injuries on Monday evening, he said. The deceased has been identified as R Thirumuni, 23, from Chennai, the police official said. The Kashmir region has been tense and observed a shutdown on Monday to protest the civilian killings. TNS editorial@tribune.com Ishfaq Tantry Tribune News service Srinagar, May 8 The police have arrested one suspect in connection with the death of a Chennai tourist in a stone-throwing incident on Monday. The incident occurred around 11.30 am on Monday when four tourist vehicles, which were going to Gulmarg, came under heavy stone-throwing near Narbal village. R Thirumani, 23, was injured during stone-throwing. Later, he succumbed to his injuries at a hospital in Srinagar. Budgam Superintendent of Police (SSP) Tejinder Singh said the police had started investigation into the case. The matter is under investigation. One person has been arrested and efforts are on to nab around five more suspects involved in the incident at the Narbal crossing, Tejinder Singh said. Meanwhile, the body of the tourist was sent to Chennai by air. We have sent Thirumanis body in an Indigo flight to Chennai after completing all medico-legal formalities. Four family members were also sent in the same flight, a police official said. Thirumani and his family had come to Kashmir by road for a five-day trip. After resting in Srinagar, they were going to Gulmarg on Monday when the incident occurred. Thirumani, who had studied at DRBCCC Hindu College, was working with Accenture, Chennai. Incident blot on Kashmirs value system: CM Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti has strongly condemned the killing of a tourist from Chennai in a stone-throwing incident at Narbal on Monday. In a statement, the Chief Minister said the killing of 23-year-old R Thirumani was heartbreaking and it was against the Kashmiri ethos of hospitality and respect for guests. I have no words strong enough to condemn this tragic incident, she said in a statement. She described the incident as a blot on the cultural value system of Kashmir and an attempt to bulldoze the economy of the place. Immediately after the incident, the Chief Minister rushed to Police Hospital, Srinagar, on Monday evening and met the parents of Thirumani. She conveyed the sympathies of the people of the state to the bereaved family while directing the administration to extend all support and help to them in this hour of grief. Death unfortunate: Separatists Separatist leaders on Tuesday termed the death of Chennai tourist R Thirumani in a stone-throwing incident as unfortunate and highly condemnable. "People of Kashmir have always welcomed tourists as our guests even in the most trying of times and this practice will never change. We urge the youth to maintain discipline while protesting against the atrocities by government forces," said Syed Ali Geelani, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq and Yasin Malik in a joint statement rchopra@tribunemail.com Tribune News Service Jammu, May 8 Describing the killing of a tourist from Chennai in stone-pelting as heartbreaking, Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti on Tuesday reiterated that without sustained and meaningful dialogue and outreach, J&K will get pushed deeper into this vortex of gloom. Mehbooba said she had no words to condemn the tragic incident. Its truly heartbreaking when a family saves for years to realise their dream of visiting Kashmir & while they are here they face their worst nightmare. I have no words strong enough to condemn this tragic incident, the Chief Minister wrote on Twitter. She added, Without a sustained, meaningful dialogue & outreach, not just from the govt but from the entire country, J&K will get pushed deeper into this vortex of gloom. My deepest condolences to the deceaseds family & my prayers go out to the girl who was injured in the same incident. The 22-year-old tourist, R Thirumani from Chennai, was on his way to a resort in Gulmarg with his parents when their vehicle was stoned by protesters. This is the second incident this month in which tourists were targeted by stone-throwing protesters. On May 1, five tourists were injured when three vehicles were stoned at Aishmuqam in Anantnag. On Monday evening, Mehbooba had visited the police hospital and met the family of the deceased tourist. vinaymishra188@gmail.com Pervin Malhotra Q. I am studying in Class XII (science stream) keen on joining the Army. Could you please tell me about the selection procedure? Rupika Kaushal A.At present women are inducted into the Army after Plus II only in the Medical and Nursing corps wherein theyre eligible for Permanent Commission (PC) jobs. While earlier, all other posts were for graduates and post-graduate women candidates as Short Service Commissioned Officers for a period of 14 years (with multiple extensions), the Centre is holding consultations to consider granting Permanent Commission to current women officers in the SSC. The final policy should be ready within six months. So, the time isnt far when even the permanent commission will open up for women in the Army making it the last military bastion to shed its resistance to women serving in the force until retirement. The Navy and Air Force shed their opposition to granting PC to women, way back in 2010. Currently, 350 women in both the forces are serving as PC officers, besides doctors and nurses whove historically served alongside their male counterparts. The concerns are no longer about womens capability to serve on the frontlines but about the practical challenges of deploying women in active areas such as Kashmir and the logistical requirements of accommodating them in operational areas which were built exclusively for men. To be considered fit for the armed forces, women candidates must be in good physical and mental health and free from any disability which may interfere with the performance and efficiency at work. You havent mentioned which science stream youve opted for, but if youve taken physics, chemistry and biology, you can either join the Armed Forces Medical Service or Military Nursing Service. While you can join the former after completing MBBS from the Armed Forces Medical College (AFMC), Pune, entry to the latter is after BSc (Nursing) from the same medical college. Passion for designing hospitals Q.After doing my BArch, Ive been working with a large architecture firm which is designing a hospital in the Middle East. While working on a small part of the design, I have developed a great interest in the medical vertical. Are there any specialized courses I could look at in this field, preferably in India? I tried looking but couldnt find any. Am I missing something? Jayant Chopra A.Of late, India has been witnessing an unprecedented boom in healthcare infrastructure. However, designing hospitals specialty as well as multi-specialty, state-of-the-art medical colleges, labs, spas and related healthcare infrastructure is a highly specialised field that goes beyond the ambit of general architecture. To address this requirement, the National Institute of Healthcare Engineering & Architecture at PGI, Chandigarh plans to launch PG level courses such as MBA in Health Facilities Planning & Design and MBA in Healthcare Engineering & Management. These may be just what the doctor orders as far as you are concerned. Being multi-disciplinary in nature, graduates from various fields i.e. engineering, medicine, veterinary science and nursing, besides architecture and engineering would be eligible to apply for these courses which have been approved by AICTE and the Department of Health Research, Ministry of Health & Family Welfare. email your queries to careers@tribunemail.com #transgender solider Court orders cancellation of forceful discharge of deceased transgender soldier A court ruled Thursday in favor of a deceased transgender soldier in a suit filed to get the Army's decision to discharge her repealed, a landmark ruling that could have deep reper... #stocks-summary Seoul stocks soar on bargain hunting, easing U.S. debt ceiling woes South Korean stocks steeply rebounded Thursday as bargain hunters sought oversold stocks in expectations of a rebound, in addition to the optimism about political wrangling over th... vinaymishra188@gmail.com Gauri Chhabra So, you prepared sincerely for the entrance test and were all set for the coveted Tier A college of your choice. But, lo! you just missed the mark. You would not be able to make it to the IIT/NIT league. Or, you appeared for CLAT but did not make it to the top NLUs. What now worries you is What do I do with a degree from a Tier B institution? The placements are not all that great. No worries! There are ways more than one to make sure you have a job offer in hand as soon as you graduate from college. No one would say Oh, you are just a fresher, that too from a Tier B institution. Be hands on The world is changing, and we are changing faster. Whether you go for a technical or non- technical role, you would need to beef up your resume with technical proficiency. Gone are the days when your technical proficiency section was limited to MS Office. Therefore, utilise your time in getting hands on on various tools. Here are just a few examples of tools that you might include in the technical skills section: Social Media: Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram, Pinterest, Google+, Hootsuite, Buffer, TweetDeck CRM Systems: RightNow, Salesforce.com (SFDC), Microsoft Dynamics CRM Blog Platforms: WordPress, HubSpot, Movable Type, Tumblr, FlatPress Email Service Providers (ESPs): BlueHornet, MailChimp, ConstantContact. Project Management Tools: Trello, Asana, Microsoft Project, Basecamp. Curate your online profile If you feel that your networking should start after your degree, you are mistaken. And if you somehow believe, just because you do not get into the top league college, people will not notice, you are even more mistaken. Theres usually a line of candidates who will also go through the interview process before/after you. Once the company decides that you make the shortlist, many also search for you online to see if theres anything else that they can find. Maintain a LinkedIn profile, even if you dont have work experience. LinkedIn has a public part of the profile that shows up when someone searches your name. A quick note on recommendations: Stay away from too many recommendations from your peers. They will definitely find you extremely talented and a future asset to any team, and the interviewer will definitely discount their views. Try getting recommendations from your professors, or from senior professionals with whom you may have interned. That counts a lot more. Also, be careful about what you say on Twitter or on Facebook. It may seem wonderful to shoot out something funny or vehement on a political scandal. But remember, your future employer may not find it funny, or think you naive or fanatic. Take on unpaid work Instead of cribbing that you could not make it to your dream institute, make the most of your time. You can build your resume while getting your degree. You can take on some volunteer work that can help bolster your resume. Taking on short-term unpaid (or low-paying) gigs can give you additional experience in your chosen specialty, and can increase your chances of being the perfect candidate for your dream job. Select internships well Student Speak I have always felt that the subjects we study are the same, the professors who teach us are are equally qualified, the grades we get are also the same, but the NLU pass outs get the cake served on a platter while a non-NLU student like me has to fight my way to grab a spoon. I am not going to sugarcoat the truth, the struggle is real. But I am also not going to deny the fact that we deserve to get the platter, all it takes is just a little extra work to get it. I have been vigilant from the day one with my grades, co-curricular and extra-curricular. Although I feel that just presenting a paper or participating in a moot is not enough, the world needs something extra, something different. Since I want to get placed in the corporate sector once I graduate, I have worked hard and have always chosen the internships at the right places. I have recently completed my internship at the Luthra and Luthra Law office, which is one of the top law firms in India. While interning I always took the work assigned seriously and tried my best create a good impression. Something they would remember me by. Moreover, I have taken many summer schools in order to show that i have gone out of my way to learn something extra. Even while choosing the summer schools, I have chosen the ones related to the corporate subjects. I have narrowed my focus on a few subjects. I have completed certificate courses in the Intellectual Property Rights and am looking forward to attending a summer college at the University of South California this year. I feel that the internships and summer schools dont just add a feather to my cap, but they also reserve a seat for me at the table reserved for top students. R. Jaya Harsha Vardini, BBA-LLB ( Hons.), Fourth year, Lovely Professional University Recruiter Speak While hiring freshers, we look at the college or institution they graduated from. But that is not the primary deciding factor. More important is what the candidate has been doing while earning his degree. If the attitude is positive and he has enough hands on experience of tools that would be handy in his profile, he certainly gets an edge over another candidate who has just an institution name to flaunt. Shreeja Devaraj, Recruiter, Saguna Consulting Services, a Management Consulting firm with offices in Ludhiana and Vizag vinaymishra188@gmail.com Ajay Sharma The number of students prefering to go abroad after graduation has seen a steady increase over the past few years. Most of them head to foreign shores with an aim to work and earn more. However, most of them lack awareness about which visa can be beneficial in the long run for their immigration to a new country for a dream job. The dynamics of visa sanctions have changed. There are various visa categories that one can pick and select from on the basis of ones situation and convenience. The type of visa is decided on the basis of age, purpose, investment, educational and work status. A majority of people migrate to another country on a Work Permit or apply for the Permanent Residential visa. Obtaining Work Permit is more affordable as compared to a Permanent Residency visa in countries like the United States, Canada and Australia. A Work Permit is a legal document, signed by the one who is sponsoring work. It allows a foreigner to get a job in the country and work there legally. A Permanent Residency visa is the status of permanent residence. The related benefits are given to an immigrant and his dependent family. The baseline on which the conditions and clauses of the visa are established, largely remain the same. In the United States, the temporary work visa is given the code H-1B, whereas in Canada, it is referred to as job/work visa. Similarly, the permanent residency status is called the Permanent Resident visa in Canada and Immigration visa in the USA. Before applying for any, one must stringently go through the official websites for the same to be aware of all requirements and clauses. The following is a comparative run-down of the two types of visa. Scope of work Temporary Work Permit & visa: This permit is received on behalf of a sponsor and hence there is no scope for whimsical change of job. This also leaves people prone to non-availability of negotiation power and further abuse. Permanent Residency visa: A person with a PR visa has the luxury to switch jobs as and when the need arises, along with the option of picking the city of occupation. Work scope also includes contractual working and tax benefits. lay-off or job change Temporary Work Permit & visa: One will need to exit the country in case of lay-offs and dissolution of the company within a few days. In the USA, if one has already applied for a Green Card, one can stay in the country jobless for 60 days, until they find a new job. Permanent Residency visa: There is no time-period constraint in case of a lay-off. A PR visa holder has the added benefit to look for a new job and enjoy unemployment insurance. Benefits for family Temporary Work Permit & visa: There is a no direct sponsorship for spouses. One has to find and secure employment and sponsorship, individually. Permanent Residency visa: No separate permits or authorisation is required in case the spouse also wishes to work. This is true in case of Canada. The question of citizenship Temporary Work Permit & visa: In the USA, if the Green Card is not approved within the six-year limit on the H-1B visa, return to the native country is mandatory. Permanent Residency visa: Upon arrival in the country, new immigrants and their families, without hassle, receive a PR visa. This is very popular in Canada. Extent of sponsorship Temporary Work Permit & visa: Excess sponsorship is only limited to the spouses and immediate dependent children. Other family members cannot enjoy the benefits of sponsorship. Permanent Residency visa: PR holders have the benefit of sponsoring other family members, apart from spouses and children, which includes parents and siblings. Feasibility Temporary Work Permit & visa: This is a lengthy method to receive the Green Card, and then further the citizenship. Permanent Residency visa: Permanent residents are eligible to apply for citizenship after living in Canada for three years. Travel Work Permit often has strict renewal restrictions attached for travels within a particular country and out of country. For PR visa holders, there are no restrictions of movement (exit and entry) within and outside the country of permanent residence. Immigrants usually take the student visa route to permanent residence via work permit. Countries like Canada and Australia offer pathways to a work permit post completion of their studies in eligible courses and then in due course, they can apply for permanent residence visa and finally citizenship. Applying for a Permanent Resident visa is a more secure way to settle abroad as compared to the temporary Work Permit. Entrepreneurial growth Under Temporary Work Permit & visa, one cannot branch out and start a business in the country of temporary occupation. PR visa holders can ideate, invest and commence a business venture after permission from the respective ministry. The writer is president, Abhinav Outsourcings Pvt. Ltd editorial@tribune.com Tribune News Service Ludhiana, May 8 On the call given by the United Forum of Bank Unions (UFBU), those working in banks held a massive demonstrations opposing IBAs meager offer of 2 per cent hike and demanding Expedited and Adequate Wage Revision. As per the decision, the Ludhiana unit of UFBU held a massive demonstration in front of the State Bank of India, Fountain Chowk, Ludhiana. Naresh Gaur, convener, UFBU; JP Kalra, president, State Bank of India Officers Association; Pawan Thakur, president, Punjab Bank Employees Federation; JS Mangat, deputy general secretary, State Bank of India Officers Association; Iqbal Singh Malhi, deputy general secretary, SBI Staff Association; KK Khullar, regional secretary, SBI Staff Association; Gurmeet Singh and Chiranjeev Joshi from AIBOA addressed the bank employees. Leaders of United Forum of Bank Unions said in view of the impending expiry of 10th Bipartite wage settlement/ officer wage revision as at the end of October, 2017, the government had been sending their directive to banks, as early as from January 2016, advising banks and Indian Banks Association to commence the wage negotiations and conclude the same, not later than November 2017, when the revised settlement would become due. There have been several reminders from the government to IBA in this regard. With the same intention to expedite the wage revision settlement, we submitted our demands to the IBA with a request to negotiate and resolve demands before November 2017. IBA assured they would complete the discussion and conclude the settlement. Even though the discussions by IBA with UFBU commenced in May 2017 and even though 15 rounds of negotiations with the unions so far, IBA, one pretext or the other, had been avoiding to make any offer to increase wages. Discussions have been held only on other service conditions, but the IBA did not make any offer on wage revision. From November 2017, IBA did not call for any meeting to discuss demands. While we were expecting a reasonable offer from IBA to make a basis for further negotiations, to our surprise and utter disappointment, IBA made an offer of 2 per cent hike in the Wage Bill as on March 31, 2017. In the last settlement from 2012 to 2017, it was agreed at 15 per cent hike in wage bill. Since then, the banks business have grown, workload on employees and officers have increased beyond tolerable limit and hence, it was expected that the wage revision be better than last time. To substantiate their offer, IBA said the financial position of banks were not conducive to offer better wage revision and that the profits have been eroded in recent years. It is well-known that all banks have been earning more operating profits year after year. The net profits are getting reduced only due to huge provisions for bad loans and not due to any reasons attributable to employees and officers of the banks. Hence, denying reasonable wage revision for bank employees and officers on this count is unfair, they said, adding: At this hour, we feel that the wage revision demands of bank employees should be settled expeditiously, so that the entire workforce in banks can concentrate their time and energy in addressing the multiple challenges facing our banks and to restore the confidence of people. rchopra@tribunemail.com Kabul, May 8 Afghanistan Foreign Minister Salahuddin Rabbani has met new Indian envoy to the country Vinay Kumar and assured him that Afghan security forces will not spare any effort to ensure the safety and release of seven Indian engineers kidnapped by the Taliban gunmen in the restive northern Baghlan province. During the meeting with the Indian ambassador on Monday, Rabbani expressed grief and sorrow over the kidnapping of the Indian engineers and said that the Afghan security forces would not spare any effort to protect the safety and secure the release of the Indians. He said efforts had been initiated through the community elders to help secure their release. Rabbani also had a telephone conversation with External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj regarding the kidnapping of the seven Indian engineers of KEC International, an RPG group company. Swaraj had conveyed Indias concerns about the kidnapped Indians and requested him for help in tracing and freeing them. The Indian engineers were working on a project for the construction of a power sub-station. They were kidnapped by the militants from the vicinity of Cheshma-e-Sher area on Sunday while they were going to inspect the work on the project. An eyewitness, who wished anonymity, told Pajhwok Afghan News that he saw a number of armed men stopping a white-coloured car on the Pul-i-Khumri-Mazar-i-Sharif highway. The eyewitness did not know how many people were in the car, but said the militants took the Indian nationals to their minibus-type vehicle and sped towards areas under their control. Many of the earlier kidnappings in Afghanistan have been linked to Taliban. In 2016, 40-year-old Indian aid worker Judith DSouza was abducted in Kabul. She was released after 40 days. India has provided at least USD 2 billion aid to Afghanistan for the economic development of the war-torn nation. Appreciating the significant role of India in reconstruction of Afghanistan and expressing his contentment of the strong bilateral relations and cooperation among the two countries, Rabbani assured the Indian ambassador that the relevant departments of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs would extensively cooperate with him with the aim of further expanding these relations and cooperation. Both sides discussed and exchanged views on political priorities of Afghanistan such as the peace process, elections, economic and trade cooperation between the two countries and the projects being implemented through Indian support in Afghanistan. PTI monicakchauhan@gmail.com New Delhi, May 8 As the Karnataka Assembly elections are around the corner, the battle between the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Congress is becoming more personal. The BJP on Tuesday took a pot shot at former Congress president Sonia Gandhi, referring to her with her birth name - Antonio Maino, which she gave up after marrying Rajiv Gandhi. The Karnataka unit of the BJP took to Twitter and said, "Today, Ms. Antonio Maino is here in K'taka to save her last citadel from falling! Madam Maino, K'taka needs no lessons from the person who was solely responsible for wasting India's 10 precious years. And to Congress, need to remind you of your 'import' jibe?" Today, Ms. Antonio Maino is here in K'taka to save her last citadel from falling! Madam Maino, K'taka needs no lessons from the person who was solely responsible for wasting India's 10 precious years. And to Congress, need to remind you of your 'import' jibe? https://t.co/7NmhjuoMOM BJP Karnataka (@BJP4Karnataka) May 8, 2018 The pay back from the BJP comes after the Congress on May 4 dragged Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath by calling him by his birth name - Ajay Bisht, which was his name before he renounced it to become a monk. The Congress had attacked Adityanath, who was criticised for campaigning in the poll-bound state Karnataka while his state Uttar Pradesh was hit by a thunderstorm. After the Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister left the campaign midway, the Congress tweeted, "We are glad that Mr Ajay Bisht was able to take some lessons of good governance from CM @siddaramaiah and is headed back to be with the people of Uttar Pradesh in their time of need." We are glad that Mr Ajay Bisht was able to take some lessons of good governance from CM @siddaramaiah and is headed back to be with the people of Uttar Pradesh in their time of need. https://t.co/W9xd1VEEbO Congress (@INCIndia) May 4, 2018 In the run-up to the Assembly polls in Karnataka, UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Adityanath, and Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah are also scheduled to visit the state for their election campaign, later today. Adityanath, who is a star campaigner for the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) for Karnataka polls, is expected to address public meetings in Bhatkal, Byndoor, Mudabidre, Virajpet, and Sullia during the day. Meanwhile, Sonia Gandhi will address a public meeting at Vijayapura at 3 pm. With the election to the 225-member Karnataka State Assembly edging closer, the state has become a battleground with public rallies being the primary form of warfare. Elections for 224-member Karnataka assembly are scheduled for May 12 and the results will be declared on May 15. ANI rchopra@tribunemail.com Satya Prakash Tribune News Service New Delhi, May 8 The Supreme Court on Tuesday summoned Union Water Resources Secretary on May 14 with a draft scheme on implementation of its directions on the Cauvery water dispute, even as the Centre got breather till Karnataka Assembly polls scheduled to be held on May 12. A three-judge Bench headed by Chief Justice of India Dipak Misra warned the Centre that it was in sheer contempt of its February 16 order which required it to frame the Cauvery management scheme on river water sharing between four southern riparian states. You (Centre) are in sheer contempt, the Bench said after senior counsel Shekhar Nafade, representing Tamil Nadu, alleged that the non-framing of the scheme went against the courts verdict. We do not want to come back to square one. Once the judgment has been delivered, it has to be implemented, the Bench said. The order asking the Union Water Resources Secretary to appear before it on May 14 was passed after Tamil Nadu objected to Attorney-General KK Venugopal seeking further time on behalf of the Centre to file the draft scheme. Nafade sought initiation of contempt proceedings against erring central government officials. Nafade told the Bench that the Centre was not interested in implementing the order. On behalf of the Centre, Venugopal sought time till May 16, saying it was a sensitive matter which could potentially lead to violence. He gave the example of the top courts verdict on the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, which had led to violence that claimed nine lives. The Bench, which also included Justice AM Khanwilkar and Justice DY Chandrachud, said the Centre could not abdicate its responsibility. Venugopal told the Bench that the Cabinet had not been able to meet to approve the draft scheme as most of the ministers, including the Prime Minister, were busy with poll campaign in Karnataka. It would be placed before the Cabinet soon, he added. The top court had in its February 16 verdict asked the Centre to frame the Cauvery management scheme creating the Cauvery Managament Board in six weeks for release of water from Karnataka to Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Puducherry. The deadline cannot be extended, it had said. The court had asked the Centre to formulate a scheme to ensure compliance of its judgement on the decades-old Cauvery dispute and had modified the Cauvery Water Disputes Tribunal (CWDT) award of 2007 and made it clear that it will not be extending time for this on any ground. The court had also raised the 270 tmcft share of Cauvery water for Karnataka by 14.75 tmcft and reduced Tamil Nadus share, while compensating it by allowing extraction of 10 tmcft groundwater from the river basin, saying the issue of drinking water has to be placed on a higher pedestal. monicakchauhan@gmail.com Vijayapura, May 8 Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday accused the Congress of pursuing the policy of "divide and rule", and asserted the party would be uprooted from Karnataka in the Assembly elections. Instead of going among the people, the Congress leaders are thinking about what excuses to make about their certain defeat in the Karnataka elections. The reasons for their excuse will include faulty EVMs among others, said Modi. Instead of going among the people, the Congress leaders are thinking about what excuses to make about their certain defeat in the #KarnatakaElections2018. The reasons for their excuse will include faulty EVMs among others: PM Narendra Modi at a public rally in Vijayapura pic.twitter.com/JJ5oyBKykt ANI (@ANI) May 8, 2018 What has the Congress done for the farmers of Karnataka? When the state was hit by drought, their ministers who were handling key portfolios were busy doing politics in Delhi, said Modi. Modi lashed out at the Siddaramaiah government over alleged corruption, saying there is not a single minister who is not facing allegations of financial wrongdoing. "Congress believes in the policy of divide and rule...divide on the basis of caste and religion....make brother fight brother. But people of this land of Basaveshwara will not allow it to happen," he told an election rally here in Bijapur district. Modi repeatedly referred to Basaveshwara, the 12th century reformer-statesman, who is worshiped by the Lingayats, in an apparent effort to win over the numerically strong and influential community. The state's ruling Congress has recommended religious minority tag for the Lingayats, a traditional vote base of the BJP, a move, many feel, was aimed at splitting their votes. BJP's chief ministerial candidate Yeddyurappa belongs to the the Lingayat community. "Tell me the name of a single minister who is not facing allegations of corruption," he said, a day after Siddaramaiah sent legal notices to Modi and BJP chief Amit Shah, threatening to file civil and criminal defamation suit against them for making unfounded allegations against him. Modi claimed now even senior Congress leaders have lost confidence in Rahul Gandhi's ability to secure victory for the party in Karnataka. "Even Congress leaders have begun to feel that the son would not be able to help the party win Karnataka. So, send the mother to ensure its candidates can save their security deposit," Modi said. PTI rchopra@tribunemail.com Ajay Banerjee Tribune News Service New Delhi, May 8 Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Tuesday said the death of a tourist in an incident of stone-pelting in Kashmir was not conducive to attracting tourists to Jammu and Kashmir. We need to be firm with terrorists and ensure safe movement of tourists, said Sitharaman while addressing a press conference after inaugurating the Naval Commanders conference here. The state wanted to promote tourism, the minister said. Speaking about maritime strength, she said, India will be a force to reckon with in the Indo-Pacific. All of Navys demands for the year 2017-2018 have been met. At the conference, the Navy will review its new mission-based deployments philosophy aimed at ensuring peace and stability in the region. The new deployment philosophy, in furtherance of Prime Minister Narendra Modis vision of security and growth for all in the region (SAGAR), aims at sustained, peaceful and yet responsive presence of Indian naval ships in critical areas and choke points. The Navys focus over the past year has been on combat efficiency and material readiness, and upkeep of its large fleet of 131 ships and submarines. Naval commanders would deliberate upon steps to improve the teeth-to-tail ratio and explore niche fields such as artificial intelligence and big data analytics. Harnessing cutting-edge technology, specifically those Made-in-India, to improve organisational effectiveness and efficiency would be another key focus area of the commanders. Indian Navy has been the flag-bearer of the indigenisation and Make in India initiative. As many as 27 ships and submarines are currently under construction in Indian shipyards, including the first indigenous aircraft carrier Vikrant. sanjiv@tribunemail.com Bengaluru, May 7 Accusing PM Narendra Modi of trying to polarise society in the Karnataka elections, his predecessor Manmohan Singh on Monday launched a scathing attack on the BJP government for its disastrous policies and economic mismanagement. He said it was shocking that the PM was stooping so low and using language unbecoming of the office he held. No PM has used the office to say things about his opponents that Mr Modi has been doing day in and out... Attacking the government over a series of banking frauds, he pointed out that the money swindled almost quadrupled from Rs 28,416 crore in September 2013 to Rs 1.11 lakh crore in September 2017. Perpetrators of these frauds, meanwhile, escape with impunity. The economic mismanagement of the Modi government, and I say this with great care and responsibility, is slowly eroding the trust of the general public in the banking sector... Our farmers are facing an acute crisis, our aspirational youth are not finding opportunities and the economy is growing below potential. The unfortunate truth is each of these crises was entirely avoidable. PTI vermaajay1968@gmail.com Smita Sharma Tribune News Service New Delhi, May 8 Prime Minister Narendra Modis third official visit to Nepal this week since assuming office will have religious overtones along with diplomatic outreach to assure Nepalese of delivering upon his earlier promises. A working visit on May 11, 12 will essentially aim to bolster ties with his counterpart KP Oli, who returned as Nepals Prime Minister for the second time with majority in historic elections last year. PM Modi will first fly to Janki temple in Janakpur, the birth place of Sita, where he will be received by PM Oli. The two leaders are expected to inaugurate a bus service connecting Janakpur to Ayodhya, the symbolism not lost in an election season when Karnataka goes to polls. Later, PM Modi will fly to Kathmandu where he will be accorded a formal ceremonial honour as well as a civic reception and will hold talks with Oli. PM Modi will also interact with former PMs, including Olis alliance partner Prachanda, Nepali Congresss Sher Bahadur Deuba and representatives of two Madhes-based parties that have now formed government in a province. During PM Olis last visit, we did allay to a large extent concerns about the Indian governments willingness to work with government of the day. This is an elected government with two-third majority. Now that Nepal has a stable government, we hope to receive more coordination for pending projects like land and environmental clearances, said an official privy to discussions. On Saturday, PM Modi will fly to Muktinath temple, the sacred site for Hindus and Buddhists in Mustang. He will then fly back to Kathmandu and be hosted for a civic reception by the mayor, prior to his departure for Delhi. India will convey its focus on bilateral connectivity projects agreed upon, including developing a railway network from Raxaul in Bihar to Kathmandu. Sources, however, mentioned that as of now unlike in Afghanistan, there is no proposal to develop joint infrastructure projects with China in the Himalayan nation despite Beijing proposing to do so as per reports. Meanwhile, the proposed Inland waterways agreement with Nepal will require a change to the Treaty of Transit. While it is being reviewed, India hopes the trans-shipment point in Kalughat in Bihar will be ready by next year and linked to Nepal subsequently. Power will be another key priority area as India hopes to complete work on the fourth transmission line between Bhutwal and Gorakhpur. The two PMs will also jointly lay foundation stone for Arun III hydropower project. To be developed by Indian firm Satluj Jal Vidyut Nigam Limited, the 900-MW Arun-III in eastern Nepal is Indias largest hydro project in the country. Security of Indian entities and border management issues will also figure in talks. rchopra@tribunemail.com Shivpuri, May 8 A special court here has awarded life imprisonment to a 79-year-old retired professor and his daughter, an advocate, in a case of rape and harassment of minor girls at an orphanage run by her. Special judge Arun Kumar Verma on Monday sentenced the accused--KN Agrawal (79), a retired government college professor, and his daughter Shaila Agrawal (50)--to life imprisonment, till the rest of their natural life. According to the prosecution, the woman used to run a hostel for orphan girls in the district. The Child Welfare Society and a child protection officer in Shivpuri had earlier received a complaint about girls allegedly being abused in the facility. Subsequently, a probe was conducted and on November 16, 2016 the police registered a case against the woman and her father for sexually abusing the minor girls, the prosecution said. During the probe, it was found that the woman used to help her father in abusing the girls. The victims also revealed during investigation that they were given sedatives before being sexually assaulted and whenever they complained to the woman about it, she would beat them up to silence them. On the report of the child protection officer, the woman and her father were arrested under relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code and the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, and the orphanage was sealed. As many as 23 girls were residing in the hostel at that time and of them, six minors, aged between 11 and 16, were sexually assaulted by the retired professor, the prosecution said. The court also imposed a fine of Rs 16,000 each on the two convicts. PTI monicakchauhan@gmail.com Kannur, May 8 In an escalation of political violence, an RSS worker was hacked to death at nearby new Mahe allegedly by CPI(M) workers in retaliation to the 'fatal attack' on a marxist leader at Palloor in that region, bordering northern Kannur district. The RSS worker, Shemaj, an autorickshaw driver, was pulled out of his vehicle and hacked to death on Monday night, police said on Tuesday. He died on the way to Kozhikode medical college, they said. New Mahe, comes under Kannur police jurisdiction while Mahe, a former French colony, is located between Thalassery in Kannur district and Vadakara in Kozhikode district, and is an enclave of the Union Territory of Puducherry. Shemaj was attacked shortly after the 'fatal attack' on CPI(M) local leader, Babu late last night, police said adding political enmity was the motive for the two killings. Further investigation is on, police said. Meanwhile, both CPI(M) and the BJP have called for Hartal in Kannur district and Mahe to protest the killings. Elaborate security arrangements have been made to prevent any untoward incident. PTI monicakchauhan@gmail.com Tribune News Service New Delhi, May 8 Shimla was on Tuesday hit by a heavy hailstorm, while the weather office has warned thunderstorms, squalls and gusty winds in Delhi, Haryana and Chandigarh, till Friday. High mountains of Himachal Pradesh received fresh snowfall early Tuesday morning. In a weather warning bulletin, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) said thunderstorms and squalls are "very, very likely at isolated places in Haryana, Chandigarh and Delhi". It also warned of duststorm in Rajasthan while heavy rain is expected in six northeast states. The weather office warned of squalls and hail along with thunderstorms in Jammu and Kashmir, Uttarakhand, Punjab and Himachal Pradesh. The Haryana government on Monday closed schools for two days as a preventive measure in view of the weather warning. In Himachal Pradesh, mild snowfall occurred on Monday in the mountain areas while some parts received rain. The local weather office warned of more snow and rain accompanied by hailstorms and gusty winds in the state till Wednesday. Light to moderate rains lashed parts of Punjab and Haryana, including Chandigarh, leading to a sharp fall in temperature. Ambala, Panchkula, Mohali and Patiala were also hit by rain in the two states. A dust storm hit many places in Jodhpur and Bikaner divisions and isolated areas in Jaipur, Ajmer and Kota regions affecting normal life even though no loss of life or major damage to property was reported, officials said. Many parts of the state could again see a dust storm or thunderstorm in the next 24 hours, according to the MeT department. Gusty winds hit Ajmer, Jaipur, Sikar and nearby areas in the morning leaving trees uprooted and sign boards damaged. Moderate to light rains occurred at places in Jodhpur, Bikaner, Jaipur and Ajmer divisions while the weather remained dry in other divisions, according to the Met department. Phalodi and Lohawat (both in Jodhpur), Sardarshahar (Churu) recorded 2 cm rainfall while many places recorded 1 cm or less rain till morning since yesterday, officials said. The day temperatures reduced by a few degrees due to change in the weather. Last week, thunderstorms had wreaked havoc in parts of Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan, killing nearly 100 people. With agencies #Uttarakhand: Badrinath received fresh snowfall this morning, 2 inches of snow covers the area. Hemkund received fresh snowfall too. Badrinath Yatra underway. pic.twitter.com/i6ZBn1wjCB ANI (@ANI) May 8, 2018 Himachal Pradesh: Keylong in Lahul Spiti received fresh snowfall this morning. pic.twitter.com/Obw9Duzh9O ANI (@ANI) May 8, 2018 monicakchauhan@gmail.com Aditi Tandon Tribune News Service New Delhi, May 8 Former Congress president Sonia Gandhi will return to the campaign circuit today at Bijapur, Karnataka after a 21 month long break from election canvassing. The last time Sonia was seen publicly during an election engagement in August 2016 in Prime Minister Narendra Modis parliamentary constituency of Varanasi. The veteran Congress woman had, however, taken ill at the time and was brought back to Delhi for medical treatment. Her much-hyped visit to the Kashi Vishwanath temple in Varanasi was also not to be. Sonia Gandhi was later on medically advised rest for long and sufficed to issue an election appeal in her name for the Uttar Pradesh elections, which the party lost badly. Even later, though Sonia Gandhis name topped the list of star Congress campaigners submitted to the Election Commission for Punjab, Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand elections, she was not to be seen on the ground. The closest she got to plan a rally was at The Ridge in Shimla during Himachal Pradesh canvassing, but even that was cancelled at the last minute, citing health reasons. Todays rally at Bijapur has already triggered a debate around Sonia Gandhis return to active politics as she prepares to end her two-year self-imposed abstention from electoral arena. Sources in the Congress said she is now feeling better and more up to the challenges of canvassing. There is equally an understanding that the Congress must marshal all its forces to win Karnataka, the only large state apart from Punjab, currently with the party, which has lost state after state starting 2013. Except Bihar, where it had won in grand alliance (later ended after JDU pulled out) in 2015, The Congress has lost power in most states, save Punjab in 2017. Winning Karnataka is important for the Congress for one more reason its the first state election being fought after Sonia Gandhis son Rahul Gandhi became Congress president on December 16 last year. As a Congress insider puts it, The mother would obviously want to be there for the son. pardeepdhull@gmail.com New Delhi, May 8 Senior commanders of the Indian Navy began a four-day conclave here on Tuesday to discuss combat efficiency and military preparedness of the blue water force amid worries about an assertive China encircling India with its military and strategic assets in the Indian Ocean region and its neighbourhood. The first edition of this years bi-annual Naval Commanders Conference is being held to review the Navys new mission-based deployments philosophy that is aimed at ensuring peace and stability in the region, a Navy spokesperson said. The Indian Navys focus over the past year has been on combat efficiency and materiel readiness and upkeep of its large fleet of 131 ships and submarines. The spokesperson didnt speak about China creating military and strategic assets in Indias close neighbourhood like in Bangladesh, Myanmar, the Maldives and Sri Lanka who have all signed up to Beijings ambitious Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). But the looming presence of Chinese warships on the high seas in the Indian Ocean has left India a lot worried, scurrying for strategic bases overseaslike the one New Delhi is now set to establish in the archipelago of Seychelles with which it signed a pact to build naval infrastructure in February this year. Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, who inaugurated the May 8-11 conference, said the Indian Navy will be a force to reckon with in the Indo-Pacific region. She parried a question on Chinese ubiquitous presence in the region including a deep-sea port at Gwadar in Pakistan and the establishment of a naval base in Djibouti in the Horn of Africa. Asked about Indias border and maritime competitiveness with China, the Defence Minister said there is no tension between the two neighbours. Probed further and asked what had militarily changed between India and China following official visits to China by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj and by herself, Sitharaman said: We are talking and meeting each other. That is a big change. She said she had a very pointed discussion on the issues raised by the (Navy) commanders who were open-minded about the issues concerning the Navy and in highlighting Indias maritime strength. The conclave would also review the measures to ensure safety, continued training and checks and balances on crew proficiency on-board the Navys frontline warships. The spokesperson said the Navy had been at the forefront in the absorption and exploitation of cutting-edge technology. As such, the Naval commanders will deliberate upon steps to improve the teeth-to-tail ratio and explore niche fields such as Artificial Intelligence and Big Data Analytics during the conference, he said. The Navys initiatives to enhance indigenous defence industrial capability extending up to the micro small and medium enterprises are also likely to be covered during the conclave. Currently, 27 ships and submarines are under construction in Indian shipyards. These include the first indigenous aircraft carrier Vikrant. The Navy has already promulgated the Indian Naval Indigenisation Plan 2015-30, laying down its 15-year plan. IANS sanjiv@tribunemail.com Tribune News Service New Delhi, May 7 The issue of removal of Chief Justice of India Dipak Misra reached the Supreme Court on Monday, with two Congress MPs filing a petition against rejection of the unprecedented removal notice against the CJI by Rajya Sabha Chairman M Venkaiah Naidu. It has been listed for hearing on Tuesday before a Constitution Bench of Justices AK Sikri, SA Bobde, NV Ramana, Arun Mishra and AK Goel, who are number 6 to 10 in seniority. The four seniormost judges Justices J Chelameswar, Ranjan Gogoi, Madan B Lokur and Kurian Joseph who had held a press conference against the CJI on January 12 have apparently been kept out of this all-important Bench that will hear this unprecedented petition. However, it was not clear as to who constituted the Bench. The petition filed by Congress MPs Partap Singh Bajwa and Amee Harshadray Yajnik claimed the reasons given in the rejection order by Naidu were wholly extraneous and not legally tenable. Earlier in the day, senior advocate Kapil Sibal and advocate Prashant Bhushan mentioned the matter for urgent listing before a Bench headed by Justice Chelameswar, number two in the list of seniority. In view of the Constitution Bench verdicts declaring CJI as the Master of Roster, the Bench initially asked the two noted lawyers to mention it before the CJI himself but agreed to take it up on Tuesday after Sibal pointed out that the CJI could not be a judge in his own case. After considering the material contained in the notice of removal motion and the inputs from legal luminaries and constitutional experts, the Rajya Sabha Chairman had rejected the notice of the motion for removal of the CJI. I have applied my mind to all five charges made out in impeachment motion and examined all annexed documents. All facts as stated dont make out a case which can lead any reasonable mind to conclude that the CJI on these facts can be ever held guilty of misbehaviour, the RS Chairman had said. But the petitioner MPs contended that the reasons given by the RS Chairman were not legally tenable and deserved to be set aside for being wholly extraneous and ultra vires the provisions of the Constitution and the Judges Inquiry Act. The charges in the notice of motion were extremely serious and merited a full-fledged inquiry to test their veracity. Sibal said the RS Chairman could not have summarily rejected the notice bearing signatures of 64 MPs by saying there was no proved misbehaviour. Bhushan said as per Supreme Court Rules, the CJI was disabled to pass any order in this matter either on the judicial side or on the administrative side. Only the seniormost judge can decide on the listing of this petition which has sought quashing of the order of the RS Chairman, he said. "There is a five-judge constitution Bench verdict on powers of Master of Roster. It would be appropriate if you mention the matter in court number-1 before the Bench of Chief Justice, Justice Chelameswar told Sibal but agreed to take up the matter on Tuesday after a brief huddle with Justice Sanjay Kishan Kaul. A five-judge constitution Bench of the apex court had in November last ruled that the Chief Justice of India was the "Master of Roster". As Sibal pleaded for urgent listing, Justice Chelameswar who is due to retire on June 22 said, I have only a few more days here. I am on the verge of my retirement. Terming it an unprecedented situation, Sibal said: This petition raises a constitutional question of importance. How do you deal with this situation? Who has the power? Lordships will have to clarify. I understand the CJI has the power to direct for listing but this case is against the Master of Roster. As Sibal objected to recent circulars asking lawyers to mention urgent matters before a Registrar, Justice Kaul said it was not that simple. I have practised in this court for past 45 years. The Registrar cant take orders from the CJI in this matter. The CJI cant delegate his Master of Roster powers to the Registrar, said Sibal. In a related development, another Bench headed by Justice AK Sikri refused to restrain MPs and the media from publicly discussing the issue of the CJIs removal and posted a PIL on the matter for hearing in July. sanjiv@tribunemail.com Chandigarh, May 7 The Punjab Government on Monday announced setting up of a six-member committee to look into the recommendations by a panel set up in 2014 to review the history syllabus and to henceforth oversee all history books. The move comes in the wake of the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) alleging that a portion of Sikh and Punjab history had been deleted from the Class 12 curriculum. Criticising the Akalis, Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh said his governments initiative to re-arrange the syllabus in a chronological order had been unnecessarily politicised by the Opposition. In fact, there were no history books earlier and what SAD president Sukhbir Singh Badal is citing was merely a guide, he told mediapersons here. The Chief Minister said there had been no deletions and the entire history of the Gurus had been incorporated in a chronological order in the syllabi for Classes XI and XII. Since the decision to review the syllabi and realign it with the NCERT curriculum was taken during the SAD-BJP government in 2014, the committee has been mandated to review the recommendations of the expert group, then constituted by the Punjab School Education Board (PSEB), and suggest corrections, if any. The committee will be headed by eminent historian Prof Kirpal Singh and will include former VC of Guru Nanak Dev University Prof JS Grewal, former Pro-Vice Chancellor of GNDU Prof Prithipal Singh Kapur, and Emeritus Prof Indu Banga (Panjab University). Two historians will be nominated by the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee. The CM said the committee had also been directed to oversee the syllabi and contents of history textbooks prescribed for all classes by the PSEB and to ensure that there were no discrepancies. TNS editorial@tribune.com Saurabh Malik Tribune News Service Chandigarh, May 7 Three years after warring relatives moved the Punjab and Haryana High Court over a property row, they have agreed to shift the dispute from the temple of justice to Gurdwara Nada Sahib. In an out of the ordinary recourse, the parties have agreed before the Punjab and Haryana High Court that an oath before Guru Sahib would decide the outcome of their legal battle pertaining to Amritsar district. The developments took place on a regular second appeal filed by Kashmir Singh against Narinder Pal Singh and others respondents. The compromise with a difference before Justice Ajay Tewaris Bench has its genesis in an alleged agreement between the parties to sell a property. The appellant, Kashmir Singh, has all along been claiming that Rs 4.3 lakh was paid to the respondent out of the total consideration of Rs 4.6 lakh. The respondents, Narinder Pal Singh and others, are, however, claiming the agreement to sell was a forged document and no consideration had ever passed in this respect. As the case came up for resumed hearing, Justice Tewaris Bench was told that the dispute had been settled with the intervention of the counsel. Justice Tewari observed Kashmir Singhs son and Narinder Pal Singh were present in the court. It was agreed between them that the respondents would present themselves before Gurdwara Nada Sahib. If the respondents took an oath before Guru Sahib that they had not received any money, the appellant would withdraw his appeal. Taking on record the agreement between the parties, Justice Tewari appointed an advocate, present in the court, as a local commissioner. She is requested to be present at the gurdwara on the fixed date and time, videograph the proceedings and give a report whether the respondents have taken the oath or not. gspannu7@gmail.com Tribune News Service Chandigarh, May 8 The Punjab Cabinet in its meeting on Tuesday gave its approval to provide financial assistance and grant employment on compassionate grounds to the next of kin of the persons killed in Mosul (Iraq). The state government had decided to provide employment to one dependent family member of the victims, as per their educational qualification and governments policy, besides ex-gratia of Rs 5 lakh. It had also decided to continue with the monthly pension of Rs 20,000 being paid to the family members from the CMs Relief Fund till the time the jobs are provided. An ex-gratia of Rs 5,00,000 each to 26 dependent family members amounting to Rs 1.30 crore has already been disbursed from the CMs Relief Fund, said an official spokesperson, adding that, as per records, one victim had no legal heir. Pertinently, the case of providing compassionate appointment to dependent family members of the 27 deceased Indians from Punjab does not fall within the purview of state policy. Therefore, relaxation in the policy was required for this purpose. Keeping in view the hardships faced by the victims families, the Cabinet decided to relax the existing policy of the state government as notified on November 21, 2002. However, the remaining conditions of the policy would remain applicable. It may be recalled that in a tragic incident, 39 Indians were kidnapped and killed by ISIS in Mosul (Iraq) in 2014. The bodies of deceased were exhumed and DNA tests were conducted, following which the mortal remains of 27 deceased Indians from Punjab were brought back to Amritsar on April 3. The deceased hailed from eight districts, namely Amritsar, Hoshiarpur, Jalandhar, Ludhiana, Shaheed Bhagat Singh Nagar, Sangrur, Kapurthala and Gurdaspur. laxmi@tribune.com Yerevan, May 8 Opposition leader Nikol Pashinyan was elected Armenias Prime Minister on Tuesday, capping a peaceful revolution driven by weeks of mass protests against corruption and cronyism in the ex-Soviet republic. Moscow, which has a military base in Armenia, is wary of an uncontrolled change of power which would pull the country out of its orbit, but Pashinyan has offered assurances that he will not break with the Kremlin. Russian President Vladimir Putin congratulated Pashinyan on his election. The election of Pashinyan, a former newspaper editor who spent time in prison for fomenting unrest, marks a dramatic rupture with the cadre of rulers who have run Armenia since the late 1990s. Minutes after parliament voted to make him prime minister, Pashinyan travelled to a square in the capital, Yerevan, where tens of thousands of cheering supporters, many wearing T-shirts bearing his portrait, waited to greet him. The people won, Pashinyan told the crowd. Congratulations. Throughout the protests, Pashinyan had dressed in a camouflage T-shirt and military-style cap, an outfit that became his trademark, but on Tuesday he changed into a suit and tie. Pashinyan, born in 1975, spearheaded a protest movement that first forced veteran leader Serzh Sarksyan to step down as PM and then pressured the ruling party to abandon attempts to block his election as PM, the countrys most powerful post. In a vote in parliament on Tuesday, 59 lawmakers backed Pashinyans candidacy, including some from the ruling Republican Party, with 42 voting against. In Yerevans Republic Square, Pashinyans supporters watched the voting on huge television screens. When the result was shown, there were chants of Nikol!, white doves were released into the air and people hugged and kissed each other. We won! We made history today! said Gurgen Simonyan, 22, a student in the crowd. Pashinyans protest movement was sparked when Sarksyan, barred by the constitution from seeking another term as president, became PM instead. Many Armenians saw that as a cynical ploy by Sarskyan to extend his hold on power. Armenia is a country of about three million people nestled in mountains between Iran, Turkey, Georgia and Azerbaijan. Since it emerged as an independent state after the collapse of the Soviet Union, Armenia, a majority Christian country, has been locked in a territorial conflict with mainly-Muslim Azerbaijan, and under economic blockade from Turkey. Throughout Armenias wave of protests, Moscow has remained publicly neutral, and Pashinyan has consistently said he viewed Moscow as a vital ally. Reuters Ex-editor who led wave of anti-government protests monicakchauhan@gmail.com Islamabad, May 8 A Pakistani high court has granted bail to five suspected Taliban and Al Qaeda militants arrested for their alleged role in the 2007 assassination of former prime minister Benazir Bhutto. Bhutto, who had served twice as prime minister in the 1990s, was killed in a gun and bomb attack in 2007 in Rawalpindi, the garrison city neighbouring the capital, after she finished addressing a political rally. Her assassination plunged the country into political chaos and spasms of violence. The government of former military ruler Pervez Musharraf blamed Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) chief Baituallah Mehsud for the attack. Mehsud had later denied the charges. However, police arrested Abdul Rashid, Aitzaz Shah, Rafaqat Hussain, Husnain Gul and Sher Zaman and claimed that they were active members of TTP for their alleged role in the killing. An Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC) in Rawalpindi acquitted the five in its verdict of August 31, 2017 but they were not set free due to alleged links with militants. A two-member Rawalpindi bench of the Lahore High Court comprising Justice Mirza Waqas and Justice Sardar Serfraz yesterday granted bail to the five suspects on surety bonds worth Rs 500,000 each, Dawn News reported. The bench further directed the authorities concerned to ensure their presence at every hearing of the case. It was not clear when they will be released as they were already shifted to the Kot Lakhpat jail in Lahore from the Adiala jail in Rawalpindi on November 28, 2017. An official of the prison department said the release orders were likely to be received today or tomorrow, the report said. However, he added that the provincial government could extend their detention as the Punjab government had the legal authority to do so. Earlier, soon after their acquittal by the ATC, the five TTP suspects were detained for 30 days at the Adiala central jail on the recommendation of the Counter-Terrorism Department of the Punjab police. On September 1, 2017, a Counter-Terrorism Department officer informed the Rawalpindi district administration through a letter that the release from jail of Sher Zaman, resident of North Wazirstan, would be prejudicial to public safety and maintenance of public order. The district administration subsequently issued detention orders under Section 26 of the Maintenance of Public Order (MPO) ordinance for the five suspects for a period of one month. After the completion of the month-long detention, they were detained for another 60 days. On November 28, 2017, the TTP suspects were again detained for three more months on a directive of the LHC. PTI laxmi@tribune.com ANKARA, May 8 Iranian President Hassan Rouhani said on Tuesday that Iran would remain committed to a multinational nuclear deal despite US President Donald Trump's decision to withdraw from the 2015 agreement designed to deny Tehran the ability to build nuclear weapons. "If we achieve the deal's goals in cooperation with other members of the deal, it will remain in place... By exiting the deal, America has officially undermined its commitment to an international treaty," Rouhani said in a televised speech. "I have ordered the foreign ministry to negotiate with the European countries, China and Russia in coming weeks. If at the end of this short period we conclude that we can fully benefit from the JCPOA with the cooperation of all countries, the deal would remain," he added. The Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) is the full name for the nuclear deal, struck in 2015 between Iran, the five permanent members of the U.N. Security Council the United States, Russia, China, Britain and France and Germany. Rouhani added that Iran was ready to resume its nuclear activities after consultations with the other world powers which are part of the agreement. Trump's announcement was hailed by Washington's principal allies in the Middle East, Israel and Saudi Arabia, both sworn foes of Iran. Under the deal, Iran curbed its nuclear activities in return for the lifting of most sanctions imposed on the country. Trump said he would reimpose economic sanctions on Tehran immediately. His decision puts pressure on his European allies, who are key backers of the deal and reluctant to join the United States in reimposing sanctions on Iran. Banking turmoil Some Iranians had been cashing in their savings even before Trump's announcement he would pull out from the international deal with Iran, straining a banking system weighed down by bad loans and years of isolation. An official with Iran's biggest state-owned Melli Bank told Reuters savings had declined by an unspecified amount, although he said this was a temporary phenomenon and that they would recover once the uncertainty over Trump's decision passed. "When there is political uncertainty, its psychological impact on people causes a drop in savings. But it will pass after Trump's deadline," the official said before the announcement, declining to be named. A senior Iranian central bank official said conditions within the banking system had deteriorated in the past year, and "we have still not passed the danger zone" but added that the central bank had "all the measures ready to prevent any crisis". EU will stand by Iran Europe will stand by the international nuclear accord with Iran, EU Foreign Policy chief Federica Mogherini said in a live press statement in Rome on Tuesday. "The EU is determined to preserve it," she said. "We expect the rest of the international community to continue to preserve it, for the sake of collective security." "The nuclear accord belongs to the whole of the international community," Mogherini added. "To the Iranian people I say: do not let anyone dismantle this deal, one of the greatest achievements of the international community." "I am particularly worried about tonight's announcement of further sanctions," she said, adding that the deal with Iran "is the culmination of 12 years of diplomacy." Most Americans reject move Less than one in three Americans agrees with President Donald Trump's decision to pull the US out of an agreement to limit Iran's nuclear programme, according to a Reuters/Ipsos national opinion poll released on Tuesday. The poll, conducted on May 4-8, ahead of the President's announcement to end the deal, found that 29 per cent of adults wanted to end the deal with Iran and five other world powers to ease sanctions and limit Iran's nuclear programme. Another 42 per cent said the US should remain in the deal, and the remaining 28 per cent said they "don't know". Even among those who are registered as Republicans, less than half 44 per cent advocated ending the US involvement in the deal. Another 28 per cent wanted to remain, and the remaining 28 percent said they did not know. Agencies US undermined commitment to treaty If we achieve the deals goals in cooperation with other members of the deal, it will remain in place... By exiting the deal, America has officially undermined its commitment to an international treaty. Hassan Rouhani, Iranian President Will work collectively We will work collectively on a broader framework, covering (Iran's) nuclear activity, the post-2025 period, ballistic activity, and stability in the Middle-East, notably Syria, Yemen, and Iraq. Emmanuel Macron, French President Its a historic move Israel thinks that Trump made a historic move, and this is why Israel thanks him for his commitment to confront the terrorist regime in Tehran, and his commitment to ensure that Iran never gets nuclear weapons. Benjamin Netanyahu, Israeli Prime Minister Decision misguided Donald Trumps decision to withdraw from the deal is misguided. I believe that the decision to put the JCPOA at risk without any Iranian violation of the deal is a serious mistake. Barack Obama, former US President laxmi@tribune.com Islamabad, May 8 Pakistans Supreme Court on Tuesday suspended the Senate membership of former finance minister Ishaq Dar after he failed to appear before it in connection with a petition contesting his election to the Upper House. The court had summoned Dar, 67, who has been in London since October 2017 and was declared absconder by an accountability court in a corruption case, to appear on May 8 in a plea challenging his election to the Senate. The former finance minister had won a Senate seat in March as a Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) backed independent candidate. Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insafs (PTI) Nawazish Ali Pirzada had received 12 votes as a Senate candidate on technocrat seat from Punjab against Dars 155. Hearing the petition filed by Pirzada, Dars lawyer informed the court that he was unwell and unable to appear before the court. Whenever we talk about his court appearance he becomes ill but looks good on TV, Justice Ijazul Ahsan said. Appearing on behalf of Dar, his lawyer Nasir Bhutta said that the medical report has been submitted which proves his illness. But Justice Ahsan sought Dars medical certificate, but the defence could not produce, following which he rejected the medical report. PTI uttara@tribuneindia.com WASHINGTON, May 8 US President Donald Trump said he would discuss trade with Chinese President Xi Jinping on Tuesday, as both sides continue talks after failing to reach a consensus at talks in Beijing last week. Trump announced the planned telephone call in a post on Twitter, just days after a US delegation returned from discussions in Beijing last week with no agreement on a long list of US demands, and ahead of more negotiations next week. Trump, calling Xi "my friend," pledged in the post that "good things will happen" on trade. Next week, China's top economic official, Vice Premier Liu He, is scheduled to visit Washington to resume negotiations sparked by the Trump administration's threat to impose tariffs on up to $150 billion of Chinese imports. Tariff threats have roiled US and other stock markets in recent weeks amid fears a trade war between the world's two largest economies will impact global markets. Last week, a seven-member US delegation returned to Washington and briefed Trump on their meeting with Chinese counterparts. Reuters (Pastor David Lai and Tsem Rinpoche) On the last day of the 1st Gelug Conference held on 24th June 2015, His Holiness the Dalai Lama gave a speech before a congregation of Gelug lamas, abbots and practitioners from all over the world. During the talk, the Dalai Lama claimed that the Dharma Protector Setrap had given mistaken prophecies to Dagyab Rinpoche as well as officials from Minyak Khangtsen (fraternity house) of Drepung Loseling Monastery. His Holiness was referring to two important dough ball divinations requesting Setrap for his advice. Both Dagyab Rinpoche and the monastic officials had performed these divinations during crucial eleventh-hour deliberations as to whether they should remain where they were or flee Tibet for India. According to the Dalai Lama, the results of the divination indicated that it would be better for the Minyak Khangtsen monks as well as Dagyab Rinpoche to remain in Tibet. However, Dagyab Rinpoche thought about the Dalai Lama and his two esteemed tutors who had already escaped to India after the Cultural Revolution spread to Tibet. With this in mind, Dagyab Rinpoche decided to disregard the divination results from Setrap and left Tibet as well. Saying that these incidents had deeply embarrassed Setrap, His Holiness the Dalai Lama then went on to describe another one of Setraps mistakes as the recognition and enthronement of Dorje Shugden as a Dharma Protector. The Dalai Lama also mentioned that Four-Faced Mahakala had made the same mistake in recognising and enthroning Dorje Shugden as a legitimate Dharma Protector and claimed that he had a dream in which he wrestled with a statue of Four-Faced Mahakala. During the ensuing struggle, one of Mahakalas arms broke off. Although the Dalai Lama laughed and seemed to be joking, humour was definitely not what he had in mind. In speaking of Setrap and Four-Faced Mahakalas mistakes, and in referring to his dream, the Dalai Lama was actually trying to discredit both Setrap and Four-Faced Mahakala and, by extension, discredit their recognition of Dorje Shugden as a legitimate Dharma Protector. Since these senior Dharma protectors Setrap and Mahakala are widely accepted as highly enlightened beings and therefore, they knew that it was time for a special protector to arise according to karmic circumstances of the people of this time. Therefore, the enlightened Setrap and Mahakala assisted and enthroned Dorje Shugden as an authentic dharma protector. We can see the unique and close relationship of these protectors with each other. Its because of this close relationship, that Dorje Shugdens enlightened quality is confirmed which perhaps prompted His Holiness to say something about this matter. The question is, do His Holiness the Dalai Lamas claims hold water when one considers the illustrious history and lineage of these two great enlightened Dharma Protectors? Or view the video on the server at: https://video.tsemtulku.com/videos/DLonSetrapMahakala.mp4 English Translation Is it Drepung Minyak Khangtsen? [asking someone] They did a dough ball divination to Setrap about whether they should remain in Tibet or leave. Wow, they totally trust Setrap [sarcastic laughter]. The result was they should remain. Setrap released the bridge. [His Holiness the Dalai Lama is referring to a Tibetan proverb. Tibetan rope bridges are tied on either end to secure them. Thus, the Dalai Lama is saying that Setrap untied the bridge and released it i.e. Setrap made a big mistake.] At Sangphu Ling, Dagyab Rinpoche also requested Setrap for another dough ball divination, and the result also was that he should remain [in Tibet and not flee to India]. Dagyab Rinpoche thought to himself that the Dalai Lama and his two tutors [Kyabje Ling Rinpoche and Kyabje Trijang Rinpoche] had already left, so there was no point in heeding Setraps advice. So Dagyab Rinpoche also left. That wasnt the first time Setrap was intensely embarrassed [Tib.: shamdrey]. During the time of the 5th Dalai Lama, Setrap also made big mistakes. So it is like this. In relations to Dorje Shugden, there is some responsibility from Setraps side. When Dorje Shugden first became a Protector, it was Setrap who first took him in [inferring that it was Setrap who first recognised Dorje Shugden as a Protector]. And then Four-Faced Mahakala also received Dorje Shugden as a Protector and accepted him. Anyway, it is not very important but I once had a dream about a huge statue of Four-Faced Mahakala and he was talking to me about Dorje Shugden. Then I said to him that I practise Palden Lhamo only. I had a fight with Mahakala and I was wrestling with him. I won and one of his arms broke. And I won [laughter]. So it is something like that. History and Lineage of Four-Faced Mahakala Within Tibetan Buddhism, there are 75 forms of Mahakala. One of these, Four-Faced Mahakala, also known as Chaturmukha Mahakala in Sanskrit, is an ancient protector deity who has been worshipped since the time of the great Nalanda Monastery in India. The great pandits and mahasiddhas of Nalanda Monastery relied on Four-Faced Mahakala, who is an emanation of the Bodhisattva Manjushri and the main protector of both the Guhyasamaja and Chakrasamvara Tantras. Since these tantric systems were widely practised within the Kagyu, Sakya and Gelug traditions of Tibetan Buddhism, Four-Faced Mahakala became an important Dharma Protector. Four-Faced Mahakala within the Guhyasamaja Tantra The name Guhyasamaja (Sanskrit) or Sangwa Dupa (Tibetan) literally means Secret Assembly. Secret assembly here refers to the gathering of psychic energies within the body in order to achieve higher states of Enlightenment. Considered the King of Tantras, the Guhyasamaja Tantra is one of the oldest Buddhist tantric systems of ancient India and belongs to the highest Anuttarayoga Tantra classification. There are two main traditions of the Guhyasamaja tantric system: the Arya tradition and the Jnanapada tradition. It was the great Tibetan translator Nyen Lotsawa who received the Manjuvajra Guhyasamaja (Jnanapada tradition) initiation from the dakini Risula, together with the initiation of Four-Faced Mahakala in accordance to the Guhyasamaja Tantras. She also entrusted him with a dark-skinned Brahmin, a member of the Indian religious caste, as a servant. When Nyen Lotsawa and the Brahmin arrived in Nepal, the servant took on the appearance of a monk, which was more conducive for travelling within Tibet. After Nyen Lotsawa passed away, the monk remained with Lama Nam Kaupa and then later with Sachen Kunga Nyingpo. This servant is widely believed to have been none other than Four-Faced Mahakala himself. Within the Sakya tradition, it was considered inappropriate to reveal the wrathful form of Four-Faced Mahakala to those who had not received initiation. For this reason, the iconographic tradition of painting Four-Faced Mahakala in the form of the Brahmin servant, Nyen Lotsawa, arose. This representation of Four-Faced Mahakala later came to be known as Brahmanarupa Mahakala. He is portrayed as an old dark-skinned mendicant holding a human skull-cup filled with blood in his upraised left hand and a thigh-bone trumpet in his right. His hair, beard and eyebrows are white and he is surrounded by four attendant dakinis. Later, Lama Tsongkhapa established the Gelug tradition of Tibetan Buddhism, into which he incorporated both the Guhyasamaja practice and the propitiation of Four-Faced Mahakala. However, less emphasis was placed on secrecy so there was no need to hide representations of Mahakala. Hence, the vast majority of Tibetan and Mongolian paintings of Four-Faced Mahakala follow the Gelug depiction. In the 16th Century, it was His Holiness the 3rd Dalai Lama Sonam Gyatso who incorporated the practice of Four-Faced Mahakala into mainstream monastic life. This practice was actually relied upon by the monks of Drepung Tantric College but when they founded Namgyal Monastery, the personal monastery of the Dalai Lamas, Four-Faced Mahakala became a central practice that has been relied upon ever since. This form of Mahakala, known as his accomplishment form is usually depicted with four faces. His right face is white, his left red, the main face blue-black, and the face on top is the colour of smoke. His primary pair of hands hold a curved flaying knife and a skull-cup filled with blood. His secondary pair of hands hold a raised sword on the right and a spear on the left. He stands in the ancient pose of an Indian warrior, with his right leg bent and left straight, standing atop a human corpse. Surrounding him with frightening appearances are his four attendant dakini goddesses: Dombini, Chandali, Rakshasi and Singhali Devi. They are black, red, yellow and green in colour respectively. These are just some of the esteemed Indian and Tibetan lineage masters of the Guhyasamaja Tantras, almost all of whom have relied upon Four-Faced Mahakala as a Dharma Protector: Vajradhara, Nagarjuna, Balimtapa, Buddhajnana, Marmedze Zangpo, Shrideva, Drime Bepa, Ratnavajra, Ratnakirti, Risula Dakini, Nyen Lotsawa, Lama Nam Kaupa, Sachen Kunga Nyingpo and many other lineage masters in the Sakya and Gelug traditions. Four-Faced Mahakala within the Chakrasamvara Tantra Like the practice of Guhyasamaja, the Chakrasamvara Tantra (known in Tibetan as Khorlo Dechog) belongs to the highest Anuttarayoga Tantra classification. There are three main lineages of Chakrasamvara transmissions, teachings and practice, which originated with the Indian Mahasiddhas Luipa, Ghantapa and Krishnacharya. They were all transmitted to Tibet and exist to the present day. These are just some of the esteemed Indian and Tibetan lineage masters of the Ghantapa lineage of the Chakrasamvara Tantras, almost all of whom have relied upon Four-Faced Mahakala as a Dharma Protector: Vajradhara, Vajrapani, Maha Brahmin Saraha, Acharya Nagarjuna, the Protector Shavari, Luipa, Darikapa, Vajra Ghantapa, Kumarapada, Jalandharapa, Krishnacharya, Guhyapa, Nampar Gyalwai Shap, the Acharya Barmai Lobpon, Tilopa, Naropa, the Pamthingpa Brothers, Lama Lokkya Sherab Tseg, Lama Mal Lotsawa, Sachen Kunga Nyingpo and many other lineage masters in the Sakya and Gelug traditions. So, both the Guhyasamaja and Chakrasamvara Tantras have the propitiation of Four-Faced Mahakala as part of their lineage. Furthermore, aside from these two tantric systems, these masters were also holders of other crucial lineages of both Sutra and Tantra, and are therefore considered to be some of the most important Buddhist masters of their time. Now, consider the calibre of the lineage masters who have relied on Four-Faced Mahakala, and bear this in mind while listening to His Holiness the Dalai Lamas criticism of Four-Faced Mahakala as the defeated Protector of his dream, and as a Protector who is fallible and capable of making mistakes such as enthroning Dorje Shugden as a legitimate Dharma Protector. Could these great masters, spanning centuries, have all been wrong about their reliance on Four-Faced Mahakala? History and Lineage of the Dharma Protector Setrap The other Dharma Protector who was targeted in the Dalai Lamas speech is the enlightened Protector Setrap. In the original fulfilment ritual to the great Protector Setrap, it is recorded that his practice can be traced all the way back to ancient India. Around the 11th Century CE, Ngok Lotsawa Loden Sherab (1059-1109 CE), a previous incarnation of Dorje Shugden, travelled to India in order to receive precious teachings on the Sanskrit language and the Indian treatises under the great masters of India. After spending a number of years in India, Lotsawa Loden Sherab was about to return to Tibet when the abbot of a monastery in Bodhgaya wanted to entrust a Dharma Protector to Loden Sherab. The abbot clairvoyantly knew that an extraordinary Protector would be needed to safeguard the teachings as they were being transmitted into Tibet. According to the account, the abbot entered the Protector Chapel of his monastery and made a request. He told the various Protectors of his intentions and asked who would be willing to travel with Loden Sherab to Tibet. It is said that Setrap answered the request and was thus chosen. During his journey to Tibet, Lotsawa Loden Sherab used his meditative powers to ascertain that Setrap was in fact an enlightened being. That means Setrap has the tremendous ability to protect and provide for practitioners on the path to Enlightenment, and clear obstacles to propel their spiritual progress. Upon his return to Tibet, Lotsawa Loden Sherab enthroned Setrap as the Dharma Protector of Sangphu Neutog Monastery. This monastery was originally built by his uncle, Ngok Lotsawa Lekpai Sherab, one of the few surviving students of Dipamkara Srijnana Atisha at that time. Loden Sherab went on to become foremost in the mind training teachings and established Sangphu as one of the most prestigious monasteries in Tibet. According to historical records, in its heyday, Sangphu had easily over 20,000 monks. At a later date, Sangphu Monastery was absorbed by the Gelug tradition, becoming a part of Gaden Monastery. A major fire had broken out at Sangphu Monastery, which resulted in many monks transferring to Gaden. These monks were housed in Gaden Shartse Monastery and they brought along with them the practice of propitiating Setrap. Over time and out of the many other Dharma Protectors, Setrap was chosen by senior monks to be the official Dharma Protector of Gaden Shartse Monastery and has remained its primary protector ever since. Considered to be the wrathful emanation of the Buddha Amitabha, Setrap has been propitiated by the great tulkus, geshes, and ordinary monks of Gaden Shartse Monastery for hundreds of years. Up to this day, the monastery conducts monthly pujas propitiating their five main protectors, including Setrap. All of the monks join in the pujas with no exceptions, which means that while residing in the monastery, the 14th Dalai Lamas junior tutor His Holiness Kyabje Trijang Rinpoche would have propitiated Setrap as part of these monthly rituals. Could someone of Kyabje Trijang Rinpoches calibre have recited liturgies for a Protector that the Dalai Lama claims makes mistakes in dough ball divinations? And can an enlightened Dharma Protector of Setraps calibre, relied upon by hundreds of monks, have made a mistake in enthroning Dorje Shugden as a legitimate Dharma Protector? Bear this in mind while listening to His Holiness the Dalai Lamas criticism of Setrap and Mahakala. Divining the future In his speech, His Holiness the Dalai Lama implied that when Dagyab Rinpoche and Minyak Khangtsen invoked upon Setrap, the Protector gave a mistaken prophecy and advised them to remain in Tibet instead of leaving for India. There are far-reaching implications for such a statement. When His Holiness the Dalai Lama says that Setrap made mistakes with the dough ball divinations, then he is effectively saying that: Setrap cannot be relied upon , either because he is by nature harmful or because enlightened beings like Setrap do not have the power of unlimited clairvoyance. By logic however, we know that this is not true attained masters like Kyabje Trijang Rinpoche would never have propitiated Setrap if he was a harmful being, and Dagyab Rinpoche and Minyak Khangtsen would have sought a different protectors advice instead of Setraps, if there were limitations to his clairvoyance. Both parties chose to seek his advice, and both chose to ignore it. Hence, the decision they made is more a reflection of their personal choices than of Setraps abilities . Dagyab Rinpoche, for instance, decided not to follow the divination because he wanted to be near His Holiness the Dalai Lama and his two tutors, and not because he thought that the divination was wrong. Divinations as a form of seeking answers from the enlightened beings cannot be relied upon. Although His Holiness the Dalai Lamas statements were intended to raise doubts over Setraps clairvoyance, they also call into question the entire tradition of Tibetan divination. Divination in the Tibetan tradition relies on the enlightened beings and their clairvoyance for accurate answers; since the enlightened beings operate from Bodhicitta, their answers will only benefit and never harm the receiver. However, because sentient beings lack the merit to commune directly with the Buddhas, divinations bridge this gap between the Buddhas and ourselves, so that we can receive guidance on questions that we do not know the answers to. We also know that His Holiness the Dalai Lama himself does not doubt divinations, since he himself continues to rely on the practice. In retrospect, the divination from Setrap was not mistaken. Although it was beneficial for His Holiness the Dalai Lama and his two tutors to flee Tibet for India, the same may not have applied to Dagyab Rinpoche and the monks of Minyak Khangtsen. Over the years, the situation in Tibet has dramatically improved, especially if one is not involved in any form of protest against the government. Many great masters and high lamas had remained in Tibet in order to continue the transmission of Dharma, upkeep the monasteries and give spiritual strength to the six million Tibetans who remained in Tibet. Perhaps Dagyab Rinpoche would have been much more beneficial in Tibet had he remained than immigrating to Germany. These last few decades the Tibetans have stopped coming into exile as situation in Tibet has drastically improved. Many of the exiled monks have returned to Tibet. Even His Holiness the Dalai Lama has been asking China repeatedly to return to Tibet and China. He sent his emissary Samdhong Rinpoche to China in 2018 to secretly negotiate his return to Tibet but the negotiations did not go well to the ire of Indian authorities who were not informed. If Dagyab Rinpoche and the monks of Minyak Khangtsen had remained, they would have been part of the revival and restoration of monastic institutions which is occurring in Tibet today. Therefore, Setraps divination may not have been wrong about remaining in Tibet after all. For 600 years, a great seat of learning and meditation, Gaden Shartse Monastery as well has hundreds of thousands of practitioners have relied on Setrap as their principle protector and attest to his spectacular benevolent interventions in critical times in their lives and they continue to trust in him. Revisiting the Dream The earliest known Tibetan painting of Four Faced Mahakala (Chaturmukha Mahakala) from the 15th Century. Also featured in this painting are the lineage masters including Nagarjuna, Buddhajnana, Nyen Lotsawa, Sachen Kunga Nyingpo and Sakya Pandita. Click to enlarge. In his speech, not only did His Holiness the Dalai Lama try to reduce Setraps credibility by portraying him as a deity prone to making mistakes, but the Dalai Lama also showed Four-Faced Mahakala to be somewhat impotent. The Dalai Lama recalled a dream he had had in which he and a life-sized statue of Four-Faced Mahakala disagreed about Dorje Shugden. When the two of them wrestled, the Dalai Lama broke Mahakalas arm. But while the Dalai Lama laughed and revelled in his supposed victory over Four-Faced Mahakala, he revealed nothing about the exchange he had with the deity. Did Mahakala scold the Dalai Lama for banning Dorje Shugden? Many senior monks, high lamas, lineage holders and yogi monks mentioned in hushed whispers that Four-Faced Mahakala was in fact giving a sign clearly to the Dalai Lama not to ban Dorje Shugden as no benefit would arise from it. Now past two decades since the ban started, many in the monasteries and Tibetan communities mention there has been no benefit in the ban against Shuden and it should cease already. The breaking of the arm in the dream is not so much Dalai Lama winning over the argument, but his relationship with Mahakala being damaged perhaps as suggested by erudite masters in cautious tones. Or did Mahakala advise the Dalai Lama to stop discriminating against Shugden practitioners? Why did Mahakala even appear to the Dalai Lama in a dream in the first place? It has been suggested that Four-Faced Mahakala appeared to caution His Holiness the Dalai Lama against upholding the Dorje Shugden ban. This theory would certainly match a different interpretation of the dream that has been suggested, which is less flattering of the Dalai Lama. Four-Faced Mahakala is actually an important protector for the Dalai Lama because he is connected to the Guhyasamaja and Chakrasamvara lineages that the Dalai Lama received from his teachers. Since the Dalai Lama received these tantric practices from them, he has commitments towards the practice of Four-Faced Mahakala. Mahakalas broken arm could therefore actually indicate broken samaya (spiritual bond) between the Dalai Lama and his teachers. A thangka of Tulku Drakpa Gyaltsen depicting his two primary Protectors: Four Faced Mahakala and Setrap. Tulku Trakpa Gyeltsen kept Mahakala as his main protector. Click to enlarge. Four-Faced Mahakala and Setrap were also the Protectors of Tulku Drakpa Gyaltsen, the lama who later became Dorje Shugden. It is said that when Dorje Shugden arose in his current form, Setrap and Four-Faced Mahakala enthroned him as a Dharma Protector. Since the Dalai Lama has banned the practice of Dorje Shugden, the ban directly contradicts Four-Faced Mahakalas enlightened action of recognising Dorje Shugden. Therefore, it is logical that the Dalai Lama has endangered his samaya with Four-Faced Mahakala, because he instigated a ban on a deity that Mahakala enthroned. What is equally unsurprising is the way in which His Holiness the Dalai Lama narrated the story. The Dalai Lama prefaced his recollection of the dream with a disclaimer, saying that the incident was not important. So one has to wonder if it is not important, why even mention it at all? The Dalai Lama has done this on countless occasions in the past, raising a serious topic while laughing and keeping things lighthearted even though the audience knows what the real message is that Four-Faced Mahakala is somehow lacking or not powerful, and the Dalai Lama is victorious over Mahakala because he is right about Dorje Shugden and the deity is wrong. It may seem to be a joke but in reality, the Dalai Lama is planting seeds of doubt in the minds of onlookers and observers. The Dalai Lamas casual attitude towards the impact of his statements can also be seen as disrespectful when examined from another perspective. If Four-Faced Mahakala in the dream were to be replaced with Jesus, Amitabha, Shiva, Krishna, Mahavira or another deity from a different religion, how would it make followers of that religion feel to see the Dalai Lama making jokes about breaking off or destroying that deitys arm and winning the fight? Would they be pleased to see the Dalai Lama laugh over what is clearly not a trivial or laughing matter? Moreover, those familiar with the traditions and culture of Tibet would know that there is a Tibetan belief that deities and practices that originate from India are more trustworthy than deities that arise from within Tibet. Seeing that the practices of both Four-Faced Mahakala and Setrap were brought to Tibet from India, the Dalai Lama has to be more cautious when criticising these established protector deities who have been respected and venerated across generations of Tibetan Buddhists over the centuries. Ramifications of the Dalai Lamas Statement But why did His Holiness the Dalai Lama spend so much time at the Gelug Conference speaking against Setrap and Four-Faced Mahakala? What was all of this done for? Only one thought springs to mind to delegitimise Dorje Shugden and attack his credibility. Setrap and Four-Faced Mahakala enthroned Dorje Shugden as a legitimate Dharma Protector but if they are no longer credible, then the decision they made regarding Dorje Shugdens enthronement becomes easy to attack and question. Before rushing to believe what His Holiness the Dalai Lama has said about Four-Faced Mahakala and Setrap, it would therefore be wise to consider the implications of the Dalai Lamas words. These words have tremendous weight and consequence for all practitioners as it might lead one to wrongly conclude the message into these 7 points: 1. His Holiness the Dalai Lama undermines peoples faith in the Protector deities Four-Faced Mahakala in a Gelug refuge tree. Anything in this tree is worthy of taking refuge and trusting. Click on image to enlarge. By trivialising their abilities and making them out to be powerless and inconsequential, His Holiness the Dalai Lama discourages practitioners from having full faith and confidence in these Dharma Protectors. Who would want to rely on a Dharma Protector who is unable to give accurate predictions that even high lamas heed? That would mean the enlightened beings who manifest as Dharma Protectors do not really have the wisdom or omniscience to perceive the future, which makes them no different to you and I. The fact is that enlightened beings do not make mistakes and if the Dalai Lama prays to Four-Faced Mahakala every day as part of his Guhyasamaja and Chakrasamvara practices, then Four-Faced Mahakala did not make a mistake. Enlightened beings, by nature, abide in perfect wisdom and compassion. They have long removed any obscurations to omniscience, and are able to perceive the nature of all beings. A powerfully established emanation such as Four-Faced Mahakala therefore would not be capable of making mistakes about Dorje Shugden or anything else. Hence it does not make sense for the Dalai Lama to rely on Four-Faced Mahakala, then turn around and say that Mahakala can be wrong and is mistaken. If an enlightened being such as Mahakala can be mistaken, why does the Dalai Lama pray to him? It would mean that he is not a worthy being to take refuge in and is incapable of protecting practitioners or guiding them along their path to Enlightenment. But this is exactly what the Dalai Lama is inferring in his statements about both Setrap and Four-Faced Mahakala. 2. His Holiness the Dalai Lama invalidates all of Tibetan Buddhism Four-Faced Mahakala is depicted here according to the Nyingma tradition. Click on image to enlarge. Believing what the Dalai Lama says about Setrap and Four-Faced Mahakala invalidates many great Tibetan lineages that propitiate these two Protectors as powerful enlightened beings. These Protector practices encompass not only the Gelug lineage, but also the Kagyu and Sakya lineages as well. Even the older Nyingma lineage propitiates Four-Faced Mahakala amongst their pantheon of Dharma Protectors. Therefore, the entirety of Tibetan Buddhism is undermined when established Dharma Protectors like Four-Faced Mahakala and Setrap are trivialised in this manner. In order for His Holiness the Dalai Lama to be right, all the illustrious lamas, mahasiddhas, geshes, yogis and great practitioners of all four traditions have to be wrong. Does this make sense? 3. His Holiness the Dalai Lama invalidates the widely-practised Chakrasamvara Tantras The Chakrasamvara Tantra happens to be one of the core tantras of the Gelug, Kagyu and Sakya schools, and Four-Faced Mahakala is propitiated in order to protect practitioners and the lineage of this tantra as a whole. Similarly, the lineage masters who practised and promoted this tantra would also be invalidated and this includes not only the Tibetan masters, but ancient Indian masters too, since the practice originated in India. For instance, the great Indian Acharya Nagarjuna, who is a holder of both the Chakrasamvara and Guhyasamaja lineages, composed the following praise to Four-Faced Mahakala. Was Arya Nagarjuna wrong in his description of Four-Faced Mahakalas qualities and siddhis? Praise to Four-Faced Mahakala by Arya Nagarjuna HUM Great bodhisattva who annihilates In a cannibals form all evil beings And who destroys the three-storied city: O fearful one this praise is offered you With great energy and admiration. You who are liberated from this world And said to have been a brahmin before Have attained the supreme of all siddhis And have reached the state of transcendent bliss. Your holy body is as quick as thought And renowned throughout all the universe. Liberator of all worldly beings In battle you are always the victor. Yamas and ma-mo directly praise you. You wear a blue silken upper garment, Your manifest body is at one time Most beautiful yet still it horrifies. Wherever you look your eye terrifies And brings all beings to humility. Your eye bestows the highest of siddhis. You lead countless beings to wisdom bliss. O compassionate and courageous lord, I constantly offer praises to you. 4. His Holiness the Dalai Lama contradicts the Sakya tradition Four-Faced Mahakala as Brahmanarupa in a Sakya refuge tree. Again the Sakyas take refuge in all beings contained within this refuge scope. Click on image to enlarge. Setrap has been highly propitiated within the Sakya tradition together with Dorje Shugden and Kache Marpo as part of a triad of protector deities called the Gyalpo Sum (Three Kingly Protectors). When the Dalai Lama expresses doubts in Setraps clairvoyance, he undermines the great Sakya tradition as well, which has a long, authentic and established lineage. 5. His Holiness the Dalai Lama contradicts his teachers His Holiness the Dalai Lamas junior tutor, Kyabje Trijang Rinpoche, is known to have practised Heruka Chakrasamvara intensely and, by extension, Four-Faced Mahakala as well. So the Dalai Lamas statements about fighting with Four-Faced Mahakala and winning are contradictory to his teachers faith and belief in this ancient Protector. Sadly, what His Holiness the Dalai Lama is doing is nothing new since he has previously claimed that his own teachers were mistaken about Dorje Shugden and their practice of the protector deity was wrong. The Dalai Lama contradicted his own gurus, Kyabje Trijang Rinpoche and Kyabje Ling Rinpoche for their acknowledgement of Dorje Shugden as an authentic practice. In this current case, he contradicts his own teachers with regards to Four-Faced Mahakala, as well as his commitments to uphold the lineages of tantra he received from them. 6. His Holiness the Dalai Lama contradicts all of Gaden Shartse Monastery Setrap has been propitiated as the principle Dharma Protector of Gaden Shartse Monastery for centuries. This monastery is home to innumerable tulkus, geshes, and ordinary monks, many of whom are either secretly or openly attained beings. Hence, if the entire Sangha of Gaden Shartse has the confidence to rely on Setrap, after having approved of his ability to protect us, it would be utterly illogical to believe that the entire monastic assembly could be mistaken about the nature and ability of their own Dharma Protector. 7. His Holiness the Dalai Lama contradicts himself His Holiness the Dalai Lama previously visited Gaden Shartse Monasterys Setrap chapel and consecrated it, cementing his previous confidence and veneration of Setrap as an authentic Dharma Protector. This directly contradicts the speech in the video, wherein the Dalai Lama turned around and expressed doubts about Setraps clairvoyance. His Holiness the Dalai Lama visited the Dharma Protector Setraps chapel in Gaden Shartse Monastery , South India and consecrated it with prayers. Why consecrate the Chapel of Setrap if Dalai Lama finds Setrap to be unreliable? Remember Setrap is very good friends with Dorje Shugden and Four-Faced Mahakala. You are known by the friends you keep as the old saying goes. Gaden Shartse Monastery, the first Gelugpa institution in Tibet founded by Lord Je Tsongkapa 600 years ago is one of the most prominent educational institutions in Tibet having produced countless masters, tantrikas, scholars, yogis and teachers for the last 600 years. From Gaden Monastery many other Gelugpa Monasteries arose. Setrap is one of the main protectors of this veritable institution which produced the highest teachers in Tibet past and present. Surely Gaden Shartse Monastery will not simply adopt any protector to be their main protector for 600 years. His Holiness the great 5th Dalai Lama also composed a praise to Setrap which is part of the liturgy recited monthly in Gaden Shartse Monastery to this day. Was the current Dalai Lamas previous incarnation also wrong when he praised Setrap as the great guardian Protector of the teachings? Did the great 5th Dalai Lama also make a mistake? Praise to Setrap by H.H. the 5th Dalai Lama In rakshas form, a ruby mountain glorious with a hundred-fold Embrace of the southern oceans submarine fire, Emanation in a dance of all possible fury, Praise the great guardian Protector of the teachings! Wearing brightly blazing leather helmet on your crown, And leather mail glittering with exceedingly bright light, Mounted on beautifully saddled, bridled wisdom horse, Exploring the three realms in a single instant, praise to you! Raising great cudgel dispatching millions of armed hosts, At heart holding the noose which binds enemies and obstructers At belt hang tiger-skin quiver, leopard-skin bow case and sword The powerful great wild tsen, praise to you! Dancer who sends forth peaceful and wrathful emanations Of body, speech and mind, qualities and activities, With powerful ability to exhibit any appearance whatsoever Praise to your transformations as wild tsen, devas and nagas! Monks, tantrikas, tribals, youths and clowns, Cocks, cats, black snakes, apes & so forth, Praise the numberless dreadful emanations In your entourage which fill the expanse of earth and sky! Cause the precious teachings of Buddha Shakyamuni, The assembly which spreads them through teaching and practice, And the sponsors of those who uphold the teachings, To increase and flourish like the waxing moon! In all worlds pacify interruption without exception, Such as disease, starvation, arguments and conflict, And, as when people live to 80,000 in Jambudvipa, Set beings in perfection, fresh culmination of joy! Especially cause the spread and flourishing of all Dharma centres, Together with all its followers, those who understand Through study, the two supreme and six ornaments Scriptures on the perfections, valid cognition and so forth. In brief, since we entrust to you, Great Dharmapala, Our spiritual abode, people, property and all, Protect us throughout day and nights six periods, And spontaneously exert peaceful, increasing, powerful and wrathful enlightening influence! Think For Yourself His Holiness the 2nd Dalai Lama Gendub Drub practised Four-Faced Mahakala. Many erudite masters kept Mahakala as their protector. Click to enlarge. After examining the many ramifications of His Holiness the Dalai Lamas statements, it is obvious that if we were to follow his line of reasoning, it would undermine the great Tibetan Buddhist traditions and the tantric lineages that descend from the time of Nalanda in ancient India. It is clear the immediate purpose of the statements was to undermine the authority of Dorje Shugden as a Dharma Protector since both Four-Faced Mahakala and Setrap enthroned him as such. But in doing so, the Dalai Lama questioned the very nature of both Four-Faced Mahakala and Setrap. If they are not enlightened beings, then why pray to them at all within Tibetan Buddhism? Interestingly, His Holiness the Dalai Lama is fond of saying there is no ban against Dorje Shugden and it is just advice. Yet, just to attack and criticise Dorje Shugden, the Dalai Lama has shown that he is willing to attack and devalue hundreds of years of practice and worship of two very legitimate and widely-recognised Dharma Protectors. That hardly sounds like the behaviour of someone who is just giving advice. In accordance with the Sakya tradition, Gyalpo Sum (Setrap, Tsiu Marpo and Dorje Shugden) can be seen on the bottom right of this thangka. Click to enlarge. If one analyses these statements logically and in-depth, it is clear that if His Holiness the Dalai Lama claims that all previous lineage lamas were wrong about Setrap, Four-Faced Mahakala and Dorje Shugden, then the Dalai Lama opens himself up to be wrong about any number of issues. There is no telling what else the Dalai Lama could change his mind about next what is the next established practice or lineage that the Dalai Lama is going to disagree with? Each time the Dalai Lama voices his disagreement about something, are we going to keep changing our decisions and altering our practices, and contradict our teachers in the process? At the end of the day, it seems that peoples samaya and practices are dispensable in the quest to justify a particular view of a certain practice or protector deity. But was it really His Holiness the Dalai Lamas intention to undermine the entire tradition, or to say something so absurd that it would get us to think about and analyse what he is saying, so that we may come to our own logical conclusions as to the authenticity of the practice? Therefore, in order to avoid the pitfalls of breaking our samaya, lineage and practice, we should think with our own mind. To do this, we must arm ourselves with knowledge and faith that is born from understanding the entire situation. Once we have firm knowledge of the history and lineage, then we can be firm with our own practice. As history has taught us, we should not denigrate the religious beliefs of others. Over the course of human history, many wars have been waged solely on the basis of religion, and whose god is worthy to be worshipped and whose is not. As human beings with intelligence, reason and free will, we should move beyond such differences and unite under what makes us all the same: our humanity. If you truly believe that the god or deity you pray to is great, then show it by being kind and compassionate towards everyone, instead of reinforcing discrimination and segregation over and over again. In the end, we all can come to understand a person by the company he keeps. In the same line of thought, Dorje Shugden keeps really excellent company. We can conclude clearly that Setrap and Mahakala as highly enlightened beings that knew it was time for a special protector to arise according to karmic circumstances of the people of this time. Therefore, the enlightened Setrap and Mahakala assisted Dorje Shugden and enthroned him as a dharma protector. We can see the unique and close relationship of these protectors. Its because of this close relationship, that Dorje Shugdens enlightened quality is confirmed which perhaps prompted His Holiness to say something about this matter. But the bottomline is that Mahakala, Setrap and Dorje Shugden are very close with each other. They share a special connection together. Dorje Shugden being a new protector was enthroned by his seniors Mahakala and Setrap according to tradition, therefore it is beyond doubt that these 2 protectors will not enthrone Dorje Shugden if he was not enlightened. Enthroning a protector is to introduce him to sentient beings. It is safe to conclude that these 2 highly enlightened protectors enthroned Dorje Shugden due to his enlightened and highly beneficial nature. We can definitely trust Four-Faced Mahakala and Setrap. After all, at the end of the day, we pray to whatever we want to, because we understand what we pray to. No one should tell us what to pray to or put us down because of it. It is our choice to make. Another form of Mahakala, known as Mahakala Bernagchen together with Dorje Shugden. Click on image to enlarge or click here for more beautiful thangkas. For more interesting information: Copyright Disclaimer: Under Section 13 of the Malaysian Copyright Act 1987, allowance is made for fair dealing for purposes such as non-profit research, private study, criticism, review or the reporting of current events. The Operator and author(s) of TsemRinpoche.com, a not-for-profit blog, do not claim ownership on the intellectual property rights of the contents, images and/or videos reproduced in this article. Any subsisting intellectual property rights shall belong to the legal owner of the contents, images and/or videos. ABC News(WASHINGTON) -- House Speaker Paul Ryan on Tuesday said the Trump administration should comply with a new request from House Intelligence Committee Chairman Devin Nunes for classified documents from the Justice Department, the latest battle between the California Republican and the DOJ for information in his oversight investigation. "We clearly expect the administration to honor our document requests," Ryan said at a news conference Tuesday. Ryan, who said he hadn't spoken to Nunes directly about the matter, declined to say whether he supports Nunes' threat to hold Attorney General Jeff Sessions in contempt of Congress for failing to comply with the request and a subpoena for the classified materials. Nunes first threatened to hold Sessions in contempt of Congress - a rare step for a Republican chairman to take against a Republican attorney general - on Sunday in an interview with "Fox and Friends," after the Justice Department said in a letter that it would not provide documents in response to his request "regarding a specific individual." "Disclosure of responsive information to such requests can risk severe consequences, including potential loss of human lives, damage to relationships with valued international partners, compromise of ongoing criminal investigations, and interference with intelligence activities," assistant attorney general Stephen Boyd said in a letter to Nunes. On Monday, Nunes doubled down on the threat and questioned the Justice Department's assertion that the White House also opposed providing Congress with the requested information. "I just dont believe that the White House does not want to comply with a subpoena from Congress that is pertinent to our investigation that weve had ongoing for a long time," said Nunes, adding that he had not spoken to the president about the issue but had sent the White House a letter about his request. He declined to describe the information he has requested, only saying it fell under his continuing investigation of abuse of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act and other matters. Democrats have criticized Nunes' request and accused him of escalating a conflict with senior Justice Department officials in an effort to defend President Donald Trump from the ongoing special counsel Russia investigation. "This is part of an ever-escalating series of demands of the Justice Department whose object is not to actually get the documents or materials but to provoke confrontation with the Justice Department to give the president pretext to fire people at Justice, push out the attorney general or undermine the special counsel," Rep. Adam Schiff, D-Calif., the top Democrat on the committee, said Monday. Copyright 2018, ABC Radio. All rights reserved. facebook like button Tweet tweet button for twitter Published May 07, 2018 By Dr. Jessica Dolecheck The Health Studies and Occupational Therapy Assistant faculty collaborated to provide a professional business luncheon on April 17, 2018 at ULM where community healthcare leaders attended for meaningful social interactions with student groups from Health Studies and Occupational Therapy Assistant programs. The faculty team received a grant through the Academic Innovation Center to fund this event, which promotes innovation and collaboration in the areas of teaching, learning and research. A total of 60 students and 10 healthcare leaders participated in the professional business luncheon event. Some of the leaders present were CEOs, CFOs, Marketing Directors, Compliance Officers, and Physical/Occupational therapists. The business luncheon was arranged so that students were able to practice social networking prior to the lunch; they then were divided into small groups per table with one healthcare leader for sociable conversation. Kim Theodos, Jennifer Perodeau and Dr. Stacy Starks worked together to implement business etiquette and soft skills activities into their spring 2018 courses to help students to prepare for the event. Students had to develop meaningful questions related to their careers, professionalism, work ethics and healthcare workforce to ask leaders. Dr. Jessica Dolecheck, Program Director for Health Studies, directed and coordinated the entire event. Health Studies faculty Theodos stated, The professional luncheon was a success! It was refreshing to see the students interact with the healthcare leaders, learn from their professional experience and practice soft skill development. This was a fantastic opportunity to connect students with our industry partners to foster strong partnerships and establish new mentorship relationships. OTA faculty member Perodeau said, This was remarkable! Such a worthy event for everyone involved. Starks, health studies faculty, commented, It was so great to see both our students and community leaders so engaged and excited about this event. Dolecheck noted, To see our students successfully apply their newly learned skills in real time was educationally inspiring what an impactful experience for all involved! Through this dyadic interaction, students learned important communication skills such as active listening, socializing, professionalism and business luncheon etiquette. This student-centered approach focused on professional student development, which is critical in producing competitive and qualified graduates for the healthcare workforce. The Health Studies program plans to continue partnering with other health science programs in the future for a larger professional business luncheon with a variety of other disciplines involved. After decades of displacement, 93 refugees in Thailand have returned to south-eastern Myanmar through a process coordinated by the Royal Thai Government and the Government of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar, with the support of UNHCR, the UN refugee agency, and its partners. The returns mark further progress in the voluntary repatriation of refugees from Thailand. The refugees departed yesterday from five refugee camps on the border and split into two groups that crossed from Thailand into Myanmars Kayin and Kayah States. They were received by Myanmar authorities and assisted at two reception centres, from where they will go on to villages and towns in both states, or in some cases to Bago and Sagaing Regions and Yangon. Refugees in Thailand have been expressing interest in returning home and have begun making plans for their future beyond the camps in Thailand in the hope that peace and stability will prevail in their places of origin in south-eastern Myanmar. UNHCR expects returns to continue. In south-eastern Myanmar, conditions allow for UNHCR to facilitate the voluntary return of refugees from Thailand to that area. In Myanmars Rakhine State, however, UNHCR believes that the situation is not yet conducive for the return of Rohingya refugees. UNHCR and its UN partners, as well as non-governmental and community-based organisations, support refugees who voluntarily wish to return from Thailand to Myanmar by providing information on conditions in return areas, counselling, and other assistance, such as transportation and reintegration support. UNHCR works to ensure that any returns are voluntary, safe, and conducted in a dignified manner. In the first such facilitated return movement in October 2016, 71 Myanmar refugees returned home from Thailand and UNHCR has been monitoring their situation since their return. While yesterdays second facilitated return movement is an encouraging step towards a solution to the refugees protracted displacement and encampment in Thailand, UNHCR will continue to advocate for a strengthened process that is both timely and predictable, allowing refugees to plan their futures with dignity and governments and other actors to operate efficiently. UNHCR also continues to advocate for a significant increase in donor support for community-based development activities in south-eastern Myanmar to address the social needs and development aspirations of all citizens in that area, which will in turn further the sustainability of refugee returns and the reintegration process. For more information on this topic, please contact: United Nations, May 8 (UNI) Polands new law designed to address safety concerns during the United Nations climate change conference to be held there later this year could infringe on the privacy of environmentalists and curtail their rights to protest peacefully, UN human rights experts have said. The UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP24) will take place in the southern Polish city of Katowice from 26 November to 16 December this year. For the COP24 to be a true success, the Polish Government must do its utmost to prepare and hold the meeting in a manner that facilitates the climate change negotiations and also ensures meaningful civic space that is free from undue surveillance and restriction, said a group of independent UN experts in a news release issued by the organisation's human rights office (OHCHR) on Monday. Governors Brucellosis Coordination Team to Meet in Lander A brucellosis surveillance update and the latest research information at the University of Wyoming are among topics at the Governors Brucellosis Coordination Team meeting Tuesday, May 22, in Lander. The session is open to the public and is 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m. at The Inn, 260 Grandview Drive. Wyoming State Veterinarian Jim Logan will give the brucellosis surveillance update, and brucellosis cases in cattle and bison herds in Montana and Idaho will be discussed. The Wyoming Game and Fish Department will present 2017-18 results of its surveillance for hunter-harvested and feedground elk. UW researchers will give the latest information on their work and the status of the Biosafety Level 3 facility at the Wyoming State Veterinary Laboratory. A brief update on an elk movement study ongoing in the Big Horn Mountains and a discussion on the impacts of antler collection on elk movement will be presented, along with relevant activities during the legislative session. UW Institute Awards Funding for Oil and Gas Data Projects Working with private companies, the University of Wyomings Enhanced Oil Recovery Institute (EORI) will gain insights into reservoirs and technologies that could result in improved methods to recover stranded oil and gas in the state. EORI has selected seven projects to receive awards under a new program designed to acquire real-world Wyoming oil and gas reservoir operating data in partnership with various technology vendors and Wyoming operators. Data collected from the projects will be used by EORIs research, engineering and geology staff to analyze the states reservoirs and technologies. We are so pleased with the response from operators and their willingness to engage the institute, EORI Deputy Director Rob Hurless says. We now begin the process of collecting the data, running analyses and advancing these field projects. Our goal is to suggest improved, economical methods for recovering larger volumes of stranded oil and gas, which is at the heart of the institutes mission and legislative mandate. The program offered cost sharing on a dollar-for-dollar basis, with the expectation to leverage $500,000 of EORI funding to accomplish $1 million of research in Wyoming. The first round of awards exceeded expectations by fivefold: The $423,388 invested by EORI will yield $2.19 million of direct research invested entirely in Wyoming. Initial awardees are: -- MidCon Pilot Project -- A test of the response in shaley, Cretaceous sandstones of the Sussex and Shannon formations to cyclic water stimulation treatments. This will help identify fluids compatible with the clay soils within the Cretaceous sandstone reservoirs in the Powder River Basin -- a major factor in optimizing floods in these economically important reservoirs. -- Ash Creek Pilot Project for Enercat Tool-SVP -- A test of the effectiveness of Enercat tools to reduce emulsion in oil storage tanks and in reducing paraffin within flow lines of a Shannon reservoir that is under CDG polymer flooding. Results should be applicable to other reservoirs under secondary recovery suffering from similar problems in the state. -- Poison Draw Pilot Project for GreenZyme-SVP -- A test of the effectiveness of GreenZyme in improving production in a depleted Teckla reservoir. Results from this study will most likely be applicable to analogous situations in other formations throughout the state. -- Poison Draw Pilot Project for Enercat Tool-SVP -- A test of the effectiveness of Enercat tools in reducing paraffin in the tubing and flow lines of a Teckla sandstone reservoir in a depleted field under primary production. Results should be applicable to other reservoirs under primary production throughout the state. -- Rock Creek Field Project for GreenZyme-Urban Oil & Gas -- A test of the effectiveness of GreenZyme added to injection water for improving production in a Minnelusa water flood. Results from this study will be directly applicable to Minnelusa water floods in the Powder River Basin and, perhaps, to other reservoirs under water flood throughout the state. -- Signal Hill Co. for side entry Viper Drilling -- Signal Hill Co. is looking to increase production in the Recluse member of the Muddy formation at Thompson Creek Field in the Powder River Basin. It is currently under an alkaline polymer flood. The majority of the wells are vertical, with a handful of horizontal wells. It would be uneconomical to drill more horizontal wells, so Signal Hill is going to employ Viper Drill, a service company providing mechanical radial drilling technology to existing vertical wells. Four mini-horizontals are drilled to bypass any skin damage, increasing the effective drainage size of the reservoir. The results could lead to multiple other operators employing this technology in older fields where horizontal drilling is not a reasonable option. -- XRO Energy for Field Engineering -- The XRO East Echo Springs Production Optimization Project is focused on the Lewis, Lance, Mesaverde and Ericson formations in the Greater Green River Basin. The average life of wells in the field is only 15 years, leading to a loss of income across the board. XRO is testing a production optimization strategy that aims to increase production and, thus, well life across the field. The results could provide a methodology that will help numerous other operators optimize their artificial lift and surface facilities. Questions or issues related to these projects or EORI may be directed to Director Steve Carpenter, (307) 315-6442 or steven.carpenter@uwyo.edu; Hurless, (307) 315-6443 or rhurless@uwyo.edu; and Outreach Manager Lon Whitman, (307) 315-6450 or lon.whitman@uwyo.edu. UW Students Receive Phi Beta Kappa Excellence in Liberal Arts Awards University of Wyoming students were recognized for excellence in research related to the liberal arts during UWs recent Undergraduate Research Day. Benjamin Platt, an English major from Thornton, Colo., took first place for excellence in non-vocational, non-professional and non-technical studies for his research presentation. He demonstrated that, despite their contextual and temporal separation, both Miltons Paradise Lost and Melvilles Moby Dick advocated increasing democratization within their societies. Grace Hartman, an environmental systems science major from Newtown, Pa., and Marten Baur, from Lander, who is a dual major in kinesiology/health promotion and physiology, took first place in the category for projects that articulate the interfaces between science and the human condition in a nuanced way that shows understanding and not simply consideration. In order to monitor climate-related changes, this pair backpacks to a high-alpine glacier in Wyomings Wind River Mountains, where they monitor black carbon levels, fecal bacterial contamination and water flow. The project not only integrates microbiology, chemistry, geography and climatology, but it also forces the researchers to engage at a very human level with the Wyoming environment. A team of Phi Beta Kappa scholars judged undergraduate research presentations to select the winners. The awards are made possible by an endowment presented to UWs Phi Beta Kappa chapter by Harald V. Johnson, in honor of Louise A. Lee Johnson. Over 400 students presented their research April 28. Other finalists selected by the Phi Beta Kappa committee, and the titles of their presentations, are: -- Monique Weaver, biology major from Evanston -- Microbial Succession versus Plant Developmental Effects on Rhizosphere Community Structure in Arabidopsis thaliana. -- Brooke Marcus, biology and psychology major from Douglas -- Racial Inequality of United States Health Care. -- Samantha Worden, history major from Rock Springs -- Silence in a Ghost Town: The Complexity of Child Mortality in Gebo, Wyoming. -- Minh Tran, electrical engineering major from Hanoi, Vietnam -- Cooperative Cooking: A Novel Virtual Environment for Upper Limb Rehabilitation. The team of judges included faculty members Rachel Watson, of the Department of Molecular Biology, Learning Actively Mentoring Program and queer studies; Eric Nye, of the Department of English, and Phi Beta Kappa secretary; Erin Stoesz, Wyoming State Science Fair coordinator; Tim G. Kearley, College of Law emeritus professor; and Cedric D. Reverand, Department of English emeritus professor and Phi Beta Kappa president. Staff and management at the carrier have been locked in a dispute over pay since February. (AFP/STEPHANE DE SAKUTIN) Air France-KLM boss Jean-Marc Janaillac announced his resignation on Friday after staff at the carrier's French operations rejected a pay deal aimed at ending months of walkouts. Air France stock closed 9.8 per cent lower at 7.30, having earlier traded as low as 6.93. Societe Generale analysts said the company's employees "have not only forced the group CEO to resign, but also made the investment case obsolete". Switching to a "sell" recommendation from a previous "buy", Societe Generale said the staff vote "not only puts the cost efficiency targets at risk in our view, but even the integrity of the group". Janaillac, who had been in the post for under two years and staked his future at the company on staff accepting the deal, deplored their decision as a "huge waste". Staff and management at the carrier have been locked in a dispute over pay since February. Intermittent strikes in recent weeks have prompted the cancellation of a quarter of flights on average. Unionised staff walked out for the 14th day on Monday as they press for a 5.1 per cent salary increase this year as the company recovers from years of losses and restructuring. WHO'LL WANT HIS JOB? "Air France-KLM is now without a boss and will find it hugely difficult to attract a high-level manager," analysts at French brokerage Aurel-BGC said. France's economy minister on Sunday warned that the survival of Air France was now in the balance. "I call on everyone to be responsible: crew, ground staff, and pilots who are asking for unjustified pay hikes," Economy Minister Bruno Le Maire told the BFM news channel. "Be responsible. The survival of Air France is in the balance," he added. He warned that the state, which owns 14.3 per cent of the group, would not serve as a backstop. "Air France will disappear if it does not make the necessary efforts to be competitive," he warned. The announcement of Janaillac's departure came as Air France-KLM released its first-quarter earnings, which showed a net loss of 269 million (US$322 million), weighed down by three days of strikes which cost about 25 million per day according to the company. The group warned the dispute would shave at least 300 million off its operating profit for the full year, pulling earnings "notably below" last year's 1.9 billion. Societe Generale analysts warned the weaker earnings performance could lead to a rift between Air France and its profitable Dutch partner, KLM. "KLM might (rightfully) ask why the profits are being generated in the Netherlands but the losses being made in France," they said. "The situation is neither healthy nor sustainable, in our view," they said. Land prices in Van Don are spiralling out of control Responding to heating up and increasingly complicated trading in the district which is home to one of the three special administrative-economic zones (SAEZs) in Vietnam, theQuang Ninh Peoples Committee has stopped all kinds of land transactions (including conversion, transfer, lease, inheritance, mortgage) in Van Don at least until official information is released about the zones status after the national assembly session ending in June. Similar to Quang Ninh, the peoples committees of Khanh Hoa and Kien Giang have issued the same orders in North Van Phong and Phu Quoc. While acknowledging the need to prevent illegal trading, the Vietnam Association of Realtors (VARS) thought stopping all transactions was against the constitution, which allows all citizens to trade their assets. Moreover, the broker said this suspension would freeze the realty market, causing serious consequences not only to the district but also to the whole provinces for a long time. Nguyen Van Dinh, vice chairman of VARS, told VIR that the suspension would discourage investors, making them turn their back on the real estate market in Quang Ninh and would go straight against the targets of attracting investment to Van Don. On the online realty portal batdongsan.com.vn, a user named Trung Hieu still offered more than 600sq.m of land along Road 334, at the heart of Van Don district at VND25 million ($1,111) per sq.m. Regarding the provinces directions, he told VIR: I dont care. It is my land, if I want to sell it, I sell it. Truong Thanh Duc, lawyer from law firm Basico, told VIR that the suspension would not solve any problems. Where there is demand and supply, they would meet each other and administrative action cannot restrict these dynamics. Duc added that if local authorities maintained the suspension, people will still conduct transactions anyway, which will simply lead to more trouble. Instead, Dinh from VARS suggested stricter control and ensuring that agriculture and forest land is not subject to transfers. He said at the same time, the province needed to disclose information on its economic development policy as well as infrastructure development, transport, urban, research on official channels so that investors could better understand the local realty market. During the first quarter, VARS said 800 land transactions were recorded in Van Don. Currently, land prices in the area are 5-7 times higher than in last year. Opposing the suspension, VARS urged investors to think twice before buying land in such a hotspot, avoiding traps by criminal land traders who would even try to sell non-transferred land or land set aside for delayed projects. The first partial compensation was accepted, while most victims are looking for full repayment A representative of Eximbank said that the bank has just paid VND9.2 billion ($0.4 million) to a female customer, who deposited VND11.7 billion ($0.52 million) but lost VND10.6 billion ($0.47 million). This amount is part of the case of VND50 billion ($2.2 million) being appropriated by the use of fake signatures at Eximbanks Do Luong branch in the central province of Nghe An between 2012 and 2016. Eximbank said that the bank only gives compensation in cases where the evidence is clear. Cases that are contentious will have to wait for the courts conclusions. However, Eximbank has done its utmost to meet customers requirements and the process is also faster, said the representative. However, Eximbank's representative confirmed that while the client lost more than VND9.2 billion, compensation for the remainder of her losses is subject to the courts decision. This is not entirely optimal as a solution for the client, as not only customers in Nghe An, but also Chu Thi Binh, who lost VND245 billion ($10.8 million), have been looking for full compensation at the earliest time possible. They tried to negotiate mutually beneficial solutions with the bank, with no effect. Lawyer Nguyen Huu Liem, who represents the six customers whose VND50 billion ($2.2 million) was appropriated at Eximbank's Do Luong branch, affirmed that one of his clients has received VND9.2 billion ($0.4 million) in compensation. "The remaining VND1.4 billion ($61,674) of the total VND10.6 billion ($0.467 million) was taken out with the real signature of the depositor, so Eximbank has yet to pay compensation," said Liem. Earlier, Nguyen Tien Nam, a customer who lost VND28 billion ($1.2 million) in this case, was also offered VND1.55 billion ($68,300) while waiting for the court's conclusions. He refused the offer and requested Eximbank to return the entire amount lost. On April 20, Le Van Quyet, general director of Eximbank sent a proposal to the Nghe An People's Court to delay the trial of Nguyen Thi Lam and accomplices who appropriated the VND50 billion ($2.2 million). The court is expected to start the trial on May 16. These developments could open a new avenue for Chu Thi Binh to renegotiate compensation with Eximbank, potentially securing a higher amount. At the end of February, Eximbank offered VND14.8 billion ($0.65 million) of advance compensation to Chu Thi Binh, very little compared to her loss of VND245 billion ($10.8 million) at the bank. Eximbank should consider raising the compensation offer to 90 per cent of the total losses, like it did in this case, where it paid VND9.2 billion ($0.4 million) of the VND10.6 billion ($0.47 million) lost. This would be a far more effective way to improve the bank's reputation. Amal Clooney and her husband actor George Clooney (R) arrive for the 2018 Met Gala at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York AFP/Angela WEISS New York - Madonna and Rihanna stunned as fashion high priestesses on the red carpet at New York's Met Gala on Monday, headlining the most sought after invitation in the celebrity universe. Madge, the Catholic girl from Michigan and queen of pop whose 1989 hit "Like a Prayer" remains a dance-floor classic 30 years later, presided over the "Sunday Best" theme dressed head to toe in Jean Paul Gaultier. The 59-year-old mother of six balanced a golden crown studded with crucifixes on her head, shrouded her face in a black fishnet mantilla and donned a very flouncy, very full and very black gown. Held every year on the first Monday in May, the black-tie extravaganza is the chief source of income for the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Costume Institute, reportedly raising more than $12 million in 2017. The gathering of A-list models, musicians and movie stars, dubbed "the Oscars of the East Coast," saw Amal Clooney, Rihanna and Donatella Versace join Vogue supremo Anna Wintour as this year's co-chairs. Tickets are said to cost $30,000 each or $275,000 for a table, but all guests must be invited, ruling out all but the most elite Hollywood actors, music superstars, top models and fashion designers. If A-listers have shunned the theme in the past, this year's "Sunday Best," a nod to the "Heavenly Bodies: Fashion and the Catholic Imagination" exhibition at The Costume Institute, proved popular. - Wing and a prayer - Rihanna, the Barbadian superstar and one of the biggest pop stars on the planet, proved her red carpet pulling power in a jewel-encrusted gown from John Galliano's Maison Margiela and bejeweled bishop's hat. There were celestial crowns like a Virgin Mary icon, lashings of cardinal red, virginal white and New York's de rigueur clerical black. Katy Perry dressed as an angel with enormous feathered white wings that towered over her petite frame and trailed the floor, a Versace chain-mail gold mini-dress and thigh-high stilettoed gold boots Clooney, the international human rights lawyer and this month's Vogue cover star, wore the pants as she arrived on the arm of her movie star husband George, dressed in blue cigarette trousers with a strapless bustier and voluminous skirt by up-and-coming Briton, Richard Quinn. Jennifer Lopez and Alex Rodriguez, the celebrity couple of the moment, also stepped out, the "Jenny from the Block" songstress in a beaded and feathered gown with a giant mosaic crucifix on the front. Sarah Jessica Parker, a doyenne of New York high society and the "Sex and the City" fashionista, walked the red carpet in full-length gold brocade by Dolce and Gabbana and an astonishing head piece. But for all the glitz, the event has also been dogged by rumors that once inside, it can be intimidating and unfriendly. Tina Fey once called it a "jerk parade," complaining to David Letterman that: "If you had a million arms and all the people you would punch in the whole world, they're all there." After VIS receives approval to increase the foreign ownership limit (FOL) to 100 per cent, Kyoei Steel announced intentions to buy 33.2 million shares more or 45 per cent stake in VIS to increase its holding to 65 per cent. The registered stake is equal to the stake that Thai Hung Trading JSC, which owns a 65 per cent stake in VIS, will divest. The deal is expected to take place on the stock exchange from May 10 to June 6. VIS share is valued at VND34,400 ($1.51) apiece, thus Kyoei may spend at least VND1.14 trillion ($50.06 million) on the deal. VIS was established in 2001 by Song Da Corporation. The corporation later decided to divest all of its 26.1 million shares from VIS. Kyoei Steel affirmed to pour $200 million into the delayed steel rolling mill, the construction of which was expected to start by the end of 2017, with the rolling mill slated to come online in 2019 and the steelmaking facility in 2020. However, to date, the mill remains in limbo. The company is specialised in producing and trading construction steel, import and export materials, spare parts, and equipment for the steel industry, as well as logistics services. According to the board of directors, the Vietnamese construction sector will see an increase of 9.7 per cent this year and reach an average growth of 8.2 per cent in 2017-2021. This year, VIS targets to reach the production capacity of 500,000 tonnes of steel, up 9 per cent, and VND7.09 trillion ($311.55 million) in revenue with VND90.4 billion ($3.97 million) in pre-tax profit, signifying on-year increases of 16 and 64 per cent. In September 2011 Kyoei Steel established Kyoei Steel Vietnam Co., Ltd. (KSVC) in the northern province of Ninh Binh. KSVC started to operate in March 2012 with the designed production capacity of 500,000 tonnes per year. At present, Kyoei is holding 60 per cent in KSVC, Metal One Corporation has 20 per cent, and Marubeni-Itochu Steel Inc. 40 per cent. Previously, in 1994, Kyoei Steel, Mitsui & Co., and Marubeni-Itochu Steel Inc. from Japan, along with Vietnam Steel Corporation, established the Vina Kyoei Steel Co., Ltd. joint venture. It set up a steel plant in the southern province of Ba Ria-Vung Tau with the annual capacity of 450,000 tonnes in 1996. In July 2015, Vina Kyoei Steel Ltd. put into operation its $220-million steel plant after three years of construction. Located at Phu My 1 Industrial Zone in Tan Thanh district, the steel plant has an annual capacity of 500,000 tonnes of deformed bars, thread deformed bars, plain round bars, and wire rods, among others. The plants products make up 10 per cent of the domestic steel market. Along with the steel plants in operation, Kyoei has another, long-delayed unit. Notably, in 2014, KSVC started to construct a high-quality rolling steel mill at Khanh Phu Industrial Zone, Ninh Binh provinces Yen Khanh district. The mill was expected to come into operation in 2016 with the capacity of over 800,000 tonnes. However, until 2016, the project moved at a snails pace, thus the Ministry of Industry and Trade (MoIT) warned cutting it from its new steel master plan to 2020 with vision to 2030. At the time, the Japanese steelmaker confirmed its determination to revive the delayed steel mill, while simultaneously affirming that it would pour $200 million into the project. Construction was expected to start by the end of 2017, with the rolling mill slated to come online in 2019 and the steelmaking facility in 2020. However, to date, the mill remains in limbo. MVL Chain from South Korea to bring blockchain-based ride-hailing app for the first time to Vietnam Speaking at the introduction conference organised in Ho Chi Minh City on May 5, CEO Kay Woo stated that Vietnam is considered a key market of MVL (Mass Vehicle Ledger) and that the firm submitted the dossiers to establish a legal presence in Vietnam and operate as an IT firm. MVL will start to recruit drivers within this month and in case the dossiers are approved on time, the firm will launch the app in July. Drivers will not have to pay commission and the company will make a profit from selling data generated from its daily operations to insurance and market survey companies. This way, the firm expects to attract more drivers. Besides, the firm targets acquiring a 25 per cent market share of all four-wheel and two-wheel vehicles in Vietnam. According to CEO Kay Woo, the advantage of the firms ride-hailing app is using blockchain technology, which utilises a growing list of digital records which are linked and secured using cryptography. A blockchain system can act as a secure, open, and transparent distribution ledger to record transactions between two parties. Blockchain technology can be applied to manage assets, contracts, and global payments. Founded in 2012 by a group of mostly Korean founders in New York, the company is now based in Singapore and operates in Korea, Taiwan, Hong Kong, and Singapore via the Easi6 platform which provides reservation services to customers by its system of 25,000 vehicles. Kay Woo added that along with the advantage of using blockchain technology, the firm will focus on luring in customers via a low-fare policy instead of pouring money into promotion programmes like Grab and Uber. Along with MVL, international and local firms are ready to join the ride-hailing race. The Fastgo ride-hailing app is ready to be launched after three years of software development. The app is built by Mpos Vietnam Technology JSC after the order of a large-scale taxi firm from Indonesia and Taxi Open99 Group from Vietnam. Fastgo offers advantages for both drivers and customers. Notably, with the exception of a fee to join the app, drivers will not have to pay commission to the operators of Fastgo. Customers will enjoy lower fares than with both traditional taxi brands and Grab. Besides, customers will be insured against any incident occurring during the trip, including traffic accidents or personal injured due to conflict with the driver. Besides, Phuong Trang Futa Group, a leading passenger transportation and parcel delivery company in Vietnam, invested VND2.2 trillion ($96.53 million) into developing the ride-hailing app Vivu and changed its name into Vato. Vato will not lure in customers via promotion programmes. Instead, it will offer numerous advantages compared to its competitors. Notably, drivers and customers can discuss the fare based on an initial fare issued by Vato. For example, after a customer orders a vehicle for a 5-kilometre ride, Vato will offer a fare of VND50,000, which the customer can then discuss with the driver. Besides, Vatos base fare is VND8,500 per kilometre (similar to the fare of Uber), however, it only charges a 20 per cent commission, 5 per cent less than Uber. Furthermore, once customers download the Vato app, they will be able to order vehicles from other taxi firms, including Mai Linh and Vinasun. Furthermore, China-based ride-hailing player Didi Chuxing is waiting for the Vietnamese governments approval to start operations in the country. In addition, motorcycle ride-hailing transportation provider Go-Jek from Indonesia has gathered a team of experts to advise its expansion in Vietnam to break the dominance of Grab. Over 60 businesses from South Korea attended the forum New South Korean Ambassador to Vietnam Kim Do Hyun, chairman of Young Business Leaders Network Kim Han Shin (YBLN), and Vietnamese Deputy Minister of Planning and Investment Vu Dai Thang attended the forum. Ambassador Kim Do Hyun has just started his tenure in Vietnam on May 6. The forum is the first large foreign affairs events he attends after arriving to Vietnam. He has been the director of the international relations department and international markets development department of Samsung Group before being appointed as South Korean Ambassador. YBLN Hanoi Forum 2018 is being held on May 6-10, 2018 in Hanoi, offering market research activities, business workshops, site visits to surrounding areas of the capitol and Danang city. Deputy Minister of Planning and Investment Vu Dai Thang After 30 years of renovation, international integration, and maintaining high growth rates, Vietnam has become a middle-income country with nearly $230 billion of GDP and a golden population structure. Striving for openness, Vietnam has joined 11 FTAs with the total trade turnover of over $420 billion. As a result, Vietnam has been the most attractive investment destination in the ASEAN, luring in over $320 billion of FDI capital from 126 countries. The investment climate has been improving, costs are falling, and more and more preferential investment policies are issued. A developed and integrated Vietnamese market is an opportunity and motivation for South Korean businesses to evolve co-operation and investment activities. We will join at deeper levels and reach higher in the global value chains. Vietnam commits to facilitate a transparent and favourable business climate, as well as create a fair playing field in all economic sectors, including South Korea businesses, emphasised Deputy Minister Vu Dai Thang at the YBLN Hanoi Forum. Established in 2002, YBLN gathers young leaders from the leading South Korean businesses operating overseas. These businesses have been developing over the years and are creating a global economic network with South Korea at its centre. Earlier, this forum has been held in Singapore in 2011, Jakarta in 2013, Frankfurt in 2015, Sydney in 2016, and New York in 2017. FPT Group's Sendo e-commerce platform Sendos representative confirmed that the company temporarily stopped selling phone cards to re-check the origins of its stock and inspect management personnel as well as co-operate with authorities to clarify this issue. However, many customers who suffered damage were displeased with Sendos slow handling of the issue and the multiple delays. Nguyen Thi Hai Yen (Thai Nguyen), who lost VND300 million ($13,216) after buying phone cards on Sendo, said it has been more than half a month since the incident occurred, but Sendo has yet to compensate her for the damage. Previously, a deputy director at Sendo promised to answer me by e-mail by May 4, but in the morning of May 3 Sendo sent me an email saying that they contacted the police to investigate the causes and asked me to wait, Yen added. On May 4, Sendo admitted that 120 customers lost VND1-10 million ($44-440) after buying phone cards on its e-commerce platform. On April 17-18, Yen ordered a large batch of phone cards, including VND50,000 ($2.2), VND100,000 ($4.4), and VND200,000 ($8.8) cards on Sendo, only to find that the cards had already been used. Specifically, on April 18 Yen found that about 2,000 cards worth VND200 million ($8,810) were used and learned in the following days that 1,000 more cards worth VND100 million ($4,405) were also used. Nguyen Thi Hanh, Sendos communications manager, said: Currently, Sendo is working with the authorities to find out how the codes were stolen from its database because Sendo is only one link in the supply chain, thus it would be important to allocate responsibility. We promised to provide compensation to Nguyen Thi Hai Yen if we cannot identify the cause before May 31. Sendos representative has apologised to customers who suffered damage after buying unusable phone cards. Sendo is an e-commerce platform of Sen Do Technology JSC, member of Vietnam's leading technology brand FPT Group. Over 80,000 shops are doing business on this platform, trading more than five million products from 21 industries. The steel production complex of Hoa Phat Steel JSC According to Vu Doan Quang, director general of the Hai Duong Department of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs, the department has sent a supervision delegation to the scene. Quang noted: This is a serious case, we will conduct the supervision with the utmost care and prepare the initial report on this occupational accident to the Ministry of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs and the provincial Peoples Committee. The relevant agencies are trying to investigate and determine the cause of the fire. The representative of Hoa Phat Steel JSC confirmed the deaths and said that the company paid VND30 million ($1,300) for the families of each victim. Hoa Phat has also sent an official to the Vietnam National Institute of Burns to take care of the injured employee and pay all treatment costs. The site of the accident Yesterday morning, a fire broke out at the steel factory of Hoa Phat Steel JSC and burned four workers. They were sent to Kinh Mon General Hospital and to the Vietnam National Institute of Burns as the burns were very serious. The four victims are: Nguyen Van Tuong (1969) from Dong Trieu ward, Quang Ninh province; Vu Van Tuyen (1986) from Kinh Mon district, Hai Duong province; Bui Van Tung (1985) from Kinh Mon district, Hai Duong province; Hua Van Tam (1966) from Kim Thanh district, Hai Duong province. Iranian President Hassan Rouhani and US President Donald Trump. (Photos: AFP) President Donald Trump will confirm on Tuesday (May 8) whether he will make good on a threat to re-impose US sanctions on Tehran and thereby throw the entire Iran nuclear deal into question. Trump's announcement that a decision was imminent cut short a last-ditch European diplomatic drive to save the accord ahead of what had been a May 12 deadline. Trump had until Saturday to decide whether to renew a waiver on one package of US sanctions targeting Iran's oil sector that had been lifted as part of Washington's commitment under the 2015 deal. "I will be announcing my decision on the Iran Deal tomorrow from the White House at 2.00pm (2.00am Singapore time Wednesday)," the president said in a tweet. The president may now also decide to announce the fate of the rest of Washington's nuclear-related sanctions, which are covered by different waivers, and effectively undermine the entire accord, reached between Tehran and six world powers. European leaders and diplomats - including Britain's Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson, who was in Washington on Monday - have been pleading with the United States to retain the core of what Trump called the "flawed" accord. MIXED SIGNALS And even if, as now seems inevitable, Trump pulls Washington out of the agreement, Britain, France, Germany, Russia and China may decide to stay in and to urge Tehran to maintain its own commitments. But if Trump's decision raises the prospect of renewed US sanctions on European firms and banks doing business with Iran, the accord itself will be in peril - amid mixed signals from Tehran. Some Iranian leaders have signalled they might seek to rapidly restore the enrichment capabilities they surrendered under the deal, and European capitals fear Tehran may resume the hunt for a bomb. Tehran has long insisted it has no ambition to build nuclear weapons, but the signatories to the deal never believed them, and supporters of the accord have warned of a Middle East arms race if it fails. And they are skeptical that Trump's administration has a back-up plan to restrain Iranian ambitions once he has made good on his campaign promise to tear up a deal endorsed by his predecessor Barack Obama. Britain's Johnson, who was in Washington to lobby Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and Vice President Mike Pence, told Fox News: "Plan B does not seem to be, to me, particularly well-developed at this stage." Given the multinational nature of the deal, nothing the so-called EU three - Britain, France and Germany - can do would allow them to rewrite it, but they have promised to work on a powerful supplemental agreement. US diplomats have been working furiously with their partners in the three countries to make this a reality, with measures to limit Iran's ballistic missile programme and regional subversion. But so far, all signs point to Trump making good on his threat. German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas warned the accord's collapse could spark "an escalation" in the region and stressed that Washington's European allies think the deal "makes the world a safer place." His French counterpart Jean-Yves Le Drian, on a visit to Berlin, said the agreement is "the right way to stop Iran from getting access to nuclear weapons" and "will save us from nuclear proliferation." SUNSET CLAUSES Under the landmark nuclear pact, Iran agreed to scale back nuclear enrichment and put its program under international supervision in return for international sanctions relief. Trump has consistently complained about the agreement, reached under Obama, citing as its shortcomings certain clauses such as the "sunset" provisions lifting some nuclear restrictions on Tehran from 2025. In an attempt to salvage the deal, French President Emmanuel Macron has pushed to extend its scope to address this issue, as well as Iran's missile capabilities and its role in the region. Iran's support for Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, the Lebanese armed group Hezbollah in Syria's civil war and Shiite Huthi rebels in Yemen have added to tension between Tehran and Western powers. Iran's President Hassan Rouhani on Sunday issued a strong warning to the United States not to quit the pact. "If the United States leaves the nuclear agreement, you will soon see that they will regret it like never before in history," Rouhani said. He also vehemently reiterated his country's opposition to curtailing its non-nuclear missile capabilities, insisting Tehran "will build as many missiles and weapons as needed." Firefighters and rescuers work at the scene where two trains collided in Aichach, killing two people and Injuring several others. (AFP/dpa/Matthias Balk) The Deutsche Bahn network operator said that a commuter service hit a freight train between Ingolstadt and Augsburg in Germany's southern Bavaria region. "There are some seriously injured and others only lightly," a Deutsche Bahn spokesman told the German DPA press agency. German police said that a total of 14 people were hurt. The company did not immediately provide additional details into the possible causes of the collision. A panagasius production chain at Bien Dong Seafood Co. Ltd in Can Tho City. - VNA/VNS Photo Thanh Liem The GSP is the tariff preference for developing countries. With the aim of integrating further into the global economy, Vietnam has joined many free trade agreements (FTAs) that have the self-certification mechanism of origin. Self-certification of origin is a mandatory requirement of the EU for some countries, including Viet Nam. The Import and Export Agency under the Ministry of Industry and Trade said under the requirement, the responsibility for verifying product origin will be shifted from authorities to enterprises or exporters. Enterprises will have to perform all the steps themselves, meeting the requirements of product origin and be accountable for their accuracy. At the same time, it reduces the risk of licensing authorities and minimises the burden on customs. According to trade experts, this mechanism offers many benefits in terms of reducing time and cost of transaction, actively issuing commercial invoices, and helping businesses to know commitment on rules of origin in the FTA. Vietnam currently has 2,700 Vietnamese enterprises exporting to the EU that enjoy the benefits of GSP and it will be quite a rush to force enterprises with self-certification of origin from early 2019, according to the ministry. The only difference is that instead of the authorities, the enterprise will issue its own C/O by including the line this product is qualified for GSP in their document and invoice. Enterprises becoming self-certifying exporters shows the trust of government agencies in businesses, in compliance with Vietnams commitment to the FTA, said Tran Thanh Hai, deputy director of the Export and Import Agency. Vietnamese businesses will have around six months of transition time to reduce the burden on them. During this time, if enterprises are unable to self-verify the origin of their products, they can apply for certification of origin from the Viet Nam Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI) and the Ministry of Industry and Trade as usual. The ministry will still train, instruct and remain a place for business registry. In case any issue arises in the trading process, the agency will have information to collaborate with the EU to determine the source of goods and enterprises. When businesses self-certify the origin of their products, they are acting on the governments behalf. Experts said that if businesses do not comprehend the mechanism and the necessary requirements that can result in false certification, the outcome would not only affect the businesses but also to the whole nation. Hai said the ministry would assist enterprises by organising seminars that would provide information on the self-certification mechanism of origin and the training courses for enterprises in self-certifying the origin of goods. At present, the ministry has concentrated on developing a circular guiding enterprises to self-certify the origin of goods exported to the EU. After the issuance of the circular, the ministry will cooperate with the VCCI, the associations and branches as well as the enterprises to provide training courses and guidance that would help them certify their origin quickly and accurately. Love is in the air: Romantic beaches on the archipelago lure tourists. - Photo quandaohaitac.com In the past few years, the island commune has developed community tourism models, making contributions to socio-economic development for Ha Tien District. In December 2017, the Kien Giang Peoples Committee recognised the archipelago as a local tourism site. Tourists coming to Ha Tien District are always curious of Hai Tac archipelago, a famed place in the southwest sea of the country. According to local historic documents, in 17th century, Mac Thien Tich, a leader of the region, many times ordered his troops to fight against local pirates, who lived in the area. The archipelago name Hai Tac originated from that time. Golden sands: A pristine beach on the archipelago.-Photo foody.vn Popular: More tourists flock to the archipelago.-Photo dulich.tuoitre.vn Besides its mysterious name, Tien Hai island commune has great potential for developing tourism thanks to its primitive landscapes, fresh and cool atmosphere, said Tang Hong Phuoc, deputy director of Ha Tien Towns Centre for Trade and Tourism Promotion. In order to utilise the tourism potential, in 2014 the local authorities implemented a community tourism project for the period 2014-2020. The commune consists of 16 large and small islands, locating 20km from Ha Tien Town and 40km from Phu Quoc Island. The commune hosts 500 families with 2,000 people, who live mainly in Hon Tre Lon, Hon Giang, Hon Duoc and Hon U. The biggest among the islands is Hon Tre Lon (also know as Hon Doc), which is an administration and socio-economic centre for the Tien Hai island commune. All people and agencies in the commune are informed about the project and encouraged to join in voluntarily. Peaceful: Son Hoa Tu Pagoda on the island.-Photo quandaohaitac.com White wedding: A couple choose the archipelago for their wedding photo site.-Photo quandaohaitac.com Hon Tre Village was chosen as a trial model with 17 families, who meet the requirements, to join the community tourism project. Eleven households among them offer food and accommodation services, four households have acted as guides to take visitors to islands and fishing; and two households keep sea fish for visitors to understand raising local fish. Two companies have been specialised in transporting tourists to and from the mainland. Over the last three years, the project has brought along active results, said Phuoc, The number of guests coming every year has significantly increased and is now up to 70,000 tourists per year. Visitor Nguyen Thi Hong Phuong from Rach Gia City, northern province of Kien Giang said she spent two vacations in the area. What I like most when stay at the home of locals in Tien Hai is that I can live near them, see their routines and imagine as if I were a local, she said. However, the area is still lack of fresh water and electricity. Right signs: A sovereignty signpost on the islands.-Photo quandaohaitac.com Birds eye view: Sea gulls fly high in the sky.-Photo quandaohaitac.com By 2020, the national electricity system will reach the islands, Phuoc said, Tourism service will be better. Its name Hai Tac (Pirates) is scary but actually the islands are beautiful in peace and many romantic beaches with white sand and blue water run long, Phuong said. Scary story of pirates Hai Viet, an old resident on Hon Tre Vinh Island recalled his grandfathers story on the pirates. There was once a pirate group named Canh Buom Den (Black Sail) on this island, he said, They mostly robbed trading ships passing Ha Tien Rach Gia Bay. On the pirates ship hung a mop, meaning sweeping off all ships passing by. The gang controlled a big sea area of the Gulf of Thailand. Up to now, there are still rumours of treasure hidden by the pirates somewhere on this archipelago, he said. Many locals still believe there is treasure hidden on Hon Doc and scattering around the archipelago. Sail away: Tranquil beauty of the islands.-Photo mekongdeltaexplorer.com The only ancient mark on the island is a pagoda named Son Hoa Tu. It is said that once there was a head of a pirate gang named Nguyen Thanh Van. Rumours say he was strong, was a brilliant swimmer and could dive as well as an otter, rebellious but at the same time, had a kind heart. Once his gang travelled to Thailand, he fell in love with a beautiful woman and took her to Vietnam. Since then, he quit the pirate life. They had a daughter called Nguyen Thi Gai, who was then respected by locals as she built the only pagoda on the islands. The Son Hoa Tu Pagoda remains up to now as an evidence of rumours on local pirates, a special attraction for tourists to the pristine islands. Israel fired nine missiles against two Syrian military bases in the night of 29-30 April 2018, causing serious damage. What is surprising about this operation is that the Russian radars did not transmit the alert to the Syrian authorities, who were therefore unable to intercept the Israeli projectiles. It transpires that the attack was aimed not at Syrian objectives, but at Iranian targets installed on Syrian bases. In honour of a treaty anterior to the war, Iran came to the help of Syria from the beginning of the foreign aggression in 2011. Without this assistance, Syria would have been beaten, the Republic overthrown, and the Muslim Brotherhood installed in power. However, as from September 2015, Syria has also been supported by Russia, whose firepower is far superior. It was the Russian Air Force who destroyed the underground fortifications - built by NATO and Lafarge - with their bunker-buster bombs, thereby allowing the Syrian Arab Army to recapture the ground they had lost. Today, the aims of Iran and Russia diverge. The Irano-Russian disagreement Russias intention is to eradicate the jihadist organisations and pacify the whole region. Then it hopes to restore the historical link between its Orthodox culture and Damascus, the original city of Christianity, in accordance with the strategy developed in the 18th century by Catherine the Great. Iran is now a country divided between three distinct powers - the Revolutionary Guard, President Rohani, and Supreme Leader Khamenei, who arbitrates their differences. The Revolutionary Guard is an elite unit, distinct from the regular army. They obey the Supreme Leader, while the army is under the command of the President of the Islamic Republic. They are attempting to free the Middle East from Anglo-Saxon imperialism. They guarantee the protection of Chiites everywhere in the world, and in return, count on them to protect Iran. They are notably deployed in Yemen, Iraq, Syria and Lebanon. President Hassan Rohani is trying to extricate his country from the diplomatic isolation caused by the Revolution triggered by Imam Khomeiny. He wants to develop international commerce and restore the status of dominant regional power which his country enjoyed during the reign of the Shah. Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who is ideologically close to the Revolutionary Guard, is attempting to maintain the balance between these two powers, and thus the unity of his country. His role is all the more difficult since the tension between these two groups is at a paroxysm. Ex-President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad (from the Revolutionary Guard) and his ex-Vice President Hamid Beghaie, have been declared bad Muslims by the Council of the Guardians of the Constitution. The former has been put under house arrest, while the latter has been condemned to 15 years of imprisonment at the conclusion of a secret trial. Since the assassination of Jihad Moughniyah (the son of Imad Moughniyah, military head of the Lebanese Hezbollah) and of officers of the Revolutionary Guard, in January 2015, at the line of Syro-Israeli demarcation of the Golan, there are clear indications that Iran is attempting to implant military bases in the South of Syria. It may be part of a plan to organise a planned attack on Israel from Gaza, Lebanon and Syria. It is this project that Israel is trying to prevent, and that Russia now refuses to caution. The evolution of political positions From the Russian point of view, Israel is an internationally recognised state, and more than one million of its citizens come from the ex-USSR. It has the right to defend itself, independent of the questions raised by the theft of land and the current apartheid regime. In the contrary, from the Iranian point of view, Israel is not a state, but an illegitimate entity which is occupying Palestine and oppressing its historical inhabitants. It is therefore legitimate to bear arms against it. In this case, the Islamic Republic exceeds the analysis of its founder. Indeed, for Imam Khomeiny, Israel is no more than a tool for the two main colonial powers, namely the United States (the Great Satan ), and the United Kingdom. During the course of the last few years, Iranian statements about Palestine have become particularly confused, mixing political and religious arguments, and falling back on anti-Semitic stereotypes. For the last three years, Israel has been asking insistently for Russia to prevent Iran from installing military bases less than 50 kilometres from the line of demarcation. At first, Russia pointed out that Iran had won the war in Syria, while Israel had lost it. Tel-Aviv was therefore in no position to demand anything. But we are now approaching the possible end of the war, and the Russian position has changed it is out of the question to allow Iran to start a new conflict. It is exactly this same attitude that pushed Russia to bomb the two airports rented by Tsahal in Georgia, in 2008. At that time, it was a question of preventing an attack on Teheran by Tel-Aviv. Except that the laisser-faire this time is opposed to an initiative by Iran, and not by Israel. The Syrian position From the Syrian point of view, Israel is an enemy who is illegally occupying the Golan. During the war, Israel supported the jihadists de facto, and has already bombed the country more than a hundred times. However, this does not necessarily make the Iranian project any more welcome. Indeed, like Moscow, Damascus does not question the existence of the Hebrew state, but only the form of its regime, which excludes Palestinians. Above all, the Syrian Arab Republic does not want war with its neighbour, but peace. Presidents Hafez and Bachar el-Assad have both tried to negotiate notably with US President Bill Clinton but in vain. Furthermore, everyone knows that the Israeli army is unreservedly supported by the United States, and that to attack Israel is to a attack Washington. Syria, which has just weathered seven years of foreign aggression and is widely destroyed, could not engage in such an operation even if it wanted to. Consequently, Damascus, which has allowed Iran to install bases on its soil, will not proceed any further. The Irano-US context Just as the possible end of the war has provoked the current crisis, it also weighs on the future of the 5+1 agreement. The United States will probably cease to be its guarantor. This multilateral agreement is not what we think it is. The text, signed on 14 July 2015, is exactly identical to the treaty negotiated on 4 April. However, over the last few months, Washington and Teheran have been negotiating, face to face, certain secret bilateral clauses, the contents of which nobody knows. However, everyone has been able to see that since the conclusion of this secret agreement, US and Iranian troops, present everywhere in the Middle East, have never been directly confronted. The public part of the agreement deals with the suspension of the Iranian nuclear programme for at least a decade; the cancellation of international sanctions against Iran; and a reinforcing of IAEA controls. This agreement is catastrophic for Teheran, which has, for example, been obliged to cease the teaching of nuclear physics. But it signed nevertheless, hoping for the cancellation of the sanctions which are very damaging for its economy. But hardly had the sanctions been lifted, they were re-imposed on another pretext (the missile programme). The Iranian standard of living continues to sink. Contrary to a commonly-held idea, the Islamic Republic had stopped seeking to develop the nuclear bomb in 1988, because Imam Khomeiny had convinced its leaders that weapons of mass destruction were contrary to Islam. However, they had continued to pursue their activities on civil nuclear power, plus some research on tactical military applications. Today, only those who seek to follow in the footsteps of the Shah in other words, President Rohanis group are likely to want to re-start the military nuclear programme . But they will not do so, because of their excellent relations with Washington. A preparatory meeting of the World Conference on the follow-through of the nuclear non-proliferation Treaty is currently under way in Geneva. Iran and Russia are present, defending a motion which aims to declare the Middle East a zone free from nuclear weapons - a motion opposed by Israel, Saudi Arabia and the Western powers. The threat brought to bear from Syria by Teheran should perhaps be viewed as a means of pressure for the maintenance of the secret clauses parallel to the 5+1 agreement. Automated Telephone Service at GHA The Gibraltar Health Authority has announced the launch of an automated digital telephone appointment line for bookings of routine appointments at the Primary Care Centre (PCC). This will mean no more waiting in a telephone queue for a clerk, or for appointments to be released once a month. By dialling the PCC appointment number on 2000 7007 callers will be greeted with a menu of options to book the next available routine GP or Nurse Practitioner appointment, or to book a particular primary care specialist clinic, such as the smoking cessation clinic. Once a choice has been confirmed, the caller will receive a confirmation text message as a useful reminder. The automated telephone appointment system is charged at local call rates. It is important that being able to book a medical appointment is as easy and as convenient as possible and, to that end, this service will be available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to update directly with the electronic appointment system. To provide full flexibility and choice, there will also be an option to cancel an appointment through the telephone service or by replying CANCEL" to the confirmation text message. Cancelling an appointment will immediately free up that time for someone else to book, so reducing wasted appointments and making better use of clinic times. It is vital that the GHA have up to date contact details of patients, including their correct mobile phone numbers, so that a reminder text message can be sent. At the PCC, a form will be available in order that the contact details can be entered on to patients electronic health records. Alternatively, the form can be found on the GHA website at http://www.gha.gi/mygha/ A spokesperson for the Govt said that while they are proud of this initiative, they are aware that, sometimes, patients would prefer to speak to a clerk to seek advice or simply because this is their preferred way of booking. The option to speak to a clerk will always be offered during the administration desk working hours of 0815 to 1530, and a patient will always be able to speak to an operator directly without having to use the automated service if they prefer. Given the change to the appointment system, 50% of the daily appointments will be released to the automated system, with constant reviews to ensure the right balance is struck. This entirely new service will go live in four weeks time, thus allowing the system to be fully tested and for comprehensive information leaflets to be given out to PCC users. These leaflets will explain exactly how to use the system. Dr Krishna Rawal, Director of Primary Care added: Technology is an integral part of the extensive series of reforms that we are introducing. Waiting in a telephone queue to book an appointment is hugely frustrating, and it has been one of my key aims to resolve this. I am hopeful that everyone will benefit from this service. I am keen to take this opportunity to thank all the PCC staff who have adapted so seamlessly to all the changes introduced and who provide outstanding care and attention to our community every day. Minister for Health, Care and Justice, the Honourable Neil F. Costa MP said: In the last 18 months of my tenure as Health Minister, more than anything, I have focused on the comments and suggestions of members of the community who have taken the time to call, message or email me. The issue of how to telephone the PCC has been a recurrent theme, and I have sought the advice of my key medical advisers to solve this issue. Whilst we continue to work with EMIS in developing the online functionality to book and cancel appointments, amongst other things, the automated service is a useful tool for service users that prefer to use the telephone. Simple, elegant and modern, this is an initiative that can be used by everyone, making booking an appointment more convenient, and making better use of the appointments available. I am enormously proud of the enthusiasm with which the PCC teams have embraced all the extensive reforms to date. Over Twenty Meetings in Washington for Deputy Chief Minister The Deputy Chief Minister Dr Joseph Garcia is in Washington where he is scheduled to hold over twenty meetings in just over two days. This continues the policy of the Government to engage with decision-makers in the United States of America in order to put across the Gibraltar point of view over a wide range of issues. Dr Garcia will be meeting with Members of Congress from both the Democratic and the Republican parties. He will first meet Congressman George Holding who is a good friend of the United Kingdom and of Gibraltar. The Congressman has tabled a Resolution before the House of Representatives which recognises the right of the people of Gibraltar to determine their own future as a British Overseas Territory. The Resolution, which started with 6 supporters, now has 42 signatories on a cross-partisan basis. The Congressman has also led a number of US Congressional visits to Gibraltar under the UK MEACA programme and was awarded the Gibraltar Medallion of Honour last year. There is considerable interest in Washington on the impact that the decision to leave the European Union will have on Gibraltar. In particular, decision-makers want to know whether Spain will seek to take unfair advantage of our EU departure for reasons which have nothing to do with Brexit. Photo: Scott Dudelson/FilmMagic Ive been having the same debate with the same friend for about a year now. He is supportive of leftist causes and organizations but also sternly critical of their shortcomings and increasingly suspicious that many of the decades most popular activists became public intellectuals for the celebrity meet-and-greets. Our dialogue began after raucous student protests disrupted plans for a speech by disgraced alt-right enfant terrible Milo Yiannopoulos at UC Berkeley, and another at Middlebury College in Vermont by sociologist Charles Murray, co-author of The Bell Curve: Intelligence and Class Structure in American Life, whose inferences about race as a mitigating factor in human brain function landed him a spot in the Southern Poverty Law Centers extremist files as a white nationalist. My friend argues that no-platforming speakers for troubling ideologies essentially gift-wraps the easy right-wing rebuttal that liberals arent interested in free speech but rather in speech that comforts them. The idea that PC culture is out of hand is popular among left-identifying media sophists: Bill Maher never misses an opportunity for a rant about liberal preciousness; on the night of the first Berkeley protest, YouTube vlogger Anthony Fantano remarked that, The irony of antifa is they use force and childish tactics to get their way. Just like a fascist. I told my friend that hes taking the exact stance a clever conservative would want him to, because leftist infighting over how to handle hate speech is an easier front to face than leftists united in manipulating democracy to pinch controversial speakers pockets. The conservative community that rebuked the comedian Michelle Wolf for jokes about Press Secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders at last months White House Correspondents Dinner doesnt seem interested in freedom of speech so much as the complete control of it. (A 2017 free speech survey by billionaire Republican donor Charles Kochs think tank, the Cato Institute, suggested that many conservatives believe liberals fuss too much about offensive ideologies, but they also support job termination as a minimum consequence for burning the American flag or kneeling during the national anthem in protest. Gallup Inc. and the Knight Foundation released a study this March and found that students who identify as white, male, and Republican increasingly feel more secure in their First Amendment rights than students who are black, female, or Democrat.) The quiet fascination with divisive conservative pundits like Milo, Ann Coulter, and Megyn Kelly among public figures who ought to know better is a function of relatability. Across party lines, they recognize a certain battleworn determination in the face of public criticism, and it softens them. The last two weeks of Kanye West news have presented a disconcerting study of someone straining to see the humanity in people who have never endeavored to return the favor. Wests apparent embrace of Trumpism is if we are to believe any of his last 15 years of raps, rants, and public declarations a stunning betrayal of the marginalized communities he once staked his career on defending. His loose grasp on the inner workings of black Americas relationship with the Republican Party, throughout history but especially now, is worrisome, but his inability to see the possible long tail of consequences for himself and the millions of people who consider themselves fans is amateurish and irresponsible behavior unbecoming of his station and his backstory. For the man who once wrote a song called I Am a God, there is a chance that Trump might just be Ragnarok, a flaming carnival of god death. Kanye West isnt nearly the first black celebrity to embrace a Republican politician in the last 50 years. Sammy Davis Jr. and James Brown supported Richard Nixon. Charles Barkley was a big Dan Quayle fan decades before his speaking engagements with the Democratic National Convention, and Karl Malone is a card-carrying NRA board member. And 50 Cent expressed admiration for George W. Bush the same year Kanye famously said the former president doesnt care about black people. Black conservatism exists, to paraphrase Chance the Rapper, but often under fire. Republicans take pride in their history as the party of Lincoln and civil rights but often gloss over the ruinous effects of President Dwight Eisenhowers neutered Civil Rights Act of 1957 and Senator Barry Goldwaters opposition to the Civil Rights Act of 1964 on relations between African-American voters and the Republican Party, and the six decades of bad-faith stances on housing, policing, and incarceration that have since widened the chasm. Trump a housing developer accused in 1973 of squeezing potential black renters out of his developments, a local New York celebrity who insisted on the guilt of the Central Park Five from their wrongful imprisonment well beyond their exoneration, and a national pop cultural titan who embraced the birther campaign insisting President Obama was not a U.S. citizen has not done the work required to enjoy a reputation as a friend to the black community. His stances have forced, at least among black political thinkers not holding or otherwise angling for clout in the White House, a very public vote of no-confidence. Kanye West, the son of a Black Panther and a black professor, was once known for fearless, prickly observations about race in America. At his best, he was the kind of firebrand who sold records offering caustic, panoramic assessments of black American disenfranchisement. Crack Music presented the war on drugs as a dangerous knot, tying together the bullishness of irresponsible presidents, the ruthless efficiency of the prison industrial complex, the lure of illegal narcotics both for sellers and buyers. Murder to Excellence took a heartbreaking look at steepening Chicago murder rates and then tossed the numbers at the feet of the architects of the Iraq War, in the process posing the question of why black death at home isnt addressed with the same urgency as American offshore interests. Even in the solipsistic Yeezus era whose central thesis seemed to be that the fashion industrys reticence to accept West should concern us all, since where he cant go, neither can we there was a sense that he was aware of the sociopolitical systems at work around him and the ways that race colors and changes them. A guy like that ought to know the implications of Make America Great Again hats for people of color, the barely concealed messaging that suggests a black president and an influx of immigrants ruined the country and the real-world physical violence the thought process has wrought. It is disorienting to watch a man who publicly identifies as a genius lose sight of his specific cultural utility. West complained of feeling like a pawn in a recent interview with New York rap radio host Charlamagne tha God, but then he walked into the arms of the Trump administration, where his friendship is already being framed in lieu of actual political inroads as proof this president loves and is loved by black people. (45s presidential campaign was full of promises to combat gun violence in Wests hometown of Chicago, but he hasnt been back since a volatile protest ran him out of a planned rally at the University of Illinois in Chicago before the 2016 primaries. He did hire a Secretary of Housing and Urban Development, Dr. Ben Carson, who just unveiled a plan to raise rents on families with subsidized housing. To Charlamagnes question of whether Trump cares about black people, West didnt have an answer.) A White House whose most visible black supporters have been officials on payroll like Ben Carson and Omarosa Manigault-Newman (and vloggers collecting nebulous consulting fees like Diamond and Silk) absolutely treasures the theater of Wests public consideration of their platform. Donald Trump craves nothing so purely as to be thought of as cool and ahead of the curve. The same could be said of Kanye West, a repeat award-show stage-crasher who once responded to a South Park episode about how he overreacts to jokes by overreacting to the jokes in it. Kanye thirsts for approval, and if he didnt, he wouldnt have acted out over losses at the 2006 MTV Europe Awards and the 2007 VMAs, or dropped that line into The Glory apologizing for the flair of the suit he wore to the 2006 Grammys. He wouldnt have devised the entire rollout of 2010s My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy as a campaign of self-flagellation for the time in 2009 when he couldnt resist telling America that the Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It) video was better than Taylor Swifts You Belong With Me. Kanye loves being liked, but as is the case with Trump, the only thing that animates him more than accolades is admonition. Kanye West thinks the chorus of public and private reproach he received (and reposted) for doubling down on his support for Trump is just another NO! for him to crash through, like the time people told him he shouldnt rap, or the time people told him he shouldnt make clothing, or the time people told him he maybe shouldnt emblazon hip-hop tour merch with Confederate flags. He cant see that his efforts to champion free thought and corner empathy for MAGA arent actually helping to promote a more open society, because the thing that a movement built on white voters prejudices and persecution complexes (that flourishes at the expense of considerations for black, brown, and queer Americans) really wants is less people speaking and thinking for themselves. He should know that his specific function for this set is providing access to minority eyes and ears tweet about Kanye West and Republicans, and note who shows up in your mentions. Once that value diminishes, hell be cast aside like Ted Cruz, Chris Christie, Omarosa, Middle American conservatives who rely on Obamacare, and anyone else who dares to have faith in Donald Trump. Under the harsh light of public scrutiny, it can be tough to distinguish real tough love from the brutal peck of a peanut gallery. But the Kanye West who asked a friend to design a tattoo of his sons name and didnt notice the guy appears to have just typed out Saint West in a premade font, who presented Givenchy design director Tony Spackmans old Nike activewear concept art from 2005 as research for new Yeezy clothes, doesnt seem as sharp of a judge of character or design as advertised. You fight spiritual and creative vertigo like that by keeping great people around. But West doesnt seem very adept at that now either. He is a vocal supporter of the rapper Tyga, who dated Kylie Jenner when she was 17, released a mixtape full of raunchy sex raps just two weeks after her 18th birthday, and cast her in the video for a song whose chorus goes, She a big girl, dawg, when she stimulated. (West told the Breakfast Clubs DJ Envy that Tyga got in early.) Ye is also a fan of fashionista and socialite Ian Connor, who was accused of sexual assault by multiple women in 2016 and disappeared, later claiming Kanye put him up in Japan. We also havent spoken nearly enough about the ways Kanyes finest work sometimes reduces women to being in thrall to money or sex. All Falls Down dismisses a struggling college graduate as a single black female addicted to retail, but when Wests own irresponsible spending comes up, hes just trying to buy back our 40 acres. Gold Digger, All of the Lights, and Blood on the Leaves warn men against losing 18 years to a baby by an opportunist, but while these songs question the morality of women, they also depict their male characters drug deals and domestic violence charges as fallout from a hard-knock life. The spoiled little L.A. girl riff in 808s & Heartbreaks Robocop and the Yeezy taught you well breakdown in Fantasys Blame Game set templates for the kind of pointed cruelty to specific exes that Drake records used to catch hell for, and guys like XXXTentacion appear to be gaining steam from. The president whose only changeless feature is his hair and the rapper who shucks styles like snakeskin might be a perfect pair down to a shared love of long, discursive interviews about their own greatness. But Kanye admits he hasnt fully thought this thing through. If he knew his friend and brother repeatedly neglected to denounce racist violence by tiki-torch-bearing white supremacists, would he still court favor? If he knew about the trans military ban and the Muslim travel ban apparently he didnt would they be deal-breakers? Is he just another music man silly enough to try and squeeze compassion out of a selfish, vindictive leader of the free world, a repeat of James Brown gambling his political cachet on the hope that Richard Nixon would do black America a solid, not knowing the president had demanded no more black stuff minutes before their first meeting? Does West think the last two weeks of backlash are just the natural flow of a finicky public wholl love you, then they hate you, then they love you again? Its possible that we created this monster by weathering Wests arrogance and excusing his carelessness, because we thought his platform was too valuable to lose. Perhaps we were foolish to believe that an irascible rapper who once called himself a proud non-reader of books would make it out of the decades most crucial period for diligent reading and critical thinking. We shouldve clocked this fast and spurious descent into edgelord ideologies and pat love everyone sloganeering from a mile away. But what is done is done. If Kanye West never comes back from wandering out on the edges with the trolls and the racists, the times we felt inspired by his work and made something great and beautiful of our own still belong to us. The searching, vital work we once entrusted to Kanye West is fine in the hands of Beyonce and Solange, of Janelle Monae and Frank Ocean, of Kendrick Lamar and Donald Glover, of Issa Rae and Jerrod Carmichael, and of Ava DuVernay and Ryan Coogler. The lesson of the month of MAGA Kanye, of Bill Cosby, of Infinity War is, to quote OutKast, heroes eventually die. Believe in any one human being too much, and they will invariably let you down. No one man should have all that power. Meghan Markle and Prince Harry. Photo: WPA Pool/Getty Images Hear ye, hear ye! You mightve heard that an American actress is infiltrating Britains royal family, thanks to Meghan Markles impending marriage to Prince Harry this May. The royals are thrilled, the common folk are thrilled, but most importantly, the television networks are thrilled not even a week went by following their engagement that the inevitable Heres Our Fun and Unique Meghan Markle TV Special! headlines emerged. Since so many Markle specials are set to premiere soon, your friends at Vulture thought it was wise to break them all down for your binge-watching convenience. Which ones are actually worth your time? Well, thats up to you. Inside the Royal Wedding: Harry and Meghan Where and when: NBC, May 16 The gist of it: As you can surmise from its title, Inside the Royal Wedding will stoke the excitement for Markle and Prince Harrys nuptials, which will take place on May 19 at Windsor Castle. Todays Savannah Guthrie and Hoda Kotb will also be joined by prominent figures from the worlds of fashion, sports, and show business to weigh in on additional matters of the royal heart. But again: This is all about the wedding! Expect intense speculation about what dress shell be wearing! Special guests: The special hasnt revealed its surprise guests yet, only promising close friends of the couple will be interviewed. Kotb will be reporting live from Windsor Castle, making prominent guests more likely to appear. Meghan Markle: An American Princess Where and when: Fox, May 11 The gist of it: An American Princess is taking a slightly more loaded angle of can this multiracial American divorcee really change the monarchy? It will use behind-the-scenes and archival footage to tell the complete story of how Markle came to be Prince Harrys bride-to-be from her Hollywood career and beyond. Its less about Markles actual backstory, though, and more about her time with Prince Harry and what their marriage will mean for the future of the British royals. Special guests: The headliner will be Samantha Markle, Meghans half-sister. Other confirmed guests within the realm of the royal family include Princess Dianas former butler, Paul Burrell, and Dickie Arbiter, Queen Elizabeth IIs former press secretary. Meghan Markle: American Princess Where and when: Available now on CBS On Demand The gist of it: If you only want to learn about Markles past and her ascension to global stardom, this is the special for you. Hosted by Gayle King, American Princess tracks Markles entire life leading up to her royal engagement, which is boosted by intimate, revealing interviews with the people who know her best. So, well get to learn all about elementary-school and high-school Markle. Special guests: A melange of people from Markles past, including her sorority sisters from Northwestern and her former teachers. Alexi Lubomirski, who shot Markle and Prince Harrys engagement photos and will be their official wedding photographer, is also interviewed. Harry & Meghan Where and when: Lifetime, May 13 The gist of it: Because you cant possibly expect Lifetime to not take advantage of a soapy, fictionalized movie about their courtship, Harry & Meghan will have all of the fundamental tenets worthy of the Lifetime name. Tears! Betrayal! Lots of smooching under the stars! Some more betrayal! Get to know the actors before you watch. Special guests: Everyone you can imagine in fictional form, of course. The Story of the Royals Where and when: ABC, late August The gist of it: This one is for the history buffs out there. ABCs four-hour primetime special will lean heavily toward the evolution of the modern-day British monarchy by exploring the key figures who represent four generations of the crown Queen Elizabeth II, Prince Charles, Prince William, and Prince George. Of course, there will also be a bunch of time dedicated to Markle, but more in the lens of the history of Americans marrying into the British royal family. Special guests: Besides the vague promise of palace insiders and royal experts, no special guests have been announced. Million Dollar American Princess: Meghan Markle Where and when: Smithsonian, May 13 The gist of it: Besides the requisite coverage of Markles backstory and rise as Prince Harrys future wife, Million Dollar American Princess takes on the intriguing angle of comparing Markles courtship to other actresses and heiresses who crossed the Atlantic to marry into European nobility, such as Grace Kelly and Rita Hayworth, and what happens after the wedding bells stop ringing. Special guests: None. R. Kelly in 2016. Photo: Prince Williams/WireImage Joining a growing group of voices who have alleged R. Kelly has a history of sexual abuse and harassment, two new accusers, Asante McGee and Kitti James, appeared on Megyn Kelly Today to detail their respective histories of dating the rapper. James spent two years living in R. Kellys Chicago home while the two were in a relationship, and said during that time she couldnt do anything, even the most banal of activities, without obtaining his permission. I had to wear sweatpants. I had to stand up when he would walk into a room. I had to be on his phone plan, she explained. He would put a lot of his girlfriends on his phone plan so he could control who you were talking to, how often you talked to your family, what you were texting, things like that. This control even included Jamess trips to the bathroom: You would have to send a text message to one of his runners, just asking if you could go to the restroom, and they would relay the information to him. You werent free to walk throughout the house. McGee says she dated R. Kelly for two years and spent a month living in his home, after a few months of traveling around the country with him for his tour. When I was on the sprinter, I had to use the restroom. I would text him, Daddy, I need to use the restroom. We were required to call him Daddy, she explained. You would address him as Daddy. If you didnt, you would get in trouble. Or slapped. Both women agree that Joycelyn Savage, whose parents say she is being held against her will by R. Kelly at his home, has been fully brainwashed by the rapper. As for R. Kelly himself, he has continually denied all of the allegations lodged against him, saying in a recent statement that he has close friendships with a number of women who are strong, independent, happy, well cared for and free to come and go as they please. Jude Law as Dr. James Watson and Robert Downey Jr. as Sherlock Holmes in Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows. Photo: Daniel Smith/ 2011 Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc. Its been seven years since Guy Ritchies second Sherlock Holmes movie, and its just been announced that a three-quel is on the way. Deadline reports that Sherlock Holmes 3 will arrive on Christmas Day in 2020, so synchronize your watches. Robert Downey Jr. and Jude Law will reprise their roles as Holmes and Dr. John Watson, respectively, but its unknown if Ritchie, the franchises founding director, will return for a third time. Who could have foreseen when Downey Jr.s Holmes broke out in 2009 that the character would threaten to outlast Iron Man? Now that the United States has decided to leave the Iran deal, the global economy is bracing for aftershocks. President Donald Trump said Tuesday that the United States will begin reinstating sanctions on Iran. But the Middle Eastern country won't be the only party affected. Under the 2015 agreement, the United States and other powers agreed to lift some economic sanctions if Iran agreed to rein in its nuclear program. The pact opened the Iranian economy to Western companies eager to capitalize on its young, educated population and growing middle class. Airlines, carmakers, hotel groups and oil companies all jumped to sign deals in Iran. The country's oil sector boomed and the economy grew. Such enterprises could now turn into huge losses. The White House, in a fact sheet on the decision, said that "those doing business in Iran will be provided a period of time to allow them to wind down operations," and those that don't "risk severe consequences." Here's who stands to get hurt: 1. Car drivers Iran has the fourth largest crude oil reserves in the world, and claims nearly one-fifth of the planet's natural gas. After sanctions were eased, the country ramped up production to about 3.8 million barrels a day. That's about 1 million barrels a day more than in early 2016. New sanctions on Iranian oil exports would put a dent in global supply and could cause prices to spike. They've already soared 13% in a month, to their highest level in three years. US gasoline prices have jumped to a national average of $2.81 a gallon, according to AAA. That compares to $2.66 a month ago and $2.35 a year ago. Higher prices at the pump could hurt auto sales in the US and overall consumer spending. Related: What Trump's Iran decision means for oil and gas prices 2. Boeing and Airbus The biggest deals Iran signed with foreign companies have been for airplanes to modernize its creaky fleet. Those are now off. Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin on Tuesday told reporters that licenses for Boeing and Airbus to export commercial planes, related parts and services to Iran will be revoked after a 90-day period. Boeing previously planned to sell 80 jets to Iran Air. The first jets were due to be delivered this year. It had also agreed to sell 30 737 MAX airplanes to Aseman Airlines, another Iranian carrier. European rival Airbus, which has a plant in Alabama, had agreed to sell 100 jets to Iran. Boeing said in a statement that it will consult with the US government on next steps. "As we have throughout this process, we'll continue to follow the U.S. Government's lead," the company said. The jet maker was already preparing to put the brakes on the Iran sales, and can afford to take the hit. Airbus said in a statement: "We're carefully analyzing the announcement and will be evaluating next steps consistent with our internal policies and in full compliance with sanctions and export control regulations." Related: China is the big wild card in Trump's Iran decision 3. GE, Volkswagen and Total Fears over sanctions returning kept many major foreign companies on Iran's sidelines. But a handful plunged into deals that are now at risk. Total, the French oil and gas company, signed a $2 billion agreement to help develop Iran's giant South Pars gas field, together with Chinese state oil company CNPC. Now the company is worried the agreement could collapse in the face of new sanctions. General Electric received millions of dollars in orders from Iran in 2017, according to company filings, for its oil and gas business. This includes orders for machine parts and equipment used in gas plants. GE said in a statement that it's still reviewing the decision. "[We] will adapt our activities as necessary to conform with these changes in U.S. law," the company said. "GE's activities in Iran to date have been limited and in compliance with US government rules, licenses and policies." And in 2017, Germany's Volkswagen announced that it will sell cars in Iran for the first time in 17 years. 4. Airlines and hotel groups Travel operators have taken advantage of the renewed interest in Iran as a business and tourist destination since sanctions were eased. European airlines such as British Airways and Lufthansa have resumed direct flights to the country, and Iranian authorities have relaxed visa requirements. France's Accor was the first international hotel chain to open in Iran in 2015. Spain's Melia and Rotana of the United Arab Emirates have also announced plans to open hotels in Iran. 5. Iran's economy Growth has returned to Iran in recent years, but the economic recovery remains fragile. Sanctions would make the situation much worse. The Iranian rial has plunged against the US dollar in recent months. The currency has lost more than 22% of its value over the past year, and media reports suggest the decline has been steeper on black market exchanges. The fall has made imports more expensive, and some Iranians are reportedly cashing in their savings to buy dollars and euros. Jason Tuvey, a Middle East economist at Capital Economics, said that the increasingly uncertain political environment would harm investment. "A potentially more severe economic fallout could be triggered if Iran struggles to conduct international financial transactions," he added. Valiollah Seif, the governor of Iran's central bank, says the country has enough foreign currency on hand to fund purchases of basic commodities and raw materials. "Whatever the decision of the United States, it's not going to disrupt our economy," he said Tuesday, according to the semi-official Mehr news agency. -- CNN's Ivana Kottasov-, Bijan Hosseini, Tania Carvalho and Zahraa Alkhalisi contributed to this report. Hundreds of workers shot down a proposed three-year contract and instead voted to hit the picket line instead. Representatives of the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM) and that of United Launch Alliance (ULA) could not come to an agreement on a new contact before the previous one expired at midnight on May 6. Union members voted against the proposed contract and agreed to strike on Sunday. Union members voted against the proposed contract and agreed to strike on Sunday. Workers immediately began the strike at 12:01 a.m. on May 7. Workers told WAAY 31 this is the first strike they've had since 2005. Negotiations between the two parties started back on April 16. The contract covers about 600 employees across three ULA sites. About 300 workers are at the manufacturing plant in Decatur. According to Florida Today, between 220 and 230 union employees are at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida and 70 to 80 are at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California. By April 26, ULA presented their "Last, Best and Final Offer." But on Sunday, ULA updated its time line of the negotiation to say that IAM rejected the offer. "When the [union] vote happened, everybody rejected the contract and we all voted to strike," Matt Griggs, a business representative for IAM said. "It sent a very clear message, I would think, to ULA that their 'Last, Best and Final' wasn't very good." Within the proposed three-year contract were provisions like an annual pay increase as well as a travel bonus for travel longer than 30 days. "The issue is not the money in the contract. The issue is the travel. These members are taking an opportunity now to use their voice to show they are very dissatisfied with this proposal that was passed," Matt Griggs, a business representative for IAM said. Griggs told WAAY 31 that as it stands now, workers can be sent to either the California or Florida site for 30 days or more with only a 72-hour heads up to prepare. In a statement, ULA President Tony Bruno said the contract was more than fair to the workers and said he was "disappointed that the IAM members rejected ULA's last, best and final offer and voted to strike." "We believe our proposed contract is very competitive with other companies. Importantly, ULA's final offer contributes to ULA's long term viability in an increasingly competitive launch business environment," Bruno said. On its website chronicling the negotiating process, ULA provides both a strike cost and wage progression calculator. For example, an employee making $20 per hour, would stand to lose $6,800 between lost wages and a lost ratification bonus if the strike lasted for five days. Conversely, that same hypothetical employee would see an 11.06 percent estimated contract wage rate increase, according to ULA's estimation. However, Griggs said those who are striking see those numbers as a mark of how serious they are about continuing negotiations since they are willing to sacrifice that much potential income. "Obviously, they're on strike. They're not getting paid right now. This is about dignity and pride for their families," Griggs said. As of early Monday morning, neither said has said when negotiations might restart. For its part, ULA stated that they will continue work at all of their sites. The company added that it will "implement its strike contingency plans while focusing on meeting its commitments to [its] customers." Griggs said workers are prepared to stay on the picket line as long as need be. To see some of the frequently asked questions and answers about the "Last, Best and Final Offer," click here. An update to a WAAY 31 I-Team Investigation we brought you Monday night on WAAY 31 News at 10: WAAY 31 has uncovered the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency has fired one of its agents caught up in a Morgan County business gone bankrupt. Responding to WAAY 31s request, the State Personnel Department tells us Steven Ziaja was dismissed by ALEA on March 23rd. Ziaja was arrested last year under 12 felony indictments. Hes accused of using his job as an ALEA agent to access a law enforcement data base to get information on customers of Performance Auto & Title Mart. Performance Auto Sales operated on Point Mallard Parkway. There was a second used car lot on Highway 157 in Moulton. Title Marts had various locations including Decatur, Hartselle, Moulton and Chelsea. The businesses operated under the legal name of Priceville Partners, LLC. Ziaja invested and worked at the business ran and partly owned by a convicted felon. Three other ALEA agents along with Morgan County Sheriff Ana Franklin and her deputies also invested or had ties to the business which is now in Chapter 11 bankruptcy. Sheriff Franklin invested $150,00 of taxpayer money into the business. She has since returned the money to the jail food account. Morgan County Sheriffs office employees Blake Robinson and Robert Bones Wilson are also connected to the business. Sheriff Franklin has told WAAY 31 she cant comment because of pending lawsuits and bankruptcy cases. A man protesting inside a the Waffle House, on University Drive in Huntsville, was arrested for trespassing this morning. 32-year-old, Garrick Rex Rawls was arrested by the Huntsville Police Department around 8:30 am. Rawls is waving an American flag while customers are inside eating, one of the workers asks him to leave but he refuses, that's when police showed up. The 24 hour breakfast chain has been in the spotlight after the Nashville shooting inside the restaurant as well as a woman who was tackled by police at a Saraland, Alabama Waffle House just a few weeks ago. This morning's arrest thankfully didn't turn violent, but it is shining new light on protesting and where you can and can't do it legally. Huntsville Police tell WAAY 31, they were called to this waffle house around 8 this morning. The caller said there was a man who was protesting inside of the Waffle House on University Drive and was yelling racially charged comments and refusing to leave. A Waffle House employee asked the protester to leave several times and was told he wouldn't leave and that he should call the police. Once police arrived the protestor told police he would only leave if he was arreseted. Police handcuffed the protestor and escorted him out of the waffle house, where he then went to jail willingly. Protesting in a public place is within your constitutional rights, however protesting on private property, like this Waffle House, is against the law, even if you do it peacefully. The workers from this morning were still there when WAAY 31 arrived this afternoon told us they were unable to speak or give any information without consent from their corporate headquarters. WAAY 31 spoke to Waffle House Corporate and left a message for the Director of Public Relations and External Affairs, we were told he would call back this afternoon but we have not yet received a phone call. Many people showed up to show their support for United Launch Alliance workers in Decatur who are on strike. The International Association of Machinists Union and ULA officials still haven't met to discuss changes on the new contract. The two couldn't agree on a contract before the previous one expired yesterday. The contract covers employees at three ULA sites including the manufacturing plant in Decatur. 15 hours after the strike started, workers are picketed all over Decatur, such as Beltline Road and Highway 72. The union said they feel disrespected and they want ULA to know they're serious about negotiating the contract again. "We're always going to be here to support our brothers and sisters when they're having to go out on strike to support their families," said Anthony Holton. Anthony Holton with the 2003 chapter in Fort Rucker and he knows what the machinists union at ULA is going through. "They showed up when we actually had to go out on strike when we had our own contract disputes. They showed up, grilled hot dogs and hamburgers. Fellowshipped with us and let us know they'll stand with us for our family," Holton said. Around 300 workers are at the manufacturing plant in Decatur. The new contract stated an annual pay increase. However, Matt Griggs, a union representative said it's not about the money. It's about the respect for their families "They can pick them up on a with a 72 hour notice. Travel them to California or Florida and be away from their families. They can return home and be sent on travel again," said Matt Griggs. Also, job security plays a big factor with the union. "The contract is for bargaining unit employees. That's what we are. That's what the members are. The contract states that if we have jobs that is ours. The company is taking those jobs and sub-contracting them out or taking them for their selves," Griggs said. ULA's President Tony Bruno released a statement and said the contract was more than fair to the workers and he's disappointed the union rejected ULA's last, best and final offer. "I think they all believed that they were going to get something they deserved, not what was given to them. So it's more of a hurt feeling I would say," Griggs said. If the strike lasts more than five days, an employee making $20 per hour would lose $6,800 in wages. "They're on strike. They're not getting paid right now. This is about dignity, pride and their families," Griggs said. The union said they haven't been on strike here since 2005. They are going to continue to strike until they meet with ULA officials. As of right now, no meeting has been scheduled. (CNN Money) -- Your dream of riding in a flying car may be one step closer to reality. Uber and NASA announced on Tuesday they're teaming up to simulate flying taxis in urban areas. In 2016, Uber unveiled plans to develop electric flying cars to help improve transportation in cities, alleviate congestion and provide affordable transportation. NASA became a partner for the program a year later by developing air traffic management for a fleet of flying cars. But now NASA wants to help get the concept off the ground even more. Literally. Uber said it will share its plans for a ridesharing network of flying cars with NASA, which will conduct simulations. NASA's findings will help guide the creation of industry standards and regulations, the government organization said in a press release timed to Uber Elevate, the tech giant's second-annual summit to discuss flying cars. The companies hope commercial trips will be available in 2023. Rides will be booked within the Uber app, similarly to how someone selects a ride in a car or SUV. Although the cars -- technically referred to as VTOL, or vertical takeoff and landing vehicles -- seem like glorified helicopters, Uber believes its concept will be safer and cheaper than what's already available. Uber's flying car has a futuristic look. Most of its propellers face upward like a helicopter's main blade, and another one is positioned forward like a plane. "It's a simpler design compared to what we've seen from Uber before. This could lead to a safer vehicle," ARK Invest industry innovation analyst Sam Korus told CNNMoney. Uber isn't the only company eyeing the skies. Competitors developing similar technology range from aviation giant Airbus to startups backed by Google co-founder Larry Page. Related: Uber unveils plans to demo flying cars by 2020 But it will likely be years before the technology is ready and broadly available. Flying cars will need to safely operate in crowded airspace, near small drones and traditional airplanes. The safety of flying cars will need to be proven, and regulations will need to be developed. However, the partnership with NASA is an early move toward figuring out regulations. "Urban air mobility could revolutionize the way people and cargo move in our cities and fundamentally change our lifestyle much like smart phones have," NASA associate administrator Jaiwon Shin said in a statement. Flying cars would operate autonomously over dense areas, which could be extremely dangerous if something goes wrong. Uber is well-versed in the risks associated with developing new technologies. It paused public tests of its self-driving cars after an Uber SUV in autonomous mode struck and killed a pedestrian in Tempe, Arizona in March. Federal investigators are expected to deliver a preliminary report on the cause of the crash in the weeks ahead. The-CNN-Wire & 2018 Cable News Network, Inc., a Time Warner Company. All rights reserved. One womans dogged determination peeled away at a business bound for bankruptcy. Shes faced death threats, computer spying and investigations into her online blog. WAAY 31 talked at length with the woman who uncovered law enforcements questionable connections to what some are calling a scam business. She's a retired civil servant. A grandmother. A fighter. Glenda Lockhart at her computer Glenda Lockhart at her computer Between the tiny towns of Eva and Falkville, we watched Glenda Lockhart scoop chicken feed from a tub. Lockhart feeds more than her chickens, though. She also feeds her blog. Lockhart says she took the name Whistleblower because shes blowing the whistle for people who cant. "At the time that this happened, I just thought, you know, if this can happen to us -- we can be arrested because we need help with our son -- anybody can be arrested, Lockhart told WAAY 31. It all goes back to 2012. The Lockharts called 9-1-1 for help with their adult son who suffered with a mental condition. Over the years, they called for help before. But, this time, there was a new sheriff, Ana Franklin. "And when the deputies got out here, instead of going to our son's house and helping us with our son, they set up a command post, is what it appeared to me, in our home and arrested me and my husband, she told us. Charged with misdemeanor Obstructing a Government Operation, a judge ruled in favor of the Lockharts. We were acquitted, Lockhart said. And both of us received about a 2 1/2 page acquittal from the judge on a third degree misdemeanor. So, we felt really good about that." Exonerated, Glendas eyes were wide open. So, it was during that time from that I started doing the research, Lockhart explained. And I was collecting the data. And I was sending it in to the state attorney general (Luther Strange) for over two years. And nothing was ever done. So, I just thought this is time for me to go to the U.S. Attorney General's office. And that's what I did." Lockhart says she documented her quest for justice on her Morgan County Whistleblower blog. "Performance Auto actually got me started on it and Steven Ziaja, the ALEA agent that's now facing 12 felony counts, Lockhart told us. He just lives right up the road from our home here. And I noticed a lot of interesting things going on with people coming into his property." Already curious about her neighbor, Lockhart got wind Steven Ziaja had a business interest in Performance Auto & Title Mart. One of the sheriff's deputies that is a volunteer firefighter for Falkville told my grandson about a used car dealership that Steven Ziaja owned, she said. And I thought that was interesting being an ALEA agent. But, it even got more interesting when he mentioned Ana Franklin and Alyssa Franklin. Lockhart and her "Whistleblower" team dug deeper. So, we started watching the Title Marts, she said. And what we found was that Steven was working in the Title Marts when he was an ALEA agent and during normal duty hours. As was Blake Robinson, one of the sheriff's office employees. So, the more that we watched and the more that we learned, we found that there were just an unbelievable amount of people that appeared to be investing in the Title Marts. By the end, Lockhart connected four agents of the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency, at least two Morgan County sheriffs office employees and the sheriff herself. All of the law officers were tied to the business. Lockhart said the list of investors read like a Whos Who in Law Enforcement. "Sheriff Ana Franklin, ALEA agent Steven Ziaja, ALEA agent Jon Venegoni, ALEA agent (Mike) Reese and (Stanley) Ray because they're all public officials, Lockhart rattle off. As well as you have Bones Wilson (photo above) who is in the drug task force who invested money in the Title Marts. As did Blake Robinson. And those are the people Sheriff Franklin has so closely surrounded herself with." Along Point Mallard Parkway in Priceville, Lockhart says all signs pointed to trouble. Performance Auto & Title Mart is now in chapter 11 bankruptcy under the corporate name Priceville Partners, LLC. From there, as we were doing the blogs, we had people from the sheriff's office, people from the county sending us information." Determined to build her case, Lockhart even went dumpster diving looking for evidence. A source tipped her off that Sheriff Franklin invested $150-thousand in taxpayer money into Performance Auto & Title Mart. Later, Lockhart got her hands on a copy of a cashiers check to prove it. I wasn't at all surprised. Lockhart told WAAY 31. Our sources told us that Sheriff Franklin had been taking money from the sheriff's office since 2013. Her mounting evidence was putting Lockhart on the radar. She sent her teams findings to the Alabama Ethics Commission, the Alabama Attorney General, the U.S. Attorney General and the FBI. In October of 2016, after convincing a judge to issue search warrants, the sheriffs office raided Lockharts construction business in Falkville. The business is Straightline Drywall. We were doing a lot of blogging in that time frame, she explained. And we had come up with a lot of information that I believe the sheriff's office didn't want out. Last month, Morgan County Circuit Judge Glenn Thompson ruled Sheriff Ana Franklins office misled him when asking for those 2016 search warrants. The judge scolded the sheriffs office for threatening to put Lockharts grandson in jail and paying him to install key logger software on his grandmothers computers. "They paid him as a confidential informant, Lockhart told us. She says the people who wanted to stop her blogging used her grandson. I think he was brainwashed, she said. I think that they really had this kid believing that he was going to become a police officer, that he was working towards becoming a police officer with them." The blogger is proud of how her grandson has grown from the ordeal. He's doing very well, Lockhart said. Blood is always thicker than water. And I think he learned a valuable lesson. When people put you up to do dirty deeds then you do them, there's a consequence. And I think that he's had to face those consequences and they've been tough. They've been really hard on our family and he knows that. And he's doing wonderful where he is now. And I expect him to continue doing well. I think he's going to do a lot better than they are." Sheriff Franklin says shes tired of being a target. Its real easy for somebody to just make an allegation and then thats the truth, Sheriff Franklin told WAAY 31. By the time it gets spread all over social media, by the time the media picks it up and does any questions on it. And theres no way to defend yourself. As for Glenda Lockhart, she insists the law officers turned into law breakers. And I'm hoping that at some point, we'll see justice." The Morgan County Whistleblower blogger says the law officers' chickens will come home to roost. Sheriff Franklin has maintained shes not able to comment specifically because of pending lawsuits and bankruptcy cases. WAAY 31 emailed a list of questions for the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency: What is the status of these Alabama Law Enforcement Agency agents? Does ALEA allow its agents to work other jobs while on duty? What has ALEA done to secure its computers to protect taxpayers' personal information? And what is ALEA's response to the agents' questionable connections to this business. Their response: "ALEA does not comment on ongoing investigations." WASHINGTON (AP) President Donald Trump is preparing to tell the world whether he plans to follow through on his threat to pull out of the landmark nuclear accord with Iran and almost surely ensure its collapse. There are no signs that European allies enlisted to fix the deal have persuaded him to preserve it. In a burst of last-minute diplomacy, punctuated by a visit by Britains top diplomat, the deals European members gave in to many of Trumps demands, according to officials, diplomats and others briefed on the negotiations. Yet they still left convinced he is likely to re-impose sanctions and walk away from the deal he has lambasted since his days as a presidential candidate. As they braced for an expected withdrawal Tuesday, U.S. officials were dusting off plans for how to sell a pullout to the public and explain its complex ramifications to the global financial world, said the officials and others, who werent authorized to speak ahead of an announcement and requested anonymity. Building up anticipation for the big reveal, Trump announced on Twitter he would disclose his decision at 2 p.m., with an announcement set for the Diplomatic Room of the White House. With uncharacteristic discipline, he kept the decision confined to a small group within the White House National Security Council, leaving even many of his aides guessing what he had decided. There was at least as much guessing in Iran, where many are deeply concerned about how Trumps decision could affect the already struggling economy. In Tehran, President Hassan Rouhani sought to calm nerves, smiling as he appeared at a petroleum expo. He didnt name Trump directly, but emphasized that Iran continued to seek engagement with the world. It is possible that we will face some problems for two or three months, but we will pass through this, Rouhani said. An immense web of sanctions, written agreements and staggered deadlines make up the 2015 nuclear deal struck by the U.S., Iran and world powers. So Trump effectively has several pathways to pull the United States out of the deal by reneging on its commitments. Under the most likely scenario, Trump will allow sanctions on Irans central bank intended to target its oil exports to kick back in, rather than waiving them once again on Saturday, the next deadline for renewal, said the individuals briefed on Trumps deliberations. Then the Trump administration would give those who are doing business with Iran a six-month grace period to wind down business and avoid running afoul of those sanctions. Depending on how Trump sells it either as an irreversible U.S. pullout, or one final chance to save it the deal could ostensibly be strengthened during those six months in a last-ditch effort to persuade Trump to change his mind. The first 15 months of Trumps presidency have been filled with many such last chances for the Iran deal in which hes punted the decision for another few months, and then another. Other U.S. sanctions dont require a decision until later, including those on specific Iranian businesses, sectors and individuals that will snap back into place in July unless Trump signs another waiver. A move on Tuesday to restore those penalties ahead of the deadline would be the most aggressive move Trump could take to close the door to staying in the deal. Even Trumps secretary of state and the U.N. agency that monitors nuclear compliance agree that Iran, so far, has lived up to its side of the deal. But the deals critics, such as Israel, the Gulf Arab states and many Republicans, say its a giveaway to Tehran that ultimately paves the path to a nuclear-armed Iran several years in the future. Iran, for its part, has been coy in predicting its response to a Trump withdrawal. For weeks, Irans foreign minister had been saying that a re-imposition of U.S. sanctions would render the deal null and void, leaving Tehran little choice but to abandon it as well. But on Monday, President Hassan Rouhani said Iran could stick with it if the European Union, whose economies do far more business with Iran than the U.S., offers guarantees that Iran would keep benefiting. It is far from clear that Europe can credibly provide that assurance. Even with the deal in place, Iran complained constantly that European banks and businesses were staying away out of fear theyd be punished by the United States. The global financial system is so interconnected and so dependent on New York that its nearly impossible to conduct business that doesnt touch the U.S. financial system. That gives Trump incredible leverage if he threatens that anyone doing business with Iran will be cut off from the United States. For the Europeans, a Trump withdrawal would also constitute dispiriting proof that trying to appease the mercurial American president is an exercise for naught. The three EU members of the deal Britain, France and Germany were insistent from the start that the deal could not be re-opened. After all, it was the U.S. that brokered the agreement in 2015 and rallied the world behind it. But all that was under President Barack Obama, whose global legacy Trump has worked to chip away at since taking office. So the Europeans reluctantly backed down, only slightly at first, agreeing to discuss an add-on agreement that wouldnt change the underlying nuclear deal, but would add new restrictions on Iran to address what Trump had identified as its shortcomings. Trump wanted to deter Irans ballistic missile program and other destabilizing actions in the region. He also wanted more rigorous nuclear inspections and to extend the deals restrictions on Iranian enrichment and reprocessing, rather than let them phase out after about a decade. Negotiating an add-on agreement, rather than revising the existing deal, had the added benefit of not requiring the formal consent of Iran or the other remaining members: Russia and China. The idea was that even if they balked at the Wests impositions, Iran would be likely to comply anyway so as to keep enjoying lucrative sanctions relief. Although the U.S. and the Europeans made progress on ballistic missiles and inspections, there were disagreements over extending the life of the deal and over how to trigger additional penalties if Iran were found violating the new restrictions, U.S. officials and European diplomats have said. The Europeans agreed to yet more concessions in the final days of negotiating ahead of Trumps decision, the officials added. It was not clear what led Trump, whose aides hadnt expected him to make a decision until weeks end, to declare Monday he was ready to render judgment on the deals fate. But on Twitter, he targeted former Secretary of State John Kerry, who led Obamas efforts to broker the deal and has been making the case publicly and privately for its survival. The United States does not need John Kerrys possibly illegal Shadow Diplomacy on the very badly negotiated Iran Deal, Trump said. He was the one that created this MESS in the first place! ___ Associated Press writers Matthew Lee, Jill Colvin, Zeke Miller and Catherine Lucey in Washington and Amir Vahdat and Nasser Karimi in Tehran, Iran, contributed to this report. HOT on the heels of Waterford City being named the Best Place To Live, it was announced this week that 27m is to be... CHANGES to the junction between New Street and Barrack Street have backfired, becoming yet another source of traffic chaos in the heart of the... IMAGINING Arts was about all we could do over the last 18 months or so, but now we need imagine no more. Celebrating its 20th... Update: Raymond Ferguson has been located in Miami and is safe!! Original: A man from Ocala has been reported missing and Marion County Deputies are asking for your help finding him. 73-year-old Raymond Ferguson was last seen around 2 Monday afternoon leaving his home on Emerald Court in Ocala. He was last seen wearing black shoes, blue jeans, a blue shirt, and a Vietnam veteran hat. Ferguson left his home in a silver 2015 Dodge Ram 1500 with the Florida license tag WC3438. Ferguson suffers from dementia and has several other medical conditions and doesn't have his medication. If you have any information on Ferguson's whereabouts, please call 911. The Customs administration of Jordan invited the WCO Secretariat to conduct a PCA diagnostic mission to implement an effective PCA infrastructure in line with the recommendations of the WCO PCA Guidelines and the requirements of the World Trade Organizations Trade Facilitation Agreement (TFA). The objective of a PCA diagnostic is to review, analyze and report on the Administrations institutional arrangements, as well as the methodologies and techniques used to conduct its post clearance audits. The PCA diagnostic was conducted from the 28th April to the 3rd May 2018 in Amman, Jordan. The mission covered an introduction of the WCO concept of post clearance audits and presentations on the current risk management and audit processes and procedures followed in Jordan. The experts met with key officials of various directorates for discussions covering, inter alia, Risk Management, Customs Intelligence; Information Technology; Human Resources; Training Centre; Tariff and Trade Agreements, Customs Valuation; Legal Affairs; Control and Inspections directorates. A visit to the Airport Customs Clearance Office in Amman concluded the diagnostic mission. The representatives of Jordan Customs welcomed the guidance and subject matter discussions with the WCO experts; the PCA Diagnostic mission report will be presented shortly. By Leah Long May. 07, 2018 | 07:20 PM | MCCRACKEN COUNTY, KY McCracken County's fiscal court heard an update from the road department, approved a new job classification and approved several personnel items.County commissioners first heard from County Road Engineer Randy Williams who said all of the concrete work has been completed on Maxon Road. He also mentioned there would be a road salt auction on May 9. Williams said it is "a guessing game," each year as to how much salt the department will need in the winter.According to Williams the salt will be delivered in November or December and will be paid for at that time.Later in the meeting the commissioners approved a court order allowing the hiring of Kyler Garner, Adam Helton, Noah Houser, Jared Lang and Carlos Flowers as the 2018 summer laborers.The commissioners approved the resignation of Joe Denton, long-time employee of the road department, who retired at the end of April. Denton will be paid for 37 vacation days and will be credited with 53 sick days.The commissioners also approved was the hiring of Tyler Nolan as a full-time road deputy with a salary of $40,000 and Mike Colson, as a full-time laborer at the road department at a rate of $10.50 per hour.The commissioners approved an ordinance that amends an existing ordinance pertaining to the compensation and classification of a job at the McCracken County Detention Center. The ordinance now establishes a baliff grade 4 position.The commissioners approved the resignation of Doug Abernathy as bailiff and Roger Simons, as part-time certified court security officer, both effective April 30. Commissioner Jerry Byers commented saying both men have been excellent employees and deserve to enjoy their retirement.Three new faces will be at the McCracken County Detention Center as the commissioner approved the hiring of Marcus Harris as full-time deputy jailer, James Lindsey, as full-time deputy jailer and Rebecca Williamson, as part-time deputy jailer.In other business, the fiscal court re-appointed David Humphrey to the Reidland Fire Department Board, with a term expiring on June 30, 2021. Traffic stop leads to the arrest of three By West Kentucky Star Staff May. 08, 2018 | 01:30 PM | PADUCAH, KY Some Paducah households have been randomly selected to receive a survey about their lives in the city.City leaders have contracted to use the National Research Center, Inc. to conduct the National Citizen Survey, and 1,500 households were sent notification postcards, with the survey arriving sometime this week.The survey is designed to gather feedback from citizens about city services, civic participation, characteristics of Paducah, and various community topics. This is the third survey of this type the city has taken over the last 5 years.Public Information Officer Pam Spencer says, In a nutshell, the multiple-choice survey measures a communitys livability by asking questions about safety, mobility, natural environment, the built environment, economy, recreation and wellness, education and enrichment, and community engagement.Individual answers to the survey are kept anonymous, but the compiled statistical survey results will be shared with the public late this summer.There are five pages of questions asking citizens to rate various city services and community livability topics. There are also questions related to their overall feeling of safety in Paducah, how often they participate in activities such as attending public meetings or visiting neighborhood parks, and how they feel about Paducah as a place to live, work, and visit.Most of the survey is standardized so cities can directly compare their results. But some customized questions are allowed, and the city chose questions relating to storm water, sidewalks, and the importance of specific neighborhood qualities and features.Spencer adds, I encourage each household that receives the survey to take 15 minutes to complete it. Now that we have established initial trend lines for various topics using the results from the 2013 and 2016 National Citizen Surveys, this survey will be valuable in further analyzing community perspectives and how citizens feel about Paducah and our City services. We are comparing ourselves with communities across the nation through the large database offered by the National Research Center, but more importantly, we are looking at Paducahs trends.For more information, visit www.paducahky.gov/citizen-survey. If you have a question, contact Public Information Officer Pam Spencer at pspencer@paducahky.gov or 270-444-8669. By West Kentucky Star Staff May. 07, 2018 | 08:57 PM | GRAVES COUNTY, KY An investigation into possible dog fighting and animal cruelty has yielded no arrests or charges. According to the Graves County Sheriff's Office, deputies received a call on Sunday from Nicole Walls. Walls told deputies she was receiving death threats in reference to a Facebook page and Facebook Messenger account. Walls said her Facebook account had been compromised and a fake account under her name had been set up. On the fake account, there were photos and posts about Walls fighting dogs and getting free dogs over her Facebook account to use as bait dogs. Deputies said most of the threats were being generated from other states. Deputies on Monday went to the Graves County home of Walls and Robert Dean III, and found no evidence of dog fighting or animal cruelty. Walls told deputies she obtained a dog through Facebook as a family pet. According to police, the dog Walls obtained as a family pet was present on the property and in excellent health. Deputies say the posts about dog fighting are apparently coming from a fake Facebook account and not actually from Walls' Facebook account. By West Kentucky Star Staff May. 08, 2018 | 10:54 AM | POSSUM TROT, KY A Paducah woman was arrested on drug charges early Tuesday morning. The Marshall County Sheriff's Office said a deputy was on patrol in the Possum Trot area when he found a vehicle parked sideways in front of the door at Marshall's IGA. According to police, a woman who appeared to be passed out was in the driver's seat, and three young children were in the back seat. The vehicle was running with the headlights on. The deputy found marijuana, a bag of Valium pills and some rolling papers during a search of the vehicle. Crystal Nicole Helton, of Paducah, was arrested and lodged in the Marshall County Detention Center. Helton is charged with operating a motor vehicle under the influence of alcohol or drugs, possession of marijuana, possession of controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia. Trained Dog Available to Qualified PTSD Veteran Advertisement By West Kentucky Star Staff May. 07, 2018 | LYON COUNTY, KY By West Kentucky Star Staff May. 07, 2018 | 08:25 PM | LYON COUNTY, KY A specially trained dog is available to a qualified PTSD veteran through the Lyon County American Legion, Post 68. Bob Chaplin, post commander, Joe Merimee, project officer, and Tom Bruzan, PTSD veteran, were guests on the Greg Dunker show on Friday, May 4th to discuss the program. Chaplin explained that there is a dog available and they are looking for a qualified PTSD veteran to match up with it. He said these are specially trained dogs for PTSD veterans, of which part of the training is actually done with the veteran. Project officer Joe Merimee added that in years past, they have only been able to match one dog per year with a PTSD veteran, but due to a $12,000 grant this year from the Kentucky Veterans Association, they are able to match three dogs. Two have already been matched but they are looking for the third veteran. Merimee told of a friend that was severely injured in Iraq and basically lost all of his memory. This man actually tried to take his own life three times, as he had to relearn everything. After getting a PTSD dog, about a year later, his friend was able to run two miles a day, managed a farm with 20 employees, and eventually earned two college degrees. Bruzan, a PTSD veteran from the Vietnam War, added that these dogs actually save lives as they are able to calm the veteran. He said he has not been able to personally have one of the dogs due to his physical condition, but is in hopes that some day, he will. He encourages all PTSD veterans to seek help, which includes the dog program. Bruzan says that the conditon nearly killed him and many PTSD veterans consider it a sign of weakness to ask for help, but because this is so severe, it needs to be treated. Chaplin further explained what basically they are looking for in order to match a dog with a PTSD veteran. The veteran must be under treatment for PTSD, their treatment provider must write a letter stating that the dog will help with their struggle with PTSD, and they have the ability to take care of the dog, which includes approximate costs of $1,000.00 per year. They also must have the agreement of their spouse, if married, that the dog can live indoors, and they must agree that the board will occasionally monitor the dog. The process for a PTSD veteran to be matched with a dog is to first fill out an application. This can be done by e-mailing Joe Merimee at jmer1@att.net. After the application is received, if approved, a meeting will be scheduled with their board. Upon approval by the board, a veteran will be matched with the dog and training will begin. The training includes both the dog and the veteran. It is conducted by a special trainer, Clay McElya at Wrens Pet Lodge. [UPDATE]Go to Attorney General Brad Schimel has reversed course on CBD oil Wisconsin hemp farmers cant legally extract and sell CBD oil from their plants, the state Justice Department is warning in a new memo that has would-be growers questioning whether they have a future in the state. Farmers had until this past May 7 to apply for a hemp license from the state Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection. The agency has received hundreds of applications. Wisconsin Farm Bureau Federation lobbyist Rob Richard said most of the farmers want to grow hemp so they can extract and sell the oil, which can be used to treat seizures and other health problems. Possessing and distributing the cannabidiol (CBD) oil is illegal in Wisconsin, but farmers were under the impression the licenses would allow them to produce and sell the oil. The state Department of Justice shattered that perception on April 27 with a memo re-affirming that possession and distribution is illegal. Richard said the memo has left farmers stunned. He criticized the timing of the memo. The amount of money, planning and timing put into this, and they shut it off (just) before the application deadline, he said. CBD oil is where the profitability is right now. In a statement Friday, the DOJ repeated that the oil is illegal in Wisconsin, but said farmers could ship their hemp out-of-state and have the oil extracted at that destination. The farmers still couldnt sell the oil here. We have an obligation to protect public health and safety, and need to provide frontline law enforcement with the knowledge to enforce the law as it is written, Republican Attorney General Brad Schimel said in the statement. Gov. Scott Walker signed legislation in November that allows farmers to grow hemp as part of a state pilot program. The bills supporters argued that hemp can be used in a wide variety of products and Wisconsin farmers need another cash crop. The state had received nearly 360 applications and had issued 72 licenses as of Friday. The legislation did not expressly legalize CBD but Richard said he believes that for all practical purposes it did. He pointed to an email he received in February from the Legislatures attorneys that concluded sale and consumption of the oil would be legal. The email noted that the bill defines industrial hemp as any part of a hemp plant with a THC content of 0.3 percent or less. THC is the ingredient in marijuana that produces a high. If the oil contains 0.3 percent THC or less, it would therefore be legal, the email said. The DOJ memo, however, concluded that only doctors, pharmacies and people with a doctors certification can possess and distribute the oil, and only if it contains no THC. Otherwise possession and distribution remains illegal. The memo has left farmers holding useless licenses and considering whether they want to grow hemp at all, Richard said. Abigail Testaberg returned to her hometown of River Falls from the state of Oregon after the bill passed so she could start a hemp-growing operation. She planned to sell CBD because she knows theres a demand for it, but isnt sure shell proceed. For DOJ to wait for weeks, for them to wait until the end of the application process, is a real injustice to just the average Wisconsin citizen looking to enter the hemp market, she said. The bills chief Senate author, Republican Patrick Testin, said Friday saying he and his colleagues introduced the bill to give farmers the chance to grow and process hemp into different products, including CBD. He said the state should embrace alternatives to treating pain given the opioid crisis, not shutting them down with bureaucracy. These actions have the potential to damage farmers, curb investment in our state, and hurt people who are using a non-psychoactive product to treat pain and illness, Testin said. WiGBits Headline News Would you like to receive our WiGBits? Signup today! WiG Entertainment News Would you like to receive our WiG Entertainment News? Signup today! Digital Issue Would you like to receive our Digital Issue? Signup today! Health Sciences alumni visit Wits to build bridges Carnegie-Wits Alumni Diaspora Programme, Faculty of Health Sciences Two distinguished Wits Health Sciences alumni returned home in November 2017 as part of the ongoing Wits-Carnegie Alumni Diaspora Programme. The programme, initiated in 2010, brings back internationally renowned Health Sciences alumni to build research collaborations and networks with their Wits hosts. Currently funded by the Carnegie Organisation of New York, the programme has blossomed since its inception and has contributed to the establishment of collaborative research projects, joint grants and supervision of postgraduate students. Two of our most recent visitors, from Oxford in the UK and from Houston in the US respectively, had a marked impact on both academic staff and students in the Faculty during their visits. Professor Kokila Lakhoo From the dusty streets of Bethal to the towering spires of Oxford: paediatric surgeon Professor Kokila Lakhoo Though she is small in stature, there is nothing small about Kokila Lakhoos knowledge, skills and accomplishments. She is currently clinical lead for paediatric surgery at the Childrens Hospital in Oxford and an honorary senior lecturer in paediatric surgery at the University of Oxford. She graduated with an MBBCh from what was then the University of Natal in 1982, and with a PhD from Wits in 1994. After training in adult general surgery and paediatrics, Professor Lakhoo underwent further specialised training in paediatric surgery at Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital, the Red Cross Childrens Hospital in Cape Town and Great Ormond Street Childrens Hospital in London. Her specific interests are in paediatric tumour surgery, paediatric thoracic surgery and specialist gastrointestinal surgery. She is the Chair of the international forum for the British Association of Paediatric Surgeons. Since 2002, Professor Lakhoo has been exchanging skills with surgeons in Tanzania through a Global Surgery Initiative to develop paediatric surgical skills. To date, 10 surgeons have been trained in paediatric surgery. Recently, she made a successful bid to the charitable organisation Kids OR to furnish and equip two new children's theatres and an endoscopic suite, which opened in September 2017. She visits this unit for 10 to 14 days each year with a team from the UK. Through the Carnegie-Wits Alumni Diaspora Programme, Professor Lakhoo has established global engagement by senior members of the Wits Division of Paediatric Surgery. Senior members are now part of the Global Initiative for Childrens Surgery (www.globalchildrenssurgery.org), the Pan African Paediatric Surgery Association (www.papsa-africa.org) and the College of South East and Central Africa (www.cosecsa.org). Professor Jerome Loveland, Academic Head of the Division of Paediatric Surgery, is the Wits host of Professor Lakhoo. Professor Mike Belfort Recognised as a leader in foetal surgery, Professor Mike Belfort builds bridges with the Wits Obstetrics and Gynaecology Department Professor Mike Belfort is Professor and Chairman of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston. His knowledge of cerebral perfusion and cerebral autoregulation in pregnancy and pre-eclampsia has been highly acclaimed. He is an internationally recognised expert in maternal-foetal medicine and foetal intervention. Professor Belfort was born and bred in South Africa. He completed his MBBCh at Wits in 1977, a research-based Doctor of Medicine degree at the University of Cape Town in 1990 and a PhD from the renowned Karolinska Institute in Stockholm, Sweden in 2000. He has obstetrics and gynaecology specialist qualifications in South Africa, the United Kingdom and Canada and trained in anaesthesiology in South Africa. His Fellowship in maternal foetal medicine was obtained at the Baylor College of Medicine. An accomplished researcher and educator, Professor Belfort has a passion for the care of mothers and their unborn children which has brought him home to set up collaborations with the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology. This was his first visit to the Wits Faculty as a Carnegie Fellow. He was hosted by Dr Salome Maswime in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology. Get involved International alumni who hold a research portfolio and are interested in participating in the Carnegie-Wits Alumni Diaspora Programme, Faculty of Health Sciences, should contact Professor Emeritus Beverley Kramer (Beverley.kramer@wits.ac.za) for further information on the programme. A 4.5-magnitude earthquake shook the Southern California region early Tuesday morning, with the quake being felt across San Diego County. The quake was centered 11 kilometers north of Cabazon and struck at 4:49 a.m., according to the U.S. Geological Survey. An aftershock measured at 3.2 magnitude followed minutes later. It was centered in the same region, the USGS reported. There were no immediate reports of damage in Cabazon, a desert city along Interstate 10 best known for its outlet malls. Numerous 10News viewers said they felt the quake in areas such as downtown San Diego, National City, University City, Mission Beach, Oceanside and Vista. In response, San Diego Fire-Rescue Department officials directed firefighters to remove all trucks, engines and other apparatus from stations across the city. "Stand by for communications with your battalion chiefs for injuries and damage assessment," fire dispatchers broadcast to all stations. Preliminary reports from firefighters suggested there was no damage in San Diego. The USGS has tools to indicate where it was felt in Southern California. Here's some background information about Ebola, a virus with a high fatality rate that was first identified in Africa in 1976. Facts: Ebola hemorrhagic fever is a disease caused by one of five different Ebola viruses. Four of the strains can cause severe illness in humans and animals. The fifth, Reston virus, has caused illness in some animals, but not in humans. Africa Amber Vinson Atlanta Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Central Africa Democratic Republic of Congo Dallas Diseases and disorders Ebola Epidemics and outbreaks Europe Georgia Guinea Health and medical Health care Health care facilities Health care professionals Hospitals Infectious diseases Kent Brantly Liberia Medical staff Nancy Writebol New York (State) New York City North America Northeastern United States Nurses and nursing Public health Sierra Leone Southeastern United States Spain Thomas Eric Duncan United States US Department of Health and Human Services Viruses Western Africa World Health Organization Southern Europe Southwestern United States Texas Microscopic life Business and industry sectors Government and public administration Government bodies and offices Politics US federal departments and agencies US federal government Life forms Health departments National Institutes of Health Deaths and fatalities Society Fast Facts Business, economy and trade Medical fields and specialties Tropical medicine Continents and regions Government organizations - US Misc people Non-profit and NGO organizations The Americas Communicable disease control Vaccination and immunization Public health administration The first human outbreaks occurred in 1976, one in northern Zaire (now Democratic Republic of the Congo) in central Africa: and the other, in southern Sudan (now South Sudan). The virus is named after the Ebola River, where the virus was first recognized in 1976, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Ebola is extremely infectious but not extremely contagious. It is infectious, because an infinitesimally small amount can cause illness. Laboratory experiments on nonhuman primates suggest that even a single virus may be enough to trigger a fatal infection. Ebola could be considered moderately contagious because the virus is not transmitted through the air. Humans can be infected by other humans if they come in contact with body fluids from an infected person or contaminated objects from infected persons. Humans can also be exposed to the virus, for example, by butchering infected animals. While the exact reservoir of Ebola viruses is still unknown, researchers believe the most likely natural hosts are fruit bats. Symptoms of Ebola typically include: weakness, fever, aches, diarrhea, vomiting and stomach pain. Additional experiences include rash, red eyes, chest pain, throat soreness, difficulty breathing or swallowing and bleeding (including internal). Typically, symptoms appear eight to 10 days after exposure to the virus, but the incubation period can span two to 21 days. Unprotected health care workers are susceptible to infection because of their close contact with patients during treatment. Ebola is not transmissible if someone is asymptomatic and usually not after someone has recovered from it. However, the virus has been found in semen for up to three months, and "possibly" is transmitted from contact with that semen, according to the CDC. Deadly human Ebola outbreaks have been confirmed in the following countries: Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), Gabon, South Sudan, Ivory Coast, Uganda, Republic of the Congo (ROC), Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone. There are five subspecies of the Ebola virus: Zaire ebolavirus (EBOV), Bundibugyo ebolavirus (BDBV), Sudan ebolavirus (SUDV), Tai Forest ebolavirus (TAFV) and Reston ebolavirus (RESTV). Click here for the CDC's list of known cases and outbreaks. 2014-2016 West Africa Outbreak : (Full historical timeline at bottom) March 25, 2014 - The CDC issues its initial announcement on an outbreak in Guinea, and reports of cases in Liberia and Sierra Leone. "In Guinea, a total of 86 suspected cases, including 59 deaths (case fatality ratio: 68.5%), had been reported as of March 24, 2014. Preliminary results from the Pasteur Institute in Lyon, France suggest Zaire ebolavirus as the causative agent." April 16, 2014 - The New England Journal of Medicine publishes a report, speculating that the current outbreak's Patient Zero was a two-year-old from Guinea. The child died on December 6, 2013, followed by his mother, sister and grandmother over the next month. July 2014 - Patrick Sawyer, a top government official in the Liberian Ministry of Finance, dies at a local Nigerian hospital. He is the first American to die in what officials are calling the "deadliest Ebola outbreak in history." July 2014 - Nancy Writebol, an American aid worker in Liberia, tests positive for Ebola. According to Samaritan's Purse, Writebol is infected while treating Ebola patients in Liberia. July 26, 2014 - Kent Brantly, medical director for Samaritan Purse's Ebola Consolidated Case Management Center in Liberia, is infected with the virus. According to Samaritan's Purse, Brantly is infected while treating Ebola patients. July 29, 2014 - According to Doctors Without Borders, Dr. Sheik Humarr Khan who was overseeing Ebola treatment at Kenema Government Hospital in Sierra Leone dies from complications of the disease. July 30, 2014 - The Peace Corps announces it is removing its volunteers from Liberia, Sierra Leone and Guinea. July 31, 2014 - The CDC raises its warning to Level 3. It warns US residents to avoid "nonessential travel" to Sierra Leone, Guinea, and Liberia. August 2, 2014 - A specially equipped medical plane carrying Ebola patient Dr. Brantly lands at Dobbins Air Reserve Base in Marietta, Georgia. He is then driven by ambulance to Emory University Hospital in Atlanta. August 4, 2014 - CNN reports that three top secret, experimental vials of the drug, "ZMapp," were flown into Liberia last week in a last-ditch effort to save Brantly and Writebol, according to a source familiar with details of the treatment. Doctors report "significant improvement." August 6, 2014 - Writebol arrives at Emory in Atlanta for treatment. August 8, 2014 - Experts at the World Health Organization (WHO) declare the Ebola epidemic ravaging West Africa an international health emergency that requires a coordinated global approach, describing it as the worst outbreak in the four-decade history of tracking the disease. August 19, 2014 - Liberia's President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf declares a nationwide curfew beginning August 20 and orders two communities to be completely quarantined, with no movement in or out of the areas. August 21, 2014 - Brantly is discharged from Emory University Hospital. It is also announced that Writebol had been released on August 19. The releases come after Emory staff are confident Brantly and Writebol pose "no public health threat." September 6, 2014 - The government of Sierra Leone announces plans for a nationwide lockdown from September 19-21, in order to stop the spread of Ebola. The lockdown is being billed as a predominantly social campaign rather than a medical one, in which volunteers will go door-to-door to talk to people. September 16, 2014 - US President Barack Obama calls the efforts to combat the Ebola outbreak centered in West Africa "the largest international response in the history of the CDC." Speaking from the CDC headquarters in Atlanta, Obama adds that "faced with this outbreak, the world is looking to" the United States to lead international efforts to combat the virus. He says the United States is ready to take on that leadership role. October 6, 2014 - A nurse's assistant in Spain becomes the first person known to have contracted Ebola outside Africa in the current outbreak. The woman helped treat two Spanish missionaries, both of whom had contracted Ebola in West Africa, one in Liberia and the other in Sierra Leone. Both died after returning to Spain. On October 19, Spain's Special Ebola Committee says that nurse's aide Teresa Romero Ramos is considered free of the Ebola virus. October 6, 2014 - NBC freelance cameraman Ashoka Mukpo arrives at Nebraska Medical Center for treatment after contracting Ebola in Liberia. On October 21, the hospital says that Mukpo no longer has the Ebola virus in his bloodstream and will be allowed to leave. October 8, 2014 - Duncan dies of Ebola in Dallas. October 11, 2014 - Nina Pham, a Dallas nurse who cared for the now-deceased Ebola patient Duncan, tests positive for Ebola during a preliminary blood test. She is the first person to contract Ebola on American soil. October 15, 2014 - Amber Vinson, a second Dallas nurse who also cared for Duncan, is diagnosed with Ebola. Authorities say Vinson flew on a commercial jet from Cleveland to Dallas days before testing positive for Ebola. October 20, 2014 - Under fire in the wake of Ebola cases involving two Dallas nurses, the CDC issues updated Ebola guidelines that stress the importance of more training and supervision, and recommend that no skin be exposed when workers are wearing personal protective equipment, or PPE. October 23, 2014 - Craig Spencer, a 33-year-old doctor who recently returned from Guinea has tested positive for Ebola -- the first case of the deadly virus in New York City and the fourth diagnosed in the United States. October 24, 2014 - The National Institutes of Health announces one of the Dallas nurses, Pham, has been declared free of the Ebola virus. Doctors at Emory University Hospital say tests no longer detect the virus in the blood of the other nurse, Vinson. Pham is released from a Maryland hospital on October 24, and Vinson is released from an Atlanta hospital on October 28. October 24, 2014 - In response to the New York Ebola case, the governors of New York and New Jersey announce that their states were stepping up airport screening beyond federal requirements for travelers from West Africa. The new protocol mandates a quarantine for any individual, including medical personnel, who has had direct contact with individuals infected with Ebola while in Liberia, Sierra Leone or Guinea. The policy allows the states to determine hospitalization or quarantine for up to 21 days for other travelers from affected countries. November 5, 2014 - Nurse's aide Romero, believed to be the first person to contract Ebola outside of Africa, is released from the hospital in Madrid, Spain. November 11, 2014 - Dr. Spencer, the first person to test positive for Ebola in New York City, is released from Bellevue Hospital. With Spencer free of the virus, all US patients who had Ebola have recovered. November 15, 2014 - Dr. Martin Salia, who became infected with Ebola while treating patients in Sierra Leone, arrives at Nebraska Medical Center in Omaha. Salia, a native of Sierra Leone, is a legal permanent resident of the United States married to a US citizen. November 17, 2014 - Dr. Salia dies at Nebraska Medical Center. December 24, 2014 - The CDC announces that a technician will be monitored for three weeks after possibly being exposed to the Ebola virus at one of the agency's Atlanta labs. The agency reports a small amount of material which may have contained the live virus had been mistakenly transferred from one lab to another. December 2014 - American doctor Ian Crozier, who had been declared free of Ebola and released from Emory University Hospital in October 2014, finds the virus in his left eye. He had contacted the disease while working in Sierra Leone. Not at risk of spreading the disease, Dr. Crozier is treated and on his way to Liberia by early April 2015. January 18, 2015 - Mali is declared Ebola free after no new cases in 42 days. February 22, 2015 - Liberia reopens its land border crossings shut down during the Ebola outbreak, and Liberian President Sirleaf also lifts a nationwide curfew imposed in August to help combat the virus. May 9, 2015 - WHO declares an end to the Ebola outbreak in Liberia. More than 4,000 died. November 2015 - Liberia's health ministry says three new, confirmed cases of Ebola have emerged in the country. December 29, 2015 - WHO declares Guinea is free of Ebola after 42 days pass since the last person confirmed to have the virus was tested negative for a second time. January 14, 2016 - A statement is released by the UN stating that "For the first time since this devastating outbreak began, all known chains of transmission of Ebola in West Africa have been stopped and no new cases have been reported since the end of November." January 15, 2016 - A new case of Ebola in Sierra Leone, in which the patient died, is confirmed by WHO and CDC. March 29, 2016 - The WHO director-general lifts the Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC) related to the 2014-2016 Ebola outbreak in West Africa. Timeline: *Includes information about Ebola and other outbreaks resulting in more than 100 deaths or special cases. 1976 - First recognition of the EBOV disease is in Zaire (now Democratic Republic of the Congo). The outbreak has 318 reported human cases, leading to 280 deaths. An SUDV outbreak also occurs in Sudan (now South Sudan), which incurs 284 cases and 151 deaths. 1989 - In Reston, Virginia, macaque monkeys imported from the Philippines are found to be infected with the Ebola virus (later named the Ebola-Reston virus). 1990 - In Texas and Virginia quarantine facilities, four humans develop Ebola antibodies after contact with monkeys imported from the Philippines. None of the humans has symptoms. 1995 - An outbreak in DRC (formerly Zaire) leads to 315 reported cases and at least 250 deaths. 2000-2001 - A Ugandan outbreak (SUDV) results in 425 human cases and 224 deaths. 2001-2002 - An EBOV outbreak occurs on the border of Gabon and Republic of the Congo (ROC), which results in 53 deaths on the Gabon side and at least 43 deaths on the ROC side. December 2002-April 2003 - An EBOV outbreak in ROC results in 143 reported cases and 128 deaths. 2007 - An EBOV outbreak occurs in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), 187 of the 264 cases reported result in death. In late 2007, an outbreak in Uganda leads to 37 deaths, with 149 cases reported in total. November 2008 - The Ebola-Reston virus (RESTV) is detected in five humans in the Philippines. They are workers on a pig farm and slaughterhouse and suffer no symptoms. August 26, 2014-November 2014 - The Ministry of Health in the DRC notifies WHO of an Ebola outbreak in the country. It is the seventh outbreak in the country since 1976, when the virus was first identified near the Ebola river. The outbreak is not related to the ongoing outbreak in Guinea, Liberia, Nigeria and Sierra Leone. A total of 66 cases are reported, which result in 49 deaths. September 30, 2014 - Dr. Thomas Frieden, director of the CDC, announces the first diagnosed case of Ebola in the United States. The person has been hospitalized and isolated at Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital in Dallas since September 28. July 31, 2015 - The CDC announces that a newly developed Ebola vaccine is "highly effective" and could help prevent its spread in the current and future outbreaks. December 22, 2016 - The British medical journal, the Lancet publishes a story about a new Ebola vaccine that tested 100% effective during trials of the drug. The study was conducted in Guinea with more than 11,000 people. May 8, 2018 - The government of the DRC declares an outbreak of Ebola hemorrhagic fever in the Bikoro health zone. This is the DRC's ninth outbreak of Ebola since the discovery of the virus in the country in 1976. The Ministry of Health in the DRC officially declares the outbreak over on July 24, 2018. Fifty-four cases of Ebola virus were recorded during the outbreak, including 33 deaths. August 1, 2018 - The DRC's Ministry of Health declares an Ebola virus outbreak in five health zones in North Kivu province and one health zone in Ituri province. As of January 6, 2019, a total of 625 people have been infected, including 377 deaths. The outbreak is the second largest and second deadliest in history, according to a report from the nation's Ministry of Health. August 27, 2018 - The WHO reports that two of the first 16 people to receive an experimental treatment for Ebola have recovered in the August 2018 outbreak in North Kivu and Ituri provinces of the DRC. WHO spokesperson Tarik Jasarevic says five experimental Ebola therapies have been approved to treat people infected with the Ebola virus. Two are already in use and the other three will follow suit. A Minneapolis pi-ata maker is apologizing for hanging pieces of his work -- pi-atas which look like black people -- from the front porch of his house. The episode caused an uproar in his mostly African-American neighborhood after passersby mistook the pi-atas, which he says he hung up to dry, for a racist display. It all started when Victor Chavarria, owner of Happy Kids pi-atas, was filling an order for a wedding. The customer had requested racially diverse pi-atas that looked like members of their wedding party. So Chavarria got up at 4 a.m. Friday to create the papier-mache pi-atas, then hung them on the front porch of his home in northern Minneapolis to dry. Someone driving by his house that morning snapped a photo of the pi-atas and put it on Twitter. The social post soon brought a stream of threats to Chavarria, and even his wife and two toddlers. He immediately took the pi-atas down and called the police because of the threats and all of the people driving by his home. Chavarria, a Mexican immigrant, said he considered going back to Mexico to get away from the uproar, which continued through the weekend. But after talking with his friends and neighbors, including a few African-American pastors, he decided to stay in the neighborhood where he's lived for three years and explain that it was all a misunderstanding. "There's no hate in this home. I don't know how else to deliver this message," Chavarria told CNN. "I'm very, very sorry for my lack of judgment and lack of sensitivity." Chavarria said he understands now, after looking at the picture, how the scene must have looked to his neighbors. "Out of context, I admit the images look disturbing," he said. "Out of context everything can be horrible." He said the wedding order was canceled because of the controversy. But Chavarria said he is actually grateful for the conversations it has sparked. Many of his African American neighbors explained to him why the photo disturbed them, he said, but they also offered their support for the man known as "the pi-ata guy" in the neighborhood. One of those neighbors parked his truck in front of Chavarria's home and talked to the many people who were driving by, explaining that Chavarria meant no harm. Chavarria said he's willing to do whatever he can to fix the damage from the misunderstanding. He's also making one other change: From now on, he'll dry his pi-atas in the back of the house. ROME A group of parents is heading to Staley Elementary School in Rome for what theyre calling a protest against bullying. Those participating will start at Floyd Avenue and march to Staley Elementary with anti-bullying signs in hand. One of the parents said she planned the rally because her daughter is being bullied by a group of girls from the school. The protest is also meant to help bring awareness to the fact that bullying is an issue at any age, according to the parents involved. Rome City School District Superintendent Peter Blake issued the following response on Monday: "The Rome City School District takes any accusation or report of bullying very seriously. Each situation is investigated, addressed, and even mediated as necessary to help improve a tense situation. We have even mediated personal disputes between adults that have no impact on the school, simply to try to improve our community. Beyond that, the adults who work in our community consistently and constantly work to improve our learning environments for our children. In today's society, there are more than 2 sides to every story as social media tends to spin things in a manner that makes the truth harder to obtain. Finally, it's also important to remember that under the law, all students have rights and required access to public education; and it's our responsibility as an institution to make this law a reality." Blake said some of the alleged bullying incidents happened outside of school so they cant do much about it. (9:50PM UPDATE) NEW YORK (AP) - New York's attorney general announces resignation amid allegations by 4 women who say he physically abused them. Its been my great honor and privilege to serve as Attorney General for the people of the State of New York. In the last several hours, serious allegations, which I strongly contest, have been made against me. While these allegations are unrelated to my professional conduct or the operations of the office, they will effectively prevent me from leading the offices work at this critical time. I therefore resign my office, effective at the close of business on May 8, 2018, Eric Schneiderman said. _________________ (8:50PM UPDATE) Governor Andrew Cuomo releases statement concerning article in New Yorker. "The New Yorker has published an article on Attorney General Eric Schneiderman, which reports multiple women making serious allegations of assault. No one is above the law, including New York's top legal officer. I will be asking an appropriate New York District Attorney to commence an immediate investigation, and proceed as the facts merit. My personal opinion is that, given the damning pattern of facts and corroboration laid out in the article, I do not believe it is possible for Eric Schneiderman to continue to serve as Attorney General, and for the good of the office, he should resign," Governor Cuomo said. _________________________________ NEW YORK (AP) - Four women who have had romantic relationships with New York's attorney general have accused him of physically abusing them. Two of the women spoke on record to The New Yorker , which published their claims against Attorney General Eric Schneiderman (SHNEYE'-dur-muhn) on Monday. Michelle Manning Barish and Tanya Selvaratnam say Schneiderman repeatedly hit them, often after drinking, and without their consent. Selvaratnam says the Democrat warned her he could have her followed or her phones tapped. Both say he threatened to kill them if they broke up with him. A Schneiderman spokesman says he never made any threats. In a statement, Schneiderman says he engaged in "role-playing and other consensual sexual activity," but did not assault anyone. The Associated Press is identifying the two women who spoke to The New Yorker because they agreed to tell their stories publicly. (Copyright 2018 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.) WASHINGTON (AP) - The Latest on President Donald Trump's decision on the Iran nuclear deal (all times local): 5:10 p.m. Congressional leaders are split, but not neatly along party lines, over President Donald Trump's decision to withdraw from the Iran nuclear deal. Some are welcoming the pullout, believing the 2015 accord was unsound. But others are worried that the U.S. is now in the position of reneging on an international commitment and without a backup plan. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell says the Iran deal "was flawed from the beginning" and that "we can do better." But Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer says it appears the Trump White House has no plan going forward. The New York Democrat opposed the deal negotiated by President Barack Obama's administration and world powers in 2015. The administration - and even Trump himself - briefed leaders ahead of Tuesday's announcement. ___ 4:50 p.m. The Syrian government is strongly denouncing U.S. President Donald Trump's decision to pull out of the Iran nuclear deal. In a statement Tuesday, the Syrian Foreign Ministry says the decision confirms once again America's lack of credibility and commitment to international accords and agreements. The statement published by the official news agency SANA says the international outpouring of condemnation for Trump's decision indicates America's isolation and its mistaken policies, which will serve to increase tensions around the world. Iran is Syrian President Bashar Assad's chief regional ally and backer. Trump called the agreement "a horrible, one-sided deal" based on a lie. The deal lifted most U.S. and international sanctions against Iran, which, in turn, agreed to restrictions on its nuclear program and rigorous inspections. ___ 4:05 p.m. The new U.S. ambassador to Germany is advising German companies to stop doing business in Iran following President Donald Trump's decision to withdraw from the nuclear deal. In a tweet just hours after he officially took up his duties, Ambassador Richard Grenell noted Tuesday that Trump said American "sanctions will target critical sectors of Iran's economy." He added: "German companies doing business in Iran should wind down operations immediately." Germany has Europe's biggest economy and is one of the countries that negotiated the 2015 agreement along with fellow European powers France and Britain. Trump announced earlier Tuesday in Washington that the U.S. would be pulling out of the landmark nuclear deal. The deal lifted most U.S. and international sanctions against Iran, which, in turn, agreed to restrictions on its nuclear program and rigorous inspections. ___ 4 p.m. Russia's deputy ambassador to the United Nations says he's disappointed at the announcement that the U.S. is pulling out of the Iran nuclear deal. Dmitry Polyansky was asked whether the U.S. decision might heighten tensions in the Middle East. He responded with one word to reporters at U.N. headquarters in New York on Tuesday: "Sure." Russia is one of the six signatories to the Iran nuclear deal, which has been endorsed by the U.N. Security Council. Asked whether the council would meet to consider the U.S. announcement, Polyansky said: "All options are on the table." President Donald Trump announced earlier Tuesday that the U.S. would be vacating the Iran deal, which he called "a horrible, one-sided deal" based on a lie. ___ 3:55 p.m. U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres says he is "deeply disappointed" at the U.S. decision to pull out of the Iran nuclear deal and calls on the five other signatories "to abide fully" by their commitments. The U.N. chief on Tuesday also called on all other U.N. member states to support the 2015 agreement. Guterres reiterated that the deal "represents a major achievement in nuclear non-proliferation and diplomacy and has contributed to regional and international peace and security." He said it's essential that "all concerns" about implementing the agreement be addressed through the mechanisms in the deal. Earlier Tuesday, President Donald Trump announced the U.S. would be withdrawing from what he called "a horrible, one-sided deal" based on a lie. The deal was brokered during President Barack Obama's administration. ___ 3:50 p.m. Former President Barack Obama is calling President Donald Trump's decision to pull out of the Iran deal a "serious mistake" that will erode America's global credibility. Obama's administration brokered the deal. He says Tuesday that Trump's decision to withdraw is "misguided," especially because Iran has been complying. Obama also warned: "The consistent flouting of agreements that our country is a party to risks eroding America's credibility, and puts us at odds with the world's major powers." Obama says that without the deal, the U.S. "could eventually be left with a losing choice between a nuclear-armed Iran or another war in the Middle East." He says the deal remains a model for what diplomacy can accomplish, including when it comes to North Korea. ___ 3:35 p.m. The leaders of Britain, Germany and France are urging the United States to refrain from taking action that prevents other signatories to the Iran nuclear deal from continuing to implement it. In a joint statement Tuesday after President Donald Trump announced the U.S. withdrawal, British Prime Minister Theresa May, German Chancellor Angela Merkel and French President Emmanuel Macron urged Iran to "show restraint" and continue fulfilling its own obligations such as cooperating with inspection requirements. They called on Washington to "ensure that the structures of the (deal) can remain intact, and to avoid taking action which obstructs its full implementation by all other parties to the deal." Trump has said "any nation that helps Iran in its quest for nuclear weapons could also be strongly sanctioned by the United States." ___ 3:20 p.m. Israel's prime minister is praising President Donald Trump for withdrawing the U.S. from the 2015 Iran nuclear deal. Benjamin Netanyahu called Trump's decision Tuesday a "historic move." He says leaving the Iran deal unchanged would be "a recipe for disaster, a disaster for our region, a disaster for the peace of the world." Netanyahu is a leading critic of the deal, saying it did not contain sufficient safeguards to prevent Iran from reaching nuclear-weapons capability or address Iran's other activities across the region. He says Iran's aggression has grown since the deal, especially in Syria, where he says it is "trying to establish military bases to attack Israel." Earlier, Israel's military said forces were on high alert and ordered bomb shelters open in the Golan Heights after spotting "irregular activity of Iranian forces in Syria." ___ 3:15 p.m. House Speaker Paul Ryan is hailing President Donald Trump's decision to withdraw from a nuclear accord with Iran. The Wisconsin Republican said Tuesday that "from the beginning, the Obama-era Iran deal was deeply flawed." Ryan says Iran's hostile actions since the deal was signed have only reaffirmed that it remains dedicated to sowing instability in the Middle East. Ryan says that he would have preferred to fix the agreement rather than abandon it and that it was "unfortunate that we could not reach an understanding with our European partners" to do that. He said Trump is "right to insist that we hold Iran accountable both today and for the long-term," adding that he hopes the U.S. will continue to work with allies to address actions by Iran to destabilize the Middle East. ___ 3:10 p.m. Texas Sen. John Cornyn says President Donald Trump did the right thing by abandoning the Obama administration's "bad deal" with Iran. The No. 2 Republican in the Senate said Tuesday that "Iran has long thumbed its nose at the international community" and may have violated what he called a one-sided agreement. He says any new agreement "must prevent Iran from obtaining and employing weapons of mass destruction and be subject to congressional scrutiny." In announcing the withdrawal earlier Tuesday, Trump called it a horrible deal based on a lie. Trump's decision means Iran's government must now decide whether to follow the U.S. and withdraw or try to salvage what's left of the deal. French President Emmanuel Macron says his country, Britain and Germany all regretted Trump's decision. ___ 3:05 p.m. Iran's president is saying there's a "short time" to negotiate with the countries remaining in the nuclear deal, warning his country could start enriching uranium more than ever in the coming weeks. President Hassan Rouhani made the statement Tuesday immediately after President Donald Trump said he was pulling the U.S. out of the nuclear deal. Rouhani spoke live on Iranian state television. He says he will be sending Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif to countries remaining in the accord. He says, "I have ordered Iran's atomic organization that whenever it is needed, we will start enriching uranium more than before." He says Iran would start this "in the next weeks." ___ 3 p.m. The French president's office says France, Britain and Germany "regret" U.S. President Donald Trump's decision to leave the Iranian nuclear accord, calling it a threat to global efforts to contain nuclear weapons. French President Emmanuel Macron tweeted that the "nuclear non-proliferation regime is at stake" because of Trump's announcement Tuesday. Macron's office says the French president spoke Tuesday evening with German Chancellor Angela Merkel and British Prime Minister Theresa May about the Iran accord and next steps after Trump's decision. The three European countries negotiated the 2015 deal with the U.S., Russia, China and Iran. The European powers strongly support the accord as the best way to contain Iran's nuclear ambitions. Trump says it's not tough enough on Iran. ___ 2:55 p.m. The European Union foreign policy chief says the Iran nuclear agreement is a pillar of international security and she is calling on its signatories to continue to respect it. The comments by Federica Mogherini came shortly after President Donald Trump announced Tuesday that he was withdrawing the U.S. from the pact. Mogherini says, "The nuclear deal with Iran is crucial for the security of the region, of Europe and of the entire world." Mogherini helped supervise the implementation of the 2015 accord. She says she is particularly worried by the announcement of new sanctions. She says she will consult with Europe's partners about those sanctions suggested by Trump "to assess their implications." Addressing Iran, Mogherini said: "Do not let anyone dismantle this agreement." ___ 2:50 p.m. The Trump administration says it will reimpose nuclear sanctions on Iran immediately but allow grace periods for businesses to wind down activity so they don't violate the sanctions. It comes after President Donald Trump announced Tuesday that the U.S. would withdraw from the Iran nuclear deal. The Treasury Department says there will be "certain 90-day and 180-day wind-down periods" but isn't specifying which sanctions will fall under which timelines. Treasury says at the end of those periods, the sanctions will be in "full effect." The Treasury Department says that includes secondary sanctions, which punish even non-Americans if they do business with Iran. National security adviser John Bolton says effective immediately, nobody should sign contracts for new business with Iran. ___ 2:40 p.m. Sen. Dick Durbin of Illinois, the No. 2 Democrat in the Senate, is calling the U.S. withdrawal from the Iran nuclear deal "a mistake of historic proportions." He said Tuesday that breaking the Iran deal increases the danger that Iran will restart its nuclear weapons program, which threatens Israel and "destabilizes the entire Middle East." Durbin says Trump's action "isolates the United States from the world at a time when we need our allies to come together to address nuclear threats elsewhere, particularly in Korea." Trump said earlier Tuesday that "great things" can happen for the Iranian people because of the U.S. withdrawal. The Republican president predicted that Iranians would someday "want to make a new and lasting deal" and that "when they do, I am ready, willing and able." ___ 2:35 p.m. President Donald Trump says "great things" can happen for the Iranian people following his announcement that the U.S. was withdrawing from a global nuclear agreement. Trump predicted Tuesday that Iranians would someday "want to make a new and lasting deal" and that "when they do, I am ready, willing and able." He added that a new deal could lead to the "peace and stability we all want in the Middle East." Trump was speaking from the White House when he denounced the previous Iran deal as "defective at its core." Despite lobbying from European allies, Trump moved forward with his campaign promise to pull out of the President Barack Obama-era agreement. The Iranians have been sharply critical of the Republican president's plan to withdraw. ___ 2:25 p.m. President Donald Trump says the United States is withdrawing from the Iran nuclear deal, which he is calling "defective at its core." Trump on Tuesday signed a presidential memorandum withdrawing from the 2015 agreement and he is planning to reinstall sanctions on the Iranian regime. He says in an address to the nation that he will be reinstituting the highest level of sanctions and warning any country not to help the Iranian government. Trump says America "will not be held hostage to nuclear blackmail" and will not allow "a regime that chants 'Death to America'" to get access to nuclear weapons. The president says he made the decision after consulting with U.S. allies. ___ 2:20 p.m. President Donald Trump is railing against the Iran nuclear agreement as "a horrible, one-sided deal" based on a lie. Trump's comments Tuesday come as he announces plans to follow through on his campaign threat to pull out of the landmark nuclear accord with Iran during a televised address at the White House. Trump says that if he allowed the deal to stand, there would soon be a nuclear arms race. He also says a constructive deal could easily have been struck at the time, but it wasn't. Trump is calling Iran a "regime of great terror." And he says that "no action taken by the regime has been more dangerous than its pursuit of nuclear weapons and the means of delivering them." ___ 2:15 p.m. Israel's military says forces are on high alert and is urging civilians in the Golan Heights near Syria to prepare bomb shelters. The military directive Tuesday came "following the identification of irregular activity of Iranian forces in Syria." It said defense systems have been deployed. The statement came as President Donald Trump was set to announce Tuesday whether the U.S. will exit the 2015 agreement between Iran and world powers. The possibility of the nuclear deal collapsing has raised concerns it might embolden Iran to strike Israeli targets. Israel is believed to have been behind recent airstrikes on military bases in Syria that killed Iranian soldiers, prompting Tehran to vow retaliation. Israel has neither confirmed nor denied involvement. It has warned it will not tolerate archenemy Iran establishing itself militarily on its doorstep. ___ 1:40 p.m. Iran's state-run news agency is quoting an anonymous official saying President Hassan Rouhani (hah-SAHN' roh-HAH'-nee) will give a televised address after President Donald Trump announces his intention to pull America out of the Iran nuclear deal. IRNA filed the report late Tuesday, just ahead of Trump's speech from the White House's Diplomatic Room. IRNA offered no other immediate details. __ 12:55 p.m. President Donald Trump is following through on his campaign threat and withdrawing the U.S. from the landmark nuclear accord with Iran. That's according to two people familiar with the decision, who spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak on the record. They did not have any details on how the withdrawal would unfold. Trump is expected to make the announcement Tuesday afternoon. It wasn't immediately clear which sanctions lifted under the deal that Trump plans to immediately re-impose. He has several options. A more limited move could leave Trump more room to potentially stay in the deal if other members agree to toughen it. The president has long criticized the 2015 agreement, which lifted most U.S. and international sanctions against the country. In return, Iran agreed to restrictions on its nuclear program making it impossible to produce a bomb, along with rigorous inspections. The decision deals a profound blow to some of America's closest allies - including Britain, France and Germany, who joined the U.S. only three years ago to sign the deal. (Copyright 2018 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.) WASHINGTON (AP) President Donald Trump plans to follow through on his campaign threat to pull out of the landmark nuclear accord with Iran, according to two people familiar with his thinking, dealing a profound blow to U.S. allies and potentially deepening the president's isolation on the world stage. It wasn't immediately clear which sanctions that were lifted under the deal might be quickly reimposed, said the people, who were not authorized to speak publicly. Trump has several options, and a limited move could leave him more room to potentially stay in the deal after all if other members agree to toughen it. Administration officials began informing congressional leaders about Trump's plans Tuesday. One person briefed on the talks characterized the president's position as similar to his stance on the Trans-Pacific Partnership that he would pull out but remain open to the possibility of renegotiating a better deal. In a burst of last-minute diplomacy, punctuated by a visit by Britain's top diplomat, the deal's European members gave in to many of Trump's demands, according to officials, diplomats and others briefed on the negotiations. Yet they still left convinced he was likely to re-impose sanctions and walk away from the deal he has lambasted since his days as a presidential candidate. The agreement, struck in 2015 by the United States, other world powers and Iran, lifted most U.S. and international sanctions against the country. In return, Iran agreed to restrictions on its nuclear program making it impossible to produce a bomb, along with rigorous inspections. Trump spoke with French President Emmanuel Macron and Chinese leader Xi Jinping about his decision Tuesday. Macron vigorously supports the deal and tried to persuade Trump to stay committed to it during a visit to Washington last month. Hours before the announcement, European countries met to underline their support for the agreement. Senior officials from Britain, France and Germany met in Brussels with Iran's Deputy Foreign Minister for Political Affairs, Abbas Araghchi. If the deal collapses, Iran would be free to resume prohibited enrichment activities, while businesses and banks doing business with Iran would have to scramble to extricate themselves or run afoul of the U.S. American officials were dusting off plans for how to sell a pullout to the public and explain its complex financial ramifications, said U.S. officials and others, who weren't authorized to speak ahead of an announcement and requested anonymity. Building up anticipation, Trump announced on Twitter he would disclose his decision at 2 p.m. at the White House. In Iran, many were deeply concerned about how Trump's decision could affect the already struggling economy. In Tehran, President Hassan Rouhani sought to calm nerves, smiling as he appeared at a petroleum expo. He didn't name Trump directly, but emphasized that Iran continued to seek "engagement with the world." "It is possible that we will face some problems for two or three months, but we will pass through this," Rouhani said. Under the most likely scenario, Trump would allow sanctions on Iran's central bank intended to target oil exports to kick back in, rather than waiving them once again on Saturday, the next deadline for renewal, said individuals briefed on Trump's deliberations. Then the administration would give those who are doing business with Iran a six-month period to wind down business and avoid breaching those sanctions. Depending on how Trump sells it either as an irreversible U.S. pullout, or one final chance to save it the deal could be strengthened during those six months in a last-ditch effort to persuade Trump to change his mind. The first 15 months of Trump's presidency have been filled with many such "last chances" for the Iran deal in which he's punted the decision for another few months, and then another. Other U.S. sanctions don't require a decision until later, including those on specific Iranian businesses, sectors and individuals that will snap back into place in July unless Trump signs another waiver. A move on Tuesday to restore those penalties ahead of the deadline would be the most aggressive move Trump could take to close the door to staying in the deal. Even Trump's secretary of state and the U.N. agency that monitors nuclear compliance agree that Iran, so far, has lived up to its side of the deal. But the deal's critics, such as Israel, the Gulf Arab states and many Republicans, say it's a giveaway to Tehran that ultimately paves the path to a nuclear-armed Iran several years in the future. Iran, for its part, has been coy in predicting its response to a Trump withdrawal. For weeks, Iran's foreign minister had been saying that a re-imposition of U.S. sanctions would render the deal null and void, leaving Tehran little choice but to abandon it as well. But on Monday, Rouhani said Iran could stick with it if the European Union, whose economies do far more business with Iran than the U.S., offers guarantees that Iran would keep benefiting. For the Europeans, a Trump withdrawal would also constitute dispiriting proof that trying to appease him is futile. The three EU members of the deal Britain, France and Germany were insistent from the start that it could not be re-opened. But they agreed to discuss an "add-on" agreement that wouldn't change the underlying nuclear deal, but would add new restrictions on Iran to address what Trump had identified as its shortcomings. Trump wanted to deter Iran's ballistic missile program and other destabilizing actions in the region. He also wanted more rigorous nuclear inspections and an extension of restrictions on Iranian enrichment and reprocessing rather than letting them phase out after about a decade. Negotiating an add-on agreement, rather than revising the existing deal, had the added benefit of not requiring the formal consent of Iran or the other remaining members: Russia and China. The idea was that even if they balked at the West's impositions, Iran would be likely to comply anyway so as to keep enjoying lucrative sanctions relief. Although the U.S. and Europeans made progress on ballistic missiles and inspections, there were disagreements over extending the life of the deal and how to trigger additional penalties if Iran were found violating the new restrictions, U.S. officials and European diplomats have said. The Europeans agreed to yet more concessions in the final days of negotiating ahead of Trump's decision, the officials added. ___ Associated Press writers Matthew Lee, Jill Colvin, Zeke Miller and Catherine Lucey in Washington and Amir Vahdat and Nasser Karimi in Tehran, Iran, contributed to this report. TIPPECANOE COUNTY, Ind. (WLFI) Which party's ballot a person chooses is public record, however the particular candidate a person votes for isn't. Other public information is the name of the voter, their address and their eligibility status. Social security and drivers license numbers are not public. In a primary election, people are not truly electing anyone. Instead, they are selecting candidates for the general election ballot. Mike Smith has worked closely with the clerk's office for 35 years. He said while the way voters are targeted by parties have changed, the information they use to do it is essentially the same. "People could call their party faithful and if they haven't voted yet they would be sitting there checking off the names of the folks they knew and they would be calling folks to turn out the vote and that has now accelerated by technology with computer targeting," said Smith. Because Indiana does not have open Primary Elections, voters have to pick either the Democratic Party or Republican Party ballot. Voter Chuck Simpson is fine with his party affiliation being used to get him to the polls, however he doesn't like that Indiana does not have open Primary Elections. "With the sheriff's race and three candidates there, I don't get to vote on that and will I get the candidate in there that maybe I want, I don't know," said Simpson. Smith doesn't mind if people know his party affiliation either. He said in today's world it's pretty easy to know how a person will vote. "Information is just readily available, you can almost tell by looking at someone's Facebook or Instagram or whatever what they are," said Smith. While in some ways information is readily available, accessing it can take some work. "All that is by information request now, it is public but it's not like laying out here on the table and it takes some work to get to," said Smith. MIAMI COUNTY, Ind. (WLFI) Indiana State Police and the Miami County Sheriffs Department are seeking information about a semi-tractor allegedly involved in a fatal crash. According to police, at approximately 2:40 a.m. Tuesday morning officers responded to a two-vehicle crash on U.S. 31 near Miami County Road 900 South. The preliminary crash investigation by ISP Trooper Dustin Rutledge revealed that 56-year-old Mark Raines and 57-year-old Terry Smith from Muncie were riding on a moped southbound on U.S. 31 near Miami County Road 900 South. The moped was rear-ended by a roll-off dumpster truck driven by John Buckler of Sweetser, IN. The crash impact caused Raines and Smith to be ejected from the moped. Smith was then hit by a southbound semi-tractor that did not stop. Smith was pronounced dead at the scene. Raines was flown from the crash scene via helicopter to Lutheran Hospital in Ft Wayne. Buckler was not injured. Investigators are seeking information about the semi-tractor that allegedly hit Smith and failed to stop. It is believed to be a dark-colored semi-tractor, pulling a box trailer, possibly a refrigerator unit. The semi-tractor is possibly a Kenworth. Information can be reported by calling the Indiana State Police Peru Post at 1-765-473-6666. China News on Women Sorry, the page you requested was not found. If you're having trouble locating a destination on Womenofchina.cn, try visiting the Womenofchina Home page Argentina reaches generator milestone for CAREM-25 08 May 2018 Share The CAREM Project has reached a new milestone in the development of the 12 steam generators for the prototype CAREM-25 in Argentina. More than 700 tubes, each 35 meters long, have been delivered to the site, Combustibles Nucleares Argentinos (CONUAR), announced on 4 May. CAREM - the name is taken from Central ARgentina de Elementos Modulares - is Argentina's first domestically-designed and developed 25 MWe nuclear power unit. The prototype of the small pressurised water reactor design is being built at a site adjacent to the Atucha nuclear power plant in Lima, 110 km northwest of Buenos Aires. First concrete was poured for the reactor in February 2014, marking the official start of its construction. At least 70% of the components and related services for CAREM-25 are to be sourced from Argentine companies. A steam generator for the CAREM-25 (Image: CONUAR) CONUAR said it had developed the tubes jointly with the National Atomic Energy Commission (CNEA), mainly through the Department of Mechanical Engineering, Materials and Non Destructive Testing of the CAREM Area Management, and Fabrica de Aleaciones Especiales (FAE), which was in charge of the equipment's production. Manufacturing of the pipes required the construction and commissioning of the world's longest vacuum furnace for stress relief thermal treatment, CONUAR said. The Alloy 690 tubes were manufactured according to EPRI (Electric Power Research Institute) guidelines and a series of additional requirements established by the CNEA. "As these pipes must be straight and seamless, FAE had to build a special furnace over 37m long, specially designed for the treatment of this kind of pipes at temperatures between 500 and 850 degrees Celsius," CONUAR said. The stainless-steel chamber has a diameter of 1.27m and it is surrounded by a set of heating resistors divided into 18 zones, each with an independent control system that guarantees uniformity of temperature, it said. The entire set is managed through a complex computer system that monitors all variables and feeds a database with all records, it added. Each of the CAREM-25 steam generators consists of 52 helical tubes grouped in six layers. CONUAR will oversee the qualification and development of the turns and welds for the manufacture of the first mock-up, the production of which will start this year. The 32 MWe prototype will be capable of supplying electricity to, for example, a city with a population of 120,000 inhabitants. More powerful units of this design will have a capacity of about 120 MWe. The CAREM Project aims to enable Argentina to compete in the global market for small modular reactors. It will not only be the first nuclear power plant designed and built by a Latin American country, but in the whole Southern Hemisphere, CONUAR said. Researched and written by World Nuclear News Related topics Dome installed on Tianwan 6 containment building 08 May 2018 Share The containment dome of unit 6 of the Tianwan nuclear power plant in China's Jiangsu province was installed on 5 May, marking the reactor's entry into the equipment installation phase of construction, China Nuclear Engineering and Construction Corporation (CNECC) announced today. CNECC is a subsidiary of China National Nuclear Corporation (CNNC). Installation of the containment dome at Tianwan 6 (Image: CNECC) Installation of the 148-tonne dome was completed at 3:49pm on 5 May and completes the civil construction phase of the project. The operation to lift the dome 60 meters above ground level and to lower it into place on top of the walls of the containment building took 53 minutes to complete, CNECC said. Construction of Tianwan Phase III - units 5 and 6 - was originally scheduled to start in early 2011. However, following the March 2011 accident at Japan's Fukushima Daiichi plant, the Chinese government suspended the approval of new nuclear power projects, including those two units. The latest Five-Year Plan called for construction of Phase III of the Tianwan plant to be accelerated. China's State Council gave its approval for Tianwan units 5 and 6 - both featuring 1080 MWe ACPR1000 reactors - on 16 December 2015. First safety-related concrete was poured for unit 5 on 27 December 2015, with that for unit 6 poured on 7 September 2016. CNNC plans to put both units 5 and 6 into commercial operation by the end of 2021. Tianwan Phase I - units 1 and 2 - was constructed under a 1992 cooperation agreement between China and Russia. First concrete was poured in October 1999, and the units were commissioned in June 2007 and September 2007 respectively. Tianwan Phase II - units 3 and 4 - are similar to the first stage of the Tianwan plant, comprising two Russian-designed 1060 MWe VVER-1000 pressurised water reactors. First concrete for unit 3 was poured in December 2012, while construction of the fourth unit began in September 2013. Unit 3 achieved first criticality on 29 September last year and was connected to the grid on 30 December. The unit completed demonstration operation at nominal capacity for 100 hours on 15 February and is scheduled to enter commercial operation later this year. Unit 4 is expected to begin operating in March 2019. The Tianwan plant is owned and operated by Jiangsu Nuclear Power Corporation, a joint venture between CNNC (50%), China Power Investment Corporation (30%) and Jiangsu Guoxin Group (20%). Researched and written by World Nuclear News Related topics BWXT announces new Mo-99 technology 08 May 2018 Share BWX Technologies Inc (BWXT) has developed an innovative process developed to manufacture molybdenum-99 (Mo-99) which it says is a breakthrough for medical radioisotope manufacturing technology. The company plans to introduce the technology by the end of 2019, subject to regulatory approvals. BWXT's prototype Tc-99m generator (Image: BWXT) Featuring a patent-pending neutron capture process, BWXT's technology produces Mo-99, the parent isotope of technetium-99m (Tc-99m), which is used globally in more than 30 million medical procedures each year. BWXT's process will produce Mo-99 from natural molybdenum, rather than enriched uranium targets, which the company says eliminates fission waste, reduces environmental impacts and eliminating proliferation risk. The Mo-99 will be housed in BWXT-manufactured Tc-99m generators, from which Tc-99m will be extracted for medical imaging and diagnostic procedures. The generators are still under development. Tc-99m is the most widely used radionuclide for medical imaging, but as it has a short half-life.Both it and the Mo-99 it is generated from have to be used quickly once they are produced and a constant, stable supply of them is needed. Mo-99 has primarily been produced by a limited number of research reactors, many of which have been operating since the 1960s, and at times supply has been subject to disruptions and significant radioisotope shortages following outages at those reactors. Speaking to investors yesterday, BWXT President and CEO Rex Geveden described the current Mo-99 manufacturing infrastructure, with no production at all in North America, as inefficient, globally dispersed and "extremely aged", with "burdensome" logistics. He said BWXT's breakthrough technology addresses all the problems of an expensive, unstable supply producing complex radioactive waste streams, with an associated proliferation risk. The company anticipates entering the market through generator sales to radiopharmacies, initially focusing on the North American market where it says it will have sufficient production capacity to satisfy all Mo-99 demand. "We are presently working to finalise agreements that will provide us with a long-term and stable irradiation supply of Mo-99 and other medical radioisotopes from multiple sources," Geveden said. The Tc-99m generators, which will require approval by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), are being designed to integrate "naturally" into the existing configurations and processes of radiopharmacies to be a "plug and play" solution, with no special hardware or adaptation needed. BWXT in April signed a definitive agreement to acquire Sotera Health's Nordion medical isotope business, to accelerate and de-risks its entry into the medical radioisotope market by adding licensed infrastructure, about 150 highly trained and experienced personnel, and two production centres. Subject to Canadian and US regulatory approvals, the acquisition is expected to close by the end of 2018. Geveden said BWXT intends to use the assets from the acquisition to bring the Mo-99 product through the commercialisation stage and the BWXT technetium generators through the FDA approval process. It plans to adapt the two licensed production facilities included in the acquisition to process molybdenum targets and produce technetium generators. Researched and written by World Nuclear News Related topics Email Sign Up For Our Free Weekly Newsletter The total value of local real estate transactions tracked through the MLS during April was more than $960 million for homes and nearly $117 million for condos, high-rise condos and townhomes. Compared to one year ago, total sales volumes in April were up 17.0 percent for homes and 25.4 percent for condos and townhomes. Homes and condos continued to sell faster than last year at this time. In April, 86.5 percent of all existing local homes and 91.5 percent of all existing local condos and townhomes sold within 60 days. That compares to one year ago, when 79.0 percent of all existing local homes and 86.4 percent of all existing local condos and townhomes sold within 60 days. Sign Up Free | The WPJ Weekly Newsletter Relevant real estate news. Actionable market intelligence. Right to your inbox every week. Go Thank you for your interest! You will now be receiving our Weekly Real Estate Newsletter. Real Estate Listings Showcase According to the Greater Las Vegas Association of Realtors, local home prices kept climbing through April 2018 as the local housing supply continued contracting.GLVAR reported that the median price for existing single-family homes sold in Southern Nevada during April through its Multiple Listing Service (MLS) was $289,000. That's up 3.2 percent from the previous month and up 16.1 percent from April of 2017."That's a pretty big jump when you think about a typical marketplace," said 2018 GLVAR President Chris Bishop. "And condo and townhome prices are up even more than that over the past year."The median price of local condos and townhomes sold in April was $155,000, up 19.2 percent from the same time last year.One factor pushing up prices is the increasingly tight housing supply. Bishop said Southern Nevada has about a month and a half supply of existing homes available for sale when a six-month supply is considered a balanced market."The biggest challenge we have in this market is available inventory, finding properties out there that people are willing to sell," Bishop explained. "We just don't have enough inventory to meet demand."By the end of April, GLVAR reported 3,816 single-family homes listed for sale without any sort of offer. That's down 24.9 percent from one year ago. For condos and townhomes, the 790 properties listed without offers in April represented a 23.6 percent increase from one year ago.Bishop suspects more homeowners would consider selling if there were more homes on the market for them to buy. He cited recent surveys by the National Association of Realtors showing more than 70 percent of U.S. homeowners think it's a good to time to sell.The low supply may also be slowing down local home sales, which have been running roughly even with last year's sales pace so far this year after increasing in recent years. The total number of existing local homes, condos and townhomes sold during April was 3,571. Compared to one year ago, April sales were up 0.4 percent for homes and up 4.5 percent for condos and townhomes.GLVAR reported that 27.3 percent of all local properties sold in April were purchased with cash. That compares to 27.5 percent one year ago. That's well below the February 2013 peak of 59.5 percent, indicating that cash buyers and investors are still active in the local housing market, but have been playing a much smaller role than they were five years ago.Meanwhile, the number of so-called distressed sales continues to decline. GLVAR reported that short sales and foreclosures combined accounted for 2.5 percent of all existing local home sales in April, down from 8.4 percent of all sales one year ago.These GLVAR statistics include activity through the end of April 2018. GLVAR distributes statistics each month based on data collected through its MLS, which does not necessarily account for newly constructed homes sold by local builders or homes for sale by owners. Six weeks after the March 4 parliamentary election there is still no new Italian government in sight. On April 13, President Sergio Mattarella also broke off the second round of consultations without any result. A coalition between the strongest single party, the Five Star Movement (MoVimento 5 Stelle, M5S), and the far-right Lega has so far failed because the leaders of these two parties, Matteo Salvini (Lega) and Luigi di Maio (M5S), both lay claim to the office of Prime Minister. M5S and Lega came closer together in March when they agreed to elect the chairmen of both chambers of parliament. The Five Star Movement is ready to form a coalition with the Lega only on condition that Silvio Berlusconis Forza Italia is not part of the government. There are political synergies with the Lega, explained Di Maio, but Silvio Berlusconi must step aside. A government in which Forza Italia was also involved is absolutely out of the question. The Five Star Movement had gained support mainly through the denunciation of the widespread corruption, which Berlusconi personifies. It fears that joining forces with the media billionaire could cost it masses of votes. M5S member Alessandro di Battista even referred to Berlusconi on Facebook as the absolutely worst in our country. Arithmetically, Lega and M5S do not need the support of Forza Italia to govern together. But for Salvini, breaking with Berlusconi is still an unacceptable condition. If the Lega were in government alone with the M5S, it would be the smaller coalition partner, and as a result, Salvini would have to leave the post of Prime Minister to Luigi di Maio. In the elections, the Lega received just over half (17 percent) as many votes as the M5S. However, together with its allies, Berlusconis Forza Italia and the fascist Fratelli dItalia, it is the strongest group in parliament, at almost 40 percent. To the president, too, a government involving Forza Italia appears less risky. Sergio Mattarella is now trying to get the 82-year-old Berlusconi on board, who is unable to hold office himself because of a tax evasion conviction. On April 17, he called the new Senate President Elisabetta Casellati (Forza Italia) and the new Chamber of Deputies President Roberto Fico (M5S) to the Quirinal Palace and involved them in the formation of a government. Elisabetta Casellati, a long-time confidante of Berlusconi, was commissioned with negotiating with the M5S to persuade them to accept Berlusconi. Berlusconi himself has so far refused to collaborate with the Five Star Movement, which in his words, does not even master the ABC of democracy. He advocates a grand coalition as in Germany that would encompass the entire right-wing alliance and the Democrats (PD). The PD has so far rejected all coalition offers. It was the loser of the March 4 election and its seats have more than halved in the 630-seat parliament, from 377 to 163 seats. In the Chamber of Deputies it has only 111 seats and in the Senate only 52 seats. Although Matteo Renzi, the former government head and PD general secretary, would be quite willing to collaborate with Berlusconi, the current transitional leader of the party, Maurizio Martina, has so far insisted on leading the Democrats into opposition. He also rejected a call for talks by Luigi di Maio. However, after its election defeat in September 2017, the German Social Democrats had vowed to go into opposition, only in the end to enter Merkels grand coalition again. Similarly, the PD could again play a role in a coalition government with the right-wing alliance or in an all-party government of national unity. But Matteo Salvini wants to avoid such a solution above all. He is counting on the upcoming regional elections in Molise (April 22) and Friuli Venezia Giulia (April 29), where he hopes for a further upswing of the Lega vote. On Sunday, at an election campaign in Molise, he said, It must be clear to all: If we win in Friuli and in Molise, then we will form the government in fourteen days. Otherwise, the Lega would call for new elections. President Sergio Mattarella has so far categorically ruled out new elections. As a last resort, he could possibly install a so-called technocratic government, like the Mario-Monti government, which came about under pressure from the EU in 2011 to replace Berlusconi. Even such an emergency solution would depend on being tolerated by a parliamentary majority. The crisis in forming an Italian government makes clear how deep is the gulf opening up between the population and official politics. The demise of the PD was because it had tried to resolve the crisis at the expense of the working class. It made employment even more precarious through the Jobs Act and other measures, sharply attacking pensions and other social gains. Poverty has doubled; more and more young people are leaving the country to find a job abroad. Any future government will continue this course, under pressure from the EU and global capital and to rescue the ailing Italian banks. Moreover, a Lega or M5S government will massively intensify measures against refugees and migrants. Salvini has already announced that he would expel 600,000 so-called illegal immigrants. Added to this is the pressure to participate in the EUs war strategy and to defend its own economic interests through rearmament and war. This has once again been shown by the reaction of all parties to the bombing of Syria. While the majority of the population, which had already vehemently opposed the Iraq war and the Libyan war, regards the war in Syria with disgust, leading politicians welcomed the April 14 attack. Paolo Gentiloni (PD), the caretaker government head, stressed in parliament on April 17 that Italy was not neutral. Although it had not participated in the bombing, it supported it in recent days and will continue to do so to counter Assads alleged chemical weapons. PD head Maurizio Martina uncritically reiterated the unsubstantiated allegation of a Syrian chemical weapons operation in Duma and expressed his full support for the Gentiloni government, the EU and the UN. Luigi di Maio commented in a similar vein. The head of the Five Star Movement, which has so far been marked by EU scepticism, explicitly emphasized his devotion to the EU, the UN and the Security Council. We stand by the side of our Allies, said di Maio. In this difficult phase, I believe that the EU must have the strength to stand together and united. Berlusconi poses as a staunch supporter of accelerated rearmament and demanded: We need a strong army. Salvini and Giorgia Meloni, head of the post-fascist Fratelli dItalia, spoke out against the attack. Not because they oppose militarism, but because they do not see it taking enough account of Italys imperialist interests. While Salvini praised far-sighted Putin, Meloni said her party was against the attack, not because we are friends of Putin or Assad, but because we are a movement of patriots. The nations that are intervening in Syria have geopolitical interests: are they ours too? Most of the current forty-five cafeteria workers at The New School for Social Research, a private university in New York City, will be laid off at the beginning of July, according to the school administration, and replaced by lower paid student workers. Some of the workers may be moved to other facilities run by the private contractor, Chartwells/Compass USA, which currently holds a service contract to operate The New School cafeteria, but they would suffer substantial cuts in seniority, pay, and benefits. Many will simply lose their jobs. A 54-year-old cafeteria worker, Rodrick Prude, told the New School Free Press, If this goes down, I lose everything, basically. Pension, health insurance. I cant pay my bills with no job. I would have to start all over again with nothing. The university has said that existing workers may apply for the new positions, but with no preference or continuation of current pay and benefits. As part of a nation-wide and, indeed, world-wide campaign by the financial and corporate elite to attack education at every level, the move by the school is clearly aimed at cutting costs by substituting super-exploited student labor for already poorly paid workers. Stephen Stabile, vice president for finance and business and treasurer, said that the university would run the cafeteria itself, providing an opportunity for new student jobs. Though, he noted, there will likely be some changes in pay. According to Stabile, food services are not profitable for the university. Chartwells contract with the university, which was initiated in 2002, ends July 1, but its termination has been publicly known since March 5. The New School cafeteria workers have been abandoned by UNITE HERE Local 100, the union which supposedly represents them. The school has stated that it is under no obligation to bargain with the union, which, for its part, has only engaged in an impotent campaign of leafleting and postering and a belated appeal for student support. This is yet another example of the decades-long transformation of unions around the world into organizations hostile to the interests of the working class, whose primary interest is the protection of the privileges of their well-paid officials at whatever cost to their own members. The unions in the United States function as political agents of the corporate-run Democratic Party seeking to tie the working class to the party of Wall Street and war. The ongoing teachers strikes and protests across the US, with similar movements of students, instructors, and education staff in Europe, Africa, and Latin America clearly demonstrate the intensification of the class struggle in response to the growing crisis of capitalism. These struggles have developed outside of and against the efforts of official unions to stifle them. Yet as tens of thousands of teachers have experienced in West Virginia, Oklahoma and Arizona, the unions will do everything in their power prevent or shut down strikes and to channel the militancy of workers into votes for the Democrats in November. The planned layoffs at The New School are a brutal attack on these workers, many of whom have worked at the cafeteria for years, in one of the most expensive and socially unequal cities in the world. The universitys action has been met with strong opposition from students. However, protests against the job losses have been dominated by self-proclaimed Maoists and pseudo-left groups who seek to substitute the dead end of middle class protest politics, centering on the occupation of the schools cafeteria, for a genuine struggle to rally support from workers and students across the city and beyond based on a clear political program opposed to the treachery of the unions their alliance with the Democratic Party. The cafeteria occupation, organized by The New School Communist Student Group (CSG), began on Tuesday, May 1. The group, affiliated with the Maoist Communist Group, has offered no strategy for the workers. Indeed, there has been little involvement by the workers in the occupation. Speakers have mixed demagogic rhetoric about workers power with slogans that seek to foment reactionary racial politics, such as Brown Lives Matter, which, along with the politics of gender and sexual identity, are the substance of official political culture at The New School. The cafeteria occupation is an adventurist stunt which promotes the idea that the schools administration can be pressured into changing its policy and frames the struggle as one based on isolated actions and an appeal to identity politics, including claims that the layoffs would not occur if the cafeteria staff were white. Instead of fighting to unite the working class of all races and nationalities against the increasingly brutal austerity measures of the capitalist elite, the political orientation of the CSG promotes isolation and disorientation among students at The New School, the cafeteria workers and the working class in general. It is no accident that this action is fomented by a Maoist group, which draws its political inspiration from Chinese-style Stalinism, a tendency virulently opposed to any independent political mobilization of the working class. The remainder of the pseudo-left in New York played no less of a disgraceful role, making sure that all criticism of the trade unions and the Democratic Party was kept from the ears of the cafeteria workers and workers throughout the city. The Democratic Socialists of America called on its members to support a protest rally for its Maoist comrades in front of the New School on May 4. The school initially refused the occupiers demands for negotiations with top-level administrators. The university president, David Van Zandt, who reportedly receives annual compensation of over two million dollars, subsequently visited the protest, but would not agree to provide a written guarantee that all workers would be rehired with their same pay and benefits. Since then, several contradictory statements have been issued regarding whether the workers would be rehired and under what terms. According to a Facebook posting by one of the occupiers, school administrators stated that they could not negotiate until August (after the expiration of the service contract with Chartwell and all the workers have lost their jobs), and that any workers who were rehired would not retain their previous status. With the end of the semester only a week away, the university will simply wait out the protest. Concurrently with the struggle of the cafeteria workers, 852 teaching assistants and similar educational workers at the New School are threatening to strike on May 8 as the spring semester ends, potentially disrupting final exams and other end-of-term activities. A year ago, these workers were organized by the union SENS-UAW (Student Employees at the New School-United Auto Workers), which has been negotiating with the schools administration since September without resolution. This long, drawn-out process is an example of a decades-long strategy employed by the UAW and other unions to wear down and demoralize workers. In the case of The New School, the union dragged out the negotiations to the end of the semester so that the workers will be pressured to accept a sell-out contract. The exploitation of student teaching staff has become a standard feature of higher education in New York and across the country. A similar struggle by graduate student workers took place last month uptown at Columbia University. The strikers at Columbia are also represented by a UAW local but no effort has been made to unite their struggle with the students at the New School. Teaching assistants must break with any illusions they may have in the UAW, which is responsible for the major betrayal of autoworkers in the last round of contract talks in 2015, pushing through concessions against the will of workers who voted down the contracts at Fiat Chrysler (FCA) and by fraud at Ford. It has since emerged that leading UAW officials took millions of dollars in bribes from FCA to negotiate contracts favorable to the company. To avoid betrayal, the struggle against layoffs and for decent pay and benefits for student instructors at the New School must be taken out of the hands of the unions. Workers must form independent, rank-and-file committees to fight for a socialist program which will benefit the working class not the tiny super-rich capitalist elite which currently dominates society. Over the past decade, tourism to Iceland has reached meteoric heights, making it one of the fastest-growing destinations in the world. The number of foreign visitors to the Nordic nation topped 2 million in 2017, which is six times greater than its total population. The attention is well-deserved. But 1,500 miles to the southwest, there exists a similarly sized, ruggedly good-looking and equally remote island that most travelers still overlook, aren't sure who owns and can't even pronounce: Newfoundland. Spoken as "Noo-fn-land" (rhymes with "understand"), this wind-blown but colorful Virginia-sized island of Canada could easily pass as offspring of Norway and Scotland, in addition to parts of the aforementioned Iceland. Coupled with mainland Labrador as a single province, Newfoundland is home to the most fantastic fjord in North America, the first Viking settlement on the continent (some 400 years before Columbus reached the New World), remarkable hiking trails, year-round sea encounters and sophisticated cuisine. What's more, you can comfortably travel the island by road trip on the Trans-Canada highway to get to the best coastal gems. Admittedly, it doesn't have as much fire and ice as Iceland, but if you prefer sharing your next adventure with far fewer people and at a much slower pace, here's why unspoiled Newfoundland is worth the extra flights required to get there. A Canadian favorite Of the half million annual tourists that visit the province, 80% are fellow Canadians from the mainland -- only 100,000 visitors are foreign. So while the rest of world has yet to discover the province's Ireland-like charm, Canadians have been coming here for decades and hold it with even higher regard than some of their more renowned provinces, including British Columbia and Alberta. Newfoundland's distinctive good looks are a big, if not primary, reason for that. That goes for the entire coastline as well as the bigger national parks in the western region. Although the island is not as volcanic, mountainous or glacier-filled as the titular Iceland comparison, it's just as colorful, enjoys significantly more wildlife and will cause nearly ever visitor to wonder in awe, "Where in the world am I?" Stunning sights For the few who venture to Newfoundland, most of them come for one (or all) of the following: the immortal views of Western Brook Fjord (which is ironically called a "pond" but looks like a slightly shorter Yosemite flooded by navy blue water), year-round whale sightings (both humpback and minke), and blue arctic icebergs that migrate every summer by the thousands down from Greenland to Newfoundland's northern and eastern shores. The fjord itself can be boated in three hours, hiked via the eastern gulch in a day to the picturesque top, or included as part of a multiday backpacking trip along the Long Range Traverse through greater Gros Morne National Park, the highest-rated attraction on the island. Not far from there, travelers can watch the sun set over the Atlantic at the arch-filled and aptly named Arches Provincial Park. Wildlife encounters In the popular town of Bonavista, visitors stand the greatest chance of whale sightings. An hour away, they can also hike the island's second best hike -- the jagged and emerald covered sedimentary rock of the Skerwink Trail, which overlooks the ocean. In the town of Cape St. Mary's, tourists can maximize their puffin and bird sightings. For two weeks every summer, officials lift the annual cod moratorium so visitors can freely fish without a permit (check with guides for exact dates). But the most moving "animal" isn't even an animal. When encountered, 10,000-year-old icebergs can hiss, crackle and pop while glowing a luminescent and lively blue. World heritage Contrary to what you remember from grade school, the first-known European presence in North America happened on the appropriately named Newfoundland. Located on the tip of the Great Northern Peninsula, L'Anse aux Meadows National Historic Site displays 1,000-year-old Norse or Viking archaeological settlements. In the outpost communities of Fogo Island and Change Islands, visitors can wonder just how isolated and difficult life can sometimes be in the farthest corners of Earth. But Newfoundland heritage also lives in the present. You can find it among the colorful coastal houses in St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador's capital and home to close to 200,000 people. You can find it at relaxing Cape Spear, where an 1836 lighthouse marks the most easterly point of North America. You can find it along the East Coast Trail, which serves as the spiritual if unofficial "last section" of the Appalachian Trail. And you can certainly find it in the delectable and colloquial bakeapple (aka "cloudberry") jam, the world-class seafood and the independent but welcoming residents. Earth's four corners In a word, Newfoundland is otherworldly, even if it's far less familiar than Iceland. Furthermore, Newfoundland has that "corner of the world" feeling. Is Newfoundland the next Iceland? Probably not. But it doesn't have to be for you to enjoy its isolated and alluring scenery, landscapes that time forgot and scenic sea encounters. For now, Newfoundland remains a well-kept and sleepy secret. Best time to visit: May-June for icebergs; June-August for heavenly hiking weather; May-September for whales. Getting there: From the United States. one or two connecting flights are required to get to St. John's. Ken Isaacs, the Trump administration's nominee to lead the United Nations migration agency, told reporters Friday that he believes in climate change and said a tweet questioning it was taken out of context. However, a CNN KFile review of his tweets shows that Isaacs repeatedly and forcefully cast doubt on climate science in the past. In a news conference at the United Nations Friday, Isaacs, when asked about climate denial in his tweets said, "The context that I made that -- this is the last time I'm going to comment on the tweets, you know, y'all can ask me questions all day long, but I've done deep in-depth interviews on this. The context of the tweet was a conference that was held in Paris about climate change and terrorism. And I said this will be a joke at the dinner table of ISIS," Isaacs said, adding that as head of the Samaritan's Purse relief organization, he had responded to disasters caused by climate change. Isaacs' comments were in reference to one Facebook post uncovered by the Washington Post in which he referred to the connection between national security and climate change as "a joke." "The meeting in Paris next week is not going to be a rebuke to ISIS. It is going to be a dinner joke, a laughing stock, and a diversion of all the real issues," Isaacs wrote. "I don't deny it," Isaacs added Friday on climate change, explaining he met with representatives of South Pacific island countries concerned about rising sea levels. But those comments are a direct contrast to sentiments he expressed in several tweets and retweets. A State Department spokesperson declined to comment. Isaacs did not respond to a request for comment. Isaacs retweeted a post calling climate change "a hoax" and an "idiotic superstition." Isaacs himself called links between climate change and extreme weather "a crock" and raised doubts about scientists predicting rising temperatures. Isaacs' nomination to head the United Nations' International Organization for Migration has been mired in controversy after reports from the Washington Post and CNN's KFile on his anti-Muslim and climate-denying tweets. He also apologized for those tweets at Friday's news conference. In June, the IOM's members will hold a vote on Isaacs' appointment. He must receive support of two-thirds of its members to get elected. It has been a longstanding practice for members to elect the US-chosen candidate. Here's what Isaacs tweeted about climate change: In August 2015, Isaacs shared an article that reported President Barack Obama's climate change agenda as the most important issue on his agenda, along with the caption "[T]his should scare us all!" In December 2016, Isaacs retweeted a post about air pollution in China and said that it was the issue people should care about, not climate change, and, "This foul air will kill millions before #climate ever changes." In February 2017, Isaacs shared a tweet from prominent climate change skeptic Steven Goddard and asked him whether the ignorance of experts could be applied to those who believe climate change is influenced by human activity. In August 2017, Isaacs shared a tweet from Goddard that accused government scientists of lying about the extent to which global warming had melted the polar ice caps and sea ice. Also in August 2017, Isaacs retweeted an account that said that climate change was "all a hoax" going back to the 1970s when some media outlets speculated about a coming ice age. The idea that there was widespread scientific belief in the 1970s about a new ice age is common among climate change skeptics, though in reality scientific concern over global cooling was limited. In September 2017, Isaacs dismissed scientific concern over climate change because meteorologists weren't able to accurately predict the path of storms, tweeting: "Scientists can't predict a path of visible storm yet certain of manmade climate change" Later in September 2017, Isaacs responded to a tweet from Democracy Now!, again criticizing scientists for failing to predict the path of hurricanes yet still raising alarms about climate change, saying: "A crock! Meteorologists can not even predict the path of a hurricane when they can see the thing and measure it. But scientist (sic) read climate?" In September 2017, Isaacs shared a Goddard tweet again, which said that "Global warming is an idiotic superstition, and the people pushing it should be treated as the morons which they are." They came, they saw and they failed to convince. In short order, Emmanuel Macron, Angela Merkel and Boris Johnson beat a path to Washington but left empty-handed. The last time Europe and the US were this far apart was on the eve of the Iraqi invasion in 2003; even then the Brits went along with Operation Enduring Freedom. This time, the consequences seem more dangerous and far-reaching. We don't yet know whether Iran will remain in the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, or JCPOA, but President Trump's promise that the US would impose "the highest level of economic sanctions" suggests the administration is intent on punitive action rather than a graduated approach that leaves the door open for compromise. And Iranian President Hassan Rouhani said shortly after Trump's announcement that he had ordered the country's "atomic industry organization to be fully prepared for subsequent measures if needed so that in case of need we will start our industrial enrichment without limitations." Under the terms of the JCPOA, renewed US sanctions would start to bite over several months as the US Treasury develops guidance for companies and banks. But there's no roadmap for opting out; expect a tide of FAQs on what will be a complex process. The alliance Among Washington's European allies, wariness of the Trump administration has evolved into exasperation bordering on mistrust. It's not just about Iran: there's climate change, steel and aluminum tariffs and the sheer unpredictability of US policy. France's President Macron invested heavily in his relationship with Donald Trump; he's been snubbed. British Prime Minister Theresa May is desperate to keep the US President away from London when he visits this summer to defuse mass protests. German Chancellor Merkel's attitude has often verged on disbelief. Trump's reimposition of sanctions amounts to a major rebuke to US allies. Earlier this week, UK Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson wrote of the JCPOA: "Now that these handcuffs are in place, I see no possible advantage in casting them aside." The US has now discarded its allies' advice and the EU has neither the incentive nor more significantly the capability to wring concessions out of Iran: on its ballistic missiles, its regional expansionism or on a longer-term deal to reinforce JCPOA. As one European diplomat told CNN: "We have no leverage any more." The Europeans may however try to protect growing commercial interests in Iran from what they regard as the unfair impact of US sanctions on European business. Italy and France have supported trade and investment in Iran this year through credit guarantees. But the US sanctions passed by Congress in 2012 -- and likely to be the first reintroduced -- demand other countries reduce Iranian oil imports or risk penalties. The worst-case scenario would see the EU reintroduce what's called the blocking mechanism first devised in 1996 when Congress imposed sanctions on all firms, including non-US firms, if they were doing business with Libya or Iran. The blocking mechanism made it illegal for any European firm to abide by those sanctions. But there is no ironclad protection against the reach of the US in the international financial system. Even the threat of renewed US sanctions has deterred some European businesses from investing in Iran. Russia and China Trump's decision will be greeted with glee in the Kremlin. Any time Europe and the US are "decoupled" it's a win for Russian foreign policy. Moscow will likely paint the US as an unreliable actor, while its more assertive policy in the Middle East -- from Turkey via Syria to Libya -- may also benefit from American abstention. China wants the JCPOA to survive, but may also see a silver lining in the US decision. It already invests heavily in the Iranian energy and construction industries. The China National Petroleum Corporation has a 30% stake in the development of the huge South Pars oil and gas field in Iran. If European competitors like Total and Siemens are scared off by the specter of US sanctions, so much the better for Chinese companies. Beijing also sees Iran as a vital notch in its Belt and Road project to spread Chinese influence and commerce westwards. State-owned investment arm CITIC Group has a $10 billion credit line and China Development Bank is considering another of $15 billion. The Iranian response Rouhani sold JCPOA to the Iranian people on the pledge that their country would be open to the world again, that investment and trade would flow. He also sold it to the skeptical Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, and overcame the hostility of the Revolutionary Guard Corps. To many Iranians, the results have been disappointing. The Iranian riyal has plummeted and unemployment is in double digits. Now the balance inside Iran has changed. Hardliners are declaring that the US was never to be trusted. The leader of Friday prayers in Tehran, Hojatoleslam Kazem Sedighi, said on Tuesday that Khameini's prediction "about JCPOA was correct" -- that it "would eventually be destroyed." Ali Akbar Velayati, a senior adviser to Khamenei has said that "if the United States withdraws from the nuclear deal, then we will not stay in it." That's at odds with Rouhani's pledge on Monday that "If we can get what we want from a deal without America, then Iran will continue to remain committed to the deal." A battle royal is shaping up in Tehran's corridors of power. Some Iranian officials have even suggested that Iran could withdraw altogether from the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, ending inspections by the International Atomic Energy Agency. Once again, the world would be left to guess Iranian intentions even as it accelerates its ballistic-missile program. Iran stopped producing 20% enriched uranium as part of the 2015 agreement, but the head of Iran's Atomic Energy Organization, Ali Akbar Salehi, claims Iran can now enrich uranium to a higher level than it could before the deal. Experts believe that, should it choose to resume the enrichment of uranium, Iran could build a bomb within about a year. Defeat for Iran's moderates would carry dangers even if the broader Middle East was at peace. But in Syria, Yemen, Iraq and Lebanon, the hardliners of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps will feel emboldened, not deterred. Theirs' is an ideological war. The collapse of the deal could make Syria a proxy battlefield between Israel and the Iranian militia embedded there. The signs are already present. On Monday, Israeli Energy Minister Yuval Steinitz warned: "If Assad allows Iran to turn Syria into a forward operating base against us, to attack us from Syrian soil, he should know that will spell his end." And on Tuesday, the Israeli military ordered the opening of civilian shelters after detecting what it called "irregular activity" among Iranian forces in Syria. Iran could also leverage its support of Shia militia in Iraq to undermine any efforts by the next government (elections are on May 12) to sustain relations with the US. Iranian and Iraqi militia already in Syria could expand attacks against the Syrian Democratic Forces and the US troops who support them. These are all worst-case scenarios, but they are far from inconceivable. US leadership On a visit to Europe in 2009, President Barack Obama was asked whether he believed in 'American exceptionalism.' "I see no contradiction between believing that America has a continued extraordinary role in leading the world towards peace and prosperity and recognizing that that leadership is incumbent, depends on, our ability to create partnerships," he replied. Nowadays, the term seems to mean 'except for America' on a broad range of issues. US leadership cannot be replaced on the global stage -- witness North Korea -- but a series of makeshift alternatives are coming into view. In the case of the nuclear agreement with Iran, Europe finds itself the spurned partner in search of a role, suddenly on the same side as Russia and China. Iran will look to Asia -- China, India, South Korea -- for investment and trade. And it will look to Russia for energy cooperation. The US, enthusiastically backed by Israel and Saudi Arabia (which would incidentally benefit from curtailed Iranian oil exports), might threaten Iran with much worse than sanctions if it is perceived as accelerating its nuclear program. Further afield, what of the prospects for a deal between Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un? Will Kim decide that to satisfy this administration he will have to make verifiable and permanent concessions leading to the denuclearization of the Korean peninsula? Or will the Iranian example deter him from negotiating a nuclear deal -- because an unreliable America would exploit his lack of a "nuclear shield"? To resurrect that old Chinese curse, "May you live in interesting times." VIGO COUNTY, Ind. (WTHI) - Many continue to feel the loss of THPD Officer Rob Pitts, including the Vigo County School Corporation. School board leaders started Monday night's meeting with a moment of silence in Pitts' honor. Superintendent Dr. Danny Tanoos told News 10 Officer Pitts worked at a variety of events for and inside Vigo County Schools. During last year's bomb scare at Terre Haute North Vigo High School, Tanoos said Pitts was one of the responding officers at the scene. When describing Pitts to Monday's audience, Tanoos called him the "perfect police officer". "If you were to write the job description for the perfect police officer, he fit every criteria," Tanoos said, "Always nice and kind, professional." For Tanoos, the loss hits close to home. He says it's because of men and women, like Pitts, that Vigo County Schools are safer. "Having had my dad being a police officer and seeing the kind of work that they do for us, it's heroic in many ways and the public doesn't see what they do every day," he said, "For us, it's a loss for the community, it's a great loss for the THPD, but it's really a loss for the school system." The school corporation continues to honor Officer Pitts' memory. On the marquee display, outside of the administration building, it reads "Rest In Peace Officer Rob Pitts". You can find the sign on Wabash Avenue. TERRE HAUTE, Ind. (WTHI) - People are honoring fallen THPD Officer Rob Pitts in many ways. Several people are turning to flowers and kind words. News 10 spoke with Molly Barrett, the owner of Maggie and Moe's Poplar Flower Shop. She says, "From a wind chime to a stone to a plant all the way to a fresh floral arrangement just really lets them know that you're thinking of them and really trying to help them get through this tough time." Calls to place orders to honor fallen Officer Pitts have been flowing into the flower shop since Saturday morning. Barrett says each arrangement is a labor of love. She says, "It kind of hits a little closer to home when something like this happens. My brother-in-law is a sergeant with the Terre Haute Police Department, and his wife is retired from the Terre Haute Police Department. We have a cousin in the state police department. So we know a lot of them we know a lot of people in the law enforcement family." The flower shop's prep room was a sea of white and blue. One special piece stuck out as support came from many miles away. Barrett shares, "We had received an order from the New York Yankees. Just sharing their sorrow and condolences to the Pitts family. That is something that as Ive done a little research is something I believe is standard practice for them. They want to make sure that people know it touches people outside of where we are. Barrett adds 1500 white carnations were requested of another company for Pitts' services. She says her shop and others have offered a helping hand to fill that large order. Barrett says, "We wanted to make sure that on short notice the wholesalers we work with would be able to deliver that many flowers in one particular color to one place. We all use different suppliers, so we wanted to say, 'hey if we can help you by getting a certain number of them let us know, give us a call'. We've done that with a couple of others, and that's just kind of the community we have in the floral industry." Growing closer together in partnership, to back the blue. Barrett says, "Officers risk their lives every day and we just want to recognize that." Barrett says they are working to get arrangements in Officer Pitts' honor delivered as soon as possible. She says the earlier you are able to place your order, the better. EFFINGHAM, Ill. (WTHI) - It's not exactly what you'd expect. Yes, this duck is a household pet, and its life was turned upside down in an accident. "Well, the duck lost its whole bottom of its foot and wasn't walking. It was hobbling around, but it really was not walking." Aflac the duck was in an accident at home causing him to lose his right foot. When the owner reached out to the industrial arts teacher at Effingham high school, he and his students came up with a way to help. "She went to the veterinarian to see what they could do to help out, and she recommended that she got ahold of the high school students to make a ducks foot." The students learn about and use 3D printing. They make a model of the foot, then the piece is made out of hard plastic. "It will last forever. Yeah, it's plastic, so, it's not gonna wear off or anything like that." And Totten says being able to help on something like this makes everything worth it. "Very rewarding for the students. Because, not only are they gonna see it on the news, social media has been a huge hit. We've had all kinds of people look at it. We're over five hundred thousand viewers on this duck." And in time, Aflac will get used to his new foot. WASHINGTON (AP) President Donald Trump withdrew the U.S. from the landmark nuclear accord with Iran Tuesday, declaring he was making the world safer in restoring harsh sanctions. But he also dealt a profound blow to allies, deepened his isolation on the world stage and revived doubts about American credibility in the most consequential foreign policy action of his presidency. The leaders of Germany, France and Britain, co-signers of the agreement, expressed regret and said they would try to salvage the accord with Iran. Iranian President Hassan Rouhani said he was sending his foreign minister to work with those remaining countries but warned there was only a short time to negotiate with them and his country could soon start enriching uranium more than before. The 2015 accord, which lifted major economic sanctions against Iran, was specifically aimed at preventing that result. But Trump said, The Iran deal is defective at its core. If we do nothing, we know exactly what will happen. In just a short period of time, the worlds leading state sponsor of terror will be on the cusp of acquiring the worlds most dangerous weapons, Trump said in a televised address from the White House. He said the United States will be instituting the highest level of economic sanction. President Donald Trump announced Tuesday the U.S. will pull out of the landmark nuclear accord with Iran, dealing a profound blow to U.S. allies and potentially deepening the presidents isolation on the world stage. (May 8) Trumps decision means Irans government must now decide whether to follow the U.S. and withdraw or try to salvage whats left of the deal. The leaders of Britain, Germany and France immediately urged the U.S. not to take any actions that could prevent them and Iran from continuing to implement the agreement. The statement from Prime Minister Theresa May, Chancellor Angela Merkel and President Emmanuel Macron also urged Iran to show restraint and continue fulfilling its own obligations such as cooperating with inspections. In Washington, the Trump administration said it would re-impose sanctions on Iran immediately but allow grace periods for businesses to wind down activity. The Treasury Department said there would be certain 90-day and 180-day wind-down periods but didnt specify which sanctions would fall under which timelines. Treasury said that at the end of those periods, the sanctions will be in full effect. National Security Adviser John Bolton said nobody should sign contracts for new business with Iran. If the deal collapses entirely, Iran would be free to resume prohibited enrichment activities. Meanwhile, businesses and banks doing business with Iran will have to scramble to extricate themselves or run afoul of the U.S. For nations contemplating striking their own sensitive deals with Trump, such as North Korea, the withdrawal will increase suspicions that they cannot expect lasting U.S. fidelity to international agreements it signs. Yet nations like Israel and Saudi Arabia that loathed the deal are likely to see it as a sign the United States is returning to a more skeptical, less trusting approach to dealing with adversaries. Former President Barack Obama, whose administration negotiated the deal, called the Trump decision misguided. He added that the consistent flouting of agreements that our country is a party to risks eroding Americas credibility and puts us at odds with the worlds major powers. Trump, who repeatedly criticized the accord during his presidential campaign, said Tuesday that documents recently released by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu showed Iran had attempted to develop a nuclear bomb in the previous decade, especially before 2003. Although Trump gave no explicit evidence that Iran violated the deal, he said Iran had clearly lied in the past and could not be trusted. Iran has denied ever pursuing nuclear arms. Netanyahu welcomed Trumps announcement, calling it a historic move. There was a predictably mixed reaction from Congress. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, a Kentucky Republican, said the Iran deal was flawed from the beginning, and he looked forward to working with Trump on next steps. House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, a California Democrat, slammed Trump in a statement, saying this rash decision isolates America, not Iran. The 2015 agreement had lifted most U.S. and international sanctions against Iran. In return, Iran agreed to restrictions on its nuclear program that would make it impossible to produce a bomb, along with rigorous inspections. In a burst of last-minute diplomacy, punctuated by a visit by Britains top diplomat, the deals European members gave in to many of Trumps demands, according to officials, diplomats and others briefed on the negotiations. Yet the Europeans realized he was unpersuaded to back off. Trump spoke with French President Macron and Chinese leader Xi Jinping about his decision Tuesday. The British foreign secretary traveled to Washington this week to make a last-minute pitch to the U.S. to remain in the deal, according to a senior British diplomat, who spoke on condition of anonymity. Hours before the announcement, European countries met in Brussels with Irans deputy foreign minister for political affairs, Abbas Araghchi. In Iran, many are deeply concerned about how Trumps decision could affect the already struggling economy. In Tehran, Rouhani sought to calm nerves, smiling as he appeared at a petroleum expo. He didnt name Trump directly, but emphasized that Iran continued to seek engagement with the world. The first 15 months of Trumps presidency have been filled with many last chances for the Iran deal in which hes punted the decision for another few months, and then another. As he left his announcement Tuesday, he predicted that Iranians would someday want to make a new and lasting deal and that when they do, I am ready, willing and able. Even Trumps secretary of state and the U.N. agency that monitors nuclear compliance agree that Iran, so far, has lived up to its side of the deal. But the deals critics, such as Israel, the Gulf Arab states and many Republicans, say its a giveaway to Tehran that ultimately would pave the way to a nuclear-armed Iran. For the Europeans, Trumps withdrawal constitutes dispiriting proof that trying to appease him is futile. Although the U.S. and Europeans made progress on ballistic missiles and inspections, there were disagreements over extending the life of the deal and how to trigger additional penalties if Iran were found in violation, U.S. officials and European diplomats have said. ___ Associated Press writers Matthew Lee, Jill Colvin, Zeke Miller and Ken Thomas in Washington and Amir Vahdat and Nasser Karimi in Tehran, Iran, contributed to this report. JACKSON, Miss. (WTVA) - Some members of Company C of the 1st Battalion, 114th Aviation Regiment, which is headquartered in Tupelo, will soon be deployed to the U.S. Southwest border. According to the Mississippi Army National Guard, approximately 25 soldiers will be gone for three weeks in support of Operation Guardian Support, a joint task force effort to conduct security operations along the border with Mexico. "They will provide aerial surveillance support to the U.S. Customs and Border Protection and the U.S. Border Patrol using three UH-72 Lakota helicopters. The National Guard says there will be a sendoff ceremony on Friday, May 11 at 10 a.m. at the Tupelo Army Aviation Support Facility at 104 Lemons Drive. VALDOSTA, Ga. (WTXL) - A Valdosta man is facing several charges after police say he chased toddlers on a playground, all while he was naked. Police in Statesboro, Georgia responded to the park Thursday night. Officers say they found 23-year-old Jarred Woodruff sitting on the ground naked. A dad at the playground held him until police got there and arrested him. Officers say their investigation found Woodruff was trying to take one of the four children at the playground. He's charged with intent to rape a child, kidnapping, and a felony charge of public indecency. TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WTXL) - Ten years ago, recent FSU graduate Rachel Hoffman was killed during an undercover drug buy-bust while working as a confidential informant for the Tallahassee Police Department. On May 7, 2008, police gave Rachel $13,000 in department cash to buy drugs and a gun. They sent her to meet up with Denelio Bradshaw and Andrea Green, two suspected drug dealers. But police lost communication with her, and later found her silver Volvo in Jefferson County, her body in a creek in Taylor County, and the two men, in Orlando. Both of the men who prosecutors say killed Rachel, are behind bars for the rest of their lives. Andrea Green pled guilty to second degree murder and was sented to life in prison without the possibility of parole. Deneilo Bradshaw went to trial in December of 2009, was convicted of 1st Degree Murder and sentenced to life in prison. WTXL sat down with former State Attorney Willie Meggs to find out how he feels about Rachel's death, now, 10 years later. "The case against Bradshaw and Green, in my opinion, was an overwhelming case," said Meggs.. It was one of the most high-profile cases in Tallahassee: the death of confidential police informant Rachel Hoffman. But former State Attorney Willie Meggs said they were confident from the beginning, that they'd win the case. "One of the things that made the case pretty easy to prosecute was the money that Rachel had been given to buy these drugs and the gun with, they had recorded all the serial numbers of those bills, and after the homicide, Bradshaw and Green, they began to freely use the money and we were able to track them," said Meggs. When the trial began in December 2009, a year and a half after Rachel was killed, prosecutors had several binders of evidence, surveillance videos, and much more. What they couldn't prove? Who actually of the two men, shot and killed Rachel. An expert testified during the trial that no fingerprints or DNA of value were found on the gun. "In that case, it really didn't matter. That's one of the things that we would want to know, is who the actual triggerperson was, but in prosecution of this nature, it didn't matter who it was," said Meggs. "They were both equally guilty." Rachel was shot five times, with the gun police told her to buy from Bradshaw and Green. Meggs believes the police lost her, Rachel told them that she was undercover, and the men thought they'd never get caught. "I think that they went there intending to rob her. Clearly they didn't think she was working for the police, because theoretically the police should have been there to apprehend them at the scene. But because of a bunch of messups and loosing her in surveillance and wire in her car goes dead, lost communication and they lost sight of her," said Meggs. "The big deal is, Bradshaw and Green didn't think that we knew all of this, and so they were moving along, fat, dumb and happy and not knowing that we knew who they were all along." During the trial, the state called 25 witnesses, compared to the defense, who called -- two. Both inmates of Andre Green, who testified that Green told them he shot Rachel, and that he pressured Bradshaw not to tell. "If you or I were going to believe that he was coerced, the first opportunity he got to get away from this mean, vicious, violent killer, that's exactly what he's going to do and call the police," said Meggs. "That's what an innocent person does. So, you know, you just don't buy into that." Meggs has prosecuted numerous cases in his 50 years in law enforcement. But the death of Rachel, impacted him. "I guess the thing that bothers me most about this is, it never should have happened," said Meggs. "She never should have been there. Never should have been there, which is the result we have now of Rachel's Law." Rachel's Law was passed by the Florida legislature nine years ago. It established uniform, written guidelines for all Florida law enforcement agencies that confidential informants must understand the risks and responsibilities involved in becoming an informant. But has it made a difference? WTXL will have that story Wednesday, on the 10 year anniversary of Rachel's body being found. TRIER, Germany, May 6 (Xinhua) -- Visitors poured into the reopened Karl Marx House over the weekend, as enthusiasm runs high for the great thinker's bicentennial birth anniversary in his hometown of Trier, southwestern Germany. "It is definitely more than 1,000 visitors yesterday. I guess there will be hundreds of visitors today," said an employee at the reception of the House on Sunday. The reopening, a ceremony of which was held on Saturday morning, enables visitors to a modern and interactive touch of Marx with new exhibits, including an armchair in which he passed away. Another chair was situated nearby, allowing a visitor to sit down and appreciate who had occupied the armchair. "It is great experience that I am talking with the great man,"said Brigitte Biertz, who runs a shop at the nearby Karl-Marx-Strasse. Despite coming here before, she said she "must come here again" now as a new permanent exhibition was in place. Sunshine flooded in across the windows, lighting the rooms of the three-story, baroque-style House, which has a plaque on the outside stating "Karl Marx was born in this house on the 5th of May 1818." Inside, dozens of pages of a new guestbook have been signed within a single day, in languages that vary from English, German, Arabic, Korean to Chinese. "To my daughter Rebecca, you should have been here. If not today, maybe later. Love, Dad. " read one of the English-language messages, adding "P.S. You make communism help the people." MARX EVERYWHERE Marx was seen everywhere across Trier, a city of 100,000 residents, which marked the occasion with high-profile events that included a Saturday debut of a statue of Karl Marx, as a gift from China. Towards early hours of Sunday, several taxis were waiting near the statue to take passengers, as more visitors were seen to pose for pictures than in adjacent Porta Nigra, a large Roman city gate dating back to the first century AD, which was designated as a world heritage by the UN cultural wing. Neighboring Porta Nigra was a grand exhibition "Karl Marx 1818-1883, Life, Work and Time," sponsored by the federal state of Rhineland-Palatinate and the city of Trier. Traffic lights featuring adorable likeness of him in red and green was visible. What's no longer visible was zero-euro souvenir bank notes in honor of Marx, which sold out quickly. At Trier Souvenir, a shop not far from the newly unveiled statue, entire shelves were dedicated to Marx memorabilia. Tourists snapped up souvenirs fast. PROUD LOCALS Local residents were also happy to see the celebrations, including Michael Becker, who said "I was born 200 meters away from Marx's birth house so I have a direct position to him." Trier is really proud of this man, and very proud of the friendship with China which sent "the big statue," he said. For Michael Thielen, a 67-year-old retired teacher in German and English who grew a beard similar to Marx's iconic beard, it was Marx's "more than up to date" ideas that appeal to him. "The multinational trust is still exploiting the people, and the wealth of the world is more and more concentrating. Poverty is rising, and rich people are richer." Thielen said, "what he said and wrote in the 19th century is still very important." Source: Xinhua| 2018-05-08 02:10:02|Editor: ZD Video Player Close Photo taken on May 2, 2018 shows farmer Bill Pellett's farm in Atlantic of Iowa, the United States. Bill Pellett is now feeding around 900 heads of cattle on his farm while growing hundreds of acres of corn and soybeans in the Midwestern state. A trip to China in February has boosted his confidence in selling more of his farm's prime beef to Chinese customers. During his one-week stay in China, Pellett met with representatives from seven to 10 different companies that have plans for importing American beef. Aware of fellow farmers' concerns over the current U.S.-China trade tension, Pellett said he is optimistic about the prospect. (Xinhua/Wang Ying) by Xinhua writers Zhang Chunxiao and Yang Shilong ATLANTIC, the United States, May 7 (Xinhua) -- A trip to China in February has boosted the confidence of Bill Pellett, a farmer in the U.S. state of Iowa, in selling more of his farm's prime beef to Chinese customers. During his one-week stay in China, Pellett met with representatives from seven to 10 different companies that have plans for importing American beef, including a hotel chain and JD.com, a major online retailer in China. "We talked a lot about the quality and the safety of the product and tried to give as many insurances that this was the safest product from anywhere in the world. I think that's important to the Chinese people," Pellett said. Last June, Pellett's beef was in the first boxes of U.S. beef shipped to China shortly after the United States and China reached a deal to re-open the Chinese market to U.S. beef. The beef was shipped by Pellett's exporter Greater Omaha Packing Co. China banned U.S. beef in December 2003 after the mad cow disease struck U.S. cattle. Before the ban, the United States used to be China's top foreign supplier of beef. Although Pellett's foreign clients are primarily European nations, including Germany, Italy and Switzerland, he sees good potential of expanding business with China. "There will be a slow building of the demand for our product because of the quality and the health insurances," he said, highlighting the need to change the way their beef is presented and make it better fit the Chinese lifestyle and customs. Though only a small quantity is being exported to China, the American beef is "something that will gain popularity as time goes on," Pellett said. He is now feeding around 900 head of cattle on his farm while growing hundreds of acres of corn and soybeans in the Midwestern state. A portion of the grain will hopefully make its way into the Chinese market someday, he said. "GREAT COUNTRY, GREAT PEOPLE" During his first and only trip to China, Pellett visited Beijing and Shanghai, and had a chance to travel on a high-speed train. He was amazed by what he saw. "I was very impressed by the infrastructure because I did not expect it to be as good as it was. Just the ability and the potential of the country was very, very surprising to me," he said. The trip, he said, was "very fruitful" in that it helped him learn more about the Chinese people, business dealings in China and how to effectively present U.S. beef. WIN-WIN SCENARIO TO BE WORKED OUT Citing other farmers from his community, Pellett said they are highly interested in the huge opportunities that such a large and growing market as China could bring. "They want the [Chinese] market to happen...We don't know a lot about China, but we want to know more. We don't want politicians to get in the way of what's best for both countries," he said. Aware of fellow farmers' concerns over the current U.S.-China trade tension, Pellett said he is optimistic about the prospect. In the end, he said, "The needs of the people will come to the surface" and arrangements will be made accordingly to ensure that people get what they want. BERLIN, May 7 (Xinhua) -- New tariffs imposed by U.S. President Donald Trump on international imports of steel have led to a sharp rise in the supply of commodity on European markets, the Federation of the German Steel Industry warned on Monday. Hans Juergen Kerkhoff, president of the Federation of the German Steel Industry, told newspaper "Neue Osnabruecker Zeitung" that the first months of 2018 had already witnessed a surge in steel exports from countries like Russia and Turkey to Europe. Kerkhoff urged the European Union (EU) to take countervailing measures against negative ripple effects of Trump's "America First" doctrine. Although Washington has temporarily extended an exemption enjoyed by the EU from U.S. tariffs, the related commercial challenges encountered by members of the association drew attention to the indirect harm caused by protectionism to Europe and the wider world economy. Representatives of the EU Commission are currently negotiating with U.S. trade officials in an attempt to obtain a permanent exclusion for the bloc from steel and aluminium tariffs. Meanwhile, German president Frank-Walter Steinmeier, while speaking to the public broadcaster "ARD" on Sunday night, expressed "genuine concern" that the trade conflict unleashed by Trump could result in lasting damage to traditionally close diplomatic ties between Berlin and Washington. Steinmeier said that "substantial change" had occurred in the nature of the wider transatlantic alliance, lamenting that European and U.S. societies were increasingly drifting apart. He said the U.S. administration no longer seemed to see itself as "belonging to a community of nations which cooperates and shares values." The "sometimes irritating" twitter diplomacy of Trump was only a relatively small problem compared to the refusal of Washington to embrace multilateralism in addressing economic and political challenges in this context. Nevertheless, Steinmeier emphasized that Germany remained committed to a vision of global governance where nations cooperated constructively instead of imposing their will through brute force. He highlighted that Berlin would also continue to defend the Iran nuclear accord questioned by Trump. Source: Xinhua| 2018-05-08 02:30:09|Editor: yan Video Player Close CHICAGO, May 7 (Xinhua) -- A brain-imaging study has offered new support for the notion that infants can accurately track other people's beliefs, and they have the ability to know other people's mental states. The study at the University of Illinois (UI), posted on the university's website Monday, showed that when seven-month-old infants viewed videos of an actor who saw, or failed to see, an object being moved to a new location, they had changing activities in a brain region known to play a role in processing others' beliefs, just like adults watching the same videos. "This suggests that the infant brain, like that of adults, may distinguish when others hold true and false beliefs," said UI psychology professor Daniel Hyde, who led the study. UI researchers used the same brain-imaging methodology of looking at activity in the temporal-parietal junction (TPJ), a brain region thought to play a role in theory of mind, as previous studies used in adults, to look at infants who watched the same videos the adults had seen of an actor watching or not watching a puppet move a toy from one location to another. Meanwhile, the researchers used an emerging technology called near-infrared spectroscopy, a method that allows infants to sit on their parents' lap and watch whatever presented to them with just a specific cap to capture their brain activity in the TPJ. They found that the TPJ in infants responds very similarly to that of adults when viewing different video scenarios. "The infants, like the adults, had an uptick in activity in the TPJ when watching a scenario where the actor failed to observe where the puppet put the toy and, therefore, held a false belief about the location of the toy," he said. Hyde said the new findings do not suggest that infants have a fully developed theory of mind in the first year of life. "This simply provides a foundation for developing a deeper understanding of other people's thoughts and beliefs." The findings have been published in the Journal of Neuroscience. Source: Xinhua| 2018-05-08 02:50:16|Editor: Chengcheng Video Player Close Jerusalem municipal workers install U.S. and Israeli flags near the U.S. Consulate General in Jerusalem, on May 7, 2018. U.S. President Donald Trump on Monday announced the designation of a presidential delegation to Israel to attend the opening of the U.S. embassy. According to a White House statement, the opening ceremony will be on May 14. (Xinhua/JINI) WASHINGTON, May 7 (Xinhua) -- U.S. President Donald Trump on Monday announced the designation of a presidential delegation to Israel to attend the opening of the U.S. embassy. According to a White House statement, the opening ceremony will be on May 14. Deputy Secretary of State John Sullivan will lead the delegation. Other members include U.S. Ambassador to Israel David Friedman, Secretary of the Treasury Steven Mnuchin, assistant and senior advisor to the president Jared Kushner, assistant and advisor to the president Ivanka Trump, and Jason Greenblatt, assistant to the president and special representative for international negotiations. Trump said last week that he "may" go to Jerusalem for the opening himself. Earlier on Monday, Secretary General of the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) Saeb Erekat urged the international community to boycott the opening of the U.S. embassy. The PLO official said that "those who attend the ceremony will send an ominous message, a message that encourages flagrant violations of international law and the inalienable rights of the Palestinian people." Relations between Palestine and the United States reached an all-time low when Trump recognized Jerusalem as the capital of Israel and ordered to move the U.S. embassy from Tel Aviv on Dec. 6, 2017. Source: Xinhua| 2018-05-08 03:20:24|Editor: Xiang Bo Video Player Close TEHRAN, May 7 (Xinhua) -- Iranian President Hassan Rouhani on Monday sought for the assurance of parties involved in the landmark 2015 nuclear deal, except the United States, to help Iran preserve interests under the accord. "If our expectations from the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) are met without the United States, so much the better," Rouhani said for the first time, according to official IRNA news agency. "Otherwise, we will make our own decision," he said in Iran's northeastern Mashhad city. Also, Tasnim news agency reported on Monday quoting Rouhani as saying that "we have our own plan. If what we demand from the JCPOA is fulfilled by the non-American (parties in the deal), the U.S. withdrawal will be the removal of a trouble." "Or, we will follow our legal and rational option if what we expect is not fully accomplished," Rouhani said. Rouhani said that except few countries, including the United States, the whole world trusts Iran and wants to preserve the JCPOA. "Today we are telling the world that if you are worried about Iran's access to nuclear bomb, we have allayed this concern in the JCPOA and the deal ensures that Iran does not seek nuclear weapons," he was quoted as saying. He warned Washington against the "strategic mistake" of withdrawing from the nuclear deal, reiterating that Iran has no concerns about the U.S. "cruel policies and wrong moves." The Iranian president further lashed out at the U.S. policies in the Middle East, saying that over the past decades, U.S. officials have sought to contain Iran's power and influence in the region, and "no matter they remain in the nuclear deal or leave it, they pursue such a policy." Rouhani vowed that the Islamic republic will withstand the U.S. objective to reduce Iran's regional power and influence. U.S. President Donald Trump is expected to decide by May 12 whether to pull out of the nuclear deal, and he has said that he would not extend the waiver suspending the U.S. sanctions on Iran. In January, Trump extended sanctions relief on Iran under the deal for the last time, threatening to withdraw from it if U.S. congress and his European allies cannot fix the alleged "disastrous flaws." Iran has threatened to resume nuclear enrichment activities in case Trump decertifies the nuclear deal. Besides, Iran's Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif said Monday that any possible move by the United States to withdraw from the nuclear deal with Iran will result in the isolation of Washington in the international community. "The U.S. exit from the JCPOA will show that the Americans are isolated and are no longer trustworthy for international interactions," Zarif was quoted as saying by Press TV. The Islamic republic would definitely show a strong reaction to a possible U.S. decision to pull out of the JCPOA, he said. Over the past days "we are negotiating with other parties to the JCPOA, which include the five other members and the European Union," Zarif said. On Monday, Iran's Foreign Ministry spokesman also said that withdrawal from Iranian international nuclear deal is not as easy as it may seem. Bahram Qasemi said the 2015 deal has its own complexities and U.S. withdrawal would not be easily feasible. However, if the United States decides to do so, Iran's reaction would be "painful" for Washington and will make them regret it, he said at his weekly press conference. He added that the lack of commitment on the part of the U.S. was nothing new, but its decision to scrap the JCPOA would present a clearer image of the country to the world and would prove that no country can trust the U.S. anymore. Besides, the United States should accept the consequence of their decision, he said. Qasemi reiterated that Iran will not be the first to exit the deal, but it is prepared for any scenario. Source: Xinhua| 2018-05-08 03:35:27|Editor: yan Video Player Close GENEVA, May 7 (Xinhua) -- World Trade Organization (WTO) Director General Roberto Azevedo urged members during a meeting here on Monday to step up their engagement towards tackling a number of systemic challenges, including rising trade tensions among major members. "Concerns about rising trade tensions and the blockage in appointments to the Appellate Body are very widely shared among the membership," said Azevedo in a meeting of Trade Negotiations Committee. He warned that as long as tensions persist between major trading partners, the risk of a serious escalation remains very real, urging members to avoid "taking measures that are difficult to reverse". He applauded that these concerns are being taken up in the regular bodies of the WTO, and members continue to bring their disputes to the WTO. "The system was built to resolve these problems in a way that prevents further escalation, and so it is right that members are using it," he reiterated. The WTO chief also encouraged members to continue pursuing their bilateral contacts, to complement multilateral processes, underlining that "the important thing is that conversations are taking place, and that members are trying to find solutions." He also emphasized the importance that members work to resolve the impasse regarding nominations for the Appellate Body. In recent months, the United States has been trying to block new appointments to the Body, a move that could dampen its key role -- resolving disputes. "If we do not find a solution here -- whatever shape that solution may take -- we could severely compromise the whole multilateral trading system," said Azevedo, urging members to engage and talk to each other "in a solution-finding mode". ACCRA, May 7 (Xinhua) -- A top Ghanaian official urged Ghanaian businesses here on Monday to take particular advantage of the upcoming Shanghai International Import Exposition (Shanghai Expo) in November. Carlos Kingsley Ahenkora, Deputy Minister for Trade and Industry, said during the opening of the Second China Trade Week in Ghana that the West African country would be heavily represented at the expo to break into the Chinese market. "I am going to advise businessmen here present to take advantage of the upcoming Shanghai Expo in November. I want everybody to be there; we are going to have a very huge Ghanaian pavilion where every product that is manufactured here in Ghana will be showcased," he pleaded. On the other hand, Ahenkora described the garment and textile sub-sector as an area that takes a lot more human labor which needed support to develop for its potential benefits. The deputy minister therefore urged Chinese businesses to take advantage of Ghana's garment trade agreement. There are 50 Chinese manufacturing firms participating in the three-day China Trade Week program that also saw heavy patronage from Ghanaian business personnel on the first day. Economic and Commercial Counselor of the Chinese Embassy in Ghana, Chai Zhijing, invited Ghanaian businesses to take advantage of the Shanghai International Import Expo in November to showcase their competitive products to the Chinese market. President Hassan Rouhani on May 7, 2018, for the first time, hints that Iran will likely remain in the nuclear deal even if the United States decides to pull out. (file photo) TEHRAN, May 7 (Xinhua) -- President Hassan Rouhani on Monday, for the first time, hinted that Iran will likely remain in the nuclear deal even if the United States decides to pull out, official IRNA news agency reported. "If our expectations from the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) are met without the United States, so much the better," Rouhani said in Iran's northeastern Mashhad city. "Otherwise, we will make our own decision," he said. Also, Tasnim news agency reported on Monday quoting Rouhani as saying that "we have our own plan. If what we demand from the JCPOA is fulfilled by the non-American (parties in the deal), the U.S. withdrawal will be the removal of a trouble." "Or, we will follow our legal and rational option if what we expect is not fully accomplished," Rouhani said. Rouhani said that except few countries, including the United States, the whole world trusts Iran and wants to preserve the JCPOA. "Today we are telling the world that if you are worried about Iran's access to nuclear bomb, we have completely allayed this concern in the JCPOA and the deal ensures that Iran does not seek nuclear weapons," he was quoted as saying. He warned Washington against the "strategic mistake" of withdrawing from the nuclear deal, reiterating that Iran has no concerns about the U.S. cruel policies and wrong moves. The Iranian president further lashed out at the U.S. policies in the Middle East, saying that over the past decades, U.S. officials have sought to contain Iran's power and influence in the region, and "no matter they remain in the nuclear deal or leave it, they pursue such a policy." Rouhani vowed that the Islamic republic will withstand the U.S. objective to reduce Iran's regional power and influence. U.S. President Donald Trump is expected to decide by May 12 whether to pull out of the nuclear deal, and he has said that he would not extend the waiver suspending the U.S. sanctions on Iran. Iran has threatened to resume nuclear enrichment activities in case Trump decertifies the nuclear deal. CHICAGO, May 7 (Xinhua) -- Detroit welcomes Chinese investment while trying to reintroduce the city to China, mayor Mike Duggan said on Monday during the opening of Michigan China Week in Detroit. Duggan said the city of Detroit suffered years of decline but is now making a very rapid comeback. Residents were moving in to Detroit, and it is now a good time to invest in the city. The city wants to reintroduce itself to Chinese business leaders and let them know about the opportunities, the mayor said. Kerry Hammer, CEO of Paslin, a Michigan company started in 1937, said business ties with China have been very beneficial to his company, which allow them to do things at lower costs and make their products more competitive. According to the Michigan-China Innovation Center, Michigan is home to more than 300 Chinese companies that represent more than 4 billion U.S. dollars of investment and more than 6,000 jobs. In recent years, the Michigan government had led several missions to China to promote Michigan exports and tourism and attract investments. MOSCOW, May 7 (Xinhua) -- A Russian Ka-52 attack helicopter has crashed in eastern Syria, killing both pilots on board, the Russian Defense Ministry said Monday. The helicopter crashed during a scheduled flight over Syria's eastern regions, the ministry was quoted as saying in a statement by Sputnik news agency. Preliminary information shows that the helicopter could have experienced a technical malfunction before the crash, the statement said. Earlier this month, a Russian Su-30SM fighter crashed over the Mediterranean Sea off the western coast of Syria. Source: Xinhua| 2018-05-08 05:36:04|Editor: yan Video Player Close RIO DE JANEIRO, May 7 (Xinhua) -- Brazilian President Michel Temer denied on Monday that his daughter, Maristela, had remodelled her house with money from bribes allegedly received by her father. "It was a remodelling paid for regularly and fully clarified. I do not have the specifics of the statement that she made, but I know all was fine. No point was left unexplained," said Temer in an interview with television channel SBT. Maristela Temer was interviewed about the matter by federal police in Sao Paulo on Thursday. The police had received information that Maristela had remodelled her house with money delivered personally to her by Joao Baptista Lima, a close friend of President Temer. In the interview, the president defended his friendship with Baptista Lima, saying the man "had been made a victim for being my friend." The president also denied another accusation made against him, namely that he had helped a company get access to contracts in Brazil's port sector last year. Temer resisted answering the question about whether he would run for re-election in October. Moving onto the economy, the president said that the country "is recovering little by little," after undergoing the worst recession in its history. "Predictions are that it will grow this year between 2.5 and 3 percent, we are talking of 2.75 percent," Temer explained. TRIPOLI, May 7 (Xinhua) -- Libya's eastern-based Army Commander, General Khalifa Haftar, on Monday said the army is a "regular force that does not belong to a certain individual or a tribe." Haftar made his remarks during a large military parade in the eastern city of Benghazi, celebrating the fourth anniversary of the army's operation "Dignity," which was launched to fight extremist groups in Benghazi. "I congratulate our people and army for the fourth anniversary of the Dignity revolution that defeated terrorism and restored prestige to Libya and hope of reconstruction," Haftar said during the ceremony, which included military demonstrations. "This army represents a regular force that does not belong to a person, a city or a tribe. It is the army of all Libyans. It defends them their interests. Your army has faced a brutal barbaric project and proved to the world that the Libyan people do not surrender, submit or despair," Haftar said. In May 2014, Haftar's army launched the military operation "Dignity" to fight against terrorist groups in Benghazi. Haftar announced last year the taking over of Benghazi and expelling of the terrorist groups, and now he is leading a military offensive against terrorist groups in the eastern city of Darna. "Only the city of Darna remains (out of control) in eastern Libya, for which peace efforts have lasted for three years in order to avoid military actions in residential areas," Haftar said. Since 2015, Darna has been besieged by the army who demanded the armed group of the Shura Council of Mujahideen of Darna to leave the city. The army accuses the group of being loyal to al-Qaida. CHICAGO, May 7 (Xinhua) -- Xilin Association, a Chinese organization in the greater Chicago area, has been honored with an award commemorating its economic and cultural contributions to local communities during the Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month. At a ceremony held at the James R. Thompson Center in downtown Chicago last Thursday, Illinois Lt. Gov. Evelyn Sanguinetti presented the award to Linda Yang, executive director of Xilin Association. Five other Asian organizations were also honored at the ceremony. Addressing the ceremony, Sanguinetti said: "Illinois is so blessed to have such a vibrant Asian Pacific American community. The accomplishments we celebrate today should remind us all that Asian Pacific American history is part of our shared history and should be embraced every day." "It is crucial that we celebrate and recognize the achievements made in the Asian American Pacific Islander community," said Janice Glenn, acting director of the Illinois Department of Human Rights (IDHR). "They are playing leading roles in every sector of our society. Today, we honor some of these leaders, who contribute not only to their local communities, but to their home countries as well." Founded in 2003, Xilin is a non-profit organization committed to serving the needs of families in the greater Chicago area by providing an innovative educational system for children, a friendly and spacious adult day care for seniors, and cross-cultural community events and activities for all individuals. The 8 Chinese language schools run by Xilin Association have especially attracted children nearby. Gov. Bruce Rauner proclaimed the month of May as Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage month. He designated this month as a celebration of the culture, traditions, history and accomplishments of Asian Pacific Americans here in Illinois. by Xinhua writers Liu Chen, Hu Yousong WASHINGTON, May 7 (Xinhua) -- The 2015 Iran nuclear deal was effective and a U.S. withdrawal from it may bear significant impact, both politically and diplomatically, a U.S. sanctions expert has said. U.S. President Donald Trump, who has long been criticizing the deal, was expected to announce his decision on Tuesday afternoon about whether to pull the United States out of the landmark pact inked to curb Iran's nuclear development. The deal may not be perfect, but the best way to fix it "is to implement it and then to work on its problems in a positive atmosphere," Richard Nephew, a senior research scholar at the Columbia University, told Xinhua in an exclusive interview recently. Nephew served as the lead sanctions expert for the U.S. team negotiating the Iran nuclear deal from 2013-2014. AN EFFECTIVE DEAL The Iran nuclear deal was negotiated between the six world powers, namely China, Russia, Britain, France, the United States and Germany, and Iran in 2015, in which the West promised to relieve sanctions on Tehran in exchange for a halt in Iran's efforts to develop a nuclear weapon. Nephew said the pact was effective as it kept Tehran further away from being able to produce nuclear weapons. "For a while we were looking at two to three months to nuclear weapons for Iran, now it's at least a year," the sanctions expert noted, adding that the deal has also given the international community "lots of transparency, lots of monitoring" to see if Iran changes its course. The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), a UN watchdog tasked monitoring Iran's nuclear activities, had in the past certified eight times Iran's compliance with the nuclear deal. However, Trump has been criticizing the deal since its presidential campaign. In October, he decertified the deal, blaming Iran for committing "multiple violations of the agreement" and "not living up to the spirit of the deal." "Iran is absolutely obeying the requirements of the JCPOA," said Nephew, citing the acronym of official name of the deal, which was the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action. Nephew once served as Principal Deputy Coordinator for Sanctions Policy at the Department of State from 2013-2015. The former diplomat regarded Trump administration' s "spirit arguments" as weak and unpersuasive. "If you don't have actual proof of bad behavior, you talk about spirit," he said. IT'S ABOUT IRANIAN GOVERNMENT Meanwhile, Trump also wanted to eliminate the "sunset clauses" that allow Iran to restart its uranium enrichment program after 2025, and include clauses to curb Iran's missile programs and its expansion in the Middle East into the pact "A lot of Americans, even myself would agree it would be better if we have gotten something a little bit more robust," said Nephew. But the difficulty Trump will find is that,if he gets away from this agreement, it's very hard to "get plan B to work," he noted. "There's only so far as they (Iran) may be prepared to go, in addressing U.S. concerns," Nephew added. Nephew, who was a director for Iran at the National Security Council from 2011-2013, observed that the real problem that Trump and his hawkish advisors had about Iran went beyond the multi-national deal itself. "It's about the Iranian government," said Nephew, pointing out Washington's "long and unpleasant history" with Tehran in the past decades, including the Iran hostage crisis in the late 1970s and the growth of terrorism in the region. For the supporters of the deal and the international community, it was more like "an excuse," said Nephew, referring to Washington's objection about the deal. "This is just the Trump administration being opposed to Iran." "FIX" A FALSE ARGUMENT In late April, French and German leaders visited the White House, as their trips were largely interpreted as a "tag-team" effort to save the deal with little fruit seemingly yielded so far. In a joint press conference with Trump, French President Emmanuel Macron proposed to sign a "new deal" with Iran, including making sure no Iranian nuclear activity in the long run, putting an end to Tehran's ballistic activities and generating the conditions for a political solution to "contain" Iran in the region. To a large extent, Macron's suggestions echoed Trump's demands to "fix" the current deal. However, Nephew saw the fix arguments "slightly disingenuous." "All the people talking about fixing the agreement are the people saying we should kill the agreement and they are also people who understand very well that Iran is not going to agree to fixes," he noted. The expert said the "fix" that Trump has talked about was not a reciprocal one as Washington "give(s) something and get(s) something," but rather the one that "the U.S. gets a lot better at the agreement out of the Iranians and the Iranians say thank you." In fact, Iran has been darting tough rhetoric facing a possible U.S. walk-away from the deal. Iran's Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif on Thursday ruled out renegotiating a new deal or holding talks over its missile program. Iran has also threatened to resume nuclear enrichment activities in case Trump resumed U.S. sanctions on Iran. POSSIBLE FALLOUT For Nephew, a U.S. withdrawal, which he saw as highly likely, may bear little direct economic influence on America, but there will certainly be direct political and diplomatic impact. The expert said that with Iran possibly to restart its nuclear program, security concerns will be raised in the Middle East with countries mulling their own nuclear development. It will also affect U.S. ties with its allies, especially the European countries. Washington's image as a trustworthy country will also be tarnished. "It might even help encourage a trade war, if we're using sanctions in ways that other countries don't support," said Nephew. "It will certainly be a period of high risk and high tension for the United States," said Nephew. "I don't think they (the Trump administration) are organized to be able to handle it," he added. ABUJA, May 7 (Xinhua) -- Nigerian leader Muhammadu Buhari will embark on another trip to London on Tuesday for a medical check-up, his spokesman said on Monday. This time, Buhari will spend only four days in the United Kingdom capital, said presidential spokesman Garba Shehu. He said Buhari had a brief meeting last week with his doctor in London when he had a "technical stop-over" for his aircraft maintenance on his way back from Washington after a state visit to the United States. "The doctor requested the President to return for a meeting which he agreed to do," Shehu said, adding Buhari would return to Nigeria on Saturday. In January 2017, the Nigerian leader embarked on a medical vacation in London and returned later than he planned. Upon arrival in Abuja, he confirmed that he was seriously ill and had never felt so ill in his life. On May 7 last year, exactly a year ago, he embarked on another visit for treatment in London and returned home 103 days after. A Russian Ka-52 military helicopter participates in a flying display during the 50th International Paris Air Show at the Le Bourget airport in Paris, France, June 18, 2013. (Xinhua/Chen Cheng) MOSCOW, May 7 (Xinhua) -- A Russian Ka-52 attack helicopter has crashed in eastern Syria, killing both pilots on board, the Russian Defense Ministry said Monday. The helicopter crashed during a scheduled flight over Syria's eastern regions, the ministry was quoted as saying in a statement by Sputnik news agency. Preliminary information shows that the helicopter could have experienced a technical malfunction before the crash, the statement said. Earlier this month, a Russian Su-30SM fighter crashed over the Mediterranean Sea off the western coast of Syria. HAVANA, May 7 (Xinhua) -- Cuba is a model of South-South cooperation to promote equality and development, the head of the United Nations Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC) said on Monday. "Cuba is a relevant example of how much can be done in favor of South-South cooperation," ECLAC Executive Secretary Alicia Barcena said during a ceremony marking Cuban National Day. Barcena, along with UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres and other agency officials were in Cuba for ECLAC's 37th session, to be held in Havana from May 8 to 11. Cuba's government has made it a priority to collaborate with other developing countries to strengthen health and wellbeing, and to pursue policies that strengthen equality, she said, adding "it's about growing for equality, and equality for growth." This marks the second time Cuba hosts ECLAC's annual meeting (the first time was in 1949, when it hosted the 2nd session), where Barcena will present a report on the agency's performance over the past two years, and participants will approve the work program for the next two years (2019-2020). Guterres is set to address the opening of the session on Tuesday, and to meet with Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel. The gathering will draw ministers, deputy ministers and officials from ECLAC's 46 member countries and 13 associated countries. Cuba, a member since 1948, will take over the rotating presidency of the agency for the next two years. UNITED NATIONS, May 7 (Xinhua) -- UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Monday strongly condemned Saturday's attack on a village in Nigeria's northwestern Kaduna State, which resulted in scores of casualties. The secretary-general called for those responsible for this attack to be swiftly brought to justice, said his spokesman Stephane Dujarric in a statement. Guterres also expressed his continued concern over the persisting violence and urged all actors to work together to bring peace and stability to the country, said the statement. The UN chief extended his deepest condolences to the bereaved families and to the government and people of Nigeria, and wished a speedy recovery to the injured, it said. Armed bandits on Saturday attacked the Gwaska village in Nigeria's Kaduna State, killing at least 40 people. ABUJA, May 7 (Xinhua) -- Nigerian leader Muhammadu Buhari will embark on another trip to London on Tuesday for a medical check-up, his spokesman said on Monday. This time, Buhari will spend only four days in the United Kingdom's capital, said presidential spokesman Garba Shehu. He said Buhari had a brief meeting last week with his doctor in London when he had a "technical stop-over" for his aircraft maintenance on his way back from Washington after a state visit to the United States. "The doctor requested the president to return for a meeting which he agreed to," Shehu said, adding Buhari would return to Nigeria on Saturday. In January 2017, the Nigerian leader embarked on a medical vacation in London and returned later than he planned. Upon arrival in Abuja, he confirmed that he was seriously ill and had never felt so ill in his life. On May 7 last year, exactly a year ago, he made another visit for treatment in London and returned home 103 days later. Source: Xinhua| 2018-05-08 08:51:13|Editor: zh Video Player Close Team members from the Black Panthers of Lebanon take group photos at the awarding ceremony of the 10th Annual Warrior Competition hosted by Jordan Armed Forces in Amman, Jordan, on May 7, 2018. The Black Panthers of Lebanon won the champion. (Xinhua/Lin Xiaowei) Source: Xinhua| 2018-05-08 08:41:42|Editor: Chengcheng Video Player Close ISLAMABAD, May 8 (Xinhua) -- The education department in Pakistan's south Sindh province has submitted a summary to the provincial government, seeking early summer vacations for educational institutions owing to extremely hot weather, local reports said Monday. The education department suggested that the government should announce vacations for students before the beginning of the forthcoming fasting month from May 16 to June 16. Normally the summer vacations lasts from June-August in the country, but last year the education department announced early summer vacations from May 26 due to rising mercury ahead of the fasting month. This year, the move came following mercury hit 50.2 centigrade last month in the province, marking the highest temperature recorded for the month of April. Keeping the current weather situation in mind, the education department wants students to stay at home to avoid the scotching heat which may cause heat stroke. YANGON, May 8 (Xinhua) -- The three-day dialogue for Myanmar's Mon ethnic people has concluded with a statement pledging to join in building a federal union based on democracy, equality and self-determination rights, the official Global New Light of Myanmar reported Tuesday. The political dialogue, which was held in Ye, Mon state and lasted from Saturday to Monday, came after the New Mon State Party (NMSP) armed group signed the government's Nationwide Ceasefire Accord (NCA) on Feb. 13. The statement said the Mon people will follow the path of peaceful resolution to political problems through political means. During the three-day discussions, basic principles in the political, economic, social, and land and environment sectors were covered according to the framework set by the Union Political Dialogue Joint Committee (UPDJC), and agreements and disagreements were collected through discussions. Some 500 representatives attended the political dialogue. NMSP, along with the Lahu Democratic Union (LDU), signed the NCA with the government in Nay Pyi Taw on Feb. 13, bringing the total of such signatories to 10 since the first signing with the prior eight armed groups on Oct. 15, 2015. NMSP and LDU are the first two armed groups signing the NCA under the incumbent government, led by the National League for Democracy. The two signatories will join the upcoming third meeting of the 21st Century Panglong Peace Conference slated for the last week of this month. Source: Xinhua| 2018-05-08 10:06:56|Editor: ZD Video Player Close BOGOR, Indonesia, May 8 (Xinhua) -- Chinese and Indonesian leaders hailed on Monday the fruitful meetings held during Chinese Premier Li Keqiang's visit to Indonesia. The statements were made at a joint press conference attended by Li and Indonesian President Joko Widodo, after witnessing the signing of cooperation documents. The two sides agreed to stick to peaceful development, safeguard regional and global peace and stability based on widely-accepted international laws and rules. The two leaders agreed that the comprehensive strategic partnership between the two countries is mutually beneficial and will produce win-win results. Such a partnership is significant for peaceful and stable development of the region and the whole world at large. As the world's major economies, China and Indonesia should work together to accelerate the recovery of global economy, Li said. China and Indonesia should safeguard free trade and the rule-based multilateral trading mechanism, Li said, adding that trade and investment should be further liberalized and facilitated. China is willing to help Indonesia improve its infrastructure facilities and encourage Chinese enterprises to invest in Indonesia with respect to market rules and make contributions to enhancing employment in the country. Praising the huge potential of mutually beneficial cooperation between the two countries, the Chinese premier said that a more balanced two-way trade would be promoted with Indonesia. China welcomes Indonesia to bring more farm products such as palm oil, fruits and coffee to the Chinese market, Li said. Widodo on his part noted that China has a great market potential with its huge population, expressing a gratitude for China's readiness to enlarge its imports of Indonesian farm products. Premier Li also met with Indonesian Vice President Jusuf Kalla, who said that the Indonesia-China relations are at their best times. New consensus was made with Indonesian leadership on deepening bilateral ties and enlarging mutually beneficial cooperation, Li said. China is willing to step up the bilateral relations and cooperation, contributing more to the stability and development of the region and the world, Li said. Kalla thanked China for its investment in Indonesia, which he said will be conducive to local economic development. The vice president also expressed a readiness to enhance communication and cooperation with China in fields including economy, culture, education and marine development. Source: Xinhua| 2018-05-08 10:22:00|Editor: Chengcheng Video Player Close Photo taken on May 7, 2018 shows ambulances waiting at the Rastan Bridge to evacuate wounded rebels and their families in the central province of Hama, Syria. Dozens of buses evacuated rebels and their families to rebel-held areas in northern Syria on Monday under a Russian-mediated deal. (Xinhua) DAMASCUS, May 8 (Xinhua) -- The first batch of rebels and their families evacuated an area in central Syria on Monday night as part of a recent Russian-mediated deal, the state news agency SANA reported. Sixty-two buses carried hundreds of rebels and their families from rebel-held areas in the northern countryside of Homs and the southern countryside of Hama. This is the first batch to leave those areas for the rebel-held city of Jarablus in northern Syria, said SANA, adding that more evacuations of rebels are expected to follow. The evacuation deal was reached between the rebels and the government on May 1, and is identical to other agreements that have been recently reached in the capital Damascus, which saw the evacuation of rebels from the Eastern Ghouta countryside and the eastern part of the Qalamoun region to Idlib and Jarablus last month. The Russian-backed evacuation deals are aimed at curbing battles. Meanwhile, the rebels are leaving for other strongholds in northern Syria in order to secure more vital areas in central and southern Syria. Source: Xinhua| 2018-05-08 11:02:07|Editor: Chengcheng Video Player Close CANBERRA, May 8 (Xinhua) -- Recipients of welfare benefits in Australia will soon be tested for drugs, after a senate inquiry backed the federal government's controversial proposal. The government will push ahead with trial drug-testing of about 5,000 welfare recipients in order to lower substance-abuse levels among this group - and help them find jobs. The trial will concentrate on three areas: Logan, in the Queensland's southeast, Canterbury-Bankstown, a suburb in the southwest of Sydney, and Mandurah in Western Australia. Those recipients who fail a test will be subject to an income management plan for 24 months, meaning 80 percent of their benefits are set aside and can only be spent on certain nominated items. A referral for further treatment will be given to residents who fail a second drug-test, and failure to comply will result in the loss of all government benefits. "The committee considers that a limited... drug-testing trial should be conducted in the welfare context to test whether substance abuse issues are causing a barrier to employment for trial participants," the report, which was released on Monday afternoon, said. The opposition said the proposed trial should be abandoned as it does not guarantee unemployed people will be able to find work. The Federal Greens party also warned that the testing could drive people away from the welfare system and plunge them further into poverty. "It was overwhelmingly rejected for good reason by Senate when it was previously proposed as part of the welfare reform bill," Greens Senator, Rachel Siewert, said in a statement on Monday. Opposing parties have also cautioned people could turn to crime to facilitate their drug addiction if they lose welfare payments. The government will also allocate 7.5 million U.S. dollars for drug treatment services. Source: Xinhua| 2018-05-08 11:52:19|Editor: Chengcheng Video Player Close JAKARTA, May 8 (Xinhua) -- The following is the full text of the joint statement released by China and Indonesia on Monday: Joint Statement between the Government of the People's Republic of China and the Government of the Republic of Indonesia Jakarta, 7 May 2018 1. Upon the invitation of H.E. Joko Widodo, President of the Republic of Indonesia, H.E. Li Keqiang, Premier of the State Council of the People's Republic of China, paid an Official Visit to Indonesia from 6 to 8 May 2018. During the visit, Premier Li Keqiang held a bilateral meeting with President Joko Widodo, and met with H.E. Vice President Jusuf Kalla. The leaders exchanged views on China-Indonesia relations as well as regional and international issues, with important consensus reached. 2. The two sides congratulate each other for the outstanding achievements made in respective national development under the current leadership and are optimistic about further accomplishments in the two countries' national development and brighter future of China-Indonesia bilateral ties. 3. The two sides fully recognize the progress made over the past 5 years since the establishment of China-Indonesia Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, particularly in synergizing China's 21st Century Maritime Silk Road initiative and Indonesia's Vision of Global Maritime Fulcrum, which further deepens bilateral practical cooperation in various fields. The two sides agree to strengthen 3 pillars of cooperation in bilateral, regional and international levels under the framework of the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. 4. The two sides reaffirm their respect for each other's independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity, and agree to keep mutual understanding and support on issues of each other's core interests and major concerns. Indonesia reaffirms its adherence to the One-China policy. 5. The two sides agree to maintain the current momentum of high-level exchanges and give the important role to the mechanisms including Vice Premier level dialogue and the Joint Commission for Bilateral Cooperation in coordinating bilateral cooperation in various fields. 6. The two sides are pleased to witness the increasing infrastructure connectivity development cooperation in recent years reflected by the ongoing construction of Jakarta-Bandung High Speed Railway Project and the discussion on the planned joint development of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Corridor within the Belt and Road Initiative cooperation and the Global Maritime Fulcrum framework. Both sides are determined to step up efforts to push forward the success of said projects. 7. Both sides agree to press ahead with cooperation in key areas of trade, infrastructure, production capacity, investment, industry, and financing, as well as in emerging areas like e-commerce and internet economy. China agrees to encourage its enterprises to increase import of palm oil and other Indonesian products in accordance with market rules. China welcomes Indonesia to participate in the First China International Import Expo to be held in Shanghai this November. The two sides agree to promote bilateral trade and investment settlements denominated in local currencies, to further facilitate economic and trade cooperation. 8. With a view to jointly promoting the security of the two countries and the region as a whole, both sides agreed to advance cooperation in such areas including defense, law enforcement, anti-narcotics, anti-terrorism, anti-corruption, mutual legal assistance, extradition and cyber security, etc. Both sides agree to finalize the Agreement on Cooperation in Preventing, Combating Transnational Crime and Capacity Building. 9. The two sides agree to give further role to the joint committees on, including but not limited to, maritime cooperation, aerospace, as well science and technology, in delivering more cooperation fruits in relevant strategic areas. 10. The two sides agree to hold the 6th China-Indonesia Energy Forum within this year, and enhance cooperation in the areas of electricity, oil and gas, coal as well as new and renewable energy. Both sides agree to push forward the finalization of the Agreement for Cooperation in Research and Development of Peaceful Use of Nuclear Energy at an early date. 11. The two sides agree to renew the MoU on Agricultural Cooperation and reactivate the Joint Committee on Agriculture at an early date with a view to enhancing mutually beneficial practical cooperation. 12. The two sides agree to strengthen exchanges and cooperation in areas of education, culture, tourism, media, sports, religion and youth, as well as among local authorities and cultural heritage sites. The two sides will give full play to the initiatives of all walks of the society and local governments for making new highlights in people-to-people and cultural cooperation. The Chinese side expresses willingness to support and participate in the 18th Asian Games to be held in Indonesia in 2018, as well as share its experience in hosting such events with Indonesia. 13. The two sides welcome the 15th Anniversary of China-ASEAN Strategic Partnership and the designation of 2018 as China-ASEAN Year of Innovation. The two sides recall China and ASEAN's commitment to welcome and engage in the formulation of China-ASEAN Strategic Partnership Vision 2030 which will be adopted at the 21st China-ASEAN Summit this year. Indonesia also notes China's announcement on China-ASEAN "3+X Cooperation Framework" to advance China-ASEAN cooperation. 14. The two sides will work intensively for the early conclusion of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP). The two sides also encourage people-to-people exchanges and cooperation between ASEAN and China for a better future. The Indonesian side welcomes China's proposal on enhancing cooperation with Brunei Darussalam-Indonesia-Malaysia-Philippines East ASEAN Growth Area (BIMP-EAGA), which will inject new impetus to ASEAN Community Building and China-ASEAN cooperation. 15. The two sides stress that peace and stability in the region including the South China Sea serve the shared interests of the two countries, and fulfill their commitments to the full and effective implementation of the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea (DOC). The two sides support the positive progress made in the consultation of Code of Conduct (COC), and agree to make joint efforts with other ASEAN member states towards the conclusion of the COC on the basis of consensus at an early date. 16. The two sides reaffirm commitments to maintaining strategic communication and coordination on regional and international hotspot issues, and jointly addressing regional and global challenges. The two sides will jointly promote trade and investment liberalization and facilitation, support the multilateral trading system and promote an open, inclusive and balanced economic globalization that benefits all. 17. Both sides will safeguard the common interests of developing countries, and promote cooperation in addressing global problems facing the world where states shall refrain from the threat or use of force, and manage differences through friendly consultations in accordance with international law including the purposes and principles of the Charter of the United Nations, with a view to maintaining peace and advancing development of Asia and the world. 18. The two sides welcome the signing of various agreements and memoranda of understanding (MOU) during the visit, as listed in the Annex. 19. The two sides agree that the successful visit of Premier Li Keqiang will significantly contribute to the deepening of China-Indonesia Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in the new era. Premier Li Keqiang appreciates the warm and friendly hospitality accorded by President Joko Widodo and the Indonesian government and people. ANNEX List of Signed Cooperation Documents Memorandum of Understanding between the National Development and Reform Commission of the People's Republic of China and the Coordinating Ministry of Maritime of the Republic of Indonesia on Promoting Cooperation on the Development of Regional Comprehensive Economic Corridors Memorandum of Understanding Between the National Development and Reform Commission of the People's Republic of China and the Ministry of State Owned Enterprises of the Republic of Indonesia on providing support for the continuous and smooth implementation of the Jakarta-Bandung High-Speed Rail Project The Exchange of Letter on Design Review for the Construction of Jenelata Dam Project between the China International Development Cooperation Agency and the Ministry of Public Works and Housing of the Republic of Indonesia The Exchange of Letter on Design Review for the Construction of Riam Kiwa Dam Project between the China International Development Cooperation Agency and the Ministry of Public Works and Housing of the Republic of Indonesia Memorandum of Understanding between China development Bank and the Investment Coordinating Board of the Republic of Indonesia on Investment Promotion Cooperation Preferential Buyer Credit Loan Agreement on Cisumdawu Toll Road Phase III Project between the Export-Import Bank of China and the Government of the Republic of Indonesia Represented by the Ministry of Finance Implementation Arrangement on Infrastructure Financing Cooperation By and Among the Export-Import Bank of China, the Ministry of Finance of the Republic of Indonesia and the Ministry of National Development Planning of the Republic of Indonesia File photo taken on April 26, 2018 shows Pakistani Interior Minister Ahsan Iqbal speaking during an event in Islamabad, Pakistan. (Xinhua/Ahmad Kamal) ISLAMABAD, May 7 (Xinhua) -- The government of Pakistan's eastern Punjab province formed an investigation team Monday to probe Sunday's assassination attempt at Interior Minister Ahsan Iqbal, an official statement said. According to the announcement, a five-member joint investigation team (JIT), comprising members from the police department as well as intelligence agencies, will conduct an investigation into the attack. The minister was shot and injured by a single bullet on Sunday evening during a rally in his hometown Narowal, a district in Punjab. Iqbal was rushed to a nearby hospital and later airlifted to a hospital in the provincial capital Lahore where he underwent two surgeries. Doctors told media that the bullet fractured two bones of Iqbal's right arm before entering into the groin area. According to a local official, a local resident opened fire at the minister soon after he concluded his speech during the rally. The gunman, Abid Hussain, 22, merely managed to fire one shot from his pistol from a distance of 10 to 12 meters before he was detained by the police. The suspect reportedly confessed to the crime, saying he had bought the weapon used in the incident from a local person. A pistol with nine bullets was recovered from the arrested suspect and a case was registered under charges of attempted murder, terrorism and illegal weapon possession. Hussain was produced before the anti-terrorism court on Monday where his 10-day physical remand was approved. Moreover, police also claimed to have arrested two aides of the suspect who were involved in facilitating the attacker. The gunmen told police that he attempted to assassinate the minister because he was among the ruling party's members who changed a religious law last year. Source: Xinhua| 2018-05-08 12:07:21|Editor: Chengcheng Video Player Close BOGOR, Indonesia, May 8 (Xinhua) -- Visiting Chinese Premier Li Keqiang met with Indonesian President Joko Widodo here on Monday, with both sides expressing willingness to join hands to promote bilateral ties and upgrade cooperation between China and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). China and Indonesia are important neighbors and natural cooperative partners with common interests. The two heads of state have held several successful meetings and promoted the political mutual trust and pragmatic cooperation to a new level, Li said. Both as major developing countries and important states in the region, China and Indonesia working hand in hand to seek common development is of strategic importance for not only the two countries and two peoples, but also for the region and the whole world, Li added. He suggested Beijing and Jakarta to take concrete measures to strengthen bilateral relations and dovetail the two countries' development strategies. First, China and Indonesia should build up the three pillars of all-field cooperation at bilateral, regional and global levels within the framework of bilateral comprehensive strategic partnership, in order to better support the development of bilateral ties, Li said. Second, the two sides should deepen the synergy of China's Belt and Road Initiative and Indonesia's "Global Maritime Fulcrum" vision, enhance industrial capacity cooperation, push forward the two landmark projects of Jakarta-Bandung high-speed railway and Indonesia's regional comprehensive economic corridors, so that the two peoples can enjoy the social and economic benefits at an early date, and the two countries can realize mutual benefits and win-win, Li noted. Third, China and Indonesia should deepen cooperation on trade and investment. Li suggested Indonesia to export competitive products of good quality like palm oil, tropical fruits and coffee to China, and strengthen cooperation with China on fishery processing. China encourages its enterprises to increase investment in Indonesia and hopes the Indonesian side could offer more policy support and convenience, Li added. Fourth, both countries should further cement public support for the bilateral relations. People-to-people exchanges, interconnection and intercommunication should be intensified, while academic and youth exchanges, as well as cultural exchanges and mutual learning, should be promoted, Li said. As this year marks the 15th anniversary of the establishment of China-ASEAN strategic partnership, China is willing to work with the Indonesian side to jointly promote the cooperation between China and the ASEAN to a higher level, the Chinese premier noted. Cooperation should be enhanced with the East ASEAN Growth Area, which consists of four maritime ASEAN countries of Indonesia, Brunei, Malaysia and the Philippines. China looks forward to creating a new "4+1" model of sub-regional cooperation with the four East ASEAN Growth Area countries, Li said. It is also necessary to speed up negotiations on the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) and the building of an East Asia economic community, Li added. For his part, Widodo welcomed Li's visit to Indonesia, the first stop on the Chinese premier's first overseas trip since the new cabinet took office in March. China is Indonesia's strategic partner, with bilateral cooperation in all fields such as economy, trade, investment and cultural exchanges deepening and realizing mutual benefits and win-win, he said. The cooperation between Indonesia and China, which is based on respect to international laws, not only caters to the interests of the two countries, but also bears great significance to the world's peace and development, Widodo noted. He thanked China's support on the construction of Indonesia's regional comprehensive economic corridors. Indonesia is willing to speed up the Jakarta-Bandung high-speed railway project to ensure the construction across the whole line to start at an early date, he added. China has a huge market potential, Widodo said, expressing Indonesia's gratitude for China enlarging its imports of Indonesian agricultural products such as palm oil, tropical fruits and coffee. Indonesia is willing to strengthen cooperation with China under the framework of ASEAN-China, and enhance communication and coordination between the two countries on international and regional issues, he added. The two sides also exchanged views on international and regional issues of mutual concern, and witnessed the signing of cooperation documents after the talks. The Chinese premier is on an official visit to Indonesia from Sunday to Tuesday. His visit comes as this year marks the 5th anniversary of the establishment of the China-Indonesia comprehensive strategic partnership. Source: Xinhua| 2018-05-08 12:57:31|Editor: Xiang Bo Video Player Close TRIPOLI, May 8 (Xinhua) -- Five Libyan soldiers were killed and several more injured Monday in a fight against extremist groups in the eastern city of Darna, a military source said. "The army troops made great progress and took control of Al-Fata'eh area, before retreating for fear of landmines planted in byways," the source told Xinhua later on Monday. "The casualties of the terrorists cannot be counted, but they did suffer great loss after our forces laid heavy fire on their sites," the source added. On Thursday, four army soldiers were killed and six others injured during clashes with extremists in Darna, with terrorists suffering great casualties, according to a military source. Since 2015, the Libyan army has besieged Darna, demanding that the Shura Council of the Mujahideen in Darna, a coalition of Islamist militias seeking to implement Sharia law in the city, leave. The army accuses the armed group of being loyal to al-Qaida. GHAZNI, Afghanistan, May 8 (Xinhua) -- At least 11 Taliban militants have been killed after an improvised explosive device (IED) they were making detonated accidently in Afghan province of Ghazni, a provincial government spokesman said Tuesday. "The incident occurred in Guzara-e-Gilan village of Andar district on Monday afternoon. And those among the killed were several Taliban bomb-making experts," spokesman Harif Noori told Xinhua. Taliban militants and Islamic State fighters have been using IEDs to make roadside bombs and landmines for targeting security forces, but the lethal home-made weapons also inflict casualties on civilians. On Monday, five police personnel were injured in an IED attack in Maywand district of southern Kandahar province, district police chief Bashir Ahmad told Xinhua earlier Tuesday. The militant group has yet to make comment on the report. Source: Xinhua| 2018-05-08 14:02:42|Editor: ZD Video Player Close TIANJIN, May 8 (Xinhua) -- A skills competition between students from China's vocational schools is being held in Tianjin Municipality as part of the country's effort to equip itself with more skilled workers. The competition which started Monday is an annual event initiated by the Ministry of Education. It is in its 11th year. This year's event focuses on areas such as smart manufacturing, high-end equipment, information technology and new energy. Lyu Jingquan, deputy head of Tianjin Municipal Education Commission, said the contests were all designed according to actual demands in terms of technological advancement and industrial revolution. "The competition is expected to help vocational schools improve their curriculum and educational system," he said. The competition has attracted the participation of over 15,000 students, compared to 2,000 students 11 years ago. Pushing ahead with economic restructuring and industrial upgrading, China is in an urgent need of more skilled workers. Currently about 10 million students graduate from vocational schools in China every year. During the past 10 years, the employment rate for the graduates from vocational schools have stayed at over 90 percent, according to the Ministry of Education. SEOUL, May 8 (Xinhua) -- A positive image of Kim Jong Un, top leader of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), spread among South Korean college students after the third inter-Korean summit, a poll showed Tuesday. According to the Kookmin University survey, 48.3 percent of respondents had a positive image towards Kim. It was more than 10-fold of the 4.7-percent rate tallied before the inter-Korean summit last month. The result was based on a poll of 106 Kookmin University freshmen aged between 19 and 21 before the summit and 89 freshmen after the summit. It had 9.8 percentage points in margin of error. The surge in positive image towards Kim came after the DPRK leader held the third inter-Korean summit with South Korean President Moon Jae-in on April 27 in the border village of Panmunjom. The summit was broadcast live to the entire world as well as to South Korean people. After the summit, the students described Kim as being frank, broad-minded, humorous, cute and fresh. Kim and Moon agreed to complete denuclearization and the turn of the current armistice agreement into a peace treaty. The Korean Peninsula remains technically at war as the 1950-1953 Korean War ended with armistice. Meanwhile, negative image towards Kim tumbled from 87.7 percent to 25.8 percent following the summit. ABSTRACT Background: Since introducing stereotactic core biopsy (SCB) on breast lesions in Denmark, no national follow-up of the procedure has been executed. Purpose: To evaluate performance of SCB in Danish mammography screening. 3 areas were selected for evaluation: diagnostic value of SCB, performance of the Danish 7-tier mamma-radiological classifications system, DKBI-RADS, and diagnostic delay for SCB-diagnosis. Materials & Methods: Danish retrospective national cohort study including 2195 screening patients undergoing SCB. Study period: 01.01.2010 to 30.09.2012. Patients were identified from The Danish National Patient Register. Pathology-data were obtained from the Danish Pathology Database. Radiological-data according to DKBI-RADS were recorded. Diagnostic delay from clinical mammography until diagnosis was registered. Results: 173 SCBs indicated cancer; all operated with 3 cases finalized as benign. 1296 cases were determined benign with diagnostic surgery in 81 cases of which 31 were concluded pre-malignant/malignant. Correlation between DKBI-RADS and pathology diagnosis: 329 of 485 DKBI-RADS3, 227 of 450 DKBI-RADS4 were benign. 4 of 16 DKBI-RADS5 were benign. The diagnostic value of pre-malignant/malignant SCB related to results from surgery showed 94.4% sensitivity and a positive predictive value of 93.9%. Median diagnostic-time of single-biopsy was 13 days. Conclusion: The performance of SCB in Denmark is comparable to international studies regarding the diagnostic value of malignant SCB. The study indicates that DKBI-RADS classifications are not used consistently regarding micro-calcifications selected in screening-mammographies. Diagnostic delay is acceptable, subject to EUSOMA specifications, regarding single-biopsy. Keywords: Stereotactic Core Biopsy, Breast Cancer, Micro Calcification, 7-Tier Classification, Screening Mammography, Diagnostic Delay 1. Introduction Breast cancer is the most common cancer among women in Denmark with about 4800 new cases every year and with an incidence rate increasing steadily for years [1] [2] . The increase in breast cancer awareness and national use of screening mammography has led to early detection of pre-malignant and early stage non-palpable breast cancer. In Denmark, women between ages 50 - 69 are invited to a screening mammography bi-annually, resulting in approx. 500,000 screening mammographies annually [3] . Of these 2.6% are invited to additional mammography and ultrasound (US) [3] . Approximately 65% invited for further examination do not have cancer or pre-malignancy [3] . Most of the women will be definitively, diagnostically clarified with US-guided core biopsies. Some lesions detected on screening mammography cannot be verified by US examination, typically micro-calcifications. Thus to determine these, a core biopsy for pathological examination is required. The sampling technology stereotactic core biopsy (SCB) provides a method to verify the diagnosis [4] [5] . 2. Materials and Method 2.1. Population A cohort from the Danish National Patient Register1 was defined by identifying all women registered with the procedure codeKTHA10A of SCB within 90 days after a screening mammography (UXRC45) between 1st January 2010 and 1st October 2012. Figure 1 shows a flow chart of the study population.2195 women were selected for SCB. However, the procedure-code for SCB was registered but SCB not carried out in 46 cases. Registrations do not indicate whether procedure was merely cancelled due to for example no show. Altogether, 2288 SCB were performed on 2149 women. Bilateral SCBs were performed on 58 women and re-SCBs on 51 women. Figure 1. Flow chart showing the study population. The study group was divided into two sub-cohort groups: Group A, single SCBs group, which includes women (2103) undergoing clinical mammography, SCB and in some cases operation in order to diagnose or treat pre-malignant or malignant lesions. The group also includes women (10) with more than one screening during the study period. Four women were excluded because of missing pathology information. In total, 2175 single SCBs performed on 2099 women were included in the single SCB sub-cohort. Group B, includes women (51) undergoing re-SCBs defined as SCBs performed within 90 days from the first SCB. 109 SCBs were performed of which 54 were re-SCBs. Note that in the flow-chart we reference cases, since one woman was included in both groups because of bilateral SCB; one case was closed after re-SCB; and one case proceeded to operation. In total 21 cases were finalized after re-SCB and 31 cases underwent an operation after an additional SCB. Finally, five women with more than one screening in the study period and re-SCBs were included. One woman underwent a second re-biopsy. The initial and additional SCB was performed on both breasts. The woman was counted in both sub-groups. The analyses concerning the correlation between DKBI-RADS and final pathology result (single-SCB, re-SCB or surgery) include single-SCB as well as re-SCB. 2.2. Mammography and Radiological Classification The European and in particular the northern European countries, including the UK, but also Australia and New Zealand, use a 5-tier classification system. These are typically either modified, versions of the American BI-RADS classifications, or a 5-tier classification developed by The Royal College of Radiologists Breast Group, or a Tabar 5-tier classification [6] [7] [8] . The Danish classification system (DKBI-RADS), as recommended by DBCG [1] , is a modified classification, based on a combination of versions of the American BI-RADS and possibly the Tabar classification. To clarify the difference both the current American BI-RADS and DKBI-RADS classifications are illustrated below (Figure 2 and Figure 3). All Danish mammography centres provided pathology reports. All except the largest centre made clinical mammographies, in total 1181, available for the study. These were reviewed and mammography descriptions with missing classifications were classified subject to the following methodology: If the mammography was described with suspicious or malignant characteristics, the lesions were considered suspicious or malignant. Such mammographic findings were classified as DK-B4 if suspicious and DK-B5 if malignant. Similarly, a large part of mammographies with most likely benign morphological characteristics, lesions with non-specific morphology or with no further morphological description were considered DK-B3. Patients in Denmark are referred to the radiology breast-unit for a clinical mammography. This includes supplementary mammography combined with a clinical examination, ultrasound-scan of breast and axilla and if relevant, biopsies. Additional MRI of the breasts is available if necessary. Triple diagnostics form the basis for Danish breast-diagnostics, and comprise palpation, diagnostic imaging, and fine needle or core needle biopsy. Lesions, which are non-detectable by clinical-mammography, predominantly micro-calcifications and a minute group of small lesions without calcification, cannot be appropriately diagnosed with triple diagnostics and are referred to SCB. We know that about 30% of screening [9] selected micro-calcifications are pre-malignant or malignant and should according to DKBI-RADS, be classified as DK-B4. However, the classification DK-B3 is frequently used to allow for Figure 2. The Danish modified BI-RADS and the American BI-RADS. biopsies without forcing surgery before deemed absolutely necessary. A DK-B3 diagnosis indicates that the breast radiologist retains responsibility for completing diagnosis through biopsies until a malignancy suspicion is verified as malignant or benign. If classified as DK-B4, then said responsibility for verifying diagnosis is commonly transferred to the surgeon and diagnostic surgery in the Danish diagnostic system. For ease of reference, the process is shown below. 2.3. Stereotactic Core Biopsy and Equipment in Denmark SCB makes use of the underlying principle of parallax in order to determine the depth or Z-dimension of the target lesion and thereby measure the targeted lesion tri-dimensionally [10] [11] . SCB is carried out in several mammography centres in Denmark. As shown in Table 1, there is some level of centralization of the stereotactic procedure. Table 1 shows that the various centres use a variety of stereotactic equipment both vertical (add-on) and horizontal. Also, SCB systems in use vary, with pros and cons for each of these systems [12] . Further analysis of this aspect is, however, outside the scope of this article. 2.4. Pathological Classification We collected information of pathological diagnosis from SCBs and surgical excisions from the Danish national register of pathology, Patobank. Dates of SCB, surgery and verified diagnosis were registered. The pathological findings were classified as benign, pre-malignant or malignant according to the Danish national guidelines [1] . If micro-calcifications were the reason for SCB but SCB did not identify these, the SCB was considered non-representative. Benign lesions include a variety of benign morphologies. Atypical lesion is a heterogeneous group of histological findings. The most frequent diagnosis was radial scar and intraductal papilloma (IP) but also included Flat Epithelia Atypia (FEA) and Atypical Ductal Hyperplasia (ADH). Lobular carcinoma in situ (LCIS) was classified separately. Complete excision of the two first mentioned diagnoses is recommended. We classified all IP as pre-malignant lesions since they, according to the guidelines, should be removed, while no specific recommendations exist regarding FEA and ADH. These lesions may co-exist with malignancies or pre-malignancies. LCIS was registered as a pre-malignant lesion since LCIS is associated with increased lifetime risk of subsequent malignancy [13] [14] . Table 1. Overview of stereotactic equipment in screening centres in Denmark, 2010-2012. Pre-malignant lesions comprise Ductal Carcinoma in Situ (DCIS) and Pleomorphic Lobular Carcinoma in Situ PLCIS, or findings suspicious of malignancy but not conclusive in the SCB material. The majority of malignant lesions comprise Invasive Ductal Carcinoma (IDC) and Invasive Lobular Carcinoma (ILC). 3. Statistical Analysis Descriptive statistics and comparative analyses were used. Categorical variables were summarized by frequencies and percentages, continuous variables by mean, standard deviation, minimum, maximum, and the quartile set. The data sources were linked by pseudo-anonymized patient id and breast location (left/right). Re-SCBs were defined as SCBs in the same breast within 90 days. For time to final diagnostic clarification, we considered the time from mammography to SCB or operation. Pre-malignant and malignant SCBs were considered final since subsequent surgery per definition has a curative intention. All statistical programming and analyses were performed using STATA 14.0 (Stata Corp. College Station, TX, USA). 4. Results 4.1. Pathological Result for Group a Single SCB (Table 2) A comparison of SCB pathological findings and subsequent surgical excision if performed is shown in Table 3. In total 899 (41%) of 2175 single SCBs were referred to surgery. 81 (6%) benign SCB were operated for further diagnosis and of these 38% were found to be malignant. 26 (45%) with non-representative SCBs also underwent diagnostic surgery without obtaining a diagnosis from a re-SCB. 619 of the 647 premalignant lesions (96%) were operated according to guidelines. All 173 malignant lesions were operated. In three cases (2%) no malignancy was found. Table 2. Pathological results of single SCBs. Table 3. Final pathological results of operation performed on 899/2175 single SCBs (%). 4.2. The Diagnostic Value of a Pre-Malignant or Malignant Group A SCB The diagnostic value of pre-malignant/malignant SCB in relation to the end result from surgery shows 94.4 % sensitivity and a positive predictive value of 93.9% (Table 4). 4.3. Pre-Malignancies of Group A Single SCB Specifications of pre-malignancies are illustrated in Table 5. In 13/619(2%) SCBs the diagnosis was not specific as to whether it was DCIS, LCIS or atypical lesions. All underwent diagnostic operation. The majority of pre-malignancies were identified as DCIS in 567 (91%) SCBs. Isolated LCIS was found in 15 (2%) SCBs. Pre-malignant atypia was identified in 52 (8%) SCBs and operation was performed in 43 (83%) cases. 4.4. Pathological Result of Re-SCBs (Group B) Re-SCBs performed on 51 women. Two women were included in more than one screening and there were bilateral re-SCBs. In total, 54 SCBs were performed on 51 women. Table 4. Diagnostic value of a malignant or pre-malignant SCB. Table 5. Pre-malignant finding of single SCB that was operated (%). 31 of the re-SCB cases proceeded to surgery. 22 of 31 benign re-SCBs were accepted as benign after re-SCB. 9 benign re-SCBs were still not accepted as benign and proceeded to operation. 22 re-SCBs were diagnosed as either premalignant (18) or malignant (4) and were operated according to guidelines. 4.5. Comparison between DK BI-RADS Classification and the Final Pathological Diagnosis Table 6 is an overview of the lesions assigned to the DKBI-RADS categories (DK-B3, DK-B4 and DK-B5) and the distribution of the final pathology-result of the lesion, irrespective of whether the final result was reached after single-SCB, re-SCB or surgery according to each DKBI-RADS category. Earlier we described 969 mammographies with DKBI-RADS classification; four women were excluded because of missing pathology, five women were included in both sub-cohort groups of which two women underwent re-SCB, bilaterally. In total, the analyses included 951 cases where classification was possible. 5. Diagnostic Delay To examine potential delays, we evaluated the process from clinical mammography to definitive diagnosis by either SCB or surgical excision. Throughout the study we have divided the population into two subgroups: the sub-cohort groups A: single SCB and B: re-SCB respectively. There was inconsistency between the number of mammographies and pathology evaluations due to lack of mammography descriptions, lack of DKBI-RADS classification and in a few cases lack of pathology diagnosis. Half the 805 women undergoing single SCB were diagnosed within 13 days. The group of re-SCBs included 21 cases, and half of the patients were diagnosed within 38 days (Table 7 and Table 8). 75% of the women undergoing single SCB were diagnosed within 27 days but it took about twice as long (52 days) to diagnose the sub-cohort group of re-SCB. The meantime of the single SCB and the re-SCB sub-groups was 18 and 40 days, respectively. Table 6. Final pathological results (%). Table 7. Time spent on diagnosis process of single SCB. Table 8. Time spent on diagnosis process of re-SCB. 6. Discussion A strength of this study is that it is based on a large homogeneous cohort from the Danish screening mammography population. Denmark has very complete national registers, allowing us to avoid selection bias and, furthermore, everyone has a civil registration number providing access to information for each patient. Collection of data was carried out by one person to ensure a uniform database. Finally, it is a large national study, which includes all centres in Denmark in terms of pathology reports. The study has limitations, too. Unfortunately, the clinical mammographyreports are missing from one centre, reducing statistical power as regards DKBI-RADS classifications. Approximately 1/3 of the mammography reports did not include DKBI-RADS classifications and were classified based on descriptions. The centres use different equipment. The volume of SCB specimens may be associated with failure to obtain correct histological diagnosis [12] . It is anticipated that types of equipment may influence the performance of SCB. Whilst the focus of this study is on the performance of SCB as part of the Danish screening mammography, and not on a qualitative examination of SCB equipment, another study into this subject is suggested. In our study, up to 32% of DK-B3 was diagnosed with malignancy or pre-malignancy. It is expected that the frequency of malignant lesions for each DKBI-RADS category will not correspond well the current American BI-RADS due to the modified DKBI-RADS. The yield of cancer for American BI-RADS3 is 2% or fewer; 23% - 25% among BI-RADS4 and previously published cancer outcomes of BI-RADS5 was 81% - 100% [4] [15] [16] . In addition, it should be mentioned that the recommended cancer risk of 2% or fewer for American BI-RADS3 are based on follow-up mammographies and not on a biopsy approach [17] . Other studies have reported variation in malignancy rates. Literature suggests a ratio of malignancy among American BI-RADS3 lesions on SCB between 4% - 18% [18] [19] . One study found, as we did, that half of the American BI-RADS4 lesions were benign [20] . It is important to note that the reason behind diagnostic problems is that screening-detected micro-calcifications often are very discrete and in an early stage. As there is no morphologically clear indication of these, they are difficult to classify. In respect of the performance of SCB, our study shows concordance of 93.9% of suspicious SCBs in comparison to final diagnosis, which is comparable to the 80% - 96% shown in earlier international studies [9] , where the results are based on the use of a variety of biopsy equipment as in our study. We found that 6% of cases with benign SCBs were referred to diagnostic surgery. The reason for referring to surgery and re-SCB may be that there is no consensus in Denmark regarding the strategy for sub-pathological core SCB diagnoses such as FEA, ADH and sub-categories of LCIS. Another reason could be discrepancy between DKBI-RADS classifications and the SCB findings. 2% of pre-malignant SCBs were not classified as LCIS, DCIS or atypia, which makes re-SCB or surgery inevitable. In terms of re-SCBs, we found 8 pre-malignant/malignant cases out of 54 cases undergoing re-SCB. A reason could be that these re-SCBs may have been carried out in order to determine the size of the lesion or multi-focality with a view to planning of surgery. 52% of non-representative cases were operated for a diagnosis. X-ray of the SCB specimen as part of the SCB procedure serves to confirm that a representative amount of micro-calcification from the index lesion is included in the specimen. Calcification potentially lost in the course of trimming the paraffin block when preparing H & E sections should not be a cause of discrepancy [21] . However, in Denmark a benign histology report is not accepted without representative micro-calcifications. 2% of malignant SCB cases were diagnosed benign after surgery. This may be due to the initial malignant lesion being small and the whole cluster of malignant micro-calcification removed by SCB. Other reasons may be pathologist misinterprets initial SCBs as malignant or surgeon fails to remove correct lesion. What could appear as a misclassification may indeed be caused by one or more of above issues. Hence, the above indicates a potential cause of discrepancy, when operation specimens with x-ray-confirmed calcifications are sent for examination, and the final pathology report, despite thorough examination, is unable to confirm. Finally, the study intended to clarify whether SCB causes a general diagnostic delay. A diagnostic interval is not only delayed by additional SCB but also prolonged by diagnostic surgical excision in some cases needed to complete diagnosis. All diagnostic tests for breast cancer have known rates of misinterpretation [22] , which may cause delay in the diagnostic process. Misjudgement of pathology findings has been reported in 0.7% - 4% of breast cancers [23] [24] . Again, this can result in unnecessary assessment including re-SCB or even (diagnostic) operation causing delays. Generally, delay in any cancer diagnosis is common, and it is accepted that total delay should be as short as possible [25] . European Society of Mastology (EUSOMA) recommends [22] that at least 70% of patients with non-palpable breast cancer should be diagnosed preoperatively. According to EUSOMA, time recommendation from diagnosis to final operation is 20 working days, ideally less [22] . We decided only to calculate the delays from mammography to final pathological diagnosis. This could either be after first SCB, re-SCB or diagnostic operation. We found, that the median diagnosis time for women with a straightforward clinical examination is acceptable: 75% of women were finalized within 27 calendar days, meeting the recommendation. The expectation is that women undergoing re-SCB would have a delayed diagnostic process, which the study also shows; only 25% of these women were diagnosed in time (within 28 days). 7. Conclusions This study demonstrates results comparable with other studies as regards malignant SCBs and the final pathology report after surgery [9] . A positive predictive value of 93.9% on pre-malignant/malignant SCB is a satisfying result, although further study of the falsely negative SCBs would be recommendable in order to obtain a complete test analysis for SCB in Denmark. The number of patients with malignant finds from SCB (38%) and the 41%, who proceed to surgery from single SCB, appears high and is perhaps also an area for further study in order to determine whether too few SCBs are carried out. Furthermore, it is indicated through this study, that the number of benign SCBs, which have still proceeded to diagnostic surgery, is high and the subsequent number of malignancies found is greater than shown in other studies [9] . This could indicate that there is a need for further centralisation of centres performing SCB in Denmark as well as a study into improving performance regarding the issues identified above. The DKBI-RADS classification of micro-calcifications is not comparable with other studies. We know from other studies, that approximately 25% - 30% of patients selected for SCB have malignant finds and that it is difficult to classify the finds on the basis of mammographies. This is probably the reason why mamma-radiologists in Denmark in general do not want to classify micro-calcification lesions prior to SCB. In part, this may be attributable to the classification being too uncertain as also indicated by many studies. The study indicates that a robust management system is in place in Denmark based on Pathway for Diagnostic Strategies. However, since the DKBI-RADS classification is in reality not a BI-RADS system but a modification hereof and includes elements of other 5-tier classification systems, there are indications in the study to suggest that the Danish BI-RADS reference can lead to confusion. It may therefore be appropriate to change the classification recommendations in Denmark and ensure that the classification system is given a more appropriate name. Overall, this study found the diagnostic delay to be within the recommendation from EUSOMA for single SCBs. Re-SCBs have a diagnostic delay, which is more than recommended. Acknowledgements The completion of this study was supported by the assistance of co-workers and staff members and their contributions are sincerely appreciated and gratefully acknowledged. Funding The Region of Southern Denmark has financed postdoctoral research for Marianne Lautrup. Department of Breast Surgery, Lillebaelt Hospital, Vejle has financed the extraction of data from national registers, and the Research Council Lillebaelt Hospital has financed statistical and database set-up assistance. Conflict of Interest and Ethics The authors declare that there is no conflict of interest. The study has been approved by the Danish Data Protection Agency and the Danish Health and Medicines Authority, Inspection and Patient Security. Cite this paper Redsted, S., Nguyen, Q.T.H., Christensen, R.D., Myrtue, G., Di Caterino, T. and Lautrup, M.D. (2018) Stereotactic Core Biopsy Following Screening Mammography: A Danish Retrospective National Cohort Study. International Journal of Clinical Medicine, 9, 341-355. https://doi.org/10.4236/ijcm.2018.95030 References 1. Danish Breast Cancer Cooperative Group. DBCG.dk. http://www.dbcg.dk/ 2. Cancer. Cancer.dk. http://www.cancer.dk/ 3. 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NOTES 1Denmark has several high-quality national registers including the Danish Civil Registration System (CPR Register). Every person is registered with a national, social security number (CPR number) indicating time of birth and gender. Death, emigration, residence and several other data is also registered under the CPR registration. In the Danish public health system, all patients treated in a hospital are registered in The National Patient Register (NPR) with their CPR number, a code of diagnosis and a code of treatment supplied as well as a code of the hospital and the department treating the patient. The pathologists register the histological information about all biopsies and specimens in The National Pathology Data Bank (Patobank). Source: Xinhua| 2018-05-08 15:22:55|Editor: Li Xia Video Player Close HAVANA, May 7 (Xinhua) -- Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel on Monday met with UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres, who arrived on an official visit to participate in the 37th session of the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC). On his arrival in the capital, Guterres was welcomed by Diaz-Canel with military honors at the Palace of Revolution, the seat of the government. According to an official release, the two leaders later held talks in private, exchanging opinions on international peace and security issues, the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, and climate change. They also talked about the economic and social reform process started by former President Raul Castro in 2010. Earlier, Guterres paid tribute to the island's national hero, Jose Marti, laying a flower wreath at Havana's Revolution Square. He also toured Old Havana, designated a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1982, where he commended the restoration work in the oldest part of the capital. Guterres praised the conservation work which has been carried out despite the island's economic difficulties and the protracted economic blockade imposed by the United States. "This is a true donation from the Cuban people to the whole world and as secretary-general of the United Nations, I want to pay tribute and thank (for) this absolutely magnificent work," he said. Guterres will deliver a keynote speech at the opening of the 37th ECLAC session Tuesday. TOKYO, May 8 (Xinhua) -- Tokyo stocks closed higher Tuesday on overnight advances on Wall Street and companies here reporting solid earnings, but the market's upside was capped by caution ahead of U.S. President Donald Trump's decision on the Iran nuclear deal. The 225-issue Nikkei Stock Average added 41.53 points, or 0.18 percent, from Monday to close the day at 22,508.69. The broader Topix index of all First Section issues on the Tokyo Stock Exchange, meanwhile, gained 6.64 points, or 0.37 percent, to finish at 1,779.82. Fishery, agriculture and forestry, electric power and gas, and pharmaceutical-oriented issues comprised those that gained the most by the close of play. Photo taken on April 24, 2018 shows a submerged vehicle in Nairobi, capital of Kenya. (Xinhua/Fred Mutune) NAIROBI, May 8 (Xinhua) -- Kenya could be staring at a health crisis as raging floods that have wreaked havoc in many parts of the country threaten to unleash a wave of communicable diseases like cholera, typhoid, malaria and flus. The Ministry of Health and relief agencies have sounded alarm over possible disease outbreaks in low lying parts of the country and major cities grappling with the extreme weather event. So far, the Ministry of Health has directed county governments to allocate funds toward mitigating the outbreak of water-borne diseases in the light of flooding occasioned by heavy downpour. The Kenya Red Cross in its latest briefing revealed that 112 Kenyans had died as a result of floods since mid-March when the long rains began. Abbas Gullet, the Secretary General at Kenya Red Cross, said at a media briefing on Friday that an estimated 260,000 people displaced by floods were staring at risk of vector borne diseases in the absence of urgent interventions. "We are monitoring the situation in the camps for people displaced by floods to ward off disease outbreaks. Our volunteers have been providing purification gadgets in flooded regions to keep water-borne diseases at bay," said Gullet. The Kenya Red Cross has already made a 5 million U.S. dollar appeal from local and foreign well-wishers to strengthen provision of emergency assistance to 150,000 flood victims in the western, northeastern and coastal regions. Gullet said the bulk of the money will be earmarked for supply of food, clean drinking water and medical kit to families marooned by floods in low lying Kenyan plains. "Our immediate areas of intervention include supply of water treatment chemicals to prevent a cholera outbreak in flooded regions," said Gullet, adding that flood victims will also be supplied with mosquito nets to minimize the risk of contracting malaria. Kenya and its neighbors in the greater eastern African region such as Rwanda and Somalia have been experiencing above normal rainfall accompanied by flash floods. The three countries have attracted international media spotlight as heavy flooding continue to terminate lives while destroying transport, power and communications infrastructure as well as hospitals and schools. This phenomenon that is linked to climate change has in particular cast a dark shadow on Kenya's quest to achieve food security after a prolonged drought season. Nevertheless, both the central government and relief agencies have scaled up emergency interventions in regions affected by flooding to prevent a humanitarian crisis. Eugene Wamalwa, Cabinet Secretary for Devolution and Planning, has been overseeing efforts to rescue communities marooned by floods and relocate them to safer grounds. During a recent tour of the epicenter of flooding in the coast region, Wamalwa said the government had set aside adequate funds to cater for food, shelter, clean water and medical services to flood victims. "The government has mobilized funds, personnel and equipment to ease suffering of people affected by floods. We are aware that many schools and hospitals have been submerged thus denying essential services to flood victims," Wamalwa said during a visit to the coast region. Counties affected by floods have intensified surveillance to prevent an outbreak of vector-borne diseases that could place enormous strain on public healthcare infrastructure. Local media reports indicate that counties in western Kenya and the coast region have sought additional financial support from the central government and relief agencies to procure essential drugs and promote environmental hygiene in the wake of heavy flooding. Health officers in the coastal city of Mombasa have been educating communities on necessary measures in order to avoid contracting vector borne diseases like malaria and chikungunya. The risk of water-borne diseases also looms large in western Kenyan counties thanks to destruction of sanitation facilities by storm waters. KABUL, May 8 (Xinhua) -- At least 20 armed insurgents had been killed and 15 others injured since military operations were launched in Paktika province, east of Afghanistan on Monday, defense ministry said in a statement on Tuesday. "Afghan army launched operations in Barmal district of Paktika province on Monday and so far 20 insurgents including their seven local commanders have been killed and 15 others injured," the statement said. The defense ministry didn't mention if there were casualties on the army personnel. Taliban militants have intensified attacks in the war-torn country since launching their so-called annual spring offensive on April 25. Members of the China medical team in South Sudan pose for a group photo during a certificate awarding ceremony in Juba, capital of South Sudan, May 4, 2018. (Xinhua/Gale Julius) JUBA, May 8 (Xinhua) -- The South Sudanese government has honored the fifth batch of Chinese doctors for their contributions to the health sector of the east African nation. All 15 members of the China medical team in South Sudan were presented certificates of honor during an occasion last week officiated by senior South Sudanese government officials and Chinese embassy officials. Martin Lumoro, Acting Foreign Minister, said the departing Chinese doctors have contributed greatly to South Sudan's health sector in the past one year, adding that their services will be greatly missed by the people of South Sudan. Lumoro also hailed Beijing's continued political and humanitarian support to the world's youngest nation. "We benefit a lot from China in many fields, but in this particular field of health sector, China is the only country helping us. Others (countries) are running away from South Sudan, but China is coming to help. We cannot forget this kind of assistance to the people of South Sudan," Lumoro said. Health Minister Riek Gai Kok said the medical team improved delivery of medical services across South Sudan amid harsh working conditions such as lack of medical equipment, poor roads and insecurity. He said the Chinese doctors performed several surgeries in at least five towns across South Sudan and that has rescued the people from seeking medical care in foreign countries. "We are very happy for the excellent work that you have done across South Sudan. With this cooperation, we can consolidate the true friendship between the people and governments of South Sudan and China," Kok said. Liu Xiaodong, the Charge d' Affaires at the Chinese Embassy, said that since 2013, China has been sending medical teams to South Sudan and they have defied the harsh working conditions to deliver health services to remote parts of the country. HAVANA, May 7 (Xinhua) -- Cuba on Monday condemned U.S. Vice President Mike Pence's remark describing the governments of Cuba, Venezuela and Nicaragua as a "dark cloud of tyranny" that weighed heavily on their citizens, calling it a continuation of a colonial doctrine. In a statement to local television, Carlos Fernandez de Cossio, director for U.S. affairs at the Cuban Foreign Ministry, criticized Pence's remark during his speech at the Organization of American States (OAS) on the island. "The United States is trying to find excuses to apply old methods which for decades limited our continent's development and placed obstacles to our nations' independence," De Cossio said. He called Pence's remark corresponding to the Monroe Doctrine, the 19-th century U.S. strategy to control the region for Washington's political and economic purposes, which has been revived by U.S. President Donald Trump as the cornerstone of America's ties with Latin America. "He doesn't realize that Latin America has changed, that it is another continent; and as in the past, U.S. policies will fail," the official said. De Cossio said despite Washington's aggression, Cuba will persist in its determination to build an independent, sovereign, socialist, democratic, prosperous and sustainable country. The diplomat also said the OAS, an intercontinental organization for regional cooperation, was known for its "complicity with the most horrendous crimes in this hemisphere". Cuba hasn't been part of the OAS since 1962, when it was excluded due to U.S. demand. Pence's remarks come after a setback in Cuba-U.S. ties following Trump coming to power. Trump's predecessor Barack Obama had reestablished diplomatic relations with Cuba in 2015 and the two countries signed several cooperation agreements and discussed various issues. On Monday, Pence urged OAS member countries to exercise "regional pressure" against Cuba, Venezuela and Nicaragua. Pence also asked the OAS to suspend Venezuela, although Caracas has already asked to leave the multilateral organization. The U.S. vice president also demanded that Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro suspend the presidential election scheduled for May 20 and condemned the alleged "repression" in Nicaragua after anti-government protests there in the last few weeks. Source: Xinhua| 2018-05-08 16:33:09|Editor: Yamei Video Player Close Chinese Premier Li Keqiang (L) and Indonesian President Joko Widodo meet the press after their talks at the presidential palace in Bogor, Indonesia, May 7, 2018. (Xinhua/Wang Ye) JAKARTA, May 8 (Xinhua) -- Premier Li Keqiang on Tuesday concluded his official visit to Indonesia, reinforcing bilateral ties and partnership between China and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and sending a strong message of defending economic globalization and free trade. Ranging from increased imports of Indonesia's products and synergy of development strategies to consensus on South China Sea, Li's visit saw a series of agreements and statements, demonstrating China's willingness to build a close community of shared future with its southeast Asian neighbors and share its development opportunities with all. STRONGER PARTNERSHIP Indonesia was the first stop on Li's first overseas trip since the new cabinet took office in March, highlighting the country's importance in China's diplomacy. Li arrived in Jakarta on Sunday afternoon. His tight schedule on Monday started with laying a wreath at the Kalibata National Heroes Cemetery. Then he headed for Bogor to meet with Indonesian President Joko Widodo. The premier suggested Beijing and Jakarta build up three pillars of all-field cooperation at bilateral, regional and global levels within the framework of comprehensive strategic partnership established in 2013 when President Xi Jinping paid a state visit to Indonesia. Promoting the synergy of the Belt and Road Initiative and Indonesia's "Global Maritime Fulcrum" vision was high on the agenda of Li's visit. The two sides should push forward the landmark projects of Jakarta-Bandung high-speed railway and Indonesia's regional comprehensive economic corridors, so that the two peoples can enjoy the social and economic benefits at an early date, Li told President Widodo. Pledges are backed by concrete measure that Li proposed in various occasions: more cooperation in ports, maritime economy, industrial processing and overseas warehouses; more imports of palm oil, coffee and fruits; more direct flights and the goal of three million mutual visits annually ... For Widodo, the cooperation between Indonesia and China, which is based on respect to international laws, not only caters to the interests of the two countries, but also bears great significance to the world's peace and development. The president's remarks were echoed by Li who addressed the China-Indonesia Business Summit later in the day. "Our partnership, which rests on solid complementarity and is win-win in nature, is well-positioned to be stable, resilient and lasting in the context of a changing international environment," Li said at the summit attended by Indonesia Vice President Jusuf Kalla. In a joint statement between the governments of the two countries, both sides said they were "optimistic about further accomplishments in the two countries' national development and brighter future of China-Indonesia bilateral ties." As major developing countries, China and Indonesia shoulder responsibilities of contributing to global governance and building a new type of international relations, said Xu Liping, a researcher with the National Institute of International Strategy at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences. "Li's visit has boosted bilateral pragmatic cooperation that sets a good example of cooperation in the region and beyond." CHINA-ASEAN COMMUNITY WITH SHARED FUTURE China has always put ASEAN as a priority for its foreign policy with neighboring countries and stood for friendly cooperation with ASEAN. Calling ASEAN a good neighbor, friend and partner of China, Li reassured that China supported the establishment of the ASEAN Community, ASEAN's central position in regional cooperation and the community's greater role in building an open and inclusive regional framework. To build a closer community with shared future with ASEAN, China is willing to be a partner of ASEAN for common development, peace-building, opening-up and win-win cooperation, innovation as well as inclusiveness and mutual learning, Li said when addressing a launching ceremony of the 15th Anniversary of China-ASEAN strategic partnership. He said China would actively implement the "3+X Cooperation Framework" with ASEAN, strengthen the alignment between the Belt and Road Initiative and ASEAN's development strategy, construct the economic development belt along the Lancang-Mekong River Basin and increase cooperation with BIMP-EAGA countries. The BIMP-EAGA includes Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines. The BIMP-EAGA, or the East ASEAN Growth Area, was launched in 1994 by the four countries to accelerate and balance their economic development. China is willing to work with the ASEAN countries to maintain positive developments in the South China Sea, resolve differences through friendly consultations, steadily advance the negotiation on the Code of Conduct (COC) in the South China Sea, so as to make it "a sea of peace, friendship and cooperation," said the premier. ASEAN Secretary General Lim Jock Hoi said that China has always been an important partner of ASEAN. China's support has strongly promoted the integration of ASEAN, helped ASEAN narrow its internal development gap and deepened the friendship between the peoples of the two sides, Lim said. CHORUS OF FREE TRADE During his visit, the premier reaffirmed China's commitment to trade and investment liberalization and facilitation, especially so when economic globalization is encountering the headwinds of rising protectionism and unilateralism. "Both China and Indonesia believe in globalization and free trade," Li told more than 600 business people at the China-Indonesia business summit. "We both support the rules-based multilateral trading regime and stand for equal consultation in settling trade disputes." "China does not go after trade surpluses," he said, noting that last year saw Indonesia's deficit with China decrease by 42 percent over the previous year, and bilateral trade achieved overall balance in the first quarter of this year. China is ready to buy more competitive goods from Indonesia, the premier said. His announcement of increasing the import of Indonesia's palm oil was followed by applauds from the audience at the summit. As part of the fruits of Li's visit, both sides have agreed to enhance cooperation on customs, inspection and quarantine, and mutual recognition of QC certification to improve trade facilitation. The two sides have also agreed to boost cross-border e-commerce to facilitate the cooperation between small and medium-sized enterprises. Li also pledged to promote free trade with ASEAN, injecting positive energy into the world economy. He called for joint efforts to make substantive breakthroughs in the negotiations on the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), a free trade agreement (FTA) scheme of the 10 ASEAN member states and its FTA partners, namely China, Australia, India, Japan, the Republic of Korea (ROK) and New Zealand. This year marks the 40th anniversary of China's reform and opening up. Li stressed China would open up to a higher level and achieve mutual benefits and win-win results to a deeper level."A more prosperous and open China will certainly bring greater opportunities for the development of all countries in the world." After the trip to Indonesia, Li will leave for Japan on Tuesday to attend the 7th China-Japan-ROK leaders' meeting and pay an official visit to Japan. Source: Xinhua| 2018-05-08 16:43:11|Editor: ZX Video Player Close Kyrgyz First Deputy Foreign Minister Dinara Kemelova(R) speaks at a forum of experts from Kyrgyzstan and China in Bishkek, capital of Kyrgyzstan, on May 7, 2018. Being a good neighbor and strategic partner, China is one of the foreign policy priorities of Kyrgyzstan, Kyrgyz First Deputy Foreign Minister Dinara Kemelova said here Monday. (Xinhua/Roman Gainanov) BISHKEK, May 8 (Xinhua) -- Being a good neighbor and strategic partner, China is one of the foreign policy priorities of Kyrgyzstan, Kyrgyz First Deputy Foreign Minister Dinara Kemelova said here Monday. Speaking at a forum of experts from the two countries, Kemelova discussed the main areas of bilateral cooperation, which range from the political, trade, economic and humanitarian spheres to culture and security. She said since the establishment of the bilateral partnership, more than 200 international and bilateral treaties have been signed in all areas of cooperation. In addition, China and Kyrgyzstan also cooperate in both bilateral and multilateral formats to combat terrorism, separatism and extremism. In terms of trade and economic relations, China is Kyrgyzstan's biggest trade partner as well as the biggest investor. Chinese Ambassador to Kyrgyzstan Xiao Qinghua said in the 26 years since the establishment of their diplomatic relations, the political trust between the two countries has strengthened and business cooperation progressed dynamically. Kyrgyzstan is implementing many infrastructure and socio-economic projects with Chinese assistance. "All these projects play an important role in the social and economic development of Kyrgyzstan," Xiao said. China, he added, pursues the principle of mutual benefit in bilateral relations and not unilateral interest. TOKYO, May 8 (Xinhua) -- Tokyo stocks closed higher Tuesday on overnight advances on Wall Street and companies here reporting solid earnings, but the market's upside was capped by caution ahead of U.S. President Donald Trump's decision on the Iran nuclear deal. The 225-issue Nikkei Stock Average added 41.53 points, or 0.18 percent, from Monday to close the day at 22,508.69. The broader Topix index of all First Section issues on the Tokyo Stock Exchange, meanwhile, gained 6.64 points, or 0.37 percent, to finish at 1,779.82. Market strategists here said that Wall Street's advance overnight encouraged buying in early trade, yet some investors opted to offload issues on the yen's appreciation against the U.S. dollar, which hurts exporters and dents market sentiment. They added however, that some robust earnings reports from Japanese firms, lifted the market mood and saw some stocks gain traction. Local brokers added that there was a sense of caution which capped the market's upside as investors took a wait-and-see approach ahead of Trump's decision on the Iran nuclear deal. Analysts pointed out that if Trump reneges on the deal, then oil prices could spike which would impact companies' earnings. By the close of play, fishery, agriculture and forestry, electric power and gas, and pharmaceutical-oriented issues comprised those that gained the most, and rising issues outpaced falling ones by 1,373 to 632 on the First Section, while 78 ended the day unchanged. On the main section on Tuesday, 1,655.80 million shares changed hands, rising from Monday's volume of 1,475.96 million shares. The turnover on the second trading day of the week came to 2,642.7 billion yen (24.25 billion U.S. dollars). COLOMBO, May 8 (Xinhua) -- Nearly 100,000 Chinese tourists visited Sri Lanka till April this year, making China among the top three countries generating the most number of tourists to the island country, statistics from the Tourism Ministry showed here Tuesday. In April, 17,462 Chinese tourists arrived in Sri Lanka, making China the third largest market. India and Britain were the other two top markets last month. The total number of international tourist arrivals to Sri Lanka in April was 180,429, a 12.6 percent growth from the same period last year. Almost 94 percent of tourists traveled by air to Sri Lanka. By the end of April this year, 888,353 tourists had visited Sri Lanka, a 16.1 percent growth over the same period last year when 765,202 tourists visited the country. In a bid to attract more Chinese travelers, Sri Lankan Tourism Minister John Amaratunga said last week that the Sri Lankan government had signed an agreement with a leading Chinese tour operator. Amaratunga said China is an important destination for Sri Lankan tourism and the government hopes to attract over 300,000 Chinese tourists at the end of this year. The minister further said the government will target a revenue of 4.4 billion U.S. dollars through its tourism sector this year. CAIRO, May 7 (Xinhua) -- A cultural delegation from China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region attended a seminar at the Chinese embassy here Monday to enhance mutual understanding. Xu Guixiang, vice secretary-general of the Chinese Overseas Friendship Association and head of the delegation, briefed the attendees on Xinjiang's history and customs as well as the government's economic, social, ethnic and religious policies for Xinjiang. Xu said the visit was intended to promote Egyptians' understanding of Xinjiang and enhance cultural and people-to-people exchanges. Xinjiang is a multiethnic, multicultural and multireligious region, where different religious groups live in peaceful coexistence with equal status, he explained. "However, extremist thoughts, the basis of separatism and terrorism, have caused great damage to Xinjiang. These thoughts must be uprooted according to relevant laws," he said. Xu dismissed untrue reports about Xinjiang, saying they were written and disseminated by people unfamiliar with Xinjiang's realities. He encouraged people to better understand Xinjiang through communication and visits. Representatives from Egypt's political parties, members of the Egyptian-Chinese Friendship Association and reporters from both countries attended the seminar. Mansour Abo Alazzm, managing editor of Arabic Al-Ahram daily and a member of the Egyptian-Chinese Friendship Association, shared his experiences in Xinjiang during a 2015 visit. He said wanted to get a real picture of the region and so decided to make the trip. In Xinjiang, he said, he saw for himself the Chinese government's efforts to protect religious rights and the region's development. The Chinese delegation also visited the Egyptian Foreign Ministry and Al-Azhar University, discussing religious policies, the fight against extremist thoughts, and ways to boost cultural exchanges. They will leave for Saudi Arabia and Iran on Tuesday. Source: Xinhua| 2018-05-08 17:48:25|Editor: Yamei Video Player Close JERUSALEM, May 8 (Xinhua) -- Elor Azaria, a former Israeli soldier convicting of killing a Palestinian during his military service, was released on Tuesday after spending nine months in prison. Azaria was originally supposed to be released on Thursday but he asked to be released on Tuesday to attend his brother's wedding on Wednesday. The military approved his request. His release came after a military parole committee decided in March to cut a third of his 14-month prison time. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who urged for Azaria to be pardoned, said in a statement he was "glad that this is over." Azaria was welcomed in his town, Lod, east of Tel Aviv, with celebrations. On March 24, 2016, Azaria was a 19-year-old military medic in the West Bank city of Hebron when Abdel Fattah al-Sharif, 21, and Ramzi Aziz al-Qasarwi carried out a knife attack, lightly injuring a soldier. Troops shot dead al-Qasarwi and gravely wounded al-Sharif. Azaria arrived at the scene and shot a single bullet to his head. The deadly shooting was caught on a video by a human rights organization and spread widely on social networks. In 2017, a military court in Tel Aviv found Azaria guilty of manslaughter. He was sentenced 18 months of prison, of which he had to serve only 14 after Israel's Chief of Staff Gadi Eiznkot slashed his punishment by four months. Azaria's case divided the nation, with many, including political leaders, hailing him as a hero who was unjustly punished harshly. DOHA, May 8 (Xinhua) -- Ghana has opened its embassy in Qatar's capital Doha after more than 30 years of "progressive" relations between the two countries, local media reported Tuesday. "The bilateral relations between Qatar and Ghana will be further expanded, strengthened and consolidated" after the opening of the embassy, Qatar-based English newspaper Gulf Times cited Ghanaian Minister of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration, Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey, as saying at the inauguration of the embassy. Botchwey also expressed appreciation for Qatar's efforts to facilitate the speedy opening of Ghana's embassy in Doha. In addition, she hailed the appointment of the Ghanaian Ambassador to Qatar in March as a significant milestone in "the progressive developments in the relations" between the two countries. Last December, Qatari Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani visited Ghana and signed several agreements with the African country in multiple sectors. Qatar and Ghana have maintained economic and investment cooperation since the two countries established diplomatic relations in 1982. On June 5, 2017, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and Egypt abruptly severed diplomatic, trade and transport links to Qatar. Unlike eight other African countries, Ghana did not follow the steps of the Arab quartet, and voiced its support for a Kuwait-backed dialogue to resolve the crisis. Source: Xinhua| 2018-05-08 18:53:40|Editor: ZX Video Player Close NANNING, May 8 (Xinhua) -- Police in south China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region have seized 46 kg of heroin in operations against a drug trafficking case. Police in Wuzhou City said Tuesday that they had caught two suspected drug dealers after months of investigation, seizing the heroin hidden in wooden furniture. Further investigation is underway. The maximum sentence in China for anyone convicted of selling or producing more than 50 grams of heroin is the death penalty. Source: Xinhua| 2018-05-08 18:53:40|Editor: ZX Video Player Close by Xinhua writers Zheng Kaijun, Yan Lei TOKYO, May 8 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Premier Li Keqiang arrived here Tuesday for an official visit to Japan, the first of its kind in eight years and also a determined effort by Beijing to bring bilateral ties back on track. Relations between the two neighbors suffered a nosedive during the opening years of this decade, due to Tokyo's provocative moves on territorial and historical issues. Not until late 2014, when the two countries reached a four-point agreement on handling bilateral ties, did the downward trend begin to reverse. Bilateral interaction has since been gathering steam, with Japan sending positive signals and China still committed to working with a sober Tokyo to cultivate a healthy relationship for the benefit of both nations and the broader region. Given the upward trajectory, and as this year marks the 40th anniversary of the signing of the China-Japan Treaty of Peace and Friendship, the trip provides a perfect opportunity for the two countries to review the past and chart the future course of bilateral relations. China and Japan are close neighbors with a long history of friendly exchanges and communication. They share a wide range of common interests, their economies are highly complementary, and they should and can be partners of win-win cooperation. After China opened its door to the outside world in 1978, Japan was among the first to engage and benefit. It shared with the Chinese people its experience in science, technology and business, and offered financial assistance. In return, it gained access to a huge overseas market, and many well-known Japanese brands became household names. Eight years ago, China overtook Japan as the world's second-largest economy. In 2017, the Chinese economy was nearly 2.5 times the size of Japan's. But that does not mean that the room for bilateral cooperation is shrinking. On the contrary, that means the cake of cooperation is growing even bigger. China can continue to learn from Japan in developing its financial sector, in innovation and in advanced technology. Japan can tap deeper into China's enormous market as the latter opens its door wider. In addition, Tokyo has recently expressed its openness to Beijing-proposed Belt and Road Initiative. That has opened a new promising prospect for bilateral cooperation, as many Japanese companies have long been looking forward to sharing the vast opportunities created by the Chinese vision. The new positive momentum should by no means be squandered. It is high time that Japan realized that its relationship with China is for the long term and joined hands with China to advance bilateral relations in the right direction. MOGADISHU, May 8 (Xinhua) -- The African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) has honored 17 police officers for distinguished service in the Horn of Africa nation. The officers from various police contributing countries (PCCs), who have completed their tour of duty, were decorated with medals and awarded certificates for their dedicated service in Somalia. Christine Alalo, Acting AMISOM Police Commissioner, in a statement issued on Tuesday lauded the officers for their dedicated service and called on others to emulate them in their duties. "It is a call to everybody that when you are here, put in your best because we are here to ensure that we lift our Somali counterparts from the stage where they were to the next stage, which should be even better than where we found them," Alalo said. The achievements of the group, Alalo noted, include helping revive the Interpol Department of the Somali Police Force (SPF), establishment of a data base and helping the Somali Police set up a Closed Circuit Television (CCTV) security system. Of the 17, seven officers are from Kenya, six from Sierra Leone, three from Uganda and one from Zambia. Other Police Contributing Countries (PCCs) include Nigeria and Ghana. The AMISOM official also lauded regional countries for deploying the officers to Somalia, saying the gesture was a sign of true Pan Africanism of helping a neighbor in need. The AMISOM Police component is made up of the Formed Police Units (FPUs) and Individual Police Officers (IPOs). FPUs provide operational support, while the IPOs train, mentor and advice the SPF officers. Source: Xinhua| 2018-05-08 18:59:51|Editor: ZX Video Player Close Xi Jinping (R), general secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC) and Chinese president, holds talks with Kim Jong Un, chairman of the Workers' Party of Korea (WPK) and chairman of the State Affairs Commission of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), in Dalian, northeast China's Liaoning Province, on May 7-8. (Xinhua/Ju Peng) DALIAN, May 8 (Xinhua) -- Xi Jinping, general secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC) and Chinese president, met Kim Jong Un, chairman of the Workers' Party of Korea (WPK) and chairman of the State Affairs Commission of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), in Dalian, northeast China's Liaoning Province, on May 7-8. Wang Huning, member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and member of the Secretariat of the CPC Central Committee, attended related activities. Xi held talks with Kim and hosted a welcome banquet for him. Together, they also took a stroll and attended a luncheon. In a cordial and friendly atmosphere, the top leaders of the two parties and the two countries had an all-round and in-depth exchange of views on China-DPRK relations and major issues of common concern. Source: Xinhua| 2018-05-08 19:08:43|Editor: ZX Video Player Close NANCHANG, May 8 (Xinhua) -- A critically endangered crane has rejoined its flock in northeast China, after it fell behind during migration. The snow crane arrived in a national nature reserve in Jilin Province on Tuesday with the help of researchers from Jiangxi Province, where it fell sick and was stuck near a river in April. "The crane is one or two years old," said Wang Zhiru, with Jiangxi's provincial wild animal and plant rescue and reproduction center. "It could have fallen behind due to malnutrition or illness." Wang said that after good care, the crane had recovered and could survive in the wild. A tracker has been installed in the crane to monitor its future migration path and its living environment. The flock is in Jilin nature reserve and will fly further north to Siberia soon. Snow cranes are listed as a critically endangered species by the International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources. There are about 3,600 such cranes in the world. A recent survey showed that about 3,440 of the cranes spent the last winter in the Poyang Lake area in Jiangxi. COLOMBO, May 8 (Xinhua) -- Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena on Tuesday called for unity from all political parties so as to develop the island country after months of political instability. Delivering a speech on the government's policy at the opening of the 8th session of Parliament, Sirisena also called for end to the power struggle within his unity government, saying the coalition so far had made progress in several key areas since being elected to office in 2015. "The ruling coalition has made progress in several key areas such as restoring rule of law, making the judiciary independent, reconciliation and winning back the good will of the international community. But much more still needs to be done," Sirisena said. He said the government had made progress despite a massive debt burden, volatile international conditions and a drought triggered by climate change which hurt the farming community in particular. He further said the government would create better conditions for domestic and international investors and would strengthen further its relationship with the international community. Sirisena last month suspended Parliament until May 8 after six ministers resigned from the unity government which comprises Sirisena's Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) and Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe's United National Party (UNP). BERLIN, May 8 (Xinhua) -- A total of 800 police officers raided several premises associated with an alleged human trafficking ring in Germany, a spokesperson for the Federal Police force (Bundespolizei) confirmed on Tuesday. The raids in Hamburg, Bremen and Altmarkt first began on Monday night and were still ongoing in some locations on Tuesday. Two individuals with German citizenship and one with Russian citizenship were taken into police custody on suspicion of belonging to an illicit human trafficking ring. The widely-publicized raids marked the dramatic culmination of a long-standing investigation by the Lueneburg state prosecution office launched in October 2017. The prosecutors believe an international criminal syndicate brought mainly Moldovan citizens to Germany with fake Romanian passports and employed them illegally there. An Austrian family operating a security company allegedly played a pivotal role in the ring by formally employing the Moldovans under their false Romanian identities and hiring their labor out to other companies and organizations. German and Austrian police have been collaborating on the case which currently lists eight key suspects in Germany. German media reported on Tuesday that some of those individuals also have ties to the so-called underground Reichsbuerger scene. The term, which literally translates into "citizens of the empire", refers to a political movement which doesn't recognize the legality of the modern German federal republic. The group has occasionally become involved in violent clashes with security authorities in recent years. The spokesperson for the German Federal Police refused to deny or comment on any links between the suspected trafficking ring and the Reichsbuerger scene. Experts have warned that the still poorly-understood group does not merely passively object to the existence of modern Germany but is increasingly trying to build parallel governance structures in the country, in some instances by colluding with far-right and Neo-Nazi organizations. Police told the press on Tuesday that a decision on whether to formally arrest the three suspects in temporary custody would be reached in the course of the day. Source: Xinhua| 2018-05-08 20:13:59|Editor: Li Xia Video Player Close New Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan (R) receives interview in the parliament in Yerevan, Armenia, on May 8, 2018. The Armenian Parliament Tuesday elected opposition leader Nikol Pashinyan as the country's prime minister. (Xinhua/Gevorg Ghazaryan) YEREVAN, May 8 (Xinhua) -- The Armenian Parliament Tuesday elected opposition leader Nikol Pashinyan as the country's prime minister. In the second round of vote in the 105-seat parliament, 59 lawmakers backed Pashinyan's candidacy, with 42 voting against and four absent. The ruling Republican Party of Armenia (RPA), which had thwarted Pashinyan's first bid for the prime minister hinted their support for his candidacy on Tuesday by saying "the country will have a new prime minister on May 8." Protests were triggered after RPA chairman and Armenia's long-time leader Serzh Sargsyan who had been barred by the constitution from seeking another term as president became prime minister. In a referendum in 2015, Armenia adopted constitutional changes to move the powers from the president to the prime minister. Sargsyan was elected as prime minister on April 17. However, after six days in power, he was ousted amid mass protests on April 23. PARIS, May 8 (Xinhua) -- French President Emmanuel Macron led a ceremony here on Tuesday at the iconic Arc de Triomphe to mark the anniversary of the end of the World War II (WWII). France's youngest head of state since Napoleon Bonapart in 1804 marked his first memorial celebration of the day the German army surrendered on May 8, 1945 by laying a wreath at the statue of Charles de Gaulle, the former president and leader of the French WWII government-in-exile. Accompanied by Prime Minister Edouard Philippe and Defense Minister Florence Parly, he observed a minute of silence ahead of the French national anthem. He also laid a second wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier before walking down Champs Elysees avenue. TV footage showed him smiling while taking selfies with young students and representatives of associations invited by the Presidency office. Dogged by critics for his governing style and arrogance, the 40-year-old ex-investment banker has been launching media offensive to profile himself as everyone's president. According to a recent BVA poll, less than third of respondents thought he was close to the French people. NAIROBI, May 8 (Xinhua) -- Kenya said on Tuesday that it has set aside 30 million U.S. dollars in the next financial year to support cutting-edge research and innovations, officials said on Tuesday. Cabinet Secretary for Education Amina Mohamed said the new funding will stimulate research and innovations in agriculture, health, manufacturing, housing and environmental conservation. "We have taken steps to strengthen research and development which comprise the bedrock of innovation. The new funding will therefore promote research in areas that have greatest impact to the economy and people's livelihoods," Mohamed said. She spoke in Nairobi during the ongoing seventh edition of National Science Week whose theme is harnessing research, science, technology and innovations to achieve President Uhuru Kenyatta's big four agenda on food security, affordable housing, manufacturing and universal health care. Mohamed said the government will soon earmark 2 percent of its GDP to support research and innovations in line with a target set out by other African Union member states. She noted that Kenya has domesticated global best practices to become a regional hub in scientific discoveries and innovations whose ripple effects are being felt across strategic sectors of the economy. "The government has taken measures to create the necessary ecosystem, infrastructure and policy environment to support innovation, science and technology," said Mohamed. She added that Kenya's quest to become a manufacturing hub hinges on harnessing innovations that are being pioneered by the country's youth. Kenya has explored innovative partnerships to promote research funding in diverse areas like advanced manufacturing, agro-processing, renewable energy and healthcare delivery. Japhet Ntiba, the Principal Secretary in the state department of university and research, said that enactment of friendly policies coupled with investments from the public and private sectors have unleashed cutting-edge innovations to solve societal challenges. "The government will continue to engage all stakeholders to harness the country's innovation potential for the realization of vision 2030 goals," said Ntiba. Jemimah Onsare, the Acting CEO of National Research Fund (NRF), said that increased budgetary allocation towards research and innovations will incentivize young Kenyans to provide solution to poverty and unemployment. PYONGYANG, May 8 (Xinhua) -- The official media of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) on Tuesday slammed Japan for holding joint military drills with Britain and the United States, accusing Tokyo of pouring cold water over efforts to ease tensions on the Korean Peninsula. The official Rodong Sinmun said that the Self-Defense Forces of Japan recently staged a joint exercise with the British Navy off Kanto for the first time to practice setting up a sea blockade against the DPRK. The Japanese Defense Ministry said it would hold Japan-U.S. joint military exercise in May. "Going against the trend of the times, the United States and its vassal forces are getting more frantic in supporting sanctions and increasing pressure against the DPRK," said the official daily of the ruling Workers' Party of Korea. The daily said that Japan wants to "fish in troubled waters by stoking tensions on the Korean Peninsula." Minju Choson, another official daily here, said Japan was trying to downplay the significance of inter-Korean summit held at the truce village of Panmunjom late last month. RAMALLAH, May 8 (Xinhua) -- A Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) senior official warned on Tuesday that the Palestinians will seek to reactivate the Jerusalem Municipality in response to the relocation of the U.S. Embassy to Israel to the disputed holy city scheduled next week. The Jerusalem Municipality is the first municipal body the Palestinians elected in 1963, but Israel dissolved it after annexing the city in 1967. The move against the U.S. embassy relocation aims to "reiterate the right of Palestinians to exercise their sovereignty over all its occupied territories, with Jerusalem as the first and foremost," said Ahmad Majdalani, a member of the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) executive committee. The decision to reactivate the Jerusalem Municipality was adopted during a recent Palestinian National Council (PNC) meeting held in Ramallah last week. Jordan had been in control of the West Bank including Jerusalem until its occupation by Israel in 1967. But it has remained the custodian of the holy sites in the city since 1948. Other steps the Palestine will take against the U.S. embassy move include resorting to the International Criminal Court and joining more international treaties and organizations, according to Majdalani. He slammed the move as "a dangerous challenge to the will of the international community and international legitimacy, as well as a provocation of Palestinians, Arabs, Muslims and Christians everywhere." The rising tension between Palestine and the U.S. reached its peak on Dec. 6, 2017, when U.S. President Donald Trump recognized Jerusalem as the capital of Israel and ordered the moving of the U.S. embassy to the holy city. Enditem BERLIN, May 8 (Xinhua) -- The German financial institute Commerzbank continued to experience solid growth during the first quarter (Q1) of 2018, its chief executive officer Martin Zielke revealed on Tuesday. Speaking at Commerzbank's Annual General Meeting in Frankfurt, Zielke emphasized that quarterly revenue at the Dax-listed company remained stable at the start of the year in spite of tough competition. "We were able to expand our customer basis as planned, both in private and in corporate banking," Zielke added. Commerzbank is scheduled to release official earnings figures for Q1 2018 on May 15. Commerzbank recorded disappointing net profits of 156 million euros (185 million U.S. dollars) in 2017, a development which largely owed to costs resulting from planned lay-offs of around 7,300 out of a total of 36,000 staff until 2020. The Frankfurt-based bank is Germany's fourth largest financial institute and made international headlines back in 2008 when it had to be rescued with a partial nationalization during the global financial crisis. According to Zielke, however, Commerzbank has now finally turned the corner on its commercial woes and will consequently pay out a dividend again to shareholders in 2018. Leaving aside a small dividend of 20 cents per share paid-out in 2015, it would be the first time that the bank rewarded its investors since the start of the financial crisis. Similarly, Commerzbank's departing board chairman Klaus-Peter Mueller expressed confidence on Tuesday that the institute was on "the right path" to recovery. Mueller highlighted that the bank had increased its equity capital ratio, lowered risks and cleaned up the balance sheet in general. "These are all good conditions to achieve a sustainable improvement in profitability," Mueller argued. Source: Xinhua| 2018-05-08 21:24:18|Editor: Mu Xuequan Video Player Close Chinese Vice President Wang Qishan attends the Third Forum on China-Africa Local Government Cooperation in Beijing, capital of China, May 8, 2018. (Xinhua/Chen Yehua) BEIJING, May 8 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Vice President Wang Qishan attended the Third Forum on China-Africa Local Government Cooperation here on Tuesday, saying China is ready to contribute to Africa's development with its own development. In a speech at the opening ceremony, Wang said that China and Africa have always stuck with each other through thick and thin and supported each other. The local governments' exchanges and cooperation on poverty alleviation and sustainable development will help promote the comprehensive strategic cooperation partnerships between China and African nations. Wang said that China will unswervingly implement the strategy of opening up to the outside world for mutual benefit so as to realize the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation under the guidance of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era. He noted that China is still a developing country and faces the principal contradiction of unbalanced and inadequate development. It is arduous task and big challenge for China to win the battle of targeted poverty alleviation and achieve an all-round well-off society, Wang said. On the sidelines of the forum, Wang also met with Nigerien Prime Minister Brigi Rafini and former Tanzanian Prime Minister Salim Ahmed Salim, respectively. When meeting with Rafini, Wang conveyed Chinese President Xi Jinping's sincere greetings to Nigerien President Mahamadou Issoufou, saying that China will make efforts to lift bilateral ties to a new high. Rafini also conveyed the Nigerien president's greetings to President Xi, saying that Niger appreciates China's help and support and hopes to learn from China's experiences on development. When meeting with Salim, Wang conveyed President Xi's cordial greetings to Tanzanian President John Magufuli. Wang said he expects China-Tanzania ties will continue to advance through concrete cooperation projects under the guidance of the leaders of both sides. Salim also conveyed the Tanzanian president's greetings to President Xi, saying that China has sincerely helped Africa's development and is a true friend of Tanzania. He hoped that the two sides will conduct in-depth exchanges and cooperation at all levels, and continue to consolidate and develop the traditional friendship between Tanzania and China. On May 4, Muntadhar al-Zaidi(middle) participates in an rally in Tahrir Square, Baghdad. (Xinhua/Khalil Dawood) BAGHDAD, May 8 (Xinhua) -- Nearly ten years have passed since an Iraqi reporter threw his shoes at George W. Bush in Baghdad and grabbed headlines of major media around the world. Muntadhar al-Zaidi, 39, an Iraqi who was reporter for the Iraqi-owned Cairo-based al-Baghdadia TV late in 2008, became the hero in the Arab world and even internationally for those who opposed the war on Iraq that destroyed the state and led to blood baths that claimed the lives of hundreds of thousands of Iraqis. Zaidi's act undoubtedly bears the meaning of humiliation to president of top power of the world, but he was also imprisoned and was forced to leave the country. After 10 years, Zaidi returned home to participate in the country's parliamentary elections, with sincere intentions to fight corruption and vowed to bring Bush and his followers, who launched the war on Iraq in 2003, to international tribunal. In an exclusive interview with Xinhua in his campaign center in Zaafaraniyah neighborhood in southeastern Baghdad, Zaidi said his shoe throwing action was not personal because his family and relatives were not harmed directly by the U.S. troops. "The occupation forces did not harm my own family and relatives, but they harmed my country and killed my people," Zaidi told Xinhua. He said that his action was planned in advance by himself because he wanted to show the world that what Bush had said before the war that Iraqis would receive his troops with flowers in Baghdad was false. "I was looking for an equal and opposite reaction that would say to the criminal (Bush) and the world that the people of Iraq would not receive the occupation with flowers, but with rejection, resistance and shoes," Zaidi added. Zaidi told Xinhua that Maliki's guards and security forces detained and tortured him for three months until an Iraqi court sentenced him to one year in prison, but he spend only nine months as he was granted conditional discharge for his good behavior. Zaidi talked about the suffering in the prison and said he was "whipped, tortured with electricity," and his teeth and nose were broken, and he had "suffered a fracture in his foot," in addition to keeping him for three-month in solitary confinement. However, he said that all his pain and suffering were diminished in front of his act of throwing his shoes at Bush that he greatly proud of, and diminished "in front of the suffering of thousands of Iraqis in prisons without a reason and a guilt," according to Zaidi. "Yes, the suffering was similar to the medieval prisons; torture, repression, forced confessions, indicting innocents on false charges," he said, adding that Iraqi also suffer from corruption such as "releasing convicts, killers, Daesh and al-Qaida members for paying money and turns the charges on other innocent people." After Zaidi was released from prison, he left Iraq for treating his wounds and established his humanitarian foundation, which he named al-Zaidi Foundation tasked with providing aide to the victims of Iraqi violence. Zaidi has published a book titled "The Last Salute To President Bush" that chronicling the moments leading him to his celebrated act of shoe throwing. Zaidi said that he printed his book in Arabic, Chinese and Turkish languages. Zaidi spent much of his time outside Iraq, particularly in Beirut, Lebanon, since his release in 2009, but retuned to Baghdad before two months to announce his participation in the country's parliamentary elections. Zaidi, an independent candidate, promised to fight fiercely the corruption in Iraq, and called for comprehensive reform under an umbrella coalition of Sa'iroon, led by the prominent Shiite cleric Moqtada al-Sadr. "I will hold a rod to beat all the corrupt people without fear. I will be a tough figure and a nightmare for them," Zaidi pledged. He said that he will seek trial for those corrupt people and will demand compensation for Iraqis who were affected by the violence and corruption. Many posters spread across Baghdad, showing Zaidi carrying number 95 at Sa'iroon Coalition, but are only holding his photo with his name without referring to the shoe throwing incident to remind voters. Zaidi told Xinhua, "I wouldn't use such publicity (to seek voters), because what I did (with Bush) is belonging to the people of Iraq and to the history, not for personal purposes, not in the past, not currently and not in the future." "This is Sa'iroon Coalition, I bet on it in my name. I am sure and confident that this coalition is the one who will achieve the aspirations of the Iraqi people," Zaidi concluded. The vote of parliamentary election in Iraq will be held on May 12, as around 7,000 candidates will compete for the 329 seats in the Iraqi parliament. This will be the first general election since Iraq's historical victory over the militant Islamic State group in December last year. SOFIA, May 8 (Xinhua) -- A workforce shortage has been hampering the development of Bulgaria's businesses, said Bulgarian Industrial Capital Association chairman Vassil Velev here on Tuesday. The shortage of human resources is a very acute problem, Velev said when addressing a round table discussion on business and higher education. This issue has been first on the list in all surveys as an obstacle for a more rapid development of Bulgarian businesses, Velev said. Because of negative demographic trends and economic growth, this problem has intensified during the last two years, he said. "In 2017, we produced gross domestic product (GDP) approximately twice as high in nominal terms as compared to 2006, and meanwhile the wages increased threefold," Velev said. However, GDP could rise threefold and wages fourfold if the workforce were of better quality, he said. As many as 29 percent of Bulgarian companies experienced a scarcity of engineers, 15 percent needed customer service experts, 14 percent, merchants, and 11 percent, IT specialists, Velev said. Meanwhile, students at Bulgarian universities who studied electrical engineering, electronics, automation and general engineering last year numbered only 18,939, while those in economics, administration and law were 77,656, he said. "Because of these imbalances, more than 50 percent of university graduates in recent years are employed in jobs that do not require higher education," Velev said. Velev said education reform and measures to tackle the demographic crisis are needed because the labor market lost more than 50,000 people annually. BERLIN, May 8 (Xinhua) -- The development of German exports and output in March defied growing concerns that the country's ongoing economic boom is coming to an end, official figures by the Federal Statistical Office showed on Tuesday. In March, German exports were measured by the Wiesbaden-based government statisticians as having increased by 1.7 percent compared to February. Meanwhile, seasonally-adjusted industrial output rose by 1.0 percent compared to February, and increased 3.2 percent compared to the same period last year. Speaking to Xinhua on Tuesday, Thiess Petersen, senior economics expert at the Guetersloh-based Bertelsmann Foundation, described the official figures as "surprisingly positive." Petersen highlighted that industrial output in March in particular developed "astonishingly well" given an unusually severe flu season, public sector strikes, and the timing of the national Easter holiday. Nevertheless, the Bertelsmann expert warned that a recently-revealed fall in new manufacturing orders could be a "first indicator" of weakening economic momentum. "Punitive import tariffs threatened by the U.S. government currently pose the biggest risk to German growth," Petersen explained. He warned that a further escalation in the trade conflict unleashed by U.S. President Donald Trump could force policy makers to "downgrade their expectations" for growth in Germany and the wider world in 2018. In spite of growing U.S. protectionism, the German Federation of Wholesale and Foreign Trade (BGA) still expects another record year for German exports in 2018. Figures published by the Federal Statistical Office indicated that imports in March fell by 0.9 percent compared to February and 2.3 percent compared to the same period last year. Germany's seasonally-adjusted international trade surplus was measured by the government statisticians at 22 billion euros (26 billion U.S. dollars) in March. WELLINGTON, May 8 (Xinhua) -- The New Zealand government will allocate an additional 714 million NZ dollars (498 million U.S. dollars) over the next four years, as part of its "Pacific Reset" strategy, to support Pacific islands, a senior official said Tuesday. Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade Winston Peters announced the move in a pre-budget speech at Parliament. The additional operating funding aims to expand New Zealand's Official Development Assistance, primarily towards the Pacific region, responding to climate change, and "doing our part through multilateral and humanitarian agencies to respond to global emergencies and issues," Peters said. "This is a clear demonstration to the international community that New Zealand is serious about addressing global and regional challenges and helping people in need," he said, adding that increased investment will enable New Zealand to deliver on the Pacific Reset. It will bolster New Zealand's efforts to tackle priority issues like climate change in the region and assist regional partners to make progress towards the UN Sustainable Development Goals; support youth across the region with access to health services, education and training; and promote the sustainable and inclusive growth of Pacific economies, the minister said. He said that the funding announced will lift New Zealand's Overseas Development Assistance to 0.28 percent of gross national income over the next four years. Source: Xinhua| 2018-05-08 21:39:22|Editor: LX Video Player Close TRIPOLI, May 8 (Xinhua) -- A suicide bomber attacked a military checkpoint east of Libya's northern city of Sirte on Tuesday, killing two soldiers of Libya's eastern-based army. "A car bomb exploded when it passed through the military checkpoint known as the 90-km gate east of Sirte," the army's Sirte operations chamber said in a statement. The explosion near Sirte, some 450 km east of the capital Tripoli, also injured three others, the statement added. In February, a similar suicide attack targeted the same checkpoint, wounding three soldiers and destroying several military vehicles. The Sirte operations chamber was formed in early 2016 to fight against the Islamic State (IS) militants who were then controlling the city. The chamber entered the city in December 2016, after an eight-month military campaign launched by the Tripoli-based UN-backed government succeeded in expelling the IS. Since then, the IS remnants have fled to the desert and valley areas near Sirte and carried out sporadic attacks on army sites. Source: Xinhua| 2018-05-08 21:44:23|Editor: LX Video Player Close GENEVA, May 8 (Xinhua) -- The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) said Tuesday it has launched a ground-breaking new humanitarian fund designed to ease and even prevent the damage and trauma caused by natural disasters. "Our new forecast-based action fund means that guaranteed money will be available to help communities prepare for a disaster before it strikes," said Pascale Meige, IFRC's director of Disaster and Crisis Prevention, Response and Recovery in a statement here. This Forecast-based Action fund is embedded within IFRC's Disaster Relief Emergency Fund. It is a 25-30 million Swiss franc (25-30 million U.S. dollars) annual fund which has supported Red Cross and Red Crescent emergency response efforts for more than three decades, said the IFRC. The fund uses a combination of weather predictions and historical data to fix triggers for the automatic release of money for pre-agreed early action plans. For example, a combination of forecast rainfall combined with the level of a river at a certain point can be used to activate funding for downstream evacuations and the distribution of shelter kits for the people who have been moved to safer ground. IFRC's Meige said that for decades, humanitarians have called for a shift to proactive and preventative humanitarian action, but such action has so far been sporadic. "For the first time, this fund, and the work we are doing to build country-level plans and agreements can consistently deliver on this promise -- turning promises into action," he said. It would mean that life-saving action can now take place before anyone is in immediate danger. The Fund is supported by the German Federal Foreign Office, with technical guidance from the German Red Cross, the Red Cross and Red Crescent Climate Centre and other partners. The Forecast-based financing approach is now being rolled out at the national level and has been piloted at community level since 2014, including in Peru, Togo, Uganda, Bangladesh, Mozambique and Mongolia, said the IFRC. In Bangladesh, predicted flooding of the Brahmaputra river in 2017 triggered cash grants for people who were able to use this money to support their families during the emergency. Enditem Source: Xinhua| 2018-05-08 21:44:23|Editor: ZX Video Player Close TOKYO, May 8 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Premier Li Keqiang has called for fresh joint efforts by China and Japan for the cause of peace and friendship between the two countries to "set sail again". In a signed article in Japanese newspaper Asahi Shimbun on Tuesday, titled "Let the Cause of Peace and Friendship between China and Japan Set Sail Again", Li said, "I am coming here to promote the long-term, healthy and steady development of China-Japan relations." The premier arrived in Tokyo on Tuesday evening for an official visit till May 11 at the invitation of Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe. His visit is the first in eight years by a Chinese premier, coinciding with the 40th anniversary of the signing of the Treaty of Peace and Friendship between the two countries. During the visit, Li will attend the 7th China-Japan-South Korea leaders' meeting, which will reboot the high-level interaction among the three Asian nations after a two-and-a-half year suspension. China and Japan are important neighbors, Li said. "Although there are dozens of direct flights between Beijing and Tokyo each day and it takes just a little over three hours flying between the two cities, we have walked a long way in recent years to improve and develop China-Japan ties." It is in the interests of the people of China, Japan and all other countries for the two, who wield influence in Asia as well as the rest of the world, to enhance friendship and cooperation, he said. In recent years, relations between the two countries have experienced twists and turns, and exchange and cooperation in various areas have been affected, Li said. China and Japan are the world's second and third largest economies respectively and Asia's top two economies. Li said he has often thought that "if China-Japan relations can always stay on the right track of healthy and stable development, it would not only bring more benefits to people of the two countries, but also create a stronger boost to the peace and stability and development and prosperity of Northeast Asia and the whole world." Currently, China-Japan ties are showing a momentum of improvement and standing at the crossroads of returning to normal track, he said. Li stressed the importance of adhering to the principles and spirit of the four key political documents signed between the two countries. These are the 1972 Sino-Japanese Joint Statement, the 1978 China-Japan Treaty of Peace and Friendship, the 1998 China-Japan Joint Declaration, and a joint statement on advancing strategic and mutually beneficial relations inked in 2008. "It has been proved by the reality that as long as we stick to the principles and spirit of the four political documents, China-Japan relations will go smoothly. Otherwise, the ties will suffer setbacks," Li said in the article. The same year that China and Japan signed the Treaty of Peace and Friendship, China also launched the historic process of its reform and opening up. "Looking to the future, China, as the largest developing country, still sees development as its top priority," the premier said. "Only in a peaceful external environment and a stable neighboring environment can China, Japan and other countries in the region jointly develop. It is our belief that an open path of peaceful development is destined to be wider and wider," Li said. On China-Japan-South Korea relations, Li urged the three countries to promote regional stability and development, and safeguard free trade and a rule-based multilateral trade system by accelerating the establishment of a trilateral free trade zone and negotiations on the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership. On cooperation on the Belt and Road Initiative, the premier said he had learned from some Japanese companies that they are willing to share the enormous opportunities created by the initiative. Li said the two economies are highly complementary. There are broad prospects for the two countries to expand practical cooperation in fields such as energy conservation and environmental protection, scientific and technological innovation, high-end manufacturing, finance, sharing economy, and healthcare and pension. There is also great potential for the companies of the two countries to conduct third-party market cooperation. During the visit, the premier is expected to witness the signing of cooperation deals in health and medical science, the service sector and social security. The two countries are also expected to sign a currency swap deal. China is expected to grant Japan a renminbi qualified foreign institutional investor quota. China and Japan are now faced with new opportunities to upgrade their mutually beneficial and win-win cooperation, Li said. He said the two countries should strengthen cooperation in culture and tourism and have people from both sides conduct exchanges more effectively on more platforms. During the visit, China will present Japan with a pair of crested ibis to reflect Chinese people's friendship with the Japanese. China and Japan will also facilitate exchange of visits between their young people to enable them to learn from one another and get to know one another so that they, enlightened by real history, can choose the path for the future, Li said. ZAGREB, May 8 (Xinhua) -- The Constitutional Court of Croatia announced on Tuesday that "lex Agrokor", a law on the basis of which the Croatian government tackled the financial crisis in the largest Croatian private company Agrokor, is in accordance with the Constitution. Among 13 judges of the Constitutional Court, three gave a different opinion, because they felt that there was no need to adopt a special law on Agrokor. The Croatian Parliament adopted the Law on Extraordinary Administration Procedure in Companies of Systemic Importance for Croatia, known as "lex Agrokor" on April 6 last year, after it was found that Agrokor owned by Ivica Todoric was facing bankruptcy. With revenues of 6.5 billion euros (7.66 billion U.S. dollars) in 2015, which was almost 16 percent of the country's total GDP, Agrokor, a private food and retail group, is the biggest company in Croatia. According to The Constitutional Court, the purpose of the law is to reach a settlement among creditors so that Agrokor could continue working and that the law-making process was not in contravention of the provisions of the Croatian Constitution. The dispute settlement procedure is under way and should be completed by July 10. Russian banks Sberbank and VTB should take between 30 and 46 percent of Agrokor, the American capital Knighthead Capital 10 percent, Croatian banks also 10 percent, and suppliers eight percent. Former Agrokor owner Ivica Todoric left Croatia in October 2017 for London after an investigation was launched against him. Croatian authorities suspect Todoric of corruption, forgery of administrative documents and fraud. Judge Emma Arbuthnot at the Westminster Magistrates Court in London issued a decision on April 23 that there was no obstacle to extraditing Ivica Todoric to Croatia, after which Todoric complained and the proceedings were pending. Source: Xinhua| 2018-05-08 21:54:26|Editor: ZX Video Player Close BEIJING, May 8 (Xinhua) -- The pledge by China and Indonesia to forge greater synergy between their development strategies is expected to take practical cooperation between the two countries to a new high. The consensus was reached during Chinese Premier Li Keqiang's official visit to Indonesia that started Sunday. The two countries agreed to sign an MOU on cooperation between the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) and the Global Maritime Fulcrum as soon as possible, and identify a number of projects in this area, as said in a speech delivered by Premier Li at the China-Indonesia Business Summit Monday. The coordination of maritime development strategies is a key opportunity for cooperation between the two sides. Infrastructure is a focus of the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road, proposed in 2013 as part of the BRI. It is also a key component in the vision of a Global Maritime Fulcrum. "China has abundant experience, funds and technology for infrastructure construction needed by Indonesia, which lacks infrastructure such as ports, bridges and roads," said Xu Liping, a research fellow with the National Institute of International Strategy at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences. One landmark project is the Jakarta-Bandung high-speed railway. As the first high-speed railway in Indonesia and Southeast Asia, it will shorten travel time between the two cities to about 40 minutes from over three hours, and boost the local economy and employment. China is a major source of foreign direct investment (FDI) in Indonesia. Chinese FDI rose more than 30 percent in 2017, and the investment stock exceeded 10 billion U.S. dollars. Describing bilateral relations as having "embarked on a fast lane of growth," Li said business cooperation has been the most vibrant and productive component of overall relations. A joint statement released by China and Indonesia on Monday announced that the two sides will jointly promote trade and investment liberalization and facilitation, support the multilateral trading system and promote an open, inclusive and balanced economic globalization that benefits all. The two countries also agree to renew the MOU on Agricultural Cooperation and reactivate the Joint Committee on Agriculture at an early date with a view to enhancing mutually beneficial practical cooperation, said the statement. "China has a vast market for agricultural and fish products. Indonesia, which provides such products, also needs investment to develop related industries," said Xu, adding that the demand from each side is complementary to that from the other. China has been Indonesia's largest trading partner for seven years in a row. Two-way trade between the two countries reached 63.3 billion U.S. dollars in 2017, an 18.3-percent year-on-year growth. The figure is expected to grow further, as Li pledged to work with Indonesia on the digital economy, green economy, ocean economy and sharing economy, according to the speech delivered Monday. Li's visit came as this year marks the 5th anniversary of the establishment of the China-Indonesia comprehensive strategic partnership and the 15th anniversary of the strategic partnership between China and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). As greater synergy has been forged between the development strategies of China and Indonesia, both countries have a promising future not only in bilateral relations, but also in regional and global development. "The landmark projects by the two countries act as a good example and inspiration for China's cooperation with ASEAN," said Xu, who said that deepening bilateral cooperation will be seen in culture, education, sports, medicine, religion and other fields. LISBON, May 8 (Xinhua) -- Operating rooms in many of Portugal's main hospitals were closed on Tuesday and consultations cancelled as a three-day strike by medical professionals began. The strike was called by the Independent Doctors Union (SIM) and the National Federation of Doctors (FNAM). SIM secretary general Jorge Paulo Roque da Cunha told journalists in Lisbon it was a strike "in defense of the national health service" and to demonstrate "deep discontent among doctors". Specifically, the unions want a reduction in overtime work from 200 hours per year to 150; a gradual reduction to 12 hours emergency work per week; and a gradual reduction of registrar lists for family doctors to 1,500 from the current 1,900. Doctors also have grievances related to changes in professional recognition structures and pay grades, and a general culture that leads to burnout and shortened careers. In the current climate, doctors are said to be tired, stressed and overworked, which compromises patient care. The strike began at midnight on Monday. According to SIM, all operating rooms at the Sao Jose and Santa Maria hospitals in Lisbon, the Covoes hospital in Coimbra, and the Faro and Portimao hospitals in the Algarve region were closed on Tuesday. Just one of 11 operating rooms were open at the Sao Joao hospital in Matosinhos, Porto, with hospitals throughout the country functioning at a fraction of their capacity and many performing emergency work only. Portuguese health minister Adalberto Campos Fernandes said Monday that he respected the unions and understood their reasons for striking, but the government couldn't do everything at once. FNAM President Joao Proenca said he found such comments patronizing. "It's pure political cynicism," said Proenca, arguing the minister "does nothing (to help) because objectively he does not want to." Doctors also went on strike twice in 2017, with their calls for reform seemingly ignored by the government. Discontent in the medical profession is echoed in other sectors. Workers and union leaders are frustrated that the government is failing to unwind austerity policies and implement social reform. Source: Xinhua| 2018-05-08 22:14:30|Editor: ZX Video Player Close NANNING, May 8 (Xinhua) -- Representatives from China and Vietnam on Tuesday released 43 million young fish and prawn into the Beibu Gulf, which is bordered by the two countries. Six kinds of fish, including snapper and grouper, and two kinds of prawn were released into an estuary in Dongxing city in southern Chinas Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region. The release, the second of its kind in a year, is a joint effort by the two countries to increase biodiversity and protect fishery resources in the area. Since the release in May last year, output of the released fish increased 20 percent year on year, according to monitoring by the Chinese Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs. Beibu Gulf is a traditional fishery area for fishermen from both countries. China and Vietnam signed agreements on the demarcation of the gulf and cooperation on fishing in 2000. MOSCOW, May 8 (Xinhua) -- Moscow-Washington ties are unlikely to thaw in Vladimir Putin's new tenure in office, although Russia's relations with some European Union (EU) countries may recover, analysts said, adding that ties with China will continue to flourish. Putin took an oath of office on Monday to start his fourth term as Russia president after winning a landslide victory in the March 18 presidential election with a record 76.67 percent of the vote. Putin vowed to focus on domestic issues in the next six years, including economic expansion and making technological breakthroughs, but possible changes in Russia's relations with the world's major countries are being widely scrutinized given their influence on regional and global issues. "In the period of Putin's new term, most likely there will be no significant changes in Russian-U.S. relations," said Alexei Mukhin, director general of the Center for Political Information, a Moscow-based think tank. "There is simply no immediate prospect of getting away from a direct competitive clash between the United States and Russia. We are doomed to this conflict," he said. In his view, attempts by both countries to iron out their differences in the Middle East, Central Asia and Europe were unsuccessful. Azhdar Kurtov, chief editor of the journal "Problems of National Strategy" of the Russian Institute for Strategic Studies, was also pessimistic about Moscow-Washington ties, saying, "there is no basis for their improvement." The United States has resorted to more and more stringent actions against Moscow, a serious challenge because Russia has not fully recovered from the aftermath of the collapse of the Soviet Union, Kurtov said. However, analysts expect changes to occur in Europe. Some EU countries, especially Germany, may strengthen cooperation with Russia, Mukhin said. "The desire of Europeans to pursue a much more sovereign foreign policy not bound by the so-called Atlantic solidarity has aroused interest on the part of the Russian leadership. So contacts will be restored and their intensification will be obvious," he said. Kurtov was more cautious about a reconciliation between Russia and the EU, citing how sanctions remain in place. For the EU, the United States is still a greater priority in foreign policy than Russia, but the bloc is not ready to adopt more stringent measures against Moscow, Kurtov said. Mukhin and Kurtov hailed Russia-China relations. In the east, Russia plans to strengthen cooperation with China, while simultaneously strengthening contacts and intensifying trade with Japan, South Korea and Vietnam, Mukhin said. The eastern direction provides an outlet and an opportunity to establish relations for Russia when it has difficulties in the West, according to Kurtov. "But even if relations with the West are re-established, the eastern direction will not weaken," Kurtov said. BANGKOK, May 8 (Xinhua) -- A haul of over 400 kilograms of crystal methamphetamine was seized by authorities in southern Thailand on Tuesday, said a police source. The authorities found 14 fertilizer bags dumped on the side of a road in Khuan Kalong district of Satun province, about 985 kilometers south of Bangkok, containing 448 kilograms of crystal methamphetamine in plastic bags which were allegedly meant to be smuggled across the border into Malaysia, according to the source attached to the National Police headquarters in Bangkok. Those crystal methamphetamine, allegedly produced in Myanmar territory, smuggled across the border into northern Thailand and trafficked down to southern Thailand, could sell for some 500 million baht (about 16 million U.S. dollars) in a blackmarket, a police officer, based in the southern province, was quoted as saying. However, no suspected drug traffickers were arrested after they had apparently dumped the crystal meth from a pickup truck on the side of the road, just a few kilometers from a road checkpoint, and fled. Satun is one of Thailand's southern provinces which share border with Malaysia. Source: Xinhua| 2018-05-08 22:44:38|Editor: Chengcheng Video Player Close Laszlo Kover (C) takes the oath of office after being reelected as Speaker of the new Hungarian parliament during the first session of the Hungarian parliament after the general elections in Budapest, Hungary, on May 8, 2018. The recently-elected Hungarian parliament held its first session here on Tuesday, with the re-election of Parliament Speaker Laszlo Kover. (Xinhua/Attila Volgyi) BUDAPEST, May 8 (Xinhua) -- The recently-elected Hungarian parliament held its first session here on Tuesday, with the re-election of Parliament Speaker Laszlo Kover. Kover was re-elected during a secret ballot, in which he received 143 votes of the 179 deputies who cast valid votes, with 35 votes against and one abstention. Kover was born in the town of Papa, western Hungary and is a founding member of the governing Fidesz party. He is a veteran of Hungarian politics, just like his close ally Prime Minister Viktor Orban. The parliament also elected six deputy speakers, namely Istvan Jakab and Sandor Lezsak from Fidesz party; Janos Latorcai from Fidesz' coalition partner KDNP; Tamas Schneider from opposition party Jobbik; and Istvan Hiller from socialist party MSZP. Csaba Hende has been nominated as deputy speaker responsible for the legislative procedure. The elected deputies of the new Hungarian parliament took their solemn oath in the presence of the Hungarian President Janos Ader. Ader said: "The final result of the election is clear, definitive and cannot be challenged legally." In his speech he also proposed to the deputies to re-elect Viktor Orban as prime minister. On Monday, Ader officially called on Orban, the prime ministerial candidate of the Fidesz-KDNP party alliance, to form the new government following general elections on April 8. Orban accepted the request. "The high turnout of the elections gives great legitimacy to the parliament and the new government," Ader added. Ader took a potshot at the European Union, saying: "Public life of the EU is characterized by the lack of vision for the future, by constantly quarreling politicians, intellectual laziness and the repetition of common places." According to the final results of the elections, out of the 199 seats of the parliament, Fidesz-KDNP has 133 MPs, radical nationalist Jobbik 26, the Socialist-Dialogue alliance 20, the leftist Democratic Coalition 9, green-eco LMP 8 and Egyutt (liberal) one. There is also one independent MP and one MP representing the German minority. Source: Xinhua| 2018-05-08 22:44:39|Editor: Mu Xuequan Video Player Close JERUSALEM, May 8 (Xinhua) -- Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Tuesday accused Iran of deploying "very dangerous weapons" in Syria. Iran "is seeking to implant very dangerous weapons in Syria to be used against Israel for the specific purpose of our destruction," Netanyahu said in a statement during a visit to Cyprus' capital Nicosia. "It openly calls daily for our destruction, the elimination of Israel from the face of the earth and it practices unmitigated aggression against us," he added. Netanyahu's comments came hours ahead of U.S. President Donald Trump's scheduled announcement on whether to extend the waivers on the nuclear-related sanctions on Iran. A series of recent airstrikes on military bases in Syria, allegedly carried out by Israel, killed several Iranian military advisers, causing spiralling tensions between the two Middle East arch foes. Source: Xinhua| 2018-05-08 22:54:41|Editor: Mu Xuequan Video Player Close NAIROBI, May 8 (Xinhua) -- Kenya is facing one of its worst floods crises in years after rainwater displaced thousands of people across the country. The rains have been pounding the East African nation for the last two months. Up to 32 of the 47 counties have been affected by floods but the worst are among those in arid regions, which normally receive little rainfall. They include counties in the dry North namely Mandera, and Garissa and at the Coast like Tana River and Kilifi and in Eastern Machakos and Kitui. Up to 300,000 people have been affected by floods, according to the Kenya Red Cross, and they are in dire need of food, water, clothing and shelter. The humanitarian agency has also noted that over 70,000 animals have been washed away, hundreds of acres of crops destroyed and thousands of homes marooned by floods. Tens of schools have further been destroyed by floods, affecting learning in several regions across the country. A number of schools are hosting flood victims as hundreds of learners fail to report back for the second term which started last week Wednesday. Other infrastructure destroyed include roads and bridges, with the government noting it would require up to 600 million U.S. dollars to repair the network. Julius Korir, Infrastructure Principal Secretary, said 110 million dollars will be used on repair of rural roads while 400 million dollars will be used on fixing urban roads. Kenya Red Cross puts the number of deaths at least 112 and the society has appealed for 5 million dollars in the short-term to support families affected by floods. In the capital Nairobi, the worst affected are residents in the tens of slum districts across the city, who have been displaced mainly due to poor drainage. However, the National Disaster Management Authority and Meteorological Department on Monday warned of floods in several city estates in the coming days due to expected heavy rains. They include Langata, Syokimau, South B and South C, areas populated by the middle-class. The Meteorological Department had predicted near-normal rainfall in most parts of the country between the March-May long rain seasons. However, the rains have surpassed the intensity predicted by the weatherman, pointing to their unpredictability. Analysts have blamed the current crisis to the effects of climate change, as the weather alternates from one extreme to another. "Kenya is battling two extreme weather conditions in a span of four months. Before the heavy rains, the country was gripped by dry weather that saw people and animals in arid areas starve to death. Now the same people who were starving are dying of floods. It is unexplainable," said Henry Wandera, an economics lecturer in Nairobi. He attributed the predicament to the effects of climate change, whose vagaries are raging due to forest destruction, among other man-made causes. "It is going to mid-May when the rains are supposed to have subsided in intensity but they are getting stronger to the worry of citizens," he said. Besides floods and dry conditions, pests and diseases are other effects of climate change the country is grappling with. Kenya is currently battling Fall armyworms that have ravaged acres upon acres of the maize crop for the second season threatening the staple. But the worst it seems it is yet to come for the East African nation as more rains have been predicted. "Heavy rainfall of more than 50mm in 24 hours is expected offshore and in all counties along the Coastal strip. On Wednesday, moderate rainfall of more than 30mm in 24 hours is expected in the South Coast region," Peter Ambenje, acting Director of Kenya Meteorological Department, said in a statement Monday. MADRID, May 8 (Xinhua) -- Spanish National Police and their Moroccan counterparts on Tuesday detained five suspected extremists in a joint operation, the Spanish Interior Ministry said. Two of the arrests were in Spain, with a 33-year-old Moroccan man arrested in Abadino in the Basque region of northern Spain and a 21-year-old man of Senegalese origin detained in Lorca, southeast Spain. Three arrests in Morocco were conducted in the town of Castillejos, close to the Spanish enclave of Ceuta on the north coast of the country. The five are thought to have formed part of the propaganda network of the Islamic State (Daesh) and reported to have used social networking sites to promote terrorist attacks in Europe, as well as posting videos giving instructions on how to use blade weapons. The Spanish Interior Ministry added that the suspects were in contact with "jihadist" fighters in Syria and Iraq. Spanish Interior Minister Juan Ignacio Zoido said the five "formed part of a recruitment and indoctrination structure of Daesh, which incited attacks in Europe." The man arrested in Lorca showed "high levels of radicalization and was considered a threat by investigators after having shown his willingness to carry out attacks against a civilian population," while the detainee in Abadino had been residing in an accommodation center for immigrants and was receiving treatment after having received a kidney transplant. These arrests follow detentions on the Spanish island of Tenerife on Monday of three men accused of indoctrinating and sending a man to fight for the Islamic State in Syria. Source: Xinhua| 2018-05-08 23:14:51|Editor: Mu Xuequan Video Player Close SHENYANG, May 8 (Xinhua) -- A choir composed of children from China and Hungary performed the Chinese folk song "Jasmine Flower" in Shenyang, capital of northeast China's Liaoning province, on Tuesday. "What a beautiful jasmine flower. This beauty in full bloom scents the air," they sang. Their performance drew applause from the audience and kicked off the China (Liaoning) Hungary Friendship Week, which will bring Hungarian music, movies, handicrafts and traditional food to Liaoning. Music helped people bridge language and culture gaps to learn about happiness and sorrow, said Dr. Szonja Buslig, counselor of the Hungarian Cultural Institute Beijing. The counselor encouraged Chinese children to participate in the 2018 Chinese and Hungarian Children's Ballads Singing Contest, with the help of the cultural institute, to learn more about Hungarian music. Cultural exchange between Hungary and China has been on the rise since Hungarian policies are compatible with the Belt and Road Initiative, according to Mate Pesti, ambassador of Hungary to China. Cultural cooperation between the two countries will flourish and the friendship has been passed on to the next generation, said the ambassador. The Friendship Week is hosted by Liaoning Provincial People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries. Source: Xinhua| 2018-05-08 23:29:58|Editor: Mu Xuequan Video Player Close BEIJING, May 8 (Xinhua) -- "Liang Shanbo and Zhu Yingtai," a Chinese classical dance drama, was performed in Beijing on Tuesday, putting an end to its first run. Supported by the China National Arts Fund, the drama was produced by the department of Chinese classical dance at Beijing Dance Academy (BDA). The drama combines traditional culture and contemporary elements to interpret the classic. Often described as China's "Romeo and Juliet," "Liang Shanbo and Zhu Yingtai," known as the "Butterfly lovers," is one of the most popular love stories in China. It tells the legend of two 4th century Chinese lovers who could not get married due to different family statuses and turned into a pair of butterflies following their deaths. "Chinese culture is extensive, long-standing and well-established, and its rich resources are inexhaustible artistic treasures," said Pang Dan, head of BDA's department of Chinese classical dance. The drama is a new attempt to present the charms of China, Pang added. The drama will tour southwest China's Sichuan Province and the United States. PARIS, May 8 (Xinhua) -- The French presidency said Tuesday in a very short statement that French President Emmanuel Macron held telephone talks on Tuesday with his U.S. counterpart Donald Trump on issues related to peace and stability in the Middle East. "The two presidents mentioned the issues of peace and stability in the Middle East," the Elysee said. Trump planned to announce his decision later the day on the Iranian nuclear deal. Macron reaffirmed his commitment to the importance of this agreement several times, but also saying the agreement needed to be perfected. NICOSIA, May 8 (Xinhua) -- Cyprus, Greece and Israel have affirmed their commitment to the construction of a natural gas pipeline to connect the eastern Mediterranean natural gas fields with Europe, Cypriot President Nicos Anastasiades said on Tuesday. "We have affirmed our commitment to sign an inter-state agreement within 2018," Anastasiades said after a meeting with the prime ministers of Greece and Israel, Alexis Tsipras and Benjamin Netanyahu, in Nicosia. "The promotion of the EastMed project is a core element of cooperation between the three countries," he added. The three leaders met for the fourth time in many years to discuss cooperation on a variety of projects, including the connection of Israel, Cyprus and Greece with a high-power electrical line, as part of the Eurasia Interconnector, and also an optical fiber line for high-speed communications. Tsipras and Netanyahu agreed that the EastMed is a "project of the highest geopolitical importance" not only for the three countries but for the whole of Europe. The project, at an estimated cost of 5 billion euros (5.93 billion U.S. dollars), has the support of the European Commission, which considers it as an alternative source of energy supply to Europe, which will make it less dependent on Russian supplies. Israel, Cyprus and Egypt have discovered vast quantities of natural gas in the Levantine basin of the Eastern Mediterranean and are currently considering synergies for their development. In a related development, Cyprus and Egypt said they agreed to sign "as quickly as possible", an agreement to build a pipeline connecting Cyprus' Aphrodite gas field to Egypt's liquefied natural gas (LNG) facilities at Idku and Damietta. Turning to regional problems, the three countries affirmed support for the restart of the stalled negotiations for a solution to the Cyprus problem, one of the oldest international problems on the UN agenda after the Palestine issue. They also supported the restart of negotiations for a solution to the Palestinian issue. MOSCOW, May 8 (Xinhua) -- Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a decree Tuesday appointing Dmitry Medvedev as head of the government following a parliamentary approval. Earlier in the day, out of 430 deputies present at the State Duma, Russia's lower house of the parliament, 374 voted for Medvedev's post as prime minister and 56 voted against it. The ruling United Russia party has 339 seats, or 75.3 percent, in the 450-seat chamber. Medvedev, 52, who is also the chairman of the United Russia party, took office in 2012. His government resigned Monday after Putin took the oath of office to start his fourth term as Russian president. After the inauguration, Putin proposed Medvedev continue to serve as prime minister. On Tuesday, Putin appeared at the State Duma requesting that deputies support his proposal. On Monday, Putin signed a decree for Russia's roadmap of strategic development through 2024 that sets targets in a wide range of spheres, including economic growth and technological breakthroughs. Putin told the parliament that Medvedev and some members of his government had worked on the program for over a year. "I consider it quite logical that this team will have to implement these plans," Putin said. NEW DELHI, May 8 (Xinhua) -- Indian police Tuesday claimed to have arrested a hardcore left-wing Naxalite rebel who carried a bounty of 300,000 rupees (4,000 U.S. dollars) on his head. "Mohan Kashyap was nabbed from the forest between Madnar and Permpal villages in the central Indian state of Chhattisgarh's insurgency-hit Kondagaon district by security forces," local police official Maheshwar Nag told the media. "He is being interrogated. He was wanted in several crimes," he added. Naxalites are currently active in at least seven Indian states, including Chhattisgarh, Andhra Pradesh and Maharashtra. The Naxalite insurgency began in the eastern state of West Bengal in late 1960s, spreading to more than one-third of India's 600-plus administrative districts. Though major offensives by security forces in recent years have pushed the rebels back to their forest strongholds and the levels of violence have fallen, hit-and-run attacks are still common, killing hundreds of people, mostly security personnel, every year. Former Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh had described Naxalite insurgency as the country's biggest internal security threat. RABAT, May 8 (Xinhua) -- Banque Centrale Populaire (BCP), one of Morocco's largest banking groups, and the African Development Bank (AfDB) signed Tuesday in Casablanca a 100 million U.S. dollars agreement to promote intra-african trade. Under this agreement, BCP and AfDB will provide 100 million U.S. dollars as an issuance to accompany the Moroccan companies aiming to trade with other African nations. Statistics from the Africa Union show that currently Africa trades far less within itself than it does with the rest of the world. Intra-Africa trade stands at about 16 percent of the total on the continent, compared with 19 percent intra-regional trade in Latin America, 51 percent in Asia, 54 percent in North America and 70 percent in Europe. Kamal Mokdad, the head of the international service at BCP, said this insurance mechanism aims to support the growth of the Moroccan companies active in Africa and projects in key areas such as water, infrastructure and industry. For his part, Mohamed El Azizi, the director of the bureau of AfDB in North Africa, said this deal is the first of its kind sealed by AfDB in Morocco, adding that it is in line with the bank's goal of strengthening intra-African trade and will support up to 700 million U.S. dollars of trade flows throughout Africa. Morocco has one of the strongest financial institutions in Africa. Moroccan banks are operating in over 20 African countries and generating growing amount of their earnings from their foreign activity on the continent. KAMPALA, May 8 (Xinhua) -- At Kalerwe, a slum area in Uganda's capital Kampala, women struggle to scoop water out of their houses after a heavy downpour. Some houses, especially those in the swampy areas, are flooded up to window level. In neighboring Bwaise, another slum area, the situation is the same. Some pit latrines have been submerged by floods, further compromising the hygiene of the place. Health experts are now warning that these conditions favor the outbreak of diseases like cholera. So far, four people from two families in Kalerwe have been confirmed to have the diarrheal disease and are now admitted at a city hospital. The ministry of health fears that more cases may be reported. The Kampala outbreak, which was announced on Monday comes after another outbreak in neighboring Mpigi district. In Mpigi district, three people from the same family are confirmed to have the disease and are now admitted at the same hospital as those patients from Kalerwe. In Hoima district, over 200 km west of Kampala, there has been a raging outbreak that has left about 45 people dead and over 2,000 others, now discharged from hospital, since the outbreak was announced in February this year. The ministry of health warns that some parts of the northwestern and eastern regions of the country are susceptible to having cholera outbreaks as the rain season hits it peak. Cholera, according to the ministry, is a serious acute infectious disease characterized by watery diarrhea and vomiting and kills a person within hours. It is spread through eating and drinking food contaminated with fecal matter of an infected person. Uganda is among the five African countries supported by the World Health Organization (WHO), United Nations Children Fund and GAVI, global Vaccine Alliance, to use the Oral Cholera Vaccine (OCV) in the fight against the deadly disease. The institutions in a statement issued on May 7 said they are targeting 2 million people by mid-June to stop the wave of the deadly outbreaks in Africa. Matshidiso Moeti, WHO's Regional Director for Africa said the OCV exercise will be a game changer on the continent. "With this historic cholera vaccination drive, countries in the region are demonstrating their commitment to stopping cholera from claiming more lives. We need to build on this momentum through a multisectoral approach and ensure that everyone has access to clean water and sanitation, no matter where they are located," Moeti said. In Uganda, the exercise kicked off on May 2 in Hoima district where the highest number of deaths and admissions have been registered. The exercise is targeting to reach over 360,000 people in the district among which include Democratic Republic of Congo refugees hosted in the district. The ministry said from now on, the OCV will be used its Integrated Cholera Prevention and Control Strategy. "The vaccine reduces the risk of an individual getting sick with or dying of cholera," the ministry said. For emergency purposes, the ministry has set up isolation centers in the capital Kampala and in Hoima where outbreaks have been registered. The move is intended to stop the spread. The ministry has also rolled out a cholera awareness campaign where communities are told about its prevention and control measures. It has also intensified case management and surveillance of cholera cases. LUSAKA, May 8 (Xinhua) -- Zambia and South Africa on Tuesday called on countries in the southern African region to integrate their tourism development in order to reap maximum benefits from the sector. Ministers responsible for tourism in the two countries said the region needed to move to integrated tourism that will enable it to showcase its tourism sites and wildlife. Charles Banda, Zambia's Tourism and Arts Minister, said during a bilateral meeting held on the sidelines of a tourism conference in Durban, South Africa, with his South African counterpart Derek Hanekom that Africa's revenue from tourism products was minimal at five percent of the world revenue despite the sector having the potential to contribute more. He said there was need for countries in the region to complement each other's efforts in promoting tourism and urged the two countries to consider implementing a uni-visa for foreign tourists visiting the two countries in order to boost tourist arrivals, according to a statement released by the Zambian embassy in South Africa. The implementation of the uni-visa between the two countries was in line with the Southern African Development Community (SADC) and African Union (AU) vision of free movement of people, he added. According to him, Zambia recently signed a uni-visa agreement with Zimbabwe and urged other countries in the region to follow suit in order to encourage a regional integrated approach to tourism. On his part, the South African minister said the region needed to ensure grading system of hospitality facilities existed as well as uniform standards for hotels and lodging facilities. NAIROBI, May 8 (Xinhua) -- Kenya's Health Ministry on Tuesday launched a polio vaccination campaign in the capital city of Nairobi, following a detection of a virus Eastleigh estate in eastern Nairobi late last month. Jackson Kioko, the Director of Medical Services, told journalists in Nairobi that the vaccination will be conducted within Nairobi city estates. "We are targeting to vaccinate 800,000 children in the next five days," Kioko said, adding that another vaccination exercise that targets 2.4 million children will be conducted during June-July period as part of plan to make Kenya polio free. Kioko noted that the vaccinations will target 12 high risk counties that are mostly in Northern Eastern and Central Kenya. Kioko further noted that the government is now resorting to weekly environmental sampling screening as opposed to doing it twice a month until further notice. He said the country is currently developing a polio response plan that includes environmental surveillance and social mobilization in all parts of the country. The official also said plans are underway to screen all children below age 15 at Kakuma and Dadaab refugee camps in northern Kenya "We have intensified cross border surveillance along Kenya-Somalia border to help reduce infections from the neighboring country," he added. Ruddy Eggers, the World Health Organization (WHO) Kenya Country Representative, challenged Kenya to move with speed to contain the virus from spreading to other regional countries. He pledged 500,000 U.S. dollars to help Kenya contain the outbreak through routine immunization exercise especially along the Kenya-Somalia border. According to the Ministry of Health, an estimated 1.7 million children born between 2013 and 2017 did not receive all the scheduled vaccines. MOGADISHU, May 8 (Xinhua) -- The African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) said on Tuesday that it has kicked off a week-long training to enhance communication skills of Somali police officers to help improve their interaction with members of the public. The AU mission said the training aims to strengthen relations between security officers and the public and help Somali Police establish communication departments, within the force, in all the federal member states. Simon Mulongo, Deputy Special Representative of the Chairperson of the African Union Commission (DSRCC) for Somalia, said the training, organized by the police component of AMISOM, is being attended by officers drawn from Mogadishu and the five federal member states. "As part of your work as a police force in this country, you need to have skills, knowledge and capabilities to make people know what the police force in Somalia stands for and you can do this by speaking out," Mulongo said in a statement. He described the training as timely, adding that the skills learned will help improve cooperation between officers and the public on security matters. He noted that the training was part of the transition plan, which requires AMISOM to prepare Somali national security institutions to take over the country's security once AMISOM's mandate comes to an end. VILNIUS, May 8 (Xinhua) -- Lithuania expects new export opportunities and bilateral business contacts with China following the 16+1 Agriculture Ministerial and Economic & Trade Forum to be held on May 25 in Vilnius, Bronius Markauskas, Lithuania's outgoing minister of agriculture, said on Tuesday. "Big Chinese business delegation is coming to Lithuania which includes importers, traders, as well as representatives of food industry. It is not the first Chinese delegation to visit Lithuania, however, new contacts and opportunities are being launched during each of these visits," Markauskas was quoted as saying by local media. The international meeting of ministers of agriculture on the grounds of 16+1 cooperation framework, involving Central and Eastern European countries and China, will take place during the upcoming International Exhibition for Agriculture and Food Industry "AgroBalt" to be held on May 24-26 in Vilnius. According to Chen Lin, Economic and Commercial Counsellor with the Chinese Embassy in Lithuania, Chinese Minister of Agriculture and Rural Affairs Han Changfu will lead a government delegation to Lithuania later this month to take part in the Forum. And an agricultural business delegation from China will come along to join the AgroBalt. Meanwhile, Lithuania will be represented by a new minister of agriculture at the event as Markauskas announced about his resignation back in April amid accusations of misuse of European Union (EU) agricultural funds. Despite his decision to resign, the minister rejected any wrongdoing. Lithuania's President Dalia Grybauskaite on Tuesday has signed a decree accepting the resignation of Markauskas as of May 14, as well as decree appointing a new minister Giedrius Sturplys. Sturplys, currently serves as a deputy interior minister, will start his duties as of May 15 after an oath-taking ceremony at the country's parliament, reported news agency Elta. Source: Xinhua| 2018-05-09 01:05:22|Editor: Chengcheng Video Player Close Chinese State Councilor and Minister of Public Security Zhao Kezhi (L, Front) meets with Myanmar's Minister of Home Affairs Kyaw Swe (R, Front) in Nay Pyi Taw, Myanmar, May 8, 2018. (Xinhua/U Aung) NAYPYIDAW, May 8 (Xinhua) -- China's State Councilor and Minister of Public Security Zhao Kezhi met here Tuesday with Myanmar's Minister of Home Affairs Kyaw Swe on cooperation. Zhao said that the proposals made by Chinese President Xi Jinping to foster a new type of international relations and to build a community with a shared future for mankind provided new impetus to the development of China-Myanmar relations. He said the Chinese side will make joint efforts with Myanmar to implement the important consensus made by leaders of the two sides and continuously deepen the comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership as well as expand cooperation in law-enforcement and security areas. Zhao said that the law-enforcement departments of both sides should continue to strengthen high-level exchange of visits and improve the cooperation mechanism. He said that both sides should enhance pragmatic cooperation against criminal activities such as drug-related crimes, telemarketing scams, trafficking in firearms and explosives, human trafficking, kidnapping and blackmail; deepen the cooperation on the security of the projects along the Belt and Road, and joint patrol operation along the Mekong River so as to jointly improve the security on the borders of the two countries and better benefit the two peoples. For his part, Kyaw Swe said the Myanmar side is willing to deepen the law-enforcement and security practical cooperation with China and strengthen the security cooperation on the implementation of the Belt and Road Initiative so as to jointly maintain the security and stability of both countries. KINSHASA, May 8 (Xinhua) -- At least 17 people have been killed following signs of hemorrhagic fever in the Bikoro Health Zone in the Equateur Province in the northwest of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), according to the Minister of Health, Orly Ilunga. The health ministry confirmed the outbreak of Ebola on Tuesday, with two cases being confirmed by the laboratory of the National Institute of Biomedical Research (INRB). According to the ministry, it was on May 3, 2018 that the provincial health division of Equateur reported at the central level of the Ministry of Health 21 cases of fever with signs and 17 deaths in the Ikoko Impenge health area located in the province. A team from the Ministry of Health, supported by the World Health Organization (WHO) and Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF), visited the site on Saturday, May 5. The team found 5 cases, 2 of whom were hospitalized at Bikoro General Hospital and 3 at the Ikoko Impenge Health Center. According to the Ministry of Health, the five samples taken from suspected cases were sent for analysis to the INRB of Kinshasa on Sunday, May 6. Of the five samples analyzed, two were found to be positive for Ebola virus serotype Zaire by RT-PCR. "Our country is facing a new epidemic of Ebola that is a public health emergency of international concern. The Democratic Republic of the Congo being at its ninth epidemic of this nature, we have well-trained human resources in this area who have always been able to quickly control the previous epidemics, "said Orly Ilunga, Minister of Health in a statement issued in emergency on Tuesday in Kinshasa. The government also decided to deploy on Wednesday a team of experts from the central level from Kinshasa to Bikoro with a set of appropriate equipment to oversee the investigations and the organization of the response on field. With this reappearance of the Ebola outbreak, the DRC is at its ninth Ebola outbreak since 1976. The last outbreak recorded by the country took place in May 2017 in the northern province of Bas-Uele which killed four people. Source: Xinhua| 2018-05-09 01:30:31|Editor: Mu Xuequan Video Player Close BEIJING, May 8 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Premier Li Keqiang on Tuesday sent a congratulatory message to Dmitry Medvedev for securing a new mandate as Russian prime minister. In the message, Li said that in recent years, the China-Russia comprehensive strategic partnership of coordination has been developing at a high level, with the two sides steadily pushing forward pragmatic cooperation in such fields as economy and trade, investment, energy, agriculture, aviation and space, culture and sub-national contacts. The advancement of bilateral cooperation has strongly promoted the common development and prosperity of the two countries, he added. Li said he is looking forward to working with Medvedev to make new contributions to enhancing the bilateral ties and promoting cooperation in various fields. ADDIS ABABA, May 8 (Xinhua) -- Ahmed Shide, Minister of Ethiopia Government Communications Affairs Office (GCAO), told Xinhua that China hasn't only become Ethiopia's top economic partner but a model for Ethiopia's economic ambitions. Learning from Chinese economic growth experience, Ethiopia will have about 15 industrial parks by June, most of them built with Chinese money and expertise. Ethiopia has also heavily invested with Chinese assistance in road, rail and air infrastructures to alleviate transportation problems for Ethiopia's exports. Shide said landlocked Ethiopia has seen China's success in having an efficient and effective infrastructure to facilitate exports from industrial parks and as such is building a "development belt" to copy the Chinese success story. The "development belt" will see Ethiopia build industrial parks located along the path of existing or under-construction rail lines to speedily transport products made in industrial parks to ports in neighboring Djibouti. After reaching Djibouti, the products are then loaded and shipped to their final export destinations including China. About half of the 15 industrial parks Ethiopia is constructing or has constructed are located along the 756kms Ethio-Djibouti electrified rail line built with Chinese expertise and finances at a cost of 4 billion U.S. dollars. The rail line which recently started commercial operations has cut transportation time for Ethiopian goods to Djibouti ports from two days to 10 hours, giving a leg up for Ethiopia's economic dreams of becoming a light manufacturing hub in Africa and middle-income economy by 2025. Shide said Ethiopia is also looking to further boost ties with China on air infrastructure, as the Asian economic powerhouse is the single largest market for its national carrier Ethiopian Airlines (ET). ET currently flies to five destinations in China -- Beijing, Shanghai, Chengdu, Hong Kong and Guangzhou, and plans to add Shenzhen as its sixth destination in June. With China working on being an airplane manufacturing center, Shide adds he foresees ET will soon be a customer of fully developed Chinese airplanes. LEARN MORE FROM CHINA With Ethiopia utilizing Chinese hard infrastructure expertise and money to support its ambitious economic plans, Gedion Jalata, CEO at Center of Excellence International Consult, an Ethiopian consulting firm, told Xinhua Ethiopia should also be learning from Chinese success in creating a meritocratic bureaucracy. "China succeeded in bringing out of poverty 700 million people in 30 years not just because it built physical infrastructure, but it worked on its human capital helping create an efficient state bureaucracy, that's a soft infrastructure Ethiopia should build," Jalata said. He said there are simple things the new Ethiopian administration of Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed can do if Ethiopia is to effectively learn from China's remarkable economic development. "Ethiopian leadership, just like Chinese leadership, should have the political will, determination and commitment to meet the country's economic ambitions," Jalata added. Source: Xinhua| 2018-05-09 02:15:39|Editor: Mu Xuequan Video Player Close JERUSALEM, May 8 (Xinhua) -- The Israeli military on Tuesday night ordered residents in the Israeli-annexed Golan Heights to open the shelters, amidst "suspected movement in Syria," local media reported. An official statement by the military Homefront Command instructed residents in the Golan, near the border with Syria, to prepare the shelters and stay alert for further instruction. The unusual instructions came in the wake of a "suspected movement in Syria," Channel 2 TV reported. The announcement came minutes before U.S. President Donald Trump's statement on whether he will extend the waivers on the Iran nuclear deal. Source: Xinhua| 2018-05-09 02:15:40|Editor: Mu Xuequan Video Player Close BEIJING, May 8 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping said on Tuesday that China and the United States should maintain communication to try to find a way to properly solve their trade issue and achieve mutually beneficial and win-win results. Xi made the remarks during a phone conversation with U.S. President Donald Trump. The two leaders also exchanged views on China-U.S. relations and the situation on the Korean Peninsula. Xi said he hopes that the two countries will earnestly implement the consensus reached by him and Trump during the U.S. president's visit to China last November. China and the United States should maintain high-level exchanges and communications at all levels under the principles of mutual respect and mutual benefit, Xi said, adding that the two sides should focus on cooperation and work to manage differences so as to promote healthy and stable development of bilateral ties. Xi also called on the United States and the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) to build mutual trust and resolve each other's concerns through dialogue, so as to jointly push for a political solution to the Korean Peninsula issue. He asked the U.S. side to consider Pyongyang's reasonable security concerns. Voicing support for the possible meeting between Trump and DPRK top leader Kim Jong Un, Xi said China is willing to continue playing an active role in realizing the denuclearization of the Peninsula as well as the lasting peace and stability in the region. For his part, Trump expressed his willingness to make concerted efforts with China to strengthen practical cooperation in various fields and properly handle the U.S.-China trade issue. On the Korean Peninsula issue, Trump said the United States will enhance communication and coordination with China to jointly push forward a solution through talks and negotiations. KHARTOUM, May 8 (Xinhua) -- Sudan and the Kingdom of Lesotho on Tuesday agreed on cooperation to combat terrorism, illegal immigration and cross-border crime. The two countries signed a memorandum of understanding at the conclusion of the visit of the Prime Minister of Lesotho Thomas Motsoahae Thabane, to Sudan, and issued a joined communique. "The two sides agreed to cooperate in regional and international issues relating to combating terrorism and extremism, illegal immigration, cross border crime and human trafficking," said the communique. It reiterated the two sides' readiness to work together to develop bilateral ties and enhance cooperation in political, economic, cultural and social fields and consular affairs. The communique said that the two sides reviewed the possibility of cooperation and exchange of experiences in fields of agriculture, animal resources, mining and irrigation as well as maternity and child health. They also stressed the importance of coordinating the stance at all regional and international forums, and achieving stability, security, peace and sustainable development in Africa. Lesotho's prime minister concluded a two-day visit to Sudan at the invitation of the Sudanese First Vice President and National Prime Minister, Bakri Hassan Saleh. CAIRO, May 8 (Xinhua) -- Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah al-Sisi met on Tuesday with his Ugandan counterpart Yoweri Museveni in Cairo where they discussed mutual cooperation in various fields as well as the issue of the shared Nile River water, the Egyptian presidential spokesman said in a statement. Egypt and Uganda are two of the eleven Nile River basin countries including upstream Ethiopia, which is currently constructing a giant dam that raises Egypt's concerns as a downstream country about its annual share of the river water. "The two presidents discussed the Nile water issue, and they both agreed on the importance of enhancing cooperation between the Nile basin states to achieve sustainable use of the water resources in favor of the common interests of the peoples of upstream and downstream countries," Egypt's presidential spokesman Bassam Rady said in the statement. Upstream Ethiopia and downstream Sudan eye massive benefits from the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD), while Egypt is concerned it might affect its 55.5-billion-cubic-meter annual share of the Nile River water. Ethiopia and Sudan repeatedly reiterated commitment not to harm Egypt's water interests with the GERD construction. Sisi and Museveni also discussed ways to enhance economic and political cooperation and coordinate anti-terror efforts between the two sides. "President Sisi welcomed the consensus of views of both countries regarding different political issues, hailing the Ugandan president's efforts to reach political settlements for the crises facing the continent and to boost anti-terrorism efforts in Africa," Rady said. The two presidents also witnessed the signing ceremony of a number of deals and memorandums of understanding, including a deal to build a solar power plant in Uganda and MoUs in the industrial and agricultural fields. Uganda and Egypt have been ranked respectively as the second and third fastest growing economies worldwide and the first two in Africa in the coming decade, according to a recent report from the Center for International Development at Harvard University (CID). The CID's Global Growth Projections report released last week expected Uganda's annual economic growth to hit 7.46 percent and Egypt's to reach 6.63 percent in the coming decade. LONDON, May 8 (Xinhua) -- The British police said Tuesday they are looking into a total of 33 criminal cases after a forensic scientist botched examinations. The cases, including 21 sex attacks, are being reviewed after Scotland Yard admitted that a member of staff from its Forensic Services "allegedly failed to carry out tests and lied" to investigators about the progress. These inquiries, between 2012 and 2017, include 21 rapes and sexual assaults and 12 violent and drug-related crimes and burglaries. Police said an internal review is still under way. The work of the scientist, whose name was not given, was suspended in March and has been audited. According to police, all victims in the affected cases have been contacted. British media said the review came amid a national crisis in forensic services following the closure of the publicly owned Forensic Science Service in 2012. Source: Xinhua| 2018-05-09 02:35:46|Editor: Mu Xuequan Video Player Close UNITED NATIONS, May 8 (Xinhua) -- The UN Security Council on Tuesday voiced concern about the close connection between terrorism and transnational organized crime, and asked UN member states to tackle this issue collectively. In a presidential statement, the Security Council encouraged countries and relevant regional and international organizations to enhance cooperation to prevent terrorists from benefiting from transnational organized crime. Countries were also asked to build the capacity to secure their borders and investigate and prosecute terrorists and transnational organized criminals working together. The Security Council called on countries to prevent terrorists from benefiting from the financial proceeds of transnational organized crime and gaining support from transnational organized criminal groups. The council further called on countries to prevent the movement of terrorists by effective national border controls and controls on issuance of identity papers and travel documents, and through measures for preventing counterfeiting, forgery or fraudulent use of identity papers and travel documents. The Security Council urged UN member states to consider ratifying, acceding to, and implementing the international counterterrorism and transnational organized crime conventions and protocols as soon as possible. Countries were encouraged to fully use all existing tools, databases, and instruments developed by international and regional organizations to strengthen international cooperation and responses to the threat posed by terrorism and transnational organized crime. The council reiterated its decisions that UN member states should require airlines operating in their territories to provide advance passenger information to the appropriate national authorities, and develop the capability to collect, process and analyze passenger name record data. Countries must ensure that any measures taken to counter terrorism must comply with all their obligations under international law, in particular international human rights law, international refugee law and international humanitarian law, the Security Council reaffirmed. It underscored that respect for human rights, fundamental freedoms and the rule of law are complementary and mutually reinforcing with effective counterterrorism measures and are an essential part of a successful counterterrorism effort. Failure to comply with these and other international obligations is one of the factors contributing to increased radicalization to violence and fosters a sense of impunity, it noted. NAIROBI, May 8 (Xinhua) -- The Kenyan police on Tuesday issued a terror alert urging Kenyans to remain extra vigilant ahead of Muslims' holy month of Ramadan that begins on May 15. Police spokesman Charles Owino said intelligence reports indicate that terror groups including al-Shabab are planning to stage attacks on unspecified locations during Ramadan. "Though the capability of al-Shabab has been greatly downgraded over time, we have credible intelligence suggesting that the militia group is planning to carry out further attacks in the country," Owino said in a statement issued in Nairobi. "As we approach the holy month of Ramadan, terror groups have issued alerts urging their members to step up attacks during this period. The main terror groups including ISIS, Al-Qaida and al-Shabab have issued 'fatwas' calling for increased attacks during the holy month," Owino added. He called on members of the public to remain on high alert and be extra vigilant especially in populated public places including hotels, churches, bus stations and schools. Owino appealed for information on any suspicious individuals either from the borders with Somalia or other parts of the country. He assured the public that all the information from the public shall be treated with utmost confidentiality. "It is through the support given to the police by the members of the public that several key members of the of terror groups have been apprehended and many attacks targeting innocent members of public successfully thwarted," Owino said. He said security forces have already arrested some of the eight suspects whose names were released two weeks ago for allegedly planning to penetrate terror operatives into the country. The police had placed 160,000 U.S. dollars bounty for the eight suspects who have since been arrested following quick action by the public who volunteered valuable information, said Owino. He said al-Shabab terror group has in the past planned to carry out attacks during Ramadan especially along the Coastal and Eastern regions and in major towns across the country. HAVANA, May 8 (Xinhua) -- Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel on Tuesday called on Latin American countries to deepen regional integration as the only way to bolster economic growth and reduce inequalities in the continent. Speaking at the inauguration of the 37th session of Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC), Diaz-Canel said the goal of the region should be to increase economic growth with social justice and equality. "There is no other option but to move forward with regional integration and development with equity," said the newly-elected Cuban leader to the 46 member nations of ECLAC. In his speech, he highlighted that the UN regional organization has been for decades a reference of economic and social knowledge for the continent, contributing in placing equity as an important development goal. Diaz-Canel praised ECLAC's role in projecting the region's economic growth and development as well as scientific studies on the structural causes that make Latin America and the Caribbean the most unequal continent in the planet. "It is an inequality associated with the colonial past of our nations, which affects in particular indigenous people, African descent population, girls and women," he said at a ceremony where UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres and ECLAC executive secretary, Alicia Barcena, also participated. For decades, said the Cuban president, many nations in the region have been part of neoliberal and macroeconomic policies which only benefited international companies making social differences and discrimination even larger. He reiterated his government's commitment to the common struggle for the economic and social development in Latin America and vowed to work along with ECLAC in the next two years to deepen the role of this UN organization. "Cuba is committed with ECLAC, regional integration and solidarity amongst our nations to continue advancing together despite our diversity," Diaz-Canel said in his first major speech to an international organization. "We work on a national economic and social development plan until 2030, whose strategic axes are linked with the UN Sustainable Development Goals," he said. He also reiterated Cuba's commitment to solidarity cooperation with other countries based on mutual respect, generous assistance and complementarity. Havana received from Mexico the two-year rotatory presidency of ECLAC supporting the UN body in its quest for an inclusive and sustainable continent. "We have received the presidency of ECLAC with a high commitment and awareness of the challenges we face, focused on continuing to promote cooperation among the countries of the region," he stated. The ECLAC meeting, scheduled until Friday at Havana's Convention Center, calls on the region to address priorities such as the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, the fight against inequality and the promotion of South-South cooperation. ECLAC is one of the five regional commissions of the UN and its headquarters are in Santiago of Chile. Its objective is to contribute to the economic development of Latin America and the Caribbean, coordinate actions aimed at its promotion and strengthen relations between the continent and the rest of the world. HAVANA, May 8 (Xinhua) -- United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres on Tuesday called for a new concept of development based on an "equitable globalization" that reduces economic and social differences in the world. Speaking at the opening ceremony of the 37th session of the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC), Guterres said this new idea is necessary due to the challenges the world currently faces. "Globalization has brought great benefits but many people have been left behind, such is the case of the inequality for women and the unemployment for young people," he said. "In an increasingly multipolar world, we must remake the concept of development, especially in countries in transition and with low income. We need an equitable globalization," he added. Guterres also stressed that the eradication of poverty is and remains the UN's top priority. "The 2030 Agenda is our road map, and its objectives and goals are the instruments to achieve that end," he said. According to Guterres, the international community should deepen its actions against climate change, because the objectives of the Paris Agreement are insufficient. He highlighted ECLAC is essential to help the countries of the region implement this sustainable development plan and commended various countries for presenting reports on their progress in this matter. "ECLAC played a pioneer role in economic, environmental and social integration policies for progress. It has consistently and courageously endorsed a vision of development that considers equality as the driving force of growth," he said. The chief said the organization has always kept up with encouraging equal rights, based on solid research that links national and regional priorities. "This forum has promoted an equitable globalization to achieve sustainable development," he said. Guterres arrived in Havana on Monday to participate in the meeting and was officially received by Cuban President Diaz-Canel at the presidential palace. Earlier Tuesday the UN secretary general met with First Secretary of the Communist Party of Cuba and former president, Raul Castro. RIGA, May 8 (Xinhua) -- The Greens and Farmers Union, the leading partner in Latvia's tripartite center-right government coalition, has been caught accepting illicit donations, the Latvian Corruption Prevention Bureau, which scrutinized political parties' finances, said on Tuesday. While examining the political parties' reports for 2016, the anti-corruption bureau discovered three illicit donations, worth 33,224 euros (39,447 U.S. dollars) in total. Two of them had been made to the Greens and Farmers Union and one to the Action Party, which is not represented in the Latvian parliament. The Corruption Prevention Bureau's chief Jekabs Straume has ordered the Greens and Farmers Union to pay 17,880 euros worth of illegal donations into the state budget and the Action Party will have to repay 15,000 euros it had received in an illegal donation. Representatives of the anti-corruption bureau said that the Greens and Farmers Union had already paid the money into the state budget. The examination of the Latvian political parties' finances also revealed various administrative violations. In 23 cases, parties were fined for these violations, the Corruption Prevention Bureau informed. In 2016, six political parties in Latvia received public funding worth 576,980 euros in total. Public funding was suspended for the center-right Unity party for breaching party financing rules. KIEV, May 8 (Xinhua) -- The Joint Forces Operation (JFO), a new military operation recently launched in eastern Ukraine, has not affected the work of the Trilateral Contact Group on the settlement of the conflict, Kiev's envoy said Tuesday. Speaking at a briefing in Kiev, Leonid Kuchma, a representative of the Ukrainian government in the Contact Group, told reporters that the diplomatic team continues functioning in the normal mode. Kuchma spoke positively of the new format of the military operation in Donbas, saying it will "bring more discipline" to the ranks of the Ukrainian forces. "It is necessary to ensure that all of our volunteer battalions are under the same command and all our armed formations are united," Kuchma said. On April 30, Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko signed a decree to replace the four-year-long "anti-terror" operation in Donbas ruled by the Security Service of Ukraine with the JFO controlled by the army. Earlier this month, Boris Gryzlov, Russia's envoy to the Contact Group, said that the JFO will not contribute to the peaceful settlement of the situation in eastern Ukraine. The conflict between government troops and pro-independence rebels in Ukraine's eastern region of Donbas has been underway since April 2014, claiming about 10,000 lives. The Contact Group is a group of representatives from Ukraine, Russia and the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) that was formed as a means to facilitate a diplomatic resolution to the conflict. Insurgent representatives have also attended the meetings of the diplomatic group. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu chairs weekly cabinet meeting in Jerusalem on May 6, 2018. (AFP photo) JERUSALEM, May 8 (Xinhua) -- Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu welcomed Tuesday U.S. President Donald Trump's announcement on the U.S. withdrawal from the Iran nuclear deal. Speaking briefly after Trump announced the administration will reinstate the nuclear-related sanctions on Iran, Netanyahu hailed the move as a "courageous" and "right" decision. Netanyahu accused Iran of preparing to attack Israel. "For the past months, Iran has been transferring weapons to its forces in Syria," he said in a televised statement. "We will react with force" to any attack, he said. "The army is prepared, the army is strong, and whoever will try us will feel well the strength of our arm," he warned. The prime minister called on the international community to join the United States and revoke the landmark deal. He also called other countries to act against "the Iranian aggression." According to Netanyahu, the deal would have enabled Iran to enrich uranium "in quantities sufficient to produce a whole arsenal of nuclear bombs." Iran denounced Trump's move, saying his decision was unlawful and undermines international agreements. The 2015 accord between Iran and the world powers aims at curbing Iran's nuclear plan. Netanyahu is a vocal opponent of the deal and has urged Trump to withdraw from it. It comes also amidst spiraling tensions in the region in the wake of several deadly airstrikes on military bases in Syria, allegedly carried out by Israel, in which Iranian citizens were killed. PRAGUE, May 8 (Xinhua) -- A top degree of fire alert was declared over the fire that broke out in a factory plant in the Hostivar district in Prague earlier on Tuesday, said firefighters' spokesman Martin Kavka. Pressure cylinders in the burning hall caused explosion. According to Kavka, the fire is still not under control and not exactly localised, and about 120 firefighters are still trying to extinguish the fire on site. He said the hall is likely to have been a store for plastic foam. The local fire hydrant network collapsed in the place. A shuttle transport brought water to the scene, a helicopter also helped, said Kavka. Prague rescue service spokeswoman Jana Postova said one firefighter was hospitalised over exhaustion. The fire is now threatening a joiner's workshop located nearby. The neighborhood around the fire has been blocked off and the traffic in adjoining streets were partly closed by police. So far, no injuries have been reported. Nine police officers and one women were examined over the suspicion of having inhaled carbon dioxide, but they did not have to be hospitalised. In Czech Republic, the top (fourth) degree of fire alert will be declared if a fire threatens over 1,000 people or the areas of over 1 square kilometre. Source: Xinhua| 2018-05-09 03:31:12|Editor: Mu Xuequan Video Player Close RIYADH, May 8 (Xinhua) -- Saudi Arabia backed on Tuesday the U.S. President Donald Trump's decision on his country withdrawing from the Iran nuclear deal. Saudi Arabia highlighted in a statement through Saudi Press Agency that it also welcomed re-imposing sanctions on Iran that were suspended after the enforcement of the deal. It said the kingdom had supported the deal between Iran and other six powers at the beginning to limit the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction in the Middle East and the world, but Iran exploited the economic gains of the deal to destabilize the region. Saudi Arabia asserted its continuation to work with the U.S. and other world partners to tackle the threats of the Iranian policies on international security and peace. Trump announced Tuesday that Washington will pull out of the landmark nuclear accord with Iran. Then, Iran's President Hassan Rouhani responded that Tehran will stay in the deal with other five signatories. United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres addresses the UN Security Council meeting on peacebuilding and sustaining peace at the UN headquarters in New York on April 25, 2018. (Xinhua/Li Muzi) UNITED NATIONS, May 8 (Xinhua) -- UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Tuesday voiced "deep concern" over U.S. President Donald Trump's decision to pull America out of the 2015 Iran nuclear deal. "I am deeply concerned by today's announcement that the United States will be withdrawing from the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) and will begin reinstating U.S. sanctions (against Iran)," said Guterres in a statement, using the official name of the July 2015 agreement between Iran and the six world powers of Britain, China, France, Germany, Russia and the United States. "I call on other JCPOA participants to abide fully by their respective commitments under the JCPOA and on all other (UN) member states to support this agreement," said Guterres. An Iranian woman walks past a mural on the wall of the former U.S. embassy in the Iranian capital Tehran on May 8, 2018. (AFP photo) RIYADH, May 8 (Xinhua) -- Saudi Arabia backed on Tuesday the U.S. President Donald Trump's decision on his country withdrawing from the Iran nuclear deal. Saudi Arabia highlighted in a statement through Saudi Press Agency that it also welcomed re-imposing sanctions on Iran that were suspended after the enforcement of the deal. It said the kingdom had supported the deal between Iran and other six powers at the beginning to limit the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction in the Middle East and the world, but Iran exploited the economic gains of the deal to destabilize the region. Saudi Arabia asserted its continuation to work with the U.S. and other world partners to tackle the threats of the Iranian policies on international security and peace. Trump announced Tuesday that Washington will pull out of the landmark nuclear accord with Iran. Then, Iran's President Hassan Rouhani responded that Tehran will stay in the deal with other five signatories. BRUSSELS, May 8 (Xinhua) -- European Council President Donald Tusk on Tuesday expressed his disapproval over U.S. President Donald Trump's decision to pull out of the landmark Iran nuclear deal, saying the move "will meet a united European approach." "Policies of @realDonaldTrump on #IranDeal and trade will meet a united European approach," Tusk tweeted, minutes after Trump announced his decision to withdraw from the Iran deal. "EU leaders will tackle both issues at the summit in Sofia next week," Tusk added Riding roughshod over opposition across the pond, Trump said in a televised speech that the United States will withdraw from the Iran nuclear deal, a landmark agreement signed in 2015 by Iran and six world powers, including EU heavyweights Britain, France and Germany. Trump added he will not sign the waiver of nuke-related sanctions against Iran. In the past weeks, the EU and the three heavyweight member states had made last-ditch diplomatic efforts to persuade Trump not to back out of the deal. The soon-to-be-27 bloc is set to stage the EU-Western Balkans summit in Sofia, Bulgaria, on May 17. It seems that Trump's announcement threw a wrench into the EU's plans on the summit, which is supposed to be centered on the topic of improving the links between the bloc and the Western Balkans. In tandem with Tusk's disapproval over Trump's announcement, EU foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini vowed that Europe will stand by the international nuclear accord with Iran. "The EU is determined to preserve it," she said in a live press statement in Rome. "We expect the rest of the international community to continue to preserve it, for the sake of collective security." Source: Xinhua| 2018-05-09 04:11:21|Editor: Yurou Video Player Close People watch the live speech broadcast by Iran's President Hassan Rouhani at a teahouse in central Tehran, capital of Iran, on May 8, 2018. Iran's President Hassan Rouhani said Tuesday that the Islamic republic will remain in the nuclear deal with other signatories of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) without the United States. (Xinhua/Ahmad Halabisaz) TEHRAN, May 8 (Xinhua) -- Iran's President Hassan Rouhani said Tuesday that the Islamic republic will remain in the nuclear deal with other signatories of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) without the United States. "From this time on, the nuclear deal is an accord between Iran and five countries," Rouhani said in live speech broadcast from state TV. "I am happy that an intruder (United States) has exited from the nuclear deal," he said. Iran proved that it has been committed to its international obligations, Rouhani said, adding that "our experience shows that over the past 40 years the United States has never been reliable vis-a-vis its commitments." Actually, the United States has never been bound to its nuclear deal obligations since it was implemented in January 2016, he said. The JCPOA has not been a deal between Iran and the United States, but it was an international accord approved by the United Nationas, said the Iranian president. Rouhani said that he has asked the Iranian foreign minister to initiate negotiations with the European partners as well as China and Russia over the measures regarding the fate of the deal. He also said that the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran (AEOI) will resume the industrial uranium enrichment at any level if the upcoming negotiations do not save Iran's interests guaranteed in the JCPOA. "Since now, we should examine how the remaining big powers in the accord would deal with it," Rouhani said, adding that "if the deal remains live, we can take steps for the world's peace and security." Rouhani on Monday sought for the assurance of parties involved in the landmark 2015 nuclear deal, except the United States, to help Iran preserve interests under the accord. "If our expectations from the JCPOA are met without the United States, so much the better, otherwise, we will make our own decision," he said. U.S. President Donald Trump said on Tuesday that the United States will withdraw from the Iran nuclear deal, a landmark agreement signed in 2015. In a televised speech, Trump announced the exit, adding he will not sign the waiver of nuke-related sanctions against Iran. (File photo)Iranian President Hassan Rouhani speaks during a meeting with Muslim leaders and scholars in Hyderabad, India, February 15, 2018. (Reuters photo) TEHRAN, May 8 (Xinhua) -- Iran's President Hassan Rouhani said Tuesday that the Islamic republic will remain in the nuclear deal with other signatories of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) without the United States. "From this time on, the nuclear deal is an accord between Iran and five countries," Rouhani said in live speech broadcast from state TV. "I am happy that an intruder (United States) has exited from the nuclear deal," he said. Iran proved that it has been committed to its international obligations, Rouhani said, adding that "our experience shows that over the past 40 years the United States has never been reliable vis-a-vis its commitments." Actually, the United States has never been bound to its nuclear deal obligations since it was implemented in January 2016, he said. The JCPOA has not been a deal between Iran and the United States, but it was an international accord approved by the United Nationas, said the Iranian president. Rouhani said that he has asked the Iranian foreign minister to initiate negotiations with the European partners as well as China and Russia over the measures regarding the fate of the deal. He also said that the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran (AEOI) will resume the industrial uranium enrichment at any level if the upcoming negotiations do not save Iran's interests guaranteed in the JCPOA. "Since now, we should examine how the remaining big powers in the accord would deal with it," Rouhani said, adding that "if the deal remains live, we can take steps for the world's peace and security." Rouhani on Monday sought for the assurance of parties involved in the landmark 2015 nuclear deal, except the United States, to help Iran preserve interests under the accord. "If our expectations from the JCPOA are met without the United States, so much the better, otherwise, we will make our own decision," he said. U.S. President Donald Trump said on Tuesday that the United States will withdraw from the Iran nuclear deal, a landmark agreement signed in 2015. In a televised speech, Trump announced the exit, adding he will not sign the waiver of nuke-related sanctions against Iran. Source: Xinhua| 2018-05-09 04:21:24|Editor: Mu Xuequan Video Player Close GENEVA, May 8 (Xinhua) -- A group of 93 refugees in Thailand have returned to south-eastern Myanmar after decades of displacement, the UN refugee agency UNHCR said Tuesday. Through a process coordinated by the governments of Thailand and Myanmar and with the support of UNHCR and its partners, the returns mark further progress in the voluntary repatriation of refugees from Thailand, the UN agency said. UNHCR said that the refugees departed Monday from five refugee camps on the border and split into two groups that crossed from Thailand into Myanmar's Kayin and Kayah States. They were received by Myanmar and assisted at two reception centers, from where they will go on to villages and towns where they will live. According to UNHCR, refugees in Thailand have been expressing interest in returning home and have begun making plans for their future beyond the camps in Thailand in the hope that peace and stability will prevail in their places of origin in south-eastern Myanmar. UNHCR expects returns to continue, since in south-eastern Myanmar, conditions allow for it to facilitate the voluntary return of refugees from Thailand to that area. In the last such facilitated return movement in October 2016, 71 Myanmar refugees returned home from Thailand and UNHCR has been monitoring their situation since their return. Source: Xinhua| 2018-05-09 04:26:27|Editor: Chengcheng Video Player Close People check a burnt house in Nigeria's northwest state of Kaduna on May 8, 2018. The death toll of an attack on a village in Kaduna has risen to 73. (Xinhua/Olatunji Saliu) KADUNA, Nigeria, May 8 (Xinhua) -- The death toll of an attack on a village in Nigeria's northwestern state of Kaduna has risen to 73, as more bodies were recovered and buried on Tuesday. Mohammed Musa, a youth leader in Gwaska village which was attacked last weekend by unknown gunmen, told Xinhua that 71 bodies had been buried since the incident last Saturday. Local authorities had confirmed 58 bodies buried during a mass funeral on Monday, but Musa said 13 more bodies of victims were dug out by a local vigilante group who combed the surrounding bushes between Monday evening and early Tuesday. A Xinhua crew on an on-the-spot reporting of the incident found two more bodies in a thick bush, together with a local security group in the village, on Tuesday. The village's youth leader said more people are still missing, following the attack last Saturday evening. Relatives were buried together during Monday's mass burial, with some of the graves having up to six bodies. Gwaska is a populated village, located in Birnin-Gwari, an area frequently attacked by gunmen in Kaduna. It is 291 kilometers away from the Kaduna city center. Most of its dwellers are farmers. Local residents scampered for safety as the gunmen entered the village on Saturday evening, shooting indiscriminately. Mostly children were killed during the four-hour attack. The attackers were believed to have entered the village from the northwestern state of Zamfara, a neighboring state to Kaduna. On the day of the attack, the gunmen, who came in at least 50 motorcycles, had encircled the village and razed many buildings, mostly mud houses. Some of the buildings were still burning when Xinhua visited the village on Tuesday. Burned bicycles and motorcycles also littered the village. Up till now, there is no security presence in the village despite the massive killing of the dwellers. In a move to track down the killers of Saturday's attack, the local police in Kaduna said combatant policemen will be assigned to comb Birnin Gwari. On Monday, Governor Nasir El-Rufai said the establishment of a permanent Battalion of the Nigerian Army in the Birnin Gwari general area had been approved by President Muhammadu Buhari. Nigeria's police chief Ibrahim Idris has also announced the creation of a Birnin Gwari Police Area Command and two new divisional police headquarters as a means of beefing up security in the area. Police spokesperson Mukhtar Aliyu told reporters in Kaduna city that no arrest has been made so far, but that the effort to arrest the killers has been intensified. Source: Xinhua| 2018-05-09 04:41:33|Editor: Chengcheng Video Player Close GENEVA, May 8 (Xinhua) -- The lately imposed tariffs by the United States on steel and aluminum do not aim at protecting the so-called "national security", but serve to protect commercial interests of U.S. domestic industries, said Chinese Ambassador to the World Trade Organization (WTO), Zhang Xiangchen, in a meeting on Tuesday. According to the report released by the U.S. Department of Commerce and statistics provided by the U.S. Department of Defense, "it is obvious that the reason of these measures is not national security", Zhang said in a meeting of WTO General Council, adding that the imports subject to the latest imposed tariffs account for only 5 percent of U.S. steel consumption. Zhang noted that the U.S. import of steel accounts for around 16 percent of its consumption, and about 70 percent of its import comes from the members exempted, temporarily or permanently, from the new tariff measures. "Such measures should be considered as safeguard measures under the Agreement of Safeguards, and meet necessary requirements as set in that agreement," underlined the Chinese diplomat. Despite worldwide objection, the U.S. administration decided in March to impose a 25-percent tariff on steel imports and a 10-percent tariff on aluminum imports. The U.S. then provided temporary exemptions for EU member states as well as Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, Mexico and South Korea. It is reported that the United States sought quotas or voluntary export restraints during its negotiations with economies requesting permanent exemption from U.S. steel tariffs. Zhang said that those actions are explicitly prohibited by the WTO rules and put the global trade back to the old era of quotas. China would call on the whole membership to urge the U.S. to honor its obligations under the WTO Agreements and to immediately withdraw its tariff measures, he concluded. RABAT, May 8 (Xinhua) -- Three Brazilians and two South Africans were arrested at the Mohammed V airport in Casablanca over cocaine trafficking, the Moroccan police said on Tuesday. According to a police statement, a total of 5.405 kg of cocaine filling 481 capsules was removed from the stomach of the five suspects at the Casablanca Ibn Rochd university hospital. The suspects were on board a flight heading to Sao Paulo, Brazil, the same source said. After being nabbed over suspicion of hiding cocaine, the suspects were transferred to the hospital where the drug was removed from their intestines, the source said. Once their medical condition stabilized, the traffickers were remanded in police custody to complete the investigation led by the public prosecutor's office, it added. Morocco has seized record 2.84 tons of cocaine in 2017, 1.5 tons more than the amount seized in 2016. HELSINKI, May 8 (Xinhua) -- Finnish police confirmed on Tuesday to have locked up a "serial strangler", but public discussion has focused on the difficulties Finland has in dealing with potentially dangerous people when they are out of prison. The suspect was released last October after a low court had not found enough proof for the charges about his planning to strangle a 17-year-old. An appeal was made, but he was able to wait on free foot for the appeals court verdict. People in his neighborhood publicly demanded that that he should be detained, but Finnish laws maintain that a person cannot be arrested again on the same suspicion, and new proof has to be given. There was no legal way for the police to apprehend him until he was suspected of another murder in April this year. The police detained him over the weekend. The man has a long criminal record of several killings and other violent crimes, local media has reported. Due to his extensive criminal record, Finnish media is not inhibited in publishing his name and picture. All his victims were women including a 12-year-old girl. He also killed his mother. During the period that he lived in his suburban apartment waiting for the higher court decision earlier this year, the local awareness of the fact caused anxiety in the neighborhood. There were rumors he had been seen in the vicinity of schools, but the police dismissed the claims. Names were collected even in social media to back the demands that the man should be detained, but there was no fast legal way until he was now apprehended on murder suspicion. The lack of tools in preventing imminent violent behavior in Finland dates back to a reform of the prison system last decade. Earlier, Finnish laws made it possible to keep dangerous criminal incarcerated until further notice, even after they had done their prison terms. As the option was withdrawn, the idea was that mental health services would take over and such persons need to be treated. Terttu Utriainen, a former professor of criminal law at Rovaniemi University, said on Tuesday that, in reality, many of those people have fallen between the prison system and the health sector. "They do not meet the diagnostic qualifications of being 'mentally ill'." Interviewed on national broadcaster Yle, Utriainen raised the question whether "life imprisonment" should be made longer. Currently in Finland, a life sentence convict is set free after 12 years in prison. She said one option would be that a multiple killer would get a longer "life sentence". RABAT, May 8 (Xinhua) -- The British SDX Energy has made a new conventional natural gas discovery near northern Morocco's city Kenitra, the company announced in a statement Tuesday. The discovery was made at its LMS-1 exploration well to a total depth of 1,158 meters and encountered 16.4 meters of net conventional gas pay sands, the statement said. The well has been completed as a conventional natural gas producer and will be perforated and tested approximately 30 days after the drilling rig leaves the site, it said. "We are very pleased with the results of this exploration, as it has significantly exceeded our pre-drill estimates for both reservoir quality and pay sand thickness," Paul Welch, president and CEO of SDX, said. Seven of the company's nine-well campaign in Morocco have been announced successful and the discovery is the last of the seven wells to date. BERLIN, May 8 (Xinhua) -- German carmaker Audi is suspected by the Federal Motor Transport Agency (KBA) of having installed a previously-unknown emissions cheating technology in diesel versions of its A6 and A7 models, German magazine SPIEGEL reported on Tuesday. "The KBA has commenced with an official hearing on suspicion of an illicit defeat-device installed in Audi V6TDI vehicles of the model series A6 and A7," a statement of German transport ministry cited by the magazine read. The report put the number of affected diesel vehicles which had been sold by Audi at a minimum of 30,000 in Germany and another 30,000 in the rest of the world. The Ingolstadt-based luxury carmaker responded to the allegations by announcing that it would release a detailed statement on the matter in the course of Tuesday. "The diesel crisis is not over for Audi. New recalls should not be interpreted as the consequence of inactivity but to the contrary of serious attempts to resolve the issue at hand" an Audi spokesperson told SPIEGEL. Nonetheless, the development is likely to deal an unwelcome blow to the reputation and finances of the Volkswagen subsidiary. SPIEGEL wrote that Audi had halted production of all A6 and A7 diesel motors as a result of the KBA investigation and faced the risk of having to recall large numbers of cars already in circulation. Speaking to the magazine, the German ministry of transport described the likelihood of a government ordered product recall in Germany as "very high". Because the European Union wide registration for the A6 series had been issued in Luxembourg, the KBA was already in contact with its counterparts in the neighboring state on the Western German border towards that end. The Audi A6 series is one of the carmaker's best-selling vehicles and enjoys popularity among senior government employees and business executives as an official vehicle in particular. DUBLIN, May 8 (Xinhua) -- Ireland on Tuesday expressed great disappointment with the U.S. decision to withdraw from the Iran nuclear deal and called on the Trump administration to reconsider the decision. "I am greatly disappointed by the U.S. announcement that it is withdrawing from the nuclear agreement with Iran (JCPOA)," said Simon Coveney, Irish Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade. "Ireland and our EU partners, and a very broad spectrum of international opinion have made clear that we believe the JCPOA was a significant diplomatic achievement, and that all parties to it should implement it in full." "I hope that the United States will reconsider this decision," said Coveney in a statement on the website of the country's foreign ministry. "I hope that all other parties to the agreement, including Iran but also the EU and others, will continue to implement the agreement. The Middle East, and the world, are safer and more stable with this agreement in operation," he added. U.S. President Donald Trump said in a televised speech that the United States will withdraw from the Iran nuclear deal, a landmark agreement signed in 2015 by Iran and six world powers, including EU heavyweights Britain, France and Germany. Trump added he will not sign the waiver of nuke-related sanctions against Iran. Trump said the agreement, struck under his predecessor Barack Obama's administration, does not address Iran's ballistic missile program, its nuclear activities beyond 2025 or its role in conflicts in Yemen and Syria. The 2015 deal eased sanctions on Iran in exchange for Tehran limiting its nuclear program. Source: Xinhua| 2018-05-09 06:22:11|Editor: Chengcheng Video Player Close U.S. President Donald Trump delivers a speech at the White House in Washington D.C., the United States, on May 8, 2018. U.S. President Donald Trump said here on Tuesday that the United States will withdraw from the Iran nuclear deal, a landmark agreement signed in 2015. (Xinhua/Ting Shen) WASHINGTON, May 8 (Xinhua) -- U.S. President Donald Trump said on Tuesday that he will withdraw the United States from the Iran nuclear deal, a landmark international agreement signed in 2015. In a televised speech at the White House, Trump announced the exit, adding he will not sign the waiver of nuke-related sanctions against Iran, re-imposing sanctions lifted under the accord. Moments later, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres voiced "deep concern" over Trump's decision to pull America out of the Iran nuclear deal. "I am deeply concerned by today's announcement that the United States will be withdrawing from the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) and will begin reinstating U.S. sanctions (against Iran)," said Guterres in a statement, using the official name of the July 2015 agreement between Iran and the six world powers of Britain, China, France, Germany, Russia and the United States. "I call on other JCPOA participants to abide fully by their respective commitments under the JCPOA and on all other (UN) member states to support this agreement," said Guterres. Iran's President Hassan Rouhani said Tuesday that the Islamic republic will remain in the nuclear deal with other signatories of the JCPOA without the United States. "From this time on, the nuclear deal is an accord between Iran and five countries," Rouhani said in live speech broadcast from state TV. Iran proved that it has been committed to its international obligations, Rouhani said, adding that "our experience shows that over the past 40 years the United States has never been reliable vis-a-vis its commitments." In his Tuesday speech, Trump repeated his tough stance on the deal, or the JCPOA, saying it had failed to prevent Iran from developing nuclear weapons or supporting terrorism in the region. The JCPOA "allowed Iran to continue enriching uranium" and "lifted crippling economic sanctions" on Iran in exchange for "very weak limits" on its nuclear activity, "and no limits at all on its other malign behavior," he said. "The United States will withdraw from the Iran nuclear deal" and impose "the highest level" of economic sanctions on Tehran, he said. At the end of his remarks, he signed a presidential memorandum to begin reinstating U.S. nuclear sanctions on the Iran. After Trump's speech, the White House said in an emailed message to the media that Trump has "directed his administration to immediately begin the process of re-imposing sanctions related to the JCPOA," and "the re-imposed sanctions will target critical sectors of Iran's economy, such as its energy, petrochemical, and financial sectors." "Those doing business in Iran will be provided a period of time to allow them to wind down operations in or business involving Iran," it added. "Those who fail to wind down such activities with Iran by the end of the period will risk severe consequences." U.S. Secretary of the Treasury Steven Mnuchin said in an announcement that "Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) is taking immediate action to implement the President's decision." Meanwhile, U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said in a statement that the United States "will be working with our allies to find a real, comprehensive, and lasting solution to the Iranian threat." Trump also said after his speech that Pompeo is on the way to the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) to prepare for his meeting with the country's top leader Kim Jong Un. In response, former U.S. President Barack Obama, whose administration brokered the deal, said in a Facebook post Trump's announcement is "so misguided" and "a serious mistake." "The JCPOA is working," Obama said, adding that "the United States could eventually be left with a losing choice between a nuclear-armed Iran or another war in the Middle East" without the landmark deal. Related: Rouhani says Iran to remain in JCPOA without U.S. European leaders slam Trump's decision on Iran nuke deal EU will stand by Iran nuclear deal: Mogherini Turkey slams U.S. decision to withdraw from Iran nuclear deal UN chief voices concern over U.S. withdrawal from Iran nuke deal Russia says no grounds to scrap Iran nuclear deal Israeli PM hails Trump's withdrawal from Iran nuclear deal Syria condemns U.S. withdrawal from Iran nuclear deal Ireland "greatly disappointed" with U.S. decision on Iran nuke dear Saudi Arabia welcomes Trump's decision to withdraw from Iran nuclear deal UAE says it supports Trump decision to pull out of Iran nuke agreement Oil prices settle lower after U.S. decision to leave Iran nuclear deal Source: Xinhua| 2018-05-09 06:27:12|Editor: Mu Xuequan Video Player Close ANKARA, May 8 (Xinhua) -- Turkey's Foreign Ministry slammed on Tuesday Washington's decision to withdraw from the Iran nuclear deal as "an unfortunate step." The Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) accepted in 2015 was an important step taken to prevent proliferation, the ministry said in a written statement. "Turkey has always defended the stance that Iran's nuclear program should be resolved through diplomacy and negotiations and has made intensive efforts in this direction," it added. Turkish Presidential Spokesman Ibrahim Kalin criticized that U.S. unilateral withdrawal from the deal will cause instability and new conflicts. "Turkey will maintain its resolute stance against all forms of nuclear weapons," Kalin said on his Twitter account. U.S. President Donald Trump announced Tuesday the U.S. will pull out of the landmark nuclear agreement in 2015, vowing to re-impose nuclear-related economic penalties on Iran. RABAT, May 8 (Xinhua) -- Morocco and the European Union launched Tuesday in Rabat a program aimed at supporting Morocco's energy sector. Funded by the EU with 1.15 million euros (1.36 million U.S. dollars), the 24-month program is part of the implementation of the program "Making a success of Advanced Status between Morocco and the EU." The project seeks to support Morocco in achieving the objectives of its national energy strategy, such as security of supply, generalized access to energy, control of demand and environmental protection. It aims to strengthen the capacities of the Moroccan Ministry of Energy, Mining and Sustainable Development in regulating electricity market, developing a mechanism to monitor the implementation of the energy strategy at national and regional levels, and improving the ministry's methods for long-term prospective energy analysis. The project is also meant to enhance the capacity of the electricity management for investments in production and transport, modernize renewable management tools and energy efficiency, and support the regulatory convergence process in the areas of competence. BUJUMBURA, May 8 (Xinhua) -- Voter cards for Burundi's constitutional referendum on May 17 will start to be distributed Wednesday at registration centers, a spokesperson for the Burundian electoral commission (CENI) said Tuesday. The number of registered voters expected to get voter cards is 4,768,142 in total, spokesperson Prosper Ntahorwamiye said at a press conference. The distribution will take place at registration centers nationwide between 7:30 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. local time, and will be concluded on May 13, Ntahorwamiye said. The spokesperson said heavy electoral equipment like ballot boxes and electoral booths are being deployed to provinces, and is due to finish on May 12. All the electoral equipment should have arrived in provinces by May 13, he said. The CENI granted accreditations to 39 local civil society organizations to monitor the referendum, according to Ntahorwamiye. Political parties are currently campaigning for the referendum across the country. As the ruling National Council for the Defense of Democracy-Forces for the Defense of Democracy (CNDD-FDD) and its allies are calling on the Burundian people to support draft amendments, opposition coalition Burundians' Hope asks voters to vote against the change. The draft Constitution provides for the creation of the post of a prime minister and only one vice-president, whereas the 2005 Constitution provides for two vice-presidents. The prime minister is to be designated from the ruling party, while the vice-president will come from a different party. It extends the presidential term from the five years provided in the 2005 Constitution to seven years and allows the president to serve two consecutive terms. The present Constitution of Burundi stipulates that a president of Burundi cannot serve for more than two terms. The draft Constitution will be passed if it is approved by over 50 percent of voters. Incumbent President Pierre Nkurunziza was elected the president of Burundi by the parliament in 2005, and was re-elected in a universal suffrage in 2010 and in 2015. The landlocked country plunged into a crisis in April 2015 when Nkurunziza decided to run for a third term, which he won in July 2015. His candidature, opposed by the opposition and civil society groups, resulted in a wave of protests, violence and even a failed coup in May 2015. Main opposition groups had been saying that Nkurunziza's third term bid was a violation of the Constitution and the Arusha Agreement that ended an over decade-long civil war, but the Constitutional Court issued a ruling saying that Nkurunziza's 2005-2010 term should not be considered as a term because he was elected by the parliament and not directly by citizens. Source: Xinhua| 2018-05-09 06:42:18|Editor: ZD Video Player Close U.S. President Donald Trump delivers a speech at the White House in Washington D.C., the United States, on May 8, 2018. U.S. President Donald Trump said here on Tuesday that the United States will withdraw from the Iran nuclear deal, a landmark agreement signed in 2015. (Xinhua/Ting Shen) DAMASCUS, May 8 (Xinhua) -- The Israeli-backed U.S. decision to withdraw from the Iran nuclear deal threatens regional peace and pushes the region to the edge of war, and Israel seems enthused to hit first, analysts say. Since coming to office, U.S. President Donald Trump was a staunch critic of the 2015 international nuclear deal with Iran and repeatedly threatened to withdraw. His stance was supported by Israel and the Arab Gulf States, all of which share animosity towards Iran and express skepticism over Iran's nuclear program. The deal was signed in 2015 and ended a set of sanctions that had been imposed on Iran. Under the deal, the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), Tehran agreed to limit its nuclear program and accept inspections. On Tuesday, Trump delivered on his threats and withdrew from the deal, which he described as "a horrible, one-sided deal" and that it "didn't bring peace and never will." The withdrawal means the United States will re-impose sanctions on Iran amid European opposition to the decision with leaders of Britain, Germany, and France urging the U.S. to refrain from taking action that could prevent the other signatories to the deal from continuing to implement it. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who appeared in a news conference late last month speaking about evidence his government has on Iran's nuclear program, hailed the U.S. announcement and pointed out the tensions over Syria. Netanyahu charged that Iran was transferring "lethal weaponry" to its forces in Syria "with the purpose of striking at Israel." "We will respond mightily to any attack on our territory," he warned. After the U.S. announcement, Israel targeted a Syrian position in the capital Damascus' southern town of Kisweh, and the Syrian army said the Syrian air defenses destroyed the Israeli weapons. The Saudi-funded Alarabyia TV said the Israelis targeted an Iranian position in Kisweh amid heightened tension and fears of Iranian retaliation after last month's Israeli attack on an Iranian position in the T-4 airbase in Syria's central province of Homs, where Iranians were killed. Observers believe that Israel has been anticipating an Iranian hit after the T-4 attack, adding that Israel thinks that the Tehran postponed its reaction to the attack at the time to see how the nuclear deal would continue with the repeated U.S. threats. Hmaidi Abdullah, a Syrian political analyst, told Xinhua that the U.S. move will strengthen the Iranian support to the Syrian government, adding that the U.S. decision will negatively rebound on the U.S. as the Iranian will practice pressure on the U.S. forces in Syria. He said Trump was against the deal because it did not limit the Iranian influence in the region, and did not include the ballistic missiles program, noting that by withdrawing from the deal "the United States wants to punish Iran to limit its influence and military presence in Syria." The analyst said that if a war broke out in the region and Syria was one of its arenas, there would be consequences on the U.S. forces in Syria and also Israel. Esam Hilali, an Iranian journalist in Syria, told Xinhua that he did not expect a wide-scale military showdown between Iran and Israel, saying that Israel will attack Syrian sites, but Iran is ready to confront any aggression. The Syrian Foreign Ministry strongly condemned the U.S. decision to withdraw from Iran's nuclear deal. It said international reactions that condemned the U.S. withdrawal from the deal prove the "international isolation" of the United States and its mistaken policies that would increase tension in the region and the world. It added that the U.S. move proves again the lack of credibility and commitment by the U.S. to the international agreements. The ministry stressed the Syrian government's full solidarity with Iran and voiced confidence in the Iranian ability to surpass the repercussions of the U.S. stance, "which affects the security and stability in the region and the world." Related: Trump announces U.S. withdrawal from Iran nuclear deal, evoking concern Rouhani says Iran to remain in JCPOA without U.S. European leaders slam Trump's decision on Iran nuke deal EU will stand by Iran nuclear deal: Mogherini Turkey slams U.S. decision to withdraw from Iran nuclear deal UN chief voices concern over U.S. withdrawal from Iran nuke deal Russia says no grounds to scrap Iran nuclear deal Israeli PM hails Trump's withdrawal from Iran nuclear deal Syria condemns U.S. withdrawal from Iran nuclear deal Ireland "greatly disappointed" with U.S. decision on Iran nuke dear Saudi Arabia welcomes Trump's decision to withdraw from Iran nuclear deal UAE says it supports Trump decision to pull out of Iran nuke agreement Source: Xinhua| 2018-05-09 06:47:18|Editor: Liangyu Video Player Close Algerian Prime Minister Ahmed Ouyahia (C, Front) and Chinese Ambassador to Algeria Yang Guangyu (3rd L, Front) visit Chinese stands at the 51st International Fair of Algiers (FIA) in Algiers, Algeria, on May 8, 2018. Algerian Prime Minister Ahmed Ouyahia on Tuesday opened the 51st International Fair of Algiers (FIA), in which China has been chosen guest of honor. (Xinhua) ALGIERS, May 8 (Xinhua) -- Algerian Prime Minister Ahmed Ouyahia on Tuesday opened the 51st International Fair of Algiers (FIA), in which China has been chosen guest of honor. Accompanied by Chinese Ambassador to Algeria, Yang Guangyu, Ouyahia visited the Chinese stand and exchanged talks with Chinese exhibitors in charge of constructing mega projects in the North African nation, including the Great Mosque of Algiers. Altogether 58 Chinese companies joined the fair, some of which seek new projects in Algeria. Last week, the Chinese ambassador said his country "has been participating in Algiers International Fair since its first edition in 1967," reassuring that Chinese companies in Algeria are ready to continue their presence and contribute to the diversification of the Algerian economy. Under the theme "Trade at the Service of National Production," the FIA 2018 is marked by the participation of 704 exhibitors from 26 countries. Most of the participating firms in FIA 2018 specialize in food processing, industrial energy, petrochemicals, electronics, manufacturing industries, mechanics, iron and steel industry, services and construction. Last year's edition recorded 791 exhibitors and over 400,000 visitors. At its 189th general assembly on Monday, the Hungarian Academy of Sciences urged changes to Hungarys education sector, calling it one of the states most important responsibilities. In a resolution adopted at the assembly, the academy said government spending on education should at least reach the European Union average, but must even exceed it if the sector is to make noticeable progress. The education sector requires changes that improve its chances of meeting the challenges of the future by developing students flexible study skills and improve conditions for creating a level playing field for students, the academy said in a statement. But the academy added that government funding for education was currently not in line either with the level that would be required or societys expectations. It said that although public spending on education relative to GDP had reached the EU28 average by 2016, Hungary that same year had only spent 1.3 of its GDP on kindergarten and basic education compared with the average 1.5 percent of GDP spending in the EU28. Spending on secondary education reached 1.5 percent of GDP compared with the EU average of 1.9 percent in 2016, the academy added. The academy said the Hungarian education sectors problems included a rising dropout rate, a significant distortion of the structure of education, a drop in the quality of textbooks due to a lack of professional oversight, the rising influence of family background on students prospects and the widening gap among regions and schools. It also said teacher wages in Hungary were still among the lowest in the EU despite the pay rises of the past few years. MTI photo: Mathe Zoltan Police on Tuesday morning escorted several demonstrators out of Kossuth Square in front of Parliament, the Budapest police headquarters (BRFK) has said on its website. On Monday evening, civil protestors formed a human chain around Parliament demanding that Hungary join the European Public Prosecutors Office (EPPO), the restoration of the previous constitution and election law as well as an independent public media. BRFK said in a statement it had escorted the protestors out over personnel and facility security regulations, adding that it will close off Kossuth Square for cleanup and explosive detection work. The commander of the Parliamentary Guard earlier ordered Kossuth Square to be closed off from 6pm on Monday to 2pm on Tuesday. In its reasoning it said parts of the programme concerning the new parliaments inaugural session would take place outdoors. Those events are to be attended by the newly-elected MPs as well as several protected persons. Meanwhile, radical nationalist Jobbik said it was sneaky of the state to have closed off Kossuth Square with the use of manpower, adding, at the same time, that the party considered it a small victory that Parliament had not been cordoned off. Jobbik spokesman Adam Mirkoczki told reporters that the people should also be allowed to express their opinion when they are criticising someone, and not just when they are celebrating someone. He said ruling Fidesz was trying to bar the people from criticising it. Jobbik, on the other hand, believes Hungary should remain a free country in which anyone can express their opinion irrespective of political affiliation. Asked if Jobbik would participate in a demonstration planned for Tuesday afternoon, Mirkoczki said Jobbiks MPs are free to attend if they so choose, but none of them will speak at the event, he added. MTI photo: Mohai Balazs Coun Perez reiterates warning to barangay leaders involved in drugs 07 Aug 2017 Hits:37 Comments(0) Liga ng mga Barangay President, Councilor Jerry Perez yesterday reiterated his warning to all barangay officials from using or selling drugs. Perez said he is closely monitoring the activities of all the barangay officials and vowed sanctions against erring leaders. Aqui gane na mio barangay ya quita ya iyo na puesto cunel dos barangay leaders quien mas temprano ya sale positivo na... BENGALURU: Shortly after a huge number of voter ID cards were found at an apartment in Bengaluru's Jalahalli area, the Chief Electoral Officer on Tuesday held a press conference at his office on Seshadri Road. The press meet took place at 11.30 pm. On preliminary investigation these 9746 EPIC cards are of actual electors & appear to be prima facie genuine. However the significance of the counterfoils can only be verified after due investigation: Election Commission pic.twitter.com/SILPgmrjnf ANI (@ANI) May 8, 2018 A preliminary investigation has revealed that these 9746 EPIC cards are of actual electors and they appear to be prima facie genuine. "On preliminary investigation, these 9746 EPIC cards are of actual electors and appear to be prima facie genuine. However the significance of the counterfoils can only be verified after due investigation," Chief Electoral Officer Sanjeev Kumar told ANI. "An FIR has been registered and further investigations will be conducted. The situation is being closely monitored by the Election Commission and appropriate action will be taken," Kumar added. Earlier on Tuesday, a huge number of voter ID cards were found at an apartment in Jalahalli area of Bengaluru. Following this, Union Minister Sadanand Gowda hit out at the ruling Congress in poll-bound Karnataka and said that the democracy has been attacked in the state's capital. In a series of tweets, Gowda alleged that the Congress candidate from Rajarajeshwari Nagara, Munirathna Naidu, is behind this. On the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) demanding to countermand of elections in Raja Rajeshwari Nagar constituency, the EC further said, "This is certainly a serious matter we can't decide it here. We don't understand the significance of this. Counterfoils are there. Whether they really are the electors or not, it is yet to see." "In Raja Rajeshwari Nagar constituency, there are 4,35,439 electors with EP ratio of 75.43. During last special summary revision, 25,825 additions are there, 19,012 additions were done during continuous operation. There have been total deletions of 8817 persons," the Commission added. Karnataka polls are scheduled to be held in a single phase on May 12 and the counting of votes will be done on May 15. The 224-member Assembly expires on May 28 in the state where the Congress is currently in power, with 122 seats against the BJP's 43. Karnataka is one of the eight states where polls were scheduled this year. While Chief Minister Siddaramaiah-led Congress is eyeing a second term in the state, BJP wants to spread its wings to the 22nd state. BENGALURU: With just days left for Karnataka Assembly elections, a huge number of voter ID cards were found at an apartment in Bengaluru's Jalahalli area. Hitting out at the ruling Congress, Union Minister Sadanand Gowda said that the democracy has been attacked in the state's capital. "The Democracy being attacked in Bengaluru. I am shocked at the incident. More than 20000 Voter ID cards found at a private apartment. I visited the place personally. This mockery at the behest of @INCIndia Rajarajeshwari Nagara Candidate Munirathna Naidu #congresscheatsdemocracy," taking to Twitter Sadanand Gowda said. Addressing the election commission, he tweeted, "Mr Election Commissioner, how can 20000 + voter card can be found in private place. 5 laptops, printer, thousands of Form 6 Acknowledgement found in trunks. Someone is riding on democracy. Election to Rajarajeshwari Nagar Constituency should be withheld immediately." Following the incident, the Chief Electoral Officer has called for a press conference at 11.30 pm at his office on Bengaluru's Seshadri Road. In a series of tweets, Gowda alleged that the Congress candidate from Rajarajeshwari Nagara, Munirathna Naidu, is behind this. "I am meeting @ElectionComm Tomorrow morning along with a complaint to withhold Rajarajeshwari Nagara Constituency Election till proper investigation done. How can Munirathna Naidu @INCIndia candidate run democracy at his will. We are for a free and fair running of election," the Union Minister tweeted. He added, "MLA Munirathna Naidu runs democracy at his will. We will not allow @INCIndia Goonda raj. 20000 Voter ids are in control of @INCIndia candidate at private place along with laptops.printers.I personally saw how they #congresscheatsdemocracy We demand a total investigation to this." With just three days left for Karnataka to go to polls, both the ruling Congress and the opposition Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) have entered a high-pitched battle on the ground and on social media. The BJP is eyeing to dethrone the Congress government in Karnataka, which is headed by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah. Karnataka polls are scheduled to be held in a single phase on May 12 and the counting of votes will be done on May 15. VVPAT machines, apart from EVMs, will be deployed in Karnataka for the polls. The 224-member Assembly expires on May 28 in the state where the Congress is currently in power, with 122 seats against the BJP's 43. Karnataka is one of the eight states where polls were scheduled this year. While Siddaramaiah-led Congress is eyeing a second term in the state, BJP wants to spread its wings to the 22nd state. New Delhi: Flipkarts co-founder and chairman Sachin Bansal will sell his entire stake to Walmart amidst reports that the US retail giant has almost finalised the much-anticipated deal with the e-commerce company, as per a financial daily. The Economic Times has reported that Bansal will sell his entire 5.5% stake in Flipkart to Walmart as he is preparing to exit from it. Earlier, the ET report said that Walmart will be retaining only one of the two founders, the other being Binny Bansal. Sachin and Binny Bansal, both former Amazon.com Inc employees, founded Flipkart in 2007, and like their US rival, began by selling books. Walmart will also retain Kalyan Krishnamurthy, who took over as the CEO of Flipkart in January last year, ET said. Krishnamurthy, a former executive of investor US hedge fund Tiger Global Management, is heading the core business of Flipkart, while Binny Bansal last year took the broader strategic role of group CEO and Sachin Bansal remained as executive chairman. A Reuters report today said that Walmart is likely to announce its deal to buy a controlling stake in Flipkart before the end of this week. Walmart and Google parent Alphabet Inc will buy up to 75 percent of Flipkart, Reuters quoting sources said. Bentonville, Arkansas-based Walmart will acquire about a 60 percent stake in Flipkart, while Alphabet will get a roughly 15 percent stake in the online marketplace for about USD 3 billion, one of the sources said. Reuters previously reported that Walmart was in advanced talks to acquire 51 percent or more of the e-commerce player for USD 10 billion to USD 12 billion, valuing Flipkart at some USD 18 billion to USD 20 billion. Walmart is expected to get three board seats at Flipkart and will also have a say in the appointments of the group`s finance, legal and compliance heads, the news agency said. The Flipkart Group includes fashion portals Myntra-Jabong, payments unit PhonePe and logistics firm Ekart. With Reuters Inputs Mumbai/Bengaluru: Walmart is likely to announce its much-anticipated deal to buy a controlling stake in Indian e-commerce player Flipkart before the end of this week, two sources said, in what is likely to be the U.S. retail giant`s biggest acquisition of a business. Walmart and Google parent Alphabet Inc will buy up to 75 percent of Flipkart, the two sources familiar with the matter said, declining to be named as the talks are private. Bentonville, Arkansas-based Walmart will acquire about a 60 percent stake in Flipkart, while Alphabet will get a roughly 15 percent stake in the online marketplace for about $3 billion, one of the sources said. Reuters previously reported that Walmart was in advanced talks to acquire 51 percent or more of the e-commerce player for $10 billion to $12 billion, valuing Flipkart at some $18 billion to $20 billion. Both sources said that Flipkart Group Chief Executive Binny Bansal held a closed-door meeting with the firm`s top leadership at its Bengaluru headquarters on Monday, and one added that Bansal said that Flipkart co-founder Sachin Bansal would exit after the Walmart deal is sealed. Flipkart last year named Kalyan Krishnamurthy, a former executive of investor U.S. hedge fund Tiger Global Management, as the head of its core business, while Binny Bansal took the broader strategic role of group CEO. Sachin Bansal remained as executive chairman. The Flipkart Group includes fashion portals Myntra-Jabong, payments unit PhonePe and logistics firm Ekart. Sachin and Binny Bansal, both former Amazon.com Inc employees, founded Flipkart in 2007, and like their U.S. rival, began by selling books. Walmart is expected to get three board seats at Flipkart and will also have a say in the appointments of the group`s finance, legal and compliance heads, one of the sources said. Krishnamurthy and Binny Bansal will remain in their current roles after the deal, the two sources said. Early Flipkart investors Tiger Global and venture fund Accel will sell a majority of their stakes, one of the sources said. Japan`s SoftBank Group <9984.T>, which owns roughly a fifth of Flipkart through its Vision Fund, is expected to completely exit, Reuters has previously reported. The Vision Fund had invested close to $2.5 billion in Flipkart via primary and secondary share purchases last year. Flipkart will hold a townhall for employees on Friday, with Walmart CEO Doug McMillon likely to attend, one of the sources said. Other top Walmart executives will also be in India for the announcement, the other source added. A third source said Flipkart had scheduled multiple batches of townhall meetings with employees on Friday, sparking chatter within the ranks that a deal is likely imminent. Walmart declined to comment. Flipkart, Alphabet, Tiger Global and Accel did not immediately respond to requests for comment. New Delhi: Commerce and Industry Minister Suresh Prabhu on Tuesday said that the government is committed to promoting pharmaceutical exports to untapped markets, including China which has agreed for a high level bilateral Round Table to pave the way for Indian Pharma to get market access and penetration in their vast market. Inaugurating the 6th annual International Exhibition of Pharma and Healthcare (iPHEX), the Minister assured the global pharmaceutical players and regulators, of best quality and affordability of the Indian drugs. He emphasised the need for reaching out to newer markets, especially in Africa, where affordability is the key issue, which can be very well addressed by the Indian exporters. He stressed on the need of both competitive and complementary strategies, so that each segment of Pharmaceutical sector can benefit. He further said that there is need to make both traditional and preventive medicine, to work together. He also said that Genomics is the new branch in medicine, which can play a major role for the Indian Pharmaceutical sector. Enumerating the measures to improve Ease of Doing Business, the Drugs Controller General of India, Eswara Reddy, announced increasing the validity of the GMP (Good Manufacturing Practices) Certificate, from two to three years. He further stated that protocol for clinical trials approval has also been changed, setting the time line of 45 days. Once approval does not come within this timeline, the protocol would have deemed to be approved. Chairman of the Pharmaceuticals Export Promotion Council of India (PHARMEXCIL) Madan Mohan Reddy expressed confidence that the global business will be retained in India because of competitive cost of production. He complimented the Commerce and Industry Ministry for taking several measures to make India the main source of global manufacturing in pharmaceuticals. MUMBAI: In yet another incident of brutality against females, a seven-month pregnant woman was raped in Maharashtra's Beed. The woman had come over to her parents' place for the birth of the child. The incident happened while the woman was alone at her maternal home. While her brother had gone to work, the other family members had gone to attend a wedding. The accused has been identified as Vishnu Navale, who happens to be a neighbour. Navale sneaked into the house, forced the woman and raped her. Soon after the tragedy, the woman poured kerosene and set herself on fire. She has been admitted to a government hospital with 75 per cent burn injuries. The police have, meanwhile, arrested the accused. In the last couple of months, there has been a massive uproar in the Kathua and Unnao gangrape cases. An eight-year-old girl in Jammu and Kashmir's Kathua district was allegedly gang-raped by six men who had held her hostage in a village temple for a week in January 2018. She was sedated time and again before being killed. The victim was abducted on January 10, was strangled to death on January 14 and her body was found on January 17, according to reports. In the Unnao gangrape case, an 18-year-old woman has alleged that BJP MP Kuldeep Singh Sengar and his associates raped her in June 2017 and that authorities had refused to register her complaint. The teen survivor also claimed that the BJP lawmaker is behind the alleged custodial death of her father. Her father, aged around 50, was rushed to a hospital from the district jail on Monday night and died during treatment. He had been arrested on April 5 under the Arms Act. NEW DELHI: All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) will release the admit cards for Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) examination on May 10, Thursday. The candidates appearing in the exam must visit the board's official website - aiimsexams.org - in order to download their admit cards. The AIIMS MBBS 2018 examination is scheduled to be conducted in the last week of May, 2018. The exam will take place on May 26 and May 27, 2018 in two shifts each day. The first shift will start from 9:00 am and conclude at 12:30 pm while the second shift will start from 3:00 pm and will continue till 6:30 pm. The AIIMS MBBS 2018 exam will be held in a Computer Based Test (CBT) mode. The examination centres are namely New Delhi, Patna, Bhopal, Jodhpur, Bhubaneshwar, Rishikesh, Raipur, Guntur (Andhra Pradesh) and Nagpur (Maharashtra). The tentative date of release of the AIIMS MBBS 2018 exam results is June 18. Here is the AIIMS MBBS 2018 examination paper patter - Physics: 60 questions Chemistry: 60 questions Biology: 60 questions General knowledge: 10 questions Aptitude and logical thinking: 10 questions The Indian Railways has commended two of its loco pilots for taking action to control a fire in the engine that potentially saved lives. It also expressed regret over the accident death of one of the loco pilots in the mishap which happened on Sunday. The loco pilot, DL Bramhe, noticed smoke rising from the engine of the Howrah - CSMT Express between Talni and Dhamangaon in Maharashtra. A statement from the Railways said, Brahme "immediately applied emergency brakes and used the fire extinguisher to put off the fire, thereby saving a potential disaster of major scale and saving many lives. The train left for onward journey towards Mumbai with change in locomotive with no casualty or injury to any passengers." "During the process, Assistant Loco Pilot Shri S. K. Vishwakarma as per normal protocol was inspecting the loco and in the process he accidentally fell down from train. He was rushed to hospital by Ambulance immediately but lost his life. Shri Vishwakarma succumbed to his injuries while discharging his duties while saving lives of hundreds of passengers of the train and averted a major disaster," the statement added. A condolence prayer meeting was held at Nagpur and all other divisional headquarters of Central Railways to mark Vishwakarma's death. "We salute the spirit of every such Railwaymen for time and again proving this point, all for the cause of safety and secure transportation of our passengers," the statement said. The Railways added that a high-level inquiry into the incident would be held by the Commissioner of Rail Safety (Central Circle). Patna: Bihar Board Class 10 Matric Results 2018 is could be preponed to Thursday, May 10, says recent reports. Earlier, reports stated that the Bihar School Examination Board (BSEB) is likely to announce Bihar Board class 10 results 2018 in the third week of May on it's official website biharboard.ac.in. Over 17 lakh students reportedly appeared for the class 10 exams in 2018. The exams were held from February 21 to 28, 2018. Class 10 exams were held at 1,426 centres across the state. Steps to check your BSEB results 2018: - Visit official website - biharboard.ac.in. - Click on 'Bihar board results 2018'. - Click on BSEB Matric Class 10 results 2018 - Enter roll number and other relevant details. - Click on 'submit'. In 2017, BSEB Class 10 results were declared on June 22, 2017. The Bihar School Examination Board was established for holding and conducting an examination at the end of the secondary school stage, for prescribing a course of studies for such examination and for carrying out such other objects and duties as may be considered necessary for the purpose as stated in the act, rules and regulations of the board. Normally every year the Bihar School Examination Board conducts annual secondary school examination in the month of February/March and supplementary school examination in the month of August/September on the basis of course/syllabus as prescribed by the state government. Apart from the aforesaid Secondary School Examination, the board also conducts departmental examinations (not on yearly basis) such as diploma in Physical Education, Certificate in Physical Education and Teachers Training Examination on such terms and condition as laid down by the state government. New Delhi: Senior BJP leader and Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley on Tuesday took a dig at the Congress over the issue of 'impeachment' of the Chief Justice of India Dipak Misra saying that the grand old party was 'looking for a friendly pitch to bowl on'. He also called the whole move a 'fiasco' and said that the Congress party was being pushed to the 'fringe'. The CJI got a relief on Tuesday after two Congress MPs, challenging Rajya Sabha Chairman M Venkaiah Naidu's order rejecting the 'impeachment' notice against him, withdrew their petitions from the Supreme Court. Naidu had on April 23, 2018, rejected the notice, given by seven Opposition parties led by the Congress for the removal of the CJI on five grounds of 'misbehaviour'. This was the first time that an impeachment notice was filed against a sitting CJI. Following is the full text of Jaitley's blog on Facebook titled - The impeachment fiasco: Another example of Congress adopting a fringe position: The Congress was regarded as the grand old party of Indian politics. For five decades after Independence, it dominated the political centre-stage of India. Its ouster from power, either from Centre or states, was considered an exception. Its evolution witnessed the party recede from a conventional political party to a dynastic organisation. It became a crowd around a family. A challenge which dynastic organisations face is that their popular appeal or acceptability is co-existent with the current generation of the dynasty. The fact that the Congress has been reduced to a two-digit party and is being ousted from state after state, demonstrates the non-acceptability of its current leadership. However, the most alarming aspect of the party has been that from a grand old party which occupied centre-stage, it is being pushed to the fringe. It is not only electoral arithmetic that it occupies the fringe position but also the position that it adopts on several mainstream issues. When its current president along with certain Left party leaders visited the Jawaharlal Nehru University when the slogans of 'tukde tukde' threatening Indias geographical integrity were raised, I had questioned its leadership in a Parliamentary debate whether its earlier leaders would have ever allowed a Congressmen to identify itself with the national disintegration campaign. But its current leader preferred a fringe position. On the use of technology, he opposes the EVMs and wants to go back on the ballot paper. On digitisation he prefers cash over the digital mode of transaction and having the pioneered the original idea of a Unique Identity Number, he has allowed his party to question it both in Parliament and in the Courts. On economic reforms, the party takes a position hostile to any reform measure and wants to go back on the retrograde policies. The leader has no qualms of releasing his photographs with a convicted ally whom he had once opposed. The fringe arty having got a minuscule number of votes in Gorakhpur and Phoolpur bye-elections celebrates the victory of Samajwadi Party. The Congress Partys impeachment motion against the Chief Justice of India was wholly misconceived. It is poorly drafted and lacked in substance. Many of its traditional allies were not willing to take on this confrontation with the judicial institutions. Finding a divided court, the Congress wanted to fish in troubled waters. If the motion for impeachment was unsustainable, the writ petition challenging the order of the Chairman, Rajya Sabha, was unarguable. The rejection of a motion by a Speaker or the Chairman is a part of the legislative process. It was a well-reasoned order. The rulings of the Chair on whether to admit a motion or otherwise, are not subject to judicial review. But wanting to fish in troubled waters, the Congress conceived of a strategy to chose a court of its choice for mentioning for the Constitution of the bench to hear the matter so that an unarguable matter could be arguable before a more receptive court. The Congress party was looking for a friendly pitch to bowl on. The judgment in the unfortunate death of Judge Loya has already exposed the false hallucination of the Congress party where it concocted the unnatural death theory. It now wanted a continuing sword to hang on the Chief Justice and hence on the apex court. Its efforts of a 'foreign shopping' having failed, it refused to argue its unarguable case on merits. Does it behove a national party to deviate from the mainstream and take such fringe position? Fringe organisations have no hope of ever coming to power. They can, therefore, afford to take positions which they will never have to implement. But can a party having ruled India for such a long tenure, push itself to take a fringe position one after the other? This, in reality, is the price which each Congressman will pay because its leader has decided that fringe position are better than the mainstream one. The congressmen in Karnataka will be the immediate victims. Here's what happened in the SC: The top court on Tuesday expressed its reluctance to go into their contention questioning the setting up of a larger bench to hear the matter. A five-judge constitution bench headed by Justice AK Sikri declared the petitions moved by the two MPs as "dismissed as withdrawn" after senior advocate and party leader Kapil Sibal, appearing for the MPs, decided not to press the pleas realising that the judges were not inclined to accept his arguments. Sibal had sought to know who had ordered the listing of the matter before a larger bench and sought a copy of the order, saying this was necessary to enable them to decide whether or not to challenge it. The 45-minute hearing before the bench, which also comprised Justices SA Bobde, NV Ramana, Arun Mishra and K Goel, saw Sibal appearing for the Rajya Sabha Congress MPs - Partap Singh Bajwa from Punjab and Amee Harshadray Yajnik from Gujarat - raising questions over the setting up of the five-judge bench to hear the matter. However, Attorney General KK Venugopal sought dismissal of the petitions filed by Bajwa and Yajnik, pointing out that only two of the over 60 members, who had earlier moved the notice in the Upper House of Parliament, have approached the apex court. He also claimed that the two Congress MPs have not been authorised by rest of the MPs to file the petition in the SC. As many as 64 Rajya Sabha MPs had signed the notice of impeachment against the CJI, which was rejected by Naidu. On the other hand, Sibal raised a volley of questions on the setting up of the constitution bench, including who had passed the order to set up such a bench to hear the matter. The senior advocate said the matter was listed before the five-judge bench through an administrative order and the CJI cannot pass such orders in this matter and sought a copy of the order, saying it was necessary for them to decide whether they could challenge it, PTI reported. The bench repeatedly asked Sibal whether any purpose would be served if the two MPs were given a copy of the administrative order passed by the CJI for setting up of the five-judge bench. Sibal said only after getting a copy of the order could they decide whether or not to challenge it. However, when the bench showed reluctance to accept his arguments and submissions, the senior advocate decided to withdraw the petition. The two Congress MPs had on Monday moved the apex court challenging the rejection of the 'impeachment' notice against the CJI by Naidu, claiming that the reasons given were "wholly extraneous" and not legally tenable. (With PTI inputs) NEW DELHI: The Congress has withdrawn its petitions in the Supreme Court challenging Vice President Venkaiah Naidu's rejection of the opposition parties' proposal to remove Dipak Mishra from his post as the Chief Justice of India. The withdrawal was conveyed to the top court by senior Congress leader and advocate Kapil Sibal. A five-judge bench of the Supreme Court was hearing two petitions filed by Congress's Rajya Sabha members - Pratap Singh Bajwa and Amee Harshadray Yajnik - challenging Naidu's rejection of their proposal. Sibal questioned the listing of the petitions before the five-judge bench. He told the court that his party would consider challenging the order that set up the five-judge bench hearing the petitions. He contended that the Chief Justice of India could not pass orders allotting the hearing to the bench considering it is his removal that at stake. The five-judge bench is headed by Justice AK Sikri, number six in seniority. The other members are Justices SA Bobde, NV Ramana, Arun Mishra and AK Goel, who are next in the sequence of seniority. The senior-most judges - Justices J Chelameswar, Ranjan Gogoi, MB Lokur and Kurian Joseph - have been kept out of the matter. These judges had held the controversial January 12 press conference in which they had virtually revolted against the CJI by raising a host of allegations against him. MPs from the Congress and seven other opposition political parties had signed an 'impeachment' notice And presented it to Vice President and Rajya Sabha Chairman Venkaiah Naidu. He had rejected the proposal on April 23. The Constitution of India does not make any provisions for the 'impeachment' of the Chief Justice of India. It only allows a proposal to be forwarded as a recommendation to the President after winning a two-thirds majority in Parliament. The removal of a Chief Justice is then in the hands of the President. NEW DELHI: Following the thunderstorm and heavy rains warning by the India Meteorological Department (IMD, schools in Delhi and National Capital Region (NCR) were closed on Tuesday. A high-intensity dust storm hit the national capital, Gurgaon and Noida on late Monday night, prompting authorities to issue advisory. On Monday, the Delhi government had decided to close all evening schools on Tuesday following the weather warnings. Haryana had already announced school holidays for the first two days of the week. All schools in Ghaziabad district were also shut down. Later in the evening, schools in Noida and Gurgaon regions were also declared closed. Several parents received messages via email and SMS in the evening and late night informing about the same. "Other schools are also advised to not hold outdoor activities/extra-curricular activities during the above said time period (from 3 PM to 7 PM)," a circular from Delhi government on Monday stated. According to the IMD, thunderstorm accompanied with light rain and gusty winds would occur in Delhi and adjoining NCR including Rohtak, Bhiwani, Jhajjar Gurugram, Bagpat, Meerut and Ghaziabad. Till tomorrow there`s a possibility of a dust storm and thunderstorm in Delhi," IMD official, Devendra Pradhan told ANI. The Delhi government and Delhi traffic police have also issued directives following the alert. The government also issued a list of "dos and don'ts" to deal with any such possible situation. In the list, the government has advised citizens to try to stay indoors and staff off verandas and keep a watch on local weather updates and warnings. The government also asked people to ensure that children and animals are inside and unplug unnecessary electrical appliances. The advisory also asked citizens to avoid taking a bath or shower or leave water running for any purpose. "This is because lightening can travel along pipes. Keep away from doors, windows, fire places, stoves, bath-tubs, or any other electrical charge conductors," the advisory stated. According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), thunderstorm accompanied by gusty winds, is very likely at isolated places over Jammu and Kashmir, Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, Punjab, Haryana, Chandigarh, Delhi and western Uttar Pradesh tomorrow. At least 124 people were killed and more than 300 others injured in five states due to dust storms, thunderstorms and lightning last week. With agency inputs New Delhi: The government is planning to launch a localised, region-specific SMS service to alert people about natural disasters, officials said on Tuesday. According to the plan, the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) will rope in the India Meteorological Department and telecom service providers to send the alerts free of cost in a particular cluster of village, sub-division or town about impending natural disasters. "The SMS alert will go to the mobile subscribers of that particular area and it will be a completely localised arrangement. The alert will not go to the nearby village or town which will not be hit by the disaster," an official privy to the development said. The idea came in the wake of thunderstorms and heavy rains claiming 134 lives in five states recently. The alert would be issued by the service providers of that particular area to all of their subscribers, another official said. New Delhi: The India Meteorological Department (IMD) on Tuesday issued an alert forecasting that under the influence of the present western disturbance over Jammu and Kashmir and neighbourhood, the cyclonic circulation over Haryana and neighbourhood and a northsouth trough from east Uttar Pradesh to Vidarbha in lower levels, thunderstorm accompanied with gusty winds and moderate squall (speed between 50 to 70 kmph) is very likely to continue at isolated places over J&K, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Punjab, Haryana, Chandigarh and Delhi and west UP during next 24 hours. Hailstorm is also likely at isolated places over HP and Uttarakhand during the same period, they said, adding that maximum temperatures very likely to remain in the range of 40-44C over Rajasthan, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, interior Maharashtra and over some parts of Chhattisgarh, Telangana, Rayalaseema, coastal Andhra Pradesh and north interior Karnataka during next two days. Forecast and warning for any day are valid from 08:30 hours IST of day till 08:30 hours IST of next day. IMD warning for May 9: - Thunderstorm accompanied with squall (wind speed reaching 50-70 kmph) and hail very likely at isolated places over sub-Himalayan West Bengal and Sikkim. - Thunderstorm accompanied with squall (wind speed reaching 50-70 kmph) very likely at isolated places over Assam and Meghalaya and Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram and Tripura. - Thunderstorm accompanied with gusty winds very likely at isolated places over south interior Karnataka. Heavy rain very likely at isolated places over Assam and Meghalaya. - Heatwave conditions likely at one or two pockets over Vidarbha. IMD warning for May 10: - Thunderstorm accompanied with squall (wind speed reaching 50-70 kmph) very likely at isolated places over gangetic West Bengal. - Heatwave conditions likely at one or two pockets over Vidarbha and Rajasthan. All India weather inference issued by the IMD on Tuesday at 12:20 pm: - The western disturbance as an upper air cyclonic circulation at 3.1 km above mean sea level over J&K and neighbourhood persists and the trough aloft with its axis at 5.8 km above mean sea level now runs roughly along Long. 74E to the north of Lat 30N. - The cyclonic circulation over Haryana and neighbourhood extending up to 0.9 km above mean sea level persists. - The trough at 1.5 km above mean level runs from Punjab to Madhya Maharashtra across west UP and MP, now seen at 0.9km above mean level from east UP to Vidarbha across east MP. - A cyclonic circulation lies over south Rajasthan and adjoining north Gujarat extends up to 1.5 km above mean sea level. - The cyclonic circulation over sub-Himalayan West Bengal and Sikkim and neighbourhood, now lies over sub-Himalayan West Bengal and adjoining Bihar extending up to 0.9 km above mean sea level. - The cyclonic circulation over southeast Arabian Sea, now lies over central parts of south Arabian sea extending up to 3.1 km above mean sea level. (Content courtesy - India Meteorological Department / imd.gov.in) NEW DELHI: The Aligarh Muslim University (AMU) vice-chancellor issued a notice to the varsity students on Tuesday, saying that a section of media channels are responsible for spreading lies. The statement comes in the wake of the ongoing controversy over a portrait of Muhammad Ali Jinnah on the campus. Requesting the students to not fall for such information, VC Tariq Mansoor advised them to focus on the examinations. Accusing a section of television channels, the university authority said, "As you all know, our beloved university is passing through a difficult phase, taking advantage of the present crisis, section of media especially some TV channels, armed with all kinds of half-truths, are constantly trying to create a very negative image of the university." The statement further added, "Dear students, we should not fall into the trap of some forces, which are bent on destroying the image of our Alma Mater and playing with your bright future." On Monday, the varsity examinations were deferred to be held on May 12. Students of the university have been agitating for the past few days, demanding action against the right-wing protesters, who entered the campus and demanded the removal of Jinnah's portrait from the student union's office. The row started after local BJP MP Satish Gautam wrote to AMU, raising objections to the portrait. The BJP has also hit out at those who opposed the call to remove Jinnah's portrait in AMU, saying those standing with Jinnah also stood for terrorist Afzal Guru. BJP spokesperson Sudanshu Trivedi said that those who are standing for Pakistan founder Muhammad Ali Jinnah also stood for terrorists like Afzal Guru. Indian Army will soon have the deadly K9 VAJRA-T 155mm/ 52 calibre tracked self-propelled howitzer in its arsenal. The gun developed and built by developed by Larsen and Toubro (L&T) Defence is likely to enter service by the end of May 2018. According to its makers, the K9 VAJRA-T 155mm/ 52 calibre tracked self-propelled howitzer meets the requirements of 21st-century warfare. The howitzer is capable of proving deep fire support with its longer firing range, has qualitative superiority to overcome a numerical inferiority with its higher rate of fire and accuracy along with effective and reliable fire support in all kinds of circumstances with its higher mobility and protection. The K9 VAJRA-T is a variant of the South Korean K9 Thunder which is considered by defence experts to be the world's best 155mm/52 calibre self-propelled howitzer in terms of the number of systems in active service. The K9 Thunder development programme started in 1989 and the first gun entered service with the South Korean Army in 1999. At present several armies across the world have the K9 Thunder in their arsenal. The gun has a proven track record of delivering devastating firepower in extreme weather conditions, jungles, barren deserts and severely cold areas. The K9 VAJRA-T is capable of firing Indian as well as all NATO standard ammunition and has been modified to ensure smooth operations in the desert environment of Rajasthan. L&T had joined hands with South Korea's Hanwha Tech Win (HTW) to win the bid in May 2017 to deliver 100 howitzers at a cost of nearly Rs 4,500 crore under the government's 'Make In India' initiative in 42 months. The guns have over 50 per cent indigenous components. Under the contract, L&T brought 10 K9 VAJRA-T from South Korea while the rest 90 are being manufactured at L&T's Strategic Systems Complex in Talegaon near Pune. L&T is also constructing a production line for K9 VAJRA-T at Hazira in Gujarat. Patna/Ranchi: RJD president Lalu Prasad, serving sentence in fodder scam cases, has sought a five-day parole to attend the wedding of his elder son later this week, his lawyer and one of his close aides said on Tuesday. The septuagenarian Prasad, who has been convicted in three fodder scam cases by a special CBI court at Ranchi since December last year, is ailing and currently undergoing treatment at RIMS hospital in the Jharkhand capital. His son Tej Pratap Yadav, a sitting MLA and former state minister, will be tying the nuptial knot with Aishwarya Rai, daughter of party legislator Chandrika Rai, on Saturday, May 12 in Patna. "We moved an application before the IG, Jail yesterday for parole from May 10 to May 14. We hope that our leader will not be deprived of the opportunity to attend the marriage ceremony of his son which is an occasion that comes once in a lifetime," RJD national general secretary and MLA Bhola Yadav told PTI over phone. Yadav is close to the entire family of the RJD supremo. He is currently in Ranchi to help the party chief in seeking release from custody. When contacted, officials of Birsa Munda jail in Ranchi said that they are looking into the request for Prasad's parole and would take an appropriate action. In Ranchi, Prasad's lawyer Prabhat Kumar also corroborated moving application for parole of incarcerated RJD chief for five days (from May 10 to May 14) for attending his son's marriage. Last week, Prasad had moved an application for provisional bail before the Jharkhand High Court which got deferred till May 11 on account of a strike by lawyers. The RJD chief was recently shifted from AIIMS Delhi to Ranchi after doctors their declared him fit. He could not attend the engagement ceremony of Tej Pratap at Patna on April 18 over which his family had expressed sorrow. Tej Pratap had posted an emotional tweet "miss you Papa." Chennai: A day after a 22-year-old tourist from Tamil Nadu was killed in stone pelting in Jammu and Kashmir, Chief Minister K Palaniswami on Tuesday spoke to his counterpart Mehbooba Mufti over the phone and sought her help for the safe return of 130 tourists from his state. R Thirumaniselvam, a city resident, suffered head injuries after being hit by a stone when a mob went on a rampage near Narbal on the outskirts of Srinagar yesterday. The chief minister, in an official release, said he had spoken to Mehbooba Mufti and sought her help for the safe return of the 130 tourists. Condoling Tirumaniselvam's death, Palaniswami announced a solatium of Rs three lakh to the next of kin. The chief minister said that on his direction, Tamil Nadu House officials in New Delhi had taken all steps with the help of the Jammu and Kashmir government to bring Tirumani's body back to the state and for the safe return of the other tourists. "I asked Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti to help officials of the Tamil Nadu government for the safe return of the tourists," he said. Tamil Nadu tourists in Jammu and Kashmir may get in touch with officials of the TN House by calling 011-24193450, 24193100 and 24193200, he said. He requested tourists visiting other states to "plan a safe journey". On the killing of the tourist, Mufti had said, "My head hangs in shame." "It is very sad and heartbreaking", Mufti had said after meeting Tirumaniselvam's family. CHANDIGARH: The Punjab School Education Board (PSEB) is all set to release the PSEB Class 10 Matric results 2018 on Wednesay, May 9, 2018. The board will also announce its rank list on the official website pseb.ac.in today on May 8. The board reportedly confirmed this in a statement issued on Monday. PSEB Class 10th Matriculation exam was held from March 12 to 31, 2018. The board has already announced the Class 12 results on April 23, 2018. PSEB Class 10 Matric Result 2018: List of official websites to check results 1. pseb.ac.in 2. indiaresults.com 3. examresults.net The rumours of results declaration have been going on for two weeks, with the official websites often crashing as several students logged on in anticipation of scores. Servers frequently threw up responses that 'This site cant be reached.' A similar confusion had prevailed during PSEB Class 12 results. Here is how you can access your PSEB Class 10 Matriculation result 2018: Step 1: Go to the official website of PSEB - www.pseb.ac.in Step 2: Look for the tab which says Results. Step 3: On the new page, enter your roll number, name and any other details if required. Step 4: Results will be displayed on screen Congress chief Rahul Gandhi on Tuesday said he has no qualms in becoming the next Prime Minister of India if Congress is voted in power. Yes why not, said Rahul at a press conference in Bengaluru on being asked if he can be PM in 2019. He went on to add, "Well, it depends....It depends on how well the Congress does in the election....I mean if it emerges as the biggest party, yes." In September 2017, the Gandhi scion had said that he was ready to be the party's prime ministerial candidate for the 2019 general elections at an event in Berkley University in the United States. Gandhi further said that he is "pretty confident" that Narendra Modi would not be the next Prime Minister. If the Congress acts as a "platform" (with other parties in a coalition), the BJP does not stand a chance of winning the elections, he said at a Bengaluru function where he launched the "Samruddha Bharat Foundation". "It is highly unlikely that BJP will form the next government, and the second part is that it is close to impossible that Modi will be the next prime minister," Gandhi said. Attacking BJP president Amit Shah, the Congress chief said, Amit Shah has been accused of murder. Don't think he has lot of credibility. People in India forget that BJP President is a murder accused. Party that talks about honesty, decency has a person who's been accused of murder as President. He also lashed out at BJP's Chief Ministerial candidate in Karnataka polls, BS Yeddyurappa, calling him 'corrupt'. We are repeatedly asking the Prime Minister why has he chosen a corrupt person, who has been in jail as his party's CM candidate, said Rahul. On Tuesday, Rahul Gandhi poked fun at PM Modi for heading a government that is presently functioning with no leadership in the Finance Ministry. Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley has been unwell and out of action since April, and Finance Secretary Hasmukh Adhia out on holiday. Rahul poked fun of this in a tweet which read, "Dear FM, As you are indisposed and Finance Secretary is on vacation with his Guru on a quest for inner peace, I have decided to shut the Finance Ministry till further notice. The PMO will take all financial policy decisions as before. Prime Minister." NEW DELHI: Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman has suggested that governmental agencies may be able to do little to stop violence and crimes against women, since many of these crimes are committed by people who are either friends or family. She also dismissed the normal rape-apologist claim that women who dress a particular way are 'asking for it'. "What efforts can be made by external agencies, when you have known people absolutely violating the women?" Nirmala said at an event in New Delhi on Monday evening, reported news agency ANI. The comment underscores the fact that significant number of crimes against women happen in their homes, and not out on the streets. It also underlined the difficulties that agencies like law enforcement or commissions for women face when attempting to deal with such crimes committed by family members or friends. India's first full-time woman Defence Minister was also in no mood to tolerate the lame 'explanation' that a woman may have been sexually assaulted because of the kind of clothes she was wearing at the time of the incident. "Some people say about the way women dress. Then why does rape happen of elderly people? Why does rape happen of toddlers?" Nirmala said. Her comments come in the middle of a period of increased focus on the women's safety and the perceived rise in violence and crimes against them. They also come at a time that her government responded to the recent abduction, rape and murder of an eight-year-old girl in Jammu and Kashmir's Kathua by promulgating an ordinance to give child-rapists the death penalty. The views Nirmala expressed through these comments have been put forth for years by activists. They have repeatedly sought to raise awareness that a significant share of crimes against women are committed by family members and friends, and not by strangers on the street, as usually portrayed. Activists also question the efficacy of knee-jerk reactions like changing law to make punishments more stringent, repeatedly pointing to the fact that sexual assault cases have a very low conviction rate in the country. They also point out that even the death penalty does not prevent certain crimes from continuing to happen. Bijapur: Hitting the campaign trail after nearly two years, former Congress president and UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi went all guns blazing against Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday, saying that his speeches cannot fill empty stomachs. "Modi ji is proud of the fact that he is a very good orator, I agree with this. He speaks like an actor. I'll be happy if his speeches can end hunger of the country, but speeches cannot fill empty stomachs, food is needed for that," she said. Attacking the PM further, Sonia said, "All states that suffered drought were given compensation (by the Centre), Karnataka was provided with the least, this was like rubbing salting into the wounds of farmers. I ask Modi ji, is this your 'sabka saath, sabka vikas." PM Modi is proud of his oratory skills. If his oratory can fill hungry stomachs, he must speak more often: UPA Chairperson Smt. Sonia Gandhi #INC4Karnataka #MahilaParaCongress Congress (@INCIndia) May 8, 2018 Talking about BJP's slogan to free India of the Congress party, the UPA chairperson said, "PM Modi is obsessed with 'Congress mukt Bharat', forget Congress-free India, he cannot tolerate anyone in front of him." Urging voters to vote for Congress, Sonia said, "Congress has worked for the development of Karnataka and you must know that the Central government is working in a biased manner when it comes to Karnataka. Congress made Karnataka country's number one state and started numerous scheme for people. Standing by each other and working together, that is the essence of Karnataka and of India." We helped Karnataka emerge as India's No. 1 state and initiated various welfare schemes like Anna Bhagya, Ksheera Bhagya, Krishi Yantra Dhare for people. The @siddaramaiah Govt has ensured food for all: UPA Chairperson Smt. Sonia Gandhi #INC4Karnataka #MahilaParaCongress Congress (@INCIndia) May 8, 2018 I'm confident that the people of Karnataka would see through the lies of the BJP and will re-elect Congress for inclusive governance: UPA Chairperson Smt. Sonia Gandhi #INC4Karnataka #MahilaParaCongress Congress (@INCIndia) May 8, 2018 #SoniaGandhi ji addressed 2 lakh crowd in Bijapur! #KarnakataElection2018 will be clear victory for @INCKarnataka if v see the response! @reachmbp teamwork making many things happening for @INCIndia ! pic.twitter.com/nluyuOaQ44 manickam tagore (@manickamtagore) May 8, 2018 A massive rally of longest serving AICC president Smt Sonia Gandhi. A new history to be recorded in Vijayapura. More than 2 Lakh people assembled for an event fixed in 48 hrs. More pics soon @INCKarnataka @INCIndia pic.twitter.com/zLFPkbo9t0 M B Patil (@reachmbp) May 8, 2018 "We have worked tirelessly for the poor. We started Mahatma Gandhi NREGA scheme which was objected by the BJP and by Modi ji. Farmers of Karnataka have been suffering due to drought, your CM Siddaramaiah wanted to meet PM over this issue, but he refused. By doing this he has insulted not only the farmers but also the state of Karnataka," Sonia alleged, and asked, "What happened to PM Modi's promise of non-corruption? Where's Lok Pal? What is your model of anti-corruption, PM Modi - the model adopted by your candidates in Karnataka or by the son of your closest aide?" Praising the ruling dispensation in the state, she said, "CM Siddaramaiah's schemes like Anna Bhagya, Ksheera Bhagya and Krishi Yantradhare have improved the lives of crores. Indira canteens have been set up because we believe that affordable and nutritious food is everyones right." Sonia was inactive during Assembly elections in Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat, Punjab, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Meghalaya, Tripura and Nagaland. She had last campaigned in Varanasi on August 2, 2016, ahead of the UP polls, where she had taken ill during a roadshow. Polling for Assembly elections in Karnataka will be held on May 12 and counting of votes will be done on May 15. Jaipur: Indian Army is fine-tuning its combat readiness in the face of a nuclear weapon environment during the ongoing Exercise Vijay Prahar. Over 20,000 troops from Army's South Western Command on Monday practiced fighting under a nuclear environment in the Mahajan Field Firing Ranges close to Suratgarh in Rajasthan. According to Army spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Manish Ojha, the troops took into account all contingencies including a battlefield under nuclear attack while practicing their war drills in the scorching heat of Rajasthan. The aim of Vijay Prahar is to ensure the troops can annihilate the enemy in the shortest possible time even in a battle where nukes have been used. Lt Col Ojha pointed out that given the scenario, the Army was prepared to go to war and win in a nuclear-contaminated battlefield. The war games started on May 1 and will continue until May 9 when the top Army leadership will be present to witness the action. The officers and soldiers from the South Western Command are carrying out Exercise Vijay Prahar along with the Indian Air Force. Brigadier Anil Gautam, Brigadier General Staff (Information Warfare), South Western Command, had on May 1 said that the exercise was about a situation based on a swift offensive action. "The aim of the exercise is to fine-tune jointmanship with the Indian Air Force," Brigadier Gautam said. The wargame will help the troops in bolstering their penetrative manoeuvres across obstacle-ridden terrain under a nuclear umbrella. The latest weapons platforms and state of the art force multipliers are being used by the soldiers to prepare for any eventuality. The exercise is aimed to orchestrate wide spectrum of threats which are planned to be tackled through high tempo joint air and land operation involving hundreds of aircraft, thousands of tanks and artillery pieces supported by real-time intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance and real-time logistic support. During the exercise, the formations of South Western Command will practice and operationalise new and innovative concepts of operating in the network-centric environment, integrated employment of modern-day sensors with the weapon platforms, employment of attack helicopters in the air cavalry role and bold offensive of application of the Special Forces. "In the immediate wake of Gagan Shakti, this exercise was being held for testing and refining jointmanship and maximising the impact of the joint operations," the Brigadier added. With inputs from PTI SRINAGAR: In a major development, the security forces arrested four terrorists and seven Over Ground Workers (OGWs) in separate raids in Jammu and Kashmir's Baramulla. The raids were conducted in north Kashmirs Old Town Baramulla and Sopore of Baramulla district. The four terrorists were involved in recent killing of three youths Asif Ahmad Sheikh, Haseeb Ahmad Khan and Mohmmad Asgar, residents of Kakkar Hamam in Baramulla. During the investigations, it was been revealed that the militants were found involved in the attack on the three youths at Khanpora Baramulla which resulted into the killing of the trio on the spot on April 30, the officer said. On April 30, bullet-ridden of three youth in their early 20s, were recovered from Khanpora Baramulla. At the time, the police said that Lashker-e-Taiba (LeT) militants were behind the attack. A police spokesperson said all the three persons were shot at from a very close range in Iqbal market of Old Baramulla town, killing them on the spot. Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti had condemned the killing of civilians. "Distressed to hear of three civilians being killed by militants in Baramulla. My deepest condolences to the deceased's families," she tweeted. Former Chief Minister and National Conference working president Omar Abdullah condemned the attack and said he would like to see how the separatists leaders would react to this "brutal murder of three young people". "Three civilians have been murdered by terrorists in Baramulla just now. I'd like to see the separatist leaders issue the sort of condemnation they usually reserve for when civilians are killed by security forces," he tweeted. With PTI inputs Bengaluru: Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) chief Amit Shah on Tuesday accused the Congress of using the Lingayat card to polarise the voters in the Karnataka Assembly elections. In an exclusive interview with Zee News Editor-in-Chief Sudhir Chaudhary, he said, "We are at the receiving end of issues like Lingayat. They did not bring up the issue in last four years, but brought it up only in the last six months. Our strategy has not changed because the people of Karnataka are intelligent enough to see through it. The Congress only brought up the matter because of the Assembly polls." The Karnataka government had in March 2018 accepted the recommendation to recognise the Lingayat community as a separate religion. The state Cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah had okayed the religion based on the suggestions of Nagamohan Das committee. BJP's tallest leader in Karnataka and its chief ministerial candidate BS Yeddyurappa belongs to the Lingayat community. They are nearly 16% of the population in Karnataka. At present, the Lingayats come under the other backward caste (OBC) category. Meanwhile, Shah also exuded confidence that the BJP would be able to comfortably cross the half-way mark and form the government in the southern state. Talking about 2019, he said that there was no fear of anti-incumbency against the Narendra Modi government and the party would go to the people with the good work that they had done. Voting in Karnataka will be held on May 12 and the results will be announced on May 15. Bengaluru: The stage is set, promises made, accusations thrown and battle lines drawn - Karnataka is all set to vote this Saturday in what promises to one of the most exciting political battles of 2018. Two main parties - Congress and BJP - have been at each other in the last few weeks. While Congress has attempted to highlight the achievements of the Siddaramaiah government and bash rivals as incompetent, the BJP has returned fire at every step courtesy numerous rallies by party chief Amit Shah, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and even UP CM Yogi Adityanth. In the end, 5.6 crore voters would decide if Siddaramaiah will be given another term or if BS Yeddyurappa is brought back as CM once again. Here are some of the other numerical highlights ahead of the crucial voting on May 12: * 5.6 crore voters are expected to exercise their democratic right in the Karnataka Assembly elections. In the 2013 elections, there were 4.18 crore voters in the state. * A total of 58,000 booths across the states have been set up. In 2013, there were 50,446 polling stations. * Of all the booths this year, 600 would be completely managed by women and would be called 'Pink Booths', according to Chief Electoral Officer S Kumar. * More than 10 booths would be managed by specially-abled people while 28 booths will have an ethnic design. * Kumar told news agency ANI that 80,000 Voter-Verified Paper Audit Trail (VVPAT) along with 80,000 Electronic Voting Machines (EVM) will be used. * A total of Rs 70 crore in cash and liquor worth Rs 32 crore has been seized so far (Tuesday). * According to Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR), affidavits filed by 2,560 candidates reveal that 391 candidates have criminal cases against them. Of the 223 BJP candidates assessed by ADR, 83 (37%) have criminal cases against them. Of the 220 Congress candidates assessed, 59 (27%) have criminal cases against them. Of the 199 Janata Dal-Secular (JD-S) candidates analysed by ADR, 41 (21 percent) have criminal cases. (Complete details here) * More than 50,000 Central forces will be deployed to ensure safety and security. As the Karnataka Assembly election 2018 gets closer, the social media battle between the BJP and the Congress is getting nastier by the day. The Congress had on Friday taken a shot at Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, referring to him with is birth name. The BJP responded in kind on Tuesday morning by dragging former Congress chief Sonia Gandhi. Sonia is set to begin her campaign in Karnataka with a rally in Bijapur. This is the first time in about two years that the former Congress chief is hitting the campaign trail. The last time she campaigned was in Varanasi, in the run-up to the Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections in 2016. She had fallen ill in the middle of a roadshow, and had been rushed for medical attention. The Karnataka unit of the BJP took to Twitter on Tuesday morning to pay the Congress back in kind for a stinging tweet from Friday. "Today, Ms. Antonio Maino is here in K'taka to save her last citadel from falling! Madam Maino, K'taka needs no lessons from the person who was solely responsible for wasting India's 10 precious years. And to Congress, need to remind you of your 'import' jibe?" read the tweet from the BJP's Karnataka unit. Today, Ms. Antonio Maino is here in K'taka to save her last citadel from falling! Madam Maino, K'taka needs no lessons from the person who was solely responsible for wasting India's 10 precious years. And to Congress, need to remind you of your 'import' jibe? https://t.co/7NmhjuoMOM BJP Karnataka (@BJP4Karnataka) May 8, 2018 The tweet referring to Sonia Gandhi using her purported birth name of Antonia Maino (with which the BJP seems to have made a typo), which she gave up after marrying Rajiv Gandhi, came in response to an equally cringeworthy tweet from the Congress, which had referred to Adityanath as 'Ajay Bisht', which was his name before he renounced it to become a monk. We are glad that Mr Ajay Bisht was able to take some lessons of good governance from CM @siddaramaiah and is headed back to be with the people of Uttar Pradesh in their time of need. https://t.co/W9xd1VEEbO Congress (@INCIndia) May 4, 2018 "We are glad that Mr Ajay Bisht was able to take some lessons of good governance from CM @siddaramaiah and is headed back to be with the people of Uttar Pradesh in their time of need," read the Congress tweet, which came after he cut short his campaign in Karnataka to return to his CM duties. The run-up to the polls has been vicious, especially on social media. Both major parties have devoted significant energy to the online battles, considering the age demographics and high level of connectivity in the state. Karnataka goes to the polls on May 12, and the counting of votes will take place on May 15. The BJP is angling to take power in the state for the second time, while the Congress will be trying to hold on to power. New Delhi: Despite posting a dull year on year performance shares of ICICI Bank rose more than 6 percent in the opening trade on Tuesday. At 10.50 am the shares of India's third largest lender by assets rose 6.76 percent to Rs 308.95 a piece. The company's market cap stood at Rs 1,98,620.09. ICICI Bank on Monday reported a steep 45 percent drop in March quarter net at Rs 1,142 crore, driven down by fresh slippages of around Rs 10,000 crore due to changes in asset classification norms. On a standalone basis, the bank, currently grappling with allegations of conflicts of interest involving chief executive Chanda Kochhar, saw its net profit halving to Rs 1,020 crore. Asset quality worsened for the bank with the gross NPA ratio rising marginally to 8.84 percent but net NPA moved down marginally to 4.77 percent from from 4.89 percent in the year-ago period. The bank had to set aside almost three times more in provisions at Rs 6,625 crore as slippages soared as against a low Rs 2,898 crore. But that helped the bank improve its provision coverage ratio to 60.5 percent from 53 percent. Meanwhile, ICICI`s long-serving Chief Executive Chanda Kochhar has also been battling allegations of nepotism in a loan the bank gave to the Videocon conglomerate. The board of ICICI Bank, which is also listed in New York, has backed Kochhar and denied any wrongdoing. With PTI Inputs New Delhi: The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) on Monday refuted all reports of Tamil medium NEET aspirants being given Hindi papers during the National Eligibility Cum Entrance Test (NEET) undergraduate (UG) 2018 exam which took place on Sunday, May 6. The board also denied forcing a child from Tamil Nadu to go to Udaipur exam center. The news about ,a case where a child from Tamil Nadu claimed that he had been forced to go to Udaipur center by CBSE was wrong, because his online application records show that the child had himself opted for Udaipur as an option for exam center, said the board in a statement on Monday. Similarly, news about depriving Tamil Nadu candidates of attempting question paper in Tamil. was also wrong. In fact, all candidates, who had opted Tamil as medium were given centres within Tamil Nadu, and were given question papers in Tamil, it added. Nearly 100 Tamil-medium NEET aspirants were reportedly given question papers in Hindi at a centre in Madurai. The pupils were later provided with the Tamil version after a delay of about three hours, said news agency PTI. The board, however, admited that four centres received question papers in a different language than what the language they opted for. In 4 out of 2255 centers in India, during the conduct of examination, when it came to notice that the medium of Question paper was not correct for the candidates, CBSE immediately responded by providing them question paper in the language of their choice, said the board. More than 13 lakh candidates attempted the NEET UG 2018 exam on Sunday in 2255 centres across 136 cities. About 1.07 lakh candidates took NEET exams across 170 centres in 10 cities in Tamil Nadu. In Chennai, about 33,000 took their examination at 49 centres, the official said adding there were very negligible absentees. Two days before NEET exam, the Supreme Court stayed a Madras High Court direction that asked CBSE to set up more centres in Tamil Nadu. The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has now sent notices to the Tamil Nadu government and the CBSE over alleged hardships faced by students who had to travel long distances to write take the exam. The commission in a statement today observed that the state government and CBSE authorities had "failed" to provide examination centres to aspirants within Tamil Nadu, resulting in hardships for not only students, but also their parents. "The NHRC has taken suo motu cognisance of a media report alleging that a lot of hardships were faced by young students, who had to travel across the state to write their NEET, organised by the Central Board of Secondary Education," the rights panel said in the statement. "In one such incident, a 46-year-old man from Tamil Nadu, who had to travel a long distance of 500 km with his son to appear in the NEET at a centre in Kerala, died due to cardiac arrest on Sunday," the NHRC said. According to the media report, carried today, a statement issued by the CBSE said that "at least 3,685 medical aspirants from Tamil Nadu had to travel out of state to take the exam". The commission has observed that the contents of the media report, if true, raise a serious issue of violation of human rights. "The students pass through tremendous pressure due to examination. It is the duty of the state to ensure that they should not be subjected to any kind of discomfort, while they are appearing for the entrance examinations," it said. However, as per a news report, CBSE and NEET authorities have not commented on why they "failed to create enough exam centres within Tamil Nadu", the NHRC said. "It is also mentioned that in the news report, the Tamil Nadu state government had announced on May 5 that every student from Tamil Nadu, who travelled to other state to appear for the NEET, will be given train fare in addition to monetary assistance of Rs 1,000 per candidate," the statement said. NEW DELHI: Delhi and its surrounding areas saw light early morning showers on Tuesday, even as the region braces itself for more thunderstorms and strong winds. Schools have declared a holiday across the National Capital Region (NCR), and officegoers have been cautioned about the possible severe weather conditions that could take place through the day. The dust storm that hit the Delhi-NCR region on Monday night brought with it some amount of rain. The strong winds that accompanied the dust storm brought down trees in a number of places across the urban sprawl. Traffic density on the city roads has been lower than usual in the early hours of the day. Some flights have been reported delayed at Delhi airport because of the adverse weather conditions. The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) has predicted thunderstorms and squalls (strong gusts of wind) across Haryana, Delhi, Chandigarh and western parts of Uttar Pradesh. It has said wind speeds during the squalls could reach 50 to 70 kmph. The IMD said a thunderstorm hitting the region was 'very likely'. It predicted similar conditions but with hail for Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand. The IMD's forecast however puts the entire region in the clear for Wednesday and Thursday. The advisories issued by the Delhi government and Delhi Police remain in force for Tuesday. The advisories asked residents to stay indoors as far as is possible. They also advised those who find themselves in the midst of dust storms to take shelter under solid structures. Car users have been asked to remain in their vehicles with their parking and emergency lights turned on. All government services have been placed in a state of alert for Tuesday. Emergency services have been put on standby. Water and power utilities have been asked to keep teams on the ready to restore any services that may be disrupted by the thunderstorm. More than 120 people have been killed and more than 300 injured across five states in the northern region in dust storms, thunderstorms and lightning strikes over the past. Many of these casualties have occurred in parts of Rajasthan and western UP. Lucknow: An Uttar Pradesh-based woman has claimed that that the son of a BJP legislator has sexually assaulted her. Demanding justice, the victim sat on a 'dharna' outside the Collectorate office in Shahjahanpur in Uttar Pradesh. A case has been registered against the accused, reported news agency ANI. The details of the case are still sketchy. A woman has alleged that son of a BJP MLA sexually assault her. She sat on a 'dharna' outside the Collectorate office in Shahjahanpur to demand justice. A case has been registered against the accused. pic.twitter.com/mUOcFLc4fI ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) May 8, 2018 The cases comes days after massive public outcry over Unnao rape case. In June, 2017, the Unnao victim a minor at the time visited MLA Kuldeep Singh Sengar's residence with a relative seeking a job, where she was allegedly raped by the legislator and others. Despite several attempts, the victim failed to register a case. The case came into limelight after the victim and her family tried to set themselves ablaze in front of Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath's house in April 2018. Later, the victim's father, who was held by police, died in the jail with post-mortem suggesting serious injuries on his body. The CBI later arrested the BJP legislator on Friday night for alleged rape of a minor. The action had came barely hours the Allahabad High Court ordered the probe agency to arrest Sengar, stating that he was influencing the "law-and-order machinery". China has been busy over the past couple of years setting up its first overseas military base in Djibouti. Now that it is up and running, Beijing has seen fit to indulge in some ceremony. The People's Liberation Army (PLA) has released a special new insignia, badge and brassard for use by its personnel station at the new base in Djibouti. "Unlike other chest badges used by the PLA, the overseas troop badge has no elements representing particular branches, such as the ground force or navy, but features a PLA emblem. The brassard for the Djibouti base highlights the Chinese national flag and olive branches, indicating the base will contribute to world peace and stability," Chinese military-owned PLA Daily said. The brassard also carries the words 'Djibouti Logistics Support Base' in both English and Mandarin. The pattern of the breast tag for troops stationed overseas is based on the Chinese military emblem - a five-pointed star, shield, Great Wall crenel and olive branch. Chinese troops stationed at the base will start using the new badge and arm patch from June 1, the PLA Daily said. China ruffled a few feathers when it opened its first military base in August 2017, not too far from the locations of a US naval base and Japan's only overseas base. Beijing claims it is to make it easier for the Chinese Navy to conduct anti-piracy operations in the Indian Ocean, but this has been met with scepticism from military observers. They say the base is aimed at establishing a Chinese presence on the African mainland, where China is increasing its engagement in the quest for more natural resources. The PLA said the base will also help China to improve its capabilities in terms of international military cooperation, joint exercises, emergency evacuation and overseas rescue. Despite strong opposition to such a move from several European allies, Donald Trump on Tuesday announced that the US will withdraw from an international nuclear deal with Iran which was signed in 2015. Many believe the decision could have widespread ramification for stability in West Asia and could lead to disruptions in global oil supplies. The 10-year deal signed in 2015 between Iran and the US and several of its European allies had sought to restrict the former's ability to develop its nuclear program and prevent it from possibly making an atomic bomb. Trump though repeatedly claimed that the deal was not enough because of a number of reasons including addressing Iran's ballistic missile program and its nuclear endeavours beyond 2025. "I am announcing that the United States will withdraw from the Iran nuclear deal. We will be instituting the highest level of economic sanctions. This was a horrible, one-sided deal. It never did bring peace and never will. It is an embarrassment for the US," he said at the White House. Statement on the Iran Nuclear Deal: https://t.co/O3SpryCKkc Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) May 8, 2018 Iran has already refused to re-negotiate the deal and had promised retaliation if the US pulled out. The fallout of Tuesday's announcement could be in the form of conflict in the West Asia region and soaring global oil prices. According to Reuters, the possibility of renewed sanctions on Iran would make it difficult for the country to sell its oil internationally. The US markets, already jittery, are expected to dive following the decision. It has been reported that European allies like UK, France and Germany - all signatories to the deal - tried hard to prevent the US from opting out. Now, security and diplomatic analysts believe these countries would have to assess their own position. China and Russia too had signed the deal and have been keeping a close watch on the developments. Washington: President Donald Trump on Tuesday pulled the United States out of an international agreement aimed at stopping Iran from obtaining a nuclear bomb and said he would reimpose economic sanctions on Tehran immediately. The decision is likely to raise the risk of conflict in the Middle East, upset America`s European allies and disrupt global oil supplies. "This was a horrible one-sided deal that should have never, ever been made," Trump said at the White House. "It didn`t bring calm. It didn`t bring peace. And it never will." The 2015 deal, worked out by the United States, five other international powers and Iran, eased sanctions on Iran in exchange for Tehran limiting its nuclear programme. Trump says the agreement, the signature foreign policy achievement of Trump`s predecessor Barack Obama, does not address Iran`s ballistic missile programme, its nuclear activities beyond 2025 nor its role in conflicts in Yemen and Syria. Trump said he was willing to negotiate a new deal with Iran, but Tehran has already ruled that out and threatened unspecified retaliation if Washington pulled out. Iranian state television said on Tuesday that Trump`s decision to withdraw was "illegal, illegitimate and undermines international agreements." Renewing sanctions would make it much harder for Iran to sell its oil abroad or use the international banking system. The Iran deal may remain partially intact, even without the United States. Iranian President Hassan Rouhani suggested on Monday that Iran could remain in the accord with the other signatories that stay committed to it. Trump`s move is a snub to European allies such as France, Britain and Germany who are also part of the Iran deal and tried hard to convince the US president to preserve it. The Europeans must now scramble to decide their own course of action with Tehran. China and Russia are also signatories to the Iran deal. Oil prices dived as much as 4 percent on Tuesday as media reports rattled markets with doubts about whether Trump would withdraw Washington. Trump did not provide details of what he described as the highest level of economic sanctions that he is reimposing on Iran. But he implied that he was going beyond not renewing waivers on sanctions related to Irans oil exports and its central bank that were due to expire on Saturday and reimpose all of the other U.S. sanctions that were suspended under the nuclear deal. Iran`s growing military and political power in Yemen, Syria, Lebanon and Iraq worries the United States, Israel and US Arab allies such as Saudi Arabia. Israel has traded blows with Iranian forces in Syria since February, stirring concern that major escalation could be looming. The heat on Nawaz Sharif refuses to subside with the country's main anti-corruption wing on Tuesday reportedly ordering an inquiry against him for allegedly laundering billions of dollars to India. Pakistan's Geo News -quoting a statement released by The National Accountability Bureau (NAB) - has reported that an inquiry has been ordered against the former PM of the country for $4.9 billion across the border. It has also been alleged that the illegal transfer of the money was done when Sharif was heading the government in Islamabad. Sharif has been facing corruption charges in the country and had to resign as PM of Pakistan when his name and names of his family members appeared in the Panama case. There are three charges of corruption against him in the NAB court already. Last month, Pakistan's Supreme Court barred Sharif from contesting elections and holding any public office for life. A five-member bench said that the ruling was in line with the fair practices in a democratic setup. Sharif has also made several trips to London while investigations continue in Pakistan, leading many to suspect his intentions of permanently fleeing the country. On his part, Sharif maintains innocence and has said he has no plans of becoming an absconder. Washington, May 8 (IANS) US President Donald Trump said that he would announce his decision on whether Washington will pull out of the Iran nuclear accord at 2 p.m. on Tuesday, media reports said. "I will be announcing my decision on the Iran deal tomorrow from the White House," he tweeted on Monday afternoon. Trump is weighing whether to continue waiving sanctions on Iran`s energy and banking sector that were lifted as part of the 2015 agreement in exchange for curbs on Tehran`s nuclear programme, reports CNN. Tuesday`s announcement will be the most consequential national security decision of Trump in the last 15 months since he took office as the US President. Trump excoriated the agreement - signed among Iran and the 5+1 Group consisting of the US, Russia, China, France, the UK and Germany - even before winning the 2016 election, as the "worst deal ever" and promised to tear it up on his first day in office. One European diplomat said it seems fairly clear that the administration will walk away from the deal, and described the chances that the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, as the deal is formally known, will continue intact as "very small". "It`s pretty obvious to me that unless something changes in the next few days, I believe the President will not waive the sanctions," the diplomat told CNN. "And that will have various consequences that I think we have yet fully to understand and spell out." The implications of a US departure from the agreement aren`t clear yet, but analysts have warned that it would send a message to other nations, particularly North Korea, about the reliability of the US as a negotiating partner. According to the deal, which was former President Barack Obama`s signature foreign policy achievement, the West would end three decades of sanctions and isolation of Tehran that had crippled the country`s economy and fueled domestic impatience with its clerical leaders, reports The New York Times. In return, Iran agreed to ship roughly 97 per cent of its nuclear fuel out of the country, and forgo production of nuclear fuel, even for ostensibly peaceful purposes. In the 28 months since the arrangement went into effect, international inspectors have said they have found no violations - apart from minor infractions that were quickly rectified. Under the deal, the restrictions on research and development in Iran`s nuclear program would begin to lift after a decade. After 15 years, Iran would be able to produce as much fuel as it wanted - though never for the purpose of making weapons. French President Emmanuel Macron, German Chancellor Angela Merkel and British Foreign Minister Boris Johnson have come to Washington in recent days to bring pressure to bear on Trump to keep the US in the accord. Iranian President Hassan Rouhani has warned that the US will quickly regret it if it abandons the nuclear accord, at the same time that he reiterated his opposition to negotiating a new pact. NEW DELHI: Shortly after China's Xi Jinping met North Korea's Kim Jong-un, US President Donald Trump said he will hold talks with the Chinese President to discuss trade and North Korea. The meeting took place in China's Dalian. Taking to Twitter Trump said, "I will be speaking to my friend, President Xi of China, this morning at 8:30. The primary topics will be Trade, where good things will happen, and North Korea, where relationships and trust are building." I will be speaking to my friend, President Xi of China, this morning at 8:30. The primary topics will be Trade, where good things will happen, and North Korea, where relationships and trust are building. Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) May 8, 2018 It was Kim's second visit to China since March, highlighting efforts by the Cold War-era allies to mend ties that have chilled as Beijing has supported UN sanctions over Pyongyang's nuclear activities. Beijing is keen to avoid being left out in the cold in the wake of Kim's historic summit last month with South Korean President Moon Jae-in and his expected meeting with Trump in June. "After the first meeting between me and Comrade Chairman (Kim), both China-DPRK relations and the Korean peninsula situation have made positive progress. I feel happy about it," Xi said, according to Xinhua. For his part, Kim was quoted as saying: "These are the positive outcomes of the historic meeting between me and Comrade General Secretary (Xi)." (With inputs from agencies) Open source 3, 332 soldiers of the Armed Forces of Ukraine died since the beginning of the Donbas Conflict. Stepan Poltorak, the Defense Minister of Ukraine claimed this as Obozrevatel reported. 'Since the beginning of the aggression, Ukraine's Armed Forces lost 3, 332 persons, including 2, 394 battle casualties and 938 non-battle-related deaths. The minister noted that the car accidents, diseases, violations of the safety rules, suicides and alcohol consumption became the main causes of the non-battle-related deaths. As we reported 2, 378 Ukrainian military servicemen, including 4 women have died in the east of Ukraine since the beginning of the Donbas conflict. During this time, 138 children were killed and 1,399 women have become widows. According to the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, in 2017 Ukraine lost almost 200 soldiers. 191 fighters have been credited as irrecoverable casualties. This number includes those who were either killed or gone missing in action, as well as POWs. Another 174 were wounded in the way that rendered them unable to continue the active military service. Also, it is reported that the gas pipeline was damaged in the result of the attacks Open source 584 households are left without the power supply in Luhansk region in the results of the attacks of the pro-Russian militants as the press service of Luhansk Civil-Military Administration reported. 'Preliminary, the overhead power transmission lines were damaged in Loskutivka village. 584 users were left without the power supply. Moreover, the medium-pressure gas pipeline was damaged; the mortar hit at the household's yard was spotted. 109 users were cut off', the message said. The repair works continue. As we reported the militants shelled the convoy of the filtration station's workers. Five workers suffered, one of them is in the serious condition. On April 18, Donetsk Filtration Station has stopped its work and the supply of the drinking water was stooped to Avdiivka, partially to Donetsk and Yasynuvata, Chervony Partyzan, Kruta Balka and Verkhnyotoretske villages. The Headquarters of the Ukrainian Armed Forces is sure that the situation was staged and provoked by the leaders of the so-called Donetsk and Luhansk Peoples Republics. U.S. State Department condemned the shelling of the filtration station and claimed that Russia is responsible for the worsening of the humanitarian station in the east of Ukraine. The water supply to Avdiivka was stopped on April 20. However, on April 23, the water supply mechanism in Avdiivka, Donetsk region was fully restored at 3 p.m. The Russian mercenaries have been frequently shelling the residential quarters in Donetsk and Luhansk regions Pro-Russian militants have increased the number of attacks in eastern-Ukraine, often aiming for the living neighborhoods. Dmytro Hutsulyak, the spokesman of Ukraine's defense ministry said this at a briefing in Kyiv. 'Lately, we've been observing an increased fire intensity, as Russian occupant forces, actively sponsored by Russia, shell the civilian-inhabited localities along the division line. It became especially obvious when the counter-terrorism operation changed its name to the joint forces operation. But they definitely fail,'he said. As is known, the counter-terrorism operation (ATO) in Ukraine officially ended on April 30, being rebranded as the joint forces operation (JFO). This is foreseen in the law of Ukraine 'On reintegration of Donbas'. He also claimed that there are also 50, 000 Russian volunteers in Donbas The half of the militants fighting in Donbas is the Russian soldiers. Petro Poroshenko, the President of Ukraine claimed this as his press service reported. Poroshenko noted that the number of the regular Russian troops in the occupied territory of Donbas varied from 2,500 up to 10, 000 people in different periods of time. 'They have almost 50, 000 of the so-called 'Russian volunteers' who were recruited through the Russian mobilization system and sent to Donbas. They pretend they are not the regular army soldiers, but they are Russians by nationality. They use the Russian weapons and ammunition', Poroshenko noted. According to the president, Ukraine is a front line of the cold war. 'But we have the hot war now', Poroshenko emphasized. Earlier UN reported that at least 2, 523 civilians died since the beginning of the armed Donbas Conflict (April 14, 2014 November 15, 2017). According to the information, there are 1399 men, 837 women, 91 boys, 47 girls and 149 unidentified people among the perished. Also, 298 civilians that died in the result of the MH17 plane crash were included in this list. Also, the UN reported on 161 victims of armed conflict among the civilian population: 26 people were killed and 135 people were wounded (a little more than a half of all cases are related to shelling). Russia sent its 76th so-called humanitarian convoy to the occupied by the militants Donbas. This was reported by the press service of the Emergency Ministry of the Russian Federation. There are over 40 vehicles that will bring the residents of Donbas more than 400 tons of humanitarian cargo, including children food kits, study materials and medical equipment, the message says. As it was reported earlier, Russian Federation sent the cars with the so-called 75th "humanitarian aid" to the occupied territory of Donbas on March 29. According to Russian Emergency Ministry, the cars of the 75th humanitarian column of the Russian Emergency Service were sent to the Russian-Ukrainian border where it divided into two parts, each of which after crossing the checkpoints proceeded to the destinations - one will go to Donetsk, the other - to Luhansk. Russian authorities have been sending the so-called humanitarian convoys to Ukraine since August 2014. The Russian side claims the trucks carry food, water, medicines, books, agrarian instruments and other necessities. Ukrainian border guards cannot check the contents of trucks, and Russia refused to send their humanitarian aid through the controlled checkpoints on the border, as requested by Ukraine. Ukraine insists there are weapons and ammunition aboard the trucks, so they reach Kremlin-backed militants that keep on attacking Ukrainian positions. Related video: The issue of supplying Ukraine with Javelins in 2018 is rather a political step than the military need of our country Read the original text at 112.ua. Open source The statement of the President Poroshenko on the arrival of the first party of US FGM-148 Fuselage Missile from the planned 35 launchers and 210 missiles, which have been expected since 2015 and are treated almost as a breakthrough in the Donbass conflict, has provoked real stir. I must say that the last hopes are exaggerated: to give the status of a "wunderwaffe" to a good, but nevertheless, the highly specialized type of weapon, ATGM, designed to combat armored targets, helicopters, and field fortifications, is a too confident step. Actually, Assistant Secretary of State for European and Eurasian Affairs Wess Mitchell, who said that Ukraine should use Javelin anti-tank complexes for defense, has already made it clear that one should not expect from Javelin for some special changes, and even more, a breakthrough in Donbas battles. Is there any weapon in our country capable of acting, if not a competitor, at least analogous? Our country has the richest potential for the development and production of tanks and armored vehicles. Is it incapable of creating the means of combating them? State Kyiv Design Bureau "Luch" is specializing in the production of various weapons. The list of nomenclature produced by the Bureau of weapons systems includes anti-tank missile systems, counting three units: the light portable Korsar missile system, the Barrier antiaircraft missile system and the SKFF antiaircraft missile system (adopted by the Ukrainian Armed Forces as Stugna-P). The earliest of the mentioned ATGMs - "Barrier" - first introduced in 2005 at the IDEX exhibition, is now mass-produced by Artyom state joint stock holding company. At the moment there are two main variants: 1) "Barrier": designed for armored vehicles as part of combat modules used in armored personnel carriers and infantry fighting vehicles. It has a caliber of 130 mm, a maximum range of 5,000 meters, a semi-automatic guidance system for the laser beam, armor penetration with a tandem cumulative warhead not less than 800 mm with dynamic protection, the temperature range of application from -40 to +60 degrees; 2) "Barrier-B": Mi-24 helicopters are the last ones to be armed; its characteristics have been slightly improved, in particular, the range of the rocket is increased to 7,500 m, and the guidance system has the laser beam with target tracking in automatic mode. The light portable rocket complex "Korsar" is close to Javelin (by some parameters), but on the whole, it is clearly inferior to it. The complex was demonstrated at the IDEX exhibition in 2005, but it was tested only in 2013. "Korsar" has a caliber of a 107 mm rocket against 127 mm in Javelin, a range of 2,500 m (similar to American ATGM). The weight of the Ukrainian complex is more than 24 kg without taking into account a 6-kilogram, armor penetration is 550 mm. The undoubted advantage of "Korsar" is in its cost: $ 130 thousand and 20 thousand for one missile mean in total the cost of ATGM and 6 missiles, that is 250 thousand dollars against 1.3 million dollars for "Javelin". Finally, the latest domestic model of ATGM from Luch - Stugna-P (Skif); is the closest to the American variant and considerably exceeds it by one parameter. It should be pointed out at once that "Skif" is a missile complex, developed by Ukraine and Belarus, based on the Ukrainian anti-tank missile "Stugna". The version of ATGM, adopted for the Armed Forces in 2011, was named "Stugna-P". In 2015, Stugna-P was adopted in the National Guard. Unlike the Ukrainian complex, "Javelin" has a homing head, which makes it more mobile, more accurate, and quicker than "Stugna-P". After starting the operator might hide, as the rocket itself must "find" the target. However, the aimer must clearly see the goal. The caliber of the rocket at "Stugna-P" is slightly higher - 130 mm against 127, but the main advantage of the Ukrainian analog is its range. "Javelin" can confidently work on fire-and-forget seeker principle, while "Stugna-P" theoretically works up to 5,000 m, the operator of the FREG FGM-148 Javelin with 22.5 kilos of cargo was noticed by the target before it approached 2.5 km. Of course, what is possible in theory will not necessarily happen in practice. The main factor in favor of Javelin is the experience of its combat use in Iraq, in conditions of which the range of ATGM was quite sufficient for victory. At the same time, the domestic ATGM cannot boast of combat experience in the conditions of Donbas conflict. In any case, there is no reliable official data for their use in the public domain. In the summer of 2017, Ukroboronprom state concern reported on the early completion of the order for the delivery of 300 Stugna rockets to the Ukrainian Armed Forces in the continuation of the 2016 order, that is, Ukrainian army had the rockets already in 2016, but whether they were used at the forefront - the question remains open. Of course, the issue of supplying Ukraine with "Javelins" in 2018 is more a political subject than the military need of our country. It is a symbol of Ukraine's support from the United States and a clear message for Russia. If we leave politics aside, it would be more advantageous for Ukraine to develop its own ATGMs. By and large, we can deal with the situation without "Javelins". According to Petro Poroshenko, this year the army will also get Stugna. However, when you are offered, in fact, free "Javelins," it is hard to refuse from them. This column does not necessarily reflect the opinion of the editorial board or 112.International and its owners. Besides, the SBU has information that the leadership of the so-called Wagner Group (Russian paramilitary organization) is invited on the parade dedicated to Victory Day in Moscow The 2nd Guards Motor Rifle "Tamanskaya" Division will participate in a military parade on Red Square in Moscow. This division attacked Mariupol from Grads in January 2015. Vasyl Hrytsak, the SBU Chairman, said at the briefing, broadcasted by 112 Ukraine. It is extremely cynical that according to the information that the SBU has the 2nd Guards Motor Rifle "Tamanskaya" Division, former 5th Separate Guards Motor Rifle Tamanskaya Brigade will take part in a military parade on Red Square on May 9, Hrytsak stated. Besides, the SBU has information that the leadership of the so-called Wagner Group (Russian paramilitary organization) is invited on the parade dedicated to Victory Day in Moscow. As it was reported, the SBU determined that Russian career military servicemen were involved in the attack in Mariupol in 2015. The terrorist attack was performed using two staff multiple launcher rocket system battalions of Russias Armed Forces. Stepan Yaroshchuk, the Head of missile force and artillery of Russias Southern Military District controlled the operation from Russias territory. Oleksandr Tsapliuk, call sign Horets, the colonel of Russias Armed Forces, controlled the attack in temporarily occupied Donetsk. Maksym Vlasov, call sign Yuhra, Russias Armed Forces lieutenant colonel, coordinated actions of Russian rocket system battalions. The SBU investigators determined that the 200th Separate Motor Rifle Brigade and the 2nd Guards Motor Rifle "Tamanskaya" Division were involved in the attacks. Two Multiple Rocket Launcher Systems BM-21 Grad of Russias Armed Forces performed more than 1200 attacks at a peaceful city from uncontrolled missile high-explosive shells. Earlier, on January 24, 2015, the Skhidnyi district of the city of Mariupol was subjected to massive bombardment. According to the police information, in the result of shelling 31 people were killed: 17 women, 12 men, and 2 children. 117 people received injuries of varying severity: 56 women, 49 men, and 12 children. And now some of the victims are being treated for post-effects of the shelling. More than 80 objects were damaged by shelling. On June 22, 2016, the court has sentenced a former police officer who zeroed Grad weapons of terrorists during the shelling of the Skhidnyi district of Mariupol. According to investigators, a 41-year-old Mariupol citizen, who previously worked in law enforcement, began collaborating with terrorists. He shared with the militants a secret information about the locations of members of the Armed Forces of Ukraine and other military formations, which take part in the ATO. In the future, this information was used by terrorists for the shelling. They are suspected of 'bringing innocent people to justice'; the Ukrainian officials actually initiated cases against 19 judges of Russia's Constitutional Court who recognized Crimea's annexation legal Open source The Russian Investigation Committee has opened the criminal case against several officials serving with Ukraine's Chief Military Prosecutor's Office. The reason is that they had initiated cases against 19 judges of Russia's Constitutional Court who recognized the judiciary effect of the treaty on Crimea joining Russia legally. Svetlana Petrenko, the official spokeswoman for the Russian Investigation Committee said this as quoted by RIA Novosti news agency. 'The case was opened against deputy head of the department of Ukraine's Chief Military Prosecutor's Office Vadym Pryimachok and other workers of this office. They are charged with bringing the innocent to responsibility, with charging the people with having committed an extremely tough crime', Petrenko said. According to the Russian authority, it was Pryimachok who brought the said Russian judges to responsibility. 'He must have realized that the actions of Russian judges did not make any violation or a crime; on the contrary, their decisions were made according to the Russian and international law', the official concluded. Since recently, Ukraine has been starting celebration of the end of the World War II on 8 May and ending on 9 May. Let us explain what the new tradition is about and why such changes were introduced. Open source For a fifth year, Ukraine will be celebrating the end of WWII in a new way: for the first time our country distanced itself from the celebration of the Victory Day in the Soviet-style and organized official events devoted to the end of the war in Europe on May 8-9. Later on, new names were attached to these dates on the legislative level. Thus, 8 May, according to the decree by president Petro Poroshenko dated 24 March 2015, became the Day of Memory and reconciliation, whereas 9 May, according to the decommunization laws that were approved by the Parliament of Ukraine in April of the same year, became the Day of victory over Nazism in WWII. At the same time, the former date is a memorable day, while the latter is an official state holiday and day off. Why new measures were necessary The rethinking of the events of WWII is not only a requirement of time, Ukrainian historians for a number of years have been talking about how inappropriate it is to use the term The Great Patriotic War in the context of our country. Moreover, they have stressed the controversy over the notion that the act of capitulation of Germany was actually signed on 9 May. According to the Ukrainian Institute of National Remembrance, the fact of the matter is that for Ukraine the war began on 1 September 1939, when Nazi Germany attacked Poland on that day the German air force bombed Lviv and other cities. The institution goes on to say that from 17 September the Soviet Union became a German ally in the WWII. As the result of the division of Central and Eastern Europe between the Nazis and the communists, territories of Western Ukraine and Western Belarus became part of the Soviet Union in 1939, while the Baltic states, Bessarabia and Northern Bukovina all followed suit the next year. Therefore, it could be said that the term "The Great Patriotic War for Ukraine (June 1941 May 1945), is incorrect from the first day of the war 1 September 1939 to its last day 2 September 1945. WWII was not limited to military actions and occupation of a territory that is present-day Ukraine, but also included the participation of Ukrainians in military actions on all of the military battlefields, - the Institute concludes. The controversy around the day of victory over Nazism is that the parties to the conflict signed the act of capitulation of Germany in a suburb of Berlin late at night on 8 May 1945 precisely at 10:43 pm Central European time, hence, at 0:43 am on 9 May Moscow time. The ceasefire was declared for 11:01 pm Berlin time when it was already 9 May in Eastern European countries too. Open source This is why the overwhelming majority of European countries sadly commemorate the end of the military actions on 8 May, while on 9 May they celebrate the Europe Day, which began with the proclamation of the Schuman declaration published on 9 May 1950 and is considered the start of the unification of Europe. Taking into account the difference between Kyiv and Moscow time, this date of the end of WWII is considered more appropriate for Ukraine too. What kind of traditions replace the Soviet ones Once the dates and terms of the celebration of the previously universal Day of victory of the Soviet people in the Great Patriotic War, traditions of this celebration of the end of military actions incorporated some changes as well. Previously in Ukraine, just as in Russia, which is the direct descendant of the USSR, the victory over fascism was celebrated with military parades, fireworks and the cult of Soviet military commanders, seeking to demonstrate military might. Nevertheless, according to the Institute, Ukraine lost some 8-10 million of its citizens in that horrible war, as well as some 285 million of Soviet rubles in economic losses. Crimes by both the fascist and communist regimes were committed, meaning that there are actually very few events for Ukrainians to celebrate, while there is a lot more of sad and tragic events that should be commemorated. This is why the use of communist or Nazi symbols has been declared officially unlawful, whereas the parades and fireworks were replaced by mourning the victims. The commemoration is now focused on stories of individuals within that horrendous war, as opposed to commemorating the history of military actions. At the same time, it should be pointed out that the Soviet symbols such as red flags and St. George ribbons were replaced by new attributes. In particular, a poppy flower has become the symbol for the Day of victory over Nazism in WWII, as well as for the Day of memory and reconciliation. Poppy flower is the universal, worldwide symbol of celebrating the memorable days of the Second World War. Open source It is worth noting that his emergence is linked to the poems of two people: a Canadian military doctor John McCrae and a representative of the Christian association of young women Moina Michael. Under the impression of fighting in Belgium in 1915, John McCrae wrote the poem In Flanders fields, which began with the words: In Flanders fields the poppies blow Between the crosses, row on row, That mark our place Moina Michael, on the other hand, wrote We shall keep the faith in 1918, wherein she promised to wear the red poppy to commemorate the fallen soldiers. It was exactly Moina Michael who put a red silk poppy onto her jacket in November of that year. In Ukraine, this symbol is used in its own style designed by the Kharkiv-based designer Serhiy Mishakin. The motto of both commemorative days in 2014, when Ukraine first joined the European tradition of celebrating the Day of memory and reconciliation was "Never again", and was changed to "We remember. We win. What's in the program of celebration planned for 8 and 9 May Finally, it should be pointed out that there is no universal plan of events for the entire country on the Day of memory and reconciliation or the Day of victory over Nazism in WWII. In each individual village or town, the respective local authority decides when to stage the flower-laying ceremony, commemorative gatherings, etc. The only requirement is for them to be in accordance with the new standards set by the law and tradition. Therefore, such events are planned in Ukraine for the next two days: 8 May 11:00 The "Heroes" photo exhibition opens in the National Museum of Ukrainian History in WWII 12:00-18:00 Creative program "Years will never erase the memory" on the Singing Field of the Pechersk landscape park; 12:00-13:00 The "Battle for the Dnipro and liberation of Kyiv" cinema lecture takes place in the Museum of the Occupation (a branch of the Kyiv history museum); 22:40 First minute of peace campaign at the National Museum of Ukrainian History in WWII Open source 9 May 9:00 Solemn flower-laying ceremony at the Grave of the unknown warrior in the Eternal Glory park 11:00-17:00 Festivities entitled We remember we win! continue in the National Museum of Ukrainian History in WWII, including a live performance by the Kyiv academic municipal wind orchestra Ukraine, a holy land, a commemorative requiem Memory, pray for peace in Ukraine, garland-laying ceremony at the Forcing of the Dnipro sculptural composition, a concert program called Victory, sacred victory! The countries' fronrunners compete at the first Semi-Final of Eurovision 2018 Watch official online broadcast: first semi-final of Eurovision 2018 00:15 Thanks for being with us! Stay tuned! *** 00:14 Plus 3 automatic finalists from the Big 5 - Portugal, Spain and the UK. *** 00:09 ... and the winners are: AUSTRIA, ESTONIA, CYPRUS, LITHUANIA, ISRAEL, CZECH REPUBLIC, BULGARIA, ALBANIA, FINLAND and IRELAND. 112 Agency *** 23:53 *** 23:30 3, 2, 1...Voting starts! *** 23:27 Cesar Sampson from Austria, Yianna Terzi from Greece, Saara Aalto from Finland, Sevak from Armenia, Zibbz from Switzerland, Ryan from Ireland and hot Cypruss Eleni Foureira have also performed brightly. 23:20 Wind takes away sweet souvenirs...Indeed, a gorgeous performance from Sevak Khanagyan! *** 23:00 Here we are after the first break. Netta from Israel, Alekseevn from Belarus, Estonian Elina Nechayeva, Equinox from Bulgaria, Eye Cue of FYR Macedonia and Croatian Franka. 22:48 We love beyond the bones! Amazing performance from Bulgarian Equinox. *** 22:30 Azerbaijani Aisel, Ari Olafsson from Iceland, Albanian Eugent Bushpepa, Belgiums Sennek, Czech Republics Mikolas Josef, and beautiful performance from Lithuanias Ieva opened the show. *** 22.08 And here we go, with Azerbaijani's performer Aysel opening the first semifinal. *** 21.57 On your marks, ladies and gents! Everything is ready in the Altice Arena for the #ESC2018 first Semi-Final, and we will be reporting from the Green Room, so stay tuned! #AllAboard pic.twitter.com/2p2X5HTYVj Eurovision (@Eurovision) May 8, 2018 *** 21:40 Judging by intense discussions among the fans in the Internet, we have a... little change in the line-up of frontrunners here) Open source *** 20:24 Just a small reminder: all those wishing to join the music feast in Europe are welcome to add the #AllAboard hashtag in their posts with relevant photos. The organizers promised to use some of the best images during the live shows of the contest - right till the final, on May 12. *** 17:33 While four hours are left, check the opening ceremony. The Portugese made a great show. *** 16:50 And the odds cahnged two days before the show: Israel remains on the first position, and Norway and Estonia have replaced Bulgaria and the Czech Republic in the top three. Before the rehearsal began both Bulgaria and the Czech Republic were a part of top-3, and Estonia and Norway were 6th and 7th. *** 16:47 And a bit of statistics before the start: 43 songs sung in 13 languages, over 20 various music genres! Interestingly, the world 'love' in these songs is mentioned over 60 times. *** 15:42 Unlike Kyivs ESC, when men hosted the show, this time four beautiful ladies are to host the show in Lisbon - Silvia Alberto, Filomena Cautela, Catarina Furtado and Daniela Ruah. *** 15:34 The first semi final allocation draw looks like the following: *** The first semi-final of Eurovision-2018 kicks off tonight in Lisbon. After Portugal has participated in the Eurovision Song Contest 49 times since its debut back in the 1964 contest, Salvador Sobral won in Kyiv last year, 2017, with his Amar Pelos Dois. This year Melovin shall perform for Ukraine in the second semifinal on May 10. His Under The Ladder is a story about the internal struggle, fight against self, temptations and difficulties that prevent from reaching success. 112.international is still proud of our native Kyiv hosting ESC2017 which was a great success. The key upgrade lets the gunners hit heavily armored targets while they move - even in the night time or under unsuitable weather conditions The detached artillery brigade of Ukraine's Navy conducted a shooting practice session on Tuesday; the training occurred at a firing range in Mykolaiv region, southern Ukraine. According to the press service of the Navy, shooting practice sessions and the teamwork within such sessions are a part of the combat training. The main feature of the upgrade is the opportunity to use the sighting instruments, which let the gunners hit the heavily armored targets while they move - even in the night time, in the smoke or under unsuitable weather conditions. The 100 mm MT-12 anti-tank cannon, a.k.a. Rapira is the Soviet-made cannon, created in the 1960s. It is used against heavily armored vehicles and other moving targets. Such cannons are currently used by both Ukraine and Russia in the armed hostilities in Donbas. Law enforcers opened a criminal case to investigate the breach of sanitary rules for prevention of infectious diseases and mass poisoning The number of schoolchildren hospitalized in Cherkasy increased to 51, and 11 of them were taken to intensive care units. This was reported by the Health Ministry press service. As of 13:00 of May 8, the total of 51 children in Cherkasy were hospitalized and 11 are in intensive care units, the message says. According to the Health Ministry, the state of children is estimated as mild and medium poisoning. At the moment, there is one report of an adult person who turned to hospital. Uliana Suprun, the acting Health Minister has set off for Cherkasy. Earlier, the Prime Minister Volodymyr Groysman wrote on Twitter that he was going to Cherkasy to find out what is the situation with the childrens health. The Emergency Service press center reported that their chemical and radiological laboratory has checked whether the air on the territory of the school was contaminated by the dangerous chemical substances. There was no dangerous increase in chemical substances of the air: ammonia - 0 mg/m3, chloride 0 mg /m3, hydrogen sulfide 0 mg /m3, fire gases 0 mg/m3. The level of oxygen in the air is 20,9%, when the norm is from 19 to 23%. The laboratory of the State Service of Ukraine for Food Safety and Consumer Protection has taken the water from the school to search for the dangerous substances. The results are expected today after 16:00 pm. President of Ukraine Petro Poroshenko instructed to take measures to find out the reason of the poisoning and provide emergency medical care for the children. Law enforcers opened a criminal case to investigate the breach of sanitary rules for prevention of infectious diseases and mass poisoning, as the Interior Ministry reported. As it was reported earlier, in the morning on May 8, during the assembly in Cherkasy school, children started to lose consciousness. At first, the Emergency Service reported about the hospitalization of three children, but later another 15 students complained about a headache and nausea. As of 11:00 am, 42 children were hospitalized. The preliminary diagnoses is a poisoning by an unknown substance. A resident of the Belarusian Krugle city got into the occupied territory of Ukraine through Russia Open source Belarus court sentenced a militant who fought with the terrorists of the so-called "LNR", to two years of imprisonment in a general-purpose colony. This was reported by the site of the Mogilev Regional Court of Law. The court found that a citizen of the Republic of Belarus from April 14, 2016 to December 18, 2017, through the border crossing point "Novoshakhtinsk Auto" of the Russian Federation repeatedly entered the territory of the self-proclaimed Luhansk People's Republic, located on the territory of a foreign state, Ukraine, the message says. According to the charges, he started military service in an armed formation, was enlisted as a military, equipped with a uniform, firearms and ammunition. "On the basis of Part 1 of Article 361-3 of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Belarus, the accused was sentenced to two years of imprisonment in a penal colony under general conditions," the statement reads. As it was reported earlier, Rafael Lusvarghi, former DNR (Donetsk Peoples Republic) militant, could not be passed by the exchange list as he is a Brazilian citizen, as Vasyl Hrytsak, the Head of SBU, said at the briefing. As it was reported earlier, SBU officers detained Lusvarghi in October 2016 when he was crossing Ukraines border in D terminal of the Boryspil airport. A couple of months later, in January of 2017, Kyiv Pechersky District Court found the Brazilian guilty of the formation of a terrorist organization, of the creations of illegal armed formations and sentenced him to 13 years of imprisonment with a confiscation of property. He became the first non-Russia foreigner sentenced by Kyiv for the participation in Donbas war. Kyiv Court of Appeal canceled the sentence on August 2017 and returned the Lusvarghi case for a retrial. Related video: The workers of the State Emergency Service of Ukraine continue to inspect the territory of the armament depot in Balakliya, Kharkiv region as the service reported. 'As at May 8, the situation is under control. The foot patrols inspect the territory. Totally, 35 people and 12 equipments units, including 6 personnel of Emergency Service and 2 equipments units involved in the elimination of the consequences, the message said. As we reported the fire occurred at the armament depot in Balakliya, Kharkiv region on May 3. According to the Defense Ministry, the fire tank ran over some explosive device during the execution of the technical works. According to the press service of the General Staff of Ukraine, the dry grass caught fire at 13:55 at the former technical territory of the 65th arsenal in Balakliya. The works on the cleaning and demining of the armaments' debris that did not explode during the previous fire took place and the new fire has begun. As at 19:30 on May 3, the firemen succeeded to localize the fire. The police investigates the incident due to the negligence to the military service. As 112 International reported, a series of powerful blasts took place at an ammunition storage facility in Kharkiv region on late March 23. The incident occurred near the town of Balakliya. Many of the locals were evacuated from the town and its vicinities. The fire caused by the blasts was finally extinguished the day after that, by the evening of March 24. Numerous casualties and even a fatality were reported. Germanys Minister of Economics and Energy Peter Altmaier plans to visit Kyiv and Moscow on May 13-14. This was reported by Handelsblatt agency. "An important topic for negotiations will be the controversial project of North Stream 2 gas pipeline and the future role of Ukraine as a transit country," the report said. Also, the German-Russian economic relations will be in focus. As it was reported earlier, the construction of the German part of the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline has begun in Germany. It was noted that the works on the re-excavation and laying of the foundation for the gas receiving stations and the maintenance building have already begun at the docking point of the future pipeline in Lubmin, Mecklenburg-Vorpommern land, at the square of about six hectares. According to the representative of the company, the works take place according to the established schedule. He is sure that all permission for the construction of the Nord Stream 2 will be issued. Tthe string of the first Nord Stream was situated in this corridor due to the strong desire of Denmark and the company is sure that the government in Copenhagen will agree on the construction of Nord Stream 2 in this corridor. Earlier it was reported that all necessary permits needed for the project have also been received in Germany. The national permitting procedures in the other three countries along the route Russia, Sweden and Denmark are proceeding as planned. The prosecutor's office intends to demand the objective truth-telling in Markiv case, defense of his legal rights and interests The Italian authorities have ignored the appeal of the Prosecutor General's Office of Ukraine on the readiness to cooperate in the investigation of the case against Ukrainian Vitaly Markiv suspected in the murder of the photo correspondent in Sloviansk in 2014. Yevhen Yenin, the Deputy Prosecutor General claimed this as Hromadske reported. 'There are the appeal and the joint letter from the prosecutor general and the chairman of Security Service of Ukraine that is the prosecution body in the investigation of the murder of Italian citizen Rocchelli. We also offered a visit at the crime scene as it will allow to remove the number of the reservations and possibly to disavow the testimony of the Italian side. At the moment, we have no answer, despite our numerous reminds', Yenin noted. According to him, the Prosecutor General's Office also expressed the readiness to create the international contact group. Yenin emphasized that the prosecutor's office will continue to demand the objective truth-telling in Markiv case, defense of his legal rights and interests. The Security Service of Ukraine in Donetsk region investigates the case at the moment and the pass of the case to another regional department is considered. 'The mentioned investigation is held by the SBU in Donetsk region as far as I understand it can be passed to the Chief SBU Department to increase the effectiveness of the investigation', Yenin said. Earlier Interior Ministry Arsen Avakov and Italian Ambassador discussed a case of arrested National Guard officer Markiv. The minister reminded that the Italian side did not respond to the offer on the creation of the joint investigative group for the efficient interaction needed for the gathering of the necessary evidentiary materials, search and questioning of the witnesses. The Italian police detained the Ukrainian military Vitaliy Markiv on June 30. The council is not allowed to visit him because Markiv is the citizen of Italy. The Prosecutors General Office of Ukraine keeps in touch with Italian police and Markivs advocates. The Prosecutors General Office of Ukraine also added that Markiv has two citizenships: the Ukrainian and the Italian. According to Yevhen Yenin, Deputy Prosecutor General, the Ukrainian side is surprised by the detention of the Ukrainian soldier. The Prosecutor Generals Office of Ukraine demands that the Italian side either release Markiv immediately or provide fundamental evidence of his guilt, he posted at Facebook. Yenin added that Ukrainian law enforcers are looking into the death of Italian photographer Andrea Rocchelli and his interpreter Andrei Mironov that took place near Slovyansk, Donetsk region, in May 2014. Open source Today Ukraine celebrates the Day of Remembrance. In fact, Ukraine will celebrate the end of WWII in a new way the fifth year in a row. Since 2014 our state has abandoned a tradition to celebrate Soviet Victory Day for the first time ever and held the official events due to the end of the war in Europe on May 8 and May 9. According to the order of Petro Poroshenko, May 8 is the Day of Remembrance and Reconciliation and May 9 is Victory Day over Nazism in WWII. The majority of the European countries celebrate the end of the battle actions on May 8 and the Day of Europe is celebrated on May 9. Also, the Soviet symbols such as red flags and Ribbon of Saint George were replaced by new attributes. Particularly, red poppy as the common world symbol of the commemorative days of WWII became new attribute. Earlier Ukraine as well as the Russian Federation, the direct descendant of the Soviet Union, celebrated the victory over fascism with the military parades, fireworks and cult of the Soviet military commanders that aimed to show the military might. It is unlikely that former fugitive president will come to Ukraine A sentence of the first instance of the court on the state treason case of former Ukrainian president Viktor Yanukovych is expected at the end of May. Yevhen Yenin, the Deputy Prosecutor General of Ukraine claimed this as Hromadske reported. 'The criminal process within this proceeding takes its final stage and it is possible to expect the sentence of the court's first instance within a month. Certainly, the mentioned criminal process is extremely important. And it is not only the restoring of the justice but also the warning for the current and future heads of Ukraine regardless of their level that all people are equal in front of the law in Ukraine and the most senior officials of our state can be brought to the responsibility', he said. According to Yenin, it is difficult to manage the arrival of Yanukovych to Ukraine during the presidency of Putin in Russia. 'For today, it depends on the number of the factors. First of all, the desire of Viktor Yanukovych as we do not see the political will of Russia to extradite him through the international and legal aid during the presidency of Vladimir Putin'. Yanukovych is charged with state treason, assistance in deliberate actions against Ukraines state border, sovereignty and territorial integrity and assistance in leading the aggressive war against Ukraine. The bill has to be agreed with the Senate and voted by both chambers of Congress before its submitted to the US president for a signature The United States House Committee on Armed Services of the US Congress presented the draft law on the US budget for 2019 national defense, which provides for the allocation of 250 million dollars to Ukraine. This was reported by the Ukrainian Embassy in the United States of America on Facebook. "The amount proposed to be allocated for Ukraine's security, including lethal weapons, is 250 million dollars, which is 100 million dollars more than the Committee has proposed to provide in the current budget year," the message says. 50 million dollars out of this money is proposed to be directed solely for the provision of defensive lethal weapon. The bill has to be agreed with the Senate and voted by both chambers of Congress before its submitted to the US president for a signature. As it was reported earlier, the US Congress concluded a budget agreement for the 2018 financial year, within which Ukraine can receive 200 million dollars for military assistance. The funds are allocated for training, equipment, lethal weapons; logistics support, supplies and intelligence support to the military and national security forces of Ukraine. In total, the bill has 1.3 trillion dollars to finance the government until September. It significantly increases the money for national defense and does not fund some immigration initiatives of US President Donald Trump. Related video: For anyone who has always wanted to try flamenco, these classes introduce all the basics taught by Albuquerque native, Leslie Roybal. For anyone who has always wanted to try flamenco, these classes introduce all the basics. Or, for dancers who want to brush up on technique, this is a great opportunity to work on refining your skills. Students will learn basic movement vocabulary, technique, and short dances. Taught by Albuquerque Native, Leslie Roybal, recently returned to Burque from New York City! Leslie has had an extensive career as a performer and dance educator in both the Contemporary Dance and Flamenco ideologies. She is currently the Program Director for Flamenco Vivo Carlota Santana in New York City and produces the Flamenco Certamen USA annually which supports the growth and exposure of up-and-coming flamenco artists throughout the United States. Leslie has toured with companies such as Murray Spalding Mandalas, Fred Darsow Dance, Neville Dance Company, The Metropolitan Opera, Pasion y Arte, A Palo Seco Flamenco, Flamenco Vivo Carlota Santana and performed regularly in the New York and New Jersey tablaos. She was a scholarship recipient for the NALAC Leadership Institute in 2011, was a pioneering member of the Performers in Transition Fellowship for the BAM Professional Development Program/DeVos Institute of Arts Management at the Kennedy Center in 2012, and was named one of 12 national finalists for the 2016 Coors Light Lideres Program in honor of her work as a supporter of the Latino community. YEREVAN, MAY 8, ARMENPRESS. Candidate for Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan says he is certain that the negotiations for the settlement of the Nagorno Karabakh conflict cannot be complete and effective without the participation of one party the leadership of Artsakh. Pashinyan, delivering opening remarks during the ongoing parliamentary sitting for the election of Prime Minister, added that the participation of Artsakh in the negotiations is panned under the 1992 Minsk Group mandate. Speaking about the need for a peaceful settlement based on international law, Pashinyan stressed that the international recognition of Artsakhs self-determination right is vital. In terms of the settlement of the Karabakh conflict we are committed to an exclusively peaceful settlement, which must be based on the principle of legal equality of peoples and self determination. I am ready to negotiate with Azerbaijans leader within the framework of the OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairmanship having the abovementioned principled stance as a basis, Pashinyan. Pashinyan says a new momentum must be conveyed to the international recognition process of Artsakh, which must be a priority agenda issue of Diaspora Armenians. The extraordinary sitting of the Armenian parliament kicked off with 100 MPs in attendance. Lawmakers are set to vote for electing a Prime Minister with opposition leader Nikol Pashinyan being the sole candidate. Two other factions in addition to Pashinyans Yelk have endorsed the opposition leaders candidacy the ARF and the Tsarukyan. Pashinyan will need at least 53 votes in the 105-seat unicameral parliament to be named Prime Minister. As this is the second round of vote, if lawmakers fail to elect a PM today also, then the parliament will be dissolved and early elections will take place. As required by the Constitution, a new government must be formed within 15 days after electing a Prime Minister. An elected Prime Minister must nominate deputy Prime Ministers and ministers of his Cabinet to the President within five days after taking office. After the formation of the government, the Prime Minister must present his Cabinets action plan for parliamentary debates within 20 days. Lawmakers have seven days for debating the action plan. In the event of the parliaments rejection of the action plan, the elected PM resigns and new elections of PM take place. If a new Prime Minister is elected in the second elections and again the action plan isnt approved, the parliament is dissolved and snap elections take place. Prime Minister Serzh Sargsyan, the third President of Armenia who took office as PM April 17, resigned amid mass protests on April 23. Opposition leader Nikol Pashinyan, head of the Yelk (Exit) faction, was the sole candidate in the first round of elections on May 1. Pashinyan, the MP who spearheaded massive demonstrations throughout the country for about two weeks, failed to be elected by a 56-45 vote. There are 4 factions in the Armenian parliament. The Republican Party (HHK) faction, the ruling party of Armenia, has 58 seats in the 105-seat unicameral parliament of Armenia known as the National Assembly. The ARF faction (Armenian Revolutionary Federation aka Dashnaktsutyun), has 7 seats. The Tsarukyan faction has 31 seats, and the Yelk faction has 9 seats. The ruling party said it will not nominate their own candidate for the second round, just like in the first round. However, the HHK said it will not block the election and will support it. ENGLISH: Editor/Translator - Stepan Kocharyan YEREVAN, MAY 8, ARMENPRESS. Opposition leader Nikol Pashinyan, the sole candidate for Prime Minister in todays election, said in his opening remarks in the Armenian parliament that the core of Armenias foreign policy will be the collective interest of Armenia and the Armenian people if elected. Pashinyan said Armenia will continue being a member of the EEU by making all possible efforts for making the countrys membership more effective. Armenia will also continue being a member of the Collective Security Treaty Organization, by also seeking the task of making the membership more effective in this organization also. Speaking about relations with Russia, a strategic ally of Armenia, Pashinyan said that the development of relations with Moscow is among the top priorities. The Armenia-Russia relations must be based on friendship, legal equality and willingness to solve existing issues through joint efforts. We view military cooperation with Russia as an important factor of Armenias security system, he said. He also prioritized deepening of relations with European countries and EU-member states. The speedy ratification of the Comprehensive and Enhanced Partnership Agreement and its complete enforcement is in our interests. We will do everything for abolishing the visa requirement for Armenian citizens for EU entry. We expect to start negotiations over this in the nearest future, he said. Speaking about friendly activities with the US, Pashinyan said that specific steps will be made to initiate partnership in various sectors with America. We attach special importance to Armenia-Iran and Armenia-Georgia relations, Pashinyan added. He said that this political process will boost relations with Armenias neighbors. He also highlighted the development of relations with China and India. The extraordinary sitting of the Armenian parliament kicked off with 100 MPs in attendance. Lawmakers are set to vote for electing a Prime Minister with opposition leader Nikol Pashinyan being the sole candidate. Two other factions in addition to Pashinyans Yelk have endorsed the opposition leaders candidacy the ARF and the Tsarukyan. Pashinyan will need at least 53 votes in the 105-seat unicameral parliament to be named Prime Minister. As this is the second round of vote, if lawmakers fail to elect a PM today also, then the parliament will be dissolved and early elections will take place. As required by the Constitution, a new government must be formed within 15 days after electing a Prime Minister. An elected Prime Minister must nominate deputy Prime Ministers and ministers of his Cabinet to the President within five days after taking office. After the formation of the government, the Prime Minister must present his Cabinets action plan for parliamentary debates within 20 days. Lawmakers have seven days for debating the action plan. In the event of the parliaments rejection of the action plan, the elected PM resigns and new elections of PM take place. If a new Prime Minister is elected in the second elections and again the action plan isnt approved, the parliament is dissolved and snap elections take place. Prime Minister Serzh Sargsyan, the third President of Armenia who took office as PM April 17, resigned amid mass protests on April 23. Opposition leader Nikol Pashinyan, head of the Yelk (Exit) faction, was the sole candidate in the first round of elections on May 1. Pashinyan, the MP who spearheaded massive demonstrations throughout the country for about two weeks, failed to be elected by a 56-45 vote. There are 4 factions in the Armenian parliament. The Republican Party (HHK) faction, the ruling party of Armenia, has 58 seats in the 105-seat unicameral parliament of Armenia known as the National Assembly. The ARF faction (Armenian Revolutionary Federation aka Dashnaktsutyun), has 7 seats. The Tsarukyan faction has 31 seats, and the Yelk faction has 9 seats. The ruling party said it will not nominate their own candidate for the second round, just like in the first round. However, the HHK said it will not block the election and will support it. ENGLISH: Editor/Translator - Stepan Kocharyan YEREVAN, MAY 8, ARMENPRESS. Acting Prime Minister of Armenia Karen Karapetyan has stepped down as Nikol Pashinyan was elected Prime Minister. Karapetyan made a remark on Facebook, thanking for the criticism, inspiring words and support, and wished good luck to the new PM. It was a very interesting and responsible period. I have maximally invested my abilities in the job. I would like to thank our government team. It was a team of extremely decent and patriotic people. I would like to thank the professional, unconstrained, bold and effective young people who entered public service in this period of time, he said. Congratulating the new PM, Karapetyan wished numerous successes, good results, period in office without crises and to be always understood by the people to Pashinyan and all other future PMs. Imagining the hard and responsible job of Prime Minister, which requires absence of careless days and nights, I suggest out citizens, reporters, social media users and political forces to be objective while criticizing the Prime Minister, not mix personal and family matters, and on the opposite to advise and inspire while criticizing. Good mood to everyone, be good. Thank you, he said. Armenian lawmakers elected opposition leader Nikol Pashinyan as Prime Minister of Armenia. 59 MPs voted in favor, 42 voted against. The extraordinary sitting of the Armenian parliament kicked off 12:00 with 100 MPs in attendance for the second round of vote to elect a Prime Minister. Nikol Pashinyan, the opposition leader who spearheaded the recent nationwide demonstrations, was the only candidate for the position, just like during the first round on May 1. Two other factions in addition to Pashinyans Yelk have endorsed the opposition leaders candidacy the ARF and the Tsarukyan. Pashinyan needed at least 53 votes in the 105-seat unicameral parliament to be named Prime Minister. As required by the Constitution, a new government must be formed within 15 days after electing a Prime Minister. An elected Prime Minister must nominate deputy Prime Ministers and ministers of his Cabinet to the President within five days after taking office. After the formation of the government, the Prime Minister must present his Cabinets action plan for parliamentary debates within 20 days. Lawmakers have seven days for debating the action plan. In the event of the parliaments rejection of the action plan, the elected PM resigns and new elections of PM take place. If a new Prime Minister is elected in the second elections and again the action plan isnt approved, the parliament is dissolved and snap elections take place. Prime Minister Serzh Sargsyan, the third President of Armenia who took office as PM April 17, resigned amid mass protests on April 23. Opposition leader Nikol Pashinyan, head of the Yelk (Exit) faction, was the sole candidate in the first round of elections on May 1. Pashinyan, the MP who spearheaded massive demonstrations throughout the country for about two weeks, failed to be elected by a 56-45 vote in the first round of voting. There are 4 factions in the Armenian parliament. The Republican Party (HHK) faction, the ruling party of Armenia, has 58 seats in the 105-seat unicameral parliament of Armenia known as the National Assembly. The ARF faction (Armenian Revolutionary Federation aka Dashnaktsutyun), has 7 seats. The Tsarukyan faction has 31 seats, and the Yelk faction has 9 seats. The ruling party said it will not nominate their own candidate for the second round, just like in the first round. However, the HHK said it will not block the election and will support it. ENGLISH: Editor/Translator - Stepan Kocharyan YEREVAN, MAY 8, ARMENPRESS. Artak Zakaryan, first deputy defense minister of Armenia, announced his resignation, reports Armenpress. He posted a statement on Facebook which says: Dear compatriots, In connection with the change of political situation, I made a decision to resign from the position of first deputy defense minister. First of all, my political team will act as an opposition, and secondly I think that the leadership of the defense ministry must be formed from the team of newly-elected Prime Minister. Over the past year numerous reforms and innovations launched in the defense field by the initiative of the defense minister. Each of them aims at upgrading the Armed Forces and strengthening the states defense system, increasing the attraction towards the military service, effective and purposeful management of resources. By each initiative, as an ultimate goal, we have clearly understood our direct commitment to ensuring the states defense capability and security of the Artsakh people. I hope the new leadership of the defense ministry will continue the already launched large-scale reforms by reaching them to their goals. I will be happy for them to be able to do a lot than we did in this short period of time. Dear Generals, Officers, Special Civil Servants, Dear Soldiers, Firstly, I want to express my deepest respect and gratitude to you, your dedication, the perceived duty before the Fatherland, the high professionalism and the difficult and honorable work carried out jointly. During this period I have recognized many high-ranking military officials who have high human and professional qualities, the civil servants of the defense ministrys central apparatus and system, numerous commanders of military units keeping firm the borders of Armenia and Artsakh. As a citizen I am ready to stand with you on any issue, to serve my political experience, knowledge and abilities for one common goal. I want to express my gratitude to third President of Armenia Mr. Serzh Sargsyan for the trust and comprehensive support to the defense ministry during its working activity. I want to thank acting defense minister Vigen Sargsyan for the joint productive and interesting work. Let God keep our country and people safe and in peace. I congratulate on the 26th anniversary of the glorious victory of Shushi. English translator/editor: Aneta Harutyunyan YEREVAN, MAY 8, ARMENPRESS. Armenias new Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan says his first trip in the new capacity will be to Artsakh on May 9. Asked by reporters after the election whether or not he will depart to Artsakh (Nagorno Karabakh), Pashinyan said: Yes, tomorrow. Armenian lawmakers elected opposition leader Nikol Pashinyan as Prime Minister of Armenia on May 8. 59 MPs voted in favor, 42 voted against. The extraordinary sitting of the Armenian parliament kicked off 12:00 with 100 MPs in attendance for the second round of vote to elect a Prime Minister. Nikol Pashinyan, the opposition leader who spearheaded the recent nationwide demonstrations, was the only candidate for the position, just like during the first round on May 1. Two other factions in addition to Pashinyans Yelk have endorsed the opposition leaders candidacy the ARF and the Tsarukyan. Pashinyan needed at least 53 votes in the 105-seat unicameral parliament to be named Prime Minister. As required by the Constitution, a new government must be formed within 15 days after electing a Prime Minister. An elected Prime Minister must nominate deputy Prime Ministers and ministers of his Cabinet to the President within five days after taking office. After the formation of the government, the Prime Minister must present his Cabinets action plan for parliamentary debates within 20 days. Lawmakers have seven days for debating the action plan. In the event of the parliaments rejection of the action plan, the elected PM resigns and new elections of PM take place. If a new Prime Minister is elected in the second elections and again the action plan isnt approved, the parliament is dissolved and snap elections take place. Prime Minister Serzh Sargsyan, the third President of Armenia who took office as PM April 17, resigned amid mass protests on April 23. Opposition leader Nikol Pashinyan, head of the Yelk (Exit) faction, was the sole candidate in the first round of elections on May 1. Pashinyan, the MP who spearheaded massive demonstrations throughout the country for about two weeks, failed to be elected by a 56-45 vote in the first round of voting. There are 4 factions in the Armenian parliament. The Republican Party (HHK) faction, the ruling party of Armenia, has 58 seats in the 105-seat unicameral parliament of Armenia known as the National Assembly. The ARF faction (Armenian Revolutionary Federation aka Dashnaktsutyun), has 7 seats. The Tsarukyan faction has 31 seats, and the Yelk faction has 9 seats. The ruling party said it will not nominate their own candidate for the second round, just like in the first round. However, the HHK said it will not block the election and will support it. ENGLISH: Editor/Translator - Stepan Kocharyan YEREVAN, MAY 8, ARMENPRESS. His Holiness Catholicos Aram I of the Great House of Cilicia congratulated Nikol Pashinyan on being elected Prime Minister of Armenia, reports Armenpress. His Holiness expressed hope that the new PM will value the primary interests and aspirations of Artsakh and the Armenian people above the political considerations, by making it the driving force of his life and activity. We were closely following the national movement held by your leadership and your promise to establish justice inside the Fatherland. We appreciated you when you kept away the sons of our people from violence and bloodshed, the letter says. Serving to the Fatherland is not just a political activity, but a significant mission directed for nation and state-building. This is the dedicated mission you are going to solve. We warmly welcome your election. We will support you and the government led by you and will always participate in the mission of Fatherland building, His Holiness Aram I said in his congratulatory letter. Armenian lawmakers elected opposition leader Nikol Pashinyan as Prime Minister of Armenia on May 8. 59 MPs voted in favor, 42 voted against. The extraordinary sitting of the Armenian parliament kicked off 12:00 with 100 MPs in attendance for the second round of vote to elect a Prime Minister. Nikol Pashinyan, the opposition leader who spearheaded the recent nationwide demonstrations, was the only candidate for the position, just like during the first round on May 1. Two other factions in addition to Pashinyans Yelk have endorsed the opposition leaders candidacy the ARF and the Tsarukyan. Pashinyan needed at least 53 votes in the 105-seat unicameral parliament to be named Prime Minister. As required by the Constitution, a new government must be formed within 15 days after electing a Prime Minister. English translator/editor: Aneta Harutyunyan YEREVAN, MAY 8, ARMENPRESS. Newly-elected Prime Minister of Armenia Nikol Pashinyan continues receiving congratulatory letters, reports Armenpress. The Armenian General Benevolent Union (AGBU) congratulated Pashinyan on his election, wishing all the best in all his initiatives. Ruben Vardanyan and Noubar Afeyan, co-founders of the Aurora Humanitarian Initiative, also congratulated Pashinyan. We congratulate Nikol Pashinyan on being elected Prime Minister of Armenia which expresses the will of the Armenian people on the path of reaching decisive and urgent changes. Together with all Armenians in Armenia and abroad, we are ready, as always, not only to support, but to constantly contribute to Armenias fair and peaceful development. This new turning point is also a chance to direct the excitement and knowledge of Armenians worldwide towards the development of Armenia and Artsakh, the letter says. Armenian lawmakers elected Nikol Pashinyan as Prime Minister of Armenia on May 8. 59 MPs voted in favor, 42 voted against. The extraordinary sitting of the Armenian parliament kicked off 12:00 with 100 MPs in attendance for the second round of vote to elect a Prime Minister. Nikol Pashinyan, the opposition leader who spearheaded the recent nationwide demonstrations, was the only candidate for the position, just like during the first round on May 1. Two other factions in addition to Pashinyans Yelk have endorsed the opposition leaders candidacy the ARF and the Tsarukyan. Pashinyan needed at least 53 votes in the 105-seat unicameral parliament to be named Prime Minister. As required by the Constitution, a new government must be formed within 15 days after electing a Prime Minister. English translator/editor: Aneta Harutyunyan YEREVAN, MAY 8, ARMENPRESS. High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy/ Vice-President of the Commission Federica Mogherini and Commissioner Johannes Hahn issued a joint statement on the election of Nikol Pashinyan as the Prime Minister of Armenia, the EEAS reported. The Armenian Parliament has elected Nikol Pashinyan as the new Prime Minister of Armenia in accordance with the Constitution. The European Union looks forward to working with him and his government on the implementation of the EU-Armenia Comprehensive and Enhanced Partnership Agreement signed last November, with a view to further consolidating democracy, the rule of law and respect of human rights, and to creating a prosperous and resilient country for the benefit of all citizens of Armenia. To achieve these important goals, a comprehensive dialogue among all political stakeholders in Armenia, including civil society, remains crucial, the statement said. Armenian lawmakers elected opposition leader Nikol Pashinyan as Prime Minister of Armenia on May 8. 59 MPs voted in favor, 42 voted against. The extraordinary sitting of the Armenian parliament kicked off 12:00 with 100 MPs in attendance for the second round of vote to elect a Prime Minister. Nikol Pashinyan, the opposition leader who spearheaded the recent nationwide demonstrations, was the only candidate for the position, just like during the first round on May 1. Two other factions in addition to Pashinyans Yelk have endorsed the opposition leaders candidacy the ARF and the Tsarukyan. Pashinyan needed at least 53 votes in the 105-seat unicameral parliament to be named Prime Minister. As required by the Constitution, a new government must be formed within 15 days after electing a Prime Minister. An elected Prime Minister must nominate deputy Prime Ministers and ministers of his Cabinet to the President within five days after taking office. After the formation of the government, the Prime Minister must present his Cabinets action plan for parliamentary debates within 20 days. Lawmakers have seven days for debating the action plan. In the event of the parliaments rejection of the action plan, the elected PM resigns and new elections of PM take place. If a new Prime Minister is elected in the second elections and again the action plan isnt approved, the parliament is dissolved and snap elections take place. Prime Minister Serzh Sargsyan, the third President of Armenia who took office as PM April 17, resigned amid mass protests on April 23. Opposition leader Nikol Pashinyan, head of the Yelk (Exit) faction, was the sole candidate in the first round of elections on May 1. Pashinyan, the MP who spearheaded massive demonstrations throughout the country for about two weeks, failed to be elected by a 56-45 vote in the first round of voting. There are 4 factions in the Armenian parliament. The Republican Party (HHK) faction, the ruling party of Armenia, has 58 seats in the 105-seat unicameral parliament of Armenia known as the National Assembly. The ARF faction (Armenian Revolutionary Federation aka Dashnaktsutyun), has 7 seats. The Tsarukyan faction has 31 seats, and the Yelk faction has 9 seats. The ruling party said it will not nominate their own candidate for the second round, just like in the first round. However, the HHK said it will not block the election and will support it. ENGLISH: Editor/Translator - Stepan Kocharyan YEREVAN, MAY 8, ARMENPRESS. Artsakh Republic President Bako Sahakyan sent a congratulatory letter to Nikol Pashinyan on being elected Prime Minister of Armenia, the Artsakh presidential Office told Armenpress. The letter says: Dear Mr. Pashinyan, On behalf of the people, leadership of the Artsakh Republic and personally myself I extend my congratulations to you on being elected for the high and responsible position of the Republic of Armenias Prime Minister. I hope that the government formed by you will continue to do everything possible to develop the independent Armenian statehood, strengthen the republic's defense capacity, raise people's living standards, expand and deepen cooperation between the two Armenian republics and the Armenia-Artsakh-Diaspora trinity. I once again congratulate you and wish peace, robust health and great successes for the benefit of our Motherland and the Armenian people. Armenian lawmakers elected Nikol Pashinyan as Prime Minister of Armenia on May 8. 59 MPs voted in favor, 42 voted against. The extraordinary sitting of the Armenian parliament kicked off 12:00 with 100 MPs in attendance for the second round of vote to elect a Prime Minister. Nikol Pashinyan, the opposition leader who spearheaded the recent nationwide demonstrations, was the only candidate for the position, just like during the first round on May 1. Two other factions in addition to Pashinyans Yelk have endorsed the opposition leaders candidacy the ARF and the Tsarukyan. Pashinyan needed at least 53 votes in the 105-seat unicameral parliament to be named Prime Minister. As required by the Constitution, a new government must be formed within 15 days after electing a Prime Minister. English translator/editor: Aneta Harutyunyan YEREVAN, MAY 8, ARMENPRESS. President of Armenia Armen Sarkissian has signed an order on May 8 appointing Nikol Pashinyan as Prime Minister, the presidents office said. The signing of the order is a formality required by the Consitution whereby the president appoints the elected Prime Minister. Armenian lawmakers elected opposition leader Nikol Pashinyan as Prime Minister of Armenia. 59 MPs voted in favor, 42 voted against. The extraordinary sitting of the Armenian parliament kicked off 12:00 for the second round of vote to elect a Prime Minister. Nikol Pashinyan, the opposition leader who spearheaded the recent nationwide demonstrations, was the only candidate for the position, just like during the first round on May 1. Two other factions in addition to Pashinyans Yelk have endorsed the opposition leaders candidacy the ARF and the Tsarukyan. Pashinyan needed at least 53 votes in the 105-seat unicameral parliament to be named Prime Minister. As required by the Constitution, a new government must be formed within 15 days after electing a Prime Minister. An elected Prime Minister must nominate deputy Prime Ministers and ministers of his Cabinet to the President within five days after taking office. After the formation of the government, the Prime Minister must present his Cabinets action plan for parliamentary debates within 20 days. Lawmakers have seven days for debating the action plan. In the event of the parliaments rejection of the action plan, the elected PM resigns and new elections of PM take place. If a new Prime Minister is elected in the second elections and again the action plan isnt approved, the parliament is dissolved and snap elections take place. Prime Minister Serzh Sargsyan, the third President of Armenia who took office as PM April 17, resigned amid mass protests on April 23. Opposition leader Nikol Pashinyan, head of the Yelk (Exit) faction, was the sole candidate in the first round of elections on May 1. Pashinyan, the MP who spearheaded massive demonstrations throughout the country for about two weeks, failed to be elected by a 56-45 vote in the first round of voting. There are 4 factions in the Armenian parliament. The Republican Party (HHK) faction, the ruling party of Armenia, has 58 seats in the 105-seat unicameral parliament of Armenia known as the National Assembly. The ARF faction (Armenian Revolutionary Federation aka Dashnaktsutyun), has 7 seats. The Tsarukyan faction has 31 seats, and the Yelk faction has 9 seats. The ruling party said it will not nominate their own candidate for the second round, just like in the first round. However, the HHK said it will not block the election and will support it. ENGLISH: Editor/Translator - Stepan Kocharyan YEREVAN, MAY 8, ARMENPRESS. Armenias new Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has said that he hopes he will meet Russian President Vladimir Putin at the EEU summit. I hope that a bilateral meeting will take place. I will participate at the EEU summit, Pashinyan told reporters in the parliament when asked whether or not a meeting with Putin is planned. The Eurasian Supreme Economic Council sitting will take place May 14 in Sochi, Russia. Moscow earlier said it expects that Armenia will participate in the Eurasian Economic Union summit due on May 14 in Sochi, Russia. We expect Armenias participation in the summit, unquestionably it [Armenia] is a very important participant, an important partner, Russian presidential spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters. Peskov reminded that bilateral contacts are usually held during such events. Therefore, depending on who will represent Armenia, we expect bilateral contacts to take place, he said. Armenian lawmakers elected opposition leader Nikol Pashinyan as Prime Minister of Armenia on May 8. ENGLISH: Editor/Translator - Stepan Kocharyan YEREVAN, MAY 8, ARMENPRESS. Nikol Pashinyan had his first meeting as Prime Minister with Armenian President Armen Sarkissian on May 8 in the Presidents Office. I would like to wish you that you form the government as soon as possible and engage in the solution of all the issues which face our state, government, entire people and this country the Republic of Armenia. My best wishes to you and good luck, President Sarkissian said, congratulating PM Pashinyan at the meeting, the Presidents Office said. Armenian lawmakers elected opposition leader Nikol Pashinyan as Prime Minister of Armenia on May 8. 59 MPs voted in favor, 42 voted against. The extraordinary sitting of the Armenian parliament kicked off 12:00 for the second round of vote to elect a Prime Minister. Nikol Pashinyan, the opposition leader who spearheaded the recent nationwide demonstrations, was the only candidate for the position, just like during the first round on May 1. Two other factions in addition to Pashinyans Yelk have endorsed the opposition leaders candidacy the ARF and the Tsarukyan. Pashinyan needed at least 53 votes in the 105-seat unicameral parliament to be named Prime Minister. As required by the Constitution, a new government must be formed within 15 days after electing a Prime Minister. An elected Prime Minister must nominate deputy Prime Ministers and ministers of his Cabinet to the President within five days after taking office. After the formation of the government, the Prime Minister must present his Cabinets action plan for parliamentary debates within 20 days. Lawmakers have seven days for debating the action plan. In the event of the parliaments rejection of the action plan, the elected PM resigns and new elections of PM take place. If a new Prime Minister is elected in the second elections and again the action plan isnt approved, the parliament is dissolved and snap elections take place. Prime Minister Serzh Sargsyan, the third President of Armenia who took office as PM April 17, resigned amid mass protests on April 23. Opposition leader Nikol Pashinyan, head of the Yelk (Exit) faction, was the sole candidate in the first round of elections on May 1. Pashinyan, the MP who spearheaded massive demonstrations throughout the country for about two weeks, failed to be elected by a 56-45 vote in the first round of voting. There are 4 factions in the Armenian parliament. The Republican Party (HHK) faction, the ruling party of Armenia, has 58 seats in the 105-seat unicameral parliament of Armenia known as the National Assembly. The ARF faction (Armenian Revolutionary Federation aka Dashnaktsutyun), has 7 seats. The Tsarukyan faction has 31 seats, and the Yelk faction has 9 seats. The ruling party said it will not nominate their own candidate for the second round, just like in the first round. However, the HHK said it will not block the election and will support it. ENGLISH: Editor/Translator - Stepan Kocharyan YEREVAN, 8 MAY, ARMENPRESS. The Central Bank of Armenia informs Armenpress that today, 8 May, USD exchange rate up by 0.49 drams to 486.68 drams. EUR exchange rate down by 1.85 drams to 578.13 drams. Russian Ruble exchange rate down by 0.04 drams to 7.69 drams. GBP exchange rate up by 0.03 drams to 657.85 drams. The Central Bank has set the following prices for precious metals. Gold price up by 20.62 drams to 20488.34 drams. Silver price up by 0.26 drams to 256.85 drams. Platinum price up by 14.20 drams to 14098.06 drams. YEREVAN, MAY 8, ARMENPRESS. Secretary General of the Council of Europe Thorbjrn Jagland has congratulated Pashinyan on being elected Prime Minister of Armenia, ARMENPRESS was informed from the CoE office. On behalf of the Council of Europe, I congratulate Nikol Pashinyan on his election as Prime Minister of Armenia. Today's decision by the Armenian Parliament shows that the constitutional reform, which is being carried out with the help of our organisation, has started to be implemented. This process should continue, in line with the wishes of the Armenian people. The Council of Europe is ready to provide any further assistance to the Armenian authorities in this very important process based on human rights, democracy and the rule of law, reads the statement issued by Jagland. Armenian lawmakers elected Nikol Pashinyan as Prime Minister of Armenia on May 8. 59 MPs voted in favor, 42 voted against. The extraordinary sitting of the Armenian parliament kicked off 12:00 for the second round of vote to elect a Prime Minister. Nikol Pashinyan, the opposition leader who spearheaded the recent nationwide demonstrations, was the only candidate for the position, just like during the first round on May 1. As required by the Constitution, a new Cabinet must be formed within 15 days after electing a Prime Minister. ENGLISH: Editor/Translator Tigran Sirekanyan YEREVAN, MAY 8, ARMENPRESS. British Minister of State for Europe and the Americas Alan Duncan congratulated Nikol Pashinyan on the occasion of being elected Prime Minister of Armenia and expressed satisfaction for the political situation in Armenia was solved through negotiations. ARMENPRESS reports the congratulatory message runs as follows, "I am pleased that a solution to the political situation in Armenia has been found, via negotiation and through the Parliament, and congratulate Nikol Pashinyan on his election as Armenias new Prime Minister. It is to the credit of all involved that events over the last three weeks have unfolded peacefully and largely without incident. It is important that the restraint and statesmanship shown by all parties continues and that the political process moves forward, based on solid constitutional and legal foundations. In my two visits to Armenia in the last 12 months, I have seen first-hand the countrys rich history, and its huge potential. I was particularly impressed by the many young people I met, who are determined to build a bright future for Armenia. The UK, as a longstanding friend of Armenia, stands ready to support its efforts to strengthen its democracy, deliver good governance, and improve economic opportunities for all." ENGLISH: Editor/Translator Tigran Sirekanyan YEREVAN, MAY 8, ARMENPRESS. Prime Minister of Armenia Nikol Pashinyan held a telephone conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin on May 8. The Russian President congratulated Nikol Pashinyan on the occasion of being elected Prime Minister of Armenia and wished success in that responsible post. ARMENPRESS reports, citing the official website of the Prime Minister, the interlocutors mutually expressed readiness to continue joint efforts aimed at further strengthening of Armenian-Russian strategic and allied relations and expansion of integration processes. The sides underlined that they will have the opportunity to discuss the mentioned issues more thoroughly on May 14 during the meeting of the Heads of State of the EAEU member states. The Armenian Prime Minister warmly congratulated the Russian President on the occasion of assuming the post and wished him future achievements in state activities. Nikol Pashinyan also congratulated the President of Russia on the occasion of the 73rd anniversary of the victory of the Great Patriotic War. Earlier today, the Russian President had sent a congratulatory message to newly elected Prime Minister of Armenia Nikol Pashinyan. ENGLISH: Editor/Translator Tigran Sirekanyan Behind the graffiti-smeared barricades at universities across France, there is simmering anger among students staging sit-ins against President Emmanuel Macron -- and a good deal of eye-rolling from some of their classmates. Paris 8, in the northern suburb of Saint-Denis, is one of four campuses almost completely shut down for weeks over planned higher education reforms, while scattered faculty buildings up and down France are under similar "occupation". Just as exam season begins, Paris 8 has been transformed into something resembling an anarchist protest camp, the walls covered with bright paint proclaiming everything from a feminist revolution to support for the Kurds. "If you want to speak out, you need to shout louder," read lyrics from local rapper Sofiane, scrawled in massive letters across the tables of a lecture hall graffitied beyond recognition. For the far-left students who dominate the sit-ins, the protests are about much more than education -- they have echoes of the momentous French university sit-ins that spurred a social revolution exactly 50 years ago, in May 1968. "It's a fight against the education reforms but also a much broader fight," says Zoe, a 19-year-old history student who like others was willing to give only a first name. Soft-spoken with a buzzcut, she says she's here to rise up "against the police and state repression, and the general economic system". But the protesters are far from a majority at Paris 8 and elsewhere. Many students are frustrated at the revolutionary zeal of their classmates, not least because it is playing havoc with exam schedules. "I just want to take my test," one student mutters under her breath, drowned out by a protester chanting through a megaphone: "Whose uni? Our uni!" Protests blocked 700 students from sitting an exam in Strasbourg last week, and in Nancy police had to intervene to allow students to get in to an English test. Some of the blockades have been cleared by riot police. Elsewhere, university chancellors are having to find alternative venues for exams off-campus, or else hold them online, delay them or grade students on their coursework instead. - Political dynamite - At present, anyone with a French high school diploma can go on to study any course they like at a public university. With tuition paid almost entirely by the state -- the average student paid 189 euros ($225) last year -- the system's proponents hold it up as a beacon of egalitarianism. Yet Macron and other reformists say the policy has brought France's higher education system to breaking point. Almost all students take their high school exams now, and almost 80 percent pass -- a figure that has risen steadily, and exponentially, since the 1950s. As a consequence, universities are badly overstretched. First-year lectures are crammed and students complain of nonexistent support. Opponents argue that France wastes millions of euros of taxpayers' money each year by letting students attempt degrees in subjects they're not very good at, contributing to high dropout rates and frequent repeats after failed exams. Some 60 percent fail to finish their degree within four years. To help ease these problems, Macron wants universities to be allowed to set admissions criteria for oversubscribed courses and, for weaker students, make offers conditional on them taking catch-up classes. But academic selection -- even in this limited form -- remains hugely politically sensitive in France, half a century after it became one of the driving issues behind the May '68 protests. - Teachers on strike too - Critics of France's education system argue it is already elitist, with a separate tier of highly selective universities, the "grandes ecoles", producing the graduates who go on to dominate business and politics. But Paris 8 sits in one of the poorest regions of France, and even students who oppose the campus blockade are sceptical that Macron's reforms will be good for high-rise immigrant suburbs like their own. "I'm against the law, but at the same time I'm against the blockade. We can make ourselves heard in other ways," said Louise, a 19-year-old geography student. For her, university-for-all gives poor kids who fared badly at high school a chance to blossom -- "even to become teachers themselves, to give something back to France". And she worries that more selective education will worsen social mobility under Macron, who she already believes favours the rich with business-friendly reforms like tax cuts for the wealthy. "The president is trying to turn France into America, to create an unbalance between the social classes," she said. Many staff at Paris 8 have joined the student protest movement, going on strike, cancelling exams and in some departments declaring that all students will be given the same year-end grade in protest against the reforms. Not everyone agrees with that idea, but those who oppose the movement are nervous about speaking out. "It means throwing out the window everything that's been done this year," said a teacher in the arts department, who wished to remain anonymous. "It's a disservice to the students." The walls at Paris 8 university, like others under "occupation" around France, have been covered with graffiti Some of France's student sit-ins have been cleared by riot police, such as at Tolbiac in Paris Mattresses laid out in a classroom at Paris 8, one of four French university campuses that have been almost totally shut down by anti-reform sit-ins Students preparing a meal during their blockade of Paris 8 Tens of thousands of Armenians poured on to the streets of the capital Yerevan Tuesday to celebrate opposition leader Nikol Pashinyan's election as prime minister. Armenia's parliament elected Pashinyan after he spearheaded weeks of mass protests against the ruling party, transforming the country's political landscape. A massive crowd in Yerevan's central Republic Square sang the Armenian national anthem at a celebration rally following his election. "From now on, nobody will violate the Armenian people's rights and freedom!" Pashinyan told the crowd, to shouts of "Nikol! Nikol!" Groups of youths danced to folk music and drumrolls and many held Pashinyan portraits. "I am so happy that what happened in Armenia in recent weeks was peaceful. It's a great historic day," Gohar Harutyunyan, a 39-year-old financier, told AFP. "We understand that things can't change overnight. But the most important thing has already been done," said Ruzanna Sargsyan, a 42-year-old economist. - Ruling party backs protest leader - Lawmakers voted 59 to 42 to approve Pashinyan for the job, after the ruling Republican Party came round to backing his premiership bid on his second attempt. The party had narrowly voted him down last week, plunging the Caucasus nation into its most serious political crisis in years. The hugely popular Pashinyan had in recent weeks piled pressure on the Republican Party through an unprecedented campaign of civil disobedience, leading to the shock resignation of veteran leader Serzh Sarkisian, a week after he shifted to the newly-empowered role of prime minister after serving for 10 years as president. "My first work after my election will be ensuring a normal life in the country," Pashinyan said ahead of the vote. "There will be no corruption in Armenia. Armenia will once and for all turn the page of political persecutions." The 42 year-old added that Armenia's relations with ally Russia will "remain a priority". "Military cooperation with Russia is an important factor in ensuring our country's security," he said, referring to a two-decade long conflict his country is locked in with neighbouring Azerbaijan. "We will (also) be developing relations with European countries and the United States, with Iran and Georgia, China and India," he added. Russian president Vladimir Putin congratulated Pashinyan in a statement released by the Kremlin on Tuesday. - 'Ensuring stability' - The head of the ruling Republican Party's parliamentary faction, Vagram Bagdasaryan, said his party backed Pashinyan to "ensure stability" in the country. "We did not change our position. We are against Nikol Pashinyan's candidacy, but the most important thing for us is to ensure stability in the country," Bagdasaryan said ahead of the vote. Pashinyan called for an end to the protests after the Republicans -- who have 58 MPs in the 105-seat legislature -- promised to back him in the second attempt. The former newspaper editor also secured the support of two other major political parties -- Prosperous Armenia and the Armenian Revolutionary Federation (Dashnaktsutyun) -- which nominated him for the post together with his opposition Elk coalition. Pashinyan was the only candidate for the premiership. Political analysts say Pashinyan's election is unlikely to put an end to the political crisis, as the ruling party retains a majority in parliament and could well block his initiatives. Analyst Vigen Akopyan said snap elections looked certain. Another analyst, Stepan Safaryan, said Armenia was now entering "an interesting period of disequilibrium". Pending fresh elections "Pashinyan must manoeuvre between the will of the people and the parliamentary ruling party that he does not belong to and which cannot begin supporting him", he said. Pashinyan's protest movement had accused Sarkisian of a blatant power grab. In December 2015, controversial constitutional amendments initiated by Sarkisian were passed after a referendum that saw some 63 percent of the voters backing the country's transformation into a parliamentary republic with executive powers fully concentrated in the hands of a prime minister. Council of Europe observers said the referendum was marred by allegations of large-scale vote-buying, multiple voting and other irregularities. Critics accuse Sarkisian and his Republicans of corruption, being under the influence of powerful oligarchs, and of failing to tackle widespread poverty. A massive crowd in Yerevan's central Republic Square sang the Armenian national anthem at a celebration rally following Nikol Pashinyan's election Armenia's parliament elected Pashinyan after he spearheaded weeks of mass protests against the ruling party, transforming the country's political landscape. Armenia's parliament elected Pashinyan after he spearheaded weeks of mass protests against the ruling party, transforming the country's political landscape. The facade of Zoya Sarkisian's apartment building in Armenia's poverty-stricken city of Gyumri is slowly crumbling nearly three decades after it was damaged by an earthquake that killed more than 25,000 people. "Nobody comes to visit us here," says the 80-year-old living in the main city of Shirak, Armenia's poorest province. In this poor South Caucasus country, she and many others feel ignored by the government. Yet with 42-year-old opposition hero Nikol Pashinyan set to be elected prime minister on Tuesday, they say they have fresh hopes for a better life. "In the Soviet era, people had access to free education and healthcare," says Sarkisian, standing beside her bookshelves full of Armenian editions of classic French literature. "I have health problems but I can't afford to see a doctor," says the frail woman, who spent nearly 40 years of her life working at Gyumri's textile factory and now lives off her meagre pension. Sarkisian's building is slowly falling apart and has never been repaired since the December 1988 earthquake but neither local nor central authorities have ever offered to help her. Now she expresses cautious optimism about Pashinyan, who has transformed Armenian politics with mass street protests. "I do hope for change," she says. "It's not easy to make a revolution. (Pashinyan) will have to build the country anew." - Corruption and inequality - Pashinyan -- who is likely to be elected prime minister by parliament on Tuesday -- has promised to tackle widespread poverty, oust corrupt elites and rein in powerful oligarchs who wield massive influence over politics. Tens of thousands of Pashinyan supporters for several weeks rallied in Yerevan and other cities in what he has called a "velvet revolution". The former newspaper editor faces an uphill battle to kick-start Armenia's economy and clean up corrupt government agencies. Nearly 27 years after Armenia's independence from the erstwhile Soviet Union, the country faces serious economic, political, and security challenges. The unemployment rate stands at 19 percent, according to the International Monetary Fund, while Transparency International has denounced the alarming scale of systemic corruption and social inequality. Armenia's decades-long simmering territorial conflict with neighbouring Azerbaijan over the breakaway Nagorny Karabakh region risks exploding into an all-out war. - 'He cares about our hardships' - The province of Shirak is only about 100 kilometres (60 miles) north of Yerevan but is the country's poorest area. According to official statistics from 2015, 49 percent of its residents were considered "poor or very poor". This contrasts with a nationwide rate of nearly 32 percent. Zoya Sarkisian's neighbour, 54-year-old Susanna Martirosyan, has lived with her family in a shack since her house was destroyed in the 1988 earthquake. The walls are damp from rain that filters from the ceiling while dried cow dung burns in a stove for heating. Pashinyan "is totally dedicated... and cares about our hardships," says Martirosyan. Discontent is brewing elsewhere in the province. In Gyumri University, around 100 students recently staged a protest demanding the resignation of the rector -- a member of the ruling Republican Party -- accusing him of corruption. "For years, our rulers were stealing (from) and tormenting the Armenian people, and limiting their freedom of expression," said Armen Melkonyan, the president of a students council. "Students are rebelling!" rejoiced his fellow student Martin Mkrtchyan before grabbing a megaphone to add: "No violence, do not break anything!" Zoya Sarkisian, 80, says Nikol Pashinyan -- set to be elected Armenia's prime minister -- will 'have to build up the country anew' Many feel ignored by the government in Armenia, which faces serious economic, political and security challenges Many buildings in Gyumri are dilapidated Nearly half of the residents of Armenia's poorest area are considered 'poor or very poor', according to official statistics "Here all animals are born and live free until they die," says Victorino Martin, pointing proudly to the herds of fighting bulls grazing by the Tagus River on a famous breeding farm in Spain. With their trademark grey coat, the bulls weigh around half a tonne when they reach maturity at five years old. By then some of them will already have been sent to their death in bullfighting arenas, a tradition both cherished and reviled in Spain. But for Martin, breeding bulls is a passionate, family affair and he stresses his cattle are treated with more dignity and humanity than those destined for people's plates. On the Las Tiesas de Santa Maria ranch in the southwestern Extremadura region, the bulls munch peacefully in a field scattered with spring flowers. It's a deceptive calm, however. "They fight and kill each other," says second-generation breeder Martin, a slim 56-year-old vet with a warm smile. "There are nearly as many deaths in breeding farms as in the arena," he adds. The keepers on horseback stay well away. Several sport the scars of horn butts. The ranch, with its 1,100 animals spread over some 2,000 hectares, is famous among bullfighting fans. "Victorino Martin, the father, created this farm from nothing and turned it into a legend," says Juan Diego Madueno, a journalist who specialises in bullfighting. He bought a herd in 1960 and quickly bettered the breed to make his bulls stronger. "Before, people would go to the arenas to see the toreros (bullfighters). With Victorino Martin, they ended up going to see the bulls," says Madueno. "He allowed breeders to ask for payment for participating in corridas (bullfights)." - Selected before birth - Martin junior has inherited his father's passion. "My first memory was going to feed the bulls with him, when I was four," he says. Just like his father, he is a "novillero," a bullfighter who fights two- or three-year-old bulls. He carefully selects breeding pairs, and the resulting young bulls and cows are tested on the ranch as if they were in a bullfighting arena. Those who show the most fighting spirit are destined for reproduction, and their calves will grow up and become "toros bravos" -- those who go to the arena. The others will be sent to the abattoir. Martin is head of the Fighting Bull Foundation, created by breeders in 2015 to defend bullfighting in Spain. That year, some 300 left-wing municipalities banned shows involving bulls, says the group's director general Borja Cardelus. For Martin, the corrida is "a sacrificial ritual where man must risk his life in order to be allowed to kill the animal". He also defends the "becerradas", bullfights for beginners with calves that can be particularly gruesome and have been slammed by animal rights activists. "They're necessary for the training of young toreros," he insists. However they are becoming "fewer and fewer," adds his daughter Pilar, 32, also a vet and passionate about bullfighting. - Worse conditions in food industry - And Martin points to the free-range life of his animals, of which only 10 percent are sent to fight every year, compared to cattle in the food industry, which are often locked up and killed when they are "10 to 15 months" old. "A breeding farm for fighting bulls is one of few places where a cow can die of old age -- up to 22 years -- while a dairy cow is killed after her fourth lactation." A bull, meanwhile, can live until it is 14 years old. "Cobradiezmos" may well reach that age. The muscular bull was pardoned for bravery in combat on April 13, 2016 in Sevilla by bullfighter Manuel Escribano. Since then, he has grazed a wide stretch of land peppered with oak trees, surrounded by 35 cows which have given him seven calves. Of 20,000 bulls killed last year, a mere 29 were pardoned, says the foundation. But this ritual underscores the respect that bullfighting fans have for the bull. "The fan soaks in the bull's qualities," says Martin. "He doesn't complain, rises above hardship and fights until the end." Victorino Martin's 'lidia' fighting bulls graze at the Las Tiesas de Santa Maria ranch, near Portezuelo, Spain With their trademark grey coat, the bulls weigh around half a tonne when they reach maturity at five years old. Spanish rancher Victorino Martin says his cattle are treated with more dignity and humanity than those destined for people's plates The Las Tiesas de Santa Maria ranch, with its 1,100 animals spread over some 2,000 hectares, is famous among bullfighting fans. China is resisting a British-led push at the UN Security Council to increase pressure on Myanmar to try those responsible for attacks on the Rohingya, according to a draft statement seen by AFP on Tuesday. Back from a visit to Myanmar and Bangladesh, the Security Council is holding negotiations on a statement that would outline steps to address the crisis from the forced exodus of 700,000 Muslim Rohingya from Myanmar. Britain last week circulated a draft text that stressed the importance of "credible and transparent investigations" of human rights violations and urged Myanmar to hold those responsible to account. China, a supporter of Myanmar's former ruling junta, on Monday put forward an amended statement that dropped all mention of investigations or accountability. Myanmar has come under international scrutiny since a military campaign launched in August drove more than 700,000 Rohingya from their homes in northern Rakhine state. China's draft statement stresses "the need to address the root causes of the issue," and calls for investment in Rakhine state to "achieve stability through development." Diplomats said Britain, backed by France and the United States along with other council members, had rejected the proposed changes by China. Negotiations were continuing ahead of a council meeting on Myanmar on Monday. The 15 ambassadors last week met with traumatized refugees living in overcrowded camps in Bangladesh and toured burned-out villages in Rakhine state. The council adopted a statement in November that called on Myanmar to rein in its military, but there has been no resolution -- a stronger measure that China, as one of the veto-wielding permanent members, would likely block. - Crimes against humanity - Myanmar has said the military operation in Rakhine is aimed at rooting out extremists and has rejected accusations from the United Nations, Britain, France and the United States of "ethnic cleansing." Four human rights groups told a news conference at UN headquarters in New York that the council should immediately ask the International Criminal Court (ICC) to open an investigation for crimes against humanity in Myanmar. "It's clear that the Myanmar authorities are unable to hold themselves to account," said Param-Preet Singh, associate director for international justice at Human Rights Watch (HRW). Myanmar has refused to allow a UN fact-finding mission set up by the Human Rights Council to enter the country, and has barred UN rights expert Yanghee Lee. HRW, Amnesty International, Fortify Rights and the Global Center for Responsibility to Protect said the council should put forward a draft resolution on referring Myanmar to the ICC even though China would likely veto such a move. "The threat of a veto is no excuse for inaction," said Savita Pawnday, the deputy executive director of the Global Centre. Fortify Rights, which has documented massacres, gang-rape and widespread arson attacks targeting the Rohingya in Rakhine, is calling for a global arms embargo on Myanmar and targeted sanctions. Matthew Smith, the head of Fortify Rights, said his organization had a list of "dozens" of military and civilian officials involved in the attacks that reaches "straight to the top" of the army. The council has urged Myanmar to allow the safe return of the Rohingya and take steps to end decades of discrimination that they have suffered in Buddhist-majority Myanmar. Myanmar has come under international scrutiny since a military campaign launched in August 2017 drove more than 700,000 Rohingya - like these living in a refugee camp in Bangladesh - from their homes in northern Rakhine state President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Tuesday vowed he would step down if his people decided it was "enough", prompting opponents to propel the word in Turkish to the top of worldwide Twitter trends. Erdogan will on June 24 contest a presidential election, seeking a new mandate to extend his 15 years in power which began when he became premier in 2003 and continued with his move to the presidency in 2014. His ruling party is confident of victory in the polls but the country remains highly polarised between supporters of Erdogan and those who oppose him with equal passion. Speaking to his party in Ankara, Erdogan said his foes "have just one care -- to destroy Recep Tayyip Erdogan." "If one day our nation says 'enough', then we will move to the side," he said, referring to himself in the first person plural. Erdogan said the Turkish people had until now always given the right response to those who sought to destroy him, recalling the failed 2016 coup against his rule. Predicting victory in the election, he added: "God willing, I believe we will, together with our nation, on June 24 once again give a well deserved lesson to this team of destruction." Opponents rapidly seized on the word he had used in Turkish for "enough" -- "tamam" -- and turned it into the top Twitter trend not just in Turkey but around the world with over 450,000 tweets by the afternoon. - 'Enough, God Willing' - Some simply tweeted the word in bold letters with spaces -- T A M A M -- while others added slogans. "Just please go now," wrote one user. Others just wrote the word TAMAM as many times as they could within Twitter's character limit, or made fancy shapes with its letters. The word was also rapidly seized upon by Erdogan's rivals who will face him in the June 24 poll and seek to force a run-off. "Time's Up!" (in Turkish "Vakit TAMAM!") tweeted Muharrem Ince, the candidate of the main secular opposition Republican People's Party (CHP). "T A M A M," tweeted Meral Aksener, the leader of the newly-formed nationalist party the Iyi (Good) Party. "Enough, God Willing" ("T A M A M Insallah") added Temel Karamollaoglu, leader of the conservative Saadet (Felicity) Party who is also to run against Erdogan. Denounced by his opponents as an authoritarian leader and throwback to the Ottoman sultans, Erdogan boasts of having brought Turkey to a new level of economic prosperity and foreign policy influence under his rule. While there is strong hostility to him on the Aegean coast, some Kurdish areas and parts of Istanbul and Ankara, he retains widespread and massively enthusiastic support in the Anatolian core of the country. He says he'll go when the people say 'enough' The former lover of Brazilian businesswoman Cecilia Haddad, who was found dead in a Sydney river last Sunday, has reportedly spoken to NSW detectives investigating her death. The Daily Telegraph tracked down Mario Marcelo Santoro, 40, in Brazil, who told the publication he had placed himself at their disposal, and has not been asked to provide a formal statement. Police investigating Ms Haddads death have said Mr Santoro is a person of interest not a suspect, The Daily Telegraph reports. According to the publication Ms Haddad had asked Mr Santoro to move out a fortnight before her body was uncovered in Lane Cove River at Woolwich. Cecilia Haddads body was found in Lane Cove River last Sunday. Source: 7 News The 40-year-old reportedly talked with authorities when they reached out to him on his mobile phone, while in South America. I have nothing to say about this, you will have to speak to my lawyer, Mr Santoro added. It is believed Mr Santoro returned home to Brazil on Saturday, April 28. Mr Santoro had conversations with friends about missing his family, including his two daughters, in March, and about going home to South America, The Daily Telegraph reports. Mario Marcelo Santoro told the Daily Telegraph that he spoke to police when they contacted him on his mobile. Source: 7News A spokesperson for NSW Police said, Strike Force Bronwyn Detectives are continuing their enquiries into the circumstances surrounding the death of Cecilia Haddad both here and abroad. NSW Police Force has engaged with international partners, and given the sensitive nature of these enquiries its not appropriate to comment further. Pensioners, retirees, low and middle-income earners are tipped to be some of the biggest winners when Treasurer Scott Morrison hands down the Federal Budget tonight. There remains much speculation as to how the Federal Government handles the 2018-2019 budget, its last before the next election. Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull has promised it will help Australians with the rising cost of living while guaranteeing the funding of essential services. In the lead-up to tonights reveal, Yahoo7 News takes a look at whos expected to be the big winners and losers in the budget to be announced tonight, starting from 7.30pm AEST. The federal budget will be handed down in Canberra tonight. Source: AAP Tax cuts: Relief for low and middle-income earners Personal tax cuts for low and middle-income earners are expected to be a major feature of Treasurer Scott Morrisons third budget tonight, although it is unclear what form they will take. We are doing everything we can to ease the burden of cost of living pressures on Australian families, Mr Turnbull told reporters in Sydney on Monday. That is why we have got important measures relating to tax and you will see important measures relating to energy. Personal tax cuts have long been tipped to be a cornerstone of tonights budget. Source: AAP However, Mr Morrison attempted to downplay mounting speculation on the significance of the cuts, saying they wont be mammoth, but they will be affordable. The Australian newspaper reported tax relief would come through increasing the low-income tax offset while the budget would promise tax cuts for higher income brackets by 2024. At present workers with a taxable income less than $66,667 get this offset. The maximum tax offset of $445 applies to incomes of $37,000 or less and this amount is reduced by 1.5 cents for each dollar over $37,000. Seven News will bring you all the latest from the Federal Budget as it is delivered live from 7.30pm. Welfare: No increase in unemployment benefits No extra funding is expected for Australians receiving unemployment benefits. Source: AAP Treasurer Scott Morrison has poured cold water on growing calls to increase unemployment benefits in tonights budget. A rare alliance of business, industry and community groups is calling for an increase to the New Start allowance, arguing the rate is so low it makes it hard to search for work. Story continues Well, there were 410,000 jobs created last year, which I think provide a counter-factual to that, Mr Morrison told Fairfax Media. Liberal MP Julia Banks threw the cat among the pigeons after claiming she could live on the $40 per day jobless payment, with critics quick to point out she owned a handful of houses and drew generous allowances. Health: Cheaper drugs and no Medicare levy hike The government is also finding the money to deliver free whooping cough vaccines for every pregnant Australian woman from July. Source: Getty Sufferers of spinal muscular atrophy will have access to a life-saving drug for a fraction of the cost, as the government makes a suite of pre-budget health announcements. Spinraza will be made available on the PBS from June 1 this year for all patients under 18, Federal Health Minister Greg Hunt revealed on Sunday. It would have cost more than $367,850 a year for the medicine but it will now be $39.50 per script with concessional patients paying just $6.40. The Government has already said its not going ahead with a 0.5 per cent hike in the Medicare levy to help pay for the national disability insurance scheme. The new budget is also tipped to see tens of thousands of men get Medicare-funded MRI scans for prostate cancer checks. At least 200,000 women are set to receive $200 towards 3D breast cancer screening. The government is also finding the money to deliver free whooping cough vaccines for every pregnant Australian woman from July. The vaccine is being added to the national immunisation program at a cost of $39.5 million. More than $80 million has been pledged for the Royal Flying Doctor Service. Budget boost for aged care, pensioners More reforms to home care packages for older Australians are expected. Source: AAP Retirees and older Australians will get a multi-million dollar boost in the federal budget, with Treasurer Scott Morrison announcing a specific centrepiece aged-care statement aimed at clawing back support from older voters. Mr Morrisons package will fund a further 20,000 new places for home care to help the aged stay in their own homes longer, while increasing the amount aged pensioners may earn without losing part of their pension. The Treasurer will announce the measures on Tuesday as the Coalition government tries to win back support from voters disaffected by its superannuation tax and pension reforms and past cuts to the aged-care budget worth more than $2 billion, News Corp Australia reports. The promise of 20,000 new places for home care will also see a four-tier split in support for various services as the government helps tackle the current 150,000 people on a priority waiting list. Extra funding for Lifeline Lifeline will receive a $33 million cash injection to boost its 24-hour telephone service. Source: Getty Ahead of todays budget, Malcolm Turnbull and Mr Hunt pledged a $33.8 million cash injection to boost mental health service Lifelines 24-hour telephone service. The funding will help the charity answer more calls and train more staff. The prime minister praised the work of the organisations thousands of volunteers. Their love changes and saves lives, he said in a social media video about the announcement. Victoria to cash in on record infrastructure budget NSW will have to be content with a smaller slice of the federal budget infrastructure pie because the state has already received a good helping of funds from the Commonwealth. Only $1.5 billion of new national infrastructure spending will flow to NSW, against $7.8 billion going to Victoria. On Monday, the federal coalition announced nearly $1 billion for a Coffs Harbour bypass on the Pacific Highway in northern NSW. It will also commit to $400 million for Sydneys Port Botany rail duplication between Mascot and Botany and $50 million for a business case into a rail link from St Marys to the new Badgerys Creek airport. Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull has announced $400 million for Sydneys Port Botany rail duplication between Mascot and Botany. Source: AAP Queensland is tipped to receive a $3.3 billion upgrade for the Bruce Highway, $1.5 billion for northern Australian strategic roads, $1 billion for the M1 Pacific Highway and $300 million for the Brisbane Metro project. South Australian road and rail projects will receive a $1.8 billion allocation, $220 million of which will go towards finishing the Gawler rail electrification project. A further $160 million will be used to duplicate Port Augustas Joy Baluch Bridge with the remainder to be allocated to the South Road upgrade. If the money is in the budget Ill be the first to applaud it, State opposition Leader Peter Malinauskas told reporters on Monday, but admitted he had his doubts over the Federal Governments commitment. Tasmania will receive more than $900 million for road and rail upgrades including money for a long-awaited cross-river bridge north of Hobart. Canberra on Monday pledged $461 million towards a replacement for the 72-year-old bridge that crosses the River Derwent at Bridgewater as part of a national infrastructure package. The Northern Territory will receive $280 million for upgrades to two major outback highways including $180 million for the Central Arnhem Road as well as $100 million to upgrade the Buntine Highway. There is also $1.5 billion for the Roads of Strategic Importance Northern Australia Package, and $160 million to seal more sections of the Outback Way across the continent. Education: Schools, unis in the budget spotlight A new child care and early learning system will commence at the start of the next financial year. Source: AAP Needs-based funding is set to deliver an extra $23.5 billion to schools over the coming decade. A $271 million Community Child Care Fund for regional and disadvantaged communities will also feature in the budget. An agreement has yet to be reached for a Gonski 2.0 school reform yet, however it is expected to start in 2019. A new child care and early learning system will commence on July 2. A one-year extension of preschool will be introduced into 2019 at cost of $440 million, while extra funding for school chaplains is also expected. Universities expect 10,000 fewer students to be enrolled this year because of the two-year freeze in funding announced by the federal government in December. Funding will be kept at 2017 levels until 2020 in an attempt to save $2 billion. But Universities Australia says the short-term savings could cost the national economy up to $12 billion over the next 20 years. Morrison raises a glass to small-batch beer brewers Australian Treasurer Scott Morrison lifts a keg during a visit to Capital Brewing Co in Canberra. Small batch brewers are set to be a big winner from tonights budget. Source: AAP A bizarre beer tax that slugs craft brewers 40 per cent more for using smaller kegs will be axed in the federal budget. Currently, draught beer sold in kegs exceeding 48 litres is taxed at lower rates compared with beer sold in smaller kegs. We are changing the rules to ensure that small breweries like this and distilleries around the country can actually compete on the same level playing field as the big guys, Treasurer Scott Morrison told reporters at Capital Brewing Co in Canberra. The federal budget will extend concessional draught beer excises to smaller kegs, and increase the amount beverage companies can claim back at a cost of $85 million over four years. A tax that unfairly slugs craft brewers will be axed in the federal budget, Scott Morrison says. Source: AAP Labor MP Anthony Albanese, who visited the Willie the Boatman brewery in Sydney on Friday, described the common sense change as a victory for people power. Craft brewers deserve to operate on a level playing field with the big multinational beer brands, he said. And beer drinkers should pay the same regardless of what brand of beer they enjoy. There are about 380 craft brewers across Australia employing about 2400 people. New research fund for Barrier Reef A research fund into coral bleeching will form part of a $500 million cash injection to rescue the Great Barrier Reef. Source: Reuters A $500 million Great Barrier Reef rescue plan will be funded including programs to tackle run-off from farming, the destructive crown-of-thorns starfish, and fund new research on coral bleaching. Seven News will bring you all the latest from the Federal Budget as it is delivered live from 7.30pm. Written by Sam Hussey with AAP. More than a year after a historic peace agreement, Colombians set to vote in a crucial presidential election this month still fret about corruption, inequality and a surge in drug trafficking-related violence that threatens a fragile treaty with the rebel group FARC. Despite a peace dividend reflected in the lowest homicide figures in decades, campaigning for the May 27 election has taken place against an upsurge of violence between armed remnants of former rebel movements involved in drug-trafficking, mainly along the country's borders. Outgoing President Juan Manuel Santos, whose government has been accused of failing to implement key elements of the peace deal, said recently that Colombians "have an enormous challenge ahead" to consolidate peace. Santos, who is barred by the constitution from seeking a third term, was one of the chief architects of the peace deal with the FARC that brought to an end decades of conflict, for which he won the Nobel Peace Prize in 2016. Now disarmed, the rump guerrilla movement has transformed itself into a political party. But the agreement is far from complete. And its implementation will be one of the chief tasks of Santos' successor. Violence has broken out in some areas abandoned by the FARC and dissident rebels have joined up with armed groups. "The next president of Colombia will have to decide to apply it as it is or to modify it," said analyst Cristian Rojas, head of the political science faculty at La Sabana University. Favorite to succeed Santos is Ivan Duque, a 41-year-old lawyer who has spearheaded opposition to the peace deal. He is running for the Centro Democratico party led by senator and former president Alvaro Uribe, who has built a political career on a tough stance against the guerrillas. - The left in the second round? - Colombia's five-decade conflict drew in paramilitary groups and state forces in what became a many-sided war fueled by drug trafficking, leaving about 260,000 people dead and seven million displaced. If elected, Duque "will likely pose a problem for the major structural reforms that are planned in the framework of the agreements, such as electoral reform, land reform," said Yann Basset, head of the Observatory of political representation at Rosary University. In the polls, the CD candidate is 10 points ahead of his leftist opponent Gustavo Petro, a 58-year-old former Bogota mayor who was once a member of the now disbanded M-19 guerrilla movement. But neither Duque nor Petro has enough momentum to carry the election in the first round, analysts say, likely leaving the left contesting a runoff for the first time in Colombia's history. Behind them come Sergio Fajardo, a centrist candidate with 12 percent, former vice president German Vargas Lleras with 7.5 percent and former peace negotiator Humberto de la Calle, with 2.5 percent. But the trend can change. "There's a lot of volatility in preferences," said Basset, who said the rise of the left, boosted by a promising showing in recent legislative elections, is explained by the fact that 'there isn't as much fear of the guerrillas as before". The FARC failed to get even 1.0 percent of the vote in March legislative polls and it leader, Rodrigo Londono, pulled out of the presidential election after heart trouble. - Odebrecht's millions - There is also a "climate of discontent with the political class, with many corruption cases in the last two years, and the famous Odebrecht scandal," Basset said. The Brazilian construction giant has admitted paying out $11.1 million in bribes in Colombia. State prosecutors believe the full amount paid to the political elite is much higher, more than $27 million. Violence and insecurity in former FARC strongholds pose another challenge for the incoming government. Dissident former rebels as well as drug lords and members of the National Liberation Army (ELN) guerrilla group fighting for control of the cocaine market, of which Colombia is still the world's largest producer. "There is a very strong challenge for whoever the president is, and that is to control the territory. The success of the implementation of everything that is agreed on, rests on the state recovering a monopoly of strength, while also making its institutional presence felt," said Juan Cardenas, professor of political science at La Sabana. "Today, drug-trafficking remains the main threats to peace," Santos warned in his farewell speech to the UN last month. Santos, who is due to step down in August after eight years in office, still dreams of forging a "complete peace" by signing a peace deal with the country's last rebel group, the ELN. But the kidnapping and murder of two Ecuadoran journalists and their driver in March generated tensions with Quito, whose government no longer wants to host the long-running peace talks. Beyond the peace deal, the economic challenges remain great. Rich in oil, minerals and precious stones, Colombia is one of Latin America's most unequal countries with one of the highest poverty and inequality rates in the region. Seventeen percent of the 49 million population is below the poverty line, with peaks of over 36 percent in remote areas, according to official statistics. Backers of presidential candidate Ivan Duque hang a poster in Bogota Colombia's President Juan Manuel Santos cannot stand again in this race Presidential hopeful Ivan Duque poses with a campaign poster in Bogota Presidential candidate Gustavo Petro briefs journalists in Colombia's capital Thousands of Hungarians gathered Tuesday to protest against strongman Viktor Orban after he was nominated for re-election as prime minister for a third consecutive term during the inauguration of the new parliament. Fresh from his right-wing Fidesz party's landslide election win April 8, Orban was officially proposed as prime minister by President Janos Ader in the first session of the new 199-seat assembly. Orban's formal re-election by parliament and swearing in as premier is scheduled for Thursday. In the third of a series of major protests organised on social media by a civil group since the election, around 20,000 protestors assembled outside parliament where speakers urged the rebuilding of opposition to Orban and Fidesz. "Either we stay in Hungary and begin working and acting now, or we do nothing and leave," Viktor Gyetvai, a 20-year-old student, told the crowd. The protesters say that Orban's win was mainly thanks to massive anti-immigration government propaganda, as well as an unfair election system in which Fidesz can only be beaten by a united opposition front. Fidesz upset predictions of a tight contest by winning with 49 percent of the vote compared to under 20 percent for its nearest challenger, the nationalist Jobbik party. That helped the party clinch a third consecutive two-thirds parliamentary majority, allowing it legislative carte blanche to amend the constitution and fast-track new laws. Since the vote, Orban has pledged to build a "Christian democracy" in the interests of all Hungarians and has called his victory "the biggest mandate" since the switch from communism in 1990. Turnout increased sharply on previous elections, prompting Ader to say during his speech to open parliament that the legitimacy of the result is "above question". - Constitutional change - Orban's election campaign was dominated by strident anti-immigration rhetoric, and early signs are that he will continue in the same vein. "The most important task of the new government will be the defence of Hungary's security and Christian culture," said the 54-year-old, who built anti-migrant border fences during the last term. One of his first steps is likely to be a constitutional clause preventing the "settlement of alien population". Another package of bills targets non-governmental organisations funded by Hungarian-born US billionaire George Soros who Orban says orchestrates immigration. Orban's critics also accuse him of removing democratic checks and balances and steering the country away from the European mainstream. Further pressure on judicial and media independence, squeezed in recent years, are seen as likely by analysts. On Monday the OSCE expressed "major concern" that three journalists for independent news websites were denied accreditation for the opening of parliament, saying this set "a bad precedent". - 'Corrupt system' - The protestors, who call their group "We are the Majority", have also held smaller demonstrations in cities around the country, a nod to sweeping electoral losses by the opposition outside Budapest. Their demands include reform of the electoral system, redesigned by Fidesz in 2011 and which critics say helped deliver Orban's party its two-thirds majority, even though it won under half of the vote. State media should also adhere to non-partisan guidelines according to the protestors after international observers found "media bias" had helped tilt the poll in Fidesz's favour. "The legitimacy of the new parliament is questionable," an opposition MP Akos Hadhazy told AFP outside parliament Tuesday while the inauguration proceeded inside. Hadhazy, of the green LMP party, was the only lawmaker who refused to make an oath of allegiance to the constitution Tuesday. "The opposition has to somehow find a way of not legitimising the government but at the same time do the actual work of a proper opposition," he said. A poll last week said opposition voters also blamed the bitterly divided anti-Orban parties themselves for their crushing defeat. Their failure to forge an effective anti-Fidesz front has prompted calls that they should boycott the new parliament or even that a new opposition be built from scratch. Although "personnel, policy, and moral renewal" of the opposition parties is a must, Daniel Hegedus, an analyst, told AFP that they could better serve frustrated voters by staying in parliament. "Coordinated parliamentary and street opposition will have to be built up together during the coming years," he said. Around 20,000 protestors assembled outside parliament where speakers urged the rebuilding of opposition to Viktor Orban Victor Orban's ruling right-wing Fidesz party defied predictions of a tight contest by winning with a landslide 49 percent of the vote in last month's election Iran's President Hassan Rouhani staked his legacy on efforts to end decades of tension with the West. With the landmark nuclear deal unravelling, what hope is there for his political future? Regardless of whether US President Donald Trump tears up the 2015 nuclear deal that was the centrepiece of Rouhani's diplomatic efforts, it is clear that the traditional animosity between the US and Iran has returned for the foreseeable future. "Rouhani bet big on the nuclear deal and invested all his political capital in it," said Mojtaba Mousavi, a political analyst in Tehran. "Now the deal is gasping its last breaths, and so Rouhani is losing everything -- all his economic and political plans -- that he built on the back of the nuclear deal," Mousavi told AFP. - A boon for conservatives - From the start, Rouhani's conservative opponents were deeply suspicious of his negotiations with Washington, and their fears were borne out when it became clear that US pressure would continue to hobble Iran's trade ties even after the 2015 deal. With his constant threats to tear up the accord, Trump has ensured the world stays wary of doing business with Iran. "The uncertainty around the JCPOA (nuclear deal) is a victory for the conservatives who feed off the hostility of US foreign policy to reinforce internal repression and limit the reach of the Islamic republic's elected institutions," said Clement Therme, an Iran expert with Britain's International Institute for Strategic Studies. Behind-the-scenes conservative forces have made their presence felt in recent months, with sweeping arrests of dual nationals and NGO workers on espionage charges, the blocking of Iran's most popular social media app Telegram, and pressure on high-profile reformers that forced the resignation of Tehran's mayor and a top environmental official. Rouhani has overseen a moderate easing of social restrictions, but in Iran the presidency is only one of many power centres. He faces powerful conservative forces embedded in the clergy, the judiciary and a Guardian Council with veto power over laws and election candidates, not to mention the over-riding authority of the supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. "Rouhani has totally flunked on all his promises, but he has doubled down on the reform rhetoric recently, trying to maintain his popular base and finger-pointing at the conservatives," said Ardavan Amir-Aslani, an author and international lawyer with an office in Tehran. "But opening a few new cafes and letting women push their headscarves back a few inches are not the fundamental reforms that Iran needs," he added. - Need for unity - What may save Rouhani from being completely sidelined is the establishment's fear of a greater unravelling. Protests in December and January showed that anger over the economy and civil liberties was much wider spread than in the past, affecting dozens of second-tier towns and cities. "I think the leader (Khamenei) is still trying to help Rouhani. Protecting the prosperity and unity of the country is his top priority, especially in this tough situation," said Mousavi. Rouhani won a second term as president a year ago, with the backing of reformists who saw him as the best option from the small selection allowed to stand by the Guardian Council. There were never any illusions that he was a radical reformer -- he has been a regime insider from the earliest days of the Islamic revolution -- but many were still disappointed when his promises of reform fell flat. "Some of the criticism is unfair. Rouhani has done great things. There is more openness, less morality police, journalists are somewhat freer," said a reformist journalist, who asked to remain anonymous. "But he is ultimately a man of the system and wants to remain one. His identity is tied up with being part of the system -- if he denies it, he denies himself." For now, Rouhani has stuck to his guns, strongly criticising the censorship of social media and slamming officials for failing to respond effectively to popular anger. But he faces a difficult challenge, having to respond to Trump without derailing his wider diplomatic efforts. "The smart move would be to wait out the end of Trump's mandate, stay in the nuclear deal and build up something with the Europeans, however limited. Wait until this blows over," said Amir-Aslani. "That's what they should do -- but we'll see." Britain, France and Germany urge Washington to stick with the Iran nuclear accord after Iranian president Rouhani warned that Washington would regret ditching the pact "like never before." Lebanon's new parliament will include six female lawmakers across the country, up from just four in the 2009-era parliament with several fresh faces. The landmark May 6 election saw a record 86 women run, with virtually every party -- except Shiite movement Hezbollah -- putting forth female candidates. Here is an overview of the women who scored a spot in Lebanon's 128-member legislative body. - Paula Yacoubian - The high-profile television journalist landed a seat in the capital Beirut after running on a list of outsiders known as Kulluna Watani. "This is the real change, the real opposition," she told AFP during her campaign. The 42-year-old daughter of an Armenian genocide survivor long hosted a show on the channel owned by Prime Minister Saad Hariri, but she stepped down to run for office. Yacoubian is the only candidate from outside the traditional political class to have won a seat. - Roula Tabsh - Lawyer Roula Tabsh is also a first-time victor in the capital, but she ran on Hariri's Future Movement list which was otherwise dealt a blow at the polls. Tabsh pledged to advocate for women's rights in parliament, including making sure children with Lebanese mothers and foreign fathers can get Lebanese nationality. The wins by Tabsh and Yacoubian will usher in the highest female representation in parliament ever for Beirut. - Bahia Hariri - The sister of slain ex-premier Rafiq Hariri and aunt of current prime minister Saad Hariri kept the seat she has held in Lebanon's southern district of Sidon. At 65, she has served as a member of parliament four times and as education minister, and was awarded a Legion d'Honneur by former French president Jacques Chirac in 2003. She is a member of the prime minister's inner circle. Her life was turned upside down by her brother's assassination in 2005. She stopped wearing skirt-suits and make-up and began covering her hair with a traditional white headscarf. - Sethrida Geagea - The 50-year-old politician from Lebanon's northern district of Bcharreh will return for another term in parliament. She is married to Lebanese Forces chief Samir Geagea, and is credited with steering the party for 11 years while he was detained during Syria's military occupation of Lebanon, until his release in 2005. The tall, slender woman is seen as a hardliner within the movement and is often accused of being anti-Muslim. - Inaya Ezzedine - A pathologist by training, 57-year-old Ezzedine has served as minister for administrative reform -- but her rise to parliament is unprecedented. It will be her first term as a legislator, but also the first time Lebanon's port city of Tyre has a female representative. Ezzedine hails from the Amal Movement, a strong Shiite Muslim party that is allied to Hezbollah and has never put forward a female candidate. Ezzedine is divorced and is a mother of two daughters. - Dima Jamali - Jamali is a professor of business management and freshman parliamentarian, who will serve in Lebanon's second city Tripoli after running on the Future Movement's list. Her father was the mayor of the coastal metropolis in the north, but it has never before been represented by a woman. "We have a historic opportunity to bring new faces to Tripoli," she said in a campaign video before the vote. - Women at the vote - Among those that did not win seats are Joumana Haddad, a writer and activist who ran in Beirut, and an all-women's list from the conservative northern area of Akkar. But Lebanese women flooded the polling stations on Sunday, both as voters and party delegates. Females made up 50.8 percent of registered voters in 2018, according to the United Nations. Lebanese TV journalist Paula Yacoubian is the only candidate from outside the traditional political class to have won a seat in Lebanon's election. Bahia Hariri, seen here in 2017 with her brother and prime minister Saad Hariri, has served as a member of parliament four times Lebanese member of parliament Sethrida Geagea, pictured here in 2014, is seen as a hardliner within her party Writer and activist Joumana Haddad failed to win a seat in Lebanon's general election A mother of a geography teacher gunned down in the Parkland massacre has revealed her shock after being slapped with a huge bill for the plane that took her to her sons deathbed. Linda Schulman rushed to Florida following the Stoneman Douglas High School shooting on February 14 to be by the side of her son, Scott Beigel. The only flight she managed to find after a desperate search was a chartered trip with Talon Air for her, her husband and brother. Desperate to see her son, she paid little attention to the cost and took whatever method possible to get there. Scott Beigel died in the February 14 shooting. His mother did whatever she could to be by his side. Source: Scott J. Beigel Memorial Fund On arrival, she learnt her son was one of the 17 killed during the shooting, his death coming after he unlocked his classroom door to let students take shelter from the gunman. Days after the tragedy, she received the bill for her familys plane journey, and despite knowing it was going to be super expensive, she was stunned by the amount. Talon Air, Inc. not only charged us $18,229.57 one way ~ they charged us another $18229.56 to bring the plane back to Farmingdale because they did not have anyone wanting to charter the plane back, she wrote on Facebook. An outraged Ms Schulman immediately queried Talon Air on their $36,459.13 (AU$48,500) bill and was stunned that after a lengthy discussion where she continually explained her cricumstances, the family were only offered a $2000 discount. Talon Air billed Ms Schulman over $40,000 for the use of the chartered plane. Source: Facebook/ Linda Schulman I ask, Are you kidding me?' she says she asked the airline. She accepted she would have to fork out for the outgoing journey, but Ms Schulman couldnt get her head around the return costs. I have no problem accepting that I have to pay for one way, even the fuel charge for the return flight but $US18,229.56 for the return of the plane? Where is the compassion from Talon Air, Inc.? she wrote. After her Facebook post was soon inundated with comments and came to the attention of Talon Air founder, the companys CEO Adam Katz. He immediately contacted Ms Schulman by telephone to apologise over the handling of the matter before offering to repay the $18,000 shed already forked out and to give the remainder of the fare to a memorial fund in her sons name. Story continues He later penned a letter to Ms Schulman, which she later shared to Facebook, detailing their previous phone conversation. I apologise for how poorly Talon initially handled this tragic matter, Mr Katz wrote. No parent should have to go through what you and so many other parents have endured. Ms Schulman said she was glad the problem had been resolved and the matter was now closed. I am very happy that Adam and Talon Air, Inc. have seen their way to accepting responsibility and resolving this matter, she wrote on Facebook. She also noted she would return $2000 to the airline which was initially refunded. There was drama in Perths Supreme Court on Tuesday as two self-confessed neo-Nazi lovers were sentenced to life behind bars over the murder of a Girrawheen man. For parents Robert and Rosemary Taylor, the life sentences handed to their sons killers brought justice, but little comfort. You couldve given [them] a million years makes no difference to my position one little bit, Rosemary Taylor said. I still lost my son, my lifes been shattered. Melony Attwood and her then-lover Robert Edhouse (left) were found guilty of the murder of Alan Taylor, right. Source: 7 News Alan Taylor was bludgeoned with a hammer in his bedroom. The mother of his young son, Melony Attwood, and her then-lover, Robert Edhouse, were found guilty of his premeditated murder. Both leaders in the neo-Nazi group Aryan Nations, they wanted Mr Taylor dead so they could claim his life insurance. Aryan Nations Sergeant at Arms, Corey Dymock, was also sentenced to five years for being an accessory by helping cover it up. For Robert and Rosemary Taylor, the life sentences handed to their sons killers brought justice, but little comfort. Source: 7 News When they were found guilty in March, Edhouse assaulted Dymock in the dock and threatened to kill him. Tuesdays sentencing was briefly adjourned when Melony Attwood fainted and then vomited after the judge described how pieces of Mr Taylors skull were found in the bedroom. You never forget how they killed him left him on the floor, smashed his head that much and they just left him there, the victims father Robert Taylor said. Attwood and Edhouse will have to serve at least 21 years behind bars. By threatening to withdraw from the Iran nuclear deal, the United States wants to halt Iran's ballistic missile program and its growing influence in the Middle East. European leaders will be under pressure from President Donald Trump, who will announce his decision on the future of the deal on Tuesday, to renegotiate a broader agreement addressing those points. But Tehran is refusing to change a single comma of the deal it signed in July 2015, which lifted international sanctions in return for restrictions on its nuclear program. - Sunset clause - The deal curbs the Iranian nuclear program for a period of at least 10 years. The number of centrifuges used for research and development is limited until 2025, uranium enrichment is limited until 2030, and inspections by nuclear experts will go on until 2040. But Washington wants to extend these restrictions, arguing that current measures only kick the problem down the road. And Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu insists that Tehran is secretly continuing to develop its military nuclear capabilities. "It's totally unrealistic to believe that Iran will accept perpetual limits on its sovereignty," said the International Crisis Group (ICG) in a recent report on the issue, quoting an anonymous French official. Dalia Dassa Kaye, a Middle East specialist at the Rand Corporation, said that while "Iran would be unlikely to agree to new sunset provisions," it may yet "be convinced to engage in preliminary discussions if European powers present an attractive economic package as a counter to the United States." Tehran, facing a tough financial crisis, is still waiting to feel major economic benefits from the deal. - Ballistic program - Washington wants to tackle Iran's ballistic missile program, which it deems harmful to security and stability in the Middle East. The United Nations has warned Tehran against developing a missile that could carry a nuclear warhead. Israel, which is within range of Iran's missiles, considers this an existential threat. Iran, which sees itself surrounded by US military bases and the arsenals of its neighbors, says the ballistic missile program is purely defensive and will not be used for weapons of mass destruction. It does not see its missiles as part of the nuclear deal and considers the issue to be non-negotiable. "The Iranians view their ballistic missiles as a critical element for their national defense, so this may be one of the most difficult areas to push for limits," said Kaye. She said if the nuclear deal does not collapse, "missile discussions will need to focus on confidence building steps, like limiting missile ranges and testing." - Iranian influence - Iranian influence in the region is at the heart of US concerns. Washington has reiterated that Iran's "hegemonic" ambitions in the Middle East violate the spirit of the 2015 deal, and has denounced Tehran as a destabilizing force. It has slammed Tehran's "material and financial support" for "terrorism and extremism," citing its backing of the Lebanese military and political organization Hezbollah. In Syria, where Tehran supports President Bashar al-Assad, Iran says it is working to counter jihadists from the Islamic State group, while in Yemen, it backs Huthi rebels fighting one of its main regional rivals, Saudi Arabia. UN experts have accused Iran of violating a Yemen arms embargo by allowing the Huthis to obtain drones and ballistic missiles to strike at Saudi Arabia. Iran also backs Shiite militia forces in Iraq, and sees itself as the focus of "resistance" against Israel, the Middle East's sole if unacknowledged possessor of nuclear arms. The ICG says Iran has long pursued a policy of using proxies in weakened states to fight its battles against its foes -- Hezbollah in Lebanon to fight Israel, militias in Iraq to fight US forces and the Huthis in Yemen against Saudi Arabia. "As long as Iran pursues a policy in the region that, however defensive in origin it may be, others view as aggressive, tensions will persist and the possibility will rise of direct military confrontation," the think-tank's report said. Noting how Iraqi nationalism pushed back against Iranian influence there, Kaye added: "Containing Iranian influence in the region will not be easy, but Iran also is not invincible." In Syria, Russia may be the best hope of limiting Iranian influence, at least in the south, to avoid an escalation in the conflict with Israel. As for Yemen, Kaye said the best way of curbing Iranian influence remained a political settlement to the conflict and an end to Saudi intervention. A placard shows parts of the guidance system of an Iranian Qiam ballistic missile Taiwan accused the World Health Organization of succumbing to political pressure from Beijing Tuesday after the island failed to receive an invitation to a major international meeting. China sees self-governing democratic Taiwan as part of its territory awaiting reunification and has used its clout to diminish the island's presence on the world stage since Beijing-sceptic President Tsai Ing-wen took power in May 2016. Last year was the first time in eight years that Taiwan was not granted access to the World Health Assembly (WHA) -- the WHO's main meeting. This year's WHA is to be held in Geneva from May 21-26 and the online registration deadline lapsed on Monday without Taipei receiving an invite. The WHO confirmed on Tuesday it did not invite Taiwan this year, saying previous invitations were a special arrangement based on a "cross-strait understanding". It would facilitate Taiwan's inclusion "if and when cross-strait understanding on WHA participation is restored," it told AFP in a statement. Taiwan's Mainland Affairs Council, which handles official dealings with China, said as a non-political organisation "pursuing the highest health standards for humanity", the WHO "should not solely serve Beijing's political will". Taiwan's foreign ministry said on Tuesday it "regretted" that it had not been invited to the WHA. "Health is a basic human right, as well as a universal value regardless of differences in race, religion, political beliefs, economic or social situations," it said in a statement. It added that under the WHO charter, Taiwan should be allowed equal participation in all WHO events. While the WHO said Taiwanese experts "regularly participate in relevant WHO technical meetings", Taiwan said they were able to attend less than 30 percent. - 'One China' - China's foreign ministry spokesman Geng Shuang said Tuesday that the island was only able to attend the WHA from 2009-2016 because the previous Taiwan government had a consensus with Beijing that there is only "one China". While the island's former administration touted the agreement as enabling cross-strait relations to flourish without compromising Taiwan's sovereignty, Beijing saw it as meaning Taiwan and the mainland are part of a single China. President Tsai and her independence-leaning Democratic Progressive Party have refused to acknowledge the principle, which Beijing sees as the bedrock for relations. "Because the DPP refuses to recognise the ... one China principle, thus undermining the political basis of Taiwan's participation in the WHO, Taiwan cannot receive an invitation this year," Geng told reporters. When asked whether Beijing requested the WHO to exclude Taiwan, Geng did not confirm or deny but said it is "normal" for China to have regular communication with the WHO. Meanwhile, Beijing has also been attempting to exert pressure on international companies to list Taiwan as a Chinese province on their websites, rather than as a separate entity. The White House said on Saturday that China's aviation authorities had sent letters to 36 foreign airlines including US firms demanding they refer to Taiwan, Hong Kong, and Macau as Chinese territories. "This is Orwellian nonsense and part of a growing trend by the Chinese Communist Party to impose its political views on American citizens and private companies," it said. China sees self-governing democratic Taiwan as part of its territory awaiting reunification and has used its clout to diminish the island's presence on the world stage since Beijing-sceptic President Tsai Ing-wen took power in May 2016 British political divisions over Brexit resurfaced Tuesday, as the House of Lords handed the government fresh legislative defeats on the issue, hours after Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson dismissed as "crazy" one of Prime Minister Theresa May's proposals for future EU customs arrangements. Peers defied her minority Conservative government by voting for three cross-party amendments to key legislation on the process, while Johnson's outspoken intervention in a newspaper interview exposed continued cabinet infighting over Brexit. The amendments remove the date of withdrawal from the front of key legislation, allow Britain to continue participating in EU agencies after Brexit and retain the country's access to the bloc's single market. The votes marked the 12th defeat suffered by the government as its flagship European Union (Withdrawal) Bill, which sets the legal framework for Brexit, works its way through parliament. The legislation is now expected to go back within weeks to the House of Commons, which could reject the amendments approved by the unelected Lords. Angela Smith, the opposition Labour party's leader in the Lords, said the amendments were "not about stopping Brexit but the fine print of when and how the agreements are concluded". "These two amendments are a further opportunity for MPs to consider the finer details of this important legislation," she added. Meanwhile earlier Tuesday Johnson, a vociferous supporter of Britain's withdrawal from the bloc, said the future customs plan backed by May would not fulfil many of the promises of Brexit. "If you have the new customs partnership, you have a crazy system whereby you end up collecting the tariffs on behalf of the EU at the UK frontier," he told the Daily Mail. He added: "If the EU decides to impose punitive tariffs on something the UK wants to bring in cheaply there's nothing you can do." Citing the pledges of the Brexit campaign, Johnson said: "That's not taking back control of your trade policy, it's not taking back control of your laws, it's not taking back control of your borders." - Decisions, decisions - Last year, London put forward two options to ease cross-border trade with the EU but, with Brexit looming, has still yet to make a final decision on which to pursue. May's preferred option, the customs partnership, was reportedly rejected at a meeting of her senior ministers last week, while Brussels has also condemned it as "magical thinking". Downing Street insisted both proposals are still "viable", even if they are now subject to revision. "Following last week's cabinet sub-committee meeting it was agreed that there are unresolved issues in relation to both models and that further work is needed," May's spokesman said. "The prime minister asked officials to take forward that work as a priority." A customs partnership model would involve Britain collecting EU tariffs on goods heading into the bloc but charging its own on UK-destined products. Aside from Johnson, the untested proposal has also been criticised by up to 60 eurosceptic members of May's Conservative party. A second option, "maximum facilitation", would involve using technology to minimise customs checks, but the EU has also cast doubt on its viability. A decision is not expected for at least another week, but the clock is ticking ahead of a crucial EU summit in June. There are also concerns that neither option will now be ready for when Britain leaves the bloc's customs union at the end of the Brexit transition period in December 2020. The prime minister has promised to leave the customs union and single market to allow Britain to forge its own trade policy and control immigration. But there are fears of the economic impact of such a clean break with its closest trading parter, as well as concerns about the risk to the fragile peace in Northern Ireland of imposing border checks with EU-member Ireland. British Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson arrives at 10 Downing Street for a weekly cabinet meeting after saying the government's proposals for a post-Brexit customs regime with the EU were "crazy". Lebanon's powerful parliament speaker Nabih Berri said Tuesday that the general election's results vindicated a formula in which both the army and the Hezbollah militia guarantee the country's protection. Polls held on Sunday, the first in nine years, saw Hezbollah's allies in parliament garner enough seats to block any attempt by its political foes in parliament to make it disarm. "The truth is that the results support the equation in Lebanon, we call it the golden equation: the army, the people, the resistance," Berri told AFP in an interview at his residence in south Lebanon. Often described as Lebanon's shrewdest political player, 80-year-old Berri has held the position of speaker since 1992 and also heads the influential Shiite movement Amal. According to provisional results for Sunday's vote, his party scored 16 seats out of parliament's 128, three more than its ally Hezbollah. Unlike Amal and all other factions, Hezbollah did not give up its weapons when the Lebanese civil war ended in 1990 and its arsenal has now grown to rival the national army's. The group's weapons cache is the most divisive issue in Lebanese politics, but Amal and other MPs allied to Hezbollah should be in a position to fend off any challenge in parliament. Hezbollah and its allies argue the army is too weak to defend the country from Israel. Its critics say Hezbollah is the main reason Israel would attack Lebanon and should disarm if it wants to protect the country. Amal's popularity among the Shiite community, dominant in areas near Lebanon's southern border with Israel, grew when the Jewish state invaded in 1982. "We're a country that Israel has occupied, and it remains on our land... It still has ambitions for our water, oil, gas, land," he said. A deadly conflict between Israel and Hezbollah erupted in 2006 and fears of an even deadlier and more devastating war have cast an abiding gloom over Lebanon. - Voting system reform again - Hezbollah was born of an Amal splinter and the groups were rivals during the civil war. Decades later, they find themselves politically aligned on most issues and have been repeatedly hailed as the winning "Shiite duo" after Sunday's vote. One of the election's striking features was a disappointing turnout of 49.2 percent, which Berri blamed on the electoral law passed last year and used for the first time on Sunday. "We know it from France and other countries -- that proportionality is the best electoral system but it isn't implemented in small electoral districts," he said. "Lebanon as a whole could be a district in Europe," Berri said of his country, which has an electorate of around 3.7 million. He said he had initially supported the idea of a single nationwide district but that ensuing consultations yielded a complex map of 15 districts, all different in size and sectarian distribution. "This took us away from the spirit of proportionality and made it so that the sectarian element has a bigger impact than the proportionality element," Berri said. The reformed electoral law introduced an element of proportionality to replace the previous, majoritarian system but its complexity and the opportunist alliances it generated appeared to put voters off. Berri said reforming the electoral law again should be one of the priorities of the new chamber. "As soon as we have a legislative session, one of the first tasks we should start with would be developing this electoral law so that all parts of Lebanese society are content with it," he said. Berri is widely expected to be handed a new mandate as speaker, although he refused to comment on the issue. Lebanon's unique sectarian power-sharing arrangements provide for parliament to be split equally between Christians and Muslims and stipulate that the president be Maronite, the premier Sunni and the speaker Shiite. Lebanon's long-serving parliament speaker Nabih Berri gives an interview with AFP at his home in Msaileh, south of the southern port city of Sidon, on May 8, 2018 Supporters of the Lebanese Shiite movement Hezbollah take to the streets of Baalbek, in the eastern Bekaa valley near the border with Syria, on election day on May 6, 2018 CYBERSPACEIn April, it was reported that Donald Trumps personal fixer Michael Cohen arranged a $1.6 million dollar payoff to two-time Playboy Playmate of the Month Shera Bechard on behalf of top Republican fundraiser Eliot Broidy, 62, who soon resigned his position on the Republican National Committee after admitting that he conducted a two-year affair with Bechard, getting her pregnant and paying for her abortion. But according to an article by University of Colorado Boulder law professor Paul Campos published on Tuesday by New York Magazine, Brody never, in reality, had the affair with Bechard. In fact, he was taking the fall for the real beneficiary of the $1.6 million cover-upDonald J. Trump himself. Read the entire New York Magazine article by visiting this link. We do not know if this alternative account, or something like it, is true, Campos writes, clarifying that his hyopthesis is just that, a hypothesis. What we do know is that the White Houses version of the story got into print without any apparent journalistic inquiry into whether that account was accurate, or an elaborate ruse. Campos notes that the non-disclosure agreement drawn up by Cohen used the same pseudonym given to Trump in his hush agreement with Stormy Daniels, David Dennison. In that NDA, Daniels was given the alias Peggy Peterson, the same phony name assigned by Cohen to Bechard in the NDA covering the affair that she supposedly had with Broidy. Bechard dated Playboy founder Hugh Hefner in 2011, and Hefner was close friends with Trumpbut their friendship inexplicably ended in 2016, Campos noted. Trump was a frequent visitor to Hefners Playboy Mansion in Los Angeles, where he would often bring women who were contestants on his Apprentice NBC TV reality show, according to a Politico article. Another Playboy playmate, Karen McDougal, recently settled a lawsuit over her own NDA which had barred her from talking about her own 10-month alleged affair with Trump. If indeed Camposs theory that it was Trump, not Broidy, who had an affair with, and impregnated, the 34-year-old Bechard, she would be the third woman known to have received hush money after an affair with Trump, in addition to McDougal and Daniels. All three women, at the time of their hush money deals, were represented by the same attorney, Keith Davidson, who negotiated the deals with Cohen. On Monday, another former Playboy Playmate, Elke Jeinsen, claimed that she watched as Trump had sex with her friend and fellow Playmate Barbara Moore in 1993. While having sex with Playboy playmates might be a common enough fantasy among certain older married men, history suggests that the combination of reckless narcissism and personal shamelessness necessary to actually pursue it and then pay the various costs associated with fulfilling it is rarer, Campos wrote in his New York article. How many sex scandals involving Playboy playmates and men not named Donald Trump can you recall? But why would Broidy, a wealthy financier married for 26 years to a top Hollywood lawyer, put his career, reputation and marriage on the line to protect Trump? Turns out that Broidy, according to Campos, has a lengthy history of shady financial activity himself, including a 2009 case in which Broidy pleaded guilty to bribery and admitted showering millions on New York State pension officials in exchange for a $250 million investment into Broidys own private equity firm by New Yorks State retirement fund. Broidy may have also made millions by marketing his Trump connections to politicians and governments around the world, according to a New York Times report cited by Campos, meaning that keeping Trump shielded from scandal could be worth far more than $1.6 million to Broidy. Campos also cites the fact that Davidson contacted Cohen about setting up the payoff for Bechard even though Broidy was not Cohens client at the time. He also describes the impressive size of the payoffnearly five times the amounts paid to Daniels and McDougal combinedas fishy. Why, he asks, would the then-obscure Broidy need to pay a whopping $1.6 million to cover up an affair that the public-at-large would barely care about? The payoff was likely not made to shield Broidys family from the sordid truth of his extramarital activities, Campos says, because Broidy admit(ted) to the affair the very first time a journalist asked him about it. Photos by Glenn Francis / Michael Vadon / Wikimedia Commons CHATSWORTH, Calif.Nick Orlandino, CEO of Pipedream Products, one of the largest manufacturers of pleasure products in the world, announced he has retired, effectively immediately. I started in this industry when I was 15 years old, he told AVN. I worked my ass off for 35 years, and I have worked every side of the business. The business has changed and, well, you know, Im a little tired. Im ready to retire, he added. I worked my ass off, I did everything I wanted to do and I won all the awards, but I have a life. I want to go out on my terms and not limping out 10 years from now. Orlandino got his start at the age of 15 in the adult and gift industry unloading trucks for Forum Novelties in New York and eventually worked his way up to general manager. In 1992, he relocated to Los Angeles and joined Pipedream Products as vice president of sales and marketing. In 1994, he became a partner in the corporation and then ran all day-to-day operations at Pipedream. Pipedream Products started selling glass pipes and adult-themed gag gifts. Today, the brand offers various best-selling and high-quality lines, including Icicles, Fetish Fantasy and Ceramix. Orlandino and his companiesGiant Media and Diamond Productshave made headlines in adult and mainstream publications for his acquisitions in the novelty and movie sectors of adult. In recent years, Orlandino and Diamond Productsa holding company for which Orlandino serves as chairman and CEO and that owns Pipedream Productsacquired design-centric pleasure products manufacturer Jimmyjane. While Orlandino is no longer involved in the day-to-day operations, he will maintain shares in Diamond Products, he said. He still owns other companies throughout the industry as well. I dont know if Im done, he said. You never know whats gonna happen. But Ive lived a great life, traveled the world, seen everything and built a great company. Now its time for me, and my family and my friends. In the coming months, he said, he will move back to his hometown in New York, where he still has a big family. These days, Im happiest when Im home, Orlandino said. My mom and everyone else is asking me what I want to do, and right now I just want to go to the old neighborhood and get a few slices of pizza. I am building a house back in New York, and I want to enjoy my life. Its time. I love New York, I love my family and friends, I love history and I want to enjoy all of that. I want to be able to have the time to do what I want and do things like get in the car and go for a week somewhere. This is a nice feeling, he added. Right now I am sitting in my living room and relaxing, and I am relaxed. I havent had that feeling for a long time. Orlandinowhose most recent titles were chairman and CEO of Pipedream Products and Diamond Products, CEO of Giant Media, and CEO and founder of the ANME Founders Showis also a former treasurer of the Free Speech Coalition. In 2012 he was inducted into the AVN Hall of Fame. In addition to his corporate duties, Orlandino has always been committed to civic responsibilities. Hes the founder of the Frank N. Orlandino Scholarship Foundation, a nonprofit organization providing tuition assistance for students with financial difficulties. Orlandino is also recognized for his charitable contributions to Rock Out Cures, a nonprofit organization based in New York that provides financial assistance to the American Cancer Society, the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, and the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation. He stays active in the local community through volunteer activities and charitable endeavors, including annual contributions to the Sierra Canyon School Foundation. For more, visit PipedreamProducts.com. CHICAGOThe crowdfunded automatic oral sex simulator Autoblow 2+ is now available to men in India. I believe the Indian market has a huge potential in the next five years in the adult space. We already know that a significant percentage of porn visitors come from Indian IP addresses and know that men in dozens of other countries enjoying using the Autoblow while viewing such videos, Autoblow 2 inventor Brian Sloan said. Although the Autoblow 2+ has a relatively high price point in India due to duties/taxes/shipping, it is the only device of its kind that allows men to experience the sensation of oral sex without a partner, and many men consider it to be worth the cost. VIECI, Autoblows parent company, has partnered with the leading sex toys website in India, IMbesharam.com, to bring the Autoblow 2+ to the newfast growing Indian sex toy market. The product will be shipped to men directly from inside of India, allowing them to avoid embarrassing questions from customs officials at the post office. The Autoblow 2+ launches with both Hindi and Punjabi language cartoon videos, a first for any western sex toy brand, potentially exposing the brand to the more than 500 million speakers of both languages. View the Hindi cartoon here and the Punjabi cartoon here. Kilmarnock business Brownings the Bakers has been crowned Scottish Baker of the Year 2018 at the annual awards ceremony hosted in Glasgow by trade association Scottish Bakers. The bakery also won a host of other awards at this weekends event, including: Wholesale Baker of the Year Regional Gold in the Individual Cake Priced Over 80p category for its Gin and Tonic cupcake National Bronze and Regional Gold awards In the Morning Roll category Best Savoury in the Borders and Lowlands and National Gold for its steak and ale pie A member of the bakerys team, Tommy Withers, was awarded the Unsung Hero accolade. We are a family business and everyone at Brownings works hard so we really deserve this win, said managing director John Gall. We have a fantastic business and we take it very seriously using traditional methods and craft skills to deliver quality every time. But we could not have come this far in the competition without the votes of all of our customers, thank you. Celebrated cake designer Mich Turner, who presented Gall with the award, said: I have known John for many years and I know full well what this prize will mean to him and his whole team in Kilmarnock. Its a huge well done from me, John, and I know you will thoroughly enjoy your year as Scottish Baker of the Year. The awards ceremony was the culmination of a process that included more than 22,000 votes being cast for customers favourite bakery products, and more than 850 products being judged by a panel of 50 expert and independent judges. McVities owner Pladis has appointed former Mondelez director Scott Snell to head up a new customer team. Snell takes up the position of vice president of customer for Pladis UK & Ireland and will be part of the UK&I executive team. He will be based in the Pladis head office in Hayes, Middlesex. The new customer team, according to Pladis, will work to ensure the customer is the heart of all sales activity at Pladis. Prior to joining Pladis, Snell worked at PepsiCo and Mondelez, most recently as the sales director of impulse sales. He has experience in a variety of roles in the FMCG sector having worked in senior sales roles as well as general management at PepsiCo, where he was GM for Naked Juice UK, and Mondelez, where he was MD of Norway. This is a key leadership appointment, which will enable us to successfully transition to new ways of working and bring a further competitive advantage. On behalf of the whole Pladis team, I am delighted to welcome Scott, said Nick Bunker, Pladis UK&I MD. Bunker has only recently joined the business himself. The former KP Snacks and Cadbury boss took up the position of MD in November after his predecessor, Jon Eggleton, stepped down. Snell added: I am thrilled to be joining Pladis. The entrepreneurial spirit makes it an exciting place to work and Im looking forward to pushing the boundaries on traditional thinking and working alongside such high-performing and motivated teams. We've detected that JavaScript is not enabled in your browser. You must enable JavaScript to use craigslist. Now that it is fully apparent, to all who have the ability to pay some modicum of attention, that Imposter President Biden has extreme cognitive issues, in addition to being an inveterate liar: Can OUR Republic continue with this Executive Office that has completely failed, so many times, on far too many issues here at this early date in this abysmal presidency? No, Joseph R. Biden is completely unqualified, morally and cognitively, to represent real Americans, and lead this Republic of disparate peoples. Yes, Joseph R. Biden has started whispering again, even softer now than before; so, I know he still cares, plus, OUR media will soon stop reporting on Afghanistan in favor of OUR Socialist ideals. Public equity, about 40 percent of the total fund, was flat at 0 percent. Private equity rose 4.3 percent. Non-Core Real Estate and Opportunistic Fixed Income gained 5.6 percent and 2.4 percent respectively. The multi-strategy portfolio returned -0.7 percent for the three-month period. Inflation-sensitive and diversifier investments increased by 1.8 percent. Investment-Grade Fixed Income was down - 1.7 percent. Returns on state pension fund investments were flat for the first quarter of 2018. That triggered a warning by state Treasurer Dale Folwell about long-term pension stability.Folwell blamed the 0.2 percent gain for the three months ending March 31 largely on a volatile stock market. His department manages the nearly $100 billion N.C. Retirement Systems.Folwell said in a news release.Folwell said pension plan investments had a strong 2017. Echoing comments he made to reporters on his monthly Ask Me Anything teleconference Tuesday, May 1, Folwell said gains have not met assumed rates of return on average over the past 20 years.On Tuesday he told reporters the pension plan is paying out $500 million in monthly benefits. The Retirement Systems manages benefits for 900,000 teachers, firefighters, police officers, state and local government employees, and other public workers. It is one of the five best-funded plans in the nation.But it remains underfunded, and Folwell has been pushing to reduce long-term shortfalls. Recently the boards of trustees for the Teachers' and State Employees' Retirement Systems and the Local Governmental Employees' Retirement Systems lowered the plan's assumed rate of return from 7.2 percent to 7.0 percent.The lower rate more accurately reflects actual gains. Lawmakers then can decide how much state money is needed to keep the plan fully funded.The Treasurer's Department released details Thursday, May 3, showing the General Assembly would need to spend about $276 million more the next four years to make up for the lower return on investment.TSERS would need $18.7 million in fiscal year 2019, $38.5 million in 2020, $82.5 million in 2021, and $129.2 million in 2022. Spending on LGERS would need to go up $0.5 million in fiscal year 2021, and $6.3 million in 2022.Since taking office Folwell has slashed $76 million in fees to outside investment managers. He projects a $300 million savings over four years - three times the pledge he made during his campaign.Folwell said Tuesday.Folwell said. He also will bring even more pension management in-house instead of contracting with outside firms.Below are the first quarter 2018 returns, after all fees and expenses: More North Carolinians now think the state is headed in the right direction - as compared to seven months ago - but a majority still believe the country is on the wrong path, a new poll says.SurveyUSA, along with Spectrum News North Carolina, conducted the poll surveying North Carolinians about state and federal politics, gun control proposals, and grocery stores.The poll surveyed 600 adults - including 526 registered voters - April 27-30. Questions for registered voters yielded a credibility interval of plus or minus 5.6 percent.More registered voters disapproved of President Trump's job performance - as compared to those who approved, continuing a trend from a Fall 2017 SurveyUSA poll . Fifty percent disapproved of the president's performance; 43 percent approved, and 7 percent weren't sure. Unsurprisingly, approval ratings are split on party lines, with 82 percent of Republicans approving and 88 percent of Democrats disapproving. Independents are split - 40 percent approve, and 50 percent disapprove, with 10 percent unsure.More than 50 percent of respondents said the U.S. is heading in the wrong direction, compared to 40 percent who said the country is on the right track. The remainder are unsure.On the issue of North Korea, 52 percent of respondents said it's a good idea for Trump to meet with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un. At the same time, 40 percent trust the president will make the right foreign policy decisions, leaving 8 percent unsure.This is another category that falls along party lines, as more Republicans trust in the president's foreign policy skills than do Democrats and Independents. Democrats are split - 34 percent and 36 percent - on whether it's a good idea for Trump to meet Kim Jong Un in person.Respondents diverge about whether allegations of Trump's sexual affairs are serious, minor, or of no concern. Thirty-seven percent said the allegations are a serious public concern; 23 percent said they're only a minor concern. Thirty-six percent said the allegations weren't a concern. Four percent are unsure.North Carolinians view the state's trajectory more favorably than that of the nation.Forty-seven percent of respondents think North Carolina is on the right track, while 31 percent believe the state is heading in the wrong direction. The remainder are unsure. In the earlier poll, 37 percent said the state was on the right path, and 41 percent said the state was on the wrong path. Twenty-two percent weren't sure.Approval for Gov. Roy Cooper remains higher than that for the General Assembly. Nearly 50 percent of respondents approved of Cooper's job performance; 26 percent disapproved. Twenty-four percent are unsure about the governor's performance. Thirty-two percent approved of the General Assembly's job performance; 35 percent disapproved, and the rest weren't sure.If the general election for members of the General Assembly were held today, 44 percent of respondents would vote for a Democratic candidate; 37 percent would vote for a Republican. Seventeen percent were undecided, and 2 percent would vote for a third-party candidate.Similarly, Democratic candidates on the ballot for the U.S. House of Representative are favored more than their Republican counterparts. If the election were held today, 44 percent would vote for a Democratic candidate, compared to 41 percent who would vote for a Republican. Twelve percent are undecided, and 3 percent would vote for a third-party candidate.A larger percentage of respondents - 34 percent - want lawmakers to focus on education, followed by 20 percent who are interested in taxes and 18 percent who are interested in school security. Seven percent said judicial redistricting is the most important issue, but just 3 percent said prison reform should be a priority.The Atlantic Coast Pipeline, a natural gas pipeline that will run through eight N.C. counties, dominated the news earlier in 2018. About 40 percent of respondents support the pipeline, 32 percent oppose it, and 27 percent are unsure.The poll asked North Carolinians how they think the state should use the $57.8 million in the Atlantic Coast Pipeline. It's now targeted toward public education in the counties affected by the pipeline. Respondents are evenly split - 31 percent for each - on whether the money should go to economic development or education. Twenty-eight percent said the money should go toward environmental concerns, and 10 percent are unsure.The debate over gun control remains at the forefront of public debate.Pollsters asked all 600 respondents whether they support a range of gun control measures. The poll reports overwhelming support for background checks at gun shows and for private sales - 90 percent and 83 percent supporting each measure, respectively.Most respondents - 70 percent - support a ban on "assault-style" rifles, such as the AR-15, and 77 percent approve of funding metal detectors or other security screening measures in schools.Respondents mostly disapproved of arming teachers, even if they undergo proper firearm training. Nearly 50 percent opposed this proposal; 35 percent approved with the remainder undecided.On a different note, SurveyUSA asked residents where they prefer to shop for groceries.North Carolinians are showing their love for Walmart and Food Lion over other grocery chains, such as Harris Teeter and Kroger. Walmart, which 35 percent of respondents preferred, is a favorite among 18-34 year-olds, minorities, and people with high school educations. Food Lion was second, with 28 percent of respondents saying they shop there. The Wake County Public School System and Guilford County Schools are closing their doors May 16 so thousands of teachers can rally at the start of the short session for higher pay and more school resources.More than 2,500 Wake County teachers and 2,000 Guilford County teachers have requested next Wednesday off to attend the March for Students and Rally for Respect in downtown Raleigh. The North Carolina Association of Educators is sponsoring the event.Teachers are walking out or going on strike in several states including Arizona and Colorado to advocate raises and more education funding. The RedForEd movement has garnered significant national attention.Now all eyes are on North Carolina.North Carolina bans collective bargaining by public employees, so teachers can't legally strike. Teachers are allowed to take a personal day as long as they give prior notice, but they must pay $50 for a substitute if one is available. With thousands of teachers requesting the day off, school districts are struggling to find enough substitutes to fill the absences.Monika Johnson-Hostler, the chair of the Wake County Board of Education, said in a news release WCPSS and GCS join Charlotte-Mecklenburg schools, Durham public schools , and Chapel Hill-Carrboro school systems in closing schools May 16. Around 350,000 students, or about 23 percent of all North Carolina students, will be out of school.said Guilford Superintendent Sharon L. Contreras.Select schools in WCPSS will stay open so students can get meals. Buses will also run for students who need to take Advanced Placement or International Baccalaureate exams.Other school systems like DPS and GCS will reschedule AP exams to May 23 and work with the local community to ensure IB students can still take their mandatory exams May 16.Rep. Craig Horn, R-Union, co-chairman of the House K-12 Education Committee, said he believes every teacher has a right to lobby for higher compensation, but he also said there is a more productive way of doing that than closing schools for the rally.Horn said.The lawmaker has talked with teachers about school funding, but said many are unaware about recent boosts to benefits and salary. He said NCAE isn't being honest with teachers.Horn said.Monday afternoon, House Speaker Tim Moore, R-Cleveland, and Senate Leader Phil Berger, R-Rockingham, announced they will include a fifth consecutive teacher pay raise in the 2018-19 state budget.While Horn agreed the General Assembly must continue to raise teacher pay to attract and retain high quality teachers, he doesn't think closing schools when students need to prepare for End of Course and End of Year exams is the right choice. Russian Interference- Surprise, Surprise, Surprise In 1958, I was actively but inadvertently involved in the Cold War. In the secrecy of my parent's basement, I listened to the shortwave broadcast of Radio Moscow. I even had a wire antenna running from the Edge of My parents' house to the large Oak Tree in the corner of our yard. The antenna was visible during daylight hours but barely noticeable at night. . I was more interested on the fact that I could pick up a broadcast from far away than I was the content of the broadcast. Even at the age of 13, I realized that it was propaganda pure and simple. But in retrospect I can understand why today's standards would consider this private activity as collusion. Radio Moscow The U.S. was first targeted by Radio Moscow during the early 1950s, with transmitters in the Moscow region. Later Western North America was targeted by the newly constructed Vladivostok and Magadan relay stations. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Radio_Moscow At the time I was also guilty of surreptitiously listening to Spanish Speaking broadcast from Cuba, which at the time was not an enemy of America. Since I could not understand Spanish, I have no way of knowing if I was listening to subversive propaganda of Fidel Castro fermenting revolution or just normal broadcast. I do remember that sometimes the music sounded like a rerun of the Cisco Kid series. In the interest of full disclosure, I guess I should admit that I also listened to that far away station WSM in Nashville, Tennessee (240 miles from my basement): WSM (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/WSM) was broadcast on the AM band of radio (650) and that required that the weather and atmospheric conditions had to be just right to get a clear signal so I could listen to The Grand Ole Opry, and everyone knows how disruptive and subversive country music is. There are those who would say that is where I acquired my disruptive personality, but I think the credit for that goes to the fact that we had prayer in schools back then. I did all this using a commercially available radio made by The Hallicrafters Company, Model S-53A. It was purchased in broad daylight from that subversive company Sears, Roebuck and Company. I never knew it at the time, but looking back on it now I understand why my father had to be present when I purchased this equipment with my paper route earnings. I wonder if Sears still has the registration on file for the purchase of this instrument of Espionage and if they do am I responsible for something my father signed on my behalf before I was 18 or 21. I still have that radio somewhat well worn, but still working. It is missing the knobs but the off switch is still the second post from the right. A quick turn counter clockwise will render this subversive equipment ineffective. Hallicrafters even had the audacity to label this "OFF." To the best of my knowledge most modern devices also have this same feature in either a knob or a button. I also guess I should note that I often listened to the Voice of Americas shortwave broadcast. VOA was set up to provide "REAL NEWS" to the Soviet Block of countries. At the time I had no way of knowing that the Ruskies were in fact actively interfering with Freedom of the Airways. The recent congressional hearings reminded me that we have never been able to trust the Ruskies. They were actively jamming the radio frequencies of our broadcast to that country. And they also had an Iron Curtain, but it was designed to keep the population inside instead of keeping people out. No one was actively trying to get into Russia. Here is the Surprise, Surprise, Surprise part of this post: Beginning in 1948, the USSR made use of radio jamming to prevent its citizens from listening to political broadcasts of the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) and the Voice of America (VOA). Over time this initial effort was escalated dramatically, with the approximately 200 jamming stations with a total between 3 and 4 megawatts of output power in 1952 expanded to about 1700 transmitters with a combined 45 megawatts of output power. By this latter date, the list of jammed foreign broadcasts had been expanded to include not only the successors to the BBC and VOA, Radio Free Europe and Radio Liberty, but also Deutsche Welle, Radio Vatican, Kol Israel, and others. Total electricity consumed in the course of this jamming operation has been valued at tens of millions of dollars annually, exclusive of site construction and personnel costs. Jamming was initially attempted by means of superimposed random speech which mimicked station interference. Due to the ineffectiveness of this method, however, a move was later made to the generation of random noise to obscure human speech. From the early 1970s, satellites generating swinging carrier signals were used to interfere even more effectively. Nevertheless, people continued (or attempted) to listen to Western broadcasts. In fact, there was even no jamming of these signals (excluding Radio Free Europe) at all, from 1963-1968, and from 1973-1980. In 1963, a further attempt was made to draw USSR radio listeners from western broadcasts by launching a radio station favoring Moscow city and oblast. The jamming stopped in 1988 (Radio Free Europe was, however, unblocked in August 1991). http://www.liquisearch.com/radio_in_the_soviet_union/history/radio_jamming I guess it is no surprise to note that Facebook used the modern equivalent of Jamming to prevent "Hate Speech" on its platform. Apparently the idea of Free Exchange of Ideas is Un-American these days. If you don't recognize the two ladies below, it could be because Facebook restricted them even thought they had over a million followers. They were also restricted on YouTube.The ban has since been lifted and they have been before congress testifying about the heavy handed approach by Facebook. They use the Name Diamond and Silk and live in Raeford, North Carolina. They are supporters of Donald Trump and used various platforms including Facebook and Twitter to create a thriving business based on their political viewpoints. Here is an exchange from the congressional hearing. Mark Zuckerberg: Nothing Is Unsafe About Diamond And Silk Supporting Trump The marketplace of ideas is a rationale for freedom of expression based on an analogy to the economic concept of a free market. The marketplace of ideas holds that the truth will emerge from the competition of ideas in free, transparent public discourse, and concludes that ideas and ideologies will be culled according to their superiority or inferiority and widespread acceptance among the population. The concept is often applied to discussions of patent law as well as freedom of the press and the responsibilities of the media in a liberal democracy.https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marketplace_of_ideas I'm not sure what offends me more: The fact we have people dumb enough to believe most of the crap they hear on the news. or The fact that we have a news media that thinks that most people are dumb enough to believe the crap they report. Somewhere along the way we seem to have lost the idea that the individual is in charge over what they choose to believe or disbelieve. Nevertheless, is should come as no surprise the Russian's are trying to interfere with our elections, way of life and anything else they can disrupt for over 75 years or more. The solution is to be very skeptical of anything you read or hear without verifying the facts for yourself. The solution is not to limit speech of any kind because we disagree with it. While the first amendment places limits on the government's ability to limit speech, it is an American principal to allow free speech in the public domain. Companies and private entities limit speech at their own peril since the most important vote an American has is his ability to vote with his feet and his dollars. (I offer no apologies for the generic use of Gender pronoun he or his.) If men are to be precluded from offering their sentiments on a matter, which may involve the most serious and alarming consequences that can invite the consideration of mankind, reason is of no use to us; the freedom of speech may be taken away, and dumb and silent we may be led, like sheep, to the slaughter. George Washington, first U.S. president Reference: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Radio_Moscow https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/WSM http://www.liquisearch.com/radio_in_the_soviet_union/history/radio_jamming href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marketplace_of_ideas">https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marketplace_of_ideas On Sunday, The Chronicle of Higher Education reported on a supremely important development: a male professor made a joke about "lingerie" in an elevator - an elevator containing a gender studies professor. Clearly, Western civilization's patriarchy has yet to be broken.According to Katherine Mangan, political theory Professor Richard Ned Lebow of King's College was in an elevator with a bunch of other human beings, including Professor Simona Sharoni, who teaches women's and gender studies at Merrimack College. Sharoni, who clearly had been conditioned to submit to the patriarchy, offered to hit buttons on the elevator. That's when Lebow did the unthinkable: he jokingly asked for the women's lingerie department. And his buddies - the scum! - laughed.So Sharoni complained to the International Studies Association, just as an empowered woman ought to do. She tremblingly wrote, "I am still trying to come to terms with the fact that we froze and didn't confront him." And they took her complaint seriously enough to launch an investigation. They determined that Lebow had violated the conduct code of the organization.All of this despite the fact that Lebow wrote to Sharoni stating,According to the report:He suggested that Sharoni, who was born in Romania and raised in Israel, might have misinterpreted his remark. When he was young, in the 1950s, he said, it was a "standard gag line" to ask the elevator operator for the hardware or lingerie floor as though one were in a department store. "Like you, I am strongly opposed to the exploitation, coercion, or humiliation of women," Lebow wrote.But this was merely doubling down! How dare he mansplain frivolity! According to the association, the cruelest cut of all was that suggestion that her frivolous complaint about frivolity was indeed frivolous. It didn't feel frivolous! Instead, Lebow was told he must write an "unequivocal apology" to Sharoni. Lebow said no, because he's not a ridiculous idiot. He instead wrote an email calling the entire situation a "horrifying and chilling example of political correctness" that "encourages others to censor their remarks for fear of retribution." But Sharoni was steadfast:Yes, someone must stand up to elderly white professors making obvious and stupid jokes about lingerie departments on elevators - jokes that have been told for decades! The scourge of the patriarchy is on the rise!And then feminists wonder why so many Americans view them as humorless scolds? Perhaps because humorless scolds like Sharoni are making life miserable for random professors rather than focusing on actual injustices taking place.Besides, who's to say that Lebow didn't just want to shop at the women's lingerie department for himself? Isn't her assumption actually transphobic? Perhaps she should be brought up on charges before the ISA. The hierarchy must be brought low! Press Briefing by Press Secretary Sarah Sanders Press Release: James S. Brady Press Briefing Room 2:31 P.M. EDT May 7, 2018 MS. SANDERS: Good afternoon. With labor participation, wages, and job growth all on the rise, we are seeing firsthand how President Trump's economic policies are benefiting American workers. The unemployment rate dropped to 3.9 percent, the lowest level since the year 2000. The unemployment rate for adult women is at 3.5 percent. And the African American unemployment rate is at 6.6 percent -- the lowest ever recorded. And the unemployment rate for Hispanics tied a series low. Since the President's election, more than 3 million jobs have been created. The President's historic tax cuts, deregulation, and pro-growth policies are creating jobs and restoring confidence in America's economy. On another important matter, the White House has been in close contact with state and local officials in Hawaii since the initial earthquake and volcanic eruption. The President continues to monitor the ongoing situation. FEMA and the White House encourage all individuals in potentially affected areas to monitor local radio or TV stations for updated emergency information, and follow the instructions of state and local officials. The New York Post said today that CIA Acting Director Gina Haspel has headed four CIA stations across the globe; been a senior official in the CIA's Russia operation; held several top roles in the division responsible for covert operations; and post-9/11, was a senior-level supervisor in counterterrorism. The Post further noted that her integrity and, significantly, her political impartiality are unchallenged. She deserves quick confirmation without partisan theatrics. The bottom line: Acting Director Haspel has an unparalleled understanding of the CIA and is the right person to lead it during these dangerous times. Lastly, and on a slightly lighter note, I would like to congratulate Katherine and Alex -- two members of the White House press corps -- on their engagement over the weekend. So congratulations. And with that - I don't know if they even showed up today but that's okay. (Laughter.) Q They're in the back MS. SANDERS: Definitely would have given them a question, but since I don't see them - Kevin, we'll go with you. Q Thank you, Sarah. A couple questions. First, on Gina Haspel. Is it true the President and yourself and others had to, sort of, convince her not to withdraw her name from consideration? And if so, what was that like? And has this circumstance happened before since you've been at your position here at the White House? And a follow-up about Don Blankenship. Why does the President believe he can't win an election in the state of West Virginia? MS. SANDERS: Let me answer the first question. We'll come back to that. In regards to Acting Director Haspel, her commitment to the agency is one of the reasons that she is the right person to lead it. She wants to do everything she can to make sure the integrity of the CIA remains intact, isn't unnecessarily attacked. And if she felt that her nomination would have been a problem for that and for the agency then she wanted to do everything she could to protect the agency. At the same time, she wants to do everything she can to protect the safety and security of Americans, which is why she is 100 percent committed to going through this confirmation process and being confirmed as the next leader of the CIA. Q And the follow - MS. SANDERS: Sorry. Q - was on Blankenship in West Virginia. Why does the President believe that he can't win an election in the state of West Virginia? Why not? MS. SANDERS: As you all know, I have a few more limitations than the President and, due to the Hatch Act, can't get into the specifics about an election prior to it taking place. But I'd refer you back to the President's tweet, which I think is pretty clear. And if he has more to say on it, he certainly will. Q Thank you, Sarah. We also congratulate Alex and Katherine. Rudy Giuliani said that, if necessary, it's possible that Michael Cohen could have paid off other women to keep them quiet about alleged affairs with the President. Is that possible? Are there other women out there who received money from the President to stay quiet? MS. SANDERS: I'm not aware of any other activity, but I would refer you to Rudy Giuliani to respond to any of those questions or anybody else on the President's outside counsel. Q But you've been in his circle for a long time now. You were on the campaign. Is that anything that came across your desk? MS. SANDERS: Again, I'm not aware of anything like that. But I would refer to the President's outside counsel. Steve. Q The President has got a May 12 deadline on the Iran nuclear deal. Is he wavering on this deal based on the pressure from the Europeans with Boris Johnson here this week? MS. SANDERS: The President will make an announcement on what his decision is soon. As you know, he's got a few days to do that, and we'll let you know when he's ready to make a decision on it. Q And John Kerry's shadow diplomacy - how does that impact the deliberations? MS. SANDERS: I don't think it impacts it at all. I think the President spoke out about that pretty clearly, and I don't think that we would take advice from somebody who created what the President sees to be one of the worst deals ever made. I'm not sure why we would start listening to him now. John. Q Thank you, Sarah. Back to Gina Haspel. Her confirmation hearing is on Wednesday. It's an open hearing before the Senate Intelligence Committee. Are there any questions that are off-limits, from the White House's point of view, as it relates to her career at the CIA? MS. SANDERS: We think that acting Director Haspel is a highly qualified, uniquely positioned individual to lead the CIA, and we're very confident in her ability to answer the questions that we know are going to come. And if you don't believe me, listen to some of the quotes from a lot of other people that have been very outspoken in their support for her. Former Director Leon Panetta said, "I'm glad it's Gina, because frankly, she is someone who really knows the CIA inside and out." Former Director Michael Hayden said, "Haspel is absolute best choice to be Director." Former Acting Director and Deputy Director Michael Morell said, "She is capable. She has integrity. She cares deeply about the mission of the Agency, and she cares deeply about the men and women of the Agency." And lastly, former Acting Director and Deputy Director John McLaughlin said, "If you're picking a professional officer to head the agency, I can't think of a better person than Gina." We want her to get a fair hearing, a thorough hearing. And we're very confident that not only will all of the members of the Senate see what the rest of us see, and certainly even some of the people that have held that position see, that Gina is more than qualified to run and lead the agency. Q So, Sarah, if she's asked any questions regarding enhanced interrogation techniques that took place during her tenure at the CIA - that Democrats say that she was involved with - she can answer them fully in an open hearing. Is that your position? MS. SANDERS: I'll let her address those questions as they come. But as we've said, we think all of the issues surrounding her record, her experience, will be brought up. And we're fully confident in her ability to answer those questions. Steve. Q Yes, Sarah. President Putin, in Moscow, was inaugurated today for a new six-year term. Over the weekend, throughout Russia, we saw police arresting, it's estimated, about 1,600 anti-Putin demonstrators, including organizer and anti-corruption campaigner, Alexei Navalny. We've seen the President tweet about other Russia matters today but not about either of these things. What message does the President have for the Kremlin and the Russian people about these events? MS. SANDERS: First, the President congratulates him and looks forward to a time when we can hopefully have a good relationship with Russia. However, the United States believes that everyone has a right to be heard and assemble peacefully. Blake. Q Sarah, thank you. The President has said in the past that the Russia investigation is an excuse for Democrats losing the 2016 election. But today he appeared to look forward to the 2018 midterms, and tweeted out, "Is this Phony Witch Hunt going to go on even longer so it wrongfully impacts the Mid-Term Elections, which is what the Democrats always intended?" And he ended that with a question mark. Does the President now believe that the Russia investigation actually has to do with the 2018 midterms, as well? MS. SANDERS: I think he thinks that the idea that this narrative continues to be driven; the fact that a year and a half later, after spending most all of your time, every single day, looking into this and still finding nothing; the fact that we're still talking about it will - has the potential to impact the 2018 election. I think the point he's making is how ridiculous it is that we're still having this conversation, and the depths to which this research has gone on, and investigation has been conducted, and still produced nothing. Q Is the President pleased with the appearances of Rudy Giuliani over the last few days? MS. SANDERS: I didn't speak with him specifically about his feelings about it, but certainly feels that he's an added member - added valued member to his outside special counsel. Francesca. Q Thank you, Sarah. On that note, Rudy Giuliani said yesterday that the President could plead the Fifth if he's subpoenaed by the Special Counsel. And I want to know why the President would even go that route if he hasn't done anything wrong, as he's said repeatedly that there was no collusion and there was no obstruction of justice. MS. SANDERS: That's a question you'd have to ask the outside special counsel. I'm not an attorney; certainly couldn't address that. Jim. Q Sorry, Sarah - MS. SANDERS: Sorry, I'm going to keep moving just because we're going to get real tight on time here. Jim. Q In the same vein, does the President believe he is within his executive powers to reject a subpoena from the Special Counsel's office? MS. SANDERS: That's a question that I would refer you to the Special Counsel. Q And can I follow up on Gina Haspel? MS. SANDERS: I'm going to just keep moving because I did it to your colleague. David. Q The President, this time around, on Iran - Mike Pompeo is Secretary of State, and you've got John Bolton, the new National Security Advisor - they've been amongst the most prominent critics of the Iran deal. I mean, is there any reason to think President Trump won't kill the deal when Saturday rolls around? MS. SANDERS: The President will make that announcement very soon, and we'll certainly keep you all posted on it as it happens. Michael. Q On the EPA, Andrew Wheeler has been now confirmed as the second-in-command at the EPA. Does the President think that he would be able to continue the deregulatory agenda that Mr. Pruitt has been in charge of, were he to remove Mr. Pruitt? And given the sort of cascade of ethical problems, how close is - what's the status of the review that you guys have been saying you're doing? And is the President closer to removing Mr. Pruitt from office? MS. SANDERS: I don't have any personnel announcements on that front. Certainly, we have confidence in the number two; otherwise, the President wouldn't have asked him to serve at such a senior-level position within the EPA. But I don't have anything further on that front. Justin. Election Day reminds us about deep political divisions. A high-profile diplomat's recent speech in Durham should remind us to place our political disagreements in the proper perspective.United Nations Ambassador Nikki Haley uttered those words as part of her April 5 Duke University lecture titled "Confronting Today's Global Governance Challenges." Amid commentary about the American government's approach toward the world's worst rogue regimes, Haley devoted a few minutes to domestic political squabbles. The former Republican South Carolina governor aimed her remarks directly at people considering careers in public service.Haley reminded her audience.Those differences should sound familiar if you have been watching, listening to, and reading political ads in recent weeks. Haley contrasted those "political battles" with her current job.she said.Haley added.Treating every political disagreement as an opportunity to fight hurts our ability to negotiate, compromise, and develop solutions. That can lead us toward gridlock, even when all parties agree a problem exists and must be addressed.Haley said.Making the career move from Columbia, S.C., to Manhattan's Turtle Bay has helped Haley view political confrontation in a different light.she explained.Haley added.Haley concluded.Partisans of all political stripes could learn from Haley. Those on the political right might be inclined to view their foes as proponents of some form of reheated communism. (Recent praise among some progressives for Karl Marx on his 200th birthday doesn't help to dispel those fears.)But, in most cases, well-meaning policymakers and pundits on the political left believe that their policy preferences will improve Americans' lives. They are not trying to push the country toward Friedrich Hayek's " road to serfdom ."On the other hand, conservatives who focus on boosting government's "bang for the buck" do not represent the second coming of Adolf Hitler. Left-of-center partisans do nothing to promote productive debate when they yell "racism" or "sexism" every time an opponent talks about limiting tax or regulatory burdens.It's fortunate for this state that key thinkers on the political left and right already recognize a distinction between opponents and enemies. Programs like the North Carolina Leadership Forum focus on improving the level of political discourse.Rather than the constant flow ofdescribed by early NCLF backer John Hood, the forum hopes to steer policymakers toward more constructive dialogue - even when that dialogue produces disagreement.Let's hope Ambassador Haley's recent visit helps bolster those efforts.As we recover from primary election battles and prepare for the tussles of the upcoming legislative session, it will be useful to remember that political opponents are just opponents, not enemies. The bills introduced this week would directly address wildlife trafficking and poaching, and prohibit trophy hunting of endangered and threatened species in the United States as well as the import into this country of any animal species listed as endangered or threatened. Photo by Cathy Smith 1.4K shares Trafficking in wildlife is one of the most lucrative illicit trades in the world, involving tens of billions of dollars, and the United States is unfortunately a big part of the problem, as one of the worlds largest markets for wildlife and wildlife parts and products. Worse, a number of American trophy hunters are active in poaching and illegal trafficking schemes. Just last week, Ross Jackson, a Colorado hunter and at the time a vice president of Dallas Safari Club, pleaded guilty to violating the Endangered Species Act, after poaching an elephant in a national park in Zimbabwe with a plan to sell the ivory in South Africa. Two bills introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives this week would directly address wildlife trafficking and poaching, and prohibit trophy hunting of endangered and threatened species in the United States as well as the import into this country of any animal species listed as endangered or threatened. Today, Reps. Madeleine Bordallo, D-Guam, and Don Young, R-Alaska, introduced the Wildlife Conservation and Anti-Trafficking Act of 2018, H.R. 5697. The legislation seeks to strengthen law enforcement safeguards against wildlife trafficking and related activities. One of the bills measures makes certain wildlife trafficking and poaching violations predicate offenses (crimes that are components of more serious offenses) under federal racketeering and organized crime statutes. The bill builds on the success of the Eliminate, Neutralize, and Disrupt (END) Wildlife Trafficking Act of 2016, which made wildlife trafficking a predicate offense under the federal money laundering criminal statute. The Wildlife Conservation and Anti-Trafficking Act creates incentives for whistleblowers to report on wildlife trafficking, by raising awareness of monetary rewards, particularly in countries of special concern. The bill also provides funding and additional support for programs that protect sharks, marine mammals, turtles and other wild animals. In addition, it makes U.S. territories and outlying areas eligible for federal funding for marine turtle conservation. The Prohibiting Threatened and Endangered Creature Trophies (ProTECT) Act of 2018, H.R. 5690, introduced last night by Reps. Sheila Jackson Lee, D-Texas, and Ted Lieu, D-Calif., will also help ensure that U.S. trophy hunters do not further imperil species on the brink of extinction. The bill prohibits trophy hunting in the United States of any species listed under the Endangered Species Act and prohibits the import of any trophy of an ESA-listed species into the United States. Trophy hunting is not popular with U.S. voters. In a poll released by the Humane Society of the United States last December, 69 percent of voters oppose it. This figure includes 61 percent of Republicans, 79 percent of Democrats, and 67 percent of non-partisan voters. In addition, 80 percent of respondents oppose the hunting of ESA-listed African lions and African elephants and allowing their bodies or parts to be imported to the United States. In November, President Trump called trophy hunting a horror show and expressed doubts that it in any way helps conservation of Elephants or any other animal. Despite such opposition, the U.S. government is actively catering to trophy hunting interests seeking to make the import of trophy-hunted ESA-listed species easier. In January the Department of the Interior established the International Wildlife Conservation Council, a body stacked with trophy hunters and virtually bereft of wildlife scientists or conservation policy experts. Still more outrageous, in March the Trump administration lifted bans on the import of elephant and lion trophies from certain African countries, and indicated it would review import permits on a case-by-case basis, shielding trophy import decisions from public input. We applaud Reps. Bordallo, Young, Jackson Lee and Lieu for their leadership in tackling wildlife trafficking and trophy hunting. Please contact your U.S. representative and urge him/her to cosponsor the Wildlife Conservation and Anti-Trafficking Act and the ProTECT Act. Yahoo! JAPAN Yahoo! JAPAN Every one of us who has taken to the internet to find a job has felt the same dread and uncertainty. While the information super-highway connects us with more opportunities than job seekers of past generations, it also pits each one of us up against more competition than ever before. Considering the recent expiration of READ THE REST Weed shouldn't be legalized in Illinois, says Howard Buffett, Sheriff Macon County, because what will become of all the dogs trained to ferret out the deadly drug? "The biggest thing for law enforcement is, you're going to have to replace all of your dogs," say Macon, who just so happens to run a "private foundation that paid $2.2 million in 2016 to support K-9 units in 33 counties across Illinois," according to The Pantagraph. Chad Larner, who is training director of the K-9 Training Academy in Macon County, says retraining dogs would amount to "extreme abuse." Larner says if the crazed dope smokers get their way and make pot legal in Illinois, pot sniffing dogs will have to be euthanized. From The Pantagraph: Last month, Argentinian security researcher Ezequiel Fernandez published CVE-2018-9995, a vulnerability he discovered in dozens of brands of DVR that are all based on the same white-label devices, TBK's DVR4104 and DVR4216. With CVE-2018-9995, all you need to do is hit the URL for the embedded web-server that controls the device with this cookie header: "Cookie: uid=admin." The DVR then returns the root login and password in the clear. 55,000 devices with this vulnerability have been indexed by the Shodan search engine. Fernandez has released a proof-of-concept exploit for the vulnerability, called getDVR_Credentials; it's so simple that it fits in a tweet: curl "http://{DVR_HOST_IP}:{PORT}/device.rsp?opt=user&cmd=list" -H "Cookie: uid=admin" The DVRs are typically connected to home or business security cameras. Compromising a DVR can give attackers access to live feeds from all the cameras they're connected to. "Usage of the PoC code can be easily identified as it uses a mock user-agent with the [mispelled] terms of 'Morzilla' and 'Pinux x86_128' instead of Mozilla and Linux x86_128," Anubhav pointed out. "However, attackers with a basic skillset can change the script for their own usage, as the exploit is fairly straightforward to understand," Anubhav said, referring to the fact that attackers can modify the user-agent string and other constants present in the script. Nonetheless, companies can still detect attempts to access /login.rsp or /device.rsp URL paths and block those, allowing access to the DVR's management interface only for trusted IPs. "With the code being made public, the question is not about whether the vulnerable devices will be compromised, it is more in the lines of how soon the attackers will pick up on it," Anubhav warned. New Hacking Tool Lets Users Access a Bunch of DVRs and Their Video Feeds [Catalin Cimpanu/Bleeping Computer] (via /.) A few years back, I had a cough that was so bad that I ended up dislocating a rib from hacking away. My doctor prescribed me a cough syrup laced, heavily, with codeine. The stuff worked, easing my pain and letting me sleep. There were only two side effects from it: I felt too groovy to work for hours at a time and found it pretty hard to poop. According to The BBC, a lot of people see the side effects of codeine laced cough syrup as a feature, rather than a problem. Nigeria's National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (Nafdac) was recently forced to shutter three of the country's largest pharmaceutical companies after it was discovered that the cough syrup they were producing was being sold on the black market, in massive quantities, to a growing number of codeine addicts in the African nation. The forced closure of the companies comes as the result of a BBC investigation into the use of cough syrup containing codeine by many Nigerian youths as an easy conduit to a quick high. The crappiest part of it all is that the drug companies knew that this was the case. In an under cover interview with an executive from the Emzor pharmaceutical company, an executive was caught bragging about how he could sell one million bottles of the elixir in a week on the black market. Codeine's a dandy painkiller, when used as prescribed by a physician. But it comes with a number of serious issues that crop up when used for long periods of time. I mentioned earlier that it can cause constipationthat's small potatoes when you compare it to the drug's ability to cause organ failure and schizophrenia in some chronic users. Nigeria's not the only African country currently battling a cough syrup abuse epidemic. As the sauce is inexpensive and so easy to use, there's a pretty low barrier to getting started with codeine for people of all ages. According to The BBC, there's been reports of addiction in Kenya, Ghana, Niger, and Chad. Outside of Africa, it's a problem too: India banned a number of brands of codeine-laced cough syrup in 2016 as people were getting hooked on it. And don't even get me started on the face of codeine addiction in North America. The Nigerian government states that the pharmaceutical companies it dinged were shut down because of their refusal to provide inspectors with requested documentation. Depending on whether or not they cooperate with inspectors in the future, the drug manufacturers could be up and running again, soon. Update 5/8/18 5:20 pm pst: Since first posting this story, there's been some contention on Twitter concerning the BBC's reporting that prolonged abuse of codeine could lead to schizophrenia. Author and health journalist, Maia Szalavitz, says there's no way that this is the case. A follower of mine, who happens to be a psychiatric nurse, mentioned that, in her experience, codeine could fit the criteria to be a trigger for the disease. After doing some research, I wasn't able to find any data that corroborated the BBC's statement on the link between codeine and schizophrenia, save a medical study, behind a paywall, that stated use of the drug over along period of time could be a triggering factor, but more research was definitely needed. I've reached out to the BBC for a comment on the situation. So far, I've yet to hear a peep. If there's an update to share, you'll see it here. Image: Stickpen Own work, Public Domain, Link Starbucks, LA Fitness, Chevron Gas and Food Mart Nordstrom Rack is one of the latest in a rash of corporations to publicly get called out for racially profiling black customers. Three young black men were shopping for prom clothes at Nordstrom Rack in Brentwood, Missouri, when an employee called the police, accusing the men of shoplifting. When the cops approached them, the men showed the cops receipts for what they had bought, and the cops let them go. Now the president of Nordstrom Rack, President Geevy Thomas, has asked to meet with the boys and the company has made a public apology. Deja vu. According to KMOV.com: Mekhi Lee, Dirone Taylor and Eric Rogers II were all shopping for prom clothes at Nordstrom Rack when they started noticing several of the employees watching them and following them around the store. "I was nervous the whole time," said Lee, "Every time we move, they move. when we looked up, they looked up." After all three left the store they were surrounded by Brentwood Police in the parking lot. Police told them the store had accused them of theft. After an investigation on the spot, police let the three go without charges. "The police were actually good. They understood where we were coming from and they showed us that they were just doing their job," said Rogers. In addition to the theft accusations, the teens said a customer in the store called them punks and asked them, 'Are your parents proud of you for what you do?' In defending themselves, the three say an altercation broke out between them and the customer, at which time store management stepped in. "I knew it was coming, but at the same time I was feeling embarrassed, agitated, mixed emotions with the whole situation because I know we didn't deserve it," said Taylor. The NAACP wants to work with Nordstrom Rack's president to come up with strategies in how to handle this with the store's employlees and says "it needs to have some measurable outcomes." Image: JJBers/Flickr In an age of decadence, narcissism and shit behavior from well-to-dos that's excused with mutterings of affluenza, it's always nice to be surprised by someone anonymously throwing a large sum of money at a worthy cause. Before talking about the inherent good that some affluent individual pulled out of thin air earlier this week, we need to talk about The U.S.-Dakota War of 1862, also known as the Sioux Uprising. For the uninitiated, it was a brief, ugly piece of American history. The short version of events: The Dakota people were pissed: the United States government had been screwing them out of land, coming up late with agreed-upon shipments of essential supplies and submitting them to unfair trade practices, contrary to what had been signed off on in treaties between the Dakota/Sioux nations and the United States of America. Tempers flared, as they do over issues of trust and sustenance. A group of Dakota killed a party of Minnesota settlers. War between the U.S. Government and the tribes broke out. 38 Dakota men were captured and convicted of war crimes. They were hung in response to the killing of the settlers: it was the largest single day mass execution in American history. By April of 1863, having lost to superior government forces, the remaining Dakota people were forced out of Minnesota as the United States Congress abolished the tribe's rights to their reservations. Hundreds of people on both sides of the war died as a consequence of the conflict. Fast forward to the present day: a peace pipe with a history that traces back to the U.S.-Dakota War of 1862 was included in an auction being held in Boston. Skinner, the company hosting the auction, listed the peace pipe as with an estimated value of between $15,000 to $20,000. The pipe, according to a note on its auction information page, was presented to a U.S. Army officer by a Sioux Chief named White Dog while he was being held prisoner. White Dog was killed in 1862 as one of the 38 people chosen for execution in Mankato. The peace pipe ended up in the hands of a private collector in Boston. As it's an important part of their history, when the Lower Sioux Indian Community heard that the pipe was coming to auction, they tried, unsuccessfully, to put a stop to the sale of the pipe. This past weekend, the auction went ahead, as planned. The peace pipe offered by White Dog to his captor sold for $39,975: close to twice of what it was estimated to be worth. From MPR: On Monday afternoon, however, Prairie Island Tribal Council President Shelley Buck said that shortly after the auction, the tribe learned that the buyer had bought the pipe "for the sole purpose of returning it to the Dakota Oyate (people)." The donor of the pipe wishes to remain anonymous, Buck said in a statement, adding, "We are humbled by and grateful for this honorable act. Pidamayaye to the donor for your respect and generosity." More gracious, heartening stories like this, please. Cyberpunk fiction pioneer and old-school bOING bOING pal Rudy Rucker has just finished "Return to the Hollow Earth," the sequel to his fantastic 1990 novel The Hollow Earth, a wonderful and rollicking adventure story filled with weird science, curious creatures, and Edgar Allan Poe. Rudy is publishing the new novel himself along with a revised third edition of the original book and the book-length Notes for Return to the Hollow Earth. Get in on the freaky scene by supporting Return To The Hollow Earth on Kickstarter! In The Hollow Earth, we meet our narrator Mason Reynolds, a seventeen-year-old youth from 1850. He leaves his father's Virginia farm with the black Otha, befriends the dissolute Edgar Allan Poe, and falls through a thousand-mile-deep hole in Antarctica. Within the Hollow Earth Mason woos and wins Seela, who lives upon a giant flower. At the core of the Hollow Earth they find the sky-surfing tribe known as the black gods. Nearby are a cluster of great sea cucumbers, who are known as the woomo. Otha stays at the core. Mason, Seela, and Poe make their way out through the crust and back to Earth. Due to their time in the strong light of the woomo, their skins are now black. At the end it seems as if Poe dies. This third edition of The Hollow Earth is lightly revised so as to fit with the sequel. Return to the Hollow Earth is once again in the steampunk mode, with young Mason as our narrator. In 1850, Mason and Seela embark upon a perilous trip around Cape Horn to San Francisco. Their ship sinks, but they're saved by a tentacled, flying nautilusand now they learn that Poe's not dead after all. Poe leads them on a return voyage to the Hollow Earth, passing through the throat of a thousand-mile-deep maelstrom at the North Pole. In the Hollow Earth, they learn that the woomo sea cucumbers mean to send them them on a epic mission across space and time. And the initial stage of this mission brings them to Santa Cruz, Californiain the year 2018! One of the cases that the Supreme Court heard this season was NLRB v. Murphy Oil USA, Inc. which rolls up several cases where employers are hoping to establish that they can force prospective employees to sign a mandatory arbitration waiver as a condition of employment; if they prevail, the majority of workplaces in America will likely adopt the practice. Arbitration was originally conceived as a way for companies of equal size and bargaining power to avoid costly litigation through a streamlined process overseen by a mutually agreeable third party; they have a private legal system controlled by corporations that effect massive wealth transfers from working people to the wealthy, and have become a favorite tool of crooks and bullies everywhere, from Wells Fargo ("You can't sue us for forging your signature on new account paperwork, because that account's terms of service include binding arbitration!") to AT&T ("It's not forced arbitration because no one forced you to have internet access") to nursing homes ("Sorry we killed all your grandparents, now step into this star-chamber where a guy on our payroll will explain why it's not our problem"), and attempts to limit binding arbitration are met with the stiffest of resistance. The Supremes have been asked to rule whether employees can be forced to sign away their right to unionize or to join a class action over an employer's abuses. Without the ability to work collectively, employees will be effectively denied justice. When your employer steals $20 out of your pay packet for a year, you're out $1,000, and on the one hand, you probably don't have enough money left over to hire a lawyer, and on the other, even if you could, you'd only get $1,000 back, after spending tens of thousands on the trial. But unions and class action lawsuits can combine the small diffused grievances of a large number of wronged employees into a single action that makes it worth everyone's while to hold employers to account. Forcing arbitration on employees means that when their employers endanger them, or defraud them, or abuse them, they'll have to appear, likely without a lawyer, in a secret, off-the-record proceeding whose "judge" is paid by the employer that wronged them. This will not end well for employees. A survey by the Economic Policy Institute finds that 54% of US employers would adopt forced arbitration clauses if the Supremes legalize the practice. Last year, EPI commissioned a survey that found that 53.9 percent of nonunion private-sector employers already have mandatory arbitration procedures. Prior to that study, the one major governmental effort to investigate the extent of mandatory arbitration was a 1995 GAO survey. That survey, conducted between April 1994 and April 1995, found that just 7.6 percent of employers had mandatory arbitration agreements. In other words, the use of mandatory arbitration agreements grew by more than 600 percent between 1994 and 2017. Using the growth rates between the two surveys to forecast future expansion suggests that by 2024, more than 80 percent of private sector, non-union establishments will adopt mandatory arbitration with class and collective action waiver of employment disputes, if the Court finds that such agreements are lawful.1 That will leave more than 85 million workers subject to mandatory arbitration agreements with class and collective action waivers. This means that the vast majority of workers will be forced to sign away their right to act with their colleagues to resolve workplace disputesas well as their right to go to court for these matters. As a result, even if many workers face the same type of issue at work, each individual worker will be forced to hire their own lawyer, and resolve their dispute out of court, behind closed doors, with only their employer and a private arbitrator. The Supreme Court is poised to make forced arbitration nearly inescapable [Heidi Shierholz and Celine McNicholas/Economic Policy Institute] (via Naked Capitalism) Tomato plants can detect the telltale sign of nearby snails slime and release an enzyme that deters those and other pests before they even touch the leaves, according to new research. The defense mechanism also keeps caterpillars from munching on the plants. From Scientific American: "None of the plants were ever actually attacked," says University of Wisconsin-Madison ecologist John Orrock. "We just gave them cues that suggested an attack was coming, and that was enough to trigger big changes in their chemistry" The research was comprehensive, (adds UC Davis plant communications expert Richard Karban who was not involved in the study), but he wonders how the tomato plants detected chemicals in snail slime that never actually touched them. "That's the million-dollar question," Orrock says. He hopes future research will tease out the mechanisms that enable plants to perceive these relatively distant cues. "That's the million-dollar question," Orrock says. He hopes future research will tease out the mechanisms that enable plants to perceive these relatively distant cues. "I am announcing that the United States will withdraw from the Iran nuclear deal," President Donald Trump announced to a room of reporters at the White House today. "America will not be held hostage by nuclear blackmail," he said. The President announced that under Secretary of State Mike Pompeo today, the U.S. will be "reinstating nuclear sanctions," at "the highest level of economic sanction." Trump said other nations that help Iran in its nuclear pursuits will be punished. How will this make America safer, a reporter asked when the conference ended. "This will make America safer," replied a sedated-sounding President. Asked by multiple reporters in the room for an update on the Americans held hostage in North Korea, Trump replied, "We'll soon be finding out." LIVE: President Trump announces decision on Iran nuclear deal https://t.co/2LtqcyBq3t Reuters Top News (@Reuters) May 8, 2018 Trump says Secretary of State Mike Pompeo will land in North Korea in about an hour and says the location, time and date is set for the meeting between himself and Kim Jong Un https://t.co/WjhDKGf2iJ CNN Politics (@CNNPolitics) May 8, 2018 People will die as a result of this. Possibly a great many of them. https://t.co/GXXEGymwj8 Rabbi Danya Ruttenberg (@TheRaDR) May 8, 2018 Iran's president Hassan Rouhani is due to address the nation following Trump's decision to withdraw from the nuclear deal and reimpose sanctions. Saeed Kamali Dehghan (@SaeedKD) May 8, 2018 BREAKING: Iranian state TV says Trump decision on nuclear deal is illegal, illegitimate and undermines international agreements pic.twitter.com/xz52RwItII Reuters Top News (@Reuters) May 8, 2018 NEWS >> congressional sources tell @thedailybeast that Pompeo's trip to North Korea is in part an effort to free the 3 Americans imprisoned there https://t.co/DIGa9TRq84 Andrew Desiderio (@desiderioDC) May 8, 2018 Trump's merging two arguments: One against the initial deal, one for pulling out of it now. But even some major critics of the deal itself argue it's counterproductive to leave now that Iran has already received sanctions relief and allies are locked in. Benjy Sarlin (@BenjySarlin) May 8, 2018 Question that should have been asked before disastrous invasion of Iraq: WHAT COMES NEXT?https://t.co/Zhbck2W4L9 Q that must be asked about Trump's reckless Iran decision: WHAT COMES NEXT? James Fallows (@JamesFallows) May 8, 2018 "If I allowed this deal to stand there would soon be a nuclear arms race in the Middle East," President Trump says, without addressing that the arms race could now accelerate without the deal. Matt Viser (@mviser) May 8, 2018 Remember how Trump ran against George Bush's use of doctored intelligence? https://t.co/AIZYpksFou emptywheel (@emptywheel) May 8, 2018 President Trump just announced that Secretary of State Mike Pompeo is on his way to meet North Korean leader Kim Jong Un in preparation for a U.S.-North Korea summit expected in early June. NPR (@NPR) May 8, 2018 #Israel has instructed local authorities in the occupied Golan Heights to "unlock and ready bomb shelters", after identifying apparent "irregular activity of Iranian forces in #Syria" Danny Makki (@Dannymakkisyria) May 8, 2018 Trump: "At the heart of the Iran deal was a giant fiction: That a murderous regime desired only a peaceful nuclear energy program. Today, we have definitive proof that this Iranian promise was a lie." #IranDeal Jeff Zeleny (@jeffzeleny) May 8, 2018 Pres Trump calls Iran nuclear agreement a "disastrous deal." Says it does little to contain Iran's regime of "great terror" or its nuclear activity. Mark Knoller (@markknoller) May 8, 2018 Iranian television is broadcasting President Trump's announcement live Michael Del Moro (@MikeDelMoro) May 8, 2018 In withdrawing from deal, President Trump will say shortly: "We have definitive proof that this Iranian promise was a lie," a White House official says. He will deliver a strong argument about Iran building its nuclear program, a point at odds with allies and many officials. Jeff Zeleny (@jeffzeleny) May 8, 2018 Breaking propaganda exercise to create sense of Israel at imminent risk of attack by Iran despite total lack of evidence https://t.co/AFMwwBEPMo Robert Mackey (@RobertMackey) May 8, 2018 Impossible to say but I think this is likeliest: Iran kicks out inspectors Euros don't sanction Iran rushes to within a screw's turn of a nuclear device Iran tests an ICBM Circa 2030, we negotiate a new deal. Iran keeps ICBMs and turnscrew nuke. Weak inspections. Max Fisher (@Max_Fisher) May 8, 2018 ANALYSIS by @sangerNYT: Trump is betting he can cut Iran's economic lifeline by dismantling the deal. That could free Iran to produce as much nuclear material as it wants, as it was doing five years ago, when the world feared it was headed toward a bomb. https://t.co/4TxnPCfEiW Lara Jakes (@jakesNYT) May 8, 2018 FYI trump is citing that report bibi ~unveiled~ last week but as many have pointed out, he revealed little that wasn't already known/no evidence that Iran was cheating on the deal https://t.co/7GV4WacTvB sara yasin ? (@sarayasin) May 8, 2018 it's a 2015 John Bolton op-ed made into a presidential speech Simon Maloy (@SimonMaloy) May 8, 2018 This all sounds like a predicate for war, starting with the mention of al Qaeda and the mention of Iran risking "bigger problems than it has ever had before." Jonathan Allen (@jonallendc) May 8, 2018 The Bush administration at least felt the need to manipulate intelligence to bolster the case against Iraq. Trump appears not to care that he has no evidence to back up his assertions. https://t.co/bveVggaOFe Emma Ashford (@EmmaMAshford) May 8, 2018 Gonna be useful for the hardliners once the Khamenei succession battle starts to play out. Also good for China. There's always winners and losers, I guess. Sander Wagner (@sanderwagner) May 8, 2018 News / National by Staff reporter Acting President General Dr Constantino Chiwenga (Retired) yesterday encouraged Zimbabweans to demonstrate that the country's democracy has matured through being warm and hospitable to foreign election observers expected for the country's harmonised elections.Addressing guests attending the official opening of the new Mutare High Court, Acting President Chiwenga implored people to be peaceful."We have invited observers from across the globe to witness our election. I call upon all Zimbabweans to show them warm hospitality and demonstrate that our democracy has matured and come of age," he said.He also noted that in addition to Government's commitment to delivering a free and fair election, the operations of the Electoral Court are also "key to the credibility of elections"."This High Court is being opened at a very opportune moment when Zimbabwe will hold harmonised general elections. I want to assure you that my administration is ready to deliver a free, fair and credible election. Be that as it may, in terms of the law, the Electoral Court is a specialised division of the High Court. Its operations are key to the credibility of elections. The Electoral Act also provides for our institutions such as the Judicial Service Commission, Zimbabwe Republic Police and the National Prosecuting Authority to designate officials who are dedicated to dealing with political violence and intimidation. In this regard, I appeal to every Zimbabwean to shun violence and preach the gospel of peace, unity, tolerance, love and understanding throughout the country," he said.Government, he added, was committed to the rule of law as it is an indispensable means of governance.Upholding the rule of law guarantees stability, he said."If the rule of law prevails, then a country benefits; if it fails, the country suffers. Furthermore, when the rule of law is valued and thrives, a nation is stable and its people are content. However, if it is neglected and weak, a country will fall into turmoil and its people become discontented," he said.Acting President Chiwenga urged law enforcement agents, political parties and other private entities to respect the Constitution.Further, he urged the Ministry of Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs and its partners to expedite efforts to translate the Constitution into vernacular languages.The Judiciary was also urged to establish permanent High Court stations in other provincial centres."In the same vein, the establishment of this permanent High Court station is a supporting tool in Government's policies, such as the ease of doing business initiative and the increase in foreign direct investment into the country. It bears testimony not only to our commitment to open up the country for investment, but also increase the production and trading capacities of local industry."Business must draw confidence from the courts, which are now readily accessible to a wider populace in the country. Equally, business derives confidence from courts, which deal with cases promptly and not delaying in pronouncing their decisions," he said.According to the Acting President, Government plans to set up anti-corruption courts at the level of the High Court as part of wider measures to fight the scourge."Government equally intends to establish anti-corruption courts at the level of the High Court to root out this scourge. The Judicial Service Commission should therefore implement the necessary steps to ensure that the specialised anti-corruption courts achieve the objectives for which they were set," he said.Since some people cannot afford fees, Government is considering reintroducing "the in forma paupers system" - where fees are waived after filing an affidavit declaring an inability to pay - in civil cases and the "pro deo" legal representation, where legal fees are borne by the State in criminal cases.The establishment of the Mutare High Court, the Acting President said, was meant to complement traditional leaders and not to supplant them."Justice delayed is justice denied. We must make sure that justice is delivered in good time and not keep people in remand prison longer than necessary. We have cases that have not been heard for a long time because of backlogs. Please, clear cases for the new Zimbabwe believes in timeous justice delivery service," he said.The Mutare High Court, which has since been described as the best in the region, is the fourth permanent High Court station in Zimbabwe after Harare, Bulawayo and Masvingo. News / National by Staff reporter FORMER director in the Central Intelligence Organisation (CIO), Albert Miles Nguluvhe, who was recently elected to be the Zanu-PF candidate for the Beitbridge East National Assembly seat has pledged to continue with his predecessor, Vice President Kembo Mohadi's vision to develop the area and eradicate poverty.Nguluvhe won the ticket to represent the ruling party after trouncing Fulufhelo Muleya, Steven Stubbs, Mekia Muyambo, Ntshavheni Smutha Ndou and Hamadziripi Ncube in the just-ended primary elections. The former head of national security and bodyguard of the late Vice-President Dr Joshua Mqabuko Nkomo said his priority was to carry on with the vision of VP Mohadi, whom he described as his political mentor."I appreciate that Kembo (Mohadi) is my senior politically and even during the liberation struggle and now he is the Vice President. He played a very crucial role as MP for Beitbridge East and I know it will be somewhat a formidable task for me to fill his shoes given his vast political experience," said Nguluvhe."He played his part and passed the baton and once I am elected as member of the National Assembly, I am certainly going to continue in that path".He said in the event that Zanu-PF retains the seat, he will continue to spearhead development in the district. "He (VP Mohadi) has actually passed the baton and I have an obligation to continue with the race. Well, we might not be able operate in the same manner, but primarily, what guides us are the Zanu-PF policies and we will carry on with those policies to develop our constituency."I know it is going to be difficult as people will want to compare me with my predecessor, but personally I don't think it is an issue of comparison, it is actually an issue of listening to the people and implementing party programmes in the new dispensation," Nguluvhe said. He said his election as the Zanu-PF candidate was a calling to serve people and contribute towards the development of the constituency. Nguluvhe urged the losing candidates in the primaries to rally behind the winners and popularise Zanu-PF programmes."My appeal to all those who lost is that let us work together and ensure that our party emerges victorious in the forthcoming harmonised elections. In fact, we were not fighting because we all belong to the same party. We are guided by the new policies of the new Government led by President Emmerson Mnangagwa and with the support of the people, we will achieve our party goals. We are the servants of the people, so I won't do things on my own. I will consult the people first in whatever decision I make and agree on the way forward."Nguluvhe said in the event that he gets the mandate from the electorate, he will strive to ensure that "people come first" in line with the ruling party's principles."As a leader, your duty is to present the desires of the people you represent in Parliament, not to pursue your own individual interests," he said.Nguluvhe said his main focus will be on the rehabilitation of roads in the district and addressing the issue of shortage of science teachers and equipment in local schools. First and foremost I have to identify with the people and focus on their major challenges. For example, our roads are inaccessible and most schools in the district do not offer STEM subjects, primarily because they are ill-equipped."We also have a challenge of a shortage of teachers resulting in most school leavers, particularly those staying in villages along the border, crossing into South Africa," he said.Nguluvhe also highlighted the need to complete the electrification of rural schools and clinics. He said the road linking Beitbridge and Chiredzi via Tshikwalakwala was not traversable because the bridge linking the two districts was washed away by floods."The road leading to Chief Matibe is also in bad shape and these are some of the challenges that need urgent attention. We need to address the issue of water and electricity in the area. Basically, these are some of the challenges that we need to address. Once elected, I don't want to be seen dictating to people in terms of what they primarily want. I want to eradicate this mentality of marginalisation among our people," Nguluvhe said.He urged local children to be patriotic and desist from shunning Zimbabwe by trekking down south. Born on November 11 in 1958 at Tshapongwe under Chief Matibe area in Beitbridge District, Nguluvhe attended primary school at Tshapongwe Primary and Beitbridge Mission School.He proceeded to Manama High School in Gwanda District for secondary education. He, however, dropped out at Form Two to join the liberation struggle.In 1977, he joined the Zimbabwe People's Revolutionary Army (Zipra) in Zambia, which was then under the command of General Philip Valerio Sibanda, the Zimbabwe Defence Forces Commander.Nguluvhe was part of a group of 15 people who were selected to undergo specialised military intelligence training in Bulgaria. Soon after completing the training programme in February 1978, he was deployed to the National Security Organisation (NSO) under the command of Zipra's former intelligence chief Dumiso Dabengwa. In September during the same year, he was redeployed to the-PF-Zapu president Dr Joshua Mqabuko Nkomo's Close Security Unit. During that time he survived a bomb attack in Lusaka.In 1979, Nguluvhe sneaked into then Rhodesia using a fake British passport to make arrangements for the return of the-PF-Zapu leadership. After Independence, Nguluvhe resumed his secondary school studies through correspondence.In 1981, he joined the President's Office, serving as an instructor for 12 years.In 2011, he was appointed assistant director of operations. He rose through the ranks to the post of director of national of security until his retirement in February this year. News / National by Staff reporter GOVERNMENT is losing millions of dollars in potential revenue to syndicates abusing the immigrants' rebate facility (Returning Resident) to clandestinely import vehicles duty free across most ports of entries, it has emerged.It is understood that the racket is well pronounced at Beitbridge Border Post where most vehicle imports from South Africa are processed.Statistics from the Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (Zimra) show that so far 17 cases were intercepted between December 2017 and April this year.Further 3 256 cars were imported under the Immigrant Rebate facility via Beitbridge border post in 2017.On average a modest vehicle attracts import duty of between $2 500 and $5 000.Zimra's acting head of communication Mr Taungana Ndoro confirmed the developments yesterday."From 01 December 2017 to date, 17 cases have been intercepted for abuse of Returning Residents facility (Immigrants rebate)," he said."Some of the methods used by such people to clandestinely import the motor vehicles include situations where clients are being used to declare motor vehicles, which do not belong to them."In such cases agents buy cars and pay clients to declare the vehicles under Immigrants rebate. In addition, we also encounter clients who would have been granted immigrants rebate within the last four years trying to import another vehicle".Mr Ndoro said the immigrant rebate was being granted under the provision of Statutory Instrument 154 of 2001 Customs and Excise (General) Regulations, 2001.According to the Statutory Instrument, an Immigrant Rebate is granted to any person who enters the country to take permanent residence or a visitor but remains to take up employment or permanent residence or a diplomat but remains to take up employment or permanent residence or to attend any educational institution; or for the purpose of attending any educational institution.They are allowed to import household property and vehicles duty free on condition that they satisfy the Zimra Commissioner General that they owned the goods and the same (goods) were fully paid for before or on the first occasion of entry into the country and declaration as an immigrant."Rebate of duty on immigrant's effectsincludes the spouses of such persons but excludes any person who has previously resided or been employed in Zimbabwe unless such a person is returning to Zimbabwe after having resided outside Zimbabwe for a period of not less than two years or any shorter period as may be approved by the Minister.".provided that the time of arrival of a former resident who enters Zimbabwe as a visitor and does not depart from Zimbabwe shall be deemed to be the first occasion on which he imports any personal and household effects and other goods in terms of this section within three months from the grant of his permanent returning resident status," reads part of the Statutory Instrument.In relation to a former diplomat who remains in Zimbabwe to take up employment or permanent residence, they are granted the rebate on the first occasion they import any personal and household effects and other goods in terms of this section (S.I) within three months from the date granted his or her new employment permit or residence permit. News / National by Staff reporter Down Coronation Drive in Hwange is a tent that has been a prominent feature in the middle of an island separating the two-way street for a while now.Pitched right opposite the Hwange Colliery Company Limited (HCCL) management office, the tent has been housing wives of the coal mining company's workers, pensioners and retrenchees who have been demanding that the coal mining company fulfils its pledge to pay them outstanding salaries and terminal benefits after agreeing to a scheme of arrangement last year."Enough is enough" reads one of the placards precariously hung on the face of the tent the women have suffered enough and are done holding their breaths.They have watched their children go hungry long enough. They have grown tired of having to constantly explain to them why they have been sent away from school.So, for months they have sacrificed a good night's sleep at their homes, for the hard ground down the street.They have braved the early morning chills, occasional rains and the possibility of being attacked by stray animals for weeks. But they say they were having troubled nights at home anyway so they will do whatever it takes to get a reprieve. They spend their afternoons under the tent in the hope that the powers that be would eventually hear their cry. The wives and mothers have decided they will not rest until their demands are met."You don't understand the trouble we've been through. Things are already tough in this country but imagine not having a starting point at all. For years we've suffered in silence, we've been quiet but we're now tired of doing nothing about it. Some have turned to prostitution as a means of survival. Our children are getting into early marriages because of our poverty," said one of the protesting wives, Ms Dorothy Ngwenya.She said for years, their husbands had been loyal to the company and continued working without salaries."They had no choice. If they didn't go to work then there wouldn't have been any hope of getting paid. So they continued working and we continued hoping that things would come right," said Ms Ngwenya.For years, she said, life in the coal mining town had become tough such that there would not be anyone to borrow from."A large number of people here are linked to the Colliery somehow. There was a time when things were tough for everyone. You couldn't even ask your neighbour for mealie-meal because they also wouldn't have. Now, some survive on piece jobs offered by workers from other companies in the mining town like Zesa Holdings," said Ms Ngwenya.Although the company has been making efforts to pay the workers a certain percentage of owed salaries and benefits every month, the wives are demanding that they are paid a lump sum of about $10 000 each."We don't want money that comes in bits and pieces. Our lives have been stagnant for years so we want money that we will be able to use for something tangible," said Mrs Claudia Ncube."We want to buy stands and build houses. Our husbands have been working hard for years with nothing to show for it. That has to end."Mrs Ncube said it has become a daunting reality that they would die and leave no inheritance for their children."That's why we're fighting. If we don't fight, it will become a vicious cycle. They too will die paupers," she said.Despite their suffering and passionate plea for help, political activists in the district have been gaining mileage from the women's protest by giving them food stuffs."I don't think this protest is still effective. Of course it had a huge impact when they started but not anymore. Now political activists bring them breakfast, lunch and supper under the tent but they don't really care about their real needs. They're just trying to gain political mileage. All they want are votes," said Mr Stephen Tubili, a community leader in the town.He said the women are vulnerable and will accept any help they get. "Some of them are just there for the free bread. They'll get a loaf per day and take it home to share with their families. That's how desperate they are," said Mr Tubili.Some Colliery workers and pensioners do not want the women to leave the tent because they believe once the tent is taken down; they will stop receiving the little money they have been getting from the coal mining company."These women are helping a lot of us to be honest. Their protest has put pressure on management to pay us outstanding salaries and benefits under the scheme of arrangement. The moment they leave that tent, I'm sure the money we've been getting from the Colliery won't be coming as consistently. They must stay there for as long as they can."We just hope management meets their demands not too long from now," said Mr Mbongiseni Moyo, a former employee of the Colliery who is owed thousands in outstanding salaries.Sadly, each worker is owed more than $5 000, which translates to about $10 million.Since the demonstration started, the company has paid the workers 5.2 percent of the outstanding salaries in two batches of 2.6 percent each and 2.6 percent every month since then. But the protestors have refused to end the demonstration saying the money was insignificant.The company management has dragged the women to the High Court twice seeking an order to evict them but HCCL lost both cases with the recent one being a ruling by Harare High Court judge Justice Lavender Makoni who dismissed the application as not urgent and ordered HCCL to follow the normal procedure. In the urgent application, HCCL had sought an order directing Police Commissioner-General Godwin Matanga to deploy anti-riot police to eject the protestors from its premises.The legal fight is far from over as HCCL recently reported the women for criminal trespass alleging that they illegally entered the general purpose office on January 29 when they started the demonstration.President Mnangagwa said the labour dispute between HCCL and its workers should be resolved through dialogue."Yes, we dispensed two or so ministers to Hwange. We should not force a solution on our people but the solution must come out of dialogue, which is critical," said President Mnangagwa.He said while complaints of the workers must be fulfilled, it was important to "separate legitimate demands and illegitimate demands".President Mnangagwa said currently, the coal miner has no capacity to bail itself out as he intimated a possibility of re-scheduling of the debt it owes workers."There must be resources. The question is does Hwange Colliery have capacity and resources to fulfill these needs?"Negotiations will continue but I don't think it's necessary for tax payers' money to be used to pay a dispute of a commercial entity that can create problems. This is why there is re-scheduling of debt because there will be no capacity," said President Mnangagwa.Despite efforts to eject the protesters from the premises through a court order, HCCL management staff still has to face the protesting wives every day.Until their demands are met, the wives will remain under the tent. News / National by Staff reporter A bogus State security agent Guthry Chirodzero, aka Madzibaba Guthry, who allegedly breached President Emmerson Mnangagwa's close security in December last year, will remain on remand.This is after Harare magistrate Victoria Mashambe yesterday dismissed his application seeking his removal from remand.Mashambe gave the State a last chance to furnish Chirodzero with a trial date at the next remand date or she will order the State to proceed by way of summons.The State has said it still needs to collect documents from Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission, Vehicle Inspection Department and Central Intelligence Organisation.The 40-year-old was arrested in December last year after military police discovered that he had positioned himself close to the president armed with a pistol.He is facing charges of possession of an offensive weapon at a public gathering, impersonation and forgery.According to court papers, upon his arrest, Chirodzero was trying to disguise his identify by controlling movement of people at the renaming of King George (KGVI) Barracks to Josiah Magama Tongogara Barracks in Harare.The court further heard that two days before this incident, Chirodzero had allegedly used the same trick before gaining entry into the State House, where Cabinet ministers were taking oaths of office.Chirodzero allegedly sneaked into State House on December 4 during the inauguration of Cabinet ministers.He was allegedly masquerading as a State security agent and was spotted near the podium controlling human traffic.According to court papers, it was later discovered that Chirodzero had produced a fake Central Intelligence Organisation (CIO) identity card at the security checkpoint to gain entry into State House.He used the same trick on December 6, 2018 and allegedly broke into Mnangagwa's security team at Josiah Magama Tongogara Barracks, where he arrived at the venue in the company of two unidentified accomplices driving a BMW X5.Chirodzero reportedly produced a fake CIO identity card bearing his name.While at the venue, Chirodzero was seen roaming around the front seats before he allegedly positioned himself close to the podium, where Mnangagwa was addressing the gathering.Chirodzero was intercepted by alert military personnel, who inquired about his presence. He reportedly claimed to be a CIO operative and upon realising that Chirodzero was being quizzed by soldiers, his unidentified accomplices sneaked out of the venue and disappeared.The court heard that Chirodzero was found in possession of a forged Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission identity card inscribed "Government of Zimbabwe executive director anti-corruption" and a fake metal driver's licence issued in his name.The State further alleged military personnel also established that Chirodzero was a bogus CIO operative and he had a 38mm special Amando Rossi South African revolver with three live rounds of ammunition and two spent cartridges. News / National by Staff reporter National Patriotic Front (NPF) leader Ambrose Mutinhiri has been dragged to the High Court by the Zimbabwe Electricity Transmission and Distribution Company (Private) Limited (ZETDC) for failing to pay a $54 000 electricity debt.According to court papers, ZETDC, a subsidiary company of Zesa Holdings, is the applicant, while Mutinhiri is cited as the respondent."The defendant (Mutinhiri) is indebted/liable to the plaintiff (ZETDC) as at 31st March 2018 in the sum of $54 798, 89, being charges in respect of power/electricity supplied by the plaintiff to the defendant at the latter's special request and instance in terms of the running electricity supply contract between the two," the court heard.In terms of the court papers, the sum owed is in respect of several points at Mutinhiri's Newton Farm and another amount incurred by Babra Mutinhiri."The defendant has failed, neglected or refused to pay thesum/amount despite written demand. By reason of the said failure, neglect or refusal to pay the above sum/amount, the defendant is obliged to pay the same with interest thereon at the prescribed rate which is currently five percent per annum," the court was told.The company is now demanding the total amount Mutinhiri owes, as well as interest at the prescribed rate, which will be calculated from the date of issue of the summons to date of payment in full and cost of the legal suit.Mutinhiri has not yet responded to the court summons issued on April 27."If you wish to oppose any of the plaintiffs' claims, you must: enter an appearance to defend by making an appropriate entry into the appearance book kept in the office of the registrar of the High Court of Zimbabwe at Harare within 10 days after service of this summon (Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays are not counted as part of this 10-day period, nor is the day on which this summon was served)."If you do not enter an appearance to defend, the plaintiff's claim will be heard and dealt with by the High Court without further notice to you," reads part of the summons. News / National by Staff reporter A man who claims to have stitched a coalition deal for the late MDC leader Morgan Tsvangirai during the 2013 elections has approached the High Court demanding payment from the former prime minister's brother.In the application, Moreprecision Muzadzi is once again seeking to compel the late MDC leader's brother, Manasa Tsvangirai, and the party's national chairperson Morgen Komichi, to pay him over $200 000, a Nissan NP 200 for consultancy services he claims he offered to the late Tsvangirai.According to the summons filed on May 3, 2018, Manasa and Komichi are cited as first and second respondents respectively."The first and the second defendants (Tsvangirai and Komichi) represented Morgan Tsvangirai in the coalition negotiations and had his power of attorney. Plaintiff (Muzadzi) and partner successfully negotiated with the following party leaders to support ...Tsvangirai's presidential candidature; (Dr) Simba Makoni (MKD), Dumiso Dabengwa (Zapu), Margret Dongo (Zud) and 15 others," Muzadzi said.He also told the court that his claims can be confirmed by other independent individuals, who include Fay Chung, Tendai Biti and another person only identified as G Chimbaira."There are over four dozens of email correspondence, progress reports, minutes of meetings, and press articles between plaintiff and partner (Kisinoti Mukwazhe) and the first and second defendants."Plaintiff and partner and first and second defendants, during the course of the assignment met the following other stakeholders: Royal Norwegian Embassy, First Secretary Henrik Lunden, Australian Ambassador Mathew Nuehaus and his first secretary, Shane Flanagan, US Embassy officials, EU head of delegation Aldo Dell'Ariccia and EU political counsellor Giles Anticknap. All of these meetings were organised by plaintiff and his partner," the court was told.Muzadzi is accusing the MDC officials of reneging on the agreement that they had and unleashing violence against him and Mukwazhe when they visited Tsvangirai's residence in Highlands to collect the money."In breach of the contract, the defendants never paid for the job which exasperated the plaintiff's partner into jumping ship and joining former president Robert Mugabe's camp, all in an effort to spite him for non-payment for consultancy services rendered."Wherefore, plaintiff claims against the defendants jointly and severally, one paying the other to be absolved is for, payment of $7 800 and a Nissan NP200 motor vehicle (valued $27 000), being payment for 2013 opposition grand coalition consultancy job carried out by plaintiff and partner Kisinoti Mukwazhe for respondents," Muzadzi said.He further demanded $50 000 for assault and battery, $50 000 for aggravated perjury, $50 000 for breach of contract and $50 000 for libel and cost of suit.Manasa and Komichi are still to respond to the summons. News / National by Staff reporter The Chief Secretary to the President and Cabinet Dr Misheck Sibanda has sent a message of condolences on behalf of President Emmerson Mnangagwa and his family to Acting President Constantino Chiwenga and family, following the death of Mrs Margaret Machekabuwe sister to Chiwenga.Dr Sibanda said, the Chiwenga and Machekabuwe families have lost a critical pillar who also, true to her rich heroic heritage, played an important role in the country's liberation struggle during her tender years.Mrs Machekabuwe, who passed away on Saturday has been accorded a state-assisted funeral and will be buried at her farm in Marondera today.Meanwhile, President Mnangagwa has also consoled the Chiwenga family in his capacity as the President and First Secretary of the ruling party, Zanu-PF.The condolence message was sent on his behalf by Zanu PF Secretary for Information and Publicity Ambassador Simon Khaya Moyo."The President and First Secretary of Zanu-PF ED Mnangagwa, the politburo, the central committee and the people's party Zanu-PF as a whole wish to extend sincere regret and deepest condolences to the Chiwenga family on the sudden and untimely passing on of Mrs Margaret Machekabuwe on the 4th of May, 2018," he said.President Mnangagwa said the Chiwenga family has not only a daughter and mother, but an unflinching patriot who stood firm for the revolutionary cause of the people since the days of the liberation struggle.He added that the party's deepest thoughts are with Chiwenga and family as they mourn they loved one. News / National by Staff reporter AN Econet agent and two others stand accused of defrauding a customer of $3 346 from his CBZ and Steward bank accounts after they replaced his sim card without his knowledge.Nicholas Rusenza 45, Malvern Mutanda 32 and Levi Idana 33 allegedly took advantage of the complainant's trip to South Africa last year and committed the offence.The trio were well aware that the complainant had lost his sim card and did not replace it hence went further to get a replacement with the complainant's identity number but bearing a different face purporting to be relatives.It is the State's case that Rusenza, who is an Econet agent through a franchise, allowed the sim replacement after he was approached by Mutanda and Idana who claimed they had been sent by the complainant.The accused persons went on to transfer a total of $3 346 from the complainant's CBZ and Steward Bank accounts and the money was further transferred into various EcoCash wallet accounts.Between July and August of last year, the complainant discovered the fraud on his accounts and alerted his banks before making a police report.An Econet Zimbabwe security personnel then carried out investigations and discovered that the sim card had been replaced at Econet Lyton Shop by one of their agents, Nicholas Rusenza.Again on September 1 last year, Rusenza was approached by Mutanda and Idana intending to make another replacement for another Econet subscriber.He then alerted the Econet security personnel who then lodged a complainant with the police leading to the two's arrest.The trio appeared before Harare magistrate Josephine Sande charged with fraud.They are expected back in court today for bail hearing. News / National by Staff reporter TWO members of the Zimbabwe National Army (ZNA) have been arrested for unlawful possession of mbanje.Obert Mukarati, 33, and Tedmore Nyamurima, 27, pleaded not guilty to unlawful possession of dangerous drug charges when they appeared before Harare magistrate Josephine Sunday.The matter was remanded to May 9.Allegations are that on March 4, police officers from CID Drugs and Narcotics Department received a tip off that the accused people were involved in drug dealing.The State, led by Francisca Mukumbiri, alleges that the two soldiers were transporting drugs from Mutoko to Harare.All hell broke loose when the accused people arrived at corner Robert Mugabe Road and Mbuya Nehanda Street in the capital while they were in a Nissan Bluebird (reg no. ADF1693) and found the detectives waiting for them.It is the State's case that the search was conducted and the detectives found 5.027kgs of mbanje.The total value of mbanje found is $502.70. News / National by Staff reporter HUNDREDS of students from All Souls High School where yesterday left stranded at the corner of Hebert Chitepo Avenue and Fifth Street after failing to secure transport on time.Parents were left furious, accusing the school's headmaster (a Mr Shoko) of encroaching into the jurisdiction of the School Development Committee (SDC)."Mr Shoko is the problem. The issue of securing transport is for the SDC, but Shoko is trying to get relevant. He is hiding something because there is no way a full headmaster comes down to organise transport for students," said Francis Kawowa who has a child attending the school.Kawowa said traditionally the school hired five buses from Zebra-Kiss and the school's bus being the sixth, but yesterday there were only two buses.Added Kawowa: "We paid money ($24) for transport for our children and this money is paid before schools open and vana vese ava vakabhadhara mari iyi but the headmaster is not doing us any good."Another parent, Silas Soko, said parents were disappointed by the conduct of the school authorities since other parents resorted to hiring commuter omnibuses to have their children go to school."Usually buses pick children as early as six o'clock and we arrived early hoping that things were on course, but nothing is materialising."Some of us are supposed to be at work but today that is not happening because the situation here is deplorable. The headmaster is not concerned with how our children will travel to school," said Soko.When contacted for comment, the school head declined to comment referring all matters to one Sister Claris who is responsible for education at the Archdiocese of Harare."I am not allowed to comment on that issue. You should look for Sister Claris' contacts and she will help you regarding that matter," he said. Young Canadians are searching for top-quality companies to put inside their TFSA portfolios. Lets take a look at Canadian National Railway (TSX:CNR)(NYSE:CNI) and Bank of Nova Scotia (TSX:BNS)(NYSE:BNS) to see why they might be interesting picks. CN CN is the only rail operator in North America with tracks connecting three coasts. This is an important advantage that is unlikely to change anytime soon. Why? The odds of new tracks being built along the same lines are pretty slim, and attempts to merge railways tend to run into regulatory roadblocks. CN still has to compete with trucking companies and other rail carriers on some routes, so it works hard to ensure the network is operating as efficiently as possible. The management team increased the 2018 capital program to $3.4 billion, with $400 million allocated to new track infrastructure. CN is also taking delivery of 60 new locomotive this year as part of a 200-unit order, and it recently announced plans to purchase 350 specialized cars for hauling lumber. This comes on the heels of an order for 350 new boxcars. In addition, CN is on a hiring spree, adding 1,250 conductors by next winter. The company generates significant free cash flow and has a strong track record of dividend growth. CN raised the payout by 10% for 2018. At the time of writing, the stock provides a yield of 1.8%. A tough winter and some upheaval in the executive suites hit the stock earlier this year, but CN appears to be getting back on its feet. The stock has rebounded from $91 per share at the beginning of March to $101, but its still down from the 12-month high near $108. Long-term investors have done well with CN. A $10,000 investment in the stock just 20 years ago would be worth more than $175,000 today with the dividends reinvested. Bank of Nova Scotia Bank of Nova Scotia is betting big on Latin America, with a specific focus on Mexico, Chile, Peru, and Colombia. Why? The four countries make up the core of the Pacific Alliance trade bloc, which was set up to enable the free movement of workers, capital, and goods. The stock markets have merged, and tariffs on most products have been eliminated in a combined market that is home to more than 200 million people. Story continues Bank of Nova Scotia continues to invest in the region with the recent US$2.2 billion deal to purchase a majority stake in BBVA Chile. The international operations already generate close to 30% of Bank of Nova Scotias profits. The company has a strong track record of dividend growth and recently bumped up the quarterly payout by $0.03 to $0.82 per share. Thats good for a yield of 4.1%. Returns? A $10,000 investment in Bank of Nova Scotia 20 years ago would be worth more than $80,000 today with the dividends reinvested. The bottom line There are no guarantees that CN and Bank of Nova Scotia will generate the same results over the next two decades, but the strategy of buying top-quality dividend stocks is a proven one, and reinvesting the distributions can harness the power of compounding and turn modest initial investments into a nice nest egg. More reading Fool contributor Andrew Walker has no position in any stock mentioned. David Gardner owns shares of Canadian National Railway. The Motley Fool owns shares of Canadian National Railway. Canadian National Railway is a recommendation of Stock Advisor Canada. Ione Christensen cooked a special breakfast in her Whitehorse kitchen recently for a guest of honour who travelled all the way from Belgium to try her waffles. Christensen's waffles are made with a sourdough starter that's been alive since at least 1898. Her great-grandfather might have picked it up in Alaska before trekking over the Chilkoot Pass on his way to Dawson City during the height of the Klondike Gold Rush. Her guest is Karl De Smedt the sourdough librarian. He collects samples of sourdough from around the world, tests and studies them. Then, he stores them at the Puratos Sourdough Library in eastern Belgium for the future. It was a CBC story that led him to Christensen. The label on the starter container reads "100-year-old Yukon sourdough DO NOT THROW OUT." "I saw the picture of this and that already convinced me that ... we should have [the starter] in our library because it's very valuable. I'm very happy that I'm here and that I get to meet it," De Smedt told Christensen as they whipped up the batch of waffles. De Smedt and his film crew are documenting sourdough's route during the Gold Rush, starting in Seattle, then Alaska and now Whitehorse to taste Christensen's starter. - LISTEN | This 84-year-old Yukoner bakes with a sourdough starter that's older than she is A dough with history It's the same starter Christensen's mother used to make bread and flapjacks when she was growing up in Fort Selkirk, Yukon, where her father was an RCMP officer. The 84-year-old former senator said sourdough played a pivotal part in building Yukon. Christensen said stampeders kept a ball of sourdough starter in their sack of flour. It is what kept them alive on their gruelling trek over the Chilkoot Trail to the gold fields of the Klondike. "One of the things they'd say is 'you're sour on the country, but no dough to get out,'" said Christensen. Story continues New Yukoners earn the nickname "sourdough" if they survive a winter in the territory. Christensen said she's proud to have Yukon sourdough join the library. "I don't consider it mine. I just consider [myself] one of the keepers of it. It is Yukon sourdough and it belongs to Yukon," she said. Dough heads to Belgium, Italy for testing Now De Smedt wants to preserve that history for the future. The starter, and the same flour used to feed it, will be sent to Belgium in an insulated box with cold packs. Part of it will join the other jars of sourdough starters in the museum's fridges. It will become sample number 106 in the library the second from Canada. Another sample will be sent to a university in Italy, where it will be tested to discover what micro-organisms are thriving in the bread. "If we were to start understanding which micro-organisms are responsible for that or that production of flavour, we could guide people and say, 'Well, look if you want a sourdough that is more like that, or like that, then maybe you should try this or that,'" said De Smedt. "The aim is to make the bread become better," he said. What is sourdough starter? De Smedt said sourdough starter is what was used as a leavening agent in baking for 5,000 years, before the yeast could be extracted. The starter begins with flour and water getting mixed together and then left to sit for 24 hours. Then each day, more flour and water is added. De Smedt said after a few days it might start to smell, but that's when you have to keep feeding it. "The micro-organisms from within the flour, the environment, or maybe the hands of the baker will start to eat the sugars that are present in the flour from the starch. They convert the sugars into lactic acid, acetic acid and the yeast, they will turn the sugars into gas," said De Smedt. Once you have a starter, you take it out the night before you're going to bake with it, mix in more flour and water until it's "nice and bubbly in the morning," said Christensen. The most important step is taking out a scoop of dough and putting it aside so you have starter for the next time you're going to bake. "It's your little pet." Belgian sourdough waffles in Yukon It's not only about the science, it's also about eating the sourdough. "As a kid, we ate those just with powdered sugar, icing sugar, and that's it so very light batter," said De Smedt about Belgian waffles. He said he never learned how to make them with sourdough, though. "We make them just with yeast inside. So I am thrilled to finally discover in the Yukon," he said. "This is amazing. This is something I will definitely make at home." After breakfast, De Smedt and his team packed their bags. They are heading to Dawson City to follow in the steps of the stampeders. He plans to cook sourdough flapjacks over an old miner's stove. And maybe become sourdoughs themselves. - MORE NORTH NEWS | Human toe stolen from Dawson City bar - MORE NORTH NEWS | Yellowknife man cleans 'big sea of poop' from walking trail Six years of planning and approximately $30 million later, the giant panda exhibit at the Calgary Zoo opens to the public today. "The value of hosting these international symbols of conservation is that they provide a tremendous opportunity to engage our community on how each of us can make a difference for wildlife here in Canada and around the world," said zoo president and CEO Clement Lanthier in a news release. The four pandas Da Mao, Er Shun, Jia Panpan and Jia Yueyue are being housed in a specially constructed habitat called Panda Passage, which contains flowing water, trees and plants. Panda Passage cost $14.4 million to build. There are 432 square metres of indoor space and a further 1,512 square metres of outdoor space for the animals, according to the zoo. In the back of the habitat is a nursing den in the event of a pregnancy. The zoo started construction on the habitat in 2016, with the city and the province contributing to the cost. It will be home to the two adult pandas Er Shun and Da Mao throughout their five-year stay in Calgary. The two cubs will fly back to China in approximately 18 months. The $14.4 million spent on the habitat is not the only cost borne by the zoo. The Toronto experience In total, approximately $30 million was spent on panda-related infrastructure, Lanthier told Radio Canada. The new facilities include things like washrooms, parking spaces and places to buy food and drinks. It's significantly higher than the $3 million spent by the Toronto Zoo, which played host to the pandas for their first five years in Canada. Calgary will have to fork out approximately $1.5 million a year to feed the animals, which consume about 1,100 kilograms a week of bamboo, which is flown in from China. Each year, the zoo will donate $1.4 million to a panda research centre in Chengdu, China, to "support conservation initiatives such as breeding, habitat protection, reintroduction science and research," according to a news release. Story continues Return on investment In order to offset the costs, the zoo is hoping to see an increase of 15 per cent in annual visitors, for a total of 1.5 million people. During the pandas' stay in Toronto, there was an uptick in zoo visitors of 13 per cent in the first year, but that number dropped in subsequent years. Lanthier says the Calgary Zoo's budget is prudent and is based on lessons learned from other zoos. He says they realize the first-year bump won't continue. There's also the chance to recoup some costs through concession sales. In 2013, the first year of the pandas' stay in Toronto, the zoo counted more than $4 million in retail spending by visitors and over $7.7 million spent on food and beverages. Conversation about conservation Lanthier, however, says it's not just about dollars and cents. He points to the conversation around conservation as a primary concern. There are fewer than 1,800 pandas left in the wild, and the zoo says in its news release that more than half of the giant pandas' habitat has been destroyed in the past 50 years. "Our success with protecting endangered species in Canada and Africa shows that there is hope for all species on the planet," said Lanthier. "We believe that small actions can often lead to big changes that help sustain the incredible biodiversity on the planet. And by inviting our visitors to make a small change, I know we can inspire the belief that together we can make a difference." Visitors to the zoo can buy tickets online to avoid lineups, and there's the option to book a time to visit the pandas to help reduce crowds and wait times. - MORE CALGARY NEWS | Still no money for Deerfoot Trail after 'affordable' fixes identified - MORE CALGARY NEWS | Despite high tourism, Banff hopes to court more shoulder-season visitors Provincial rules suggest railway should pay city for wildfires along its tracks A series of grass fires in Winnipeg on Sunday may have been caused by a train passing through, says a spokesperson for the fire department. "We did see a pattern," said Tom Wallace, the Winnipeg Fire Paramedic Service's deputy chief of support services. "We haven't confirmed that. We do have meetings with CN later this week." Winnipeg crews battled several fires some of them severe enough to be deemed wildfires over the weekend, with a particularly large one on Wilkes Avenue along a railroad track. The fire threatened a seniors' retirement complex and set a fence ablaze. That fire was preceded by several others at around the same time, Wallace said. "A fire that started in St. Boniface in the area of Fort Gibraltar, followed shortly thereafter by a fire at The Forks, a fire at the Kenaston Underpass, a fire at Shaftsbury on Wilkes and then a fire further down Wilkes near Elmhurst and Liberty," he said. Watch as a fire starts on Wilkes Avenue while a train passes by: John Wheeler of Hackers and Smackers Driving Range at Wilkes Avenue and Elmhurst Road was fixing nets on his range when a train passed by. He then spotted smoke, he said. "As soon as [the train] went by, the smoke was instant." Wheeler and several customers helped prevent the fire from spreading to the range's netting system by using the driving range's irrigation system. Wheeler caught the start of the fire on a surveillance camera on his property. "I've seen trains go by sparking before, but not setting fires," he said. Sparks may fly from brakes or train wheels as they pass over tracks, and they can ignite dry grasses or reeds in ditches or grassland. Wallace called the conditions around the city "unprecedented and tinder dry." "I"ve been in emergency services for 20 years and I've never seen anything like this," he said, adding typically during this time of year there's water in the ditches. Story continues Mitch Jarrett was biking along the Harte Trail which runs nearly parallel to the Wilkes train tracks on Sunday when he saw five or six fires along the tracks, every 30 to 40 metres. "All along the train tracks, there were fires on both sides," he said, estimating the fires were about five metres away from the tracks. "I never saw the train actually start the fire, but the train went by and as I was coming back, from the west to the east, there were small fires that had started. And as I travelled further and further, moving east, the fires were larger and larger." "The flames were really quite high," he said. CN spokesperson Kate Fenske said trains have sparked fires in the past, so the railway does inspect equipment and review train movements to determine if any mechanical issues are a potential cause. "In this case and at this time, we have not identified any specific mechanical issues that would have sparked a fire. CN will continue to investigate equipment and trains movements. Also, CN has issued a bulletin to operating crews reminding them on the proper procedures for fire mitigation during dry conditions like Manitoba is experiencing at this time," she said in an emailed statement. Fenske said CN cuts brush along rail lines to reduce fire risks, and trains carry firefighting equipment. Manitoba under control Wildfires outside the city are under control, but dry and unusually warm weather forecast for early this week is expected to keep fire crews on their toes. Despite the dry conditions in the south, Manitoba as a whole has had considerably fewer fires than usual for this time of year. As of May 7, the province had registered just 42 wildfires in 2018, compared to 74 in an average year, according to a Manitoba Sustainable Development spokesperson. There were 202 and 459 wildfires in Manitoba in all of 2016 and 2015, respectively, according to provincial wildfire records. Gary Friesen, manager of the wildfire program with Sustainable Development, said so far this year, three wildfires in forested areas outside of Winnipeg are being investigated with possible links to rail activity. "There's no fires causing issues at this time, but the week is certainly going to be a challenge with the extremely warm temperatures," Friesen said Monday. "And then you throw wind into that, it's very critical for fires." Winnipeg and parts of the south are forecast to get temperatures in the 30 C range with a UV index of six Monday as arid conditions in the city and eastern Manitoba continue to pose fire threats. Environment Canada says the average high for Winnipeg at this time of year is 17.3 C; the record high for May 7 was set in 1891 at 34.4 C. Burn bans remain in place in much of the south, including in Winnipeg which is experiencing its driest spring since 1987 and its fourth driest in almost 150 years. A spate of wildfires destroyed a few homes and buildings in the Interlake and southeast on April 30. Fires forced the rural municipality of Piney to declare a state of emergency last Monday due to an eight-kilometre-long fire encroaching on the community of Badger, about 115 kilometres southeast of Winnipeg. The Piney fire is under control but crews continue to monitor it from the skies using infrared cameras and dousing hot spots where necessary, Friesen said. Provincial waterbombers and crews from out of province pitched in last week to douse fires in the southeast, and Winnipeg fire crews were thrust into the wildfire fight as well. Two people died after emergency crews found them badly burned from a fire in Winnipeg's Transcona neighbourhood Friday. That fire remains under investigation. "All open-air fires are temporarily prohibited due to the extreme dry weather conditions in the Winnipeg area, which increases the risk of dangerous fires, such as grass, brush, and wildfires," the city said in a release. Infrastructure Minister Ron Schuler said the province's emergency measures organization are working with communities to address fire concerns. "We are fortunate that spring flooding will be limited this year, but a dry spring has already resulted in a busy wildfire season," Schuler said in a statement. CBC Manitoba meteorologist John Sauder said a small amount of rain could fall on Winnipeg and parts of southern Manitoba Wednesday night. "I think everyone from the forest firefighters to the farmers could really use rain right now," Friesen said. A new countrywide emergency public alert system for mobile devices set to debut in Quebec on Monday failed to reach residents, while Ontario also had its problems, said a spokesperson for the CRTC. The tests are being conducted after the CRTC ordered wireless providers to implement the system to warn of imminent safety concerns such as tornadoes, floods, Amber Alerts or terror threats. CRTC spokesperson Patricia Valladao said the difficulties in Quebec did not originate with cellphone service providers. Rather, it appears the problem occurred between emergency management in Quebec and Pelmorex Corp., which operates the system. Valladao said that in a code sequence that was entered manually by a Pelmorex employee, a space was included incorrectly, which prevented the system from sending the message in Quebec through wireless phones. Depending on the settings, users with compatible devices such as smartphones and tablets connected to an LTE network were supposed to hear a tone similar to an ambulance alarm or feel a vibration for eight seconds starting at 9:55 a.m. ET in Quebec. But there was nothing but silence. The test in Ontario was carried out at 1:55 p.m., and while some mobile phone users reported having received an alert, others said their phone didn't make a peep. Tests in most of the rest of Canada, except for Nunavut, will take place on Wednesday. System provider working to fix problem Pelmorex, the system provider in charge of managing the wireless device alerts, is working to correct the problem as soon as possible, said Thomas Blanchet, spokesperson for Quebec's Public Security Ministry. "That's why we do testing, to make sure that the connection is OK," he said. Radio and TV stations ran the tests successfully, according Blanchet. By noon, some Quebecers had also received a test alert through either The Weather Network or Meteomedia apps. But Blanchet said those alerts have been in place for app users since 2015, and that Monday's wireless testing is different. Story continues Blanchet said it's unclear whether the alert will be launched again once the problem is fixed, but he stressed the population would be notified if that were to be the case. Similar system in U.S. A similar system is already used in the United States and made headlines earlier this year when an emergency official in Hawaii mistakenly sent an alert about a potential incoming ballistic missile. A report issued last month by the U.S. Federal Communications Commission said the false alarm, which went uncorrected for 38 minutes after being transmitted and caused widespread panic across the Pacific islands state, was a result of human error and inadequate safeguards. The CRTC said Canada has safeguards in place to prevent false signals from being distributed to mobile devices. Unlike wireless emergency alerts issued in the United States, Canada's system requires a specific vibration cadence, alert tone and banner to notify users of an emergency. As well, the emergency alerts are not text or SMS messages, but are distributed using what's known as cell broadcast technology. The messages can't be tracked by service providers so they can't tell who has or has not received the alert, the CRTC said. Here are the scheduled times for tests scheduled for Wednesday outside Ontario and Quebec. All times are local: - Yukon 1:30 p.m. - Northwest Territories 1:55 p.m. - Alberta 1:55 p.m. - British Columbia 1:55 p.m. - Saskatchewan 1:55 p.m. - Manitoba 1:55 p.m. - Newfoundland and Labrador 1:55 p.m. - Nova Scotia 1:55 p.m. - Prince Edward Island 1:55 p.m. - New Brunswick 6:55 p.m. The leaders of Ontario's three main political parties squared off Monday evening in the first debate of an election campaign that hasn't officially begun, with PC Leader Doug Ford facing heavy questioning for specifics about his plan to find "efficiencies" in government and cut spending. Ford, Liberal Leader Kathleen Wynne and New Democratic Party Leader Andrea Horwath all participated in the live debate in Toronto, which began at 6 p.m. and was broadcast on City. It was the first of three debates for the leaders ahead of the June 7 election. Both Horwath and Wynne jumped on Ford's claims that he would find billions in savings in government spending by demanding specifics about what jobs or services might be cut. In her turn during a segment in which a leader could ask another leader a direct question, Horwath asked if Ford has plans to privatize parts of the health-care system, lay off nurses or close hospitals. "That's not my vocabulary," Ford responded. "I believe in driving efficiencies and helping the taxpayers." In the open debate that followed the question, Horwath asked Ford: "Why don't you have the guts to tell people what your cuts are going to look like? What is in store for the people of Ontario?" In another portion of the debate, Horwath said Ford's "efficiencies actually are cuts and people will pay the price in different ways." In her own direct question, which she also directed to Ford, Wynne asked about whether he plans to cut teachers' or nurses' jobs. "Why would you do that and do that in order to give the richest people in the province a tax cut?" "That is disingenuous what you just said," Ford replied. The PC leader did not offer many specifics about his plan to find efficiencies, except to say he would put money back in people's pockets and he would not lay anyone off. He has pledged to cut four per cent from the budget. Story continues "We will create a government for the people," he said in his closing statement. "We will bring accountability, transparency and integrity back to the people of Ontario." He did use the debate to say he would maintain the pledge by former leader Patrick Brown of some $5 billion toward regional transit in the Greater Toronto Area. He specifically mentioned "subways," "relief lines" and "two-way" GO Transit to Niagara Falls. PCs in comfortable lead The campaign is expected to officially kick off later this week, but the polls in recent weeks have put the Progressive Conservatives in the lead. According to CBC's updated Ontario Poll Tracker, which averages available polling data: - The PCs have 41.8 per cent support. - The Liberals have 26.2 per cent support. - The NDP have 25.5 per cent support. During the debate, Wynne spent a lot of time defending her government's record against attacks from her opponents about high hydro rates and a hospital bed crunch. In his direct question for Wynne, Ford accused the Liberal leader of caring for "your Liberal friends," and asked: "When did you lose your way?" Wynne responded that Ontario's economic growth is outpacing other provinces, and unemployment has been its lowest in 20 years. "This province is doing very, very well," she said. "I believe that government exists to do the things that people can't do themselves." She said her government will continue with transit and other infrastructure projects, but will also move forward with a "care plan," as Wynne called it, promising more in mental health services and care for seniors. It was the direct exchange between Ford and Wynne that made for the night's most uncomfortable moment. Before he asked Wynne his direct question, Ford fixed his gaze on her and said: "You got a nice smile on your face there." Wynne replied: "So do you." Ford then asked when the clock was to start on his exchange with Wynne and the moderator replied: "I'll start right now and that's about the friendliest moment we'll have." For her part, Horwath sought to differentiate herself from Ford and Wynne, telling viewers they "don't have to choose between bad and worse" and repeated her pledges to broaden services for Ontarians while making life more affordable. "We can have a government that makes sure our hospitals are there for people when they need them, our schools are in a good state of repair, that people can get the dental care and prescription drugs that they need," Horwath said. "These are changes for the better." The debate was driven by questions from audience members that were prepared in advance, but were unknown to the leaders. They covered a range of issues, including the practice of carding and de-escalation training for police; funding for autism treatment; transit; and drug use and rehabilitation. Protest before leaders arrived The evening's agenda got off to a fiery start as supporters of ousted PC candidate Tanya Granic Allen staged a protest outside. The small but vocal group held campaign signs with her name on them, standing across the road from Ford and Wynne supporters holding signs of their own. Ford removed Granic Allen, a former candidate for the PC leadership, as the candidate from Mississauga Centre over the weekend, calling comments she made about certain groups "irresponsible" and inconsistent with party views. Supporters of Green Party Leader Mike Schreiner were also on hand to lament his exclusion from the debate. They wore green tape over their mouths and staged a silent protest. However, Schreiner was anything but silent, tweeting his answers to all the debate questions. Missed the debate? Get caught up in our live blog from earlier in the evening below. Or click here. Premier Moe pledges to 'do better' in hiring people with disabilities Saskatchewan's premier says the government is falling short of its target for employing people with disabilities. According to the public service commission, the number of government employees who self-declared as having a disability at the time of initial employment is 2.1 per cent, well short of the government's target of 12.4 per cent, set by the human rights commission. Over the last five years the total number of government workers with disabilities has declined by 92 a reduction of 27 per cent. "We have targets across the government of Saskatchewan with respect to people with disabilities and I would put forward they are aggressive targets and I would also say they have not been met," said Premier Scott Moe. "We need to have a discussion as a government of Saskatchewan how we can do better on behalf of people across this province." NDP says current level 'not acceptable' The NDP raised the issue after submitting a series of questions to the government in the legislature Monday. "We're deeply concerned and we feel the answers today were just not strong. We don't see a commitment from this government to help those living with disabilities," said NDP critic for diversity David Forbes. "This reduction in opportunities for people with disabilities is just not acceptable." The only ministry which saw an increase was education, which went from seven employees with self-declared disabilities in 2016-17 to eight in 2017-18. New initiative aims to get better picture Under the current system, people only declare if they have a disability during the application process. The public service commission said that will change through a new initiative beginning this summer. A statement from government said it will "re-engage employees and ask them if they would like to self-declare they have a disability. This will then turn into an initiative that will ask people to update their info yearly." The public service commission said it hopes this will provide more accurate numbers. The declaration will be anonymous. As global media descend on Windsor, a majority of Brits are tuning Harry and Meghan out Prince Harry and Meghan Markle will tie the knot on Saturday inside St. George's Chapel at Windsor Castle, and CBC has every angle covered. We'll be on location in Windsor Castle and London bringing you live coverage on wedding day on CBC TV, CBC Radio and CBCNews.ca and will whet your appetite with special programming in the days leading up to the wedding. May 19 Wedding day coverage starts at 4 a.m. ET Saturday on CBC TV and CBC News Network with a live special hosted by Adrienne Arsenault. She'll be joined by royal expert Katie Nicholl, author of Harry: Life, Loss, and Love and other books on the Royal Family. Peter Mansbridge, former anchor of The National, will drop by the broadcasting booth during the special. You can also watch the special on our liveblog at CBCNews.ca, which will have running commentary and updates from our correspondents on the scene. They include: Heather Hiscox, Nil Koksal, Thomas Daigle, Nahlah Ayed and Janet Davison, author of the popular Royal Fascinator newsletter, who will be inside the walls of Windsor Castle. Steven D'Souza, Zulekha Nathoo, Tashauna Reid and Tom Murphy will be covering reaction in New York, Los Angeles, Toronto and Halifax, respectively. The CBC TV app will stream the special live and can be downloaded from the Apple App Store or Google Play. CBC Radio coverage will kick off at 6 a.m. ET with an extended version of World Report with Nil Koksal, reporting live from Windsor Castle. Online On Saturday, you can follow live wedding coverage on CBCNews.ca, YouTube, Facebook or Twitter at the following times: CBCNews.ca: Our live blog coverage begins at 4 a.m. ET and will include news and analysis from our correspondents at Windsor Castle and in London as well as the live video of the CBC TV royal wedding special. YouTube: Live coverage on the CBC News YouTube channel runs 4 a.m.-10 a.m. ET (available in Canada). Facebook: 6 a.m.-8:15 a.m. ET followed by a wedding recap and Q&A with Peter Mansbridge until 8:45 a.m. ET and then continued coverage until 10 a.m. You can follow coverage on the CBC News or National Facebook feeds (available in Canada). Story continues Twitter: The @CBCNews Twitter feed will be streaming the CBC TV royal wedding special from 6 a.m. to 8:15 a.m. ET (available in Canada). Leading up to the royal wedding There is plenty of coverage of Harry and Meghan's nuptials already on cbc.ca/royalwedding, and more will be appearing in the remaining days leading up to May 19. The Royal Fascinator newsletter will also be ramping up, with special editions coming out Thursday, Friday and Sunday. Subscribe here to get all the latest wedding news and gossip delivered to your email inbox. Send your ideas, questions, royal tips and comments on the newsletter to royalwedding@cbc.ca. The National On Wednesday, Adrienne Arsenault hosts The National from London, with a look at how Meghan Markle represents a new era for the monarchy. On Thursday and Friday, Arsenault hosts The National from Windsor, with in-depth reports on the legacy of Diana and some of the extraordinary people invited to the wedding. Those broadcasts will include special programming: - Shadow of Diana: Arsenault will explore the continuing influence of Diana, Princess of Wales, on Prince Harry and the Royal Family. - The People's Wedding: Arsenault speaks to regular British citizens who snagged an invite to the royal wedding, thanks to people in their community who nominated them to attend. - Meghan's Appeal: Margaret Evans visits Brixton, a predominantly Afro-Caribbean district of south London and explores how the fact a biracial woman is marrying into the monarchy might affect Britain's complicated relationship with race. - Royal Outsiders: Nahlah Ayed travels to Belgrade and speaks with Crown Prince Alexander of Serbia, who will be one of the foreign royals attending Harry and Meghan's wedding, about how a monarchy can be a positive influence. CBC News Network Heather Hiscox will be hosting the News Network daily morning show from London and Windsor as of May 16. Peter Mansbridge will present a series of past documentaries on the Royal Family at 8 p.m. on CBC News Network in the week leading up to the wedding: - A Very Royal Wedding: The wedding of Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip in November 1947 in post-war Britain. This will also air on The Passionate Eye, May 19 and 20 at 10 p.m. ET/PT on CBC News Network. - The Coronation: In a rare television interview, the Queen discusses her 1952 Coronation at Westminster Abbey, when the weight of a nation was put her on her shoulders. - Prince Harry and Meghan Markle: Truly, Madly, Deeply: A look at why Harry and Meghan, who are from very different worlds, are the perfect match. This will also air on The Passionate Eye, May 12 and 13 at 10 p.m. ET/PT on CBC News Network. The week of documentaries on CBC News Network will end with a new documentary by Mansbridge, Royal Wedding for the Ages, which looks at how Harry and Meghan's union fits within the history of the British monarchy. Back in 1968, Edgar Cullman Sr.s General Cigar Company purchased a factory in Kingston, Jamaica called Temple Hall. At the time the factory owned and produced a small brand called Macanudo. Under Cullmans leadership, Macanudo became one of the largest cigar brands in the world. While General Cigar is now owned by Scandinavian Tobacco Group (STG), Macanudo still remains a centerpiece brand in the companys portfolio. 2018 marks the 50th anniversary of Macanudo being a part of General Cigars portfolio, and the company has unveiled plans to celebrate the occasion. As a part of the milestone, General has released a special cigar. Rather than reaching into the past, General has looked ahead to the future and has put the cigar into its Inspirado line a newer line that looks to the future. That cigar is called the Macanudo Inspirado Red. Its a cigar that breaks the mold of what Macanudo is known for in many ways. Today, we look at the Macanudo Red in the Robusto size. General Cigar actually started preparing for the 50th anniversary in 2015 when it unveiled a new logo and started to streamline the packaging across the various lines of Macanudo. The logo change wasnt radical, but meant to pay homage to the history of Macanudo while giving it a contemporary look for the future. Meanwhile, General Cigar was working on building its Macanudo Inspirado line. General had originally launched the line in Europe in 2014. In 2016, General introduced the Macanudo Inspirado Orange to the U.S. market. In 2017, the line was rounded out with the new Macanudo Inspirado White and a revamped (from the European release) Macanudo Inspirado Black blend. The introduction of Macanudo Inspirado Red became the fourth blend under the Inspirado line. The Macanudo Inspirado Red is intended to deliver a bolder, fuller experience. Its not the first time Macanudo has moved in this direction. Cigars such as the Macanudo 1968, Macanudo Cru Royale, and to a lesser extent Macanudo Inspirado Orange and Macanudo Inspirado Black are projects where Macanudo has moved away from the milder profile that the brand is known for. With Inspirado Red, there are some additional unique factors. First the cigars are produced at the STG Esteli factory in Esteli, Nicaragua a first for the Macanudo brand, which had been produced primarily in the Dominican Republic after Cullman acquired Temple Hall. Secondly, the Robusto size of Inspirado Red is in a box-pressed format. Finally, Macanudo Inspirado Red is positioned as a value offering with pricing between $6.49 and $7.49. Without further ado, lets break down the Macanudo Inspirado Red Robusto. Blend Profile The Macanudo Inspirado Red is highlighted by a high priming (ligero) Ecuadorian Habano wrapper. The remainder of the blend features a binder from Jalapa and aged tobaccos from Honduras and Nicaragua. Wrapper: Ecuadorian Habano Ligero Binder: Jalapa (Nicaragua) Filler: Jamastran Valley Honduras (Aged 10 Years), Ometepe Nicaragua (Aged 12 Years), Esteli Nicaragua (aged 5 years) Country of Origin: Nicaragua (STG Esteli) Vitolas Available The Macanudo Inspirado Red is available in three sizes each presented in 20-count boxes. The Robusto size is the one vitola in the line that is box-pressed. Robusto (Box Pressed): 5 x 50 Toro: 6 x 50 Gigante: 6 x 60 Appearance The Ecuadorian Habano wrapper of the Macanudo Inspirado Red Robusto had a classic chocolate brown color. There was a slight Colorado red tint to the wrapper and there also was a slight amount of mottling on the surface. This was a relatively smooth wrapper with some oil on it. The wrapper itself was nearly void of any visible veins and any visible wrapper seams were minimal. As for the box-press, it was firm in more of a classic square press shape. As expected, the band of the Macanudo Inspirado Red has a primarily red color. The band itself has a silver trim. There also is a thick silver stripe going through the center of the band. On the center of the band is the text MACANUDO in black font. Just below the silver stripe is the text Inspirado in white scripted font. Behind the band is the new Macanudo logo in silver font. The band also has some additional older Macanudo logos in a watermark stamp-like design. Preparation for the Cigar Experience Prior to lighting up the Macanudo Inspirado Red Robusto, I used a straight cut to remove the cap. After the clip was removed, I proceeded with the pre-light draw ritual. The cold draw produced notes of cedar, leather, and a slight chocolate note. I consider the pre-light draw of this cigar to be satisfactory. At this point, I was ready to light up the Macanudo Inspirado Red Robusto and see what the smoking experience would deliver. Flavor Profile The Macanudo Inspirado Red Robusto started out with a spurt of red and black pepper with some cedar. Once the pepper subsided, notes of chocolate, fruit sweetness, and a slight metallic note surfaced. The chocolate notes moved into the forefront early with the fruit, pepper, cedar, and metallic notes settling in the background. The metallic note should not be considered a negative here as it contributed positively to the balance of the overall flavor profile. Early on the retro-hale delivered a citrus spice, but as the cigar moved through the first third, the retro-hale switched to an additional layer of black and white pepper. Late in the first third, some earthy notes show up in the background. As the Inspirado Red Robusto moved through the second half, the earthy notes gradually increased in intensity. Just past the midway point, the cedar notes also started to increase in intensity. Toward the latter part of the second third, both the cedar and earth notes increased enough to become primary flavors with the chocolate. Meanwhile, the metallic, fruit, and pepper notes remained in the background making subtle contributions to the overall flavor profile. During the last third, the cedar and earth displaced the chocolate. The chocolate moved into the background joining the pepper, fruit and metallic notes. This is the way the Macanudo Inspirado Red Robusto came to a close. The resulting nub was firm to the touch and cool in temperature. Burn and Draw With a higher priming wrapper, sometimes I dont know what to expect from the burn of a cigar that uses it. However, Im pleased to report the Macanudo Inspirado Red Robusto came through with flying colors. While there were a few isolated cases of jaggedness on the burn line, I found the Inspirado Red Robusto maintained a relatively straight burn path and a straight burn line. The resulting ash was firm with a salt and pepper color. The ash itself had a salt and pepper color to it. The burn rate and burn temperature were ideal. The draw to the Macanudo Inspirado Red Robusto also performed quite well. It had the right amount of resistance for a box-press cigar specifically, it wasnt too open of a draw. In the end, I found the draw on this cigar to be low maintenance. Strength and Body In short, the Macanudo Inspirado Red Robusto is going to deliver a medium strength, medium to full-bodied smoke. There is a slight variance in intensity of strength and body as well, but in the end the Inspirado Red Robusto remains medium strength, medium to full-bodied. In terms of strength versus body, I had the body maintaining the edge throughout the smoking experience. Final Thoughts There are two things that perplexed me about this release. First, I was a little surprised that Macanudo didnt make a bigger splash for its 50th anniversary when it came to the cigar. They didnt even opt to band the cigar for its 50th. Secondly, Im not a big fan of trying to reinvent a brand as something that it isnt. If it were up to me, I would always keep Macanudo the milder brand in the General portfolio. That being said, when it came to the actual Macanudo Inspirado Red Robusto cigar, it didnt matter how this was branded. This was an excellent offering. While its not a cigar that will knock you down with strength, it is a cigar that delivers on a fuller-bodied experience. I found the flavor profile to be quite enjoyable and things worked nicely in the box-press format. While it is fuller, its a great cigar for a novice to graduate to something fuller and will appeal to the more seasoned cigar enthusiast. As for myself, this is a cigar I would smoke again and at $6.49 per cigar, it garners box worthy consideration. Summary Key Flavors: Chocolate, Earth, Fruit, Metallic, Cedar, Pepper Burn: Excellent Draw: Excellent Complexity: Medium Plus Strength: Medium Body: Medium to Full Finish: Excelle Rating Value: Box Worthy Consideration Score: 90 References News: Macanudo Inspirado Red Coming in March Price: $6.49 Source: General Cigar Company Brand Reference: Macanudo Photo Credits: Cigar Coop, except where noted Mumbai, May 7, 2018 In a recent report released by real estate consulting firm, JLL, Delhi NCR in India has emerged as the favorite office space destination for Chinese global companies. The report says that China's biggest corporates are growing rapidly and are creating a strong global economic system that is influencing global markets. Chinese businesses are expanding their global footprint by targeting emerging markets, acquiring overseas firms and making strategic investments in new technologies. The report 'China12: China's Cities Go Global', evaluates the growth of China's largest companies that are leading the charge overseas and emerging as some of the world's most innovative brands. Delhi NCR emerged as the top destination for office leasing for Chinese companies outside of their territory. The estimated leasing of office by Chinese origin companies has been approximately 516,667 sqft from 2015 -17 in Delhi - NCR. Mumbai has seen approximately 85,537 sqft of office space leases by Chinese origin companies in the same period. The ranking, based on leasing volumes across 70 major global markets. The World's Most Connected Cities with China: Office Leasing RANKING CITY 1 Delhi NCR 2 Madrid 3 Bangkok 4 Munich 5 Kuala Lumpur 6 Moscow 7 Sydney 8 Istanbul 9 Manila 10 Jakarta Amongst the global network of cities, Asian markets such as Singapore, Tokyo, Jakarta, Bangkok, Seoul and Delhi are featured prominently. Leading the pack is Singapore as the top destination for mainland firms expanding overseas. Not only is it Asia's most stable and transparent market and a global financial services hub, Singapore also carries strong links to China and is geographically well-placed to act as a gateway into Southeast Asia. Two of the world's most globalized cities Tokyo and Seoul come in at close second and fifth places respectively, demonstrating China's appetite for the world's leading gateways and financial centres. Jakarta (6th) and Bangkok (10th) are major beneficiaries of Chinese companies' expansions into Southeast Asia, and Delhi (13th) is a key target as Chinese corporates seek to tap into India's vast population of over a billion. Ramesh Nair, CEO and Country Head, JLL India said, "Chinese companies have been making their presence felt in Asia and have set up offices in major markets including India. Even though, leasing is still largely driven by US and EU based companies in India, Chinese companies are fast setting up base to take advantage of the market size and the accelerated growth of the economy. India is a diverse market that provides global corporations both a centre of excellence as well as a promising audience for their products." Nair further added, "Several Chinese companies have expanded their footprint in India in recent times including Vivo, OPPO, Alibaba, ZTE, Huawei and Xiaomi. Telecom major - Vivo has taken up space of more than 600,000 sqft while OPPO has occupied about 100,000 sqft, both during 2014-17 in NCR. Players like ZTE, Alibaba and Bank of China together have absorbed office space of about 100,000 sqft in Mumbai during 2015-17. As the two largest economies in Asia, China and Indias economic influence over the rest of countries is expected to be significant." Jeremy Kelly, Director Global Research, JLL explains: "Entry into these growth markets allows Chinese companies to tap into Asia's large, young and rapidly growing consumer populations. We've seen some of China's most prominent firms show major interest in start-ups in India, Indonesia and Singapore as they seek to gain a foothold in these booming economies. E-commerce and consumer electronics firms, in particular, are starting to gain strong market shares in some of these markets." Jeremy Kelly further added, "Corporate presence, leasing activity and investment measures clearly indicate a growing interest from Chinese firms in South and Southeast Asia. Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore, Jakarta, Kuala Lumpur, Bangkok, Manila and Ho Chi Minh City are likely to be key targets for Corporate China. As a result, we may see a realignment in the corporate geography, as attention tilts towards India and Southeast Asia." The trajectories of many Asian cities, from megacities to mid-sized hubs, are set to be transformed by Chinese activity in coming years. Alongside increased corporate demand and growing intra-regional capital flows, many emerging South East Asian cities are set to benefit from infrastructure investment related to the 'Belt and Road Initiative', which will support employment and boost economic growth, while Chinese technology and innovation will transform the way people live and work in cities. About JLL India: JLL is India's premier and largest professional services firm specializing in real estate. With estimated revenue for FY 2017-18 expected to be ~INR 3,200 crores, the firm is growing from strength to strength in India for over the past 20 years. JLL has an extensive geographic footprint across 10 cities (Ahmedabad, Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Pune, Chennai, Hyderabad, Kolkata, Kochi and Coimbatore) and a staff strength of over 9,500. The firm provides investors, developers, local corporates and multinational companies with a comprehensive range of services. This includes research, strategic advisory and consultancy, capital markets, transaction management, project and development services, integrated facilities management, property and asset management. These services cover various asset classes such as commercial, residential, industrial, retail, warehouse and logistics, hospitality, healthcare, senior living and education. JLL was recognised as one of the Best Places to Work in India 2017 in the annual survey of 'India's Best Companies to Work For' a joint study conducted by Great Place to Work and The Economic Times. The firm has also been acknowledged as 'Property Consultant of the Decade' at the 10th CNBC-Awaaz Real Estate Awards 2015 and the Best Property Consultancy in India at the International Property Awards Asia Pacific 2016-17. For further information, please visit www.jll.co.in Source: JLL India 12 : 53 , Tamil Nadu: Efforts on to secure release of fishermen May 08,2018 | Source: The Hindu The State government is in touch with the Indian Mission in Oman to secure the release of fishermen from Kanniyakumari who were caught fishing in Oman waters on April 26 by the countrys Coast Guard. Sources in the Fisheries Department said that the boat Kavin Bright and men were seized for illegally fishing in Oman waters. The gillnetter-cum-long-liner boat carried VHF sets, GPS and fishing gear. It had left Cochin on April 4. No passport None of the fishermen, including the owner of the boat Antony Xavier, has passports. The Indian Mission in Muscat, Oman, is in touch with them. According to local authorities, the fishermen, who are currently in the port city of Duqm, will be shifted for investigation to the Haima Police Station. Officials said that all steps were being taken to secure their release. Myanmar: Tanintharyis fisheries potential marred by illegal exports by HTIN LYNN AUNG May 08,2018 | Source: Myanmar Times Although fishing and marine products make up the bulk of Tanintharyi Regions GDP, illegal exports have for years deterred the industrys potential for growth. Without new policies and oversight, authorities warn that Myanmar will continue losing millions worth of valuable fisheries exports to illegal traders in neighbouring Thailand. Myanmar fisheries play an important role under the National Export Strategy. The government has earmarked locally produced marine products as key exports for the country. Tanintharyi currently produces the largest volume of fishery products in the country. According to the latest available data, fish and prawn sales from the regions Myeik district amounted to $9.7 million in the month of February, which is estimated to contribute more than 17 percent of the countrys total fisheries income of $55 million over the same period, according to the Ministry of Commerce. Thats the official figure. There are illegal sales taking place at a volume that we cannot guess, resulting in lost income for the country, said U Win Myint, director from the Trade Promotion Department under the Ministry of Commerce (MOC). Based on available data provided by the Regional Fishing Department, there are currently 1,433 offshore fishing boats licensed to operate between Myanmar and Thai waters. Each boat has the capacity to transport around 45 tonnes of fish. Out of this, around a third, of 15 tonnes, is permitted for export purposes, according to the department. A back-of-the-envelope calculation implies that in 2017-18, 64,486 tonnes of locally produced fish should be exported. Yet, the Regional Fishing Department recorded only 52,275 tonnes of fish exports, implying that potentially 12,000 tonnes of exports went unrecorded by the authorities during the period. According to an official from the Kawthoung border trade camp, some fishing boats bypass the border gate and sail directly to Ranong, Thailand, where high quality marine life such as red snappers and squid are sold directly to Thai buyers. Indeed, an investigation conducted by The Myanmar Times showed that larger and more expensive fish from Myanmar are being sold illegally in Ranong compared to local markets. Taking action The authorities havent been sitting idle though. In 2015, the EU stopped importing fishery products from Thailand. Meanwhile, Thai authorities have also put a stop to imports of Myanmar fish. The government of Myanmar has also taken efforts to issue official licenses to every vessel operating in Myanmar waters. For example, red-coloured licenses are issued to fishing boats, while white-coloured licenses are issued to transport and supply vessels. Still, it is not possible to control and stop the illegal trade of fish conducted out at sea, U Aung Naing, department head of Kawthoung Fisheries Department told The Myanmar Times. As we dont have the capacity to patrol the waters and conduct checks, illegal fishing and trade will still continue. Building up the local market Meanwhile, new fish auction markets will be established in Kawthoung, Myeik and Dawei to prevent illegal trade from taking place, said Dr Le Le Maw, Chief Minister of Tanintharyi Region. The new marketplaces will supplement existing auction markets at Inn Lay Myine Industrial Zone at Myeik Township. The market was opened in 2001 and has the capacity to accommodate five fishing vessels. More than 2,500 tonnes of fish can be displayed at the market and there is also refrigerated storage capacity for around 400 tonnes of fish. We are trying to establish international-standard fish markets equipped with jetties that will have the capacity to handle fishing vessels as well as refrigerated warehouses for the storage of supplies, said U Hla Than, chair of Pyae Phyo Tun Company, which is planning to build new fish processing factories at the new markets. Over the longer term we are also aiming to transport the fishery products in refrigerated containers to the Maw Taung border area by truck. We need to take steps to build up the local market. Nevada's Supreme Court is considering whether to allow the state to move forward with its 1st execution of a death row inmate in 12 years. Federal public defenders and the American Civil Liberties Union are challenging Nevada's plan to use a combination of 3 drugs never tried before in the United States. Twice-convicted killer Scott Raymond Dozier says he wants to be put to death as soon as possible, and doesn't care what drugs are used in the fatal injection that a judge in Las Vegas blocked in November after opponents argued one of the drugs could cover up potential suffering. The Supreme Court scheduled an hour's worth of oral arguments Tuesday in Carson City. A ruling is not expected Tuesday and could be months away. The ACLU says the experimental mixture of drugs includes a paralytic that's illegal to use when euthanizing pets in Nevada. It says the execution would violate the Eighth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution prohibiting "cruel and unusual punishment" as well the Nevada constitution, which outlaws "either" cruel or unusual punishment. Among the questions the federal public defender and ACLU say must be answered is whether the state is required to establish the "severity and duration of pain likely to be produced." They argue Dozier could be "awake and aware for several minutes while suffering and suffocating to death." ACLU lawyer Amy Rose said it could result "in a tortuous death akin to waterboarding." "Causing death by suffocation is not only cruel, but torture," she said last week. Dozier, 47, was found guilty of the 2007 murder and dismemberment of 22-year-old Jeremiah Miller, whose torso was found in a suitcase dumped into a trash bin in Las Vegas. He also was convicted in 2005 of second-degree murder of another victim, whose torso was found buried in the Arizona desert. "My overarching and near singular desire is to get my execution done as expeditiously as possible," Dozier wrote in a handwritten note Dec. 12 letter from Ely state prison. "The bottom line is: It's his choice," chief Clark County district attorney Jonathan VanBoskerck said. Nevada has executed 12 inmates since capital punishment was reinstated by the legislature in 1977. The last was Daryl Mack, who was put to death by lethal injection on April 26, 2006 for the 1988 rape and murder of a Reno woman, Betty Jane May. Nevada is among several states that have struggled in recent years to find drugs after pharmaceutical companies and distributors banned their use in executions. The Nevada Department of Corrections wants to use a 3-drug mix including the sedative diazepam, commonly known as Valium, the powerful opioid painkiller fentanyl and the paralytic, cisatracurium. Dozier's execution was called off last November after Clark County Judge Jennifer Togliatti in Las Vegas decided prison officials could use the first 2 drugs, which an expert medical witness testified would probably be enough to cause death. She temporarily banned the use of the paralytic out of concerns that its effect would prevent witnesses from seeing indications of pain if Dozier suffers. | Report an error, an omission, a typo; suggest a story or a new angle to an existing story; submit a piece, a comment; recommend a resource; contact the webmaster, contact us: deathpenaltynews@gmail.com Opposed to Capital Punishment? Help us keep this blog up and running! DONATE! "One is absolutely sickened, not by the crimes that the wicked have committed, but by the punishments that the good have inflicted." -- Oscar Wilde Ukraine sees 12% decline in sugar exports in April The geography of the exports did not change. If you see a spelling error on our site, select it and press Ctrl+Enter Ukraine's central bank registers new payment system The system will handle cash and non-cash transactions by individuals and legal entities. If you see a spelling error on our site, select it and press Ctrl+Enter Land prices in Ukraine may triple World Bank The World Bank is ready to provide more financial assistance to Ukraine in this connection. If you see a spelling error on our site, select it and press Ctrl+Enter Toshiba, Turboatom to sign memo of understanding for modernization of turbines for nuclear energy sector in June Public joint-stock company Turboatom (Kharkiv) and Japan's Toshiba Energy Systems in June 2018 plan to sign a memorandum of understanding as part of stepping up cooperation between Japan and Ukraine in the nuclear energy sector, the Energy and Coal Industry Ministry of Ukraine has reported. The ministry said on its Facebook page that Japan informed about it during a working meeting in the ministry with representatives of the Japanese Embassy in Ukraine. "Japan notified about intents to cooperate with Ukraine in modernization of equipment for the nuclear energy sector, in particular, production and modernization of turbines, including for nuclear facilities in third countries, and announced the signing of the memorandum of understanding between Turboatom and Toshiba Energy Systems scheduled for June," the ministry said. The press service of Turboatom told Interfax-Ukraine that they cannot disclose the details of cooperation now. The ministry said that at the working meeting the sides also discussed the state and prospects for development of the nuclear energy sector of Ukraine and plans of cooperation in the implementation of joint projects. The ministry said that Ukraine is interested in cooperation with other countries both in instrument making and sectors providing for development and modernization of the energy sector of Ukraine. National joint-stock company Naftogaz Ukrainy has annulled a tender to select services to manage the unbundling project, including accompanying the unbundling of gas storage and gas transportation activities, with the expected cost of up to UAH 168 million. According to a report of the company in the ProZorro e-procurement system, this is linked to the award of the Arbitration Institute of the Stockholm Chamber of Commerce, which did not allow the possibility of transferring the gas transit contract with Gazprom to another operator. "The ownership unbundling model for transportation of natural gas approved by government resolution No. 496 dated July 1, 2016 and the implementation of the independent system operator model are impossible until the contract expires," the company said. As reported, the Cabinet of Ministers on November 9, 2016 decided to create the PJSC Trunk Gas Pipelines of Ukraine within the unbundling process in NJSC Naftogaz Ukrainy. In middle of June 2017, the Cabinet of Ministers approved a list and a plan for the transfer of material assets of the gas transportation system from Ukrtransgaz to Trunk Gas Pipelines. Under the government's decision, the property currently used by Ukrtransgaz for gas transportation must be transferred to Trunk Gas Pipelines within 30 days from the entry into force of the final decision of the Arbitration Institute of the Stockholm Chamber of Commerce in the dispute between Naftogaz Ukrainy and Russia's Gazprom on the gas transit contract. At the same time, in the opinion of Naftogaz CEO Andriy Kobolev, it is necessary to change the model of unbundling Naftogaz previously adopted by the Cabinet of Ministers. According to him, taking into account the decision of the Stockholm Arbitration Tribunal, according to which Naftogaz will receive money from transit of 110 billion cubic meters of Russian gas through the Ukrainian GTS in the next two years, regardless of the actual volumes of transportation, the previously adopted model of unbundling should be adjusted. The enemy has opened fire 15 times on positions of the Joint Forces Operation, wounding two Ukrainian servicemen over the past day, the press center for the Joint Forces Operation (JFO) has reported. "Over the past day, on May 7, the situation in the JFO zone remained tense. Russian-occupation troops continue flagrantly violating the Minsk agreements ... Two Ukrainian servicemen were wounded during hostilities," the press center for the Joint Forces Operation (JFO) reported in its update as of 7:00 of Tuesday on Facebook. The fighting was ongoing along the entire contact line in eastern Ukraine. Shelling continued in the vicinity of the villages of Krymske, Popasna, Novotoshkivske, Luhanske, Shyrokyne, and the town of Avdiyivka. "The Russian-occupation troops continue firing from 122-mm artillery in the settlement of Zaitseve, violating the norms of the International Humanitarian Law. The militants are destroying houses by artillery shelling. Fighting was also reported near the village of Zaitseve where 27 artillery attacks were recorded," the message reads. However, according to intelligence, one militant was killed, another five were injured. Kyiv's Local Prosecutor's Office No. 7 has approved a notice of suspicion in absentia for a 23-year-old Russian citizen, who is suspected of attacking Anti-Terrorist Operation veteran and defender of Donetsk International Airport (also known as "Cyborg") Dmytro Verbych. "It was established that the offender crossed the border with Poland. In this connection, the defendant was notified in absentia about suspicion under Part 4, Article 296 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine (hooliganism committed by a group of persons using an object specially adapted and prepared in advance for inflicting bodily injury) and Part 2, Article 187 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine (robbery committed by preliminary conspiracy by a group of persons)," the press service of the prosecutor's office reported on Monday, May 7. In addition, a petition has been prepared for permission to detain him with a view to bringing him to court to select a measure of restraint in the form of detention. As reported, a group of persons, including three men and two women, wearing masks attacked Verbych on Podil in Kyiv on the evening of May 2, 2018. He was taken to the surgery department of the regional clinical hospital. Police determined that during the attack, which reportedly involved three men and two young women, one of the attackers struck the victim in the back with a sharp object. In addition, the attackers used pepper spray. On May 6, SBU officers detained suspects in Kharkiv. SBU operatives documented that the organizer of the attack is a Russian citizen who left Ukraine on May 4 and is hiding in Poland. On May 7, Kyiv's Local Prosecutor's Office No. 7 approved a notice of suspicion to a 25-year-old young woman who also participated in the attack on Verbych. Chief of the Security Service of Ukraine Vasyl Hrytsak said that Ukraine's law enforcement agencies were doing everything possible to ensure that the Russian citizen who organized the attack on Verbych in Kyiv could be taken to Ukraine. Head of the Main Directorate of the National Police in Kyiv Andriy Kryschenko told Interfax-Ukraine that the police had not yet established three more suspects in the attack on Verbych. KYIV. May 8 (Interfax-Ukraine) - Kyiv's Local Prosecutor's Office No. 7 has approved a notice of suspicion in absentia for a 23-year-old Russian citizen, who is suspected of attacking Anti-Terrorist Operation veteran and defender of Donetsk International Airport (also known as "Cyborg") Dmytro Verbych. "It was established that the offender crossed the border with Poland. In this connection, the defendant was notified in absentia about suspicion under Part 4, Article 296 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine (hooliganism committed by a group of persons using an object specially adapted and prepared in advance for inflicting bodily injury) and Part 2, Article 187 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine (robbery committed by preliminary conspiracy by a group of persons)," the press service of the prosecutor's office reported on Monday, May 7. In addition, a petition has been prepared for permission to detain him with a view to bringing him to court to select a measure of restraint in the form of detention. As reported, a group of persons, including three men and two women, wearing masks attacked Verbych on Podil in Kyiv on the evening of May 2, 2018. He was taken to the surgery department of the regional clinical hospital. Police determined that during the attack, which reportedly involved three men and two young women, one of the attackers struck the victim in the back with a sharp object. In addition, the attackers used pepper spray. On May 6, SBU officers detained suspects in Kharkiv. SBU operatives documented that the organizer of the attack is a Russian citizen who left Ukraine on May 4 and is hiding in Poland. On May 7, Kyiv's Local Prosecutor's Office No. 7 approved a notice of suspicion to a 25-year-old young woman who also participated in the attack on Verbych. Chief of the Security Service of Ukraine Vasyl Hrytsak said that Ukraine's law enforcement agencies were doing everything possible to ensure that the Russian citizen who organized the attack on Verbych in Kyiv could be taken to Ukraine. Head of the Main Directorate of the National Police in Kyiv Andriy Kryschenko told Interfax-Ukraine that the police had not yet established three more suspects in the attack on Verbych. Armenia's acting Defense Minister Vigen Sargsyan is expected to hand in his resignation on Tuesday, an informed source told Interfax. The newspaper Zhoghovurd has reported that First Deputy Defense Minister Artak Zakaryan and Deputy Defense Minister Artak Davtyan may also resign on Tuesday. Ararat Mirzoyan, an Armenian parliamentarian of the Elk opposition faction, which is led by candidate for prime minister Nikol Pashinyan, said earlier that David Tonoyan, who today holds the post of emergency situations minister, could be appointed defense minister in the country's new government. Russia seeks to destabilize Ukraine and return it to the Soviet Union, Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko has said. "He [Russian President Vladimir Putin] wants to return the Soviet Union. Poroshenko answered in an interview to the question what is considered to be the biggest catastrophe of the 20th century it is not World War II, not Hiroshima, not Chornobyl, but the collapse of the USSR. This is his way of thinking," Poroshenko said in an interview with CBS News, answering the question of what Putin is trying to achieve in Ukraine and whether he wants a weak country on the Russian border," the presidential press service said on Tuesday. According to Poroshenko, the Russian president is trying to take Ukraine back: "Yes, to win back, and to return the USSR or the Russian Empire, as you prefer." The head of state said that Ukraine has confirmed data about the presence of regular Russian troops in the occupied part of Donbas. Answering the question about how many Russian soldiers there are now in the east of Ukraine, the president said: "We have confirmed figures that in different periods their number ranged from 10,000 to 2,500 of regular Russian troops in the occupied territory. In addition they have nearly 50,000 troops of the so-called "Russian volunteers," who were recruited through the Russian mobilization system and sent there. But they pretend that they are not soldiers of the regular army, but they are Russians, they are Russian by nature, they are Russian soldiers. They use Russian weapons and ammunition, and they are Russians." The president also noted that according to the Ukrainian side, up to 50% of those who are at war in Donbas are citizens of Russia. "Russia wants to destabilize Ukraine. They seek to discredit the achievements of the Revolution of Dignity for the last four years," Poroshenko said answering the question of why Russia is playing this game. He added that it sounds like a "new cold war." However, according to the president, Ukraine is now "the front line of the Cold War." "We have a hot war now," the president stressed. Secretary of the National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine Oleksandr Turchynov calls not to forget the lessons of history, remembering that the aggressor cannot be appeased. "One shouldn't forget the lessons of history. And the war has taught us that it will never be possible to reconcile the aggressor. The behavior and motivation of the aggressors is the same at all times. And trying to persuade them to adhere to the standards of international behavior and respect the interests of other countries is not only ungrateful, but also unpromising and dangerous," Turchynov noted in his address on the occasion of the Day of Memory and Reconciliation. The secretary of the National Security and Defense Council noted that World War II demonstrated to everyone how fragile the balance between peace and war could be, how devalued the human life could be. Turchynov said that Ukrainians would fight to the end for freedom and their country. "Eternal memory to the heroes who sacrificed their lives, defending their country. Glory to Ukraine! Glory to Heroes!" he concluded. Prime Minister of Ukraine Volodymyr Groysman has left for Cherkasy in connection with the mass poisoning of children with an unknown substance in one of the schools. "I'm leaving for Cherkasy to find out the situation with children's health," Groysman wrote on his Twitter page on Tuesday. Employees of the Security Service of Ukraine have conducted investigative actions (searches) at the leaders of the Communist Party in Kyiv and Kyiv region, during which the campaign materials with banned symbols of the communist totalitarian regime have been found. "The investigation received information about involvement in the anti-state activities of representatives of the Communist Party of Ukraine. Special Service employees conducted a number of sanctioned searches in Kyiv and the region, in particular at the residence of the leaders of the Communist Party," the SBU press center said on Tuesday. During the searches, law enforcement officers found propaganda materials with the banned symbolism of the communist totalitarian regime planned on the order of Russian curators on May 9 with the aim of destabilizing the socio-political situation in Ukraine and provoking power clashes between activists of socio-political groups. Presidents of Ukraine Leonid Kravchuk, Leonid Kuchma and Viktor Yuschenko have signed a joint appeal, in which they supported the initiative to appeal to the Ecumenical Patriarch regarding the provision of autocephaly to the Ukrainian Orthodox Church. "After the discussions in our circle, we have signed a joint appeal," Kravchuk said at a joint press conference with Kuchma and Yuschenko in Kyiv on Tuesday. "We believe that the granting of autocephaly by the Constantinople mother - the church will play an important role in strengthening Ukraine's independence, spiritual and national unity of our people, the development of religious freedom in Ukraine, will contribute to a fruitful interdenominational dialogue in our country," Kravchuk read the text of the appeal. The presidents called on all to unite to create an autocephalous Orthodox Church in Ukraine. "We are convinced that the unity of the Ukrainian people, whose great strength will be the autocephalous Orthodox local church, will become an insurmountable spiritual fortress in the fight against Russian aggression against Ukraine. Therefore, we support the efforts of Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko in this extremely important issue for Ukraine and appeal to all citizens, all responsible politicians, public figures to unite around this great goal and actively work together to create an autocephalous Orthodox Church of Ukraine," the document says. Ukrainian Prime Minister Volodymyr Groysman has said that there is currently no pollution in Cherkasy and that detailed laboratory tests will be conducted. "Children's health is improving," he told the 112 Ukraine TV channel during his visit to Cherkasy on Tuesday. According to him, there is no need to create panic, as the situation is under control. "At the moment there is no pollution. There is no pollution in the air, which means that the substance that was used is not in the air, on the ground, or in water. More detailed tests will be done in laboratories. If this substance still exists, it will be revealed," Groysman added. In addition, the relevant authorities are determining who could have sprayed this substance or spread it in some other way. "I do not want to make any assumptions. It could be anything. Perhaps, someone had not very good intentions," Groysman said. He also noted that only after detailed studies it would be possible to talk about the connection of this event with what happened in a Novomoskovsk school in Dnipropetrovsk region. "Now there is no reason to say that these events are connected," he said. According to the directorate of the State Emergency Service in Cherkasy region (as of 14:30), 53 schoolchildren and two teachers from Cherkasy School No. 8 stayed in local hospitals with symptoms of poisoning. In addition, 16 children (19 children according to the Health Ministry) from a school in Novomoskovsk, Dnipropetrovsk region, felt unwell. Doctors provided first aid on the spot. One girl was taken to hospital, but was later sent home. Current restricted opportunities of the defense budget of Ukraine hinder the pace of rearmament of the Ukrainian Armed Forces to meet NATO standards, and the switch of the Ukrainian Armed Forces to weapons of new standard will be a long process and continue after 2020, Ukrainian Defense Minister Stepan Poltorak has said. "We plan to reach NATO standards by 2020. By the end of 2018 we are to finish the reform of the ministry and then to focus on the Armed Forces," the minister said, assessing the pace of the defense reform being conducted in cooperation with NATO in an interview with obozrevatel.ua. "In general, I do not see any big threats with the failure of our plans to reform the Armed Forces until the end of 2020, with the exception of problems with re-equipment, because the financial resource does not yet give us an opportunity to switch to new weapon models according to NATO standards," Poltorak said. At the same time he said that "this is a long work, the reform will continue after 2020". "We have a neighbor, Poland, which is already in the Alliance for 20 years, and they have the majority of Soviet-style weapons, although they have already partially switched to NATO standards, while Poland has a serious financial potential," the defense minister said. Armenia's new PM Pashinyan briefed by National Security Service director on domestic situation Armenia's National Security Service Director Georgy Kutoyan on Tuesday briefed Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan on the domestic situation. Kutoyan said that security officers were "continuing to fulfill their tasks with utmost responsibility," the government press office said. Earlier on Tuesday, the Armenian parliament elected Pashinyan prime minister. His candidacy was supported by 59 parliamentarians, and 42 others were against it. To be elected, a candidate must garner at least 53 votes. The new edition of the Armenian constitution stipulates that a prime minister assumes all powers of government. On Thursday, May 17, at 10.00 the press center of the Interfax-Ukraine news agency will host a press conference "What has Changed in Relationship between Kyivvodokanal, its Consumers after law On Housing and Communal Services Entered into Force." The participants: Deputy Director General of PJSC Kyivvodokanal Vadym Storozhuk; Director of the Settlements Department of PJSC Kyivvodokanal Valeriy Liulin; Head of the Benefits Department, state and regional assistance of the Department of Social Policy of the Kyiv City State Administration Maksym Buchenko; Acting Director General of the Concern 'Center for Public Utilities' Andriy Scherbina; Head of Information Department - Press Secretary of PJSC Kyivvodokanal Victoria Yakovleva (8/5a Reitarska Street). Registration requires press accreditation. YEREVAN, May 8 (Reuters) - Opposition leader Nikol Pashinian was elected as Armenia's new prime minister on Tuesday, capping a peaceful revolution driven by weeks of mass protests against corruption and cronyism in the ex-Soviet republic. Moscow, which has a military base in Armenia, is wary of an uncontrolled change of power which would pull the country out of its orbit, but Pashinian has offered assurances that he will not break with the Kremlin. The election of Pashinian, a former newspaper editor who spent time in prison for fomenting unrest, marks a rupture with the cadre of rulers who have run Armenia since the late 1990s. He spearheaded a protest movement that first forced veteran leader Serzh Sarksian to step down as prime minister and then pressured the ruling party to abandon attempts to block his election as prime minister, the country's most powerful post. In a vote in parliament on Tuesday, 59 lawmakers backed Pashinyan's candidacy, including some from the ruling Republican Party, with 42 voting against. In a vote last week, the Republican Party blocked Pashinian, but it said on Tuesday it had decided to get behind him for the sake of unity and the good of the nation. A central square in the capital, where Pashinian's supporters gathered to watch the voting on huge television screens, erupted into joy when the result was shown. The tens of thousands of people in Republic Square shouted "Nikol!" and white doves were released into the air. People hugged and kissed each other. "I'm the happiest person in the world," said Shogik, a 17-year-old Pashinian supporter. Armenia is a country of about three million people nestling in mountains between Turkey and Iran. Pashinian's protest movement was sparked when Sarksian, barred by the constitution from seeking another term as president, became prime minister instead. Many Armenians saw that as a cynical ploy by Sarskian to extend his hold on power. The protests led by Pashinian, wearing his trademark camouflage T-shirt and military-style cap, channeled a sense among many Armenians that corruption and cronyism was rife in the ruling elite. Iranian newspapers from across the political spectrum commented May 8 on the fate of Irans nuclear deal with the West, also known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA). Reports and comments in most Iranian newspapers are generally pessimistic, but reflect the internal political divisions. While newspapers closer to the Rouhani administration followed a more cautious approach, highlighting Irans conditions to stay in the deal in case of U.S. withdrawal, hardline media adopted a tone of we told you so. It appears that most of the articles and comments were prepared before the news about President Donald Trumps scheduled announcement of his decision surfaced. Nevertheless, almost all newspapers and commentators have a dim view of what Trump has to say. Reformist daily Aftab-e Yazd, has criticized hardline newspapers for taking advantage of the uncertainty about the fate of JCPOA ahead of Trumps possible decision to pull out of the deal with Iran, in order to attack the Rouhani administration. Centrist daily Arman stressed that the JCPOA is an international agreement and the United States unilateral withdrawal from it would not lead to the agreements collapse. Aftab-e Yazd commented that one of the implications of hardline medias attitude is the rising value of the US dollar against the Iranian currency rial on the foreign exchange market. Too much pessimism leads to financial panic. Centrist daily Arman stressed that the JCPOA is an international agreement and the United States unilateral withdrawal from it would not lead to the agreements collapse. Meanwhile, Arman quoted Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif as saying that JCPOA will not be replaced by a new agreement. Reformist newspaper Ebtekar gave prominence to a report about Germany, France and UKs foreign ministers comments in support of the deal in a report headlined We would stay in the agreement regardless of Trumps decision. Ebtekar has highlighted a comment by British Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson who said that JCPOA has made the world a safer place, and without it, the world would not be secure. Reformist daily Etemad featured brief interviews with several commentators and political figures on a possible US pull out. Conservative commentator Amir Mohebbian told Etemad Irans conservatives did not share a single view about the JCPOA, yet all of them were pessimistic about the deal with the West for various reasons. Hardline daily Kayhan linked to the office of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei followed its usual line of attacking the JCPOA and the Rouhani administration, going out of its way to even portray the European support for JCPOA in a negative light. Mohebbian said, Conservatives do not look forward to the collapse of JCPOA. However, they believe that we should not tie our fate to that of the nuclear deal. Hardline former politician Mohammad Javad Qadiri Abyaneh said in the interview with Etemad that the JCPOA has already collapsed several times. He opined that Iran has given many concessions to the US and Europe within the frameworks of JCPOA. Abyaneh added that Iran should leave the agreement as soon as the US pulls out of it. MP Mohammad Ali Pourmokhtar also told Etemad that he would not worry about the collapse of JCPOA, as there was nothing left in the deal to benefit Iran. Both the Rouhani administration-owned daily Iran and hardline newspaper Jomhouri Eslami, which also supports the administrations stance on the JCPOA, highlighted President Hassan Rouhanis comment that Iran would stay in the deal if US withdraws, as long as other parties would stay and Irans interests are secured. IRGC-linked hardline daily Javan observed that Zarif has been discussing the fate of the nuclear deal in US with former politicians and political figures who were not part of the US government. However, Javan quoted Zarif as saying that going ahead with the wrong decision of pulling out of the deal is not going to be in the United States interests. Hardline daily Kayhan linked to the office of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei followed its usual line of attacking the JCPOA and the Rouhani administration, going out of its way to even portray the European support for JCPOA in a negative light. Kayhans editor Hossein Shariatmadari is appointed by Khamenei and his official title is representative of the Supreme Leader, which makes him more likely to be echoing Khameneis ideas. Details added (first version posted on 11:38) Baku, Azerbaijan, May 8 By Ilhama Isabalayeva - Trend: Efforts of the OSCE Minsk Group to resolve the Armenia-Azerbaijan Nagorno-Karabakh conflict dont yield results, because there is no desire to achieve them, First Vice Speaker of the Azerbaijani Parliament Ziyafat Asgarov said. He was speaking May 8 in Baku at the second session of the 15th meeting of the EU-Azerbaijan Parliamentary Cooperation Committee. The OSCE MG has been imposed on us, it does nothing to resolve the conflict, he noted. The OSCE MG co-chairs only visit Azerbaijan and Armenia, but to no avail. He added that the settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict should be approached from the point of view of international law. If this were true, we wouldnt have faced such problems today, he said. Europe speaks of democracy, but in reality we dont see it. Ziyafat Asgarov once again reminded that Nagorno-Karabakh is a native land of Azerbaijan. Its easy to solve the problem, so whats the matter? he asked. Does this conflict have to last for 30 years? Internally displaced persons must return to their lands. Must it take 50 years for them to return to their lands?! He noted that today sanctions are applied against a number of countries. However, when it comes to the Armenia-Azerbaijan relations, no sanctions are imposed against Armenia, Asgarov said. He noted that the state policy of Armenia is a policy of terror. Will a sane person be able to come to power after Sargsyan in Armenia? They made the Armenian people hostage for the sake of aggressive policy, he said. Asgarov stressed that Azerbaijani lands must be liberated so that peace is established in the region. Armenia must abandon its aggressive policy, but it doesnt recognize international law, he said, adding that terrorists are being trained in Nagorno-Karabakh region. He noted that Azerbaijans occupied territories are used for the cultivation, transit of drugs and their sale in the markets of Europe. This is not only Azerbaijans problem, but a common problem, he said. 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, May 8 By Ilhama Isabalayeva - Trend: Azerbaijan can hope for a peaceful conclusion of the negotiations on the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict if the supporters of a peaceful settlement come to power in Armenia, Co-Chairman of the EU-Azerbaijan Parliamentary Cooperation Committee Javanshir Feyziyev said May 8 at the second session of the 15th meeting of the Committee. He noted that the children born in families of internally displaced persons have not yet seen their homeland. "Despite this, they have not lost hope of seeing their native lands. All efforts should be directed at the solution of this conflict peacefully, but to date no steps have been taken to solve it," Feyziyev said. 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, May 8 Trend: A charity event dedicated to the 95th anniversary of Azerbaijans National Leader Heydar Aliyev was held in Los Angeles on May 7, 2018, Azerbaijans Consulate General in Los Angeles told Trend. During the day, over 500 homeless residents of Los Angeles were provided hot meals. Initiated and sponsored by the Consulate General of Azerbaijan in Los Angeles, the event was held at the Los Angeles Mission (LAM), which is one of the largest service providers to the homeless and disadvantaged men, women and children in the US. Consul General Nasimi Aghayev and the Consulate staff joined the LAMs volunteers in handing out the meals. Before the event, Consul General Aghayev met Herb Smith, president of the Los Angeles Mission. At the meeting, the consul general spoke about the extraordinary life path of Heydar Aliyev and his outstanding role and tireless efforts in the preservation and strengthening of Azerbaijans independent and sovereign statehood. He noted that the timely return of Heydar Aliyev to power in 1993 shielded Azerbaijan from potential fragmentation. Highlighting the many difficult challenges the National Leader faced in preserving Azerbaijans independence and how masterfully he overcame them, the Consul General said that the memory of Heydar Aliyev will always live in the hearts and minds of the Azerbaijani people. Continuing the policies set forth by the National Leader, President Ilham Aliyev led Azerbaijan through a tremendous transformation towards becoming the largest economy in the region and one of the most rapidly developing and modernizing countries in the world, Aghayev noted. Herb Smith thanked the Consul General for helping the homeless through this important charity event for the third time since 2015. He also expressed his gratitude for the opportunity to learn more about Azerbaijan, its National Leader Heydar Aliyev and his tremendous role in preserving Azerbaijans freedom and independence. Expressing his appreciation for Azerbaijans long-standing traditions of multifaith harmony and tolerance, Herb Smith underlined the global importance of this unique model of peaceful co-existence of religions. Baku, Azerbaijan, May 8 By Ilhama Isabalayeva - Trend: Efforts of the OSCE Minsk Group to resolve the Armenia-Azerbaijan Nagorno-Karabakh conflict dont yield results, because there is no desire to achieve them, First Vice Speaker of the Azerbaijani Parliament Ziyafat Asgarov said. He was speaking May 8 in Baku at the second session of the 15th meeting of the EU-Azerbaijan Parliamentary Cooperation Committee. The OSCE MG has been imposed on us, it does nothing to resolve the conflict, he noted. The OSCE MG co-chairs only visit Azerbaijan and Armenia, but to no avail. He added that the settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict should be approached from the point of view of international law. If this were true, we wouldnt have faced such problems today, he said. Europe speaks of democracy, but in reality we dont see it. Ziyafat Asgarov once again reminded that Nagorno-Karabakh is a native land of Azerbaijan. Its easy to solve the problem, so whats the matter? he asked. Does this conflict have to last for 30 years? Internally displaced persons must return to their lands. Must it take 50 years for them to return to their lands?! He noted that today sanctions are applied against a number of countries. However, when it comes to the Armenia-Azerbaijan relations, no sanctions are imposed against Armenia, Asgarov said. He noted that the state policy of Armenia is a policy of terror. Will a sane person be able to come to power after Sargsyan in Armenia? They made the Armenian people hostage for the sake of aggressive policy, he said. Asgarov stressed that Azerbaijani lands must be liberated so that peace is established in the region. Armenia must abandon its aggressive policy, but it doesnt recognize international law, he said, adding that terrorists are being trained in Nagorno-Karabakh region. He noted that Azerbaijans occupied territories are used for the cultivation, transit of drugs and their sale in the markets of Europe. This is not only Azerbaijans problem, but a common problem, he said. 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, May 8 By Ilhama Isabalayeva - Trend: Providing financial support to the regime created in Azerbaijans occupied territories means protracting the Armenia-Azerbaijan Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, said Ambassador Kamil Khasiyev, head of department at Azerbaijans Foreign Ministry. He was speaking May 8 in Baku at the second session of the 15th meeting of the EU-Azerbaijan Parliamentary Cooperation Committee. Financial resources have been illegally invested so far in Azerbaijans occupied territories and continue to be invested, he said. Khasiyev noted that the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict is one of the main factors of instability in the region. Such conflicts lead to instability in the regions where they occur, he said. The UN resolutions supporting the territorial integrity of Azerbaijan were adopted on this conflict. They repeatedly say that Nagorno-Karabakh is an integral part of Azerbaijan. However, Armenia continues its aggressive policy, violating the international law. Azerbaijan expects the EU and its member states, in accordance with international obligations, to start applying political and economic measures that are used in such situations, Khasiyev said. He noted that foreigners are engaged in illegal economic activity in the occupied Azerbaijani territories. It is necessary to implement certain measures so that individuals and legal entities from the EU member states dont engage in economic activity in Azerbaijans occupied territories, he added. 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, May 8 By Ilhama Isabalayeva - Trend: The European Union does not import anything from the occupied territories of Azerbaijan, because the EU does not recognize independence of these territories, said Vasilis Maragos, the head of the Armenian, Azerbaijani, Belarusian and Eastern Partnership Division of the European Commission's Neighborhood and Enlargement Negotiations Department. He made the remarks at the second meeting of the 15th Session of EU-Azerbaijan Parliamentary Cooperation Committee in Baku on May 8. Maragos said the main problem is that the names of producer countries are illegally used. "In this regard, the EU Directorate-General sent relevant notifications to countries and informed them so that they pay more attention to these issues. I do not think that double standards are applied in this issue. The EU does not import anything from the territory of Nagorno-Karabakh, " he said. 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. Details added (first version posted on 14:07) Baku, Azerbaijan, May 8 By Elchin Mehdiyev - Trend: National leader Heydar Aliyev created an exemplary model of relations between the state and religion in Azerbaijan, Azerbaijani Presidents Assistant for Public and Political Affairs Ali Hasanov said. Hasanov made the remarks in Baku May 8 at a conference organized by the Caucasian Muslims Office, dedicated to the 95th birth anniversary of Azerbaijans great leader Heydar Aliyev. "He not only determined his fate, the fate of his family, the further fate of his native land, but also played a huge role in the current development of Azerbaijanis, in determination of their fate today," he said. Heydar Aliyev was such a leader who created important examples in the past, present and future fate of Azerbaijanis, Hasanov added. Azerbaijanis live and work on the basis of these examples. Our society provides the world with numerous examples, namely, examples of tolerance, examples of social and political stability, a brilliant example of the norms of civilized co-existence between religions. We are inspired by these examples and will be proud of them in the future, he said. And today, when solving crucial issues, the policy of Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev envisages the unification of religious figures together with representatives of the intelligentsia, state and public figures of the country. This is a continuation of the monolithic national and ethnic unity created by the national leader." After great leader Heydar Aliyev became the leader of the country for the second time, he made every effort to save Azerbaijan by assuming this mission, Hasanov said. "Of course, the state must be based on national unity, social and political stability and the will of citizens, so the national leader ensured national and civil unity. The achievement of civil unity was precisely ensured by him. This civil unity was based on respect for religion, language and culture of people, Hasanov said. In the previous period, some people who put the Azerbaijani society in a state of struggle between various peoples and ethnic groups contributed to the national and ethnic confrontation among the Azerbaijanis. Heydar Aliyev managed to stop this confrontation showing respect to religious and ethnic values, culture of each person, he added. The national leader created an exemplary model of relations between the state and religion. It is enough to see the current model of Islamic religion and religious tolerance in Azerbaijan. Our religious model has been created in such a way that believers do not interfere in secular norms of the state, the state does not interfere in religious rites of believers, he said. Everyone has his place, his limits. This golden mean was determined by the national leader." Respect is shown to representatives of all religions and cultures in Azerbaijan, Hasanov said, adding that Sunnis and Shiites have never confronted in the country, because no one has such a sense of separation. "This is an example created by the national leader and we can cite many similar examples created by Heydar Aliyev," he said. Chairman of the Caucasian Muslims Office Allahshukur Pashazade, Chairman of the State Committee for Work with Religious Organizations Mubariz Gurbanli, representatives of various religious confessions, Azerbaijani MPs, religious figures and other guests also took part in the event. One of Heydar Aliyevs first steps after his returning to power was the visit to Taza Pir Mosque, where Heydar Aliyev addressed the believers and said: 'We will be united in the way of Allah', Pashazade added. One of his first orders was to restore the Bibi Heybat Mosque. The greatest desire of the great leader was the restoration of territorial integrity, the return of Azerbaijani refugees and internally displaced people to their native lands, the restoration of cultural monuments destroyed in Karabakh, he said. "I am sure our people under the leadership of Supreme Commander-in-Chief Ilham Aliyev will be able to realize this desire," Pashazade added. Chairman of the Council of Elders of Azerbaijan, MP Fattah Heydarov also addressed the event. He said Heydar Aliyev devoted his entire life to the Azerbaijanis. "After the great leader began to lead Azerbaijan in 1969, the country achieved great success," Fattah Heydarov said. Heydar Aliyev was among the leaders of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR) thanks to the conducted work." He stressed that the great leader will remain in the history of the Azerbaijanis for centuries. "By his policy Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev proved that he is a worthy successor to the national leader," the MP said. Baku, Azerbaijan, May 8 Trend: Armenian armed forces occupied ancient Azerbaijans Shusha city on May 8, 1992, Spokesman for the Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry Hikmat Hajiyev told Trend May 8. As a result of the occupation, Shusha city and 30 villages in Shusha district were destroyed, 195 civilians were killed, 165 people were injured, 58 people went missing, more than 24,000 people were exposed to ethnic cleansing, he said. Shusha is an Azerbaijani city and Azerbaijani residents will definitely return to Shusha, he said. Azerbaijan will ensure its territorial integrity and sovereignty. The occupation of Shusha is an integral part of the policy of Armenian aggression and occupation against Azerbaijan, he said. As a result of this policy of occupation, Armenia occupied the Nagorno-Karabakh region and seven adjacent districts by using force. More than a million Azerbaijanis were exposed to ethnic cleansing in the occupied territories. During the war, Armenia committed heinous crimes against humanity. Hajiyev added that Shusha has historical, cultural and symbolic significance for the Azerbaijanis. According to the resolutions adopted by the UN Security Council, Nagorno-Karabakh region is an integral part of Azerbaijan, he said. The Armenian armed forces must be withdrawn from all occupied Azerbaijani territories. Other international organizations demonstrate the same position. Hajiyev stressed that the Nagorno-Karabakh region, which has been temporarily occupied, has always been and will be an integral part of Azerbaijan. 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, May 8 Trend: A meeting with Azerbaijanis, living in various European countries, was held at the Polish Labor and Social Policy Ministry in Warsaw with the organizational support of the Congress of Azerbaijanis of Europe and the Council of Azerbaijani Youth in Poland, the Azerbaijani State Committee for Work with the Diaspora said in a message on May 8. The Congress of Azerbaijanis of Europe informed the meeting about the activities of Azerbaijanis in Europe. It was noted that Azerbaijanis living in Europe, including in Poland, have launched new projects under the leadership of the Congress over the past year. The ministry's official representative Magdalena Sweklej informed about the number and activities of Azerbaijanis arriving in Poland. "Over the past year, Poland issued work visas to 1,000 citizens of Azerbaijan. If previously people engaged in physical labor came to Poland, now specialists in the field of information technology prevail. Azerbaijanis are actively working in the field of technology," she said. She noted that the number of Polish tourists visiting Azerbaijan also increased. According to her, the reason is the e-visa system applied in Azerbaijan. The meeting participants also were informed about the occupied lands of Azerbaijan, the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, the Armenian aggression that lasts 25 years, and more than one million refugees who were driven out from their native lands as a result of the conflict. Videos and printed materials about the Khojaly genocide were also presented at the meeting. Baku, Azerbaijan, May 8 Trend: A meeting of management of SOCARs Integrated Drilling Trust (IDT) and fourth and five-year students of Baku Higher Oil School (BHOS) took place at the Higher Schools campus. At the meeting, BHOS rector Elmar Gasimov and Head of the Integrated Drilling Trust Iskender Shirali signed a Cooperation Agreement. In his welcoming speech, the rector expressed his satisfaction with further strengthening partnership relations between BHOS and IDT. He also expressed his confidence that this cooperation will be fruitful and mutually beneficial. Elmar Gasimov highly praised the attention paid by the IDT management to the Higher School and the students and extended his gratitude to the Head of the company and other managers of IDT. In the words of the Head of the Integrated Drilling Trust Iskender Shirali, such meetings are important both for the company and higher educational institutions. He spoke about his multi-year professional activities in the field of drilling work and shared his experience. Iskender Shirali also provided detailed information about the organizations structure and objectives and about main projects implemented by the company including exploration and production drilling works at SOCAR's onshore and offshore fields. In all operations IDT applies modern equipment and advanced technologies in accordance with international standards and provides safe working conditions for its employees, told the speaker. Having emphasized that there is a big demand for geologists, drilling engineers and mechanical engineers, he informed that the company is ready to offer job opportunities for BHOS graduates. The Higher School graduates are highly qualified engineers and the IDT management will provide them with all necessary support for their career and professional growth, said Iskender Shirali. Then the Cooperation Agreement was signed. The agreement aims at development diversified cooperation between BHOS and IDT. It particularly envisages the access of IDT to diverse manuals and materials of the higher school in English language and organization of trainings for employees of the Trust by the trainers, organization of lectures and workshops by companys specialists for BHOS students, involvement of students in training programme and summer internship at IDT sites and employment of the graduates. In conclusion BHOS rector Elmar Gasimov presented the honorary guest diploma to the Head of the Integrated Drilling Trust Iskender Shirali. Head of IDT answered the questions raised by students on companys development plans, conditions and labor organization at the enterprise, HR policy of the Trust and recruitment procedures. Upon finishing of the meeting representatives of the company conducted interview and registration of fourth year students, who expressed their wish to take internship at IDT and fifth year students who take interest in recruitment perspectives of the Trust, complex drilling works. Baku, Azerbaijan, May 9 Trend: Azerbaijan marks the Day of Victory in the Great Patriotic War on May 9. Years of the World War II were the most difficult in the 20th century for all the mankind. During the war, Azerbaijanis showed courage and heroism on the front line as well as on the home front. A battalion of 87 jet fighters and 1,224 self-defense groups were created in the country in a very short period of time. More than 600,000 Azerbaijanis were sent to the front between 1941 and 1945. Divisions from Azerbaijan marched from the Caucasus to Berlin. About 130 Azerbaijanis earned the name of the Hero of the Soviet Union, 30 more were awarded the Order of Honor. As many as 170,000 Azerbaijani soldiers and officers were awarded various USSR orders and medals. Hazi Aslanov, twice named the Hero of the Soviet Union, other heroes of the Soviet Union as Israfil Mammadov, Aslan Vazirov, Adil Guliyev, Ziya Bunyatov, Geray Asadov, Malik Maharramov and Mehdi Huseynzadeh, generals Mahmud Abilov, Akim Abbasov, Tarlan Aliyarbeyov, Hajibala Zeynalov and many others brought honor to the history of the Azerbaijani people. Much was done inside the country to direct the economy towards the front line. Light and food industries started working for the front. In a short period of time Baku turned into a real arsenal of a fighting army. Despite all the difficulties, Azerbaijani oilmen worked hard to supply the front line and the industry with fuel. During the war years, a new aviation fuel producing technology was created under supervision of Academician Yusif Mammadaliyev. With the hard work of the Azerbaijani oil workers, the oil production in Azerbaijan reached its peak in 1941 when 23.5 million tons of oil was produced, making up 71.4 percent of all the oil produced in the USSR. In total, the Azerbaijani oil workers gave the country 75 million tons of oil and 22 million tons of fuel during the years of war. Baku's oil was one of the main factors in gaining victory in the Great Patriotic War. It should be noted that four of five planes, tanks and cars ran on fuel from Baku. WWII once again proved the heroism and courage of the Azerbaijani people. After Azerbaijan gained independence, the participants of the WWII were not deprived of state care and attention. Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev signs orders every year to provide them with financial assistance. On April 20, 2018, President Ilham Aliyev signed an order on one-off payment of financial assistance to veterans of the World War II of 1941-1945, widows of those killed in the World War II, as well as persons awarded orders and medals for selfless labor on the home front. In accordance with the order, participants of the World War II of 1941-1945 will be provided with a one-off financial assistance in the amount of 1,000 manats. This is while the widows of those killed in the World War II or fighters who died later, persons awarded orders and medals for selfless labor on the home front at that time, employees of special units who performed tasks in the interests of the army and navy on the home front or in the operational zones of the fighting fleets during the WWII, persons awarded the appropriate medals and badges for the Defense of Leningrad during the WWII, as well as the participants of the blockade of Leningrad will receive a financial assistance in the amount of 500 manats. Details added (first version published at 10:50) Baku, Azerbaijan, May 8 By Ilkin Shafiyev - Trend: The International Association of Ports and Harbors (IAPH) intends to create a global database of successful practices in the field of ports, Managing Director for policy and strategy of the Association Patrick Verhoeven said in Baku at the meeting of the joint committee. The Managing Director noted that in March 2018, the Association presented a World Ports Sustainability Program. The program is based on five principles: creating a sustainable infrastructure, environmental issues, security, establishing close contacts with the public, management and ethics issues. The goal of the program is to contribute to the UN Sustainable Development Goals. Verhoeven noted that the program will also contribute to the creation of a platform for joint projects between ports. "For us, it is a platform for future development. The Association will act as a kind of coordinator for the projects implemented under the program", said Verhoeven. Baku hosts World Ports Conference 2018 on May 8-11. The event is attended by port heads, government representatives, professors and experts from around the world, including Europe, Japan, Iran, Georgia, Indonesia, Nigeria and others. The participants of the event will discuss cargo transportation along the Silk Road, the development of transport hubs and the role of ports in this issue, as well as issues of multiculturalism, cultural differences in global logistics, the work of free trade zones, increasing competition among them and other topics. Follow the author on Twitter: @IlkinShafiyev Baku, Azerbaijan, May 8 By Azad Hasanli - Trend: The World Bank (WB) expects significant growth of the Azerbaijani economy in the next three years, according to the banks Europe and Central Asia (ECA) Economic Update report. Azerbaijans GDP will grow by 1.8 percent in 2018, 3.8 percent in 2019 and 3.2 percent in 2020, the report said. The growth is expected to accelerate in the medium term, driven by an expansion of natural gas production, as the main pipeline (Trans-Anatolian Natural Gas Pipeline, TANAP) that will deliver gas to Europe from the Shah-Deniz II field will be operational by end-2018, reads the report. The WB analysts expect that the oil production volume in Azerbaijan will not be greatly reduced amid the extension of the OPEC + deal until the end of 2018. In addition, the WB expects an increase in oil prices this year and stabilization at a sustainable level in the medium term. The bank also expects an increase in Azerbaijan's non-oil GDP in 2018, which is supported by an increase in public investment by 83 percent. Azerbaijan joined the WB group in 1992. -- Follow the author on Twitter: @AzadHasanli Baku, Azerbaijan, May 8 By Fikret Dolukhanov Trend: Specialists of the French Development Agency (FDA) visited Samarkand city of Uzbekistan to work with the administration of the Samarkand region, the administration of the city of Samarkand and the Marokand Obod State Unitary Enterprise, the press service of the French Embassy in Uzbekistan stated on May 8. According to the statement, the work will be carried out within the framework of the Modernization of Solid Waste Management in the City of Samarkand project. Chief engineer of the Marokand Obod Jamshid Sadikov presented to project manager from the Department of Urban Development of the FDA Alexandra Monteiro the concept of routes for the movement of special equipment for collection of household garbage, aimed at optimizing the process, as well as the integration of this equipment, which will be purchased in 2018. The special equipment should enable the Marokand Obod to collect all the domestic garbage and provide qualitative service throughout the city, which is experiencing rapid development, requiring innovative, adapted and integrated solutions. Director of the Regional Representation of the FDA in Tashkent Rafael Josan and Director of the Marokand Obod Abduvali Usmonov met with Deputy Head of the Administration of the Samarkand region on investment Otabek Boboyev. The parties discussed preparation and holding of a round table within the framework of the Strengthening cooperation in the field of environment and sustainable development in Central Asia International Environmental Forum in Tashkent on June 5-7, 2018, during which the project will be presented to the international community. This project provides for comprehensive management of garbage from collection to processing and valorization, with innovative solutions adapted to Samarkand, to improve the living conditions of city residents, as well as protecting the environment and natural resources of the entire region, especially water resources. The project will be implemented in line with the July 19, 2017 decree of the president of Uzbekistan. The project will allow Samarkand to become a leading region in waste management and processing. --- Follow the author on Twitter: @FDolukhanov Baku, Azerbaijan, May 8 By Maksim Tsurkov - Trend: It is necessary to apply the principles of common tariff and single window to ensure the transportation of various types of cargo via the Trans-Caspian International Transport Corridor (TITR), Chairman of Azerbaijan Railways CJSC Javid Gurbanov told reporters May 8. "Our main tasks are the improvement of tariffs, defining a schedule of transportation, increasing the speed, etc. Azerbaijan on its part has ensured the reduction of tariffs for transportation of coal, grain and containers in its territory. Turkey and Ukraine also promised to lower prices," Gurbanov said. A general meeting of members of the Trans-Caspian International Transport Corridor (TITR) International Association, an association of legal entities, was held in Baku today. At the meeting, the parties signed a protocol, according to which tariffs for transportation of coal and grain are approved, as well as two new members - the Anaklia Development Consortium LLC (Georgia) and Kazmortransflot LLP (Kazakhstan) - are accepted to the TITR International Association. The Trans-Caspian International Transport Corridor runs through China, Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan, Georgia and further through Turkey and Ukraine to Europe. Baku, Azerbaijan, May 8 By Ali Mustafayev - Trend: The next meeting of the participants of the Trans-Caspian International Transport Corridor (TITR) International Association will be held in June in Almaty, said Chairman of Kazakhstan Railways (KTZ) Kanat Alpysbayev May 8 during a general meeting of the TITR International Association. "At the next meeting of the TITR International Association, I think we will be able to get acquainted with the results of work on the development of TITR for the first half of 2018. We see great potential in the development of TITR and increase in cargo turnover between the member countries of the Association, and believe that this will bring significant benefits to a big number of countries and organizations. We, in turn, are supported by the heads of our states, and we must do everything necessary to perform all tasks," said Alpysbayev. On May 8, Baku hosted a meeting of the TITR International Association, during which the members of the Association signed a final protocol approving tariffs for the transportation of coal and grain, oil seeds and legumes. Also two new members were admitted to the TITR International Association - Anaklia Development Consortium LLC (Georgia) and KazMorTransFlot LLP (Kazakhstan). The document was signed by Javid Gurbanov, Head of Azerbaijan Railways CJSC, David Peradze, Director General of Georgian Railways JSC, Kanat Alpysbayev, Chairman of Kazakhstan Railways CJSC, Rauf Veliyev, Head of Azerbaijan Caspian Shipping Company, Martin Voetmann, manager for commercial and administrative issues at Aktau Sea Trade Port, Taleh Ziyadov, Head of Baku International Sea Trade Port, Ilyas Mukatov, Deputy Director General of Batumi Sea Port, Veysi Kurt, General Director of Turkish Railways, and Yevgeniy Kravtsov, Head of Ukrainian Railways PJSC. --- Follow the author on Twitter: @Ali_Mustafayev Baku, Azerbaijan, May 8 By Ali Mustafayev Trend: Trans-Caspian International Transport Route (TITR) has great potential for transporting goods to Georgia, Azerbaijan, Turkey and other countries, Chairman of the Kazakhstan Railways Kanat Alpysbaev said. He made the remarks at a general meeting of members of the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route (TITR) International Association in Baku on May 8. "We still receive applications from Kazakh shippers, which means that the cargo transportation via the TITR will increase in the near future. Today, we assess the cargo turnover potential of this route at about one million tons a year," he said. He stressed that within the operative decision making, the heads of the Association decided to delegate some powers to the working group for prompt review of tariff conditions and their approval. This, according to him, will give impetus to the adoption of decisions and allow members of the Association to quickly react to market needs. "We are also interested in issues related to speed of cargo handling; in the near future we will initiate a quadripartite meeting with participation of members of the railway and customs administrations of Kazakhstan and Azerbaijan. The meeting will consider the issue of providing faster processing of cargo," Alpysbaev said. --- Follow the author on Twitter: @Ali_Mustafayev Baku, Azerbaijan, May 8 By Maksim Tsurkov - Trend: Azerbaijan plays an important role in energy security and implements projects changing the global energy map, Azerbaijans Energy Minister Parviz Shahbazov said in an exclusive interview with Trend. This is the first interview of Parviz Shahbazov to the Azerbaijani media after his appointment as energy minister. About OPEC+ agreement on reducing oil production The minister reminded that following the results of the second meeting between OPEC and the countries that are not members of the Organization of Oil Exporters, the period of the agreement on reducing oil production was to expire by the end of 1Q2018. However, at the third meeting, held in December, it was decided to extend the deal until the end of the year. "At present, the countries participating in the agreement are fulfilling their obligations, holding meetings, discussing the development of the mechanism of cooperation in the OPEC + format and its long-term perspective. All these are undoubtedly the result of justified expectations from cooperation in the framework of OPEC. Such cooperation demonstrates not only the protection of OPEC's reputation and interests, but also its importance both for oil exporters and consumers," Shahbazov said. He added that this cooperation is a historic event from the point of view of the unity of OPEC and the countries not being members of the organization, and a progressive process from the point of view of the approach to crisis situations. "The functionality of the decision taken to stabilize the world market oil prices is provided by the countries that have joined the "Declaration of partnership". Each member country remains committed to its obligations. Therefore, the cooperation under the auspices of OPEC, which continues from the end of 2016 to the present day, is commendable. This cooperation can also serve as a platform for oil countries to discuss the use of new technologies, new challenges in the energy sector and the risks that may arise under the influence of geopolitical factors, as well as the extent to which oil will maintain its position as a type of fuel in the world energy balance in the future," said Shakhbazov. He went on to say that sharp price fluctuations that were observed in the world oil market before the Vienna agreement, have now been replaced by stability, which is accompanied by growth. "The balance of supply and demand is gradually recovering. Commercial oil reserves, which play a crucial role in pricing, have declined significantly. Of course, we should not ignore economic growth and global economic indicators amid a positive trend in the oil market. According to forecasts by reputable international organizations, the world economy is expected to grow in 2018. This, in turn, is the main factor influencing the growth of demand for oil, which ultimately affects the price. Of course, if we talk about oil prices in the world, we should take into account all the factors," the minister said. About cooperation between OPEC, Azerbaijan The minister reminded that OPEC Secretary General Mohammed Barkindo visited Azerbaijan upon President Ilham Aliyevs invitation on March 17-19, 2018. "The industrial oil production for the first time began in Baku in the middle of the 19th century. Azerbaijan is in the focus of attention both because the advanced innovations in the fields of hydrocarbon exploration, production and processing for the first time were applied here, and because the country plays an important role in energy security and implements projects that change the world energy map, the minister said. Shahbazov stressed that OPEC's interest in Azerbaijan is linked with the successful implementation of transnational projects, as well as the country's joining the Cartel's initiatives as part of the process to stabilize oil prices in recent years and close participation in this. OPEC highly appreciates the role of Azerbaijan in this process. This was once again noted at the recent Jeddah meeting of the Joint Monitoring Committee established to monitor the implementation of the deal on oil output cut, Shahbazov said. "Regarding Azerbaijan's accession to OPEC, I believe that at this stage it is more expedient for us to continue cooperation in the format of OPEC +," Shahbazov said. Agreement with Iran on joint development of blocks in Caspian Sea Shahbazov noted that intensive meetings of the Azerbaijani and Iranian presidents and the positive dynamics of relations for the recent years undoubtedly have an impact on bilateral relations and cooperation. We can see the results of meetings with Iran both in bilateral and trilateral formats, in the energy sector, Shahbazov said. In particular, progress is observed in the sale and purchase of electricity, as well as in the unification of the energy systems of Azerbaijan, Iran and Russia. The minister called the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding on the joint development of the relevant blocks in the Caspian Sea as important. Following the implementation of this document, our cooperation in the Caspian Sea will increase to a higher level and will also give impetus to regional cooperation, Shahbazov said. Oil and gas production forecasts in Azerbaijan Azerbaijan plans to produce about 38 million tons of oil in 2018, the minister said. He noted that 28 million tons of oil are planned to be extracted from Azeri-Chirag-Gunashli (ACG) block of fields, and 7.6 million tons of oil will account for the share of fields developed by Azerbaijan state company of SOCAR. "In addition, it is expected that 2.4 million tons of condensate will be extracted from the Shah Deniz gas condensate field. It is planned that about 32 million tons of oil will be exported from Azerbaijan in 2018," Shahbazov said. As for gas, it is projected that in 2018 the country will produce about 30 billion cubic meters. "It is expected that 6.4 billion cubic meters will account for the share of SOCAR fields, 12.5 billion cubic meters of associated gas will be extracted from ACG and 11.1 billion cubic meters - from Shah Deniz. Gas exports are projected at just over 9.7 billion cubic meters," Shahbazov said. About opening of Saudi Aramco office in Azerbaijan Saudi Aramco, the national oil company of Saudi Arabia, is interested in participation in projects in Azerbaijan and joint participation in projects in other countries in exploration, production and processing of hydrocarbons, Shahbazov noted. The minister said the decision to open a regional office of Saudi Aramco in Baku was announced during meetings with minister of energy, industry and natural resources of Saudi Arabia Khalid Abdulaziz Al-Falih and Director General of Saudi Aramco Amin H. Nasser as part of Shahbazovs visit to Saudi Arabia. Cooperation with Saudi Aramco, which has big experience in exploration, production, processing and transportation of hydrocarbons, will open up the way for innovations in the production and processing sector in Azerbaijan, Shahbazov said. About possibility of Turkmen gas transportation along SGC The volume of gas transported along the Southern Gas Corridor (SGC) may be increased at the expense of gas from Turkmenistan, the minister said. He noted that the SGC is a project that has great opportunities to satisfy the interests not only of the participants, but of any country that will join it or will want to join in the future. The SGC initiated by Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev with the involvement of new exporters, transit countries and consumers, has the prospect of expansion in Eastern and Central Europe, including the Balkans, he added. This year we are completing the projects of the Shah Deniz Stage 2, the South Caucasus Pipeline Expansion and the Trans-Anatolian Natural Gas Pipeline (TANAP), and this shows that Azerbaijan has fulfilled its obligations. The minister noted that the participation and statements of representatives of Turkmenistan and Romania at the fourth Ministerial Meeting of the SGC Advisory Council also confirm that interest in the project is gradually increasing. Another important event expected this year is related to the Gas Interconnector Greece -Bulgaria (IGB) pipeline, the groundbreaking ceremony of which is scheduled for June, Shahbazov said. About development of generating capacities in Azerbaijan Three major power plants will be commissioned in Azerbaijan in 2018, Shahbazov said. The minister stressed that to increase the country's generating capacity, it is planned to commission the Shimal-2 TPP with the capacity of 400 megawatts, the modular power plant Lerik with a capacity of 16.5 megawatts and the Ordubad HPP with the capacity of 36 MW in the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic, and Azerbaijan's power generation capacity will grow by an additional 452.5 megawatts. Shahbazov further reminded that Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev set the task to complete the construction of the Shimal-2 TPP by the end of the year. "Recently, we held discussions with Azerenerji OJSC and analyzed the current situation. We believe that the Shimal-2 TPP will be ready by the scheduled time," the minister said. Shahbazov reminded that in accordance with President Ilham Aliyev's instructions given at the meeting of the Cabinet of Ministers devoted to the results of social and economic development in the first quarter of 2018 and the forthcoming tasks, the Ministry is currently working to forecast the domestic demand in 5-10 years taking into account the country's development, population growth and process of industrialization; determine the export potential based on the analysis of foreign energy markets and construct wind, solar and hydroelectric power stations based on the analysis of alternative and renewable energy sources. Projects for creation of regional energy corridors Implementation of the Iran-Azerbaijan-Georgia energy corridor project is one of Azerbaijans priorities, Shahbazov noted. The minister said that the formation of electricity export markets and the creation of the North-South Energy Corridor are among the most important tasks facing Azerbaijans electric power sector. These issues were reflected in the instructions of President Ilham Aliyev at the meeting of the Cabinet of Ministers devoted to the results of social and economic development in the first quarter of 2018 and the forthcoming tasks on expanding the electricity export market, Shahbazov said. The minister noted that Azerbaijans geostrategic position at the junction of the East and the West, Europe and Asia and the measures taken regarding the International North-South Transport Corridor showed the importance of assessing Azerbaijans capabilities in terms of energy corridors. As an example of the work done in the direction of electricity exports, it is necessary to mention the relations of Azerbaijan with Iran and Russia, the minister said. The meetings of the presidents of Azerbaijan, Iran and Russia in Baku and then in Tehran gave an additional impetus to the development of relations in this direction. The corresponding structures of all three countries are taking steps to expand opportunities between the energy systems of Azerbaijan and Russia, Azerbaijan and Iran. In April, Azerbaijans Azerenergy OJSC and Irans Tavanir company signed an agreement on the export of electricity to Iran, and then a tripartite meeting at the level of deputy energy ministers was held, where measures to unite the energy systems of the three countries were identified. Azerbaijan already exports electricity to Turkey through Georgia, the minister said. The electricity is exported through the Azerbaijan-Georgia-Turkey energy bridge. Thus, Azerbaijan got the opportunity to enter the European market. Work in this direction continues. Prospects for development of alternative energy in Azerbaijan Prospects of using alternative and renewable energy sources in Azerbaijan are great, Shahbazov said. The minister noted that Azerbaijan has great potential to generate solar and wind energy, as well as biomass energy. "Within the framework of the Strategic Roadmap for Development of Public Services (electricity, heat, water and gas) in Azerbaijan, territories and investments were assessed to create 420 megawatts of generating capacity through alternative and renewable energy sources, including 350 megawatts of wind energy, 50 megawatts of solar energy and 20 megawatts of biomass energy," Shahbazov said. The minister noted that one of the main goals of his ministry is an in-depth analysis of the current situation in order to ensure development in the field of alternative and renewable energy sources. "I believe that in order to develop this sector, it is necessary to improve the legislation, clarify the conditions and rules of joining the grid for energy producers, and provide financial support from the government. If this work is carried out, a favorable investment climate in the field of alternative and renewable energy sources will be created for investors, which, in turn, will allow the state to receive additional income from taxes and increase the export of saved gas resources," Shahbazov said. --- Follow the author on Twitter: @MTsurkovTrend OPEC-led efforts to stabilise the oil market will be maintained, OPECs secretary general said on Tuesday when asked about the consequences if the United States exits a nuclear agreement with OPEC member Iran, Reuters reports. U.S. President Donald Trump will announce on Tuesday whether he will pull out of the Iran nuclear deal. An exit has raised concern that Iranian oil exports could be cut, putting upward pressure on prices. We have confidence in our leaders, within and outside OPEC, who have strongly supported our joint efforts with our non-OPEC partners to assist the oil market to restore stability after the worst oil cycle in history, to continue to provide leadership in these uncertain times, OPECs Mohammad Barkindo said in comments to Reuters. The rebalancing of the oil market is a long process that is now in its 4th year. It is still a work in progress and requires sustainability. Baku, Azerbaijan, May 8 By Rufiz Hafizoglu Trend: A municipality in the Turkish province of Bursa announced an open tender for the purchase of four servers, as well as services for computers at the municipality. Local and foreign companies can take part in the tender. The tender will be held at 16:00 (GMT +3), on May 28, 2018. Bids are accepted at: Bursa Buyuksehir Belediyesi Yeni Hizmet Binas Zafer Mahallesi Ankarayolu Cad. No:1 TR- 16240 Osmangazi/Bursa Email: [email protected] Phone: (+90 224) 444 16 00 Fax: (+90 224) 716 12 06 The tender participation fee is 500 Turkish liras. (1 USD = 4.2635 TRY on May 8) --- Follow the author on Twitter: @rhafizoglu The 45th meeting of the Council of Foreign Ministers of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) in Dhaka (Bangladesh) adopted a Declaration and several resolutions, the Kazinform news agency reported citing the press service of the Kazakh Foreign Ministry. "We express our profound satisfaction that after over four decades of its establishment, the OIC as the overarching multilateral body of the Muslim world, has continued to raise its profile and visibility at the international level and has become a strategic dialogue partner in the maintenance of international peace and security as well as countering emerging challenges and threats across the OIC space," the Declaration read. The OIC ministerial was held under the theme "Islamic Values for Sustainable Peace and Development". The final Declaration covered a wide range of urgent issues of the Muslim world. The Declaration calls on member states "to actively implement the outcome of the OIC Summit on Science and Technology held last year in Astana, Kazakhstan." A separate resolution highlights the role of the OIC STI Agenda-2026 adopted during the Summit, which outlines the priorities and recommended actions to promote science, technology and innovation. The document recognizes the significance of the EXPO 2017 exhibition in Astana themed "Future Energy", which "would provide impetus to the development of Science and Technology in the OIC Member States". The resolution on Agriculture, Trade, Tourism and Transportation expresses appreciation to the Government of Kazakhstan for facilitating the early take-off of the Secretariat of the Islamic Organization for Food Security (IOFS). The IOFS is to undertake appropriate measures for the timely and effective implementation of its five-year Plan of Action. Support was expressed for the development of a comprehensive strategic program (roadmap) on practical implementation and resource mobilization for the "Islamic Infrastructure Integration Initiative", proposed by Kazakhstan. The Foreign Ministers Council welcomed "the initiative of the President of Kazakhstan Nursultan Nazarbayev to create a new communication platform G-Global as the most influential force in setting international economic policy through expanding the number of countries participating in the search for global anti-crisis solutions." The resolution "calls upon the OIC General Secretariat and IDB in coordination with other OIC relevant institutions to consider the issue of participating in G-Global." A separate document welcomes the joint declaration of the presidents Kazakhstan Nursultan Nazarbayev and Turkey Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Islamic Rapprochement. The Council of Ministers "reiterates the OIC's support to the Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions, convened triennially on the initiative by the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan, H.E. Mr. Nursultan Nazarbayev, and encourages religious leaders of the OIC Member States and the international community to actively participate in the VI Congress to be held in Astana on 10-11 October 2018 under the slogan of "Religious Leaders for a Secure World", reads a resolution. The Resolution on the Situation in Syria welcomes "the cooperation and efforts of Turkey, Russia and Iran in consolidating the ceasefire, establishing the de-escalation areas and adopting confidence-building measures through the Astana process in order to ensure calm for political negotiations." The Resolution on the Regional Arms Control and Disarmament welcomes the entry into force, on 21 March 2009, of the Treaty on a Nuclear-Weapon-Free Zone in Central Asia, "which became the first such zone made up entirely of OIC Member States." The document supports Kazakhstan's initiative to elaborate further the issue of the international legal status of the nuclear-weapon-free zones, including security assurances and appropriate preferential status of States Parties to such zones. Hope is expressed that the Protocol to the Negative Security Assets Treaty, signed by five members of the UN Security Council on May 6, 2014, will enter into force in the very near future. Upon Kazakhstan's initiative, a Resolution was adopted on the Former Semipalatinsk Nuclear Test Site and the International Day against Nuclear Tests and the Rehabilitation of the Aral Sea Region. The Resolution on Total Elimination of Nuclear Weapons "supports the initiative of the Republic of Kazakhstan on the adoption of the Universal Declaration of a Nuclear-Weapons-Free World in prospect as an important step towards the adoption of the Nuclear Weapons Convention. A Kazakhstan's delegation headed by Foreign Minister Kairat Abdrakhmanov took part in the OIC ministerial. The Dhaka meeting elected a prominent Kazakh diplomat Askar Musinov as OIC Assistant Secretary General for Science and Technology. Ashgabat, Turkmenistan, May 8 By Huseyn Hasanov Trend: The Turkmen Foreign Ministry hosted a meeting with Esther Kuisch Laroche, director of UNESCO Cluster Office in Tehran, the Turkmen Foreign Ministry said in a message. The delegates noted that Turkmenistan continues active work on the preparation of a number of initiatives and proposals to include not only new historical and cultural values, but also unique natural objects of the country to the UNESCO World Heritage List, according to the message. An exchange of views took place on the prospects of partnership, including in the field of preserving the historical and architectural monuments of the Turkmen people. Unique historic-cultural monuments of Turkmenistan such as Ancient Merv, Kunya Urgench and Ancient Nisa were included to the UNESCO World Heritage List earlier. Kusht Depdi, a Turkmen national art of singing and dancing, was included to the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in December 2017. Work is in progress to include the Akhal-Teke horse breeding to the list as well, and Koytendag ecosystem and Badkhyz State Nature Reserve to the UNESCO Natural Heritage List. Baku, Azerbaijan, May 8 By Huseyn Hasanov Trend: Turkmen President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov has sent a congratulatory letter to Vladimir Putin on his assumption of presidency of the Russian Federation, the Turkmen government said in a message. Noting the high level of relations between the two states, the Turkmen president stressed that successful mutually beneficial partnership of the two countries has reached a new level over the past years. Our states successfully cooperate on a wide range of spheres, Berdimuhamedov said in his letter. I am confident that Turkmen-Russian relations will continue to dynamically develop and deepen in the spirit of mutually beneficial cooperation for the good of our countries and peoples. Russia holds a leading position in the ranking of the largest foreign trade partners of Turkmenistan. In recent years, cooperation has intensified at the regional level, including with Tatarstan, St. Petersburg, Astrakhan and Sverdlovsk regions. More than 190 enterprises that implement more than 240 investment projects are registered on the Turkmen market with the participation of Russian capital. Among the traditional partners there are KAMAZ, Areti companies, and Siberia Airlines. Baku, Azerbaijan, May 8 By Fikret Dolukhanov Trend: A regular meeting of working groups of official delegations of Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan on delimitation and demarcation of the Uzbek-Kyrgyz interstate border was held in the city of Jalal-Abad in Uzbekistan on May 2-8, 2018, the press service of the Foreign Ministry of Uzbekistan said on May 8. Reportedly, the work on description of the remaining sections of the Uzbek-Kyrgyz interstate border was continued during the meeting. The parties also considered opening new border checkpoints to create favorable conditions for residents of the bordering areas of the two countries. --- Follow the author on Twitter: @FDolukhanov Tehran, Iran, May 8 By Kamyar Eghbalnejad - Trend: Iranians have so far bought over $2.5 billion in digital currencies, said Mohammad Reza Pour Ebrahimi, head of Iranian Parliaments Economic Affairs Committee, Tasnim news agency reported. Withdrawing this huge sum of money overseas is due to the fact that the country still has no specific plan to create a national digital currency, he added. The Iranian lawmaker further urged the Central Bank of Iran to issue the necessary licenses and pave the way for trading in cryptocurrencies across the country. Bitcoin is gaining more credibility, as the Chicago Mercantile Exchange has started offering its futures and allowing investors to wager whether they think it will rise or fall in value in the months ahead after seeing it surge around 2,000 percent this year. After the launch at the exchange, Bitcoin initially rose to yet another record of close to $20,000 before slightly regressing toward $18,800, with the coming months promising to prove just as exciting for the cryptocurrency that is increasingly becoming a household name. Tehran, Iran, May 8 By Umid Niayesh, Kamyar Eghbalnejad - Trend: Iran is negotiating with leading international oil companies, which are active in deep-water drilling regarding the joint projects with Azerbaijan's state oil company (SOCAR) in the Caspian Sea, an official with the Iranian oil ministry told Trend. The final talks will be held by a joint Iranian-Azerbaijani committee, which will be formed soon, Hossein Esmaeili Shahmirzadi, general director for Europe, America and Caspian Sea countries at Iran's Oil Ministry, said. Referring to the issue of the decision made by Tehran and Baku to establish a joint oil company, the Iranian official said that political will of the two sides is in favour of joint work for development of the agreed blocks in the Caspian Sea. He added that Tehran and Baku are working on the issue of forming the joint oil company. Esmaeili further said that Iran has no specific limitation regarding the deep-water drilling, which is needed for the exploration of hydrocarbon reserves in the Caspian Sea. He added that Irans Amir Kabir drilling rig, which is a unique platform, is located in the Caspian Sea and the Azerbaijani side also has some equipment in the area. Amir Kabir semi-submersible drilling rig (Irans largest offshore structure with a weight of 14,700 tons) is capable of drilling in waters with a depth of 1000 meters and also drilling from the sea bottom up to a depth of 6600 meters. Last Month Tehran held talks with Norways Offshore Resource Group AS (ORG) on Sardar-e Jangal oil field and three more blocks in the Caspian Sea. In the negotiations the Norwegian company presented its proposals on development of the blocks 24, 26 and 29, as well as reconstruction of Amir Kabir rig. Esmaeili also told Trend that after the recent visit of Iranian President Hassan Rouhani to Baku, a new chapter was opened for mutual oil and gas cooperation. The two parties are working on a cooperation package, the official said, adding that the package include cooperation in various areas including oil, gas and refining. The practical results will soon be seen in development of oil and gas cooperation between Tehran and Baku. Last March during a visit of President Rouhani to Azerbaijan, the two countries signed "The Memorandum of Understanding on "Joint Development of Relevant Blocks in the Caspian Sea". Follow the author on Twitter: @UmidNiayesh Tehran, Iran, May 8 By Kamyar Eghbalnejad - Trend: Iran plans to hold tender for exploration of 14 oil blocks in July 2018, Seyed Saleh Hendi, the exploration director of the National Iranian Oil Company (NIOC), said. He expressed hope that the projects contracts be signed by the end of this fiscal year (started March 20), SHANA news agency reported May 7. "It is forecasted that among on 6 of 14 of exploration blocks, contracts with foreign investors will be signed, Hendi said. He put the areas of the blocks at 80,000 square kilometers, adding that Austria's OMV, Russia's Lukoil, China's CNPC and etc are eager to work in the blocks. Hendi also expressed hope that among the 14 presented blocks, with half of them located at Zagros and Persian Gulf area, at least 4 blocks will become commercial and economic. Today the NIOC unveiled 14 exploration blocks across Iran, up for domestic and foreign investment during a ceremony in Tehran, on the second day of the Iran Oil and Gas Show. The blocks are located in six sedimentary areas in Iran. Moreover, three offshore blocks are located in the Persian Gulf and three onshore in northeastern Iran. Tehran, Iran, May 8 By Kamyar Eghbalnejad - Trend: Irans President Hassan Rouhani said that Iran is working with Azerbaijan on an oil reserve in the Caspian Sea, the first cooperation with a neighboring country. Rouhani made the remarks May 8 at the 23rd Iran International Oil, Gas, Refining & Petrochemical Exhibition (Iran Oil Show 2018), in Tehran, Trend correspondent reported. Rouhani said that Iran and Azerbaijan are planning to cooperate and invest in an offshore reserve, which is a sample of Irans policy for constructive cooperation with the world. He added that Iran may do similar cooperation with other neighbouring countries including Turkmenistan. In many cases, we have common resources with our neighbours, and it is very important to accelerate investments in these fields, the Iranian president said. The announcement over the formation of a joint oil company between Iran and Azerbaijan was made by Amir Hossein Zamaninia, Irans deputy petroleum minister for international affairs and trading last month. Zamaninia was quoted by Trend as saying that the company will be formed within the deal recently signed between the two parties. Last March during a visit of President Rouhani to Azerbaijan, the two countries signed "The Memorandum of Understanding on "Joint Development of Relevant Blocks in the Caspian Sea". Elsewhere in his remarks Rouhani said that his administration is obliged to provide the required business space for the oil industry in Iran. In Iran, oil has never been a mere economic issue and has been a political one, he added. Other industries are also valuable, but oil is special and has a significant impact on people's lives, Rouhani said. Iran is ready for any scenario if U.S. President Donald Trump exits the nuclear deal Tehran signed with world powers in 2015, Vice-President Eshaq Jahangiri said on Tuesday, Reuters reports. We are ready for any possible scenario... If the United States violates the deal, it would be naive to negotiate with this country again, Jahangiri was quoted as saying by news agency Tasnim. US President Donald Trump told President Emmanuel Macron of France on Tuesday morning that he plans to announce the withdrawal of the United States from the Iran nuclear deal, the New York Times reports citing a person briefed on the conversation. The United States is preparing to reinstate all sanctions it had waived as part of the nuclear accord and impose additional economic penalties as well, the person said. A second person familiar with negotiations to keep the 2015 accord in place said the talks collapsed over Trumps insistence that sharp limits be kept on Irans nuclear fuel production after 2030. The deal currently lifts those limits. Trump is planning to formally announce his decision at 2 p.m. on Tuesday at the White House. The decision fulfills one of Trumps oft-repeated campaign promises, and came despite intense personal lobbying by European leaders and frantic attempts to craft fixes to the deal that would satisfy him. President Donald Trump has announced his decision to withdraw the United States from Irans nuclear deal with the world powers and re-impose sanctions against the Islamic Republic, Press TV reported. "I am announcing today that the United States will withdraw from the Iran nuclear deal," Trump said Tuesday in a televised address from the White House. "In a few moments, I will sign a presidential memorandum to begin reinstating US nuclear sanctions on the Iranian regime. We will be instituting the highest level of economic sanctions." The announcement came despite massive efforts by the European allies of the US to convince Trump to stay in the 2015 deal, known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), reached between Iran and the P5+1, five permanent members of the UN Security Council the US, France, Britain, Russia and China plus Germany. Iranian President Hassan Rouhani has stressed that Tehran has always complied to its commitments to the JCPOA, while the US has never complied with its commitments, Press TV reported. Rouhani made the remarks on Tuesday shortly after US President Donald Trump announced his decision to withdraw from the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA.) The European Union, France, the United Kingdom, and Germany have expressed support for the deal in the wake of new anti-Iran claims by Israel. Iran has on numerous occasions asserted that its nuclear program is merely peaceful and not meant to make nukes. President Hassan Rouhani said on Tuesday that Iran would remain committed to a multinational nuclear deal despite U.S. President Donald Trumps decision to withdraw from the 2015 agreement designed to deny Tehran the ability to build nuclear weapons, Reuters reported. If we achieve the deals goals in cooperation with other members of the deal, it will remain in place... By exiting the deal, America has officially undermined its commitment to an international treaty, Rouhani said in a televised speech. I have ordered the foreign ministry to negotiate with the European countries, China and Russia in coming weeks. If at the end of this short period we conclude that we can fully benefit from the JCPOA with the cooperation of all countries, the deal would remain, he added. The Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) is the full name for the nuclear deal, struck in 2015 between Iran, the five permanent members of the U.N. Security Council - the United States, Russia, China, Britain and France - and Germany. Rouhani added that Iran was ready to resume its nuclear activities after consultations with the other world powers which are part of the agreement. Baku, Azerbaijan, May 8 Trend: Armenian opposition leader Nikol Pashinyan has been elected by the parliament as Armenia's prime minister, RIA Novosti reported. Pashinyan was elected with 59 MPs voting for and 42 against during a special session of the National Assembly on May 8. The leader of the Armenian opposition faction Yelq (Exit), leader of protests, Nikol Pashinyan, was the only candidate nominated by the Yelq, Tsarukyan Bloc and Dashnaktsutyun factions for the second round of the voting. On May 1, the parliament of Armenia failed to elect the leader of the protest movement Nikol Pashinyan as the head of the government. Forty-five MPs voted for him, while 53 votes were required. Actions against the election of former President Serzh Sargsyan as Armenia's prime minister began on April 13. The opposition accuses Sargsyan, who was twice elected president, of poor governance and deterioration of economic situation in the country. On April 17, the opposition announced the beginning of a "velvet revolution". Despite the protests, the Armenian parliament elected Sargsyan head of the Cabinet on the same day. Less than a week later, on April 23, Sargsyan resigned amid continuing protests. Baku, Azerbaijan, May 8 Trend: Armenian president Armen Sarkissian has signed a decree appointing Nikol Pashinyan as the prime minister, RIA Novosti reported citing the presidential press service. Pashinyan was elected Armenia's prime minister with 59 MPs voting for and 42 against during a special session of the National Assembly on May 8. The leader of the Armenian opposition faction Yelq (Exit), leader of protests, Nikol Pashinyan, was the only candidate nominated by the Yelq, Tsarukyan Bloc and Dashnaktsutyun factions for the second round of the voting. On May 1, the parliament of Armenia failed to elect the leader of the protest movement Nikol Pashinyan as the head of the government. Forty-five MPs voted for him, while 53 votes were required. Actions against the election of former President Serzh Sargsyan as Armenia's prime minister began on April 13. The opposition accuses Sargsyan, who was twice elected president, of poor governance and deterioration of economic situation in the country. On April 17, the opposition announced the beginning of a "velvet revolution". Despite the protests, the Armenian parliament elected Sargsyan head of the Cabinet on the same day. Less than a week later, on April 23, Sargsyan resigned amid continuing protests. Troops from the Syrian Army and the wider coalition of government forces liberated the East Ghouta region of Damascus from terrorists several weeks ago, via operation Damascus Steel, but they are continuing to find weapons caches and other facilities used by the militants during their multi-year occupation of the area. Government soldiers discovered a large cache of weapons in the Damascus suburb of Jobar on Tuesday, Sputnik reported citing Fars news agency. The weapons find which includes a number of RPGs, mortar shells, improvised explosives and automatic firearms were found underneath a building and are believed to have belonged to the Faylaq al-Rahman terrorist group, which had a large presence in the East Ghouta area before they were ousted from eastern parts of the capital by the Syrian Army. A network of tunnels and other underground facilities were discovered in the southern Damascus neighborhood of Hajar al-Aswad, which were used to smuggle weapons throughout *Daesh-held territory in the capital. Government troops are continuing to advance in the final militant-held parts of Damascus. The gains theyve achieved so far have already reduced the intensity of mortar fire on the city, as militants are no longer within range of many residential areas and districts housing governmental buildings. China will sign a bilateral currency swap agreement with Japan, the Chinese government said on Tuesday, citing an article written by Premier Li Keqiang that was published by Japans Asahi newspaper, Reuters reports. China will also grant a quota of Renminbi Qualified Foreign Institutional Investors (RQFII) to Japanese investors, Li said in the article. The Chinese government published a translation into Chinese of the premiers article. Britains Foreign Secretary has described a proposed customs partnership with the European Union after Britain leaves the bloc, believed to be Prime Minister Theresa Mays preferred option, as crazy, Reuters reports. Britain has yet to make a decision on what it wants its future customs arrangements with the EU to be, with divisions within Mays government over how to ensure the border is as frictionless as possible. On Sunday, business minister Greg Clark made the case for a customs partnership, saying ministers were working on it and another high-tech option. Its totally untried and would make it very, very difficult to do free trade deals, Johnson said in an interview published in Tuesdays Daily Mail newspaper. If you have the new customs partnership, you have a crazy system whereby you end up collecting the tariffs on behalf of the EU at the UK frontier. Mays decision to leave the EUs customs union, which sets tariffs for goods imported into the bloc, has become one of the main flashpoints in the Brexit debate in Britain, pitting companies and pro-EU campaigners against a vocal group of hardline eurosceptic lawmakers. Serbian Finance Minister Dusan Vujovic has stepped down, the government said on Tuesday, a day after the country began talks with the International Monetary Fund on a new funding program, Reuters reports. The government said Vujovic had informed Prime Minister Ana Brnabic of the reasons for his departure, which were of a personal nature. A former World Bank economist, Vujovic has served in two governments since 2014 and negotiated a 1.2 billion euro ($1.43 billion) three-year loan deal with the IMF that Serbia successfully completed in February. Talks on a new arrangement, in exchange for reforms to boost economic growth, got under way on Monday, the central bank said. In excerpts from a resignation letter made public late on Monday by Belgrades daily Blic, Vujovic said he wanted to step down due to family, professional and personal reasons. During my mandate, measurable results have been achieved, including macroeconomic stabilization and defining of structural reforms needed to make these results ... sustainable, Vujovic said. The Serbian dinar opened higher but then lost ground and was trading down 0.12 percent at 118.19 per euro at 0758 GMT. Milos Damjanovic, an analyst with Belgrades BIRN Consultancy, said Vujovics resignation had brought uncertainty to markets. The choice of his successor will determine whether the country will head to economic populism or continuation of reforms, Damjanovic said. Serbian media speculated that Sinisa Mali, Belgrades mayor, who previously served as an economic advisor to President Aleksandar Vucic, may replace Vujovic. Mali was not immediately available for comment. The Serbian government which ended the 2017 with a small fiscal surplus pledged it will raise public sector wages and pensions this year, on condition economic performance remains good. Serbias economy expanded 2 percent in 2017 and is forecast to grow 3.5 percent this year. It rose 4.5 percent in the first quarter of 2018 according to a flash estimate. Belarus and China are going to sign an agreement on 30-day visa-free regime, Belarusian parliament speaker Mikhail Myasnikovich said here on Monday in a joint interview with visiting Chinese journalists, Xinhua reported. The signing of a visa-free agreement for the period of up to 30 days will be one of the main event of the Year of Tourism of Belarus in China, greatly promoting the development of tourism, the official said. Several events will be held in the Year of Tourism to promote the development of Belarus as a tourist destination, including Belarusian art exhibitions and special activities with Chinese airlines, he added. More than 20,000 tourists from China visited Belarus in 2017. With the development of medical tourism, the number of Chinese visitors to Belarus may increase, Myasnikovich said. On February 13, 2018, Belarus and China's Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) waived visas and started visa-free regime. The Belarusians and the Chinese citizens living in Hong Kong will be allowed to enter, leave, remain within, or transit through Hong Kong and Belarus, respectively, without visas for the period of up to 14 days. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Monday strongly condemned Saturday's attack on a village in Nigeria's northwestern Kaduna State, which resulted in scores of casualties, Xinhua reports. The secretary-general called for those responsible for this attack to be swiftly brought to justice, said his spokesman Stephane Dujarric in a statement. Guterres also expressed his continued concern over the persisting violence and urged all actors to work together to bring peace and stability to the country, said the statement. The UN chief extended his deepest condolences to the bereaved families and to the government and people of Nigeria, and wished a speedy recovery to the injured, it said. Armed bandits on Saturday attacked the Gwaska village in Nigeria's Kaduna State, killing at least 40 people. Sub-Saharan African nations are at growing risk of debt distress because of heavy borrowing and gaping deficits, despite an overall uptick in economic growth, the International Monetary Fund warned on Tuesday, Reuters reports. The sober assessment comes as African countries continue to tap international debt markets and issue record levels of debt in foreign currencies, spurred on by insatiable investor demand for yields. In its economic outlook for the region released in Accra Ghana, the Fund projected the rate of economic expansion would rise to 3.4 percent this year, up from 2.8 percent in 2017, boosted by global growth and higher commodity prices. Slower growth in South Africa and Nigeria - the continents two largest economies - weighed on the region-wide average, but the IMF expects growth to pick up in around two-thirds of African nations. However, under current policies, that rate is expected to plateau below 4 percent over the medium term. Meanwhile, around 40 percent of low-income countries in the region are now in debt distress or at high risk of it, the IMF said. And refinancing that debt could soon become more costly. The current growth spurt in advanced economies is expected to taper off, and the borrowing terms for the regions frontier markets will likely become less favorable ... which could coincide with higher refinancing needs for many countries across the region, it said. African governments issued a record $7.5 billion in sovereign bonds last year, 10 times more than in 2016. And they have issued or plan to issue over $11 billion in additional debt in the first half of 2018 alone, the report said. Foreign currency debt increased by 40 percent from 2010-13 to 2017 and now accounts for about 60 percent of the regions total public debt on average, IMF data showed. Average interest payments, meanwhile, increased from 4 percent of expenditures in 2013 to 12 percent in 2017. Six countries - Chad, Eritrea, Mozambique, Congo Republic, South Sudan and Zimbabwe - were judged to be in debt distress at the end of last year. And the IMFs ratings for Zambia and Ethiopia were changed from moderate to high risk of debt distress. The IMF conceded that Africas enormous needs will continue to demand heavy investments to build infrastructure and social development. But to do so while avoiding the risk of a debt trap the continent, which currently has the lowest revenue-to-GDP ratio in the world, will need to become more self-reliant. With debt vulnerabilities rising in the region, sub-Saharan African countries will need to further rely on sustainable sources of financing, making domestic revenue mobilization one of the most urgent policy challenges for the region, it said. The Japanese and Russian deputy foreign ministers will hold consultations in Moscow on May 11 as part of preparations for Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abes upcoming visit to Russia, Japans top diplomat Taro Kono said at a press conference in Tokyo on Tuesday, TASS reports. "We expect fruitful consultations to take place in Moscow and preparations for Prime Minister Abes visit to be a success," he said. The May 11 consultations are planned to involve Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Igor Morgulov and his Japanese counterpart Takeo Mori. The parties will particularly discuss issues concerning joint economic activities on the Southern Kuril Islands and pressing global issues. "We would like to make significant progress in resolving the peace treaty issue this year," Taro Kono noted. On Monday, while commenting on Russian President Vladimir Putins inauguration, Japans Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga expressed hope for successful talks on a peace treaty. "By boosting future-oriented cooperation, Japan and Russia will be able to resolve the territorial dispute and make a peace agreement," he said. According to Suga, Japan will continue active talks aimed at resolving the issue of the Northern Territories [which is what Japan calls the Southern Kuril Islands - TASS] and making a peace agreement." Russia and Japan have been holding consultations since the mid-20th century in order to clinch a peace treaty as a follow-up to World War II. The Kuril Islands issue remains the sticking point since after WWII the islands were handed over to the Soviet Union while Japan has laid claims to the four southern islands. Moscow has been repeatedly pointing out that Russias sovereignty over these islands is based on international law and cannot be questioned. Russian President Vladimir Putin will hold talks with his Serbian counterpart Aleksandar Vucic on Tuesday, the Kremlin press service said in a statement, adding that the two leaders would discuss regional issues and the prospects for bilateral cooperation, TASS reports. "Russian President Vladimir Putin will hold a meeting with President of the Republic of Serbia Aleksandar Vucic, who will make a working visit to Moscow to attend celebrations dedicated to the 73rd anniversary of the Victory in the Great Patriotic War," the statement reads. "The current state of Russian-Serbian cooperation and the prospects for its development, as well as the implementation of joint investment projects are planned to be discussed, and there will also be an exchange of views on pressing regional issues," the Kremlin press service added. The Serbian president will be the first foreign leader with whom Putin will meet after being sworn in as Russian president on Monday. According to earlier reports, Vucic will travel to Moscow following his two-day visit to Turkey and talks with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. Putin and Vucic hold meetings and telephone conversations on a regular basis. In March, the Serbian president congratulated Putin on his re-election. Several days later, they held another telephone call, discussing the expulsion of Russian diplomats from a number of European countries. The Serbian president stressed that Belgrade would not join the move. The previous meeting between Putin and Vucic took place at the Kremlin in December 2017. Along with cooperation in trade, culture and other fields, the parties also discussed the situation in the Balkans. Following the talks, a number of documents were signed in the two presidents presence, including a joint declaration on cooperation in economic modernization and a memorandum on tourism cooperation. In addition, Russia and Serbia also signed amendments to an inter-governmental agreement lifting gas re-export ban from Serbia and an amendment to the 2013 contract concerning gas supplies to Serbia. Russias Gazprom company said that in accordance with the document, it would boost natural gas deliveries to Serbia by 15% in 2018. Scientists of the Institute for Plants and Animals Studies at the Urals branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences and their counterparts from the French Academy of Sciences will study how the climate changes influence the Arctic ecology systems. The research will be in Greenland and in Russias Yamalo-Nenets Autonomous Region, the Institutes representative Vasily Sokolov told TASS on Tuesday. "We plan this project with the French Academy of Sciences. We shall study data from various areas in Greenland and Russia to see how the climate changes affect the Arctic ecosystems in terms of changing populations and species," the scientist said. "In all those areas live lemmings and a few predators - Arctic foxes, skuas, owls, but every area is different in population sizes - we shall be using this difference in our work." According to the researcher, three stations would be organized in Yamal - on the White Island, at the Sabetta settlement and near the Yerkuta scientific station, and another three stations would be in Greenland. "Among other Arctic areas, Greenland is different in terms of its position, isolation and lay of land," the Russian scientist continued. "Having studied animals reactions at areas with different nature conditions, we shall have a more precise picture of the processes and thus we shall be able to model and forecast possible changes." "In a more wide meaning, our theory is that the climate and structures of ecosystems affect reaction of Arctic foxes on growth of rodents, and so forth," he added. Latest studies show that every minor difference in predators reactions may cause major changes in population dynamics of neighboring species, the scientist said. "In order to study potential direct and indirect consequences from the climate changes on relations within the Arctic ecosystem, we should merge the data from stations, which differ in resources, density and climate conditions," he said. "The projects results would benefit for understanding processes, which continue in the Arctic ecosystems, and may be used for forecasts and for putting together a strategy of keeping the existing diversity." Baku, Azerbaijan, May 8 By Rufiz Hafizoglu - Trend: Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan may meet with Muharrem Ince, a presidential candidate from the Turkish opposition People's Republican Party (CHP), Turkish media reported May 8. Erdogan may receive Ince not in the presidential residence, but in the building of the ruling Justice and Development Party. On May 7, Ince asked Erdogan for a one-on-one meeting. On May 4, the CHP officially nominated Ince for the presidential election in Turkey scheduled for June 24. Ince has been the chairman of the parliamentary group of CHP since 2014. Turkey will also hold a parliamentary election on June 24. In the parliamentary election held in Turkey on November 1, 2015, the Justice and Development Party won 49.41 percent of the votes, the People's Republican Party (CHP) - 25.38 percent of the votes, the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) - 11.93 percent, and the Democratic Party of Peoples (HDP) - 10.7 percent of the votes. --- Follow the author on Twitter: @rhafizoglu Baku, Azerbaijan, May 8 By Rufiz Hafizoglu Trend: Turkey is ready for the US sanctions, General Director of Turkeys Aselsan defense industry company Haluk Gorgun said, Turkish media reported May 8. He was commenting on the possibility of Washingtons halting the supply of F-35 fighter jets to Ankara. He noted that Turkey has alternative options for purchasing weapons in other countries. Turkey is also developing new types of weapons and is strengthening its defense industry, he added. On May 6, Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu also said that Turkey will retaliate if the US halts the supply of F-35 fighter jets. "Next week I will pay a visit to the US, he said. During the negotiations I will stress that it is unacceptable to cancel the sale of F-35 fighter jets and if this happens, Turkey will retaliate." Earlier, the US authorities announced the imposition of sanctions against 38 Russian individuals and legal entities. US Assistant Secretary of State Wess Mitchell said that Ankara's purchase of S-400 Triumph air defense systems from Russia may negatively affect the supply of the US F-35 fighter jets to Turkey. --- Follow the author on Twitter: @rhafizoglu Baku, Azerbaijan, May 8 By Rufiz Hafizoglu - Trend: Bloody events in the Middle East, as well as in a number of Arab countries, forced Turkey to go to early parliamentary and presidential election, Turkish foreign policy expert Fatih Oztosun told Trend. The expert noted that the "army" of terrorists concentrated in recent years in neighboring Arab countries, in particular, in Iraq and Syria, is a threat not only for these countries, but also for Turkey. The expert also stressed that as a result of military clashes in Syria, as well as in Iraq, millions of residents of these countries arrived in Turkey as refugees. The expert said, along with this, the West, including the United States supported PYD and YPG terrorist groups in Syria, which primarily was a threat to Turkey's national security. "In the current very difficult situation, the Turkish authorities could not wait for the end of the year for the parliamentary and presidential election, and decided to hold early election. And this decision, of course, is strategically justified", - said Oztosun. The presidential and parliamentary election in Turkey will be held on June 24 this year. In the parliamentary election held in Turkey on November 1, 2015, the AKP party won 49.41 percent of the votes, the People's Republican Party (CHP) - 25.38 percent of the votes, the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) - 11.93 percent, the Democratic Party of Peoples (HDP) - 10.7 percent of the votes. --- Follow the author on Twitter: @rhafizoglu Baku, Azerbaijan, May 8 By Rufiz Hafizoglu Trend: Turkey opened all its military archives to investigate the 1915 events, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said, Turkish media reported on May 8. Erdogan emphasized that if one dares to declare the so-called "Armenian genocide" after the opening of Turkey's archives, then let him try to prove it based on the facts. "There was no "genocide" in relation to Armenians in Turkey's history," he said. Armenia and the Armenian lobby claim that Turkey's predecessor, the Ottoman Empire, allegedly carried out "genocide" against the Armenians living in Anatolia in 1915. While strengthening the efforts to promote the "genocide" in the world, Armenians have achieved its recognition by the parliaments of some countries. --- Follow the author on Twitter: @rhafizoglu The US Secretary of Defense will need to draw up plan to address shortfalls in Chinese, Korean, and Russian language expertise, says a proposal to the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2019, released by the United States House Committee on Armed Services, TASS reports. One section of the bill requires "the Secretary of Defense to provide a plan to address shortfalls in Chinese, Korean, and Russian language and expertise across the Department of Defense. "Specifically, the plan shall provide a near-term and long-term plan for how the Department is building competency in these critical 51 areas and the Secretary of Defense shall submit that plan to the congressional defense committees not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act," the document adds. The Committee will consider the bill later in the week and then it will be voted by the House of Representatives. After that, US senators will work on the document. Emmanuel Macrons office said U.S. President Donald Trump had given the French leader no indication of what he planned to say about the Iran nuclear deal later on Tuesday, Reuters reports. In answer to a Reuters question, Macrons office denied a story by the New York Times which said Trump had told Macron the United States was going to pull out of the agreement. Trump was due to announce his final decision at 1800 GMT. A senior White House official on Tuesday denied a New York Times report that said U.S. President Donald Trump had told Frances President Emmanuel Macron that he would be withdrawing from the Iran nuclear deal, Reuters reports. The president did not tell Macron those things, the official said. Chinese President Xi Jinping held phone talks with US President Donald Trump, in which he also urged Washington to take into account North Korea's justified concerns for its security, Sputnik reported. US President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping agreed on the importance of maintaining sanctions on North Korea until denuclearization is achieved, the White House said in a press release on Tuesday. "President Trump and President Xi agreed on the importance of continued implementation of sanctions on North Korea until it permanently dismantles its nuclear and missile programs," the release said. According to the release, the leaders also "discussed issues of mutual interest, including recent developments on the Korean Peninsula and President Xis meeting today with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un." Earlier in the day, Xi held a meeting with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, who stated that the North won't need any nuclear weapons if the international stakeholders refrain from hostile policies toward the country. On March 25-28, Kim paid an unofficial visit to China, where he held meetings with the Chinese president amid an international effort to denuclearize the Korean Peninsula. This was Kim's first ever international visit since coming to power in 2011. Trump is set to meet with Kim sometime later this month or in early June to begin negotiations to reach denuclearization on the Korean Peninsula. Trump said last Friday that the date and location for this meeting will be announced soon. Dupa inscrierea pe site-ul HotNews.ro, poti deschide sectiunea MyHotNews ca sa completezi sau sa schimbi profilul de utilizator. Atentie! Logarea pe site se face cu adresa de email, nu cu nickname-ul. Adresa ta de email va ramane confidentiala si nu va fi niciodata data unor terte persoane sau institutii. Inainte de a te inscrie pe site te rugam sa parcurgi termenii si conditiile atasate unui cont HotNews.ro. KYODO NEWS - May 8, 2018 - 21:35 | All, Japan Police said Tuesday it has launched a murder investigation into the death of a young girl found on a railroad track in central Japan, suspecting she was killed before being hit by a train. According to the Niigata prefectural police, an autopsy found that the 7-year-old girl, later identified as Tamaki Omomo, was choked to death. Earlier in the day, the police said the girl was found dead after being struck by a train Monday night, but bruises on the elementary school girl's face suggested the possibility she was strangled sometime before. The girl was an elementary school second-grader in Niigata city and had been missing since Monday, the police said. The police received a call from a woman on Monday afternoon saying her daughter had not come home. According to the police, the girl was hit by the train around 10:30 p.m. Monday. The train driver reported having seen a person lying near the railroad tracks before the impact. KYODO NEWS - May 8, 2018 - 17:10 | All, Japan Japanese Finance Minister Taro Aso on Tuesday repeated a comment that appeared to downplay an incident of alleged sexual harassment by his ministry's top bureaucrat after already sparking protest demonstrations in a number of Japanese cities the day before. "There is no such thing as a sexual harassment charge," the 77-year-old former prime minister said at a regular press conference, the same remark he made on Friday during a trip to Manila. The comment, which appeared to make light of the claims that then-Vice Finance Minister Junichi Fukuda had repeatedly made sexually suggestive comments to a TV reporter, has drawn sharp reactions from women's rights activists, with some calling it misogynistic and permissive of sexual harassment. Asked by reporters about such public criticisms, Aso, who doubles as deputy prime minister, said he had "merely stated a fact" while adding he has no intention of tolerating sexual harassment. Sexual harassment perpetrators can be charged with sexual assault, rape or libel in Japan. Seiko Noda, a minister in charge of female empowerment, said Tuesday she plans to compile legal measures to tackle sexual harassment during the ongoing Diet session. Noda, 57, who also serves as internal affairs minister, indicated Monday she would consider introducing penalties for sexual harassment. She also said Aso belongs to a generation that has not learned about sexual harassment and has "a totally different perception" from that of her generation. More on sexual harassment: Protesters bash Japan's finance minister over sexual harassment comments Japan's Finance Ministry admits ex-top bureaucrat sexually harassed reporter LDP lawmaker calls sexual harassment whistleblowing almost "crime" U.S. concerned about sexual harassment in Japan: report Following Aso's initial comments, protestors, including many women's rights groups, took to the streets on Monday. Some lined the sidewalk in front of the Finance Ministry building in central Tokyo, while others held demonstrations in Osaka, Kyoto, Nara and Sapporo. Fukuda stepped down in late April after a weekly magazine reported that he asked the reporter "Can I give you a hug?" and "Can I touch your breasts?" and released an audio clip. The former top bureaucrat has denied the allegations although the ministry has acknowledged he sexually harassed the female reporter and reduced his retirement benefits. Aso himself has faced growing calls from opposition lawmakers to resign for having chosen Fukuda for the position. The close ally of Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has often made controversial comments. In August, Aso came under fire for comments that seemed to defend Adolf Hitler's motive behind the genocide of Jews by Nazi Germany. "Hitler, who killed millions of people, is no good even if his motive was right," he said. Aso later said he meant to give an example of a bad politician but retracted the remark. KYODO NEWS - May 8, 2018 - 21:45 | World, All North Korean leader Kim Jong Un told Chinese President Xi Jinping during a surprise trip to China this week that his country would abandon its nuclear weapons in the absence of a security threat, official media reported Tuesday, ahead of an envisioned summit between Pyongyang and Washington. Kim met with Xi in the northeastern port city of Dalian on Monday and Tuesday, China's state-run Xinhua News Agency said, adding that Xi hosted a welcome banquet for him, and the two men took a stroll together and attended a luncheon. "As long as relevant parties abolish their hostile policies and remove security threats against the DPRK, there is no need for the DPRK to be a nuclear state and denuclearization can be realized," Kim was quoted by the news agency as saying. DPRK is the acronym for North Korea's formal name, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea. Kim is expected to hold a summit with U.S. President Donald Trump by the end of this month for the first-ever summit between North Korea and the United States. (File photo, KCNA/Kyodo) The North Korean leader is believed to have tried to obtain support from China before the expected tough negotiations with Trump, who has urged North Korea to give up all its nuclear weapons. Kim, meanwhile, may call on Trump to protect the continuation of its hereditary regime in return for pledging to achieve denuclearization on the divided peninsula. "In a cordial and friendly atmosphere, the top leaders of the two parties and the two countries had an all-round and in-depth exchange of views on China-DPRK relations and major issues of common concern," Xinhua said. Xi was quoted as saying by the news agency that Kim made the trip "at a crucial time when the Korean Peninsula situation is undergoing profound and complex changes." In late March, Kim travelled to China in his first foreign trip since becoming North Korea's supreme leader following the death of his father Kim Jong Il in December 2011 and held a surprise summit in Beijing with Xi. "After the first meeting between me and Comrade Chairman, both China-DPRK relations and the Korean Peninsula situation have made positive progress. I feel happy about it," Xi was quoted by Xinhua as telling Kim. Wang Huning, a member of the Politburo Standing Committee, China's core decision-making body, attended related activities, it said. North Korean state-run television also reported that Kim and Xi met for talks on Monday and Tuesday, and that Kim Yo Jong, Kim's sister and close aide, accompanied him. Kim's trip to Dalian comes around 10 days after he held a historic summit with South Korean President Moon Jae In on April 27. Ramped-up security in Dalian since Monday fanned speculation of a visit to the northeastern Chinese port city by a high-ranking North Korean official. South Korea's Yonhap News Agency initially reported that Kim may have flown to Dalian in Liaoning Province on Monday by a special plane, citing sources familiar with the North. A small private jet normally used by North Korean VIPs was seen taking off from China's Dalian airport Tuesday afternoon. At the inter-Korean summit, Kim and Moon signed a joint declaration including an agreement to pursue "complete denuclearization" on the Korean Peninsula and strive to formally end the 1950-1953 Korean War. In the war, United Nations forces led by the United States fought alongside South Korea against the North, which was supported by China and the Soviet Union. Hostilities ceased with an armistice agreement signed on July 27, 1953 by the U.S.-led U.N. Command, North Korea and China. Relations between Beijing and Pyongyang have been sharply improving in the wake of Kim's visit to China late last month. Earlier this month, Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi visited Pyongyang and met with Kim. China, North Korea's main economic lifeline, had been increasing economic sanctions against Pyongyang since late last year as Kim continued to develop ballistic missiles and nuclear weapons in defiance of international warnings, worsening bilateral ties. Beijing has welcomed North Korea's recent commitment to denuclearization. China has called on the international community to resolve the nuclear issue on the Korean Peninsula in a peaceful manner through dialogue. KYODO NEWS - May 8, 2018 - 13:18 | Feature, All, Japan Local authorities resumed their search Tuesday for a 37-year-old man and his 6-year-old son who went missing while hiking on a mountain in Niigata Prefecture two days ago. Koya Shibuya and his son Sora have not been heard from since telling their family by mobile phone on Sunday morning that they were beginning their descent of the mountain in the central Japan prefecture, now thought to be Mt. Matsudaira. Family members reported them missing later that day, police said. According to the police, Shibuya called his father on Saturday evening to say that he and his son would sleep on the mountain as they were lost. Police and rescue workers started the search on Monday in rainy, low-visibility conditions but did not locate the pair before suspending operations in the evening. A police helicopter joined the search effort Tuesday morning. The police initially believed that the father and son planned to tackle two mountains, both about 500 meters high. But a note was later found at the foot of Mt. Matsudaira indicating they intended to head to the top of the 954-meter mountain. Two casually-outfitted hikers were reportedly seen on a Mt. Matsudaira trail, prompting police and rescue workers to extend the search area. Climbing Mt. Matsudaira is not recommended for beginners as its trails are steep, according to a local government. KYODO NEWS - May 8, 2018 - 02:21 | World, All Iranian President Hassan Rouhani said Monday that the 2015 nuclear pact with world powers could survive even if the United States decides to withdraw from it. "If our goals in the JCPOA can be achieved without the United States, that's better," he said in a speech, referring to the nuclear deal by its formal name -- the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action. Later Monday in Washington, U.S. President Donald Trump tweeted he will announce his decision on the agreement -- which he has denounced as too lenient with Tehran -- on Tuesday, earlier than the deadline he has set for Saturday. "I will be announcing my decision on the Iran Deal tomorrow from the White House at 2:00 p.m.," Trump wrote. Trump has said the accord, struck under the administration of his predecessor Barack Obama, should never have been made and has threatened to walk away from it if the elements he views as its shortcomings are not amended. Rouhani criticized Trump's threat to withdraw Washington from the deal, saying, "People must be sure that we are considering the necessary decisions for different U.S. scenarios and that U.S. will suffer serious damage in this." In July 2015, Iran and the six powers -- Britain, China, France, Germany, Russia and the United States -- struck a deal in which Iran agreed to curb its nuclear activities in return for the lifting of crippling economic sanctions. (Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe (L) and Rouhani hold talks in New York on Sept. 19, 2017) Washington is now seeking to enable greater access for international inspectors to Iran's military sites, constrain Tehran's ballistic missile program, and eliminate provisions under which limits on its nuclear program start to expire after 10 years. British Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson urged the Trump administration to stay in the accord, saying the deal "has weaknesses" but that he is convinced that "they can be remedied." "At this delicate juncture, it would be a mistake to walk away from the nuclear agreement and remove the restraints that it places on Iran," Johnson said in an op-ed piece carried in the Monday edition of the New York Times. He said diplomats from Britain, France and Germany have been working alongside their U.S. counterparts to reach a joint approach toward Iran, focused on countering Tehran's regional meddling, reducing its missile threat and ensuring that it can never build a nuclear weapon. "Only Iran would gain from abandoning the restrictions on its nuclear program," Johnson said. "The wisest course would be to improve the handcuffs rather than break them." KYODO NEWS - May 8, 2018 - 20:49 | All, World Japan will host a trilateral summit with China and South Korea on Wednesday, to be held after a two-and-half year hiatus, with leaders expected to focus on the denuclearization of North Korea. The gathering will bring together Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, Chinese Premier Li Keqiang and South Korean President Moon Jae In to talk about how to strengthen their cooperation in prodding Pyongyang to abandon its nuclear and missile programs, Japanese officials said. The Japan-China-South Korea summit -- the seventh of its kind -- will follow the landmark meeting between Moon and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un late last month and come ahead of the first-ever U.S.-North Korean summit between President Donald Trump and Kim expected in the coming weeks. The three countries have been hosting in turn the annual gatherings since 2008, but they were occasionally postponed due to a chill in Japan's relations with its two neighbors over history and territorial disputes as well as political turmoil in South Korea. The leaders of the three Asian powers, which together account for around 20 percent of the global economy, are also expected to discuss the issue of free trade, with a three-way free trade agreement likely to be on the agenda, according to the officials. Abe, Li and Moon will also likely talk about how to promote people-to-people and cultural exchanges on the occasion of the Olympics. South Korea hosted the Pyeongchang Winter Olympics in February, and Japan and China are scheduled to host the 2020 Tokyo Summer Games and the 2022 Beijing Winter Games, respectively. Wrapping up their one-day gathering in Japan's capital, the three leaders are planning to issue a joint statement, according to a Japanese government source. Abe will hold one-on-one talks with Li and Moon on the sidelines of the three-way summit in an attempt to improve bilateral ties despite differing views over history and territories with its neighbors. Li arrived in Tokyo on Tuesday evening, marking his first visit to Japan since assuming his current post in 2013. Following Li's Japan trip, Abe seeks to fly to China later this year and realize a reciprocal visit to Japan by President Xi Jinping afterward. Moon is scheduled to arrive in Tokyo on Wednesday morning for the first time since taking office in May 2017. Li's Japan travel is the first by a Chinese premier in seven years and Moon will be the first South Korean president to set foot on Japanese soil in around the same period of time. Li and Moon are also scheduled to hold bilateral talks on the sidelines of the trilateral summit, South Korea's presidential office said Tuesday. At the inter-Korean summit on April 27, Kim and Moon signed a joint declaration including an agreement to pursue the "complete denuclearization" of the Korean Peninsula and strive to formally end the 1950-1953 Korean War. In the war, United Nations forces led by the United States fought alongside South Korea against the North, which was supported by China and the Soviet Union. Hostilities ceased with an armistice agreement signed on July 27, 1953 by the U.S.-led U.N. Command, North Korea and China. The UK announced that Indians, fully vaccinated with Covishield vaccine, will no longer require to undergo quarantine on their arrival in Britain from October 11. Allegiant Air MD83 REUTERS/Michael Fiala An Allegiant Air flight made an emergency landing on Sunday after its crew noticed an "electrical smell," the airline confirmed to Business Insider. An Allegiant spokesperson told Business Insider that the flight's crew became aware of "a light electrical odor which persisted over several minutes" and diverted "out of an abundance of caution." The airline said airport personnel were sent to inspect the plane, but the airline has not determined what caused the smell. An Allegiant Air flight made an emergency landing on Sunday after its crew noticed an "electrical smell," the airline confirmed to Business Insider. Flight 1878 was traveling from Indianapolis to Myrtle Beach, Florida, and diverted to Asheville, North Carolina. The flight took off at 3:00 p.m. and landed at 4:15 p.m. at Asheville Regional Airport, according to the flight-tracking website FlightAware. An Allegiant spokesperson told Business Insider that the flight's crew became aware of "a light electrical odor which persisted over several minutes" and diverted "out of an abundance of caution." The airline said airport personnel were sent to inspect the plane, but the airline has not determined what caused the smell. Passengers were transferred to a new plane that landed without incident at Myrtle Beach International Airport. A passenger, identified as Ryan, told NBC affiliate WMBF that the second flight experienced delays that frustrated passengers, and some "started yelling back" at the flight crew. Ryan told WMBF passengers were given a food voucher and a $50 travel voucher, in addition to being offered drinks and snacks during the delay. A JetBlue flight also made an emergency landing on Sunday. The airline told ABC News the flight diverted "in an abundance of caution following a report of damage to one of the outer layers of the cockpit windscreen." The cabin did not lose pressurization during the incident, according to ABC. Story continues NOW WATCH: The market is about to reach an inflection point heres how to predict which way its going to go See Also: SEE ALSO: A JetBlue flight made an emergency landing after its outer windshield shattered in midair BP plc BP has inked a binding gas sales precedent agreement with the state of Alaska. Per the terms, the company committed to sell gas to Alaska's gas line project. Alaska's gas line project is an initiative by the Alaska Gas Development Corporation (AGDC) to meet higher gas demand projected in 2025. The success of the initiative depends on the support it gets from Alaska's major natural gas producers. Though the producers have shown interest in the project, BP is the first to sign such a commitment. Per reports, the agency has finalized key terms for gas sales of pricing and volume with BP. However, details of these parameters were not disclosed. Therefore, the viability of the project cannot be determined. BP has committed to sell its share of 30 trillion cubic feet of gas from the Prudhoe Bay and Point Thomson units. BP, the operator of Prudhoe Bay field, has an interest of 26%. It also owns 32% share in the nearby Point Thomson field. Through leases with the state, the company controls about 33% of the huge volumes of gas intended for the project. However, other owners of the Prudhoe Bay ExxonMobil Corporation XOM and ConocoPhillips COP are also required to agree to sell their share of the gas to the project for its success. The agency will need gas supply agreements with all of the North Slope producers for the project to run at full capacity. After receiving commitments from these oil giants, the financing of the project would become easier. The project is being evaluated by several China-owned companies for potential long-term investment. China is Alaskas largest trading partner and projected consumer of natural gas. The Alaska project will super-chill North Slope gas into liquefied natural gas or LNG and ship it by oceangoing tanker to Asian utilities. The project is not estimated to yield its first gas before 2023. Price Performance During the past three months, BPs shares have gained 15.6% compared with the industrys 12.2% rally. Story continues Zacks Rank & Key Picks BP currently carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). A better-ranked player in the same sector is Delek US Holdings, Inc DK, sporting a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy). You can see the complete list of todays Zacks #1 Rank stocks here. Delek US Holdings is a diversified energy company. The company delivered a positive earnings surprise of 25% in the preceding quarter. Looking for Stocks with Skyrocketing Upside? Zacks has just released a Special Report on the booming investment opportunities of legal marijuana. Ignited by new referendums and legislation, this industry is expected to blast from an already robust $6.7 billion to $20.2 billion in 2021. Early investors stand to make a killing, but you have to be ready to act and know just where to look. See the pot trades we're targeting>> Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report Delek US Holdings, Inc. (DK) : Free Stock Analysis Report BP p.l.c. (BP) : Free Stock Analysis Report Exxon Mobil Corporation (XOM) : Free Stock Analysis Report ConocoPhillips (COP) : Free Stock Analysis Report To read this article on Zacks.com click here. Zacks Investment Research (Adds context on shipping, Bonaire operations, Venezuelan economy) By Marianna Parraga and Gary McWilliams HOUSTON, May 7 (Reuters) - ConocoPhillips is expected to renew an effort to temporarily seize Venezuela's PDVSA oil inventories at the 335,000-barrel-per-day Isla refinery in Curacao in the coming days, sources close to the state-run firm's operations in the Caribbean said. The U.S. oil company last week took PDVSA oil inventories in St. Eustatius and a terminal in Bonaire under court orders to enforce a $2 billion arbitration award by the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) in April. It tried to do the same in Curacao, but the measures were rejected because of an error in the name of the entities, an employee close to the refinery's operations said. New orders are expected, the employee added. Conoco's writs of attachments are a legal maneuver to temporarily retain assets - from stored oil, to cargoes and facilities - and could give the U.S. company the ability to sell them later. In total, Conoco's actions could affect about 400,000 barrels per day (bpd) typically shipped from the three locations, about a third of PDVSA's exports, according to Reuters calculations based on the state-run company's internal reports. In the first quarter, PDVSA exported 1.19 million bpd of crude from its terminals in Venezuela and the Caribbean, according to Thomson Reuters Trade Flows data. Conoco declined to comment on its next steps in Curacao, but signaled it would move on PDVSA assets anywhere in the world to collect on the ICC ruling. "PDVSA is a global company with global assets," Conoco spokesman Daren Beaudo said in a statement. "We will pursue all available legal avenues." PDVSA did not respond to a request for comment. Conoco's legal maneuvers could further impair PDVSA's declining oil revenue and Venezuela's economy, which is in deep recession with shortages of medicine and food. OPEC-member Venezuela is almost completely dependent on crude exports, which declined 29 percent in the first quarter versus the same period last year. Its refineries ran at just 31 percent of capacity from January through March. Story continues Conoco's arbitration claims against Venezuela and PDVSA have totaled $33 billion, the largest by any company. Several previous attempts by bondholders, creditors and foreign firms to receive compensation from Venezuela for pending debts or expropriated assets have failed amid delays to pay, or prolonged arbitration or lawsuits that have not issued final awards. The threat of new seizures prompted quick action by PDVSA and local governments dependent on its business. Last week, PDVSA sent letters to its fleet calling the vessels back to Venezuela to avoid possible retentions of tankers or the oil onboard, according to one letter seen by Reuters. As of Monday, less than a dozen tankers were near Curacao and only one was close to Bonaire, most of them empty, according to Reuters vessel tracking data. At least nine tankers have been moved since Friday from those Caribbean islands to Venezuela or Cuba, the data showed. To compensate for the loss of Caribbean operations, PDVSA could widen shipping from its main crude port, Jose, and smaller terminals along its Western Coast. But Jose is facing a growing bottleneck of vessels due to lack of inventories for exports, equipment malfunctions and shortage of staff, shippers said. Two dozen oil tankers were waiting on Monday to load crude at Jose for exports, according to the Reuters data, double the normal amount of tankers. On Bonaire, some fuel stored at PDVSA's oil terminal will be released for local use under a deal struck late Sunday between Dutch authorities and Conoco, said Karim Mostafi, a spokesman for the Dutch Ministry of Infrastructure. "Through a joint effort, we could avoid a power-down on the island," Mostafi said. The release will provide 1-2 weeks' worth of supply for the island's power station and there are talks underway for a longer term solution, he said. (Reporting by Marianna Parraga and Gary McWilliams; editing by Phil Berlowitz and Grant McCool) Election 2018: Here's What You Need to Know About the May 8 Primary Elections Primary voters in four states will head to the polls on Tuesday ahead of the November mid-term elections. The voting in Ohio, Indiana, North Carolina and West Virginia come as Democrats try to wrest control of the U.S. House of Representatives while Republicans try to hold onto their majority and potentially pick up Senate seats. Here are some races to watch: West Virginia: West Virginias Senate primary may be the most closely watched of the May 8 primaries, and thats because of former Massey Energy CEO Don Blankenship. After an explosion at Masseys Upper Big Branch Mine in 2010 killed 29 miners, he spent a year in federal prison after a federal jury convicted him of conspiring to violate mine safety and health standards. Blankenship is running against more conventional Republican candidates Rep. Evan Jenkins and Attorney General Patrick Morrisey, while railing against Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (Blankenship calls him Cocaine Mitch). Mainstream Republicans worry that Blankenship may score an upset win in the primary, but then, because of his pugnacious style and checkered history, lose the general election in November to incumbent Sen. Joe Manchin II, a moderate Democrat. (Manchin does have a primary challenger, Paula Jean Swearengin, but he is expected to prevail.) On Monday morning, President Donald Trump tweeted to ask West Virginia voters to steer clear of Blankenship and instead vote for his opponents, saying Blankenship cant win the General Election in your StateNo way! Trump also said Remember Alabama, invoking Roy Moores primary victory in Alabama and eventual loss in the general election after multiple women accused him of sexual misconduct. To the great people of West Virginia we have, together, a really great chance to keep making a big difference. Problem is, Don Blankenship, currently running for Senate, cant win the General Election in your State...No way! Remember Alabama. Vote Rep. Jenkins or A.G. Morrisey! Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) May 7, 2018 Ohio: Story continues The House primary races to watch, according to Vox, are in the 1st, 7th, 10th, 12th, 14th, and 15th Congressional districts that Democrats are trying to flip from Republican control. But the big races to watch are the U.S. Senate and the gubernatorial primaries. Democratic incumbent Sen. Sherrod Brown is up for reelection, and the May 8 primary will decide who the progressive Senator will face. There are two Republicans in the field: Rep. Jim Renacciwho Trump endorsedversus businessman Mike Gibbons. The primary will decide who will fight to replace current Gov. John Kasich, who has cant run again after serving two terms. The Cincinnati Enquirer has characterized the race as a wacky, bitter battle. On the Republican side, State Attorney General Mike DeWine is up against Lt Gov. Mary Taylor. On the Democratic side, the fight is between former Rep. Dennis Kucinich, and former head of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau during the Obama administration Rich Cordray. Indiana: Indiana is Vice President Mike Pences home state, which Trump won by 19 points in the 2016 general election. Eyeing his margin, the three Republican Senate candidates have clung close to Trump as they try to take out Democratic incumbent Sen. Joe Donnelly. They are Rep. Todd Rokita, Rep Luke Messer, and businessman and former Indiana State Rep. Mike Braun. This primary race has been called the nations nastiest, according to the Indianapolis Star, and its unclear who will win. North Carolina: Every 12 years, North Carolina has a Blue Moon electionor an election with no statewide races on the ballotthat translates into lower voter turnout. And 2018 is one of them. The primaries to watch, according to The Hill and Vox, are those deciding the Democratic challengers to incumbent Republican Reps. Richard Hudson, Robert Pittenger, Ted Budd, and George Holding. * Ahsan Iqbal senior member of ruling Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz * Administrator's report:suspect "showed affiliation" to new party * Tehreek-e-Labaik campaigns on harsh punishment for blasphemy * Violence already feared in run-up to expected July election (Writes through, adds comment from police, religious party chief) By Mubasher Bukhari and Asif Shahzad LAHORE/ISLAMABAD, Pakistan, May 6 (Reuters) - Pakistani Interior Minister Ahsan Iqbal was wounded on Sunday in an apparent assassination attempt by a gunman linked to a new ultra-religious Muslim party - an incident likely to raise tensions before an election expected in late July. Violence has been a feature of pre-election periods in Pakistan over the past decade, mainly due to Islamist assassinations of political figures, including former prime minister Benazir Bhutto in 2007. Iqbal, 59, a senior member of the ruling Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) party and a staunch ally of ousted premier Nawaz Sharif, was shot as he was leaving a constituency meeting surrounded by supporters in Punjab province. An initial report on the shooting by a local administrator, the deputy commissioner of Narowal district, seen by Reuters, said the gunman had been arrested and "showed his affiliation" to Tehreek-e-Labaik. The party calls for the aggressive enforcement of Pakistan's blasphemy laws, which can carry the death penalty. However, neither the report nor other officials commented on the attacker's possible motives. Iqbal was shot soon after addressing voters in Kanjroor village in Narowal, his constituency near the border with India, but the exact circumstances were not immediately clear. "I cant tell you the motive at this stage due to security reasons," Narowal police chief Imran Kishwar told Reuters. OUT OF DANGER Police said the bullet had hit Iqbal in the right arm and gone into his groin. They named the suspected shooter as Abid Hussain, 21, and said they had found him carrying a pistol. Story continues After being rushed to a nearby hospital, Iqbal was taken by helicopter to Lahore, capital of Punjab. "The minister luckily survived," said junior interior minister Talal Chaudhry. "Thank God, he is out of danger." Blasphemy is a deeply emotional and politically charged issue in Pakistan, even more so since Labaik has emerged in the past year. The party was born out of a protest movement supporting Mumtaz Qadri, a bodyguard of the governor of Punjab who gunned down his boss in 2011 over his call to relax Pakistan's draconian blasphemy laws. Labaik has been gaining strength with an election platform centred on punishing blasphemy. Many of its supporters say PML-N, despite repeated denials, wants to ease the blasphemy laws. While dozens are on death row for blasphemy, no one has been executed in recent decades. "UNARMED STRUGGLE" In a statement on Sunday night, Labaik leader Khadim Hussain Rizvi condemned the attack on Iqbal and said the party had not authorised any of its supporters to take up arms. "Tehreek-e-Labaik is an unarmed struggle to bring the Prophet's religion to the throne," Rizvi said. The statement did not specifically mention any suspect in custody or any links to the party. Tehreek-e-Labaik, whose name means Movement of the Prophet's Followers, is a political grouping with no known links to the various Islamist militants - including the Pakistani Taliban - that have carried out bombings and other attacks in Pakistan. Iqbal, who also heads the planning ministry, has in recent years overseen the implementation of Chinese-funded Belt and Road infrastructure projects in Pakistan as part of the near $60 billion China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi condemned the attack on Iqbal and called for an immediate police report. A senior government official, who declined to be named, said early information suggested Iqbal had been returning from a meeting with a Christian group. "We are not sure whether it has got anything to do with the motive. We will know only after investigation of the attacker." Militant attacks in Pakistan have fallen sharply over the past few years, but Islamist fighters continue to pose a threat and carry out assassinations. In the run-up to the 2013 elections, which PML-N won handsomely, Pakistani Taliban militants killed more than 70 people in attacks targeting the Awami National Party (ANP), the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) and the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM). Many of their most prominent candidates were prevented from campaigning openly. (Writing by Drazen Jorgic; Editing by Kevin Liffey) TOKYO (Reuters) - Saudi Arabian Energy Minister Khalid al-Falih said on Monday he was concerned about possible shortages of spare crude oil output capacity, although he believes the market is in better shape after the OPEC-led production cuts that started in 2016. Oil prices have surged as the output cut agreement by the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) and other producers, including Russia, has held. The main global oil benchmarks on Monday hit their highest since late 2014. The recent upswing in prices - which has nearly tripled crude values from lows hit in early 2016 - has led to speculation that the output curbs will soon be lifted as countries reliant on oil revenue seek to boost their coffers by raising their exports. "We are concerned about tight spare capacity nowadays ... But we feel the industry is in better shape than when we started in 2016, and although we are seeing that improvement, we certainly don't feel we are where we need to be with complete market stability," Falih told Reuters in Tokyo after meeting Japan's trade minister. Spare output capacity will be among the topics discussed when OPEC and non-OPEC energy and oil ministers meet next month in Vienna, he said. Falih said Saudi Arabia is not targeting a specific price for oil, discounting a May 4 report in The Wall Street Journal that Riyadh wants to oil to hit at least $80 a barrel this year. "For sure we are not targeting a price. Our objective all along has been to bring stability, rebalancing and equilibrium back to the oil markets," he said. Nor was the aim to get storage levels back to the five-year average, "certainly not the rolling five-year average, because the rolling five-year average has been inflated by the glut that's been around since 2014," Falih said. (Reporting by Osamu Tsukimori and Aaron Sheldrick; Editing by Tom Hogue) Taco Bell is Americas favorite Mexican restaurant, according to a new survey. The fast food chain beat out Chipotle (CMG) and Moes Southwest Grill to win Brand of the Year for the first time since Harris launched its EquiTrend Study 30 years ago. The Harris Poll EquiTrend Study measures the overall health of a brand by asking consumers questions based on three variables familiarity, quality and future consideration. The results are aggregated into a one-number score. This year, Taco Bell (YUM) surpassed Chipotle and Moes Southwest Grill, the latter of which was the Brand of the Year in 2016 and 2017. Prior to that, Chipotle ranked as the No. 1 Mexican restaurant brand, but its standing was severely impacted by various outbreaks of foodborne illnesses. The fast casual and health-conscious chain experienced a 10.7 point drop in 2016 because of the negative sentiment surrounding the brand. Other choices included Qdoba, Baja Fresh and Del Taco. Source: Harris Poll Taco Bell has gained traction with innovative product offerings, by serving breakfast and creative selections like Mexican Crispy Chicken Pizza and the Naked Egg Taco. The brand rolled out limited edition Nacho Fries earlier this year, which was the most successful product launch in Taco Bells history. Taco Bells marketing is ubiquitous so it wasnt surprising to me that they came out on top this year. Its not so much that Moes or Chipotle are falling off the map. Taco Bell has just been a stronger brand as of late, as demonstrated by the strong familiarity and consideration marks, said Amir Kanpurwala, the director of the survey. The 2018 Harris Poll EquiTrend Study is based on a sample of 77,031 U.S. consumers at least 15 years old surveyed online, in English, this year from January 3 to February 15. Credit: Flickr, Antonio Morales Garcia Chipotles potential comeback Brian Niccol, the very leader who is credited for Taco Bells resurgence, became Chipotles CEO on March 5. Niccol served as CEO of Taco Bell for three and a half years, but had been a part of the Yum Brands ecosystem since 2005, in roles ranging from chief marketing officer at Pizza Hut to chief marketing and innovation officer at Taco Bell. He introduced the Live Mas tagline, breakfast and popular offerings like Doritos Locos Tacos and the Cantina Power menu. Story continues In an interview with Yahoo Finance, Niccol said consumers should anticipate some exciting new offerings at Chipotle, including beverages, desserts, happy hour specials and late night bites. We want to obviously be very consistent with our mission, which is food with integrity. We also want to be very consistent with leveraging the operational capability that we have. And then where it makes sense, well innovate around the operating model so that we can provide great food experiences that extend Chipotles reach, he said. Niccol has been rolling out his digital-first, innovation-focused vision. The company has been pushing a new television ad that emphasizes the freshness of its ingredients. Last week, the company announced it would start delivering its food through a partnership with startup DoorDash. According to Kanpurwala, investors are hoping Niccol, as a creative leader, will replicate the same success he had at Taco Bell as he enters a new chapter at Chipotle. Well see if the fruits of his efforts are reflected in next years poll. Melody Hahm is a senior writer at Yahoo Finance, covering entrepreneurship, technology and real estate. Follow her on Twitter @melodyhahm. Read more: TASHKENT -- A jailed Uzbek journalist whose trial has been watched closely by human rights groups was convicted of calling for the government's overthrow but walked out of court a free man. In a May 7 decision, the Tashkent city court found Bobomurod Abdullaev guilty of using the media to call for the removal of the government. It ordered him to pay 20 percent of his monthly salary to the state for three years, and freed him on the spot. The court also ordered an investigation into allegations by his lawyers and human rights groups that Abdullaev had been tortured during his detention. The high-profile trial was seen as a test for the new government of President Shavkat Mirziyoev, who has promised to carry out reforms in the Central Asian state since he came to power following the death of longtime ruler Islam Karimov in 2016. "I am extremely glad that I have come out of there alive," Abdullaev told reporters after the ruling. "I thank Shavkat Mirziyoev and the court." Amnesty International called the ruling "a glimmer of hope for the country's beleaguered journalists," and urged more steps to guarantee freedom of expression. "Bobomurod Abdullaev has already paid a terrible price for his independent journalism, spending seven months in Uzbekistan's most notorious detention center where he was allegedly tortured to confess to trumped-up charges," Denis Krivosheyev, Amnesty's deputy director for Eastern Europe and Central Asia, said in a statement on May 7. Three co-defendants -- blogger Hayot Hon Nasriddinov and businessmen Ravshan Salaev and Shavkat Olloyorov -- were acquitted and also left the courtroom on their own accord. The charges against Abdullaev and his co-defendants stemmed from a series of articles under the byline Usman Haqnazarov, which has been used by more than one person. The articles touched on issues related to circles close to Karimov, who ruled the country of more than 30 million people with an iron hand for more than a quarter-century. Abdullaev was arrested in September 2017. He denied guilt, saying that he was doing his job as a journalist. In February, 12 human rights groups called for Abdullaev's immediate release and an independent investigation of allegations that he was tortured. Mirziyoev has carried out reforms in the government, particularly in the powerful security services and Interior Ministry. In October, Human Rights Watch (HRW) said that Uzbek authorities had taken "some positive steps" during Mirziyoev's first year but still needed to make "sustainable" improvements on human rights. In a report released on March 28, HRW stated that journalists and other critics of the government in Uzbekistan remained under pressure from legal restrictions, politically motivated prosecutions, and fear-induced self-censorship. NEW YORK and LISBON, Portugal, May 07, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- In an era of social media turbulence, Skorr, a powerful new platform being launched today on Apple iOS Store and Google Play, empowers individuals to take control of their social media presence. The Skorr app measures, monitors and verifies social media behavior to help individuals safely navigate social media channels and increase their influence and effectiveness. Developed to the highest standards of data security and privacy, Skorr has been crafted to appeal to the most demanding users of social media to help them grow socially and safely. Unlike previous generation ranking and influence measurement systems, Skorr delivers insights based on sophisticated, data-driven technologies and patent-pending algorithms, including sentiment and emotion analysis, natural language processing, link analysis, machine learning and artificial intelligence. The result is the most holistic and fact-based view and control of an individuals influence, behavior and personality on social media available today. The three main pillars of Skorrs approach are: Measurement: a comprehensive index of a spectrum of factors that impact influence and effectiveness on a user-specific level, resulting in a 1 to 100 Skorr index; Monitoring: an intuitive and reliable dashboard that provides a snapshot of aggregated performance indicators, its evolution over time, as well as a robust post analysis tool; Improvement: an automated, data-driven ability to help users refine and manage their specific use of social media as well as expand their influence Using more than two dozen data points, the Skorr app gives users a familiar 1-100 rating of their current influence based on their specific demographics, as well as their posts impact and contextual interpretation. Social media has removed many barriers to frictionless communications but it also introduces a lot of challenges in terms of validating influence and developing meaningful conversations and relationships. Skorr takes a very fact-based approach to understanding what is being said and its impact on peoples digital communities, said Miguel Caeiro, CEO of Skorr. We offer new levels of insights and control in a very user-friendly app that will have appeal to all types of individuals, from teenagers who want to compare and compete across their peer groups, to I-branders, influencers and small business owners who want to develop more effective digital marketing strategies. Skorrs proprietary machine learning analytics then develop user-specific influence analysis and tips to guide users to more effective and impactful conversations on any of their social media channels. Intuitive optimization tools will refine their guidance as they learn more about a users behavior and context. Social media influence measurement hasnt kept up with the times, and previous generation tools lack both the technological sophistication and cross-platform reach that are required to measure influence accurately, said Tony Poulos, Managing Editor at Disruptive Asia and Skorr board member. Skorr is built for todays digital communications reality. Nothing like this - focused on individuals - exists today. It will become the new standard for measuring social media influence and everyone will soon be asking Whats Your Skorr? About Skorr Skorr aggregates and analyzes content across six major social media platforms, including Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram, Tumblr and YouTube. The free app is available for download from Apple Store and Google Play in the Americas region, as well as European markets. The company behind the app is headquartered in Lisbon, Portugal with a global presence in North and South American. It was founded by a team of data science, marketing and social media experts, and has several patent-pending innovations driving its app. Its investor and advisors include successful entrepreneurs and veterans from AI, telecoms media and marketing sectors. More information can be found at www.skorr.social Miguel Caeiro miguel.caeiro@skorr.social +55 (11) 96704 2021 Mike Sottak mike@wiredislandpr.com +1 650 248 9597 A photo accompanying this announcement is available at http://resource.globenewswire.com/Resource/Download/cab119a4-7e98-434e-81bc-35f4d7aa3094 LIBERTY LAKE, Wash., May 08, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Hunt Mining Corp. (the Corporation or Hunt) (TSX-V:HMX) (OTC:HMXZF) is pleased to announce it has signed an Offtake Agreement (Agreement) with Ocean Partners USA, Inc. (Ocean Partners) for the delivery of Gold-Silver concentrate (Concentrate) from the La Josefina Project (La Josefina Project) located in Santa Cruz Province, Argentina. As part of this agreement, Hunt will receive a US $700,000 advance for the delivery of Gold-Silver concentrate from the La Josefina Project and will receive a further provisional payment upon shipment of the Concentrate from the loading port. This Agreement is in addition to previous agreements between the two companies on Silver-Gold concentrate produced from the Martha Project and repays the advance with deductions withheld through the shipments of Ailin vein concentrate processed at the Martha mill. Grades tested and suitability for processing at the Martha mill has thus far been very satisfactory for fulfillment of the terms. Ongoing production at the Martha Project is being undertaken without established mineral resources or reserves and the Corporation has not established the economic viability of the operations on the Martha Project. As a result, there is increased uncertainty and economic risks of failure associated with these production activities. However, a NI 43-101 compliant technical report from 2010 exists for the La Josefina project with Measured, Indicated and Inferred resources. The Ailin vein is a part of this resource estimate. Ocean Partners delivers successful trading services to miners, smelters, and refiners. Ocean Partners operates in a number of countries, including Canada, Chile, China, Cyprus, Mexico, Mongolia, Netherlands, Peru, Taiwan, Turkey, United Kingdom, and the United States, and retains agency representation in Argentina, Australia, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Ecuador, India, Japan, South Africa, South Korea, Central/Eastern Europe and the former Soviet Union. Additional information on the Martha Project and other Santa Cruz, Argentina projects can be viewed on the Company website at: www.huntmining.com. About Hunt Mining Hunt Mining Corp. has continued to develop its properties as an active and aggressive explorer in Santa Cruz since 2006, entering into production of silver and gold at the Mina Martha property in January 2017. Since 2006, Hunt's wholly owned subsidiary, Cerro Cazador S.A., has completed exploration activity including 62,000 meters of HQ core drilling, 416 line kilometers of Induced Polarization geophysical surveys and more than 20,000 surface soil, sediment, channel, chip, and trench samples, beyond the historical work previous to the same properties. Hunt also owns a 100% interest in the Martha property, which includes the Martha Project, also located in the Santa Cruz Province of Argentina. For more information contact: Dean Stuart Investor Relations T: (403) 617-7609 E: dean@boardmarker.net Bob Little Chief Administration Officer T: (509) 290-5659 E: blittle@huntmining.com Neither the TSX Venture nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. PASO ROBLES, Calif., May 08, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Via OTC PR Wire -- Greenbelt Resources Corporation (OTC:GRCO) (Greenbelt), the developer and provider of a sustainable ECOsystem model that transforms waste into bio-ethanol, today announced that CEO Darren Eng will visit China this month by special letter invitation to assist in enhancing the domestic production capacity up to the over four billion gallons of ethanol required to meet a mandate of the Chinese Government. The demand for biofuels in China is growing rapidly as are Chinese concerns for impacts on the environment. Our technology can help the right parties solve two immediate problems: the need for bioethanol as biofuel and the food waste issue, says Mr. Eng. Adding with emphasis, This is especially true at a time when China may not be importing needed ethanol from the United States. Greenbelt technology can create a local supply of ethanol from locally available wastes. As part of a sponsored delegation, Greenbelt will be presenting their technology and meeting with local governments and businesses in Beijing, Tianjin, Guangdong Province, Foshan, Guangzhou and Zhuhai. The trip is paid for and sponsored by www.USChinaCleantech.org, (UCCTC) a joint-partnership program between the Innovation Center for Energy and Transportation and the U.S. Department of Commerce International Trade Administration dedicated to accelerating trade and investment in U.S. clean energy and environmental protection technologies and best practices to China. Since 2012, UCCTC has been bringing together important leaders from leading companies and the sustainability field to network, conduct business, promote and seek out new clean technologies to shape the future. Greenbelt has had prior success in the Pacific Rim. Last year Greenbelt commissioned a commercial system in New South Wales, Australia that converts wheat processing waste into ethanol, and it received Ecolabel certification from the Indonesian Ministry of the Environment. About Greenbelt Resources Greenbelt Resources Corporation is an award-winning provider of sustainable energy production systems focused on delivering modular solutions that enable the localized processing of locally generated waste into locally consumed products. Greenbelt designs, develops and implements technology that makes the production of advanced biofuel reliable, practical and efficient. Controlled by proprietary automated controls, Greenbelts small-scale, end-to-end modular systems convert food, beverage and other cellulosic wastes into commercially viable advanced biofuels (bio-ethanol), animal feed, fertilizer and filtered water. For more information visit www.greenbeltresources.com. Forward-Looking Statements & Safe Harbor This document includes certain statements, predictions and projections that may be considered forward-looking statements under securities law. These statements involve a number of important risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially including, but not limited to, the supply and demand for biofuels, our ability to remain technologically competitive and other economic, competitive and technological factors involving the Company's operations, markets, services, products and prices. Contact: Darren Eng, CEO Greenbelt Resources Corp 888-995-GRCO (4726 x 101) darren@greenbeltresources.com TORONTO, May 08, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Teranga Gold Corporation (Teranga or the Company) (TSX:TGZ) (OTCQX:TGCDF) announces that all nominee directors listed in the Management Proxy Circular dated April 3, 2018 were elected as directors of the Company at its Annual General Meeting of Shareholders (the Meeting) held earlier today in Toronto, Ontario. At this Meeting, 69,914,888 shares were voted, representing 65.13% of the Companys issued and outstanding common shares. The voting results for all matters brought forth at the Meeting are set out below: Election of Directors Name Votes For % Votes For Votes Withheld % Votes Withheld Alan R. Hill 62,439,619 97.39 % 1,671,170 2.61 % Richard S. Young 63,425,831 98.93 % 684,958 1.07 % Christopher R. Lattanzi 64,039,399 99.89 % 71,390 0.11 % Jendayi E. Frazer 64,031,278 99.88 % 79,511 0.12 % Edward Goldenberg 62,678,387 97.77 % 1,432,402 2.23 % David J. Mimran 62,695,567 97.79 % 1,415,222 2.21 % Alan R. Thomas 62,562,402 97.58 % 1,548,387 2.42 % Frank D. Wheatley 62,353,237 97.26 % 1,757,552 2.74 % William J. Biggar 62,586,042 97.62 % 1,524,747 2.38 % Appointment of Auditor Name Votes For % Votes For Votes Withheld % Votes Withheld Ernst & Young LLP 69,791,923 99.82 % 122,965 0.18 % About Teranga Teranga is a multi-jurisdictional West African gold company focused on production and development as well as the exploration of more than 6,400 km2 of land located on prospective gold belts. Since its initial public offering in 2010, Teranga has produced more than 1.4 million ounces of gold from its operations in Senegal, which as of June 30, 2017 had a reserve base of 2.7 million ounces of gold. Focused on diversification and growth, the Company is advancing its Wahgnion Gold Project, with a recently released positive feasibility study, and conducting extensive exploration programs in three countries: Burkina Faso, Senegal and Cote dIvoire. Teranga has a strong balance sheet and the financial flexibility to execute on its growth strategy. The Company has nearly 4.0 million ounces of gold reserves from its combined Sabodala Gold operations and Wahgnion Gold Project. Steadfast in its commitment to set the benchmark for responsible mining, Teranga operates in accordance with the highest international standards and aims to act as a catalyst for sustainable economic, environmental, and community development as it strives to create value for all of its stakeholders. Teranga is a member of the United Nations Global Compact and a leading member of the multi-stakeholder group responsible for the submission of the first Senegalese Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative revenue report. The Company's responsibility report is available at www.terangagold.com/responsibilityreport and is prepared in accordance with its commitments under the United Nations Global Compact and in alignment with the Global Reporting Initiative guidelines. HOUSTON, May 08, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- In celebration of National Police Week, participating Montereys Little Mexico locations will be offering police officers a free entree on Monday, May 14, 2018 during regular business hours. The special offer is open to all police officers in uniform or with an official identification badge, which must be presented to receive the deal. Participating Montereys will also deliver complimentary catered meals to pre-selected local police stations throughout National Police Week, May 13-19. In addition to the National Police Week special, the restaurant provides a regular discount of half off any entree to police officers in uniform or with a badge. Our Montereys Little Mexico family and staff would like to celebrate local police officers who work tirelessly to keep our communities safe, said Marcus Jundt, CEO. We hope that youll come dine with us on May 14 for National Police Week. The deal is valid only on May 14, 2018 at participating Montereys Little Mexico locations. Police officers must be in uniform and/or present a badge to receive the offer for one free entree, excluding alcohol, tax and gratuity. It cannot be combined with any other offer, promotion or discount. The offer is valid on the police officers meal only. Montereys Little Mexico has 10 locations in Texas and Oklahoma. The restaurant is part of Williston Holding Company, which currently operates and franchises 56 Mexican and American restaurant locations across nine brands: Casa Ole, Montereys Little Mexico, Uberrito, Tortuga Mexican Kitchen, Crazy Joses, Williston Brewing Company, Gramma Sharons, J Dubs Bar & Grill, and Doc Hollidays Roadhouse. About Montereys Little Mexico Montereys Little Mexico is a legacy Tex-Mex restaurant serving authentic Mexican food since its founding in 1955. The brand has 10 locations across Texas and Oklahoma. The restaurant specializes in Tex-Mex customer favorites like enchiladas, fajitas, burritos and queso. For more information, visit www.montereys.com. About Williston Holding Company Williston Holding Company (WHC) is a rapidly growing restaurant corporation that currently operates and franchises 56 restaurants in Texas, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Louisiana and Arizona. Its brands include Casa Ole, Montereys Little Mexico, Uberrito, Tortuga Mexican Kitchen and Crazy Joses, each offering authentic Mexican and Tex-Mex food that is made from scratch daily. Williston Brewing Company, Doc Hollidays Roadhouse, Gramma Sharons and J Dubs Bar & Grill comprise WHCs North Dakota portfolio of American restaurants. Media Contact: April Lynch Principal Lynchpin Strategic Communications Ph: (713) 922-1895 april@lynchpincomms.com A photo accompanying this announcement is available at http://resource.globenewswire.com/Resource/Download/b718572f-4df3-4195-aed3-43f671a18787 lilypad234 wrote: I am an American student, a bit mature (30+), and have significant international experience. I have a BA from one of the Top 5 US Universities (HYPS) and a Masters degree from an Oxbridge university, both in Humanities/Social Sciences. My work experience has largely been in the corporate retail industry - business development, marketing, and e-commerce management. I am looking to get an MBA to get a formalised business education (since I have 2 degrees in Humanities/Social Sciences, to build credibility for potential investors) and to prepare to launch my own entrepreneurial retail/e-commerce business. I was offered a 35,000 ($50,000) merit scholarship from London Business School. I have informed Columbia but they will not match and have offered me $0 in funding towards my degree. Since LBS's fees are lower to begin with, this will make it $100,000 more expensive for me to get an MBA from Columbia than it will to get an MBA from LBS. I am wondering since both school are never directly compare against eachother in rankings etc, what anyone else's pro's/con's might be? I have come up with a list of my own, but it's pretty much dead even. It would be great to see if anyone has some thoughts/ideas/insights that I didn't come up with already. Here are the main ones for me at the moment (setting things where I think they are pretty equal like faculty etc aside): LBS pros: international student body, more mature students/higher student age, lower cost LBS cons: lack of brand recognition in USA, far from family & friends, smaller alumni network in USA - specifically greater NYC CBS pros: closer to friends & family, strong brand recognition in USA, extensive alumni network in greater NYC CBS cons: high cost, younger student body, more direct competition/comparison with other US universities Many thanks in advance! did you decide? This is a hard choice! Mon, 10/11 (10am ET): Why are you Stuck in GMAT Verbal while doing well on Quant | Verbal Score Improvement Strategies Global dairy markets continue to teeter on the edge of profitability. This is causing concern for some in the industry and is fueled by uncertainty over mounting trade tensions, ever-growing milk flow, and feed prices that look to increase. As a result, Rabobanks recent rural confidence survey of Oceania farmers showed producer confidence reverting to negative territory as they ponder their near-term future. U.S. farmers are also facing difficult times as the U.S. All-Milk price dropped to $15.30 per hundredweight (cwt.) in February, marking the lowest level in nearly two years. Feed prices are moving in the opposite direction with corn futures trading above $4 per bushel through most of 2018 and into 2019 . . . the first time since 2014. A small pricing rally developed in early March as Class III milk futures moved above $16 per cwt. along the 2018 price curve. The rally has been driven by record-high U.S. exports in February (on a daily basis), moving up 20 percent along with strong domestic demand for cheese. However, the escalating prices have been met with skepticism as the looming Northern Hemisphere spring flush is likely to dampen milk prices during the second quarter. The U.S. herd currently stands at 45,000 head above last year. The cow numbers, in tandem with above-trend milk per cow yields, propelled U.S. milk production 1.8 percent above last year. In Europe, year-over-year output grew by 4 percent versus a low comparable but exceeded the prior year by 1 billion pounds. Chinese buyers have done most of the heavy lifting regarding global imports, which were 20 percent higher in the first two months of 2018. Chinas double-digit expansion in imports was largely due to lower year-over-year milk production (down 1.6 percent in 2017) caused by a long, hot summer. The U.S. accounted for 5 percent of the growth, with exports to China up 16 percent in liquid milk equivalent terms. However, the robust year-over-year gains during the first two months of the year could vanish if a trade war between the U.S. and China comes to fruition. It has been a bumpy road for the markets as President Trump demonstrates his negotiation brinkmanship. President Xi announced a move toward a broader opening of the Chinese market to the U.S. following a tit-for-tat battle that included $50 billion in tariffs exchanged between the U.S. and China followed by a further $100 billion in tariffs on Chinese imports from the U.S. none of which have yet been implemented. Dairy has not explicitly been named, but if it were to be included, it could be detrimental to U.S. prices. In 2017, China accounted for 45 percent of U.S. whey product exports. If the U.S. lost China as an export destination, a 5-cent per pound drop in the U.S. dry whey price is not out of the question. This would have a ripple effect of 30 cents per hundredweight on the Class III milk price. As it is, dry whey prices are about 20 cents lower than last year, due in part to aging European government-held skim milk powder stocks anticipated for use in the animal feed sector. Fortunately, it appears the U.S. and China both realize there is a greater incentive to find agreement than fighting a costly trade war. Farm-level margin pressure faced by producers around the globe is expected to stymie year-over-year milk output growth. Gradually slowing rates of growth, led by the EU and the U.S., will bring the market into balance. As a result, combined year-over-year milk supply growth for the Big 7 (the U.S., EU, Argentina, Brazil, Uruguay, New Zealand, and Australia) is expected to all but cease as we make our way into 2019. Meanwhile, Rabobank sees global economic growth accelerating through 2018, which will support demand growth for dairy products. We anticipate Chinese imports to again expand in 2018, growing by approximately 14 percent. Anecdotal evidence suggests that consumer demand in Southeast Asia remains robust. U.S. dairy product demand is also expected to expand by around 1.3 percent. In summary, 2018 likely will encounter greater pricing volatility. In the short term, the market appears to be overpriced with downside price risk, ultimately pulling supply growth to a trickle by late 2018. The growing global economy is buoying demand growth for dairy products. When combined with slower supply growth, it is expected to rebalance the dairy markets and put dairy producers back in profitable territory by year-end. Last week, a dairy farmer and friend of mine had open-heart surgery to replace his aortic valve. He was aware that he would need the operation because three years ago the doctor told him it would have to be done in the next one to five years. When I learned that he was getting part of a cows heart in the procedure, I was intrigued. And I thought how ironic? A man who loves his cows would be saved by one. I wanted to learn more so I searched online for reliable sources about the procedure. I had always heard that swine provided the replacement valve unless the patient wanted an artificial valve. So, having a cow as the donor, was new to me. The Food and Drug Administration in addition to the tasks we would more commonly associate it with like approving medications for cattle and feed ingredients for livestock, approves the use of cow tissue in heart valves. The tissue surrounding a cows heart is the pericardium. This featured tissue is treated and is engineered to fit the valve location. It is then stitched into the humans heart. There are companies that specialize in providing this unique tissue to hospitals. Arent the human and pig more similar than a human and a cow? From a digestive standpoint, people and pigs are both monogastrics, but in this case the cow and man are the preferred pairing. Animal tissue is selected for valves rather than artificial valves. Using the pericardium of cows has a four times less failure rate than swine and can extend the human lifespan by 20 years. Artificial heart valves can cause a persons blood to clot, and therefore requires the use of blood thinners. Women of child-bearing years should not choose an artificial heart valve, and opt for the animal tissue alternative for example. My friends doctors are pleased with his surgery. Thankfully recovery is going well and extended family are helping fill the gap with chores until he is able to return to work. I am sure he will look at his Holsteins with an even deeper appreciation now knowing the gift that a cow just like one of them provided him. Here is a video that was part of a USA TODAY piece about the procedure. Join us next week Sources: ABC News and USA TODAY Calf rearing affects lifetime eating behavior on Monday, May 14, 2018, at noon (Central time). The feeding behavior patterns of dairy cattle are known to impact health, productivity, and welfare. Trevor DeVries, University of Guelph, will discuss how the way we feed, house, and manage calves impacts the learning and persistence of their feeding patterns. The feeding behavior patterns of dairy cattle are known to impact health, productivity, and welfare. Trevor DeVries, University of Guelph, will discuss how the way we feed, house, and manage calves impacts the learning and persistence of their feeding patterns. The webinar is sponsored by AAS. Trevor DeVries presents The author is the online media manager and is responsible for the website, webinars, and social media. A graduate of Modesto Junior College and Fresno State, she was raised on a California dairy and frequently blogs on youth programs and consumer issues. As of August 26th, 2021 Yahoo India will no longer be publishing content. Your Yahoo Account Mail and Search experiences will not be affected in any way and will operate as usual. We thank you for your support and readership. For more information on Yahoo India, please visit the FAQ Our land abounds in natures gifts of beauty rich and rare, is a line from Australian national anthem which once again aptly appeal to me when exploring Port Lincoln and its spectacular surrounds in South Australia. says Sandip Hor Less than an hours flight from Adelaide, this domain cuddling Boston Bay is blessed with rolling hills, unspoiled coastline, national parks and wildlife to boast of an ideal nest to engage with pristine nature. British mariner Matthew Flinders in 1802 discovered this outsized protected natural harbour one of the largest in the world and named the locality Port Lincoln after his native county of Lincolnshire in England. A vast variety of seafood available in the surrounding waters and sheltered bays inspired fishing to be the obvious choice of the settlers. Over time sourcing seafood primarily Southern Blue Fin Tuna, King George Whiting, Kingfish, Wildcatch Abalone, Pacific Oysters, Southern Rock Lobsters and King Prawns became such a big business that the area earned the title of the Seafood Capital of Australia, the marina boasting largest fishing fleet in Southern Hemisphere. This accolade draws visitors from other parts of Australia and overseas to enjoy a lavish indulgence with seafood. This is not just limited to culinary adventures but also includes opportunities to learn more about life under the sea. We visit an oyster farm at Coffin Bay, 46 km by road northwest of Port Lincoln, where owner Chris gives us a deep insight of how Pacific oysters are farmed before we sample some of them, picked up straight from the water. Some of us even shuck our own oysters. Later we drop in at the Fresh Fish Place, a local fish factory where experts show and tell the process of how the seafood transits from the sea to the plates. Though most of the catches are exported overseas, still whats available locally is amazing. Seafood dining at some of the local cafes and restaurants is a rare treat for foodies. I still cant forget the taste of King George Whiting fillets, deep fried and served with chips, all washed down with a glass of chardonnay sourced from local vineyards. Even fine dining on the beach is possible with freshly caught seafood. Beyond seafood, the most exhilarating experience in Port Lincoln is swimming with the sea lions. To undertake this we set off by boat from Port Lincoln Marina to the crystal clear waters of Hopkins Island where gorgeous puppies of the sea welcome us with their spectacular acrobats. Its an awesome experience to be in the water with them. Like little kids, the sea lions too demand interaction and want swimmers do funny things as they do like somersaults, backflips and swirls, otherwise they drift away. Cruise captain Matt tells that this kind of playful encounter with sea life is not possible to this extent anywhere else in the world. Truly there not many places on earth like Port Lincoln that can offer such a diverse combo of things to do from cage diving with sharks, whale and dolphin viewing ,sports fishing, scuba diving and sea kayaking to bushwalking, horse riding, birdwatching, koala spotting and outdoor camping for a deep and intimate engagement with Mother Nature. Best of nature strikes us when we go for a helicopter ride. The magnificent coastline of quiet coves, sheltered beaches and sheer cliffs joining an undulated terrain covered by thick Mallee scrub and overlooked by rolling hills from a distance tells everyone how beautiful Australia is. We even spot from the top kangaroos running and emus moving to sum it up as a true Aussie experience. TRAVEL NOTEBOOK Getting There: Air India (www.airindia.in) flies direct from Delhi to Sydney and Melbourne from where Qantas (www.qantas.com) have regular flights to Adelaide. Regional Express (www.rex.com.au) has daily flights from there to Port Lincoln. Stay: Port Lincoln offers multiple accommodation options, the best is the 111-room Port Lincoln Hotel (www.portlincolnhotel.com.au) which offers award winning hospitality. Eating joints worth trying: Marina Hotel (www. marinahotel.com.au), Del Giorno Cafe & Restaurant (www.delgiornos.com.au), Line & Label (www.thelineandlabel.com.au) and Sarins inside Port Lincoln Hotel. Local Tour Operators Australian wildlife Adventures (www.australianwildlifeadventures.com.au) and Adventure Bay Charters (www.adventurebaycharters.com.au) More information See www.visitportlincoln.net.au, tourism.sa.gov.au and www.australia.com UNFCCC New York, May 8 (IBNS): Polands new law designed to address safety concerns during the United Nations climate change conference to be held there later this year could infringe on the privacy of environmentalists and curtail their rights to protest peacefully, UN human rights experts said Monday. The UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP24) will take place in the southern Polish city of Katowice from 26 November to 16 December. For the COP24 to be a true success, the Polish Government must do its utmost to prepare and hold the meeting in a manner that facilitates the climate change negotiations and also ensures meaningful civic space that is free from undue surveillance and restriction, said a group of independent UN experts in a news release issued by the organization's human rights office (OHCHR). These experts including Clement Nyaletsossi Voule, Special Rapporteur on the rights to freedom of peaceful assembly and association, and Joe Cannataci, Special Rapporteur on the right to privacy raised the issue, as the Polish Government briefed officials about COP24 at a preparatory meeting being held in Bonn, Germany. All eyes are on the Polish Government to see how, as the host and the president of COP24, it will honour its human rights obligations and uphold its responsibility to ensure free and unfettered access for broader participation, the experts said. Specifically, Article 17 of a new safety and security law appears to give sweeping surveillance powers to the police and secret services to collect and process personal data about all COP24 participants, and Article 22 appears to prevent spontaneous peaceful assemblies from taking place during the conference. The UN experts encouraged the Government to clarify how the law might would be put into effect. Kabul, May 8 (IBNS): At least seven Pakistani nationals were among the 19 terrorists who have been killed in Afghanistan by the country's national forces recently. The operations were carried out by special forces of the Afghan intelligence, National Directorate of Security (NDS), in eastern Nangarhar province, local Khaama Press reported. Along with the deceased, eight others were arrested. Several Taliban leaders have been killed during the operations. According to a government statement, the leaders have been identified as Irshad, Shamali, Qari Janat, Saqib and Afridi. The statement added that the militants were planning to execute a coordinated attack in Momand Dara and Bati Kot districts of the province. "The Afghan forces have also confiscated and destroyed 5 PKM machine guns, 4 rocket launchers, 9 Ak-47 rifles, 8 communication sets, 20 rockets, 9 landmines, 100 meters of power line, ammunition of PKM machine gun and several other types of the explosives, the governors office added," the Khaama Press report read. The Taliban is yet to issue a statement regarding the news. President Trump is terminating United States participation in the JCPOA, as it failed to protect Americas national security interests. The JCPOA enriched the Iranian regime and enabled its malign behavior, while at best delaying its ability to pursue nuclear weapons and allowing it to preserve nuclear research and development. The President has directed his Administration to immediately begin the process of re-imposing sanctions related to the JCPOA. The re-imposed sanctions will target critical sectors of Irans economy, such as its energy, petrochemical, and financial sectors. Those doing business in Iran will be provided a period of time to allow them to wind down operations in or business involving Iran. Those who fail to wind down such activities with Iran by the end of the period will risk severe consequences. United States withdrawal from the JCPOA will pressure the Iranian regime to alter its course of malign activities and ensure that Iranian bad acts are no longer rewarded. As a result, both Iran and its regional proxies will be put on notice. As importantly, this step will help ensure global funds stop flowing towards illicit terrorist and nuclear activities. IRANS BAD FAITH AND BAD ACTIONS: Iran negotiated the JCPOA in bad faith, and the deal gave the Iranian regime too much in exchange for too little. Intelligence recently released by Israel provides compelling details about Irans past secret efforts to develop nuclear weapons, which it lied about for years. The intelligence further demonstrates that the Iranian regime did not come clean about its nuclear weapons activity, and that it entered the JCPOA in bad faith. The JCPOA failed to deal with the threat of Irans missile program and did not include a strong enough mechanism for inspections and verification. The JCPOA foolishly gave the Iranian regime a windfall of cash and access to the international financial system for trade and investment. Instead of using the money from the JCPOA to support the Iranian people at home, the regime has instead funded a military buildup and continues to fund its terrorist proxies, such as Hizballah and Hamas. Iran violated the laws and regulations of European countries to counterfeit the currency of its neighbor, Yemen, to support the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Quds Forces destabilizing activities. ADDRESSING IRANIAN AGGRESSION: President Trump is committed to ensuring Iran has no possible path to a nuclear weapon and is addressing the threats posed by the regimes malign activities. President Trump will work to assemble a broad coalition of nations to deny Iran all paths to a nuclear weapon and to counter the totality of the regimes malign activities. Nations must work together to halt the Iranian regimes destabilizing drive for regional hegemony. In Syria, the Iranian regime supports the Assad regime and is complicit in Assads atrocities against the Syrian people. In Yemen, the regime has escalated the conflict and used the Houthis as a proxy to attack other nations. In Iraq, Irans IRGC sponsors Shia militant groups and terrorists. In Lebanon, the Iranian regime enables Hizballah to play a highly destabilizing role and to build an arsenal of weapons that threatens the region. The Administrations actions are directed against the malign behavior of the Iranian regime, not against the Iranian people, who are the regimes longest-suffering victims. President Trump is making clear that, in addition to never developing a nuclear weapon, the Iranian regime must: Never have an ICBM, cease developing any nuclear-capable missiles, and stop proliferating ballistic missiles to others. Cease its support for terrorists, extremists, and regional proxies, such as Hizballah, Hamas, the Taliban, and al-Qaida. End its publicly declared quest to destroy Israel. Stop its threats to freedom of navigation, especially in the Persian Gulf and Red Sea. Cease escalating the Yemen conflict and destabilizing the region by proliferating weapons to the Houthis. End its cyber-attacks against the United States and our allies, including Israel. Stop its grievous human rights abuses, shown most recently in the regimes crackdown against widespread protests by Iranian citizens. Stop its unjust detention of foreigners, including United States citizens. White House Some say that pulling out will lead to war in the Middle East, a viewpoint that the Iranian mullahs certainly ascribe to as they threaten to restart their nuclear programme with the sole purpose of using it to attack America and its allies. However, there are many more who point out that Trump can actually achieve peace in Iran by withdrawing from the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA). These are the Iranian people and their allies, who are advocating for regime change in Iran both in protests on the ground and in dialogues with the wider community. Free Iran Thousands of exiles took part in the Iran Freedom Convention on Saturday, in Washington DC, alongside many prominent American dignitaries and Members of Congress. The event, hosted by the Organization of Iranian-American Communities, was attended by politicians, activists, and dissidents from every sector of life and every political party. In a message to the rally, Iranian opposition leader Maryam Rajavi said: The people of Iran are calling on the international community, in particular the West, to support their uprising for the overthrow of the Iranian regime. Rajavi, President of the National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI), is one of the most recognisable voices of the Resistance and has expertly debunked all of the Regimes lies about their opposition. She explained to the crowd that the Iran deal was not helping the people of Iran, but enriching the mullahs and helping fund illicit wars and terrorism. She said: Since the JCPOA was forged, the Iranian Resistance stressed that the nuclear deal had provided unwarranted concessions to the regime and any agreement must take into account Tehrans meddling in the Middle East the experience of the past three years has confirmed that the mullahs took advantage of the concessions in the JCPOA to suppress the people of Iran and massacre the people of Syria. Former New York City mayor Rudy Giuliani was also in attendance at the rally, where he explained that Trump is as committed to regime change as we are and advocated for escalating the protests to allow the people to bring about regime change. This, he said, was the only way to peace in the Middle East and more important than an Israeli-Palestinian deal. During his speech, Giuliani also praised the Iranian exiles, who were transferred to safety in Albania in 2016. He said that now that the members of the Peoples Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI/MEK) were no longer in fear for their lives, they were able to work towards a Free Iran much more quickly. Giuliani, whose views on the JCPOA are well known, pretended to rip up the accord on stage. While Bill Richardson, former US ambassador to the United Nations, attended the event to advocate that the NCRI is the legitimate opposition and ready to take power. He said: The Iranian people want regime change We are here to recognize there is a legitimate opposition, right here. The National Council of Resistance of Iran. Others who sent support to the convention, included: Rep. Ted Poe (R-TX) Rep. Eliot Engel (D-NY), the Ranking Member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee Rep. Ileana Ros Lehtinen (R-FL) Turbulence ahead for Regime Later today, Trump will announce his decision on the nuclear deal and hopefully he will, as Giuliani promised, side with the Iranian people. Trumps speech reiterated his longstanding position that the US should never have agreed to the JCPOA, in part because it failed to constrain Irans activities in other areas such as its malign behavior in the region and its development of potentially nuclear-capable ballistic missiles. The decision to withdraw came as little surprise to those who had been following this issue, although it did undermine the lingering optimism among some of the deals defenders regarding the specific course of action that the White House would take in re-imposing nuclear-related sanctions. Immediately after his speech, Trump signed a presidential memorandum beginning the process of reinstating sanctions, which he noted would target not only the Islamic Republic and Iranian businesses, but also companies from other countries that persisted in doing business with Iranian entities. This broader targeting constitutes what the BBC described as a hard exit of the agreement, in a report preceding the presidents speech. That report claimed that the White House had hinted that it might not renege completely on the JCPOA, and that Trump was generally expected to take a more delicate course of action that would have given Western investors a clear six-month grace period for winding down their activities in the Islamic Republic. It is not clear whether the Iranian leadership also anticipated Trump taking a less assertive approach to withdrawal. And the answer to this question may affect how one interprets Iranian President Hassan Rouhanis boastful comments in the immediate run-up to his American counterparts speech. Rouhani predicted that the re-imposition of American sanctions would create two or three months of problems for the Iranian regime, but that it would quickly recover. But these two claims are arguably contradictory, given the current economic conditions that Iran is facing. Last month, the countrys national currency fell to half its value compared to the previous autumn, evincing a crisis that has also had a severe impact on the rates of unemployment and poverty throughout the country. These issues contributed to widespread domestic unrest at the end of last year and the beginning of this year, and also to the several large labor protests that have been observed since that time. As the dual crises of economic hardship and public protest continue, it seems highly likely that two or three months of additional problems could potentially have a serious impact on the near-term prospects for the Iranian regime. This potential is even more obvious if Rouhanis prediction was based on an optimistic assessment of the course of action that Trump would take, and of the impact that American withdrawal might have on the possibility of ongoing business deals between the Islamic Republic and European investors. In fact, it appears likely that Rouhani was taking an optimistic view of the latter subject just a day before Trumps speech, when he said that Iran might be willing and able to remain a party to the agreement alongside its other signatories the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Russia, and China even after the US pulls out. But at the same that Trumps hard exit makes it difficult for the European nations to remain in the agreement without US enforcement measures, the surrounding circumstances may have also amplified opposition to the JCPOA within the Iranian establishment. The Associated Press report that made reference to Rouhanis endorsement of ongoing cooperation also noted that UK Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson had met with Trump on Monday to make a last ditch appeal for preservation of the nuclear agreement. This followed upon similar efforts by French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Angela Merkel as the three European governments sought to meet the May 12 deadline for fixing the flaws in the JCPOA to Trumps satisfaction. According to Al Monitor, these repeated efforts to appease the Trump administration may have closed off the possibility of direct cooperation between Iran and Europe. Indeed, Iranian officials have recently accused the Europeans of giving away concessions on Irans behalf, and regimes leader Ali Khamenei has declared that if the US withdraws from the deal, Iran will do the same. The European decision to explore Trumps ultimatums instead of defending the JCPOA against his threats has presumably made it harder for Rouhani-affiliated pragmatists to overcome the uncompromising anti-Western sentiment of hardline factions. If, by some change, Iran manages to keep open the possibility of cooperation with Europe, there is certainly no guarantee that the Europeans would reciprocate. Last week, the UK floated the idea of passing legislation to block US sanctions, as Europe had done in 1996. But in his speech on Tuesday, Trump said of the US, its European allies, and its allies in the Middle East, We are unified in our understanding of the threat posed by the Iranian regime. If this is true, or even nearly so, it is difficult to imagine the entirety of the European Union agreeing to take additional steps toward undermining the US in order to keep open the possibility of business deals with Iran. Even so, Europes possible sanctions-blocking legislation is not the only thing threatening to undermine the effectiveness of re-imposed US sanctions. An article at Fox News focused instead on the increasingly close relationships between Iran and the two other JCPOA signatories, Russia and China. The piece notes that these two allies of the Islamic Republic have already provided it with hundreds of billions of dollars worth of trade deals, and that there is little chance of the American withdrawal convincing either party to reverse this trend. In fact, the article suggests that Trumps move may push the Iran and the two Asian powers closer together, in turn diminishing the harm that Western sanctions cause to the Iranian economy. Already, the Chinese central bank has begun to step in to provide some of the financing that has not been forthcoming from European banks that remained wary of pressure from the US. Now the need for such alternative financing may become more apparent, leading to further measures that circumvent international banking and the US dollar. But while these countermeasures by Iran and its allies may diminish the impact of re-imposed sanctions, they cannot be expected to eliminate them. And in light of the aforementioned economic crisis, even diminished pressure may be significant, especially if Tehrans budgetary priorities remain heavily skewed by the perception or rhetorical invention of Western threats. In his speech on Tuesday, Trump pointed out that Irans military and paramilitary expenditures had grown this year to approximately 40 percent of its overall budget and that those expenditures had been dedicated to regional activities that were more brazen than ever before. The wastefulness of this foreign intervention was distinctly highlighted during Irans nationwide protests in December and January, as participants chanted slogans like forget Syria; think of us. These protests evidently factored into Trumps calculations regarding the future of the nuclear agreement, since his speech on the re-imposition of sanctions included direct references and appeals to the Iranian people, and the statement that great things can happen for Iran. Such language presumably indicates that the White House anticipates those people to react with further protests after Iran fails to compensate for new economic pressures in a way that safeguards the public interest. Maryam Rajavi, the president of the National Council of Resistance of Iran, said in a speech in March that the year ahead would be a year full of uprisings ultimately leading to regime change in Iran. There is reason to believe that Trump had something similar in mind on Tuesday when he reiterated an earlier threat: that Iran will have bigger problems than ever before if it does not change its behavior in a number of areas, not limited to the nuclear sphere. California Women: Keep Californias Breast Density Reporting Law in Place Sen. Holly J. Mitchell, Dr. Nancy Cappello of Are You Dense, Inc., Are You Dense Advocacy, Inc. announce new survey results supporting life-saving law set to expire Are You Dense, Inc., and Are You Dense Advocacy, Inc., global nonprofit breast health organizations, today announced its survey results of California Womens Awareness of Dense Breast Issues resulting from the 2013 Californias Breast Density Law, and their opinion on the fact that the law may no longer exist after Jan. 1, 2019, the date it is set to expire. California women who participated in the survey overwhelmingly want to law to stay. According to the survey, findings show that 95% of respondents want the law to remain in place. Furthermore, nearly 75% know that dense breast tissue makes it more difficult to see cancer on a mammogram, and the vast majority of women with dense breast tissue had conversations about it, including the discussion of additional screening with their physicians. ADVERTISEMENT California State Senator Holly J. Mitchell, D-Los Angeles, chair of the Senate Budget and Fiscal Review Committee, recently introduced bill SB1034 to eliminate the laws sunset clause. The law set to end requires healthcare providers to disclose to patients their breast tissue density as part of mammography reporting results. From my perspective, the more women know, the more we empower ourselves to be self-health advocates and understand the complexities of our own bodies so that we can have informed conversations with our doctors, Mitchell said. Nancy M. Cappello, PhD, founder and executive director, Are You Dense, Inc. and Are You Dense Advocacy, Inc., agreed: It is critically important that the voices of women who participate in mammography screening are front and center as the merits of the breast density law are debated, Cappello said. Furthermore, California women want the law to stay in place as it is leading to conversations between patient and provider about personalized screening potentially resulting in early detection, an opportunity I never had. Dr. Cappello launched Are You Dense, Inc. in 2008, shortly after learning that her late stage 3C breast cancer, which metastasized to 13 lymph nodes, was missed on mammography due to having dense breast tissue, which was never disclosed to her. The medical community knew about the limitations of dense breasts to detect cancer on mammogram and its breast cancer risk. Through her organizations, Dr. Cappello is committed to ensure that all women learn their breast tissue density and risk of breast cancer leading to personalized screening. She is the inspiration behind the first state density reporting law in her state of Connecticut in 2009. Richard Reitherman, Ph.D., M.D., medical director of breast imaging at the Memorial Care Breast Center at Orange Coast Memorial, Fountain Valley, California testified in support of SB1034 adds, The California Dense Breast Notification law has served to motivate informed decision-making by validating every womans right to know the scientific facts that may save her life by taking dominion over her personal health care decisions. ADVERTISEMENT The survey confirms that California women want information about their breast tissue density, notes Amy Colton, a nurse from Santa Cruz who recently testified at the Senate Hearing Committee. Colton advocated for the current California density reporting law after invasive cancer was hidden on mammography because of her dense breast tissue. It validates their belief that patients have a right to know about their own physiology and that dense breasts present a risk and may influence the accuracy of screening. By removing the sunset date, women will continue to receive information regarding their breast density, its inherent risks and screening limitations. Colton emphasizes, There is no downside to giving patients information that will help guide them, along with their physicians, to determine the best screening methods to diagnose cancer at an early stage. About the Survey: Are Your Dense, Inc. and Are You Dense Advocacy, Inc. commissioned Spectrum Associates to determine California womens awareness of the issue of dense breast tissue and laws impact. An online survey through Research Now was distributed to 500 California women, between the ages of 40 and 74 years old who had a mammogram within the past two years. The surveys were completed March 22-27, 2018. The racial/ethnic representation within the study sample was reflective of the states population. Key Findings: 95% of respondents want the breast density reporting law to remain. 85% of respondents agreed that it is important that every woman knew her type of breast tissue and 88% agreed that they would prefer to know than not know. 68% of California women learned of their breast tissue type from a conversation with health care providers. 59% of the respondents who had dense breasts indicated that their health care provider had talked to them about having additional screening. Final CA Infographic 4-5-2018 William and Leslie McMorrows donation endows the Neighborhood Academic Initiative, ensuring ongoing support for future generations of promising students in South and East Los Angeles. USCs signature outreach program that for decades has prepared students in its neighboring communities for college has received a generous naming gift from USC Trustee William McMorrow and his wife, Leslie. It is the largest donation ever to the universitys community outreach programs. This endowment gift will enable a significant expansion of what will now be known as the USC Leslie and William McMorrow Neighborhood Academic Initiative. It ensures that an increased number of promising students from East and South Los Angeles will gain the skills and knowledge needed to successfully earn a college degree. ADVERTISEMENT The high school graduation rate of students enrolled in the program is 100 percent, and 99 percent of program graduates attend college. Education is a critical component of achieving personal and professional success in life, as well as the great equalizer in our society, USC President C. L. Max Nikias said. This remarkably generous donation from Bill and Leslie McMorrow will give the gift of knowledge to talented young persons in our local communities, and partner with them and their families as they prepare for college. These students future successes will always have their roots in the McMorrows extraordinary generosity. More than 1,000 students have completed the seven-year program since its creation in 1991. Nearly all of them have enrolled in a four-year university, more than 90 percent as first-generation college students. Leslie and I are incredibly inspired by these young students who have the opportunity to follow through on their passions and dreams thanks to the educational foundation this vital initiative creates, William McMorrow said. We are honored to be affiliated with such an important program and to expand its reach so that more promising students in South and East Los Angeles can pursue a degree with hands-on support from the USC community. University leaders plan to expand the program from nearly 900 current students to serve more than 1,100 participants in the next two years, with the goal of sending more than 100 students to four-year universities each year. The long-term vision also includes extending the initiative to begin preparing students as early as third grade. We start working with these families when higher education is a distant goal, said Thomas Sayles, senior vice president for university relations. This wonderful support from the McMorrows will enable us to continue building those crucial skills early in the educational process, helping our talented youth acquire valuable knowledge that will serve them for many years to come. ADVERTISEMENT Participants come from middle and high schools in the neighborhoods around USCs University Park and Health Sciences campuses. Starting in sixth grade, they commit to afterschool tutoring, daylong classes on Saturdays and summer sessions. Students take honors and Advanced Placement classes on USCs campuses starting in high school. As they learn valuable study habits and become familiar with the university environment, their parents also commit to participating in classes on topics such as college applications and financial aid. Students who complete the program in good standing through their high school graduation are eligible for a full scholarship to USC if admitted. Many take advantage of that offer; 41 percent of graduates have enrolled at USC. The USC McMorrow Neighborhood Academic Initiative has become such a strong pipeline to USC that one of its participating schools now sends more of its graduates to USC than any other high school. Foshay Learning Center, less than a mile from University Park Campus, sent 21 students to USC this year, up from 19 enrollees the year prior. Other graduates attend institutions such as Harvard University, New York University or the various campuses of the University of California. The USC McMorrow Neighborhood Academic Initiative is more than just a program, said Kim Thomas-Barrios, associate senior vice president of educational partnerships at USC. It is a neighborhood-focused movement that provides a straightforward pathway to college, aiming to eliminate or reduce the barriers to academic success that can often derail first-generation students. William McMorrow grew up as one of nine children in a family whose members were all expected to work hard. He is a two-time USC alumnus who built his real estate investment and management company, Kennedy Wilson, into a global powerhouse. In three decades, he grew it from one office with 11 employees to 25 offices with roughly 500 employees around the world. McMorrow credits much of his success to the lessons he learned and the friendships and connections he made while earning his undergraduate degree in business and MBA from the USC Marshall School of Business. His passion for USC grew out of childhood trips to the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum to cheer alongside his father, a U.S. Navy fighter pilot and ardent Trojans fan. He has been a strong supporter of real estate research and education at the university for decades, serving on the executive board of the USC Lusk Center for Real Estate, endowing the McMorrow Global Real Estate Initiative and helping launch the Performance Science Institute. McMorrow also established the Military Veterans Initiative, helping student-veterans earn their degree at USC and find employment. He has served on the USC Board of Trustees since 2015. This year, he was recognized with the universitys highest alumni honor, the Asa V. Call Alumni Achievement Award, for his dedication and support of the Trojan Family. He also supports his alma mater, Loyola High School, and is involved with the Navy SEAL Foundation and City of Hope. Leslie McMorrow is a graduate of the University of California, Santa Barbara, where she earned a bachelors degree in business economics and Asian studies. She honed her knowledge of Asian aesthetics, culture, art and design at Sophia University in Tokyo. She studies and invests in emerging artists, specializing in the Los Angeles art market. Her community involvement includes serving on the board of overseers of the Hammer Museum and the board of the Rape Foundation. Scientists are shocked at the speed at which resistance to powerful antibiotics spreads from animals to people. New research has shown that genetic changes in pathogens affect people and animals around the world in just a few years. The research suggests these genetic changes probably spread from a pig farm in China. Professor Francois Balloux is the lead researcher for the study and director of the Genetics Institute at University College London. He says the powerful antibiotic Colistin has become an important last line of defense. It is used to save people's lives when all other drugs have failed. And it was mostly used in agriculture then, in pigs and a bit in chickens. But recently, as we are running out of drugs, people actually have become a bit more interested in using it, and it has been used quite extensively recently over the last five to 10 years in the clinic. Now, even Colistin is losing its power against highly resistant bacteria called "superbugs." Fast mutation Deadly pathogens like E. Coli or salmonella can change and develop resistance to antibiotics. Ballouxs research identifies the speed at which the gene that gives resistance to Colistin began in the mid-2000s. It happened once. And it jumped very, very likely from pigs, probably in China, and it spread extremely rapidly throughout the world. And it also spread in all sorts of different species and affects humans. The resistance has even been found in pathogens in seawater on Brazilian beaches. Balloux notes his study centered on just one resistant gene, but many pathogens are developing other forms of resistance. Sally Davies is Britains chief medical officer. She warned recently that anti-microbial resistance could lead to the "end of modern medicine." Last October, she spoke to delegates at a conference on anti-microbial resistance in Germany. She told them that common operations, such as cesarean sections, would become dangerous without working antibiotics. Those would become much more risky if we did not have effective antibiotics. Superbugs kill and they're on the rise. Scientists are working on improving existing drugs like Colistin to give them added power against resistant pathogens. In the longer term, researchers say more investment is needed in developing new drugs. They also say there is a need to rethink how antibiotics are used in agriculture and at clinics. Im Alice Bryant. Tourists struggle for breath as they climb for two hours to reach the top of a mountain in the Peruvian Andes. The mountain is 5,000 meters above sea level. The climbers are tired, but happy to see the beauty before them. Lines of rich colors form what has become known as Rainbow Mountain. The colors come from many-colored rock remains millions of years old. The minerals were pushed up in the crash of Earths tectonic plates. The world learned of the existence of this natural wonder about five years ago. Now, many people want to see it for themselves. You see it in the pictures and you think its Photoshopped but its real, said Lukas Lynen, an 18-year-old tourist from Mexico. About 1,000 people visit Rainbow Mountain every day. The tourism has provided much-needed economic help to this area. Many villagers are farmers who raise alpaca animals for wool. Environmentalists, however, fear the tourists could destroy the land. International mining companies are also interested in the mountain. Dina Farfan is a Peruvian scientist who has studied threatened wildlife in the area. He points to a four-kilometer path to Rainbow Mountain. Tourists have worn down the area in the last 18 months, lessening the beauty of the mountain. Also, a wetland once popular with ducks has been made into a huge area for automobiles. There are more serious threats, too. Camino Minerals Corporation, a Canadian-based mining company, has asked for mining rights to the mountain. The Associated Press requested a comment from the company about its plans but it did not answer. The large tourism business has provided jobs and money for the Pampachiri native community. The local people suffer from high rates of alcoholism and malnutrition. And wool prices are falling. Many took dangerous gold mining jobs in the Amazon. Now, they charge tourists three dollars each to enter their land. The community earns about $400,000 a year from the entrance fees. The money has led to a conflict over taxes with a nearby community. Pampachiri community leader Gabino Huaman says he is not sure his group is ready for the responsibility of the business. He said it requires good care of the environment and the tourists. We dont know one word in English, he said. Or first aid. About 500 villagers have returned in the last couple of years to take up their traditional Andes transport trade. The only difference now is that they move tourists instead of goods. Isaac Quispe is a 25-year-old former gold miner. He left that work after the murders of six people he worked with. He returned home and bought a horse. Last year, he earned $5,200 taking people up Rainbow Mountain by horse. Scientist Farfan said he hopes the Pampachiri learn from other successful tourism businesses in Peru, like that in nearby Chillca. For much of the past 10 years, Chillca guides have been quietly taking small groups of tourists to Rainbow Mountain. The five-day walk travels around the melting Ausangate glacier. The guides in Chillca also operate four hotels with space for 16 tourists each. Im Susan Shand. The Associated Press reported this story. It was adapted by Susan Shand and edited by Catherine Weaver. ________________________________________________________________ Words in This Story tourist n. a person who travels to a place for pleasure rainbow n. a curved line of different colors that sometimes appears in the sky when the sun shines through rain tectonic plate n. underground plates that rub together to change the earths surface wool - n. the soft, thick hair of sheep and some other animals malnutrition n. the unhealthy condition that results from not eating enough food or not eating enough healthy food glacier n. a very large area of ice that moves slowly down a slope or valley or over a wide area of land Iranian President Hassan Rouhani has suggested that Iran could stay in a major nuclear deal even if the United States withdraws. Reuters news service reported that Rouhani made the comments on state television Monday. He said, We are not worried about Americas cruel decisionsWe are prepared for all scenarios and no change will occur in our lives next week. The Iranian president added that his country could stay in the 2015 deal if its interests are guaranteed by other countries that are part of the agreement. If we can get what we want from a deal without America, then Iran will continue to remain committed to the deal, he said. Deal criticized as flawed The administration of U.S. President Donald Trump has strongly criticized the nuclear deal agreed to in 2015 by several powerful countries. Under the agreement, Iran promised to limit its uranium enrichment activities so that it could not create enough fuel for nuclear weapons. In exchange, billions of dollars of seized Iranian money was released and many restrictions on the country were ended, including some on oil sales. France, Germany, Britain, Russia and China are the other members of the agreement. Trump had criticized the deal even before he entered the 2016 American presidential campaign. He has threatened to not extend waivers of the restrictions. This would effectively put many trade restrictions back in place. The U.S. president said flaws in the agreement must be fixed before he is willing to extend the waivers again. They are set to end on May 12. Britain, France and Germany want the deal to continue. French President Emanuel Macron and German Chancellor Angela Merkel have sought to persuade Trump to think the same. On Monday, Vice President Mike Pence is to hold talks with British Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson in Washington. The Iran deal will be a main subject of discussion. Before his visit, Johnson said Britain, the U.S. and European countries want Iran to stop activities that are making the Middle East less secure. He said these include its cyber activities, its support for groups like Hezbollah, and its dangerous missile program, which is arming Houthi militias in Yemen. May 12 is the time limit for the waivers to be extended. However, two possibilities may delay any change even if the U.S. restarts sanctions. The deal calls for dispute resolution that requires parties to provide at least 35 days to consider if any party has violated its terms. Also, if sanctions are put back in effect, U.S. law would give banks of nations that signed the deal 180 days to put the renewed restrictions in place. Iran says it will not reduce its efforts to influence the Middle East. The country has denied that it is seeking nuclear weapons. It has repeatedly said its missile program is for defensive purposes only. Economic conditions are poor in Iran. Unemployment remains high while the exchange value of Iranian money has fallen. However, the nuclear deal permits Iran to sell oil to the West at a time when oil prices are at their highest level in several years. The United Nations nuclear agency has said that Iran is observing the terms of the 2015 deal. Critics, however, answer that the deal does not do enough to make sure that Iran does not develop nuclear weapons. On Sunday, Rouhani threatened the U.S. if it withdrew from the nuclear agreement. You will soon see that they will regret it like never before in history, he said. Im Mario Ritter. Mario Ritter adapted this Reuters story for VOA Learning English with additional material from VOA News. Caty Weaver was the editor. ________________________________________________________________ Words in This Story scenario n. a description of what could possibly happen occur v. to happen, to take place waivers n. to choose not to do or enforce something that otherwise would have to be done or enforced flaws n. a problem or weakness cyber adj. related to computers and the internet We want to hear from you. Write to us in the Comments section, and visit our Facebook page. A young mother in Yemen stood on the scale for a doctor. Even wearing her long, black clothing she weighed only 38 kilograms. The mother, Umm Mizrah, is pregnant, but starving. She is giving all her food to her children. The doctors office was filled with pictures of starving babies who have come through Al-Sadaqa Hospital in Aden. They are suffering because of a three-year civil war in Yemen that has left millions of people near death from starvation. Mothers like Umm Mizrah miss meals, they sleep to escape the pain in their stomachs. They hide thin bodies in their heavy, black abayas. The doctor asked the mother to get back on the scale holding her son, Mizrah. At the age of 17 months, he was 5.8 kilograms. That weight is about half the normal weight for his age. He was suffering from acute malnutrition. His legs and feet were swollen. He was not eating enough protein. Millions of Yemenis suffer from lack of food The United Nations says 2.9 million women and children in Yemen are acutely malnourished. Nearly one third of Yemens population, or 8.4 million people, are fed with food aid or else they would go hungry. That number has grown by 25 percent over the past year. Aid agencies say that parts of Yemen could soon start to see widespread death from famine. More and more people need aid that is already failing to reach people. The war is between Yemens Shiite Houthi rebels who control the countrys north, and the Saudi-led coalition that supports the government. The coalition is supported by the United States. It has tried to defeat the rebels with a bombing campaign in support of the Yemeni government. The Associated Press reports that the number of dead is unknown. Officials are not able to get numbers. However, the aid organization Save the Children estimated late last year that 50,000 children may have died in 2017 of extreme hunger or disease. Worlds largest humanitarian emergency Stephen Anderson is the Yemen director of the World Food Program. He said, Unfortunately, now Yemen is considered to be the worlds largest humanitarian emergency. Even before the war, the Arab worlds poorest nation struggled to feed itself. It is a country of deserts and mountains with little water. Only 2 to 4 percent of the land is farmed. Almost all of its food and supplies must be imported. The war has destroyed almost everything needed to secure food supplies. Bombing by the coalition has destroyed hospitals, schools, farms, factories, bridges and roads. The coalition has also put an embargo on Houthi-controlled areas. These areas include the Red Sea port of Hodeida. Little food gets in. Coalition forces permit UN approved ships and aid only, often with delays. The United States gives a lot of assistance to the coalition campaign. The U.S. has provided intelligence and billions of dollars in arms. It also provides help in planning and organizing. The State Department adds that the U.S. has provided nearly $854 million to ease the humanitarian crisis in Yemen. In many places there is food in the markets, but people do not have money. The currency has collapsed, there are few jobs, and those with jobs are often not paid. Umm Mizrah and her husband have three young daughters in addition to Mizrah. They usually eat one meal a day, often just bread and tea. The Associated Press identified her by a false name to protect her privacy. When the doctor in Aden told her malnutrition could cause her baby to die, she was frightened. But, the parents felt helpless. I dont know what is right, she said quietly. He was playful and doing fine then he started to get sick and stopped breastfeeding and playing. The AP traveled across southern Yemen, an area held by the government. Reporters visited places among the 107 areas that the U.N. warns are most likely to face a severe lack of food. All are living with pain and fear. Im Susan Shand This story was reported by the Associated Press. It was adapted by Susan Shand. Mario Ritter edited the story. _______________________________________________________________ Words in This Story scale n. a device that is used for weighing people or things abaya n. a long black robe mostly worn by women in the Middle East. acute adj. very serious or dangerous malnutrition n. the unhealthy condition that results from not eating enough food swollen adj. the state of being larger than normal famine n. a situation in which many people do not have enough food to eat currency n. the money that a country uses Russian President Vladimir Putin was sworn in for a fourth term in office on Monday. Speaking in Moscow, Putin promised to follow an economic program that would improve living conditions across the country. He said that improving Russias economy would be a major goal of his next six years in office. Economic growth slowed because of a recession. Russia observers have linked the recession, in part, to international sanctions against the country. Saying Russia must use all existing possibilities, the 65-year-old leader promised to work for a new quality of life, well-being, security and peoples health. Under his leadership, Russia has regained its position as a world leader through military action, including intervening in Syrias war to help its president. Yet Putin has been criticized for doing little to reduce Russias dependence on energy exports or develop its manufacturing industry. Russias economy was hurt by low world oil prices and sanctions linked to the 2014 takeover of Crimea and military involvement in separatists in eastern Ukraine. Between 2014 and 2016, the Russian ruble lost half of its value on international currency markets. In 2017, Russia recorded small economic growth, with the ruble recovering some of its value. But the value dropped about 8 percent more last month after the United States announced new sanctions. Putin said, Russia should be modernIt should be ready to accept the call of the times. In his speech, he spoke about Russias international role only briefly. He said Russia is a strong, active, influential participant in international life. He admitted that Russia faces problems, but said that the country has always faced those problems and succeeded. Putin was re-elected as president in March, when he received 77 percent of the vote. He has effectively been the leader of Russia for all of the 21st century. He left the presidency in 2008 because of term limits, but was named prime minister and continued to lead the country until he returned as president in 2012. Putin became acting president on the last day of 1999 following the surprise resignation of Boris Yeltsin. He was elected to his first four-year term in 2000. Russian state television broadcast the swearing-in ceremony. It began with Putin working in an office, then putting on a suit coat to begin a long walk through the building housing Russias Senate. He then got in a car for a short drive to the Grand Kremlin Palace. Thousands of people attended the ceremony in person. One of the most famous was former German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder. He is now chairman of Russias state oil company and one of the loudest Western voices arguing for an end to sanctions against Russia. Schroeder stood with Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev, and Putin shook hands with him after the speech. Soon after the ceremony, Putin officially ordered the dismissal of the Cabinet, but asked Medvedev to serve again as prime minister. I'm Jonathan Evans. Jim Heintz reported this story for the Associated Press. Susan Shand adapted his report for Learning English. The editor was George Grow. Write to us in the Comments Section or on our Facebook page. ________________________________________________________________ Words in This Story sanction n. an action that is taken or an order given to force a country to obey international rules suit coat n. clothing worn over the upper part of the body role n. a duty or part performed as part of a process currency n. the money that a country uses Guyana Goldfields Inc. provides exploration and production of gold. It engages in the acquisition, exploration, development, production, and operation of gold mineral properties. The company also owns and operates gold drilling rights. The company was formerly known as Chiboug Copper Company Limited and changed its name to Guyana Goldfields Inc. in January 1995. Guyana Goldfields Inc. was incorporated in 1994 and is headquartered in Toronto, Canada. As of August 25, 2020, Guyana Goldfields Inc. operates as a subsidiary of Zijin Mining Group Company Limited. Read More China Hydroelectric Corporation is a developer, owner and operator of small hydroelectric power projects in China. The projects are located in Zhejiang, Fujian, Yunnan and Sichuan. As of December 31, 2012, wholly owns 22 operating hydroelectric power projects and have controlling interests in three operating hydroelectric power projects. In March 2012, the Company sold 100% of the Yuanping hydroelectric power project. In April 2013, the Company sold the Yuheng hydroelectric power project, a 30 megawatt (MW) project located in Fujian province. In July 2014, the Company announced that it has completed the merger with CPT Wyndham Sub Ltd., a wholly-owned subsidiary of CPT Wyndham Holdings Ltd. Read More 7 hours ago The Top 3 Buy & Hold Healthcare Stocks for October The healthcare sector can be the perfect area of the market to look if you are a buy & hold investor since there are so many different ways that these businesses can grow over the next decade. Its also a great sector to pursue during the current market volatility, as a lot of these companies are considered to be defensive and should see steady demand for their products regardless of whats happening in the economy. Read Article Spanish phone maker BQ has two new Android One models on the way. Both will run near-stock Android software and receive at least two years of regular security and feature updates. The BQ Aquaris X2 is a smartphone with a Qualcomm Snapdragon 636 processor, at least 3GB of RAM and 32GB of storage, and a starting price of 300 ($356). The BQ Aquaris X2 Pro features a Snapdragon 660 processor, at last 4GB of RAM and 64GB of storage, and a starting price of 380 ($450). Both models should be available soon in Europe. While neither phone has what Id call flagship-killer specs, they are both pretty good examples of the fact that Android One isnt just for entry-level devices anymore. Both phones feature 5.65 inch, 2160 x 1080 pixel IPS displays with up to 650 nits of brightness, 3,100 mAh batteries with Qualcomm Quick Charge 4+ support, dual rear cameras, and IP52 splash-resistant designs. They will also both ship with Android 8.1 software, although they should also be among the first phones in line for an Android P update when Google releases the next version of its mobile operating system later this year. The phones support 802.11ac WiFi, Bluetooth 5.0, and NFC and both feature fingerprint sensors, headphone jacks, microSD card readers, and USB Type-C ports. The Aquaris X2 will be available in 3GB/32GB or 4GB/64GB versions, while the Aquaris X2 Pro will come in 4GB/64GB and 6GB/128GB versions. via /r/Android Share this article: Share this: Facebook Twitter Reddit Pocket Tumblr Pinterest LinkedIn Email Air France-KLM Group tumbled in Paris trading as Europes biggest airline battles turbulence triggered by Chief Executive Officer Jean-Marc Janaillacs resignation and a deepening labor conflict. The stock dropped as much as 14 percent, the most since 2002. Even before yesterday, the shares had lost 40 percent in value this year, making it the worst performer on the 26-member Bloomberg World Airlines Index. The carrier was thrown into disarray on Friday when Janaillac said he planned to submit his resignation to the board May 9 after workers rejected his final wage offer an outcome that even caught some unions by surprise. Yet their defiance continued yesterday as another two-day strike got underway and the airline scrapped about 15 percent of services. Air France-KLM has already warned the labor action that started in February will wipe out at least 300 million euros (USD358 million) in operating profit this year. While the airline maintained almost all long-haul flights during the latest walkout, it was forced to cancel one in five medium-haul services yesterday from Charles de Gaulle airport in Paris and short-haul trips from Orly were also affected, according to its website. Further disruptions are predicted on Tuesday as the industrial action is scheduled to continue. Janaillac, who has been at his post less than two years, used a less confrontational approach than his predecessor Alexandre De Juniac. Analysts have compared a rejection of managements pay proposal by workers to pressing the self destruct button. The shares fell as much as 14 percent, the most since Sept. 30, 2002, and were trading down 10.5 percent to 7.24 euros at 11:51 a.m. in Paris, giving a market value of 3.1 billion euros. Janaillac has the backing of the French government as President Emmanuel Macron tries to overhaul his countrys economy by liberalizing labor laws and cutting taxes on capital. Future projects also include changes to jobless benefits in Europes second-largest economy. Hes also in a tug-of-war with unions over a plan to overhaul the countrys SNCF national railway, which has triggered a series of strikes. French Finance Minister Bruno Le Maire on Sunday said the Air France workers demands were unjustified, urging them to show responsibility and saying taxpayers wont bail the company out. If it doesnt make the necessary efforts to be at the same competitive level of Lufthansa and other major airlines, it will disappear, Le Maire said on BFM TV. I am not taking the money of the French and putting it in a company that isnt at the required competitive level. Janaillac was held up by Le Maire and Transport Minister Elisabeth Borne for his courage in the face of Air Frances challenges. While airlines from Deutsche Lufthansa AG to British Airways and lately even low-cost specialist Ryanair Holdings Plc have all had their share of corporate dysfunction brought on by strikes, none has suffered to the extent as Air France. A simmering conflict exploded into open carnage in late 2015, when two of the airlines executives were physically assaulted by enraged workers, forcing them to flee and scale an industrial fence, their business suits and shirts ripped to shreds. Air France said Friday that rising expenses for jet fuel plus a stronger euro will add to the burden caused by a string of walkouts by staff fighting for higher wages. Janaillac had put his job on the line, holding an online consultation on the pay offer. He lost his gamble when 55 percent of staff unexpectedly rejected the proposal, which was for a 7 percent increase over four years. Janaillac held a short press conference late Friday to announce his planned resignation. Air France had had 13 days of labor action by pilots, cabin crew and ground staff since February. While the outcome of the wage offer consultation isnt binding, it will boost the unions negotiating position. A majority of labor representatives have to approve any wage deal to take effect. Flights by KLM and Hop! will not be affected by the walkout, Air France said, adding customers with tickets for travel yesterday or today can re-book free of charge. Travelers should expect last-minute delays and cancellations, the group said. Richard Weiss, Bloomberg U.S. and Philippine forces yesterday began their largest annual military exercises since President Rodrigo Duterte came to power and vowed to scale down Americas military presence in the country as he sought closer ties with China and Russia. The Balikatan exercises opened with a ceremony at the main Philippine military camp in Manila and were to feature about 8,000 American and Filipino personnel and small contingents from Japan and Australia. American and Philippine officials praised the long treaty alliance between the U.S. and its former Southeast Asian colony and then linked arms in a show of solidarity. The exercises are just one of many embodiments of our robust relationship, U.S. Ambassador Sung Kim said. The drills will continue to reinforce the deep and lasting commitment between our two countries for a peaceful and secure region. After rising to power in 2016, Duterte vowed to scale back the presence of U.S. troops involved in counterterrorism training in the countrys south and once threatened to end the annual drills with American forces. The volatile leader, who has been critical of U.S. security policies, has taken steps to revive ties with China that had been strained under his predecessor over longstanding territorial conflicts in the South China Sea. Dutertes animosity with Washington was partly ignited by U.S. government condemnation of his deadly campaign against illegal drugs, though that criticism has eased under President Donald Trump. A leaked Philippine transcript of a call between the two leaders last year showed Trump praising Dutertes anti-drug efforts. Though this years Balikatan exercises will be the largest under Duterte, Philippine officials stressed theyre not aimed at China, but on the threat of urban terrorism and other man-made crisis and natural disasters. In addition to amphibious beach landings, live-fire maneuvers and disaster-response scenarios, the exercises will involve combat drills in mock urban settings to train special forces in battling terrorists in cities as they did during the Islamic State group-linked siege on southern Marawi city last year. We want both our forces to learn from our great and hard- earned experience in our past battles like Marawi, said Marine Lt. Gen. Emmanuel Salamat, who leads the Philippine contingent. We just want to help each other to be able to effectively combat future scenarios. Hundreds of Filipino militants and allied foreign fighters seized the business district and residential areas of lakeside Marawi on May 23 last year, occupying buildings and homes and forcing hundreds of thousands of residents to flee to safety. Despite initial difficulty because of their unfamiliarity with urban warfare, Filipino troops quelled the insurrection with airstrikes, artillery fire and ground assaults with the help of U.S. and Australian surveillance aircraft after five months. The siege left more than 1,100 mostly militant gunmen dead. Jim Gomez, Manila, AP Indonesian President Joko Jokowi Widodo hosted Chinas premier yesterday and the two oversaw the signing of several memorandums aimed at boosting trade between the nations. After meeting with Premier Li Keqiang at the ornate presidential palace in Bogor, Jokowi said two countries of their sizes should be able to provide benefits for peace, stability and the welfare of the world. China is the worlds most populous country and Indonesia is the fourth most populous. Jokowi said they discussed efforts to improve economic cooperation and that China agreed to import an additional 500,000 tons of Indonesian palm oil. Indonesia is Southeast Asias largest economy and China has become its largest trading partner in the past years. In 2015, China won a contract to build a USD5.2 billion high-speed rail line from Jakarta to the West Javas city of Bandung. That project is now stalled and Li is expected to seek to help resolve some of the problems surrounding it. Li is also expected to meet the Association of Southeast Asian Nations Secretary General Lim Jock Hoi in Jakarta. AP China isnt backing down after the White House called an order for airlines to stop referring to Taiwan, Hong Kong and Macau as countries Orwellian nonsense. The foreign ministry in Beijing said yesterday that all three places are indivisible parts of China. Hong Kong and Macau answer to Beijing, despite having different currencies, separate financial systems and elected legislators, while Taiwan is a democracy that has resisted rule by the mainland. Regardless of what the U.S. will say or do, it will not change the fact that there is only one China in the world, spokesman Geng Shuang told a regular briefing, reiterating a statement Sunday. We urge foreign companies to respect Chinas territorial integrity and sovereignty, respect Chinese laws and the feelings of the Chinese people. Those are the basics they need to do when they open and operate businesses in China. The spat comes shortly after a high-level U.S. delegation returned from two days in Beijing with little to show for talks aimed at averting a trade war between the worlds two biggest economies. Taiwan has emerged as another potential flash point, with U.S. President Donald Trump signing a law allowing high-level diplomatic visits there and Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping launching military drills in the Taiwan Strait and warning that Beijings authority over the island was non-negotiable. The White House on Saturday condemned Chinas efforts to control how U.S. airlines refer to Taiwan, Hong Kong and Macau, saying the push to make them comply with Chinese standards is Orwellian nonsense. Chinas Civil Aviation Administration has demanded the change from 36 foreign airlines, including some American carriers, according to the White House. President Donald Trump will stand up for Americans resisting efforts by the Chinese Communist Party to impose Chinese political correctness on American companies and citizens, press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders said in a statement. This is Orwellian nonsense and part of a growing trend by the Chinese Communist Party to impose its political views on American citizens and private companies, Sanders said. She said the Trump administration is calling on China to stop threatening and coercing American carriers and citizens. The White House statement shows that Trump might be taking a tougher line after companies from Marriott International Inc. to Qantas Airways Ltd. have scrambled recently to meet Chinas demands regarding the territories or risk losing business. U.S. airlines were among several that received letters from Chinas Civil Aviation Administration calling for strict guidelines for any references to Taiwan, Hong Kong and Macau, according to the White House. Taiwans independence-leaning president, Tsai Ing-wen, weighed in with a tweet, saying, We call on all businesses to resist #Chinas efforts to mischaracterize #Taiwan. The government of Chinese President Xi Jinping has been increasingly assertive about its claims to Taiwan, which it has threatened to invade to bring under its control. Delta Air Lines, hotel operator Marriott, fashion brand Zara and other companies have apologized to China for referring to Taiwan, Hong Kong, and Tibet as countries on websites or promotional material. MDT/Agencies A local resident was reportedly scammed by a man she met through an online social networking app that resulted in a loss of almost HKD364,000, the Judiciary Police (PJ) spokesperson informed yesterday at a press conference. The woman, a widow who works in a valet parking service of a local hotel, told the PJ that a few months back she had met a man named Steve over the internet, with which she used to chat frequently. The man told her he wanted to give her a gift and requested her address and phone contact, which she granted to him. Some time later the woman received a call from a person claiming to be an employee from a parcel deliver company, who said that a parcel with her address and contact was in their possession but that it could not be shipped with a payment. The caller asked the victim to pay an amount of USD2,200 (around HKD17,300), which needed to be transferred into a bank account. The victim accepted and transferred the requested amount. However, on the very next day she received a second call from the same person saying that the parcel had been stopped by Hong Kong Customs who demanded a tax be paid in the amount of USD5,000 (around HKD39,250), which she had to transfer into the same account as on the previous day. The woman, who continued to engage in conversations with the alleged man that shipped the parcel, accepted and transferred the money. On the same day, the man told her he was finalizing some investment deal in Thailand and needed HKD40,200 to complete the process, requesting such amount from the woman. The process continued with the man finding excuses related to the deal to request once more an amount of over HKD110,000. Suspicions aroused, the woman asked to meet the man who claimed to be staying in Bangkok at that moment. He accepted and the woman flew to Bangkok but failed to meet the man in the pre-arranged location, instead she received a call from the man asking for the equivalent of USD20,000 in Thai baht, which she transferred to him before finally losing contact and realizing she had been scammed. After returning to Macau, the woman filed the complaint with the PJ, which is now investigating the case. In a separate case reported by the Public Security Police Force (PSP) at the same press conference, a local taxi driver is accused of illegal appropriation. The case was filed by the victim on May 4, when a local man called the PSP saying that he had just left a mobile phone in the lavatories of a gas station located at Avenida da Amizade a few minutes back and he could not find it anymore. The police sent officers to the location that inspected the closed circuit television system (CCTV) and detected a man that only one minute after the victim left the lavatories, parked his taxi outside the gas station and entered the lavatories. Starting the investigation, the PSP found later that day the taxi driver in the taxi wait lane of the border gate, taking him in for questioning. The man admitted to having found the mobile phone but denied the appropriation, saying that he had the intention to take it to the police after he finished his work. The police said they believe that the man had no such intentions and have accordingly forwarded the case to the Public Prosecutions Office. Melco Resorts upcoming resort, Morpheus, is set to rely on its own database in acquiring high-rollers instead of following the practice usually employed by casinos, which is to use junket companies to lure in VIPs. Eventually its much better to develop your own database than rely on junkets, said Lawrence Ho, chairman and CEO of Melco Resorts. The USD1.1 billion hotel tower designed by the late architect Zaha Hadid will feature 780 rooms, restaurants, an executive lounge, a sky pool and VIP gaming, and villas at the top floors. The resort is slated to open next month. Ho has previously clarified that Melco Resorts will only be moving some tables from its properties to Morpheus , as the new hotel tower features VIP and premium mass gaming tables. He said last year that the new hotel tower would have space to accommodate up to 50 gaming tables. Ho also remained positive about the citys improved gaming revenues, as Aprils results marked the 21st month of gains, recording a 28 percent surge. Year-to-date growth right now is well over 20 percent. It will normalize but will still blow out the original expectations, he told Reuters. The son of the 96-year-old tycoon, Stanley Ho, also noted that he had distanced himself from his fathers legacy, establishing his own empire. From day one, creating Melco was to be separate from that empire, Ho said. Everything we have done we have tried to do it our way, Ho added. With a market capitalization of USD15.9 billion, Melco, has a license until 2022. According to Ho, the government has provided little detail on the licensing renewals for the six local casino operators. We are very interested in what the rebidding and the renewal process will be. The Macau government and even in Beijing they have kept it very close to their hearts right now, he said. The CEO also mentioned that the operators project in Cyprus will open a temporary casino by this summer, along with a full integrated resort by 2021. Early this year, it announced its first 500 job opportunities for the project. LV Roaming packs of feral dogs have killed six children in the last week in north India, terrifying villagers who have begun keeping their children home from school and killing any dogs they encounter. At least two dozen more children have been injured. The killings have occurred in and around the town of town of Sitapur, said senior police officer Anand Kulkarni. Many of the attacks occurred when children were out gathering mangoes or when they left their homes to use outhouse toilets, he said. Many homes in the area lack indoor plumbing. Twelve children between the ages 5 and 12 have been killed in dog attacks in the area since November, officials say. It was not clear how many dogs were involved in the attacks, but India has millions of strays that wander the streets in even the most exclusive neighborhoods. The feral dogs often survive on leftover food set in alleys for them, but also face relentless cruelty by people, and regularly fight other dogs over territory. While injuries from dog attacks are fairly common, a string of fatalities in one area is rare. Some in the area believe the attacks began after a nearby illegal slaughterhouse was closed, making the dogs more aggressive after they were left without a major source of food. Villagers say the dog packs are terrifying. Rajendra Kumar, a farmer near Sitapur, said he was working in his fields when a girl came running toward him. She was shouting It killed her! said Kumar. Around two dozen of us ran toward the mango grove with large sticks, iron rods and shovels. There, he said, they found a half dozen dogs tearing into the corpse of a 7-year-old girl named Gita. She had gone with two other children to pick mangoes, which are coming into season in north India. Education officials say some schools have seen a significant drop in attendance because of the attacks. Parents have been told to accompany their children to and from school. The recent deaths included three children killed by a pack of strays on May 1, Kulkarni said. Two more children were killed on May 4. Gita was killed on Friday. Sitapur magistrate Harshdeo Pandey said villagers have been told not to allow their children to use outhouses on their own. Public announcements have been made in villages regarding this, he said. We also suggest that children should not be allowed to go out to play for a few days, until all these dogs are caught. Villagers have been shooting and strangling stray dogs, believing they have no choice. The administration does not care about the plight of the people, said Sitapur resident Pankaj Singh Gaur. Four teams of dog-catchers have captured 24 dogs in recent days, said district magistrate Sheetal Verma. But she acknowledged the menace is not over. Sitapur is about 80 kilometers from Lucknow, the capital of Indias Uttar Pradesh state. AP Theres no other company on Earth quite like Ant Financial. Spanning online payments, insurance, lending, credit scores, asset management and more, Jack Mas Chinese behemoth resembles a mashup of PayPal, Geico, Wells Fargo and Equifax with a bit of BlackRock thrown in for good measure. Thanks to clever mobile apps and a burgeoning Chinese middle class, Ant oversees the worlds biggest money-market fund and handles more than USD2.4 trillion of mobile payments every three months. Many of the companys 870 million customers rely on it for nearly every aspect of their financial lives. But Ants extraordinary reach may soon expose the company to a major challenge: Chinese policy makers, worried that Ant and other financial holding companies pose systemic risks to the nations $12.7 trillion economy, are drafting new regulations that could make it much harder for the companies to grow. The rules will force Ant and some of its peers that straddle at least two financial industries to obtain licenses from Chinas central bank and meet minimum capital requirements for the first time, according to people familiar with the matter, who asked not to be identified discussing private information. The companies ownership structures and inter-group transactions will also be restricted, the people said, adding that the rules need approval from Chinas State Council and are subject to change. Ant was among the biggest beneficiaries of a freewheeling era in Chinese financial regulation that saw tech-savvy startups transform how the nations 1.4 billion people spend, borrow and save. But Chinas government is now shifting into risk-control mode as it tries to prevent a record buildup of corporate and consumer debt from sinking the economy. Ants growing role in the countrys financial plumbing makes it an obvious target for authorities whove already shackled spendthrift acquirers and reined in the nations sprawling shadow-banking system. Regulators have been a bit slow in reacting to Ants meteoric rise, but the consensus now is that something must be done, said Dong Ximiao, a senior researcher at Renmin University of China in Beijing. Ant has become too big to fail. Any mishap could lead to market or even social disorder. The prospect of stricter oversight comes at a particularly sensitive time for Ant. The company is in the process of finalizing a $10 billion funding round and may soon embark on one of the most eagerly anticipated stock- market listings since Ma took his e-commerce giant, Alibaba Group Holding Ltd., public in New York four years ago. Ant is also grappling with growing competition from Tencent Holdings Ltd. the social media behemoth thats branching into financial services and a more uncertain outlook for its international expansion after the collapse of a deal for Americas MoneyGram International Inc. in January. Ant, which was spun off from Alibaba in 2011 and is formally known as Zhejiang Ant Small & Micro Financial Services Group, said in response to questions from Bloomberg News that its principle has always been to work closely with regulators and support the healthy development of Chinas financial sector. China Investment Corp., the $930 billion sovereign wealth fund that owns a stake in Ant, responded to questions by saying its not involved in the companys management. The Peoples Bank of China didnt respond to a faxed request for comment. While the central bank has never publicly detailed which businesses it considers financial holding companies, former PBOC Governor Zhou Xiaochuan said in March that regulators were considering new rules for the companies that may include minimum capital requirements. When asked by Bloomberg News in March how the government plans to regulate Ant, Yi Gang, who succeeded Zhou as PBOC governor seven weeks ago, said: You will find out very soon. To be clear, theres no indication that Ma or Ant have broken any rules or landed on Beijings blacklist. While policy makers are right to consider tougher restrictions on the company, Ant didnt run afoul of the government, said Oliver Rui, a finance professor at the China Europe International Business School in Shanghai. Judging by the $150 billion valuation under discussion in its upcoming funding round, Ants investors dont seem particularly spooked. In fact, they have a fresh reason to be bullish after it emerged on Friday that Ants pretax profit jumped by an estimated 65 percent in the year ended March. But that doesnt mean the company will go unscathed. In China, the government tends to take a laissez-faire attitude until you are big enough, said Chen Shujin, chief financial analyst at Huatai Securities Co. in Hong Kong. Once you get as big as Ant Financial, the stance turns from neutral into caution and you can bet curbs will follow. While some of Ants units already fall under the purview of authorities including the central bank, the company isnt regulated at a group level and discloses little about its finances to the public. The worry is that problems at Ant could go undetected and, in a worst-case scenario, put the stability of Chinas financial system at risk. The companys outsized presence in the lives of ordinary Chinese adds to the argument for stricter oversight. Zeng Jinping, a college student in Shanghai, is a case in point: The 23-year-old pharmaceuticals major uses Ants payment platform for most of his big online purchases, puts his savings in the companys funds and borrows money from its consumer-lending arm. Its very convenient, said Zeng, whose high credit score (also provided by Ant) entitles him to zero interest short-term cash advances, similar to those offered by credit-card companies. Some of Ants business lines have already faced tighter restrictions in recent months. The companys YuE Bao money-market fund, which has more customers than the U.S. has people, put a cap on daily subscriptions in February after coming under pressure from the central bank to limit inflows. Two of Ants consumer lending units tripled their capital buffers in December after the PBOC rolled out tough new requirements for the industry. If Chinas leaders sign off on the financial holding company regulations, the likely upshot for Ant is lower leverage and slower growth. The companys most important consumer loan business has a razor-thin capital adequacy ratio of around 2 percent, according to an estimate from Orient Capital Research. That compares with the 10.5 percent year-end regulatory minimum for Chinas smaller banks and the 11.5 percent minimum for systemically important lenders. Still, quantifying the impact on Ant and its competitors will be tough until details of the finalized regulations come to light. The people familiar with the draft rules didnt provide specifics on capital adequacy requirements or a complete list of companies that will face oversight, though they did say companies subject to the rules also include Citic Group and China Everbright Group (both conglomerates didnt immediately reply to requests for comment). Whats clear is that regulatory scrutiny of Ant is intensifying, said Armstrong Chen, director for banking law and practices at the Shanghai Law Society. While that may ultimately put the company on a healthier growth path, its likely to weigh on Ants near-term results, Chen said. Regulatory restrictions will likely cause some short-term pain, he said. Unchecked expansion will no longer be possible. Bloomberg Starbucks Corp. is giving Nestle SA a shot at revitalizing its global coffee business. In the third-biggest transaction in Nestles 152-year history, the Swiss food giant will spend USD7.15 billion for the right to market Starbucks-branded products from beans to capsules, marrying its international distribution network with the allure of arguably the biggest name in java. Nestle wont get any physical assets in the deal. Instead, Chief Executive Officer Mark Schneider is harnessing the name recognition of Starbucks, with its 28,000 outlets around the globe and massive draw in the U.S. Nestle has struggled there for years with its own products like Nespresso and Dolce Gusto. Nestle could use a jolt sales rose at their weakest pace in more than two decades last year. This will be his first big M&A test, wrote Andrew Wood, an analyst at Sanford C. Bernstein. Nestles acquisition track record over the last 10-15 years has been less than stellar. Knockoff capsules including Starbucks-branded ones have dented one of Nestles largest growth engines, its Nespresso portioned-coffee business. The new deal will give the Swiss company control of Starbucks capsules, among other products. It comes as Nestles Nescafe brand of instant coffees has lost market share in four of the past five years, according to Euromonitor. Starbucks is the second-most-valuable brand in fast food, according to BrandZs Global 2017 report, which estimates its worth $44 billion. Nestles $7.15 billion payment is 3.6 times sales, higher than the average of 3 times for major global food deals, according to Bernsteins Wood. Nestle shares rose 1.1 percent as of 12:07 p.m. in Zurich. Theyve dropped about 9 percent this year. Nestle is making a new offensive in the U.S. a decade after Nespresso renewed a push into that market, enjoying limited success as most coffee drinkers avoid small espressos. Nestle has been struggling to gain market share in that market, given the prevalence of Starbucks and Green Mountain, which was bought out by Europes billionaire Reimann family. Their JAB Holding Co. has spent more than $30 billion building a coffee empire by acquiring assets such as Peets and combining with Mondelez International Inc.s coffee business. JAB is the biggest danger for Nestle, said Alain Oberhuber, an analyst at MainFirst Bank in Zurich. Nestle needed a big brand, and they needed one fast. Starbucks is the only strong brand in roast- and-ground. Its a rather defensive move a bit late but nevertheless, a strategically absolutely vital step. Nestle will take over about 500 Starbucks employees who will remain based in Seattle. Starbucks will continue to produce the coffee products in North America, while Nestle will be in charge of manufacturing in the rest of the world. Sales will be booked by Nestle, which will pay royalties to the coffee chain. The Swiss company gets the rights to sell packaged coffee products in supermarkets, restaurants and catering operations under the flagship Starbucks brand and others including Seattles Best Coffee, Starbucks VIA and Torrefazione Italia. The deal includes the Teavana tea brand as well. Nestle is taking a page from JABs strategy, as it begins to build a patchwork quilt of different brands in coffee instead of focusing almost exclusively on Nescafe and Nespresso. Last years $425 million purchase of a stake in Blue Bottle Coffee was a step back into the roast-and-ground segment, whose growth prospects have revived as consumers become more sophisticated about coffee. Nestle also added niche brand Chameleon Cold-Brew last year to expand its portfolio in the U.S. That added complexity may make it harder to run the coffee business, and theres a risk that the Starbucks food-service sales cannibalize those of Nescafe. Being a big brand is not an automatic passport to future success, said Peter Walshe, BrandZ global strategy director at Kantar Millward Brown in London. We see that in the coffee category, with the rise of smaller brands. Brands that are perceived to be making peoples lives better, are innovative and deliver a great experience, are the most successful. Both Starbucks and Nestle do so very strongly. Thomas Mulier, Corinne Gretler, Bloomberg The total number of personal credit cards issued by banks in Macau stood at 1,216,548 at end-March 2018, an increase of 2.5 percent from the previous quarter. A statement from the Monetary Authority of Macao informed that this growth was primarily attributed to the prolonged increase in dual-currency and triple-currency cards. The numbers of cards in MOP, HKD and RMB grew year-on-year by 12 percent, 4.6 percent and 15 percent respectively. At end-March 2018, the total limit across all credit cards granted by banks in the SAR reached MOP29.5 billion, up 3.2 percent from end-2017 or 14.5 percent from end-March 2017. Credit card receivables amounted to MOP2.4 billion, the rollover amount of which totaled MOP774.3 million, representing 32.3 percent of credit card receivables. The delinquency ratio rose from 1.38 percent at end-2017 to 1.59 percent at end-March 2018. Meanwhile, in the first quarter of 2018, the credit card turnover totaled MOP5.4 billion, equivalent to a drop of 3.6 percent quarter-to-quarter but a rise of 12.9 percent year-on- year. The cash advance turnover was MOP222.8 million, occupying 4.1 percent of total credit card turnover. Credit card repayments, which includes payments for interest and fees, amounted to MOP5.7 billion, up 8.4 percent from the previous quarter or 13.0 percent from the same period last year. High-level trade talks last week between the U.S. and China grabbed headlines around the world, but in many ways they were beside the point. In the years ahead, tariffs and industrial policy the main focus of the talks will probably matter less in the growing competition between the two countries, while another, much quieter initiative will matter more. As China boosts overseas investment through its Belt and Road infrastructure program, it is increasingly dictating not just the terms of financing but also a broader set of technological applications. In doing so, it is altering the global competitive landscape by defining and exporting technical standards for everything from artificial intelligence to hydropower. This push into global standards-setting has gone largely unnoticed. Thats partly because its boring: Even broaching the topic will make investors eyes glaze over, and few Western governments have given it much thought. But its also partly by design. The process has so far mostly unfolded domestically, and in Chinese, as Chinas government has sought to develop its own set of industrial standards for companies operating within its borders. That has made the effort mostly opaque to outsiders. Yet regulators are now starting to translate those standards into English a clear sign that theyre meant to be exported overseas. And that should worry Chinas competitors. For decades, Americas ability to set domestic standards that would then spread globally benefited its economy greatly. As a recent paper by the East-West Center put it, standards serve as bridges between developing innovations and the marketization and industrialization of those innovations. The specification of even everyday items such as USB ports has given American companies a strong advantage in selling goods in other markets. Patents are the key conduit of this process. As standard-setting in any industry progresses, the companies that own the technology on which the standards are based benefit by either selling their equipment or licensing their patents. Telecoms are a classic example. Qualcomm Inc., which owns key patents for LTE, 3G, and 4G technology, has received billions of dollars in royalties in recent years including almost USD8 billion in China alone in 2014. And thats in an industry where standards are set through a complex global process; when countries set standards unilaterally, the benefits for their homegrown companies can be even more pronounced. This is where President Xi Jinpings signature foreign- policy program comes in. Most analyses of the Belt and Road initiative focus on whether individual projects will become profitable or will leave China further mired in debt. Yet the return on investment for a port in Sri Lanka or a rail line in Thailand matters less to Chinese officials than the ability to push participating countries to adopt Chinese standards on everything from construction to finance to data management. For just one example, China is exporting key technical standards for the construction of high-speed rail through these projects in large part to circumvent standards set by Western players. Developing countries tend to voluntarily adopt standards set by high-income economies. But Chinas government has taken a much more proactive role. Instead of trying to influence the likes of Pakistan, Thailand, and Myanmar by changing hearts and minds, it wants to convince them to change their nuts and bolts and their data-management practices to boot. In this context, Chinas recent revisions to its National Standardization Law and its Cyber Security Law look far more significant; they could reverberate far beyond its borders. Although few people would contest Chinas right to determine its own technological standards, exporting those standards is another matter altogether. Billions of dollars in equipment sales and patent royalties are up for grabs in this competition. To the extent that Chinas standards supplant Western ones, it will represent a direct threat to the profitability of non-Chinese companies. This push wont directly challenge the ability of American or European companies to innovate. But it will undoubtedly challenge their ability to commercialize technology in other markets. That emerging competition should be of utmost concern to companies and policy makers alike and thats one reason China is glad that the issue isnt even part of the discussion. Andrew Polk, Bloomberg Lawmaker Sulu Sou called the government to ensure the protection of basic rights for those in the security forces. Recently, Sulu received reports which included claims that staff in the security forces could not enjoy all public holidays, nor would they be compensated for those days with extra holidays. In a phone call interview with the Times, Sou noted that this situation normally affects staff working night shifts. We think the issue has existed for many years, and that either the security forces, or the SAR government need to sort out [the problem], and should not use the excuse that there is a shortage of human resources [to respond to staffs complaints]. Such excuses are unacceptable, Sou told the Times. The lawmaker said that he collected information from some retired members of the security forces concerning these situations. Sou learnt that this situation has existed for the past 20 years, with the most serious cases occurring in the Public Security Police Force, the Fire Services Bureau, the Customs and the Macau Prison. According to Sou, who disclosed the complaints of an anonymous security force officer, the Commission Against Corruption issued a warning to the security forces in March 2014, suggesting that officers on shift duty should be compensated for holidays by taking other days off. Despite the warning, the situation has not changed. The New Macau Association, on which Sulu serves as well, urged the Secretary for Security, Wong Sio Chak, to solve the problems and to ensure fairness and equity. Yesterday, Wong Sio Chak said that he is open to a change of policy. JZ Chelsea Manning is no longer living as a transgender woman in a male military prison, serving the lengthiest sentence ever for revealing U.S. government secrets. Shes free to grow out her hair, travel the world, and spend time with whomever she likes. But a year since former President Barack Obama commuted Mannings 35-year sentence, Americas most famous convicted leaker isnt taking an extended vacation. Far from it: The Oklahoma native has decided to make an unlikely bid for the U.S. Senate in her adopted state of Maryland. Manning, 30, filed to run in January and has been registered to vote in Maryland since August. She lives in North Bethesda, not far from where she stayed with an aunt while awaiting trial. Her aim is to unseat Sen. Ben Cardin, a 74-year-old Maryland Democrat who is seeking his third Senate term and previously served 10 terms in the U.S. House. Manning, who also has become an internationally recognized transgender activist, said shes motivated by a desire to fight what she sees as a shadowy surveillance state and a rising tide of nightmarish repression. The rise of authoritarianism is encroaching in every aspect of life, whether its government or corporate or technological, Manning told The Associated Press during an interview at her home in an upscale apartment tower. On the walls of her barely furnished living room hang Obamas commutation order, and photos of U.S. anarchist Emma Goldman and British playwright Oscar Wilde. Mannings longshot campaign for the June 26 primary would appear to be one of the more unorthodox U.S. Senate bids in recent memory, and the candidate is operating well outside the partys playbook. She says she doesnt, in fact, even consider herself a Democrat, but is motivated by a desire to shake up establishment Democrats who are caving in to President Donald Trumps administration. She vows she wont run as an independent if her primary bid fails. Shes certainly got an eye-catching platform: Close prisons and free inmates; eliminate national borders; restructure the criminal justice system; provide universal health care and basic income. The top of her agenda? Abolish the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, a federal agency created in 2003 that Manning asserts is preparing for an ethnic cleansing. Manning ticks off life experiences she believes would make her an effective senator: a stint being homeless in Chicago, her wartime experiences as a U.S. Army intelligence analyst in Iraq even her seven years in prison. She asserts shes got a bigger vision than establishment politicians. But political analysts suspect the convicted felon is not running to win. Manning is running as a protest candidate, which has a long lineage in American history, to shine light on American empire, said Daniel Schlozman, a political science professor at Johns Hopkins University. Thats a very different goal, with a very different campaign, than if she wanted to beat Ben Cardin. Mannings insurgent candidacy thus far has been a decidedly stripped-down affair, with few appearances and a campaign website that just went up. In recent days, she approached an anti-fracking rally in Baltimore almost furtively, keeping to herself for much of the demonstration. But when it was her turn to address the small group, her celebrity status was evident. People who never met her called her by her first name and eagerly took photos. Manning has acknowledged leaking more than 700,000 military and State Department documents to anti-secrecy site WikiLeaks in 2010. She said her motivation was a desire to spark debate about U.S. foreign policy, and she has been portrayed as both a hero and a traitor. Known as Bradley Manning at the time of her arrest, she came out as transgender after her 2013 court-martial. She was barred from growing her hair long in prison, and was approved for hormone therapy only after litigation. She spent long stints in solitary confinement, and twice tried to kill herself. The Pentagon, which has repeatedly declined to discuss Mannings treatment in military prison, is also staying mum about her political ambitions. Democratic Party officials say they have no comment, citing a policy not to weigh in on primaries. Republican operatives are quiet. In Maryland, a blue state thats home to tens of thousands of federal employees and defense contractors, it appears Mannings main supporters are independents or anti-politics, making them unlikely to coalesce politically. She recently reported contributions of USD72,000 on this years first quarterly finance statement, compared with Cardins $336,000. The candidate has barely made an effort at tapping sources of grassroots enthusiasm outside of activism circles. And its easy to find progressive Democrats who feel her candidacy is just a vehicle to boost her profile. It feels to me almost like its part of a book tour that this is her moment after being released from prison, said Dana Beyer, a transgender woman who leads the Gender Rights Maryland nonprofit and is a Democratic candidate for state senate. I dont think this is a serious effort. Manning is indeed working on a book about her dramatic life. For now, she says she supports herself with income from speaking engagements. Shes spoken at various U.S. colleges and is due to take the stage at a Montreal conference later this month. Last week, she appeared at a tech conference in Germanys capital of Berlin, arriving to cheers from the audience of several thousand people. She told attendees shes still struggling to adjust to life after prison and hasnt gotten used to her celebrity status yet. Theres been a kind of cult of personality that is really intimidating and that is overwhelming for me, she said in Berlin. At her Maryland apartment, Manning told the AP she occasionally wakes up panicked that shes back in the cage in Kuwait where she was first jailed, or incarcerated at the Marine base at Quantico, Virginia, where a U.N. official concluded shed been subjected to cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment. She works hard to overcome anxiety, centering herself with yoga, breathing exercises, and reading. Ive been out for almost a year now and its becoming increasingly clear to me just how deep the wounds are, she said in her Spartan living room. Asked how she would define success, Manning responded with passionate intensity: Success for me is survival. David McFadden, AP Chinese technology company ZTE says it has applied to the U.S. Commerce Department asking it to suspend a seven-year ban on it doing business with U.S. technology exporters. The company said in a statement yesterday that it had formally submitted a request to the Commerce Departments Bureau of Industry and Security for a stay of the Denial Order. It said it sent the bureau supplemental information following the ban. It gave no details in its brief statement. ZTE Corp., which makes smartphones and telecoms equipment, was hit with the ban last month in a case involving exports of telecom gear to Iran and North Korea. The company has said that the ban threatens its existence by cutting off access to U.S. suppliers of key components like microchips. The suspension came amid worsening trade tensions between the U.S. and China centered on technology-related intellectual property, though the case dates back to before President Donald Trump took office in January 2017. U.S. officials met last week in Beijing to discuss trade issues with their Chinese counterparts. During the meetings, Chinese officials said they also raised their objections to ZTEs punishment with the U.S. delegation, who they said agreed to report them to Trump. U.S. authorities imposed the penalty after discovering that Shenzhen-based ZTE, which had paid a USD1.2 billion fine in the case, had failed to discipline employees involved and paid them bonuses instead. AP Drax Group plc, together with its subsidiaries, engages in the generation and supply of electricity in the United Kingdom. The company operates through three segments: Generation, Customers, and, Pellet Production. It produces low carbon and renewable electricity; and provides system support services to the electricity grid. The company owns and operates Drax Power Station that produces electricity from biomass and coal with an installed capacity of 3,906 megawatts (MW) located in Selby, North Yorkshire; Cruachan Power Station, a pumped hydro storage station, with an installed capacity of 440 MW located in Argyll and Bute, western Scotland; and Lanark and Galloway hydro-electric power stations with an installed capacity of 126 MW located in southwest Scotland. It also owns and operates combined cycle gas turbine power stations, including Damhead Creek power station with an installed capacity of 805 MW; Rye House power station with an installed capacity of 715 MW; Shoreham power station with an installed capacity of 420 MW; and Blackburn power station with an installed capacity of 60 MW located in England. In addition, the company owns and operates Daldowie fuel plant that processes sludge from a wastewater treatment plant and converts it into dry and low-odour fuel pellets. Further, it manufactures and sells compressed wood pellets for use in electricity production; supplies and manages electricity and gas for large industrial and commercial sector customers, as well as small businesses; and provides debt recovery services. Drax Group plc was incorporated in 2005 and is based in Selby, the United Kingdom. Read More VANCOUVER, British Columbia, May 07, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Mr. Keith Piggott, with an address at c/o Suite 1201, 1166 Alberni Street, Vancouver, British Columbia, V6E 3Z3, announces that he has acquired ownership and control of common shares ("Shares") and share purchase warrants of Core Gold Inc. (the "Company"), including in connection with a private placement by the Company of an aggregate of 4,509,941 units (the "Units") of the Company at a price of $0.30 per Unit for gross proceeds of $1,352,982.30 (the "Private Placement"). Each Unit consists of one Share and one-half of one share purchase warrant (each whole warrant, a "Warrant"). Each Warrant entitles the holder to purchase one Share at a price of $0.45 until May 4, 2020, subject to acceleration in the event that the closing price of the Shares is $0.60 or higher over a period of ten (10) consecutive trading days. On May 4, 2018, Mr. Piggott acquired 1,742,500 Shares and 871,250 Warrants under the Private Placement at a price of $0.30 per Unit for total consideration of $522,750, representing approximately 1.3% of current issued and outstanding common shares of the Company on a non-diluted basis and 2.0% on a partially-diluted basis assuming the exercise of such Warrants. Previously, on June 30, 2017, Mr. Piggott acquired 1,151,666 Shares and 575,833 share purchase warrants as part of a private placement of units of the Company, at a price of $0.30 per unit for total consideration of $345,499.80. Each such unit consists of one Share and one-half of one share purchase warrant, with each whole warrant entitling the holder to purchase one Share at a price of $0.45 until June 30, 2019. On September 27, 2017, Mr. Piggott acquired 120,501 Shares through the facilities of the TSX Venture Exchange at a price of $0.31 per Share for total consideration of $37,355.31. The foregoing securities acquired by Mr. Piggott represent, in aggregate, approximately 2.3% of the current issued and outstanding common shares of the Company on a non-diluted basis and 3.4% on a partially-diluted basis assuming the exercise of all such share purchase warrants. Immediately prior to the closing of the Private Placement, Mr. Piggott held 10,458,966 Shares, 575,833 share purchase warrants of the Company and 2,500,000 stock options of the Company, representing approximately 8.2% of the issued and outstanding common shares of the Company on a non-diluted basis and 10.4% on a partially-diluted basis assuming the exercise of all of Mr. Piggott's share purchase warrants and stock options. Immediately after the closing of the Private Placement, Mr. Piggott holds 12,201,466 Shares, 1,447,083 share purchase warrants of the Company (including the 871,250 Warrants) and 2,500,000 stock options of the Company, representing approximately 9.3% of the issued and outstanding common shares of the Company on a non-diluted basis and 11.9% on a partially-diluted basis assuming the exercise of all of Mr. Piggott's share purchase warrants and stock options. The acquisition by Mr. Piggott of the foregoing securities was primarily made for investment purposes. Mr. Piggott may increase or decrease his investment in the Company from time to time according to market conditions or other relevant factors. Mr. Piggott is issuing this news release pursuant to the requirements of National Instrument 62-103 The Early Warning System and Related Take-Over Bid and Insider Reporting Issues. A copy of the related early warning report (the "Report") will be issued and filed by Mr. Piggott on the SEDAR website at www.sedar.com under the Company's profile. The Company's head office is located at Suite 1201, 1166 Alberni Street, Vancouver, British Columbia, V6E 3Z3. For further information or to obtain a copy of the Report, contact Sam Wong, the Chief Financial Officer of the Company, at +1 604-306-8245. Ormat Technologies, Inc. operates as a holding company. The firm engages in the provision of geothermal and recovered energy power business. It operates through the following segments: Electricity, Product and Energy Storage. The Electricity segment focuses in the sale of electricity from the company's power plants pursuant to PPAs. The Product segment involves in the manufacture, including design and development, of turbines and power units for the supply of electrical energy and in the associated construction of power plants utilizing the power units manufactured by the company to supply energy from geothermal fields and other alternative energy sources. The Energy Storage segment consists of battery energy storage systems as a service and management of curtailable customer loads under contracts with U.S. retail energy providers and directly with large commercial and industrial customers. The company was founded in 1965 and is headquartered in Reno, NV. Read More Americans are more united than divided when it comes to guns they see gun safety as an issue and they want to see actions to prevent gun violence. The majority of Americans (87 percent) see gun violence as a public health threat, including 77 percent of Republicans and 96 percent of Democrats, according to a new national poll released today by the American Psychiatric Association, (APA). A large majority of Americans (85 percent) believe Congress should do more to address the issue of mass shootings, including 76 percent of Republicans and 96 percent of Democrats. More than three-quarters of Americans support the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) conducting research on gun violence as a public health issue. A spending bill recently passed by Congress now allows the CDC to conduct such research, but the bill did not provide any funding. Americans blame mass shootings on both lack of access to mental health care and easy access to assault style weapons. Lack of access to mental health services is seen as a contributing factor to mass shooting violence by 70 percent of Americans. About half of Americans say lack of access to mental health services and easy access to assault style guns are equally to blame. About one in five U.S. adults believe lack of access to mental services is more to blame and about one in five believe easy access to assault style guns is more to blame. African Americans are more likely than Caucasians to blame easy access to guns (28 percent versus 17 percent) and Caucasians were more likely than African Americans to blame lack of access to mental health services (23 percent versus 11 percent). Nearly half of Americans say people with mental illness are far more likely to be victims of violence than be perpetrators of violence (46 percent in 2018, up from 40 percent in 2017 and 37 percent in 2016). This perception is in line with research showing that people with mental illness are more likely to be victims rather than perpetrators of violence. "This poll reflects Americans' overall concern about gun safety and presents a strong call to action to address gun violence as a public health issue, said APA CEO and Medical Director Saul Levin, M.D., M.P.A. "Key to taking effective action to prevent gun violence will be better understanding the issues through research, which happens to be supported by most Americans." These findings are from an APA-sponsored poll conducted online using ORC International's CARAVAN Omnibus Survey. The surveys were collected form a nationally representative sample of 1,004 adults during the period March 22-25, 2018 and from a similar poll of 1,019 adults in April 20-23, 2017. The margin of error is +/-3.1 percentage points. Explore further Americans say they are more anxious than a year ago; baby boomers report greatest increase in anxiety For patients with substance use disorders seen in the emergency department or doctor's office, locating and accessing appropriate treatment all too often poses difficult challenges. Healthcare providers and treatment facility administrators share their views on delays and obstacles to prompt receipt of substance use disorder treatment after referral in a study in the Journal of Addiction Medicine. Issues related to patient eligibility, treatment capacity, understanding of options, and communication problems all contribute to gaps in referral and delays to getting treatment for patients with substance use disorders, according to the new research by Claire Evelyn Blevins, PhD, of Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University and Butler Hospital, Providence, RI; Nishi Rawat, MD, of OpenBeds, Inc., Washington. DC; and Michael Stein, MD, of Boston University and Butler Hospital. Four Themes Affecting Obstacles to Treatment for Substance Use Disorders The ongoing opioid crisis has drawn attention to the widening gap between the high need and limited access to substance use treatment in the United States. A recent Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration report found that of 21.7 million Americans in need of substance use disorder treatment, only 2.35 million received treatment at a specialty facility. Yet there is little information on the organizational-level barriers to treatment for substance use disorders. To address this issue, Dr. Blevins and colleagues performed a series of interviews with 59 stakeholders in the treatment referral process. The study gathered input from those who make referrals for substance use treatment, including emergency medicine physicians, addiction specialists, and other medical providers; as well as those who receive referrals, including substance use treatment facility staff and administrators. Analysis of the interviews identified four broad themes: Patient Eligibility . Healthcare providers face difficulties in determining whether patients meet criteria for admission to a particular treatment center, including the application of treatment eligibility criteria. "Eligibility requirements may prevent a patient from entering a treatment center," the researchers write. . Healthcare providers face difficulties in determining whether patients meet criteria for admission to a particular treatment center, including the application of treatment eligibility criteria. "Eligibility requirements may prevent a patient from entering a treatment center," the researchers write. Treatment Capacity . Even if a patient is eligible, providers have trouble finding out whether space is available. "Despite the need for services, treatment centers may not run at capacity, because of frustrations encountered and time wasted on the referral and admission process." . Even if a patient is eligible, providers have trouble finding out whether space is available. "Despite the need for services, treatment centers may not run at capacity, because of frustrations encountered and time wasted on the referral and admission process." Knowledge of Treatment Options . Providers may not understand the levels of available care for substance use treatment, and how to select the best treatment for their patient. "After determining appropriate level of care, a provider must then find a program that meets the patient's needs, which becomes more difficult with the differences in terminology and program guidelines." . Providers may not understand the levels of available care for substance use treatment, and how to select the best treatment for their patient. "After determining appropriate level of care, a provider must then find a program that meets the patient's needs, which becomes more difficult with the differences in terminology and program guidelines." Communication. Difficulties in communication between referring providers and treatment facilities can contribute to delays to starting treatment. The need for direct referral - "from the emergency department to a bed" - is particularly high for patients with opioid use disorders. "Access to substance use disorder treatment is often a maze that can be difficult to navigate for both providers and patients," Dr. Blevins and coauthors write. Based on the themes identified, they make recommendations for improvement in the referral process, including a database of clear eligibility criteria, real-time information on treatment capacity, and increased education and training for providers on substance use treatment. They also propose ways to improve communication and reduce treatment waiting times, including new information technologies. The researchers write: "By improving systems that enhance communication across organizations, patient referrals may be more easily completed, improving access to care and expanding the use of appropriate treatments for the many patients in need." In an accompanying commentary, David L. Rosenbloom, PhD, of Boston University School of Public Health discusses the underlying reasons for the current "dysfunctional referral system." He notes that referrals for other chronic diseases "may be more effective because they are to 'in-house' affiliated providers." Dr. Rosenbloom writes: "The standard of care should be to stabilize, initiate treatment, and provide a hands-on transfer to an entity that can complete a diagnostic assessment and provide evidence-based treatment" for patients with substance use disorders. Explore further Team leads study on peer recovery coaches for opioid use disorder A couple of weeks ago, two black men entered the Philadelphia Starbucks store to meet a friend, and have a conversation, just like many of us usually do. Unlike many of us, however, they were arrested for trespassing after minutes of taking their seats. A phone call that lasted only 30 seconds led to an arrest of these young individuals, and a national conversation on race relations in the United States in the ensuing days. This reprehensible incident is an important reminder of how implicit racial bias or in this case coffee shop racism works. While this incident has been condemned widely, the service industry is not the only sector where this is a problem. Implicit racial biases are in fact important indicators of the broader negative perception of black people which in clinical practice often leads to low-quality care, and harm. How does this racial bias translate to harm in clinical practice? In 2016, psychology scientists from University of Virginia demonstrated how racial bias lead to disparities in pain management. The investigators reported that black patients are systematically undertreated for pain compared to white patients. They found that a significant number of white medical students and residents believed in false biological differences between white and black patients, such as "black people's skin is thicker" and that "black people's blood coagulates more quickly." These findings exemplified how racial bias leads to less accurate treatment recommendations for black patients. In another milestone report, the American Journal of Public Health revealed how implicit racial bias even if unconscious leads to reduced trust in the doctor-patient relationship, causes black patients to feel less respected by their doctors, and may contribute to racial disparities in healthcare. Some of this implicit bias has a historical precedent. In a series of revealing articles last December, the Boston Globe's Spotlight team illustrated how black patients were continuously discriminated against in the 1960s and 1970s. In fact, the report documented that such discrimination continues today although it has taken new forms: today, it is more systematic and less individualistic. What can academic medicine learn from such incidents? As a physician-bioethicist, I am training to develop research protocols that are equitable and apply regardless of race of an individual. But after witnessing incidents where black people are routinely harassed, I believe it is a moral imperative to consider broader societal impositions on black individuals for any bioethical analysis a feature that academic training programs have not addressed adequately. It is a mistake to think that black patients' exacting social environments do not affect their agency. Understanding and addressing how unfair social forces shape the health of black patients must start early in the medical training. One way to address this issue is to teach medical students to take a more thorough social history, that includes documenting instances of racial bias. In 2014, a report from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation emphasized: "Your health care depends on who you are. Race and ethnicity continue to influence a patient's chance of receiving many specific health care procedures and treatments." To be sure, most healthcare providers are not actively discriminating against minority patients, but just like the Starbucks manager who called the cops on two innocent black men, the tendency to discriminate is often implicit. Unless one is intentional about their approach to patient care in minorities, it is far too easy to fall in the trap of casual racism. Black communities already suffer from worse clinical outcomes. Black patients continue to have inadequate access to healthcare; black women are two to three times more likely to die from pregnancy- and childbirth-related complications than white women; and, mortality rate in black infants has not improved in recent years. Many of these outcomes are driven by implicit bias, which continues to put undue stress on black patients. Implicit racial biases contribute to this perception. It is important for academic medicine to recognize this issue. A conversation on how culture affects medical care is long overdue. Healthcare providers and by extension students who are learning from them are operating on a flawed understanding that societal racism (casual in many instances) does not affect medical care. As noted above, evidence suggests otherwise. Healthcare providers are in a unique position to address racial bias. By making small intentional changes in routine clinical practice, such as focused empathy and a thorough social history, it is possible to elevate the quality of care for black patients and other minorities that routinely confront racial bias. These small initiatives may help alleviate some of the health disparities. Equitable medical care can be great equalizer of the health conditions of minority patients. This story is republished courtesy of PLOS Blogs: blogs.plos.org. (HealthDay)Type 2 diabetes is independently associated with a greater risk of renal cell carcinoma (RCC) in women, but not in men, according to a study published online April 20 in Diabetes Care. Rebecca E. Graff, Sc.D., from Harvard University in Boston, and colleagues used data from 117,570 women participating in the Nurses' Health Study (NHS; 1976 to 2014) and 48,866 men participating in the Health Professionals Follow-up Study (HPFS; 1986-2014) in order to assess whether type 2 diabetes is associated with RCC. The researchers found that among NHS participants there were 418 RCC cases, including 120 fatal cases, and among HPFS participants there were 302 RCC cases, including 87 fatal cases. There was a significantly increased risk of RCC among women with type 2 diabetes versus women without type 2 diabetes (multivariable hazard ratio [HR], 1.53; 95 percent confidence interval [CI], 1.14 to 2.04). This association was stronger for no more than five years' duration of type 2 diabetes (HR, 2.15; 95 percent CI, 1.44 to 3.23) versus more than five years' duration (HR 1.22; 95 percent CI, 0.84 to 1.78) (P = 0.03). However, there was no association between diabetes and RCC among men (HR, 0.89; 95 percent CI, 0.56 to 1.41). "Additional studies in populations with adequate confounder information are needed to confirm our findings and to further explore possible sex differences in the association between type 2 diabetes and RCC," the authors write. Explore further Reproductive markers associated with risk of diabetes Copyright 2018 HealthDay. All rights reserved. Credit: CC0 Public Domain Scientists at the University of Maryland School of Medicine have for the first time found evidence that the presence of a key species in the human gut microbiome is associated with protection from infection with typhoid fever. If the research is borne out, it could offer an exciting new way to reduce intestinal infections from microbes. The new study establishes for the first time that certain gut microbes may keep infection at bay. The work was published today in the journal mBio. The study's lead author, Claire M. Fraser, a professor of medicine at UMSOM as well as director of the school's Institute for Genome Sciences, said the researchers sought to examine how differences in the gut microbiome might affect infection with typhoid bacteria. "From our previous work we suspected that the microbiome might have an effect on how these illnesses developed in the gut," says Prof. Fraser. "We wanted to better understand the molecular basis these interactions in the intestinal environment." Other researchers on the paper include Marcelo B. Sztein, , a professor of pediatrics at UMSOM and associate director for basic and translational research at the school's Center for Vaccine Development and Global Health. The study was carried out using samples obtained from subjects who had been vaccinated against typhoid, and were subsequently exposed to virulent typhoid bacteria. The vaccine is helpful, but sometimes is not that effective, especially in the developing world. Prof. Fraser and her colleagues found that those who had higher levels of the microbes, which are known as methanogens, were significantly less likely to become sick following exposure, even if they had not been vaccinated. "We found a strong correlation between the composition and function of the gut microbiome and the clinical outcome following exposure to S. Typhi," said Prof. Fraser. "One interpretation of these findings is that in some individuals the gut microbiome may offer some protection against infection." She says that it may also be that people with different microbiomes may respond differently to the vaccine. Typhoid fever is caused by the bacterium Salmonella Typhi. An estimated 5,700 cases occur each year in the United States. Most infections occur in international travelers. Typhoid fever is common in the developing world, where it affects about 21.5 million people annually, and kills 200,000. It is not clear exactly how methanogens might help ward off typhoid. Methanogens themselves may keep typhoid at bay, or the presence of these species may create an environment that is hostile to typhoid. Methanogens thrive in an environment that has very little oxygen; generally, the gut has very little oxygen, but this can vary. Intriguingly, researchers have found that typhoid can gain a foothold in the gut by producing reactive oxygen molecules. The researchers theorize that methanogens may help reduce the risk of typhoid by reducing the amount of oxygen in the gut. This could potentially reduce the ability of typhoid to thrive. "There are so many questions that this initial set of findings raises. This is step one in a 100-step journey," she says. Another question is whether methanogens, which have been received little research, may also protect from other intestinal infections. "Methanogens may be one of the key gut bacteria, and we know very little about them, particularly whether they affect host immunity. The data presented in these studies raised the intriguing possibility that methanogens possess important immunomodulatory functions that could impact clinical outcomes following infection with enteric pathogens" says Dr. Sztein. The research has broad implications: In the future, Prof. Fraser says, it may be possible to reduce the risk of infection by creating a certain environment that is populated with particular gut microbes. Explore further Typhoid vaccine for infants 'safe': study A new study from Boston University Schools of Medicine (BUSM) and Public Health (BUSPH) identifies a pattern of inflammation associated with cardio-metabolic risks among participants in the Black Women's Health Study, as well as two independent groups of vulnerable women. These findings could help underserved patients benefit from precision medicine and personalized profiles of disease risk. According to the researchers, body mass index alone is an imperfect measure of obesity-associated disease risks, such as for Type 2 diabetes, because there are some individuals with chronic obesity who are apparently protected from cardio-metabolic complications and lean individuals with high cardiovascular and diabetes risks. Abnormal, unresolved inflammation in blood and adipose (fat) tissue, rather than obesity per se, is thought to be important for development of disease. Certain biomarkers show promise in predicting obesity-associated diabetes risk; however, the clinical utility of single biomarkers is limited for complex disease phenotypes such as these. The research team took a data-driven, systems biology approach to discover six cytokine signatures associated with Type 2 diabetes risk in a vulnerable population: African American women with obesity and varying degrees of metabolic health. These six distinct signatures are patterns of sixteen cytokines/chemokines that promote or reduce inflammation. Analyses of plasma samples from participants in the Black Women's Health Study, formed the basis for the discovery dataset, which was then validated in two separate groups, African American women volunteers with obesity who had donated plasma to the Komen Tissue Bank, and African American women with obesity who were breast reduction surgical patients at a safety net hospital in Greater Boston. The patterns or signatures in the validation cohorts closely resembled the distributions in the discovery cohort. "These findings are highly relevant to an understudied and underserved population that experiences elevated risks for co-morbidities of obesity. The overall impact of this report is high because of the potential utility of the new signatures just discovered and validated, which could assist clinical decision making with more personalized information," explained corresponding author Gerald V. Denis, PhD, associate professor of pharmacology and medicine at BUSM. These findings appear in the journal PLOS ONE. Explore further Type 2 diabetes associated with risk of aggressive breast cancer in black women Biomedical engineering professor Pam Kreeger and other lab members have teased out how one type of immune cells helps cancer cells attach in the peritoneal cavity, enabling metastasis. Credit: UW-Madison In order to spread their destruction, ovarian cancer cells must break free from their tumor home, travel through the fluid in the peritoneal cavity and attach to the outside of the abdominal organssurfaces that are, by necessity, not sticky. Despite these challenges, most patients with ovarian cancer are diagnosed after metastasis has begun, resulting in poor patient outcomes. While ovarian cancer is only the 11th-most common form of cancer among women in the United States, it accounts for the fifth-most deaths, according to the Ovarian Cancer Research Fund Alliance. New research from the lab of Pamela Kreeger, a University of Wisconsin-Madison biomedical engineering professor, has identified one way ovarian cancer cells appear to successfully spread. The work, detailed today in the journal Cancer Research, could lead to new therapies to curb metastasis of these tumors. "Like most cancers, it's not the primary tumor that's usually the problem. It's the spread of the tumor to nearby organs that leads to serious complications," Kreeger says. "So if you can slow that process down, it's possible the patient will live longer and/or have a better quality of life." In studying high-grade serous ovarian cancerthe most common but also most aggressive typeKreeger, postdoctoral fellow Molly Carroll and other lab members have teased out how one type of immune cells helps cancer cells attach in the peritoneal cavity, enabling metastasis. Higher levels of these immune cells, called alternatively activated macrophages, are associated with worse outcomes. But the question remained: Do these macrophages encourage metastasis? To find out, Kreeger's team created a micro-culture device that allowed them to bring together the key players: macrophages, cancer cells and mesothelial cells, which line the peritoneal cavity. Experiments revealed macrophages increase tumor cell attachment to the mesothelial cells by making the mesothelial cells stickier. "For me that was one of those scientific 'ah ha' momentsthe interactions between the normal cells in our body can influence metastasis. In other words, it's not all about the tumor cell," says Kreeger. But which of the 25 proteins the team detected in the co-culture device was responsible for this effect? Computational modeling revealed the culprit. The macrophages produce a protein called MIP-1, which causes the mesothelial cells to produce more of an adhesion protein called P-selectin. P-selectin, in turn, allows the cancer cells to stick. A preliminary experiment in mice validated those results, while human samplesobtained through collaborators in the UW-Madison School of Medicine and Public Healthshowed that patients with ovarian cancer had higher levels of MIP-1 and P-selectin. The good news: There are already several existing drugs, developed for other diseases, that could prove useful. Maraviroc, which is used to treat HIV, inhibits the receptor for MIP-1, while two different drugs that target P-selectin are in clinical trials for blood disorders. "We're interested in pursuing multiple avenues, because it's possible one will work better than another," says Kreeger, whose group has filed a provisional patent on the findings with the Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation. "It's also possible one will have more tolerable side effects than another." Kreeger will use a recently awarded grant from the Rivkin Center for Ovarian Cancer to further validate the findings in long-term experiments in mice in order to set the stage for pre-clinical testing of drug treatments. Carroll, the first author on the paper, says being able to target another aspect of the cancer's spread beyond combatting tumor growth with chemotherapy opens new avenues for treatment. "Treatment for ovarian cancer really has not changed in the past 20 years," she says. "Hopefully through the development of such maintenance therapies, we can prevent the establishment of new tumor metastases." Explore further Uncovering the mechanisms that support the spread of ovarian cancer More information: Molly J Carroll et al, Alternatively activated macrophages upregulate mesothelial expression of P-selectin to enhance adhesion of ovarian cancer cells, Cancer Research (2018). Journal information: Cancer Research Molly J Carroll et al, Alternatively activated macrophages upregulate mesothelial expression of P-selectin to enhance adhesion of ovarian cancer cells,(2018). DOI: 10.1158/0008-5472.CAN-17-3341 Credit: CC0 Public Domain While poverty has long been linked with poor health, a study from UC San Francisco has found that simply living in a more desirable neighborhood may act as a health booster for low-income children. UCSF researchers compared levels of the stress hormone cortisol in 338 kindergartners whose families' annual incomes ranged from less than $10,000 to $200,000-plus. The research team found that the average cortisol level among 113 of low-income children who lived in poor neighborhoods reached the 75th percentile. But when they looked at cortisol levels in 32 low-income children living in better-quality neighborhoods, the average was in the 45th percentile, the researchers report in the May 8, 2018, issue of Psychosomatic Medicine. "Cortisol is a measure of biological stress arousal, and elevated levels can place children at risk for both poorer physical and mental health," said first author Danielle Roubinov, PhD, assistant professor of psychiatry, and a member of the UCSF Weill Institute for Neurosciences. High cortisol levels are associated with elevated blood sugar, raised blood pressure, back pain, bone thinning, obesity, insomnia, anxiety and fatigue. "'The quality of neighborhoods was assessed by a measure that evaluates access to green spaces, exposure to environmental toxins, and availability of early childhood education centers and grocery stores selling healthy food," said Roubinov. "Our study indicates that the quality of a neighborhood where a child grows up is one of several factors that can have a protective effect on their health." Better Neighborhood Equals Better Health The researchers also asked teachers and parents of the kindergartners, who were enrolled at six public schools in the San Francisco Bay Area, to report on the children's overall health and any impairments that may prevent them from participating in desired activities. They found that the 113 low-income children living in poor neighborhoods were in the 75th percentile when it came to such health issues, while the 32 low-income children in better-resourced neighborhoods scored in the 55th percentile. The work follows a 2011 government study that found when low-income adults moved to wealthier neighborhoods as a result of a voucher housing initiative, the prevalence of obesity, diabetes and other self-reported health limitations declined. "Taken together, such results suggest that infusing a neighborhood with resources across various domains could influence the negative effects of a family's economic status," said Roubinov. "Initiatives such as supportive social services, efforts to improve neighborhood safety and housing quality, and redesigning parks and open spaces may offer physiological and physical benefits." Explore further Racial gap in children's asthma linked to social inequality in Houston neighborhoods Credit: CC0 Public Domain The opioid crisis continues to weigh heavily on the minds of Americans, according to a new national poll released today by the American Psychiatric Association, (APA). Nearly a third of Americans say they know someone who is or has been addicted to opioids or prescription painkillers. Nearly half feel it is extremely or somewhat easy to access opioids for illicit use. Americans strongly favor improving access to treatment over imposing stricter punishments to address the problem. An estimated 2 million people in the United States have a substance use disorder related to prescription opioid pain medication and the number of overdose deaths from prescription and illicit opioids doubled from just over 21,000 in 2010 to more than 42,000 in 2016. More Americans say they know someone who is or has been addicted to opioids or prescription painkillers compared to this time last year (31 percent today versus 27 percent in 2017). Nearly half (46 percent) say the opioid crisis is impacting people like them, up from 37 percent in 2017. And nearly one in 10 say they have taken an opioid or prescription painkiller without a prescription. Five percent of U.S. adults say they have abused or been addicted to opioids or prescription painkillers, up from 1 percent in 2017, possibly reflecting a greater awareness and willingness to talk about the problem. The poll also found a growing percent of Americans say it would be easy for someone to access opioids for illicit purposes (46 percent in 2018 versus 39 percent in 2017). People who misuse opioids often get them from a family member or friend who has a prescription. Millennials (52 percent) are more likely to believe it's easy to get opioids than baby boomers (41 percent). More Americans believe people can recover from an opioid addiction. Four in five Americans believe people can recover, up from 73 percent in 2017. Three-quarters of U.S. adults (74 percent) say they "understand how someone accidentally gets addicted to opioids," up from 69 percent in 2017. When asked about how policymakers should address the problem, Americans strongly favor improving access to treatment (62 percent) over imposing stricter punishments and enforcement (26 percent). "Our poll findings show that Americans are increasingly aware of the problem of opioid addiction and increasingly believe people can recover, said APA CEO and Medical Director Saul Levin, M.D., M.P.A. "The crisis has become personal to many and they want to see treatment available for those affected. We are ready to work with the Administration and Congress to curb this national epidemic." These findings are from an APA-sponsored poll conducted online using ORC International's CARAVAN Omnibus Survey. The surveys were collected form a nationally representative sample of 1,004 adults during the period March 22-25, 2018 and from a similar poll of 1,019 adults in April 20-23, 2017. The margin of error is +/-3.1 percentage points. VANCOUVER, British Columbia, May 07, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Aurcana Corporation (TSX Venture:AUN) (Aurcana or the Company) is pleased to announce that it has completed a non-brokered private placement (the Offering) as announced on April 27, 2018, and issued an aggregate of 13,715,400 units (each a Unit) at a purchase price of $0.20 per Unit, raising gross proceeds of $2,743,080. Each Unit consists of one common share (a Common Share) and one transferable common share purchase warrant (a Warrant) of Aurcana. Each Warrant will be exercisable to acquire one additional Common Share at an exercise price of $0.30 until May 3, 2021. Aurcana agreed to paid cash finders fees to arms length parties totaling $92,480, and agreed to issue an aggregate of 472,400 non-transferable common share purchase warrants to finders, having the same terms as the Warrants issued in the Offering. All securities issued in the Offering are subject to a hold period of four months, expiring September 3, 2018. The net proceeds of the Offering will be used for the exploration and development of the Shafter Silver Project in Texas and for general working capital purposes. ABOUT AURCANA CORPORATION Aurcana Corporation owns the Shafter Silver Project in Texas, U.S.A. The Shafter Silver Project was put on care and maintenance in December of 2013, in part due to depressed silver prices. Aurcana Corporation owns the Shafter Silver Project in Texas, US. The Shafter Silver Project was put on care and maintenance in December 2013. For more information, including a current Preliminary Economic Assessment go to the website at www.aurcana.com or the companys disclosure documents housed at www.sedar.com. ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF AURCANA CORPORATION Kevin Drover, President & CEO For further information, visit the website at www.aurcana.com or contact: Aurcana Corporation Phone: (604) 331-9333 Gary Lindsey, Corporate Communications Phone: (720)-273-6224 Email: gary@strata-star.com Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. CAUTIONARY NOTES This press release contains forward looking statements within the meaning of applicable securities laws. The use of any of the words anticipate, plan, continue, expect, estimate, objective, may, will, project, should, predict, potential and similar expressions are intended to identify forward looking statements. In particular, this press release contains forward looking statements concerning the anticipated future results of mining activities on the Shafter property, including economic results thereof. Although the Company believes that the expectations and assumptions on which the forward looking statements are based are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on the forward looking statements because the Company cannot give any assurance that they will prove correct. Since forward looking statements address future events and conditions, they involve inherent assumptions, risks and uncertainties. Actual results could differ materially from those currently anticipated due to a number of assumptions, factors and risks. These assumptions and risks include, but are not limited to, assumptions and risks associated with the result of drilling and exploration activities, that contracted parties provide goods and/or services on the agreed timeframes, risks related to future metals prices, that equipment necessary for exploration is available as scheduled and does not incur unforeseen break downs, that no labour shortages or delays are incurred, that plant and equipment function as specified, that no unusual geological or technical problems occur, and that laboratory and other related services are available and perform as contracted. Management has provided the above summary of risks and assumptions related to forward-looking statements in this press release in order to provide readers with a more comprehensive perspective on the Companys future operations. The Companys actual results, performance or achievement could differ materially from those expressed in, or implied by, these forward-looking statements and, accordingly, no assurance can be given that any of the events anticipated by the forward-looking statements will transpire or occur, or if any of them do so, what benefits the Company will derive from them. These forward-looking statements are made as of the date of this press release, and, other than as required by applicable securities laws, the Company disclaims any intent or obligation to update publicly any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or results or otherwise. Micrograph showing prostatic acinar adenocarcinoma (the most common form of prostate cancer) Credit: Wikipedia (HealthDay)More men could receive PSA blood tests for prostate cancer under revised guidelines released Tuesday by the nation's leading panel on preventive medicine. The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) now recommends that men aged 55 to 69 decide for themselves whether to undergo a prostate-specific antigen (PSA) test, after talking it over with their doctor. This blood test looks for a protein produced by the prostate, a small walnut-shaped gland that produces seminal fluid. Cancerous prostate tissue produces higher levels of PSA. Until now, the task force has taken a hardline stance that no men receive PSA screening for prostate cancer. That's because relatively few men diagnosed with prostate cancer die from the often slow-moving illness. On the other hand, treatment frequently results in erectile dysfunction and urinary incontinence. However, new data shows that more men are opting for "active surveillance"not treatmentof their diagnosed prostate cancer, making screening potentially less harmful, said USPSTF Vice Chair Dr. Alex Krist. Under active surveillance, doctors do not treat the cancer but instead keep a watchful eye on it to make sure it doesn't become aggressivesparing patients the harms caused by surgery or radiation therapy, said Krist, a professor of family medicine at Virginia Commonwealth University. "It used to be that only 10 percent of men got active surveillance, and now in 2018 it's closer to 40 percent," Krist said. Fresh results from ongoing clinical trials also firmed up data showing that out of every 1,000 men who get a PSA test, 1.3 may avoid death from prostate cancer and three may avoid cancer spreading to other organs, the panel's evidence review concluded. "It's a small increase, but it was one that gave us some confidence that some men might not die from prostate cancer if they get screened," Krist said. USPSTF recommendations are very influential, in that the Affordable Care Act requires that insurers cover the full costs of any screenings the task force recommends. The USPSTF still recommends against PSA screening for men aged 70 or older. The new recommendation means that the USPSTF and leading medical societies are "all saying the same thing now," said Dr. Otis Brawley, chief medical and scientific officer for the American Cancer Society. The cancer society and the American Urological Association (AUA) already have guidelines saying that middle-aged men should have the option of receiving a PSA screening after talking with their doctor. The cancer society guideline calls for men to have the option starting at age 50, while the AUA sets 55 as the earliest age for routine screening. Both recommend against screening for men 70 and older. Brawley said the USPSTF has provided a valuable service by making sure that clinical trials produced quality data. "What happened along the way is the task force is really the entity that forced the development of data, forced the studies to be completed," Brawley said. "No one is saying 'I think' anymore about the benefits and harms of prostate cancer screening. Everybody is saying, 'This is what the data says.'" The USPSTF evidence review shows that out of every 1,000 men who receive PSA screening: 240 will get a positive result, but only 100 will have cancer confirmed. 80 of those 100 with confirmed prostate cancer will have surgery or radiation treatment, either immediately or after a period of active surveillance. Of those 80 who receive treatment, 50 will suffer erectile dysfunction and 15 will suffer urinary incontinence. "About two of three men treated will have erectile dysfunction, and about one out of three men will have some degree of incontinence. These are significant harms," Krist said. Krist added that about 40 percent of the men with confirmed prostate cancer will never be affected by their cancer, and will wind up dying from something else. Brawley agreed that the increased use of active surveillance has made prostate cancer screening much less potentially harmful. "Men are actually being told, your treatment is watching. Observation is a form of treatment. You do not need aggressive treatment with surgery or radiation," Brawley said. Although the clinical data have provided some clarity regarding who should be screened, Krist said, they also show the need for a better screening test for prostate cancer and improved treatments. The task force also calls for more research in this area, including ongoing studies looking at the potential for MRI and genetic testing to better detect aggressive prostate cancers, Krist added. The panel is also asking for more research into high-risk groups, such as black Americans and men with a family history of prostate cancer. The new guidelines were published in the May 8 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association. Explore further Prostate cancer tests are now OK with US panel, with caveats Copyright 2018 HealthDay. All rights reserved. Credit: CC0 Public Domain Taking the bus is a whole lot safer than taking the car - and it's also safer for cyclists and pedestrians who take the same routes, according to a new study led by the Universite de Montreal Public Health Research Institute (IRSPUM). Published in the Journal of Urban Health, the study looked at the risk of injury along the 10 busiest bus routes on the island of Montreal and showed that the risk is four times greater for car occupants than for bus occupants. Besides looking at specific routes, the study is the first to compare the effect of car and bus use on the safety of pedestrians and cyclists. Per kilometre travelled, car trips were associated with a greater number of pedestrian injuries (four times more), cyclist injuries (five times more), and fatal and severe injuries (five times more) compared to bus trips. There were 28 times more seriously injured people in cars (278 over 10 years, including 19 deaths) than bus occupants (10 seriously injured, no deaths). Forty-two pedestrians and three cyclists were killed by cars, versus four pedestrians and zero cyclists by bus. Why is bus travel safer? For one, drivers are professionally trained. Second, they drive more slowly than cars. Third, buses travel along designated routes and usual stick to the right lane, which make them more predictable in traffic. Fourth, far fewer buses than cars are needed to transport the same number of people. In Montreal, a shift towards public transit will help reduce the number of injuries, the study argues. For the period studied, 2001 to 2010, it estimates that bus travel along these 10 routes saved 1,805 vehicle occupants, 156 cyclists and 476 pedestrians from injury. "The fundamental point is that pedestrians, cyclists and motor-vehicle occupants are mostly injured where the speeds are highest and where there are the most vehicles, on the major arteries," said lead author Patrick Morency. "The solution? Permanent structure to reduce speeds, and public transit,' said Morency, an assistant clinical professor at IRSPUM who works at the Montreal Public Health Department. Helped by colleagues there and along with others at the Reseau de transport metropolitain (RTM) and the Societe de transport de Montreal (STM), Morency looked at weekday collision and injury data compiled in police reports to Quebec's automobile insurance board, the SAAQ, between 2001 and 2010. During that period, car travel on the 10 routes accounted for four times as many passenger kilometres annually than bus travel: 1.3 billion versus 257 million. (Car travel was actually much higher, since the data include all vehicles and don't differentiate cars from heavy trucks and buses.) The busiest car and bus routes were along Henri-Bourassa Blvd., Sherbrooke St. and Cote Vertu Blvd. and Sauve St. But those weren't the most dangerous routes; the highest injury rates in cars were seen along Jarry St., Jean-Talon Blvd. and Beaubien St. The highest cyclist injury rates associated with car travel were Beaubien, Jarry and Sherbrooke; for pedestrians, Beaubien, Jarry and Jean-Talon. Lacordaire Blvd. and (involving pedestrians) Pie-IX Blvd. were also in the top 3 for bus accidents. Although newer injury data, up to 2016, is available, precise traffic data for the routes studied were not, and so the current research had to be limited to 2001-2010, Morency said. He is now working with Jillian Strauss and Catherine Morency (Polytechnique Montreal) on compiling figures not only for the 10 busiest routes but also for the Montreal metropolitan area. In the meantime, he has presented his latest study to Montreal transit officials, and hopes they'll use the analysis in public-information campaigns touting not just the savings but also the safety of traveling by bus. Explore further British Columbia traffic deaths could be cut in half, study says More information: Patrick Morency et al, Traveling by Bus Instead of Car on Urban Major Roads: Safety Benefits for Vehicle Occupants, Pedestrians, and Cyclists, Journal of Urban Health (2018). Patrick Morency et al, Traveling by Bus Instead of Car on Urban Major Roads: Safety Benefits for Vehicle Occupants, Pedestrians, and Cyclists,(2018). DOI: 10.1007/s11524-017-0222-6 The Dr. Peter Stys lab within the Hotchkiss Brain Institute at the Cumming School of Medicine is equipped with highly specialized microscopes used for researching multiple sclerosis, Alzheimer's and other neurodegenerative disease. In this customized lab, the researchers can't wear white lab coats, they have to wear dark clothing. Photons could reflect off light clothing and interfere with the experiments. From left: Megan Morgan, research assistant, and Craig Brideau, engineering scientist. Credit: Pauline Zulueta, Cumming School of Medicine Ridiculous. That's how Andrew Caprariello says his colleagues described his theory about multiple sclerosis (MS) back when he was doing his PhD in Ohio. Caprariello's passion to explore controversial new theories about MS propelled him to seek out a postdoctoral fellowship with a like-minded thinker, whom he found in University of Calgary's Dr. Peter Stys, a member of the Hotchkiss Brain Institute at the Cumming School of Medicine (CSM). The collaboration paid off. Caprariello, Stys and their colleagues have scientific proof published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS) that their somewhat radical theory has merit. "I've always wondered 'what if' MS starts in the brain and the immune attacks are a consequence of the brain damage," says Caprariello, PhD, and lead author on the study. Currently, MS is considered to be a progressive autoimmune disease. Brain inflammation happens when the body's immune system attacks a protective material around nerve fibers in the brain called myelin. Conventional thinking is that rogue immune cells initially enter the brain and cause myelin damage that starts MS. "In the field, the controversy about what starts MS has been brewing for more than a decade. In medical school, I was taught years ago that the immune attack initiates the disease. End of story," says Stys, a neurologist and professor in the Department of Clinical Neurosciences at the CSM. "However, our findings show there may be something happening deeper and earlier that damages the myelin and then later triggers the immune attacks." To test the theory, the research team designed a mouse model of MS that begins with a mild myelin injury. In this way, researchers could mirror what they believe to be the earliest stages of the disease. "Our experiments show, at least in this animal model, that a subtle early biochemical injury to myelin secondarily triggers an immune response that leads to additional damage due to inflammation. It looks very much like an MS plaque on MRI and tissue examination," says Stys. "This does not prove that human MS advances in the same way, but provides compelling evidence that MS could also begin this way." With that result, the researchers started to investigate treatments to stop the degeneration of the myelin to see if that could reduce, or stop, the secondary autoimmune response. "We collaborated with researchers at the University of Toronto and found that by targeting a treatment that would protect the myelin to stop the deterioration, the immune attack stopped and the inflammation in the brain never occurred," says Stys. "This research opens a whole new line of thinking about this disease. Most of the science and treatment for MS has been targeted at the immune system, and while anti-inflammatory medications can be very effective, they have very limited benefit in the later progressive stages of the disease when most disability happens." University of Calgary scientists Andrew Caprariello, Ph.D., left, and Dr. Peter Stys, professor at the Cumming School of Medicine, are challenging conventional thinking about the root cause of multiple sclerosis. Credit: Cumming School of Medicine It can be very hard to find funding to investigate an unconventional theory. The research team was funded by the Brain and Mental Health Strategic Research Fund, established by the Office of the Vice-President (Research) at UCalgary to support innovative, interdisciplinary studies within the Brain and Mental Health research strategy. "We chose high-risk, novel projects for these funds to support discoveries by teams who did not have the chance to work together through conventional funding sources," said Ed McCauley, PhD, vice-president (research). "The MS study shows the potential of brain and mental health scholars to expand capacity by tapping into new approaches for conducting research. Their work also exemplifies the type of interdisciplinary research that is propelling the University of Calgary as an international leader in brain and mental health research." Explore further Scientists discover roadblocks that stop brain white matter healing Aaron Stallings, who used to work as a bill collector for Capital One, says hes no longer interested in having a full-time job. Instead, for the past year, he has cobbled together work50, sometimes 60 hours a weekby parachuting into restaurants in Richmond, Virginia, that have last-minute openings to prep food, bus tables and bottle beer. There are obvious downsides, like the lack of health insurance and the trouble of not having an employer withhold money for taxes. But he says the arrangement reflects a new reality in which flexibility trumps stability. Plus, he says, he is often treated better than full-time employees. Its definitely stressful to show up and have your first day almost every time, Stallings, 25, said, but at least I dont feel miserable and stuck on the job. The gig economy is clocking in to retailers and restaurants. The unemployment rate is at a 17-year low, but stagnant wages, chronic underemployment and growing inequality are leading more Americans to take on so-called side hustles. Some want to supplement their incomes. Others are just trying to eke out a living. Nearly 1 in 4 Americans now earn money from the digital platform economy, according to the Pew Research Center. Most of that work is for domestic tasks, such as housecleaning and repairs, or driving for companies such as Uber. By moving into shops and cafes, on-demand work stands to reshape a broader slice of the U.S. economy. There are implications for low-wage workers, too, as a new class of employers fills its labor pool with on-call temp workers. Retail and hospitalitywhich accounts for 20 percent of U.S. positions, according to the Bureau of Labor Statisticsis the on-ramp for many employees to better jobs. But the sector is also pinched by rising minimum wages and health-care costs, and employers are seeking more flexible work arrangements that respond to the ebbs and flows of their businesses. But labor experts say companies such as Snag Work could set a dangerous precedent. Employers are already wary of hiring full-time employees because of overtime and health-care costs, they say, and having a pool of potential gig workers at the ready could make matters worse for those seeking the stability, benefits and protections that come with full-time work. Were seeing only one trend here, which is that the gig economy is big and getting bigger, said Diane Mulcahy, a lecturer at Babson College and author of The Gig Economy. Companies will do just about anything to avoid hiring full-time employees. Add to that the fact that there is no job security anymore, and workers are increasingly aware that they need to work differently if they want to create any sort of stability for themselves. Snag Work and other new platforms are the go-betweens, allowing users to pick up open shifts from retailers, restaurants and hotels that have gaps in their schedules. Wonolo, which bills itself as 40 percent cheaper than traditional temporary staffing companies, counts Coca-Cola, McDonalds and Papa Johns Pizza among its clients. Other start-ups include AllWork and Coople. Snag Work, which recently expanded to Washington, D.C., says the arrangements are mutually beneficial for cash-strapped workers and understaffed businesses. Workers now have lots of options to pick up shiftsInstacart, TaskRabbit, Postmates, Lyft, said Peter Harrison, chief executive of Snag, the parent company of Snag Work, which says it has 2.1 million active users. But for small businesses, there are not ways for them to participate in this revolution. Theyre suffering for it because theyre losing workers to these other platforms. Thats where Snag Work comes in, he says. This is how it works: Interested workers sign up online and are vetted by Snag Work via Skype interviews and background checks. They can search for open shiftswhich typically pay $10 to $15 an houron the companys app and sign up for the ones theyre interested in. (The median hourly pay for retail work in the United States is $13.20, according to the BLS.) They clock in and clock out and are paid through Snag Works online platform. A spokeswoman for Snag Work said the company provides workers compensation coverage to all workers. Labor economists and law professors say the system raises concerns for some of the countrys most vulnerable workers. If a restaurant has dishwashers, cooks, busboys, serversthose people are employees, they have a fair number of protections under employment law, including a minimum wage, overtime pay and family medical leave, said Catherine Fisk, a law professor at the University of California at Berkeley. What is at risk for all of these Snag workers is that they are potentially entitled to none of that if they are treated as independent contractors. Temporary workers also have fewer rightsthey cant unionize, for example, and dont have the same legal protections against workplace harassment that regular employees do, according to Erin Johansson, research director at Jobs With Justice, a nonprofit that advocates for workers rights. This is a very problematic trend that has a downward pull on employer standards, she said. Whos going to stand up and speak up about sexual harassment if they feel like theyre just going to be replaced by a gig worker who has no rights on that? The consequences for low-wage workers could be far-reaching, labor advocates said, if companies like Snag Work encourage businesses to hire temporary workers at the expense of permanent employees. At Walmart, for example, union leaders say workers have long complained that they are underemployed and dont receive enough hours to be considered full-time employees, at which point they would qualify for more benefits. Companies like Snag Work may exacerbate those issues, Fisk said, by making it easy to replace workers in low-paying industries with temp workers. The rise in gig work comes as state legislatures across the country are considering bills that would legally classify gig workers as independent contractors, stripping them of a number of workplace rights and protections. Until now, the distinction between on-demand employee and contractor has been largely unclear, as evidenced by a number of lawsuits alleging that companies such as Uber, Grubhub and Handy are incorrectly classifying their workers as independent contractors. Contract workers, who are not covered under the National Labor Relations Act, dont have rights to employee protections including the minimum wage and state anti-discrimination laws. A recent search on Snag Works site for jobs in Richmond, where the company has been testing its business for the past year, included shifts for a dishwasher at a local market, a cashier at Potbellys and a room attendant at a Marriott hotel. Almost all of the positions paid $10 per hour. (Virginias minimum wage is $7.25 an hour, and the state requires that employees who work more than 40 hours per week be paid overtime of at least $10.88 per hour.) Five Guys restaurants in Richmond have been using Snag Work to fill about four shifts a week, according to Sara Ortiz, the vice president of human resources for Five Guys. Company stores typically have 25 workers, 20 of them part time, Ortiz said, adding that in the past, the burger chain filled unmanned shifts by asking employees and managers to take on extra work. Stallings, the full-time gig worker, said he regularly picks up dishwashing and food-prep shifts at the Five Guys near Virginia Commonwealth University. He reports to work wearing the company uniform and says managers frequently treat him better than they treat other workersfor example, they go out of their way, he said, to tell him how grateful they are for his help. Part of the reason for that, Snag Works Harrison says, is that the company asks workers to rate employers after each shift. (Employers also rate their workers.) Ill show up, and the managers are like, Thank you so much, like Im doing something special, Stallings said. (His temporary shifts have also led to a number of job offers, he said, though hes turned them all down. The freedom of working when I want to is worth all of the stress, he said. And it helps, he added, that, at 25, he still qualifies for health insurance through his parents.) Molly Catalano, a spokeswoman for Five Guys, said the assertion that gig workers are treated better than full-time employees is very concerning to us and we would like to investigate this right away. She added that the companys starting wage in Richmond is $8.25. The other workers get a little upset when they hear Im making more than minimum wage, Stallings said. Youll hear them talk about how theyre struggling to keep full-time hours, and then I come in to wash dishes, and at $10 an hour, am making almost as much as the cooks are. Although the gig economy has been touted as an effective way for Americans to make money on their own terms, most gig workers85 percentmake less than $500 a month, on average, through those services, according to San Francisco-based loan provider Earnest, which analyzed tens of thousands of loan applications to study the impact of gig-economy jobs. Snag Work is the latest offering from Snag (previously called Snagajob), an Arlington, Virginia-based technology company that has built a multimillion-dollar business helping job-seekers find and apply for low-wage, hourly work on their phones. At Boulevard Burger & Brew in Richmond, managers use Snag Work to fill about three shifts a week, often during peak weekend hours. But, they say, they use the service as a last resort. Were a very high-volume restaurant, a turn-and-burn kind of place, so sometimes we need help filling shifts, said Jake Lee, a manager at the restaurant, which has 30 employees, half of whom are full-time. But on the whole, its way better if you can hire someone whos always there when you need them. The event underscored how what we eat in the U.S. has changed profoundly in the past 20 years, as interest grows apace, not only in the food of first immigrants to America, the traditional, Americanized versions of Italian, Mexican, Chinese, Indian, and German cuisines, but in newer trends seeking out Korean, Thai, Japanese, Peruvian, Turkish, Moroccan, new Nordic foods, and exotic blends thereof. There is less interest in food of the motherland than in what happens when it comes to this country, said chef Edward Lee, who was born in Brooklyn to parents who had emigrated from Korea, who studied cooking in France, fell in love with southern cooking in Louisville, Kentucky and combines all of these traditions in his successful restaurants in Washington, D.C. as well as Kentucky. The distinctions between high and low cuisine, comfort food, grandmas food have all but collapsed Lee said, Theres a world of cuisine out there that weve yet to tap into. Food is a layer of culture that reveals who we are. Over the course of three days, the participants listened to and tasted the fare of chefs from Texas to Tasmania who celebrate their heritage through food, be it grilled grasshoppers or turnip pudding. SAN DIEGO, May 07, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- ADHD in children is one of the most commonly diagnosed disorders in the 21st century. Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder, also known as ADHD, is diagnosed when a child under the age of seven meets six or more specific criteria determined by the American Academy of Pediatrics, including squirming and fidgeting, being in constant motion, having difficulty listening, being easily distracted, talking excessively, frequently interrupting conversations, having trouble finishing tasks, and displaying problem playing quietly. Children over the age of seven can be diagnosed; however, they are classified differently than younger children. ADHD In Children There are four distinct types of ADHD in children. The first is Combined Type ADHD (Inattentive/Hyperactive/Impulsive), which is the most common type. Children with Combined Type ADHD exhibit inattentiveness, hyperactivity, and impulsivity, as suggested by its classification name. These children are what most people think of when the ADHD is discussed. The second classification of ADHD, Hyperactive/Impulsive Type, categorizes children who display mostly impulsive and hyperactive behaviors but are not inattentive and generally do not have trouble following directions in a school setting. Most often these children are males, but it is not unheard of for females children to meet these criteria. Contrary to popular belief, not all children with ADHD are hyperactive. The third type of ADHD is the Inattentive Type. While these children arent hyper or impulsive, they are inattentive and have problems following directions or staying on task. Children who meet the criteria for this type of ADHD are typically females, but again, in some instances, males receive this diagnosis if they reach six or more of the criteria. Lastly, diagnosing ADHD in children is not always cut-and-dry. Attention Hyperactive Disorder Not Otherwise Specified, also referred to as ADHD NOS, is a catchall for patients who seem to exhibit most behaviors associated with ADHD, but cannot be diagnosed due to the symptoms not meeting specific criteria. The diagnosis of ADHD NOS is frequently assigned to children over the age of seven, who meet all of the guidelines for diagnosis, but because of the age stipulation for diagnosis, cannot be diagnosed in the other three categories. While treatment for each child varies, the most commonly prescribed medications for ADHD in children are stimulants under the trade names Ritalin and Adderall. Although stimulants typically increase activity for the general population, in children with ADHD the effects are much different, aiding in focusing and helping the child ignore distracting stimuli. Another common treatment is behavioral therapy, which centers on providing routines, structure, and a comfortably appropriate environment for the individual child. It may include parenting skills training to educate parents on how to properly handle or discipline their child with ADHD and social support groups. ADHD In Children Conclusion Pediatricians and Psychologists both agree that the most effective form of treatment for ADHD patients is a combination of both therapy and the right medication. Each child may react differently to medications and types of treatment, but the research shows that the majority of children respond positively to a combination of both forms of treatment. ADHD in children has been researched more than any other childhood disorder, making diagnosis and treatment a useful process for frustrated and overwhelmed parents. When signs of medication abuse is present among patients, please call TheRecover.com and ask for the closest drug rehabilitation treatment centers. Contact Info: Author: Kevin Leonard Organization: TheRecover.com Address: 27420 Jefferson Ave, Temecula, CA 92590 Phone: (888) 510-3898 A photo accompanying this announcement is available at http://resource.globenewswire.com/Resource/Download/08ed1f01-f963-460a-b5d7-2d03dbe8d783 Clearly, it would be more accurate to have everybodys actual production rather than using the county average, he said at one point. But the average from a fairness and equity point of view is appropriate. Tuteur said that a low rate of returned questionnaires is a statewide problem. Tuteur also testified that most of the high-value lands under Williamson Act contracts dont see a benefit. He told the story of wealthy person who came to Napa Valley in the late 1980s and bought vineyard land at a high price. The Williamson Act allowed his property to be taxed based on what the vineyard land produced, as opposed to that base land value, saving him money. But eight years later, the man made so much money from grape production that he switched back to the base land value, Tuteur said. So most of the high-value lands are getting no benefit from the Williamson Act, Tuteur said. They are at base year value. But the grand jury accused him of refusing to take action to force non-complying landowners to submit the questionnaires, resulting in the county receiving less tax money than it should. As a result, the accusation said, he should be removed from office. A drive on the south Sonoma Coast takes visitors past impossibly beautiful ocean vistas, rocky shorelines and crashing waves, but the coastline could soon include an imposing new feature a broad concrete bridge spanning Scotty Creek between Bodega Bay and Jenner. The 850-foot-long bridge is part of a three-quarter-mile realignment project meant to move Highway 1 at Gleason Beach inland by 400 feet Caltrans solution to the crumbling cliffside that undermines the roadway on its current route at the continents edge. But even after years of meetings and draft sketches of how the coastal highway might one day look, many in the region still are coming to terms with the scale of whats proposed and its impact on the view and surrounding landscape. Some planned to air their concerns about the project this week during a meeting of the California Coastal Commission at what is the first and very possibly, the last public hearing on the project. But Monday, the commission, at the behest of Caltrans, postponed the hearing to allow more time to address new information and community concerns in order to move the project forward. No new hearing date was set. Facing yet another significant budget shortfall, Sonoma County officials are proposing slashing nearly $16 million from the Department of Health Services, a move that would result in almost 30 staff layoffs and reduce funding for about 50 nonprofits providing direct health care-related services. The proposed cuts would also eliminate 78 vacant positions in the health services department. In total, the proposed reductions would reduce the department's full-time staffing roster by one-sixth, from about 650 to 543 positions. The county Board of Supervisors is expected to consider the proposal at its meeting this afternoon. It is not a done deal, said Supervisor Shirlee Zane. "There's nothing here to be happy about," Zane said. "This could get turned around in the budget, who knows. We are trying everything we can to find additional general fund dollars to fill this gap." The proposed cuts include a reduction to salaries and benefits of nearly $8.4 million, and reducing by $7.3 million the total amount of funding for mental health and substance abuse services providers. Some 118 nonprofits receive about $40 million of the county's $95 million behavioral health budget. Registered nurses at the University of Californias five major medical centers and 10 student health centers picketed alongside other UC employees Tuesday and plan to Wednesday as part of a three-day system-wide strike, the California Nurses Association said Tuesday morning. Nurses are striking in sympathy with workers of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees Service Unit. The strike is expected to last until Thursday morning after a year of stalled contract talks and new research showing rising inequality in the treatment of workers of color and low-wage women workers at the university. We all play a critical role in making UC the institution it is, said Michelle Kay, a nurse practitioner at the University of California at Berkeleys Tang Center, in a statement. Four other union bargaining units and the California Nurses Association are striking in sympathy with the AFSCME Service Unit. The units represent about 10,800 UCSF campus and UCSF Health employees and include clinical staff important to the care of patients, according to university officials. The employees on strike include nurses, operating room specialists, patient care assistants, pharmacy technicians and pharmacists, phlebotomists, psychologists, research coordinators and social workers, as well as custodians, food service workers and shuttle drivers, according to campus officials. Demonstrators demanded that Schubert prosecute the two cops, but she quite properly said that she couldnt make a decision until after an investigation had been completed. When a sheriffs deputys patrol car bumped and injured a demonstrator, Jones came under fire, and he fanned the flames by suggesting that some of the protesters at the event were hired to instigate violence. We do know, because of our intelligence and because of our history with these folks, that there are paid protesters and paid people to instigate, he said. The countys leading Democratic politician, Sacramento Mayor Darrell Steinberg, who should have been on the defensive over Clarks death at the hands of two city cops, jumped on Jones over the patrol car incident. I wasnt pleased with what I saw Saturday night. At all, Steinberg said in an interview with Capital Public Radio. We have a great police chief in this city, who understands the pulse of the community and who represents the men and women of the police department, but hes also of the community. And thats in contrast to what we saw Saturday night. But things may not go quite as desired by the big business interests (including major Republican donors like Charles and David Koch, owners of Koch Industries) who have bankrolled both Janus and Friedrichs. Forced union dues from non-members may stop. But as they do whenever their backs are to the wall, unions can be expected to become more militant. This could mean many more public employee strikes, including bus and light rail drivers, sanitation workers, Department of Motor Vehicles clerks, court workers, Caltrans road repair workers and many more. That would be the end of a long era of labor peace essentially brought about by unions political domination. For unions may believe they need to drive ever tougher bargains in order to increase worker loyalty and drive membership up. Plus, the movement away from compelling payment from those who dont like whats being done with their money could spread. There could be new objections to bar association dues, student fees, continuing education for doctors and other professionals and other currently required expenses that have essentially been justified by the same arguments as agency fees. There could even be more tax resistance on free-speech grounds from persons opposed to government policies. So Janus, like Friedrichs, is a potential can of worms, a Pandoras Box whose backers and the Supreme Court may come to regret having opened. Thomas D. Elias writes the syndicated California Focus column. He is author of the book, The Burzynski Breakthrough: The Most Promising Cancer Treatment and the Governments Campaign to Squelch It. SBDC receives Wells Fargo fire relief grant The Napa-Sonoma Small Business Development Center, hosted by Napa Valley College, recently received $25,000 from Wells Fargo Bank to help small businesses recover from the October wildfires. The SBDC is a nonprofit organization that helps entrepreneurs and business owners address challenges and opportunities and increase profits. We appreciate Wells Fargo supporting the SBDC in our efforts to assist Napa and Sonoma County businesses impacted by the October wildfires, as many small business owners are still struggling to get back on their feet, said Mary Cervantes, who manages, supervises and markets SBDC programs and services. Cervantes accepted the $25,000 check on April 19 during a ceremony in Santa Rosa attended by other grant recipients and several Wells Fargo executives. The St. Helena teens who organized last Thursdays Students Rock the Congress arent old enough to vote yet, but theyre already determined to be informed, passionate and involved citizens. More than 100 people attended the event at the St. Helena Performing Arts Center at the high school. Inspired by an April 15 Rock the Congress in Napa and galvanized by a series of school shootings, the schools Students For Change club organized the event in just three weeks, with help from their faculty advisor Kathleen Zipp. They invited Congressman Mike Thompson to give the keynote address and organized a panel consisting of District 5 Supervisor Belia Ramos; Sabra Briere of Indivisible Sonoma County; activist Lisa Seran, who moderated the Rock the Congress Napa event; Max Lubin of Rise, which advocates for free college tuition in California; and high school students Ellie Aslanian and Harper McClain. Events like Rock the Congress not only fuel the passion of young activists, but also give them the knowledge they need to be effective advocates, Aslanian said. We care about these issues just as much as adults do, especially because were the next generation thats going to be dealing with them, she said. So its really important that we know what were talking about and know how to handle these issues in the future. Freshman Sydney Becker said St. Helena students formed the club two days after the Feb. 14 school shooting in Parkland, Florida. They decided that if we want a better future and a safer community, then we need to act now, Becker said. We cant wait until were able to vote. When students are old enough to vote, they will use that power to create a government that truly reflects our values and provides a setting where life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness are once again regarded as our inalienable rights, Becker said. In his keynote address, Thompson said hes been inspired by the wave of youth activism hes seen in his district and around the country since the Parkland shooting. Thompson, whos been pushing a bill that would require background checks for all commercial gun sales, said students were instrumental in the passage of recent gun legislation in Florida. You cant just sit back and watch, Thompson told students. Youve got to get involved. I cant tell you how proud I am of your involvement. This is so important, so encouraging. And its going to create the public sentiment we need to create these changes. Gun violence wasnt the only issue on students minds. One student asked Thompson about his position on Measure C, Napa Countys watershed and oak woodlands initiative. Thompson said hes not taking a position on it, but said hes generally not a big fan of legislating through initiative, which can lead to unintended consequences that are difficult to fix. Fifteen young people registered to vote during the event, including 16-year-old sophomore Holden Smith. Teens as young as 16 may register, although they cant vote until their 18th birthday. Smith said his family has always been politically active. I think I went to my first rally for gay rights when I was like 3 or something, he said. Smith is especially interested in climate change, which he called really scary. I think we need to really pass some strong legislation, he said, adding that hes also interested in womens rights and closing the wage gap. Throughout the event, students talked about the need to be aware of whats happening at all levels of government, right down to the city and county. As so many of us remain focused on national news, its easy for us to forget that local government is the gateway to real-world change, said sophomore Ivy Shaw, who also emphasized the value of local journalism. Ramos, a graduate of St. Helena High School who now lives in American Canyon, said that if young people dont know her name, they should. She talked about how the Board of Supervisors has a tremendous impact on peoples lives through its responsibility for county roads, land use, jail management, and social services. She encouraged young people to get to know their elected representatives not from the top down but from the bottom up, and to be not just passionate, but informed. You need to know what youre talking about, Ramos said. If do not, then dont open your mouth. Thats when you lose credibility. I dont take issue with your age, I take issue with know-how. If you have passion and knowledge, Im absolutely going to listen you. Be the first to know Get local news delivered to your inbox! Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. The closure of Sogni Di Dolci (soon to be replaced with a similar business) has renewed the ages-old (OK, not quite) debate over the best coffee shop in St. Helena. The Napa Valley Coffee Roasting Company has a lot of die-hard defenders, but you cant discount all those Model Bakery fans. And then there are those whove caught onto the relatively new outdoor cafe tucked away next to Farmstead. Yesterday I asked a friend where his caffeine loyalties lie, and he surprised me by saying Sunshine Foods. Coffee, coffee everywhere where do you stand, Dear Readers? *** Your friendly mail carrier dispenses packages, letters, the occasional pesky bill, and heaps of good cheer, and they dont ask for much in return. So be sure to donate a non-perishable bit of food on the morning of Saturday, May 12 for the 26th annual Letter Carriers Food Drive. Put your donation in a bag next to your mailbox, and the guys and gals of the U.S. Postal Service will deliver it to the food bank. *** I am aghast at the lunacy of a pleasure copter landing in a residential neighborhood strictly for the inconvenience of a 20-minute commute from the Napa airport. This large, noisy, invasive machine should never have been an item on the county agenda, but it seems that Mr. Palmaz deemed it necessary to waste weeks and days of tax dollars bringing this issue into contention. Senator Dodd has made the argument that there is currently no problem with helicopters in Napa, and that crisis situations would prevent PG&E and hospitals from using helicopters to do their existing jobs. This could not be further from the truth. The operative word here, private use, has no bearing on the rights of public utilities and emergency helicopters the that are already in place. This is a crucial moment for the Napa Valley, where we already have seen uncontrolled growth, excessive winery development, and traffic congestion from the influx of visitors and workers who spend hours getting in and out of this town only to find traffic snarls an indicator of things to come. CHICAGO, May 08, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- iManage, the company dedicated to transforming how professionals work, today announced that Anthony Collins Solicitorsa Birmingham, UK-based specialist law firm with a purpose to improve lives, communities and societychooses iManage Cloud for its Work Product Management. Anthony Collins Solicitors was frustrated by the limitations of its existing Envision document management system and sought a more robust solution. iManages Work Product Management platform was selected to deliver their professionals a more intuitive user experience, enhanced search capabilities and better remote access to their documents and emails. Deploying the solution in iManage Cloud, rather than on-premises, offers several significant advantages. Weve known for quite some time that Envision wouldnt be able to deliver a robust document platform due to their limited future roadmap, said Paul Harker, Head of IT, Anthony Collins Solicitors. We considered all the document management cloud offerings on the market and iManage gives us a secure and reliable system. In terms of availability, performance and security, iManage Cloud is far more advanced than anything we could try to build ourselves on-premises. We trust iManage fully, which makes our decision to move to iManage Cloud a no-brainer. Built on the latest technologies used by the largest cloud vendors, iManage Cloud delivers the industrys leading Work Product Management capabilities with scalable, reliable performance. iManage Cloud also provides a deep set of application and operational security features, to monitor and protect all data from malicious or unwanted access. iManage partner Phoenix Business Solutions is assisting with the firms move to iManage Cloud. Todays top firms dont want to be held back by legacy products that are no longer being updated by the vendor, said Geoff Hornsby, General Manager, EMEA, iManage. Firms like Anthony Collins Solicitors are increasingly choosing iManage Cloud to provide their professionals the tools they need to work more efficiently. The secure, high availability environment of iManage Cloud means their professionals always have access to their critical work product, so they can stay productive and carry out the high-caliber work for which the firm is widely recognized. Follow iManage via: Twitter: https://twitter.com/imanageinc Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/iManageinc/ Blog: https://imanage.com/blog/ Vimeo: https://vimeo.com/imanage LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/imanage About iManage iManage transforms how professionals in legal, accounting and financial services get work done by combining the power of artificial intelligence with market leading document and email management. iManage automates routine cognitive tasks, provides powerful insights and streamlines how professionals work, while maintaining the highest level of security and governance over critical client and corporate data. Over one million professionals at over 3,000 organizations in over 65 countries including more than 2,000 law firms and 500 corporate legal departments rely on iManage to deliver great client work. Ambassador of Kingdom of Belgium Jan Luykx on Tuesday said Belgium and Nagaland can collaborate in the field of IT and renewable energy following the guidelines of the memorandum of understanding signed between Belgium and India in the two sectors. Luykx was speaking at a programme organized to welcome him by the department of IT&C, Department of Power and Kohima Smart City Development Ltd Company at the conference hall of Directorate of IT&C in Kohima. The ambassador, who met Nagaland Governor and Chief Minister earlier, expressed optimism for some collaboration in some areas. Ive got a good feel of the state of Nagaland, he stated. Stating that Belgium is in the centre of Europe and is similar to India in the context of being multi-cultural and with different political entities, Luykx said, We know a lot about developing cities and about challenges related to developing a city but obviously smart cities involve from top level IT to basic infrastructural needs like sewage. We have a lot of knowledge on these. We are already involved in building smart cities in some other states in India so it is possible we can work together here in Kohima. The ambassador further mentioned that Belgiums economy is driven by private sector, adding the government can facilitate contact and give information but its up to the private sector to act. According to him food processing and tourism are very important in the context of Nagaland. Investment and Trade Commissioner for Flanders, Alexis said he was amazed by the enthusiasm of the young entrepreneurs in the state who want to work hard, contribute and change things. Speaking on the possibilities of synergies, he specifically mentioned Flanders in Belgium known for its logistics hub, infrastructure and connectivity. Here we can learn from each other, he stated. In order to work together first of all we need matchmaking of the companies, which we can do through trade fairs or by bringing parties together through trade missions, Alexis said. For smart cities, he assured to definitely contact some cities in Belgium for collaborations. Alexis further opined that India can re-develop and do much more as global service provider in the field of IT sector because it has smart and dynamic entrepreneurs in ITC. Advisor, Power, Tovihoto Ayemi, expressed hope that avenues will be explored in the coming days with Belgium in the power sector with the visit of the ambassador. He stated that the state Power department is interested to introduce new technology in the State and requested the ambassador to initiate steps for foreign collaboration. Former Tripura Chief Minister Manik Sarkar on Tuesday said the BJP government in the state was attacking democracy and democratic activities. They are trying to establish one party rule in Tripura, Sarkar said after visiting an area where the West Trupura district administration on Monday bulldozed seven offices of CPI-M and Congress as these were built on government land. West Tripura District Magistrate Milind Dharmrao Ramteke said on Tuesday that they demolished three more party offices, one each of the Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M), Congress and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) -affiliated Bharatiya Mazdoor Sangh (BMS). These three offices were built on government lands. Demolition of party offices built on government lands would continue in the coming days as per the governments decision, Ramteke told the media. According to Ramteke, who is also Additional Secretary to Chief Minister Biplab Kumar Deb, there were 104 such illegally-constructed offices of various political parties in West Tripura district alone. The demolition drive was carried out amid strong objections and criticism from the opposition, including the CPI-M, Congress and the Indigenous Nationalist Party of Tripura (INPT), a tribal-based party. Sarkar said after the announcement of the February 18 Assembly polls results on March 3, the BJP government continued its attacks on innocents, opposition partie and hundreds of their party offices. Before demolition of party offices built 60-70 years ago, the government should talk to the concerned political parties. Alternative arrangements of the bulldozed party offices can be done, said Sarkar, who was accompanied by other senior party leaders. The BJP government has been trying to curb the rights of the workers and working class people. These are extremely undemocratic, remarked Sarkar, the Opposition leader in Tripura. The BJP denied Sarkars allegations, saying these political party offices were constructed illegally on the government lands. In the constitution of the CPI-M, there is no word called democracy, hence the Communist leaders should not speak about democracy. During Sarkars tenure, these political party offices were built with the then ruling partys support, BJP spokesman Mrinal Kanti Deb told the media. The National Green Tribunal (NGT) on Tuesday reserved its judgment on the appointment of three-member committee to study the 2000 MW Lower Subansiri Hydroelectric Project. Significantly, Assam Public Works (APW) suggested the name of Dr Sarda Kant Sarma, an engineering geologist from Imperial College, London as a fit member for the committee on the Lower Subansiri dam. When Sanjay Upadhyay, Eisha Krishn and Upama Bhattacharjee forwarded the name of Sarma, the counsel for Ministry of Environment and Forests and Climate Control (MoEF&CC) Divya Prakash Pande stated that the applicant had filed only one resume when the committee was to be comprised at least three members, which was indicative of the fact that the applicant wanted his own representative to be a member of the committee. Pande also further stated that the existing members had been selected after a careful selection carried out from amongst 8 contenders and only the most suitable names had been selected. The counsel of APW, Upadhyay said that a committee that had been bestowed with such a momentous task could not be allowed to be so arbitrary and based on the surmise that views may be countered. The bench expressed its consent with Upadhyays arguments and stated that this committee could not function as precious time of the court had already been spent and it could not afford to spend more time and endanger the environment, said Abhijeet Sharma. Last month, National Green Tribunal (NGT) had asked the Union Environment and Forest Ministry to set up a new committee to study the overall aspect of the dam after APW challenged the formation of the committee. Assam Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal has urged the 15th Finance Commission to strengthen security on Assams international borders. His concern is understandable given that trans-border migration has changed Assams demographic profile, and had triggered the AASU-led agitation against foreigners that was a watershed in the states history. More recently, neighbouring countries were used as bases by militant outfits who wreaked havoc till friendly governments denied such sanctuary. More than 30% of Indias 15,000 km land frontiers are in the NER, though it is only 8% of the countrys area. In exploring options to strengthen border security, a review of the present border management architecture is necessary. Assam itself has a relatively small border with Bangladesh and a longer one with Bhutan. Among the NE States, Tripura and Meghalaya share extended borders with Bangladesh, Arunachal Pradesh with Tibet (China), Manipur, Arunachal and Mizoram with Myanmar, Sikkim with Nepal, which is also close to BTAD in Assam. The terrain and habitation along these frontiers varies; from sparsely populated snow-capped mountains on the Sino-Indian border to lush jungles along Indo-Myanmar border, and shifting rivers on the thickly peopled Indo-Bangladesh frontier that is often cultivated up to the zero-line. In addition to legitimate trade and movement of people; arms, narcotics, wildlife body parts and militants are among the dark traffic via the Indo-Myanmar border that has a limited free- movement regime-in place for border populations. On the Bangladesh border, cattle-smuggling and illegal movement of people (including trafficking) and goods are the primary concern. Bhutan and Nepal are traditional allies and have an open border with India, with no travel documents needed for movement of people from either side. The current policy of one force, one border has allocated ITBP for the Sino-Indian border, BSF for Bangladesh, SSB for Bhutan and Nepal, and Assam Rifles for the IMB. Assam Rifles has its Force HQ at Shillong; HQ of the other BGFs are in New Delhi, with Frontier HQs in NER. Deployment along international borders in the NER is a significant proportion of the total BGF strength of almost 500,000 personnel. The pillar of current border guarding doctrine is the Border Out-Post (BOP), except along the IMB manned by Assam Rifles that follows a deployment strategy geared to defence not presence. The BOP is intended as a visible deterrent and a base for patrolling a given area-of responsibility. In addition to massive deployment, Government of India has invested thousands of crores in border fencing (erected 150 metres behind the zero-line), border lighting along the Indo-Bangladesh border, and border roads in this and other IBs. Apart from capital expenditure, recurring operational/maintenance expenditure on this infrastructure is high. In the current approach to border security, states have a limited role. There is an allocation under the BADP scheme 90 % funded by the Centre, currently for villages within 10 kms of the border. This is implemented mainly by the states in consultation with the Centre. Border Home Guards raised and managed by the states but whose costs are reimbursed 100% by the Centre, assist the BSF along the Indo- Bangladesh border with Assam, Meghalaya and Tripura. The question is, can greater engagement by states in border management achieve the desired objective of better security and at lower cost? We need to keep in mind that except for the frontier with China none of the borders are militarized. Would it therefore make operational and economic sense to look for ways to make states more involved with border management, with the Centre taking more of a strategic, funding, training and coordinating/monitoring role? The border with Tibet (China) has heavy army deployment along the LAC. Here the need is for close synergy between the army and ITBP. On this border and also that with Myanmar, Scouts units of locals deployed with the BGF could be a force multiplier and reduce the scale of regular BGF units required. Perhaps the army has already raised Arunachal Scouts units. This may also be less expensive since the scale of manpower, equipment and weapons holding would be less than needed for conventional BGFs; the unique competence of these auxiliaries would be their familiarity with the terrain and local networks. Does the Bangladesh frontier need civil policing to be strengthened and the structure for trade/movement of people to be streamlined, even if only as part of a systemic overhaul critical for a successful Act East policy? Do further increases in armed presence through even more BOPs of BGFs need urgent review using a rigorous cost-benefit analysis? Weve never had a friendlier regime than the present government in Bangladesh. Is now the time to look at evolving a more liberal framework for legitimate movement of people and goods? At the same time, the Centre could consider supporting the strengthening of border police stations of the state so as to effectively deal with trans-border crime and criminals. This will provide down-stream linkages to police-stations across the country, even in the railways and beyond the immediate border. Closer coordination with civil police of Bangladesh rather than just the BGFs of both countries should be encouraged through regular coordination meetings, common data-bases and direct communication channels. With militancy having dropped to low levels, can the possibility be examined of complete armed police units in states like Tripura, Assam and Meghalaya being inducted for a fixed tenure deputation into the BSF? Instead of being restricted to only a reactive role, these units can be upgraded with skills like those with the Special IR battalions raised for Maoist-affected areas to enable them to undertake development work that will win the support of locals. BADP is presently a small component of total expenditure on border management. The NER gets about 40 % of the Rs 1000 crores allocated annually all-India. Increasing this for expenditures in areas like health, education and skill development instead of mainly physical infrastructure would make a real difference to quality of life of the border populations. A regular and systematic review is needed as to whether such expenditure meets local needs, and are not top-down decisions. In the open borders Bhutan and Nepal too, the primary role of the BGF could be to work with the local population to build up intelligence and public support, rather than project a show of strength or target petty smuggling. Perhaps revival of capabilities in the Seema Suraksha Bal (SSB) that its had in its earlier incarnation as Special Services Bureau could help toward this objective. Building up community engagement in these open borders may pay greater dividends than area domination. To sum up, a differential approach may be necessary for the different IBs in the region subject to assessing local conditions and threats to national security. The BOP as the ubiquitous foundation of border security needs to be reviewed as also efficacy of physical barriers that are expensive to build and maintain. Heavily armed and high-cost armed forces of the Union should not have to play the role of customs inspectors, hence the doctrine and mission for each BGF needs to be carefully reviewed. States should play a greater role in border management; the unending expansion of BGFs needs to be reconsidered. Customs Attache: There hasn't been and there is no bias against Armenian drivers at Upper Lars checkpoint Greece-France defense agreement will allow them to help each other in case of third country's attack Turkish FM: Turkey's position on supporting Ukraine's "integrity and sovereignty" remains unchanged Russian peacekeeping forces, charitable organizations provide assistance to boarding school in Karabakh Zakharova: Moscow proceeds from priority to ensure geopolitical stability in South Caucasus Armenia President pays tribute at Altar of the Homeland monument at Venice Square in Rome Turkey, Iran to hold political consultations Karabakh FM expresses condolences over death of Vigen Chitechyan Armenia territorial administration and infrastructure minister has new deputy Armenia Deputy PM Mher Grigoryan receives US Ambassador Armenia Security Council Secretary, Netherlands Ambassador attach importance to fight against corruption Digest: Armenian POW returned from Azerbaijan, PACE speaks on mandatory COVID-19 vaccination risks Armenia and Italy are deepening cooperation in justice sector Apprehended ARF-D members are released Armenia high-tech industry minister receives Russia Ambassador Armenia Embassy in Russia hosts delegation led by Armenian parliamentary speaker Decisions to arrest Armenia ex-defense minister, arms supplier are appealed Dollar continues going down in Armenia Artsakh President to Putin: Your role in process of peaceful, final settlement of Karabakh conflict is invaluable Amir-Abdollahian: We consider inadmissible Zionist regime provocative movement in our region from Azerbaijan territory Iran FM announces readiness to visit Armenia, Azerbaijan US ambassador to Armenia attends unveiling of new x-ray machine donated to Ashtarak city hospital (PHOTOS) Putin: Russia attaches great importance to close cooperation with strategic ally Armenia Police disrupt ARF youths protest outside Armenia government building Armenian Patriarch of Constantinople meets with the Pope, in the Vatican UK envoy to Armenia does not comment on Armenian-Azerbaijani relations, Karabakh situation Iran Supreme Leaders representative leaves Azerbaijan Armenias Pashinyan to Russias Putin: We are grateful for your efforts to establish peace in South Caucasus Putin, Aliyev confer on situation in South Caucasus Putin, Erdogan discuss regional issues 4 new cases of coronavirus reported in Artsakh PACE new resolution urges to ensure that COVID-19 vaccination is not mandatory Zelensky sacks Ukraine ambassador to Armenia PM: Armenia, Armenian people are grateful to Japan Armenia PM: We have made decision regarding local elections Armenia, Italy presidents farewell ceremony held in Rome (PHOTOS) Sarkissian to Putin: Armenia highly values your contribution to maintenance of peace, stability in region Having legal system is important for business development in fair environment, says UK ambassador to Armenia Armenia President, Italy PM meeting in Rome (PHOTOS) Baku not ruling out another meeting between Armenia, Azerbaijan FMs Armenia President meets with Rome mayor 1,309 new cases of COVID-19 confirmed in Armenia Biden approval rating hits new low in latest poll Armenia ombudsman in Italy parliament, presents evidence of Azerbaijan torture of Armenian captives World oil prices dropping Serial killer in US lured by social media is sentenced to 160 years in prison Newspaper: Armenia authorities face new problems in setting up parliament committee of inquiry into 44-day war Newspaper: Opposition Armenia bloc plans to hold forums, rally Armenia PM admits that in 2018 he could have disclosed Karabakh negotiation process content Armenia health minister: Out of 2,446 hospital beds for coronavirus patients, 2,300 are occupied China-Taiwan military escalation reaches peak in past four decades Armenia President: We welcome pro-Artsakh documents adopted by nearly 50 regional and city councils of Italy Armen Sarkissian meets with President of Italian Senate Nikol Pashinyan: Armenia to build new nuclear power plant, negotiations have been launched Italy's Quirinal Palace hosts exhibition featuring works of Aivazovsky, Saryan and other Armenian painters Armen Sarkissian meets with President of Italy's Chamber of Deputies Roberto Fico Catholicos of All Armenians meets with Pope Francis at the Vatican Armenia ex-Ambassador to The Netherlands Vigen Chitechyan dies Armenia PM again says he is guilty for all the failures of the Armenian side during last year's war FM: Discussion on occupied territories of former NKAO will create new threats to Armenia Karabakh emergency situations service: Rescue squad finds remains of another Armenian soldier in Jrakan Mattarella: Armenia and Italy can boast about their friendly relations Nikol Pashinyan: Armenia agreed to stop the hostilities on October 7, 2020 Iran, EEU begin talks to reach agreement over permanent treaty on free trade zone An abundant TechnoFall with Inecobank - NFC payments and more Armenia FM says his Indian counterpart will visit Yerevan in the next few days Deputy PM: A comprehensive study of documents agreed by Armenian and Azerbaijani is necessary Digest: Azerbaijan using Armenia's airspace, Baku says it's ready to mend relations with Yerevan Health minister: All coronavirus vaccines in Armenia meet quality standards Armenia health minister: Those who recovered from COVID-19 also need to get vaccinated Armenia Deputy PM announces name of another POW returned from Azerbaijan Armenia and Italy Presidents hold personal talks at Quirinal Palace Armenian FM: MFA welcomes Iran's stance on inviolability of Armenia's borders EU ready to share experience with Azerbaijan and Armenia in borders demarcation and delimitation Dollar dropping in Armenia Lavrov: Russia, Iran discussed 3 + 3 format concept with Turkey, Caucasus countries participation Hossein Amir-Abdollahian: Iran won't accept geopolitical changes in the Caucasus Armenia Ambassador meets with Iranian Deputy FM Armenia Parliament Speaker visits Armenian church of Russia and New Nakhijevan Diocese Armenia to host event with companies having made investments worth over $2,000,000,000 Aliyev announces start of process of opening communications with Armenia Civil Aviation Committee confirms Baku-Nakhchivan flight through Armenia airspace Wednesday Armenia government programs under EU assistance package are discussed Azerbaijan lodges complaint with ECHR for review of case of assassination attempt against Lapshin Armenian MP also on list of Erdogan's petition to strip several Turkey lawmakers of parliamentary immunity Armenia Deputy PM Suren Papikyan has new advisor Armenia State Revenue Committee chief has new deputy Italy President to Armen Sarkissian: OSCE Minsk Group is the format for sustainable and peaceful solution Armenia ombudsman emphasizes to Vatican Secretary of State urgency of returning Armenian captives in Azerbaijan Aliyev: Azerbaijan is ready to launch negotiations with Armenia for normalization of relations Armenia Parliament Speaker meets with Russian State Duma chairman Ruling faction MP: Armenia airspace has never been closed to Azerbaijan civilian air transportation New France ambassador visits Armenian Genocide Memorial in Yerevan Opposition MP: Not only is there no security system in Armenia but there is no one who wants to maintain that system Not first time that reports are made on opening of Armenia airspace to Azerbaijan Armenia flag raised on Italy presidential palace Armenia Competition Protection Commission chief heads for Greece, memorandum of cooperation to be signed It is snowing with large flakes in Armenias Vanadzor Civil Aviation Committee silent on issue of allowing Baku-Nakhchivan flights through Armenia airspace Armenia State Revenue Committee hosting meeting of council of CIS tax authorities heads FORM 8.5 (EPT/NON-RI) PUBLIC OPENING POSITION DISCLOSURE/DEALING DISCLOSURE BY AN EXEMPT PRINCIPAL TRADER WITHOUT RECOGNISED INTERMEDIARY ("RI") STATUS (OR WHERE RI STATUS IS NOT APPLICABLE) Rule 8.5 of the Takeover Code (the "Code") 1. KEY INFORMATION (a) Name of exempt principal trader: HSBC Securities (South Africa) (Pty) Limited (b) Name of offeror/offeree in relation to whose relevant securities this form relates: Use a separate form for each offeror/offeree Sibanye Gold Ltd (c) Name of the party to the offer with which exempt principal trader is connected: Sibanye Gold Ltd (d) Date position held/dealing undertaken: For an opening position disclosure, state the latest practicable date prior to the disclosure 07-May-2018 (e) In addition to the company in 1(b) above, is the exempt principal trader making disclosures in respect of any other party to the offer? If it is a cash offer or possible cash offer, state "N/A" YES - Lonmin plc. 2. POSITIONS OF THE EXEMPT PRINCIPAL TRADER If there are positions or rights to subscribe to disclose in more than one class of relevant securities of the offeror or offeree named in 1(b), copy table 2(a) or (b) (as appropriate) for each additional class of relevant security. (a) Interests and short positions in the relevant securities of the offeror or offeree to which the disclosure relates following the dealing (if any) Class of relevant security: Interests Short positions Number % Number % (1) Relevant securities owned and/or controlled: (2) Cash-settled derivatives: 2,912,879 0.129 3,095,749 0.137 (3) Stock-settled derivatives (including options) and agreements to purchase/sell: TOTAL: 2,912,879 0.129 3,095,749 0.137 All interests and all short positions should be disclosed. Details of any open stock-settled derivative positions (including traded options), or agreements to purchase or sell relevant securities, should be given on a Supplemental Form 8 (Open Positions). (b) Rights to subscribe for new securities (including directors' and other employee options) Class of relevant security in relation to which subscription right exists: Details, including nature of the rights concerned and relevant percentages: 3. DEALINGS (IF ANY) BY THE EXEMPT PRINCIPAL TRADER Where there have been dealings in more than one class of relevant securities of the offeror or offeree named in 1(b), copy table 3(a), (b), (c) or (d) (as appropriate) for each additional class of relevant security dealt in. The currency of all prices and other monetary amounts should be stated. (a) Purchases and sales Class of relevant security Purchases/ sales Total number of securities Highest price per unit paid/received (ZAR) Lowest price per unit paid/received (ZAR) (b) Cash-settled derivative transactions Class of relevant security Product description e.g. CFD Nature of dealing e.g. opening/closing a long/short position, increasing/reducing a long/short position Number of reference securities Price per unit (ZAR) Ordinary Shares Swap Reducing a Long Position 36,439 999.750 c Ordinary Shares Swap Increasing a Short Position 223,010 992.030 c (c) Stock-settled derivative transactions (including options) (i) Writing, selling, purchasing or varying Class of relevant security Product description e.g. call option Writing, purchasing, selling, varying etc. Number of securities to which option relates Exercise price per unit Type e.g. American, European etc. Expiry date Option money paid/ received per unit (ii) Exercise Class of relevant security Product description e.g. call option Exercising/ exercised against Number of securities Exercise price per unit (d) Other dealings (including subscribing for new securities) Class of relevant security Nature of dealing e.g. subscription, conversion Details Price per unit (if applicable) 4. OTHER INFORMATION (a) Indemnity and other dealing arrangements Details of any indemnity or option arrangement, or any agreement or understanding, formal or informal, relating to relevant securities which may be an inducement to deal or refrain from dealing entered into by the exempt principal trader making the disclosure and any party to the offer or any person acting in concert with a party to the offer: Irrevocable commitments and letters of intent should not be included. If there are no such agreements, arrangements or understandings, state "none" (b) Agreements, arrangements or understandings relating to options or derivatives Details of any agreement, arrangement or understanding, formal or informal, between the exempt principal trader making the disclosure and any other person relating to: (i) the voting rights of any relevant securities under any option; or (ii) the voting rights or future acquisition or disposal of any relevant securities to which any derivative is referenced: If there are no such agreements, arrangements or understandings, state "none" (c) Attachments Is a Supplemental Form 8 (Open Positions) attached? No Date of disclosure: 08-May-2018 Contact name: Dilip Gupta Telephone number: 0207 088 2000 Public disclosures under Rule 8 of the Code must be made to a Regulatory Information Service. The Panel's Market Surveillance Unit is available for consultation in relation to the Code's disclosure requirements on +44 (0)20 7638 0129. The Code can be viewed on the Panel's website at www.thetakeoverpanel.org.uk. YEREVAN. Thanks to the velvet revolution in Armenia, the world standing of the Armenian people and of Armenia is higher than ever, and we need to use this for the interests of Armenia and Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh). Nikol Pashinyan, candidate for the Prime Minister of the Republic of Armenia (RA), stated about the aforementioned during his program address at Tuesdays National Assembly special session to elect the new PM of the country. MESSAGE TO THE PEOPLE OF ARTSAKH The revolution of love and solidarity that took place in Armenia not only does not pose any danger, but opens up new opportunities for the people of Artsakh and the statehood of Artsakh. () the result of the Armenian revolution will be the de jure international recognition of Artsakhs right to self-determination. INTERNAL POLITICAL LIFE Pashinyan noted that the positive situation within the past one month was a result of the prudence and state-thinking by all sides. CORRUPTION AND MONOPOLIES There will be no privileged ones in Armenia, () corruption will be uprooted in the country. (). The chapter of political and economic persecutions is now closed in Armenia. DIASPORA Pashinyan urged Armenian entrepreneurs conducting business abroad to return to and invest in Armenia. This is a matter of not only economic revival, but also of national security, he added, in particular. STAFF POLICY We wish to use the existing best potential in the public administration system. INVESTMENTS A very considerable economic potential is concentrated in Armenia. (). Economic Development Model 1) The high-tech sector in Armenia should be developed at a revolutionary pace. (). 2) Agriculture in Armenia should be developed at a revolutionary pace. (). 3) Thanks to the velvet revolution that took place in Armenia, tremendous opportunities have opened up in Armenia for tourism. FOREIGN POLICY Armenia will remain an EAEU [Eurasian Economic Union] member (). Armenia will also remain a CSTO [Collective Security Treaty Organization] member. (). We consider military cooperation with Russia an important factor in ensuring the RA security. Deepening of relations with the EU countries and the EU is among our priorities. (). We will do everything toward the abolition of the EU visa requirement for the RA citizen. In friendly relations with the US, we intend to take steps toward giving impetus to collaboration. Relations with Georgia and Iran () are also important. We will deepen relationship with China (). ARTSAKH ISSUE Stereotypes are not mandatory for us in the process of pacific settlement of the NK [Nagorno-Karabakh] issue. (). New impetus should be given to the international process of Artsakh independence. Within the framework of the OSCE MG [Minsk Group], I am ready to negotiate with the leader of Azerbaijan (). [But] the negotiations cannot be considered full, as long as the leadership of one of the parties to the conflictArtsakhdoes not participate in them. CALGARY, Alberta, May 08, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- A shortage of pipeline capacity is driving down the price of Canadian oil and will cost the countrys energy sector CAD$15.8 billion in lost revenues this year, finds a new study released today by the Fraser Institute, an independent, non-partisan Canadian public policy think-tank. Without adequate pipelines to tidewater ports, Canadian oil producers are forced to sell their product in the U.S. at dramatically discounted prices, which results in substantial losses for the energy sector and the economy more broadly, said Kenneth Green, senior director of natural resource studies at the Fraser Institute. The study, The Cost of Pipeline Constraints in Canada, finds that as oil production ramped up in Canada in recent years, pipeline construction has not kept pace. And despite approvals from review agencies, the status of several major pipeline projects remains uncertain. This lack of adequate pipeline capacity has created an overdependence on the U.S. market and an increased reliance on oil-by-raila more costly (and less safe) mode of transport. The result? Even after adjusting for quality differences and transportation costs, Western Canada Selectthe heavy oil extracted from Canadas oilsandssells for much less than comparable West Texas Intermediate oil. In fact, this year, the price difference between Canadian and US oil is US$26.30 per a barrel, which will lead to a CAD$15.8 billion loss for Canadas energy sector. Between 2012 and 2017, the price difference averaged US$16.54 per barrel, costing Canadian producers an estimated CAD$20.7 billion in foregone revenues. More pipeline capacity would not only benefit the energy sector and our economy, it would also benefit the environment because pipelines are safer than rail, Green said. For Canadians to continue prospering from our natural resources, the federal and provincial governments must work together to expedite the pipeline process and connect Canadas oil producers with markets overseas. MEDIA CONTACTS: Kenneth P. Green, Senior Director, Natural Resource Studies Fraser Institute To arrange media interviews or for more information, please contact: Bryn Weese Media Relations Specialist, Fraser Institute (604) 688-0221 ext. 589 bryn.weese@fraserinstitute.org Follow the Fraser Institute on Twitter | Become a fan on Facebook The Fraser Institute is an independent Canadian public policy research and educational organization with offices in Vancouver, Calgary, Toronto, and Montreal and ties to a global network of think-tanks in 87 countries. Its mission is to improve the quality of life for Canadians, their families and future generations by studying, measuring and broadly communicating the effects of government policies, entrepreneurship and choice on their well-being. To protect the Institutes independence, it does not accept grants from governments or contracts for research. Visit www.fraserinstitute.org YEREVAN.- I would like to believe that the wind of change in Armenia will not transform into a hurricane of destruction, deputy head of RPA, MP Armen Ashotyan said at a press conference with foreign journalists. Speaking about the decision of the RPA to support Pashinyan's candidacy, Ashotyan stressed "we clearly stated in the statement by head of political group that it was a political decision, we promised to assist the voting process and we did it, we did not vote in a row in favor, but we provided the votes necessary for the elections." Answering the question about whether the RPA will use the fact that they constitute the majority in Parliament and will block the prime minister's initiatives, Ashotyan noted that " a logic standing behind political decision of pour party is much more reasonable and relevant to the reality than emotions." "It is too early to talks about the future of government program. It will be considered thoroughly as soon as it is delivered to the parliament , we will make our final assessment of the program as soon as we have chance to read it we have experience and will be able to make positive impact as well, even criticism is also a positive thing," Ashotyan noted. "Positive expectations raised by our populations should be treated adequately and as soon as possible, or another frustration will come, we are not going to endure the failures of new govern, we are going to criticize. Rhetoric is over, it is time for strategic papers," he stated. The deputy head of RPA added that it is important to provide equal access to elections to all political stakeholders. SAN DIEGO, May 08, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Envision Solar International, Inc., (OTCQB:EVSI) (Envision Solar, or the Company), the leading renewably energized EV charging, outdoor media and energy security products company, announced that its EV ARC product will be on display at the California State Capitol 3rd Annual AltCar Fleet Conference on Wednesday, May 9th. The event is in partnership with Californias Department of General Services (DGS), California Government Operations Agency, Sacramento Clean Cities Coalition, California Air Resources Board and Sacramento Metropolitan Air Quality Management District. Since being awarded the California State Contract #1-15-61-16, Envision Solar has delivered EV ARC units to Caltrans, California Department of General Services, the California State University System, California State Parks, Office of Inspector General and other governmental organizations in the U.S. and overseas with many of these sales being repeat orders. The conference will be an opportunity for other state organizations and the general public to become exposed to the worlds only transportable solar-powered EV charging solution. The EV ARC unit is equipped with a digital advertising screen that will showcase the companys outdoor advertising option which can be used as an alternative revenue source. In November of 2017, the Company announced a partnership with OUTFRONT Media (NYSE:OUT), one of the largest out-of-home media companies in North America to deploy solar-powered EV charging networks. "As we continue to grow our government business, we are excited that our EV ARC product is being showcased at this iconic location," said Desmond Wheatley, CEO of Envision Solar. "The State of California is currently our second largest customer and continues to represent a very large opportunity for our company as we grow our business in government and enterprise across the U.S. and internationally." Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr. signed an executive order in January to boost the supply of zero-emission vehicles and charging and refueling stations in California. The Governor also detailed the new plan for investing $1.25 billion in cap-and-trade auction proceeds to reduce carbon pollution and improve public health and the environment. Governor Browns Executive Order, EO 1/26/2018: It is further ordered that all State entities work with the private sector and all appropriate levels of government to spur the construction and installation of 250,000 zero-emission vehicle chargers, including 10,000 direct current fast chargers, buy 2025. This executive order aims to curb carbon pollution from cars and trucks and boost the number of zero-emission vehicles driven in California, said Governor Brown. In addition, the cap-and-trade investments will, in varying degrees, reduce Californias carbon footprint and improve the quality of life for all. Invented and manufactured in California, the EV ARC fits inside a parking space and generates enough clean solar electricity to power up to 225 miles of EV driving in a day. The systems solar electrical generation is enhanced by EnvisionTrak which causes the array to follow the sun, generating up to 25% more electricity than a fixed array. The energy is stored in the EV ARC products energy storage for charging day or night, and to provide emergency power during grid failure. Because the EV ARC product requires no trenching, foundations or installation work of any kind, it is deployed in minutes and can be moved to a new location with ease. EV ARC products are manufactured in the companys San Diego facility by combat veterans, individuals with disabilities, and other minority demographics and highly talented, mission-driven team members. About Envision Solar International, Inc. Envision Solar, www.envisionsolar.com, is a sustainable technology innovation company whose unique and patented products include the EV ARC and the Solar Tree with EnvisionTrak patented solar tracking, SunCharge solar Electric Vehicle Charging, ARC technology energy storage, and EnvisionMedia solar advertising displays. Based in San Diego, the company produces Made in America products. Envision Solar is listed on the OTC Bulletin Board under the symbol [EVSI]. For more information visit www.envisionsolar.com or call (858) 799-4583. Forward-Looking Statements This Press Release may contain forward-looking statements regarding future events or our expected future results that are subject to inherent risks and uncertainties. All statements in this report other than statements of historical facts are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are generally accompanied by terms or phrases such as estimate, project, predict, believe, expect, anticipate, target, plan, intend, seek, goal, will, should, may, or other words and similar expressions that convey the uncertainty of future events or results. Statements contemplating or making assumptions regarding actual or potential sales, market size, and demand, prospective business contracts, customer orders, trends or operating results also constitute forward-looking statements. Our actual results may differ substantially from those indicated in forwarding-looking statements because our business is subject to significant economic, competitive, regulatory, business and industry risks which are difficult to predict and many of which are beyond our control. Our operating results, financial condition, and business performance may be adversely affected by a general decline in the economy, unavailability of capital or financing for our prospective customers to purchase products and services from us, competition, changes in regulations, a decline in the demand for solar energy, a lack of profitability, a decline in our stock price, and other risks. We may not have adequate capital, financing or cash flow to sustain our business or implement our business plans. Current results and trends are not necessarily indicative of future results that we may achieve. Drawing on their crisis response skills and experience, as well as their deep compassion, South Floridas mental health professionals delivered powerful healing support to students, teachers, and staffers at Marjorie Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland after the tragic February 14 shooting rampage that left 17 dead. Our team provided opportunities for adults and students to vent their feelings and grieve, said Frank Zenere, district coordinator for Miami-Dade County Public Schools Student Services/Crisis Program and a member of the scientific board of the Melissa Institute For Violence Prevention and Treatment . We calmed panic attacks, brought in comfort dogs, and did a lot of hallway counseling. Zenere was among the distinguished panelists and speakers at The Melissa Institutes 22nd annual conference on the Impact of Trauma and Violence: Interventions for School, Clinical and Community Settings, sponsored on May 4 by the University of Miami School of Education and Human Development (SEHD), where the Melissa Institute is based. Lynn Aptman, president and cofounder of the Melissa Institute, and Heather Winters, the institutes executive director, welcomed the 200 educational and counseling professionals and students to the Shalala Student Center. With the support of the University of Miami, we bring outstanding experts here to share their information for your professional development, Aptman said. Our mission is to support your great work with strategies based on scientific research. Daniel Santisteban, professor, and director of the Dunspaugh-Dalton Community and Educational Well-Being (CEW) Research Center, which hosts The Melissa Institute, thanked the institutes team for working tirelessly throughout the year to improve the South Florida community. With mass shootings and individual acts of violence in our schools, we must do better for all our students, he said. In the wake of Parkland, we have seen extraordinary leadership from our youngest residents and now we adults need to step up to the challenge. After a moment of silence for victims of violence, Donald Meichenbaum, research director of The Melissa Institute and former SEHD distinguished visiting professor, offered suggestions on building emotional resiliency in his talk on Incidence and Impact of Trauma and the Implications for Interventions. Meichenbaum, who is one of the founders of cognitive behavior therapy and a cofounder of The Melissa Institute, said stressful events at home, school, or the community can have a cumulative impact on students. A student with multiple adverse childhood experiences may need additional support to overcome an emotional deficit, he said. Fortunately, it is never too late to bolster resilience. The body keeps score of positive emotions, and therapy can provide neuro-biological results. At a time when political discourse in Washington often focuses on costs, Meichenbaum added, Every one of these mental health interventions can be translated into saved dollars. This is really an investment in our future. Colleen Cicchetti, director of the Center for Childhood Resilience at Ann & Robert H. Lurie Childrens Hospital of Chicago, talked about the invisible backpack of emotions and experiences that children carry to school every day. Along with creating a safe environment, school leaders and teachers can provide support in building relationships, and improving emotional regulation, she said. It takes a supportive team on every level. Zenere and Cicchetti were joined by Lisa Martinez, chief strategy officer for the Miami-Dade County Public Schools, and Marie D. Osborne, Miami-Dade County chief assistant public defender, for a panel discussion on Providing Services for At-Risk Youth and Community Engagement. Martinez and Osborne praised the crisis response to the Parkland shooting, but said more support and resources must be provided for individual students who face violence in their daily lives. All too often our poor kids are just told to bear with it, and that is really sad, said Osborne. While there are no quick fixes to school violence, Martinez noted that Miami-Dade schools have teamed with community partners, including the UMs CEW research center in Together for Children, a countywide youth safety initiative. We can all play a role in building a long-term strategy that goes beyond the schools and into the community, she said. Through six neighborhood coalitions, we are developing action plans to align our efforts, deliver support, and measure the results. Together, we can make a difference for our kids. Home | News | General | Buhari berates Jonathan, says TSA existed only as idea under his administration - President Muhammadu Buhari has berated former president Jonathan over TSA - He said that the TSA only existed only as an idea under Jonathan's administration - Buhari, however, noted that his administration had used TSA to save trillions of naira which would have gone into private pockets of corrupt officials President Muhammadu Buhari has said that the Treasury Single Account (TSA) only existed as an idea under the Goodluck Jonathan administration instead of using it to block financial leakages. Daily Trust reports that Buhari who disclosed this in Abuja on Monday, May 7, at the opening ceremony of the Open Government Partnership (OGP) week, also said some officials of the previous administration cornered Nigerias resources for the use of themselves and their immediate families. READ ALSO: What Saraki, Dogara told President Buhari about Dino Melaye We inherited a Treasury Single Account (TSA) system that existed mainly as an idea, without the appetite for serious implementation, he said. NAIJ.com gathered that he said that his administration has made remarkable progress in expanding the reach of the TSA, so that today, we are almost at 100 percent compliance. Represented by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, the President said his administration had used TSA to save trillions of naira which would have gone into private pockets of corrupt officials. He said the administration came to office on the back of a three-pronged agenda: Ensuring Security, Rebuilding the Economy, and vigorously prosecuting the fight against corruption. This last issue, corruption, has been an existential issue for Nigeria, threatening the very foundation of our existence. It has ensured that, for too long, the resources meant for the majority have been sadly cornered by a greedy minority." "The corruption underlines every aspect of our national life, from our security situation to the state of our economy, adding that it was the reason why, in spite of record oil revenues between 2011 and 2013/14, we saw no savings, and very little investment in infrastructure and jobs, and, in spite of the billions of dollars reportedly invested in security, the Boko Haram insurgency did not abate", he said. He said the administration had adopted two-step approach to dealing with corruption. The first, he said is to stop grand corruption and the accompanying impunity and the second step and the more enduring one is creating a self- sustaining system that assures transparency and accountability. We have, since we assumed office three years ago, made remarkable progress in pushing the frontiers of transparency and accountability in the federal government, he said. Meanwhile, the United Kingdom ministers have approved 12 million (about N5.86 billion) for Nigeria to deepen and implement open government reforms. The British High Commissioner to Nigeria, Paul Arkwright said this in a goodwill message at the opening ceremony of the Open Government Partnership (OGP) Week 2018 in Abuja. The UK ministers have just approved a new funding stream of 12 million for priorities like Nigeria to deepen and implement open government reform commitments, Mr. Arkwright said. The envoy said the UK would continue to lead by example on this agenda and will also continue to improve the quality of its own evidence and data as well as demand high standards from its partners. As we move to the 2019 elections we want to encourage transparency around the process so that Nigerians will be confident that the results are credible and reflect the will of the people, he said, PAY ATTENTION: Get the Latest Nigerian News Anywhere 24/7. Spend less on the Internet! He added that Britain will continue to offer assistance and support but Nigeria must be awake. Meanwhile, NAIJ.com had earlier reported that the Presidency said that the letter written by the national chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Uche Secondus, to the United Nations secretary general, confirmed the party as a bad loser desperate for another chance after being kicked out for failing the country. The luxury of corruption: What money can buy - on NAIJ.com TV [embedded content] Subscribe to watch new videos Source: Naija.ng CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM: General Home | News | General | Fresh hope as work resumes on Yenagoa-Oporoma road project By Samuel Oyadongha YENAGOATHE resumption of work on the Yenagoa-Oporoma Road linking the vast mangrove swamp of Southern Ijaw Local Government Area to mainland Yenagoa, Bayelsa State capital, has again ignited fresh hope for indigenes of the area. Ongoing road project The project when completed, is expected to transform the fortunes of the oil and gas-rich, but neglected communities in the council area, majority of which are not accessible by road. Recession slows down work Niger-Delta Voice recalled that the speed at which the job was handled at the commencement of the project had fuelled public confidence that the road would hit Oporoma, the council headquarters, in record time. However, the project suffered a setback in the wake of the recession that rocked the nation as government could not meet its contractual obligation due to the fall in allocation from the federation accounts. Hope rekindled Interestingly, the Governor Seriake Dickson-led administration has again rekindled the hope that Oporoma, headquarters of Southern Ijaw Council Area and its adjoining communities would be accessible by road in no distant time by re-mobilising to site, the Chinese owned construction company, China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation, CCECC, handling the road project. Already, the road project which started at the Swali bridge end on the Yenagoa axis, has made Obogoro in Yenagoa LGA, Ayama and Igeibiri communities in Southern Ijaw LGA accessible by road, while massive sand-filling and work on the connecting bridge are ongoing on the remaining stretch of the road to Oporoma, headquarters of Southern Ijaw Council Area. Some indigenes of the area who spoke to NDV expressed joy over the commitment of the state government to the project and urged the Federal Government to assist the state in ensuring its quick completion. Road, luxury to our people Road which is being taken for granted in some parts of this country is a luxury to our people. The vast majority of our communities can only be reached through water. We have the least kilometres of federal roads in Bayelsa State. The situation is worst in Southern Ijaw Council Area which has some of the biggest crude oil clusters in the Niger- Delta and is also home to the oil majors, Shell Petroleum Development Company, SPDC, Nigerian Agip Oil Company, NAOC, Chevron Nigeria Limited, CNL and several other oil servicing companies. Decries Federal Govts neglect This is a sad commentary of our skewed federalism. The Yenagoa-Oporoma road in the central zone is one of three senatorial roads that has been on the Federal Government drawing board since the sixties and yet left for the state to bear the burden alone. The Federal Government should do the needful by taking over the road and that of the Sagbama-Ekeremor-Agge in the West Senatorial District as that of the East Senatorial District from Nembe to Brass on the seashores to compensate Bayelsa as the cradle of the nations oil and gas industry, said Amos Daukeyi. Cant wait to drive to our communities Another indigene of the area, who simply gave his name as Ayaoge said: The road project is very dear to us and it is our fervent prayer that the state finances improves to enable the state government deliver on its promise to complete the project. This will no doubt accelerate development and improve security in our communities. For Ebikeye, he said: We are looking forward to the day we will hear drivers calling on passengers, Oporoma, Oporoma as they now call Amassoma; Toru-Orua, Angalabiri, Ofoni, Ayama, Igeibiri, and other communities in the state which hitherto could only be accessed through water. Project, a priorityDickson NDV recalled that Governor Dickson during his 2018 budget presentation to the state House of Assembly had said our projection is to further advance the senatorial roads. By January, contractors will be mobilised to the Yenagoa-Oporoma road. We intend in the first and second quarter of next year to conclude the sand-filling of that very important road and then commence construction. We may not be able to achieve completion to Oporoma, but we will try our best. CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM: General Home | News | General | Oborevwori shocks constituents: Gives out over 250 with cars, buses, tricycles, others By Festus Ahon OSUBIOSUBI community, Okpe Local Government Area of Delta State wore a festive look on Friday, May 4, 2018 when the Speaker of the Delta State House of Assembly, Chief Sheriff Oborevwori empowered over 250 persons across the Okpe State Constituency with buses, cars, tricycles, grinding machines, deep freezers, hair dryers with power generating sets, cash, among other things worth millions of naira. Photo of some of the empowerment items doled out by the Speaker of the Delta State House of Assembly, Chief Sheriff Oborevwori to his constituents The event, which had dignitaries from all walks of life including Governor Ifeanyi Okowa, national and state legislators and top government functionaries in attendance, was widely applauded by his constituents as Nigerian electorate are often abandoned, forgotten and neglected by political office seekers after elections. It would be recalled that on 11 September, 2016, ever before he was elected Speaker of the House, Oborevwori who represents the Okpe Constituency also empowered his constituents with items worth millions of naira. Obviously, he is one of the very few political office holders who is rewarding and appreciating his constituents for trusting him with their mandate to represent them in the State House of Assembly. In the history of political representation, the Okpe people have never had it so good. Until Chief Sheriff Oborevwori came on board in 2015, the people never enjoyed good democratic dividends, especially from their state legislators. Addressing the people during the empowerment programme held at the Osubi Trade Fair Centre, Oborevwori said: My election is a social contract between me and the good people of Okpe State Constituency. My election I was elected on 11th April, 2015 to represent the Okpe State Constituency in the Delta State House of Assembly. And by the special grace of God and the benevolence of my colleagues in the House, I was elected Speaker of the Delta State House of Assembly on the 11th May, 2017. In the face of the glaring reduction of the state revenue, both from federal allocation and internally generated revenue, our Governor, Dr Ifeanyi Okowa was able to manage the state funds to ensure even spread of people-oriented projects across the 25 local government areas of the state. For us in Okpe Constituency, it has been harvest of projects. A large number of people-oriented projects have been executed in the area including constituency projects. He added that 227 Okpe sons and daughters have benefited with starter packs presented to them upon completion of the programmes. He said he secured Housemanship for medical officers, admission into higher institutions within and outside Delta State, employment into the Delta State Traffic Management Authority, DESTMA, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC, Delta State Online Training sponsorship; Distribution of Transformers to communities etc. It may interest you to know that since my election into the Sixth Assembly, I have placed some of our constituents on various sums of monthly stipends and allowances. I must emphasize that prior to 11th September, 2016, when I did my last constituency briefing; I empowered some leaders and Party faithful financially across the constituency. The programme we are witnessing today is in fulfillment of my promise to always appreciate you for your support for me, our great party, the Peoples Democratic Party and our amiable Governor Ifeanyi Arthur Okowa. Today, some number of persons will benefit from the empowerment programme. The items for the 2018 Empowerment are four cars, 20 buses, 20 deep freezers, 10 tricycles, 20 hair dressing saloon components including 20 generator sets. Others are; 40 grinding machines, 500 wrappers and headties, 30 sewing machines, scholarship scheme for secondary and university students and financial assistance to traders. I urge the beneficiaries not to waste this seed being sown in their lives today. If you are diligent to cultivate what you are getting today, it will germinate and bear more fruits. Touch your dreams now. Sheriff Oborevwori Foundation will kick-off the Scholarship Scheme in September 2018. The Foundation will eliminate the grey areas associated with my previous practice of giving out cash directly to students without records or verification. For clarity sake, 80 per cent of the scholarship will go to indigenes of Okpe Local Government Area and 20 per cent for non- indigenes. The scholarship scheme will kick off with an initial sum of N10 million. I wish to reassure you all of my continued effective representation at the state legislature. We can only continue to crave for more development of our constituency by working together and speaking with one voice. CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM: General Home | News | General | Obaseki appeals to donor agencies to sustain support for Edos devt assures Health Insurance Scheme will boost human capital devt Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, has called on donor agencies for continued support of its development initiatives, assuring that the government is committed to ensuring high impact of donors assistance for all stakeholders. Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obasek The governor said this at the First Quarterly Review of Donor Agencies projects in the state held at the Banquet Hall, Government House in Benin city, the Edo State capital. Obaseki, who was represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Osarodion Ogie Esq., said that in the light of Nigerias transition from low to middle income status, the country risked losing access to certain funding for development. He said this calls for more creative approaches to addressing developmental challenges, especially in healthcare and education, noting that the state government is adopting the Edo State Health Insurance Scheme to ensure that accessible and affordable healthcare does not elude her people. According to him, Edo State is not sleeping on its oars in the face of such dire situation. Hence, we are adopting a special Edo State Health Insurance Scheme. As donor support is shrinking, we must put on our thinking caps to begin to look at other sources of funds to assist us with our developmental projects. It is on this note that we request our donor partners to keep granting Edo State the understanding it truly deserves because of our unalloyed commitment of ensuring that every of your effort crystalizes into high-yielding gains for all stakeholders. He said the meeting was also to acquaint local government executives with the different donor funded projects in their domain so that they do not only have inventory of the projects, but also to ensure monitoring and maintenance. In her remarks, Commissioner for Budget, Hon. Maryam Abubakar, said the state government organised the meeting to review performance and ascertain intervention and impact of donor agencies projects. She added that the state government places emphasis on the deepening of development by donor agencies, especially in line with her developmental plan, captured in thematic areas in the States Strategic Plan 2010-2020. CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM: General POWAY, CA, May 08, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Solar Integrated Roofing Corporation (OTCPINK:SIRC) CEO Dave Massey announced the company has entered into an LOI to acquire a solar home improvement company. This is a very big deal for us, said Massey. The acquisition will greatly expand our footprint in California from Orange County all the way north to Fresno. The matchup is perfect for both companies as they have the solar component in place and we bring the roofing component to the mix. Theyre already doing $20 million in annual revenues and we can significantly enhance those numbers!" About Solar Integrated Roofing Corporation Solar Integrated Roofing Corporation (SIRC) is an integrated solar and roofing installation company specializing in commercial and residential properties with a focus on acquisitions of like companies to build a footprint nationally. For more information, please visit: www.solarintegratedroofingcorp.com Forward-Looking Statements: Any statements made in this press release which are not historical facts contain certain forward-looking statements; as such term is defined in the Private Security Litigation Reform Act of 1995, concerning potential developments affecting the business, prospects, financial condition and other aspects of the company to which this release pertains. The actual results of the specific items described in this release, and the company's operations generally, may differ materially from what is projected in such forward-looking statements. Although such statements are based upon the best judgments of management of the company as of the date of this release, significant deviations in magnitude, timing and other factors may result from business risks and uncertainties including, without limitation, the company's dependence on third parties, general market and economic conditions, technical factors, the availability of outside capital, receipt of revenues and other factors, many of which are beyond the control of the company. The company disclaims any obligation to update information contained in any forward-looking statement. This press release shall not be deemed a general solicitation. He said the killings were meant to instigate war for selfish reasons, adding that they are not spontaneous. Buhari said: I am deeply outraged by this unwarranted, unprovoked and reckless destruction of lives by bandits who belong to the lowest level of civilisation. I feel the pains and devastation of the families of the victims, and this administration will do everything possible to ensure we defeat these enemies of humanity. The measures to end the killings and general insecurity in the Middle Belt were stated in a statement by presidential spokesman Garba Shehu yesterday. These include the confirmation that a new battalion of the Army and a new Police Area Command have been sited in Birnin Gwari. The statement said: The new Army Battalion and the Police Area Command are the latest in a series of law enforcement measures to ensure more effective protection of lives and property, in and around Benue, Kaduna, Taraba, Zamfara and Nasarawa states. Last week, the Nigerian Air Force took delivery of two new helicopter gunships, for deployment to parts of the country affected by banditry. A Quick Response Wing has been established by the Nigerian Air Force in Taraba State. A Joint Military Intervention Force is in Benue State.. The Kaduna State Police Command also yesterday announced the deployment of three additional police mobile units to reinforce security in Birnin Gwari where 45 people were killed on Saturday in Gwaska village. Its spokesman Mukhtar Aliyu told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Kaduna that no arrest had been made, but that efforts were on to track down the killers. He said that the policemen were detailed to comb the area for the killers and other criminals. President Buhari also said security remained a priority of his administration, which he added would not tolerate the persistent killing of innocent people to set Nigerians against one another. These persistent killings are not spontaneous; there are subterranean forces with a sinister agenda to instigate war in the country for selfish purposes. Although unconventional war is particularly complicated, our security forces are making rigorous efforts to better understand these enemies with a view to decisively checkmating their evil attacks. In another statement, a reaction to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)s accusation against the President on killings in the country, Shehu said: What can President Buhari possibly gain from the killings? There is no intelligent angle from which you analyse the matter and see any possible gain for this government in the wanton destruction of life and property going on. For the new PDP leadership on the other hand, incapable of thinking big about the nation, they see and treat the unfortunate spate of killingS of innocent Nigerians as political gift, about which they seem very happy to cite as the basis for a return to power. They feel bad at every turn the country improves, which is beyond comprehension. They should bury their heads in shame. He added: The various lengths to which President Buhari has gone to end the spate of killings, such as mobilising state resources against the attackers, approving the setting up of new police and army formations in the affected areas, and the recruitment of thousands into the police and other arms of the military, are a few of the several steps taken , which a more reasonable opposition will acknowledge. As part of its efforts at stemming the tide of corruption in the country, the Federal Government has vowed to make public, the names of beneficial owners of companies, saying secret ownership of companies in the country would soon be history. Secretary to the Government of the Federation SGF, Boss Mustapha disclosed this at the Open Government Partnership OGP held Monday in Abuja as part of activities marking the global Open Government Partnership Week. Your Excellency, the Vice President, Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen: For the first time in Nigeria, secret ownership of companies and properties will be history when a public register of beneficial owners of companies will become open and operational. Government has also received assurances from the Corporate Affairs Commission CAC that in the immediate future, necessary, dossier of persons with significant control over incorporated companies will be generated and made available on demand. With all these complimentary efforts in place, I am confident that investigation of individuals involved in companies used for acts of corruption will become easier, Mustapha assured. He said the federal government has introduced policies and legislations that will help achieve goals set out in its OGP Commitment. Already the whistle-blower policy introduced in 2017 has now taken root as part of our system for prevention, detection and minimising corruption. Government has given assurances that all information received will be treated with utmost confidentiality. Therefore, a strong signal has been sent to those that wish to pursue the unwholesome attitude of embezzling public funds, over-invoicing of contracts and other forms of diversion of public resources to desist from such, as they are being watched by all stakeholders. In the past few weeks, some statistics have been bandied by many international organisations about the extent of corruption in Nigeria. Many of these figures are useful and serve as a wakeup call for us to strengthen our institutions to confront the monster of corruption. However, and regrettably, many of the institutions that produced these figures do not understand the contextual contours and the peculiarities of the corruption problem in Nigeria. Often, they are hasty to arrive at conclusions and make generalizations which paint a picture of perception that is far from reality. As part of the outcome of this week long event, I strongly suggest that we should evolve a reliable indigenous professional and objective mechanism for measuring impact and disseminating information on the state of corruption in Nigeria. Through this mechanism, we will be able to generate reliable figures upon which we can craft our policy interventions. It is trite to say that our story is best told by us and we should never expect foreign eyes to see our corruption problems better than ourselves. In the area of citizen participation, our citizens have continued to communicate without hindrance. This is evident in the level of participation on social media platforms. This government takes feedback seriously and it is only when freedom of expression is guaranteed that we can harvest the necessary feedback to enable us get to the real pulse of citizens. Within two weeks from today, the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation will upload its upgraded website (OSGF.GOV.NG) which has a window for citizens participation (Eparticipation.gov.ng). This window will be linked to the websites of all MDAs which allows your enquiries to reach its destination using the OSGF quality control centre as the gateway, Mustapha added. Walter Onnoghen, chief justice of Nigeria (CJN), says prosecutors must be able to prove their cases beyond a reasonable doubt because the court is not Father Christmas. Onnoghen said this on Monday while speaking at a workshop for investigators and prosecutors at the National Judicial Institute (NJI) in Abuja. The CJN said prosecutors must ensure that the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA) is not subjected to abuse by parties in criminal matters. He explained that the innovations of the ACJA are aimed at strengthening the countrys judicial system. I must emphasise that in all criminal trials, the prosecution must prove its case beyond reasonable doubt and this burden is discharged by the prosecution calling witnesses to give compelling evidence against the defendant with relevant exhibits to lend credence to oral evidence as the court is not Father Christmas that will give what you did not ask of it, Onnoghen said. The prosecutors must always be guided to ensure that the spirit of Section 306 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act 2015 is not subjected to abuse by parties in criminal matters. I am glad to say that the provisions of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA) 2015 has introduced innovations such as front loading of evidence at the time of commencement of an action, plea bargaining, limitation of adjournments, restitution non-custodial sentencing and forfeiture of assets, amongst others, are some of the innovations aimed at strengthening our justice system. According to him, the criminal justice system depends on the effective functioning of all stakeholders. The stakeholders have their duties and responsibilities intertwined, as such, the efficiency and effectiveness of one entity can be hampered by the inefficiency and incompetence of the other, he said. In this light, the role of the Judiciary as a key stakeholder in the administration of criminal justice can hardly be discharged without diligent investigation and prosecution. Hence, the roles of investigators and prosecutors in the administration of criminal justice cannot be overemphasised. As stakeholders, we must promote efficiency in the criminal justice sector by ensuring speedy dispensation of cases, recognising and safeguarding the rights of individuals in line with the salient provisions of the law to ensure that matters pertaining to defendants, suspects awaiting trial and persons whose matters are undergoing investigation, are speedily dispensed with. Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai, Chief of Army Staff, has disclosed that the military will soon lunch an operation in Northern Borno and Yobe to enable residents return to their various communities. He said that that army would soon start Operation Last Call in the areas to enable the Internally Displace Persons (IDPs) return to their communities. Buratai stated this during the inauguration of Gelengu community water project in Balanga Local government area, Gombe state on Monday. He said, we are planning for the major exercise, called Operation Last Call in Northern Borno and parts of Yobe State. We know the importance of agriculture in the life of ordinary citizens. We want to ensure that by the time we move into northern Borno very soon people will return to their homes, resettle and commence agricultural activity for this years rainy season. Buratai solicited the support of the people of Borno and the entire North east towards the success of the operation. According to him, very soon, they will commission the vehicle for the operation and deploy personnel who will take the IDPs to their respective homes. He said that the water project was part of civil military-relation project for the community to have water supply apart from ensuring security of lives and properties. We equally have such projects in Imo, Delta, Edo and Enugu states; so, todays project is not the first that we have done across the country. Apart from protecting your life, we also provide you what will sustain your life in this case the water project in Gelengu is quite unique, he said. In his remarks, Gov. Ibrahim Dankwambo of the state, thanked the Nigeria Army for executing the project in the state. Dankwambo, who was represented by his Deputy, Mr Charles Iliya, said the project would directly touch the lives of the people in the area. He also commended Nigerian Army for ensuring security in the north and the country at large. Mr Bakari Keletuma, the council Chairman, said the project had complemented governments effort in providing water for the people in the area and strengthen the relationship between the Army and the civilians. He assured that the council would sustain the project for the benefit of people in the area. Home | News | General | Envoy hails Nigerians in China tours Access Bank, Chinese Universities By Victoria Ojeme The Consul-General of Nigeria in Shanghai, Anderson Madubuike has announced plans by the Federal Government to further deepen investment relations between Nigeria and China. Madubuike made this known after a holistic tour of Jiangsu Province, China and stated that the investment partnership would focus on attracting investment into Nigerias infrastructure, mining and agriculture sectors. According to him, as part of efforts to deepen trade relations between Nigeria and China, the Nigerian Consulate in Shanghai will in July 2018, organize an investment conference tagged Shanghai 2018: Nigeria-China Business & Investment Forum with emphasis on infrastructure, investment, mining and agriculture. He said, The Nigerian Consulate in Shanghai constantly engages Nigerians in East China. It hosts regular town-hall meetings and its officials visit companies and schools where Nigerians are involved. In July 2018, the Nigerian Consulate General in Shanghai will organize an investment conference tagged Shanghai 2018: Nigeria-China Business & Investment Forum with emphasis on infrastructure, investment, mining and agriculture. The event will be held on 20 July 2018 at the J.W. Marriott Hotel in Shanghai. Registration for the event will open in May, 2018. However, companies wishing to participate in the event can contact the Nigerian Consulate directly. Madubuike also stated that Nigerians resident in China are very hardworking and law-abiding. In the course of the tour, Madubuike visited the Deputy Director-General of the Jiangsu Provincial Department of Education, Mr. Wang Chengbin, as well as Nigerian Students of the University of Science & Technology of China (USTC). Madubuike also visited the Zhejiang University of Science and Technology and Tongji University to foster educational, cultural and research development collaboration between Nigeria and China. The tour which was also to encourage more Nigerian organizations to set up operations in China, witnessed the visit of the Consul-General to the offices of Access Bank in Shanghai and held discussions with the Companys Chief Representative. The Consul-General, in a statement made available to Vanguard, said Since resumption of office in September 2017, I have had the honour to visit several schools in provinces in East China under my jurisdiction. I have seen amazing dedication on the part of Nigerian students and Nigerian business people in China. In view of the language barrier between Nigeria and China, the Nigerian envoy also commended Nigerians in China, saying In China, there is a language challenge. Our regular spoken language in Nigeria is English and coming to China, most Nigerians have to learn the Chinese language in order to study or do business. Madubuike said in fact, Nigerians have to work twice as hard as their counterparts. For the students, they need to learn Mandarin (Chinese Language) and some of them receive their lectures in Mandarin and still top their classes. The Consulate of Nigeria in Shanghai was opened in 2008 in response to the growing economic and trade relations between Nigeria and China. It was established to attract investment and economic activities as a component of the overall development strategies of Nigeria. The Consulate coordinates, promotes and protects the national interests of Nigeria and Nigerians in five provinces of China, namely: Shanghai Municipality, Anhui, Fujian, Jiangsu and Zhejiang. CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM: General Home | News | General | Breaking: Court orders forfeiture of N9.2bn, $8.4m belonging to Patience Jonathan - Some monies linked to Patience Jonathan has been ordered to be forfeited to the federal government - The funds were reportedly transferred to her account when she served in one of the ministries in Bayelsa - The court asked interested parties to give reasons why the funds should not be permanently forfeited Former first lady, Patience Jonathan is going through trouble as a Federal High Court sitting in Lagos granted an interim forfeiture of the sum of N9.2bn and $8.4m linked to her. According to Channels TV, the money is to be forfeited to the federal government. The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) had filed an application before Justice Mojisola Olatoregun. READ ALSO: Dino Melaye finally reveals why he jumped off police vehicle The judge however asked the anti-graft agency to publish the order in a national newspaper to give any interested party an opportunity to come before the court within 14 days to show cause why the sums should not be permanently forfeited Huleji Tukura who is an investigation for the EFCC claimed the fund found in the account of the former first lady from Bayelsa state account and that the fund was moved when she served as permanent secretary in one of the ministries. It was reported that Mrs Jonathan first opened a First Bank account and then procured the then Senior Special Assistant to former President Goodluck Jonathan on Domestic Affairs, Waripamo-Owei Dudafa, to fund the account with proceeds of unlawful activities. The said Dudafa Waripamo-Owei procured one, Festus Isidohomen Iyoha and Arivi Eneji Peter, who were domestic staff attached to the State House, Abuja, to deposit the funds, reasonably suspected to be proceeds of unlawful activities, into account of the 1st respondent (Patience). In depositing the funds into the account of the 1st respondent, the said domestic staff, in a bid to conceal their identity, deposited the funds, reasonably suspected to be proceeds of an unlawful act, into the 1st respondents account, using fictitious names. The total sum of $4,036,750.00 (Four million, thirty-six thousand, seven hundred and fifty United States dollar) reasonably suspected to be proceeds of unlawful activities, were deposited into account No. 2022648664 domiciled in First Bank Plc in the name of the 1st respondent. On the 28th day of September 2016, the 1st respondent, in dissipating the property sought to be forfeited, transferred the sum of $3,640,794.72 to the 1st respondents account No. 2031277178 domiciled in First Bank Plc. On the 5th day of October 2016, the 1st respondent withdrew the sum of $1,000,000.00 cash from the said account leaving the balance of the sum of $3,645,013.73 which sum we are urging this honourable court to forfeit in the interim to the Federal Government of Nigeria. As at the time the various sums were deposited in into exhibit EFCC01, the 1st respondent was a serving permanent secretary in the employment of the Bayelsa State Government. The funds sought to be forfeited to the Federal Government of Nigeria are not the 1st respondents lawful earnings but are rather reasonably suspected to be proceeds of unlawful activities. The depositors into this account are domestic staff of State House, Abuja, who was procured by the said Dudafa Waripamo-Owei to deposit the funds sought to be forfeited in a bid to conceal the true origin of the funds. The case was adjourned till Friday, May 11. PAY ATTENTION: Read the news on Nigerias #1 news app Meanwhile, A prosecution witness, Annette Gyen, on Monday, April 16, revealed before a Jos Federal High Court how a former water resources minister, Sarah Ochekpe, and two others withdrew N450 million cash from Fidelity Bank Plc. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Ochekpe, and the two others, Raymond Dabo who is a former chairman of the PDP in Plateau, and Leo Sunday Jatau, the coordinator of former president Goodluck Jonathan campaign in Plateau, are being tried by the EFCC for allegedly collecting N450 million from former petrol minister, Diezani Alison-Madueke, in 2015. The report said the anti-graft agency is alleging that the trio collected N450 million from one Annette Olije-Gyen, operation manager of Fidelity Bank, which exceeded the amount authorised by law. What does Nigeria need right now? (Nigerian Street Interview) | NAIJ.com TV [embedded content] Subscribe to watch new videos Source: Naija.ng CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM: General Home | News | General | Top 10 Nigerian designers in 2018 Talented designers change fashion, create new trends, and make the whole world decide what color and style to wear, which dress or suit to choose and so on. Who are the top fashion designers in Nigeria? How is local fashion industry developing? Let us devote this post to some of the best designers in the Nigerian fashion industry and see what they offer to modern fashionistas. Nigerian fashion stands out in Africa. The unique clothing makes women more beautiful, let men adore their stylish looks and choose the trendiest dress styles ever. Nigerian fashion industry This industry is all about creativity, fantasy, style, and good taste. Nigerian women love wearing gorgeous gowns, stylish costumes, designs inspired by national and traditional accents and elegant all-season clothing. Top Nigerian designers have to consider all the different traditions of tribes and communities. It is necessary to come up with innovative ideas, suit all the interests and likes, remember traditions, get inspiration from worlds fashion and realize all these uniqueness in new clothing creations that will be loved by Nigerian fashionistas and women of fashion from all over Africa. Fashion industry always develops. It cannot stop because fashion never stops being creative and surprising millions of women and men who love to follow trends, search for new style, charm, and Nigerian designers help to make these dreams come true. Besides, top designers from Nigeria have fantastic opportunities to attend fashion shows across Africa and all over the world and present the unique African spirit to the world. Top 10 Nigerian designers Lets look at the main representatives of the fashion industry in Nigeria. These are top fashion designers who lead the market, share fantastic ideas and dress up women all across the country. 1. Duro Olowu Stylish skirts, dresses, pants and other types of clothing created by Duro Olowu impress women of fashion in Nigeria, other African countries and all over the world. He is one of the fashion designers loved by Michelle Obama. While being born in Nigeria, this designer actually lives in the United Kingdom. Still, his fashion collections offer incredible native African prints, Nigerian patterns, and the spirit of Africa to fashionistas who love the wonderful and trendy clothing lines. Being in love with fashion since he turned 6 years old, Duro knows what he is doing, and his creations are recognized worldwide. 2. Folake Folarin-Coker Have you heard about Tiffany Amber? The companys creative director, Folake Folarin-Coker, has an impressive personality, broad vision, and incredible color combinations. This amazing woman is the first one in Africa to demonstrate collections at New York fashion shows for 2 years in a row. Her name is well-known by CNN and Forbes. Her pretty haute styles, collections made of leather, elegant jewelry, and various fashionable accessories. Born and raised in Lagos, she got higher education in Europe and her designs are inspired by different cultures. The colorful and powerful collections catch an eye of fashionistas from all over the world. 3. Lisa Folawiyo This woman has made her name herself. She designs incredible cosmopolitan styles. Her Jewel by Lisa fashion brand is known for elegance, sophistication, and exclusive lines. She didnt study design or fashion while being at the university. Instead, she studied law. However, her vision of what jewelry, purses and clothing people would like to wear meet the high demand, and her ability to add traditional African accents to modern fabrics is amazing. If you are a fan of Ankara textiles, African prints, and innovations, you will love designs created by Lisa. 4. Zizi Cardow This multiple-award woman is worth being on our list. She is definitely one of the top 10 fashion designers in Nigeria because fashion is not only her passion, it is her life that also changes the lives of millions. That talent and unique style of Zizi is always on the red carpet. She is fond of lace fabrics, and Ankara textile used to create elegant and sensual underwear for women. Zizi also makes pretty clothing (corporate style, evening gowns, stylish pants, blouses, and dresses, etc.). By the way, she popularized Ankara fabrics all over the world, making it popular among famous people and all fashionistas. READ ALSO: Latest Ankara style in town 2017-2018 Deola Sagoe, photo from www.aljazeera.com 5. Deola Sagoe The queen of African prints makes gorgeous clothing lines for women and men who like to look elegant and fashionable. Many celebrities choose corporate and cocktail style clothing created by Deola. Her unique taste and elegance are loved by Will Smith, Oprah Winfrey, and many others, and her style is observed by experts who give out awards with all their respect and admiration towards the models designed by this outstanding Nigerian woman. Ohimai Atafo, photo from pilonnews.blogspot.com 6. Ohimai Atafo Many famous designers fell in love with fashion after studying something completely different. For example, Mai (Ohimai) Atafo is an IT expert. He worked in this field, until one day he made a decision to design clothes. It was a real success and the right decision. Today Mai is known in Nigeria and outside the country. He works with many incredible people such as Mercy Johnson and Okereke. He creates outstanding fashion lines, designs elegant and contemporary clothing lines for men that help Africans express their individuality, African magnetism, and charisma. Despite the fact that he is often referred to as one of the best and hottest designers for men, Atafo also launched his women focused fashion line, Weddings by Mai, and creates gorgeous wedding dresses. Mai believes that real fashion is about hairstyle, clothing, accessories, and shoes. The whole look together is what really matters. 7. Frank Oshodi Our list of top Nigerian designers includes both women and men. Some incredible designers begin their overwhelming careers as models. Frank used to be a model. He worked in this field, became a manager, studied and studied, and finally started his own business. His fashion clothing lines and makeup products made him famous. His first big project was the Miss World contest back in 2001. Frank designed Nigerian beauty queen Agbani Darego's dress and did her makeup. It was a huge success for Frank as Agbani Darego won the title Miss World contest that year. Since then, Oshodis designs are recognized all over the globe. 8. Soares Anthony This male designer is also inspired by African and Nigerian designs, local textile as well as traditions of Japan. The result is very elegant and contemporary. The native accents look incredible in the clothing lines. No wonder that unique and stylish creations by Soares Anthony are loved by many men all across the country and outside Nigeria. The young man has conquered the fashion industry. He works with celebrities all across Nigeria, the USA, the UK, and other countries offering his own vision of what the colors and clothing style should be like. 9. Lola Faturoti Lola studied in the United Kingdom and finally moved to New York in the USA. Lolas grandmother loved to design clothes, and her granddaughter got this passion as well. The fashion designers career developed in the United States of America. Still, the whole Nigeria follows each new creation made by their locally born designer who loves adding her personal touch to each collection she makes. 10. Mudi Africa His fashion company is well known across Africa. Besides, the clothing lines made by Clement Mudiaga Enajemo are recognized in Ghana, Nigeria, Nairobi, and other African countries. Mudi Africa knows what men want to wear. He designs elegant, classic and stylish clothing (shirts and pants) and helps Nigerian gentlemen look classy. As you can see, the fashion industry in Nigeria is developed really well. There are many interesting designers who dress up women and men, create impressive clothing lines with African accents, and introduce Nigerian prints, traditions, and native spirit to the whole world. READ ALSO: Fashion in Nigerian traditional styles: latest tendencies of 2018 [embedded content] Subscribe to watch new videos Source: Naija.ng CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM: General Home | News | General | Buhari pledges to mitigate effects of drying Lake Chad President Muhammadu Buhari on Tuesday said that Nigeria had initiated measures to mitigate the negative effects of the shrinking Lake Chad on the people of the area. The president, who was represented by the Borno Governor, Alhaji Kashim Shettima, stated this in Maiduguri while declaring open the First Lake Chad Basin Governors Forum. The president, who also sought the support of the international community in addressing effects of climate change, said Nigeria was working diligently to address the plight of the people living on the Nigerias side of the lake. Buhari, who noted that the Lake Chad issues must be treated with the required urgency, called on all stakeholders to share the mission of rescuing the Lake Chad Basin from extinction. He said there was the need to find workable solutions in resuscitating the lake to the benefit of all member-countries in the region. He added that the people living in the basin depended on the lake for agriculture, fisheries and livestock for their economic well-being. The Lake Chad is very dear to our heart as it is a source of livelihood to over 45 million people living in the Basin. This Lake, which is one of the oldest Lakes in Africa, is shared by Cameroon, the Central African Republic, Chad, Niger and Nigeria, he said. He noted that the Lake Chad region was formerly an oasis in the desert, a hub of economic activities and food security, providing a source of happiness and contentment that contributed to the stability of the sub-region. Unfortunately, the oasis in the desert is almost a desert now, due to the drying up of Lake Chad occasioned by the effects of global warming and population explosion. Mr Edward Kallon, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Resident Representative in Nigeria, said despite the progress made on the security and humanitarian front in recent years, more needed to be done to assure the people of the Lake Chad Basin of their safety. The people of this region have suffered for far too long and we need to redouble our collective efforts to address the underlying causes of the crisis. Kallon noted that the forum would enhance the effective participation of local communities defining pathways to the crisis facing the region. We must further more enhance cooperation around stabilisation, peace building and conflict prevention. Kallon, who also advocated a multi-pronged approach to Lake Chad Basin crisis, urged the governor to support UN to address the crisis. CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM: General Home | News | General | Banks must repay excess charges with interest, says CBN The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), said any bank that deducts monies illegally from a customers account for products and services would be forced to refund the money to the customer with interest. Mr Fada David, Consumer Complaints Management, Consumer Protection Department, CBN, said this in an interview with Newsmen on Tuesday in Abuja. Sequel to complaints by bank customers within the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) over excess charges by banks through Automated Teller Machine (ATM) withdrawals. The customers said as a result of the development, they dreaded making withdrawals using other banks ATMs because of the continued charge of N65 for every transaction. According to the customers, most banks within the city centre have programmed their ATMs to dispense only N10,000 or less per transaction, thus ripping off customers withdrawing more than that amount. The customers complained that if they had to withdraw N100,000 or more through other banks ATM, it meant they would lose so much money. They, however, called on the CBN and other relevant authorities to look into the matter so as to help poor Nigerians. According to David, the Monetary Policy Circular of the CBN gives certain guidelines as to how much should be refunded to customers if excess charges are discovered. Part of the punitive measures is that if excess charges are discovered, they are refunded to consumers with interest, he said. David, however, assured bank customers that the CBN monitors all banks regularly to make sure that banks do not short-change them. He also encouraged customers to read the CBNs Guide to Bank Charges circular to know those charges that their banks were allowed to charge and the correct amount. Consumers should consult this document to know how much they are expected to pay for services. When you go through it and in a situation where you see charges that you do not understand, you have the right to write your bank and get them to explain what the charges are. In a situation where it becomes clear that the customer was charged excessively, the customer should get them to reverse it. You have the right to know how much you are charged from operating your account and make sure that the bank only charges the specified amount, he said. Also, Mr Oludamola Atanda of the Consumer Education Division, Consumer Protection Department, CBN, urged bank customers to demand for their statement of account monthly. He said that it would help customers to monitor their accounts closely. You have the right to demand for the right product and services. The bank cannot force you to go for a specific product or loan facility. You have the right to choose. If they give you a product you do not like, you do not have to take it. Its important for us to understand this. There is also the issue of right to privacy. My bank should not share my details with just anybody. For instance, a wife cannot come and say she wants details of her husbands account. Only by court order can an account details by revealed to a third party, he said. Atanda said at times, customers complain about certain bank products because they were not properly informed about the products. If I am taking a product, my bank has the responsibility to educate me on that product. If it is a savings product, a customer should know how it works, how many times to withdraw in a month, how much interest to expect and the minimum deposit on the account. We are saying that you have the right to demand good service. Those are the things we want to let customers know, he said. CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM: General Selbyville, Delaware, May 08, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Metal And Ceramic Injection Molding Market is expected to cross USD 4.0 billion by 2025; according to a new research report by Global Market Insights, Inc. Metal and ceramic injection molding is collectively known as powder injection molding. It combines both plastic-molded design flexibility and powder-molded material flexibility, which creates both ceramic and metal parts. This technology is majorly used for producing parts with high complex structures, and of more strength, with surface finish improvement. Both metal & ceramic injection molding processes impart a better production than other molding processes. Metal and ceramic injection molding market is majorly driven by the increasing demand from end-users like automotive, medical, and defense & aerospace end-users. Increasing demand for miniature molded parts in automotive and aerospace applications is significantly contributing to the industry growth over the forecast period. The global metal and ceramic injection molding market growth is primarily restricted by limitations about molded components size and high raw material prices. The raw materials are a combination of both metal or ceramic powder with binders. Usually, these materials are of high cost, and this may restrict the global metal and ceramic injection molding from growth till the end of the forecast period. Request for a sample of this research report @ https://www.gminsights.com/request-sample/detail/2563 Stainless steel held the larger share of the global metal injection molding market in 2017, and it will continue its dominance till the end of the forecast period. Rising demand for miniature molded stainless steel components in automobiles, and aircrafts is driving the product demand in the entire forecast period. Alumina held the major share of global ceramic injection molding market in 2017. It continues to show its dominance throughout the forecast period. The properties of alumina such as high strength, flexibility, less machining, and fine surface finish are some of the factors responsible for the increasing demand of alumina for ceramic injection molding processes. Zirconia held the second-major share of ceramic injection molding market. Metal and ceramic injection molding market size for automotive held the major share of global market by 2017. It dominates the global market over the entire forecast period. Metal injection molded parts are majorly used in automotive engines, locking mechanisms, steering systems, electronic systems, etc. Increasing automotive production in both the developed and developing regions is significantly driving the metal and ceramic injection molding demand over the entire forecast period. Browse key industry insights spread across 500 pages with 618 market data tables & 24 figures & charts from the report, Metal Injection Molding Market Share & Forecast, 2018 2025 in detail along with the table of contents: https://www.gminsights.com/industry-analysis/metal-ceramic-injection-molding-market Moreover, increasing consumption of molded parts for medical end-user will also boost the market size significantly. Increasing product consumption for advanced drug delivery, vascular therapy, etc. will further drive the MCIM market globally till 2025. The Asia Pacific regional market held the major share of global MCIM market by the end of 2017 and dominates the global market till the projected period. Increasing automotive production, rising industrialization, and expanding medical industry are some of the key factors that are responsible for the growth of Asia Pacific metal and ceramic injection molding market throughout the projected timeline. Europe market held the second-major share of global MCIM market. Germany contributes the major share of Europes regional industry, and it will continue its domination till the end of forecast period. Increasing automotive, and aerospace production, coupled with huge product demand for medical applications will significantly boost the regional market till 2025. Some of the primary players in the metal and ceramic injection molding market are CMG Technologies, Advanced Materials Technologies, CN Innovations Holdings, Form Technologies Company, ARC Group, Kinetics Climax, Akron Porcelain & Plastics, Nippon Piston Ring, PSM Industries, and Hoganas AB among others. Make an inquiry for purchasing this report @ https://www.gminsights.com/inquiry-before-buying/2563 Browse Related Reports: Plastic Compounding Market Trends, 2018 2024 Plastic Compounding Market size was more than USD 32 billion in 2016 and will witness 6.0% CAGR during the projected timespan. Global plastic compounding market for other materials including bio-plastics are estimated to be the fastest segment with estimated gains close to 8% CAGR over the forecast period. Large international companies are engaged in using bioplastics for packaging. https://www.gminsights.com/industry-analysis/plastic-compounding-market Injection Molded Plastic Market Forecast, 2018 2023 Injection Molded Plastic Market size was calculated at over 100 million tons in 2015 with growth forecast at more than 5% CAGR up to 2023. Acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) demand is set to witness significant growth rate and poised to increase at over 5.2% CAGR up to 2023. https://www.gminsights.com/industry-analysis/injection-molded-plastic-market About Global Market Insights Global Market Insights, Inc., headquartered in Delaware, U.S., is a global market research and consulting service provider; offering syndicated and custom research reports along with growth consulting services. Our business intelligence and industry research reports offer clients with penetrative insights and actionable market data specially designed and presented to aid strategic decision making. These exhaustive reports are designed via a proprietary research methodology and are available for key industries such as chemicals, advanced materials, technology, renewable energy and biotechnology. Home | News | General | Go, rest let youths takeover, Ooni tells Nigerian leaders By Perez Brisibe UGHELLI THE Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, Ojaja II, has advised political leaders in Nigeria to go home, rest and leave governance for youths who he described as the owners of the country. Ooni of Ife Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi to Olu of Warri, Ogiame, Ikenwoli at his palace in Warri South, Delta state The monarch also commended youths in the country who he said make up 60 percent of the countrys population, for keeping the nation together because of the activities they engage themselves in. The Ooni gave the charge Tuesday during the launch of a N100 million Professional Chair and N10billion Endowment Fund for the Michael and Cecilia Ibru University, MCIU, Agbarha-Otor, Delta State. Speaking to the leaders, the monarch said: Youths of this nation owns this country. This country does not belong to the leaders and elders of this nation. Let the youths takeover, go and rest and rest very well. He stated that it is about time for the youths to have a sense of ownership by rising up to what belongs to them naturally, saying, Very soon, the youths would start claiming what belongs to them as this country does not belong to anybody else except the youths. The youths of this country should please come and take charge. We should all come together and say enough is enough. You cannot tell us what we should be doing, we would tell you what we want you to do. Admonishing Nigerians who make their money in the country and take such monies abroad to invest, the monarch said: Stop making money in this land and continue to spend it outside the shores of this land. It is not good, it is not adding value to this nation, and its not making any impact in this nation. It is a big shame because you are not laying good example for the youths that owns this country. You spend the money that you are making outside the land that is blessing you. Let us believe in this country, we do not have any other country or anywhere to go. The land too has a spirit in it, stop causing the land, stop using your mouth to say negative things about the land. Give back to the land that is blessing you in everything you do so that your dynasty can be sustained. Earlier in his remarks, father of the day, Mr. Goodie Ibru, said: I am assured that the visit of his Imperial Majesty, will further encourage our youths to aspire to greater heights as he has already inspired millions of young people in Nigeria and across the Atlantic. Todays historic visit to MCIU, will further cement the special relationship this university and the Urhobo kingdom enjoys with the Oduduwa kingdom as this special relationship, will strengthen our core values and preserve our cultures. On his part, chairman of the MCIU Endowment Fund Committee, Prof. Polycarp Chigwe while explaining how the institution plans on seeking donors for the fund, said: Though the donors are drawn from the alumni of the university, a greater part of the donors are made up from friends and beneficiaries of the institution. Also Ooni of Ife Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi has called on government at all levels in the country to give more to growing cultural value in the country, stressing that no nation grows without value for its cultural heritage. The monarch speaking yesterday when he paid a visit on the Olu of Warri, Ogiame,, Ikenwoli, adding that Nigerian should contribute towards building a virile nation. Let us all work for the greatness of the country. My beautiful people o f Itekiri kingdom, I am excited to be in your midst, in the midst of my people , one blood , one family. Ogiame I a peace loving king, a very mature king, you will never see him angry on any issue. He is full of wisdom, compassion and authority, very innovative and very amiable and above all very loving king. I thank God for all he is using him to do in Warri. He is someone I have tremendous respect for. We cant grow any country, nation without our heritage, the day we put our tradition first we now start being serious as a nation. Let us uphold our rich culture and tradition. It is what we have to give to the world, he said. Earlier the Olu of Warri, Ogiame Ikenwoli thanked the Ooni of Ife for the visit, thanking him for attending his coronation ceremony . # CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM: General Home | News | General | Senate summons NCC, MTN, Glo, others over unsolicited adverts By Henry Umoru ABUJA- THE Senate has summoned four leading Global System for Mobile Communications, GSM operators; the MTN, Airtel, Globacom, and 9Mobile to appear before its Committee on Communications to explain, among others, why the frequent unsolicited calls, product and Programme promos. Clark of National Assembly, Sani Omolori (right) taking Hijacked Senate Mace to Senate Chamber at National Assembly Abuja. Photo by Gbemiga Olamikan. File Photo According to the Senate, these companies also trick Nigerians to subscribe to riddles bad jokes, indiscriminate religious contents and caller tunes, adding that the summon was part of moves to check intrusive and unsolicited adverts from them to their numerous customers. Also to appear before the Senator Gilbert Nnaji, PDP, Enugu East led Senate Committee on Communications are the Nigerian Communications Commissions, NCC; the Consumer Protection Council, CPC; and the Association of Advertising Practitioners of Nigeria, AAPN. According to the Senate, their appearance would enable the Committee seek ways of addressing what the upper chamber described as worrisome situation. The upper legislative chamber particularly urged the NCC to ensure that any person, or entity found to have abused regulatory guidelines, is sanctioned, in accordance with the extant rules and regulations. Resolutions of the Senate yesterday were sequel to a motion by Senator Yahaya Abdullahi, APC, Kebbi and titled, Need to check Intrusive and Unsolicited Adverts by Telecom Companies and Service Providers Presenting the motion, Senator Abdullahi who recalled with sense of nostalgia, the euphoria that attended the commencement of the GSM, 17 years ago in Nigeria, said that he was really worried about the continued deterioration of GSM services in the country. He regretted that though the service providers have been reaping huge revenues from their investments, Nigerians have not enjoyed commensurate quality of services. According to him, he was worried about increased incidence of dropped calls, unaccounted disappearance of airtime from devices, weak signals across networks and false report of unavailable call destinations. Senator Abdullahi further expressed concern about the issue of frequent unsolicited calls, product and programme promos, as well as instances of tricking Nigerians to subscribe to riddles and jokes, indiscriminate religious contents and caller tunes that sometimes offend subscribers sensibilities. He also noted that even with the setting up of the Do-Not-Disturb, DND opt-out application, as demanded by the NCC, the GSM operators have not done enough to educate the public on its availability and workings. With high tariffs and an estimated 150 million subscribers in the country, the four leading operators within the industry, namely MTN, (53.4million, or 39%), Airtel, (38.3 million, or 26%), Globacom, (38.2 million, or 26%) and 9Mobile, (16.8%, or 12%), the companies are yet to fully integrate themselves into the larger Nigerian economy, in ways that could provide opportunities for Nigerians to benefit from their operations, he observed. In his contribution, the Senate Deputy Leader, Senator Bala Ibn NaAllah (APC Kebbi South) however urged the National Assembly to rise to the occasion by halting the trend in the interest of Nigerian subscribers. In his remarks, Senate President Bukola Saraki called on the NCC, CPC, AAPN, and other stakeholders to ensure that they address the situation without allowing it to affect the nations economy. CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM: General Home | News | General | Unilag plans to establish modular refinery The University of Lagos says it is planning to set up a modular refinery and obtain a mining license to operate it. Prof. Oluwatoyin Ogundipe, made this disclosure shortly after his investiture as the 12th Vice Chancellor of the institution, on Tuesday in Lagos. In his acceptance speech, Ogundipe promised to take the institution to its desired heights. It is my vision to produce graduates that are locally competitive and globally relevant. We intend to build a spirit of possibility and clear reorientation among students and staff. We are also deploying human and material resources towards rebranding, especially in the area of research, he said. Ogundipe said that prominent among his goal would be the setting up of a modular refinery, as well as obtaining a mining license. According to him, when in place, the refinery will serve as laboratories for students of the Faculty of Engineering. Speaking earlier, the Pro-Chancellor, University of Lagos, Dr Wale Babalakin, said the institution needed about N48 billion per annum to effectively reposition its academic activities. Babalakin, also the chairman of institutions Governing Council, said that with a population of about 40,000 students, Unilag receives only between N10 billion and N11 billion from the Federal Government annually. The pro-chancellor said that for academic activities to thrive, more investments and commitments from key stakeholders must be in place. According to him, Ogundipes appointment is coming at a time when education in the country needed rejuvenation. There has been a clamour for free education at all levels, but I will prefer good education at levels. Ogundipe is coming at a time when the university is being classified as beneath the top 800 in the world. He is coming indeed at a time when we have challenges in restoring our legacy and we cannot afford to tell Nigerians that you did not succeed, Babalakin said. CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM: General Home | World | Africa | Chamisa wows Oxford Union President Adv Nelson Chamisa has said that the biggest challenge facing Africa is the challenge of leadership but the MDC is giving Zimbabweans a fighting chance in the upcoming elections to avoid the country's citizens from sliding into the same trap of failed leadership.In his Oxford Union address in the United Kingdom yesterday, where he charmed the crowd with his vision and novel policy programme for Zimbabwe, the people's leader said Africa had fallen into a severe crisis of leadership."Everything in Africa rises or falls with leadership. Once we get leadership right, everything else goes right. The shortage in Africa is not a shortage of resources, but a shortage in leadership which is manifesting itself in a shortage of many things. When you see diseases in Africa, you are not seeing disease but a death of leadership. How do we cure that? We cure it by making sure we put Zimbabwe on a path to a free and fair election. We have put certain benchmarks to achieve that free and fair election," he added.The MDC and its Alliance partners have made 10 demands in their Plan and Environment for A Credible election in Zimbabwe (PEACE) document to ensure that the country holds truly free, fair and credible elections in the next few months."We are giving a fighting chance to the people of Zimbabwe as we go into this election. Why am I saying so? We are saying so because we know in any struggle we must be able to stand up and be counted and to define a narrative to which people have to come through. We did it before as a people. During the liberation struggle, we forgot about race, we forgot about class, we forgot about tribe, we forgot about all the other classes that may separate us to look at the great idea of liberation. We achieved that liberation," President Chamisa said.He said it is sad that that struggle was checked halfway because of poor leadership and selfishness by those who assumed leadership after independence."Unfortunately, that liberation was checked halfway, why? Because of exhausted nationalism. Why? Because we had those who came into power failing to realize that occupying power is not for self-empowerment or self-entitlement. Title is not for the self but for others. We have not done things for others but for ourselves," he added.He added that because of such attitudes towards leadership, Africa remains stuck in an era of extreme poverty for the majority of its people."This has been the biggest problem on the African continent. That when leaders assume positions of responsibility they forget that the primary objective is service and sacrifice. And they begin to think about themselves, building a parasitic elite that is focusing on self-aggrandizement at the expense of the populace. That is what we need to cure" he added.He added that there has been change without change in Zimbabwe as the new dispensation' was simply a reproduction of the old, tyrannical system. He said that he respected the young Mugabe but had reservations of the old Mugabe who betrayed the reason why he participated in the liberation struggle."I have a lot of respect of Robert Mugabe the young, though I do not have any respect for Robert Mugabe the old, because he betrayed the ideals of Robert Mugabe the young, who was a liberation icon. I suppose there is something wrong with age, but I don't think so. Age comes with wisdom, but for Mr. Mugabe, age came alone. And these are the things we want to make sure we are able to deal with.The People's President, Nelson Chamisa was addressing students at the Oxford Union. The Oxford Union, is a debating society in the city of Oxford, England, whose membership is drawn primarily from the University of Oxford.President Chamisa is in the UK where he addressed Zimbabweans in Bedford. He will take the opportunity of his presence in the UK to interact with Zimbabweans, UK government officials as well as address various think tanks.He returns to Zimbabwe later this week. CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM: Africa south korea The South Korean government has no other choice but to legalize initial coin offerings (ICO) and representative Hong Eui-rak of the ruling Democratic Party of Korea has obtained the support of 10 lawmakers to challenge the current ban on domestic ICOs. Multi-Billion Dollar Opportunities The economy of South Korea has only recently started to improve from its previous years and considering the positive talks the administration of President Moon Jae-in has had with the North Korean authorities over the past week, the economy of South Korea is only expected to grow in the long-term. In 2017, the South Korean government put an end to rumors surrounding a shutdown of the local cryptocurrency exchange market proposed by the countrys justice minister Park sang-ki. The Blue House, the executive office of President Moon, emphasized in an official announcement that the government will never ban cryptocurrency trading and instead regulate the cryptocurrency sector with practical policies to protect investors and facilitate the growth of businesses. Although the Financial Services Commission (FSC) and local authorities permanently moved away from discussions to ban trading, it banned investors from funding domestic ICOs. The motivation of the government in outright banning domestic ICOs remains unclear but the FSC hinted that it was to restrict speculation within the market by removing extremely volatile assets such as tokens from the market. As CCN reported however, Rep. Hong and a team of 10 lawmakers are challenging the governments ban on domestic ICOs. The bill released by Hong allows companies to run public ICOs, given that they receive the approval from the Financial Services Commission and the Ministry of Science and ICT. The bill is aimed at legalizing ICOs under the governments supervision. The primary goal (of the legislation) is helping remove uncertainties facing blockchain-related businesses, Hong added. Why are Authorities Hurrying the Legalization? Story continues Earlier this year, a source within the South Korean government told The Korea Times that the government will legalize ICOs as soon as taxation policies regarding token sales are approved. The report was releasd almost immediately after the FSC expressed its concerns towards the intent of the countrys largest technology conglomerate and biggest cryptocurrency exchange Bithumb to launch ICOs outside of South Korea. The financial authorities have been talking to the countrys tax agency, justice ministry and other relevant government offices about a plan to allow ICOs in Korea when certain conditions are met, said one source. If Kakao and Bithumb decide to launch ICOs in Switzerland with the companies they have already established in the country, the blockchain sector of South Korea will lose out on multi-billion dollar opportunities and simply pass them onto Switzerland, solely due to the countrys ban on domestic ICOs. Local analysts have stated that the hurried approach of the government to legalize domestic ICOs stem from its opposition against local companies conducting ICOs outside of the country, which could lead to major losses for the cryptocurrency market and blockchain sector of South Korea. Featured Image from Shutterstock. The post South Korea Has No Choice but to Legalize ICOs, and It May Happen Soon appeared first on CCN. I forgot that we were close to upfronts! Reply Thread Link The Village sounds good. Ill check out the other show just for Kelli Garner. Reply Thread Link The Enemy Within is pretty much a gender reversed w/o is he father/is he not father. Reply Thread Link The Village sounds like a show followed by This Is Us. Reply Thread Link This just reminds me of how much I miss the LA Complex. Reply Thread Link Happy for Lorraine Toussaint. Sur deserves to be in a successful show Reply Thread Link Was coming here to say just this! Reply Parent Thread Link the first show sounds good but that's a weak cast imo the second show sounds basic but i love the cast so i probably won't watch either of them tbh Reply Thread Link I'll watch The Village, sounds good! Reply Thread Link Doesn't Carpenter deserve better. Reply Thread Link well I'm glad to see Jen Carpenter doing things Reply Thread Link I hate that Jennifer Carpenter's typecast for these kinds of roles. I wanna see her do more comedy tbh. That being said, I'll definitely give this a shot (after her having to suffer through that horrid final season and finale of Dexter, she deserves all the support she can get). Reply Thread Link I liked her in Limitless. Reply Parent Thread Link excited for upfronts Reply Thread Link The phrase apartment complex drama sounds hilarious. I think it would work much better as a comedy. I love shows comedies that have an overarching setting that ties all the characters together tbh (like workplace comedies) Edited at 2018-05-08 01:26 pm (UTC) Reply Thread Link Melrose Place? Reply Parent Thread Link is that whats his face, zeljko ivanek (i'm sure i've spelled that wrong), when did he get puffy and turn into petite nathan lane Reply Thread Link Chip Somedevilla/Getty Images(WASHINGTON) -- President Donald Trump has announced that the U.S. is withdrawing from the Iran nuclear deal, keeping a campaign promise, but ignoring the advice of Americas allies. The president said he is removing the U.S from the Iran nuclear deal known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action and will reimpose economic sanctions on Iran at "the highest level of economic sanction" and target "any nation that helps Iran in its quest for nuclear weapons" with sanctions, too. Trump announced his decision at the White House after a last-ditch effort by European allies to urge Trump to stay in the agreement and build upon it. Trump instead argued the deal was so "horrible" that it had to be discarded to move forward. "It is clear to me that we cannot prevent an Iranian nuclear bomb under the decaying and rotten structure of the current agreement," Trump said. "The Iran deal is defective at its core. If we do nothing, we know exactly what will happen." The nuclear deal was negotiated and agreed to by Iran and the P5+1 the U.S., U.K., France, China, Russia, and Germany in 2015, granting Iran sanctions relief and returning frozen assets in exchange for restrictions on its nuclear program and international inspections. There will now be a 90-day and a 180-day window before certain kinds of U.S. sanctions are snapped back into place. But despite that wind-down period, the administration said clearly it is exiting the deal. "We're out of the deal," National Security Adviser John Bolton repeated three times in a briefing with reporters. Bolton insisted that discussions are already underway towards potentially renegotiating a new deal with Iran, but Iran and even European allies -- have long maintained that the JCPOA is not up for renegotiation. On August 6, the first wave of U.S. sanctions will be reimposed, on Iran's currency, precious metals, aluminum and steel, and others. After an additional 90 days, the administration will start imposing sanctions on Iranian oil and other energy sectors, the Central Bank of Iran, and shipping companies. The slow implementation is designed to give time to U.S. allies to withdraw their businesses from Iran or face American sanctions putting the U.S. and Europe at odds. In response, French President Emmanuel Macron, German Chancellor Angela Merkel, and U.K. Prime Minister Theresa May noted their "regret and concern" at Trump's decision, calling on Iran to maintain its commitments under the deal and on the U.S. to essentially stay out of the way: "We urge the U.S. to ensure that the structures of the JCPOA can remain intact and to avoid taking action which obstructs its full implementation by all other parties to the deal," they said in a joint statement. While the Trump administration has suggested they will work with Europe moving forward, the three leaders make clear their "continuing commitment" to the deal, saying plainly, "The world is a safer place as a result." That means no European sanctions on Iran and instead, "ensuring the continuing economic benefits to the Iranian people that are linked to the agreement," the sanctions relief and access to international markets. That could mean that the U.S. will have to sanction European companies and Europe will have to take action to protect its businesses a possibility, according to a senior State Department official, who told ABC News, "Those are discussions were going to have with the Europeans." But there hasn't been any preparation for that so far. "We did not talk about Plan B in our discussions" with Europe, a senior State Department official told reporters. Much of what happens next depends in large part on how Iran responds. Iranian President Hassan Rouhani responded to Trump in a televised speech, saying that he had ordered the country's nuclear energy agency to be ready to start enrichment at an industrial scale, but that they would first wait a few weeks to see how other countries respond. That's essentially a threat to withdraw from the deal as well, depending on how Europe, Russia, and China react. "If we see that our expectations from this deal could be met in action by the cooperation of other countries, we will stay in the deal, but if we see our interests are not guaranteed, we will decide accordingly at that time," he said. Other American allies voiced their support for the decision, particularly Iranian enemies Israel and Saudi Arabia. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who gave a speech last week urging Trump to exit the deal, praised "courageous leadership" and "bold decision today to reject the disastrous nuclear deal with the terrorist regime in Tehran." Copyright 2018, ABC Radio. All rights reserved. LONDON, Ontario, May 08, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Sernova Corp. (TSX-V:SVA) (OTCQB:SEOVF) (FSE:PSH), announces Dr. Piotr Witkowski, M.D., Ph.D., a leading expert in type 1 diabetes (T1D) and islet transplantation, as the Clinical Trial Principal Investigator for Sernovas new clinical study. Dr Witkowski, at the University of Chicago site, will work closely with Sernovas team to conduct the clinical and regulatory aspects of the Cell Pouch trial. Dr. Witkowski is a widely published diabetes researcher and respected surgeon with a longstanding record of success in both basic science and clinical research pertaining to islet cell and abdominal organ transplantation. Among other accomplishments, he was instrumental in developing an optimized islet isolation technique that greatly improved success in clinical transplants. Under Dr. Witkowski's leadership, multidisciplinary research teams at the University of Chicago are currently conducting several studies designed to improve the quality and outcomes of islet cell transplantation in patients with T1D. Sernovas achievement to commence US human clinical trials is a key step to improving the therapeutic treatment for people living with diabetes. This Cell Pouch safety and efficacy trial aims to reduce the risk of hypoglycemia unawareness, a complication in which a patient is unable to recognize and control impending hypoglycemia resulting in a drop in blood sugar that can have life threatening consequences, said Dr. Witkowski. Our experienced diabetes treatment team at the University of Chicago sees the potential of this transformative therapy to benefit and substantially improve the care of T1D. Improving the quality of life and outcomes of people with diabetes are Sernovas main priorities, and we are grateful to have the opportunity to work with Dr. Witkowski and his expert team at the University of Chicago, a team known for outstanding diabetes research and patient care, stated Dr. Philip Toleikis, Sernovas President & CEO. The study is a Phase I/II, non-randomized, unblinded, single-arm, company sponsored trial. Under the clinical leadership of Dr. Witkowski, University of Chicago Medicine, patients with hypoglycemia unawareness will be enrolled in the study under informed consent. Patients then will be implanted with the Cell Pouch including sentinel devices. Following vascularized tissue development in the Cell Pouch, an initial dose of purified islets under strict release criteria will be transplanted into the Cell Pouch and patients followed for safety and efficacy measures for approximately six months. At this point a decision will be made with regards to the transplant of a second islet dose with subsequent safety and efficacy follow up. Patients will then be further followed for one year, with interim patient results released at periodic intervals consistent with an open label study. About Dr. Witkowski Piotr Witkowski M.D. Ph.D. is an Associate Professor of Surgery and a transplant surgeon at the University of Chicago Medicine. He has been involved in islet transplantation research for the past 17 years, initially at Columbia University in New York City and then as a Director of the Pancreatic Islet Transplantation Program at the University of Chicago Medicine. For the last nine years, Dr. Witkowski has been conducting multiple clinical studies in intraportal islet allotransplantation in patients with brittle type diabetes as well as islet autotransplantation in patients with chronic pancreatitis. Recently, he accomplished a phase 3 clinical trial and is currently preparing application to the FDA for islet graft as a biological product, which is pivotal to enable islet transplantation to become available to patients as a standard of care procedure. Being aware of shortcomings of intrahepatic islet transplantation, Dr Witkowski has been working on optimization of the subcutaneous location for improved islet engraftment. He has proven the concept that this pre-vascularized site enhances islet survival in a preclinical diabetes model. About Sernova Corp Sernova Corp is developing disruptive regenerative medical technologies using a medical device (Cell Pouch) and immune protected therapeutic cells to improve the treatment and quality of life of people with chronic metabolic diseases such as insulin-dependent diabetes, blood disorders including hemophilia, and other diseases treated through replacement of proteins or hormones missing or in short supply within the body. For more information, please visit www.sernova.com For further information contact: Philip Toleikis, Ph.D., President and CEO Tel: (604) 961-2939; philip.toleikis@sernova.com www.sernova.com Ray Matthews & Associates Tel: (604) 818-7778; www.raymatthews.ca ray@raymatthews.ca Forward Looking Information This release may contain forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are statements that are not historical facts and are generally, but not always, identified by the words expects, plans, anticipates, believes, intends, estimates, projects, potential and similar expressions, or that events or conditions will, would, may, could or should occur. Although Sernova 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 may differ materially from those in forward looking statements. Forward-looking statements, are based on the beliefs, estimates and opinions of Sernovas management on the date such statements were made, which include our belief about the conduct and outcome of clinical trials and that Sernova will be able to raise additional capital to fund its clinical programs including its US FDA clinical trial. Sernova expressly disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. bryce dallas howard got 8m for jurassic world? her agent is a WIZARD Edited at 2018-05-08 06:14 pm (UTC) Reply Thread Link Honestly, that's pretty damn close to pay equity considering his Q score next to hers. Reply Parent Thread Expand Link mte. Good for her though. She definitely isnt that big of star. Reply Parent Thread Link mte I can't think of any other thing she's been in besides spiderman 3 without googling Reply Parent Thread Link Her dad is Ron Howard, she definitely has some pull, or rather, is connected in Hollywood. I'm sure her people pull good numbers and jobs for her. Reply Parent Thread Link I hate that Chris Pratt makes more than Michael B Jordan Reply Thread Link Neither of them should be making anything tbh. One's a Republican and the other has Republican views on women he can apologize a million times idgaf he's exposed himself and his nonexistent chin Reply Parent Thread Link Oh shit, what did Mbj say?? Reply Parent Thread Expand Link lol mte Reply Parent Thread Link Well I mean alot of people go see the guy. Reply Parent Thread Link i dont like either but it makes sense Reply Parent Thread Link It's for a Jurassic Park movie that has a bigger budget and stands to make a lot more money. Although I think you could replace Pratt with a cardboard cutout and the movie would still make a billion dollars. Reply Parent Thread Link Im sure replacing Amy Schumer had something to do with the higher pay. No way Anne Hathaway deserves the same or a lesser amount. Shes an icon. Also shell prob in the cover of every fashion magazine for Oceans promo so they think theyll make bank with Anne anyway. Reply Parent Thread Link Im surprised he got that much tbh Hell probably get double that for the sequel Reply Parent Thread Link that IS what he's getting for the sequel. but that paycheck was negotiated before the success of BP. Reply Parent Thread Expand Link damn @ Jack Black's price he has really gone down in opinion since the 2000s Reply Thread Link Half of what Kevin Hart got aswell. Gurl. I'd ask for a pay rise. Reply Parent Thread Link What has he been in recently to even warrant that much. Reply Parent Thread Link figured he'd get the mulah based on his name tbh Reply Parent Thread Link ikr? And he was pretty much the only thing that made Jumanji worth watching lol Reply Parent Thread Link I feel like an gonna die poor Reply Thread Link "$1 million social-media fee as part of his package to promote the film on Twitter/IG". I hope to be in a position where I can demand money from someone so I can get MORE money. Reply Thread Link I thought Bryce Dallas Howard she didnt have one million in her bank account. She deserves her cash tho, she was te only good part of the first movie. I like seeing those because Im always curious but the disparity between the actors salaries and the womens are so depressing. And then we get to poc actors and is just :/ Reply Thread Link She said in her bank account, which could be true. The rest could be in investments, stocks, other accounts, a secret vault etc. But Bryces whole thing is being ~relatable like teehee Im wearing a $300 dress. Im just like you~~~ Reply Parent Thread Link She made it sound like she got two hundred thousands to make this movie. Reply Parent Thread Link I thought Bryce Dallas Howard she didnt have one million in her bank account. The Howard in her name makes me think that's total bullshit. And if she doesn't have the money now, she knows it's coming one day. Reply Parent Thread Expand Link I thought the same thing, but I'm guessing she got a huge pay bump for the second movie if I had to guess she probably made like 500,000 for the first movie but then it was such a massive hit that she got a big pay bump obviously I'm just making this up though lol I don't really know Reply Parent Thread Link That's not really that much. Let's talk about the likes of Depp. They make way too much. Reply Thread Link Too much!! Reply Parent Thread Link Apparently his basic pay is like 20 million. Reply Parent Thread Link Still not over the Fantastic Beats crap. Colin is superior in every way and also wouldn't request such a crazy amount. Reply Parent Thread Link Poors. I dont get out of bed for less than $25 mil. ...which I guess explains the bed sores. Edited at 2018-05-08 06:26 pm (UTC) Reply Thread Link lmao Reply Parent Thread Link lol Reply Parent Thread Link Whattt there's another Indiana Jones coming out in 2020? Good lord. Reply Thread Link Wow good for Bryce, as much as many as Pratt and, despite that flop, he's fucking big rn Reply Thread Link Man, I want to be Vin Diesel. Just make a FF movies and be set for life. Reply Thread Link It's a lot of money but its nothing compared to what these companies earn using their labor and images. Imagine all the toys, soda cups, posters etc Chris Pratt or The Rock's face is on. Reply Thread Link Although I just read the list and the fact that Seth Rogen of all people will be getting 15 million for a movie that will probably be a flop disgusts me. Reply Parent Thread Link i cant believe the rock and vin diesel are the best paid actors in hollywood lmfao Reply Thread Link The Rock is the Will Smith of the 2010s. If you had told me that when The Scorpion King came out I would have laughed in your face. Reply Thread Link isn't Emma dating a SNL writer or smth? I remember reading that. Reply Thread Link ScarJo is. i hadn't heard of emma slumming SNL too. Reply Parent Thread Link Nah Emma was too. She was dating the cute writer who like accidentally swapped tuxes with some guy on a plane before the emmys. Reply Parent Thread Expand Link Dave McCary Reply Parent Thread Link RIP Emmas self-worth Its sad when beautiful Asian American women like Emma lose themselves to these basic white men. Edited at 2018-05-08 07:04 pm (UTC) Reply Thread Link lmaoo Reply Parent Thread Link DEAD Reply Parent Thread Link lmao Reply Parent Thread Link I just let out an inhuman noise. Bless this comment Reply Parent Thread Link I'M LOSING IT HERE!!! ASDKL;FJKL;DJA; Reply Parent Thread Link LOL Reply Parent Thread Link godddddd Reply Parent Thread Link i love that every single emma post has an asian drag, i hope it never stops. itswhatshedeserves.gif Reply Parent Thread Link LOL Reply Parent Thread Link LOL IRL Reply Parent Thread Link typical Reply Thread Link i mean...if they are dating he took a step down lmao Edited at 2018-05-08 07:06 pm (UTC) Reply Thread Link yikes tbh Reply Thread Link what a beautiful interracial couple! Reply Thread Link DYING @ all these Asian-American comments! Reply Parent Thread Link I am trying so hard not to laugh at work rn. Reply Parent Thread Link he just seems slimy to me. like one of those guys who fronts as an intellectual, and how he's ~evolved~ but get him comfortable, maybe a few drinks, and all kinds of shit and attitudes come out of his mouth. /i could be wrong. Reply Thread Link he's best friends with terry richardson Reply Parent Thread Link damn. well then i'm probably right lol Reply Parent Thread Expand Link Really? Oh well, you just shattered all illusions I had of him. Reply Parent Thread Expand Link ewww Reply Parent Thread Link So basically his character in Parks and Rec? Reply Parent Thread Link Good for her, Justin is an atractive guy and seems nice. Reply Thread Link Was the guy she walked the carpet with not her date? Or was it a designer? Idk, I cant keep up with these people. Reply Thread Link Emma Stone and Nicolas Ghesquiere attending the #METGala: Heavenly Bodies on May 7th, 2018 pic.twitter.com/Tx5w6mKmKL emma stone daily (@dailyemmastone) May 7, 2018 Edited at 2018-05-08 07:10 pm (UTC) that was Nicolas Ghesquiere, LV's head designer Reply Parent Thread Link Ah, my mistake. I thought he looked awfully put together for an SNL writer, lol. Reply Parent Thread Link Do we know who broke up with who? I hope Jen did the breaking. He kind of seems like a skeeze. Reply Thread Link i don't think so, unless there's been some blinds about it or something. i think they released a joint statement to make it seem ~amicable. Reply Parent Thread Link I think the blinds point to him leaving after cheating the whole time. He trash. Reply Parent Thread Link He constantly hoovered all of Jen's coke and never once offered to buy. Reply Parent Thread Link awwww, I thought she was dating some low-key SNL writer. que tipico for a dude his age to suddenly start dating ~15-20 years younger after a major breakup. Reply Thread Link I'm surprised Justin would make the sacrifice of dating yet another Hollywood starlet - won't it interfere with his totally unique and authentic NYC lifestyle? Reply Thread Link I went hmmm until reading they worked together on a project. Then again, Brad and Angie were co-workers at first too... Reply Thread Link She's dated at least 3 of her co-stars (Andrew, a Culkin brother and a guy she was in The Rocker with) Reply Parent Thread Link Teddy Geiger!! Reply Parent Thread Expand Link Didn't Andrew break up with Shannon Woodward to be with Emma? Reply Parent Thread Expand Link i like her hair colour here tbh i expected him to date someone much younger but not her...idk they seem kinda random Reply Thread Link they were def holding hands in that shot until they realized paps were taking photos it looks like lol what a lame ass couple Reply Thread Link LoL, first thing I noticed! Reply Parent Thread Link It's time to just give it up, Camille. Reply Thread Link Or.... you know... your pigshit of a husband did those terrible things. Reply Thread Link Its amazing how in denial a person can be. Reply Thread Link Dementia or just a demon? Reply Thread Link girl, bye Reply Thread Link There's a small part of me that wonders what kind of horrible shit she went through being married to him to be so deeply entrenched in denial like this. But most of me just wants her to shut up forever. That Emmett Till comment still has me seething from a week ago, and the scab just came off again hearing this bullshit. Reply Thread Link She's got some nerve bringing up lynch mobs when she knows damn well that he's guilty Reply Thread Link What a disrespect to the victims JFC. SUFFER U RICH BISH! Reply Thread Link She better sit her ass down and be GLAD a wife can't be forced to testify against her husband. she knows some shit. i'm not saying she knows everything, but as big a creep as he is, she knows some shit. I see plus sides to that law, but minuses too. i know officially it's spouses can't be compelled to testify against each other, but it still feels so very a woman is a man's property, and you can't "make" his wife talk. Reply Thread Link her nostrils look horrible, she got a shitty nose job. Reply Thread Link Give it up, sis. Reply Thread Link sit the fuck down Camille Cosby, shut up and wait for death to collect you Reply Thread Link is this the hill you really wanna die on Reply Thread Link She's 74, so yes Reply Parent Thread Link Like...these allegations go back decades. How deep in denial can you be? Reply Thread Link Her complaint seems more about the loss of revenue streams than anything else which basically implies you have no concern for your terrible husband but more for his legacy. Edited at 2018-05-08 07:47 pm (UTC) Reply Thread Link that weirdly makes sense to me since for years, long before this started, but i can remember being a little kid and reading an interview she'd done and remember how bill was so good at doing the Me and them thing with blacks? She did that too.that vibe was there. She very much saw herself and bill as being above others, as if there was a pecking order and they needed to be held up and revered but weren't giving much back. I remember as a kid thinking it was such a contrast to Ozzie Davis and his awesome wife Ruby Dee who tried to hold up everyone around them. Even Richard Pryor went out of his way to give black comics, and well a wide array of non-white ones, a shot. Bill didn't. Bill Cosby was obsessed with portraying his idea of the acceptable and above reproach better than all my brothers black man. to the point of shitting on so many of them. he's been a mess for years, we just never knew how evil he was. She really thought she got something special in marrying Cosby and that it elevated her. So as angry as I am towards her, and it's a lot, i guess now thinking about it, it makes sense she'd go OTT to protect the legacy. she was obsessed with that 30 years ago. Reply Parent Thread Link Ozzie Davis <3 Reply Parent Thread Link This is such an accurate read. Reply Parent Thread Link It's like Bill once said: "People would rather deal with me than with Camille. She's rough to deal with when it comes to my business." And now he's counting on her doing the dirty work of "shame on you women, hurting another woman by lying about her man" (see also Amy Smart & every other creep's wife) Edited at 2018-05-08 09:30 pm (UTC) Reply Parent Thread Expand Link Keri Russell is giving one of the most complex performances ever on television in #TheAmericans https://t.co/452DimkqhA Vulture (@vulture) 4 de mayo de 2018 Keri Russell talks about her infamous haircut, plus more: pic.twitter.com/TUA8cFmlle W magazine (@wmag) 7 de mayo de 2018 Angelica Jade Bastien from Vulture talks about the portrayal of Keri Russell as Elizabeth Jennings from The Americans.There are spoilers under the cut. -The first time we met Elizabeth Jennings , we saw her at a bar, wearing a leather bustier and with a flirty and salacious demeanor, from that scene the viwers thought the show was going to be like most espionage dramas, all the following seasons but mostly S6 have proved the show/Elizabeth is way more than that, As Emily Nussbaum wrote in The New Yorker: Dread is its specialty and also its curse; its what makes The Americans at once a must-watch and a hard sell.-The show has always been about identity, how it evolves influenced by a host of factors seen an unseen, not only for the protagonist but for all the characters in the show, but it's Elizabeth with her myopic, ride or die dedication to the former Soviet Union, who says more about identity, thanks to the multi-faceted, luminescent work of Keri Russell.-Elizabeth has had many characters, Patty (the Mary Kay seller) is a favorite and one of the most revealing characters for her, but Keri Russell excels mostly when Elizabeth's mask (as a mother, a wife or a russian spy) slips. Those moments when Elizabeth knows no one is watching her are the most revealing, because she shows anger, regret and Keri shows those emotions on those pivotal moments, and on those moments is where Keri proves that she is giving one of the most complex performances ever on television.-One of the most iconic moments for Elizabeth and Phillip happened in the episode "The Magic of David Copperfield V: The Statue of Liberty Disappears" where they have a fight over the curse of events that happened recently (Martha had to flee to the USSR because her cover was blown) Elizabeth yells At least shes alive. You didnt have to send her out on the street to get mowed down" referencing S1 Gregory, while shes prone to anger as a person, this explosive argument reveals something different: how deeply she holds in hurt, and how adept shes grown at hiding it. Russell leans into the anger, her face growing flush, a vein bulging in her forehead, her posture poised as if willing to not only yell, but draw blood. This moment demonstrates her excellence at shifting emotions abruptly, revealing hidden depths and secret hurts that add dimension to Elizabeths emotional terrain.-Season 4 explored how Elizabeth handles genuine friendship with another woman, as Patty she befriended Young-Hee Seong (Ruthie Ann Miles) whose husband Don (Rob Yang) has access to security codes Elizabeth needs for the KGB. That kind of relationship requires more than seduction or fighting skills, because those relationships are more complex they require more risks, it was obvious on the portrayal Elizabeth cared for Young-Hee and her interactions were genuine, as time passes and the mission needs to be done, we can see the pain of her expression, her regret.-It would be easy to make Elizabeth's anti-heroism (especally compared to Phillip's more open regret and resistance to the assigments the KGB makes them do) tip into villainy, or make her seem inhuman, but Russell depicts Elizabeths calculations and hardened outlook with precise empathy and care. In the scene of Elizabeth listening to Young-Hee's voice mail (after drugging Don and making he believe they slept together and she is pregnant) and her concern about her husband and why her (as Patty) hasn't called , Elizabeths face tenses with guilt and yearning; then she hardens once more, hanging up before Young-hees message ends. Its a brief scene, but it exemplifies the clarity of emotion Russell is able to communicate. Yes, Elizabeth is often blunt, rough-hewn, and intense. But shes never been predominantly icy. Theres a fire to her. And even when hiding her true nature, Russell grants the character certain minute flourishes her mouth tightly drawn, a change in her posture, a faraway glance as if shes calculating the risks in every step she takes that speaks to the roiling emotions and willpower just beneath the surface.-In the final season, Elizabeth's face tells a story, there hasn't been a moment when she doesn't look tired, she smokes because she is tired and stressed. Elizabeth has always been shown as a "badass" , only focused on her task, without caring what she has to do to succeed, But Russell has, over the course of the series, teased out a desperation in the character. This is a performance designed not to seduce, but to bruise. Keri Russell has come to terms with the fact that her haircut in the second season of "Felicity" looked like a Chia Pet, she just wishes other people would get over the "crazy backlash" too.____ Here's my top ten favorite horror movie list, I decided my favorite movies are the ones I can watch over and over again and still enjoy them + those I like to recommend to other people to see, and not by how popular the are or how many awards they have won or if they are consider classics or not, just horror movie I really enjoy and love! But that doesn't mean this list is filled with direct to dvd bin horror movies..Enjoy, and please don't judge my choices (or my english!) The Evil Dead (1981) & Evil Dead II (1987) Note: okay i know this is technically two movies but they are sequels so I count it as one :P Why it's one of my fave: Evil Dead was one of those old film I thought I wouldn't like, I was so sure it was just overrated 80's horror trash that people just convince themselves they liked because your supposed to like it (youknow like 2001: A Space Odyssey) because it's a ''cult-classic''. I don't why I thought that but I did and guess what I freaking loved it, and the second movie is even better! (never seen the third one :/) : Five college students take time off to spend a peaceful vacation in a remote cabin. A book and audio tape is discovered, and its evil is found to be powerful once the incantations are read out loud. The friends find themselves helpless to stop the evil as it takes them one by one, with only one survivor left with the evil dead and desperately tries to fight to live until morning.: Ashley Williams travels to a secluded cabin in the woods with his girlfriend Linda where they find a tape recording of a professor and a book of evil. This unleashes a bunch of evil spirits that constantly terrorize Ash. Meanwhile a journalist comes to the area to study the book of evil. Ash and her end up having to survive this swarm of evil until morning comes. Trollhunter (2010) Why it's one of my fave: I love found footage/mockumentaries films, it's one of my favorite sub horror genres and founding a found footage/mockumentary movie that's about Scandinavian folktales (folklores??) ofc it's gonna become one of my favorite horror movies! : A group of students investigates a series of mysterious bear killings, but learns that there are much more dangerous things going on. They start to follow a mysterious hunter, learning that he is actually a troll hunter. The Ring (2002) Why it's one of my fave: The Ring was one of my first horror movies I saw that really scared me, like every time I see something that looks like a person with long black hair in the dark (you know when you trying to sleep and you look around in your room and you see that chair that you just stack clothes on and it kinda look like a person?) I immediately think it Samara #scarredforlife : Rachel Keller is a journalist investigating a videotape that may have killed four teenagers (including her niece). There is an urban legend about this tape: the viewer will die seven days after watching it. If the legend is correct, Rachel will have to run against time to save her son's and her own life. 28 Days Later...(2002) Why it's one of my fave: Because Cillian Murphy is in it and it's a really great movie! : A powerful virus escapes from a British research facility. Transmitted in a drop of blood and devastating within seconds, the virus locks those infected into a permanent state of murderous rage. Within 28 days the country is overwhelmed and a handful of survivors begin their attempts to salvage a future, little realising that the deadly virus is not the only thing that threatens them. As Above, So Below (2014) Why it's one of my fave: I just really like this film, I don't really know how to explain why I like it..sorry : Miles of twisting catacombs lie beneath the streets of Paris, the eternal home to countless souls. When a team of explorers ventures into the uncharted maze of bones, they uncover the dark secret that lies within this city of the dead. A journey into madness and terror, As Above, So Below reaches deep into the human psyche to reveal the personal demons that come back to haunt us all. Carrie (1976) Why it's one of my fave: You don't have to know why this is one of my favorite horror film you just need to accept the fact that it is <3 : This classic horror movie based on Stephen King's first novel stars Sissy Spacek as Carrie White, a shy, diffident teenager who is the butt of practical jokes at her small-town high school. Her blind panic at her first menstruation, a result of ignorance and religious guilt drummed into her by her fanatical mother, Margaret, only causes her classmates' vicious cruelty to escalate, despite the attentions of her overly solicitous gym teacher. Finally, when the venomous Chris Hargenson engineers a reprehensible prank at the school prom, Carrie lashes out in a horrifying display of her heretofore minor telekinetic powers. The Blair Witch Project (1999) Why it's one of my fave: The Blair Witch Project is the film that made me love found footage films, I know a lot of people think this movie is overrated but I personally think this is an amazing horror movie and even if you don't like found footage film you should watch the movie that popularized the found footage technique. : Three film students travel to Maryland to make a student film about a local urban legend... The Blair Witch. The three went into the woods on a two day hike to find the Blair Witch, and never came back. One year later, the students film and video were found in the woods. The footage was compiled and made into a movie. The Blair Witch Project. Shaun of the Dead (2002) Why it's one of my fave: Me and my sister used to watch this all the time and it was the first horror-comedy film I saw, since then I knew that horror doesn't always mean scary, it can be funny too! : Shaun doesn't have a very good day, so he decides to turn his life around by getting his ex to take him back, but he times it for right in the middle of what may be a zombie apocalypse... But for him, it's an opportunity to show everyone he knows how useful he is by saving them all. All he has to do is survive... And get his ex back. Scream (1996) Why it's one of my fave: Scream is just a horror classic, you can't watch this movie without falling in love with it, I still watch this movie during Halloween (and everyone know that Halloween isn't just one day, it's the entry month of October!) : 1 year after her mother's death, Sydney Prescott (Neve Campbell), and her friends started experiencing some strange phone calls. They later learned the calls were coming from a crazed serial killer, in a white faced mask and a large black robe, looking for revenge. His phone calls usually consist of many questions, the main one being: Whats your favorite scary movie? Along with many scary movie trivia, ending with bloody pieces of innocent lives scattered around the small town of Woodsboro. Eyes Without a Face (1960) Why it's one of my fave: One night many years ago I was lurking on youtube and came across this film, I was really sure it was boring old horror film that I could watch to pass the time but I really fell for this movie. It's great, 100% recommend. : After causing an accident that left his daughter Christiane severely disfigured, the brilliant surgeon Dr. Genessier works tirelessly to give the girl a new face. He does so however by kidnapping young women and attempting face transplants. He has been woefully unsuccessful to date. The doctor's world begins to collapse around him when his daughter realizes just what he has been doing.: The Cabin in the Woods (2012), The Descent (2005), Saw (2004), House of 1000 Corpses (2003), Eden Lake (2008), Lake Mungo (2008), The Others (2001), You're Next (2011) & like all horror classics. source: 1 What's your favorite horror films?? A diver exploring a part of Philippine Rise. (OCEANA PHIL.) Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque said, President Rodrigo Duterte will lead the send-off ceremony for 50 Filipino scientists who will conduct research in Philippine Rise. The President is also set to visit the area from May 15 to 16 to commemorate the naming of the continental shelf from Benham Rise to Philippines Rise. On May 2017, President Duterte renamed the underwater plateau through Executive Order No. 25 to underscore the countrys sovereign rights over the area. UNTV News & Rescue The post Duterte to send off 50 Filipino scientists to Philippine Rise appeared first on UNTV News. Save up to P32,000 worth of monthly amortization fee on your next Ford car as Ford Philippines continues to offer this May its free first month amortization promo for select variants of its three best-selling vehiclesthe Ford Everest, the Ford Ranger, and the Ford EcoSport. Customers purchasing the Everest 2.2-liter Ambiente 42 MT or the Ranger 2.2-liter XLT 42 MT or the EcoSport 1.5-liter Ambiente MT on a five-year financing term can continue to avail of the free first month amortization promo until May 31, 2018. Those availing of the Everest 2.2-liter Ambiente 42 MT on a 60-month financing term can save up to P32,000 worth of monthly amortization fee. Customers purchasing the Ranger 2.2-liter XLT 42 MT on an all-in low down payment of P68,000 are entitled to free first month amortization fee of almost P24,000 on a five-year financing term, or a PHP50,000 cash discount for customers paying in full. On the other hand, those buying the EcoSport 1.5-liter Ambiente MT on a five-year financing term can save up to P18,000 worth of monthly amortization fee with an all-in low down payment of P48,000. Aside from the extension of the free first month amortization offer, customers can also avail of a better deal for the Ford Everest. The Ford Everest 2.2-liter Trend 42 AT is also now available at an all-in down payment of PHP68,000 or PHP16,758 low monthly fee, or PHP110,000 cash discount. Ford is also offering free two-year worry-free service for customers purchasing any EcoSport variant as part of its commitment to enhance the ownership and after-sales experience. This merry month of May, customers can continue to seize our great deals that will allow them to have their very own Ford vehicle in the easiest, most affordable, and most convenient of terms. Our free first month amortization offer will give our customers big savings which they can use for other important purchases, while those who have been wanting to get a Ford Everest can take advantage of lower all-in down payment, lower monthly fee, or higher cash discount available only this month, said Rodel Gallega, vice president for marketing and sales, Ford Philippines. All all-in packages include free 3-year LTO registration, 1-year comprehensive insurance, and chattel mortgage fees. The post Ford PH Extends Free First Month Amortization Promo, Offers Better Deals for Everest this May appeared first on Carmudi Philippines. Malaysia's scandal-plagued prime minister and his rival, 92-year-old former authoritarian leader Mahathir Mohamad, made final pitches for votes Tuesday on the eve of one of the tightest elections in the country's history. Prime Minister Najib Razak faces a tough fight at Wednesday's polls to retain power at the head of the coalition that has ruled Malaysia for six decades, in the face of a challenge from Mahathir. The veteran ex-leader, who led Malaysia with an iron fist for 22 years, came out of retirement to take on his former protege Najib due to an explosive corruption scandal surrounding sovereign wealth fund 1MDB. Mahathir has thrown in his lot with an opposition alliance packed with parties he crushed while in power, electrifying an election race that had long looked like an easy win for the ruling Barisan Nasional coalition. However most analysts still expect the government to edge another victory, as they have tight control of Malaysia's weakened institutions, while critics accuse them of wide-spread manipulation of the electoral system. In a speech on the northwest island of Langkawi, which was broadcast live to rallies across the country and on Facebook, Mahathir urged voters to swing behind his opposition alliance, Pact of Hope. "We need to defeat Najib and Barisan Nasional because our country has been destroyed," he said. "We can only regain our dignity by changing the government." Najib has been accused of involvement in the scandal surrounding 1MDB, in which billions of dollars were allegedly looted from the fund in a campaign of fraud and money-laundering. Najib, who set up the fund, and 1MDB deny any wrongdoing. Mahathir spoke in front of a large picture of himself with jailed opposition icon -- and his former nemesis -- Anwar Ibrahim, showing both men smiling. The pair fell out dramatically in the 1990s -- with Anwar imprisoned during Mahathir's rule -- but have joined forces again to take on the government, in one of the most dramatic twists of a gripping election season. - 'Party of the future' - In an address on state TV that aired at the same time as his rival's speech, Najib announced a series of measures that will be implemented if the government wins. These included people aged 26 and below being exempted from income tax, and two additional public holidays. "Barisan Nasional is a party that looks to the future," he said. "We are not a party of the past, we don't play with leaders who have already retired." The ruling coalition, which has governed Malaysia since independence in 1957, has seen its popularity slide in recent years due to graft scandals, divisive racial politics in the multi-ethnic country and anger at rising living costs. But it will be tough for the opposition to beat BN, with critics accusing the coalition of gerrymandering and engaging in electoral fraud. The coalition insists the elections are free and fair. Earlier, leading independent pollster Merdeka Center released its final opinion survey which showed the ruling coalition maintaining power but losing the popular vote, for the second consecutive general election. Under the Malaysian system, a party needs to get a majority of MPs in parliament to win power but not the most votes. The survey conducted in peninsular Malaysia between April 28 and May 8 showed BN winning 37.3 percent of the popular vote, with Mahathir's opposition coalition winning 43.4 percent. The survey did not include voters in Malaysia's two states on Borneo island, where the government has traditionally enjoyed strong support. Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth) interim president Dr. Celestina Dela Serna QUEZON CITY, Philippines Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth) interim president Dr. Celestina Dela Serna is asking for President Rodrigo Duterte to hear her side on the reported corruption in the agency. Presidential Spokesperson Secretary Harry Roque on Monday, May 7, said President Rodrigo Duterte ordered an investigation into Dela Sernas travel expenses and allowances for 2017 which amounted to P 627,293.064 based on the Commission on Audits (COA) report. Dela Serna reimbursed from Philhealth over P60,000 for the said travels. She maintained that the reimbursements were reasonable. Ako ang magbabayad muna (I will pay for it first) then reimburse it. Kaya sabi ko (Thats why I said), all of these went through the accounting process because its a reimbursement, not a direct disbursement of the corporation and this is for the whole of 2017, Dela Serna explained. Dela Serna said she already explained her side to COA with regard to the audit report. She believes some agency officials are behind the allegations against her probably because of the reforms she has implemented within the agency. She noted that many are questioning her decision to reshuffle 20 of PhilHealths regional directors. However, she maintained that she is just following the directive of the President to conduct internal cleansing on the ranks of PhilHealth. Kung lumulutang man ito (ay) dahil mayroon akong nasasagasaan. Ganoon yata talaga sa government kung gagawa ako ng changes, ito (ang) magiging buhay ko which is ito ang nangyayari ngayon sa tingin ko, Dela Serna lamented. (This is happening because I may have offended people. Maybe thats really how it is in government.that if I introduce change, this is how my life will turn out; maybe thats whats happening here.) Meanwhile, Malacanang assured a fair investigation on the matter. Story continues Talagang bibigyan po ng importansya ang paglilinis sa hanay ng PhilHealth, Roque said. Mon Jocson / Marje Pelayo | UNTV News & Rescue The post PhilHealth chief pleads to Duterte to hear her side over corruption controversy appeared first on UNTV News. An artists conception of an urban air mobility environment, where air vehicles with a variety of missions and with or without pilots, are able to interact safely and efficiently. Credit: NASA / Lillian Gipson There was a time when people and goods were moved through the crowded city on the ground, restricted to the busy street surfaces by necessity and gravity. So, inspired visionaries considered new ways to get about town and dreamt of innovative flying machines that could safely transport passengers and ship cargo within the urban jungle by rising above the congestion below. No, we're not talking about the Wright Brothers in 1903. This is the new era in air transportation that NASA and a community of government, industry and academic partners are working together on, right now. The goal, known as Urban Air Mobility (UAM), is a safe and efficient air transportation system where everything from small package delivery drones to passenger-carrying air taxis operate over populated areas, from small towns to the largest cities. And it's no dream. "The convergence of technologies, and new business models enabled by the digital revolution, is making it possible to explore this new way for people and cargo to move within our cities," said Jaiwon Shin, NASA's associate administrator for aeronautics research. But there's still much research to be done, tests performed, demonstrations conducted, and operating rules and regulations to be written and adopted before you should expect same-day package delivery by air on the roof of your office building downtown. Leading the Way To that end, NASA is committed to leading the UAM community to identify the key challenges still ahead, and is exploring the research, development and testing requirements needed to address those challenges. NASA's part in this process, Shin said, reminds him of the quote often attributed to President John F. Kennedy, who was fond of saying "A rising tide lifts all boats." NASA-developed technology and systems related to UAM will help lift a new aerial marketplace to success. It's a role within aviation NASA has successfully played throughout its history, beginning more than a century ago with its predecessor organization, the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics. A test site pilot launches his drone on another planned maneuver during a field demonstration coordinated by NASA's Unmanned Aircraft Systems Traffic Management project. Credit: NUAIR Alliance / Eric Miller The result is that, today, every U.S. airplane and air traffic control facility has on board, or relies in some way on, aeronautics technology that originated with NASA. The story is expected to be no different for UAM, which NASA began exploring as early as 2003 when a NASA researcher presented a conference paper entitled "Personal Air Vehicles: A Rural/Regional and Intra-Urban On-Demand Transportation System." Building its expertise in this area, NASA continued to study the topic and in 2016 published a study about On-Demand Mobility, the results of which helped inspire and define a path for turning the UAM vision into reality. "Now, our goals are to help develop and enable as much as possible what we like to think of as an entire ecosystem when it comes to Urban Air Mobility," said Davis Hackenberg, a NASA engineer who is helping to coordinate the agency's UAM activities. "We're looking at the best ways to do this and learning a lot as we go," he said. NASA's aeronautical innovators at four of its research field centers in California, Ohio and Virginia are supporting UAM through a number of projects and have been working to identify the best ways NASA can help. At the top of the list: safety. NASA and its partners are working with the Federal Aviation Administration to come up with a way to safely manage all of these low-flying aircraft so they do not interfere with or burden the current air traffic control system that manages the national airspace. In fact, NASA's Unmanned Aircraft Systems Traffic Management project, which has already conducted several successful demonstrations managing small drones in flight under various conditions, could be very helpful as a foundational tool for UAM researchers to take advantage of in developing their air traffic management system. But safety is a key driver for more than just air traffic management. NASA is looking to ensure the entire UAM system and every iteration along the way is operated with a high degree of safety, and that all air vehicles do not generate unacceptable levels of noise. Another area where NASA's strengths already are assisting UAM air vehicle development is with its electric propulsion research. An artists conception of how on-demand aircraft could be integrated into daily life in different communities. Credit: NASA / Advanced Concepts Laboratory Hybrid-electric or all-electric-powered vertical takeoff and landing air vehicles are likely to dominate UAM operations over cities thanks to their significantly reduced, or even zero emissions, as well as relatively quiet operation. Earlier this month, NASA made available to the entire UAM community extensive technical data gathered from its still-ongoing X-57 Maxwell project, which is an all-electric propulsion experimental research airplane. The shared data comes from more than 25 publicly available documents written by the X-57 team, who already are working with regulators on how best to approach certifying their new ideas for flight all of which can be helpful to the UAM community. All Partners Welcome "The key to success in making UAM a reality is the opportunity for NASA to work with a large, diverse set of partners," Hackenberg said. Building the UAM ecosystem requires expertise in many areas, including those where NASA traditionally has not had strong expertise. So, essentially, the more partners NASA has in this effort the merrier. "There are several areas that have not been 'traditional NASA,' but in order to understand the entire landscape and develop this entire UAM ecosystem, we need to consider everything and work with those who can help us," Hackenberg said. For example, part of the UAM model could include "vertiports" dedicated platforms where an air vehicle can take off or land as close to its customer's final destination as possible. Such platforms would come with certain infrastructure requirements power, secure access, cleared landscaping that are likely to involve real estate developers, property managers, utility companies, and local government officials and civil engineers. "These are entities and people that NASA in the past hasn't really partnered with on projects of this scale," Hackenberg said. "They will be able to help us with our challenges, while at the same time we can provide our expertise so they can better understand what the UAM community's needs are." And while NASA intends to remain a leader in the areas where it can best help, Hackenberg said the agency is keenly aware of the importance of listening to the UAM community to be sure everyone is on the same page and moving in the same direction. "Traveling by personal air vehicle will become commonplace in the future, and NASA wants to help the UAM community to make it happen," he said. Explore further NASA hires Lockheed Martin to build quiet, supersonic plane Oslo, Norway 8 May 2018 - The shareholders of PCI Biotech Holding ASA are invited to attend the Annual General Meeting 2018 at Oslo Cancer Cluster Innovation Park. Time: Monday May 29, 10am CEST (local time). Venue: Jonas Einarsson Auditorium (2nd floor, entrance 2B), Oslo Cancer Cluster Innovation Park, Ullernchausseen 64, Oslo, Norway. Please find attached Notice of the Annual General Meeting including attendance and proxy forms, executive remuneration statement, proposed updated articles of associations and the recommendation from the Nomination Committee. The notice including attendance and proxy forms will be mailed to all shareholders with known address. The complete notice is available at PCI Biotech's corporate website www.pcibiotech.com. For further information, please contact: Ronny Skuggedal, CFO E-mail: rs@pcibiotech.no Office: +47 67 11 54 00 Mobile: +47 94 00 57 57 Is Audi's A6 model guilty of cheating on emissions tests? German luxury carmaker Audi on Tuesday said it had detected "irregularities" in the emissions controls of recent A6/A7 models, prompting it to halt deliveries in the latest twist in the "dieselgate" scandal dogging parent company Volkswagen. Audi's admission came after Germany's transport ministry said the KBA vehicle licensing authority was investigating suspicions the carmaker had installed a new "illegal defeat device" in some 60,000 A6/A7 models worldwide. The revelations were first reported by news weekly Der Spiegel, which said mass recalls were "highly likely". Around half the affected cars were sold in Germany. According to Spiegel, the cars contain software that deliberately slows down the use of a special pollution-neutralising fluid in the final 2,400 kilometres (1,500 miles) of its life span, to avoid drivers having to refill the so-called AdBlue liquid in between regular service updates. But reducing the AdBlue function also drastically lowers its effectiveness in neutralising the engine's harmful nitrogen oxides emissions, making the diesel cars far more polluting during that time. It is the latest diesel headache to hit the Volkswagen group, still reeling from last week's bombshell that former CEO Martin Winterkorn has been indicted in the United States for his role in the "dieselgate" emissions rigging scam that has engulfed the group since 2015. 'Full disclosure' Audi, a VW subsidiary, said in a statement that it had itself reported the A6/A7 irregularities to the authorities as soon as they were detected in routine testing and "immediately halted deliveries" of those models. Audi chief executive Rupert Stadler said the company had taken swift action "because full disclosure lies in our highest interest". Customers would be notified and offered a software update, Audi said. It added that it would cooperate with the inquiries launched by the KBA transport authority, which earlier said it had asked Audi for clarifications. Audi chief executive Rupert Stadler says "full disclosure lies in our highest interest" It's not the first time the German car industry has been accused of AdBlue tampering, with Daimler and Volkswagen both facing the threat of recalls over similar accusations in February. The alleged AdBlue scam differs from the one that sparked Volkswagen's "dieselgate" crisis, which involved software installed in some 11 million diesels globally that could detect when a vehicle was undergoing pollution tests and reduce emissions accordingly. Outside the lab however, the cars were vastly more polluting, spewing up to 40 times more toxic gases than legally allowed. The scandal, which involved VW's own brand cars but also those made by Audi, Porsche, Skoda and Seat, has so far cost the group more than 25 billion euros ($31 billion) in buybacks, fines and compensation, and the company remains mired in legal woes at home and abroad. US legal woes Earlier Tuesday, German daily Bild reported that VW boss Herbert Diess travelled to the United States on May 1 where he met with investigators from the FBI and justice ministry probing the dieselgate scam. Two days later, Winterkorn was indicted on charges that include conspiracy to defraud the US and wire fraud. American prosecutors believe Winterkorn, who resigned days after the cheating was made public, knew of the cheating as early as May 2014 but decided to continue with the fraud. Winterkorn has always denied prior knowledge and is unlikely to end up in US custody as Germany doesn't have an extradition treaty with the Washington. According to German media, Diess himself won assurances from US authorities that he is free to travel to the US and elsewhere and that they would inform him in advance if he were to be charged or if any arrest warrants against him were issued. A Volkswagen spokesman declined to comment on the reports when contacted by AFP. Explore further German police raid Porsche execs in diesel probe 2018 AFP Credit: UNIL A team of researchers from Switzerland, France and New Zealand has found evidence suggesting that the bridgehead effect is a major driver for invasive species infections. In their paper published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, the group describes their study of global alien ant spread and how they believe it has come about. Ants are among the most invasive species on the planet. They now exist on every continent except Antarctica. An impressive 241 species have been recorded as being transported by humans to new geographic locations, and 19 of those are considered invasive. But not all invasions occur as the result of direct transport. Some species have managed to invade one place, survive, and then migrate to anothera process known as the bridgehead effect. These secondary invasions, the team reports, appear to be a major driver for new infestations. To learn more about invasive species, the researchers focused only on ants. They looked at data from two major sourcesboth using border inspection data. One dataset came from 4,533 border interceptions in the US covering the years 1914 to 1984. The second from New Zealand covering the years 1955 to 2013. The U.S. data revealed that 51 distinct ant species were observed while the New Zealand dataset recorded 45 alien species. But what was surprising, the team noted, was that most of the alien species did not arrive from the species origin point, but from a secondary location. More specifically, they found that 75.7 percent of the ant interceptions in the U.S. came from secondary locationsthe number was even higher for New Zealand at 87.8 percent. They also noticed that the interceptions increased when they came from countries that were physically closer. And they further noted that in some instances, ants that traveled the most tended to be more successful in invading a secondary location. And the more they settled elsewhere, they more they moved to other placessetting up a snowball scenario. The findings show that it is not enough simply to account for the original location of an invasive species. To better understand how plants and animals make their way across geographic spans, researchers need to follow the hops they make as well. Explore further New Zealand could reduce outbreaks of invasive species by selectively choosing trade partners More information: Cleo Bertelsmeier el al., "Recurrent bridgehead effects accelerate global alien ant spread," PNAS (2018). Cleo Bertelsmeier el al., "Recurrent bridgehead effects accelerate global alien ant spread,"(2018). www.pnas.org/cgi/doi/10.1073/pnas.1801990115 Abstract Biological invasions are a major threat to biological diversity, agriculture, and human health. To predict and prevent new invasions, it is crucial to develop a better understanding of the drivers of the invasion process. The analysis of 4,533 border interception events revealed that at least 51 different alien ant species were intercepted at US ports over a period of 70 years (19141984), and 45 alien species were intercepted entering New Zealand over a period of 68 years (19552013). Most of the interceptions did not originate from species' native ranges but instead came from invaded areas. In the United States, 75.7% of the interceptions came from a country where the intercepted ant species had been previously introduced. In New Zealand, this value was even higher, at 87.8%. There was an overrepresentation of interceptions from nearby locations (Latin America for species intercepted in the United States and Oceania for species intercepted in New Zealand). The probability of a species' successful establishment in both the United States and New Zealand was positively related to the number of interceptions of the species in these countries. Moreover, species that have spread to more continents are also more likely to be intercepted and to make secondary introductions. This creates a positive feedback loop between the introduction and establishment stages of the invasion process, in which initial establishments promote secondary introductions. Overall, these results reveal that secondary introductions act as a critical driver of increasing global rates of invasions. Journal information: Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences 2018 Phys.org Adaptability has been highlighted as essential for teachers, given the constantly changing demands of teaching work. Credit: Shutterstock Every few months, there are reports about the prevalence of poor well-being and high attrition among teachers. These reports describe many teachers as stressed or burnt out. Between 8% and 30% of Australian teachers are choosing to leave the profession each year. Alongside these issues are ongoing difficulties related to the retention of quality teachers in particular geographic locations (such as in remote areas) and subject areas (such as science). In a recent study, we examined one factor teachers' adaptability and the extent to which it might help promote teachers' well-being and reduce attrition. What is adaptability? Experiences of change, novelty, and uncertainty are common to all humans. These include major events such as beginning school, moving out of home, and starting a new job. They also include more everyday events such as a change in job role, having to think of alternative transport when a flat car battery strikes, or having unexpected guests join for dinner. The extent to which we are able to adjust our thoughts, actions, and emotions in order to successfully respond to these types of situations is known as adaptability. This involves adjusting the way we think about the situation to consider different options, undertaking different actions to better navigate the situation, and minimising emotions (like anxiety or frustration) that may be unhelpful or distracting. Why is adaptability important for teachers? Just as general life is full of changing, new, and uncertain situations, so are our working livesand especially the working lives of teachers. For example, at work teachers regularly: encounter a diverse range of learners to whom they must respond appropriately face unexpected situations in the classroom or shifts in timetabling that they need to navigate interact with with new colleagues, students, and parents integrate new and changing knowledge from professional learning into their teaching practices. All of these situations require teachers to adapt in order to successfully navigate them. Adapting may involve adjusting lesson pacing to better engage students, minimising frustration when a lesson is not going according to plan, or adapting one's approach to collaboration to work well with a new colleague. Adaptability is something teachers require on a regular basis and likely plays an important role in helping them to navigate the demands of their work. In our prior research, we found support for this. We found when teachers were more adaptable, they tended to report better well-being. We also examined whether there were additional connections with students' achievement. Results showed when teachers were more adaptable, and so had better well-being, their students had higher achievement. What did we discover? In a new study, we asked 164 Australian secondary school teachers to rate their adaptability along with their experiences of work disengagement and their job commitment. Work disengagement occurs when teachers continue to do their work, but they invest little or no effort; that is, they have largely "given up". This is a negative experience for teachers and usually occurs when teachers feel they can do little to influence their workplace experiences. Job commitment refers to teachers' attachment to and personal identification with their workplace. When teachers have high job commitment, they tend to invest more effort into their work and are less likely to quit their jobs. Our results showed when teachers were more adaptable, they tended to report lower work disengagement and, in turn, greater job commitment. For this finding, it's possible adaptable teachers are better able to effectively navigate the constant change, novelty, and uncertainty that occur in teaching. This may help them avoid the feelings of helplessness that lead to disengagement. In turn, when teachers put in little effort and have largely "given up", then it's unlikely they would feel attachment to or personal identification with their job. As an additional question in our study, we also looked at the role of principal support. Here, we asked teachers about the extent to which they felt the principal listens to teachers' perspectives (such as inviting teachers' input in decisions) and supports their initiative and innovation (such as providing teachers with choices in how they do their work). Our findings showed when teachers reported more principal support, they tended to be more adaptable. How to support adaptability in teachers Adaptability has been highlighted as essential for teachers, given the constantly changing demands of teaching work. Our research has shown adaptability may also help teachers avoid feelings of disengagement and, in turn, avoid lower job commitment. And so adaptability may be one factor to consider in efforts to support teachers' well-being and promote teacher retention. Given principal support was also an important factor, our study provided some ideas for supporting adaptability in practice. Actions by principals such as inviting teachers' input in decisions, providing teachers with choices in curriculum and policy development, listening to teachers' perspectives, and expressing confidence in teachers' abilities have been highlighted as supportive of teachers' sense of empowerment and belonging in the workplace. Together, these approaches may also help teachers to be more adaptable at work. Explore further Retaining older teachers for secondary education This article was originally published on The Conversation. Read the original article. An infrared image of the binary CS Cha with the newly discovered companion in the dotted circle. After a mouse click you can see the image viewed with special polarization filters that make dust discs and exoplanets visible. The companion seems to have his own dust disc. Credit: C. Ginski & SPHERE An international team of astronomers headed by Dutch researchers from Leiden University has coincidently found a small companion around the young double star CS Cha. The astronomers examined the dust disc of the binary, while they stumbled upon the companion. The researchers suspect that it is a planet in his toddler years that is still growing. The astronomers used the SPHERE instrument on the European Very Large Telescope in Chile. They will soon publish their findings in an article that is accepted by the journal Astronomy & Astrophysics. The binary star CS Cha and his special companion are located some six hundred light years away from Earth in a star formation area in the southern constellation Chameleon. The double star is just two to three million years young. The researchers wanted to study the star to search for a dust disc and for planets in the making. During their research on the binary star, the astronomers saw a small dot on the edge of their images. The researchers dived into the telescope archives and discovered the dot, but much fainter, also on 19 year old photographs taken with the Hubble Space Telescope and on 11 year old photographs of the Very Large Telescope. Thanks to the old photographs, the astronomers were able to show that the companion moves with the binary and that they belong together. What the companion looks like and how it was formed is unclear. The researchers tried to fit various models on the observations, but they do not give a hundred percent certainty. The companion may be a small brown dwarf star, but it can also be a big super-Jupiter. An infrared image of the binary star and the newly discovered companion, but now viewed with special polarization filters that make dust discs and exoplanets visible. The companion seems to have his own dust disc. Credit: C. Ginski & SPHERE Lead author Christian Ginski (Leiden Observatory, Leiden University) explains: "The most exciting part is that the light of the companion is highly polarized. Such a preference in the direction of polarization usually occurs when light is scattered along the way. We suspect that the companion is surrounded by his own dust disc. The tricky part is that the disc blocks a large part of the light and that is why we can hardly determine the mass of the companion. So it could be a brown dwarf but also a super-Jupiter in his toddler years. The classical planet-forming-models can't help us." In the future, the researchers want to examine the star and the companion in more detail. They want to use the international ALMA telescope on the Chajnantor plateau in the North Chilean Andes. Infographic of the binary star CS Cha and its surrounding dust disc (left) with the newly discovered companion (right). The companion is located at more than 214 times the distance earth-sun fromthe binary, but clearly belongs to the system. The whole system is about 165 parsec (538 light years) away from Earth. Credit: C. Ginski/G.A. Muro Arena SPHERE SPHERE is the abbreviation of Spectro-Polarimetric High-contrast Exoplanet REsearch instrument. It is a powerful planet hunter that is attached to the European Very Large Telescope at Cerro Paranal in northern Chile. The instrument has partly been developed in the Netherlands. SPHERE can make direct images of exoplanets and dust discs around stars. The instrument bypasses the bright star and looks specifically at polarized light that is reflected by the atmosphere of an exoplanet or the dust disc around a star. Explore further SPHERE reveals fascinating zoo of discs around young stars More information: First direct detection of a polarized companion outside of a resolved circumbinary disk around CS Cha. , accepted for publication in Astronomy and Astrophysics. arxiv.org/abs/1805.02261 Journal information: Astronomy & Astrophysics , Astronomy and Astrophysics First direct detection of a polarized companion outside of a resolved circumbinary disk around CS Cha. , accepted for publication in Satellite data can show environmental shifts in protected areas like the Camargue wetlands, where rising sea levels have a damaging impact. Credit: Nathalie Ducrot, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0 In March 2018, French scientists reported a steep decline in the country's bird populations, primarily as a result of agricultural activity. Causes include the increase in monoculture, detrimental land-use policies and, perhaps most importantly, the growth in the use of powerful pesticides such as neonicotinoids, which, by killing off insects, reduces the bird population by reducing the food available to them. With an average decline of 33%, a host of once-common farmland bird species is disappearingthe grey partridge, the Eurasian skylark, the meadow pipit and many others. Although devastating, this news was no surprise to scientists at Ecopotential, an ecosystem monitoring project that tracks protected areas around the world to analyse environmental shifts. As part of their work, researchers analysed data from the Camargue natural reserve near Arles in southern France. Sandwiched between the Mediterranean sea and the mouth of the Rhone, the wetland reserve is Western Europe's largest river delta. Surrounded by a large cultivated area, the Camargue wetlands have been a haven for wildlife and birds since becoming a protected area in 1927. Now, however, a combination of agriculture and rising sea levels are damaging Camargue's pristine wetlands, home to dozens of bird species and France's only breeding colony of flamingos. Environmental shifts Ecopotential uses satellite data from powerful Sentinel satellites launched by the European Space Agency in 2014, which allows researchers to observe minute variations in protected habitats with sensors that can focus on areas as small as 10 square metres. Dr. Antonello Provenzale, director of the Institute of Geosciences and Earth Resources in Pisa, Italy, is the project's coordinator. The scientific community has used satellite imagery for at least 30 years, he says, but this project integrates the data with local measurements to create rich maps of information that give practical help to those working on the ground. 'The resolution provided by Sentinels allows us to look at the fine grain of the ecosystems,' Dr. Provenzale said. 'What is new is the way we use the information, blending it with the in-situ field measurements and simulation models.' Environmental change is happening more quickly than the researchers had envisaged, with protected areasand the species they shelterunder pressure from a number of different angles at once. Climate change isn't the only problem, although it is significant. Increased use of land for agriculture, encroachment by invasive species and poaching are combining to accelerate its impact. The trajectory of the tropical tiger mosquito, a pest responsible for transmitting illnesses like dengue fever and the Zika virus, is one example. The insect made its way to Europe from Southeast Asia by train, boat and even car, independent of climate changebut the fact that it found a warm and convenient place to breed enabled it to gain a foothold in Europe. Ecosystem services Change itself is not bad, as Dr. Provenzale points out. But the rate of change and the manner in which it is occurring puts ecosystems at risk. It also has the effect of reducing the net benefits these environmental resources offer humansso-called 'ecoysystem services'such as providing and purifying our air and water, capturing carbon dioxide gas, preventing soil erosion and providing practical resources like raw materials, wood and food. Then there are economic benefits from fishing, tourism and other recreational uses, as well as a more abstract benefit from its heritage value. 'There is a type of service which is very difficult to quantify,' Dr. Provenzale said. 'The biodiversity, the fact that it took millions of years to develop and we should preserve it even though we don't fully understand what it means in all situations.' But, 'it is not a catastrophe yet,' Dr. Provenzale suggests. 'Can we improve our lifestyle without destroying the source of the benefits?' he said. 'These questions are at the back of the mind of every scientist working on the natural world.' One of the world's most essential ecosystem services is water, a basic element in human survival. Another monitoring project, the Satellite-based Wetland Observation Service (SWOS) coordinated by German space company Jena-Optronik, is also using data from ESA Sentinel satellites to chart what is happening in the world's wetland areas. Wetlands are home to more than 100,000 types of amphibians, reptiles and birds. As ecosystems, they are also among the most at risk from human activity. Since 1900, 64% of wetlands are estimated to have disappeared, and as the world's population rises they are increasingly in demand as sources of water and for agriculture. The threats to wetlands from human activity are varied and imposingirrigation, settlements whose populations take water for drinking, or the conversion of natural wetlands for artificial purposes such as rice paddies. Oasis SWOS develops standards and tools for the satellite-based analysis of the ecology of wetlands and provides information to decision makers on the ground. One region the project focuses on is Azraq in Jordan, a permanent oasis around 100km from Amman, the capital of Jordan, with a population of 4 million. In 2014, Azraq became home to 36,000 refugees from Syria, in a camp set up by Jordan and the UNHCRwhich placed increasing demands on the fresh water oasis. Azraq, meaning blue in Arabic, was once a lush parkland hosting cheetah and gazellescreatures now decimated by hunting. The oasis itself is so depleted that Jordan has begun to pump water from another source in the south of the country. It's a conundrum local people are trying to resolve as they seek a balance between competing human and ecological needs, says Kathrin Weise, the project co-ordinator of SWOS. She stresses that SWOS is not a political project but provides information and recommendations for policymakers. 'We do not influence any political decisions directly, Weise explained, 'It's the task of political people to find solutions for wetland protection and restoration.' Explore further Image: Tunis wetlands This week marks the 26th anniversary of the explosion at the Westray mine in the Nova Scotia community of Plymouth. Sparks in the mine combined with methane gas to cause an explosion that killed 26 men on May 9, 1992. In the inquiry that followed, many people and organizations were singled out as contributing to the event, but no criminal convictions resulted. Today, the people of Lac-Megantic in Quebec share a similar tragic fate as the people of Plymouth. The July 2013 train derailment in Lac-Megantic killed 47 and wiped out the town's downtown core. Despite the trials and investigations, we are left wondering who is responsible. After the failure of complex systems that result in deadly disasters, we struggle to hold people to account. Organizational anthropologists refer to four types of accountability: Market, bureaucratic, community and randomness. Each type characterizes accountability differently; all have strengths and important limitations. Markets and the law Markets punish organizations after disasters; share values tumble and lawsuits mount. Many companies do not survive. Low-probability/high-consequence events like these, however, cannot be left to markets alone to address. Markets encourage people to take chances and cut costs; they incentivize organizations to offload costs on others and not disclose information about vulnerabilities. The highly integrated nature of supply chains means that one small failure can sometimes have a massive cascading effect. The concept of insurance a common social response to managing risk is also limited because these events involve so many organizations, are expensive and occur so rarely that there is a dearth of reliable predictive data. As American economist J. David Cummins emphasizes: "Catastrophic events, and particularly mega-catastrophes such as Katrina and the WTC terrorist attack, violate to some degree nearly all of the standard conditions for insurability." Legal mechanisms have similar challenges; it is very difficult to find one smoking gun. Last year, Ontario Superior Court Justice Edward Gareau found Robert Wood not guilty of criminal charges stemming from the Algo Centre mall collapse in Elliot Lake, Ont., that killed two people and injured more than 20, partly because there were too many people involved to hold one person to account. The judge, troubled by his own verdict, declared Wood had to accept moral responsibility for the event, a vague and unenforceable concept. Other legal mechanisms are also limited. Non-disclosure agreements, as we saw in Lac-Megantic, can be an efficient way to compensate victims, but they also shelter those who are responsible. After Westray, the so-called Westray bill amended Canada's Criminal Code to extend the criminal liability of corporations in the field of health and safety. Only five employers have served time for fatality-related incidents since it was enacted in 2004. Public bureaucracies We value public bureaucracies because of their specialization, stability and clarity of accountability; they can also manage big projects for the public good. But big projects can also result in big failures, and as projects become larger and more complex, it makes it harder for bureaucracies to identify who is responsible. That in turn facilitates blame-shifting and the practice of sweeping indiscretions under the carpet. Senior public officials don't want to take responsibility for failures that they did not create themselves. They do not want to be blamed for policy decisions taken by politicians, or for underfunding. Yet the "behind the curtain" tendencies of public servants in times of disaster erodes trust in governance. When asked in 2015 whether any public servants lost their jobs because of the events in Lac-Megantic, then-federal transport minister Lisa Raitt could not give a straight answer. Inquiries are crucial for understanding the circumstances surrounding disasters. Westminster-style governments have a tendency to establish inquiries. Still, governments, which are often in a conflict of interest in these matters, don't always call them. When they do, it's sometimes simply to ease short-term political pressure. But inquiries are limited by their mandates, can only make recommendations and are only as good as our willingness to learn from and act on them. Community accountability Community accountability occurs when a community is held accountable to itself. Here, the concept of "community" is malleable; it refers to a group with a shared identity. Restorative justice embodies aspects of community accountability; some call it "face-to-face" accountability. Unlike a bureaucratic approach, a community approach can be deeply personal. Following the deaths of six people due to water contamination in 2000, Ontario's Walkerton inquiry demonstrated shades of a community approach when Justice Dennis O'Connor chose to hold the inquiry in the town of Walkerton itself and allowed residents to provide personal accounts of the impact of the tragedy. But there are challenges. Community accountability is oriented inward to the community, not outward to broader society, which also needs to learn about the systemic failures. Communities can fragment under this pressure; if the finger-pointing gets too intense, the community breaks down. Communities can also feel anger towards outside organizations that they distrust. Following the Cave Creek disaster in New Zealand in which 13 youth and one adult died after a poorly constructed lookout point collapsed in a national park and no one was ever convicted of a crime the lawyer representing the government claimed that some people were simply out for revenge. A random world A new dynamic is emerging from our networked society: Randomness. In a random world, bad things happen; the world is a chaotic place, unworthy of trust or rational risk assessment. Social media typifies this chaotic universe. As European scholar Pieter Rutsaert and his colleagues emphasize, social media "has the potential to develop a seemingly small-scale risk into a full-blown crisis." Accountability can also be random, underpinned by the fickle finger of fate. Following the recent school shooting in Parkland, Fla., an online campaign emerged demanding that Mountain Equipment Co-op drop any products related to Vista Outdoor because it was a manufacturer of guns; other organizations managed to avoid the online scrutiny. Media amplifies some tragedies and plays down others. Events that happen on the weekend, for example, get more coverage. In this context, the prominence of an event is driven by visuals and by the emotional weight of the story, which can be light on facts. This dynamic results in people developing defensive posturing, adaptive capacity and brand management. How we hold people to account after disasters is deeply embedded in social context; it is a legal question and a moral one. When catastrophic events occur, we must consider the social and technological pressures that shape our behaviours and inform our accountability systems. We must emphasize learning, transparency and ethical conduct, and maintain public confidence in our overall system of governance. Recent events suggest there is much work to do. Explore further Striking the right balance between secrecy and accountability when undercover policing goes wrong This article was originally published on The Conversation. Read the original article. Large-diameter trees in the Douglas-fir/western hemlock forest of Winder River, Washinton, USA Credit: James Lutz/Utah State University The top 1% of the forest has been sharing some vital information with researchers. Ninety-eight scientists and thousands of field staff have concluded the largest study undertaken to date with the Smithsonian Forest Global Earth Observatory (ForestGEO), and what they have found will have profound implications toward ecological theories and carbon storage in forests. Rather than examining tree species diversity in temperate and tropical ecosystems, this global study emphasized forest structure over a vast scale. Using large forest plots from 21 countries and territories, Utah State researchers found that, on average, the largest 1% of trees in mature and older forests comprised 50% of forest biomass worldwide. Furthermore, the amount of carbon that forests can sequester depends mostly on the abundance of big trees. The size of the largest trees was found to be even more important to forest biomass than high densities of small and medium trees. Lead author Jim Lutz, Assistant Professor at Utah State University said, "Big trees provide functions that cannot be duplicated by small or medium-sized trees. They provide unique habitat, strongly influence the forest around them, and store large amounts of carbon." This study has shown that the structure of the forest is as important to consider as species diversity - the largest trees follow their own set of rules. Using 48 of the large forest dynamics plots from around the world coordinated by the Smithsonian ForestGEO Program, scientists were able to examine the variability of forest structure on a consistent basis. Co-author Dan Johnson, Research Associate at Utah State University said, "Having a worldwide group of scientists following the same methods offers us unique opportunities to explore forests at a global scale. This is a really wonderful group of scientists united by a passion for deepening our understanding of forests." Tropical forests are well known to typically have many more species than temperate forests. However, this study found that temperate forests have higher structural complexity, both in terms of different tree sizes within an area and also between adjacent areas of forest. Co-lead author Tucker Furniss, PhD student at Utah State University said, "The distribution of big trees has not been well explained by theory. Our results emphasize the importance of considering these rare, but disproportionately important ecosystem elements. We clearly need more applied and theoretical research on these important big trees." The researchers also found that the largest trees are representatives of the more common tree species. The ability of some trees in any given forest to reach very large sizes relative to the other trees and concentrate resources seems to be a global phenomenon. "Big trees are special." Continued Lutz. "They take a long time to regrow if they are eliminated from a forest. Making sure that we conserve some big trees in forests can promote and maintain all the benefits that forests provide to us." Large-diameter trees in the sugar pine/white fir forest of Yosemite National Park, California, USA Credit: James Lutz/Utah State University Explore further Drought-induced changes in forest composition amplify effects of climate change More information: James A. Lutz et al, Global importance of large-diameter trees, Global Ecology and Biogeography (2018). Journal information: Global Ecology and Biogeography James A. Lutz et al, Global importance of large-diameter trees,(2018). DOI: 10.1111/geb.12747 Qimiao Si. Credit: Jeff Fitlow/Rice University A 2017 theory proposed by Rice University physicists to explain the contradictory behavior of an iron-based high-temperature superconductor is helping solve a puzzle in a different type of unconventional superconductor, the "heavy fermion" compound known as CeCu 2 Si 2 . An international team from the U.S., China, Germany and Canada reported the findings this week in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS). The study focused on a cerium, copper and silicon composite whose strange behavior in 1979 helped usher in the multidisciplinary field of quantum materials. That year, a team led by Max Planck Institute's Frank Steglich, a co-author on the PNAS paper, found that CeCu 2 Si 2 became a superconductor at extremely cold temperatures. The mechanism of superconductivity couldn't be explained by existing theory, and the finding was so unexpected and unusual that many physicists initially refused to accept it. The 1986 discovery of superconductivity at even higher temperatures in copper ceramics crystalized interest in the field and came to dominate the career of theoretical physicists like Rice's Qimiao Si, a PNAS study co-author and the Harry C. and Olga K. Wiess Professor of Physics and Astronomy. Si, whose decadeslong collaboration with Steglich has led to almost two dozen peer-reviewed studies, said, "In my wildest dreams, I had not thought that the theory that we proposed for the iron-based superconductors would come back to the other part of my life, which is the heavy-fermion superconductors." Heavy fermions, like high-temperature superconductors, are what physicists call quantum materials because of the key role that quantum forces play in their behavior. In high-temperature superconductors, for example, electrons form pairs and flow without resistance at temperatures considerably warmer than those needed for conventional superconductivity. In heavy fermions, electrons appear to be thousands of times more massive than they should. In 2001, Si, who also directs the Rice Center for Quantum Materials (RCQM), offered a pioneering theory that these phenomena arise at critical transition points, tipping points where changes in pressure or other conditions bring about a transition from one quantum state to another. At the tipping point, or "quantum critical point," electrons can develop a kind of split personality as they attempt to straddle the line between states. The case of superconductivity illustrates how this can play out. In a normal copper wire, electrical resistance arises when flowing electrons jostle and bump against atoms in the wire. Each bump costs a small amount of energy, which is lost to heat. In superconductors, the electrons avoid this loss by pairing up and flowing in unison, without any bumps. Because electrons are among the most antisocial of subatomic particles, they repel one another and pair up only in extraordinary circumstances. In the case of conventional superconductors, tiny variations in the spacing between atoms in a supercooled wire can coax the electrons into a marriage of convenience. The mechanism in unconventional superconductors is different. "Our unifying understanding is that if two electrons work really hard to repel one other, there can still be an attractive force," Si said. "If I am moving because I don't like being close to you, and you are doing the same, and yet we cannot be too far apart, it becomes a kind of dance. The pairs in high-temperature superconductors move in relation to one another, not unlike two dance partners that spin, even as they move together across the dance floor." The 2017 theory put forward by Si and then-graduate student Emilian Nica, now a postdoctoral research associate at the University of British Columbia's Quantum Materials Institute, posited that selective pairing within atomic orbitals could explain some puzzling experimental results from some of the highest-temperature superconductors, alkaline iron selenides. Some experiments had shown that the pairs in alkaline iron selenides behaved as if they had an angular momentum of zero, which physicists refer to with the term s-wave, while other experiments indicated the pairs had an angular momentum of two, which physicists call d-wave. This difference is profound because angular momentum is a fundamental identifier for electrons. Just as apples and oranges are found in different bins at the grocery story, s-wave and d-wave pairings don't mix and are found in different materials. "What Nica's thesis introduced was that you can have a superconducting state in which electron pairs associated with one orbital of a subshell are very different from those of another closely related orbital in the same subshell because they have an opposite sign," Si said. "The reason we proposed this multi-orbital pairing state was because measurements of some things, like magnetic responses, would show that the alkaline iron selenides had canonical d-wave features, and other measurements, like angular resolved photo emission, revealed attributes associated with s-wave superconductors. "The experiments in the iron-based superconductor had already been done, and we offered an explanation, a pairing state that was both stable and robust, and yet had all these seemingly contradictory properties that were experimentally observed." When 2017 experiments in Japan revealed some puzzling properties in CeCu 2 Si 2 , Si told Steglich that the orbital-selective theory might be able to account for them. Together, they joined forces with the experimental team of physicist Huiqiu Yuan, deputy director of the Center for Correlated Matter at Zhejiang University in Hangzhou, China, to test the idea. Si and Nica's theory predicted that experiments would reveal a specific set of seemingly contradictory measurements from CeCu2Si2, provided the material could be cooled to a temperature even colder than the tipping point that brings about superconductivity. Yuan's group performed the experiments and confirmed the prediction. "Historical evidence has always been that the pairing in this material is d-wave," Nica said. "But the experiments confirmed that indeed, despite all the overwhelming evidence that it is d-wave, it has a feature called 'fully opened gaps' that is normally associated with s-wave superconductors. Ours is the only theory offered so far that can account for this." Si said, "It's enormously satisfying on several levels. One is that while condensed-matter physics offers many materials that can host fascinating properties, we ultimately are seeking unifying principles, especially as theorists. I have actively searched for these unifying principles for years, but we weren't actively seeking a unifying explanation when we proposed this theory. To see it applied, to such effect, in another completely unexpected setting was a real surprise." Explore further A different spin on superconductivityUnusual particle interactions open up new possibilities in exotic materials Credit: University of Reading The Saharan dust cloud that cast a red glow over the UK last autumn helped scientists to take a step forward in understanding how to prepare for future volcanic eruptions. Smoke from forest fires in Spain and Portugal joined dust from the Sahara in a dense plume carried to the UK on 16 October 2017, in strong winds remaining from Hurricane Ophelia. University of Reading scientists responded immediately by making airborne measurements to investigate the unusual event. Weather balloons designed for volcanic eruptions were sent into the plume, and revealed a strong static charge caused by turbulence within it. The findings, published in Environmental Research Letters, will improve scientists' understanding of how dust clouds behave in the atmosphere. This includes volcanic ash clouds, which frequently ground flights around the world, costing airlines and businesses billions. Professor Giles Harrison, Professor of Atmospheric Physics at the University of Reading, said: "As well as joining everyone else in marvelling at the eerie red sun created by the dust plume, we seized the opportunity to explore it using lasers from below and by sending a balloon directly into it. We think these are the first combined measurements of electric charge and turbulence inside a Saharan dust plume over the UK. "Charging clearly readily occurs in plumes like this one, which changes how dust and smoke particles interact with clouds. Understanding dust behaviour and transport is important because of its effects on climate, air quality, soils and marine life. "Saharan dust clouds behave in a very similar way to volcanic ash clouds, such as the 2010 eruption in Iceland that left millions of airline passengers stranded across Europe, so the benefits of this research are clear." Volcano tech Charging of plume particles influences how fast they fall through the air and how effectively they are removed by water droplets. In the October 2017 event, the dust particles fell into a cloud-forming layer before reaching the ground. The scientists argue that models of dust transport should be updated to incorporate electrical aspects of dust clouds, to better predict how particles are transported over long distances. Dust episodes like the one last autumn can make the sun appear unusually red. This happens because air scatters the blue part of the sunlight, and some dust particles also absorb blue light. Red sunlight remains, which, together with some green and yellow wavelengths passing through the dust layer, leads to red or brown sun and skies. The weather balloons sent into the Saharan dust plume carried the University of Reading's specially developed VOLCLAB technology, which was created for monitoring volcanic ash clouds. Unlike research aircraft, the balloons could be used in the strong winds. Research at the University of Reading is looking to help airlines overcome the problems posed by volcanic eruptions. Scientists are working with British Airways, engine manufacturer Rolls Royce and the Civil Aviation Authority to develop a tool to calculate how much ash a plane encounters along its flight path, and the associated uncertainty, for the first time. This would allow airlines to make more informed decisions on when to cancel flights due to ash in the air. Explore further Desert dust puzzle solved More information: R Giles Harrison et al. Saharan dust plume charging observed over the UK, Environmental Research Letters (2018). Journal information: Environmental Research Letters R Giles Harrison et al. Saharan dust plume charging observed over the UK,(2018). DOI: 10.1088/1748-9326/aabcd9 Global distributions of the sea surface temperature and salinity, which vary among different geographical regions. Credit: The University of Hong Kong Increasing contamination of marine ecosystems by metals such as mercury, cadmium, chromium and nickel is a global environmental concern, because elevated concentrations of metals can pose hazards to marine organisms, and humans who may consume contaminated seafood. Setting water quality criteria (WQC) for metals (i.e., environmental safety limits) is an essential step for assessing and regulating risk levels in the marine environment, and hence offering protection to marine organisms and ecosystem integrity. At present, the current method for deriving WQC of metals in Australia, Europe and North America is primarily based on laboratory data generated by conducting toxicity tests with marine organisms in fixed laboratory conditions (e.g., a fixed combination of temperature and salinity). Such laboratory-derived WQC may not be protective to marine ecosystems because environmental conditions in the natural environment are often very different from those of the laboratory setting. In reality, the environmental conditions vary among different geographic regions (e.g. tropics vs. temperate regions); even in the same region, environmental conditions such as water temperature and salinity change seasonally. Such changes can substantially influence the toxicities of metals to marine organisms. Over the past decade, environmental scientists have been looking for a way to predict the toxicities of metals and derive their WQC for protecting the biodiversity and integrity of marine ecosystems with different environmental conditions. This task is tremendously important to environmental protection. Professor Kenneth Leung, Deputy Director of School of Biological Sciences and Scientist of the Swire Institute of Marine Science of HKU and international collaborators jointly tackled this global issue. The team spent three years developing a novel empirical model for estimating the toxicities and deriving WQC for metals and metalloids in coastal marine environments with variable temperature and salinity regimes. Their method is based on an integration of temperature- and salinity-based species sensitivity distributions (SSDs) with quantitative ion characteristic relationships (QICAR) model, while parts of their model results are validated with empirical data. The team also analysed real-time environmental data of sea surface temperature and salinity in different parts of the world and applied their model to derive provisional site-specific WQC for more than 30 metals and metalloids. The research team made use of big data and developed the novel model for predicting metal toxicities and deriving their site-specific WQC in marine environments worldwide. This important innovation has been published in the latest issue of the international journal Environmental Science & Technology. The results indicate that metal toxicities to marine organisms generally increase with increasing seawater temperature, but the metal toxicities are found to be the lowest at an optimum salinity and increase when the salinity increases or decreases from the optimum salinity. If a WQC of a metal is derived from a laboratory experiment conducted at optimum temperature and salinity, such a WQC is unlikely to be protective to marine organisms living in an environment with higher temperature and lower salinity. The results also suggest that marine species living in warmer waters in the tropical region (including Hong Kong and South China) are more susceptible to metal toxicities than their temperate counterparts. Many governments in Asia such as Hong Kong and Korea often employ temperate toxicity data for deriving WQC or directly adopt the WQC generated from Europe and North America, but such surrogate uses of temperate information for protecting tropical marine ecosystems pose high uncertainty in the margin of safety. The novel method developed by the team will greatly improve the management of metal and metalloids in coastal marine environments worldwide, as environmental authorities can employ this method to derive provisional site-specific WQC for facilitating better ecosystem protection with consideration of specific environmental conditions and potential influences of global climate change. Professor Wu Fengchang said: "Professor Kenneth Leung and his team at HKU have already revealed the temperature- and salinity-dependent toxicity profiles of various pollutants and produced the relevant empirical datasets, while our team at CRAES is good at quantitative structure-activity relationship modelling for metal toxicities. Our complementary knowledge and skills are prerequisite of the success of this collaborative project. We are very delighted to work together." Professor Wu also views that the results of this study will be of enormous benefit in deriving WQC of metals for different parts of marine environments in China and beyond. Professor Kenneth Leung said: "In Hong Kong, salinity in the western marine waters is relatively low due to freshwater discharge from the Pearl River, whereas the salinity in the eastern waters is consistently high because of dominant influence of oceanic currents from Pacific Ocean and South China Sea. With consideration of such salinity differences, the method developed by the team can be readily applied to derive provisional site-specific WQC of metals for enabling better protection to the eastern and western marine ecosystems of Hong Kong, respectively." "Our new method not only enables different countries to derive site-specific WQC of metals for safeguarding their marine environments, it will also bring socioeconomic benefits to societies around the world. It is because we can reduce the number of toxicity tests, use less chemicals in the tests, kill fewer animals, and greatly save money and time for conducting such tests." Professor Leung added. The research team will further investigate the influence of dissolved and suspended organic matter on toxicities of metals in seawater, with a view to improving their model. They will also make use of field-based monitoring data of metal concentrations and marine biodiversity to validate their derived provisional WQC in different water bodies. Explore further Climate change to cause dramatic drop in Persian Gulf biodiversity and fisheries potential More information: Yunsong Mu et al. Model for Predicting Toxicities of Metals and Metalloids in Coastal Marine Environments Worldwide, Environmental Science & Technology (2018). Journal information: Environmental Science & Technology Yunsong Mu et al. Model for Predicting Toxicities of Metals and Metalloids in Coastal Marine Environments Worldwide,(2018). DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.7b06654 SAN DIEGO, May 08, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Patients with drug dependency who enroll in drug rehabilitation programs are required to complete a full medical physical, followed by an MDs written consent to participate in the drug rehabilitation program, as well as intermittent medical follow-ups as needed by each patient. This type of drug rehab center usually considers the members of the drug rehab program to be students rather than patients, who are learning the necessary tools to put their lives back together and reenter society as contributing, law abiding citizens. These students enroll in this type of drug rehabilitation not to recover or be cured of an illness, but rather to learn strategies and methods of coping that they either didnt already know, or had forgotten due to a life of addiction and drug abuse. These learned skills during drug and alcohol rehab will aid each individual to gain the ability to cope with everyday stressors, and teach them how to handle and avoid triggers they have identified through their drug rehab program that would usually lead them to use drugs. This form of drug rehab aims to prepare their students for the re-entry into life as drug-free and equipped with the tools to maintain lifelong abstinence. When the students graduate from the drug rehab center, they know that they do have the option to re-enter the drug rehabilitation program if they feel that they are struggling with their new life and fear relapsing. Continued care after any drug and alcohol rehab is an important part of this type of drug rehab program, as the students at the drug rehab center are aware that they will always have somewhere to turn, and are never completely alone in their struggle with addiction and drug abuse. However, the drug rehabilitation program is intended to allow students to graduate their drug rehab program and successfully enter into their new lives standing on their own two feet, respecting the morals and ethics that they have identified to be their own through their time at rehab, and successfully be proud of the person they have become with the help of the drug treatment center. When a student graduates from this type of drug rehab, they are no longer considered to be recovering addicts, and do not attend weekly meetings, as do those who participate in a 12 step program such as AA. The goal for a student, who has graduated from this type of drug rehab, is that they are recovered from their addition. The final outcome from drug and alcohol rehab is that the student, who is now recovered, is able to achieve his or her goals of starting a new, drug-free life, using the tools learned while in the drug rehab program. This goal is applied to all whom complete this type of drug rehabilitation, whether they attend the drug rehab program in a drug rehab center, while in prison, or just after work or school. Contact Info: Author: Kevin Leonard Organization: TheRecover.com Address: 27420 Jefferson Ave, Temecula, CA 92590 Phone: (888) 510-3898 A photo accompanying this announcement is available at http://resource.globenewswire.com/Resource/Download/ff2e197c-aa57-4b96-a94f-150e518d236d Illustration of the newly identified Palawan moss shrew. Credit: Velizar Simeonovski, Field Museum The Philippines teems with biodiversity: 657 bird species roam and fly throughout the country's 7,641 islands, and over 2,000 fish species swim in the surrounding seas. But beyond these beaked and scaly creatures, the Philippines is also home to the world's greatest concentration per square mile of unique mammal species. One of these speciesa shrew found around 5,000 feet above sea levelmay give us some clues as to what makes the Philippines an ideal environment for mammals. Palawanosorex muscorum, known more informally as the Palawan moss shrew, was recently identified by a team of researchers, including Larry Heaney, Negaunee Curator of Mammals at the Field Museum in Chicago, in a Journal of Mammalogy paper. First spotted in 2007 by the late Danilo "Danny" Balete, field survey leader and research associate at the Field Museum, the Palawan moss shrew has a slender, pointed snout and dark coat. Unlike other shrews, its tail is covered in dense fur rather than visible scales. With broad forefeet and long claws, the Palawan moss shrew digs through humus in search of its favorite snack: earthworms. Rainer Hutterer, the paper's lead author, analyzed these anatomical traits to determine that the Palawan moss shrew was a distinct species. Heaney emphasizes that the Philippines is such a hotbed for mammalian biodiversity that finding the Palawan moss shrew didn't exactly shock him and his team: "In many ways, finding this species was exactly what we had expected." Co-author Jacob Esselstyn from the LSU Museum of Natural Science adds, "It provides some clues about how small mammals have evolved and moved between Asia and Africa." In other words, the Palawan moss shrew might help us figure out how the Philippines' many mammal species got there in the first place. Palawanosorex muscorum was found on Mt. Mantalingahan, a mountain on Palawan Island in the Philippines. Mt. Mantalingahan is what some scientists call a 'sky island.' Credit: Field Museum, photo by Danilo Balete Another clue: The Palawan moss shrew's home is a hotbed within a hotbed. Mt. Mantalingahan, a mountain on Palawan Island in the Philippines, is habitat to three unique mammal species, including the shrew. "There are entire countries that don't have three unique mammal speciesso for there to be three species on one mountain, on one island, in one country is really something," Heaney emphasizes. What accounts for this species richness? Mt. Mantalingahan, Heaney explains, is a "sky island." While that might sound like something straight out of a sci-fi novel, "sky islands" are real ecological phenomenaisolated mountaintops home to distinct habitats separate from the lowlands and neighboring mountains. These "sky islands" create hubs of biodiversity, allowing for multiple ecosystemsand, by extension, a wider range of speciesto coexist within a single geographic area. These "sky islands" might help explain why mammalian biodiversity thrives in the Philippines specifically. "There could be many new species on these high mountainous regions in the Philippines, but because they are so high, and hard to get to, knowledge of their existence is awfully limited," Heaney says. Learning what species dwell in these mountains, Heaney notes, isn't only helpful for zoologists and ecologists. For those who live and work in Palawan, which constitutes the Philippines' largest province, protecting the Palawan moss shrew and Mt. Mantalingahan hits even closer to homeit's a matter of personal and economic safety. Palawanosorex muscorum was found on Mt. Mantalingahan, a mountain on Palawan Island in the Philippines. Mt. Mantalingahan is what some scientists call a 'sky island.' Credit: Field Museum, photo by Danilo Balete Mt. Mantalingahan, in addition to being a "sky island," functions as a crucial watershed, regulating the flow of water in Palawan through natural processes. In Mt. Mantalingahan's case, humusthe low-density mountainous soil the Palawan moss shrew digs throughacts as a sponge, holding water from the frequent rainfall high-elevation places tend to experience. Deforesting these "sky islands" bears grave repercussions. "That's where most of the water comes from that people in the lowlands depend on," Heaney warns. "In deforested areas, when a typhoon hits, it kills thousands of people and animals, and destroys buildings. And if water isn't being released slowly from the mountains, you'll have less of it in the dry season, causing drought. If you want to protect your watersheds, you've got to protect your habitats." Built on agriculture, fishing, and tourism, Palawan's economy depends greatly on the steady flow of waterfrom where the Palawan moss shrew lives, to where nearly three-quarters of a million people live. Today, much of the Palawan moss shrew's habitat remains undisturbed by human activity. And both itand westand to benefit from keeping it that way. "Sometimes it's presented that environmental concerns and economic development are at odds with each other. That's false," Heaney asserts. "Smart economic development means not creating situations that cause mass damage as a result." Beyond the economic implications of the shrew's discovery, Heaney says he hopes the new species sparks excitement among the Filipino and international scientific communities, which in turn can help encourage research, conservation, and advocacy efforts. "People in the world get excited about the cool things that live in their country," Heaney says. "The fact that the Philippines is such a unique hotspot for mammalian diversity is something people should be aware of, something that people can take pride in." Explore further World's greatest concentration of unique mammal species is on Philippine island By federal law passed in 1975, children with intellectual disabilities are supposed to spend as much time as possible in general education classrooms. But a new study suggests that progress toward that goal has stalled. Findings showed that over the past 40 years, 55 to 73 percent of students with intellectual disabilities spend most or all of the school day in self-contained classrooms or schools and not with their peers without disabilities. "Given the legal mandate, it is surprising that such a large proportion of students are consistently placed in restrictive settings," said Matthew Brock, author of the study and assistant professor of special education at The Ohio State University. The study is the first to look at national trends in education placement for students with intellectual disability previously called mental retardation for the entire 40 years since the law was enacted. "I found historical trends of incremental progress toward less restrictive settings, but no evidence of such progress in recent years," said Brock, who is affiliated with Ohio State's Crane Center for Early Childhood Research and Policy. The study has been accepted for publication by the American Journal on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities. The Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act (as the law is now called) has the aim of educating students with disabilities in what it calls the "least restrictive environment." That means they should be placed in general education classrooms alongside peers without disabilities to the maximum extent appropriate. Decisions about what is appropriate for each child are made by an Individual Education Program team that includes the child's parents, teachers and others. Brock used several data sources to determine the proportion of students 6 to 21 years old with intellectual disability who were placed in each federally reported educational environment from 1976 to 2014. The definitions of placement categories changed several times over the 40 years, so it is impossible to directly compare statistics over the entire time period, Brock said. But some general trends can be detected. He found that in the first years following passage of the law, the proportion of students in less restrictive settings actually decreased. Students served in regular general education classrooms decreased from 38 percent in 1976 to 30 percent in 1983. From 1984 to 1989 an overall trend is less clear. From 1990 to 2014, the proportion of students in less restrictive placements initially increased and then plateaued, Brock said. The proportion of students who spent at least 80 percent of the school day in general education classrooms trended up to near 14 percent in 1998, dropped to 11 percent in 2002, hit a peak of 18 percent in 2010 and decreased slightly to 17 percent in 2014. "Overall, the most rapid progress toward inclusive placements was in the 1990s, with more gradual progress in the 2000s and a plateau between 2010 and 2014," Brock said. He believes the rapid progress in the 90s occurred because advocacy for special education was strongest during this period, at least on a national level. "There are still people working really hard toward the goal of inclusion in some parts of the country, but that doesn't come through in this national data," he said. One argument could be that inclusion has plateaued in the United States because nearly all students are already in the least restrictive environments possible, as decided by their Individual Education Program teams, Brock said. But state-by-state data suggests something else must be going on. In 2014, students with intellectual disabilities in Iowa were 13.5 times more likely to spend most of the school day in a general education setting compared to students in the bordering state of Illinois. These huge discrepancies in placements between states can't be explained by differences in the students. The issue is that states and even individual school districts follow different policies and ways of working with student with disabilities and not all succeed at giving students the least restrictive environment, according to Brock. "I don't want to send the message that all kids with intellectual disabilities should spend 100 percent of their time in general education classrooms," he said. "But I think we need to find opportunities for all kids to spend some time with peers who don't have disabilities if we are going to follow the spirit and letter of the law." Explore further Individual education programs not being used as intended in special education Steam can penetrate into the skin through different pathways: transcellular (P1), intercellular (P2) or transappendageal (P3). Credit: Empa Even if the wound looks superficially harmless, steam burns must be cooled persistently. Empa researchers have now been able to show for the first time how hot steam achieves its vicious effect: It penetrates the upper skin layer and can cause severe burns in the lower skin layersinitially almost invisible. Whether working with steam pipes or in the kitchen: When boiling hot steam hits the skin, it will quickly cause burns. Firefighters are also at riskdue to their own sweat: If it evaporates under the heavy protective clothing in the heat of the fire and cannot escape, it condenses on the cooler skin and burns it. Skin burns caused by water vapour are often particularly malicious: If the skin is only exposed to the hot vapour for a short time, it is possible that the burn looks harmless on the surfacewhile the lower skin layer is severely damaged. So why is that? Until recently, there was no response to this question because, unlike dry heat burns, the exact mechanisms of steam burns are still poorly understood. Why the epidermis does not protect against steam Researchers in Empa's Biomimetic Membranes and Textiles department have now solved this mystery. "We were able to show that the uppermost skin layer, the epidermis, cannot properly perform its protective function against water vapour," explains Rene Rossi, head of the research group. "The steam penetrates through the skin pores onto the lower skin layer, the dermis. Only there does the steam condense, thereby releasing its thermal energy directly onto the sensitive dermisand thus directly triggers second-degree burns". The scientists have investigated their thesis on pig skin, which often serves as a model for human skin thanks to its similar properties. They exposed the skin to hot steam. The researchers then investigated the water content of the different skin layers using Raman spectroscopy, an analytical method that permits conclusions to be drawn about material properties through the scattering of light. And indeed, it turned out that when the skin is exposed to hot steam, the heat penetrates the underlying skin layers faster and deeper than with dry heat. The experiments showed that the water content of all skin layers already increases within the first 15 seconds. The reason for this is that the uppermost skin layer has pores which are usually much larger than a water moleculeand the water vapour can pass through them unhindered. Only when the epidermis is swollen by the absorbed amount of water, the pores become too small for the water vapourbut then the damage is already done in the lower skin layer. One problem with all burns is the so-called afterburn effect: the epidermis is a relatively poor heat conductor. Once the skin has absorbed heatespecially in the deeper layers of the skinit releases it very slowly. As a result, the heat can act on the tissue for longer and damage it even more. This effect is often particularly strong in the case of burns caused by water vapour, as the heat penetrates deep very quickly. "In the case of a steam burn, the skin must therefore be cooled for a long timetwo minutes in an ice bath is not enough to dissipate the high amount of energy from the deeper layers of skin," explains Rossi. Explore further How the skin protects More information: Lina Zhai et al. Prediction of Steam Burns Severity using Raman Spectroscopy on ex vivo Porcine Skin, Scientific Reports (2018). Journal information: Scientific Reports Lina Zhai et al. Prediction of Steam Burns Severity using Raman Spectroscopy on ex vivo Porcine Skin,(2018). DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-24647-x Engineering professor Abbas Milani and graduate student Armin Rashidi use 3D scanning equipment to analyze textile composites. Credit: UBC Okanagan While wearing a crisply ironed, wrinkle-free shirt makes a good impression, researchers at UBC's Okanagan campus are working to solve the issue of wrinkling when it comes to making textile composites. Textile composites are known for their strength and durability. But as Abbas Milani, a professor in UBC Okanagan's School of Engineering explains, a simple wrinkle in the manufacturing process can significantly alter the end productsometimes diminishing its strength by 50 per cent. Milani says wrinkling is one of the most common flaws in textile composites, which are widely used for prototypes, as well as mass production within prominent aerospace, energy, automotive and marine applications. To iron out the problem, researchers at UBC's Composite Research Network-Okanagan have investigated several de-wrinkling methods and have discovered that they can improve their effectiveness by pulling the materials in two directions simultaneously during the manufacturing process. They did this by creating a custom-made biaxial fixturea clamp that stretches the textile taught and removes unwanted bumps and folds. "The challenge was to avoid unwanted fibre misalignment or fibre rupture while capturing the out-of-plane wrinkles," says graduate student Armin Rashidi. "Manufacturers who use these types of composites are looking for more information about their mechanical behaviour, especially under combined loading scenarios." The research included stretching the material and then using specialized image processing and 3D scanning to analyze the required forces and its impact on the wrinkling and de-wrinkling of the material. "Composite textiles are changing the way products are designed and built in advanced manufacturing sectors," says Milani, director of the Materials and Manufacturing Research Institute. "As we continue to innovate in the area of composite textiles to include more polymer resin and fibre reinforcement options, this research will need to continue in order to provide the most up-to-date analysis for manufacturers in different application areas." It is important for designers to be able to predict the right amount of force needed to diminish the wrinkles in the final product, explains Milani. To do this, his team of students has created a multi-step test to assess the magnitude of the required forces needed to smooth out wrinkles of different sizes that were formed at different shear angles of a comingled fibreglass-propylene plain weave fabric. "Students in the Composites Research Network laboratory at UBC Okanagan are laying the groundwork to be world leaders in advanced textile composites by designing, fabricating and examining new testing equipment and fixtures, along with the development of high fidelity forming models." The research, recently published in the Materials & Design journal, was partially funded by the Natural Science and Engineering Research Council. Explore further Researchers use plant fibres to develop green options for transport industry More information: A. Rashidi et al, A multi-step biaxial bias extension test for wrinkling/de-wrinkling characterization of woven fabrics: Towards optimum forming design guidelines, Materials & Design (2018). A. Rashidi et al, A multi-step biaxial bias extension test for wrinkling/de-wrinkling characterization of woven fabrics: Towards optimum forming design guidelines,(2018). DOI: 10.1016/j.matdes.2018.02.075 Using weather surveillance radar and citizen-science data, researchers are learning how migratory birds return to their breeding grounds in North America each spring with near-pinpoint accuracy. The research focuses on the Central Flyway that runs north-south through the middle of North Americaan aerial superhighway carrying billions of birds northward each spring. The new study in the journal Ecology Letters is the work of researchers from the University of Oklahoma, University of Oxford, University of Massachusetts, and the Cornell Lab of Ornithology. Their results confirm core predictions of migration theory at an unprecedented national scale: Body size predicts variation in flight strategies across latitudes. Larger-bodied species fly faster and compensate more to prevent being pushed off course by cross winds Migrants travelling northward earlier in the spring increasingly compensate for wind drift at higher latitudes. Migrants appear to shift their behaviors through their journey, homing in on their end destination as they approach. "Radar studies have always been limited by their inability to discern species or even groups of species that are flying at night," says lead author Kyle Horton. "We know from radar that massive numbers of migrants are taking to flight each year, but we don't know if those measures are dominated by songbirds or waterfowl. Our study fills that gap by integrating radar data with species-based observations from citizen scientists, via eBird. We're able to reveal behaviors we have never been able to investigate before." "The merger of these two huge datasets, totaling millions of observations from radar sensors and citizen scientists, is an exciting advance," says co-author Benjamin Van Doren of the University of Oxford. "Citizen scientists are the eyes and ears on the ground that radars don't havecountless new opportunities arise when we bring the two together." "This integration of information at a regional scale provides new insight into conditions that govern behavior of intercontinental-scale migration systems," says co-author Jeffrey Kelly of the University of Oklahoma. Explore further Migrating birds speed up in spring More information: Kyle G. Horton et al, Navigating north: how body mass and winds shape avian flight behaviours across a North American migratory flyway, Ecology Letters (2018). Journal information: Ecology Letters Kyle G. Horton et al, Navigating north: how body mass and winds shape avian flight behaviours across a North American migratory flyway,(2018). DOI: 10.1111/ele.12971 Notice is hereby given of the annual general meeting of Electromagnetic Geoservices ASA ("EMGS" or the "Company"). The annual general meeting will be held at the Company's offices in Karenslyst Alle 4, 0278 Oslo, Norway on 8 June 2018 at 12:00 local time.The calling notice is attached to this stock exchange notification, and will, together with all appendixes and the Company's annual report for 2017 be published on the Company's webpage www.emgs.com.Hege Veiseth, CFO, +47 99 21 67 43EMGS, the marine EM market leader, uses its proprietary electromagnetic (EM) technology to support oil and gas companies in their search for offshore hydrocarbons. EMGS supports each stage in the workflow, from survey design and data acquisition to processing and interpretation. The Company's services enable the integration of EM data with seismic and other geophysical and geological information to give explorationists a clearer and more complete understanding of the subsurface. This improves exploration efficiency and reduces risks and the finding costs per barrel.EMGS operates on a worldwide basis with offices in Trondheim, Oslo, Houston, Villahermosa, Rio de Janeiro and Kuala Lumpur.For more information, visit www.emgs.com English Latvian Riga, 2018-05-08 12:14 CEST (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Correction - name of the Supervisory Council corrected. The first Supervisory Council meeting of AS Baltic Telekom was held where Guntis Lauskis was elected as chairman of the Supervisory Council and Arta Snipe as his deputy. Guntis Lauskis has acquired master degree in law at University of Latvia and also MBA at Riga Technical University. He is sworn attorney, currently practicing in Law Office Spridzans, previously was engaged with SAO Rektina un Mieze. He does not own shares of AS Baltic Telekom. Arta Snipe has acquired LLM degree in law at Riga Graduate School of Law and currently is doctor student at Turiba University. Since 2016 she is head of sworn attorney office Amicus Curiae, previously she sworn attorney and partner in sworn attorney office iLAW. She does not own shares of AS Baltic Telekom. Andra Rektina has acquired M.LL.P. degree at Humbolt Univerity in Berlin and since 2010 she is sworn attorney at SAO Rektina un Mieze. She does not own shares of AS Baltic Telekom. Acacia Mining plc, together with its subsidiaries, mines, processes, and sells gold in Africa. The company has three gold mines in north-west Tanzania, including Bulyanhulu, Buzwagi, and North Mara; and a portfolio of exploration projects at various stages of development in Tanzania, Kenya, Burkina Faso, and Mali. It also produces co-products, such as copper and silver. The company was formerly known as African Barrick Gold plc and changed its name to Acacia Mining plc in November 2014. The company was incorporated in 2010 and is headquartered in London, the United Kingdom. Acacia Mining plc is a subsidiary of Barrick Gold Corporation. Read More Newport Beach, California, May 08, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- DPW Holdings, Inc. (NYSE American: DPW) ("DPW" or the "Company"), a diversified holding company, announced today that Milton Todd Ault, III, the CEO and Chairman of DPW Holdings, Inc. will be presenting as well as meeting with investors at the 3rd Annual Disruptive Growth & Healthcare Conference on May 9, 2018 at 5:00 PM (EST). The 2018 Disruptive Growth & Healthcare Conference will offer the exclusive opportunity to discover life science companies focusing on solutions to unmet medical needs and growth companies with disruptive technologies and business models. Internet access to the conference call and presentation materials will be available on the Companys website at www.DPWHoldings.com, by selecting Investor Relations and then Upcoming and Past Events. A webcast replay will be accessible contingent on the conference host after the webcast on the Companys website at www.DPWHoldings.com. ABOUT DPW HOLDINGS, INC. Headquartered in Newport Beach, CA, DPW Holdings, Inc. is a diversified holding company that, through its wholly-owned subsidiary, Coolisys Technologies, Inc., is dedicated to providing world-class technology-based solutions where innovation is the main driver for mission-critical applications and lifesaving services. Coolisys growth strategy targets core markets that are characterized by high barriers to entry and include specialized products and services not likely to be commoditized. Coolisys through its portfolio companies develops and manufactures cutting-edge resonant switching power topologies, specialized complex high-frequency radio frequency (RF) and microwave detector-log video amplifiers, very high-frequency filters and naval power conversion and distribution equipment. Coolisys services the defense, aerospace, medical and industrial sectors and manages four entities including Digital Power Corporation, www.DigiPwr.com, a leading manufacturer based in Northern California, 1-877-634-0982; Digital Power Limited dba Gresham Power Ltd., www.GreshamPower.com, a manufacturer based in Salisbury, UK.; Microphase Corporation, www.MicroPhase.com with its headquarters in Shelton, CT 1- 203-866-8000; and Power-Plus Technical Distributors, www.Power-Plus.com, a wholesale distributor based in Sonora, CA 1-800-963-0066. Digital Power Lending, LLC, www.DigitalPowerLending.com, a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company, is based in Fremont, CA, and is a California private lending company operating under Financial Lenders License ##60DBO-77905 dedicated to strategically providing capital to small and middle size businesses for an equity interest in addition to loan fees and interest. Super Crypto Mining, Inc. www.SuperCryptoMining.com is a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company, is based in Fremont CA that leverages its engineering expertise and existing locations to create crypto currency mining facilities across the globe. Super Crypto Mining, Inc. operates the branded division, Super Crypto Power, www.SuperCryptoPower.com. Excelo, LLC, www.Excelo.com, a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company, is a national search firm specializing in fulfilling strategic executive, professional and hi-tech placements for businesses delivering world-class services. DPW Holdings, Inc.s headquarters is located at 48430 Lakeview Blvd., Fremont, California, 94538; 1-877-634-0982; www.DPWHoldings.com. For Investor inquiries: IR@DPWHoldings.com or 1-888-753-2235. About RHK Capital: Advisory Group Equity Services, Ltd. (dba RHK Capital) was founded in 1984. RHK Capital is a boutique investment banking firm specializing in small to medium-sized transactions. RHK is led by a management team with extensive financial industry experience and a desire to provide companies and individuals with the tools and expertise to accomplish their financial goals. In addition to investment banking, RHK has grown to include businesses in general securities, emerging market securities, distressed and high yield debt securities, investment management, mortgages, and business lending. As a division of Advisory Group Equity Services (AGES), all securities are offered through Advisory Group Equity Services Ltd., a registered broker-dealer, member of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority and the Securities Investor Protection Corporation. About TAG Group: AGES as part of the holding company TAG Group, Inc., is a leading provider of estate, business and financial services for high net worth individuals and business entities. TAG maintains a comprehensive network of legal, financial and accounting professionals who are committed to providing the highest level of service to their clients. TAG maintains three separate and distinct operating units under its corporate umbrella, they are: Trust Advisory Group, Ltd., Advisory Group Equity Services, Ltd., and Estate Insurance Services, Ltd. About Reed Smith: Reed Smith is a dynamic international law firm dedicated to helping clients move their businesses forward. Our long-standing relationships and international outlook make us the go-to partner for speedy resolution of complex transactions, disputes and regulatory matters. At Reed Smith, we believe that the practice of law has the ability to drive progress. We know your time is valuable and your matters are important. We are focused on outcomes, are highly collaborative, and have deep industry insight that, when coupled with our local market knowledge, allows us to anticipate and address your needs. You deserve purposeful, highly engaged client service that drives progress for your business. Forward-Looking Statements The foregoing release contains forward looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, including statements regarding the acquisition and the ability to consummate the acquisition. These forward-looking statements generally include statements that are predictive in nature and depend upon or refer to future events or conditions, and include words such as believes, plans, anticipates, projects, estimates, expects, intends, strategy, future, opportunity, may, will, should, could, potential, or similar expressions. Statements that are not historical facts are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are based on current beliefs and assumptions that are subject to risks and uncertainties. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made, and the Company undertakes no obligation to update any of them publicly in light of new information or future events. Actual results could differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statement as a result of various factors. More information, including potential risk factors, that could affect the Companys business and financial results are included in the Companys filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, including, but not limited to, the Companys Forms 10-K, 10-Q and 8-K. All filings are available at www.sec.gov and on the Companys website at www.DPWHoldings.com. ### KAZ Minerals PLC, together with its subsidiaries, engages in mining and processing copper and other metals primarily in Kazakhstan, Russia, and Kyrgyzstan. It operates through Bozshakol, Aktogay, East Region and Bozymchak, and Mining Projects segments. The company operates the Aktogay and Bozshakol open pit copper mines in the east region and Pavlodar region of Kazakhstan; three underground mines in the east region of Kazakhstan; and the Bozymchak copper-gold mine in Kyrgyzstan. It also develops greenfield metal deposits; operates Koksay deposit in Kazakhstan, and the Baimskaya licence area in the Chukotka region of Russia; and produces and sells various by-products, such as gold, silver, molybdenum, and zinc. In addition, the company supplies and distributes heat, water, and electricity; and offers construction, project management, financing, management, sales and logistics, and repairs and maintenance services. The company was formerly known as Kazakhmys PLC and changed its name to KAZ Minerals PLC in October 2014. KAZ Minerals PLC was founded in 1930 and is based in London, the United Kingdom. Read More Moog Inc. designs, manufactures, and integrates precision motion and fluid controls and controls systems for original equipment manufacturers and end users in the aerospace, defense, and industrial markets worldwide. The company's Aircrafts Controls segment offers primary and secondary flight controls for military and commercial aircrafts; aftermarket support services; and ground-based navigation aids. Its Space and Defense Controls segment provides controls for satellites, space vehicles, launch vehicles, armored combat vehicles, tactical and strategic missiles, security and surveillance, and other defense applications; and gun aiming, stabilization, and automatic ammunition loading for armored combat vehicles. This segment also offers controls for steering tactical and strategic missiles, and naval surface ships and submarines; and weapons stores management systems for light attack aerial reconnaissance, ground, and sea platforms, as well as slip rings, fiber optic rotary joints, and motors. The company's Industrial Systems segment provides components and systems for applications in injection and blow molding machinery, metal forming presses, and heavy industry customers in steel and aluminum production; supplies electromechanical motion simulation bases for the flight simulation and training applications; and supplies solutions for power generation applications, as well as custom test systems and controls for automotive, structural, and fatigue testing. This segment also offers systems and components for applications in oil and gas exploration and production; components for wind turbine applications; components and systems for diagnostic imaging CT scan medical equipment, sleep apnea equipment, oxygen concentrators, infusion therapy, and enteral clinical nutrition; and hydraulics, slip rings, rotary unions and fiber optic rotary joints, motors, and infusion and enteral pumps. The company was founded in 1951 and is headquartered in East Aurora, New York. Read More HERNDON, Va., May 08, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- EdgeConneX, specializing in global data center solutions at the edge of the network, today announces a partnership with Pilot, a modern connectivity company and network service provider. This partnership will include access to Pilots highly-scalable nationwide network architecture and high-quality IP services at Edge Data Centers (EDCs) in Atlanta, Denver, Miami, Minneapolis, Portland, and Santa Clara. EdgeConneX customers will gain access to Pilots flexible and scalable network solutions with quick provisioning and bandwidth options up to 100 Gbps. Additionally, Pilots intuitively designed software and high-caliber customer support will ensure a superior experience for end users. At EdgeConneX, we believe its important to forge strategic partnerships with key industry players throughout the telecommunications community in order to provide our customers with the highest quality services available, explains Brian Bellis, VP of Global Network and Ecosystem Development, EdgeConneX. Pilot is dedicated to providing customers with reliable connectivity solutions that are simple, cost-effective and intuitive, making it an excellent partner to serve current and future Edge Data Center tenants. Pilot was founded in 2014 with a mission to provide businesses with better Internet using the latest innovations in network technology. Leveraging relationships with top-tier data center partners such as EdgeConneX, Pilots highly scalable network architecture provides reliable connectivity services with options designed to suit the needs of customers of all sizes. Were thrilled to announce our new partnership with EdgeConneX, a company thats driving data center innovation, shares Joe Fasone, Founder and CEO of Pilot. Through this partnership, were expanding enterprise and service providers access to options for connectivity services, such as IP Transit, Ethernet Transport and Cloud Connectivity. Our combined efforts ensure the most reliable delivery of data to businesses across North America. EdgeConneX specializes in providing purpose-built, power dense Edge Data Center solutions that enable the fastest delivery of data to end-users. EdgeConneX has created a new Edge of the Internet by designing and deploying facilities that are strategically positioned nearest to network provider aggregation points, ensuring the lowest latency data delivery with improved security and quality of service. For more information about EdgeConneX, visit edgeconnex.com. To meet with the EdgeConneX team at International Telecoms Week (ITW) 2018, email info@edgeconnex.com. To learn more about Pilot, visit www.pilotfiber.com or email ITW18@pilotfiber.com to schedule a meeting at ITW. About EdgeConneX EdgeConneX is the only global Edge Data Center provider. Creating purpose-built, edge-of-network infrastructure solutions that extend the internets reach, EdgeConneX enables the fastest and most secure delivery of content, cloud services and applications. Edge Data Centers host bandwidth intensive and latency sensitive data closer to end-users, establishing a more secure, reliable and cost effective distribution model for the internet. For more information, please visit the EdgeConneX Internet of Everywhere at edgeconnex.com. About Pilot Pilot is a modern connectivity company and fully featured network service provider. On a mission to create a more sustainable telecom landscape, Pilot combines advanced fiber-optic technology with custom-built software and intuitively designed services, raising the bar for the entire industry. Currently serving more than 100,000 end users over its nationwide IP network, Pilot's flexible solutions allow businesses to stop worrying about their connectivity and stay focused on what matters. For more information, visit www.pilotfiber.com. MEDIA CONTACTS: iMiller Public Relations for EdgeConneX +1 866 307 2510 pr@imillerpr.com Derris for Pilot +1 646 793 6050 press@pilotfiber.com Just a few weeks after kicking off a historic journey to Mars, NASA is set to jump-start another mission from Vandenberg Air Force Base this " " Fingerprints are used for everything from driver's licenses to unlocking our phones, but how durable are they after we die? Bettmann/Getty Images If you're a fan of the Amazon Prime series "Bosch," you probably remember that grisly scene in season 4 in which Los Angeles Police Department detective Harry Bosch goes to the morgue and presses a corpse's thumb to the screen of a mobile phone, in an effort to unlock it and see if there are any clues in the murder victim's data. In the show, at least, the trick works like a charm. In real life, as detectives in Florida discovered in a recent case described in a Tampa Bay Times article, it's not necessarily so easy to pull off. Once tissue is dead, it loses all its electrical charge and will fail to activate a phone's fingerprint sensor, making it impossible to unlock. Advertisement That may lead you to a few questions. Do a person's fingerprints change after death, and for how long after his or her demise is it possible to utilize those prints for identification? If you're a devotee of crime fiction, you probably think of a person's fingerprint as something that doesn't change. But in fact, a study published in the July 14, 2015 edition of Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences found fingerprint identification becomes less reliable as the time interval between two sets of prints being taken increases, which suggests that the ridges on a person's fingertips may actually change slightly over the course of a person's life. Even so, identifying a living person from fingerprints or a freshly dead one, whose body is well preserved still seems to work pretty dependably. In the case of a dead person, it may mean forcibly straightening fingers stiffened from rigor mortis, and using a special curved tool that allows a print to be taken without rolling the fingertips, according to this book chapter from the website of the National Criminal Justice Reference Service But as the above primer details, the job becomes a lot more difficult with a corpse that's undergone some degree of decomposition or desiccation (that is, drying out), or has soaked in water so that the skin has softened. But that doesn't mean it's impossible. Medical examiners can surgically remove a dead person's hands or fingers and send them to a lab where other, more advanced techniques can be employed. For skin that's badly deteriorated, for example, it may be possible to use silicone putty to make a casting that captures the detail of the fingerprint ridges. Those impressions can then be photographed and used in identification. Scientists have gotten pretty good at this kind of stuff. In a study published Nov. 5, 2013 in GMS Interdisciplinary Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery DGPW, researchers looked at the effectiveness of a technique called thanatopractical processing, in which fluid is extracted from other parts of a body's remains and used to restore tenseness and volume to the fingers in order to plump them for printing. Of 400 bodies in various stages of decomposition, it was possible to obtain fingerprints that could be submitted to the Automated Federal Identification System in about three quarters of the cases. In another 11 percent of cases, good enough prints could be obtained to at least eliminate possible matches. How long do fingerprints remain usable? There isn't a lot of research on that subject, unfortunately. But a study published Dec. 22, 2016 in IEEE Xplore and described in a 2017 USA Today article, usable biometric data has been obtained from corpses dead for up to four days in warm weather and as long as 50 days in wintertime. Now That's Interesting According to Apple's website, Touch ID won't work by itself after it has gone unused for 48 hours. At that point, a passcode or password must be entered for additional validation in order to unlock a phone. Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas urged Latin American countries Monday not to emulate the controversial US decision to move its embassy to Jerusalem. The United States is pushing ahead with plans to relocate its embassy from Tel Aviv on May 14, a move that has sparked major protests by Palestinians, who consider east Jerusalem the capital of their future state. "We hope that some countries across Latin America won't go moving their embassies to Jerusalem, because that is against international law," Abbas said during a meeting with Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro in Caracas. The Palestinian leader thanked ally Maduro for rejecting Washington's decision to recognize Jerusalem as the capital of Israel and relocate its embassy, reversing decades of US policy in the region. Guatemala has already announced it will relocate its embassy in Israel to Jerusalem, two days after the United States shifts its mission. The sea off Sentosa island. (Photo: Pixabay) The body of 33-year-old Jake Seet Choon Heng, who went missing off the waters of Sentosa on Saturday (5 May), has been found. The police were alerted to a body found floating in the sea off Sentosa at 6.36pm on Monday. The body was that of a 33-year-old man who was reported missing on Saturday. The police are investigating the unnatural death. Seet, a 33-year-old commercial diver, went missing while conducting underwater operations for the vessel Jork at the Western Anchorage near Sentosa on Saturday. (SOURCE: MPA) He is understood to be employed by Mola Subsea Services, which provides commercial diving services for vessels at major ports and anchorages within Singapore. On Monday, his sister Jacqueline Seet made an urgent appeal for all parties to do their utmost to bring her brother home. In a media statement, she added that neither the authorities nor her brothers employer had promptly informed their family about his disappearance. Yahoo News Singapore has reached out to Seets employer for comments. Jake Seet leaves behind two sons aged six and three. According to his sister, his wife is due to give birth to their third child, a daughter, next month. Jasper Lei, 35, associate marketing director at Propnex Realty and a former colleague of Seets, described him as a very fit and experienced diver with more than 10 years of experience. While Lei expressed deep shock over Seets passing, the former commercial diver also noted that safety on the job could be compromised at times, due to the urgency of the task at hand and limited manpower issues. Lei and a friend started raising funds for Seets family on Monday night and have collected about $3,200 so far. Jake came from a humble family, his wife is definitely devastated by the loss, Lei added. With two kids plus an unborn child, the future is really challenging for them. This story was updated to include quotes from Jasper Lei and other information. Related story: Sister of diver missing near Sentosa pleads for all parties to find her brother Raffles Place MRT Station Singapore (Yahoo News Singapore file photo) A Briton who picked a fight with a fellow commuter during rush hour at Raffles Place MRT station and ended up fracturing the latters nose, was sentenced to four weeks jail by the State Courts on Tuesday (8 May). Former recruitment consultant Benjamin John Holman, 34, had earlier pleaded guilty to one count of voluntarily causing hurt to Jason Ow Zhi Min, 30. The prosecution, which had sought at least eight months jail for Holman, says it is considering filing an appeal against the current sentence. On the evening of 3 February 2017, Holman had been at a company event during which he consumed alcohol. Later that night, Holman was waiting on the platform at Raffles Place MRT station when Ow unintentionally bumped into him. This led to a shouting match between the two, after which Ow turned around and continued walking towards the end of the station platform. Holman then went after Ow and pushed him in his chest. The two argued again and Holman began punching Ow in the face despite Ow pushing Holman away and telling him to back off. The altercation lasted around 20 seconds and the two were eventually separated by passers-by. The entire incident was caught on video by cameras at the station platform. Ow suffered lacerations and a nasal bone fracture as a result of the incident. Deputy Public Prosecutor M Kayal Pillay had asked District Judge Kessler Soh to jail Holman at least eight months, arguing that Ow had tried to de-escalate the situation. Holman had also punched Ow multiple times in the face, said Pillay. Seeking a two-week jail term, Holmans lawyer Chhabra Vinit said that Ow had also been held back by members of the public to prevent him from punching Holman. Vinit added that Holman regretted his actions. Holmans former employer also provided a letter to say that Holmans behaviour that evening was a departure from the norm, said Vinit. District Judge Kessler Soh, who reviewed the footage of the incident, said that Ow was not a defenceless, vulnerable victim, and that this was not a one-sided pummelling. Ow too had returned some of Holmans blows, said the judge. Story continues Soh also noted that Holman had pleaded guilty early. In addition, the judge noted that Holman was a first-time offender, adding that if the prosecution was not filing an appeal, Holman would begin serving his sentence on 23 May. For voluntarily causing hurt, Holman could have been jailed up to two years, fined $5,000, or both. More Singapore stories: Man who abused toddler after taking drugs jailed, caned Body of missing Singaporean diver Jake Seet found off Sentosa TORONTO, May 08, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Alamos Gold Inc. (TSX:AGI) (NYSE:AGI) (Alamos or the Company) is pleased to provide a summary of the voting results of its Annual General Meeting of Shareholders (the Meeting). The Company would also like to announce the retirement of Patrick Downey from the Board of Directors, and the appointment of Elaine Ellingham. On behalf of the Board of Directors and management, I would like to thank Patrick Downey for his contributions and dedication over the years and wish him the very best in his future endeavours, said John A. McCluskey, President and CEO. I would also like to welcome Elaine Ellingham as a board member. Elaine brings over 30 years of experience within the mining industry including an in depth knowledge of the Island Gold mine as a past director of Richmont Mines. Ms. Ellingham is a mining executive and geologist. She is a consultant providing geological and corporate finance advisory services to international clients. Her experience includes eight years with the Toronto Stock Exchange and numerous roles in mineral exploration, corporate development and investor relations for a number of mining companies. Results of the Meeting The Company is reporting the voting results of its Meeting held on Monday, May 7, 2018 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The summary of the results are as follows: Total Shares Voted: 323,266,319 Total Shares Issued and Outstanding: 389,379,754 Total Percentage of Shares Voted: 83.02% 1. Election of Directors Each of the nominee directors listed in Alamos management proxy circular dated March 23, 2018 was elected as a director as set forth in the table below: Name of Nominee Vote For % Withhold Vote % Mark Daniel 288,371,211 97.59 7,125,223 2.41 Elaine Ellingham 291,262,969 98.57 4,233,465 1.43 David Fleck 292,907,923 99.12 2,588,511 0.88 David Gower 285,332,143 96.56 10,164,291 3.44 Claire Kennedy 292,864,764 99.11 2,631,670 0.89 John A. McCluskey 292,140,518 98.86 3,355,916 1.14 Paul J. Murphy 292,169,666 98.87 3,326,768 1.13 Ronald Smith 292,861,647 99.11 2,634,787 0.89 Kenneth Stowe 287,789,333 97.39 7,707,101 2.61 2. Appointment and Compensation of Auditors KPMG LLP was appointed as the Companys auditor and the directors were authorized to fix the auditors remuneration. Vote For % Withheld Vote % KPMG LLP 320,098,790 99.02 3,165,298 0.98 3. Approval of Approach to Executive Compensation The non-binding advisory resolution approving the Companys approach to Executive Compensation was passed. Vote For % Vote Against % Executive Compensation 283,701,801 96.01 11,792,399 3.99 About Alamos Alamos is a Canadian-based intermediate gold producer with diversified production from four operating mines in North America. This includes the Young-Davidson and Island Gold mines in northern Ontario, Canada and the Mulatos and El Chanate mines in Sonora State, Mexico. Additionally, the Company has a significant portfolio of development stage projects in Canada, Mexico, Turkey, and the United States. Alamos employs more than 1,700 people and is committed to the highest standards of sustainable development. The Companys shares are traded on the TSX and NYSE under the symbol AGI. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT: Scott K. Parsons Vice President, Investor Relations (416) 368-9932 x 5439 Cautionary Note The TSX and NYSE have not reviewed and do not accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. No stock exchange, securities commission or other regulatory authority has approved or disapproved the information contained herein. Crisis gripped Cambodia's last independent newspaper Monday as the editor-in-chief was fired by its new owner over a front-page article on the sale, while several senior reporters resigned in protest at the apparent attack on editorial integrity. The 26-year-old Phnom Penh Post was sold to Malaysian investor Sivakumar S Ganapathy over the weekend for an unknown sum. Since then the newspaper, once respected for its fearless, independent reporting, has gone into meltdown -- the latest unravelling of a prominent media organisation under the watch of Cambodia's increasingly authoritarian premier Hun Sen. Editor Kay Kimsong said he was sacked for signing off on a piece exploring the implications of the sale. "The new owner fired me today... because I approved today's front-page story," Kimsong told AFP. "I have done my duty as editor-in-chief for the newspaper... but the new boss has the right to make the decision." The story identified the new proprietor as the Malaysian investor, who is also the CEO of Kuala Lumpur-based public relations firm Asia PR, a business the report said "has previously done work" for Hun Sen. The two reporters who wrote the piece resigned on Monday afternoon and at least one senior editor on the English-language version of paper also quit -- all three alleging they were ordered to pull the story. "I resigned this morning after being told to take down the The Post's story on its sale, which I refused to do," Stuart White, the former managing editor of the English-language paper told AFP. The story was still available on Monday afternoon on the The Post's website. A spokesperson for Asia PR declined to make an immediate comment and repeated calls to The Post went unanswered on Monday afternoon. Media deemed to be critical of Cambodia's government have been eviscerated by hefty tax bills and defamation cases over recent months. Rights groups say the legal woes are linked to Hun Sen, who is clearing the board of all potential opposition ahead of elections in July. The Post's chief rival, the Cambodia Daily, was forced to close in August 2017 after it was landed with an unpayable tax bill, announcing its closure the same day authorities arrested opposition leader Kem Sokha on treason charges. The crackdown also saw dozens of radio stations taken off air and the jailing of two reporters from Radio Free Asia. Cambodia plunged 10 places in this year's media freedom ranking by Reporters Without Borders. In recent months local media had reported that the Phnom Penh Post was facing tax troubles. U.S. President Donald Trump announces his intent to withdraw from the JCPOA Iran nuclear agreement in the Diplomatic Room at the White House in Washington, U.S., May 8, 2018. REUTERS/Jonathan Ernst LONDON (Reuters) - Both Washington's European allies and Tehran pledged on Tuesday to uphold the 2015 Iran nuclear deal despite President Donald Trump's decision to pull the United States out and reimpose sanctions. European leaders decried Trump's decision to withdraw from the deal, which had lifted sanctions against Iran in return for curbs on its nuclear programme. They called on Washington not to take steps that would prevent other countries from upholding it. Iran's President Hassan Rouhani said Tehran aimed to continue to comply with the deal's terms, and would swiftly reach out to the its other signatories - Britain, France, Germany, Russia and China - to keep it in place. "Together, we emphasise our continuing commitment to the JCPoA," the leaders of Britain, France and Germany said in a joint statement, referring to the deal by an acronym. "This agreement remains important for our shared security." "We urge the U.S. to ensure that the structures of the JCPoA can remain intact, and to avoid taking action which obstructs its full implementation by all other parties to the deal," said the statement, provided by British Prime Minister Theresa May's office after she spoke by phone to France's President Emmanuel Macron and Germany's Chancellor Angela Merkel. Macron said he regretted Trump's decision. Germany's Foreign Minister Heiko Maas said: "We will try to keep alive this important agreement, which ensures the Middle East and the world as a whole are safer." Moscow said it too would focus its efforts on maintaining the accord. It called Trump's decision "deeply disappointing". "There are no - and can be no - grounds for breaking" the deal, the Russian Foreign Ministry said, adding the pact had shown its "full efficiency". "The United States is undermining international trust in the International Atomic Energy Agency." Story continues EU leaders are concerned that Washington could use its influence over the world's financial system to prevent businesses in other countries that have not reimposed sanctions on Iran from doing business there. As if to hammer home that concern, Trump's new ambassador to Germany, who presented his credentials in Berlin earlier on Tuesday, tweeted that German businesses should halt their activities in Iran immediately. DECISION COULD HELP IRAN HARDLINERS In Tehran, Rouhani, a relative moderate who faced down hardliners at home to reach the agreement with world powers as part of a policy to open up the country and its economy to the outside world, decried Trump's decision, but said Iran would stick to the deal for now, provided it still works. "If we achieve the deal's goals in cooperation with other members of the deal, it will remain in place," Rouhani said in a televised speech. "I have ordered the foreign ministry to negotiate with the European countries, China and Russia in coming weeks. If at the end of this short period we conclude that we can fully benefit from the JCPoA with the cooperation of all countries, the deal would remain." Iranian officials told Reuters that Trump's decision would set the stage for a resurgence of political infighting within Irans complex power structure. The U.S. exit from the deal, so closely associated in Iran with Rouhani, could tip the balance of power in favour of his hardline opponents, some Iran experts said. "They will blame Rouhani ... They will continue their shenanigans at home and abroad. And they will have the U.S. to blame for the failure of the economy," said Abbas Milani, director of the Iranian Studies program at Stanford University. Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who has been in power since 1989 and outranks the elected president, had said Iran would "shred" the deal if the United States pulled out. While most U.S. allies decried the Trump administration's decision to unravel the principal foreign policy achievement of his predecessor Barack Obama, the decision was hailed by Washington's two main Middle East allies, Israel and Saudi Arabia, both of which long opposed the deal. The deal was "a recipe for disaster, a disaster for our region, a disaster for the peace of the world," Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said in praising Trump's decision. Saudi Arabia, a Sunni Muslim power that considers Shi'ite Iran to be its main regional foe, also hailed Trump's move. "Iran used economic gains from the lifting of sanctions to continue its activities to destabilise the region, particularly by developing ballistic missiles and supporting terrorist groups in the region," said a Saudi Foreign Ministry statement. But for major European allies, also at odds with Trump over a host of other issues from trade to efforts to tackle global warming, the decision represents a decisive setback. Britain, France and Germany had lobbied the Trump administration hard in recent weeks to keep the deal in place, arguing that it had succeeded in preventing Iran from getting nuclear weapons and that to renege on it would damage the credibility of Western countries in future negotiations. EU countries believe it was their decision to stand with the Obama administration and impose firm sanctions against Iran's oil and gas industry in 2011 that pushed Tehran to the negotiating table in the first place. "The European Union is determined to preserve it," EU foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini said of the agreement with Tehran, which she helped negotiate as coordinator for the Western countries. "Together with the rest of the international community, we will preserve this nuclear deal." Since the deal was signed, the EU has effectively lifted all sanctions on Iran, but Washington has kept some in place over Iran's missile programme, which was not covered by the deal. That has slowed down a promised boon for the Iranian economy, scaring off foreign investors and making it difficult for Iranian banks to forge links with the outside world. (Writing by Peter Graff; Editing by Gareth Jones and Hugh Lawson) Sun Zhengcai, a former political high-flyer once tipped to be among Chinas next generation of leaders, was sentenced to life in prison for bribery on Tuesday. Suns downfall followed that of Bo Xilai, his predecessor as party chief in Chongqing, and an ongoing crackdown in the southwestern megacity could snare a senior police officer who was once close to Bo. The Tianjin No 1 Intermediate Peoples Court said Sun, a former member of the Politburo, was convicted of taking more than 170 million yuan (US$26.7 million) in bribes directly or through designated third parties, state-run news agency Xinhua reported. He was also stripped of his political rights for life, and all his property and illicit gains confiscated, the report said. Fallen Chinese political star Sun Zhengcai admits taking US$27m in bribes Chen Miner, a protege of President Xi Jinping who is now in charge of Chongqing, has repeatedly called on officials there to banish the pernicious influence of his disgraced predecessors. A source close to the Chongqing police said the chief of Fuling district police Zhou Jingping, 52, recently became a target of an internal probe. Zhou was suspended from his work before being placed under investigation in late April, said the source. The source added that Zhou was once a close aide of Bos police chief and right-hand man Wang Lijun and had also gained the favour of the party chief. Zhous profile remained on the Fuling police department website on Tuesday, but reports about his recent public appearances no longer featured on the homepage, and links to other articles about Zhou are no longer accessible on the police website. The source said that Zhou had fallen out with Wang in mid-2011, when Zhou was transferred from his post as head of the political department with the Chongqing Public Security Bureau to be the police chief in Fuling district. This move may also explain why Zhou had managed to survive the political storm that followed Bo and Wangs downfall in 2012, according to the source. Story continues Wang is now serving a 15-year sentence and four of his most senior aides in the police force Guo Weiguo, Li Yang, Wang Pengfei and Wang Zhi have also been jailed. It is unclear whether Zhou was implicated during Suns downfall even though he was re-elected to be the police chief and deputy government head of Fuling district in early 2017 when Sun was still in charge. Vast sums linked to corruption case of fallen Chinese high-flyer Sun Zhengcai Sun, 54, pleaded guilty at his trial on April 12 and will not appeal against the sentence, state television reported on Tuesday. I sincerely confess to and regret the crimes [I committed]. [I] accept the courts verdict [and] will not appeal, Sun said in court in footage aired by China Central Television. I will earnestly accept re-education. The amount of bribes involved was punishable by death but the court said it had taken mitigating factors into account, including that most of the bribes were taken by designated parties and that Sun gave investigators additional, previously unknown information about his crimes. Chinese news outlet Caixin had reported that Suns designated parties included two businesswomen. The court in the northern city of Tianjin said Sun committed the crimes while he was a district Communist Party boss in Beijing in 2002, when he was the minister of agriculture, and during his stints as party chief of the northeastern province of Jilin and Chongqing. The court said Sun took advantage of his position to seek profits for others, including helping others to win project tenders, secure government approval for projects and gain promotions. Sun was sacked as Chongqings party boss in July and placed under investigation for corruption in the run-up to the partys national leadership reshuffle in October. He was the youngest member of the Politburo before he was expelled and was once widely considered a strong candidate to sit on the Politburo Standing Committee, the Chinese leaderships inner sanctum. Chinese businesswomen detained in fallout from graft investigation into former Communist high-flyer Sun Zhengcai Bo was also a Politburo member before he was placed under investigation in 2012 and later sentenced to life in prison for corruption and abuse of power. Chen Daoyin, a mainland political analyst, said although Sun had been sentenced for taking bribes, his downfall was mainly caused by political problems. In Chens view, the prolonged crackdown on pernicious influences in Chongqing sends a strong signal to provincial leaders across China. The message is loud and clear: local leaders should pledge absolute loyalty to the central leadership, he said. Xi is now the unchallenged core of the party, and no matter if he ever decides to pick a successor or not, the political future of provincial leaders should be decided by, and only by, the central leadership - they have no room to think for themselves, he added. Deng Yuwen, a former editor with a newspaper affiliated with the Central Party School, said Chongqings prolonged crackdown might not have been the result of orders from above. To me, it seems likely that it is a way for Chen to show his loyalty and political correctness to the top leadership, he said. Additional reporting by Matt Ho This article Former Chinese rising star Sun Zhengcai sentenced to life in prison for graft first appeared on South China Morning Post For the latest news from the South China Morning Post download our mobile app. Copyright 2018. French Minister of the Armed Forces Florence Parly makes an official statement with French Minister for Foreign Affairs Jean-Yves Le Drian (not pictured) in the press room at the Elysee Palace, in Paris, France, April 14, 2018. Michel Euler/Pool via Reuters/Files (Corrects lead and quote) PARIS (Reuters) - France's defense minister said the Iran nuclear deal was a source of peace in an explosive region, as world powers waited to see if U.S. President Donald Trump would pull out of the accord on Tuesday. Florence Parly told RTL radio the deal was not perfect but had successfully suspended Iran's nuclear military programme and the Iranians had respected the agreement. Trump has repeatedly threatened to withdraw from the deal, which eased economic sanctions on Iran in exchange for Tehran limiting its nuclear program, unless France, Germany and Britain - which also signed the agreement - fix what he has called its flaws. A U.S. official said on Monday it was unclear if efforts by European allies to address Trump's concerns over the pact would be enough to save it. [nL1N1SE1ZJ] "This deal ... is a factor of peace and stabilisation in a very eruptive region," Parly said. (Reporting by Sybille de La Hamaide and Sophie Louet; Editing by Andrew Heavens) A Greek court on Monday cleared three Spaniards and two Danes of trying to help illegal migrants enter Greece through the island of Lesbos while taking part in Aegean rescue missions. "The accusation has not been proven," the judge said after the trial in the Lesbos capital Mytilene. The firefighters from Spain and volunteers from Denmark, who faced up to 10 years in prison according to Amnesty International, enjoyed massive support from aid groups, with many sympathisers on hand for the verdict. "A great victory for humanitarian aid," Spanish group Proem-AID tweeted after the ruling. Two Greek coastguards had testified that the defendants, who were arrested in January 2016, had not informed the authorities of their rescue mission, and that they were not properly equipped for it. The firefighters, from the southern Spanish city of Seville, had taken part in multiple refugee and migrant rescue missions in the Aegean. Andalusian regional justice minister Rosa Aguilar was among the Spanish delegation along with representatives of the city of Seville. The Spaniards worked as volunteers for Proem-AID and the Danes for Team Humanity as they sought to aid thousands of migrants, mostly Syrians, risking their lives to reach Europe via Lesbos and other Greek islands. Some 5,100 migrants died in 2016 crossing the Mediterranean, according to the International Organization for Migration. More than 1,000 migrants, including many children, drowned in 2015 and 2016 in the narrow stretch of sea separating the Turkish coast from the Aegean islands. "Humanitarian assistance cannot and should not be criminalised," one of the Danish defendants, Salam Aldin, told AFP. Many fishermen from the small port of Sykaminia, one of the main landing sites for refugee boats at the time, were at the court to support Aldin. The defendants "were only helping to save lives" while the Greek coastguard was overwhelmed, said a lawyer for the Spanish firefighters, Haris Petsikos. The Spanish defendants met in Madrid in early April with Spanish Foreign Minister Alfonso Dastis, who tweeted that the trio had undertaken "rescue and humanitarian aid" work. In Madrid, Amnesty had issued a statement Monday backing the Spanish defendants, saying they had sought to "prevent children, women and men from dying through drowning". Amnesty said the trial was "absurd" and showed "moral confusion by those who try to criminalise actions of solidarity and to intimidate the defenders of human rights." Use Hong Kongs example to argue against China model of development, opposition politicians tell US audience The head of a leading Hong Kong opposition party told an audience in New York on Monday to monitor developments in the city amid growing threats to the freedoms it had been promised by Beijing. Civic Party chairman Alan Leong Kah-kit said the international community could use Hong Kong where Western-style civil liberties have been adopted and practised to help make a case against the so-called China model of development which, critics have claimed, is authoritarian dictatorship in disguise. Leong and Civic Party leader and lawmaker Alvin Yeung Ngok-kiu were in the United States for a week-long visit, during which they were expected to meet House Democratic leader Nancy Pelosi, as well as foreign policy and trade officials from US President Donald Trumps administration. Leong told a seminar the international community should not ignore Hong Kong. President Xi [Jinping] wants the world to believe that the China model is superior. What better proof does the world have than Hong Kong for making the case that the same core values and institutions practised by liberal democracies not only work but they work for and among Chinese people, he said. Defenders of the China model hold that the country has made great progress toward developing a unique system that combines economic success with political stability because it does not adopt Western-style democracy. Leong said: Ignoring Hong Kong is a mistake. Indeed, Hong Kongs significance increases as China rises in prominence and at the historic juncture when President Xi apparently wants to substitute values and [the] institution of the China model for those practised for centuries by the worlds liberal democracies. In a rare move, the two Hong Kong politicians also spoke in Beijings defence against the backdrop of the US-China trade war initiated by Washington. America supported the accession of China to the [World Trade Organisation] in 2001 If America has evidence that China has fouled the WTO rules or breached any bilateral agreement, it should have resolved [the matter] through the WTO resolution mechanism or sued China for breach, Leong said. Story continues If America leads by not abiding by the rules, then it cannot possibly expect China to respect the same rules-based order. A trade war would only drive China further away from values and institutions practised by liberal democracies. The duo were speaking at a seminar on Monday night Hong Kong time at the Asia Society in New York. What China did, is doing, and will do, to and in Hong Kong, instruct the world on why and how things are happening or will happen inside and outside of [China] Alan Leong, Civic Party chairman What China did, is doing, and will do, to and in Hong Kong, instruct the world on why and how things are happening or will happen inside and outside of [China], Leong said. Leong also stressed there was growing doubt in Hong Kong that the Basic Law, the citys mini-constitution, was being observed by Beijing. As examples, he cited the National Peoples Congress Standing Committees ruling to allow mainland laws to be applied in the high-speed rail terminus in Hong Kong, alleged abduction by mainland law enforcers of Hong Kong residents in the Causeway Bay booksellers case, and the imprisonment of student protest leaders. The Civic Party chairman said he hoped President Xi could come to [his] senses and not to destroy Hong Kongs status as the countrys only international financial centre by abridging the freedoms it had been promised under the Basic Law. The duos visit coincided with brewing concerns in the West over developments in Hong Kong. Last month, the European Commission voiced concerns over the gradual erosion of Hong Kongs high degree of autonomy and questioned the implementation of the one country, two systems model of governance in its 2017 annual report on Hong Kong. A report by the US Department of State, also issued last month, highlighted a chilling effect on political protest and the exercise of free speech caused by government actions and Beijings encroachment on Hong Kongs autonomy. In January, there was also a debate on democracy in Hong Kong at the British parliament. This article Use Hong Kongs example to argue against China model of development, opposition politicians tell US audience first appeared on South China Morning Post For the latest news from the South China Morning Post download our mobile app. Copyright 2018. Thousands of Hungarians gathered Tuesday to protest against strongman Viktor Orban after he was nominated for re-election as prime minister for a third consecutive term during the inauguration of the new parliament. Fresh from his right-wing Fidesz party's landslide election win April 8, Orban was officially proposed as prime minister by President Janos Ader in the first session of the new 199-seat assembly. Orban's formal re-election by parliament and swearing in as premier is scheduled for Thursday. In the third of a series of major protests organised on social media by a civil group since the election, around 20,000 protestors assembled outside parliament where speakers urged the rebuilding of opposition to Orban and Fidesz. "Either we stay in Hungary and begin working and acting now, or we do nothing and leave," Viktor Gyetvai, a 20-year-old student, told the crowd. The protesters say that Orban's win was mainly thanks to massive anti-immigration government propaganda, as well as an unfair election system in which Fidesz can only be beaten by a united opposition front. Fidesz upset predictions of a tight contest by winning with 49 percent of the vote compared to under 20 percent for its nearest challenger, the nationalist Jobbik party. That helped the party clinch a third consecutive two-thirds parliamentary majority, allowing it legislative carte blanche to amend the constitution and fast-track new laws. Since the vote, Orban has pledged to build a "Christian democracy" in the interests of all Hungarians and has called his victory "the biggest mandate" since the switch from communism in 1990. Turnout increased sharply on previous elections, prompting Ader to say during his speech to open parliament that the legitimacy of the result is "above question". - Constitutional change - Orban's election campaign was dominated by strident anti-immigration rhetoric, and early signs are that he will continue in the same vein. "The most important task of the new government will be the defence of Hungary's security and Christian culture," said the 54-year-old, who built anti-migrant border fences during the last term. One of his first steps is likely to be a constitutional clause preventing the "settlement of alien population". Another package of bills targets non-governmental organisations funded by Hungarian-born US billionaire George Soros who Orban says orchestrates immigration. Orban's critics also accuse him of removing democratic checks and balances and steering the country away from the European mainstream. Further pressure on judicial and media independence, squeezed in recent years, are seen as likely by analysts. On Monday the OSCE expressed "major concern" that three journalists for independent news websites were denied accreditation for the opening of parliament, saying this set "a bad precedent". - 'Corrupt system' - The protestors, who call their group "We are the Majority", have also held smaller demonstrations in cities around the country, a nod to sweeping electoral losses by the opposition outside Budapest. Their demands include reform of the electoral system, redesigned by Fidesz in 2011 and which critics say helped deliver Orban's party its two-thirds majority, even though it won under half of the vote. State media should also adhere to non-partisan guidelines according to the protestors after international observers found "media bias" had helped tilt the poll in Fidesz's favour. "The legitimacy of the new parliament is questionable," an opposition MP Akos Hadhazy told AFP outside parliament Tuesday while the inauguration proceeded inside. Hadhazy, of the green LMP party, was the only lawmaker who refused to make an oath of allegiance to the constitution Tuesday. "The opposition has to somehow find a way of not legitimising the government but at the same time do the actual work of a proper opposition," he said. A poll last week said opposition voters also blamed the bitterly divided anti-Orban parties themselves for their crushing defeat. Their failure to forge an effective anti-Fidesz front has prompted calls that they should boycott the new parliament or even that a new opposition be built from scratch. Although "personnel, policy, and moral renewal" of the opposition parties is a must, Daniel Hegedus, an analyst, told AFP that they could better serve frustrated voters by staying in parliament. "Coordinated parliamentary and street opposition will have to be built up together during the coming years," he said. Bolivian ex-dictator Luis Garcia Meza, who was serving a lengthy prison sentence for crimes committed after his 1980 military coup, died Sunday in a La Paz hospital at the age of 88, his attorney told local media. The frail Garcia Meza died of cardiac arrest and respiratory failure at the Cossmil military hospital in La Paz, where the former general had spent more than a third of his 30-year prison sentence, attorney Frank Campero said. Garcia Meza took power in a violent military coup in July 1980, near the end of the period of military dictatorships in Latin America. Scores of people were killed as his forces seized power, including historian and socialist leader Marcelo Quiroga Santa Cruz, whose body was never found. A fierce anti-communist, Garcia Meza cracked down on leftist dissent and tortured opponents, but his regime was also closely associated with drug traffickers. He eventually resigned after 13 months in power. In April 1993 Garcia Meza was sentenced to 30 years behind bars for the killings and abuses during his time in office, but he avoided prison by fleeing the country. Authorities caught up with him in Brazil in March 1995. He was quickly arrested and extradited to Bolivia, where he was placed in a maximum security prison. The ex-dictator's interior minister, Luis Arce Gomez -- nicknamed the "minister of cocaine" -- served a drug trafficking sentence in a US prison that ended in 2009. He was then sent to Bolivia to serve a separate 30-year sentence for human rights abuses. FILE PHOTO: Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei speaks live on television after casting his ballot in the Iranian presidential election in Tehran June 12, 2009. REUTERS/Caren Firouz/File Photo LONDON (Reuters) - A prominent Iranian cleric said on Tuesday that Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei had predicted the nuclear deal Tehran signed with world powers would collapse, Fars news agency said. "We were aware right from the beginning that the JCPOA (Iran's nuclear deal) is fragile and will collapse. Now we see that the Supreme Leader had rightly predicted this," said Kazem Sedighi, one of the clerics appointed by the leader to lead Friday prayers in the capital. (Reporting by Bozorgmehr Sharafedin) NEW YORK, May 08, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Nosto, the industry leader in online retail personalization, today announced the appointment of a new CEO, Jim Lofgren. Lofgren will replace Matti Ronkko, who has served as CEO of Nosto for the past five years and announced his intent to leave for personal reasons at the end of last year. Lofgren has most recently served as the North American CEO of Klarna, a leading payments solutions provider, and one of the most successful and fastest growing companies out of the Nordics. He will begin his new role on June 4th and be based in New York. Throughout our search process, we were incredibly impressed with Jim. Were confident that under his guidance and leadership, well take the company to the next level. The Board sees huge growth potential in Nosto with the rapid expansion of ecommerce coupled with Nostos impressive performance across all markets, said Moaffak Ahmed, Chairman of the Board for Nosto. With more than 2,500 of the worlds leading brands now using Nosto to deliver their customers personalized experiences and a compound annual growth rate in North America of 260% between 2015-2017, were confident that these great results will continue. We are grateful to Matti for his leadership, and confident that a very sound foundation and promising future are in place for Jim to drive significant growth for Nosto. I am honored by the opportunity to lead this tremendous organization, and continue to be impressed by its innovation and talented team. Nosto has created a stellar reputation in the area of AI and personalization -- nobody does it better -- and I fully expect to see continued growth and momentum for this company going forward, said Jim Lofgren, Nostos new CEO. Im eager to get started and to expand Nostos footprint by leveraging its patented advanced technology and machine learning that helps retailers predict the best products and offers for customers based on their unique needs, wants and behaviors. Recently, Nosto secured $17 million in funding from the European Investment Bank to further accelerate the companys U.S. expansion and continued product development. Nosto has recently expanded its presence to the West Coast with the launch of a new office in Los Angeles, its second U.S. hub after New York. The U.S. market represents an area where Nosto is seeing hyper-growth. This past month, Nosto received the Thought Leader award at the annual Magento Imagine conference. The Magento Thought Leader award recognizes the leading solution and technology partners that have delivered the greatest impact to the commerce industry over the past year. Nosto also won an Excellence Award with its agency partner Guidance and customer, Kate Somerville Skincare. About Nosto Nosto enables online retailers to deliver their customers personalized shopping experiences at every touch point, across every device. A powerful personalization platform designed for ease of use, Nosto empowers retailers to build, launch and optimize 1:1 multi-channel marketing campaigns without the need for dedicated IT resources. Leading retail brands in over 100 countries use Nosto to grow their business and delight their customers. Nosto supports its retailers from its offices in Helsinki, London, Berlin, Stockholm, New York, Los Angeles and Paris. More information can be found at http://www.nosto.com/. Media Contacts: Heidi Davidson Galvanize Worldwide for Nosto (914) 441-6862 Heidi@GalvanizeWorldwide.com Senator JV Ejercito during his interview with Get it Straight with Daniel Razon QUEZON CITY, Philippines They say politics is a dirty game it knows no friends or siblings. Tension between brothers Senator Joseph Victor Ejercito and former Senator Jinggoy Estrada seems to be escalating ahead of the 2019 midterm elections. It has been reported that Jinggoy is being courted to join the ruling party Partido Demokratiko Pilipino-Lakas ng Bayan (PDP-Laban.) Meanwhile JV is seeking reelection though he is not yet certain if hes included in the administrations senatorial ticket. In an interview with Get it Straight with Daniel Razon, Tuesday, May 8, JV said, Mabigat talaga kasi based on experience, Kuya Daniel, kahit na halimbawa councilor, kagawad or board member, sabay ang pamilyang tumatakbo, talagang chances are isa lang ang iboboto. (Based on experience, it is difficult to run for the position of board member, councilor or kagawad when a family member is also running for the same. Chances are, only one of you will get elected.) The younger Ejercito said it has been his desire to iron things out with his brother in consideration of their ageing father, former president now mayor Joseph Estrada. The last time they talked, according to JV, was during the height of the plunder charges against the former president. JV said he is willing to give way for his brother but not at this point when he is still pushing for his advocacies that he believes will be of big help to the country. He is pushing for the lowering of electricity rates and the establishment of the countrys railway system in Congress. Kahit saang parte ka ng mundo, very vital ang railway system sa ekonomiya ng bawat bansa. Sasabihin ko sa kapatid ko, Ito lang ang gusto kong matuloy na sa tingin ko ay magpapasigla ng ating ekonomiya, the senator said. Story continues (Anywhere you go in the world, the railway system is very vital in any countrys economy. I will tell my brother, I want to see this implemented because I believe it will energize our economy.) JV said he hopes that his brother will also open up to him as he wants the two of them to reconcile. Siguro ma-realize namin pareho, hindi lang niya, na walang maidudulot na mabuti kung patuloy kaming magbabangayan, he concluded. Nel Maribojoc / Marje Pelayo | UNTV News & Rescue The post JV wants to end feud with brother Jinggoy appeared first on UNTV News. Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque MANILA, Philippines Presidential Spokesperson Secretary Harry Roque said there is no confirmation to reports that President Rodrigo Duterte has fired Tourism Secretary Wanda Teo. Teo was reported to have submitted her resignation to the President following the P60 million ad placement controversy involving the Department of Tourism (DoT) and Teos siblings. Teo was sighted at the Cabinet meeting on Monday after which, according to Roque, the President had a personal meeting with Teo though he couldnt tell what transpired in the said one-on-one meeting. Rosalie Coz | UNTV News & Rescue The post Roque on Duterte firing Wanda Teo: No information yet appeared first on UNTV News. Two Islamists were sentenced to be hanged for the murder of a Bangladesh university professor who was hacked to death with a machete two years ago, a prosecutor said Tuesday. The killing was among a spate of attacks in the Muslim-majority country on secular activists, religious minorities and foreigners blamed by authorities on homegrown extremists. Rezaul Karim Siddique, an English literature professor and prominent secular activist, was killed near his home in Rajshahi city in April 2016. One of the two ordered to be hanged Tuesday was a student from Siddique's department at Rajshahi University, Shariful Islam, who is currently on the run. Islamic State claimed responsibility for the murder but Bangladesh authorities blamed homegrown militants accused of carrying out similar attacks. Siddique was the fourth professor from Rajshahi University to be killed by Islamists in recent years. Charges were pressed in 2016 against eight young men, including Siddique's English literature student. Prosecutor Entajul Haque said a fast track court in Rajshahi convicted five of the eight defendants of murder, ordering executions for two and life imprisonment for three others. "The judge said the two will be hanged to death. The key convict is absconding and he was sentenced in absentia," he told AFP. Haque said all five accused belong to the banned Jamayetul Mujahideen Bangladesh (JMB), which police said had no international links. He said three of those found guilty had already been killed in police encounters in recent months. Local police chief Hafizur Rahman told AFP authorities have launched a manhunt for Islam. Immediately after the murder, the IS-linked Amaq news agency allegedly said the professor was killed for "calling to atheism". Family and friends said the professor had never spoken out against religion but he might have been targeted for his role in leading music and literature groups in Rajshahi. JMB is blamed for several deadly attacks in Bangladesh in the last five years, including the July 2016 Dhaka cafe carnage. Armed gunmen stormed a cafe in the capital's diplomatic area and hacked or shot dead 22 people, including 18 foreigners. Bangladeshi security forces have since launched a crackdown on extremist outfits, arresting hundreds of suspects and gunning down at least 80 accused Islamist militants. Bangladesh executed three Islamists last year. MISSION, Kan., May 08, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- (Family Features) Millions of people with Medicare will receive new, more secure Medicare cards in the mail in 2018. The new cards replace Social Security Number-based Medicare numbers with a new, unique, personalized Medicare Number, known as the Medicare Beneficiary Identifier. Each person with Medicare will have his or her own number. The cards will be mailed automatically, free of charge, and there will be no changes to Medicare users current benefits. The new Medicare cards no longer contain a persons Social Security number, but rather a unique, randomly-assigned Medicare number that protects peoples identity, helps reduce fraud and offers better safeguards of important health and financial information. Removing Social Security Numbers from Medicare cards is one of the ways the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) is helping to protect the identities of people with Medicare. The unique Medicare Number not only increases protections from fraud for people with Medicare, it also makes it harder for criminals to use Social Security Numbers to falsely bill Medicare for care services and benefits that were never performed. CMS is mailing the new Medicare cards in geographic waves. This means people with Medicare may not get their new card at the same time as their friends or neighbors. People with Medicare and their caregivers can visit medicare.gov/newcard to find out when cards will be mailed to their areas. They can also sign up for email notifications about the card-mailing and check the card-mailing status in their states. As soon as people receive their new Medicare cards, they should safely and securely destroy their old Medicare cards and start using their new cards right away. In addition to using the new cards, consider these tips for further protecting yourself from identity theft: Protect the New Card Number People with Medicare should guard their new card like it is a credit card and only give their Medicare Number to people they know should have it. Medicare, or someone representing Medicare, will never contact people with Medicare to ask for their Medicare Number or other personal information unless they have been given specific permission in advance. Look Out for Scams As the new Medicare cards are mailed, be on the lookout for scams. Dont pay for your new card. Its free. If anyone calls and says you need to pay for it, thats a scam. Dont give personal information to get your card. If someone calls claiming to be from Medicare asking for your Social Security Number or bank information, hang up. Medicare will never ask you to give personal information to get your new number and card. Guard your card. When you get your new card, safeguard it like you would health insurance or credit cards. While removing the Social Security Number cuts down on many types of identity theft, youll still want to protect your new card because identity thieves could use it to receive medical services. The 4 Rs of Fighting Fraud It is important to remember that you are the first line of defense in protecting yourself against Medicare fraud, and should make a habit of monitoring online accounts. Remember the four Rs for fighting fraud: Record doctors appointments and services Review claims for any you dont recognize Report suspected fraud to CMS by calling 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227) Remember to protect your Medicare Number 10 Things to Remember About New Medicare Cards Make note of these facts to help ensure a smooth transition to your new card. 1. Your card will have a new Medicare Number thats unique to you, instead of your Social Security Number. This can help protect your identity and keep your personal information more secure. 2. Your card will automatically come to you at no cost. You dont need to do anything as long as your address is up-to-date. If you need to update your address, visit socialsecurity.gov/myaccount. 3. You can find out when your card is mailing by signing up for email notifications at Medicare.gov/NewCard. 4. Your Medicare coverage and benefits will stay the same. 5. Mailing takes time, and Medicare will mail the new cards by April 2019. Your card may arrive at a different time than your friends or neighbors. 6. Once you get your new Medicare card, destroy your old Medicare card and start using your new one right away. Rather than simply throwing the old card away, shred it or cut it into small pieces. 7. Your card will be paper and not laminated, which makes it easier for many providers to use and copy for their records. 8. If youre in a Medicare Advantage Plan (like an HMO or PPO), your Medicare Advantage Plan ID card is your main card for Medicare. You should still keep and use it whenever you need care. However, you also may be asked to show your new Medicare card, so you should carry this card, too. 9. Doctors, other health care providers and facilities know your new card is coming and will ask for your new Medicare card when you need care, so carry it with you. 10. Only give your new Medicare Number to doctors, pharmacists, other health care providers, your insurers or people you trust to work with Medicare on your behalf. Treat your Medicare Number like you treat your credit card numbers. Medicare will never contact you uninvited to ask for personal information. Michael French mfrench@familyfeatures.com 1-888-824-3337 editors.familyfeatures.com About Family Features Editorial Syndicate Established in 1974, Family Features is a leading provider of free food and lifestyle content for print and online publications. Our articles, photos, videos and web content solutions save you time, money and help create advertising opportunities. Registration is fast and free with absolutely no obligation. Visit editors.familyfeatures.com for more information. A photo accompanying this announcement is available at http://resource.globenewswire.com/Resource/Download/8e31454c-424a-4854-b27e-0312359cca94 US and international airlines risk curbs on mainland operations if they refuse to obey Beijings one-China rules in Taiwan row Foreign airlines risk restrictions on their permission to operate in mainland China if they fail to back the governments stance on one-China as tensions between Beijing and Washington magnify national sentiment. Over the weekend The Washington Post reported that the Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC) had sent a letter to 36 carriers last month ordering them to stop listing Taiwan, Hong Kong and Macau separately on their websites and mark them as part of China. The CAACs letter to United Airlines dated April 25 gave it 30 days to respond and warned that non-compliance would be deemed serious discreditable conduct under the Measures for the Credit of the Civil Aviation Industry issued last November. United States ups the trade ante with attack on Chinas Orwellian demands on airlines, analysts say Other authorities such as the Cyberspace Administration of China will also enforce their respective laws, the letter added. The regulations list various punishments that could be applied, including closer administrative scrutiny and demerits on their credit records. Those deemed to have engaged in serious discreditable conduct might have their resources or administrative permits restricted or downgraded; or face problems when applying for new resources or administrative permits. They could also be passed on to their own industry association for disciplinary action. United Airlines, which still lists Taiwan separately on its websites, has passed the letter on to the White House for advice. Many other international companies have also failed to comply with the order. For instance, Japan Airlines still offers area options under the heading China/ Hong Kong/ Taiwan. On the other hand, Korean company Asiana Airlines has changed its website by offering destinations in Taiwan under the heading mainland China, Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan. Over the weekend, the White House condemned the demands as Orwellian nonsense and called on China to stop threatening and coercing American carriers and citizens. Story continues Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Geng Shuang responded on Sunday that foreign enterprises operating in China must respect the national sentiment of the Chinese people. Airlines that fail to respect one-China policy will be punished The CAAC began to police how the foreign carriers refer to the Chinese-claimed territories especially Taiwan, which it regards as a breakaway province in January, when another American carrier Delta Air Lines was criticised by Chinese customers for listing Tibet and Taiwan as separate countries. Delta apologised for an inadvertent error and said there was no political intention behind the listing. It has since removed Tibet from its website, but Taiwan is still listed separately from the mainland. The nationalist furore unleashed followed a similar campaign that month against the Marriot hotel chain, which had also listed Tibet and Taiwan separately. Since then Chinese internet users have started to watch multinational firms activities in China closely and pressured the authorities to act against those branded transgressors. Analysts have suggested that the current spat follows the recent trend of Donald Trumps administration playing up the Taiwan issue. Yuan Zheng, from the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, said the government in Beijing needed to respond to nationalistic public opinion and give a robust response as cross-strait relations deteriorate. The White Houses intervention in the current row was highly unusual because such matters are usually left to the State Department, said Wu Xinbo, director of the Centre for American Studies at Fudan University. It is very likely that this was advocated by John Bolton, said Wu. Bolton was recently named as Trumps new National Security Adviser and his appointment, coupled with his long-standing support for Taiwan, brings fresh challenges to Beijings increasingly aggressive stance towards the self-ruled island. While Trump doesnt have a clear understanding of the Taiwan issue and only uses Taiwan as leverage, people like Bolton sympathise with Taiwan, he added. The Chinese side is very alarmed by it and is likely to react strongly. This article US and international airlines risk curbs on mainland operations if they refuse to obey Beijings one-China rules in Taiwan row first appeared on South China Morning Post For the latest news from the South China Morning Post download our mobile app. Copyright 2018. This months cover feature is also the Deep Focus special, transporting the reader back to the Other Side of 80s America namely, those often overlooked films and directors that turned their back on the high-concept spectacle and cartoonish action film, the flag-waving and corporate swagger, preferring to operate in a low-key, personal register more reminiscent of the character-driven films of 70s New Hollywood and to focus their attention on marginal lives at the sharp end of Reaganonics. Dennis Hopper, Penelope Spheeris, Alan Rudolph, Joyce Chopra, Bill Sherwood, Joan Micklin Silver and Albert Brooks are just a few of the names to conjure with in this anti-pantheon, all profoundly committed to the oblique angle, the real thing, the downbeat tone. Nick Pinkertons article points to the 80s as a watershed in American culture, before the internet blurred subcultural distinctions and indie became big business. The 80s seem like the last moment when the mainstream-counterculture dynamic that had acted to define postwar American culture offered a clearly comprehensible narrative and counter-narrative. Hair metal or college rock? Multiplex or cult cinema? What side are you on? Pretty much all of the characters in these films regard mainstream life as something to be escaped at all costs, a burden to cast off, they feel ill at ease in their time. This was never more true than for young people, whose bleak prospects in this era can be ascertained by the post-shoot body count on Martin Bells documentary about homeless youths Streetwise (1984). And it was largely down to the alternative cinema that Pinkerton explores to convey the devastation wrought by the spread of HIV/Aids in this era. Anne Billsons supporting article develops the thesis in the direction of subversive low-budget genre fare unburdened by notions of good taste think Brian Yuznas Society (1989), James M. Muros Street Trash (1987), and of course the maestro himself, Larry Cohen, in films such as Q: The Winged Serpent (1982) and The Stuff (1985). Zama is the long awaited new feature from Argentinian Lucrecia Martel, an anti-epic of frustrated colonialist ambition which many critics have argued is her greatest film to date. Zama is adapted from a 1965 novel by Antonio di Benedetto and follows an 18th-century colonial bureaucrat desperate to escape the brilliantly evoked tedium of his post in Paraguay. In Martels version of this story, as Jonathan Romney explains, the titular Zama becomes much harder to read. He becomes a taciturn, somewhat opaque figure, knowable above all through the nervy body language and expressions of the lean, hollow-eyed Daniel Gimenez Cacho. As usual with Martel, the psychological vicissitudes of her characters are expressed through disorienting technique ellipsis, withheld information, partial views and manipulation of sound. It makes for, as Romney says, tantalisingly murky waters. In an interview with our editor Nick James, Martel says that for her, a film is not telling a story, it is an artefact or representation of a way of perceiving things which aims to challenge ones own way of perceiving the world, so as to upset things, like an earthquake. Prepare to be rocked and shaken. Marion Cotillard is, of all the famous French actresses one can think of, the only one to become a truly transnational star, claims our expert Ginette Vincendeau, owing to the sheer range of work she has under her belt, including domestic comedies, Hollywood blockbusters, American independents, music videos and films by respected European auteurs, such as her latest, Arnaud Desplechins Ismaels Ghosts. She also won an Oscar for her role as Edith Piaf in La Vie en Rose, the film that turned her into a global celebrity. So whats the secret of her success? According to Vincendeau, her agency as an actress is evident from the consistency of her performance style across different genres, roles and languages her acting is characterised by understated features and naturalistic mannerisms designed to project subtle emotions. Her persona is primarily melancholy, bittersweet. So one of the great stars of the modern age, and as one journalist put it to Cotillard, You are a French exception all to yourself. To celebrate the re-release of GW Pabsts Pandoras Box and a new BFI Classic book on the film by Pamela Hutchinson, we look back at the female characters in the silent and early sound films of the Austrian director, who was fascinated by female psychology. As Hutchinson reveals, His women are rebellious, sexual, intelligent and often outrageous, but always credible and intriguing instead of mere types. In Pandoras Box, for example, the sexual monster of Wedekinds plays is reconfigured as a human, sweetly innocent character. Perhaps Pabst was reflecting his moment, the rise of the new woman in 1920s Weimar, who formed the majority of the cinema-going audience. His vision, not of a future equality but of vengeful goddesses creating a sexual tyranny, was sadly disrupted and thrown into reverse by the rise of the Nazis in the early 30s. But lets be grateful for this run of amazing films before the cataclysm. Our Home Cinema section features Jean Rollin, gradually transforming into a cult director nowadays, whose genre films, filled with wanderers, fugitives and seekers, as Nick Pinkerton puts it, were dismissed in his native France. They are some of the loneliest films I know true outsider movies, both in their content and the circumstances of their production. Rollin was most famously associated with the vampire film, but never went in for traditional scares. Rollins foremost aim is not to terrify but to seduce, entrance, narcotise. You can catch some of these 70s masterpieces and curios on BFI Player, and Black House Films are overseeing new UK Blu-ray releases. Also in this issue: long reviews of Jeune femme and the Godard biopic Redoubtable, the early films of Derek Jarman box set, an exploration of sleep in cinema, and the enigmatic finale of Antonionis The Passenger. D: Do you find it hard street skating in Belfast? (Roars of laughter from everyone). C: Fuck me. Lack of spots G: I think everyone in Belfast is unmotivated to go street anyway since the skatepark opened. C: The problem is, all the spots look alright on camera but theyre not theres always something wrong. G: Every spot has its little problem. C: Then when you do find sick shit, it gets knobbed, or its just being built, or it never lasts. Theres some sick shit; remember near the skatepark we found the marble ledges? Theyre all amazing, we went when they were just being built, but now you get kicked out. D: There are so many amazing spots being built but you get maybe a two-day window. The problem is there are no real spots that you can go to, to skate on your own, where you can get warmed up, have some peace and quiet C: Another massive problem I think is, when you go to any spot in Belfast, youll never see any skateboarders. Ill go to Custom to meet you and Gerard, but therell be no one else about. Whereas in other countries, it seems like you go to any spot, theres usually skateboarders there. And I love that shit, I think thats so sick. D: There are more people about. C: You can vibe with different people, whereas over here, everyone goes to the skatepark because everyone knows thats where people are gunna go. D: Were all guilty of that, to a certain extent. But every time we try and do a street mission, we never meet up there. C: But even when we do meet at the skatepark, we still leave. And then no one comes with us. Shit gets real when youre around, Dodds. Shit gets serious. Otherwise we dont leave the skatepark, unless its to go to New Spot (laughs). G: New Spot or the Titanic Quarter, but we wouldnt just go for a street skate. D: So Im a massive fan of your skateboarding, obviously, Im sure most people in Belfast are. G: Awk, stop! Stop it you (laughs). D: Where do you get inspiration? Who inspires you? Whether it be Belfast skaters, or footage on YouTube or wherever. C: Grant motherfucking Taylor! G: Grant Taylor! Paddy Lynn when he skates. C: Paddy Maguire. G: You know Paddy Maguire at Bridges on Sunday? You know that video? I used to watch that every day before going skating, no joke. Everything he does in that video is insane. C: P-Mag in his heyday, when he used to live here, when he lived with Plynn, he used to come down the park every day and fucking slay it. Kickflip nosemanny nollie tre first try, every try. Everything was in a line too; he didnt stop, he just kept going. G: When I used to go to the skatepark and see him skate, that was next level. I was like fuck, Im never going to be that good. He was literally the best in Belfast; I remember that really vividly. C: Conhuir Lynn, when he used to come down G: When I started skating he was about for a few years. C: He used to pop really high kickflips. Denis as well, watching him skating about gets me fired up. Gerry jams himself over an appropriately battered bollard within spitting distance of Loko (RIP). D: So nearly everyone who has a talent in skateboarding wants to make it to a certain extent. There is no doubt that you both well and truly fit this category does it bother you that skateboarding in Northern Ireland general goes unnoticed a lot of the time in terms of sponsorship and so on? C: Yeah, its kinda whack. G: I dont know how to answer that. C: There are so many people in the past who have deserved to be sponsored. G: I think its on them. If youre not filming all the time or taking photos all the time C: Marc Beggan, for instance if he grew up in England, hed be hooked up, because hes doing fucking unbelievable shit. Paddy Lynn as well, if he grew up in England, hed be hooked up. Over here there are no skateshops, everything seems a bit dead. But we all try to keep it alive, and all the boys keep it alive. G: Im not wanting to get sponsored, Im going to skate for as long as possible and see how far I can take it. Im not hoping to get sponsored but if it happens, its sick. C: Thats the same for me. D: Even down in Dublin it seems to be that High Rollers are hooking it up for everyone and showing the love. C: Thats all you want. It doesnt matter if youre sponsored or if youre getting free this, that or whatever, so long as theres someone there, a shop or a higher power Derek Sloan you want that one person who G: Major shout out to Derek Sloan! We thank you for everything youve done. D: If theres one person in this country who has gone out of his way C: to make sure that people have a board under their feet at all time. G: to make sure all the rippers are still ripping. C: He makes sure that everyone is rolling. D: Even if its people who have just started skating, he does competitions, he does everything. He shows the love on so many levels. G: I have nothing but respect for Derek. C: Thats what you need, you need someone like that, someone whos going to show the love, otherwise it gets kinda stale and boring. Dont get me wrong, if it didnt happen Id still skate, but he gets people trying to do harder shit. If your board is dying and he posts a competition saying theres a board going for third place, if he sees youre trying, hell do something for you. D: Thats why hes a legend, a really good man. D: Ok so this is the last of my questions, then its quiz time. You were the first generation to grow up in the skatepark, which has obviously benefitted you both is there anyone to watch out for in the Belfast skate scene right now? G: James Ferris. C: James fucking Ferris! G: I tell you what, Alfie Carleton. C: Fucking Goat Man! G: Ethan Campbell. Goat is the best transition skater to ever fucking do it! C: Five years time he will be swinging in transitions. Hes only 16. G: Its sick to watch because we were older when we started to get good, but Goat, James and Drew started to get good a little bit younger than when we did, then the generation thats starting now Chris Petrie and Luke they are going to be fucking sick because they started so young and theyre already doing shit. I think the generations are going to get younger and younger and better and better. UNITED STATES.- Chelsea Manning is no longer living as a transgender woman in a male military prison, serving the lengthiest sentence ever for revealing U.S. government secrets. Shes free to grow out her hair, travel the world, and spend time with whomever she likes. But a year since former President Barack Obama commuted Mannings 35-year sentence, Americas most famous convicted leaker isnt taking an extended vacation. Far from it: The Oklahoma native has decided to make an unlikely bid for the U.S. Senate in her adopted state of Maryland. Manning, 30, filed to run in January and has been registered to vote in Maryland since August. She lives in North Bethesda, not far from where she stayed with an aunt while awaiting trial. Her aim is to unseat Sen. Ben Cardin, a 74-year-old Maryland Democrat who is seeking his third Senate term and previously served 10 terms in the U.S. House. Manning, who also has become an internationally recognized transgender activist, said shes motivated by a desire to fight what she sees as a shadowy surveillance state and a rising tide of nightmarish repression. The rise of authoritarianism is encroaching in every aspect of life, whether its government or corporate or technological, Manning told The Associated Press during an interview at her home in an upscale apartment tower. On the walls of her barely furnished living room hang Obamas commutation order, and photos of U.S. anarchist Emma Goldman and British playwright Oscar Wilde. Mannings longshot campaign for the June 26 primary would appear to be one of the more unorthodox U.S. Senate bids in recent memory, and the candidate is operating well outside the partys playbook. She says she doesnt, in fact, even consider herself a Democrat, but is motivated by a desire to shake up establishment Democrats who are caving in to President Donald Trumps administration. She vows she wont run as an independent if her primary bid fails. Shes certainly got an eye-cat-ching platform: Close prisons and free inmates; eliminate national borders; restructure the criminal justice system; provide universal health care and basic income. The top of her agenda? Abolish the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, a federal agency created in 2003 that Manning asserts is preparing for an ethnic cleansing. Manning ticks off life experiences she believes would make her an effective senator: a stint being homeless in Chicago, her wartime experiences as a U.S. Army intelligence analyst in Iraq even her seven years in prison. She asserts shes got a bigger vision than establishment politicians. But political analysts suspect the convicted felon is not running to win. Fares Akram GAZA CITY, GAZA STRIP.- Israeli troops shot and killed three Palestinians who tried to breach the Gaza border fence, the military said on Sunday, adding that an axe and a wire cutter were found in their possession. Soldiers fired tank shells and machine guns at the men, according to a Palestinian medic, Izzat Shatat. He said the men had been close to the border fence, but that he was not sure if they actually crossed into Israel. Tambien te puede interesar: North Korea says US ruining mood of detente ahead of summit The attempted breach came at a time of heightened tension on the Gaza-Israel border, including more than a month of weekly mass protests near the fence. Gazas Hamas rulers have said the marches would continue until a decade-old blockade of the territory by Israel and Egypt is lifted. More protests are expected on Friday, as well as on May 14 and 15. On May 14, the United States is to move its embassy in Israel from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem, whose Israeli-annexed eastern sector is sought for a Palestinian capital. The move is seen by Palestinians as a U.S. breach of long-standing promises to help negotiate a fair arrangement for the contested city. On the following day, Palestinians mark the nakba, or catastrophe, to commemorate the anniversary of their mass uprooting during the 1948 war over Israels creation. FELIPE DANA | ARITZ PARRA Rome, Italy.- Italys coast guard said Monday it had granted authorization for 105 migrants rescued at sea by a Spanish aid group to transfer to a sturdier boat after more than a daylong bureaucratic tussle left them exposed to the elements on the Mediterranean Sea. It was the second time in as many months that Italy has delayed allowing rescued migrants to reach safety by insisting on bureaucratic formalities in what appears to be a strategy to dissuade aid groups from rescuing migrants. Spains Proactiva Open Arms said the migrants, including six children and 32 unaccompanied teenagers, were in stable condition Monday but they were exposed to bad weather and living in inappropriate conditions aboard the Astral, a sailing vessel turned rescue ship that Proactiva has used for emergency assistance. Aquarius, a bigger rescue ship of the French SOS Mediterranee nonprofit group, waited for much of Monday to take them to a safe port. The nonprofits said the vessels both sailing under the British flag had been waiting for authorization since early Monday at around 25 nautical miles (28.75 statute miles) off the town of Khoms on the Libyan coast. Italys coast guard said the British had to grant authorization for the transfer, but Britain said it wasnt coordinating the rescue. They are throwing the ball at each other and we are in the middle, said Astrals captain Riccardo Gatti, blaming Italian and British authorities more than 30 hours after the migrants were rescued from a drifting and engineless rubber boat. DENVER, May 08, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- simuwatt announced today that it has been added to the Multiple Award Schedule by the United States General Services Administration (GSA). simuwatt is a small business revolutionizing how government-owned and -managed buildings can quickly and affordably perform energy assessments and audits in order to comply with EISA energy efficiency regulations. simuwatt offers an innovative tablet and desktop software application that dramatically lowers the cost and time associated with providing high quality building energy assessments. simuwatts price list and catalog of products and services is now available on the GSA Advantage website and can be found here. From working with the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) in Colorado to New York City, simuwatts Energy Auditor platform has been a trusted partner to local and state governments in reducing the time and fees associated with energy analyses of government buildings, said Oliver Davis, CEO of simuwatt. The GSA Schedule is the most widely used acquisition vehicle in the federal government, and we look forward to working closely with federal, state and local customers. Key features of simuwatts patented software platform include standardized data collection interfaces, an integrated library of energy conservation data, and enterprise collaboration tools. These features organize and create analysis-ready reports and models, and facilitate enhanced compliance with regulations associated with EISA and the Federal Energy Management Program (FEMP). Together, they can help save millions of taxpayer dollars in both energy costs and reduced audit costs. Inclusion on the IT Schedule 70 means that simuwatt has been vetted as a responsible supplier, pricing has been determined to be fair and reasonable, and that the company is in compliance with all applicable laws and regulations. It is one of the largest contracts in government used by agencies to purchase technology products and services. Schedule 70 also allows state and local governments to procure simuwatts Energy Auditor platform and services. simuwatts inclusion in the GSA IT Schedule 70 includes the following: Term Software Licenses (SIN 132-32) - Annual and Monthly Licenses The award is a 5-year indefinite delivery/indefinite quantity (IDIQ) contract, consisting of a 5-year base and three 5-year option extensions simuwatts current client roster includes governmental and commercial building owners and operators. These include the City of New York, DCAS, and the City University of New Yorks (CUNY) Building Performance Lab. The company recently won the SmartGrid Track of the 2017 Urban Future Competitionalong with a $50,000 cash prize for their innovative energy analysis tool. SYLVIE CORBET INTERNATIONAL.- In just one year as Frances president, Emmanuel Macron has emerged as a key world player, speaking up for Europe and Western democratic values and striking a surprise friendship with Donald Trump. But Macron has made his biggest impact and his biggest enemies at home. Strikes and protests over his economic reforms have dominated the French landscape in recent weeks, and tens of thousands held a party Saturday to share their anger at Macrons first year in office. Many fear he is trading the French way of life for a profit-focused, Americanstyle worldview. Both critics and fans agree that Macrons France has a different feel from the country that handed him the presidency on May 7, 2017. Tambien te puede interesar: From prison to politics: Chelsea Manning runs for US Senate Then a 39-year-old newcomer to politics, Macron helped stem a global tide of populism by beating anti-immigrant, far-right candidate Marine Le Pen with his strong pro-European, pro-free market convictions. Macron wasted no time in pushing through changes to Frances strict labor rules and raising the countrys international profile. He has emerged as Europes leading spokesman and was the first world leader to be hosted at a state dinner in Washington by Trump last month. In a speech to the U.S. Congress, Macron laid out a firm vision of global leadership, carrying the torch for a rules-based international system of freedoms, free markets and democratic governance that Western nations have championed since World War II. UNITED STATES.- U.S. military officials have sought to ward off congres- sional efforts to address child-on-child sexual assaults on bases, even as they disclose that the problem is larger than previously acknowledged. Members of Congress expressed alarm and demanded answers after an Associated Press investigation revealed that re- ports of sexual violence among kids on U.S. military bases and at Pentagon-run schools are get- ting lost in a dead zone of justice that often leaves both victim and offender without help. With at least three potential legislative fixes being drafted, military officials have had a clear message during briefings with lawmakers and their staffs: We can handle this on our own. Its a strategy that began months ago, after the Pentagon received APs questions and well before officials understood the scope or severity of the problem. In March, AP documented nearly 600 sex assault cases among children and teens on U.S. bases worldwide over a 10-year period. Army criminal investigators have now added another 86 investigations to the 223 they initially disclosed. The revision came after AP challenged data that suggested major installa- tions in several states and overseas had no or only a few such sexual assault cases. One Texas congressman has filed legislation that would direct the Pentagon to transfer cases to state authorities, who unlike the military or federal prosecutors have much more experience handling juvenile offenders. At least two Senate offices are drafting legislative language to address the problems that APs reporting revealed. In response, officials from the service branches and the Pentagon school system lobbied for time to fix the problem themselves, according to interviews and records. School system officials have told AP they were developing new rules for responding to the sexual violence. The Associated Press Vatican City.- Pope Francis has offered a prayer in St. Peters Square for an end to violence in the deeply impoverished Central African Republic, which he visited 2 years ago. Francis during his traditional Sunday blessing recalled the serious violence in recent days that left many, including a priest, dead. He called for an end to vendettas to construct peace together. At least 19 people were killed and 98 wounded in the renewed sectarian violence in the Central African Republics capital of Bangui, with targets including a church, a mosque and health facilities. The country has faced deadly interreligious and intercommunal fighting since 2013. During his November 2015 visit, the pope delivered a message of reconciliation. A horror for the world In a country where the images from months of horrific violence are still fresh in the memories of people, these renewed tensions could stoke more attacks and bloodshed if those responsible are not stopped once for all, said Balkissa Ide Siddo, Amnesty Internationals Central Africa researcher. Central African authorities and MINUSCA must send an immediate and clear message to all armed groups and their allies in CAR: No attack against civilians will be tolerated and all those suspected of committing war crimes and other serious human rights violations and abuses will be brought to justice. According to information collected by Amnesty International, the violence erupted after security forces attempted to arrest a member of an armed self-defense group in the neighborhood of PK5. Members of the armed self-defense group opened fire on security forces in an attempt to rescue their member and in reprisal for the arrest. The situation escalated quickly and members of the armed self-defense group, targeted civilians during a mass at the Notre-Dame de Fatima church in Bangui. The Associated Press Moscow, Russia.- Alexei Navalny, the leader of protests against President Vladimir Putin that resulted in the arrests of more than 1,500 demonstrators across Russia including himself, said Sunday that the actions were worthwhile even though he faces another possible stretch in jail. Navalny was released from detention Sunday, a day after he was arrested in Moscows Pushkin Square along with hundreds of other demonstrators protesting Putins upcoming inauguration today for a new term. He said he has been charged with organizing an unauthorized meeting and of resisting police. Each of those charges can carry a jail sentence of 15 days. He is to appear in court on the charges on Friday. OVD-Info, an organization that monitors Russian political arrests, said at least 1,575 people were arrested in demonstrations in 26 cities across Russia on Saturday protesting Putins upcoming inauguration Monday for a new term. It was not clear Sunday how many remained in custody, although the presidential human rights council said about 80 percent of 658 detainees in Moscow had been released. Amnesty International called the arrests and beatings of some Russian protesters outrageous. Despite the arrests, Navalny termed the protests a great success. Putin is coming into a fifth term and wants to demonstrate to all that I am the owner of this country and I will eat everything here; those who do not support me sit quietly and do not dare to make a squeak, Navalny said on his website. SUZAN FRASER Ankara, Turkey.- Awitness testifying anonymously against a U.S. pastor accused of spying and terror-related charges in Turkey claimed Monday that the American helped Kurdish militants and aimed to create a Christian Kurdish state, the countrys state-run news agency reported. Pastor Andrew Craig Brunson forcefully rejected the claim in the second session of his trial, insisting that he never permitted politics to enter the church, the Anadolu Agency reported. The 50-year-old evangelical pastor from Black Mountain, North Carolina, faces up 35 years in prison in Turkey on charges of committing crimes on behalf of terror groups without being a member and espionage. He denies any wrongdoing. Brunson was arrested in the aftermath of a 2016 coup attempt in Turkey for alleged links to the outlawed Kurdistan Workers Party, or PKK, as well as a network led by U.S.-based Muslim cleric Fethullah Gulen, who is blamed by Turkey for the political unrest. Gulen denies any knowledge of the failed coup. Anadolu said a secret witness described as a former parishioner and codenamed Serhat testified via a long-distance system and claimed that Brunson helped Kurdish militants in various ways, including those fighting in Syria. He also claimed that a Syrian who converted to Christianity had helped Brunson. Brunson, who has lived in Turkey for decades, forcefully rejected the claims. Anadolu quoted Brunson as responding: These accusations are shameful and disgusting. There is not one photograph or tape recording praising the PKK at the (Izmir) Resurrection Church. Our church had several Turkish followers. Our doors were open to everyone. I strived to prevent politics entering the church. Brunson later requested his release from jail, saying he wanted go home, Hurriyet newspaper reported. The court adjourned the trial until July 18 and ruled that he remain in jail. The case has strained ties between Turkey and the United States. U.S. President Donald Trump tweeted in Brunsons defense last month, saying: Pastor Andrew Brunson, a fine gentleman and Christian leader in the United States, is on trial and being persecuted in Turkey for no reason. Trump added: They call him a Spy, but I am more a Spy than he is. Hopefully he will be allowed to come home to his beautiful family where he belongs! Monika Scislowska WARSAW, POLAND.- Polish rescue workers on Sunday found the bodies of two miners after an earthquake hit a coal mine in southern Poland. Three other miners remain missing some 900 meters (2,950 feet) below ground since the quake hit Saturday morning in the mine, located in the town of Jastrzebie-Zdroj, close to Polands border with the Czech Republic. Tambien te puede interesar: VW board eyes damage claims against former CEO Winterkorn The head of the Jastrzebie Coal Company, Daniel Ozon, said a doctor confirmed the two fatalities and identification of the victims was underway. The first victim, initially identified by Ozon as a 38-year-old man, had been trapped under some metal. He said the identification still needed to be confirmed by DNA tests. The second miner was found a few hours later, trapped in the rubble, he added. More than 200 workers were involved in the rescue operation. Ozon said emergency workers were pumping air into the affected area to lower the level of methane gas before they can safely move ahead. After the quake hit, four miners were rescued quickly but seven others went missing. Two of the missing were later found alive and have been hospitalized. Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki and President Andrzej Duda travelled to the town, visiting the hospitalized miners and meeting with their families and some of the rescuers. Duda extended his condolences to the victims families. Authorities have launched an investigation into the accident. Polands State Mining Authority said the temblor had a magnitude of 3.4. In the summer of 2017, New York Citys Shakespeare in the Park staged a production of Julius Caesar that proved unexpectedly controversial. As played by Gregg Henry, Julius Caesar had pursed lips, inscrutable blond hair, and an extra-long red tie. Sound familiar? Andas the play calls forhe got viciously murdered halfway through the play. Right-wing news outlets like Fox News and Breitbart carried stories about this seditious show where Donald Trump gets viciously stabbed to death, and multiple sponsors pulled their support from the production. Advertisement Its remarkable to think that Julius Caesar, written more than four centuries ago, still has the power to provoke. But one of the reasons why Shakespeare remains the unshakable cornerstone of the Western canon is that every generation finds a new way that he speaks to their times. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In Shakespeares own time, England was undergoing enormous political and social upheaval. The country was wracked by famine and plague, threatened by religious violence, and confronted with political crises whose resolutions were often unclear. Shakespeare also wrote at a time of vigorous censorship. It was literally against the law for the theater to directly comment on current events. All plays back then had to be approved by an official who could demand changes to scripts or ban them outright. The political undercurrents of Shakespeares period are hidden in his plays, but theyre in there, helping to shape these works that would in turn shape our own understanding of the world. Advertisement So what political currents are likely influencing Shakespeare while hes writing his plays? What can we learn about our present political moment from reading his works now? How have theater makers wrestled with staging the politics of Shakespeares plays? Those are the questions were investigating in Lend Me Your Ears, my new podcast miniseries for Slate. Each month, well investigate a different Shakespeare play: Julius Caesar, Richard II, King Lear, Measure for Measure, Othello, and Coriolanus. Ill talk with expertscritics, historians, scholars, and theater makersabout Shakespeares England and the problems it faced. Together, well dig into the plays to see how hes responding to his current events, and the ways they map onto our own. Advertisement Advertisement As we journey into Shakespeares world and work, you may want to take the opportunity to (re)read the plays or watch the movie versionsbut its not necessary for enjoying Lend Me Your Ears. Whether youre a Shakespeare neophyte or carry the complete works on your Kindle, well tell you what you need to know. Our first episode, which you can hear right now by subscribing in your favorite podcast player or clicking play below, is about Julius Caesar. Its about why the fall of the Roman Republic spoke to people living in a monarchy in the late 16th century, and how Shakespeares version of that story continues to speak to us today. We start with Caesar because its one of Shakespeares most accessible works, and its about a republic falling apart into violence, unrest, and demagoguery. The things that happen in Julius Caesar are the things weve begun to fear could happen in our own lifetimes. As well hear, theyre things Shakespeare was worried about too. Subscribe to Lend Me Your Ears. Journalism by women is the price the mans world pays for having disappointed them, a (male) reviewer at the Christian Science Monitor opined on Joan Didions essay collection Slouching Towards Bethlehem on its publication in 1968. Anachronistic enough now, the review wore its chauvinism on its sleeve, reducing a work of trenchant cultural criticism to a stink bomb chucked over the fence in the battle of the sexes and framing a voice as distinctive as Didions as a mere riposte to mens writing, or maybe just men, period. With one weary sigh, the critic relegated not just Didion but womens literary work in toto to the status of a footnote in the all-subsuming Great Book of mens writing. Advertisement Its a telling detail, of the sort I wished I saw more of in journalist and critic Michelle Deans deeply researched, engaging, yet tentative first book, Sharp: The Women Who Made an Art of Having an Opinion. Though the quote in its idiocy functions as a juicy little hate-read, the faltering egos and performative fear of literary men past arentfor good reasonsomething Dean gives much space. To let them have their say would only perpetuate the misconception her book seeks to correct: that the history of American letters in the 20th century is rightfully the province of men. Dean sets out to dismantle the myth. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement These days, the women of Sharppresented in roughly chronological order progressing through the century, the critics Dorothy Parker, Rebecca West, Hannah Arendt, Mary McCarthy, Susan Sontag, Pauline Kael, Joan Didion, Nora Ephron, Renata Adler, and Janet Malcolmdont exactly need reclaiming or shoring up against the backhanded compliments that at times greeted their work. Yet its true, as Dean points out, that in the typical literary accounting of the last century, male novelists loom overlarge: Fitzgerald and Hemingway, Mailer, Roth, Bellow. The so-called New York intellectuals, the incestuous group of editors and writers to which many of those profiled in Sharp belonged, also tend to be remembered as a male set, though the men of the group are fast fading from larger cultural memory. Advertisement Deans hypothesis is that her subjects exceptional work wasnt necessarily, during their time, fully recognized; on the contrary, for the sting of their judgments, they were often loathed and attacked by contemporaries, a rejection strong enough to have had lasting effects. To build her case that these female writers and thinkers were, in fact, entirely central to the progression of intellectual life, Dean traces their literary biographies in lucid prose, following the arcs of their careers. Advertisement Advertisement The difficulty is that each womans story is rather self-contained, although Dean does sketch the friendships or acquaintances among some of them, particularly the bond between the very different McCarthy and Arendt. Its clear that she sees her subjects as intellectual role models, but Sharpdifferent from recent books in the minigenre of women writing on their artistic or literary crushesdoesnt dip into memoir. Unlike Kate Bolick, Lauren Elkin, or Rebecca Mead, Dean doesnt twine her own story with those of her subjects or explicitly look to their works or lives for creative or life guidance. I didnt miss that kind of personal excavation, yet reading Sharp I longed for some sort of interstitial tissue that might bind these women togethersomething more substantive than a tendency toward brilliance, lacerating judgments, and ambivalence toward feminism. Despite identifying at the outset that part of her project is making plain the connections I felt I could see, Dean doesnt, until quite late in the book, offer much on the ways their works may speak to or past each other either stylistically or thematically. (She also quotes little from their major works, drawing mostly on lesser pieces, interviews, and letters, presumably because of copyright fees.) For the most part, what she offers is close to a primer, one that may nonetheless inspire female critics and essayists seeking a broader set of forbears than Didion or Sontag, both of whom are frequently cited and celebrated in the essays of contemporary writers like Leslie Jamison, Eula Biss, and Valeria Luiselli. Advertisement Advertisement Deans subjects are connected by the derision, sexism, and resentment that sometimes greeted their work or their perceived abrogation of gender roles. Any woman whos been criticized for being unapproachablenot to mention any podcaster deleting emails about her vocal frywill wince in recognition at the lectures on niceness that listeners to Kaels Berkeley radio program in the early days of the Mad Men era felt compelled to deliver. A (female) listener wrote in: Miss Kael, I assume you arent married. One loses that nasty, sharp bite in ones voice when one learns to care about others. Kael, reading the letter on air, refuted the virtues of female placidity: Advertisement I wonder if you have considered that perhaps caring about others may bring a bite to the voice? And I wonder if you have considered how difficult it is for a woman in this Freudianized age to show any intelligence without being accused of unnatural aggressivity, hateful vindictiveness, or lesbianism. Advertisement The writers of Sharp also endured subtler putdowns, sometimes in the form of friendly fire. When Didions husband and screenwriting collaborator, John Gregory Dunne, wrote about introducing her to Kael at a party, he summed up their meeting thus: Two tough little numbers, each with the instincts of a mongoose and an amiable contempt for the others work, putting on a good old girl number. With Didions canonical, even totemic status long since established, its startling to come across Dunnes faux compliment. A man who will, at best, be remembered as the impetus for a luminous grief memoir couldnt help but neg her. Advertisement We tell ourselves stories in order to live, goes the much cited and abused Didion observation that opens her iconic essay The White Album, typically pressed into service nowadays as a self-help slogan or a rah-rah for storytelling. But as Dean reminds us, the essay zooms in on a catalog of delusional fantasies, finally concluding that writers especially are guilty of imposing a kind of narrative order on existence that simply freeze[s] the shifting phantasmagoria of our experience. Didions critique of telling stories is an invitation to view the woman behind the curtain, to question the authority of the writer, and in that sense it represented a revolutionary idea; the male literary patriarchy had not been in the habit of calling attention to its methods of artifice, or acknowledging its selectivity. Questions of who is seen as credibly taking up authority or deciding what subjects are important are matters Dean has explored before, in feminist critiques of Important Literary Men like James Wood and the relegation of women-authored memoirs to the realm of self-absorbed confessional. Advertisement Advertisement Janet Malcolm, who continues to publish with the New York Review of Books and the New Yorker, is another Sharp writer whose major subjects are her ambivalence about the artifice of narrative and the unreliability of the authorial voice. Any journalist who is not too stupid or too full of himself knows that what he does is morally indefensible is the resounding first line of Malcolms The Journalist and the Murder, which examined who was the parasite and who was the host in the relationship between writer Joe McGinniss and his subject, the killer Jeffrey MacDonald. Her bit of rhetoric acknowledged a suppressed truth of journalism, that it can involve a sort of vampiric exchange between writer and subject, an extension of Didions thoughts on the manipulation of story. (Didion had also observed, in less hyperbolic fashion than Malcolm, Writers are always selling somebody out.) The comment provoked much lamentation and a tide of recrimination from defensive journalists. As Dean sees it, though, the observation ultimately pushed many to change the way they thought about the practice of reporting, and, with Malcolms book now routinely taught in journalism schools, is gaining acceptance as axiomatic. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While male novelists cloaked their ideas in fiction, the women of Sharp had a more lasting effect on the culture while writing in their own voices. One of Deans most satisfying observations is that a destabilized I is among the greatest contributions of nearly all the writers profiled in Sharp. For her, Malcolms notorious statement added something to the robust first person that had been built down through the century from Rebecca West to Didion and Ephron: a certain degree of uncertainty. This invitation to distrust even the writer herself, Dean writes, is a small skeleton key not just to Malcolms own work, but to that of nearly every person in this book. This point comes in the books penultimate chapter, on Malcolm, where Dean at last begins to makes more forceful connections, mining the accretion of detail and drawing conclusions. Advertisement Her observations on distrust and the I relate to the built-in uncertainty of having an opinion. The books subtitle credits its women with making art from opinion, and Dean trains her focus here; though most of the women in the book also had careers as fiction writers, she finds their greatest cultural impact in the critical world. While the male novelistsHemingway et al.typically seen as dominating midcentury American letters cloaked their ideas in fiction, the women of Sharp had, as Dean sees it, a more significant, specific, and lasting effect on the culture while writing in their own voiceseven if, as Malcolm would have it, those voices may be crafty simulacra. Sontags ideas about illness, camp, and photography changed the culture irrevocably; Arendts ideas about totalitarianism and the banality of evil towered over the postwar writing of her male counterparts and remain apposite today in a way The Naked and the Dead does not. Advertisement Advertisement When it came to feminism, the women of Sharp were an ambivalent lotand often had some choice words to say on the subject. (Feminist women, Didion once mocked, claimed to be raped on every date.) On the whole, they distrusted the idea and felt it had little to do with them (in their somewhat privileged bubbles), though the writers who overlapped with the rise of second-wave feminism, from McCarthy and Sontag forward, tended to arrive at a wary co-existence with the movement. At one extreme, German-born Arendt maintained until the end of her days that feminism was so much silly piffle and endorsed rigid gender rolesexcept when it came to herself. It just doesnt look good when a woman gives orders, she said in an interview. She should try not to get into such a situation if she wants to remain feminine The problem itself played no role for me personally I have always done what I liked to do. The Malcolm of 1970, who during the first seven years of her daughters life did not publish a single word, attacked mothers who chose to work outside the home: A woman who chooses to put her baby in someone elses care so she can pursue a career shouldnt be hypocritical about her decision she ought to see what she is doing and be willing to pay the price in affection that parental neglect often exacts. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ephron, who with her 1972 essay A Few Words About Breasts helped launch the conversation about body image that writers like Roxane Gay and Lindy West are extending and reshaping today, had a sympathetic but skeptical stance toward feminism. Like all things about liberation, she wrote in one Esquire column, sisterhood is difficult. The overarching difficulty of the movement for women of color, then and now, is their exclusion. And so the exclusion of their voices from a book profiling 10 writers, which inevitably coalesces into a (white, middle-class, mostly Jewish) canon of sorts, is confounding. Zora Neale Hurston makes a brief appearance in Sharp, as someone who would have provided superior coverage of a lynching trial for which the New Yorker instead dispatched Rebecca West, whose subsequent piece was riddled with racist analysisbut aside from these few pages, Dean dispenses with intersectionality in her preface: In a more perfect world a black writer like Zora Neale Hurston would have been more widely recognized as part of this cohort, but racism kept her writings at the margins of it. Advertisement Sticking rigidly with this cohort, many of whom wrote for a core set of high-toned New York publications, feels like a missed opportunity, especially given Sharps inherent argument that historically excluded voices bring valuable insight to public discourse. As critic Parul Sehgal pointed out during a panel on women and criticism organized by Dean in 2013, Women and people of color have something interesting to say about how power operates. Advertisement I closed the last page of Deans book with the sense that shed held herself back. I regretted her choice to stake out but a few of her own ideas in the ongoing conversation about criticism, gender, and power, one shes been thinking and writing provocatively about for years. Without the flush of new ideas to elevate its subject matter, the book can also feel a bit like a deftly assembled compendiuma consistently entertaining Lives of the Literary Ladies, perhaps. Eschewing the bold ways of the tough numbers she profiles, Dean delivers her observations on contemporary matters in chutzpah-free mode. Certain doors of perception are more open to women, she muses at one point, but it doesnt mean that men cant see what women are pointing out, if only theyd settle down, listen, and look. Who could raise a fuss about that? A polite suggestion, terribly reasonable! Sharp, however, it aint. Sharp: The Women Who Made an Art of Having an Opinion by Michelle Dean. Grove Press. Read all the pieces in the Slate Book Review. Every couple has one core fight that replays over and over again, in different disguises, over the course of their relationship. In this series, couples analyze the origin and mechanics of their One Fight. To pitch your own One Fight (well also accept pseudonyms, if necessary), email humaninterest@slate.com. Jordana and Sean Williams have been married for 14 years and live in Astoria, New York, with their two children. Sean: You and I have a very different approach to the way we handle our money, and I think there are two ways we generally look at that difference. You see it as me being somewhat irresponsible and careless while you are saving for a rainy day. To me, it feels like Im using the money we have to enjoy the things we can and you feel an incredible responsibility to account for every single dollar spent. Classic marital fight. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Jordana: I dont actually think youre irresponsible. We just have different default settings. Youre more inclined to assume that the more expensive version of something is better, whereas I need to be convinced that theres tangible value in upgrading. Sean: I remember going shopping for appliances for our new house. This would have been about 13 years ago, we were walking through a P.C. Richards or something and every single appliance we looked at, I wanted the high-end one and you kept insisting that we should go with the least expensive functional model. Since Im the one who does a majority of the kitchen work, I kept pushing for the things I thought would work the best and you were just miserable at the thought that we would spend that much money. Advertisement It came to a head when we looked at the washers and dryers. You understood that we needed the large washerwe expected children and were preparing for itbut you thought we might be able to save money on a small dryer. Your parents, who are really careful with money as well, pointed out that you cant have a different size washer and dryer or the clothes you put in the first wont fit in the second. Advertisement You said maybe we could line-dry some of the stuff. Jordana: Boy do you love telling that story. Sean: I do! It makes me look like Im the rational one! Jordana: Look, shopping for big-ticket items is emotionally fraught for me. My heart speeds up even remembering that day. We had just made the unfathomably huge purchase of a HOUSE, which then necessitated a series of additional expenses. There were rows upon rows of appliances at various price points, and I couldnt grasp the functional differences between the high- and low-end models. I felt scared and out of my depth, so my ancestral shtetl brain took over. Spending carefully and denying myself luxuries is my way of telling the vengeful money gods to point their evil eye elsewhere. Advertisement Advertisement It should be noted that I recognized the irrationality of my thinking and we bought the same-size washer and dryer like some kind of Rockefellers. Sean: Although it should be said that weve been filling it with cheap childrens clothes and hand-me-downs ever since. Because the truth is this isnt as much about money as it is about capital of all kinds. Youre forever afraid of using up favors or patience or access the same way you worry about money. When we have a nighttime function to go to, you get babysitting that begins at the exact moment we need to leave and ends when weve sprinted home from the event. And thats not about money, since very often its one of the grandparents who is doing the babysitting! You just dont want to use up the babysitting resource even though its basically what our parents love more than anything else. Advertisement Advertisement Jordana: This is, in fact, a thing I do. Arranging our nights out and figuring out who will babysit is also a thing I do. (Youre welcome!) Look, its complicated. Im hyperaware that our kids are our responsibility. When our parents or friends watch them for us, that is hugely generous on their part. I recognize that they love spending time with the kids, but my dad, for instance, would freely admit that he also loves beating the traffic home with an abiding passion. Im trying to honor their contribution to making our busy lives work by not taking unfair advantage. I will also admit that Im a little crazy in this regard. Im a reflexive maximizer. I want to squeeze as much fun and work and experiences of all sorts into any given day. Being a working mom who also tries to sustain various not-particularly-remunerative creative pursuits has exacerbated my more frenetic impulses. But I think Im generally pretty responsive when you point out that Im saddling us with an overambitious schedule. Im usually willing to recalibrate and allow some room for downtime. Advertisement Advertisement Sean: Its true that you respond when I point out how crazy our schedule is, but that response is almost always, Nah, itll be fine! And two hours later were sprinting to make an 8 oclock curtain. Advertisement Its also true that some big-ticket items, when left to me, end up being disasters. One of the stupidest things I ever did was hire a cleaning service without telling you, thinking it would be a big surprise. I didnt do the research carefully, it was a fortune, and when you saw the bill you very calmly asked me not to speak to you for a little while. Jordana: Its funny. I never think about that. Youre always the one who remembers it. I was definitely super mad that day, though. Advertisement Sean: Of course I remember it, its about the maddest youve ever been at me. But I think part of it was because I was pretending like this was a big surprise for you, when Im the one who works from home and has the kids after school. And thats the thing with the babysitting: I want to spend time just me and you, instead of having another hour with the kids. Its not that I dont love them, its that Ive had them for four hours sometimes by the time you get home and Im ready for some Husband-Not-Dad time. Advertisement Advertisement Jordana: I totally hear that, but Id love for you to recognize that coming home for 45 minutes between work and an evening event is sometimes my only chance to cuddle and check in with the kids. Whats hilarious, of course, is that weve devoted all these words to arguing about babysitting and we dont really go out that much. Advertisement Advertisement Jumping back to the luxury vs. basic issue, I think theres something else at work for me there. Having nice thingsespecially with kids in the housestresses me out far beyond the moment of purchase. If we get something fancy and then dont like it, I feel incredibly foolish. If a cheap thing isnt great, at least it was cheap! And if we get a fancy thing that we love, then I feel beholden to it in a weird way, pressured to maintain it and keep it in pristine shape. Cheap/used/pre-disastered items are much more relaxing for me. Then, of course, we have people come over and I get embarrassed that our house isnt nicer, but thats a story for another day. Advertisement Sean: See, this is fascinating to me because I think your motivation has as much to do with gaming the system as it does with getting the best deal. You want a deal, you want to maximize return and most importantly, you dont ever want to get taken for a ride. This is best exemplified by your approach to Disney World. The tickets are expensive, the hotels are expensive, the trip is expensive, so we maximize every single second were there, flying from one park to another, taking swim breaks to make sure we use the pool, replacing meals with gigantic pretzels Advertisement And let me be perfectly clear here, you are also maximizing our fun. We love the trips to Disney. But I think your motivation in making the plans is driven by the same motivation that makes you avoid a pricey hors doeuvreyou dont want someone to make a fool out of you by suckering you into spending money and not getting the maximum return. If Disney is gonna make you spend the money then DAMN IT, were gonna have the largest amount of possible fun. Advertisement Advertisement Jordana: Your characterization is maybe a little harsh, but its not far off. Remember last spring break when I couldnt get off work, and you took the kids to visit family in Iowa? I called one afternoon and the little imps gleefully informed me, Were still in our pajamas and we havent accomplished anything today! They were overjoyed to escape Moms Tyranny of Maximal Fun. I dont think Ill ever shed these impulses entirely (especially because theyve led us to some good things over the years), but Im trying to be more self-aware about it. I can usually recognize when Im being pulled in an irrational or penny-wise and pound-foolish direction, and weve gotten way better about talking about it without getting upset. Advertisement Advertisement Sean: Also, lets be perfectly honestI spent all the money I made before we got married and since weve been together, Ive managed to save and be responsible. And while the kids loved that trip to Iowa, they loved the trip to New Zealand even better, which you did solo and where you kept all the fun-trains running on time. Im always going to wish you could relax and enjoy spending money more, but Im also always grateful when I go to the ATM and theres actually money in there. Jordana: Look how kind and rational we both are! Lets see if we can keep that up while we try to find a new set of dining room furniture that is attractive, reasonably priced, of excellent quality, and wont get destroyed by repeated cereal spills. Sean: And as we search, well continue to use the 15-year-old cheap Ikea table that is still perfectly functional. We must be doing something right. Read other entries in Slates Our One Fight series: The Worrywart vs. the Zen Master Stability vs. Adventure Your Stuff vs. My Stuff On Tuesday, West Virginia Republicans will pick a nominee to challenge incumbent Democratic U.S. Sen. Joe Manchin. They have three choices: Evan Jenkins, a congressional representative; Patrick Morrisey, the state attorney general; and Don Blankenship, a former coal baron found criminally liable after a 2010 mining explosion killed 29 people, the worst coal-mining disaster in 40 years. Despite his conviction for violating federal regulations and a year spent in prison, Blankenship is reportedly leading the Senate pack. According to an internal poll conducted by a rival campaign, he leads with 31 percent of the vote to 28 percent for Jenkins and 27 percent for Morrisey. Its a substantial change from just two weeks earlier, when Blankenship trailed his competitors, and it has spooked national Republicans enough to prompt an early-morning Twitter intervention from President Donald Trump, who urged Republican voters to reject Blankenship on electability grounds. To the great people of West Virginia we have, together, a really great chance to keep making a big difference, Trump said. Problem is, Don Blankenship, currently running for Senate, cant win the General Election in your StateNo way! Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its unclear whether Trump will have an impact, especially in light of last years Senate special election in Alabama, where he took a similar stance against Roy Moore in the race to replace Jeff Sessions, hoping to rally Republicans to Luther Strange. Instead, Alabama Republicans flocked to Moore, giving him the nomination in a deliberate rebuke to the party establishment. And Moore might have won that race if not for his history of misconduct with teenage girls. Theres an irony here. Just two years ago, establishment Republicansand even those just outside the establishmentwere urging Republican voters to reject Donald Trump in the presidential primary. Their pleas fell on deaf ears. Large minorities (and eventually majorities) of Republican voters would back Trump, leading him to easy victory against his rivals. Which gets to the larger story: In contest after contest, a substantial number of rank-and-file Republicans are drawn to the most demagogic and anti-social candidates in the field, regardless of record or past transgressions. While this phenomenon predates Trumpyou see inklings in Sarah Palin, Sharron Angle, and Todd Akinits come to full fruition in the wake of his success. Advertisement The other examples, beyond Blankenship and Moore, are Corey Stewart in Virginia and Joe Arpaio in Arizona. Despite lagging far behind in fundraising, Stewart nearly toppled Ed Gillespie for the Republican gubernatorial nomination last year, shooting into a close second on a message of Confederate nostalgia and white racial resentment, which was nearly enough to overcome Gillespies more sedate suburban Republicanism. Now, Stewart is running for Senate on a similar message. Advertisement In Arizona, the 85-year-old Arpaio built his career on the cruel and racist administration of law enforcement, degrading prisoners and directing his deputies to racially profile Hispanic residents as the sheriff of Maricopa County. His profiling led to a lawsuit, a court order to cease this behavior, and then criminal contempt of court when he refused. He was set to be sentenced for that conviction when he was pardoned by President Trump, who praised him as a defender of law and order. Despite his age, Arpaio has entered the ring for the Senate, seeking the seat soon to be vacated by Sen. Jeff Flake. Arpaio trails in the most recent polls, but he remains close enough to make winning a real possibility. Advertisement Advertisement What unites these candidates, or rather what makes them appealing to Republican voters, is their vicious disdain for common morality, an attitude they signal with racism and nativism. Stewart flew Confederate flags and rallied for Confederate monuments. Arpaios whole brand rests on racist hatred of Hispanic immigrants. Trump is, well, Trump. And Blankenships polling surge is concurrent with his attacks on Mitch McConnell, which center on the Senate majority leaders wife, Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao. Swamp captain Mitch McConnell has created millions of jobs for China people, says Blankenship in a recent ad. While doing so, Mitch has gotten rich. In fact, his China family has given him tens of millions of dollars. Taking a page from Trump, Blankenship has refused to back down from his attacks, telling Roll Call that the ad was not about race. Races are Negro, white Caucasian, Hispanic, Asian, he said. Theres no mention of a race. Ive never used a race word. Advertisement Advertisement We should treat this as the strategy it is. By leaning into racism, Blankenship both shows opposition to the establishmentrejecting their norms and decorumwhile priming and capitalizing on white racial resentment. Racism, in other words, may help Blankenship overcome the acute disadvantage of being responsible for the deaths of 29 people, just as it helped Trump survive the major scandals of his campaign. It is euphemism to talk about this dynamic as simple populism or yearning for unconventional candidates. What were seeing is that, for some large cohort of Republican voters, racism and bigotryor at least the anger and contempt they signalare of paramount concern. And theyll potentially forgive anything for men, like Blankenship, who affirm it. HOUSTON, May 08, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- GulfSlope Energy, Inc. (OTCQB:GSPE) (the Company) announces that the Ralph Coffman jackup drilling rig, owned by Rowan Companies plc, recently arrived in the Gulf of Mexico. This high spec drilling rig is currently undergoing U.S. regulatory inspections, routine annual maintenance, and installation of third-party equipment. The drilling rig will be ready early this summer for the Companys anticipated 2018 drilling program (the 2018 Program). The Company is also pleased to announce that it has recently filed two Exploration Plans (EP) with the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management related to the 2018 Program. EPs were filed for Vermilion Area, South Addition Block 378 (Canoe Shallow prospect) and Ship Shoal Area, South Addition Blocks 336 / 351 (Tau prospect). Applications for Permits to Drill for both wells are in progress with anticipated approvals shortly after the EPs are approved. About GulfSlope Energy GulfSlope Energy is an independent oil and natural gas company focused on exploring offshore U.S. Gulf of Mexico. To learn more, visit the GulfSlope Energy website at www.GulfSlope.com. Investor Contacts GulfSlope Energy John H. Malanga, CFO Phone: 281-918-4103 Email: john.malanga@gulfslope.com Its been lost in the frenzy over the Stormy Daniels affair, but in the past week, the Trump administration has sped its pursuit of a central goal: removing as many nonwhite immigrants as possible from the United States. On Friday, Homeland Security Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen announced an end to temporary protected status for tens of thousands of Hondurans who arrived in the United States to live and work after a 1998 hurricane devastated their country. Now, these Honduranswhove spent decades integrating into American society with homes, jobs, businesses, and native-born childrenwill be given just two years before they have to leave the United States. Advertisement This marks the latest round of expulsions. Last year, the Trump administration removed similar protections for 45,000 Haitians and 2,500 Nicaraguans. At the start of the year, Trump officials did the same for 200,000 Salvadorans. (Senior U.S diplomats objected at the time to Trumps decisions to expel these immigrants, the Washington Post reported Tuesday, and warned his administration that the deportations could lead to instability in Central America and a surge in illegal immigration. They were ignored.) And just two weeks ago, the administration revoked status from 9,000 Nepalese immigrants. By January 2020, notes Dara Lind for Vox, the Trump administration will have turned 400,000 people who are currently in the US legally into unauthorized immigrants. At that point, those immigrants will be vulnerable to Immigration and Customs Enforcement, an agency that, under Trump, has become a bona fide deportation force, utilizing draconian tactics to harass and detain peopleincluding American citizenswho pose little threat to the United States. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This decision to end temporary protected status represents a major break with previous administrations that extended the program, recognizing the deep roots these immigrants had established in the United States. In rejecting this precedent, the administration is advancing the ideas and prejudices of Trump himself, who infamously referred to predominantly black and brown countries as shitholes, and who made his presidential campaign a prolonged attack on Hispanic immigrants and Muslim refugees. Trumps slogan, Make America Great Again, was an open call to return the United States to a time of complete white racial dominance, where nonwhites were largely marginal to American politics and culture. It may seem banal to focus on the presidents racismsince at this point in the Trump era, its a known quantitybut the racist nature of his policies and program are still, somehow, underplayed amid all the churning controversies. The move against immigrants with temporary protected status was joined, on Monday, with a speech by Attorney General Jeff Sessions, who pledged to criminally prosecute every migrant who illegally crosses the southern border and split parents from children to do it. Its a deliberately cruel change from the present procedure, where apprehended families are released to await civil deportation procedures. Advertisement Advertisement Beyond immigration, theres the antianti-segregation action undertaken at the Department of Housing and Urban Development, where Ben Carson has suspended an Obama-era rule to affirmatively further fair housing by pushing localities to address segregation in their communities. Under the 2015 rule, HUD would provide local governments with information on segregation and racially concentrated poverty, tying federal funding to efforts to alleviate both, with periodic check-ins from the department. Communities without HUD-approved plans would lose federal dollars. Carson, who has criticized federal segregation efforts as failed socialist experiments, halted the program in January. At the Department of Education, Betsy DeVos has pushed cuts to the agencys Office for Civil Rights as well as questioned efforts to curb racial disparities in school discipline. Donald Trump broke his promise to build a more worker-friendly America, working instead on a program of upward redistribution financed by deep cuts to the social safety net. He broke his promise to drain the swamp by presiding over, and participating in, unprecedented corruption of the public interest. But thus far, he has kept his promise to act in defense of white racial hierarchy and weakenas much as possiblethis countrys stated commitment to fairness and equality. Ginni Thomas is at it again. On Saturday, the conservative activist and lobbyistand spouse of Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomasshared a meme on her Facebook page accusing Democrats of engaging in a silent coup, not just against Trump, but also against the very premises of our constitutional republic. The meme, which came from the Citizens [sic] Mandate, featured an image of George Soros, the liberal donor often at the center of anti-Semitic conspiracy theories about malign globalist machinations. Americans, the meme declared, will decide if they want to reward those who are engaged in [the] silent coup at the ballot box in November. Advertisement Ginni has long been on the far-right fringe of the conservative movement, but in recent months, shes escalated her rhetoric against perceived political enemies. She has alleged that President Barack Obama rigged (unsuccessfully) the 2016 election for Hillary Clinton and that Robert Mueller is going to fabricate whatever fake scandals [are] needed to take down Trump. But by sharing this coup language, Thomas has taken an aggressive new stanceone that yet again creates thorny ethical issues for her husband. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Lets say a 2018 race were contested all the way to SCOTUS. In light of the fact that, as part of her lobbying work, Ginni has claimed that Democrats are engaged in a coup that must be thwarted to save our constitutional republic, should Clarence Thomas recuse? Under federal law, the answer is likely yes. And if Clarence Thomas served on any other court, Ginni Thomas posts might compel him to. But because he sits on the Supreme Court, there is simply no way to make him respect his ethical duties. Advertisement Its often claimed that Supreme Court justices do not follow any code of ethics, but thats not quite right. In theory, the justices are supposed to follow the same code of conduct to which all other federal judges must adhere. Moreover, federal statutes governing recusal and financial disclosure apply to all federal judges, including the justices. The problem is one of enforcement: There is currently no mechanism to force the justices to comply with these rules. If a lower court judge improperly declines to recuse herself from a case, a litigant can ask a higher court to adjudicate the dispute. But SCOTUS is, by constitutional command, the highest court in the land. There is thus no higher authority to step in when the justices do not adequately police themselves. Advertisement There is no higher authority to step in when the justices do not adequately police themselves. Congress has considered various solutions to this predicament. In 2011, House Democrats pushed a bill that would create a new court, made up of judges or justices, to weigh in on SCOTUS recusals. The late Democratic Rep. Louise Slaughter repeatedly introduced bills to increase transparency among the justices by declaring them bound to the ethical rules of the federal judiciary. Senate Democrats have introduced a similar measure that would obligate the justices to follow the judicial code. Sen. Elizabeth Warren touted the legislation after Justice Neil Gorsuch spoke at Trump International Hotel to a group bankrolled by the same foundation that helped to fund litigation against public sector unions in a case before the Supreme Court. Advertisement Yet as Brookings Russell Wheeler has pointed out, were any of these efforts to become law, they would immediately encounter several hurdles. First, the Constitution commands the establishment of one Supreme Court; if Congress created another court with authority over SCOTUS, it could arguably create a second supreme court, in contravention of the Constitution. Second, only parties to a case may request a recusalwhich they almost never do at the Supreme Court. Would that change if some body had power to enforce recusals? Maybe, but its no sure thing given the high stakes. If the recusal challenge fails, after all, the targeted justice may be embittered toward the party that asked him or her to sit out the case. (Virtually all calls for a justices recusal in recent years have been made by outside groups eager to highlight perceived conflicts of interest. When the Sierra Club asked Justice Antonin Scalia to recuse from a 2004 dispute, he responded with a howl of defiant rage.) Advertisement Advertisement These obstacles are, of course, hypothetical, and they may be surmountable, but it doesnt much matter so long as a majority of Congress remains indifferent to SCOTUSs ethics. Controversies flare up now and then, like when Scalia accepted lavish trips from private sponsors or when Thomas did not recuse himself from Affordable Care Act litigation despite his wifes fervent lobbying against the law. For the most part, though, Americans dont appear especially worried about the justices relatively laissez-faire self-regulation. Ginni Thomas seems almost determined to change that. As I reported in April, her activism has largely shifted from direct political lobbying to Facebookwhere, on her verified page, she has shared memes attacking Obama, Clinton, Mueller, David Hogg, Andrew McCabe, DACA recipients, the Girl Scouts, and the American Civil Liberties Union. She has also touted a meme blaming gun control for the Holocaust featuring a photo of the famous shoe exhibition at the Holocaust Museum. And now she has accused Democrats of engaging in a coup to bring down Trump and our constitutional republic. Advertisement Advertisement Ginnis views should not be automatically imputed to her spouse. Yet her very public stances, which ultimately promote her political lobbying firm, raise a legitimate concern under the federal recusal statutewhich, again, purports to cover the justices. That law directs the justices to recuse themselves from any case in which his spouse has a financial interest in the subject matter in controversy or in a party to the proceeding, or any other interest that could be substantially affected by the outcome of the proceeding. Advertisement Even a narrow reading of that statute indicates that the Thomases may have crossed an ethical line. Gabe Roth, executive director of the pro-transparency group Fix the Court, told me that its not difficult to imagine that Justice Thomas votes in certain cases over the years may have translated into more consulting work for his wifeeven as the judicial ethics statute dictates that a justice shall disqualify himself from proceedings that could impact his spouses livelihood. Ginni Thomas, for example, raised a substantial amount of money lobbying against the ACA. Her husband then voted to strike down the entire law. Advertisement The spouses of Supreme Court justices are assuredly allowed to hold political opinions. But Ginnis extreme activism is her livelihood. She doesnt just have viewsshe has an interest that could be substantially affected by the outcome of Supreme Court cases. Under our current ethical regime, though, there would be no way to force Clarence Thomas to even consider recusing himself from a case that has consequences for his wifes bottom line. The system is badly broken. And its flaws allow Clarence to enact from the bench the same political agenda that his spouse relentlessly promotes. What a coup. As expected, Donald Trump is withdrawing the United States from the agreement in which the U.S., Russia, China, and the European Union lifted sanctions on Iran in return for the countrys commitment to de-escalate its nuclear activity. Trump made the announcementwhich means that the U.S. will be reimposing its sanctions unilaterallyin a White House speech that described the Iranian regime generally as an untrustworthy sponsor of terror and cited Israeli leader Benjamin Netanyahus recent presentation of evidence that Iran once sought to develop nuclear weapons but did not otherwise accuse the regime of violating the terms of the current agreement. Trump argued, rather, that the deals sunset provisions were never strict enough to prevent the eventual development of nuclear capacity and that any deal with Iran should also seek to rein in its support of destabilizing violence elsewhere in the Middle East. (Its perhaps worth noting that Irans purported ongoing malfeasance also features prominently in the Trump administrations rhetoric about its Middle Eastern allies, aka countries with which various close Trump associates have various interesting financial relationships.*) Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The speech promised that the Trump administration will be working with our allies to find a real, comprehensive, and lasting solution to the Iranian nuclear threat in the form of a new deal that Iran will have no choice but to negotiate because of the pressure that Trumps tough attitude will put on it; at present, however, what appears imminent is that European countries will attempt to salvage the current agreement. Trump also argued, somewhat counterintuitively, that the fulfillment of his previous personal threats to abandon the Iran agreement will actually make North Korea more likely to consider the U.S. a trustworthy nuclear-disarmament negotiating partner. Needless to say, that view is questioned by some observers; in a February piece expressing skepticism about the Obama administrations original case for making the Iran agreement, Slate foreign policy columnist Joshua Keating wrote that leaving it at this point would nonetheless accomplish little except winning international sympathy for Iran, giving it a green light to resume its nuclear program, and further underlining to Americas foes and friends that our agreements arent worth the paper theyre printed on. I guess now well see if this Joshua Keating guy knows what hes talking about! As tea leavereading pieces in the New York Times and Axios predicted, Donald Trumps 2 p.m. statement about the Iran nuclear deal will announce that the U.S. is withdrawing from the agreement. A new Times report about a Tuesday conversation between Trump and French President Emmanuel Macron says: President Trump told President Emmanuel Macron of France on Tuesday morning that he plans to announce the withdrawal of the United States from the Iran nuclear deal, according to a person briefed on the conversation. The United States is preparing to reinstate all sanctions it had waived as part of the nuclear accord and impose additional economic penalties as well, the person said. A number of other countriesRussia, China, and the members of the European Unionare also parties to the agreement, and may continue to abide by its terms on their own. Broadly, the deal lifted sanctions against Iran in exchange for its agreement to downgrade its nuclear-energy and nuclear-research capacities and cease its efforts to develop a nuclear weapon. Trumps primary objection to the agreement as written is reputedly that it allows Iran to ramp up nuclear fuel production in 2030. Republican responses to Donald Trumps announcement that the U.S. will withdraw from the 2015 Iran/Russia/China/Europe Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action nuclear agreement seem to share a central conviction: That Iran is dangerous and needs to be bound by some sort of cooperative international agreement to limit its nuclear activity. House majority leader Kevin McCarthy told Fox News, in the networks words, that he looks forward to Trump using the 90-day grace period that will precede the restoration of U.S. sanctions against Iran to negotiate an agreement that prevents Iran from ever having a nuclear weapon. Advertisement Tennessee Sen. and Foreign Relations Committee chairman Bob Corker said he is excited about working with Trump and our foreign partners on preventing Iran from being able to produce a nuclear weapon. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Utah Senate candidate Mitt Romney said that he looks forward to leveraging the cooperative action of our allies into an agreement with Iran to suspend nuclear-weapon research. Texas Sen. Ted Cruz said that Iran poses an immediate threat to the United States and that he looks forward to working with Americas allies in crafting and implementing a comprehensive strategy to ensure that Iran does not acquire nuclear weapons. (Credit to Simon Maloy for flagging several of these.) What these gentlemen are describing, of course, is the agreement that Trump just abandoned, which took 28 months from start to finish to negotiate. Current indications are that our international partners will attempt to keep it in place despite the U.S. withdrawal. Advertisement What appears to be happening to congressional Republicans is the collision of two convictions: That Iran is extremely dangerous and that anything Obama did is bad. One way to resolve those convictions would be to admit that Obamas JCPOA, while it may be flawed, is the only available path to restraining the Tehran regime, and to work within its parameters. The other is to live in an alternate reality in which Trumpwho has only been able to pass one major piece of legislation in 16 months despite his party controlling both chambers of Congress, and who frequently seems to have no idea what his own administrations position is on any given issueis poised to lead the rest of the world in totally reworking a massively complicated multi-lateral agreement. Good luck with that, guys! Eric Schneiderman stepped down as New York attorney general on Monday night following a blockbuster New Yorker report by Jane Mayer and Ronan Farrow documenting his alleged physical abuse of four women. Given the credible and horrifying accusations against him, there was little question that Schneiderman had to resign. No progressive in good standing attempted to defend the disgraced attorney general. But a question does linger over his abrupt bolt from office, thanks to the key role Schneiderman played in the legal resistance to President Donald Trumps agenda. Will his absence hurt Democrats efforts to combat the Trump administrations excesses in court? Advertisement Probably not. The truth is that while Schneiderman was quite adept at publicizing his legal battles against Trump, he was not a uniquely masterful legal adversary of the president. Schneiderman clearly had his eye on a higher office, and he used his legal fights to score political points with Democratic voters, sometimes to the detriment of the causes themselves. His interim successor will likely be just as effective as he was, and a coterie of Democratic state attorneys general will immediately pick up where he left off. Legally speaking, Schneiderman will not be missed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He used his legal fights to score political points with voters, sometimes to the detriment of the causes themselves. Theres no denying that Schneiderman achieved a number of progressive victories over the course of his seven-year tenure. These triumphs in no way mitigate his violent misdeeds, but they do illustrate why some liberals feel so let down by their erstwhile champion. Perhaps most famously, Schneiderman launched a pathbreaking lawsuit against Trump University for its fraudulent practices, which ended in a settlement that compelled the company to pay restitution to its victims. This litigation drew ire from Trump, with the future president complaining incessantly about the attorney general in a mostly one-sided Twitter feud. Advertisement As attorney general, Schneiderman also prioritized the protection of women against spousal abusenow an obviously ironic passion in light of his own alleged domestic violence. His office published a brochure informing abuse victims of their rights and, more recently, sued the Weinstein Co. for enabling Harvey Weinsteins harassment and assault. And Schneiderman led the investigation into Volkswagens emissions scandal, ultimately scoring $32.5 million for the state in a massive settlement. These accomplishments, along with his myriad attacks on Wall Street corruption, made material improvements in the lives of many New Yorkers. To the rest of America, Schneiderman was best known for his legal crusades against the Trump administrationand its here that his impact has been vastly overstated. As attorney general, Schneiderman participated in lawsuits against the Trump administrations three travel bans, its attempt to repeal the Clean Power Plan, its efforts to delay energy efficiency standards, its attack on sanctuary cities, its revocation of net neutrality, its rescission of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program, and its rollback of the Affordable Care Acts contraceptive mandate. By lending his offices resources and prestige to these suits, Schneiderman certainly helped to hinder Trumps assault on Obama-era progressive policy. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Yet Schneiderman was not alone in these crusades. In each suit, he joined together with a coalition of other Democratic attorneys generalusually about 16 to 22so that no one state had to go it alone. Yes, his office occasionally played a vital role in spearheading the lawsuits. But if it hadnt, another attorney general would have. Schneiderman led the pack alongside California Attorney General Xavier Becerra, Washington Attorney General Bob Ferguson, Virginia Attorney General Mark Herring, Massachusetts Attorney General Maura Healey, and Hawaii Attorney General Doug Chin. Schneiderman may have been the most prominent of these AGs. But his absence will not have a substantial impact on these lawyers ability to fight Trumps agenda in court. (New York will remain in all litigation unless his successor decides to withdraw.) Advertisement Schneidermans participation threatened to make the whole affair seem like a Twitter rivalry that boiled over into real life. In fact, his resignation may help this anti-Trump crew in some respects. Schneiderman was, at heart, a politicianand one who plainly loathed Trump and yearned for the partisan battlefield. He used his high-profile lawsuits against the administration to boost his own political standing and draw plaudits from the Democratic base. In his speeches and statements, he tended to go after Trump personally and politically, not just legally. He seemed eager to move up the ladder and capitalized upon his courtroom endeavors to enhance his name recognition. His grandstanding could occlude genuine legal issues, allowing conservative commentators to accuse himand courts that agreed with himof participating in illegitimate resistance to Trump. Advertisement No other Democratic attorney generalnot even Becerra, a former congressman who carried his sharp political instincts to the California AGs officebecame such a partisan lightning rod. AGs like Ferguson and Herring are staunchly progressive but mild-mannered and lawyerly; at times, they have appeared almost pained to have to sue the president to protect their residents rights. Schneidermans participation in these lawsuits threatened to make the whole affair seem like a Twitter rivalry that boiled over into real life. The optics were less than ideal. Advertisement Advertisement Those optics became a looming threat when it was revealed last summer that special counsel Robert Mueller had teamed up with Schneiderman in his probe of Paul Manafort. On paper, this partnership made sense: Because Trump cannot pardon an individual for state crimes, a potential New York prosecution of Manafort could serve as a backstop if the president decides to grant him clemency. (The Supreme Court has interpreted the constitutional bar on double jeopardy to permit state and federal prosecutions of the same criminal activity.) Moreover, if Trump fired Mueller, Schneiderman could pick up where he left off rather than start from scratch. But here, again, critics pounced: Mueller seemed to be entrusting a self-proclaimed political enemy of the president with the information necessary to prosecute the presidents associates. Trump supporters have already attempted to undermine the probe by claiming, falsely, that Mueller, a longtime Republican, is biased against Trump. Imagine the blowback if a state attorney general with actual hatred for Trump took the reins. Advertisement Advertisement The argument against Schneidermans involvement in the Mueller probe, made most forcefully by National Reviews Dan McLaughlin, is not entirely fair. For better or for worse, our state AGs are partisan, and Schneidermans hostility toward Trump, while intense, essentially boils down to predictable disagreements over his administrations legal positions. There is no evidence that Schneidermans disdain for the president would have tainted his prosecution of the presidents associates with impermissible bias. But conservatives still could have exploited the attorney generals well-documented anti-Trump sentiments to undercut public confidence in his work. Alan Dershowitz wouldve bashed him on TV; Rudy Giuliani wouldve advised Trump not to comply with his investigation; the whole affair would have been a distracting and unproductive sideshow. Advertisement Thats why its such a relief that, as the Trump probe reaches a fever pitch, Barbara Underwood, formerly New Yorks solicitor general, will now become the acting attorney general. Underwood is extraordinarily well-qualified for the job: She clerked for Supreme Court Justice Thurgood Marshall, taught at Yale Law School, worked in the New York District Attorneys Office, and briefly served as acting solicitor general. She then worked in the U.S. Attorneys Office for the Eastern District of New York before her elevation as state solicitor general in 2007. In that capacity, she has argued three cases before the U.S. Supreme Court. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Underwood has all of Schneidermans intelligence with none of his baggage. She will surely keep the state involved in all current litigation against the Trump administration, and will almost certainly participate in future lawsuits against the president. Shes perfectly capable of handling whatever aspects of the Mueller probe get passed along to her. Of course, most importantly, she also has not been credibly accused of physical abuse by four women. So there isnt really anything to mourn about Schneidermans resignation. His former office is in excellent hands. And there is no shortage of state AGs ready and willing to see the president in court. With his decision to pull out of the Iran nuclear deal, President Trump has committed his most irresponsible act in foreign policy to date. The movewhich Trump took against the urgings of European heads of state, Israeli security officials, dozens of current and former diplomats, his own secretary of defense, and even the conservative chairman of the House Armed Services Committeecan only be attributed to one or more of three motives: a misunderstanding of the deals terms, a need to torpedo yet another one of President Obamas accomplishments, or a desire to weaken or destroy the government of Iran. Advertisement Trump claimed in his televised speech today that Iran is cheating on the deal, but his own intelligence directors have said there is no evidence of this claim whatsoever. The International Atomic Energy Agency has certified Irans compliance 10 times since the deal was signed. Secretary of Defense James Mattis testified to a Senate committee last month that, after reading the 140-page agreement three times, he was struck by how robust the deals verification provisions were. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its also the case that the most influential backers of Trumps decisionIsraeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, national security adviser John Bolton, and the Sunni Crown Prince of Saudi Arabiaare fervent advocates of regime change in Iran, by force if necessary. Advertisement From early on in his presidential campaign, Trump promised to kill the accord, which he has repeatedly called the worst deal ever drawn up by anybody. Here is where ignorance enters the picture. As evidence of his charge, Trump used to claim that the deal required us to pay Iran $100 billionwhen, in fact, it merely required us to return Iranian assets that wed frozen. (Also the $100 billion is a rough estimate of assets frozen not just by the U.S. but worldwide.) Far from a bad deal, this seemed like a fair trade: We had frozen their assets as punishment for their illegal nuclear program; therefore, in exchange for dismantling the program, we would unfreeze the assets. Advertisement Trump has also complained that the deal has not stopped Iran from testing ballistic missiles or supporting terrorists. In fact, the deals negotiators made no claims that it wouldany more than U.S.Soviet arms-control treaties during the Cold War blocked Moscow from various activities that threatened U.S. interests. Besides, several existing sanctions related to Irans ballistic missiles and support for terrorist movements remained active after the deal went into effect. Advertisement Finally, Trump complained, as have many other critics, that the dealwhich was signed in 2015 by Iran, the United States, and five other countries (France, Britain, Russia, China, and Germany)expires in a mere 10 years after the deals signing, at which point Iran could simply resume its nuclear ambitions. Its true that some of the deals aspects expire in 2025the ban on production of advanced centrifuges, the monitoring of Irans civil nuclear procurement, the automatic U.N. snapback of sanctions if Iran cheats. But many other restrictions hold until 2030. These include the 3.67 percent cap on enriched uranium (far below the level of enrichment necessary for bomb-grade material), the stockpile gap on that level of low-enriched uranium (meaning that even if they enriched it to weapons-grade levels, they wouldnt have enough to turn it into a bomb), and the ban on heavy-water reactors (which would be needed to turn the uranium into a bomb). More important still, international inspectors are allowed to keep intrusively monitoring centrifuge production until 2040. And other pledges that Iran made in the agreementto permit other sorts of inspection, to reprocess spent fuel (rather than turn it into weapons), and to continue abiding by the Non-Proliferation Treatyhave no expiration date. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This is the main problem with pulling out of the deal, the problem that has made even many critics of the deal urge Trump to stay in: Once the deal is undone, Iran has no obligation to keep hosting the inspectors. It is a long-established fact that Iranian scientists know how to build an atomic bomb. (The trove of 15-year-old documents that Netanyahu theatrically revealed last weekand which Trump cited as the basis for his charge that Iran is cheatingwas, in that sense, nothing new, and contained nothing suggesting that Iran is pursuing a nuclear weapon now.) The deal gives international inspectors intrusive powers to ensure that those scientists arent acting on their know-how. Without the deal, they have no such powers. The Iranians once did have a secret nuclear program; without the deal in place, they can restart it, without notice by outsiders. Advertisement And the U.S. withdrawal from the deal means the deal is very likely dead. Reimposing sanctions on Iran would also entail reimposing secondary sanctions on banks and other enterprises that do business with Iran. Most foreign companies, faced with the choice of forgoing deals with Iran or ending deals with the United States, would choose the former. (Russia and China might prove exceptions, in which case Trumps move would benefit them.) Advertisement The European signatories have declared in recent days that they will stay in the treaty and encourage Iran to do the same. European Union officials added today, in advance of Trumps announcement, that they would try to protect companies that continued doing business with Iran. Colin Kahl, a former Obama administration official, said in an email that the EU could compensate those companies for their losses caused by U.S. secondary sanctions; they could even threaten retaliation against the United States and take the Trump administration to the World Trade Organization to deter full enforcement of those sanctions. Advertisement Advertisement That would be quite an escalation in trans-Atlantic tensions, but U.S. allies might have determined by now that as long as Trump is president, they have little to gain from cooperation with Washington when their own notions of security and global interests are at stake. The withdrawal might also compel Iran to resume its nuclear programthis time, with no outside inspectors. For some time, hard-line factions in Tehran have been grumbling that the deal has given them little in economic benefitsmainly because businesses have shirked from investing much in Iran, fearing that they might have to abandon their stakes if Trump pulled out of the deal and reinstated sanctions. Now that Trump has done just that, the hard-liners are no doubt chortling. So Trump has wrecked one of the most successful arms-control deals in modern history, destroyed any possible leverage to negotiate a new one, further disrupted unity with our allies, further damaged U.S. credibility, strengthened hard-line factions in Iran, exacerbated instability in the Middle East, and possibly boosted the chance of warwhich some of Trumps abettors desire. Quite the deal-maker. The battle for control of the U.S. Senate gets underway in earnest on Tuesday, as Republicans pick their nominees in three states that Donald Trump won handily in 2016. GOP voters in Indiana, Ohio, and West Virginia will decide how establishment-friendly or outsider-y they want to go with their nomineesless than two years after the ultimate Republican outsider took over the conservative establishment. Now, the outsider president is trying to draw an inside straight, as he backs members of the Republican Congress that hes bashed in recent months. In North Carolina, the stakes are a little lowervoters there will pick their congressional nominees in a year without any statewide races atop the ballot. Advertisement Heres what to watch on Tuesday: West Virginia Senate This contest boils down to the Trump-led Republican establishment versus Don Blankenship, an ex-con with a persecution complex, whos declared himself, not unreasonably, Trumpier than Trump. After some confusing nativist attacks on Mitch McConnell, Blankenship appeared to be surging in weekend polls, despiteor perhaps, because ofthe GOPs escalating efforts to derail his campaign. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The president and his party believe that Blankenship, who spent time in prison for his role in a deadly 2010 mine disaster, is unelectable in a general election against Democratic Sen. Joe Manchin, who otherwise should be beatable in a state Trump won by more than 40 points two years ago. But its not clear Republican primary voters feel the same way. Blankenship has spent more than twice as much as his two establishment-friendly rivalsRep. Evan Jenkins and state Attorney General Patrick Morriseyhave combined. Recent internal polling gave Blankenship a slight edge in a tight three-way race, which set off alarm bells in Washington and convinced the president to go beyond passive-aggressive snubs to attack Blankenship directly on Monday. Advertisement Trump and co. have tried to scare GOP voters straight by reminding them that Roy Moore lost what should have been a gimme of a special election in Alabama last year. But the Republican establishment has been unwilling or unable to pick a clear favorite in the race, and Blankenships two main rivals have battered each other for months. That creates the possibility that Jenkins and Morrisey will split the not-explicitly-xenophobic vote and allow Blankenship to snag the nomination with a plurality of support. That would be a nightmare for Mitch McConnellor Cocaine Mitch, as Blankenship has called himwho would then be looking at six more months of Blankenships outlandish attacks on the Senate majority leader and his China family. A Blankenship victory would be a dream for Manchin and Democrats, who could then focus their time and money elsewhere this summer. Indiana Senate In Indiana, another outsider businessman is hoping to fly past a couple of establishment rivals. Former state lawmaker Mike Braun came out of nowhere to surprise U.S. Reps. Luke Messer and Todd Rokita in the race to take on Democratic Sen. Joe Donnelly in November. Donnelly got a gift in 2010, when his Republican opponent talked about rape that results in pregnancy as something God intended, but he may not be so lucky this time. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump won the state by 19 points, but the White House has stayed out of this one, and there doesnt appear to be all that much daylight between the three GOP hopefuls, policywise. All three have tried to play the Trump card early and often. Brauns ads say that hes running because President Trump paved the way. Rokita proudly puts on a Make America Great Again hat in one of his spots. And Messer claims to be working to nominate Trump for the Nobel Peace Prize. The primary has been one of the nastiest intra-party battles in recent memory. An incomplete sampling of the slime: Braun has used his cashand his cardboardto dub Rokita and Messer swamp brothers, and has blasted them for their criticism of Trump during the 2016 campaign. The two congressmen have hit Braun for his past votes in Democratic primaries, as well as his 2017 vote in the state Legislature to raise Indiana fuel taxes. Rokitas campaign wrote a childrens book mocking Messer for moving out of Indiana after he was elected to Congress. Messer responded by trying to label Rokita Lyin Todd. The list goes on. As Republican National Committeeman John Hammond III put it to the Associated Press: This race has slowly but surely descended into Dantes Inferno. It will provide the Democrats an awful lot of free opposition research. Ohio Senate Stop me if this one sounds familiar: This GOP Senate primary involves an establishment Republican with the backing of Donald Trump and an outsider candidate who seems to have far more in common with Donald Trump. Advertisement Advertisement The race between Trump-endorsed U.S. Rep. Jim Renacci and Cleveland businessman Mike Gibbons isnt getting as much attention as the other two GOP Senate primaries on Tuesdays docket, in part because Renacci is widely expected to win it. But Renacci has a moderate record that could theoretically be vulnerable in a low-turnout primary. Advertisement Renacci, a soft-spoken former lobbyist, isnt the man Republicans wanted in this race, but hes the best they could do after Sen. Sherrod Browns 2012 opponent, state treasurer Josh Mandel, dropped out in January, and McConnell failed in his bid to recruit Hillbilly Elegy author J.D. Vance. Meanwhile, Gibbons, an investment banker and longtime Republican donor, was a major fundraiser for Trump and the RNC in 2016. But hes a first-time candidate, meaning hed be an unknown quantity in a high-profile general election against Brown, whos been winning elections in Ohio since the 1970s. Advertisement Nonpartisan handicappers see Brown as potentially vulnerable this fall, after Trump won Ohio by 8 points in 2016. But Brown isnt in the same category as Manchin or Donnelly, in part because of Browns populist appeal and massive campaign war chest, and the relatively weak GOP field. North Carolina House Every 12 years, theres one campaign in North Carolina with no statewide races on the ballot, what locals call a blue-moon election. Dampening excitement further is the states gerrymandered congressional map, which means only a couple seats are in play in November, and most of those have primaries that are basically uncontested. Advertisement The most intriguing primaries on Tuesday are a couple insurgent challenges to Republican incumbents. Reps. Robert Pittenger in the 9th District faces a rematch against Mark Harris, a prominent local pastor who came within 200 votes of toppling Pittenger in 2016. Both Pittenger and Harris feature Trump in their respective pitches, though Pittenger frames himself as a congressional ally of the president, while Harris is attacking his rival as a creature of Washington. Whoever wins on Tuesday is expected to face off against Dan McCready, a veteran and businessman who has excited Washington Democrats with his Conor Lambtype vibes. Meanwhile, Rep. Walter Jones is trying to hang on for one final term, in the face of a spirited challenge from Scott Dacey, a local county commissioner and lobbyist. The race made some national headlines after Dacey accused Jones of taking money from liberal boogeyman George Soros, and Jones took legal action to defend himself. In fact, its Dacey whos benefiting from some shadowy outside groups who are spending big on his behalf. If Dacey somehow manages to pull off the upset, itll strike even more fear into the heart of Republican incumbents everywhere. There is a shortage of EpiPens in the U.S. due to manufacturing issues, Bloomberg reported on Tuesday. Some patients say theyve had to wait weeks to get the device, while others havent been able to find it at all. James Baker, CEO of the Food Allergy Research & Education advocacy group, told the outlet that more than 400 patients in 45 states have reported experiencing problems in filling prescriptions for the medical devices since May 2. Mylan, the company that owns the rights to EpiPens, told the Food and Drug Administration months ago that manufacturing delays were leading to issues with the supply. A spokesperson told Bloomberg, Mylan and Pfizer have remained in close contact with FDA to provide regular updates on the inventory status. The FDA has, in turn, claimed that Mylan is reporting adequate supplies of EpiPen in the U.S. The device has not been placed on the agencys list of drug shortages. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Pfizer, which makes EpiPens for Mylan, further told Bloomberg that it had changed its manufacturing process in response to a September warning letter from the FDA. The FDA had found that Pfizer failed to investigate hundreds of reports concerning faulty EpiPens, including cases in which people were killed or injured. A spokesperson for Pfizer said that there has been some impact on manufacturing capacity due to the changes. Yet, he also claimed that shipments have been increasing recently and that they beat expectations for April. Reuters reported on April 13 that there was a shortage of EpiPens in the UK and Canada, though Mylan had claimed at the time that there were no such issues in the U.S. Mylan has, in the past, come under fire for raising the price of EpiPens from an average of $50 to more than $300 over the course of a decade. The device accounted for 40 percent of the companys profits in 2015. The company released a generic version of the product in 2016 for $150. This month, the House and Senate will be marking up dozens of opioid-related bills, some of which attempt to expand access to the triad of Food and Drug Administrationapproved medications to treat opioid addiction: methadone, buprenorphine, and injectable naltrexone. As physicians who have helped thousands of people sustain their recovery with these proven medications, we welcome enhanced funding and access to them. At the same time, we lament the reality that many of the people with opioid addiction who are among those at highest risk of death are unlikely to receive them: those in jails and prisons. Advertisement Drug use is concentrated in the corrections population. At least a quarter of the nearly 2.3 million Americans currently incarcerated are addicted to opioids. Between a quarter and one-third of the nations heroin users pass through correctional facilities each year. And their eventual release to the community is a time of high vulnerability. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to the 2016 Massachusetts opioid death assessment, former inmates were 56 times more likely to fatally overdose within a year after release than members of the general population. A 2014 report from the World Health Organization found ratios of overdose deaths ranged from eight- to 129-fold within two weeks of release. This is not surprisingthrust back into society, people newly released are at high risk for resuming heroin. There are two factors that make this resumption deadlier: Their tolerance to opioids has likely dissipated over their time behind bars, and the heroin supply is currently dramatically more dangerous because it is tainted with fentanyl, which is 50 times more potent than heroin. Combine these, and the risk of fatal overdose after release is greatly elevated. Advertisement Thrust back into society, people newly released are at high risk for resuming heroin. But if the stakes are high, so are the opportunities. Many states have started to piece together legislation and strategies that would counter this. In Rhode Island, for example, Gov. Gina Raimondos Overdose Prevention Action Plan called for expanding treatment for people with opioid addiction incarcerated at the Department of Corrections. A comprehensive program (designed by a team including one of us) began in the summer of 2016. All individuals incarcerated are screened for opioid addiction, and those who have the disease are offered the most appropriate, individualized treatment. Advertisement There are three options: methadone, buprenorphine, and naltrexone. Methadone is administered daily as a sweet pink drink, buprenorphine as a daily oral strip that goes under the tongue and dissolves, and naltrexone is typically given as a monthly injection. Methadone and buprenorphine are opioids themselves (and are sometimes called opioid substitution treatment). At prescribed doses, they do not produce intoxication but instead block both the euphoric effects of opioids as well as withdrawal symptoms, the two main drivers of ongoing use. (For people who are not taking opioids regularly, both of these medications can produce a high.) Naltrexone is a pure opioid blocker, so anyone smoking, snorting, or injecting heroin while on naltrexone would experience no effect. Naltrexone has no street value and cannot be abused. Medical staff can also time the administration of the medication, which lasts for four weeks, to the individuals release, if that date is known. Advertisement Advertisement In Rhode Islands program, patients interested in treatment choose a specific medication after discussion with clinicians about the pros and cons of each option. A wise rule of thumb prevailed: The best medication for opioid addiction was the one the patient wants to take. The vast majority chose methadone and buprenorphine. Advertisement The results were striking. Statewide, comparing the first half of 2016 (before the program) to the first half of 2017 (six to 12 months into the program) there was a 61 percent decrease in post-incarceration overdose deaths among people recently (within a year) released from incarceration. That decrease contributed to an overall 12 percent reduction in overdose deaths in the states general populationa truly impressive difference, especially in the face of rampant fentanyl. Advertisement A notable feature of the Rhode Island effort was that individuals were not merely given the option of maintaining a treatment they had been undergoing already. The corrections facility actually proactively began treating people who were addicted at admission to the jail. The best medication for opioid addiction is the one the patient wants to take. The intention here is twofold. First, the program aims to protect people from relapsing or overdosing during the risky post-discharge period. Most inmates are pretrial detainees whose release dates cant be predicted with much accuracymany end up being incarcerated for only weeks to months. Crucial to the public health success of this program is that inmate patients are able to make a seamless transition upon discharge directly into methadone or buprenorphine treatment in the community. In Rhode Island, this is helped by a subcontract to a statewide treatment program that ensures same-day appointments upon release and helps with logistical issues including enrolling in Medicaid and transportation. Advertisement Advertisement Second, beginning opioid addiction treatment behind bars can protect individuals during detention. This makes sense in facilities where illicit drug use and overdosing are a problem. In our experience, if inmates are given access to these treatments, their use of contraband drugs is suppressed as is, to at least some extent, violence and corruption within the facility. Treating inmates also means less sharing of jailhouse needles that transmit HIV, hepatitis C, and bacterial infections. Advertisement The Rhode Island Department of Corrections, the New Jersey Department of Corrections, and Rikers Island in New York are, to our knowledge, the only three systems that offer all three medications.* D.C.; the Metropolitan Detention Center, in Bernalillo County outside of Albuquerque, New Mexico; and the Connecticut state correctional systems are among the few that also initiate methadone and buprenorphine. Advertisement Naltrexone is a slightly different story: More than 100 state prisons and jails have opted to use injectable naltrexone in re-entry drug treatment programs in the past four years. When medications are used by the criminal justice system, the strong preference of corrections personnel is for naltrexone. The bias is due to convenience for the system (only one shot a month vs. daily administration) and the lack of potential for diversion and illicit use, a problem that has plagued some correctional facilities that do not offer the medications. Studies are underway to assess the effectiveness of long-acting naltrexone treatment. Advertisement Advertisement But overall, the track record for prison systems making use of these proven treatments remains poor.* Of 3,200 local and county jails and 1,700 state, fewer than 40 (or 1 percent) offer medication treatment for inmates, according a 2016 survey by the Pew Charitable Trusts. A recent survey by Vox found thatnot including field trial programs, detoxification, or limited-access treatments (such as for pregnant inmates)prisons in just 18 states offer medications to fight opioid-use disorder. In nearly all cases, that treatment was naltrexone. Advertisement And other than a small naltrexone pilot program, federal prisons do not provide any anti-addiction medication at all. This poses a special problem for the D.C. jail, according to its medical director, Dr. Beth Mynett. Jail inmates in D.C. who are sentenced to prison can only be transferred to a federal facility, as the District itself has no prison system of its own, like states do. The federal bureau will not allow the transfer of inmates who are on [anti-addiction medications] from jails to prisons, she says. Other directors in this situation are sometimes reluctant to maintain methadone or continue it in jail, because they are uncertain whether the inmates they treat will eventually end up in a prison that does not offer methadone or buprenorphine. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If that is an inmates fate, he will have to endure abrupt withdrawal, aka cold turkey. The punishing symptoms include vomiting, diarrhea, muscle cramps, and insomnia. Perhaps worse, the inmate in withdrawal, who is often raising a racket, becomes a target for abusebeing beaten senseless by other inmates who become sick of their sickness, in the words of an editorial in the Albuquerque Journal that described the cost of ending methadone in corrections. Making anti-addiction medication available to more of the correctional population does not require an act of Congress. The county jails and state prisons can act on their own. So can the U.S. Bureau of Prisonsand many states look to the bureau as a standard-bearer against which to set their own policies. Advertisement Some pressure to accelerate provision of medications and soften entrenched (if thawing) attitudes against such treatment has been brought to bear by the National Governors Association and the Presidents Commission on Combating Drug Addiction and the Opioid Crisis. A few state legislatures are working on corrections bills that would require prisons and jails to offer all three medications. The U.S. Department of Justice is investigating whether corrections officials are violating the Americans With Disabilities Act by forcing inmates who were taking those addiction medicines when they entered prison to stop taking them while incarcerated. Advertisement One of the heartening aspects of the opioid crisis is the growing cultural consensus, even within law enforcement, that it be managed like a public health issue rather than a criminal one. Even so, many addicted individuals will still enter the criminal justice system. When they do, the public health mission must extend behind bars as well. Update, May 9, 2018: This sentence has been updated to clarify that it is the track record of the prisons, not the medications, that remains poor. VANCOUVER, British Columbia, May 08, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Argentina Lithium & Energy Corp. (TSX-V:LIT) (FSE:OAY2) (WKN:A0RK7E) (OTC:PNXLF) (Argentina Lithium or the Company) announces that at the Special and Annual General Meeting held on November 2, 2016, the shareholders approved a special resolution deleting the existing Articles of the Company in their entirety and replacing them with a new form of Articles, as described in the Companys information circular dated September 28, 2016. The Articles were amended to, among other things, require advance notice to the Company (the Advance Notice Provision) in circumstances where nominations of persons for election to the Board of Directors are made by shareholders of the Company other than pursuant to: (i) a requisition of a meeting made pursuant to the provisions of the Business Corporations Act (British Columbia) (the "Act"); or (ii) a shareholder proposal made pursuant to the provisions of the Act. Among other things, the Advance Notice Provision fixes a deadline by which holders of record of common shares of the Company must submit director nominations to the Company prior to any annual or special meeting of shareholders and sets forth the information that a shareholder must include in the notice to the Company for the notice to be in proper written form. In the case of an annual meeting of shareholders, notice to the Company must be made not less than 30 nor more than 65 days prior to the date of the annual meeting; provided, however, that, in the event that the annual meeting is to be held on a date that is less than 50 days after the date on which the first public announcement of the date of the annual meeting was made, notice may be made not later than the close of business on the 10th day following such public announcement. In the case of a special meeting of shareholders (which is not also an annual meeting), notice to the Company must be made not later than the close of business on the 15th day following the day on which the first public announcement of the date of the special meeting was made. About Argentina Lithium Argentina Lithium & Energy Corp is focused on acquiring high quality lithium projects in Argentina, and advancing them towards production in order to meet the growing global demand from the battery sector. The management group has a long history of success in the resource sector of Argentina, and has assembled a first rate team of experts to acquire and advance the best lithium properties in the world renowned Lithium Triangle. The Company is a member of the Grosso Group, a resource management group that has pioneered exploration in Argentina since 1993. ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD Nikolaos Cacos _____________________________________ Nikolaos Cacos, President, CEO and Director For further information please contact: Corporate Communications Tel: 1-604-687-1828 Toll-Free: 1-800-901-0058 Email: info@argentinalithium.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. This news release may contain forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements address future events and conditions and therefore involve inherent risks and uncertainties. Actual results may differ materially from those currently anticipated in such statements. Readers are encouraged to refer to the Company's public disclosure documents for a more detailed discussion of factors that may impact expected future results. The Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements. We advise U.S. investors that the SEC's mining guidelines strictly prohibit information of this type in documents filed with the SEC. U.S. investors are cautioned that mineral deposits on adjacent properties are not indicative of mineral deposits on our properties. Cambridge Analytica declared bankruptcy on Friday, sharing that it would shutter most of its operations because the siege of media coverage has driven away virtually all of the Companys customers and suppliers. The announcement was a major, though unsurprising, development in the saga surrounding Facebook and the voter-targeting firm, a relationship that has led to congressional hearings, a federal investigation, and a public debate about the data collection that undergirds the business model of so much of todays internetthat your email and social networks and music and maps are all free, as long as you give up your personal data in return. Advertisement Its been nearly two months since the story that Cambridge Analytica had inappropriately accessed the data of as many as 87 million Facebook users began to saturate headlines, so lets review whats changed: Though Cambridge Analytica is in the process of shutting down, its investors and executives arent getting out of the elections business. After all, SCL Group, Cambridge Analyticas parent company, isnt dissolving, and its not apparent that the 18 other companies and affiliates that operate under SCL Group are either. And while Facebook has taken solid and important steps to tighten how data is allowed to seep beyond its platforms wallsand yes, Congress seems to be at least interested in reining in how companies like Facebook and Google collect, store, and utilize the unfathomable amount of user data they siphon up in order to sell hypertargeted adstheres no indication any of these changes will impact the end game that got Facebook into this mess in the first place: data-driven political advertising. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement SCL Group, Cambridge Analyticas parent company, isnt dissolving, and its not apparent that the 18 other companies and affiliates that operate under SCL Group are either. On Sunday, the Guardian published a story based on an interview with Christopher Wylie, a former Cambridge Analytica employee turned whistleblower, about how exactly the firm took data from Facebook users and funneled it into its work for the Trump campaign in 2016. By combining a users Facebook likes with public voter data and other demographic information, the companys voter-profiling model might determine that a person is neurotic, according to one example offered by Wylie, so if the company was trying to communicate a message about jobs and the economy, its ad sent to that person would emphasize security. A conscientious person, according to Wylie, might receive an ad about the opportunity to succeed and the responsibility that a job gives you. If its an open person, you talk about the opportunity to grow as a person, he said. According to Wylie, although the company promised Facebook in 2015 that it had deleted the data it had bought from the maker of a personality quiz, it still held onto models derived from the original tranche of user information. (Cambridge Analytica has said that it did not use any of the data from the Facebook quiz in the 2016 election, and Facebook is currently auditing the company to see if it truly deleted the data.) Advertisement Advertisement It would probably not be possible to amass that same data set now: In 2014, Facebook stopped letting app developers scoop up data on peoples friends without their friends permission. And last month, the company made it a bit harder for developers to obtain as much information as they used to by setting up some roadblocks and approval processes that limit third parties trying to get their hands on Facebook data. But the company hasnt announced that it will stop letting political advertisers target people with ads based on their race or their level of education or their sexual preference or their religious identity or any other category the site has placed its billions of users into; Google probably isnt stopping either. Meanwhile, the data in the Cambridge Analytica stash, as well as data from other third-party app developers, could very well still be out there. Facebook also still allows app developers to access users likes, which could be used by a group like Cambridge Analytica to create profiles of voters to help send manipulative political messaging. Already, the data-driven ad-targeting model that Google and Facebook emblematize is much more worrying than normal advertising, in which buyers purchase ads to reach a demographic but are unable to target individuals. When politics are added to the mix, sensitive indicators like income, prejudices, and mental health can come into play. Its not clear how refined a company like Cambridge Analytica truly is with its profiling. But its ambitions to psychographically target voters are scaryand while the effectiveness of this kind of advertising is up for debate, its certainly still allowed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We still have no hint that meaningful regulationsthat truly curb how companies are allowed to hand over user data to third parties and sell ads targeted at our precise interestsare coming. And the people at Cambridge Analytica may even be the ones to still do it. While that firm might soon cease to exist, its old chief data officer and temporary CEO, Alexander Tayler, started a new company last August with SCL Chairman Julian Wheatland and former Cambridge Analytica CEO Alexander Nix called Emerdata, whose board includes Rebekah and Jennifer Mercer, the daughters of the secretive billionaire who was Cambridge Analyticas primary financier as well as the biggest donor to Trumps campaign. In a Channel 4 News investigation, SCL Group founder Nigel Oakes said that Emerdata was established in order to acquire Cambridge Analytica and SCL. And Nix, who was suspended from Cambridge Analytica after a Channel 4 investigation revealed that he offered unsavory methods to swing an election for a client, has a new company, Firecrest Technologies, founded in March, which shares an address with Emerdata and SCL Group. If the data that Cambridge Analytica claimed it deleted still exists in a derivative form, as Wylie claims, then some of the people who wrongfully obtained it in the first place may still have access. Advertisement So what does this mean for the future of our elections? Will the midterms be noticeably less awful than the 2016 cycle? Sure, there may be fewer Russian operatives posing as American activists, thanks to Facebook and Twitter bans of accounts associated with the Kremlin-backed Internet Research Agency. Or the Russian operatives might have just gotten even smarter, or may be working from another addressits hard to predict. And political ads may now include information about whatever random super PAC paid for them, as Facebook has recently promised. But none of that changes the fact that Facebook and Google and other ad companies will still let campaigns and other political groups target voters based on their race and class and even mental health, if they can find an indicator for it, to attempt to manipulate how we vote. And while there are some legislative proposals that would force Facebook and other big data collectors to actually reveal what they collect on people, there isnt a proposal now that would actually limit hypertargeted data profiling in an election cycle, because ultimately no one in power seems to consider it a problem. Meanwhile, for the most part, the advocacy groups that have long worked on these issues are publicly calling on the companies to self-regulate and become more transparent, instead of, for example, launching clear public campaigns to demand that lawmakers make these companies collect less data or stop allowing ad buyers to leverage them to try to influence elections. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Data targeting can be a form of racial profiling and economic profiling and religious profiling. It can be used to try to suppress voting and to send ads for subprime loans to certain demographics and not others. Of course, it can also be used to get important information out to people who most need it, like health advice and resources for pregnant women and information about peoples local polling stations, but that just means that any regulation limiting how its used might be difficult to craft, but not impossible. We still have no hint that meaningful regulationsthat truly curb how companies are allowed to hand over user data to third parties and sell ads targeted at our precise interests, skin color, economic class, level of education, and even bigotriesare coming. And incidents such as Facebooks repeated failed promises to curb housing discrimination leave plenty of room to doubt that our elections will be any less vulnerable to divisive manipulationeither by professional firms or shadowy propagandistsanytime soon. On Monday morning, I became one of the trial users of a potential new Facebook feature, one of its recent attempts at fighting the fake news and unconstructive debate rife on its platform: upvotes and downvotes. Was it satisfying to push the down arrow on complaints I found stupid and lazy and bad, making them -1s? You betcha. After an initial downvote trial among select Facebook users in February, the Reddit-style, crowdsourced comment ranking system is being further tested in Australia and New Zealand (I just returned from the former, and Facebook seems to think Im still there), this time with upvotes, too. Little gray arrowsone up, one downhave appeared beneath comments on posts from select public pages, asking for my input. Stop bad comments, they implore. Press the down arrow if a comment has bad intentions or is disrespectful. Your input is anonymous, a pop-up adds. The purpose of the feature, as Facebook told Mashable, is to allow users to push those thoughtful and engaging comments to the top of the discussion thread, and to move down the ones that are simply attacks or filled with profanity. The voting options dont show up on posts from friendsonly on pages. So this is not an opportunity to disagree with a family member without experiencing blowback. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Even before I entered the trial, the systems problems seemed glaring, a tool waiting to be abused. With its anonymity and reliance on mob rule, its the perfect feature for trolls and bots, lefties and conservativesthe whole menagerie of internet creaturesto silence opinions through effective organizing and well-policed echo chambers. Staring at the new scores, the orange -1s and -2s on perfectly well-intentioned comments, I could already see the impending vote-stacking warsbattles between upvoting and downvoting armies, gamified debateunfolding before my eyes. This was just the beginning. While scouring to see which of my pages the pilot applied tovery public ones, including BuzzFeed Oz Politics, the Australian Labor Party (but not the conservative Liberal Party of Australia), the University of Melbourne, and Australian Marriage EqualityI noticed some lazy, unconstructive comments on a video from the Australian Broadcasting Corp., Australias public broadcaster. They were standard comments, really, calling the clip (a politically mixed panel talking about the livability of $40 per day welfare payments) lefty BS and a leftist echo chamber. No one had upvoted or downvoted these comments: They were unrated content, like fresh cement, waiting for a plus or minusfor my plus or minus. I had the power to downvote them, to drive them down the thread, all without revealing my identity. So I did. Advertisement Advertisement Were the comments ill-intentioned or disrespectful? Its not clear what exactly Facebook means by that. But was it satisfying to push the down arrow on complaints I found stupid and lazy and bad, making them -1s? You betcha. The downvote grants the power to dismiss content in a way the vague reactions never didwere you angry at the comment or sharing in the writers fury? Besides, reacting to a comment, positively or negatively, only made it more prominent. With the downvote, you can make someones disagreeable opinion a little less visiblea functional dislike button, even if Facebook will never introduce one. Advertisement Advertisement The difference between the Down Under experiment and the February one is the introduction of the upvote button. But does the up arrow hold the same tantalizing appeal? Though the new system is ostensibly about rewarding thoughtful and engaging comments, I didnt feel inclined to use it. We already have a myriad of ways to upvote content on Facebook, be that through liking or loving or laughingwhy upvote when you can thumbs-up? Comments that receive thousands of likes will presumably still be given prominence. And while anonymity may be important when downvoting a sexist troll, were less likely to require invisibility when showing support for a reasonable commenter. Facebooks second trial is trying to be a little more positive, but an upvote system seems likely to become mainly a downvote system because that is the side of the equation we are currently lacking: the ability to click in our disapproval. Advertisement For Reddit users, up- and downvoting are essential features of the site. (Co-founder Alexis Ohanian Sr. even joked following Facebooks February experiment that he wished hed trademarked it.) Yet even Redditors dont have a unified theory. In a discussion on the subreddit TheoryOfReddit, users say that they will sometimes upvote people who have been downvoted purely out of sympathy or spite, or downvote something popular not because its bad but because it doesnt deserve to hit the front page. See also: being tired of a repeated or unfunny joke, sensing passive aggressiveness in a post, believing the user is karma-whoring or attention-seeking, disliking the tone of the user comment (too preachy, serious in a jokey threadparty pooper), feeling a post is abusive/igniting a witch hunt, disliking the user, and thinking a user is stating opinion as fact. If even Redditors cant agree on an objective usage, what hope do Facebook users have? (For what its worth, Reddiquette says, If you think something contributes to conversation, upvote it. If you think it does not contribute to the subreddit it is posted in or is off-topic in a particular community, downvote it.) Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The environment created by downvoting may even make Facebooks cultural issues worse. One Stanford University study showed that negative evaluations (downvotes) on social media can have a huge negative impact on the future behavior of downvoted users: a contributor who is down-voted produces lower quality content in future that is valued even less by others on the network. Whats more, people are more likely to down-vote others after they have been down voted themselves. The result is a vicious spiral of increasingly negative behaviour that is exactly the opposite of the intended effect. So much for negative reinforcement. Another study, published in Science, found that upvote/downvote systems breed irrational herding (this one is less surprising) with one upvote having a huge impact on the likelihood of a comment receiving a second, and snowballing from there. Advertisement Facebook clearly has some issues with hate speech and echo chambers, and many also think it has politically biased moderators (though they cant all agree on which side it biases). Facebook is considering multiple methods to address these concerns, including downvoting and hate speech reporting, a feature it rolled out by accident on May 1. Both these sifters put a lot of onus on (not to mention faith in) users to review content, with Facebook delegating its unenviable task of overseeing billions of accounts. But unlike the Does this post contain hate speech? feature, the upvote and downvote system wont require a Facebook employeeor A.I.to verify it. It will be moderated by the masses. Advertisement Advertisement Weve already seen how the masses can weaponized public opinion on social media, with 50,000 Russian bots tryingand some would say succeedingto influence Twitter users in the lead up to the 2016 presidential election (lets not forget Brexit, too). This feature might make it even easier for organized groups to control what people see, to push an agenda, and to kill unfavorable opinionsanonymously. Humans are just as bad. Facebook groups have become effective bases for interest groups, mobilizing outrage and driving member to bombard posts with negative commentsin a recent case, conservative supporter groups and meme pages drove an ABC affiliate page for kids off Facebook with its targeted crusade. Downvoting unfavorable comments en masse doesnt seem like much of a stretch for these groups. Bots may have stirred things up, but peoplecombined with partisanship and prejudiceare the problem with Facebook discourse. Its a downvote from me, Facebook. In data privacy, as in so many other matters, past is prologue. Fifty years ago, there were calls for a National Data Center amassing all personal data collected by federal agencies. Supporters claimed it would lead to more efficiency and better research. Congressional hearings made clear that the bigger the database, the greater risk of abuse, and the more opportunities for errors. Congress ultimately rejected that Orwellian nightmare, as a New York Times editorial put it on Aug. 9, 1966. Instead, it passed the Privacy Act of 1974, establishing procedural restraints on federal agencies data practices. Advertisement The National Data Center may not have materialized, but the impulse behind itwhat we can think of as a data-collection imperativenever faded. For low-income people, the specter of total state surveillance is quite real. The merger of big data and law enforcement results in persistent, indiscriminate surveillance of poor communities. Public benefits programs subject the poor to intrusive and demeaning interrogations and inspections. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Now, legislation advancing in the House of Representatives would establish what amounts to a National Data Center of the Poor: a national database of all recipients of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP, formerly food stamps). Under the proposal, the Department of Agriculture, with the assistance of private vendors, would amass the highly sensitive informationSocial Security numbers, asset information, birthdates, and moreof the more than 40 million individuals receiving food assistance. Because SNAP has a high turnover rate as people find better jobs and leave the program, roughly 60 million people would have their information included in this database over the course of a year. Advertisement The proposed National Data Center of the Poor wouldnt just address a problem that doesnt really existit risks serious abuse. According to proponents, this de facto National Data Center of the Poor would help detect individuals who receive food benefits in more than one state. Eliminating fraud is important, but the benefits of the proposal must be considered along with its considerable privacy risks. First, the benefits would be modest. Double dipping is rare. According to a study, less than 0.2 percent of SNAP participants were dual participants. To put it another way, about 99.8 percent of SNAP enrollees received food aid in only one state. Occasionally a household looks like its double dipping when it moves to a new state and the SNAP agency in its former state is slow to record its case as closed. This is a particular problem with migrant farm workers, who move frequently. Advertisement Advertisement The proposed National Data Center of the Poor wouldnt just address a problem that doesnt really existit risks serious abuse. Government databases are notoriously insecure, as demonstrated by the breach of the federal Office of Personnel Management. Tens of thousands of federal, state, and local employees, along with private contractors, would have to have access to the SNAP database, which means claims that it could remain secure are delusional. Perhaps the biggest risk would be fraud and identity theft. With Social Security numbers, dates of birth, and account information, thieves can empty individuals bank accounts, wiping out whatever meager funds they have struggled to save. They could also become vulnerable to scammers and extortionists. For instance, bad actors could threaten to release sensitive information found in the database unless food-aid recipients do something for them. Advertisement Advertisement Massive collections of personal data can metastasize to countless other databases run by state, local, and federal agencies, thanks to the routine use exemption to the Privacy Acts protections. Errors in the data would be replicated. The proposed database could, say, incorrectly list someones birthdate or Social Security numberif shared with other agency databases, the error could mean the loss of benefits, the ability to vote, and far more. And errors there would be. Many states salaries for eligibility workers are so low that it is difficult to attract and retain staff capable of implementing increasingly complex SNAP rules, and many states automated systems have failed sensationally. In states all over the country, agency decision-making systems have erroneously terminated Medicaid to cancer patients. Computers have incorrectly identified parents believed to owe child support and initiated collection proceedings against the innocent. Advertisement Advertisement Given the rush to adopt predictive tools in the public sector, there is a strong likelihood that government agencies will use individuals personal data to create risk profiles that could interfere with their eligibility for services, government employment, or reunification with family members overseas. Charles Reich warned 50 years ago that state surveillance of the poor can create a black mark on someones record that can never be escaped. Margaret Hu has aptly described government-generated risk profiles as resulting in big data blacklisting. Risk profiles can be shared with a host of federal and state agencies, impacting food-aid recipients life opportunities far into the future. Low-income people already face enough barriers to employment; they do not need more. Advertisement The proposed National Data Center of the Poor would demean and stigmatize food-aid recipients. As Khiara Bridges argues in The Poverty of Privacy Rights, the states collection of personal data from the poor facilitates social control while revealing [them] as the type of [people] that society wants to control. By demanding this type of database, proponents are saying that SNAP recipients are the type of people who will abuse public benefits even when the evidence shows otherwise. Automation bias will beset hearing officers, making a bad situation far worse. Because the natural human tendency is to believe computers (after all, they are not biasedit is just a computer), hearing officers will more often credit automated findings of fraud without investigating if the data is wrong or if the algorithms produced an inaccurate match. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement There is a better option, and federal laws likely need not be changed to accomplish it. States could ping one anothers existing databases to ensure that individuals are enrolled in and receiving SNAP benefits from one state at a time. Eligibility workers could do that when people move into their states, ensuring that states where individuals used to live have updated and accurate records. Much like in voting, people remain on the rolls in states where they once lived even though they moved away long before. That simple step would likely eliminate what might otherwise be viewed as fraud. Just as being registered to vote in a state where you no longer live is not a problem (or a potential crime) unless you actually try to vote in two states, having an open SNAP file in a state where you used to live isnt a problem, let alone a potential crime, unless you actually receive aid in both states. The bill has been approved by the House Committee on Agriculture and may be brought up for a vote soon. But we dont need a new federal law to accomplish any of the supposed objectives, let alone one that would create enormousand costlyprivacy risks to individuals and society with negligible benefit. Robert Gilpin, R.I.P. - The Washington Post : His greatest book was written in 1981, but the main theory in it is perhaps more trenchant now... The following companies are subsidiares of Lloyds Banking Group: A G Finance Ltd, A.C.L. Ltd, ACL Autolease Holdings Ltd, ADF No.1 Pty Ltd, Addison Social Housing Holdings Ltd, Alex Lawrie Factors Ltd, Alex. Lawrie Receivables Financing Ltd, Amberdate Ltd, Anglo Scottish Utilities Partnership 1, Aquilus Ltd, Automobile Association Personal Finance Ltd, BOS (Ireland) Property Services 2 Ltd, BOS (Ireland) Property Services Ltd, BOS (Shared Appreciation Mortgages (Scotland) No. 2) Ltd, BOS (Shared Appreciation Mortgages (Scotland) No. 3) Ltd, BOS (Shared Appreciation Mortgages (Scotland)) Ltd, BOS (Shared Appreciation Mortgages) No. 1 plc, BOS (Shared Appreciation Mortgages) No. 2 plc, BOS (Shared Appreciation Mortgages) No. 3 plc, BOS (Shared Appreciation Mortgages) No. 4 plc, BOS (Shared Appreciation Mortgages) No. 5 plc, BOS (Shared Appreciation Mortgages) No. 6 plc, BOS (USA) Fund Investments Inc., BOS (USA) Inc., BOS Edinburgh No 1 Ltd, BOS Mistral Ltd, BOS Personal Lending Ltd, BOSSAF Rail Ltd, Bank of Scotland (B G S) Nominees Ltd, Bank of Scotland (Stanlife) London Nominees Ltd, Bank of Scotland Branch Nominees Ltd, Bank of Scotland Central Nominees Ltd, Bank of Scotland Edinburgh Nominees Ltd, Bank of Scotland Equipment Finance Ltd, Bank of Scotland Foundation, Bank of Scotland LNG Leasing (No 1) Ltd, Bank of Scotland London Nominees Ltd, Bank of Scotland Nominees (Unit Trusts) Ltd, Bank of Scotland P.E.P. Nominees Ltd, Bank of Scotland Structured Asset Finance Ltd, Bank of Scotland Transport Finance 1 Ltd, Bank of Scotland plc, Bank of Wales Ltd, Barents Leasing Ltd, Barnwood Mortgages Ltd, Birchcrown Finance Ltd, Birmingham Midshires Financial Services Ltd, Birmingham Midshires Land Development Ltd, Birmingham Midshires Mortgage Services Ltd, Black Horse (TRF) Ltd, Black Horse Executive Mortgages Ltd, Black Horse Finance Holdings Ltd, Black Horse Finance Management Ltd, Black Horse Group Ltd, Black Horse Ltd, Black Horse Offshore Ltd, Black Horse Property Services Ltd, Boltro Nominees Ltd, British Linen Leasing (London) Ltd, British Linen Leasing Ltd, British Linen Shipping Ltd, C.T.S.B. Leasing Ltd, CBRail S.A.R.L., CF Asset Finance Ltd, CF1 Ltd, CM Venture Investments Ltd, Cancara Asset Securitisation Ltd, Capital 1945 Ltd, Capital Bank Leasing 12 Ltd, Capital Bank Leasing 3 Ltd, Capital Bank Leasing 5 Ltd, Capital Bank Leasing 9 Ltd, Capital Bank Property Investments (3) Ltd, Capital Personal Finance Ltd, Cardiff Auto Receivables Securitisation 2018-1 Plc, Cardiff Auto Receivables Securitisation 2019-1 Plc, Cardiff Auto Receivables Securitisation Holdings Ltd, Cardnet Merchant Services Ltd, Cashfriday Ltd, Cashpoint Ltd, Caveminster Ltd, Cedar Holdings Ltd, Celsius European Lux 2 S.A.R.L., Central Mortgage Finance Ltd, Chariot Finance Ltd, Cheltenham & Gloucester plc, Cheltenham II Securities 2020 DAC, Cheltenham Securities 2017 Ltd, Chepstow Blue Holdings Ltd, Chepstow Blue plc, Chester Asset Options No.2 Ltd, Chester Asset Options No.3 Ltd, Chester Asset Receivables Dealings Issuer Ltd, Chester Asset Securitisation Holdings Ltd, Chester Asset Securitisation Holdings No.2 Ltd, Chiswell Stockbrokers Ltd, Clerical Medical Finance plc, Clerical Medical Financial Services Ltd, Clerical Medical International Holdings B.V., Clerical Medical Investment Fund Managers Ltd, Clerical Medical Managed Funds Ltd, Clerical Medical Non Sterling Guadalix Hold Co BV, Clerical Medical Non Sterling Guadalix Spanish Prop Co SL, Clerical Medical Non Sterling Megapark Hold Co BV, Clerical Medical Non Sterling Megapark Prop Co SA, Clerical Medical Non Sterling Property Company S.A.R.L., Cloak Lane Funding S.A.R.L., Cloak Lane Investments S.A.R.L., Conquest Securities Ltd, Corbiere Asset Investments Ltd, Create Services Ltd, Credit Card Securitisation Europe Ltd, Dalkeith Corporation, Deva Financing Holdings Ltd, Deva Financing plc, Deva One Ltd, Deva Three Ltd, Deva Two Ltd, Dunstan Investments (UK) Ltd, Edgbaston RMBS 2010-1 plc, Edgbaston RMBS Holdings Ltd, Elland RMBS 2018 plc, Elland RMBS Holdings Ltd, Eurolead Services Holdings Ltd, First Retail Finance (Chester) Ltd, Fontwell Securities 2016 Ltd, Forthright Finance Ltd, France Industrial Premises Holding Company, General Leasing (No. 12) Ltd, General Reversionary and Investment Company, Gresham Nominee 1 Ltd, Gresham Nominee 2 Ltd, Gresham Receivables (No. 1) Ltd, Gresham Receivables (No. 10) Ltd, Gresham Receivables (No. 11) UK Ltd, Gresham Receivables (No. 12) Ltd, Gresham Receivables (No. 13) UK Ltd, Gresham Receivables (No. 14) UK Ltd, Gresham Receivables (No. 15) UK Ltd, Gresham Receivables (No. 16) UK Ltd, Gresham Receivables (No. 19) UK Ltd, Gresham Receivables (No. 20) Ltd, Gresham Receivables (No. 21) Ltd, Gresham Receivables (No. 22) Ltd, Gresham Receivables (No. 23) Ltd, Gresham Receivables (No. 24) Ltd, Gresham Receivables (No. 25) UK Ltd, Gresham Receivables (No. 26) UK Ltd, Gresham Receivables (No. 27) UK Ltd, Gresham Receivables (No. 28) Ltd, Gresham Receivables (No. 29) Ltd, Gresham Receivables (No. 3) Ltd, Gresham Receivables (No. 30) UK Ltd, Gresham Receivables (No. 31) UK Ltd, Gresham Receivables (No. 32) UK Ltd, Gresham Receivables (No. 33) UK Ltd, Gresham Receivables (No. 34) UK Ltd, Gresham Receivables (No. 35) Ltd, Gresham Receivables (No. 36) UK Ltd, Gresham Receivables (No. 37) UK Ltd, Gresham Receivables (No. 38) UK Ltd, Gresham Receivables (No. 39) UK Ltd, Gresham Receivables (No. 40) UK Ltd, Gresham Receivables (No. 41) UK Ltd, Gresham Receivables (No. 44) UK Ltd, Gresham Receivables (No. 45) UK Ltd, Gresham Receivables (No. 46) UK Ltd, Gresham Receivables (No. 47) UK Ltd, Gresham Receivables (No. 48) UK Ltd, Guildhall Asset Purchasing Company (No 3) Ltd, Guildhall Asset Purchasing Company (No.11) UK Ltd, HBOS Covered Bonds LLP, HBOS Final Salary Trust Ltd, HBOS Financial Services Ltd, HBOS Insurance & Investment Group Ltd, HBOS International Financial Services Holdings Ltd, HBOS Investment Fund Managers Ltd, HBOS Social Housing Covered Bonds LLP, HBOS UK Ltd, HBOS plc, HSDL Nominees Ltd, HVF Ltd, Halifax Credit Card Ltd, Halifax Financial Brokers Ltd, Halifax Financial Services (Holdings) Ltd, Halifax Financial Services Ltd, Halifax General Insurance Services Ltd, Halifax Group Ltd, Halifax Investment Services Ltd, Halifax Leasing (June) Ltd, Halifax Leasing (March No.2) Ltd, Halifax Leasing (September) Ltd, Halifax Life Ltd, Halifax Loans Ltd, Halifax Ltd, Halifax Mortgage Services Ltd, Halifax Nominees Ltd, Halifax Pension Nominees Ltd, Halifax Premises Ltd, Halifax Share Dealing Ltd, Halifax Vehicle Leasing (1998) Ltd, Heidi Finance Holdings (UK) Ltd, Hill Samuel Bank Ltd, Hill Samuel Finance Ltd, Hill Samuel Leasing Co. Ltd, Home Shopping Personal Finance Ltd, Horizon Capital 2000 Ltd, Housing Association Risk Transfer 2019 DAC, Housing Growth Partnership GP LLP, Housing Growth Partnership LP, Housing Growth Partnership Ltd, Housing Growth Partnership Manager Ltd, Hyundai Car Finance Ltd, IBOS Finance Ltd, ICC Enterprise Partners Ltd, ICC Equity Partners Ltd, ICC Holdings Unlimited Company, Inchcape Financial Services Ltd, Intelligent Finance Financial Services Ltd, Intelligent Finance Software Ltd, International Motors Finance Ltd, Kanaalstraat Funding C.V., Katrine Leasing Ltd, LB Healthcare Trustee Ltd, LB Motorent Ltd, LB Quest Ltd, LB Share Schemes Trustees Ltd, LBCF Ltd, LBG Brasil Administracao LTDA, LBG Capital Holdings Ltd, LBG Equity Investments Ltd, LBI Leasing Ltd, LDC (General Partner) Ltd, LDC (Managers) Ltd, LDC (Nominees) Ltd, LDC GP LLP, LDC I LP, LDC II LP, LDC III LP, LDC IV LP, LDC Parallel (Nominees) Ltd, LDC V LP, LDC VI LP, LDC VII LP, LDC VIII LP, LTGP Limited Partnership Incorporated, Legacy Renewal Company Ltd, Leicester Securities 2014 Ltd, Lex Autolease (CH) Ltd, Lex Autolease (VC) Ltd, Lex Autolease Carselect Ltd, Lex Autolease Ltd, Lex Vehicle Finance 2 Ltd, Lex Vehicle Leasing (Holdings) Ltd, Lex Vehicle Leasing Ltd, Lime Street (Funding) Ltd, Lingfield 2014 I Holdings Ltd, Lingfield 2014 I plc, Lloyds (Gresham) Ltd, Lloyds (Gresham) No. 1 Ltd, Lloyds (Nimrod) Specialist Finance Ltd, Lloyds America Securities Corporation1, Lloyds Asset Leasing Ltd, Lloyds Bank (Branches) Nominees Ltd, Lloyds Bank (Colonial & Foreign) Nominees Ltd, Lloyds Bank (Fountainbridge 1) Ltd, Lloyds Bank (Fountainbridge 2) Ltd, Lloyds Bank (I.D.) Nominees Ltd, Lloyds Bank (International Services) Ltd, Lloyds Bank (Stock Exchange Branch) Nominees Ltd, Lloyds Bank Asset Finance Ltd, Lloyds Bank Commercial Finance Ltd, Lloyds Bank Commercial Finance Scotland Ltd, Lloyds Bank Corporate Asset Finance (HP) Ltd, Lloyds Bank Corporate Asset Finance (No.1) Ltd, Lloyds Bank Corporate Asset Finance (No.2) Ltd, Lloyds Bank Corporate Asset Finance (No.3) Ltd, Lloyds Bank Corporate Asset Finance (No.4) Ltd, Lloyds Bank Corporate Markets Wertpapierhandelsbank GmbH, Lloyds Bank Corporate Markets plc, Lloyds Bank Covered Bonds (Holdings) Ltd, Lloyds Bank Covered Bonds (LM) Ltd, Lloyds Bank Covered Bonds LLP, Lloyds Bank Equipment Leasing (No. 1) Ltd, Lloyds Bank Equipment Leasing (No. 7) Ltd, Lloyds Bank Equipment Leasing (No. 9) Ltd, Lloyds Bank Financial Services (Holdings) Ltd, Lloyds Bank Foundation for England & Wales, Lloyds Bank Foundation for the Channel Islands, Lloyds Bank General Insurance Holdings Ltd, Lloyds Bank General Insurance Ltd, Lloyds Bank General Leasing (No. 11) Ltd, Lloyds Bank General Leasing (No. 17) Ltd, Lloyds Bank General Leasing (No. 20) Ltd, Lloyds Bank General Leasing (No. 3) Ltd, Lloyds Bank General Leasing (No. 5) Ltd, Lloyds Bank GmbH, Lloyds Bank Hill Samuel Holding Company Ltd, Lloyds Bank Insurance Services Ltd, Lloyds Bank International Ltd, Lloyds Bank Leasing (No. 6) Ltd, Lloyds Bank Leasing (No. 8) Ltd, Lloyds Bank Leasing Ltd, Lloyds Bank MTCH Ltd, Lloyds Bank Maritime Leasing (No. 10) Ltd, Lloyds Bank Maritime Leasing (No. 13) Ltd, Lloyds Bank Maritime Leasing (No. 17) Ltd, Lloyds Bank Maritime Leasing (No.16) Ltd, Lloyds Bank Nominees Ltd, Lloyds Bank Offshore Pension Trust Ltd, Lloyds Bank Pension ABCS (No. 1) LLP, Lloyds Bank Pension ABCS (No. 2) LLP, Lloyds Bank Pension Trust (No. 1) Ltd, Lloyds Bank Pension Trust (No. 2) Ltd, Lloyds Bank Pensions Property (Guernsey) Ltd, Lloyds Bank Properties Ltd, Lloyds Bank Property Company Ltd, Lloyds Bank S.F. Nominees Ltd, Lloyds Bank Subsidiaries Ltd, Lloyds Bank Trustee Services Ltd, Lloyds Bank plc, Lloyds Banking Group Pensions Trustees Ltd, Lloyds Capital GP Ltd, Lloyds Commercial Leasing Ltd, Lloyds Commercial Properties Ltd, Lloyds Commercial Property Investments Ltd, Lloyds Corporate Services (Jersey) Ltd, Lloyds Development Capital (Holdings) Ltd, Lloyds Engine Capital (No.1) U.S LLC, Lloyds Far East S.A.R.L., Lloyds General Leasing Ltd, Lloyds Group Holdings (Jersey) Ltd, Lloyds Holdings (Jersey) Ltd, Lloyds Hypotheken B.V., Lloyds Industrial Leasing Ltd, Lloyds International Pty Ltd, Lloyds Investment Bonds Ltd, Lloyds Investment Fund Managers Ltd, Lloyds Investment Securities No.5 Ltd, Lloyds Leasing (North Sea Transport) Ltd1, Lloyds Leasing Developments Ltd, Lloyds Nominees (Guernsey) Ltd, Lloyds Offshore Global Services Private Ltd, Lloyds Plant Leasing Ltd, Lloyds Portfolio Leasing Ltd, Lloyds Premises Investments Ltd, Lloyds Project Leasing Ltd, Lloyds Property Investment Company No. 3 Ltd, Lloyds Property Investment Company No. 4 Ltd, Lloyds Property Investment Company No.5 Ltd, Lloyds Secretaries Ltd, Lloyds Securities Inc., Lloyds TSB Pacific Ltd, Lloyds UDT Asset Leasing Ltd, Lloyds UDT Asset Rentals Ltd, Lloyds UDT Hiring Ltd, Lloyds UDT Leasing Ltd, Lloyds UDT Ltd, Lloyds Your Tomorrow Trustee Ltd, Loans.co.uk Ltd, London Taxi Finance Ltd, London Uberior (L.A.S. Group) Nominees Ltd, Lotus Finance Ltd, MBNA, MBNA Direct Ltd, MBNA Europe Finance Ltd, MBNA Europe Holdings Ltd, MBNA General Foundation, MBNA Global Services Ltd, MBNA Indian Services Private Ltd, MBNA Ltd, MBNA R & L S.A.R.L., MBNA Receivables Ltd, Mainsearch Company Ltd, Maritime Leasing (No. 19) Ltd, Membership Services Finance Ltd, Mitre Street Funding S.A.R.L., Molineux RMBS 2016-1 plc, Molineux RMBS Holdings Ltd, Moor Lane Holdings Ltd, NFU Mutual Finance Ltd, NWS Trust Ltd, Nominees (Jersey) Ltd, Nordic Leasing Ltd, Ocean Leasing (July) Ltd, Oystercatcher Nominees Ltd, Oystercatcher Residential Ltd, PIPS Asset Investments Ltd, Pacific Leasing Ltd, Penarth Asset Securitisation Holdings Ltd, Penarth Funding 1 Ltd, Penarth Funding 2 Ltd, Penarth Master Issuer plc, Penarth Receivables Trustee Ltd, Pensions Management (S.W.F.) Ltd, Peony Eastern Leasing Ltd, Peony Leasing Ltd, Peony Western Leasing Ltd, Permanent Funding (No. 1) Ltd, Permanent Funding (No. 2) Ltd, Permanent Holdings Ltd, Permanent Master Issuer plc, Permanent Mortgages Trustee Ltd, Permanent PECOH Holdings Ltd, Permanent PECOH Ltd, Perry Nominees Ltd, Prestonfield Investments Ltd, Proton Finance Ltd, R.F. Spencer And Company Ltd, Ranelagh Nominees Ltd, Retail Revival (Burgess Hill) Investments Ltd, SARL Coliseum, SARL Hiram, SAS Compagnie Fonciere De France, SCI Astoria Invest, SCI De LHorloge, SCI Equinoxe, SCI Rambuteau CFF, SW Funding plc, SW No.1 Ltd, SWAMF (GP) Ltd, SWAMF Nominee (1) Ltd, SWAMF Nominee (2) Ltd, Saint Michel Holding Company No1, Saint Michel Investment Property, Saint Witz 2 Holding Company No1, Saint Witz 2 Investment Property, Salisbury II Securities 2016 Ltd, Salisbury II-A Securities 2017 Ltd, Salisbury III Securities 2019 DAC, Salisbury Securities 2015 Ltd, Sandown 2012-2 Holdings Ltd, Sandown 2012-2 plc, Sandown Gold 2012-1 Holdings Ltd, Sandown Gold 2012-1 plc, Savban Leasing Ltd, Scotland International Finance B.V., Scottish Widows Administration Services (Nominees) Ltd, Scottish Widows Administration Services Ltd, Scottish Widows Annuities Ltd, Scottish Widows Auto Enrolment Services Ltd, Scottish Widows Europe, Scottish Widows Financial Services Holdings, Scottish Widows Group Ltd, Scottish Widows Industrial Properties Europe B.V., Scottish Widows Ltd, Scottish Widows Pension Trustees Ltd, Scottish Widows Property Management Ltd, Scottish Widows Schroder Personal Wealth (ACD) Ltd, Scottish Widows Schroder Personal Wealth Ltd, Scottish Widows Schroder Wealth Holdings Ltd, Scottish Widows Services Ltd, Scottish Widows Trustees Ltd, Scottish Widows Unit Funds Ltd, Scottish Widows Unit Trust Managers Ltd, Scottish Widows Fund and Life Assurance Society, Seabreeze Leasing Ltd, Seaspirit Leasing Ltd, Share Dealing Nominees Ltd, Shogun Finance Ltd, Silentdale Ltd, St Andrews Group Ltd, St Andrews Insurance plc, St Andrews Life Assurance plc, St. Marys Court Investments, Standard Property Investment (1987) Ltd, Standard Property Investment Ltd, Sussex County Homes Ltd, Suzuki Financial Services Ltd, Swan Funding 2 Ltd, Syon Securities 2019 DAC, The Agricultural Mortgage Corporation Plc, The British Linen Company Ltd, The Halifax Foundation for Northern Ireland, The Mortgage Business plc, Thistle Financing Holdings Ltd, Thistle Investments (AMC) Ltd, Thistle Investments (ERM) Ltd, Thistle Leasing, Three Copthall Avenue Ltd, Tower Hill Property Investments (10) Ltd, Tower Hill Property Investments (7) Ltd, Tranquility Leasing Ltd, Trinity Financing plc, UDT Budget Leasing Ltd, UDT Sales Finance Ltd, Uberior (Moorfield) Ltd, Uberior Co-Investments Ltd, Uberior ENA Ltd, Uberior Equity Ltd, Uberior Europe Ltd, Uberior Fund Investments Ltd, Uberior Infrastructure Investments (No.2) Ltd, Uberior Infrastructure Investments Ltd, Uberior Investments Ltd, Uberior Nominees Ltd, Uberior Trading Ltd, Uberior Trustees Ltd, Uberior Ventures Australia Pty Ltd, Uberior Ventures Ltd, United Dominions Leasing Ltd, United Dominions Trust Ltd, Universe The CMI Global Network Fund, Upsaala Ltd, Vine Street IX LP, WCS Ltd, Ward Nominees (Abingdon) Ltd, Ward Nominees (Birmingham) Ltd 1, Ward Nominees (Bristol) Ltd 1, Ward Nominees Ltd 1, Waverley Fund II Investor LLC, Waverley Fund III Investor LLC, Waymark Asset Investments Ltd, West Craigs Ltd, Wetherby II Securities 2018 DAC, Wetherby III Securities 2019 DAC, Wetherby Securities 2017 Ltd, Wood Street Leasing Ltd, and Zurich Insurance Group - UK Workplace Pensions and Savings Business. CALGARY, Alberta, May 08, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Trinidad Drilling Ltd. (TSX:TDG) (Trinidad or the Company) is pleased to announce the voting results from its Annual Meeting of Shareholders held on May 8, 2018 (the Annual Meeting). 1. Shareholders elected the following directors: Director Votes For Votes Withheld Michael Heier 59.16% 40.84% Jim Brown 90.48% 9.52% Brian Burden 90.48% 9.52% David Halford 90.72% 9.28% Nancy Laird 90.48% 9.52% Ken Stickland 90.46% 9.54% 2. Shareholders re-appointed PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP as Trinidad's auditors. 3. Shareholders confirmed the Amended and Restated By-Law No 1. Votes For Votes Against By-Law No.1 96.05% 3.95% The Amended and Restated By-Law No. 1 was approved by the board of directors of Trinidad on April 3, 2018 and confirmed by shareholders at the Annual Meeting. A copy of the Amended and Restated By-Law No. 1 can be found on Trinidad's SEDAR profile at www.sedar.com. Trinidad has not been provided with an explanation as to why there were a significant number of votes withheld against the election of Mr. Heier, Trinidads Chair. However, Trinidad is aware of shareholder concerns regarding its past share price performance and is continuing to proactively take steps to enhance shareholder value. Trinidad believes that the current trading price does not reflect the value of the Company, despite improving industry fundamentals and recent steps taken to improve shareholder value. As a result, earlier in 2018, Trinidad initiated a strategic review process in an effort to enhance shareholder value. Progress is being made in this strategic process, including the recent sale of three underutilized rigs held by the Companys Saudi Arabian joint venture. The Board is continuing to evaluate additional opportunities and is undertaking a comprehensive review of a wide range of alternatives and their potential to enhance shareholder value. This strategic review process is not a reflection of the Companys financial or operating situation. Trinidad remains in a strong financial position, generating free cash flow from its core business to fund its capital program, and has additional liquidity through its existing credit facilities. The Company has not set a definite schedule to complete this strategic review and does not intend to disclose developments unless the Board has approved a specific transaction or action plan, or decides that disclosure is necessary or appropriate. About Trinidad Drilling Trinidad is an industry-leading contract driller, providing safe, reliable, expertly-designed equipment operated by well-trained and experienced personnel. Trinidad's drilling fleet is one of the most adaptable, technologically advanced and competitive in the industry. Trinidad provides contract drilling and related services in the US, Canada, the Middle East and Mexico. For further information, please contact: Brent Conway President & Chief Executive Officer 403.265.6525 Lesley Bolster Chief Financial Officer 403.265.6525 Adrian Lachance Chief Operating Officer 403.265.6525 Lisa Ottmann Vice President, Investor Relations 403.294.4401 email: investors@trinidaddrilling.com FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS This news release contains certain forward-looking statements relating to Trinidads plans, strategies, objectives, expectations and intentions. The use of any of the words "expect", "anticipate", "continue", "estimate", "objective", "ongoing", "may", "will", "project", "should", "believe", "plans", "intends", "confident", "might" and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking information or statements. Various assumptions were used in drawing the conclusions or making the projections contained in the forward-looking statements throughout this news release. The forward-looking information and statements included in this news release are not guarantees of future performance and should not be unduly relied upon. Forward-looking statements are based on current expectations, estimates and projections that involve a number of risks and uncertainties, which could cause actual results to differ materially from those anticipated and described in the forward-looking statements. In particular, but without limiting the foregoing, this news release contains forward-looking information and statements pertaining to: the ability of the Company to continue to execute on its business strategy during the strategic review process, and the various risks and assumptions customarily related thereto; and the likelihood that the Company will be able to identify and undertake alternatives which enhance shareholder value. Trinidad cautions that the foregoing list of assumptions, risks and uncertainties is not exhaustive. Additional information on these and other factors that could affect Trinidads business, operations or financial results are described in reports filed with securities regulatory authorities, accessible through the SEDAR website (www.sedar.com) including but not limited to Trinidads annual management discussion and analysis, financial statements, Annual Information Form and Management Information Circular. The forward-looking information and statements contained in this news release speak only as of the date of this news release and Trinidad assumes no obligation to publicly update or revise them to reflect new events or circumstances, except as may be required pursuant to applicable securities laws. SAN DIEGO, May 08, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Heroin addiction is destroying the lives of many Americans. With black tar heroin coming from Mexico at a faster rate than government officials can stop it, it's is no wonder so many people are addicted to the drug. Mexican heroin is called black tar because of the color and consistency that is due to the crude processing method in which it is made. Mexico is one of the four foreign sources in which heroin come into the Unites States, other sources include Southeast Asia, Southwest Asia and South America. The majority of the heroin that is brought into the US comes from South America and Mexico. Heroin is an illegal, highly addictive drug. It is both the most abused and the most rapidly acting of the opiates. Heroin is processed from morphine, a naturally occurring substance extracted from the seed pod of certain varieties of poppy plants. It is typically sold as a white or brownish powder or as the black sticky substance known on the streets as black tar heroin. Heroin can be injected, smoked, or sniffed/snorted. Injection is the most effective way to administer low-purity heroin. The availability of high-purity heroin and the fear of infection by sharing needles have made snorting and smoking the drug more common. Methadone maintenance treatment programs have been around for several decades. Methadone is effective in treating cases of addiction to heroin, morphine, and other opioid drugs. Many methadone maintenance treatment patients require continuous treatment, sometimes over a period of years. Although the withdrawal symptoms are not as severe with methadone as they are with heroin, patients still remain physically addicted to opioids while on the methadone maintenance treatment program. Important elements in heroin treatment include comprehensive social and rehabilitation services. To learn more about heroin addiction and how you can get help or help someone you love from reputable drug addiction treatment centers please call us now at 1-888-510-3898. Contact Info: Author: Kevin Leonard Organization: TheRecover.com Address: 27420 Jefferson Ave, Temecula, CA 92590 Phone: (888) 510-3898 A photo accompanying this announcement is available at http://resource.globenewswire.com/Resource/Download/20149863-617f-4f0c-9b02-8a381460f3a4 Four women have accused New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman of physically abusing them. Their accounts were published in The New Yorker on Monday night, and portray the 63-year-old Schneiderman as a violent, emotionally abusive drunk, who would slap and choke them without warning, mock their appearances, and threaten to kill them, all while portraying himself has an ally to women and a staunch opponent of President Trump. Update 9:49 p.m.: Schneiderman just announced him resignation. [See update below.] Three of the women, Manning Barish, Tanya Selvaratnam, and an unnamed former girlfriend, were in long-term relationships with Schneiderman, and their experiences with New York's top law enforcement officer were similar. About four weeks after they became physically involved, [Barish] says, Schneiderman grew violent. One night, they were in the bedroom of his Upper West Side apartment, still clothed but getting ready for bed, and lightly baiting each other. As she recalls it, he called her a whore, and she talked back. They had both been drinking, and her recollection of their conversation is blurry, but what happened next remains vivid. Schneiderman, she says, backed her up to the edge of his bed. All of a sudden, he just slapped me, open handed and with great force, across the face, landing the blow directly onto my ear, Manning Barish says. It was horrendous. It just came out of nowhere. My ear was ringing. I lost my balance and fell backward onto the bed. I sprang up, but at this point there was very little room between the bed and him. I got up to try to shove him back, or take a swing, and he pushed me back down. He then used his body weight to hold me down, and he began to choke me. The choking was very hard. It was really bad. I kicked. In every fibre, I felt I was being beaten by a man. Selvaratnam talks about how Schneiderman was "obsessed with having a threesome." He said hed have nothing to look forward to if I didnt, and would hit me until I agreed. (She had no intention of having a threesome.) She recalls, Sometimes, hed tell me to call him Master, and hed slap me until I did. Selvaratnam, who was born in Sri Lanka, has dark skin, and she recalls that he started calling me his brown slave and demanding that I repeat that I was his property. Another women, who is described as an "Ivy League-educated lawyer," met Schneiderman at a party in the Hamptons. The lawyer and Schneiderman began making out, but he said things that repelled her. He told the woman, a divorced mother, that professional women with big jobs and children had so many decisions to make that, when it came to sex, they secretly wanted men to take charge. She recalls him saying, Yeah, you act a certain way and look a certain way, but I know that at heart you are a dirty little slut. You want to be my whore. He became more sexually aggressive, but she was repulsed by his talk, and pulled away from him. She says that suddenlyat least, in my minds eyehe drew back, and there was a moment where I was, like, Whats happening? Then, she recalls, He slapped me across the face hard, twice, adding, I was stunned. Schneiderman hit her so hard, she says, that the blow left a red handprint. What the fuck did you just do? she screamed, and started to sob. I couldnt believe it, she recalls. For a split second, I was scared. She notes that, in all her years of dating, she has never been in a situation like the one with Schneiderman. He just really smacked me, she says. Schneiderman's office disputes some of the story's details, and the attorney general himself makes a blanket denial: "In the privacy of intimate relationships, I have engaged in role-playing and other consensual sexual activity. I have not assaulted anyone. I have never engaged in non-consensual sex, which is I line I would not cross." After the most difficult month of my life-I spoke up. For my daughter and for all women. I could not remain silent and encourage other women to be brave for me. I could not... https://t.co/HvL5ech0RM M Manning Barish (@MichelleBarish) May 7, 2018 A spokesperson for Schneiderman did not elaborate further, and did not respond to a question about whether the attorney general intends to resign. A spokesperson for Governor Andrew Cuomo did not respond to our request for comment. Mayor de Blasio says he does not think it's appropriate to comment on the bombshell Eric Shneiderman story in @NewYorker. Inside City Hall (@InsideCityHall) May 7, 2018 If @AGSchneiderman were to resign -- in the wake of staggering expose on multiple accusations of abuse of women -- it would fall to the Legislature to pick a successor (before election in fall). See Art V, section 1 of NY Constitution: https://t.co/ngpzSarFnt Jesse McKinley (@jessemckinley) May 7, 2018 Schneiderman (who made a tweet in support of Gothamist a few days ago) has been one of President Trump's most prominent antagonists. He also sued Harvey Weinstein's company for violating his employees' civil rights, and is reviewing Manhattan DA Cy Vance Jr.'s decision not to prosecute Weinstein in 2015. We are deeply familiar with Harvey Weinsteins years of egregious sexual abuse, and recently filed a civil rights lawsuit against him alleging severe and persistent abuse of employees at TWC. We are committed to pursuing a full, fair, and independent review of this matter. -ETS https://t.co/Z80VigjSoG Eric Schneiderman (@AGSchneiderman) March 20, 2018 [UPDATE / 8:37 p.m.] Governor Cuomo just released a statement calling on Schneiderman to resign: The New Yorker has published an article on Attorney General Eric Schneiderman, which reports multiple women making serious allegations of assault. No one is above the law, including New York's top legal officer. I will be asking an appropriate New York District Attorney to commence an immediate investigation, and proceed as the facts merit. My personal opinion is that, given the damning pattern of facts and corroboration laid out in the article, I do not believe it is possible for Eric Schneiderman to continue to serve as Attorney General, and for the good of the office, he should resign. [UPDATE / 9:27 p.m.] Sgt. Brendan Ryan of the NYPD said, "The NYPD has no complaints on file. If the NYPD receives complaints of a crime, it will investigate them thoroughly." City Council Corey Johnson added his statement, "New Yorkers deserve and expect more from their Attorney General, who as the states chief law enforcement officer has an obligation to uphold the law. Eric Schneiderman must step down immediately." Finally, de Blasio's spokesperson says the mayor will address the matter tomorrow. The Mayor has seen the report and will address it publicly tomorrow. https://t.co/cTmJjSvtcy Eric Phillips (@EricFPhillips) May 8, 2018 [UPDATE / 9:49 p.m.] Schneiderman just announced his resignation, "Its been my great honor and privilege to serve as Attorney General for the people of the State of New York. In the last several hours, serious allegations, which I strongly contest, have been made against me. While these allegations are unrelated to my professional conduct or the operations of the office, they will effectively prevent me from leading the offices work at this critical time. I therefore resign my office, effective at the close of business on May 8, 2018." Just a few weeks ago, Schneiderman applauded the New Yorker's and NY Times' #MeToo reporting: "These extraditions send a strong warning to cybercriminals and fraudsters worldwide, that we, along with our law-enforcement partners, will work tirelessly to bring you to justice," said U. S. Attorney Byung J. "BJay" Pak. Two Romanian hackers have been extradited to the United States to face 31 criminal charges including computer fraud and abuse, wire fraud conspiracy, wire fraud, and aggravated identity theft.Described as "international computer hackers" by the United States Department of Justice,, 41, and, 40, allegedly rob Americans of more than $18 million in an elaborate phishing scheme.Costea and Dumitrescu were named in the 31-count federal grand jury indictment on August 16 last year and were accused last week in the Northern District of Georgia following their extradition.Another co-defendant, Cosmin Draghici, 28, remains in custody in Romania awaiting his extradition to the United States.According to the indictment, between October 2011 and February 2014, Costea and Dumitrescu installed interactive voice response software on vulnerable PCs located in the U.S. to initiate thousands of automated phone calls and text messages.Those messages and phone calls purported to be from a financial institution and directed victims to call a number due to an issue with their respective financial accounts.When victims called that number, they were prompted by the IVR software to hand over their bank account numbers, PINs, and full or partial Social Security Numbers (SSNs), which were then allegedly sold or used by Costea and Dumitrescu with the assistance of Draghici.The U.S. Department of Justice described this elaborated voice- and SMS-phishing tactics as "vishing" and "smishing" respectively.At the time of Costea's arrest, he alone possessed 36,051 financial account numbers fraudulently obtained by innocent people, the court documents alleged.U.S. officials estimate the losses from the vishing and smishing scheme amount to more than $18 million.The United States government has recently extradited several cyber criminals in connection with different cyber crimes. Earlier this year, Spain deported Russian hacker Peter Yuryevich Levashov to America for his alleged role in a massive Kelihos botnet In March, Russian hacker Yevgeniy Aleksandrovich Nikulin was extradited to the United States from the Czech Republic for his ties to data breaches at LinkedIn Dropbox , and now-defunct social-networking firm Formspring.FBI Special Agent in Charge David LeValley hopes the extraditions will serve as a message to cybercriminals across the world, saying "Our message to the victims of cyber fraud is that the FBI won't let geographic boundaries stop us from pursuing and prosecuting the persons who cause them tremendous financial pain." Issues of concern to people who live in the west: property rights, water rights, endangered species, livestock grazing, energy production, wilderness and western agriculture. Plus a few items on western history, western literature and the sport of rodeo... Frank DuBois served as the NM Secretary of Agriculture from 1988 to 2003. DuBois is a former legislative assistant to a U.S. Senator, a Deputy Assistant Secretary of Interior, and is the founder of the DuBois Rodeo Scholarship. Barbara Underwood, New York's Solicitor General, will become the state's Attorney General after the sudden resignation of Eric Schneiderman. AG press secretary Amy Spitalnick Tweeted this morning: This morning, Im grateful to work with the best colleagues in the business - including Barbara Underwood, who will be acting NY AG. Shes argued 20 cases before SCOTUS, clerked for Thurgood Marshall, & much more. The work continues. Amy Spitalnick (@amyspitalnick) May 8, 2018 Update: Underwood said in a statement, "I am honored to serve the people of New York as acting Attorney General. The work of this office is critically important. Our office has never been stronger, and this extraordinarily talented, dedicated, and tireless team of public servants will ensure that our work continues without interruption." Schneiderman decided to resign after The New Yorker published accusations of assault from four women, including ex-girlfriends. The allegations were detailed and graphic, depicting Schneiderman as an alcoholic and pill popper who would slap and/or choke the girlfriends. One friend was so alarmed by what she heard, the New Yorker reports, "that she wrote down the details and e-mailed the account to her husband, so that there would be a dated copy of it should any harm come to her friend." [Danzy] Sennas document, which she shared with The New Yorker, is dated September 16, 2017, and says, in part, She told me that her boyfriend of a year, Eric Schneiderman, the Attorney General of New York, has been choking, beating, and threatening her for the entirety of their relationship, and that several times he threatened to have her killed if she ever tried to leave him. She said he knows that she has a lot of really damning information about him, his alcoholism, sexual deviance, and drug use, and she worries about her safety. Schneiderman told the New Yorker, "In the privacy of intimate relationships, I have engaged in role-playing and other consensual sexual activity. I have not assaulted anyone. I have never engaged in nonconsensual sex, which is a line I would not cross." However, less than three hours after the article published, he resigned, releasing a statement, "Its been my great honor and privilege to serve as Attorney General for the people of the State of New York. In the last several hours, serious allegations, which I strongly contest, have been made against me. While these allegations are unrelated to my professional conduct or the operations of the office, they will effectively prevent me from leading the offices work at this critical time. I therefore resign my office, effective at the close of business on May 8, 2018." Schneiderman championed himself a leader for women's causes, introducing legislation to make strangulation in domestic violence situations a felony, speaking at the Women's March, and trying to find justice for Harvey Weinstein's victims, while crusading against President Trump's policies. An acting Attorney General will now be appointed by the State Legislature, where Democrats hold a solid majority through the Assembly: A good history lesson from @coopnytimes on how the legislature filled a vacancy for State Comptroller; Constitution calls for same process for NY AG https://t.co/FBnJHkIj9d Brigid Bergin (@brigidbergin) May 8, 2018 Attention will quickly shift to State Assembly Carl Heastie who essentially has the power to name the next Attorney General who would then likely face a September primary. Bob Hardt (@bobhardt) May 8, 2018 Here are some initial floats for #nyag: Tish James, Helene Weinstein, Kathleen Rice, Kathy Hochul (Cuomos looking for a new running mate), Joe Lentol (caretaker), Mike Gianaris, Todd Kaminsky, Stephanie Miner Jimmy Vielkind (@JimmyVielkind) May 8, 2018 Other prominent lawyers in the #nyassembly include Danny ODonnell and Jeff Dinowitz. ODonnell would be the first openly gay statewide official in New York. Jimmy Vielkind (@JimmyVielkind) May 8, 2018 A source said that Sen. @bradhoylman is also looking at a bid for #nyag There will be lots of people interested. As Oliver Koppell told me, For someone whos a lawyer and a politician, its the greatest job in the world." Jimmy Vielkind (@JimmyVielkind) May 8, 2018 NEW: Source close to Kathleen Rice tells us this a.m. that she is DEFINITELY planning to run for Attorney General. Other names people are now bandying about: DFS Superintendent Maria Vullo, Rep. Sean Patrick Maloney and former City Council Member Dan Garodnick Laura Nahmias (@nahmias) May 8, 2018 Assembly Democrats are conferencing at 9 am this morning. They will play pivotal role in deciding who fills AG post. Nick Reisman (@NickReisman) May 8, 2018 Source: Assembly may advance Helene Weinstein as their appointment for AG. They are meeting at 9am. Susan Arbetter (@sarbetter) May 8, 2018 Of course, some of this tea leaf-reading is just for fun. As @PreetBharara fans know, there is zero chance the legislature would consider naming him interim AG. (He would promptly investigate half of them.) Errol Louis (@errollouis) May 8, 2018 The Times Union reports that acting AG Underwood "could theoretically hold the post until voters choose a successor in November, but state law allows the legislature to fill a vacancy in the job." Here's her bio: Barbara D. Underwood was appointed Solicitor General in January 2007. Prior to her appointment she served as Counsel and as Chief Assistant to the United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York. From 1998 to 2001 she was the Acting Solicitor General and Principal Deputy Solicitor General of the United States. She has held executive positions in the Queens and Brooklyn District Attorneys Offices, and served as a trial attorney in the Manhattan District Attorneys Office. She has argued 20 cases in the United States Supreme Court, as well as many cases in the state and federal courts of appeals. She has served as Chair of the Executive Committee and Chair of the Council on Criminal Justice of the New York City Bar Association. She was Professor of Law at Yale Law School, Visiting Professor at New York University School of Law, and Adjunct Professor at Brooklyn Law School. She was a law clerk to Chief Judge David L. Bazelon of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit and to Justice Thurgood Marshall of the U.S. Supreme Court. She received a B.A. from Harvard University (Radcliffe College) and a J.D. from Georgetown University Law Center. Scneiderman had been running unopposed in a Democratic primary for AG; Manny Alicandro, a Wall Street lawyer, was running in the Republican primary. Authorities in a southern Vietnamese province have officially advised its farmers against selling black-pepper roots to domestic businesses, for they are concerned that the sale may endanger local production and growth. The warning has been issued by the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development in Dong Nai Province, which said that the buying of such roots has been done for unclear purposes and showed dubious signs. The purchase is likely to harm agriculture, social order and economic development in the area as it may cause the roots to be cut off by growers or thieves, the department explained. The warning came in response to cases where black-pepper roots were recently bought by Vietnamese companies which then reportedly export them to China as an ingredient of the countrys traditional herbal medicines. In Xuan Tho Commune of the provinces Xuan Loc District, four businesses have bought raw black-pepper roots at VND20,000 (just under US$1) per kilogram and dried ones at VND90,000 ($4) per kilogram, Le Dinh Hung, deputy chairman of the local Peoples Committee, said on Monday. The roots are then handled by two other middlemen, Dong Nai-based An Nga Company and a firm in Ho Chi Minh City, before being sent to China, he said. In the past traders offered to make purchases of black-pepper roots but local farmers refused since peppercorns fetched high prices at the time. But recent price drops have forced them to replace the vines with other types of crops which they expected to be more lucrative. The stump of a tree serving as a vertical support for black-pepper plants is seen in Dong Nai Province, Vietnam. Photo: Tuoi Tre The growers therefore have used the roots from cut black pepper plants for sale, Hung said. The official added that over the past three months, growers in his area alone have converted over 10 hectares of arable land for cultivating alternative plants. The communes government has required An Nga Company to stop buying black-pepper roots, and asked for directives from higher authorities, Hung said. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! A schoolgirl in a north-central Vietnamese province reportedly committed suicide on Sunday at a local river, probably due to unsatisfactory exam results. D.H.B.N., student at Phong Hoa Middle School in Quang Binh Province, jumped into Gianh a 270-kilometer-long river running through the region and emptying into the East Vietnam Sea at around 8:00 am on that day, her family said. Attempts were made by the family and local authorities over the whole day to seek for her body, which was found on the morning of the following day. The family said the girls poor academic results must have been the cause of her suicide. The student had a fair academic performance during the past school years, but she fared badly at the latest examination, over which the family expressed disappointment. She left home early Sunday after their reaction. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! More than 300 photos by Swiss photographer McFreddy, capturing daily life in Vietnam from 2005 to 2017, are on display at the Ho Chi Minh City Museum of Fine Arts until May 15. The exhibition Daily life in Vietnam 2005 2017 is the result of the Swiss photographer spending 12 years traveling across Ho Chi Minh City and the Mekong Delta. Addressing the opening, the expat explained the reason why he chose Vietnam to take the photos during such a long period. My generation only got to know about Vietnam through the war reports on television. Therefore, I wondered why warfare took place in such a beautiful country, McFreddy recalled. I came here with my son and then fell in love with the countrys nature, people, weather and everything. Despite knowing neither Vietnamese nor English, the Swiss made his way to both downtown and suburban areas of Ho Chi Minh City and many other provinces to capture everyday stories about Vietnamese people, particularly rural children. In his photos, people can enjoy an abundance of slices of life, from people in Ben Tre making coconut products or traditional pottery artisans in Vinh Long to women in Saigon Tax Trade Center managing to get their bikes out of a maze of vehicles. The event, hosted by the Consulate General of Switzerland in Ho Chi Minh City, will open for free to the public until May 15 at the Ho Chi Minh City Museum of Fine Arts, 97A Pho Duc Chinh Street, Nguyen Thai Binh Ward, District 1. Visitors watch a photo on display at the exhibition Daily life in Vietnam 2005 2017. Photo: Vietnam News Agency Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! A young Vietnamese painter has dedicated more than a year to making an illustrated edition for the French novella The Little Prince, which has enjoyed warm reception from many fans of the world-renowned book and young artist community since its release late last month. Nguyen Thanh Vu had read the book, originally titled Le Petit Prince, over and over again for years before he decided to draw his own illustrations for the literary work, the 25-year-old shared at the release ceremony on April 21, which was also Vietnams Book Day. First published in April 1943, The Little Prince is the classic literary work of the writer and pioneer aviator Saint - Exupery. The book is rich in philosophy but full of dreaming and suitable for all ages. Even though many versions of The Little Prince by different publishing houses are already available in the market, Vu still managed to have Kim Dong, one of Vietnam's leading book producers and publishers, get his work printed. Nguyen Thanh Vu speaks at the books premiere in Ho Chi Minh City on April 21, 2018. Photo: Tuoi Tre During the books introduction ceremony in Ho Chi Minh City, Vu shared with the audience that it took him more than one year taking reference from many versions of the famous novella including other countries printed, theatrical and cartoon formats to create his own The Little Prince illustrated in watercolor. It was like riding on a roller coaster of emotions, he said. Vu added while everyone has their own imagination about The Little Prince, it is advisable to stick to the original paintings by Antoine de Saint-Exupery. My illustrations are a combination of my creativity and the stories and characters in the novel, giving readers a fresh, but not unfamiliar, impression of the book, he added. A drawing from Nguyen Thanh Vus version of 'The Little Prince' is seen in this photo posted on the Facebook page of Kim Dong Publishing House. For some pictures, Vu, who graduated in interior architecture from the Ho Chi Minh City Architecture University, had to make three to four versions before being able to choose the final one, which he again had to edit and revise many more times. The book release ceremony was attended by many young and senior illustrators, particularly famous book cover designer Ta Quoc Ky Nam. Nam, who directly designed and presented the illustrated book for Vu, took the stage to help readers better understand its post-production. Nam said he had talked to Vu a lot during the process of illustrating the book, discussing such issues as how not to repeat the details in the paintings and how to keep drawings logically linked with one another and show clear storylines. A drawing from Nguyen Thanh Vus version of 'The Little Prince' is seen in this photo posted on the Facebook page of Kim Dong Publishing House. One of the events attendees then questioned Vu as to why the original paintings look much softer and deeper than the illustrations in his book. I wanted [the illustrations] to be more cheerful and brighter to balance with the plot, so the color was pushed up with the help of computer technology when printed, he responded. To the budding artist, illustrating The Little Prince is the biggest challenge ever, an important milestone in the book illustration career that he is pursuing. I will focus on personal projects with more artistic characterization, which can be in written, drawing, comic or artbook forms," Vu said of his future plan. A motion teaser of the book is seen in this video posted on the Facebook page of Kim Dong Publishing House. The book cover in watercolor of 'The Little Prince' by Nguyen Thanh Vu is seen in this photo posted on the Facebook page of Kim Dong Publishing House. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! Check out todays leading news stories: Society -- Two people were killed and 12 others, including four foreigners, injured after a passenger bus hit a container truck in the north-central Vietnamese province of Ha Tinh at around 11: 15 pm on Sunday. -- A group of Chinese tourists refused to pay for their meals at a restaurant in Nha Trang, a famous beach city in south-central Khanh Hoa Province, as they thought the bill was wrongly calculated, resulting in a physical confrontation between them and the eaterys employees on Sunday night. -- Police in the northern province of Cao Bang on Monday arrested 31-year-old Le Dinh Khanh for slashing to death four people, including two children, after being unable to rape a woman, who was among the deceased. -- The Peoples Committee in the central city of Da Nang has ordered developers of Eden Hotel in My An Ward, Ngu Hanh Son District to pull down the parts of the facility that violated the building permit. The hotel was only permitted to have a capacity of 96 rooms but the number had been raised to 225. -- An extreme heatwave struck Hanoi on Monday, causing temperatures to reach nearly 40 degrees Celsius. The hot weather is forecast to continue on Tuesday, with the highest temperatures ranging from 34 to 35 degrees Celsius, according to the National Center for Hydro-meteorological Forecasting. -- The Civil Aviation Authority of Vietnam is set to take assertive measures to deal with taxi scams at airports across the country, following a report on the situation published by Tuoi Tre (Youth) newspaper last weekend. Business -- Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc on Monday convened a working session with leaders of six mountainous provinces in northern Vietnam regarding a plan to spend over VND2.9 trillion (US$127.6 million) on developing infrastructure in the region. -- More than 118,000 Vietnamese tourists visited South Korea in January-April, up 33.5 percent year-on-year, according to the representative office of the Korea Tourism Organization in Vietnam. Lifestyle -- The art gallery titled Daily life in Vietnam 2005 - 2017 of Swiss photographer Mc Freddy, featuring 300 photos of Vietnamese lifestyle during the period of 12 years, is open at the Ho Chi Minh City Fine Art Museum from now until May 15. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! Violence broke out on Sunday between a group of Chinese tourists and several staff members of a restaurant in Nha Trang, as the former were loath to pay what they claimed was a wrong bill. The incident occurred at night at Lets Go, a seafood restaurant on Tran Phu Street in the city, Nguyen Hong Ky, the municipal police chief, confirmed on Monday. About 15 Chinese tourists supposed that the restaurant had not calculated the cost of their meal based on the prices listed on the menu, according to preliminary investigation. They therefore refused to pay, a decision which triggered an argument with some of the restaurant employees and a subsequent fight. During the clash, a long wooden bar, plastic chairs and a knife were used as weapons. The violence continued over a portion of the street. Local authorities have brought in those involved in the case for a further probe. It has not been clear who was to blame, said Nguyen Thi Le Thanh, deputy director of the Department of Tourism in Khanh Hoa Province, where Nha Trang is located. But the violence was prejudicial to the image of local tourism, she added. Chinese tourists fight restaurant staff in Nha Trang, May 6, 2018, in a provided video Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! Police in the northern Vietnamese province of Cao Bang have arrested a man for slashing to death four people after being unable to rape one of the victims. The provincial Department of Police confirmed on Monday they had apprehended Ly Dinh Khanh, 31, who resides in Na Phac Village, Quang Trong Commune, for murder. Initial information showed that Khanh arrived at the house of Trieu Thi Ph., who lived in the same neighborhood as his, on Sunday night and attempted to sexually assault her. Ph. managed to escape and ran to the home of her younger sister-in-law, Trieu Thi Coi, which is about 100 meters away. However, Khanh was able to chase Ph. down before slashing her to death with a knife in front of Cois house. The house of Trieu Thi Ph. was burned down by the suspect. Photo: Tuoi Tre As terrified Coi fled the scene, Khanh stormed into the house and murdered her six-year-old son and two-year-old daughter, along with Ly Thi Van, 86, who was Ph.s mother-in-law. The suspect then returned to Ph.s house with the intention to kill her two children. However, the two kids had already run away. Khanh decided to burn the house down before hiding himself. Police officers arrested the man at around 2:45 am on Monday, following a two-hour effort. According to some local news outlets, Khanh was sentenced to three years in prison in 2014 for rape. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! Darren Criss will visit Sydney next week to promote upcoming drama The Assassination of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story. The former Glee star plays killer Andrew Cunanan in the Ryan Murphy-anthology drama. He will also perform a one night only concert at the Eternity Playhouse on Friday May 18. Best known for playing Blaine Anderson on Twentieth Century Fox Televisions global phenomenon Glee, his previous screen credits also include Girl Most Likely, American Horror Story, Web Therapy and Eastwick. He has starred in numerous Broadway productions, most recently his critically-acclaimed performance as Hedwig in Hedwig and the Angry Inch. Last year he debuted his indie-pop band Computer Games, with the lead single from his EP Lost Boys Life debuting at number two on the Billboard Hot Singles charts. The Assassination of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story profiles spree-killer Andrew Cunanan (Darren Criss), whose cross-country path of destruction earns him a spot on the FBIs 10 Most Wanted List, before his murder of international fashion icon Gianni Versace (Edgar Ramirez) on the steps of Versaces South Beach residence in 1997. Based on the book Vulgar Favors by Maureen Orth, the series examines how cultural homophobia and prejudice delayed law enforcements search for Cunanan, as well as Versaces relationship with his sister and muse Donatella (Penelope Cruz). The Assassination of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story is a story of failed ambition and how the pursuit of an American Dream ended in murder and suicide. The Assassination of Gianni Versace premieres Thursday May 24 on Showcase. Eurovision: Final Italy Ermal Meta e Fabrizio Moro Non Mi Avete Fatto Niente Ermal Meta is one of the most successful writers of the last decade in Italy with eight platinum records and seven gold in the last five years alone. In 2016 seven of his songs were amongst the most played tracks on radio including Odio Le Favole and A Parte Te, both of which feature on his debut album Umano. The videos of these singles have also received millions of views online. In 2017 Ermal participated in Sanremo where he received the Mia Martini Critics Award and the Best Cover Award (for the song Amara Terra Mia by Domenico Modugno). In April, he began his Vietato Morire Tour which saw him perform nearly 80 sold-out concerts, winning Rai Radio Lives Best Tour Award in October 2017. Despite the long tour, Ermal Meta has distinguished himself as an enlightened judge of popular talent show Amici. He also won the MTVs Best New Artist Music Award followed by the Best Italian Act at the MTV European Music Awards. This week Maggie Beer is the guest on Julia Zemiros Home Delivery. And whilst she may be identified with South Australias Barossa Valley, she is originally from Sydneys Lakemba. Julia meets up with Maggie in Punchbowl, and they set off in a chauffeur-driven Corolla for a tour around her old neighbourhood. As they travel along the main drag, Maggie reminisces about the days when there were only a few shops and a picture theatre. When they visit the former home of Maggies spinster aunts, shes quite overcome with emotion. Maggie tells Julia that, like her mother, shes a person whos always been able to find the joy in the everyday, and talks about her parents love of music and cooking, and the catering business they started when she was a teenager. At Wiley Park Girls High, Maggie reflects on having left school at 14 to work as a receptionist, and thinks this gave her the grit to make a go of the pheasant farm restaurant she and her husband started years later. Maggie then takes Julia to her farm in her beloved Barossa Valley. This has been Maggies home since she and Colin moved there with a plan to breed game birds. What began as a simple farm shop catering to picnickers grew into a culinary sensation. Maggie describes the evolutions of the business and how their lives changed when they won a coveted Remy Martin/Gourmet Traveller Best Australian Restaurant Award. 8pm Wednesday on ABC. Police found the body of a 66-year-old man in the basement of his Brooklyn home on Monday night, shocking neighbors on the leafy Prospect Park South street. "It's appalling. It's a lovely looking neighborhood and it's a great place to live. But this is New York City and you just can't drop your guard," one told NBC New York. It's believed that Jeremy Safran, a professor of psychology at the New School, was killed during a home invasion. After searching the basement, officers found a 28-year-old man in a closet and took him into custody. According to police, they responded to a 911 call just before 6 p.m. about a burglary in progress at 155 Stratford Road and found Safran, unconscious and unresponsive with trauma to the head and body, in the basement. EMS pronounced him dead at the scene. The Post reports, "The 28-year-old suspect is believed to have followed Safrans daughter to the location, where he briefly spoke to her in an apparent effort to case the home, sources said. A neighbor later spotted him break in and called the daughter who at the same time heard the sounds of violence coming from downstairs." The suspect broke into the home through a basement window, per WCBS 2, which adds that that he was found with a hammer. The suspect was taken into custody and charges are pending. Safran's colleagues and peers are mourning his loss: It is with a sad and shocked heart that I share with you that one of our most caring and influential colleagues, Jeremy Safran,is no longer with us. https://t.co/fi31AHmhWz Kristin Osborn (@KristinOsborn) May 8, 2018 The New School releases statement on the death of Dr. Jeremy Safran. He was killed at his home in Brooklyn late afternoon yesterday during a burglary. @TheNewSchool @Telemundo47 #Brooklyn #NewSchool pic.twitter.com/utwZ3K9PrQ Cristian Benavides (@cbenavidesT47) May 8, 2018 So sad to learn this tragic news. Jeremy Safrans cross-theoretical work has been paramount to psychotherapy research and practice and extremely influential to my thinking, research, and practice. https://t.co/KcpaLZ9tZV Stevie N. Grassetti (@StevieGrassetti) May 8, 2018 Another neighbor saw Safran in the morning, telling the Daily News, "[H]e was coming out of the car like he was coming from the supermarket. It's shocking because we've been here for 24 years. ... You become so complacent you don't think about something like this." The charity, Paintings in Hospitals, is running a campaign called 70 Ways Art Improves our Health to increase awareness of the beneficial impact art has on our wellbeing. Starting at 70, and counting down to 1, Paintings in Hospitals is sharing a different benefit art has on health each day. The posts commenced in the last week of April and the final post will be shared on July 5 which is the official founding date of the NHS. Starting off with Art can help us get active at number 70, several positives of art for health and well-being have already been shared. This included the benefits of dance for our older population; the positives of live music being played in neonatal intensive care units; and the value of art for those having rehabilitation for a stroke. Each post is supported by an informative explanation of the evidence in the form of a blog post on their website: paintingsinhospitals.org.uk. Stroke survivors who saw art as part of their lifestyle showed better recovery skills than those who did not. | No.66 in our '70 Ways Art Improves Our Health' highlights how art can help stroke survivors in their rehab! Let's #MakeMayPurple :) https://t.co/HunPypLu0G pic.twitter.com/Wu1pWU5bU7 PaintingsinHospitals (@artinhospitals) 1 May 2018 Background of the charity Paintings in Hospitals is a British charity created in 1959 by Sheridan Russell. The charity established a special collection of art for hospitals. This collection of art is increasing and is comprised of work by a large variety of artists including, Andy Warhol, Quentin Blake, and Bridget Riley, among others. The charity uses the collection of paintings to add creativity and a sense of homeliness to the wards and waiting rooms of hospitals. Additionally, the charity runs creative activities and art walks to coincide with the displayed artworks in an effort to aid engagement with the work. In a climate of increased workplace stress, increasing awareness of ways of improving our well-being and health can only be well received. Indeed, post 64 of 70 Ways Art Improves our Health suggests that doodling helps our focus, memory and stress levels. Something like this would not be difficult to incorporate into our daily routines as doodling could easily be done while having breakfast, mid-morning in a work break, or during lunch. Furthermore, research reported last year that adult colouring books are beneficial to mental health provides further support of art being a useful tool for boosting wellbeing and health. Find out more If you would like to follow the posts for the remainder of Paintings in Hospitals countdown to the 70th anniversary of the NHS, you can find the Paintings in Hospitals charity on their official Twitter @artinhospitals and Instagram @paintingsinhospitals accounts. To find out more about the everyday uses and benefits of the arts in healthcare and therapeutic settings, check out the British Association of Art Therapy (BAAT) which can be found via their Twitter account @baat_org. From Emilia Clarke to Maisie Williams, stars have been teasing a surprising and unexpected ending happening in Game of Thrones season 8. Although HBO bounds the series to secrecy, theories and spoilers about the show are still emerging. In fact, the latest in the theory mill predicted Cersei Lannister (Lena Headey) is going to be betrayed by someone whom she trusted the most. Will everything end for the Queen of Westeros? Cerseis possible end Game of Thrones fans perfectly know the characters should trust no one in the series. Everyone has their own intentions, everyone is protecting themselves. So, with the coming of the Golden Company, is Cersei 100 percent sure she got their loyalty? One Reddit user assumed the Golden Company is going to betray Cersei in Game of Thrones season 8. According to Daily Express, the queen is being held by the sell swords and giving her the money, she needs to survive. However, it looks like she shouldnt trust these people that much as they might bring her to her end. In the Reddit forum, there was a conversation about the possible turn out of events when the Golden Company arrives in Westeros. Personally, I think they will betray Cersei and they will declare for Daenerys, one fan said. An ally for Daenerys This might have a connection to Ilyrio Mopatis statement in the Song of Ice and Fire book series. When Tyrion Lannister asked him how he managed to convince the Golden Company to break their contract, he revealed whatever side they take in, they are still a dragon. Black or red, a dragon is still a dragon, he said. When Maelys and the Monstrous died on the Stepstones, the House Blackfyres male line came to an end. But, Daenerys (Clarke) is going to give the exiles something that Bittersteel and Blackfyres never could. She will take them home, the book read. Now, it is a big question if this will really happen in Game of Thrones season 8, or its creators David Benioff and D. B. Weiss are going to do their own plotline for this since George R.R. Martin has yet to release A Song of Ice and Fire sixth and seventh instalments. Hinting an unexpected ending Emilia Clarke and Maisie Williams have been hinting a surprising ending of Game of Thrones season 8. In fact, the Me Before You star revealed fans might have mixed reactions to the unexpected finale. However, she expects it is what people wanted, although some will surely question it. Williams, on the other hand, also revealed the shows finale will be either everyone dreamed of or something they didnt expect and will be disappointing. It depends which side of the fence youre going to sit on, she said. No matter what happens fans should watch the show's finale in 2019. Donald Trump has said he will announce the decision on Iran at 2pm ET (7pm BST), whilst Boris Johnson has appeared on Donald Trumps favourite, Fox & Friends, to try and court the US president into remaining apart of the Iran nuclear deal. The US president has until May 12th to decide whether he is to pull out of the deal or not, many commentators are concerned by the reaction within the Middle-East if Trump does decide to pull out of the deal. Just a few weeks ago, French President Emmanuel Macron stated that he was unsure as to what Trumps decision was to be and that he does believe that he will pull out of the deal. This is an outcome that is not desirable whatsoever. Boris Johnson sounding reasonable? The main concern is that if Donald Trump does pull out of the Iran deal, what is the next step? With the appointment of John Bolton, there are deep concerns that a strike on the country could well be on the table, a move that would no doubt please Israel. But speaking on Fox & Friends, Boris Johnson stated, "Are we seriously saying that we will bomb those facilities ... is that really a realistic possibility?". When the Foreign Secretary is sounding more reasonable and level-headed, there is serious cause for concern. Mr Johnson also warned of the consequences that could befall on the region if the deal is scrapped, he mentioned that it could cause an arms race in the Middle-East because if Iran have nuclear weapons, then Saudi Arabia and Egypt will want to pursue an avenue to have their own nuclear deals. But what is a greater concern being that Trump wants to try and renegotiate the deal as well and whatever the US are planning, it will no doubt be detrimental to Tehran. The UK have supported the US in wanting to renegotiate the deal, which again puts the UK at odds with Russia and China once again, but they have stated that they would rather see the US remain as part of the deal. The tinderbox could be ignited because the Iranians have been unequivocal in their promise to pull out of the deal and continue researching nuclear material if anything within it changes; the US have stated they would respond with Military action if this happens, something that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has demanded. Israels government ministers are growing increasingly paranoid of Iran as Yuval Steinitz, an energy minister and a security cabinet minister, said that if Bashar al-Assad allows Iran to turn Syria into a military vanguard against Israel, then they would target the Syrian President. The other consequence could fall in the Korea peninsular because with talks coming up to denuclearise the region, North Korean leaders would no doubt have concerns over the US administrations reliability on such delicate matters. What could Trump announce? There is a very real possibility that he could pull out of the deal entirely because since he has become president, he has taken a gung-ho approach to foreign policy. One major aspect has been attempts to contain Iran. But he has also taken drastic measures to court the favour of the Israeli government, by being open supporters of Netanyahus violent and oppressive regime along with officially recognising Jerusalem as Israels capital something that the Palestinians have been paying for with their lives even more so since. The US and UK have long been in the business of attempting to remove leaders whom disagree with the west for decades. French President Emmanuel Macron stated that is likely that Trump will pull out of the deal and political commentators around the world are convinced he will. The real question is why does he want make such a potentially dangerous move? I offer a possible reason as to why, he believes that his approach to North Korea was correct, he believes that demanding the impossible then threatening the use of vast resources, military or otherwise, on Iran will make them back down. But importantly, he seems to be responding to the Iran Lies presentation by Netanyahu on Holocaust Memorial Day, ironically a presentation that was full of lies itself. However, the region has been entirely destabilised due to US and UK intervention and the Iranian population, rightly or wrongly, largely back their government because they are fully aware of what has happened to its allies in Syria and Libya. It is highly likely that Iran will not back down no matter what, which could see the US President use military force, something that Israel want so that they can advance their genocide of the Palestinians with more military forces because at the moment they believe Iran pose a significant threat to their security. What makes the prospect of war with Iran even more potential is that US District Judge George B. Daniels of the Southern District of New York ordered Iran to pay more than $6bn to victims of the September 11, 2001 attacks despite the 9/11 Commissions official investigation found no evidence of Iranian involvement. THE US froze an aid package worth $200 million back in March and it has been reported that included significant funds for the White Helmets. They claimed to be a Syria-based group of volunteer first-responders who act as emergency medical service providers for people injured during air strikes. They were nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize in 2016. But there is more to the supposed funding freeze and the White Helmets that is being reported in the west. However, there are extensive links to the White Helmets and Al-Nusra Front, the official Syrian branch of Al-Qaeda. The civilians in now Syrian Arab Army liberated areas, state that the White Helmets and their rebel allies brought nothing but death, poverty, suffering, destruction and misery. Funding freeze? This is where the detail is important because the US State Department said that the aid package was not cancelled but under review, but on the 19th April a spokesperson reassured the White Helmets that their wages would still be paid whilst the Syria stabilisation program was under review, which is the aid package that was stopped back in March. The supposed funding freeze is clearly a lie and there is more to the action taken by the US. Within the statement the US state that despite the ongoing review, as far as I am aware all of their work still continues, peoples bills are still being paid [] as far as I know (all U.S. contributions) are still in play. This underlines that the funding isnt really a freeze at all but a delay in resources and that the White Helmets can continue on with their work. LEBANON held their first election in nine years and with the introduction of a proportional voting system, experts were anticipating voter enthusiasm that would bring about record participation. Unfortunately, this did not happen as the voter turnout was a low 49 percent. Originally, there was meant to be elections held back in 2013 but due to a parliamentary deadlock over the election of a President before the legislative elections took place, it was postponed. Many suggest that the deadlock arose over the ongoing conflict in Syria. Nonetheless, some traditional political forces have faced setbacks, while others have declared victory. The results of the election are mostly underwhelming. Key points Hezbollah emerged the biggest winners from it because the party and its direct allies will end up with a 50-MP bloc, not counting President Michel Aoun's lawmakers. That will give them a decisive role in forming the government and naming the prime minister. An overwhelming majority of Shia, reaching more than 90 percent in some voting districts, voted for Hezbollah and Amal.hia continue to trust Hezbollah. The Shia tandem, which included in its electoral lists Sunni, Christian and Druze candidates, took 32 seats. Prime Minister Saad Hariri's Future Movement lost seats in several districts that were previously unchallenged. They had 29 MPs and are expected to lose around one-third of them. Hariri struggled against Hezbollah-backed Sunni candidates in his partys strongholds of Beirut, Saida and Tripoli. The fringe parties had very mixed results themselves, with far-right Christian group, Lebanese Force (LF) expected to expand its presence in the parliament from 8 to 15 MPs, making it a major force in Christian politics. The presence of General Michel Aoun for the Free Patriotic Party (FPM) within the palace, it will be able to maintain a large support bloc. However, they are set to lose a few of their 27 seats and this is mostly down proportional representation. Independent candidates attempted to challenged the established political consensus but failed despite offering an alternative to the geopolitical and sectarian rhetoric. Democratic success? Despite the low turnout, very little changing and the clear underlying impression that candidates were merely campaigning for survival rather than promoting a vision for the future of Lebanon, the government have hailed it as a success and perhaps after not voting in a decade, the violence and upheaval of the outpouring of the Syrian Civil War, it is perhaps understanding that peoples spirits arent particularly high for elections. There were multiple causes for concern, the sectarian tensions, new voting system and as stated above, the country hadnt voted in almost a decade but the interior minister Machnouk hailed it as a democratic festival. Machnouk also said that there were no major clashes to halt or interrupt the process. * Trump's decision to quit deal upsets European allies * EU's Tusk says seeking "united European approach" * Iran's arch foes Israel, Saudi Arabia hail US move * Iran signals it will stick with nuclear deal for now LONDON, May 8 (Reuters) - Both Washington's European allies and Tehran pledged on Tuesday to uphold the 2015 Iran nuclear deal despite President Donald Trump's decision to pull the United States out and reimpose sanctions. European leaders decried Trump's decision to withdraw from the deal, which had lifted sanctions against Iran in return for curbs on its nuclear programme. They called on Washington not to take steps that would prevent other countries from upholding it. Iran's President Hassan Rouhani said Tehran aimed to continue to comply with the deal's terms, and would swiftly reach out to the its other signatories - Britain, France, Germany, Russia and China - to keep it in place. "Together, we emphasise our continuing commitment to the JCPoA," the leaders of Britain, France and Germany said in a joint statement, referring to the deal by an acronym. "This agreement remains important for our shared security." "We urge the U.S. to ensure that the structures of the JCPoA can remain intact, and to avoid taking action which obstructs its full implementation by all other parties to the deal," said the statement, provided by British Prime Minister Theresa May's office after she spoke by phone to France's President Emmanuel Macron and Germany's Chancellor Angela Merkel. Macron said he regretted Trump's decision. Germany's Foreign Minister Heiko Maas said: "We will try to keep alive this important agreement, which ensures the Middle East and the world as a whole are safer." Moscow said it too would focus its efforts on maintaining the accord. It called Trump's decision "deeply disappointing". "There are no - and can be no - grounds for breaking" the deal, the Russian Foreign Ministry said, adding the pact had shown its "full efficiency". "The United States is undermining international trust in the International Atomic Energy Agency." Story continues EU leaders are concerned that Washington could use its influence over the world's financial system to prevent businesses in other countries that have not reimposed sanctions on Iran from doing business there. As if to hammer home that concern, Trump's new ambassador to Germany, who presented his credentials in Berlin earlier on Tuesday, tweeted that German businesses should halt their activities in Iran immediately. DECISION COULD HELP IRAN HARDLINERS In Tehran, Rouhani, a relative moderate who faced down hardliners at home to reach the agreement with world powers as part of a policy to open up the country and its economy to the outside world, decried Trump's decision, but said Iran would stick to the deal for now, provided it still works. "If we achieve the deal's goals in cooperation with other members of the deal, it will remain in place," Rouhani said in a televised speech. "I have ordered the foreign ministry to negotiate with the European countries, China and Russia in coming weeks. If at the end of this short period we conclude that we can fully benefit from the JCPoA with the cooperation of all countries, the deal would remain." Iranian officials told Reuters that Trump's decision would set the stage for a resurgence of political infighting within Irans complex power structure. The U.S. exit from the deal, so closely associated in Iran with Rouhani, could tip the balance of power in favour of his hardline opponents, some Iran experts said. "They will blame Rouhani ... They will continue their shenanigans at home and abroad. And they will have the U.S. to blame for the failure of the economy," said Abbas Milani, director of the Iranian Studies program at Stanford University. Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who has been in power since 1989 and outranks the elected president, had said Iran would "shred" the deal if the United States pulled out. While most U.S. allies decried the Trump administration's decision to unravel the principal foreign policy achievement of his predecessor Barack Obama, the decision was hailed by Washington's two main Middle East allies, Israel and Saudi Arabia, both of which long opposed the deal. The deal was "a recipe for disaster, a disaster for our region, a disaster for the peace of the world," Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said in praising Trump's decision. Saudi Arabia, a Sunni Muslim power that considers Shi'ite Iran to be its main regional foe, also hailed Trump's move. "Iran used economic gains from the lifting of sanctions to continue its activities to destabilise the region, particularly by developing ballistic missiles and supporting terrorist groups in the region," said a Saudi Foreign Ministry statement. But for major European allies, also at odds with Trump over a host of other issues from trade to efforts to tackle global warming, the decision represents a decisive setback. Britain, France and Germany had lobbied the Trump administration hard in recent weeks to keep the deal in place, arguing that it had succeeded in preventing Iran from getting nuclear weapons and that to renege on it would damage the credibility of Western countries in future negotiations. EU countries believe it was their decision to stand with the Obama administration and impose firm sanctions against Iran's oil and gas industry in 2011 that pushed Tehran to the negotiating table in the first place. "The European Union is determined to preserve it," EU foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini said of the agreement with Tehran, which she helped negotiate as coordinator for the Western countries. "Together with the rest of the international community, we will preserve this nuclear deal." Since the deal was signed, the EU has effectively lifted all sanctions on Iran, but Washington has kept some in place over Iran's missile programme, which was not covered by the deal. That has slowed down a promised boon for the Iranian economy, scaring off foreign investors and making it difficult for Iranian banks to forge links with the outside world. (Writing by Peter Graff Editing by Gareth Jones and Hugh Lawson) (Adds new capacity target) By Aref Mohammed BASRA, Iraq, May 7 (Reuters) - Iraq's state-run North Oil Company signed an agreement with BP on Monday to triple output from the Kirkuk fields in the north of the country, Oil Minister Jabar al-Luaibi said. The agreement was signed in the southern Iraqi city of Basra, he told a news conference after the signing. Under the deal, BP will boost output capacity from six fields in the Kirkuk region to a total of more than 1 million barrels per day (bpd), three times today's capacity in the region. The oilfields were returned to Baghdad's control in October after Iraqi government forces dislodged Kurdish fighters from the area. The minister began talks with BP in October, days after the Kurdish fighters were driven expelled. Oil exports from the region, transported by pipeline to Turkey, were halted after the Iraqi military operation, which was launched in retaliation against an independence referendum held on Sept. 25 by the semi-autonomous Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG). Iraq plans to start trucking crude from Kirkuk to Iran, but the road to the border has yet to be secured from attacks by Islamic State insurgents. BP had agreed in 2013 to help Baghdad halt a sharp decline in output from Kirkuk. The KRG then took control of the Kirkuk region in 2014, when the Iraqi army collapsed in the face of Islamic State's sweeping advance in northern and western Iraq. The Kurdish move prevented the fields from falling into the hands of the militants. Kirkuk is one of the biggest and oldest oilfields in the Middle East, estimated to contain about 9 billion barrels of recoverable oil, according to BP. BP has provided technical assistance in the past to North Oil to help redevelop the Kirkuk field. Iraq, the second biggest producer in the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries behind Saudi Arabia, has capacity to produce almost 5 million bpd, but now produces 4.45 million bpd to comply with an OPEC-led deal to curb supplies. Most of Iraq's crude is produced from areas managed by the central government of Baghdad, in the south, and exported from southern ports on the Gulf. The KRG exports about 300,000 bpd of crude from northern Iraq through a pipeline across Turkey. (Reporting by Aref Mohammed Writing by Maher Chmaytelli Editing by Adrian Croft and Edmund Blair) By Lawrence Hurley WASHINGTON (Reuters) - A U.S. appeals court on Monday blocked President Donald Trump's administration from immediately transferring an American citizen accused of being an Islamic State member from military custody in Iraq to an unidentified country, apparently Saudi Arabia. The man, who holds dual American-Saudi citizenship and whose name has not been released, was captured in Syria and had been held in Iraq without legal representation until the American Civil Liberties Union intervened on his behalf in U.S. federal court last October. The administration was seeking to transfer custody of the man even though U.S. courts had not resolved the legal challenge launched to win his release. The U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit on Monday upheld U.S. District Judge Tanya Chutkan's ruling last month that had stopped the administration's planned transfer. Saudi Arabia is believed to be the country to which the United States is seeking to send the detainee, based on media reports and an unredacted reference in a court filing. (Reporting by Lawrence Hurley; Editing by Will Dunham) See Also: DHAKA (Reuters) - A court in Bangladesh on Tuesday sentenced two militants to death and jailed three for life after finding them guilty of killing a university professor two years ago, a prosecutor said. The Muslim-majority country of 160 million people has seen a string of violent attacks in recent years targeting liberals, foreigners and religious minorities. Rezaul Karim Siddiquee, 58, an English professor at northwestern Rajshahi University, was hacked to death in April 2016. Militant group Islamic State claimed responsibility for the killing, accusing him of issuing a "call to atheism". The trial court also jailed three men for life, public prosecutor Entajul Haque told reporters, after the verdict was delivered in a packed courtroom. One of the five, Shariful Islam, a student of the professor and believed to have masterminded his killing, was tried in absentia and received a death sentence, he added. In November, police charged eight members of the home-grown Jamaat-ul-Mujahideen militant group in the case. Police said three more accused were killed in an exchange of gunfire. Investigators believe the same group, which has pledged allegiance to Islamic State, was behind a major attack in the diplomatic quarter of Dhaka in July 2016, when gunmen stormed a restaurant, killing 22 people, most of them foreigners. Islamic State and al Qaeda have claimed a series of killings of liberals and members of religious minorities in Bangladesh in the past few years. Authorities have consistently ruled out the presence of such groups, blaming domestic militants instead. However, security experts say the scale and sophistication of the restaurant attack suggested links to a wider network. (Reporting by Ruma Paul; Editing by Clarence Fernandez) A Florida sheriffs deputy who was shot while responding to a dispute involving a cat has died from his injuries. The Highlands County Sheriffs Office confirmed that Deputy William Gentry Jr succumbed to his injuries after being shot while on duty in Lake Placid, Florida. Gentry was responding to a report that a local residents cat had been shot with a pellet gun. After speaking with the person who called 911, Gentry went to contact the neighbor suspected of shooting the cat, 69-year-old Joseph Ables. Trending: How Twitch Polices Its Community, Moderates Streamers and More Ables is suspected of shooting the deputy just before 8 p.m. on Sunday. The 40-year-old was airlifted to Lee Memorial Hospital in Fort Myers, Florida, and later died from his injuries at 1:10 p.m. on Monday. Sheriff Blackman and the command staff are currently at the hospital with the family. The heartbreak of our members is devastating, but it is nothing compared to the loss his family has suffered, the Highlands Country Sherriffs Department said in a statement. Please keep his father, mother and brother in your prayers, as well as all the members of the HCSO and our fellow law enforcement officers around the state. Don't miss: Bob Marley's Granddaughter Suing California Police After They Mistook Her for an Airbnb Burglar 31961338_1637933256303264_3432622448049127424_n Highlands County Sheriffs Office The force added that in the true spirit of a public servant, Gentrys organs will be donated so that some good may come out of this unthinkable tragedy. Further tributes have been paid to Gentry, who became the third Highlands County Sheriffs Office deputy to be killed in the line of duty in the department's 97-year history. Most popular: Is Meryl Streep's Character Dead in 'Mamma Mia 2'? New Trailer Backs Fan Theory In a statement, Florida Governor Rick Scott said: Each day, Floridas brave men and women in law enforcement selflessly place the safety of others above their own. Today, my wife, Ann, and I join all Floridians in mourning the loss of another Florida hero, Deputy William Gentry, whose life has now been senselessly taken. Story continues Last night, I spoke with Highlands County Sheriff Paul Blackman and committed all available state resources they may need. We will not stand for anyone who hurts our law enforcement. I ask for all Floridians to pray for Deputy Gentrys family and loved ones, the Highlands County Sheriffs Office and all of our courageous law enforcement who go above and beyond every day to keep us safe. We stand with Deputy Gentry, his family, his friends, and with the Highlands County Sheriffs Office during this tragic time, the Florida Sherriffs Association added. We are heartbroken at this reminder that law enforcement put their lives on the line every moment they are on duty for their fellow citizens. ViewPhoto Highlands County Sheriffs Office This article was first written by Newsweek More from Newsweek A British beauty spot has been left covered in mountains of rubbish abandoned after a booze-fuelled barbecue over the Bank Holiday weekend. Shocking footage show a large area near Cadover Bridge in Dartmoor littered with waste, with more rubbish thrown into the water nearby. Alisha Lawry, 21, was enjoying the heatwave on Sunday when she and her friends came across the unsightly mess. The friends decided to clear up the litter including dirty nappies and spent over an hour picking it all up with their bare hands, filling eight carrier bags. Mountains of rubbish was left at Cadover Bridge in Dartmoor (SWNS) Litter bins were full in Queens Park after sun-worshippers picnicked on the grass (SWNS) Alisha, from Plymouth, said: They should be ashamed of themselves, it was disgusting. Picking up their childs dirty nappies with our bare hands. It was horrible. Alisha said there were no bins in the area but that the group of about 10 to 15 people should have taken their rubbish home with them. She added: They left at about 7pm. We could see them from across where we were sat, and as we were packing up we could just see rubbish everywhere. MOST POPULAR TODAY ON YAHOO Nappies, plastic plates, food even unopened packs of food beer cans and bottles scattered all over the place. They even chucked their rubbish into the water. My friends and I couldnt leave the place like that, so we walked over and cleared up as much of it as we possibly could. We took it all home with us and used what we could to bag it up. A family who were out enjoying a barbecue at Cadover Bridge yesterday have denied they were responsible. Alishas description of a man of stocky build, with tribal tattoos and short greyish hair matched a member of this family. Story continues Alisha Lawry and her friends cleared up the mess that was left by a group of Bank Holiday drinkers (SWNS) Kaiya Ellis, from Ugborough, Devon, has come forward to say that she is upset that her husband is being blamed for the rubbish at the Dartmoor beauty spot. She said seeing Alishas photos of the state of the site made her feel physically sick. Kaiya, who was at the site with her husband, their seven-year-old son, and her parents, said: I just feel really bad for my partner. Someone has described him. We were there yesterday, but we did not leave that mess. We left at 4pm and took everything with us. Queens Park in London was also littered with rubbish after the Bank Holiday heatwave (SWNS) Bags of rubbish were left after people descended on the London park for the holiday weekend (SWNS) She added: Its so disgusting. We managed to clear up our rubbish if you can bring it all, you can take it away with you. Kaiya described seeing another group arriving just as her and her family were leaving on Sunday, taking their spot by the river. She added that the men were in their 30s and 40s and that the women were a variety of ages, and had prams with them. Kaiya said her family brought all their own belongings, including reusable plates, cutlery and barbecue unlike the plastic plates and disposable barbecues which were left at the spot. The patient was wearing a medical mask to protect his immune system (Rex/posed by model) A man suffering from leukaemia and forced to wear a medical mask to protect his immune system was stopped by Austrian police under a ban on Islamic clothing. The 26-year-old, identified only as Valentin, was told he was breaking the so-called burqa ban, a law that forbids people in Austria wearing the Islamic veil and other face coverings. Doctors had told him to wear a medical mask to protect his immune system, that had been severely weakened by an intensive course of chemotherapy. The patient had to spend eight weeks in isolation before he was allowed out but was stopped by police for wearing the mask in Vienna last week. Face-covering Islamic clothing was banned in Austria last year (AP/file photo) He told Vice News: The first thing they asked me was whether I spoke German or whether I was foreign. When I explained that I was from Vienna, things calmed down a bit. But then they went after my face mask. After being told he faced an 80 euro (70) fine, Valentin showed the police his medication and his blood test results on his phone. He added: The whole thing was quite a stressful experience, but in the end they believed me. MOST POPULAR TODAY ON YAHOO However, police warned him that he would need to carry a doctors certificate around with him or he may face a fine if he is stopped again. Police spokesman Patrick Maierhofer admitted the man was stopped but said the matter was sorted out after a short conversation. He added: Covering your face for medical reasons is an exception. In such cases the police must be given credible proof that it is being worn for medical reasons. The burqa ban came into effect in Austria last October in an attempt to stop a rise in support for anti-immigration Freedom Party by the two governing parties who later went on to form a coalition government with the centre-right Peoples Party. TRIPOLI (Reuters) - Libyan coastguard vessels intercepted more than 500 migrants on four inflatable boats on Monday off the country's western coast and returned them to Libya, a spokesman said. One boat carrying about 100 migrants was intercepted off the western city of Sabratha, about 70 km west of the capital, Tripoli, naval coastguard spokesman Ayoub Qassem said. Another three boats with a total of more than 400 migrants on board were picked up off Garabulli, east of Tripoli. The migrants were taken to one of several detention centres nominally under government control in Tripoli. Libya is the main departure point for migrants trying to cross to Europe by sea, though the number making it to Italy has dropped sharply since last July after a major smuggling group in Sabratha halted departures before being defeated in clashes. The EU and Italy are also supporting Libya's coastguard to intercept more migrants, a policy criticised by activists who say they are being returned to inhumane conditions in Libya. Some 6,660 migrants have crossed to Italy from Libya so far this year, more than 80 percent fewer than the same period in 2017, according to the Italian interior ministry. Most are sub-Saharan Africans, though increasing numbers of North Africans have been trying to cross in recent months. Most of those on the boat intercepted off Sabratha on Monday were North African, including 18 Libyans, Qassem said. (Reporting by Ahmed Elumami; Editing by Aidan Lewis and James Dalgleish) BOGOTA (Reuters) - Over 200,000 Venezuelans have registered with Colombian authorities in the first few weeks of a count meant to assess how many undocumented migrants have fled to the Andean country, the Colombian government said on Monday. South America is trying to cope with an exodus of Venezuelans leaving their home country in a bid to escape a crushing economic crisis that has caused hunger and scarcity. Many cross overland into Colombia along its 2,219 km (1,379-mile) border, without passing through any immigration check-points. Colombia is asking Venezuelans to register if they do not have work or tourism visas, dual citizenship, or other type of formal permission to remain in Colombia. The government has said the information is meant to help understand resources needed for schooling, medical care and other services and will not be used for deportations. Some 320,000 Venezuelans in Colombia have visas, a visa extension or a tourist visa lasting 180 days. The government estimates another 500,000 are undocumented, while 230,000 passed through the country on their way to other destinations. "Halfway through the registration we have 203,989 Venezuelans registered, there's still a month left," Felipe Munoz, the government's director of border issues, told journalists. "(Registration) does not change their migration status, it's not for food vouchers, for aid, or for voting, this is so the Colombian government has information that allows it to design a humanitarian policy within our fiscal restrictions, but always with empathy and generosity," Munoz said. Some 80 percent of the Venezuelans who have registered indicated they wanted to stay in Colombia, Munoz said, but many said they would be willing to return home if conditions there improved. Estimates of how many Venezuelans have left their home country during the tenures of former President Hugo Chavez and current leader Nicolas Maduro vary widely, with some opponents and academics putting the figure at 4 million. The Maduro government rubbishes that as an exaggeration. (Reporting by Luis Jaime Acosta; Writing by Julia Symmes Cobb, Editing by Rosalba O'Brien) BELGRADE (Reuters) - Serbia's Finance Minister Dusan Vujovic submitted a letter of resignation on Monday citing personal reasons, Serbian daily Blic reported on its web site citing unnamed sources. Vujovic wrote to Prime Minister Ana Brnabic detailing his reasons for leaving, the paper said, adding that it would publish the letter in its print edition on Tuesday. Brnabic is expected to tell parliament on Tuesday about the resignation, N1 television reported. An International Monetary Fund mission arrived in Belgrade on Monday to start talks on a new support programme for the Balkan country to pursue reforms to boost growth. A former World Bank economist in Ukraine and at its headquarters in Washington, Vujovic was appointed finance minister in 2014 and has been involved in final negotiations on the 3-year loan deal with the Fund. There was no immediate government comment on the resignation reports. (Reporting by Ivana Sekularac; Editing by Matthew Mpoke Bigg) kim jong un computer Reuters North Korean leader Kim Jong Un received a USB drive with a blueprint for connecting his country to the world when he met South Korean President Moon Jae-in in April. The blueprint had plans for railways to connect North Korea to the outside world in the interest of economic cooperation, but that could end up getting Kim Jong Un killed. A former director of national intelligence in the US said that outside information is Kim's "kryptonite," and an expert told Business Insider it could crush the Kim regime. North Korean leader Kim Jong Un received a USB drive with a blueprint for connecting his country to the world when he met South Korean President Moon Jae-in in April and while the device was likely meant as a sign of goodwill, it could bring Kim's downfall. South Korea's Blue House, where Moon lives, reported that Moon gave Kim a book and a USB drive containing an e-book and a presentation on the "New Economic Map of the Korean Peninsula," something Moon announced last year. The USB drive contained a blueprint for economic cooperation between the Koreas which detailed a series of proposals for railway lines that would connect the country to China, Russia, and as far as Europe. Though Moon most likely wants to use the map to entice North Korea to keep to the Panmunjom Declaration the two leaders signed at the demilitarized zone, it could have dire consequences for the Kim family. North Korea fiercely controls the media and imprisons an estimated 100,000 of its citizens in camps that have been called worse than Auschwitz, a Nazi German death camp. North Koreans can be imprisoned or killed for having South Korean media, which is often smuggled into the country on USB drives or small SD cards. In fact, the practice of smuggling outside media into North Korea by putting an SD card up your nose has become so common they have a name: "Nose cards." If North Korea goes through with denuclearization, declares peace with South Korea, and opens itself up economically to the world, the North Korean people will likely prosper, but the Kim regime may meet a bitter end. Story continues While Kim seeks a promise from the US that its military will not invade North Korea after his proposed denuclearization, according to Yun Sun, a North Korea expert at the Stimson Center, if North Korea opens up to the world, the US won't need to invade. While the US may not invade, it may "try to use color revolution," or promote democracy among the people until they organize in support, and then find ways to support that organization. Kim's Kryptonite North Korea Reuters/KCNA A former US Navy admiral and the former director of national intelligence, Dennis Blair, testified to Congress in January that "the kryptonite that can weaken North Korea is information from beyond its borders." Blair expressed high confidence that an outside information campaign could weaken and destroy Kim's support. In the case of reunification and denuclearization, North Korea would also be exposed to its prosperous southern neighbor, which is one of the most advanced, connected, and productive democracies in the world. Millions of North Koreans could gain access to a world of outside information. North Korean propaganda advances ridiculous, unscientific histories, which likely wouldn't hold up to scrutiny or exposure to outside information. Importantly, the citizens may find out that hundreds of thousands of their own friends and families had died, been tortured, and abused at the hands of Kim, who does not hold power temporariliy or democratically. "I don't think the North Korean regime is prepared for that," said Sun, who went on to question how sincere North Korea could be about opening up the country knowing the dangers of an informational revolution. Often in color revolutions against violent dictators, the ruler whose grip loosens comes to a violent end. Sun shared a common joke around North Korea watchers that the country is like canned food, because "once you open it it goes bad in days." NOW WATCH: These hand-painted prosthetic body parts are so realistic that it's hard to tell the difference See Also: Dr David Goodall arrives in Switzerland ahead of ending his life at an assisted dying clinic (Picture: AP) The worlds oldest scientist has arrived in Switzerland in defiant mood just days before he will end his life at an assisted dying clinic. Australian botanist and ecologist Dr David Goodall, who was born in London, plans to end his life at the age of 104 at a euthanasia facility. He arrived in Basel on Monday after a flight from Bordeaux, France, where he had initially travelled to say goodbye to his family. When asked at the Swiss airport if he still planned to end his life, Dr Goodall replied: Oh yes, thats what Im here for. Dr Goodall, from Perth, said: I am glad to arrive and Ill be even more glad when further steps of my journey are completed. When I get to the hotel, for example, and when I meet the doctor. He added: Once one passes the age of 50 or 60, one should be free to decide for oneself whether one wants to go on living or not. He had previously said that he regretted living into his hundreds. Dr Goodall does not suffer from a terminal illness but says his quality of life has deteriorated in the past few years. MOST POPULAR TODAY ON YAHOO On Tuesday, the former university lecturer is expected to meet a doctor to discuss his mental state and then he will hold a news conference on Wednesday. On Thursday, he plans to end his life by taking a dosage of drugs. Dr David Goodall wants to end his life (Picture: Exit International) He said he was a bit sorry to say goodbye to my family in Bordeaux. But thats the way it was. Pro-euthanasia group Exit International raised money through crowdfunding to cover Dr Goodalls travel costs from Australia to Switzerland. The botanist and ecologist was born in London in 1914 and went to Australia in 1948, becoming a lecturer at the University of Melbourne. He celebrated his 104th birthday last month. Updated | Mosquitos are more than pesky insects that cause itchy bites, they can carry dangerous and deadly infections. The same type of mosquito that carries the Zika virus that caused concern after an outbreak in Brazil from 2015 to 2016 also carries the Yellow Fever virus. Zika causes mild or no symptoms at all for most, however it can cause major in utero birth defects when their mother is infected with the virus, according to the Centers for Disease Control. Yellow Fever is more dangerous. In March, the CDC issued a travel notice for those traveling to Brazil where There is a large, ongoing outbreak of yellow fever in multiple states, according to the CDC. The travel notice ranked Brazil at a Level 2, meaning travelers should take enhanced precautions due to a higher than desirable risk of contracting the virus. Trending: Elon Musk Candy Company? What Went Down Between Musk and Warren Buffett Additionally, officials in South Florida are hoping the work they've done to prevent Zika will also help prevent Yellow Fever, the Sun-Sentinel reported. There have been no travel-associated cases of yellow fever identified in Florida in recent years. However, Yellow Fever virus and some other mosquito-borne disease activity has been increased in parts of South and Central America recently, Devin Galetta, the interim communications director for the Florida Department of Health, told Newsweek. It is important for those traveling to areas where these diseases are present to use the mosquito bite precautions, he said. Such precautions could help keep travelers healthy and could help keep the virus from making its way to Florida. Don't miss: All Cancer Patients Should Be Prescribed Exercise, Oncology Organization Recommends What is Yellow Fever? Yellow Fever is a virus thats transmitted through an infected mosquito, according to the Florida Department of Health. Some people develop no symptoms at all, and those that do sometimes mistake them for a cold or the flu. Symptoms include body aches, fever, nausea, vomiting, fatigue and headaches, according to the World Health Organization. Story continues For those who do have symptoms, the virus can lead to a high fever, jaundice, bleeding and even death, according to the CDC. Jaundice associated with the virus is what got it the name "yellow" fever. How to prevent Yellow Fever: The most effective way to prevent Yellow Fever, especially for those traveling to areas where the virus is prevalent is through vaccination. The vaccine should be administered at least 10 days before traveling to a risk area and it may be required for entry into some countries. The vaccine lasts a lifetime but a booster is sometimes recommended, according to the CDC. Most popular: Five League of Legends Patch 8.10 Changes You Need to Know For those who arent vaccinated, covering skin, wearing insect repellant, spending time indoors or in screened-in areas and using a mosquito net while sleeping, can all help prevent mosquito bites. Where Yellow Fever usually found? The virus is primarily found in the tropics and subtropics in parts of Africa and South America, according to the CDC. The disease is rare in the United States and the few cases sometimes caused by travelers who come from an area where the virus is more prevalent. This story was updated to include information from the Florida Department of Health. mosquito Ye Aung Thu/Getty Images This article was first written by Newsweek More from Newsweek Teachers are very important in school systems all over the world. They make a difference in the lives of the students they teach. They are very passionate about what they do. They show it by teaching more than information found on the pages of a book. Teachers also encourage and inspire students to become better people. The day National Teacher Appreciation Day comes within National Teacher Appreciation Week. It is celebrated on Tuesday, May 8. It all began in 1944 when the Arkansas native Mattye Whyte Woodridge thought it would be a great idea to have a special day to honor teachers. She campaigned for that to happen by writing to politicians and school officials. Things began to happen after Woodridge wrote to Eleanor Roosevelt who was the First Lady of the United States at the time. Roosevelt was the one to convince Congress to agree with Woodridge that a day should be designated for teachers. Congress proclaimed the first National Teacher Day in 1953. Its teacher appreciation week! Consider emailing your superintendent or principal to share the ways a teacher has made a difference in your childs life. Small gestures like this can mean so much. #ThankATeacher pic.twitter.com/dMpQ5BrZD0 US Dept of Education (@usedgov) May 7, 2018 The week Because of the efforts of Mattye Whyte Woodridge and Eleanor Roosevelt, the day was extended to be celebrated the first full week in May. This year, it is from May 7 through May 11 and is sponsored by the National Education Association. During that entire week, teachers nationwide are celebrated, honored and shown appreciation from students, parents, and education officials. #TeacherAppreciationWeek: Thank you to all the teachers who work hard to make a difference every day! Sweet teacher stories that will melt your heart: https://t.co/bB0rpFhx05 pic.twitter.com/ScINrEm8sL ABC7 Eyewitness News (@ABC7) May 7, 2018 Ways to honor teachers Teachers love what they do, but they do need to know they are appreciated. Usually, the principal takes them out to lunch. They receive gifts from the staff, parents, and students. They also get a lot of cards with encouraging words. Hosts of some daytime talk shows fill their television audience with teachers on their special day and give them valuable presents. Restaurants offer freebies for teachers during the week. Check your favorite restaurant in your area. More than likely, it will be on the list to give free lunches or dinners to teachers with their proper identification. Examples include well-known restaurants such as Chick-fil-A, Chipotle, Cici's Pizza, and Applebee's. Most of the offers are for Tuesday, May 8, but some of them are available all week. Those of you who plan to recognize a teacher, you can do it on Teacher Appreciation Day or any other day during the week. Let your teachers or your child's teachers know that you appreciate the contribution they are making in the lives of their students. The world waits as President Donald Trump might deliver the most devastating news, that has the potential of sending the world into a global crisis. At 2 PM ET on Tuesday (May 8), President Trump will announce his decision about whether he wants to pull the US out of the Iran nuclear deal. The agreement was put into action by former President Barack Obama, and withdrawing from the deal will be the final blow to his legacy. Donald Trump promised his supporters during his presidential campaign to put America First, and now his words will be brought to life if he follows through with his decision. Pulling out of the nuclear deal could definitely devastate Americas allies, and allow Iran to begin developing nuclear weapons. Opting-out of the agreement has unforetold consequences with Iran, which in a worst-case scenario, could lead to war. What is the Iran nuclear deal? The Iran nuclear deal, formally known as Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, ceased Iran from making nuclear weapons. According to The Guardian, it involved six countries total -- America included -- to reach an agreement to end Irans nuclear program. On July 14, 2015, countries involved agreed to lift sanctions which gave Iran access to the global economy. In return, Iran agreed to curb its nuclear program and allowed nuclear inspections by the International Atomic Energy Agency. According to USA Today, supporters of the agreement feared that Iran was months away from building their own nuclear weapons. Former President Barack Obama and other world leaders involved believed reaching a peace agreement was the best way to avoid war. The former president believed that war with Iran was just along the horizon, Maybe not tomorrow, maybe not three months from now, but soon. The countries that were involved were the United States, France, Russia, China, the United Kingdom, and Germany. So why does Trump want to pull out of the agreement? Trumps decision could divide America even more and destroy European unity, so why does President Trump want to jeopardize peace? Throughout Donald Trumps campaign, he called the Iran nuclear deal the worst deal ever. President Trump felt that Iran was violating the spirit of the deal. Trump accused Tehran -- capital of Iran -- of testing missiles, supporting the Bashar al-Assad and terrorist groups. This wouldn't be the first time Trump has acted alone or opted out of an agreement, for example, rejecting the Paris climate agreement and recognizing Jerusalem as the capital of Israel. It is all a part of the presidents campaign promise. Putting America first and segregating the country from the rest of the world. Do Americans want to stay in the Iran nuclear agreement? In a recent poll conducted by CNN, two-thirds of Americans believe that the United States should not withdraw from the agreement. Sixty-three percent of Americans fear that opting out would grant Iran the permission it needed to make nuclear weapons. Twenty-nine percent of Americans believe that should withdraw and supports the presidents decision. Sen John McCain, R-Arizona, former Navy pilot, prisoner of war, and twice failed presidential candidate has the awful knowledge that he is going to die soon. The approaching abyss must daunt even a man of his considerable courage. On the other hand, McCain has time to prepare, to put his affairs in order, to say goodbye to family and friends, and, being who he is, to start settling scores. Not inviting President Trump to the funeral would seem to be ungracious, no matter what McCain thinks of the man as a human being and as a president. To be sure Trump was rude to him as well, with that statement about preferring war heroes who had not been captured. Still, forgiveness is a virtue and McCain is inviting the two men who beat him to the presidency, George W. Bush and Barack Obama, to not only attend but to give eulogies. On the other hand, eyebrows are rising, and faces are hitting palms about what McCain said about Sarah Palin, the former governor of Alaska who he elevated to the national stage by making her his running mate in 2008. The depths of ingratitude and political folly is making it hard for many people to mourn McCains passing. McCain now regrets making Palin his running mate Apparently, in his new memoirs, McCain regrets choosing Sarah Palin to be his running mate in 2008, preferring now to have picked Joe Lieberman, the former Democratic senator from Connecticut who was obliged to serve out his last term as an independent for being insufficiently liberal. McCain had been warned off Lieberman because he was not pro-life, an absolute disqualifier for many Republican voters. He chose Palin, then a young, reformist governor of Alaska who had taken on oil company influence in her state and was considered, in many ways, as much of a maverick as McCain was. What Palin must be feeling now At the time, the choice of the charismatic Governor Palin seemed to have been an outside the box masterstroke. McCain surged in the polls, and it appeared that his ticket might just pull out an upset against Barack Obama, despite the economic downturn and the unpopular war in Iraq. However, McCain and her team made a number of unforced errors, such as suspending the campaign as the economy teetered on the brink of disaster. McCains campaign staff moved to undermine Palin, considering her to be more popular than the man on top of the ticket. The Democrats proceeded to destroy the governor, painting her as a kind of psycho bimbo who should not be allowed near the levers of power. Palin became a national figure after 2008, becoming a leader of the Tea Party movement that helped to recapture the Congress for the Republican Party and blunt the power of the Obama administration. However, she paid a hefty price on her reputation and her family as she became a target of an unrelenting and remorseless campaign of smears and attacks from the Democrats, the media, and even Hollywood, which produced a scurrilous HBO movie about her role in the 2008 campaign. Palin has always been loyal to McCain, even though many people consider him a RINO, Republican in Name Only. Now the senior senator from Arizona, soon to be with the ages, has repaid her with ingratitude. What she must be feeling right now must be well-nigh indescribable. Et te John McCain? Bora Choe is a 24-year-old North Korean escapee currently living in an undisclosed location in Auckland, New Zealand. She describes her experience living in North Korea as hell according to the New Zealand Herald. In addition, she doubts the regime will truly change even as Kim Jong Un meets with world leaders in the coming weeks. Choe is 55 and is considered tall and beautiful in North Korea. She was chosen by the government to be a bride at the age of 14. Recently, the sex trafficking in North Korea has become more relevant, as it was revealed that the cheerleaders from the Winter Olympics are required to do sexual favors for members of the government. Government officials frequently visit schools to choose young women for things unbeknownst to them such as these sexual favors. A young girls future is determined According to the New Zealand Herald, Choe states, Like the other girls I actually dont know what they have chosen us for except that it is to work for the nationAs a young girl at that time, I felt happy and honored to be selected. Once selected, the young girls go through extensive tests to truly measure their beauty such as their skin and health. Newstalk reports Choe was immediately disqualified when it was discovered her grandfather was Chinese and her mother had escaped to South Korea. A persons loyalty to the regime determines their success in the country as stated by Newstalk. If a person has any foreign family ties, they are immediately deemed disloyal and are forbidden to work at a regular job. Instead, they are forced to work in the labor camps doing things like street cleaning for no pay. Meanwhile, the girls who do pass the initial examination are put through to the next stage for a more in-depth exam that looked at things like virginity. If they pass, they go on to work for the government, or they are trained to be an actress, musician, or solider in the military. Choes escape to freedom By the age of 20, Choe had made two escape attempts according to the New Zealand Herald. After her two attempts, Choe was able to successfully escape to South Korea with the help of a broker. To do so, she had to cross the shallow, yet turbulent Tumen River into China. Another broker took Choe to Vietnam, Laos, and Thailand before being flown into South Korea. Once in South Korea, Choe felt alienated. Although South Koreans spoke the same language, The New Zealand Herald reports she would often get asked taunting questions like, If North Koreans are hungry, why dont they eat soil? While fighting a battle of trying to adjust to her new life, Choe could only find part-time work at a Korean bathhouse and lived with 12 other roommates. Ultimately, Choe met missionary Nara Lee with an organization called Love Your Neighbor Charity Trust. Lee wanted to give her a chance at a life where she would not be judged for who she was. Newstalk quotes Lee as stating, English is important and also living in a society outside of Korea where [she] wouldnt be judged. As Choe has been given a second chance at her life, she wants to become a Bible teacher to spread her firm belief in God. Eric T. Schneiderman, the New York Attorney General who rose to prominence as an antagonist of the Trump administration, has resigned hours after four women accused him of physically assaulting them in an article published by The New Yorker, the media reported. Its been my great honour and privilege to serve as attorney general for the people of the state of New York, The New York Times quoted Schneiderman as saying on Monday night. In the last several hours, serious allegations, which I strongly contest, have been made against me. While these allegations are unrelated to my professional conduct or the operations of the office, they will effectively prevent me from leading the offices work at this critical time. I therefore resign my office, effective at the close of business on May 8, 2018, he added. His resignation represented a stunning fall for a politician who had also assumed a prominent role in the #MeToo movement. Two of the women who spoke to The New Yorker, Michelle Manning Barish and Tanya Selvaratnam, said they had been choked and hit repeatedly by Schneiderman. Both said they had sought medical treatment. Another woman, a lawyer, said she was slapped violently across the face. A fourth woman also said she had similar experiences. All the women in the article, who had been romantically involved with Schneiderman, said the violence was not consensual. Schneiderman has denied abusing the women, saying in a statement: In the privacy of intimate relationships, I have engaged in role-playing and other consensual sexual activity. I have not assaulted anyone. I have never engaged in non-consensual sex, which is a line I would not cross. After the allegations were made public, many of his allies, including New York Governor Andrew M. Cuomo called for him to step down, reports The New York Times. My personal opinion is that, given the damning pattern of facts and corroboration laid out in the article, I do not believe it is possible for Eric Schneiderman to continue to serve as attorney general, Cuomo said. Since 2017, Schneiderman had raised his profile nationally by taking on President Donald Trumps agenda repeatedly in the courts. He is pushing to change state law so that his office could prosecute Trumps aides even if the President pardoned them. Schneiderman was up for re-election this year. No Democrat had declared an intention to challenge him in the primary; Manny Alicandro, a corporate lawyer from New York City, is running as a Republican and officially declared his candidacy on Monday. Schneidermans former wife Jennifer Cunningham said she was taken aback by the allegations being levelled against him. Ive known Eric for nearly 35 years as a husband, father and friend, said Cunningham, also his frequent political strategist. These allegations are completely inconsistent with the man I know, who has always been someone of the highest character, outstanding values and a loving father. Taiwan on Tuesday accused China of blocking it from participating in the World Health Organizations (WHO) annual assembly. Last year was the first time in eight years that Taiwan was not invited to attend the yearly gathering in Geneva, Switzerland. Taiwans exclusion from the WHO annual assembly violates its citizens right to health since the highest attainable standard of health is the fundamental right of every human being and the people of Taiwan must enjoy this right without discrimination, the Taiwanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a statement cited by Efe news. The Mainland Affairs Council (MAC), the Taiwanese government agency in charge of Chinese affairs called Chinas malicious actions inappropriate and irresponsible that were aimed at obstructing Taiwans participation in the 71st World Health Assembly, which will take place from May 21 to 26 in Geneva. Taiwan said that although China claimed to represent the Taiwanese at the WHO, mainland China never notified Taiwan of any global epidemic situations. Taiwan said that Chinas statements that proper arrangements had been made in this regard ran contrary to fact and were designed to mislead the international community. Taiwan attended the WHO as an observer under the name Chinese Taipei from 2009 to 2016 with the support of the US and the implicit acceptance of China at a time when the island had better ties with Beijing under former President Ma Ying-jeou. Current leader Tsai Ing-wen is known to be a Beijing-sceptic and relations between the island and the mainland have been strained since she took power in 2016. The US has urged the Organisation of American States (OAS) to suspend Venezuela from its ranks and impose new sanctions on alleged drug traffickers linked with the Nicolas Maduro government in Caracas. We call on the members of this institution to uphold our long-standing commitment to democracy and freedom (and) to suspend Venezuela from the Organization of American States, Vice President Mike Pence said on Monday in an address before the international bodys Permanent Council. The Venezuelan government on April 28 requested to leave the OAS amid complaints within the international body over its ongoing political and social crisis, but its departure will not become effective for two years, reports Efe news. Despite the political weight carried by the US call to suspend Venezuela, for the moment there is not enough support within the organization to take that step. Doing so requires the support of two-thirds of the 35 OAS members or 24 states. On Monday, the Venezuelan delegation walked out of the session held to welcome Pence to the OAS. Venezuelan Deputy Foreign Minister for North America Samuel Moncada said that his delegation was not present because they consider the gathering to be farce and a monstrosity and complained that there was no opportunity afforded to reply to Pences comments. The coercive measures of the US are an international crime that we will denounce, Moncada told reporters. Pence also echoed the announcement of new measures against former Venezuelan officials made on Monday by the US Treasury Department, which included on its black list of drug traffickers Pedro Luis Martin Olivares, a former top official with Venezuelas Sebin intelligence service, and Hugo Carvajal, a close confidant of the late President Hugo Chavez, and announced sanctions against Walter Alexander Del Nogal Marquez and Mario Antonio Rodriguez Espinoza for providing financial and technological help to Martin Olivares in his alleged drug trafficking activities. Pence is the first US Vice President to address the OAS since Democrat Al Gore in 1994. Being involved hasnt been a problem for Ahmed Elnahhas, a native of Egypt living in Kuwait City, Kuwait, who received the Phi Kappa Phi Medal in April as the top graduating senior in the College of Engineering. He graduates in 2018 with a 4.0 grade point average in mechanical engineering. Elnahhas served as a peer mentor in the Galileo engineering living and learning community, was a member of the astrobotics team his sophomore year, and a member of the Virginia Tech Hybrid Electric Vehicle Team's controls subteam the past two years. A few weeks ago I received a letter saying Id been nominated [for the PKP award], so I went to the banquet to support others I know in Phi Kappa Phi, he said. Elnahhas said it was a great surprise when his name was called. As a first-year student, Elnahhas chose mechanical engineering because it seemed to be the most applicable to finding work after graduation and had the most curriculum flexibility to tailor courses to his interest. Now ready to graduate, Elnahhas is glad he chose the major. Research was the luckiest shot ever, he explained. I wasnt interested in graduate school until I got a research opportunity [my junior year] with Dr. Shima Shahab [assistant professor] in biomedical engineering and mechanics, working on ultrasonic acoustic energy transfer. As he delved into research, Elnahhas realized he wanted to continue his education after graduation. He has accepted a slot with Stanford University, where he will begin his doctoral program in mechanical engineering this fall. While the department will lose Elnahhas, his sister, Sara, is currently a first-year general engineering student. She had talked about bioengineering, Elnahhas said, but Ive suggested she go mechanical engineering with a biomedical minor. Well see. Phi Kappa Phi is the nations oldest, largest, and most selective all-discipline honor society with more than 330 chapters in the United States. The Virginia Tech chapter was founded in 1921 as the 25th chapter organized to "recognize and promote academic excellence in all fields of higher education and to engage the community of scholars in service to others," according to the chapters website. Written by Rosaire Bushey Minnis Ridenour, whose four decades of service in key administrative roles at Virginia Tech helped transform it into a leading global land-grant university and who also advanced higher education across Virginia and the nation, will receive an honorary degree at Virginia Tech commencement ceremonies on May 11. Minnis devotion to Virginia Tech and selfless service are both historic and unsurpassed. Without question, he lives the universitys motto, Ut Prosim (That I May Serve), said university President Tim Sands. Early in his career, he made the conscious decision that few others would have made. He abandoned his plans to pursue a doctorate, though he surely could have earned one, because he chose to devote both his career and his life to Virginia Tech. By presenting him with this honorary degree, I hope it will convey the deep gratitude felt by Virginia Tech and many others in the national higher education community for all that Minnis has done on our behalf. Ridenour will be presented with an honorary Doctor of Letters degree during the University Commencement ceremony in Lane Stadium. It will mark only the 10th time in the universitys 146-year history that an individual will be distinguished with an honorary degree. After completing his bachelors and masters degrees at the University of Tennessee, Ridenour joined Virginia Tech in 1974 as the university's budget director and chief business officer. He later served as vice president for finance until his promotion in 1987 to executive vice president. In 2001, he was promoted to executive vice president and chief operating officer, the position he held until his formal retirement in 2004. Ridenour also served as executive vice president of the Virginia Tech Foundation and served on the boards of several university-related corporations. At his 2004 retirement celebration, then-university-President Charles Steger said, He is one of the most visionary people of our time. He has spent three decades in successively more influential roles practicing his craft, making us a better university and painting his vision on the fabric of American education. Ridenour supported five Virginia Tech presidents on all major university initiatives during their tenure, and his expertise in the field of finance enabled him to devise effective funding strategies to achieve countless initiatives that have greatly benefited Virginia Tech students and faculty while growing the reputation of the university. In addition to his work for Virginia Tech, Ridenour was the architect or a key leader in the development of statewide higher education funding policies that have benefited all universities, including Virginia Tech. Ridenour was an architect of the maintenance reserve fund that ensures a consistent revenue stream to maintain campus buildings. He was also instrumental in the establishment of the Higher Education Equipment Trust Fund, which provides scientific and computing equipment for institutions across the state. He also worked with colleagues from the University of Virginia to obtain, for the first time, authorization from the state to issue variable-rate debt to allow institutions to pay for new facilities at a much lower cost than traditional debt structures. Today, that practice that is widely used by colleges and universities across the nation. And Ridenour was central to the Restructured Higher Education Financial and Administrative Operations Act of 2005, which provided greater operational autonomy for Virginia colleges and universities. In recognition of his many contributions to Virginia Tech and higher education, Ridenour received in 2001 the most prestigious award of the National Association of College and University Business Officers, the Distinguished Business Officer Award. Since his formal retirement in 2004, Ridenour has continued to serve Virginia Tech as Senior Fellow for Resource Development and has further cultivated his cherished role as a teacher and mentor. He has held an affiliated appointment in the School of Public and International Affairs in the College of Architecture and Urban Studies and teaches courses on financial management, mentors doctoral students, and has been the driving force in the development of a certificate in public and nonprofit financial management. Throughout his career, Ridenour received endless support and encouragement from his wife, Louise, and their children, Brent and Leigh Anne Byrd. His impact on Virginia Tech also includes being a generous donor. He and Louise are members of the Ut Prosim Society, a select group of Virginia Techs most generous supporters, with their generosity helping numerous areas of the university. Virginia Techs other nine honorary degrees have been presented to: The underrepresented population includes low-income, racial minority, and/or first-generation college students. Also, the number of new underrepresented faculty hired at Virginia Tech is expected to double this year, Sands said. Additionally, all new Virginia Tech students are required to complete an online diversity education program, while employees on job search committees must undergo unconscious bias training. We cannot eliminate bias, but I do think we can create a culture at Virginia Tech thats diverse, welcoming, and affirming, said Pratt-Clarke during the town hall. Another initiative, InclusiveVT Project 2022 aims to increase the number of underrepresented students who consider, apply to, and are accepted at Virginia Tech. Last summer, the university hosted the Black College Institute, an academic enrichment program for underrepresented high school students to live on campus and learn about college life. There were more than 600 applications for this years event, planned for June 23-28. Despite these efforts, Sands said Virginia Tech still has work to do, referring to the results of a recent LGBTQ climate survey. This is a narrative thats in progress, he said. Its up to us to shape it. Virginia Tech is up for the challenge, said Pratt-Clarke. During the town hall, she noted that Virginia Tech was one of 16 universities named a Diversity Champion by INSIGHT into Diversity magazine last year. The magazine, the largest and oldest diversity and inclusion publication in higher education, names institutions that set standards for other campus communities in diversity and inclusion work as Diversity Champions. What is unique about Virginia Tech is that I think we are better positioned than many institutions to refine, address, and transform, said Pratt-Clarke. Written by Jenny Kincaid Boone Steve Dykes/Getty Images for NASCAR Ninety-year-old Hershel McGriff may have finished in last place among 18 drivers in the K&N Pro Series West event at the Tucson Speedway in Arizona. But it didnt matter. He achieved a personal victory Saturday night by becoming the oldest driver ever to compete in a NASCAR-sanctioned race. In front of more than 6,000 fans, the Green Valley, Ariz., resident raced until the end, finishing six laps behind the winner, 17-year-old Kody Vanderwal. In doing so, McGriff broke a record he last set in 2012, when he was 84. McGriffs son, Hershel Jr., and granddaughter, Mariah, also were on hand Saturday, competing in separate races at the Tucson Speedway. NASCAR has no maximum age rule, but drivers do have to pass a physical. Not a problem for McGriff. Following a stress test, he was medically cleared to race. Oddly enough, McGriff was apparently more nervous about playing the national anthem on his trombone before the event than he was driving on the track. Instead of racing young kids at 120 miles per hour, hes more nervous about playing his trombone, Tucson Speedway President John Lashley told the Arizona Daily Star. Hes just wound different than you and me. McGriffs career stretches back all the way to 1950 when he won the Carrera Panamericana race in Mexico, the first victory of his career. Between 1954 and 2002, he racked up 27 wins in 233 tries. In 1989, he became the oldest driver to win a major NASCAR series race at age 61. In 1998, he was named one of NASCARs 50 Greatest Drivers. He's continued to race on and off since retiring in 2002 at the age of 74. Ive had a great life. I wouldnt backtrack for anything. I have family thats with me and behind me, so its great, McGriff told the Tucson Star. Also proving that age is just a number is Tom Watson who, at 68, became the oldest winner of the Masters Par 3 Contest last month. The event also featured fellow legends Jack Nicklaus, 78, and Gary Player, 82. The previous record holder was Sam Snead, who nabbed the crown at age 62 in 1974. Handout photo During her nearly 70-year career as a legal secretary in New York City, no one knew that Sylvia Bloom was a millionaire many times over. Her secret was revealed only after her death, when her estate donated a whopping $6.24 million to the Henry Street Settlement, a nonprofit social services agency on Manhattans Lower East Side. Its the largest gift from an individual donor in the agencys 125-year history. She never talked money and she didnt live the high life, said Paul Hyams, a human resources executive at Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton, the law firm where Bloom had worked as a secretary since 1947. She wasnt showy and didnt want to call attention to herself. Hyams, who was one of Blooms closest friends at the firm, told the New York Times that he was completely astounded to learn of her wealth after her death in 2016 at age 96. Her gift to the agency was made in February but publicly disclosed only last week. Blooms niece Jane Lockshin said she suspects her aunt built her fortune by following the shrewd investment patterns of the lawyers for whom she worked. She was a secretary in an era when they ran their bosss lives, including their personal investments, Lockshin told the Times. So when the boss would buy a stock, she would make the purchase for him, and then buy the same stock for herself, but in a smaller amount because she was on a secretarys salary. The strategy paid off. In distributing her aunts estate, Lockshin discovered more than $9 million in investment accounts spread across three brokerage houses and 11 banks. While Blooms will allocated some money to friends and relatives, it directed that the bulk of her fortune be donated to charities. In addition to the gift to the Henry Street Settlement, where Lockshin serves as board treasurer, Blooms estate donated $2 million to be split between Hunter College, her alma mater, and a scholarship fund to be established. For most of her life, Bloom lived with her husband in a rent-controlled Brooklyn apartment, commuting into Manhattan to her job at the law firm. Her husband, Raymond Margolies, was a former firefighter who died in 2002. They didnt have children and apparently lived modestly, despite Blooms sizable investment portfolio. Henry Street Settlement executive director David Garza called the unexpected gift the epitome of selflessness. She was a child of the Depression and she knew what it was like not to have money, Hyams said. She had great empathy for other people who were needy and wanted everybody to have a fair shake. Veer, Greenburgh Police Department It may not be the biggest scam to ever make headlines, but it could be one of the most shameless. Greenburgh Police said Saturday that Latonia Shelecia Stewart, 26, read the obituaries in Westchester County, New York, so that she could burglarize homes when she knew the people who lived there were out grieving at a loved ones funeral, WPIX reported. Police noticed a distinct pattern of burglaries in various residential areas that played out over the last several months. Those targeted were all recently named as next of kin in obituaries. And the obits also revealed detailed funeral arrangements. As a result, police issued a warning to residents in March: When you attend a funeral, make sure someone remains in the house. Also, leave the home address out when writing an obit. Criminals read the newspaper, too, to get whatever intelligence they can gather, John J. Slusarz of the Greenwich Police told Greenwich Time. Someone passes away, the funeral time is listed, it can be assumed the house is vacant. New York State Police recently obtained information on a potential suspects car, a silver Acura MDX, that they turned over to local police. Thats when the officers laid a trap. While waiting outside a home of a recently deceased resident, they observed a car matching the description theyd received. They pulled the car over and found Stewart inside with items that had been reported stolen from a home back in February, according to the Bronx News. The Bronx woman, arraigned and released on bond, has been charged with conspiracy to commit burglary, a felony, and criminal possession of stolen property, a misdemeanor. Currently, its not known how many municipalities list Stewart as a suspect in similar crimes. This is not the first time someone has allegedly broken into homes when occupants were attending a funeral. Earlier this year, police arrested a Massachusetts man dubbed the obit bandit after he robbed a house while the resident attended her mothers wake. Police say hes responsible for a number of break-ins. Randy Brunelle, 35, was indicted in March on seven counts, including three counts of felony breaking and entering, three counts of larceny from a building and one count of attempt to commit a crime. Beyond wanting to burglarize unoccupied homes, there are other reasons scam artists may be combing through obits. For one thing, dead people can fall victim to identity theft costing their next of kin major financial losses. With the information in an obit, fraudsters often can figure out the persons Social Security number to open credit card accounts or apply for loans. (The first five digits of a Social Security number are linked to a time and place of birth.) So you should include as few details as you can in an obit and make sure you let the major credit-reporting bureaus know they should flag the persons account as deceased. You should also contact the Social Security Administration, the IRS, banks, insurers, mortgage companies, and credit card providers to let them know of the death. For more tips on how to avoid scams, check out AARPs Fraud Watch Network. Downtown Aberdeen entertainment venue to open in January A downtown event center is planned for 209 S. Main, the former Engel Music building. It will be called Engel's Event Co. ROWLETT, Texas Authorities say a man fatally shot his 11-year-old son before killing himself in their suburban Dallas home. Rowlett police spokesman Lt. David Nabors says no one else was home at the time of the shootings late Saturday night. Nabors says the mans wife, who is the childs stepmother, called 911 after the man called her and said hed just shot the boy. Nabors says the next thing she heard was a gunshot and the call ended. Nabors says the couple had previously been arguing about marital issues. The Dallas County medical examiner identified the man as 40-year-old Policarpo Gonzalez-Flores. More than 70 people gathered at a candlelight vigil Sunday night to honor the boy, James Gonzalez. His 19-year-old sister Alanna Bouvier called him her best friend. A Rio Rancho woman who was reported missing under suspicious circumstances last month was found dead in a remote part of Sandoval County Saturday, according to a Rio Rancho Police Department spokesman. Lt. Nicholas Onken wrote in a press release that Dawn Sandoval, 46, was reported missing on April 16. He said Rio Rancho police and detectives began investigating her disappearance. He would not say what was suspicious about her disappearance. Last weekend Sandovals body was found. Her death is being investigated as a homicide, Onken said. On Saturday, May 5, 2018, members of the Sandoval County Sheriffs Department, New Mexico State Police, and Rio Rancho Police responded to a call regarding the possible discovery of human remains in a remote part of Sandoval County, Onken wrote. The crime scene was processed and the body has been positively identified as that of Dawn Sandoval. Onken would not say where Sandoval was found but her family has been organizing search parties to look for her body off Northern blvd for the past couple of weeks. Tips: Investigators ask anyone with information about the case to contact the Rio Rancho Police Department at (505) 891-7226. SANTA FE The mother of the two Native American teenagers from Espanola who were pulled from a Colorado State University campus tour last week said the family hasnt yet responded to the schools offers to reimburse the brothers travel expenses or for a VIP tour. Lorraine Gray said she is waiting on professional advice from the American Civil Liberties Union. Gray said Monday it is highly unlikely her family will accept the universitys offers and that a third party is connecting her with a representative of the ACLU before they make any new contact with Colorado State. This is all a new experience for us this doesnt just affect my boys, she said of the situation. It affects all marginalized people. Grays sons Thomas, 19, and Lloyd, 17, made international headlines after they traveled from Espanola to Fort Collins last week for a CSU campus tour. Campus police stopped them after a mother on the tour reported them as suspicious, saying they didnt give their names and were laughing and keeping to themselves and wearing clothing with weird symbolism or wording on it. Lorraine Gray detailed the incident on Facebook and said her sons had been the victims of racism. She said Monday she hasnt watched or listened to a video of her sons interaction with police or an audio recording of the parents 911 call about them both released by CSU last week saying that would be too difficult. But she said shes seen social media posts that respond to the caller for calling her kids creepy and telling a dispatcher that the encounter with the two teens made her feel sick. She should be ashamed of herself, at the very least, Gray said. How horrible to talk about young teenagers like that. Still, Gray said shes not among those who want the Anglo callers identification to be released by campus police. Whats done its done, and someone forcing her for an apology doesnt do any good, she said. Gray said she and her sons have been overwhelmed by the outpouring of support for them and inquiries from all over the world. Their supporters include Cattle Decapitation, a death metal band that advocates for animal rights. Thomas was wearing a band T-shirt on the CSU tour. In a Facebook post Friday, Cattle Decapitation offered Thomas and Lloyd free guest list spots to our shows for life. Gray didnt want to say whether the family is considering a lawsuit, but she wanted to make it clear its not about the money. She said she just wants to educate the public to prevent similar situations. If we can do anything to make it happen less, it wasnt in vain what happened to them, she said. Gray has been working to shut down three crowdfunding campaigns for her sons and said at least two have been deactivated at her request. On Saturday, she posted on Facebook that the campaigns were not started with her permission. If anyone wishes to donate, she said, the family would rather gifts to its nonprofit,the Four Bridges Traveling Permaculture Institute. As of Monday afternoon, a GoFundMe for Four Bridges had raised about $3,200. Copyright 2018, Albuquerque Journal Four employees of the state Children, Youth and Families Department have been placed on leave in connection with the case of a 7-year-old girl who allegedly was being prostituted by relatives. CYFD spokesman Henry Varela on Monday confirmed the four employees case workers in the Child Protective Division were placed on paid administrative leave, pending the results of the ongoing investigation into this case. He said he was unable to release the names of the workers, citing a confidentiality clause in the state personnel code. The case made headlines last week after the state Attorney Generals Office filed a criminal complaint in Metropolitan Court that said CYFD and law enforcement had encountered the family of the girl multiple times dating back to 2012, yet the girls and her brothers remained with the family until last month. The AGs Office said CYFD received more than 20 referrals alleging emotional, physical and medical abuse and neglect of the girl and her two older brothers. Two of the referrals mentioned possible sexual abuse. CYFD employees only confirmed one allegation. The children remained with the couple until late April, after a school nurse contacted authorities with her concerns. All three are now in CYFD custody. Arrested in connection with the case were James Stewart and Teri Sanchez, both 37. Stewart is charged with human trafficking, promoting prostitution and other charges. Sanchez is charged with abuse of a child and contributing to the delinquency of a child. Both Sanchez and Stewart remained at the Metropolitan Detention Center Monday night, according to online jail records. CYFD Secretary Monique Jacobson said late last week that she launched an internal investigation because she was concerned with how he department handled the case. The girl told investigators that Stewart would make her touch his friends genitalia in exchange for drugs and that she was taken to secret parties later determined to be strip clubs where she was left by herself while Stewarts wife performed. The girl also told investigators that she and a brother were left alone to panhandle on street corners and were encouraged to steal and pickpocket. Jacobson said last week that it appeared CYFD did not do enough to protect the young girl. I have many concerns, both with the number of referrals and the action, or lack of action, based on the information in those referrals, she said. The AGs Office became aware of the case when a nurse at an Albuquerque public elementary school reported her belief that the girl had been the victim of human trafficking and sexual assault. The child made comments about hustling and had once been dropped off at school wearing high heels, press-on nails, makeup and with her hair done. Also, she had not been to school in several weeks. School officials told investigators that the family was homeless and the girl and her brother were frequently absent from school, fell asleep in class and often were unkempt. WASHINGTON The argument against Gina Haspels nomination to be CIA director is simple and, in some ways, compelling: The Senate shouldnt approve someone who was involved, however tangentially, in the torture of al-Qaida suspects that was authorized by the George W. Bush administration. Theres one counterargument that resonates, and its worth pondering as Haspel prepares for her confirmation hearing Wednesday before the Senate Intelligence Committee. At a time when America is transfixed by the investigation into Russias covert influence operations in the 2016 presidential campaign, Haspel is probably the senior intelligence officer who best understands the Russia threat. The CIA has been conducting an influence campaign of its own to support Haspels nomination, putting out fact sheets, timelines, and the sort of background information the agency usually holds tight. Its obvious from all the laudatory statements theyve gathered from former agency officials that the CIA old boys and girls really want Haspel confirmed and fear who might be nominated as an alternative, if shes rejected. Haspel isnt the kind of colorful character who walks out of a spy novel. Asked for personal stories or vivid recollections about her, several former colleagues draw a blank. She seems to have left behind few anecdotes. Thats reassuring, in a way: Haspels strength has been sheer competence a calm, no-drama approach to managing complex spy operations. Shes not a shouter or a table-pounder or a dropper of F bombs. Soldiers dont get to elect their officers, and neither should spies. So the fact that Haspel is popular with the CIA workforce, while interesting, is not dispositive. The real issue is how she would manage a CIA that, because of the Russia investigation, is perilously close to a White House thats fighting for its life. President Trump has shown in his statements about the FBI that hell attack career intelligence professionals to save his skin. Could Haspel fend off similar attempts by the White House to manipulate the CIA? Haspels Russia experience is the most important detail of her biography, beyond her three years of work for the Counterterrorism Center, from 2001 to 2004. She appears to have spent much of the first 15 years of her career in Russia-related operations, starting with a posting in a Soviet client-state in East Africa in 1987. Though she never served in Moscow, former colleagues say she ran operations against Russian targets in several postings. And as deputy chief of the Russian operations group of the Central Eurasia Division from 1998 to 2000, she reviewed most sensitive operations involving Russia. Michael Sulick, who ran the division at the time, remembers that she would give a balanced assessment of the risks and benefits of every potential Russian recruitment. Haspel also learned the special tradecraft thats required to keep agents alive in hostile denied areas like Russia. These are the CIAs most precious secrets, and Haspel is one of the few initiates. She has a Ph.D. in the FSB, SVR and GRU, jokes Dan Hoffman, a former Moscow station chief who worked closely with Haspel, referring to the initials of the three main Russian intelligence agencies. That gives her a gravitas within the building and with our foreign liaison partners. Haspel is also said to have built a strong relationship with MI6, Britains spy service, when she was London station chief from 2014 to 2017. Britain remains Americas indispensable partner in operating against hard targets like Russia and China. A test of Haspels ability to manage sensitive Russia operations with the Trump White House came in March, after the alleged poisoning of Russian intelligence defector Sergei Skripal in Salisbury, England. As CIA deputy director, Haspel worked closely with MI6 to coordinate the response, and she personally briefed Trump about the case and recommended the expulsion of 60 Russian spies as punishment. Trump went along, in the toughest action against Russia of his presidency. Haspel has also helped oversee the delivery of highly sensitive Russia files to special counsel Robert Mueller and the House and Senate intelligence committees. Colleagues say she and Director Mike Pompeo have facilitated the investigations, while trying, not always successfully, to protect what one calls some incredibly sensitive stuff. When people watch Haspel before the Senate Intelligence Committee, they should focus on two urgent questions: Is she so tainted by her involvement with the torture issue that it will undermine her leadership and shred Americas moral authority? And how would her special expertise on Russia help the CIA manage the Trump administrations most delicate and potentially explosive challenge? What makes the Haspel nomination a moral issue is that its a hard choice, with costs on both sides. Email: davidignatius@washpost.com. Copyright, Washington Post Writers Group. WASHINGTON Given the cornucopia of issues Americans have to select from each day, the recent firing and rehiring of the House of Representatives chaplain may not have bestirred many to form an opinion. But these days, the Hill is alive with buzz as people absorb the odd goings-on between House Speaker Paul Ryan, who pushed the chaplain to resign, and the Rev. Patrick Conroy himself, who later withdrew his resignation, and Ryans acceptance of what appears to be pastoral bullying. Stranger things will happen before sundown and incredulity is no stranger to this town. But author Dan Brown might want to check into the Four Seasons for a few weeks. Something is going on, or is it? Maybe, as seems to be the case, Republican House members just didnt care for Conroy, and Ryan responded accordingly. As befits the scene, things got political before you could say Amen. The facts: Conroy, a Jesuit priest and the chambers chaplain since 2011, was, indeed, pressured to resign to avoid the drama of a firing. Conroy, who upon his resignation took to the pages of The New York Times to make his case, claimed that he may have been asked to resign because of a prayer he had offered a few months earlier in which he urged Republicans to remember all Americans as Congress debated tax reform. This is hardly a radical plea by a chaplain, whatever his vestments. Urging people to take care of the poor is a pretty easy pitch even to Republicans but especially to Ryan, who may be the last Jack Kemp Republican in what has become the Party of Trump. No sooner had the ink dried on Conroys resignation letter than he announced that he had changed his mind. Ryan, who by then had likely regretted wading into that particular swamp, said, fine, you can stay. What?! On Capitol Hill, where head-scratching has become a greeting gesture among those whove not yet been body-snatched, heads exploded while spokespeople went into tale-spin. At this point, however, one might have a better sense of why Ryan wanted Conroy to leave in the first place. As a Catholic whisperer said to me, Wait a minute, buddy, redemption is on the other side, not in this world. In other words, among the more-charitable remarks surrounding Conroy, many see an ego problem that has interfered with his pastoral role. While Ryan and Conroy dueled, Democrats wasted no time in trying to turn this hot mess into a cool opportunity. In a move that raised the bar on hypocrisy, the party of abortion but not religious rights galloped to the Catholic priests defense. Yet, back in March, Democrats blocked the Conscience Protection Act from being included in the 2018 omnibus appropriations bill. That legislation would have ensured the rights of anti-abortion medical practitioners to not be forced to perform abortions. Meanwhile, Republicans, who have sacrificed their mantra of faith, freedom and family values on the altar of Donald Trump, suddenly began murmuring about a family man as chaplain. It wasnt helpful to clarity that, according to Conroy, Ryans own chief of staff suggested that maybe its time that we had a chaplain that wasnt a Catholic. Irony, a glutton for attention, didnt stop there. When Ryans predecessor John Boehner left his job as speaker, it was on the sensible heels and prayers of Pope Francis, who had addressed Congress at Boehners behest. Ryan, alas, will be leaving his job under the cloud of having temporarily evicted a Jesuit priest from the House. The end result of this unforced fiasco is that soon there likely will be no chaplain at all. Once politicians start playing religious favorites, its a given that the position of chaplain will be viewed skeptically. Indeed, a debate has already begun about whether to eliminate the position. Many would applaud such a development in the spirit of separating religion and government. The problem with abolishing the office wouldnt be primarily religious but all too human. When politicians and presidents pray, theyre essentially performing a rite of humility and submission to a higher order if not to God then at least to something greater than themselves. Implicit in this public exercise is a show of faith in scriptures that guided this countrys founders. Prayer also conveys an absence of ego, which, if only during a fleeting moment of meditation, is rather more reassuring than the prospect of a political body or individual convinced of its or his own superior infallibility. Parkers columns, including those not published in the Journal, can be read at abqjournal.com/opinion look for the syndicated columnist link. Copyright, Washington Post Writers Group; e-mail to kathleenparker@washpost.com. Think of the literary character Fagin in Oliver Twist an adult who forces children to live in squalor, commit crimes for him and take beatings. Now consider the case of a 7-year-old Albuquerque girl who the N.M. Attorney Generals Office says was being prostituted by relatives, forced to fondle peoples genitals, in exchange for drugs. But this little girls nightmare is no Dickensian tale it is all too graphically real, and right next door. At one point, the AGs Office says, the child was dropped off at her elementary school possibly by a stranger wearing high heels, a dress, press-on nails and makeup. On occasion, she would talk about being forced to hustle and being taken to strip clubs and left alone while the female relative she was with got drunk. The girl and her brother also told authorities they were encouraged to steal and pickpocket and to panhandle on street corners by themselves. She remained in that environment despite 25 calls over several years to the Children, Youth and Families Department alleging emotional, physical and medical abuse and neglect of the girl and her two older brothers. In the end, it was a school nurse who had received training from the AGs Office on recognizing signs of trafficking who reached out to report the girl might be a victim. The girl and a brother hadnt been in school for about a month before the nurse made the call. The horrific case ranks right up there with Omaree Varela, the 9-year-old boy beaten to death by his own mother in 2013 after both CYFD and Albuquerque Police looked into multiple complaints about the family. Or 10-year-old Victoria Martens who was raped and murdered in 2016; her mother is one of three being charged. CYFD earlier had interviewed that family. How many more kids have to die or be forced to endure unspeakable abuse before CYFD gets its act together? How many more kids have to live a life of horror before school districts learn to react to such troubling signs? Clearly, the system is broken. There have been attempts to fix it in response to each horrific tragedy, but the fixes, obviously, have fallen short. And thats unacceptable. After Omarees death, Gov. Susana Martinez issued an executive order mandating that if a family is referred to CYFD three times, regardless of whether those referrals are substantiated, a higher-level staffer has to get involved in the investigation. CYFD is looking into whether that protocol was followed in this new case. To her credit, CYFD Secretary Monique Jacobson is owning up to her agencys failures. My concerns are that I dont believe that we did enough to protect this little girl, she said last week, adding the department is conducting an internal review about the prior calls. Four CYFD employees were placed on administrative leave this week as the inquiry continues. Theres no doubt CYFD workers have full loads and are constantly having to make tough decisions. But 25 referrals? It seems obvious someone dropped the ball. Jacobson and Gov. Martinez owe it to the public to get to the bottom of what happened here and to be forthcoming with the public on what they find. Transparency is key to making sure steps are taken to prevent yet another horrific case like this. And all school and law enforcement authorities who came in contact with this family and failed to act should face the same scrutiny and transparency. We can and must do better. Too many innocent lives depend on it. This editorial first appeared in the Albuquerque Journal. It was written by members of the editorial board and is unsigned as it represents the opinion of the newspaper rather than the writers. SANTA FE A recent surge in TV ads and campaign mailers confirms what the calendar suggests its primary election season in New Mexico. Today marks the last day for New Mexicans to register to vote or change their party affiliation for the June 5 primary, which is essentially a party nomination process run by county clerks statewide. Its also the first day for county clerks to begin mailing out absentee ballots to voters who have requested them. Under New Mexicos closed primary system, only voters registered with a major political party the Democratic, Republican and Libertarian parties meet that definition for this years cycle can vote in the primary election. That means roughly a quarter of the states registered voters 269,934 out of more than 1.2 million are not allowed to participate because they are affiliated with minor political parties or they declined to state a party affiliation. Legislative attempts to open New Mexicos primary election to all registered voters have been unsuccessful, as have lawsuits challenging the current system. All statewide offices are up for election this year, including governor, lieutenant governor, land commissioner, secretary of state, auditor and treasurer. All 70 state House seats will also be up for election and Democrats currently hold a 38-31 majority in the chamber, with one vacant seat. Meanwhile, two of New Mexicos three congressional districts are open races this year, with incumbents Michelle Lujan Grisham and Steve Pearce forgoing re-election bids to run for governor. U.S. Rep. Ben Ray Lujan is running for re-election, as is U.S. Sen. Martin Heinrich, a fellow Democrat. Most of this years contested primary races involve Democrats, who hold a numerical advantage over Republicans when it comes to voter registration. Of the states total registered voters, 563,171 were registered as Democrats about 46 percent compared with 374,723 registered as Republicans roughly 29 percent with the rest either independent or registered with other political parties, as of April 30. Democratic Party of New Mexico Chairwoman Marg Elliston said having contested primary races is a mixed bag. I hate to see us cannibalize our own, and Id like to see more respect, she told the Journal before being elected last month as the new party chairwoman. But theres a lot of energy, and thats why Im optimistic. At a glance New Mexicos primary election will be held June 5. Early in-person voting begins May 18 and today is the last day to register to vote or update your voter registration. To check your voting status, go to New Mexicos primary election will be held June 5. Early in-person voting begins May 18 and today is the last day to register to vote or update your voter registration. To check your voting status, go to nmvote.org Copyright 2018 Albuquerque Journal Editors note: Today the Journal starts its profiles of the three candidates competing in the Democratic primary for governor. Go to ABQJournal.com/election2018 for their answers to more than a dozen questions on issues. SANTA FE At a time when political outsiders have hit it big at the polls, Michelle Lujan Grisham makes no bones about being the ultimate state government insider. A former Cabinet secretary under three governors, Lujan Grisham is giving up her Albuquerque-area congressional seat this year in a bid to return to the Roundhouse this time as governor. I think a lot of candidates around the country and even in my own race have no idea how hard it is to run a bureaucracy and run a government thats been disrespected by chronically high vacancy rates, Lujan Grisham told the Journal, referring to the administration of Republican Gov. Susana Martinez. This is going to be a heavy lift. The three-term congresswoman and former Bernalillo County commissioner has overcome personal tragedies, including the death of her husband, to steadily rise through the states Democratic Party ranks. Her knowledge of state governments inner workings and relationships with veteran lawmakers could allow Lujan Grisham to hit the ground running as governor, but her 16-year tenure as Cabinet secretary which might be the longest run in state history also engendered ample criticism and controversy. For instance, she has come under fire for a hands-on style that some describe as prone to micromanaging and, in particular, for allowing dangerous patient conditions to persist at the Fort Bayard Medical Center, a state nursing home near Silver City, as state health secretary. In addition, a former Health Department consultant accused Lujan Grisham in a 2007 interview of exhibiting poor leadership without public health experience after she fired a physician who had worked to create a computer-based immunization system. In response, Lujan Grisham, 58, says she has never been afraid to make changes and ruffle feathers to make state agencies run more effectively. I would suggest to you that governors often felt that I was absolutely insubordinate, and Im very proud of that, she said in a recent interview. I took on every single governor. She also says she has been willing to act independently, such as the time in 1997 when she posed as a stroke victim with speech loss to go undercover into an Albuquerque nursing home. Lujan Grisham, who was head of a state agency overseeing senior services at the time, described the two-day stay as the longest weekend in her life. At least one of her former bosses said he still respects Lujan Grishams chutzpah. Former Gov. Gary Johnson, who served from 1995 through 2002, said Lujan Grisham was the only Cabinet-level official he retained from the administration of his predecessor, the late Bruce King. She did a great job, said Johnson, who was a Republican when he occupied the Governors Office but later switched to Libertarian before running for president in 2012 and 2016. She was a great communicator, and she really cared, he added. I thought she was the genuine article. Lujan Grisham led the state Department of Aging and Long-Term Services from 1991 until 2004, when she was appointed as secretary of the Department of Health by then-Gov. Bill Richardson. After stepping down as a Cabinet secretary in 2007, she ran unsuccessfully for Congress in 2008. Undeterred, she won election to the Bernalillo County Commission in 2010 and then emerged victorious in a second try for the 1st Congressional District seat in 2012. She then won re-election to the seat in 2014 and 2016. Lujan Grisham is part of a high-profile field running to succeed Republican Gov. Susana Martinez, who is barred from seeking a third consecutive term in office. Whoever wins the Democratic nomination would face GOP congressman Steve Pearce, who is also forgoing a re-election bid, in the general election. Upbringing Lujan Grisham grew up in Santa Fe in a family with deep New Mexico roots. Some of her relatives were political heavyweights an uncle is former U.S. Rep. Manuel Lujan Jr., R-N.M., and a grandfather was a New Mexico Supreme Court justice but Lujan Grisham said her own upbringing wasnt steeped in politics. I never realized I had a politically active family, she said. If you had interviewed me when I was 25, I would have had no idea where you had gotten that perception from. One experience that did mark Lujan Grishams childhood, at least in hindsight, was the death of her sister Kimberly, who was diagnosed with a brain tumor when she was 2 years old and died at age 21. Lujan Grisham keeps a picture on her cellphone of her sister, who lost her vision after doctors had to sever her optic nerves to remove the tumor. I didnt realize the impact my sister had on my life, she said. My parents made everything feel normal, even though my sister was really fragile. Access to affordable health care eventually became a driving cause in Lujan Grishams life, and the financial toll her parents faced to pay for her sisters medical treatments has helped Lujan Grisham relate to constituents going through health issues of their own, she says. I really wanted a job where you could really fight for people who didnt have a voice, Lujan Grisham told the Journal. As a member of Congress, Lujan Grisham has introduced multiple bills seeking to make changes to the federal Affordable Care Act, but those bills have all stalled in the GOP-controlled Congress. Lujan Grisham also weathered the death of her husband, Gregory Grisham, who collapsed while jogging in 2004 at age 45 and died the next day of an aneurysm. Their two daughters were in college and high school at the time. Three years later, she filed a wrongful death lawsuit against the Albuquerque physician who had previously seen her husband but dropped the suit after the doctor provided medical records to Lujan Grishams attorney that showed Grisham had never complained of headaches. Controversy Since announcing her bid for governor in December 2016, Lujan Grisham has secured the endorsements of more than a dozen labor unions, several tribal groups and more than two dozen Democratic lawmakers. She also won nearly 67 percent of the votes cast by New Mexico Democratic Party delegates at the March pre-primary convention in what was then a four-way race for governor. But her front-runner status has made her a target, with her two remaining Democratic rivals Jeff Apodaca and Joseph Cervantes alleging favoritism by the party establishment and rules violations by Lujan Grishams campaign staffers. Lujan Grisham has also faced discrimination claims from Riley Del Rey, who contends she was fired from her Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute internship in Lujan Grishams office in 2015 for being transgender. The congresswoman flatly denies the claims saying theres no merit to Del Reys allegations and points out she has been recognized by Albuquerque Pride for her work on behalf of New Mexicos LGBTQ community. Im really disappointed in the Riley issue, for a couple of reasons, Lujan Grisham told the Journal. I worry about her as a person in this community. She is not wrong about these issues people are at higher risk if youre transgender. But she also pointed out other individuals have not come forward with similar discrimination claims, saying, Theres no pattern here. Lujan Grisham obtained a restraining order against Del Rey in March after the former intern protested during her speech at the Democratic pre-primary convention, though the order was later lifted. The initial allegations sparked criticism from her Democratic rivals they prompted Apodaca to call for a congressional ethics investigation and Lujan Grisham said she is disappointed the primary election has taken a negative turn. She also asserted the criticism from her rivals is likely because they are trailing in the polls, though she didnt specify which polls she was referring to. Meanwhile, Lujan Grisham has already reported raising more than $3.6 million for her gubernatorial campaign, with contributions coming from House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., and New York hedge fund tycoon George Soros, a prominent backer of liberal causes, among others. Campaign When it comes to policy issues, Lujan Grisham wants to increase New Mexicos minimum wage to $10 an hour and even higher in the future and either eliminate or bump up an annual limit on spending on film tax credits. She also has advocated for universal prekindergarten about half of 4-year-olds currently eligible are enrolled in such programs and changes to the states tax code aimed at collecting tax receipts from internet vendors. Weve never had a sustainable economy in New Mexico, she told the Journal. Weve never quite made the transition to diversifying. However, if Lujan Grisham emerges victorious from the June 5 primary, Republicans are likely to pounce on parts of her congressional record. Among other issues, just one bill sponsored by Lujan Grisham has been signed into law since she took office in 2013 it dealt with a land transfer of the former Albuquerque Indian School though she helped win passage of several amendments to spending bills and Senate versions of at least two bills she sponsored were also enacted into law. In addition, Lujan Grisham was among a bipartisan group of lawmakers who came under scrutiny after on a 2013 trip to Azerbaijan. She and the other lawmakers were eventually cleared of any wrongdoing by the House Ethics Committee, largely because they had prior approval for the trip and didnt know the travel was paid for by Azerbaijans state-owned oil company. While the state Republican Party has accused Lujan Grisham as pushing partisan talking points, she maintains connections with some GOP lawmakers that date back to her state government days. Senate Minority Leader Stuart Ingle, R-Portales, who has served in the Legislature since 1985, called Lujan Grisham a great Cabinet secretary and an effective communicator. Not many Cabinet secretaries go from one governor to another, especially from one party to another, said Ingle, who added he would still support Pearce in a general election matchup. As for Lujan Grisham, she said her experience being largely shut out of key decisions as a Democrat on Capitol Hall would not be repeated in Santa Fe, in the case of a Democratic governor and a Democratic-controlled Legislature. I have no intention of minimizing the minority party, she said. We have to move beyond punishing people. SANTA FE All three Democrats running for state land commissioner say the office could help New Mexico harness its sunshine and windy weather to boost revenue for public schools and universities. And each candidate says he or she would bring unique experience to the office to help achieve that goal. Campaigning for the Democratic nomination are state Rep. Stephanie Garcia Richard, an educator from White Rock; Garrett VeneKlasen, a Santa Fe resident and executive director of the New Mexico Wildlife Federation; and state Sen. George Munoz, a builder and developer from Gallup. Garcia Richard said she would bring a teachers perspective to the office, which oversees 14,000 square miles of state trust land. Thats important, she said, because the revenue generated by the land is largely dedicated to public schools and similar beneficiaries. Weve never had an educator in this office, Garcia Richard said in interview. Weve never had someone who represents the end user, who understands personally what happens when we have lower revenue for schools. VeneKlasen, in turn, said his background in conservation gives him a clear understanding of the state and federal laws governing land use, mining and environmental protection. He also owned an ecotourism company, he said, giving him particular insight into the potential for state trust lands to generate revenue by luring hikers, campers and other outdoor enthusiasts. This isnt a learn-as-you-go agency, VeneKlasen said. The office is caught in a time warp in terms of how it isnt diversifying revenue streams. Now, in 2018, theres a myriad of economic opportunities that in my mind are really, really being missed. Munoz, meanwhile, said his business background makes him particularly well-suited to negotiating leases, evaluating revenue opportunities for state trust land and serving as a member of the State Investment Council, one of the land commissioners roles. Were all in this together, Munoz said. Whether youre a sportsman or whether youre in the oil and gas business, or youre a student in school, were in this together and have to make sure the beneficiaries get the most bang for the buck. All three candidates said New Mexico must do more to expand its revenue streams beyond whats generated by oil and gas. Making state trust lands available for wind and solar energy projects, they said, could be a critical part of building a more stable source of revenue. Heading into the last month of campaigning, Munoz had the most cash available, according to reports filed in April with the Secretary of States Office. Munoz had about $203,000 in cash on hand, compared with $83,000 for VeneKlasen and $30,000 for Garcia Richard. Munoz lent himself about $200,000, and his contributors include some oil and gas companies. VeneKlasen has lent himself about $10,000. His contributors include wildlife and conservation groups. Garcia Richards contributors include a donation from former Land Commissioner Ray Powells campaign account, in addition to contributions from educators and scientists. Garcia Richard drew the most support from delegates during the Democratic Partys pre-primary convention, meaning her name will appear first on the ballot. Whoever wins the Democratic nomination will face Republican Patrick Lyons, a member of the Public Regulation Commission and former land commissioner, and Libertarian Michael Lucero, a rancher. The incumbent, Aubrey Dunn, is running for the U.S. Senate as a Libertarian rather than seek re-election as land commissioner. https://abqjournal.com/election2018 NEW YORK President Donald Trump is growing increasingly irritated with lawyer Rudy Giulianis frequently off-message media blitz, which has included muddying the waters on hush money paid to porn actress Stormy Daniels and making claims that could complicate the presidents standing in the special counsels Russia probe. Trump has begun questioning whether Giuliani, an old friend and former New York City mayor, should be sidelined from television interviews, according to two people familiar with the presidents thinking but not authorized to speak publicly about private discussions. Trump also expressed annoyance that Giulianis theatrics have breathed new life into the Daniels story. Its a concern shared by Trump allies who think Giuliani is only generating more legal and political trouble for the White House. Giuliani, the newest addition to the presidents legal team, first rattled the White House last week when he sat for interviews on Fox News and seemed to contradict Trump by saying the president was aware of the $130,000 payout to Daniels from his personal attorney, Michael Cohen. He also suggested the October 2016 settlement had been made because Trump was in the stretch run of his presidential campaign. After Trump chided Giuliani on Friday, saying the lawyer needed to get his facts straight, Giuliani put out a statement trying to clarify his remarks. But in weekend interviews, Giuliani appeared to dig himself a deeper hole by acknowledging that Cohen takes care of situations like this, then gets paid for them sometimes. He did not rule out the possibility that Cohen had paid off other women. Trump, who has denied the affair with Daniels, was angry that Giuliani had given the impression that other women may have made similar charges of infidelity, according to the people familiar with his views. Additionally, Trump has grown agitated in recent days by replays of Giulianis interview with Sean Hannity, in which he said that Trump knew about the payment but that it wasnt a campaign violation. A clearly surprised Hannity then asked, Because they funneled it through the law firm? To which Giuliani responded, Funneled it through the law firm, and the president repaid him. Trump snapped at both men in recent days, chiding Hannity for using the word funneled, which he believes had illegal connotations, according to the people who spoke to The Associated Press. As for Giuliani, the president has not yet signaled to him to stop appearing on television but told a confidant recently that perhaps Giuliani should be benched at least temporarily if he cant improve his performance. The president has not publicly discussed dismissing Giuliani and has appreciated his sharp attacks on the Russia investigation and his forceful battles with the press, according to three White House aides and outside allies. The two men have spoken frequently, according to officials familiar with their interactions but not authorized to discuss private conversations. But many Trump allies both inside and outside the White House have grown anxious in recent days about Giulianis whirlwind and unpredictable interviews. Theyre admitting to enough that warrants scrutiny. It shouldnt be put on television shows off the cuff, said Alan Dershowitz, the emeritus Harvard law professor who has been informally advising Trump on the Russia collusion probe. This is not the way to handle a complicated case. Many in the White House have begun evoking comparisons between Giuliani and Anthony Scaramucci, another hard-charging New Yorker with a knack for getting TV airtime. Scaramucci lasted 11 days before being fired. The former White House communications director himself drew parallels between his own burn-bright-burn-fast tenure and Giulianis performance. I am enjoying all of the comparisons between me and the mayor #RudyGiuliani, Scaramucci tweeted Sunday. He is loyal, tough and a fierce competitor. He fights and will win for @realDonaldTrump @POTUS. Big compliment thank you! Giuliani did not respond to requests for comment. West Wing aides were blindsided by Giulianis TV appearances last week, and many senior advisers and members of the presidents legal team have been cut out of the decision-making process. But some aides have been reluctant to broach the subject with Trump because it only increases their liability, according to officials. Press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders, who was among those surprised by Giulianis string of TV appearances, said Monday that Trump felt the former mayor added value to his outside legal team. On Friday, Trump said Giuliani was a great guy but he just started a day ago. He made clear Giuliani was still learning the subject matter. Some West Wing aides have complained that Giuliani, who ran for president in 2008, was acting like a principal and not a member of a team. And some in Trumps inner circle raised their eyebrows at Giulianis declaration that Jared Kushner, the presidents son-in-law and senior adviser, was disposable. He also declined to rule out Trump invoking the Fifth Amendment in special counsel Robert Muellers ongoing Russia probe. The episode revived worries in Trumps inner circle about Giuliani, who enjoys the media limelight and has a tendency to go off-script. His behavior grew more unpredictable during the stretch run of the 2016 presidential campaign, when Trump chided him for falling asleep on the campaign plane, according to two former campaign officials who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss internal matters. Giuliani also alienated a number of people in Trumps inner circle by insisting that the only Cabinet position he would consider would be secretary of state. He did not get the post. Giulianis remarks have also been watched with concern at the State Department and Pentagon after he weighed in recently on international affairs. He declared last week that North Korea would be releasing three Americans being held captive, which has not yet happened, and said the administration was committed to regime change in Iran, a stance Trump has not taken. He speaks for himself and not on behalf of the administration on foreign policy, State Department spokeswoman Heather Nauert said Monday. ___ Associated Press writers Zeke Miller and Josh Lederman contributed to this report from Washington. ___ Follow Lemire on Twitter at http://twitter.com/@JonLemire CHARLESTON, W.Va. Republican voters rejected ex-convict Don Blankenship Tuesday in a West Virginia Senate primary in which he sold himself as Trumpier than Trump but was vigorously opposed by the president. GOP voters in Indiana, meanwhile, chose wealthy businessman Mike Braun over two sitting congressmen to lead the partys charge against a vulnerable Democratic senator in the fall. President Donald Trump and his allies cheered the West Virginia result, which helped avert a potential political disaster for a GOP already bracing for major losses in the November midterm elections. In a possible sign of party unrest, however, Rep. Robert Pittenger lost in North Carolina to the Rev. Mark Harris, a Baptist pastor he narrowly beat two years ago. Pittinger is the first incumbent to lose his seat this primary season. The days slate of early season elections tested the limits of the anti-establishment fervor that has defined the Trump era. Hopelessly behind in West Virginia, Blankenship conceded defeat in the contest to determine Democratic Sen. Joe Manchins general election challenger. The Republican president fought in the campaigns final days to defeat Blankenship, a retired coal executive, who remained popular among some West Virginia Republicans despite having served a year in prison for his role in a deadly mine disaster and attacked the Asian heritage of the top Senate Republicans wife. State Attorney General Patrick Morrisey claimed the nomination instead, promoting his record of challenging policies of the administration of former President Barack Obama and deflecting criticism of his roots in New Jersey, where he lost a 2000 congressional race. Mr. President, if youre watching right now, let me tell you, your tweet was huge, Morrisey said in his nomination address, referring to Trumps election eve call for voters to shun Blankenships candidacy. Youve been to the state now four times. Id like you to come back as many times as you can between now and November. Vice President Mike Pence congratulated Morrisey on Twitter, saying, The great people of WV need a senator who supports the #MAGA agenda. The key Senate contests headlined primary elections across four states on Tuesday that will help shape the political landscape in this falls midterm elections. Control of Congress is at stake in addition to state governments across the nation. In most cases, the Republican candidates on the ballot had competed to be seen as the most conservative, the most anti-Washington and the most loyal to the Republican president. In Indiana, Democratic Sen. Joe Donnelly will face off in November against Braun, a multimillionaire owner of a national auto parts distribution business who loaned more than $5.4 million of his own money to his campaign. Braun credited his victory to voter disenchantment with business as usual and said he hoped to join other Republican senators who came from outside politics. Another Indiana contest was less contentious: Greg Pence won the primary for the congressional seat his younger brother, Vice President Mike Pence, once held. Greg Pence is a Marine veteran and owner of two antique malls who once ran the now-bankrupt chain of Tobacco Road convenience stores. Hell be the favorite to win the seat in November. In Ohios high-profile governors race, Democrats nominated Obama-era consumer watchdog Richard Cordray while Republicans selected state Attorney General Mike DeWine. An Ohio state senator won the Republican primary to succeed retiring Rep. Pat Tiberi. The race had become a proxy fight between Tiberi, a GOP moderate, and conservative Republican Rep. Jim Jordan. Tiberis candidate, Troy Balderson of Zanesville pulled out a win. And on the local level, a woman who accused Trump of sexually harassing her more than a decade ago claimed the Democratic nomination in a race to represent an area southeast of Toledo in the state House of Representatives. Democrat Rachel Crooks, a 35-year-old university administrator, ran unopposed, but must next win a November general election to become the first Trump accuser to hold elected office. A bright spot for Republicans in swing-state Ohio: GOP turnout was considerably stronger than Democratic voting in the open governors race. With nearly two-thirds of the vote counted, 567, 000 Republicans cast votes, to 412,000 Democrats. U.S. Rep. Jim Renacci, with Trumps support, won the Republican primary to challenge Democratic Sen. Sherrod Brown in November. Yet none of Tuesdays other contests was expected to have more impact on the midterm landscape than West Virginia, where Blankenship had embraced Trumps tactics casting himself as a victim of government persecution and seizing on xenophobia, if not racism to stand out in a crowded Republican field that included Attorney General Morrisey and Congressman Evan Jenkins. Before his loss was official, Blankenship promised to explore his options in the general election including whether state election law might allow him to launch a third-party bid that could undermine Morriseys candidacy. State officials noted that West Virginias sore loser law leaves Blankenship with virtually no option to run in the general election. No matter Tuesdays winner, Trumps team was keeping pressure on Manchin. A pro-Trump political action committee America First was airing ads promoting Gina Haspel, Trumps nominee to be CIA director, and urging residents to call Manchin to support her confirmation. Manchin coasted to the Democratic nomination, but he remains a top Republican target this fall. Speaking Tuesday night at his Charleston headquarters, he said he expects Trump to get involved in the contest, despite Manchins good relationship with the president. The Democrat said he would campaign as he always has: a bipartisan problem solver who works for West Virginians. Trump and his party invested significant time and resources to attack Blankenship in recent weeks. The head of the Senate Republican campaign arm highlighted Blankenships criminal history. And a group allied with the national GOP, known as Mountain Families PAC, spent more than $1.2 million in attack ads against Blankenship. The retired businessman was released less than a year ago from a prison term for a 2010 mine explosion that left 29 men dead. Blankenship led the company that owned the mine and was sentenced to a year in prison for conspiring to break safety laws, a misdemeanor. He repeatedly blamed government regulators for the disaster, casting himself as the victim of an overzealous Obama-era Justice Department an argument Trump regularly uses to dismiss federal agents investigating his campaigns ties to Russia. Even as Blankenship rebuffed Trumps criticism this week, he described himself as Trumpier than Trump and played up his outsider credentials. We just started from so far behind with the hangover of the explosion we couldnt make it up, Blankenship said late Tuesday, noting that the probation stemming from his prison term would formally end in a matter of minutes. I havent really thought about what Im going to do tomorrow, he continued. Probation ends at 12:01 a.m. tonight. Tomorrow, I may be in Aruba before sunset. I dont know. ___ Peoples reported from New York. Associated Press writers Bill Barrow in Charleston, West Virginia, and John Seewer in Toledo, Ohio contributed to this report. ___ This story has been corrected by deleting references to Indiana Republican Mike Braun being highly critical of Trump; that and references to coming around and saying Trump should nominated for a Nobel were erroneously attributed to Braun. NEW YORK Less than three months ago, New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman went before the news cameras to announce a lawsuit accusing movie mogul Harvey Weinstein and his former studio of abusing and intimidating a multitude of women. We have never seen anything as despicable as what weve seen here, Schneiderman declared. Now, in a stunning turn rife with seeming hypocrisy, Schneidermans own career has imploded, collapsing just three hours after the 63-year-old Democrat was accused of choking, slapping, threatening or otherwise abusing four women during intimate encounters. The allegations, which Schneiderman contests but which led him to resign, emerged Monday in an article in The New Yorker, a publication he hailed just last month for reporting on Weinstein and starting a critical national reckoning on sexual misconduct by powerful men. It was a dizzying fall for a politician who put himself at the fore of the #MeToo movement and had cast himself as a defender of women ever since he worked at an abortion clinic at 17. He is now facing a criminal investigation by a special prosecutor appointed by the governor. Schneidermans disgrace stunned womens groups, which suddenly found themselves deploring a man they had embraced as a proven and powerful ally. This was someone who many of us held up as a supporter and champion of the fight against gender violence, said Judy Harris Kluger, executive director of Sanctuary for Families, which aids domestic violence victims. She stood beside Schneiderman when he announced a settlement last year with a hospital that had been billing rape victims for exams. A tremendous betrayal. Theres no other way to put it, Kluger said. Sonia Ossorio, president of the New York chapter of the National Organization for Women, said she was shell-shocked at the news. When you have so few (male leaders) that prioritize womens rights, she said, it hits like a ton of bricks. The National Institute for Reproductive Health, an abortion-rights group, said it was appalled and horrified at the alleged behavior of a man it honored as a champion of choice just last week at a luncheon. The accusations rocked the state and added another chapter to its history of political sex shockers, including the prostitution scandal that felled Democratic Gov. Eliot Spitzer in 2008 and the serial sexting that ultimately put former Democratic Rep. Anthony Weiner in prison last fall. Its a moment of reckoning and now that reckoning has come to him, said New York Mayor Bill de Blasio, a fellow Democrat. Powerful fellow Democrats, including Gov. Andrew Cuomo and Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, quickly called for Schneidermans resignation. Cuomo on Tuesday praised Schneidermans accusers for having the courage to take on an attorney general they believe threatened them not to go public. The developments brought a tart tweet from President Donald Trumps eldest son. Schneiderman had positioned himself as a leader of the liberal resistance to Trump and had warned in a tweet last year that no one was above the law. You were saying??? Donald Trump Jr. tweeted. Late-night comedian Samantha Bee, whose Full Frontal show last year created images of Schneiderman as a comic-book superhero taking on Trump, distanced herself from him, demanding on Twitter that he take down a recent tweet of the pictures. Schneiderman denied assaulting anyone or engaging in non-consensual sex a line I would not cross, said the divorced father of a daughter. Contradicting his accusers, he characterized his behavior as role-playing and other consensual sexual activity. In an interview with CNN, Ronan Farrow, co-author of the New Yorker story, disputed Schneidermans account. The women, Farrow said, made clear that this was not role-playing, that this was not Fifty Shades of Grey. It wasnt in a gray area at all. This was activity that happened, in many cases, fully clothed, outside of a sexual context, during arguments, Farrow said. In one case, a woman wasnt even in a relationship at all with him. On Monday night, Schneiderman said he would resign at the close of business Tuesday because the claims will effectively prevent me from leading the offices work at this critical time. Among that work: investigating, at the governors request, how the Manhattan district attorneys office handled a 2015 sexual assault complaint against Weinstein that resulted in no charges. Weinstein denies any non-consensual sex. Tuesday evening, Cuomo appointed Nassau District Attorney Madeline Singas as a special prosecutor to investigate, and if warranted, prosecute, any and all matters concerning the public allegations against Mr. Schneiderman. Cuomo also directed Singas to investigate whether Schneiderman may have used his staff and office resources to facilitate alleged abusive liaisons referenced in the article. Cuomo said the special prosecutor will work with the other district attorneys, including the district attorney in Suffolk County on Long Island, where one of the women detailed alleged abuse by Schneiderman after a party in the Hamptons. Cuomo said he appointed the special prosecutor in part to avoid any appearance of a conflict of interest with the attorney generals office, which is currently investigating the actions of the Manhattan district attorneys office and the New York Police Department in their handling of the Weinstein sex allegations. Singas is the former head of the Special Victims Bureau at the Nassau district attorneys office. Some of the alleged behavior took place in 2016 and earlier, according to The New Yorker story. One of the women said her ear was bloodied, while another said Schneiderman slapped her so hard she had a mark the next day. The statute of limitations in New York for prosecuting someone is five years for a serious assault, two years for a lower-level one. Before the scandal, Schneiderman had been running for a third four-year term in the fall. As a state senator before getting elected attorney general, Schneiderman chaired an inquiry that led to a colleagues expulsion over a domestic-violence conviction. The Senate cannot turn a blind eye to an act of domestic violence, declared Schneiderman, who went on to co-author a law that made choking someone a crime of its own. During his tenure as attorney general, his office has touted pamphlets about anti-discrimination protections for domestic-violence victims, whom he has called some of the most vulnerable residents of our state. And in marking the 20th anniversary of the federal Violence Against Women Act in 2014, he noted that violence against women remains a prevalent and dangerous problem across our nation. Protecting all Americans from harm, regardless of their relationship to their abuser or their gender, he added, is and will remain one of the most important aspects of our ongoing pursuit of equal justice under law. ___ Associated Press writers Karen Matthews and Kiley Armstrong contributed to this report. WASHINGTON President Donald Trump withdrew the U.S. from the landmark nuclear accord with Iran on Tuesday, abruptly restoring harsh sanctions in the most consequential foreign policy action of his presidency. He declared he was making the world safer, but he also deepened his isolation on the world stage and revived doubts about American credibility. The 2015 agreement, which was negotiated by the Obama administration and included Germany, France and Britain, had lifted most U.S. and international economic sanctions against Iran. In exchange, Iran agreed to restrictions on its nuclear program, making it impossible to produce a bomb and establishing rigorous inspections. But Trump, a severe critic of the deal dating back to his presidential campaign, said in a televised address from the White House that it was defective at its core. U.S. allies in Europe had tried to keep him in and lamented his move to abandon it. Irans leader ominously warned his country might start enriching uranium more than before. The sanctions seek to punish Iran for its nuclear program by limiting its ability to sell oil or do business overseas, affecting a wide range of Iranian economic sectors and individuals. Major companies in the U.S. and Europe could be hurt, too. Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said that licenses held by Boeing and its European competitor Airbus to sell billions of dollars in commercial jetliners to Iran will be revoked. Certain exemptions are to be negotiated, but Mnuchin refused to discuss what products might qualify. He said the sanctions will sharply curtail sales of oil by Iran, which is currently the worlds fifth largest oil producer. Mnuchin said he didnt expect oil prices to rise sharply, forecasting that other producers will step up production. Irans government must now decide whether to follow the U.S. and withdraw or try to salvage whats left with the Europeans. Iranian President Hassan Rouhani said he was sending his foreign minister to the remaining countries but warned there was only a short time to negotiate with them. Laying out his case, Trump contended, If we do nothing, we know exactly what will happen. In just a short period of time, the worlds leading state sponsor of terror will be on the cusp of acquiring the worlds most dangerous weapons. The administration said it would re-impose sanctions on Iran immediately but allow grace periods for businesses to wind down activity. Companies and banks doing business with Iran will have to scramble to extricate themselves or run afoul of the U.S. government. Meanwhile, for nations contemplating striking their own sensitive deals with Trump, such as North Korea, the withdrawal will increase suspicions that they cannot expect lasting U.S. fidelity to international agreements it signs. Former President Barack Obama, whose administration negotiated the deal, called Trumps action misguided and said, The consistent flouting of agreements that our country is a party to risks eroding Americas credibility and puts us at odds with the worlds major powers. Yet nations like Israel and Saudi Arabia that loathed the deal saw the action as a sign the United States is returning to a more skeptical, less trusting approach to dealing with adversaries. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu welcomed Trumps announcement as a historic move. Trump, who repeatedly criticized the accord during his presidential campaign, said Tuesday that documents recently released by Netanyahu showed Iran had attempted to develop a nuclear bomb in the previous decade, especially before 2003. Although Trump gave no explicit evidence that Iran violated the deal, he said Iran had clearly lied in the past and could not be trusted. Iran has denied ever pursuing nuclear arms. There was a predictably mixed reaction from Congress. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, a Kentucky Republican, said the Iran deal was flawed from the beginning, and he looked forward to working with Trump on next steps. House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, a California Democrat, slammed Trump in a statement, saying this rash decision isolates America, not Iran. In a burst of last-minute diplomacy, punctuated by a visit by Britains top diplomat, the deals European members had given ground on many of Trumps demands for reworking the accord, according to officials, diplomats and others briefed on the negotiations. Yet the Europeans realized he was unpersuaded. Trump spoke with French President Macron and Chinese leader Xi Jinping about his decision Tuesday. Hours before the announcement, European countries met in Brussels with Irans deputy foreign minister for political affairs, Abbas Araghchi. In Iran, many are deeply concerned about how Trumps decision could affect the already struggling economy. In Tehran, Rouhani sought to calm nerves, smiling as he appeared at a petroleum expo. He didnt name Trump directly, but emphasized that Iran continued to seek engagement with the world. The first 15 months of Trumps presidency have been filled with many last chances for the Iran deal in which hes punted the decision for another few months, and then another. As he left his announcement Tuesday, he predicted that Iranians would someday want to make a new and lasting deal and that when they do, I am ready, willing and able. Even Trumps secretary of state and the U.N. agency that monitors nuclear compliance agree that Iran, so far, has lived up to its side of the deal. But the deals critics, such as Israel, the Gulf Arab states and many Republicans, say its a giveaway to Tehran that ultimately would pave the way to a nuclear-armed Iran. For the Europeans, Trumps withdrawal constitutes dispiriting proof that trying to appease him is futile. Although the U.S. and Europeans made progress on ballistic missiles and inspections, there were disagreements over extending the life of the deal and how to trigger additional penalties if Iran were found in violation, U.S. officials and European diplomats have said. ___ Associated Press writers Matthew Lee, Jill Colvin, Zeke Miller and Ken Thomas in Washington and Amir Vahdat and Nasser Karimi in Tehran, Iran, contributed to this report. Fourteen-year-old Bashir Bello had traveled from Lagos, Nigeria, to Albuquerque for a robotics competition this week, and his friends say he wanted to go swimming. On Monday afternoon he lost his life, drowning in a hotel pool. His friends tried in vain to save him. Tomorrow, Bellos classmates and members of the local Islamic community will bury his body here, quickly and with a short prayer, in accordance with his familys religious beliefs. We got in touch with the parents in Nigeria, said Muhamed Abdel-hack, director of public relations for the Islamic Center of New Mexico. Their preference and belief was that God had brought the child here, his life ended here, and his body should be buried here. Bellos death is being considered an accident. Abdel-hack said the Islamic Center community has been helping Bellos classmates cope with the tragedy. Police called the center as soon as they found out Bello was Muslim, and local mothers and fathers flocked to the hotel to be with the remaining students, talk with them about what happened and answer any questions they might have, Abdel-hack said. Im sure its heartbreaking, its something they didnt expect, and someone they traveled thousands of miles with to get here, Abdel-hack said. After the burial (the students will be) transitioning back to their purpose for coming here providing some measure of closure. Russ Fisher-Ives, the co-founder and global director of RoboRave International, said Bello was one of 84 students from Nigeria who came to the U.S. with 11 chaperones. He said the boy was signed up to debate the ethics of drones and compete in an alpine challenge where teams of two or three students build a robot that can climb an 80-degree incline. Fisher-Ives said this years competition includes students from 20 countries across five continents. The event will be dedicated to Bellos memory. Youve taken a loss of life a 14-year-old kid in his prime, Fisher-Ives said. We want to be sensitive to the Nigerians that are here and his family back home. An incident report from the Albuquerque Police Department details the events leading to Bellos death and the chaos that ensued. Around 3:45 p.m., while the groups director was at the hospital with a sick child, the teenager and three of his friends snuck out of their rooms at the Wyndham Hotel on Carlisle and Menaul NE to go to the hotels indoor pool. Bellos 14-year-old friend later told police the other kids didnt want to get in the pool, but Bello did, so they watched as he entered the shallow end, gradually getting deeper and deeper. He stated that he went to the deep end and was initially swimming well but began to go underwater, an officer wrote in the report. He stated that he stuck his hand out to attempt to pull Bello in. The boy said he was able to grab onto Bello but then his friend slipped through his fingers, sinking to the bottom of the pool. Bellos two other friends, ages 12 and 13, ran to get a hotel employee for help, according to the report. APD spokesman Gilbert Gallegos said two hotel staff members jumped into the pool to try to save Bello and lifted the unresponsive boy out of the water. Another employee then began performing CPR until a police officer arrived a minute later. Hotel staff declined to comment Tuesday. A police officer arrived and took over, and then rescue personnel attempted to revive him through advanced cardiac support. Bello was pronounced dead 47 minutes later. Abdel-hack said while Bellos family back home must be distraught over his death, Muslims try not to dwell on a persons death. Were supposed to use it as a sort of inspiration to do what we can while were here, he said. Have some sort of positive impact, do your best, live your life according to religious values, be a good person, and contribute where you can. Those are the kinds of messages that will help them move on, hopefully. CHARLESTON, W.Va. Key takeaways after voters in Indiana, North Carolina, Ohio and West Virginia all states won in 2016 by Donald Trump picked nominees for Senate, House and some state offices ahead of the November general elections: REPUBLICANS TAKE A DEEP BREATH IN APPALACHIA National Republicans were terrified that West Virginia Republicans might nominate a convicted ex-coal executive for the Senate and give up an opportunity to unseat Democratic Sen. Joe Manchin. But voters relegated Don Blankenship to third place and opted instead for state Attorney General Patrick Morrisey. Blankenship was defiant until the end after a campaign in which he lambasted Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell as a swamp captain and Cocaine Mitch. The multimillionaire wouldnt say whether hed back Morrisey or Manchin in November, suggesting he still could give party leaders heartburn in the general election. TRUMP WINS ONE, MUST DECIDE HOW TO TREAT FRIENDLY DEMOCRAT Republicans followed Trumps advice, delivered via tweet Monday, and rejected Blankenship. Now, Trump has to decide how aggressively hell back Morrisey over Manchin. The incumbent is the closest thing Trump has to a friend among Senate Democrats. Manchin said Tuesday he will always be willing to work with the president but expects GOP leaders will make sure the White House backs his opponent. REPUBLICAN CONGRESSMEN HAVE A BAD DAY It wasnt a great night to be sitting congressman. Lost in Blankenships battle in West Virginia was Rep. Evan Jenkins, who finished a quiet second place. Hell be leaving Congress in January. Two Republican congressmen from Indiana also wanted a promotion to the Senate. But Todd Rokita and Luke Messer were defeated by Mike Braun, a wealthy businessman and former state lawmaker who ran as the outsider. Braun will take on Democratic Sen. Joe Donnelly this fall. In North Carolina, Rep. Robert Pittenger became the first House incumbent to lose his seat when Charlotte pastor Mark Harris claimed the GOP nomination. The seat is among those national Democrats are targeting in November. They need to flip some two dozen GOP-held seats for a majority. Harris argued he was better positioned for the general election since he doesnt have the baggage of being an incumbent. He will face a well-financed Democrat, Marine veteran Dan McCready, who has raised almost $2 million. OHIO GOVERNORS RACE SET Democratic leaders got exactly what they wanted in Ohio as they try to reclaim the governors mansion in key battleground state. Richard Cordray, who led the federal consumer protection agency under President Barack Obama, far outpaced liberal former congressman Dennis Kucinich. The results suggest that Ohio Democrats arent crippling themselves with any lingering fight between party liberals and establishment figures. Republicans now will have to close ranks behind state Attorney General Mike DeWine after he dispatched Lt. Gov. Mary Taylor for the GOP governors nomination. Both candidates ran to the right of outgoing Gov. John Kasich, leaving Democrats convinced that Cordray can position himself as the more pragmatic, sensible option for independents who twice elected Kasich. DEMOCRATS MOLD THEIR ARGUMENT Democrats general election argument started to come into sharper focus: They say they want to help voters by solving problems above the fray. In Ohio, Cordray congratulated DeWine for winning one of the ugliest campaigns I have ever seen and positioned himself as a change agent for working- and middle-class voters. West Virginias Manchin cant bash Washington as easily since hes a sitting senator. But the former governor reminded supporters and voters watching at home on television of his decades-old brand as a West Virginia Democrat who doesnt judge ideas by the party of their sponsors. Rep. Jim Renacci bucked the trend in Ohio, winning the GOP Senate nomination. Hell face Democratic Sen. Sherrod Brown in November. ___ Follow Barrow on Twitter at https://twitter.com/BillBarrowAP. WASHINGTON Calling the agreement rotten at its core, President Donald Trump on Tuesday withdrew the United States from a six-nation deal designed to halt Irans nuclear weapons program and announced he would reimpose strong sanctions and additional penalties on the Middle Eastern powerhouse. Members of New Mexicos congressional delegation reacted strongly, with Democrats denouncing the decision and the lone Republican unequivocally backing Trump. The nuclear agreement, struck in 2015 by the United States, other world powers and Iran, lifted most U.S. and international sanctions against the country. In return, Iran agreed to restrictions on its nuclear program to make it impossible to produce a bomb, along with rigorous inspections. But Trump, a severe critic of the deal dating back to his presidential campaign, said in a televised address from the White House that it was a bad deal from the start. This was a horrible, one-sided deal that should have never, ever been made, Trump said at the White House in announcing his decision. It didnt bring calm, it didnt bring peace, and it never will. U.S. allies in Europe had tried to keep him in the deal and lamented his move to abandon it. Iranian President Hassan Rouhani ominously warned after Trumps announcement that his country might start enriching uranium more than before. Sen. Tom Udall, the Democratic dean of New Mexicos delegation and a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, condemned Trumps action, calling it a dangerous mistake that will do grave damage to our global standing and our efforts to stop a nuclear Iran. The president calls himself a deal-maker, but on one of the most consequential decisions of his presidency, all President Trump has shown is that he can tear up a good deal without any backup plan or feasible path to a better deal, Udall said moments after the presidents statement. With this chaotic and dangerous approach to international relations, President Trump is squandering decades of American credibility and making our nation, and the world, less safe. Rep. Steve Pearce, a Republican running for governor of New Mexico, supported Trumps decision and called the Obama-era nuclear deal dangerous. Pearce said the deal has done little to curb Irans nuclear ambitions. Despite the agreement in place, Iran continues to openly fund and assist terrorism, perpetuate human rights abuses, grow its ballistic missile programs, and intervene in Syria without any repercussions, Pearce said. Iran continues to have complete control over access to its military installations, preventing U.S. and U.N. inspectors from having any idea of the actual nuclear research and development taking place in the country. This is the only denuclearization initiative in history that has allowed such an opaque and arbitrary provision. The sanctions seek to punish Iran for its nuclear program by limiting its ability to sell oil or do business overseas, affecting a wide range of Iranian economic sectors and individuals. The announcement rolls back the signature foreign policy achievement of former President Barack Obama, who called the decision so misguided after Trumps announcement. Trumps national security adviser, John Bolton, told reporters after the announcement that the decision will show that Trump wants a solid deal when he meets with North Korean President Kim Jong Un to discuss his countrys nuclear ambitions. Critics contend that it sends a message that the U.S. cant be trusted to keep up its end of a bargain. I think the message to North Korea is the president wants a real deal, Bolton said, noting that includes the elimination of both the front and the back end of the nuclear fuel cycle; no uranium enrichment; no plutonium reprocessing. There are other things well be asking for as well, Bolton added. Rep. Michelle Lujan Grisham, a New Mexico Democrat running for governor, said the decision creates another unnecessary, manufactured crisis that will produce uncertainty and instability in the Middle East, damage our credibility with our closest allies and undermine our ability to prevent Iran from becoming a nuclear power. Rep. Ben Ray Lujan, a New Mexico Democrat who is chairman of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, said Trumps decision cedes U.S. leadership on the international stage. Sen. Martin Heinrich, a New Mexico Democrat who sits on the Senate intelligence committee, also criticized Trumps decision. The president just handed religious extremists in Irans government a major victory, Heinrich said. Leaving the Iran deal green-lights the countrys nuclear program, jeopardizes our credibility and threatens our nations security. It also exposes our allies and weakens our ability to forge future multilateral agreements. The Associated Press contributed to this report. New Mexicos unemployment rate for March, the most recent figure available, dipped to 5.6 percent, the lowest its been since December 2008 but still the second-highest in the nation. But that level is also about a point below New Mexicos historic average of 6.7 percent since 1980, points out Alison Felix, Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City vice president. So, is the glass half-empty, or half-full? Felix thinks theres room for the jobless rate to drop further. I dont necessarily think its as low as it can get, she said in a phone interview. Weve had lower unemployment rates in New Mexico, and it hasnt been that long ago. She pointed to the period between 2000 and 2008, when the average jobless rate was 4.9 percent. But leading economists in the state say current trends arent encouraging. The real narrative lies in figures showing population and job growth, said Jeff Mitchell, director of the University of New Mexicos Bureau of Business & Economic Research. Before the recession, he said, New Mexico was generally fast-growing, with people moving into the region and employment growth higher than average nationwide. That was true, he said, even when the unemployment rate was rising. Whats different about (this) post-recession isnt just that the unemployment rate is high compared to the countrys, but that the rate of job growth is low, he said. And, it so happens, so is the rate of labor force growth. That was not necessarily the case during previous periods of relatively high unemployment, he said. Even in the 1980s, when the states unemployment rate reached a peak of 9.7 percent, it was typically seeing labor force growth. In fact, there were periods when New Mexicos labor force was the third-fastest growing in the nation, Mitchell said. Jim Peach, a New Mexico State University economist, noted that New Mexico still has nearly 10,000 fewer jobs than just before the recession started. It might catch up next March if it continues the plodding growth of about 1 percent it has been seeing, he said. Thats nothing to brag about, he said. It nice that we had a little job growth over the last year Im not knocking that but if you take a longer-term perspective, we havent done that well. For example, although construction has been the fastest-growing industry in the state lately, there are still about 11,000 fewer jobs than there were a decade ago, he said. Another way to measure the states economic progress is by looking at per capita income: New Mexicos is roughly 80 percent of the national average about the same as it was 50 years ago. We have not gained relative to the nation over that 50-year span, Peach said. Thats a big one. That suggests that weve been less than successful in our economic development efforts. Peach said the state has had some success when it comes to luring jobs. Dont get me wrong, when the Economic Development Department has a success, thats cool. I celebrate that, Peach said. But the net change is nothing to brag about. Overall, were not doing enough. Republic TV, Indias leading English-language news channel has announced its foray into the North American continent by way of having its linear programming content aired nationally in Canada on a 24 hour licensed Canadian news service of ASIAN TELEVISION NETWORK INTERNATIONAL LIMITED (ATN) (TSXV-SAT). Founded by stalwart journalist Arnab Goswami, Republic TV is the newest entrant to the English news space in India. Breaking records with 52 per cent market share (*Source: BARC Market:- India TG: NCCS AB Male 22+ Period: Wk 19'2017 (06th - 12th May'18) Time Band:-0200-2600) in its first week of broadcast it is now the de-facto leader in the genre. Republic TV has a diverse schedule of shows including The Debate which airs every day except Saturday, from 9-11pm, and a weekly interview show, Nation Wants to Know both hosted by Editor-in-Chief Arnab Goswami, alongside news shows focusing on the biggest news incident of the day, called Burning Question among others. Additional shows include Patriot, with Major Gaurav Arya, where viewers are taken into the barracks of the armed forces and R. Glitz, which showcases the latest news from Bollywood, among others. Asian Television Network (ATN) is one of Canadas Pioneer Multi-Cultural Broadcasters and is a long established Canadian Media company that has grown in stature along with the fast expanding ethnic population in Canada. ATN has a state of the art Digital broadcast center with multiple studios, several non-linear edit suites; multiple camera crews with a special emphasis on local Canadian programming and is currently one of the largest producers of multicultural content in Canada. ATN operates a South Asian Radio Service on Satellite Radio across The United States and Canada. Some ATN content is also available on any Bell mobile phone that supports video. Republic TV, President of Distribution & International Revenues, Priya Mukherjee said: Since our inception last year, Republic TV has strived towards widening the reach of our cutting-edge content. While we successfully executed the reach of Republic TV across all households in the fragmented Indian cable distribution ecosystem during the first six months of the channel, & MENA in November 2017, our foray into North America with ATN is a big step for us. We are very happy to be increasing our footprint and we hope to soon expand our reach all over the world. Commenting on the launch, Dr. Shan Chandrasekar, founder, President & CEO of Asian Television Network said, We are excited to have Republic TVs High Quality Programming available through ATNs Canadian Licensed Platforms. Since Republic TVs launch in India, it has had a large share of voice in the Indian news space. With their compelling Content, we hope to reach the large South Asian diaspora in this part of the globe and make the network more holistic. Republic TV CEO, Vikas Khanchandani, said: North America contributes a huge faction of the digital viewership of Republic. With such high demand, we are heartened that the Canadian market will soon be able to consume the channel directly on their TV screens and that Priya and her team will be offering advertisers, the most impactful news media platform to discerning audiences in the region. Republic TV Founder & Editor-in-Chief, Arnab Goswami, said: We are delighted to bring Republic TV to North America, through ATN. We will also look to create original content in cooperation with ATN, specific to the market in due course to provide content on issues specific to the large Indian diaspora. The EPD division of Greenply Industries Ltd, Indias largest manufacturer of wood panels, today announced the rebranding of its popular brands Green Panelmax and Green Floormax. Their world class products including MDF, Wood Floors, Plywood, Veneers and Doors will now be manufactured, distributed and marketed under the brand name GREENPANEL. They also announced the First board production at their new plant in Chittoor, Andhra Pradesh which is set to be the largest MDF plant in Asia. The announcements were made by Mr. Shobhan Mittal, Joint Managing Director and CEO, Greenply Industries Ltd. The insight for the new brand came from the fact that the future is full of infinite possibilities and this future with its infinite possibilities, is what we always look forward to. How wonderful would it be then for the future to manifest in the present? We at Greenpanel make the future happen today by bringing it to life in the living spaces of the current times. GREENPANEL offers wood panel solutions which are contemporary, transformative & versatile. We dont wait for innovations to happen. We are the ones who innovate and manifest the future today. The company announced that the first MDF board was produced at their latest state of the art plant, in Chittoor district of Andhra Pradesh. This new line is the second MDF project for the wood panel manufacturer, the first one being a high tech plant at Rudrapur, in Uttarakhand. Spread across 200 acres, this second plant at Chittoor has an annual Production Capacity of 3,60,000 CBM. Being Asias largest MDF manufacturing plant, the plant is also the most technologically advanced and is equipped with the best of European technology. Post the commissioning of the new plant in Chittoor, with their already operational Rudrapur plant in Patnanagar, Uttarakhand, they will have a combined annual capacity of 540,000 cubic meters, which will make them the largest manufacturer of Wood panels in India. Mr. Shobhan Mittal, Joint Managing Director and CEO, explained the companys decisions and stated that The Indian market has been stuck in the old ways of making furniture while the consumer is ever involving and seeking contemporary/ new age wood panelling solutions which pave the way for durable and aesthetic interiors. We observed a strong gap between consumer needs and market offerings. With a rapidly evolving product portfolio and setting up of the largest and most technologically advanced plants in the country, it was time to evolve ourselves and our vision in order to strongly reiterate our commitment to take the Indian wood panelling industry forward. Greenpanel has emerged from the rich legacy of Green Panelmax and Green Floormax. With its rebranding we are redefining our commitment to innovation in the wood panelling industry. The Chittoor plant, being Asias largest MDF manufacturing plant, not only consolidates our leadership in the wood panelling industry, but also significantly improves the logistics by ensuring that orders to South India are supplied in shorter time spans. With state-of-the-art manufacturing infrastructure, Greenpanel produces Medium Density Fibre Boards (MDF) made with 100% renewable agro-forestry wood and is CARB (California Air Resources Board) Certified. Other wood panelling products include Plywood, Block Boards, Veneers, Wood Floors and Doors. The RMAI Flame Awards Asia 2018 and Flame Leadership Awards, which recognise Asias best corporate and individual Rural Marketing works, were announced on May 4, 2018 at a glittering evening at Sahara Star, Mumbai. The entries this year at Flame Awards Asia 18 were invited from India and other Asian countries. Over 300 Business leaders, corporate, GOI & leading rural marketing agency representatives attended the presentation ceremony. Impact Communications won maximum metals; four Golds, followed by Dialogue Factory & Brand Brewery with 3 Golds each. Impact Communications emerged as the biggest winner of the night clinching as many as 9 metals. Among the International Entrants Lemon Pvt. Ltd. won the maximum metals. RMAI also felicitated Business leaders, industry professionals for their extraordinary contribution in Rural Marketing & Development sector with the Flame Leadership Awards 2018. Winners of the Flame Leadership Awards 2018 Below. Anurag Pandey Tata Wiron Chief Marketing and Sales Jagannatha Kumar Reliance Foundation Chief Executive Officer KR Venkatadri Rallis COO Pradeep Srivastava Axiata Chief Marketing & Commerce Officer Ujjaya Shakya Outreach Nepal MD Mridula Sekhar Tata AIA Life Insurance CMO D K Sharma Indian Oil Corporation Ltd Executive Director (Retail Sales) Avinash Ozha M&M Farm Divison Head- Rural Activations Neelesh Mishra Gaon Connection Founder & MD Flame Awards Asia 2018 was managed by Golden Vibes and powered by JCB India Ltd, Hero MotoCorp was Associate Sponsor, Crompton & Indian Oil were Sponsors for the evening. The award ceremony was followed by cocktails & dinner. Check Out the Winners of RMAI Flame Awards 2018 below. Panasonic India, a global leader in technology and innovation, announced the appointment of Manish Misra as Chief Innovation Officer, Panasonic India. Mr. Misra will be responsible for the strategic development of innovation and technology while leading the companys Innovation hub in India. Panasonics Innovation hub is focused towards creating an ecosystem for the company to shape the future product strategy, and enable in digital transformation. He will be reporting in to Mr. Manish Sharma, President and CEO, Panasonic India. Panansonics Innovation hub -The Centre of Excellence (Coe), launched last year, aims to develop Panasonics transformative solutions in five key domains Connected Home/ Community, Mobility, Energy, Industrial and Finance Solutions which in turn will develop state of the art products. Mr. Misras role will be not only to leverage the technology already available within Panasonic and develop innovative solutions, he will also drive a technology-enabled strategy with specific focus on emerging trends to bring in technological advancements that will enable Panasonic to stay ahead in the industry. Mr. Misra a well-known industry veteran with more than 22 years of experience with a strong focus on innovation. He was associated with HID Global as India R&D Head & Vice President of Engineering & Innovation and was responsible for setting up the core development, engineering and innovation center of excellence for the company in India. He also enabled HID Global's next generation product offerings in Cloud, Mobile and IoT space. Prior to this, Mr. Manish was with IBM from where he started his career in 1996. During his tenure with IBM he headed and was responsible for setting up various initiatives with departments such as Enterprise Systems Development and Independent Software Vendors Enablement which became critical and essential part of the companys business. Mr. Manish Sharma, President and CEO, Panasonic India and South Asia and Vice President Appliances Company Panasonic Corporation said, As we continue to accelerate our technology transformation, I am very pleased to have Manish join our team. This is an important focus area for the organization as we embarks to strengthen our innovation hub and offer disruptive technologies in the field of IoT, Mobility, and Artificial Intelligence (AI). It aims to build a strong and dynamic platform where technology meets innovation, young minds meet opportunity and industry meets solutions. He added, Manish brings with him in depth technology understanding, industry best practices and understanding of Indian market. We believe he will help us in staying ahead of the evolving & dynamic tech curve. We are very excited about the contribution he will make and welcome him to the firm. Mr. Manish Misra, Chief Innovation Officer, Panasonic India said, I am excited to join Panasonic at this transformative time in the companys history. I see great potential in the vision of their Innovation hub and am looking forward to contribute towards the continued growth of the company and driving innovation & change within the industry. Mr. Manish Misra holds a Bachelors degree in Computer Science (CSE) from the Indian Institute of Technology (Banaras Hindu University), Varanasi. He has completed various leadership & management courses from top business schools and holds multiple patents. Would you like to receive breaking news notifications from The Post and Courier? Sign up to receive news and updates from this site directly to your desktop. Breaking News Columbia Breaking News Greenville Breaking News Myrtle Beach Breaking News Aiken Breaking News N Augusta Breaking News Click on the bell icon to manage your notifications at any time. Success! Please click the 'Allow' button in the 'Show Notifcations' alert in your browser if one is available. Thank you for signing up! Please enable notifications in your browser and reload the page. Over the past few months, Britain, France and Germany (known together as the E3) have attempted to introduce new European Union sanctions against Iran over its regional policies and ballistic missile program. The move has been deemed by observers as complementary to the strategy adopted by the E3 to save the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) following the May deadline imposed by US President Donald Trump for the perceived weaknesses of the agreement to be fixed. However, Italy and a few other EU countries have objected to these measures on both procedural and political grounds, raising concerns about a potential division among EU members on Iran policy moving forward. The E3 has engaged with the United States since January to find ways to address the concerns of the Trump administration over the JCPOA and persuading the US president to continue implementing his side of the bargain under the nuclear deal. US concerns include the so-called sunset clauses, the terms under which site inspections in Iran can take place as well as the countrys regional influence and ballistic missile program. The E3 with France at the apparent forefront has also led efforts at the EU level to introduce additional sanctions against Iran. The E3 plan has been to impose EU travel bans and freeze the assets of 15 Iranian entities and individuals linked to Iran's missile program and its role in Syria's war, in an attempt to show that the union shares US concerns about Iran, particularly regarding the countrys regional policies and missiles. However, despite the E3s efforts, the other 25 EU member states failed to reach a unanimous decision required by EU regulations to approve new restrictive measures against Tehran. On March 19, prior to the EU Foreign Affairs Council meeting in which the issue was first discussed, the blocs foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini stressed that there was not going to be a proposal of sanctions, additional sanctions against Iran. On April 16, in the last formal meeting on the EU agenda before Trumps deadline, the union failed once again to reach consensus on the matter, though diplomats involved in the deliberations noted growing support for new sanctions. Italy is leading the skeptical camp on additional bloc-wide sanctions against Iran. Similarly to the E3, Italy is eager to safeguard the JCPOA. Prime Minister Paolo Gentiloni argued, The international community should ensure that the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action remains a success story in the framework of global efforts to counter the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction. Rome shares the E3's concerns over some of Tehrans regional policies and is willing to continue working with its European partners to address them. Indeed, it was in the latter context that Italy joined the E3 to form the so-called EU/E4, a format established on the sidelines of the Munich Security Conference in February to engage with Iran on regional issues, with Yemen being a high priority. But despite the similarities between Italy's stance on Iran and that of the E3, the picture is entirely different when it comes to sanctions. Italy is one of the EU countries most interested and invested into reviving economic relations with Iran in the aftermath of the implementation of the nuclear deal. In January, for instance, Italy established a 5 billion euro ($5.9 billion) credit line to cover projects and partnerships in Iran jointly implemented by Iranian and Italian companies in areas of mutual interest, though this arrangement has yet to be implemented. However, Italian criticism of additional EU sanctions against Iran has more to do with procedural and political concerns. On the former, according to a senior Italian official speaking not for attribution, concerns were raised in Rome about the way the issue was discussed at the EU level, with attempts to skip the discussion of the statement of reasons (which take place at the Political and Security Committee of the Council) and attempts to move directly to the negotiations of the specific and concrete terms of the restrictive measures (led by the Foreign Relations Counsellors Working Party). While there is a need to speed up the procedures in light of the looming May deadline, Italy believes rushing would undermine the credibility of the unions decision-making process. On the latter, Italy fears that additional sanctions would potentially weaken the administration of moderate President Hassan Rouhani while emboldening hard-liners in Tehran, thus facilitating a more confrontational Iranian posture toward Europe. According to the senior Italian official, such a result would indirectly limit the EU position and influence on Iran, both within the EU/E4 format and the broader economic and political engagement with the Islamic Republic, all with no guarantee that fresh EU sanctions could persuade Trump not to pull out of the JCPOA. As such, Italy, which has been led by a caretaker government since March, does not believe the timing and the procedure for the adoption of the sanctions against Iran is appropriate for the goals the EU aims to achieve. After failing to reach a consensus on April 16, the supporters of the E3 initiative said that their efforts will continue working to reach an agreement before Trumps deadline. Germanys Foreign Minister Heiko Maas, for instance, claimed, The issue remains on the agenda. However, no other discussion on the matter has taken place at the EU level, perhaps because following the recent visits to Washington by French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Angela Merkel, pessimism toward the union's ability to influence Trumps decision on Iran has drastically increased. Thus with the deadline looming and options running out, the EU is more likely to focus instead on preparing a backup plan to safeguard the nuclear deal regardless of Trumps decision, a goal that is shared across the union. The Hamas leadership in the Gaza Strip recently suggested holding indirect negotiations with Israel regarding a long-term cease-fire known in Arabic as a hudna Haaretz reported. According to the May 6 report, Hamas used various channels to convey the message on several occasions in recent months. Two days later, Hamas' military wing the Izz ad-Din al-Qassam Brigades tweeted a denial in Hebrew, saying, Hamas denies reports of a long-term cease-fire with the Zionist occupation. Nonetheless, a Hamas source confirmed to Al-Monitor that such a proposal exists, similar to the one it had conveyed at the end of the 2014 Israel-Gaza war codenamed Operation Protective Edge. The source, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the 2014 proposal was amended in light of the changed circumstances, but declined to elaborate. Hamas has never made a secret of the fact that its leadership would adopt significant decisions if Israel were to lift the siege it imposed on Gaza in 2007, the source added. The recent failure of the reconciliation talks with the rival Fatah movement and the Palestinian Authority (PA) that runs the West Bank dashed Hamas' hopes of easing the economic crisis in Gaza. Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas officially buried the reconciliation in a harsh speech he delivered after the failed March 13 assassination attempt against Palestinian Prime Minister Rami Hamdallah and PA intelligence chief Majid Faraj in Gaza. Meanwhile, the economic situation in the Strip continues to decline. Hamas leaders hopes that Egypt would open its Rafah border crossing with Gaza and thereby ease the effects of the siege are no longer relevant. Egypt had urged the two major Palestinian movements to end their protracted conflict as a condition to opening the crossing. It is currently unwilling to budge from the terms of reconciliation and the demand that PA forces assume control of the Gaza border crossing. This stance by Cairo obviously expresses its distrust in Hamas, and the organizations leadership fully realizes that. Paradoxically, Israel remains the only default option the only lifeline left to Hamas. Only Israel can save Hamas and the Gaza Strip it rules from a total system collapse. According to Haaretz defense affairs analyst Amos Harel, the Hamas leadership is suggesting a significant relaxation of the Israeli siege as part of the hudna deal, as well as Israeli approval of major infrastructure projects in Gaza and probably an exchange of prisoners and return of Israeli soldiers bodies. We said so clearly more than once and not in any secret talks that if the siege is lifted from Gaza, we are willing to discuss a cease-fire all the [Palestinian] factions are willing to discuss it, the Hamas source told Al-Monitor. He confirmed that Egypt has served as a conduit for messages between the sides involved because it places supreme importance on finding a worthy humanitarian solution for the residents of Gaza. This is not the first hudna Hamas has offered Israel. The first was conveyed in 1997 by then-King Hussein of Jordan, but Israel did not respond. Former Mossad agency chief Efraim Halevy found out about it (ex post facto) when he went to Jordan that year to handle the fallout from Israels attempted assassination of Hamas leader Khaled Meshaal. In his book Man in the Shadows, Halevy writes that he first heard the suggestion from the monarch, who wondered why Israel had failed to respond. In 2005, a European intermediary conveyed another hudna proposal via then-Shin Bet head Yuval Diskin. The document was headlined, Offer of a reconciliation agreement between Hamas and Israel and was addressed to Ehud Olmert, Israels prime minister at the time. Israel did not respond to this deal, the existence of which I revealed in my 2012 book, Getting to Know Hamas. Hamas made an additional attempt, as mentioned, after Operation Protective Edge, but an Israeli defense official told Al-Monitor on condition of anonymity that Israel did not respond either because there was no reason to conduct a dialogue with a bruised and beaten movement. Israel would rather maintain its position of deterrence, threatening Hamas with a harsh response should it fire missiles at Israeli targets. Israel regards the Hamas fear of an additional round of violence as a guarantee of the cease-fire deal reached in Cairo in 2014, to which Hamas has studiously adhered for almost four years. Hamas offers truce deals whenever it runs into serious trouble. In 1997, the movement felt isolated after being left out of the Palestinian institution-building that appeared a preparation for the establishment of a Palestinian state under the terms of the Oslo peace agreements with Israel. In 2005, the hudna suggestion was born of the fear that Israel would continue its policy of taking out the Hamas leadership after it assassinated Hamas founder Sheikh Ahmed Yassin and his successor, Abdel Aziz Rantisi. The Hamas political leadership has been aware for a while that absent a significant easing of the siege, the organization will no longer be able to run the Strip since the popular protests by desperate residents would not only be directed at Israel but would also turn against Hamas. One of the main hudna advocates pushing for understandings with Israel is Hamas leader in Gaza Yahya Sinwar, but he too is only suggesting a cease-fire and is unwilling to entertain the idea of disarming Hamas and demilitarizing Gaza. In fact, despite the cease-fire agreed upon after the 2014 Gaza war, Hamas continued to enlarge its army and is trying to rebuild the attack tunnel project. For Hamas, the cease-fire actually means that it is careful not to fire rockets at Israel so that it does not retaliate. Hamas will quickly discover that the obstacles that eventually derailed reconciliation with Abbas are also those that will prevent any understandings with Israel. Abbas demanded that Hamas give up its weapons as a condition for any deal, and Israel has posed similar conditions in return for a significant easing of its siege. In his vision of Gaza that he presented to reporters at the beginning of the year, Israeli Defense Minister Avigdor Liberman said a disarmed Hamas was a precondition for rehabilitation of the devastated enclave. The latest Hamas truce proposal is born of weakness. The leadership does not hold any significant bargaining chips that would entice Israel to consider the offer seriously. In other words, the long-term cease-fire proposal that Hamas is presenting does not include disarming its military forces. The violent Palestinian demonstrations along the Gaza border with Israel in recent weeks are a major headache for Israeli security forces, but they do not constitute a substantial security threat to Israel. Hamas post-2014 is a weak, rundown organization, and the hudna it is now offering has already been in force for nearly four years. The only question is how long the Protective Edge deterrence and the siege of the Gaza Strip can last. Finance Minister Moshe Kahlon, the chairman of the Kulanu Party, has risen up in support of the Supreme Court on more than one occasion. This time, however, was the most important of those occasions and the most effective. For several months now, coalition partner HaBayit HaYehudi has been battling for a law amendment that would limit the powers of the Supreme Court. This amendment, known as the Override Clause, is designed to allow the Knesset to adopt bills judged by the Supreme Court as unconstitutional. In fact, by allowing the Knesset to approve laws overturned by the Supreme Court, the amendment would weaken the court significantly. Until May 6, Kahlon allowed Naftali Bennett, the chairman of HaBayit HaYehudi, to use the Override Clause to his advantage. Bennett and Justice Minister Ayelet Shaked, who is the No. 2 member of his party, have been vigorously promoting a plan to reduce the power of the Supreme Court. The Override Clause is an important part of that plan. On Sunday, Bennett insisted on bringing the new legislation to the Ministerial Committee for Legislation in order to obtain their approval, despite the opposition of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu himself. Netanyahu was well-aware of Kahlons opposition to the proposal. And so he preferred to postpone the vote by one week so that he could cobble together an agreement within his coalition over the final language of the Override Clause. But Bennett decided to go for broke. It seemed that he had won, too, if only for a moment, when the committee approved the legislation. Very soon, however, it became clear that Bennett had actually lost. Acting in his typically nonchalant manner, Kahlon made an appearance before the cameras during a tour of settlements surrounding the Gaza Strip. Standing against a backdrop of golden fields, with the hum of a light plane hovering above him, he announced that he plans to instruct the members of his faction to oppose the law when it is brought for a vote in the Knesset. The Kulanu Party has an agreement with the prime minister over preserving the rule of law. We will not allow the extremists to set the agenda for the State of Israel. Extreme moves will not get us anywhere. That is why I am calling on the prime minister to advance a policy of moderation and to allay the concerns of his coalition partners, said Kahlon. This was a bold statement for Kahlon. He could have brought the coalition to a steep precipice and caused serious political damage to it and to himself. In fact, Kahlon was caught in a complicated position. The need to pass the Override Clause came up again over the past few days, with the Supreme Court repeatedly overturning government decisions to incarcerate or expel African asylum-seekers and others who enter the country illegally. Kahlon has said in the past that he supports proposals to expel illegal immigrants. And so Kahlon found himself supporting the various formulas rejected by the Supreme Court but favored by the residents of south Tel Aviv, many of whom voted for him. On the other hand, Kahlon cherishes the rule of law and the courts independence. This is why he took a risk and blocked Bennetts attempt to inflict a devastating blow to the legal system itself. Seeing this as Kahlons Achilles heel, Bennett used a meeting of HaBayit HaYehudis Knesset faction the next day to accuse Kahlon and Netanyahu of blocking a solution to the problem faced by the residents of south Tel Aviv. Without hesitating, Kahlon immediately responded: Enough with all the spin! The Kulanu Party supports the removal from south Tel Aviv of anyone in the country illegally. Referring to the tense relationship between the Supreme Court and the government, the finance minister then added, There is no doubt that we must sit down together to work out a solution to the issue. The bottom line is that Kahlon made it perfectly clear that he intends to impose party discipline on Kulanu and instruct its Knesset representatives to oppose the law if brought to the plenum. While he did not say as much explicitly, the confidence shown by the Kulanu leader seemed to indicate that he was cooperating with the prime minister in some way. This kind of political squabbling is a classic example of winning the battle but losing the war. Earlier this week, Bennett seemed so determined that it came off as arrogant. He was so sure of himself when dealing with the prime minister that he ignored his request to postpone the vote. Then, just a few hours later, after winning the committee battle, he discovered that his efforts had been foiled and that he lacked the necessary Knesset majority for the clause to be adopted. It is fairly safe to assume that the Override Clause will not be approved, certainly not in the current session of a Knesset that seems to be fast approaching its demise. Bennett cannot break up the coalition over this, especially with other ministers who are equally determined to limit the Supreme Court now accusing him of acting rashly and hindering the legislation progress. Minister of Tourism Yariv Levin is the fighting spirit within the Likud in the battle to reduce the power of the Supreme Court. Yet even he attacked ministers Bennett and Shaked for showing a preference for headlines over essence. The ministers from HaBayit HaYehudi are trying to do something that will give the appearance of being populist, but in the end, will prevent all members of the coalition from agreeing on an outline that can be passed by the Knesset. We could have reached an agreement with Kulanu if they just would have waited a week. RAMALLAH, West Bank Contemporary dance has not always been a concept associated with Ramallah. Yet the Ramallah Contemporary Dance Festival has been inching toward international recognition through a nongovernmental organizations persistent efforts to bring together Palestinian and international dance groups. The 13th edition of the festival titled Non-Traditional Spaces hosted 15 Palestinian and international groups, and reached 5,500 spectators through performances in Ramallah, Jerusalem, Birzeit, Anabta and Balata refugee camp, its organizers told Al-Monitor. The festival took place April 19-29. The festivals themes revolved around the concepts of human fragility, isolation and the confusion that stems from feeling out of place. The many dance groups that participated performed different styles of dance, including hip-hop, flamenco, belly-dancing and dabke, the traditional Middle Eastern dance in which a line of dancers jump and stomp their feet to the beat of the music. At the festivals opening, French dance group Dyptiks performance titled Between the Shields combined moves from different dances, from hip-hop to dabke, in an open-air show at the Ramallah Cultural Palace. The festival is no longer local. It is one that international troupes participate in. We need the world to see Palestinian culture and to promote our openness to other cultures, Maher al-Shawamreh, contemporary dance choreographer at the Orient and Dance Theater, told Al-Monitor. Shawamreh described the French performance as exciting and fun, saying, The show carried messages about the human spirit and its suffering under the blockade and barbed wires. Petra Barghouthi, a choreographer of the Tawasol dance performance, told Al-Monitor, The festival has become an annual ritual. Each year exciting shows in contemporary dance from around the world are performed. It has become a cultural and artistic exchange, and it is an important step to make art part of peoples lives. Ibrahim al-Natour, a university student who was at the opening performance of Dyptik, told Al-Monitor, I wanted to attend a contemporary dance show and see a new form of art that I know little about. It was a new, exciting and fun experience. The festival organizers chose the theme Non-Traditional Spaces to underline that this years edition provided new platforms for performance such as public squares and museums, not just theaters and performance halls. Festival director Khaled Elayyan told Al-Monitor, This was the first time we held shows in open spaces, so that people could easily attend the performances. We also organized a dance workshop, a conference on dance and society, and offered musicals. He added that, for the first time, an Indian troupe Icecraft attended the festival. Another first was the presence of dancers with special needs. The festival aims to show that despite all the blockades Palestinians can organize international festivals and host international troupes to show our living, social and cultural situation, Elayyan said. We want to promote cultural exchange with people around the world and introduce Palestinians to these art forms. As Palestinians cannot travel easily, we want to give them the chance to see these [international] performances in their country. The Ramallah Contemporary Dance Festival is organized by Sareyyet Ramallah, an NGO that specializes in community projects. In 2016, the festival received funding from the European Union for a period of two years, as part of a project called Palestine and Europe: Shared human values through cultural events. Sareyyet Ramallah collaborated on this project with Palestines Rozana Association for the Development of Architectural Heritage and French production group LOfficina. Besides the dance festival, the project also organizes dance sessions in the Gaza Strip and Bedouin areas. In addition, it is planning to launch a database for Palestinian dances. Elayyan noted that the project aims at fostering shared values between Europe and the Palestinian territories in order to protect Palestinian social solidarity, gender awareness, and cultural and traditional identity. Although the EU funding for the festival ends this year, the organizers succeeded in signing a sponsorship and support contract with the Palestinian Ministry of Culture for the next five years. The type and amount of support will be determined in the future, Elayyan and Minister of Culture Ehab Bseiso announced during a press conference before the launch of the festival April 14 in Ramallah. Bseiso said he considers the festival a space for cultural interaction between the Palestinian territories and the world, and a new medium of artistic expression from the Palestinian territories that combines theater, music, dance and performance reflecting the country's resilience. The festival will carry our voice to the world and will prove that the occupied Palestinian territories can create life. The festival focuses on reflecting our national causes especially after US President Donald Trumps recent decision regarding Jerusalem. We are showing the troupes the reality of Palestinian life under occupation, the minister said. Palestinian poet and critic Khaled Gomaa told Al-Monitor that the festival has proven its success with the 13th edition, which saw increased public turnout. He noted that the festival contributes to entertaining citizens whose financial situation doesn't allow them to travel abroad to see shows. Gomaa said that the festival also enabled the participating artists to witness the reality of the Israeli policies toward Palestine on the ground particularly after Israel rejected the visa requests for three dance groups, including Moroccan artist Nawal Iskandarani, without giving a reason. Having been barred by European countries with large Turkish communities from staging political rallies ahead of Turkeys snap elections on June 24, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has chosen the Bosnian capital of Sarajevo to address thousands of supporters from across Europe. His speech in Sarajevo on May 20 will also be an act of political defiance against Austria, Germany and the Netherlands, which refused to allow him to campaign on their soil. During his campaign for last years controversial constitutional referendum, Erdogan had accused the leaders of these countries of behaving like Nazis after he and members of his Justice and Development Party (AKP) were prevented from canvassing Turks there. In that referendum, expatriate Turks in Europe voted overwhelmingly for constitutional changes that empowered Erdogan even more. Many argue that by preventing him from reaching out to Turks in Europe, these countries had actually contributed to this result. Recalling last years crisis, the three countries in question acted early this time and declared that Turkish politicians would not be welcome to campaign for the June 24 elections. Given past experience, this ban may also work to Erdogan's advantage. Erdogan revealed recently that alternative plans were underway for reaching out to his supporters in Europe, but he refused to name a venue. He finally revealed this last week while flying back from an official visit to South Korea, telling reporters on his plane that his rally would take place in Sarajevo. Local press reports indicated, however, that neither the Bosnian Ministry for Foreign Affairs nor the Bosnian Presidency was aware of such a rally. These reports said this would be a joint event by the AKP and the conservative Party of Democratic Action (PDA), led by Bakir Izetbegovic the Bosniak member of the tripartite Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina who is close to Erdogan. Meanwhile, the planned rally has already caused controversy among not just Bosnian Serb politicians, but also among some Bosniak politicians who say this reveals the influence Turkey has over their country. They also argue that the AKP-PDA rally is designed not just to serve Erdogans political interests but also Izetbegovic's interests, and they accuse Ankara of meddling in the countrys political affairs. Sadik Ahmetovic, a former PDA vice president who now acts with the Independent Bloc, said he opposes this rally because Bosnia must remain focused on its permanent goal of joining the European Union. Given that some very important EU countries refused to host Erdogan's pre-election rally, I think that [Bosnia and Herzegovina] should do the same. If he is a real friend of the country, he will understand this position," Ahmetovic told the Independent Balkan News Agency (IBNA). Ahmetovic said Erdogans rally showed Turkeys influence in his country, which posed a barrier to its EU membership bid. In his remarks to the IBNA, Radovan Kovacevic, the spokesman for the Alliance of Independent Social Democrats in Republika Srpska, one of the two constitutional entities that make up Bosnia and Herzegovina, said Erdogans rally was unacceptable for them because it shows that Turkey sees Bosnia as its satellite. How is it possible that Bosniak politicians in Sarajevo are disturbed by the fact that, for example, some Russian politician comes on a visit to Banja Luka [Republika Srpska's capital], but not to hold a political gathering, while at the same time they are involved in organizing Erdogan's political rally?" Kovacevic asked. Slobodan Soja, a former Bosnian diplomat, believes that Bosnia represents a great political arena for Turkey, in contrast to Serbia and other regional countries, which, he said, are Turkeys economic arenas. We should think about that, Soja said in remarks to the Bosnian press. Suha Umar, a former Turkish ambassador to Belgrade who is now retired, pointed out that ethnic and religious sensitivities, especially where Turkey is involved, remain high in the Balkans. Umar recalled the outrage Erdogan caused in Serbia in 2013, after his Kosovo is Turkey, and Turkey is Kosovo remark in an address in Prizren. Belgrade was only assuaged after Ankara said Erdogans words had been misinterpreted. Holding a rally in Bosnia where thousands of Turks from the Balkans and Europe are expected to converge is highly risky, Umar told Al-Monitor. Turkeys credit in Bosnia over issues like secularism is not as high as some think, and certain remarks by Erdogan while there could make a difficult situation worse, he warned. The impression of cooperating politically with Turkey could also pose problems for Bosniaks, who are the weakest link in the three components that make up Bosnia and Herzegovina, Umar said. An example of the problems Turkeys burgeoning regional influence can cause was seen in Kosovo in March when a government crisis erupted after six Turks were rendered to Turkey for being members of the so-called Fethullah Gulen Terror Organization (FETO) the group Ankara accuses of carrying out the attempted coup against Erdogan in July 2016. The Turkish intelligence agency MIT and its counterpart in Kosovo, without the knowledge of Prime Minister Ramush Haradinaj, reportedly organized the transfer. Haradinaj fired the head of the Kosovo Intelligence Agency and the interior minister for deporting the Turks without his knowledge, only to be dressed down by Erdogan. On whose orders did you take this step? Since when have you started to protect those who are trying to carry out a coup against the Republic of Turkey, Erdogan said. He also reminded Haradinaj that Turkey was the first country to recognize Kosovos independence from Serbia. Haldun Koc, Turkeys ambassador in Sarajevo, tried to calm the situation by attempting to portray Erdogans visit on May 20 as a regular event. He said it was planned for June but moved to May because of Turkeys elections. We see this visit as a working visit that should be focused on topics such as economy, trade, investment and further cooperation between the two countries, Koc said. The pro-Erdogan media in Turkey, however, is presenting the Sarajevo rally as a major coup against European countries that banned Erdogan from campaigning on their soil. Meanwhile, another example of Turkeys increasing influence in the Balkans was provided by the visit of Serbias President Aleksandar Vucic to Ankara this week. Despite their differences over Kosovo and sensitivities regarding Bosnia, Ankara and Belgrade have been working to increase ties in recent years. "There will be no more burning bridges, Vucic declared during his meeting with Turkish parliamentary Speaker Ismail Kahraman. Addressing a joint press conference with Erdogan after their official talks in Ankara, Vucic said Turkey was the biggest power and strongest Balkan country. What Turkey says is important, he added. If people in other countries see Turkey just politically and not in the field of investment, theres nothing more I can say here, he said. Erdogan said some in the West could not bear Turkeys developing ties in the Balkans and stressed that Ankaras efforts in this regard would continue unabated. Turkeys influence in parts of the Balkans appears set to remain for now. Its wrong, however, to assume that Ankara will always get what it wants. Following the rendering affair in Kosovo, a Bosnian court dismissed a request in April for the extradition to Turkey of a female asylum-seeker sought by Ankara for alleged FETO links. Trends such as these, once developed, can be expected to continue. The Balkans continue to be a region Ankara has to tread cautiously for reasons that go back centuries and for the realities that govern it today. Turkey, unable to motivate Iraq to revive the two countries' dormant relations in many fields, appears to have resorted to unusual tactics that might best be labeled provincial diplomacy. Turkeys ambassador in Baghdad, Fatih Yildiz, has been traveling to southern Iraqi provinces to meet local administrators and attend local events. In an era when Turkey's government, spurred by sectarian impulses, is said to be deviating from traditional foreign policy, it escaped no one's notice that the ambassador was concentrating on Shiite-dominated southern regions. Yildiz, who had earlier visited the southeastern provinces of Babylon, Najaf and Karbala, most recently made a four-day trip to the southwestern provinces of Wasit, Maysan, Basra and Dhi Qar. Yildiz went to Kut in Wasit on April 29 for the 102nd anniversary of the World War I Kutul Amara victory against the British that he described as a joint Turkish-Iraqi victory. He also met with government and business officials in Maysan and Basra provinces before concluding his tour in Nasiriyah, the capital of Dhi Qar province, where he said work is progressing on the reopening of Turkey's consulate in Basra. Basra is the economic capital of Iraq. Its investment, transportation and trade are of strategic importance for Turkey," Yildiz said in a May 2 tweet. "We assessed opportunities for cooperation in these fields." Sources familiar with the nature of the visits told Al-Monitor on condition of anonymity that the ambassador's primary objective was to promote goodwill conducive to reopening Basra's consulate, which serves the four provinces. In 2014, after the Islamic State (IS) occupied Mosul in the north, Turkey suspended operations at its Basra consulate almost 600 miles to the southeast because of increasing security concerns and evacuated its consul general, two of its staff and 15 security personnel to Kuwait. Basra was not under threat. However, since Turkey hadnt evacuated its Mosul consulate on time and IS took its diplomats and their families hostage, there was widespread public perception that Turkey had cooperated with IS Sunni militants. Such a perception naturally increased security risks against Turkish personnel in the largely Shiite basin. In the Turkish Foreign Ministry, the incident created a 'Mosul syndrome' that won't be easy to eradicate, a diplomatic source told Al-Monitor on condition of anonymity. People are still wondering why Turkey felt it necessary to evacuate its Basra personnel south to Kuwait instead of north to Baghdad. Kuwait was closer, but again, Basra wasn't under any immediate threat. Also, why did Ankara wait four years to reopen the Basra consulate when there were chilly political relations but no concrete threat? Nevertheless, the ambassadors contacts with local administrators and tribal delegates seemed to generate positive reactions to the idea of reopening the consulate as soon as possible. After 2009, when the Basra consulate was first opened, the number of Turkish companies in the region rose from 20 to 95. Today, there are fewer Turkish companies operating there than in 2009. Turkeys exports to Iraq were $3.9 billion in 2008 and climbed to $12 billion in 2013 but regressed to $7.6 billion through 2016. (There was some improvement in 2017, when the figure reached $9.1 billion.) Despite these ups and downs, Iraq is still the third-biggest importer of goods from Turkey. With Iraqi reconstruction projects on the horizon, Turkey sees attractive opportunities for its companies. It has been trying to draw a road map for itself in Iraq for some time now. The most important strategic project on this map is to rebuild the north-south highway that will reach the Turkish border at Fish Khabur. Reactivation of the Basra-Mosul connection will not only boost Turkeys investment and trade potential in the region, but also offer an active link to Europe for South Asia and Gulf countries. Some important questions that have arisen include: What does the current Iraqi government want from Turkey? Will Iran's growing influence in Iraq and the region obstruct Turkeys aspirations? What influence will the United States have? Do the Shiite-oriented southern Iraqi provinces have reservations about Turkey? A senior Turkish official who follows the process in Iraq closely but who didnt want to be identified offered five points to explain Turkeys stance: The north-south corridor repair holds great value for Turkey and is also central to Iraqi reconstruction projects. Here, it's important to grasp the importance of third-party factors. Basra is right at the center of the South Asia-Gulf-Turkey and Europe connections. There are rivalries among ports in the Gulf. If Iraq fully capitalizes on its potential, Basras role will grow and perhaps achieve importance equal to the Suez Canal. Turkey wants to rebuild this superhighway and will even extend credit to Baghdad for the project. There is also a proposal to build a railway alongside the road. In private conversations, Iraqis say they want to build this road but the Americans are stopping them. Turkish officials believe the United States, which uses the Rabia border crossing to send assistance to Syrian Kurds, believes a restructured road could impair its logistics. A new border crossing planned at Ovakoy at the Turkish border will become an alternative to the current Habur border crossing, which is controlled by the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG). Although the United States didn't object to the Iraqi government taking back Kirkuk from the Kurds in October, it does believe taking away the Habur crossing, which is the KRG's main revenue source, would put too much pressure on the Kurds. Reopening the Basra consulate will be instrumental for Turkey to take advantage of economic opportunities in the region. Although Iran seems to have increased its influence during Turkey's absence in Basra, Tehran is still not seen as a serious impediment to Turkey in the region. Despite their sectarian affinity, southern Iraqis aren't particularly supportive of Iran. Locals may have some reservations about Turkey, but they're not against its return. There are even some who wonder what's taken so long. Local tribal representatives frequently recall that they fought against the British alongside the Ottomans. In general, these Iraqis have positive perceptions of Turkish investments and are ready to welcome back Turkish business. Turkish companies might even assume contracts financed by other countries. Iraqis frequently complain that Turkey had doomed Iraq to drought by building dams on the Tigris and Euphrates rivers. Turkeys response is always the same: Over the past 20 years, there has been no investment in Iraq to prevent water waste and to improve agricultural irrigation. Iraq still uses irrigation canals that waste water. But there can be joint projects to establish more efficient water use. Turkey has offered $5 billion in reconstruction credit to Iraq. Ankara can designate half of that for irrigation projects and has reached a preliminary agreement with the governor of Wasit to develop such systems. Although Iraqi officials seem satisfied with Turkeys overtures to the Shiite regions, Baghdad stands by its policy of keeping Turkey away from Kirkuk. Many people feel Baghdad simply doesnt want Turkey using its Turkmen connections in Kirkuk to influence Iraq's elections on May 12. Turkey's state-run Anadolu Agency recently reported that 19 Turkmens were killed in Kirkuk, and violence could escalate as the elections near. Anadolu quoted Muhammad Saadaddin Ilhanli, the head of the Turkmen Development Party, as saying, Those who want to preserve their Turkmen identity are being targeted with the aim of deterring us from taking part in the polls and weakening our collective position." He said Turkmens won't be able to defend themselves unless they are given responsibility for their own security. If there's one word to describe Rosemary Beach, it's "inspired." Inspired by beauty. Inspired by family. Inspired by relaxation, luxury, and ease. The founders of Rosemary Beach were inspired by the idea of a neo-traditional community--one that encourages biking and walking by providing destinations and amenities close to home. In 1995, the vision for Rosemary came to life: a gulf-front development built around community and convenience. Anchoring the eastern end of Scenic Route 30A, Rosemary Beach occupies a stunning 107 acres on the Emerald Coast. Today, it's grown into a welcoming, buzzing destination for visitors, as well as a thriving community where its residents live, work, and play. The community's axis is the Town Center, where more than 30 shops, restaurants, vendors, and galleries are located. Walk down Main Street and you can explore some of these, including Wild Olives wine bar, The Sugar Shak (a favorite for kids), La Crema Tapas & Chocolate, and The Summer Kitchen Cafe (the first restaurant in Rosemary Beach). The architecture on Main Street beckons of an Old World European town, with its colored wooden shutters, double porches, and dramatic striped awnings. However, it was the West Indies that inspired most of the town's architecture, and with the backdrop of turquoise water and bright white sand, it seems an appropriate comparison. --- At the end of Main Street is The Pearl Hotel, a striking white building featuring black-and-white-striped awnings, top-story dormers, and a dramatic clock tower (which houses The Pearl Suite at the top level). The 55-room boutique hotel mixes Southern Charm with upscale amenities and a little bit of a Caribbean flair. Aimed mainly at couples and adults on a getaway (although that's not to say families aren't welcome), the rooms are technologically equipped with iPads, Apple TVs, and intelligent light and temperature controls. Provided robes and slippers make relaxing easy. Turn down service, featuring treats homemade from one of the hotel's four kitchens, is offered nightly. Many of the rooms offer balconies overlooking three of the area's greatest sights: the town of Rosemary Beach, the green leading up to the water, and the hotel's pool. Lined with yellow umbrellas for a pop of color against the black and white building, the pool is one of the most photographed spots at the hotel. If you are visiting with family, be aware the pool is adults only. At Spa Pearl, the treatment rooms open up to the pool, so a serene setting is necessary. The Pearl Hotel's West Indies influence is especially apparent at the property's restaurant, Havana Beach Bar & Grill. The restaurant was inspired by Ernest Hemingway's favorite Havana haunt, El Floridita, and features a wooden bar designed in an old-town Havana style. Photos of Cuba by local Rosemary Beach photographer Tommy Crow adorn the walls, while a sepia-toned video of Cuba plays on loop above the bar. On any given evening, you'll find hotel guests, town visitors, and locals gathered at the bar, enjoying happy hour with Havana's signature cocktails, including Cuban classics like the Cuba Libre or signature cocktails like Spring Time on Main Street, with gin, mint, lavender, and lime. If you're feeling like a high-roller, you can order from the Millionaire's Menu. A Sidecar made with Louis XIII cognac and Grand Marnier 1880 goes for a cool $800. But if you're looking for a steal, happy hour at the Havana Beach Rooftop Lounge might be more your speed. The hour is more like five hours as it goes from 12 p.m.-5 p.m. with $5 Frose (frozen rose).\ The dining room at Havana serves Gulf Coast American cuisine with Latin and Caribbean influences. Chef James Neale uses fresh, locally sourced ingredients and regional seafood in his dishes. A must-try is the Grilled Octopus, a dish that boasts a phenomenal pairing of flavors. The tender, flavorful octopus is served on a bed of fingerling potatoes, arugula, and a Marcona almond puree that you'll want to lick off the plate. Another beautifully put together plate is the Roasted Oysters, with watermelon radish, salsa verde, caviar, and lemon oil. For dinner, there are plenty of land and sea options. It's always worth asking what the Roasted Gulf Fish of the day is. Paired with toasted freekeh (a "supergrain"), granny smith apples, swiss chard, and bourbon-saffron sauce, it has a bit of an Indian flair. Don't pass up dessert. The Bonfire S'mores come in a smoked mason jar that will make you feel as if you're sitting around a campfire on the beach. Homemade marshmallows and graham crackers are accompanied by spiced chocolate--if you get Wade as your waiter (who has been with the restaurant since it opened), he likes to challenge guests to see if they can guess all the spices used in the chocolate. --- The most inspiring aspect of Rosemary Beach though is that of its namesake--the beach. In order to keep the beach as pristine as it is, beach accesses are gated and users must have an access code. If you're a guest of The Pearl Hotel, or if you're staying at any property in Rosemary Beach, you will be given the code upon arrival. This helps to ensure the beaches remains perfectly peaceful, with fewer people than your average high-rise stretch of sea. While visiting Rosemary, enjoy the serenity the scenic setting provides. Revel in the area's crystal-clear water, which at most times is as smooth as glass. And relax on the powdery soft sand. You might just find yourself feeling just as inspired as the town's creators were almost 25 years ago. Where to Eat in Rosemary Beach La Crema Tapas & Chocolate: Serves a variety of small plates and has an extensive dessert menu, including chocolate and peanut butter fondue (pictured left) Cowgirl Kitchen: Fresh margaritas are paired with dishes like avocado shrimp ceviche and grouper tacos The Summer Kitchen Cafe: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner served at Rosemary Beach's first restaurant. (pictured right) Edward's Fine Food & Wine: Fine dining including fresh Gulf seafood. The Classic Tuna Tartare is a must. Amavida Coffee & Tea: Organic, fair-trade coffee, plus healthy pastries and breakfast items Wild Olives: Hosts wine tastings and offers retail wines, cheese, and a bistro menu Southside Slice Pizzeria: Fairly new restaurant serving specialty pizzas, pizza by the slice, and sandwiches This story appears in Birmingham magazine's May 2018 issue. Subscribe today! A new University of Alabama study says the state's biosciences industry contributes $7.3 billion to Alabama's annual economy. That's the work of 780 companies and includes almost 48,000 direct and indirect jobs. According to the study, commissioned by the BioAlabama industry trade group, biosciences employ directly 17,871 workers, with an average annual salary of $67,664. Total expenditures of those companies exceed $3.8 billion a year. In all, that's about two percent of the state's total economic output. This is the first report of its kind on the scope of the state's biosciences sector, which includes everything from pharmaceutical manufacturers to research and medical labs. That's a slice of the economic pie encompassing work done at the state's research universities, the HudsonAlpha Institute for Biotechnology, and Southern Research, extending to startups like Birmingham's Blondin Bioscience, Huntsville's GeneCapture, Mobile's Swift Biotech and Auburn's Vitruvias Therapeutics. And there's more to come. In March, Evonik announced plans for a Global Competence Center for Medical Devices at its Birmingham facility, as well as an expansion of production. Senior Research Economist Sam Addy prepared the report with the Center for Business and Economic Research at the University of Alabama's Culverhouse College of Business, with assistance from BioAlabama. He said Alabama should continue to focus its economic strategy on biosciences "since these industries provide high-wage jobs and are highly productive." Commerce Secretary Greg Canfield said the state is moving to grow this sector of its economy. "We have exceptional strengths in biosciences, including world-class research organizations and a roster of cutting-edge companies, so it's a natural growth area for the state," Canfield said. Freddy's Frozen Custard & Steakburgers has opened its fourth Alabama location, and its second in the Birmingham area. The fast food chain has announced its Hoover location, at 5634 Grove Blvd., is now open from 10:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday through Thursday, and Friday and Saturday 10:30 a.m. to 11 p.m. It is located in the Grove Shopping Center. The Kansas-based chain already has a location at 301 Doug Baker Blvd. which opened in 2016, as well as restaurants in Tuscaloosa and Opelika. The new Hoover location has 3,622 square-feet of space and seating for 100, with a patio and drive-thru. Brian Pyle, franchise operator, said he is grateful for the community's support. "We look forward to serving guests at our Grove Shopping Center location with the same high quality, cooked-to-order menu in a fun and comfortable environment," he said. "When you visit Freddy's, you can expect a warm greeting and to experience genuine hospitality the 'Freddy's Way.'" Freddy's is known for its steakburgers, Vienna Beef hot dogs and shoestring fries, as well as dessert treats prepared with a choice of chocolate or vanilla frozen custard. Vance's Mercedes-Benz plant is continuing to assess the impact of a fire at a supplier's factory in Michigan, which caused a snarl in production at the Tuscaloosa County facility. A fire at Magnesium Products of America, Inc. (MPA) in Eaton Rapids, Mich. happened last Wednesday. Portions of the plant, which employs about 400 people, remain open. The fire and explosions damaged a portion of the main plant's roof, according to the Lansing State Journal. Some employees have been told to expect layoffs at the Michigan plant. MPA, also known as Meridian, supplies components used in vehicle cockpits at Mercedes, according to the company. Mercedes-Benz said it hopes to have schedules back to normal soon. "As a result, we have cancelled production shifts in certain areas and adjusted production hours for our team members this week," the company said in a statement. "We continue to assess the situation and are working with Meridian to restore normal production levels." Today is Teacher Appreciation Day, a time set aside to honor those who educate the next generation. There are plenty of restaurants and retailers offering special deals to teachers today and throughout the week. Not all deals are offered at each location, so be sure to check ahead. You will also need school ID for most offers. Here are the best deals, discounts and freebies for Teacher Appreciation Day: Alamo Car Rental Get a $25 car rental discount if you are a member of the American Federation of Teachers. Alfa Alfa Insurance offers discounts for educators. Amazon Apply for free two-day shipping account through Amazon Business for Education. AT&T Enter your school email address and find out if you're eligible for discounts through AT&T. You can also present your school ID at AT&T stores to determine eligibility. Ann Taylor Loft Teachers enjoy 15 percent off all full-price purchases every day. Banana Republic - Educators get 15 percent off full-price purchases each day. Barnes & Noble - Educators enjoy 20 percent off the publisher's list price on all purchases for classroom use. You can also get up to 25 percent off publisher's list price on Educator Appreciation Day. Chick-fil-A - Teachers, educators and administrators can get a free Chick-fil-A sandwich on Tuesday from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. at participating restaurants. Teacher ID required. Chipotle Buy one, get one free on burritos, bowls, salads or tacos on Teachers' Day from 3 p.m. to close. Cicis Pizza - Teachers receive one free adult buffet with valid school ID on May 8. Costco Purchase Costco Membership Activation Certificates to join Costco as a new member and receive more than $60 in savings. Hanes Teachers enjoy 10 percent off at Hanes.com, Champion.com, OneHanesPLace.com and JustMySize.com. Hobby Lobby Get a 10 percent discount on in-store purchases. Must use a check or bank card provided by the school to qualify. Home Depot Teachers can apply for tax-free classroom purchases at Home Depot. JoAnn Fabrics Teachers can receive 15 percent off every purchase every day. J. Crew - Teachers and college students can save 15 percent with school ID. Metro Diner From May 7-11, all teachers who visit Metro Diner will receive 20 percent off their check. Michael's Teachers can receive 15 percent off every purchase, including sale items, with ID. PBS - Get free access to digital curriculum-based resources. Sprint - Teachers can save through Sprint Works program. You can register here. T-Mobile Teachers, administrators and other educators can save through the Campus Exclusive Plan. Toms Teachers receive 10 percent discount. Verizon Education employees can receive discounts through Verizon. Zaxby's Select Zaxby's locations are offering special Teacher Appreciation Week deals. Find your location here. How sweet it is! Dolester Miles, whose desserts have delighted guests at Birmingham's Highlands Bar and Grill for more than 35 years, Monday night received the James Beard Foundation Award as the most outstanding pastry chef in America. Miles, who started working at Highlands when chef Frank Stitt opened the restaurant in 1982, received her James Beard medal at the 2018 awards show at the Lyric Opera of Chicago. Later Monday night, Highlands Bar and Grill also won the James Beard Award for the most outstanding restaurant in America. Highlands had been nominated for the top restaurant award nine years in a row but had not previously won. Miles, who was also a finalist for the pastry chef award in 2016 and 2017, said afterward that she was caught off guard when she was announced as this year's winner. "I'm just sitting back here all laid-back, and then I'm like, 'Oh, my God, did I hear that right?'" she said. "Frank (Stitt) was like, 'Get up, Dol, get up.' "I couldn't move for a minute there," she added. "I was just in such a shock because I was not expecting for them to call my name." The other finalists for the pastry chef award were Kelly Fields of Willa Jean in New Orleans, Meg Galus of Boka in Chicago, Margarita Manzke of Republique in Los Angeles, and Diane Yang of Spoon and Stable in Minneapolis. Miles brought her daughter. LaToya Phillips of Calera, along with her Monday night. "I'm so proud of her," her daughter said. "I just think, as a child, looking up to your mom, and she does this great accomplishment -- she's been doing it all these years. "And then she finally gets recognized for it. It just makes me really proud. I'm just telling her now, 'You need to own it. You are no longer the nominee. You have won it.'" UPDATED at 8:55 CDT on Tuesday, May 8, 2018, to add comments from Dolester Miles and LaToya Phillips. The fact that Frank and Pardis Stitt and their restaurant family at Highlands Bar and Grill had to wait 10 years for this moment makes it even sweeter. On Monday night, after going home disappointed in each of nine consecutive years as a finalist, the celebrated Birmingham restaurant finally won the elusive James Beard Foundation Award for the most outstanding restaurant in America. Let that sink in for a moment. Savor it. Revel in it. And shout it out loud. A restaurant from Birmingham, Ala. -- which, until an ambitious and imaginative young chef from Cullman named Frank Stitt came along and opened Highlands Bar and Grill in 1982, was better known for its barbecue and meat-and-threes -- now stands shoulder to shoulder with some of the finest dining establishments in the country. "You see all of these restaurant nominations," Stitt said in the raucous aftermath of Monday night's awards show at the Lyric Opera of Chicago. "They're from New York, they're from Chicago, they're from San Francisco. Birmingham, people kind of do a double-take." But not anymore. Over these past 10 years, Stitt has heard enough comparisons to Susan Lucci -- the soap opera star who infamously went 18 years before finally winning an Emmy Award on her 19th go-around -- to last a lifetime Highlands Bar and Grill was first a finalist for the outstanding restaurant award in 2009, but every year, Highlands was always edged out by bigger-name restaurants from major cities, like Eleven Madison Park in New York City, Boulevard in San Francisco and Alinea in Chicago. And in every one of those years, Stitt was always gracious in defeat, even though his disappointment was often hard to disguise. "This just sort of makes me want to go back and to try harder and just be more inspired," he said in 2014, the sixth year of the streak. The longer the streak kept going, the more Stitt began to doubt if it was ever meant for Highlands to win. "We try as hard as we can, but our life will go on if we never win this award," he said last year, when the streak hit nine years in a row. Stitt quit scribbling down notes for a potential acceptance speech a couple of years ago. "Typically, everything you wrote, the last three people said the exact same things," he said. Besides, he didn't want to jinx himself by presuming that Highlands might win. From left, Frank Stitt, Dolester Miles and Pardis Stitt arrive for the 2018 James Beard Foundation Awards at the Lyric Opera of Chicago. (Bob Carlton/bcarlton@al.com) Their luck was about to change Early during Monday evening's award show, though, the first sign that Highlands' luck was about to change came when Dolester Miles, the longtime pastry chef at the restaurant, won the award for outstanding pastry chef. A small celebration broke out on rows S and T of the old opera house, where nine members of the Highlands team were all sitting together. "I'm just sitting back here, all laid-back, and then I'm like, 'Oh, my God, did I hear that right?'" Miles recalled. "Frank was like, 'Get up, Dol, get up.' "I couldn't move for a minute there. I was just in such a shock because I was not expecting for them to call my name." A couple of hours later, Chicago chef Rick Bayless, whose Topolobampo won the outstanding restaurant award last year, came up to help introduce this year's finalists for the country's top restaurant. "This makes me really happy," Bayless said, just before announcing the winner. And that was an obvious clue that it really, finally, was going to be Highlands' year. "Rick Bayless is an old friend," Stitt said afterward. "When he started out by saying that, I was kind of hedging my bets that maybe he might say our name." Added Highlands bartender Chris Conner: "Then our name comes up on the screen, and it was just like wow." The entire Highlands Bar and Grill traveling squad -- including Miles, Conner, chef de cuisine Zack Redes, beverage director Matt Gilpin, sommelier Gray Maddox, dining room manager Ryan Ford and server Patrick Noling -- joined Stitt and his wife and business partner, Pardis, on the stage to accept the award they had been working toward all these many years. And even though Stitt hadn't written anything down, he found the right words to say at the right time. "I think one of the reasons we're all here is that we've been caught up (in) the magic of restaurants and striving for excellence and trying to create a little bit of beauty in one's work and, hopefully, in our guests' day," he said. "And it comes from respect in our relationships with our farmers, with our staff, with our guests," he added. "Basically, we've got a really big family that's been working on this since 1982, and there's a lot of love in our heart. "I want to thank my incredible team and the brightest star in my life, my wife, Pardis." Goren Avery, a server at Highlands who has been there since Stitt opened the restaurant in 1982, also should have been there Monday night, but he stayed back in Birmingham because he's not fond of flying. "We just got off the phone with Goren," Stitt said afterward. "He was calling to congratulate us. He was just so excited for Dolester, too." Winning the outstanding restaurant prize the same night that Miles took home the pastry chef award was like the icing on Dolester's legendary coconut-pecan cake. "Dolester was at Highlands when I opened it in 1982, so we've been working together for that long," Stitt said. "So that's just so great to see her get this kind of recognition, this national recognition. That's so incredible." Mat Whatley, center, and his daughter Lacey Whatley Alford, right, help Frank Stitt celebrate Highlands Bar and Grill's win at the 2018 James Beard Foundation Awards in Chicago. (Bob Carlton/bcarlton@al.com) The celebration has only just begun A small entourage of folks from Birmingham was also in Chicago Monday night to be part of the celebration, including Mat Whatley, a longtime Highlands Bar and Grill customer and supporter who has attended the James Beard Awards all 10 years the restaurant has been nominated. "I was getting kind of disappointed for you that we never came home with the trophy (before)," Stitt told Whatley. Hatton Smith, whose Royal Cup Coffee supplies the gourmet coffee for Highlands Bar and Grill, was there Monday night, too. Smith said he's missed the awards show only once over these past 10 years. "It was an enormous victory for Highlands, an enormous victory for Birmingham, and for the South," Smith told Stitt. And yes, now that Highlands Bar and Grill has finally won, Stitt can gladly say that 10 years wasn't too long to wait. "Certainly,'' he said, "I would have been disappointed if I had only been nominated one time and won this (on the first try). "This is quite the romantic build-up." And when the Highlands Bar and Grill crew arrives back home in Birmingham on Tuesday, the real celebration will begin. "I've got a feeling (Tuesday) night at Highlands, there's going to be a lot of toasts and a lot of celebration," Stitt said. The wait is finally over for Birmingham's Highlands Bar and Grill, which tonight won the prestigious James Beard Foundation Award as the most outstanding restaurant in America. Highlands previously had been a finalist for the award for nine years in a row before winning in its 10th year. Executive chef Frank Stitt and his wife and co-owner Pardis Stitt accepted the coveted James Beard medallion at 2018 awards ceremony at the Lyric Opera of Chicago. Highlands pastry chef Dolester Miles also won big earlier in the night, taking home the award for most outstanding pastry chef. Read more about that here. This year's other finalists for outstanding restaurant were Balthazar in New York City, Canlis in Seattle, Frasca Food and Wine in Boulder, Colo., and Quince in San Francisco. Highlands joins a select group of previous outstanding restaurant winners that includes Alinea and the Frontera Grill in Chicago, Boulevard and the Slanted Door in San Francisco and the New York restaurants Daniel, Jean Georges, Eleven Madison Park and Gramercy Tavern. Only two of the previous 27 outstanding restaurant winners have been from cities other than New York, Chicago, San Francisco, Los Angeles or New Orleans. The James Beard Awards are often called "the Oscars of food," and the outstanding restaurant award recognizes "a restaurant in the United States that serves as a national standard bearer of consistent quality and excellence in food, atmosphere and service," according to the James Beard Foundation website. Only restaurants that have been open 10 or more consecutive years are eligible. The Highlands Bar and Grill team celebrates after winning the James Beard Award as the Most Outstanding Restaurant in America. #jbfa pic.twitter.com/9rwWHpliJ6 Bob Carlton (@ExcitableBob) May 8, 2018 Birmingham has also been well-represented at the James Beard Awards in recent years. Stitt was chosen the best chef in his region in 2001, and he was one of five finalists for the most outstanding chef in the country in 2008. Also, in 2011, he was inducted into the foundation's Who's Who of Food and Beverage in America, a group that includes Julia Child, Thomas Keller, Graham Kerr, Wolfgang Puck and Emeril Lagasse, among others. In 2012, Chris Hastings of Birmingham's Hot and Hot Fish Club won a James Beard Award for best chef in the South, and in 2010, the Bright Star in Bessemer was named an "America's Classic" by the Beard Foundation. Established in 1990, the James Beard Foundation Awards are named in honor of the late chef and cookbook author who is credited with introducing gourmet cuisine to America. For a full list of this year's winners, go to www.jamesbeard.org/awards. This story will be updated. Be active. Go explore. Have fun. Bring your family and friends. That's Noah Galloway's advice for people in our state who want to be healthier, happier and more adventurous. As the celebrity spokesman for the 100 Alabama Miles Challenge, Galloway is encouraging everyone to spend time outside this year -- hiking, biking, swimming, paddling, walking, trail riding or engaging in other activities that strike their fancy. "It's about getting out and being active," Galloway says. "I'm all about that, especially in our state. Alabama is not known for being fit." But that can change if people get off the couch and head outside, plugging into the fresh-air concept of the 100 Alabama Miles Challenge. This new program -- developed by several public and private organizations -- asks participants to log two miles each week while visiting Alabama parks, rivers, trails and nature preserves. That way, they can experience the beauty of the state, boost their fitness and reach a milestone of 100 miles over the course of a year. "A lot of people are intimidated by fitness, because they think it has to be extreme," says Galloway, who's worked as a personal trainer. "Just getting out there and doing something can make a difference." The Alabama Army veteran -- a double amputee who's also a fitness buff, inspirational speaker and former reality TV star -- will help Birmingham folks get started on Saturday at Railroad Park. He's leading a 1-mile walk at 9 a.m., easing newcomers into the program and making that first mile count. "It's all about taking that first step," says Galloway, 36. "We're going to kick it off and do a walk. I'll meet everybody and talk to everybody. We'll just enjoy ourselves. You've got to start small. People try for too big, too soon. It's all about starting at something." Galloway, who displayed strength and grace as a top three finalist on Season 20 of "Dancing with the Stars," might not look like a guy who's ever lacked motivation. But his path to fitness wasn't always a smooth one. In December 2005, Galloway lost part of two left limbs during Operation Iraqi Freedom, after driving a Humvee into a trip wire that ignited a hidden bomb. His recovery was long and difficult, and Galloway found himself coping with the trauma in unhealthy ways. Depressed, drinking and out of shape, he vowed to get fit again and improve his relationship with his three children. "It was several years since I'd been in shape, after getting injured," Galloway says. "There were times I tried and quit, tried and quit. But I started eating healthy and doing a little bit at a time. What it boiled down to was that I wanted to be a better father to my kids. You've got to take care of yourself, to make yourself healthy for your family." Organizers for the challenge hope others will take Galloway's advice to heart, and it's clear they've designed this program as an alternative to the "no pain, no gain" philosophy that can make exercise seem like a chore. To make things easier and more enjoyable, they've developed online tools to help participants track their miles and celebrate their progress. On the program's website, people can plan trips, form groups and find events linked to the challenge. Participants also can record their mileage on the site, earning electronic badges when they visit certain places -- state parks, for example -- or reach specific milestones. "Because it's got the dynamic of tracking your mileage, you can make it a competition with your friends if you want to, or compete with yourself," Galloway says. Social media posts are part of the program, as well. Participants are encouraged to share their outdoor experiences on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and the like, using the hashtag #100ALMiles. Partners for the program include the Alabama Obesity Task Force, Alabama Trails Commission, Lakeshore Foundation, Alabama State Parks, Alabama Department of Public Health, AARP Alabama and the University of Alabama Center for Economic Development. Galloway, who lives in Shelby County, says he'll be logging mileage from two of his favorite spots in the area: Oak Mountain State Park in Pelham and Ruffner Mountain in Birmingham. But he also regards the 100 Alabama Miles Challenge as a spur to explore the great outdoors throughout the state. "I'm more of a gym guy," Galloway admits. "I love to get out, but I'm guilty of not always getting out. I'm going to use this as an opportunity to get out more and do things." Note: Outside the Birmingham area, participants in the 100 Alabama Miles Challenge can attend Saturday kickoff events in Auburn, Red Bay, Jasper, Cullman, Anniston, Clanton, Linden, Camden and Greenville. See the challenge's Facebook page for details. The Rev. Julie Conrady will take over as minister on Aug. 1, 2018. The Unitarian Universalist Church of Birmingham announced that it has called the Rev. Julie Conrady as the next minister. Conrady, a hospital chaplain in Oklahoma City, will begin on Aug. 1, said Anthony Hamley, chair of the search committee. "We were really impressed with her," Hamley said. "We think she'll really fit in." The congregation voted by acclamation to approve the recommendation of Conrady by the search committee, he said. "She has this sense of leadership and vision about her," Hamley said. "She's going to get us to be able to look out in the community more, and to raise our visibility in the community." The church has about 200 members on roll and average attendance of about 100 on Sundays for the 10 a.m. service at 4300 Hampton Heights Drive, off West Valley Avenue. The Unitarians, who reject the Trinity, and the Universalists, who believe in universal salvation, merged in 1961. The denomination has no creed, but is known for an emphasis on tolerance, social justice and its activist role in civil rights. Conrady graduated with a bachelor's degree in religion from Oklahoma City University and a master of divinity degree from Harvard Divinity School. Conrady served as an affiliated community minister of the First Unitarian Church of Oklahoma City. She and her husband, Josh Flores, have one child, Stark, and are expecting another, said Virginia Volker, a member of the search committee. The Rev. Ed Brock, who has been serving as interim minister, will preach his last sermon on June 17, Volker said. Authorities have filed formal charges against a man they say struck and seriously injured an Alabama State Trooper on Interstate 59 last week. Anthony Embry, 45, was arrested Monday on a charge of fleeing the scene of an accident with serious injuries, which is a felony, said Trooper Corporal Roman B. Hill. The crash happened about 10:45 p.m. on I-59 while the trooper was working the construction zone in the southbound lanes at 22nd Street. The injured officer was identified as Trooper Sgt. Anthony Ricks, a veteran law enforcement officer. Ricks was parked in the inside lane with emergency lights activated. A pickup truck and a passenger car struck the trooper's vehicle from behind. Ricks sustained serious but non-life- threatening injuries. He was released from the hospital the day after the accident and remains on leave recovering. The trooper and the other motorists, including Embry, were transported to area hospitals. Embry was taken to UAB Highlands, but he fled the hospital as soon as he got out of the ambulance. Investigators have said they believe he was driving under the influence, but because he fled they were not able to do tests on him in a timely manner. Embry was arrested at his home on Monday and booked into the Jefferson County Jail. He remains held on $15,000 bond. The trooper, who suffered a concussion, is recovering. Court records show Embry was convicted in 2014 of discharging a firearm into an occupied building. He was sentenced to 10 years in prison with one year to serve. The city of Birmingham will continue its controversial policy of spraying for mosquitoes for at least another year. Mosquito spraying will begin on May 14. The 2018 schedule for spraying is posted below. Birmingham residents can call 311 to opt out of having their yards sprayed. Mayor Randall Woodfin said his office is working on alternative ways to control the mosquito population in the city. In the meantime, there's no other way to stop the spread of mosquitoes without the weekly spraying, he said. Some cities like Homewood have halted the use of pesticides sprayed from a truck. According to Homewood's mosquito policy, the current science of mosquito control says spraying to kill adult mosquitoes is ineffective in reducing mosquito population and can leave behind more that are resistant to chemical agents. Birmingham is contracting with Saint Charles, Illinois-based Clarke Mosquito Control Products for the purchase of the pesticide, which is called Mosquito Master 412. The year's supply will cost $93,775. Birmingham City Councilors approved continuing the mosquito spraying, though, a few spoke out against the practice during last week's council meeting. "I think it's time we reevaluate our mosquito spraying practices," Councilor Darrell O'Quinn said during last week's city council meeting. "It's a pretty antiquated policy and there is plenty of science and data that indicate it's not nearly as effective as we think it is. We have to remember these chemicals being sprayed outside our doors do have an impact on our health." Council President Valerie Abbott asked residents to be "diligent about not raising our own population of mosquitos." "They breed in standing water," Abbott said. "We need to think about the personal responsibility of making sure there is not any standing water in our yards. That's how mosquitos breed. So if you have standing water in five gallon buckets in your yard, those mosquitoes are coming to bite you first." According to the Mosquito Master 214 label, the pesticide is harmful to humans and animals if swallowed or absorbed through the skin. It is toxic to aquatic organisms including fish and aquatic invertebrates. The product is also "highly toxic to bees" exposed to direct treatment on blooming crops or weeds. Mosquito Schedule 2018 by Erin Edgemon on Scribd The Alabama Department of Public Health is cautioning the public once again about the dangers of synthetic cannabinoids after authorities in other states are reporting serious, and even deadly, effects from the drug's use. From March 7 through April 24, the Illinois Department of Public Health received reports of 153 medical cases, including four deaths, linked to an outbreak of serious complications from the synthetic cannabinoids. Those patients experienced severe bleeding after using the drug which is illegal in Alabama. Alabama officials on Tuesday reported similar findings in other states including Florida, Indiana, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Pennsylvania, Virginia and Wisconsin. There have been no confirmed cases in Alabama. Synthetic cannabinoids are toxic psychoactive chemical compounds that mimic marijuana and have a high potential for abuse. These chemicals are called cannabinoids because they reportedly stimulate the same brain areas affected by marijuana. The manufactured products have brand names such as K2, Spice, AK-47, Black Mamba, Bombay, Blue Genie, Kronic, Kush, Mr. Happy, Scooby Snax, Zohai and others. Synthetic cannabinoids are not safe, and individuals consuming them may experience severe bleeding, said Medical Officer for Disease Control and Prevention Dr. Burnestine Taylor. The products may contain brodifacoum which is found in rat poisoning. Individuals who have been sickened by the synthetic cannabinoids have reported coughing up blood, blood in the urine, severe bloody nose, bleeding gums, heavy menstrual bleeding and internal bleeding. "Their effects can be unpredictable, harmful and deadly," Taylor said. "Anyone experiencing severe, unexplained bleeding or bruising after using these products needs to seek medical attention immediately." In 2015, Alabama had its own outbreak of spice-related illnesses and deaths. Between March 15 and May 4 of that year at least 932 patients who ingested or smoked spice had been seen in Alabama emergency rooms. Of those, 196 were hospitalized and five had died. In late April 2015, authorities announced 96 out of 462 patients were hospitalized after being seen and, at that point, only two had died. In addition to the bleeding, other signs and symptoms include: agitation and irritability, confusion and concentration problems, hallucinations, delusions, psychosis, suicidal thoughts and violent behavior, seizures, sleepiness and dizziness. Synthetic cannabinoids are unsafe, and it is hard to know what the products contain or what reactions to them will be, according to state officials. There are no standards for making, packaging or sales. Synthetic cannabinoid products may also be contaminated with other drugs or toxic chemicals. There are other symptoms experienced by users of synthetic cannabinoids that include rapid heart rate, nausea and vomiting, headache, kidney and respiratory problems, sweating and trouble sleeping. Health problems the user experiences depend on many factors, including the specific synthetic cannabinoid, how much is used, and for what length of time. ADPH urges the public not to use synthetic cannabinoids and to warn others about their dangers. A trace of accelerant found in the fire debris of a former Lipscomb fire chief and city councilman has investigators taking a closer look at his death. David Wayne Horn, 59, died in the blaze alongside his dog at his home on May 2. Horn was the city's volunteer fire chief about a decade ago and served on the Lipscomb City Council from 2004 through 2008. The Alabama State Fire Marshal's Office on Tuesday said the death is being investigated as a homicide. Lipscomb police and the Jefferson County Sheriff's Office are assisting in the probe. The Bessemer Fire Department responded to the home in the 6400 block of 7th Street South at approximately 6:07 a.m. Wednesday. After extinguishing the flames, the department initially said two people were killed in the fire. The coroner's office on Friday said Horn and two dogs were killed. Lipscomb Police Chief Scott Martin said the Alabama State Fire Marshal's Office investigator responded to Horn's home that day. "When he rolls up on a scene, he investigates everything as a homicide,'' the chief explained. That way, he said, all bases are covered. The hottest part of the early-morning fire appeared to be Horn's bedroom, Martin said. The state investigator brought an arson dog to the scene and the K9 did hit on the possibility of an accelerant. Horn died in the fire. There did not appear to be any physical trauma inflicted to him prior to the blaze. "We're still just trying to rule things out,'' Martin said. "At this point we're just going off what little potential evidence we have that would say if it's more than an accident but there hasn't been anything to point in any certain direction." In 2008, Horn pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor charge of attempting to impersonate a police officer. He received a 30-day suspended sentence and was ordered to pay court costs of about $300. His pistol permit was suspended. The charge stemmed from a 2008 incident when a resident went to Lipscomb City Hall to discuss fire protection. A discussion escalated Horn ordered the resident to leave, threatening him with arrest. When the man told Horn he had no arrest powers, Horn flashed a ''star-shaped badge'' and said that he had been sworn in by Jefferson County Sheriff Mike Hale in February 2003. An honorary sheriff's card does not grant the holder police powers, sheriff officials said. A memorial service for Horn is scheduled for Wednesday, May 9, at 6 p.m. at Bessemer Brown Service Funeral home. Visitation will begin at 5 p.m. Terry Keith Hammond A Walker County blogger who has been feuding on social media with the sheriff's office was taken into custody in southwest Alabama over the weekend. Terry Keith Hammond, 55, of the Walker County Area News, was arrested Saturday night by Clarke County sheriff's deputies, said Walker County Sheriff Jim Underwood. He is charged for felony theft. That charge, authorities said, stems from the theft of a $1,150 AM radio transmitter that Hammond agreed to fix for someone who lives in Maryland, and then posted the module for sale on Facebook, claiming he seized it under mechanic's lien laws. Hammond has repeatedly denied the charge to AL.com. Under the pretense of a news report, Hammond last posted pictures of a pickup truck and said an individual who was "openly armed" and wearing a Walker County Sheriff's Office shirt, demanded entry into the home and then forced his way through a locked door when the 19-year-old who answered the door refused him entry. The blogger wrote that he demanded answers of the sheriff's office, but none had been given. "So, as no answers are coming from Walker County SO more than 24 hours after questions were initially asked, we ask yet again, for the identity of the individuals responsible for these and why these acts were committed in the presence of an 18-year-old girl who is now frightened near out of wits and who had clearly denied entry." Walker County sheriff's officials fired back, also on social media, with a detailed description of what they said really happened when they went to try to arrest Hammond at his home. They said Hammond, whose news blog has about 27,000 followers, was a wanted felon with arrests spanning multiple states. He is currently wanted by the Baldwin County Sheriff's Office, the Escambia County Sheriff's Office, and the Walker County Sheriff's Office. "Hammond is using his Walker County Area News page to spread a false narrative, so we are correcting that narrative and revealing the felony warrant that was issued on April 30, 2018,'' Sgt. Ralph Williams said late last week. The sheriff's office Facebook response reached more than 47,500 social media users. "After posting the information, we received complaints from 19 different people on Hammond ranging from bullying, harassment, stalking, soliciting sex, and publicly posting things to target and humiliate his detractors using his social media account. There's an old saying that you don't upset an organization that buys ink by the barrel, such as a newspaper,'' the sheriff said. "In today's age, that phrase can be applied to people that have large followings on Facebook and other platforms. So, when Mr. Hammond was called out or challenged by citizens who were questioning his behavior he used his 'barrel of ink' to shut them up. That is evident in his fruitless attempt to bully the Office of the Sheriff." After the sheriff's office posted the information, numerous citizens began providing information on possible locations for Hammond, Underwood said. Investigators relayed the information to the Jackson Police Department and the Clarke County Sheriff's Office. The Jackson Police Department spent a lot of time conducting surveillance of Hammond's radio station, Underwood said. On Saturday, a citizen provided an address and deputies there followed up. Underwood said they were met with resistance, with one occupant resisting arrest and refusing to cooperate, while Hammond hid in a bedroom. The deputies located Hammond in the residence and took him into custody along with the other male that resisted arrest. The Walker County Sheriff's Office immediately sent deputies down to extradite Hammond back to the Walker County Jail. Over the last couple of months, Hammond allegedly agreed as an "engineer" at Broadcast Technical Services of Jasper to repair an AM radio transmitter for a victim from the State of Maryland, sheriff's officials said. The victim shipped the module to Hammond, who then told the victim he needed an additional $1,150 to complete the repair. The victim thought he was dealing with a professional repair company but became suspicious when Hammond instructed him to wire the money to a personal bank account routing number and account number here in Jasper. The victim did a Google search and found articles and posts describing the extensive criminal background of Hammond and then realized he was dealing with a con artist. Hammond posted the module for sale on Facebook, refusing to return it to the victim, and claiming that he seized it under mechanic's lien laws. Sheriff's Sgt. Anthony Leach's investigation revealed that Hammond has been arrested in Texas, Louisiana, Arkansas, and Nevada. Hammond currently has outstanding warrants with Escambia County Sheriff's Office for Failure to Appear as well as warrants with Baldwin County Sheriff's Office for Resisting Arrest. Underwood said Hammond was convicted in 2004 of felony theft in Texas, and as a result, his FCC license was revoked by the FCC. The Texas conviction was for altering checks received by the radio station and depositing them into a bank account he controlled. Hammond also had allegedly violated FCC rules by engaging in multiple instances of unauthorized operation of unlicensed radio stations in California, Louisiana, and Texas. Hammond also has previous Alabama arrests for burglary, theft, receiving stolen property, and reckless endangerment. Sheriff's officials said Hammond reportedly manages the WQJJ 101.9 Fox-FM radio station in Jasper and he also ran the "Walker County Area News" Facebook page up until he was placed in the county jail. He is currently being held on a $25,000 cash bond because he is a flight risk based on his most recent actions and his history of failure to appear. Hammond's wife, Bessie Price Hammond, also managed the Walker County Area News Facebook page. She is currently wanted by the District Attorney's Office in Woodward, Oklahoma for obtaining cash or merchandise with a bogus check. "It appears that Mr. Hammond has a pattern of getting into trouble in one city and then relocating to another, even moving from state to state. It's a shame when someone like this is interacting with our community through a radio station and Facebook news page, both being venues where citizens share information and where they spend their advertising dollars,'' the sheriff said. "We've received a lot of complaints about Mr. Hammond over the last couple of years and have received questions about the legitimacy of various fund-raising efforts he was undertaking here in Walker County. After he resolves his criminal case here, he might as well find somewhere else to go because we're not going to tolerate this type of activity." Youth evangelist Acton Bowen has been indicted on the two child sex abuse charges for which he was arrested in Hoover last month. A Jefferson County grand jury indicted the 37-year-old Bowen, founder of Acton Bowen Outreach Ministries, on felony charges of second-degree sodomy and enticing a child to enter a vehicle or house for immoral purposes, according to court records made public Tuesday. The victim was a young male, but police did not release his age except to say he is over 12 and under 16. Hoover police Capt. Gregg Rector said the department's Special Victim's Unit first launched the investigation three weeks prior to Bowen's April 10 arrest. According to Alabama law, a person commits the crime of second-sodomy if he or she, being 16 years old or older, engages in deviate sexual intercourse with another person less than 16 and more than 12 years old. Hoover police also charged Bowen with second-degree sexual abuse, but court records do not indicate that he was indicted on that charge. For enticing a child to enter vehicle, house, etc., for immoral purposes, the law says, "It shall be unlawful for any person with lascivious intent to entice, allure, persuade, or invite any child under 16 years of age to enter any vehicle, room, house, office, or other place for the purpose of proposing to such child the performance of an act of sexual intercourse or an act which constitutes the offense of sodomy." Bowen has denied any wrongdoing. In an April 11 statement to AL.com, Bowen said this: "I have not done what I am accused of and have not acted inappropriately in any way. My family and I trust the legal system and the people who are entrusted with the duty of protecting each of our rights. I believe the truth will stand and I will be vindicated of this false accusation. We ask that each of you keep everyone involved in this process in your prayers." Court records in the Jefferson County case say he engaged in deviate sexual intercourse with the teen boy, and also enticed him into getting into a 2010 Jeep Wrangler for the purpose of sodomy. Police have said the Hoover victim is a family acquaintance of Acton Bowen. Just last week, the majority of documents available for public review online in the Hoover charges were made private and are no longer available. Bowen has been held in the Etowah County Detention Center since his April 17 arrest on seven charges in that county: second-degree sodomy, enticing a child to enter a vehicle or house for immoral purposes and second-degree sex abuse. At his bond reduction hearing in Etowah County, authorities said he is also under investigation by the FBI and in Orange Beach, as well as in Florida and Colorado. His bond in Etowah County is set at $855,000 propery bond. A Georgia lawyer who accused a Madison County prosecutor of misconduct has withdrawn his request for sanctions against the prosecutor. Madison County Deputy District Attorney Randy Dill Melvin Johnson filed a hand-written motion this morning to withdraw his request for sanctions against Madison County Deputy DA Randy Dill. Johnson didn't return AL.com's call for comment. His motion doesn't say why he withdrew the request. A judge granted Johnson's withdrawal and cancelled a hearing that had been scheduled for Friday in Madison County Circuit Court. Because Madison County judges recused, Jackson County Circuit Judge Jennifer Holt has presided over the case. Johnson had accused Dill of concealing potentially exonerating evidence in a forgery case. Johnson was arrested in August 2015, accused of forging the Alabama state bar number and name of Huntsville attorney Lonzo Robinson on a lawsuit. Dill recently dismissed a forgery charge that Johnson faced. Madison County DA Rob Broussard said Dill had dismissed the charge after he considered the evidence, as any good prosecutor would. Broussard called the prosecutorial misconduct allegations "baseless." "We're more than a little bit tired of this ploy we see in criminal cases where good people are easily maligned by a baseless allegation," Broussard said. Johnson represented in a lawsuit a local woman whose young daughter reported being raped at Huntsville Hospital. Because Johnson was out of state, he needed a local lawyer who would agree to assist with procedural aspects of the case. He claims Robinson gave him permission to use his name and bar number. But, in police documents, Robinson said his name and number were forged. The lawsuit against the hospital was dropped. Former Vice President Al Gore brought his slides and global warming message to Montgomery today, telling a cheering crowd that a shortsighted view of capitalism that puts profits ahead of long-range consequences has helped foster a climate crisis. "I'm a capitalist, I'm all in favor of it. But I'm in favor of reforming capitalism to get away from this short-term thinking which is killing us," Gore told an audience that filled the Montgomery Performing Arts Center. Gore was in Montgomery for the Peace and Justice Summit, two days of panel discussions associated with the opening of the National Memorial for Peace and Justice and the Legacy Museum. Both are projects of the Equal Justice Initiative, a legal advocacy organization. The memorial recognizes more than 4,400 African-American victims of lynching, while the museum examines the evils of slavery and its aftermath. The Legacy Museum in downtown Montgomery, which opened on Thursday. (Mike Cason) Gore said he was honored when EJI Executive Director Bryan Stevenson invited him to speak on environmental justice at the summit. He said he had been in Montgomery since Wednesday. "It really is one of the most meaningful and dare I say magical events that I've ever been involved in," said Gore, winner of the Nobel Peace Prize in 2007 and subject of the Oscar-winning documentary on climate change, "An Inconvenient Truth." Gore was joined on stage and interviewed by the EJI's Catherine Coleman-Flowers, a Lowndes County native whose work has shed light on environmental problems in Alabama's poor and predominantly minority Black Belt. Gore mixed humor and humility with his slides, graphs and statistics about global warming and its consequences. He said people from poor neighborhoods have led the fight for environmental justice, taking stands ahead of policy makers. He took some shots at the Trump administration and its embattled Environmental Protection Agency Administrator, Scott Pruitt. When Flowers asked how long it would take to undo the environmental policies of the Trump administration after the 2020 election, Gore said he liked the premise of the question. "We're only a little over a year into this experiment," Gore said. "In science and medicine some experiments are terminated early for ethical reasons." Gore said there are encouraging global trends in reducing dependence on fossil fuels. He said production capacity for both wind and solar energy far exceeds what was projected about 15 years ago. He said the tools and technological solutions are available to address climate change. But he said it remains to be seen whether that will happen. "The answer, I believe, is yes," Gore said. "But really, it's still to come." Gore related his cause to civil rights and the recognition of leaders in that movement that came during EJI's opening ceremony for the memorial and museum on Thursday night. Congressman John Lewis, civil rights attorney Fred Gray and the two surviving plaintiffs of the successful lawsuit associated with the 1955 Montgomery bus boycott -- Claudette Colvin and Mary Louise Smith -- were among many recognized by Stevenson at that event. Gore said they persevered after being repeatedly held down during the era of Jim Crow laws. Gore said the same kind of resolve is needed for the climate change cause. The stakes are high, he said. "The climate crisis is in my opinion and in the opinion of most scientists, the most serious challenge humanity has ever faced," he said. "We're changing the relationship between our planet and our star. We're threatening to disrupt the conditions that have given rise to the flourishing of humanity for 10 millennia." Gore said key factors that led to the crisis include a quadrupling of the world's population over 100 years, which he said has leveled off, and development of technologies far more powerful than a few generations ago. "But the third factor that makes this dangerous is our way of thinking and specifically our focus on short-term objectives, quarterly reports, overnight opinion polls, overnight television ratings," Gore said. "Whereas my grandparents, and I know yours, used to think ahead more. And they'd plant trees fully aware that they were not going to give their full benefit until a couple or three generations later. "Along with fixing democracy, we've got to fix capitalism because we need sustainable capitalism." Downtown Montgomery streets and sidewalks buzzed today with tour buses, food trucks and a steady flow of pedestrians in conjunction with the opening of the National Memorial for Peace and Justice and the Legacy Museum. The activities continue Friday night with a concert at the downtown Riverwalk Amphitheater, featuring headline performers Brittany Howard of the Alabama Shakes, Usher, Dave Matthews, Common, the Roots, Gary Clark Jr., and Kirk Franklin. Two men have been charged with murder in the death of a missing Nauvoo man found dead along Jagger Road last week, according to the Walker County Sheriff's Office. Both men, 54-year-old David Earl Davis and 41-year-0ld Michael Scott Matthews, were charged with murder and first-degree theft, officials said. The body of Tony Wayne Duncan was found Friday morning. Both men were arrested Saturday, officials said. Sheriff Jim Underwood said Duncan knew both men. Michael Scott Mathews "The loss of a family member is one of the most difficult things we have to endure throughout life. It's substantially more traumatic on families to lose a loved one at the hands of murderer," Underwood said. Family members reported Duncan missing April 30. He was last seen April 28 around 9 p.m., officials said. They became concerned when Duncan did not return home to care for his dog, which they said was "highly uncharacteristic" of him. A truck was found burned on No. 2 Hill Road just after midnight Sunday--just hours after Duncan was last seen, officials said. Deputies were not able to identify who owned the truck and had it impounded. Investigators later determined the truck belonged to Duncan. Tony Duncan Investigators and family narrowed their search area to Jagger Road, which was initially unsuccessful, but family members returned to the area Friday. Family members found Duncan's body in some thick weeds about four feet off the roadway on Jagger Road, officials said. Davis and Matthews were developed as suspects and arrested. Both men were being held in Walker County Jail on a $250,000 cash bond. Underwood commended lead investigator Chuck Tidwell for his work on the case. Additional details about the investigation were not immediately available. NEW YORK -- New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman, who had taken on high-profile roles as an advocate for women's issues and an antagonist to the policies of President Donald Trump, announced late Monday that he would be resigning from office hours after four women he was romantically involved with or had romantic interactions with accused him of physical violence in accounts published by The New Yorker . Schneiderman, who had been running for re-election, said he contested the women's accounts, but "while these allegations are unrelated to my professional conduct or the operations of the office, they will effectively prevent me from leading the office's work at this critical time." He said he would resign at the close of business on Tuesday. Two women had spoken to The New Yorker on the record, saying Schneiderman repeatedly hit them during the course of their relationships with him in recent years, and never with their consent. Neither woman filed any police complaints, but both said they sought out medical attention and confided in people close to them about the abuse. A third woman who also was involved with him told her story to the other two women, but said she was too frightened to come forward. A fourth woman said Schneiderman slapped her when she rebuffed him during an intimate encounter, but also asked to remain unidentified. The New Yorker said it vetted the third woman's allegations, and saw a photo of what the fourth woman said was her injury. The accusations had led Democratic New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo to call for an investigation and for Schneiderman to immediately resign. The two women who spoke on the record, Michelle Manning Barish and Tanya Selvaratnam, both said the physical abuse escalated over time, including choking and hitting, and that Schneiderman also was a heavy drinker. The Associated Press is identifying the women because they agreed to tell their stories publicly. On Twitter, after the story was published, Manning Barish said: After the most difficult month of my life-I spoke up. For my daughter and for all women. I could not remain silent and encourage other women to be brave for me. I could not... https://t.co/HvL5ech0RM M Manning Barish (@MichelleBarish) May 7, 2018 Manning Barish said she was involved with Schneiderman from mid-2013 through the end of 2014; Selvaratnam said she was involved with him from the summer of 2016 until fall 2017. Manning Barish said Schneiderman started getting violent a few weeks after they began dating, slapping her one night after an evening out and escalating to choking her. She said she confided in friends, including novelist Salman Rushdie. Selvaratnam, who was born in Sri Lanka, said Schneiderman started calling her his "brown slave" and made her say that she was "his property." "After I found out that other women had been abused by Attorney-General Schneiderman in a similar manner many years before me, I wondered, who's next, and knew something needed to be done," Selvaratnam said in a statement to the AP. "So I chose to come forward both to protect women who might enter into a relationship with him in the future but also to raise awareness around the issue of intimate partner violence." Schneiderman, a Democrat, had issued a statement to The New Yorker saying: His representatives sent the same statement to The Associated Press when asked about the accusations. They also sent a statement from his ex-wife, Jennifer Cunningham, who said, "I've known Eric for nearly 35 years as a husband, father and friend. These allegations are completely inconsistent with the man I know, who has always been someone of the highest character, outstanding values and a loving father. I find it impossible to believe these allegations are true." Cuomo in his statement said: Statement from Governor Andrew M. Cuomo on New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman pic.twitter.com/yiN2T7dIUx Andrew Cuomo (@NYGovCuomo) May 8, 2018 Schneiderman has been a vocal supporter of the #MeToo movement. He filed a lawsuit in February against movie producer Harvey Weinstein and the Weinstein Co. following an investigation into allegations of sexual misconduct, saying the company broke New York law by failing to protect employees from "pervasive sexual harassment, intimidation and discrimination." He launched a civil rights probe into the New York City-based company in October after The New York Times and The New Yorker exposed allegations of sexual assault and harassment spanning decades. The company later fired Weinstein. The women accusing him said seeing him speak out on sexual misconduct issues was part of the impetus in them coming forward. "This is a man who has staked his entire career, his personal narrative, on being a champion for women publicly," Selvaratnam said. "But he abuses them privately. He needs to be called out." Schneiderman, who won a state Senate seat representing a Manhattan district in 1998, became attorney general in 2010 and had been running for re-election this year. Under the state Constitution, a vacancy in the office is filled by the state Legislature. Schneiderman has a history of recognition for activism on behalf of women's causes, including reproductive rights. The 63-year-old also has been a longtime critic of President Donald Trump, and has been part of several efforts to push back against some of his actions in the White House, like the rescinding of protection for immigrants brought to the U.S. illegally as children. Last month, he urged state lawmakers to close a loophole that he said could be used to fight state charges by anyone who has received a federal pardon for similar federal charges. On Twitter, Donald Trump Jr. offered pointed commentary. He showcased one of Schneiderman's tweets from last year saying that he would remind President Trump that no one was above the law, with Trump Jr. adding: A Republican opponent, Manny Alicandro, had just officially launched his candidacy on Monday. After The New Yorker report, Alicandro said, "If true, he is a disgrace and wholly unfit for the role of New York State's chief legal officer. I believe the accusers." --By Deepti Hajela A candidate in Lawrence County didn't let a sign vandal ruin her day. Candidate Laura Terry Powell Laura Terry Powell, an attorney, is seeking the Republican nomination for probate judge. In the last day, someone defaced one of her large campaign signs, drawing a mustache and blacking out a tooth. In response, Powell posted a video to Facebook where she dons a mustache of her own. "Hello Lawrence County, Laura Terry Powell here and I mustache you a question," she said, as she urges people to register to vote ahead of the June 5 primary. "All jokes aside, I'm sorry to the Hatton community for this eyesore," she said as she motions to the defaced sign. "I'm going to attempt to scrub it off today and if that doesn't work we'll get it fixed as soon as possible." You can see Powell's video here or watch below. (video may not work on all browsers) By Thursday a jury could begin deliberations in the capital murder retrial of Derek Horton, sentenced to death in 2012 for the 2010 killing of a woman in Grand Bay. Volunteer firefighters extinguished a fire at the residence of Jeanette Romprey, 59, and found her body inside. She had been shot twice in the head. Some of her belongings had been scattered along the edge of a nearby lake and her car was missing. The car was later found abandoned on I-65 near Brewton. Horton was found walking along the interstate in muddy clothes. Prosecutors said Horton's palm print and DNA evidence was found inside the car; the defense argued that no evidence directly linked him to the crime scene. On Aug. 31, 2012, a Mobile County jury recommended the death penalty pm a 10-2 vote, and that December Mobile County Presiding Circuit Judge Charles Graddick sentenced him to death. However, in March 2016 the Alabama Court of Criminal Appeals reversed the verdict and remanded the case for a new trial. The appeals court held: "The State's circumstantial evidence was minimally sufficient to warrant sending the case to the jury on the issue of Horton's guilt ... To buttress its weak case, the State presented substantial evidence regarding multiple collateral crimes and acts that, as already noted, painted Horton as a drug-using, drug-dealing, violent criminal. ... After thoroughly reviewing the record, we have no doubt that the improper admission of the collateral-act evidence had an almost irreversible impact on the minds of the jurors, drawing their minds away from the main issue, and leaving them with the impression that Horton was a dangerous career criminal who must have committed the murder." As preparations for a new trial took shape, Horton notified Circuit Court Judge Michael Youngpeter via handwritten letter than he intended to defend himself. "After much prayer and consideration I feel the Lord Jesus Christ is leading me to make the very difficult decision to invoke this right," he wrote. "This is nothing personal against my court-appointed attorneys, but, at 25 years old, I am at a point where all the personal responsibility for my death needs to rest solely on me." In an October 2017 order, Youngpeter found that "the Court is satisfied that the Defendant is knowingly, understandingly, and voluntarily waiving his right to the assistance of counsel in the defense. Consequently, the court permits the Defendant to represent himself." Youngpeter allowed Horton to keep court-appointed attorneys "as shadow counsel only." The order further said that "at any stage of the proceedings" Horton could opt to have them take over. Horton's retrial began last week, with the first witnesses heard on Friday. Witness testimony continued until about 3 p.m. Discussion between prosecutors Youngpeter indicated that testimony had gone somewhat faster than expected, and the prosecution had gone through all the witnesses it had scheduled for the day. Further discussion suggested that testimony could be concluded as soon as Tuesday, depending on how the defense presents its case, that closing arguments could be presented on Wednesday and the jury might be able to begin deliberations by early Thursday. Testimony will resume Tuesday morning. All six judges in Etowah County have recused themselves from presiding over the lawsuit filed last week by former U.S. Senate candidate Roy Moore. According to a court document filed Monday, the judges filed their recusals with interim Alabama Chief Justice Lyn Stuart. The judges asked for an out-of-town judge to be assigned to the case. The judges cited two reasons for withdrawing: One was that presiding Circuit Judge David Kimberley is a member of the state Judicial Inquiry Commission that suspended Moore as chief justice in 2016, effectively removing him from the high court after he refused to adhere to a federal court ruling permitting same-sex marriages in Alabama. The other reason is that Moore is a former circuit judge in the Sixteen Judicial Circuit in Etowah County. Moore filed a political conspiracy lawsuit on April 30 against five defendants - including three women who made accusations that Moore made unwanted romantic or sexual advances against them. The lawsuit maintains that all five defendants worked together to make the accusations against Moore and sabotage his attempt to win election to the Senate. Moore has repeatedly denied the allegations made by the women. The accusers have said they did not know each other and did not talk with each other before making their claims. The judges who filed the motion to recuse: Circuit judges Kimberley, George Day, William Ogletree and William Rhea as well as district judges Will Clay and Joe Nabors. Moore's lawsuit had been assigned to Rhea, according to the court file. Moore has an appeal before the Alabama Supreme Court to relocate another lawsuit - filed by one of his accusers, Leigh Corfman - from Montgomery County to Etowah County. Moore's attorneys have argued that the case should be moved to Etowah because that is where both the plaintiff and the defendant live and that is where the sexual encounter alleged by Corfman occurred. A judge in Montgomery County denied Moore's request to move the case to Etowah County, leading to his appeal to the Alabama Court of Civil Appeals - which transferred it to the state Supreme Court. Moore has filed a counter lawsuit against Corfman in that case. Etowah County judges recusal by pgattis7719 on Scribd More women are running for governor in the U.S. this year than ever before, spurred by a Democratic backlash against President Donald Trump and a whopping 18 states that are on the November ballot but have no incumbent in the race. With some state filing deadlines still ahead, as many as 77 women are expected to run in almost all of the 36 states with a governor's race this year, according to the Center for American Women and Politics at Rutgers University. That would be more than double the record of 34 female candidates in 1994. After all the votes are in, it's possible the number of female governors will meet or exceed the record of nine serving at once, which occurred in 2004 and 2007, said Jennifer Duffy, who tracks gubernatorial elections for the nonpartisan Cook Political Report. All four of the incumbent female governors up for re-election this year - in Alabama, Iowa, Oregon and Rhode Island - are favored to win. Retiring New Mexico Governor Susana Martinez, a Republican, is widely expected to be replaced by another woman, Democratic U.S. Representative Michelle Lujan Grisham. And in heavily Republican South Dakota and Tennessee, Representatives Kristi Noem and Diane Black have real shots at their governor's mansions as the current occupants retire. Of female candidates for governor in 2018, 36 percent are Republicans, compared with 25 percent among contenders for the U.S. House. While primaries are months away in many states, a number of other women already are emerging as top-tier candidates. Democratic Rep. Colleen Hanabusa is picking up key endorsements in her primary contest against incumbent Hawaii Gov. David Ige and, if she prevails, would be the likely victor in November in the heavily Democratic state. In another Democratic-dominated state, Connecticut, former three-term Secretary of State Susan Bysiewicz is among the leaders in a crowded field vying for the party nomination. In Florida, former Rep. Gwen Graham stands a significant chance of snagging the Democratic gubernatorial nomination in the race for the open seat of retiring Gov. Rick Scott, who is running for the Senate. In Michigan, former state Senate Minority Leader Gretchen Whitmer is vying for the Democratic nomination in another open contest. Of the 77 women expected to run for governor this year, 46 have already filed and another 31 plan to file papers before their states' deadlines, according to the Rutgers' center. Two of those who filed have already lost their primary contests. The office of governor has been a prime stepping stone the presidency, with 17 former state chief executives going on to the White House. Nearly two-thirds of the women running for governor are Democrats. "Women are generally more Democratic than men are, so you're seeing a tremendous amount of candidates emerging on the Democratic side, fueled by anger at Trump's victory," said Kyle Kondik, managing editor of Sabato's Crystal Ball, a campaign-tracking project of the Center for Politics at the University of Virginia in Charlottesville. The fact that half of the 36 gubernatorial races feature open seats creates just as strong a lure for candidacies, Duffy said. In Tennessee, candidate Black says the open seat was a key factor in her decision to enter the race after serving four terms in the House, including a stint as chair of the Budget Committee. She earlier served in the state legislature for more than a decade, and the retirement of Republican Gov. Bill Haslam increased the odds she could take the top state role, she said. "The seat is open and this governor is termed out, and I thought this is my opportunity to do what I would have loved to have done eight years ago before I went to Congress," Black said in an interview. "And that is having a stronger voice in setting policy for my own state." Attorney General Jeff Sessions announced Monday that the Justice Department will begin prosecuting every person who illegally crosses into the United States along the Southwest border, a hard-line policy shift focusing in particular on migrants traveling with children. In separate speeches - one in Scottsdale, Arizona, the other in San Diego - Sessions said the Department of Homeland Security will begin referring such cases to the Justice Department for prosecution. Federal prosecutors will "take on as many of those cases as humanly possible until we get to 100 percent," he said. "If you cross the border unlawfully . . . then we will prosecute you," Sessions said. "If you smuggle an illegal alien across the border, then we'll prosecute you. . . . If you're smuggling a child, then we're going to prosecute you and that child will be separated from you, probably, as required by law. If you don't want your child separated, then don't bring them across the border illegally. It's not our fault that somebody does that." DHS officials say they have seen a significant increase in illegal border crossings over the past year, including a rise in the number of families and unaccompanied children. In the past month, Border Patrol officers say they have encountered more than 50,000 immigrants trying to enter the United States. From April 2017 to April 2018, the number of apprehensions and "inadmissible" border crossings tripled, according to DHS. Advocates for migrants have said most are fleeing violence in Central America and should be treated as asylum-seekers, not criminals. The American Civil Liberties Union has already filed a federal lawsuit in California over past separations. Sessions indicated that while he has "no doubt" people illegally crossing the border are fleeing danger or despair, "We cannot take everyone on this planet who is in a difficult situation." California Attorney General Xavier Becerra, D, who has battled the Trump administration in court, signaled that he was following the issue closely. "As a father, the last thing I would do is separate fathers and mothers from their children and I would hope the federal government thinks twice about doing this," Becerra said. "There are constitutional protections we can look to." In San Diego, Sessions was interrupted by a heckler with a megaphone. "We don't want you in our state," the man yelled. "Are you going to be separating families? Is that why you're here? Why are you doing this? Do you have a heart? Do you have a soul? Why do you work for this administration?" Senior immigration and border officials called for the increased prosecutions last month in a confidential memo to Homeland Security Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen. They said filing criminal charges against migrants, including parents traveling with children, would be the "most effective" way to tamp down on illegal border crossings. The so-called "zero-tolerance" measure announced Monday could split up thousands of families because children are not allowed in criminal jails. Until now, most families apprehended crossing the border illegally have been released to await civil deportation hearings. The Trump administration piloted this approach in the Border Patrol's El Paso sector, which includes New Mexico, between July and November 2017, and said the number of families attempting to cross illegally plunged by 64 percent. The New York Times reported last month that hundreds of children have been taken from their parents at the border since October. Nielsen told lawmakers in April that DHS aims to keep families together "as long as operationally possible." She said families are separated to "protect the children" in case the adults traveling with them are not really their parents. Sessions, who as attorney general has been especially aggressive on immigration, said that to carry out the new enforcement policies, he was sending 35 prosecutors to the Southwest and 18 immigration judges to the border to handle asylum claims. Those moves were announced last week. Criminal prosecutions at the border have soared over the past two decades, from fewer than 10,000 cases in 1996 to more than 90,000 at their peak in 2013 under former President Barack Obama, according to TRAC, a Syracuse University organization that tracks criminal immigration prosecutions. Last fiscal year, the number of immigration prosecutions declined 14 percent, to nearly 60,000. The most common criminal charge is "improper entry by alien" - or illegal entry. First-time offenders usually face a federal misdemeanor punishable by up to six months in prison or fines. Repeat offenders can be imprisoned for up to two years and fined, or charged with the more serious offense of "illegal reentry." After President Donald Trump called last month for renewed efforts to reduce illegal border crossings, Sessions ordered U.S. attorneys on the border to prosecute migrants "to the extent practicable." His remarks Monday appeared to signal that federal prosecutors will make this a higher priority. "Eleven million people are already here illegally," Sessions said in his speech. "That's more than the population of the state of Georgia. . . . We're not going to stand for this. We are not going to let this country be invaded. We will not be stampeded. We will not capitulate to lawlessness." A man from Mobile was arrested and charged with assault in Washington state Tuesday morning after allegedly lunging at people with a knife. The unnamed man was staying at a motel in Centralia, located in the west side of the state, when the incident occurred at approximately 3.30 a.m. Police responded to what was described as "domestic dispute" between three people, according to local press reports. He was booked into Lewis County Jail for two counts of first-degree assault with a knife. No injuries were reported. Today's primary Senate election in West Virginia is giving the country flashbacks to nine months ago in Alabama. President Trump is urging voters to back establishment candidates instead of controversial ex-coal executive Don Blankenship, who is facing heat for referring to Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell as "Cocaine Mitch" and referring to McConnell's "China family" through wife, Trump Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao. In August 2016, the president made a similar plea for Alabamians to back then-incumbent Sen. Luther Strange in the August 2017 runoff against former Alabama Supreme Court Chief Justice Roy Moore. Trump's endorsement of Strange in the final days of the runoff occurred before revelations that Moore had inappropriate sexual contact with women when they were teenageers. Despite the president's backing, Alabama Republicans chose Moore. This time, Trump is arguing that Blankenship is unelectable before West Virginians go to the polls. The president held back from weighing in on the race until Monday, when he implored West Virginians to "Remember Alabama" -- a nod to Moore's stunning defeat against Democrat Doug Jones in the December general election. To the great people of West Virginia we have, together, a really great chance to keep making a big difference. Problem is, Don Blankenship, currently running for Senate, cant win the General Election in your State...No way! Remember Alabama. Vote Rep. Jenkins or A.G. Morrisey! Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) May 7, 2018 The tweet earned a thumbs-up from Strange, who said Trump's tweet "nailed it.": The President nailed it ... https://t.co/3JZ1yuC6r5 Luther Strange (@lutherstrange) May 7, 2018 Blankenship responded by attacking Trump's judgment for standing by Moore -- who he said was "a guy that was basically accused of pedophilia" -- leading up to the Alabama special election. Moore has denied the allegations and filed a lawsuit alleging a political conspriacy. "We all really like President Trump's policies, but we know he doesn't get things right," Blankenship said on WZTS TV. "He recommended people vote for a guy that was basically accused of pedophilia in Alabama, my accuser is Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton, it's not anyone that I've damaged." Trump's son, Donald Trump Jr., took to Twitter several days earlier to tell West Virginians not to commit "more fumbles like Alabama," a reference to Moore's defeat: I hate to lose. So I'm gonna go out on a limb here and ask the people of West Virginia to make a wise decision and reject Blankenship! No more fumbles like Alabama. We need to win in November. #wv #wvpol Donald Trump Jr. (@DonaldJTrumpJr) May 3, 2018 Blankenship shot back, accusing Trump Jr. of being a part of the establishment. The younger Trump responded by suggesting Blankenship would get trounced by incumbent Democratic Sen. Joe Manchin in November if Blankenship wins the primary: Every Republican gubernatorial candidate except Gov. Kay Ivey has now publicly shared information about their health status. Evangelist Scott Dawson was the latest, release a letter from his physician Tuesday morning that proclaimed him to be in "excellent physical health." Ivey has been dismissive of her GOP primary rivals putting forth their medical history, describing it as a "publicity stunt." Ivey has targeted her responses on the health issue at state Sen. Bill Hightower, who was the first of the four GOP candidates to release medical information. "If Senator Hightower is concerned about my age, he should just come out and say it rather than hide behind the media and pull a stunt like this," Ivey said last week. "It's just his attempt and others to just get more publicity. Here we are, 31, 2, 3 days from the election. For those who are genuinely interested, my health is doing great. I'm in good health and I give thanks to God almighty for it." Asked again if she would release any information from a doctor saying so, Ivey said, "This is all a publicity stunt and I'll just say what I said." While Dawson, Hightower and Huntsville Mayor Tommy Battle have all released letters from their doctors attesting to their good health, Ivey's health has come under scrutiny after being hospitalized in Colorado in 2015 during a visit as lieutenant governor. Alabama Political Reporter wrote a story last year saying that Ivey was admitted to the hospital due to stroke-like symptoms. In an interview last year with AL.com, Ivey confirmed she was hospitalized during the Colorado trip but said doctors determined the cause of her lightheadedness was due to the altitude. Ivey said she never had a stroke or a mini-stroke. Dawson's doctor, Aubrey D. Scott at Chelsea Urgent Care, said a battery of tests revealed no issues for the candidate. Tests specified by the doctor included a chest x-ray, an electrocardiogram and blood work. The letter also said that Dawson has no history of using tobacco, drugs or alcohol as well as no cardiovascular disease or indication of a stroke. "Scott is, in my opinion, in excellent physical health; having no abnormalities or concerns as to his current medical condition," Scott said in his letter. AL.com reporter Mike Cason contributed to this report. The Illinois Senate recently approved a bill that would require LGBT history be taught in public schools. Last year, California became the first state to adopt LGBT-inclusive textbooks, and many think more states should follow suit. But others argue teaching LGBT history violates religious freedom, and teachers shouldn't be required to tell students it's okay to be gay. But if we teach African-American history in schools, why wouldn't we teach LGBT history? What do you think? PERSPECTIVES The Illinois Senate approved a bill that would require LGBT history be taught in public schools. Last year, California became the first state to approve LGBT-inclusive history textbooks for use in public schools. It just makes sense that LGBT history should be taught in schools. We teach African-American history, why shouldn't students learn about the many civil rights movements central to American history? But not everyone agrees. Some conservatives, like Fox News host Tucker Carlson, argue teaching LGBT history legitimizes homosexuality and violates the religious beliefs of teachers and students. Carlson likened the bill to "propaganda" and thinks kids should not be taught a history that is "politically charged." Teaching history is important, but changing history to appease modern-day sensitivities is wrong. Conservatives believe an LGBT curriculum would be inherently political and we should just leave our history textbooks alone. The Tylt is focused on debates and conversations around news, current events and pop culture. We provide our community with the opportunity to share their opinions and vote on topics that matter most to them. We actively engage the community and present meaningful data on the debates and conversations as they progress. The Tylt is a place where your opinion counts, literally. The Tylt is an Advance Digital, Inc. property. Join us on Twitter @TheTylt or on Facebook, we'd love to hear what you have to say. The Causeway crossing the northern edge of Mobile Bay has a deserved reputation for picturesque views and lively seafood restaurants. From a practicality standpoint, the 7-mile roadway offers commuters a welcome alternative from the oft-jammed Interstate 10 Bayway. But the Causeway remains largely undeveloped, although it's fascinated entrepreneurs, investors and bureaucrats since it was built in the 1920s. "It needs to be dressed up, cleaned up and taken to where it can be," said Spanish Fort Mayor Mike McMillan. City officials took a step toward making that happen Monday. The City Council voted unanimously on a plan that lays out a Causeway makeover. The 31-page "master plan" for the Causeway, which is mostly located within Spanish Fort's boundaries, aims to highlight attractions that can lure more people for recreation and tourism: Pedestrian/bike paths, parks, fishing piers, improved lighting, canoe/kayaking access points, signage and festivals. The master plan was created by Goodwyn, Mills & Cawood. It cost around $65,000. The new features and amenities come with a hefty cost. Rough estimates call for a $20 million to $24 million price-tag, and the city doesn't have that kind of money in its budget. McMillan said the city will rely upon grants. He said he has the support from the Alabama Department of Transportation, which is planning to replace the Tensaw River Bridge under a $24.6 million project set to begin in the summer of 2019. Construction could take 14-16 months. A public meeting on the bridge project is scheduled from 5-7 o'clock tonight at the Five Rivers Delta Resource Center in Spanish Fort. The project's scope includes replacing the bridge's existing westbound lanes with a new bridge that will be built to the south of the existing eastbound bridge. The new lane will have two 12-foot travel lanes, a 6-foot inside shoulder, a 10-foot outside, and an 8-foot multi-use lane for bicyclists and pedestrians. Brian Aaron, assistant region engineer with ALDOT's Southwest Region, said the multi-use lane "marries up" with what Spanish Fort has planned for the Causeway. He said the ALDOT project adds a new pathway extending from around Cafe Del Rio toward the USS Alabama Battleship Memorial Park. McMillan said the goal is to build a new 5-1/2-mile bike/pedestrian lane that connects east to the Eastern Shore Trail, a foot path and biking path that runs to Point Clear. "The big costs involved will be getting over those rivers, so they are going to have to add a span to allow bike and pedestrians to get over them," said McMillan. Federal officials will also be relied upon for grant assistance, McMillan said. And U.S. Rep. Bradley Byrne, R-Fairhope, said that he's willing to help. "The Causeway is a real treasure, and I applaud Spanish Fort for their efforts to highlight and fully take advantage of this unique area," Byrne said in a statement. "While the details and timeline are up to the local and state officials, my office stands ready to assist at the federal level, whether with funding or approvals, however we can." 'Gateway' McMillan has long called the Causeway a "gateway" into Spanish Fort, which was incorporated in 1993. It is among the fastest-growing cities in Alabama's fastest-growing county, Baldwin. In fact, state officials and private developers have looked for ways to bring people to the thoroughfare, by incorporating the word "gateway" into various projects. At Five Rivers Delta Resource Center, built for around $10 million in 2006 and 2007, visitors are greeted by a sign that reads, "Your Gateway to Adventure." Five Rivers -- which celebrates the Mobile-Tensaw Delta, Alabama's largest river delta and wetland - includes an exhibit hall, learning center, 90-seat theater and recreational attractions. When it opened, Five Rivers was expected to bring in 75,000 to 100,000 visitors each year. State records, provided to AL.com on Monday, shows the center averaging 60,717 visitors annually. It has exceeded the original projections once - 77,500 came to Five Rivers in 2015. Another "Gateway" project fell apart in 2005, shortly after Hurricane Katrina pounded the Causeway and much of the rest of the Alabama coast. The residential complex was proposed as a 26-story, arch-like condominium tower. Its backers were enthusiastic, but city officials weren't as thrilled, and the project eventually stalled. Mobile attorney David McDonald, who is part owner of 7 acres across from the Ed's Shed seafood eatery on the Causeway, said he has been waiting "12 to 13 years" from the city on "what they do want" to jump-start development along the roadway. McDonald said he was unaware of the city's master planning until an AL.com reporter contacted him. McMillan said that new residential development is not a component of the plan. "We are big on the Causeway, and we think it has unlimited potential," said McDonald. "We are excited they have plans, and it's long overdue. I just wished they would have called us." Said McDonald: "I just want to see the Causeway put to use. Right now, what we have, is nothing but some great restaurants." 'Destination' Indeed, those restaurants help fuel Spanish Fort's economy. Almost all of them are dedicated to seafood, and are attractive spots for business luncheons, family gatherings, tourist destinations or celebrity spottings. Elvis Presley, for instance, once dined at Bluegill Restaurant and his booth is set aside as an attraction. The Original Oyster House memorializes its brushes with fame with framed pictures on its walls. At Ralph & Kacoo's, visitors can spot live alligators on the property. Felix's Fish Camp is a hot spot for nature viewing. R&R's Seafood is known for its boiled crawfish. Said McMillan: "The seafood restaurants do a bang-up business and they serve great food. It's a destination." According to the new master plan, Spanish Fort's Causeway would mimic some of the features of Florida's Courtney Campbell Causeway, which links Clearwater and Tampa. That 9.9-mile expanse received a $23 million boost, paid for with a combination of Florida state and federal money, for new trails giving joggers and cyclists stunning views of Old Tampa Bay. McMillan said the biggest obstacle to completing the Causeway master plan for Spanish Fort is the "costs." He said grant money will dictate whether the projects start closest to the Battleship Alabama or the bluffs of the Eastern Shore. "The Causeway is such a unique place," said McMillan. "It's nature at its best. We are so blessed to have the Causeway. We need to make sure we develop a plan that is unique to it and enhances it." Money often speaks louder than words when it comes to politics. With Kay Ivey as the presumptive frontrunner in Alabama's 2018 gubernatorial race, the state's power brokers are investing significant dollars in the lieutenant governor's contest as a political insurance policy. Whether it's concerns over Ivey's health or simply the reality of former Governor Robert Bentley's resignation, the money is flowing into a race that has previously been a back-burner consideration for Alabama's political class. In the 2014 cycle, Kay Ivey raised $1,023,389.74 to primary challenger Stan Cooke's $198,350. Heading to the primary on June 5, 2018, Twinkle Cavanaugh, Will Ainsworth, and Rusty Glover have combined to raise a reported $2,255,029.81 in the 2018 election cycle thus far. Add in contributions to Mary Scott Hunter's short bid for the office, and the race is roughly twice as valuable as the 2014 cycle. More importantly, the race has two $1 million plus contenders in Cavanaugh and Ainsworth. The political battle lines are even more interesting. The Business Council of Alabama's ProgressPAC is behind Cavanaugh to the tune of $40,000. Drummond Company, Inc.--a Birmingham coal company--dropped $50,000 in direct support for Cavanaugh. Maynard, Cooper & Gale's MCG PAC split the field with $10,000 to Cavanaugh and $5,000 to Ainsworth. PACs associated with the Alabama Forestry Association have gone in big for Ainsworth with at total of $133,400. Those numbers are multiples higher than the less-competitive 2014 cycle. For example, ProgressPAC's 2014 contribution to Ivey's lieutenant governor bid was only $5,000. None of these amounts include funds funneled through Alabama's campaign finance shell game. For example, Drummond Company donated $30,000 to ENPAC on March 27, 2018. ENPAC subsequently gave $5,000 to Cavanaugh on April 26, 2018. That's one example with a relatively simple paper trail, but chasing down all the contribution paths that end up in a candidate's coffer isn't an easy task in Alabama. The bottom line is that Alabama's big political players are shelling out the cash for their preferred candidate to be the next in line for gubernatorial succession. To be clear, nobody is seriously concerned that Ivey is going to resign or be removed for ethical lapses. Either the lieutenant governor's race suddenly became interesting or Alabama's political insiders know something the average Alabamian doesn't. Republican gubernatorial candidate Bill Hightower has pressed the issue over Ivey's health by challenging the field to release their personal medical records. It doesn't appear that Ivey plans on doing so. That doesn't seem to bother Alabama's power players. They're content with a political life insurance policy on Ivey even if the premium is much higher than it's been in the past. Cameron Smith is a regular columnist for AL.com and vice president for the R Street Institute, a think tank in Washington, D.C. A draft bill on US military spending is calling for a temporary halt of American weapons sales to Turkey, a key Middle East ally of Washington. Clauses on Turkey in the annual defence policy bill released by members of the House of Representatives on Monday are the latest strain in already-sour relations between the two NATO allies. The full text of the draft calls for a temporary arms sales ban against Turkey until the secretary of defence submits a report on the worsening US-Turkey relations to related House committees. The $717bn military bill prohibits any action to execute delivery of major military equipment to Turkey until the required report is delivered to the specified congressional committees. The proposed US National Defense Authorisation Act must go through various steps before becoming law. Mevlut Cavusoglu, Turkeys foreign minister, recently told Turkish media the section on arms sales to Turkey in the bill were wrong, illogical and not suitable in relations between NATO allies, stressing Ankara would retaliate if the measures are enacted. If the US imposes sanctions on us or takes a similar step, Turkey will absolutely retaliate. But we would not want to do that, Cavusoglu said. Mensur Akgun, chair of the international relations department at Istanbul Kultur University, said the move would not affect Turkeys power to acquire weapons it needs, but would bring a new crisis in bilateral ties. Turkey has been producing its own weapons more and more as time goes by. Other high-technology weapons that cannot be produced in Turkey can be supplied by other countries. And Turkey is gradually increasing its weapon purchases from Russia, Akgun told Al Jazeera from Istanbul. The effect would be psychological. Already strained trust between the two sides would take a new dive if these measures are enacted. And both sides would pay the price of such a move that harms both countries regional interests. Turkey seeks to buy 116 F-35 joint strike fighter jets from the US, and is also in talks with Washington to buy Patriot missiles. Strained relations In a highly unusual move for a NATO member, Turkey closed a deal with Russia in December to buy the S-400 missile defence system amid increasingly improved relations between the two countries, particularly concerning the Syrian war. The S-400 surface-to-air missiles are incompatible with NATO systems and the purchase has alarmed various member countries, which warned Turkey of unspecified consequences. {articleGUID} The US proposed defence bill demands an assessment of Turkeys purchase of the S-400 system from Russia, and the potential effects of such move on bilateral relations. According to Hall Gardner, co-chair of the international relations department at the American University Paris, US President Donald Trump hopes to ease congressional restrictions on US arms sales to Turkey in the effort to check the sale of Russian S-400s. The risk is that the proposed US congressional legislation will further alienate Turkey, turning it not only to European arms firms, but to closer defence ties with both Russia and China, Gardner told Al Jazeera. Russia and Iran, which support Syrian President Bashar al-Assads regime, and Turkey, which backs the moderate opposition, have been in close cooperation through the Astana talks, which aim to find a solution to the seven-year-long Syrian conflict. Also in Syria, Ankara in January launched a military operation into Afrin in the northwest to push out the US-backed Kurdish Peoples Protection Units (YPG) fighters near its border despite Washingtons disapproval. Ankara announced in March that its army and rebels it backs secured the region. US officials condemned the cross-border offensive, arguing it undermined the fight against the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant group (ISIS, also known as ISIL), which was largely carried out by Kurdish fighters. Turkey has long been aggravated by the arms and training support the US has given to the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), a US-backed umbrella group of fighters formed to fight ISIL and led by the YPG. Ankara considers the Kurdish Democratic Union Party (PYD) in Syria and its armed wing YPG to be terrorist groups with ties to the banned Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK). The decades-long fight between the autonomy-seeking PKK and the Turkish army has killed tens of thousands of people. Visa disputes Last October, the US suspended its visa services in Turkey after a consulate employee was arrested in the country. Ankara reciprocated and stopped giving visas on arrival to US citizens. The Turkish citizen working for the US consulate in Istanbul was accused of having links to the organisation of Fethullah Gulen, an exiled religious leader and businessman based in the US and wanted in Turkey. Ankara accuses Gulen of masterminding the July 2016 coup attempt that killed more than 300 people. {articleGUID} Washingtons inaction in extraditing Gulen to Turkey has negatively affected bilateral ties and has been repeatedly denounced by President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. The US and Turkeys other NATO allies have repeatedly condemned the Turkish governments mass detentions and purges after the failed coup. There are US citizens among the people in jail under terrorism charges, including pastor Andrew Brunson, the head of a small Protestant church in the western city of Izmir. The prosecution, in which Brunson faces up to 35 years in prison, has been condemned by Trump. Pastor Andrew Brunson, a fine gentleman and Christian leader in the US, is on trial and being persecuted in Turkey for no reason, Trump said in a tweet. They call him a spy, but I am more a spy than he is. Local and international rights groups accuse the government of using the coup attempt as a pretext to silence opposition in the country. The government says the moves are in line with the rule of law and aim to remove Gulens supporters from state institutions and other parts of society. [Through the proposed sanctions] the US Congress hopes to press Erdogan to put an end to his repressive actions inside the county, while also drawing Ankara closer to the US and away from Russia, Gardner said. If the Trump administration cannot soon mediate disputes with Turkey, the consequences of congressional pressures could, however, result in the contrary, he added, saying Ankara could end up closer to Moscow and Tehran, which are also under US sanctions. Follow Umut Uras on Twitter: @Um_uras Since 1957, the United States played a crucial role in the establishment of Irans nuclear programme. In December 1953, US President Dwight Eisenhower stood before the United Nations to deliver his Atoms for Peace speech. In his address, he detailed a policy seeking to provide technology and educational resources for friendly nations interested in developing a nuclear programme for civilian purposes, including energy production. As an ally of the United States, Iran became one of the first beneficiaries of the programme. In 1957, the two countries signed an agreement in Washington, DC, formalising their cooperation in order for Tehran to begin developing atomic energy for civilian purposes. By 1974, US President Richard Nixon had sent experts to Tehran to help the country build its nuclear reactors. The US also helped train the first batch of Irans nuclear scientists at Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Some of them would eventually help modernise Irans nuclear reactors. Heres a brief history of Irans nuclear programme, and its storied relationship with the United States. Irans Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi and US President Eisenhower drive through cheering crowds in Tehran in 1959 [File: AP] Iran and the United States sign an agreement concerning civil uses of atomic energy. It is part of the Atoms for Peace policy declared by Eisenhower in 1953. Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, under whose rule Iran was a close ally of the US and the UK, establishes the Tehran Nuclear Research Center. The US provides Iran with its first research nuclear reactor, the Tehran Research Reactor, a five-megawatt apparatus that continues to be in operation until today. Iran ratifies the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), making its programme subject to International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) verification. Shah Reza Pahlavi announces a plan for Iran to build at least 20 nuclear reactors. Two months later, Nixon sends experts to Tehran to help in the building of the reactors. A 1968 Iranian newspaper clip says a quarter of Irans nuclear scientists were women [Wiki Commons] Iranian students arrive in the US to train as nuclear scientists at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. According to the Boston Globe, at least three of the 35 graduates will dedicate their careers building Irans nuclear programme. The shah and Empress Farah leave Iran on January 16, 1979 [File: AP] At the height of the Iranian Revolution, the shah and his family flee the country. Less than a month later, Ayatollah Khomeini returns to Iran after 14 years in exile. Following the revolution, Irans nuclear energy programme is temporarily halted. Iranian students storm the US embassy in Iran and take diplomats hostage, leading to a diplomatic breach that continues up to this day. The hostages are released 444 days later on January 21, 1981 at the beginning of US President Ronald Reagans term in office. An Iraqi soldier on guard in the Iranian village of Khosrawi in October 1980 [File: AP] With US backing, Iraq launches a military attack against Iran, igniting the eight-year Iran-Iraq War, during which Iran will feel an energy crunch. As the war with Iraq rages on, Iran resumes its interest in a national nuclear programme. Following the first US-led Gulf War against Iraqs Saddam Hussein, Iran begins to dedicate funds to speed up its research and development of nuclear power. In 1995, it signs several deals with Russia for the development of its nuclear programme. The Arak nuclear complex is comprised of a heavy water experimental reactor [Wiki Commons] The administration of US President George W Bush accuses Iran of pursuing a secret nuclear weapons plan. Months earlier, the exiled opposition National Council of Resistance of Iran will report the existence of a uranium enrichment facility at Natanz and a heavy water plant at Arak. An IAEA report on the inspections says that Iran has failed to comply with the NPT. More than a year later, Iran promises European Union (EU) negotiators that it will suspend all nuclear fuel processing and reprocessing work. In his speech before the UN in 2012, Ahmadinejad defended Irans nuclear programme [File: AP] Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, mayor of Tehran, is elected president. Months later, the IAEA will report that Iran has resumed uranium conversion at the Isfahan nuclear research facility. Iran resumes nuclear fuel research at the Natanz enrichment plant after breaking the United Nations (UN) seals on the facility, prompting the IAEA to report Iran to the UN Security Council. The UN Security Council votes for sanctions and gives Iran a 60-day deadline to suspend enrichment. Iran calls the resolution illegal. The UN Security Council unanimously approves further financial and weapons sanctions against Iran over its uranium-enrichment activities, which Tehran says are for peaceful purposes. Iran Revolutionary Guard Corps is an elite force under the direct command of the Supreme Leader [File: AP] The US imposes new sanctions on Iran and accuses the elite Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps of distributing weapons of mass destruction. A month later, China, France, Russia, the UK, the US and Germany (P5+1, or the group of six) will agree to push ahead with a third round of tougher sanctions. A US National Intelligence Estimate says Iran halted its attempts to build a nuclear bomb in 2003. It also says with moderate confidence that the programme has not resumed as of mid-2007. A quarterly IAEA report says Iran now has 7,231 centrifuge enrichment machines installed, a 25 percent increase in potential capacity since March. Two months later, the IAEA will say that Iran has slightly reduced the scale of its uranium enrichment, while also raising the number of installed centrifuge machines by some 1,000, to 8,308. The six world powers P5+1 and Iran launch a new round of negotiations in Turkeys biggest city, Istanbul. Hassan Rouhani, the former chief nuclear negotiator, is declared the winner of Irans presidential elections. Rouhani has an historic phone call with US President Barack Obama. At least two years of negotiations between Iran and the world powers yielded a deal in 2015 [File: AP] Secret US-Iran talks are revealed. Iran agrees to curb certain nuclear activities and accept enhanced IAEA monitoring. In return, minor sanctions are lifted, and Iran is promised that no new sanctions will be imposed. The deal is considered temporary until a new, broader agreement is reached. Israels Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu launches a last-ditch effort to stop the Iran nuclear deal by delivering a speech before the US Congress. {articleGUID} Iran and the six world powers sign the nuclear deal, formally known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA). The accord ends nearly 12 years of a nuclear standoff between Iran and Western powers led by the US. In exchange of Iran giving up its nuclear weapons programme, international sanctions are lifted. Ehud Barak, former Israeli prime minister and defence minister, says Netanyahu wanted to attack Irans nuclear facilities in 2010 and 2011. Since the signing of the Iran deal, the IAEA has verified Irans compliance 10 times [File: AP] International sanctions against Iran are lifted after the IAEAs Yukiya Amano says that Tehran has complied with its side of the July 2015 agreement. Donald Trump is elected president of the US. During his campaign, Trump repeatedly vowed to withdraw from the Iran nuclear pact, calling it the worst deal ever. Supporters of Rouhani attend a street campaign ahead of his re-election in May 2017 [File: AP] Rouhani is re-elected as president. During his first term, Rouhani vowed that economic sanctions in Iran will be lifted. Trump decertifies the 2015 Iran nuclear deal, saying Tehran is not living up to the spirit of the accord. Trump waives US sanctions against Iran for the last time. He says that if his demands to change the deal are not met within 120 days, the US will withdraw from the deal on May 12. IAEAs Yukiya Amano says Iran has continued to implement its nuclear-related commitments under the JCPOA. It is the 10th IAEA report certifying Irans compliance with the deal. Experts said there was nothing new to what Netanyahu said in his speech [File: Reuters] Netanyahu delivers a speech saying that Iran pursued a secret nuclear programme, but experts say there was nothing new to what was said. The EUs Federica Mogherini and other US allies say that Iran continues to abide by the JCPOA since it was signed in 2015. Experts also say Netanyahus speech proves that inspections are necessary, and that ending the deal can lead to an end of regular inspections. Trump announces that the United States is withdrawing from the Iran nuclear deal, directing his administration to re-impose sanctions. In response, Rouhani says Tehran will bypass Washington and negotiate with the other signatories of the deal. US President Donald Trumps first round of sanctions against Iran takes effect. Trumps sanctions were designed in two phases, based on the 90-day and 180-day wind-down periods set by the US Department of Treasury, counting from the May 8 announcement. The first phase targeted aviation and auto industry, as well as its currency and the sale of Iranian products such as carpets, caviar and pistachios. Second round of US sanctions targeting Irans oil and gas industry, as well as its banking, is reimposed. Iran has vowed to defy the sanctions and said it will continue to trade energy, which is the source of up to 80 percent of the countrys export revenues. Canada has always been silent when Israel decides to kill as many Palestinians as it wants to, for any reason. Silence. That one word has defined Canadas response to the summary execution and maiming of hundreds of Palestinians in Gaza lately by Israeli thugs, otherwise known as soldiers, perched comfortably behind makeshift hills meters away in Israel. Canada remains silent while Israeli snipers continue to murder Palestinian children. Canada remains silent while Israeli snipers continue to shoot Palestinian children in the head and legs with butterfly bullets meant to kill instantly and disfigure irrevocably for waving Palestinian flags on what remains of Palestinian soil. Canada remains silent while Israeli snipers continue to execute Palestinian journalists wearing vests marked PRESS as they record droves of Palestinians being wantonly murdered and maimed again and again and again. Canada remains silent while Israeli snipers continue to target and gas thousands of Palestinian children, women and men for defending their dignity, sovereignty, and humanity during peaceful demonstrations on Palestinian soil since the Great March of Return began on March 30. Though shameful, Canadas silence isnt surprising. Canada has always been silent when Israel decides, yet again, to kill as many Palestinians as it wants to, at any time, for any reason. What is slightly surprising, however, is the belief among many so-called progressives that a government led by a Liberal prime minister, Justin Trudeau, and a Liberal foreign minister, Chrystia Freeland, would think and act differently with regard to Canadas steadfast support for Israels right to kill as many Palestinians as it wants to, at any time, for any reason. On this lethal score, there is no difference between Justin Trudeau and Chrystia Freeland and any other past Canadian prime minister or foreign minister. Like their predecessors, Trudeau and Freeland believe that Israel has the right to kill as many Palestinians as it wants to, whenever it wants to, for any reason it wants to, for as long as it wants to. These same deluded progressives believe, of course, that a Trudeau-led Canada is fundamentally different from a Donald Trump-led America. Canada, unlike America, they say, respects and protects human rights, territorial integrity and international law. Fools. When it comes to the execution, maiming and gassing of unarmed Palestinian children, women and men on Palestinian soil by Israeli snipers, Justin Trudeau is a clone of Donald Trump and Chrystia Freeland is a cliche-spouting facsimile of US Secretary of State, Mike Pompeo. Recently, Pompeo told Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in effect to keep killing as many Palestinians as he wants to, at any time, for any reason. We believe the Israelis have the right to defend themselves, and were fully supportive of that, Pompeo said in Amman, Jordan on April 30. (Pompeo parroted Barack Obama, who, as the Democrats hope and change presidential candidate, reassured Israel in May 2008 that: As president, I will do everything in my power to help Israel protect itself from these and other threats. I will make sure that Israel can defend itself from any attack, whether it comes from as close as Gaza or far as Teheran.) The Liberal Party of Canada used precisely the same recycled rhetoric and rationale to condone Israels invasion of Gaza and the slaughter of more than 500 Palestinian children. Israel has the right to defend itself and its people, Trudeau said via a cryptic press release in July 2014. Hence, Canadas silence today. But Freelands loquacious streak on Twitter has revealed a breathtaking hypocrisy and sanctimony that I didnt think even wily, ambitious politicians like Canadas perpetually effervescent foreign minister, were capable of. Heres Freeland on World Press Freedom Day reminding her followers that, before she became a politician, she was a long-time journalist in Canada and abroad. As a former journalist and as Minister of Foreign Affairs, I will use every opportunity to raise concerns regarding violations of freedom of expression, she wrote on May 3. In her tweet, Freeland linked to a Global Affairs Canada press release issued under her name that reads in part: In too many places, members of the media face constant and unacceptable threats. The numbers dont lie: last year 75 were killed, 81 were imprisoned, and one person is still missing. These attacks weaken democracy, silence the voices of the oppressed, and undermine public trust. We categorically condemn anyone who in any way intimidates and harasses journalists working in defence of the truth. Attached to Freelands statement is a map that highlights in black the places around the globe where journalists have been killed, threatened, imprisoned, silenced, intimidated and harassed for doing their job. In Freelands map, none of the places where Palestinian journalists have been killed, threatened, imprisoned, silenced, intimidated or harassed by Israel for doing their job in defence of the truth are painted black. As a result, Freeland has never seized the opportunity to categorically condemn Israels injustices since her ministrys map makes plain that Israel hasnt killed, threatened, imprisoned, silenced, intimidated or harassed Palestinian journalists in Gaza. The historical record, however, is as bloody, as it is damning and clear. As many as 11 Palestinian journalists killed during the Israeli invasion of Gaza in 2014. Netanyahus smear of Al Jazeera and his brazen attempts in 2017 to shutter and, by extension, silence, the news agencys Jerusalem bureau. The murders by Israeli snipers of Ahmad Abu Hussein, a 24-year-old photojournalist who was shot in the abdomen on April 15 or Yaser Murtaja, a 30-year-old journalist, husband and father who was also shot in the abdomen and succumbed to his injuries on April 7. Freeland has said and done nothing about the executions of her erstwhile colleagues in Gaza not only because thats what Canadas de rigueur foreign policy vis-a-vis Israel demands, but because the ex-journalist likely isnt inclined to scuttle her barely camouflaged designs eventually to succeed her dauphin boss. To win the crown, Freeland knows its political suicide to offend or alienate the same institutional and corporate interests inside and outside the establishment media that habitually and unquestionably side with Israel in every way, on every count, and that helped propel Trudeau into office. So, while Freeland is silent in the face of the flagrant brutality visited upon so many innocent Palestinians by Israeli soldiers, on May 2 she leapt at the opportunity to demand on Twitter that Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas withdraw his deeply offensive remarks made in a bizarre address last week to the Palestinian National Council about the Holocaust (Abbas has since apologised). Its no mystery why Freeland finds a foul, historically illiterate speech deeply offensive, but not the murder of kite-flying Palestinian kids. In her cynical calculus, the right of Palestinians young or old to march together peacefully to reclaim their stolen lands without being grievously injured or killed will always be trumped by Israels right to defend itself. Still, Freelands transparent, self-serving hypocrisy and silence are not only contemptible, but anathema to any self-respecting journalist. The views expressed in this article are the authors own and do not necessarily reflect Al Jazeeras editorial stance. There was a lot to be learned from that White House lawn horror show, but it had nothing to do with Nigeria or the US. Did you see the video of President Trump and President Buhari speaking to the press on the White House lawn? The one that is essentially two old men, one clearly exhausted and the other one oblivious, making unintelligible comments into a forest of microphones? There are good reasons to watch it. I, for example, was asked to watch it and see if I could come up with an opinion piece. So I did, because nothing could possibly be worse than Trumps superb clanger on the Fox and Friends show, right? And besides, around the same time, Kanye West was doing a good job of delivering all the aggravation one global community under a 24-hour news cycle regime could tolerate with his version of the history of slavery. I mean, this couldnt possibly be too bad. It was bad. It was bad because it hurt to try to decipher what was being said. For a bit of work, I had violated my own Trump quota, forgetting that watching him actually makes me doubt my own perceptions. It was bad because no person of colour, and especially no African, should be exposed to his intense and hateful ignorance about Africa, as it is nearly a literal poison. It was bad because the head of state of Africas giant powerhouse was weakly mumbling something that sounded obsequious next to this unfathomable man that the US has inflicted upon us. I suddenly understood the term emasculated, which is quite the feat considering I am always game to watch my cocky Nigerians get poked in their oversized ego from time to time. We have friendly, and sometimes not-so-friendly rivalries, on the continent, but I think we can all agree that Nigeria is too big and too strong and too full of itself and seeing it experience some harmless misfortune is total schadenfreude. But Nigeria has done nothing to deserve whatever happened on that lawn. Now we all have a case of second-hand cringe. Thats how bad it was. Oh, and then, because he could, Trump made noises about the infamous Sh****e countries statement. Confession: I had checked out by then. Watching the press trying press heh a coherent answer from the POTUS hurt me in my spleen. And something about Buhari made me a bit too sad. Lion in winter effect, I suppose. But we learn through all experiences, both good and bad, and this was certainly a teaching moment for me. First of all, it made me yearn for back in the day when the concept of decorum was valued. Buhari and Trump are ill and so is Kanye West. With the former it is simple physical illness; with the latter two one could add illness of information to a list of suspected ailments of body and soul. The danger is that this kind of thing is contagious: we put these clearly struggling people on podiums and let them wreak havoc to create a new normal which has us all depressed, or scared, or believing in Flat Earth theories. When did it become OK to let the suffering amuse, abuse, bemuse us? Why do we let them? I also realised that if Buhari and Trump and Yeezy were women, by now they would have been accused of some obscure feminine disorder like hysteria and promptly carted off to get medicated into compliance with better standards of behaviour. Lets not even kid ourselves: If Queen Elizabeth had displayed even an ounce of oratory that woefully bad, half the world would be calling for us to pray for her. And yet she is married to Prince Philip, a man of many faux pas on par with George W Bush, at least. He is legendary. Oh, you wanted political commentary? Something about what this says about the relationship between Africa and the current incarnation of the US? I dont think so. That would imply validating whatever that White House lawn horror show was. And I will not. I will respect myself by refusing to entertain this nonsense. There are too many Africans and too many Americans who are far too respectable to be reduced to this level. So, no. I am going to obliviate this event. I am going to remain undistracted from the fact that US military presence is growing alarmingly on the continent under the guise of security. I know for a fact that there are many institutions far more influential and capable in this bi-continental relationship like evangelical churches, or Bill Gates. So, no. Also, I want to talk about discipline and the culpability of the masses. Everybody needs that person who keeps you on the steady. Unfortunately for the world, Melania cannot hold Donalds reins and Ivanka ugh, lets just not go there. So here he is, in full monster mode, with no one to help. Buhari I mean, really, Naija? Kind of let Wakanda down, didnt you? When your father is sick, keep him home and feed him soup. What shoddy elder care. And Kanye should not under any circumstances be considered a credible source of wisdom. He is the illustration why rich people lose touch with reality. Because we let them. Rich, powerful, male: we let them speak publicly and validate their rantings no matter how nut-job. The saying that power corrupts is facile because we rarely go into how and why it corrupts. It happens because we feed our inner darkness and thirst for blood through these poor souls. We feed their egos until their egos consume them alive. We let them forget their mortality and we use the minutiae of so-called political rivalries to ignore the bigger and uglier truths. We create these monsters so we can watch them dance for us in the arena of public life. Yes we, the people. So, I dont mind telling you that I watched that video only once, for this assignment, and will now be taking another break from Trump footage. Sometimes averting your eyes is both sane and kind, and socially conscious. As much as I wish someone strong and capable like Claire Huxtable would come along and slap bad presidents and bad rappers all upside the head with her glare of supreme authority, I know it is not going to happen. What too soon? Exactly. Beware giving authority to any figure. Especially rich, male, public ones. There is a lot of sickness going around and we need to not entertain it. The views expressed in this article are the authors own and do not necessarily reflect Al Jazeeras editorial stance. Lebanon finally held a parliamentary election, nine years after the last one and following several false starts over the past five years, but the results have not brought change to the countrys political status quo. The same old political elites continue to dominate Lebanons political scene, winning the vast majority of seats. Turn out in this election was lower than in the previous one, standing at 49 percent. This signals a sense of popular ambivalence about the political process among most Lebanese, especially since the outgoing parliament renewed its own mandate twice unconstitutionally and since the elections that were meant to take place in 2013 kept being postponed under the pretext of lack of security. Parliaments unconstitutional extensions have made a mockery of the concept of elections and reduced peoples faith in the political system. This lack of faith hurt the prospects of independent candidates who, for the first time, contested the 2018 parliamentary elections in large numbers, running against the traditional parties. The major parties did not, for the most part, run on the basis of political platforms or issues of concern to Lebanese citizens. Instead, they ran on the basis of rallying people around personalities, as they had done in previous election rounds. Several independent lists and coalitions contested seats all over Lebanon. However, only one candidate, the well-known television presenter Paulette Yacoubian, was declared a winner on the side of independents. Another independent, Joumana Haddad, came close to winning a seat, but lost by a narrow margin at the last minute, with her supporters framing her loss as the outcome of violations (Lebanese Association for Democratic Elections (LADE) recorded thousands of violations in this election). This means that out of 128 seats, only one has been claimed by an independent. {articleGUID} That many independents contested the election illustrates the slow evolution of civil society in Lebanon. A few of those figures first came to public prominence during the 2005 Cedar Revolution, while others became known through their participation in the work of Beirut Madinati the list of independents that emerged out of the anti-corruption public protests that gripped Lebanon in 2015 and contested municipal elections in 2016. Although all but one independent candidate lost the seats they ran for in these parliamentary elections, their participation showed that Lebanon could have an alternative political class, which could, in turn, allow voters to have more faith in the political process and to cast their votes on the basis of issues rather than patronage networks and personalities. The sad reality highlighted by the election is that these patronage networks and personalities continue to dominate the political scene, aided by an electoral law that works in their favour as it disregards the results of any electoral list that did not achieve a minimum threshold of votes. With independents not having the same resources that major political parties have, and with them not resorting to tactics like vote buying as has been the case with some of the traditional parties, independents had little chance of winning. This was not helped by how independents ran against one another on different lists in certain districts, splintering votes that could have gone to a streamlined independents list had they had a better-coordinated strategy. In this way, the independents ended up further empowering the traditional political elites. But the elections showed that not all these elites are as comfortable as others. Crucially, while the Lebanese Forces almost doubled their number of parliamentarians in this election, the Future Movement lost a number of seats. This variation can be largely attributed to the two parties stance towards Hezbollah. While the Lebanese Forces and the Future Movement were both part of the March 14 coalition that originally formed in 2005 in opposition to the Hezbollah-led March 8 coalition, the Lebanese Forces have always been consistent in their stance against Hezbollah. The Future Movement, however, entered a relationship of convenience with Hezbollah and its ally the Free Patriotic Movement that allowed Future leader Saad Hariri to become prime minister in a cabinet dominated by Hezbollah and its allies. In this election, Hariri stunned his supporters by asking them to vote for his friend Gibran Bassil, the leader of the Free Patriotic Movement. This move by Hariri has not just cost him dearly at the ballot box but has also served to further empower Hezbollah, which now, with its allies, has 67 out of the 128 parliamentary seats. The most painful loss for Hariri was in one of Beiruts electoral districts, where Sunni seats that used to be occupied by Future Movement MPs are now claimed by pro-Hezbollah winners. The immediate reaction to this shift has been skirmishes between supporters of the two camps after Hezbollah supporters provoked Hariri supporters by covering the statue of Saad Hariris late father, former Prime Minister Rafik Hariri, in downtown Beirut with the Hezbollah flag and chanting Beirut has become Shia. This sectarian chant is a sign of things to come, as Hezbollah continues its rise as the most powerful political party in Lebanon, enabled by various intimidation tactics that included assault on Shia candidates running as independents in Hezbollah strongholds. Lebanon emerges from this election with a small glimmer of hope represented by the lone independent candidate who managed to infiltrate the status quo. But the bigger picture is gloomy, with the only credible political bloc challenging Hezbollah in parliament being the Lebanese Forces, who can no longer count on Hariri as an ally, and therefore are limited in what they can achieve. The many uncomfortable bedfellows who formed joint lists in this election on a tit-for-tat basis, such as that of the Future Movement and the Free Patriotic Movement, are a reminder that the biggest winner in the Lebanese election is its corrupt status quo. The views expressed in this article are the authors own and do not necessarily reflect Al Jazeeras editorial stance. After a court failed to convict five men of raping a young woman, Spanish women are calling for legal reform. In the early morning hours of July 7, 2016, a young woman who has come to be known only as la victima (the victim) told policeman in the Spanish city of Pamplona that she had been gang-raped by five men. She had gone with a friend to Pamplona for its Running of the Bulls San Fermin festival, an alcohol and testosterone-fueled week of bullfights and street dancing. Separated from her friend and lost, the young woman accepted the offer of a group of young men to accompany her back to her car. Walking together down the dark, narrow streets, the men led her to a doorway and began taking turns raping her. When they finished, they took her phone and disappeared. {articleGUID} Four other rapes, one attempted rape and seven sexual assaults were reported the same week as hers in Pamplona. Their cases are forgotten. But two years later, on April 26, 2018, the verdict in la victimas case provoked huge protests in every major Spanish city. Protesters painted their hands red, a symbol of aggression, and held aloft signs reading: I Believe You. It also caused the United Nations and Amnesty International to issue statements, and Hollywood stars like Jessica Chastain and Rose McGowen to tweet on the topic. Prosecutors in the case had demanded a 22-25 prison sentence for the five men, aged 27 to 29, accused of raping the woman, then aged 18 while defence attorneys had requested a complete acquittal. The court case was closely followed in the media and expectations, especially among womens groups emboldened by the MeToo and TimesUp movements, were high for a guilty verdict. But the court, composed of three male judges, found the accused men guilty of the lesser crime of continuous sexual abuse because the woman didnt fight back. The term rape doesnt exist in Spains criminal code. Under Spanish law, the lesser offence of sexual abuse differs from sexual assault in that it does not involve violence or intimidation. For sexual assault to have occurred, the woman must have, for example, been hit or threatened with a knife. Must a victim of rape risk her life in order for the law to recognise the rape? In 2008, also in Pamplona during the San Fermin festival, a young nurse named Nagore Lafagge was raped. But Nagore Laffage resisted her rapist, who then beat her to death. Women all over Spain know this case, and that her murderer, after serving eight years in prison, is now a free man. It is patriarchy speaking through the verdict. The message they are sending us is that the law will not protect us, said Cristina Calvo Pareja from Madrid. And from Barcelona, Mireia Gallardo Avellan asked: Let me see if I understand this logic. The superior strength of five men organised to subdue a woman is not rape. I should then understand that it is normal. The normality of patriarchy. And that the opposite of accepting this means insubordination. During Francisco Francos dictatorship, women needed the permission of their husbands to work, drive or travel outside the country. Insubordination was forbidden by law. According to a recent study by the European Commission, Spain is one of the European countries where incidents of sexual assault are reported the least. With 2.65 reports per 100,000 residents, Spain has the eighth lowest report rate, slightly ahead of Serbia. And that under-reporting has everything to do with the law. Sexually abused women in Spain regularly face prejudice on the part of authorities who question their testimony, Amnesty International said in a statement on the case last November. A victim of sexual violence in Spain suffers twice at the hands of the law. First, when the state fails to bring attackers to trial. Second when, under what is often vicious cross-examination, victims rather than their attackers are put on trial. In their ruling the judges stated: It is indisputable that the plaintiff suddenly found herself in a narrow and hidden place, surrounded by five older, thick-bodied males who left her overwhelmed and unresponsive. The woman, responding to questioning, described her actions: I closed my eyes. I didnt speak. I wasnt able to do anything I just did everything they told me to do. From this, the court concluded that the lack of struggle meant the sex was consensual. One of the judges, Ricardo Gonzalez, described the rape scene as a sexual encounter in an atmosphere of merriment and rejoicing, and told the victim in court: In any case, it is clear that you werent in pain during the event. Gonzalezs statements galvanised 1,800 mental health professionals to join protests against the sentence. As one psychologist explained, in cases of sexual violence, a response of immobilisation, when it is not possible to fight or flee, is common. Pity the rape victim who is neither rich nor famous. I survived a violent rape at age 15, an experience I wrote about in an earlier opinion piece for Al Jazeera. Despairing for decades about rape in America, Ive been astounded by the sudden force of the MeToo movement. But MeToo never could have happened without the star power of its first breaker of the silence, Hollywood actress Ashley Judd, who was soon followed by Angelina Jolie, Gwyneth Paltrow and others. Had Penelope Cruz been gang-raped in Pamplona and had she been willing to publicly name her attackers I am certain that even Spains most conservative judge would have ruled differently. But this woman, like the tens of thousands of women all over the world who are raped, was nameless. Powerless. After decades of movements fighting to end a deeply entrenched culture of entitled patriarchy, this case has brought the issue of sexual violence to a boiling, tipping point, engaging virtually all of Spanish society. An online petition calling for the disqualification of the trial judges received more than 1.2 million signatures in just two days. State prosecutors say they will appeal the ruling. Many Spaniards believe it will bring change that Spanish case law on sexual violence can be brought into line with international human rights standards. But a new development belies that hope. Feeling the heat, Spains justice minister requested a review of laws related to sexual violence. A 20-member committee was formed. Not one of the 20 members appointed to the committee is a woman. Men who do not have the requisite abilities, capacities or knowledge cannot legislate on matters so sensitive, so impactful to women, said Lydia Vicente Marquez, executive director, Rights International Spain. Men simply cannot speak on behalf of women. The case has provoked outrage in the European Parliament where an extraordinary debate was held last Wednesday on Spains application of international standards on the definition of sexual violence. Members of the European Parliament from a wide range of political parties, even Frances right-wing National Front party, criticised Spain for not having implemented the Istanbul Convention on combating gender-based violence. The impact of this rape verdict might well reach beyond the Iberian Peninsula, to other European Union member states like Ireland, Greece, Bulgaria and Croatia who have also not ratified the Convention. And in countries all over Latin America and the Caribbean, women empowered by Spanish protests are using the hashtag campaign, #Cuentalo (tell your story) to call attention to the high levels of gender violence in their countries. UN Women has called Latin America and the Caribbean the most violent region in the world for women. The clock is ticking. Perpetrators of sexual violence must be held accountable. Onwards, Sisters. #IBelieveYou. The views expressed in this article are the authors own and do not necessarily reflect Al Jazeeras editorial stance. Parliament votes in favour of Pashinyan, days after PM Sargsyan resigned following widespread anti-government protests. Armenias parliament has elected opposition leader Nikol Pashinyan as the new prime minister, two weeks after Serzh Sargsyan resigned following widespread anti-government demonstrations. Pashinyans so-called Velvet Revolution has exercised true people power the ability to conjure up a storm of support on request. His protest movement began with a non-violent march on March 31, demanding that Sargsyan step down. Pashinyan, 42, experienced a meteoric rise in popularity in recent weeks by appealing to Armenians of all ages. The election of Pashinyan, a former newspaper editor who spent time in prison for fomenting unrest, marks a rupture with the cadre of rulers who have run Armenia since the late 1990s. He promised to rid the country of what he called an oligarchic, nepotistic political system, a message that has resonated with a younger generation frustrated by a lack of opportunities. Forced Sarksyan out Pashinyan spearheaded a protest movement that first forced veteran leader Sarksyan to step down as prime minister, then pressured the ruling party to abandon attempts to block his election as prime minister, the countrys most powerful post. {articleGUID} In a vote in parliament on Tuesday, 59 MPs backed Pashinyans candidacy, including some from the ruling Republican Party, with 42 voting against. In a vote last week, the Republican Party blocked Pashinyan, but it said on Tuesday it had decided to get behind him for the sake of unity and the good of the nation. Republic Square in Yerevan, where Pashinyans supporters gathered to watch the voting on huge screens, erupted into joy when the result was shown. The tens of thousands of people in the square shouted Nikol! and white doves were released into the air as people hugged and kissed each other. How Armenias revolution became a brand A new culture of resistance is emerging in Armenia as artists express the feelings of the people on the streets. Sun Zhengcai, once seen as Xi Jinpings possible successor, pleaded guilty to accepting more than $27m in bribes. A former senior Communist Party official who was once tipped to become the future president of China has been sentenced to life imprisonment for bribery on Tuesday. The First Intermediate Peoples Court of Tianjin convicted Sun Zhengcai of taking more than 170 million yuan ($27m) in bribes, directly or through third parties. Sun had previously pleaded guilty to accepting bribes at his trial on 12 April. During the trial, Sun said he would not appeal the sentence. Sun and his alleged associates were accused of accepting money and assets in return for helping unspecified organisations and individuals with business operations and other matters, the court said. The crimes were committed while he was a district Communist Party leader in Beijing in 2002 when he was the state minister of agriculture, and during his period as party chief, the court said. {articleGUID} I sincerely confess to and regret the crimes I committed. I accept the courts verdict and will not appeal, the 54-year-old leader said in court, China Central Television reported. Sun, a former Politburo member and party chief of the southwestern mega-city of Chongqing was also stripped of his political rights for life, and all his property and illicit gains were confiscated, Chinese news agency Xinhua reported. In July, Sun was abruptly removed from his post as the ruling Communist Partys chief of the southwestern city of Chongqing and was replaced by Chen Miner, a protege of current President Xi Jinping. Sun was the youngest member of the Communist Partys top 25-member Politburo before he was expelled, and he was widely considered a potential successor to Xi. Suns case mirrors the downfall of another former Chongqing chief, Bo Xilai, whose arrest shook the previous party in 2012. Bo, who was at the time considered a potential future leader, is now serving a life sentence in prison for corruption and abuse of power, charges that Sun is also facing. {articleGUID} Xi, 64, has waged a relentless fight against deep-rooted corruption since assuming power five years ago, with more than a million officials punished and dozens of former senior officials jailed. During last years National Congress, Xi vowed to continue his anti-corruption campaign, claiming the fight against corruption has formed an overwhelming posture and strengthened in development. His clampdown on corrupt officials has gained him a measure of popularity among Chinese people. However, critics have claimed Xi has used the crusade as a way to sideline political opponents and consolidate his power over the country. Xis rise over the years has been accompanied by tighter restrictions on civil society, with the detention of activists and lawyers, and stricter limits on the already heavily controlled internet. In March, Chinas parliament scrapped presidential term limits, paving the way for Xi to rule indefinitely over the worlds most populous country. The move reversed the era of collective leadership and orderly succession that was promoted by late paramount leader Deng Xiaoping to ensure stability following the turbulent one-man rule of Communist Chinas founder Mao Zedong. Xi would have had to give up the presidency after the end of his second term in 2023, but last years decision allows him to have a lifetime in power during which to push his vision of a rejuvenated China as a global powerhouse with a world-class military. Last-ditch efforts by European allies fail to persuade US president to not pull out from landmark 2015 agreement. US President Donald Trump has announced that the United States is effectively withdrawing from the Iran nuclear deal, defying last-ditch diplomatic efforts by his European allies to convince him otherwise. I made clear that if the deal could not be fixed, the United States would no longer be a party to the agreement, Trump said in a highly-anticipated address on Tuesday. The Iran deal is defective at its core. If we do nothing, we will know what exactly will happen. Therefore, I am announcing today, that the United States will withdraw from the Iran nuclear deal, he said. Under the deal signed in Vienna with six world powers the US, UK, France, Germany, Russia, China and the European Union Iran scaled back its uranium enrichment programme and promised not to pursue nuclear weapons. In exchange, international sanctions were lifted, allowing it to sell its oil and gas worldwide. However, secondary US sanctions remain. The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has repeatedly confirmed that Tehran has been meeting its nuclear commitments fully. A White House statement issued after Trumps speech said the US president directed his administration to immediately begin the process of re-imposing sanctions related to the deal, formally known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA). The re-imposed sanctions will target critical sectors of Irans economy, such as its energy, petrochemical, and financial sectors. Foreign policy malpractice Trumps decision fulfills a campaign promise to cancel the 2015 pact, which he has repeatedly described as the worst deal ever. Responding to Trumps announcement, Iranian President Hassan Rouhani attacked Washingtons empty signatures and said there was a short time to negotiate with the other world powers to keep the nuclear deal in place. I have ordered the foreign ministry to negotiate with the European countries, China and Russia in coming weeks. If at the end of this short period we conclude that we can fully benefit from the JCPOA with the cooperation of all countries, the deal would remain, he added. Thomas Countryman, former US assistant secretary of state who helped negotiate the deal, said withdrawing from the agreement would further thrust the Middle East into the path of instability. Countryman said with Trumps decision, the US becomes the first of the seven parties who is violating the agreement. That would be a serious case of foreign policy malpractice, and it would have several effects that would play out very slowly. He also said the US is now left with diminished credibility to negotiate a better deal, while making negotiations with North Korea more complicated. International reaction Hours before his speech, the White House said Trump had called French President Emmanuel Macron to discuss his decision. Following the announcement, Macron took to Twitter to express the regret of Washingtons European allies over the decision. France, Germany and the UK regret the US decision to leave the JCPOA, Macron said. The nuclear non-proliferation regime is at stake. In a joint statement earlier on Tuesday, the European Union, Britain, France and Germany said they met Iranian officials in Brussels and reaffirmed their support to the continued full and effective implementation of the JCPOA by all sides. Meanwhile, Russia warned on Tuesday that a very serious situation will emerge if Trump pulls out of the pact. Call for all-out confrontation with Iran Marwan Bishara, Al Jazeeras senior political analyst, called Trumps announcement a major crossroad not only for the Middle East but also for international security. Ive never seen the Middle East closer to the brink of war, a confrontation of sort, than it is today at least not since the George W. Bush administration went against Iraq and tried to go against Iran. Bishara said Trump did not only alienate his European allies but his announcement was a call for an all-out confrontation with Iran and a total embrace of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahus and of Israels logic for the Middle East. In fact, its Trump who embraced Netanyahus vision of a middle east where a confrontation, a showdown with Iran is necessary for peace and security, added Bishara. For his part, Ali Fathollah-Nejad, an Iran expert at Brookings Doha and the German Council on Foreign Relations, told Al Jazeera that there is an incentive in Tehran to keep the deal afloat despite Trumps decision. He said, a great portion of the Iranian elite who benefited from the post-deal business would want the deal to survive. On the other hand, some hardline factions do not mind the deals collapse, he said. Since Trump assumed office in January 2017, he had taken several steps to block the deal. In October, he refused to certify that Iran is living up to the accord. He also targeted several Iranian businesses and individuals with new sanctions. On January 12, Trump announced he was waiving the US sanctions for the last time. He said if his demands to fix the deal were not met within 120 days, the US would withdraw from the deal on or before the deadline. With additional reporting by Ted Regencia in Doha UK in last-ditch effort to convince Trump to keep nuclear deal UK Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson meets US counterpart, Mike Pompeo, ahead of US presidents decision on Tuesday on fate of Iran deal. Remarks come after open letter signed by 300 prominent French people called for removal of some verses from the Quran. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has hit out at a French manifesto that calls for certain passages of the Quran to be removed, likening the signatories to the text to members of the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL, also known as ISIS) group. An open letter, published on April 22 in Le Parisien newspaper and signed by nearly 300 prominent French figures, argued that verses of the Quran calling for the murder and punishment of Jews, Christians and disbelievers should be removed because they are obsolete. Signatories included former French President Nicolas Sarkozy and former Prime Minister Manuel Valls as well as intellectuals and other public figures. Who are you to attack our scriptures? We know how vile you are, Erdogan retorted on Tuesday in a speech in the capital, Ankara. You are no different than ISIL, he said. Have they ever read their books, the Bible? Or the Torah? Erdogan asked, referring to the Christian and Jewish holy books, adding: If they had read them, they probably would want to ban the Bible. The letter said Islamist radicalisation was to blame for what it described as a quiet ethnic purging in the Paris region, with abuse forcing Jewish families to move out. A third of Frances record hate crimes target Jews, despite the community making up only 0.7 percent of the population. But Erdogan also pointed to Islamophobia in the West, saying Ankara had warned its partners of Islamophobia, anti-Turkish feeling, xenophobia, racism. Tense relations Relations between Turkey and the West have been tense following a failed coup in July 2016, but ties with France have been further strained in recent weeks. Tension rose after French President Emmanuel Macron offered to mediate between Turkey and outlawed Kurdish fighters, an offer furiously rejected by Erdogan. Despite the letter being published last month, the Turkish government first reacted on the weekend as the country gets ready for parliamentary and presidential polls in June. Turkeys Europe Minister Omer Celik said on Sunday the letter was the most striking example of intellectual violence and barbarity. Turkish Prime Minister Binali Yildirim said: No one can dare to touch even a single letter of Quran; it is under Gods protection. Forum in Nigeria to discuss crisis in Lake Chad Regional governments say the recent spike in violence requires a look beyond providing aid. Hawaiis Kilauea volcano destroys more homes as the lava flow intensifies. By Thousands of protesters have demonstrated outside Hungarys parliament to express their frustration over Prime Minister Viktor Orbans Fidesz Partys resounding victory in last months national elections. Parliament returned on Tuesday amid demonstrations from across ideological backgrounds, from the left to right-wing nationalists. Protesters chanted dirty Fidesz while holding up signs accusing Orban of corruption, stealing European Union (EU) funds, and creating an unfair election system. Orbans Fidesz party won national elections in April with 49 percent of the vote, maintaining its 133-seat absolute majority in parliament. The main call to action today is for the opposition to unite. Everyone is fed up of the corruption thats everywhere in Hungarian society. But we cannot fight this while the opposition is weak and fragmented, Samuel Korandi, a 26-year-old civil engineer at the protest, told Al Jazeera. Symbolising this message, protesters held up flags amalgamating the different symbols of the opposition. Orban secured a third-straight term as prime minister with a two-thirds majority in parliament, through a virulently nationalistic campaign that presented him as the defender of Christian values, which he claims are threatened by globalisation and mass immigration. It was a message that resonated with millions of voters, mostly from rural areas. Demonstrators chant at Tuesdays protest [Madeline Roache/Al Jazeera] Tuesdays protests, the third demonstration to sweep through central Budapest in the past month, reveal the highly polarised views towards the Fidesz Party. Since Orban regained power eight years ago, critics have complained about corruption and cronyism, the dismantling of the rule of law, restrictions on media freedom and his anti-immigration policies. The Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) observed the constricted space for genuine political debate and the use of intimidating and xenophobic rhetoric, media bias and opaque campaign financing in the recent elections. Hungary is now a one-party state, totally controlled by Fidesz. There is no opportunity for genuine competition in elections, Peter Sarosi, director at Hungarian NGO Rights Reporter Foundation, told Al Jazeera. Stop Soros bill At the top of the governments agenda is the Stop Soros bill that would impose a 25 percent tax on foreign donations to non-governmental organisations that support migration, and enable the interior ministry to ban NGOs it deems a national security risk. Thousands took to the streets of Budapest [Madeline Roache/Al Jazeera] Activists could also face restraining orders preventing them from approaching the EUs external borders in Hungary. The bill is expected to be introduced this week. The government says the bill is meant to deter illegal immigration, stoked by George Soros, the Hungarian American billionaire who finances organisations worldwide that promote democracy and freedom of expression. Brian Dooley, a senior adviser at Human Rights First and author of several reports about Hungarys civil society, told Al Jazeera: Soros has been particularly targeted by the Fidesz party. It presents Soros as Hungarys biggest threat, as though he somehow plans to allow millions of migrants to enter the country with the help of his NGOs, and the incompetent, failing EU. According to Sarosi, the Stop Soros bill is the latest attempt by Orban to bend civil society to his will and eliminate any opportunity for the opposition to form. The bill is vague and could be arbitrarily applied. It is a real threat to many NGOs that not only focus on migration, but also on issues that make the public vulnerable, Sarosi said. The protests expose the huge dissatisfaction towards the government but, according to Andras Radnoti, a Budapest-based foreign policy analyst, it is very unlikely this general sense of dissatisfaction, with such a mixed crowd, can change the governments direction. US president set to make an announcement on the nuclear deal as Irans president tries to calm nerves over the decision. US President Donald Trump is poised to announce his decision on whether or not to withdraw from the Iran nuclear deal, as Iranian President Hassan Rouhani said that Tehran will overcome any problems it could face in the coming months. In a social media post late on Monday, Trump said he would make an announcement on the future of the 2015 agreement at 18:00 GMT on Tuesday. In response to Trumps announcement, Rouhani told reporters in Tehran on Tuesday that it is possible that we could face some problems in the coming two to three months, but we will overcome this. Irans Parliament Speaker Ali Larijani also said on Tuesday that the decision by Trump would only serve to unite the country to walk on the path of the Islamic Revolution fully behind the leadership of the Supreme Leader. Al Jazeeras Zein Basravi, reporting from the Iranian capital, said that leaders in Iran are well aware that at this stage, the fate of the nuclear deal is out of their hands. He said that the Rouhani administration, which supported the deal from the beginning of the negotiations, is now in damage-control mode. Theres a lot of the defiant tone that youre hearing. Earlier on Monday, Rouhani had said that the nuclear deal, formally known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), would be even better without the participation of the US. Rouhani also said that Iran is willing to stay in the deal with Europe, Russia and China if its expectations are met. The US, from the very start, has been trying to curb Irans power, and today, whether they stay in the JCPOA or pull out, they are still after the same thing, he said. The landmark deal was signed between Iran and the US, Russia, Germany, France, Britain, China and the European Union. Europeans back Iran nuclear deal The US allies in Europe have also been trying to convince Trump to preserve the international agreement, which has limited Irans nuclear capabilities. Regardless of Trumps decision, the other parties to the Iran deal said they would not abandon it. In a joint statement on Tuesday, the European Union, Britain, France and Germany said they met Iranian officials in Brussels and reaffirmed their support to the continued full and effective implementation of the JCPOA by all sides. Meanwhile, Russia warned on Tuesday that a very serious situation will emerge if Trump pulls out of the pact. Adnan Tabatabai, an Iran analyst and CEO of the Center for Applied Research in Partnership with the Orient in Bonn, said it would be very difficult to keep the deal without the US. The past few weeks have not been too promising. A lot of political capital has been invested into keeping Trump compliant with the agreement, he said. I am afraid the economic and political dividends the Iranians seek cannot be provided by the Europeans so easily. Under the deal signed in Vienna, the capital of Austria, in 2015, Iran scaled back its uranium enrichment programme and promised not to pursue nuclear weapons. In exchange, international sanctions were lifted, allowing it to sell its oil and gas worldwide. However, secondary US sanctions remain. Since Trump came to office, however, he has taken several steps to block the deal. In October, he refused to certify that Iran is living up to the accord. He also targeted several Iranian businesses and individuals with new sanctions. On January 12, Trump announced he was waiving the US sanctions for the last time. He said if his demands to fix the deal were not met within 120 days, the US would withdraw from the deal on or before May 12. Iranian president says US does not respect international agreements, slams Washingtons empty signatures. Iranian President Hassan Rouhani has said Tehran will bypass Washington and negotiate with the other signatories of a multinational nuclear deal, calling the US withdrawal from the landmark pact unacceptable. Rouhanis comments on Tuesday came shortly after US President Donald Trump pulled out of the deal, formally known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), describing it defective at its core. In response, Rouhani said: If we achieve the deals goals in cooperation with other members of the deal, it will remain in place. By exiting the deal, America has officially undermined its commitment to an international treaty. I have ordered the foreign ministry to negotiate with the European countries, China and Russia in coming weeks. If at the end of this short period we conclude that we can fully benefit from the JCPOA with the cooperation of all countries, the deal would remain, he added. Empty signatures Under the deal signed in Vienna in 2015 with six world powers the US, UK, France, Germany, Russia, China and the European Union Iran scaled back its uranium enrichment programme and promised not to pursue nuclear weapons. In exchange, international sanctions were lifted, allowing it to sell its oil and gas worldwide. However, secondary US sanctions remain. UN inspectors have repeatedly confirmed that Tehran has been meeting its nuclear commitments fully. Theyve done nothing except put empty signatures on pieces of paper, without doing anything about it, Rouhani said in his televised address. The Iranian mission, on the other hand, has agreed to everything and accomplished all its responsibilities. We had some duties based on that agreement and we have delivered all of them. But today, we can see which is the country that doesnt respect international agreements. Weve done nothing wrong its not acceptable that the US is pulling out. Political clock reset Rouhani added that Iran could resume uranium enrichment without limit in response to Trumps decision to withdraw from the nuclear deal. I have instructed the Iranian Atomic Energy Organisation to take the necessary measures for future actions so that if necessary we can resume industrial enrichment without limit, he said on state television. We will wait several weeks before applying this decision. We will speak with our friends and allies, the other members of the nuclear agreement. Al Jazeeras Zein Basravi, reporting from the Iranian capital, Tehran, said Trumps decision had effectively reset the political clock in terms of relations between the US and Iran. With the accusatory tone adopted by the Trump administration and defensive tone from Iranian President Hassan Rouhani it is difficult to see where there is common ground for reaching a new agreement, Basravi said. The government is likely to say to its European [signatory] partners and anyone else that will listen that we tried to do it your way and it didnt work out for us. It is highly likely Iran will begin enriching uranium once again following Trumps decision, Basravi added, saying it would be beneficial for Tehrans pursuit of a future nuclear programme for a civilian power grid, and also political leverage. Having said that, Iran is a signatory to the [nuclear] non-proliferation treaty and has said over and over again it will not pursue a nuclear weapon, Basravi said. Spontaneous celebrations erupted across Iran when the deal was signed in 2015, as well as when sanctions were lifted in January 2016, with many Iranians expressing hope of a new era of relations with the US and the West. Dark time After the lifting of sanctions on Irans economy, Tehran was allowed to resume trading of oil and gas in the international market. A total of $100bn in frozen Iranian assets were also released. Since then, Iran has gradually opened its country to foreign investments and welcomed more foreign visitors, injecting billions of dollars into its ailing economy. Rouhani, who campaigned on economic and social reforms in 2013, rode on that success to win re-election in May 2017. However, some uncertainty had already since the arrival of Trump, who repeatedly criticised the deal during his election campaign, to the White House in January 2017. Theres despair, disappointment. I feel no hope, Bobak, an Iranian architecture graduate who now works in the travel industry, told Al Jazeera after Trump announced his decision. I am seriously thinking about leaving Iran, he said, adding that the economy is in decline. My family is feeling a little angry towards Rouhani for not fulfilling his campaign promises, and towards Trump for threatening Iran. Amir Havasi, a graduate student, said people are feeling anxious and sad. The prospect of the deal going down is very concerning it was the one good development we had in years. As a working-class citizen, I am even more concerned about the future. But I guess it is a darker time for everyone around the world, us included. With additional reporting by Ted Regencia in Doha Iran nuclear deal: Tehran braces for Trumps decision President Donald Trump will announce on Tuesday whether US will leave the 2015 Iran nuclear agreement that he has long described as the worst deal ever. Parliamentary polls, the first since ISILs defeat in Iraq, will indirectly decide on new prime minister and president. Iraqis are heading to the polls on Saturday to elect a new national parliament, which will serve as the basis for the formation of a new government. The polls will mark Iraqs fourth parliamentary elections since the 2003 US-led invasion that removed Saddam Hussein from power. Many parties have taken the opportunity to emphasise a unified, cross-sectarian national identity in the run-up to the vote after elections four years ago which came at a time when Iraq was plagued with some of the worst sectarian violence in recent history. But unlike in 2014 and 2010, when large coalitions encompassing a wide spectrum of political groups ran, the 2018 election landscape is splintered by intra-sectarian divisions and fragmented Shia, Sunni and Kurdish factions. Why is this election important? The parliamentary elections will serve as the first national referendum since the defeat of the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL, also known as ISIS) in 2017. With few exceptions, electoral coalitions are dominated by the same players who have commanded the political scene since the 2005 election. What significant changes there are relate to the most dominant political force in Iraq, the Shia parties, which ran as a single group under the United Iraqi Alliance in 2005. Today, Shia factions are divided into five coalitions, their fractured nature indicating that the government formation process will be long and complex. According to a nationwide poll conducted in March and featuring respondents from across all 18 of Iraqs provinces, the top issues of concern include security, job opportunities, and the economy. How does the process work? The elections decide the 329 members of the Council of Representatives who will, in turn, elect the Iraqi president and prime minister. A total of 6,990 candidates from 87 parties are competing against one another, with nearly 2,011 female candidates who are guaranteed 25 percent, or 83, of the seats. Nine seats will be allocated to minorities. The main lists can be divided into Shia, Sunni and Kurdish coalitions, with Shia parties being the most prominent due to their greater influence over Iraqi politics since 2005. Candidates elected based on their position in the party will be elected to four-year terms in parliament. What are the main Shia factions? The next prime minister of Iraq will be chosen from among the five main Shia factions. That candidate will, in turn, determine the fate of Iraqs national unity. After several failed attempts by Shia groups to unite, the 2018 vote will see five separate Shia coalitions. Incumbent Prime Minister Haidar al-Abadi will run for re-election as the head of the Nasr Coalition (Victory of Iraq), its name capitalising on his governments victory over ISIL in 2017. The second faction is that of former Prime Minister Nouri al-Malikis Dawlat al-Qanoon (State of Law Coalition). Both leaders are politicians from the Dawa Party, which fragmented after al-Abadis 2014 appointment as prime minister due to a power struggle which emerged with his predecessor, al-Maliki. Two of the other main Shia factions are splinter groups of the Islamic Supreme Coalition of Iraq (ISCI) which had previously been Dawas main rival. The first of these is the Fateh Coalition (Conquest) led by Hadi al-Amiri. The faction acts as an umbrella for traditionalists of the ISCI and groups affiliated with the Shia militia groups of the Popular Mobilization Units (PMUs). The other group is the Hikma Coalition (Wisdom) led by Amar al-Hakim, who formed it in July 2017 to attract a younger electorate from the ISCI. The fifth faction is al-Sairoon (The Marchers) which brings together the Sadrists followers of the religious leader Muqtada al-Sadr and the Iraqi Communist Party. The coalition has pushed an anti-corruption and anti-sectarian campaign. What will the Kurdish vote look like? The Kurds played a decisive role in the selection of the prime minister in 2010 and 2014. But with instability in the Kurdish region of Iraq since the 2017 independence referendum, which resulted in the Iraqi military seizing control of disputed territories such as Kirkuk, the Kurds have become divided and are unlikely to have a substantial impact on the formation of the new government. As a result of the referendum and fiasco that ensued, the Kurdish vote is more fragmented today than at any point since 2003, said Fanar al-Haddad, a research fellow at the Middle East Institute, National University of Singapore. This gives Baghdad much more leverage when dealing with the KRG. Its not going to be Baghdad dealing with KDP and PUK any more. Those days are long gone. While the Kurdish Democratic Party (KDP) has remained intact, it will [likely] suffer for its leader Masoud Barzanis failed push for independence for Iraqs Kurds, said Ibrahim Marashi, associate professor at the Department of History, California State University, San Marcos. At the same time, the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK), which has suffered internal strife and splintering, for failing to wholeheartedly endorse this effort and its tacit role in allowing the oil-rich city of Kirkuk to revert back to Iraqi government control will also most likely lose votes, he said. These divisions have spawned a number of smaller parties which will also be running in the elections. They include Goran (Change), and more recently the Democracy and Justice Party led by former senior PUK official Barham Saleh, and the Kurdistan Islamic Group also known as Komal led by Ali Bapir. What is expected of the Sunni vote? While the traditional Sunni leadership has long been divided, it faces unprecedented challenges to its legitimacy in this election. Sunni leaders have coalesced around two primary lists, one of which is al-Qarar al-Iraqi, led by Osama al-Nujaifi, one of Iraqs three vice presidents and his brother, Atheel al-Nujaifi, governor of Mosul. This group includes members of the Mutahidoon (United) Alliance and the Arab Project led by Sunni businessman Khamis Khanjar. The other is the Wataniya Alliance represented by Salim al-Jabouri, the current speaker of parliament, and Saleh al-Mutlaq, former deputy prime minister and former prime minister Iyad Allawis secular coalition. According to Marashi, Arab Sunni parties have failed to agree to run under a single list for 2018 [which is] indicative of the failure of one party that will represent their aspirations. Analysts expect that voters in Mosul and other Sunni-dominated provinces will more likely vote for al-Abadis Nasr coalition. The country has just overcome ISIL which has affected the way voters see the election. Everyone is hoping for change, and they see Abadi as a possible force for that change because of his victory over ISIL, said Ahmed Tariq, an Iraqi professor of international relations at Mosul University. According to the recent nation-wide poll, 79 percent of the Iraqi people accept al-Abadi as prime minister. Nearly 90 percent of respondents in liberated provinces saw his leadership as favourable. Al-Hadad agrees that a Sunni vote for al-Abadi is quite likely. Abadi has set a precedent as the first coalition to campaign in all 18 provinces of Iraq including the Kurdish ones. That will have a positive impact, he told Al Jazeera. What is expected after the vote? The vote will be followed by bargaining and alliance formation among the coalitions, including for the post of prime minister. While the majority of respondents to the poll conducted in March said they had not decided who they would vote for, 15 percent said they would vote for al-Abadis Nasr Coalition. Al-Abadi as prime minister may appease Iraqs Arab Sunnis who see him as less sectarian and more responsive towards Sunni needs than al-Maliki or al-Amiri are likely to prove. But this outcome might upset the Kurds who opposed al-Abadis tough stance following the independence referendum. Experts envision, however, that even if Al-Abadi wins a second term, most of the main Shia coalitions will also be represented in government. This is especially true for Al-Amiris Fateh Coalition which has closer ties than the Nasr Coalition does with Iran, a country that plays a large role in Shia politics in Iraq. The Fateh Coalition [represented by al-Amiri] will inevitably be a part of the coming government. Its a question of how big a chunk of the political pie they will have, said al-Haddad. Possible scenarios after the vote are therefore dependent not only on the number of votes received by the candidates but also on Irans role and its ability to pressure Shia coalitions into forming alliances. The most ambitious scenario assumes that Iran will pressure Shia groups into a post-election alliance between at least four of the Shia coalitions. This would require minimal support from Sunnis or Kurds to achieve an overall majority in parliament. However, most observers see that this as unlikely. Negotiations would also have to factor in the US role. In the past, the prime minister of Iraq had to be acceptable both to Iran and the United States, but this time it is unclear what US input will look like. Elor Azaria was released from Israeli prison after serving nine months for shooting dead an injured Palestinian in 2016. An Israeli soldier convicted of manslaughter for shooting dead an injured Palestinian was freed from prison on Tuesday, the army said, after spending nine months behind bars. Elor Azaria was initially sentenced to 18 months in prison for the killing of Abdul Fatah al-Sharif in the occupied West Bank city of Hebron in March 2016. He began serving his sentence on August 9. The armys chief of staff, Gadi Eisenkot, later reduced the term by four months. Moreover, Israeli prisoners often have their sentences reduced by one third for good behaviour. The army had previously said that Azaria, 21, was due to be released from the Tzrifim military prison near Tel Aviv on May 10. According to Israeli media, he was freed two days early to allow him to attend his brothers wedding on Wednesday. War criminal The shooting incident was caught on video by BTselem, an Israeli human rights group, and quickly spread online. It showed al-Sharif, 21, lying wounded on the ground, shot along with another Palestinian after allegedly stabbing and wounding a soldier. Around 11 minutes after the initial shooting, Azaria, a sergeant and military medic at the time of the incident, walked up to al-Sharif and shot him in the head without apparent provocation. He said he feared al-Sharif was wearing an explosive belt and could blow himself up, a claim judges rejected. His motive for shooting was that he felt the terrorist deserved to die, Judge Colonel Maya Heller said at the time as she dismissed Azarias defence and rebuked his lack of remorse. Al-Sharifs family said that Azaria had carried out a cold-blooded execution, not manslaughter. They also pointed out that the soldiers sentence is less than [what] a Palestinian child gets for throwing stones. Issa Amro, director of the Hebron-based Youth Against Settlements activist group, previously told Al Jazeera that a sentence of 18 months in jail is not proportionate with what [Azaria] did. We are talking about a war criminal, according to international law, he said. The UN human rights office had also weighed in and described Azarias sentence as an unacceptable punishment for an apparent extrajudicial killing. Official support The trial had caught the attention of the Israeli public, with politicians weighing in with their opinions, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who had called for Azaria to be pardoned. Speaking to reporters on Tuesday, Netanyahu said of the soldiers release: Im glad this event has come to an end. Minister of Education Naftali Bennet followed suit and expressed his support of Azarias release. Its so good to have you home! he wrote on his Twitter account. Minister of Transportation and Intelligence Israel Katz called for Azarias criminal record to be erased. I appeal to President Reuven Rivlin to act now to delete Elors criminal record so that he can integrate into civilian life and get on with his life, he said. Welcome to the small town where residents abandoned traditional industries to turn a profit in the funeral business. Jucuapa, El Salvador Driving down the main street in El Salvadors Jucuapa, it is easy for one to realise the small town is not an ordinary place. At first sight, the town is quiet and peaceful, but a certain tension can be felt. Caskets now sit in the front windows of one-time bakeries and other shops, whose facades are still intact, but now have the distinct odour of a strong wood varnish. The small town of about 18,000 people has been known for more than five years as the countrys coffin-making capital. In 2015, 41 percent of the population in El Salvador lived in poverty, according to the World Bank, of these 10 percent lived in extreme poverty. Economic growth averaged only 1.9 percent between 2010 and 2016. A worker applies sealant to a coffin at a factory in Jucuapa [Ali Rae/Al Jazeera] But the towns residents found an unexpected exit from the dire economic situation: the funeral business. In 2013, Jucuapa started to see a boom in the business. The small municipality has at least 18 registered coffin-making businesses, according to local media. I live only from this business, and up to now, its enough for me and my family, William, a 50-year-old artisan who only gave his first name, told Al Jazeera. He started his business four years ago, but he has worked in the industry since he was 15. Agriculture does not interest me. And one of the reasons the business has prospered is because of the access to wood here, William said. I live only from this business, and up to now its enough.. William says [Ali Rae/Al Jazeera] Inside another coffin workshop, young people some as young as 14 years old work hard, spray painting and varnishing different types of coffins. Coffin manufacturer Pacheco said he had planned to study architecture, but had no choice but to help his father after the economic crisis in 2012. At the time, Pachecos family decided to close their low-profit bakery and convert it into its current business venture: Eternal Rest. I got started just on building coffins, that was my first challenge now, my challenge is building a room for the services with more advanced technology so people away can livestream it, the 23-year-old explained. But the demand for coffins has forced manufacturers to improvise their workshops. Situated in the bakery Pachecos father once owned, Eternal Rest coffins are made next to the old stone oven that once baked fresh bread. The smell of death is strong, Pacheco said. The strongest smell weve had, [was] from someone who got poisoned, it penetrated our clothes. The demand for coffins has forced manufacturers to improvise their workshops [Ali Rae/Al Jazeera] The rural business boom is attributed to the rise in violence in recent years. With around 11 killings a day, the country consistently has one of the highest homicide rates in the world. Some in Jucuapa have used the success of the industry to escape the violence. I studied until the ninth grade, and I do not want to go back to school, and I went with them to work in the workshops, Salvador, who did not reveal surname, told Al Jazeera. It is a good business, it allows me to help my parents and family, the 19-year-old said as he works. Salvador gives finishing touches to a coffin [Ali Rae/Al Jazeera] For some, the business has provided a way out of the gang life that is common for many young people in the country. I worked in the farm fields, and I was in the streets as well, here is where I learned vices, and bad habits I was part of a gang, Denis, another young boy who works in the industry, told Al Jazeera. The gangs brainwash you, they promise you food, a bicycle, stuff, the 16-year-old who did not reveal his last name said. I never stole, my friends did, but I didnt. While the industry has helped young people like Salvador and Denis find alternatives to the violence, mafias still required business owners to pay taxes to remain in the industry. Four months ago, it was not easy for people to be in this place, Juan Cesar, a craftsman told Al Jazeera. Cesar explained that those who want to get into the business often have to pay a bribe known as a piso to the mafias present in the town and surrounding areas. Sometimes, if you want to start a business, you have to pay, to be able to work, he added. The coffin industry spans the entire supply chain, from carpenters to salespersons [Ali Rae/Al Jazeera] The irony of profiting off the countrys violence was also not lost on the residents of Jucuapa. Now, there are no confrontations, but they are dead, they appear everywhere, this makes the business grow, Julio Cesar, in Jucuapa, told Al Jazeera. Unfortunately, we live in a situation in which life is worthless we have reached that extreme where life is not valued any more people can easily kill and its like nothing happened, Cesar said. This is what I do for a living, but my hope is that in our country, blood is no longer spilled. Reporting for this story was supported by the International Womens Media Foundation as part of the Adelante Latin America Reporting Initiative. Kenya: Thousands of hectares of farmland destroyed by floods Extensive flooding has destroyed an area larger than New York City, displacing more than 260,000 people, many of whom depended on the land for survival. Lawyers allege Italy is responsible for the deaths of 20 asylum seekers off the coast of Libya last November. Survivors of a shipwreck off the coast of Libya have filed a case against the Italian government at the European Court of Human Rights alleging it is responsible for the drowning of 20 asylum seekers. Human rights and legal aid groups working on the case, presented at a press conference in the Italian capital Rome on Tuesday, allege the Libyan coastguard prevented a ship belonging to non-governmental organisation Sea Watch from completing the rescue of 130 refugees on board a rubber dinghy, putting lives at risk. Lawyers hope the case will establish Italys legal responsibility for the incident, and set a precedent to challenge the policy of pullback by proxy in the Mediterranean Sea. The policy is the result of various agreements between the Italian government and Libya, already deemed illegal under international law. The 17 survivors all of whom are Nigerian nationals include the parents of two children who died in the incident on November 6, 2017. Fifteen of them are currently in Italy, while two others are now in Nigeria after opting for a voluntary repatriation programme from Libya. They are supported by lawyers from the Global Legal Action Network (GLAN), the Association for Juridical Studies on Immigration (ASGI), the Italian non-profit ARCI, and Yale Law Schools Lowenstein International Human Rights Clinic. Refugee arrivals in Italy While policymakers consider Italys deal with Libya a success for stemming arrivals to the country which decreased from 181,436 in 2016 to 119,130 in 2017 data shows the mortality rate has simultaneously increased. According to the UNs refugee agency UNHCR, one in 14 people attempting the crossing from Libya to Italy has died this year, compared with one in 29 in 2017. The deal said Italy would provide financial and technical support to the Libyan coastguard, as well as fund detention centres, train Libyan personnel, and support return and readmission programmes to countries of origin for intercepted migrants. As a result, an estimated 20,000 people have been pulled back to Libya in 2017, where they face human rights abuses including detention, extortion and forced labour. Italy is using the Libyan coastguard to do indirectly what they cant do directly, Violeta Moreno-Lax, GLANs legal adviser and a senior lecturer at Queen Mary, University of London, said on Tuesday. Libyan coastguard response Videos of the incident, partly coordinated by the Italian Maritime Rescue and Coordination Centre (MRCC) in Rome, show the Libyan vessel which had been donated by Italy a few months before pulling the dinghy in a way that could potentially endanger the passengers lives, while many had already fallen overboard. The Libyans are later shown beating the migrants and refugees they had taken on board, which is said to have caused panic among those still at sea, leading to the death of five people as they tried to swim towards Sea Watchs vessel. The Libyan coastguard took 47 of the survivors back to Libya, and two of them were later found to have been sold and tortured. At the time, the Libyan coastguard blamed the deaths on the NGO. A spokesperson for the coastguard could not immediately be reached by Al Jazeera on Tuesday for comment. {articleGUID} The Forensic Oceanography project at Goldsmiths, University of London, reconstructed the incident using video and audio material, and documented 16 other cases which, the group argued, show a direct correlation between the increasing rate of interception by the Libyan coastguard and the rise in the mortality rate in the Mediterranean. The Sea Watch vs Libyan coastguard case is paradigmatic of what we call the Mare Clausum [closed sea] operation, Charles Heller, cofounder of Forensic Oceanography, said. An undeclared operation launched by Italy with the support of the EU to seal off the Mediterranean. This operation has involved, on the one hand, the criminalisation and sidelining of rescue NGOs, and on the other hand the outsourcing of border control to Libyan actors, in particular, the Libyan coastguard, so that they intercept and pull back migrants on Italys and the EUs behalf. According to Heller, eight of the 13 crew members that operated onboard the Ras Jadir the Libyan boat which performed the rescue had been trained by the EUs anti-smuggling operation, EUNAVFOR Med. As a result of these policy agreements and multiple forms of support and coordination Italy and the EU have essentially re-established the Libyan coastguard, which was operationally inexistent until the end of 2015, said Heller. He added while in 2016 the Libyan coastguard intercepted less than 10 percent of the boats leaving for Italy, that number rose to 17 percent in 2017, with a peak of 39 percent between August and September more than any other actor at sea. NGO operations in decline Simultaneously, the number of NGOs operating in the Mediterranean has dropped from 10 in 2016 to just three today. Many organisations refused to sign Italys code of conduct that included, among other conditions, allowing judicial officers and police on board. NGOs have also faced legal challenges. Last March, the Spanish NGO ship Open Arms was impounded and two of its crew members were charged with aiding and abetting illegal migration for refusing to hand a group of rescued migrants over to the Libyan coastguard. The boat was later freed but the confiscation of another boat, the Iuventa, was confirmed by Italys Supreme Court at the end of April. According to ASGI, Italy has used $2.9m of its Africa Fund for cooperation for the maintenance of Libyan boats and personnel training. Italy secured another $187m for Libya at the Valletta summit on migration in 2015, $54m of which has gone towards border management, according to Moreno-Lax. Meanwhile, recent negotiations to reform the Dublin regulation have arrived at a standstill. Responsibility for what happens in the Mediterranean, Moreno-Lax said, rests ultimately on Europes shoulders. Dublin condemns states at Europes southern border to face the crisis alone, Moreno-Lax said. Prime Minister Najib Razak goes up against one-time mentor Mahathir Mohamad in Malaysias 14th general election. Malaysians are heading to the polls on Wednesday to vote in the countrys 14th general election. The vote pits a nonagenarian come out of political retirement against a former protege. If this were a film, the storyline would have been dismissed as far-fetched. But thats politics in Malaysia. The election has had voters, analysts, and armchair commentators transfixed. Al Jazeera looks at the main candidates and key issues surrounding the elections. The incumbent Prime Minister Najib Razak, the son of a former prime minister and a career politician, is a member of the political elite. His ruling right-wing party Barisan Nasional has been in power since the country gained independence in 1957. But Najib is also linked to a corruption scandal at Malaysias state-owned investment fund, 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB), from which officials are alleged to have stolen more than $4.5bn. Some of that money is alleged to have ended up in Najibs personal bank account. Najib denied any wrongdoing and said the money was a donation from the Saudi royal family, which he had since returned. So far, hes survived the scandal. But the election is also a fight for his political future. He might face a challenge from within his party if Barisan Nasional were to perform worse in this election than it did the last. The opposition has made steady gains in the last two elections breaking Barisan Nasionals two-thirds majority in Parliament in 2008 and winning the popular vote in 2013. The Mahathir effect Competing against Najib is his one-time mentor and former Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad. He quit his old party, formed a new one, and forged an alliance with opposition politicians, some of whom he had imprisoned during his time as leader, including his one-time deputy prime minister turned opposition leader, Anwar Ibrahim. The 92-year-old Mahathirs return to politics, as chairman of Pakatan Harapan, or Alliance of Hope, gave a new lease of life to the opposition alliance, which had been floundering since its leader Ibrahim was jailed for sodomy on what his supporters said were politically motivated charges. {articleGUID} Mahathirs campaign rallies have been highly charged affairs, packed with supporters who clapped and cheered when the veteran politician came on stage. This time, we have a chance to defeat the government because we are united, he told a rally in Kuala Lumpur on Sunday. Why do we want to defeat them? Because they are a government of thieves, he thundered to roars of approval from the 10,000 strong crowd. But Mahathir, known for his authoritarian ways, is also a divisive figure. The oppositions ready acceptance of him left many young voters disillusioned and alienated. Others have argued that Mahathirs party, the only one in the opposition alliance that champions the rights of the Malays, the biggest ethnic group in the country, represents the best hope of capturing votes in the Malay heartland. Rising cost of living In these rural constituencies, which have long been regarded as government strongholds, the 1MDB scandal hardly resonates. Discontent, however, has begun to stir over the rising cost of living. When Al Jazeera visited Sabak Bernam, a two-hour drive from Kuala Lumpur, Mohd Fadli Rusni, a fisherman told us, We are working longer hours just to be able to survive. He blamed the goods and services tax, imposed three years ago, for the increase in overall costs. But another voter in Sabak Bernam told us he still felt a sense of gratitude for all the government has done for them. Barisan Nasional has continued to shower largesse on the electorate. In the run-up to the elections, Najib doled out cash handouts aimed at civil servants and low-income groups, and promised to increase minimum wage should he win the election. Unequal playing field A survey released by pollster Merdeka Center last week suggests the opposition has made some gains, but not enough to control Parliament. Opposition politicians have argued that the deck is unfairly stacked against them, pointing to the recent push to redraw electoral boundaries in a way they say favours the ruling alliance. Urban voters, who tend to be opposition supporters, are packed into large constituencies, while rural seats, which tend to support the government, are much smaller. This means it would take more votes to elect an opposition MP than a government one. Wong Chin Huat, a political scientist at Penang Institute, told Al Jazeera: The minimum of vote share the government needs to win is only 16.5 percent because the smallest 112 constituencies contain only 33 percent of electorate. The Election Commission decision to hold polling on a Wednesday is also seen by some as a ploy to lower voter turnout. Eric See-To, Barisan Nasionals Deputy Director for Strategic Communications, refuted allegations of bias. He said: These claims of unfairness have always been the agenda of the opposition and it is perhaps to gain sympathy votes, to prove that they are oppressed, and perhaps to act as a reason for when they fail. Split votes The ruling alliance is also likely to benefit from three-cornered fights that will split the opposition vote. The Pan-Malaysian Islamic Party (PAS) used to be part of the opposition alliance. However, a disagreement over its push to implement the Islamic penal code, known as hudud, in Kelantan state, led to a breakup of the pact. PAS is contesting in 158 out of 222 parliament seats, the highest number it has ever fielded. Who will win? Many analysts say the election will be close but predict victory for Barisan Nasional. Political risk consultancy Eurasia Group said in a recent report that the opposition alliance had only a 15 percent chance of winning. Pakatan Harapan will likely capture the popular vote, but in Malaysias first-past-the-post system, that wont mean they can rule the country. Kim Jong-un and Xi Jinping discuss upcoming talks between North Korea and the US on denuclearisation. Kim Jong-un and Chinese President Xi Jinping have held a meeting in China in advance of a summit between North Korea and the United States. The secret meeting was held in the northern Chinese city of Dalian on Tuesday and not made public until after Kim had left the country. The gathering was confirmed by Chinese officials, according to Xinhua press agency, which said the meeting was also attended by Wang Huning, a high-ranking official in the Chinese Communist Party. Speculation about Kims visit to China started when security in Dalian, located close to the China-North Korea border, was increased and Kims private jet was spotted at the airport of Dalian. The reports by Chinese officials did not specify what was talked about, except for an exchange of views on China-DPRK relations and major issues of common concern. The meeting between Kim and Xi came shortly after Kims first two trips abroad since he became leader of North Korea in 2011. In March, he visited the Chinese capital of Beijing, and last month, he crossed the DMZ between North and South Korea for a historic meeting between him and South Koreas President Moon Jae-in. The latest encounter in China comes before a scheduled meeting between North Korea and the US. Kim Jong-un and US President Donald Trump will talk about possible denuclearisation by North Korea. Trump said last week the time and place for his much-anticipated meeting with the North Korean leader has been decided, and will shortly be made public. The US president suggested that the demilitarised zone between North and South Korea would be an excellent venue for the planned summit, but that Singapore was also a possible site. {articleGUID} Trump has already said that he was not considering reducing the US militarys presence in South Korea as part of the negotiations. The meeting between Kim and Trump would be a first between a sitting US president and a North Korean leader, offering a potential breakthrough in relations between the two adversaries. Trump said on Twitter that he will be speaking to Xi about later on Tuesday, adding that North Korea would be one of the topics they would talk about. State energy giant continue with expansion strategy to be on par with oil majors, despite Gulf crisis embargo. State energy giant Qatar Petroleum (QP) will push ahead with its production expansion and foreign asset acquisition strategy to be on par with oil majors, despite a regional political and economic embargo on Doha, its chief executive said. Qatar is one of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries smallest producers but is also one of the most influential players in the global liquefied natural gas (LNG) market due to its annual production of 77 million tonnes. We are in Mexico, we are in Brazil, we are contemplating investing in the US in many areas, in shale gas, in conventional oil. We are looking at many things, al-Kaabi said in an interview at QPs headquarters in Doha. We are looking very critically at the United States because we have a position there. We have the Golden Pass that we are investing in, he said. Qatar Petroleum is the majority owner of the Golden Pass LNG terminal in Texas, with ExxonMobil Corp and ConocoPhillips holding smaller stakes. Al-Kaabi said depending on the projects cost and feasibility he expects to take a final investment decision on expanding the Golden Pass LNG by the end of the year. Im not in the business of infrastructure. Im not going to have a liquefaction plant only. It has to be something that will be linked with an upstream business that we would buy in the US so we need to be naturally hedged, he added. To maintain its dominance in the US and Australia, QP is cutting costs at home and seeking to expand overseas through joint ventures with international companies. We will always go with one of our international partners that we have business with here in Qatar, al-Kaabi said. Some of our partners want to divest, some of our partners want to acquire something together. QP is focusing on other opportunities in Mexico, Latin America, Africa and in the Mediterranean, he said. QP is also looking to enter Mozambique, where Exxon and Eni operate, he added. Al-Kaabi said the share of overseas upstream production will be a good portion in the long term, but it will not compare with its share at home. Our strategy says we are going to expand in upstream business with a little bit of downstream that will be connected to some other businesses that we are doing and a few one-off deals in petrochemicals, he said. We are in Mexico, we are in Brazil, we are contemplating investing in the US in many areas Saad al-Kaabi Expansion For Qatar, which is locked in a dispute with four Arab states, broadening its investments outside the Middle East would cement its position as the worlds largest LNG supplier and help it to weather the boycott with its neighbours. In June last year, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and Egypt cut diplomatic, economic and transport ties with Qatar, accusing it of backing terrorism, a charge which Doha denies. In an apparent show of strength, a month later, QP announced plans to raise LNG production capacity by 30 percent to 100 million tonnes a year. Qatar has lifted a self-imposed ban on the development of the North Field, the worlds biggest natural gas field, which it shares with Iran, in April last year and announced a new project to develop its southern section, increasing output in five to seven years. The announcement came at a time of an oversupply in the LNG market, but al-Kaabi said such a glut would disappear in 2021-2022 driven by the rising demand for gas amid the global move towards cleaner fuels and climate change concerns. QP has selected Japans Chiyoda Corp for the front-end engineering and design of the onshore facilities of the North Field expansion project and awarded McDermott a contract for the offshore engineering work, al-Kaabi said. QP has abandoned plans to debottleneck its existing liquefaction trains because it involved shutdowns and prompted safety concerns, and opted to build three new LNG trains, he said. Stay tuned, al-Kaabi said, when asked if QPs announcement that the award to Chiyoda included a pre-investment for a fourth train as had been announced. If QP decided to build a fourth train, that could mean possibly expanding gas production beyond 100 million tonnes a year. Al-Kaabi said QP will award the engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) contract for the first LNG train by the end of next year, with its start-up set for the end of 2023. QP is in talks with international oil companies for the new expansion project. Oil companies operating in Qatar now include Exxon, Total and Royal Dutch Shell. QP will make a decision on the foreign partners by the end of 2018, al-Kaabi said. There are some new companies that have come and put forward some proposals but I dont see the face of what we are doing and the companies that we have changing much. Rebels agreed to leave last bastion of opposition fighters amid the ongoing government push to retake lost territory. A massive convoy of buses carrying thousands of opposition fighters and their families from the besieged city of Homs arrived in Syrias northern rebel-held district of al-Bad. Sixty-six buses carrying 3,194 people arrived on Tuesday a day after leaving the town of Rastan, located roughly halfway between Homs and Hama, media reports said. The evacuation was a part of an agreement reached between several major Free Syrian Army factions and Russia, under which the opposition agreed to surrender medium to heavy military hardware in exchange for safe passage to Idlib province and Jarablus city in northern Syria. Syrias official SANA news agency announced earlier on Tuesday that rebels handed over most of their heavy weapons, including six tanks and three armoured personnel carriers. The agreement covers the towns of Rastan, Talbis, Teir-Maale, El-Ganta and Houla, all of which lie 10-15km north of Homs. The enclave was the last remaining rebel stronghold outside Idlib where much of the opposition has relocated as a result of a series of similar evacuation deals. Government recapture The odds have tilted in President Bashar al-Assads favour ever since Russia intervened and increased its support for government troops in September 2015. Assads forces retook the entirety of East Ghouta, outside of the capital Damascus, in April after recapturing the last rebel-controlled town of Douma. A major military campaign was launched in February with the aim of capturing the last remaining pockets of opposition resistance in Eastern Ghouta. Analysts say the areas strategic significance stems from its proximity to the capital. The Eastern Ghouta offensive took a heavy toll on opposition fighters who were subsequently forced into accepting evacuation deals. In Damascus, Syrian forces pressed further against members of Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL, also known as ISIS) group in a small area south of the city. Syrian forces have advanced on the ISIL-controlled neighbourhood of Hajar al-Aswad as well as the Palestinian refugee camp of Yarmouk since last month. The US presidents televised address about his decision to pull Washington out of a multinational agreement with Tehran. Here is US President Donald Trumps speech on Tuesday on the US withdrawal from the 2015 nuclear deal in full: My fellow Americans: Today, I want to update the world on our efforts to prevent Iran from acquiring a nuclear weapon. The Iranian regime is the leading state sponsor of terror. It exports dangerous missiles, fuels conflicts across the Middle East, and supports terrorist proxies and militias such as Hezbollah, Hamas, the Taliban and al-Qaeda. Over the years, Iran and its proxies have bombed American embassies and military installations, murdered hundreds of American service members, and kidnapped, imprisoned, and tortured American citizens. The Iranian regime has funded its long reign of chaos and terror by plundering the wealth of its own people. Therefore, I am announcing today that the United States will withdraw from the Iran nuclear deal. In a few moments, I will sign a presidential memorandum to begin reinstating US nuclear sanctions on the Iranian regime. We will be instituting the highest level of economic sanction. Any nation that helps Iran in its quest for nuclear weapons could also be strongly sanctioned by the United States. America will not be held hostage to nuclear blackmail. We will not allow American cities to be threatened with destruction. And we will not allow a regime that chants Death to America to gain access to the most deadly weapons on Earth. Todays action sends a critical message: The United States no longer makes empty threats. When I make promises, I keep them. In fact, at this very moment, Secretary Pompeo is on his way to North Korea in preparation for my upcoming meeting with Kim Jong-un. Plans are being made. Relationships are building. Hopefully, a deal will happen and, with the help of China, South Korea, and Japan, a future of great prosperity and security can be achieved for everyone. As we exit the Iran deal, we will be working with our allies to find a real, comprehensive, and lasting solution to the Iranian nuclear threat. This will include efforts to eliminate the threat of Irans ballistic missile programme; to stop its terrorist activities worldwide; and to block its menacing activity across the Middle East. In the meantime, powerful sanctions will go into full effect. If the regime continues its nuclear aspirations, it will have bigger problems than it has ever had before. Finally, I want to deliver a message to the long-suffering people of Iran: The people of America stand with you. It has now been almost 40 years since this dictatorship seized power and took a proud nation hostage. Most of Irans 80 million citizens have sadly never known an Iran that prospered in peace with its neighbours and commanded the admiration of the world. But the future of Iran belongs to its people. They are the rightful heirs to a rich culture and an ancient land. And they deserve a nation that does justice to their dreams, honor to their history and glory to God. Irans leaders will naturally say that they refuse to negotiate a new deal; they refuse. And thats fine. Id probably say the same thing if I was in their position. But the fact is they are going to want to make a new and lasting deal, one that benefits all of Iran and the Iranian people. When they do, I am ready, willing, and able. Great things can happen for Iran, and great things can happen for the peace and stability that we all want in the Middle East. There has been enough suffering, death, and destruction. Let it end now. Thank you. God bless you. Thank you. According to Iraqs High Electoral Commission, there has been steady decline in overseas voter turnout in recent polls. London, UK Just days before polls open, Iraqs parliamentary election has failed to stir enthusiasm among the thousands of UK-based Iraqis, with many saying they are planning to abstain from voting. Diaspora voting in Britain will begin on May 10 and end on May 11 a day before ballots are cast in Iraq in polling stations across London, Birmingham, Manchester, Leeds, Glasgow and Cardiff. Four major electoral alliances and nearly 7,200 candidates hope to secure a seat in the 329-strong parliament in Iraqs capital, Baghdad. In the lead-up to the vote, candidates campaigns focused on reforms to Iraqs 15-year-old, sectarian-powered political system and promises to tackle corruption. According to Iraqs Independent High Electoral Commission (IHEC), overseas voter turnout has sharply declined over the years from 43,000 in 2010 to 18,000 four years later and many expect disillusionment to persist this year too. Mohanned Rahman, an Oxford-based Iraqi that voted for Iraqs Sunni Islamic Party in the past, says he plans to vote, even though he is wary whether genuine democracy can take root beneath the prevailing circumstances in Iraq. Some will vote but without enthusiasm, owing to the discrimination practised still against the [Sunni] community, Rahman, 39, told Al Jazeera by telephone. Sunni communities in Iraq had called for Baghdad to postpone the elections, saying it was logistically impossible to run polling stations in northwestern areas previously held by ISIL. At the same time, millions remain scattered in camps for internally displaced people and unable to participate in the vote. People in the diaspora are interested in the wellbeing of their families, she Rahman, who went last year to distribute aid in Mosul, Iraqs second-largest city which the Iraqi army recaptured from ISIL in 2017. Those from liberated cities are unable to vote. Therefore, the elections for the diaspora are meaningless. When I was in Mosul, there was graffiti and flags in areas thats not going to win hearts and minds. Within the Sunni community, even outside of Iraq, there is a feeling that we are the losers. The new Iraq is seen by some as the enemy. Yet, despite a prevailing sense of deflation, Rahman says he does not consider UK-based Iraqi Sunni Muslims casting their vote as an endorsement of Baghdads political process. Boycotting election In 2004, a year after the US invasion, the return of Iraqi sovereignty culminated in the birth of a nascent state and a political system premised on sectarian quotas. A new political process was formed, led by Shia Islamist and Kurdish political parties, as well as Iraqs Sunni Islamic Party (IP). While these labels suggest that IP representatives in government represent Sunni interests, large parts of their community have accused them of collaborating with the US and placing their own interests before the collective good of their Sunni constituents. In the UK-based diaspora, a feeling of resentment against Baghdad for what Rahman described as window-dressing Sunni figures has resulted in many saying that they will boycott the election. One of them is Ahmad Mahmoud, a senior analyst at the Foreign Relations Bureau of Iraq (FRB-I), a London-based opposition group. Describing the election as a US-designed, Iran-managed political process, he cited issues such as legitimacy, accountability and wrongdoing as the reasons behind his disinterest in partaking in the vote. Shias will have the highest turnout and the Islamic Party (IP) will come second, said Mahmoud. While cautioning against attempts to lump Sunni Muslims together, he noted: Given their reservations and growing conviction that the new Iraq has failed, the Sunni turnout will be expectedly low. For her part, Haifa Zangana, a novelist and political activist, gave two reasons for why she is not voting. Most candidates and alliances have been part and parcel of Iraqs occupation, responsible for the ensuing disasters and bloodshed, said Zangana. Secondly, candidates are corrupt. The claim that theyll work to clean corruption is bizarre since it involves their ejection and thats not going to happen. There has been a steady decline in turnout overseas, down from 43,000 in 2010 to 18,000 in 2014, according to Iraqs Independent High Electoral Commission (IHEC) [AFP]. Participation is needed Still, other members of the Iraqi community in the UK said they felt obliged to vote. Maha Ridha, managing director of the Khoei Foundation, a charitable and educational foundation associated with Shia leadership in Iraq, is one of them. Some people are reluctant; others dismiss the elections due to corruption, [but] participation is needed, she told Al Jazeera. [Its] no good sitting on the fence and saying Shalaya [not my concern], she added. Separately, a London-based 26-year-old British Iraqi, who did not wish to give his full name, said he was hopeful that the Communist Party of which he is a member would be able to capture more seats than the three they won in 2014 after forming an alliance with the Sadrist Movement in the Sairoon (Marchers) Coalition led by Muqtada al-Sadr. Unable to vote Though exact figures are hard to come by, the Iraqi diaspora in the UK is estimated to number about 400,000 people. Prior to the vote, election outreach was limited to a handful of London-grown, Iraq-focused charities and organisations which liaise with governmental bodies. In contrast to boycotters, groups such as the Iraqi Association (IA) and Iraqi Welfare Association (IWA) believe in educating the wider diaspora constituency and extending suffrage to as many as possible. Their coordinating efforts were set in motion last year after IWA chased down relevant information concerning voter registration from Baghdad. Rayya Ali, office manager at IA, is one of the second-generation Iraqis below the age of 30 who wish to vote, but may not be able to. A person is eligible to cast their ballot if they are able to produce two official documents, either before or on the day of voting. One of them must authenticate the voters Iraqi nationality or of their parents, for UK-born Iraqis and the other must display the Iraqi governorate the voter originates from. An online voter registration system was taken down months after it went live due to a series of technical problems. Ali said that while the IHEC recognises British passports that list Iraq as the country of birth, they apparently wont accept a birth certificate, adding that she was told that one of two documents must be Iraqi. I do not currently have the required documents to make me eligible, unless I can get something proving I am Iraqi before the polling days. This is the situation despite having voted in 2010. The rules have since been changed. Hopeful, but concerned At his northwest London office, IWA Director Imad al-Abadi recognises the fading appeal of out-of-country voting but describes it as the only democratic avenue in absence of alternatives. Surrounded by Iraqi paraphernalia, al-Abadi, who arrived in the UK in the mid-1970s, stressed the need for new faces in Iraqi politics. Existing politicians, he argued, are expired. We want to show that Iraqis are part of the process in strength and influence, he said praising the UKs highly skilled Iraqi diaspora. Both the IA and IWA expressed concerns over the role of IHEC, which replaced the former election commission in 2007. The IHECs nine-member council is appointed directly by a special parliamentary committee staffed by members tied to former Prime Minister Nouri al-Malikis Dawa Party. The bodys mandate is to manage the electoral process, but it also has the power to disqualify candidates and contest results if fraud is suspected. The IA and IWA lamented the IHEC for what they said was delayed planning, inability to simplify complex procedures and lack of outreach. But the director of IHECs operations in London who did not wish to be named expressed little sympathy for estranged Iraqis who live outside community structures, or are even unable to retrieve correct documentation. If someone cares about the elections, you would think that 15 years would have been enough to obtain the correct documents, a member from Londons IHEC team told Al Jazeera. 70 years on since the inception of Israel, Palestinian members of the diaspora remain committed to historic homeland. Some 750,000 Palestinians were forcibly uprooted from their native towns and villages prior, during and after Israels so-called declaration of independence on May 14, 1948. Today, there are over 12 million Palestinians worldwide (of which 5.4 million are refugees), who regard Israels independence day as the Nakba or the catastrophe. A 1947 United Nations resolution that had called for the partitioning of Palestine between Arabs and Jews saw Britain relinquish its mandate over the territory at midnight on May 14 and the first Arab-Israeli war begin. The partition plan had been a blow to the Arabs who believed the settlement grossly unfair and was not entirely satisfactory to Zionists with long-held aspirations of a Jewish homeland. Jewish paramilitary groups, for instance, demanded nothing less than all of Palestine. The 1948 war saw the poorly led Arab forces of Egypt, Lebanon, Syria, Jordan and Iraq put to the sword by a fledgling, but well-equipped, Israeli nation fighting for its very survival. The Arab-Israeli Six Day War in 1967 and the Yom Kippur War in 1973 brought Palestinians no closer to realising their own dreams for a homeland as Israels territorial ambitions continue to breach international law. Now, 70 years on since the inception of Israel, Palestinian members of the diaspora remain committed to the struggle for the liberation of Palestine and against Israeli occupation and oppression. Al Jazeera spoke to five expatriate Palestinians with various backgrounds and birthplaces to ascertain their views about 70 years of the Israeli state. Sara Saleh, 30, human rights campaigner, artist and poet They say the measure of a society is how it treats its most vulnerable. The idea that a country [Israel] can exist in such cognitive dissonance, in a perpetual asymmetry of power in its favour, and never think of those amongst it that are vulnerable, those it is actively oppressing to maintain its inflated sense of strength, is truly astonishing. Israels psyche is synonymous with security physical and psychological a narrative and a product it exports globally. This is ultimately counter-intuitive humankind is not born to only fear and be feared. Therefore, in a war of oppressor and oppressed, in the struggle for power on a local and global stage, Palestine doesnt come close to competing with the mighty Israel whose sole purpose is to slowly but surely strangle the life out of Palestinians. But when it comes to love and empathy the essence of humanity and of our human intellect Israel and its Zionism will always lose if it continues to create and maintain itself off the back of Palestinian bodies. Israel as a colonial settler state will be its own downfall this has already begun. It will disintegrate in the face of brave citizens Palestinian and Jewish who are infusing a consciousness against the structurally violent and apartheid character of the Israeli state; Palestinians and Jews who believe in transformative notions of citizenships for themselves, who unapologetically demand a future with dignity, equality and hope in it. Wael Shawish, 58, project manager in Scotland Is there anything I admire about Israel or the people of Israel as it has built its idea of a state over these past 70 years? Of course, there are things to be admired. Being a racist and oppressive state does not mean there is nothing good about it. Wael Shawish lives in Glasgow, Scotland I like the fact that it has managed to move with the times in terms of infrastructure and technological development that can compete on the international stage, albeit with elements of unethical industries like the arms industry and the surveillance technology that infringes on peoples privacy and liberty. There is also their sense of unity as a Jewish people and their pride in what they have achieved. All these are good points and to be admired had it not been for their obsession with depriving the Palestinians whether citizens of the state or expelled refugees of the same opportunities and rights that they award to themselves as Jews. If we understand history, then we understand the future. If we look back at apartheid South Africa, nobody imagined we could have a resolution without bloodshed. And yet it happened. I can see the walls, the hatred in peoples eyes, but things can change because it cannot be sustained. Nadia Abuelezam, 30, assistant professor in US Its very difficult to be Palestinian in America. Because by living here and paying your taxes you are inherently supporting the state of Israel as millions of our tax dollars go to Israel every single year. My parents found refuge here in the United States and yet their existence here in the United States is supporting exactly what displaced them in the first place. And thats a very difficult space to live in. But there is a change in opinion among some demographics here. Im finding that people are listening to Palestinians Podcast in order to understand and come in to contact with Palestinians because theyve never been given the opportunity to do so. I think over time that [US] public opinion will change this is a social justice issue and a human rights issue and if people are exposed to the facts then from a basic human rights issue people will support the Palestinians. I do not admire anything about Israel as I believe that it is occupying Palestinian land illegally. Any country, people, or state built through the destruction of another peoples country cannot be admired. Lina al-Sharif, 29, poet People these days are starting to treat the Nakba as some kind of distant past that Palestinians should get over. Yet, the Nakba isnt a scar its an open wound. Al-Sharif is Palestinian poet living in Doha, Qatar. We Palestinians are still reeling from such a catastrophic event that tore up the very fabric of Palestinian society. Israels policies continue to devastate Palestinians wherever they are. What is more terrifyingly alarming these days is that theres an increasing acceptance of Israels expansionist project amongst Arabs. [US president] Donald Trump is moving the American embassy to Jerusalem on the same day of the Nakba and there seems to be timid reactions to that. Many parts of the [Arab] region are suffering from war, and where Palestinians made up most of the refugees in many Arab countries, now there are Syrian and Iraqi refugees. Trumps election also gave a green light to all the right-wing movements in the West to support Israels policies, which no longer draws any outrage; its rather becoming the norm even Israels right to do. Do [I] believe in Israels right to exist? I feel that Palestinians are always asked this tricky question to prove that they arent ready for peace. I believe in Palestines right to exist with Jerusalem as its capital. I believe in the refugees right to return to their lands that they were driven off back in 1948. Iyad El-Baghdadi, 40, writer If theres one thing to admire about Israel [over the last 70 years] is the fact that they managed to keep a democracy and a vibrant political sphere. El-Baghdadi is Palestinian living in Oslo, Norway. He is the founder and CEO of the Kawaakibi Foundation. Perhaps the impetus of the founding generation of Israeli leaders is really what managed to allow Israel to keep its democracy I think the apartheid metaphor [for todays Israeli state] is apt but it doesnt completely fit. I wouldnt know if Id call [Israel] a racist entity Id prefer to call it institutional injustice. Its definitely an ethnostate. In fact, you can see why so many white supremacists who are actually anti-semitic are so very supportive of Israel. Because Israel, for them, presents the ideal ethnostate, the ethnostate that is very unapologetic about the use of force and very unapologetic about the way it presents itself as a legitimate state. Israel is trying to normalise something that is very difficult to normalise and thats institutional injustice. Theyre trying to force Palestinians to accept it. In order to normalise something which is this unjust you really need to employ absolute military rule, you need complete brutality and all of its [barrier] walls. I dont know what the thinking is among the Israeli leadership or among the Israeli intelligentsia, but anyone should be able to see that this is unsustainable. Saudi Arabia, UAE and Bahrain join Israel in applauding US presidents decision to pull out of the Iran nuclear deal. President Donald Trump has decided to withdraw the United States from a multinational nuclear agreement with Iran, saying the deal is defective at its core and announcing the highest level of sanctions against Tehran. Under the deal signed in Vienna with six world powers the US, UK, France, Germany, Russia, China and the European Union Iran scaled back its uranium enrichment programme and promised not to pursue nuclear weapons. In exchange, international sanctions were lifted, allowing it to sell its oil and gas worldwide. However, secondary US sanctions remain. United Nations inspectors have repeatedly confirmed Irans compliance with the deal. Trump said the agreement also known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) was a horrible one-sided deal that should never ever have been made. In response, Iranian President Hassan Rouhani said Tehran would bypass Washington and negotiate with the other signatories of the deal, calling the US move unacceptable. Following Trumps speech on Tuesday, there was an immediate reaction by world leaders, including the other parties to the landmark deal. Heres a round-up of statements from around the world: France, Germany and UK France, Germany and the UK regret the US decision to leave the JCPOA, French President Emmanuel Macron, a champion of the deal, wrote on Twitter. The nuclear non-proliferation regime is at stake, he added. We will work collectively on a broader framework, covering nuclear activity, the post-2025 period, ballistic activity, and stability in the Middle East, notably Syria, Yemen and Iraq. Frances Foreign Minister, Jean-Yves Le Drian, said in a radio interview the deal is not dead. He said Europes foreign leaders will meet next week with representatives from Iran to talk about the future of the JCPOA. Germany also reiterated it also wants to uphold the deal. Foreign Minister Heiko Maas said the deal makes the world safer, adding that Germany could find no legitimate reason for pulling out of the deal. On Twitter, UK Foreign Minister Boris Johnson said he regretted the US no longer taking part in the nuclear deal. UK remains strongly committed to the JCPoA, and will work with E3 partners and the other parties to the deal to maintain it, he added. Deeply regret US decision to withdraw from the Iran nuclear deal. UK remains strongly committed to the JCPoA, and will work with E3 partners and the other parties to the deal to maintain it. Await more detail on US plan. Boris Johnson (@BorisJohnson) May 8, 2018 European Union The top European Union diplomat, Federica Mogherini, called on the international community to preserve the Iran nuclear deal. The EU will remain committed to the continued full and effective implementation of the nuclear deal, Mogherini said from Brussels. We fully trust the work, competence and autonomy of the International Atomic Energy Agency that has published 10 reports certifying that Iran has fully complied with its commitments. The lifting of nuclear-related sanctions is an essential part of the agreement. The EU has repeatedly stressed that the lifting of nuclear-related sanctions has a positive impact not only on trade and economic relations with Iran, but also mainly, [it has] crucial benefits for the Iranian people. China China, one of the countries that signed the JCPOA, joined the Europe its response, saying the country is committed to protecting the deal as it stands. Chinas special envoy to the Middle East, Gong Xiaosheng, said in a press conference in Iran the agreement promoted peace. Having a deal is better than no deal. Dialogue is better than confrontation. he said according to Xinhua news agency. Russia Russia, one of the signatories of the deal, said it will try to keep the deal functioning despite Tuesdays decision by the US. Yevgeny Serebrennikov, first deputy head of the defense and security committee in the Russian Upper House of Parliament also told RIA news agency Trumps decision could put the nuclear talks between the US and North Korea at risk. Israel Speaking at a press conference in West Jerusalem, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu applauded Trumps decision. Israel fully supports President Trumps bold decision today to reject the disastrous nuclear deal with the terrorist regime in Iran. Israel has opposed the nuclear deal from the start because we said that rather than blocking Irans path to a bomb, the deal actually paves Irans path to an actual arsenal of nuclear bombs and this within a few years time. The removal of sanctions under the deal has already produced disastrous results. The deal didnt push war further away, it actually brought it closer. Barack Obama In a written statement, the former US president, whose administration negotiated and signed the deal, issued a list of points as to why Trumps decision is so misguided. The reality is clear. The JCPOA is working that is a view shared by our European allies, independent experts, and the current US Secretary of Defence, Barack Obama wrote. The JCPOA is in Americas interest it has significantly rolled back Irans nuclear programme. And the JCPOA is a model for what diplomacy can accomplish its inspections and verification regime is precisely what the United States should be working to put in place with North Korea. Indeed, at a time when we are all rooting for diplomacy with North Korea to succeed, walking away from the JCPOA risks losing a deal that accomplishes with Iran the very outcome that we are pursuing with the North Koreans. Saudi Arabia, UAE and Bahrain Saudi Arabia, a regional rival of Iran and longtime US ally, said that it supports Trumps decision. The kingdom supports and welcomes the steps announced by the US president toward withdrawing from the nuclear deal and reinstating economic sanctions against Iran, the Saudi foreign ministry said. Riyadhs allies in the Gulf the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain also welcomed Trumps decision. United Nations The United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said in a statement that he was deeply concerned, urging the remaining parties of the deal to abide by their commitments. It is essential that all concerns regarding the implementation of the plan be addressed through the mechanisms established in the JCPOA. Issues not directly related to the JCPOA should be addressed without prejudice to preserving the agreement and its accomplishments, Guterres said. Australia and Japan Both Australia and Japan have also said they regret the US decision. Australias Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull called on all sides to use restraint in their response. Japans Foreign Minister Taro Kono issued a statement saying Japan hopes the pulling out does not affect Irans capabilities of adhering to the JCPOA. We hope that the countries involved will continue to deal with the issue in a constructive manner, he added. Turkey In a response to the news, Turkey called Trumps decision an unfortunate step, adding that the deal was an important step to prevent nuclear proliferation. The Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action must be protected and continue to be implemented in full transparency, uninterrupted and complete, under the control of the IAEA, a statement on the foreign ministrys website said. Ibrahim Kalin, spokesperson for President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, said on Twitter the US withdrawal could put the world at risk. Turkey maintains its firm stance against all nuclear weapons regardless of who owns them,, he added. John Kerry The former US secretary of state also issued a statement in support of the deal. Todays announcement weakens our security, breaks Americas word, isolates us from our European allies, puts Israel at greater risk, empowers Irans hardliners, and reduces our global leverage to address Tehrans misbehaviour, while damaging the ability of future Administrations to make international agreements, John Kerry wrote. No rhetoric is required. The facts speak for themselves. Instead of building on unprecedented nonproliferation verification measures, this decision risks throwing them away and dragging the world back to the brink we faced a few years ago. The extent of the damage will depend on what Europe can do to hold the nuclear agreement together, and it will depend on Irans reaction. America should never have to outsource those stakes to any other country. This is not in Americas interests. We should all hope the world can preserve the nuclear agreement. So here we are at the bicentennial of the birth of Karl Marx in Trier, an ancient city that was once the capital of the Franks. Chuck was another of your Cinco de Mayo babies. Let us celebrate the man who was fated to outdo Helen of Troy, the beauty that launched a thousand ships. Marx launched a million killers to help solve the overpopulation problem that so obsesses our lefty friends. But let us remind the world that this fearless prognosticator was stunningly wrong on just about everything, and let us count the ways, so you can rag on your lefty friends whenever the mood takes you. The story of the last 200 years has been one that Jonah Goldberg calls The Miracle and Deirdre McCloskey and I call the Great Enrichment. But back in 1818 when Marx was born, and in 1848 when the First Activist issued his Communist Manifesto, nobody knew that the Western world was on its way to an all-fronts upswing that would transform the lives, most particularly, of the poor and weak. No Chuck, the bourgeoisie is not like the feudal lords. In the Communist Manifesto Marx naively assumed that the rising bourgeoisie would become a ruling class just like the feudal lords of old, exploiting and oppressing the rubes as the mood took them. That is why lefties ever since have been crouched in their lefty bunkers scanning the horizon looking the capitalist tanks making their breakout. But Marx got it wrong. The capitalists are just interested in dominating the market; they want to flood the world with products, not with soldiers. See, unlike all ruling classes down the ages, the capitalists, and the middle class are not that interested in political power. This is incomprehensible to graduates of Activism 101. No Chuck, surplus value is not a crime against the workers. In the view of Marx, the normal markup that employers apply to the cost of labor is stripping the workers of the value of their labor. La Wik: According to Marx's theory, surplus value is equal to the new value created by workers in excess of their own labor-cost, which is appropriated by the capitalist as profit when products are sold. Well, yes, you could put it like that, Chuck. Or you could say that the worker prefers to get a fixed hourly wage rather than deal with the gritty problems that employers must face: finding investors, finding markets, financing production and receivables, paying taxes, paying investors, listening to angry customers. Somebody has to pay for all that mindless busy-work, Chuck! But the real problem with Marxs economics is that it was based on an analysis of classical economics, which was burdened with two conflicting theories of value: use value and exchange value. It wasnt until just after Marx had issued volume one of Das Kapital that three economists in one year came up with the marginal revolution which threw use value and exchange value and Marxian economics onto the ash heap of history. Sorry about that, Chuck. No Chuck, the workers are not going to get immiserated. Marx had a point. It is the natural tendency of every successful business to attract competitors so that the ensuing competition drives down profits and wages. According to Marxs analysis this would end with the capitalists getting all the money and the workers and the petty bourgeoisie going to the wall. Actually, that is not quite what happens. Usually the capitalists lose their shirts too. What Marx couldnt have known is that the camphine oil guys would get blindsided by John D. Rockefellers kerosene; buggy-whip makers would get blindsided by the auto revolution, mainframe computer makers would get blindsided by minicomputers, and then microcomputers, and then smartphones. Of course today the big worry is that automation and AI will eliminate all our jobs. Just like Karl Marx said. No Chuck, the workers dont need a revolution. In the 1840s rich kids like Karl Marx thought that the only way the workers could get justice was by revolution, baby. What ruling class had ever given up its power without being forced to? Again, he was wrong. The new bourgeoisie was open to allowing the workers into the system by giving them the vote. And women, and minorities. Slaves? Hey, lets free them. You may wonder why Marx couldnt see the Miracle that was unfolding before his very eyes. I suspect there is something deeply Hegelian about that, equivalent to Hegels observation that the north pole of a magnet is identical to the south pole, only opposite. Think of some snowflake kid, face buried in her smartphone on her way to the local artisanal coffee shop. What would she say if you told her that the classical climate scientists had got it all wrong, and their models were a crock? 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 What would happen if the world took Pope Francis's advice (via a tweet)? "Do we really want peace? Then let's ban all weapons so we don't have to live in fear of war," said the pontiff. Do we really want peace? Then lets ban all weapons so we dont have to live in fear of war. Pope Francis (@Pontifex) April 29, 2018 While on the surface, the disappearance of all weapons might suggest the inability to do violence, in reality, it would mean the certain annihilation of the West as a civilization. For starters, the pope seems to forget that violence and the things that motivate it hate, envy, rapacity, and plain old evil do not need weapons. Had he turned to the book he claims to represent, the Bible, he would have seen that the first act of violence, of murder that of Cain against his brother, Abel did not require weapons, just a violent and envious will. The brothers "were in the field [when] Cain rose against Abel his brother and killed him." Genesis 4 does not shed light on how this first fratricide occurred, but it was most assuredly done without a formal weapon maybe a large rock, a branch, or simply Cain's bare hands. And it is from here that one understands why the West would be swept away without weapons and walls another defense mechanism Pope Francis wishes to see eliminated. The same hate, envy, and rapacity that some non-Western peoples have for the West understood in the context of a "clash of civilizations" would remain, but there would be little to stop it, deter it, or keep it at bay. Contrary to first appearances, were all weapons around the world instantly to disappear, that would not lead to an even playing field, where, if it comes to it, men limited to fighting with their fists would more or less maintain the status quo. For starters, in a world still largely defined by civilizations, the people of the West are much fewer in number than those of the rest of the mostly third and desperate world. Already small Western numbers shrink even more on the realization that a great many men are not up to the task. Decades of enforced cultural emasculation have done their job, leaving many men in the West helpless and paralyzed against any would-be aggressor. This is especially on display in the West's interaction with Islam. One need only look to Western European nations, where the interplay of emasculated Western males and aggressive Muslim migrants is on constant display. Thanks to the latter, Sweden has become the rape capital of the world. That is not because Muslims use weapons, or are stronger, or are more numerous they are still a tiny minority but because many Swedish men have been so indoctrinated in passivity that they are not even able to protect their womenfolk. This was not always the case. As I document in my new book, Sword and Scimitar: Fourteen Centuries of War between Islam and the West, the perennial jihad against the West proceeded with advanced weapons (firearms), basic weapons (spears and knives), and no weapons at all. As tools, these were never the origins of the jihad; rather, hate, envy, and rapacity fueled it. In boats or atop horses, Muslim hordes would appear anywhere unguarded Constantinople held out as long as it did thanks to its insurmountable walls and fight tooth and nail in the name of Allah. If not for weapons and more importantly, men willing to wield them the West and Christianity would have long ago ceased to exist. What if that scenario were to play over again but, per the pope's wish, with no weapons on either side? What if, instead of being terrorized by a minority of migrants, a now totally disarmed Sweden were invaded by massive hordes from every direction? Would its men be able to repulse them in hand-to-hand combat? Francis's logic, "let's ban all weapons so we don't have to live in fear of war," is unsound: we have never needed weapons "to live in fear of war." As long as the will to do violence exists, violence will be done. A pope of all people should know that. And until such time that masculinity is reclaimed in the West instead of being denounced as "toxic" the West is going to need every man-made weapon, deterrent, and safeguard available to prevent its own collapse. Photo credit: Agencia Brasil via Wikimedia Commons. Hillary Clinton was spotted in public in New York, wearing what appeared to be a back brace, sticking out from her clothing despite her being covered up by a heavy coat and scarf in 80-degree weather. The Daily Mail has an excellent set of paparazzi photos here. So much for her phyician's "excellent" bill of health, something that should raise questions about the value of such reports, or else her medic's credibility. And it says a lot about Hillary Clinton herself that she continually lies about her increasingly obvious chronic health problems. We've known for years that she's had health problems. She had a fall and a concussion in 2012, with blurry double-vision, requiring her to wear glasses, which seemed to be a factor in her resignation as secretary of state. Out on the campaign trail, there were suspiciously long bathroom breaks, which made her late for her television appearances at at least one presidential candidates' debate, quite a noticeable attention-getter. Always, always, there were excuses that the bathroom was too far away, that the whole bathroom needed to be cleared out for Hillary, so that Hillary could "go," that women always take longer than men to do their business in the bathroom. If any of that were true, it would have been worked out before the debate. It wasn't, and Hillary tried to laugh it off. She broke her arm or elbow a few times, and more than once, she appeared in a sling. There were also her cough attacks, constant long unbroken coughing streaks, often while on stage during debates and at public speeches, something she insisted was nothing or, sometimes, the result of allergies. There was her heavy, heavy winter clothing, worn in boiling peak-of-summer weather. There was her inability to go to Wisconsin to campaign, even as Bill Clinton pleaded to the campaign to bring her over, something the voters read as her disdain for the "deplorables" but which could as easily have been unadmitted fatigue and failing health. There was her collapsing fall at the 9-11 memorial, the time when she was rushed off stage, lost her shoe, and had to be stuffed into her waiting van like a sack of potatoes. It was preceded by several instances where the Secret Service had to help her up stairs. There were her strange seizures that affected her speech during at least one press scrum interview, impossible to hide, given the numbers of witnesses even among the lapdog press, and something else she tried to laugh off and her press allies tried to debunk in yet another red flag of her failing health. Since the campaign, she's stumbled her way through Asia, has broken her elbow, and seems to be wearing a back brace. Her bad health has been an issue since at least 2016. When a Kremlin-linked operative in Washington asked me about her prospects in March 2016, I told him her health would preclude her being a serious candidate or winning. He didn't believe me the Kremlin was very convinced at the time and remained convinced until the end that Hillary's health was fine and Hillary would win. I didn't think so, and now the evidence is piling up. What's interesting about this is that the back brace and all these recent health crises are happening at the very time when Hillary would have been president. Now, it's possible her health is being affected by her bitterness at being rejected for the highest office in the land and, worse still, losing to a man she despises. But the pressures of the presidency, it's fair to say, would have been higher than what she is going through now. And more to the point, her health could have easily been affected for the worse by the pressures of the presidency than by what she is going through now. She could have been the next Paul Tsongas, a Democratic senator who ran for president in 1992 and concealed his significant cancer problems from the public. Had he won, he would have died in office, which would have triggered some kind of crisis. His case is why, in modern times, Americans have always asked to know about the health of their presidential candidates. Since Hillary has always lied to the public about such matters, yet her health problems were obvious, her health was likely a factor in why she lost the 2016 election. If it wasn't obvious to everyone back then, it's certainly obvious now. One more instance of Hillary Clinton lying to us to conceal a potential crisis. Obviously, America dodged a bullet from that alone by not electing her. Following the February 14 massacre at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School, Broward County school superintendent Robert Runcie vehemently denied the killer's connection to or participation in his controversial PROMISE program. In a March 23 Sun-Sentinel op-ed, Runcie pushed back against "fake news" related to the mass shooting: Contrary to media reports, the district has no record of Nikolas Cruz committing a PROMISE eligible infraction or being assigned to PROMISE while in high school. A few weeks ago, in an interview in his office with WLRN-TV, a Miami PBS affiliate, Runcie called the mass murder a "horrific accident" and repeated his assertion there was no interaction between PROMISE and Cruz: Let me reiterate this point, Nikolas Cruz, the shooter that was involved in this horrific accident at Marjory Stoneman Douglas, had no connection to the PROMISE program. Turns out, Runcie's many denials over these past few months were the real "fake news." A few days ago, WLRN received word from two sources familiar with Cruz's school records that, contrary to Runcie's prior statements, the shooter was referred to the PROMISE program in 2013, after vandalizing a bathroom at Westglades Middle School. On May 6, Runcie's district spokeswoman, Tracy Clark, confirmed the WLRN report. Clark said Cruz arrived at an alternative facility, Pine Ridge Education Center in Fort Lauderdale, for an initial intake interview and three-day stint in PROMISE. Clark said Cruz did not complete the assignment and would not speculate about the possible reasons for his failure to do so. Ryan Petty, whose daughter Alaina was murdered by Cruz, said the "stunning revelation ... flies in the face of previous statements." Petty tweeted this: Best practices for threat assessment were not in place in Broward schools. In fact many discipline programs were in direct conflict with established best practices. Our children and teachers are still at risk[.] Senator Marco Rubio also weighed in, tweeting, "I was repeatedly told that the Parkland shooter was never in the Promise Program I was asking questions about. Now it turns out that in fact he was." Before he killed 17 and injured 17 others at Stoneman Douglas, Cruz had a long record of fights, vandalism, death threats, and bringing a weapon to school, which makes his opting out of the PROMISE program with no referral to the Juvenile Justice System of Care a violation of the program's policy. Did Cruz appear before PROMISE's "mandatory" Juvenile Justice System of Care? Students are referred to the system if they refuse to participate in the PROMISE program or if they do not fulfill the terms of the PROMISE agreement. Spokeswoman Tracy Clark mentions an intake interview at Pine Ridge, not a hearing. From a PROMISE document: Every attempt will be made to ensure the parent[s]/guardian[s] and students understand the severity and urgency of completing participation in PROMISE. Parent[s]/guardian[s] and students should note that failure to fully engage in all aspects of PROMISE, including completion of the entire program, will cause the PROMISE liaison to initiate a Juvenile Justice System of Care Intervention Referral and the student may be arrested for the original offense[.] ... If the child does not appear before the Juvenile Justice System of Care ... [the] child may be subject to arrest for the original offense. Runcie's strong denials of Cruz's connection to the PROMISE program make sense if there was no follow-up hearing after Cruz failed to meet the requirements of the program. When Runcie's "no arrest" policy came under fire as a factor in allowing Cruz to pass a background check and purchase a firearm, despite 45 calls to the Sheriff's Department from 2008 to 2017 and numerous school infractions, the superintendent distanced Cruz from the program. Runcie isn't the only official complicit in his school system's failure to protect Broward County students. Besides the Sheriff's Department, the PROMISE document lists the 17th Circuit Judicial Court, Florida Department of Juvenile Justice, Broward County Public Defender's Office, and Broward County State Attorney's Office as participants in circumventing laws already in place. Was Florida's attorney general, Pam Bondi, aware of the PROMISE program's potential harm to Broward County students? If Cruz had been arrested for the crimes he committed as a juvenile, instead of having the school system, law enforcement officers, and the justice system all bending over backwards to protect him because of a truly "perverse" program, 17 people might still be alive. It was quite a revelation in late April when Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu showed the world that Iran had intensified its efforts to hide evidence of its nuclear weapons program after signing the deal in 2015. The proof for this came from documents and computer discs seized by Mossad agents from a secret warehouse in Tehran. Europe and Iranian apologists in the U.S. say Bibi didn't present anything new. Translation: We knew that the Iranians were lying, but we pretended not to see. Indeed, according to Rob Malley, a former senior official in Obama's National Security Council and a member of the team negotiating with Iran, the agreement was made possible only by letting Iran lie about the past while promising to be honest in the future. According to the British newspaper the Telegraph: The documents include official letters, spreadsheets, blueprints, photographs, videos and more, all attesting to the Iranian regime's clandestine plans to build nuclear weapons. One document proclaimed an ominous mission statement for the covert programme: to 'design, produce and test fire warheads, each with ten kiloton TNT yield for integration on a missle.' It is feared among much of the U.S. foreign policy establishment and Europe that Netanyahu's presentation will give President Donald Trump an excuse to pull out of the Iran nuclear deal. Their panic is obvious. The Boston Globe reported that, in spite of the Logan Act, the master of the Iranian deal, former secretary of state John F. Kerry, has been secretly working with Iranian foreign minister Mohammad Javad Zarif to salvage the agreement...and his tattered legacy. As for Europe, it's in a fix. If Trump reinstates sanctions, which were suspended in 2016, when the deal went into effect, France and Germany will have a bitter choice to make: either trade with Iran or trade with the U.S. This disrupts the norm that Europe prefers, of having its cake and eating it, too. Time will tell what the Trump administration decides to do on May 12. Whatever it is, Netanyahu's presentation will still have a profound effect in Tehran. That's because in this caper, the Israelis were not content with just scanning the top-secret papers of Iran onto a flip drive and carrying it out in their pockets. Rather, the Israelis physically took a half-ton of documents from the Iranian vault. As Caroline Glick wrote, this is as if the Mossad written Kilroy was here on the bedroom door of Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei. Critics of Netanyahu sniff that his presentation was nothing but a "dog and pony show" for an audience of one: President Trump. Not so. This act of audacious espionage has humiliated the Iranian regime and made it a laughingstock throughout Iran. It also supports the Iranian belief that the Jews can do anything and know all the regime's secrets. This has a twofold benefit. First, it makes the regime lose confidence in itself while it weakens its hold on its support base. Second, it adds fuel to the fire of the Iranian people, especially the young, who want a regime change. Iranian women in particular are sick and tired of the regime's religious coercion, which forces them in hijabs, keeps them out of public events, and enforces misogynist regulations with female goon squads patrolling the streets to beat women with hair showing. Glick noted that Channel 10 News Arab affairs commentator Zvi Yehezkely reported that the Arab world is laughing itself silly at Iran's humiliation. As Saul Alinsky, that paragon of the left, wrote in his Rules for Radicals, "ridicule is man's most potent weapon." Where does this leave us? First off, there are now reports that Israel is expecting attacks from Iran in retaliation for the recent air strike that killed Iranian operatives in Syria. Maybe. But maybe not. Not only is Iran losing confidence in itself, but whereas Obama kept Israel on a tight leash as far as taking military action goes, it's likely that Trump has turned the Israelis loose. This is evidenced by that Israeli air strike. An attack on Israel by Iran or one of its proxies could bring dire consequences to Iran's doorstep. And note that in a similar vein, Iran has stopped harassing U.S. naval ships in the Persian Gulf. Why? Because Trump is commander-in-chief and not someone like Obama. Iran fears that the Navy may have permission to sink any harassing vessels and destroy the ports they came from. Secondly, Israel figuratively writing Kilroy was here on the bedroom door just might hasten the regime change that the Iranian people and the world have been praying for. What's that, you say? A second Nobel Peace Prize for Donald Trump? Over the last few weeks, I've spoken with several Mexicans who have expressed shock at the Honduran caravan. To summarize, they tell me something like this: "What in the world are we doing, inviting caravans to cross Mexico to the U.S.?" This report from Mexico's southern border with Guatemala suggests an answer: On the Suchiate River dividing Mexico and Guatemala, it sure looks easy to cross north without papers. A young, mustached man is pulling a makeshift raft across the quiet river via two ropes connecting the countries. The crossing costs 4 quetzales, 10 pesos or 50 U.S. cents. The raft captain says that nearby migration officials rarely intervene. But the impression that Mexico is lax on migrants disappears as you head just a little north. "They put up lots of checkpoints," says Gustavo Rivera, a bus driver shuttling between Mexico's southeastern border and the nearest city, Tapachula. "Immigration [agents], federal police, soldiers, local police. I don't get many migrants on the bus anymore because of the checkpoints." It sure sounds like Mexico means to stop these northbound caravans. It makes a lot of sense in many fronts: 1. Mexico has always been harsh on illegal immigration. Officials see it differently from Mexicans going to the U.S. There's an economic benefit from illegal immigrants who go to the U.S.: they work and send back remittances. 2. Central Americans have very little to contribute to Mexico. They are generally poor and would simply compete with Mexico's poor for jobs. Some may stay in the country and could create problems with Mexicans. 3. Mexico does not want to get the reputation that it is inviting people flow to the U.S. Mexico's southern border strategy is interesting in another way. The Mexicans are not flooding the border with soldiers. Instead, they are using federal agents and checkpoints to do the same thing. The benefit of this approach is that they don't have to answer questions about militarizing their border at the same time that they oppose the U.S. doing something similar. PS: You can listen to my show (Canto Talk) and follow me on Twitter. Leonard Pitts, Jr. has an article in the May 4, 2018 Miami Herald titled "I'm done trying to understand Trump supporters. Why don't they try to understand me?" Pitts doesn't realize that we do understand him. Over 60 million people decided in 2016 that they'd had a bellyful of understanding and going along with the left. In 1965, the left began its permanent takeover of our country. The Great Society took effect, and soon rates of illegitimacy skyrocketed. Americans were told we had to stop being "puritans" about sex, that college students needed co-ed dormitories. This was not an idea of the right. In the next decade, the left won Roe v. Wade, a judicial decision granting the "right" to kill babies at mere whim. This was not an idea of the right, and from this moment, the left stopped trying to persuade people though well conceived argument and turned instead to legislating from a compliant courtroom bench. The '80s belonged to Reagan. The left initially hated Rawhide; they called him stupid and dangerous, but of course he was neither of those things, and history falls with Reagan. Pitts claims that these times are "abnormal" and "fraught with danger." And the '80s weren't? By '84, it was so patently obvious that the left was wrong about Reagan that the leftists just let it go as he stormed to a second term. Don't expect the same decency from those who today think "fraught with danger" is a nifty or persuasive phrase. Then came Bill Clinton. When first in office, Bubba liked, in a somewhat fluid order, Big Macs, girls, and politics. He lost some of his charm when he lied about having sex with that woman, Monica. Immediately, the left assured us that character did not matter. There was even a movie made to justify Clinton's antics, but they had to water down the story and make the screen president a widower so the mean and ugly Republicans could look meaner and uglier than they were in real life. But the theme was quite clear: the left says the president is allowed to have girlfriends. Because the mean and ugly portrayal of Republicans worked so well in this particular movie, the left chose to jump on the "Republicans are mean and ugly" bandwagon. Leftists have been relentless ever since. Halfway through Obama's term, half of Americans were suddenly portrayed as racist. Gays soon took possession of marriage by judicial ruling. The president bathed the White House, the People's House, in rainbow colors to mock those who did not support gay "marriage" as public policy. The left immediately began speaking of transgender rights and even risked mentioning a long-range goal that, in the afterglow of success, just popped out of its mouth: pedophilia. Remember that saintly potential child-abuser named Todd Nickerson, who was as pure as the Virgin Mary when it came to the actual deed? An opening act just as surely as that old chant from the seventies: "We're here, we're queer, and we want your kids!" Today, elementary schools are trying to convince young children that it's okay to be uncomfortable with their natural sex. This new curriculum echoes, "...and we want your kids." Communism, socialism, whatever, has left millions murdered in its destructive path, yet capitalism is scorned in the leftist press and academia. So pervasive has this slanting of the truth become that some 40% percent of Millennials think America should try some form of socialism. Voter-approved "Marriage Protection Acts"? Those measures once represented the wishes of the electorate. The left chose not to include even a vapor of that wish while making a ruling over us. The men and women who pushed for and created that ruling cared nothing about trying to understand and address the legitimate concerns of so many people who wished to protect marriage from becoming a ward of the politically correct State. So we don't want to hear Pitts and the left complain that Trump voters should try to "understand" them. In the past sixty years, the left has never once stopped to consider the values, principles, or arguments of the right. Leftists have gone so far as to spend two years drilling for dirt on a president who won well over 60 million votes in 2016. If 60 million voters mean so little to Pitts and the left, believe me, we don't owe them anything. President Trump famously warned us during the campaign that we may not be able to handle all the winning. I am already running into a related non-problem: so much schadenfreude over the disgrace and resignation of New York A.G. Eric Schneiderman that I am overwhelmed with shameful joy in the richly deserved reckoning for an uber-hypocrite. Best of all, two separate groups are deeply compromised: abortion-worshiping feminists and the get Trump cabal. For those who haven't been following the story that broke yesterday, Ronan Farrow and Jane Mayer of the New Yorker published a blockbuster expose of Schneiderman's alleged abuse of several ex-girlfriends, including "beatings, at least two death threats, violence, racism, and threats to use the power of his office to pursue his prey," as the New York Sun summarized. Ed Straker covered the lurid language of Schneiderman toward his Sri Lankan girlfriend, whom he called his "brown slave," in what Schneiderman excused as "role-playing" in the light of his pose as a feminist champion. The parallels with Harvey Weinstein, another purported feminist champion who used his support for abortion to justify sexual abuse of women, are startling. It is, in fact, an old game for male sexual predators on the left. Schneiderman was playing this card as recently as five days ago: A year before Roe v. Wade, I graduated from high school, went to Washington DC, and got a job working in an abortion clinic. I learned an important lesson at a young age. If a woman does not have the right to control her own body, she is not truly equal. She is not truly free. pic.twitter.com/pSHOeNReHr Eric Schneiderman (@AGSchneiderman) May 3, 2018 And his useful idiots have lapped it up for years: But there are serious political implications here beyond the embarrassing Senator Gillibrand and feminist sell-outs. Another member of the get Trump cabal is biting the dust. No one is above the law, and I'll continue to remind President Trump and his administration of that fact everyday. Eric T. Schneiderman (@Schneiderman) October 11, 2017 Schneiderman joins Andrew McCabe and James Comey in needing to lawyer up for prosecutions that seem inevitable now. The Manhattan district attorney has already opened an investigation. Schneiderman has been working with Robert Mueller to indict the president on some state-level beef where Trump's pardon power does not work. Politico, last August: Special counsel Robert Mueller's team is working with New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman on its investigation into Paul Manafort and his financial transactions, according to several people familiar with the matter. The cooperation is the latest indication that the federal probe into President Donald Trump's former campaign chairman is intensifying. It also could potentially provide Mueller with additional leverage to get Manafort to cooperate in the larger investigation into Trump's campaign, as Trump does not have pardon power over state crimes. The two teams have shared evidence and talked frequently in recent weeks about a potential case, these people said. One of the people familiar with progress on the case said both Mueller's and Schneiderman's teams have collected evidence on financial crimes, including potential money laundering. This morning on Fox & Friends, Judge Andrew Napolitano noted that Schneiderman took part in some of the meetings mentioned by Peter Strzok and Lisa Page in their text messages. Schneiderman has been an arch-enemy of Donald Trump for a long, long time. In a prophetic tweet from almost eight years ago, Trump eerily forecast yesterday's demise: Weiner is gone, Spitzer is gone - next will be lightweight A.G. Eric Schneiderman. Is he a crook? Wait and see, worse than Spitzer or Weiner Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) September 11, 2013 And even before this tweet, Trump teased that Schneiderman had revealed some incriminating news about then-president Obama and still-N.Y. governor Andrew Cuomo: What did our very stupid & ineffective A.G. Eric Schneidean, during his trips to MY office, tell me about President Obama & Governor Cuomo? Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) August 25, 2013 I suspect that in due time, we shall find out what Schneiderman blabbed to citizen Trump five years ago. Photo courtesy of the Office of Rep. Jerrold Nadler, via Wikimedia Commons. Jennifer Rubin of the Washington Post wrote a piece skewering Sarah Sanders for not being truthful. Here's a choice morsel, to give you a sense of the tone: It's not as though Sarah Huckabee Sanders has not misled the White House press corps before. In fact, she has done so on a regular basis. Somehow I don't remember Rubin or anyone else ripping into Robert Gibbs, Jay Carney, or Josh Earnest, past presidential spokesmen, as they continuously misled the public and the White House Press Corps on substantial matters throughout Obama's eight long years. President Obama and his administration cared little about the truth as they knowingly lied about: Obamacare Fast and Furious the IRS targeting of political dissidents Benghazi terrorists being on the run illegal spying on Americans ransom to Iran in the Iran deal ...and more. Obama even said he had no idea that Hillary Clinton, his secretary of state, was using an illegal email system even as he emailed her directly throughout her four years. Not once did I hear the spokespeople correct Obama even though they clearly knew that what he was saying wasn't true. Not once do I remember Jennifer Rubin or others calling out the three men who were Obama's press secretaries and say they shouldn't be trusted. But somehow Sarah Sanders is supposed to know everything about a private payment between Michael Cohen and a porn star who was extorting Trump. It certainly appears that Rubin and almost all the press corps are either sexist or are just completely biased since they call out a woman but didn't call out three males. I believe they are just completely biased and haven't cared about facts for a long time. It appears they will support a president and his spokespeople as long as they agree with their policies, and they will trash anyone who doesn't. Here's proof of what I mean, and note, too, that in the first case, the argument for sexism here goes unremarked. Look at the way the media are treating Central Intelligence Agency director nominee Gina Haspel. She is being trashed because she was supposedly too tough on terrorists when almost everyone wanted the government to be tough on terrorists. Five previous CIA directors are supporting Haspel along with the CIA rank and file, but that is not good enough. How would the media have treated Haspel if Obama had nominated her? My guess is they would have cheered for the first woman ever to be head of the CIA. I also look at the miserable way Democrats treated U.S. ambassador to Germany nominee Richard Grenell, Trump's choice for the critical post. Grenell is a gay man and well qualified, but somehow neither the media nor the gay community ever raised a stink about the Democrat delays on confirming him. Can anyone imagine if Republicans had blocked a gay nominee by Obama? I also look at the treatment of Kanye West, a black man who dares to have independent thought sufficient to support President Trump, alongside half the country. According to Maxine Waters, a Democratic congresswoman and a real genius in her own mind, Kanye West is emblematic of how blacks sometimes just aren't smart enough to formulate their own thoughts. Waters said West is a "creative young man" and credited him with creating "revolutionary material" for African-Americans. But, she warned that West "talks out of turn" and "sometimes needs some assistance in helping him [sic] to formulate some of his thoughts." The bias of the media is astonishing. Women and minorities should be respected only as long as they don't stray from liberal indoctrination, and yet they pretend they have a big tent. What garbage. Look at Hillary. The media all pretend they care about women being abused by powerful men and the "Me Too" movement, but they were willing to put a woman and her husband back in the White House (they still would today), no matter how many women the Clintons physically and mentally abused over decades. The Clintons and their staff including George Stephanopoulos sought to destroy any woman who dared call out Bill for abuse. Rarely did anyone care about these credible accusers even throughout the 2016 election. Everyone should remember that selective outrage by the media, Democrats, Hollywood, and others is not outrage at all. It is just pure bias and worthless. Web giant Google has announced that it will be enacting new rules surrounding political advertisements in the United States, and will also be putting out a new transparency report aimed squarely at those advertisers. There will also be a searchable database that shows political ads on Google and information on who bought them. As an aside, Google also announced that it will be beefing up security measures for Google accounts that are political in nature, including adding in new features and protections on account types and applications used by politicians, campaign managers, and other parties involved in elections of all sorts. The goal is to keep misinformation and outside influence in elections away from Googles advertisements and services. For starters, anybody purchasing a political ad on Google will have to present a form of government-issued ID or other valid proof of either US citizenship or permanent residence. Ads will also have to include a disclosure as to who is paying for the ad, just like on TV. The companys new transparency report is coming this summer, and will show what ads were sold and who bought them. On top of that, a searchable database of political ads on Google is being worked on right now, and it will allow users to find and view ads, as well as see who paid for the ads, among other key information. The new account protections and features for high-security and political Google users will start off with an update that allows users on Googles Advanced Protection Program to use Apples native applications on iDevices with their Google accounts, provided that proper security procedures are otherwise followed. This comes after the tech sphere, including Google, caught a good bit of the blame for the large foreign influence in the 2016 United States Presidential election. Fake news and misinformation ran wild, making it hard for candidates to get their messages out without being smeared in unfair and often untrue ways. Russian influence, meanwhile, was shown in many instances to be backing now-President Donald Trump. Its exactly this sort of phenomenon that Google no longer wants to be a part of, and hopefully these new measures will help in this regard. Google is rebranding its artificial intelligence research division into Google AI and is dropping the old Google Research name so as to highlight the importance of such technologies in the context of its long-term strategy moving forward, the company said Monday. The move was announced just a day ahead of the latest iteration of the annual Google I/O developer conference that will be running in Mountain View, California, for the next three days. Almost exactly a year ago, Google Chief Executive Officer Sundar Pichai said Alphabets subsidiary is now transitioning to an AI-first company, having added that its ultimate plan is to infuse all of its products and services with such technologies. The Google AI name is now meant to unify all the state-of-the-art research at the tech giant, whereas every previous Google Research project is now being rebranded as well, together with any accompanying websites, all of which are now being updated with relevant redirects as well. The technology as a whole is still in its infancy despite massive advancements in the field recorded in recent years, with Mr. Pichai often reiterating Google has a lot of work ahead of it before it can truly embrace AI. Machine learning and related solutions are hence expected to be a major focus of this years Google I/O, much like they were in recent times, with many of the firms flagship services such as the Google Assistant and Google Lens being announced at previous iterations of the same event. Besides AI, Google I/O should also highlight the technology juggernauts recent advancements in regards to Android Auto, Android Things, video streaming, virtual and augmented reality, advertising, and several other sectors. No major hardware announcements are expected to be made at the event as Google is now revealing most such products at another dedicated happening every October, having started that practice two years back. The companys keynote is starting later today at 10 AM PST at the Shoreline Amphitheatre in Googles home city. When LG arrived at this years CES in Las Vegas, the companys Vice Chairman Cho Sung-jin suggested the tech giant may be dropping its annual flagship release cycle in favor of a more streamlined product strategy meant to revive its horrible sales that have seen its mobile unit post heavy losses for three consecutive years. The gist of the cited reasoning was by delivering new high-end models when its ready to do so, LG would be able to focus on creating innovative offerings instead of just blindly following suit with its rivals, most of whom release new premium devices every six months. While many industry watchers presumed that LGs ambitions to retain existing models longer will lead to a more conservative product launch strategy moving forward, the exact opposite now seems to be unfolding. A few months following its announcement of that mobile strategy shift, LG introduced new color variants of the year-old G6, revised the 2017 V30 model with the V30S ThinQ thats basically the same thing with more RAM, storage, and some software tweaks that are now also rolling out to the original device and announced the G7 ThinQ. Reliable reports are now suggesting the V35 ThinQ is also in the works and due to be released this summer, whereas the V40 should follow it to market shortly afterwards. The only question that remains is why? Arguably, one of the biggest issues LG has been facing in the mobile market since late 2014 is its inability to follow up on flagship announcements with timely releases, with consumer interest in its products often dropping by the time they have hit store shelves. Instead of addressing that problem directly, LG now appears to be dead-set on announcing a new high-end smartphone every other month. Granted, the G7 ThinQ will be launching in the United States in a somewhat timely manner (relative to when it was announced) with most carriers planning to start sales next month, yet the V30S ThinQ is still largely unavailable throughout the country and AT&T will be missing out on the G7 ThinQ entirely in favor of another exclusive offering most likely the V35 ThinQ, which itself is expected to launch only a few months before the V40 flagship. Unless LGs goal is to confuse consumers, its hard to understand what exactly the company thinks it will gain from such a chaotic release strategy. While one could argue constant product launches are helping the tech giant keep its most premium offerings in the headlines and maintain consumer interest in the brand, it could also be argued they are just desperate attempts at bombarding the market with extremely similar devices to seeing what, if anything, sticks. For a company thats been in the Android smartphone business for almost a decade now, that approach seems too optimistic at best, and clueless at worst. LGs mobile unit lost over $650 million in 2017 and continued to bleed money in the first quarter of this year, so if consumers arent showing much interest in its devices, its unclear how releasing more extremely similar products is meant to help remedy the situation, especially given how doing so will make marketing its offerings even more difficult and expensive. Advertisement Outside of the niche demographic thats actively following smartphone news on a daily basis, consumers interested in purchasing a premium LG device this year will likely be at a loss when it comes to figuring out what exactly is the best option for them, and even when they reach a decision there is no guarantee theyll actually be able to purchase their first choice given how the company now appears to be going down the convoluted road of carrier and regional exclusivity. While LG appears to have learned its lesson about region-specific features with the G6 fiasco, the wider picture still doesnt imply it has any idea what its doing at the device-level in the mobile industry. Case in point the ThinQ name that while not new has been revived and attached to every new LG flagship as some sort of an attempt to capitalize on the AI hype. One could argue such reactionary moves are precisely the reason why LGs mobile unit has been declining for years now, whereas other companies are seen to be setting trends like Samsung, or at least able to adapt to industry trends in a timelier manner something Huawei has been great at doing. In contrast, while HTC is hardly a role model for other original equipment manufacturers, the struggling Taiwanese firm at least appears to be basing its mobile strategy in reality and is now said to be concentrating its releases in response to declining sales, especially in the high-end segment where there is potential for high profit margins. Given the state of HTCs mobile division, such a move is arguably the safest bet it can currently make while remaining in the smartphone market. LG, on the other hand, is giving the impression of being more clueless about what it wants to do with its Android flagships as it is now investing hundreds of millions of dollars into a chaotic product strategy that even startups would be criticized for, let alone maturing technology conglomerates. As was the case in recent years, that approach most likely wont amount to anything good, so expect to see LG waste yet another year on the market, then tout its 2018 mobile performance has improved due to its aggressive cost-cutting which have led to lowered losses masking even more harshly declining sales. BarcelonaCatalonias Ombudsman, Rafael Ribo, warned on Monday that some of the complaints which Spains Education Ministry is currently investigating following reports of alleged indoctrination of schoolchildren by teachers in Catalonia are phoney, inconsistent and extemporary. Last week the ministry disclosed that it had made three formal inquiries concerning a total of 54 specific incidents in 48 different Catalan schools, according to the Ombudsman. In addition, Ribo has received nine complaints, twenty-one information requests and has launched two probes into the incidents, even though only six of them include specific details that might allow the cases to be verified. In total, there are 87 recorded incidents involving 53 schools in Catalonia. Ribo noted that only one teacher has admitted to having made derogatory remarks and he has apologised to his students. At a press conference, the Ombudsman mentioned indirect complaints by unnamed individuals and others who do not live in Catalonia. I find it surprising that the authorities have not looked into these cases, he stated. In fact, he claimed that after reviewing all the textbooks (AMES, a teachers union, complained that course books were being used to indoctrinate children), the Ombudsman has found no evidence of indoctrination in them. I speak with the rigour required by the institution I represent, he stressed. On this point, Ribo noted that even though teachers are scared, it would be a mistake to avoid class discussions about the political situation in Catalonia. Ribo added that it is normal and necessary to discuss the political situation in Catalonia because, he said, schooling is about citizenship education. On the subject of the controversy surrounding the nine teachers in a Sant Andreu de la Barca school who are currently being investigated by the Public Prosecutor for hate crimes after they allegedly humiliated the children of Guardia Civil officers, Ribo condemned the lack of impartiality of the prosecutors probe because it is only examining the version of the complainants and not that of the teachers involved. The Ombudsman underscored this case because he has repeatedly decried the fact that complaints have not been made through the usual channels (with the school principal or the inspection service), but instead a criminal lawsuit has been filed in order to resolve the matter. Ribo stressed that the only way to solve conflicts is through the education community, not in a criminal court of law. Therefore, he urged Spanish PM Mariano Rajoy and the parliamentary leaders in Madrid and Barcelona to address these issues within the education community. COP26 may be a cop-out in the making COP26 is just about a month away. Delayed for a year by the Covid-19 pandemic, the 26th United Nations Climate Change Conference has built up even more expectations and momentum during the intervening months Aspen is located dead center in the part of Colorado where drought conditions transition from moderate to severe, as indicated on this U.S. Drought Monitor map that was published recently. The current snow-water equivalent in the Roaring Fork watershed is 61 percent of median, but some commercial operators say they arent concerned that low water will impact their businesses this summer. Armenias Ministry of Defense reports that border guards seized six foreign nationals when they attempted to cross the border into Armenia from Azerbaijan. Ministry spokesman Artzrun Hovhannisyan posted the news on his Facebook page. The ministrys website so far shows no such news. According to The Local , citing Germany's transport ministry, authorities have been informed that a new defeat device may have been used in over 60,000 Audi A6 and A7 cars equipped with diesel engines.The defeat device is not directly linked to emissions, but rather to the use of the AdBlue cleaning fluid. According to authorities, the software fitted on the affected vehicles slows down the use of the fluid to prevent drivers from refilling it between regular service updates.By preventing the AdBlue to do its job, diesel cars equipped with this software are much more polluting that officially stated.As per The Local, Audi has stopped production of the newest A6 model until the situation clears, although it is unclear why. The new model has been presented during Marchs 2018 Geneva Auto Show, but has not reached customers yet.Audi said it didnt know about this new software issue and has voluntarily contacted authorities. It also suspended deliveries of the models affected by the problem. Sources say the cars plagued with this software will be recalled by the carmaker.An official statement from Audi is expected later on Tuesday.Last week, Volkswagens former CEO Martin Winterkorn has been officially charged with conspiracy to defraud the U.S. government and customers, wire fraud, and conspiracy to violate the Clean Air Act by American authorities.According to papers filed in March, Winterkorn allegedly found out about the so-called defeat device installed in the carmakers cars in 2014, following a study of West Virginia Universitys Center for Alternative Fuels, Engines, and Emissions.The former executive is accused of deciding to cover up his findings and encouraged his colleagues to do the same while appearing to cooperate. Chinas government is moving forward with plans to build a commercial-scale plant to produce hypersonic engines for both military and civilian aircraft, according to a recent report in the South China Morning Post. The scramjet engines could produce speeds up to Mach 5. The project will bring together the expertise of the Institute of Mechanics, a technical school that has focused on the development of hypersonic weapons, with the local government, to create the facility. Scramjet engines could theoretically cut flying time from Shanghai to New York to just two hours, compared to almost 15 hours for commercial airliners today. The engines also could provide power for spacecraft, according to the Post. Analysts told the Post a spacecraft could use a turbine engine to take off and reach supersonic speed, then switch to the scramjet for a speed boost, then fire a rocket for the final push to orbit. The three-stage system could be significantly cheaper to operate than todays technology. If the new plant develops that kind of system, hypersonic expert Liu Hong told the Post, I think their goal for commercial production is possible. It is within the reach of current technology. Flight sharing via app has been stymied so far for private pilots in the U.S., but the idea has taken root in Europe in the last few years, and is continuing to grow. Rules developed by EASA (the European Aviation Safety Agency) now allow GA pilots to share costs with up to five passengers. Tony Rapson, head of general aviation for Great Britains Civil Aviation Authority, wrote in a blog post last week that pilots need to be aware of the risks. Flying with strangers opens new potential issues ranging from security and personal safety to insurance implications, Rapson wrote. We at the CAA are very keen that pilots who do embrace these newfound opportunities fully understand the risks involved.Several online services are available to connect general aviation pilots with passengers willing to share flight costs.The vendors are encouraged to sign on to a charter developed by EASA, which outlines best safety practices for flight-sharing platforms. Wingly, one of the more popular platforms, recently raised 2 million euros to build its network and expand into new countries. We now have around 150,000 users registered, with around 50,000 in the UK, co-founder Emeric de Waziers told AVweb in an email this week. We have around 10,000 pilots registered, with 3000 from the UK. We had more than 8000 passengers in flight in the last 18 months, and currently we have around1000 passengers per month. Wingly is organizing six fly-ins around Europe this summer, and is now operating in the UK, France, Germany, Austria and Switzerland. There have been no accidents or incidents, de Waziers said. Besides Wingly, several other platforms have been operating in the EU, including BBPlane, Coavmi, and Flyt.club. Ultimately, the CAAs Rapson wrote, the clear intention of relaxing the cost sharing rules is to allow pilots to fly morebuilding skills and experiencewhile sharing their passion for aviation with others. Providing passengers and pilots understand and stick to the rules, then that intention can become a reality. De Waziers said the ultimate goal of flight sharing is to spark interest in aviation among the wider public, so more people will choose to become pilots. Flying is the oldest dream of mankind, he wrote. We shouldnt forget that. A new program that launched this week in Wichita, Kansas, will provide technical training for high-school students to prepare them to step directly into jobs in the aviation industry. Aviation Pathway is a joint effort involving Textron Aviation, Wichita Public Schools and WSU Tech, a technical college based in Wichita. Staff at Textron approached public-school officials to propose the project. We immediately began to explore its potential benefit to our students, the aviation industry and our community, said Alicia Thompson, schools superintendent. We cant wait to show students and their parents what they will learn and do in this new program, focused on todays high-tech, fast-paced aviation industry. Thousands of jobs in advanced aviation manufacturing are expected to be available in Kansas over the next five years, due to increased production and staff retirements. Jim Walters, of Textron Aviations human resources department, said it was just months ago that he and colleagues visited a model program in another state, and Wichita officials helped to make the idea into reality very quickly. With educators and business working together, this new program will match industry needs and students with knowledge and career opportunities, he said. They have accomplished in weeks and months what could require years. Sheree Utash, president of WSU Tech, said the program will change students lives and help the aviation industry to grow. Together we are developing the next generation of highly skilled employees, Utash said. The program will be the first of its kind in Kansas. Nikol Pashinyan was elected prime minister of Armenia today, the fifteenth person to hold the post since the country declared its independence in 1991. Armenias first prime minister was Vazgen Manukyan. He was appointed President of the Council of Ministers by Armenias Supreme Council on August 13, 1990. He resigned on September 26, 1991, five days after the country declared its independence. Hrant Bagratyan, the economy minister and First Deputy President of the Council of Ministers, served as acting prime minister from September to November 1991. Levon Ter-Petrosyan, Chairman of the Supreme Council of Armenia, was elected the countrys first president on October 16, 1991. Ter-Petrosyan appointed the government members. Gagik Harutyunyan, Armenias first and last vice-president, served as acting prime minister from November 22,1991 to July 30, 1992. (The post of vice-president was later abolished) Khosrov Harutyunyan replaced Gagik Harutyunyan and served until February 1993. Khosrov Harutyunyan was replaced by Hrant Bagratyan, who served as prime minister until November 1996. Bagratyan left the office amidst the political crisis created by the September 1996 presidential election in which Levon Ter-Petrosyan declared victory. Ter-Petrosyan replaced Bagratyan with Armen Sarkissian, who is now the president of Armenia. Sarkissian served until February 1997 when he resigned, allegedly for health reasons. On March 20, Ter-Petrosyan replaced him with Robert Kocharyan, then the president of Artsakh. In February 1998, when Ter-Petrosyan and his team were stepping down over the Karabakh issue, Kocharyan took over and was elected Armenian president in a snap election held on March 30, 1998. In April, Kocharyan appointed Armen Darbinyan prime minister. His tenure was short-lived. The Unity alliance won the parliamentary elections held on May 30, 1999. Kocharyan appointed its candidate, Vazgen Sargsyan, prime minister in June 1999. Sargsyan was killed in the October 27, 1999 attack on the National Assembly that killed seven others, including parliament speaker Karen Demirchyan. To calm tensions in the country, President Kocharyan appointed Vazgen Sargsyans brother Aram Sargsyan as prime minister, only to fire him soon afterwards. President Kocharyan appointed Andranik Margaryan prime minister in May 2000. He served until his death on March 25, 2007. Kocharyan replaced him with Serzh Sargsyan. Serzh Sargsyan was elected Armenian president on February 19, 2008, appointing Tigran Sargsyan as prime minister. Tigran Sargsayn served for six years, resigning in April 2014. President Sargsyan replaced him with Hovik Abrahamyan, then the parliament speaker. Ambrahamyan resigned in September 2016, to be replaced by Karen Karapetyan. Karapetyan served as prime minister until April 17, 2018, when, according to the changes made to the constitution, the government transitioned to a parliamentarism with a strengthened prime ministerial post and whereby, for the first time, it would be an elected office. Outgoing President Serzh Sargsyan was elected prime minister on April 17 but was forced to resign six days later in the face of widespread protests and civil disobedience spearheaded by Nikol Pashinyan. Between April 23 and May 8, when Nikol Pashinyan was elected prime minister, Karapetyan, the deputy prime minister assumed the duties of acting prime minister. President Trump announced that the United States will withdraw from the Iran nuclear deal and institute the "highest level" of sanctions against it during a statement at the White House on Tuesday ahead of the May 12 deadline for a decision. Be smart, from Axios' Jonathan Swan: Trump has never wavered on the Iran deal. He was convinced from the campaign that it was a disaster and weak a poorly-negotiated contract by poor negotiators. Trump went nuts at his national security team early last year when they didnt present him options for total withdrawal. His appointment of the ultra-hawk John Bolton as his national security adviser left nobody in doubt about what he was going to do. at his national security team early last year when they didnt present him options for total withdrawal. His appointment of the ultra-hawk John Bolton as his national security adviser left nobody in doubt about what he was going to do. On Iran, members of his national security team have been frustrated that theres little that connects his different impulses. members of his national security team have been frustrated that theres little that connects his different impulses. The real question: What does Trump do next? Its not clear what the administrations plan is for the day after exiting the Iran deal, and in some ways Trump is internally incoherent. Members of his national security team have been frustrated about Trumps desire to withdraw US troops from Syria. They point out the contradiction: how can you want to be tougher on Iran when you appear willing to cede Syria to Iran? What Trump said: "If I allowed this deal to stand, there would soon be a nuclear arms race in the Middle East. Everyone would want their nuclear weapons ready by the time Iran had theirs." To the people of Iran: "The people of America stand with you. It has now been almost 40 years since this dictatorship seized power and took a proud nation hostage." "The people of America stand with you. It has now been almost 40 years since this dictatorship seized power and took a proud nation hostage." "Great things can happen for Iran and great things can happen for the peace and stability we all want in the Middle East. There has been enough suffering, death, and destruction. Let it end now." The timing: The U.S. Treasury is implementing a wind-down period for businesses currently engaged in business with Iran and the sanctions will roll into place between 90 to 180 days from now. The Iranian response: President Hassan Rouhani spoke immediately after Trump, saying Iran would attempt to salvage the agreement without the U.S. If that attempt fails, though, he said: "I have ordered Irans atomic organization that whenever it is needed, we will start enriching uranium more than before. The leaders of France, Germany and the U.K. released a joint statement, saying in part: we "will remain parties to the JCPoA. Our governments remain committed to ensuring the agreement is upheld, and will work with all the remaining parties to the deal to ensure this remains the case including through ensuring the continuing economic benefits to the Iranian people that are linked to the agreement." Go deeper: What Iran and our European allies might do next. New York Attorney General, Eric Schneiderman, has been accused of subjecting four women with "whom he had romantic relationships or encounters with" to nonconsensual physical violence, according to their interviews with The New Yorker's Jane Mayer and Ronan Farrow. Schneiderman denied the allegations in a statement, saying he has only ever engaged in "consensual sexual activity." Why it matters: The allegations come as Schneiderman, the state's highest-ranking law-enforcement officer, has been a vocal supporter of women in the wake of the #MeToo wave. He has also taken legal action against the man at the center of the movement, Harvey Weinstein. "In the privacy of intimate relationships, I have engaged in role-playing and other consensual sexual activity. I have not assaulted anyone. I have never engaged in nonconsensual sex, which is a line I would not cross." Schneiderman in a statement on Twitter. Two of the accusers, Michelle Manning Barish and Tanya Selvaratnam, spoke on record, and said they sought medical treatment. Barish said the attorney general, whom she was romantically involved with from the summer of 2013 until January 2015, backed her up to the edge of his bed one night and slapped her across the face violently. Selvaratnam said Schneiderman was often violent and made sexual demands. A third woman,who wished to be unnamed, said Schneiderman slapped her across the face. A fourth woman, an attorney "who has held prominent positions in the New York legal community," said Schneiderman made an advance toward her; and "when she rebuffed him, he slapped her across the face with such force that it left a mark that lingered the next day." The woman asked to remain unidentified, but shared a photograph of the injury with The New Yorker. A look at the high profile men accused of sexual misconduct Kim Jong-un's second visit to China in 40 days, following his March 28 meeting with President Xi, demonstrates that the two leaders continue to work together as closely as lips and teeth, a metaphor long used to describe the relationship between North Korea and China. Why it matters: With U.S. pressure mounting, Kim needs to ensure Chinas support before meeting with Trump, while China wants to show that it is still a key player. The two leaders doubtless exchanged views and coordinated strategy. This visit occurred right before Wednesday's planned trilateral summit between China, Japan and South Korea in Tokyo, where North Korea is expected to be a central topic of discussion. It also comes two weeks ahead of President Moons White House visit and a month before the much-anticipated TrumpKim summit. The meeting may help to explain why the White House has not yet announced the date and location of the TrumpKim summit, despite Trumps statement that details are decided and the announcement imminent. Trump has pressed China on trade, but needs its support in dealing with North Korea, posing a policy dilemma. It would be a mistake for Trump to think he can strike a nuclear deal with North Korea all by himself. Chinese involvement is inevitable; thus, it makes sense to bring China into the process early on, rather than deal with complications arising from a later intervention. The big picture: Kim is clever, strategic and not to be underestimated. And China can't be expected to sit these events out it will do everything it can to remain a key player in the negotiations. Gi-Wook Shin is chair of Korean Studies at Stanford University, director of the Walter H. Shorenstein Asia-Pacific Research Center and senior fellow at the Freeman Spogli Institute for International Studies. President Trump should be very happy with Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari's visit last week. Unlike recent visits by French President Macron, who criticized Trumps policies before Congress, and German Chancellor Merkel, who has also butted heads with him, Buharis involved much praise for Trump in ways that should please him and his base. Why it matters: Buharis visit may have at least partly defanged criticism of Trump's racism vis-a-vis his alleged Africa comments. Trump's mention of Christian killings in Nigeria may have rallied his evangelical supporters, and seemingly won him a constituency in the Independent People of Biafra, a Nigerian separatist movement, whose spokesperson referred to Trump as a God sent to ameliorate the suffering of Christians in Nigeria. The trip was a win in more concrete ways for Buhari. As he observed, U.S.Nigeria security cooperation is limited. However, the day before the meeting, Buhari's senior special assistant said that President Obama had failed to provide Nigeria the necessary support for the counterterrorism fight, likely referencing Obamas blocking the sale of Super Tucanos to Nigeria on human rights grounds. During the press conference, Trump explained he had unblocked the sale. Buhari's assistant went on to say that, under Trump, U.S.Nigeria relations had recorded remarkable progress. Trump also reaffirmed Nigerias regional leadership role, promised security cooperation and affirmed that the two countries' would work to return stolen Nigerian funds, estimated at $500 million, parked in the U.S. The bottom line: Buhari's visit is likely to have only a limited impact on American domestic politics in the November mid-terms run-up, and was overshadowed by the generally negative reactions to Macrons and Merkels visits. But Trump got what he wanted: favorable reviews from an African head of state. John Campbell is the Ralph Bunche Senior Fellow for Africa Policy Studies at the Council on Foreign Relations. Chinese President Xi Jinping met with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un in northern China close to the North Korean border, reports the AP, citing Chinese media. And Xi will speak with President Trump on the phone this morning, per a presidential tweet. A tweet previously embedded here has been deleted or was tweeted from an account that has been suspended or deleted. The backdrop: Trump's East Asian priorities are clashing as he tries to take a hard line against China on trade but is counting on Beijing to keep up its economic pressure on North Korea. By Rashid Shirinov Today is the day of occupation of Shusha by the Armenian armed forces. Many people were killed during the Armenian attack on the city, as well as on other settlements in Azerbaijans Nagorno-Karabakh region and seven adjacent regions now occupied by Armenia. Yet more Azerbaijanis were expelled from their native lands in the seized territories. In this regard, Baku Media Center presented an animated video entitled We want back home on May 8. The main purpose of the video is to convey to the world community the truth about Azerbaijan about the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, around one million refugees and internally displaced persons who want to return to their homes. During the occupation of Shusha in 1992, the Armenians killed as many as 195 Azerbaijani civilians, wounded 165 and took 58 people hostage. After seizing the city, the occupiers razed to the ground about 600 historical-architectural monuments in Shusha, plundered and ruined seven kindergartens, 22 schools, music school, eight culture centers, 22 clubs, 31 libraries, two cinemas and eight museums. In general, 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. 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 regions. --- Rashid Shirinov is AzerNews staff journalist, follow him on Twitter: @RashidShirinov Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz By Trend Rahid Alakbarli was appointed head of the State Administration of Radio Frequencies of the Ministry of Communications, Transport and High Technologies of Azerbaijan, the ministry told Trend on Monday. Alakbarli has many years of experience in the field of telecommunications. He previously held the position of technical director of Delta Telecom (the main operator of Azerbaijan). Prior to his appointment as head of the State Administration of Radio Frequencies, Alakbarli worked as and still retains in the position of chief information officer at ADA University. State Administration of Radio Frequencies exercises control over registration and operation of radio electronic equipment in the territory of Azerbaijan. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz By Sara Israfilbayova Economic cooperation between the European Union and Azerbaijan should not be limited to the energy sector. Co-Chairman of the EU-Azerbaijan Parliamentary Cooperation Committee Sayyad Karim made the remarks at the 15th session of the Committee in Baku. He noted that Azerbaijan has great potential to become a major transport hub between Europe and Asia. Big projects between the EU and Azerbaijan are not limited to energy projects. Azerbaijan is very interesting to Europe as a partner in the field of transport and logistics. Azerbaijan has great potential to become a major transport hub between Europe and Asia, and the implementation of the Baku-Tbilisi-Kars (BTK) project has turned this potential into reality, Karim said. On October 30, a solemn ceremony was held at the Baku International Sea Trade Port on the occasion of the opening of the BTK railway. Two routes from Kazakhstan to Turkish Mersin have already been sent via this route. The first train, consisting of 30 containers, on November 4, delivered 600 tons of wheat to the Turkish city of Mersin. The second freight train left Kazakhstan on November 27. The train has already reached Georgia. The BTK railway is constructed on the basis of the Azerbaijan-Georgia-Turkey intergovernmental agreement. The main purpose of the project is to improve economic relations between the three countries and attract foreign direct investment by connecting Europe and Asia. The project implementation began in 2007 and construction began in 2008. The line is intended to transport one million passengers and 6.5 million tons of freight at the first stage. This capacity will then reach 3 million passengers and 17 million tons of cargo. In turn, deputy speaker of the Azerbaijani Parliament, chairman of the Parliamentary Committee for Natural Resources, Energy and Ecology, Valeh Alasgarov, said that Azerbaijan is interested in attracting technologies of developed European countries to develop its own economy. He said natural resources are not enough to ensure the successful development of the countrys economy. First of all, the issue of legislation arises here. Azerbaijan was able to attract investments worth tens of billions of dollars to the oil and gas industry. The contracts signed between SOCAR and foreign companies were adopted by the Parliament at the level of laws, he said. The MP stressed that Azerbaijan had no opportunity to supply its oil and gas to the foreign markets at a time when the Contract of the Century was signed. A contract for development of ACG block of oil and gas fields for 30 years was signed in 1994. Thirteen companies from eight countries (Azerbaijan, the U.S., Great Britain, Russia, Turkey, Norway, Japan, Saudi Arabia) have participated in signing of the "Contract of the Century". Azerbaijans state oil company SOCAR and BP-operated Azerbaijan International Operating Company (AIOC) signed an agreement on future development of the ACG field in December 2016. The agreement will cover the development of the field until 2050 and will add significant resource development potential. The document specifies the key commercial terms for the future development of the ACG field and enables the parties to conclude negotiations and finalize fully-termed agreements in the next few months. Following the signing of several contracts, there were constructed the Baku-Supsa, Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan and Baku-Tbilisi-Erzurum pipelines. Today, we are implementing new projects - the Southern Gas Corridor, the free economic zone in the Alat. And the legislations stands on the basis of these issues, Alasgarov noted. --- Sara Israfilbayova is AzerNews staff journalist, follow her on Twitter: @Sara_999Is Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz By Trend The state program for development of cotton growing contributes to the successful development of this sector in Azerbaijan, General Director of Azercotton LLC (Azerpambig) Bahruz Jamalov said at a scientific-practical conference devoted to the 95th birth anniversary of national leader Heydar Aliyev. "In 2015, 35,000 tons of cotton were harvested in Azerbaijan, while in 2017 this figure amounted to 207,000 tons. This shows that the policy gives results," said Jamalov. He noted that the development of cotton growing in Azerbaijan, in turn, will give impetus to the development of the textile industry. "The development of the textile industry contributes to the growth of Azerbaijan's industrial potential, the creation of new jobs and the improvement of the welfare of the people," Jamalov added. "The state program for development of cotton growing in Azerbaijan for 2017-2022 was approved by President Ilham Aliyev in July 2017. It is expected that through the implementation of the state program, the annual cotton production in 2022 will reach 500,000 tons. Within the framework of the state program, it is planned to carry out various institutional measures, improve the regulatory framework, strengthen human resources, apply innovative technologies, attract foreign investments and implement a number of other measures for the development of this sphere." --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz By Laman Ismayilova An exhibition "Portraits. The world of Tahir Salahov's carpets " dedicated to the 95th anniversary of the national leader Heydar Aliyev has opened in Azerbaijan Carpet Museum. The event was attended by the Minister of Culture of Azerbaijan Abulfas Garayev, public, art and cultural figures, representatives of creative intelligentsia, etc. The carpets woven on the basis of paintings by People's Artist Tahir Salahov were presented at the exhibition, Trend Life reported. The technical project was headed by People's Artist of Azerbaijan Tariyer Bashirov. Addressing the event, director of the museum, the chairman of the ICOM National Committee, doctor of philosophy in art criticism Shirin Melikova stressed that the restoration of Azerbaijan's independence, the revival of its statehood, the continuity of the first Democratic Republic in the East, the development of all spheres, including culture, is connected with the name of the national leader Heydar Aliyev. Creation of the world's first carpet museum in Azerbaijan, a country where carpet weaving traditions are the strongest and rich, is also associated with the name of Heydar Aliyev. It was stressed that the works of the outstanding Azerbaijani artist, People's Artist of the USSR, Vice President of the Russian Academy of Arts, Chevalier of the highest state awards of Azerbaijan and Russia Tahir Salahov - the cult figure of such iconic art direction in the Soviet era as a "severe style" are presented in famous museums and art galleries of the world. The museum's permanent exhibition also include the famous works of the great artist. "These magnificent portraits are new works transferred to the language of the carpet. Tahir Salahov has been experimenting in this field for several years. He was and remains a creative person who tirelessly opens up new horizons, and the rug in his work takes an increasingly important place," said Shirin Melikova. Minister of Culture of Azerbaijan Abulfas Garayev highly appreciated the work of Tahir Salahov and stressed that the works of the famous artist are shown in all the famous museums and galleries of the world, and also stressed that his new works are of great interest. He added that the national leader of Azerbaijan Heydar Aliyev always highly appreciated the culture, traditions and activities of the people of art - they are still surrounded by the support and concern of the state. Further, museum's main artist, Honored Artist of Azerbaijan Tariyer Bashirov spoke about the carpets he created, inspired by the works of Tahir Salahov. He stressed that they include a portrait of Heydar Aliyev, which is kept in the Heydar Aliyev Foundation, portraits of Maksud Ibrahimbayov and the legendary national hero Koroghlu. Them, Tahir Salahov told about the history of these works and the unique qualities of the carpets presented at the exhibition, and shared his memories of the national leader Heydar Aliyev. The People's Artist thanked the Ministry and the museum for organizing the event. Then the participants got acquainted with the exposition. The exhibition will last until May 15. The author of portraits, landscapes, still lifes, large multi-figured canvases, Salahov masterfully possesses a line and color, has a laconic and deeply individual manner of self-expression. The strength and generality of the images give his paintings a monumental character, consonant with fresco painting. The creative range of it is extremely wide. He works in the field of painting, graphics, scenography. The artist's judgments about the human personality, about the world around him are transferred into the art. Tahir Salahov studied at the Azimzade Art College in Baku in 19451950 and the Surikov Moscow Art Institute in 19511957. The great artist won an early recognition as his diploma work, "The Shift is Over", was exhibited in 1957 at the Moscow All-Union Art Exhibition and received public and critical acclaim. Salahov chose a palette of contrasting red, black, light- and dark-grey tones and gave colored plains a decorative function. He also produced expressive drawings and stage designs. Today Salahov lives in Moscow, where he is a professor and has a studio at the Moscow Art Institute. --- Laman Ismayilova is AzerNews staff journalist, follow her on Twitter: @Lam_Ismayilova Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz Following the election of Nikol Pashinyan as Prime Minister of Armenia, Council of Europe Secretary General Thorbjrn Jagland made the following statement: On behalf of the Council of Europe, I congratulate Nikol Pashinyan on his election as Prime Minister of Armenia. Today's decision by the Armenian Parliament shows that the constitutional reform, which is being carried out with the help of our organisation, has started to be implemented. This process should continue, in line with the wishes of the Armenian people. The Council of Europe is ready to provide any further assistance to the Armenian authorities in this very important process based on human rights, democracy and the rule of law. By Laman Ismayilova An exhibition marking the 25th anniversary of Azerbaijan's membership in UNESCO will be opened in Art Tower Gallery on May 8. Young and well-known artists will present their works created in different painting styles. The main purpose of the exhibition is to promote national spiritual values and protect Azerbaijan's historical cultural heritage. The exhibition opens at 19.00. Admission is free. The event, co-organized by the Icherisheher State Historical-Architectural Reserve Administration, the Ministry of Culture and the NGO "Arts Council Azerbaijan will run till May 12. Azerbaijan became member of UNESCO on June 3 1992, after restoration of its independence. In 2003, Azerbaijan and UNESCO signed the framework agreement on cooperation in the areas of culture, science, education and communication, which allowed Azerbaijan to become one of the donors of UNESCO. The Icherisheher (Old City), Maiden Tower and Shirvanshah's palace were included in the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2000, while since 2007 the Gobustan National Historical-Artistic reserve also listed among these heritages. In 2017, UNESCO recognized Azerbaijan's dolma as the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. Art of crafting and playing with kamancha, presented jointly by Azerbaijan and Iran, was also inscribed on the UNESCO Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. Last year, the organization marked the 600th anniversary of the death of the great Azerbaijani poet and thinker Imadaddin Nasimi. UNESCO also celebrated the 200th anniversary of the first settlement of Germans in Azerbaijan last year. Arts Council Azerbaijan is an international and independent art platform. The organization is the head of the International Arts Council Network operating in different countries around the world. It was created by Dadash Mammadov in 2006. The main purpose of the organization is to promote Azerbaijani culture and art. Many projects have been operating for many years under the auspices of the organization. Among them are Art Gazette, Production Studio, Azerbaijan Animation Museum named after Nazim Mammadov, Art School Drawing School, "Under open air" plein air, Art Residence, and Youth Network. --- Laman Ismayilova is AzerNews staff journalist, follow her on Twitter: @Lam_Ismayilova Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz By Rashid Shirinov Why would I need a meadow without flowers? Why would I need body without the heart? Why would I need homeland without Shusha? Give me back Shusha... Ramiz Gusarchayli May 8 marks the 26th anniversary of the occupation of Azerbaijans ancient town of Shusha by the Armenian armed forces. Since its foundation in the middle of the 18th century, Shusha became one of the main economical and cultural centers not only in the Azerbaijani lands, but also in the whole South Caucasus. Unfortunately, the history of the city, which has always been considered the heart of Karabakh, was marred by its occupation in 1992. The Armenian armed forces seized Shusha with the aid of the 366th Soviet regiment, killing and disabling hundreds of innocent Azerbaijani civilians, expelling the entire population of the town, and destroying, burning down, and looting numerous cultural, religious and historical monuments. As a result of the occupation of Shusha, 195 civilians were killed, 165 were wounded, 22,000 were displaced and 58 were taken hostage by the Armenians. Their fate remains unknown to this day. After seizing the city, the Armenian occupiers razed to the ground about 600 historical-architectural monuments in Shusha, including the Palace of Panahali khan, Juma mosque, Mosque of Ashagi Govhar Aga, house of poetess Khurshud Banu Natavan, tomb of poet Molla Panah Vagif, plundered and ruined seven kindergartens, 22 schools, music school, eight culture centers, 22 clubs, 31 libraries, two cinemas and eight museums. About 5,000 exhibits from the Shusha History Museum, 1,000 exhibits from State Karabakh History Museum, Shusha branch of the Azerbaijan State Carpentry Museum, museums of Uzeyir Hajibeyli, Bulbul, Mir Movsum Navvab were plundered. The invaders took to Armenia valuable exhibits of Shusha museums, rare Karabakh carpets, samples of folk and fine arts, archaeological finds and many other things. Moreover, the occupiers seized the natural resources of Shusha, such as facing stone, clay, construction stone, fresh underground waters and mineral waters, and used them for their own purposes. As mentioned above, Shusha was founded in the 18th century, by the famous Azerbaijani Khan Panahali on the highest site of the Karabakh khanate. The city was named Panahabad in honor of its founder. As the years passed, the city gave the Azerbaijani nation such prominent figures as Gasim bey Zakir, Khurshidbanu Natavan, Mir Mohsun Navvab, Najaf bey Vezirov, Abdurrahim bey Hagverdiyev, Yusif Vazir Chemenzeminli, Firidun bey Kocharli, Ahmed bey Agaoglu and other eminent personalities. The ancient city was also distinguished for its fresh air and rich nature. One of the symbols of Shusha was Khari Bulbul, a beautiful and unique flower which grows in the mountains of the city, and doesn't grow elsewhere in the world. The flower looks as if a nightingale is sitting on it. Moreover, the Turshsu summer pastures, the Shakilli, Isa, Yukhari Dashalti springs, and the well-known Jidir Duzu valley were extremely popular among travelers. For 26 years, the Azerbaijanis have been living without the Nagorno-Karabakh and its heart, the city of Shusha. The children who were expelled from the occupied Azerbaijani lands are now adults with their own families, and all of them are united with one dream that is yet to come true the liberation of the seized territories and the return to their native places. --- Rashid Shirinov is AzerNews staff journalist, follow him on Twitter: @RashidShirinov Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz By Trend Trend news agency expands its media tentacles on international scale, a US journalist Nurit Greenger said in her article published by News Blaze. Trend sells its news and reports to Internet magazines, large corporations, consulting companies and bank, and thus expands its media tentacles on an international scale, she said. The government claims no interference in the press, with Trend News Agency, established in 1995, being an Internet aggregator and the leading news provider from the Caucasus, Caspian and Central Asian regions; the latest news from Azerbaijan, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Iran and Turkey, she added. Greenger noted that claiming freedom of the individual, the government of Azerbaijan offers Internet connectivity to the majority of its population; 80 percent of the population now has access to Internet and the goal is 100 percent. Greenger pointed out that seeking transparency in its internal politics, in its recent presidential election, on April 11, 2018, 7 TV stations, 15 newspaper outlets and 10 information agencies covered Azerbaijans election from close quarters. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz By Trend Azerbaijan will become one of the most important transport hubs in the world, Azerbaijan's Los Angeles Consul General Nasimi Aghayev said at the Fourth Annual 'Left of Boom' Conference at the State University of San Diego, California, where he delivered a lecture on Azerbaijan, the Consulate General announced May 7. First of all, Aghayev spoke about the history of independence of Azerbaijan and establishment of the first secular republic in the Muslim world. Aghayev said that Azerbaijan went down in history as a country that gave women the right to vote even earlier than the United States. The Consul General said that after the collapse of the Soviet Union, Azerbaijan restored its independence and added that after returning to power in 1993, the national leader of the Azerbaijani people Heydar Aliyev took important and serious steps to strengthen the independent statehood. Aghayev noted that important reforms have been carried out in various sectors of the economy. Aghayev informed the participants about the economic reforms undertaken in the country and current efforts by the Government under President Ilham Aliyevs visionary leadership to diversify the economic development even more vigorously into such areas as tourism, IT, agriculture and transportation, among others, which are already beginning to produce positive results, strengthening Azerbaijan's position as the largest economy in the South Caucasus region. Highlighting Azerbaijan's role in implementing projects of regional and transregional importance and magnitude, the Consul General spoke of the Baku-Tbilisi-Kars railroad that was inaugurated on October 30, 2017 and that is set to connect China with Europe through the shortest and most reliable route. The Consul General also spoke about the North-South transport corridor and noted that as a result of these projects Azerbaijan will become one of the most important transport hubs in the world. The Consul General also informed the audience about the illegal military occupation and total ethnic cleansing of around 20 percent of Azerbaijan's sovereign territory by neighboring Armenia. He noted that this illegal occupation and the ongoing conflict with Azerbaijan has only damaged Armenia's well-being over the last 27 years of its independence, making it the weakest economy of the South Caucasus. "Since 1991, Armenia has lost a million of its population to economic emigration," Aghayev said, adding that integration of Armenia into the large-scale regional projects involving Azerbaijan and the other South Caucasian nation - Georgia - would only be possible once Armenia leaves the occupied territories of Azerbaijan, allowing hundreds of thousands of Azerbaijani displaced population to return to their homes and lands. After the presentation, the Consul General responded to questions from the audience. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz By Trend Progress is observed in the negotiations on a new agreement between the European Union and Azerbaijan, Deputy Foreign Minister of Azerbaijan Mahmud Mammadguliyev said at the 15th session of the EU-Azerbaijan Parliamentary Cooperation Committee in Baku. Mammadguliyev noted that the negotiations started last year and successfully continue in 2018. According to him, the agreement covers three main areas - political security, trade and investment, and various sectoral issues. "Compliance with commitments is very important for Azerbaijan. The fact that the EU supports the territorial integrity of Azerbaijan gives impetus to the development of cooperation between us," Mammadguliyev said. The deputy minister stressed that today the cooperation between the EU and Azerbaijan in the energy sector is at a very high level, and therefore the non-energy sectors represent the greatest interest. "One of the issues currently under negotiation is the further simplification of the visa regime between the EU and Azerbaijan. This step will benefit the people of both the EU and Azerbaijan, and the people of our countries will become closer to each other," Mammadguliyev said. In November 2016, the EU Council issued a mandate to 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. The new agreement should replace the partnership and cooperation agreement of 1996, which would make it possible to take greater account of the common goals and challenges facing the EU and Azerbaijan today. The agreement will comply with the principles approved in 2015 in the document of the European Neighborhood Policy and will offer an updated basis for political dialogue and mutually beneficial cooperation between the EU and Azerbaijan. At present, bilateral relations between the EU and Azerbaijan are regulated on the basis of the partnership and cooperation agreement, which was signed in 1996 and entered into force in 1999. The new agreement provides for the approximation of Azerbaijan's legislation and procedures to the most important international and trade norms and standards of the EU, which should lead to improved access of Azerbaijani products to the EU markets. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz By Kamila Aliyeva Azerbaijan and Iran discussed cooperation in the energy sphere on the Caspian Sea. Issues related to joint development of sea blocks in the Caspian Sea were discussed during the meeting of Azerbaijani Energy Minister Parviz Shahbazov and Iranian Oil Minister Bijan Namdar Zanganeh in Tehran, the Azerbaijani Energy Ministry reported on May 7. The Azerbaijani delegation, headed by the minister, visited Tehran on May 6-7 to take part in the 23rd Iran International Oil, Gas, Refining and Petrochemical Exhibition (Iran Oil Show-2018). The meeting noted that the National Iranian Oil Company (NIOC) is successfully participating in the projects of Shah Deniz and the South Caucasus Pipeline. This cooperation will reach a new stage with the launch of joint development of sea blocks in the Caspian Sea. Shahbazov also held a meeting with Iranian Energy Minister Reza Ardakanian. The parties discussed the issues of energy exchange between the two countries, issues related to the construction of hydroelectric facilities Khudaferin and Giz Galasi, as well as Ordubad and Marazad HPPs. The meeting also discussed issues related to the creation of an energy corridor between Azerbaijan, Iran and Russia, the ministry said. The first meeting of the joint Azerbaijani-Iranian technical commission was also held to implement the agreement on the continuation of the construction of the Khudaferin hydroelectric facility and Giz Galasi hydro power plant on the Araz River and the joint use of energy and water resources. During the meeting, issues of cooperation in this direction were discussed and forthcoming events were determined. Addressing Iran Oil Show 2018 on May 8, Irans President Hassan Rouhani said that Iran is working with Azerbaijan on an oil reserve in the Caspian Sea, the first cooperation with a neighboring country, Trend reported. Rouhani said that Iran and Azerbaijan are planning to cooperate and invest in an offshore reserve, which is a sample of Irans policy for constructive cooperation with the world. He added that Iran may do similar cooperation with other neighboring countries including Turkmenistan. In many cases, we have common resources with our neighbors, and it is very important to accelerate investments in these fields, the Iranian president said. The announcement over the formation of a joint oil company between Iran and Azerbaijan was made by Amir Hossein Zamaninia, Irans deputy petroleum minister for international affairs and trading last month. Zamaninia was quoted as saying that the company will be formed within the deal recently signed between the two parties. Last March during a visit of Rouhani to Azerbaijan, the two countries signed "The Memorandum of Understanding on "Joint Development of Relevant Blocks in the Caspian Sea". Elsewhere in his remarks Rouhani said that his administration is obliged to provide the required business space for the oil industry in Iran. In Iran, oil has never been a mere economic issue and has been a political one, he added. Other industries are also valuable, but oil is special and has a significant impact on people's lives, Rouhani said. The recent visit of President Rouhani to Azerbaijan truly marked the beginning of a new era of cooperation between the Caspian states. The meeting of Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev and his Iranian counterpart largely focused on the opportunities for cooperation on the Caspian Sea. The document, signed by Parviz Shahbazov and Bijan Namdar Zanganeh, is viewed as a turning point in ties between the two littoral states since it would allow to jointly make use of resources of the Caspian Sea. Previously, Baku and Tehran used to have serious disagreements regarding the delimitation of the Caspian Sea and joint energy cooperation. --- Kamila Aliyeva is AzerNews staff journalist, follow her on Twitter: @Kami_Aliyeva Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz By Trend Irans police seized over 4,720 kilograms of drugs in armed clashes with smugglers in the country's southeastern province of Sistan and Baluchestan. The police forces arrested five smugglers in the clashes, the police commander of Sistan and Baluchestan province, Brigadier General Mohammad Ghanbari said, the official website of Irans police reported May 7. The police forces also seized two AK-47 and a Colt gun from the smugglers, Ghanbari added. Iran sits on a major drug route between Afghanistan and Europe, as well as the Persian Gulf states. The Islamic Republic shares about 900 kilometers of common border with Afghanistan, over which 74 percent of opium is smuggled. The fight against drug trafficking annually costs Iran about $1 billion, according to the official estimates. According to the statistics, there are about two million drug users in Iran. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz By Trend The Russian Foreign Ministry has recommended Russian citizens staying in Yerevan to avoid crowded places on May 8 because of the possible intensification of protest actions there, RIA Novosti reported. "The protest activity in Yerevan, including near the building of the National Assembly / Parliament may increase on May 8; disruptions expected in work of the public transport. It is recommended to avoid crowded places," reads a message posted on Twitter page of the Russian Foreign Ministry's situational crisis center. On May 1, the Parliament of Armenia failed to elect the leader of the protest movement Nikol Pashinyan as the head of the government. Forty-five MPs voted for him, while 53 votes were required. According to the law, in a week the Parliament will try to re-elect a prime minister. Otherwise, the legislative body will be dissolved. The second round of the voting scheduled for May 8. The leader of the Armenian opposition faction Yelq (Exit), leader of protests, Nikol Pashinyan, is the only candidate nominated by the factions Yelq, Tsarukyan Bloc and Dashnaktsutyun. Actions against the election of former President Serzh Sargsyan as Armenia's prime minister began on April 13. The opposition accuses Sargsyan, who was twice elected president, of poor governance and deterioration of economic situation in the country. On April 17, the opposition announced the beginning of the "velvet revolution". Despite the protests, the Armenian Parliament elected Sargsyan head of the Cabinet on the same day. Less than a week later, on April 23, Sargsyan resigned amid continuing protests. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz By Trend US President Donald Trump said he would announce a decision on the future of the Iran nuclear deal on Tuesday as European countries piled pressure on Washington to remain in the 2015 agreement, Reuters reported. Trump has threatened to withdraw from the deal, which provided Iran with relief from economic sanctions in exchange for limiting its uranium enrichment capacity, unless European signatories to the accord fix what he has called its shortcomings. I will be announcing my decision on the Iran Deal tomorrow from the White House at 2:00pm, Trump said in a Twitter post on Monday. Trump has until May 12 to decide whether to reintroduce US sanctions on Iran, which would deal a heavy blow to the agreement. Under the agreement with the United States, France, Germany, Britain, Russia and China, Iran strictly limited uranium enrichment capacity to try to show that it was not trying to develop atomic bombs. In exchange, Iran received relief from economic sanctions. Iranian President Hassan Rouhani hinted on Monday that Iran could remain in the nuclear accord even if the United States dropped out, but said that Tehran would fiercely resist US pressure to limit its influence in the Middle East. Britain, France and Germany remain committed to the accord and, in an effort to address US complaints, want to open talks on Irans ballistic missile program, its nuclear activities beyond 2025 - when pivotal provisions of the deal expire - and its role in the wars in Syria and Yemen. British Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson, in Washington for talks this week, said the deal had weaknesses but these could be remedied. At this moment Britain is working alongside the Trump administration and our French and German allies to ensure that they are, he said in a commentary in the New York Times. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz By Kamila Aliyeva The United Kingdom may allocate funds for the construction of Jizzakh refinery in Uzbekistan. United Kingdom Export Finance (UKEF) earlier expressed its interest in the project.Negotiations of the parties were held in London in April this year within the framework of the first British-Uzbek energy forum entitled Investment Potential of the Uzbek Oil and Gas Industry. At the forum, the Uzbek national company, Uzbekneftegaz, presented a project for the construction of a new modern oil refinery in the Jizzakh region. According to experts, this is an important project for the republic in terms of its geopolitical significance, with a processing capacity of 5 million tons of oil per year. The advantage of the new refinery is that it will receive raw materials from the fields of Russia and Kazakhstan via the pipeline. One of the threads of the Omsk-Pavlodar-Shymkent oil pipeline is already stretched to the area near the Jizzakh region. From there, a pipeline with a length of 100 kilometers will be laid to the complex, which will allow providing the refinery with raw materials at minimal cost. The enterprise will annually process up to 5 million tons of oil and produce 3.7 million tons of motor fuel corresponding to the Euro-5 standard, more than 700,000 tons of aviation kerosene, as well as liquefied gas, mazut, bitumen and other products. The complex is designed by Wood-Amec Foster Wheeler. In addition, White & Case acts as a legal consultant, Argus Media - as a marketing consultant, Gazprombank as a financial and ERM - as environmental consultants. To date, framework agreements have been signed to participate in financing the project with leading banks, such as Korean Eximbank, the State Development Bank of China, Gazprombank and Credit Suisse. The UK intends to finance projects in the oil and gas industry of Uzbekistan in the amount of 1.25 billion pounds through the UKEF. For this purpose, about a month ago a Memorandum was signed between the Fund for Reconstruction and Development of Uzbekistan and the British Agency. Uzbek-British trade and economic relations are developing dynamically, and boosting bilateral business ties is a priority for both countries. The UK is considered to be one of the leading trading and investment partners of Uzbekistan. UK companies are identified as having strong expertise in energy, education, finance, legal and other relevant sectors, and will find excellent partners to implement current and planned projects in Uzbekistan. This event is aimed at providing British companies with the opportunity to enter the Uzbek market at an early stage and support them to take advantage of the opportunities that are opening up in the country. A number of projects have been implemented in cooperation with British investments in the spheres of exploration and extraction of hydrocarbons and polymetallic ores, tobacco and pharmaceutical industry, etc. Currently, 567 companies with British capital are operating in diverse sectors of Uzbek economy. More than 162 companies with 100 percent British capital were registered in Uzbekistan. The fields of activity of enterprises, established with participation of the British capital, include mining, manufacture of food and drinks, tobacco products, building materials, produce of light industry, services in telecommunications, processing of agricultural production, rendering of leasing, consulting, insurance services. There are 118 investment projects to be implemented in Uzbekistan in 2017-2019, and British companies are welcomed to participate in their implementation. Importantly, UK Export Finance has capacity to support British exports into Uzbekistan and all its products and services are available for both exporters and Uzbek buyers. --- Kamila Aliyeva is AzerNews staff journalist, follow her on Twitter: @Kami_Aliyeva Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz While the spokesperson for the Republican Party of Armenia (RPA) has declared that it will become the official opposition to any government formed by newly-elected Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, some RPA mayors in Armavir Province have balked at the idea, and a few have resigned from the party. Loukashin Mayor Karen Mkrtchyan, who joined local anti-government protests on April 25, says he never was a dedicated party member. I am guilty of becoming a member of the party, says Mkrtchyan, adding that the reality in Armenia has changed and that hes happy to see the change. Norapat Mayor Vahram Khachatryan told Hetq that he no longer considers himself a member of the RPA and that he also joined the anti-government movement on April 25. I have turned in my party membership card because I have stood with my people. In all honesty, the party was secondary for me and thats why I give it no importance, says Khachatryan. Geghakerd Mayor Seryozha Arakelyan, a member of the RPA, says he never was an energetic party member. How can I be in the opposition if the people want the opposite. Ill abide by the peoples demand, Says Arakelyan. Yeghegnout Mayor Razmik Margaryan says that hes surprised to learn that the provincial governments website lists him as an RPA member, saying hes just the opposite. I work with the people. Ive never been a member of the RPA. Go ask the provincial government since they posted the information, Margaryan told Hetq. By Kamila Aliyeva Uzbekistan and Lithuania discussed the priority areas for the development of cooperation, primarily in the trade, economic and investment spheres. The Uzbek Chamber of Commerce and Industry held a round table on the theme Prospects for the development of trade, economic and investment cooperation between Uzbekistan and Lithuania with the participation of Lithuanian Foreign Linas Linkevicius and business circles of the two countries. The business circles of Lithuania included companies engaged in logistics, crop production, training of specialists in the field of medicine, processing of electronic waste and metal production, as well as business consulting. The purpose of this event is to promote the establishment of trade relations between companies of both countries, to work out the issues of creating new joint ventures and implementing new investment projects. During the meeting, issues of mutual cooperation on strengthening cooperation between entrepreneurs of the two countries were discussed. Representatives of Lithuanian business circles stressed the positive dynamics of Uzbekistan's economic growth, welcomed the efforts of the government of our republic to liberalize various sectors of the economy, create the necessary conditions for foreign investors. It was also noted that this round table will create an opportunity for the exchange of experience and opinions between business circles of the two states. During the event, participants were introduced to the large-scale economic reforms carried out in Uzbekistan, measures taken to liberalize the economy and the foreign exchange market, improve the business environment, support business, protect the rights and legitimate interests of small businesses and private entrepreneurship, increase the investment attractiveness of the country's economy, foreign investors in existing and newly created FEZs. In 2017, the trade between Uzbekistan and Lithuania amounted to $259 million. Currently, fourteen enterprises operate in Uzbekistan with the participation of investors from Lithuania, three of which 3 with 100 percent Lithuanian capital. Representative offices of two companies from this country are accredited in Uzbekistan. The scope of the activities of these enterprises covers the chemical, food, construction, pharmaceutical industries, as well as tourism services. --- Kamila Aliyeva is AzerNews staff journalist, follow her on Twitter: @Kami_Aliyeva Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz By Kamila Aliyeva Uzbekistan takes measures for stable provision of the domestic market with cement. Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev signed a resolution On Additional Measures for Stable Provision of the Internal Market with Cement. The document emphasizes that the volume of cement production in Uzbekistan and the pricing mechanisms for it have a negative impact on ensuring the quality and timely completion of the construction of facilities. In accordance with the document, monopoly enterprises will sell cement in the amount of 2 million tons under bilateral agreements with 100 percent prepayment at a price of 367,000 soums ($45.5) per ton (including VAT) to contractors who are building affordable housing for citizens in need of better housing conditions, objects of social sphere, transport infrastructure and water management facilities at the expense of centralized sources. The head of Uzbekistan also increased the threshold for producers of cement, after which the revenue received is considered a super profit. In particular, the amount of tax base for cement increased from 145,000 soums per ton up to 280,000 ($34.7) and clinker - from 120,000 to 260,000 soums ($32.2). The Uzbek president gave the right to review the amount of the taxable base, based on the conjuncture of prices at exchange trades to the Cabinet of Ministers. Earlier, Uzbekistan started the sale of cement at fixed prices to prevent speculation in the market. There are five big cement facilities and several small ones with total capacity of 8.5 million tons in Uzbekistan. Qizilqumsement JSC with capacity of 3.1 million tons and Akhangarancement JSC with capacity of 1.7 million tons are the biggest of them. Cement holds a significant share (76 percent) in the total volume of the construction materials production in Uzbekistan, according to Ozqurilishmateriallari JSC. Uzbekistan exports cement to Afghanistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Turkmenistan. --- Kamila Aliyeva is AzerNews staff journalist, follow her on Twitter: @Kami_Aliyeva Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz A counterfeit $100 bill, printed with the Turkish word for "Not Valid or Non Negotiable," was seized in Beaumont recently, putting police on the lookout for more. The bill was marked with "GECERSIZDIR" on the front and back, Beaumont Police said. Sylvia Garcia-Houchins, RN, was named The Joint Commission's infection prevention and control director. Here are five things to know. 1. Ms. Garcia-Houchins will oversee The Joint Commission's infection prevention and control initiatives in the division of healthcare improvement. 2. She joins The Joint Commission with more than three decades of experience in infection and prevention control in hospital and long-term care settings. She also has eight years of clinical microbiology experience. 3. Ms. Garcia-Houchins most recently served as the University of Chicago Medicine's infection control director and an intermittent consultant for Joint Commission Resources. She was a test writer and reviewer for the Certification Board of Infection Control and Epidemiology. 4. Ms. Garcia-Houchins has provided consultation, assessment and education in ambulatory centers, as well as hospitals, health clinics and dialysis centers, domestically and internationally. 5. A graduate of the Chicago-based Keller Graduate School of Management, Ms. Garcia-Houchins earned her nursing degree from Truman College in Chicago. I have been a nurse for over 30 years. I started my career knowing nursing was the only job for me. I loved being at the bedside working with patients and families. Helping others was my passion. My career turned from direct patient care 20 years ago when I became a Chief Nurse and then, again, 13 years ago when I became a hospital CEO. I am often asked how and why I made the change from nursing to hospital leadership. I always start by saying the same thing, I rely more on my nursing background when managing my hospital than my MBA. Merging clinical background with management know-how has definitely improved my decision-making abilities and thus effectively improving patient care. Although you dont have to be a nurse or have clinical background to be a hospital executive, I certainly encourage healthcare providers to consider healthcare administration. Administrators with clinical experience: speak the same language as the doctors, nurses and other clinical staff. This ability to understand from first-hand experience what the clinicians are dealing with on a daily basis gives you credibility. Clinical background can help create an environment where the caregivers feel understood and heard. improve project management hospital-wide. Former clinicians have hands-on patient care experience which provides a wealth of background knowledge to the inner workings of different patient-centered departments. This can be tremendously helpful when projects such as painting or other renovations occur that have the potential to disrupt day-to-day activities. eliminate waste without reducing the quality of patient-care. Clinicians know where to look for cost-savings. Often lower-cost alternatives are available that serve the same purpose and provide the same level of care. While the benefit of this type of cost-savings may not be immediately visible, over time the savings becomes exponential. possess a true appreciation for the work caregivers provide. As a nurse, I realize that caregivers give a part of themselves when caring for patients and families. This level of care and involvement can be exhausting for staff. Having been in their shoes, I am acutely aware of what our staff goes through and use this understanding as I make decisions. Certainly there are great administrators that have no clinical background. They surround themselves with amazing teams of people with clinical background that fill in any knowledge gaps. My clinical background has given me an advantage as a hospital administrator. My decisions are intuitively based on patient care and outcomes. I strongly encourage anyone with a healthcare background to give hospital leadership a try. Healthcare leadership is another way you can truly make a difference. To further distance itself from its tumultuous past, Valeant Pharmaceuticals is rebranding as Bausch Health Companies, effective in July. Here's what you should know. 1. Valeant CEO and Chairman Joseph Papa called the rebranding a "major step forward in our transformation." 2. Since taking over in May 2016, Mr. Papa has overseen a multifaceted effort to reduce the company's extensive debt. To date, Mr. Papa has reduced Valeant's debt by more than 20 percent. 3. All of Valeant's current businesses and subsidiaries will continue to operate under their current brands. 4. Sometime in July, Valeant will cease to exist. The company will unveil its new identity and begin trading on both the New York Stock Exchange and Toronto Stock Exchange under a new symbol, BHC. Mr. Papa said, "We completed an extensive assessment of the name entities available from within our portfolio and also assessed several potential new names. As our review progressed, it became clear that Bausch Health Companies best represents the company we are today." Los Angeles-based CHA Hollywood Presbyterian Medical Center broke ground May 7 on the final phase of a campus upgrade a $291 million patient care tower. The 174,954-square-foot acute care facility will feature an emergency department double the size of the existing facility, a maternity and neonatal intensive care unit with 13 labor and delivery rooms, three surgical suites and 19 NICU beds, as well as a new medical surgical unit with all private rooms. Additionally, the project calls for a floor containing seven operating rooms, 20 pre-operative and recovery beds and a cardiac catheterization lab. The patient tower, which will replace the aging hospital building, is part of a $350 million campus upgrade to ensure the medical center meets all state seismic requirements. "While initially triggered by state seismic requirements, we see this as an opportunity to achieve far more than is required and to better position the medical center for the long term by providing improved facilities and a broader range of programs in an accessible, welcoming, patient-friendly environment," said HPMC President and CEO Robert Allen. The ED portion of the project is slated for completion in 2020. HPMC did not provide an estimated completion date for the patient tower. Twin Rivers Regional Medical Center, a 116-bed hospital in Kennett, Mo., will close June 30, according to KAIT. The hospital will stop providing obstetric/gynecologic services after May 17, and it will cease inpatient, emergency room and hospital-based outpatient services June 30. Twin Rivers Regional Medical Center is consolidating operations with Poplar Bluff (Mo.) Regional Medical Center. "As healthcare delivery evolves and medical innovation makes inpatient services less needed, consolidating operations with the larger resources of Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center became the most sustainable plan for the future," Twin Rivers Regional Medical Center CEO Christian Jones said in a statement to KAIT. "We plan to continue offering excellent outpatient care locally, which is how 95 percent of our patients' medical needs were provided last year." Twin Rivers Regional Medical Center's 259 employees will be laid off when the hospital closes, according to a Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act notice filed April 30. However, those employees had the opportunity to meet with representatives of Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center last week to help them identify positions they may be able to transfer to, according to the report. More articles on healthcare finance: HCA to spend $300M on employee benefits with focus on attracting nurses Tenet posts surprise $99M profit after expanding cost-cutting plan Creditors seek to force 2 Arizona hospitals into bankruptcy Peter Emanuel, MD, director of the Winthrop P. Rockefeller Cancer Institute at Little Rock-based University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, resigned, according to an Arkansas Online report. Here are six notes: 1. Dr. Emanuel's resignation letter obtained by Arkansas Online notes he will depart from the role July 31. 2. The letter did not mention the reason behind his decision to step down, but it did state Dr. Emanuel will ensure his patients' "medical care [will] be transitioned to appropriate physicians" before he leaves. 3. UAMS recently faced numerous financial difficulties, laying off 260 employees in an attempt to recover from a $72.3 million deficit. 4. However, Dr. Emanuel told Arkansas Online that while there were difficulties, "I'm not going to say if they were financial or otherwise." 5. Dr. Emanuel assumed the director role at the institute 2007. During his tenure, he oversaw the addition of a 12-story research and treatment tower. 6. An email to staff from Stephanie Gardner, UAMS' interim chancellor, stated Dr. Emanuel is "a valued leader and colleague." Houston-based Harris Health System chose Glorimar Medina-Rivera, MD, an anesthesiologist at the McGovern Medical School at the University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, as executive vice president and administrator of its ambulatory care services, as well as its integrated network of health centers, specialty clinics and mobile health units. Here are four things to know about Dr. Medina-Rivera. 1. She has held various roles with Harris Health, including assistant chief of anesthesiology at the system's Lyndon B. Johnson Hospital, medical director of the system's Ambulatory Surgical Center at LBJ Hospital, and medical director of the Harris Health Outpatient Center specialty clinics, according to a news release. 2. Prior to those positions, Ms. Dr. Medina-Rivera completed her residency of anesthesiology at UTHealth, and she received the medical school's Emerging Leadership Award in 2013. 3. Additionally, she was a medical representative for the Affiliated Medical Services Committee for Harris Health's board. 4. Outside of her work in the U.S., she has taken mission trips to Guatemala as part of her interest in helping underserved populations, the release states. More articles on executive moves: 32 latest hospital, health system executive moves Aimee Arzoumanian is Sparks Health System's new COO: 4 notes Colleton Medical Center taps new CFO: 3 things to know Evergreen Park, Ill.-based Little Company of Mary Hospital and Health Care Centers CEO Dennis Reilly and CFO Randy Ruther are retiring. "With a sincere sense of gratitude, I regretfully announce the upcoming retirements of our hospital [CEO] Dennis Reilly and [CFO] Randy Ruther," Sister Sharon Ann Walsh, chairperson of the Little Company of Mary Hospital's board of directors, wrote in an emailed statement. Mr. Reilly will retire July 1, ending a 17-year tenure as CEO. Ms. Walsh noted Mr. Reilly discussed his plans to retire with the board's executive committee months ago. Mr. Ruther, who served as CFO of the hospital for 22 years, will retire Sept. 30. The announcement comes less than one month after the hospital and Chicago-based Rush Health System terminated their plans to merge. "While the anticipated timeline for completing our hospital affiliation has now changed," the retirement plans of both hospital leaders will continue as scheduled, Ms. Walsh wrote in the statement. A crystal ball revealing which risks will turn into reality would prove helpful to any business. Although varied in nature, all organizations constantly face a multitude of risks that could derail their goals if unmanaged. This content is sponsored by Willis Towers Watson. In fact, 60 percent of nonprofit business leaders reported being affected by an operational surprise "extensively" or "mostly" within the last five years, according to the results of a survey released in March 2018 by the Raleigh-based North Carolina State University ERM Initiative and the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants. Additionally, 55 percent of nonprofit respondents noted risk complexity and volume had changed "mostly" or "extensively" in that same timeframe. Unfortunately, no such risk-revealing crystal ball exists, and organizations are left to their own devices to manage potential dangers. However, 39 percent of the survey respondents said their organizations have minimal or no formal assessment of emerging strategic, market or industry risks, leaving a lot of room for unmanaged risk. One strategy to address changing and complex risks that is gaining traction in many industries is enterprise risk management (ERM), which is a systematic approach designed to identify, manage and communicate risk throughout an organization. At the Becker's Hospital Review 9th Annual Meeting in Chicago, April 11, Todd Williams, director of strategic risk consulting at Willis Towers Watson, asked 25 healthcare executives if their organizations have had ERM programs in existence for more than five years. He said it would be a surprise if organizations had longstanding ERM programs in place, noting the lack of raised hands among the group of hospital CEOs, CFOs, quality directors and other healthcare leaders gathered for an executive roundtable discussion about ERM. Elizabeth Osgood, consultant of strategic risk consulting at Willis Towers Watson, and Ken Felton, senior vice president of national healthcare practice at Willis Towers Watson, joined Mr. Williams in delivering a presentation on how to implement a performance improvement plan for effectively managing the top risks faced by healthcare organizations. Top 10 healthcare enterprise risks Just like other businesses, healthcare organizations face many and multifaceted risks. In healthcare, these risks are continuously changing as the industry strives to meet new demands from patients, providers, payers and the government. Willis Towers Watson compiled the following top 10 risks for healthcare organizations based on the company's engagements in the last 18 to 24 months. Physician alignment, integration and relationships Loss or departure of key individuals; unable to attract and retain employees Patient satisfaction, patient complaints and performance scores Cyber risks Non-privacy IT risks Payment reform and revenue cycle management Competitor strategic actions Catastrophic events Access to capital and funding Failure to effectively develop or execute strategy State and federal regulatory and legislative changes also fall in the top risks faced by healthcare organizations. How to implement an enterprise risk assessment Healthcare organizations may find managing these critical risks a challenge because they don't have a consistently implemented approach to risk management. This is where ERM comes into play. Mr. Williams emphasized ERM doesn't need to be a complicated process to be effective. "In fact, the simpler you make it for your stakeholders, the more buy-in you'll get," he said. A successful ERM requires C-suite support, first and foremost, so that the process is embedded into the hospital's strategic planning. The director of risk management at a two-hospital integrated health system in the Midwest agreed with this point, sharing that CEO buy-in was the greatest challenge for ERM implementation at her organization. "[The CEO] couldn't differentiate between strategic planning and enterprise risk. It took a lot of training and education with the senior team," she said. "Since then, our current CEO and CFO are on board, and we have an active enterprise risk management subcommittee that is comprised of key leaders." A hospital's leadership should only focus time and capital on the 10 to 15 risks that prove most critical, and deploy a combined qualitative assessment with quantitative measurement. Organizations can choose among three approaches to assess enterprise risks: surveys, interviews and workshops. Ms. Osgood said Willis Towers Watson uses the workshop method, as it "gives the best results in terms of surfacing that underlying risk information, building consensus and identifying those emerging risks." Here is how Willis Towers Watson deploys an enterprise risk assessment at an organization: Defines the scope of assessment with a timeline of at least two years. Chooses the ideal cross-functional team of workshop participants from across the organization. Gathers an organization's previous assessment information and calls on industry experts to provide information about emerging trends. Develops a pre-workshop survey based on the collected data, asking participants to articulate how serious they think each of the 100 listed risks are, on a scale of one (negligible) to five (catastrophic). Each risk possesses four components: Trigger: The future event that may occur, such as a natural disaster. Underlying vulnerabilities: Events happening currently within the environment, making an organization vulnerable to the risk, such as a hospital located in a disaster-prone area. Consequences: Bad events that will occur if the trigger happens, such as patient harm. Current controls: What an organization is doing currently to mitigate the risk. Hosts a full-day workshop, identifying and assessing the top 15 to 20 risks Hosts a half-day workshop the following day, creating risk mitigation plans for the top 10 risks. The Willis Towers Watson risk assessment will create an executable risk improvement plan with assigned accountability, and leverage tools to communicate those risks across the organization. "We think of [the ERM process] as a funnel, starting at the top with a survey of 100 risks, quickly filtering that down to your most critical risks," Ms. Osgood said. "At the end of the workshops, you should have risk mitigation plans developed for your most critical risks." With the process in mind, the 25 executives worked through a hypothetical risk articulation and improvement planning process during the roundtable. They emphasized "human capital" as a problem area and focused the risk assessment accordingly. The group identified the inability to fill positions as the trigger, with loss of key employees in high-impact positions, lack of succession plans and market competitiveness as underlying vulnerabilities. If the trigger occurs, the executives saw loss of clinical service, reputation damage and process deterioration as potential consequences. They pinpointed current controls as relationships with recruiters, leadership development programs and employee satisfaction surveys. The executives then brainstormed possible actions to mitigate the risk. The CEO of a nonprofit critical access hospital in the Midwest said the hypothetical company should "create a formalized succession plan program." The CFO of a VA healthcare system on the West Coast said the company should "implement a long-term incentive plan." As they worked through the risk assessment, some executives expressed curiosity regarding the effectiveness of ERM at mitigating risk. Although difficult to quantify, an ERM program will mature and allow organizations to "identify specific quantifiable metrics that you can track over time associated with your key risks," said Ms. Osgood. The previously mentioned director of risk management from the Midwest agreed: "[Risk] is a moving target. Years ago, when we first started, cyber was down on the list. When we reevaluated two years later, it bumped up to the top five." If executed effectively, ERM can realize the following eight benefits: Reduction of financial result variability and operational surprises Identification, management and communication of greatest risks Efficient allocation of resources and management time Better capitalization on risk opportunities Improved or preserved market reputation Aligned with governance, regulatory and credit rating requirements Increased organizational value Managed regulatory and legislative changes How to keep ERM on target While ERM offers a variety of benefits, some hospitals fall prey to common pitfalls. The Willis Towers Watson team recommended against presenting 100-plus risks to the board of directors every quarter, noting the board should only ever see 10 to 15 well-defined risks at a time. Hospitals will fail to use ERM effectively if they assign the task to one person instead of a team or focus on just checking the box instead of reducing volatility. Above all, hospitals should ensure they follow through with risk mitigation after completing a risk assessment. The market CFO of an acute care hospital within a three-hospital system in the Southwest knows all too well about this pitfall. Her facility is in a joint venture, and she said the C-suites at all of the facilities complete risk surveys annually to send to corporate, but they never hear any response. She thinks her organization is missing the opportunity to report the results back to its campuses, ambulatory surgery centers and physician practices to drive change. Mr. Williams responded, "So, it's a negative ERM ROI." He said if the organization took that same process they have in place at the enterprise level and funneled it down to the location level, facilities would see positive results in risk management. "That's where the rubber meets the road; that's where the value comes in." The former CEO of Syracuse-based SUNY Upstate Medical University reportedly entered into an agreement with the hospital to resign and continue earning his chief executive $660,500 annual salary for one year, according to syracuse.com. According to the confidential agreement, obtained by syracuse.com, former hospital CEO John McCabe, MD, agreed to serve as a consultant for the hospital under the title "senior assistant to the president." In the role, Dr. McCabe was required to provide "a broad range of administrative services to the SUNY Upstate president as assigned from time to time," and was required to stay off campus apart from the institution's library, according to the report. "It was SUNY's idea there would be an agreement and there would be terms that would have [Dr. McCabe] resigning from the institution," one of Dr. McCabe's attorneys told syracuse.com. Dr. McCabe's role as a consultant with SUNY ended March 14, the report states. During an interview with syracuse.com, Dr. McCabe reportedly refused to discuss the terms of the deal, citing the agreement's proviso he remain silent about the contract. He told the publication he had wanted to step down as CEO of the hospital in late 2016 and return to teaching medical school. He said he decided to resign after Danielle Laraque-Arena, MD, took over as president of the institution in 2016 so she could create her own management team, the report states. "There was never a time anyone asked me to step down," Dr. McCabe said. "It was clear to me [Dr. Laraque-Arena] wanted to, and it would be helpful for her, to have a team in place that was of her own choosing to allow her to be successful." Dr. McCabe sent his resignation letter to Dr. Laraque-Arena in November 2016. However, after acknowledging his resignation, "all communication with the president shut down," he said, adding he was instead referred to a SUNY lawyer. He signed a nondisclosure agreement in December 2016. Dr. McCabe told the publication he interpreted his first phone conversation with SUNY lawyers as an indication administrators wanted him "to disappear." In a statement to syracuse.com, SUNY Upstate Medical University said Dr. McCabe played a valuable role during the leadership transition. "As senior assistant to the president, Dr. McCabe provided services to assist with this transition. The terms of the agreement with Dr. McCabe are standard provisions under the law," the statement said. To access the full report, click here. Editor's note: Becker's Hospital Review reached out to SUNY Upstate Medical University for comment and will update the report as more information becomes available. Detroit Medical Center and Troy, Mich.-based Wayne State University Physician Group agreed to a six-month contract extension May 7, tentatively reversing their joint decision to end partnership negotiations, The Detroit News reports. Under the six-month extension, WSUPG physicians will continue clinical and administrative services at at least three DMC hospitals. The organizations' separate agreement allowing Wayne State medical school students to train at DMC hospitals was unaffected by the deadline. During the first 90 days of the extension, a 14-member joint advisory committee comprising DMC and WSUPG officials will explore "a new working model for the two institutions," allowing WSUPG physicians to continue their clinical and administrative services at DMC, according to a joint statement issued by both organizations May 7. "If successful, this new framework will be implemented during the succeeding 90-day period. If they are unable to reach an agreement on a new path forward, they will use the second 90-day period to transition coverage of selected services," Wayne State University President M. Roy Wilson, MD, said in a statement May 7. WSU School of Medicine Dean Jack Sobel, MD, confirmed the contract extension and said, "We believe this approach can result in an arrangement in the best interests of all parties, especially our patients." The news comes days after both organizations announced their intent to dissolve their nearly 100-year-old partnership agreement. In a statement last week, DMC CEO Anthony Tedeschi, MD, said talks ended because DMC's relationship with Wayne State leaders became "acrimonious," referencing an April letter from Wayne State leadership that placed a May 15 deadline on contract negotiations. However, sources from DMC and its parent company, Dallas-based Tenet Healthcare, told The Detroit News DMC and leaders of the 300-member physician group were still engaged in discussions despite publicly calling for an end to their partnership, according to the report. If the organizations are not able to rescue the partnership, thousands of DMC hospital patients, university medical school students and hundreds of physicians will be affected, the report states. To access The Detroit News report, click here. Over the past decade, Cecilia Guardiola, RN, has filed whistle-blower lawsuits against hospitals that have employed her in Texas, Nevada and Arizona, and those facilities have paid nearly $33 million to the federal government to settle those cases, according to The Republic. Ms. Guardiola, a law school graduate, filed the cases under the qui tam provisions of the False Claims Act on behalf of the government. If these types of lawsuits are successful, the whistle-blower collects part of the recovery. Ms. Guardiola has collected $6 million from settlements in the three lawsuits she filed, according to the report. All three of the lawsuits brought by Ms. Guardiola allege hospitals charged Medicare and Medicaid for inpatient stays when the visits should have been billed as less costly outpatient care. In 2008, Ms. Guardiola sued Christus Health in Corpus Christi, Texas. She claimed that while working as director of case management at Christus, she discovered patients undergoing a cardiac blockage removal procedure were routinely billed as inpatient when they should have been billed as outpatient. She alleged top hospital executives ignored her concerns about the billing issue before she resigned from Christus in 2007. About four years after Ms. Guardiola filed the lawsuit, Christus settled with the Department of Justice for $5.1 million. Ms. Guardiola collected $1.02 million from the settlement, according to the report. Ms. Guardiola was named director of clinical documentation at Reno, Nev.-based Renown Health in June 2009. She resigned in January 2012 and filed a qui tam lawsuit against Renown that same year. Ms. Guardiola claimed she faced "cultural and systemic resistance" from management after she alleged Renown was overcharging Medicare. Renown agreed to settle the false claims allegations in June 2016 for $9.5 million. Ms. Guardiola collected $1.7 million from the settlement. Ms. Guardiola began working at Phoenix-based Banner Health in October 2012 as director of corporate documentation. She resigned three months later and filed a qui tam suit against Banner. In April, Banner agreed to pay the federal government more than $18 million to resolve allegations that 12 of its hospitals in Arizona and Colorado submitted false claims to Medicare. Ms. Guardiola will be paid $3.3 million of that settlement, according to the report. Due to her history of filing whistle-blower lawsuits, Ms. Guardiola is "virtually unemployable," Mitch Kreindler, an attorney who has represented her, told The Republic. "She was always someone whose resume was hotly sought-after. Now, after maybe an initial phone interview, once they start doing their background checks, the communications dry up quickly." More articles on legal and regulatory issues: 12 latest healthcare industry lawsuits, settlements 4 found guilty in insider trading case linked to CMS Ex-Florida hospital CEO indicted in $1M scheme A 74-year-old patient died May 7 after an ambulance and another car collided at a busy intersection in San Lorenzo, Calif., reports NBC Bay Area. The ambulance reportedly had its lights and sirens on when a white Audi sedan barreled into the side of the ambulance. The force of the collision caused the ambulance to overturn. The crash sent five people, including three emergency services personnel, to the hospital. Despite their injuries, the emergency personnel continued to provide care at the scene until other responders arrived. "We're proud of our firefighters and the paramedics inside who continued to give care," Deputy Chief Jim Call of the Alameda County Fire Department told NBC Bay Area. The patient was later identified as Catherine Sunday from San Leandro, Calif., according to CBS SF. It is not clear if the patient died as a result of the crash or the original medical emergency. Richmond, Va.-based Bon Secours Health System partnered with VCU Health, also in Richmond, and its subsidiary health plan to offer individual policies on Virginia's ACA health insurance exchange. VCU Health's insurer, Virginia Premier, will offer four policies for 2019 coverage across eight central Virginia counties and the city of Richmond. Bon Secours and VCU Health providers, hospitals and other facilities will make up the network serving Virginia Premier's individual members. This is Virginia Premier's first foray into the state's individual insurance market. Three of four health plans offering individual policies on Virginia's exchange didn't offer coverage for 2018. Virginia Premier's four new products require approval from the Virgina Bureau of Insurance and CMS. Pending approval, the consumers can begin enrolling in the policies during the ACA's next open enrollment period, slated to run from Nov. 1 through Dec. 15. More articles on payer issues: Children's Hospital Colorado, Anthem pilot value-based care program Aetna divests health IT subsidiary it bought for $500M Cigna CEO: Express Scripts deal leaves very little overlap for antitrust argument A virus tracing back to 1,500-year-old mummies is infecting patients across Australia's Northern Territory, prompting physicians to call for increased efforts to stop infection spread, CNN reports. The rates of human T-cell leukemia virus type 1, or HTLV-1, infection are surpassing 40 percent among adults in remote regions of central Australia, with indigenous communities being hit the hardest, according to CNN. Numerous physicians, including the man who discovered the virus roughly forty years ago, are raising awareness of how few efforts there are to prevent, test for and treat HTLV-1. The virus can cause leukemia and lymphoma. "The prevalence is off the charts" in Australia, said Robert Gallo, MD, co-founder and director of the Institute of Human Virology at the University of Maryland School of Medicine in Baltimore. Dr. Gallo's laboratory was the first to detect HTLV-1 in 1979. However, "nobody that I know of in the world has done anything about trying to treat this disease before," Dr. Gallo told CNN. "There's little to almost no vaccine efforts, outside of some Japanese research," he said. "So prevention by vaccine is wide open for research." HTLV-1 can spread from mother to child through breastfeeding, between sexual partners during unprotected sex and by blood contact, such as through transfusions. The virus is linked to various health issues, such as nervous system diseases and a lung-damaging condition called bronchiectasis. HTLV-1 weakens the immune system and is sometimes considered to be a cousin of HIV. Dr. Gallo said the reason why HTLV-1 prevalence in an already endemic area is over 40 percent remains unclear. While considering potential reasons, Dr. Gallo questioned whether the HTLV-1 seen among indigenous communities in central Australia could be a variant that transmits more easily. "Nobody knows that either," he said. "That's possible." Still, Dr. Gallo added, the rest of the world does not need to be concerned about the virus spreading more widely. Likely, "this virus, I don't care what the variation is, will not transmit casually," he said. "In short, I would not be afraid to use towels, drink out of the same glass, be part of the family, et cetera," of an HTLV-1 positive person, Dr. Gallo added. In a move to distance itself from past controversies involving drug price increases, Valeant Pharmaceuticals will change its name to Bausch Health Cos., according to The Wall Street Journal. Here are seven things to know. 1. The name change will take effect in July 2018, and will come alongside other rebranding efforts, such as a new logo and a new ticker on the New York and Toronto stock exchanges. 2. "We think this name captures who we really are becoming," Valeant CEO Joseph Papa told the WSJ. "We are much more than a pharmaceutical company." 3. Valeant has come under fire in recent years over its accounting and business practices, particularly its method of buying drugs and then starply raising their price. 4. As criticism from investors, health insurers and lawmakers mounted against Valeant, the drugmaker began an overhaul of management to reinvent the company. 5. Mr. Papa has led the overhaul effort and has replaced numerous executives since taking the helm two years ago. He now oversees a largely new board of directors. In addition, he hired a comptroller who installed new financial reporting processes and set standards for drug price hikes. 6. Even with the name change, Valeant faces financial challenges, including a $25 billion debt burden. 7. The Bausch Health name comes from Valeant's best performing optical products business, Bausch + Lomb. The name change aims to encapsulate how Valeant offers a number of non-drug products. Here are seven spine surgeons and neurosurgeons that joined new organizations, moved locations or received promotions in April 2018. Davis Regional Medical Center in Statesville, N.C., welcomed spine surgeon Jordan Glaser, MD, to its team. Hickory, N.C.-based Frye Regional Medical Center hired neurosurgeon Akram Mahmoud, DO. With Dr. Mahmoud's addition, the medical center now offers neurosurgical services for the first time in more than a decade. Susan Williams, MD, joined the CHI Mercy Health board of directors in Roseburg, Ore. The International Society for the Advancement of Spine Surgery named Marek Szpalski, MD, 2018-19 president. Orthopedic spine surgeon Howard Sharf, MD, joined Florida-based Sarasota Orthopedic Associates. The Laredo (Texas) Medical Center welcomed neurosurgeon Scott Robertson, MD. Salem-based Hope Orthopedics of Oregon added spine surgeon Cyrus Ghavam, MD, to the team. Here are eight spine and neurosurgeons who recently received awards or promotions. The American Association of Neurological Surgeons honored: Jack Rock, MD, with the AANS Humanitarian Award with the AANS Humanitarian Award John Adler Jr., MD, with the AANS Crushing Award for Technical Excellence and Innovation in Neurosurgery with the AANS Crushing Award for Technical Excellence and Innovation in Neurosurgery Robert Harbaugh, MD, with the AANS Distinguished Service Award with the AANS Distinguished Service Award James Bean, MD, with the AANS Cushing Medal Susan Williams, MD, joined the CHI Mercy Health board of directors in Roseburg, Ore. Neurosurgeon Ali Rezai, MD, who leads the West Virginia University Rockefeller Neuroscience Institute in Morgantown, was honored at an investiture ceremony April 16. The American Orthopaedic Association selected Venkat Ganapathy, MD, to be the associate editor of The Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery. The International Society for the Advancement of Spine Surgery named Marek Szpalski, MD, 2018-19 president. More articles on spine: 7 spine surgeons & neurosurgeons on the move in April 2018 Jury awards $4.5M over misplaced pedicle screw during spine surgery: 5 things to know Drs. Lali Sekhon, Jocelyn Idema & more: 4 spine and neurosurgeons making headlines Syracuse, N.Y.-based Crouse Hospital surgeon Eric Deshaies, MD, is leaving the hospital to direct a spine program in Charlotte, N.C., according to Syracuse.com. Here are five notes. 1. Dr. Deshaies will leave the hospital May 31. When he leaves, Crouse will have five neurosurgeons on staff, two of whom were trained to perform procedures similar to Dr. Deshaies. 2. Dr. Deshaies joined Crouse in 2014 to help expand the hospital's neuroscience program. 3. He was the first neurosurgeon in central New York trained to perform minimally invasive brain procedures and open neurosurgery. 4. Dr. Deshaies is leaving his post as medical director of neurosciences to run a neurosciences program within a health system that includes three hospitals, various outpatient centers and 75 clinicians. 5. After earning his medical degree from University of Connecticut School of Medicine in Farmington, Dr. Deshaies completed his residency at Albany (N.Y.) Medical Center. He underwent fellowship training at Albany Medical Center. Fitzwilliam Hotel staff including general manager Cian Landers (front row right) and Siobhan OSullivan, director of sales and marketing (far left) A Belfast hotel has become the latest in Northern Ireland to win five stars from motoring and travel organisation the AA. The luxury Fitzwilliam Hotel, on Great Victoria Street, which marks its 10th anniversary next year, had already been awarded five stars in the Tourism NI accommodation grading scheme. But the hotel said that the "coveted AA award marks another significant milestone". The Fitzwilliam was first opened by property developer June Burgess of Graffan Properties. In 2015, it was bought over by Michael Holland of Hotel Partners, which also operates Dublin's Fitzwilliam Hotel. Its second 2m revamp to improve the rooms and increase capacity is now taking place. In 2016, an application was made to add 30 new rooms to the 130-room Great Victoria Street hotel, as well as a gym, a spa and a roof terrace. According to the hotel: "The AA inspector's report praised the attentive staff and high standards of housekeeping as well as the stylish and well-maintained property". The hotel was also presented with an AA Rosette Award for its quality of food. General manager Cian Landers said: "The accreditation is testament to the efforts of the fantastic team we have here and the comments from the inspector show that the staff in all areas of the hotel made this possible. "We are thrilled to have been recognised as an AA five-star rated hotel and will display our plaque with pride." Adrian Moynihan succeeds Des Moore (pictured) at the helm of Northern Ireland bank First Trust First Trust Bank will today unveil a senior Allied Irish Banks (AIB) executive as its new head. Adrian Moynihan succeeds Des Moore at the helm of Northern Ireland bank First Trust, part of the AIB Group. Over the past 10 years, Mr Moynihan has held senior roles at AIB including head of strategy and support, head of wealth management and most recently, head of homes. He's stepping into the role after Mr Moore left to become head of Cumberland Building Society. And First Trust Bank today joins its three main rivals in the top 10 of the Belfast Telegraph Top 100 Companies in association with Arthur Cox. First Trust makes number eight in the list, ranked in order of pre-tax profits. First Trust's 54m in profits places it just above Bank of Ireland with profits of 53m. But Dankse Bank is the highest-placed of all and the number one company with pre-tax profits of 147.5m, while Ulster Bank is number five at 59m. Des Moore's move from First Trust was one of two big personnel transfers from the island of Ireland to Great Britain during 2017. In this month's issue of Ulster Business, Belfast man Gerry Mallon discusses his move as head of Ulster Bank in Ireland. The former Dankse Bank Northern Ireland chief will become chief executive of Tesco Bank. Ciara Attwell had just given up her job as a solicitor and moved to the English countryside with her young family when she started her blog about the struggle of finding healthy food to give her fussy toddler. At the time, it was mainly a hobby. But it was, she admits, a hobby propped up by the hope that she might be able to turn the project into a job she could juggle around raising her two children. Now, several years on, she has hit the bloggers' holy grail - her blog is read by tens of thousands of people around the world, she has partnerships with major retailers such as Marks & Spencer and Co-op, she's appeared on daytime telly and last month she launched her first recipe book after a proposal she wrote was snapped up by a publisher. It's been a funny old journey to this point, which started when she moved to London from Ireland as a student to read law at the University of London. She was working as a solicitor when she fell in love with a Londoner and not long after that she found she was unexpectedly pregnant with their daughter, Aoife. "Literally, life just changed overnight," she says. "We weren't even living together at the time. I was living in west London, he was living in Canary Wharf. Our whole lives just stopped in the space of a day." Ciara went back to work six months after their daughter was born and the baby went to a childminder. Due to the long hours her mum was putting in, baby Aoife was often there for 10 or 11 hours a day and it was the childminder who weaned her and introduced her to new foods. "We did that for a year, but within that year, we decided this is not really working for us... it just felt like we were working all these hours and we had nothing left at the end of the month and we were exhausted. It was quite stressful. I never felt like I was doing anything very well. When I was with Aoife, I felt like I should have been working, when I was working, I felt like I should have been with her," says Ciara. They decided that the solution lay in a change of lifestyle, so Ciara quit her hard-won job as a lawyer and the family moved to rural Kent, to a little village outside Maidstone. The change was abrupt and a bit disorientating. "Suddenly I had this 18-month-old child who I'd never really fed," says Ciara. "Because she'd spent so much time at the childminder." Ciara had little to no experience as a home cook. "When you read these books or articles about people who are into food, they're basically like, 'Yeah, I shot out of the womb with a wok in my hand'," she says. "I wasn't like that. Before I had Aoife, I worked long hours and I had a really active social life. I didn't cook, I ate ready meals and sandwiches." Very quickly, bad habits set in. "I was a bit slack with it," she says. "I then got pregnant with (her younger child) Finn. I felt quite sick throughout the whole pregnancy and didn't want to eat much. I wanted beige food and white bread and pasta. So then that obviously had an effect on Aoife and her eating. When Finn was born, suddenly I was like, 'Oh my God, I've got this really picky child on my hands'. And I knew that it was partly my fault." As she set about trying to broaden her daughter's palate, she decided to record and share the experience online. That was four years ago. "Just after Finn was born, I set up the website. It was very much me just trying to find my feet with feeding a toddler, I'm trying to do this, starting from scratch," Ciara says. She's had some experience of building a blog and had loved it. "Whilst we were in between Aoife and Finn, we got married. And I set up a wedding blog at that time. I was really interested in what I was doing and I wanted to share all the stuff I was finding. I just really enjoyed this new online world and wanted to be part of it. I enjoyed the sense of sharing and the sense of community. I really loved that, but soon as I got married, my interest just went overnight. Shut it down," she says. Her new idea, however, offered more scope for longevity. And there was a quiet determination to make it work. In the back of her mind was always the motivation that she didn't want to go back to law. "About six months into it, my husband said, 'If you could just make enough a month on this website, he said if you could make 500, that will be enough. You won't have to go back to work for the next few years. We'll be fine on that. At the time, that was a gigantic goal." Evidently, her kitchen-table enterprise is now considerably more profitable than those early, modest aspirations. Ciara grew up in Kilkenny, where she and her two brothers were raised single-handedly by her mother, who was a teacher and whose hard-working, resourceful approach to life has, she admits, influenced her a lot. "She worked really, really hard and that has been instilled in all of us," she says. "Until I became a mother myself, I didn't realise how much she'd done. I talk about how I was only given six months' maternity leave, but I think I was three or four weeks old when my mum went back to work. "This was 1981 in Ireland. She was offered a full-time permanent position, there weren't many of them around and she had to take it." It's that determination and resilience which seems to have characterised her response to the biggest challenge her family has faced. Last year, when her son was three years old, he was diagnosed with autism. "The last year has been very tough for us as a family," she wrote on Instagram, sharing the news with her followers. "We've known for some time that our little boy was 'different' and we finally received an autism diagnosis last week." She speaks openly on social media about the particular struggles she and her husband face parenting a child with special needs. In one post last year, she wrote: "Finn's behaviour is probably the worst it's been in months and certainly the worst since we got his autism diagnosis... my arms are covered in bite marks and bruises where he has bitten, pinched and hit me. "It's heartbreaking to see him so upset and on edge all the time and knowing that he is feeling anxious and confused in his little head. Parenting is hard enough, but parenting a child with special or additional needs can feel like a long and lonely journey." She says sharing her struggles so openly has afforded access to invaluable support through direct communication with other parents facing similar challenges. "Speaking to people online that know exactly what you're going through, that's probably been the most help," she says. "Connecting with other mums who are going through the same thing. Although once we started using the word autism, we accepted it very quickly, it was a case of wondering, where has this come from? There's no one in my family who is autistic. None of my friends have autistic children, so you can feel very much alone; that you're the only person in your surrounding environment dealing with that situation or dealing with particular behaviour," she says. "But when I open up about that, particularly on my Instagram, I get so much response from people going through the same thing. It's a two-way street, I am helping people, but people are helping me as well... it's like anything with parenting, it takes a bit of getting used to. They don't come with a manual. You just have to adapt and do your best in the situation." She's had to develop a thick skin raising a child with autism, because of judgment she faces both on and offline. "A lot of Finn's behaviour is not what people associate with typical autistic behaviour. I guess, maybe it's more common for autistic children to be hypersensitive to noise and light and their surroundings. Finn is the opposite," she says. "So rather than become closed and shut down in say, a busy cafe, he almost feeds on the energy and goes crazy. He'd be running off and saying 'hello' to someone and it's difficult because people look at it as bad behaviour, or bad parenting, or they think you should just discipline your child." She's learned to shrug off the disapproving glances. "I can't educate everybody and if people want to have that view, that's fine." Part of her mission to take on fussy eating is motivated these days by her son's relationship with food. One of the common aspects to the condition is issues and aversions to foods. Autistic children commonly have "sensory reactions to food", she says "how it looks, feels, smells, tastes. There are a lot of children who aren't on the spectrum, who will have similar reactions". She says: "Finn likes what he likes and he would eat the same thing three times a day, every day, if I let him. There are a lot of other four-year-olds who are the same. "It's sometimes hard to separate the autistic behaviour from four-year-old behaviour. But I try as much as possible, just the same with Aoife, to give him a variety and to give him choice." My Fussy Eater by Ciara Attwell, 14.99, Lagom (Bonnier Publishing) Ciara's top five tips for your fussy eaters RELAX My first tip to parents is always to relax and try not to get too stressed about the situation. Most parents will deal with fussy eating at some stage in their child's life, so you are not alone. Children can intuitively pick up on your stress, so don't let them know that they are in control, no matter how frustrated you are feeling on the inside. SLOW INTRODUCTIONS Recent research has shown that a child may have to be offered a new food up to 20 times before they will accept it and eat it. That might seem a bit daunting, but begin by introducing foods in really easy ways. Let them see you eating it before you start offering it to them. Start with very small amounts with no pressure - a one-bite rule is a great way to introduce new foods. PORTION SIZES As parents, we have a tendency to want to fill our kids up with as much food as possible. But we need to be conscious of portion sizes, particularly for younger children and toddlers, as their stomachs are a lot smaller than we may realise. Large plates of food can also appear overwhelming, so start with small portions and you can always add more food later. GET THEM INVOLVED Get the kids into the kitchen making food with you, and I don't just mean baking cakes and cookies, but everyday food. For toddlers, it can be as simple as allowing them to choose which vegetables you cook for dinner or helping to make a sandwich. The older your child is, the more responsibility you can give them in the kitchen, but any kind of involvement is sure to make them more interested in the food when it actually reaches the table. MAKE IT FUN Meal times can be a little dull for children, so try injecting a bit of fun into it. My kids love bright and colourful plates and cutlery. Snack Plates with a wide variety of different fruits and veggies will look colourful and enticing to children and even a few colourful napkins or toothpicks can transform a packed lunch into something more kid-friendly. The Mourne International Walking Festival celebrates two decades of discovery in June. The Mourne International Walking Festival celebrates two decades of outdoor enjoyment and discovery next month. The three-day event returns on Friday, June 22 and runs until Sunday, June 24. This Festival celebrates the Mourne Mountains area, with its sweeping slopes, granite peaks and stunning coastline views. This years special event will feature a range of routes suitable for those who are just starting out, those keen to put their best foot forward and those more experienced to walking a tougher terrain. Launched by Newry, Mourne and Down District Council, the annual festival welcomes hundreds of individual, group and family walkers of every age and all nine routes to choose from have been carefully planned to impress at both low and higher levels. The Mourne Mountains has already been recognised as the Best Walking Destination in Northern Ireland by WalkNI. The Mourne International Walking Festival has also won the WalkNI Favourite Walking Event award for two consecutive years. Expand Close The Mourne International Walking Festival celebrates two decades of discovery in June. / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp The Mourne International Walking Festival celebrates two decades of discovery in June. Roisin Mulgrew, Chair of Newry, Mourne and Down District Council, said: A landscape steeped in history, heritage, myths and legends, the Mourne International Walking Festival welcomes visitors from across the UK, Ireland and further afield who continue to come not only for an inspirational walking experience but also the warmth of the welcome and the hospitality on offer. The walking festival features a variety of self-guided lowland walks including more strenuous mountain climbs ranging in distance from 10km to 40, so everyone is encouraged to gauge what would be most suitable for them. For more information, visit www.visitmournemountains.co.uk. Sinn Fein vice president Michelle O'Neill yesterday described the DUP's continued support for Brexit as "jaw-dropping". The Mid-Ulster MLA said there is mounting evidence that Brexit will have disastrous economic consequences for manufacturing and our agri-foods business. She was speaking after Prime Minister Theresa May was warned that attempts to keep her preferred new customs partnership model alive are desperate. It was rejected by her Brexit war cabinet of senior ministers. The divisions were laid bare after Business Secretary Greg Clark said thousands of British jobs depend on frictionless trade with Europe, in what was viewed as an attempt to revive the customs partnership model. Environment Secretary Michael Gove risked fuelling the row after describing as helpful a Twitter thread by former aide Henry Newman, now director of the Open Europe think tank, which described resurrecting the customs partnership as surely misguided. Ms ONeill said: Warnings are now coming from even inside the deeply divided British Tory cabinet about the threat Brexit poses to the economy. Despite this Arlene Foster and the DUP continue to toe the line of the rump of hard Brexiteers in the British Tory party who have no interest in the people of the north and who have come up with no credible proposals to protect our economy or our rights. The DUP continue to ignore the democratic wishes of the people of the north who voted to remain in the EU. However, their disregard for the disastrous economic consequences of Brexit for the north is jaw-dropping. But last night DUP MEP Diane Dodds hit back, saying: Anyone looking at Northern Irelands external sales can see that we sell more to Great Britain than we do to the Republic of Ireland, EU and the rest of the world combined. We want to ensure that Northern Ireland is not cut off from its main market in Great Britain. This can be achieved alongside frictionless trade across the border with the Republic of Ireland. If Sinn Fein were interested in economics rather than ideology they would also be working towards such an outcome. If Sinn Fein were really interested in the best outcome for Northern Ireland then they would be seeking this from inside the Executive rather than carping from the sidelines. The Local Government Commissioner for Standards has been contacted more than 80 times over a racist, sectarian and offensive tweet by a Belfast City Councillor. It is understood many of those who contacted the office wanted to lodge formal complaints against independent councillor Jolene Bunting, who posted the tweet last week. The post depicted two frogs, one wearing a Union flag and the other wearing an Irish tricolour. The frog with the tricolour is crying, holding a pint of Guinness and wearing a hat that reads: Please be patient I have famine. Accompanying the picture is the line: Cmon Paddy, EU can leave too. The cartoon frog in the picture, known as Pepe, was adopted years ago by far-right social media trolls to target, among others, autistic children. Around one million people died and a further one million emigrated during the Irish Potato Famine between 1845 and 1850. Court district representative Bunting later said the tweet was simply a reference to Ireland leaving the EU and was not meant to cause offence to autistic children or make light of the famine. Read More Calling the fallout ridiculous, she took aim at triggered leftists for condemning the tweet and singled out Sinn Fein in particular. She said she did not read the words properly and had spotted the famine reference she would not have shared the image. Several of the 80 individuals who contacted the commissioner are Ms Buntings fellow councillors, spanning a range of political parties. Sinn Fein council group leader Deirdre Hargey called the post racist, sectarian and offensive, while Alliances Emmet McDonough-Brown branded it not only crass but racist and sectarian. The DUPs Dale Pankhurst said the tweet was appalling and wrong and, as a Unionist, he wholeheartedly condemned it. This is not the first time Jolene Bunting has caused controversy. SDLP representative Donal Lyons has lodged two complaints regarding councillor Bunting in the last year. Councillor Lyons had already filed a complaint in December in relation to an anti-Islam video she appeared in, filmed in front of Belfast Islamic centre. An open supporter of Britain First, Ms Bunting appears in the video alongside the groups deputy leader, Jayda Fransen, who is currently serving a prison sentence in England for a hate crime. Councillor Bunting's defence of a racist leaflet drop in the Ravenhill area of south Belfast as information also caused heated exchanges in City Hall last month. Catholic Primate Archbishop Eamon Martin has said he is continuing to press for a Papal visit to Northern Ireland, even if Pope Francis cannot come here in August. During a wide-ranging interview at his residence in Armagh, the church leader voiced disappointment that it looks unlikely the Pope will be travelling north of the border "on this occasion". Read More Archbishop Martin said: "My fellow bishops and I worked hard to make the case for a visit, but the situation is completely different to 1979 when Pope John Paul II made a national visit to Ireland. "However I'm keeping my hopes up because the conditions are right for a Papal visit to Northern Ireland to help him make a contribution to the peace we have here and which we hold in such a fragile manner. "During the meeting in Dublin I would like to think there will be an opportunity for some gesture or words from Pope Francis to speak about our situation. "I had hoped there might be a last-minute change of heart about coming up here and encouraging it, but I have not been given any indication that it will happen. "However, this does not stop me from trying to make the point. I will continue to advocate a Papal visit to Northern Ireland, if not now then as soon as possible. "I'm encouraged that the other main churches have supported the idea for a visit to the north, and that was a new step for them. "There is a sense in Northern Ireland that the Pope would be welcomed and that is a great message for him to get." Archbishop Martin said the Papal visit had already generated huge excitement. He said: "This is one of the three universal meetings of the Catholic Church every four years, and the bookings for the Dublin meeting from families and young people overseas are greater than those for previous similar meetings in Philadelphia and Milan. "We hope this will be matched by the attendance from Ireland and elsewhere." Turning to the issue of child sex abuse, Archbishop Martin said that the recent revelations surrounding Father Malachy Finnegan at St Colman's College in Newry served as a reminder of an issue that "remains with us all the time". He said: "Having met victims and survivors of abuse, I know that they never draw a line under their trauma. "The Church or any other institution has no right to try to put it behind us. "We must never be complacent about creating the most safe environment possible for the young and the vulnerable, and for everyone." He said that when the abuse takes place in Church premises, it is "doubly shocking". "There is the trauma of the victims, the impact on the faithful members who are horrified, the impact on the good priests and the effect on the Church leaders and people. The abuse destroys everything it touches. This is something which I live with personally every single day and I believe that the dark shadow of abuse will extend for the rest of my priesthood. "This is not something we can leave behind us by simply saying: 'Let it go now'. "We are now modelling the best-known practices to keep young and vulnerable people safe, and we are handing over these matters to the proper authorities rather than dealing with them ourselves. "For a long time the abuse was a taboo subject for fear of the scandal becoming public, but by wrongfully trying to prevent it getting out, people created another scandal in the longer term." Another major concern for the Archbishop is the May 25 referendum in the Republic on the repeal of the eighth amendment of the Irish Constitution, which recognises the right to life of both the mother and the unborn child, effectively banning terminations. If repealed, the Dublin Government will proceed with legislation to allow, in the first instance, terminations up to 12 weeks which will make abortion in the Republic available. The Archbishop said: "Those who are voting can be in no doubt that this is not just the removal of an amendment in order to be compassionate in hard cases, such as rape, incest or life-threatening situations. "This is the removal of the only remaining protection for unborn life in order to introduce a very liberal abortion regime which, I believe, the people of Ireland do not want. "The Supreme Court has told us that once you remove the eighth amendment, there is no recognition at all for the rights of the unborn. "Once that is gone, I find it difficult to believe that we would not move to probably becoming one of the most liberal abortion regimes in the world. "Once we elevate personal choice above the right to life, where do we stand? "If we enshrine in our laws the right to choose to end life, where does that place us? I see this not as a Church versus State battle, but as an opportunity to highlight that we must choose life and not death." Archbishop Martin said that abortion was "not a matter of private choice but of the common good". "Society can never tolerate the direct and intentional taking of innocent human life, and I am conscious that many of my brothers and sisters in other Christian denominations and in other faiths hold a similar view." He also stated his belief that the outcome of the referendum was not a foregone conclusion and that many people are still undecided. "I would like to think that when people go in to vote that they will pause, listen to their heartbeat, look at the fingerprints, and realise they have had these since they themselves were in the womb. "I would love them to think of two lives as they make their decision." Archbishop Martin said he was "saddened" by the claim from Free Presbyterian minister the Reverend Peter McIntyre that attending Catholic Mass "brings shame to the Gospel". He said "I don't give it too much credence because it's not my experience of meeting with people from other denominations." Instead he sees evidence of changing attitudes north and south towards a possible "new Ireland". "We have made a lot of progress, though there are people who would still drag us back to the time when all we did was to go into corners and eyeball each other while trading insults. "I have experienced much more integration between north and south in recent times. "For a long period, people from Cork would not have dreamt of spending their holidays near the Giant's Causeway, and Protestants from the north would not have gone to Galway or Dublin. They do that now. "We have all become comfortable at crossing the border without being stopped or searched, or having to produce our ID. "Our horizons have been widened, though some figures are still playing to the gallery. We should open up the borders and barriers we have in our minds and tell the world that Ireland is a good place in which to do business. "The Good Friday Agreement states that people on all sides have a legitimate right to their aspirations, and we must condemn all violence and intimidation. "Any new Ireland is something that we have to build together, and the reassurance for all people will come only by whatever process by which it is created." Archbishop Martin was appointed coadjutor Archbishop of Armagh in January 2013, and succeeded Cardinal Sean Brady as Archbishop in September 2014. He was first told of his appointment by the papal nuncio to Ireland Archbishop Charles Brown. "I knew that when a priest is invited to meet the papal nuncio something might be in the background. "Before we met I thought it might have something to do with the appointment of a new bishop, but I was completely surprised when he told me that I was to be the coadjutor Archbishop of Armagh. "This happened just before Pope Benedict resigned and I am probably one of the last Archbishops he appointed. "By the time I was ordained, Pope Francis had been appointed and he has brought a wonderful new sense of mission to the Church. I chose as my motto a phrase from the Psalms 'Sing a new song unto the Lord' and part of my contribution is to find out what that new song is. "Pope Francis has urged us to find a 'new key' so that the Church can continue its missionary role in a period of new evangelism. "I find that inspiring and challenging. It's a great time to be a Church leader." The memorial to the victims of the Poppy Day bombing in Enniskillen DUP leader Arlene Foster says she will do all she can to help find a solution over the continued absence of a memorial to those killed in the Enniskillen Poppy Day memorial bomb. The Fermanagh & South Tyrone MLA said a solution could be found but there had to be an end to what she described as a "running sore" in the town. "This doesn't do anyone any good in the town of Enniskillen or indeed across Northern Ireland to see victims hurt in the way these families are hurting," she told the BBC saying it was important face-to-face dialogue took place. "The church has said they are not against a memorial, so let's take that as a starting point." Read More It comes amid growing anger at the decision by the local St Michael's parish to reject a permanent tribute to the Remembrance Sunday attack on its land. Twelve people died and dozens more were injured in the bomb on November 8, 1987. Last November, on the 30th anniversary of the atrocity, a monument to the victims was removed hours after being placed at a location close to where the bomb went off. The memorial had been placed on a site owned by St Michaels Diocesan Trust, which said at the time it had not been consulted by the council on the decision to erect the monument. Last week the church set out its reasons for rejecting its placing. It said that while it was not opposed to a memorial, health and safety concerns meant it could not be placed on the families' preferred location outside the Clinton Centre. Read More Arlene Foster said the decision was "disappointing" and the manner in which it has occurred "painful". "I share the sense of devastation which that day brought and I also share a vision for the future, in which the lives of 12 people can be remembered for the generations to come," she told the Belfast Telegraph. "A publically funded memorial should not be left behind closed doors in storage." She added: "The best thing that can happen is face to face dialogue with the church. It is important to have that because that has not happened to date. "I don't want to make this a political issue. It is an issue of making sure the right thing is done. It is a memorial which recognises the horrific death of local people and should be put in place and that is the wishes of the families." Mrs Foster said there had been a breakdown in communication over the issue between the groups involved. She added: "Of course a solution can be found... to receive a flat "no" has been very hurtful. It would have been better had their been dialogue between the church and the victims' families before they got a letter in the fashion they did. The former first minister said that she did not want to discuss what a possible solution could be but said meetings should take place sooner rather than later. "There are solutions if there is a genuine willingness," she added. "The last thing we want is for this to continue to be a running sore in Enniskillen and I would argue it has affected those further beyond the Fermanagh community." Mrs Foster added: "I hope a meeting between the Roman Catholic Church, the families affected by the Enniskillen Poppy Day bomb and Fermanagh University Partnership Board can take place so that face to face dialogue can occur. So far this has not happened, despite requests from the families, and I firmly believe that such a meeting would be helpful to all. My focus is on a solution rather than recrimination. A group of patients treated by a neurologist at the centre of Northern Ireland's biggest patient recall are to take a protest in support of Dr Michael Watt to the doorstep of the Royal Victoria Hospital (RVH). While many have been critical of the consultant who sparked fears over misdiagnosis, one group of loyal patients say his treatment by Belfast Health Trust has been shameful. The trust has said it is "truly sorry" for having to recall 2,500 patients after a probe into the work of Dr Watt and a review of patient notes by the trust and the Royal College of Physicians. The consultant is currently not treating patients but is still an employee, the trust said. A Facebook group - Voice in support of Dr Michael Watt - has been set up to support the beleaguered neurologist and members plan to gather outside the RVH on Thursday afternoon as they step up their campaign. Many patients say they have been left in the dark as they seek alternative care for life-threatening conditions. They will be asking other former patients, colleagues of Dr Watt and members of the public to sign their petition calling for his immediate re-instatement so they can continue their treatment locally. Rhonda O'Neill (44), from Magherafelt, had been under Dr Watt's care for eight years when he was removed from his position last year. She said she has had little guidance from the trust about her ongoing treatment. She now has to go to London to visit consultants on a regular basis as she struggles with a rare neurological condition - autonomic neuropathy. She will be seeking signatures for a petition supporting Dr Watt. "We want to let the Belfast Health Trust know our concerns in a dignified way," she said. "But since a few former patients got together for support we've been inundated with messages of support for the treatment received from Dr Watt. "I have been pushed from pillar to post since Dr Watt was removed, so much so that I now have to travel to London every few weeks to get the treatment I need. "And from all the people who have spoken to us over the last few days I know we're not the only ones who were left panicking over further treatment. We've had no guidelines and little advice on how we should go about continuing the treatments which, for many of us, are life changing. "Receiving a letter of apology in the post last week completely out of the blue was gut-wrenching for all of us who were relying on Dr Watt for treatment. My condition can flare up at any time and I need to know where to go, who to contact, what to do." Ms O'Neill said she and others "feel cast adrift". "That's why we want as many people as possible to voice their concerns over the way this situation has been handled by the trust. The reaction has not been geared to help the patients who are in need of ongoing care. "We have found that there are so many people with positive stories to tell who have now been neglected. The process isn't geared up to help the patients at all." The chairman of the Arts Council of Northern Ireland (ACNI) is facing calls to resign for accepting a contract worth 18,000 from a client of the agency he presides over. ACNI's position has been described as "wholly untenable" after he conceded there is a conflict of interest concerning his two-month employment stint with the Nerve Centre. The admission has provoked stinging criticism from throughout the arts sector. In an article for today's Belfast Telegraph, Conor Shields of the advocacy group ArtMattersNI said it is "ironic" that the same man who has chastised organisations for their dependency on public funding and who defended savage cuts has secured public funding himself. "Surely now, having seen time and again, the way this current chair engages with his role and the sector, his position is wholly untenable," he said. The strong words come after it was revealed Mr Edmund had won an 18,000 contract for conducting a "scoping exercise" for the Nerve Centre - a creative media arts centre in Londonderry - following a competitive tendering process. The marketing veteran only disclosed details of the venture on the Arts Council's register of interests more than three weeks after he took up the post. "A conflict of interest exists in that the Arts Council is a minor funder of the Nerve Centre," he said last week. "I have declared that conflict and will not be part of any discussion that involves the Nerve Centre for one year after the conclusion of this assignment. This is standard protocol." But Mr Shields said the amount of ACNI funding a group receives isn't relevant to whether or not a conflict of interest exists. He said that ArtMattersNI "would question whether the degree of funding should be a consideration at all" as "it either isn't or... it is in fact a conflict of interest". The campaigner welcomed Mr Edmund's commitment to exclude himself from any discussions involving the Nerve Centre for one year after the conclusion of the project, but said serious questions remain unanswered - including whether or not correct protocol was followed. "In addition to protecting the probity of individuals in public service, conflict of interest management is normally devised to protect those organisations in receipt or making application for public subvention," Mr Shields said. Mr Shields also questioned if Mr Edmund - who has already survived two votes of no confidence - ignored existing rules by competing for the contract from an Arts Council client in the first place. He said his two roles seem "difficult to reconcile". "Conflict of interest polices and procedures are there to protect all of us," Mr Shields added. "They should mean that we will not find ourselves compromised by inappropriate approaches, or worried about the consequences of making or refusing payments". The campaigner also disputed the department's claim that a number of Arts Council board members have accepted work with organisations in receipt of agency funding. Mr Shields said that the only other individual in a paid position with a client organisation is a voluntary board member. The Arts Council had not responded to a request for comment by time of going to press last night. An artist's impression of the proposed new Lanyon development in Belfast A Belfast residents' group challenging a new 55m office development being built beside their homes will get a decision before the end of the month, a High Court judge pledged on Tuesday. Reserving judgment on the case brought by the Market community, Mr Justice McCloskey said he needed some more time to examine the issues raised. He told those gathered in court: "These are quite complex cases and the detailed minutiae are very important." Campaigners opposed to a construction of up to 14-storeys claim it would be invasive and overshadow homes in the inner city area. They are challenging Belfast City Council acceptance of a planning application for the development at Stewart Street and East Bridge Street, near Central Station. The 26,000 square metre Grade A office block is expected to create 350 construction jobs and generate permanent employment for 2,500 people. But more than 200 households in the adjoining neighbourhood claim it should not have been given the go-ahead. They insist it will seriously impact on their right to privacy and quality of life under Article 8 of the European Convention on Human Rights. One resident, Elizabeth Conlon, issued judicial review proceedings on behalf of a wider group within the Market community. An office tower on such a scale is in stark contrast to the traditional two-storey social housing in the area and inconsistent with its sense of community spirit, according to their case. During two days of arguments lawyers for the Market residents contended those who gave the green light to the construction were misinformed and failed to properly assess the impact on the area. Further points centred on the impact and legal status following a separate case connected to the Belfast Metropolitan Area Plan (BMAP) Those proceedings resulted in BMAP being left in draft form. Lawyers for the Council have rejected claims that a "paucity" of information was put before the committee. According to their case the issue about overlooking homes was considered and not found to represent an unjustifiable interference. A former police officer from Northern Ireland is part of a new documentary examining the quest to solve the cold case disappearance of a teenager. Ruth Wilson vanished in 1995 after travelling to a beauty spot in Surrey, England. Fifteen years later Liam McAuley, a former north Belfast man who had just retired from the Metropolitan Police, picked up a newspaper, read her story and became enthralled. Mr McAuley (58) began investigating the disappearance, and has joined forces with an English journalist called Martin Bright, and produced the documentary Vanished: The Surrey Schoolgirl, in the hope of shining a new light on the seemingly forgotten case. Liam retired from the police nine years ago. A year later, while perusing a Surrey newspaper, he came across the Ruth Wilson case. The 16-year-old girl had gone missing in Surrey in 1995, and he was immediately intrigued. "I happened to be reading a local paper and came across the article about Ruth," he said. "It just didn't seem to add up to me instinct ively. This was a 16-year-old schoolgirl, who has just disappeared and nothing has been heard of her ever since. We are now approaching 23 years. "When I read the article for the first time, I just had that feeling that something was just not quite right. A 16-year-old just can't disappear. "She comes from a rural village. She wouldn't have been street smart like her city cousins. "She's left home in the clothes that she's standing up in. She had a bank card that was not activated. She was dropped in a rural part of the country and that was the last that was seen of her. "You have to think there was something not quite right there." The 30-minute film, which is on YouTube, works from the standpoint that Ruth is no longer alive. Surrey Police and the Wilson family opted not to contribute, but many of Ruth's school friends, along with her ex-boyfriend, did come forward. "The police in the area remained tight-lipped and were no help. It was all very odd," he added. The film claims Ruth had been unaware that her mother, who had died when she was young, had taken her own life until shortly before she disappeared. It also features interviews with Ruth's friends who claim she had discussed running away. Later, the film suggests there is potentially more information available which has not yet been explored. Liam left Northern Ireland as a teenager and spent 30 years in the Metropolitan Police and Counter Terrorism Unit, focusing solely on Islamic Terrorism. "I grew up in north Belfast," he explained. "I lived in what was classed as the 'murder triangle'. I lived all through the Seventies, going to school hearing all the tragic stories from friends and some of the pupils at school, what happened to them. "Where I lived I had friends on both sides of the community. When you grow up somewhere like that you think this is your world, this is it. But it was a case of do you get stuck with it or try and carve on with your own life? "I was resitting my A-levels at 19 years old in 1978 and saw an advertisement for the Metropolitan Police in England. "I had grown up watching The Sweeney and thought it was amazing, that I wanted to do that. There was an opportunity there and I applied for it. "It was quite easy in those days. I got an interview within a month. In another month I was in. It was a really fast process. "I went to London and I never looked back. I often wonder what my life would have been like had I stayed. "I think of my old school chums and my old friends and I hope life has been good to them and I wish them well. "It was a case that when I came over to England I couldn't go back very often, in fact the only time I ever went back was for funerals. "There were funny days. A police officer was a police officer in those times. You could become a target. "If anyone knew what I was doing I didn't want any of my friends associating around me to maybe be targeted." Liam started as a 'Bobby on the Beat' around the West End of London before moving to the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) where he spent 26 years of his career. "I spent years at Scotland Yard in a crime fighting unit," he added. "I worked for the Counter Terrorist Unit there for the last six years before I retired. "That unit was set up specifically to deal with the emerging threat of Islamic Terrorism. "Ironically, coming from Belfast, I have never worked on counter terrorism operations regarding Northern Ireland. I wasn't interested in that side of things, because that was one of the reasons I left Northern Ireland." Mr McAuley explained how he worked on some of the Met's biggest cases. He added: "I did work on the 7/7 bombings in London in which 56 people were killed in terror attacks during the morning rush hour. "I was on the bomb scene for 12 days with my colleagues and we took care of 14 bodies and 750 body parts. "Then we followed on to the 21/7 attack two weeks later in which terrorists targeted the travel networks again, and the Glasgow bombings. "I think what I saw in Belfast as a boy really prepared me for what I saw there. Some of my colleagues were shocked. I had seen it before. "I worked on all of those, as well as high profile cases like the Millennium Dome raid in 2000 and others I can't talk about." Liam says the purpose of the documentary will be to highlight Ruth's plight and try to get to the bottom of what happened to her. "The police say they have done all the inquiries that they can," he says. "And it's a case of sitting back and seeing if anyone phones. "Martin Bright had done an article on the case and an interview with Ruth's parents. He was never really happy about the circumstances surrounding Ruth's disappearance. "I contacted him two years ago and asked him to take part in the documentary. It was to highlight Ruth's plight. "A whole generation has grown up knowing nothing of her in Surrey. And people just forgot about it." Liam's documentary 'Vanished: The Surrey Schoolgirl' can be seen on the Real Stories YouTube channel Northern Ireland's biggest council will tonight discuss a proposal to waive some of the costs of a child's funeral. Following on from a move at Armagh, Banbridge and Craigavon Council to cover the cost of opening a grave at any of its cemeteries for grieving parents laying a child to rest, Ulster Unionist councillor Chris McGimpsey is now calling for Belfast to follow suit. It comes after his party colleague on Armagh, Banbridge and Craigavon Council, Julie Flaherty, succeeded in having the 52 cost of opening a grave at all council-owned cemeteries for the burial of anyone under the age of 18 waived. Mr McGimpsey said his proposal, which was seconded by his party colleague Sonia Copeland, aims to see Belfast City Council cover all charges and costs relating to those services for children up to the age of 18. He said he expects that council officials will examine current policies and bring back options for consideration on how grieving parents could be assisted in terms of their child's funeral. "We already don't charge for children who are aged one year or under," he said. "I understand the cost of this is not going to be extensive. "Because Belfast City Council also has a crematorium, we will be considering the cost of cremation as well. "I look upon it as giving the ratepayers of Belfast the opportunity to sympathise with parents who have lost young children. My proposal is supported by the Ulster Unionists and I would hope the other parties would fall in behind it too." The proposal will be put to the council's People and Communities Committee later today. Similar proposals are also being made at a number of other councils in Northern Ireland, including Newry, Mourne and Down; Mid and East Antrim; Lisburn and Castlereagh; Ards and North Down; Antrim and Newtownabbey, and Causeway Coast and Glens. In England, the cost of a child's funeral is waived under a scheme supported by Prime Minister Theresa May. Earlier this month Mrs May intervened to create the Children's Funeral Fund after being moved by the "dignity and strength" of Swansea East MP Carolyn Harris, who had been at the forefront of the cross-party parliamentary campaign following the death of her eight-year-old son Martin. It brought England into line with Wales, where Ms Harris' campaign saw the removal of fees for funerals for those under 18. A woman sustained a hole in her skull when she was attacked with part of a drill during a suspected homophobic attack, police have told a court. Brenda McLaughlin told officers she believed she was targeted on Saturday because she is homosexual and it is being treated as a hate crime. The alleged male assailant (17) and victim were at Ruby's nightclub in Strabane, Co Tyrone, early on Saturday morning. There was no evidence a drill bit was in place when the power tool was later recovered or after police checked security camera footage, a PSNI detective told Omagh Magistrates Court yesterday. The detective said: "It is my understanding that the victim has since told medical staff that she heard the noise of the drill and felt her head being twisted." She is in a high-dependency unit in Altnagelvin Hospital. The detective added: "There does appear to be some sort of hole in the skull but I cannot say how severe it is." The teenager was accused of having an offensive weapon, a power drill. He is also alleged to have unlawfully and maliciously caused grievous bodily harm to Ms McLaughlin or intended to cause GBH, and is further accused of stealing a power drill belonging to the nightclub. A police patrol was alerted by members of the public that a woman was lying injured on the ground with blood coming from her head and lapsing in and out of consciousness. She was also having fits and seizures. District Judge Peter King said it was a "grossly violent, inexplicably violent incident". The detective added: "The victim said she believed it was in relation to her homosexuality." The accused told police he had homosexual relatives and did not bear any ill will, his solicitor Ciaran McGuinness said. The victim was taken to Altnagelvin Hospital in Londonderry where her condition was initially life-threatening but later downgraded. The officer said no damage had been caused to her brain but there was some form of "circular hole in her scalp, however it does not appear to be deep". District Judge King said there was a risk to public protection and remanded the teenager in custody, to appear by video-link at Strabane Magistrates Court on May 18. The accused, wearing a tracksuit, appeared emotional and hugged his mother in the public gallery afterwards. 'A cooler, wetter front is pushing in from the west, meaning the coming days are likely to be chillier' (stock photo) Northern Ireland may have enjoyed one of the warmest days of the year yesterday - but don't switch to a summer wardrobe just yet. A cooler, wetter front is pushing in from the west, meaning the coming days are likely to be chillier. Belfast and Katesbridge in Co Down were our local hotspots yesterday, with temperatures reaching a pleasant 18C. However, this morning is set to feel very different, according to a Met Office forecaster, with a front pushing in from the Atlantic overnight. She explained: "That is going to bring some thickening cloud and outbreaks of rain this morning. It will be a wet start to the day, a very different feel to things. The main thing that will be noticeable this week will be the downward trend in temperatures. "There is another front pushing in for tomorrow morning, another cloudy and probably quite wet start to the day, sunshine and showers on Thursday and then yet another front bringing in yet more cloud and rain for Friday." The UK has just enjoyed the hottest early May Bank Holiday weekend on record. The mercury hit 28.7C in Northolt, west London, yesterday afternoon - just nudging past the previous record in 1995, when temperatures peaked on the Saturday at 28.6C. The soaring temperatures also make it the hottest Bank Holiday Monday since records began. The early May Bank Holiday was introduced in 1978 and the temperature over the long weekend has never topped the 28C mark until yesterday. The South East and central southern England experienced the most heat, with the majority of the UK seeing temperatures between 23C and 27C. But the weather is set to become mixed as the month progresses and the May 19 wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle draws near. Victims of institutional child abuse protest at Stormont Castle in April 2017, after warring politicians failed to deliver a promised apology and financial redress. PA An Anglican church in Australia has grabbed headlines internationally this week with confirmation it will sell of a list of properties to pay redress to victims of child sex abuse. The Anglican Church of Tasmania has released a list of 78 properties, including 55 churches, it plans to sell to allow it to raise funds to pay its liability of around $8m Australian (around 4.4m) to survivors of church sexual abuse. Dr Richard Condie, the Anglican Bishop of Tasmania, said the church's primary concern was to "meet our redress obligations". Today we are releasing a preliminary list of properties proposed for sale. This list is not exhaustive and is not yet finalised. We are at the very beginning of the process, said Bishop Condie. In January 2017, a four-year inquiry into state and church abuse was published just days before the collapse of Stormont recommending a financial redress scheme. It contained recommendations for state-backed compensation payments of up to 100,000 for victims. Since the collapse of the power-sharing Executive provision for financial redress has not been included in Northern Ireland's budget. Last month a historical abuse victim won the right to a full judicial review of the failure of the Northern Ireland secretary and the Executive Office to implement a redress scheme. We want to know what you think... The signs at Strangford Avenue (pictured) and Harberton Park Malone are to receive historic listing Fourteen old street signs in Belfast are set to receive historic listing. It comes as the latest stage in a move to ensure some of the less obvious remnants of Victorian Belfast, including some of the old parliamentary boundary posts, post boxes and telephone kiosks, are preserved. The street signs have been described by experts from the historic environment division of the Department for Communities as tiled, supported by a flute cast iron post and dating back to the start of the 20th century. "This is a fine example of a tiled sign, many of which were erected on or close to major thoroughfares in the early 20th century by Belfast Corporation, probably to help passengers locate their stops on the city's tram system," minutes of the next meeting of Belfast City Council's planning committee record. "Whilst the tram system ceased to operate many years ago, these prominently positioned signs still serve as a useful function for today's public transport passengers." The 14 signs mentioned in the listing include Strangford Avenue, Harberton Park, Donegal Park Avenue, Parkmount Road, two on Glastonbury Avenue, Fortwilliam Park, 354 Ormeau Road, Rosetta Avenue, Belmont Church Road, Massey Avenue, Earlswood Road, Broomhill Park and Broomhill Park Central. The note from the department to the council's planning committee also explain why they are proposing a B2 listing for these street signs. "They are of historic interest to the citizens of Belfast and are part of the city's rich legacy of cast iron street furniture, which includes parliamentary boundary posts, post boxes and telephone kiosks," it said. The notice of intention to list will come before Belfast City Council's planning committee at its meeting next Tuesday (May 15). The committee has no power to refuse the notice; the Planning Committee is merely being asked for its opinion on whether or not they should be listed. The final decision over listing lies with the Department for Communities. Although Belfast has been a settlement since the early 1800s, it was during the Victoria era that it established itself. It was granted city status in 1880, and went on to become a major manufacturing centre in Ireland producing Irish linen, as well as processing tobacco, rope-making and shipbuilding. Belfast's status was cemented following the partition of Ireland in 1922 when it was named capital of the then new Northern Ireland. Downing Street has said Theresa May continues to have full confidence in Boris Johnson, after the Foreign Secretary attacked proposals for a customs partnership after Brexit as crazy. Mrs May is understood to favour the arrangement, under which the UK would collect customs tariffs on behalf of the EU, as a means of breaking the deadlock in Brexit talks on the future of the Irish border. But she failed to win over senior colleagues at a meeting of her Brexit war cabinet last week, forcing her to ask officials to rethink the plan, along with a second maximum facilitation option using new technology to reduce friction at the border. In what was being seen as a very public challenge to the Prime Ministers stance, Mr Johnson used an interview with the Daily Mail to warn that the customs partnership option would create a whole new web of bureaucracy. The plan would not comply with promises to take back control, and would hamper the UKs ability to strike trade deals, said the Foreign Secretary. Honoured to be the first foreign minister to visit @SecPompeo in Washington, and the first to sign his visitors' book! Evidence of the enduring strength of the UK-US relationship. pic.twitter.com/iDAf5XY7TW Boris Johnson (@BorisJohnson) May 7, 2018 Its totally untried and would make it very, very difficult to do free trade deals, he told the Mail. If you have the new customs partnership, you have a crazy system whereby you end up collecting the tariffs on behalf of the EU at the UK frontier. Mrs Mays official spokesman said that the issue was not discussed at Tuesdays regular meeting of Cabinet in 10 Downing Street, which Mr Johnson attended after returning from a visit to the US. The spokesman declined to say whether the PM had spoken privately with the Foreign Secretary about his comments. But asked whether Mrs May continued to have full confidence in Mr Johnson as Foreign Secretary, the PMs spokesman said: Yes. He added: There are two customs models that were put forward by the Government last August and most recently outlined in the Prime Ministers Mansion House speech which the entire Cabinet was signed up to. Following last weeks sub-committee meeting, it was agreed that there are unresolved issues in relation to both models and that further work is needed. The Prime Minister asked officials to take forward that work as a priority. Yet again this Tory Government is demonstrating to the Europeans who are negotiating with them that they are internally dividedLib Dem leader Sir Vince Cable The chair of the European Research Group of Tory Eurosceptics, Jacob Rees-Mogg, who has previously described the customs partnership as cretinous, said that Mr Johnson had hit the nail on the head. But Liberal Democrat leader Sir Vince Cable said the semi-public spat made clear the depth of internal divisions on Brexit within the Cabinet and made it less likely the Government would be taken seriously by Brussels chief negotiator Michel Barnier. Yet again this Tory Government is demonstrating to the Europeans who are negotiating with them that they are internally divided, said Sir Vince. When a leading Tory describes the Prime Ministers proposals as cretinous, why would Mr Barnier take them seriously? Labour MP Rupa Huq, a supporter of the Peoples Vote campaign for a second EU referendum, said: Boris Johnsons description of Theresa Mays preferred option of a customs partnership as a crazy system is typically intemperate but rooted in truth. The Prime Ministers plan would replace todays frictionless trade with a bureaucratic nightmare of tracking goods not just at the border but more or less anywhere and everywhere they are stored or distributed. But Ms Huq said that Mr Johnsons preferred Max Fac scheme would also raise costs for businesses and consumers, adding: To put jobs first, to protect the Irish peace process and to give our young people a future we should stay in the customs union and single market and put any final Brexit deal to a Peoples Vote. Conservative former attorney general Dominic Grieve said Mr Johnsons decision to speak out was regrettable, but said he could understand why Mrs May was willing to put up with his outbursts. Mr Grieve told BBC Radio 4s World at One: I dont think he is in any way inhibited by normal propriety in government. I can well understand that seeing the difficult issues that we are having to confront, which are very divisive, the Prime Minister should accept these rather extraordinary bursts of misbehaviour by Boris. Business Secretary Greg Clark stressed on Sunday that thousands of British jobs depend on frictionless trade with Europe, in what was viewed as an attempt to revive the customs partnership model. The row came as Mrs May faces two more parliamentary defeats on her Brexit plan as it nears its final stages in the House of Lords. Peers want to remove the Prime Ministers planned exit day of March 29 2019 from flagship legislation that takes Britain out of the European Union. A second amendment would allow EU laws to be replicated in the UK and allow future participation in its agencies. Both proposed changes to the EU Withdrawal Bill have cross-party support in the upper chamber, which means they are likely to win in a vote. Meanwhile, a further change has been proposed to the legislation that would require the Government to negotiate continued membership of the EEA. Labour peers will be ordered to abstain because it goes against official party policy. An audit by CervicalCheck of 1,482 women diagnosed with cervical cancer since 2008 found potential errors in 208 cases (David Davies/PA) A UK health expert who investigated abuse at the Winterbourne care home for the disabled will lead an inquiry into the misinterpretation of cancer tests in Ireland. Dr Gabriel Scally is an eminent individual who will bring real experience to the preliminary probe into the handling of cervical smear screening, Irish health minister Simon Harris said. He contributed to a serious case review of Winterbourne View Hospital where staff were shown to be mistreating and assaulting adults with learning disabilities and autism. Mr Harris said: We need to establish the facts and we need to get answers quickly for Irish women. He has asked Dr Scally to give early feedback by the start of next month and a full report by the end of June. Expand Close Panorama care home programme PA Archive/PA Images / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Panorama care home programme An audit by CervicalCheck Irelands national screening programme of 1,482 women diagnosed with cervical cancer since 2008 had found potential errors in 208 cases, as tests showed no abnormality when they should have been given a cancer warning. The majority of the 208 women 162 were not initially told of the outcome of the audit. Of the 208, 17 have since died. It then emerged that a further 1,518 women with the cancer in the same period have not been audited, though health chiefs stress the number affected by potential errors in this group is likely to be lower. The head of Irelands health service has faced calls to go. Vicky Phelan, a 43-year-old mother of two from Co Limerick, took legal proceedings after a 2011 smear test which returned no abnormalities was found three years later to be incorrect. Expand Close Simon Harris, pictured, has asked Dr Scally to give early feedback by the start of next month (Niall Carson/PA) PA Wire/PA Images / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Simon Harris, pictured, has asked Dr Scally to give early feedback by the start of next month (Niall Carson/PA) She was diagnosed with cervical cancer in 2014. Mr Harris said it was a horrific and worrying time for women and ministers had agreed to order the scoping inquiry. The minister said Dr Scally had experience in reviews of this type as a senior public health doctor and adviser to the UK Department of Health and the NHS. The inquiry will independently examine details of the non-disclosure to patients relating to CervicalCheck clinical audits and the management and level of knowledge of various parties including the Health Service Executive and the Department of Health. It will also examine the tendering, contracting, operation of the labs contracted by CervicalCheck. An international expert panel review led by the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, and the British Society for Colposcopy and Cervical Pathology will review the results of screening tests of all women who have developed cervical cancer who participated in the screening programme since it was established. This will provide independent clinical assurance to women about the timing of their diagnosis and any issues relating to their treatment and outcome, Mr Harris said. Dr Scally said he believed he did not know anyone involved in the screening services but could not rule out the possibility. He drew comparisons with the Northern Ireland inquiry into hyponatraemia-related deaths, in which he assisted. Dr Scally said: That was difficult for me to do because I knew a lot of the people involved in that. But I dont think anyone would question my expert advice to that, at all. It will play no part in my considerations. My primary responsibility is to the women involved and to the population as a whole. Boris Johnson has attacked proposals for a customs partnership after Brexit as crazy in a major public intervention over the way forward in the exit plan deadlock. The Foreign Secretary was facing Theresa May across the Cabinet table after warning her favoured option would create a whole new web of bureaucracy. Mr Johnson returned to London for the weekly meeting of the Cabinet following a visit to the United States where he said the plan would not comply with promises to take back control, and would hamper the UKs ability to strike trade deals. Honoured to be the first foreign minister to visit @SecPompeo in Washington, and the first to sign his visitors' book! Evidence of the enduring strength of the UK-US relationship. pic.twitter.com/iDAf5XY7TW Boris Johnson (@BorisJohnson) May 7, 2018 Divisions over how to proceed erupted at a war cabinet where Brexiteers rejected the customs partnership option. But they believe a revised version will be put forward by No 10. In an interview with the Daily Mail, Mr Johnson said: Its totally untried and would make it very, very difficult to do free trade deals. If you have the new customs partnership, you have a crazy system whereby you end up collecting the tariffs on behalf of the EU at the UK frontier. Expand Close The Andrew Marr Show Press Association Images / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp The Andrew Marr Show Business Secretary Greg Clark stressed on Sunday that thousands of British jobs depend on frictionless trade with Europe, in what was viewed as an attempt to revive the customs partnership model. The war cabinet met last week, but failed to reach agreement on whether to back the hybrid customs partnership which would see the UK collect import duties on behalf of the EU for goods arriving via British ports and airports or the so-called maximum facilitation or max fac model relying on the extensive use of technology to minimise checks at the border. It comes as Mrs May faces two more parliamentary defeats on her Brexit plan as it nears its final stages in the House of Lords. Peers want to remove the Prime Ministers planned exit day of March 29 2019 from flagship legislation that takes Britain out of the European Union. A second amendment would allow EU laws to be replicated in the UK and allow future participation in its agencies. Both proposed changes to the EU Withdrawal Bill have cross-party support in the upper chamber, which means they are likely to win in a vote. The legislation returns for its sixth and final day at report stage in the Lords and will return for third reading on Wednesday. Shadow Brexit minister Baroness Hayter of Kentish Town said: On the final day of Lords Report, the main focus of our cross-party efforts to ensure the Bill is fit for purpose will be twofold. First, to ensure the UK continues to have strong working relations with EU agencies post-Brexit something entirely in line with the Prime Ministers recent Mansion House speech. Second, to introduce greater flexibility into how we leave the EU than currently allowed for by the Governments fixed exit day amendment. Introduced during the Commons stages of the Bill and driven no doubt by political PR, putting such a definitive deadline into law could have a negative impact on the final round of negotiations. On both issues, there is nothing to stop ministers coming forward with late concessions. Failing that, and as weve seen over the past few weeks, Peers wont be shy in giving MPs further opportunities to scrutinise the fine detail of this Bill. So far, the Government has suffered 10 defeats at the hands of peers, including over a customs union and giving a decisive say to Parliament on the Brexit talks. Meanwhile, a further change has been proposed to the legislation that would require the Government to negotiate continued membership of the EEA. Labour peers will be ordered to abstain because it goes against official party policy. Donald Trump said he would impose the "highest level" of economic sanctions on Iran (Niall Carson/PA) Theresa May has announced she remains committed to the Iran nuclear deal after Donald Trump said he was pulling the United States out of the accord. The US president said he would impose the highest level of economic sanctions on Iran as he claimed the state was on the brink of acquiring nuclear weapons. Iran said it would enrich uranium more than before in the next weeks if negotiations failed over the deal. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu backed Mr Trump, describing the agreement as a recipe for disaster. .@POTUS Trump to the long-suffering people of #Iran: The people of America stand with you. The future of Iran belongs to its people. They deserve a nation that does justice to their dreams. #JCPOA pic.twitter.com/MMeIpZEG8p Department of State (@StateDept) May 8, 2018 Britain, France and Germany had made strenuous attempts to persuade the US president to preserve the deal. But Mr Trump said the agreement was disastrous and a great embarrassment to him. Speaking in the White House, Mr Trump said: The Iran deal is defective at its core. If we do nothing, we know exactly what will happen. In just a short period of time, the worlds leading state sponsor of terror will be on the cusp of acquiring the worlds most dangerous weapon. Therefore, I am announcing today that the United States will withdraw from the Iran nuclear deal. In a joint statement, Mrs May, German Chancellor Angela Merkel and French President Emmanuel Macron said the decision was a matter of regret and concern and said they remained committed to the deal. They said: It is with regret and concern that we, the leaders of France, Germany and the United Kingdom take note of President Trumps decision to withdraw the United States of America from the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action. Expand Close (PA Graphics) Press Association Images / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp (PA Graphics) Together, we emphasise our continuing commitment to the JCPoA. This agreement remains important for our shared security. They urged Iran to show restraint in response to the decision by the US. On Monday, Boris Johnson made a diplomatic dash to Washington in a last ditch push to win over the president. The Foreign Secretary said Mr Trump would be in line for the Nobel Peace Prize if he could fix the agreement. The Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) was signed by the US, China, Russia, Germany, France and Britain with Iran in 2015. Under its terms, Iran is committed to a peaceful nuclear energy programme. An Iranian security official directs media at the Bushehr nuclear power plant, with the reactor building seen in the background, just outside the southern city of Bushehr, Iran (Vahid Salemi/AP) US President Donald Trump has announced he is pulling out of the Iran nuclear deal. Here we look at the background to the controversial decision: What is the Iran nuclear deal? The #IranDeal showed the power of diplomacy. One year on, hear from the experts who helped to negotiate ithttps://t.co/RrgPBU3KgI Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (@FCDOGovUK) July 14, 2016 Iran agreed to rein in its nuclear programme in a 2015 deal struck with the US, UK, Russia, China, France and Germany. Under the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPoA) Tehran agreed to significantly cut its stores of centrifuges, enriched uranium and heavy-water, all key components for nuclear weapons. Why did Iran agree to the deal? It had been hit with devastating economic sanctions by the United Nations, United States and the European Union that are estimated to have cost it tens of billions of pounds a year in lost oil export revenues. Billions in overseas assets had also been frozen. Why is it under threat? The deal was the key foreign policy achievement of Barack Obamas presidency, making it an immediate target for his successor Donald Trump. On the presidential campaign trail Mr Trump made his opposition clear and then continued to make threats about pulling out of the worst deal the US has ever signed up to because of its disastrous flaws. In his White House statement on Tuesday, he said the agreement was one-sided and so poorly negotiated that Iran could still be on the brink of acquiring a nuclear weapon even if it fully agreed with the terms. Mr Trump claimed there would be a nuclear arms race in the Middle East if he allowed it to stand. What is Britains position? The Government does admit the deal is not perfect as it fails to cover areas such as ballistic missiles and is time-limited, but insists it is the option with the fewest disadvantages. Germany, France and the United Nations all urged the US not to withdraw, with Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson making a last-ditch attempt to preserve the deal during a trip to Washington on Monday. After Mr Trump revealed his plans, Prime Minister Theresa May issued a joint statement with Angela Merkel and Emmanuel Macron saying the decision was a matter of regret and concern. What happens now the United States has pulled out? President Trump said he will impose the highest level of economic sanctions on Iran. Tehran warned before the announcement that US withdrawal from the agreement effectively amounts to killing the deal. Immediately after Mr Trump set out his decision, Iranian President Hassan Rouhani warned the country could start enriching uranium more than ever if negotiations with other countries in the deal failed. Britain, Germany and France said they remained committed to the accord and encouraged Iran to show restraint in response to the decision by the US. Has there been any support for the move? Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the deal had fuelled Iranian aggression in the region. He praised Mr Trumps historic decision and insisted leaving the accord in place would be a disaster for the peace of the world. A portrait of Theresa May has been removed from the walls of Oxford Universitys geography department after students daubed critical messages around it. The photograph of the Prime Minister, who read the subject at St Hughs College, featured in a display about high-achieving alumnae. But a Twitter campaign under the banner Not All Geographers called for the image to be taken down. Students raised concerns about the Windrush fiasco and the hostile environment for immigrants. #NotAllGeographers have creatively intervened for geographers everywhere to challenge the installation of a Theresa May portrait in Oxford Geography without consultation of the student body (at least). This is unacceptable and does little to inspire confidence in critical thought pic.twitter.com/HqwMqaO56O NotAllGeographers (@NGeographers) May 5, 2018 Messages were pinned up around the picture saying: Let in every refugee. Throw the Tories in the sea, and suggesting the department was a hostile environment. Oxford University said the portrait would go back up in a way that would prevent messages being plastered around it, and it was not removed in solidarity with the protests. The Not All Geographers account said its demand was not about making others think in the right way but raised concerns about having a sitting Prime Minister celebrated in such a way. How can you challenge Windrush as an academic but institutionally celebrate @theresa_may?! it tweeted. Mrs Mays portrait featured in a photo mosaic of more than 150 geography alumnae at the School of Geography and the Environment at the university last week. It was placed next to the late Marxist geographer Doreen Massey. The display lines the window and walls of one of the schools stairwells and the images were nominated by current and former members of the department. Claire Hann, the schools equality and diversity officer, said the aim had been to celebrate the successes of our women students and inspire our current students. A spokesman for the Prime Minister said it was a matter for the university. We are pleased to announce that the @theresa_may portrait has been removed from @oxfordgeography! Thanks for all your support! pic.twitter.com/QgIzki4XGD NotAllGeographers (@NGeographers) May 8, 2018 An Oxford University spokesman said: The portrait was being increasingly obscured by posters bearing mainly humorous satirical messages. It has now been taken down and will be re-displayed so it can be seen as intended. Mrs May was included in a series of portraits to celebrate outstanding female graduates of the School of Geography and the Environment. We remain proud of her success and that of all the graduates celebrated in the display. Police at the junction of Palmerston Road and the High Street, in Wealdstone (Jonathan Brady/PA) The Bank Holiday weekend saw a wave of violence sweep across the country, with a number of shootings and stabbings taking place. A 13-year-old boy became an innocent victim as he was shot in the head while walking down the street with his parents. The youngster was hit by the shotgun pellets in Harrow as a 15-year-old was attacked at around 1.15pm on Sunday in High Street, Wealdstone. Expand Close (PA Graphics) Press Association Images / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp (PA Graphics) Scotland Yard said the older boy was found to have suffered head injuries, caused by a number of shotgun pellets. Minutes later, police were alerted to the second boy injured nearby. Detective Chief Superintendent Simon Rose, Harrow borough commander, said: It would appear that the first victim was approached by two male suspects, one in possession of a shotgun and shots were fired, injuring him and an entirely innocent member of the public. Both teenagers suffered non-life threatening injuries, and the younger one has been released from hospital. A 39-year-old man arrested on the evening of May 6 in connection with the incident has been released under investigation. Extra police officers, supported by armed units, patrolled the streets of London in a bid to combat the bank holiday violence. Meanwhile, Rhyhiem Ainsworth Barton was fatally gunned down in Southwark on Saturday. The 17-year-old rapper and aspiring architect had so much potential, his mother said as she tearfully told of her handsome boy. Rhyhiems death is the latest in a spate of violent crimes in the capital, as police investigate more than 60 alleged murders so far this year. Official statistics released in April showed the number of homicides in London had surged by 44% in the last year. Elsewhere, two men died in stabbings in Liverpool and Luton during the bank holiday weekend. Following a Home Office post mortem, the victim of a fatal incident in Hanover Street #Liverpool yesterday has been formally identified as 20-year-old Fatah Warsame, from the Cardiff area. Anyone with info please contact @MerPolCC, 101 or @CrimestoppersUK. https://t.co/ENvjFoYNnL pic.twitter.com/psj29T2f2z Merseyside Police (@MerseyPolice) May 7, 2018 Fatah Warsame, 20, from Cardiff, died after being stabbed in Liverpool city centre early on Sunday morning, while another victim, also aged 20, was killed in Bishopscote Road in Luton that evening. Rhyhiems mother, Pretana Morgan, called for a stop to the violence. She said: Let my son be the last and be an example to everyone. Just let it stop. What must be, must be. Expand Close Pretana Morgan speaks to reporters after her 17-year-old son was shot in Southwark (PA) PA Wire/PA Images / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Pretana Morgan speaks to reporters after her 17-year-old son was shot in Southwark (PA) Paramedics and police were called to reports of gunshots on Cooks Road in Kennington on Saturday at just after 6pm. Rhyhiem was found on nearby Warham Street with a gunshot injury. A 43-year-old was stabbed in Perivale, north-west London, on Sunday night after a dispute about driving. Police said the man was attacked on Buckingham Avenue at around 9pm after a number of residents questioned a man in a blue car about the nature of his driving in the small residential street. Meanwhile, three people were injured in a noxious substance assault following an altercation between two groups in Shacklewell Lane in Hackney, east London, at around 5.20am on Sunday. Police are appealing for information after a man was shot in Clayton. https://t.co/DOmWmVoXau Greater Manchester Police (@gmpolice) May 7, 2018 Just before 6.30pm on Sunday, police were flagged down by a member of the public in New Cross Road, south east London, where a 22-year-old man was suffering from gunshot wounds. The injured man was taken by ambulance to a central London hospital where his condition is not life-threatening, Scotland Yard said. In a fourth Bank Holiday weekend shooting in the capital, a 30-year-old man who may have been working as a delivery driver was gunned down. Police were called at 4.50pm on Monday to a shooting in John Williams Close, in New Cross, south east London, Scotland Yard said. The victim was treated at the scene before being taken to hospital. His condition is not believed to be life-threatening. Another shooting took place in Vale Street, Clayton, Greater Manchester Police said. A man in his late teens was with his friends when he was shot in the leg shortly before 2.45pm on Monday. He was taken to hospital for treatment of serious injuries. The car went into the lake after the driver fell asleep at the wheel (Sugar Land Police Department/PA) Police in the US have released body camera footage showing the rescue of a woman from a sinking car in a lake which is home to alligators. The womans car crashed into the lake at speed after she fell asleep at the wheel in Sugar Land, Texas on Saturday. Police were called by witnesses at 6.30am and responded within minutes. Three brave officers lept into the lake, despite knowing it was home to alligators and snakes, in order to rescue the woman. Footage shows them smashing a window and pulling the woman to shore. The car sank shortly after. Luckily for the woman involved, she was uninjured. One of the officers involved sustained minor injuries. The Manhattan district attorneys office is investigating allegations of physical violence against women by New York attorney general Eric Schneiderman, who held himself out as a champion of women and a liberal foil to President Donald Trump. Mr Schneiderman resigned from office late on Monday, just hours after accounts of abuse by four women were published in The New Yorker. It was a swift and stunning fall for a Democrat who had pledged to use the power of his office to hold others accountable for abusing their power. The women described being violently slapped and choked, verbally abused and threatened by Mr Schneiderman. Some also described him as a heavy drinker. The alleged abuse often happened during what were supposed to be romantic encounters, but the women said the violence was not consensual. Expand Close Eric Schneiderman resigned after high-profile New York Democrats urged him to go (AP Photo/Seth Wenig, File) AP/PA Images / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Eric Schneiderman resigned after high-profile New York Democrats urged him to go (AP Photo/Seth Wenig, File) A statement from Danny Frost, a spokesman for Manhattan District Attorney Cyrus R Vance Jr, said prosecutors would look into the claims. Mr Schneidermans office had been tasked with investigating the Manhattan district attorneys office over its handling of a 2015 sex assault probe involving Harvey Weinstein that resulted in no criminal charges. NYPD officials said they had not received any complaints, but would investigate thoroughly should any others come forward. Mr Schneiderman, 63, issued a statement to The New Yorker, and later to other media outlets, implying that his conduct was either welcomed by the women, or was not as they described. In the privacy of intimate relationships, I have engaged in role-playing and other consensual sexual activity. I have not assaulted anyone. I have never engaged in non-consensual sex, which is a line I would not cross, he said. After the most difficult month of my life-I spoke up. For my daughter and for all women. I could not remain silent and encourage other women to be brave for me. I could not... https://t.co/HvL5ech0RM M Manning Barish (@MichelleBarish) May 7, 2018 But after fellow Democrats in New York, including governor Andrew Cuomo and US senator Kirsten Gillibrand, called for his resignation, he capitulated quickly. In the last several hours, serious allegations, which I strongly contest, have been made against me, he said. While these allegations are unrelated to my professional conduct or the operations of the office, they will effectively prevent me from leading the offices work at this critical time. He said he would resign at the close of business on Tuesday. The states solicitor general, Barbara Underwood, will serve as acting attorney general. She has a long history of legal work including serving in the Eastern District of New York and in the Manhattan, Brooklyn and Queens district attorney offices. Two women who spoke to The New Yorker on the record, Michelle Manning Barish and Tanya Selvaratnam, both said the physical abuse escalated over time. After the most difficult month of my life-I spoke up. For my daughter and for all women. I could not remain silent and encourage other women to be brave for me. I could not Ms Manning Barish wrote on Twitter after the story was published. Ms Manning Barish said she was involved with Mr Schneiderman from mid-2013 until the end of 2014. Ms Selvaratnam said she was involved with him from the summer of 2016 until autumn 2017. Ms Manning Barish said Mr Schneiderman became violent a few weeks after they began dating. She said she confided in friends, including novelist Salman Rushdie. Ms Selvaratnam, who was born in Sri Lanka, said Mr Schneiderman started calling her his brown slave and made her say that she was his property. After I found out that other women had been abused by Attorney-General Schneiderman in a similar manner many years before me, I wondered, whos next? and knew something needed to be done, Ms Selvaratnam said. Mr Schneiderman has been a vocal supporter of the #MeToo movement. He filed a lawsuit in February against disgraced movie producer Harvey Weinstein and the Weinstein Co following an investigation into allegations of sexual misconduct. Mr Schneiderman said the company broke New York law by failing to protect employees from pervasive sexual harassment, intimidation and discrimination. He launched a civil rights probe into the New York City-based company in October after The New York Times and The New Yorker exposed allegations of sexual assault and harassment spanning decades. The company later sacked Mr Weinstein. The women accusing Mr Schneiderman said seeing him speak out on these issues was part of what prompted them to come forward. Mr Schneiderman, a former state senator, became attorney general in 2010 and had been running for re-election this year. He also has been a longtime critic of President Trump, and has been part of several efforts to push back against some of his actions in the White House, such as the rescinding of protection for immigrants brought to the US illegally as children. Last month, he urged state legislators to close a loophole that he said could be used to fight state charges by anyone who has received a federal pardon for similar federal charges. On Twitter, Donald Trump Jr offered pointed commentary. He showcased one of Mr Schneidermans tweets from last year saying that he would remind President Trump that no-one was above the law, with Trump Jr adding: You were saying??? President Donald Trump has announced the US is pulling out of the landmark international nuclear accord with Iran. The United States does not make empty threats, he said in a televised address from the White House. Mr Trump said the 2015 agreement, which included Germany, France and Britain, was a horrible one-sided deal that should never ever have been made. He added that the United States will be instituting the highest level of economic sanction. Mr Trumps decision means Irans government must now decide whether to follow the US and withdraw or try to salvage what remains of the deal. Iranian President Hassan Rouhani said he was sending his foreign minister to the countries remaining in the accord but warned there was only a short time to negotiate with them and his country could soon start enriching uranium more than before. The leaders of Britain, Germany and France immediately urged the US not to take any actions that could prevent them and Iran from continuing to implement the agreement. The statement from Prime Minister Theresa May, Chancellor Angela Merkel and President Emmanuel Macron also urged Iran to show restraint and continue fulfilling its own obligations such as cooperating with inspections. Expand Close An anti-US mural painted on the wall of the former US Embassy in Tehran (Vahid Salemi/AP) AP/PA Images / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp An anti-US mural painted on the wall of the former US Embassy in Tehran (Vahid Salemi/AP) In Washington, the Trump administration said it would re-impose sanctions on Iran immediately but allow grace periods for businesses to wind down activity. The Treasury Department said there will be certain 90-day and 180-day wind-down periods but did not specify which sanctions would fall under which timelines. The Treasury said at the end of those periods, the sanctions will be in full effect. National Security Adviser John Bolton said nobody should sign contracts for new business with Iran. Former US president Barack Obama called the US pullout a serious mistake, and warned it will erode Americas global credibility. There are few issues more important to the security of the US than the potential spread of nuclear weapons or the potential for even more destructive war in the Middle East. Todays decision to put the JCPOA at risk is a serious mistake. My full statement: https://t.co/4oTdXESbxe Barack Obama (@BarackObama) May 8, 2018 In his remarks, Mr Trump blasted the deal as defective at its core. As evidence, he cited documents recently released by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, a leading critic of the deal. Mr Netanyahu unveiled documents seized by Israeli intelligence showing Iran had attempted to develop a nuclear bomb in the previous decade, especially before 2003. Although he gave no explicit evidence that Iran violated the deal, he said Iran had clearly lied in the past and could not be trusted. Iran has denied ever pursuing nuclear arms. Mr Trumps announcement drew mixed reaction from Congress. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, a Kentucky Republican, said the Iran deal was flawed from the beginning, and he looked forward to working with Mr Trump on next steps. House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, a California Democrat, slammed Mr Trump in a statement, saying this rash decision isolates America, not Iran. The JCPOA was a flawed agreement which @POTUS determined is not in America's nat'l security interests. I share his commitment that Iran must never acquire/develop a nuclear weapon. My statement --> https://t.co/qtRdxzgygC Leader McConnell (@LeaderMcConnell) May 8, 2018 The agreement had lifted most US and international sanctions against Iran. In return, Iran agreed to restrictions on its nuclear programme, making it impossible to produce a bomb, along with rigorous inspections. In a burst of last-minute diplomacy, punctuated by a visit by UK Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson, the deals European members gave in to many of Mr Trumps demands, according to officials, diplomats and others briefed on the negotiations. Yet they still left convinced he was likely to re-impose sanctions. Hours before the announcement, European countries met to underline their support for the agreement. Senior officials from Britain, France and Germany met in Brussels with Irans Deputy Foreign Minister for Political Affairs, Abbas Araghchi. Senator Dick Durbin of Illinois, the number-two Democrat in the Senate, branded the US withdrawal from the Iran nuclear deal a mistake of historic proportions. He said that breaking the Iran deal increases the danger that Iran will restart its nuclear weapons programme, which threatens Israel and destabilises the entire Middle East. Mr Durbin said Mr Trumps action isolates the United States from the world at a time when we need our allies to come together to address nuclear threats elsewhere, particularly in Korea. President Hassan Rouhani has said Iran would be willing not to abandon its nuclear deal even if the US pulls out, providing the European Union offers guarantees that Tehran would keep benefiting from the accord. Mr Rouhanis remarks came ahead of President Donald Trumps decision expected later this week on whether to pull the US out of the landmark deal between Iran and world powers. Speaking during a meeting with officials in the north-eastern city of Mashhad, the Iranian leader said a US pullout would be a strategic mistake. He said: What we want for the deal is that its preserved and guaranteed by the non-Americans a reference to other signatories of the 2015 agreement. He added that in this case then the US pullout will be OK. Expand Close Donald Trump is expected to announce his decision later this week AP/PA Images / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Donald Trump is expected to announce his decision later this week The foreign ministers of France and Germany said later that they will stick to the nuclear agreement, regardless of Mr Trumps decision. Frances top diplomat, Jean-Yves Le Drian, said the three European countries that were part of the deal France, Germany and the UK are committed to maintaining it. Mr Le Drian said: We will continue it independently of the American decision. His German counterpart, Heiko Maas, said Berlin also wants to stick by the deal, which makes the world a safer place and without it the world would be less safe. Lebanese Prime Minister Saad Hariri blaming a new electoral law and a performance 'that wasnt up to the standard' for his party's poor election result (Bilal Hussein/AP) The leader of Lebanons Iranian-backed Hezbollah group declared mission accomplished after scoring major gains in parliamentary elections, as the main Western-backed faction headed by Prime Minister Saad Hariri lost a third of its seats. The results of Sundays election further bolster Irans allies in Lebanon and neighbouring Syria at a time when Tehran faces growing Israeli threats and the prospect of the United States pulling out of a landmark nuclear deal negotiated with world powers. They also underline the growing clout of the group in Lebanon where it dominates politically and militarily. Expand Close Lebanese Prime Minister Saad Hariri jholds a news conference after the result (Bilal Hussein/AP) AP/PA Images / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Lebanese Prime Minister Saad Hariri jholds a news conference after the result (Bilal Hussein/AP) Mr Hariri acknowledged the losses at a news conference in Beirut on Monday, but said its not the end of the world. The international community, he said, should look at the results in a positive way because they reflect democracy in Lebanon. He blamed his losses on a new election law and a performance by his political party that wasnt up to the standards. My hand is extended to every Lebanese who participated in the elections to preserve stability and create jobs, Mr Hariri said in a televised statement. He said he would continue to work closely with President Michel Aoun, who is allied with the rival, Hezbollah-led bloc. The official count, announced by Interior Minister Nouhad Machnouk at a news conference, showed that Mr Hariri, a Sunni politician with close ties to Saudi Arabia, has lost at least five seats in Beirut, once considered his partys stronghold. Mr Hariri told reporters that his Future Movement won 21 seats, a decline of 11 from the last election, in 2009. He would still have the largest Sunni bloc in parliament, facilitating his return as prime minister to form the next government. Hezbollah and its political allies gained at least 43 seats, giving another boost to Irans allies in Lebanon and Syria, where Tehrans influence has grown in recent years as it has provided crucial support to President Bashar Assad. The elections were the first since war broke out in Syria in 2011, sending more than one million refugees fleeing into Lebanon, a small country with a population estimated at around 4.5 million. The war has divided Lebanon, pitting parties supporting Hezbollahs intervention in Syria against Saudi-aligned parties opposed to it. The divide reflects the region-wide rivalry between Saudi Arabia and Iran. Iran welcomed the initial election results, with Foreign Ministry spokesman Bahram Ghasemi saying that his country will support and cooperate with any government that is elected by a majority. The results indicated Sunni voters were losing faith in Mr Hariris party amid a declining Saudi role in Lebanon, a deteriorating economy and general exasperation over the civil war in Syria, which has further strained the economy to the breaking point. They also point to a Sunni constituency that is frustrated by what they see as weakness and compromises offered to the Hezbollah camp. Expand Close The deputy chief of Hezbollah, Sheik Naim Kassem, casts his ballot (Hassan Ammar/AP) AP/PA Images / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp The deputy chief of Hezbollah, Sheik Naim Kassem, casts his ballot (Hassan Ammar/AP) Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah said his partys gains would give protection to the group and declared mission accomplished after weeks of campaigning. Hezbollah is considered a terrorist group by the US, but its political wing has long held seats in Lebanons parliament and was part of Lebanons outgoing coalition government. Mr Nasrallah did not say how many seats his group and its allies won, but the official results showed they took at least 43 of the legislatures 128 seats, giving them the power to veto laws. Hezbollah maintained its bloc of 12 members, like in the previous parliament. Other pro-Syrian factions made their strongest showing since Damascus ended a nearly three-decade military presence in Lebanon in 2005. There is a major political, parliamentarian and moral victory for the choice of the resistance, Mr Nasrallah said in a televised speech. Hezbollah supporters road through the streets of Beirut on scooters, honking their horns and waving the militant groups signature yellow flag as some shouted sectarian slogans. Some were attacked with clubs and sticks when they entered a predominantly Sunni district on Monday night. The next Cabinet, like the outgoing one, will likely be a unity government that includes Hezbollah. The two sides can hardly govern effectively without each other, something Hariri alluded to at his news conference. Asked whether he would give up co-existing with the group in a unity government, Mr Hariri countered that the alternative would mean complete paralysis. We tried that in the past, he said. The country needs stability. Lebanon needs jobs, development, tourism and electricity, he said. The election, the first in nine years, was marked by a low turnout, especially in the capital, Beirut, reflecting voter frustration over endemic corruption and a political establishment that fails to deliver on basic services, such as waste management and electricity. Another big winner was the right-wing Christian Lebanese Forces, which almost doubled its number of seats to 15. The group has vowed to combat the countrys rampant corruption. An Air Koryo plane lands in an airport in Dalian (AP) A high-ranking North Korean official is believed to have visited China after an airliner from the North landed in the Chinese port city of Dalian. South Koreas Yonhap News Agency reported that North Korean leader Kim Jong Un may have been aboard the plane. Mr Kim visited China in March for the first time since taking power six years ago, a trip that was not publicly confirmed by the sides until after he had returned to North Korea by armoured train. Yonhap said the plane arrived on Monday amid tight security. Japanese broadcaster NHK ran a picture of the Air Koryo plane that it said had been taken on Tuesday afternoon at Dalians airport. Expand Close Chinese foreign minister Wang Yi poses with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un for a photo in Pyongyang last week (Korean Central News Agency/Korea News Service via AP) AP/PA Images / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Chinese foreign minister Wang Yi poses with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un for a photo in Pyongyang last week (Korean Central News Agency/Korea News Service via AP) Japans Kyodo News agency reported that the plane departed from Dalian later on Tuesday. While there are no regularly scheduled flights between North Korea and Dalian, North Koreans are frequent visitors to the city and its port has been instrumental in two-way trade. China is North Koreas only major ally, although trade between the countries has fallen off by around 90% as Beijing enforces United Nations economic sanctions in response to the Norths nuclear bomb and ballistic missile tests. Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Geng Shuang told reporters that he had no information to offer at this moment. China and North Korea are close neighbours and always maintain normal communication and exchanges with each other, Mr Geng said. New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman has resigned after four women accused him of physical violence during intimate encounters. It was a stunning fall for a Democrat who portrayed himself as a champion of women and had pledged to use his office to hold others accountable for abusing their power. In accounts published in The New Yorker on Monday, the women described being violently slapped and choked, verbally abused and threatened by Mr Schneiderman. Some also described him as a heavy drinker. The abuse often happened during what were supposed to be romantic encounters, but the women said the violence was not consensual. Expand Close Eric Schneiderman resigned after high-profile New York Democrats urged him to go (AP Photo/Seth Wenig, File) AP/PA Images / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Eric Schneiderman resigned after high-profile New York Democrats urged him to go (AP Photo/Seth Wenig, File) Mr Schneiderman, 63, issued a statement implying that his conduct was either welcomed by the women, or was not as they described. In the privacy of intimate relationships, I have engaged in role-playing and other consensual sexual activity. I have not assaulted anyone. I have never engaged in non-consensual sex, which is a line I would not cross, he said. But after fellow Democrats in New York, including Governor Andrew Cuomo and Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, called for his resignation, he capitulated quickly. In the last several hours, serious allegations, which I strongly contest, have been made against me, he said. While these allegations are unrelated to my professional conduct or the operations of the office, they will effectively prevent me from leading the offices work at this critical time. He said he would resign at the close of business on Tuesday. Two women who spoke to The New Yorker on the record, Michelle Manning Barish and Tanya Selvaratnam, both said the physical abuse escalated over time. After the most difficult month of my life-I spoke up. For my daughter and for all women. I could not remain silent and encourage other women to be brave for me. I could not... https://t.co/HvL5ech0RM M Manning Barish (@MichelleBarish) May 7, 2018 Ms Barish wrote on Twitter after the story was published: After the most difficult month of my life-I spoke up. For my daughter and for all women. I could not remain silent and encourage other women to be brave for me. I could not She said she was involved with Mr Schneiderman from mid-2013 until the end of 2014, and he became violent a few weeks after they began dating. She said she confided in friends, including novelist Salman Rushdie. Ms Selvaratnam said she was involved with him from the summer of 2016 until autumn 2017. Mr Schneiderman has been a vocal supporter of the #MeToo movement. He filed a lawsuit in February against disgraced movie producer Harvey Weinstein and the Weinstein Company following an investigation into allegations of sexual misconduct. Mr Schneiderman said the company broke New York law by failing to protect employees from pervasive sexual harassment, intimidation and discrimination. The women accusing him said seeing him speak out on these issues was part of what prompted them to come forward. Mr Schneiderman, a former state senator, became attorney general in 2010 and had been running for re-election this year. He has been a critic of President Donald Trump, and has taken part in efforts to push back against some of his actions in the White House, like the rescinding of protection for immigrants brought to the US illegally as children. On Twitter, Donald Trump Jr showcased one of Mr Schneidermans tweets from last year saying that he would remind President Trump that no one was above the law, with Mr Trump Jr adding: You were saying??? US President Donald Trump signs a document reinstating sanctions against Iran after announcing the US withdrawal from the Iran Nuclear deal, in the Diplomatic Reception Room at the White House in Washington, DC, on May 8, 2018. / AFP PHOTO / SAUL LOEBSAUL LOEB/AFP/Getty Images US President Donald Trump has withdrawn the US from the landmark nuclear accord with Iran. Mr Trump pledged to works with America's allies to curb the threat from Iran. He said he will reinstate the "highest possible sanctions" on Iran. He described the agreement, struck during the Obama administration, as "decaying and rotten". Mr Trump described Iran as the world's leading state sponsors of terrorism. The president spoke out against the arrangement as "a horrible, one-sided deal" based on a lie. He said that if he allowed the deal to stand, there would soon be a nuclear arms race. He called Iran a "regime of great terror". And he said that "no action taken by the regime has been more dangerous than its pursuit of nuclear weapons and the means of delivering them". He said he was ready and willing to negotiate a new deal when Iran was ready. Mr Trump said America "will not be held hostage to nuclear blackmail" and will not allow "a regime that chants 'Death to America'" to get access to nuclear weapons. The president said he made the decision after consulting with US allies. The move would deal a profound blow to US allies and potentially deepen the presidents isolation on the world stage. It was not immediately clear which sanctions that were lifted under the deal might be quickly reimposed, said the sources, who were not authorised to speak publicly. In a burst of last-minute diplomacy, punctuated by a visit by UK Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson, the deals European members gave in to many of Mr Trumps demands, according to officials, diplomats and others briefed on the negotiations. Yet they still left convinced he was likely to re-impose sanctions and walk away from the deal he has lambasted since his days as a presidential candidate. The agreement, struck in 2015 by the United States, other world powers and Iran, lifted most US and international sanctions against the country. In return, Iran agreed to restrictions on its nuclear programme making it impossible to produce a bomb, along with rigorous inspections. Expand Close Protesters rally in support of Irans nuclear deal with world powers in front of the White House (AP) AP/PA Images / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Protesters rally in support of Irans nuclear deal with world powers in front of the White House (AP) Mr Trump spoke with French President Emmanuel Macron and Chinese leader Xi Jinping about his decision on Tuesday. Mr Macrons office said the two spoke about peace and stability in the Mideast, without elaborating. Mr Macron vigorously supports the deal and tried to persuade Mr Trump to stay committed to it during a visit to Washington last month. Expand Close (PA Graphics) Press Association Images / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp (PA Graphics) Hours before the announcement, European countries involved in the agreement met to underline their support for it. Senior officials from Britain, France and Germany met in Brussels with Irans Deputy Foreign Minister for Political Affairs, Abbas Araghchi. Building up anticipation, Mr Trump announced on Twitter he would disclose his decision at 2pm (7pm UK time) at the White House. With uncharacteristic discipline, he kept the decision confined to a small group within his National Security Council. Expand Close An anti-US mural painted on the wall of the former US Embassy in Tehran (Vahid Salemi/AP) AP/PA Images / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp An anti-US mural painted on the wall of the former US Embassy in Tehran (Vahid Salemi/AP) In Iran, many were deeply concerned about how Mr Trumps decision could affect the already struggling economy. In Tehran, President Hassan Rouhani sought to calm nerves, smiling as he appeared at a petroleum expo. He did not name Mr Trump directly, but emphasised that Iran continued to seek engagement with the world. It is possible that we will face some problems for two or three months, but we will pass through this, Mr Rouhani said. Donald Trump is to reveal his decision on the Iran deal on Tuesday (Scott Applewhite/AP) President Donald Trump is set to reveal his decision on whether to keep the US in the Iran deal on Tuesday, a move that could determine the fate of the 2015 agreement that froze Irans nuclear program. The announcement is set to cap more than a year of deliberation and negotiation that has at time pitted the president against some of his closest aides and key American allies. Mr Trump is facing a self-imposed May 12 deadline over whether to uphold the 2015 nuclear agreement, which he has long criticised. He has signalled he will pull out of the pact by the deadline unless it is revised, but he faces intense pressure from European allies not to do so. I will be announcing my decision on the Iran Deal tomorrow from the White House at 2:00pm, Mr Trump tweeted on Monday. The president has been the subject of an intense lobbying effort by American allies to maintain the agreement, with British Foreign Minister Boris Johnson making a last-ditch appeal to the administration in a visit to Washington this week. European leaders say that they are open to negotiating a side agreement with Iran, but the existing framework must remain untouched for that to happen. Expand Close Iranian President Hassan Rouhani has spoken out in favour of keeping the pact (Iranian Presidency Office/AP) AP/PA Images / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Iranian President Hassan Rouhani has spoken out in favour of keeping the pact (Iranian Presidency Office/AP) It is not immediately clear what Mr Trump will announce or whether he will announce the end of the deal or push for a renegotiation. In October he decertified the deal with Iran, but did not move to re-impose sanctions, known as a snap-back. On Monday, Iranian President Hassan Rouhani said Iran would be willing not to abandon the nuclear deal even if the United States pulls out, providing the European Union offers guarantees that Iran would keep benefiting from the accord. Mr Rouhani said that what we want for the deal is that its preserved and guaranteed by the non-Americans a reference to other signatories of the 2015 agreement. Earlier on Monday, Mr Trump criticised John Kerry after reports that the former secretary of state has been promoting the Iran nuclear deal. He said on Twitter: The United States does not need John Kerrys possibly illegal Shadow Diplomacy on the very badly negotiated Iran Deal. He was the one that created this MESS in the first place! Mr Kerry, who was also the lead negotiators for the Obama administration on the Paris climate accord, has been promoting both agreements since he left office. The Boston Globe reported on Friday that Mr Kerry, the lead negotiator on the deal for the Obama administration, had been privately meeting with foreign officials to strategise on how to keep the US in the deal. Earlier this year Mr Justice O'Hara, who had chaired a lengthy inquiry into the deaths of five children in Northern Ireland hospitals, called for the introduction of a duty of candour because doctors and health managers were unwilling to admit to errors. The Catholic Church adopted a similar attitude over clerical sexual abuse and in his frank and wide-ranging interview with this newspaper, Catholic Primate Archbishop Eamon Martin admits that was a gross mistake. The medical professional could well learn from that error. Read More By trying to cover up the abuse and prevent it becoming public knowledge, the Church created another scandal which has continued to blight it. Archbishop Martin said the dark stain of abuse will continue to hang over the Church for the rest of his priesthood. When the Catholic hierarchy finally realised the folly of its ways on this issue, the damage was done. As the Archbishop acknowledges, there was the everlasting trauma of the victims of abuse, the shadow of doubt cast on good priests, the effect on the faithful and the impact on Church leaders. There is no doubt, though he does not mention it, that attendances at Church services have fallen quicker and further as a result of the abuse revelations, vocations have reduced, and the authority of the Church has been eroded. Yet Archbishop Martin is keen to put across the Church's view on what is effectively an abortion referendum in the Republic. He warns that if the vote to repeal the Eighth Amendment is successful, it could lead to a very liberal abortion regime. He is keen to point out this is not a Church versus State battle, but an argument that people should choose life over death. It is obvious that he welcomes a similar attitude as expressed by other denominations and Churches. The Archbishop would love Pope Francis to come to Northern Ireland during his visit to the Republic later this year, but said it is unlikely although he will continue to press for a visit at some stage. There is no doubt that it would be a welcome fillip for the Church and would also be welcomed by all those of good faith and none. A beleaguered Church needs all the help it can get and a Papal visit would be a great balm for it. Archbishop Martin believes in candour and his flock demands it. If there were more prelates like him, the Catholic Church might be in a much better position in Ireland today. Is it not ironic that the same person who chides arts organisations for being too dependent on public funding and who is quick to defend the swingeing cuts the Arts Council of Northern Ireland (ACNI) has had to make to the arts in recent weeks, secures public funding himself? That irony and the latest revelations in a long line regarding the current chairperson of the Arts Council of Northern Ireland and his relationship with his colleagues further undermines the ArtsMatterNI campaign's confidence in his tenure. John Edmund, the chairperson in question, does now concede that there is, indeed, a conflict of interest in his accepting an 18,000 contract from the Nerve Centre in Londonderry - an organisation in receipt of funding from the agency he leads. He admitted to the Belfast Telegraph that "a conflict of interest exists in that the Arts Council is a minor funder of the Nerve Centre". We welcome this clarification, because it was the main query of ArtsMattersNI's statement on the issue - though we would question whether the degree of funding should be a consideration at all. However, the information provided by the Belfast Telegraph raises more questions. The chair said: "I have declared that conflict and will not be part of any discussion that involves the Nerve Centre for one year after the conclusion of this assignment. "This is standard protocol." But the chair's declaration of what he now concedes to be a conflict of interest was only made weeks after starting the contract. Is this the correct operation of this protocol? The chair says it is standard protocol not to be part of any discussion involving the client. But has he not clearly ignored that same protocol by competing for a contract with a client of the Arts Council in the first place, while simultaneously presiding over funding discussions in which that same client had a considerable stake? Moreover, this position seems difficult to reconcile with his formal ACNI role. The Arts Council chairperson is supposed to preside over the strategic direction of arts policy and the destination of its funds. How can "absenting" oneself from policy and funding decisions due to a conflict of interest support this role sufficiently? Does it not defeat the purpose? Does the chairperson's post-dated declaration inspire any confidence in the adherence to protocols put in place to protect the probity of those funding decisions, for all organisations? The Department for Communities seems mistaken in its assessment of this conflict of interest as well - it is certainly at odds with Mr Edmund's own understanding. The department states that several other Arts Council members have made similar declarations of interest relating to work with organisations in receipt of Arts Council funding. However, the Arts Council register of interest says there is only one other paid role in a client organisation. This is a role taken on by an unpaid voluntary board member, not a remunerated chairperson. It is, therefore, incorrect to infer that this practice is common. And, from the date on the register, it appears evident that the volunteer board member declared the interest before the discussions around annual funding, therefore abiding by the protocol. In addition to protecting the probity of individuals in public service, conflict-of-interest management is normally devised to protect those organisations in receipt of, or making application for, public subvention. Conflict of interest policies and procedures are there to protect all of us. They should mean that we will not find ourselves compromised by inappropriate approaches, or worried about the consequences of making or refusing payments to someone we might depend on for financial backing. It may relate to assistance in kind, or even co-opting the profile of an organisation's reputation to influence an outcome. All of this needs to be sensitively and transparently managed. At a time of deep, disproportionate cuts to arts funding and with up to 43 such organisations asking for funding outcomes to be reviewed and explained, this sector deserves, at the very least, more empathy from the chairperson of its principal funder, including absolute transparency surrounding funding and procurement. As of now, after these cuts, every person living in Northern Ireland, citizen or subject, receives just one penny per day from voted-for funds (ie those monies coming from Government). That is not only the smallest amount per head in these islands, but it is less than half that enjoyed by people in the Republic of Ireland, Scotland, Wales or England. Against this mammoth disparity, we need the support of those charged with funding the sector at the very least. For a sector with over 6,000 jobs dependent on its survival year-on-year and projections of further cuts that the chairperson has left unchallenged, all this makes the arts in Northern Ireland perilously vulnerable and deeply demoralised. Every citizen here is being told that they are worth less in terms of arts access and participation - half as much as our nearest neighbours. People will be losing their jobs, communities their hard-won options. The chairperson would do well to consider his role and attitude in these insecure times. For the arts community generally, all but a handful of organisations have been pared back year after year, making themselves incredibly lean and efficient in their management of the scarce resource of funding. We have argued time and again that increased investment and parity of funding and support to the levels of the rest of our neighbours is required. For some now, that has almost immediate consequences; for others, a stay of execution, perhaps, or for the very few some additional funds that undoubtedly will not even match the aspirations and ambitions to which those organisations dedicate themselves. This chairperson's attitude toward his admitted conflict of interest, in the face of the sector's difficulties, is deeply insensitive and lacking leadership. Unsurprisingly, this only heaps insult on injury. This chairperson clearly understood that he had - rightly - to step down from his previous role with the Grand Opera House before assuming any responsibility at the Arts Council, which annually awards a substantial funding to the Opera House. He clearly stood down from a voluntary role at the Grand Opera House, yet went on to bid for and accept a paid role with another client? Furthermore, we would question whether the degree of funding should be a criterion for consideration when analysing if an action is a conflict of interest or not. Surely, it either isn't, or - as in this case, the chairperson concedes - it is, in fact, a conflict of interest? These revelations - added to the two votes of no confidence from his colleagues on the board of the Arts Council of Northern Ireland - further undermine the sector's confidence in the chairperson's tenure. Surely now, having seen, time and again, the way this current chairperson engages with his role and the sector, his position is wholly untenable. Conor Shields is convener of the ArtsMatterNI campaign group Sabah, Malaysia, Police Chief Ramli Din (fourth from left), shows a pistol allegedly used by one of the four suspects killed during a gun battle, May 8, 2018. Updated at 9:55 p.m. ET on 2018-05-08 Malaysian security forces shot dead four suspected members of a Filipino kidnap-for-ransom group during a gun battle Tuesday off the Borneo Island state of Sabah, officials said. The clash occurred after members of the Eastern Sabah Security Command (Esscom) and marine police intercepted a boat before dawn at about 9.6 nautical miles off the coast of Lahad Datu, a town on the eastern edge of the state. The suspects, in their 20s to 40s, then fired at the team, which forced the authorities to return fire in self-defense, Sabah Police Chief Ramli Din told a news conference. Ramli said two suspects were found dead in the boat and the bodies of two others were found floating nearby. Security forces were unharmed but a rifle round struck the left side of their boats bow, Ramli said. Ramli told BenarNews police are investigating to determine if the suspects had any links with militant groups, such as the Abu Sayyaf, in the southern Philippines. We are looking into whether they were pro-Islamic State (IS), Ramli said. The suspects did not carry identification cards and were believed to have used firearms that could have fallen into the water during the clash, he said. Authorities seized the boat, a 45-caliber Remington pistol, a 40 mm grenade and about three dozen rounds of ammunition for rifles, he said. The Abu Sayyaf, or Bearers of the Sword, has been engaged in banditry, kidnapping and bombings in and around Jolo and Basilan islands in the southwestern part of the Philippines since its inception in the early 1990s. In May 2017, a pro-IS faction of Abu Sayyaf led by Isnilon Hapilon, led a siege of the southern Philippine city of Marawi. More than 1,200 people, mostly militants, were killed in a battle that ended in October. A Malaysian army officer casts his ballot in Kuala Lumpur during early voting in the 14th general election, May 5, 2018. Observers from nine Asian countries are on the ground for Malaysias general election, according to the Election Commission, which earlier barred the national human rights agency from monitoring what the opposition has branded as a dirty vote. The 25 foreign observers national election commissioners from Indonesia, Thailand, Cambodia, India, Pakistan, the Maldives, Azerbaijan, Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan were taken on Tuesday to see a vote-counting center in Putrajaya, Malaysias administrative capital near Kuala Lumpur, officials said. Every one of these observers are the persons who are involved in the elections in their own country. They asked plenty of questions and are very keen to oversee our [election] tomorrow, Othman Mahmood, the ECs deputy chairman said, according to state-run news service Bernama. The purpose of inviting these foreign observers is to prove the transparency of the election process and we are able to get feedback from them to improve the management of the elections in the future, he added. More than 1,200 people representing a host of local groups also will be stationed as observers of Malaysias 14th general election (GE14), the EC said. Among the groups sending observers to polling places are the Malaysian Youth Council (MBM), the Kota Bharu Peoples Organization (OKB), the Vision Voters Organization of Malaysia and local universities, according to a list from the commission. However, no western nations are represented among the foreign observers. Press officers at the American and British embassies in Kuala Lumpur declined requests from BenarNews to comment on why their countries were not sending observers to monitor the Malaysian polls. Separately, EC member K. Bala Singam declined interview requests from BenarNews. Entrusted by the King In late April, the nations human rights commission (Suhakam) announced that the EC had rejected its application to accredit its observers for the polls. In a statement the following day, the EC said it did not need Suhakams services, explaining that it had approved enough observers for the polls. [T]he involvement of Suhakam as election observers is not needed because the EC has invited independent and foreign observers to observe the 14th general election, the EC said on April 27. At the same time the law also provides the rights of all candidates and contesting parties to appoint their agents as the observers in the election process, said the statement, which was attributed to EC Chairman Mohd Hashim Abdullah. As a free and fair body with integrity, entrusted by the King to manage the general election, EC will ensure [that] every GE14 process conducted by 250,000 public members will be carried out in a fair and transparent manner without pressure and interference from any party, he said, referring to the number of volunteers and poll workers expected to be on hand Wednesday. Suhakam officials, nonetheless, have vowed to send a team of 50 officials and volunteers to observe voting in hotly contested constituencies, including Kuala Lumpur and Selangor and Kelantan states. Opposition leader Mahathir Mohamad told Agence France-Presse last month that the May 9 election would be the dirtiest ever held in Malaysia, citing changes to the electoral map and other measures. Of course the opposition invariably complains about the election but this time around it is so obvious that even members of the governing party ... are very unhappy, he was quoted as saying. Doubts about accredited observers Meanwhile, some analysts and watchdog groups questioned the role that the officially invited foreign observers could play in helping guarantee a clean vote come Election Day. With such a short trip, they look more like just visitors to endorse the EC. Also, neither the Thai [delegation] nor the Maldivian one has much credibility. Both countries are not democracies, Wong Chin Huat, an analyst at the Penang Institute, a local think-tank, told BenarNews. Mandeep Singh, a manager for Bersih 2.0, a grassroots group that advocates for free and fair elections in Malaysia, echoed that comment. Our position is that these people are not observers, but merely visitors. It is clear that they came here under [an] invitation from the Malaysian government. Its a government-to-government program so they are doing it just as a courtesy to the caretaker government, Singh told BenarNews. Proper monitoring takes six, three, or at least one month prior to the actual balloting day. Its not enough just witnessing the ballots being cast. Actual monitoring needs to look into the entire election process, he added. He also questioned the impartiality of some of the local observers approved by the EC. [W]ho are these people and these organizations? What have they done in regards to elections? Majlis Belia Malaysia [the Malaysian Youth Council], for example, has been seen campaigning for BN, he said, referring to the ruling Barisan Nasional coalition. How is it possible for election monitors to be campaigning for a candidate at the same time? Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte greets Tourism Secretary Wanda Teo prior to the start of a cabinet meeting at the Malacanang presidential palace in Manila, May 7, 2018. President Rodrigo Duterte has accepted the resignation of his tourism secretary who was embroiled in a controversial multimillion-peso advertising deal, the second member of his cabinet to quit in as many months, the government said Tuesday. Dutertes spokesman, Harry Roque, said Tourism Secretary Wanda Teo tendered her resignation late Monday, days after the Commission on Audit said in a report that her brothers program on government television cornered state advertisements worth 60 million pesos (about U.S. $1.2 million). Teo had sought to distance herself from the controversy, saying she was not involved in the deal. But documents provided by the state auditor showed that she had ordered that the ads be placed on her brothers block-timer TV slot. Her brothers who operated the program, Ben and Erwin, had initially denied any wrongdoing, but on Monday said they would return the funds. Yes, she has resigned and it was accepted, Roque told BenarNews, adding that the state ombudsman has also said that an investigation to prosecute Teo was also being carried out. In its report, the Commission on Audit said the Tulfos media company received ad buys from the government that were not supported by proper documents, including a certificate of performance as mandated by law. Her lawyer, Ferdinand Topacio, confirmed that Teo talked to Duterte Monday evening before the start of a regular cabinet meeting. "Her decision to leave her position was made after a long and deliberate reflection and soul-searching with respect to the events that have transpired the past few weeks," Topacio said. Teos resignation came a month after Duterte fired justice secretary Vitaliano Aguirre, the top government defender of the presidents drug war that has left thousands dead. Tindig Pilipinas, an anti-corruption civic organization, hailed Dutertes swift decision about Teo, but said the government must file cases against erring officials. It is not enough that he fires his cabinet member or any administration employee for the convenient reason of quelling public anger, the group said Tuesday. Governance demands that cases be filed by anti-corruption commission that he formed against all the actors in this corrupt and nepotistic arrangement that was kept a secret, were it not for the brave souls of the Commission on Audit, it said. Both Teo and Aguirre, it said, should face the music, with the latter made to answer for his corrupt orchestration to clear all the alleged drug lords despite crucial witness accounts and confession. Aguirre resigned in April after a panel of state prosecutors dismissed drug charges against businessman Peter Lim and Kerwin Espinosa, a man whom Duterte had described as among the top drug lords in the central Philippines. Espinosas father, local town mayor Rolando Espinosa, surrendered to clear his name last year. But he was killed in a shootout that he started, according to police, when authorities came to his jail to serve him a search warrant. The younger Espinosa went into hiding, but police said he was later caught in the United Arab Emirates. He had admitted to being a drug trafficker during a public inquiry at the Senate and had also testified against Sen. Leila de Lima, Dutertes arch critic who was detained for allegedly receiving funds from drug lords to finance her senatorial campaign. De Lima has denied the allegations. Felipe Villamor in Msnila contributed to this report. Members of a Muslim family pose outside the ruins of what used to be their home in the southern Philippine city of Marawi, May 8, 2018. A suspected pro-Islamic State (IS) sniper who was among at least 150 militants who escaped when troops ended the siege of the southern Philippine city of Marawi has been arrested in the capital Manila, police said Tuesday. Police announced the capture of Unday Macadato, an alleged sniper of the Maute terror group, as a military official said at least 21 pro-IS militants have surrendered since the military recaptured Marawi in October last year after five months of ferocious gun battles. He is alleged to be a sniper in the Marawi siege, Metropolitan Manila police chief Camilo Cascolan said, referring to Macadato. Cascolan said the suspect, who was in the governments list of terrorists, was arrested Monday after police received a complaint from a civilian about a person displaying an unknown caliber of firearm and threatening bystanders and his neighbors. Police promptly went to the site, arrested Macadato and discovered that he was a member of the Maute group. Authorities filed charges against Macadato after he was caught in possession of a .45-caliber handgun and a grenade, Cascolan said. On Feb. 27 this year, the United States declared the Maute group as a Specially Designated Global Terrorist, allowing Washington to block any assets that the militants may have in American jurisdictions and preventing U.S. citizens from making financial transactions with them. Twenty-one suspected militants, mostly hardliners who belonged to a faction loyal to the Maute group, have surrendered since January, Lt. Col. Romeo Brawner, deputy chief of the military in Marawi, told reporters Tuesday. The suspects had managed to escape from Marawi weeks after the siege was declared over with the deaths of their leaders Isnilon Hapilon and Omarkhayam Maute, who were killed in a hail of gunfire in October, Brawner said. The group was said to have escaped along with Humam Abdul Najib, alias Abu Dar, believed to be a cousin of Omarkhayam. Najib is still at large. The good development is that many have surrendered. They were hardliners in-charge of the recruitment, Brawner said, adding that there were still at least 150 fighters and sympathizers hiding in the southern region. They are currently doing trainings in remote areas. They want to remain in the province of Lanao because its their comfort zone, he said, referring to the mountainous area near Marawi Hapilon led his group in taking over Marawi, displacing its 200,000 residents in violence never before seen in recent Philippine history. Aided by the Maute gang, and fighters from Southeast Asia and the Middle East, Hapilon sought to make Marawi the Islamic seat of power in the predominantly Catholic Philippines, which has grappled with militancy for years. But Philippine forces, backed by intelligence help from longtime allies the United States and Australia, pushed back the militants and engaged them in vicious street-by-street battles. At least 1,200 people died in the fighting, mostly militants. The entire southern island of Mindanao remains under military rule until December this year, with President Rodrigo Duterte saying that scores of fighters had escaped and remain a threat in the region. Felipe Villamor in Manila and Richel V. Umel in Marawi City, Philippines, contributed to this story. Moncks Corner, SC (29461) Today Cloudy skies. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. High around 80F. Winds light and variable.. Tonight Partly cloudy skies this evening will become overcast overnight. Slight chance of a rain shower. Low 68F. Winds light and variable. The WHO says that this could help prevent sepsis, a potentially life-threatening disease that effects almost 30 million people globally, every year. The World Health Organization (WHO) has asked the South East Asian Region, including India, to promote the practice of good hand hygiene. The WHO says that this could help prevent sepsis, a potentially life-threatening disease that effects almost 30 million people globally, every year. The WHOs South Asian Region consists of Bangladesh, Bhutan, Democratic Peoples Republic of Korea, India, Indonesia, Maldives, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Thailand, and Timor-Leste. WHO Regional Director of South East Asia, Dr Poonam Khetrapal Singh, said that promoting hand hygiene is the most cost-effective way of enhancing safety and quality of healthcare. The organization has suggested a 5 step method to promoting hand hygiene. This five-step formula requires health workers to wash their hands using an alcohol-based product for 20-30 seconds, or soap and water for 40-60 seconds, before touching a patient, before clean or aseptic procedures, after exposure to bodily fluids, after touching a patient, and after touching patient's surroundings. The plan is to provide oral vaccinations, which has begun in four districts in Aden targeting 350,000 people. The first vaccine campaign against cholera in Yemen has been started by the World Health Organization (WHO), a year and a half after an epidemic was triggered by war and a health and sanitation crisis. There have since been more than one million suspected cases of cholera in Yemen, and 2,275 recorded deaths, the WHO says. This disease that is spread by faeces in sewage contaminating water or food, is to be treated through an oral vaccination campaign, which began in four districts in Aden on Sunday targeting 350,000 people. Before this, in July 2017, the International Coordinating Group on Vaccine Provision - which manages a global stockpile - earmarked one million cholera vaccines for Yemen. But the WHO and local authorities together had to scrap a vaccination plan on logistical and technical grounds LANXESS has closely worked with government and local communities to conduct various CSR initiatives in the field of Health and Education. LANXESS India Private Limited, the leading specialty chemicals company reaffirmed its commitment to the region by supporting five schools in Jhagadia with interactive e-learning tools in a major push for quality education infrastructure. This followed the companys efforts of improving the infrastructure facilities of two municipal schools Anganwadi School, Fulwadi and Secondary school in Selod. Over the past years, LANXESS has closely worked with government and local communities to conduct various CSR initiatives in the field of Health and Education. LANXESS believes that it is their inherent responsibility to support education as it is among the necessary building blocks for any developing country. In 2017 2018, the company initiated key CSR outreach projects in Jhagadia and its surrounding region for providing better education. LANXESS contributed towards upgradation of the municipal schools by providing best in class infrastructure and amenities. The company announced the completion of its CSR projects in an event which was held on the 3rd of May, 2018 in the presence of Utpal Kachchhi, Head-Site Infrastructure, LANXESS Jhagadia and Sunder Rajan, Head CSR, LANXESS India. LANXESS took strong steps to integrate technology into the education system and supported the digital classroom initiative by installing interactive e-learning tools in five schools in Jhagadia namely Fulwadi Primary school, Kapalsadi Primary school, Kapalsadi government secondary school, Selod Primary school and St.Xaviers High school, Gujarati. The e-learning tools will help in familiarizing students with the technological advances in education that the students from urban regions enjoy. These tools have pre-loaded content for students that are mapped with the education board. They are loaded with virtual activities like 2D and 3D graphics, voice overs and interactive content among others and helps the students as well as the teachers in explaining and understanding basic concepts.This project is in line with LANXESS vision of a digital future and also finds resonance with the current governments focus on creating a digitally empowered nation. In Fulwadi and Selod, LANXESS undertook initiatives to renovate the school building and play area for children and incorporated various facilities like watercoolers, ceiling fans, toilet blocks, repairing of school gate and painting the boundary walls among others. Why Goddess Tulsi Was Married To Darika Demon? Faith Mysticism oi-Renu Tulsi is considered one of the most sacred plants in Hinduism. It is highly auspicious during the worship of Lord Vishnu and Lord Krishna. It is believed that if Tulsi is planted in a house, it ensures the continuous flow of peace and prosperity. Along with its auspiciousness, Tulsi is also known for its health benefits. However, there is one God, in the worship of whom, Tulsi is abandoned. And this God is Lord Ganesha, who is worshiped before every other deity. Read on to know the real reasons behind these facts. Lord Ganesha was once meditating besides the river Yamuna. Goddess Tulsi, the personification of the Basil or the Tulsi plants, was passing from there. When she saw Lord Ganesha , she expressed the desire to marry him. Lord Ganesha denied the offer, though very humbly. However, enraged by this, Goddess Tulsi cursed Lord Ganesha that he will have to marry twice. In return, Lord Ganesha cursed her back that she will have to marry a demon. And that she would be never be invited during the worship of Lord Ganesha. ( Why Lord Ganesha Likes Modaka) Goddess Tulsi soon felt bad about it and asked Lord Ganesha to forgive her. Ganesha's heart soon melted and he blessed her that despite being married to a demon, she would be considered highly necessary for the worship of Lord Vishnu ad Lord Krishna and would be highly dear to these deities. This is the reason why Tulsi is worshiped in association to Lord Vishnu and his incarnations. However, the Tulsi plant can not be used during the worship of Lord Ganesha. Now, the question arises what happened after the curse? Well, here is the answer. There was a demon named Dambha. He got a son as a blessing from Lord Vishnu. This boy was named Shankhchoorh. Shankhchoorh took deep penance and worshiped Lord Brahma. When pleased by his devotion, Lord Brahma appeared before him, he asked the Lord to grant him the blessing that no body, not even the Gods, should be able to defeat him. Lord Brahma told him to go to the Badrivan, and marry Tulsi, who was meditating there. It is believed that when Shankhchoorh went there, he fell in love with Goddess Tulsi. Lord Brahma, then himself, went there and conducted their Gandharva Vivaah. Upon becoming the husband of Tulsi, this demon became even more powerful. However, as is the nature of a demon, pride started coming his way. And there was one day, that out of pride, he started fighting battles with Gods and defeating them. Tired by his attitude, all the Gods, appeared before Lord Vishnu, in Baikuntha and asked him for help. Lord Vishnu told them that the only way to kill the demon was with the trident of Lord Shiva. But to their surprise, the moment Lord Shiva tried to attack him, they heard a divine voice proclaiming that the demon can not be killed until the Kavach given to him by Lord Vishnu is not taken back, and till the time Goddess Tulsi is a Sati. Lord Vishnu then took the form of an old Brahmin and went to Shankhchoorh. He asked Shankhachoorh for his Kavach. Shankchoorh, not wanting the Brahmin to go empty handed from his house, handed him the Kavach. Now, Lord Vishnu disguised as Shankchvhoorh went to Goddess Tulsi. She at first thought that he was her husband, the real Shankhchoorh, but the moment she touched him she came to know that he was someone else in his form. She cursed Lord Vishnu that he would be transformed into a stone. However, her chastity had been destroyed merely by the touch. Since she had been a devotee of Lord Vishnu and had been meditating just to attain the Supreme Lord, Lord Vishnu told her that the time had come when she should achieve the Supreme Power whom she had worshiped all her life. Therefore, he transformed her into a river. He named the river Gandaki, which now flows in Nepal. A Brandon business was robbed at knifepoint in the early hours of Tuesday morning. Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 8/5/2018 (1248 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. Advertisement Advertise With Us A Brandon business was robbed at knifepoint in the early hours of Tuesday morning. At about 1 a.m., police responded to a call from an employee in the 800 block of First Street. Brandon Police Service The employee told police that a suspect selected $350 worth of merchandise and brought the items to the till. The suspect then pulled a knife and demanded money. The suspect didnt get any cash but fled the business with the merchandise. An attempt to track the suspect with the K-9 unit was unsuccessful. Police are looking for a man between 25 to 35 years old. He was wearing a dark-coloured hooded sweater. Police continue to investigate. The Brandon Sun Famous for the Apple and Ireland tax ruling, Margrethe Vestager, the EU competition boss, is tipped to be Commission head, says Ronan Dunne. Dubbed the most powerful woman in Brussels, Margrethe Vestager has made her mark as the EUs Competition Commissioner. A multi-billion euro fine imposed on Google for abuse of dominance, in the summer of 2017, has cemented her position, in addition to well-publicised findings of illegal state aid to behemoths like Apple, Amazon, Fiat, and Starbucks. This former Danish deputy prime minister has become Emmanuel Macrons favourite to succeed Jean-Claude Juncker, when the latter steps down as European Commission president next year. Expect Commissioner Vestager to keep a high profile in the lead-up to the Commissions presidential election. This will likely mean continued headline-grabbing competition law-enforcement, as well as other measures that Irish businesses and multinationals need to be aware of. One such suggested measure is the recently mooted digital tax. Ms Vestager flagged this towards the end of 2017, when she said the EU would develop new tax rules to govern the digital economy, if theres no international answer to this issue. She believes European tax systems are too focused on a companys physical assets and are now playing catch-up with the digital economy. As a result, domestic digital businesses pay less than half the effective tax rate of their offline equivalents, she says. The recently announced proposals focusing on taxing technology businesses on their turnover, as opposed to their profits. While the measure is backed by Macron and France, it has been met with a cold reception in Ireland and by some other member states, so its unlikely to be enacted any time soon. Following on the digital theme, Ms Vestager has also emphasised how businesses use our data. She wants this to be done responsibly so we can be sure that [technology businesses] will respect our basic right to privacy. Ms Vestager acknowledges that new ways of collecting and working with data have huge potential to improve our lives. But she believes this will only happen if people have confidence that their data will be safe. With the roll-out of the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), this month, Ms Vestager sees this as the right moment to push forward more competition enforcement in the digital economy to ensure we have diverse online markets in Europe, where companies compete not just to cut prices, but to protect our privacy better. Ms Vestager says this will extend to ensuring that compliance with competition rules is built into digital businesses algorithms by design. More generally, businesses can expect to pay higher fines under Commissioner Vestager, if theyre involved in any form of cartel or anti-competitive arrangement. Thats the finding of analysis conducted by comparing the first three years of Ms Vestagers reign with that of her predecessor, Joaquin Almunia. Ms Vestagers fines per company were, on average, twice as high as those of her predecessor. There are some factors to explain the increase, like the multi-billion euro fines levied on participants in the trucks cartel. But its also clear that Ms Vestager is not afraid to hit companies where it hurts in their pockets. Thats the signal shes sent out, since taking up her role, in November, 2014. And expect to see that trend continue, until her mandate finishes in late 2019. Given the decisions taken during her tenure against each of the Gafa Google, Apple, Facebook, and Amazon the four most powerful American technology companies as well as consumer institutions like Starbucks and, most recently, Qualcomm, Commissioner Vestager has been unsurprisingly accused of disproportionately targeting US businesses for anti-trust scrutiny. Indeed, Apple boss, Tim Cook, called the state aid finding against his business as total political crap. But Ms Vestager has always made it clear that she will go where her competition-law mandate pushes her to investigate. So, weve seen action taken against the likes of Fiat, and, towards the end of 2017, the Commission opened an investigation into the tax affairs of one of Europes, if not the worlds, largest retailers, Ikea. The focus of this ongoing investigation is a number of Dutch tax rulings, allegedly in Ikeas favour. Founded in Sweden, but now with its headquarters in the Netherlands, Ikea would be a very prominent European scalp for Ms Vestager. This year started with a bang, as Commissioner Vestager levied close to a 1bn fine on Qualcomm for abuse of dominance. With, among others, additional Google investigations close to completion, 2018 will continue to be a very busy year for Ms Vestager, particularly if she has her eyes on the bigger prize of the European Commission presidency in 2019. So, expect to see lots of competition-law enforcement, high fines, and plenty of press coverage over the next year and a half, as we approach the late 2019 election. Ronan Dunne is partner and head of competition, regulated markets and EU law, at law firm, Philip Lee. By Kyran Fitzgerald All the signs point to a continued tightening in Irelands labour market, in the urban centres in particular. But are employers adapting quickly enough? Foreign-owned companies created 20,000 jobs last year in the Republic, while the IDA reports that more of its client base wants a presence outside the capital. 210,000 people were employed by foreign companies at the end of 2017. Demand for professionals is increasingly outstripping supply, and this demand is particularly high in financial services, pharmaceuticals, human resources, construction, and, of course, information technology. The ripple effects have been spreading across much of the rest of the economy. In a recent blog post, the managing director of Hays Ireland, Simon Winfield, wrote that a staggering 98% of employers say they have experienced skills shortages, and many say the shortages affect productivity. And some firms report increases in absenteeism, because of workplace stress caused by pressure to fulfil contracts. In its survey, Hays appears to have discovered a large gap in worldview between management and the workforce. Half of employers consider that staff have unrealistic salary expectations, yet a quarter of employees plan to leave their current job. So, have Irish employers been caught napping? There is evidence that firms are adapting. In the past, the arrival of multinationals sucked labour away from indigenous firms and led to the bidding-up of wages. SMEs found it difficult to compete with multinationals. According to Morgan McKinley, Irish-owned firms are holding their own in the marketplace. This is because more firms are ambitious and innovative. A new indigenous technology cluster is emerging in areas such as IT and biotechnology. https://t.co/GAe0nrJvdm A review of the demand for tax talent from MNCs, SMEs and smaller practices and boutique tax firms in Q1 2018 plus the most in-demand, highest paying roles. Morgan McKinley IRE (@MMKIreland) May 3, 2018 One interesting development is the rise in the use of contractors across a wide range of professional jobs. Recruiter, HRM, reports that two-fifths of all scientific professionals want to work as contractors, rather than on the permanent payroll. Some are working as fixed-term contractors, having received an up-front fee, while others are paid a daily rate. With uncertainty regarding the future, particularly in areas exposed to a possible hard Brexit, the advantages of using contractors can be significant. Experienced contractors can be a breath of fresh air. But many organisations are not getting the most out of their workforce, particularly not from their permanent workers. Some time ago, the Harvard Business Review highlighted the huge gaps in US companies approach to the training of staff. The article, by David Smith, cited a survey by consultancy, Accenture. It found that a majority of respondents felt under pressure to acquire new skills, but only a fifth said the company had helped them to gain any in the previous five years. The author concluded that management should be designing more flexible career paths, so that they can more easily deploy existing staff to roles in most demand. He approved of the way Hilton Worldwide hotel chain had gathered extensive details on employee skills, everything from languages to community activities. These databases were drawn on when skills were being matched with demand in the organisation. When recruiting, the group pays less attention to the specific skill sets and qualifications of candidates, preferring to attract strong generalists, who can then be trained. Work has also been redesigned to better match the skills available. Such approaches may not commend themselves to recruiters. There is evidence, however, that employers can ease the pressure by using their imagination to better harness the talent already on the books. By using their employees more effectively, they may also increase the chances that staff dont quit for other jobs, thereby saving many thousands of euros. By Thomas Mulier and Corinne Gretler In the third-biggest transaction in Nestles 152-year history, the Swiss food giant will spend almost 6bn for the right to market Starbucks products from beans to capsules. Nestle wont get any physical assets in the deal. Instead, chief executive Mark Schneider is harnessing the name recognition of Starbucks, with its 28,000 outlets around the globe and massive draw in the US. Nestle has struggled there for years with its own products like Nespresso and Dolce Gusto. Nestle could use a jolt sales rose at their weakest pace in more than two decades last year. By entering a marketing pact with Starbucks, the Swiss company is revealing the limits to growing with Nescafe and Nespresso. Nestle needed a big brand, and they needed one fast, said Alain Oberhuber, an analyst at MainFirst Bank in Zurich. Starbucks is the only strong brand in roast-and-ground. Its a rather defensive move a bit late but nevertheless, a strategically absolutely vital step, he said. Nestle shares rose 1.25% in Zurich. Its shares are unchanged in the past year. Nestles Nespresso portioned-coffee business is one of its largest growth engines, but knockoff capsules including Starbucks-branded ones that are compatible with the machines have dented revenue. The new deal will give the Swiss company control of Starbucks capsules, among other products. It comes as Nestles Nescafe brand of instant coffees has lost market share in four of the past five years, according to Euromonitor. Starbucks is the second-most-valuable brand in fast food, according to BrandZs Global 2017 report, which estimates it is worth 36.8bn. Nestle has been struggling to gain market share in the US, given the prevalence of Starbucks and Green Mountain, which was bought out by Europes billionaire Reimann family. Their Jab Holding has spent more than 25bn building a coffee empire by acquiring assets and combining with the Mondelez coffee business. Jab is the biggest danger for Nestle. The Nestle-Starbucks alliance comes just as Jab purchases Dr Pepper Snapple for 15.6bn. - Bloomberg Not long after US authorities filed sealed charges against Volkswagens old chief executive, they granted the new CEO a rare safe-passage deal. The Justice Department agreement allows Herbert Diess, promoted last month to lead the German car-maker, to travel the world without fear of being arrested in connection with the USs diesel-rigging investigation. Mr Diess also received a spoken assurance that he would be given advance notice, should prosecutors seek to charge him in its emissions-cheating probe. Mr Diess, who joined the car-maker a couple months before the scandal became public in September, 2015, isnt accused of wrongdoing. The agreement makes it possible for Mr Diess to effectively run the sprawling, 12-brand behemoth, which has 120 factories across the world. As CEO, one of his primary tasks will be hopping around the globe to represent the firm at major events, such as car shows, plant openings, and new-model releases. The deal was approved after the former CEO, Martin Winterkorn, was indicted, under seal, in March. The charges against Mr Winterkorn, who would face arrest if he travels to the US, were made public on May 3. The Justice Department agreement suggests that Mr Diess has some concern about potential scrutiny by US authorities, or at least wanted extra insurance against being detained during his frequent travels. Volkswagen pushed back last week, against a US House of Representatives request for Mr Diess to testify about the companys efforts to address diesel-cheating. Former prosecutors and criminal defence lawyers described the deal as unusual. They said it could imply that the US believes it wont charge Mr Diess, or that he may be providing useful information. Mr Diess spent more than two decades in the German car business, including at Robert Bosch and BMW. As a fresh recruit at VW, he participated in a routine damage table meeting on July 27, 2015, in Wolfsburg, where emissions irregularities in the US were explained to managers, according to a 2016 company statement. - Bloomberg By John Whelan Even more disruption looms for Irelands agri-food exporters who have traditionally supplied the UKs food processors and supermarket chains. The retail market was worth many billions last year and has for many years been the main market for food producers stretching from Lakelands dairy products and Kerrygold butter to smaller producers such as Keohane Seafood, Brodericks handmade cakes, and ODonnells Crisps. The announcement that Sainsbury, the second largest British supermarket, plans to acquire Asda for 8.3bn is a bombshell to suppliers who fear that it will ignite a price war in the wider market. Merging retailers have in the past claimed the benefits of purchasing power, cutting costs and higher profits. The quickest way to do all of those things is to demand lower prices from suppliers. And the early signs are that cost-cutting could be more bloody this time, as the combined market share of Sainsbury and Asda will leapfrog the current market leader Tesco which has struggled to fight off the discounters Aldi and Lidl and regain investor confidence following its 2014 accounting scandal. The market leader will not easily give up its dominant position and will enter the fray with its own bout of price cutting. Irish suppliers will be particularly worried as they have been struggling with a weak sterling which has eroded margins since the Brexit vote. There is ample evidence that sterling could weaken further in the event of the UK exiting the EU without a comprehensive free trade deal, eroding the margins of the Irish agri-food suppliers further. There is also a serious risk that Theresa Mays rhetoric of taking back control will be used as an excuse for abandoning the EUs strict EU food safety and quality standards in favour of lower standards. Theresa May Food costs have been rising in the UK following the weakening of sterling. Reversing this, and achieving a low-cost food regime could offer a visible win for an embattled British prime minister and the pro-Brexit members of her cabinet. One source of cheap foodstuff could be the US. Some seeking a hard Brexit anticipate the UK will become an importer of cheaper mass-produced US food. Tesco, as well as a combined Sainsbury-Asda, would have the scale to import and market a wide range of food products from the US. Moreover, US president Donald Trumps administration is actively trying to widen the gap between the US food safety regime with that of the EU, with the collaboration of members of the US Congress and powerful sections of the US food industry. The UK authorities could negotiate a trade deal with the US that opens the UK market up for US beef, milk, dairy products, and GM foods. An indicator of how policy can quickly change is the recent shift by Sainsbury which once was firmly committed to Fairtrade, to looking at its own commercial Fairtrade policy. Tesco also announced it will replace its Fairtrade coffee and replace it with its own-label rainforest certified coffee. The other major issue for Irish food suppliers, if the UK leaves the EU, is the issue of tariffs. Tariffs are taxes imposed when a food crosses a border. A hard Brexit would mean UK food receiving tariffs of 22% according to the British Retail Consortium. The UK imports about a third of its food from within the EU, Ireland being the second largest source; if these supply routes are subject to 22% tariffs, there will be serious consequences. Many Irish suppliers fear this will be done at their expense with many potentially forced out of the business. John Whelan is a leading consultant on Irish trade and business. By Tom Tuite A judge has compared the crimes of a 15-year-old burglar who threw a knife at a home owner and threatened to come back and shoot him to a gangster movie. The Dublin boy took part in two house burglaries immediately after he was released from a Garda station. In another incident he smashed up three cars after being dropped at the scene and afterwards was collected by an adult accomplice, the Dublin Childrens Court. Judge John OConnor praised investigating gardai who had obtained DNA evidence and CCTV footage in connection with the incidents. The boy, who cannot be named because he is a minor, pleaded guilty to offences at houses in Terenure in south Dublin on the morning of Dec. 1 last at Derravaragh Road and nearby Hazelbrook Drive. The teenager had been released from Terenure Garda station at 5.19am and then carried out a series of offences in close proximity to that station. Garda Ian Dempsey told the court the burglary at Derravaragh Road happened at 6.35 am when the boy and a co-accused gained entry to a house before they proceeded into the kitchen and living area. They took a number of items including a laptop, a mobile phone, a kitchen knife and some prescription medication. Garda Dempsey said when the home owner confronted them the boy, threatened that he would come back and shoot him. At this point by his own admission in interview he admitted throwing a kitchen knife at the home owner whilst absconding, Garda Dempsey said. The court heard that at 7.38am the teenager tried to gain entry to a house at Hazelbrook Drive and took an envelope containing 17 which was found discarded at another house in the area which also had its front door letterbox damaged that morning. Defence barrister Alison Fynes asked the court to note that no physical injuries were caused to anyone and that the teenager had been under the influence of substances. The Garda agreed with counsel that the boy the teenager was co-operative when arrested. The boy also pleaded guilty to criminally damaging three cars on a date last November at Goldenbridge Industrial Estate. The court was shown CCTV evidence of the boy smashing in windows in the cars causing 785 worth of damage. Investigating Garda Nicola Gorman agreed the teen had been under the influence of an older male who had driven to the location and dropped the boy there and then collected him later. The boys DNA was recovered from one of the vandalised cars and was also on a discarded package taken during the burglaries. Judge OConnor noted the involvement of an older male and remarked that some adult offenders believed they could use children to do their dirty work, which he described as abhorrent, and that they would get a light sentence. This looks like something from a gangster movie, it is awful, he said. The teenager spoke briefly during the hearing to confirm he understood the charges and that he was not seeking a trial by jury. Judge John OConnor adjourned the case for three weeks for a pre-sentence probation to be prepared. The teen was accompanied to court by his mother. At an earlier bail hearing she had told the court her son had been hanging around with much older people, adults involved in drugs. British soldiers would not be protected from prosecution for offences during the Troubles under draft UK Government proposals expected to be drawn up soon. Thousands were killed or injured during 30 years of violence in the North, most by paramilitaries but a significant number at the hands of security forces members. Senior British MPs had urged a statute of limitation which would prevent anyone from facing trial for offences that happened during the conflict, including former servicemen and paramilitaries. Victims' representatives, Sinn Fein, the DUP and the Irish Government voiced concerns. Over the last year, the concept of an amnesty has gained traction among a number of Westminster backbenchers, who claim recent prosecutions of former British soldiers are tantamount to a "witch-hunt". Prosecutors and police in the North insist such allegations simply do not stand up to scrutiny, with a breakdown of figures showing no disproportionate focus on ex-security force members. Mechanisms to deal with the conflict legacy were agreed by Northern politicians in the 2014 Stormont House Agreement; an amnesty was not among them. The agreed proposals, including a new independent investigatory unit, a truth recovery body and an oral archive, are on ice due to a small number of outstanding disputes. Amid a political impasse on implementing the new structures - part of a wider political malaise preventing the re-establishment of devolved power-sharing at Stormont - former Northern Ireland secretary James Brokenshire had proposed conducting a consultation exercise to establish the wider public's view. In the House of Commons recently, senior Conservative, Defence Committee chairman Julian Lewis said it would be a "retrograde step" if the legacy consultation did not consider a statute of limitations proposal. DUP leader Arlene Foster has urged the UK Government to take forward a meaningful consultation. - PA By Pat Flynn A diver has been airlifted from Cork to a hospital in Northern Ireland this afternoon. It is understood the diver is suffering from decompression sickness also known as the bends. The diver was reported to be showing symptoms of the bends after completing a dive in the Union Hall area of Cork at around 1pm. The Shannon-based Irish Coast Guard helicopter - Rescue 115 - was requested to airlift the casualty to hospital. The diver was brought ashore at Union Hall where the helicopter was able to land in a field close to the pier. The helicopter crew was initially expected to fly the patient to a specialist hyperbaric chamber at Galway University Hospital. However, soon after leaving the scene, the crew was advised they would have to fly the diver to Craigavon in Northern Ireland. The helicopter crew returned to Shannon Airport to refuel before departing for Craigavon at around 3.20pm. The HSE has been asked to confirm why the casualty was not taken to the hyperbaric chamber at Galway University Hospital. A comment is awaited. The Irish Coast Guard has said the mission is still ongoing so no further details are available. A new state-funded 'drink link' bus will service 50 rural communities across Ireland. The bus service will transport rural residents to and from their local pubs between June and December in a bid to tackle rural isolation. People can also book a place on one of 30 new flexible routes to be brought to and from social events, such as a game of bingo or bridge, or to the pub. The scheme will serve 19 counties including Kerry, Cork, Waterford, Kildare, Wexford and Monaghan and will operate predominately at weekends from 6pm to 11pm. The service will be state-subsidised and will operate as an extension as to Local Link service. It will cost the government around 450,000. The pilot programme will run for six months before each route is assessed. Minister for Transport Shane Ross "I think it will probably continue after that," Minister for Transport Shane Ross told RTE's Morning Ireland today. We've got 50 applications for routes, we've accepted every single route so they're all going to be tried. "Some probably won't survive, some probably will. We may extend the routes, particularly to those counties which haven't yet applied, so it'll vary. It's a very sophisticated, very difficult thing to manage but we're determined that rural Ireland shall benefit from this. Critics of the service say its timing deliberately coincides with strict new drink driving laws putting first time offenders off the road. Minister Ross says it is just a coincidence. "We had a series of meetings with representatives of rural Ireland last year on the issue of social rural isolation and it is a very serious problem independently of the drink-driving bill. They are running in parallel but the drink-driving bill will go ahead and this will go ahead but totally independently. The Irish Countrywomens Association (ICA) has welcomed the announcement of the extension of evening and night-time transport services in rural Ireland and called on the Minister to expand the scheme to include day time services. "The ICA is confident that this initiative will prove that these additional transport services are desperately needed in rural Ireland and will go some way to combatting rural isolation and loneliness," a statement said. The ICA calls on the Minister to ensure that he will secure the additional funding required to expand the scheme in next Octobers budget which must include day time services also. Digital Desk ESB today announced a new partnership with the University of Limerick to support the brightest energy researchers in the University over the next four years. The partnership was announced this morning at the unveiling of a new art installation which is created around the runner of an original Francis Turbine from Ardnacrusha Power Station. It generated clean electricity continuously for 66 years, before being decommissioned and replaced in 1995 and donated by ESB to UL in 2010. The installation is located in the courtyard of the Bernal Institute at UL, where over 260 world leading researchers in the fields of Science and Engineering are based, including three PhD students, Cian Murphy, Hamid Hafizi and Indraneel Roy Chowdhury, whose energy related research will receive funding from ESB through the new partnership. I was a curious child, always asking why and wondering about the world we inhabit, and it was that curiosity that led me to science, said Cian Murphy, speaking at todays launch of the partnership. My research focuses on the use of smart materials in composite structures and my vision is that one day we will all be generating our own clean electricity, just by walking down the street. Im excited that my curiosity might now lead to a real benefit to our society, and this funding support from ESB will greatly assist me in this goal. Dr Desmond Fitzgerald, President of UL, said the ESB's investment is a vote of confidence in UL. "Irelands energy challenges are current. In UL we are involved in a race against time to develop novel, more sustainable, more efficient means of energy generation and use. "The fact that ESB is supporting three PhD student scholarships in energy and sustainable development is testament to the urgency of this research. "It is also a vote of confidence in UL, particularly our people in the world class Bernal Institute who are well placed to lead in this field." Digital Desk By Gerard Cunningham Update 6pm: The unauthorised leaking of information from internal garda briefings to journalists by a former press officer was "outrageous", a senior garda has told the Charleton tribunal. The tribunal heard that 26 "exclusives" were published in the Irish Sun newspaper by journalist Eavan Murray, which gardai believed were drawn from Critical Incident Reports. These included two rape cases, two "suspicious approaches to children", a possible "Tiger" kidnapping, and a break-in to the home of a government minister. Critical Incident Reports - internal garda briefings outlining serious incidents - contain details of murders, shootings, aggravated burglaries and other serious incidents which have occurred in the previous 24 hours, the tribunal was told. The reports were forwarded by the former head of the garda press office Supt David Taylor to his private email account, Chief Supt Francis Clerkin told the tribunal today. "I took it extremely seriously. I felt he was compromising security systems. He was pushing information outside the garda network," Chief Supt Clerkin said. "I felt it was outrageous what he was doing," the chief superintendent added. Barrister Micheal P O'Higgins, representing the garda commissioner, said that Supt Taylor "appeared to be operating a parallel press office" after he was transferred to the traffic division in Dublin Castle. "He was certainly providing a lot of info to particular journalists, yes," Chief Supt Clerkin said. Chief Supt Clerkin said that gardai obtained a search warrant to inspect a private Eircom email account and find out where the reports went from there, but the majority of the information on the private account was deleted. Questioned by the tribunal chairman Mr Justice Peter Charleton, Chief Supt Clerkin said he had never forwarded garda documents to his own private email and would not do so. He said there might be a reason to do this, but he could not think of one. The Chief Supt said that he could receive email on his mobile phone, but this was on his garda account. The tribunal is looking at claims by former press officer Supt David Taylor that he was directed to brief journalists negatively about garda whistleblower Sgt Maurice McCabe. Chief Supt Clerkin said his investigation had nothing to do with Sgt McCabe, and that he had followed where the evidence took him after he was asked to investigate leaks about an incident in which two Roma children were taken into garda custody in 2013. Following a direction from the DPP in August 2016 not to prosecute Supt Taylor for unauthorised disclosures in breach of the Garda Siochana Act 2005, Supt Clerkin wrote to the DPP asking about a prosecution under section 21 of the data protection acts. The DPP replied ruling out a prosecution for data breaches in February 2017. Supt Taylor also sought a judicial review of the investigation, stating that a 'Viber' message had been sent to someone which emanated from his account, and it might have originated on a phone seized by garda investigators, raising questions over the integrity of evidence. Chief Supt Clerkin said he had "no discussion with Commissioner O'Sullivan about the investigation", and reported to his line manager, Assistant Commissioner John Twomey. "My job was to follow the evidence, to establish what happened," Chief Supt Clerkin said. The tribunal resumes tomorrow. Earlier: Former head of the garda press office David Taylor had over 11,000 contacts with journalists in the four-month period from September 2014 to December 2014, after he was transferred out of the office. Just under one quarter of the contacts were with Eavan Murray, a crime correspondent with the Irish Sun newspaper, the Charleton tribunal heard today. The tribunal is looking at claims by Supt Taylor that he was ordered to brief journalists negatively about whistleblower Sgt Maurice McCabe. Chief Superintendent Francis Clerkin said he was asked to investigate if there were breaches of garda discipline or legislation following a report from Children's Ombudsman Emily Logan after two Roma children were removed from their family in Tallaght by gardai in October 2013. Chief Supt Clerkin said it was his decision to choose Superintendent James McGowan, husband of former commissioner Noirin O'Sullivan, as part of his team for the inquiry, and he had "no conversation with Commissioner O'Sullivan at any point in this investigation". Chief Supt Clerkin said that a report prepared in Tallaght about the Roma case was emailed to senior garda officers in Dublin and to assistant commissioners. The inquiry interviewed anyone who had possession of the report, including the superintendent in charge in Tallaght, and Supt Taylor. Phone records showed that Supt Taylor was in contact with the superintendent in Tallaght, the tribunal heard. In December 2014, both superintendents were asked to hand over their mobile phones, which they did voluntarily, chief Supt Clerkin said. "The phone we had was not the mobile device Supt Taylor had in October 2013," Chief Supt Clerkin said. "However, we did see other information on that phone which caused me alarm and concern." An analysis of Supt Taylors phone found 12 instances of "unauthorised disclosures to journalists" when the superintendent was no longer garda press officer, Chief Supt Clerkin said. The investigation then sought further call records, and discovered that of 11,000 contacts with journalists between September and December 2014, 2,800 (24%) were with Irish Sun journalist Eavan Murray. The garda investigation also found that "Critical Incident Reports" detailing serious incidents nationwide were forwarded by Supt Taylor to his personal email account. Chief Supt Clerkin said that the team suspected the reports were being forwarded from there to journalists, but they could not verify this as information in the personal email account was "being continuously deleted". "He seemed to be frequently deleting messages as he we went along. There seemed to be 70% of the messages deleted," Chief Supt Clerkin said. In February 2015, a second mobile phone and a laptop computer were seized from Supt Taylor. Messages on this phone had been deleted, the tribunal was told, leaving no record of the 1,677 SMS text message contacts on the phone. Supt Taylor was arrested and questioned in April 2015, and on August 4, 2015, a file was sent to the to DPP, which recommended prosecution for unlawful disclosure of information. The DPP later directed no prosecution. Chief Supt Clerkin said it was his understanding that a decision was taken in February of this year to discontinue all disciplinary proceedings. It was put to Chief Supt Clerkin that Supt Taylor said he was "targeted" to be "discredited" by An Garda Siochana. "I simply don't accept that. As far as I'm concerned all I ever did was follow the evidence that was presented to me, and it led me to Supt Taylor," Chief Supt Clerkin said. The tribunal continues. By Sonya McLean Former solicitor Michael Lynn who is facing 21 charges relating to the alleged theft of almost 30 million from seven financial institutions will stand trial in January 2020. In one of the sample charges before the court Mr Lynn (49), with an address in St Alban's Park, Sandymount, Dublin, is accused of stealing 4.1 million from Irish Nationwide on April 4, 2007. In another sample count, he is charged with stealing 3.6 million from Ulster Bank on October 20, 2006. Last March Mr Lynn was extradited to Ireland from Brazil, where he has been living for several years. Karl Monahan BL, defending, told Judge Martin Nolan at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court that his client has been in custody for some time. He said he was seeking the earliest possible trial date. Cathleen Noctor BL, prosecuting, told the court that the trial is expected to last six to eight weeks. A trial date of January 13, 2020 was set with and a pre-trial date of November 28, 2019. Mr Lynn was remanded in continuing custody. By Liam Heylin A 12-year jail sentence was imposed on the main man behind a cocaine factory in Kinsale, while a local woman who was his girlfriend was jailed for seven years. Molly Sloyan, aged 25, from Abbey Court, Kinsale, Co Cork, made headlines of a more innocent kind previously a clip of the Daniel ODonnell fan who was a Late Late Show audience member went viral. Yesterday, she appeared at Cork Circuit Criminal Court where she was sentenced to 10 years with the last three suspended. Her boyfriend, Sean McManus, aged 36, from Burrowfield Road, Baldoyle, got 15 years with the last three suspended. He had a previous conviction for another serious drug dealing offence. William Gilsenan, aged 51, and his son Dean Gilsenan, aged 27, both of Kilmahuddrick Green, Clondalkin, got respective sentences of seven years with two suspended and 10 years with three suspended. All four pleaded guilty to possession of cocaine for sale or supply at Seascape, Dromleigh, Bantry, Co Cork, on November 26, 2017, at a time when its street value exceeded 13,000. Gardai described a process of using a solvent to extract cocaine from fabric which was posted to Ireland. Judge Sean O Donnabhain said: In effect, what is alleged in this case is that people were involved in a factory. This is a very significant case. I have never come across anything like it before. It does not compare with standard selling or supplying or cannabis grow-house cases. The level of sophistication and organisation is particular in itself. The level of organisation, sophistication, methodology to think of organising a system where cocaine could be extracted from material and the knowledge that was required, the organisation of various factors the material, housing, movement extraction. Sean McManus had significant help from Ms Sloyan in the hiring, renting and general organisation. She was fully involved at a material level from early on. Without her, it could not have succeeded To say she was the girlfriend does not do justice to the criminality involved. Detective Sergeant Joanne OBrien said the investigation was an intelligence-led operation between customs and An Garda Siochana. Molly Sloyan rented the holiday home at Bantry and bought a BMW with money given to her for that purpose in November 2017. Local gardai, divisional drugs unit gardai and armed officers from the Regional Support Unit participated in the investigation and in the forced entry to the house as Seascape, Bantry, to execute the search warrant. They found evidence of drug use on the kitchen table and a large quantity of cocaine and a solvent used to extract the drug from fabric. Det Sgt OBrien testified that the fabric containing cocaine was posted from Sao Paulo in Brazil to Portlaoise and was later moved to an address in Clondalkin before being driven to Bantry where the cocaine was being extracted using the solvent. Sloyan had purchased the solvent sometimes used in industrial cleaning in Dublin. The value of the seized high purity cocaine was more than 52,000. If mixed it could have made a multiple of that street value. Update 8.27pm: The HSE has given an update to its CervicalCheck Audit. It says it's made contact to date with 201 women out of the 209 affected by the controversy. The health authority says so far a total of 3,649 calls have been returned to women. It says the call-backs take a period of time as when the person has a history of referral for colposcopy treatment or a history of cancer, it's providing a consultation with a clinical staff member with expertise. Meanwhile, Sinn Fein says the party will move a motion of no confidence in the Director General of the HSE Tony O'Brien next week. The party's motion of no confidence won't go ahead this evening because of a procedural issue in the Dail. However, Sinn Fein's Health Spokesperson Louise OReilly says the party will bring a motion next Tuesday. "We need to talk about accountability. There is no accountability in the HSE as long as Tony O'Brien remains as head of that organisation," said Ms O'Reilly. "Sinn Fein will on Tuesday of next week, because we have swapped our time, move a motion of no confidence in Tony O'Brien. "There can be no accountability until the victims' voices are heard. They are calling for Tony O'Brien to be stood down and we are backing that call." Three Government Ministers told a Cabinet meeting they believed he should step down.The ministers are Minister for Children Katherine Zappone, Minister for Rural Affairs Michael Ring and Minister of State for Disability Issues Finian McGrath. However they will vote with the government and against Sinn Fein's motion of no confidence next week. - Digital desk Update 5.39pm: HSE boss Tony OBrien absolutely untouchable, claims Sinn Fein Irelands beleaguered health service chief appears to be untouchable, Sinn Fein said. Tony OBrien steps down as director general of the Health Service Executive (HSE) in July and said he is focused on helping fix problems with the cervical screening programme. Sinn Fein leader Mary Lou McDonald claimed Mr OBriens leadership was part of the problem. She told the Dail: It seems to people looking from the outside, not least the women and their families, that Tony OBrien is untouchable, absolutely untouchable. Untouchable even though wives have been lost to their husbands. Untouchable even though mothers have been lost to their children. Untouchable even though life itself has been lost to these women. Untouchable even though the man patently and clearly has failed in his duty. Is Tony O'Brien untouchable despite wives being lost to their husbands and mothers being lost to their children ? @MaryLouMcDonald #Dail #CervicalCheck #CervicalCheckScandal pic.twitter.com/91Dy5EXAwV Mick Caul (@caulmick) May 8, 2018 She asked Taoiseach Leo Varadkar what he was doing about it. The only thing that has any credibility, the only thing that will honour your promise to listen to the women and their families, is to state clearly, as I understand members of your own Cabinet stated today, that you have no confidence in Mr OBrien. That Mr OBrien must go. That Mr OBrien is not part of the solution. In fact, his leadership of the HSE has been part of the problem. The Government has ordered a scoping inquiry into the cancer scandal. An audit by CervicalCheck the national screening programme of 1,482 women diagnosed with cervical cancer since 2008 found potential errors in 208 cases as tests showed no abnormality when they should have been given a cancer warning. Seventeen have since died. Mr Varadkar said the Government was putting the interests of affected women and their families first. He added: The inquiry will answer as many questions as possible as quickly as possible. We all know that people want to get answers as quickly as we can get them and we want that too. - PA Update 3.48pm: 'Furious' Simon Harris declines to express confidence in Tony O'Brien By Daniel McConnell Minister for Health Simon Harris twice declined to express confidence in the director general of the Health Service Executive when asked on several occasions today if Tony OBrien had his support, writes . However the Minister said his position was clear and that was Mr OBrien had only a number of weeks left in office. A recruitment process for his replacement would begin next week, he added. Mr Harris said he knows people are angry at how this scandal occurred and he and other ministers also feel that anger. He said he was furious at what gone on. I know people are angry and annoyed and believe it or not politicians are angry and annoyed. How could you not be after the events of the last fortnight. Information was put out, misinformation was given out. Facts were withheld, facts were not given. Women were let down. How could you not be furious at what has happened, he said. Tony O'Brien and Simon Harris When pressed about Mr O'Brien's position, Mr Harris declined to express confidence in the director general. My focus is on getting answers for women. The DG has a few short weeks left, he is the outgoing DG of the HSE. I'd rather he spend his remaining few weeks cooperating, he said. I reckon we will have a new DG by early July, Mr Harris added. Mr Harris called on Mr O'Brien to cooperate fully with making sure the women affected by the cervical cancer scandal get the answers they deserve. I have heard people say that there is benefit in him staying put. I have made my position clear in relation to Tony O'Brien, he has about 8 weeks to serve his post. I expect him to do everything he can to help provide answers to women, he said. I am furious at what has happened, furious because of the situation it has put women in and furious that I haven't been at all times to have been able to give information that I wouldn't like to because that information wasn't forthcoming, he said. Launching the scoping exercise, Mr Harris said British medical expert Dr Gabriel Scally will chair the group, which is due to report back by the end of June. The group has been given expansive terms of reference which has led to some concern that to deliver a report by the end of June is not possible. Mr Harris said while the terms are ambitious he was confident Dr Scally and the team will get the job done. It would have been a mistake to jump straight into a Commission without doing this scoping exercise. I see this about gathering all the information, talking and listening to women about their experiences so that when we come to establishing a Commission it will be a very focused one, he said. People have said they don't want a tribunal. I want people to have answers to their questions quickly, he said. The minister also confirmed that he sought and got Cabinet approval to move to re-establish the board of the HSE, confirming the abandonment of Fine Gael's previous policy of abolishing the body. I will be bringing back a HSE board so we can put in the best and the brightest in there, he said. Earlier Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection Regina Doherty said the director general Mr OBrien should absolutely should stay in his position and work day in, day out to get accountability and the facts around the cervical cancer screening scandal. Mr OBrien has been head of numerous sections within the health service, she said, so he knows the system inside out. Its far from letting him off, we should be. Three Government Ministers told a Cabinet meeting they believed he should step down.The ministers are Minister for Children Katherine Zappone, Minister for Rural Affairs Michael Ring and Minister of State for Disability Issues Finian McGrath. Update 2.45pm: Director of State Claims Agency says no CervicalCheck cases should go to trial The Director of the State Claims Agency says Vicky Phelan should never have been before the courts after taking a case over her cervical cancer misdiagnosis. Ciaran Breen has told an Oireachtas Committee he deplores the fact that she wasn't told the results of an audit into her smear in 2014, but that the failure to disclose did not change her clinical outcome. Vicky Phelan Ten similar cases are currently before the State Claims Agency and Mr Breen says none of them should end up in court after the Taoiseach asked that they be dealt with more compassionately. "We would take very seriously the Taoiseach's remarks and do everything we possibly can to ensure that other families involved in these ten cases won't suffer the same trauma. "None of these cases should go to trial. That's the reality. In three of the cases the US laboratory have already indemnified the agency. I understand that some of the women have died. Earlier: CervicalCheck inquiry to begin today as Dr Gabriel Scally appointed to lead investigation Update 2pm: An inquiry into the CervicalCheck scandal will begin its work today after Ministers signed off on it at cabinet. The Scoping Inquiry will be led by Dr Gabriel Scally from the Royal Society of Medicine in the UK. It will look at why 209 women were not told about their incorrect smear results. The inquiry will also examine who knew what and when in the HSE and the Department of Health, before reporting in June. Health Minister Simon Harris said it is a lot to examine in a short time frame. He said: "They're very ambitious terms of reference, very comprehensive because they do have cross-party input. "Dr Scally's job and Dr Denton's job will be to answer as many as possible, to provide as much facts as possible. "So when Government and the Oireachtas considers this issue again at the end of June we can say these questions have already been satisfactorily answered, we have the information list, we don't have the information list and can have therefore a more focused commission of investigation." Update 1.20pm: Tony O'Brien under pressure to resign over CervicalCheck controversy By Elaine Loughlin Sinn Fein are to do anything they can to force Tony O'Brien to resign claiming there is a new scandal in the HSE every week. The party have been stopped from putting forward a Dail motion of no confidence in HSE director general Mr O'Brien for his handling of the smear check controversy. Speaking outside the Dail, Sinn Fein leader Mary-Lou McDonald called on the Taoiseach and Health Minister Simon Harris to "lead" by asking for Mr O'Brien's resignation. She said her party will now pursue all avenues to force Mr O'Brien to step aside after their motion was ruled out of order. Ms McDonald said regardless of the scandals that emerge and wrong-doing that is unearthed "there are certain individuals in senior roles who simply are untouchable" and this must now change. "If the Government are not prepared to do what they need to do and to relieve Mr O'Brien of his duties well then those of us who are parliamentarians are left with no option but to bring a motion to the floor of the Dail. "All of this could be sorted out very simply - the Taoiseach could lead. Where things go catastrophically wrong, the person at the top is the person who has to take account. "It is clear to me he is not capable, he [Mr O'Brien] is not competent to lead the HSE in the way that is necessary and therefore he has to go." She added: "We have gotten to the point where it's nearly a HSE scandal a week and that's not good enough. "We have a government who won't act we have parliament potentially silenced on the issue and that's not good enough." Earlier: Latest: Tanaiste vows to address concerns of Cork father whose wife died of cervical cancer By Roisin Burke Update 12pm: Tanaiste Simon Coveney has vowed to address concerns raised by a grief-stricken Cork husband whose wife died of cervical cancer after being given incorrect screening results. Mr Coveney has promised that accountability will be reached in the ongoing cervical cancer scandal after his neighbour Stephen Teap spoke about the heartbreak of losing his wife Irene to cervical cancer following two false negative smear test results in 2010 and 2013. Stephen and Irene Teap with their two children. Irene Teap died last year after receiving incorrect cervical cancer screening results. However, Mr Coveney has stopped short of supporting a call by Mr Teap for the HSE boss Tony OBrien to resign. Mr Coveney said: Stephen is a neighbour of mine, I went to see him over the weekend. Of course I want to help him, he had an absolutely horrific experience, whereby he has been let down by the HSE and he is now raising two young boys on his own and trying to cope with the knowledge that if he and Irene had known earlier about her early onset of cancer, then perhaps she would be alive today. Mr Coveney said he had huge sympathy for Mr Teap. It is a really difficult thing for him to manage and he is demanding that we learn lessons from his tragedy so that it doesnt happen again in the future. He is demanding that we do what is necessary to provide reassurance to women that we can trust the screening system in terms of consistency and results and it is my responsibility and the Taoiseachs responsibility and Simon Harriss responsibility to respond to those challenges comprehensively and I have given him a commitment that we will do that. Although Mr Teap said that he wanted to see HSE head Tony OBrien resign, the Tanaiste said that was not something they were looking at. Im not sure that the focus here should all be on one person. The focus needs to be on establishing the truth and reassuring and protecting women in a way that clearly hasnt happened in the past, said Mr Coveney. Mr Teap released a statement at the weekend, saying: When I look at my two little boys this week Im overwhelmed with emotion as all the what ifs? come flooding through my mind and I try to come to terms with how different their lives could have been. The reality is their mum is gone forever and this could have been prevented. Evening Echo Earlier: Simon Harris to appoint UK expert to head CervicalCheck inquiry Update 10.50am: It is understood a UK-based medical expert will head the scoping inquiry into the CervicalCheck controversy. Minister for Health Simon Harris has said he will appoint a UK-based medical expert and a gynaecologist from abroad to lead the inquiry. That person will produce a progress report early in June, before reporting to the minister at the end of the month. They are due to arrive in Ireland today. The Health Minister says lessons need to be learned as part of an inquiry into the Cervical Check controversy. It will look at why women were not told their results were being rechecked, who knew what in the HSE and Department of Health, along with the process of outsourcing smear tests to labs in the US. Simon Harris says he hopes it gets to the bottom of what happened. This is too important not to, and it's also too important to have a situation where answers wouldn't become apparent for many months and years. "We've got to be able to reassure women in this country that the life-saving screening programme is working, that it's working in line with best international standards and we've got to learn lessons from this." Earlier: Minister to establish Scoping Inquiry into CervicalCheck Update 6.30am: A Scoping Inquiry into what happened at CervicalCheck will be set up today. Health Minister Simon Harris is bringing terms of reference for the investigation to Cabinet for approval. It will investigate the non-disclosure to patients of the CervicalCheck smear test audits, management of the scheme, and will try to establish who knew what in the HSE and the Department of Health. It will also look at the tendering and operation of the laboratories used by CervicalCheck to examine smear tests. Work will start this week and the inquiry will work with Vicky Phelan and any other affected women. Vicky Phelan Minister Harris hopes the inquiry will report back in June. He is also going to tell his ministerial colleagues he plans to appoint a new HSE board, and introduce legislation to allow him to do that. Plans for mandatory open disclosure will also go to Cabinet this morning. Minister Harris is considering it a priority as the most practical legislative response to the recent scandal. Former Master of the Rotunda Hospital Sam Coulter Smith is welcoming the establishment of a Scoping Inquiry but he has warned we need to be careful not to jump to conclusions. "We know that a lot of the primary smears, the first smears, sent to the States and often the second smears, where an abnormality has been picked up, or smears done from the colposcopy clinic, are sometimes dealt with in the Irish systems," he said. "We may not be comparing like with like." By Isabel Hayes A young man who punched a stranger in an unprovoked savage daytime attack has been jailed for 18 months. The victim, Simon Cornish, suffered a fractured facial bone and detached retina when he was attacked by Martin Maughan on Dublin's Henry Street in 2016, Dublin Circuit Criminal Court heard today. Mr Cornish, a probation officer who was out shopping on his lunch break, required surgery and had mesh and metal implants in his face in the wake of the assault. Maughan (21) of Poddle Close, Kimmage, Dublin, pleaded guilty to one count of assault causing harm to Mr Cornish on September 19, 2016. He has 15 previous convictions, including robbery, threatening behaviour and criminal damage. Handing down a three-year sentence with the final 18 months suspended, Judge Martin Nolan said Mr Cornish has suffered some long-term consequences as a result of this savage attack. There was no real reason for the assault, the judge said. It was done without provocation and the injured party didn't see it coming. Judge Nolan took into account several mitigating factors including evidence Maughan had turned his life around since the attack, was no longer taking alcohol and drugs, was heavily involved with Focus Ireland and was expecting his first child with his partner. Several of his family members wept loudly in court as the sentence was handed down, causing Judge Nolan to call for silence. Maughan also cried as he was taken into custody. Garda Stuart Moran told Derek Cooney BL, prosecuting, that Mr Cornish was doing some shopping on Henry Street and was walking back to his office heavily laden with shopping bags when he was suddenly shouldered by a man walking towards him. Mr Cornish told the man, who was accompanied by Maughan, to watch what you're doing before the man pushed him and tried to trip him up. Mr Cornish pushed the man back before Maughan intervened and punched Mr Cornish forcefully to the face. Mr Cornish fell to the ground and started vomiting. He was taken to hospital by ambulance. In a victim impact statement, Mr Cornish said he suffered with pain and fatigue for some weeks after the assault and still felt numb in parts of his face. He is now concerned when in crowded places and is left with the underlying question as to why this assault occurred, the court heard. Maughan, then aged 19, was caught by gardai a short distance from the scene. He told gardai he had acted in self-defence. Keith Spencer BL, defending, said his client acted in the mistaken belief that he was defending his friend. He accepts now that's wrong, Mr Spencer said. He said Maughan was struggling with alcohol and tablets at the time of the assault following an emotionally turbulent time in his life following the death of his grandfather and uncle. He was intoxicated at the time of the assault. Mr Spencer said Maughan now no longer takes alcohol or drugs, and is heavily involved in local charity work. He is devoutly religious and is receiving ongoing counselling and anger management. He had 2,000 in court for Mr Cornish as a token of his remorse and a letter of apology was also handed into court. European Ombudsman Emily OReilly has said there may yet be more revelations in the tragic story of Ann Lovett, following a dramatic interview with Anns boyfriend which sheds new light on the case. Ann Lovett died aged 15 shortly after giving birth at the grotto in Granard, Co Longford, on January 31, 1984. Her baby boy was stillborn. Ms OReilly was the first to report on the case at the time. Last weekend the Irish Times published an interview with Ricky McDonnell, who was Anns boyfriend in 1984. Mr McDonnell revealed that Ann had visited him in a distressed state the previous April, with bruising to her thighs. He asked her if she had been raped She just cried. And she begged me not to tell anybody, not to say anything. The interview also features claims from Mr McDonnell regarding what happened in the aftermath of Anns tragic death, including the discovery of two letters written by Ann, one addressed to Ricky, of which he said: The gist of the letter was how much that Ann had loved me and how sorry she was for doing what she was going to do. She had never meant to hurt me. He said the local parish priest asked him to burn the letter, which he did. Ms OReilly said the story had now unpicked a thread and who knew where that thread was going to unravel. Asked on RTEs News At One if she agreed with a call by journalist Nell McCafferty for Anns baby to be exhumed for a DNA test, Ms OReilly said: That would be a very big step... I dont know if that can be done. She said the interview had given Ann a public face and turned attention to the involvement of the Church and the gardai, and on whether the reports into the case by gardai and politician Nuala Fennell were ever completed, as they were never published. Following publication of the interview, Vicky Langan, a Cork-based artist and Mr McDonnells daughter, took to social media to outline how proud she was of her father for discussing the case and how the silence surrounding this horrific tragedy has been an enormous burden on so many people. In a Facebook post, Ms Langan said she knew nothing of her father growing up but she had chanced across private correspondence belonging to her mother that referred to her estranged fathers relationship with Ann Lovett. As she grew older, she said that I saw references to the three separate inquiries carried out after Anns death and couldnt understand why, in spite of these, there were still few solid facts to be found. I struggled with the weight of knowing who Anns babys father might be but was paralysed by it. Of her father, she said: I am so proud of him for having the courage to come forward like this. It cant have been easy. So many lives were ruined because of the way this was handled back in 1984. I cant even begin to go into it. All I ever wanted to see was accountability. By Ann O'Loughlin The president of the High Court has warned it may be open to the Medical Council to take legal action to end the HSEs scandalous practice of permitting non specialist doctors to be appointed as consultants in hospitals and mental health services. The HSE appears to be a law unto itself in this regard, Mr Justice Peter Kelly said. It cannot be right that a difficulty in recruiting doctors at consultant level is addressed even temporarily, by appointing persons inadequately qualified for such posts, he said. That such an approach has been adopted by the HSE, in breach of its own requirements for the last ten years, is scandalous. The Council, Health Information Quality Authority and Irish Hospital Consultants Association had all expressed serious concerns about this practice but the Council considered legislation was necessary to address a lacuna in the Medical Practitioners Act, failure to define consultant, the judge said. While not criticising the Council, the judge believed, even without legislative change, it was not entirely powerless and it may be open to it to bring legal proceedings aimed at ending this dangerous practice. He hoped such proceedings would not be necessary and the authorities will act to bring a speedy end to this lamentable situation. The judge has directed that his judgment should be sent to the Attorney General; the Minister for Health and Secretary General of his Department; the HSE Chief Executive; the Health Information and Quality Authority and the State Claims Agency. After it was delivered today Patrick Leonard SC, for the Council, said he hoped the judgment would help bring an end to the situation relatively quickly. The judge had raised several issues with the Council concerning the HSEs practice when he last month confirmed its recommendation to cancel the registration of Arjan Kumar Bhatia, a radiologist with an the address at Drumcliffe, Sligo, and at Northamptonshire, England, recruited by an agency to work as locum consultant radiologist at Cavan General Hospital. Dr Bhatia worked at the Cavan hospital between June and September 2014. After the hospital raised concerns, the Councils Fitness to Practice Committee found some 80 allegations involving 43 patients amounted cumulatively to poor professional performance, including failures concerning CT scanning, to see liver abscess, to recognise acute stroke, understating of cancer scans, and missed fractures. Dr Bhatia previously worked over a number of years in other hospitals here despite failing the examinations for the position of consultant radiologist, the judge noted. He reserved judgment on what directions he might issue to the Council after receiving detailed material from it concerning the disputed HSE practice. Giving judgment the judge said the evidence was very disquieting and showed the lives, health and welfare of patients are being jeopardised by the HSEs approach of permitting doctors such as Dr Bhatia be appointed as temporary and permanent consultants in a wide variety of specialties despite not meeting the HSEs requirement, set in 2008, to be registered on the Councils specialist register. 127 of the 2,920consultants currently employed by the HSE are not registered on the Councils specialist register and this practice is affecting positions in 20 acute hospitals in a wide range of specialties including obstetrics, paediatrics, emergency medicine and radiology. [/factbox] The judge was also concerned at the disparity in distribution of sub-standard consultants which was as high as 21.4 per cent in one community health organisation and considerably higher in regional than in other hospitals. The fact the Medical Practitioners Act does not define the term consultant has been used numerous times by the HSE to appoint persons as consultants who are not specialists, he said. That distinction was unlikely to be known by the average patient who quite reasonably would equate one with the other but with potentially disastrous consequences.BThe position has actually worsened since July 2017 when Sinn Fein TD Louise OReilly asked a parliamentary question about this practice, he said. While the HSE has stressed 127 amounts to 4.3 per cent of the consultants workforce, that was no comfort to patients who may be dealt with by non-specialists. The Council considered the lacuna in the Act meant the only legal requirement for an employer in hiring a consultant is they be on the general register of the Council and was seeking the Act be amended to correct that position, he noted. Passing legislation is a slow business and his judgment was aimed at helping resolve the situation more speedily. The judge also criticised a lack of clarity in the HSEs response of April 20th to the Councils concerns arising from the appointment of Dr Bhatia and other non-specialists. There was no information whether patients adversely affected by his performance were notified or whether any review was carried out of patients whom Dr Bhatia had dealt with in other hospitals, he said. By Daniel McConnell Galway East TD Sean Canney has today resigned as the governments assistant chief whip, a post which came with a 15,000 salary. The TD confirmed the news in a statement issued this afternoon on his Facebook page. Following months of acrimony, Mr Canney resigned as a member of the Independent Alliance last Friday. While he claimed it was his own decision, other Independent Alliance members have said they were not prepared to see him continue in that role as he had left their group. Annoucing his resignation, Mr Canney said: This is my own personal decision. Both decisions have been based on principle, not position. The TD said his role as assistant chief whip has become a distraction from my main priority, which has always been to serve the interests of the people of Galway East. I will continue to support the government on budgetary and confidence issues. It is important that we maintain a stable government, when we have so many pressing matters, nationally and locally, Canney added. Mr Canney left the IA after a disagreement over who should serve as the Minister of State for the Office of Public Works him or Kevin Boxer Moran. Kevin Boxer Moran and Sean Canney During talks on forming a government with Fine Gael in 2016, it was decided that the role would alternate between the two TDs. Its understood that Mr Canney and Mr Moran flipped a coin to decide who would take on the role first. Mr Canney was appointed to the role for the first year of the minority government and Mr Moran took over a year later. The Foreign Affairs Minister says he's greatly disappointed by the US announcement to withdraw from the nuclear agreement with Iran. Simon Coveney says he hopes that the United States will reconsider its decision. When the sun comes out in Dublin, bigger bins and better litter management also need to come out. That's the call from one TD, after large amounts of empty beer cans and other rubbish were left strewn along the banks of the Grand Canal at the weekend. Well done to the thousands of people who didnt bring their rubbish home with them last night at the Portobello. Absolute disgrace! pic.twitter.com/OYUkebS3x3 Stephen Brian Lowe (@StephenBLowe) May 7, 2018 Deputy Jim O'Callaghan says people enjoying a few drinks in the sunshine need to keep their behaviour in check. "Many people are enjoying themselves and not breaking any laws. The problem is that others do not clean up after themselves and have a complete disregard for residents in the area who are forced to put up with them urinating in public and often on their doorsteps," said Mr O'Callaghan. "I understand that Gardai stationed in Pearse St patrol the area to curb any anti-social behaviour but when evening comes in the residents of Portobello and Harolds Cross are left to deal with reams of unwanted rubbish. "Piles of rubbish left strewn along the Canal are not just unpleasant to look at and taint the landscape; they potentially pollute the water and endanger the wildlife that rely on it. "Its great that people can get together and enjoy the sun by the water at Portobello Bridge but they need to be more conscious of the environmental impact of their litter and general waste on our urban community." Two young men are lucky to be alive after an horrific single vehicle car crash in Cork city early this morning. A VW Passat was travelling on the Douglas Rd around 2am when it collided with several poles and brought down power lines. The car came to rest wrapped around a steel pole. 2 young men are being treated in CUH after an horrific crash on Douglas Rd #Cork c2am. Car struck several poles, brought down power lines, engine was flung from vehicle. Fire crews had to use cutting equipment to free the men. Locals described sound of crash like a rocket. pic.twitter.com/0z3QqoDhYh Eoin English (@EoinBearla) May 8, 2018 The force of the impact was so great the engine was ripped from its mountings and flung from the vehicle. Debris was strewn across a wide area. Fire fighting crews had to use cutting equipment to free one of the two men from the mangled wreckage. Both were taken to Cork University Hospital for treatment for what were described as minor injuries. Emergency service personnel said it was a miracle that anyone survived given the damage to the vehicle. Crews attend a road traffic collision overnight and used hydraulic cutting equipment to free the occupants. Crumple zones help to absorb the force of the collision, ensuring the passenger compartment remained intact. Occupants brought to hospital by @AmbulanceNAS for treatment. pic.twitter.com/BzNN6iFenO Cork City Fire Brigade (@CorkCityFire) May 8, 2018 Locals described the sound of the impact as like a rocket. Meanwhile, another man was taken to CUH with serious injuries after a single car accident at Templebryan north, Shannonvale, near Clonakilty at around at 3am. The voter registration system in Ireland needs to be upgraded, according to the National Youth Council of Ireland. The deadline to register for the upcoming abortion referendum passed at 5pm this evening. Bruno Mars has announced who will be supporting him for his upcoming Dublin show. The Multiple Grammy Award winner brings his 24K Magic World Tour to Marlay Park on July 12. AK AL AS AZ AR CA CO CT DE DC FL GA GU HI ID IL IN IA KS KY LA ME MD MA MI MN MS MO MT NE NV NH NJ NM NY NC ND OH OK OR PA PR RI SC SD TN TX UT VT VI VA WA WV WI WY Rent on the deal was not disclosed but leases in the area commonly price between $75 to $80 per sqm net which would suggest annual rental of around $1.2 million. A subsidiary of Netherlands-based online retailer Vida XL, called HB Commerce, will lease the Abacus-owned 15,503 square metre shed at Unit 1, 169 Australis Drive on a long-term basis. Abacus has found a tenant for a large Derrimut warehouse as e-commerce drives demand for big sheds in Melbournes industrial heartlands. CBREs Todd Grima, Tom Hayes and Harry Kalaitzis negotiated the lease. HB Commerce, which is expanding quickly in Australia, will move from Footscray to Derrimut. The move to Derrimut has seen their floor space increase from 4,500 sqm to 15,503 sqm, more than triple the size, Mr Grima said. The fully racked high clearance warehouse allowed the tenant to move in quickly with minimal fitout cost, he said. Mr Grima said e-commerce businesses were creating a lot of activity in the market at present, with close to 50,000 sqm committed in the last 60 days and another 40,000 sqm under negotiation. Store owners under the embattled Craveable Brands umbrella claim the company has moved to gag them as chief executive Brett Houldin on Tuesday fronted a town hall meeting of concerned Red Rooster franchisees. Franchisee unrest is growing following an anonymous submission by the Franchisee Association of Craveable, which is owned by Archer Capital, to the Senate's inquiry into the Franchising Code of Conduct which claimed many franchisees are "on the verge of bankruptcy". Brett Houldin, chief executive of Craveable Brands, fronted a town hall meeting of Red Rooster franchisees in Brisbane on Tuesday. Credit:Brook Mitchell But franchisees say Craveable moving to silence them telling Fairfax Media their agreements with Craveable contain a clause which forbids franchisees speaking publicly and requires all communication to go through Craveable. They say they have been threatened and told not to go to the media. As the chaos of budget night reached its climax (and parliamentary parties full swing), Olympia Maselos was doing some celebrating of her own. The Canberra student had just turned 22. But, looking through the "presents" from the Treasurer this year, Ms Maselos confessed she was feeling forgotten about. While the budget contained a new boost to research at universities, it had next to nothing set aside for its students or the vocational education sector. Still living at home and struggling to find a job, Ms Maselos said she felt young people had been "deliberately neglected" in the budget. Tourists at Echo Point, Katoomba, get more than they bargained for during visits to the Blue Mountains. Credit:Dean Sewell Large bushfires, deliberately lit by authorities to reduce fuel loads, will shrouded Sydney in smoke on Wednesday but visitors to the Blue Mountains may spy views not seen in decades. Parts of Sydney had air-quality values soar to "hazardous" levels before 11am, such as in Liverpool and St Mary's, according to the Office of Environment and Heritage. Campbelltown and Earlwood were areas registering "poor" air quality, with Prospect "very poor". Mt Solitary, south of Katoomba, was set ablaze on Tuesday as part of a hazard-reduction burn that will cover about 3500 hectares. Australian patients are routinely discharged after surgery with a box of addictive opioid tablets such as oxycodone, a new study has revealed. Weeks later, most are still holding on to excess pills. It is a finding, combined with a rise of accidental painkiller overdoses, that has prompted calls for an overhaul in the prescribing habits of hospital doctors. It could result in a new recommended limit of 12 oxycodone pills on discharge, if they are prescribed at all. Designer Kym Ellery is one of Australia's most successful fashion exports. But she's the first to admit she made some big and costly mistakes along the way. Now based in Paris, Ellery returned to Sydney last week to mentor fashion design graduate Lily James, through a new program at the Museum of Applied Arts and Sciences. Designer Kym Ellery (right) is mentoring fashion graduate Lily James through a new program at the Museum of Applied Arts and Sciences. Credit:Dominic Lorrimer "I wish there had been more people around [as mentors] when I was starting up," Ellery said. "Fashion is where art and commerce meet and I wanted to share my knowledge ... and tell her about what I've learnt and the mistakes I've made." James, 23, graduated from Raffles College, with a collection that takes its cues from her South Sudanese heritage but is also inspired by the art of Jackson Pollock and the Greek-British designer Mary Katrantzou. Sarah and Maya Ghassali are typical bubbly sixteen year olds: the identical twins finish each others sentences and talk over each other. Theyre funny and goofy and quick to make each other laugh. They talk excitedly about wanting to go on US talk show Ellen and how theyve even applied for an audition. But the Melbourne twins also have a serious side and are mature beyond their years. Last year they started their own podcast called Refugees on Air where they interview refugees about their journeys to Australia. Its hard to believe that only six years ago they themselves were leaving their home in Aleppo, Syria with nothing but suitcases filled with clothes and making their own journey to Australia. Sarah and Maya Ghassali. Credit:SBS I met Sarah and Maya for a TV feature for The Feed on SBS VICELAND. I was surprised how much their story mirrored mine and I realised I wasnt all that different to them. I too arrived in Australia when I was ten years old, leaving behind a beloved country which was being torn to pieces by war. Brisbanes lord mayor Graham Quirk has ended speculation he could soon retire, confirming he would nominate to run in the 2020 Brisbane City Council election. At Tuesdays council meeting, Cr Quirk confirmed the LNP opened nomination for the partys lord mayoral candidate for the 2020 council election. Lord mayor Graham Quirk, pictured earlier on Tuesday at Terry Mackenroth's state funeral, confirmed he would seek re-election in 2020. Credit:Glenn Hunt/AAP There has never been a more exciting time in this city, he said. Today I can confirm that I will be nominating to be the lord mayoral candidate in the 2020 election. A two-storey brick building in Brisbanes CBD that dates back to 1911 could be transformed into a bar. A development application was submitted to Brisbane City Council proposing a change of use to allow a bar to operate within the John Reid and Nephews building on Charlotte Street. The John Reid and Nephews building on Charlotte Street in Brisbane CBD. Credit:Conrad Gargett A heritage report commissioned by the developer, Silverstone Development, said the building was constructed by Ivor Eliot Peyton and used as a light engineering factory and warehouse by the Brisbane company John Reid and Nephews until 1969. In 1987 the building was purchased by The Australian Telecommunications Commission, who demolished all but the facade in order to accommodate construction of the Telstra tower at the rear of the building, the report said. A Brisbane resident has won an appeal against the approval of a three-tower complex at the former ABC studio site in Toowong. Resident Kate Peta Bell initially launched a Planning and Environment Court appeal against the 555-unit riverside development, dubbed the champagne flutes by locals, in 2015. An artist's impression of Sunland's proposed $430 million Grace on Coronation development. The local, who lives on adjoining land, contested the Zaha Hadid-designed and Sunland-built Grace on Coronation, with two 24 storey towers and one 27 storey tower, did not comply with Brisbane City Councils planning scheme, which only allowed for 15 storeys on the site. Her initial appeal was dismissed in May last year after Judge Michael Rackemann conceded while the $430 million proposal's height did not comply with the area's zoning regulations, that was offset by public space around the base of the towers. The Crime and Corruption Commission has charged a close adviser to Ipswich mayors Paul Pisasale and Andrew Antoniolli with misconduct. The body on Tuesday charged Ben Hayward, senior adviser, executive secretariat, with one count of misconduct in public office. Ben Hayward was a close adviser to both Andrew Antoniolli and Paul Pisasale. Credit:AAP It takes the number of elected and other officials and related people charged as part of the CCC's investigations into the beleaguered Ipswich City Council to 12, including two mayors and two chief executives, with a range of offences dating back to at least 2011. The state government last week issued a 21-day show cause notice to the entire council asking why it should not be sacked and replaced with government-appointed administrators. It pays more than $1 million in excise tax a year on its craft beer. That was the message from one of Brisbanes fastest growing businesses, the Newstead Brewing Company, which makes a million litres of independent craft beer each year and employs 70 people. Do not expect cheaper beer from this years federal budget. It was pitched as a bonus to Australia's 400 craft beer businesses which are taking up to 15 per cent of the beer market and growing each year. The fast-growing Brisbane-based brewery argues the advantages are small compared the million dollars each year it pays in excise tax. Overall, Newstead Brewing chief executive Mark Howes said, it meant a $70,000 saving from an excise tax bill of $1 million. The first part of the policy change is an increase in the level before an Australian brewing companys weekly excise tax payment begins. That gives the brewer a refund. "Emma," he called to her. "Emma, you're real." She knew then who he was. This is the other side of a conspiracy theory. After the tragedy in Parkland - like after the tragedies in Las Vegas, Orlando and Sandy Hook, New Jersey - amateur sleuths on Reddit, Twitter and WordPress questioned the stories of those who publicly grieved. They called the victims "fakers," political operatives, employees of a "deep state" bent on disarming Americans. The torment caused by these conspiracy theories is at the heart of a lawsuit filed last month by three parents whose children died in the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting. They're suing right-wing YouTube star Alex Jones, who had suggested the rampage was a hoax that the families had helped perpetuate. The parents said they have suffered "severe degree of mental stress and anguish," according to the lawsuit, and a "high degree of psychological pain". The paranoia around the Florida teenagers who have called for tighter gun control (and amassed millions of Twitter followers) has grown just as mighty. Facebook and Google recently pledged to delete any post calling the kids "crisis actors". But 2 months after the shooting, misinformation still slips through the cracks, creating another kind of victim. Emma Gonzalez, 18, survived the mass shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School and is leading a national gun control movement. Credit:AP 'They could definitely find me' At first, Gonzalez was determined not to worry about it. The Florida kids, she thought, had it much worse. Her motto for life's annoyances, one of her grandmother's old sayings, is tattooed on her right forearm: "Oh well. Too bad." Gonzalez's mother wrote a comment on one of the conspiracy theory blogs using her real name. Someone used it to find the family's old addresses. Credit:Celeste Sloman/The Washington Post She might have missed the lies about her if a friend had not texted: Have you seen this? "Emma Jane Gonzalez is no child. She is an actress!" wrote a Twitter user called @dekdarian to 20,000 followers. This person had posted images from Gonzalez's defunct web series, "Eat Our Feelings" - a cooking show she had shot with friends three years ago in her kitchen - and her old headshot from an attempt to launch a voice-over career in Chicago. They juxtaposed the images with photos of the Parkland Emma. Gonzalez noted a few similarities: Both have Cuban roots. Both wanted lawmakers to ban assault rifles. But she has long, brown hair - the teenager wears a buzz cut - and one blogger noted the older Gonzalez had a "weaker chin". "My guess is that sometime in the past four years, Emma Jane Gonzalez had cosmetic surgery on her chin - a chin implant - just like Chelsea Clinton," the stranger wrote. Gonzalez laughed at this comment. "It was so preposterous," she said, "how could it be anything but silly?" Then came the Facebook messages: "You haven't been in high school for a long time. Why are you posing as a bald student?" "How does it feel to be a crisis actor for the deep state?" "You should wear makeup." Gonzalez normally wears black eyeliner and red lipstick. The other Emma's face looks bare on television. "People are really confused," she remembers thinking. Her stomach flipped when a man called her former employer at a comedy group and left a voice mail: "Yes, you produced a person named Emma Jane Gonzalez? They need to be questioned. Possibly arrested." Her mother wrote a comment on one of the conspiracy theory blogs saying the gossip about her daughter was false, signing it with her real name. Someone used that to find the family's old addresses. One happened to be in Parkland, when Gonzalez was in first grade. For the first time, Gonzalez began to panic. She realised: "They could definitely find me if they wanted to". She switched all her profiles to "private," but clicked on the pages of people who tried to follow her: Who were they? What exactly was their ideology? Were they dangerous? One username caught her eye: @911NoPlaner. Gonzalez scrolled through the man's Instagram page. There was a selfie with Senator Cory Booker. A video of David Hogg, another Parkland teenager who has gained prominence. A photo of a bedroom with notes taped all over one wall: "#MyRoom," he wrote, geotagging the location as the East Village in Manhattan. The proximity made Gonzalez uneasy. @911NoPlaner was four miles away. 'Emma, you're real' @911NoPlaner says his name is Ryan Rodrigues. He's 34, lives in the East Village and won't say what he does for a living. "My hobby is - I'm a false-flag researcher," he told The Washington Post, which reached him through an Instagram message. A false flag, as Rodrigues explains it, is a government-staged hoax. He believes the shootings in Parkland, Orlando and Las Vegas were all "false flags," faked or inflated by the media to help the "deep state" take away people's guns. Not that he likes guns. He doesn't identify as a Republican or a Democrat, either. He's neutral on President Donald Trump. "But the establishment that controls our government is evil," he said in a phone interview. "It wants to have control over the populace. It has motivation for disarmament." This idea manifested after Rodrigues watched videos in 2001 of the twin towers falling. He thought they looked fake. He felt crazy until he found an internet community that shared his belief. (It inspired his username.) Rodrigues rarely trusts what mainstream journalists report. The blogosphere, though, and people like Alex Jones - that's where he gets his news, and that's where he learned about Gonzalez. After five or so minutes of Googling, he found where she worked. He could investigate her story himself. He filmed himself walking up to her Brooklyn cafe. He ordered a small coffee and a scone. The screen shook as he waited. The video cuts out at the two-minute mark and then cuts back in as he is saying "thank you" to Gonzalez, who stands still in a red jacket. The encounter made him realise Gonzalez was, in fact, an adult who works in New York. She did not look like the teenager he saw on television. So, he crossed her off his list and planned to check out the next possible crisis actor. "Emma," Rodriguez repeated to himself as he left. "Emma, you're real." Another kind of victim Gonzalez called the police. She didn't like doing it. She had done it before only to report an accident. The officer told her to call back if the man showed up again. She had recognised @911NoPlaner from his Instagram account - the sole follow request, as far as she could tell, that was sent from New York. None of the pictures made him look dangerous, she thought. Just really into conspiracy theories. Still, he showed up at her cafe. There he was: A piece of the internet turned suddenly and frighteningly real. After he left, Gonzalez tried getting back to work, but a half-hour later, she was sobbing in the cafe's office. She could not brush off what had happened, and it occurred to her that two months of tension were pouring out. A co-worker offered to take her home. Her roommate, though, would be at the restaurant later for dinner. They could walk back together. Three weeks have passed. She has not heard from @911NoPlaner, and no one else from the web has come to find her. Latest News UBank lowers variable home loan rate for new owner-occupiers The rate is for owner-occupiers with LVRs up to 80% REA Group links up with Frollo for Financial Passport Brokers and customers given chance to view real-time purchasing power via new linkup The first round of the first ever mortgage industry ping pong competition has taken place. Held at Wealthifys offices in Sydney, it saw eight competitors whittled down to just two. The finalists are sent straight through to the grand final, where they will be joined by winners from the next three rounds, which will be held over the coming weeks. Wealthify arranged the tournament after the company noticed increasing pressure on the industry. Held on 8 May, the first round matches were between Finsure vs Connective , Premier Lending vs Capileo, IMB vs Home Loan Experts and none other than Australian Brokers sister magazine, Mortgage Professional Australia vs The Adviser. Big names are lined up to play the next few rounds, including a representative from the Finance Brokers Association of Australia (FBAA). Organisers are hoping they will be able to play against somebody from Mortgage and Finance Association of Australia (MFAA), but they have not yet put forward a candidate. Wealthify CEO Darren Moffat said he just wanted people to have fun. He added, Really the main reason was in response to the doom and gloom environment at the moment. With all the regulation a lot of brokers feel like theyre getting bashed up, so we wanted to do something to lighten the mood. We thought, weve got a ping pong table here, everyone loves ping pong, so lets put on a mortgage industry ping pong competition! Today weve seen James Brett from Connective, David Vizza from Finsure, weve got quite a lot of individual brokers that will be playing, but theres some aggregator BDMs, lender BDMs and media of course. It was really great fun, great to see people have so much fun and that was the key thing. It was a good cross-section of skill level and a diverse group. The main thing is its just a bit of fun. Someone does have to win, theres a prize, but its nice to celebrate the people in the industry. Its good networking as well, that was the other objective behind it. Related stories: Brokers urged to join first ever industry ping pong tournament Broker community facing a lead "epidemic" Real estate portals to smash broker market Sign up for our PoliticsNY newsletter for the latest coverage and to stay informed about the 2021 elections in your district and across NYC Raise a glass to this pair! A local beer-making couple recently took home a national award as the entrepreneurs work to move their growing suds operation into its own brick-and-mortar brewery. And after spending half a decade bottling their brews at other sites, the twosome is excited to toast its next chapter inside the new Williamsburg space, according to one half of the duo behind Grimm Artisanal Ales. For the past five years, we havent had our own production facility instead we rent equipment at existing commercial breweries around the East Coast, said Lauren Grimm, who with her husband Joe received the title of Young Entrepreneurs of the Year from the U.S. Small Business Administration. We were super excited to receive the award. Officials from the federal agency for mom-and-pop shops recognized the 5-year-old ale outfits early success and growth along with the creative problem solving that allowed its owners to expand their business without a permanent home in awarding the Grimms the honor over competitors from New York City, Long Island, and seven upstate counties, according to information from the association. And the brewers, who accepted the title at a May 1 event, previously received two loans backed by the association to grow their business. The pair invested that cash into building out their independent space on Metropolitan Avenue between Morgan Avenue and Catherine Street, which Grimm said will be a far cry from the Gowanus apartment where she and her husband taste-tested their beers before sending them off to be made at other sites. It obviously means a lot to our business, in terms of inviting customers to our own tap room and being able to present our beer in the best light possible at our bar, she said. It also enables us to have more control and oversight during the brewing and fermentation processes. Grimm Artisanal Ales is known for its seasonal brews that frequently rotate theres no flagship draft, according to Grimm but the pair gravitates towards traditional German sour beers packed with fruity, dry hops, as well as suds known as pop beer that tastes like a creamy frozen treat, she said. We brew limited-edition batches a lot might only be produced once, whereas others come around a few times a year and are more seasonable, Grimm said. And the co-owner said that moving the business into its new digs this summer will give her and her husband even more opportunities to craft one-of-a-kind ales for their customers, who can try the brews at establishments including Spuyten Duyvil and Sugarburg Williamsburg, and Gold Star Beer Counter in Prospect Heights. Well have full control over the kinds of beer, so we dont ever have to question what were doing, Grimm said. The i's are being dotted, the t's are being crossed on India's biggest e-commerce deal - an announcement is likely tomorrow, or end of week at the latest - and employees, both past and present, are eagerly looking forward to a bonanza where their stock options are concerned. We're talking about the Flipkart-Walmart mega deal, of course. What's on the table? Walmart is expected to buy 70-75 per cent stake in the homegrown e-tailer along with Google parent Alphabet for about $15 billion. Walmart will also likely invest $2 billion directly by infusing fresh equity in Flipkart. If things go to plan, the Bangalore-based company's valuation is expected to shoot up to $20 billion. The investor exits lined up Flipkart's co-founder and executive chairman Sachin Bansal is likely to sell his 5.2 per cent stake and exit completely. Similarly, the company's newest investor, SoftBank, which bought a 20.8 per cent stake for $2.5 billion last year, is expected to exit completely. The Masayoshi Son-controlled Japanese company's investment is expected to have ballooned to $4 billion, earning it a gain of 60 per cent in under eight months. According to the MoneyControl, Flipkart's other shareholders like China's Tencent Holdings and US-based Tiger Global Management will exit partially and retain small stakes. South Africa-based Naspers Ltd. and Microsoft Corp are also expected to retain small holdings in the new company. Citing sources, the report added that these investors might have the option of selling their stake to the brick-and-mortar behemoth at a later date at the same valuation as the current deal on the table. The big question is how big a stake will the company's other co-founder and the Group CEO, Binny Bansal, will end up retaining post the deal. He reportedly owns a 5.1 per cent stake currently. How will Flipkart change? Reports suggest that Walmart will get three board seats at Flipkart in lieu of its investment and will also have a say in the appointments of the group's finance, legal and compliance heads. But apart from one co-founder's exit, nothing much is expected to change at the top management. Tencent Holdings and Tiger Global Management will also reportedly continue to be represented on the board. But plenty will change in terms of Flipkart's identity. According to the portal, while Walmart India and Flipkart will continue to maintain distinct brands after the deal, Flipkart will be listed on Indian stock exchanges in the subsequent years as a fully-owned Walmart subsidiary. Flipkart's financials will be reported as part of Walmart International once the deal closes. The biggest changes promised by this deal will be in the field of user experience. Think personalised voice shopping of Walmart and Flipkart products by simply speaking out your orders to Google Home devices. What's in store for Flipkart's employees? According to The Business Standard, the mood at Flipkart's new campus at Bangalore's Embassy Tech Village is very upbeat as employees await news that their stock options have shot up in value, in sync with the mega deal. The stock options given to Flipkart employees usually have a vesting period of four years. The employees had been a worried lot as Flipkart faced a series of markdowns in its valuations in 2016 and 2017 - coming down from a peak of around $15 billion in 2015 - till the company reportedly compensated their losses by issuing additional stocks. Now with a valuation of $20 billion looming large, current and former employees are looking forward to a windfall. The daily added that employees are also anticipating better career growth once the deal is signed. "With Walmart coming in, which has a history of being a product leader, there will be technological changes which will be beneficial for us. Right now, we are a manpower driven company. With Walmart coming in, we will hopefully become tech-driven," said one engineering division employee. According to Reuters, Flipkart will hold a townhall for employees on Friday where the future may be spelt out. What's threatening to play party-pooper? The Confederation of All India Traders (CAIT), an umbrella association representing millions of traders has slammed the Flipkart-Walmart deal, alleging that that it will encourage malpractices and predatory pricing in e-commerce in the absence of any monitoring mechanism and create an uneven level playing field where offline and online traders will be unable to compete. The association dashed off a letter to Commerce & Industry Minister Suresh Prabhu yesterday asking that the deal should not be allowed till the time the government frames an e-commerce policy. CAIT further argued that the government should make it mandatory that such deals can take place only when 75 per cent of the sellers on an e-platform give their assent since they would be the worst sufferers. With agency inputs Manipal Hospitals had to take a "more risky" approach in its latest bid for domestic rival Fortis Healthcare to see off rival suitors, Manipal's Chief Executive Ranjan Pai told Reuters. Manipal on Sunday sweetened its bid for Fortis, offering to inject Rs 2,100 crore to help the ailing hospital operator meet its immediate cash needs, a move that Pai said was risky because Fortis is embroiled in a regulatory investigation that is clouding its prospects. In its previous bid Manipal and consortium partner TPG Capital had proposed to take over Fortis at the same valuation of 160 rupees a share, or a total valuation of Rs 8358 crore, without offering any initial cash injection. "Yes, this is a more risky structure...because we don't know what's going to come out of the SFIO," Pai said on Monday, referring to India's Serious Fraud Investigation Office. The SFIO is investigating allegations that Fortis founders Malvinder Singh and Shivinder Singh took funds from the company. The duo, who have since left the company, deny wrongdoing. In March Fortis said it was looking into the allegations and that it expected the SFIO investigation to end in less than a year. Fortis has been a target of five firms and investment groups vying for control of its 30-odd hospitals across India. Among them is Malaysia's IHH Healthcare, which wants to invest as much as Rs 4,000 crore at 175 rupees a share, higher than the share price offered by Manipal. TRACK RECORD Manipal did not want to be "irrational" in its bid, Pai said, adding that it brought a lot of value to Fortis and its investors with its experience in running hospitals and track record of providing good exit for private equity players. "I think, beyond price, people have to look at what is good for the company in the medium to long term," he said, adding that Manipal did not want to enter at a very high price and disappoint investors later if the share price falls. Indian businessmen Sunil Munjal and Anand Burman have also offered to buy a stake in Fortis at 167 rupees a share as part of their offer totaling Rs 1800 crore. Radiant Life Care, backed by private equity firm KKR & Co and China's Fosun International, are the other Fortis suitors. Pai said he did not expect the deal to face antitrust hurdles because the combined company's market share will be in "single digits" and a merger should take six to nine months to complete. If a deal goes through, TPG will own about 14 per cent the new Fortis, while Manipal's founder company and other investors will together own 35.4 per cent. Pai said that Manipal has held talks with many of the long-term and major investors at Fortis. "We want to assure them that if we are given control of the company, corporate governance levels and transparency will be at the highest." The choice facing the Committee of Creditors (CoC) of the beleaguered Jaypee Infratech Ltd (JIL) today is reportedly between a haircut of Rs 230 crore and one of Rs 2,800 crore, and the ball will likely be passed to the Supreme Court. On Monday, Jaypee Group promoter Manoj Gaur made a last-ditch attempt to retain control over Jaypee Infratech, which was dragged to bankruptcy court last year by an IDBI Bank-led consortium. According to people in the know, Gaur's revised Rs 10,000 crore offer comprises a combination of cash, land parcels and equity to lenders through instruments, totalling more than JIL's outstanding debt of Rs 9,800 crore. Significantly, Gaur's revised resolution plan is over 25 percent higher than the best bid Jaypee Infratech had received under the insolvency proceedings. A few weeks back, Lakshadweep Pvt Ltd, a joint venture between Sudhir Valia-led Suraksha Asset Reconstruction Company and Mumbai-based Dosti Reality, as emerged as the front-runner to acquire Jaypee Infratech with a bid of around Rs 7,350 crore. But plenty of disgruntlement followed since the Lakshadweep's bid was far lower than JIL's liquidation value pegged at Rs 15,000 crore. According to The Business Standard, in the latest resolution plan submitted to the CoC and the resolution professional, Gaur proposed to pay JIL's operational creditors around Rs 400 crore, offered homebuyers 2,000 equity shares each in JIL and promised possession of homes by 2021. Thousands of homebuyers are still awaiting their flats. Sources told the daily that a 50 per cent discount on stamp duty and free maintenance are also in the offing. Lakshadweep, on the other hand, sought a waiver where JIL's operational creditors were concerned and has offered to give possession to the homebuyers only by 2024. To remind you, back in 2007, the Jaypee group started the development of 32,000 flats and plots in its much hyped Noida township Wish Town, the bulk of which was to be built by Jaypee Infratech but it has only delivered 9,500 apartments so far. The realty and infrastructure firm needs Rs 6,500 crore to construct the remaining flats, of which Rs 4,000 crore is receivables from customers. This means a shortfall of Rs 2,500 crore. But as sources have previously pointed out, Jaypee Infratech currently boasts assets worth about Rs 24,000 crore, including land parcels, Yamuna Expressway and a hospital that can be monetised to protect the interest of creditors, home buyers as well as minority shareholders. Incidentally, as directed by the Supreme Court, the Jaypee Group has already submitted Rs 650 crore in the court registry of the Supreme Court in order to protect the interest of homebuyers. It has reportedly been asked to deposit another Rs 100 crore by May 10. As things stand, the Lakshadweep bid is unlikely to be approved by Jaypee Infratech's CoC and the Jaypee promoter's resolution plan will likely require the apex court's approval. Meanwhile, the clock is ticking down to the 270-day deadline specified for bankruptcy resolution under the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code, which is May 12. The apex court will reportedly meet on May 11, before breaking for summer vacation, but it is unlikely to reach a decision on JIL's fate so soon. The stock exchange has sought clarification from JIL regarding this revival plan but a response in still awaited. In the meantime, JIL's stock rallied 5 per cent this morning before continuing to trade flat at Rs 5.92 apiece. With PTI inputs The noose is tightening around Nirav Modi, the billionaire diamantaire who defrauded the Punjab National Bank of over Rs 14,000 crore. In a fresh development, a US court has ordered a probe into the alleged banking fraud before deciding on bankruptcy proceedings against Nirav Modi's firms Firestar Diamond Inc, A Jaffe Inc and Fantasy Inc. The Court has appointed a global professional services firm Alvarez and Marsal to carry out the investigation. According to a report in the Economic Times, the Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of New York has asked the Alvarez and Marsa to 'investigate the circumstances surrounding the alleged fraud involving Nirav Modi, Modi entities and certain employees of PNB'. The move comes weeks after the Indian government approached the New York Court against the bankruptcy proceedings of Nirav Modi's US-based firms. Union minister P P Chaudhary recently said that the government intervened in the bankruptcy proceedings in the US to safeguard the Punjab National Bank's interests. The Minister further said that since the investigation against Nirav Modi led firms is still going on in India, the 'filing of bankruptcy by these firms in the US would jeopardise the interest of the Indian bank'. Nirav Modi-owned Firestar Diamond Inc, which is a unit of Firestar International, had filed for bankruptcy in the US on February 27. According to a court filing, Firestar Diamond has 50 to 99 creditors with assets and liabilities in the range of USD 50 million to USD 100 million. Earlier, the government officials had said that the effort would be to try and stall the bankruptcy proceedings so that the company's assets are not liquidated before completion of the probe here in India. In February, the Indian bankruptcy court NCLT had restrained Nirav Modi and his uncle Mehul Choksi from selling their assets so that the creditors could recover their money. Currently, India's three investigating agencies - CBI, ED and SFIO- are investigating PNB's multi-billion credit fraud. The CBI has arrested 19 people including PNB officials and top executives of Nirav Modi and Mehul Choksi's firms. The investigating agency is set to file a charge sheet against all the arrested people. The Enforcement Directorate seized Nirav Modi and Mehul Choksi's assets worth Rs 7,664 crore during the probe in the alleged fraud. Earlier, the United States Trustee stopped Nirav Modi's firms from paying bonuses to employees as part of a retention programme. The United States Trustee William K Harrington, who bjected to the firms' request, argued that the ultimate majority shareholder of the debtors, and founder of Firestar Diamond Nirav Modi has been charged by the State Bank of India with criminal conspiracy, fraud and cheating related to the Punjab National Bank. He further said that the 'impact of [Nirav] Modi's alleged large-scale fraud upon the three debtors here (US) is not yet known and is the subject of an investigation by the Examiner recently appointed in these cases'. "At this time, an award of bonuses to employees that may have known or should have known about any fraud on the part of Modi and/or these debtors is premature," he added. The US Trustee programme is a component of the Department of Justice responsible for overseeing administration of bankruptcy cases and private trustees. Flipkart co-founder and Executive Chairman Sachin Bansal will sell his entire stake in the company to Walmart, the Economic Times reported today. Flipkart is in the process of selling its majority stake to US major Walmart and the deal is expected to be announced on Wednesday. Once the deal is done, Sachin will step down from the Flipkart board. "Sachin was to stay on till very recently, but there was a disagreement between the Flipkart board and him on strategies being drawn up for the company after Walmart became the largest shareholder," the ET quoted a source as saying. The report further said that Sachin was "not aligned with the strategy and operating structure that was being proposed post Walmart coming on board". Sachin Bansal, along with Binny Bansal, co-founded Flipkart in 2007 and has 5.5 per cent stake in the e-tailing company. While Sachin is leaving, Binny Bansal will continue to serve as the group CEO and will be additionally appointed as the next Executive Chairman. Interestingly, Binny Bansal will - if all goes as per reports - replace Sachin Bansal for the second time. In 2016, Sachin Bansal was removed from the post of CEO because of 'performance' issues and Binny was appointed at the helm. Sachin and Binny Bansal both are former Amazon.com Inc employees. Reports suggest that Walmart and Google parent Alphabet Inc will buy up to 75 per cent of Flipkart. Walmart will acquire about a 60 per cent stake and Alphabet will buy 15 per cent stake for about USD 3 billion. Earlier, Flipkart through its regulatory filing to Corporate Affairs Ministry had notified that Binny Bansal has been appointed as additional director of Flipkart with effect from April 27 along with Nishant Verman. Last year, Flipkart named a former executive of investor US hedge fund Tiger Global Management Kalyan Krishnamurthy as the CEO of the company. Tiger Global has 20 per cent stake in Flipkart with two representatives on the 10-member board. TMG is among the Flipkart's major investors. According to Reuters, Tiger Global and venture fund Accel will also sell a majority of their stakes. Japan's SoftBank Group, which owns roughly a fifth of Flipkart through its Vision Fund, is expected to completely exit. Protesting against non-implementation of the provisions of the seventh pay commission and attempts to privatize Indian Railways, Railway employees' union has called for a 72-hour relay hunger strike across the country from today. A statement from the All India Railwaymen's Federation (AIRF) said that despite several meetings of the AIRF with leaders of the central government organisations and Home Minister, Finance Minister, Railway Minister and Minister of State for Railways, no decision was taken. "Despite requests to the government of India to consider the demands of the Central Government Employees -- improvement in minimum wage and fitment factor after implementation of 7th CPC recommendations, provision of guaranteed pension and family pension to all the NPS (National Pension Scheme) covered employees, irrespective of their date of appointment...contractorisation leading towards wholesale privatisation, no fruitful outcome has emerged as yet despite lapse of around two years' precious time," the statement added. AIRF in its meetings of the General Council and Working Committee, held on March 13-14, 2018, here decided to stage a 'Mass Relay Hunger Strike' for 24 hours for three consecutive days - at all the branches of the affiliated unions of the federation all over India. "All the branches of AIRF affiliates are, therefore, going to stage the aforesaid 'Relay Hunger Strike' from the morning of May 8, all over the Indian Railways", wherein large- number of railwaymen would sit on the relay hunger strike to press on their above-mentioned major demands, the statement said. with PTI inputs Kolkata-based Electrosteel Steels Limited, with debt of Rs 14,000 crore plus, recently became the first company from the dozen large distressed cases shortlisted by the Reserve Bank of India to exit from the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code (IBC). The bankers have already put their stamp of approval on the resolution plan where Anil Agarwal's Vedanta is bringing in Rs 5,320 crore in the form of debt and equity into the mid-sized steel company. This money will be fully utilised to pay off the lending banks. Under the resolution plan, Vedanta is getting a majority equity stake of 90 per cent while the remaining 10 per cent equity will be held by Electrosteel's existing shareholders and financial creditors. A copy of the resolution plan -- that Business Today has accessed -- throws up some interesting details, which could be replicated in other bankruptcy cases. Take a look. Conversion of unsustainable debt into equity Out of the Rs 14,000 crore plus debt in Electrosteel, the bankers are getting back Rs 5,320 crore from the successful bidder Vedanta. This means Vedanta is paying upfront around 38 cents to a dollar to lenders. The rest 62 per cent, which is also the unsustainable debt (read haircut), is not getting wiped out completely from the books. The bankers are converting the unsustainable debt into equity. In the case of Electrosteel, the existing share capital is Rs 2,409 crore. The bankers are now converting their debt of almost Rs 7,619 crore into equity. So, the existing equity capital of Electrosteel will jump to Rs 10,028 crore. This combined equity will be used as a reference for a new capital structure. Bankers to emerge as the second highest shareholder, next to the new promoter Conversion of a large unsustainable portion (read haircut ) into equity will make bankers or lenders the second largest shareholder in the distressed company. In case of Electrosteel, the bankers are getting an equity shareholding of 7.60 per cent in the new capital structure. This makes them the second largest shareholder. This high equity also gives hope for an upside in future post the turnaround. This will bring big gains for the bankers. Existing promoters and institutional investors getting decimated Imagine, the entire existing equity capital of Electrosteel, which is Rs 2,400 crore ( 100%) , is getting converted into just 2.40 per cent under the new capital structure of Electrosteel Steels. This 2.40 per cent means , the promoter who owned 45 per cent, will have just 1 per cent under the new equity structure. Small shareholders to get paid off Clearly, the shareholding of the small shareholders will be in fractions. The company will not issue fractional shares to small shareholders. These fractional shares will be consolidated and equity share will be issued to Independent Monitoring Agency (IMA) on behalf of these shareholders. The IMA will later sell the consolidated equity shares to new promoter Vedanta and distribute the net sale proceeds to the shareholders in proportion to their holdings. So, small shareholders will be out from the company. Israel is in news for a weird reason. Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, who was on a two-day visit to Israel along with his wife Akie Abe, was served chocolates in a shoe, yes a metal-shaped shoe, during a dinner hosted by Israeli counterpart Benjamin Netanyahu and his wife Sara Netanyahu at their residence. The unique gesture, apparently done to impress the guests, backfired, causing uproar in both the countries, with people asking Israel to issue formal apology. The meal, prepared by Israeli celebrity chef Segev Moshe, was dubbed as "culturally offensive", something they said was not at all "funny". "This was a stupid and insensitive decision. It is equivalent to serving a Jewish guest chocolates in a dish shaped like a pig...there is nothing more despised in Japanese culture than shoes," a senior Israeli diplomat, who previously served in Japan told newspaper Yediot Aharonot, reported RT. The report also quoted a Japanese diplomat saying: "No culture puts shoes on the table". "If this is meant to be humor, we do not find it funny. I can tell you that we are offended for our prime minister," he said. The gourmet spread, comprising chocolate pralines in men's black brogue shoes, can be spotted on the food table while both the leaders along with their wives posed for the pictures, which was shared by Segev Moshe on his Instagram account. "Prime Minister of Israel and his wife host the Prime Minister of Japan. Great honour to cook for you! Not obvious for me. Unforgettable night," wrote the celebrity along with a picture in which he was standing in the middle of the table that displays dessert in two men 'shoes'. He also posted another picture, this time of the shoe, saying: "Chocolate selection from the world. #SegevArt. A metal shoe by @tomdixonstudio." The faux pas also didn't go down well with Segev's fans too. People criticised saying the gesture could have made sense if "Israelis or whoever serving actually ate out of shoes regularly as part of their culture". One of the Instgram users said he "insulted the whole nation". Another wrote: "So you knowingly served the Japanese prime minister a dessert in a shoe. First that isn't creative. Secondly it's offensive. What are you smoking?" Some users even called it a publicity stunt, saying the Israel government should issue a formal apology for the incident. "It's clear that you are loving the publicity that your offensive behavior has caused," commented a user. The Google annual developer conference, I/O 2018 will be held from May 8 to May 10 2018 at the Shoreline Amphitheater in Mountain View, California. The event will feature product updates, details about Android P. Google Assistant, Wear OS and more. Google is also expected to reveal new features in the world of artificial intelligence and augmented reality to take on Amazon, Apple, Facebook and Microsoft. The event follows two other major developer conferences, Facebook's F8 and Microsoft's Build. Both conferences discussed data privacy issues that seem to be plaguing most big internet companies. With Big Data comes big responsibility and Google has the biggest lot of personally identifiable data. Developers can expect new policies and restrictions when it comes to data usage. Here are some of the things to look out for at the developer's conference this week. Android P Google released the first preview of its next operating system, Android P earlier this year. At the I/O 2018, Google is expected to reveal more details on Android P and what it will mean to the developer ecosystem. Android Nougat was a major success while Android Oreo strengthened the core last year. With Android P, Google could bring new gesture support like iPhone X and native support for a notch-ed display. Google might also make its software visually different when it releases the second preview of Android P. Google Assistant and Google Home Google seems to be redefining computing by Google Assistant which powers the Google Home Smart Speakers. The I/O 2018 might see new features being added to Google Assistant. Google has over 1 million 'Actions' supported by its smart speakers. It will also be interesting to see if Google talks about smart speakers with integrated display. This will be to rival Amazon Echo Show and Echo Spot. Core Google Apps Google could add new features to Google Photos, a platform that uses machine learning to create animated videos and styled photos. Google news is also likely to get a boost. It is said to get a revamped version for desktop and mobile and will have features that were have been used on Google Newsstand. Artificial intelligence CEO Sundar Pichai is expected about how the search giant is planning to enhance its AI. He might also give out details on new products like Waymo self-driving car unit and DeepMind Lab. Other than that, the company might talk about ethical use of AI and how to deal with the concerns of data privacy that popped up after Facebook's Cambridge Analytica scandal. Microsoft has announced the launch of an AI-based accessibility initiative to build better technology for people with disabilities. The company's CEO, Satya Nadella kicked off Microsoft's annual conference for software developers where he mentioned about the new "AI for Accessibility" initiative. The five-year initiative for accessibility will have seed grants for startups, non-profit organizations and academic researchers and also deeper investments and expertise from Microsoft researchers. Microsoft's President Brad Smith said that in an effort to empower people to enjoy their independence and employment, the company will look to accelerate the development of AI tools. Smith said in an interview that the accessibility need could be related to vision or deafness or something like autism or dyslexia. He cited that there are about a billion people across the globe who have some kind of disability, either permanent or temporary. Earlier Microsoft has already experimented with tools such as "Seeing AI" free smartphone app that uses computer vision and narration to navigate people who are blind or have low vision. The company's translation tool helps deaf users with real-time captioning of conversations. Smith acknowledged other firms like Apple and Google who have been working on accessibility for years. He said that Microsoft's accessibility fund builds on the company's AI for Earth Initiative model, which launched last year. It jumpstarted projects for combating climate change and other environmental problems. Smith also said that the idea of the conference is to get more people excited about developing apps and other services for the social good and also for their large market potential. The Build conference would also feature partnerships with drone company DJI and chipmaker Qualcomm. Microsoft's main competitors are Google and Amazon when it comes to providing Internet-connected services to businesses and organizations. Microsoft's latest ventures in cloud computing, artificial intelligence, internet-connected devices and virtual reality are the focus of the Build Conference in Seattle. The Artificial Intelligence domain has taken off at a great pace in recent times. However, along with world-class technology, various services that use AI have come under harsh criticism for compromising the privacy of people. The conference is an opportunity for Microsoft to address the problem and focus on building AI for social good. It could help in countering all the privacy and ethical concerns that have risen over AI and other new technology. Concerns have even risen that software formulas can, at times, amplify gender and racial bias. Nadella took the platform to also address that privacy should be of utmost concern for any technology that anyone develops. He used the dystopian fiction of George Orwell and Aldous Huxley as examples to say that privacy is every human's right and further warned the perils of creating new technology without keeping ethical principles in mind. He mentioned that the time had come to not only ask what computers can do but also ask what computers should do. Over 6,000 people have already registered and most of them are developers who build apps for Microsoft products. The conference is being held at Seattle, which is close to the Microsoft headquarters in Redmond, Washington. The Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation, Heather Humphreys was joined today by Pat Breen TD, Minister of State for Trade, Business and EU Digital Single Market, in turning the sod on a 150m expansion of Googles second data centre at Grange Castle, South County Dublin. The new facility will create approximately 400 jobs at peak during its construction and take approximately 16 months to complete, by which time the data centre will bring Googles total capital investment in Ireland to 1bn since 2003. Speaking at the launch, Minister Humphreys said, "There is no denying that this is a considerable vote of confidence in Ireland as a place to do business. Not only that, but given the importance of data centres in keeping web-based and cloud services running smoothly, this development is also an endorsement of our countrys technical expertise and infrastructure. The business sector in Ireland is an ecosystem that benefits from positive news like this, so I am absolutely delighted to welcome this significant investment." Engineering Director at Google, Terence McGoff added, "Our data centres are essential to our operations both in Ireland and across the larger EMEA region, allowing consumers and business to use our cloud-based tools and software far more efficiently and effectively. This investment shows our continued commitment to Ireland as a key driver for the whole EMEA region, and were proud to see that total capital investment by Google in Ireland has reached a total of 1bn since we first opened an office here in Dublin fifteen years ago." Source: www.businessworld.ie It was announced yesterday that smart refrigeration company, Zeto, will be among Irelands first companies to successfully raise multi-million euro investment through an initial coin offering (ICO). The company, which provides real-time smart monitoring for the retail refrigeration industry, initiated the ICO process by offering a pre-sale round this week. Within a number of days, Zeto has already raised 500,000 from the crytocurrency community with investors in Brazil, Austraila, Oman, Spain among others availing of pre-sale discount. Zeto expects to raise 20 million in total by the end of the ICO process in July 2018. Zeto provides global retailers with a smart refrigeration platform to ensure food safety. Circle K, Dunkin Donuts, Lidl and Musgrave are among the global brands already using Zetos solution in sites around the world. Established in 2011, Zeto is backed by Enterprise Ireland, Kernel Capital and secured EIIS funding through BVP to develop their unique and marekt-proven solution. The new round of funding by ICO will be used to roll out ZetoChain, the blockchain-enabled IoT solution which will provide enhanced security for food safety at every link in the refrigeration chain. Temperature data is recorded in realtime and securely stored in blockchain. If a problem is imminent, Zetos clients are immediately alerted and preventative action can be taken. Smart contracts thus prevent the acceptance of unsafe deliveries and ultimately the sale of unsafe products. The new platform will enable retailers, as well as consumers ultimately, to scan products instore and review a full history of the product from production, transport, delivery to on-shelf point of sale. Speaking of future plans, CEO of Zeto, Stephen Slattery said, "Blockchain technology is new certainly, but this powerful new technology provides a secure solution that can deliver enormous value to the food retail sector, where we have been working with clients for many years. We understand the challenges that retailers face, and food safety is the number one issue." He added, "The use of innovative technology such as IoT in our current solutions and our insights in the commercial refrigeration market have positioned Zeto ideally to roll out blockchain enabled ZetoChain, giving retailers an end-to-end recorded solution that will help them improve efficiency, save money, protect their brand, and introduce full transparency into their cold chain." Source: www.businessworld.ie A subsidiary of power giant China Huadian Corp. has signed a deal to build a 1,320-megawatt (MW) coal-fired power station in Bangladesh, as China aims to help its energy-hungry neighbors build up their coal-fired capacity while shedding its own. China Huadian Hong Kong Co. Ltd. and Bangladesh Power Development Board signed an agreement on Sunday to form a new joint venture that will be in charge of constructing the plant, according to Bangladeshs national news agency. The project was first proposed back in 2014, according to news releases from the Hong Kong subsidiary. The plant will be built in the southeastern coastal city of Coxs Bazar near the border with Myanmar. The new plants generation capacity is set to be equivalent to 8% of Bangladeshs national power generation capacity, which was 15,755 MW as of June, according to official statistics. But this will be just a small part of a swath of Chinese investment into Bangladeshs energy infrastructure, with the country rapidly expanding its power sector to boost industry and get its entire population access to electricity by 2021. About 78% of the population currently has access, according to official figures. China is trying to boost its influence throughout Asia with its Belt and Road Initiative, which aims to help developing countries build up their infrastructure. Data from Gateway House, an Indian think tank, shows seven Chinese-invested coal-fired power plants in Bangladesh, as well as four solar parks. This data did not include the project in Coxs Bazar. Coal-fired power generated less than 2 percent of Bangladeshs electricity last year, according to official statistics the country instead relies on natural gas for most of its power. But this is limited by distribution bottlenecks and supply shortages, so the country is ramping up its use of coal. Of the 40,000 MW of generation capacity that Bangladesh plans to have by 2030, nearly half will come from coal-fired power, according to official plans. China, the worlds biggest coal consumer, is meanwhile slimming down its coal-fired power sector, which suffers from poor profits and overcapacity. Last year alone, China eliminated or suspended 65 gigawatts (GW) of coal-fired power capacity, according to the state-run Xinhua News Agency. Tackling pollution is also a top state priority, with the Chinese government facing growing pressure from a public demanding better air quality. In an interview with Xinhua this January, Nasrul Hamid, Bangladeshs state minister for power, energy and mineral resources, invited Chinese companies to come to Bangladesh to take advantage of the countrys massive power-sector expansion. Since 2007, $12.2 billion of Chinese investment and construction contracts in Bangladesh have been signed, according to China Global Investment Tracker data. During his visit to Bangladesh in 2016, President Xi Jinping promised over $20 billion worth of investment. Chinas immense investment into coal-fired power overseas contrasts with other potential funding sources. The World Bank has said it will fund coal-fired power only in exceptional conditions, and the China-based Asia Infrastructure Investment Bank has also pledged to fund them onlyif they replace existing less efficient capacity or are essential to the reliability and integrity of the system, or if no viable or affordable alternative exists in specific cases, according to its 2018 Energy Sector Strategy. Contact reporter Ke Baili (gabriel@caixin.com) news, latest-news Public servants will brace for cuts, more outsourcing and a muscling-up of security agencies as the Coalition holds down the bureaucracy's headcount. The federal budget papers say the government's civilian workforce will grow modestly next year, with most extra jobs in national security and intelligence, though the Defence Department is an unexpected loser. The government's non-military staffing will increase to 167,484 full-time-equivalent jobs, about 900 higher than in 2017-18, but the Coalition said that was still comparable to the workforce in the later years of the Howard government. The government boasted it had kept numbers low while Australia's population increased and the private sector expanded. The Department of Human Services is set for a large share of cuts, with another massive drop in staff forecast in a move that will anger unions and community services advocates. Nearly 1300 positions will go at the department in 2018-19, following on from the 1200 cut in last year's budget. However, the department will pay contractors to run call centres, and will use more than $50 million set aside from its budget to improve call-waiting times. No end is in sight for the department's efforts to chase welfare debts, including its maligned "robo-debt" program, which is predicted to be extended. The Department of Foreign Affairs and the Tax Office were other winners from the Coalition's fifth budget since returning to power, gaining 40 more full-time staff each, while the Defence Department will lose more than 1000 positions from a mixture of cuts and other changes, despite benefiting from a large staffing increase last year. The government is pouring money into agencies moved into the new home affairs super portfolio. The Australian Federal Police, the Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission and AUSTRAC will gain staff and funding in 2018-19. Another agency moving into home affairs, ASIO, will add 120 full-time jobs as the government directs its focus on security after a major machinery-of-government shake-up last year. The spy agency will be boosted by an extra $24.4 million in 2018-19. The National Archives and the National Library of Australia will face job cuts, with 10 staff set to be lost at the archives and 12 at the library. The troubles surrounding the pesticides authority's controversial move to Armidale continue. It will receive $10 million for IT reforms to help it move, as well as about $25 million to assist the relocation from Canberra. While the Coalition still backs the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority's move north, a wholesale relocation of agencies into the regions was absent from the budget. However decentralisation will continue with jobs from six agencies to move into the bush. Positions from the Office of the Registrar of Indigenous Corporations will move from Canberra to Darwin, some Prime Minister and Cabinet jobs will relocate from Melbourne to Shepparton, and the Unique Student Identifier Register will move from Canberra to Adelaide. Twelve jobs from the Infrastructure department will also relocate to the regions. The Coalition revealed that its major inquiry into the APS, announced late last week, would cost $10 million, which would come from Malcolm Turnbull's department's budget. It also flagged a separate $7 million review of the new home affairs portfolio to find "efficiencies" and reduce duplication. The budget provides large sums for upgrades to the public service's digital infrastructure, which is expected to be a focus of the APS review. The Department of Home Affairs will receive $130 million for IT upgrades and $316 million will be spent on Human Service's ageing technology. The government expects its total wages and salaries bill to increase by 1.96 per cent, or $393 million, in 2018-19, and by almost $1 billion, at 4.68 per cent, across the forward estimates. Community and Public Sector Union national secretary Nadine Flood said the Coalition had delivered a "smoke and mirrors" budget that sold off public services to big business and undermined agencies. "The government has continued to wreak havoc on the public sector in this budget, on top of the 18,000 jobs already cut under the Coalition," she said. "The budget maintains destructive policies including the so-called 'efficiency dividend', the arbitrary cap on Commonwealth staffing numbers and the ballooning use of contractors, consultants and labour hire." /images/transform/v1/crop/frm/silverstone-ct-migration/71228085-bcde-4c98-ae8c-0b21105209f0/r0_105_2000_1235_w1200_h678_fmax.jpg news, latest-news "Well thanks Peter, but I'll have to think about it and get back to you." It was 1993, and Richard Luton wasn't sure he wanted a career in real estate. He hung up the phone from Canberra property luminary Peter Blackshaw - who'd just offered him a position as a sales agent from more than 30 applicants - and stressed for two days about his next move. "I just wandered around Canberra, thinking what a risk it was to give up my $60,000 a year at Ansett to go to commission only," Luton recalls. "I had three little girls and I was the main money-earner for my family. I had no-one to call. I had no-one to talk to, I didn't know a single person who worked in real estate." He accepted Blackshaw's offer. If things didn't work out, he was prepared to go back to part-time taxi driving. The young father bought two Roger David suits - one bottle green and one navy - at a grand total of $150 each and filled up his second-hand BMW with a tank of petrol. He fronted at the Peter Blackshaw office in Manuka with zero sales experience but confident the customer service ethic he'd developed working for former Australian airline Ansett would help him sell houses. Luton had also been through three recent property sales himself, moving his young family ever closer to the city, from Garran to Isaacs and then to Deakin. "I've always had the gift of the gab," he says. "All I had was customer service experience and goals, you have to have goals. "I knew I wanted to change my lifestyle, I knew I wanted to put the kids through private school, I knew I wanted better houses, I wanted to buy a BMW and a Mercedes Benz and have good holidays." Luton was used to hard work. The son of a cattle and sheep farmer near Adaminaby, as a teen he would work on the farm in the morning, head to Cooma's Monaro High School to study, and then arrive home to more farm work. "My parents gave me good values, we always worked hard, seven days a week, and we saved money," Luton says. While the first six months in real estate were "up and down" - "I was still not convinced this was the right thing for me" - Luton quicky became a top sales agent. In 1994, he convinced then wife Danielle to come on board as his PA and spent every waking hour building his personal brand. He'd duck home for a plate of spaghetti bolognese at dinner time, cuddle his daughters Courtney, Sophie and Madison, and then head back to the office. He lived and breathed property and never stopped talking: his heavy, brick-like Raytheon mobile phone wore holes in the pockets of both of his Roger David suits. Between 1993 and 1999, Luton sold 530 houses across Canberra. In his best year, 1997, he sold two houses every week. "Of course a lot has changed in the real estate industry since the 90s, especially the technology," Luton says. "It's so much easier for us to work out the price of a house now - 25 years ago, there were no computers to work out the price of the house down the road, it was all guessing. "But you still have to go back to old-fashioned customer service, negotiating skills, advertising. You still have to do auctions, even though they're doing online auctions now, people still prefer an onsite auction. "I'm still a big supporter of vendor paid advertising for exposure." By the late 90s, the future of his three daughters, now teenagers, played constantly on Luton's mind. Prime Minister John Howard was making massive cuts to the federal public service and so, to guarantee his daughters a job in Canberra, Luton parted ways with his "wonderful mentor" Peter Blackshaw. Richard Luton Properties was born in 1999, with the logo featuring an arch window from the front of the Lutons' new home in Forrest. "Everyone said I was mad launching a real estate office in Manuka in 1999 where there were already 12 agencies," he recalls. "But I thought, 'Well, I've sold 530 houses with Blackshaw so that's 530 buyers and 530 sellers, so there's 1000 people. I did a good job - hopefully most of those people will come back to me'. "Within a year, we opened up an office in Dickson, and then just kept on going and going." Today, the Luton Properties empire encompasses nine offices across the capital and more than 150 staff. Luton this week celebrated a quarter of a century in real estate but "there's no way it feels like it's been 25 years". Luton's sales tally is now at 995 individual sales, while his agency is responsible for 12,000 sales since 1999. Luton Properties holds the sales record in 18 Canberra suburbs, from as far south as Conder through to Red Hill, Braddon and OConnor. Luton's daughter Sophie works for the business, and while he tries to spend as much time with his three grandkids as possible, he's still heavily involved in the day-to-day running of all nine offices. "I'm a colleague, I just class myself as a colleague to my staff and I'm just so proud of the company," he says. "I'm still a listing principal, I still list homes, I still do open homes, I still negotiate and I still do auctions. That's important to me. "We're successful, we're a great brand and we get great results." After 25 years of hard work, is Luton finally living the dream? "I'm comfortable, I have a happy facade but I've been through a lot," he admits. "I've been through divorces, been through staff, been cranky, been through not having a lot of money. "As a real estate agent, you always have to be 'on' but I'm always like that anyway. So hey, my heart may give up one day, but not yet." /images/transform/v1/crop/frm/silverstone-ct-migration/c971d8d3-602f-4c93-acd4-ef38c5ece75d/r0_214_4256_2619_w1200_h678_fmax.jpg news, latest-news Karabar High School students have been warned to watch for symptoms of meningococcal after a student contracted meningitis. NSW health authorities sent a letter to parents this afternoon saying the student was being treated for meningococcal as a precaution. Close contacts of the student will be required to take antibiotics as a precaution while other students have been advised to watch for symptoms. "A case of meningitis has been notified in a student at Karabar High School. As a precaution theyare being treated for meningococcal disease," the letter said. "Only people who have been in close contact with a suspected or confirmed case need to takespecial antibiotics to clear the bacteria from the back of the throat." Meningococcal infection is caused by a bacterium that is carried, usually harmlessly, in the noseand throat by up to 10% of people. However, occasionally carriers may pass it on to others who have been in close contact with them. "While the risk of developing infection is very low, it is important to seek medical adviceimmediately if you develop any of the symptoms of meningococcal disease or if you are unwell. "Even if youve had a meningococcal vaccine you still need to look out for symptoms, because thevaccines dont protect against all meningococcal strains." The symptoms of meningococcal disease to look out for include a combination of: /images/transform/v1/crop/frm/silverstone-ct-migration/3fe30eed-6ca1-4aa9-9786-0311307c48da/r0_64_2000_1194_w1200_h678_fmax.jpg news, act-politics A Canberra Liberals no-confidence motion against Health Minister Meegan Fitzharris has failed in the ACT Legislative Assembly. Opposition health spokeswoman Vicki Dunne, in moving the motion as first order of business on Tuesday, said Ms Fitzharris should "resign in shame" for misleading the Assembly. However, the motion was voted down after the opposition failed to gain the support of the ACT Greens. The Labor-Greens parliamentary agreement means the cross-bench can only support a no-confidence motion in cases of "proven corruption, gross negligence or significant non-adherence [to the agreement]". The ACT Health system has been put under the microscope recently after clinical staff warned poor management and chronic overcrowding on maternity wards had put patients' lives at risk. The warning came just weeks after it was revealed Canberra Hospital had failed 33 key standards at a recent audit, some of which placed patients at "extreme risk". During the Assembly debate, Ms Dunne cited multiple examples of Ms Fitzharris publicly claiming improvements in emergency waiting room and elective surgery time frames, when in fact data revealed a deterioration, she said. "Under this minister's tutelage elective surgery and emergency waiting times have got worse, and on at least half-a-dozen occasions the minister came into this place and said quite the opposite," Ms Dunne said. "This minister should resign because she sequentially and serially mislead this assembly about elective surgery waiting times and emergency access waiting times. "That is enough in itself ... to have this minister resign in shame. She has significantly and consistently mislead this assembly under the Westminister principles of democracy." Ms Dunne said the Canberra Liberals had called for the minister's resignation, not just because of misleading statements, but also because of serial failures ... in the health department. "Under a Westminster system ... the buck stops with the minister," she said. It is time for the minister to resign because she has failed in her mission." In response, Ms Fitzharris admitted the ACT had consistently struggled to achieve a number of the national performance targets. However, she said the territory health system had made faster performance gains than many other jurisdictions in recent years and a "considerable change at the top" was required to improve this performance. She said ACT Health would be split into two distinct organisations, one focused on clinical and medical service delivery, and another focused on health system management, strategic policy and planning support functions. "What we currently have is not working as well as it should. Our community deserves better," the minister said. "We need to make lasting and sustainable improvements in the delivery of health services, the most complex services provided by government. "I also know this is not something we can fix overnight. But this governments number one priority will be to improve our health performance one step at a time." Ms Fitzharris said the territory needed to adapt to the changed health care environment, which included larger and aging population, and the fact the ACT served as a regional health hub and operated the only tertiary hospital between Sydney and Melbourne. The Greens Shane Rattenbury, who is Minister for Mental Health, said overall, Canberras health care was extremely high quality. The Liberals no-confidence motion was not a fair and accurate account of the situation at ACT Health, nor a reflection of the work that Ms Fitzharris was doing, he said. Health is a challenging portfolio, it is made up of human beings and in human systems there are times when things do need to be lifted up, to be fixed up, to be reinvigorated, or to be reformed, he said. /images/transform/v1/crop/frm/silverstone-ct-migration/2495caf7-9583-47cf-9730-252731a956ed/r0_283_5568_3429_w1200_h678_fmax.jpg news, act-politics New laws will try to close gaps in a scheme forcing churches and other religious organisations to report allegations or convictions for misconduct involving children. Religious institutions are already subject to the ACTs reportable conduct scheme when providing school, childcare, health and out-of-home care services, however the gaps were pointed out before it came into effect last year. Legislation the territory government is introducing this week will expand the scheme to cover religious organisations' "activities, facilities, programs or services" from July 1. Chief Minister Andrew Barr and Attorney-General Gordon Ramsay announced in a joint statement that the legislation excluded for nine months information given during a confession, a decision they said acknowledged "the complexity of such an inclusion" and allowed time for more consultation. When the scheme was launched in June, it still did not cover church organisations, Scout groups, sporting clubs or dance schools. The gaps in the incoming scheme were first drawn to the attention of the government in February last year. At the time an ACT government spokesman said the scheme "certainly" covered all religious institutions that care for children. However Catholic Archbishop Christopher Prowse told the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse the church had been asking the government to "raise the bar" on its scheme. Since July last year, all government organisations dealing with children have had to report allegations, offences or convictions related to children to the ACT Ombudsman within 30 days and launch an investigation. Reportable conduct can include grooming, sexting and indecent behaviour that falls below a criminal threshold. Criminal behaviour must still be reported to police. From July survivors of child sexual abuse in institutions working under the ACT government will be eligible for support after the territory moved to opt into a new national redress scheme. The scheme will provide access to counselling and psychological services, payments of up to $150,000, and direct responses from the institution where the abuse occurred. comment I would urge the Australian Electoral Commission to name the new ACT electorate after Ningali Cullen. We have enough named after dead white men. But let us make the decision against honouring Charles Bean without the ludicrous, offensive and groundless objections made by Mike Kelly ("Opposition to using name of 'racist' for area", May 8, p3) that Bean was "stridently" racist. He certainly harboured prejudices against Jews, like most Anglo-Australians of his generation. Unlike them, he repudiated racist ideas and showed a notable willingness to change his mind. If we are to deny recognition to those whose ideas we now decry, the AEC should erase the names of electorates honouring all politicians who supported the White Australia policy. Common sense would lead us to object that their contributions amounted to more than the support of that discredited policy. Likewise with Bean. Do not name the electorate after him, by all means, but do not distort his life and achievements by exaggerating the significance of a view from which he later resiled. Professor Peter Stanley, UNSW Canberra The naming of Bean as a new electorate for Canberra has attracted needless trauma because the author had been anti-Semitic. This was very commonplace in Australia until well into the 1950s. Religious bigotry has now been supplanted essentially by racism, yet it was the latter which dominated the lead-up to Federation. Many suburbs in the nation's capital are named in honour of men who, in "less enlightened" times, feared the "yellow peril". Moreover, you need nearly two hands to count PMs who resorted to uniquely private practices and kept Catholic aspirations for employment and preferment very much in check. So Bean had warts. Monash did too, and he has been adequately honoured. He openly sported a mistress in England during his years as a standout military leader. The men had a rapprochement, by the way, in the late 1920s. The same cannot be said for Billy Hughes, for example, who openly hated everyone who dared to disagree with him. President Wilson described him as a "pestilence". Reconciliation was never part of his modus operandi. As the great conceptualiser of Australia's memory of war Bean deserves to be remembered. Patrick Jones, Griffith Anti-Semitism, like any racial hatred, such as hatred of the Rohingya in their homeland, can't be tolerated or ignored. Rather than call an ACT electorate after Charles Bean, reportedly an active anti-Semite, we should name it after a great and kind Australian, Nugget Coombs. I don't think it's understood by many how deep anti-Semitism is even today; while we've probably all thoughtlessly without intended cruelty told the odd Jewish and racial joke over years past in less understanding times. There are people that carry on hatred from their families, brainwashed from birth. I recall talking to some fellow, an educated character who liked to present as a gentleman, whose family came out of Nazi Germany, and I thought he was just being playfully irreverent and provocative with his anti-Semitic remarks, but when I pulled him up after he went too far, he replied to my astonishment, "Do you know anyone who likes them?" No, Bean is unacceptable; pick a man with human compassion for everyone like Nugget Coombs. John Dobinson, Herston, Qld I recently visited the new, $13million foreshore works adjacent to the Commonwealth Bridge, which was opened with much fanfare. There are some nice barbecue areas, kids playground and a range of seating adjacent to and along the foreshore works. It looks great. Then we noted the nearest toilet facilities are some 300 metres away. What planning bright spark didn't consider this to be an important issue? Perhaps they can at least drop a couple of portaloos in there, which will assist visitors in the short term. J. Bodsworth, Phillip I totally agree with the need to enforce minimum distances from cyclists. But how do we solve the issue of cyclists riding around at night with dark clothes on and no lights? It happens all the time. It's time the government brought in some regulations about cyclists riding safely. Cyclists need to learn how invisible they can be without bike lights from a car driver's perspective, sitting behind a windscreen in the dark, especially if it's raining. Chris Kain, O'Connor I have to thank S.W. Davey (Letters, May 8) for explaining that use of either fission or fusion would lead to production of steam to generate electricity. And he (or she) asks to what purpose. Well, the purpose is the same however energy is converted, and that is to satisfy our demand for electricity. The purpose of my letter (Letters, May 7) was simply to explain the difference between fission and fusion. I had no other reason and I was certainly not recommending any preferred form of energy conversion. But while plugging the adoption of solar and wind as forms of electricity production, he neglects the fact that the equipment solar panels or wind turbines have to be manufactured and, at present, that requires the production of steam to generate electricity. Should the day arrive when solar or wind provides all our electricity, we will still have to manufacture that same equipment and that cannot be done without generating heat. And when that electricity is used, it releases heat in one form or another as energy conservation laws dictate. The difference is that whether we generate our electricity by solar, wind, fission, or perhaps some day fusion, we will reduce production of carbon dioxide, which is the main contributor to global warming, not heat. Alan Parkinson, Weetangera Despite being a thick-skinned mere male, I admit to feeling a little nettled by the header, "Boards with women are better, but you have to have the ovaries to make the moves" (May 8, p16). Jenna Price's article was full of opinion but short on facts and had no problem with self-contradictions. In paragraph four she wrote, "So do we ban all men? I'd argue that's an excellent idea in the short term." In paragraph nine she wrote, "Women (working together with men) are clearly better." Clearly impressed by boards which go in for a bit of stage dressing, she is quick to excuse the women leading the AMP misconduct as merely "tokenistic". As an academic, Ms Price remains about as logical and consistent as a politician. Gary J. Wilson, Macgregor I have been pondering for several days about the article which appeared in The Canberra Times regarding anticipated cuts/reorganisation to staff at the Canberra office of the ABC. In recent months the quality of broadcasts on radio seems to have deteriorated and it appears that the same fate is about to happen to the quality of TV news presentations with the jobs of some of our top-quality news presenters/journalists in jeopardy. It seems a travesty that our top journalists are being required to apply for the positions they already hold and where they already perform at a top level. When is ABC management going to realise that top-quality broadcasting requires top-quality presenters/journalists to carry out the work at the highest level to give Canberra the public broadcaster we deserve, not only at a local but at a national level. I hope ABC management at all levels take recent comments from Canberra Times readers on board so that our ABC remains our ABC. Please give us programs both on TV and radio that we all enjoy and find stimulating to listen to and watch. Neredah Crane, Monash The letter "ABC breakfast dire" (May 7) commented on the incessant interruptions to ABC breakfast programs with promos etc. The same happens on the ABC Classic FM station where the excellent music offerings are continuously broken into with voices telling me I am listening to ABC Classic FM (as if I didn't know) as well as promos for forthcoming and even previous programs I could catch up on with various apps. Very irritating. I have written to the ABC on a number of occasions to no avail. The fault is clearly with ABC management, which seems intent on destroying and dumbing down the ABC at all levels. R. Allnutt, Deakin While I do listen to ABC radio between 10pm and 5.30am daily I now no longer tune into our local ABC at other times. I was listening to Chris Smith on 2CC/2GB last week when he was broadcasting his afternoon show live from Ireland. The broadcast was seamless with no obvious technical issues. This got me thinking. If our local ABC broadcast the morning show live from where ever Ross Solly is in Asia I, and I suspect quite a few others, would return to our local ABC. Valdis Juskevics, Flynn Maurice O'Loughlin (Letters, May 8) is not the only correspondent to complain about the breakfast program on the ABC, however, help is at hand. ABC Radio National (846) breakfast with Fran Kelly, 6 to 9am weekdays, is excellent. Great interviews with really knowledgeable individuals world-wide, interspersed with local items of interest. Well presented, no giggling. However RN deteriorates during the day with many repeats, though not as bad as ABC TV, which frequently shows repeats for the whole day and night, save the news and 7.30. The saving grace is adverts do not interrupt the programs and occasionally there is a brilliant drama. John Daly, Lyons The obesity epidemic is in the news again ("Most don't understand kilojoules", May 6, p6). As usual the finger is pointed at greed individual greed. What is never mentioned is corporate greed. For years I have enjoyed a tip-top breakfast, including one slice of raisin bread. Two loaves last me a month. Suddenly the slices sold by my favourite baker are 40 per cent thicker, and I would now need three loaves a month to get one slice a day. More sales for the company, more girth for me. Bad luck baker, your monthly sales to me just fell from two loaves to zero. Tony Eggleton, Belconnen I fully support Paul Bowler's opinion that the ACT should be abolished, with Canberra becoming legally a city within NSW with local matters governed by a Canberra City Council. Anyone who suggested that Newcastle (much larger than Canberra), Wollongong, Geelong and Townsville should be separated from their states, and become independent jurisdictions with representation on COAG, would generally be thought to have a few sheep loose in the top paddock. Why then do so many people, other than puffed-up local politicians, consider that Canberra should be a separate jurisdiction? The ACT serves no purpose. It was created only as a project office to facilitate the creation of a capital city. That task was completed decades ago. Unfortunately, the ACT's continued existence creates enormous waste and confusion. Each day thousands of people cross the NSW/ACT border for work, education, health services, shopping and pleasure. For all practical purposes Canberra is a city within NSW, and so identical state legislation should apply on both sides of the border. A city council, with the same number of politicians as the current Legislative Assembly, would be able to apply far more attention to local government, and thus govern better. It is ridiculous than Canberrans, who comprise about 2 per cent of Australia's population, should be governed differently from the other 98 per cent. Is it any wonder that Canberrans are sometimes resented as elitist? The sooner this anomaly is abolished, the better. Bob Salmond, Melba David Murray will have them rolling in the aisles, with his joke that "Tightening the law is potentially a bad thing for credit generation..." and could lead to "moral hazard" ("Gym rats unfit in banks' new era", May 5, p5). Westpac's Hartzer, similarly, noted tougher advice laws in the UK caused many banks to quit the sector. So that's negative for consumers of bank products it seems? Rather than becoming, as NAB's Thornburn fears, more "timid", banks might be mentors to the hugger-mugger corporate sector and engage in overtly ethical behaviour, post Hayne. Wishful thinking perhaps. When bankers accrue to themselves "compensation" of $19.65million, plus receive commission and bonuses for merely turning up, Turnbull's vendetta against welfare recipients looks ever more vindictive. Albert M. White Queanbeyan, NSW TOILET HUMOUR Penleigh Boyd's article ("Does Parliament House serve us well?", May 8, p17) reminds me of the attributed comment of the late Bert Kelly MP (The Modest Member) that the new Parliament House with its self-contained members' suites would never work because all the deals previously were done in the public gents toilets. Greg Cornwell, Yarralumla MATTER OF PRIORITIES Just a thought, maybe the government money spent on devices for cyclists to measure distance between us (car drivers) and them (cyclists) could have been spent on buying blankets and clothing for the children that are living in terrible circumstances, especially with winter upon us. Priorities people. God help the taxpayers of Canberra denying the pushbike riders anything. P and L Baker, Macgregor COLOURFUL REVIEWS I have often wondered whether Huon Hooke, your "Good Food" wine writer, is reviewing wine or fruit salad. I am yet to read him describe a wine as being of grape flavour. David J Richards, Moruya, NSW CONTAINER DEPOSITS The ACT would do well to learn not only from NSW's container deposit scheme, but also the long experience of South Australia over several decades ("Watchdog to monitor beverage prices", May 8, p8). Allan Gibson, Cherrybrook, NSW ANZAC DAY SHEMOZZLE It is now two weeks since several letters to the editor were published regarding the shemozzle that was the Anzac Day march and not one word from the RSL explaining why it was so and suggesting a plan of attack (pardon the pun) for next year's ceremony. Is this a case of "mea culpa" or are we to expect a salvo some time in the future? Some form of response would be a matter of courtesy, I would have thought. B.J. Millar, Isabella Plains ROOS OUT OF GRAZING Like so many people in Canberra, I abhor the shooting of kangaroos and it appears to be futile as it has to be repeated every year. But I take heart, as I expect that there will soon be no open grassland in Canberra for kangaroos to graze. Problem solved! L Roy, Hughes WHO FOOTS THE BILL? Our self-proclaimed "Nation Building, Infrastructure, 2.0 Innovator" PM conveniently forgets to tell us who is going to really pay for today's "apparently free" infrastructure transport boasts. It will, of course, be our children, grandchildren and great grandchildren who will have to pay for today's toll roads and rail if they can afford to use them. What a legacy our National/Liberal Coalition government will leave them. P.R. Temple, Macquarie Email: letters.editor@canberratimes.com.au. Send from the message eld, not as an attached le. Fax: 6280 2282. Mail: Letters to the Editor, The Canberra Times, PO Box 7155, Canberra Mail Centre, ACT 2610. Keep your letter to 250 words or less. References to Canberra Times reports should include date and page number. Letters may be edited. Provide phone number and full home address (suburb only published). news, act-politics Chief Minister Andrew Barr met in January with Melbourne-based property developer ICD Property, which has embarked on a series of Chinese-backed projects in Australia in recent years. The meeting is disclosed in the official diaries of ACT ministers, which were finally posted online on Tuesday, as journalists entered the federal budget lock-up and attention was focused elsewhere. The ACT diaries are published under the territorys new freedom of information legislation, which began in January. The first three months of meetings have been released, but no details are provided. ICD Property is headed by Michael Mai, reported in the Australian newspaper to be son of Boliang Mai, one of Chinas most successful businessmen. ICD built Melbournes EQ tower with Chinese company Sino-Ocean Land, reported to be one of China's largest listed developers. Mr Mai has other big projects in Sydney and Perth. Mr Barr met the ICD and its related Mai Capital on January 18 for a purpose that has not been disclosed. Mai Capital describes itself as an Australian investment firm that is creating a bridge between Australia and China. Mr Barr's spokesman said the meeting had been with development manager Bobby Kennedy, deputy managing director Matthew Khoo, operations director, Sal Quah an acquisitions manager Ben Mckinnon. MAI had outlined its focus on investment in "healthcare and agricultural technologies", and Mr Barr had "outlined the benefits of investing in Canberra". MAI had also held meetings with the Suburban Land Agency. Also in January, Mr Barr met Scentregroup, the Sydney-based firm that owns the Westfield shopping centres. And on March 29, he met Geocon, the Canberra developer headed by Nick Georgalis that has a string of high-profile high-rises on the go, including Grand Central being built in Woden the Wayfarer in Belconnen, with Republic planned nearby, Midnight in the city, Infinity anounced for Gungahlin, and a new 16-storey hotel planned for Garema Place. Geocon has now lodged plans for a 24-storey tower as part of a group of four it wants to build on the former Tradies club site in Woden. Mick Gentleman, who is planning and urban renewal minister, met the chief executive of Elton Consulting, presumably Kim Anson, on January 30. Elton is a big consultant in the local development scene including consulting on Manuka Oval and on the high-profile Ginninderry housing development in west Belconnen. Dan Stewart, who was deputy chief executive of the governments Land Development Agency until mid-2015, is a partner in Elton. Mr Gentleman also met consultant Tania Parkes in February, and held two meetings with the Nous Group. He met the chief executive of Andrew MacCallum Architecture in January and the chief executive of the Hellenic Club in February. Health and transport Minister Meegan Fitzharris, who is tackling a string of problems in the health system, has held meetings with the secretary of Unions ACT, Alex White, the Australian Manufacturing Workers' Union, the Transport Workers Union, United Voice and the Health Services Union. On March 14, she held a meeting that included United Voice, Health Services Union, Australian Salaried Medical Officers Federation, Unions ACT, Community and Public Sector Union, and the next day she met the Royal Australian College of Surgeons, before the Health Services Union was back again on March 27. She also met in March with the British government-owned Behavioural Insights Team, a firm that applies models of human behaviour to public policy-making. Industrial relations minister Rachel Stephen-Smith has also held a list of meetings with unions, including the national president of the Community and Public Sector Union, Unions ACT, United Voice, the Nursing and Midwifery Federation, the Transport Workers Union and the Manufacturing Workers Union, some more than once in the three months. Ms Stephen-Smith and gambling minister Gordon Ramsay met the then Construction, Forestry, Mining and Energy Union secretary Dean Hall on January 22. Greens minister Shane Rattenbury, who is minister for climate change, met Beast Solutions, a company which employs Simon Corbell, former deputy chief minister, who left the ACT Parliament before the 2016 election. The ministerial diaries dont include electorate or party political matters, media interviews or information that could disclose personal details about someone, affect a court case, or disclose information about security, public safety, or law enforcement. /images/transform/v1/crop/frm/silverstone-ct-migration/b75f8638-f0be-455f-8485-93ba3288d40b/r0_283_5568_3429_w1200_h678_fmax.jpg news, latest-news President Donald Trump has vowed to withdraw the US from the July 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, or the "nuclear agreement", and reimpose sanctions on Iran unless it is renegotiated. He wants the removal of the agreements sunset clauses, curbing of Irans ballistic missile program and regional influence, and more intrusive inspections of Irans nuclear and military facilities. Tehran has rejected any renegotiation of the signed multilateral agreement, which continues to be backed by the other four permanent members of the UN Security Council, plus Germany. The JCPOA materialised after nearly two years of hard-hitting negotiations. The US and Iran had to move substantially from their original positions. Washington abandoned its insistence on Iran foregoing its entire nuclear program, and Tehran gave up its resolve to continue its uranium enrichment at a high level. Tehran also agreed to allow expanded IAEA oversight, to reduce dramatically its stockpile of enriched uranium and its centrifuges, and not to build heavy water nuclear reactors for the next 15 years. In return, the other signatories agreed to lift all the nuclear-related sanctions against Iran. The UN Security Council unanimously adopted Resolution 2231 endorsing the agreement on 20 July 2015, lifting all UN sanctions. The US supported the resolution, but maintained sanctions linked to alleged Iranian support of terrorism and human rights violations. The nuclear deal has had strong American, regional and Iranian critics prior to and after its conclusion. Trumps opposition is fanned by Irans two regional rivals, Israel and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. In Iran, President Hassan Rouhanis conservative opponents, who dominate most of the levers of power, have opposed any opening up to the US. They regard the US as a hegemonic power with a history of interventionist attitudes towards oil-rich Iran. They cite Americas overthrow of the elected nationalist government of prime minister Mohammad Mossadegh in 1953, and its support for the pro-Western Shah to rule Iran at the USs behest for the next 25 years and threats to change the Iranian Islamic regime to make their case. Trumps decision to scrap the agreement in defiance of the advice of his Secretary of Defense, and Americas European and non-European allies, including Australia, could have serious implications. It would cause a mortal blow to non-proliferation and the credibility of the US as a reliable negotiator, giving more reasons for a state like North Korea to remain distrustful of it in reaching a negotiated settlement on its nuclear status. It would also send a wrong message to most other countries, including Americas core allies, which have already been bruised by a number of Trumps impulsive policy actions. It would embolden Irans regional adversaries, especially Israel and Saudi Arabia, to continue to treat Iran as enemy No. 1, while obscuring how their behaviour has also contributed to regional volatility. Further, it would open up more space for Russia and China to fill the gap in world leadership at a cost to the US. It also stands to affect the texture of the Iranian domestic political scene by assisting the hardline cluster to undermine President Rouhani and his supporters. Given their strong hold on the power structure, they could engage in responses that could lead to a military showdown with the US and its regional allies, with debilitating consequences for not only Iran, but its neighbourhood and American interests in the area. The Islamic Republic has built sufficient hard power capability and a regional network of activist groups, and an asymmetrical warfare strategy to make any attack on it very costly for its perpetrator. Despite their political divisions, the Iranian public could be expected to unite behind their government as they have repeatedly done in the face of external hostility in the past. The risks associated with cancelling the nuclear agreement are far greater than keeping it in place. Tampering with it could set in motion an uncontrollable chain of events. Amin Saikal is distinguished professor and director of the Centre for Arab and Islamic Studies at the Australian National University, and author of Iran Rising: The survival and future of the Islamic Republic (Princeton University Press, 2018) forthcoming. /images/transform/v1/crop/frm/silverstone-ct-migration/198b392a-49ad-4bbc-a699-0f890bb4fed6/r0_219_3251_2056_w1200_h678_fmax.jpg Bihar State Power (Holding) Company Limited has released an employment notification calling out for aspirants to apply for the post of Assistant. Those interested can check out the eligibility, salary scale, how to apply and the complete details of the government job here. Selected candidates can earn up to INR 35400. The last date to apply for the government job is May 29, 2018. SSC CGL Recruitment 2018: Apply Before June 4, 2018 BPCL Recruitment 2018 Vacancy Details CRITERIA DETAILS Name Of The Post Assistant Organisation Bihar State Power (Holding) Company Limited Number Of Vacancies 90 Educational Qualification Graduate from a recognised university Age Limit 21 to 37 years Salary Scale INR 15500 to INR 35400 Job Location Bihar Industry Electrical Experience Freshers can apply Selection Process Computer Based Test (CBT) Exam Topics General Knowledge, Logical Reasoning, Quantitative Aptitude, General English and Comprehension, General Hindi, Computer Knowledge Application Fees INR 1500 Application Start Date May 8, 2018 Application End Date May 29, 2018 Also Read: ICF Recruitment 2018 For Nurses And Technicians How To Apply For BPCL Recruitment 2018 In order to apply for BPCL Recruitment 2018, follow these steps: Step 1: Log on to the BPCL official website. Step 2: The instructions for filling the application form will be displayed on the screen. Read them carefully. Step 3: Click on the button that reads, Register Now. Step 4: The application form will be displayed on the screen. Step 5: Enter your details in the fields provided. Step 6: Enter the captcha code. Step 7: Accept the terms and conditions. Step 8: Click Submit and Continue. Step 9: Follow the subsequent pages and complete the registration process. Click here to read the detailed official advertisement. IIT Madras has released an employment notification calling out for aspirants to apply for various posts. Those interested can check out the eligibility, salary scale, how to apply and the complete details of the government job here. Selected candidates can earn up to level 12 pay matrix. The last date to apply for the government job is May 19, 2018. HRD Ministry Offers Free AICTE Certified Online Courses From IIT Madras IIT Madras Recruitment 2018 Vacancy Details CRITERIA DETAILS Name Of The Posts Junior Technician, Junior Engineer, Junior Technical Superintendent, Assistant Registrar, Deputy Registrar and Chief Medical Officer Organisation IIT Madras Educational Qualification BSc for Junior Technician; degree or diploma in civil or electrical engineering for Junior Engineer; MSc or BE for Junior Technical Superintendent; any postgraduate degree for Assistant Registrar and Deputy Registrar; MD or MS for Chief Medical Officer Maximum Age Limit 50 years Salary Scale Level 3 to level 12 pay matrix Job Location Madras Industry Engineering and medicine Experience Desirable Application Start Date May 7, 2018 Application End Date May 19, 2018 Also Read: Engineering Jobs 2018 In May At Various Government Organisations How To Apply For IIT Madras Recruitment 2018 In order to apply for IIT Madras Recruitment 2018, follow these steps: Step 1: Log on to the IIT Madras recruitment official website. Step 2: The brief details of the recruitment will be displayed on the screen. Read them carefully. Step 3: Click on the link on the left-hand side that reads, Create new account. Step 4: Enter your details in the fields provided. Step 5: Click on the button that reads, Create new account. Step 6: Login using your credentials and complete the application process. Click here to read the detailed official notification. The Public Works Department, Maharashtra has released an employment notification calling out for aspirants to apply for the post of Junior Engineer. Those interested can check out the eligibility, salary scale, how to apply and the complete details of the government job here. Selected candidates can earn up to INR 45000. The last date to apply for the government job is May 27, 2018. Engineering Jobs 2018 In May At Various Government Organisations Maharashtra PWD Recruitment 2018 Vacancy Details CRITERIA DETAILS Name Of The Post Junior Engineer Organisation Public Works Department, Maharashtra Number Of Vacancies 263 Educational Qualification Diploma in civil engineering Age Limit 18 to 38 years Skills Required Engineering skills Salary Scale INR 9300 to INR 45000 Job Location Maharashtra Industry Engineering Experience Freshers can apply Application Start Date May 7, 2018 Application End Date May 27, 2018 Also Read: APSC Recruitment 2018 For Assistant Audit Officer: Earn Up To INR 98500 How To Apply For Maharashtra PWD Recruitment 2018 In order to apply for Maharashtra PWD Recruitment 2018, follow these steps: Step 1: Log on to the Maha Pariksha official website. Step 2: Enter your details in the registration form. Step 3: Click on the Register button. Step 4: Complete the registration process. Step 5: Login using the credentials that you received. Complete the application process. It has been decades since the concept of free trade was introduced. With technology progressing at an alarming rate, the world has indeed become a small place to live in. These days no place in the globe is unreachable and people living continents away can communicate with each other at the click of a button. All of this has cumulatively led to the increasing interest in students to obtain a bachelor's degree abroad. Going for a bachelor's degree abroad not only opens up new opportunities on a professional front but it also makes one grow as a person. By coming in contact with students from different ethnic origins and backgrounds, you will end up learning way more about life than what any degree can teach you. The challenges of fending for yourself in a new city will be tremendous. As you manage your way out of these, you will be trained to take up the trails and turbulences of life. Another point to be noted here is the fact that most people who go abroad for a bachelor's degree end up pursuing their masters or another higher studies program. Thus, in all practicality, your foreign bachelor's degree may well be a stepping stone to a lot of other foreign degrees. Now, having established that, it is indeed a good idea to be going for a foreign degree, the next thing that we must do is to find out how we can get a bachelor's degree abroad and what are the steps that we must keep in mind before we move out. 1. Choose The Appropriate Exam When the question of pursuing a degree abroad comes into the picture, the first and foremost thing that we must do is to choose the appropriate exam that we need to take and prepare for the same. For admission to a bachelor's course in the United States one needs to take the Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT). In this there are three sections (writing, reading and mathematics) and since there is sectional cut off, a student needs to ace each of these sections to earn the seat of their choice. For other countries there are similar entrance tests. Based on the country you are going for, prepare for your exam. If you are going to a country like Germany or Spain, it is advisable for you to learn the language before you actually go there. 2. Get Your Loan It is understandable that getting a foreign bachelor's degree will burn a hole in your pocket. Very few people are able to afford the same without a bank loan. If you are planning to get a loan, make sure that you have your documents ready beforehand. However, it is reassuring to know that while you are studying abroad there are a host of part-time, on-campus jobs that you can take up in order to support your living expenses. These range from working in the library to being an undergraduate assistant. If you have had a good academic career and are really good at what you are doing, you may want to explore the various scholarship options that are available to you. 3. Choose Your Specialisation One of the major differences between the education system of India and that of the West is the lack of specialisations in the Indian educational scene. If you compare a bachelor's course in India with its equivalent in the West, you will see that the one in India offers fewer electives. Thus, if you are keen on pursuing a bachelor's course abroad, it is a good idea to go through the brochure beforehand and choose exactly which elective you need. Remember your choice of electives at an undergraduate level may well determine the track of your career path in the future. Thus, considering that you are investing a lot of effort and money in getting that foreign bachelor's degree, it is a good idea to chalk out the finer details of your academic course before you leave the country. 4. Do Your Homework Well It is good to know that you are finally moving out of the safety of your family and country and are looking to explore the world of your dreams. However, be very careful here. You do not want to find yourself stranded in a foreign land studying a course in a university that is not even good enough. In order to avoid such a thing from happening, what you have to do is ensure that you have read up sufficiently on the college and that you are absolutely certain about the reputation of the institution. Try getting a hold of genuine testimonials of current students or alumni as those honest confessions will help you in deciding if the university is right for you. Try to get in touch with alumnus of the institution who hails from the same place as you. That will give you first-hand perspective about all that you need to know about your future institution. 5. Identify The Nation Of Expertise It is important for you to realise that "foreign" bachelor's degree is a term that is too wide in itself. It is always advisable that you choose your location based on your field of study. The Germans are known for their core engineering, while Japan is known for its technology; America is known for its literature while Russia is well-reputed for its foreign relations. Thus, you should take into consideration the field of study of your choice and the area you want to master while deciding the place you want to settle in. After taking the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET), students who are aiming for a medical seat immediately start preparing for the All India Institutes of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) because of its reputation. This national-level entrance examination is conducted for an admission to the medical courses, such as MBBS at AIIMS, New Delhi, and eight other AIIMS spread across the country. AIIMS stands as one of the best institutes in the country in terms of quality teaching. For this reason, lakhs of students apply to take this online entrance test though the total number of seats at the nine AIIMS is just 807. This prestigious medical entrance exam will be conducted during the last week of May. While preparing for AIIMS, specifically in the last days, many students complain of ambiguity. This is because of NEET. Hence, we have carried an exclusively article on how to use the NEET preparations to crack AIIMS. Aspirants are advised to go through it because a large portion of the syllabus and format of questions are one and the same in both the examinations. Apart from their regular preparations, aspiring doctors are also suggested to refer to a few books which will make them confident in cracking AIIMS. Here are some of the best books for AIIMS 2019preparation. AIIMS 2019: How To Crack It In One Month Books For AIIMS Physics The physics questions in AIIMS will be based on various concepts. Students should mix their conceptual knowledge with critical thinking to crack the questions. Some of the best books for physics are: NCERT Physics of Class XI and XII Concepts of Physics by HC Verma D C Pandey's Objective Physics Fundamentals of Physics by Halliday, Resnick and Walker Books For AIIMS Chemistry Most of the questions in chemistry will be based on the combination of chemical equations and problems. Hence, the books mentioned below will help you get familiar with the concepts. NCERT Chemistry of Class XI and XII Organic Chemistry by Morrison and Boyd for Organic Chemistry Modern's ABC of Chemistry for class 11th and 12th Dinesh's Objective Chemistry Books For AIIMS Biology The most important section in AIIMS, Biology, carries many complex questions. Along with conceptual knowledge, students should also be familiar with the diagrams. Learn the concepts better with the help of these books. NCERT Biology of Class XI and XII Trueman's Biology Vol 1 and 2 Objective Biology by Dinesh Pradeep Publication's A Text Book of Biology Books For AIIMS General Knowledge Though the general knowledge section has less weightage in AIIMS, one should not ignore this section. Pick any general awareness book of your choice and focus more on the recent happenings along with facts. Some of the best books for GK are: Arihant's GK book Lucent's GK book Books For AIIMS Aptitude & Logical Thinking This is a scoring section for students, so never let this section intimidate you. Take any aptitude book such as MTG's General Knowledge, Aptitude & Logical Thinking for AIIMS and start practising the problems with a time limit. These are some of the books we have listed based on the popularity amongst the students. Apart from these, one can choose any book of their choice. We also suggest aspirants to visit our list of reference books for AIIMS. Explore The Top Medical Entrance Examinations In India Siah Fallah is another loan recipient with a small shop that is now better stocked. Thanks to the loan, she said, people can buy more, and I can make more money. Wandial Annan makes and sells frozen sour milk to neighborhood children and adults. Her loan allowed her to start buying the necessary ingredients in bulk, which has decreased costs and increased profits. In about five months time, she saved enough to pay for her childrens school fees for a year. Jacqueline Clinton used the loan she received from Stewart to expand the inventory in her small store. The proceeds support her and her five children (including her 9-year-old daughter, Moseline, pictured here). Shes open six days a week but takes Sundays off for church. She used part of the grant to buy four new sewing machines so that women can learn to sew and sell clothes. Stewart is a skilled soap-maker and teaches others to make soap to sell. Loan recipients have six months to pay back their loans, which most use to start or expand their own small businesses. During the loan period, they are also required to attend financial classes led by Stewart. The grant allowed her to expand her project, the Real Estate Village Savings and Loan Association, which provides microloans and skills training to women and young people in her community. Olivia Stewart heard a radio message about government grants for projects empowering women and youth. Because she had attended Carter Center training about access to information, she felt confident enough to go to the office handing out the grants to get more information. She applied and won a US$18,000 grant. (All photos: The Carter Center/S. Umstattd) Sometimes, something as simple as a radio message can change lives. Olivia Stewart, a resident of New Georgia Estate, a mostly low-income community on the outskirts of Liberias capital city of Monrovia, was washing up one afternoon in 2015 when she heard a public notice for government grants for projects empowering women and youth. As it happened, she had recently started such a project: a microlending and training program she named The Real Estate Village Savings and Loan Association. When she heard about the grant, she said, I thought it was for special people. But Stewart had attended Carter Center-sponsored workshops for women in her community, during which shed learned that she has the right to access government information. After one such meeting, she and several other women had filed a freedom of information request to find out where the development money for her district was going, which eventually led to a meeting with her House of Representatives member. I really got to know some things, she said. I got to know how to engage my leaders, how to get free information. It makes me feel more pride. Before, we didnt know anything. Armed with that new confidence, Stewart went to the local Peacebuilding Office and asked how to apply for the grant. She submitted an application, and several months later, learned she was one of 14 grant recipients. The money, the equivalent of about 18,000 U.S. dollars, allowed her to scale up her enterprise, which shed started with her own money. Real Estate Village Savings and Loan Association uses a two-pronged approach to lift women out of poverty: It makes small loans to female entrepreneurs so that they can start or expand their businesses, and it offers training in skills such as soap-making, sewing, baking, and cosmetology. Stewarts specialty is soap-making. Several times a week, she dons a mask, apron, and gloves, and gives hands-on lessons to young men and women. The grant allowed her to buy four sewing machines, soap-making materials, and other necessities for training, not to mention expand the number of loans she makes. So far, about 50 women have received loans. They have six months to pay the loan back, and during that period, they also must attend financial classes organized by Stewart. One of the loan recipients is Wandial Annan, who makes and sells frozen sour milk, a refreshing treat in Liberias relentless heat. It takes her about 12 hours to make a batch, not counting the process of divvying it up into individual baggies. She sells a small bag for less than 8 cents, large bags for 15. But this adds up. Since she got the loan, shes been able to buy wholesale, which reduces her costs. In five months, she saved between US$50 and US$60 after her loan repayments and expenses. The profits covered her childrens school fees for a year. Its hard for Liberian women to take the initiative and do these things, and Mrs. Stewart has done well for us, Annan said. I appreciate her a whole lot. Her organization has improved our lives. Stewarts efforts have had a ripple effect: The Carter Centers access to information program also works in a community called Kamara Town, about an hours drive from Stewarts home. When a Carter Center information liaison told the women there about what Stewart was doing, they wanted in. They arranged for Stewart to give them soap-making lessons and then pooled their money to buy supplies. The project is still in its infancy, but they are optimistic that it will generate sorely needed income. For Cerue Konah Garlo, coordinator of the Carter Centers women and access to information efforts in Liberia, Stewarts story represents a twofold success. We are always telling the women, Listen to the radio, listen to the radio, listen to the radio, she said. And thats because we arent just working with women to help them file information requests, were also working with the government to encourage them to make information available in places where women are likely to find it. In this case, as Stewart puts it, I went to wash up, and I heard information. And that information has turned out to be invaluable for the women of New Georgia Estate and Kamara Town. Related Resources Learn more about the Center's work with women and access to information > Learn more about the Center's work in Liberia > Photo: Merritt Fire Rescue Department UDATE 2:49 p.m. A 2.5-hectare wildfire sparked yesterday south of Merrit has been contained. "At the moment the fire is being held, which is a classification that means the fire is not likely to spread beyond the boundaries and perimeter that have been established," says Brenna Ward fire information officer with Kamloops Fire Centre. Ten BC Wildfire Service personnel were used to contain the blaze. While not confirmed yet, the fire appears to be human-caused. "In areas where we are not seeing flooding and the melting of the snowpack, we are still seeing the typical spring conditions of the cured grass," explains Ward. "So we are reminding people to be fire smart and if they are having a campfire to make sure it is completely out." BC Wildfire Service was called in to fight the fire due to the steep terrain. The fire is south of the music festival site on the west side of the river. ORIGINAL: 11:27 a.m. Merritt Fire Rescue Department has posted a picture on social media of a wildfire burning south of the city. "Fire is south of the music festival site, on the west side of the river, inaccessible to our crews," it stated on Facebook. The BC Wildfire Service is currently on scene actioning the fire. The photo was posted yesterday. Castanet has placed calls to MFRD and BC Wildfire Service and will have more information as it becomes available. Ciment de Bizerte exports clinker to Italy 08 May 2018 Ciment de Bizerte scheduled a ship to sail on 3 May from Tunisia to Italy, carrying around 8000t of clinker, as part of its export programme and continued performance tests of the company's new wharf facilities. The company has scheduled an additional 30,000t of clinker exports later in the month as well as the unloading of a petcoke vessel to ensure the smooth running of its facilities. Last month Ciment de Bizerte resumed exports to Cameroon. Published under You might think of sharp criticism of the president as a new phenomenon, unique to the era of Barack Obama or Donald Trump. But if you look back in American history, hating the president seems about as American as apple pie. Sure, Americans loved some presidents during their lifetimes (and beyond). But on the other hand, large numbers of Americans hated other presidents during their time in office. (And historians have harsh words for some presidents even generations after their presidencies conclude.) Read on to learn which presidents were hated by at least some Americans during their lifetime. And see how Donald Trump compares on page 15. 1. Andrew Jackson 7th president of the United States Andrew Jackson became the first president to ascend from poverty. So from the get-go, he would make at least a few opponents. History Extra reports that his critics saw Jackson as a profane, unprincipled demagogue. They also considered him a would-be tyrant in the Napoleonic mode. And they criticized him as a man with no respect for the checks and balances of the Constitution or the rule of law. Jackson took it all in stride. But the hatred deeply affected Mrs. Jackson. NPR notes that when Jackson won the election, his wife went to Nashville to buy a dress for the inauguration. She read some old newspapers, saw the vitriol and hatred directed toward her and her husband, and died within weeks. Next: Many Americans hated this president for his lifestyle. 2. Martin Van Buren 8th president of the United States Martin Van Buren became the first American-born president. And he also qualifies as the first professional politician a distinction that on its own, seems enough to guarantee some derision. In fact, Van Buren didnt escape criticism in his day. Time reports that Van Burens extravagant lifestyle made him an easy scapegoat for his political opponents. Plus, an economic crisis brought on by banks offering easy credit overshadowed his accomplishments during his time in office. Next: People hated this president because of the way he assumed office. 3. John Tyler 9th president of the United States No matter who he is or what his political views, its basically guaranteed that some Americans will hate the president their country elects. So all bets are off for presidents who assume office without actually getting elected. Time reports that John Tylers enemies called the president His Accidency when he ascended to the presidency following the death of William Henry Harrison. But Tylers troubles didnt end there. As Time notes, Tyler proved so deeply unpopular during his presidency that all but one of his Cabinet members resigned in protest when he vetoed a bill establishing a national bank. Shortly afterward, Tyler got kicked out of his own political party. And the House of Representatives tried to impeach him. Clearly, Tyler didnt make enough friends in Washington. Next: This president always fares poorly in rankings by historians. 4. Millard Fillmore 13th president of the United States Deseret News notes that Millard Fillmore consistently fares poorly in rankings compiled by historians. And he proved equally unpopular among regular Americans during his lifetime. Time reports that Fillmore became myopically focused on the Compromise of 1850, which tried to quell sectional concerns by setting the balance of slave states and free states after the Mexican-American War. Fillmore treated the conflict over slavery as a political rather than moral question. And as Time explains, Fillmore ended up with legislation that united everyone only in their displeasure and did little to ameliorate the tensions that would eventually lead to civil war. Next: Americans hated this president because of a controversial election. 5. James Buchanan 15th president of the United States Do you think of the 2016 presidential election as controversial? History Extra reports that the key issue in the 1856 presidential election was the crisis over the expansion of slavery. James Buchanan became president by promising he could heal the wounds and steady the ship of state. But, after he assumed office, almost every decision he took made things worse. Buchanan colluded with the Supreme Court on its Dred Scott decision. He caused a split in the Democratic party. And as seven states seceded and set up the Confederacy, Buchanan did nothing to help. Instead, he spent his time loudly complaining that secession was illegal but claiming that he had no power to do anything about it. Next: Congress tried to impeach this president. 6. Andrew Johnson 17th president of the United States How badly did American hate Andrew Johnson? Badly enough that Congress targeted him with impeachment proceedings. (But U.S. News reports that despite his opposition to Reconstruction initiatives including the 14th amendment he managed to survive impeachment and finish his term.) History Extra reports that Johnsons personal insecurity and political belligerence made his presidency a disaster from start to finish. Growing up poor, he had resented the slaveholding elites. Johnson supported emancipation to undermine the power of the slaveholding class But he didnt want Republicans in Congress to give rights to freed slaves an unpopular decision in Washington at the time. Next: This president got assumed office after a hostile election. 7. Rutherford B. Hayes 19th president of the United States This might sound familiar. But Time reports that Rutherford B. Hayes ascended to the presidency as a Republican candidate who lost the popular vote in a disputed election but won the White House after months of partisan wrangling. Plus, the publication adds, If you thought George W. Bush had enemies, consider this: Hayes official Inauguration was secretly held inside the White House, for fear of the trouble his opponents might stir up. Mental Floss characterizes Hayess election as one of the most hostile in history. And his enemies referred to him as Rutherfraud and His Fraudulency throughout his time in office. Next: This president appointed a corrupt cabinet. 8. Warren G. Harding 29th president of the United States One sure way to go down in history as one of the most hated presidents? Become mired in a major scandal. Time reports that Warren G. Harding appointed numerous corrupt officials when he became president. (What an auspicious start!) The corruption led to the Teapot Dome bribery scandal. The scandal sent a Cabinet secretary to prison and ruined Hardings reputation. Harding also became the subject of what Time characterizes as the best-selling memoir by a woman who claimed to be his mistress and the mother of his illegitimate daughter. Interestingly enough, History Extra reports that Harding wasnt hated as widely during his lifetime as he is now. Upon his death, Americans mourned him as a calm presence; a man of peace for the postwar period. Next: Americans hated this president because of the Great Depression. 9. Herbert Hoover 31st president of the United States Many Americans hated Herbert Hoover during his lifetime. As The Atlantic puts it, The Great Depression that reduced the country to rubble is laid, fairly or not, at Hoovers feet. Time reports that he was vilified for his disastrous response to the stock market crash of 1929 and the ensuing Great Depression. Hoover championed self-reliance instead of government intervention. But millions of Americans suffered because of his policies. The nickname for shantytowns that cropped up all over the country Hoovervilles left little doubt as to who was blamed for the crisis, Time explains. Plus, Hoovers popularity wasnt helped by his continued support for Prohibition. Next: Wealthy Americans hated this president and his policies. 10. Franklin D. Roosevelt 32nd president of the United States Many Americans today have a favorable opinion of Franklin D. Roosevelt. But he had many critics in his day. And many Americans, especially those in high places, hated him. In fact, according to NPR, The Hearst radio network was organized to bring down Franklin Delano Roosevelt. The publication adds that the mocking of the president has ebbed and flowed through the years, referring not just to Roosevelt, but to other presidents, as well. But Roosevelt, especially, found himself despised by Americas upper class some referred to him as rubber legs.' Next: Unpopularity drove this president out of office. 11. Lyndon B. Johnson 36th president of the United States NPR reports that historians say that the more consequential a president, the more intensely hes likely to be hated by the American people. Lyndon B. Johnson, for instance, had a play written about him called MacBird which accused him of killing Kennedy. Even stronger evidence that many Americans hated him? Johnson left office deeply unpopular thanks to the Vietnam War, according to The Washington Post. In fact, the publication reports that Unpopularity drove Johnson out of office. And even until the end of his life, other politicians saw Johnson as a liability instead of a political asset. Next: Americans hated this president for his cover-up of a major scandal. 12. Richard Nixon 37th president of the United States U.S. News characterizes Nixon as politically gifted. But, of course, many Americans hated him because of the Watergate scandal. As History Extra reports, It was not the original deed (authorising a break-in into Democratic campaign headquarters in the Watergate building during the 1972 presidential race) that did for him, but the lies and the cover-up. Yet the publication reports that Nixon had also become an unusually hated politician before Watergate. The Orlando Sentinel aptly expresses many Americans opinions about Nixon. There was something about Nixons personality that made him easy to hate. Its really a surprise that he got to be president. Next: Many Americans hated this president during his time in office, but like him better now. 13. George W. Bush 43rd president of the United States U.S. News characterizes Bushs presidency as tainted by a series of public speaking gaffes and costly wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. Many Americans hated Bush during his time in office. But as the Pacific Standard reports, Bush has more recently made an improbable recovery. Bush left office with one of the lowest approval ratings of any president in history, the publication notes. And he had endured eight years of both lighthearted mockery and aggressive political denouncement. But polls show that Americans have begun to like him again, in much larger numbers than they did during his time in office. Next: Many Americans hated and still hate Barack Obama. 14. Barack Obama 44th president of the United States The American Prospect posits that Republicans have never hated a president more than they hate Barack Obama. In 2015, Vox characterized Obama as the most polarizing president since the birth of modern polling Democrats love him, and Republicans cant stand him. (Donald Trump later broke Obamas record on that quality, though.) The Pew Research Center reports that the United States changed significantly during Obamas presidency. The economy improved, but income inequality increased. Obama elevated the U.S. image abroad, but race relations at home remained bad. And many Republicans Donald Trump included continue to hate Obama. Next: Heres how Donald Trump compares. 15. Donald Trump 45th president of the United States We probably dont have to tell you that while some American love Donald Trump, others hate him. Approval ratings showed Trump ending his first year in office as the most unpopular president in modern history. Global survey data also painted a picture of a president hated around the world. Trump also remains a deeply polarizing president. And the Brookings Institution attributed that phenomenon to the Trump White Houses fractious policies in seeking to implement a travel ban, dismantling Obamacare, withdrawing from a global climate pact, and agreeing to move the U.S. embassy in Israel to Jerusalem. Read more: Youll Never Believe the Real Reason Queen Elizabeth II Didnt Like Jacqueline Kennedy Check out The Cheat Sheet on Facebook! Throughout the ages, people have tied the knot for a whole spectrum of reasons. Like Meghan Markle, many of us love a great love story. However, plenty have married for convenience, companionship and of course, money. A recent book about Jackie Kennedy, one of Americas most famous first ladies, addresses the reasons she married both times. According to Randy Taraborrelli, author of Jackie, Janet, and Lee, Janet Bouvier had a rock-solid influence on the marriage decisions of her daughters Jackie and Lee. See who Jackie almost married before JFK (page 3) and why her marriage to a wealthy millionaire was an escape (page 6). Jackies father made a mess of his finances Janet Bouvier and her husband John Bouvier married in 1928 and had two daughters together, Jackie (born 1929) and Lee (born 1933). The couple went on to separate in 1936 due to Johns womanizing. They divorced in 1940. In addition to his philandering, John had depleted his money through a series of bad investments. He also frequently visited the racetrack. This was a major causal factor in the divorce. Next: The advice Jackies mom gave her and her sister Her moms advice: Marry a rich man As Taraborellis story goes, during one of their regular Mother Daughter Teas in 1951, Janet told her young daughters the secret to Happily Ever After was money and power. Her point was money matters when it comes to men. Janets advice was based on her own experience with her first marriage. She had gone on to marry the financially stable Standard Oil heir Hugh Auchincloss two years after divorcing John Bouvier. Next: Did Jackie take her mothers advice? Jackie was engaged to someone else before JFK In the early 1950s, Jackie became engaged to boyfriend John Husted Jr. When her mother found out the stockbroker was only making $17,000 a year, she told her daughter at the engagement party to break up with him. Maybe not at the party, but soon enough later, Jackie ended the engagement, placing the ring into Husteds coat pocket. She was ice cold, Taraborelli quoted Husteds recounting. Like we never knew each other. Next: She married a different John. Jackie married John F. Kennedy In 1953, Jackie married John F. Kennedy, a dashing Massachusetts Senator. He came from a politically-connected and wealthy clan worth at least $500 million. While her mother approved of the union for monetary reasons, she did have reservations due to Kennedys reputation as a philanderer. Jackie pushed all that aside, however, enthralled by her new husbands fame and lofty political ambitions. She went on to support his successful 1960 campaign for president of the United States. Next: She met another John after the assassination She considered marrying an influential architect A year after her husbands untimely death in 1963, Jackie became romantically involved with John Warnecke. The tall, handsome architect had designed the presidents memorial with the eternal flame at Arlington National Cemetery. The new couple even discussed marriage on a trip to Hawaii in 1966. However, two years into their relationship, Warnecke revealed to Jackie he was $650,000 in debt. Hed even spent some staff bonuses at his architectural firm to keep up with her lifestyle. Jackie ended their relationship there. Next: Where Jackie found refuge She married a Greek shipping magnate Jackie wasnt looking for a relationship with someone in debt, and thats how she ended up with Aristotle Onassis, according to Taraborelli. In 1968, Jackie married the Greek shipping magnate, 29 years her senior. This provided her with newfound wealth and a safe haven from the United States, where both her first husband and his brother Robert F. Kennedy had been assassinated. Its not to say Jackie did not love J.F.K. and Onassis in her own way, Taraborelli noted. She did. But if they were not well off, she would not have been with them. She and Onassis remained married until he died in 1975, upon which Jackie received $26 million of his fortune. Next: A companion in her last days Her last love interest For the last 12 years of her life, Jackies companion was wealthy international diamond merchant Maurice Tempelsman. He steadied her as they strolled through the park in her last days and was at her deathbed in 1994. He stood with her children at her funeral and read a poem during the eulogy. Tempelsman amassed his fortune as a diamond dealer and was also a partner of a real estate investment company. Although he and his wife Lilly Bucholz were separated, they never divorced. Next: Jackies sisters marriages Jackies sisters three marriages Jackies younger sister Lee was married three times, first to Michael Temple Canfield. The marriage reportedly struggled from the start as Canfield couldnt fund her expensive lifestyle. After divorcing him, she married former prince Stanislaw Radziwill. They had two children together and divorced in 1974. Lee went on to become the second wife of American film director and choreographer Herbert Ross. The two divorced shortly before his death. Lee, 85, currently resides in Manhattan. Check out The Cheat Sheet on Facebook! Five American Rescue Plan projects under review by Pueblo City Council A new grocery store on the East Side long considered a Pueblo food desert is among the local projects that could be funded by COVID relief funds. In this age of the blockbuster superhero movie, audiences have come to expect the heros origin story. Why does he wear that cape? Where did she learn to fight like that? Why do they hide behind those secret identities? Many recent superhero movies shuffle through the origin narrative as quickly as possible. Every so often, though, films will invest the time necessary to transform their protagonists from one-dimensional archetypes into flesh-and-blood human beings. Most biographies of Martin Luther King Jr. have focused on King the civil rights icon, spotlighting his role from the Montgomery bus boycott onward. In The Seminarian, Patrick Parr instead gives us an extended look at the formative years of the preachers postgraduate education at Crozer Theological Seminary near Chester, Pennsylvania, then a small, liberal-minded school of fewer than 100 students (less than a quarter of whom were black). Parr is a wonderful guide through this pivotal season of Kings intellectual development, spiritual formation, and youthful angst. We feel the young seminarians anxiety as he arrives at a predominantly white school, we witness his encounters with the Norths less flamboyant but equally treacherous brand of racism, and we experience the heartbreak of his short-lived romance with a white student. From the vantage point of a Northern city, the Atlanta-born King began to reflect on the racial injustices of the Deep South and the cleansing potential of a liberal religious activism. This was Kings first extended time in the majority-white world, and he felt obligated not to perpetuate stereotypes associated with Southern Negroes. Consequently, he worked hard to prove to his white professors and classmates ... 1 You have reached the end of this Article Preview You have reached the end of this Article Preview To continue reading, subscribe now. Subscribers have full digital access. Have something to add about this? See something we missed? Share your feedback here. In 2020, we were the church on our heels. A global pandemic shut down much of our world. But the church has been on the move since it was birthed; it will continue to be on the move until God makes all things new. Email Whatsapp Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment By the time most of you read this editorial, the Workers World Party will have celebrated on May 5th the birthday of Karl Marx at locations across the country. Marx was the father of socialism and communism. Ezekiel chapter 28 in the Bible recounts Ezekiel's prophecy against the wicked King of Tyre. But most scholars agree that Ezekiel's message is about more than the king. It's about the Evil One behind the king's activities, Satan. Socialistic and Communistic principles are the doctrines of devils masquerading as hope and help for the proletariat the marginalized or working class people. It is an evil system to be feared, deeply rooted in deception, promising a "people's government," but delivering despotism. It has been responsible for the death and impoverishment of millions throughout the course of history. A recent World Net Daily article rightly noted that there is a place in America, however, that despite the despicable nature of Communism, it "enjoys unbridled popularity." It is a place where Marx's book, "The Communist Manifesto," is the most popular book today. Where? you ask. The answer: "[O]n American college campuses." The WND Exclusive says, "That's according to data from Open Syllabus Project, which tracks books and other works assigned to students in more than 1 million syllabi. The database is assembled using computer algorithms that scrape the data from publicly available sites... Many notable works, including the Bible and the U.S. Constitution, don't appear in the data set" WND adds, "But it's not just Marx you'll find on American Campuses. You'll also find his followers. Decades ago, U.S. News and World Report reported there were 10,000 Marxist professors. No one is keeping track today." Alarmed? We should be. Is there any wonder we're seeing so much unrest on college campuses? Is there any wonder we're seeing an unprecedented assault on free speech and gun rights emanating from these institutions? Is there any wonder that colleges and so many of their graduates are constantly touting the redistribution of wealth? Is there any wonder atheism and humanism thrive, while orthodox Christianity is disparaged and despised among intellectual elites? Speaking of Christianity, although many Progressive Christian churches often applaud and commend socialist principles (there is only a sliver of difference between socialism and communism), the church has traditionally, and rightly condemned this system of thought. The church condemns it because the Scriptures teach that private property is a God-given right. Economic systems perpetuating or constructing dependence, while also rewarding sloth, strike at the very heart of what it means to be a human being. Both socialism and communism suppress the image of God in man, his creativity and productivity, punishing individuals when they succeed, even when their success is attained by a legitimate means. Class warfare is certainly wrong, but it's not inevitable. Moreover, the Scriptures reject earthly utopian visions as untenable, declaring that Christ is the Savior of the world and not government. Progressive churches are riddled with socialist and communist influences today. They see Jesus as a revolutionary and not as someone who deals with sin in the traditional way, but in a material way. As George Elerick says in a HuffPost article, "Jesus was a strict materialist (both philosophically and in everyday life)." He argues individualism is to be rejected because it "creates the gap between the individual and the collective." For example he says, "In the story of the rich man, we have two characters: a rich guy and the bourgeois; and the poor man and the proletariat. We have the 99 percent and the 1 percent." Elerick's interpretation is not a pure form of Christianity but one corrupted and shaped by Marxism. It's a belief that essentially ignores the Bible's clear teaching about personal sin and the individual's desperate need for redemption in Jesus Christ. It's a theology which claims that if man's environment is changed, he will change. He'll love and treat his brother as he ought. This is a damnable and devilish heresy amidst Christian ranks, which as J. Wallace Hamilton once said, profoundly threatens God's blessed bequest of freedom: freedom to choose our own way, freedom to make or mar our destiny, freedom to climb the heights or sink in the depths. It is to turn the gift of liberty over to the strong man, and ultimately lose our personalities in the mass mind and the mass will. Truly frightening stuff! But I suggest there may be an even greater facilitator of socialism and communism than that of the colleges and liberal churches. It is when conservative evangelicals treat their faith as an opiate. Marx contended that "religion...is the opium of the people." Bishop Gerald Kennedy in 1960 touched on this in a sermon titled, "Communism in the Churches." He declared the church was using the Christian faith like a drug with morphine-like effects. "What is the message of the church in America? Very often it is a message of adjustment. We are supposed to use our religion merely as a technique of getting along with other people and accepting the conditions of our existence without protest. We do not talk very much about being converted to a new life," argued Kennedy. "From many a pulpit, the voice of the preacher has become a lullaby accompanied by violins...The Christian message when it is not contaminated with this communist poison is prophetic and often fierce," Kennedy said. "The Christian word is to repent and be saved...It is a word of judgment as well as righteousness...Our examples are the apostles and the martyrs rather than well-meaning, harmless people whose good intentions have all the toughness of a marshmallow." According to the American Action Network, in 2016, polling revealed nearly six-in-ten Democratic primary voters believed that socialism has 'a positive impact on society." Furthermore, who would have ever believed an avowed socialist, Bernie Sanders, would be a major contender for the Presidency. Exceedingly nefarious forces are working to destroy America, and they've had profound success. Behind them is the devil himself. Christ's followers need to purify themselves, clean up before a holy God, and proclaim the Gospel of Jesus Christ. They also need to boldly bring the principles of the Word of God to bear on sin and the social evils of our day, one of which is socialist and communist influences. If the church doesn't catch on to what's happening and recommit to its holy mission of being light in darkness, then before long the World Worker's Party might be celebrating more than Marx's birthday. They just might be celebrating a socialist or communist America. Rev. Mark H. Creech is executive director of the Raleigh-based Christian Action League of North Carolina Inc. Email Whatsapp Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment Public schools need more truth, not less. The aftermath of my recent life-affirming presentation at Vicksburg High School in Michigan showed that some leaders don't believe honesty is the best policy. Despite some incredible feedback from students, parents and even teachers, the school decided to cower to a vocal minority of students and parents who detest who I am. Contrary to the school district's dishonest public statement, it wasn't what was said at the assembly that caused the negative reaction. It was that some, who took to social media to protest me, discovered (gasp!) that I'm a Christian with a Biblical worldview on humanity who espouses a reasoned, thoroughly researched, and mostly secular perspective on social issues. Online protestors accused me of being "hateful." That's code foryou don't agree with my opinion! The venom on Instagram (many posts had to be deleted) shows the level of "tolerance" from those demanding it (see here, here, and here). One studentAustin Pryorcompared my presentation to a hypothetical one given by KKK Grand Dragon David Duke. The same student told WWMT news: "I guess what he said wasn't 'that's bad,' but when you Google his name and see he's homophobic and hateful like that, I don't really think you can bring that kind of person into a school." I delivered the presentation according to the school-approved outline which detailed my story of adoption (a result of being conceived in rape), growing up in a multiracial family of 15, and believing that all livesno matter their past or present situationshave purpose. I shared that we can all be stronger than our circumstances, how we should encourage one another even when it feels uncomfortable, and denounced racism by proclaiming that we're one human race. Students were very responsive and enthusiastically participated in fun Q&A segments on stage to win free gift cards. The administration then publicly apologized for that same presentation, in a school-wide email to parents and on Facebook, falsely claiming that I didn't deliver the speech I had agreed to: The agreed content of the presentation was intended to be about finding purpose and inspiration in life, but the presentation given instead ranged into topics that were overtly political and were discomforting to many students and staff. High School Principal Keevin O'Neill sincerely apologizes for this and will be contacting the speaker and his organization to present his grievances. He will be happy to speak with anyone who wanted to give their feedback. We very much apologize that this event did not go as per the agreement and people were offended. We are taking steps to ensure it does not happen as future events are planned. I'm a factivist, so I call out the school administration for lying. Blatantly lying. Here's the outline approved by the school. Here's the audio of the presentation given on Tuesday, in its entirety (minus 31 seconds where students sang a snippet of an Eartha Kitt song that could not be uploaded to SoundCloud). It's obvious that the approved outline was adhered to, and there was nothing "overtly political" in the speech. I was instructed not to use words like "abortion", "contraception", "prolife", "prochoice", or "LGBT" anything...and I didn't. The school continued the dishonesty online: "We can assure you that the message that the High School had agreed to through repeated contacts with the speaker was one of inspiration, motivation, and unity. The actual content of the presentation was not in keeping with that agreement." Actually, the school never contacted me at all until 24 hours after posting the Facebook statements. A local organization in their area pitched my assembly presentation (which was offered for free) and coordinated the whole event with the principal. Neither the Superintendent nor Principal were present at the event. Ironically, the school proved one of the points of my delivered speech...they allowed the emotion of activism to take over the truthful context of factivism. This is just a small example of what is a much larger cultural issue. Hate-filled, intolerant reactions take precedence over positive responses. Will there be a political and religious litmus test, now, for anyone who speaks to students in public schools? Superintendent Charles Glaes told WOOD TV 8: "... if you go beyond what was heard and look at the website, lots of people are going to be very alarmed. I don't believe there was any use of keywords that would have been very divisive. I just believe we have to do a better job of making sure that we don't bring in people who have a very strong political agenda." That same Superintendent oversaw his entire middle school participate in the (pro-abortion, anti-Trump, pro-Hillary) Women's March 'National School Walkout' to promote gun control. That's overtly political. Telling kids they have purpose is not. Radiance Board Chair, Julie Klose, reminded our team of why we do what we do: "You are called Radiance for a reason. When light illuminates it exposes and wow, did it expose! I pray that even if there was just one student who the message resonated with and a future life was saved through Ryan's measured and balanced message of life's purpose, that it would all be worth it!" One of the emails we received from a Vicksburg student sums up why public schoolsall schoolsneed people to speak truth and hope to their students: "Your story inspired me a lot. It was amazing to hear about your family and how a lot of you guys are adopted. That every life has a purpose. I went through some crap last year and I'm still bouncing back from it. Basically, the point of telling you that is that I believed my life was worthless, that I was worthless because that's what the people around me made me feel, worthless. But you inspired me to continue getting back up again and that it will get better." That makes it all worthwhile. Blac Chyna met teen boyfriend on Christian dating site, Christian Mingle; Denies she's pregnant Model and media personality Blac Chyna reportedly met her 18-year-old boyfriend on a Christian dating site and she's denying recent rumors that she's pregnant with his child. Rapper YBN Almighty Jay, whose real name is Jay Bradley, revealed that he saw Blac Chyna's profile - real name Angela Renee White - on Christian Mingle. In an interview with No Jumper, the rapper said that he made the first move by sending her a message on the dating site. "I was searching on Christian Mingle and I saw her profile pop up, and I'm like, 'This bitch fire,'" the rapper said. "So I sent her Christian Mingle messages and she responded to my email." Jay, who hails from Texas, is part of a rap group that has become popular on YouTube. He is 11-years younger than Blac Chyna, who is 29. The model hit headlines for appearing in rap videos and getting involved with rapper Tyga, with whom she has a child. Tyga, however, broke up with her to be with Kyle Jenner of the reality TV series empire "Keeping Up With The Kardashians." Following their split, Blac Chyna also dated Rob Kardashian, Jenner's half-brother. In 2016, she gave birth to their child but her relationship with Kardashian also ended. Blac Chyna and Jay's relationship, which only recently began in February, has sparked pregnancy rumors after a photo of the model appeared on Media Takeout, where she seemed to have a baby bump. Sources close to the controversial stars, however, confirmed to TMZ that the pregnancy rumors are false. For now, Blac Chyna says she is not having Jay's baby, but she's considering the possibility of expanding her family in the future. Hungary's Viktor Orban reiterates pledge to keep country 'Christian' Hungary's right-wing, nationalist prime minister Viktor Orban said yesterday that the main task of his new government will be to preserve the country's security and Christian culture, keeping out migrants and fending off what he calls foreign meddling. Orban, 54, was re-elected for a third straight term in an election last month after a strong anti-immigration message helped to give him a landslide victory. He said he is creating an 'old-school Christian democracy'. One of the most vociferous opponents of immigration into Europe by mainly Muslim people fleeing war and poverty in the Middle East and Africa, Orban's campaign helped by his party's media dominance apparently resonated with large swathes of the electorate, particularly in rural areas. His Fidesz party now holds 133 of 199 seats in the new parliament that will enable Fidesz to pass any laws, even those that require the support of two-thirds of the votes. 'The main task of the new government will be to preserve Hungary's security and Christian culture,' Orban told a news conference after he was asked by the president to form a new government. Parliament will hold its first session today where Orban will be officially elected prime minister again. In a radio interview on Friday, Orban said: 'We are working on building an old-school Christian democracy, rooted in European traditions...we believe in the importance of the nation, and in Hungary we do not want to yield ground to any supranational business or political empire.' Orban has accused non-governmental organisations (NGOs), funded by the Budapest-born billionaire George Soros, of political meddling and actively supporting migration. He said any organisation involved in the migration issue would have to seek clearance from national security authorities. One of the first new laws expected to be passed by parliament is a 'Stop Soros' bill, which would impose a 25 per cent tax on foreign donations to NGOs that back migration. Soros has said the attacks against him were 'lies and distortions' and were designed to create a false external enemy. Orban, who declared in February that 'Christianity is Europe's last hope', claimed last month that Hungary's future would be decided for decades by the recent election, as the nationalist leader vowed to protect his nation from the 'rust' of Muslim migrants. Also last month, Orban claimed common cause with Poland, whose governing Law and Justice (PiS) party has been criticised by the EU over its refusal to take in migrants under a quota system and over their efforts to tighten state control of their courts and media. 'We believe Poles and Hungarians have a common path, common fight and common goal: to build and defend our homeland in the form that we want...Christian and with national values,' Orban said at the unveiling of a statue marking a 2010 plane crash in Russia that killed the Polish president. That president's twin brother, now Poland's PiS leader, Jaroslaw Kaczynski, endorsed Orban while attending the ceremony commemorating the plane crash. In February, Orban declared that 'Christianity is Europe's last hope' after accusing politicians in Brussels, Berlin and Paris of ushering in the 'decline of Christian culture and the advance of Islam'. During his annual state of the nation speech, Orban called for a global alliance against migration as his populist Fidesz party began campaigning for yesterday's election. He said his government will oppose efforts by the United Nations or the European Union to 'increase migration' around the world. And he claimed that Islam would soon 'knock on Central Europe's door' from both the west and the south. In a populist rallying cry, Orban insisted that Western Europe is being overtaken by Muslims, before claiming that 'born Germans are being forced back from most large German cities, as migrants always occupy big cities first'. The politician, who has been prime minister since 2010, is popular in Hungary but is increasingly at odds with mainstream European Union politicians and appears to thrive on controversy, including repeated clashes with Brussels. Orban said in his speech at the Royal Castle in Budapest: 'Christianity is Europe's last hope. Our worst nightmares can come true. The West falls as it fails to see Europe being overrun.' Domestically, Orban is popular partly because he is widely credited with reversing an economic slump in Hungary and controlling its public finances. Additional reporting by Reuters. Nigerian Catholics to hold 'massive protest' over ongoing violence against Christians The Catholic Church in Nigeria will hold a major protest this weekend against ongoing killings by Fulani herdsmen against Christians and others. Local media reported that the Catholic Archdiocese of Benin, Edo state, will stage a 'massive protest' led by Catholic Archbishop of Benin, Augustine Akubeze, on May 12. A source was quoted as saying: 'The protest is going to be a big one because all Catholics in Benin will be mobilised to meet...We want to use [the protest] to condemn the attacks by the armed herdsmen and call on the federal government to find a lasting solution.' Pressure has been growing on Nigeria's president Muhammadu Buhari after a spate of killings of Christians in the country's Middle Belt region. Herdsmen from the nomadic Fulani ethnic group, who are Muslims, have been targeting Christians, who are mainly agriculturalists. While there have been long-standing tensions between the two groups, herdsmen are now armed with weaponry including AK47 assault rifles and critics say they have been infiltrated by Islamist terrorists. In a meeting last week with Buhari, the US president Donald Trump took the Nigerian president to task for not doing more to stem the violence. In a joint press conference he said: 'We are deeply concerned by religious violence in Nigeria including the burning of churches and the killing and persecution of Christians. It's a horrible story.' He said: 'We encourage Nigeria and the federal state and local leaders to do everything in their power to immediately secure the affected communities and to protect innocent civilians of all faiths including Muslims and including Christians.' The Fulani attacks are now claiming more lives than the better-known Boko Haram insurgents in the north east of the country. Hundreds of Christians have died this year, including two attacks the week before last that claimed 19 and 39 lives respectively. Nigeria's House of Representatives summoned Buhari to appear and account for the killings. It also passed a vote of no confidence in the country's armed forces chiefs and the security advisers to the president, and suspended its sittings for three days. Church leaders have condemned the government's failure to deal with the situation. A statement from Nigeria's Catholic Bishops Conference entitled 'When Will This Barbarism End?' after the killings of two priests and their parishioners said Christians feel 'totally exposed and most vulnerable'. It said bishops had repeatedly raised the issue of security and felt 'violated and betrayed' at the lack of action. The statement called for Buhari to resign, saying: 'Whether this failue is due to inability to perform or lack of political will, it is time for him to choose the part of honour and consider stepping aside to save the nation from total collapse.' It also called on Nigerians to arm themselves for self-defence. The Methodist Church Nigeria called on Buhari to declare the armed herdsmen terrorists, saying they had 'graduated from carrying bows and arrows to sophisticated weapons, including AK-47 assault rifles which they deploy against host communities across the country'. Protests by thousands of Christians took place across the country last week led by the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN). In Ondo state, Rev John Ayo Oladapo said the protest was necessary because of the killing of innocent Christians. 'We are here today to register our displeasure to the on going killings across the country. We want to say Christians in the country are not second class citizens. We will not allow these killings,' he told Vanguard. North Korea: World church leaders hail 'almost miraculous' turnaround An international delegation of church leaders has hailed an 'almost miraculous new spring' for North Korea after a visit to Pyongyang following the historic summit meeting between the presidents of the North and South. The six-person delegation from the World Council of Churches and the World Communion of Reformed Churches returned after a trip to the capital Pyongyang from May 3-7 at the invitation of North Korea's Korean Christian Federation. While North Korea is regarded as a closed country with few international links, low-profile relations with the world church bodies have endured for more than 30 years and the world-wide ecumenical movement has continued to promote the cause of reunification. The statement published after the delegation's visit praises moves to alleviate military tensions and achieve a peace treaty to end the formal state of war on the peninsula. It says: 'We celebrate and affirm the joint declaration of commitment to realizing, through complete denuclearization, a nuclear-free Korean Peninsula in the context of our efforts for a nuclear-free world through advocacy for universal ratification and implementation of the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons.' The delegation met with Kim Yong Nam, president of North Korea's Presidium of the Supreme Peoples Assembly of the DPRK who, with South Korea's minister for reunification, 'affirmed and emphasized the importance of the role of church leaders and faith communities in past and future efforts for peace and reunification of the Korean people'. The statement said: 'The delegation saw the Inter-Korean Summit and its outcomes as an almost miraculous new spring for peace in the region, after months and years of dangerously escalating tensions.' 'We visited Pyongyang in a beautiful new spring season, not only in the natural world but also in the relations between the people and governments of the Korean peninsula,' said WCC general secretary Rev Dr Olav Fykse Tveit. 'We know that spring is also a season in which to work, to ensure that we reap a good harvest of what has been sown.' The delegation urges 'all churches, all Christians called by our Lord Jesus Christ to be peacemakers, and all people of good will around the world to join in supporting the Korean-led initiatives for peace expressed in the Panmunjom Declaration [signed by the leaders of the North and South at their summit], as a foundation and framework for achieving a sustainable peace for the Korean people, for the region, and for the world'. UNESCO recommends more than a dozen "hidden Christian" sites in Japan for World Heritage status About a dozen sites where Japanese Christians secretly practiced their faith around 400 years ago were reportedly recommended by UNESCO to be included in the World Heritage list. The preliminary review panel from U.N. agency has reportedly recommended 12 Hidden Christian sites, where a community of believers worshipped when the Tokugawa Shogunate banned the religion between the 17th and 19th centuries. Among the sites included in the recommendation was the Oura Church in Nagasaki, one of the oldest surviving churches in Japan. The recommendation also listed the former Hara Castle in Minami-Shimabara, Nagasaki Prefecture, which was besieged in the 17th century when peasants, comprised mainly of Christians, revolted against the local landlord. Another site that made the list was the village of Sakitsu in Amakusa, Kumamoto Prefecture, where Christians held on to their faith despite persecution from the shogunate. The Sakitsu Church lies at the center of the village, according to Japan News. UNESCO's Intergovernmental Committee will officially discuss the viability of recommended sites during a meeting in Bahrain beginning on June 24, Japan Times reported. The Japanese government said that the sites serve as a reminder of how the Christians secretly upheld their faith despite brutal suppression of the religion. "Hidden religious practices were apparently made possible for a long period of time due to tolerance of religions in Japan, despite the suppression of Christianity," said Hideo Hattori, a professor emeritus of Kyushu University, as reported by Japan News. Hattori, an expert on Japanese medieval history, serves as the chairman of a committee that examines the government's statement of recommendation for the hidden Christian sites. "Political power can't fully control the human mind. This is indeed the lesson learned from Christian-related sites. I welcome the recommendation for their registration," he added. The Japanese government also submitted a chain of islands in Kagoshima and Okinawa prefectures to be added to the World Heritage list of natural sites. However, the Paris-based International Council on Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS), which made the recommendation of the hidden Christian sites, stated that the registration for the natural sites should be postponed and asked the government to reconsider its explanation for the proposal. A ministry official expressed disappointment with the panel's decision on the natural sites, but said the government was confident that the Christian sites would be officially recognized as World Heritage sites by UNESCO. Japan currently has 17 sites in the World Cultural Heritage List, and four on the Natural World Heritage List, according to Asahi Shimbun. Vacation Bible school in India shuts down following threats from Hindu nationalists A vacation Bible school in India had to stop its operations last week after it received threats from two members of Hindu nationalist groups. According to Christian Solidarity Worldwide (CSW), the two men belonging to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Hindu Munani (Hindu Front) reportedly stormed the Victory and Light Prayer House in Palavanatham village, Tamil Nadu on May 1 and demanded that its operations be stopped. The men reportedly questioned the children at the church-run Bible school about their caste and prevented anyone from leaving the school while they waited for the police. The school's organizer, John Madhvan, said that the two men had threatened church members in the past. The Bible school, which was attended by about 50 children ages between four and 12, was only supposed to run from May 1 to May 6, but was suspended following the disruption. Nehemiah Christie, the Executive Director (Legislation and Regulations) of The Synod of Pentecostal Churches, expressed disappointment about the program's suspension. "The vacation Bible school has been conducted for well over 50 years across India. It is sad to see children being exposed to this level of religious intolerance and intimidation," Christie said, according to CSW. "The communal mobilization of Hindu nationalism is expanding at an alarming rate here where we see religious hardline groups employ bullying tactics and flagrantly use of the law enforcement apparatus to instill fear on Christian interests. If this type of behavior is allowed to persist, the prospects of maintaining a cohesive and integrated society will be lost. This kind of future was not envisaged by our forefathers like Gandhi and Ambedkar," Christie went on to say. Some residents have suggested that Hindu nationalists have become more zealous in Tamil Nadu after the death of the former Chief Minister, J. Jayalalithaa in December 2016, allowing the groups to aggressively push their ideology in an effort to establish a stronghold in the region. Persecution watchdog group Open Doors has ranked India as the 11th most dangerous country to live as a Christian, mostly due to the actions of Hindu radical groups against religious minorities. According to Open Doors, one of the main sources of persecution of Christians in India comes from organizations such as the BJP, Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), Shiv Sena and Vishya Hindu Parishad (VHP). Hindu radicals who want to rid the nation of both Islam and Christianity are known for using campaigns called Ghar Wapsi (or "homecoming") to pressure Indian Christians to convert back to Hinduism. Houston police have released a sketch of a man investigators want to question about a fatal shooting in March at a southwest Houston apartment. Twenty-year-old Luis Barragan was shot in the head about 1 a.m. March 18 at the Reserve at Creekbend, an apartment complex at 7600 Creekbend just off Fondren Road. The shooter fled the scene, and Barragan died of his wounds at a local hospital. Now, seven weeks later, police have identified a "person of interest" in the shooting, and on Tuesday they released a composite sketch and a description. "We know from witnesses that he was in the area at the time of this incident," said Detective Lee Kauffman, one of the investigators. "We believe that he has information that is extremely relevant to this case." Police say the man they want to question is 6 feet, 4 inches with a thick build and is "hunched over in the shoulders." He walks with a gait that witnesses described as "open" and "weird." His hair is in 1-inch twists with blond tips. And some of the tattoos on his neck and arms are distinctive: On his neck is thick cursive writing, and on his neck or arms is a tattooed image of a baby or a girl. Kauffman and Detective Ana Hernandez said they have distributed the sketch to the department's tactical units but still haven't found the man. They're now hoping the public can help. "If you know this man, please help us locate him," Kauffman said. Barragan was shot just outside his apartment's front door, the investigators said. After that, someone entered the residence and robbed Barragan's girlfriend at gunpoint before fleeing. Police said they believe Barragan was "targeted deliberately," Kauffman said, but it's unclear whether he and the shooter knew each other. Detectives in HPD's major assaults unit say there are no known witnesses or suspects in this case, but they do want to talk to this man. Police urge anyone with information about this case to call the police department's homicide division at 713-308-3600 or CrimeStoppers at 713-222-TIPS. U.S. Navy photo by Burrell Parmer, Navy Recruiting District San Antonio Public Affairs, Public Affairs Officer WACO, Texas - Aviation Ordnanceman 2nd Class Cameron Albright of Houston, a recruiter assigned to Navy Recruiting Station Waco, speaks with a student attending University High School at the Navys Virtual Reality Experience, the Nimitz, at the school during Waco Navy Week. The experience consisted of students going through a series of exercises, starting with a briefing, before participating in a virtual high-speed water extraction of a Navy SEAL team pinned down under enemy fire. Navy Week brings Sailors from different units across the United States to conduct focused outreach events with members of the community in conjunction with the Heart of Texas Airshow featuring the Navy's flight demonstration squadron, the Blue Angels, who are celebrating their 72nd anniversary of flying excellence. The Nimitz is named after Fleet Adm. Chester Nimitz, a native of Fredericksburg, Texas, who commanded the U.S. Pacific Fleet during WWII. U.S. Navy photo by Burrell Parmer, Navy Recruiting District San Antonio Public Affairs/Released Mothers Day is now a happy day, a day worth celebrating for mom Shanarica Bennett, thanks to Buckner Family Pathways of Houston giving her stability, and helping to provide her and her children with a positive future. Buckner Family Pathways is a program providing single-parent families the opportunity to live in a safe, secure environment while completing educational goals and learning to become self-sufficient. Through Buckner Family Pathways, single families including Bennetts can live at New Hope Housing at Reed Road at Star of Hope's Cornerstone Community. The three programs all work together on the campus. Bennett is 28 years old and is a mother of two children ages 10 and 11, Imauree and Jazlyn. She had her first child at 16 and was pregnant again when she graduated high school. She has been with Buckner Family Pathways for a year, but recently moved into the New Hope Housing facilities. Ever since I got into Buckner things have changed tremendously, Bennett said. Bennett noted that she had been living alone with her children since she was 16, having to work multiple jobs at a time. She said she had always wanted to go to back to school, but it was impossible. Now she is getting ready to graduate this month with an associates of science degree, and she will start nursing school at Houston Community College in August. With Buckner, not only they gave me the opportunity to chase my dreams and to put my schooling first, but they also gave me a support system, Bennett said. According to Erin Broussard, Senior Executive Director for Buckner Children and Family Services of Houston, families stay in the program for two years, with enough time to get an associates degree, or a vocational training certificate. We want to empower families through education, Broussard said. All of what we offer, stable housing and support services, is going to be tailored to the needs of the family. It is an individual process. Some of the support that Buckner Family Pathways offers includes finance classes, parenting classes, communication skill classes, counselors and spiritual enrichment. When we bring someone in, we already have transitional planning in mind for the end. Six months out, the transition will be towards job preparation. We want to get them into their career field with a wage that will help the transition, Broussard said. The New Hope Housing at Reed where Bennett is living is new, and will contain 187 apartments with 20 of those reserved for Buckner Family Pathways of Houston. This is a state of the art complex. The apartments are gorgeous. They are designed that way on purpose to take the stigma out of low income housing, Broussard said. I was in apartments that were in bad areas, and there were maintenance issues, but I could only get what I afforded. Buckner created a safe haven for us, Bennett said. Bennett also said that, due to the stability of their housing, her son has improved his grades from Cs to As. Bennett noted that you have to be prepared to be involved with Buckner Family Pathways, because it is a lot of hard work. Bennett had heard about the program from another teen mon, but she said she just wasnt mentally prepared to make such a change at the time. A few years later I was just in a slump. I first prayed about it, and then I reached out to them. I could either get into Buckner, or continue this vicious cycle I was in. I was tired of that, Bennett said. Bennett continued, You have to want to work hard and you have to want it for yourself. Buckner has made me be more aware of myself, of who I am as a woman. According to Broussard, there is always a waiting list for housing through Pathway programs. Twenty slots will be available at any given time once the parent nears their graduation point of two years. As Bennett settles into her new apartment, she says she is excited for the upcoming Mothers Day. Because of Buckner, I am able to spend the day with my children and love on them. That is what Mothers Day is about. All is possible being in this program, Bennett said. For more information visit www.buckner.org/houston and www.newhopehousing.com. rebecca.hazen@chron.com A group of friends in Houston, Mike and Margit Axelrad and Caleb and Charity Wright, have teamed up with Ivan Carter, a wildlife conservationist from Zimbabwe, Africa, to raise awareness about preserving wildlife for future generations. Carter has been working with wildlife for over 30 years, and is the founder of the Ivan Carter Wildlife Conservation Alliance (ICWCA). He also has a television show, "Carter's W.A.R. (Wild Animal Response) on the Outdoor Channel. The Axelrads and the Wrights, along with Carter, have all hunted animals in Africa and other places abroad. They know that it may seem odd that a group of hunters are working towards a wildlife conservation cause, but because of that, it is more important than ever to have the conversation. At some point, all hunters evolve. You realize you can do so much more. I want to make a change, and I would like to see a hunter making the charge. To me, it is paying it forward, Mike Axelrad said. The Axelrads met Carter at a trade show, and they immediately knew they wanted to contribute to Carters causes. The ICWCA teams up with six projects throughout Africa: the Zambezi Delta Anti-poaching teams, Lwiro Chimpanzee Rehabilitation Centre, Giraffe Conservation Foundation, Southern African Wildlife College, Bubye Valley Conservancy and Care for Wild Rhino Orphanage. A turning point for me was when I had kids. I realized, that even in my lifetime, wild places and the wildlife in numbers has shrunk so dramatically. How am I possibly going to share with my kids the stuff that I love so much, if I dont step up, Carter said. Carter continued, In this line of work, there are so many highs, but also so many lows. How can you even describe what it is like when you are a part of rescuing a baby rhino and you watch it fly off by helicopter, off to safety, but an hour before that, you see a rhino with its face hacked off and its still alive? Hunting versus poaching According to Carter, the difference between hunting legally and poaching is one word: sustainability. Hunting becomes poaching if you dont include the words ethical and sustainable in front of it. A well-managed hunt is a hunt that is being researched ahead of time. There are rules and regulations. Poaching is purely killing as much as you can, as fast as you can, for personal gain, Carter explained. There have been bans on the import of elephants and lions into the United States, and while anti-hunters may applaud that, Carter says that they dont realize that this type of hunting, if done right, can be a positive thing for wildlife conservation. Twenty or thirty million acres of national parks in Tanzania is set aside for hunting. Those hunting businesses have gone broke. Right now the government is making the decision to resettle these game reserves with humans and villages and cattle. The day that resettlement starts, it still start a landslide. All of this land in Tanzania will have no anti-poaching, no protection, nobody visiting it. That is instead of these few lion trophies, the money from which was upholding the entire conservation model, Carter said. I focus on if the animal is the oldest and if it is out of the breeding herd. I try to make the most impact out of what it is I am hunting, Axelrad said. The last thing anyone who wants to do is shoot the last one. Poachers dont see it that way. So many people cant see the distinction though. Axelrad continued, We can collectively as a community here, go help those communities and that ecosystem and bring a whole different perspective and attitude. Carter also notes that wildlife persecution problems derive from the fact that people are hungry. The only way we can achieve long time conservation is if the human population can benefit more from healthy live wildlife, then dead wildlife that we can eat right now. I can kill and eat a giraffe today, tomorrow, and the next day. What people dont realize is that giraffe have gone extinct in seven African countries. Preservation efforts According to Carter, the ICWCA focuses on iconic species of Africa, because that is easiest to draw attention to, such as chimpanzees, giraffe and rhinos. As important as it is to preserve an animal, it is just as, if not more important to preserve the ecosystem the animal lives in as well. We want to make a profound difference, Carter said. Last year, a family in Houston pledged enough money for us to move a whole population of giraffes across the Nile River, into an area where formerly, the giraffe had been poached out. Those giraffes have just had babies. Immediately the wheels are starting to turn, Carter said. To help raise money for the causes, ICWCA has created The Raindrop Initiative, named after rain drops being the source of life. A tidal wave is a very powerful thing, but is simply just a million rain drops coming together, Carter explained. If everyone can pledge to give $5 a month for a year towards The Raindrop Initiative, each of the drops can combine to be more powerful, and finance a large amount of wildlife protection. An army of people The Axelrads hosted a party at their home in Bellaire on Tuesday, May 1, for their friends to learn about Carters work. Carter noted that it was important for the Axelrads to host a party like this, because it would give an opportunity for himself, and his team members, to talk to the community face to face about animal conservation. I want you as an interested party, to be able to look at us and say, yes this is someone I trust to do the right thing and to look after the animals. Were not talking about a big organization where youll never really know who it is. We are talking about an individual, Carter said. I dont want just the check written out. I want to motivate an army of people, Axelrad said. When they need something, we will have the resources within our community to go get directly involved. The goal is to have all of our kids enjoy Africa, and other wild places, the way I have. For more information about Ivan Carter, and further links to the partner organizations, the ICWCA and The Raindrop Initiative, visit www.ivancarter.com. rebecca.hazen@chron.com Investors in Oil Stocks Can Only Thank Trump for Iran Jitters published May 8, 2018, 7:18:59 AM, by Ksenia Galouchko (Bloomberg) -- The threat of President Donald Trump exiting the Iran nuclear agreement might be a nightmare for international diplomacy, but investors in oil stocks have thoroughly enjoyed the volatile ride. Since reports surfaced in mid-March that Trump may pull out of the deal and Iran hawk John Bolton's appointment as national security adviser spurred a rally in oil, global energy shares have outperformed against a backdrop of lackluster equity markets. The MSCI ACWI Energy Index is up 10 percent since March 19, compared with a drop of 1.3 percent in the global benchmark. Trump said he'll announce the long-awaited decision at 2 p.m. in Washington Tuesday after strongly hinting that he will withdraw. Foreign leaders and analysts say the president is likely to exit, casting into doubt the future of an accord widely seen as reining in Iran's nuclear program. At the same time, oil retreated as some analysts speculated Trump may surprise allies by agreeing to stay in the accord a while longer. His announcement -- even if it's a decision to pull out that boosts oil prices -- could serve as an opportunity for stock investors to lock in their gains on the world-beating sector, according to Pictet Asset Management. "While we are fully overweight the energy sector, I suspect that in the short term any outcome of the Iran deal would be rather seen as an opportunity to take profits," said Luca Paolini, chief strategist at Pictet Asset Management, which oversees about $500 billion. "But we still like the sector over the next six to 12 months." Here are some stocks that may win or lose from Trump's possible break-up of the Iran deal: Total According to Grupo Santander SA and Oddo-Bhf, the energy company with the biggest exposure to Iran is Total SA. In February, Chief Executive Officer Patrick Pouyanne said that if the U.S. decides to withdraw from the nuclear treaty with Iran and reintroduce "secondary" sanctions, "it creates a real problem" for Total's South Pars 11 project. Total has a 50.1 percent stake in the 20-year South Pars venture, with China National Petroleum Corp. holding 30 percent and Iran's Petropars, 19.9 percent. If Total withdraws, Iran will transfer the company's stake to CNPC, the head of National Iranian Oil Co. has said. "Total is most sensitive to the Iran deal being broken up, but with very little actual capital commitment and in my view unlikely to see much financial or value impact from this deal being scrapped," said Jason Kenney, an analyst with Banco Santander. "At the same time, if the deal remains in place, Total is potentially best exposed to the medium and long-term upside by having a commitment to Iran and asset and resource exposure." Russian Stocks Despite the toughest U.S. sanctions to date, imposed last month, the Russian equity index has been rallying, thanks to its high sensitivity to the oil price. About half of the MOEX Russia Index's weighting is in crude-linked shares, such as oil giants Rosneft PJSC and Lukoil PJSC. Plus, oil is Russia's top export earner, so a jump in prices boosts the nation's budget. "What matters more is the oil price," said Julian Rimmer, a London-based emerging-markets trader at Investec Bank Plc. "If Trump abrogates the Iran treaty, Russia provides upside optionality on oil." Renault Renault SA is among automakers that have returned to Iran after sanctions were partly lifted. It announced a new joint venture in August to build 150,000 vehicles a year in Iran, adding to its current capacity of 200,000 autos. In January, Renault CEO Carlos Ghosn said Iran is a promising market despite political uncertainties regarding the U.S. policy and the automaker will benefit from these uncertainities and continue investments as other automakers stay away from Iran. The risk to Renault's Iran investments lies in the possibility of the European Union following the U.S. in resuming sanctions against the country. Airbus, Boeing Some of the largest deals at stake include the world's biggest airplane manufacturers. Airbus Group SE signed off on a contract with Iran for 100 jetliners, worth about $19 billion at list prices, while Boeing Co. and Iran's Aseman airline signed a $3 billion agreement for 30 737 Max jets. Boeing also struck a $16.6 billion deal with national carrier Iran Air for 80 aircraft. Bridgeland is buzzing with activity. The 11,400-acre development of the Howard Hughes Corp. is adding neighborhoods, selling homes and preparing to build a new recreation center perched beside a lake. In the meantime, house-hunters are perusing model homes in the new Parkland Village neighborhood. Plans are also underway for future amenities and developers are dreaming of the next steps to keep the community in demand. For long-term resident Jaye Cremer, all the activity is a good thing. Her family has lived in the master planned community for almost 11 years. We were within the first 300 residents in the entire neighborhood, she said. She recalls being able to see Fry Road past the empty lots. Now there are hundreds and hundreds of homes there, she said. Its just grown immensely. The more Bridgeland has expanded, the more the development has to offer, Cremer said. There used to be one community swimming pool, she said. Now we have a lap pool, a dog park, two more large recreation areas. The amenities have kept up with the growth. There are also more families joining the communitys annual events and more neighbors to join the running club Cremer started, USA Fit Cypress. She competed in her first triathlon when Bridgeland hosted one and has been hooked ever since. Cremer said that the nature trails and parks attracted her and her husband to the area, as well as the quality schools. Everything about Bridgeland spoke to us, she said. And we never once looked back. Heath Melton, vice president of master planned communities for residential at Howard Hughes, said the development continues to move full speed ahead, as it moves into its 12th year. More Information Want to know more? For more information about Bridgeland, visit http://bridgeland.com. See More Collapse Sales in the neighborhood are up 27 percent since last year. In a market that was relatively flat, that was huge, he said. Homes in the community range from around $240,000 to more than $1 million. He credits the extension of Grand Parkway for attracting more commuters to the area. Another driver to the development was the fact that it stayed high and dry during Harvey. We did not have a single home that took water, Melton said. One of the first questions people ask after Harvey is whether any homes flooded in Bridgeland. Were fortunate to say no. He also lives in the community and the schools were key in his decision-making. Bridgeland High School and Wells Elementary School, in the Cy-Fair Independent School District, both opened this year. A middle school is expected to be added to the multi-school campus in the next few years. Having schools on site is probably one of the top five amenities you can offer in a community, Melton said. Being able to hike and bike to school is really important, especially when both parents work. He added that there are more options for families wanting to move to the area. Howard Hughes recently announced the groundbreaking of its first multi-family community in Bridgeland. There are also more homes coming online, since the development opened its second neighborhood, Parkland Village. Melton said about 2,000 visitors arrived for the celebration in early April. There are 20 model homes to tour in the new section. Melton said Parkland is inspired by Bostons Emerald Necklace, a chain of parks and waterways. We want to invite our residents to linger longer outside, he said. The neighborhood will feature a fitness center and event space, as well as a lazy river, sprayground and dog parks. Already, 200 homes have sold in Parkland Village. The first 100 buyers will be honored in the communitys Settlers Park. Melton said the current Josey Lake project will give residents even more opportunities to explore the natural environment. The 140-acre waterway will offer kayaking on a three-mile loop, a birding tower, hammocks, an event lawn and a playground. The project is expected to open by Memorial Day. Once Parkland Village is developed, next on the list are Prairieland Village and Creekland Village, both located across the Grand Parkway. There are also plans for a town center in the next three to five years, as well as larger, vertical office spaces in the next decade. Its all market-driven, depending on the needs and demands of the community, Melton said. The first retail center in the development was constructed two years ago. Lakeland Village Center features anchor tenant is CVS and is home to fitness centers, dentist and medical offices, restaurants, salons and shops. In the future, Melton said Bridgeland hopes to offer residents a vibrant business district. In The Woodlands, we wanted to create one job for every rooftop, he said. Thats part of our vision for Bridgeland too. The Woodrow Wilson Middle School Sixth Grade and Treble Choirs recently attended the Blinn College Choir Festival in Brenham, Texas, on Friday, April 6, and competed against other choirs from around the state. The Sixth Grade Choir, composed of 34 young men and women, earned an overall rating of Superior, receiving straight first division ratings from all three judges. La Porte Police have arrested Randy Baker, 37, of La Porte for the alleged sexual assault of a child outside the La Porte library, following an anonymous tip relating to Baker's whereabouts. Baker was arrested early Tuesday morning in McKinney, Texas. The arrest came after a sketch of the suspect was released. "We're not releasing the age of the victim," said Sergeant Bennie Boles. "We try to give out as little information as possible about victims in cases like these in order to protect them from further being victimized. A minor child could range from elementary-school-aged all the way up to high school." The library is across the street from La Porte Junior High and La Porte Elementary. As the girl was walking past the library, a man approached her and sexually assaulted her, detectives said. The man fled the scene down West F Street, the girl told police. Following the anonymous tip, officers learned that Baker fled the area to McKinney following the alleged assault. "Solving this horrible crime was possible only by everyone working together and it will ensure that our Mr. Baker will not be able to victimize anyone else," said Chief Ken Adcox. Baker is presently being held at the Collin County Jail awaiting return to Harris County. Boles urged parents to talk with their children about safety. "If they're going to be out by themselves, make sure there is at least another friend or sibling with them," he said. Boles stressed the need for situational awareness. "Don't be on your phone texting, always be aware of your surroundings, pay attention to the people that are around you. If they are approached, make a bunch of noise. Scream, kick, hit, whatever it is they need to do to draw attention to themselves. People that commit these crimes are often opportunistic." Anyone with information about the suspect is urged to call the La Porte Police Department at 281-471-2141. "We take this personally," said Boles. "We take the safety of our children and community members very seriously. If you're out and something doesn't look right or seem right, call us." Shawn Mendes has announced a string of worldwide tour dates -- including Houston. The teen hitmaker performs July 25, 2019 at Toyota Center. Yes, that's next year. Tickets go on sale at 10 a.m. May 19. ALSO NEW: J. Cole brings KOD Tour to Houston Mendes will release his self-titled third album May 25. It includes the songs "In My Blood" and "Lost in Japan." Each purchases ticket comes with a copy of Mendes' new album. Mendes first rose to fame by posting six-second covers on Vine, the defunct social media app. He's since scored a string of pop hits, including "Stitches" and "There's Nothing Holdin' Me Back." HomeAid Houstons Hurricane Harvey rebuild initiative, BuildAid is providing assistance to homeowners whose homes were devastated by the floods. Once pre-qualified through an online form on the BuildAid website, www.buildaidhouston.org, these homeowners will be matched with experienced builder members of the Greater Houston Builders Association (GHBA) who will walk them through a finish selection process and the actual remodeling. The scope of services provided to a homeowner varies by household, but typically includes the following cost categories: insulation/drywall/tape/float/texture/paint, cabinetry, countertops, millwork and trim, door hardware, plumbing, kitchen and bathroom tile, pre and post-construction inspections and final clean. The builder provides a detailed, line item estimate of the rebuild and will manage the construction process from beginning to end. One homeowner who experienced 2 feet of water in their Katy area home, learned about BuildAid through their homeowners association. Fredrick and Alta Hodges never dreamed they would be ferried from their home in a rubber raft by the Coast Guard, along with dozens of their neighbors. On Aug. 28, three days after Hurricane Harvey made landfall, the Hodges boarded the raft and left the area for 10 days before returning to find they had lost everything on the first floor. That was the worst part, said Hodges. Knowing our house flooded and we couldnt get in to assess right away. There was going to be a mold problem and we worried about that more than anything else. Volunteers from a local church assisted in removing the wet materials from their home, but the question of how to move forward from there was overwhelming. Through their HOA, the Hodges were introduced to Chris Yuko, director of BuildAid and to SBP, a disaster relief organization who identifies areas in need. The Hodges were the ideal candidate for this initiative, said Yuko. They were quickly approved and matched with a David Weekley Home builder to begin the construction. Construction has moved quickly for the Hodges and their home will soon be completed. BuildAid was recently selected as a recipient of the Hurricane Harvey Relief Fund (HHRF) and presented with a grant for $5.5 million. HHRF was established by Houstons Mayor Turner and Harris County Judge Emmett and is administered by the Greater Houston Community Foundation. In addition to David Weekley Homes, BuildAid construction partners include Taylor Morrison, Partners in Building, Trendmaker Homes and Chesmar Homes. Financial supporters include Newmark Homes, Holcomb Properties, Land Tejas Development Co., the Perry Homes Foundation, the David Weekley Family Foundation, Memorial Drive Presbyterian Church and the Brad Williams Family. HomeAid Houston is a 501 c 3 charity of the Greater Houston Builders Association that builds transformational housing for the homeless. The agency has completed 47 projects that have added and/or improved 200,600 square feet of real estate in the homeless community. The retail value of these HomeAid projects is $12.7 million, with $6.6 million donated by GHBA members. For more information on BuildAid visit www.buildaidhouston.org or call 409-768-0118. To learn more about HomeAid Houston visit www.homeaidhouston.org or call 281-970-8970. Mexico The so-called TPP-11, the Trans Pacific Partnership agreement involving the 11 countries retained from the original trade pact after the U.S. dropped out, would lead the Mexican footwear manufacturing sector to lose an estimated 40% of its domestic market. Full access to this article is limited to International Leather Maker Subscribers How to Subscribe Subscribing is EASY, you can do it online. Once we receive payment and approve your subscription we will send you a password allowing you online access to additional content like this article. If the population of Waller County doubles between now and 2045 as projected, whats the best way to handle the increased traffic? Carlene Mullins, a senior planner with the Houston-Galveston Area Council, is helping to lead a project team thats looking for answers to that question as part of the Waller County Transportation Plan. The countys population of 49,941 in 2015 is projected to climb to 134,495 by 2045. That team listened to between 65 and 70 residents express their opinions in late April at two meetings - one held in Pattison and the other in Prairie View. Public comments are being taken online at www.hgacmpo.com/waller through May 11. Its the second series of meetings with the first held last October and the third and final scheduled for later this summer before recommendations are finalized. Among the recommendations, said Mullins, are a commuter rail along the northern part of U.S. 290, buses to circulate among the cities in the county, a park and ride west of Katy/Brookshire and a bus service traversing the county from north to south. Were making recommendations that 290 be widened in the future, added Mullins. Another recommendation would have the Texas Department of Transportation build service road bridges on U.S. 290 and Interstate 10 across the Brazos River. Bike/pedestrian recommendations include wider shoulders on new/modified roads that eventually will include a separate bike lane and multi-use paths to loop around the Katy Prairie Conservancy and along the Brazos River and easements and utility corridors. After listening to public meeting comments, Mullins believes a thoroughfare plan is misunderstood. People mistakenly believe the road will be built tomorrow, she said, but the goal is to preserve right of way, she explained, so that land will be available when the need for the road exists. Many times developers will come in to develop land and the county will ask for that right of way. Its a very long-term process, she said. Most roads are not built for a very long time. Among the 10 major issues identified in the study are congested areas, road flooding, truck traffic, cyclist/vehicle conflicts, narrow roads and north/south and east/west connectivity. Eight major barriers include the Brazos River, floodplain/wetlands, the Katy Prairie Conservancy and railroads. Weve preserved the Katy Prairie Conservancy, said Mullins. Weve removed about 95 percent of the thoroughfares in the conservatory. One north/south road is proposed. Were working closely with the Katy Prairie Conservancy, said Mullins. They dont care for that idea. Were working with them. Elisa Donovan, vice president/general counsel, Katy Prairie Conservancy (KPC), said shes encouraged by the studys vision statement which reads, in part, To enhance safety and mobility for all users while preserving the countys heritage and protecting environmentally sensitive areas. She is concerned about fragmentation of the preserved land that would adversely impact wildlife and visitors. Light pollution is another concern. Mary Anne Piacentini, KPC president/CEO, is pleased the study has removed many thoroughfares from protected land and likes the open planning process. She said KPC doesnt think the north/south corridor is necessary as it goes through the middle of some conservation easements and officials are working with H-GAC. H-GAC is working really hard to understand the issues that will be facing Waller County in the future, she added. The prairie is designated as a low-density area, said Piacentini, and not a growth corridor like I-10 or U.S. 290. The study identifies six major traffic generators, including three in the Katy/Brookshire area: Amazon, Igloo and Buc-ees. Katy Mayor Chuck Brawner belongs to the Waller County Transportation Plan 21-member steering committee. I endorse the plan looking to the future to make sure we meet the needs of the citizens who live outside the city of Katy but may be driving this way, he said. We want to make sure we do our part to move traffic as efficiently as we can. The Katy Independent School District Board of Trustees will vote Thursday whether to hire "special outside counsel" to pursue a defamation case in support of Lance Hindt, the district's embattled superintendent, along with other Katy ISD officials and staff. While the agenda item for the Thursday meeting doesn't state the reason for the district's decision to contemplate the legal action, for several weeks the district has been rocked by public allegations that Hindt had bullied a former classmate more than 30 years ago. In past years, big-name celebrities have drawn large crowds to UNICEF Gala Houston. Michael Bolton, Faith Hill and Angie Harmon have all headlined the big night held at Wortham Center, and later, Hilton Americas. Though last Friday, it was Houston's own Jim "Mattress Mack" McIngvale who stole the show inside the Post Oak Hotel at Uptown. During a program filled with impassioned speeches from bold-faced locals, the Gallery Furniture owner and well-known philanthropist captivated the 320-person audience with not one, but two personal anecdotes to bolster UNICEF's "for every child" battle cry. April 26 A resident came to the West U PD Lobby to turn in a debit card found in the street near 4200 Marquette. The cards issuing company was contacted who stated the card had been reported lost and that a replacement card had already been ordered for the owner. April 27 At 3:53 pm, an officer observed a vehicle traveling westbound in the 3900 block of Bellaire Blvd. with an expired motor vehicle registration certificate. A traffic stop was conducted in the 4100 block of Bellaire Blvd. and after further investigation; the driver was found to be in possession of marijuana and given the opportunity to participate in the Misdemeanor Marijuana Diversion Program. April 28 An officer observed a male passed out in a vehicle in the 3000 block of Sunset. The male was found to be intoxicated and was arrested for public intoxication. April 29 At 11:14 am, an officer was dispatched to the Houston Police Department, to pick up a male subject (Denerick Shelton) that had an outstanding warrant with the City of West University Place Police Department. The subject was arrested and processed for the warrant. April 30 An officer was dispatched to the West U PD Lobby in regards to a theft of a package. May 1 An officer was dispatched to the 3900 block of Marlow in regards to a credit card abuse report. At 9:11 PM, officers were dispatched to the 4000 block of Amherst in regards to a suspicious vehicle. Upon further investigation, it was discovered that the vehicle was occupied by two intoxicated individuals. The driver (Roderick Brady) was arrested for Driving While Intoxicated and the passenger was arrested for Public Intoxication. May 2 An officer observed a vehicle traveling 44/30 mph in the 6500 block of Buffalo Speedway. A traffic stop was made and the officer made contact with the operator requesting identifying information. The operator provided a name/DOB and later discovered the information provided to be fictitious. The subject (Walter Pines) was detained, identified, and found to have a felony. The warrant was confirmed and the subject was taken into custody. An officer was sent to the 2600 block of Tangley to investigate a report of a burglary of a building that had already occurred. An officer was told by the victim of a theft of construction materials that has already occurred. An officer was dispatched to meet with Bellaire PD for a subject (Wendy Chun) they had stopped who had West University Municipal Court warrants. The officer went to the location and arrested the offender. At 2:06 pm an officer was dispatched to the West U PD Lobby., in regards to a minor accident that already occurred. An Officer was dispatched to the West U PD Lobby in reference to found property. May 3 An Officer was dispatched to 4000 block of Bellaire to meet with a complainant concerning a theft that already occurred. A woman whose Bear Creek-area home was filled with dead and malnourished cats in March has a warrant out for her arrest, authorities said. Valerie Joanne Hooper, 59, is facing four Class-A misdemeanor counts of failure to provide food, water, care or shelter of an animal, which could land her in jail for up to a year. Detectives with the Harris County Precinct 5 Constable's Office said Hooper is currently wanted. Officials in Fort Bend County are taking action to ensure a case of active tuberculosis does not spread to others at Sugar Land's Kempner High School, Fort Bend ISD said in a letter to parents. "Because significant exposure to TB is required in order to develop an infection, and based on the level of interaction with the individual, the health department has identified a small group of students and staff who will require testing," the letter states. Testing is conducted through the Fort Bend County Health and Human Services Department at no cost to the individuals, said Yaneth Calderon, spokeswoman for the department. Any required treatment will also be conducted through the health department, unless patients choose to use their private providers. ALERT: Threat of typhus rises in Houston, other parts of Texas Tuberculosis is a bacterial illness that normally affects the lungs, but can also affect the brain and spine and is sometimes fatal. The disease is spread when an infected person coughs or sneezes. "Tuberculosis is not easily transmitted," the school district letter states. "It is spread when a person inhales airborne germs over a long period of time in a confined area from someone with the disease who coughs or sneezes." The students and staff members who require testing have already been notified, the district said. "If you have not been contacted, there is no reason for your child to be tested at this time," the letter states. Parents may ask their private providers for testing if desired. The high school was notified of the one active case by the health department. Tuberculosis is a Texas notifiable condition, meaning health professionals are required to report any diagnosis to a local or regional health department, Calderon said. Once the health department becomes aware of a notifiable disease, officials begin an investigation, first identifying the infected person's family members and determining whether they also test positive for the disease. If family members test positive, testing widens to other people who have encountered the individual, to prevent the disease's spread. Housing advocates asked a federal judge Tuesday to compel the Department of Housing and Urban Development to consider potential discrimination and segregation in allocations of federal housing money, including Hurricane Harvey recovery grants. A complaint filed by three nonprofits -- the Texas Low-Income Housing Information Service, Texas Appleseed, and the National Fair Housing Alliance -- says HUD Secretary Ben Carson acted unlawfully in January, when he delayed a rule requiring recipients of HUD funds to "affirmatively further fair housing." The case involves a rule adopted in 2015 -- 47 years after Congress passed the Fair Housing Act -- that requires consideration of segregated housing patterns and unequal opportunity in decisions about the use of federal housing grants. Carson has called the rule "social engineering," and in January HUD delayed its implementation until Oct. 31, 2020. The agency said it took the action because formulas used to determine housing discrimination weren't working well. If the legal challenge succeeds, cities and counties affected by Harvey will have to revise their plans for the use of federal recovery funds, said John Henneberger, the co-director of the Texas Low-Income Housing Information Service. "It's not just about segregation, but about disparate treatment in terms of public infrastructure" -- such as neighborhoods with open ditches rather than curbs and gutters, Henneberger said. A plan that incorporated the fair housing rule, he said, also would give recipients of recovery funds the option of moving out of hazardous or impoverished neighborhoods. In a related development on Tuesday, Texas Land Commissioner George P. Bush announced the state's action plan for use of disaster recovery funds had been sent to HUD for final approval. The plan details the distribution and eligible uses of $2.7 billion to assist Texas communities with long-term recovery following Hurricane Harvey. Future amendments to the action plan will outline the eligible uses of $2.3 billion by the city of Houston and Harris County. A northeast Texas judge this week signed off on an execution date for the Sulphur Springs man convicted of strangling his girlfriend and pushing her from a moving car. Daniel Acker was sent to death row in 2001 for the slaying of Marquetta George. He is now scheduled to die by lethal injection on Sept. 27, his lawyer said Tuesday. "We're working on our efforts to show Mr. Acker's innocence," said defense attorney A. Richard Ellis. "This is a case where I am convinced that he is innocent." At the time of the slaying in March 2000, Acker and George were sharing a rented trailer in Hopkins County when they got in a fight after a night at the Bustin' Loose nightclub. Afterward, they parted ways and later Acker went searching for the 32-year-old, according to court filings. Her bloodied body was eventually found on the side of a road, and investigators fingered Acker for the killing. At trial, defense lawyers argued that George jumped out of the couple's truck and was hit. Prosecutors said her boyfriend strangled her, then dumped her body. In appeals, defense counsel argued that prosecutors used false testimony from experts and repeatedly changed their theory of the crime. "Acker had no motive to do this," Ellis said Tuesday. "He didn't have the physical ability to strangle her while he was driving." But the U.S. Supreme Court turned down his appeal last month. The Lone Star State has already executed five men this year, with several more on the calendar. The husband of a woman who died in a fatal bicycle crash near Rice University last month is seeking a temporary restraining order against the trucking company that operated a dump truck involved in the wreck. Ujjal Bhattacharjee has requested a restraining order on E Cruz Lazo Trucking, prohibiting them from changing, altering or destroying any evidence related to the crash, according to court documents filed on Monday with the Harris County District Clerk. Lawyers representing the husband said they intend to use evidence preserved through the restraining order and conduct an investigation separate from police, determining who was at fault in the death of Sudipta Roy, 30. In the end, our goal in this case is to clear Sudiptas name, attorney Rob Kwok said at a news conference Tuesday morning. This tragedy was not her fault. She did not cause her own death. On April 24, Roy was biking onto a crosswalk on Sunset when a dump truck driver turned right from Sunset onto Main, hitting and killing her, police said. She was leaving a lunch date with her husband, who works at the university, Kwok said. Both Roy and the truck driver had green light signals, police said. RELATED: Out of Control: Houston's roads are the nation's most deadly Who was at fault in the crash has already been a point of contention. Police initially said that Roy might have been responsible because bicyclists have to abide by all rules of a motorist. Bicycle safety advocates have pushed against that claim. Some of the evidence Kwok hopes to preserve includes the dump truck itself, the driver's cell phone and a "black box" data recorder, which could also divulge information such as the speed the truck was traveling. Kwok also asked that the dump truck be temporarily taken out of service. E Cruz Lazo Trucking could not be reached for comment, as a phone number listed for the company appeared to be disconnected. Bhattacharjee is in India and wasn't present at the news conference. READ ALSO: Early morning accidents snarl traffic around Houston Kwok joined with several of the bicycle advocates at the news conference and said that the Houston Police Department most likely didnt take into account rules outlined in Texas Transportation Code, which states that operators making a right hand turn have an obligation to yield the right of way to anyone lawfully in the intersection. Kwok and other attorneys at the meeting said that the police department might have overlooked Houstons vulnerable road user ordinance, which prohibits vehicles from overtaking road users and making a turn in front of them unless theres a certain amount of distance between them. Kwoks team believes that the truck attempted a right-hook turn," where a vehicle attempts to overtake someone and turn in front of them, Kwok said. The investigating officer in this case made a rush to judgment that somehow this crash was Sudiptas fault, Kwok said. Its very easy to blame the victim, point the finger at the victim, because the victim is not there to represent himself or herself. Representatives with the Houston Police Department declined to comment because the crash is still an ongoing investigation. READ ALSO: High ozone forecast for Harris, Brazoria and Galveston counties Advocates at the news conference cast some of the blame on the intersection, which has been the site of two fatal bicycle crashes in about 14 months. Scientist and Rice professor Marjorie Corcoran, 66, also died there on Feb. 3, 2017 when she biked over a set of Metro tracks along Fannin and Sunset and was hit by a crossing light rail train. Sunset crosses both Fannin and Main, bridging Rice University and Hermann Park. Fannin and Main run parallel to each other and are a short distance apart. Both of these women were familiar with what is a very complex, very confusing, very busy intersection that divides two idyllic, people-oriented environments, said John Long, executive director of bicycle safety group BikeHouston. Youve got these two urbane, people-centric environments separated by this dangerous no mans land thats designed for motor vehicles and not for people. The city of Houston and Houston Metro have been working on a plan to adjust the intersection, although those plans arent finalized, officials with both groups said. Mary Natoli, president of the Rice University Cycling and Triathlon Club, said she and others in her group will continue pushing the city to implement the blueprints made last year. All road users are inevitably going to make mistakes, Natoli said. We need to engineer our roads to ensure that those mistakes arent fatal. Roy, who was a nurse, was an expert cyclist and appeared to do everything right on the road, Kwok said. She was where she was supposed to be, Kwok said. She was where she had every legal right to be. And yet, her life was ended prematurely. Harris County deputies are searching for the gunman who killed a man in a drive-by shooting outside his home Monday morning. The man was shot while outside his residence in the 2000 block of Barnsley, north of Acres Homes, around 12:30 a.m. The University of Houston has announced its commencement speaker for its upcoming class of spring graduates. Mayor Sylvester Turner, a UH alumnus himself, will be addressing the latest class of Coog grads on Thursday, May 10, at NRG Stadium. Last year, UH invited Arnold Schwarzenegger to speak. In his address, the former California governor and Hollywood actor asked students to be grateful for the help they had in succeeding: STUDY: Texas teacher salaries lag far behind US average "None of us can make it alone. None of us. Not even the guy that is talking to you right now, that was the greatest bodybuilder of all times. Not even me, that has been the Terminator and went back in time to save the human race. Not even me that fought and killed predators with his bare hands." "I always tell people that you can call me anything that you want. You can call me Arnold. You can call me Schwarzenegger. You can call me the Austrian oak. You can call me Schwarzy. You can call me Arnie. But don't ever, ever call me the selfmade man." It's a tough act to follow for Turner, especially since Schwarzenegger ended his address with some of his most iconic catchphrases, "Hasta La Vista, baby. I'll be back." Still, there's no doubting that Turner, who oversaw Houston during Hurricane Harvey and the Astros' World Series win, will have some spectacular words of wisdom for some of Houston's newest generation of workers. Turner won't be the only speaker, though. This year, the University of Houston plans on having multiple ceremonies and speakers for different colleges. For UH Law, attorney, journalist and businesswoman Star Jones will be speaking to graduates. Scroll through above to see who else is slated to speak at graduation ceremonies across Texas. Fernando Ramirez is a reporter for Chron.com and the Houston Chronicle. You can follow him on Twitter at @fernramirez93. Tomball is one step closer to the process of annexing a 375-acre property west of Texas 249 located roughly between North Humble Lake Road and proposed Holderrieth Road. On Monday night, the city council voted in favor of annexing the property on the first reading of the ordinance. The vote came after the city council hosted two public comment sessions in April, but no residents signed up to speak. The councils second reading and vote scheduled for May 21 would officially annex the property and take it out of the city of Houstons extraterritorial jurisdiction. The request for annexation was originally made by Harris County so that Tomball could provide utilities, such as water and sewage services. The property would also be the future home of a $19.9 million service center for Precinct 4, which is currently under construction. It may also be the future location of the Precinct 4, Place 1 courthouse, which is currently located at 6381 Cypresswood Drive in Spring. The courthouse had extensive flooding from Hurricane Harvey and is still in the process of being repaired. The council also had the first public hearing to zone the property as a commercial district and voted on the first reading of the ordinance to zone the 375 acres as a commercial zone. The purpose of the commercial district is to provide location for retail sales and service activities where steady traffic is considered. The utilities are currently being extended to the property by the county and has direct access to the tollway as well as the future extension of Holderrieth Road, said Craig Meyers, Tomball community development director. Before the council voted, Meyers said he recommended the city approve the zoning ordinance. No residents spoke on the zoning ordinance before the council voted to approve. The next regular city council meeting will be on May 21 at 6 p.m. mayra.cruz@chron.com Oak Ridge North City Manager Vicky Rudy announced Monday she is retiring from the job shes held for eight years. Rudy, 63, gave her three-month notice Monday morning and said while she loves her job and what I do, she calls herself past due for retirement. Its been quite an experience. I have been blessed by the opportunities I have had and the projects I have been part of, Rudy said of her nearly 20-year career in city government. Knowing that (the projects Ive worked on) will leave an impact for many years to come is a blessing. Most people dont get to experience that in their lifetime and I have experienced it over and over. Rudy has worked in the city of Oak Ridge North as the city manager since March 2010 after leaving her role as city administrator for Rollingwood, Texas. Previously, Rudy was the city administrator in Montgomery. Oak Ridge North is a council-manager form of government and as city manager, Rudy is responsible for advising council on various projects throughout the city. During her time as city manager, Rudy oversaw projects involving the rehabilitation of the city wastewater system and water plant. She has also worked on economic development and financial projects, in an attempt to recruit businesses to the city. The citys mayor and council acknowledged Rudys contributions to Oak Ridge North. Mayor Jim Kuykendall, who was recently re-elected to serve another two-year term, said he was glad for Rudy on her retirement and wished her the best. She has certainly worked hard for it and its well deserved, Kuykendall said. It has been my privilege to work beside side her these past years leading our City. People may not realize it but Vicky is one of the most respected city managers in the state. Council Member Alex Jones called Rudy an amazing person. I have told Vicky in the past that Ive used her as an example of a fantastic role model for my daughters. I stand by that, Jones said. We should all be so lucky as to have such an amazing person to point to and tell our children With some effort and persistence, that is what you can achieve. I will be forever thankful that I got to be a tiny little part of her incredible 20-year career in public service. Council Member Paul Bond called Rudy a highly driven and motivated individual dedicated to her work. Vicky has all the right stuff a city manager needs to lead and it shows daily, Bond said. I cannot stress enough the importance of Vickys performance, dedication, work habits and continued efforts to provide excellent service to the residents of Oak Ridge North. Council Member Frances Planchard said Rudy was the best thing that ever happened to this city. I am truly blessed to have worked with her on council but also consider her a very special friend, Planchard said. I am excited for the new chapter of life that she will be experiencing. Rudy plans to officially leave the role of Oak Ridge North city manager in August after taking a break in between. Rudy said that once she retires, shell be able to spend more time with her daughter in Austin and her 7-month old grandson who lives in Houston with her son and daughter-in-law. Its a very compelling job, Rudy said in regards to her position with the city. A job that takes a lot of your energy. Time and energy. Im ready to spend some of that time and energy on personal matters. Rudy said she has been honored to work with the council and the city staff. My council and my city staff and the people I work with in Oak Ridge North in the eight years I have been in this position, I have felt the most appreciated, Rudy said. They made me feel part of the team. I have a staff second to none. As for the position that will become vacant once shes gone, Rudy said the personnel committee will work out a plan to bring to city council at the May 14 meeting. Kuykendall said the work Rudy has done in the city will make it easier to bring in someone new. Because of her ability to run the day to day operations while planning ahead this city is in a great position to continue to move forward, Kuykendall said. Our next city manager will have a much better job because of the work Vicky has done. Rudy said she plans to take the rest of 2018 off once she retires in August to get my bearings. Afterward, Rudy said she will weigh her options, whether thats consulting, part-time work or in economic development. She also plans to spend a lot of time traveling, she said. michelle.iracheta@chron.com MIGUEL ALEMAN, Tamaulipas, Mexico As the bloody drug war engulfed this hardscrabble border city in 2010, unclaimed dead were buried in a mass grave at the edge of town, week after week, month after month. In the first project of its kind in Tamaulipas, archaeologists and forensic anthropologists are now exhuming the remains of an estimated 350 people buried there in an effort to identify them and bring closure to some families. In a state dotted with mass graves and the highest number of disappearances in Mexico officially 5,989, though many say the actual number is far higher the project has rekindled hope and stirred traumatic memories. YEARS IN THE MAKING: Thousands of cases left uninvestigated in last 12 years My daughter probably isnt here, said Graciela Perez Rodriguez whose 13-year-old daughter, brother and three nephews disappeared in a distant corner of Tamaulipas in 2012. Whats important is that the exhumations continue. For years, families searching for their missing in Tamaulipas have done so amid warring drug cartels and authorities indifferent to their plight and sometimes complicit in the disappearances. As the victims mounted, local authorities often buried unidentified victims in municipal cemeteries. But under the administration of Governor Francisco Garcia Cabeza de Vaca, authorities in January 2017 quietly broke ground in Miguel Aleman, a town of around 30,000 residents across the border from Roma, and built 50 storage units in the ground, each with the capacity of 10 sets of remains. The exhumation began in mid-April at the Municipal Pantheon United for the Memory with a team of 49 specialists from the Tamaulipas Attorney General of Justice, human rights observers and consultants from the German Agency for International Cooperation and the Foundation and the Guatemalan Forensic Anthropology Foundation. WHAT'S DRIVING THE VIOLENCE: The breakdown of one of Mexico's most powerful cartels in a valuable border city Exhumations will continue later this year in Reynosa, followed by projects in Nuevo Laredo and Ciudad Victoria. Perez hopes the fifth site, which has not been determined, will be near Mante in the southern part of the state, where her family vanished on their way home to San Luis Potosi. Dozens of families from across the state and north of the international border have visited the cemetery. Most arrive with photos of their disappeared and a few documents chronicling their search. Tetanus shots and a psychologist are available at the site for those who want to put on a mask and scrubs to observe the exhumation work up close. They also have blood drawn for genealogical data that will be compared with the genetic material of the exhumed. Perez, who is a founding member of the project Forensic Citizen Science, a citizen bio bank of DNA of relatives of disappeared, has spent years in Tamaulipas sifting through debris left by cartels on ranches and in abandoned buildings at considerable risk to her safety. But standing over forensic specialists raising bodies from the sandy loam one recent day, she found herself disturbed by the thought her daughter, Milynali, may have been unceremoniously buried in a municipal cemetery in plain sight. This should have done years ago, Perez said. This isnt an achievement. Its a wake. For many, the significance of the project is easily obscured by the painful reminder that most will not find closure here. Marisela Valdezs son, Roberto, 28, was taken in 2014. He prepared food that Valdez, 58, sold to factory workers in Reynosas maquiladora sector. When she refused to be extorted by cartel members she and her son were kidnapped. Valdez was savagely beaten and left for dead on the side of highway. It would require months of therapy before she could walk again. Still the threats continued until she fled with her daughter to Mexico City. They took my son, our house, they took everything, Valdez said. The cartel controls everything here. Around 32,000 people have been reported missing in Mexico since 2006, according to government data, yet authorities fail to investigate many cases, leaving families like the Valdezes to search for answers on their own. Late last year, Mexicos Congress passed and President Enrique Pena Nieto signed into law the General Law on Disappearances, creating a national commission to track and investigate disappearances. In Tamaulipas, forensic scientists are building a database with genetic material from the exhumed bodies and DNA samples taken from families. The Tamaulipas database, which has around 6,000 family DNA samples, will also cross-reference results with a national DNA database. Its important that theyre actually starting somewhere, and if this works, great, said Maureen Meyer of the Washington Office on Latin America, a human rights advocacy group. Its a huge undertaking. At a minimum it could lead to some closure for families. Valdez remains skeptical of government efforts. One recent morning, Valdez and Martha Castillo Olmedo, the 54-year-old mother of five missing children and two grandchildren, ranging in age from five to 25, pressed city officials for answers. Why had 350 people been buried with no apparent effort to identify them? Here they tried to hide the problem, Valdez said. They lied and deceived the victims. They didnt search for our sons, they made us suffer. It was a harrowing time, explained Ricardo Rodriguez Garcia, city secretary. The Gulf Cartel and its former enforcers Los Zetas were at war for the lucrative trafficking corridor. Gunbattles raged through the night, and the dead were delivered to the only funeral home in town, Funeraria Rodriguez. There were times wed receive a call in the middle of the night of a death from natural causes, said Jorge Rodriguez, manager of Funeraria Rodriguez. We had to tell the families to wait until the following morning. Everyone understood. Rodriguez had neither the money nor the facility to store the dead. After a few days they were buried, a practice that started in 2010 and continued through 2016, state officials said. Security has improved in the area, but the violence remains. During the second week of exhumations here, news of kidnappings in town spread fear across the cemetery. By the third week of exhumation only a handful of stalwart mothers, representing collectives of families of disappeared from across state, could be found at the Miguel Aleman cemetery. While Valdez is voluble, Castillo is painfully quiet. The women share a hotel room where several mothers and government forensic specialists retire at the end of each day. The work is emotionally taxing, and Castillo rubbed her temples at the end of a long day. She carries the photos of her missing children and grandchildren, which are taped together, folded accordion style, in her purse. One son went missing in 2013, the others vanished in 2014. The mere mention of her loss still lays bare her pain. They took them, Castillo, tears welling up in her eyes. anelsen@express-news.net | Twitter: @amnelsen Three more high-level administrators are poised to leave Houston ISD in the coming weeks, following the superintendent and chief of staff out the door amid unprecedented uncertainty about the districts future. HISD Deputy Superintendent Samuel Sarabia, Chief Student Support Officer Mark Smith and Officer of Advanced Academics Adam Stephens are all expected to soon leave HISD, with board trustees scheduled to vote on their resignation agreements Thursday, according to a school board meeting agenda. Sarabia said in an interview Monday that he is retiring. Smith and Stephens could not be immediately reached to discuss reasons for their departures. An HISD spokesman said the district does not comment on personnel matters. In the past two months, HISD lost former superintendent Richard Carranza, who left to become chancellor of New York City public schools, and Chief of Staff Cynthia Wilson, who announced she was returning to Dallas ISD, where she worked from 2015 to 2017. Trustees appointed the districts chief academic officer, Grenita Lathan, as interim superintendent in March. The departures come as the district faces the possibility of forced campus closures or a state takeover of the locally elected school board, the result of HISDs failure to improve academic results at 10 of its longest-struggling schools. HISD leaders will know sometime this summer whether the district will be subject to any sanctions. Both Sarabia and Smith have served about three decades in HISD, while Stephens joined the district in 2003. Sarabia has held several positions in HISD, beginning as an elementary school teacher and rising to second in command under Carranza, who appointed him deputy superintendent in October 2016. Sarabia said his retirement, which he expects to become effective Aug. 31, was not tied to Carranzas departure or the challenges facing HISD. This is something Ive been planning. Its been 30 years, and Ive been able to serve almost every school in the district, Sarabia said. We went through a lot in the fall with my mom in hospice, and when she passed away in October, I decided I just want to spend more time with family. Smith, one of the districts longest-tenured administrators, has been among HISDs more visible leaders in recent years, shepherding efforts to analyze and potentially change its school choice system. Stephens began his career as a special education teacher, served as a principal and now oversees several departments primarily focused on high school-level academics. The terms of the separation agreements were not immediately available Monday. In 2016-17, the most recent year with available data, Sarabias salary was $192,662, Smith earned $194,361 and Stephens made $140,760, according to state payroll databases. jacob.carpenter@chron.com twitter.com/chronjacob Houston police are searching for a man who stabbed a woman in the face with a knife and stole her purse from her car. Around 6 a.m. April 29, the woman was pulling into the front gate of her apartment complex on West Parker in north Houston. After she opened her driver's side door to enter the gate code, an unidentified man attacked and stole her purse, according to the Houston Police Department. COLD CASE HEATS UP: Man charged in murder case that went cold under disgraced Houston detective Police said the suspect was accompanied by a female, who was standing on the passenger's side of the vehicle. After this robbery, another person in the same apartment complex said he was outside drinking a beer when the suspect approached him with a knife and demanded money. The man told police the suspect stabbed him in the neck area when he said he didn't have any money. The suspect then fled the area. In some of the surveillance footage shared by police, the suspect is seen attempting to rob someone at the gate but was unsuccessful after the driver quickly drove off. The suspect is briefly dragged by the vehicle. OPEN AGAIN: HCC to reopen on Wednesday but threat investigation continues The suspect is described as 25-30 years old and 5-foot-6 to 5-foot-9. He is believed to weigh 150-170 pounds. He was wearing black pants and a black shirt. Anyone with information may earn up to $5,000 from Crime Stoppers for information leading to the charging or arrest of the wanted man. Tips can be submitted by calling Crime Stoppers at 713-222-8477 or online at Crime-Stoppers.org. Will Axford is a digital reporter for Chron.com and HoustonChronicle.com. Follow him on Twitter. WASHINGTON Speaker Paul Ryan swore the Rev. Patrick J. Conroy back in as the chaplain of the House of Representatives on Tuesday, re-establishing the Roman Catholic priest in the post he had contentiously left just weeks earlier. Ryan had stirred a bipartisan tempest with his abrupt move to dismiss the chaplain last month, a decision Conroy publicly protested. Catholic lawmakers rallied behind the chaplain, who is a Jesuit priest, and last week Ryan agreed to reinstate Conroy after the chaplain rescinded his resignation, which he said had been forced. On Tuesday, Ryan suggested the two men were working to reconcile. Father Pat and I had a good cup of coffee this morning, the Wisconsin Republican said. We talked about how to improve the services going forward. Were going to keep talking. . I think we can ultimately make improvements so that everyone ultimately has access to the pastoral services theyre looking for. Conroy said that his coffee with the speaker was very pleasant and that they would be meeting for dinner next week. We will be meeting again to talk about the deficiencies that were mentioned in his statements, and how they can be rectified, Conroy said. He said he did not have more information on what those deficiencies were. Ryans comments are likely to frustrate Democrats who have questioned why Ryan didnt just discuss his concerns with Conroy in the first place. Nonetheless, Ryan seems to believe the controversy is behind him. I feel good about where things are, he said. Conroy said he was not initially given reasons for his dismissal. But in a letter retracting his resignation last week, Conroy said Ryans chief of staff, Jonathan Burks, had told him something along the lines of, Maybe its time that we had a chaplain that wasnt a Catholic. He said Burks mentioned an interview the chaplain had given with The National Journal, and a prayer he had given on the House floor in November, when Congress was debating tax legislation. May all members be mindful that the institutions and structures of our great nation guarantee the opportunities that have allowed some to achieve great success, while others continue to struggle, he prayed. May their efforts these days guarantee that there are not winners and losers under new tax laws, but benefits balanced and shared by all Americans. Conroy said Ryan had responded to the prayer by saying, Padre, you just got to stay out of politics. In a closed-door meeting with Republicans, Ryan had said that the decision was not based on politics or prayer and that he had received complaints about Conroys pastoral care, according to several lawmakers who attended. Conroy has served in the role since 2011, when he was nominated by Speaker John Boehner, a fellow Catholic. Companies seeking city of Houston tax breaks would be required to give construction workers safety training, advertise jobs to ex-offenders in the city's re-entry program, provide affordable housing if the project is a residential development, and try to hire workers from impoverished neighborhoods and the area around a project, under a proposal before City Council. The proposed tax abatement guidelines which the council discussed Wednesday and then tabled for a week also would require companies to choose one of eight community benefits from a list, several of which overlap with the ordinance's other requirements. Those other requirements include paid internships for low-income students, site designs that aim to reduce crime by, for instance, adding extra lighting, and site improvements that benefit more than the business itself. Progressive advocacy groups long have pushed Mayor Sylvester Turner to embrace "community benefit" reforms for the city's tax abatement program, seeking a departure from past subsidies, such as the $75 million spent before Turner's tenure to lure residential developers downtown, a move that produced no affordable units alongside luxury apartments now renting for upwards of $5,000 per month. Still, some said, the latest proposal does not go far enough. "We're excited that the city's really taking on and looking at the way we give out multi-million-dollar tax breaks and we're really encouraged about some of the improvements that are included," said Laura Perez-Boston, campaign director of the Texas Organizing Project. "Overall, it's really good, but we feel that as long as the city is taking the time to really look at this, let's do it right." The city should strengthen the guidelines, Perez-Boston and other advocates said, by requiring subsidized firms to pay higher wages to workers, not just to construction laborers but to the janitors and retail employees who may work at the completed project. Sasha Legette, of the nonprofit Workers Defense Project, said her group also wants firms to provide laborers workers' compensation insurance and for the rules to allow access to job sites for independent verification of compliance with the city ordinance. Turner said the guidelines before council are general by nature, and that some of the additional requirements the advocates are seeking could be negotiated as individual deals come forward. "It doesn't get up to what they're wanting, but I think we're making some significant steps in that direction," the mayor said. "The companies must show they're doing these things. We'll monitor to see how things go, and if we need to go further, we will." During a brief council discussion of the proposal before it was delayed, Councilwoman Amanda Edwards cheered the proposal's mention of Complete Communities, Turner's plan to invest extra resources in five underserved neighborhoods. Projects seeking tax breaks in those areas could qualify for subsidies using lower investment totals and hiring targets than otherwise be required. Councilman Robert Gallegos said he hoped the rules could help ensure new development does not speed gentrification, and Councilwoman Brenda Stardig said she is concerned about the new requirements being "one size fits all," saying she does not want advocates outside her district adding requirements that could delay developments her constituents favor. Jackie Cornejo, an equitable development strategist with the Partnership for Working Families, a California group that helped pioneered community benefit agreements, said she is concerned some phrasing in the Houston proposal could undercut its goals. Companies would be asked to make "good faith efforts" to hire workers from poor neighborhoods, from around the project site and from training programs, Cornejo noted, and would be asked to advertise new jobs through the city's re-entry program, but would not be required to actually hire any Houstonian who fits those descriptions. "In policies where we see requirements, they show they've exhausted all efforts to reach that number," she said. "It's creating an accountability process by which contractors and subcontractors are actively recruiting." Paul Puente, executive secretary of the Houston Gulf Coast Building and Construction Trades Council, said advocacy groups' pressure on the mayor's office surely played a role in the updated ordinance, though he said it must continue to improve. "We need to have transformative, impactful projects today," he said. "We can't say, 'Well in a couple years we'll come back to the table and see what happened.' Let's do this now and we'll come back to the table and see how it worked." Confusion over what exactly the city was proposing led advocates to hold a Tuesday press conference blasting the guidelines on the steps of City Hall, and to address the council during its weekly public comment session afterward. Turner, whose staff said he had not been briefed on the issue that morning, responded to the advocates' comments by relying on a document his administration had just released outlining the proposed changes in the guidelines a document that did not align with the draft ordinance attached to the council agenda. That file, which TOP, council staff and others had assumed was the final proposal, required only that companies choose one community benefit from the list of eight options. Even Andy Icken, the city's chief development officer who runs the tax abatement program, said Tuesday afternoon that mandating a higher minimum wage or affordable housing set-asides in the guidelines would prevent the city from being "nimble" in negotiating proposals, when the Turner administration had already posted updated documents including affordable housing requirements. Turner said Wednesday he could not explain the confusion surrounding the proposal, but said he long had discussed the issues at hand with the advocacy groups, adding, "These are things I signed off to way before yesterday." mike.morris@chron.com twitter.com/mmorris011 What started off as a relatively cordial campaign between two Republicans who want to represent parts of Houston in Congress has gotten downright testy as early voting looms. Eight weeks ago, Dan Crenshaw and Kevin Roberts were publicly declaring their respect for one another and making plans to visit a gun range together. Now the men are accusing each other of twisting words to score political points ahead of early voting, which begins May 14. Election Day is May 22, two weeks from Tuesday. Meanwhile, former Texas governor and current U.S. Energy Secretary Rick Perry jumped into the race on Monday, formally endorsing Crenshaw, a former Navy SEAL. Its the most significant Republican endorsement from a Texas politician for Crenshaw to date. Perry isnt the first Cabinet member backing Crenshaw. Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke, also a former SEAL, contributed $5,000 to Crenshaw in March. Over the last several days Crenshaw and his supporters have accused Roberts of disrespecting the his experience and that of all U.S. military veterans something Roberts called an absolute lie. That came just days after Roberts said Crenshaw demeaned Christianity in a Facebook post years ago, a claim Crenshaw called false and a new low even for a politician like Kevin. The heightened intensity between the two shows how in a tight Republican primary in which candidates hold many of the same core philosophies, personalities inevitably become a key part of the race. The latest tension in the 2nd Congressional District race stems from the closing arguments in a candidates forum hosted by the Associated Builders & Contractors of Greater Houston last week. After Crenshaw talked about his Harvard University master's degree and work on public policy, Roberts fired back on what it takes to make good public policy. You want to get bad policy? Roberts asks the crowd of business leaders. Send a bunch of people who have never worked in the real world. For you to be able to pass good policy you need real-world experience. A few days later, Crenshaw was up on YouTube, Facebook and Twitter taking offense at Roberts comments suggesting his time as a Navy SEAL did not constitute real-world experience. This latest attack by Kevin Roberts deserves a response, Crenshaw says in an intro to the YouTube clip. I will not let Kevin tell servicemembers that their experience isn't part of the real world. In his video response, Crenshaw talks about real-world experiences confronting danger in the dead of night and attending funerals of men and women who fought by his side. All the while, the video flashes images of Crenshaw in uniform in Iraq and Afghanistan as well as pictures of a veterans' cemetery. But Roberts, 52, said Crenshaw is taking the debate comments out of context. He said he was talking about real-world business experience and had prefaced the comments by talking about his 30 years in business stacked against Crenshaws Harvard education. Roberts has worked for 17 years in the Lanier Law Firm, where he now oversees business operations. Roberts is not an attorney. I would never disparage those who served, Roberts said, noting that his father is an Army veteran. Crenshaw, 33, spent almost 10 years in the Navy before an improvised explosive device nearly killed him Afghanistan. He lost his right eye in the blast and now wears an eyepatch. The tables were flipped days earlier when Roberts and his allies highlighted a portion of comments Crenshaw made on Facebook in 2015, two years before he became a candidate for public office. In the post, Crenshaw said he took issue with people trying to suggest Christianity is as shocking and as violent as Islam. The worst thing modern Christianity stands for is anti-homosexual marriage, which is a far cry from sex slaves, sharia law and beheadings, Crenshaw wrote then. In social media posts, Roberts campaign highlighted Crenshaws statement in bold letters, except for the part about sharia law, and calls Crenshaws comments demeaning to Christians. Crenshaw said Roberts is drastically taking his comments out of context. He said hes clearly making a vociferous defense of Christianity in the post. He called Roberts attack a new low for questioning his faith. Roberts said hes not questioning his faith, just pointing out how demeaning it is to Christians to have their belief in traditional marriage called the worst thing. The sharp exchanges show how high the stakes are in the 2nd Congressional District battle. Roberts and Crenshaw finished as the top two vote-getters in the March 6 primary in a crowded nine-person primary. That field included Republican Kathaleen Wall, who put $6 million of her own money into the race but was eliminated when she failed to finish ahead of Crenshaw or Roberts. Crenshaw and Roberts are battling in a heavily gerrymandered district that includes part of West Houston, stretches north to pick up northern edges of Harris County, then ropes east to pick up all of Atascocita and Humble. U.S. Rep. Ted Poe, a Republican from Humble who has held the seat since 2005, is not seeking re-election. The winner of the May 22 election advances to the general election to face Democrat Todd Litton. Congressional members serve two-year terms in the House and make $174,000 a year. The Crenshaw-Roberts race is not the only local race in Texas that Perry in which has made an endorsement recently. He also announced support for Texas House candidate Thomas McNutt of Corsicana in the GOP runoff for the seat being vacated by Republican state Rep. Byron Cook. jeremy.wallace@chron.com twitter.com/jeremyswallace Spike in Nigerian asylum seekers at Canada-U.S. border sparks new federal measures Many Nigerians claiming asylum in Canada after obtaining U.S. travel visa Spike in Nigerian asylum seekers at Canada-U.S. border sparks new federal measures Many Nigerians claiming asylum in Canada after obtaining U.S. travel visa Spike in Nigerian asylum seekers at Canada-U.S. border sparks new federal measures Many Nigerians claiming asylum in Canada after obtaining U.S. travel visa Stephen Smith Aa Accessibility Font Style Serif Sans Font Size A A The Government of Canada has announced new measures to address the surging number of Nigerians who are crossing into Canada from the United States and claiming asylum. More than 7,000 people have been intercepted by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police so far in 2018 after crossing into Canada at unofficial entry points, including 2,500 who crossed into Quebec in the month of April alone. The majority of those intercepted have been Nigerians with a valid visitors visa for the United States. On Monday, Canadas ministers of immigration, public security and transportation provided an update on federal efforts to ensure U.S. travel visas arent being abused. Chief among the new measures is the assigning of three Canadian officials to help U.S. visa officers in the Nigerian capital Lagos. Canadas Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship, Ahmed Hussen, will also travel to Nigeria this month to discuss the issue with government representatives there. Refugees welcome, but no free ticket for everyone The federal ministers said Canada will continue to adhere to international conventions and offer asylum to those fleeing persecution and war, but warned those seeking a free ticket to Canada. As a matter of due process, asylum seekers are required to prove their claim for protection. Those who cannot do so become inadmissible and will be removed, said Canadas Public Security Minister Ralph Goodale. As to asylum seekers already in Canada, IRCC said it had accelerated the processing of work permits to 30 days to minimize the amount of time new claimants spend on social assistance. IRCC also said progress was being made on a new triage system that will expedite the transfer of asylum claimants who do not wish to remain in Quebec to their final destinations. According to CTV News, Hussen said he expects the backlog of asylum cases will be eliminated by 2019. The federal government has committed $173.2 million over the next two years to strengthen border security and speed up the processing of asylum claims made in 2018-2019. The current processing time for claims is around 20 months. Safe Third Country Agreement These developments follow news that American officials are studying amendments proposed by Canada to its Safe Third Country Agreement with the United States, which deems both countries safe havens for refugees and limits who can claim asylum at official border crossings between the two countries. The Government of Canada has been under pressure to revise if not scrap the agreement in light of policies introduced by U.S. President Donald Trump to reduce the number of immigrants and refugees allowed into the United States. Canadas federal government has denied that it is seeking to formally renegotiate the 14-year-old pact, but Hussen acknowledged recently that conversations are taking place and there was room for improvement. Canadas Liberal government, meanwhile, has dismissed calls by the Conservative Party of Canada to designate the entire Canada-U.S. border an official crossing, which would remove the loophole in the Safe Third Country Agreement that has allowed thousands to gain entry at unofficial crossings and claim asylum in Canada. Learn the facts about claiming refugee status in Canada. 2018 CICNews All Rights Reserved As artificial intelligence (AI) makes its way into the business world, it helps to view this process as onboarding a new and highly qualified team member. There is typically an initial training period where the individual learns their new role as well as how the business works and its values. Organizations have processes and people in place to impart this kind of knowledge on new colleagues and help them learn the ropes, so they can communicate and collaborate effectively with others. To a certain extent, you can apply the same principles and steps to embedding a new AI system. Structuring learning Most new, highly skilled employees are anxious to learn what they need to know to hit the ground running. But to do so effectively, they first need to pick up the company lingo the unique language every organization has developed internally over time. Similarly, a company needs to ensure that AI systems start with basic principles, then progressively build skills from set taxonomical structures. In this phase, the organizations that have the best data available to teach their AI will end up having the most capable AI systems. Take Google it released a dataset that helps companies teach their AI systems to understand how people speak. To create the best dataset, Google recorded 65,000 clips of thousands of different people speaking. This scale of training data has enabled Googles voice recognition to reach 95 percent accuracy. Enabling collaboration A key element of the learning process is explainable decision making both on the part of established employees and new ones. As new coworkers onboard, having team members explain the decision-making process around certain aspects of business operations is essential. Likewise, new workers will have to explain their decisions as they bring about new ideas that challenge current thinking. People expect to be able to understand why someone (or something) else acts and decides the way they do, especially if those actions and decisions affect us directly. This transparency is key to successful collaboration. As AI promises to empower people and be an effective co-worker, advisor and helper, organizations will need to ensure that their AI systems are able to explain their actions and decision-making process. This drive to understand AI decisions has led to several new regulations and advancements in technology. For instance, the new European Unions General Data Protection Regulations give individuals a right to explanation for decisions made by AI and other algorithms. In the tech realm, NVIDIA, which has an AI-infused self-driving car platform called Drive PX that can teach itself to drive, recently added a capability to the platform that allows it to visually explain its driving style by displaying a video of a recently driven streetscape, highlighting areas that it gives the most weight to during navigation. This creates transparency, which enables NVIDIA to build trust between its AI systems and customers. Imparting values Each organization has values that ground it. Having them, adhering to them, and defending them, has never been more relevant to business success than today. My colleagues at Fjord recently proclaimed that were witnessing the rise of an Ethics Economy. Values live primarily in the actions and decisions of employees. Now more and more of an organizations decisions are being made by AI systems, so these systems need to live these values too. This is especially important as advances in technology create opportunities, but also fear and resentment. Imagine what would happen if an AI-powered mortgage lender denies a loan to a qualified prospective home buyer or if an AI-guided shelf-stocking robot collides with a worker in a warehouse. Ultimately, AI represents its owner in every action it takes. It is their responsibility that AI algorithms act in a responsible way, as its the organization that will be made liable for every misstep. The importance of Responsible AI cannot be stressed enough and I will address this in more detail in one of my next posts. Looking at the similarities of onboarding a skilled new employee and integrating an AI system will help us understand the crucial steps we need to take to embed a new level of intelligence at the core of business. New York State attorney general Eric Schneiderman has resigned, just hours after it was reported that he had been accused of violent assaults on women he had dated. These allegations, which include threats that Schneiderman made to stalk and kill the women if they told on him, came as a shockexcept to anyone who has followed his career in politics. Schneidermans louche ethics have been well known. You didnt need an in at Albany watering holes; just reading the newspapers would have told you plenty. In 2010, when Schneiderman first ran for statewide office, he was involved in a hit-and-run accident. Then a state senator, he claimed to have been a passenger in his own car when his 22-year-old staffer Rachel Kaganniece of Supreme Court Justice Elena Kagansmashed into a parked car and drove away, after causing $3,000 worth of damage. A passerby witnessed the crash and wrote down Schneidermans license plate. Schneiderman later told the owner of the parked car that he disciplined the staffer, and offered to pay for the damage, though his office insisted that it was outrageous to call the incident a hit-and-run. Schneiderman later had a brush with trouble regarding his close relations with prominent Hasidic businessman Moshe Stern, the federal governments chief informant in a major 2013 corruption case involving former state senate president Malcolm Smith. Stern, who provided Schneiderman with entree to the extensive Hudson Valley Satmar community, was the bagman in the Smith corruption scandal, which revolved around Smith, a Democrat, seeking to obtain the Republican line in the 2013 mayoral race in New York City through the payment of significant bribes to Republican Party leaders. Joseph and Esther Markowitz, the couple who apparently funneled the bribes through Stern, gave Schneiderman $103,000 in campaign contributions, which he donated to charity when their part in the Smith case came to light. In 2014, when Schneiderman ran for reelection, Randy Credico, a comedian and New York City gadfly who perennially runs for local office on the issue of drug legalization, alleged that he had sniffed cocaine with Schneiderman, then a state senator, in the back of a bar. Schneiderman denied it, admitting to having used marijuana and cocaine up until 1998, but Credico insisted that Schneiderman was doing bumps of white powder with him and a group of others. Given the reports from women he dated and beat that Schneiderman was a raging alcoholic who would routinely bring a bottle of scotch to bed, Credicos story sounds more credible. Plenty of hints existed, then, that Schneidermans public image was not the whole story. And there were rumors about his private life, too, as suggested by President Trumps 2013 tweet, Weiner is gone, Spitzer is gonenext will be lightweight A.G. Eric Schneiderman. Is he a crook? Wait and see, worse than Spitzer or Weiner. But Schneiderman was such an exemplar of a progressive-activist herosuing Exxon, working in concert with Robert Mueller to obtain pardon-proof convictions against Trump associates, speaking at the Womens Marchthat people who probably knew better looked away from evidence of his wrongdoing. Even the closest friends of one of Schneidermans victims encouraged her not to speak out, arguing that Schneiderman was too valuable a politician for the Democrats to lose. Like Harvey Weinstein and other prominent liberals who spoke out on behalf of womens issues, Schneidermans power and prestige protected him, for a time, from public accusation. With Schneiderman out, it is now up to the state legislaturemore specifically, Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie of the Bronxto select a new attorney general to serve out his term, which expires at the end of this year. New York attorney general is an enormously important office, and given the states unique Martin Act, which assigns the chief prosecutor virtually unlimited power to investigate and bring charges against almost anyone, for anything, it is a frighteningly powerful office, too. Speaker Heastieformerly the boss of the Bronx County Democratic Partyis a close friend and associate of Congressman Joe Crowley, who is reportedly seeking to oust Nancy Pelosi and put himself in line for Speaker of the House should the Democrats win big this November. Heastie and Crowley will look to install a reliable ally in Albany, someone they can trust and control. It is a particularly grotesque coda to this affair that the choice of a new attorney general will be entirely in the hands of Albany legislators, who can appoint anyone they wish. Albanywhich spawned and nurtured Schneidermanis a notorious pit of abuse and dysfunction. Harassment of female staffers was hushed up and paid off for years under indicted former assembly speaker Sheldon Silver. It is a certainty that Schneidermans replacement will have roots in this same poisoned soil. Photo by Drew Angerer/Getty Images While cities around the country dangle huge tax incentives at Amazon in an effort to attract its planned new headquarters, the Internet giants hometown of Seattle is trying to wallop the company with a $20 million-to-$30 million new tax. The effort is not going well, as the company, construction workers, editorialists, and residents balk at the idea of squeezing more dollars out of Amazon and other big firms in a city with coffers already overflowing with revenues. The uproar might be evidence that the progressive strategy of forcing big businesses to pay their fair share has its limits. Late last month, Seattles city council proposed a so-called head tax of 26 cents for every hour worked by each employee at businesses with $20 million or more in revenues. The objective: to raise $75 million annually toward building affordable housing and expanding social services to address what officials say is an explosion of homelessness in the city. Amazon, with some 50,000 workers in Seattle and another 10,000 planned, is the taxs top target, and it could wind up paying as much as 40 percent of the money that the new levy generates. But if local leaders thought that the eat the rich strategy, as the Seattle Times has branded the proposal, would enjoy popular support, they were wrong. Last week, Amazon put on hold the construction of a new tower in the city for 7,000 more employees; if the city passes the head tax, these new workers will cost the Internet retailer millions. Residents appear sympathetic to Amazon. At a town hall meeting on the proposal, they lambasted city leaders for lax financial management of the money that Seattle is already spending on homelessness and for the citys failure to address the growing number of homeless encampments. A Times editorial observed that the city and county are already spending $200 million a year on homeless services and affordable housing to aid 5,500 people living on the streets and another 6,100 in shelters and transitional housing. Residents laid the blame for the crisis on city leadership. Your policies and what were doing to this city has unleashed chaos and crime on law-abiding citizens, one speaker complained. Newspapers further noted that Amazon had already pledged around $10 million toward a homeless shelter to be built in its new tower. The raucous meeting, which one council staffer described as shocking in its anger, was only the beginning. Later, when a councilwoman who supports the tax tried to hold a rally outside of Amazons headquarters, construction workers crashed the event chanting, No head tax. No head tax. Seattle is one of Americas fastest-growing cities, thanks to Amazon and a few other signature companies. Growth has strained city services but also jolted city revenues in a time when many other American localities have been struggling with slow tax collections. Since 2010, Seattles budget has grown by 44 percent, to $5.6 billion. By contrast, a report last year by the National League of Cities noted that many of Americas largest cities had still not fully recovered from the declines in tax revenues that hit them in 2009 and 2010. Despite the bonanza, Seattle politicians have been talking taxes for the past year. Last year, the city and county mulled a homelessness property tax that would have netted an additional $68 million annually. Officials have also considered an increase in the sales tax, and last year they passed an income tax on rich Seattle residents. That tax was struck down last November by a Washington state court because it violated the states prohibition against income taxes. Seattles budget strains, however, are more than just the result of its growing economy and homeless problem. Left unsaid, but lurking in the fiscal background, is the citys deep public-pension problem. Seattle has one of the worst-funded municipal pension systems of any major city, and its annual costs have been rising rapidlyfrom $40 million to $108 million over the last 10 years. Over the next decade, the city projects that it will have to dedicate about $850 million toward paying off the pension systems debtand thats on top of nearly $600 million that it will cost the city over that same period to fund new pension credits that workers are currently earning. Its no accident that the proposed tax targeting Amazon would probably raise just about what Seattle will have to spend bailing out its pension system. Supporters should be honest and call it the fixing-our-pension-mess tax. Photo by Dan Callister/Getty Images More than two-thirds of care providers in the UK fear that government back-pay demands for sleep-in shift workers could make their organisation unviable, with many already withdrawing from contracts, leaders warned today. The sleep-in shift crisis facing care providers, many of which are charities, is due to the government demanding they pay sleep-in shift workers, previously paid a flat-rate fee of about 30, the full National Minimum Wage (NMW). There are concerns for care organisations funding for these workers going forward, while some have also concerned they will be forced to back-pay workers previously paid the flat rate. An independent survey commissioned by the Voluntary Organisations Disability Group (VODG), which received about 90 responses, found that 68 per cent said there would be a threat to the viability of their organisation if they were made to pay six years back-pay to sleep-in shift workers historically paid below the NMW. While a third of those surveyed said that there would be a threat to their organisations viability if they were forced to pay only two years back pay. Only six per cent of providers said they have budgeted for any back-pay liability. Some 46 per cent of providers said they would have to make redundancies if they received no more funding, with 20 per cent of staff at these organisations facing redundancy. VODG said the majority of these are likely to be on the front line. Some 22 per cent of providers said they will be forced to sell properties which previously housed disabled people requiring care. Withdrawing from contracts Two-thirds of respondents expected to have a budget shortfall in the coming financial period, with the majority of these planning to fund the shortfall through reserves. Others facing a shortfall said they were considering renegotiating contracts with commissioners or handing services back. Some 22 per cent said they would have to sell properties to cover the shortfall. Providers have already decided not to bid or negotiate for 273 new contracts because of their uncertain financial situation. The survey found that there has been a significant rise in the number of services the commissioners have agreed to fund at the NMW in the last year from 14 per cent to 49 per cent. However, only seven per cent have agreed to fund sleep-ins at the NMW together with all other ongoing costs. 'Outright collapse' Rhidian Hughes, chief executive of VODG, said: Government rightly funds care services for our most vulnerable citizens - and over the last six years has not funded them at the NMW. Now, they must rectify their mistake. The care sector should not be forced to pay for a government error - particularly when the future of the sector is in jeopardy. Social care has been underfunded and undervalued for years. Now with the sleep-in pay crisis coming to a head, this may well be the final straw which forces disruption to care services throughout the UK if not outright collapse. If government cannot find a solution by September, we are worried that negative effects to care services will increase dramatically. Tracy Hammond, operations director at Learning Disability England, said: Those who depend on care services are already marginalised and this survey proves that the sleep-in pay crisis will result in vulnerable people having less choice and less control over their care - unless a solution is found quickly. We urge the government to fund the back pay liability and ensure proper funding for the care sector moving forward. Izzi Seccombe, chair of the Local Government Associations Community Wellbeing Board, said: The continued absence of new funding to cover historic, current and future sleep-in payments, remains a huge financial risk to social care providers and councils, and is causing continuing uncertainty in the market and widespread anxiety for carers and those who use care services. We fully support care workers being paid fairly for the work they do and we urge government to fund the cost of sleep-in payments with genuinely new money, to prevent more care providers going out of business, contracts being handed back to councils, care workers losing their jobs and less investment in prevention. Without this it will put further strain on informal carers and impact on the wellbeing and outcomes of those who rely on social care, which will reduce the ability of social care to mitigate demand pressures on the NHS. The most visible battle over the future of local news is taking place in Denver. Reporters for The Denver Post are in open rebellion against the papers hedge fund owner. On Monday, 55 of the papers roughly 70 staffers signed an open letter decrying unconscionable censorship by Digital First Media, which is controlled by the New York hedge fund Alden Global Capital. While conflicts with ownership and dire financial straits are common problems for local papers, such public opposition from its own journalists is rare. The rebellion began a month ago, when an editorial page package in the Post called for Alden to change its business practices or sell to someone who would support real journalism. It continued last week with the resignation of Editorial Page Editor Chuck Plunkett after management rejected another editorial critical of ownership. CJRs Corey Hutchins writes about the spiked editorial, which is quoted in full in the piece, and reiterated calls for Alden to sell. ICYMI: A tweet with two graphs showing Facebook metrics is upsetting a lot of journalists The attention paid to the last daily paper in the nations 21st largest city has crystallized a broader fight over the future of local news. The Post has a legacy of serious journalism and remains profitable, yet its out-of-town owners seem intent on slashing its staff and harming its ability to adequately cover the city. Similar cutbacks have hurt local journalism at other Alden-owned papers, including the San Jose Mercury News and Orange County Register. Journalists from DFM papers, including The Denver Post, plan to rally today outside of Aldens headquarters in the Lipstick Building in Manhattan. So far, the hedge fund has refused to comment on the reaction to its newspaper business, but NiemanLabs Ken Doctor reports that a fresh round of budget cuts in the range of 10 to 15 percent is being planned for the Post, along with other Digital First Media properties. RELATED: The Denver Posts rebellion and a crisis in American journalism Sign up for CJR 's daily email Journalists at the Post have received support from across the industry as well as from political leaders, but an attempt to raise money to buy the paper from Alden is still well short of a realistic number. Continued coverage and public protests place pressure on the papers owners, but, so far at least, Alden isnt showing any sign of backing down. Below, more on a the crisis at the Post. Leadership crisis: NiemanLabs Doctor spoke with Dean Singleton, the Posts former owner and long-time publisher, who remained on staff until resigning last week. Everything I believe about the news business is being violated, Singleton said. It is breaking my heart. Plunkett speaks: The recently resigned editorial page editor has a piece in Rolling Stone, explaining his decision. Over the last several days, I was put in a position where resignation was my only honorable option, Plunkett writes. The recently resigned editorial page editor has a piece in Rolling Stone, explaining his decision. Over the last several days, I was put in a position where resignation was my only honorable option, Plunkett writes. All eyes on Aldens response: CNNs Brian Stelter takes the lay of the land, writing that the sustained rebellion from the Posts journalists places the ball back in Aldens court. CNNs Brian Stelter takes the lay of the land, writing that the sustained rebellion from the Posts journalists places the ball back in Aldens court. Not just the Post: Alden owns about a dozen smaller papers in Colorado, and CJRs Corey Hutchins reports on the firing of the editorial page editor at one of them. The Boulder Daily Cameras Dave Krieger was fired after self-publishing an editorial he claims was blocked by management. Krieger has been advocating for local owners, as well. He wrote a six-page document last year hes been shopping to venture capitalists around Colorado about why they should buy the Daily Camera. Alden owns about a dozen smaller papers in Colorado, and CJRs Corey Hutchins reports on the firing of the editorial page editor at one of them. The Boulder Daily Cameras Dave Krieger was fired after self-publishing an editorial he claims was blocked by management. Krieger has been advocating for local owners, as well. He wrote a six-page document last year hes been shopping to venture capitalists around Colorado about why they should buy the Daily Camera. Tracking the Posts owners: Meet Julie Reynolds, who has been pumping out reporting on Alden Global Capitals mismanagement of papers throughout its newspaper group on #NewsMatters, published by the NewsGuild-Communications Workers of America labor union. Reynolds has been a lone source of steady coverage of Alden and the impact of its business decisions on the newsrooms it owns, Hutchins wrote for CJR in March. Other notable stories ICYMI: The White House credibility crisis starts at the top Has America ever needed a media watchdog more than now? Help us by joining CJR today Pete Vernon is a former CJR staff writer. Follow him on Twitter @ByPeteVernon. In 1973, two design theorists at the University of California, Berkeley, coined the term wicked problem to refer to problems that had reached a level of complexity that made them impossible to define, let alone solve. Horst Rittel and Melvin Webber argued that this type of problempoverty, crime, nuclear proliferation, and environmental degradation, to name a fewis actually made up of interconnecting sets of problems with vast numbers of variables that change so fast and unpredictably, and which blur so profoundly into other problems, that they constitute their own class of problems. Failure to acknowledge wicked problems would have disastrous consequences, Rittel and Webber warned. Cut to 2018, and you could say were surrounded by wicked problemsclimate change, unfettered global capitalism, violent extremism, income inequality, racism, and, of course, the crisis in democracy, including that of the Fourth Estate. ICYMI: A big day for The Denver Post newsroom staff Theres been no dearth of conversation about the problem of the future of journalism but little consensus about what exactly that means. Perhaps this is because the forces acting on journalism are so entangled, and so intertwined with other wicked problems, that its inaccurate to say problem in the singular. When we talk about the problem of the future of journalism, were actually referring to a roiling network of problems that includes collapsing business models, fractured audiences, rapidly changing modes of distribution, rising misinformation machines, and so on. If we reconceive of the future of journalism as a wicked problem, could that change how we approach it? Rittel and Webber laid out 10 points for thinking about wicked problems. This column will take those points, one by one, and apply them to journalism. This week: Every solution to a wicked problem is a one-shot operation. Sign up for CJR 's daily email This attitude has famously been the mantra of of Silicon Valley, but Americans, denizens of a country that is itself an innovation, seem to have a soft spot for men who like to break things. Look where its gotten the media ecosystem, particularly in the case of Sinclair Broadcasting. Rittel and Webber wrote that every attempt at a fix for a wicked problem is a one-shot operation: There are no second chances, because any change you make will have affected the whole system. This has serious implications for our love affair with innovation. Take an example: You try out a new way for, say, growing wheat in a culture that depends on bread. If the innovation proves unsuccessful, the consequences cant be undoneyou may have a health crisis, or even deaths, on your hands. And you cant go back and try the same experiment again; initial conditions in a complex system are too sensitive. Additionally, Rittel and Webber warn, you may have inadvertently set the conditions for new wicked problems to emergelike now you have bread riots. To borrow language from complexity science, turbulence is necessary to loosen a frozen systembut sometimes turbulence just crashes the plane. Facebooks original motto, Move fast and break things, expresses the same idea. Follow the vibrations through the system, and the next thing you know its 2018, and we have companies like Sinclair pumping dictionary-definition propaganda into living rooms across America. Earlier this month, many of us watched with horror the Deadspin video of anchors at Sinclair Broadcastings almost 200 local stations delivering identical editorials warning viewers to be on their guard againstwait for itmanipulative journalists and fake news. The joke, of course, is that Sinclair has a history of foisting naked partisanship on its affiliates: According to Politico, the company cut a special deal with the Trump presidential campaign to run interviews of the candidate without commentary. And thats just one of many examples. The story of Sinclairs rise from local TV station to major propaganda machine is a case study in Rittel and Webbers one-shot operation warning. ICYMI: Editor fired after self-publishing article he claims was blocked by his publisher FCC chairman Ajit Pai appears to be close to allowing Sinclair to follow through on its plan to buy local broadcasting giant Tribune in a $3.9 billion deal. To do this, Pai would have to roll back limits on the number of stations an individual business can own. (Pai is the subject of scrutiny for his role in all this; in a neat trick, he also controls the body that would investigate misconduct.) If the deal goes through, Sinclair will have a penetration rate into American homes of more than 70 percent. Using a wicked problem perspective, the focus goes not on Sinclair itself but rather on the forces that led to it, and what it in turn might create. Our attention might travel back in time to the 1980s and 1990s, when politiciansRepublican and Democraticin a long run of misguided innovation, smashed to smithereens our national system of media regulations. As late as the 1970s, stations were required to give equal time to opposing political candidates, no single station owner could reach more than 35 percent of American households, broadcasters were required to devote airtime to contrasting perspectives on controversial matters of public interest, and rules essentially forbade broadcasters from owning more than two television station in any local marketor even owning a TV or radio station and a newspaper in the same place. Then came the 1980s, and with them Ronald Reagan and his team of regulation innovators. They didnt wear Zuckerbergian hoodies or claim to make the world a more connected place, but they were disrupting the market with a sledgehammer: Between 1981 and 1989, the Fairness Doctrine was smashed, guidelines for minimal amounts of serious programming eliminated, and restrictions on advertisements per hour were wiped out for everything except childrens programs. Bill Clinton finished the demolition in the 1990s, shuttering rules about how many TV or radio stations one company could own. Follow the vibrations through the system, and the next thing you know its 2018, and we have companies like Sinclair pumping dictionary-definition propaganda into living rooms across America. Were regulators unable, or unwilling, to think this far ahead? Mark S. Fowler, FCC chairman under Reagan, said many years later that the presidents staff actually were nervous about the deregulation, fearing a hostile media would tear into the president should they be freed from fairness rules. And when Bill Clinton signed the Telecommunications Act of 1996, he surely could not have foreseen that the era of industry consolidation he helped usher in would create the conditions for right-wing media outlets like Fox and Sinclair to dominate. READ: The unavoidable Brian Stelter Its time to be more skeptical of radical change as a beacon of progress. Innovators seek to break the status quo, and while that can be good, it isnt good by definition. Martin Luther King sought to upend convention to give more rights to more people; now, though, right-wing ideologues turn the language and ideals of liberal democracy on itself, either with the freedom of deregulation or the freedom to broadcast propaganda, and threaten to innovate our media ecosystem to the ground. As Rittel and Webber warn, these demolitions cannot be reversed. Those who work on wicked problemsclimate change or conflict resolution, for examplesay that real solutions can only arise from considering all the publics that are affected by the problem. Pai seems preoccupied with how broadcasters like Sinclair can compete with Facebook and Google. Okay. But what about the rest of us? Its heartening to see disruptors begin to be held accountable for their disruption: The current clamor around Facebook and Mark Zuckerberg is a good start. But we cant forget that the problem isnt specifically Facebook and Mark Zuckerberg, or even Sinclair. The problem is really the way we allow individual businesses and their allies to exercise their rights in a way that disrupts our lives and fails to consider the ripple effects across the rest of the system. Until we change this, were doomed to live in an increasingly knotty web of wicked problems, always reacting and rarely making thoughtful decisions about the future we actually want. Maybe regulation does slow down the pace of innovation. But maybe its time to respond to that with a simple question: So what? Has America ever needed a media watchdog more than now? Help us by joining CJR today Heather Chaplin is founding director of the Journalism + Design program at The New School. THE DENVER POSTS editorial rebellion against its ownersDigital First Media and its hedge-fund controller, Alden Global Capitalpeaked again late last week, when three high-profile editors and the papers chairman resigned in the course of two days. Yesterday, CJR reported on an editorial, written by ex-Post Editorial Page Editor Chuck Plunkett, that criticized the Posts owners and was ultimately rejected in an act Plunkett characterized as censorship. In the wake of the Posts editorial revolt, Plunkett was forbidden to mention our owners, Alden, in any capacity, he wrote in Rolling Stone. About 30 miles northwest, in Boulder, a different scenario played out. Boulder Daily Camera Editorial Page Editor Dave Krieger was fired after he self-published an editorial he claimed was blocked by his publisher. The editorial criticized private-equity newspaper ownership and observed that Alden has sold certain propertiesto local investors willing to support these institutions. We would like to see similar activity in Boulder before its too late. The publisher of the Daily Camera spiked my Sunday editorial, so I elected to publish it on another platform:https://t.co/GBG3skl3Qh via @wordpressdotcom Dave Krieger (@DaveKrieger) April 14, 2018 The Camera is one of about a dozen smaller DFM-owned newspapers in Colorado. Like the Post, it has undergone staffing reductions and retrenchment while the company that owns it reportedly maintains a healthy profit. In the aftermath of the Denver Post rebellion, which drew national headlines and included calls for DFM to sell the paper, other DFM newspapers, particularly in California, ran their own editorials acknowledging the impact layoffs have had on their products. ICYMI: A reporter asked for 20 years of lottery winner data. After analyzing the records, he noticed something unusual. Sign up for weekly emails from the United States Project Krieger says he wanted to explain to readers in Boulder how private-equity ownership might endanger their local newspapers future. So he wrote an editorial: The Camera takes pride in serving as our communitys public square for discussion and debate of many local issues. To refuse to acknowledge this one would be tantamount to declaring that the Cameras loyalties lie with its corporate overlords and not the community it serves. If we do not host this conversation, other platforms surely will. But the editorial never ran. The publisher of the Boulder Daily Camera killed it, according to Krieger. After Krieger published it himself on a blog, he was fired. Kriegers motivation stemmed in part from a concern that even plugged-in members of the community didnt seem to understand the problems facing the Camera, he said during a recent talk at The Denver Press Club. When I sent that to various business people in Boulderto a person it was completely news to them. They had no idea. People who were otherwise really on top of things, on top of municipal issues, on top of the things that we tend to editorialize aboutwould be completely dumbfounded when they found out, he said. Last fallbefore any of this happened Krieger authored a six-page document that envisioned local ownership of The Boulder Daily Camera, in the hope that someone in the city, known for its money and tech-savvy startup culture, might try and purchase the paper. Krieger says there may have been some nibbles, but nothing materialized. However, in recent weeks, at least one venture capitalist in Boulder got in touch and asked about the document. When I sent that to various business people in Boulderpeople who are very, very knowledgeable in the field of startups and high-techto a person it was completely news to them, Krieger said last week at the press club. They had no idea. They didnt know who owned us, they didnt know what kind of a company it was. Kriegers document, A Vision for Local Ownership of the Boulder Daily Camera, is excerpted below: The private equity model of newspaper ownership has been very different from [Warren] Buffetts. It has stripped these properties of their assets (the sale of the Daily Cameras downtown building was typical) and demanded escalating profits as revenues have declined. The only way to meet these demands from ownership has been to cut resources and staff. This has accelerated the decline of the Daily Camera, its sister papers within Prairie Mountain Media, as well as the Denver Post and the many other properties nationwide owned by Digital First Media, the company established by Alden Global Capital Partners of New York City to hold its media properties. The city of Boulder is an affluent, highly-educated community that could and very likely would celebrate a great local paper and support adequately a decent one. The continued existence of the Daily Camera, which recently celebrated its 125th birthday, is now in doubt. The proposal here is that if there are people of means in Boulder who consider local journalism important, that they consider, either individually or [by] banding together, making an offer for Prairie Mountain Media. A wild guess as to the price tag would be somewhere between $25 million and $40 million. If the buyer(s) interest was only in the Camera, they might investigate whether there are interested local parties to which they could sell off some or all of the other PMM nameplates: Akron News-Reporter, Broomfield Enterprise, Brush News-Tribune, Burlington Record, Canon City Daily Record, Canon City Shopper, Colorado Daily, Colorado Hometown Weekly, Estes Park Trail-Gazette, Fort Morgan Times, Fort Morgan Weekly, Julesburg Advocate, Lamar Ledger, Longmont Times-Call, Loveland Reporter-Herald, Loveland Weekly, South Platte Sentinel, Sterling Journal-Advocate. Any prospective buyer should go into such a transaction with eyes wide open. These properties have been starved by their owner for years. From a journalistic standpoint, a new owner would need not only the capital to buy the Daily Camera, but also the patience to forego profits for a time in order to reinvest in and reinvigorate the business. Miraculously, the Daily Camera remains profitable today. Its leaders have shrunk and consolidated operations, laid off personnel and surrendered community offices while growing a design center that now builds pages for the St. Paul (Minn.) Pioneer Press and Denver Post as well as the PMM publications. But it does not have adequate staff to perform its watchdog function effectively. Because all clerical positions have been eliminated, many clerical functions are performed by reporters and editors whose time could be better allocated. Boulder would be well-served by benefactors who rescued a local paper being slowly strangled by its private equity owners for the purpose of guaranteeing the community a robust free press. These prospective owners should know not to expect favorable coverage for their personal business endeavors. If they tried to use their acquisition to advance their personal or business interests, they would be remembered as dishonorable propagandists (see Sheldon Adelson in Las Vegas). The only way to do this with integrity is to provide financial stability and resources, hire and support great people in the editorial operation, and get out of the way. The only way to do this with integrity is to do it as a contribution to the free marketplace of ideas in your community. Boulder has an opportunity to take back ownership of its local newspaper. On the current trajectory, this opportunity will not last long. ICYMI: Denver Post cuts fit a disturbing trend at hedge fund-owned papers Has America ever needed a media watchdog more than now? Help us by joining CJR today Corey Hutchins is CJRs correspondent based in Colorado, where he teaches journalism at Colorado College. A former alt-weekly reporter in South Carolina, he was twice named journalist of the year in the weekly division by the SC Press Association. Hutchins writes about politics and media for the Colorado Independent and worked on the State Integrity Investigation at the Center for Public Integrity; he has contributed to Slate, The Nation, the Washington Post, and others. Follow him on Twitter @coreyhutchins or email him at [email protected] . The National Rifle Association is suing Lockton Cos., alleging the insurance broker breached its contract with the firearms lobbying group. Lockton administered the NRAs Carry Guard insurance program, which was advertised as the nations most complete self-defense membership program. Following a mass shooting in Parkland, Florida, which sparked a backlash against the NRA and companies with which it conducts business, Lockton said it would discontinue its NRA-endorsed insurance programs. Carry Guard was criticized by gun control advocates as murder insurance. Last week, Lockton was fined $7 million for unlawfully providing liability coverage to gun owners in the event they were charged with a crime involving their firearms, according to the New York Department of Financial Services. The NRA suit, filed in the Eastern District of Virginia, alleges the New York investigation was orchestrated by the gun control organization Everytown for Gun Safety. Lockton and the NRA received subpoenas related to the investigation in October of last year. Everytown for Gun Safety did not respond to a request for comment. In the face of this politically motivated coercion, Lockton should have honored its fiduciary obligations and longstanding business relationship with the NRA and taken full responsibility for any compliance related concerns, the complaint stated, referring to the New York investigation. Simply put, Lockton ceased to protect the NRA and its interests. The suit also alleges that Lockton secretly communicated with insurance underwriters, which went on to end relationships with the NRA. Locktons actions, as alleged by the NRA, cost the Second Amendment group tens of millions of dollars in damages. Lockton said it doesnt comment on pending litigation, and the New York Department of Financial Services declined to comment. The NRA will take appropriate steps to make sure law-abiding gun owners in New York and across the country have access to the insurance coverage they need, William A. Brewer III, who is representing the NRA in this litigation, told Bloomberg News. Such actions unduly burden the free market system and impact law-abiding members of the NRA. (Michael R. Bloomberg, founder of Bloomberg News parent Bloomberg LP, is a donor to groups that support gun control, including Everytown for Gun Safety.) Copyright 2021 Bloomberg. Starr Companies Announces Leadership Promotions Conan Dolce has been promoted to regional vice president of the New York Region. He is responsible for field leadership, as well as broker and client relationships. Dolce joined Starr in April 2015 and has more than 17 years of leadership experience with several major insurance brokerages. His underwriting and risk services expertise includes real estate, hospitality, retail, financial institutions, construction, healthcare and technology. Carmella Capitano was promoted to senior vice president of Primary and Excess Energy Casualty. She joined Starr in 2009 and has more than 18 years of experience in the insurance industry, holding underwriting positions with growing importance in energy as well as leadership roles within international insurance companies. Andrew Murray has been promoted to profit center manager of Primary Construction. He has more than 33 years of leadership experience and joined Starr in 2015. He has held increasingly responsible roles in both construction brokerages and insurance carrier operations. Capitano and Murray will be responsible for their divisions strategies including profitability, development and refinement of underwriting, pricing methodologies and portfolio management. Marr Appointed President of Valen Analytics Valen Analytics, an Insurity company, and provider of proprietary data, analytics and predictive modeling for P/C insurers, appointed Kirstin Marr president of the company, effective immediately. In more than six years as CMO, Marr lead growth and marketing initiatives, establishing Valen as a pioneer in predictive analytics for insurers focused on meeting customer demands for transparency, responsiveness and fairness in risk assessment, pricing, customer acquisition and claims handling. The company consistently grew more than 50 percent YoY prior to being acquired by Insurity. Throughout her career, Marr has held a variety of leadership roles in marketing and media, with organizations like HomeAdvisor and the National Renewable Energy Laboratory. With Valen, she was a founding member of the Insurance Careers Movement, a grassroots organization thats grown to include more than 1,000 companies globally. She has also been involved in several non-profits focused on Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) education, among other non-profit causes. Dax Craig, who served as Valens president and CEO since co-founding the company in 2004, will remain with Valen in an advisory role. Valliere Named EVP of Insurance Operations of CSAA Insurance Group CSAA Insurance Group, a AAA insurer, has named Bob Valliere as its executive vice president of insurance operations. In this new role, Valliere oversees all aspects of the following functions: claims, policyholder service, product management, underwriting, agency support and actuarial. He reports directly to CSAA Insurance Group CEO Paula Downey. Valliere brings more than 30 years of experience in the insurance industry to the role, the last 14 of which he spent in key leadership positions with AAA and CSAA Insurance Group. Prior to being named executive vice president of insurance operations, Valliere was vice president of policyholder service, where he earned a reputation for his commitment to developing leadership skills in employees and for his passion for customer-service excellence. Prior to joining AAA Northern California in 2004 as regional claims executive, Valliere was a senior assistant vice president in the claims department at Amica Mutual Insurance Company. He has broad industry knowledge and executive-level experience in claims, underwriting, customer service, training, technology transformations, and merger and acquisitions. Valliere serves on the J.D. Power Insurance Advisory Board. Ride-hailing service Lyft is partnering with an automotive technology company to deploy a fleet of 30 self-driving cars to the streets of Las Vegas this summer. Lyft and Aptiv will run the self-driving BMWs between the same predetermined sites that the companies used during a successful demonstration at the International Consumer Electronics Show in January, the Las Vegas Sun reported Thursday. The BMW 5 Series cars will navigate passengers between the Las Vegas Convention Center and various resorts on the Strip. Las Vegas is working with Aptiv to extend the routes into downtown, said Michael Sherwood, the citys director of technology and innovation. The companies are planning astart date for July or August, Sherwood said. The routes are also subject to change. Customers will be able to hail a self-driving BMW like any other ride through the Lyft app. This is an important next step for Aptiv on our path to commercialization for Automated Mobility on Demand in a thoughtful, prudent and safe manner, said Glen De Vos, Aptivs chief technology officer. Safety remains our No. 1 priority, and we are going to deploy this fleet slowly and safely, gathering data and insights as we go. A trained operator will be in each car, De Vos said in the statement. Aptiv is planning to work with the city to design other transportation options, aiming to benefit public transportation systems and overcome urban congestion. At Aptiv, our goal is to make a safer, greener and more connected future a reality and this gets us one step closer, De Vos said. Copyright 2021 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. A former Allstate Insurance Co. employee who was fired following an arrest has been awarded more than $18 million in damages. The San Diego Union-Tribune reported a San Diego jury awarded 55-year-old Michael Tilkey about $2.6 million in actual damages and nearly $16 million in punitive damages in his in wrongful termination lawsuit. Tilkey was fired by Allstate in 2016 after he was arrested in Arizona the prior year following an argument he had with his then-girlfriend. According to the original complaint, Tilkey had worked for Allstate for 30 years, starting with the company soon after receiving his bachelors degree. He worked his way up to field sales leader, advising 30 independent agents and support staff. He alleged that despite his stellar work performance he was fired without warning in May 2015. The reason given for his abrupt termination was that threatening anyone was against company policy. The prior year he stated he had been falsely arrested based on complaints made by a former girlfriend who was under psychiatric care. The charges were later dropped. Allstates human resources department conducted an interview with Tilkey about the charges in late 2014. He said he heard nothing further until his sudden termination. In his suit against Allstate, he contends he had never been convicted of a crime before or since then. Tilkeys first cause of action alleged Allstate violated the California Labor Code, since it prohibits an employer from using an arrest that didnt result in a conviction as a reason for termination. Tilkeys second cause of action cited wrongful termination in violation of public policy, and the third cause of action cited defamation. Additional case documentation revealed that Allstate discovered the situation when an email between Tilkey and his ex-girlfriend about the incident was flagged for review. Allstate conducted an internal investigation and initially determined no action would be taken; however, after the girlfriend sent an emotionally charged email directly to an Allstate CEO discussing the situation, the decision to terminate Tilkey was made. His attorney Joann Rezzo said the firing violated state labor law, which prohibits employers from considering arrest records that dont result in a conviction when considering termination. She explained that on May 3, the jury found in favor of Tilkey on his two claims for wrongful termination in violation of California Labor Code Section 432.7 and coerced self-publication defamation. As a result, the jury awarded Tilkey $2,663,137 in compensatory damages ($960,222.00 for the wrongful termination claim and $1,702,915.00 for the defamation claim). According to Rezzo, The jury concluded that Allstate had violated Labor Code 432.7 when terminating Mr. Tilkey by basing its termination decision on records of his arrest and/or participation in a diversion program. The jury also determined that Allstates stated reason for the termination (i.e. alleged threats made by Mr. Tilkey) was not true and that Allstate failed to use reasonable care in determining the truthfulness of the stated reason for termination. The jury also concluded that Allstate had acted with malice, oppression and/or fraud (a prerequisite to an award of punitive damages). The next day, the jury awarded Tilkey $15,978,822.00 in punitive damages, making his total award $18,641,959.00. An Allstate spokeswoman said the company disagrees with the verdict and plans to appeal. The Associated Press contributed to this article. Copyright 2021 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. The rise of digital peer-to-peer payment services in the banking world is paving the way to a new, cashless reality, Bank of America's Head of Digital Banking, Michelle Moore, told CNBC. "We would like to get cash out of the system," Moore said in an interview with "Mad Money" host Jim Cramer. "It needs to be about security [and] ease." Bank of America is a leader in mobile and online banking, with 33 million digital customers including over 21 million mobile banking app users. Moore told Cramer that Bank of America saw 1.4 billion mobile logins just in the first quarter, which amounts to about 100 million logins a week. "The secret is understanding what our customers want," Moore said. "We listen to them and we give them what they want, not what we want." With 16 million U.S. households now using some type of voice-activated device, Moore's department has turned its focus to voice, developing its own artificial-intelligence-enabled assistant called Erica. "We have 65 million customers," Moore said. "How do we help them live their daily lives, give them information about bills [that] are coming due or how to better improve your FICO score?" A play on its namesake the last five letters of Bank of America Erica was rolled out in 2016. Today, the assistant can interact via voice and text message to help customers with specific financial needs, Moore said. Creating one large, easy-to-use payment ecosystem seems to be item one on Moore's agenda. While she maintained that "nothing can replace the human interaction" at a bank branch, she acknowledged that services like digital mortgage applications are becoming essential for Bank of America's changing customer base. Bank of America has spent $1 billion on building out digital banking service like these in the last six years. The effort has resulted in products like the digital mortgage app, which takes roughly 20 minutes and cuts a process that once took months down to a matter of days. "The world is moving to mobile," Moore told Cramer. "I have a fabulous group of technology partners, and together, we build everything that you see that comes out in the mobile app. My angle is all about the client experience. How easy is it to use? Big buttons, beautiful design. Is it so intuitive that anyone can use it?" Comcast is planning a $60 billion all-cash bid to top Walt Disney on its deal to acquire most of Twenty-First Century Fox's assets if the U.S. government approves AT&T's acquisition of Time Warner, according to people familiar with the matter. The bid would top Disney's offer of $52 billion. Comcast also plans to acquire 100 percent of U.K. satellite broadcaster Sky as part of an improved all-cash bid. If Disney gets into a bidding war with Comcast, then Comcast's bid for all of Sky and Fox could get close to $100 billion, these people said. However, if the government shoots down AT&T-Time Warner, Comcast does not plan to bid. Comcast is asking investment banks to increase the bridge financing facility they have already arranged for the Sky offer by as much as $60 billion to finance the Fox bid, Reuters previously reported. Comcast originally touted its strong stock as a reason for Fox to accept a deal from the largest U.S. cable provider instead of Disney. But Comcast shares have fallen about 15 percent since Disney announced its bid for Fox, and now Comcast thinks it has a better chance with an all-cash bid, even if Fox Executive Chairman Rupert Murdoch prefers Disney shares. Comcast CFO Michael Cavanaugh said on the company's last earnings call, "Regarding potential acquisitions, it is our job to continuously evaluate whether there are opportunities for us to create value. But should we pursue anything while our stock is at these levels, while circumstances can always change, I think it is unlikely that we would use Comcast shares as a medium of exchange for a transaction." Comcast believes Disney cannot match an all-cash bid for Fox because if it adds more stock to a deal, Fox stock will go down, depressing the value of the offer, sources told CNBC. Reuters previously reported that Comcast was talking to banks about obtaining bridge financing in preparation for a possible all-cash bid. Comcast declined to comment. Fox and Disney did not immediately respond to requests for comment. CNBC's David Faber and Reuters contributed to this report. Disclosure: Comcast is the owner of NBCUniversal, parent company of CNBC and CNBC.com. Related: Donald Trump's regulators are the only thing holding back a massive American telecommunications revolution When CNBC's Jim Cramer thinks the stock market misjudged an earnings report like he says it did with Spotify's first report as a public company he feels obliged to step in and clear things up. "Whenever the market makes a particularly egregious error, I like to go back and set the record straight," the "Mad Money" host said on Monday. "After all, nothing screams 'buying opportunity' like a stock that's been unfairly punished." Such is the case with music streaming service Spotify, which recently delivered its first earnings results since listing directly on the New York Stock Exchange in early April. Shares of Spotify fell as much as 11 percent the day after the report, marking the stock's worst trading day since its listing. At first glance, it seemed like Spotify had missed the numbers. But "upon further review, it turns out this company hit all of its targets it set out for when it started trading," Cramer said. "You heard me: Spotify got clobbered for delivering in-line numbers." Cramer chalked up Spotify's drastic decline to the unusual nature of the company, commending its management for being straightforward with its guidance. "Do not let last week's sell-off in Spotify scare you," Cramer said. "It just got punished because a bunch of investors let their expectations get out of control. To me, that says these guys are incredibly straight-shooters. I think that's amazing. I'd be a buyer." Cramer on Buffett's Amazon and Google admission Warren Buffet walks the floor at the 2018 Berkshire Hathaway Annual Shareholder's Meeting in Omaha, NE on May 5th, 2018. Lacy O'Toole | CNBC Estee Lauder: Bucking consumer trends or falling behind? Fabrizio Freda, President and CEO of Estee Lauder. Getty Images As shares of Estee Lauder Companies slid on Monday amid widespread weakness in the consumer packaged goods stocks, Cramer came out in defense of the decades-old beauty giant. "The truth is Estee Lauder's miles ahead of its peers and the stock deserves to be a lot higher," Cramer said. "Bizarrely, this stock's been getting slammed ... as investors didn't like everything they heard on the conference call." Estee Lauder's third-quarter earnings report beat analysts' top- and bottom-line estimates, with 13 percent sales growth and a 17 percent boost to net income. But the post-earnings conference call sparked some bearish worries among investors. On the call, Estee Lauder President and CEO Fabrizio Freda indicated that growth in the cosmetics space was starting to level off after years of expansion. The CEO also disclosed that some claims the company made about how long its makeup stays on weren't entirely accurate. "It's not the end of the world, but the company's about as well-run as it gets, so the idea that there was a group of rogue employees who [were] basically lying to the customers struck a pretty downbeat chord," Cramer said. Still, Cramer had faith in Freda, who took over as CEO in 2009 after nearly 30 years at Procter & Gamble. Bank of America's digital banking chief on going cashless Stephan Drescher | E+ | Getty Images The rise of digital peer-to-peer payment services in the banking world is paving the way to a new, cashless reality, Bank of America's Head of Digital Banking, Michelle Moore, told CNBC. "We would like to get cash out of the system," Moore said in an interview with Cramer. "It needs to be about security [and] ease." Bank of America is a leader in mobile and online banking, with 33 million digital customers including over 21 million mobile banking app users. Moore told Cramer that Bank of America saw 1.4 billion mobile logins just in the first quarter, which amounts to about 100 million logins a week. "The secret is understanding what our customers want," Moore said. "We listen to them and we give them what they want, not what we want." Whiting Petroleum CEO: 'Bullish on oil long term' Brad Holly, CEO of Whiting Petroleum. Adam Jeffery | CNBC Oil prices hit a fresh all-time high on Monday before declining ahead of President Donald Trump's policy announcement on Iran. And if you ask Brad Holly, the president and CEO of Whiting Petroleum, he'll tell you these kinds of swings are here to stay. "I think it's going to be very volatile going forward," he told CNBC in a Monday interview with Cramer. "There's certainly geopolitical events that could happen, but we think the fundamentals are strong." Whiting, an independent oil and gas producer that mainly does business in North Dakota's Bakken shale, is very active in managing its portfolio and seeking "tier-one" assets, Holly told Cramer. For Holly, focusing on the industry's fundamentals is essential to those goals. "We think inventories are in place, we think demand one and a half million barrels a day is strong," the CEO said. "We think the supply may have trouble making up for that demand, and so we're bullish on oil long term." Lightning round: Unpacking the pain in pharmaceuticals When CNBC's Jim Cramer thinks the stock market misjudged an earnings report like he says it did with Spotify's first report as a public company he feels obliged to step in and clear things up. "Whenever the market makes a particularly egregious error, I like to go back and set the record straight," the "Mad Money" host said on Monday. "After all, nothing screams 'buying opportunity' like a stock that's been unfairly punished." Such is the case with music streaming service Spotify, which recently delivered its first earnings results since listing directly on the New York Stock Exchange in early April. Shares of Spotify fell as much as 11 percent the day after the report, marking the stock's worst trading day since its listing. At first glance, it seemed like Spotify had missed the numbers. But "upon further review, it turns out this company hit all of its targets it set out for when it started trading," Cramer said. "You heard me: Spotify got clobbered for delivering in-line numbers." Cramer chalked up Spotify's drastic decline to the unusual nature of the company. For starters, instead of having a bombastic, promotional initial public offering, Spotify opted for a direct listing, letting existing shareholders sell its stock on the open market right away. Most technology companies also do roadshows before their IPOs to garner investment and support, but Spotify didn't try to sell anybody on anything but its streaming service, Cramer said. "It was the most non-promotional thing I've seen from a major technology company in years, maybe decades," Cramer said. "The CEO, Daniel Ek, is the straightest of straight-shooters." But being a straight-shooter might've hurt Ek when it came to earnings, the "Mad Money" host said. Most of Spotify's first-quarter results came in at the high end of the company's guidance, but for tech investors, that simply wasn't enough. "To borrow a line from the legendary film Cool Hand Luke, what we have here is a failure to communicate," Cramer said. "I think there's a cohort of short-term investors who've gotten used to certain patterns from these newly public tech stocks," he continued. "They expect management to sandbag them with low-ball numbers before the deal so that the company can blow away the estimates right out of the gate." That wasn't the case with Spotify. Even as bullish analysts slapped "buy" ratings on the stock ahead of the music giant's earnings report, Spotify's management stayed true to the estimates it had shared with investors before its listing. "Now we know what to expect," Cramer said. "Spotify is run by some of the most honest, straightforward, non-promotional executives I've ever seen. Based on their track record so far, I'm not worried about them missing the numbers going forward." And despite the fact that a weak U.S. dollar could weight on the Swedish company, Cramer liked the store "regardless of currency" because of its growth prospects and top-notch platform. "Bottom line? Do not let last week's sell-off in Spotify scare you," the "Mad Money" host said. "It just got punished because a bunch of investors let their expectations get out of control. To me, that says these guys are incredibly straight-shooters. I think that's amazing. I'd be a buyer." New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman, whose office has taken on a high-profile role in the fight against sexual misconduct, was physically violent with four women he was romantically involved with, according to their accounts which were published on Monday in The New Yorker. Two women spoke on the record, saying Schneiderman repeatedly hit them during the course of their relationships with him in recent years, and never with their consent. Neither woman filed any police complaints, but both said they sought out medical attention and confided in people close to them about the abuse. A third woman who also was involved with him told her story to the other two women, but said she was too frightened to come forward. A fourth woman said Schneiderman slapped her when she rebuffed him, but also asked to remain unidentified. The New Yorker said it vetted the third woman's allegations, and saw a photo of what the fourth woman said was her injury. In a statement, New York Governor Andrew Cuomo called for Schneiderman to resign, and said he will be asking an "appropriate" New York district attorney to start an investigation immediately. "No one is above the law, including New York's top legal officer." "My personal opinion is that, given the damning pattern of facts and corroboration laid out in the article, I do not believe it is possible for Eric Schneiderman to continue to serve as Attorney General, and for the good of the office, he should resign," he said. The two women who spoke on the record, Michelle Manning Barish and Tanya Selvaratnam, both said the physical abuse escalated over time, and that Schneiderman also was a heavy drinker. The Associated Press is identifying the women because they agreed to tell their stories publicly. Asked for comment, Schneiderman, a Democrat, issued a statement to The New Yorker saying, "In the privacy of intimate relationships, I have engaged in role-playing and other consensual sexual activity. I have not assaulted anyone. I have never engaged in non-consensual sex, which is a line I would not cross." His representatives sent the same statement to The Associated Press when asked about the accusations. They also sent a statement from his ex-wife, Jennifer Cunningham, who said, "I've known Eric for nearly 35 years as a husband, father and friend. These allegations are completely inconsistent with the man I know, who has always been someone of the highest character, outstanding values and a loving father. I find it impossible to believe these allegations are true." Schneiderman has been a vocal supporter of the (hash)MeToo movement. He filed a lawsuit in February against movie producer Harvey Weinstein and the Weinstein Co. following an investigation into allegations of sexual misconduct, saying the company broke New York law by failing to protect employees from "pervasive sexual harassment, intimidation and discrimination." He launched a civil rights probe into the New York City-based company in October after The New York Times and The New Yorker exposed allegations of sexual assault and harassment spanning decades. The company later fired Weinstein. The women accusing him said seeing him speak out on sexual misconduct issues was part of the impetus in them coming forward. "This is a man who has staked his entire career, his personal narrative, on being a champion for women publicly," Selvaratnam said. "But he abuses them privately. He needs to be called out." CNBC contributed reporting to this article. What a reversal could mean for everybody else International inspectors and signatories to the deal, including the United States, have consistently certified that Iran is complying with the agreement, but Trump has decided the accord itself is flawed. He warned in January that he would not suspend the oil sanctions on May 12 unless Europe agreed to revise the terms of the accord. Such a trans-Atlantic deal has not emerged. By refusing to waive sanctions without proving that Iran is violating the deal, Trump would effectively drop the agreement made by the United States. That affects the rest of the world because Trump can use powerful U.S. sanctions tools to compel foreign buyers to stop importing Iranian oil. "This scenario is most likely because Trump views Iran in the absolutely evil category, and he feels viscerally about it," analysts at risk consultancy Eurasia Group said in a briefing on Monday. "The decision allows Trump to leave the 'terrible' nuclear agreement while also increasing leverage on the European signatories and Iran to reach a 'better,' comprehensive agreement." These so-called "secondary sanctions" allow Trump to block foreign companies from accessing the U.S. market the world's largest unless they comply with sanctions against Iran. U.S. law empowers the Treasury Department to sanction foreign financial firms that transact with the Central Bank of Iran unless that firm's home country agrees to significantly reduce Iranian oil purchases. The law doesn't spell out what "significant" means, but the Obama administration asked countries to throttle back imports of Iranian crude by 20 percent every 180 days. Trump is not required to do the same, but analysts say it would present a ready-made option and give his administration cover to continue talks with European countries. "While President Trump will spin ending the waivers as 'leaving the deal,' we expect the White House will allow a 6-month transition period during which negotiations will continue while Treasury determines compliance metrics," risk consultancy the Rapidan Group said in a note to clients. If Trump follows this model, it would likely push off the majority of Iranian export reductions until the first half of next year, according to RBC Capital Markets. But if Trump orders buyers to immediately cut off Iranian crude imports, Tehran's oil exports are more likely to taper off by year-end, RBC said in a research note on Friday. What happens next in any scenario depends on the response from Iran and international oil buyers, as well as OPEC, Russia and other major oil-producing nations, which are currently capping output to drain a global glut of crude oil. Former President Barack Obama criticized President Donald Trump's decision Tuesday to pull the U.S. out of the Iran nuclear deal. The Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, or JCPOA, was negotiated and implemented during Obama's presidency. The U.S. withdrawal fulfills a Trump campaign promise. The 2015 pact lifted sanctions on Iran that crippled its economy and cut its oil exports roughly in half. In exchange for sanctions relief, Iran accepted limits on its nuclear program and allowed international inspectors into its facilities. Pulling out of the deal could strain diplomatic relationships with U.S. allies such as France and Germany, and it could have ripple effects in the oil market. "I believe that the decision to put the JCPOA at risk without any Iranian violation of the deal is a serious mistake," Obama. Here's Obama's full statement: "There are few issues more important to the security of the United States than the potential spread of nuclear weapons, or the potential for even more destructive war in the Middle East. That's why the United States negotiated the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) in the first place. The reality is clear. The JCPOA is working that is a view shared by our European allies, independent experts, and the current U.S. Secretary of Defense. The JCPOA is in America's interest it has significantly rolled back Iran's nuclear program. And the JCPOA is a model for what diplomacy can accomplish its inspections and verification regime is precisely what the United States should be working to put in place with North Korea. Indeed, at a time when we are all rooting for diplomacy with North Korea to succeed, walking away from the JCPOA risks losing a deal that accomplishes with Iran the very outcome that we are pursuing with the North Koreans. That is why today's announcement is so misguided. Walking away from the JCPOA turns our back on America's closest allies, and an agreement that our country's leading diplomats, scientists, and intelligence professionals negotiated. In a democracy, there will always be changes in policies and priorities from one Administration to the next. But the consistent flouting of agreements that our country is a party to risks eroding America's credibility, and puts us at odds with the world's major powers. Debates in our country should be informed by facts, especially debates that have proven to be divisive. So it's important to review several facts about the JCPOA. First, the JCPOA was not just an agreement between my Administration and the Iranian government. After years of building an international coalition that could impose crippling sanctions on Iran, we reached the JCPOA together with the United Kingdom, France, Germany, the European Union, Russia, China, and Iran. It is a multilateral arms control deal, unanimously endorsed by a United Nations Security Council Resolution. Second, the JCPOA has worked in rolling back Iran's nuclear program. For decades, Iran had steadily advanced its nuclear program, approaching the point where they could rapidly produce enough fissile material to build a bomb. The JCPOA put a lid on that breakout capacity. Since the JCPOA was implemented, Iran has destroyed the core of a reactor that could have produced weapons-grade plutonium; removed two-thirds of its centrifuges (over 13,000) and placed them under international monitoring; and eliminated 97 percent of its stockpile of enriched uranium the raw materials necessary for a bomb. So by any measure, the JCPOA has imposed strict limitations on Iran's nuclear program and achieved real results. Third, the JCPOA does not rely on trust it is rooted in the most far-reaching inspections and verification regime ever negotiated in an arms control deal. Iran's nuclear facilities are strictly monitored. International monitors also have access to Iran's entire nuclear supply chain, so that we can catch them if they cheat. Without the JCPOA, this monitoring and inspections regime would go away. Fourth, Iran is complying with the JCPOA. That was not simply the view of my Administration. The United States intelligence community has continued to find that Iran is meeting its responsibilities under the deal, and has reported as much to Congress. So have our closest allies, and the international agency responsible for verifying Iranian compliance the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). Fifth, the JCPOA does not expire. The prohibition on Iran ever obtaining a nuclear weapon is permanent. Some of the most important and intrusive inspections codified by the JCPOA are permanent. Even as some of the provisions in the JCPOA do become less strict with time, this won't happen until ten, fifteen, twenty, or twenty-five years into the deal, so there is little reason to put those restrictions at risk today. Finally, the JCPOA was never intended to solve all of our problems with Iran. We were clear-eyed that Iran engages in destabilizing behavior including support for terrorism, and threats toward Israel and its neighbors. But that's precisely why it was so important that we prevent Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon. Every aspect of Iranian behavior that is troubling is far more dangerous if their nuclear program is unconstrained. Our ability to confront Iran's destabilizing behavior and to sustain a unity of purpose with our allies is strengthened with the JCPOA, and weakened without it. Because of these facts, I believe that the decision to put the JCPOA at risk without any Iranian violation of the deal is a serious mistake. Without the JCPOA, the United States could eventually be left with a losing choice between a nuclear-armed Iran or another war in the Middle East. We all know the dangers of Iran obtaining a nuclear weapon. It could embolden an already dangerous regime; threaten our friends with destruction; pose unacceptable dangers to America's own security; and trigger an arms race in the world's most dangerous region. If the constraints on Iran's nuclear program under the JCPOA are lost, we could be hastening the day when we are faced with the choice between living with that threat, or going to war to prevent it. In a dangerous world, America must be able to rely in part on strong, principled diplomacy to secure our country. We have been safer in the years since we achieved the JCPOA, thanks in part to the work of our diplomats, many members of Congress, and our allies. Going forward, I hope that Americans continue to speak out in support of the kind of strong, principled, fact-based, and unifying leadership that can best secure our country and uphold our responsibilities around the globe." Alibaba has bought Pakistani e-commerce firm Daraz, as the Chinese tech giant looks to increase its presence in South Asia. Financial details of the transaction, which was announced on Tuesday, were undisclosed. Daraz, founded in 2012, is backed by European tech incubator Rocket Internet. It operates in Bangladesh, Myanmar, Sri Lanka and Nepal as well as Pakistan. The deal marks another foray for billionaire entrepreneur Jack Ma's Alibaba into the South Asian market. The e-commerce titan invested in India's popular payment app Paytm in 2015. "Together with Daraz, we can now empower entrepreneurs to better serve consumers in the region through our technology and expertise," Alibaba CEO Daniel Zhang said in a statement Tuesday. Daraz will continue to operate under the same brand, Rocket Internet said in a statement. to become the first state in the nation to mandate solar panels on most new single-family homes. Employees of Solar Forward install solar electric panels on a residential rooftop in Santa Monica, California. Getty Images California is poised to become the first state in the nation to mandate solar panels on most new homes as part of a program to harness clean technology and reduce the impact of new homes on the environment. The California Energy Commission is expected to vote on the plan Wednesday. If approved by the five-member board, it would become effective Jan. 1, 2020, on most single-family homes as well as multi-family residential buildings of three stories or less, including condos and apartment complexes. "California would be the first to do this, and it's well positioned to do it," said Jacob Corvidae, a manager at the Rocky Mountain Institute, a Colorado-based green nonpartisan research and consulting nonprofit. "Utility prices are high and solar access essentially is very good in California." California now the world's fifth largest economy already has a reputation for pushing the boundaries when it comes to going green. The state's renewable portfolio standard requires power companies to have 50 percent of total energy sources from renewable energy such as solar, wind, geothermal and hydroelectricity by 2030. "California has been a leader in solar in the U.S. for a long time and it's paid dividends both economically and to our environment here," said Sean Gallagher, vice president of state affairs for the Solar Energy Industries Association, a national trade association of manufacturers, developers and installers in the U.S. solar-energy industry. "California is taking a step further basically recognizing that solar should be as commonplace as a front door welcoming you home." Extra construction costs According to the commission's estimates, the state mandating new homes have solar will add an extra $10,538 in upfront residential construction costs but would result in $16,251 in energy savings over a 30-year period. There are other mandates in the new 2019 standards that also apply to everything from current ventilation to indoor air quality. California updates its building energy efficiency standards every three years, and the last update approved in 2015 was designed to slash energy use in homes by about 28 percent and also was seen as updating residential requirements closer to the state's ultimate goal of net zero energy homes. The proposed 2019 plan still allows new home construction to continue with some natural gas but it looks to reduce gas need over time and facilitate a shift to high-efficiency electric appliances, such as heat pump water heaters. All-electric homes using solar are seen as having lower greenhouse gas emissions and less energy consumption than those that use natural gas. Under the state's proposal, new homes are expected to cut energy use by more than 50 percent by adopting standards that require solar photovoltaic systems. For residential homeowners, the commission estimates that the standards will add about $40 to an average monthly payment over a 30-year period but essentially save consumers $80 on monthly heating, cooling and lighting bills. "Obviously, climate change is a big deal and it's great that the state is being so progressive with its clean energy goals," said Kelly Sanders, assistant professor at the University of Southern California's Viterbi School of Engineering. "This is a big push in the right direction, but that being said, there's a lot of policies that need to go into place to support this program." Housing affordability For one, Sanders said the state already has "huge problems with home affordability. You have to think through how this going to affect lower socio-economic populations." "At the end of the day, this could have mixed effects on the housing market," said Svenja Gudell, chief economist at Zillow, the real estate marketplace site. She said solar is usually associated with higher-end properties due to cost and that could potentially "hurt the housing market even more so when it comes to availability of lower-end homes." The Zillow economist added that it is "relatively hard to build homes in California," contributing to the state's housing shortage. A state housing report released earlier this year found hundreds of cities were making "insufficient progress" in affordable housing to keep up with population growth. Experts suggest the cost of adding solar on new homes in areas such as the San Francisco Bay region where real estate prices are already high may not impact homebuyers as much. But it could prove to be more challenging for new homeowners in communities with lower housing costs such as Fresno in the Central Valley. Regardless, the state estimates the proposed solar standards applying to most homes and many commercial structures could save California residents and businesses hundreds of millions of dollars in energy costs over the next decade. The California Building Industry Association, or CBIA, estimates only 15 to 20 percent of single-family homes built today statewide have solar panel installations. Some cities in the state have solar panel rooftop mandates on new buildings, including San Francisco. Homebuilder concerns Bob Raymer, the technical director for the CBIA, said the trade group shared some concerns about the new standards with regulators early in the process. For example, there were initial concerns about homes where there might be insufficient sunlight and how the proposed requirements would apply along with concerns about impact of limited roof space. The new solar mandate does provide alternatives or certain exemptions for homes or residential buildings when they are shaded due to trees or nearby structures. There are also special rules that apply for homes with roof space lacking sufficient room for a solar installation. At the same time, the building association pushed for the 2019 mandate to allow the option of community shared solar or battery storage systems as part of a partial or total offset to the site solar requirements. The group also supported a compliance credit program for battery storage systems. Tesla, known for its electric cars, provides energy storage solutions for solar installations and electrical upgrades in homes. The California company submitted comments last September to the state energy commission and its staff to encourage the adoption of a battery credit. Tesla on solar mandate "Creating a battery credit enables the adoption of a new and valuable technology to compete on an equal playing field with all technologies," wrote Francesca Wahl, a business development and policy senior associate at Tesla. "Batteries can offset all technologies and should not be viewed as offsetting any single measure, efficiency or renewables." In fact, the state solar mandate does allow for what's known as compliance credits for home builders installing battery systems such as the Tesla's Powerwall. They can use the credit to offset the size of a solar array. "This solar mandate is one of the policies that our state can do to help bring the cost of storage down," said Kelly Knutsen, director of technology advancement for the California Solar and Storage Association, an industry association of over 500 contractors, manufactures and distributors. Knutsen points out that the number of residential solar projects in California mostly homes has soared 24-fold in over 10 years, from about 28,000 projects in 2007 to just over 688,000 at the end of 2017. The state data is based on solar projects from customers served by the three largest investor-owned utilities in California: PG&E, Edison International's Southern California Edison unit and Sempra's San Diego Gas & Electric subsidiary. Short of 'net zero' The new homes won't be required to be completely off the grid using 100 percent solar. Doing so would require solar storage batteries at night when sunlight isn't available. That said, CSSA has been advocating that the energy commission adopt a mandate of "full net zero energy homes, which would mean you would generate as much energy as you're using," said Knutsen. He added that the state has essentially backed off that goal and "we're somewhat disappointed but we are making progress because they are requiring solar for the first time and they do have a storage option." Nevertheless, the state's solar mandate may encourage more residential builders in California to allow homeowners to purchase or lease solar systems in new homes, similar to current programs offered by Lennar, a Florida-based builder. Lennar's SunStreet Energy Group operates in at least 10 states, including California, and puts solar roof installations on many of the new homes the company builds. "I don't think you would have gotten something through the commission without active participation of the homebuilders," said Gallagher, the solar industry official. Falling solar system costs In a matter of hours, President Donald Trump is set to announce his decision on the Iran nuclear deal. Many are expecting him to pull the United States out of the deal and restore sanctions against the nation. Among the deal's signatories, China is likely to resist any unilateral American action, experts said. Any sanctions on Iran would have a "negligible effect on China's buying attitude," said John Driscoll, director of JTD Energy Services in Singapore and a former oil trader whose career spans nearly 40 years. China, alongside India, are the top two buyers of Iranian crude oil. One of the world's fastest growing markets for oil consumption, China "needs the oil," and trade tensions with the U.S. would make Beijing even less likely to support sanctions from Washington, said Victor Shum, vice president of the energy group at IHS Markit. "With trade skirmishes between the U.S. and China and all kinds of political issues, I see the resistance from Chinese crude buyers to comply [to U.S. sanctions against Iran]," added Shum. Even so, China will try to keep its response measured as the world's second-largest economy continues its bilateral trade negotiations with the U.S., said Benjamin Lu, an investment analyst for commodities at Phillip Futures. The Chinese Foreign Ministry signaled last Wednesday that it wasn't in support of the U.S. quitting the deal, but stopped short of criticizing any specific country. Should the U.S. withdraw from the Iran nuclear deal, the Trump administration must decide on whether to wield powerful U.S. sanctions to punish countries that continue to do business with Iran. Still, the market will find ways to circumvent any sanctions, such as transferring supplies between floating storage, using barter trade, or not using U.S. banks, according to analysts. "The market will be resourceful," said Driscoll. For instance, Iranian traders have the option of trading in Chinese yuan-denominated crude oil futures on the Shanghai International Energy Exchange circumventing any restrictions on dollar-denominated trade and U.S. banks. Shum and Lu, however, said such a development may not be that immediate or apparent, as Shanghai oil futures trade is still a largely domestic affair. Beijing also would not want to be seen to be openly pushing back on U.S. sanctions as it negotiates bilateral trade with Washington, said Lu. The once-hot chip stocks have sunk from the highs, and one trader says it's a make-or-break week for the group as Nvidia gets ready to report earnings. The SMH semiconductor ETF has skyrocketed in the past two years, up nearly 95 percent since 2015. However, Dan Nathan, co-founder and editor of RiskReversal.com, says the group could be facing a critical moment when the ETF's third-largest holding, Nvidia, reports earnings this week. So far this year the chip stocks ETF has only managed to rally 4 percent. This compared with its near 13 percent rise in the same time period last year. "This is going to be a big one for the SMH here," Nathan said Monday on CNBC's "Fast Money." According to Nathan, mixed earnings from the group's top holdings, Intel and Taiwan Semiconductor, now have the SMH "sitting on key support" around the $100 level. "When you think about those two, Intel and Taiwan [Semiconductor], they went two very different ways right after their earnings," Nathan said. Shares of Intel rose 7 percent in after-hours trading following its earnings late last month, and are now up more than 15 percent year to date. This while Taiwan Semiconductor fell nearly 6 percent in premarket trading off its report and is now down around 1 percent since January. A big catalyst for both stocks comes from Apple a top customer for their semiconductor products. Despite shares of the iPhone maker surging to new highs in the past week, Taiwan Semiconductor and Intel have largely sat out the rally. Nathan believes this could put more pressure on the broader group when Nvidia reports after the bell Thursday. "The [SMH] is 11 percent from its highs and only 5.5 percent from its recent lows," Nathan said. "If Nvidia were to do the impossible and guide down, I think the semiconductor sector could go a bit lower ... about the mid to low 90s." Shares of the semiconductor ETF were up Tuesday afternoon, trading around $101.64. If you want to get along better with your coworkers, you might want to grab a cup of coffee before your next meeting. A new study from the University of California, Davis, finds that drinking coffee before group discussions or activities could help you be more sociable, self-confident and engaged. "Caffeine seems to focus [people's] discussion on the topic, make people participate more than they would without caffeine and leave them feeling better about their own participation and others' participation," lead researcher Vasu Unnava notes. Unnava, an assistant professor at the UC-Davis Graduate School of Management, and her team compared how coffee drinkers and non-coffee drinkers acted around others when forced to interact. They gathered 133 low-to-moderate moderate coffee drinkers (those who drink no more than four cups a day) who did not have any coffee for at least five hours prior to the study. One group of participants was asked to first drink a 12-ounce-cup of Starbucks coffee, read about the Occupy Wall Street movement and discuss the topic with a group for 15 minutes. A separate group was asked to complete these activities without drinking coffee. A self-reported evaluation found coffee drinkers rated their experience talking with others much more positively than non-coffee drinkers. Oil prices may have slid from their near-$70 highs after the United States withdrew from the Iran nuclear deal, but CNBC's Jim Cramer found an under-the-radar beneficiary of higher crude costs. General Electric, the ailing industrial giant, could see its Baker Hughes oil business get a boost from crude at $69, the "Mad Money" host said. "Look, I understand the bear thesis," Cramer said. "But the bears need to wrap their heads around the fact that GE made a big bet on oil right near the top, and while that was certainly a bad decision, it looks a whole lot less terrible as the price of crude makes a comeback." And with a new CEO, John Flannery, at the helm engineering a turnaround at the conglomerate, Cramer said the rise in oil prices could pay off even better than most investors expect. "Geopolitics is now giving Flannery a huge break. If he takes it, I think GE will not have to cut its dividend again and not have to guide down, and the stock may have bottomed," Cramer said on Tuesday. "If he doesn't? Frankly, that's inconceivable to me, but then again, inconceivable was the province of Flannery's predecessor, not Flannery himself." Newfound market stupidity? President Donald Trump announces his decision to withdraw the United States from the 2015 Iran nuclear deal in the Diplomatic Room at the White House May 8, 2018 in Washington, DC. Getty Images The stock market's reaction to news that President Donald Trump would withdraw from the Iran nuclear deal showed just how irrational this market is, Cramer said Tuesday. "There are some markets where it pays to be smart, to really think things through," he said. "This market is not one of them. This is a straightforward market that's as dumb as a bag of hammers, and if you want to beat the averages here, the trick is you can't overthink anything." On Tuesday morning, investors bought shares of defense stocks in anticipation of the announcement, which many figured would heighten volatility in the Middle East a boon for U.S.-based defense contractors. But Cramer argued that those investments were simply too obvious. Defense stocks had already been rallying for most of 2018 on tensions between North and South Korea coupled with worries about the Middle East, he noted. But with North Korea intent on denuclearization, which would indicate progress in peace talks and thus negatively affect defense stocks, Cramer wasn't so sure Tuesday's buyers were making a smart move. Valeant Pharmaceuticals CEO talks earnings Joseph Papa, CEO, Valeant Pharmaceuticals Scott Mlyn | CNBC As shares of Valeant Pharmaceuticals rallied nearly 9 percent after the company's earnings report, Chairman and CEO Joseph Papa joined Cramer to explain the move. In a "Mad Money" interview, Papa said Valeant's Salix unit, which makes gastrointestinal treatments, and its Bausch & Lomb arm, which makes optical products, were the company's "growth drivers." Together, the two account for 76 percent of Valeant's business. And while the company reported a first-quarter loss, Salix and Bausch & Lomb, combined, grew by 10 percent. It was the first time since 2015 that Valeant delivered organic growth, Papa told Cramer. Off the charts: Caterpillar, Boeing and United Technologies Getty Images This earnings season has been peppered with stock declines that Cramer chalks up to small blips in companies' reports that make investors feel like they've lost momentum. "That's why Caterpillar got clobbered [management] described the past quarter as the high-water mark, even as the company raised its full-year earnings guidance by a couple of bucks," the "Mad Money" host said on Tuesday. "Boeing did great but it got hit with a correction, too," Cramer continued. "Or how about United Technologies? In many ways, this was the best one, but the stock rolled over." In each case, investors and analysts panicked that the industrial giants had delivered their "last good quarter[s]," Cramer said. So, to see if the pullbacks in shares of Caterpillar, Boeing and United Technologies were justified, Cramer called on technician Bob Lang, the founder of ExplosiveOptions.net and one of the brains behind TheStreet.com's Trifecta Stocks newsletter. Broadridge Financial Solutions CEO on proxy battles Richard Daly, CEO, Broadridge Scott Mlyn | CNBC Broadridge Financial Solutions CEO Richard Daly also joined Cramer to discuss how his under-the-radar fintech company has seen its stock run 320 percent over the last five years. "First of all, we're in a great space. We're a trusted emphasis on trust trusted fintech leader," Daly told Cramer. "We do a little over $4 billion in revenue right now. The market, the addressable market, today is $40 billion, so the best is yet to come." Daly's company is made up of a governance communications business and a capital markets solutions business. The capital markets solutions processes an astounding six trillion trades a day. Broadridge is also involved in a number of high-profile proxy fights, offering its technology services to help streamline the processes. "The first message I have to your listeners is they matter. They decided the outcome in P&G. They decided the outcome in DuPont," Daly said, referencing several recent proxy battles. "Retail investors make up one-third of the ownership of the ... North American markets. One-third. That matters. They're only voting at about 30 percent, slightly less. Their voice needs to be heard." Lightning round: Is MZOR losing steam? Saudi Arabia's crown prince is seen as a strong leader who will take the country in the "right direction" and young Saudis are for the most part throwing their weight behind the reform-minded heir to the throne. Ninety percent of Saudi youth believing that Mohammed bin Salman, the future ruler of the Middle East's largest economy and most powerful nation, will prove beneficial for the country, with 91 percent also supporting his appointment as crown prince, according to a survey focused on young people in the region. Furthermore, 97 percent believing he is a "strong" leader, according to the ASDA'A Burson-Marsteller survey published Wednesday. Interviewing 3,500 young people from 16 Arab nations on their attitudes towards major regional issues, the survey provides insight into how young people aged 18-24 feel about the direction their region is heading, and what they feel are the top priorities that governments need to address. Of the 3,500 young men and women surveyed, 300 were from Saudi Arabia (from Riyadh, Jeddah and Dammam). Their responses to questions about Bin Salman give a snapshot of wider, youthful opinion regarding the crown prince from a nation where the majority of the population is under 35. The respondents from the 15 other Arab nations surveyed also gave broadly positive responses when questioned about the Saudi crown prince and his influence in the Middle East. The 32-year old heir apparent has been making waves in Saudi and beyond by spearheading a program of radical economic and societal reforms in the conservative kingdom. Women will soon be allowed to drive, cinemas have reopened, and the economic transformation program, called "Vision 2030," is underway as the economy tries to diversify away from oil. The crown prince, or MBS as he's known, made his presence felt in 2017 when he instigated a crackdown on corruption that saw numerous businessmen, government officials and fellow Saudi princes detained, and many of their assets handed over to the state. The vast majority of Saudi young people, 94 percent, support those anti-corruption measures, the ASDA'A Burson-Marsteller survey showed, and 92 percent were confident that his Vision 2030 "will be a success." Young people are also in favor of the radical societal changes afoot in Saudi Arabia, particularly concerning women, with 88 percent of all respondents in favor of Saudi allowing women to drive (interestingly, of the Saudi respondents that were asked if they favored this development, 81 percent of men and 82 percent of women said they were). Yet, 80 percent of all respondents agreed that Arab leaders should do more to "improve the personal freedoms and human rights of women." Bin Salman has signaled that he wants more women to enter the workplace, but there is far to go with the system of male guardianship only slowly changing. While there is progress last year, King Salman decreed that Saudi women will no longer need a man's permission to travel, study or make police complaints there is still some resistance to change with not everyone happy with the liberalizing moves. Gina Haspel, nominee to be director of the CIA, visits the Hart Senate Office Building for meetings with senators May 7, 2018 on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC. He was a small man, one interrogator recalled, and so thin that he would slip in his restraints when the masked CIA guards tipped the waterboard upward to let him breathe. Abd al-Rahim al-Nashiri, a 37-year-old Saudi, did not deny having been a terrorist operative for Osama bin Laden. He admitted his role in the bombing of the USS Cole in 2000, an attack that killed 17 Navy sailors. Captured two years later in Dubai, he talked openly about planning more attacks. But any bravado had disappeared well before Nashiri's CIA captors strapped him naked to a hospital gurney in a windowless white cell and began pouring water into his nose and mouth until he felt he was drowning. He pleaded with them to stop. They continued. More from ProPublica: Before the Blankenship-McConnell feud, the Senator aided the mining executive Marines open investigation into active-duty white supremacist Whoops! Jared Kushner made even more mistakes in his federal filings They "were going to get the truth out of him," the interrogator told Nashiri, according to a previously undisclosed CIA cable. "They were going to do this again, and again, and again until he decided to be truthful." More than 15 years after Gina Haspel oversaw the questioning of Nashiri at a secret prison in Thailand, she will go before the Senate on Wednesday to seek confirmation as President Donald Trump's choice to become the next director of the CIA. While her nomination has already revived the country's unresolved debate over interrogation methods that many experts consider torture, nearly everything Haspel has done in her long CIA career has remained secret, blotted out by the black ink that obscures classified information in public records. But a trove of partially declassified CIA documents, released earlier this year in response to a Freedom of Information Act request and provided to ProPublica, offers a glimpse at one coercive interrogation she is known to have supervised. Those records describe how Nashiri was slammed repeatedly against a wall, locked up in a tiny "confinement box" and told (inaccurately) that the black-clad security officers guarding him were Navy sailors who would pummel him if he did not divulge his secrets. One interrogator told Nashiri he needed to be "tenderized" like a piece of meat. As Haspel prepares for confirmation hearings before the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence, the question is not whether her past will haunt her, but whether she can persuasively argue that her experience with harsh interrogations has convinced her not to allow their use again. "She has told senators in her meetings with them that the CIA will not renew a detention and interrogation program under any circumstances," a CIA spokesman said. The Trump administration's pitch for Haspel has not been straightforward. The president, who campaigned on a promise that he would bring back waterboarding and "a heck of a lot worse," complained in a tweet on Monday morning that Democrats were opposing Haspel because "she was too tough on Terrorists." "Win Gina!" he exhorted her. The agency itself, which generally prides itself on avoiding politics, has taken an unusually active and open role in lobbying for Haspel's candidacy. On Monday, the CIA delivered a fuller set of classified records to the Senate, inviting senators to read a detailed history of Haspel's career in secure rooms on Capitol Hill. But the agency has thus far declassified almost no substantive information about her work as an operations officer or senior official. "Nominees will say practically anything to get confirmed," Sen. Ron Wyden of Oregon, a Democratic member of the intelligence committee, said in an interview. "I believe the American people have a right to know who this nominee is. I believe there is a significant amount of information about the key period, from 2002 to 2007, which can be declassified without compromising our country's security." To provide a fuller picture, ProPublica interviewed current and former officials and reviewed thousands of pages of documents, including some that had not previously been made public. This story focuses on Haspel's CIA career and her brief experience leading one of the agency's so-called black sites. A second article will examine her role in the agency's 2005 destruction of 92 interrogation videotapes that were recorded before and during her time at the secret prison in Thailand. Agency colleagues cast her role in both the tapes affair and the interrogation program as evidence of her consummate loyalty not only to her boss, but to CIA officers who served in clandestine prisons around the world. But her personal views on such issues as the morality and effectiveness of brutal interrogation methods have remained opaque. For several years, former officials said, she was deeply involved in the agency's fight against al-Qaida, often working closely with the detention program. Later, she held top posts in the Clandestine Service when the agency waged an extraordinary campaign to try to refute a scathing report on the program by the Senate intelligence committee. The vehemence of those challenges led both Democrats and Republicans to question the CIA's own reckoning with the mistakes it made. According to one intelligence official, it was Haspel's bona fides as a front-line veteran of the campaign against al-Qaida that helped win Trump's admiration early on in his presidency, when he named her the agency's deputy director. "He likes the idea that she was a risk-taker," the official said. At the same time, many of the former CIA officials who have rallied to support her nomination say privately that it is because of Trump's often-unbridled impulses to action that the leadership of a sober operations professional and especially one reluctant to put her officers at risk could serve as a crucial restraint. Haspel would be the first woman to run the agency and the first operations officer since Richard Helms in the 1970s. But even she has at times seemed ambivalent about the idea. As debate over her candidacy intensified late last week, officials said she had offered to withdraw if the debate over her candidacy might draw the CIA into a damaging new controversy over its interrogations after 9/11. At the urging of the White House, she later agreed to go forward, officials said. In a gauzy biographical sketch, the agency has portrayed Haspel as a proud native Kentuckian, one of five children who grew up on military bases overseas while their father served in the Air Force. It describes her as a passionate fan of the University of Kentucky Wildcats and the country-music legend Johnny Cash, who stares down at visitors from a 5-foot poster on her office wall. One of the few operations the agency disclosed in any detail is surely among her least controversial: She helped arrange a telephone call between then-President Ronald Reagan and Mother Theresa, who was concerned about a wheat shortage in an African nation where Haspel was stationed in the late 1980s. Of her three decades of professional work as a CIA operative, midlevel manager and senior official, the agency has offered a list of vague titles like "deputy group chief" and "senior-level supervisor." None of them reveal much about the work she did. Haspel, now 61, joined the CIA in 1985, some seven years after graduating from the University of Louisville with an honors degree in journalism and languages. The agency's Directorate of Operations, where she began, was an environment that many women at the time found challenging, if not inhospitable. Many of the D.O. bosses believed that women were generally less effective than men at recruiting agents overseas the crucial task of undercover case officers. (In 1994, the CIA settled a series of gender-discrimination lawsuits that about one-third of the women in the directorate were reported to have agreed to join as a class action. The agency spokesman said he did not know and could not comment on whether Haspel was among them.) Haspel did not strike colleagues as a woman who was uncomfortable in the gung-ho, macho environment of the D.O. After her childhood exposure to the military, she had also worked after college running the library and language lab for an Army special forces detachment at Fort Devens, Massachusetts. "She's pretty steely," one former agency official said. "She's smart and good and effective, but probably not who you'd ask out for a beer." In the waning years of the Cold War, Haspel shipped out to Africa as a case officer, work that she described in the agency biography as being "right out of a spy novel." She later became chief of a small agency station in "an exotic and tumultuous capital" overseas, where she was credited with helping to organize the capture of two suspects wanted for the 1998 bombing of two U.S. embassies in Africa. Before 9/11, Haspel requested a transfer to the CTC, as the agency's Counterterrorism Center is known, a unit that brought together undercover operatives like Haspel with intelligence analysts and other specialists. After the attacks, the CTC would grow exponentially, becoming a dominant power center within the Directorate of Operations. According to one colleague who worked with her, she was also quick to absorb the anger of the most ardent CTC veterans including some who shared a deep sense of guilt at having failed to act more effectively to prevent the 9/11 attacks. "It was, `Get the bastards,'" the officer recalled. "She was on that side of the quotient." There, Haspel quickly won the trust of Jose Rodriguez, a hard-charging former head of the agency's Latin America Division who became the CTC's chief of operations and then, in mid-2002, its director. The challenges of counterterrorism work suited her, colleagues said. In the intense, almost frenzied environment, she was unflappable. "She never said no to an assignment," one former colleague recalled. "If there was a problem, she'd throw a huge effort at it and fix it." The CIA would not disclose Haspel's specific responsibilities during the two years after the 9/11 attacks, other than to say she was the deputy chief of a group within the CTC. In the summer of 2002, in the months before Haspel went to Thailand to oversee the black site there known as the "Cat's Eye," the CTC had been consumed with its first "enhanced interrogation," that of a Palestinian militant known as Abu Zubaydah. The interrogation methods approved by the Justice Department for Zubaydah became the basis for a menu of coercive techniques that was later used on other "high-value" detainees those who were believed to know about active terror plots. They included prolonged sleep deprivation; stress positions; confining the prisoner inside small, wooden boxes; slamming him into a plywood wall; and waterboarding. Zubaydah's interrogation was led by the two former military psychologists, James Mitchell and J. Bruce Jessen, who as private consultants helped to devise the CIA's methods. Having worked for years in military survival programs, the two men focused on a method they had seen "break" countless American commandoes who were being trained to resist interrogation: the waterboard. Over a 17-day period, the two psychologists subjected Zubaydah to the simulated drowning procedure 83 times, CIA cables show, as he gagged, vomited, became "hysterical" and suffered "involuntary spasms of the torso and extremities." The treatment shook some of the CIA officers who witnessed it, declassified documents show. "Several on the team profoundly affected some to the point of tears and choking up," one of them wrote on Aug. 8. Members of the CIA team warned officials at the agency's headquarters repeatedly that Zubaydah did not seem to have the information that the officials were so convinced he possessed, and that the interrogators might be pushing the harsh methods too far. At one point, Mitchell would later recall, CTC officials told the psychologists to stop acting like "pussies." By the time Haspel was "read in" to the highly secret program weeks later, the Zubaydah interrogation had been deemed an unequivocal success. The prisoner, who had been pronounced "fully compliant" and was being debriefed on a daily basis. He never did provide any kind of intelligence about future attacks CTC officials were convinced he had been hiding. (This year, ProPublica retracted a 2017 story that inaccurately reported Haspel was in Thailand overseeing the questioning of Zubaydah.) In October, a few weeks after her 46th birthday, Rodriguez sent Haspel to Thailand to take over as chief of base. Haspel quickly won the respect not only of the interrogation team but also, apparently, of the prisoner himself. Rodriguez wrote in his memoir that Zubaydah referred to her as the "emira," the Arabic word for commander or princess. (The same term was commonly used for the commander of terrorist training camps, like the one in Afghanistan, Khaldan, for which Zubaydah had served as a recruiter.) As base chief, Haspel supervised the interrogators, guards and medical personnel at the prison. Some records indicate that she would have been the only CIA officer on the ground empowered to halt the interrogation without headquarters authorization. The newly released records do not say if she ever exercised that authority or if she was physically present when Nashiri was interrogated. A cable from the Thai black site on Oct. 29, 2002, suggests a moment of relative calm soon after Haspel's arrival. It noted that the "COB," or chief of base, had interviewed the prisoner herself, encouraging him "to take advantage of the opportunity to set the record straight on any issues about which he has either been less than forthcoming or has obfuscated." The pace quickened on Nov. 15 when Nashiri was delivered to the black site. Mitchell and Jessen had flown to Afghanistan to interview him. After a brief interview, they decided he was likely a "resister," and officials at CIA headquarters authorized the use of what were euphemistically termed "enhanced methods." The new prisoner had long been in the agency's sights. Agency analysts had tied him to a series of al-Qaida attacks, including the USS Cole bombing in the Yemeni port of Aden. He was also believed to have plotted the 1998 bombings of two U.S. embassies in Africa, in which more than 224 people were killed. (He had not.) Under Haspel's supervision, the interrogators immediately set to work. Naked but for his shackles and hood, Nashiri was locked into a coffin-like wooden box for hours at a time. When his answers were deemed evasive or inadequate, he was sometimes moved into the smaller box for up to two hours as additional punishment. After being extracted from one box or the other, the cables show, Nashiri would sometimes be led in his shackles to the plywood wall, where a rolled towel would be wrapped around his neck. That allowed the interrogators to slam him loudly into the wall while minimizing the risk of whiplash. All the while, the interrogators threatened to do worse. Nashiri did not do much resisting. After he was locked into the smaller box for the first time, early in his stay at the black site, he began to talk about two of the main operations to which he would be linked in U.S. intelligence summaries: an aborted plan to attack oil tankers in the Strait of Hormuz, and a plot for which he was trying to raise funds when he was captured to crash a small airplane into a ship in the Emirati harbor of Port Rashid. By the seventh day of his "aggressive" interrogations, Nashiri earned modest rewards. A cable from that day said that his questioning began with the gift of a towel, which he could use to cover himself. But it noted that his answers were "confused" and "disjointed," and the interrogators became angry. If they needed to, they warned him, they would "get his full attention the hard way." Finally, after answering questions in what the interrogators deemed "a useful way," they promised him further rewards: They would remove the chain between his handcuffs and his shackles, but warned him that if he tried "anything aggressive," the black-clad members of the security team "will kill you." The interrogators said Nashiri would also get a haircut and a shave, and a pair of pants to wear. As they left, the prisoner "appeared to relax," the cable states. But then he made the mistake of asking if someone could possibly clean his dirty fingernails, or if he could do so himself. One interrogator turned and asked Nashiri to repeat what he said. "Listen to me," the American said angrily, squatting down to look him in the face. "This is not not a hotel. We are not in the business of kissing your ass. We are not in the business of grooming you." As the interrogators stepped out of the cell, the security team surrounded the prisoner. They then forcibly shaved his head and beard with an electric razor, the cable states, as he "cried and grimaced theatrically." On the 12th day of aggressive methods, documents show, the interrogators turned to the waterboard. The guards, who were typically clad in black fatigues and balaclavas, tied him to a hospital gurney, an arrangement that turned out to be precarious. Nashiri was so slight that he nearly slid off as the gurney was tilted upward to let him clear the water from his sinuses. "We were concerned that he would fall off the gurney and get hurt," Mitchell wrote. "We were all feeling uncomfortable." After three sessions, the waterboarding was stopped because "he gave us enough to convince us that the harshest of our approved tactics no longer were needed," Mitchell wrote. Nashiri's questioning unexpectedly halted at the end of November when The New York Times learned that al-Qaida suspects were being held in Thailand. CIA officials persuaded the newspaper not to publish the information. They nonetheless ordered Haspel to shut down the black site immediately, assuming that if Times reporters could learn of its existence, others would soon find out. The interrogators tried to turn Nashiri's imminent transfer to advantage. They told him he was being sent to "a much worse place," one cable notes. Comparing the prisoner to a piece of meat, the interrogators said the dark days he faced were their fault because they had failed to "tenderize" him properly. As Nashiri wept, the interrogators ticked through another list of questions, warning that if he did not give them the answers they wanted, "conditioning methods would be applied." On Dec. 4, Zubaydah and Nashiri were put aboard a CIA jet and flown to a new black site, code-named "Quartz," that had been set up in a two-story villa that Polish intelligence used for training in a remote northeastern corner of their country. Haspel appears to have returned to CIA headquarters. A CIA spokesman declined to comment on whether she had any further input into Nashiri's interrogation or made any recommendations to the officers who managed his interrogations in Poland. Various psychological evaluations of Nashiri have found lasting scars. In addition to a phobia of water, he has been diagnosed with anxiety, depression and post-traumatic stress disorder. A psychiatric expert, Sondra Crosby, called him "one of the most damaged victims of torture" she had ever examined. Nashiri is now facing death-penalty charges before a military commission at Guantanamo Bay stemming from the attack on the Cole and on a French-flagged oil tanker. Over the two years that followed, former officials say, Haspel's career continued to intersect with the rendition and detention program. The CIA created a new mini-organization to manage a global network of secret prisons that expanded to include Romania, Lithuania, Morocco and elsewhere. Beginning in December of 2002, the CTC's Renditions Group previously charged with the capture and transport of suspected terrorists took over management of all detention and interrogation facilities. It was renamed the Renditions, Detentions and Interrogations Group, or RDG. By its scale and scope, the group's work was breathtaking. CIA officers swept up suspects all over the world, in ever-greater numbers, with many undercover operations running simultaneously. The large majority of the 119 men detained and sent to black sites were captured during this period. There were notable errors. Some of the detainees turned out be victims of mistaken identity or false accusations. More than two dozen failed to meet the agency's own minimal standards for being picked up. As some of the agency's post-9/11 secrets have been declassified, it has become clearer that some officers within and around the CTC tried repeatedly to stop what they considered the excessive and pointless use of waterboarding and other methods. Haspel's position in those debates could not be ascertained, but she has more often been identified with officials like her former boss, Rodriguez, who often overruled those challenges. By 2003, however, the political winds had begun to shift. That summer, CIA officials grew concerned after statements by the Bush administration that the United States was treating detainees humanely and complying with the international Convention Against Torture. On July 29, the CIA director, George Tenet, met with selected members of President Bush's National Security Council, including Vice President Dick Cheney and Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, seeking formal reaffirmation of their support for the interrogation program. According to the Senate intelligence committee report, the CIA officials made their case by exaggerating both the amount and importance of the intelligence they had gained from the interrogations to that point. A slide from the CIA presentation claimed that the "termination of this program will result in loss of life, possibly extensive." The agency won the reaffirmation it sought. In the late summer of 2004, Haspel finally left the CTC. She was promoted to become deputy chief of the CIA's National Resources Division, a branch of the agency that recruits foreign students, diplomats and others inside the United States, and gathers voluntary information from Americans who work or travel abroad. It was a bit of a backwater after CTC, but much lower stress and a significant rise in rank. The division chief, Hank Crumpton, was also a CTC veteran, having led paramilitary operations against the Taliban after 9/11. He had kept his eye on Haspel. "She was by then a leader within CTC," he recalled in an interview. "She was gritty. A real great, blue-collar work ethic. She would take on any challenge. And just a great team player because she had no ego. People wanted to work with her." Haspel's respite was short-lived. In November 2004, the CIA's two most senior operations officials quit in a dispute with aides to Porter Goss, a former Republican congressman from Florida who had replaced Tenet as the CIA director. Where Tenet had worried about waning political support for the black site program, Goss wanted to ratchet up the pressure on al-Qaida. He elevated Rodriguez to run the operations directorate, and Crumpton heard from him not long thereafter. "Jose called and said he was taking her to be his chief of staff," Crumpton recalled of Haspel. It was not a negotiation. "He basically told me to quit whining and go find another deputy." Her title notwithstanding, the job carried important operational responsibilities and was an even bigger step up the ladder. Some colleagues questioned privately whether Haspel was a suitable pick. "She has been underestimated her entire career," Crumpton said. "One, because she's a woman. Two, because she's not an extrovert, she's not a back-slapper. She's all steak and no sizzle." In another high-pressure environment, Haspel continued to be known for her remarkable work ethic. Colleagues also appreciate the way she complemented her boss: Rodriguez was the forceful personality; Haspel commanded the details. Haspel joined Rodriguez in advocating for the destruction of the videotapes that had been recorded of Zubaydah and Nashiri in 2002, officials said. Rodriguez gave the order to destroy the tapes in 2005, and the revelation two years later that he had done so prompted a separate, criminal investigation by a special prosecutor in which Haspel was brought back from London, where she was the agency's station chief, and questioned at length. No charges were ultimately brought in the case, in part, officials said, because those involved had acted on the advice of lawyers that what they were doing was legal. The destruction of the tapes prompted new congressional scrutiny of the interrogation program. Democratic staffers on the Senate intelligence committee sifted through a mountain of classified documents and compiled a highly critical report that accused the CIA of repeatedly misleading the White House, the Justice Department and the public about the brutality and efficacy of the effort. In 2013, Haspel's past seemed to catch up with her. President Obama's director of the CIA, John Brennan, had named her as acting director of the Clandestine Service, putting her in charge of spying and covert operations. But Brennan dropped the idea of giving her the job permanently when Democrats on the Senate intelligence committee vociferously objected. Soon after his inauguration, Trump moved Haspel up once again, naming her the agency's deputy director under former Republican congressman Mike Pompeo. While Trump has not hesitated to reignite the debate over torture, he later suggested that he would seek the advice of Defense Secretary James Mattis and other senior national security officials on the subject. A CIA spokesman also said Haspel had in fact told several senators early on in her tenure as the deputy director that she opposed any resumption of an "enhanced" interrogation program. One factor complicating Haspel's position is that her most prominent supporters include former agency officials who led an aggressive campaign to refute the Senate report, arguing anew that the interrogation methods they sanctioned were both necessary and effective. Most of those supporters now acknowledge that "some mistakes were made," as former CIA director Gen. Michael Hayden put it last week. They underscore that highly coercive interrogation methods are prohibited by current U.S. law, and suggest that the CIA has no stomach for getting back in that business. "There is no way that an agency officer of Gina's character and experience will send CIA officers out there to do this again," Hayden said on a podcast last week. "If you're worried about the future on this particular question, Gina Haspel you can't pick a better person." Former Massey Energy CEO Don Blankenship, Republican U.S. Senate candidate from West Virginia, waits to speak during a town hall campaign event in Huntington, West Virginia, U.S., on Thursday, Feb. 1, 2018. Republicans fighting to hold Congress will learn something Tuesday about their party's capacity for self-control. In West Virginia, a critical target for preserving their Senate majority, Republican primary voters are considering a wealthy coal executive who recently completed a prison term resulting from his role in a mine explosion that killed 29 people. The executive, Don Blankenship, has smeared Senate GOP leader Mitch McConnell and his "China person" in-laws in a crude campaign he calls "Trumpier than Trump." A Blankenship victory, which polls suggest is possible, would improve the chances that vulnerable Democratic Sen. Joe Manchin could hold his seat in November's general election. And it would signal anew, as 2018 primaries begin in earnest, that President Donald Trump has helped revive the penchant for self-inflicted wounds that limited GOP gains in Obama-era Senate campaigns. In 2010 and 2012, the weak Senate nominees who emerged from GOP primaries in states such as Nevada, Missouri, Indiana and Delaware helped Democrats extend control of the chamber. In 2014, the GOP rallied behind McConnell's efforts to advance more electable candidates and regained the majority. But now the rank-and-file voters who responded to Trump's gut-level appeals are considering new primary choices in a GOP under the president's control. Their decisions, in lower-profile House races as well as more conspicuous Senate contests, will shape the party's ability to resist the Democrats' national momentum this fall. The memo Trump signed on Tuesday triggers a 180-day countdown timer for Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin to re-impose all of the sanctions on Iran that were relaxed under the deal. The deal between Iran and a handful of world powers, brokered in 2015 during the Obama administration, lifted a bevy of sanctions and embargoes on Iran in exchange for the country significantly shrinking the scope of its nuclear capabilities. Iran also gave international inspectors access to its facilities as part of the deal. President Donald Trump signed an executive memorandum Tuesday kicking off the process for the U.S. to withdraw from the Iran nuclear deal . After passing a 90-day mark on Aug. 6, the following sanctions will snap back on Iran, according to the Treasury Department: Sanctions on Iran buying or acquiring U.S. dollars Sanctions on Iran trading gold and other precious metals Sanctions on Iran's sale, supply or trade of metals such as aluminum and steel, as well as graphite, coal and certain software for "integrating industrial processes" Sanctions on "significant" sales or purchases of Iranian rials, or the maintenance of significant funds or accounts outside the country using Iranian rials Sanctions on issuing Iranian debt Iranian auto sanctions The U.S. will also revoke certain permissions, granted to Iran under the deal, on Aug. 6. These include halting Iran's ability to export its carpets and foods into the U.S., as well as ending certain licensing-related transactions. At the end of the 180-day interval on Nov. 4, another set of sanctions will once again be clamped down on Iran: Sanctions on Iran's ports, as well as the country's shipping and shipping sectors Sanctions on buying petroleum and petrochemical products with a number of Iranian oil companies Sanctions on foreign financial institutions transacting with the Central Bank of Iran and other Iranian financial institutions Sanctions on the provision of certain financial messaging services to Iran's central bank and other Iranian financial institutions Sanctions on the provision of underwriting services, insurance, or reinsurance Sanctions on Iran's energy sector The following day, on Nov. 5, the Trump administration will disallow U.S.-owned foreign entities from being allowed to engage in certain transactions with Iran. Sanctions on certain Iranian individuals will also be re-imposed on Nov. 5. Read the Treasury's full guide to the re-imposition of Iran nuclear deal sanctions here. President Donald Trump's decision to pull the U.S. out of the Iran nuclear deal on Tuesday could have widespread global implications ranging from the price of oil to the future of Tehran's nuclear ambitions. The U.S. withdrawal from the deal could stress already strained diplomatic relations with a number of key allies, including European Union leaders in Germany, France and the United Kingdom, all original parties in the 2015 accord. President Emmanuel Macron of France and British Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson have both implored Trump in recent days to stay in the landmark deal brokered under President Barack Obama. Macron later tweeted Tuesday his disappointment with Trump's decision to exit the deal, formally known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action. "France, Germany, and the UK regret the U.S. decision to leave the JCPOA," Macron said in a tweet. "The nuclear non-proliferation regime is at stake." tweet As part of the original deal, a host of countries, including Russia and China, agreed to periodically suspend sanctions on Iran so long as the Iranians complied with the terms of the deal, including regular international inspections. But the U.S. departure from the international pact isn't the first time Trump has split with overseas allies or his presidential predecessors. The U.S. ruffled the feathers of European partners earlier this year after Trump approved 25 percent tariffs on foreign steel and 10 percent tariffs on foreign aluminum. In response, the European Commission said it would respond "firmly" to proposed U.S. import duties, with goods like clothing, orange juice and blue jeans as likely targets. "We will put tariffs on Harley-Davidson, on bourbon and on blue jeans Levis," European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker told German television in March. "We are here and they will get to know us. We would like a reasonable relationship to the United States, but we cannot simply put our head in the sand." For his part, Obama weighed in on Trump's decision, saying that the move to pull out is a "serious mistake." President Donald Trump announces his intention to withdraw from the JCPOA Iran nuclear agreement during a statement in the Diplomatic Room at the White House in Washington, U.S., May 8, 2018. Jonathan Ernst | Reuters Leaving the deal could also have ripple effects on the oil market, given Iran's role as OPEC's third-largest oil producer. Though Brent crude has posted a sharp rally in recent days on speculation of a withdrawal and tighter supply, the severity of any sanctions could affect how much crude fluctuates in the coming weeks. Oil prices held lower Tuesday following Trump's announcement, with West texas Intermediate crude settling down $1.67, or 2.4 percent, just above $69; Brent crude slipped 47 cents, or 0.6 percent, to $75.71. Possibly calming fears, the Treasury Department clarified that the forthcoming sanctions will be reimposed subject to certain 90-day and 180-day wind-down periods. "President Trump has been consistent and clear that this Administration is resolved to addressing the totality of Iran's destabilizing activities," said Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin. "We will continue to work with our allies to build an agreement that is truly in the best interest of our long-term national security." Finally, a U.S. exit could leave the future of Iran's nuclear program in limbo. By refusing to waive sanctions without proving that Iran is violating the deal, Trump would effectively drop the agreement made by the United States. Iran had explored aspects of a nuclear program, including enriching uranium, gathering plutonium and researching methods of bomb-making before the 2015 agreement. Though Tehran contends that its nuclear program was always designed for peaceful purposes, its building of a plutonium reactor in northwestern Iran also drew red flags. In spite of the U.S. incumbent's threats to withdraw, Iranian President Hassan Rouhani stated that his nation had a plan to counter any move made by Trump when it comes to the deal, Reuters reported. Ahead of the decision, Rouhani said Tuesday that Iran would continue to seek "constructive relations with the world," despite potential sanctions. WATCH: Israel goes on high alert as Trump quits Iran deal Sylvia Bloom wasn't born into wealth: The 96-year-old, a child of Eastern European immigrants, grew up in Brooklyn during the Great Depression and put herself through college at Hunter. But at the end of her life in 2016, her family and friends learned something about her that she had been keeping quiet for years: She was a self-made millionaire and she was donating her fortune to good causes, according to a report in The New York Times. Bloom, who made her money by both investing wisely and living modestly, distributed more than $8 million in her will. A total of $6.24 million will go to the Henry Street Settlement for disadvantaged students, the largest single donation from an individual to the group in 125 years, the Times reports. Another $2 million will be split between her alma mater and an additional scholarship fund that's yet to be announced. When the extent of her fortune became clear, it surprised even some of the people closest to her, Bloom's niece Jane Lockshin tells CNBC Make It. Lockshin is also treasurer of Henry Street's board and executor of Bloom's estate. "I was flabbergasted! I know Sylvia had enough money to live on but I did not know the extent of her estate," she says. "My aunt was a very private person and never mentioned the extent of her estate to anyone. She probably thought that was no one's business but her own." Carl Icahn and Darwin Deason, shareholders in Xerox who oppose an agreed deal with Fujifilm, said they would consider an all-cash bid of at least $40 per share a 43 percent premium to the Japanese firm's offer. In setting a minimum price tag on Xerox, the billionaire investors have thrown the ball back into Fujifilm's court while also gaining time to woo other investors after Xerox failed on Monday to gain a quick appeal to a temporary court order blocking the deal. While some analysts say Fujifilm would be better off putting its money into its non-copier and printer businesses, others argue that the Japanese firm, which relies on its joint venture with Xerox for nearly half of its revenue, should cede to the activist shareholders' demands. "It's not cheap, for sure," said Masahiko Ishino, an analyst at Tokai Tokyo Research Center. "But for Fujifilm, it's still better than a complete collapse of the deal, which could mess up Xerox in a major way. Fujifilm shouldn't waste this opportunity." Icahn and Deason, who together own about 15 percent of Xerox, oppose a complex $6.1 billion deal that would give Fujifilm control of the U.S. copier and printer maker and values it at about $28 per share. The current deal structure calls for Fujifilm to de facto gain control in exchange for a stake in their joint venture a transaction that would not involve any cash outlay from the Japanese firm. The activist investors are "confident other potential buyers are waiting in the wings" and see the possibility of similar or better value in a standalone Xerox, they said in an open letter to shareholders a letter where they also attacked Xerox's board for going back on an agreement to settle their dispute. Apollo Global has approached Xerox to express interest about a possible acquisition, people familiar with the matter have told Reuters. Xerox, which will now have to wait till September before its appeal can be heard, declined to comment on the letter. Fujifilm said in a statement it believes it will win its own appeal to the injunction blocking the deal, adding that the current deal valuations were fair. A spokeswoman for the company said it was not in any talks to renegotiate the deal with Xerox but declined to comment further. Fujifilm and Xerox have become heavily reliant on each other through their joint venture Fuji Xerox, and many analysts argue the two businesses are inextricably intertwined. The venture, 75 percent owned by Fujifilm, is focused on Asia the region with the highest growth potential but also handles contracts that supply global clients with Xerox services in the United States and Europe, and Fuji Xerox services in Asia. Moreover, Xerox no longer builds its own office copiers, instead relying mostly on Fuji Xerox, while Fuji Xerox is also seen as needing Xerox's brand power to boost its presence in China and other parts of Asia. Xerox first agreed to a deal with Fujifilm in late January but then sought better terms at the behest of Icahn and Deason, who gained the court order last month to temporarily block the deal. Granting the order, a New York judge agreed that CEO Jeff Jacobson had been "hopelessly conflicted" in negotiating a deal that would put him in charge since he knew the board was looking to replace him. In a dramatic turn of events last week, Xerox agreed to fire Jacobson and part of its board to settle the litigation with Icahn and Deason. But it then said the agreement had expired over last-minute issues that arose in negotiations with the judge overseeing the case that made the parties unable to finalize their settlement. A source familiar with the matter has said Xerox's board let the settlement expire because it came to believe it had the flexibility to renegotiate a deal with Fujifilm. Xerox's shares closed little changed at $28.46 per share on Monday. Fujifilm's shares finished 1.5 percent higher on Tuesday. President Donald Trump will announce on Tuesday whether he will withdraw from the Iran nuclear deal. Official estimates from Iran's oil ministry put April's figure at 2.617 million barrels a day, the highest since implementation of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) nuclear deal in January 2016, according to the ministry's Twitter account. Exports of crude and condensate a grade of ultra-light crude oil hit 2.767 million barrels a day last month, according to data from Tanker Trackers. Then-candidate for the Republican Presidential nomination Donald Trump speaks during a rally held by the Tea Party at the United States Capitol to speak out against President Obama's nuclear agreement with Iran in Washington, on September 9, 2015. Samuel Corum | Anadolu Agency | Getty Images Iran's oil exports accelerated to a recent record in April, indicating Tehran is seeking to maximize revenue ahead of the U.S. President Donald Trump's upcoming decision on the 2015 nuclear deal and the possible re-imposition of sanctions. Exports of crude and condensate a grade of ultra-light crude oil hit 2.767 million barrels a day last month, according to data from Tanker Trackers. That was an increase from 2.104 million in March. Official estimates from Iran's oil ministry put April's figure at 2.617 million barrels a day, the highest since implementation of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) nuclear deal in January 2016, according to the ministry's Twitter account. Iran Oil Ministry tweet: Iran's crude oil exports hit 2,617 mbd in April 2018, a new record since implementation of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) back in January 2016 Benchmark oil prices have hit levels not seen since 2014, reflecting fears about supply disruptions from Iran to Venezuela and as the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries cuts supply in a bid to normalize inventories. Recent appointments to Trump's national security and foreign policy team including former U.N. ambassador John Bolton to national security advisor suggest Washington will adopt a harder stance against Iran. "Iran has opened the gates, drawing inventories wherever possible and monetizing shipments and sales," said John Driscoll, director of JTD Energy Services in Singapore and a former oil trader whose career spans nearly 40 years. "They are preparing for a JCPOA rollback. You can bet John Bolton's mustache on it." Robin Mills, CEO of Qamar Energy and a former Shell executive added: "It does appear Iran is trying to draw down all its storage ahead of the JCPOA deadline in case it has problems exporting it later." Trump will announce on Tuesday whether he will withdraw from the Iran nuclear deal and a senior U.S. official said it was unclear if efforts by European allies to address Trump's concerns would be enough to save the pact, Reuters reported. Trump gave no indication of which way he was leaning on Monday, saying only in a Twitter post he would announce his decision at 2 p.m. Eastern on Tuesday. Benchmark oil prices slid by as much as 1 percent in Asian trade on Tuesday on expectations Washington may not abandon the Iran deal entirely but keep the threat of sanctions pressure alive while insisting on an overhaul of the Obama-era agreement. "Trump will distance himself from the nuclear deal, but the road to sanctions reinstatement is long and bumpy," said Gal Luft, co-director of the Institute for the Analysis of Global Security. Oil markets are faced with a range of scenarios on the possible course of action the Trump administration may take, though strategists contacted by CNBC on Monday were in broad agreement that Trump would abandon the deal and re-impose sanctions. "The possibility that waivers on sanctions are not renewed ... is very high," said Harry Tchilinguirian, global head of commodity markets strategy and senior oil market analyst at BNP Paribas. Ole Hansen, head of commodity strategy at Saxo Bank, said the decision would be a "binary event" with an upside risk of $5 while the downside could be $5 to $10. Long positions or speculative bullish bets in the oil futures market in anticipation of a failure of the Iran deal may unwind swiftly should the outcome be more benign, leading to a sharp retracement in the price. Crude futures in New York have rallied more than 15 percent so far this year and money managers' bullish stance on the benchmark is close to double the levels seen in October. "Speculative length is so staggeringly high that, in fact, anything can bring about the price correction, whether it's soft tones from the White House or an increased nervousness on financial markets," said Eugen Weinberg, head of commodity research at Commerzbank. Shortfall President Donald Trump announced Tuesday he will withdraw the U.S. from a nuclear pact with Iran, a move that threatens Boeing's multibillion dollar deals to help restock Iran's aging commercial air fleet. The world's largest aerospace company has agreements to sell planes worth roughly $20 billion to Iranian airlines, based on list prices. The number of aircraft in the agreements is tiny compared with Boeing's total order book, however. Boeing ended the first quarter of this year with a backlog of more than 5,800 airplanes, including more than 4,600 orders for 737s. Boeing said it had not included the Iranian deals in its order book, so its backlog remains unchanged. Boeing's European rival Airbus, however, has included its deals with Iranian airlines in its order book. "Following today's announcement, we will consult with the U.S. government on next steps," Boeing said in a statement. Shares of Boeing ended the day down 0.6 percent. Trump said Tuesday he would restore sanctions on Iran. The 2015 pact lifted sanctions, after Iran agreed to limits on its nuclear program, allowing the deals with Iranian airlines to take place. Boeing announced the largest of its deals with Iranian airlines in December 2016: 80 jets for Iran Air including 50 of the 737 MAX 8 model. In April 2017, Iran Aseman Airlines signed an agreement to purchase 30 Boeing 737 MAX planes, with an option to buy 30 more. When it announced the Iran Air deal, Boeing said such an order would support 100,000 U.S. jobs. That same month, Boeing's rival Airbus announced a deal to sell 100 planes to Iran Air. A list of Airbus' orders through the end of April included more than 100 planes on order for Iran Air and Iran Aseman Airlines. Airbus did not immediately respond to a request for comment." If the aircraft agreements are scrapped outright, it won't likely have a big impact on Boeing because of the company's large backlog of jets, particularly for narrowbody 737 aircraft, said Richard Aboulafia, vice president at Teal Group. "Would have been nice to get but far from a major impact," Aboulafia said. The company's current 777 production rate "is not dependent on the Iranian orders," CEO Dennis Muilenburg said on an earnings call last month. The 2016 Iran Air agreement with Boeing included 15 widebody 777-9 and 15 777-300ER models. Boeing had more than 400 orders for its widebody 777 at the end of March. Italy could see repeat elections in July after anti-establishment parties failed to reach an agreement following the inconclusive vote in March. Rome has been in political deadlock since the outcome of the general election in early March, where no party or coalition gained a majority to govern in parliament. President Sergio Mattarella announced Monday that there are only two options to find a new government: either political parties accept a caretaker government until December and elections take place afterwards; or Italy heads to a new vote in July or in the fall. "We can't wait any longer," Mattarella told journalists in Rome. "Let the parties decide of their own free will if they should give full powers to a government... or else new elections in the month of July or the autumn." Mattarella wants to avoid a vote in the summer due to citizens potentially being away on holiday. Elections in the fall could also pose problems for the approval of the next budget. If Italy opts for a caretaker government then this would be formed by policy experts appointed by the president and they would not be able to run in the next election to ensure impartiality. "There is a high risk (80 percent) that Mattarella's call on the rival political parties to support a 'neutral' government will go unheard," Wolfgango Piccoli, co-president of Teneo Intelligence, said in a note Monday. "Both the Five Star Movement (M5S) and the League (Lega) have said they will not support a technocratic government and called for early elections in July. A negative vote by both parties would mean that the president-sponsored government will fail to secure the required confidence vote," Piccoli added. Tweet 1 Luigi di Maio, leader of M5S, which received the most votes in the March election, said on Twitter that he doesn't believe in a "neutral" government and called for elections in July. Italy has never repeated elections within a few months of the initial vote. Piccoli added that the current impasse could increase support for the populist parties. "It is also just a matter of time until the debate on a possible referendum on the euro starts hitting the headlines again," he said. The yield on the note was higher Tuesday, reaching 1.7810 percent by 7:30 a.m. London time after closing at 1.763 percent on Monday. J.P. Morgan Chase Chairman and CEO Jamie Dimon thinks the U.S. economy is doing well for now. "America looks pretty good. ... It looks like this [economic growth] may have legs to go. Maybe a year, maybe two, maybe more," Dimon said in an interview Monday on Bloomberg Television from Beijing. Dimon cited the strong job numbers, the lower level of leverage in the financial system, and consumer and bank liquidity as positive signs for growth. He noted the shortage in housing supply, which will likely lead to more economic activity. Dimon said economic growth in other countries in Asia and Europe is improving. Pizza places generally deliver within a two- to five-mile radius, but famous Patsy's Pizzeria in Manhattan, New York, will be going an extra 2,800 miles to Los Angeles, thanks to a partnership with JetBlue. May 9 to 11, the airline will deliver 350 Patsy's Pizzeria pies daily, from the East Coast (JFK) to the West Coast (LAX). The entire process starts at historic Patsy's Pizzeria in East Harlem, where the pizzas are made fresh and baked in a coal-fire oven. From there, they will be packed in coolers for the flight at 8 a.m. EST then, once arriving at LAX at 1:30 p.m. PST, brought to a kitchen and prepped for final delivery to a customer's home. The stunt, called Pie in the Sky, is to promote the airline's LA to NYC route, but the company says it consulted with a specially trained pizzaiolo (pizza chef) to ensure quality is maintained throughout the delivery process, which will take more than eight hours. New York City is known for having the best pizza in the world (thanks to the local water, some say) but still, that's a long time to get a pie. "In Italy, Roman-style pizza is often made early in the morning and served from a display case so that people can pick up a slice of their choice at any time of day, reheat and enjoy," says Daniele Uditi, master pizzaiolo at award-winning Pizzana in Los Angeles. "Since I have a background in bread making, I'm always concerned about how well the crust will hold up over a long period of time. No matter what, it will be interesting to taste." Any L.A. resident that lives in the delivery zone can order either the 16-inch cheese ($12) or pepperoni ($15). To start an order, customers must ensure their zip code is in the delivery zone, then order the pizza promptly at 12 a.m. PST every day. It's first come, first serve, with only 350 pies available daily. Once ordered, you can track your pizza for the free delivery (and the tip is on JetBlue) between 7 p.m. and 10 p.m. PST. The CEO of New York state's oldest credit union swindled his institution for years out of millions of dollars and blew a whopping $3.55 million on lottery tickets, federal prosecutors charged Tuesday. Kam Wong is accused of defrauding New York's Municipal Credit Union out of approximately $6 million with a series of scams that included reimbursements for fake dental work and a previously covered long-term disability insurance policy. Wong was charged Tuesday in Manhattan federal court with fraud, embezzlement and aggravated identity theft offenses, according to Geoffrey Berman, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York. Berman said Wong used the cash to, among other things, feed his apparent lottery habit, spending $3.55 million on the New York State lottery between July 2013 and January 2018. During that same time frame, Wong allegedly received and deposited almost $6 million in hand-written checks from the credit union into his account. President Donald Trump's plans to leave the Iran nuclear deal are about security, not oil, a leading Saudi oil and gas expert told CNBC on Tuesday. "I don't think this is about oil at all," said Sadad Al-Husseini, a former executive vice president of Saudi Aramco, Saudi Arabia's national petroleum and natural gas company. "This is about security in the region," Al-Husseini said on "Closing Bell." "This is about confronting a problem that's been with us for many years." "You just can't keep running the Middle East the way it has been, with tragic wars and surprising conflicts and attempts to subvert governments left and right, all coming out of Tehran," said Al-Husseini, who is now president of Husseini Energy, an energy investing company he founded. "The Iranian people deserve a much better government," he said. The nuclear agreement lifted sanctions on Iran. In exchange, the country agreed to limit its nuclear program. Earlier Tuesday, Trump announced the U.S. would withdraw from the deal and restore sanctions on Iran a move that would be detrimental to Iran's economy, cut its oil exports in half and effectively sever it off from the rest of the global financial system. "We will be instituting the highest level of economic sanction," Trump said in a televised address Tuesday. "Any nation that helps Iran in its quest for nuclear weapons could also be strongly sanctioned by the United States. America will not be held hostage to nuclear blackmail." Some critics argue that Trump's announcement could fracture relationships with allies and possibly damage the flow of oil in the region. But Al-Husseini called the president's move "a brave one," and a "realistic position to take." "I don't think oil is going to change much," he said. "There's an abundant supply of physical oil. And the markets are well-saturated around the world." "I don't really expect there will be a significant loss," he said. "You have plenty of inventory still." Al-Husseini did acknowledge, however, that the 400,000 to 500,000 barrels of oil that Iran exports to Europe might be affected. But, he said, "the rest of the oil goes to the Far East, to China, to India, some to [South] Korea, and those are unlikely to get affected." On Tuesday, U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude oil settled down $1.67, or 2.4 percent, at $69.06 a barrel. International benchmark Brent crude fell 47 cents , or 0.6 percent, to $75.71. "With Lebanon's elections now out of the way, Tehran may no longer feel constrained over a limited military response to Israel's recent attacks on its forces in Syria," Michael Every, senior Asia-Pacific strategist at Rabobank, said in a research note published Tuesday. Although official results have not been announced, Iran-backed Hezbollah and its allies were seen as the biggest winners in Lebanon's first parliamentary vote since 2009. Supporters of Lebanese Hezbollah Leader gather as he delivers a televised speech during a ceremony held by the Shiite party in the capital Beirut, commemorating the party's killed leaders, on February 16, 2018. JOSEPH EID | AFP | Getty Images Hezbollah's recent electoral success could prompt Iran to take a more aggressive approach toward Israel in the ongoing Syrian war, according to one political strategist. Although official results have not been announced, Iran-backed Hezbollah and its allies were seen as the biggest winners in Lebanon's first parliamentary vote since 2009. The militant Shia group and its political partners claimed "victory" on Monday, after preliminary results showed the allied groups were on track to secure 67 seats in Beirut's 128-seat parliament. Nonetheless, Sunni Prime Minister Saad Hariri and his Western-backed Future Movement remained the likely frontrunners to form a new unity government. "With Lebanon's elections now out of the way, Tehran may no longer feel constrained over a limited military response to Israel's recent attacks on its forces in Syria," Michael Every, senior Asia-Pacific strategist at Rabobank, said in a research note published Tuesday. "Yet, Hezbollah might not want to rock a boat that is suddenly sailing in its preferred direction," he added. Iran vs. Israel Denounced as a terrorist group by the U.S., Hezbollah's political mandate has grown since joining the war in Syria to support President Bashar Assad in 2012. The group's powerful presence in Beirut is seen by some external observers as a mark of Iran's regional ascendancy. Syria has long been engulfed in a chaotic and internecine war involving numerous parties fighting for their own calculated interests. And one major geopolitical concern coming into focus in recent weeks is the escalation of clashes between Iran and Israel. Last month, Iran warned Israel that it would be "punished" for allegedly carrying out an attack on a drone base of Tehran's in Syria. Israel's government neither confirmed nor denied the strike, which killed seven Iranian military advisors from the country's elite Quds Force in the Syrian city of Homs. A Iranian woman walks past a wall painting in the shape of Iranian flag in Tehran, Iran on the first anniversary of nuclear deal between Iran and world powers on January 16, 2017. Fatemeh Bahrami | Anadolu Agency | Getty Images Since 2013, Israel is estimated to have carried out more than 100 airstrikes in Syria, primarily targeting the Iranian-funded Lebanese militia group Hezbollah and military convoys. But the first months of 2018 have seen Israel broaden its intervention to increasingly target its longtime nemesis, Iran, directly. So far the conflict has not devolved into all-out war, something experts say both countries want to avoid. But, Israel sees Iranian activity in Syria near its border as an existential threat, and aims to prevent Iranian military installations from becoming permanent bases from which Hezbollah can launch attacks into its territory. Israeli defense sources reportedly told U.S. officials in late April that any such attack would trigger a response targeting Iranian soil. Hariri likely to continue as Lebanon's leader Still, not all analysts agree on the broader consequences of Lebanon's election result. "The result of the Lebanese elections does not signal Hezbollah's control of the political system as the March 8 alliance is not coherent and has been fragmenting for the last two years," Ayham Kamel, head of Eurasia Group's Middle East and North Africa practice, told CNBC via email on Tuesday. "While Hariri has lost seats to some Sunni independents, his party remains the most representative of the community with presence across the country," he added. Lebanon's Prime Minister Saad al-Hariri. Mohamed Azakir | Reuters President Donald Trump walks into the Rose Garden at the White House on May 3, 2018 in Washington, DC. Getty Images Several legal experts have some free advice for President Donald Trump as he mulls whether to submit to an interview with special counsel Robert Mueller: Don't do it. Those experts say that the risks of talking to Mueller far outweigh any potential reward for undergoing a grilling by the special counsel. Mueller, who is investigating Russian interference in the 2016 presidential election and possible collusion by the Trump campaign in that scheme, wants the president to do a formal interview with his team of prosecutors. "What's the upside?" asked Christopher Brennan, a defense lawyer in New York who previously served as a prosecutor in the Manhattan District Attorney's Office. "I don't understand why any potential criminal defendant talks to the prosecutors unless the prosecutor says ... you have immunity" from being charged in connection with what is said during the interview, Brennan said. Creating a crime "He's at risk," Brennan said of Trump. "He's not guilty of any crime right now, but if he goes in to talk, then a crime is going to be be created by what he says." Brennan was referring to the possibility of Trump lying during his interview, which could trigger a criminal charge by Mueller. Michael Seidman, a professor of constitutional law at Georgetown University, agreed with that view. "I don't think he has anything to gain [from a face-to-face interview with Mueller] and he has a lot to lose," Seidman said. "He is, I think it's fair to say, undisciplined," Seidman said of Trump. "I myself think, on a number of things, he's been lying, and he could be easily caught in a lie." He added: "As a tactical matter, it would not be wise." Rudy Giuliani, the former New York City mayor who recently joined Trump's legal team, so far has resisted calls by Mueller for a sit-down with the president. On Sunday, during an interview with ABC News' "This Week," former federal prosecutor Giuliani explicitly referenced the risk Trump faces from such a showdown with Mueller. "They don't have a case on obstruction, which is why they're asking all these cockamamie questions about what do you feel, what do you think," Giuliani said, referring to Mueller's inquiry on whether Trump obstructed justice in the Russia probe by firing FBI Director James Comey last year. Perjury vs. lying to investigators A list of questions, which were revealed by the New York Times last week, include asking Trump's thoughts and reactions to issues related to Comey. "I'm going to walk him into a prosecution for perjury like Martha Stewart did?" Giuliani asked. Lifestyle guru Stewart was convicted in 2004 of lying to federal investigators about the circumstances of a stock trade she did. Stewart went to a federal prison for five months because of that crime. Technically speaking, Stewart was not convicted of perjury, which is lying under oath. Instead, she was convicted of making false statements to federal investigators, as well as obstruction of justice. And federal prosecutors can charge people with making false statements during an interview even if the thing being lied about is not a crime. "When you go in there, you're going to have to tell the truth," said John Marston, a former federal prosecutor in Washington, D.C. The interview stalemate The risk for Trump, who has a tendency to talk at length and to make contradictory statements, running afoul of that guidance, has been on the minds of his lawyers since Mueller's probe began last year. Since then, they had sought, through negotiations with Mueller, to limit what Trump would be asked about, and the duration of any interview he gives. Giuliani, during a meeting with Mueller about two weeks ago, discussed the possibility of Trump answering written questions submitted by the special prosecutor. But Mueller rejected that offer from Trump's legal team, Giuliani told NBC News. Tweet That leaves Mueller still asking for a face-to-face interview. Last week, Trump said, "I would love" to do that interview. "Nothing I want to do more," Trump said. But he quickly added that he first needs to "find that we're going to be treated fairly because everybody sees it now and it's a pure witch hunt." Subpoena power through history If Trump ends up refusing to voluntarily talk to Mueller, "this whole thing gets more interesting if Mueller's team issues a subpoena," which would seek to compel the president to submit to questioning, Marston said. Giuliani has recently said that a subpoena which Mueller reportedly suggested was possible during a meeting with Trump's lawyers in March would be a non-starter. "We don't have to comply with a potential Mueller subpoena," Giuliani told ABC's "This Week" on Sunday. "He's the president of the United States. We can assert the same privileges other presidents have." But Marston said that claim is just wrong. "Every time a president has been subpoenaed, it's been upheld or it's effectively served its purpose," Marston said. Vice President Aaron Burr, when he was on trial for treason in 1807, issued a subpoena for a letter sent to President Thomas Jefferson related to the alleged conspiracy involving Burr. Supreme Court Chief Justice John Marshall approved that subpoena. Jefferson refused to comply, at first, but he ended up giving Marshall some information about the letter that satisfied the justice. In 1974, the Supreme Court, in a unanimous decision, ordered President Richard Nixon to turn over tape recordings and other items in response to a subpoena issued by Leon Jaworski, the special prosecutor investigating the Watergate scandal. And more than two decades later, the Supreme Court rejected President Bill Clinton's effort to resist being subpoenaed for his testimony in a sexual-harassment lawsuit brought by Paula Jones. Clinton's lie denying his sexual relationship with White House intern Monica Lewinsky in that subsequent deposition led to him being impeached in 1998. Clinton was acquitted, however, in the Senate. Pleading the Fifth Brennan, the former Manhattan prosecutor, said that if Trump is ultimately subpoenaed by Mueller, "You go into it with the ability to plead the Fifth." The Constitution's Fifth Amendment prevents an individual being compelled to give testimony against himself. "I would tell Mueller, 'I'm not answering any of your questions,' " Brennan said. Gerald Lefcourt, a New York City criminal defense lawyer who battled against then-prosecutor Giuliani in a high-profile municipal corruption trial in the 1980s, said he believes his former adversary "seems to be setting up a Fifth Amendment response to a subpoena." Lefcourt noted Giuliani's comments about Mueller's probe, which include calling it a "witch hunt." "There's no question that the amount of government misconduct is accumulating," Giuliani said on ABC on Sunday. "I happen to believe it's greater than anybody realizes. Very embarrassing to my former Justice Department." Lefcourt said comments like that could be used to justify having a sitting American president plead the Fifth Amendment. "If the government is so bad, and out of control, asserting the Fifth is not because you fear you've done something wrong, but rather a way of protecting yourself from being set up by unfair prosecutors," Lefcourt said. WATCH: Mueller takes little notice of news developments Najib Razak will be going up against old political foes and a record number of candidates. Former Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak Getty Images Amid a fierce political contest, Malaysia will be holding both federal Parliament and state assembly elections on Wednesday. Stakes are high for Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak, who is already weathering a multi-billion dollar scandal involving state fund 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB). He is going up against a record number of candidates and battles in several states, and the results will determine his political future. Najib faces tough competition from old political foes Malaysia's longest-serving, battle-hardened former prime minister, Mahathir Mohamad, who has joined forces with opposition icon Anwar Ibrahim. The latter politician is leading the charge from prison after being thrown into jail for sodomy in 2014 an incarceration he says was politically motivated. The main players include the ruling Barisan Nasional coalition, which is expected to win by a narrow margin, and opposition parties Pakatan Harapan, a coalition led by Mahathir, as well as Parti Islam Se-Malaysia. Mahathir, who led the country from 1981 to 2003, was once Najib's mentor. Mahathir was mentor to Anwar at one time as well. If their attempt to oust Najib is successful, he reportedly plans to pardon Anwar and hand the role of prime minister down to him. The general election will see a record number of 2,333 candidates, an increase from 1,899 in the 2013 elections. When is voting? Campaigning ends on Tuesday. Polling Day, when citizens get to vote, falls on Wednesday. The decision to set the vote during the middle of the week was seen as discouraging millions of Malaysians living abroad from returning home to vote. However, outraged Malaysians took to social media to offer funding and other services to help people return home to vote. Low voter turnout is expected to favor Najib's coalition. Under the Malaysian electoral system, voters submit two votes: One for state government and another for federal government. In total, 222 parliamentary seats, and 505 state assembly seats in 12 states, will be up for the taking, decided by almost 15 million Malaysians who are eligible to vote. A 13th state, Sarawak, has already held its election. What are the issues? The country's rising cost of living is a hot topic, and a Goods and Services Tax (GST) introduced in 2015, as well as the depreciation of the ringgit, have hit many Malaysians. Najib has promised to almost double cash handouts to low-income households. The opposition says it will scrap the GST if it wins. Despite the 1MDB scandal the fund is being investigated for money-laundering and graft in at least six countries corruption issues are not expected to hurt Najib's chances. Najib who was cleared of any criminality by Malaysia's attorney general and 1MDB have both denied any wrongdoing. Protesters demanding Prime Minister Najib Razak's resignation during a rally in Kuala Lumpur. Getty Images "The big issue is cost of living other issues like corruption are secondary to Malaysians' bread and butter," said Rashaad Ali, research analyst at the S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies. Importantly, no one has been convicted of any crime connected to 1MDB, though investigations are still pending, noted Zeger Van Der Wal, associate professor at Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy. Malaysia's attorney general has cleared Najib of any wrongdoing. "We certainly can conclude that the prime minister is a very skillful political player ... when there's a skillful politician that still has considerable popular support, you'll also see that they tend to survive scandals like this," Van Der Wal said. Why does it matter? Investors are watching the election because Malaysia is among six emerging economies where elections this year have "the potential to move markets," according to a UBS report in February. Because the Goods and Services Tax and currency are major voter concerns, the outcome of the election will likely affect the country's economic policies. "A weakened Najib would have less political capital to push ahead with post-election fiscal consolidation, though he would not likely go as far as scrapping the unpopular GST, which has exacerbated concerns over the rising cost of living," Peter Mumford, director of Asia at risk consultancy Eurasia Group, said in a note. Similarly, Najib's plans for infrastructure projects and a pivot toward China could be in jeopardy if victory goes to Mahathir, Mumford said. Oil prices, which have risen on worries about Washington's possible withdrawal from the Iran agreement, are unlikely to take a leg higher even if the U.S. ultimately pulls out of deal, according to one expert. Markets have already factored in the possible effect of the U.S. re-sanctioning Iran, currently the third-largest oil producer in the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries. "We've already seen that bullishness factored in over the past few weeks ... The markets have already reacted to the expectation of less supplies going forward," Alejandro Barbajosa, vice president at Argus Media, told CNBC's Nancy Hungerford. As a result, it will be difficult for oil prices to advance under current circumstances, Barbajosa said. Oil prices declined in Asia trade on Tuesday, following a tweet from President Donald Trump that he will announce his decision on the Iran deal on Tuesday at 2 p.m. ET. The 2015 accord lifted economic sanctions on Iran in exchange for the country limiting its nuclear program and allowing regular inspections of its to atomic facilities. The United States agreed to those terms, and Iran does not appear to have violated the deal, but the Trump administration has said it wants to scrap the agreement. U.S. crude futures, which had topped the $70 per barrel mark in the last session for the first time since end-2014, had slid 1.2 percent to around $69.88. Brent crude futures were down 1.01 percent at $75.40. An 'exit strategy' for OPEC Oil prices pared losses on Tuesday after President Donald Trump announced that the United States will withdraw from the 2015 Iran nuclear deal. U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude oil settled down $1.67 a barrel, or 2.4 percent at $69.06, well off a 4.38 percent decline earlier in the day. The settlement was delayed by nearly an hour due to extremely high trading volume. The contract rose as high as $70.84 on Monday and ended the session above $70 a barrel for the first time since November 2014. International benchmark fell 47 cents , or 0.6 percent, to $75.71, also paring back an earlier decline of 4 percent. Brent touched $76.34 on Monday, its best level since Nov. 27, 2014. In President Trump's announcement Tuesday, he said the U.S. will withdraw from the Iran nuclear deal forged under the Obama administration and restore sanctions on Tehran suspended under the 2015 accord. "We will be instituting the highest level of economic sanction," Trump said. "Any nation that helps Iran in its quest for nuclear weapons could also be strongly sanctioned by the United States." Iran is OPEC's third-largest oil producer and currently exports about 2.5 million barrels a day. Renewed sanctions could crimp those shipments at a time when global oil supply and demand have essentially balanced out. That increases the risk that the market could swing into undersupply and send oil prices higher. In a statement immediately following the president's annoucement, Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said in a prepared statement that "Sanctions will be reimposed subject to certain 90 day and 180 day wind-down periods. At the conclusion of the wind-down periods, the applicable sanctions will come back into full effect." However, prices backed off Monday's highs after Trump tweeted that he would announce his decision four days before a deadline spelled out in the nuclear deal. The tweet convinced some investors that the worst of the market's fears that Trump will move quickly to impose sever sanctions won't be realized, according to John Kilduff, founding partner at energy hedge fund Again Capital. Instead, some traders are now anticipating a "Trumpian half measure," he said. "I don't think he'll go much further than that," Kilduff said. "We're pulling out of the deal, but he's going to hold off on reimposing sanctions until he can have an opportunity to work out some other sort of arrangements with Iran and the allies themselves." A CNN report on Tuesday appeared to at least in part confirm that expectation. Sources told the network it could take months for the sanctions to take effect as the administration develops guidelines for companies and banks. Congressional sources told CNBC the administration plans to wind down various aspects of the deal over 90- or 180-day periods. As the president of Pixar and Walt Disney Animation Studios, Ed Catmull has a lot on his plate. He oversees one of the most lucrative animation studios in the world and has the responsibility of carrying on the legacy of none other than Steve Jobs. In order to juggle all of this, Catmull has a strict morning routine. In "My Morning Routine: How Successful People Start Every Day Inspired" by Benjamin Spall and Michael Xander, Catmull describes his long-standing routine in detail. "I have been doing this for many many years," he says. "The only changes are that my schedule is busier now." Here's exactly how one of the most powerful people in the movie business starts his day: Progressive alarm Like many other industry leaders, Catmull begins his day early 5:45 a.m. to be exact. "I set the alarm for around 5:45 to 6:15 a.m.," he says. But the secret to the start of his morning routine is not the time, but the clock he uses to keep time. "I use a progressive alarm that makes a soft sound at first, and then progressively gets louder. But I usually wake on the first sound, so it doesn't disturb my wife," he explains. "When I used a loud alarm clock, I was more likely to hit it on the head and go back to sleep." Caffeine kick Catmull's first beverage of the day is turbo-charged. "I wake up, go downstairs, and start making a cup of coffee. I use three shots of espresso, mix in three tablespoons of cocoa powder (not Dutch process), and two sweeteners," he says. "I've heard this helps you think better. I have no idea if this is true, but it tastes good." Routine reading While enjoying his cup of joe, Catmull does the simple thing that industry leaders like Bill Gates, Warren Buffett and Elon Musk rave about he reads. "I drink the coffee while I first check email, then read the news: The New York Times, the Wall Street Journal, and the San Francisco Chronicle," he says. "Then I check one of the news aggregators, which I didn't use to do, but the train wreck of public discourse nowadays is too hard to ignore." Light breakfast Catmull's morning meal either includes a bowl of cereal or a smoothie. "My smoothie is typically some kind of plant protein powder (I am intolerant to milk protein) in almond milk, some frozen berries and a dollop of almond butter," he describes. Smoothies like these are also the breakfast of choice for athlete Maria Sharapova, author Dan Brown and Whole Foods co-CEO John Mackey. Morning meditation The most important part of his morning routine is his time spent meditating says Catmull. He spends 30 to 60 minutes practicing a form of Vipassana meditation in which he focuses on his breathing. "I have received a great deal of benefit from the simple yet difficult practice of learning to stop the internal voice in my head," he says. "I learned that the voice isn't me and I don't need to keep rethinking events of the past nor overthink plans for the future. This skill has helped me both to focus and to pause before responding to unexpected events." In truth, a clear mind is not always completely possible for the president of Pixar. "I will admit, however, that even though I am focusing on the breath, an idea will sometimes just pop up that's worth keeping," says Catmull. "If I hang onto it, it messes up my meditation. So I just jot it down and let it go." Exercise The Treasury Department says the sanctions go into place immediately, meaning companies will be subject to sanctions if they start new business transactions with Iran. Treasury will allow foreign companies to wind down their existing contracts with Iran over 90-day and 180-day periods. The Trump Administration will restore all sanctions on Iran suspended under the deal, a broad range of penalties that target Iran's energy industry, its financial institutions and industrial sectors, its ability to insure domestic businesses and its access to U.S. dollars and commodities. Exiting the deal fulfills one of Trump's campaign promises, but threatens to strain U.S. relations with some of its closest allies and disrupt a significant source of the world's oil. It also gives Iran the option of expelling inspectors and resuming nuclear activity that it has agreed to suspend. The landmark 2015 nuclear agreement lifted sanctions on Iran that crippled its economy and cut its oil exports roughly in half. In exchange for sanctions relief, Iran accepted limits on its nuclear program and allowed international inspectors into its facilities. "We will be instituting the highest level of economic sanction," Trump said. "Any nation that helps Iran in its quest for nuclear weapons could also be strongly sanctioned by the United States." President Donald Trump announced on Tuesday he will withdraw the United States from the Iran nuclear deal and restore far-reaching sanctions aimed at severing Iran from the global financial system. President Donald Trump delivers a statement on the Iran nuclear deal from the Diplomatic Reception Room of the White House, Tuesday, May 8, 2018, in Washington. The United States' outsize influence over the global financial system means that its sanctions are powerful tools. The Treasury Department can lock foreign businesses out of the U.S. market if they refuse to comply with sanctions on Iran. In addition to the United States, Iran negotiated the nuclear deal with China, France, Germany, Russia and the United Kingdom. France, Germany and the United Kingdom expressed "regret and concern" over Trump's decision and said they intend to preserve the 2015 agreement. In a joint statement on Tuesday, the leaders of the three nations called on Iran to continue implementing the deal, and said Trump should avoid taking any action that would prevent them from implementing the agreement. "After engaging with the US Administration in a thorough manner over the past months, we call on the US to do everything possible to preserve the gains for nuclear non-proliferation brought about by the JCPoA, by allowing for a continued enforcement of its main elements," the leaders said, referring to the deal by its official name, the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action. Trump's plan to restore sanctions and Europe's resolve to maintain the nuclear deal are directly at odds. The success of the sanctions depend on exerting pressure on Iran's economy, while the fate of the deal relies on open access to the Iranian market. Donald Tusk, president of the European Council, on Tuesday said Trump's polices will be met with a "European approach" that will be discussed at a summit next week. @eucopresident: Policies of @realDonaldTrump on #IranDeal and trade will meet a united European approach. EU leaders will tackle both issues at the summit in Sofia next week. Iranian President Hassan Rouhani said Iran intends to remain a party to the nuclear deal even as Washington exits, according to a Reuters translation of his speech following Trump's address. Trump has long threatened to scrap the accord, the signature foreign policy achievement of the Obama administration. However, he certified that Iran was complying with the agreement throughout his first year in the Oval Office, reportedly under pressure from the moderate wing of his administration. Still, the president began the process of unraveling the deal in October, when he told Congress the agreement was no longer in the country's national security interest. At that point his administration began to push Congress and European allies to reopen negotiations and revise the accord. When Trump certified Iran's compliance in January, he warned that it would be the last time unless Washington reached a deal with Europe to toughen the terms of the nuclear agreement. That deal has not materialized ahead of the next deadline on May 12. "Today's action sends a critical message," Trump said. "The United States no longer makes empty threats. When I make promises, I keep them." "As we exit the Iran deal, we will be working with our allies to find a real, comprehensive, and lasting solution to the Iranian threat," Trump added. Those efforts will target Iran's ballistic missile program and its role in conflicts throughout the Middle East, according to Trump. Along with those issues, Trump wanted Europe to agree to a deal that would make permanent certain restrictions on Iran's nuclear program that expire in 10-15 years. He also pushed for more intrusive inspections. "France, Germany, and the UK regret the U.S. decision to leave the JCPOA. The nuclear non-proliferation regime is at stake," French President Emmanuel Macron said in a tweet. @EmmanuelMacron: France, Germany, and the UK regret the U.S. decision to leave the JCPOA. The nuclear non-proliferation regime is at stake. He added, "We will work collectively on a broader framework, covering nuclear activity, the post-2025 period, ballistic activity, and stability in the Middle-East, notably Syria, Yemen, and Iraq." CNBC's Jacob Pramuk contributed reporting to this story. President Donald Trump's withdrawal from the Iran nuclear deal will undermine upcoming nuclear negotiations with North Korea, experts say in the wake of Tuesday's announcement. Specifically, the president's move, observers say, could create mistrust ahead of the North Korea talks by fostering volatility and uncertainty. "At the end of the day, can you trust the United States, can you trust the president?" DJ Peterson, president of Longview Global Advisors, a geopolitics and economic risk advisory group to corporations, investors and political organizations, told CNBC. "[North Korea] doesn't necessarily distinguish between the Obama administration and the Trump administration; that was just a deal with America. That was a deal with the White House," he added, referring to the 2015 deal with Iran, known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action. The deal, considered a hallmark of the Obama administration, eased sanctions on Iran in exchange for limits to Tehran's nuclear program. Trump has long criticized the accord, saying it does not address Iran's growing ballistic missile program nor it nuclear activities beyond 2025. North Korean leader Kim Jong Un inspects the intermediate-range ballistic missile Pukguksong-2's launch test in this undated photo released by North Korea's Korean Central News Agency, May 22, 2017. KCNA | Reuters "We will be instituting the highest level of economic sanction," Trump said Tuesday. "Any nation that helps Iran in its quest for nuclear weapons could also be strongly sanctioned by the United States." Defense stocks popped after Trump's announcement. The iShares U.S. Aero and Defense ETF jumped 1.52 percent at session highs and was on pace for its best day since March 26, when it gained 2.62 percent. Shares of Northrop Grumman rose more than 3 percent, while Lockheed Martin and General Dynamics rose more than 1 percent. Pulling out of the deal undoes a lot of progress in restraining Iran's ambitions, according to retired U.S. Army Lt. Col. Daniel Davis, a senior defense fellow for Defense Priorities. "Whatever flaws the president thinks this agreement has, there are still significant constraints and limitations on Iran, all of which might be withdrawn if the deal dies," Davis told CNBC. "It would be hard to even come up with a plausible reason why North Korean leader Kim Jong Un would be willing to negotiate in good faith and come up with a deal after this." What's more, Davis and Peterson both noted that the Trump administration is understaffed and has a high turnover amid multiple foreign policy issues. Much of the shuttle diplomacy with North Korea is being conducted by Trump's new secretary of State, Mike Pompeo, who had already met with Kim Jong Un. The president said Tuesday that Pompeo was on his way to meet with Kim to help prepare for the talks. People watch a television news screen showing pictures of US President Donald Trump (C) and North Korean leader Kim Jong-Un (R) at a railway station in Seoul on November 29, 2017. Jung Yeon-Je | AFP | Getty Images "How does the U.S. administration manage a very complex negotiation with North Korea even as it is trying to manage a very complex renegotiation with Tehran and also the European Union?" Peterson said, adding that the administration faces a "bandwidth issue." "You talk about bandwidth, one of these foreign policy issues alone would be queuing up a lot," Davis added. "But, my goodness, you have them all happening at the same time while you have the domestic stuff and you just have how much does he have to pay attention to any one issue." Trump said Tuesday that the time, date and place were chosen for his meeting with Kim, but he did not divulge any further details. As it stands, North Korea remains the only nation to test nuclear weapons this century. Since 2011, Kim has fired more than 90 missiles and conducted four nuclear weapons tests, which is more than what his father, Kim Jong Il, and grandfather, Kim Il Sung, launched over a period of 27 years. The North's arsenal includes short- and medium-range ballistic missiles, intercontinental ballistic missiles and cruise missiles. The Hwasong-15 intercontinental ballistic missile is the most powerful rocket the North has tested to date. The missile, also known as KN-22 by the U.S., is believed to have a range capable of hitting the entire continental United States, according to estimates from the Missile Defense Project. In short, Kim spent much of last year perfecting his arsenal by launching 24 missiles and carrying out North Korea's largest nuclear test. WATCH: Sen. Markey on Iran deal President Donald Trump's eagerly anticipated announcement on the Iran nuclear deal could be the flashpoint for a "long-lasting" uptick in oil prices, according to Barclays analysts. Crude futures hovered close to multiyear highs on Tuesday, as investors awaited Trump's announcement at 2 p.m. ET. The prospect of the U.S. withdrawing from the landmark agreement to limit Iran's nuclear program, formerly known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, has ramped up energy market fears of an imminent supply shock. "The geopolitical consequences of a possible dismantling of the JCPOA would likely to play a larger and long-lasting role in pushing oil prices higher than short-term policy uncertainty," Michael Cohen, Barclays director of energy market research, said in a research note Monday. Uber has unveiled its "flying car" concept aircraft at its second annual Uber Elevate Summit, which showcases prototypes for its fleet of airborne taxis. The flying cars, which the company hopes to introduce to riders in two to five years, will conduct vertical takeoffs and landings from skyports, air stations on rooftops or the ground. Ultimately, company officials say these skyports will be equipped to handle 200 takeoffs and landings an hour, or one every 24 seconds. At first, the flying cars will be piloted, but the company aims for the aircraft to fly autonomously. The prototypes look more like drones than helicopters, with four rotors on wings. Company officials say that will make them safer than choppers, which operate on one rotor. They'll fly 1,000 to 2,000 feet above ground and will be quieter than a helicopter, producing half the noise of a truck driving past a house. Uber, which is partnering with NASA on developing the new UberAIR service, faces competition in the skies. Kitty Hawk, an autonomous flying taxi company backed by Alphabet's Larry Page, unveiled its latest commercial plane called Cora in March. The company is working with the government of New Zealand to commercialize its air taxis. Another competitor, Airbus, performed the first successful flight of its autonomous flying car in February. Uber says passengers will initially pay the same as an Uber Black over the same distance, but once the service has enough passengers, the cost will decrease to Uber X rates for the same trip. The company plans to roll out UberAIR in Dallas-Fort Worth and Los Angeles in 2023, with testing in those cities beginning in 2020. [The stream is slated to start at 2 p.m. ET. Please refresh the page if you do not see a player above at that time.] President Donald Trump is scheduled to reveal at the White House on Tuesday his decision on whether the U.S. will withdraw from the Obama-era Iran nuclear deal. Multiple outlets reported Tuesday that Trump intended to pull out of the deal. Oil prices were volatile ahead of the announcement. Trump has long criticized the deal, which involves lifting some sanctions on Iran in exchange for the country giving up much of its nuclear material, and has expressed a desire to pull the U.S. out of it. The president has said the deal is far more beneficial for Iran than it is for the U.S. Withdrawing from the deal would restore the sanctions. The Tuesday event was first announced by Trump himself in a Monday tweet. Trump tweet On Wednesday, bitcoin traded above $20,000 for the first time, CNBC reported, making its year-to-date gains over 180%. "Somebody gave me some for my birthday," Gates laughed during an interview with Berkshire Hathaway CEO Warren Buffett and Vice Chairman Charlie Munger. "A few years later, I thought, 'Hey I'm going to sell that.'" The Microsoft co-founder told CNBC's "Squawk Box" in May 2018 that he didn't own any cryptocurrency, but held some briefly after it was given to him as a gift. Bitcoin is "one of the crazier speculative things," Gates said in 2018. And, he was willing to bet against its success, adding, "I would short it if there was an easy way to do it." Gates explained that one reason he had a negative forecast for cryptocurrency was because he saw the digital tokens as lacking intrinsic value. "As an asset class, you're not producing anything and so you shouldn't expect it to go up," Gates said on "Squawk Box." "It's kind of a pure 'greater fool theory' type of investment." Buffett explained that theory in an interview with Yahoo Finance like this: "You're just hoping the next guy pays more. And you only feel you'll find the next guy to pay more if he thinks he's going to find someone that's going to pay more." In addition to bitcoin's value, Gates raised other concerns about digital currencies, which operate on a decentralized network without governance from a central authority, in an "Ask Me Anything" post on Reddit also in 2018. Namely, Gates took issue with the technology's anonymity. "The government's ability to find money laundering and tax evasion and terrorist funding is a good thing," Gates wrote. "Right now, cryptocurrencies are used for buying fentanyl and other drugs, so it is a rare technology that has caused deaths in a fairly direct way." Gates once had a brighter outlook on Bitcoin. In 2014, Gates said cryptocurrencies had benefits for transacting efficiently. "Bitcoin is better than currency in that you don't have to be physically in the same place and, of course, for large transactions, currency can get pretty inconvenient," he told Bloomberg that year. But despite his current concerns with cryptocurrencies, Gates remained interested in the blockchain technology behind bitcoin, the digital ledger where transactions are confirmed and recorded. "There's some really good technology in terms of sharing databases and verifying transactions that is talked about as blockchain, that is a good thing," Gates told CNBC. In fact, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation gave a $100,000 grant to blockchain company Bitsoko in 2015. In 2017, the foundation also partnered with Ripple, creator of the cryptocurrency XRP, to develop mobile payment technologies for the poor. Gates isn't the only billionaire who's been gifted bitcoin. In February 2018, Elon Musk tweeted that someone gave him a fraction of a bitcoin years ago. "I literally own zero cryptocurrency, apart from .25 BTC that a friend sent me many years ago," Musk tweeted. Don't miss: Here's what can happen if you don't pay taxes on bitcoin Like this story? Like CNBC Make It on Facebook! "It could get nasty from here. I think you need to buckle up," the founding partner at energy hedge fund Again Capital said on " Power Lunch ." President Donald Trump announced Tuesday he will withdraw the United States from the Iran nuclear deal and restore sanctions aimed at severing Iran from the global financial system. Things could get ugly now that the Trump administration has taken the "hardest possible stand" in terms of rhetoric against Iran, oil expert John Kilduff told CNBC on Tuesday. U.S. President Donald Trump arrives to announce his decision whether or not to withdraw from the JCPOA Iran nuclear agreement in the Diplomatic Room of the White House in Washington, U.S., May 8, 2018. Before the announcement, Kilduff had expected Trump would "finesse" and "negotiate" the deal. However, now there is clearly a "U.S.-Israeli-Saudi alliance," which was laid bare after the two countries came out in support of the U.S. decision, Kilduff added. Oil pared its losses after the news. U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude settled down $1.67, or 2.4 percent, at $69.06 a barrel, well off a 4.38 percent decline earlier in the day. The settlement was delayed by nearly an hour because of extremely high trading volume. Brent crude fell 46 cents, or 0.6 percent, to $75.71, also paring back an earlier decline of 4 percent. Kilduff believes we've only started to hear the rhetoric on the issue. "The temperature now is not going to stay steady or go down, it's only going to go up," he said. Furthermore, if there is some stepping up of attacks by Iran's proxies on Israel or Saudi Arabia, it could be a breaking point, particularly with Saudi Arabia, Kilduff added. "One of these next attacks, or potential attacks or attempted attacks ... could be the precursor to something much bigger," he predicted. While Saudi Arabia still has almost 3 million barrels a day of spare oil capacity, he thinks the kingdom will still let the prices head up toward $85 a barrel. He said $100 a barrel or more is possible "if there is an outbreak of hostilities." CNBC's Tom DiChristopher contributed to this report. 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 Whered that page go? We will take a look for you. In the meantime, please visit our home page or retry your search below. Johnson comes out swinging against crazy Customs Partnership scheme Boris Johnson last night savaged Downing Streets post-Brexit trade plans. In a major intervention, he branded the proposed customs partnership crazyIts totally untried and would make it very, very difficult to do free trade deals, he added. If you have the new customs partnership, you have a crazy system whereby you end up collecting the tariffs on behalf of the EU at the UK frontier. If the EU decides to impose punitive tariffs on something the UK wants to bring in cheaply theres nothing you can do. Thats not taking back control of your trade policy, its not taking back control of your laws, its not taking back control of your borders and its actually not taking back control of your money either, because tariffs would get paid centrally back to Brussels. Daily Mail >Today: Left Watch: Cabinet Minister to ConHome: I am not convinced of a Customs Union majority in the Commons >Yesterday: Nicky Morgans column: For too long, the Party has appeased Brexiteer obsessives. Its time for One Nation Tories to fight back. Blackwell: The question is now pessimism versus optimism, not Remain versus Leave The real divide is no longer between former Leavers and Remainers. Rather it is between those who, whichever way they voted, now take an optimistic view of Britains future and those who are entrenched in a negative outlook. While the pessimists are entitled to their view, the danger is that their continued disparagement of Britains prospects is itself a source of damage reducing economic confidence and raising doubts for foreign investors. It is time we all embraced a realistic but positive stance on long-term opportunitiesthe case for optimism is in recognising that these short-term uncertainties will become increasingly less relevant compared to the emerging new opportunities. From 2000 to 2016 the world economy grew at a compound rate of almost 4 per cent per annum despite the financial crisis, more than three times the EUs 1.2 per cent which lagged behind the 1.8 per cent achieved by the UK. Norman Blackwell, FT >Today: Theresa May on Comment: Our practical politics is closer to voters than the partisan approach that increasingly consumes the left >Yesterday: ToryDiary: Our survey. Party members persist in believing that May should stand down before the next election Treasury advisers question the future of Inheritance Tax Large increase in violent crimes involving children The Office for Tax Simplification has launched an online questionnaire into the tax as part of a consultation that reports in October just before the Autumn Budget. The review will examine whether the tax which is expected to raise 32billion between 2016 and 2022 is too complicated. One of the concerns is that its complexity means that people do not know how to avoid the tax legally by making small gifts during their lifetimes, or how to be sure of when the tax is triggered on estates at death. Angela Knight, the chairman of the Office for Tax Simplification said there is quite a high degree of complexity around the taxMs Knight a former Conservative MP who was a Treasury minister in John Majors Government in the 1990s said the tax was ripe for a look at. She added: This is a tax that people fear. Daily Telegraph Violent crime involving under-tens rose by 38 per cent last year. Police investigated a record number of offences by children too young to prosecute including knife attacks, threats to kill, assault and robbery. Experts say gang leaders now deliberately recruit under-tens because they cannot take action. Youth leader Mick Neville, a retired Met detective chief inspector, said: Older teenagers and gang leaders think nothing of using children to carry drugs or stolen goods, knowing a child under ten cant be prosecuted. These older gang members will also encourage younger boys to commit robberies and violent crime as gang initiation ceremonies. The Sun The Home Secretary must regain control of the streets Daily Telegraph Leader Teen shooting victim appeared in drill videos The Times A lasting tragedy The Guardian Leader Mercer attacked over PTSD probe The Times Local newspaper editors warn against yet another attempt to muzzle the free press The Speaker is now Britains best-paid politician Local newspaper editors from across the country have united to urge MPs not to join a Labour-backed plot to muzzle the Press. Former party leader Ed Miliband and deputy leader Tom Watson are among opposition MPs seeking to hijack data protection legislation to tighten media regulation. MPs will vote tomorrow on proposed amendments to the Data Protection Bill that would force publishers refusing to join a state-recognised Press regulator to pay the costs of claimants who bring court proceedings, even if their claims are defeated. They would also lead to yet another inquiry into the media known as Leveson 2 just six years after the Leveson InquiryMaidenhead Advertiser editor Martin Trepte added: The amendments represent an attack on Press freedom which is completely unacceptable in our society. As a point of principle, we stand united against these attacks on free speech and urge all MPs to do likewise by voting against all the amendments. Daily Mail John Bercow has been quietly boosting his salary with a series of pay rises despite Theresa May and Jeremy Corbyn turning down the extra money. The Speaker has become the highest paid politician in Britain over recent years, with his total salary now well over 152,000 nearly 2,000 more than the PM. He is set to move further ahead this year as another pay rise kicks in that Mrs May and ministers have refused. The increases have been driven by an obscure ratchet in the legislation underpinning the salaries of officeholders pushing them up in line with the average granted to senior civil servants. They emerged as Mr Bercow faces intense pressure to be open and allow an investigation into allegations of bullying staff which he denies. Daily Mail Quit or be made to quit Tim Stanley, Daily Telegraph Scully urges Bercow to accept investigation The Times Trump expected to announce Iran decision today as Britain warns theres no Plan B Rouhani suggests Iran could keep to the terms even if the US pulls out Daily Mail Hezbollah trumpets its power FT Johnson suggests Trump could win the Nobel Peace Prize The Sun The White House says Kerrys efforts to save the deal are possibly illegal Daily Mail If Trump scraps the deal, why should North Korea sign any agreement of its own? William Hague, Daily Telegraph Prominent backer was warned of efforts to discredit him The Guardian China should reject Trumps irrational trade demands FT Leader Russian police arrest 12-year-old for speaking at anti-Putin rally Daily Mail Manufacturers call on the Government to honour its Industrial Strategy pledges Donald Trump announced he will reveal his decision on whether to abandon the Iran nuclear deal on Tuesday, just as Boris Johnson, the Foreign Secretary, warned him that backing out could spark an arms race in the Middle East. Mr Trump has frequently promised to reimpose sanctions on Tehran, effectively killing off the 2015 agreement, unless more is done to rein in Irans missile programme and thwart its ambitions in the Middle East. However, aides on Monday night said nothing was certain until Mr Trump made his announcement. The brinksmanship has sparked an intense round of 11th-hour diplomacy. On Monday, it was Mr Johnsons turn as he appeared on Fox News, the Presidents favourite TV channel, to issue his message. We think what you can do is be tougher on Iran, address the concerns of the president and not throw the baby out with the water, he said. Daily Telegraph Britains manufacturers are increasingly concerned that plans to hold the government to account for its industrial strategy have been delayed. The EEF, the trade body representing 20,000 manufacturers across the country, called on the government on Tuesday to deliver on its promise to create an independent Industrial Strategy Council a pledge made last year as part of the white paper on industrial strategy. The council was described in the white paper as a body that would develop measures to assess and evaluate our industrial strategy and make recommendations to the government. But six months later, the council has still not been set up, despite initial expectations that it would start work in January and subsequent promises for a starting date this spring. FT Rail bosses promise to overhaul confusing ticket system Daily Telegraph At last The Times Leader >Today: Mark Menzies on Comment: No more delay. We need that third runway at Heathrow as soon as possible. Wallace: The Corbynites might win an election if they can abandon their messianic belief in their own virtue The righteous fury with which the new Labour Party treats dissenters in its own ranks is a symptom of a deeper sickness. The clue lies in that famous slogan, which lends a bogus nobility to a chauvinistic refusal to tolerate disagreement. Its bad enough to challenge Jeremy, but how could anyone dare to obstruct the many? Doing so surely identifies you as one of the fewCorbynite language is drenched in this elevation of their own mission to a supposedly unquestionable status. The cultish myth that Corbyn himself has always been right, on literally everything, like a prophet in the wilderness. The way in which whole tracts of their Partys own history from the nuclear deterrent and NATO, to Blairs landslides are denounced as not real Labour. Such unmerited certainty is dangerous, and can lead to very dark places. People who otherwise declare themselves opposed to racism become willing to dismiss proven incidents of anti-semitism as a smear cooked up by sinister cabals of wealthy Jews, or the state of Israel, all because they believe their cause outweighs all other considerations. Mark Wallace, the i paper >Today: ToryDiary: The Conservative campaign machine has upped its game but the loss of activists trust in the central Party is taking time to repair News in Brief J.P. Floru is the author of The Sun Tyrant: A Nightmare called North Korea and Heavens on Earth: How to Create Mass Prosperity. He contested Bermondsey and Old Southwark in the 2015 General Election. Reacting to the Commons vote a week ago today, which seeks to impose stringent new tax rules on our Overseas Territories, Theresa Mays Government now seems to have joined the Labour Party in attacking tax havens. The British Virgin Islands have already threatened to declare independence over the issue and they would be right and justified in doing so, for it is their tax haven status which allows this far-away territory to thrive without massive money infusions from the British taxpayers. There is a very strong moral case to support tax havens. This is almost never made by centre-right politicians. No doubt they are afraid of the simplistic howling choir that ensues whenever we plead for lower taxes. Remember how George Osborne was shouted down when he reduced the 50p tax rate to 45p? (never mind that the tax cut resulted in massive additional tax revenue as a result of higher growth) Our MPs seem to be afraid to say what is right in this respect. What is the moral case for tax havens? It lies in the principle of tax competition. As long as there are different tax rates in different jurisdictions, no one country can raise tax rates to suffocating levels. If a government taxes too much, its productive citizens will flee. We see this in contemporary Britain with the influx of many hard-working Western Europeans to our shores. Internal and worldwide competing tax rates guarantee that you and I will never be fleeced by avaricious politicians. It was always thus. My native Flanders was tremendously prosperous in the Middle Ages. Why? Because the different city-states (Ghent, Brussels, Bruges, and Antwerp) were more or less independent fiefdoms which competed which each other. The local lord could never increase taxes or regulations too highly, as the productive citizens would simply leave for a neighbouring city with a more favourable regime. A general lower tax rate ensued; the economies grew faster as a result and, in the end, everybody was better off. There is quite a bit of evidence that Germany prospered when it was cut up in many small fiefdoms with competing tax rates. Today, some countries have internal tax competition, and thrive as a result. Swiss cantons compete very heavily on tax with each other. Switzerland is now also enjoys the ninth highest GDP per capita in the world. If we discard oil-producing countries, Switzerland would be the fifth wealthiest country. Switzerlands great prosperity and its low tax rates with internal competition are not a coincidence. Within the UK, there is tax competition too. The City of Westminster today has the lowest council tax in the country, and its economy and property prices are in a continuous boom (through business rates, it helps to funds the rest of the country). Socialist Nicola Sturgeon is unable to raise tax to extortionous levels, because she knows full well that all productive entities would leave Scotland for England if she carried out her dream. So tax competition, whether internally, or internationally, has a profoundly positive effect. It makes it impossible for assorted socialists, tyrants, and statist politicians to raise taxes. It is telling that the European Union, notwithstanding the fact that it is not legally competent for taxation (tax officially still remains a national competence), is leading the attack for ever more stringent tax controls, and is also internationally leading the fight against tax havens. It even produced a tax blacklist with 53 jurisdictions on it. Spendthrift Eurocrats dont want their productive tax payers fleeing abroad and therefore want to clamp down on tax havens. Once tax havens are no more there will be no limits to what they can tax. Astonishingly, the May Government has now joined the attack on our own tax havens. In a last-minute U-turn, the May Government agreed to back an amendment which will force the British Overseas Territories to reveal the identities of people who place money in its companies. This amendment came from staunchly socialist multi-millionaire Margaret Hodge, and, surprisingly, from Andrew Mitchell. 19 Conservative MPs backed it. It would be good to have their names published: it is a roll-call of those who are elected on our lists, but are Conservatives in Name Only. Is the May Government looking forward to territories like the Cayman Islands, Bermuda, and the British Virgin Islands either declaring independence, or becoming fully-fledged benefit claimants, funded by British taxpayers? Because that will be the end result independence or the begging bowl. It is its tax haven status which allows those Overseas Territories to thrive without handouts from the UK. We Conservatives should stand up for low tax, tax competition, and tax havens. In fact, the UK would do well to become a tax haven itself as it would create wealth beyond our wildest imagination, and could lift up everybody. James Frayne is Director of communications agency Public First and author of Meet the People, a guide to moving public opinion. For most of the last two decades, its become fashionable in Conservative circles to be rude about traditional core voters as if they were to be endured rather than welcomed. Many in the Party have aspired to create a base of support thats metropolitan and self-consciously modern. Theyve argued this is because such modern voters are growing in number and represent the electoral future. However, theres always been a suspicion those arguing for such a change really just personally prefer these new target voters, finding them less embarrassing. The case modernisers are more concerned about attracting the right sort of voters rather than increasing the overall number of voters attracted by Conservative candidates is strengthened by their reaction to the Conservatives recent success in the provincial Midlands and North. Over the last five years, the Conservatives have attracted large numbers of new voters from Labours working class base. Places that wouldnt have looked twice at a Tory candidate now vote them into office. Instead of welcoming this shift which could herald a historic realignment in British politics as the Conservatives hollow out Labours base modernising voices publicly worry about the lack of progress amongst the affluent young. For the modernisers, a major breakthrough into provincial England drives the Party away from the self-consciously modern Party they want above all else. Because while these new voters might hold progressive views on issues like taxation and public services (although their attitudes are complex), they assuredly do not hold progressive views on issues like crime, immigration (although again their views on this issue are complex) and, above all, the EU. In short, theyre culturally the wrong sort of voters. And so it is that the reaction from many to the Conservatives showing in last weeks local elections has been muted to say the least. Given these provincial voters saved the Partys bacon, you would expect senior figures to say and do whatever it takes to keep these new voters on side. Without them, the Party would have had a catastrophic night. And yet over the weekend, senior figures have rushed to further question the terms of Britains exit from the EU something these voters care deeply about. Greg Clark effectively went into battle against them, suggesting Britain might seek the sort of deal with the EU that could irritate them in the extreme and turn them away from the Party. Every senior politician can choose the emphasis they put on prospective policies; the Business Secretary chose an emphasis at odds with those that voted Conservative the previous week. Clarks intervention is the latest in a long chain of comments and activities that suggest the Party isnt comfortable with its provincial shift. While Theresa May initially presented herself as having a laser-like focus on the provincial lower middle class and working class, a disappointing early financial statement was followed by an election manifesto and broader policy platform that suggested that the Conservatives would raise peoples taxes, and take away key tenets of the welfare state theyd come to rely on. Furthermore, the Prime Minister has consistently refused to say shed vote for Brexit given the chance again, and we occasionally read explicit concerns from senior Party figures that it is becoming too provincial. In different circumstances, such events and comments would cause the Party massive problems with this group of voters. The fact they havent so far reflects the reality the Labour Party are now the enemy of many in provincial England. But the Conservative Party hasnt locked these voters down far from it. Many are voting Conservative for the first time and have little meaningful loyalty to the Party. They will desert the Party just as quickly as they found it if the Conservatives appear to betray them on Brexit, to create policies that dont help them out, or simply refer to them in disparaging ways. The provincial English working class and lower middle class are keeping this Government breathing. The Party needs to start showing them some more respect. Step one: clear up this mess on the Customs Union. 05/08/2018 Photo (c) andriano_cz - Getty Images The bestselling novelist Amy Tan recalls seeing a bright red rash on her shin in 1999 and assuming it was a spider bite. Soon, she came down with flu-like symptoms, and in the years since her health worsened. By the time a doctor finally diagnosed Tan with Lyme disease, the infection had reached her brain. She had been suffering hallucinations, seizures, and brain lesions after being misdiagnosed by doctors for four years. Tan describes the devastating health effects she says were traced to the disease in a blog post on her website. Like many chronic Lyme disease patients, I was launched into a medical maze, searching for answers as things worsened, Tan writes. Its unclear how common cases like Tans are, but the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has recently announced that Lyme disease may be ten times more common than previously thought. Tick-borne diseases are steadily rising As tick season unofficially kicks off this year, the CDC and other experts warn that Lyme disease and other tick-borne illnesses pose serious risks, particularly for people in the Northeast, mid-Atlantic and upper Midwest. But many patients and doctors have difficulty detecting the disease after infection. Each year, more than 30,000 cases of Lyme disease are reported nationwide, while studies suggest the actual number of people diagnosed with Lyme disease is more likely about 300,000, the CDC announced this weekend. Tick-borne diseases have been "steadily going up every year ... as the diseases expand to new areas around the country," Lyle Peterson of the CDC told reporters in a recent conference call. The agency has been warning the public to watch out for ticks and using photographs of a poppy seed muffin with ticks hiding on top to get its point across. In addition to the known risky areas in humid parts of the United States, cases may also be appearing on the West Coast and other areas that were thought to be lower risk. Regardless of location, the CDC says that most people do not take steps to prevent Lyme disease. Difficult to diagnose The CDC is telling people to avoid areas with high grass or leaf litter, to walk in the center of the trail when hiking and to be vigilant about bug spray. Pets are also vulnerable to Lyme disease and should receive prompt treatment for any tick bites. The American Lyme Disease Foundation says that clinicians can have difficulty correctly diagnosing patients with Lyme disease due to its diverse manifestations and the limitations of currently available serological (blood) tests. The tests that are available to doctors are not always accurate, they add. Lyme disease typically begins with a rash and fever-like symptoms. If left untreated, victims can experience neurological symptoms as the infection spreads to their brain. The disease can be managed with antibiotics, but going too long without treatment may leave sufferers with lifelong health issues. When Tan initially raised concerns with her doctors that her symptoms may be consistent with Lyme disease, she says that they had brushed her off. It was her own sleuthing that led her to what she describes as a Lyme-literate physician in San Francisco who diagnosed her with late-stage neurological Lyme disease. He put her on a $500 monthly antibiotic treatment that was not covered by insurance. Slowly but surely, she writes, the fog was lifted. After two years, she finally felt healthy again. The importance of being tested Still, Tan says the treatment has only been able to manage the disease, not cure it. She no longer drives for fear of suffering a seizure behind the wheel and still depends on antibiotics to control the symptoms. Fearing that she may develop a resistance to the antibiotics, she has renovated her house to make it handicap-accessible. If you've read this and think you may have Lyme disease, get tested by a Lyme literate physician, one who does not tell you the disease is rare, Tan writes. If you know someone with Lyme disease, be compassionate and patient. And if you are in the throes of the disease and feel like things will never get better, take hope from me. For manufacturing especially, the applications of the Internet of Things (IoT) are endless. By using data collected via IoT platforms, manufacturers can prevent potential plant shutdowns, increase efficiency, and proactively repair plant equipment. The potential gains are huge, matched by the amount the manufacturing sector is planning to invest in IoT solutions by as much as $70 billion by 2020. Helping machines get smart The ability to predict and correct machine failures before they occur is one major driving force behind Industrial IoT (IIoT) investments. According to recent research by IoT Analytics, the market for predictive maintenance applications will expand from $2.2 billion in 2017 to $10.9 billion by 2022. Predictive maintenance strategies, which aim to predict machine failures before they occur, are based on the combination of traditional condition monitoring enhanced with analytics algorithms. The IoT and ever-more sophisticated analytics are driving widespread market adoption with users reporting as much as 25 to 30% efficiency gains. For example, a U.S. automobile company recently implemented an IoT platform. The scalable IoT platform connected the business objects to the cloud seamlessly via small sensors for customized monitoring and control. The automobile companys goal was to measure the efficiency of its painting process for car parts on the conveyor belts and correct any lags or errors found in the system. After each part was painted, the sensors measured the parts movement to determine if the paint was being ruined by excessive motion. This solution allowed the company to easily and quickly identify and correct problem areas before they caused cascading and costly mistakes. This is one example of what IoT-enabled sensors can measure to minimize plant shutdowns and increase productivity and profits. IoT platforms are also capable of providing diagnostic data such as vibration, movement, temperature, and humidity that decision-makers can use to analyze and predict the health and performance of machines. IoT-powered analytics also can be used for comparative analysis between machines or to determine if any steps in the process are causing costly slowdowns. IoT platform operations Each IoT platform operates a little differently, but typically, small sensors are applied to motors and machinery. A self-contained electronic circuit board embedded with a code connects the object with the sensor and collects data. Each circuit board has its own power source as well as communication capabilities with other circuit boards and the software program or app where the data is accessed. Many IoT platforms offer additional features and customization. For instance, a platform can offer cloud services and a plug for connecting additional enhancement modules. The companys software development kit (SDK) allows developers to build customizable mobile applications to interact with the circuit boards and the cloud and integrate with whatever third-party hardware kit makes the most sense for the business and the application. IoT platforms can also vary in what data gets reported. Manufacturers most likely want an IoT platform that uses edge computing. This creates a profile for "normal" behavior of the object and then only reports the exception occurrences, which means instead of sifting through endless amounts of data, company operators are alerted in real-time of unusual movements or conditions that could signal a problem. [subhead] Big Data, easy integration IoT promises a lot of benefits for manufacturers, but the benefits luckily arent matched by the price or integration timeIoT doesnt require hiring a team of tech experts or building a system from the ground up. Many IoT platforms are easily scalable and offer end-to-end integration solutions that encompass on-premise, legacy and cloud systems and platforms. Many also operate under a Platform as a Service model, which makes integration cost-effective and quickly puts fully customized data into the hands of the customer. Capital equipment can last years, so it may be impractical to purchase new equipment embedded with smart technology. Integrating with an IoT platform using small sensors fills the gap, enabling manufacturers to get the benefits of todays technology without investing in entirely new machinery. Before integrating with an IoT platform, manufacturers should identify potential problem spots to determine what data would be most useful and ask questions such as: What components or steps in the process cause the most trouble? What could potentially be automated that currently requires manual monitoring? Questions like these are a good place to start when deciding how to start with IoT. Manufacturers should also think through what capabilities are needed in an IoT platform. Communication protocols vary, as does pricing, customizability and flexibility. The technology landscape is evolving and manufacturers should look for an IoT provider that can keep up. Guy Weitzman is the CEO and co-founder of Atomation, a U.S.-based company that connects any object to the internet, making the object alive, smart and able to communicate previously unavailable data. Guy learned the skills of an entrepreneur during his 12 years serving as a military intelligence technology officer in the Israel Defense Forces. Prior to founding Atomation, Guy was a director of business development and operations and a director of M&A at an international investment firm. He has more than 10 years of experience in product, operations and business development in the internet and mobile fields. Edited by Emily Guenther, associate content manager, Control Engineering, CFE Media, eguenther@cfemedia.com. 100% Website hostinger.com uses latest and advanced technologies. It is very popular on the web, it's within the 1 million most visited websites of the world at position 14706 by Alexa. It supports HTTPS and GZIP compression. The main html page has a size of 260763 bytes (254.65 kb uncompressed) and 30607 bytes (29.89 kb compressed). This CoolSocial report was updated on 2021-02-21, you can refresh this analysis whenever you want. 100% Website nasawavelength.org uses latest and advanced technologies like: JQuery and Boostrap. It supports HTTPS and GZIP compression. The main html page has a size of 166458 bytes (162.56 kb uncompressed) and 22093 bytes (21.58 kb compressed). This CoolSocial report was updated on 2020-11-09, you can refresh this analysis whenever you want. 92% Website tendance-du-web.com uses latest and advanced technologies. It supports HTTPS. The main html page has a size of . This CoolSocial report was updated on 2021-01-03, you can refresh this analysis whenever you want. CORNWALL, Ontario Tarah Zaczyk had a passion for jewellry and design since the age of 16 when she worked as a cleaner at a local jewellry store. Now she has her own boutique, Crush Lane, that specializes in custom goldsmithing using computer generated designs. ce the age of 16 when she worked as a cleaner at a local jewellry store. Now she has her own boutique, Crush Lane, that specializes in custom goldsmithing using computer generated designs. Its a young, fresh approach to custom design and its something I`ve been doing for quite some time now, said Zaczyk. Before Crush Lane opened on May 1, Zaczyk showcased her collections at Echo Trends for just under a year. Zaczyk hopes that having her own brick and mortar location will help to build her brand and expand her business. Zaczyk attended OCAD University for fashion design and marketing, but eventually she found her niche at George Brown College in the goldsmithing program. I`ve always been really hands on and (I) have a good appreciation for detail, so it was perfect, said Zaczyk. In her final year of college, Zaczyk discovered the name of her company Crush Lane when she misheard her friend talking about Rush Lane, which is also known as Graffiti Alley in Toronto. She created a grafitti-esque collection inspired by this neighbourhoods aesthetic for a final project. Now, Zaczyks collections are inspired by a variety of things in pop culture. I like to think that Im very tapped into pop culture, said Zaczyk. Im always on social media, like Instagram, Im always watching interior design shows; you name it. I like going to Montreal and Toronto for inspirationthe bigger urban cities. Its overwhelming how much inspiration is out there. In terms of style price, Zaczyk believes her product fits into a happy medium between inexpensive and high-end jewellery. Our product is affordable, and more thought goes into choosing these pieces, said Zaczyk. Im trying to take a stance on this disposable fashion thing. I love costume jewellery, but the manufacturing makes it disposable. Recently, Crush Lane created a Home Vibes collection where vintage ashtrays are repurposed as jewellery catch trays. Similarly, Zaczyk has a jewellery collection that she created from repurposed materials. Apart from her collections, Zaczyk likes to sit down with her clients for a more personalized, custom experieneespecially with bridalwear. Crush lane is always developing, and as we grow, our collections will grow too, Zaczyk. Crush Lane Boutique is located at 7A First Street East and can be found online at www.crushlane.com. CORNWALL, Ontario Cornwall City Councillor David Murphy announced that he would be on the ballot in October for the top political job in the City of Cornwall Murphy announced that he would be running for Mayor at the Best Western in Cornwall on Tuesday, May 1. He was introduced to the room full of supporters by long-time friend and Campaign Media Manager Dan Allaire. He presents well and he knows the community inside and out, said Allaire. And he will fight for us. Murphy grew up in Cornwall, and has raised his family here and said that he wanted to create a community that his daughter would want to raise her family in someday. He said that as leader of Council he would strive to create consensus. A good Mayor will bring council together to achieve common goals, he said. Murphy also outlined some campaign promises in his announcement speech. He said that as Mayor, his goals would be to build a new Fire Hall, a new Arts Centre and to develop a waterfront for everyone, and not one that was just full of condos. When asked about his vision for the waterfront he said that the land, which is now owned by the Federal Ministry of Transportation, would have to be owned by the City of Cornwall before it is developed. We have to own it, he said. I know it will be expensive, but the City has to own it. He explained that he wanted the land in the Citys hands so that the community of Cornwall can be a part of the decision as to how the land is developed. He said that he did not envision condos along most of the waterfront, instead, he hoped to see things like a boardwalk with small shops along the canal. Murphy ended his official remarks by promising, in both French and English to bring a new direction and new leadership to the City of Cornwall. So far, David Murphy is the only one who has announced his candidacy for Mayor. The official nomination process opened on May 1 with election day happening on Oct. 22. CORNWALL, Ontario The Ontario Ministry of Transportation (MTO) confirmed that the work being done on the Avonmore Rd. bridge should be completed by the end of May 2018. Construction began on the bridge at the end of April 2017 and was scheduled to be completed by the end of this past November. The completion and opening of the Avonmore Road Bridge has been delayed due mostly to two issues; the late supply of girders by the contractor and deficient work which has required extensive repairs to properly correct and ensure quality, the MTO said in an email to Seaway News. The ministry apologizes for these delays. The MTO said that it was sensitive to the issues caused by the long delay in the completion of this project. In the case of the Avonmore Road Bridge replacement, the impacts have been significant because the new bridge did not open as scheduled, which resulted in longer term detours along Municipal roads, the MTO stated. The ministrys priority is to work with its contractor to open this bridge as quickly as we can, however it will not reopen until the work has been completed to the ministrys satisfaction. Once Avonmore Rd. bridge is re-opened, the Wales Dr. bridge will then be closed for replacement. That bridge is scheduled to re-open in the fall of 2018. The MTO said that the total cost of the contract was $6.95 million, and that there has been no increased cost due to the delay. Cruickshank Construction Limited was the company awarded the contract for the replacement of these bridges. Cornwall Seaway News spoke with Steve Cruickshank of Cruickshank Construction who said that under the terms of their contract with MTO they were unable to comment on this story. Standing at the corners of Sydney and Second Street, it is hard for me to stare at the Cornwall Public Library and imagine a grand Victorian building in its place, but sixty-seven years ago, thats exactly what stood proudly at the North-West corner. In 1897, Cornwalls Childrens Aid Society was formed. Their mandate was to house destitute children until they could be placed in permanent homes. In 1909, the Childrens Aid Society became overpopulated with homeless children. The Society looked towards the Religious Hospitallers of Saint Joseph Sisters to help care for the large number of destitute children. The Sisters purchased two small framed homes on Mulberry Lane. These two homes became Nazareth Orphanage, which opened on January 16, 1909. Eight months after the orphanage opened, twenty-six children would call the two wooden buildings home. Although the homes were not of the greatest quality, they succeeded in providing food and shelter for the children. In October 1909, the orphans would be relocated to a new home. The Greenwood House, located on York Street became the new orphanage. It operated as Nazareth Orphanage until November 28, 1919. On that same date, the orphans were moved to Highland Manor, located at the North-West corner of Sydney and Second Streets. This residence belonged to Mrs. Mary McMartin, and was donated to the orphans in memory of her late husband, John. Mrs. McMartin also provided the funds to heat the building. Five Sisters were assigned as staff, and lived at the new orphanage with the children. The Sisters found it difficult to meet the expenses required to care for dozens of children. The government assistance at the time was not much: two cents per day for each child. Woman from the community formed the Nazareth Orphanage Society, and devoted much time, effort, and care to help with the orphans upbringing. On Friday, May 4, 1950, tragedy would strike at Nazareth Orphanage. As soon as Sisters Cameron, St. Emily, St. Monica and Mary Theresa sat down to have lunch, the fire alarm began to ring. By the time the Fire Department arrived, all the staff and children were safely outside. Representatives of the Childrens Aid Society picked up children who were in school, and took them to the Salvation Army Citadel until relatives could come for them. Although the cause of the fire was never determined, it is believed that it was caused by faulty electrical wiring. It is rumored that even if there hadnt been a fire, the home would have been demolished to make room for Cornwalls new Post Office. SOUTH GLENGARRY, Ontario During last nights South Glengarry council meeting, mayor Ian McLeod officially announced that he won`t be running for re-election this fall. McLeod feels that it`s time to allow other people to take over council. He has been a council member since 1997. I think its time to take some time for myself and for my family too, said McLeod. McLeod is proud of several accomplishments seen during his time as mayor, including succession planning within the township and council staff. There are many projects that McLeod would like to see upheld by his successors. He supports the expansion of suburban water works, the distribution of natural gas throughout the township and the continual upgrade to road systems. Additionally, he is interested in the development of a new firehall in Williamstown, and training staff according to the Province`s updated fire services and regulations. I certainly enjoyed my time [on council] and its certainly going to be a change in lifestyle, said McLeod. Gemalto is making its SafeNet Data Protection on Demand available as a managed service to allow for easier integration and grow its base of customers outside the enterprise. The Amsterdam, Netherlands-based digital security vendor said the new offering will make it possible for MSSPs to add multiple customers and manage SafeNet Data Protection on Demand on their behalf, Gary Marsden, Gemalto's senior director of data protection services, told CRN exclusively. The offering will provide partners with access to a portal that makes it easy to add and provision new customers, report on what they're using, integrate with billing systems, and support them by defining security policies and workflows, according to Marsden. Gemalto is looking to bring on 100 MSSPs globally in its first year, Marsden said, with the opportunity for expansion in future years. [Related: Gemalto Spurns Atos Offer, Opts Instead For $5.63B Takeover Bid From French Conglomerate Thales] Gemalto already has relationships with hundreds of channel partners in North America focused primarily around identity and access management, Marsden said. Now with SafeNet Data Protection on Demand, Marsden said these partners can deliver encryption, key management and hardware security modules in a nearly identical manner. Data protection offerings are at the moment most typically bought by large enterprises that are using them in a DevOps or SecOps environment, according to Marsden. But new compliance guidelines and the fear of getting fined have increased the need for encryption and encryption protection for businesses of all sizes. As a result, Marsden said more companies want access to encryption and hardware security module technology without having to make a large up-front investment. SafeNet Data Protection on Demand for MSPs/MSSPs should therefore allow Gemalto to broaden the size of the addressable market and move from the enterprise into midsize companies as well as the higher end of the SMB market, according to Marsden. The ideal channel partner would either already be offering managed security services or have experience delivering products as a service and be looking to lock down encryption keys by using hardware security modules, Marsden said. SafeNet Data Protection on Demand could be wrapped around an Oracle database, a CyberArk privileged account management offering, or encryption instances around a Salesforce installation. The base-level subscription to SafeNet Data Protection on Demand includes a small number of services, Marsden said, with additional services available for purchase. Gemalto is currently developing its systems and processes so that the pricing for all of its subscriptions can be purely usage-based, according to Marsden. The service-level agreement for SafeNet Data Protection on Demand also includes around-the-clock access to backup, restore and support services, Marsden said. There is no up-front cost for the channel associated with supporting SafeNet Data Protection on Demand beyond getting educated and trained on how to take the offering to market, according to Marsden. From a metrics perspective, Marsden said Gemalto's emphasis goes beyond pure revenue figures to include how the company's pipeline of partners are taking the offering to market. Gemalto wants to work with partners that wrap SafeNet Data Protection on Demand up with services and sell it throughout the year rather than just providing it on a tactical basis when requested, according to Marsden. Cryptography is necessary for a majority of NTT Security's customers, but until now has been difficult to use, according to Frank Balow, senior manager of the Tokyo-based solution provider. End users often find themselves struggling with internal resources, Balow said, and lack the manpower to provide services around cryptography. But by using SafeNet Data Protection on Demand as a starting point, Balow said it's easy for customers to set up hardware security modules as a service and protect their internal databases and public key infrastructure. In addition, Balow said it's far easier to ask clients to pay a small fee each month for the encryption services they've used than forcing them to pay $50,000 or $60,000 up front like they'd have to do in a traditional engagement. SafeNet Data Protection on Demand would be a good fit for NTT Security's larger logistics and manufacturing customers who are looking to get rid of hardware security modules and move into cloud services, Balow said. It could also be a good fit for NTT Security's smaller customers that want an easy-to-use solution for protecting electronic keys, according to Balow. Balow praised SafeNet Data Protection on Demand for its user-friendly interface and easy-to-understand prompts bringing partners and customers through the process. "I've never seen another service that's so easy to use," Balow said. NetApp Tuesday said it has entered into a strategic partnership with Google, making that company the third strategic cloud partner as part of its push to manage its storage services and capabilities seamlessly from on-premises to hybrid and public clouds. NetApp also introduced a new version of its all-flash storage array with the highest-density high-performance NVMe flash drives, as well as a new version of its OnTap storage operating system that gives previously installed all-flash arrays a huge performance boost. The innovations being introduced this week are all about expanding NetApp's Data Fabric, which is the company's software approach for data movement and management with consistent capabilities and services across on-premises, virtualized, hybrid cloud and public cloud environments, said Brett Roscoe, vice president of product marketing for the Sunnyvale, Calif.-based storage vendor. [Related: CRN Exclusive: NetApp CEO George Kurian On Flash Storage Momentum, Software-Defined Storage Moves, And The Growing Cisco Partnership] This is especially true for modern workloads like those requiring artificial intelligence, Roscoe told CRN. "What we're doing with Data Fabric to leverage public cloud resources and make shifting data consistent is important," he said. "A lot of customers running AI workloads want to leverage legacy infrastructures and Amazon and Google clouds." The news further cements NetApp as the storage vendor that best understands the cloud, said John Woodall, vice president of engineering at Integrated Archive Systems, a Palo Alto, Calif.-based solution provider and longtime NetApp channel partner. "NetApp is not an infrastructure company," Woodall told CRN. "It's something people don't get. Instead, NetApp is delivering value in ways no one else is delivering. NetApp will leave this year with an opportunity to redefine itself. It is ultimately in the best position of any company out there to help customers take advantage of the changes going on in the cloud. And it's not just hype. It's a deliverable." NetApp Tuesday unveiled NetApp Cloud Volumes for Google Cloud Platform, a fully managed, cloud-native service that allows quick access to data in the Google Cloud. With the new offering comes a new strategic relationship with Google Cloud Platform similar in form to NetApp's relationships with Microsoft Azure and Amazon Web Services, Roscoe said. This is a huge step forward for customers, Woodall said. Cloud Volumes allows customers to take advantage of enterprise file services natively on public clouds like the OnTap operating system does, but does not require customers to use OnTap. Cloud Volumes now works with AWS and will work with Azure soon, with Google Cloud Platform coming after, Woodall said. "Cloud Volumes is a multi-cloud play," he said. "It doesn't care about OnTap. It cares about NFS or SMB file services. It allows storage that is really good be deployed natively in the cloud, giving the user the ability to deploy in the cloud with enterprise services and functionality, but without the OnTap part. You just say, 'I need X TBs,' then click and it's done." This multi-cloud capability is important when one remembers that customers use AWS, Azure and Google for different reasons, Woodall said. "Customers like Google Cloud Platform for its Kubernetes containers and its big data analysis," he said. "Customers use Azure because they have a lot of Microsoft credits they can use. And they use Amazon to build Infrastructure as a Service." To put storage on these three clouds today requires three different services, Woodall said. "Now it's all unified under NetApp," he said. "You can add any NetApp tools on top. This lets architects and customers to pull tools that no one else offers for performance and reliability." Meanwhile, on the flash storage side NetApp unveiled two significant technology upgrades. The first is the company's new all-flash storage array, the AFF A800, which Roscoe called the world's first NVMe end-to-end offering. The AFF A800, which is available immediately, features a latency of under 200 microseconds, with data transfer of up to 300 GBps and performance of up to 11.4 million IOPS in a 24-node cluster. The AFF A800 comes ready to attach to high-speed 16-Gbps and 32-Gbps Fibre Channel networks, and is ready for 100-Gbps Ethernet when networks based on that protocol are available, Roscoe said. The AFF A800 has an enhanced version of NetApp's Active IQ web-based analytics software that provides predictive analytics for technical support based on information from the 3.5 billion data points collected from the field each day. Roscoe said the new version of Active IQ adds predictive analysis of what performance can be expected in the future, automatically detects unprotected data volumes, and makes recommendations about what workloads would benefit from an all-flash storage infrastructure. The Active IQ enhancements are available immediately for all NetApp storage offerings running the OnTap operating system, and eventually will be made part of NetApp's HCI hyper-converged appliance and its StorageGrid object storage offerings. A new version of OnTap, OnTap 9.4, was also unveiled. Roscoe said it includes new security and compliance capabilities including built-in cryptographic erasure that meets FIPS 140-2 Level 1 requirements. OnTap 9.4 also includes built-in NVMe enablement, Roscoe said. That NVMe enablement is a big move for NetApp, as it allows previously installed NetApp arrays to immediately benefit from the performance provided by NVMe flash storage, Woodall said. "If an A700 has the right components, including the controller, just upgrading the operating system to OnTap 9.4 gives a 60 percent performance boost and a 50 percent drop in latency," he said. "That's huge investment protection for existing customers. The A700 is not a slow box." The expansion of OnTap cements it as the premier storage operating system, Woodall said. OnTap is already the No. 1 storage operating system in terms of deployments, he said. "There's no more broadly deployed operating system," he said. "Other vendors may sell more storage. But they have multiple operating systems. NetApp only has one, OnTap. So that gives NetApp a consistent platform no one else has." NetApp Tuesday also released a new version of its StorageGrid object storage technology that is available as a hardware appliance, a cloud appliance or a virtual appliance. New to StorageGrid is automated tamper-proof retention to meet corporate requirements, Roscoe said. Other additions include compliance with such requirements as SEC Rule 17a-4, FINRA, and more, he said. Jeff McCullough, vice president of NetApp's Americas partner sales, told CRN that partner enablement on the new technology is a constant priority. McCullough also said NetApp plans to unveil new enhancements to its channel program in August. One key upcoming change to the program is increased emphasis on the cloud, including increased abilities to navigate the cloud to develop new recurring revenue approaches, McCullough said. NetApp this summer will also make it easier for partners to attach cloud capabilities to any NetApp product and provide consulting around that, McCullough said. "Our partners know OnTap, and can integrate it seamlessly on-premises and in multiple clouds," he said. To help partners better work with clouds, NetApp this year will introduce new certifications and aims to get partners to enroll in its CloudFirst program, which allows them to better attach services and consulting to their cloud business, he said. "NetApp has a really strong base of customers that are evaluating their strategies around the cloud," he said. "Partners are looking to integrate best practices in the cloud. OnTap and Cloud Volumes allow partners to build on decades of NetApp leadership in the cloud world." Another new cruise line is in the works, as Pampa Cruises has announced its intention to start year-round operations from South America, serving local markets in Argentina and Brazil. The cruise line plans to homeport in up to five cities, starting as soon as October 2018, offering cruises from three to 16 nights aboard the former Delphin. Well offer cruises to 26 ports in our first year of operation, from October 2018 to September 2019, said Milton Sanches, director of operations and sales. Behind Pampas Brazilian operation, Sanches is a veteran of the local cruise industry, having chartered ships before under his own brand, BCR, and having worked for various cruise lines and local operators such as Pullmantur and CVC. Now he is serving as director of operations and sales for the Brazilian market for Pampa. The itineraries will feature a selection of South American destinations, including ports in Chile, Uruguay, Argentina and Brazil. "There will be cruises around the northeast and southeast coast of Brazil, including several calling in the Fernando de Noronha," Sanches told Cruise Industry News. The Brazilian destination is the highlight of the program. Currently visited only by expedition and luxury vessels, the archipelago is very popular among locals. The program also includes cruises to the Chilean fjords, Patagonia and a trans-Atlantic crossing from Greece to Brazil. The new cruise line plans to operate the 1975-built, 640-guest Delphin. The ship has been laid up in Croatia for the last two years. Pampa has reportedly arranged a five-year charter. Its the most adequate vessel to operate in Fernando de Noronha, given its single dining seating and its size, said Sanches. Ships calling in Fernando de Noronha must follow strict local regulations, and cannot land more than 450 guests at once. The cruise line plans to offer 64 departures in its inaugural season, sailing from Santos, Salvador and Recife in Brazil, as well as Buenos Aires and Ushuaia. The Norwegian Sun sailed out of Port Canaveral on in its inaugural voyage to Havana, Cuba, on Monday. Fresh out of dry dock enhancement, Norwegian Sun returned to Port Canaveral to begin her homeport summer 2018 sailing season, according to a statement. The ship will homeport at Terminal 10, which saw a recent $35 million renovation. The new Norwegian Cruise Line sailing options -- four-night itinerary to Havana, Cuba and Key West a three-night itinerary to the Bahamas -- marks the first time a homeported cruise ship has sailed from Port Canaveral to Cuba. We are excited to welcome back Norwegian Sun to Port Canaveral for these new voyages to Havana, Cuba, said Port CEO Captain John Murray. Were proud of our partnership with Norwegian Cruise Lines and pleased to be hosting these new sailing opportunities for cruise guests this summer season. Port Canaveral was the ideal location to offer our guests a value-rich on-board experience and exciting action-packed ports-of-call, including an overnight call in Havana, Cuba, said Andy Stuart, president and chief executive officer for Norwegian Cruise Line. Aboard the Norwegian Sun, Captain Teo Grbic was presented with a plaque welcoming the ships return to Port Canaveral. The plaque was presented by Capt. John Murray and Canaveral Port Authority Chairman Wayne Justice. We are honored that Norwegian Cruise Line has selected Port Canaveral to offer cruises to Havana, Cuba and excited for the traveling community that this new destination is now available, said Canaveral Port Authority Chairman Wayne Justice. Todays embarkation to Cuba validates the Ports ongoing investments in state-of-the-art facilities and continuous improvement in cruise operations, earning the confidence of some of the worlds most successful cruise brands. Norwegian Suns four-day cruise to Cuba will depart Port Canaveral each Monday and features a call on Key West and an overnight stay in Havana, returning to Port Canaveral each Friday. Norwegian Suns three-day cruise to the Bahamas departs Port Canaveral each Friday and features calls in Nassau and Great Stirrup Cay, Norwegians private island beach with recently enhanced food and beverage outlets, cabanas and underwater snorkeling. Im Hacked. bye2 Thats the message left behind on most of the hacked Canon security cameras in Japan. Over 60 cameras were hijacked and defaced on Sunday, May 6, but dozens more had been hacked over the last several weeks. Some victims reportedly are locked out of their cameras; they cant control them and they cant correct the defacement. Thats because they didnt bother to change the default password, but the attacker did. As of right now, only Canon security cameras in Japan have been targeted. Some of the victims are Japanese local governments, such as the cities of Yachiyo and Ageo, which lost control of the Canon security cameras monitoring the levels of their waterways. The Japan Times reported that after Yachiyo officials discovered the hacked cameras on April 24, and determined the attacker had changed the default password, they removed the cameras from their network and contacted the police. An official for the city of Ageo said it noticed its cameras were hacked on April 26. We had not predicted this kind of situation, the official said, even after admitting the default password was not changed. Change the default password or plan to be hacked Well, you should expect it if you dont change the default password at the very least. It may be happening to Canon cameras in Japan right now, but there are thousands of Canon security cameras being used in the U.S. and other countries. There are good odds that eventually either this hacker or a copycat will hit them. Default password lists are one of first things built into botnets, which scan for vulnerable devices. Toward the end of April, Canon issued a statement strongly advising customers to change the default password. The company also released a document (pdf) with recommended countermeasures to prevent unauthorized access of networked cameras. Besides changing the passwords, Canons suggestions included using a private IP for the camera, putting the device behind a firewall, and using SSL. For whatever reasons, Canon later removed the documentation; the link currently goes to a error message about the specified URL not found on the server. While some articles list specific victims with uncontrollable cameras ranging from a fish market, to a solar power facility, to a care facility for people with disabilities, and emphasize that there have been more than 60 victims it doesnt seem to scratch the surface of just how many Canon security cameras have been hijacked. When looking into unsecured Canon IoT cameras in Japan, I saw dozens of hacked cameras. Some were overlooking outdoor spaces, but others were watching over workers. Im Hacked. bye2 is still defacing the camera of a busy office. And while that is the most common message, thats not the only defacement that turned up during my search; m (_ _) m sorry.. is a different message left on some hacked Canon cameras. It doesnt matter where you are located in the world if you connect a smart device to the internet, as good security advice doesnt waver. Dont think the manufacturer has built-in plug-and-play security; thats on you. Most of the articles about the Canon IoT camera defacements mention an IT expert who goes by piyokango and warns about the crappy, insecure, and vulnerable Internet of Things before urging users to change default passwords. The Federal Trade Commission is citing a New Jersey company called Aromaflage for using deceptive claims and online reviews to sell perfumes that double as insect repellent, with one of the companys founders now running a Fairfield startup spun out of research labs at Harvard University and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Aromaflage was run by spouses Michael and Melissa Fensterstock, with the latter now running Landsdowne Labs in Fairfield selling coatings designed to prevent injury to children who mistakenly swallow button batteries. The FTC stated Aromaflage claimed to be effective as DEET-based bug dope, and said the startup posted glowing reviews on Amazon that the FTC stated were penned by one of the owners or relatives without disclosing the connections. Melissa Fensterstock did not provide comment immediately in response to a Hearst Connecticut Media query. The 1965 Jean-Luc Godard classic Pierrot le fou is getting a special screening at the Avon Theatre. The film co-starring Jean-Paul Belmondo and Anna Karina follows criminal lovers on the run through gorgeous French settings. The romantic road drama is also infused with the politics of the period, including some sharp anti-Vietnam War moments that might have been one of the reasons the U.S. theatrical release was delayed for four years. The screening is part of the monthly French Cinematheque sponsored at the Avon by the Alliance Francaise of Greenwich. It is also part of the Hearst Movie & A Martini meet-up series. The mix of comedy and violence in Pierrot le fou was very influential. Writers Robert Benton and David Newman caught the 1965 New York Film Festival showing while they were working on the script for Bonnie & Clyde. Godard was the first filmmaker they approached to direct their movie. The French director eventually bowed out of the project and Arthur Penn made the 1967 gangster classic. Avon Theatre, 272 Bedford St., Stamford. Tuesday, May 22 at 7:30 p.m. $12-$7. 203-967-3660 A Weston trumpeter will be the featured performer at the Greater Bridgeport Youth Orchestras Spring Concert Sunday, May 20, at the Klein Memorial Auditorium in Bridgeport. Jane Paknia, a senior at Weston High School, is the recent winner of the GBYOs Concerto Competition for exceptional young musicians. All members of the Greater Bridgeport Youth Orchestras, which includes nine different ensembles with its musicians representing about 35 area cities and towns, will perform. Im all for letting sleeping dogs lie. As long as theyre not in my bed. This isnt because I think sharing this space would be disruptive to my finely honed sleep pattern. Im used to jabs, kicks, funk and weird noises. I grew up sleeping with brothers. One of them used to yodel in the middle of the night. From what I have been reading, many owners allow their pets to bed down with them. We are not just talking dogs and cats here. I read about a woman whose pet rat slept in her bed. I once knew a couple who used to sleep with their housebroken potbelly pig. The only problem was the pig was a heavy sleeper and didnt like to get out of bed in the morning. I suggested they try frying up some bacon to motivate her. Studies have shown that sharing the bed with a pet does not adversely affect the quality of ones sleep in most cases. In fact, many people claim they actually sleep better when Old Blue is catching some zzzzzs next to them. I am not in this camp. There are only three places in our house where the dog cannot sleep in the bed, on the furniture and anywhere between me and the bathroom at night. Reasons you should not allow a dog to sleep in your bed: Security: First off, by sleeping in the bed the dog is shirking his responsibility to the household. A dogs main job is nighttime patrol duty. To do this, he needs to be downstairs where he can sound the alarm if someone is around who shouldnt be. The last place the head of security should be at night is upstairs under the blankets. Breath: Dogs dont brush their teeth, they dont gargle, they dont pop mints and they routinely lick themselves in places where the sun dont shine. As a result, they have severely funky breath. It is not unusual for a recipient of untreated dog breath to be jarred awake with palpitations, watery eyes and flaming nostril hairs. The Business End: The only thing worse than finding yourself face to face with a sleeping dog is waking up to find yourself face to face with his business end. This cannot only be unsettling, but also lead to post traumatic stress, flashbacks and hallucinations. This, of course, is if your luck holds and the business end is dormant. Speaking of which Emissions: There is a reason that in cases of surreptitious human flatulence, the perpetrators often blame the dog. Dogs are always ready to rumble. Dogs are the four-legged equivalent of the crazy uncle who asks you to pull his finger. Dogs are more lethal than fraternity brothers. Odor: Dogs smell. Its not that they smell good or bad, its that they smell like dogs. Dog owners are like smokers in the sense that they cant smell their smell. The problem is, everyone else can. Whats that new cologne youre wearing? Wait, dont tell me. Ah, essence of labradoodle. Dream Weavers: Dogs have dreams, all sort of dreams. In some dreams they are chasing rabbits. In some dreams they are eating medium-rare filets. In some dreams they are getting it on with Fifi, the cute poodle down the street. When dogs dream they whine, they yap, they toss and turn, they run in place. Nightmares: Dogs also have nightmares. Being groomed. Being neutered. Being chased by the canine control officer. Being forced to wear an outfit that matches their owners. When dogs have nightmares, they howl. When I see dogs and owners in matching outfits, I howl myself. Jim Shea is a lifelong Connecticut resident and journalist who believes the keys to life include the avoidance of physical labor and I-95. He can be reached at jimboshea@gmail.com and on Twitter @jimboshea. BRIDGEPORT - A state Department of Motor Vehicles employee is accused of conspiring with a Stamford auto sales company to steal and resell dozens of cars. Edgar Andrade, the owner of Classic Auto Sales, fled to his native Ecuador, according to police. But on Monday they arrested Aarron Soares, 45, of Burnsford Avenue in Bridgeport, described as a longtime employee of the local DMV branch. Soares, who was making $87,000 as a motor vehicle examiner, was charged with nine counts of second-degree forgery, nine counts of criminal liability for acts of another, third-degree larceny and third-degree computer crime. He was released after posting $100,000 bond pending arraignment in Superior Court on Monday. In February, inspectors for the investigative unit of the DMV received a complaint from the owner of the Hartford Springfield Auto Auction that Andrade had purchased 135 cars from the auto auction but had failed to pay for any of them. When the auction owner tried to contact Andrade, he found that Classic Auto Sales had closed and Andrade had left the country, police said. More News Bridgeport DMV employee nabbed on fraud charges A subsequent investigation by the DMV unit determined that all the cars had been resold, police said. They were able to trace the whereabouts of nine of the cars which inspectors determined had been reregistered in the state using phony duplicate titles. The phony titles had all been processed by Soares, police said. When inspectors later confronted Soares, police said, he claimed to have never heard of Classic Auto Sales and never did any transactions for the company. However, police said, DMV records show that Soares wife has two vehicles registered to her that were purchased from Classic Auto. MILFORD A city man has been charged after, police said, he crashed into a utility pole and fled the scene. Eric Gabianelli, 29, of Milford, was charged with evading responsibility and failure to drive right, police said. HARTFORD The tragic death of Ledyard teenager while riding a skateboard inspired the state Senate Monday evening to pass a law requiring children 15 years old or younger to wear a helmet when skating or skateboarding. The Senate approved the bill by a vote of 34-1 and sent it to the House for consideration. Ive always thought about what makes salary negotiations so stressful, partly because of my own mixed success in that exercise over the years. In most cases, I felt as though I deserved a raise when the conversation finally arrived. But when youre forced to sit across from your boss, the situation becomes challenging. Your palms sweat, and you sometimes forget to mention the key points you prepared. Your boss, on the other hand, is cool and collected. She is motivated to bring this negotiation to a close as quickly as possible, while granting you a modest raise. Salary negotiation doesnt need to be stressful. Employees can gain the upper hand when negotiating with employers. But like most things, negotiating well takes practice and understanding. Here are several principles developed by some of the worlds top business professors who study the art and science of negotiation. Armed with the proper information, you too can learn how to discuss terms with your boss like an expert. Related: 8 Ways to Negotiate Your Way to a Higher Salary Survey the motivations and constraints of the organization Deepak Malhotra is a Harvard Business School professor who specializes in negotiation and deal making. A few years ago, Malhotra recorded a lecture he hosts annually for soon to be HBS graduates. The lecture is all about how new graduates can negotiate to get the best possible offer. Malhorta makes one point clear in his research and in this video in particular. Understanding the constraints the other party must operate within will make it easier for you to negotiate well. By understanding constraints, youll be able to propose a counter offer that is more likely to be acceptable to the organization. It will also help you to think of a creative counter offer that might otherwise be difficult to imagine without understanding the areas where the organization can be flexible. Understanding restraints will require research both thorough independent review and thorough interviews. Start by using Google News to look for information about new company directors, or funding. Next, speak with members of the organization to better understand the constraints they must operate within. When Ive tried to get a raise in the past, I would often talk to people I knew at the company to see what their salary negotiation experiences were like. Finally, ask questions during the interview process to help you understand key aspects of negotiating, such as time constraints. Time can be a valuable asset when it comes to negotiating. If you have enough time, you may be able to cultivate a competing offer by interviewing at another organization. Or if time is limited, you may be able to exchange a definitive yes on your part for better compensation in order to help the organization move forward with an important company initiative. Related: Elon Musk Reportedly Gave His Assistant a 2-Week Test When She Asked for a Big Raise -- What Happened to Her Is an Important Lesson in Salary Negotiations Understand the full-compensation package before countering Its easy to get caught up in the thought that compensation boils down to a salary plus a bonus. But in reality, compensation can be much more than that. Professor Deborah Kolb is a Harvard professor and negotiation expert, and is an advocate for negotiating conditions of success in addition to standard aspects of compensation. Kolb argues that current compensation is important, but whats even more important are the conditions under which you will operate if you accept the job or remain at your current workplace. By using the negotiation to ensure you are well positioned to be successful, youll put yourself in an even better position to negotiate in the future. When evaluating an offer remember to consider the full-compensation package before making a decision to accept or counter. Furthermore, if the other party asks you to share salary expectations or your reaction to a recent offer, remember to take full compensation into account. Related: Why Banning Salary Negotiations Won't Close the Gender Pay Gap Extend the negotiation timeline if a deal cant get done immediately It may be difficult to arrive at a satisfactory offer in the near term. This is particularly true for employees negotiating a raise at their current company. If this is the case, it may make sense to extend the negotiation to a later date. For example, consider asking the person you are negotiating with if they are willing to table the discussion for a short period of time. Using the extra time youve bought yourself, try to earn an offer from another company to use as leverage, or you can improve performance to earn a better offer. Another reason to extend the negotiation timeline is to properly evaluate an offer. Resist the temptation of accepting or declining an offer in-person. Instead, youll want to research the full compensation. Estimate take home pay using an online tax calculator, review the employee handbook youll be expected to sign, and look over benefits packages to see how they compare with your expectations. Related: The 4 Tax-Exempt Benefits Your Employees Want Most Salary negotiation doesnt need to be stressful. If you have earned the opportunity to negotiate with a hiring manager, it means you are already a desirable professional. Rather than feeling anxious, remember that you have leverage. Channel your nervous energy into understanding the constraints of the people on the other side of the table, and evaluate the compensation package. After your research is complete, focus on making an aggressive but reasonable counter offer. Related: This Is How 2 Top MBA Professors Recommend You Smooth Negotiations for a Better Salary How to Handle a Salary Counter Offer How Your Imagination Can Help Improve Your Well-Being and Even Assist in Negotiations Copyright 2018 Entrepreneur.com Inc., All rights reserved A few months back, I shared my first audio post. It was incredibly well received. In that I enjoyed it and other people (probably) listened to it. With such a successful start, how could I go wrong returning to the medium? I read a lot of industry publications. Probably too many. But that means a win for you, my reader, since you glean the best of that time spent! If trending articles dont mention Millennials or how to maximize your social media presence, theyre discussing the brave new world of AI, Artificial Intelligence. Even on my blog, the 2nd most popular post is about AI. Heres the degree of impact it stands to make for the industry: Everything you research or decide with a person will be done, faster, more reliably, with a computer system. So, a big deal. Were not talking T-1000s in your branches (though they would be formidable security guards). Nor does it have anything to do with the AI advances you hear Elon Musk warning us against. For financial institutions, AI is simply a software system that can dive into a ton of data (that you already have) and make accurate risk and other determinations. Its nothing new for your credit union, only doing the same thing better and faster. While serving your members anywhere, on their terms. As voters start to head to the polls for the 2018 primary elections, CUNA and credit unions will be supporting credit union-friendly candidates around the country. In Tuesdays elections, credit unions are backing two incumbent Congressmen in North Carolina, as well as candidates in Indiana and West Virginia. In North Carolina, CUNA is involved in partisan communication campaigns in support of Reps. Walter Jones (R-N.C.) and Robert Pittenger (R-N.C.). Partisan communications are campaigns in which CUNA, state leagues and local credit unions use direct mail to target credit union households. In North Carolina, CUNA and the Carolinas Credit Union League joined with 5 credit unions to in campaigns targeting over 28,000 credit union households with mailers across the two districts in support of Jones and Pittenger. CUNAs similar efforts two years ago for Jones and Pittenger were successful, with Pittenger winning his primary by 134 votes. He faces the same opponent this year. Adam Engelman With total memberships of 110 million, credit unions have the potential to be grassroots powerhouse in Washington, especially when you consider the membership numbers of such lobbying stalwarts such as the National Rifle Association (five million) and the American Association of Retired People (37 million). Adam Engelman provided an overview of the CUNA Member Activation Program (MAP), a critical tool in mobilizing credit union members as a grassroots lobbying force. MAP arms credit unions with tools to educate members about credit union issues and to activate them to call on lawmakers. The overall goal of the program is to inform and educate members on the credit union difference, Engelman says. MAP played a crucial role in helping credit unions spread their message during the Campaign for Common-Sense Regulation. Most recently, CUNA used MAP to activate members in support of the S. 2155, the Economic Growth, Regulatory Relief, and Consumer Protection Act. Red Raider Marching band looking for instrument donations While the Pride of the Tribe does not have quite that many, the Meyersdale Red Raider Marching Band and Band program continues to thrive and grow. Every time there's an election in India, Pakistan becomes BJP's "go-to" country. Or so it seems. BJP president Amit Shah once again tried to drag Pakistan into its poll debate, this time in Karnataka, referring to a tweet by Islamabad that praised Tipu Sultan. Congress and Pakistan have amazing telepathy.Yesterday Pakistan Government remembered Tipu Sultan, whose Jayanti Congress marks with fanfare and today Mr. Mani Shankar Aiyar admires Jinnah. Be it Gujarat or Karnataka polls, I fail to understand why Congress involves Pakistan! pic.twitter.com/isH9GmgET2 Amit Shah (@AmitShah) May 5, 2018 Of course, this is not the first time that Shah and his party have a problem with Pakistan, Congress or Tipu Sultan. Over the past few years, the BJP has dubbed Tipu Sultan as "anti-Hindu" and has condemned Karnatakas Siddaramaiah on a number of occasions for celebrating the birth anniversary of the former ruler of Mysore. Last week, the Pakistan government had praised Tipu Sultan while remembering him on his death anniversary. The Pakistan governments official Twitter handle wrote, "Revisiting an important and influential historical figure, the Tiger of Mysore - Tipu Sultan on his death anniversary. Right from his early years, he was trained in the art of warfare and had a fascination for learning." Countering Shah's tweet, Congress spokesperson Abhishek Singhvi said: "There should be clapping for the uncanny timing. Wonder how Pakistan woke up in the middle of the Karnataka election to tweet about Tipu Sultan. This is a deliberately created coincidence." The big question here is: Who drags Pakistan or makes it a party to Indian elections? Is it the Congress, as Amit Shah alleges, or is it the BJP itself? Gujarat Assembly election On December 10, 2017, during a poll campaign in Gujarats Palanpur, Prime Minister Narendra Modi claimed that Congress leaders had held a secret meeting with important people from Pakistan before Mani Shankar Aiyar called him a "neech" person. Modi said, "You people must have read the newspaper about the incident at Mani Shankar Aiyar's house. It was an issue of hot debate in newspapers and media yesterday that a meeting between former Pakistan high commissioner, former minister of external affairs of Pakistan, former vice president Hamid Ansari and former PM Manmohan Singh was held at Mani Shankar Aiyar's house. The meeting had run for three hours and the next day he called me 'neech' (lowly)." He went on to add: "This is an issue of serious concern that when Pakistan has become a sensitive issue for the country then what was the reason to hold a secret meeting with Pakistan when the polls are being held in Gujarat. Former director general of Pakistan army Arshad Rafiq has insisted that Ahmed Patel should be made CM of Gujarat. "Former Pakistan army director general intervened in Gujarat election. They held meeting with Pakistanis at Mani Shankar's house and the very next day, the backward community of Gujarat, Modi and poor people of Gujarat were insulted. "Is it not an issue of concern for the country? The Congress must answer what suspicious activities they are doing. They must answer the country." So, it was Modi who dragged Pakistan saying it was conspiring with the Congress party to defeat the BJP. Fingers were pointed at former prime minister Manmohan Singh along with former vice-president Hamid Ansari. Seventeen days later, the BJP didn't exactly apologise, but it said that PM Modi didn't mean to question Manmohan Singh's commitment to India. Union minister Arun Jaitley said, "The PM in his speeches didn't question, nor meant to question the commitment to this nation of either former PM Manmohan Singh or former VP Hamid Ansari, any such perception is erroneous, we hold these leaders in high esteem, as well as their commitment to India." This clearly was a volte face for the BJP because what Prime Miniser Narendra Modi said wasnt true. UP Assembly election In 2017, during his campaign in Uttar Pradesh, Prime Minister Modi made similar anti-Pakistan statements. Addressing an election rally in Gonda district, the Prime Minister said: The derailment of the Indore-Patna Express on November 20 last year was a conspiracy and conspirators carried it out sitting across the border... Gonda is adjoining Nepal." He further said: "If the cross-border foes want to carry out their work, is it not necessary that more vigil is maintained in Gonda?" However, after the PM spoke, home minister Rajnath Singh told Parliament that the prime minister did not directly mention the ISIs name in the Kanpur train derailment case and investigation in the three train accidents were yet to be completed by the NIA. Bihar Assembly polls "If BJP loses Bihar, crackers will be burst in Pakistan." On October 29, 2015, during Bihar Assembly polls, BJP president Amit Shah, during a rally in Raxaul, said: Agar BJP galti se bhi Bihar me haarti hai to jay-parajay toh Bihar me hogi, pataake Pakistan mein chhutenge." Not only this, the BJP placed front page advertisements in local newspapers targeting the Nitish government for being soft on terrorists and not taking strict action at the time of arrest of Indian Mujahideen leader Yasin Bhatkal. Antony, Kejriwal 'Pakistani agents' During the Lok Sabha election campaign, on March 26, 2014, Narendra Modi said: "Three AKs help Pakistan. AK-47 (rifle) is used by terrorists who shed Indian blood... then there is AK Antony, the defence minister who says Indian soldiers were beheaded by persons wearing uniforms of Pakistan army, when the Army said clearly the soldiers were beheaded by Pakistan army men." Hitting out at Arvind Kejriwal, Modi had alleged, "The third is AK-49 - he has just given birth to a party and on his party's official website he has given away Jammu and Kashmir to Pakistan. One of his associates says there should be a referendum in Kashmir. They are speaking Pakistan's language." AK-49 was a clear reference to Kejriwals 49 days as chief minister of Delhi in his first stint. Pakistan president singing 'Sonia tune' In 2002 Gujarat Assembly election, a day after the then Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee countered Pervez Musharrafs criticism of the Gujarat killings at the UN, Modi, the then chief minister picked up the cue and converted it into an election issue. Modi said: Mian Musharrafs language is borrowed from the Congress. Both are saying the same thing. He further said, ...the songs which Sonia Gandhi and some English TV channels were singing about Gujarat after Godhra have obviously been heard across the border. Now Mian Musharraf is repeating their accusations against me in an international forum. Isnt it strange that Pakistan, which has engineered so much bloodshed in Kashmir and forced its Hindus out, should try to teach me lessons in communal harmony? Modi went after Musharraf and said, Mian Musharraf, the conspiracy to destabilise India was hatched in Pakistan. But you must remember there are many more Muslims in India than in your country where one Islamic sect is always fighting another. At least in India Muslims are able to live in peace. All these examples clearly reflect that from 2002 till date, using making Pakistan a party to Indian elections has always been part of Modi-Shahs electoral strategy. Modi suggested in 2002 that Pakistan, along with the Congress party, was conspiring to defeat him. In 2018, Amit Shah is making the same point and telling how Pakistan is working in tandem with BJP's opponent, that is, the Congress party, against the interest of Hindus and the saffron party. Also read: Why Amitabh Bachchan's Twitter account is making headlines these days "I need loyalty, I expect loyalty," Donald Trump allegedly told Federal Bureau Investigation (FBI) director (now fired) James Comey seven days after he took over as the 45th President of the United States. In his gripping memoir, A Higher Loyalty: Truth, Lies, and Leadership, Comey narrates his personal interactions with Trump as nothing short of the president's crude eagerness and tacit pressure to secure unflinching loyalty like a mafia boss - "lying about things large and small, a service to some warped code of loyalty built with the us-versus-them world view". If one holds Comey's memoir on the crimes of mafia organisations like a mirror against the banking industry in India, the reflections are startling. The entrenched corruption and nepotism in the Indian banking sector so closely resembles the pathological mafia behaviour outlined in the book that many of the incidents mentioned could serve as anecdotal evidence of an Indian banking mafia. The tragedy for the Indian economy becomes even more profound when we consider that unlike most of their counterparts in western countries, Indian companies get into bigger trouble when top down corruption becomes rampant under the watch of dormant and non-participating boards. The banks in India are also typical of what physicist Leonard Mlodinow says in Elastic: Flexible Thinking in a Time of Change, "The more hierarchical a company is, the more it's an innovation killer." One defining characteristic of hierarchical companies is the inbuilt process that facilitates blatant corruption and nepotism where honest employees are kept busy and forced to spend their entire time and energy on untangling snafu. In the interconnected banking network, fraudulent action by any one bank goes on to impact all others connected to it as we found out in the Nirav Modi loot of the Punjab National Bank.The sources of mafia-type corruption as narrated by Comey in his memoir are money and power. Thanks to the vibrant Indian democracy, the abuse of power, emanating from the political system is at least reported - if not completely stopped - and alleged criminals are brought to justice more frequently than before. However, when it comes to corruption originating from banks, the story takes a different turn. Media seems eager to play second fiddle to the mafia bosses of banking companies by not asking the tough questions that it should and going on to advertise bank revenues that sustain the media. Mind you, even for Facebook more than 90 per cent of its $40 billion revenue comes from advertising and promotions. These banks are responsible for nipping in the bud a number of innovative start-ups while they channel billions of dollars towards non-performing companies, companies only existing on papers and into the coffers of the family members of banking bosses. Comey, despite having the security of a 10-year employment contract, had to put up a spirited fight to safeguard the integrity and independence of the FBI, his loyalty to "truth and American people". He paid the ultimate price by getting sacked. His moral courage to stand up against Trump and his cohorts, who now run the administration, was drawn in part from his insights and knowledge about how the mafia works. As a US government attorney, he was credited with prosecuting several notorious mafia gangs in New York in the 1980s. He has a firm grip on the psyche of mafia organisation, which is evident when Comey quotes the notorious mafia boss Joseph Bonanno, "Friendship, connections, family ties, trust, loyalty, obedience - this was the glue that held us together." Comey's definition of what constitutes a mafia organisation is thought-provoking and goes to the heart of the problems facing the current American socio-political theatre of action. And Bonanno's words could well fit into the chargesheet against any of the banks under investigation in India. What is scary is that not a single board member or chief executive of any of the banks embroiled in the now-proven corruption and swindling of millions of dollars has stepped aside or been sacked. It is a close-knit family, and Comey is right - "Mafia was all about loyalty, and you left it when you left this earth by natural cause or otherwise. Only rats leave Mafia alive." The banking sector is India's single-biggest source of corruption running the black money market. The state of affairs exists because the banks collectively handle most of the liquid cash before it is passed through the corrupted value chain and metamorphoses into unaccounted cash, liquid or immovable property. Corrupt practices of public sector employees are at least reported and are under the vigil of anti-corruption watchdogs like the Lokayukta. But what about corruption emanating from the private banks and partially privatised banks? There is a false notion that corruption in public banks does not involve public money and if the beneficiary of this graft is not a public servant or a politician, the banks' boards will take note and fix the problem. This is where Comey's book holds greater relevance for India. This mafia style functioning allows banks to reward the corrupt with bonuses, ensure prolonged employment to board members and CEOs even if they are accused of swindling billions of rupees fraudulently by misusing their offices. Recently the Australian government set up a royal commission - similar to India's judicial inquiry - to investigate the country's banking and financial scam under which customers were charged certain fees fraudulently. As soon as the royal commission heard that AMP Financial Services employees lied to the corporate watchdog Australian Securities and Investment Commission to cover up its practice of charging fees for advice that was never given, the chief executive officer took responsibility and stepped down. Compare this with what happens in India. All banking frauds are attributed to either junior or retired employees, while the big fish are allowed to go scot-free. The closely-knit board and the CEO feign complete ignorance about the subject - classic mafia behaviour. It is now proven that several Indian banks colluded with a number of corporate thugs and siphoned off huge sums of money from the country at the expense of budding entrepreneurs and innovators, who are struggling to start new businesses because of a paucity of funds. It is high time the Indian government set up an independent judicial commission to investigate the fraudulent practices rampant in the banking and financial sector. This commission should be mandated to probe cases at the level of the CEOs and board members. The government must empower the Reserve Bank of India to better scrutinise both the banking and Non-Banking Financial Company (NBFC) operations in the country. To make this happen, the government and other stakeholders should agree on one basic principle - the board and the CEO are collectively responsible for everything that happens in any banking or NBFC. A clean-up of the banking sector would provide a huge fillip to India's fledgling economy, which has taken a huge hit from the ever-growing problem of non-performing assets. Also read: BJP may hate Jinnah, but come elections it can't do without Pakistan The abduction of seven Indians working with a power company in Afghanistan highlights once again the tenuous control that the government of Ashraf Ghani has over the country. Despite 17-long years of effort by the international community and the elected governments of both Hamid Karzai and Ghani, the situation on the ground remains precarious. Kabul is in control of just a little over 50 per cent of Afghanistan. Some would say it could be lesser. This makes Afghanistan one of the most dangerous places in the world. The abducted engineers were working for KEC, an Indian company involved in a power transmission project in the Baghlan province of Afghanistan. They were waylaid and taken hostage on Sunday morning, May 6. According to provincial sources in the area, the Taliban is said to be behind the kidnapping. The Taliban has, however, not claimed responsibility so far. The external affairs ministry and India's ambassador in Kabul are in touch with the Afghan authorities. Considering India's close political ties with Ashraf Ghani's government, there will be full cooperation from the Afghans officials. There have also been reports that the abduction was a case of mistaken identity as the engineers were mistaken for Afghan government employees. Indians have been targeted several times in Afghanistan. But why now is the question everyone is asking? Is this a post-Wuhan reaction? In 2008, a car bomb near the embassy compound in Kabul killed the defence attache and a young diplomat among others. At that time it was the Haqqani network which was responsible for strikes against Indian assets. The Haqqani brothers are close to Pakistan's intelligence service, the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI), and the attacks were part of a plan put in place by the ISI to restrict India's presence in Afghanistan. The Pakistani military with memories of what happened in 1971 in East Pakistan was hell-bent on ensuring that Indians move out of their backyard. The ISI was worried that Pakistan would be squeezed like a lemon on both its eastern and western fronts by India. So the plan was to browbeat India and send it packing from Afghanistan. Kidnappings and attacks on Indian workers were frequent during the building of the Delaram-Zaranj highway to link Afghanistan to Iran and thereby facilitate trade through the Chabahar port in Iran. Despite several attempts to frighten India into leaving Afghanistan, New Delhi completed the road and handed it over to the Afghan government. Whether Sunday's kidnappings came in the aftermath of the Wuhan meeting between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Xi Jinping is not known. There was talk after the summit of India and China working together on projects in Afghanistan. No details are known. But to many in Pakistan's deep state, this is not welcome and needs to be stopped. Perhaps elements within the security establishment in Pakistan want to scuttle the coming together of India and China. These elements might view the development as another attempt by India to spread its influence in Afghanistan. Could this abduction be part of a plan to once again target Indian interests? Will Pakistan's ISI, concerned about India-China working together in Afghanistan, begin a fresh assault on Indian assets in Afghanistan? Kidnappings are routine in Afghanistan and the seven Indians could just have been unlucky. There are wheels within wheels at play in Afghanistan. It is a country where kidnappings for ransom form a profitable business. Workers of several nationalities have been kidnapped by different groups. Sometimes it is by jihadis but often by armed gangs operating across the country on the lookout for easy money. Judith D'Souza, an Indian national in Afghanistan, was kidnapped in 2016 from Kabul. She remained in captivity for a month before being rescued. Father Prem Kumar, a Roman Catholic priest, was also abducted from Herat in 2014. He was released in 2015. It may be too early to assign any motive to the latest kidnapping. But the fact that this has happened soon after the Wuhan meeting has led to speculations. Afghanistan remains a major worry for the world. The US, despite President Donald Trump's announcement of his new South Asia policy, has been able to achieve little. The US is currently more focused on its interests in North Korea and Iran. Afghanistan is no longer a priority for Trump. This is why regional powers are all courting the Taliban, and opening lines of communication with them. Instability in Afghanistan, gives scope to all jihadi groups to base themselves there. China faces a problem in its Xinjiang province. Beijing believes that over 50 "terrorist" groups are fighting for independence in Xinjiang. It claims that 1,000 members of 10 different groups have undergone training at camps in Afghanistan, with some returning to Xinjiang and elsewhere in China and set up secret cells. Russia is concerned about stability in Central Asia, and fears that instability in Afghanistan could spread across the region. The US too may use radical elements to destabilise Russia. So the fear is less about radical elements spreading their wings, and more about US using these forces against Russia. Iran is equally concerned about Sunni terror groups. All these countries are now talking to the Taliban. They realise that a political solution is the only answer. Among other reasons, Russia's desire to forge closer links with Pakistan is also because of Afghanistan. Everyone realises that Pakistan must also play its part. While the Taliban is talking to all regional powers as well as to the US, they remain rigid in their stand. Whether a political solution can be worked out remains a question. India is extending all political support to Ashraf Ghani's government. It believes talks between the Afghan government and the Taliban must be "Afghan-led and Afghan-owned", which means no outsider should dictate the terms of the agreement. Delhi is concentrating on developmental work and not overstepping its reach in Afghanistan. Also read: Please keep Mohammed Ali Jinnah's portrait, banish his bigotry Terror attacks, including suicide bombings, have become routine in Afghanistan. Worse, there is no respite in sight from this cycle of violence. Terrorists are having a field day in the country. On May 6, Khost, in east Afghanistan, witnessed a deadly terror strike in a voter registration office claiming over 17 lives. Khost has always been the epicentre of terror-linked activities and is a known stronghold of the ISIS. Electoral offices could be under attack for the obvious reason that terrorists have no liking for electoral processes. And Afghanistan's problems cannot be attributed only to the ISIS because the Taliban too is active in the country. Just a month back in April, a suicide bombing in Kabul killed more than 60 people and grievously wounded many others. The tragedy unfolded near the intelligence and security headquarters, which in close to the US embassy and other important diplomatic installations. The Khost and Kabul attacks prove that the ISIS and the Taliban are working closely to inflict maximum damage on people and property in the restive country. It doesn't seem like Afghanistan has a functional intelligence gathering apparatus. The US has been claiming from the rooftop that it helping Afghanistan in its fight to counter terror. On the ground, however, that doesn't seem to be the case. Unless a strong message is sent out, the hostile forces will not be deterred and that is what is happening on the ground. The writ of the ISIS and Taliban runs large in Afghanistan. It is noteworthy that terror targets in Afghanistan are close to strategically important structures, which means terrorist forces exist close to these structures, which is a very disturbing sign. If this is allowed to go on, a common Afghanistan national will never feel safe in any part of the country. It is disheartening to note that counter-terror forces appear demotivated in doing their job. Unless security forces are led from the front, energised and kept on their toes, acts of terror will go on leading to the kind of rule of law existed in medieval times. The situation as it exists is extremely demoralising for the security forces as well. It has been reiterated in the past and needs to be underscored time and again that Afghanistan alone is not capable of handling the mess it is in. Decimating the hydra-headed monster of terrorism in the country is not easy given how badly radicalised terrorists operating in and from the country are. The problem is compounded by the fact that neighbouring Pakistan is abetting terror attacks in Afghanistan. Security experts believe that Pakistan will continue its efforts to destabilise Afghanistan in an attempt to assert its role in the region, especially, to thwart any warmth in the relations between India and Afghanistan. Under these circumstances, it is advisable for the western intelligence forces to reactivate their intelligence machinery to pick up bits and pieces of intelligence to pre-empt major strikes and demolish the terrorist infrastructure that exists. Collaboration between Afghanistan, India and western powers to combat terror is imperative. Today, Afghanistan President Ashraf Ghani is as vulnerable as any other Afghan in the country. This speaks volumes about the security situation in the country. On May 6, another development in Afghanistan hit Indian interests in the regions. Seven engineers trying to rebuild the war-torn country were abducted in a clear message that Indians are not safe in Afghanistan. The deep state in Pakistan, which exercises great influence in Afghanistan too, will do everything it can to ensure Indo-Afghan ties are never allowed to flourish. It is thus extremely important to work towards rooting out terrorists and terrorism from the soil of Afghanistan. Also read: Why abduction of 7 Indians in Afghanistan could be a fallout of Modi-Xi Wuhan meet Noront Resources Ltd., a resource company, engages in the acquisition, development, and exploration of base and precious metals in Canada. It explores for nickel, copper, zinc, platinum group metals, chromite, iron, titanium, vanadium, gold, and silver. The company's flagship property is the Eagle's Nest project located in the James Bay Lowlands, Ontario. The company was formerly known as White Wing Resources Inc. and changed its name to Noront Resources Ltd. in July 1983. Noront Resources Ltd. was incorporated in 1980 and is headquartered in Toronto, Canada. Read More The following companies are subsidiares of Arrow Electronics: A.E. Petsche Belgium BVBA, A.E. Petsche Canada Inc., A.E. Petsche Company, A.E. Petsche Company Inc., A.E. Petsche Company S De RL, A.E. Petsche SAS, A.E. 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Ltd., Arrow Electronics (Sweden) KB, Arrow Electronics (Thailand) Limited, Arrow Electronics (U.K.) Inc., Arrow Electronics (UK) Ltd., Arrow Electronics ANZ Holdings Pty Ltd., Arrow Electronics Asia (S) Pte Ltd., Arrow Electronics Asia Limited, Arrow Electronics Australia Pty Ltd., Arrow Electronics B.V., Arrow Electronics Canada Ltd., Arrow Electronics China Ltd., Arrow Electronics Components (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., Arrow Electronics Czech Republic s.r.o., Arrow Electronics D.O.O., Arrow Electronics Danish Holdings ApS, Arrow Electronics EMEA Group GmbH, Arrow Electronics EMEASA S.r.l., Arrow Electronics Estonia OU, Arrow Electronics FC B.V., Arrow Electronics Funding Corporation, Arrow Electronics GmbH & Co. KG, Arrow Electronics Hellas S.A., Arrow Electronics Holdings Vagyonkezelo Kft, Arrow Electronics Hungary Kereskedelmi Bt, Arrow Electronics India Ltd., Arrow Electronics India Private Limited, Arrow Electronics International Holdings LLC, Arrow Electronics International Inc., Arrow Electronics Italia S.r.l, Arrow Electronics Japan GK, Arrow Electronics Korea Limited, Arrow Electronics Labuan Pte Ltd., Arrow Electronics Ltd., Arrow Electronics Mexico S. de R.L. de C.V., Arrow Electronics Norwegian Holdings AS, Arrow Electronics Poland Sp.z.o.o., Arrow Electronics Russ OOO, Arrow Electronics Services S.r.l., Arrow Electronics Slovakia s.r.o., Arrow Electronics South Africa LLP, Arrow Electronics Taiwan Ltd., Arrow Electronics UK Holding Ltd., Arrow Electronics Ukraine LLC, Arrow Elektronik Ticaret A.S., Arrow Enterprise Computing Solutions Inc., Arrow Enterprise Computing Solutions India Private Limited, Arrow Enterprise Computing Solutions Ltd., Arrow Enterprise Computing Solutions S.A., Arrow Finland OY, Arrow France S.A., Arrow Global Asset Disposition Inc., Arrow Global Supply Chain Services Inc., Arrow Holdings (Delaware) LLC, Arrow Iberia Electronica Lda., Arrow Iberia Electronica S.L.U., Arrow International Holdings L.P., Arrow International Holdings Limited, Arrow Nordic Components AB, Arrow Norway A/S, Arrow S-Tech Norway AS, Arrow SEED (Hong Kong) Limited, Arrow Systems Integration Inc., Arrow UEC Japan KK, Arrow United Holdings LLC, Arrow United International Holdings LP, Arrow Value Recovery ApS (fka Greentech Denmark ApS), Arrow Value Recovery Belgium BVBA, Arrow Value Recovery Czech Republic sro, Arrow Value Recovery Denmark ApS, Arrow Value Recovery EMEA BV, Arrow Value Recovery Finland Oy (fka Greentech Finland OY), Arrow Value Recovery France SAS, Arrow Value Recovery Germany GmbH, Arrow Value Recovery Netherlands BV, Arrow Value Recovery Norway AS (fka Greentech AS), Arrow Value Recovery Sweden AB (fka Greentech Sweden AB), Arrow Value Recovery UK LTD, Arrow eCommerce B.V., Arrow/Artlink Technology (Hong Kong) Limited, Arrow/Components (Agent) Ltd., Arrow/Rapac Ltd., Artlink Technology Co. Ltd., Aspen Labs LLC, Aspencore China Investment LLC, Aspencore LLC, Aspencore Media GmbH, Aspencore/IDG China Investment LLC, Asplenium SA, Asset Recovery Corporation, B.V. Arrow Electronics DLC, Beijing AIQI Technology, Beijing Arrow SEED Technology Co. Ltd, Beijing Canon Advertising Co. Ltd., Broomco (4184) Limited, COMPUTERLINKS, COMPUTERLINKS (UK) Ltd., COMPUTERLINKS Belgium BVBA, COMPUTERLINKS Denmark A/S, COMPUTERLINKS Nederland B.V., COMPUTERLINKS S.A., CSS Computer Security Solutions Erwerbs GmbH, CSS Computer Security Solutions Holding GmbH, CSS Computer Security Solutions Ltd., CT3 Europe Limited, Centia Group Ltd, Centia Ltd., Channel Support Pty Ltd, ChiWan Electronics (Shenzhen) Co. Ltd., Chip One Stop, Chip One Stop (Hong Kong) Ltd., Chip One Stop (Shenzhen) Ltd., Chip One Stop Inc., Commtech Solutions (UK) Limited, Components Agent (Cayman) Limited, Components Agent Asia Holdings Ltd., Components Distribution Business - Achieva, Conrac Asia Display Products Pte. Ltd., Conrac MENA FZE, Converge, Converge (Shanghai) International Trading Co. Ltd., Converge Asia Pte Ltd., Converge Electronics Trading (India) Private Ltd., Converge France SAS, Converge Netherlands BV, Converge Scandinavia AB, Cross Telecom, Data Modul, Data Modul AG, Data Modul Electronics Technology (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., Data Modul FZE, Data Modul France S.a r.l, Data Modul Hong Kong Ltd., Data Modul Iberia S.L., Data Modul Inc., Data Modul Italia S.r.l., Data Modul Ltd., Data Modul Shanghai Ltd., Data Modul Suisse GmbH, Data Modul Weikersheim GmbH, Diasa Informatica, Dicopel Inc., Distribution Business - Seed International, Distribution Central (MY) Sdn. Bhd., Distribution Central HK Pty Limited, Distribution Central Limited (NZ), Distribution Central Pte Limited (SG), Distribution Central Pty Limited, E-InfoChips KK, EC America, EDN Asia Advertising Pte Ltd., ETEQ Components Pte Ltd., Electronics Products Technology Co. Ltd., Embedded Developer LLC, Erf 211 Hughes (Pty) Limited, Eshel Technology Group Inc., Eurocomponentes S.A., Excel Tech, Excel Tech Inc., Firewall Systems Pty Limited, Fusion Distribution FZCO, Gates - Arrow Distributing, Gates - FA Distributing, Global Link Technology, Greentech Holding AS, Gross Telecom, ICC Global Media GmbH, IP Vista A/S, IPVista A/S, ITM USA Enterprises Inc., Intechra Holdings, Intex-semi Ltd., KeyLink Systems Group, LED Franchise LLC, LED Source Holdco LLC, LED Source LLC, LOGIX S.A., License Central Pty Ltd, Lite-On Korea Ltd., Marubun Arrow (HK) Limited, Marubun Arrow (S) Pte Ltd., Marubun Arrow (Thailand) Co Limited, Marubun Arrow Asia Ltd., Marubun Arrow Europe Kft., Marubun Corporation, Marubun USA Corporation, Marubun-Arrow Mexico S. de R.L. de C.V., Marubun/Arrow (HK) Limited, Marubun/Arrow (M) Sdn. Bhd (Malaysia), Marubun/Arrow (Philippines) Inc., Marubun/Arrow (S) Pte Ltd., Marubun/Arrow (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., Marubun/Arrow (Shenzhen) Electronic Product Consulting Company Limited, Marubun/Arrow (Thailand) Co. Ltd., Marubun/Arrow Asia Ltd., Marubun/Arrow USA II LLC, Marubun/Arrow USA LLC, NIC Components Asia PTE Ltd., NIC Components Corp., NIC Components Europe Limited, NIC Eurotech Limited, NUH Electronics India Private Limted, Networld Systems Pty Ltd, Nextworth Solutions Inc., Nu Horizons Electronics, Nu Horizons Electronics (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., Nu Horizons Electronics Asia PTE Ltd., Nu Horizons Electronics Hong Kong Ltd., Nu Horizons Electronics Malaysia SDN BHD, NuHo Singapore Holdings LLC, Observatory Crest, Openway Group SA, Openway SAS, PCG Parent Corp., PCG Trading LLC, PT Marubun Arrow Indonesia, Pansystem S.r.l., Pax8 Inc., Power and Signal Group GmbH, R.D. Trading Limited, RDC, RF Wireless & Power - Richardson Electronics, Rack Systems Pty Ltd, Red Education Pty Ltd, Redemtech, Renewal Systems Pty Ltd, Richardson RFPD (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd, Richardson RFPD (Thailand) Limited, Richardson RFPD Australia Pty. Ltd., Richardson RFPD Canada Inc., Richardson RFPD Electronics Trading (China) Co. Ltd., Richardson RFPD France SAS, Richardson RFPD Germany GmbH, Richardson RFPD Hong Kong, Richardson RFPD Inc., Richardson RFPD Israel Ltd., Richardson RFPD Italy Srl, Richardson RFPD Japan KK, Richardson RFPD Korea Ltd., Richardson RFPD Netherlands BV, Richardson RFPD Singapore, Richardson RFPD Spain SL, Richardson RFPD Sweden AB, Richardson RFPD Taiwan, Richardson RFPD UK Ltd., Richey Electronics, San Systems Pty Ltd, Schuylkill Metals of Plant City Inc., Seneca Data, Seneca Data Distributors Inc., Shared Technologies, Silicon Frameworks LLC, SiliconEgypt Technologies LLC, SiliconExpert Holdings LLC, SiliconExpert Technologies, SiliconExpert Technologies Inc., Sphinx CST Limited, Sphinx CST Networks Limited, Sphinx Group, Sphinx Group Limited, Sphinx Professional Services Limited, Spoerle Hungary Kereskedelmi Kft, Sun Chain Technology Corp., TLW Electronics Ltd., TechTurn, Titan Supply Chain Services Limited, Titan Supply Chain Services Pte Ltd., Trafomo AB, Trafomo ApS, Transim Technology, Transim Technology Corporation, U.S. Micro Operating Company LLC, UBM Tech Electronics Network, Ultra Source Electronics (SZ) Co LTD, Ultra Source Technology Corp., Ultra Source Trading Hong Kong Limited, United Technical Publishing Division - Hearst Business Media, Universe Electron Corporation, Verical, Verwaltungsgesellschaft Arrow Electronics GmbH, Wireless and Infrastructure Business Unit - Waching Company, Yongming Xincheng (Beijing) Technology Co., e-InfoChips, e-Infochips Private Limited, eInfochips, eMedia Asia Limited, immixGovernment Inc., immixGroup, immixGroup Inc., immixSolutions Inc., and immixTechnology. The following companies are subsidiares of Xerox: A B S Digital Limited, Acorn Business Machines (Holmfirth) Limited, Alloy Acquisitions Corp. LLC, Altodigital Networks, Altodigital Networks Limited, American Photocopy Equipment Company of Pittsburgh LLC, Amici, Arena Group, Arena Group Holdings Limited, Arena Group Limited, Arizona Office Technologies Inc., B 2 Business Systems Limited, Back2Business Limited, Bessemer Insurance Limited, Bessemer Trust Limited, Boise Office Equipment Inc., Bright Ceramic Technologies Inc., Bunch CareSolutions, Business Systems (North Wales) Limited, CPAS Systems, CREDITEX - Aluguer de Equipamentos S.A., CTX Business Solutions Inc., Capitol Office Solutions LLC, CareAR Holdings LLC, CareAR Inc., Carolina Office Systems Inc., Carr Business Systems Inc., Chicago Office Technology Group Inc., ComDoc Inc., Concept Group, Concept Group Limited, Connecticut Business Systems LLC, Consilience Software, Continua Limited, Continua Sanctum Limited, Conway Technology Group LLC, Copyrite Business Solutions (Holdings) Limited, Copyrite Business Solutions Limited, Copytrend Limited, Criterion IT Limited, Customer Value Group, Dahill Office Technology Corporation, Digitex, Digitex Canada Inc., Docucentric Holdings Limited, Document Systems, Eastern Managed Print Network LLC, Elan Marketing Inc., Electronic Systems Inc., Fovia (Innovation) Limited, G-Five Inc., GDP Technologies Inc., Global Imaging Systems, Global PR Corporation, Gyricon LLC, Healthy Communities Institute, Heritage Business Systems Inc., ITEC Group, Image Technology Specialists Inc., ImageQuest Inc., Imagetek Office Systems, Impika, Impika SAS, Inland Business Machines Inc., Institute for Research on Learning, Integrity One Technologies Inc., Intrepid Learning, Invoco Group, Irish Business Systems, LRI LLC, LaserNetworks, LaserNetworks Inc., Lateral Data, Learn Something, Lewan & Associates Inc., Limited Liability Company Xerox (C.I.S.), M & S Reprographics Limited, MRC Smart Technology Solutions Inc., MT Business Holdings Inc., MT Business Technologies Inc., MWB Copy Products Inc., Mail A Doc Limited, Merizon Group Incorporated, Michigan Office Solutions Inc., Minnesota Office Technology Group Inc., Mitral Systems Limited, Mr. Copy Inc., Nemo (AKS) Limited, NewField IT, NewField Information Technology LLC, NewField Information Technology Limited, Northeast Office Systems LLC, Osprey Business Systems Limited, PARC China Holdings Inc., Pacific Services and Development Corporation, Palo Alto Research Center Incorporated, Platinum Digital Print Solutions Limited, Precision Copier Service Inc., Quality Business Systems Inc., Quilver Business Services Limited, R. K. Dixon Company, RRXH Limited, RRXIL Limited, RRXO Limited, RSA Medical, Rabbit Copiers Inc., Reflex Digital Solutions (UK) Limited, Reprographics Egypt Limited, Saxon Business Systems Inc., Smart Data Consulting, SoCal Office Technologies Inc., Stem Networks Limited, Stewart Business Systems LLC, Stewart of Alabama Inc., StrataCare, Talegen Holdings Inc., Tektronix - color printing, Text Comm Limited (in receivership), The Xerox (UK) Trust, The Xerox Foundation, Time Business Systems Limited, Triton Business Finance Limited, Una-Stem Limited, Veenman B.V., Veenman Financial Services B.V., WDS, WaterWare Internet Services, XC Asia LLC, XC Global Trading B.V., XC Trading Hong Kong Limited, XC Trading Japan G.K., XC Trading Korea YH, XC Trading Malaysia Sdn. Bhd., XC Trading Shenzhen Co. Ltd., XC Trading Singapore Pte Ltd., XEROX CZECH REPUBLIC s r.o., XESystems Foreign Sales Corporation, XFS Secured Borrowing 2020-1 LLC, XHC Acquisition Corp., XMPie, XMPie Inc., XMPie Ltd., XRI Limited, XRO Limited, Xerox (Europe) Limited, Xerox (Ireland) Limited, Xerox (Nederland) BV, Xerox (Romania) Echipmante Si Servici S.A., Xerox (UK) Limited, Xerox (Ukraine) Ltd LLC, Xerox A/S, Xerox AG, Xerox AS, Xerox Argentina Industrial y Comercial S.A., Xerox Austria GmbH, Xerox Bulgaria EOOD, Xerox Business Equipment Limited, Xerox Business Services Bulgaria EOOD, Xerox Business Solutions Inc., Xerox Business Solutions Southeast LLC, Xerox Buro Araclari Servis ve Ticaret Ltd. Sti, Xerox Canada Inc., Xerox Canada Ltd., Xerox Canada N.S. ULC, Xerox Capital (Europe) Limited, Xerox Capital LLC, Xerox Computer Services Limited, Xerox Comercio e Industria Ltda, Xerox Corporation, Xerox DNHC LLC, Xerox Dienstleistungsgesellschaft GmbH, Xerox Distributor Operations Limited, Xerox Egypt S.A.E., Xerox Equipment Limited, Xerox Equipment UK Limited, Xerox Espana S.A.U., Xerox Exports Limited, Xerox Finance AG, Xerox Finance Leasing S.A.E., Xerox Finance Limited, Xerox Financial Services B.V., Xerox Financial Services Belux NV, Xerox Financial Services Canada Ltd., Xerox Financial Services Danmark A/S, Xerox Financial Services Finland Oy, Xerox Financial Services LLC, Xerox Financial Services Norway AS, Xerox Financial Services SAS, Xerox Financial Services Sverige AB, Xerox Foreign Holdings LLC, Xerox Foreign Sales Corporation, Xerox GmbH, Xerox Health Care LLC, Xerox Hellas AEE, Xerox Holding Deutschland GmbH, Xerox Holdings (Ireland) Limited, Xerox Holdings Inc., Xerox Hungary Trading Limited, Xerox IBS Limited, Xerox IBS NI Limited, Xerox India Limited, Xerox International Joint Marketing Inc., Xerox Investments Europe B.V., Xerox Israel Ltd., Xerox Italia Rental Services Srl, Xerox Kazakhstan Limited Liability Partnership, Xerox Latinamerican Holdings Inc., Xerox Leasing Deutschland GmbH, Xerox Leasing GmbH, Xerox Limited, Xerox Luxembourg SA, Xerox Mailing Systems Limited, Xerox Manufacturing (Nederland) B.V., Xerox Maroc S.A., Xerox Mexicana S.A. de C.V., Xerox Middle East Investments (Bermuda) Limited, Xerox N.V., Xerox Overseas Holdings Limited, Xerox Overseas Inc., Xerox Oy, Xerox Pensions Limited, Xerox Polska Sp. z o. o, Xerox Portugal Equipamentos de Escritorio Limitada, Xerox Products Limited, Xerox Products UK Limited, Xerox Professional Services Limited, Xerox Realty Corporation, Xerox Renting S.A.U., Xerox Reprographische Services GmbH, Xerox S.A.S., Xerox S.p.A., Xerox Secured Borrowing 2020-1 LLC, Xerox Servicios Compartidos Guatemala y Compani Limitada, Xerox Servicos e Participacoes Ltda, Xerox Shared Services Romania SRL, Xerox Sverige AB, Xerox Technology Services India LLP, Xerox Technology Services SAS, Xerox Telebusiness GmbH, Xerox Trading Enterprises Limited, Xerox Trinidad Limited, Xerox UK Holdings Limited, Xerox XHB Limited, Xerox XIB Limited, Xerox Xf Holdings (Ireland) DAC, Xerox de Chile S.A., Xerox del Ecuador S.A., Xerox del Peru S.A., Zeno Office Solutions, Zeno Office Solutions Inc., Zoom Imaging Solutions Inc., and inVentiv Patient Access Solutions. The following companies are subsidiares of Tyson Foods: APF Legacy Subs LLC, Advance Food Company LLC, AdvancePierre Foods, AdvancePierre Foods Holdings Inc., AdvancePierre Foods Inc., Aidells Sausage Company Inc., Allied Specialty Foods Inc., American Proteins Inc, Artisan Bread Co. LLC, Australian Food Corporation Pty Limited, Australian Food Corporation Trust, BRF, Barber Foods LLC, Bosco's Pizza Co., Bryan Foods Inc., C.S. Grain LLC, C.V. Holdings Inc., CBFA Management Corp., Central Industries Inc., Chefs Pantry LLC, Clovervale Farms LLC, Cobb (Hubei) Breeding Co. Ltd., Cobb (Shanghai) Enterprise Management Consulting Co. Ltd., Cobb Ana Damizlik Tavukculuk Sanayi Ve Ticaret Limited Sirketi, Cobb Columbia S.A.S., Cobb Europe B.V., Cobb Europe Limited, Cobb Peru (Andina) S.A.C., Cobb-Heritage LLC, Cobb-Vantress Brasil Ltda, Cobb-Vantress Inc., Cobb-Vantress New Zealand Limited, Cobb-Vantress Philippines Inc., Coominya AFC Pty Limited, Coominya AFC Trust, DFG Foods Inc., DFG Foods L.L.C., Don Julio, Egbert LLC, Equity Group - Georgia Division LLC, Equity Group - Kentucky Division LLC, Equity Group Eufaula Division LLC, Equity Meat Corp., Flavor Corp., Flavor Holdings Inc., Foodbrands America Inc., Foodbrands Supply Chain Services Inc., Gallo Salame Inc., Global Employment Services Inc., Grow-Out Credit LLC, Grow-Out Holdings LLC, Haimen Tyson Poultry Development Co. Ltd, Hudson Foods Company, Hudson Midwest Foods Inc., Hybro Genetics Brasil Ltda, IBP Caribbean Inc., IBP Foodservice L.L.C., IBP Inc., International Affiliates & Investment LLC, Jiangsu Tyson Foods Co. Ltd, Keydutch Finance B.V., Keydutch Holdings I LLC, Keydutch Holdings II LLC, Keydutch Investments B.V., Keystone CLJV Holdings Limited, Keystone County House Road LLC, Keystone Foods, Keystone Foods (AP) Limited, Keystone Foods Holdco LLC, Keystone Foods Intermediate LLC, Keystone Foods LLC, Keystone Foods Pty Limited, Keystone Management Inc., Keystone Trading (Shanghai) Company Limited, LD Foods LLC, M & M Express LLC, M&M Restaurant Supply (MI/OH) LLC, MFG (USA) Holdings Inc., Mac Food Services (Malaysia) SDN. BHD., Madison Foods Inc., McKey Food Services (Hong Kong) Limited, McKey Food Services (Shandong) Limited, McKey Food Services (Thailand) Limited, McKey Food Services Limited, McKey Luxembourg Holdings APMEA S.a.r.l., McKey Luxembourg Holdings S.a.r.l., McKey Luxembourg S.a.r.l., McKey VI Holdings Limited, Myung Seung Food Company Ltd., National Comp Care Inc., New Canada Holdings Inc., Oaklawn Capital Corporation, Oaklawn IT Solution Private Limited, Original Philly Holdings Inc., PBX inc., Pierre Holdco Inc., River Valley Ingredients LLC, Rizhao Tyson Foods Co. Ltd, Rizhao Tyson Poultry Co. Ltd, Rural Energy Systems Inc., Sara Lee - Kiwi Holdings LLC, Sara Lee Diversified LLC, Sara Lee Foods LLC, Sara Lee Household & Body Care Malawi Ltd., Sara Lee International LLC, Sara Lee International TM Holdings LLC, Sara Lee Mexicana Holdings Investment L.L.C., Sara Lee TM Holdings LLC, Sara Lee Trademark Holdings Australasia LLC, Saramar L.L.C., Shandong Tyson-Da Long Food Company Limited, Smart Chicken, Southern Family Foods L.L.C., Southwest Products LLC, TF 20 B.V., TF 5201 B.V., TFA Leasing LLC, TFA Opportunity Zone Fund LLC, TFI of California Inc., Tecumseh Poultry LLC, Texas Transfer Inc., The Bruss Company, The Hillshire Brands Company, The IBP Foods Co., The Pork Group Inc., TyNet Corporation, Tyson (Shanghai) Enterprise Management Consulting Co. Ltd., Tyson Americas Holding Sarl, Tyson Asia Pacific Pte. Ltd., Tyson Breeders Inc., Tyson Chicken Inc., Tyson China Holding 2 Limited, Tyson China Holding 3 Limited, Tyson China Holding Limited, Tyson Deli Inc., Tyson Europe Holding Company, Tyson Farms Inc., Tyson Farms QOZB LLC, Tyson Foods Brasil Investimentos Ltda., Tyson Foods Canada Inc., Tyson Foods Europe (Netherlands) B.V., Tyson Foods Europe GmbH, Tyson Foods France S.A.R.L., Tyson Foods Germany GmbH, Tyson Foods Group Limited, Tyson Foods Holland B.V., Tyson Foods Huadong Development Co. Ltd, Tyson Foods Iberia Alimentos S.L.U., Tyson Foods Italia S.p.A., Tyson Foods Korea, Tyson Foods Netherlands B.V., Tyson Foods Products Limited, Tyson Foods Scotland Europe Limited, Tyson Foods Scotland Sales (Europe) Limited, Tyson Foods UK Limited, Tyson Foods Wrexham Limited, Tyson Foods oosterwolde B.V., Tyson Fresh Meats Inc., Tyson Fresh Meats Sales and Distribution LLC, Tyson Global Holding Sarl, Tyson Hog Markets Inc., Tyson India Holdings Ltd., Tyson International APAC Ltd., Tyson International Company Ltd., Tyson International Holding Company, Tyson International Holding Sarl, Tyson International Service Center Inc., Tyson International Service Center Inc. Asia, Tyson International Service Center Inc. Europe, Tyson Mexican Original Inc., Tyson Mexico Trading Company S. de R.L. de CV., Tyson New Ventures LLC, Tyson Opportunity Zone Fund LLC, Tyson Pet Products Inc., Tyson Poultry Inc., Tyson Prepared Foods Inc., Tyson Processing Services Inc., Tyson Refrigerated Processed Meats Inc., Tyson Sales and Distribution Inc., Tyson Service Center Corp., Tyson Shared Services Inc., Tyson Storm Lake Holdings LLC, Tyson Warehousing Services LLC, Tyson of Wisconsin LLC, Uninex SA, Universal Meats (UK) Limited, WBA Analytical Laboratories Inc., Wilton Foods Inc., Xamol Consultores e Servicos, and Zemco Industries Inc.. Legg Mason, Inc. is a publicly owned asset management holding company. Through its subsidiaries, the firm provides investment management and related services to company-sponsored mutual funds and other investment vehicles including pension funds, foundations, endowments, sovereign wealth funds, insurance companies, private banks, family offices, individuals, as well as to global, institutional, and retail clients. It launches and manages equity, fixed income, and multi-asset customized portfolios through its subsidiaries. The firm also launches and manages mutual funds and exchange traded funds for its clients through its subsidiaries. It invests in private and public equity, fixed income, and multi asset markets across the globe through its subsidiaries. Through its subsidiaries, the firm also invests in alternative markets. It also employs a combination of fundamental and quantitative research to make its investments through its subsidiaries. Legg Mason, Inc. was founded in 1899 and is based in Baltimore, Maryland. Read More The following companies are subsidiares of AON: 6824625 Canada Ltd., 7193599 Canada Inc., A.B. Insurances Limited, ADIS A/S, AIB Services Limited, AIS Affinity Insurance Agency Inc., AIS Insurance Agency Inc., AMXH LLC, ARM International Corp., ARM International Insurance Agency Corp., ARMRISK CORP., AS Holdings Inc., ASPN Insurance Agency LLC, Access Plans USA Inc., Acumen Credit Insurance Brokers Limited, Adm Administradora de Beneficios Ltda., Administradora Aon C.A., Admiseg SA, Admix, Admix - Administracao Consultoria Participacoes e Corretora de Seguros de Vida Ltda., Aeropeople Limited, Affinity Group Insurance Services Limited, Affinity Insurance Services Inc., Affinity Risk Partners (Brokers) Pty Ltd, Agenion N.V./SA, Agility Credit Insurance Brokers Limited, Alexander & Alexander Holding B.V., Alexander Clay, Alexander Insurance Managers (Netherlands Antilles) N.V., Alexander Reinsurance Intermediaries Inc., Allen Insurance Associates Inc., Alliance HealthCard Inc., Alliance HealthCard of Florida Inc., American Insurance Services Corp., American Special Risk Insurance Company, Aon (Bermuda) Ltd., Aon (CR) Insurance Agencies Company Limited, Aon (DIFC) Gulf Limited, Aon (Fiji) Ltd., Aon (Isle of Man) Limited, Aon (Thailand) Limited, Aon 180412 Limited (in liquidation), Aon ANZ Holdings Limited, Aon APAC Holdings B.V., Aon Acore Sarl, Aon Adjudication Services Limited, Aon Affinity Administradora de Beneficios Ltda., Aon Affinity Argentina S.A., Aon Affinity Chile Ltda., Aon Affinity Colombia Ltda. Agencia de Seguros, Aon Affinity Mexico Agente de Seguros y de Fianzas S.A. de C.V., Aon Affinity Mexico S.A. de C.V., Aon Affinity Servicos e Participacoes Ltda., Aon Affinity do Brasil Servicos e Corretora de Seguros Ltda., Aon Agencies Hong Kong Limited, Aon Americas Holdings BV, Aon Angola Corretores de Seguros Limitada, Aon Antillen N.V., Aon Aruba N.V., Aon Assurance Agencies Hong Kong Limited, Aon Australia Group Pty Ltd, Aon Australian Holdco 1 Pty Ltd, Aon Australian Holdco 2 Pty Ltd, Aon Australian Holdco 3 Pty Ltd, Aon Austria GmbH, Aon Bahrain W.L.L., Aon Belgium B.V.B.A., Aon Benefit Solutions Inc., Aon Benfield (Chile) Corredores de Reaseguros Ltda., Aon Benfield Argentina S.A., Aon Benfield Australia Limited, Aon Benfield Brasil Corretora de Resseguros Ltda., Aon Benfield Canada ULC, Aon Benfield China Limited, Aon Benfield Colombia Limitada Corredores de Reaseguros, Aon Benfield Fac Inc., Aon Benfield Global Inc., Aon Benfield Group Limited, Aon Benfield Inc., Aon Benfield Israel Limited, Aon Benfield Italia S.p.A., Aon Benfield Japan Ltd, Aon Benfield Latin America SA, Aon Benfield Limited, Aon Benfield Malaysia Limited, Aon Benfield Mexico Intermediario de Reaseguro SA de CV, Aon Benfield Middle East Limited, Aon Benfield New Zealand Limited, Aon Benfield Panama S.A., Aon Benfield Peru Corredores de Reaseguros SA, Aon Benfield Puerto Rico Inc., Aon Bermuda Holding Company Limited, Aon Bermuda QI Holdings Ltd., Aon Beteiligungsmanagement Deutschland GmbH & Co. KG, Aon Bolivia S.A. Corredores de Seguros, Aon Botswana (Pty) Ltd., Aon Brazil Holdings LLC, Aon Broking Services SA, Aon Broking Technology Limited, Aon CANZ Holdings B.V., Aon CANZ Holdings N.S. ULC, Aon Canada Holdings N.S. ULC, Aon Canada Inc., Aon Canada Intermediaries GP, Aon Captive Services Antilles N.V., Aon Captive Services Aruba N.V., Aon Cash Management B.V., Aon Central and Eastern Europe a.s., Aon Centre for Innovation and Analytics Ltd, Aon Charitable Foundation Pty Ltd, Aon Chile Holdings LLC, Aon Commercial Insurance Agencies Hong Kong Limited, Aon Commercial Services Ireland Limited, Aon Commercial Services and Operations Ireland Limited, Aon Consolidation Group Pty Ltd, Aon Consulting & Insurance Services, Aon Consulting (Chile) Limitada, Aon Consulting (Thailand) Limited, Aon Consulting Bolivia S.R.L., Aon Consulting Ecuador S.A., Aon Consulting Financial Services Limited, Aon Consulting Inc., Aon Consulting Kazakhstan LLP, Aon Consulting Limited, Aon Consulting Private Limited, Aon Consulting Romania SRL, Aon Corporate Services (Isle of Man) Limited, Aon Corporate Services Limited, Aon Corporation, Aon Corporation Australia Limited, Aon Corporation EMEA B.V., Aon Credit International Insurance Broker GmbH, Aon Cyprus Insurance Broker Company Limited, Aon DC Trustee Limited, Aon Danismanlik Hizmetleri AS, Aon Delta Bermuda Ltd., Aon Delta UK Limited, Aon Denmark A/S, Aon Deutschland Beteiligungs GmbH, Aon Direct Group Inc., Aon Edge Insurance Agency Inc., Aon Energy Caribbean Limited, Aon Enterprise Insurance Agencies Hong Kong Limited, Aon Finance Bermuda 1 Ltd., Aon Finance Bermuda 2 Ltd., Aon Finance Canada 1 Corp., Aon Finance Canada 2 Corp., Aon Finance International N.S. ULC, Aon Finance Luxembourg S.a.r.l., Aon Finance N.S. 1 ULC, Aon Finance N.S. 5 ULC, Aon Finance N.S. 8 ULC, Aon Finance US 1 LLC, Aon Finance US 2 LLC, Aon Financial & Insurance Solutions Inc., Aon Finland Oy, Aon France, Aon Global Holdings 1 Limited, Aon Global Holdings 2 Limited, Aon Global Holdings 3 Limited [In strike-off], Aon Global Holdings Limited, Aon Global Operations plc, Aon Global Risk Consulting B.V., Aon Global Risk Consulting Luxembourg S.a.r.l., Aon Global Risk Research Limited, Aon Grana Peru Corredores de Seguros SA, Aon Greece S.A., Aon Groep Nederland B.V., Aon Group (Bermuda) Ltd., Aon Group (Thailand) Limited, Aon Group Holdings International 1 B.V., Aon Group Holdings International 2 B.V., Aon Group Inc., Aon Group International N.V., Aon Group Pty Ltd, Aon Group Venezuela Corretaje de Reaseguros C.A., Aon Hewitt (Bermuda) Ltd., Aon Hewitt (Ireland) Limited, Aon Hewitt (PNG) Ltd., Aon Hewitt (Thailand) Ltd., Aon Hewitt Consulting (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., Aon Hewitt Consulting Korea Inc., Aon Hewitt Financial Advice Limited, Aon Hewitt GmbH, Aon Hewitt Health Market Insurance Solutions Inc., Aon Hewitt Hong Kong Limited, Aon Hewitt Inc., Aon Hewitt Investment Consulting Inc., Aon Hewitt Investment Management Inc., Aon Hewitt Japan Ltd., Aon Hewitt Limited, Aon Hewitt Ltd., Aon Hewitt Malaysia Sdn Bhd, Aon Hewitt Management Company Limited, Aon Hewitt Middle East Limited, Aon Hewitt Risk & Consulting S.r.l., Aon Hewitt Risk & Financial Management B.V., Aon Hewitt Trust Solutions GmbH, Aon Hewitt US Holdings Limited, Aon Holding Deutschland GmbH, Aon Holdings (Isle of Man) Limited, Aon Holdings Antillen N.V., Aon Holdings Australia Pty Limited, Aon Holdings Austria GmbH, Aon Holdings B.V., Aon Holdings Botswana (Pty) Ltd, Aon Holdings Corretores de Seguros Ltda., Aon Holdings France SNC, Aon Holdings Hong Kong Limited, Aon Holdings International B.V., Aon Holdings Israel Ltd., Aon Holdings Japan Ltd, Aon Holdings Limited, Aon Holdings Luxembourg S.a.r.l., Aon Holdings Mid Europe B.V., Aon Holdings New Zealand, Aon Hong Kong Limited, Aon Hungary Insurance Brokers Risk and Human Consulting LLC, Aon Insurance Agencies (HK) Limited, Aon Insurance Agencies (Macau) Limited, Aon Insurance Brokers (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd, Aon Insurance Brokers (Pvt) Ltd., Aon Insurance Management Agencies (HK) Limited, Aon Insurance Managers (Antilles) N.V., Aon Insurance Managers (Barbados) Ltd., Aon Insurance Managers (Bermuda) Ltd, Aon Insurance Managers (Cayman) Ltd., Aon Insurance Managers (Dublin) Ltd., Aon Insurance Managers (Guernsey) Ltd., Aon Insurance Managers (Holdings) Ltd., Aon Insurance Managers (Isle of Man) Ltd., Aon Insurance Managers (Liechtenstein) AG, Aon Insurance Managers (Luxembourg) S.A., Aon Insurance Managers (Malta) PCC Limited, Aon Insurance Managers (Puerto Rico) Inc., Aon Insurance Managers (Shannon) Limited, Aon Insurance Managers (USA) Inc., Aon Insurance Managers (USVI) Inc., Aon Insurance Managers Gibraltar Ltd., Aon Insurance Micronesia (Guam) Inc, Aon Insurance Underwriting Agencies Hong Kong Limited, Aon Insurance and Reinsurance Brokers Philippines Inc., Aon International Cooperatief U.A., Aon International Energy Inc., Aon International Holdings Inc., Aon Investment Holdings Ireland Limited, Aon Israel Insurance Brokerage Ltd., Aon Italia S.r.l., Aon Japan Ltd, Aon Jauch & Hubener Gesellschaft m.b.H., Aon Korea Inc., Aon Latam Holdings N.V., Aon Lead QI B.V., Aon Life Agency of Texas Inc., Aon Life Agente de Seguros S.A. de C.V., Aon Life Insurance Company, Aon MacDonagh Boland Group Ltd, Aon Majan LLC, Aon Management Consulting Taiwan Ltd., Aon Mauritius Holdings, Aon Meeus Assurantien B.V., Aon Mexico Business Support SA de CV, Aon Mexico Holdings LLC, Aon Mexico Holdings S. de R.L. de C.V., Aon Middle East Co LLC, Aon Nederland C.V., Aon Netherlands Operations B.V., Aon Neudorf Finance S.a.r.l., Aon New Zealand, Aon New Zealand Group ULC, Aon Norway AS, Aon Overseas Holdings Limited, Aon PHI Acquisition Corporation of California, Aon PMI International Limited, Aon Parizeau Inc., Aon Pension Trustees Limited, Aon Pensions Insurance Brokers GmbH, Aon Polska Services Sp. z o.o., Aon Polska Sp. z o.o., Aon Portugal - Consultores Unipessoal Lda., Aon Portugal - Corretores de Seguros S.A., Aon Premium Finance LLC, Aon Private Risk Management Insurance Agency Inc., Aon Private Risk Management of California Insurance Agency Inc., Aon Product Design & Development Australia Pty Limited, Aon Product Design and Development New Zealand Limited, Aon Product Risk Services Hong Kong Limited, Aon Property Risk Consulting Inc., Aon Qatar LLC, Aon Re (Thailand) Limited, Aon Re Bertoldi - Corretagem de Resseguros S.A., Aon Re Bolivia S.A. Corredores de Reaseguros, Aon Re Canada Holdings SARL, Aon Real Estate B.V., Aon Realty Services Inc., Aon Reed Stenhouse Inc., Aon Retirement Plan Advisors LLC, Aon Retirement Solutions Limited, Aon Risiko & Unternehmensberatungs GmbH, Aon Risk & Asset Management Pty Ltd, Aon Risk Consultants Inc., Aon Risk Insurance Services West Inc., Aon Risk Management (Pty) Ltd, Aon Risk Services (Chile) Corredores de Seguros Limitada, Aon Risk Services (Holdings) of Latin America Inc., Aon Risk Services (Holdings) of the Americas Inc., Aon Risk Services (NI) Limited, Aon Risk Services (PNG) Ltd., Aon Risk Services (Thailand) Limited, Aon Risk Services Argentina S.A., Aon Risk Services Australia Limited, Aon Risk Services Canada Inc., Aon Risk Services Central Inc., Aon Risk Services Colombia SA Corredores de Seguros, Aon Risk Services Companies Inc., Aon Risk Services EMEA B.V., Aon Risk Services Ecuador S.A. Agencia Asesora Productora de Seguros, Aon Risk Services Holdings (Chile ) Ltda., Aon Risk Services Inc. of Florida, Aon Risk Services Inc. of Hawaii, Aon Risk Services Inc. of Maryland, Aon Risk Services Inc. of Washington D.C., Aon Risk Services Northeast Inc., Aon Risk Services South Inc., Aon Risk Services Southwest Inc., Aon Risk Services Venezuela Corretaje de Seguros C.A., Aon Risk Solutions (Cayman) Ltd., Aon Risk Solutions Agente de Seguros y de Fianzas SA de CV, Aon Risk Solutions of Puerto Rico Inc., Aon Riskminder A/S, Aon Romania Broker de Asigurare - Reasigurare SRL, Aon Rus Insurance Brokers LLC, Aon Rus LLC, Aon S.p.A. Insurance & Reinsurance Brokers, Aon Saver Limited, Aon Securities (Hong Kong) Limited, Aon Securities Investment Management Inc., Aon Securities LLC, Aon Securities Limited, Aon Service Corporation, Aon Services (Guernsey) Ltd, Aon Services (Malta) Ltd, Aon Services Group Inc., Aon Services Hong Kong Limited, Aon Services Pty Ltd., Aon Sigorta ve Reasurans Brokerligi ve A.S., Aon Soluciones S.A., Aon Soluciones S.A.C., Aon Southern Europe UK Limited, Aon Sp. z o.o., Aon Special Risk Resources Inc., Aon Superannuation (PNG) Limited, Aon Superannuation Pty Limited, Aon TC Holdings Inc., Aon Taiwan Ltd., Aon Treasury Ireland Limited, Aon Trust Company LLC, Aon Trust Corporation Limited, Aon Trust Services B.V., Aon UK Group Limited, Aon UK Holdings Intermediaries Limited, Aon UK Limited, Aon UK Trustees Limited, Aon US & International Holdings Limited, Aon US Holdings 2 Inc., Aon US Holdings Inc., Aon Ukraine LLC, Aon Underwriting Agencies (HK) Limited, Aon Underwriting Managers (Bermuda) Ltd., Aon Underwriting Managers Inc., Aon Versicherungsberatungs GmbH, Aon Versicherungsmakler Deutschland GmbH, Aon Vietnam Limited, Aon Ward Financial Corporation, Aon-COFCO Insurance Brokers Co. Ltd., Aon/Albert G. Ruben Insurance Services Inc., Asevasa Argentina S.A., Asevasa Caricam S.A., Asevasa Chile Peritaciones e Ingenieria de Riesgos S.A., Asevasa Mexico S.A. de C.V., Asevasa Panama S.A., Asian Reinsurance Underwriters Limited, Asscom Insurance Brokers S.r.l., Association of Rural and Small Town Americans, Associacao Instituto Aon, Assurance Licensing Services Inc., B E P International Corp., B.V. Assurantiekantoor Langeveldt-Schroder, BMS Insurance Agency L.L.C., Bacon & Woodrow Partnerships (Ireland) Limited, Bacon & Woodrow Partnerships Limited, Bain Hogg Group Limited (in liquidation), Baltolink UADBB, Bankassure Insurance Services Limited, Bayfair Insurance Centre Limited, Beaubien Finance Ireland Limited, Beaubien Finance Limited, Beaubien UK Finance Limited, Becketts (Trustees) Limited, Becketts Limited, Beech Hill Pension Trustees Ltd, Bekouw Mendes C.V., Benefit Marketing Solutions L.L.C., Benfield Advisory Inc., Benfield Corredores de Reaseguro Ltda., Benfield Finance (London) LLC, Benfield Group, Benfield Investment Holdings Limited, Benfield Juniperus Holdings Limited, Benfield do Brasil Participacoes Ltda. (dormant), Benton Finance Ireland Limited, Benton Finance Limited, Blanch Americas Inc., Bowes & Company Inc. of New York, CEREP III Secondary Manager LLC, CFSSG Real Estate Partners I LLC, CFSSG Real Estate Partners II LLC, CIF-H GP LLC, Cammack Health LLC, Cananwill Corporation, Cananwill Inc., Cardea Health Solutions Limited, Casablanca Intermediation Company Sarl, Celinvest Amsterdam B.V., Chapka Assurances SAS, Citadel Insurance Managers Inc., CoCubes, CoSec 2000 Limited, Coalition for Benefits Equality and Choice, Cocubes Technologies Private Limited, Coles Hewitt Partnership, Contingency Insurance Brokers Limited, Contractsure Limited, CoverWallet, Coverall S.r.l. Insurance and Reinsurance Underwriting Agency, Credit Insurance Brokers (Reynolds) Limited, Crion N.V., Custom Benefit Programs Inc., Cut-e, Cut-e (UK) Limited, Cut-e Assessment (Hong Kong) Limited, Cut-e Assessment Solutions Europe Limited, Cut-e Australia Pty Limited, Cut-e Consult DMCC, Cut-e Danmark A/S, Cut-e Finland Oy, Cut-e GmbH, Cut-e Ireland Limited, Cut-e Nordic AS, Cut-e Norge AS, Cytelligence, Delany Bacon & Woodrow Partnership, Dempsey Partners, Denney O'Hara (Life & Pensions) Limited, Doveland Services Limited, E. W. Blanch Holdings Limited, E. W. Blanch Investments Limited, E.W. Blanch Capital Risk Solutions Inc., E.W. Blanch International Inc., EW Blanch Limited, Elysium Digital IP Products LLC, Elysium Digital L.L.C., Ennis Knupp Secondary Market Services LLC, Essar Insurance Services Limited, Exploitatiemaatschappij Beukenlaan 68-72 B.V., Farmaseg - Solucoes Assistencia e Servicos Empresariais Ltda., Farmsure Limited [In strike-off], Finaccord Limited, Financial & Professional Risk Solutions Inc., Futurity Group Inc., GTCR/AAM Blocker Corp., Ge.f.it. S.r.l., Gefass S.r.l., Glenrand M I B (Mocambique) Corretores de Seguros Limitada, Global Safe Insurance Brokers S.r.l., Globe Events Management, Gotham Digital Science LLC, Gotham Digital Science Ltd., Grant Liddell Financial Advisor Services Pty Ltd, Grant Park Capital LLC, Groupe-Conseil Aon Inc., Grupo Innovac Sociedad de Correduria de Seguros SA, HIA Insurance Services Pty Ltd., Hall Rhodes Holdings Limited, Hall Rhodes Limited, Hamburger Gesellschaft zur Forderung des Versicherungswesens mbH, Harbourview West Lake Co-Invest (GP) LP, Health Index Advisors LLC, Healthy Paws Pet Insurance, Henderson Corporate Insurance Brokers Limited, Henderson Insurance Brokers Limited, Henderson Insurance Partnership Limited [In strike-off], Henderson Risk Management Limited, Hewitt Amalco 3 ULC, Hewitt Amalco 4 ULC, Hewitt Amalco 5 ULC, Hewitt Associates (a partnership), Hewitt Associates Administradora e Corretora de Seguros Ltda., Hewitt Associates Corp., Hewitt Associates Outsourcing Limited, Hewitt Associates Pty Ltd, Hewitt Associates S.C., Hewitt Associates SAS, Hewitt Associates Servicos de Recursos Humanos Ltda., Hewitt Beneficios Agente de Seguros y de Fianzas S.A. de C.V., Hewitt Holdings Canada Company, Hewitt Insurance Brokerage LLC, Hewitt Insurance Inc., Hewitt International Holdings LLC, Hewitt Management Ltd., Hewitt Risk Management Services Limited, Hewitt Western Management Amalco Inc., Hogg Group Limited, Hogg Robinson North America Inc., Huntington T. Block Insurance Agency Inc., I. Beck Insurance Agency (1994) Ltd., IAO Actuarial Consulting Services Canada Inc., INPOINT INC., IRM/GRC Holding Inc., Impact Forecasting L.L.C., Inspiring Benefits, Inspiring Benefits Portugal Unipessoal Lda, Insuractive Limited [In strike-off], Insurance Broker Aon Kazakhstan LLP, International Risk Management (Americas) Inc., International Risk Management Group Ltd, International Space Brokers Europe Limited, International Space Brokers France, International Space Brokers Inc., International Space Brokers Limited, Inversiones Benfield Chile Ltda., J H Minet Puerto Rico Inc., J. Allan Brown Consultants Inc., JDPT Manager LLC, Jenner Fenton Slade Limited, John Reynolds & Company (Credit Insurance) Limited, John Reynolds & Company (Insurances) Limited, John Reynolds & Company (Life & Pensions) Limited, Johnson Rooney Welch Inc., K & K Insurance Brokers Inc. Canada, K & K Insurance Group Inc., K & K Insurance Group of Florida Inc., K2 Technologies Inc., KVT GP LLC, Kloud S.a.r.l., Krumlin Hall Limited, Lake Erie Real Estate General Partner Limited, Lake Tahoe GP LLC, Lake Tahoe II GP LLC, Lake Tahoe III GP LLC, Lake Tahoe IV GP LLC, Lenzi Paolo Broker di Assicurazioni S.r.l., Lincolnshire Insurance Company PCC Limited, Linx Underwriting Solutions Inc., Lombard Trustee Company Limited, M.A. Shakeel Management Ltd. Amalco, MacDonagh Boland Crotty MacRedmond Ltd, Marinaro Dundas S.A., Marinaro Dundas SA, Mark Kelly Insurance and Financial Services PTY LTD, McLagan (Aon) Limited, McLagan Partners Asia Inc., McLagan Partners Inc., Membership Leasing Trust, Minet Consultancy Services Ltd, Minet Group, Minet Holdings Inc., Minet Inc., Minet Re North America Inc., Modern Survey Inc., Muirfield Underwriters Ltd., NBS Nominees Limited, National Insurance Office Ltd., Nauman Insurance Brokers Limited, Nexus Insurance Brokers Limited, One Underwriting Agency GmbH, One Underwriting B.V., One Underwriting Health B.V., One Underwriting Pty Ltd, Optica Agency A/S, Optimum Risk Solutions Limited, Ovatio Courtage SAS, P.G. Bradley & Co Limited, PGOF Manager 1 LLC, PRORUCK Ruckversicherungs Aktiengesellschaft, PT Aon Benfield Indonesia, PT Aon Hewitt Indonesia, PT Aon Indonesia, PWZ AG, Paragon Strategic Solutions Inc., PathWise Solutions LLC, Penn Square Manager 1 LLC, Penn Square Manager II LLC, Portus Consulting, Portus Consulting (Leamington) Limited, Portus Consulting Limited, Portus Online LLP, Praesidium S.p.A. - Soluzioni Assicurative per il Management, Premier Auto Finance Inc., Private Client Trustees Ltd., Private Equity Partnership Structures I LLC, Probabilitas N.V./SA, Protective Marketing Enterprises Inc., Randolph Finance Unlimited Company, Rasini Vigano Limited, Redwoods Dental Underwriters Inc., Richard Kiddle (Insurance Brokers) Limited, Risk Laboratories LLC, Riskikonsultatsioonide OU, Ronnie Elementary Insurance Agency Ltd, SA Special Situations General Partner LLC, SG IFFOXX Assekuranzmaklergesellschaft mbH, SLE Worldwide Limited, SN Re S.A., Salud Riesgos y Recursos Humanos Consultores Ltda. (former Aon Corporte Advisors Ltda.), SchneiderGolling IFFOXX Assekuranzmakler AG, SchneiderGolling Industrie Assekuranzmaklergesellschaft mbH, Scritch Inc., Shanghai Kayi Information Technology Co. Ltd, Sheppard Netherlands B.V., Specialty Benefits Inc., Sports Insure Limited [In strike-off], Strategic Manager-III LLC, Stroz Friedberg (Asia) Limited, Stroz Friedberg Inc., Stroz Friedberg LLC, Stroz Friedberg Limited, Stroz Friedberg Risk Management Limited, Superannuation Management Nominees Limited, Suresport Limited [In strike-off], Swire Blanch MSTC II SA, Swire Blanch MSTC SA, TTG BRPTP GP LLC, TTG Cayuga Bavaria Intermediate 2 S.a.r.l, TTG Core Plus Investments LLC, TTG German Investments I LLC, TTG Investments II LLC, TTG Irish Investments I LLC, TTG Manager LLC, Tecsefin S.A. en liquidacion, The Aon Ireland Mastertrustee Limited, The Aon MasterTrustee Limited, The John Reynolds Company Limited, The Key West Saxon Group LLC, The Townsend Group Inc, The Townsend Group LLC, Townsend Alpha Manager I LLC, Townsend Alpha Manager II LLC, Townsend Alpha Manager III LLC, Townsend Group Asia Limited, Townsend Group Europe Ltd., Townsend HWL GP Ltd., Townsend Holdings LLC, Townsend Lake Constance GP Limited, Townsend REF GP LLC, Townsend Re Global GP Limited, Townsend SO Manager I LLC, UAB One Underwriting, UADBB Aon Baltic, UK Credit Insurance Specialists Limited, UNIT Versicherungsmakler GmbH, US Underwriting Solutions S.r.l., USLP Underwriting Solutions LP, Underwriters Marine Services Inc., Unidelta AG, Unirobe Meeus Groep, UnitedPensions Deutschland AG, Univers Workplace Solutions, VERO Management AG, Ventiv Technology, WT Government Services LLC, WT Technologies LLC, Wannet Speciale Verzekeringen B.V., Wannet Sports Insurance GmbH, Ward Financial Group Inc., West Lake General Partner LLC, West Lake II GP LLC, Wexford Underwriting Managers Inc., White Rock Insurance (Americas) Ltd., White Rock Insurance (Europe) PCC Limited, White Rock Insurance (Gibraltar) PCC Ltd., White Rock Insurance (Guernsey) ICC Limited, White Rock Insurance (Netherlands) PCC Limited, White Rock Insurance (SAC) Ltd., White Rock Insurance Company PCC Ltd., White Rock Insurance PCC (Isle of Man) Limited, White Rock Services (Bermuda) Ltd., White Rock USA Ltd., Willis Towers Watson, Worldwide Integrated Services Company, Wrapid Specialty Inc., Zalba-Caldu Correduria de Seguros SA, and cut-e USA Inc.. The following companies are subsidiares of Aramark: 1ST & Fresh LLC, AIL Servicos Alimenticios e Participacoes Ltda., AIM Services Co. Ltd., AMP Limited Partnership, ARA Catering and Vending Services Limited, ARA Coffee Club Limited, ARA Coffee System Limited, ARA Food Services Limited, ARA Marketing Services Limited, ARA Offshore Services Limited, ARAMONT Company Ltd., Active Industrial Unif, Alcatraz Hospitality, AmeriPride Services, American Snack & Beverage LLC, Aramark (BVI) Limited, Aramark Airport Services Limited, Aramark American Food Services LLC, Aramark Asia Management LLC, Aramark Aviation Services Limited Partnership, Aramark B.V., Aramark Beverages Limited, Aramark Business & Industry LLC, Aramark Business Center LLC, Aramark Business Dining Services of Texas LLC, Aramark Business Facilities LLC, Aramark CCT Trustees Limited, Aramark Campus LLC, Aramark Canada Ltd., Aramark Canadian Investments Inc., Aramark Capital Asset Services LLC, Aramark Catering Limited, Aramark China Dining Services (Shanghai) Limited, Aramark China Holdings Limited, Aramark Chugach Alaska Services LLC, Aramark Cleaning S.A., Aramark Cleanroom Services (Puerto Rico) Inc., Aramark Cleanroom Services LLC, Aramark Co. Ltd., Aramark Colombia SAS, Aramark Concessions Services Joint Venture, Aramark Confection LLC, Aramark Construction Services Inc., Aramark Construction and Energy Services LLC, Aramark Consumer Discount Company, Aramark Correctional Services LLC, Aramark Defence Services Limited, Aramark Denmark ApS, Aramark Distribution Services Inc., Aramark Educational Group LLC, Aramark Educational Services LLC, Aramark Educational Services of Texas LLC, Aramark Educational Services of Vermont Inc., Aramark Entertainment LLC, Aramark Entertainment Services (Canada) Inc., Aramark Executive Management Services USA Inc., Aramark FHC Business Services LLC, Aramark FHC Campus Services LLC, Aramark FHC Correctional Services LLC, Aramark FHC Healthcare Support Services LLC, Aramark FHC Kansas Inc., Aramark FHC LLC, Aramark FHC Refreshment Services LLC, Aramark FHC School Support Services LLC, Aramark FHC Services LLC, Aramark FHC Sports and Entertainment Services LLC, Aramark FSM LLC, Aramark Facility Services LLC, Aramark Food Service LLC, Aramark Food Service of Texas LLC, Aramark Food and Support Services Group Inc., Aramark Global Group S.a.r.l., Aramark Global Inc., Aramark GmbH, Aramark Gulf Limited, Aramark Gulf Limited Catering Services LLC, Aramark Healthcare Support Services LLC, Aramark Healthcare Support Services of the Virgin Islands Inc., Aramark Healthcare Technologies LLC, Aramark Holding Deutschland GmbH, Aramark Holdings GmbH & Co. KG, Aramark Holdings Ltd., Aramark Industrial Services LLC, Aramark Intermediate HoldCo Corporation, Aramark International Finance S.a.r.l., Aramark International Holdings S.a.r.l., Aramark Inversiones Latinoamericanas Limitada, Aramark Investments Limited, Aramark Ireland Holdings Limited, Aramark Japan Holdings Limited, Aramark Japan LLC, Aramark KSA LLC, Aramark Kazakhstan Ltd., Aramark Lakewood Associates, Aramark Limited, Aramark Management GmbH, Aramark Management LLC, Aramark Management Services Limited Partnership, Aramark Manning Services UK Limited, Aramark Mexico Group, Aramark Mexico S.A. de C.V., Aramark Monclova Manufacturing de Mexico S.A. de C.V., Aramark Monclova Support S.A.de C.V., Aramark Norway SA, Aramark Organizational Services LLC, Aramark Partnership Limited, Aramark Personnel Services, Aramark Peru S.A.C., Aramark Peru Servicios de Intermediacion SRL, Aramark Processing LLC, Aramark Property Services Limited, Aramark Qualified Opportunity Fund, Aramark Quebec Inc., Aramark RBI Inc., Aramark Rail Services LLC, Aramark Receivables LLC, Aramark Refreshment Group, Aramark Refreshment Services LLC, Aramark Refreshment Services of Tampa LLC, Aramark Regional Treasury Europe DAC, Aramark Remote Workplace Services Ltd., Aramark Restaurations GmbH, Aramark S&E/QCF Joint Venture, Aramark S.A., Aramark S.A. de C.V., Aramark S.R.O., Aramark SARL, Aramark SCM Inc., Aramark SM Management Services Inc., Aramark SMMS LLC, Aramark SMMS Real Estate LLC, Aramark School Catering Facility Ltd., Aramark Schools Facilities LLC, Aramark Schools LLC, Aramark Senior Living Services LLC, Aramark Senior Notes Company LLC, Aramark Service Industries (China) Co. Ltd., Aramark Services Inc., Aramark Services SA, Aramark Services of Kansas Inc., Aramark Services of Puerto Rico Inc., Aramark Servicios Industriales S. de R.L. de C.V., Aramark Servicios Integrales S.A., Aramark Servicios Mineros y Remotos Limitada, Aramark Servicios SRL, Aramark Servicios de Catering S.L., Aramark Servicos Alimenticos e Participacoes Ltda., Aramark Sports Facilities LLC, Aramark Sports LLC, Aramark Sports and Entertainment Group LLC, Aramark Sports and Entertainment Services LLC, Aramark Sports and Entertainment Services of Texas LLC, Aramark Sub Investments Limited, Aramark Technical Services North Carolina Inc., Aramark Togwotee LLC, Aramark Trademark Services, Aramark Trustees Limited, Aramark U.S. Offshore Services LLC, Aramark Uniform & Career Apparel Group Inc., Aramark Uniform & Career Apparel LLC, Aramark Uniform Holding de Mexico S.A. de C.V., Aramark Uniform Manufacturing Company, Aramark Uniform Services (Canada) Ltd., Aramark Uniform Services (Matchpoint) LLC, Aramark Uniform Services (Rochester) LLC, Aramark Uniform Services (Supply Chain), Aramark Uniform Services (Syracuse) LLC, Aramark Uniform Services (Texas) LLC, Aramark Uniform Services (West Adams) LLC, Aramark Uniform Services Japan Corporation, Aramark Venue Services Inc., Aramark WTC LLC, Aramark Workplace Solutions (UK) Ltd., Aramark Workplace Solutions Yonetim Hizmetleri Limited Sirketi, Aramark Worldwide Investments Limited, Aramark-Clarksville Club, Aramark-FINCO of Texas LLC, Aramark-Gourmet DPS LLC, Aramark-KWAME of St. Louis LLC, Aramark-SFS Healthcare J.V. L.L.C., Aramark/Dasko Restaurant and Catering Services S.A., Aramark/GM Concessions Joint Venture, Aramark/Giacometti Joint Venture, Aramark/Globetrotters LLC, Aramark/Gourmet HE-1 LLC, Aramark/Gourmet HE-2 LLC, Aramark/HF Company, Aramark/HMS LLC, Aramark/Hart Lyman Entertainment LLC, Aramark/Martin's Stadium Concession Services OPACY Joint Venture, Aramark/QHC LLC, Aramark/SFS Joint Venture, Avendra, Avendra Canada Inc., Avendra Gaming, Avendra Replenishment, Avoca, Avoca Handweavers Designs Limited, Avoca Handweavers Limited, Avoca Handweavers NI Limited, Avoca Handweavers Shops Limited, Avoca Handweavers UK Limited, Beijing Golden Collar Dining Ltd., Boompjes Hotel BV, Brand Coffee Service Inc., BuyEfficient, CDR Mantenimiento Integral S.A., Campbell Catering (Belfast) Ltd., Campbell Catering (N.I.) Ltd., Campbell Catering Holdings Limited, Campbell Catering Limited, Campbell Catering Ltd., Campbell Catering Services, Canadian Linen and Uniform Service Co., Canyonlands Rafting Hospitality LLC, Catering Alliance Limited, Caterwise Food Services Limited, Central Multiservicios S.R.L., Central de Abastecimiento Limitada, Central de Restaurantes Aramark Limitada, Central de Restaurantes Aramark Multiservicios Limitada, Central de Restaurantes S.R.L., Centrapal S.R.L., Centro de Innovacion y Servicio S.A., Cliff House Hospitality, Comertel Educa SLU, Comertel Residencia SLU, Comertel SA, Complete Purchasing Services Inc., Corporate Coffee Systems LLC, Crater Lake Hospitality, D.G. Maren II Inc., Delicious on West Street LLC, Delsac VIII Inc., Distributor JV Limited, Dongguan Best Property Management Co., Doyon/Aramark Denali National Park Concessions Joint Venture, Effective Partnerships Limited, Filterfresh Coffee Service, Filterfresh Coffee Service LLC, Filterfresh Franchise Group LLC, Fine Host Holdings LLC, Food JV Limited, Freedom Ferry Services, GTB Gastro Team Bremen GmbH, Gestion de Alimentacion y Limpieza Colectivadades SLU, Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve Concessions LLC, Glen Canyon Rafting Hospitality, Glenrye Properties Services Limited, Golden Collar, Good Uncle Services, Gourmet Aramark Services LLC, Guaranty Energy Group 1981, HPSI Purchasing Services LLC, Harrison Conference Associates LLC, Harrison Conference Services of North Carolina LLC, Harry M. Stevens Inc. of New Jersey, Harry M. Stevens Inc. of Penn., Harry M. Stevens LLC, Hunters Catering Partnership Limited, Institutional Processing Services, Instituto ICS S.A., Inversiones Aramark Chile Limitada, Inversiones Centralcorp Limitada, Inversiones Palm Limitada, Inversiones en Aseo y Mantenimiento S.A, Irish Estates (Facilities Management) Limited, L&N Uniform Supply LLC, Lake Tahoe Cruises LLC, Landy Textile Rental Services LLC, Lifeworks Restaurant Group LLC, Lotus Facilities Management, MESA, Masterplan, Medical Equipment Solutions & Applications Sagl (MESA), Mill Mount Weavers Limited, Muir Woods Hospitality, MyAssistant Inc., New Aramark LLC, Nissho Linen, North Rim Hospitality, Old Time Coffee Co., Olympic Peninsula Hospitality LLC, Orange Support Services Limited, Overall Laundry Services Inc., Paradise Hornblower LLC, Pelican Procurement Services Limited, Philadelphia Ballpark Concessions Joint Venture, Prem Hospitality Limited, Premgroup Franchise Services Limited, Premier Management Company (Dublin) Limited, Premier Partnership (Catering) Limited, Quebec Linge Co., ReMedPar, Restaura Inc., Rocky Mountain Hospitality LLC, Rushmore Hospitality LLC, SeamlessWeb, Seguricorp Servicios S.A., South Rim Hospitality LLC, Spokesoft Technologies Limited, Stuart Cabeldu Catering Limited, Sun Office Service Inc., Tarrant County Concessions LLC, The Aramark Foundation, The Original Food Company Limited, Travel Systems LLC, Trinity Hospitality Services GmbH, Trinity Hospitality Services SARL, Trinity Purchasing N.V., Vector Environmental Services Limited, Vector Workplace and Facility Management Limited, Veris Plc, Veris Property Management Limited, Veris UK Limited, WearGuard, Wilderness River Adventures, and Yosemite Hospitality LLC. Brookdale Senior Living, Inc. engages in the operation of senior living communities. The firm manages independent living, assisted living and dementia-care communities and continuing care retirement centers. It operates through the following segments: Independent Living Assisted Living & Memory Care, CCRCs, Health Care Services and Management Services. The Independent Living segment is primarily designed for middle to upper income seniors who desire an upscale residential environment providing the highest quality of service. The Assisted Living & Memory Care segment offer housing and 24-hour assistance with ADLs to mid-acuity frail and elderly residents. The CCRCs segment offers a variety of living arrangements and services to accommodate all levels of physical ability and health. The Healthcare Services segment provides home health, hospice and outpatient therapy services, as well as education and wellness programs, to residents of many communities and to seniors living outside communities. The Management Services segment composes of communities operated by the company pursuant to management agreements. The company was founded in 1978 and is headquartered in Brentwood, TN. Read More ConocoPhillips engages in the exploration, production, transportation and marketing of crude oil, bitumen, natural gas, natural gas liquids, and liquefied natural gas on a worldwide basis. It operates through the following geographical segments: Alaska; Lower 48; Canada; Europe, Middle East and North Africa; Asia Pacific; and Other International. The Alaska segment primarily explores for produces, transports and markets crude oil, natural gas and natural gas liquids. The Lower 48 segment consists of operations in the U.S. and the Gulf of Mexico. The Canada segment is comprised of oil sands development in the Athabasca Region of northeastern Alberta and a liquids-rich unconventional play in western Canada. The Europe, Middle East and North Africa segment consists of operations and exploration activities in Norway, the United Kingdom and Libya. The Asia Pacific segment has explorations and product operations in China, Indonesia, Malaysia and Australia. The Other International segment handles exploration activities in Columbia and Argentina. The company was founded in 1875 and is headquartered in Houston, TX. Read More Ensign Energy Services Inc., together with its subsidiaries, provides oilfield services to the crude oil and natural gas industries in Canada, the United States, and internationally. The company offers shallow, intermediate, and deep well drilling, as well as specialized drilling services, including horizontal, underbalanced, horizontal re-entry, and slant drilling for steam assisted gravity drainage applications; and equipment and other services. It also provides coring and oil sands drilling services to the mining, and oil and natural gas industries; directional drilling and related services for conventional and horizontal drilling applications; shallow to deep well services, such as completions, abandonments, production, workovers, and bottom hole pump changes for oil and natural gas producers; and interactive pressure drilling services with self-contained systems comprising nitrogen generation and compression equipment, and surface control systems. In addition, the company rents drill strings, loaders, tanks, pumps, rig mattings, blow-out preventers, waste bins, and wastewater treatment equipment for the drilling and completions segments of the oilfield industry. Further, the company offers transportation services. As of December 31, 2020, it operated a fleet of 271 land drilling rigs, 21 specialty coring rigs, and 99 well servicing rigs. The company was incorporated in 1987 and is headquartered in Calgary, Canada. Read More The following companies are subsidiares of Cigna: Accredo Health Group, Accredo Health Incorporated, Alegis Care, Allegiance Life & Health Insurance Company, Allegiance Re, American Retirement Life Insurance Company, Benefits Management Corp., Bravo Health Mid-Atlantic, Bravo Health Pennsylvania, Brighter, CareAllies, CareCore National LLC, Central Reserve Life Insurance Company, Ceres Sales of Ohio, Choicelinx, Cigna & CMB Life Insurance Company Limited, Cigna Apac Holdings Limited, Cigna Arbor Life Insurance Company, Cigna Beechwood Holdings, Cigna Behavioral Health, Cigna Behavioral Health of California, Cigna Behavioral Health of Texas, Cigna Bellevue Alpha, Cigna Benefits Financing, Cigna Brokerage & Marketing (Thailand) Limited, Cigna Cedar Holdings, Cigna Chestnut Holdings, Cigna Corporate Services, Cigna Data Services (Shanghai) Company Limited, Cigna Dental Health, Cigna Dental Health Plan of Arizona, Cigna Dental Health of California, Cigna Dental Health of Colorado, Cigna Dental Health of Delaware, Cigna Dental Health of Florida, Cigna Dental Health of Illinois, Cigna Dental Health of Kansas, Cigna Dental Health of Kentucky, Cigna Dental Health of Maryland, Cigna Dental Health of Missouri, Cigna Dental Health of New Jersey, Cigna Dental Health of North Carolina, Cigna Dental Health of Ohio, Cigna Dental Health of Pennsylvania, Cigna Dental Health of Texas, Cigna Dental Health of Virginia, Cigna Elmwood Holdings, Cigna Europe Insurance Company S.A.-N.V., Cigna European Services (UK) Limited, Cigna Finans Emeklilik ve Hayat A.S., Cigna Global Holdings, Cigna Global Insurance Company Limited, Cigna Global Reinsurance Company, Cigna Global Wellbeing Holdings Limited, Cigna Global Wellbeing Solutions Limited, Cigna HLA Technology Services Company Limited, Cigna Health Corporation, Cigna Health Management, Cigna Health Solutions India Pvt. Ltd., Cigna Health and Life Insurance Company, Cigna HealthSpring, Cigna Healthcare Holdings, Cigna Healthcare Mid-Atlantic, Cigna Healthcare of Arizona, Cigna Healthcare of California, Cigna Healthcare of Colorado, Cigna Healthcare of Connecticut, Cigna Healthcare of Florida, Cigna Healthcare of Georgia, Cigna Healthcare of Illinois, Cigna Healthcare of Indiana, Cigna Healthcare of Maine, Cigna Healthcare of Massachusetts, Cigna Healthcare of New Hampshire, Cigna Healthcare of New Jersey, Cigna Healthcare of North Carolina, Cigna Healthcare of Pennsylvania, Cigna Healthcare of South Carolina, Cigna Healthcare of St. Louis, Cigna Healthcare of Tennessee, Cigna Healthcare of Texas, Cigna Healthcare of Utah, Cigna Holding Company, Cigna Holdings, Cigna Holdings Overseas, Cigna Hong Kong Holdings Company Limited, Cigna Insurance Middle East S.A., Cigna Insurance Public Company Limited, Cigna Insurance Services (Europe) Limited, Cigna Intellectual Property, Cigna International Corporation, Cigna International Health Services, Cigna International Health Services BVBA, Cigna International Health Services Kenya Limited, Cigna International Health Services SDN BHD, Cigna International Services, Cigna International Services Australia Pty. Ltd., Cigna Investment Group, Cigna Investments, Cigna Korean Chusik Hoesa, Cigna Laurel Holdings, Cigna Legal Protection UK Ltd., Cigna Life Insurance Company of Canada, Cigna Life Insurance Company of Europe S.A.- N.V., Cigna Life Insurance Company of New York, Cigna Life Insurance New Zealand Limited, Cigna Linden Holdings, Cigna Magnolia Holdings, Cigna Myrtle Holdings, Cigna Nederland Alpha Cooperatief U.A., Cigna Nederland Beta B.V., Cigna Nederland Gamma B.V., Cigna Oak Holdings, Cigna Palmetto Holdings, Cigna Poplar Holdings, Cigna Sequoia Holdings, Cigna Spruce Holdings GmbH, Cigna Taiwan Life Assurance Company Limited, Cigna Walnut Holdings, Cigna Willow Holdings, Cigna Worldwide General Insurance Company Limited, Cigna Worldwide Insurance Company, Cigna Worldwide Life Insurance Company Limited, CignaTTK Health Insurance Company Limited, Connecticut General Corporation, Connecticut General Life Insurance Company, CuraScript Inc., E-2 CIGNA CORPORATION - 2018 Form 10-K, ESI Mail Pharmacy Service Inc., ESI Partnership, ESI Resources Inc., Express Scripts Holding Company, Express Scripts Inc., Express Scripts Pharmaceutical LLC, Express Scripts Pharmacy Inc., Express Scripts Strategic Development Inc., FirstAssist Administration Limited, Firstassist Insurance Services Ltd, Great-West Healthcare of Illinois, Grown Ups New Zealand Limited, Health-Lynx LLC, HealthSource, HealthSpring, HealthSpring Life & Health Insurance Company, HealthSpring of Alabama, HealthSpring of Florida, HealthSpring of Tennessee, KDM Thailand Limited, LINA Financial Services, LINA Life Insurance Company of Korea, Life Insurance Company of North America, Loyal American Life Insurance Company, MCC Independent Practice Association of New York, Manipal Cigna Health Insurance Company Limited, Medco Containment Life Insurance Company, Medco Health Services Inc., Medco Health Solutions Inc., NewQuest, NewQuest Management Northeast, Olympic Health Management Services, Oz Parent, PT Asuransi Cigna, Provident American Life and Health Insurance Company, Qualcare, Qualcare Alliance Networks, Qualcare Captive Insurance Company Inc. PCC, Qualcare Management Resources Limited Liability Company, RHP (Thailand) Limited, Scibal Associates, Sterling Life Insurance Company, Tel-Drug, Tel-Drug of Pennsylvania, Temple Insurance Company Limited, United Benefit Life Insurance Company, Verity Solutions Group, Zurich Insurance Middle East, and eviCore 1 LLC. The following companies are subsidiares of Sysco: 2234829 Alberta ULC, 2234842 Alberta ULC, A. M. Briggs Inc., A.M. Briggs, Almacen Fiscal Frionet Caldera S.A., Almacen Fiscal Frionet Limon S.A., Appert's Foodservice, Arnotts (Fruit) Limited, Asian Foods, Bahamas Food Holdings Limited, Bahamas Food Services Limited, Brake Bros, Brake Bros Foodservice Ireland Limited, Brake Bros. Foodservice Limited, Brake Bros. Holding I Limited, Brake Bros. Ltd., Brakes Foodservice NI Limited, Buchy Food Service, Buckhead Beef Co., Buckhead Meat & Seafood of Houston Inc., Buckhead Meat Company, Buckhead Meat Midwest Inc., Buckhead Meat of Dallas Inc., Buckhead Meat of Denver Inc., Buckhead Meat of San Antonio LP, Buzztable Inc., CAKE Corporation, Central Seafood Co., Christys Wine & Spirits Limited, Clafra Aktiebolag, Colorado Boxed Beef Co - Specialty meat-cutting division, Corporacion Frionet Sociedad Anonima, Crossgar Foodservice, Crossgar Foodservice Limited, Crown I Enterprises Inc., Cucina Acquisitions (UK) Limited, Cucina Finance (UK) Limited, Cucina French Holdings Limited, Cucina Fresh Finance Limited, Cucina Fresh Investments Limited, Cucina Lux Investments Limited, Curleys Quality Foods Limited (Third Party), Davigel Belgilux S.A., Davigel Espana S.A., Desert Meats & Provisions, Distagro, Doerle Food Service, Doughtie's Foods Inc., Dust Bowl City LLC, Eko Fagel Fisk o mittemellan AB, Enclave Insurance Company, Enclave Parkway Association Inc., Enclave Properties LLC, European Imports, European Imports Inc., Figg Inc., Freedman Meats, Freedman Meats Inc., Freedman-KB Inc., Fresh Direct (UK) Limited, Fresh Direct Group Limited, Fresh Direct Limited, Fresh Holdings Limited, FreshPoint, FreshPoint Arizona Inc., FreshPoint Atlanta Inc., FreshPoint California Inc., FreshPoint Central California Inc., FreshPoint Central Florida Inc., FreshPoint Connecticut LLC, FreshPoint Dallas Inc., FreshPoint Denver Inc., FreshPoint Hawaii LLC, FreshPoint Inc., FreshPoint Las Vegas Inc., FreshPoint North Carolina Inc., FreshPoint North Florida Inc., FreshPoint Oklahoma City LLC, FreshPoint Pompano Real Estate LLC, FreshPoint Puerto Rico LLC, FreshPoint San Francisco Inc., FreshPoint South Florida Inc., FreshPoint South Texas Inc., FreshPoint Southern California Inc., FreshPoint Tomato LLC, FreshPoint Vancouver Ltd., Freshfayre Limited, Fruktservice i Helsingborg AB, GHS Classic Drinks Limited, Gilchrist & Soames Inc., Gilchrist & Soames UK Limited, Guest Packaging LLC, Guest Supply, Guest Supply Asia Limited, Guest Supply Singapore Pte. Ltd., International Food Group, Isakssons Frukt & Gront AB, J & M Wholesale Meats, J. Kings Food Service Professionals, J. Kings Food Service Professionals Inc., Kent Frozen Foods, Les Ateliers Du Gout, Liquid Assets Limited, M&J Seafood Holdings Limited, M&J Seafood Limited, Manchester Mills LLC, Mayca Autoservicio S.A., Mayca Distribuidores S.A., Menigo Foodservice AB, Mitshim Etatu Supply LP, Newport Meat Company, Newport Meat Northern California Inc., Newport Meat Pacific Northwest Inc., Newport Meat Southern California Inc., Newport Meat of Nevada Inc., North Star Holding Corporation, North Star Seafood, North Star Seafood Acquisition Corporation, North Star Seafood LLC, PFS de Mexico S.A. de C.V., Palisades Ranch Inc., Pallas Foods, Pallas Foods Farm Fresh Unlimited Company, Pallas Foods Unlimited Company, Pauleys Produce Limited, Promotora del Servicios S.A. de C.V., Restaurangakdemien AB, Restaurant of Tomorrow Inc., Rohan Viandes Elaboration SAS, SMS Bermuda Holdings, SMS GPC International Limited, SMS GPC International Resources Limited, SMS Global Holdings S.a.r.l., SMS International Resources Ireland Unlimited Company, SMS Lux Holdings LLC, SOTF LLC, SYY Netherlands C.V., SYY Panama S. de R.L., Serca Foodservice, Servicestyckarna I Johannes AB, Servicios Ameriserve S.A. de C.V., Shenzhen Guest Supply Trading Co. Limited, Societe Civile Immobiliere (SCI) Bianchi Montegut, Societe Civile Immobiliere (SCI) De Boiseau, Societe Civile Immobiliere (SCI) De Garcelles, Societe Civile Immobiliere (SCI) J.D. Lanjouan, Societe Civile Immobiliere (SCI) Le Dauphin, Specialty Meat Holdings LLC, Stockflag Limited, Stockholms Fiskauktion AB, Supplies on the Fly, Sysco Albany LLC, Sysco Asian Foods Inc., Sysco Atlanta LLC, Sysco Autoservicio S.A., Sysco Baltimore LLC, Sysco Baraboo LLC, Sysco Bermuda Partners L.P., Sysco Boston LLC, Sysco Canada Holdings S.a.r.l., Sysco Canada Inc., Sysco Central Alabama LLC, Sysco Central California Inc., Sysco Central Florida Inc., Sysco Central Illinois Inc., Sysco Central Pennsylvania LLC, Sysco Charlotte LLC, Sysco Chicago Inc., Sysco Cincinnati LLC, Sysco Cleveland Inc., Sysco Columbia LLC, Sysco Connecticut LLC, Sysco Corporation, Sysco Corporation Director's Deferred Compensation Plan Trust, Sysco Corporation Employee's 401(k) Plan Trust, Sysco Corporation Executive Deferred Compensation Plan Trust, Sysco Corporation Good Government Committee Inc., Sysco Corporation Retirement Trust, Sysco Corporation Supplemental Executive Retirement Trust, Sysco Corporation Supplemental Unemployment Benefits Plan Trust, Sysco Detroit LLC, Sysco Disaster Relief Foundation Inc., Sysco EI VI S. s.r.l., Sysco EU II S.a.r.l., Sysco EU III S.a.r.l., Sysco EU IV Capital Unlimited Company, Sysco EU IV S. s.r.l.., Sysco EU V S. s.r.l., Sysco Eastern Maryland LLC, Sysco Eastern Wisconsin LLC, Sysco Foundation Inc., Sysco France Holding SAS, Sysco France SAS, Sysco George Town II LLC, Sysco George Town Limited S. s.r.l.., Sysco Global Finance LLC, Sysco Global Finance LLP, Sysco Global Holdings B.V., Sysco Global Resources LLC, Sysco Global Services LLC, Sysco Grand Cayman Company, Sysco Grand Cayman II Company, Sysco Grand Cayman III Company, Sysco Grand Rapids LLC, Sysco Guernsey Limited, Sysco Guest Supply Canada Inc., Sysco Guest Supply Europe Goods Wholesalers LLC, Sysco Guest Supply Europe Limited, Sysco Guest Supply LLC, Sysco Gulf Coast LLC, Sysco Hampton Roads Inc., Sysco Hawaii Inc., Sysco Holdings II LLC, Sysco Holdings LLC, Sysco Indianapolis LLC, Sysco International Food Group Inc., Sysco International Inc., Sysco Iowa Inc., Sysco Jackson LLC, Sysco Jacksonville Inc., Sysco Kansas City Inc., Sysco Knoxville LLC, Sysco Labs Europe Limited, Sysco Labs Pvt. Ltd., Sysco Leasing LLC, Sysco Lincoln Inc., Sysco Lincoln Transportation Company Inc., Sysco Long Island LLC, Sysco Los Angeles Inc., Sysco Louisville Inc., Sysco Memphis LLC, Sysco Merchandising and Supply Chain Services Canada Inc., Sysco Merchandising and Supply Chain Services Inc., Sysco Metro New York LLC, Sysco Minnesota Inc., Sysco Montana Inc., Sysco Nashville LLC, Sysco Netherlands Partners LLC, Sysco North Central Florida Inc., Sysco North Dakota Inc., Sysco Northern New England Inc., Sysco Philadelphia LLC, Sysco Pittsburgh LLC, Sysco Portland Inc., Sysco Raleigh LLC, Sysco Resources Services LLC, Sysco Riverside Inc., Sysco Sacramento Inc., Sysco San Diego Inc., Sysco San Francisco Inc., Sysco Seattle Inc., Sysco South Florida Inc., Sysco Southeast Florida LLC, Sysco Spain Holdings SLU, Sysco Spokane Inc., Sysco St. Louis LLC, Sysco Syracuse LLC, Sysco Technologies Cayman Ltd., Sysco Technologies LLC, Sysco UK Holdings Limited, Sysco UK Limited, Sysco UK Partners LLP, Sysco USA I Inc., Sysco USA II LLC, Sysco USA III LLC, Sysco Ventura Inc., Sysco Ventures Inc., Sysco Virginia LLC, Sysco West Coast Florida Inc., Sysco Western Minnesota Inc., The SYGMA Network Inc., Upsys, Victua SAS, Walker Foods Inc., Waugh Foods, and Wild Harvest Limited. Varian Medical Systems, Inc. designs, manufactures, sells, and services medical devices and software products for treating cancer and other medical conditions worldwide. It operates through Oncology Systems and Proton Solutions segments. The Oncology Systems segment offers hardware and software products for treating cancer with radiotherapy, fixed field intensity-modulated radiation therapy, image-guided radiation therapy, volumetric modulated arc therapy, stereotactic radiosurgery, stereotactic body radiotherapy, artificial intelligence based adaptive radiotherapy, and brachytherapy, as well as quality assurance equipment. Its products include linear accelerators, brachytherapy afterloaders, treatment accessories, and quality assurance software; and information management, treatment planning, image processing, clinical knowledge exchange, patient care management, decision-making support, and practice management software. This segment serves university research and community hospitals, private and governmental institutions, healthcare agencies, physicians' offices, medical oncology practices, radiotherapy centers, and cancer care clinics. The Proton Solutions segment designs, develops, manufactures, sells, and services products and systems for delivering proton therapy for the treatment of cancer. The company has a strategic agreement with McKesson Corp. to supply treatment delivery systems and planning, services, and radiotherapy information system solutions to its U.S. Oncology Network and Vantage Oncology affiliated sites of care; and a strategic partnership with Siemens AG to represent Siemens diagnostic imaging products to radiation oncology clinics in the United States and other select markets. Varian Medical Systems, Inc. was formerly known as Varian Associates, Inc. and changed its name to Varian Medical Systems, Inc. in April 1999. The company was founded in 1948 and is headquartered in Palo Alto, California. Read More DIC Asset AG is one of Germany's leading listed property companies, and specialises in commercial real estate. With around 20 years of experience on the German real estate market, the company maintains a regional footprint on all major German markets through six branch offices, and has 169 assets with a combined market value of c. EUR 5.6 billion under management. DIC uses a hybrid business model to manage its business divisions Commercial Portfolio, Funds and Other Investments. Taking an active asset management approach, DIC employs its proprietary, integrated real estate management platform to raise capital appreciation potential in its business divisions and to boost its revenues. In its Commercial Portfolio division (EUR 1.7 billion in assets under management), DIC acts as proprietor and property asset holder, and thus generates revenues both from the management of the assets and through the value optimisation of its own real estate portfolio. The Funds division (EUR 1.6 billion in assets under management) generates its revenues by acting as issuer and manager of special real estate funds for institutional investors. Gathered in the business unit Other Investments (EUR 2.3 billion in assets under management) are strategic financial investments, the management of properties in which the company holds no equity stakes, equity investments in property developments and joint venture investments. DIC Asset AG has been included in the SDAX(R) segment of the Frankfurt Stock Exchange since June 2006. The Company's shares are also included in the EPRA index, which tracks the performance of the most important European real estate companies. Read More Enercare Inc., through its subsidiaries, provides home and commercial services, and energy solutions in Canada and the United States. It operates through Enercare Home Services, Sub-metering, and Service Experts segments. The Enercare Home Services offers water heaters, furnaces, air conditioners, and other HVAC rental products, protection plans, and related services. This segment also provides duct cleaning, plumbing and electrical work, and other non-contracted chargeable services. The Service Experts segment is also involved in the sale, installation, maintenance, repair, and rental of HVAC systems and water heater products. The Sub-metering segment provides equipment and services to allow sub-metering and remote measurement of electricity and water consumption in individual units in condominiums, apartment buildings, and commercial properties. Enercare Inc. was founded in 2002 and is headquartered in Markham, Canada. Read More Wall Street analysts have given iShares Edge MSCI USA Quality Factor ETF a "N/A" rating, but there may be better buying opportunities in the stock market. Some of MarketBeat's past winning trading ideas have resulted in 5-15% weekly gains. MarketBeat just released five new stock ideas, but iShares Edge MSCI USA Quality Factor ETF wasn't one of them. MarketBeat thinks these five companies may be even better buys. View MarketBeat's top stock picks here. 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, manufacturing, education, financial, and resource industries, as well as government agencies 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 services in Canada, the United States, and Australia. This segment also provides associated services, such as installation, transportation, demobilization, and sale of used fleet assets. This segment primarily serves the resource, infrastructure, construction, disaster recovery, and education sectors. The 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. Read More Wall Street analysts have given Gramercy Property Trust a "N/A" rating, but there may be better buying opportunities in the stock market. Some of MarketBeat's past winning trading ideas have resulted in 5-15% weekly gains. MarketBeat just released five new stock ideas, but Gramercy Property Trust wasn't one of them. MarketBeat thinks these five companies may be even better buys. View MarketBeat's top stock picks here. Hannover RAck SE, together with its subsidiaries, provides reinsurance products and services worldwide. It operates through Property & Casualty Reinsurance, and Life & Health Reinsurance segments. The Property & Casualty Reinsurance segment offers specialty lines comprising marine, aviation, facultative and direct business, credit, surety, and political risks reinsurance products; and treaty, catastrophe XL, and structured reinsurance, as well as insurance-linked securities. This segment also provides risk solutions for agricultural, livestock, and bloodstock businesses; aviation and space business; and marine and offshore energy business. The Life & Health Reinsurance segment offers group and individual credit life, enhanced annuities, group life and health, and Sharia-compliant Takaful reinsurance products. This segment also provides risk solutions in the areas of critical illness, disability, health, longevity, long term care, and mortality and morbidity, as well as underwriting services. In addition, it offers various financial solutions, including new-business financing; monetization of embedded value; reserve and solvency relief; and divestiture of non-core businesses. The company was formerly known as Hannover RAckversicherung AG and changed its name to Hannover RAck SE in March 2013. The company was founded in 1966 and is headquartered in Hanover, Germany. Hannover RAck SE is a subsidiary of Talanx AG. Read More Medtronic Plc is a medical technology company, which engages in the development, manufacture, distribution, and sale of device-based medical therapies and services. It operates through the following segments: Cardiac and Vascular Group; Minimally Invasive Technologies Group; Restorative Therapies Group; and Diabetes Group. The Cardiac and Vascular Group segment consists of products for the diagnosis, treatment, and management of cardiac rhythm disorders and cardiovascular disease. The Minimally Invasive Technologies Group segment focuses on respiratory system, gastrointestinal tract, renal system, lungs, pelvic region, kidneys, and obesity diseases. The Restorative Therapies Group segment comprises of neurostimulation therapies and drug delivery systems for the treatment of chronic pain, as well as areas of the spine and brain, along with pelvic health and conditions of the ear, nose, and throat. The Diabetes Group segment offers insulin pumps, coninuous glucose monitoring systems, and insulin pump consumables. The company was founded in 1949 and is headquartered in Dublin, Ireland. Read More The following companies are subsidiares of IQVIA: 159 SOLUTIONS, 159 Technology Solutions Private Ltd, AHM Global Operations Inc., AHM Global Services LLC, AHM Logistics Inc. (Canada), AIECO IT Solutions India Private Ltd., ALIMED Egeszsegugyi Szolgaltato Kft., Advanced Health Media LLC, Advanced Health Media Services, Aileron Solutions, Albatross Financial Solutions Limited, Appature, Ardentia International Limited, Ascott Sales Integration, Asesorias IQVIA Solutions Chile Limitada, Asserta Centroamerica Medicion de Mercados, BUZZEOPDMA LLC, Battaerd Mansley Pty. Ltd., Benefit Canada, Benefit Holding, BioFortis, CDS - Center de Service SAS, COORDINATED MANAGEMENT SYSTEM, CRM Health Korea Ltd., CSD Health Korea Ltd., Cambridge Pharma Consultancy, Cambridge Pharma Consultancy Limited, Cegedim Venezuela C.A., Cenduit (India) Services Private Company Limited, Cenduit Limited, Cenduit Mauritius Holdings Company, Clinical Financial Services, Clinical Lab Minority Shareholder Limited, Coordinated Management Holdings L.L.C., Cote Orphan, Cote Orphan Consulting UK Limited, DATA NICHE ASSOCIATES, Datadina Ecuador S.A., Dataline Software Limited, Datec Industria e Comercio, Dimensiions Healthcare LLC, Drug Dev Inc., DrugDev, DrugDev Limited, EA Institute L.L.C., ENTERPRISE ASSOCIATES, EPS Research Limited, EPS Software Limited, Epernicus, Forcea NV, Foresight Group International UK LTD, Foresight Group Japan G.K., Foresight IT Solutions Consulting India Private Limited, GRACE DATA CORPORATION, Global Crown Investment Limited, HIGHPOINT SOLUTIONS, Hospital Marketing Services Ltd., Hotel Lot C-8B, IMS (GIBRALTAR) HOLDING LIMITED, IMS (UK) Pension Plan Trustee Company Limited, IMS AB, IMS CHINAMETRIK INC., IMS HEALTH GROUP LIMITED, IMS HEALTH KOREA LTD, IMS HEALTH KOREA LTD., IMS HEALTH PUERTO RICO INC., IMS HEALTH TAIWAN LTD., IMS Health (Australia) Partnership, IMS Health Analytics Services Private Limited, IMS Health Bangladesh Limited, IMS Health Bolivia S.R.L., IMS Health Cyprus LTD, IMS Health Egypt Limited, IMS Health Information Solutions Argentina S.A., IMS Health Information Solutions Australia Pty. Ltd, IMS Health Information Solutions India Private Ltd., IMS Health Information Solutions Japan K.K., IMS Health Lanka (Private) Limited, IMS Health Networks Limited, IMS Health Pakistan (Private) Limited, IMS Health Paraguay SRL, IMS Health Surveys Limited, IMS Health Technology Solutions (China) Co. Ltd., IMS Health Technology Solutions Australia Pty. Ltd, IMS Health Technology Solutions Colombia Ltda., IMS Health Technology Solutions Holdings AB, IMS Health Technology Solutions Hungary Ltd., IMS Health Technology Solutions India Private Ltd., IMS Health Technology Solutions Japan K.K., IMS Health Technology Solutions Kazakhstan, IMS Health Technology Solutions LLC, IMS Health Technology Solutions Sweden AB, IMS Health Technology TUNISIA, IMS Health Tunisia sarl, IMS Health Uruguay S.A., IMS Health de Venezuela C.A., IMS Holdings (U.K.) Limited, IMS Hospital Group Limited, IMS Information Solutions Medical Research Limited, IMS Information Solutions UK Ltd., IMS International (Proprietary) Limited, IMS Market Research Consult (Beijing), IMS Meridian Limited, IMS Meridian Research Limited, IMS Republica Dominicana, IMS SOFTWARE SERVICES LTD., IMS Technology Solutions UK Limited, INTERCONTINENTAL MEDICAL STATISTICS INTERNATIONAL, IPP Informacion Promocional y Publicitaria S.A. de C.V., IPP Technology Solutions Mexico SA de CV (FKA Cegedim Mexico SA de CV), IQVA Romania S.R.L., IQVIA (Thialand) Co. Ltd., IQVIA AB, IQVIA AG, IQVIA AG (Mexico Branch), IQVIA AG (UK Branch), IQVIA Adriatic d.o.o. za Konzalting, IQVIA Asia Pacific Commercial Holdings LLC, IQVIA Beteiligungs-gesellschaft mbH, IQVIA BioSciences Holdings LLC, IQVIA CHINAMETRIK INC., IQVIA COMMERCIAL FINANCE INC., IQVIA COMMERCIAL INDIA HOLDINGS CORP., IQVIA COMMERCIAL LICENSING ASSOCIATES LLC, IQVIA COMMERCIAL SERVICES LLC, IQVIA COMMERCIAL TRADING CORP., IQVIA Clinical AB, IQVIA Commercial Deutschland GmbH, IQVIA Commercial GmbH & Co. OHG, IQVIA Commercial I LLC, IQVIA Commercial Software GmbH, IQVIA Commercial Sp. z.o.o., IQVIA Commerical Consulting Sp. z.o.o., IQVIA Consulting Solutions bvba, IQVIA Consulting and Information Services India Private Limited, IQVIA Finance Ireland Designated Activity Company, IQVIA GOVERNMENT SOLUTIONS INC., IQVIA Healthcare QFC branch, IQVIA Hellas Technology Solutions S.A., IQVIA Holdings France SAS, IQVIA IES (UK) Limited, IQVIA IES Brasil Ltda., IQVIA IES Europe Limited, IQVIA IES European Holdings, IQVIA IES Italia S.r.l., IQVIA IES OY, IQVIA IES Overseas Holdings Limited, IQVIA IES Portugal, IQVIA IES Portugal Unipressoal Ltda., IQVIA IES Puerto Rico Inc., IQVIA II Technology Solutions Portugal, IQVIA INC., IQVIA INFORMATION MEDICAL STATISTICS (ISRAEL) LTD., IQVIA Information, IQVIA Information Solutions (China) Co., IQVIA Information Solutions GmbH, IQVIA Informations Solutions France SAS, IQVIA Istanbul Saglik Hizmetler Arastirma ve Danismanlik Limited Sirketi, IQVIA Korea Co. Ltd., IQVIA LTD, IQVIA Market Intelligence LLC, IQVIA Marktforschung GmbH, IQVIA Maroc SARL, IQVIA Mauritius Holdings, IQVIA Medical Communications & Consulting, IQVIA Medical Development (Dalian) Co., IQVIA Medical Education Inc., IQVIA Medical Radar AB, IQVIA Operations France SAS, IQVIA PHARMA Inc., IQVIA Partners AS, IQVIA Pharma Services Corp., IQVIA Pharmaceutical Marketing Services Ltd., IQVIA Phase One Services LLC, IQVIA RDS (India) Private Limited, IQVIA RDS (Pty.) Limited, IQVIA RDS AG, IQVIA RDS Argentina S.A., IQVIA RDS Asia Inc., IQVIA RDS Austria GmbH, IQVIA RDS BT Inc., IQVIA RDS Brasil Ltda., IQVIA RDS Bulgaria EOOD, IQVIA RDS Canada ULC, IQVIA RDS Chile, IQVIA RDS Colombia S.A.S., IQVIA RDS Consulting Inc., IQVIA RDS ESTONIA OU, IQVIA RDS East Asia Pte. Ltd., IQVIA RDS Eastern Holdings GmbH, IQVIA RDS Finland OY, IQVIA RDS France SAS (formerly, IQVIA RDS Funding LLC, IQVIA RDS GesmbH, IQVIA RDS GesmbH Greek Branch, IQVIA RDS Guatemala S.A., IQVIA RDS Holdings, IQVIA RDS Hong Kong Limited, IQVIA RDS ISRAEL LTD., IQVIA RDS Inc., IQVIA RDS Ireland (Finance) Ltd., IQVIA RDS Ireland Ltd., IQVIA RDS Italy Srl, IQVIA RDS Latin America LLC, IQVIA RDS Latvia SIA, IQVIA RDS Magyarorszag Gyogyszerfejlesztesi es Tanacsado Kft., IQVIA RDS Malaysia Sdn. Bhd., IQVIA RDS Moscow, IQVIA RDS Novosibirsk, IQVIA RDS Panama Inc., IQVIA RDS Peru S.r.l., IQVIA RDS Philippines Inc., IQVIA RDS Poland Sp. Zoo, IQVIA RDS Pty. Limited, IQVIA RDS Slovakia s.r.o., IQVIA RDS Spain, IQVIA RDS Spain S.L., IQVIA RDS St. Petersburg, IQVIA RDS Support Sarl, IQVIA RDS Switzerland sarl, IQVIA RDS Taiwan Ltd., IQVIA RDS Transfer LLC, IQVIA RDS UAB, IQVIA RDS UK Holdings Ltd., IQVIA RDS and Integrated Services Belgium NV, IQVIA RDS d.o.o. Beograd, IQVIA SOLUTIONS ASIA PTE. LTD., IQVIA SOLUTIONS CANADA INC., IQVIA SOLUTIONS JAPAN K.K., IQVIA SOLUTIONS OPERATIONS CENTER PHLIPPINES INC., IQVIA SOLUTIONS PHILIPINES, IQVIA SOLUTIONS PHILIPPINES, IQVIA Services Japan K.K., IQVIA Solutions (NZ) Limited, IQVIA Solutions (Pty.) Ltd., IQVIA Solutions Argentina S.A., IQVIA Solutions Australia Holdings Pty. Ltd., IQVIA Solutions Australia Pty. Ltd., IQVIA Solutions B.V., IQVIA Solutions Belgium S.P.R.L., IQVIA Solutions Bulgaria EOOD, IQVIA Solutions Colombia S.A., IQVIA Solutions Consulting Myanmar Company Limited, IQVIA Solutions Denmark AS, IQVIA Solutions Enterprise Management Consulting (Shanghai) Co., IQVIA Solutions Finance B.V., IQVIA Solutions Finance UK I Ltd., IQVIA Solutions Finance UK II Ltd., IQVIA Solutions Finance UK III Ltd., IQVIA Solutions Finance UK V Ltd., IQVIA Solutions Finland OY, IQVIA Solutions Global Holdings UK Ltd., IQVIA Solutions GmbH, IQVIA Solutions HQ Ltd., IQVIA Solutions Holdings (Pty.) Ltd., IQVIA Solutions Hong Kong Limited, IQVIA Solutions Ireland Limited, IQVIA Solutions Italy W.r.l., IQVIA Solutions Kazakhstan LLC, IQVIA Solutions LLC, IQVIA Solutions Malaysia Sdn. Bhd., IQVIA Solutions Norway AS, IQVIA Solutions Pharmaceutical SRL, IQVIA Solutions Portugal, IQVIA Solutions Regional Pte. Ltd., IQVIA Solutions Services Ltd., IQVIA Solutions Sweden AB, IQVIA Solutions UK Investments Ltd., IQVIA Solutions UK Limited, IQVIA Solutions a.s., IQVIA Solutions del Peru S.A., IQVIA Solutions do Brasil Ltda., IQVIA Solutions s.r.o., IQVIA Solucoes de Tecnologia DO Brazil Ltda., IQVIA Staff Services Sp.A., IQVIA TRANSPORTATION SERVICES CORP., IQVIA Technology Services Ltd., IQVIA Technology Solutions Egypt LLC, IQVIA Technology Solutions Finland OY, IQVIA Technology Solutions Poland SP. z.o.o., IQVIA Technology Solutions Romania Srl, IQVIA Technology Solutions S.R.O. Branch Bulgaria, IQVIA Technology Solutions Ukraine LLC, IQVIA Technology Solutions s.r.o., IQVIA Technology and Services AG, IQVIA Tibbi Istatistik Ticaret ve Musavirlik Ltd. Sirketi, IQVIA Trading Management Inc., IQVIA World Publications Ltd., IQVIA Zagreb d.o.o., Iasist Holdco Limited, Iasist Potugal, Iasist SAU Agencia en Chile, Iasist Sociedad Anonima Unipersonal, Impact RX, Infocus Health Limited, Infopharm Ltd., Innovex Holdings I LLC, Innovex Merger Corp., Innovex Saglik Hizmetleri Arastirma ve Danismanlik Ticaret Limited Sirketi, Innovex Saglik Urunleri Pazarlame ve Hizmet Danismanlik Anonim Sirketi, Institute of Medical Communications NCO, Interstatistik AG, Kun Tai Medical Development Hong Kong Limited, Kun Tuo Medical Research & Development (Beijing) Co. Ltd., Laboratorie Novex Pharma Sarl, Laboratorio Commuq Pharma SL, Linguamatics, M&H Informatics (BD) LTD., M-TAG Australia Pty. Ltd., MED-VANTAGE, MG Recherche, Mecurial Insights Holding Pty. Ltd., Mecurial Insights Pty. Ltd., Mercados Y Analisis, Meridian Research Vietnam Ltd., Nordisk Medicin Information AB, Novella Clinical LLC, Novella Clinical Ltd., Novex Pharma Gmbh, Novex Pharma Laboratorio S.L., Novex Pharma Limited, Nuevo Health Pty Ltd, Onkodatamed GmbH, Operaciones Centralizadas Latinoamericana Limitada, Optimum Contact Limited, Outcome Sciences LLC, PILGRIM SOFTWARE HOLDING B.V., POLARIS MANAGEMENT PARTNERS LLC, POLARIS SOLUTIONS LLC, PR Editions S.A.S., PT IMS Health Indonesia, PT Quintiles Indonesia, Penderwood Limited, PharmARC Consulting Services GmbH, PharmARC Inc., Pharma Deals Limited, Pharma Strategy Group Ltd., Pharmadata s.r.o., Pharmaforce, Pilgrim Quality Solutions EMEA BV, Pilgrim Software Asia PVT, Polaris Solutions BV, Polaris Solutions Ltd., Primeum IQVIA SAS, Privacy Analytics Inc., Professional Pharmaceutical Marketing Services (Pty.) Ltd., Pygargus AB, Q Squared Solutions (Beijing) Co. Ltd., Q Squared Solutions (India) Private Limited, Q Squared Solutions (Quest) LLC, Q Squared Solutions (Quest) Limited, Q Squared Solutions (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., Q Squared Solutions B.V., Q Squared Solutions BioSciences LLC, Q Squared Solutions China (Quest) Limited, Q Squared Solutions China Limited, Q Squared Solutions Expression Analysis LLC, Q Squared Solutions Holdings B.V., Q Squared Solutions Holdings LLC, Q Squared Solutions Holdings Limited, Q Squared Solutions K.K., Q Squared Solutions LLC, Q Squared Solutions Limited, Q Squared Solutions Proprietary Limited, Q Squared Solutions Pte. Ltd., Q Squared Solutions S.A., Q2 Metrics, Q2 Solutions, QIMS Pharma Services SA DE CV, QUINTILES MEXICO, QUINTILESIMS EUROPEAN HOLDINGS II C.V., Qcare Site Services, Quintiles B.V., Quintiles Benin Ltd., Quintiles Clindata (Pty.) Limited, Quintiles Clindepharm (Pty.) Limited, Quintiles Clinical and Commercial Nigeria Limited, Quintiles Commercial ApS, Quintiles Commercial Germany GmbH, Quintiles Commercial Rus LLC, Quintiles Commercial South Africa (Pty) Limited, Quintiles Commercial US. Inc., Quintiles Costa Rica S.A., Quintiles Czech Republic, Quintiles Denmark, Quintiles East Africa Limited, Quintiles Egypt LLC, Quintiles Enterprise Management (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., Quintiles Finance Sarl, Quintiles Finance Uruguay, Quintiles GmbH, Quintiles Holdings S.a.r.l., Quintiles IMS European Holdings C.V., Quintiles Lanka Private Limited, Quintiles Latin America Inc., Quintiles Luxembourg European Holding, Quintiles Luxembourg European Holding S.a.r.l., Quintiles Luxembourg France Holdings SARL, Quintiles Medical Development (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., Quintiles Netherlands, Quintiles New Zealand, Quintiles Norway, Quintiles Phase One Clinical Trials India Private Limited, Quintiles Russia LLC, Quintiles S.a.r.l., Quintiles Site Services, Quintiles South Africa (PTY.) Limited, Quintiles UK (Japan Holdings) Limited, Quintiles Ukraine, Quintiles Vietnam, Quintiles West Africa Limited, RX India LLC, Radar Acquisition Blocker, Redsite Limited, Reportive SA, STI Technologies Limited, Schwarzeck Verlag GmbH, Secureconsent, Shanghai IMS Market Research Co. Ltd., Source Informatics Limited, Spartan Leasing Corporation, Statfinn Oy, Strategique Sante, THE AMUNDSEN GROUP, Targeted Molecular Diagnostics, Tarius A/S, Temas Srl - Societa Unipersonale, TforG Connect BVBA, Themis Limited, UAB IQVIA Commercial, VALUEMEDICS RESEARCH, VCG&A Inc., and iGuard. Wall Street analysts have given iShares iBonds Dec 2024 Term Muni Bond ETF a "N/A" rating, but there may be better buying opportunities in the stock market. Some of MarketBeat's past winning trading ideas have resulted in 5-15% weekly gains. MarketBeat just released five new stock ideas, but iShares iBonds Dec 2024 Term Muni Bond ETF wasn't one of them. MarketBeat thinks these five companies may be even better buys. View MarketBeat's top stock picks here. Helix Energy Solutions Group, Inc. is an international offshore energy company. It focuses on subsea construction, maintenance and salvage services to the offshore natural gas and oil industry. The firm also provides specialty services to the offshore energy industry, with a focus on well intervention and robotics operations. The company operates through three segments: Well Intervention, Robotics and Production Facilities. The Well Intervention segment offers vessels and related equipment that are used to perform well intervention services primarily in the Gulf of Mexico and North Sea regions. The Robotics segment involves four chartered vessels and also includes ROVs, trenchers and ROVDrills designed to complement offshore construction and well intervention services. The Production Facilities segment includes its investment in the Helix Producer I and Kommandor LLC. Helix Energy Solutions Group was founded in 1979 and is headquartered in Houston, TX. Read More The following companies are subsidiares of Eastman Chemical: BP - Aviation Turbine Oil Business, CP Films Vertriebs GmbH, Commonwealth Laminating & Coating (Hong Kong) Limited, Commonwealth Laminating & Coating Inc, Crown Operations International LLC, Dynaloy, Eastman Administracion S.A. de C.V., Eastman Chemical (Barbados) SRL, Eastman Chemical (China) Co. Ltd., Eastman Chemical (China) Co. Ltd. - Guangzhou Branch, Eastman Chemical (China) Co. Ltd. - JingAn Branch, Eastman Chemical (Gibraltar) Limited, Eastman Chemical (Malaysia) Sdn. Bhd., Eastman Chemical (PPU) Pte. Ltd., Eastman Chemical AMI GmbH, Eastman Chemical AMI LLC, Eastman Chemical AP Holdings B.V., Eastman Chemical Adhesives (Hong Kong) Limited, Eastman Chemical Advanced Materials B.V., Eastman Chemical Argentina S.R.L., Eastman Chemical Asia Pacific Pte Ltd-Indonesia Rep Office, Eastman Chemical Asia Pacific Pte. Ltd., Eastman Chemical Asia Pacific Pte. Ltd. - Vietnam Representative Office, Eastman Chemical Australia Pty LTD - New Zealand Branch, Eastman Chemical Australia Pty. Ltd., Eastman Chemical B.V., Eastman Chemical B.V. - Czech Republic Representative Office, Eastman Chemical B.V. - Denmark Branch, Eastman Chemical B.V. - Filiale Italiana, Eastman Chemical B.V. - France Branch, Eastman Chemical B.V. - Hungarian Commercial Representative Office, Eastman Chemical B.V. - Poland Representative Office, Eastman Chemical B.V. - South Africa Representative Office, Eastman Chemical B.V. Taiwan Branch, Eastman Chemical B.V. The Hague Zug Branch, Eastman Chemical Canada Inc., Eastman Chemical Company Investments Inc., Eastman Chemical EMEA B.V., Eastman Chemical Europe Middle East and Africa LLC, Eastman Chemical Europe S.a.r.l., Eastman Chemical Fibers IP GmbH, Eastman Chemical Fibers IP LLC, Eastman Chemical Finance B.V., Eastman Chemical Finance CN S.a.r.l., Eastman Chemical Finance EUR S.a.r.l., Eastman Chemical Finance GBP S.a.r.l., Eastman Chemical Finance SGD S.a.r.l., Eastman Chemical Finance USD S.a.r.l., Eastman Chemical Financial Corporation, Eastman Chemical GDL S.a.r.l., Eastman Chemical Germany Holdings GmbH & Co. KG, Eastman Chemical Germany Management GmbH & Co. KG, Eastman Chemical Germany Verwaltungs-GmbH, Eastman Chemical Global Holdings LLC, Eastman Chemical Global Holdings S.a.r.l., Eastman Chemical GmbH, Eastman Chemical HK Limited, Eastman Chemical Holdings do Brasil Ltda., Eastman Chemical Hong Kong B.V., Eastman Chemical Iberica S.L., Eastman Chemical India Private Limited, Eastman Chemical Intermediates (Hong Kong) Limited, Eastman Chemical International GmbH, Eastman Chemical International Holdings B.V., Eastman Chemical International LP LLC, Eastman Chemical Japan Ltd., Eastman Chemical Korea B.V., Eastman Chemical Korea Ltd., Eastman Chemical Latin America Inc., Eastman Chemical Ltd., Eastman Chemical Ltd. - Australia Branch, Eastman Chemical Ltd. - Singapore Branch, Eastman Chemical Ltd. - Taiwan Branch, Eastman Chemical Luxembourg Finance S.a.r.l., Eastman Chemical Luxembourg Holdings 1 LLC, Eastman Chemical Luxembourg Holdings 1 S.a.r.l., Eastman Chemical Luxembourg Holdings 2 S.a.r.l., Eastman Chemical Luxembourg Holdings LLC, Eastman Chemical Luxembourg Holdings S.a.r.l., Eastman Chemical Malaysia B.V., Eastman Chemical Middelburg B.V., Eastman Chemical Netherlands Limited, Eastman Chemical Products Singapore Pte. Ltd., Eastman Chemical Regional UK, Eastman Chemical Resins Inc., Eastman Chemical S.C.S., Eastman Chemical Singapore Pte. Ltd., Eastman Chemical Switzerland GmbH, Eastman Chemical Technology BVBA, Eastman Chemical Texas City Inc., Eastman Chemical US Finance LLC, Eastman Chemical Uruapan S.A. de C.V., Eastman Chemical Workington Limited, Eastman Chemical do Brasil Ltda., Eastman Cogen Management L.L.C., Eastman Cogeneration L.P., Eastman Company UK Limited, Eastman Fibers Korea Limited, Eastman Fibers Singapore Pte. Ltd., Eastman Foundation, Eastman Global Holdings Inc., Eastman International Holdings LLC, Eastman International Management Company, Eastman Italia S.r.l., Eastman Kimya Sanayi ve Ticaret Limited Sirketi, Eastman LAR Distribucion S. de R.L. de C.V., Eastman Mazzucchelli Hong Kong Limited, Eastman Mazzucchelli Plastics (Shenzhen) Company Limited, Eastman Servicios Corporativos S.A. de C.V., Eastman Spain L.L.C., Eastman Specialties Corporation, Eastman Specialties Holdings Corporation, Eastman Specialties OU, Eastman Specialties S.a.r.l., Eastman Specialties Wuhan Youji Chemical Co. Ltd, Eastman de Argentina SRL, Ecuataminco S.A., Flexsys America L.P., Flexsys America LLC, Flexsys Chemicals (M) Sdn Bhd, Flexsys K.K., Flexsys Rubber Chemicals Limited, Flexsys Verkauf GmbH, Flexsys Verkauf GmbH - France Branch, Flexsys Verwaltungs- und Beteiligungsgesellschaft mbH, Genovique Specialties Corporation, HDK Industries Inc., Holston Defense Corporation, Huper Optik (GP) L.L.C., Huper Optik International Pte. Ltd., Huper Optik U.S.A. L.P., Industriepark Nienburg GmbH, Kingsport Hotel L.L.C., Knowlton Technologies LLC, Monchem International LLC, Mustang Pipeline Company, Nanjing Yangzi Eastman Chemical Ltd, Novomatrix Inc., Novomatrix International Trading (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., Qilu Eastman Specialty Chemicals Ltd, S E Investment LLC, Sakra Hyco Pte. Ltd., Sakra Island Carbon Dioxide Pte Ltd, Scandiflex do Brasil Ltda., Solchem LLC, Solchem Netherlands C.V., Solutia (Thailand) Ltd., Solutia Brasil Ltda., Solutia Canada Inc., Solutia Chemicals France S.a.r.l., Solutia Chemicals India Private Limited, Solutia Chemicals India Private Limited - Branch, Solutia Deutschland GmbH, Solutia Europe BVBA - Portugal Representative Office, Solutia Europe BVBA - Russia Representative Office, Solutia Europe SPRL/BVBA, Solutia Greater China LLC, Solutia Hong Kong Limited, Solutia Inc., Solutia International Trading (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., Solutia Italia S.r.l., Solutia Japan Limited, Solutia Performance Products (Suzhou) Co. Ltd., Solutia Performance Products Solutions Ltd., Solutia Singapore Pte. Ltd., Solutia Solar GmbH, Solutia Therminol Co. Ltd. Suzhou, Solutia Tlaxcala S.A. de C.V., Solutia UK Holdings Limited, Solutia UK Investments Limited, Solutia UK Limited, Solutia Venezuela S.R.L., Southwall Europe GmbH, Southwall Insulating Glass LLC, Southwall Technologies Inc., St. Gabriel CC Company LLC, Sterling Chemicals Inc, SunTek Australia Pty. Ltd., SunTek Films Canada Inc., SunTek UK Limited, TX Energy LLC, Taminco Argentina S.A., Taminco BVBA, Taminco BVBA - France Rep Office, Taminco BVBA - Hungarian Commercial Representative Office, Taminco BVBA - Oficina de Representacion en Espana, Taminco BVBA - The Philippines, Taminco Chile S.p.A, Taminco Choline Chloride (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., Taminco Corporation, Taminco Finland Oy, Taminco Germany GmbH, Taminco Global Chemical LLC, Taminco Group BVBA, Taminco Group Holdings S.a.r.l., Taminco Holding Netherlands B.V., Taminco Intermediate LLC, Taminco Italia S.r.l., Taminco Limitada, Taminco Mexico S. de R.L. de C.V., Taminco US LLC, Taminco Uruguay S.A., Taminco de Guatemala S.A., Taminco de Honduras S.A. de C.V., Taminco do Brasil Comercio e Industria de Aminas Ltda., Taminco do Brasil Produtos Quimicos Ltda., Te An Ling Tian (Nanjing) Fine Chemical Co. Ltd., TetraVitae Bioscience, V-Kool International Pte. Ltd., and Yixing Taminco Feed Additives Co. Ltd.. American Consumer News, LLC dba MarketBeat 2010-2021. All rights reserved. 326 E 8th St #105, Sioux Falls, SD 57103 | U.S. Based Support Team at contact@marketbeat.com | (844) 978-6257 MarketBeat does not provide personalized financial advice and does not issue recommendations or offers to buy stock or sell any security. 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The following companies are subsidiares of Cummins: Anvl, Apollo FC Holdings Ltd., Atlantis Acquisitionco Canada Corporation, Atlantis Holdco UK Limited, Brammo, CIFC Worldwide Partner C.V., CMI Africa Holdings BV, CMI CGT Holdings LLC, CMI Canada Financing Ltd., CMI Canada LP, CMI Foreign Holdings B.V., CMI Global Equity Holdings B.V., CMI Global Equity Holdings C.V., CMI Global Holdings B.V., CMI Global Partner 2 C.V., CMI Global Partners B.V., CMI Group Holdings B.V., CMI Group Holdings Cooperatief U.A., CMI International Finance Partner 1 LLC, CMI International Finance Partner 2 LLC, CMI International Finance Partner 3 LLC, CMI International Finance Partner 4 LLC, CMI International Finance Partner 5 LLC, CMI Mexico LLC, CMI Netherlands Holdings B.V., CMI PGI Holdings LLC, CMI PGI International Holdings LLC, CMI Turkish Holdings B.V., CMI UK Finance LP, CMI UK Financing LP, Cherry Island Renewable Energy LLC, Consolidated Diesel Company, Consolidated Diesel Inc., Consolidated Diesel of North Carolina Inc., Cummins (China) Investment Co. Ltd., Cummins (Xiangyang) Machining Co. Ltd., Cummins Africa Middle East (Pty) Ltd., Cummins Afrique de l'Ouest, Cummins Americas Inc., Cummins Angola Lda., Cummins Argentina-Servicios Mineros S.A., Cummins Asia Pacific Pte. Ltd., Cummins Aust Technologies Pty. Ltd., Cummins BLR LLC, Cummins Battery Systems North America LLC, Cummins Belgium N.V., Cummins Botswana (Pty.) Ltd., Cummins Brasil Ltda., Cummins Burkina Faso SARL, Cummins CDC Holding Inc., Cummins CV Member LLC, Cummins Canada ULC, Cummins Caribbean LLC, Cummins Center of Excellence Singapore Pte. Ltd., Cummins Centroamerica Holding S.de R.L., Cummins Child Development Center Inc., Cummins Colombia S.A.S., Cummins Comercializadora S. de R.L. de C.V., Cummins Corporation, Cummins Cote d'Ivoire SARL, Cummins Czech Republic s.r.o., Cummins Deutschland GmbH, Cummins Diesel International Ltd., Cummins Distribution Holdco Inc., Cummins EMEA Holdings Limited, Cummins East Asia Research & Development Co. Ltd., Cummins Eastern Marine Inc., Cummins Electrified Power Europe Ltd., Cummins Electrified Power NA Inc., Cummins Emission Solutions (China) Co. Ltd., Cummins Emission Solutions Inc., Cummins Empresas Filantropicas, Cummins Energetica Ltda., Cummins Engine (Beijing) Co. Ltd., Cummins Engine (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., Cummins Engine (Shanghai) Trading & Services Co. Ltd., Cummins Engine Holding Company Inc., Cummins Engine IP Inc., Cummins Engine Malaysia Sdn. Bhd., Cummins Engine Venture Corporation, Cummins Enterprise LLC, Cummins Filtration (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., Cummins Filtration GmbH, Cummins Filtration IP Inc., Cummins Filtration Inc., Cummins Filtration International Corp., Cummins Filtration Ltd., Cummins Filtration SARL, Cummins Filtration Trading (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., Cummins Filtros Ltda., Cummins Franchise Holdco LLC, Cummins Fuel Systems (Wuhan) Co. Ltd., Cummins Generator Technologies (China) Co. Ltd., Cummins Generator Technologies Americas Inc., Cummins Generator Technologies Germany GmbH, Cummins Generator Technologies India Private Ltd., Cummins Generator Technologies Italy SRL, Cummins Generator Technologies Limited, Cummins Generator Technologies Romania S.A., Cummins Generator Technologies Singapore Pte Ltd., Cummins Ghana Limited, Cummins Ghana Mining Limited, Cummins Global Financing LP, Cummins Global Technologies LLP, Cummins Grupo Comercial Y. de Servicios S. de R.L. de C.V., Cummins Grupo Industrial S. de R.L. de C.V., Cummins Holland B.V., Cummins Hong Kong Ltd., Cummins India Ltd., Cummins Intellectual Property Inc., Cummins International Finance LLC, Cummins International Holdings Cooperatief U.A., Cummins International Holdings LLC, Cummins Italia S.P.A., Cummins Japan Ltd., Cummins Korea Co. Ltd., Cummins LLC Member Inc., Cummins Ltd., Cummins Maroc SARL, Cummins Middle East FZE, Cummins Mining Services S. de R.L. de C.V., Cummins Mobility Services Inc., Cummins Mongolia Investment LLC, Cummins Mozambique Ltda., Cummins NV, Cummins Namibia Engine Sales and Service PTY LTD, Cummins Natural Gas Engines Inc., Cummins New Zealand Limited, Cummins Nigeria Ltd., Cummins Norte de Colombia S.A.S., Cummins North Africa Regional Office SARL, Cummins Norway AS, Cummins PGI Holdings Ltd., Cummins Power Generation (China) Co. Ltd., Cummins Power Generation (S) Pte. Ltd., Cummins Power Generation (U.K.) Limited, Cummins Power Generation Deutschland GmbH, Cummins Power Generation Inc., Cummins Power Generation Limited, Cummins PowerGen IP Inc., Cummins Research and Technology India Private Ltd., Cummins Romania Srl, Cummins S. de R.L. de C.V., Cummins Sales and Service Korea Co. Ltd., Cummins Sales and Service Philippines Inc., Cummins Sales and Service Private Limited, Cummins Sales and Service Sdn. Bhd., Cummins Sales and Service Singapore Pte. Ltd., Cummins Sinai ve Otomotiv Urunleri Sanayi ve Ticaret Limited Sirketi, Cummins South Africa (Pty.) Ltd., Cummins South Pacific Pty. Limited, Cummins Southern Plains LLC, Cummins Spain S.L., Cummins Sweden AB, Cummins Technologies India, Cummins Trade Receivables LLC, Cummins Turbo Technologies Limited, Cummins Turkey Motor Guc Sistemleri Sats Servis Limited Sirketi, Cummins U.K. Holdings Ltd., Cummins U.K. Pension Plan Trustee Ltd., Cummins UK Global Holdings Ltd., Cummins UK Holdings LLC, Cummins Vendas e Servicos de Motores e Geradores Ltda., Cummins Venture Corporation, Cummins West Africa Limited, Cummins West Balkans d.o.o. Nova Pasova, Cummins XBorder Operations (Pty) Ltd, Cummins Zambia Ltd., Cummins Zimbabwe Pvt. Ltd., Distribuidora Cummins Centroamerica Costa Rica S.de R.L., Distribuidora Cummins Centroamerica El Salvador S.de R.L., Distribuidora Cummins Centroamerica Guatemala Ltda., Distribuidora Cummins Centroamerica Honduras S.de R.L., Distribuidora Cummins S.A., Distribuidora Cummins Sucursal Paraguay SRL, Distribuidora Cummins de Panama S. de R.L., Dynamo Insurance Company Inc., Efficient Drivetrains, Efficient Drivetrains (Beijing) New Power Technology Co. Ltd., Efficient Drivetrains (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., Hilite International, Hydrogenics, Hydrogenics Corporation, Hydrogenics Europe N.V., Hydrogenics GmbH, Hydrogenics Holding GmbH, Hydrogenics USA Inc., Markon Engineering Company Ltd., Nelson Burgess Ltd., Nelson Industries, Newage Engineers GmbH, Newage Ltd. (U.K.), Newage Machine Tools Ltd., OOO Cummins, Petbow Limited, Power Group International (Overseas Holdings) B.V., Power Group International (Overseas Holdings) Ltd., Power Group International Ltd., Quickstart Energy Projects SpA, Shanghai Cummins Trade Co. Ltd., TOO Cummins, Taiwan Cummins Sales & Services Co. Ltd., Worldwide Partner CV Member LLC, Wuxi Cummins Turbo Technologies Co. Ltd., Wuxi New Energy Automotive Technologies Co. Ltd., and ZED Connect Inc.. The following companies are subsidiares of Whirlpool: 1900 Holdings Corporation, ADC, Aeradriatica S.p.A., Airdun Limited, B. Blend Maquinas e Bebidas S.A., BUD Comercio de Eletrodomesticos Ltda., BWI Products Limited, Bauknecht AG, Bauknecht Hausgerate GmbH, Bauknecht Limited, Beijing Embraco Snowflake Compressor Company Limited, Bill Page Orchestra, Bill Page Orchestra Inc., Brasmotor S.A., Brunson Place Properties, Brunson Place Properties LLC, CNB Consultoria Ltda, Cannon Industries Ltd., Centro de Desarrollo Tecnologico e Innovacion WHM S. de R.L de C.V., Comercial Acros Whirlpool, Comercial Acros Whirlpool S. de R.L. de C.V., Consumer Appliances Service Limited, Ealing Compania de Gestiones y Participaciones S.A., Elera Delaware, Elera Delaware Inc., Elera Holdings Corporation, Embraco Europe S.r.l., Embraco Eurosales S.r.l., Embraco Industria de Compressores e Solucoes em Refrigeracao Ltda., Embraco Luxembourg S.a r.l., Embraco Mexico S. de R.L. de C.V., Embraco Mexico Servicios, Embraco Mexico Servicios S. de R.L. de C.V., Embraco North America, Embraco North America Inc., Embraco RUS LLC, Embraco Slovakia S.r.o., Everest Campus, Everest Campus LLC., General Domestic Appliances Holdings Ltd, General Domestic Appliances International Ltd., Guangdong Whirlpool Electrical Appliances Co., Guangdong Whirlpool Electrical Appliances Co. Ltd., Haceb Whirlpool Industrias S.A.S., Hefei Rongshida Sanyo Electric, Hefei Whirlpool Enterprise Management Service Co. Ltd., Hoover Comercial Limitada, IRE Beteiligungs GmbH, Indesit Argentina S.A., Indesit Company, Indesit Company Beyaz Esya Pazarlama A.S., Indesit Company Beyaz Esya Sanayi ve Ticaret A.S., Indesit Company Ceska S.r.o., Indesit Company Domestic Appliances Hellas Mepe, Indesit Company International Business S.A., Indesit Company Luxembourg S.A., Indesit Company Magyarorszag Kft, Indesit Company Nordics AB, Indesit Company Polska Sp. zo.o., Indesit Company Singapore Pte. Ltd., Indesit Company UK Holdings Ltd., Indesit IP S.r.l., Indesit International ZAO, Indesit Ireland Ltd., Indesit Middle East FZE, Indesit Ukraine LLC, Industrias Acros Whirlpool S. de R.L. de C.V., Industrias Acros Whirlpool S.A. de C.V, Jackson Appliances Ltd., Joint-Stock Company Indesit International, KitchenAid, KitchenAid Australia Pty Ltd, KitchenAid Australia Pty Ltd., KitchenAid Delaware Inc., KitchenAid Europa Inc., KitchenAid Global, KitchenAid Global Inc., KitchenAid Inc., KitchenAid Korea Limited, KitchenAid Promotions, KitchenAid Promotions LLC, KitchenAid Trading Co., KitchenAid Trading Co. Ltd., LAWSA S.A., MLOG Armazem Geral Ltda., Maytag Corporation, Maytag Limited, Maytag Properties, Maytag Properties LLC, Maytag Sales, Maytag Sales Inc., Maytag Worldwide N.V., Merloni Domestic Appliances Ltd., Nineteen Hundred Corporation, Polar S.A., Qingdao EECON Electronic Controls and Appliances Co., Qingdao EECON Electronic Controls and Appliances Co. Ltd., South American Sales Partnership, THC Assets Corporation, Up Points Servicos Empresariais S.A., Vitromatic S.A. de C.V., WCGP Nova Scotia Co., WHirlpool EMEA Finanace S.a r.l., Whirlpool (Australia) Pty. Limited, Whirlpool (B.V.I.) Limited, Whirlpool (China) Co. Ltd., Whirlpool (China) Investment Co., Whirlpool (China) Investment Co. Ltd., Whirlpool (Hefei) Trading Co., Whirlpool (Hefei) Trading Co. Ltd, Whirlpool (Hong Kong) Limited, Whirlpool (Japan) Co. Ltd., Whirlpool (Thailand) Limited, Whirlpool ASEAN Co., Whirlpool America Holdings Corp., Whirlpool Argentina S.r.l., Whirlpool Asia B.V., Whirlpool Asia Holdings S.a r.l., Whirlpool Asia Inc., Whirlpool Asia LLP, Whirlpool Belux N.V./S.A., Whirlpool Bermuda Euro Ltd., Whirlpool Beyaz Esya Sanayi Ve Ticaret A.S., Whirlpool Bulgaria Ltd., Whirlpool CIS Ltd., Whirlpool CR, Whirlpool CR spol. s.r.o., Whirlpool CSA Holdings S.a r.l., Whirlpool Canada Co., Whirlpool Canada Co. (post 9/1/05 amalgamation company), Whirlpool Canada Holding Co, Whirlpool Canada Holding Co. (post 4/18/06 amalgamation company), Whirlpool Canada Investments S.a r.l., Whirlpool Canada LP, Whirlpool Canada Luxembourg Holdings S.a r.l., Whirlpool Chile Limitada, Whirlpool Colombia S.A.S., Whirlpool Comercial Ltda., Whirlpool Company Polska Sp. z o.o., Whirlpool Company Ukraine LLC, Whirlpool Croatia Ltd., Whirlpool EMEA S.p.A., Whirlpool Ecuador S.A., Whirlpool Eesti OU, Whirlpool El Salvador, Whirlpool El Salvador S.A. de C.V., Whirlpool Electrodomesticos S.A., Whirlpool Eletrodomesticos AM S.A., Whirlpool Enterprises, Whirlpool Enterprises LLC, Whirlpool Europe B.V., Whirlpool Europe Coordination Center, Whirlpool Europe Holdings Limited, Whirlpool Ev Aletleri Pazarlama Ve Ticaret A.S., Whirlpool Finance B.V., Whirlpool Finance Center Corp., Whirlpool Finance Luxembourg S.a r.l., Whirlpool Finance Overseas Ltd., Whirlpool Financial Corporation, Whirlpool Financial Corporation International, Whirlpool Floor Care Corp., Whirlpool France Holdings SAS, Whirlpool France SAS, Whirlpool Germany GmbH, Whirlpool Global B.V., Whirlpool Global Investments B.V., Whirlpool Greater China Inc., Whirlpool Guatemala, Whirlpool Guatemala S.A., Whirlpool Hellas S.A., Whirlpool Holdings Corporation, Whirlpool Home Appliances B.V., Whirlpool Home Appliances Limited Liability Company, Whirlpool Hungarian Trading Limited Liability Company, Whirlpool India Holdings Limited, Whirlpool Insurance Company, Whirlpool Insurance Company Ltd., Whirlpool Internacional S. de R.L. de C.V., Whirlpool International GmbH, Whirlpool International Holdings S.a r.l., Whirlpool International Manufacturing S.a r.l., Whirlpool Ireland Appliances Limited, Whirlpool Ireland Limited, Whirlpool Italia Holdings S.r.l., Whirlpool Italia S.r.l., Whirlpool Japan Co. Ltd., Whirlpool Japan Inc., Whirlpool Kazakhstan LLP, Whirlpool Latin America Corporation, Whirlpool Latvia S.I.A., Whirlpool Lietuva UAB, Whirlpool Ltd Belgrade, Whirlpool Luxembourg Holdings S.a r.l., Whirlpool Luxembourg Investments S.a r.l., Whirlpool Luxembourg S.a r.l., Whirlpool Luxembourg Ventures S.a r.l., Whirlpool MEEA DMCC, Whirlpool Magyarorszag Kereskedelmi Korlatolt Felelossegu Tarsasag, Whirlpool Management Services S.a.g.l., Whirlpool Maroc S. a r.l., Whirlpool Mauritius Limited, Whirlpool Mexico Holdings LLC, Whirlpool Mexico S. de R.L. de C.V., Whirlpool Mexico S.A. de C.V., Whirlpool Mexico Ventures LLC, Whirlpool Microwave Products Development Limited, Whirlpool NAAG Holdings Corporation, Whirlpool NAR Holdings, Whirlpool NAR Holdings LLC, Whirlpool Nederland B.V., Whirlpool Nordic, Whirlpool Nordic A/S, Whirlpool Nordic AB, Whirlpool Nordic AS, Whirlpool Nordic OY, Whirlpool Oceania Inc., Whirlpool Overseas Holdings, Whirlpool Overseas Holdings LLC, Whirlpool Overseas Hong Kong Limited, Whirlpool Overseas Manufacturing S.ar.l., Whirlpool Peru S.R.L., Whirlpool Polska Appliances Sp. z o.o., Whirlpool Polska Sp. z o.o., Whirlpool Portugal, Whirlpool Portugal S.A., Whirlpool Product Development (Shenzhen) Company Limited, Whirlpool Properties, Whirlpool Properties Inc., Whirlpool Puntana S.A., Whirlpool R&D S.r.l., Whirlpool RUS LLC, Whirlpool Realty Corporation, Whirlpool Romania S.r.l., Whirlpool S.A., Whirlpool SSC Limited, Whirlpool Slovakia Home Appliances spol. s.r.o., Whirlpool Slovakia spol. s.r.o., Whirlpool South Africa (Proprietary) Limited, Whirlpool Southeast Asia Pte, Whirlpool Sweden Aktiebolag, Whirlpool Taiwan Co. Ltd., Whirlpool Technologies LLC, Whirlpool UK Appliances Limited, Whirlpool UK Pension Scheme Trustee Limited, Whirlpool Ukraine LLC, Whirlpool WW Holdings B.V., Whirlpool do Brasil Investements B.V., Whirlpool do Brasil Ltda., Whirlpool of India Limited, Whirlpool Osterreich GmbH, Whirlpool Osterreich GmbH, Xpelair, Xpelair Ltd., Yummly, Yummly Canada Ltd., and Yummly Inc.. Texas Pacific Land Corp. operates as a landowner in the State of Texas. Its surface and royalty ownership allow revenue generation through the entire value chain of oil and gas development, including through fixed fee payments for use of the firm's land, revenue for sales of materials used in the construction of infrastructure, providing sourced water and treated produced water, revenue from its oil and gas royalty interests, and revenues related to saltwater disposal on land. The company also generates revenue from pipeline, power line and utility easements, commercial leases, material sales and seismic and temporary permits related to a variety of land uses including midstream infrastructure projects and hydrocarbon processing facilities. The company operates through following segment: Land and Resource Management and Water Services and Operations. The Land and Resource Management segment focuses on managing oil and gas royalty interest and surface. The Water Services and Operations segment offers operators an unparalleled breadth of service across the majority of the Permian Basin. The company was founded in April 2020 and is headquartered in Dallas, TX. Read More Stantec Inc. provides professional consulting services in the area of infrastructure and facilities in Canada, the United States, and internationally. The company provides consulting services in engineering, architecture, interior design, landscape architecture, surveying, environmental sciences, project management, and project economics. It also offers water, transportation, and public works; transportation planning and traffic engineering; and resource assessment, mine development, reclamation, hydrology, and geotechnical and infrastructure engineering services, as well as urban planning, traffic assessments and optimization, environmental impact assessments, and public consultation services. In addition, the company provides structural, mechanical, electrical, plumbing, and hydraulics engineering services. It serves urban regeneration, infrastructure, education, public and private sector, tourism and leisure, and waste and water sectors, as well as office and commercial, residential, and retail and town centers. The company was formerly known as Stanley Technology Group Inc. and changed its name to Stantec Inc. in October 1998. Stantec Inc. was founded in 1954 and is headquartered in Edmonton, Canada. Read More The following companies are subsidiares of The Travelers Companies: 10762962 Canada Inc., 350 Market Street LLC, 8527512 Canada Inc., Aetna Life and Casualty Co, American Equity Insurance Company, American Equity Specialty Insurance Company, Aprilgrange Limited, Arch Street North LLC, Auto Hartford Investments LLC, Bayhill Restaurant II Associates, Camperdown Corporation, Constitution State Services LLC, Discover Property & Casualty Insurance Company, Discover Specialty Insurance Company, F&G UK Underwriters Limited, Farmington Casualty Company, Fidelity and Guaranty Insurance Company, Fidelity and Guaranty Insurance Underwriters Inc., First Floridian Auto and Home Insurance Company, Gulf Underwriters Insurance Company, IHP Capital Partners Fund VIII L.P., Northbrook Holdings Inc., Northfield Insurance Company, Northland Casualty Company, Northland Insurance Company, Phoenix UK Investments LLC, SPC Insurance Agency Inc., Select Insurance Company, Simply Business Holdings Inc., Simply Business Inc., St. Paul Fire and Marine Insurance Company, St. Paul Guardian Insurance Company, St. Paul Mercury Insurance Company, St. Paul Protective Insurance Company, St. Paul Surplus Lines Insurance Company, Standard Fire Properties LLC, Standard Fire UK Investments LLC, TCI Global Services Inc., TPC Investments Inc., TPC U.K. Investments LLC, The Automobile Insurance Company of Hartford Connecticut, The Charter Oak Fire Insurance Company, The Dominion of Canada General Insurance Company, The Family Business Institute LLC, The Phoenix Insurance Company, The St. Paul Companies Inc., The Standard Fire Insurance Company, The Travelers Casualty Company, The Travelers Home and Marine Insurance Company, The Travelers Indemnity Company, The Travelers Indemnity Company of America, The Travelers Indemnity Company of Connecticut, The Travelers Lloyds Insurance Company, TravCo Insurance Company, Travelers (Bermuda) Limited, Travelers Brazil Acquisition LLC, Travelers Brazil Holding LLC, Travelers Casualty Company of Connecticut, Travelers Casualty Insurance Company of America, Travelers Casualty UK Investments LLC, Travelers Casualty and Surety Company, Travelers Casualty and Surety Company of America, Travelers Casualty and Surety Company of Europe Limited, Travelers Commercial Casualty Company, Travelers Commercial Insurance Company, Travelers Constitution State Insurance Company, Travelers Distribution Alliance Inc., Travelers Excess and Surplus Lines Company, Travelers Global Inc., Travelers Indemnity U.K. Investments LLC, Travelers Insurance Company Limited, Travelers Insurance Company of Canada, Travelers Insurance Designated Activity Company, Travelers Insurance Group Holdings Inc., Travelers Lloyds of Texas Insurance Company, Travelers London Limited, Travelers MGA Inc., Travelers Management Limited, Travelers Marine LLC, Travelers Participacoes em Seguros Brasil S.A., Travelers Personal Insurance Company, Travelers Personal Security Insurance Company, Travelers Property Casualty Company of America, Travelers Property Casualty Corp., Travelers Property Casualty Insurance Company, Travelers Seguros Brasil S.A., Travelers Syndicate Management Limited, Travelers Texas MGA Inc., Travelers Underwriting Agency Limited, Ultramar Travel Management, United States Fidelity and Guaranty Company, Xbridge Limited, Zensurance Brokers Inc., and Zensurance Inc.. The Toronto-Dominion Bank, together with its subsidiaries, provides various personal and commercial banking products and services in Canada and the United States. It operates through three segments: Canadian Retail, U.S. Retail, and Wholesale Banking. The company offers personal deposits, such as chequing, savings, and investment products; financing, investment, cash management, international trade, and day-to-day banking services to businesses; and financing options to customers at point of sale for automotive and recreational vehicle purchases through auto dealer network. It also provides credit cards; real estate secured lending; auto finance; consumer lending; point-of-sale payment solutions for large and small businesses; wealth and asset management products, private banking, investment advisory, and trust services to retail and institutional clients; and property and casualty insurance, as well as life and health insurance products. The company also provides capital markets, and corporate and investment banking services, including underwriting and distribution of new debt and equity issues; advice on strategic acquisitions and divestitures; and trading, funding, and investment services to companies, governments, and institutions. It offers its products and services under the TD Bank and America's Most Convenient Bank brand names. The company operates through a network of 1,085 branches, 3,440 automated teller machines, and 1,223 stores, as well as offers telephone, digital, and mobile banking services. The Toronto-Dominion Bank was founded in 1855 and is headquartered in Toronto, Canada. Read More TransAtlantic Petroleum Ltd., an oil and natural gas company, engages in the acquisition, exploration, development, and production of oil and natural gas properties in Turkey and Bulgaria. As of December 31, 2019, it had interests in 4 onshore exploration licenses and 20 onshore production leases covering an area of 436,388 net acres with a total net proved reserves of 10,259 thousand barrels of oil and 2,466 million cubic feet of natural gas located in Turkey, as well as a production concession covering an area of approximately 162,800 net undeveloped acres located in Bulgaria. The company was incorporated in 1985 and is based in Addison, Texas. Read More The following companies are subsidiares of The Procter & Gamble: "Procter & Gamble Services" LLC, "Procter & Gamble" LLC, Agile Pursuits, Agile Pursuits Franchising, Arbora, Arbora & Ausonia, Arborinvest, Billie, Braun (Shanghai) Co., Braun GmbH, Braun-Gillette Immobilien GmbH & Co. KG, Celtic Insurance Company, Compania Procter & Gamble Mexico, Compania Quimica S.A., Corporativo Procter & Gamble, Cosmetic Products Pty. Ltd., Detergent Products B.V., Detergent Products SARL, Detergenti S.A., Eurocos Cosmetic GmbH, FPG Oleochemicals Sdn. Bhd., Fameccanica Data S.p.A., Fameccanica Industria e Comercio Do Brasil LTDA., Fameccanica Machinery (Shanghai) Co., Fater S.p.A., Fountain Square Music Publishing Co., Gillette (China) Ltd., Gillette (Shanghai) Ltd., Gillette Aesop Ltd., Gillette Australia Pty. Ltd., Gillette Canada Holdings, Gillette Commercial Operations North America, Gillette Diversified Operations Pvt. Ltd., Gillette Egypt S.A.E., Gillette Group UK Ltd, Gillette Gruppe Deutschland GmbH & Co. oHG, Gillette Holding Company LLC, Gillette Holding GmbH, Gillette India Limited, Gillette Industries Ltd., Gillette International B.V., Gillette Latin America Holding B.V., Gillette Management LLC, Gillette Nova Scotia Company, Gillette Pakistan Limited, Gillette Poland International Sp. z.o.o., Gillette Poland S.A., Gillette U.K. Limited, Gillette del Uruguay, Giorgio Beverly Hills Inc., Hyginett KFT, Industries Marocaines Modernes SA, LLC "Procter & Gamble Novomoskovsk", LLL "Procter & Gamble Distributorskaya Compania", Laboratorios Vicks, Liberty Street Music Publishing Company, Limited Liability Company 'Procter & Gamble Trading Ukraine', Limited Liability Company with foreign investments Procter & and Gamble Ukraine, MDVIP, MERCK KGAA NPV, Marcvenca Inversiones, Modern Industries Company - Dammam, Modern Products Company - Jeddah, New Chapter, New Chapter Canada Inc., Olay LLC, Oral-B Laboratories, P&G Distribution Morocco SAS, P&G Hair Care Holding, P&G Industrial Peru S.R.L., P&G Innovation Godo Kaisha, P&G Israel M.D.O. Ltd., P&G K.K., P&G Northeast Asia Pte. Ltd., P&G Prestige Godo Kaisha, P&G Prestige Service GmbH, P&G South African Trading (Pty.) Ltd., PGT Health Care (Zhejiang) Limited, PGT Healthcare LLP, PPI ZAO, PT Procter & Gamble Home Products Indonesia, PT Procter & Gamble Operations Indonesia, Phase II Holdings Corporation, Procter & Gamble (Chengdu) Ltd., Procter & Gamble (China) Ltd., Procter & Gamble (China) Sales Co. Ltd., Procter & Gamble (East Africa) Limited, Procter & Gamble (Egypt) Manufacturing Company, Procter & Gamble (Enterprise Fund) Limited, Procter & Gamble (Guangzhou) Consumer Products Co. Ltd., Procter & Gamble (Guangzhou) Enterprise Management Service Company Limited, Procter & Gamble (Guangzhou) Ltd., Procter & Gamble (Health & Beauty Care) Limited, Procter & Gamble (Jiangsu) Ltd. China, Procter & Gamble (L&CP) Limited, Procter & Gamble (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd, Procter & Gamble (Manufacturing) Ireland Limited, Procter & Gamble (Shanghai) International Trade Company Ltd., Procter & Gamble (Singapore) Pte. Ltd., Procter & Gamble Acquisition GmbH, Procter & Gamble Administration GmbH, Procter & Gamble Algeria EURL, Procter & Gamble Amazon Holding B.V., Procter & Gamble Amiens S.A.S., Procter & Gamble Argentina SRL, Procter & Gamble Asia Pte. Ltd., Procter & Gamble Australia Proprietary Limited, Procter & Gamble Azerbaijan Services LLC, Procter & Gamble Bangladesh Private Ltd., Procter & Gamble Blois S.A.S., Procter & Gamble Brazil Holdings B.V., Procter & Gamble Bulgaria EOOD, Procter & Gamble Business Services Canada Company, Procter & Gamble Canada Holding B.V., Procter & Gamble Chile , Procter & Gamble Chile Limitada, Procter & Gamble Colombia Ltda., Procter & Gamble Commercial LLC, Procter & Gamble Commercial de Cuba S.A., Procter & Gamble Czech Republic s.r.o., Procter & Gamble DS Polska Sp. z o.o., Procter & Gamble Danmark ApS, Procter & Gamble Detergent (Beijing) Ltd., Procter & Gamble Deuttschland GmbH, Procter & Gamble Distributing (Philippines) Inc., Procter & Gamble Distributing New Zealand Limited, Procter & Gamble Distribution Company (Europe) BVBA, Procter & Gamble Distribution S.R.L., Procter & Gamble Eastern Europe, Procter & Gamble Ecuador Cia. Ltda., Procter & Gamble Egypt, Procter & Gamble Egypt Distribution, Procter & Gamble Egypt Holding, Procter & Gamble Egypt Supplies, Procter & Gamble Energy Company LLC, Procter & Gamble Espana, Procter & Gamble Europe SA, Procter & Gamble Export Operations SARL, Procter & Gamble Exportadora e Importadora Ltda., Procter & Gamble Exports, Procter & Gamble Fabricacao e Comercio Ltda., Procter & Gamble Far East, Procter & Gamble Finance (U.K.) Ltd., Procter & Gamble Finance Holding Ltd., Procter & Gamble Finance Management S.a.r.l., Procter & Gamble Financial Investments LLP, Procter & Gamble Financial Services Ltd., Procter & Gamble Financial Services S.a.r.l., Procter & Gamble Finland OY, Procter & Gamble France S.A.S., Procter & Gamble Germany GmbH, Procter & Gamble Germany GmbH & Co. Operations oHG, Procter & Gamble GmbH, Procter & Gamble Grundstucks-und Vermogensverwaltungs GmbH & Co. KG, Procter & Gamble Gulf FZE, Procter & Gamble Hair Care, Procter & Gamble Hellas Ltd., Procter & Gamble Holding (Thailand) Limited, Procter & Gamble Holding France S.A.S., Procter & Gamble Holding GmbH, Procter & Gamble Holding S.r.l., Procter & Gamble Holdings (UK) Ltd., Procter & Gamble Home Products Private Limited, Procter & Gamble Hong Kong Limited, Procter & Gamble Hungary Wholesale Trading Partnership (KKT), Procter & Gamble Hygiene & Health Care Limited, Procter & Gamble Inc., Procter & Gamble India Holdings, Procter & Gamble Indochina Limited Company, Procter & Gamble Industrial - 2012 C.A., Procter & Gamble Industrial Colombia Ltda., Procter & Gamble Industrial S.C.A., Procter & Gamble Industrial e Comercial Ltda., Procter & Gamble Interamericas de Costa Rica, Procter & Gamble Interamericas de Guatemala, Procter & Gamble Interamericas de Panama, Procter & Gamble International Operations Pte. Ltd., Procter & Gamble International Operations SA, Procter & Gamble International Operations SA-ROHQ, Procter & Gamble International S.a.r.l., Procter & Gamble Investment Company (UK) Ltd., Procter & Gamble Investment GmbH, Procter & Gamble Italia, Procter & Gamble Japan K.K., Procter & Gamble Kazakhstan Distribution LLP, Procter & Gamble Kazakhstan LLP, Procter & Gamble Korea, Procter & Gamble Korea S&D Co., Procter & Gamble Lanka Private Ltd. Sri Lanka, Procter & Gamble Leasing LLC, Procter & Gamble Levant S.A.L., Procter & Gamble Limited, Procter & Gamble Manufacturing (Thailand) Limited, Procter & Gamble Manufacturing (Tianjin) Co. Ltd., Procter & Gamble Manufacturing Belgium N.V., Procter & Gamble Manufacturing Berlin GmbH, Procter & Gamble Manufacturing GmbH, Procter & Gamble Manufacturing Mexico S. de R.L. de C.V., Procter & Gamble Manufacturing SA (Pty) Ltd, Procter & Gamble Marketing Romania SRL, Procter & Gamble Marketing and Services doo, Procter & Gamble Maroc SA, Procter & Gamble Mataro, Procter & Gamble Mexico Holding B.V., Procter & Gamble Mexico Inc., Procter & Gamble Middle East FZE, Procter & Gamble Nederland B.V., Procter & Gamble Netherlands Investments B.V., Procter & Gamble Netherlands Services B.V., Procter & Gamble Nigeria Limited, Procter & Gamble Nordic, Procter & Gamble Norge AS, Procter & Gamble Operations Polska Sp. z o.o., Procter & Gamble Overseas India B.V., Procter & Gamble Overseas Ltd., Procter & Gamble Pakistan (Private) Limited, Procter & Gamble Partnership LLP, Procter & Gamble Peru S.R.L., Procter & Gamble Pharmaceuticals France SAS, Procter & Gamble Philippines, Procter & Gamble Polska Sp. z o.o, Procter & Gamble Portugal - Produtos De Consumo, Procter & Gamble Product Supply (U.K.) Limited U.K., Procter & Gamble Production GmbH, Procter & Gamble Productions, Procter & Gamble Productos de Consumo, Procter & Gamble RHD, Procter & Gamble RSC Regional Service Company Ltd., Procter & Gamble Retail Services BVBA, Procter & Gamble S.r.l., Procter & Gamble SA (Pty) Ltd, Procter & Gamble Satis ve Dagitim Ltd. Sti., Procter & Gamble Seine S.A.S., Procter & Gamble Service GmbH, Procter & Gamble Services (Switzerland) SA, Procter & Gamble Services Company N.V., Procter & Gamble Services Ltd., Procter & Gamble Share Incentive Plan Trustee Ltd., Procter & Gamble South America Holding B.V., Procter & Gamble Spol. s.r.o. (Ltd.), Procter & Gamble Sports and Social Club Ltd., Procter & Gamble Sverige AB, Procter & Gamble Switzerland SARL, Procter & Gamble Taiwan Limited, Procter & Gamble Taiwan Sales Company Limited, Procter & Gamble Technical Centres Limited, Procter & Gamble Technology (Beijing) Co., Procter & Gamble Trading (Thailand) Limited, Procter & Gamble Tuketim Mallari Sanayii A.S., Procter & Gamble UK, Procter & Gamble UK Group Holdings Ltd, Procter & Gamble UK Parent Company Ltd., Procter & Gamble Universal Holding B.V., Procter & Gamble Verwaltungs GmbH, Procter & Gamble Vietnam, Procter & Gamble d.o.o. za trgovinu, Procter & Gamble de Venezuela S.C.A., Procter & Gamble de Venezuela S.R.L., Procter & Gamble do Brasil S/A, Procter & Gamble do Brazil, Procter & Gamble do Nordeste S/A, Procter & Gamble-Rakona s.r.o., Progam Realty & Development Corporation, Redmond Products, Richardson-Vicks Real Estate Inc., Richardson-Vicks do Brasil Quimica e Farmaceutica Ltda, Riverfront Music Publishing Co., Rosemount LLC, SPD Development Company Limited, SPD Swiss Precision Diagnostics GmbH, Scannon S.A.S., Series Acquisition B.V., Shulton, Surfac S.R.L., Sycamore Productions, TAOS - FL, TAOS Retail, Tambrands Inc., Temple Trees Impex & Investment Private Limited, The Art of Shaving - FL, The Dover Wipes Company, The Gillette Company, The Gillette Company LLC, The Gillette co., The Procter & Gamble Distributing LLC, The Procter & Gamble GBS Company, The Procter & Gamble Global Finance Company, The Procter & Gamble Manufacturing Company, The Procter & Gamble Paper Products Company, The Procter & Gamble U.S. Business Services Company, This is L., US CD LLC, Vidal Sassoon (Shanghai) Academy, Vidal Sassoon Co., WEBA Betriebsrenten-Verwaltungsgesellschaft mbH, Walker & Company Brands, and iMFLUX Inc.. Vesuvius plc provides engineering services and solutions principally to steel and foundry industries worldwide. It operates in two segments, Steel and Foundry. The company offers foundry consumables and equipment, including binders, coatings, feeding systems, filtration and gating systems, melt shop refractories, metallurgical and pouring control systems, die dressings and coatings, melt treatment products, crucibles, and ceramics for the iron, steel, and nonferrous foundries. It also provides nonferrous metals, such as primary and secondary aluminum, copper, and other metals and alloys; cement and lime solutions, iron ore pelletizing and calcination products, and grains and powders; and process heaters, FCC units, hydrogen reformers, boilers, coke calciners, and thermal oxidizers, as well as sulphur, ethylene, and ammonia plants. In addition, the company offers solutions for power generation and incineration; glass products comprising artistic, display, float, hollow, and optical glass; glass tempering, and reheat and forming products; and solutions for solar multi-crystal silicon ingots, thin film and cell processing, and feedstock. Further, it provides solutions for blast furnace stack repair; taphole clay, iron and slang runner, sampler and temperature, tilting runner, and torpedo ladle solutions; iron ladle solutions; lining, taphole system, bath agitation and tuyere system, electric arc furnace and BOF maintenance, and metallurgical sensor solutions; and ladle, ladle to tundish, and tundish solutions, as well as tundish to mold solutions for conventional slab, thin and slim slab, beam blank, flow control valve bloom or billet, and calibrated nozzle billet casters. Additionally, the company offers ingot casting solutions; and reheat furnace, steel hot forming, galvanized steel, and electrical and stainless steel solutions. Vesuvius plc was founded in 1916 and is headquartered in London, the United Kingdom. Read More Wall Street analysts have given iShares Russell Mid-Cap Value ETF a "N/A" rating, but there may be better buying opportunities in the stock market. Some of MarketBeat's past winning trading ideas have resulted in 5-15% weekly gains. MarketBeat just released five new stock ideas, but iShares Russell Mid-Cap Value ETF wasn't one of them. MarketBeat thinks these five companies may be even better buys. View MarketBeat's top stock picks here. Wall Street analysts have given iShares National Muni Bond ETF a "N/A" rating, but there may be better buying opportunities in the stock market. Some of MarketBeat's past winning trading ideas have resulted in 5-15% weekly gains. MarketBeat just released five new stock ideas, but iShares National Muni Bond ETF wasn't one of them. MarketBeat thinks these five companies may be even better buys. View MarketBeat's top stock picks here. iStock/Thinkstock(WASHINGTON) -- President Donald Trump tweeted Monday that he would announce his decision on the Iran nuclear deal Tuesday at 2 p.m. at the White House, and despite months of talks between the U.S. and European allies France, the U.K., and Germany aimed at fixing deal the president is likely to withdraw, a European diplomat said Monday. "It's pretty obvious... the president will not waive the sanctions, and that will have various consequences that I think we have yet fully to understand and spell out," the diplomat told ABC News. Trump's announcement comes less than four months after he kept the deal alive once more, but warned it would be the last time absent some "fix" by the U.S. and Europe. Those talks have gotten close to reaching a side agreement to the deal, according to U.S. and European officials one that addresses Iran's ballistic missile program, its "malign" influence in the region, and the deal's expiration dates for limits on Iran's enrichment levels. "They want to have a new start," the European diplomat said. "I would like to pretend to you today that I feel that there is a chance of the existing JCPOA remaining intact. I think that that chance may exist, but it is very small," the diplomat added, using an acronym for the deal's formal name, the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action. Even with the U.K.'s last-ditch effort dispatching Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson to meet Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and National Security Adviser John Bolton and to go on Fox News's "Fox & Friends" "There is plainly a difference of opinion, and that cannot be denied," the diplomat said. Instead of withdrawing the U.S., the Europeans laid out four pillars for Trump to work with them, as President Macron said in their joint press conference in April: Dealing with the nuclear issue in the short-term by keeping the JCPOA; with the long-term nuclear issue through a new agreement; with Iran's ballistic missile program through sanctions; and with its actions in Syria, Iraq, Yemen, and Lebanon through cooperation. Europe wants to build on that first pillar by keeping the Iran deal and working together to address the other challenges. Instead, the diplomat said, the U.S. wants to "knock over" that first pillar because "they believe you cannot build a second pillar a future JCPOA as long as the current one is in existence." It's unclear if a new deal is even possible, but Iran has long said it will not renegotiate the current agreement, with Russia, China, and the European Union often agreeing the deal is not up for further consultation. "I won't hide it from you that we don't share that analysis. We think that actually you can have a future agreement... without collapsing the first pillar and pulling away from the deal," the diplomat added. But it no longer seems like that's likely although no one really knows what comes next if Trump doesn't waive those sanctions. Copyright 2018, ABC Radio. All rights reserved. New Delhi: Investors have pumped Rs 1.4 lakh crore into mutual funds in April, driving the industry asset base to a staggering Rs 23.25 lakh crore, a surge of 9 per cent from the preceding month. In comparison, assets under management (AUM) of the MF industry, comprising 42 players, were at Rs 21.36 lakh crore in March-end, according to the latest update with Association of Mutual Fund in India (Amfi). Industry experts attributed the surge in AUM to 'aggressive' investor awareness campaign both at the individual as well as at industry level. In addition, they added, investors are moving towards financial asset class for investment instead of buying traditional asset classes such as real estate and gold, which also helped in increasing the penetration of mutual funds. Moreover, systematic investment plan (SIP) has also given the investors a choice as well as flexibility of investing periodically or in lump sum as per their preference, said COO Harsh Jain at Groww, an online platform which sells financial products including mutual funds. Overall, investors have poured in a net Rs 1.4 lakh crore in mutual fund schemes last month as compared to redemptions of Rs 50,752 crore in March due to new tax on long-term equity gains. The latest inflow has been mainly driven by contributions from liquid or money market category and equity funds. The liquid funds or money market category -- with investments in cash assets such as treasury bills, certificates of deposit and commercial paper for shorter horizon -- witnessed an infusion of over Rs 1.16 lakh crore. Besides, equity and equity-linked saving schemes saw an inflow of more than Rs 11,000 crore. Further, income funds which invest in a combination of government securities witnessed an infusion of Rs 5,220 crore. In contrast, a net sum of Rs 436 crore and Rs 54 crore being pulled out from gilt and gold exchange traded fund (ETF) respectively. Mutual funds are investment vehicles made up of a pool of funds collected from a large number of investors. The funds are invested in stocks, bonds and money market instruments, among others. New York: Gone are the days when the Cannes Film Festival was the only platform for our Bollywood actresses to shine at an international event. With our very own Priyanka Chopra and Deepika Padukone acting in big films opposite big names, they are well-known names internationally and automatically become a star attraction at events such as the Met Gala as well. Also read: Priyanka Chopras Met Gala date Nick Jonas shows interest in Deepika Padukone? The two actresses had dazzled on the platform last year and made an appearance this time as well. The theme of the event this year was 'Heavenly Bodies: Fashion & The Catholic Imagination Costume Institute Gala' and was held at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City. Priyanka had brought back memories of her last appearance recently when her blazer dress with cut-out at the chest had led to several memes like her trench coat gown with a long tail at this event. Like last year, Priyanka chose a Ralph Lauren outfit and made a unique statement again. Along with her velvet maroon and gold evening gown, was an gold-emrodiered hood with crystals and beadwork that made her look different and beautiful at the same time. Thankfully the tail was not too long and she could walk and pose without assistance of too many people. On the other hand, Deepika looked stunning in a red off-shoulder draped dress designed by Prabal Gurung with red heels, red lipstick and diamond earrings to go with it. Also read: Rihanna indirectly takes dig at Deepika Padukones Met Gala dress Deepika Padukone at Met Gala (Photo: AFP) Deepika Padukone at Met Gala (Photo: AFP) Deepika Padukone at Met Gala (Photo: AFP) The fashion season has surely begun with a bang and we are now keen to watch what Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, Sonam Kapoor, Deepilka Padukone and Kangana Ranaut have in store for us at Cannes, starting on Tuesday. It is heartbreaking to see that there are villages without a single school or library, but has at least two TASMAC shops. The scenario is so bleak that many Government schools dont have teachers for many subjects. Such topics have to be openly discussed in the schools. The need of hour is to bring a change, only then India can witness growth, remarked actor Suriya at the book launch of Aram Seiyya Virumbu by the Agaram Foundation. The main mission of Agaram Foundation is to fulfil the needs of the first generation in a family wanting to pursue education. The parents may be illiterate and they suffer from issues of not being able to buy study materials. This is where the foundation tries to help as the bridge to books and study material, besides help with fees, etc. We have lots of ups and downs in society. There are students who are very proficient in their studies, but are unable to pursue them due to financial inadequacy. The biggest questions struck our minds Should these intelligent students who complete12 years of education go back doing daily labour? This was the moot point to start Agaram Foundation that began with 160 students in 2010, the Singam star adds. The prolific actor says that the greatest joy is to help people get educated and see them glow. When compared to other states, we see that Tamil Nadu stands out with additional 45% of students pursuing graduation after their 12th grade. Our country should give more importance to education. It is quite disappointing to see that there are villages, where there isnt a single school or library, but at least two TASMAC shops.On the book he says, The book isnt just a record of fiction, but the testimony of real life instances that is witnessed through the eyes of Agaram Foundation. On the context he added, In 1965, concepts like free education and free mid day meals made children come to school that instigated them on education. The situation to take education to the next level has occurred now. Given the fact that teachers should help the students to bring about change, the scenario is so depressing that many Government schools dont have teachers for many subjects. The need of hour is to bring a change only then India can witness its growth. The actor makes a very good point about the scenario in the state which also markets liquor directly to the people. While a number of voices from Kollywood are making more political points on the state of Tamil Nadu, Suriya brings out a very valid point about how primary education is suffering without teachers and school infrastructure in villages. Udhayachandran, state Secretary of School Education Department was also present on the occasion and might have been apprised of ground realities and where the state could help by funding teachers and making basic education better. Nandamuri Kalyanram, the lead actor of the film Na Nuvve, which has been directed by Jayendra and produced by Mahesh Koneru, reveals that he had reservations when he was first approached for the part. When Mahesh Koneru told me about the project, I questioned whether I would be right for the part. But the director said that he would project me in a new light. I watched the film a few days ago, and, as promised, I look completely different, the actor says. Kalyan says that he has dreamt of working with cinematographer P.C. Sriram, and his dream has finally come true. I wanted to work with him ever since I watched Geethanjali and Gharshana. And now I have been able to, thanks to Jayendra garu. The actor is all praises for his co-star, Tamannaah. Her performance actually makes my work easy. I wouldnt have been able to play my role if Tamannaah were not in this film she is perfect for the part. She is the best co-star I have had so far. Rajinikanths films usually do well in the Telugu states, with distributors competing to bag distribution rights. However, that does not seem to be the case for his upcoming film, Kaala. There are no takers for the Telugu rights of the film, which is slated for a June 7 release. It is for the first time in recent years that no one has expressed an interest in buying the Telugu rights for a Rajinikanth film, reveals a source. It is reported that the high price being quoted by the films makers is the reason for the Telugu distributors disinterest. A high price was quoted for Rajinikanths previous film Kabaali as well. Luckily, the hype around the film saved distributors and allowed them to recover their costs within the first three days of its release, adds the source. Kaala, which has been directed by Pa. Ranjith and produced by the superstars son-in-law Dhanush, was originally supposed to have been released in August. The Berlin government has licensed a local business to fish the 15 cm (6 inch) crustaceans. (Photo: Pixabay) Berlin: North American crayfish that spilled en masse onto Berlin streets last summer will soon be appearing in the citys restaurants after its government authorised fishermen to remove them from public ponds. The red swamp crayfish, or Procambarus clarkii, are on the European Unions list of invasive alien species but also popular in German aquariums. It is likely some were abandoned by their owners and started multiplying in favourable weather conditions, the German Nature and Biodiversity Conservation Union believes. To halt the invasion, the Berlin government has licensed a local business to fish the 15 cm (6 inch) crustaceans, which carry infections that native crayfish are not resistant to, out of the ponds in public parks that they have taken over. The licence runs until the end of the year, and some 1,600 crayfish have been captured so far, Berlin senator Derk Ehlert told German news agency dpa. Tests have established that the crayfish are fit for consumption, and the fishermen plan to sell them to local restaurants, reports said. Bump on the head can double the risk of dementia, new study warns. (Photo: Pixabay) A new study has found that a bump on the head can significantly increase risk of getting dementia, the Daily Mail reported. Researchers say close to two-thirds of traumatic brain injuries in the UK are classed as 'mild' and often go unreported. This is because minor injuries go unreported and are seen as insignificant. For the study, a team from the University of California in San Francisco, examined almost 350,000 Army veterans who had suffered blows to the head both during their time in the military, as well as, civilian life. They found a blow to the head can double the risk of dementia. Brain injuries are common among people between the ages of 80 and 90 and also those between 20 and 30. "There are several mechanisms that may explain the association between traumatic brain injury and dementia," lead author Dr Kristine Yaffe, told the Daily Mail. Adding, "There's something about trauma that may hasten the development of neurodegenerative conditions. One theory is that brain injury induces or accelerates the accumulation of abnormal proteins that lead to neuronal death associated with conditions like Alzheimers disease." "Its also possible that trauma leaves the brain more vulnerable to other injuries or ageing processes, but we need more work in this area, " she went on to explain. The findings were published in the journal JAMA Neurology. The oral cholera vaccines have been made available through the Inter-Agency Coordinating Group with members from WHO, UNICEF, Medecins sans Frontieres and International Federation of the Red Cross. (Representational Image) Cox's Bazar: A massive cholera vaccination campaign began on Monday to protect nearly one million Rohingyas and their host communities living in and around the refugee camps in Bangladesh, to prevent any potential outbreak during the ongoing monsoon season. This is a second cholera vaccination campaign being held for the Rohingyas and their host communities. Earlier, 9,00,000 doses of oral cholera vaccine were administered to the vulnerable population in two phases in October - November last year. "Considering the water and sanitation conditions in the overcrowded camps and the increased risk of disease outbreaks in the monsoon season, the health sector is taking all possible measures to prevent cholera and other water and vector borne diseases," said Dr. Bardan Jung Rana, WHO Representative to Bangladesh. As many as 245 mobile vaccination teams have been deployed to vaccinate all people over the age of one year in refugee camps and host communities in Ukhiya and Teknaf sub-districts during nearly week-long campaign led by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, with support of World Health Organization, UNICEF and The International Centre for Diarrhoeal Disease Research, Bangladesh (icddr,b) and other partners. "We have managed to prevent the cholera outbreak since the first campaign in October last year, but flood water, heavy storms and landslides in the monsoon season could damage water and sanitation facilities in the camps, increasing the risk again of an outbreak of this dangerous disease. We have to take all initiatives to address the risk, including preventive measures through vaccination," said Edouard Beigbeder, UNICEF Representative in Bangladesh. The oral cholera vaccines have been made available through the Inter-Agency Coordinating Group with members from WHO, UNICEF, Medecins sans Frontieres and International Federation of the Red Cross. The vaccines and supplies are financed by Gavi, the vaccine alliance. "This vaccination campaign is a part of the ongoing efforts of the government and the health sector partners to protect nearly a million people, including at least 135,000 Bangladeshis, who have been affected by the influx since last year," says Professor Dr. Abul Kalam Azad, Director General of Health Services (DGHS), Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of Bangladesh. In addition to vaccination, consistent efforts are being made to improve access to clean water and sanitation and promote hygiene. UNICEF has been scaling up interventions and communication on safe practices. The World Health Organisation has raised an early warning, alert and response emergency surveillance system, is monitoring water quality and working with the Department of Public Health Engineering to enhance local laboratory capacity. Both WHO and UNICEF have prepositioned life-saving supplies to ensure rapid response to any outbreak. The WHO-led Health Sector is supporting setting up of diarrhea treatment centres, including five supported by UNICEF and managed by icddr,b. The 26-year-old woman was later dropped from the car in Chapar area on the highway. (Representational Image) Muzaffarnagar: As the nation continues to boil in anger over crime against women, another brutal incident of rape has been reported from Uttar Pradesh's Muzaffarnagar. A 26-year-old woman was gangraped in a moving car allegedly by two men after they threw her three-year-old child from the vehicle on Monday. The incident took place on Delhi-Dehradun national highway. The child was immediately rushed to a hospital by the villagers and he is out of danger. The woman was later dropped from the car in Chapar area on the highway in the district, SP (city) Ombir Singh said. A case has been registered against the absconding accused, and the woman has been sent for medical examination, Singh said. According to a complaint lodged by the victim, she was called by one of the accused RK Mehata on the pretext of giving her a job. She was raped by Mehata and his friend after they gave her some alcoholic drink laced with sedatives. She lodged the complaint after she regained her consciousness, Singh said. Recently, rape cases in Jammu and Kashmir's Kathua and Uttar Pradesh's Unnao sparked nationwide outrage over crimes against women. Under pressure, the Union government brought an ordinance, making rapes of children punishable with death. On October 15, 2015, Thangamani took his neighbours 7-year-old son to his residence and sexually abused him. The neighbours on hearing boys screams went there and rescued him. Chennai: The special court for cases under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act (Pocso Act) 2012 has sentenced a youth to undergo imprisonment for 10 years on charge of sexually abusing a seven-year old boy three years ago. Special judge R.N. Manjula has also imposed on him a fine of Rs 5,000. According to special public prosecutor Gowri Asokan, R. Thangamani, 19, was residing in Mylapore. On October 15, 2015, Thangamani took his neighbours 7-year old son to his residence and sexually abused him. His neigbours noticed the incident and rescued the boy from him. On returning home, the boy informed the matter to his mother. Based on a complaint, all women police, Mylapore, registered a case against Thangamani under section 6 of Pocso Act and arrested him. However, Thangamani denied the charges and stated that the case was foisted against him. On completion of trial, special judge R.N. Manjula said the prosecution proved the charges beyond reasonable doubt. The judge sentenced Thangamani to undergo imprisonment for 10 years and slapped a fine of Rs 5,000 on him. The court also directed the government to provide a compensation of Rs 30,000 to the victim. 13-year-old Hyderabad girl says, her mother had always warned her about dangers at home and outside, and is grateful of her support when she spoke up. (Representational Image) Hyderabad: Crimes against minor continue unabated across the country. Another shocking and bizarre incident was reported from Hyderabad, where a 13-year-old girl was sexually assaulted by a man who she called daddy. According to NDTV report Srujana (named changed) took a lot of courage to speak up against the man whom her widowed mother married eight years ago. After the 13-year-old had her first periods in April, the man sexually assaulted Srujana when her mother was away at work and told her she must not tell anyone and threatened to stop taking care of the family any further if she talks about it with anyone. The Class 8 girl says she was too scared to tell her mother. Four days after the incident, when her mother was about to leave for work, Srujana cried and told her not to leave her alone at home as 'daddy' had assaulted her. When the mother confronted her husband, he first accused Srujana of lying and then fell at their feet seeking forgiveness, saying he was under the influence of alcohol and drugs. The mother and daughter believed him. The forgiveness did not last for long, this month again the man sexually assaulted Surjana when her mother was away at work, the girl said. "He beat me, kicked me for telling my mother. I locked myself in the bathroom but he broke open the door. He beat me with a belt and tried to force himself on me,'' she told NDTV. Though the family was staying in a crowded middle class locality in Hyderabad, no neighbours came to rescue her despite she was crying loud for help and forgiveness. "They may have heard but did not come to help me, perhaps out of fear. Neighbours don't know he is not my biological father; even my younger brother doesn't know,'' the girl said. On that day Srujana's mother returned early from work as she was not convinced by her husband's explanation that he was at the bank when she called him. The man had threatened Srujana and told her to cover herself and act as though she was sleeping. But her mother realised what had happened when she saw her daughter brutalised and crying. Her husband dared her to go out and tell the world. Both, mother and daughter immediately went to the police station. "We had to go to three different police stations, after which my complaint was registered,'' the girl who just stepped in her teens said. After the complaint was filed, the 'step-father' went missing. Later, the man tried to contact the mother, seeking forgiveness and wanted her to withdraw the case promising that he would transfer money in the girl's name and also support her education. The accused has now been taken into custody. Srujuna, meanwhile, contacted a child rights organisation, Balala Hakkula Sangam, seeking help. "I am not safe at home. This could happen again. I told daddy, don't do this. But he did not listen. So I want to go and stay in a hostel and achieve my goal, of joining the police force,'' she told NDTV. Srujana says, her mother had always warned her about dangers at home and outside, and is grateful of her support when she spoke up. Srujuna's mother is away at work from 10 am to 10 pm, at a retail store, to support her children. She is unlikely to divorce her husband for the fear of social stigma. Some Missouri Clergy Want State to Enforce their Views Dean Weingarten. May 5th, 2018 Original Source Missouri is one of nine states where the government generally prohibits people from carrying firearms in church. As in any question, the government may be neutral, by doing nothing, which is the default position in the United States. Or it may actively interfere by making a law and/or enforcing it. According to concealedcarry.com, there are two states that ban concealed carry in churches, Nebraska and Louisiana. Nebraska allows a church to authorize an armed security team if the team members have carry permits and if written notice is given to church members. Louisiana law is similar, but requires an extra eight hours of training every year. Seven states and D.C. require the permission of a church leader to conceal carry firearms in church. 41 states treat carry in churches the same as any other private property. In Missouri, HB 1936 would remove the current state requirement. Wyoming recently reformed its law to remove state government from the question. In the early colonies, people were sometimes required to be armed at church. In "Origins and Development of the Second Amendment", I found a reference to colonial requirements to carry guns in church from the Virginia laws of arms bearing. All men that are fitting to bear arms, shall bring their pieces to the church... The law dated to 1631. David Hardy found it in the 1823 work by William Henning, "The Statutes at large, being a collection of all the laws of Virginia, Vol. 1 at 127, 173-174." Requiring people to be armed at church, or requiring them to obtain permission to be armed, from religious leaders, appears to violate the First Amendment's protection of free exercise of religion, as well as the Second Amendment's protection of the right to keep and bear arms. In Missouri, some religious leaders want the government to enforce their prohibitions for them. From dailytribune.com: "Pastors, rabbis and religious leaders should not be compelled by the government to place signage in our sacred places prohibiting activity we may not want to allow on our own private property," said Carlson, whose archdiocese includes nearly 500,000 Roman Catholics. During a question-and-answer session a few minutes later, Carlson -- whose fellow Missouri Catholic bishops issued a joint statement condemning the bill and gun violence in general last week -- warned of a potential legal battle: "We (Catholics) would not be above lawsuits or other actions to prevent the law from going into effect." Jered Taylor, a Republican Missouri House member from Nixa who is sponsoring the bill, said he "completely disagrees" with the archbishop's assessment. "The last thing I want to do is infringe on individuals' rights," he said in an interview, noting there are churches that support his proposal. "If they don't want (concealed guns on their property), all they have to do is post a sign just like any private property. Allowing the church to decide will not infringe on their religious liberty rights." The desire to keep arms out of churches is not universal. Many churches actively encourage attendees to be armed. The state does not have a blanket prohibition against speaking out against government policies in sermons. The state does not require people to obtain permission from religious leaders before speaking on church property. Taking no action is neutral. Requiring an action is not neutral. It is taking sides. Refusing to make church policy for the churches that wish to ban the exercise of Second Amendment rights on their property is not infringing on Churches free exercise of religion. It is restoring it. 2018 by Dean Weingarten: Permission to share is granted when this notice and link are included. Gun Watch Back to Top 'A case under relevant sections of IPC and the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act was registered against Damodar last week,' a senior police official said. (Representational Image) Hyderabad: A case has been registered against a government residential school principal's husband in Hyderabad for allegedly groping a minor girl student, police told on Monday. While police said they registered the case against Damodar last week, official sources said the principal has been suspended in connection with the alleged incident. Police said the 14-year old girl was allegedly groped during Diwali festival last year at the quarters of the principal located on the premises of the residential school. But, the case was registered last week after the girl's mother lodged a police complaint about a week ago, they said. "A case under relevant sections of IPC and the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act was registered against Damodar last week," a senior police official said. Police said teams have been formed to nab the accused, who is absconding. Chennai: Linking the family ration cards with Aadhaar number has helped the government to unearth and weed out 2.62 crore bogus ration cards across the country besides plug Rs 17,000 crore in leakages annually, claims Union Minister for Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution Ram Vilas Paswan. The Minister who was in the city to hold a review meeting with the officials including those from FCI (Food Corporation of India) at a hotel here on Monday, said the Aadhaar linkage has helped detect duplicate ration cards that were drawing foodgrains at highly subsidised prices. This `17,000-crore savings will now be directed to the real beneficiaries, the Minister said after the review meeting. Foodgrains are distributed through State governments at reduced rates under the National Food Securities Act (NFSA). Rice and wheat are offered at the rate of Rs 2 and Rs 3 respectively, however, the Tamil Nadu government is providing these grains for free. MSP of Rs 1,590 per quintal for Grade A paddy Meanwhile, the procurement of paddy in Tamil Nadu started from October 1, 2017 and this would continue till June this year. In order to facilitate this, as many as 886 purchase centres have been set up across the State by the Tamil Nadu Civil Supplies Corporation, Mr. Paswan informed. Speaking talking to reporters the Minister said the Union Government has announced a MSP of Rs 1,590 per quintal for Grade A paddy and Rs 1,550 per quintal for common paddy for the Kharif season of 2017-18. In addition, the Tamil Nadu Government was also providing Rs 70 per quintal for Grade A and Rs 50 per quintal for common Paddy as bonus in the Kharif season of 2017-18 to farmers. He also discussed with the officials of the State Government about the implementation of the NFSA. Earlier, reassured that the Centre is committed to protecting the rights of SC / STs and would bring an ordinance if the Supreme Court doesnt change its ruling to dilute the SC / ST Act. The man also pleaded with the tempo drivers to drop his wife's dead body home. (Photo: ANI | Screengrab) Badaun: Incident of medical apathy continues in various parts of the country. The latest report was received from Uttar Pradesh's Badaun where a man was seen carrying the body of his dead wife on his shoulders and pleading with tempo drivers to drop the body home as he was reportedly denied a hearse by the district hospital. The hospital authority, however, has denied the allegations and said that the hospital has two hearse vans which are provided to anyone who asks for it. The Chief Medical Officer (CMO) has ordered an inquiry into the matter. CMO told news agency ANI, "Got to know of it through media, it is condemnable, but we have two hearse vans, which are provided to whoever asks for it. I'll look into it and punish those at fault." The incident brings back memories of Dana Majhi, a tribal man who walked over 10 kilometres with his wife's body in Kalahandi in 2017. Also Read: Denied van, man carries wifes body for 12 kms Several such instances have been reported since then. Uttar Pradeshs Barabanki saw a similar incident two months back when a differently-abled son and his sister were forced to carry the body of their father on a rickshaw after they were denied a hearse van. The family of an 80-year-old woman had to carry her body, tied in cloth, on their shoulders from a hospital in Odisha in July, 2017. Similar incident was also reported from Jharkhand's Chatra district where a man's body was carried by family members in a bedsheet after being denied a hearse in July, 2017. In March 2017, the relatives of a woman were forced to carry her body home on their shoulders after being allegedly denied an ambulance at a government hospital in Bihar's Muzaffarpur district. The state governments have ordered health departments to ensure that the dead are treated with dignity and respect. However, the plight of the poor appears to be playing on an unending loop. A bench headed by Chief Justice Dipak Misra told the Centre that once the judgment has been delivered on the issue, it has to be implemented. (Photo: File) New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Tuesday asked Secretary of Union Water Resources Ministry to personally appear before it on May 14 with a draft of the Cauvery management scheme (CMB) for sharing of river water among the states of Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Puducherry. A bench headed by Chief Justice Dipak Misra told the Centre that once the judgment has been delivered on the issue, it has to be implemented. "We do not want to come back to square one. Once the judgment has been delivered, it has to be implemented," the bench also comprising Justices AM Khanwilkar and DY Chandrachud said. Attorney General KK Venugopal said the Centre was seeking time in view of the fact that the Union Cabinet has not met due to the ongoing campaigning for the assembly polls in Karnataka. Read: Plan being given finishing touch: Centre seeks 10 days to finalise Cauvery board Following this submission, senior advocate Shekhar Naphade, appearing for Tamil Nadu, opposed the plea and said "this is the fit case for contempt. Somebody has to be sent to jail". The bench then fixed the matter for further hearing on May 14. The Centre on Monday informed the Supreme Court that the scheme for sharing of Cauvery water among the states of Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Puducherry has been finalized and would be submitted in 10 days after the Union Cabinet gives its nod for the scheme. It virtually cited Karnataka assembly polls on May 12 to delay the process and reiterated its earlier stand that notifying the constitution of CMB or any other authority during the time of polls would lead to massive public outrage, create serious law and order problem and may vitiate the election process. In its affidavit, Centre said the scheme has been prepared which is being given a finishing touch. Earlier on Monday, the Tamil Nadu government also moved the apex court over Karnatakas contention that it cannot release additional 4 tmc of Cauvery water as already more water has already been allotted. The Siddaramaiah government had filed an affidavit in the top court saying that it has already released around 16 tmc excess water to Tamil Nadu and won't be able to share any more as it barely has enough to fulfil its own needs. Also Read: Cant give more Cauvery water, says Karnataka; Tamil Nadu moves SC The submission came in wake of the top court directing Karnataka to release 4 tmc of water to Tamil Nadu. Also Read: Release 4 tmc Cauvery water to TN or face consequences: SC to Karnataka "There is a total of nine tmc water in all the four reservoirs coming under the Cauvery basin. That is not enough for our drinking needs and crops. We have a shortage," Karnataka Water Resources Minister MB Patil had told reporters last week. Also Read: We have shortage: Karnataka on SC's order to release Cauvery water to TN The apex court had earlier asked the Centre to formulate a scheme to ensure compliance of its judgement on the decades-old Cauvery dispute. It had modified the Cauvery Water Disputes Tribunal (CWDT) award of 2007 and made it clear that it will not be extending time for this on any ground. The top court had on February 16 raised the 270 tmcft share of Cauvery water for Karnataka by 14.75 tmcft and reduced Tamil Nadu's share, while compensating it by allowing extraction of 10 tmcft groundwater from the river basin, saying the issue of drinking water has to be placed on a "higher pedestal". (With PTI inputs) Chhagan Bhujbal, 70, in jail since March 2016, was granted bail on May 4 by the Bombay High Court after it took into consideration his old age and deteriorating health. (Photo: File) Mumbai: Senior NCP leader Chhagan Bhujbal's arrest in a money laundering case and subsequent incarceration was "fate's revenge" against him for his bid, when he was minister, to put Shiv Sena founder Bal Thackeray behind bars, the Sena said on Tuesday. Law and power are used many a times to settle political scores, the Uddhav Thackeray-led party added. Bhujbal, 70, in jail since March 2016, was granted bail on May 4 by the Bombay High Court after it took into consideration his old age and deteriorating health. Mocking him, the Sena claimed that he desperately wanted to arrest Bal Thackeray around two decades ago when he was Maharashtra's home minister. Cases were filed against the late Sena supremo for giving speeches and writing editorials in the name of Hindutva, it said in an editorial in the party mouthpiece Saamana. "Bhujbal's imprisonment was the revenge taken against him by fate. He wanted to arrest Balasaheb by any means. Our ally (BJP) was in power at the Centre then and it had sent additional police forces from other states to prevent any law and order problem," the BJP's bickering ally said. This proved that there has been a hidden alliance between the Bharatiya Janata Party and the Nationalist Congress Party since then, claimed the Sena. It said that Bhujbal was in jail for two years on money laundering charges, while former Union Finance Minister P Chidambaram's son Karti Chidambaram, facing similar charges, came out on bail within eight days of his arrest (in March this year). "Laws and power are often used to take political revenge," the Marathi daily said. Bhujbal, who handled the Public Works Department in the Congress-NCP government, was arrested in March 2016 after the Enforcement Directorate (ED) found in an inquiry that he allegedly misused his office in awarding contracts for PWD projects, causing a loss to the exchequer. According to the ED, Bhujbal awarded contracts, including the one for the construction of a new Maharashtra Sadan -- the state guest house -- in Delhi to a private firm, allegedly in return for kickbacks for himself and his family. The former state deputy chief minister and his nephew Sameer Bhujbal channelled the ill-gotten money into shell companies, the agency alleged. Bhujbal started his political career with the Shiv Sena and was in the party for over two decades. He left the Sena in 1991 and joined the Congress. Later, after Sharad Pawar decided to split from the Congress and form the NCP, the former PWD minister went along with him. Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti went to the police hospital in Srinagar after she was informed of Thirumani's death. She met the parents of the man. (Photo: ANI) Srinagar: A tourist from Tamil Nadu died after being injured pelted with stones in Kashmir. The incident took place on Monday morning at Narbal on the outskirts of capital Srinagar. 22-year-old R Thirumani had been moved to a hospital with serious injuries at around 10:30 on Monday morning. He slipped into coma and died around 8:30 pm. R Thirumani, a resident of Chennai, was on a visit to Kashmir and was part of a group that was headed to Gulmarg. The Jammu and Kashmir police said the tourist vehicle that he sitting in was attacked by stone-pelters during clashes. One of the stones hit R Thirumani on the head. A 19-year-old local girl was also injured. Read: J&K: 22-year-old Chennai tourist dies after hit by stone near Srinagar Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti went to the police hospital in Srinagar after she was informed of R Thirumani's death. She met the parents of the man. "My head hangs in shame. It is very sad and heartbreaking," she was quoted as saying by news agency PTI. Opposition leader Omar Abdullah tweeted, "We've killed a tourist by throwing stones at the vehicle he was travelling in. Let's try and wrap our heads around the fact that we stoned a tourist, a guest, to death while we glorify these stone pelters & their methods." Last week, a child was injured when stone-pelters hurled stones at a school bus in Shopian in south Kashmir. There were more than 50 children on the bus, including four-year-old nursery students of a private school. The attack on the school bus and the tourist's death has serious consequences for the state, heavily reliant on tourism for its revenue. Also Read: Stone pelters attack school bus with 50 children in Kashmir, 2 students hurt Jammu and Kashmir has been trying to revive tourism in the state which has got a hit after a spate of violent clashes that broke out two years ago after the killing of terrorist Burhan Wani in an encounter with security forces. (With inputs from PTI) On Tuesday evening, Mehbooba Mufti called on Governor, NN Vohra, at the Raj Bhavan in Srinagar to discuss 'various important matters relating to counter-terrorist operations, continuing incidents of stone pelting, the death of a tourist and other concerns'. (Photo: Twitter/ANI) Srinagar: J&K Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti will convene an all-party meeting in Srinagar on Wednesday to deliberate on worsening situation in Kashmir valley in the aftermath of civilian and militant deaths in security forces operations. Official sources said that the chief minister is deeply concerned at the turn of events and discussed the situation threadbare with her partners and other functionaries in the government and senior officers of the police and intelligence agencies. She has separately also closeted with her Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) colleagues to deliberate on the alarming situation emerging in the aftermath of the killing of eight militants and seven civilians in two counterinsurgency operations in Srinagar and southern Shopian and subsequent clashes on May 5 and 6. She is also deeply saddened over the death of a tourist from Chennai in a stone-pelting incident, said an aide of the chief minister. The sources said that the chief minister has sent invitations to the leaders of all mainstream political parties including National Conference (NC), the Congress, the CPIM and various regional parties and groups besides the PDP and its alliance partner BJP for attending the meeting here on Wednesday. All the invitees are being contacted also over the phone to ensure their participation, said an official at the chief ministers office. On Tuesday evening, the chief minister called on Governor, NN Vohra, at the Raj Bhavan in Srinagar to discuss various important matters relating to counter-terrorist operations, continuing incidents of stone pelting, the death of a tourist and other concerns. The two in their 90-minutes-long meeting also discussed the growing radicalization and its grave impact in the educational sector, an official spokesman here said. He added that the Governor also spoke to Mufti on certain issues relating to the Prime Minister Narendra Modis forthcoming visit to all the three regions of the state. Meanwhile, Joint Resistance Leadership (JRL), the alliance of key separatist leaders, has asked people to resume normal activities from Wednesday. Life was brought to a standstill in most parts of Srinagar on Saturday following the killing of three Lashkar-e-Tayyaba militants in an encounter with security forces in Citys Chattabal area. Also, a 17-year-old youth was crushed to death by a J&K police bunker vehicle during a stone-pelting incident in nearby Noorbagh areas adding to existing tensions. While a shutdown was being observed in Kashmir on Sunday against these killing in response to a call issued by JRL, five Hizbul Mujahideen militants and an equal number of civilians died in security forces actions in southern Shopian district, triggering a fresh wave of protests and clashes across the Valley. Following this, the JRL extended the strike for two days. The authorities also closed educational institutions, suspended rail serves and snapped mobile internet services in the Valley as a precautionary measure whereas security a lockdown was being enforced in central Srinagar on the third consecutive day on Tuesday. On Tuesday, a teenager identified as Sufail Ahmed Butt who was among critically injured youth in security forces firing in Shopian on Sunday succumbed in Srinagars Sri Maharaj Hari Singh (SMHS) Hospital, raising the toll among the civilians to 7. As the news about the death of the teenager reached Shopian, people in large numbers came out of their homes and held protests. While asking people to resume their normal activity, the JRL has urged them particularly government employees, lawyers, teachers, traders and transporters to wear black bands and also put up black flags on their houses, shops and vehicles on May 9 to show anger and resentment against bloodshed and innocent killings. It also asked for offering funeral prayers in absentsia for the slain in mosques and other places of Muslim worship after Friday congregational prayers on May 11. Congress president Rahul Gandhi said the opposition unity would not allow the BJP to remain in power. (Photo: ANI | Twitter) Bengaluru: Congress president Rahul Gandhi on Tuesday declared that he is ready to become the Prime Minister of India if Congress returns to power and emerges as the biggest party in the 2019 Lok Sabha with full majority. At a gathering of prominent citizens in Bengaluru in the run-up to the May 12 elections in Karnataka, Rahul Gandhi was asked whether he could become Prime Minister if the Congress emerged as the single largest party. "Well, it depends....it depends on how well the Congress does in the election....I mean if it emerges as the biggest party, yes," the Congress president responded with a smile. This is not the first such declaration from Rahul Gandhi, seen for years as a reluctant politician even though he contested three parliamentary elections and was his mother Sonia Gandhi's deputy in the party for five years. In September 2017, speaking to students at UC Berkeley, the 47-year-old had said he was "absolutely ready" to be the party's prime ministerial candidate for the 2019 general elections. At a function in Karnataka on Tuesday, where he launched the Samruddha Bharat Foundation, Rahul Gandhi added that he is "pretty confident" that Narendra Modi would not be the next Prime Minister of the country. If the Congress acts as a "platform" (with other parties in a coalition), the BJP does not stand a chance of winning the elections, the Congress chief said. "It is highly unlikely that BJP will form the next government, and the second part is that it is close to impossible that Modi will be the next prime minister," Rahul Gandhi said. The Congress president said the opposition unity would not allow the BJP to remain in power. Rahul Gandhi asserted that the Congress would win the Assembly polls in Chhattisgarh and Rajasthan. "Samruddha Bharat Foundation" is a platform to propagate liberal, secular and republican values across the country. Its trustees include veteran film director Shyam Benegal and noted Supreme Court advocate KTS Tulsi. (With inputs from PTI) Majority of women recruits in the Army are short-service commission (SSC) officers and they have a maximum tenure of 14 years. (Photo: File) New Delhi: The Army is finalising a plan to grant permanent commission (PC) to women in an array of areas by creating a special cadre for their induction, official sources said. They said the permanent commission to women is being considered for a number of segments including cyber and IT, corps of military police and various posts in service selection board. At present, the Army offers a permanent commission to women in the Army Education Corps (AEC) and the Judge Advocate General (JAG) Department. Majority of women recruits in the Army are short-service commission (SSC) officers and they have a maximum tenure of 14 years. The sources said the Army was seriously working on extending the areas where women can be recruited. "The Army is considering creating a special cadre for recruitment of women officers under permanent commission category," said an army officer. In April, the Centre had told the Supreme Court that it was considering granting permanent commission to short service commission women army officers. A group of women army officers recruited under SSC scheme had approached courts seeking PC status. In September 2017, the Army had announced that it was inducting women in the military police, seen as a major move towards inducting them for combat roles. The role of the military police includes policing cantonments and Army establishments, preventing breach of rules and regulations by soldiers and maintaining movement of soldiers as well as logistics during peace and war. The Indian Army is yet to open doors for combat roles for women. Very few countries have allowed women in combat roles which include Germany, Australia, Canada, USA, Britain, Denmark, Finland, France, Norway, Sweden and Israel. Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao complimented Anudeep, saying he is a role model to many young people in the state. (Photo: Twitter/@TelanganaCMO) Hyderabad: Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao congratulated IRS officer Anudeep Durishetty, who topped the civil services 2017 examination and had lunch with him and his parents in his official residence. Rao had lunch with Anudeep and his parents at Pragathi Bhavan (Rao's official residence complex-cum-camp office at Begumpet) in Hyderabad, an official release said. (Photo: Twitter/@TelanganaCMO) The chief minister complemented Anudeep, saying he is a role model to many young people in the state and added that Anudeep is an example of definite success if someone works hard for achieving their objective, it said. Also Read: UPSC Civil Services 2017 final result declared; Hyderabad's Anudeep Durishetty tops Anudeep, an IRS officer (Customs and Central Excise cadre) is posted as an Assistant Commissioner in Hyderabad. He is from Metpally in Telangana. He cleared the examination with Anthropology as his optional subject. A Other Backward Classes (OBC) candidate, Anudeep has graduated with a BE (Electronics & Instrumentation) degree from BITS, Pilani. Srinagar, May 08:A teenage boy injured during the brutal actions of Indian troops on protesters in Shopian on Sunday succumbed to his injuries at a hospital in Srinagar, today, raising the number of martyrs to 11. The 17-year-old boy, Sufail Ahmad Butt who was injured in firing by Indian troops at Badigam in Shopian on Sunday succumbed at SMHS Hospital in Srinagar. Meanwhile, clashes between protesters and Indian forces broke out after the troops entered a mosque to stop freedom songs being played over its public address system in Pantha Chhok and tried to stop the songs. Earlier in April, the Uttar Pradesh government had withdrawn the 'Y' category security cover of MLA Sengar. (Photo: File) Unnao: Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MLA Kuldeep Singh Sengar, prime accused in the Unnao rape case, was shifted from the Unnao Jail to Sitapur Jail on Tuesday. Sengar was shifted after the victim's family had made an appeal in the Allahabad High Court to shift him to another jail citing security reasons. According to an NDTV report, Shashi Singh, who is a co-accused in the rape case has also been moved to Sitapur jail. Atul Singh, the lawmaker's brother, and four other co-accused are still lodged in Unnao jail. A CBI team, probing the high-profile case, took the accused to Sitapur jail. Earlier in April, the Uttar Pradesh government had withdrawn the 'Y' category security cover of Sengar. The Bangarmau MLA from Unnao district enjoyed 'Y' category security, which has a security cover of 11 personnel, including one or two commandos and police personnel. The CBI has registered three cases against Sengar in regard to the crime he allegedly committed in 2017. Earlier, Uttar Pradesh Police had charged him under sections 363 (kidnapping), 366 (abduction of woman), 376 (rape), 506 (criminal intimidation) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, and handed over the case to the CBI. Daughter of a politician from Karnataka and a computer engineer dubbed 'X' in the case, had asked the Supreme Court to set aside her marriage, which, she said, she had never consented to. (Photo: File) New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Monday allowed the daughter of an influential politician in Karnataka, who was forced to marry against her wishes, to go anywhere she wants and chase her studies and career. The court also asked the state police to provide her adequate security. The 26-year-old woman had fled home complaining that she was forced to marry against her wishes. The apex court asked her to break free from matrimonial and parental ties and live the way of life she chose to. "You are a major. You are independent to go wherever you want to go and pursue whatever you wish to," said a bench headed by Chief Justice of India Dipak Misra on Monday, adding that nobody, including her family or her husband, can force or coerce her. Read: Marriage without consent: SC allows Karnataka woman to stay away from husband The daughter of a politician from Karnataka and a computer engineer dubbed 'X' in the case, had asked the court to set aside her marriage, which, she said, she had never consented to. She also requested protection to be able to study and work in Bengaluru. Senior lawyer Indira Jaising, who is representing the woman, told the Supreme Court that all her documents, including educational certificates, Aadhaar card and passport, are with her parents. After the court's order, her family assured the judges that they wouldn't harass her and would give her the documents. Jaising has told the top court that the woman will begin the divorce proceedings. Jaising also said the woman feared reprisals from her parents and husband. Her brother, supported by her mother, had threatened to rape her, the counsel said and sought protection against any tyrannical action from the parents or in-laws. The bench ordered, She can go to any place she desires to. Parents or any family member of X, the husband or his family members, cannot create any obstacle in the path of the woman. The woman was forced to marry against her wishes on March 14. She had left her parents home in Gulbarga for Delhi 20 days after being tortured into marrying a man instead of her lover. After arriving at Delhi, the 26-year-old woman sought the protection of the Supreme Court, saying her fundamental right to choose her life partner had been "trampled by her family members, who in connivance with each other, have coerced, threatened and tricked her into getting married to the man, against her wishes and free consent". The woman had said her family's conduct suggested a lead-up to 'honour killing' - killing over family honour - as she wanted to marry to a person outside her caste. The woman alleged that she was forced to discontinue her studies in January this year as her parents forced her to marry against her wishes. With hours of moving the Supreme Court while under care of the Delhi Commission for Women (DCW), the politician daughter was given Delhi Police protection. The apex court earlier this year had said it would not interfere in an adults decision to marry a partner of his/her choice. This was in regards to the Hadiya case, were a Kerala woman converted to Islam to marry a Muslim. Hadiyas father persuaded the Kerala High Court to annul their marriage; she was ordered to live with her parents. The Supreme Court intervened, said her marriage was valid and said she could live with her husband. It however allowed the country's top counter-terror agency to investigate the marriage, along with some others in Kerala, to determine if terror groups are recruiting young Hindu women through marriage - what is controversially referred to as 'love jihad'. Also Read: Kerala 'love jihad': SC restores Hadiya's marriage, scraps High Court order Hyderabad: Jerusalem Mattaiah, one of the key accused in the cash-for-vote scam that rocked both Telugu states two years ago, demanded an inquiry on all those involved in the scam. He also demanded an inquiry on call data records of all MLAs who sought votes. While thanking Chief Minister K Chandrase-khar Rao for re-opening the case, he demanded a CBI inquiry into it. There was a conspiracy behind the scene to drag me into the case, while freeing Jimmy Babu from the case. The TD MLAs could have purchased many other MLAs including nominated MLA Stephenson. The details of calls made by all TD MLAs should be made public, he said. He also expressed doubts that all TDP MLAs who defected into the TRS party were lured and details of MLAs who were lured should be made public, demanded Mattaiah. Hyderabad: Hyderabad High Court has made it clear that the Telangana government need not be separately impleaded as a party in the petitions pending before it. A Division Bench comprising Justice P.V. Sanjay Kumar and Justice M. Ganga Rao was dismissing the appeals by the Telangana State Housing Corporation Limited, challenging an order by a single Judge issued for regularisation of services of work inspectors (technical and non-technical). While disposing of writ petitions moved by the work inspectors in the year 2008, a single Judge on September 21, 2017, directed the Corporation to regularise the services of the work inspectors from the date in which they complete fi-ve years of continuous service. The Corporation had challenged the order contending that after the bifurcation of Andhra Pradesh, the Telangana government and the managing director, Telangana State Housing Corporation Limited, were not impleaded as party respondents in the place of Andhra Pradesh Housing Corporation Limited in the petitions and thus the single Judge ought to have dismissed the petitions. The Corporation informed the court that virtually the Corporation was defunct with no new projects and only skeletal staff, practically with no income. It also said that there was neither sufficient staff nor financial capacity for regularising the services of the petitioners as the existing staff was already redeployed to various other departments. The Bench refuted the contention of the Corporation that in view of Section 104 of the Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Act, 2014, it stipulates that the state of AP or the state of Telangana, which succeeds to or acquires a share in the property or the rights or liabilities by virtue of any provision of the Act, shall be deemed to be substituted for the existing state of Andhra Pradesh or added as a party to those proceedings, and the proceedings may continue accordingly. While holding that as per the GO Ms No. 182. dated Nove-mber 13, 1991, the petitioners are entitled for regularisation of their services from the date in which they complete five years of continuous service, the Bench declared that the Telangana government need not be impleaded separately as a party to the legal proceedings. New Delhi: In a startling revelation, the Supreme Court was on Tuesday told that hardly 5-10 per cent sexual assault victims across the country were getting compensation under the relevant schemes in various states. The National Legal Services Authority (NALSA) told a bench comprising Justices Madan B. Lokur and Deepak Gupta that as per the available data of Andhra Pradesh, out of 901 cases lodged last year, only one victim has received compensation. The data of state legal services authority of the states on utilisation of fund have been compiled. Hardly 5-10 per cent victims (of sexual assault) are able to get compensation. It is startling. In Andhra Pradesh, 901 cases were registered (in 2017), but only one victim got compensation. At the outer limit, maximum 10 per cent victims were getting compensation, S.S. Rathi, director of NALSA, told the bench. As per the NALSA data, in 2016, 840 such cases were lodged in Andhra Pradesh but only eight victims got compensation. Out of 1,028 cases registered in 2017 under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act in the state, only 11 victims got compensated. Similarly in Rajasthan, 3,305 such FIRs were registered in 2017 and 140 victims had received compensation under these schemes, while in Bihar, 1,199 FIRs of sexual assaults were lodged in the 2017 but only 82 victims were compensated, the data showed. The complete data would soon be filed in the apex court, he said. During the hearing, senior advocate Indira Jaising, who is assisting the court as an amicus curiae, referred to the victim compensation scheme proposed by the NALSA for the victims of sexual assaults and said they wanted to have two vital additions in the scheme, the funds for which was earlier shared with the Centre. Ms Jaising said the police must mandatorily inform the legal services authority of the state government about the lodging of FIRs in sexual assault cases so that the process of giving compensation to the victim can be expedited. She said that suo motu (on its own) power should also be given to the legal services authority to grant compensation to the victims, as was already being done in Delhi. The bench, on hearing the brief submissions, said it would pass directions on May 10 with regard to compensation scheme for victims and survivors of sexual assaults. The apex court said it would consider in July the issues related to section 228-A of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) which deals with disclosure of identity of victims of sexual offences and utilisation of Nirbhaya Fund by the states. Nirbhaya Fund was announced by the Centre in 2013 after the December 16, 2012 gangrape and murder case in Delhi to support the initiatives on womens safety across the country. 3,305 FIRs were registered in Rajasthan in 2017 and 140 rape victims received compensation. 1,199 FIRs of sexual assaults were lodged in Bihar in 2017 but only 82 victims were compensated. Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu has a word with Chief secretary Dinesh Kumar on the first day of the collectors conference at Grievance Hall near Vijayawada on Tuesday. (Photo: DC) Vijayawada: Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu has expressed renewed doubts about Lok Sabha seats in the southern states being reduced, citing the 2011 census. Addressing a two-day collectors conference at his Undavalli residence on Tuesday, the CM said, I argued the same issue with then Prime Minister A.B. Vajpayee. He added that 10 Assembly seats were reduced in Andhra Pradesh while there was an increase of 14 seats in Telangana owing to migration. He said he raised the issue during the Vajpayee regime and as a result, the population of 1971 was used as a cut-off mark under the 14th Finance Commission. Mr Naidu also said he had implemented measures to control population during his earlier stint as chief minister. We even competed with Kerala in the matter of population control, Mr Naidu said, and added that fresh doubts are now arising following the 15th Finance Commissions decision to take the 2011 Census as a benchmark. If that happens, we will forego more,Mr Naidu said, adding that the number of Parliament seats across South India would also be reduced. The AP government will continue efforts to ensure overall development, and at the same time, fight for what is right, Mr Naidu reiterated. The terms of reference (ToR) of the 15th Finance Commission related to population data from the 2011 Census is nothing but an act of hindering progressive states, he said. This penalises states that have performed well in terms of population control. Also, many ToR are extremely unjust to states as they oppose the idea of decentralisation, he added. Andhra Pradesh overcame a lot of injustice during the bifurcation. When we started out, our resources and infrastructure were insufficient. Our relationship with the Centre continues to remain tense owing to the unfair behaviour toward our state, he said. New Delhi: In a surprising and unprecedented development on Tuesday, the Supreme Court, without going into the merits, dismissed as withdrawn the writ petition filed by two Congress MPs challenging the order of Rajya Sabha chairman M. Venkaiah Naidu refusing to admit the impeachment motion against Chief Justice of India Dipak Misra. Attorney-general K.K Venugopal said, This petition has been filed only by two MPs from the Congress. So I will presume six other political parties have accepted the vice-presidents decision. This petition is not maintainable at all. New Delhi: Observing that the Centre was in sheer contempt for not framing a scheme on sharing of Cauvery water among the four riparian States of Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Kerala and Union Territory of Puducherry, the Supreme Court on Tuesday summoned the water resources secretary on May 14. A three-judge Bench of Chief Justice Dipak Misra and Justices A.M. Kanwilkar and D.Y. Chandrachud refused to accept the submission of attorney-general K.K. Venugopal that the scheme was ready and would be placed before the court after it is approved by the Union Cabinet which would be done expeditiously. The Bench told the AG that once the judgment has been delivered, it has to be implemented. It is the obligation of the Centre to put in place a scheme by now as per the February 16 judgment. Not doing so is a sheer contempt of this court, the CJI said. We want the union water resources Secretary to personally appear in the court on May 14 and he will come with a draft scheme. HYDERABAD: After the elections in Karnataka, BJP national president Amit Shah will conduct a tour in Telangana state, Telangana BJP president K. Laxman disclosed this on Monday. Speaking to mediapersons, Mr Laxman said that Telan-gana BJP leaders will meet Mr Shah on May 14 to finalise the dates of his visit. He said that on May 17 and 18, Telangana BJP leaders will meet to finalise Mr Shahs tour route. BJP national general secretary V. Satish will also attend this meeting. Mr Laxman said the Modi government has been helping both the Telugu states a lot for development and it is not right for both the Chief Ministers to make unnecessary criticism against the Centre. He said that Union water resources minister Nitin Gadkari had laid the foundation for road development works in Hyderabad, two days ago, at a cost of `1,500 crore. Mr Laxman said that in the last four years, around 3,000 kilometre-length of roads changed into National Highways in Telangana and the credit goes to Mr Gadkari. He said the Central government had taken steps to develop water transport project at a cost of `50,000 crore and once this project gets completed there will be no drinking water shortage and also water will be available for irrigation in And-hra Pradesh, Telangana, Tamil Nadu and Karnataka states. Mr Laxman said that for the revival of Ramagundam Fertil-isers Factory, the Central government had spent Rs 5,000 crore and the Central government had given all kinds of permission for Kaleswaram Irrigation Project. However, it is unfortunate that the Telangana Government is criticising the Centre, he said. Mr Laxman said he was ready for a discussion on what the BJP government did for Telangana states development and how much funds were spent in the last four years. He alleged that both the Chief Ministers of the Telugu states are plotting a conspiracy to defeat the BJP in Karnataka Assembly elections. Bijapur: With only four days to go for the Karnataka Assembly elections, political parties in the state are leaving no stone unturned to raise the poll fever. While addressing a rally in Bijapur, Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed confidence that there is going to be no hung Assembly in the state. "People have gathered here for this rally in large numbers. They are here because they want to show their support for BJP and aspire a better life in the coming five years," he said. PM Modi further accused the Congress of playing electoral politics instead of working for the welfare of state and its farmers. What has the Congress done for the farmers of Karnataka? When the state was suffering due to droughts, Ministers handling key portfolios were busy in Delhi doing politics, the Prime Minister said. Further taking a jibe at the Congress, Prime Minister Modi said, "Instead of going among the people, the Congress leaders are thinking about what excuses to make about a certain defeat. The reasons for their excuse will include faulty EVMs and other such reasons." The Prime Minister also blamed the Congress of creating a fake campaign over women safety. Congress has never been serious about safety of women. Here in Bijapur there was a case but what did Congress government do? Nothing. It is the NDA Government that has brought a tough law that will ensure safety of women, he said. PM Narendra Modi further said, It is the Congress party that did not allow the law on Triple Talaq to be passed. How can they even talk about women empowerment. Eyeing a huge win, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday is scheduled to address three important rallies - in Bijapur, Mangaluru, Bengaluru. 4-vehicle pileup causes traffic jam along Prithvi Highway, one-way traffic resumes Vehicles queued up for hours after a four-vehicle pileup along the Prithvi Highway at Jogimara, Dhading on Tuesday. Bijapur: After a gap of almost two years, Congress leader Sonia Gandhi on Tuesday addressed a rally seeking votes for the party. Joining the campaigning in Karnataka, the Congress veteran addressed a rally at Bijapur, where Prime Minister Narendra Modi had addressed a huge gathering barely three hours earlier. Launching a sharp attack at BJP and PM Modi, Sonia Gandhi said, "What happened to PM Modi's promise of non-corruption? Where's Lok Pal? What is your model of anti-corruption, PM Modi- the model adopted by your candidates in Karnataka, or by the son of your closest aide?" "I'm confident that the people of Karnataka would see through the lies of the BJP and will re-elect Congress for inclusive governance," the Congress leader added. Sonia further said, Modi ji is proud of the fact that he is a very good orator, I agree with this. He speaks like an actor. I'll be happy if his speeches can end hunger of the country but speeches cannot fill empty stomachs, food is needed for that. She further accused the Prime Minister of distorting historical facts and making wrong claims. Wherever Modi Ji goes he says wrong things and distorts historical facts. He uses the names of heroes from our history for his political motives, she said in Bijapur. "Modi-ji is besotted with Congress-free India. Leave Congress-free India, he cannot even tolerate anyone in front of him, she added. The UPA chairperson further accused Prime Minister Modi of disfavouring Karntaka. All states that suffered drought were given compensation (by centre), Karnataka was provided with the least, this was like rubbing salting into the wounds of farmers. I ask Modi ji, is this your 'sabka-saath, sabka-vikas? she said. Farmers of Karnataka have been suffering due to drought, your CM Siddaramaiah wanted to meet PM over this issues but he refused. By doing this he has insulted not only the farmers but also the state of Karnataka, she added. She further said, Congress has worked for development of Karnataka and you (people of Karntaka) must know that the central govt is working in a biased manner when it comes to Karnataka. Congress made Karnataka country's number one state and started numerous scheme for people. Earlier, addressing a rally at Bijapura Prime Minister Narendra Modi said, "Congress believes in the policy of divide and rule... divide on the basis of caste and religion....make brother fight brother. But people of this land of Basaveshwara will not allow it to happen." Vijayapura/Bengaluru: Battleground Karnataka on Tuesday saw an all-out war of the titans with Prime Minister Narendra Modi attacking the Congress over corruption and divisive politics and UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi, addressing her first election rally in two years, questioning the Prime Minister on his policies and anti-corruption stand, while accusing him of indulging in hollow speeches that had failed to fill hungry stomachs in the country. Appealing to Mr Modi to stop fooling people by delivering hollow speeches one after another, the UPA chairperson, who arrived in Vijaypura a few hours after the Prime Ministers rally there, said, I agree that Mr Modi has the ability to deliver speeches. But I would like to ask him whether his speeches help fill peoples stomachs. If they did, I would want him to continue giving more and more speeches. Mr Modis speeches cant empower women and youth as you need a leader to implement effective programmes. Only speeches cant find a solution to the grave problems which farmers in the country are facing today. To find a solution to countrys problems, a leader should have firm resolve to implement programmes effectively, she stressed. What happened to Mr Modis promise of non-corruption? Where is Lok Pal? What is your model of anti-corruption? she asked. Hyderabad: Former Congress MP V. Hanumantha Rao has requested West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, DMK working president M.K. Stalin and Uttar Pradesh former Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav not to attend the Rythu Bandhu scheme launching function. Mr Rao said he would also write to them in this regard. He said in the last four years, the TRS Government had done a lot of injustice to farmers and if these leaders attended the meeting, it wouuld mean that they also support the injustice done to farmers by CM Mr. KCR. Mr. Rao said that KCR had made many promises before the elections but after he became the Chief Minister he forgot all the promises made to the people. He said that the CM had not waived off the farmers' loans as promised nor did they give any fee reimbursement. Moreover about 3000 farmers committed suicide but the State Government did not help a single family, alleged Mr. Rao. The former MP also accused the CM of sarting a new drama keeping the upcoming elections in mind. This was in the form of investment subsidy to farmers (Rythu Bandhu). He said that CM KCR has invited the leaders of other States to attend the launching programme of Rythu Bandhu scheme to give it wider oublicity and gain extra mileage. Mr. Rao requested the leaders of other States not to attend the programme. Mr. Rao has also released a poster on the injustice done to farmers by the TRS Government. He said that these posters would be displayed across the State. It wouldnt be at all surprising if Xi Jinping wonders in the run-up to the historic United States-North Korea summit what exactly Donald Trumps gameplan might be. Mr Trump may expect Kim Jong-un to contain China as Mao Zedong and Zhou Enlai contained the Soviet Union after the seven days in China in 1972 that Richard Nixon called the week that changed the world. Another explanation is that having signally failed to live up to his pledge to end American involvement abroad, Mr Trump hopes a diplomatic coup might enable him to attack Iran, thereby earning domestic, Saudi Arabian and Israeli applause. Convinced that his policy of political pressure and economic sanctions bent North Korea to his will, he might also aspire to pick up a Nobel Peace Prize. The two-day visit to Pyongyang by Chinas foreign minister, Wang Yi, certainly demonstrated interest in if not concern about the meeting and its possible outcome. For now, North Korea has vowed to deepen strategic relations with China. According to the Chinese foreign ministry, Mr Kim, who made a surprise trip to Beijing in March, assured Mr Wang that a strong relationship with China was a firm strategy for North Korea. In turn, Beijing, which accounts for more than 90 per cent of North Koreas trade, pledged further economic support. Despite providing generous economic and political support for seven decades, China is not very keen on North Korea developing nuclear weapons. Hence its endorsement, albeit not every enthusiastically, of United Nations sanctions to deny Pyongyang critical foreign currency from selling coal, minerals, seafood and garments. But there are also signs of China quietly taking steps to connect North Korea to northeast Asian road and rail networks via the Belt and Road Initiative. Some UN-imposed restrictions are being relaxed, and reports suggest that North Korean workers are returning to bordering Chinese districts on short-term visas. Other reports indicate China is studying ways of increasing economic cooperation without violating UN resolutions. China might accept its protege becoming economically more independent but not in cooperation with the United States. Friction over trade and the American threat of unspecified consequences for militarising the South China Sea underline Washingtons role as Chinas principal adversary. Outwardly, the Chinese have little to worry about.But they are aware that having emerged from seclusion, Mr Kim might find international diplomacy a heady experience. Beijing was miffed, for instance, at being excluded from several items in the joint declaration issued at the end of Mr Kims meeting with South Koreas President Moon Jae-in, which mentioned trilateral or quadrilateral talks. Trilateral would mean North and South Korea and the US but not China, which sent millions of troops (withdrawn in 1958) to fight for North Korea during the war which ravaged the peninsula from 1950 to 1953. The Chinese must have been gratified to learn that Mr Kim suggested quadrilateral talks, but he didnt invite China to send observers to the destruction of the Punggye-ri nuclear test site close to the Chinese border. Instead, he promised to invite South Korean and American experts, although the latter dismiss the proposed closure as a propaganda gesture with little impact on nuclear and ballistic missile programmes. The two Koreas have also promised to start talks with Washington to negotiate a peace treaty to formally end the Korean War. These snubs to China are all the more significant because top-level visits between the two countries were frequent under Mr Kims grandfather, Kim Il-sung. Even his father, Kim Jong-il, made seven trips to China between 2000 and 2011. Such travel stopped only after the young Kim Jong-un came to power and reportedly ordered the elimination of senior officials suspected of being close to Beijing. Repeating history, the Kim-Moon summit reca-lled June 14, 2000 when South Koreas then President, Kim Dae-jung, travelled to Pyong-yang for a landmark meeting with Kim Jong-il. That was the year when Madeleine Albright, then US secretary of state, became the most senior American official to visit North Korea since the Korean War, and the US and North Korea began a negotiating process aimed at preventing nuclear weapons being developed on the peninsula. Few believed in 2000 that the 38th parallel militarised border between North and South would crumble like the Berlin Wall. Few now believe that unification is around the corner. But just as Kim Dae-jung won the Nobel Peace Prize, 18 Republican Congress-men now want the Nobel Committee to award this years prize to Mr Trump for his tireless work to bring peace to our world. As we know, nothing came of the 2000 peace initiatives. The talks dragged on for the rest of Bill Clintons presidency, but the disclosure of North Koreas uranium enrichment programme prompted George W. Bush to cancel the effort. In 2002 Pyongyang expelled international inspectors and restarted its nuclear facilities. Mr Kim had already promised to suspend his nuclear programme and invest in the economy even before he and Mr Moon agreed to officially end the war and work for the complete denuclearisation of the peninsula. Many remain sceptical about whether he will fulfil these commitments. Many others wonder whether Mr Trump will give him the chance to do so. Not surprisingly, Mr Kim saw the menacing 10-day Ulchi Freedom Guardian joint US-South Korean military exercise between the land, sea and air forces of the two nations as provocative muscle-flexing. Despite recent media reports of conciliatory moves in the US, Mr Trump says that withdrawing troops is not on the table. That means some 140,000 American military personnel will remain permanently in the Korean peninsula, Japan and Guam. Mr Kim will remain understandably nervous until Mr Trump and Mr Moon take steps to reduce their militarism. This abduction could be an expression of Islamabads frustration with this emerging arrangement. But New Delhi must remain steadfast in standing by the people of Afghanistan. (Photo: AP/Representational) Six Indian engineers working on a power project and their Afghan driver were abducted at Baghlan in northern Afghanistan on Monday. This is a matter of serious concern for us. Since India is deeply involved in running development projects across Afghanistan, Indian experts, technicians and advisers of all kinds reside there despite the obvious risks of living and working in that country. The external affairs ministry is in touch with the Afghan authorities, but so far it appears that contact has not been established with the abductors. We can only hope that our kidnapped compatriots are safe, and that negotiations can soon be begun for their early release. Given the political dynamics, its more than likely that the Taliban were behind the kidnapping. Pakistan opposes Indias presence in Afghanistan. Its proxies in the shape of the Taliban or the Haqqani group have earlier attacked, killed and abducted Indians. Pakistan realises Indias development activity in Afghanistan earns it goodwill with the people and the government, which in turn makes for leverage in relation to both Islamabad and Beijing. Its in recognition of this factor that China recently agreed to do a joint economic project with India in Afghanistan, much to Pakistans annoyance. This abduction could be an expression of Islamabads frustration with this emerging arrangement. But New Delhi must remain steadfast in standing by the people of Afghanistan. In the long term, this foreign policy commitment has considerable value from the security angle, and from the economic and commercial perspective with Afghanistan as well as the countries of Central Asia around it which are resource-rich. The Walmart-Flipkart deal needs to be thoroughly examined. The concerns expressed by various forums shouldnt be ignored just because a foreign company is investing in what is really an Indian e-commerce success story. The FDI rules permit it, but there are major reasons to worry about letting in a behemoth of a commerce enabler whose links to Chinas cheap goods will lead to flooding of what are just alternatives to existing goods made in India. This will come at a huge cost to the negative balance of trade with China, that has already hugely affected even the gigantic US economy. The mom-and-pop store may survive the Walmart storm, but millions will be out of jobs soon as the workforce shrinks from Walmarts scale of operations. The bar on multi-brand retail FDI may have queered the pitch for huge foreign big box retailers like Walmart, who are now seeking the unbridled route into India via e-commerce. The fear only multiplies on what effect this will have on 50 million small traders and 40 million SMEs, who have already been hit by the predatory pricing of e-commerce giants like Amazon and Flipkart dominating the Indian market. Experts have noted that the trade deficit with China last year was around $54 billion, and that the outflow over the past decade has been around $350 billion. This may escalate if Walmart comes into the picture as it sources about 80 per cent of its merchandise from China. In an ideal world, open competition may be good for the consumer, who pays cheaper prices, but it could come at the cost of destroying the lives of fellow Indians in a shrinking job market which has little space for the millions of new jobs needed every year for society as a whole. Theres no denying Walmart has shown seriousness in investing for the Indian market in terms of cold chains, warehousing, liaising with kirana stores and sourcing for its global operations. However, as long as a minimum percentage of backend purchase of Indian goods is not guaranteed in its e-commerce operations, the giants presence in a faceoff with Amazon will only act to the detriment of Indias trade deficit with China. Its no secret that in a country free of trade unions and minimum wages and acceptable working conditions, the Chinese state is in effect a major partner that subsidises exports. Chinese toys, fireworks, lighting and light fittings have pushed their Indian counterparts towards extinction. If India goes the Walmart way in multi-brand retail too, China will benefit even more in jobs and sale of goods, with big profits going to Walmarts American shareholders and India becoming the loser once again.. Its time for policymakers to put on their thinking caps and study this Walmart-Alphabet takeover of Flipkart. Are you looking for me? I am in the next seat. My shoulder is against yours. You will not find me in the stupas, nor in the shrines, nor in synagogues, nor in cathedrals when you really look for me, you will see me instantly, I (God) am the breath inside the breath, says Bhagat Kabir. Kabir, a 15th century Indian saint, was a poet, social reformer and a revolutionary. To surrender to the Almighty with an absolute devotion and to rebel against the orthodox social system makes him an extraordinary spiritual personality. No wonder, his name Kabir, in Arabic, means Great. The birth of Bhagat Kabir is as unique as his life is. Born in a Muslim family, his spiritual journey was influenced by bhakti way of salvation as well as by Islamic mysticism. He criticised both Hinduism and Islam and questioned the meaningless rituals, idol-worship, caste system, authority of the Brahmins and animal sacrifices. Kabir was a rebel saint with a rational outlook. His philosophy revolves around questioning and then acceptance of the truth. His ways were distinctive and appeared strange to others. Kabir would greet the Hindus with salaam and Muslims with Ram-Ram. It was his way to teach that all paths are true and lead to the Truth. Kabir writes, If God be within the mosque, then to whom does this world belong? If Ram be within the image, which you find upon your pilgrimage? Who is there to know what happens without? Hari is in the East, Allah is the West. Look within your heart, for there you will find both Karim and Ram. Kabir spent his life at Kashi, Varanasi. It is believed that those who die here will enter heaven. Bhagat Kabir, a rebel as he was, had left Kashi during his last days and moved to Maghar where he left for heavenly abode. People believed that if a person died at Maghar he would go to hell. Through rejection of Kashi as a passport to heaven, Kabir emphasised on purity of conduct as a way of salvation and proved the futility of baseless rituals and myths. Bhagat Kabir argues that high status, high caste, sacred rivers cannot lead to true path. He questioned the Brahmans claim that the waters of the Ganga cleanses a person of all sins. Once Kabir offered a bowl of Ganga water to the Brahmans but they refused to accept it on the grounds that the bowl had become impure through the touch of a low caste man like Kabir who was of a weaver caste. Then Kabir says if the water of the Ganga failed to keep the bowl pure, how could it remove the impurities of the evil persons? Not surprisingly, he was condemned and persecuted for his sayings. He writes, If I tell the truth they rush to beat me, If I lie they trust me. Kabir did not hesitate to preach the low castes and prostitutes. His messages appealed to the poor, oppressed as well as people from all religions, castes and social strata. What is the path of realisation? Kabir says it lies within your heart. He asserts that All know that the drop merges into the ocean, but few know that the ocean merges into the drop. Pure conduct, devotion, love to all creatures of the Almighty, honest earning, kindness, forgiveness and detachment within the householders way of life is the simple spiritual way of salvation. He condemns rituals, pilgrimages, sacrifices with a strong belief that From the One Light, the entire universe welled up. So who is good, and who is bad! Kabir emphasised on equality and humanity. He conveyed his message through his writings, especially poems written in simple Hindi with a sprinkling of Avadhi and Braj words. These poems reflect not only Kabirs thoughts but present a way of life leading to the ultimate realisation. Bhagat Kabirs compositions are included in the Guru Granth Sahib. Of all the 15 bhagats mentioned in the sacred Granth, Kabir contributed the maximum number of hymns. His 541 hymns are set to 18 ragas. Kabir and his philosophy of nirankar (without any shape) Supreme Being appeals to all human beings. His reckless, fearless attitude combined with devotion makes him one of the most prominent saints of the Bhakti movement. Even in the best of times Sino-Indian relations are fraught with instant danger it is like a weather vane that can turn any time, at the slightest pretext or provocation, owing to profound trust deficit, which cant be wished away. It was on Monday, March 20, 1989, when the governor-designate of West Bengal, the late T.V. Rajeshwar (a former Intelligence Bureau director, 1980-1983), landed at Calcutta (now Kolkata) airport to take charge of his duties. The flight was on time and tarmac-positioned state paraphernalia ready with the official protocol to receive the incoming head of the state. But that was not to be thanks to an unexpected and unforeseen faux pas a small gap between the door of the aircraft and the mobile staircase compelled the governor-designate to remain inside the plane for more than 15 minutes. Reportedly, it was an unavoidable incident. However, to me it appeared a well-thought-out plan hatched by the Communist-run state government. It raised a big question whether the Communists had an inherent penchant to resort to their own special my way or highway philosophy, especially when it came to extending courtesy to unwanted non-Communist guest in their territory? Welcome to Calcutta ran the silent murmur of the CPI(M), to the bourgeoisie, capitalist Centre-appointed governor to the land of the proletariat. I witnessed the shenanigans of the host, the West Bengal government, from the tarmac. It was gross misbehaviour and an act lacking grace and dignity. Almost 29 years later, I again saw, through live TV coverage, another incident of similar nature in a foreign Communist land. On Friday, April 27, when Prime Minister Narendra Modi landed at Wuhan airport in Chinas Hubei province, at 12.30 am, he was forced to stay put inside his aircraft for more than 10 minutes due to a similar mismatch between the Chinese staircase and the Indian aircraft door-case. Welcome to Communist China, Mr Modi for the informal summit! What the Chinese did to the Indian PM on his arrival at Wuhan was an act of indignity, lacking in grace. Emulating the Indian Bengali Communists, the Chinese Communists too resorted to psychological warfare. We must always remember the Chinese have always believed in signals. Their signages and psychology must be fathomed, always, specially, while dealing with foreigners. Its their tradition. Whether you like it or not, you have to gulp it down your throat if you are in China to do business. You must not expect anything else to happen regarding the thought, psyche, culture and tradition of the Chinese hosts. The next point to be noted was the first meeting between the two leaders. The background wall of the room appeared to contain a painting of the summer palace of Chinese emperors which was brutally burnt down by the Anglo-French invasion of October 18, 1860, during the Second Opium War, on the orders of Lord Ripon. As it so often happened in the past, Indian troops belonging to the Punjab and Madras Regiments too were part of the mindless loot by the destructive brigade under the command of the two Western powers. Through this painting, Mr Xi seems to have been signalling grimly, and silently reminding his guest (Mr Modi) about the history of Chinese tragedies, of which New Delhis predecessor powers were part and parcel. Look, this is what you people did to us in cahoots with the West. Hence, we will neither forget nor forgive you. Trade, territory, terror, technology, tariffs, come what may. Nevertheless, today we will entertain you because we are once again on the backfoot; being haunted and hunted by the US tax hike and trade war and the tough stand adopted by Europe regarding technology and our endeavour to take over their high-profile companies and corporations, he seemed to be saying. It must, nevertheless, be appreciated that India, from the very beginning, had no big expectations from the Chinese side. New Delhi had publicly conceded that no immediate result would come out of Wuhan meeting; that this informal summit was for exploring possibilities for the future for course direction or correction. It was an interaction where neither convergence nor divergence could have been on agenda. In fact, prima facie, this was an experimental move. Why? Because, if only convergence is discussed and agreed to, then criticism will soar as to how can divergence be omitted? Conversely, if divergence takes precedence over convergence in public, the quantum of (domestic) public criticism could be worse. Thus the need for an unconventional bilateral summit, even if informal. However, this informal diplomacy too has its potential adverse side effects. When nothing is formalised, institutionalised or concretised, things tend to be in a fluid state; a state in which shape, size, length, breadth, colour and formation all remain undefined, un-agreed to, thereby sowing the seeds of free-for-all in future and unilateral denial or dispute according to ones own convenience! Hence, the need for formal, carefully structured and serious bilateral diplomacy could not be left behind for long. Even in the best of times Sino-Indian relations are fraught with instant danger it is like a weather vane that can turn any time, at the slightest pretext or provocation, owing to profound trust deficit, which cant be wished away. Trust is like a mirror, once broken, it will never be the same again. Still, mirror restoration is possible through replacement. How does one restore broken trust? One thing, nevertheless, appears to be better than before. Both Mr Modi and Mr Xi appear to have had time for each other. For Mr Xi, it is fine being the lifetime ruler of 1.4 billion heads. But for Mr Modi, it is a five-year cycle. He does not have the luxury of unlimited time for a country of 1.3 billion. We can therefore say that irrespective of any informal or formal sweet talk and charm offensive, an instant outcome of the Wuhan meeting is highly unlikely. The difference in attitude of India and China is too stark to be bridged any time soon. Why? Because behind the bilateral is the core issue of unresolved territory, which will continue as divergence and which may prick the Delhi-Beijing bilateral relationship no end in the near future. China has regularly and repeatedly announced that its territorial claim is its sovereignty, hence its non-negotiable. For India too, a violation of sovereignty is unacceptable, irrespective of which political party is in power. Hence, both Beijing and New Delhi simply cannot leave divergence alone. It must be addressed, and the sooner the better. Territory resolution alone could prove to be the prelude to tangible and visible results. Divergence begs a political resolution, not an indefinite delay or diplomatic dissolution. Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella delivers the keynote address at Build, the company's annual conference for software developers in Seattle. (Photo: AP) Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella says "privacy is a human right" and that internet users should be in control of their data. Nadella outlined the company's ethical principles as he kicked off its annual conference for software developers. Nadella didn't mention Facebook's privacy scandals or the data collection practices of rival tech companies, but his comments at the Build conference in Seattle further staked out Microsoft's message that technology should be built for social good. He says Microsoft is prepared for stricter privacy rules taking effect in Europe on May 25, calling it "sound, good regulation." He also warned the industry to take an ethical approach to developing artificial intelligence, saying "we should be asking not only what computers can do, but what computers should do. That time has come." Microsoft's annual Build conference for software developers kicked off on Monday, giving the company an opportunity to offer updates on its computing platforms and services. The three-day event in Seattle featured sessions on cloud computing, artificial intelligence, internet-connected devices and virtual reality. It comes as Microsoft faces off with Amazon and Google to offer Internet-connected services to businesses and organisations. Click on Deccan Chronicle Technology and Science for the latest news and reviews. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter. Click on Deccan Chronicle Technology and Science for the latest news and reviews. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter. Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella delivers the keynote address at Build, the company's annual conference for software developers in Seattle. (Photo: AP) Microsoft is launching a $25 million initiative to use artificial intelligence to build better technology for people with disabilities. CEO Satya Nadella announced the new AI for Accessibility effort as he kicked off Microsofts annual conference for software developers. The Build conference in Seattle is meant to foster enthusiasm for the companys latest ventures in cloud computing, artificial intelligence, internet-connected devices and virtual reality. Microsoft competes with Amazon and Google to offer internet-connected services to businesses and organisations. The conference and the new initiative offer Microsoft an opportunity to emphasise its philosophy of building AI for social good. The focus could help counter some of the privacy and ethical concerns that have risen over AI and other fast-developing technology, including the potential that software formulas can perpetuate or even amplify gender and racial biases. In unusually serious terms for a tech conference keynote, Nadella name-checked the dystopian fiction of George Orwell and Aldous Huxley, declared that privacy is a human right and warned of the dangers of building new technology without ethical principles in mind. We should be asking not only what computers can do, but what computers should do, Nadella said. That time has come. The five-year accessibility initiative will include seed grants for startups, nonprofit organisations and academic researchers, as well as deeper investments and expertise from Microsoft researchers. Microsoft President Brad Smith said the company hopes to empower people by accelerating the development of AI tools that provide them with more opportunities for independence and employment. It may be an accessibility need relating to vision or deafness or to something like autism or dyslexia, Smith said in an interview. There are about a billion people on the planet who have some kind of disability, either permanent or temporary. Those people already have huge potential, he said, but technology can help them accomplish even more. Microsoft has already experimented with its own accessibility tools, such as a Seeing AI free smartphone app using computer vision and narration to help people navigate if theyre blind or have low vision. Nadella introduced the app at a previous Build conference. Microsofts translation tool also provides deaf users with real-time captioning of conversations. People with disabilities are often overlooked when it comes to technology advances, but Microsoft sees this as a key area to address concerns over the technology and compete against Google, Amazon and IBM, said Nick McQuire, an analyst at CCS Insight. Smith acknowledged that other firms, especially Apple and Google, have also spent years doing important work on accessibility. He said Microsofts accessibility fund builds on the model of the companys AI for Earth initiative, which launched last year to jumpstart projects combating climate change and other environmental problems. The idea, Smith said, is to get more startups excited about building tools for people with disabilities both for the social good and for their large market potential. Other announcements at the Build conference include partnerships with drone company DJI and chipmaker Qualcomm. More than 6,000 people are registered to attend, most of them developers who build apps for Microsofts products. Facebook had its F8 developers gathering last week. Googles I/O conference begins Tuesday. Apples takes place in early June. This is the second consecutive year that Microsoft has held its conference in Seattle, not far from its Redmond, Washington, headquarters. Click on Deccan Chronicle Technology and Science for the latest news and reviews. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter. Click on Deccan Chronicle Technology and Science for the latest news and reviews. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter. British MPs call on Energy Minister Pun British Member of Parliament of Prime Minister Teresa Mays Conservative Party Nigel Evans on Monday called on Nepals Minister for Energy,Water Resources and Irrigation, Barshaman Pun. Terms of the deal were not disclosed. Nokia has acquired software maker SpaceTime Insight, which industrial customers use to manage millions of devices and assets across their networks, marking the equipment suppliers latest push to expand beyond telecoms. Terms of the deal were not disclosed. SpaceTime supplies monitoring and analytics applications to customers in the energy, logistics, transportation and utility sectors to run operations more cost-effectively by reducing service outages and the need to send out repair trucks. Among the more than two dozen major customers of SpaceTime, a decade-old Silicon Valley-based company, are FedEx, US rail operator Union Pacific, US electric utilities Entergy and NextEra Energy and Singapore Power, Nokia said. SpaceTime Insight and Rob Schilling, its chief executive, will join the Internet of Things (IoT) product unit within the Nokia Software business group. The company has raised around $50 million in private funding, according to Crunchbase data. Nokia has made several small to medium-sized acquisitions as part of a strategy to build up a standalone software business to deliver higher profit margins than its classic communications hardware products. Traditionally, most networking companies built software to sell more networking equipment, Nokia Software President Bhaskar Gorti said in a phone interview. This is an expansion into the B2B side of the industry, he said of sales beyond its core telecom markets to the internet and industrial customers. Only around 20 per cent of its sales are tied to Nokia telecom equipment, Gorti said, with the remaining 80 per cent sold on a standalone basis, both to network operators using rival equipment or, increasingly, to non-telecom customers. Nokia Software generated just over 1.6 billion euros in revenue in 2017. Three months ago, Nokia renamed the group, previously known as Applications & Analytics, to reflect its growing importance alongside its mainstay network gear business. A year ago, it paid around $370 million to buy Comptel, beefing up its business aimed at telecom network operators. Nokia ranked No. 2 among telecom software suppliers with a 10 per cent share of the highly fragmented market, according to 2016 data from industry research group Analysys Mason. Huawei held 11 per cent, Ericsson 9 per cent and Amdocs and Oracle, each held 8 per cent. Click on Deccan Chronicle Technology and Science for the latest news and reviews. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter. Click on Deccan Chronicle Technology and Science for the latest news and reviews. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter. ROOSEVELT A Duchesne County School District employee has been charged with planning to rape a child. Darin Ace Thomas, 48, of Roosevelt, was charged Friday in 8th District Court with conspiracy to commit rape of a child and conspiracy to commit sodomy on a child, first-degree felonies; conspiracy to have unlawful sexual activity with a minor and two counts of attempted sexual exploitation of a minor, third-degree felonies; and patronizing a prostitute, a class A misdemeanor. Thomas "was participating in prostitution" and would request from a woman, who is not named, "that she find minors to participate," according to charging documents. Thomas was also seen watching child pornography on his laptop, the charges state. Undercover officers investigating the case used the woman's cellphone to pose as her, according to court documents. Through messaging, Thomas "tells me to come make some money, $100 for everything," the officer wrote in the charges. Thomas also told the woman that he wanted to have sex with two girls, ages 13 and 16, that he believes are with the woman, the charges state. A woman flying aboard an American Airlines flight to the Cleveland Clinic had a medical emergency before she was saved, coincidentally, by a Cleveland Clinic doctor, who was also on the flight, according to WEWS-TV, an ABC News affiliate. Ashley Spencer flew to Cleveland Sunday to seek treatment for eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis (EGPA), which is a rare autoimmune disease. But a peanut allergy nearly killed her during the flight. She ate a bag of chips before getting on the plane, which, she said, triggered the allergic reaction, Newsweek reported. "I stopped breathing," she said. "I still had a pulse. That's when the stewardess said, 'Is there any medical professionals on the aircraft? It's an emergency.'" Enter Dr. Erich Kiehl, who works at the Cleveland Clinic, and another doctor from North Carolina. Both rushed to Spencers aid, injecting her with an EpiPen to keep her alive. "When a person is going into anaphylactic shock it has to be taken seriously," she said. "Having Dr. Kiehl on board was so important. He was monitoring the heart completely." The plane made an emergency landing in Pittsburgh, where Spencer was rushed to the hospital. According to ABCNews, Spencer spent the night in the ICU. But she still planned to make her Cleveland Clinic appointment on Monday. Idea Cellular has effectively been cleared to increase its foreign direct investment (FDI) by both the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) and the countrys Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion (DIPP) - a crucial step towards final clearance for its merger with Vodafone India. The RBI found that the proposed merger complied with the Foreign Exchange Management Act (FEMA). DIPP has asked the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) to provide documentation demonstrating that all units with shares in Idea and Vodafone India are FDI compliant. Once the DoT has provided this documentation, the operators will be able to ask the department to transfer Vodafones licence to Idea so that the merger can receive final approvals. The merged entity will be Indias largest operator by both revenue and subscribers. For its part, Vodafone India received clearance to raise FDI to 100% in December 2013, completing the process in April 2014. The DoT has been more hesitant to approve Ideas request to increase its FDI, and has sought the opinions of several relevant agencies in reaching its decision. In March, DoT secretary Aruna Sundararajan confirmed that the DoT was trying to expedite the Vodafone-Idea merger. The deal is awaiting the final approvals by the foreign investment and licence departments. Vodafone Group and Ideas parent company Aditya Birla Group are expecting the transaction to close in the first half of 2018, with Vodafone COO Balesh Sharma as the new entitys CEO. British MPs meet House Speaker Mahara House Speaker Krishna Bahadur Mahara held a meeting with visiting British members of parliament (MPs) of Prime Minsiter Terese Mays Conservative Party in Kathmandu on Tuesday. Fixed-line operator HGC is partnering with SMS Firewall vendor Anam to deliver an SMS A2P Gateway and SMS Firewall for Vietnamobile. The collaboration paves the way for MNOs in the Greater Mekong Subregion (GMS) to effectively reduce SMS threats, monitor SMS traffic delivery, ease operational costs and enrich customer experience. MNOs globally face revenue leakage estimated at more than US$15 billion annually from Grey Route A2P traffic. By securing the network, HGCs customised SMS Firewall solutions will improve Vietnamobiles customer satisfaction through reduced exposure to spam and fraud attacks. The HGC A2P SMS Platform empowers Vietnamobile to effectively manage the international A2P SMS ecosystem by providing SMS filtering and spamming controls, including grey routes blocking to block security threats. The solutions can identify legitimate traffic that can be fully monetised, protecting MNOs from revenue leakage while protecting their brand. HGCs knowledge of the A2P aggregator community is central to the partnership with Anam. Being a global A2P hub, HGC enables connections between OTTs and enterprises to deliver high quality A2P SMS via a fast and convenient platform. Riding on HGCs existing IPX and global MNOs network, the joint initiative is backed by a secured SMS infrastructure without requiring extensive investment. HGC has been a pioneer in the expansion and improvement of connectivity in the niche markets, especially the rapid growing GMS. Ravindran Mahalingam, Senior Vice President for HGCs International Business, said: The A2P opportunity for MNOs is best addressed by a combination of filtering, reporting and analytics that feed into insightful business level decision-making. We are confident that, with HGCs experience in the GMS, and as a robust global A2P Hub that leverages its international network of MNOs, our partnership with Anam will enable MNOs to deliver high quality SMS to mobile users, and as a result bring new value to our customers. Google I/O 2018 is just a day away for all of you reading this back at home in India and tomorrow morning for those of us covering the event from the companys Mountain View headquarters. A day ahead of the official start of its annual developers conference, Google held a couple of useful sessions highlighting its efforts towards creating products and service for the what it calls the Next Billion Users (NBU). At the press meet, Google spoke about its recently launched Tez, Files Go and Datally apps, which were all focussed on markets like India, with limited data access and connectivity, as well as countries where low spec phones and lack of localised content is commonplace. Google explained that Files Go, its India-first app to manage storage, was born after extensive research pointed out that folks were running out of storage constantly and in India, 1 out of 3 Android users get a low storage warning on a daily basis. That is about 80 million people that are seeing this everyday, said Josh Woodward, Group Product Manager at Google. Google claims that with the help of Files Go, an average user is able to free up 1.1GB of space. The app has also added some new features to manage files better and instead of a folder view, users can now find files categorised by their type. There is also a new file search feature that has been integrated within the app to help scout for important files in an easier fashion. Google execs told us that Files Go is still being worked upon and new features can be expected in the future. Talking about Datally, a data management and Wi-Fi locator app that displays the amount of daily and real-time data being consumed by users, Google said that it has recorded around 1 million monthly active users for the app and that an average user saves around 26% data using it. Again, Datally was an app that was launched with a focus on markets like India, Indonesia, Brazil and other countries, where connectivity was pegged to be limited by the company. While internet connectivity remains pretty dull in most of the countries from where Google expects next billion users, India has shocked the Mountain View-based tech giant with a rapid growth in data usage. All thanks to Reliance Jio and its over 230 million subscribers, Google is actually having to rethink the Datally app and adapt it to the Indian market where data is becoming cheaper and more accessible by the day. The Indian data landscape has changed dramatically over the last 12 months. I dont think any of us saw the Jio effect coming. Maybe in the country you did, but all the folks we have here...Total surprise! Giving people more data is great. More data means more access, more power for individual users. So, we are now adapting Datally to India and we are running a lot of experiments that are actually coming up end of this month, said Woodward hinting at India-specific feature additions to the app. Apart from adapting the Datally app to changing user needs in India, Google is also taking learnings from its successful Google Station Wi-Fi service in India to other emerging markets like Indonesia and Mexico. The company noticed that people in India just flock to the railway station to get online even if they dont have a train to catch. This made them realise that they could build an entirely new product out of what was originally a partnership with telecom infrastructure provider RailTel in India. Google is also now working to expand its free Wi-Fi service to upcoming smart cities in the country. Another key metric shared by Google at this pre I/O media briefing was about Tez, its UPI-based digital payments app. Google announced that it now has around 16 million monthly active users on Tez in India. The company did not announce any new developments as far as Tez is concerned, but did acknowledge the fact that Tez users try to game the application for scratch cards by sending money to their own friends and having it sent back to them in a loop. Google said that the rewards and scratch cards available on the Tez app are still in the experimental stage and will keep evolving with time. Stay tuned to Digit.in for all the key announcements from Google I/O 2018. Live coverage starts at 10:30 pm IST on May 8. Save my User ID and Password Some subscribers prefer to save their log-in information so they do not have to enter their User ID and Password each time they visit the site. To activate this function, check the 'Save my User ID and Password' box in the log-in section. This will save the password on the computer you're using to access the site. Note: If you choose to use the log-out feature, you will lose your saved information. This means you will be required to log-in the next time you visit our site. Delhi HC rejects government's plea challenging Vodafone's move to approach India-UK BIPA The Indian governments plea challenging Vodafones move to initiate international arbitrations in connection with the tax demand of Rs11,000 crore under a retrospective 2012 law was rejected by the Delhi high court on Monday. See: Vodafone seeks arbitration as tax talks with government collapse) The telecom major had initiated arbitration proceedings under the India-UK and India-Netherlands Bilateral Investment Protection Agreements (BIPAs) relating to the tax demands by the government following its $11 billion deal to acquire the stake of Hutchison Telecom ( Vodafone, which had taken up the matter with the India-Netherlands BIPA earlier, also initiated the second arbitration under the India-UK BIPA last year. The Indian government told the Delhi high court that Vodafone had abused the process of law by initiating two international arbitrations against it. But the court informed the government that it could approach the UK arbitration tribunal under the India-UK BIPA. According to Vodafone, the Indian government was a party to the BIPA with the UK and such treaties were not subject to domestic laws. Disputes arising out of such treaties were also beyond the jurisdiction of national courts. In 2007, Vodafone International Holdings, a Dutch unit of the British telecom firm, bought the Indian business operations of Hutchison Telecommunications International Ltd through the purchase of a Cayman Islands-based firm called CGP Investments Ltd, a unit of Hutchison. The Indian tax department estimated that Vodafone should have withheld part of the amount as tax while paying Hutchison. Vodafone and the tax authorities went to court to resolve the issue. See: The Supreme Court, in its judgement in January 2012, said the deal was not taxable in India ( Vodafone wins tax case in Supreme Court ). Subsequently, the government introduced retrospective amendments to laws to bring such indirect transfer of shares under the tax net. It also introduced a validation clause that made Vodafone liable to pay tax in India despite the apex court's judgment. Vodafone then proceeded with initiating arbitration under the bilateral investment protection agreement signed by the Netherlands and India. It argued the retrospective amendment amounted to a denial of justice and a breach of the Indian government's obligations to accord fair and equitable treatment to investors. Walmart to announce Flipkart deal this week, to acquire 70-75% stake with Google The world's largest retil chin Walmart, along with Googles parent company Alphabet, is expected to acquire 70-75 per cent stake in the Indian e-commerce business, and announce the deal before the end of this media, Moneycontrol and Livemint reported separately. Flipkart co-founder Sachin Bansal (left) and Binny Bansal The Flipkart group includes fashion portals Myntra-Jabong, online payments business PhonePe and logistics firm Ekart. According to Moneycontrol, the deal price would be around $15, which is likely to value Flipkart at $20 billion. Walmart is also likely invest $2 billion directly by infusing fresh equity in Bengaluru-based Flipkart. Walmart will acquire about a 60-per cent stake, while Alphabet will take around 15 per cent for about $3 billion, Reuters reported. A Reuters report had earlier said that Walmart was in advanced talks to acquire 51 per cent or more of the e-commerce player for $10 billion to $12 billion, valuing Flipkart at some $18 billion to $20 billion. See: Co-founder and executive chairman Sachin Bansal is expected to exit completely, selling his 5.2-per cent stake, when the Walmart deal is finalised. ( Sachin Bansal likely to quit Flipkart if Walmart stake sale goes through ). Till a fortnight back Bansal had no plans to exit the company and was reported to be eyeing a larger role in the entity. Founders Sachin Bansal, 36 and Binny Bansal, 35, are not related. A batch apart in the Indian Institute of Technology-Delhi, they became friends as colleagues in Amazon before starting Flipkart in Bengaluru as an online bookstore in 2007 before going on to become the country's preeminent ecommerce company. Flipkarts shareholders Chinas Tencent Holdings, and US-based Tiger Global Management, will exit partially and retain small stakes, while South Africa-based Naspers Ltd and Microsoft Corp will also keep a small stake in the new company. They will, however, have the option of selling their stake to Walmart later at the same valuation at which Walmart bought a majority stake in Flipkart. See: SoftBank, which owns 20.8 per cent stake in Flipkart through its Vision Fund will exit completely, netting a 60 per cent profit on the $2.5 billion investment, through primary and secondary share purchases in 2017 ( SoftBank Vision Fund invests $2-2.5 bn in Flipkart ). Tencent Holdings and Tiger Global Management will continue to be represented on the board. Congress withdraws plea against Naidu's rejection of CJI impeachment A petition by two Congress MPs challenging Rajya Sabha chairman M Venkaiah Naidus decision to reject the impeachment notice against Chief Justice of India Dipak Misra was dismissed as withdrawn by the Supreme Court on Tuesday. In a 45-minute hearing, a five-judge constitution bench headed by Justice A K Sikri declared the petition dismissed as withdrawn after senior advocate and Congress leader Kapil Sibal, representing the Congress MPs, decided to withdraw the plea, even as he raised objections to the setting up of the five-judge Constitution Bench. In a 45-minute hearing, a five-judge constitution bench headed by Justice A K Sikri declared the petition dismissed as withdrawn after senior advocate and Congress leader Kapil Sibal, representing the Congress MPs, decided to withdraw the plea, even as he raised objections to the setting up of the five-judge Constitution Bench. Sibal, counsel for Congress MPs Partap Singh Bajwa and Amee Harshadyay Yajnik, said he was withdrawing the petition after the constitution bench refused to give the petitioner details of the administrative order passed in constituting the bench. Responding to Sibals questions, Attorney General K K Venugopal said only two MPs of the Congress had approached the apex court. He submitted that the six other parties that had given a notice for impeachment did not move the top court. "The presumption is that all others have not supported the stand taken by the Congress to challenge the rejection of impeachment notice by Naidu," the AG said. Sibal, widely seen as the driving force behind the notice, had sought a copy of the order allotting the case to the five-judge bench and argued that the CJI did not have power to allocate the matter to a constitution bench by an administrative order. He also said it was beyond the authority of the registrar concerned to list the matter directly before the five-judge bench. However, Venugopal, appearing for Naidu, said the CJI had the power to do so. Speaking at a press conference after the hearing, Sibal said the Congress party wanted to protect the independence of the judiciary. We want to protect the dignity of the court. At the same time, we want to ensure that the processes of the court are not polluted. This is not a political issue. "We filed petition in the Supreme Court yesterday and was to be heard today. But we were informed last evening that our petition would be heard by five judges. Who gave these orders and what were the orders? asked Sibal. The constitution bench constituted to hear the CJI impeachment petition didnt include the four senior-most judges of the apex court who had in January publicly aired their grievances over how CJI Misra was running the court and allocating cases. The five-judge bench, led by Justice A K Sikri, comprised Justices S A Bobde, N V Ramana, Arun Mishra and AK Goel. The court asked Sibal to argue on merits of the petition, but the Congress leader was adamant that he would first see the order and decide if it should be challenged or not. As the bench also stood its ground, Sibal said he was withdrawing the plea. On Monday, a two-judge bench comprising Justices Chelameswar and S Kaul had asked the two Congress MPs to return today with their petition challenging Naidus rejection of an opposition motion seeking the removal of the CJI. The petition contended that once a removal motion signed by MPs was submitted to the Rajya Sabha chairman, he had no option but to constitute an inquiry committee to look into the charges. However, the Justice Chelameswar referred to a constitution Bench decision that said only the CJI had the authority to list cases before appropriate benches. On 24 April, vice president M Venkaiah Naidu rejected the impeachment notice signed by 71 opposition MPs of the Upper House, seven of whom retired last month, against CJI Dipak Misra, citing the absence of any proved misbehaviour or incapacity on the part of the senior judge. He ruled in a 10-page order that the grounds were insufficient to admit the petition. Following the rejection of the impeachment motion, Sibal had termed Naidus order as unprecedented, illegal, ill-advised and hasty and asserted that the party would challenge it in the Supreme Court. Meanwhile, the Bar Association of India, an organisation of lawyers, stated that the notice for the impeachment of Chief Justice of India Dipak Misra was "unwarranted" and an assault on the judiciary". Climate change will boost global lake evaporation - with 'extreme' consequences While it is commonly believed that lake evaporation is controlled primarily by incoming solar radiation the researchers used modeling tools to show that other factors from shorter ice periods to a "reallocation" of heat energy at lake surfaces are accelerating the loss of lake water into the atmosphere. In practical terms this accelerated rate of evaporation over the coming decades will, among other outcomes, trigger stronger precipitation events, researchers say. According to these findings, published in the journal Nature Geoscience, understanding these complex dynamics will be critical if scientists are to accurately predict the future hydrological response to climate change. "Typically we focus on the 'top-down' ways that the upper part of the atmosphere triggers feedbacks that enhance warming," says Xuhui Lee, a professor of meteorology at the Yale School of Forestry & Environmental Studies and senior author of the paper. "But if we want to make accurate predictions of the hydrological changes we'll need to understand what's happening at the bottom of the atmosphere, including what's happening at the surface of lakes. Because those changes are driving the hydrological response to climate change." According to Lee, the same mechanism applies to ocean evaporation, the main source of water for supporting global evaporation. The lead author of the paper is Wei Wang of the Yale-NUIST Center on Atmospheric Environment, which is jointly funded by Yale University and Nanjing University of Information Science and Technology. About 85 per cent of the world's 250,000 lakes are located in mid- to high latitudes, where water remains frozen for part of the year. But as global temperatures rise many of these lakes will freeze later in the winter and thaw earlier in the spring. This shortened ice period causes a higher absorption rate of solar heat since the open water, which is darker than ice, has a lower albedo. (Light colors reflect more sunlight back into space than dark colors.) Warming temperatures will also introduce an increase in energy needed to support the process of evaporation essentially changing how energy is allocated. The adjustment of lake surface temperature to these changes in energy allocation reflects a feedback effect that can further enhance evaporation. At low altitudes lakes will warm more slowly than the air as climate warms, leading to lower degree of radiation loss that, in turn, allows more energy available for evaporation. On the other hand, at high altitudes lakes will warm faster than air, which result in higher surface radiation loss. Using a lake simulator model to evaluate lake-atmosphere interactions for all major lakes in the world, from 2005 to 2100, the researchers found that about half of the changes in evaporation were attributable to changes in surface energy allocations and shortened ice periods. Another critical factor at regional levels is changes in snowmelt. In cold and polar regions, for instance, reduced snowmelt is the second largest contributor to lake evaporation increases. These hydrological responses to climate change will have profound impacts in regions with many lakes, creating stronger precipitation events as more water evaporates into the atmosphere (what goes up, after all, must come down). For drier regions these shifts could also present challenges in freshwater resource management, Lee said. To make long-term management decisions, for instance, one must understand how much water will stay in a lake; if that predictability is diminished it can make it more difficult to plan for drinking water and agricultural demands. "In dry climates, the increased rate of evaporation may be even higher," he said. "So in some local regions the question of how you conserve water could become an increasingly important question." Takeda Pharmaceutical to buy larger Irish rival Shire for $62 bn In one of the biggest deals in the pharmaceutical industry's history and the biggest international takeover by a Japanese company, Takeda Pharmaceutical today struck a deal to buy its larger Irish rival Shire Plc for $62 billion (46 billion). If it materialises, the deal would give Takeda greater access to the US and European healthcare markets. It would also create the worlds eighth-largest drug maker, with combined sales of roughly $30 billion, The Wall Street Journal reported. If it materialises, the deal would give Takeda greater access to the US and European healthcare markets. It would also create the worlds eighth-largest drug maker, with combined sales of roughly $30 billion, The Wall Street Journal reported. The move comes after UK-listed Shire, a rare disease specialist, had rejected Takedas advances four times since late March. Under the terms of the deal, Shire shareholders will receive a total of $66.56 (49) per Shire share, comprising of $30.33 in cash, and the remainder in 0.839 in new Takeda shares. The offer represents a 59.6-per cent premium to Shires closing price of 30.70 on 27 March, before the Takeda revealed its interest in the company. Takeda and Shire shareholders will each own about half of the combined company. Up to three Shire directors will join Takeda's board. Post closing, the New Takeda Shares will be listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange and the Local Japanese Stock Exchanges. In addition, Takeda will apply for its ADSs (each representing 0.5 Takeda Shares) to be listed on the NYSE. Takeda will fund the cash portion of the proposed acquisition, through a $31-billion bridge loan facility secured from JPMorgan Chase Bank, Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corp and MUFG Bank, among others. Takeda said the transaction will bring in savings of about $600 million in duplicated research and development costs. The company expects $1.4-billion in overall savings by the third year. Takeda has been conducting due diligence for the past two weeks, but Shire had rejected its offer four times on price disagreement and also because it wanted more in cash and less in stock. The combined company will have annual revenues of $31 billion, and market cap of $84 billion. Takeda said that it may reduce the combined workforce by 6 per cent to 7 per cent in the three years, post closing. The deal will catapult Takeda to eighth rank among the top 10 in the global pharmaceutical industry. The transaction gives Takeda, a maker of cancer and gastroenterology drugs, greater access to the US market, while Shire will get greater exposure in Japan and emerging markets. Takeda will become the only pharma company with dual listings in Tokyo and New York. The combined operation will also expand its research and development efforts in the Boston area, the companies said in a statement. Shires highly complementary product portfolio and pipeline, as well as experienced employees, will accelerate our transformation for a stronger Takeda, said Takeda CEO Christophe Weber. Together, we will be a leader in providing targeted treatments in gastroenterology, neuroscience, oncology, rare diseases and plasma-derived therapies. Founded in 1781 in Osaka, Japan, Takeda is a global, R&D-driven pharmaceutical with around 30,000 employees globally and operating in 70 countries and regions. Takeda has focused on developing and commercialising innovative therapies that address unmet clinical needs in gastroenterology, oncology and neuroscience plus vaccines. Its earlier acquisitions include Ariad Pharmaceuticals in 2017, Nycomed in 2011 and Millennium Pharmaceuticals in 2008 and early this year, it proposed to buy TiGenix, which is expected to close by July this year. Dublin-based Shire focuses on treatments in rare diseases, neuroscience, gastrointestinal and internal medicine and is developing treatments for symptomatic conditions treated by specialist physicians in other targeted therapeutic areas, such as ophthalmics. Charge-sheet filed against Acharya Shree Niwas Police on Tuesday lodged a charge-sheet at Morang District Administration against Hindu leader Acharya Shree Niwas who allegedly staged an attack on himself to stoke communal violence. Instantly delete email threats with 365 Threat Monitor With 365 Threat Monitor, scan all emails as they reach your users' mailboxes to detect ransomware, phishing and spam. Get real-time phone alerts, real-time security breach updates and delete threats instantly with just one click - for free! Learn More. An alarming number of major U.S. retailers, industrial firms, government agencies and other organizations have been hit in a recent wave of cyberbreaches that may signal increasing vulnerability for consumers and businesses alike. The attacks have exposed millions of consumer payment cards to fraud. Cyberthieves have used a variety of methods to infiltrate corporate computer systems and resell financial data on the Dark Web. What is particularly worrisome is that in the aftermath of the high-profile intrusions during the 2016 presidential election and the massive ransomware attacks of 2017, there seems to have been little to no movement in developing comprehensive strategies. It appears that many major U.S. institutions have been maintaining the status quo instead of implementing new measures to protect critical financial and personal information from determined adversaries, whether criminal cybergangs or rogue nation states. "U.S. companies and organizations are woefully underprepared to deal with modern attacks like this -- and the problem is simply exacerbated by the amounts and access to personal data these companies and institutions store," said Kevin O'Brien, CEO of GreatHorn. The personal data stolen in past attacks enhances the efficacy of future attacks, he told the E-Commerce Times. Executive impersonation scams, for example, have risen 300 percent over the past year. Nearly one in three executives have fallen victim to these type of attacks, either by clicking links in suspicious emails or by having their names and emails spoofed and used in propagating future breaches, GreatHorn has found. Orbitz, Under Armour Travel website Orbitz on March 20 announced that credit card data belonging to 880,000 customers on a legacy platform might have been accessed by an attacker between Oct. 1 and Dec. 22, 2017, according to spokesperson David McNamee. After bringing in a leading third-party forensic team and notifying law enforcement, Orbitz determined that the attacker might have accessed data for trips purchased between Jan. 1 and June 22, 2016, on its legacy site and purchases on its legacy partner platform for trips purchased from Jan. 1, 2016 to Dec. 22, 2017. The compromised information included names, credit card numbers, dates of birth, email addresses, physical addresses and gender. The company did not disclose how the attackers accessed the data. Orbitz has offered customers a year of free credit card monitoring in response. Under Armour on March 29 announced that 150 million accounts using the MyFitnessPal food and nutrition app had been compromised due to an unauthorized third-party having gained access to user data sometime in February. The breach, which was discovered on March 25, involved usernames, emails and hashed passwords, but not credit card, driver's license or social security numbers. Under Armour called on data security firms and law enforcement to address the breach and has notified customers via email or using the app. Under Armour was notified of the breach by a white hat researcher, and the cause is still being investigated, according to an official familiar with the company who asked not to be identified. He said that how the attackers got into the system was unknown. No customers have reported being compromised by the attackers, the source said, which could be due to the short window between the discovery of the breach and the disclosure. The company has urged customers to change their passwords. Boeing, Saks, Sears, Delta Boeing in March was hit by a cyberattack that reportedly was a variant of the WannaCry ransomware. The attack impacted a North Charleston, South Carolina, production facility, according to The Seattle Times. Boeing on March 28 confirmed that its cybersecurity systems had detected a "limited intrusion of malware," but remediations were applied, and the incident was "not a production or delivery issue." Media reports overstated its impact, the company said. "We identified and assessed a minor issue and quickly applied the appropriate fix with a software patch," said Linda Mills, vice president of communications at Boeing. "It was limited to a small number of machines within our commercial airplane businesses -- not defense or services." There was no interruption to aircraft production or delivery, she added. Boeing has not said whether the malware was WannaCry or any type of ransomware. Despite the potential link to WannaCry in the Boeing case, and links to SamSam in a recent attack on the city of Atlanta, ransomware attacks actually have been on the decline as a cybercrime tactic as the demand for virtual currency has skyrocketed. "Cryptomining is more profitable since people never know they are infected and work for the attacker longer," noted Craig Williams, director of outreach at Cisco Talos. "It's also less likely to be pursued by law enforcement since it isn't very destructive in nature," he told the E-Commerce Times. One of the most recent major breaches exposed the credit card data of 5 million customers of Saks Fifth Avenue, Saks Off Fifth and Lord & Taylor, all subsidiaries of Hudson's Bay Company. Its other brands were not impacted. A JokerStache syndicate on March 28 announced that it had 5 million stolen credit and debit cards for sale on the Dark Web, according to a post by Gemini Advisory, a cybersecurity firm. The card theft dated back to May 2017 and likely involved 83 Saks Fifth Avenue locations, mostly New York and New Jersey Saks and Lord & Taylor stores, Gemini Advisory said. About 35,000 records of Saks Fifth Avenue and 90,000 records of Lord & Taylor customers already had been released by the syndicate, and Gemini Advisory expected more to be released over time. Delta Air Lines and Sears Holdings on April 4 separately announced that they were the victims of a data breach at a customer service online chat platform called [24.7] a.i. Sears said it was notified in mid-March about the incident, which involved access to credit card data of fewer than 100,000 customers between Sept. 27, 2017, and Oct. 12, 2017. However, customers using Sears-branded cards were not impacted. Sears said it immediately notified federal law enforcement, its banking partners and outside IT security firms, and that neither stores nor internal Sears systems were compromised. Delta said it was notified by the same firm on March 28, and that certain payment data for a "small subset" of customers from Sept. 26, 2017, to Oct. 12, 2017, had been accessed. Federal law enforcement and outside cyberforensic teams were brought in to help investigate the incident. The airline launched a website, delta.com/response, to post updates. Asleep at the Switch "While each incident is different, the overarching theme is poor cybersecurity hygiene, or fundamentals," said Andrew Howard, CTO at Kudelski Security. "None of these attacks appear to be overly sophisticated, but rather take advantage of mistakes and human error to gain access," he told the E-Commerce Times. A common thread across major companies is that no one has been thinking proactively across different threat vectors, observed Manoj Asnani, vice president of product and design at Balbix. "If we expect to see the problem minimized at any time in the near future," he told the E-Commerce Times, "enterprises are going to need to find a better way to cover all of their attack surfaces, and fix key issues ahead of the next breach happening." David Jones has been an ECT News Network reporter since 2015. His areas of focus include cybersecurity, e-commerce, open source, gaming, artificial intelligence and autonomous vehicles. He has written for numerous media outlets, including Reuters, Bloomberg, Crain's New York Business and The New York Times. Email David. Instantly delete email threats for Office 365 With the free app, 365 Threat Monitor, scan all emails as they reach your users' mailboxes to detect ransomware, phishing and spam. Get real-time phone alerts + security breach updates and delete threats instantly with just one click. Download now! Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg on Wednesday endured a second day of congressional criticism during a hearing of the House Energy and Commerce Committee. His appearance followed an intense session with the Senate Commerce and Judiciary Committees a day earlier. Some members of the House committee questioned whether Facebook tracked users offline. Some blasted what they claimed were repeated instances of censorship, alleging that legitimate conservative viewpoints were flagged as hate speech. Zuckerberg also faced a number of questions about whether Facebook had tracked the activity of non-Facebook users, or whether it had tracked members' activities after they logged off the site. Algorithm Angst Rep. Ben Lujan, D-N.M., asked Zuckerberg about the privacy rights of people who were not Facebook users, but whose data nevertheless was collected by Facebook. Zuckerberg denied knowledge of "shadow profiles" of people who were not Facebook members, but said that Facebook did collect data on non-members for security purposes, in part to prevent data scraping. Committee members questioned Zuckerberg repeatedly about several recent incidents they found troubling. In one case, they asked about Facebook's blocking of conservative vloggers Diamond and Silk as "unsafe." They also questioned Facebook's rejection of an ad from the Franciscan University of Steubenville, Ohio, that depicted the crucifixion of Jesus. Rep. Marsha Blackburn, R-Tenn., who chairs the Subcommittee on Communications and Technology, asked Zuckerberg if Facebook subjectively manipulated algorithms to prioritize or censor speech. Facebook does not think of what it does as censoring speech, Zuckerberg responded, saying the company works to protect the site from extreme behavior like terrorism. "Let me tell you something right now," Blackburn said. "Diamond and Silk is not terrorism." She later tweeted about plans to address Facebook algorithms in upcoming forums. I asked Mark Zuckerberg if Facebook subjectively manipulates algorithms to push their own agenda, and censor conservatives. We look forward to having another hearing on algorithms soon to address this important issue. https://t.co/BMeEW0WlXf Marsha Blackburn (@MarshaBlackburn) April 11, 2018 Blackburn and other representatives asked Zuckerberg if he supported regulations that would create new privacy rights for Facebook users, with some pointing to Europe's General Data Protection Regulation, which takes effect next month, as a model for protecting users from exploitation. While Zuckerberg said Facebook planned to extend its GDPR compliance globally, he appeared hesitant to make that commitment as an official guarantee. The questions lawmakers have posed to Zuckerberg over the past couple of days indicate that many members of Congress have a limited understanding of the intricacies of data collection, the use of algorithms, and the business models of Facebook and other social media companies. It's unclear whether Congress will be able to follow through on promises to legislate comprehensive privacy protections, observed Nate Cardozo, senior staff attorney at the Electronic Frontier Foundation. "We're skeptical of Congress' ability to get meaningful reforms passed," he told the E-Commerce Times, "but we look forward to reviewing any statutory language as it's proposed." Cambridge Analytica Fallout Meanwhile, as Zuckerberg was testifying in Congress, the board at Cambridge Analytica on Wednesday announced that acting Chief Executive Alexander Tayler would step down from his post and return to his former role as chief data officer. The resumption of his former post would allow him to focus on the various technical investigations and queries, the company said. It did not name a new acting CEO. The British Information Commissioner's Office executed a search warrant on Cambridge Analytica late last month and seized a large number of documents. The House of Commons Digital committee investigating fake news will hear return testimony next week from Alexander Nix, the suspended chief executive of Cambridge Analytica. David Jones has been an ECT News Network reporter since 2015. His areas of focus include cybersecurity, e-commerce, open source, gaming, artificial intelligence and autonomous vehicles. He has written for numerous media outlets, including Reuters, Bloomberg, Crain's New York Business and The New York Times. Email David. MELBOURNE Oxfam Australia has launched a campaign seeking 10,000 signatories to support a petition aimed at ensuring Australian department store chain, Myer pays textile workers a fair wage. The charity claims the retailer lags well behind in creating a fairer fashion industry and that some workers in the companies supply chain earn as little as 39 cents per hour. A Louisiana judge recently ruled that the state regulators violated guidelines when it issued Energy Transfer Partners' controversial Bayou Bridge pipeline a coastal use permit. The permit was issued for the last 18-mile stretch of the fracked oil pipeline that would have run through the riverside town of St. James Parish, where dozens of refineries and industrial facilities are already fueling a public health crisis in the mostly African-American community. The proposed 162-mile Bayou Bridge pipeline would connect the contentious Dakota Access Pipeline to the Gulf of Mexico. As noted by the Bridge the Gulf Project, the judge ruled that the permit granted by the state's Department of Natural Resources (DNR) was illegal because it did not take into consideration the impacts the project would have on the town. In his April 30 decision, made public on Monday, 23rd Judicial District Court Judge Alvin Turner Jr. held, "Once constructed, this pipeline has the potential to impact some of Louisiana's most coveted and ecologically sensitive areas such as the Atchafalaya Basin, as well as other wetlands through Louisiana." He also wrote, "the permit application does not include an emergency response plan nor does it address potential spills that may occur after construction once the pipeline is operational." Among other decisions, the court ordered DNR to require the pipeline builders "to develop effective environmental protection and emergency or contingency plans relative to evacuations in the event of a spill or other disaster." The plaintiffs include St. James residents, H.E.L.P. association, the Gulf Restoration Network, the Atchafalaya Basinkeeper and Bold Louisiana. They were represented by the Tulane Environmental Law Clinic. "Here in St. James, we are in desperate need for an evacuation plan that will allow us to get out fast when something spills or explodes," said Genevieve Butler, resident of St. James and petitioner in the lawsuit, in a statement received by EcoWatch. "More facilities keep coming, and each one puts us at more risk, but none of them want to do anything about our situation. Well, now Bayou Bridge has to step up. I hope all the others see this ruling as a sign that they have to give our community the protection we deserve." Pastor Harry Joseph of Mt. Triumph Baptist Church and another petitioner added, "It seems like the state agency didn't think too much about the people who live here when it was giving Bayou Bridge this permit, and neither did Bayou Bridge. So we went to court, to somebody who we felt would listen to us, and he did." In a Facebook post, pipeline opponents L'eau Est La Vie Camp heralded the ruling for "setting the stage for the suspension of a key permit that is needed to construct the Bayou Bridge Pipeline in St. James and other areas in eastern Louisiana." Patrick Courreges, a spokesman for DNR, told the Times-Picayune the agency's staff believed it was following the rules correctly under state law. "The court has ruled otherwise," he noted. It is unclear if the DNR will appeal the decision. Energy Transfer Partners spokeswoman Vicki Granado told the newspaper, "We do not typically comment on pending or current litigation. We would like to reiterate, however, that we will continue to follow all of the stipulations of our permits, as we have always done." The energy company has reported hundreds of thousands of gallons of spills from pipelines between 2015 and 2016, according to a report from the Louisiana Bucket Brigade and DisasterMap.net. Energy Transfer Partners and its subsidiary Sunoco have filed 69 accidents in two years to the National Response Center, the federal contact point for oil spills and industrial accidents. That's 2.8 accidents every month, the analysis said, adding that "these are just the accidents that are reported." The Defense Department has for the first time disclosed the locations of military installations where tap water or groundwater on or off base is contaminated with highly toxic fluorinated chemicals. But the list is incomplete, naming only locations where water is polluted above the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) "safe" level for tap water, which is well above levels found safe by independent scientists and regulations in a growing number of states. In a report to the House Armed Services Committee, the Pentagon listed 36 installations in 23 states and territories, as well as in five nations overseas, where tests found on-base drinking water contamination exceeding the EPA's lifetime health advisory for the fluorinated compounds PFOS and PFOA. In addition, the Pentagon identified 90 U.S. installations where PFOS or PFOA released on-base has contaminated groundwater. In many of these places, the contaminated water has migrated off-site, polluting nearby communities' tap water with fluorinated chemicals in concentrations above the EPA advisory level. Maureen Sullivan, a deputy assistant secretary of defense, provided the list to the Armed Services Committee in March. It was first reported April 27 by The Military Times, which said the list includes 50 Air Force bases, 49 Navy or Marine Corps bases, 25 Army bases and two Defense Logistics Agency sites. Some of the bases on the list are now closed and have been converted to civilian uses. The disclosure adds to the rapidly expanding number of known sites of fluorinated chemical contamination. Last month, the latest update of an interactive map from EWG and Northeastern University detailed fluorinated chemical contamination at 94 military or industrial sites in 22 states, and in public water systems serving 16.1 million Americans in 33 states and Puerto Rico. Those locations overlap with an undetermined number of sites on the Pentagon's list, which will be added to the map as more information becomes available. The EPA's advisory level is 70 parts per trillion, or ppt, for the combined level of PFOS and PFOA, but it is not an enforceable legal limit. New Jersey recently set the nation's lowest legal limit for PFOA in tap water, 14 ppt, which is expected to take effect next year. In 2016, Philippe Grandjean of the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health and Richard Clapp of the University of Massachusetts at Lowell published research concluding that an approximate safe dose of PFOA and/or PFOS in drinking water is 1 ppt. PFOS and PFOA are the two most notorious members of the chemical family of thousands of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, known as PFAS. They have been linked to several types of cancer, thyroid disease, weakened childhood immunity and other health problems. They were phased out under pressure from the EPA after revelations that their manufacturers covered up evidence of their environmental and health hazards, and they are now banned in the U.S. PFOS and PFOA were used for decades in hundreds of consumer products such as 3M's Scotchgard and DuPont's Teflon, but also in the firefighting foam used at military and civilian airports. The military is switching out firefighting foam with PFOS or PFOA, but is substituting foam that contains other fluorinated compounds whose chemical structures are very similar and that may be just as hazardous. The Military Times reported that Sullivan told the committee the Defense Department had moved quickly to shut down wells, install water filters and/or provide bottled water at the 24 contaminated bases where the military is the drinking water supplier. But because the EPA advisory level is not an enforceable standard, fixing the problem is moving slower at the 12 contaminated bases where a local utility or private contractor supplies the water. Sullivan told The Military Times that addressing the groundwater contamination will take even longer and cost billions of dollars, but the presentation to the committee said that process can't proceed until the EPA sets an enforceable cleanup standard. (Photo: Peter Kenny / Ecumenical News)World Council of Churches communications director Marianne Ejdersten (L) and Beatrice Fihn, executive director of ICAN (International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons) during a media conference at the Ecumenical Center in Geneva after it was announced ICAN had won tbe 2017 Nobel Peace Prize. The Korean Peninsula needs "A light of peace" as tensions there escalate again, and on Sunday Dec. 3, the World Council of Churches launches a campaign for a north Asian region and a world free of nuclear weapons. It is the first Sunday of Advent when Christians worldwide begin a period of sacrifice in preparation to celebrate the birth of Jesus. The WCC's social media campaign invites people all over the world to extend "A light of peace" for the Korean peninsula and the world. "The situation on the Korean peninsula continues to be tense," says WCC general secretary, Rev. Olav Fykse Tveit as peace-lovers scramble to find diplomacy as a means of deescalating tensions in the region. "As a Christian fellowship we must raise our voices against nuclear proliferation and express our solidarity with peoples living under the threat of armed conflict," he said. The campaign will be accompanied by common prayers for justice and peace for the peoples of Korea soon after North Korea launched a powerful new missile that landed in Japanese territorial waters. NOBEL PEACE PRIZE AWARD The campaign will coincide with the Nobel Peace Prize Award Ceremony in Oslo on the 2nd Sunday of Advent, Dec. 10, when the WCC's longtime partner, the International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons (ICAN) will receive the award. "Lighting candles and sharing prayers through social media sends a strong message of peace and solidarity from people around the world. It is an excellent opportunity to show unity and make our voices heard," says Tveit. "So, please join us in prayers and in social media in our journey for justice and peace." The campaign aims to revive public awareness about the unstable and dangerous situation on the Korean peninsula and the threat that nuclear weapons pose. The National Council of Churches Korea will from 3 to 9 December hold a candle-light prayer gathering at Seoul's Gwanghwamun square early each evening. PRAYER GATHERINGS Churches in South Korea will also hold prayer gatherings from Dec. 3 to 7 and on Dec. 9 at the YMCA in Seoul. The campaign seeks to raise public awareness about the peace-building role of the Churches and WCC's support of eliminating nuclear weapons. For decades the world has tightened sanctions against North Korea, but its campaign to be a nuclear power has proliferated. In a statement on Nov. 22, the WCC, however said, "While celebrating new steps taken towards global elimination of nuclear weapons, the Executive Committee also fears the cycle of confrontation on the Korean peninsula might slide into nuclear warfare." In a previous statement on Aug. 9, the WCC spoke out against sanctions, which are viewed as counterproductive, running counter to the U.S. administration of President Donald Trump who seeks to ramp up sanctions perennially in quest that still shows no results. The WCC urged the international community to instead adopt measures which can contribute to creating the necessary context for dialogue and a constructive defusing of tensions on the Korean peninsula. The extraordinary wave of teacher strikes highlights these crucial but often forgotten facts: In number, teachers are the largest profession in the United States. And collectively, they have the power to demand and win changes to funding and salaries. Its a stark reminder in an era characterized by diminishing labor influence. And yet political scientists, researchers, and labor-watchers say its tough to predict how teachers reawakened activism will continue to evolve. Teachers are very humble. They just go about their businesswe do the best with what we have and we dont complain, said Alberto Morejon, a teacher and the grassroots organizer of the Oklahoma walkout last month. But now, People are finally realizing what were dealing with. They didnt know the truth, and now they know the truth. Its slowly going to spread around the country. Perhaps, but there are other possibilities, too. The activism could fade slowly away, as Occupy Wall Street and other protest movements of the past decade did. Or it could find a more permanent channel for its energy, perhaps through the regeneration of teachers unionswhich are facing the probable loss of dollars and members as the result of an upcoming U.S. Supreme Court decision. With Arizona teachers seemingly inking another winGov. Doug Ducey signed a 20 percent pay raise into law alongside an education funding increase last weekeyes are turning toward North Carolina, where teachers are preparing for a May 16 walkout. Here are summaries of some of the strikes implications for policy, salaries, and the teachers unions. Effects on Salaries and Funding More than anything else, the strikes have brought widespread attention to the fact that teachers in Arizona, Oklahoma, and West Virginia had among the lowest take-home pay in the country. That the strikes have occurred in states with histories of tax cuts is no surprise. The bulk of school spending goes to personnel, and so over a time, a smaller spending pie translates into diminishing pay. (Some economists have also noted the tendency of districts to hire more aides and nonclassroom staff as a factor in low pay.) One of the striking teachers innovations, particularly in Arizona and Oklahoma, has been to make the link between teacher pay and overall school funding explicit, policy experts note. Your run-of-the-mill teacher strike revolves almost squarely around salaries, said Michael Hansen, the director of the Brown Center on Education Policy at the Brookings Institution, a Washington think tank. In Oklahoma, where they got half of what they were asking for on salaries, but kept striking [for education funding]to me, that feels qualitatively different. Whats not clear is whether the shorter-term salary hikes theyve won in the states will help shake down solutions to long-term, structural budget issues. Anti-tax fervor is so prevalent in Arizona, Colorado, and Oklahoma that each state makes passing legislation to raise taxes a political odyssey. And while national polls show that a majority of Americans support the teachers efforts in theory, thats a far cry from favoring higher taxes in practice. Largely lost in the debate about teacher pay, meanwhile, is that state education budgets are increasingly being allocated to the rising costs of health care and pensions, putting downward pressure on salaries, said Martin West, an associate professor of education at the Harvard Graduate School of Education. Balancing those competing priorities poses no easy solutions, but as the Kentucky walkouts proved, attempts to alter things like pensions without consulting with teachers first are likely to be met with consequences. Its fair to say that if youre a competent or especially a good teacher and looked at your paycheck, you feel massively underpaid, and Ive got no quarrel with that, said Frederick Hess, the director of education policy studies at the American Enterprise Institute, a right-leaning think tank. Its also true that these teachers cost a boatload more than they realize to taxpayers when benefits are taken into account. Policy experts have struggled to explain why most of the strikes have occurred in states where unions are weaker. It could be a function of pay decisions being more local in stronger union states, higher salaries overall, or possibly because states such as California, New York, and Oregon tend to lean Democratic and thus unions there enjoy better relationships with lawmakers. Narrow Policy Focus One of the most conspicuous elements of the walkouts is their comparatively narrow focus on school spending, not on other education policies. It is a strong contrast to the 2012 Chicago strike, in which issues of teacher seniority and evaluation were front and center, and a sharp turn away from the dominant focus of the past decade. Evaluation of teachers, in part based on test scores, was unquestionably a central concern of the Obama administration. And as the issue gained momentum in states, it was paired with the not-so-subtle implication, fueled by the mainstream media, that too many teachers werent up to the job. The new federal law, the Every Student Succeeds Act, undid requirements related to evaluations, leaving those decisions up to states. And by focusing on the much more traditional issue of wages, the recent wave of teacher activism could fuel retrenchment. Notably, the Oklahoma and West Virginia lawmakers who have cut deals with striking teachers havent tried to attach any performance-related strings to them. Even supporters [of teacher-performance policies] want to keep those efforts under the radar screen, and thats why youre not seeing people connecting the issue of teacher compensation and performance in this outbreak of labor unrest, West said. The tenor of media coverage has changed, too. If it hasnt entirely avoided the temptation to sentimentalize teachers, it has nevertheless succeeded in illustrating the hard realities that teachers in the states with strikes have faced: disintegrating classrooms, decades-old textbooks, and the necessity of holding second jobs. The political implications of the activism, meanwhile, are still unfolding. Democrats are hoping to capitalize on the momentum among teachers in the midterm elections, but teacher activism doesnt always fall along traditional political lines. Take Oklahoma teachers, who lean Republican but clearly dont hold to the state partys anti-tax orthodoxy. In a sense, the striking teachers are displaying their own distinct and independent breed of populism: Automation and trade may not be taking their jobs, but they feel equally left out of the post-2008 economic recovery. Weve spent 18 months talking about working-class and middle-class Americans who have been overlooked. If youre thinking about those folks, teachers are sort of exhibits 1-A, Hess said. Its a question few have bothered to ask yet: Are the strikes the beginning of a long-awaited and long-promised renewal of teacher unionism, or are they a crystal-ball glimpse into a world in which grassroots groups, not the teachers unions, dominate organizing? On the one hand, the strikes prove how powerful organizing can be. Activists and unions alike are sharing what theyve learned about new organizing tactics and strategies, which are heavily dependent on social media rather than traditional door-knocking. Yet the strikes have been prompted by independent activistssome union members and some notwhile the teachers unions have played an important, but secondary role. They have lent key support, communications assistance, and focus to the protests, but have not been catalysts. If we were going to build a movement to have the power to actually get a strike, it had to be bigger than any one organization. It needed to be a place where the grassroots could communicate, said Ryan Frankenberry, a former AFT West Virginia political director and one of the core activists in that state. Having worked for [a teachers union] before, I knew they would respond to their membership, and they absolutely did. But you have to have people buying into it for their own reasons before it gets to the organization level. The relationships between activists and labor unions have often been productive, but they have also generated some tension. In Oklahoma, some teacher-activists are bristling at how the state unions leadership handled the strike and are now calling for impeaching its officers. The Future of Unions Where does all that leave unions in general? To the extent that the unions are really a viable and important player here, I think the likelihood is that these strikes strengthen the unions, said Bill Raabe, a former longtime National Education Association staffer, now a consultant. The challenge becomes if the union is viewed as a bit player. It is not merely an academic question. Bargaining is prohibited in Arizona, while labor-representation fees cannot be collected from nonmembers in Colorado, Oklahoma, or West Virginia. And a looming Supreme Court decision, Janus v. AFSCME, could end unions ability to charge such fees for good elsewhere. So the unions face tough choices, including whether they will move away from the service model that has characterized them for the past few decades (for instance, the emphasis on offering members liability insurance) and move more fully toward an organizing model. If they do, the recent strikes offer clues about some strategies unions might think about emulating, Raabe said, including having a clear, concise message, communicating effectively, and finding those issues that spur teachers to passionate response. Frankenberry concurred. Ive had this conversation with a couple of labor leaders across the country. Basically my answer is that you have to know your membership and be engaged, and not just through the traditional hierarchical structure. Its easy to fall into that. There are lessons for the activists to learn from labor, too, noted Julia Koppich, a longtime labor analyst and consultantlike knowing when further wins arent viable. One of the things I learned many, many years ago is when you go on strike, you have to know how youre going to get back in. You have to know when it ends, she said. I think for the grassroots teachers who want to be in their classrooms teaching, they cant sustain this kind of energy around the fights that need to be had, without at some point the unions being involved. Company vows better services at Gongabu Lhotse Multipurpose company that manages the New Bus Park at Gongabu on Monday promised to set up a proper platform for commuters and offer efficient services.Their announcement follows the transport ministrys massive crackdown on transport cartels. WASHINGTON, D.C., May 8, 2018 -- It's very difficult to determine when, how and why human language began. While fossil primates provide important clues about human evolution, the sounds they made and the soft tissue involved in making those sounds weren't preserved. But chimpanzees -- one of our closest living relatives -- provide important points of comparison for inferring the sorts of sounds our early ancestors may have made. During the 175th Meeting of the Acoustical Society of America, being held May 7-11, 2018, in Minneapolis, Minnesota, Michael Wilson, an associate professor at the University of Minnesota, will present his group's work searching for similarities between the vocal communications of chimpanzees and humans. "Chimpanzees give a range of different calls: hoots, pant-hoots, pant-grunts, pant-barks, rough-grunts, nest-grunts, alarm barks, waa-barks, wraas, screams, copulation screams, and soft panting play sounds (a.k.a. laughter)," Wilson said. "Many of these calls grade into one another, and it can be difficult to categorize particular examples of some calls." Wilson's group works with new and archival recordings of chimpanzees from Gombe National Park in Tanzania, the site where Jane Goodall, renowned primatologist and anthropologist, began the first long-term field study of chimpanzees. "When Jane gives public talks, she often begins by giving a pant-hoot: a loud call that begins with an introduction, followed by a build-up, a climax and a let-down. Much of the work on chimpanzee vocalizations has focused on pant-hoots because they're loud, conspicuous, and seem to be important," Wilson said. For their work, Wilson's group records calls from chimpanzees at Gombe using hand-held directional microphones and digital recorders. And, until recently, they applied simple statistical models -- such as principal components analysis -- to small sets of features like the duration of different call components, fundamental frequency, and frequency range. "More recently, my student Nisarg Desai has adapted techniques from speech technology, such as machine learning models, to better categorize calls," Wilson said. Chimpanzee vocal communication is also interesting because it "raises questions about the evolution of signaling and social behavior," Wilson said. "Do chimpanzee pant-hoots inform other chimpanzees about good food patches, signal community membership, or individual identity, body size, or health?" The group's findings so far suggest that chimpanzee vocalizations resemble human language less than you'd expect. For example, Wilson's student Lisa O'Bryan studied food-associated rough-grunt calls at Gombe and in a group of captive chimpanzees in Texas. "In contrast to some previous studies, which reported that rough-grunts vary acoustically in ways that could inform other chimpanzees about food quality, she found that within rough-grunt sequences to a given food type, chimpanzees produce a range of rough-grunt variants -- suggesting there is no consistent match between acoustic features and food quality," Wilson said. And, it turns out, "chimpanzee vocal communication isn't particularly languagelike," Wilson said. "This is surprising, given that chimpanzees resemble us in so many other ways. But it seems that the key events in language evolution occurred well after the divergence of the chimpanzee and hominin (primate) lineages. In this case, language likely evolved due to uniquely human circumstances." ### Presentation 2aSC1 "Tracking chimpanzee pant-hoot changes across time and space" by Michael Wilson is at 8:45 a.m. CDT, May 8, 2018, in room Nicollet D1 at the Hyatt Regency Minneapolis. MORE MEETING INFORMATION The 175th Meeting of the Acoustical Society of America The meeting is being held May 7-11, 2018, in Minneapolis, Minnesota. USEFUL LINKS Main meeting website: http://acousticalsociety.org/asa-meetings/ Technical program: http://acousticalsociety.org/program-of-175th-meeting-of-the-acoustical-society-of-america/ Meeting/Hotel site: http://acousticalsociety.org/asa-meetings/ Press Room: http://acoustics.org/world-wide-press-room/ WORLD WIDE PRESS ROOM In the coming weeks, ASA's Worldwide Press Room will be updated with additional tips on dozens of newsworthy stories and with lay language papers, which are 300- to 500-word summaries of presentations written by scientists for a general audience and accompanied by photos, audio and video. You can visit the site during the meeting at http://acoustics.org/current-meeting/. PRESS REGISTRATION We will grant free registration to credentialed journalists and professional freelance journalists. If you are a reporter and would like to attend, contact Emilie Lorditch (elorditc@aip.org, 301-209-3029), who can also help with setting up interviews and obtaining images, sound clips or background information. LIVE MEDIA WEBCAST A press briefing featuring a selection of newsworthy research will be webcast live from the conference on Tuesday, May 8, 2018; register at http://aipwebcasting.com/webcast/registration/518asa.php to watch online. Topics and times to be announced. ABOUT THE ACOUSTICAL SOCIETY OF AMERICA The Acoustical Society of America (ASA) is the premier international scientific society in acoustics devoted to the science and technology of sound. Its 7,000 members worldwide represent a broad spectrum of the study of acoustics. ASA publications include The Journal of the Acoustical Society of America (the world's leading journal on acoustics), Acoustics Today magazine, books, and standards on acoustics. The society also holds two major scientific meetings each year. For more information about ASA, visit our website at http://www.acousticalsociety.org. Researchers are working to synchronize cochlear implant signals to provide a more realistic hearing experience for deaf adults and children WASHINGTON, D.C., May 8, 2018 -- Using both ears to hear increases speech recognition and improves sound localization. In essence, it helps you to identify a friend's voice so you can follow her amusing anecdote over the din of a cocktail party. Ruth Litovsky, a researcher at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, wants to bring this advantage to people who use cochlear implants. "Twenty years ago, [the medical community] decided to give [deaf] people two implants, one in each ear, to see if it would improve their ability to hear better in noisy environments, so that children could integrate into classrooms and adults into the workplace more easily," Litovsky said. "I believe bilateral implantation has had a significant, positive impact on their quality of life, but they still struggle with noisy environments." During the 175th Meeting of the Acoustical Society of America, being held May 7-11, 2018, in Minneapolis, Minnesota, Litovsky will present data showing a new technique that synchronizes the cochlear signals that stimulate the brain in a way that is similar to people who can hear normally. "The first time I present a [deaf] child or adult with sounds that are truly coordinated, their face lights up as they experience that aha! moment where they truly hear stereo sound," Litovsky said. "The goal is to make this method work outside the lab, but it remains a challenge from an engineering point of view." According to Litovsky, the brain acts like a little computer. It uses synchronized information to calculate the difference as sound waves arrive at each ear from different locations. These mental calculations help people locate sounds and separate speech from noise. Currently, individual cochlear implants send information to the brain independently, but the brain does not integrate the signals in an optimal way. Cochlear implants do not restore the ear's ability to pick up soundwaves. Rather, these surgically implanted devices bypass the damaged inner ear and translate sound into electrical pulses that stimulate the auditory nerve. The Food and Drug Administration has approved the implants in children as young as one year of age. Litovsky is committed to synchronizing auditory experiences especially for young children. The brain loses plasticity during development, so it is harder to learn to synchronize sounds later in life. Now, the engineering setup for the technique is limited to the laboratory, but she hopes that researchers can eventually partner with implant manufacturers to make synchronous hearing a reality. For Litovsky, being able to get to know deaf adults and children and seeing how their lives are improved by the implants makes all of these challenges worth the struggle. ### Presentation 2aPP9 "Restoring binaural and spatial hearing in cochlear implant users," by Ruth Litovsky, is at 10:55 a.m. CDT, May 8, 2018 in room Nicollet D2 at the Hyatt Regency Minneapolis. MORE MEETING INFORMATION The 175th Meeting of the Acoustical Society of America The meeting is being held May 7-11, 2018, in Minneapolis, Minnesota. USEFUL LINKS Main meeting website: http://acousticalsociety.org/asa-meetings/ Technical program: http://acousticalsociety.org/program-of-175th-meeting-of-the-acoustical-society-of-america/ Meeting/Hotel site: http://acousticalsociety.org/asa-meetings/ Press Room: http://acoustics.org/world-wide-press-room/ WORLD WIDE PRESS ROOM In the coming weeks, ASA's Worldwide Press Room will be updated with additional tips on dozens of newsworthy stories and with lay language papers, which are 300- to 500-word summaries of presentations written by scientists for a general audience and accompanied by photos, audio and video. You can visit the site during the meeting at http://acoustics.org/current-meeting/. PRESS REGISTRATION We will grant free registration to credentialed journalists and professional freelance journalists. If you are a reporter and would like to attend, contact Emilie Lorditch (elorditc@aip.org, 301-209-3029), who can also help with setting up interviews and obtaining images, sound clips or background information. LIVE MEDIA WEBCAST A press briefing featuring a selection of newsworthy research will be webcast live from the conference on Tuesday, May 8, 2018; register at http://aipwebcasting.com/webcast/registration/518asa.php to watch online. Topics and times to be announced. ABOUT THE ACOUSTICAL SOCIETY OF AMERICA The Acoustical Society of America (ASA) is the premier international scientific society in acoustics devoted to the science and technology of sound. Its 7,000 members worldwide represent a broad spectrum of the study of acoustics. ASA publications include The Journal of the Acoustical Society of America (the world's leading journal on acoustics), Acoustics Today magazine, books, and standards on acoustics. The society also holds two major scientific meetings each year. For more information about ASA, visit our website at http://www.acousticalsociety.org. CINCINNATI - Researchers tissue-engineered human pancreatic islets in a laboratory that develop a circulatory system, secrete hormones like insulin and successfully treat sudden-onset type 1 diabetes in transplanted mice. In a study published by Cell Reports, the scientists use a new bioengineering process they developed called a self-condensation cell culture. The technology helps nudge medical science closer to one day growing human organ tissues from a person's own cells for regenerative therapy, say study investigators at Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center in the U.S. and Yokohama City University (YCU) in Japan. "This method may serve as a principal curative strategy for treating type 1 diabetes, of which there are 79,000 new diagnoses per year," said Takanori Takebe, MD, a physician-scientist at the Cincinnati Children's Center for Stem Cell and Organoid Medicine. "This is a life-threatening disease that never goes away, so developing effective and possibly permanent therapeutic approaches would help millions of children and adults around the world." Takebe, who has a dual appointment in the Department of Regenerative Medicine at YCU, stressed the technology needs additional research before it can be used therapeutically in a clinic. He is the study's co-lead investigator along with YCU colleague, Hideki Taniguchi, MD, PhD. Getting out of Nature's Way Scientists tested their processing system with donated human organ cells (pancreas, heart, brain, etc.), with mouse organ cells and with induced pluripotent stem cells (iPS). Reprogrammed from a person's adult cells (like skin cells), iPS cells act like embryonic cells and can form any tissue type in the body. The tissue-engineering process also uses two types of embryonic-stage progenitor cells, which support formation of the body and its specific organs. The progenitor cells are mesenchymal stem cells (MSNs) and human umbilical vascular endothelial cells (HUVECs). Using either donated organ cells, mouse cells or iPS cells, the researchers combined these with MSNs, HUVECs along with other genetic and biochemical material that cue the formation of pancreatic islets. In conditions that nourish and nurture the cells, the ingredients condensed and self-organized into pancreatic islets. After the tissue-engineered islets were transplanted into humanized mouse models of severe type 1 diabetes, they resolved the animals' disease, report researchers. Blood Source Challenge Human pancreatic islets already can be transplanted into diabetic patients for treatment. Unfortunately, the engraftment success rate is relatively low because the tissues lose their vascularization and blood supply as islets are being processed before transplant. This makes it difficult to get the maximum health benefit for patients getting these procedures, the authors write. And although stem cell-based tissue engineering has tremendous therapeutic potential, its future clinical use still faces the critical challenge of ensuring a blood supply to nourish the transplanted tissues, according to researchers. "We need a strategy that ensures successful engraftment through the timely development of vascular networks," said Taniguchi. "We demonstrate in this study that the self-condensation cell culturing system promotes tissue vascularization." Pancreatic islets tissue-engineered in the current generated by the process not only quickly developed a vascular network after transplant into animal models of type 1 diabetes, the tissues also functioned efficiently as part of the endocrine system--secreting hormones like insulin and stabilizing glycemic control in the animals. Takebe's and Taniguchi's research team already demonstrated the ability to use a "self-condensation" cell culture process using iPS cells to tissue engineer three-dimensional human liver organoids that can vascularize after transplant into laboratory mice. But the ability to generate organ tissue fragments that vascularize in the body--like pancreatic islets--had been an elusive goal until the current study, investigators said. ### Funding support came from PRESTO and the Japan Science and Technology Agency (JST); Grants-in-Aid from the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology of Japan (24106510, 24689052, 21249071, 25253079); AMED through its Research Center Network for Realization of Regenerative Medicine; the Japan IDDM network; a PHS Grant (P30 DK078392) through the Digestive Disease Research Core Center and from the Center for Clinical & Translational Science and Training at Cincinnati Children's. Takebe is a New York Stem Cell Foundation- Robertson Investigator. Takebe and Taniguchi have served on scientific advisory boards for Healios Inc., which has been granted licenses to this technology through YCU. Brazilian researchers combine chip technology with laser calibration to enhance an infrared spectrometer which could be integrated to drones, smartphones and other portable devices Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectrometers, among the most frequently used research tools to identify and analyze chemicals, are too large to be used in the field to detect compounds. Several attempts have been made to develop miniaturized FTIR spectrometers for integration into drones to monitor greenhouse gases remotely, for example, or for integration into smartphones and other devices. However, current miniaturized devices are costly to produce and therefore cannot be widely used. Scientists at the University of Campinas's Device Research Laboratory (LPD-UNICAMP) in Brazil, collaborating with colleagues at the University of California San Diego in the United States, have overcome these constraints by developing an FTIR spectrometer based on silicon photonics, the technology currently used to produce chips for computers, smartphones and other electronic devices. Resulting from Mario Cesar Mendes Machado de Souza's PhD research and a research internship abroad, supported by scholarships from the Sao Paulo Research Foundation - FAPESP and supervised by Professor Newton Frateschi, the new spectrometer is described in an article published in Nature Communications. Souza is the article's lead author and thought up the project. "Silicon photonics offers a platform for the fabrication of affordable high-performance miniaturized spectrometers," he said. According to Souza, FTIR spectroscopy identifies chemicals using an infrared light source to measure absorption. A sample is exposed to different wavelengths of infrared light, and the spectrometer measures which wavelengths are absorbed. The computer takes these raw absorption data and conducts a mathematical process known as the Fourier transform to generate an absorbance pattern or spectrum, which is compared to a library of spectra for chemical compounds to find a match. Various projects have appeared in recent years to develop an FTIR spectrometer based on integrated photonics, which uses light especially in the infrared spectrum, but progress had so far been scant owing to several technical challenges, Souza explained. One of these challenges is the highly dispersive profile of silicon waveguides, meaning that each wavelength travels at a different speed in this material and hence has a different refractive index. The refractive indices of optical waveguides in silicon can be "tuned" by means of the thermo-optical effect, which involves passing a current over the waveguide in order to heat it. Because the device has to be operated at high temperatures in order to achieve high resolution, this technique becomes non-linear in the sense that changes in temperature correlate with disproportionate changes in the refractive index. "In practice, what happens when a thermo-optical effect is applied to a silicon-based infrared spectrometer with integrated photonics is that the Fourier transform mathematical operations used to convert the radiation spectrum data collected produce completely wrong results," Souza explained. The researchers succeeded in overcoming these challenges by creating a laser calibration method to quantify and correct the distortions caused by silicon waveguide dispersion and non-linearity. As a proof of concept, they developed a 1 mm FTIR spectrometer chip based on standard silicon photonics fabrication procedures. The chip was tested in the laboratory, producing a broadband spectrum with a resolution of 0.38 terahertz (THz), which is comparable with the resolution of commercially available portable spectrometers that operate in the same wavelength range, according to the researchers. "The device we developed is far from optimized but still achieves resolutions comparable with those of the portable free-space optics-based spectrometers available in the market today," Souza said. The researchers now plan to engineer a device that is totally functional and integrated with photodetectors, light sources and optical fibers. "Our goal is to integrate the light source and the spectrometer's detector into the same platform," Souza said. ### 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. The Philippines teems with biodiversity: 657 bird species roam and fly throughout the country's 7,641 islands, and over 2,000 fish species swim in the surrounding seas. But beyond these beaked and scaly creatures, the Philippines is also home to the world's greatest concentration per square mile of unique mammal species. One of these species -- a shrew found around 5,000 feet above sea level -- may give us some clues as to what makes the Philippines an ideal environment for mammals. Palawanosorex muscorum, known more informally as the Palawan moss shrew, was recently identified by a team of researchers, including Larry Heaney, Negaunee Curator of Mammals at the Field Museum in Chicago, in a Journal of Mammalogy paper. First spotted in 2007 by the late Danilo "Danny" Balete, field survey leader and research associate at the Field Museum, the Palawan moss shrew has a slender, pointed snout and dark coat. Unlike other shrews, its tail is covered in dense fur rather than visible scales. With broad forefeet and long claws, the Palawan moss shrew digs through humus in search of its favorite snack: earthworms. Rainer Hutterer, the paper's lead author, analyzed these anatomical traits to determine that the Palawan moss shrew was a distinct species. Heaney emphasizes that the Philippines is such a hotbed for mammalian biodiversity that finding the Palawan moss shrew didn't exactly shock him and his team: "In many ways, finding this species was exactly what we had expected." Co-author Jacob Esselstyn from the LSU Museum of Natural Science adds, "It provides some clues about how small mammals have evolved and moved between Asia and Africa." In other words, the Palawan moss shrew might help us figure out how the Philippines' many mammal species got there in the first place. Another clue: The Palawan moss shrew's home is a hotbed within a hotbed. Mt. Mantalingahan, a mountain on Palawan Island in the Philippines, is habitat to three unique mammal species, including the shrew. "There are entire countries that don't have three unique mammal species -- so for there to be three species on one mountain, on one island, in one country is really something," Heaney emphasizes. What accounts for this species richness? Mt. Mantalingahan, Heaney explains, is a "sky island." While that might sound like something straight out of a sci-fi novel, "sky islands" are real ecological phenomena -- isolated mountaintops home to distinct habitats separate from the lowlands and neighboring mountains. These "sky islands" create hubs of biodiversity, allowing for multiple ecosystems -- and, by extension, a wider range of species -- to coexist within a single geographic area. These "sky islands" might help explain why mammalian biodiversity thrives in the Philippines specifically. "There could be many new species on these high mountainous regions in the Philippines, but because they are so high, and hard to get to, knowledge of their existence is awfully limited," Heaney says. Learning what species dwell in these mountains, Heaney notes, isn't only helpful for zoologists and ecologists. For those who live and work in Palawan, which constitutes the Philippines' largest province, protecting the Palawan moss shrew and Mt. Mantalingahan hits even closer to home -- it's a matter of personal and economic safety. Mt. Mantalingahan, in addition to being a "sky island," functions as a crucial watershed, regulating the flow of water in Palawan through natural processes. In Mt. Mantalingahan's case, humus -- the low-density mountainous soil the Palawan moss shrew digs through -- acts as a sponge, holding water from the frequent rainfall high-elevation places tend to experience. Deforesting these "sky islands" bears grave repercussions. "That's where most of the water comes from that people in the lowlands depend on," Heaney warns. "In deforested areas, when a typhoon hits, it kills thousands of people and animals, and destroys buildings. And if water isn't being released slowly from the mountains, you'll have less of it in the dry season, causing drought. If you want to protect your watersheds, you've got to protect your habitats." Built on agriculture, fishing, and tourism, Palawan's economy depends greatly on the steady flow of water -- from where the Palawan moss shrew lives, to where nearly three-quarters of a million people live. Today, much of the Palawan moss shrew's habitat remains undisturbed by human activity. And both it -- and we -- stand to benefit from keeping it that way. "Sometimes it's presented that environmental concerns and economic development are at odds with each other. That's false," Heaney asserts. "Smart economic development means not creating situations that cause mass damage as a result." Beyond the economic implications of the shrew's discovery, Heaney says he hopes the new species sparks excitement among the Filipino and international scientific communities, which in turn can help encourage research, conservation, and advocacy efforts. "People in the world get excited about the cool things that live in their country," Heaney says. "The fact that the Philippines is such a unique hotspot for mammalian diversity is something people should be aware of, something that people can take pride in." ### Palawanosorex muscorum was identified by the following team of scientists: Rainer Hutterer from the Zoologisches Forschungsmuseum Alexander Koenig (Germany), Danilo Balete from the Field Museum, Thomas Giarla from Siena College, Larry Heaney from the Field Museum, and Jacob Esselstyn from Louisiana State University. BOSTON -- Researchers from Hebrew SeniorLife's Institute for Aging Research, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Brown University, and Yale School of Nursing have reported that patients who develop delirium (an acute decline of cognitive functioning) during or after a hospital stay report more distress than those who do not. The same goes for family members of patients who have experienced delirium - they also report more distress than family members of patients who have not experienced delirium. To uncover these results, scientists administered the Delirium Burden (DEL-B) questionnaire to measure and study the distress caused by delirium in both patients and their families. They then weighed these results against questionnaires from patients and families who did not experience an episode of delirium. Researchers also found that caregivers experienced more distress when their loved one developed delirium than the patient themselves. Beyond this, they discovered that the severity of the delirium episode may also play a role in the amount of distress caused. The results of this study were published today in The Gerontologist. Annie Racine, PhD, Postdoctoral Research Fellow at the Institute for Aging Research and first author of the study said, "We've known for some time that delirium is often a distressing experience for patients and their caregivers, but we haven't previously had a reliable and validated way to measure or quantify that experience". Sharon Inouye, MD, MPH, Director of the Aging Brain Center at the Institute for Aging Research and senior author of the paper added, "These DEL-B questionnaires are an important step for the field, enabling measurement of the lived experience of delirium. We hope these instruments will help clinicians and researchers identify ways to make delirium less distressing both for patients and their families." In response to this study, the authors suggest that an important goal going forward would be to understand which parts of the delirium experience make it so distressing, and find ways to improve the experience for patients and family members alike. The DEL-B questionnaire could be an important tool in subsequent clinical trials to help find solutions to the distress caused by delirium. ### Research reported in this publication was supported by the National Institute on Aging of the National Institutes of Health under Award Numbers R01AG044518, R24AG054259, K07AG041835, P01AG031730, R01AG030618, K24AG035075, and T32AG023480. The content is solely the responsibility of the authors and does not necessarily represent the official views of the National Institutes of Health. About Institute for Aging Research Scientists at the Institute for Aging Research seek to transform the human experience of aging by conducting research that will ensure a life of health, dignity and productivity into advanced age. The Institute carries out rigorous studies that discover the mechanisms of age-related disease and disability; lead to the prevention, treatment and cure of disease; advance the standard of care for older people; and inform public decision-making. The Musculoskeletal Center within IFAR studies conditions affecting bone, muscle, and joint health with aging. About Hebrew SeniorLife Hebrew SeniorLife, an affiliate of Harvard Medical School, is a national senior services leader uniquely dedicated to rethinking, researching and redefining the possibilities of aging. Based in Boston, the non-profit, non-sectarian organization has provided communities and health care for seniors, research into aging, and education for geriatric care providers since 1903. For more information about Hebrew SeniorLife, visit http://www.hebrewseniorlife.org, follow us on Twitter @H_SeniorLife, like us on Facebook or read our blog. New Orleans, LA - The Louisiana Tumor Registry (LTR) at LSU Health New Orleans School of Public Health has been awarded a one-year $1.8 million contract by the National Cancer Institute (NCI) to continue its work as a SEER (Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results) Program-designated cancer registry. The award includes options for an additional nine years of funding for a total award of $17,681,015 if all options are exercised. There are now 16 competitively awarded SEER cancer registries in the United States. "The SEER Program is one of the most authoritative sources of information on cancer incidence and survival in the United States," said Dr. Larry Hollier, Chancellor of LSU Health New Orleans. "Continued designation recognizes the excellence of our Louisiana Tumor Registry and confirms the exceptionally high quality of its data." NCI's SEER Program collects cancer incidence and survival data from population-based cancer registries. Quality control has been an integral part of SEER since its inception, and its data serve a critical role as a platform for research on emerging cancer issues, as well as health disparities, access to and quality of care, geographic determinants and more. "The SEER Program is one of NCI's most important data collection and dissemination activities," says Robert T. Croyle, PhD, Director of NCI's Division of Cancer Control and Population Sciences. "In addition to providing essential information for tracking the nation's progress against cancer, SEER data and data analysis tools provide researchers with unique opportunities to explore and explain cancer trends. The impact of SEER on science, policy, and practice reflects both the quality of the data collected and the creative expertise of the many scientists who use it." The primary function of a cancer registry is to record the occurrence of cancer in a population. As with all SEER registries, information collected by LTR includes demographic data, tumor characteristics (including cancer type, biomarkers, and stage of disease), treatment, and survival. Information on risk factors and causes is usually not available from the reporting sources. However, data from the registry often provides clues to be pursued in special research studies conducted by qualified scientists with external funding. The awards during the new funding period will broaden the type of research the LTR infrastructure can support by enabling the collection of more clinically relevant data to complement clinical trials, basic and translational cancer research. "The successful receipt of this award is attributable to our strong application, competent and hard-working LTR team, a well-functioning infrastructure, and outstanding performance in the past SEER funding period," notes Xiao-Cheng Wu, MD, MPH, Professor and Director of the Louisiana Tumor Registry at LSU Health New Orleans School of Public Health. "The Louisiana Tumor Registry has advanced so much in the implementation of electronic pathology reporting, collecting timely, complete, and high-quality data, as well as building infrastructure to support cancer research with funding from NCI's SEER program. This ten-year contract will give us opportunities to further enhance our infrastructure by exploring new mechanisms to auto extract more clinically relevant data from electronic clinical documents, collect patient-report data, as well as biospecimen samples for cancer research, and will expand the use of registry data through collaborations with researchers. I want to thank the administration of LSU Health New Orleans and host institutes for their unfailing support over the years. I also want to thank all LTR central and regional staff for their dedication and diligent work. I also want to express my gratitude to LSU Health New Orleans Emeritus Professor Dr. Vivien Chen, the former director of Louisiana Tumor Registry, for her notable contribution to the LTR's development." ### LSU Health Sciences Center New Orleans educates Louisiana's health care professionals. The state's flagship health sciences university, LSU Health New Orleans includes a School of Medicine, the state's only School of Dentistry, Louisiana's only public School of Public Health, and Schools of Allied Health Professions, Nursing, and Graduate Studies. LSU Health New Orleans faculty take care of patients in public and private hospitals and clinics throughout the region. In the vanguard of biosciences research in a number of areas in a worldwide arena, the LSU Health New Orleans research enterprise generates jobs and enormous economic impact. LSU Health New Orleans faculty have made lifesaving discoveries and continue to work to prevent, advance treatment, or cure disease. To learn more, visit http://www.lsuhsc.edu, http://www.twitter.com/LSUHSCHealth or http://www.facebook.com/LSUHSC. Biological invasions are widely recognised as one of the most significant components of global change. Far-reaching and fast-spreading, they often have harmful effects on biodiversity. Therefore, acquiring knowledge of potentially invasive non-native species is crucial in current research. In particular, it is important that we enhance our understanding of the impact of such invasions. To do so, Prof Sabrina Lo Brutto and Dr Davide Iaciofano, both working at the Taxonomy Laboratory of the University of Palermo, Italy, performed research on an invasive alien crustacean (Ptilohyale littoralis) known to have colonised the Atlantic European Coast. Their findings are published in the open access journal ZooKeys. The studied species belongs to a group of small-sized crustaceans known as amphipods. These creatures range from 1 to 340 mm in length and feed on available organic matter, such as dead animals and plants. Being widely distributed across aquatic environments, amphipods have already been proven as excellent indicators of ecosystem health. While notable for their adaptability and ecological plasticity, which secure their abundance in various habitats, these features also make amphipods especially dangerous when it comes to playing the role of invaders. Having analysed specimens stored at the Museum of Natural History of Verona and the Natural History Museum in Paris, the scientists concluded that the species has colonised European waters 24 years prior to the currently available records. The problem was that, back in 1985, when the amphipod was first collected from European coasts, it was misidentified as a species new to science instead of an invader native to the North American Atlantic coast. A closer look into misidentified specimens stored in museum collections revealed that the species has been successfully spreading along the European coastlines. Moreover, it was predicted that the amphipod could soon reach the Mediterranean due to the high connectivity between the sea and the eastern Atlantic Ocean through the Straits of Gibraltar - a route already used by invasive marine fauna in the past. In the event that the invader reaches the Mediterranean, it is highly likely for the crustacean to meet and compete with a closely related "sister species" endemic to the region. To make matters worse, the two amphipods are difficult to distinguish due to their appearance and behaviour both being extremely similar. However, in their paper, the scientists have also provided additional information on how to distinguish the two amphipods - knowledge which could be essential for the management of the invader and its further spread. The authors believe that their study demonstrates the importance of taxonomy - the study of organism classification - and the role of natural history collections and museums. "Studying and monitoring biodiversity can acquire great importance in European aquatic ecosystems and coastal Mediterranean areas, where biodiversity is changing due to climate change and invasions of alien species," Prof Lo Brutto says. "In this context, specific animal groups play a crucial role in detecting such changes and they, therefore, deserve more attention as fundamental tools in biodiversity monitoring." "Regrettably, the steadily diminishing pool of experts capable of accurately identifying species poses a serious threat in this field." ### Original source: Lo Brutto S, Iaciofano D (2018) A taxonomic revision helps to clarify differences between the Atlantic invasive Ptilohyale littoralis and the Mediterranean endemic Parhyale plumicornis (Crustacea: Amphipoda). ZooKeys, 754: 47-62. https://doi.org/10.3897/zookeys.754.22884 HOUSTON -- (May 8, 2018) -- A 2017 theory proposed by Rice University physicists to explain the contradictory behavior of an iron-based high-temperature superconductor is helping solve a puzzle in a different type of unconventional superconductor, the "heavy fermion" compound known as CeCu 2 Si 2 . An international team from the U.S., China, Germany and Canada reported the findings this week in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS). The study focused on a cerium, copper and silicon composite whose strange behavior in 1979 helped usher in the multidisciplinary field of quantum materials. That year, a team led by Max Planck Institute's Frank Steglich, a co-author on the PNAS paper, found that CeCu 2 Si 2 became a superconductor at extremely cold temperatures. The mechanism of superconductivity couldn't be explained by existing theory, and the finding was so unexpected and unusual that many physicists initially refused to accept it. The 1986 discovery of superconductivity at even higher temperatures in copper ceramics crystalized interest in the field and came to dominate the career of theoretical physicists like Rice's Qimiao Si, a PNAS study co-author and the Harry C. and Olga K. Wiess Professor of Physics and Astronomy. Si, whose decadeslong collaboration with Steglich has led to almost two dozen peer-reviewed studies, said, "In my wildest dreams, I had not thought that the theory that we proposed for the iron-based superconductors would come back to the other part of my life, which is the heavy-fermion superconductors." Heavy fermions, like high-temperature superconductors, are what physicists call quantum materials because of the key role that quantum forces play in their behavior. In high-temperature superconductors, for example, electrons form pairs and flow without resistance at temperatures considerably warmer than those needed for conventional superconductivity. In heavy fermions, electrons appear to be thousands of times more massive than they should. In 2001, Si, who also directs the Rice Center for Quantum Materials (RCQM), offered a pioneering theory that these phenomena arise at critical transition points, tipping points where changes in pressure or other conditions bring about a transition from one quantum state to another. At the tipping point, or "quantum critical point," electrons can develop a kind of split personality as they attempt to straddle the line between states. The case of superconductivity illustrates how this can play out. In a normal copper wire, electrical resistance arises when flowing electrons jostle and bump against atoms in the wire. Each bump costs a small amount of energy, which is lost to heat. In superconductors, the electrons avoid this loss by pairing up and flowing in unison, without any bumps. Because electrons are among the most antisocial of subatomic particles, they repel one another and pair up only in extraordinary circumstances. In the case of conventional superconductors, tiny variations in the spacing between atoms in a supercooled wire can coax the electrons into a marriage of convenience. The mechanism in unconventional superconductors is different. "Our unifying understanding is that if two electrons work really hard to repel one other, there can still be an attractive force," Si said. "If I am moving because I don't like being close to you, and you are doing the same, and yet we cannot be too far apart, it becomes a kind of dance. The pairs in high-temperature superconductors move in relation to one another, not unlike two dance partners that spin, even as they move together across the dance floor." The 2017 theory put forward by Si and then-graduate student Emilian Nica, now a postdoctoral research associate at the University of British Columbia's Quantum Materials Institute, posited that selective pairing within atomic orbitals could explain some puzzling experimental results from some of the highest-temperature superconductors, alkaline iron selenides. Some experiments had shown that the pairs in alkaline iron selenides behaved as if they had an angular momentum of zero, which physicists refer to with the term s-wave, while other experiments indicated the pairs had an angular momentum of two, which physicists call d-wave. This difference is profound because angular momentum is a fundamental identifier for electrons. Just as apples and oranges are found in different bins at the grocery story, s-wave and d-wave pairings don't mix and are found in different materials. "What Nica's thesis introduced was that you can have a superconducting state in which electron pairs associated with one orbital of a subshell are very different from those of another closely related orbital in the same subshell because they have an opposite sign," Si said. "The reason we proposed this multi-orbital pairing state was because measurements of some things, like magnetic responses, would show that the alkaline iron selenides had canonical d-wave features, and other measurements, like angular resolved photo emission, revealed attributes associated with s-wave superconductors. "The experiments in the iron-based superconductor had already been done, and we offered an explanation, a pairing state that was both stable and robust, and yet had all these seemingly contradictory properties that were experimentally observed." When 2017 experiments in Japan revealed some puzzling properties in CeCu 2 Si 2 , Si told Steglich that the orbital-selective theory might be able to account for them. Together, they joined forces with the experimental team of physicist Huiqiu Yuan, deputy director of the Center for Correlated Matter at Zhejiang University in Hangzhou, China, to test the idea. Si and Nica's theory predicted that experiments would reveal a specific set of seemingly contradictory measurements from CeCu2Si2, provided the material could be cooled to a temperature even colder than the tipping point that brings about superconductivity. Yuan's group performed the experiments and confirmed the prediction. "Historical evidence has always been that the pairing in this material is d-wave," Nica said. "But the experiments confirmed that indeed, despite all the overwhelming evidence that it is d-wave, it has a feature called 'fully opened gaps' that is normally associated with s-wave superconductors. Ours is the only theory offered so far that can account for this." Si said, "It's enormously satisfying on several levels. One is that while condensed-matter physics offers many materials that can host fascinating properties, we ultimately are seeking unifying principles, especially as theorists. I have actively searched for these unifying principles for years, but we weren't actively seeking a unifying explanation when we proposed this theory. To see it applied, to such effect, in another completely unexpected setting was a real surprise." ### Steglich, founding director emeritus of the Max Planck Institute for Chemical Physics of Solids in Dresden, Germany, directs the Center for Correlated Matter at Zhejiang. Both the Zhejiang and Dresden teams are partners in the Rice Center for Quantum Materials. RCQM leverages global partnerships and the strengths of more than 20 Rice research groups to address intriguing and important questions related to quantum materials. Elevating research achievement and extending Rice's reach and impact through international engagements are among the goals of Rice's Vision for the Second Century, Second Decade (V2C2). Additional co-authors include Guiming Pang, Michael Smidman, Jinglei Zhang, Lin Jiao, Zongfa Weng, Ye Chen, Wenbing Jiang, Yongjun Zhang, Wu Xie, Hirale Jeevan and Hanoh Lee, all of Zhejiang University, and Philipp Gegenwart of the University of Augsburg. The research was supported by the National Key R&D Program of China, the National Natural Science Foundation of China, the Science Challenge Project of China, the National Science Foundation, the Robert A. Welch Foundation, the Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation, the Department of Energy and the Sino-German Cooperation Group on Emergent Correlated Materials. High-resolution IMAGES are available for download at: http://news.rice.edu/files/2018/05/0119_HEAVY-Si-bookV-lg-15jp9sj.jpg CAPTION: Qimiao Si (Photo by Jeff Fitlow/Rice University) http://news.rice.edu/files/2018/05/0507_PAIRING-Nica-lg-1f1071t.jpg CAPTION: Emilian Nica (Image courtesy of E. Nica) https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Stable_Levitation_of_a_magnet_on_a_superconductor.jpg CAPTION: Stable levitation of a magnet atop an unconventional high-temperature superconductor. (Image courtesy of Julien Bobroff, Frederic Bouquet/LPS Orsay, France) http://news.rice.edu/files/2014/09/0929-RCQM-purple1-lg.jpg CAPTION: The Rice Center for Quantum Materials is a multidisciplinary effort to solidify Rice University's leadership in the exploration of high-temperature superconductors and other exotic materials. (Image courtesy of Rice University) The DOI of the PNAS paper is: 10.1073/pnas.1720291115 A copy of the paper is available at: http://www.pnas.org/cgi/doi/10.1073/pnas.1720291115 More information about RCQM is available at: http://rcqm.rice.edu/ Related research from Rice: Rice U. physicists discover new type of quantum material -- Dec. 18, 2017 http://news.rice.edu/2017/12/18/rice-u-physicists-discover-new-type-of-quantum-material/ 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 probes link between magnetism, superconductivity -- Dec. 13, 2010 http://news.rice.edu/2010/12/13/study-probes-link-between-magnetism-superconductivity-2/ Quantum fractals at the border of magnetism -- July 28, 2010 http://news.rice.edu/2010/07/28/quantum-fractals-at-the-border-of-magnetism/ 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. While poverty has long been linked with poor health, a study from UC San Francisco has found that simply living in a more desirable neighborhood may act as a health booster for low-income children. UCSF researchers compared levels of the stress hormone cortisol in 338 kindergartners whose families' annual incomes ranged from less than $10,000 to $200,000-plus. The research team found that the average cortisol level among 113 of low-income children who lived in poor neighborhoods reached the 75th percentile. But when they looked at cortisol levels in 32 low-income children living in better-quality neighborhoods, the average was in the 45th percentile, the researchers report in the May 8, 2018, issue of Psychosomatic Medicine. "Cortisol is a measure of biological stress arousal, and elevated levels can place children at risk for both poorer physical and mental health," said first author Danielle Roubinov, PhD, assistant professor of psychiatry, and a member of the UCSF Weill Institute for Neurosciences. High cortisol levels are associated with elevated blood sugar, raised blood pressure, back pain, bone thinning, obesity, insomnia, anxiety and fatigue. "'The quality of neighborhoods was assessed by a measure that evaluates access to green spaces, exposure to environmental toxins, and availability of early childhood education centers and grocery stores selling healthy food," said Roubinov. "Our study indicates that the quality of a neighborhood where a child grows up is one of several factors that can have a protective effect on their health." Better Neighborhood Equals Better Health The researchers also asked teachers and parents of the kindergartners, who were enrolled at six public schools in the San Francisco Bay Area, to report on the children's overall health and any impairments that may prevent them from participating in desired activities. They found that the 113 low-income children living in poor neighborhoods were in the 75th percentile when it came to such health issues, while the 32 low-income children in better-resourced neighborhoods scored in the 55th percentile. The work follows a 2011 government study that found when low-income adults moved to wealthier neighborhoods as a result of a voucher housing initiative, the prevalence of obesity, diabetes and other self-reported health limitations declined. "Taken together, such results suggest that infusing a neighborhood with resources across various domains could influence the negative effects of a family's economic status," said Roubinov. "Initiatives such as supportive social services, efforts to improve neighborhood safety and housing quality, and redesigning parks and open spaces may offer physiological and physical benefits." ### The study's senior author is Nicole R. Bush, PhD, of UCSF. Co-authors are Melissa J. Hagan, PhD, MPH, of UCSF and San Francisco State University, and W. Thomas Boyce, MD, and Nancy E. Adler, PhD, of UCSF. The study was funded by the National Institute of Mental Health, the MacArthur Foundation Research Network on Psychopathology and Development, and the Canadian Institute for Advanced Research. About UCSF: UC San Francisco (UCSF) is a leading university dedicated to promoting health worldwide through advanced biomedical research, graduate-level education in the life sciences and health professions, and excellence in patient care. It includes top ranked graduate schools of dentistry, medicine, nursing and pharmacy; a graduate division with nationally renowned programs in basic, biomedical, transitional and population sciences; and a preeminent biomedical research enterprise. It also includes UCSF Health, which comprises three top-ranked hospitals, UCSF Medical Center and UCSF Benioff Children's Hospitals in San Francisco and Oakland, and other partner and affiliated hospitals and healthcare providers throughout the Bay Area. Please visit http://www.ucsf.edu/news. Former DIG and suspended SP deny involvement Former Deputy Inspector General Govinda Niraula and suspended Superintendent of Police Bikashraj Khanal have denied their involvement in the 33 kg gold smuggling case and the murder of an alleged gold runner.Niraula and Khanal and 10 other accused recorded their statements at the Morang District Court on Monday. Ridiculous. That's how Andrew Caprariello says his colleagues described his theory about multiple sclerosis (MS) back when he was doing his PhD in Ohio. Caprariello's passion to explore controversial new theories about MS propelled him to seek out a postdoctoral fellowship with a like-minded thinker, whom he found in University of Calgary's Dr. Peter Stys, a member of the Hotchkiss Brain Institute at the Cumming School of Medicine (CSM). The collaboration paid off. Caprariello, Stys and their colleagues have scientific proof published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS) that their somewhat radical theory has merit. "I've always wondered 'what if' MS starts in the brain and the immune attacks are a consequence of the brain damage," says Caprariello, PhD, and lead author on the study. Currently, MS is considered to be a progressive autoimmune disease. Brain inflammation happens when the body's immune system attacks a protective material around nerve fibers in the brain called myelin. Conventional thinking is that rogue immune cells initially enter the brain and cause myelin damage that starts MS. "In the field, the controversy about what starts MS has been brewing for more than a decade. In medical school, I was taught years ago that the immune attack initiates the disease. End of story," says Stys, a neurologist and professor in the Department of Clinical Neurosciences at the CSM. "However, our findings show there may be something happening deeper and earlier that damages the myelin and then later triggers the immune attacks." To test the theory, the research team designed a mouse model of MS that begins with a mild myelin injury. In this way, researchers could mirror what they believe to be the earliest stages of the disease. "Our experiments show, at least in this animal model, that a subtle early biochemical injury to myelin secondarily triggers an immune response that leads to additional damage due to inflammation. It looks very much like an MS plaque on MRI and tissue examination," says Stys. "This does not prove that human MS advances in the same way, but provides compelling evidence that MS could also begin this way." With that result, the researchers started to investigate treatments to stop the degeneration of the myelin to see if that could reduce, or stop, the secondary autoimmune response. "We collaborated with researchers at the University of Toronto and found that by targeting a treatment that would protect the myelin to stop the deterioration, the immune attack stopped and the inflammation in the brain never occurred," says Stys. "This research opens a whole new line of thinking about this disease. Most of the science and treatment for MS has been targeted at the immune system, and while anti-inflammatory medications can be very effective, they have very limited benefit in the later progressive stages of the disease when most disability happens." It can be very hard to find funding to investigate an unconventional theory. The research team was funded by the Brain and Mental Health Strategic Research Fund, established by the Office of the Vice-President (Research) at UCalgary to support innovative, interdisciplinary studies within the Brain and Mental Health research strategy. "We chose high-risk, novel projects for these funds to support discoveries by teams who did not have the chance to work together through conventional funding sources," said Ed McCauley, PhD, vice-president (research). "The MS study shows the potential of brain and mental health scholars to expand capacity by tapping into new approaches for conducting research. Their work also exemplifies the type of interdisciplinary research that is propelling the University of Calgary as an international leader in brain and mental health research." ### The MS study was one of four interdisciplinary projects awarded funds. Led by the Hotchkiss Brain Institute, Brain and Mental Health is one of six research strategies guiding the University of Calgary towards its Eyes High goals. The strategy provides a unifying direction for brain and mental health research at the university and positions researchers to unlock new discoveries and treatments for brain health in our community. PHILADELPHIA (May 8, 2018) - Over forty percent of all older adults in the United States are living with four or more chronic illnesses, receive care from a fragmented health care system, and are struggling with rising costs and uneven quality. To confront this national crisis, more than fifty health system leaders, policy makers, innovators, and scholars convened last week to identify actionable recommendations designed to transform care delivery for older adults with complex health and social needs and support their family caregivers. The University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing (Penn Nursing) and its NewCourtland Center for Transitions and Health sponsored the two-day, invitation only "think tank," Assuring High Value Care for Vulnerable Older Adults and their Caregivers: Maximizing the Contributions of Nurses, on May 2-3, 2018, held on the University of Pennsylvania campus. The goal of this meeting - led by Mary Naylor, PhD, RN, FAAN, the Marian S. Ware Professor in Gerontology, and Nancy Hodgson, PhD, RN, FAAN, the Anthony Buividas Term Chair in Gerontology- was to recommend a path to improve the value of health care for older adults with complex chronic conditions. Meeting participants focused on three significant opportunities to achieve high-value care in the next few years: accelerating the use of evidence-based care models; increasing partnerships with health care consumers; and, advancing the use of emerging health care innovations. Two high-level recommendations that emerged from this meeting include the urgent need to: Launch a national dialogue on how to address, in our health and social systems, what matters to chronically ill older adults and their family caregivers. Facilitate health system transformation and payment and policy changes to support adoption and adaptation of high-value care models. "We need to stimulate a national conversation that engages the diverse perspectives of all stakeholders, most importantly those of older adults and their family caregivers in telling us what matters most to them," said Hodgson, who is also an Associate Professor of Nursing. Additional recommendations focused on positioning nurses to take on leadership roles in implementing high value care models for chronically ill older adults and their family caregivers, and to prepare future nurses as health innovators and catalysts of system transformation. Focus groups, conducted with older adults living with complex conditions in advance of the meeting, confirmed the role of nurses in advancing high value care. As one focus group participant stated "You might not know the extension of how far a nurse can go." "The care of older adults, especially those living with multiple health and social problems, is one of the most complex and costly priorities confronting societies across the globe," said Naylor, who is also Director of the NewCourtland Center and a Senior Fellow at Penn's Leonard Davis Institute of Health Economics. "It is our hope that immediate action on these recommendations will substantially enhance the value of care delivered by health and community-based systems." The group's full report will be available this summer. ### About the University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing The University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing is one of the world's leading schools of nursing. For the third year in a row, it is ranked the #1 nursing school in the world by QS University and is consistently ranked highly in the U.S. News & World Report annual list of best graduate schools. Penn Nursing is currently ranked # 1 in funding from the National Institutes of Health, among other schools of nursing. Penn Nursing prepares nurse scientists and nurse leaders to meet the health needs of a global society through research, education, and practice. Follow Penn Nursing on: Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram & YouTube. MADISON -- In order to spread their destruction, ovarian cancer cells must break free from their tumor home, travel through the fluid in the peritoneal cavity and attach to the outside of the abdominal organs--surfaces that are, by necessity, not sticky. Despite these challenges, most patients with ovarian cancer are diagnosed after metastasis has begun, resulting in poor patient outcomes. While ovarian cancer is only the 11th-most common form of cancer among women in the United States, it accounts for the fifth-most deaths, according to the Ovarian Cancer Research Fund Alliance. New research from the lab of Pamela Kreeger, a University of Wisconsin-Madison biomedical engineering professor, has identified one way ovarian cancer cells appear to successfully spread. The work, detailed today in the journal Cancer Research, could lead to new therapies to curb metastasis of these tumors. "Like most cancers, it's not the primary tumor that's usually the problem. It's the spread of the tumor to nearby organs that leads to serious complications," Kreeger says. "So if you can slow that process down, it's possible the patient will live longer and/or have a better quality of life." In studying high-grade serous ovarian cancer -- the most common but also most aggressive type -- Kreeger, postdoctoral fellow Molly Carroll and other lab members have teased out how one type of immune cells helps cancer cells attach in the peritoneal cavity, enabling metastasis. Higher levels of these immune cells, called alternatively activated macrophages, are associated with worse outcomes. But the question remained: Do these macrophages encourage metastasis? To find out, Kreeger's team created a micro-culture device that allowed them to bring together the key players: macrophages, cancer cells and mesothelial cells, which line the peritoneal cavity. Experiments revealed macrophages increase tumor cell attachment to the mesothelial cells by making the mesothelial cells stickier. "For me that was one of those scientific 'ah ha' moments -- the interactions between the normal cells in our body can influence metastasis. In other words, it's not all about the tumor cell," says Kreeger. But which of the 25 proteins the team detected in the co-culture device was responsible for this effect? Computational modeling revealed the culprit. The macrophages produce a protein called MIP-1, which causes the mesothelial cells to produce more of an adhesion protein called P-selectin. P-selectin, in turn, allows the cancer cells to stick. A preliminary experiment in mice validated those results, while human samples--obtained through collaborators in the UW-Madison School of Medicine and Public Health--showed that patients with ovarian cancer had higher levels of MIP-1 and P-selectin. The good news: There are already several existing drugs, developed for other diseases, that could prove useful. Maraviroc, which is used to treat HIV, inhibits the receptor for MIP-1, while two different drugs that target P-selectin are in clinical trials for blood disorders. "We're interested in pursuing multiple avenues, because it's possible one will work better than another," says Kreeger, whose group has filed a provisional patent on the findings with the Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation. "It's also possible one will have more tolerable side effects than another." Kreeger will use a recently awarded grant from the Rivkin Center for Ovarian Cancer to further validate the findings in long-term experiments in mice in order to set the stage for pre-clinical testing of drug treatments. Carroll, the first author on the paper, says being able to target another aspect of the cancer's spread beyond combatting tumor growth with chemotherapy opens new avenues for treatment. "Treatment for ovarian cancer really has not changed in the past 20 years," she says. "Hopefully through the development of such maintenance therapies, we can prevent the establishment of new tumor metastases." ### Other authors on the paper include postdoctoral fellow Kaitlin Fogg, undergraduate student Harin Patel, graduate student Harris Krause and student Anne-Sophie Mancha of the UW-Madison College of Engineering and Professor Manish Patankar, Assistant Professor Paul Weisman and Assistant Professor Lisa Barroilhet of the UW-Madison School of Medicine and Public Health. Support for this research was provided by grants from the American Cancer Society, National Institutes of Health (1DP2CA195766, 1R21CA143616, R25GM083252, and 5P30CA014520), Marsha Rivkin Center for Ovarian Cancer Research, National Science Foundation, Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation, U.S. Department of Defense (W81XWH-04-1-0102), UW-Madison, Jean McKenzie and Wisconsin Ovarian Cancer Alliance. When atoms are cooled down to almost zero temperature, their properties change completely. They can turn into a Bose-Einstein-Condensate, an ultra-cold state of matter, in which the particles lose their individuality and can only be described collectively - as one single quantum object. At TU Wien (Vienna), clouds of ultra-cold atoms have been studied for years. They are a perfect model system to study fundamental questions of many-particle quantum physics. Now the research team of Professor Jorg Schmiedmayer (Institute of Atomic and Subatomic Physics, TU Wien) has found remarkable results which cannot be explained by any of the existing theories. When two ultra-cold quantum gases are coupled, they can synchronize spontaneously, oscillating in perfect unison after just a few milliseconds. This means that textbook theories about Bose-Einstein-Condensates have to be revisited. The results have now been published in the journal Physical Review Letters. Atoms in the Trap "We use a specially designed atom chip to cool down the atoms and modify their properties", says Jorg Schmiedmayer. "The chip can trap hundreds or thousands of atoms and manipulate their collective properties with electromagnetic fields." At first, a cloud of atoms is cooled down to a temperature of just a few nanokelvins. "Then, using the atom chip, we create a barrier, separating the cloud into two parts", says Marine Pigneur, first author of the paper and PhD student in Schmiedmayer's team. "If the barrier is low enough, atoms can still pass from one side to the other by an effect called quantum tunnelling. Therefore, the two atom clouds are not completely independent, they are coupled." According to quantum physics, every object can be described as a wave. The wave properties are not visible to us, because the objects we are dealing with every day are too large and too hot. The behaviour of cold atoms, however, is strongly influenced by these wave properties. One of these properties is the phase, which can be understood by comparing the quantum wave to a ticking clock: "Imagine two identical pendulum clocks", says Jorg Schmiedmayer. "They may be perfectly synchronized, so that the two pendulums both reach their lowest point at exactly the same time, but typically, their motion is a little bit out of sync. In that case, we speak of a phase difference between the two pendulums." When the two atom clouds are created, they start out with no phase difference - they are perfectly synchronized. But using the atom chip, they can be de-synchronized. The quantum phase difference between the two atom clouds (the extent to which they are out of synch) can be controlled with great precision. Afterwards, the two clouds are carefully monitored to see whether this phase difference changes over time. If two classical pendulums are coupled by a rubber band, the band will dissipate some of the energy and the two pendulums will synchronize. Something similar happens to the two atom clouds: if they are coupled, they synchronize automatically, in a remarkably short amount of time. "This sounds normal, when we think about pendulum clocks, but according to the well-established theories of Bose-Einstein-Condensates, this is quite surprising because we don't have dissipation", says Jorg Schmiedmayer. "In a quantum system such as ours, which is shielded from the environment, we would expect periods of synchronization alternating with de-synchronization forever." Looking for an Unknown Mechanism "In the process of de-synchronizing the clocks, we bring the system out of equilibrium", says Marine Pigneur. "Most theories so far successfully describe the coupling of Bose-Einstein-Condensates in equilibrium, but they are insufficient to describe the out of equilibrium situation and the synchronization we observe." The fact that the "quantum rhythms" of the two atom clouds are exactly the same after only a few milliseconds implies the existence of a mechanism that dissipates energy. As the system is isolated from its environment, energy cannot be dissipated but only transferred. "The coupling as accounted in textbooks theories cannot transfer energy as strongly and quickly as we observe. So either these theories are missing something - or they are just wrong. It means that it is our understanding of the interaction between the atoms itself which must be modified." With this surprising finding, the research team hopes to stimulate further research in this area. "After all, the behaviour of many-body quantum systems out of is one of the big unsolved problems of modern physics", says Jorg Schmiedmayer. "It connects to many fundamental questions - from the state of the early universe right after the big bang to the question why strange quantum effects can only be observed on a tiny scale, whereas larger objects obey the laws of classical physics." ### Contact: Prof. Jorg Schmiedmayer Institute for Atomic and Subatomic Physics TU Wien Stadionallee 2, 1020 Vienna T: +43-664-605883888 Schmiedmayer@atomchip.org Marine Pigneur, MSc Institute for Atomic and Subatomic Physics TU Wien Stadionallee 2, 1020 Vienna marine.pigneur@tuwien.ac.at May 8, 2018 - For patients with substance use disorders seen in the emergency department or doctor's office, locating and accessing appropriate treatment all too often poses difficult challenges. Healthcare providers and treatment facility administrators share their views on delays and obstacles to prompt receipt of substance use disorder treatment after referral in a study in the Journal of Addiction Medicine, the official journal of the American Society of Addiction Medicine (ASAM). This journal is published in the Lippincott portfolio by Wolters Kluwer. Issues related to patient eligibility, treatment capacity, understanding of options, and communication problems all contribute to gaps in referral and delays to getting treatment for patients with substance use disorders, according to the new research by Claire Evelyn Blevins, PhD, of Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University and Butler Hospital, Providence, RI; Nishi Rawat, MD, of OpenBeds, Inc., Washington. DC; and Michael Stein, MD, of Boston University and Butler Hospital. Four Themes Affecting Obstacles to Treatment for Substance Use Disorders The ongoing opioid crisis has drawn attention to the widening gap between the high need and limited access to substance use treatment in the United States. A recent Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration report found that of 21.7 million Americans in need of substance use disorder treatment, only 2.35 million received treatment at a specialty facility. Yet there is little information on the organizational-level barriers to treatment for substance use disorders. To address this issue, Dr. Blevins and colleagues performed a series of interviews with 59 stakeholders in the treatment referral process. The study gathered input from those who make referrals for substance use treatment, including emergency medicine physicians, addiction specialists, and other medical providers; as well as those who receive referrals, including substance use treatment facility staff and administrators. Analysis of the interviews identified four broad themes: Patient Eligibility . Healthcare providers face difficulties in determining whether patients meet criteria for admission to a particular treatment center, including the application of treatment eligibility criteria. "Eligibility requirements may prevent a patient from entering a treatment center," the researchers write. . Healthcare providers face difficulties in determining whether patients meet criteria for admission to a particular treatment center, including the application of treatment eligibility criteria. "Eligibility requirements may prevent a patient from entering a treatment center," the researchers write. Treatment Capacity . Even if a patient is eligible, providers have trouble finding out whether space is available. "Despite the need for services, treatment centers may not run at capacity, because of frustrations encountered and time wasted on the referral and admission process." . Even if a patient is eligible, providers have trouble finding out whether space is available. "Despite the need for services, treatment centers may not run at capacity, because of frustrations encountered and time wasted on the referral and admission process." Knowledge of Treatment Options . Providers may not understand the levels of available care for substance use treatment, and how to select the best treatment for their patient. "After determining appropriate level of care, a provider must then find a program that meets the patient's needs, which becomes more difficult with the differences in terminology and program guidelines." . Providers may not understand the levels of available care for substance use treatment, and how to select the best treatment for their patient. "After determining appropriate level of care, a provider must then find a program that meets the patient's needs, which becomes more difficult with the differences in terminology and program guidelines." Communication. Difficulties in communication between referring providers and treatment facilities can contribute to delays to starting treatment. The need for direct referral - "from the emergency department to a bed" - is particularly high for patients with opioid use disorders. "Access to substance use disorder treatment is often a maze that can be difficult to navigate for both providers and patients," Dr. Blevins and coauthors write. Based on the themes identified, they make recommendations for improvement in the referral process, including a database of clear eligibility criteria, real-time information on treatment capacity, and increased education and training for providers on substance use treatment. They also propose ways to improve communication and reduce treatment waiting times, including new information technologies. The researchers write: "By improving systems that enhance communication across organizations, patient referrals may be more easily completed, improving access to care and expanding the use of appropriate treatments for the many patients in need." In an accompanying commentary, David L. Rosenbloom, PhD, of Boston University School of Public Health discusses the underlying reasons for the current "dysfunctional referral system." He notes that referrals for other chronic diseases "may be more effective because they are to 'in-house' affiliated providers." Dr. Rosenbloom writes: "The standard of care should be to stabilize, initiate treatment, and provide a hands-on transfer to an entity that can complete a diagnostic assessment and provide evidence-based treatment" for patients with substance use disorders. ### [Note to editors: Author Nishi Rawat, M.D., is the founder and CEO of OpenBeds, Inc. This work was funded by a grant from the National Institute of Health (NOA_1R44DA041944-01A1).] Click here to read "Gaps in the Substance Use Disorder Treatment Referral Process: Provider Perceptions." DOI: 10.1097/ADM.0000000000000400 Click here to read "Commentary on "Gaps in the Substance Use Disorder Treatment Referral Process: Provider Perceptions." DOI: 10.1097/ADM.0000000000000401 About Journal of Addiction Medicine The mission of Journal of Addiction Medicine, the official journal of the American Society of Addiction Medicine, is to promote excellence in the practice of addiction medicine and in clinical research as well as to support Addiction Medicine as a mainstream medical specialty. Published six times a year, the Journal is designed for all physicians and other mental health professionals who need to keep up-to-date with the treatment of addiction. Under the guidance of an esteemed Editorial Board, peer-reviewed articles published in the Journal focus on developments in addiction medicine as well as on treatment innovations and ethical, economic, forensic, and social topics. Visit us on the web at http://www.JournalAddictionMedicine.com. About The American Society of Addiction Medicine The American Society of Addiction Medicine (ASAM) is a professional society representing over 5,000 physicians, clinicians, and associated professionals in the field of addiction medicine. ASAM is dedicated to increasing access and improving the quality of addiction treatment, educating physicians and the public, supporting research and prevention, and promoting the appropriate role of physicians in the care of patients with addiction. Visit us on the web at http://www.ASAM.org; follow @ASAMorg on Twitter. About Wolters Kluwer Wolters Kluwer is a global leader in professional information, software solutions, and services for the health, tax & accounting, finance, risk & compliance, and legal sectors. We help our customers make critical decisions every day by providing expert solutions that combine deep domain knowledge with specialized technology and services. Wolters Kluwer, headquartered in the Netherlands, reported 2017 annual revenues of 4.4 billion. The company serves customers in over 180 countries, maintains operations in over 40 countries, and employs approximately 19,000 people worldwide. Wolters Kluwer Health is a leading global provider of trusted clinical technology and evidence-based solutions that engage clinicians, patients, researchers and students with advanced clinical decision support, learning and research and clinical intelligence. For more information about our solutions, visit http://healthclarity.wolterskluwer.com and follow us on LinkedIn and Twitter @WKHealth. If you follow either traditional news sources or social media, you would have heard strikingly different assertions about scientific issues such as climate change. Is it a "hoax created by the Chinese" or "the most urgent issue confronting the world" today? How is it possible for such contradictory claims to coexist in the scientific community? Answering such questions requires some understanding of how science is done, on the one hand, and specifically the state-of-the-art of the relevant science. And Science of the Earth, Climate and Energy does just that. Important problems like energy resources, sustainability and climate change are discussed in the book in terms of basic principles, without much use of mathematics. The reader can then understand the nature of controversial debates which are related to these issues, and so contribute to the discussion from an informed background. The book begins with a description of the ingredients associated with scientific discovery and debate, in general. A key element is the fundamental premise that "science never proves anything". Instead, scientific understanding advances through experiments, their analyses and theoretical interpretation by many individuals. If and when a consensus emerges, it is provisional and subject to further testing. In the case of climate science, such a consensus has been reached: human activities are contributing significantly to climate change. This anthropocentric interpretation implies that global warming, sea level rise, ocean acidification and other consequences of our actions affect our planet adversely. The book describes the evidence for this conclusion and what the troubling situation implies for mitigation of these potential problems. Since this book is addressed at a general reader, who possesses relatively little relevant background, the level of presentation is appropriately qualitative. Such a reader might want to assess the pertinent scientific evidence and its consequences for him or her, as well as for the planet as a whole. A key component of the book is an extended discussion of actions than can be taken by individuals, through both their energy-related actions and as citizens in their societies' decision-making. This book currently retails for US$150 / 130 (hardback) at major bookstores. Professors/universities looking into adopting the book may write to sales@wspc.com for an inspection copy. To know more about the book visit http://www.worldscientific.com/worldscibooks/10.114210807. ### About The Authors Milton W Cole is Distinguished Professor of Physics at Penn State University. He is a co-author of Physical Adsorption: Forces and Phenomena (Oxford, and Dover) and Applications of Modern Physics in Medicine (Princeton). A former Fulbright Scholar at Oxford University, Cole won the 2001 National Academy of Sciences Award for Scientific Reviewing. He is co-translator from the French of a play, The Bomb and the Swastika, written by Amand Lucas (Crossocean Publishing). Angela D Lueking is Professor of Energy and Mineral Engineering and Chemical Engineering at the Pennsylvania State University, and is a visiting scientist at the National Science Foundation. Along with core engineering courses, she teaches a project-based sustainability course, and is interested in supplementing traditional graduate education with outreach to K-12 students. Her research on material development for energy efficient technologies led to her selection as an International Marie Curie Fellow in 2013. Prior to her academic career, Angela worked as an Environmental Engineer in industry, where she led several environmental initiatives including chemical management, air-permitting, and environmental training. David L Goodstein is Professor Emeritus of Physics and Applied Physics at the California Institute of Technology, where he served as Vice-Provost between 1988 and 2007. He is the author of many books, including most recently On Fact and Fraud: Cautionary Tales from the Front Lines of Science (Princeton), Out of Gas: the End of the Age of Oil (Norton) and Climate Change and the Energy Problem (World Scientific). He is the recipient of the Oersted Medal of the American Association of Physics Teachers and the John P McGovern Medal of the Sigma Xi Society. He is a founding member of the Board of Directors of the California Council on Science and Technology. About World Scientific Publishing Co. World Scientific Publishing is a leading international independent publisher of books and journals for the scholarly, research and professional communities. World Scientific collaborates with prestigious organisations like the Nobel Foundation and US National Academies Press to bring high quality academic and professional content to researchers and academics worldwide. The company publishes about 600 books annually and 135 journals in various fields. To find out more about World Scientific, please visit http://www.worldscientific.com. For more information, contact Amanda at heyun@wspc.com. A new machine learning tool could flag dangerous bacteria before they cause an outbreak, from hospital wards to a global scale A new machine learning tool that can detect whether emerging strains of the bacterium, Salmonella are more likely to cause dangerous bloodstream infections rather than food poisoning has been developed. The tool, created by a scientist at the Wellcome Sanger Institute and her collaborators at the University of Otago, New Zealand and the Helmholtz Institute for RNA-based Infection Research, a site of the Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research, Germany, greatly speeds up the process for identifying the genetic changes underlying new invasive types of Salmonella that are of public health concern. Reported today (8 May) in PLOS Genetics, the machine learning tool could be useful for flagging dangerous bacteria before they cause an outbreak, from hospital wards to a global scale. As the cost of genomic sequencing falls, scientists around the world are using genetics to better understand the bacteria causing infections, how diseases spread, how bacteria gain resistance to drugs, and which strains of bacteria may cause outbreaks. However, current methods to identify the genetic adaptations in emerging strains of bacteria behind an outbreak are time-consuming and often involve manually comparing the new strain to an older reference collection. The group of bacteria known as Salmonella includes many different types that vary in the severity of the disease they cause. Some types cause food poisoning, known as gastrointestinal Salmonella, whereas others cause severe disease by spreading beyond the gut, for example Salmonella Typhi which causes typhoid fever. To understand the genetic changes that determine whether an emerging strain of Salmonella enterica will cause food poisoning versus a more severe infection, researchers built a machine learning model that analyses which mutations play an important role. The team trained the model using old lineages of Salmonella that are evolutionarily distinct, including six Salmonella bacteria that caused invasive infections, and seven gastrointestinal strains of the bacteria. The machine learning model identified almost 200 genes involved in determining whether the bacterium will cause food poisoning or is better adapted to an invasive infection. Dr Nicole Wheeler, co-lead author from the Wellcome Sanger Institute, said: "We have designed a new machine learning model that can identify which emerging strains of bacteria could be a public health concern. Using this tool, we can tackle massive data sets and get results in seconds. Ultimately, this work will have a big impact on the surveillance of dangerous bacteria in a way we haven't been able to before, not only in hospital wards, but at a global scale." When applied to strains of Salmonella that are currently emerging in Sub-Saharan Africa, the tool correctly highlighted two types from a pool of commonly circulating infections (Salmonella Enteritidis and Salmonella Typhimurium) that are more dangerous and associated with higher numbers of bloodstream infection cases. These infections are particularly bad in people with a weakened immune system, such as those with HIV. The machine learning tool revealed genetic changes that enabled Salmonella strains to adapt to their hosts and become more invasive. Dr Lars Barquist, co-lead author from the Helmholtz Institute for RNA-based Infection Research in Germany, said: "The machine learning tool is an advance compared to other methods as it not only searches for genes and mutations, it looks for the functional impacts mutations have in these bugs. It can tell us which mutations make pathogens better at spreading beyond the gut and causing a life-threatening disease rather than food poisoning. This will help in designing more effective treatments in the future." The machine learning tool, which produces an invasiveness index based on a random forest model*, is not limited to Salmonella and could be used to study other factors like emerging antibiotic resistance in any bacterium. It could be used in real time to identify a dangerous strain of bacteria before it spreads to cause an outbreak. Dr Nicholas Feasey of the Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, said: "We are already using this approach to look for key differences in strains of Salmonella Typhi circulating in Asia compared to Africa. Instead of manually comparing the genomes of different strains of bacteria over weeks or months, we are able to discover the genetic changes behind emerging strains of bacteria in seconds. It offers the potential to study outbreaks in real time and thus rapidly inform public health strategies to control or prevent disease." ### Notes to Editors: *Random forests work by building an ensemble of decision trees designed to predict a characteristic of the samples, in this case the genetic changes behind the adaptation of bacteria to survive in an invasive or non-invasive environment (i.e. living within the bloodstream or in the gut). Breiman L. Random Forests. Mach Learn. Kluwer Academic Publishers; 2001; 45: 5-32. The invasiveness index ranks different types of bacteria on their predicted level of adaptation to invasive infection. Publication: Nicole Wheeler et al. (2018) Machine learning identifies signatures of host adaptation in the bacterial pathogen Salmonella enterica. PLOS Genetics. DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1007333 Funding: This work was supported by Wellcome (grant 206194), the University of Canterbury, the Biomolecular Interaction Centre, the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation, and a Rutherford Discovery Fellowship administered by the Royal Society of New Zealand. Selected websites: Helmholtz Institute for RNA-based Infection Research The Helmholtz Institute for RNA-based Infection Research (HIRI, http://www.helmholtz-hiri.de/) was established in May 2017 as a partnership between the Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research (HZI) and the Julius-Maximilian-University of Wurzburg (JMU). HIRI is the first research institution worldwide bridging the fields of RNA biology and infectious disease. Biomolecular Interaction Centre, University of Canterbury, New Zealand The Biomolecular Interaction Centre (BIC, http://www.canterbury.ac.nz/bic/) is a multi-disciplinary research centre dedicated to the study of molecular interactions critical to biological function. Understanding these interactions is central to a range of fundamental sciences, new treatments for disease and a wide range of highly functional products. The Wellcome Sanger Institute The Wellcome Sanger Institute is one of the world's leading genome centres. Through its ability to conduct research at scale, it is able to engage in bold and long-term exploratory projects that are designed to influence and empower medical science globally. Institute research findings, generated through its own research programmes and through its leading role in international consortia, are being used to develop new diagnostics and treatments for human disease. To celebrate its 25th year in 2018, the Institute is sequencing 25 new genomes of species in the UK. Find out more at http://www.sanger.ac.uk or follow @sangerinstitute Wellcome Wellcome exists to improve health for everyone by helping great ideas to thrive. We're a global charitable foundation, both politically and financially independent. We support scientists and researchers, take on big problems, fuel imaginations and spark debate. http://www.wellcome.ac.uk TORONTO, Tuesday, May 8, 2018 - Cuckoo bees sneakily lay their eggs in the nests of other bee species, after which their newly hatched prodigies kill the host egg or larva, and then feed on the stored pollen. The host, a solitary bee, never knows anything is awry. Nine new species of these clandestine bees have been found hiding in collections and museums across North America by York University PhD Candidate Thomas Onuferko, as well as another six unpublished in a decades old academic thesis. More closely resembling wasps in appearance, cuckoo bees lack the typical fuzzy look usually attributed to bees as they don't need those hairs to collect pollen for their young. Although not much is known about them, cuckoo bees are named after cuckoo birds which exhibit the same cleptoparasitic behaviour. There are now a total of 43 known cuckoo bees in the genus Epeolus (pronounced ee-pee-oh-lus) in North America, many of which go unnoticed hovering low to the ground in backyards or "sleeping" on leaves, as they don't have nests of their own. They are only 5.5 to 10 mm in length, smaller and rarer than the polyester bees whose nests they invade. "It may seem surprising to some that in well-researched places like Canada and the United States there is still the potential for the discovery of new species," says Onuferko of the York University's Faculty of Science. "People have been aware of a few of the new species that I'm describing, but they've never been formerly named. There is a whole bunch of other species, however, that no one knew about." Part of the reason it's taken so long to identify these new cuckoo bees is that they are small, uncommonly collected and can be difficult to tell apart. Onuferko visited collections across North America and had specimens sent to the Packer Lab at York University for examination. Many of the newly described cuckoo bees, including one Onuferko named after well-known British broadcaster and naturalist Sir David Attenborough - Epeolus attenboroughi, possess very short black, white, red and yellow hairs that form attractive patterns. Onuferko named another cuckoo bee after York University bee expert and thesis adviser Professor Laurence Packer - Epeolus packeri. Where did the name "epeolus" come from? Onuferko thinks it's likely a diminutive of Epeus/Epeius, the name of the soldier in Greek mythology who is attributed with coming up with the Trojan horse war strategy. All 15 new species are now formally described, which will allow other researchers and bee enthusiasts to keep a lookout for them. ### The paper, A revision of the cleptoparasitic bee genus Epeolus Latreille for Nearctic species, north of Mexico (Hymenoptera, Apidae), is published in the open access journal ZooKeys. Switzerland is proposing Philip Jaffe as an independent expert for the monitoring body of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child. swissinfo.ch meets with the psychologist in Geneva ahead of election day. Jaffe is a psychotherapist by training and specialised in legal psychology. He is currently the director of the Interfaculty Center for Childrens Rights Studies based in the southwestern Swiss city of Sion. In the 1980s he worked in the United States, serving as the clinical director of Bridgewater State Hospital, a high security establishment near Boston for criminals requiring psychiatric treatment. He returned to Switzerland to teach at the University of Geneva, and then directed the children rights department at the Kurt Bosch University Institute in the city of Sion. Jaffe hopes to put his experience at the service of the 18-member United Nations Committee on the Rights of the Child. swissinfo.ch: How is your election campaign going? How is your election campaign going? Philip Jaffe (PJ): Good. It is a very interesting experience which is allowing me to discover the mechanisms of Swiss diplomacy that are mobilised when Switzerland presents a candidate to international organisations. As a novice in this regard, I have been very impressed by the commitment of the foreign ministry, both in the Swiss missions and in the capital Bern, where there is a whole section dealing with nominations. You feel like you are in very good hands. It is standard procedure but I was very touched by the recommendation that (Swiss Foreign Minister) Ignazio Cassis sent to all his colleagues at the foreign ministry and, of course, to all the diplomatic missions of Switzerland. swissinfo.ch: We imagine that you must shake a lot of hands. PJ: Most of the campaign takes place in New York, with a few episodes in Geneva and results (reported) in Bern. It is a question of convincing the majority of the states who have ratified the Convention on the Rights of the Child to support my nomination when the vote is held on June 29 (in New York). Like with speed dating, I find myself behind a little table, just like the other candidates, and meet with each representative of the signatory countries for 15 to 30 minutes. They scrutinise you from head to toe, hear your arguments, ask questions. Most diplomats ask good questions and show a genuine interest in candidates. But it is not possible to know their preference as they must refer to their governments who make the final decision. Different meetings are also organised in Geneva with the missions of key countries, notably members of the Organisation Internationale de la Francophone (International Francophone Organisation of which Switzerland is a member). swissinfo.ch: Does the Swiss factor play a role in the field of children rights? PJ: Switzerland already has a prominent member in the committee: Jean Zermatten, from Valais. This former juvenile court judge is still highly valued internationally. Moreover, Switzerland and Geneva are the cradle of childrens right. The very first treaty on childrens rights was signed in Geneva. This was in 1924 under the auspices of the League of Nations. The United Nations Convention of the Rights of the Child was likewise formulated and negotiated in Geneva. And its monitoring body, the Committee on the Rights of the Child, meets there three times per year. On the historic and academic front, Geneva and Switzerland also boasts a special heritage. Whether pedagogue (Johann Heinrich) Pestalozzi, psychologist Jean Piaget, or philosopher Jean-Jacques Rousseau, these references on childhood are still relevant today. As a psychologist, I likewise bring through my candidacy the contributions of these illustrious figures in the knowledge of child development, particularly those of Jean Piaget in the field of child psychology. As for Rousseau, he was the first author to present the personality of the child as different from that of an adult. swissinfo.ch: Rousseau played a role in the recognition of the child as a complete person? PJ: In education, certainly. From a legal point of view, you must wait until 1989 and the Convention on the Rights of the Child for a child to be considered a subject of law and no longer an object of the law. swissinfo.ch: Is Switzerland living up to this heritage in terms of respect for the rights of the child? Switzerland is doing well within the global average. It faces problems that all countries face. But it also has shortcomings linked to societal choices. Take poverty, for example. As a Swiss citizen, I am very upset to know that childrenaround 250,000suffer from poverty here. That is absolute nonsense. Children in Switzerland18% of the populationare also abused at alarming rates. Every year, one in five girls and one in ten boys are sexually abused. Tens of thousands of children are physically abused, some to death. Switzerland is also one of the last countries in Europe to tolerate corporal punishment. To confront this, Switzerland is hampered by its federalism. The cantons are all-powerful. There is no specific national body dedicated to the protection of children and their rights. This causes disparities between the cantons. Many countries have appointed an ombudsman at the national level. This could be an idea for Switzerland. A (nearly) universal convention The United Nations Committee on the Rights of the Child is in charge of monitoring the application of the convention relating to children and its optional protocols. The committee is made up of 18 independent experts. They meet three times a year for three weeks in Geneva. The duty of the committee is to review the reports presented by signatory countries. With the entry into force of the third optional protocol of the Convention on the Rights of the Child on April 14, 2014, the Committee now has the capacity to deal with individual complaints. Every two years, nine of 18 seats are filled in elections held by the states party to the Convention on the Rights of the Child. All the of United Nations member states have ratified the Convention, except for the United States, which signed but didnt ratify it. How do actors get a break in the hyper-competitive film industry? An inside look at the European Shooting Stars programme, which aims to give Europes ten most promising and internationally versatile young actors a tailor-made career boost. I was speechless! I got the phone call and for a moment I couldnt say anything! says a bubbly Luna Wedler, remembering when she was told she was one of ten Shooting Stars for 2018. The 19-year-old from Zurich was the youngest of the Class of 18 who in February attended the Berlin International Film Festival to pick up their award and spend five days doing some seriouspersonalised networking. The Berlinale was so cool and the other nine Shooting Stars are so nice and so talented. It was really stressful because we had a hard schedule every day, but it was also great because I got to meet so many directors, producers and casting agents, Wedler tells swissinfo.ch. Criteria for the programme, organised by European Film Promotion (EFP) since 1998, include having a lead role in a recently released film and fluent English. Wedler, who speaks excellent English, starred in Blue My Mind, a surreal coming-of-age drama which premiered in San Sebastian and swept the Swiss Film Awards in March. We look for up-and-coming actors thats of course the whole idea behind the programme, says Laura Daniel, responsible for talent and awards at Swiss Films, the national film promotion agency, which every year nominates one talent like 37 other EFP member organisations. Its not a programme that aims to showcase already-established talents. Its trying to push people who already have a certain national success and are ready for an international career, she adds. Wedler, who is currently studying at the renowned European Film Actor School in Zurich, says she would like to be part of international projects in Britain and France, playing some really interesting and challenging characters. She says shes less interested in the United States, although if a role came from Hollywood, I wouldnt say no! But its not my goal. Not yet. European Shooting Stars Selection is based on the following criteria: A successful professional career in the native country, including first awards; a leading role in a film which was released in the past 18 months prior to the nomination; aged 16 to 32 years; fluent English. (Source: EFP) The European Shooting Stars programme has featured some big names since it began in 1998, including Daniel Craig, Franka Potente, Ludivine Sagnier, Daniel Bruhl, Cecile de France, Alicia Vikander and two Game of Throners: Maisie Williams and Pilou Asbk. Switzerland has participated since 1999, with 16 actors chosen. When asked about support and guidance for young actors, she says she has been with the Berlin-based agency Schlag for about half a year. Theyre really helpful about choosing projects together, but in the end I think you always have to help yourself and be happy with the project. Terrible idea Laura Daniel agrees on the importance of a good agent. Its getting harder and harder to reach people because there are so many actors! Its crazy. Switzerland already has so many in such a small country. So you really need someone who will take you forward, who is professional, who will help you find the right people to work with, she tells swissinfo.ch. What I think is a terrible idea is if you just go to parties and hang out with people. Thats not how youre going to get a job. Daniel explains how Swiss Films goes about selecting a name to put forward as a potential Shooting Star. We have a pool of talent that we follow, and with Luna wed seen her in another film [Amateur Teens] and thought there was something there. We then saw her in various other roles, and when we saw Blue My Mind we thought shes ready for the next big step. She adds that they dont necessarily look for the youngest Shooting Stars can be aged 16-32 but sometimes the youngest are the most convincing. Impressive record Switzerlands unique language situation it has three official languages: German, French and Italian in effect means the country of 8.4 million people is made up of three even smaller markets. Surely this makes life even harder for aspiring Swiss actors? For me, personally, it makes it more interesting because theres a broader variety to choose from, Daniel says. And usually the people we follow have already started to work internationally with the bigger markets they are connected to because of the language they speak. So for Kacey Mottet Klein [a Shooting Star in 2016] it was France and Belgium, for Luna it was Germany and Austria. But for the actors themselves its really difficult as its such a small scene and they dont get a lot of possibilities to present their talent. Wedler agrees that its a really small industry, but a really interesting and good one. You just have to get that one opportunity which I had in Amateur Teens and I think once youre in the film industry, youre in. Despite these challenges, Switzerland has an impressive record in Berlin, with 16 Shooting Stars since it joined the programme in 1999. I take it as a complement that were doing our job well! Daniel laughs. We really try to find the perfect fit the actors have to be part of a promising package: an outstanding main performance in a convincing film with international potential, preferably running at the Berlin Film Festival. Swiss actors have a good reputation abroad, she thinks. From what I hear from casting agents and agencies in general they have a reputation for being very reliable and versatile, because most of them speak at least two or three languages and they can adapt to various cultures, she says. Move abroad Being versatile paid off for Soraya Sala, Switzerlands first Shooting Star in 1999. She speaks four languages and says her appearance her father is Egyptian, her mother Italian means she can play a range of ethnicities. Sala, 45, describes being a Shooting Star as a very positive experience. I met loads of interesting people, had inspiring conversations, got a taste of the film business and had a lot of fun! It really strengthened me as a person, she tells swissinfo.ch. I cant say whether I was invited to more castings just because of the Shooting Star award. Id lean towards saying no, since the casting agents have other selection criteria. But what was certainly useful were the annual invitations to the gala evening for the new Shooting Stars in Berlin that let me make new contacts and keep up old ones. Sala landed her first role in a feature film Vollmond (Full Moon) by acclaimed Swiss director Fredi M Murer while in her last year at the European Film Actors School. She appeared in more films and ended up moving to Germany. The Swiss contacts Id cultivated didnt forget me when I moved to Germany once a year I was booked for a production [in Switzerland]. I still get offers from Switzerland, she explains. At the same time, I could go to castings in Germany and this would never have been possible the other way around: I dont think German productions would have got me over from Switzerland because here [in Germany] theres enough choice [of actors]. Dont give up! Of course, many successful actors were not Shooting Stars and continue to enjoy successful careers. When asked what advice she could give aspiring film actors, Sala mentions discipline and focus. Constantly work on yourself and your craft. In periods when you dont have a job, use this time and learn something new a language, a sport, a dance whatever interests you, she says. And think hard about what type of production, film, story youd like to work on. What type of role youd like to embody and why. Be authentic, be true to yourself. For Wedler, it all comes down to hunger. I think if you have this will, if you live for this job, then I think you can do it. I just had a Plan A I dont have a Plan B! Im just going for it and I hope its going to work. But you do need a lot of luck. The whole things a big challenge but you just have to be brave and really want it, she says. Youll have a lot of disappointments, but you just have to keep going for it! Dont give up! Free education to cost threefold The government needs to ensure three times the funds currently allocated in order to guarantee constitutional rights of children to compulsory and free school education. The worlds largest cement makerhas been criticised by two Swiss non-governmental groups for failing to resolve alleged child labour issues in Uganda. The Franco-Swiss multinational rejects the accusations. The Protestant Church group Bread For All and the Catholic Lenten Fund on Tuesday accused LafargeHolcimof dragging its feet over the compensation of alleged child labour victims in Uganda, two years after a scandal came to light. A report at the time claimed that some 150 Ugandan children had worked for ten years up to September 2016 in quarries that supplied a LafargeHolcim subsidiary with pozzolana, a volcanic rock used in the manufacture of cement. Many of the children reportedly abandoned school and experienced injuries to their legs, hands and feet. The subsidiary in question, Hima Cement Limited, and LafargeHolcim denied resorting to the use of child labour in their supply chain. But in January 2017, Hima Cement, which was acquired by Lafarge in 1999,announced that it would stop buying raw materials from artisanal miners and only source from mechanised quarries employing adults. The same month LafargeHolcim commissioned an investigation by an international independent auditor,which concluded that there was no material evidence that children had worked for Hima Cement or for any of its other suppliers. Reparations In a statement on Tuesday, the NGOs criticised the fact that LafargeHolcims report was never made public. On their website they published new videos with witness statements by children who claim to have worked for Hima Cement. The NGOs urged the cement maker to acknowledge its responsibility for child labour and renewed their demands for support for the former child labourers to help them make up for missing school years. In reply, LafargeHolcim again denied to the Swiss News Agency that ithad resorted to the use of child labour. It also recalled that it had helped people in the region by financing the construction of toilets for 150 homes in Uganda. In recent years, the Franco-Swiss firm has been embroiled in another major controversy in Syria. French prosecutors last year launched a probe into then Lafarges (merged with Holcim in July 2015) suspected financing of a terrorist enterprise between 2013-2014 by the cement group in Syria. The company admitted last year it had paid armed groups to keep a factory operating. Following the Syria revelations, LafargeHolcim said it had approved the creation of new Ethics, Integrity & Risk committee, supervised by a member of the Executive Committee. It will also step up its risk assessment of high-risk third parties and joint venture partners. On Tuesday, the Swiss company reported a 13.4% fall in first quarter earnings as it embarks on a new strategy under recently-appointed Chief Executive Jan Jenisch. Volkswagen chief Herbert Diess met FBI investigators over the diesel emissions cheating scandal and secured guarantees from Washington days before US authorities indicted his predecessor, German media reported Tuesday. Diess reportedly travelled to the United States on May 1 and gave statements to investigators from the FBI and justice department that are apparently rated as incriminatory for ex-VW chief Martin Winterkorn, Bild daily said, quoting unnamed sources. Winterkorns indictment on May 3 has brought the US criminal case to the top echelons of Volkswagen, which pleaded guilty last year to lying to American environmental regulators about emission control systems. Winterkorn faces four counts, including conspiracy to defraud the US and wire fraud. American prosecutors say Winterkorn knew of the companys emissions cheating as early as May 2014 but decided to continue with the fraud, the Justice Department said in a statement. While Winterkorn cannot leave Germany due to the threat of an arrest on an international warrant, Diess has managed to obtain assurances that he is free to travel to the US and elsewhere, German media reported. US authorities have also reportedly agreed to inform Diess in advance if he were to be charged or if any arrest warrants against him were issued. VW did not immediately respond to AFPs request for a comment. Diess is the second CEO to be named at Volkswagen after longtime boss Winterkorn quit days following the groups startling admission that it installed software in 11 million diesel vehicles worldwide designed to cheat regulatory emissions tests. A former BMW executive, Diess has been seen as relatively untainted by the crisis as he joined VW only two months before the emissions cheating scandal broke in September 2015. Winterkorn has not only US investigators hot on his heels, but also faces the possibility of losing his fortune as Volkswagen is examining whether to make him liable for the billion-dollar losses incurred as a result of dieselgate, German media reported. According to the Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung, Winterkorn made more than 100 million euros ($120 million) over 10 years at Volkswagen. His pensions are worth almost 30 million euros. Dieselgate has so far cost VW more than 25 billion euros ($31 billion) in buybacks, fines and compensation, and the carmaker remains mired in legal woes at home and abroad. hmn/mfp/bmm French President Emmanuel Macron spoke by telephone Tuesday with Donald Trump, just hours before the US president is widely expected to pull out of a key nuclear deal with Iran, his office said. In a terse statement, the Elysee Palace said only that the two men discussed matters relating to peace and stability in the Middle East, with no specific mention of Iran. Macron has positioned himself as the emissary for European officials seeking a compromise that would keep the deal intact, after months of warnings by Trump that it fails to guarantee Tehran wont eventually build a nuclear weapon. He had hoped to successfully argue his case during a state visit to Washington last month, but later made no secret that he believed Trump had already made up his mind to scrap the Obama-era accord. Their discussion Tuesday came as Britain, Germany, France and a senior EU official met Irans deputy foreign minister Abbas Araghchi in Brussels and used this opportunity to reiterate their support to the continued full and effective implementation of the (deal) by all sides, the bloc said in a statement. Trump said on Twitter that he would announce his decision at 1800 GMT, in what could be his most consequential foreign policy move yet. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Tuesday urged West African countries to speed up deployment of a regional force fighting jihadists in the Sahel region, warning that insurgents were seeking to strengthen their foothold. Guterres said in a report to the Security Council that the G5 Sahel force should receive regular UN funding instead of contributions, reviving a debate with the United States over financial backing for the counter-terror operation. With strong support from France, Burkina Faso, Chad, Mali, Mauritania and Niger last year agreed to set up the 5,000-strong force to operate alongside Frances own Operation Barkhane and the UN peacekeeping force in Mali. The Sahel force was projected to be fully up and running in March but that deadline was missed, mainly because of problems with training and equipment, the report said. The security situation in the Sahel continues to deteriorate, Guterres said, pointing to recent attacks in Ouagadougou, Timbuktu and ongoing raids on local security forces. Noting that terrorist groups are attempting to gain influence and expand their presence, Guterres said the operationalization of the joint force is not progressing at the required speed. The UN chief urged the five countries to deploy their remaining troops as quickly as possible and to resolve command and control issues including transferring authority over their battalions to the force commander. About 418 million euros ($570 million dollars) have been promised by European countries, the United States, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Turkey to finance the regional force. But Guterres said direct UN annual funding of the joint force was the best option to ensure long-term financing of the operation and urged the council to provide the needed resources. The United States has backed bilateral funding for the Sahel force but opposed opening up a new budget envelope at the United Nations for the regional operation. The council is scheduled to discuss the report at a meeting on May 23. President Donald Trump on Tuesday announced America's withdrawal from the Iran nuclear deal that Washington brokered in 2015 with Tehran and five other world powers -- Britain, China, France, Germany and Russia. Here are the key quotes from Trump during his address from the White House: Defective deal The Iran deal is defective at its core. If we do nothing, we know exactly what will happen. In just a short period of time, the worlds leading state sponsor of terror will be on the cusp of acquiring the worlds most dangerous weapons. Therefore, I am announcing today that the United States will withdraw from the Iran nuclear deal. No peace The fact is this was a horrible, one-sided deal that should have never, ever been made. It didnt bring calm, it didnt bring peace, and it never will. Lie At the heart of the Iran deal was a giant fiction that a murderous regime desired only a peaceful nuclear energy program. Today, we have definitive proof that this Iranian promise was a lie. State sponsor of terror The Iranian regime is the leading state sponsor of terror. It exports dangerous missiles, fuels conflicts across the Middle East, and supports terrorist proxies and militias such as Hezbollah, Hamas, the Taliban, and Al-Qaeda. Sanctions In a few moments, I will sign a presidential memorandum to begin reinstating US nuclear sanctions on the Iranian regime. We will be instituting the highest level of economic sanction. Any nation that helps Iran in its quest for nuclear weapons could also be strongly sanctioned by the United States. Senior aides to Trump later specified that companies would have 90 to 180 days to wind down business in Iran or face punitive measures. Lasting solution As we exit the Iran deal, we will be working with our allies to find a real, comprehensive, and lasting solution to the Iranian nuclear threat. This will include efforts to eliminate the threat of Irans ballistic missile program; to stop its terrorist activities worldwide; and to block its menacing activity across the Middle East. No nukes America will not be held hostage to nuclear blackmail. We will not allow American cities to be threatened with destruction. And we will not allow a regime that chants Death to America to gain access to the most deadly weapons on Earth. Irans future It has now been almost 40 years since this dictatorship seized power and took a proud nation hostage. But the future of Iran belongs to its people. They are the rightful heirs to a rich culture and an ancient land. And they deserve a nation that does justice to their dreams, honor to their history, and glory to God. Ready to renegotiate They are going to want to make a new and lasting deal, one that benefits all of Iran and the Iranian people. When they do, I am ready, willing, and able. A new film by the enfant terrible of Russian theatre -- who is under house arrest in Moscow -- received a standing ovation and rave reviews Thursday after it was shown at the Cannes film festival. The cast of Kirill Serebrennikovs Leto, a biopic of the Soviet-Korean rock legend Viktor Tsoi, were cheered as the movie premiered at the worlds top film festival. Influential US critic David Ehrlich of the IndieWire website called it a sort of 24 Hour Party People for the early 1980s Leningrad underground rock scene. Exuberant, shapeless, gorgeous long-takes galore, a psycho killer singalong, the end of an era. I dug it, he tweeted of the movie, which features music by Lou Reed, David Bowie and Blondie and animated sequences woven into the black-and-white film. Festival director Thierry Fremaux had earlier held up a white placard with Serebrennikovs name as the cast climbed the steps of the red carpet to the cinema. A seat was left symbolically empty inside for the filmmaker, who has been under house arrest on embezzlement charges since last August. He has dismissed the charges as absurd and his supporters see them as political. At a packed press conference Thursday, producer Ilya Stewart blasted Serebrennikovs arrest while the film was still being made as ridiculous, but thanked the festival and movie critics for their full-throated support. Its bittersweet obviously because Kirill being free would be much better than all of this but theres been huge support from the West, he said. Theres also been huge support from Russia, its important to note, a big cluster of liberally minded people are as outraged by the situation, and its a national discussion (now) in Russia. Serebrennikovs detention has sent shockwaves through the Russian arts world. The 48-year-old has revolutionised Moscows theatre scene with radical stagings of new plays and by reinventing classics. He has also won prizes at the Cannes and Rome film festivals, while his 2012 film Betrayal was nominated for the prestigious Golden Lion at Venice. Putin: I cant help Although he has never openly criticised Russian President Vladimir Putin, Serebrennikov has attacked the growing pressure being put on artists in Russia to conform. Leto, which means summer, is in the running for Cannes top prize, the Palme dOr. It tells the story of Tsoi, whose songs are seen in Russia as anthems of the late 1980s Perestroika era. Stewart, the producer, said the movie was a clear commentary on freedom of expression in todays Russia. Anything Kirill does in his work whether its ballet, theatre or any of his films, regardless of it being a period film or not, is about today, he said, adding that the film was set for a June release in Russia. The actor who plays Tsoi, German-born Korean Teo Yoo, said he hoped the cry for freedom by the films youthful rockers who dodge official repression to live out their dreams would echo around the world. I hope young get inspired by the film and that no form of oppression (will) hold them back to be creative, he told reporters. Both the festival and the French government had pleaded with Moscow to allow Serebrennikov to travel to Cannes for the screening. Fremaux said Putin had told the festival that Serebrennikov has problems with the judiciary of our country. I would have loved to help but the courts are independent. Russian conservatives were outraged when Serebrennikov was allowed to direct a ballet about legendary gay ballet dancer Rudolph Nureyev at the Bolshoi. Nikita Mikhalkov, a powerful Oscar-winning film director with close Kremlin links, said Serebrennikov should not have been allowed to hang Nureyevs cock in the countrys most important theatre. This was a reference to the productions use of a famous full-frontal nude photograph of the dancer by Richard Avedon. Serebrennikov is one of two directors competing for the Palme dOr who has been banned from travelling to the festival. Dissident Iranian director Jafar Panahi is also barred from leaving his homeland for supporting pro-democracy activists after the stolen election of 2009. Privacy Settings This site uses functional cookies and external scripts to improve your experience. Which cookies and scripts are used and how they impact your visit is specified on the left. You may change your settings at any time. Your choices will not impact your visit. NOTE: These settings will only apply to the browser and device you are currently using. Monday, May 7, 2018 Think about it could your credit card limit handle a charge of $8,000 to $15,000 or more for the products and services of a funeral home or cemetery? However, think of the points, the miles if you could! The reality is that seven out of ten people today simply havent set aside funds for a crisis, said Bruce Moore, Principal at MemorialFunding.org. Our company works with funeral directors throughout the country, so theyre able to finance funerals and memorial services and families are able to honor their loved ones as they wish, without a tremendous upfront financial burden. Funeral homes and cemeteries wont bury or cremate your loved one without some kind of payment upfront. Many accept credit cards and some offer unsecured credit plans to families that need the funds. MemorialFunding.org was at the 2018 convention and expo of the International Cemetery, Cremation and Funeral Association (ICCFA) to introduce their funeral financing services. If a family doesnt have the money in hand to pay for the funeral arrangements, or they dont have insurance, MemorialFunding.org provides non-collateral loans at a lower rate than a credit card would charge. Their average loan to someone with an average credit score is about 10.08%, compared to average credit card rates of 17% and more. Terms can range anywhere from 36 months to 60 months. Its much better to be able to spend two hundred dollars a month versus coming up with ten thousand, said Moore. Folks can pay the loan off at any time, so when they sell Mothers house, when they resolve the estate, its not a problem. Moore is a long-time funeral director, and has also worked in personal finance for a number of years. Were kind of putting the chocolate and the peanut butter together to benefit the families being served by the funeral directors here at ICCFA. The company also offers insurance assignments and will be offering online memorial fundraising. Watch the video below and learn more at www.MemorialFunding.org. [embedded content] Share this: The U.S. health care system is a failure, failing to extend lives, failing to prevent chronic disease, failing to protect infants and failing to spend our money wisely. Our system fails because it focuses on health care instead of health. One is an industry; the other is quality of life. The U.S. spends $3.3 trillion a year - twice as much per person as the average wealthy nation - and leads the world in medical research, breakthrough drugs and ingenious devices. It has the best medical schools. Sixteen percent of the U.S. gross domestic product goes to health care, the highest of any developed country, according to the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development. Yet we have one of the unhealthiest populations in the developed world. We have the highest infant mortality rate, the highest chronic disease rate among the elderly, and the lowest life expectancy at birth. U.S. life expectancy is going down, despite employing the best emergency medical services, the most high-tech hospitals and the best-trained physicians. The businesses and individuals who finance our system, almost all of us, should be outraged by the poor value we get for our money. Theories for this disconnect abound. Our system is wasteful, some providers are overpaid, insurance companies skim too much and too many Americans don't take care of themselves. All of those things are true, but there is more. Elena Marks, CEO of Houston's Episcopal Health Foundation, suggests that Americans confuse health with health care, and if we focus on the former, we won't need as much of the latter. "Health is a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being, and not just the absence of disease," Marks said in a lecture last week at Rice University's Baker Institute, where she is a fellow. "What if the health care industry were responsible for health, not just medical services?" Researchers at the University of Wisconsin and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation have studied the healthiest counties in America and discovered which factors contribute to health: 40 percent is attributable to wealth and social status, 30 percent to behavior, 20 percent to clinical care and 10 percent to the environment. The U.S. spends 97 percent of its health funds on clinical care, and only 3 percent on public health, which addresses health problems caused by poverty, behavioral issues and environmental factors. Evidence from other countries and U.S. pilot programs shows we could spend less overall if we focused more on the other factors. This reality, though, collides with ideology. While most Americans find it acceptable to provide emergency care, conservatives who value self-sufficiency oppose providing a helping hand for people who struggle to meet their basic needs, even if it saves money in the long run. For example, U.S. law requires hospitals and doctors to provide emergency treatment without regard for the patient's ability to pay. The U.S. also socializes the cost of care, requiring large companies to offer insurance, encouraging people to enroll and collecting taxes to pay for those without coverage. This money collected from healthy people goes to care for the ill and injured. Opposition grows, though, if you suggest spending money to keep people from getting ill or injured in the first place. Such as guaranteeing access to enough food, a safe place to live or offering help for behavioral problems. The Episcopal Health Foundation wants to focus on improving health, not paying for care. For example, if a child from a low-income family is suffering frequent asthma attacks, Marks sends someone to check for problems at home. If black mold is growing on the walls, or the house is infected with pests, fixing those problems is cheaper than recurrent visits to the emergency room for asthma attacks, Marks said. Doctors can't prescribe a home repair, even if it would save money. When a homeless man kept showing up in the ER, Episcopal Health paid for a social worker to help him for a year to get his life straight. His ER visits dropped 68 percent, cost of care fell 86 percent, and he reported a 144 percent increase in his quality of life based on a self-assessment before and after the program. Sending people to teach people with diabetes how to cook healthier meals, free gym memberships and better public parks have all shown great success changing behavior. Opening a greengrocer in a food desert improves the health of entire communities. These interventions are cheaper than providing care. And they are routine in the countries that have healthier populations and spend half as much on health care. We don't need to spend a penny more; we need to spend our trillions more wisely. But that will require us to focus on outcomes rather than ideology. Chris Tomlinson is the Houston Chronicle's business columnist. chris.tomlinson@chron.com | On Twitter: @cltomlinson The husband of Alicia Henderson, the woman accused of embezzling $291,000 from the public-private nonprofit Centro San Antonio, has filed for divorce and accused her of also defrauding him. Nathan Henderson and his wife stopped living together around Dec. 1, just days after Centro announced that it had discovered her alleged embezzlement, leading to the resignation of its president and CEO Pat DiGiovanni, court records show. He filed for divorce on Jan. 3. The marriage failed because of discord or conflict of personalities, according to the divorce petition. Nathan Henderson is asking for the lions share of their common property and for it to be valued at the amount it reached before she depleted it by her fraudulent acts, the filing says. The couple has been married since 1994. Nathan Henderson didnt respond to a request for comment. Local attorney Jose Soria, who is representing Alicia Henderson, declined to comment. In February, Alicia Henderson responded to her husbands divorce petition by denying his allegations against her, while offering no other information. She is accused of stealing $291,000 from Centro, a nonprofit that acts as an advocate for downtown businesses and manages the downtown public improvement district, or PID, on the citys behalf. Centro hired her as its office manager and staff accountant without running a background check, so it didnt learn that she had already been convicted of felony bank fraud and charged twice with theft by check. She served with the nonprofit from October 2014 until last November. The city has paid Centro $18.9 million since 2013 to manage the PID, but no taxpayers dollars have been stolen, according to an audit commissioned by the city earlier this year. An Express-News investigation of the nonprofit found that it had used taxpayer dollars from the PID for lobbying and expensive meals and trips. DiGiovanni, a former assistant city manager, resigned shortly after the alleged fraud was discovered after serving for nearly five years as Centros president and CEO. The nonprofits CFO, Tony Piazzi, left earlier this year. A few other employees have left since then to seek new career opportunities, said Trish DeBerry, who sits on Centros board. Earlier this year, Centro hired Margaret Moore, the former vice president and controller of the Nix Health Care System, to look over its finances and work with its board to come up with new policies. Moore has been holding meetings bi-weekly meetings of a financial controls task force to come up with checks and balances for the nonprofits financial processes, DeBerry said. Warren Wilkinson, the former executive vice president of information technology company Sigma Solutions, stepped out of retirement in March to serve as Centros interim executive director. The board will probably start looking at candidates to be the permanent executive director this fall or winter, DeBerry said. Centros board plans to go on a retreat around the end of this month to talk about how to reform the nonprofits mission and its financial processes, she said. Officials have previously said it might narrow its focus to a few key projects, such as rejuvenating Houston Street. We have a lot of ground to cover for sure, but Im excited about what the future holds, DeBerry said. The San Antonio Police Department is conducting an investigation of the alleged fraud but has no new information to release, spokesman Carlos Roberto Ortiz said on Monday. Richard Webner is a San Antonio Express-News staff writer. Read more of his stories here. | rwebner@express-news.net | @RWebner Govt eliminates cartels Transport Minister Raghubir Mahaseth on Monday announced the federal governments success in abolishing cartels that controlled public transport, commercial lorries and tankers in Nepal.The announcement follows the agreement reached between the officials of the Ministry of Physical Infrastructure and Transport (MoPIT) and the Federation of Nepalese National Transport Entrepreneurs (FNNTE) representatives at their meeting held on Monday night. Published Monday, May 7. The heat woke him early. Keith Milo Cole would sit bolt upright in his prison bunk, and then soak his shirt in the sink and slide it on again. Hed sit by the fan, sucking in deep gulps of air. Or lie on the concrete floor. The former Alief resident, who has spent decades in Texas prisons, saw guards and inmates collapse during annual heat waves. Sometimes Cole, 64, who has diabetes, hypertension and cardiac problems, said his heart would beat so fast he thought he positively, absolutely could die. But this summer will be different. After a historic four-year court battle for what inmates contend is a basic human right, air conditioning is now installed at the Pack Unit in Navasota, offering relief to the 1,400 inmates at the low-security geriatric facility. And the landmark class-action lawsuit brought by Cole and other inmates over dangerous heat conditions could finally be resolved after a federal court hearing Tuesday on a proposed settlement. Other inmates could also benefit. Even before negotiating a deal, Texas prison officials began looking to move tens of thousands of vulnerable inmates into cooler quarters, perhaps to avert a swarm of additional lawsuits from other prisons. Im not sure it would have happened without a federal lawsuit, said state Sen. John Whitmire, D-Houston, chair of the Texas Senate's corrections committee. Its an attitude among the public and the Legislature, which speaks for the public, that we dont want to spend money on people who are murderers and rapists. The 2014 suit filed by the Pack inmates challenged the deadly hot conditions inside the rural prison, saying they violated constitutional protections against cruel and unusual punishment. U.S. District Judge Keith P. Ellison has already concluded the state showed deliberate indifference to inmate conditions. RULING: Federal judge orders a/c for heat-sensitive Texas inmates Cole, who is serving a life sentence for killing his estranged wife on a west Houston street 24 years ago, knows he and his fellow inmates dont generate sympathy from all sectors of the public. Ive gotten letters from people that say, Extreme heat? You can die and go to hell, Cole said, during a visiting-room interview with the Houston Chronicle in February. But the fact of the matter is most people in the free world dont realize this is a life-or-death situation. Prison officials acknowledged that 22 prisoners died from extreme indoor heat over 14 years in prisons from South Texas to Dallas. But human rights and health experts who visited Texas prisons estimated that the actual number of heat deaths is much higher. *** The historic settlement expected to be finalized this week requires that temporary air conditioning at Pack be replaced pending legislative approval by permanent cooling systems by May 2020. It also resolves lawsuits involving eight wrongful deaths and a wrongful injury at other prisons and awards the Edwards Law firm in Austin $4.5 million for trying the case. And already, Bryan Collier, executive director of the Texas prison system, is planning to relocate at-risk prisoners at 75 uncooled units to 29 prisons already equipped with air conditioning, according to two lawmakers briefed on the plan. The prisons will "take appropriate precautions" for inmates at high risk for heat stroke across the Texas prison system while "minimizing the likelihood of future litigation," said Jeremy Desel, spokesman for the Texas Department of Criminal Justice. "The department has been, and continues to be, committed to the safety and well-being of all offenders. The agreement, which is now filed in Federal court and is subject to final court approval, will end the protracted legal proceeding and provide additional safeguards for offenders at the Pack Unit who may be susceptible to extreme heat," Desel said. Collier has proposed applying 26 medical categories outlined in the Pack deal such as people 65 or older, with diabetes, coronary artery disease, asthma or who take antipsychotics or diuretics to identify inmates across Texas in greatest need of protection. He hopes to make use of the systems existing 32,000 air-conditioned beds as needed, but may need additional fencing and cameras to secure potentially violent prisoners. It could take a few years before the transfers are completed but would be cheaper than trying to air-condition the old cell blocks. TRANSFERS: Moonlight ride takes heat-sensitive Texas inmates to cooler quarters We have a moral responsibility to keep people safe and healthy and ensure were not inflicting cruel and unusual punishment, said Rep. James White, R-Hillister, who chairs the Texas House corrections committee. Whitmire, a longtime advocate for prison reform, said he was optimistic about the proposal after more than a dozen discussions and walks through Texas cell blocks with Collier. They dont want to be back in court, he said. Theyre going to be proactive. I think theyve come a long way. A spokesperson for Gov. Greg Abbott said he would not comment before the Pack settlement was finalized. State Sen. Joan Huffman, a Houston Republican on the corrections committee, also declined to comment. Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, who plays a key role in prison policy, did not respond to requests for comment. *** The flood of civil rights lawsuits came after 12 inmates died at 10 Texas prisons during heat waves in 2011 and 2012. Among others, family members sued on behalf of Larry McCollum, a 58-year-old inmate at the Dallas-area Hutchins Unit with less than a year left on a check-cashing conviction. He died after guards found him with a body temperature of 109. FATALITIES: Families sue prison system over heat wave deaths at Texas lockups In contrast to these claims, the 2014 class action suit set out to protect living inmates at the Pack Unit. While no heat deaths were officially recorded there, inmates said the prison failed to adhere to contemporary standards of decency and subjected the units geriatric and medically compromised population to substantial risk of serious injury or death during the summer months. Also prompted by the heat deaths, a group of law students from the University of Texas Human Rights Clinic started to visit prisons and collect data about the health effects of unmitigated heat. Their report, flagging at last 40 deaths at Texas prisons in which they suspected extreme heat as a contributing factor, drew concern from the United Nations Committee Against Torture and the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights. The UT study also identified extreme heat deaths at jails and prisons in California, Arizona, Florida, New York and Michigan. ONE-ON-ONE: Federal judge asks warden if there are risks he'd take for inmates These are, in some ways, the most vulnerable people in the country because they are at the hands of the state 24 hours a day, and theres no other way for inmates to protect themselves, said Ariel Dulitsky, director of the UT Human Rights Clinic. State lockups in Texas have been slower to modernize their cooling systems than county or federal facilities. Since 1976, state standards call for county jails to keep the temperature between 65 and 85 degrees. The Bureau of Prisons also offers air conditioning at all but seven of 122 federal units. But most of the 1.3 million people in state facilities nationwide arent privy to these advances. A survey of state correctional systems by the Chronicle found that five states provide air conditioning for all inmates, while 21 other states offer it for at least half their prisoners. Texas is among six southern states that dont have cooling for the majority of inmates. Unmitigated heat presents a unique threat in Texas because hot spells are protracted. Pack staffers logged 74 days in 2011 when the temperature surpassed 100 degrees. Heat is perilous for people who are compromised and many people in our prisons are compromised, said Susi Vassallo, a certified corrections physician who studied the effect of heat at prisons across the south and testified as an expert for the Pack inmates. She said the elderly are at the greatest risk, as well as people who have conditions or take medicine that impede the bodys ability to regulate heat. Being held all day in extremely hot, humid spaces forces the heart to pump faster and the body to sweat to the point of dehydration. Air conditioning eliminates these threats, she said. State officials, however, voiced concerns about the cost of infrastructure improvements, suggesting that air-conditioned respite rooms, cool showers and ice water provided sufficient alternatives during heat spells. But Vassallo told the Chronicle that Texas wardens dont hesitate to aid inmates during other emergencies. Its inconceivable that we would not rescue these prisoners from the dangers of flooding, fire, electrocution, drowning, bacteria, cold or illness, so why would we not protect them when we know heat is a proven, measurable threat? she asked. *** Ellisons emergency order after testimony from prisoners who experienced heat-related nausea, fainting and hospitalization established for the first time at a Texas facility that vulnerable inmates cannot be housed in rooms that surpass an 88-degree threshold. Lawsuits by inmates seeking relief from unacceptable living conditions are particularly tough to win, legal scholars said. These cases are really hard-fought and typically prison officials resist improving their conditions as much as they possibly can, said Sharon Dolovich, director of the prison law and policy program at the University of California at Los Angeles. Prisoners are not a popular constituency. Inmates rights cases face a high threshold under the Prison Litigation Reform Act of 1996, law professors said. They have to show theres a serious threat of harm and prove that officials are aware of the threat. HARVEY TRANSFERS: Texas prisons make move evacuated inmates to a/c facilities Jeff Edwards, whose small Austin firm joined the Texas Civil Rights Project in representing the Pack inmates, said building a case against a $3 billion state agency is laborious. People arent running to go make money doing prison litigation, he said. Cole said being at an air-conditioned facility since the courts 2017 injunction improved his physical and mental health, but his brother Derek said that Cole didnt sign the settlement because it doesnt address all his concerns. Hes among dozens of inmates who say the lawsuit prompted retaliation, including excessive use of air conditioning on cold days. But another inmate, Richard Elvin King, who is incarcerated for three 1989 murder convictions, signed off on the deal. We might have done an inhuman deed, but were still humans, King said during an interview in February. Some of the guys come in with a 10-year sentence thats not aggravated and they end up dying because of the heat. King, 72, a Vietnam War veteran and former railroad engineer from Nacogdoches, has high blood pressure and diabetes. He said the heat is a constant threat. Somebody beating you up? You try to avoid that and you can avoid it. If somebody wants to stab you, you can stay out of the way, he said. But the heat is there all the time Theres no getting away from it. Gabrielle Banks writes about inmates' rights, voting rights and discrimination cases. She wants to hear about people challenging the police, prison wardens and public institutions for violating civil rights and to investigate criminal prosecutions in the Southern District of Texas. Help Gabrielle unveil stories about justice -- served and denied. Follow her on Twitter at @gabmobanks. About the series Banks explored the wrongful death lawsuits brought by family members of inmates who died of heat stroke amid sweltering summers of 2011 and 2012, and the 2014 class-action lawsuit that alleged living without air conditioning at a geriatric unit northwest of Houston amounted to "cruel and unusual punishment." She dug into the medical issues involved in heat exposure and the policy decisions prisons had made about climate control. Subscribe The Houston Chronicle is dedicated to serving the public interest with fact-based journalism. That mission has never been more important. Show your support for our journalism at HoustonChronicle.com/subscribe. *** Robert Crow Perez said he learned about scams targeting seniors when a fake contractor showed up at his door offering to reshingle his roof. He said the man asked for $500 upfront to buy materials for the roofing work. Perez, 75, said he knew hed never see the man again if he would have given him any cash. I told him no, he said. And I said if you dont have the money to do the job, we can go and Ill give you so much and you give me a receipt along with my change. Perez was on the right track. But he learned more tips he could have used when he attended a senior scam-prevention class Monday morning at the Doris Griffin Senior One-Stop Center, near Ingram Park Mall. Perez was one of 22 senior center members who listened closely as David Brinkman, a detective with the San Antonio Police Department, stressed the importance of being alert, especially since scams targeting their group are on the rise. Its going to happen, he said, theres nothing you can do but be cautious. More Information Tips to avoid scam tactics Suggest meeting at the police department if conducting a financial transaction with strangers. Do not agree to pay a portion of a promised cashier's check. Check out companies through the Better Business Bureau. Call and verify credentials of law enforcement investigators and utility workers. Get everything in writing for business transactions. Don't leave important and financial information in outside mailboxes. Mail financial payments through the post office and not your mailbox. Report scams and fraud at AARP Foundation ElderWatch. See More Collapse According to news reports, senior citizens lost $37 billion in scams in recent years. To illustrate one reason scam artists target seniors, Brinkman asked the group which generation pays their bills and has money. He received a loud reply: Ours! He said scammers look for signs to find seniors to target, such as cars in driveways with handicap plates and well-maintained homes. To combat the efforts, Brinkman said, seniors should always be suspicious of unsolicited calls. But Brinkman warned that criminals commit financial fraud through a variety of means in addition to phone calls, including email, postal mail and personal visits. He told the group that the government would never call or send threatening emails that they owed agencies money, nor should they ever click on an email attachment or give out their names. Administrator Peaches Hall said the class, sponsored by WellMed, is part of the centers ongoing program to sharpen seniors scam-detection skills and make it harder for scammers ploys to work on them. A recent scam that Hall said theyd heard members talk about was one that threatened to cut off cable service unless they sent money immediately. Theyre like, Omigosh, I dont have novellas, I dont have my news, she said. Sixty-six dollars doesnt sound like a lot of money unless you times that by the population of seniors here. Center member Rosa Ramos, 71, said she learned that its getting worse rather than better and that she needs to be more alert. We hear it, but coming to a class kind of reaffirms what youre not supposed to be doing, she said. Its good for us, it helps. Brinkman left the group with these words of advice: If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. Vincent T. Davis is a San Antonio Express-News staff writer. Read more of his stories here. | vtdavis@express-news.net | @vincentdavis AUSTIN Lupe Valdez and Andrew White will debate at an Austin Episcopal church at 7 p.m. Friday in their battle for the Democratic nomination for governor, according to organizers of the event. For those who want to attend, tickets will be available via a link on Facebook starting Tuesday at 6 p.m. Seating capacity is 250. A livestream will be made available by KXAN.com, organizers said, adding that there will be debate watch parties. Valdez, the former Dallas County sheriff, agreed last week to the debate, which had long been sought by White, a Houston businessman and son of the late Democratic former Gov. Mark White. Related: Debate is high stakes for Valdez, White in race for governor She finished ahead of him in the nine-candidate March primary election. The May 22 runoff election is needed to determine who will face Republican Gov. Greg Abbott in November because no one got a majority of votes. Debate organizers initially projected the debate would occur at the University of Texas at Austin, but the school said outside groups cannot have such events on campus. The debate now is slated for St. James Episcopal Church at 1941 Webberville Road in Austin. Doors will open at 6 p.m., and the one-hour debate is set to start at 7 p.m. The debate is hosted by several groups including the State Tejano Democrats, Texas Coalition of Black Democrats, Texas College Democrats, Texas Young Democrats, Texas Stonewall Democrats and the Travis County Democratic Party. The moderator will be Dallas Morning News political writer Gromer Jeffers, according to organizers. Peggy Fikac is a San Antonio Express-News staff writer. Read more of her stories here. | pfikac@express-news.net | @pfikac AUSTIN San Antonio police officer Arturo Moreno doesnt hesitate when asked whether he thinks about his slain brother as he goes about his work. Every day. Every day, said Moreno, 30, who received a medal Monday honoring the late Officer Miguel Moreno III from Gov. Greg Abbott at a memorial ceremony for peace officers. The governor promised that the state would remember not only those who died defending their communities safety but the families left to mourn them. We are reminded that there is no such thing as a routine day for a law enforcement officer, Abbott said. They go to work every day to keep us safe, not knowing what dangers they may face during the course of that day, he said. So we must, as a community, stand in solidarity with them, and we must focus on restoring the respect for law enforcement, not just in Texas, but throughout our entire nation. Officers Miguel Moreno and Julio Cavazos were shot June 29, 2017, near San Antonio College as they were working on a car burglary detail. After they attempted to investigate two pedestrians, one shot at them. Moreno, who was shot in the head, was pronounced dead the next day. Cavazos, who was hit in the chest, survived his critical injury. The suspect, who was hurt when Cavazos returned fire, died after shooting himself in the head, authorities said. He had a long criminal record. . Arturo Moreno said the medal presented by Abbott for his brother meant a lot to me and my family. Its an honor to be here to represent my brother. Members of law enforcement agencies from around the state, including the San Antonio Police Department and Bexar County Sheriffs Office, took part in the ceremony. The San Antonio Blue Line Choir sang the national anthem. The memorial came amid national attention on some law officers interactions with suspects, particularly minority suspects, in which force is used or there seems insufficient provocation for an officer to draw a gun. Abbott focused on the many upstanding officers who continue to put their lives on the line despite growing disrespect and even open hostility toward law enforcement officers. Too often this hostility has turned into violence violence that has cost law enforcement officers their lives, he said. Texas has sent a message that disrespect wont be tolerated, Abbott said. He cited a state law making it a hate crime to attack an officer because of prejudice against law enforcement as well as an initiative to provide better equipment to officers, including rifle-resistant vests. They are our neighbors. They are our friends. They are fathers and mothers. They are sons and daughters. They wear the badge for each and every one of us because they care so much about the people and the communities they serve, Abbott, and they have demonstrated time and again that they will do whatever it takes to protect those in need, even if it means sacrificing their own lives. Peggy Fikac is a San Antonio Express-News staff writer. Read more of her stories here. | pfikac@express-news.net | @pfikac As a councilman, before Mayor Ron Nirenberg was elected to lead the city, he often emphasized the virtue of transparency in governance. In 2014, after business leaders and local officials, including Nirenberg, met privately to discuss the Vista Ridge water pipeline, he told me, The level of transparency in the discussions is a concern. Im trying to move the conversation from the boardrooms into the living rooms of San Antonians. Two years later, after then-Mayor Ivy Taylor shut out the public and the media from a meeting on police-community relations, Nirenberg accused Taylor of an allergy to dispute, adding that our democracy is in trouble when the people who are charged with protecting it are locked out of the room. Back Story: City Council decides against bidding for GOP national convention in 2020 It was significantly out of character, therefore, when the mayor opted last week to convene the City Council behind closed doors to discuss whether the city should submit a bid to host the 2020 Republican National Convention. Made in private, the councils controversial decision not to pursue the event likely violated the Texas Open Meetings Act regardless of whether the council arrived at that decision by vote, experts said. Wow. Thats a pretty blatant mistake, said Bill Aleshire, an Austin-based attorney whose law practice is focused on government transparency and accountability. Not pursuing the convention sounds like a decision, he added. I think it violates section 551.102 (of the Texas Government Code) for them to have made a decision that was announced by the mayor without voting on it in public. The code states that a final action, decision or vote on a matter deliberated in a closed meeting under this chapter may only be made in an open meeting that is held in compliance with the notice provisions of this chapter. Aleshire added, Technically, they havent made a decision. His analysis was echoed by Kelley Shannon, executive director of the Freedom of Information Foundation of Texas. Whether they took an actual vote or informally all just sort of voiced their opinion, that doesnt really matter, Shannon said. If a decision was made behind closed doors, its still not OK. Four days before the closed-door meeting, Councilman Greg Brockhouse raised questions about Nirenbergs approach in a memo to the mayor and City Attorney Andy Segovia, in which he requested an opinion on whether it would violate the Open Meetings Act. I am of the opinion the City Council must hold this discussion on submitting a bid for the Republican National Convention in Open Session, preferably the next available B session, Brockhouse wrote. Garcia: City rejection of RNC complicates relationship with business community He added, The dialogue regarding the potential submission should be in Open Session and, if the Council grants direction to proceed, the specific bid parameters can be held in Closed Session. The public should understand what their elected officials are doing in an open, transparent meeting. Two days later in a confidential memo to City Manager Sheryl Sculley, the mayor and the council Segovia responded with an opinion based on an assumption that the council would take no action during the meeting. With respect to the scheduled meeting concerning the RNC, as I understand it, the meeting is aimed to discuss the contractual parameters, incentives, logistics, economics and security requirements associated with hosting a national political convention, Segovia wrote. The Council will not act on anything during the meeting. On Monday, Segovia said the issues discussed did not violate the Open Meetings Act. In my mind, one can still argue as to whether the overall discussions could have been made publicly, he said. But what was discussed fell within the parameters of the open meetings act in that we talked about some attorney-client privileged matters that related to our contract with Visit San Antonio. And then they talked about the economics and what the city commitments would be to bring (the convention) over. The decision not to pursue the event, according to Segovia, was made by Casandra Matej, president and CEO of Visit San Antonio, a nonprofit that coordinates bid submittals for the city. At the end of the day, she concluded that she didnt have the council support, at least the full support she needed to move forward, Segovia said of Matej, who attended the closed-door meeting. On Monday, however, Nirenberg characterized the decision as the councils. The council as a whole decided it was not worth it to move forward with a bid, he told me. Nirenberg insisted no action was taken at the meeting. Related: Site-selection chair reacts to S.A.'s rejection of RNC What was there to vote on? Theres no proposal, he said. There was no bid for us to approve or disapprove of. The discussion was, what does the bid entail? Because there was no decision to move forward, there was no item for the council to vote on. Yet a decision not to do something is still a decision. As elected representatives, the council should have deliberated in full view of the public in the living rooms of San Antonians, as someone once said. bchasnoff@express-news.net HARTFORD Connecticut high schools will now be required to teach the history of the Holocaust and other genocides, the General Assembly has decided. By a unanimous vote, the House on Monday approved the bill to codify this curriculum into state law; previously this subject was optional to teach in Connecticut. The bill, approved earlier by the state Senate, will now go to Gov. Dannel P. Malloy to be signed into law. As we go through life, mankind does have a dark side, said state Rep. Mitch Bolinsky, R-Newtown, and history is really the only way to maintain perspective to avoid mistakes and to prevent atrocities from happening. The bill was proposed by state Sen. Toni Boucher, R-Wilton, after swastikas and other anti-Semitic graffiti appeared her hometown and several nearby communities last year. Statewide, twice as many anti-Semitic incidents were reported in late 2017 as in the same period the year before, according to the state chapter of the Anti-Defamation League. Middlebrook School in Wilton saw three similar incidents last fall, when swastikas were found twice in the boys bathroom and a sixth-grader found a sticky note reading Jews will burn in her locker. Since 2017, swastikas have been found across Ridgefield, from the towns high school and Ballard Park to the Aldrich Museum and Masonic Lodge. In Redding, a swastika was found carved into a tree in Topstone Park in January. The Holocaust survivors and children of survivors remind us that we are losing the eye witnesses to the atrocities that took place nearly 80 years ago, Boucher said in March. We cannot let the knowledge of this sad chapter in world history disappear with them. She led unanimous passage of the bill in the Senate two weeks ago. emunson@hearstmediact.com; Twitter: @emiliemunson Stamford police / Contributed STAMFORD When police rolled up to Stamford Hospital Saturday morning to talk to a woman who had a punctured lung after being stabbed in the chest, they thought there had been a violent criminal on the loose. But as investigator Rafael Barquero began looking into the case and speaking to the two women claiming to be victims of an East Side assault, he found something odd in their past. One of the women had been arrested on April 20 for allegedly assaulting the Saturday morning stabbing victim. IBN grants generation licence for Arun-3 project Investment Board Nepal (IBN) on Thursday granted an electricity generation licence to SJVN Arun-3 Power Development Company to generate power from the Arun-3 Hydropower Project located in eastern Nepal. by Jamie Mellor | Cubs Correspondent | Tue, May 8th 4:54am EDT Kyle Hendricks went eight innings allowing two runs Monday versus the Marlins. He easily earned the win. Fantasy Impact: Hendricks is an elite ERA option who will not strike out a huge number but should be own in the vast majority of leagues. Also helpful to his value is that the Cubs are a pretty good team. by Alex Murray | Tue, May 8th 12:40pm EDT Serge Ibaka scored 12 points on 63 percent shooting from the field during Toronto's Game 4 loss to Cleveland on Monday. Ibaka added one rebound and one block in 18 minutes of action. Fantasy Impact: Wildly, seeing less than 20 minutes in two of the four games of the series, Ibaka came on a bit during Game 3 and shot well in Game 4 but was really never a fantasy factor in the playoffs. Don't be surprised if the Raptors try to move him in the summer. Good luck finding a suitor with that contract though. An influential committee has written to Defra Secretary Michael Gove for the second time to ask about the impact of a 'no deal' Brexit scenario for the farming industry. The EU Energy and Environment Sub-Committee has also asked about the preparations Defra has made for this scenario. The European Commission has issued a series of notices to stakeholders', which set out the legal and practical ramifications for different sectors if the UK was to leave the EU with no withdrawal agreement in place. The Sub-Committee is seeking to understand what assessment Defra has made of the impact of this scenario and the steps it has taken to mitigate this. It follows comments by the Public Accounts Committee highlighting Defra's "unprecedented challenge" in preparing for Brexit. It said the uncertainty leaves not only the department but also farming and rural businesses in the dark about exactly what they need to do to prepare. The EU Energy and Environment Sub-Committee letter to Mr Gove highlights the ramifications of a no deal scenario for the food and farming industry as "significant". Chairman of the Committee, Lord Teverson, said: Whilst the Government hopes to negotiate an agreement with the EU that would avoid this scenario, it is not guaranteed that they will achieve this. The ramifications of no deal, as set out in these notices, are significant: from the additional paperwork that businesses will need to complete in order to export to the EU, to transporters of live animals needing to obtain certification from an EU Member State in order to be able to drive in to the EU and UK vessels needing EU authorisation to fish in EU waters. Lord Teverson added: Meeting these requirements would involve significant costs for individuals, businesses and Government. Some arrangements could also take considerable time to put in place. We have written to the Secretary of State to ask what steps he has taken to ensure the UK is prepared for this eventuality. Young people do not share the concerns of older generations about GM foods and other futuristic farming techniques, according to new research. A new survey has shown that millennials are in favour of using new technology to revolutionise farming methods in the UK. The British public has historically been hesitant about the use of new technology in farming. For example, GM foods not currently grown in the UK. But millennials are increasingly in favour of new methods to increase food production. When asked about how Britain could respond to the pressures facing the agricultural sector in the UK, two thirds (67%) of millennials supported the use of innovations such as unmanned aerial vehicles to shore up crop security and improve yields. Only one in five (19%) of those surveyed objected to the use of self-driving tractors on farms, according to the new research by Populus. At a time when the global population is rising, UK farmers are under increasing pressure to up their productivity and compete with imported products, whilst at the same time be more sustainable, lower their carbon and environmental footprint and support on-farm biodiversity. New technologies The survey of more than 1,600 18 to 30 year olds, carried out for the Agricultural Biotechnology Council (ABC), identified widespread support for the use of new technologies that could make a huge difference to farming communities. Sixty-five percent of young people supported the use of drones in livestock farming to count sheep and a similar per cent (63%) agreed with the use of drones in arable farming to assess, monitor and spray crops. In particular respondents aged 18-24 were the most supportive of the latest techniques to help make crops more nutritious, pest and disease resistant. Approximately 50% of 18-24 year olds agreed that they can play a major role in making UK farming more sustainable for the future. The opposition to the use of these techniques was low across, with only approximately 20% of respondents objecting to the use of gene editing and GM. These results come as Defra concludes its public consultation into what future agricultural policy should look like post Brexit. Varun Sood Backs Out Of The Show It was also said that Jodha Akbar actor, Rajat Tokas and Varun Sood have been approached to play the roles of Shahrukh Khan's character, Rahul Raichand and his younger brother, Rohan, respectively. But, Varun has backed out of the project as he had some other commitments and the dates were clashing. Newbie Yogita Bihani To Play Kajols Role Newbie Yogita Bihani has bagged a big project, thanks to Salman Khan's Dus Ka Dum promo. According to Mumbai Mirror report, Ekta has finalised Yogita to play Kajol's role (Anjali) in the TV remake of Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham. Eric Fernandes Was Considered For Kajols Role A source was quoted by the leading daily as saying, "Earlier, Erica Fernandes of Kuch Rang Pyaar Ke Aise Bhi was being considered for the part but thanks to Yogita's newfound popularity she will play the part in the show which is titled Dil Hi Toh Hai." Omkar Kapoor In Ektas TV Version Of K3G On the other hand, Pyaar Ka Punchnama 2 actor Omkar Kapoor will be foraying into the small screen, with Ekta Kapoor's show. Apparently, he will be seen playing the role of Ritwik Noon in Dil Hi Toh Hai. Omkar To Play Ritwik Regarding the same, Omkar was quoted by Mid-day as saying, "Getting a chance to be part of the television industry, especially with Ekta ma'am, makes me feel blessed. On the work front, my character, Ritwik, is ambitious and a go-getter. On the personal front, he is a charmer." Omkar Wants To Make His Mark In TV Industry Omkar wants to be successful on the small screens as well. He says, "TV has a wide audience and I want to make a mark in the industry. I'm looking forward to showcasing my talent and earning the love of the audience." Poonam Dhillon & Padmini Kolhapure Two popular veteran actresses, Poonam Dhillon and Padmini Kolhapure, who were last seen in Sony's Ek Nayi Pehchaan, are approached for the show. Apparently, Poonam will be seen playing mother to the male leads, while Padmini will be seen essaying Poonam's sister and the maasi' to the boys. Sudeepa Singh It is also said that Arslan Goni, Akshay Dogra and Sudeepa Singh have also been roped in for the show. According to reports, Sudeepa will be seen playing Akshay's wife in the show. Whether her role will be positive or negative is yet to be seen. Partners with Aruba and VMware for Enterprises Arista Networks (NYSE:ANET) today announced a new network architecture designed to address transitional changes as the enterprise moves to an IoT (Internet of Things)-ready campus. Leveraging EOS and CloudVision, Arista's Cognitive Cloud Networking approach brings operational consistency and modern cloud principles to the enterprise campus. This solution, driven with key partnerships, Aruba, a Hewlett Packard Enterprise company, and VMware, helps reduce customer operational expenses through simplified architectures, data-driven analytics and segment-based security. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20180507006016/en/ Cognitive campus platforms. Leveraging cloud and datacenter expertise and principles. (Graphic: Business Wire) "Arista is unshackling the complexity of today's legacy multi-tiered box approach to an elegant Spline-based campus design. Once again, we are disrupting the status quo to deliver a cognitive architecture with behavior-driven actions," said Jayshree Ullal, president and CEO for Arista Networks. Extending the Cloud Network to Campus Today's campus networks suffer from too much complexity brought on by the myriad of platforms, operating systems, proprietary features and network management tools from incumbent vendors. Coupled with the explosive growth of endpoints as well as the requirement for workloads, users and devices to be connected anywhere, the operational costs of managing these complexities become prohibitive. These challenges are not unlike those of legacy datacenters, before the shift to cloud networking. The cloud networking principles of simplification, open-standards, software-driven control, born in the datacenter, are just as applicable to today's campus networks. Arista's Universal Cloud Network (UCN) delivers common cloud principles for simplified networking topologies and architectures across use-cases. As siloed Places-In-the-Network (PINs) of the legacy enterprise are normalized to become standardized Places-In-the-Cloud (PICs), Arista's UCN provides a consistent experience and simplifies the model for enterprise customers to extend their datacenter networking practices to the campus networks. Introducing the Arista 7300X3 and 7050X3 Campus Spline As the first step in addressing the campus network architecture, Arista is introducing the 7300X3 and 7050X3 Spline, high performance 10/25/40/50/100G Ethernet platforms, extending the open UCN architecture from the datacenter to the campus. As Spline platforms, the X3 Series collapse multiple tiers of legacy hierarchical campus designs into a single tier. Arista Spline customers have realized simplified network designs with fewer touchpoints while still achieving high availability levels for campus voice and video. Proven in the datacenter, the Spline platforms provide a consistent set of switching and routing features including a cognitive approach to automation, segmentation and visibility. Helping customers diagnose congestion related network performance issues, Flow Tracer, the latest feature in Arista's telemetry portfolio, provides end-to-end visibility for any flow. The 7300X3 modular Spline system scales to 50 Tbps of performance with a choice of linecard options. The 7050X3 fixed Spline complements the 7300X3, offering a choice of compact and flexible options including 25G and 100G that deliver the same campus network consistency. A Cornerstone: The Cognitive Management Plane The data networking industry has seen tremendous growth in the last 40 years, aligned around a set of mature, multi-vendor data plane and control plane options. However, the management plane remains in stark contrast with no consistent or common approach. This leaves the burden to the customer, who is challenged with stitching together vendor-specific management solutions. The Cognitive Management Plane (CMP) is open framework designed to address this gap for large data sets. The CMP combines a state repository, a stream computation engine, and various application components built into a horizontally scalable cluster. Each cluster manages a subset of network devices from different vendors and interacts with other clusters through vendor-neutral APIs and standardized models, such as OpenConfig with gRPC. Modern streaming collects the network state to provide full network state history, where machine learning techniques are applied, providing insights including anomalous behavior detection. The goal of the CMP approach makes modern, multi-vendor network management a reality, filling the void in existing management solutions. Securing the Campus with Cognitive CloudVision CMP-based turbines can detect network issues that legacy systems have routinely missed and ultimately help to reduce the mean time to identify and remediate these issues. CloudVision federates the state across network types (datacenter, cloud, campus, etc.) and can then share this data with peers in the CMP framework. CloudVision can also display the data to the CloudVision front-end, visualizing both real-time and historical telemetry data with perspectives ranging from high level topology-wide views down to device level details. CloudVision couples this new level of visibility with automated provisioning, giving customers the ability to detect and take action for ongoing operational tasks. Further, CloudVision provides compliance audit checks, with native alerting for operational situations ranging from deviations in the intended network configuration to the rollout of a security patch. Finally, Macro-Segmentation Services (MSS) leverages an open-standard approach to service insertion for the datacenter or the campus with direct firewall integration from Arista's security partners. Now campus operators are able to leverage these operational and security tools across cognitive use-cases. Availability The Arista 7300X3 and 7050X3 Spline platforms and the associated cognitive EOS and CloudVision capabilities are in trials now with general availability in Q3'18. Industry Support "We are redefining the intelligent edge for mobile and IoT while partnering with Arista in next-generation cloud networking for data centers," said Keerti Melkote, President and Founder of Aruba, a Hewlett Packard Enterprise company. "We welcome Arista's expansion to the campus Spline and look forward to offering joint best-of-breed solutions for our customers. Our ongoing partnership with Arista is proof that an open multi-vendor approach can not only work but is far better than the proprietary lock-in solutions that plague the industry today." "Digital transformation is creating a new level of networking and security complexity as organizations move from centralized data centers, to hyper distributed applications and centers of data at the edge," Greg Bollella, CTO, IoT, VMware. "The proliferation of IoT devices, IoT edge infrastructure, and the growth of cloud computing drives new requirements for managing, monitoring, and securing the enterprise network and edge infrastructure. VMware and Arista share a common vision for creating a digital business fabric for connecting, visualizing, and securely managing IoT endpoints, IoT edge systems, and campus and cloud networks. The combination of Arista's CloudVision and VMware Pulse IoT Center will go a long way towards realizing this vision." About Arista Networks Arista Networks pioneered software-driven, cognitive cloud networking for large-scale datacenter and campus environments. Arista's award-winning platforms redefine and deliver availability, agility, automation, analytics and security. Arista has shipped more than fifteen million cloud networking ports worldwide with CloudVision and EOS, an advanced network operating system. Committed to open standards across private, public and hybrid cloud solutions, Arista products are supported worldwide directly and through partners. ARISTA, EOS, CloudVision, FlexRoute and AlgoMatch are among the registered and unregistered trademarks of Arista Networks, Inc. in jurisdictions around the world. Other company names or product names may be trademarks of their respective owners. Additional information and resources can be found at www.arista.com. This press release contains forward-looking statements including, but not limited to, statements regarding the benefits of Arista's Universal Cloud Network, Arista's 7300X3 and 7050X3 campus Spline products, Arista's EOS and CloudVision software and Arista's Cognitive Management Plane as well as the enablement of cost savings, increased performance and greater efficiency resulting from the deployment of these products and services. All statements other than statements of historical fact are statements that could be deemed forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual performance or results to differ materially from those expressed in the forward-looking statements including: our limited operating history and experience with developing and releasing new products; product, support or service quality problems; rapidly evolving changes in technology, customer requirements and industry standards as well as other risks stated in our filings with the SEC available on Arista's website at www.arista.com and the SEC's website at www.sec.gov. Arista disclaims any obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statement to reflect events that occur or circumstances that exist after the date on which they were made. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20180507006016/en/ Contacts: Arista Networks Media Contact Amanda Jaramillo, 408-547-5798 Corporate Communications amanda@arista.com or Investor Contact Charles Yager, 408-547-5892 Product and Investor Advocacy cyager@arista.com Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - May 7, 2018) - Prime City One Capital Corp. (TSXV: PMO.H) (the "Corporation" or "Prime City"), is pleased to report that its previously announced private placement financing for aggregate gross proceeds of up to $1,000,000 of units (each a "Unit") at a price of $0.08 per Unit is ongoing. Each unit offered under this financing will consist of one common share of Prime City (a "Common Share") and one common share purchase warrant (a "Warrant"). Each whole Warrant will entitle the holder to acquire one additional Common Share at a price of $0.105 for a period of 1 year from closing. Closing may occur in multiple tranches, as subscription proceeds and supporting documentation are received. The proceeds from this offering will be used to settle outstanding indebtedness, to fund future restructuring costs and for general working capital purposes.Hold periods will apply to the securities issued under this offering in accordance with applicable securities laws. This offering is subject to the approval of the NEX. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT: Ying Chen Chief Financial Officer Prime City One Capital Corp. Tel: (647) 300-1581 Email: ying@foregrowth.com Caution Regarding Forward-Looking Statements - This news release contains certain forward looking statements, including statements regarding the business and anticipated financial performance of the Corporation. These statements are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties. Actual results may differ materially from results contemplated by the forward-looking statements. When relying on forward-looking statements to make decisions, investors and others should carefully consider the foregoing factors and other uncertainties and should not place undue reliance on such forward-looking statements. 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 the release. TOKYO, May 8, 2018 - (JCN Newswire) - Fujitsu Limited and Kofax Japan have entered into a global sales partner agreement in Robotic Process Automation (RPA)(1). This will enable the two companies to collaboratively conduct new market development activities. Fujitsu and Kofax are now offering RPA solutions in Japan, and will in the future steadily rollout globally. Organizations are under immense pressure to digitize and automate all aspects of their operations, yet many still rely on manual tasks for vital business processes which may increase errors and costs. RPA is increasingly deployed to address the need to automate manual, repetitive tasks, eliminate errors, and deliver 100 percent data accuracy, thereby improving productivity, quality, and cost savings. This partnership agreement allows Fujitsu and Kofax to collaboratively deploy RPA to support streamlined operations in various industries around the world.(1) RPA Robotic Process Automation. Efforts to replace office work that was done manually by software robot (Digital Labor).About Kofax Kapow:Kofax Kapow, the OriginalBot, is RPA software that allows users to deploy smart robots to mimic human actions and automate a wide range of manual, repetitive tasks while driving continuous improvements. With hundreds of thousands of Kapow robots deployed at more than 550 enterprise customers, BPO providers and shared service organizations around the world, Kapow has enabled exceptional results by driving improved operational efficiency, more rapid customer responses, better compliance and material cost savings.About KofaxKofax is a leading supplier of software and solutions to automate and digitally transform human and information intensive processes across front and back office operations. These can dramatically improve customer engagement, greatly reduce operating costs, mitigate compliance risk and increase competitiveness, growth and profitability. Its broad range of software and solutions can be deployed in the cloud or on premise, and include robotic process automation, business process management, multichannel capture and other critically important capabilities. These provide a rapid return on investment to over 20,000 Kofax customers in financial services, insurance, government, healthcare, supply chain, business process outsourcing and other markets. Kofax delivers its software and solutions through its direct sales and services organization and more than 650 indirect channel partners in more than 60 countries throughout the Americas, EMEA and Asia Pacific. For more information, visit kofax.com.About Fujitsu LtdFujitsu is the leading Japanese information and communication technology (ICT) company, offering a full range of technology products, solutions, and services. Approximately 155,000 Fujitsu people support customers in more than 100 countries. We use our experience and the power of ICT to shape the future of society with our customers. Fujitsu Limited (TSE: 6702) reported consolidated revenues of 4.5 trillion yen (US$40 billion) for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2017. For more information, please see http://www.fujitsu.com.* Please see this press release, with images, at:http://www.fujitsu.com/global/about/resources/news/press-releases/Source: Fujitsu LtdContact:Copyright 2018 JCN Newswire . All rights reserved. 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. Indian firm seeks Rs3b for expressway DPR Indian firm Infrastructure Leasing and Financial Services (IL&FS) has presented a bill totalling Rs3.17 billion for preparing a detailed project report (DPR) for the Kathmandu-Tarai Expressway in 2015. Adding Millions of Hectares of Palm Trees to Its Growing West African Portfolio - African Palm Corp.'s operations will now extend into Guinea-Bissau and the Republic of the Congo, giving the Company access to a total of 4.5 million hectares of palm trees. - The Company's West African cluster is now poised to become the third largest region dedicated to the production of African palm oil in the world, following Indonesia and Malaysia. Through the company's accelerated growth, it is set to shortly become the largest palm oil provider in the world. - As a part of African Palm Corp.'s sustainable business model, 10 percent of the company's profits from the Congo's operation will be invested into local social projects such as schools, hospitals, and local infrastructure. MIAMI, May 8, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Following a recent trip throughout West Africa, African Palm Corp. (APC) announced today a newly signed agreement between the Company and representatives of Ngalipomi, a local group from the Congo. This agreement will give APC access to an additional three million hectares of palm trees in West Africa. The recent addition has substantially grown the Company's West African portfolio, which currently includes Guinea-Bissau and Congo, and positioned the company's cluster as the third largest area dedicated to the production of African palm oil in the world, following Indonesia and Malaysia. African Palm Corp. plans on breaking ground on its Congolese operation in the first quarter of 2019 with support from its local partner, Ngalipomi. The two companies will use existing infrastructure found along the Congo River, the second longest river in Africa after the Nile, to transport its harvested palm fruits to APC's production facilities. The project is expected to generate a total of 120,000 new direct and indirect jobs, while improving Congo's GDP by 22 percent. African Palm Corp. guarantees a contribution of 10 percent of its profits from the Congolese operation back into social programs such as schools, hospitals, and local infrastructure, providing water and electricity for the communities. "This is the second agreement that we have reached in just a few months and we are thrilled to include the Congo in our next phase of operations. This furthers our vision of creating a sustainable business model that can economically empower local African communities through the cultivation of palm fruits," explained African Palm Corp. President and CEO Oscar A. Faria. "We are seeking partnerships with West African countries where we can streamline our respective strengths to deliver high-quality, sustainably sourced palm oil to our list of global clients." The deal was signed in the presence of a public notary, Director General of Ngalipomi Juvely Ock, along with President and CEO of APC Oscar A. Faria, and the Company's Senior Management: Marielis Ontiveros, Marc Mesa and Carlos Gomez. Also in attendance were Agricultural Engineer Loubaki Cyrille, Director of Operations Ngoulou Prince, and Director General Nkounkou Cherubin from Doigts Verts Congo, who will provide technical advice to both parties engaging in the operation. Globally, the demand for palm oil has increased drastically in the last 20 years, going from 15 million metric tons per year in 1995 to over 65 million in 2015, with Indonesia and Malaysia currently producing 85% of the world's palm oil. As the demand has made substantial growth around the world, buyers have also become more conscious to high quality products that support sustainable farming methods and the local communities that will be impacted by the new business. African Palm Corp., with support and advice from a prestigious UK based insurance broker and a Lloyd's syndicate, has designed a solid business model that guarantees investors the viability and profitability of the business. APC's A-Grade ranking from Lloyd's ensures total annual profits, regardless of any political changes or climatic conditions that could affect the production and sales of the oil. Commitment to Local Communities This native West African plant grows naturally in the wild, as opposed to some regions in Asia, making the company's impact on the environment minimal. Prior to the start of its operations, African Palm Corp. signed working agreements with local ethnic groups to collaborate in harvesting the fruit from the African palm tree. In addition to commercial transactions, 10 percent of African Palm Corp.'s annual net profit will be directly invested in social infrastructure projects such as schools, medical centers, and roads, reflecting the specific needs of each local community. Additionally, all the technical infrastructure that African Palm Corp. develops as part of the company's logistical needs, such as electricity, access to potable water, roads, and docks, will be available and accessible to the local communities. Lastly, most of the direct and indirect jobs created because of APC's operation will be assigned to local community members and leaders. ABOUT AFRICAN PALM CORP. African Palm Corp.is an American company dedicated to the extraction, processing and commercialization in international markets of derivative products of African Palm (mostly Palm Oil). The operations of the company will be based in a cluster of West African countries in partnership with members of the local communities. To learn more, visit http://africanpalmcorp.com/. LONDON (dpa-AFX) - British insurer Standard Life plc (SL.L) has issued an update on investment management arrangements or IMAs with Lloyds Banking Group or LBG and Scottish Widows. On 15 February 2018, Standard Life Aberdeen plc or SLA announced that Lloyds Banking Group and Scottish Widows had sent the company a notice intending to terminate the long-term asset management arrangements between them covering, in aggregate, around 109 billion pounds of assets under management or AUM at the end of a 12 month notice period. The annual revenue associated with the AUM of about 129 million pounds represents around 4.4 percent of SLA's FY 2017 pro forma revenue. However, SLA has informed LBG that it does not agree that, following the merger of Aberdeen Asset Management PLC and Standard Life plc, SLA was in material competition in the U.K. with LBG. Therefore, SLA does not consider that LBG, Scottish Widows or their respective affiliates has the right to terminate the IMAs. The parties are engaging with each other within the framework of the dispute resolution process envisaged in the IMAs. 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. Development Strengthens Existing Strategic Alliance Between Aclara and FLONIDAN CAMBRIDGE, United Kingdom and HORSENS, Denmark, May 8, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- With the recent awarding of Commercial Product Assurance (CPA) certification to FLONIDAN for its UniFlo SMETS2 smart gas meters, the Aclara and FLONIDAN strategic alliance can now provide a dual-energy solution to utilities in the United Kingdom. Aclara and FLONIDAN are among the few manufacturers to offer CPA-certified meters for SMETS2 (smart metering equipment technical specifications: second version) deployment. In addition to strengthening the companies' longstanding strategic alliance, this development represents a benefit for UK utilities, as they can now acquire CPA-certified SMETS2 smart electricity and gas meters from a single source. Conferred by the UK National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC), CPA certification is a fundamental requirement for deploying SMETS2 meters in the UK's National Smart Metering Implementation Program. SMETS2 smart meters can provide additional end customer benefits not available in SMETS1 meters. For example, in addition to providing consumers with all the benefits of monitoring energy usage, they also allow for faster switching between energy suppliers as well as end-to-end security. "Now being able to deliver fully certified SMETS2 smart gas meters, we give the UK utilities sufficient time to pilot and commission in due time for the transition date in October," said FLONIDAN's CCO Morten Lang. "Our strategic alliance with FLONIDAN strengthens the offering we deliver to utilities in the UK. We are now among the only solution providers to offer a fully compliant, dual-fuel smart metering solution ready for implementation, bringing together our proven smart electricity meters with top quality smart gas meters," said Jason Subirana, vice-president, international, Aclara. "We look forward to working together to bring a superior solution to utility customers across the UK." Although the UK Government has extended the deadline for the installation of the first generation of smart meters, SMETS1, pushing the rollout of SMETS2 smart meters to later this year, the completion date in 2020 stays unchanged. This leaves only three years to pilot, deploy and commission fully SMETS2 compatible smart metering systems. With both Aclara's SGM1400 SMETS2 electricity meters and FLONIDAN's SMETS2 gas meters being CPA certified, UK utilities can deploy them immediately in the mandated program. Aclara, which has recently signed four major SMETS2 contracts in the UK, has garnered a significant share of the UK smart meters market along with FLONIDAN as a partner. Aclara's SGM1400 electricity meters received CPA SMETS2 certification in August 2017. About Aclara Aclara, now part of the Hubbell Power Systems family of brands, is a world-class supplier of smart infrastructure solutions (SIS) and services to more than 800 water, gas, and electric utilities globally. Aclara SIS offerings include smart meters and other field devices, advanced metering infrastructure and software and services that enable utilities to predict and respond to conditions, leverage their distribution networks effectively, and engage with their customers. Aclara won a Frost & Sullivan Global Smart Energy Networks Enabling Technology Leadership Award in 2017 and was named a finalist in three categories of the Platts Global Energy Awards in 2016. Visit us at Aclara.com, follow us on Twitter @AclaraSolutions or read our blog. About FLONIDAN FLONIDAN develops, manufactures and sells innovative metering solutions. We are among the world market leaders in smart gas meters and an important provider of data communication components to water, electricity, heat and gas meters. Our solutions are employed by professionals in public and private energy companies to ensure accurate metering and billing. We offer a complete range of smart gas diaphragm meters plus a new ultrasonic gas meter, SciFlo, which excels both in range and size. In past years FLONIDAN has experienced a strong and rapid growth, following the European roll-out of smart meters and enabled through strategic partnerships. FLONIDAN is owned by AVK Group, a Danish-based industrial group comprising 100+ companies and 3.800 employees. Aclara Media Contacts: Nancy Talley Ann Seamonds Aclara Seamonds & Company +1-440-528-7287 +1-978-764-5528 ntalley@aclara.com seamonds@seamonds.com FLONIDAN Media Contact: Lis Muusmann +45 2447 3077 lm@flonidan.dk flonidan.com Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/688181/FLONIDAN_LOGO_4Farvet.jpg Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/386124/Aclara_Primary_Logo.jpg Public Relations Office Phone: 81-3-5470-3235 TOKYO, May 8, 2018 - (JCN Newswire) - Showa Denko (SDK; TSE:4004) has completed expansion of its capacity to produce n-propyl acetate (NPAC), which is used in solvents for ink for special gravure printing.NPAC is a solvent mainly used for ink for special gravure printing on packaging materials for food. So far, toluene and methyl ethyl ketone (MEK) are mainly used as solvents for the gravure printing ink. However, demand for NPAC - an acetate-based solvent - is increasing as their safe and easy-to-use substitute, due to the revision of the Air Pollution Control Act in which a tighter control has been introduced over the emission of volatile organic components. In recent years, the demand for NPAC has been increasing more than 10% a year.At the end of 2009, SDK constructed facilities to produce NPAC with annual production capacity of 13,000 tons in Oita Complex, and started commercial production and sale of NPAC in February 2010. In 2016, SDK increased the annual production capacity of the NPAC plant to 16,000 tons by getting rid of a bottleneck in the plant. This time, SDK expanded the annual production capacity of the NPAC plant to 18,200 tons through modifications to facilities during the period for regular maintenance and repair of Oita Complex.Special gravure printing is widely used for exterior packaging films for confectionery and frozen food as it ensures clear and colorful images with depth and rich tints. The demand for gravure ink for food packaging materials has been especially increasing not only in Japan but also in overseas markets including Asia. In addition, NPAC is expected to be used in other applications, including adhesives, optical films and extractants.In addition to NPAC, SDK has been providing ink producers and printing companies with ethyl acetate, which is widely used as solvents for inks and paints. SDK will maintain and strengthen its system to stably supply these products in order to cope appropriately with the expansion of the market for solvents.About Showa Denko K.K.Showa Denko K.K. (SDK; TSE:4004, ADR:SHWDY), a major manufacturer of chemical products, serves a wide range of fields from heavy industry to electronics and computer industries. The Petrochemicals Sector provides cracker products such as ethylene and propylene, the Chemicals Sector provides industrial, high-performance and high-purity gases and chemicals for semicon and other industries, and the Inorganics Sector provides ceramic products, such as alumina, abrasives, refractory and graphite electrodes and fine carbon products. The Aluminum Sector provides aluminum materials and high-value-added fabricated aluminum, the Electronics Sector provides HD media, compound semiconductors such as ultra high-bright LEDs and rare earth magnetic alloys, and the Advanced Battery Materials Department (ABM) provides lithium-ion battery components. For more information, please visit www.sdk.co.jp/english/.Source: Showa Denko K.K.Contact:Copyright 2018 JCN Newswire . All rights reserved. SHANGHAI, May 8, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Recently, 2018 China's Top Investors JunDing Prize award ceremony, sponsored by Securities Times, was hosted in Xiamen, a city in Southeast China. Guotai Junan Securities investment banking team won the 2018 JunDing Prize for Comprehensive Investors in the second consecutive year. Guotai Junan Securities is also the winner of the 2018 JunDing Prize for Refinancing Investment Bank, the 2018 JunDing Prize for China's Best IPO Team and the 2018 JunDing Prize for Five-star Green Bonds Co-manager. Yang Xiaotao, the Vice President of Guotai Junan Securities Investment Committee, is appraised as the 2018 China's Top 10 Outstanding Investors. Statistics of Wind show that the sum of underwriting of Guotai Junan Securities investment banking team is almost up to 350 billion yuan in 2017, ranking as the 4th in the industry with 356 co-managers. As the second player within the industry, refinancing underwriting is over 83 billion yuan (Issuance of new shares, allotment, convertible bond and preference shares includes), taking about 10 percent of the market share. Issuance of new shares is over 58 billion yuan, with 17 percent growth. Additionally, 9 green bonds were issued last year, raising 45 billion yuan. Committed to innovation, Guotai Junan Securities investment banking team has pioneered in daily operations, such as being the first Book runner to sale "Bond Connect" products (yhj041776004), being the first private enterprise to issue "The Belt and Road" Perpetual ticket (yhj101775008), being the first to issue the mutual fund for innovative company bond (sh143206) approved by CSRC; joining the first batch of Securities to underwriting local government debt, etc.. Chilean copper miner Antofagasta said on Tuesday that it had detected and cleared a blockage at its Los Pelambres pipeline, where operation was immediately suspended. No leak occurred, the blockage was successfully cleared and filtering of concentrates to the port at Los Vilos resumed on Saturday. The cause of the blockage has been identified and maintenance procedures have been altered accordingly. The company said it will take up to three months for the stockpiles at the plant and the port to ... Werbehinweise: Die Billigung des Basisprospekts durch die BaFin ist nicht als ihre Befurwortung der angebotenen Wertpapiere zu verstehen. Wir empfehlen Interessenten und potenziellen Anlegern den Basisprospekt und die Endgultigen Bedingungen zu lesen, bevor sie eine Anlageentscheidung treffen, um sich moglichst umfassend zu informieren, insbesondere uber die potenziellen Risiken und Chancen des Wertpapiers. Sie sind im Begriff, ein Produkt zu erwerben, das nicht einfach ist und schwer zu verstehen sein kann. SAN FRANCISCO, May 8, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- The global bariatric surgery devices market is expected to reach USD 2.8 billion by 2022, according to a new report by Grand View Research, Inc. The growing incidence rate of obesity has led to many government initiatives at regional as well as global level to increase the awareness related to obesity and undertake various incidence curbing action plans. For instance, the South Wales government launched the NSW Healthy Eating and Active Living Strategy 2013-2018 for preventing obesity. (Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/661327/Grand_View_Research_Logo.jpg ) In addition, to strategic planning, the governments of developed nations are also funding universities to design strategic interventions to control the rising obesity. For the year 2014, New Zealand invested USD 40 million for its Healthy Families NZ anti-obesity initiative. Moreover, industry players are also trying to tackle the rising problem of obesity by launching new products. In February 2017, a startup company, Allurion Technologies, located in Massachusetts, U.S. filed a regulatory filing to report the USD 19 million raised amount out of the target of USD 27 million. The funds were intended to use for the development non-endoscopic gastric balloon, Ellipse. This device is in the form of capsule which when swallowed, is inflated in the stomach and deflates after months and is passed out without the need for anesthesia for its removal. This device is anticipated to revolutionize the bariatric surgery devices market due to its ease of use over the forecast period The demand for non-invasive surgeries is also increasing, as non-invasive surgeries save time, cost, and decrease hospital stay. Governments are also encouraging the use of more incisionless surgeries in order to decrease the cases of infection. For instance, in July 2015, the FDA approved a balloon device, where the balloon is directly swallowed using a sterile solution. Browse full research report with TOC on"Bariatric Surgery Devices Market Size, Share & Trends Analysis Report By Procedures (Adjustable Gastric Band, Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy, Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass), And Segment Forecasts, 2012 - 2022" at:https://www.grandviewresearch.com/industry-analysis/bariatric-surgery-devices-industry Further Key Findings From the Report Suggest: Gastric bypass surgery dominated the market in 2014 due to its early adoption since 1960 and the fact that it is the combination of both restrictive and malabsorptive procedures. The sleeve gastrectomy surgery is expected to witness rapid rise in demand owing to, the procedure's incision-less nature. The fact that the procedure does not involve re-routing the intestine is also likely to drive segment growth. With the FDA approval of ReShape balloon, there has been a recent FDA filing for Ellipse device, which is swallowed and gets excreted naturally after four months. North America was the largest regional market owing to the presence of market players introducing innovative technologies to improve patient care. was the largest regional market owing to the presence of market players introducing innovative technologies to improve patient care. Favorable government initiatives are also expected to play pivotal roles in the European market growth. For instance, the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) formed two funding research programs namely the Competence Network Obesity and Integrated Research and Treatment Center (IFB) Adiposity Diseases with budgets allocated at around USD 26 million for 2012-2015. for 2012-2015. Asia Pacific followed North America in terms of obesity and overweight prevalence. This coupled with the presence of large untapped opportunities is expected to help the Asia Pacific bariatric surgery market register the fastest growth over the forecast period. followed in terms of obesity and overweight prevalence. This coupled with the presence of large untapped opportunities is expected to help the bariatric surgery market register the fastest growth over the forecast period. Some key players of this market include Covidien Plc, Intuitive Surgical Inc., TransEnterix Inc., Allergan Inc., USGI Medical Inc., Semiled Ltd., Cousin Biotech, GI Dynamics Inc., Johnson and Johnson and Mediflex Surgical Product. Browse related reports by Grand View Research: Infectious Vaccines Market - Infectious vaccines market is expected to witness a growth of over 12% CAGR over the forecast period owing to growing prevalence of chronic diseases. Automated Dispensing Machines Market - The global automated dispensing machines market was valued at USD 2.9 billion in 2015 and is projected to grow at a lucrative CAGR of over 7% over the forecast period. Insulin Delivery Devices Market - The insulin delivery devices market accounted for USD 9.9 billion in 2015 and is anticipated to grow at a CAGR of 7.3% during the forecast period. Remote Patient Monitoring Devices Market - The global remote patient monitoring devices market was valued at USD 546.8 million in 2015. Grand View Research has segmented the bariatric surgery devices market report on the basis of procedures: Procedure Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2012 - 2022) Adjustable Gastric Band (AGB) Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy (VSG) Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass (RYGB) Biliopancreatic Diversion with a Duodenal Switch (BPD-DS) Regional Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2012 - 2022) North America U.S. and Canada Europe Germany UK France Asia Pacific Japan China India Latin America Brazil Mexico MEA South Africa Read Our Blog By Grand View Research:https://www.grandviewresearch.com/blogs/healthcare About Grand View Research Grand View Research, Inc. is a U.S. based market research and consulting company, registered in the State of California and headquartered in San Francisco. The company provides syndicated research reports, customized research reports, and consulting services. To help clients make informed business decisions, we offer market intelligence studies ensuring relevant and fact-based research across a range of industries, from technology to chemicals, materials and healthcare. Contact: Sherry James Corporate Sales Specialist, USA Grand View Research, Inc Phone: +1-415-349-0058 Toll Free: 1-888-202-9519 Email: sales@grandviewresearch.com Web: https://www.grandviewresearch.com Universities must harness the opportunities presented by international students' expectations, according to a new report from QS Enrolment Solutions, the student recruitment and retention solutions company. The unique survey spoke to 67,172 prospective international students, 28,020 of whom were considering studying in the UK. The report recommends that now is the time for the UK Government to work with the Higher Education sector to develop a comprehensive programme of engagement in key target markets to help promote one of the UK's greatest exports, Higher Education. The Harnessing Opportunities in Global Higher Education report by QS Enrolment Solutions launched today (8 May 2018) is the sixth annual International Student Survey (ISS) by QS Enrolment Solutions the largest of its kind - surveyed students from 191 countries who plan to study abroad. Harnessing the opportunities presented by international students' expectations of the future of Higher Education International students expect universities of the future to offer a very different experience to the universities of today where they envisage that the Higher Education sector will place far greater emphasis on digital delivery with most lectures being online. Those surveyed also said they see a positive future for the sector with more institutions and more people going to university. The top five characteristics selected when asked about how the sector could look in 10 years' time were: Most lectures will be online Students will be able to get a qualification from any university regardless of which country they live in More people will go to university Universities will be part of continuous learning There will be more universities Andy Nicol, Managing Director of QS Enrolment Solutions, said: "As the changing political and socio-economic dynamics influence the views of potential applicants, universities should continue to listen closely to international students. Institutions that listen, adapt and differentiate their offer, while developing strategic approaches to international student recruitment, will harness the opportunities available within the global Higher Education market." Promoting Higher Education as one of the UK's greatest exports While there is still uncertainty amongst international and EU students regarding the impact of the UK's exit from the European Union, there are significant opportunities for the UK Higher Education sector to grow the number of international students that study in the UK from key markets in Asia and Africa. This year's research found that 39% of prospective students from within the EU said they were less interested in studying in the UK because of Brexit, while only 10% of prospective students from outside the EU have been put off from studying in the UK due to Brexit. of prospective students from within the EU said they were less interested in studying in the UK because of Brexit, while only of prospective students from outside the EU have been put off from studying in the UK due to Brexit. Nearly a third (32%) of respondents from the EU were not aware that students who start their course in 2018/2019 would continue to pay the same fees as domestic students for the duration of their course. of respondents from the EU were not aware that students who start their course in 2018/2019 would continue to pay the same fees as domestic students for the duration of their course. Students from countries outside the EU including Pakistan, Sudan, Ethiopia China and Hong Kong are significantly more likely to be interested in studying in the UK as a result of Brexit, largely due to the drop in the value of the pound making a UK education more affordable. Furthermore, the International Student Survey shows that giving international students a strong sense that they are welcome when they are choosing university is crucial to maintaining the UK's status as a top international study destination: The degree to which a place feels welcoming is one of the most important factors influencing prospective students' choice of country to study in, with 69% of respondents citing as an important consideration. of respondents citing as an important consideration. Welcoming campaigns continue to be an effective strategy to combat against the negative perceptions around Brexit with 82% of respondents saying that campaigns like WeAreInternational and LondonIsOpen persuaded them that the UK is welcoming. of respondents saying that campaigns like WeAreInternational and LondonIsOpen persuaded them that the UK is welcoming. Welcoming campaigns are most effective with prospective international students from China (85%), India (85%) and Nigeria (83%). Patrick Whitfield, Director of UK Europe at QS Enrolment Solutions, said: "Now is the time for the UK Government to work together with universities and other stakeholders to do more to promote one of the UK's greatest exports. To enhance this, we believe that UK universities and sector stakeholders must continue to support welcoming campaigns that champion the UK as a study destination for international students." "With the current uncertainty in the sector as the UK prepares to exit the EU, any future proposals which help to make the UK a more attractive place to study from a financial perspective should be more widely publicised. Financial concerns are one of the main reasons for the pessimism surrounding the issue of Brexit, especially from prospective students coming from the EU. By adopting the recommendations from this report, universities can achieve success and maintain the UK's global leadership in higher education." Professor Sir Keith Burnett, President and Vice-Chancellor of The University of Sheffield who co-founded the now nationwide campaign with the President of the Sheffield Students' Union, said: "It is crucial to understand the importance that the shared message of WeAreInternational has had to potential international students from around the world. The power of this campaign comes from its central truth, which is not restricted to any single university or even country - that education and knowledge at its best transcends borders and talent speaks to talent across the world. "Yet for this to be the case, international students and scholars must know that they are welcome in their home-from-home. The WeAreInternational campaign allows universities, students, businesses and partner organisations to say what must be heard and amplified around the world, with government policies backing these words with action." Paul Blomfield MP, Shadow Brexit Minister and Chair of the APPG on International Students, said: "This year's International Student Survey report is particularly timely. A sensible Government response to the challenges we face as a country would be to build on our strengths and we have few greater assets than our university sector. We need to change policies and send a clear message around the world, along the lines of the WeAreInternational campaign, which was launched in Sheffield. This report highlights its impact and we should take every opportunity to repeat its message to international students you can be sure of a great welcome when you come to study in the UK." To download the full report visit http://www.internationalstudentsurvey.com/2018/ or follow QS Enrolment Solutions @QSEnrolmentS and ISS2018 Note to Editors: With offices in Australia, Malaysia and the UK, QS Enrolment Solutions (formerly known as Hobsons Solutions) is a global market leader in research and understanding of international and domestic students. Each year we deal with hundreds of thousands of students globally, giving us a unique insight into the student recruitment market. Our research, strategy, enquiry, admissions and enrolment services mean we have hands-on experience of the obstacles and opportunities within specific countries and regions, helping clients mitigate risk, benefit from our existing relationships, and build sustainable recruitment strategies in an increasingly complex marketplace. The International Student Survey 2018 was conducted by QS Enrolment Solutions from November 2017 to March 2018. The International Student Survey is the world's largest survey of pre-enrolment for international and EU students. This report focuses on the responses of 28,020 prospective international students who identified that they were considering studying in the UK. QS Enrolment Solutions partnered with 63 universities from around the world to survey their prospective student database. The survey sampled 67,172 prospective international students globally, with 191 nationalities represented. The size of the data set along with the number and quality of the responses has enabled very robust student segmentation and insight into the influences of international student's decision-making processes, how they engage with universities, and what they expect from universities in the lead up to making their final decision. Additional regional reports have been produced as part of this series, including reports focusing on Europe, and Australia New Zealand, as well as a global report. QS Enrolment Solutions formerly operated under the name Hobsons Solutions. On 6 October 2017, QS Quacquarelli Symonds Ltd announced the acquisition of the Hobsons Solutions business, the leading provider of international enrolment management solutions to universities worldwide. The acquisition will allow QS, a leading and trusted brand in higher education research and student information services, to build on its global product offering and realise data and service synergies with the Hobsons Solutions portfolio. For more on the acquisition, see here: http://www.qs.com/faq-items/qs-acquisition_2017/. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20180508005082/en/ Contacts: QS Enrolment Solutions Philippa Alway 07549277212 philippa.alway@lodestonecommunications.com Accenture strengthens Oracle practice to help clients become intelligent enterprises Accenture (NYSE: ACN), has completed its acquisition of Certus Solutions, one of the UK's top Oracle Cloud implementation service providers. Certus Solutions becomes part of Accenture's Oracle practice, further strengthening its capabilities in delivering digital transformation on Oracle Cloud. The acquisition, first announced April 30, has completed all required closing conditions. The financial terms have not been disclosed. Certus Solutions has extensive experience in the government and health and public services industries, in addition to clients in the financial services, logistics and telecommunications sectors. Together, Accenture and Certus Solutions will combine deep cloud experience, transformational expertise and industry knowledge to better serve clients on their journey to Oracle Cloud. "Our aim is to help clients become intelligent enterprises, and bringing specialist talent like Certus Solutions into our business is an important step to achieve that," said Bhaskar Ghosh, group chief executive, Accenture Technology Services. "We have now further expanded our Oracle Cloud services and capabilities, so we can speed up digital transformation for our clients, and help achieve better business outcomes." Mark Sweeny, founder and CEO of Certus Solutions said: "We're very pleased that Certus Solutions is now part of Accenture and excited about the possibilities of our joint proposition. There is a tremendous opportunity to do some great work and we're looking forward to taking that on together." Zahra Bahrololoumi, head of Accenture Technology for UK Ireland, added: "Our Oracle practice in the UK gets a lot stronger with the addition of Certus and its highly respected Oracle Cloud expertise. We're now looking forward to refining a joint proposition and helping our clients achieve their goals." Accenture was recently awarded the 2018 Partner of the Year for Oracle ERP Cloud in the UK Ireland by Oracle. Accenture has been one of Oracle's leading systems integration partners globally for 12 years in a row, with more than 54,000 Oracle-skilled consultants around the world who help accelerate digital transformation by implementing Oracle-based business solutions and new business processes that develop and evolve as their digital business grows. Accenture has teamed with Oracle for more than two decades and is a Global Cloud Elite and Platinum level member of the Oracle Partner Network. Accenture is also certified as an Oracle Cloud Excellence Implementer. For more information on the Accenture and Oracle relationship, please visit www.accenture.com/oracle. About Accenture Accenture is a leading global professional services company, providing a broad range of services and solutions in strategy, consulting, digital, technology and operations. Combining unmatched experience and specialized skills across more than 40 industries and all business functions underpinned by the world's largest delivery network Accenture works at the intersection of business and technology to help clients improve their performance and create sustainable value for their stakeholders. With approximately 442,000 people serving clients in more than 120 countries, Accenture drives innovation to improve the way the world works and lives. Visit us at www.accenture.com. Forward-Looking Statements Except for the historical information and discussions contained herein, statements in this news release may constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Words such as "may," "will," "should," "likely," "anticipates," "expects," "intends," "plans," "projects," "believes," "estimates," "positioned," "outlook" and similar expressions are used to identify these forward-looking statements. These statements involve a number of risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied. These include, without limitation, risks that: the transaction might not achieve the anticipated benefits for Accenture; Accenture's results of operations could be adversely affected by volatile, negative or uncertain economic and political conditions and the effects of these conditions on the company's clients' businesses and levels of business activity; Accenture's business depends on generating and maintaining ongoing, profitable client demand for the company's services and solutions including through the adaptation and expansion of its services and solutions in response to ongoing changes in technology and offerings, and a significant reduction in such demand or an inability to respond to the changing technological environment could materially affect the company's results of operations; if Accenture is unable to keep its supply of skills and resources in balance with client demand around the world and attract and retain professionals with strong leadership skills, the company's business, the utilization rate of the company's professionals and the company's results of operations may be materially adversely affected; Accenture could have liability or Accenture's reputation could be damaged if the company fails to protect client and/or company data from security breaches or cyberattacks; the markets in which Accenture operates are highly competitive, and Accenture might not be able to compete effectively; Accenture's profitability could materially suffer if the company is unable to obtain favorable pricing for its services and solutions, if the company is unable to remain competitive, if its cost-management strategies are unsuccessful or if it experiences delivery inefficiencies; changes in Accenture's level of taxes, as well as audits, investigations and tax proceedings, or changes in tax laws or in their interpretation or enforcement, could have a material adverse effect on the company's effective tax rate, results of operations, cash flows and financial condition; Accenture's results of operations could be materially adversely affected by fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates; Accenture's business could be materially adversely affected if the company incurs legal liability; Accenture's work with government clients exposes the company to additional risks inherent in the government contracting environment; Accenture might not be successful at identifying, acquiring, investing in or integrating businesses, entering into joint ventures or divesting businesses; Accenture's global delivery capability is concentrated in India and the Philippines, which may expose it to operational risks; as a result of Accenture's geographically diverse operations and its growth strategy to continue geographic expansion, the company is more susceptible to certain risks; adverse changes to Accenture's relationships with key alliance partners or in the business of its key alliance partners could adversely affect the company's results of operations; if Accenture is unable to protect its intellectual property rights or if Accenture's services or solutions infringe upon the intellectual property rights of others or the company loses its ability to utilize the intellectual property of others, its business could be adversely affected; Accenture's ability to attract and retain business and employees may depend on its reputation in the marketplace; if Accenture is unable to manage the organizational challenges associated with its size, the company might be unable to achieve its business objectives; any changes to the estimates and assumptions that Accenture makes in connection with the preparation of its consolidated financial statements could adversely affect its financial results; many of Accenture's contracts include payments that link some of its fees to the attainment of performance or business targets and/or require the company to meet specific service levels, which could increase the variability of the company's revenues and impact its margins; Accenture's results of operations and share price could be adversely affected if it is unable to maintain effective internal controls; Accenture might be unable to access additional capital on favorable terms or at all and if the company raises equity capital, it may dilute its shareholders' ownership interest in the company; Accenture may be subject to criticism and negative publicity related to its incorporation in Ireland; as well as the risks, uncertainties and other factors discussed under the "Risk Factors" heading in Accenture plc's most recent annual report on Form 10-K and other documents filed with or furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission. Statements in this news release speak only as of the date they were made, and Accenture undertakes no duty to update any forward-looking statements made in this news release or to conform such statements to actual results or changes in Accenture's expectations. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20180508005520/en/ Contacts: Accenture Duncan Burford, +44 208 6114826 duncan.burford@accenture.com BRUSSELS/FRANKFURT/PARIS (dpa-AFX) - German stocks fell on Tuesday as a slew of disappointing earnings updates overshadowed encouraging industrial output and exports data. Germany's industrial production recovered in March, while exports increased for the first time in four months in the month, separate reports showed. Investors also awaited an announcement by U.S. President Donald Trump on whether he would withdraw from a landmark nuclear deal with Iran. The benchmark DAX was down 74 points or 0.57 percent at 12,873 in opening deals after rallying 1 percent the previous day. Deutsche Post shares slumped nearly 7 percent. The postal and logistics group confirmed its 2018 targets after reporting a fall in first-quarter consolidated net profit. E.ON's subsidiary Uniper declined 1 percent after its first-quarter net income plunged 84.4 percent from last year. Munich Re also lost about 1 percent. The reinsurer backed its FY18 view after reporting lower net earned premiums during the first quarter. Tyre maker Continental dropped 0.3 percent after its net income for the first-quarter declined 1.6 percent from last year. On the positive side, shares of Evonik Industries advanced 1.3 percent. The specialty chemicals company backed its FY18 forecast after reporting 14 percent growth in its first-quarter adjusted EBITDA. In economic news, German industrial production grew by more-than-expected 1 percent month-on-month in March, reversing a 1.7 percent fall in February, provisional data showed. Output was forecast to grow 0.8 percent. Another report showed that German exports climbed 1.7 percent month-on- month in March, in contrast to a 3.1 percent fall in February. Shipments were expected to grow 1.8 percent. This was the first increase since November 2017. Imports slid 0.9 percent after declining 1.4 percent a month ago. Economists had forecast a 1 percent rise. As a result, the trade surplus increased to a seasonally adjusted 22 billion euros from 19.4 billion euros in February. 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. KMC to offer civic reception to Modi KATHMANDU: The Kathmandu Metropolitan City (KMC) will offer civic reception to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the Capitals City Hall on May 12.On the occasion, Mayor Bidhya Sundar Shakya will give a key to the city and a letter of felicitation to the Indian prime minister. 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. There is a crisis emerging in the ICT industry, as the sector struggles to fill vital roles. Talent supply is the top problem facing digital tech businesses in the UK, according to Technation. As technology evolves, experienced staff retire, and more jobs become available, this problem is set to get worse. In fact, there are predicted to be 1.7 million new ICT jobs for tech specialists between 2015 and 2025, and candidates need the skills and experience to fill them. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20180508005796/en/ Professor Zhili Sun, Vice-Chair Academia of the Huawei ICT Academy Advisory Board (Photo: Business Wire) To help solve this problem, Huawei ICT Academy provides a not-for-profit education initiative that facilitates partnerships between universities and business, supporting young Europeans with great potential in digital, such as students, developers and entrepreneurs. The Huawei ICT Academy Advisory Board was established in November 2017 to lead the Huawei ICT Academy in Western Europe and runs independently, supported by investment from Huawei. It is Huawei's only association of this type outside China. The Board leads the overall direction and development of the Huawei ICT Academy and supports the industry in furthering practitioner knowledge. The Huawei ICT Academy Advisory Board is made up of renowned academics, members of professional bodies and leaders from Huawei. It ensures that the Huawei ICT Academy provides a platform for academic excellence and challenges students and developers with competitions and certifications, helping its audience of New Young Europeans to have successful ICT roles in the future. Professor Zhili Sun, Vice-Chair Academia of the Huawei ICT Academy Advisory Board, and professor of Communication Networking at the University of Surrey, said: "We set up a committee to serve the group of young talented people involved in skills within the UK and Europe." The board is led by Professor Edmund Burke, Chair Academia and Vice Principal for Science and Engineering at Queen Mary University, London. His Co-Chair is Mr. Bradd Feng, Director of Global Training and Certification Dept. at Huawei. Together they lead the 20 board members who oversee the Huawei ICT Academy's programs, processes, delivery and organization and lead on the strategic development of the Huawei ICT Academy Program in the UK. For example, Huawei and Huawei ICT Academy organise the Huawei ICT Skill Competition to develop ICT professionals, connecting with the makers and doers of the digital future. The global final of the competition takes place in China in May, with six students from Western Europe competing. They will learn relevant skills and gain experience that will power the entire industry and, ultimately, drive digital transformation. Huawei also works with governments, offers globally recognised certifications, graduate programs and joint R&D projects to help build an open, sustainable ICT ecosystem. By bringing together leaders from academia and industry, the Advisory Board's leadership will further the development of the ICT Industry by providing advice on issues of strategic importance, such as the syllabus, virtual learning resources, program delivery and processes. Technology advances come rapidly in the ICT sector, so by overseeing the direction of the ICT Academy Programme, the Advisory Board ensures that students are developing vital knowledge to become a new type of multi-skilled engineer critical to the ICT industry as well as to global development and growth. This will continue to have a positive impact when students enter the workplace. Pearson VUE's 2017 Value of Certification Survey found that 54% of people experienced their first benefit within three months of gaining a certification, such as a salary increase or promotion. Additionally, 93% of hiring managers recognise industry certifications. Huawei ICT Academy Huawei ICT Academy is a not-for-profit education program that facilitates university-enterprise partnerships. The project aims to lead ICT development, build the future of the ICT industry, and create a sound talent ecosystem by providing ICT education worldwide. To date, Huawei has fostered cooperation with more than 300 universities in Europe, North America, Southeast Asia, Australia, and other regions around the world. In the future, Huawei will hold higher education development summit forums and forge ICT talent alliances to further drive the healthy, sustainable, and efficient development of the ICT talent ecosystem. www.huaweiacad.com View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20180508005796/en/ Contacts: Huawei ICT Academy Pallavi Malhotra Manager pallavi.malhotra@huawei.com 00447833082979 SELLBYVILLE, Delaware, May 8, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- The research report "Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Retail Market Size By Component (Solution [Chatbot, Customer Behavior Tracking, Customer Relationship Management (CRM), Inventory Management, Price Optimization, Recommendation Engine, Supply Chain Management, Visual Search], Service [Professional Service, Managed Service]), By Technology (Machine Learning, Natural Language Processing (NLP), Computer Vision), By Application (Automated Merchandising, Programmatic Advertising, Market Forecasting, In-Store AI & Location Optimization, Data Science), Industry Analysis Report, Regional Outlook (U.S., Canada, UK, Germany, France, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Australia, China, India, Japan, South Korea, Singapore, Brazil, Mexico, UAE, Israel, South Africa), Growth Potential, Competitive Market Share & Forecast, 2018 - 2024" by Global Market Insights, Inc. says Artificial Intelligence in Retail Market is expected to surpass USD 8 billion by 2024. (Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/661916/GMI.jpg ) The AI in retail market is driven by the increasing investments in it across the globe. The growing investment in the technology is attributed to the wide applications of the AI technology along with advanced analytics, machine learning. AI is set to unleash the next phase of the digital disruption and the market participants are preparing themselves for it. Request for a sample of this research report @ https://www.gminsights.com/request-sample/detail/2568 The investment in the technology is growing rapidly, dominated by the tech giants such as Google, Microsoft, IBM, AWS, and Baidu. In 2016, approximately USD 30 billion investment in the technology has been witnessed, with more than 90% on the R&D activities and remaining 10% on the merger & acquisition activities. Furthermore, private equity financing, seed investment, and venture capital investment also grew significantly amounting to a cumulative total of over USD 6 billion. The technological advancement and the development of the advanced machine learning & deep learning algorithms are also the major driving forces for the AI in retail market. Machine learning is estimated to grow prominently in AI in retail market at over 42% CAGR. The growth is driven by the increasing adoption of the technology by the retailers to provide enhanced customer experience and offer a personalized shopping experience to the customers. Browse key industry insights spread across 300 pages with 170 market data tables & 23 figures & charts from this 2018 report Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Retail Market in detail along with the table of contents: https://www.gminsights.com/industry-analysis/artificial-intelligence-ai-retail-market The visual search solution segment in AI in retail market is assessed to grow at a CAGR of over 45% during the forecast timeline due to the increasing trend of online shopping and mobile commerce. The solution allows customers to search products using images instead of text or speech. It leverages the image recognition technology to analyze the image and recommend relevant products to improve the shopping experience of the customers. The demand for the solutions is estimated to grow significantly in the future due to the increasing popularity among the online retailers and shoppers. Programmatic advertising is one of the most prominent applications of AI in retail market. As the competition among the retailers is increasing rapidly, companies are looking for new ways to gain customers by implementing advanced advertising strategies. The companies are focusing on "Precision Targeting" to deliver the right messages to the right audience to maximize the sales and reduce the advertising spend. Furthermore, the demand for the programmatic advertising is also driven by the increasing investments by the retailers on digital marketing. Make an Inquiry for purchasing this report @https://www.gminsights.com/inquiry-before-buying/2568 APAC AI in retail market is anticipated to grow at a CAGR of over 45% during the forecast period. The growth of the market is attributed to the growing investments in AI technology and increasing digitalization in the region. China is leading the investments and accounting for 17% of the global external investments in AI. Increasing investments by Chinese players also drive the AI in retail market growth in the region. For instance, Baidu has invested more than USD 1.5 billion in the AI research in the past two years, in addition to the USD 200 million investment by the company for the development of a new R&D facility. Some of the prominent vendors of the AI in retail market are AWS, Baidu, BloomReach., CognitiveScale., Google, Inbenta Technologies, Intel, Interactions, Lexalytics., Microsoft, NEXT IT., Nvidia, Oracle, RetailNext, Salesforce.com., SAP, Sentient Technologies, and Visenze. Read Our Blog:https://www.gminsights.com/blogs/artificial-intelligence-in-healthcare-market About Global Market Insights Global Market Insights, Inc., headquartered in Delaware, U.S., is a global market research and consulting service provider; offering syndicated and custom research reports along with growth consulting services. Our business intelligence and industry research reports offer clients with penetrative insights and actionable market data specially designed and presented to aid strategic decision making. These exhaustive reports are designed via a proprietary research methodology and are available for key industries such as chemicals, advanced materials, technology, renewable energy and biotechnology. Contact Us: Arun Hegde Corporate Sales, USA Global Market Insights, Inc. Phone: +1-302-846-7766 Toll Free: 1-888-689-0688 Email: sales@gminsights.com Web: https://www.gminsights.com Blog: http://algosonline.com/ New Cross Border Fibre Optic Connection to cater to the growth of network traffic in the region HONG KONG and CHICAGO, May 8, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- HGC Global Communications Limited (HGC), a fixed-line operator with extensive Hong Kong and international network coverage, and China Telecommunications Corporation (China Telecom), Mainland China's largest fixed-line and FDD LTE operator and a global communications service provider with abundant international cable network resources, today announced that the two companies have entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for construction of a network interconnection system via the Hong Kong- Zhuhai- Macau Bridge (HZM Bridge). This will be the first interconnection between Hong Kong and Mainland China fixed telecommunication network service providers on the HZM Bridge, and is HGC's fifth cross-border route between Mainland China and Hong Kong. Since 2000, HGC has self-financed and constructed fibre optic cable systems at Lok Ma Chau, Man Kam To and Lo Wu, and in 2008 was the first carrier to provide cross-border telecom services through the Hong Kong-Shenzhen Western Corridor. When the fibre connection on the HZM Bridge comes into operation, HGC will retain its leading position among Hong Kong carriers as operating the most cross-border connections to the mainland. The new link boosts capacity by at least 100 Gbps, with design capacity of 8Tbps. Adding the fifth connection will strengthen network routing diversification, and thus cater to high-end customers' demand for high quality and reliable telecom services. The Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macau Greater Bay Area (Greater Bay Area) initiative set out in China's 13th five-year plan intends to highlight the region's role and aspiration in the global economic supply chain, with the inclusion of the Special Administrative Regions of Hong Kong and Macau. The key economic sectors of the area include high-tech manufacturing, logistics, digital and innovation industries. The new fibre connection will provide capacity for anticipated growth in cross-border traffic. Once the interconnection is in place, the fibre cable will stretch along the 29.6 km dual 3-lane carriageway -- including a 6.7 km tunnel -- and connecting the Boundary Crossing Facilities in Hong Kong, Zhuhai, and Macau. Andrew Kwok, Chief Executive Officer of HGC, said, "HGC has a long history of partnership with China Telecom, where the two entities' networks and assets have been fully utilised to reach common goals. This evolves from traditional bilateral cooperation to a common platform which can address different possibilities and mutually benefit both HGC and China Telecom and ultimately reinforce Hong Kong's leading position as Asia's telecom hub. The fibre cable deployed by HGC at the 'Hong Kong Link Road section' of the HZM Bridge is now in service, offering fibre and transmission capacity even before the official opening of the bridge." Deng Xiaofeng, Managing Director, Global Business Department of China Telecom, said, "China Telecom is pleased to establish an interconnection with HGC at the Hong Kong- Zhuhai- Macau Bridge. With both parties' diverse network connection routes and our history of close cooperation, the new fibre connection will help both parties provide customers with stable and reliable service, meeting the ever-increasing demand in the Greater Bay Area and neighbouring countries and regions." About HGC Global Communications Limited HGC Global Communications Limited (HGC) is a leading Hong Kong and international fixed-line operator. The company owns an extensive network and infrastructure in Hong Kong and overseas and provides various kinds of services. It provides telecom infrastructure service to others operators and serves as a service provider to corporations and households. The company provides full-fledged telecom, data centre services, ICT solutions and broadband services for local, overseas, corporate and mass markets. HGC owns and operates an extensive fibre-optic network, four cross-border telecom routes integrated into tier-one telecom operators in mainland China and connects with hundreds of world-class international telecom operators. HGC is one of Hong Kong's largest Wi-Fi service providers, running over 29,000 Wi-Fi hotspots in Hong Kong. The company is committed to further investing and enriching its current infrastructure and, in parallel, adding on top the latest technologies and developing its infrastructure services and solutions. HGC is a portfolio company of I Squared Capital, an independent global infrastructure investment manager focusing on energy, utilities and transport in North America, Europe and selected fast-growing economies. For more information, please visit HGC's website at: www.hgc.com.hk About China Telecommunications Corporation China Telecommunications Corporation ("China Telecom") is one of the largest state-owned telecommunication companies in China. At present, the size of China Telecom's total assets exceeds RMB 800 billion, with annual revenue of more than RMB 410 billion. Ranking 133rd in the 2017 Fortune Global 500, China Telecom was awarded the Most Honoured Company, the Best Managed Company in the Asia Telecom Sector, as well as the Best Managed Company in Asia by esteemed international institutions for consecutive years. With the world's largest broadband Internet network and a leading-edge mobile network, China Telecom is capable of providing cross-region, fully-integrated information services to global customers through its sound customer service channel system. Its comprehensive service capability has earned China Telecom a large customer base. By the end of 2017, the number of its broadband Internet subscribers exceeded 160 million, mobile subscribers exceeded 260 million, and IPTV subscribers exceeded 100 million. To drive corporate transformation, China Telecom has rolled out Transformation 3.0 strategy with a focus of upgrading intelligent network, service ecosystem and smart operation for the digital ecosystem. China Telecom will strive to become a leading comprehensive intelligent information service provider, with the aim of becoming a powerhouse in the Internet and cyber realms in order to serve the society and enhance people's wellbeing. Beuth University of Applied Sciences Berlin and the Renewables Academy AG (RENAC) are organising the second MBA Renewables Alumni Conference, which takes place from 6 to 10 June in Berlin (Germany). Backed with expertise on economic, financial and legal aspects, MBA Renewables former students from 21 countries will discuss "Perspectives of Renewable Power Generation for On-grid and Off-grid Power Supply".The Alumni Conference enables exchange and international networking during the various seminars, practical exercises and field trips. Energy transition processes towards green energy require the combination of different renewable energy technologies for on-grid and off-grid power supply. MBA Renewables graduates constitute a multicultural group of experts with diverse focuses on the renewable energy and energy efficiency fields, thus making the Alumni Conference an excellent platform for discussion. Moreover, this year MBA Renewables has reached the milestone of having 75 graduates. "I decided to participate in the holistic MBA Renewables to enhance my skills and, most of all, to formalise my practical experience gained during my daily work", explained Jens Hauser, MBA Renewables 75th Graduate and energy expert at Southern African-German Chamber of Commerce and Industry. "The certificate of an acknowledged higher education facility such as Beuth University of Applied Science clearly proves my renewable energy skills and illustrates my expertise." The distance learning programme MBA Renewables is designed to equip future leaders with advanced interdisciplinary management skills for executive positions in the highly globalised market of renewable energy and energy efficiency. Graduates can pursue career paths along the whole green energy value chain, from the private sector to public organisations, financing institutions and consultancies. Beuth University of Applied Sciences Berlin offers more than 72 accredited programmes in engineering, science and economics. The Institute of Distance Learning has more than 32 years of experience in higher education. RENAC, a globally operating expert on training for renewable energies and energy efficiency, serves as a bridge between students and the industry. The application period for the next MBA Renewables intake ends on 1 September, 2018. For further information, please visit the MBA Renewables website. The MBA Renewables Alumni Conference is supported by German Academic Exchange Service DAAD with funds from the Federal Foreign Office. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20180508005034/en/ Contacts: Renewables Academy AG (RENAC) Elena Cantos cantos@renac.de +49 (0)30526895870 LONDON, May 8, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- First new brand change since the company was founded in 2010 responds to the future need for marketers to better connect their data to inform business outcomes Marketing Intelligence will position the CMO as the leading executive in businesses for the future Media iQ has today announced the launch of its new brand identity, MiQ, repositioning itself as the leading global Marketing Intelligence company. (Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/688331/MiQ_Logo.jpg ) MiQ is one of the first companies in the media and marketing industry to fully adopt Marketing Intelligence as its core business strategy. Marketing Intelligence connects marketing to business outcomes by turning siloed, unstructured data into meaningful action that fuels brand strategy. Rebecca Mahony, Chief Marketing Officer at MiQ, said: "This new position will help reimagine the value of marketing and put the CMO at the centre of decision making within business. Data is one of the most important currencies a brand has access to and is essential for businesses growth. This new currency requires a new position for MiQ, which is why it is time for us to reposition as the leading marketing intelligence company. We will be the company that connects all the data dots and offers businesses actionable insights, whether that's across our media offering, analytical solutions or tech platform, that result in transformative business decisions." As a recent Forrester report suggests, this repositioning is designed to find solutions to challenges which are currently out in the market. Indeed, marketers understand the importance of Marketing Intelligence. However, and as the marketing landscape is changing, they are not sure how to best respond and use their data. MiQ will be solving this 'how to use' Marketing Intelligence issue by applying human ingenuity at the centre of its strategy, along with its technology that provides customers with the tools to gain smarter insights and make successful decisions. This intersection of big data, artificial intelligence, human ingenuity and real-world experiences is a core differentiator from its competitors' offerings and is why MiQ is leading the way in Marketing Intelligence. MiQ began in London in 2010, when co-founders Lee Puri and Gurman Hundal saw a need for technology that would translate data into insight. They expanded into the US in 2014 and increased YOY revenue by 218% in 2015, while also increasing EBITDA margins. Through their proprietary platform, AiQ, they have built a marketing intelligence machine. The platform collects, unifies, and enriches data from multiple sources and converts this data into actionable insights. Earlier this year, MiQ was ranked No.4 in the Sunday Times Track 200 fastest growing International UK Companies, and last year received investment from ECI partners as the company continues to grow globally. Puri and Hundal built MiQ based on the idea that 'it is your people who build your product and it is your people who sell your product, so your people are your business.' The company possesses some of the most sought-after skill sets in the technology industry and maintains a 95% employee retention rate. Gurman Hundal, Co-founder and CEO of MiQ, said: "Since Lee and I founded MiQ in 2010, we have always put the company culture at its heart. We pride ourselves on our people. This is why, despite the technology and increased importance of data to drive forward the future of marketing, it is also important to have great people. It is the people and technology that help businesses win, and we will retain this vision as we move into a new era." Celine Saturnino, Chief Commercial Officer at Total Media, said: "MiQ has been a valued partner of Total Media for a number of years, providing excellence in media activation and strategic programmatic intelligence. "The future of our market is data insight, intelligence to deliver real audience understanding and more effective media deployment. This is an area that has been difficult to resource and implement at scale, but MiQ is ideally placed to deliver this expertise for brands and agencies alike. "We are excited about the next phase of our relationship with MiQ and look forward to collaborating on our joint vision of best in class customer understanding for Total Media clients." You can find out more information at wearemiq.com About MiQ: MiQ is an independent marketing intelligence company with the people and technology that help businesses win. It is our vision to reimagine the value of marketing by connecting data and discovering insight to drive business outcomes. Founded by Lee Puri and Gurman Hundal in 2010, MiQ company currently employs over 550 people across 15 offices located in North America, Europe and APAC. The world's leading media agencies and 40% of the Fortune 100 companies work with MiQ. In the last year, the company has won various awards including Fastest Growing Tech Company of the Year at the Stevie Awards, Most Effective Use of Data at The Drum's Trading Team of the Year 2017 in the UK, Gold Standard Certificate from the IAB and The Sunday Times International Track 200. You can find out more here: wearemiq.com The global ecommerce platform adds watch industry depth to its leadership team. PHILADELPHIA, May 8, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- WatchBox, the premiere global platform for pre-owned luxury watches, today announces the appointment of Patrik Hoffmann as the Executive Vice President of the company's Swiss division, Herbert Gautschi as its Vice President of Business Operations, and Susanne Hurni as the division's Vice President of Marketing. The expansion into Switzerland with a high-level team steeped in Swiss watch industry experience, signals the next phase of growth for WatchBox and reinforces the Company's commitment to elevate and revolutionize the pre-owned luxury watch category. Read more details at: www.thewatchbox.com/blog/watchbox-opens-switzerland-patrik-hoffmann The Swiss division complements the buying, selling, and trading operations in the United States and Hong Kong, and serves as a bridge to the epicenter of the Swiss watch industry. Patrik Hoffmann, who served Ulysse Nardin in varied leadership roles for nearly 20 years, most recently as CEO, was tapped for the EVP role, continuing a dynamic three-decade career in the watch industry. "The pre-owned timepiece segment has been long neglected and it is our vision to provide a professional service in pioneering change in the luxury watch industry," stated Hoffmann. "We are embracing technological tools, fulfilling the needs of today's informed consumer and visionary retailers." Danny Govberg, co-founder and CEO of WatchBox shared, "Patrik has worked alongside, collaborated with, and learned from one of the more creative watch entrepreneurs of our time, Rolf Schnyder; and he experienced the transition from a family business to a true global powerhouse. This experience is unmatched in our industry, enriching WatchBox's mission to drive change in the pre-owned category." Susanne Hurni joins WatchBox Switzerland having served as the head of marketing and communication for Ulysse Nardin for more than 30 years. Herbert Gautschi brings over 30 years of experience in the watch industry and a proficiency for organizational management, marketing, and sales, working extensively with major luxury brands throughout his career. ABOUT WATCHBOX WatchBox is the world's leading ecommerce platform for the buying, selling, and trading of pre-owned luxury timepieces; fueled by technology, innovation, and unmatched global experience in the high-end watch market. WatchBox offers an unrivaled selection of pre-owned luxury timepieces for sale including exclusive, hard-to-source and limited production models by leading watchmakers. Its client services for selling and trading timepieces are streamlined and readily accessible both on and offline. Trust, pricing transparency, and authentication are central tenants to WatchBox's platform, with each timepiece thoroughly evaluated by the company's in-house master watchmakers. WatchBox's timepieces and services are readily available online at www.thewatchbox.com and through the Company's WatchBox mobile app. WatchBox also operates private showrooms and buying offices in Philadelphia, Hong Kong, and Switzerland. US 866.858.8434 | Hong Kong852 3018 8594 | Switzerland +41 (0) 32 722 12 80 Facebook: @watchboxglobal Instagram: @watchbox_global Twitter: @watchbox_global YouTube: @watchboxstudios PRESS CONTACTS Susanne Hurni | shurni@thewatchbox.com | +41 (0) 32 722 12 80 Caroline Kallman Joffe | caroline@thewatchbox.com | +1 717 951 2259 Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/688192/WatchBox_team.jpg Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/688191/WatchBox_Logo.jpg International technology publications recognize Honor 9 Lite's powerful quad-lens camera and stunning design at unbeatable price point SHENZHEN, China, May 8, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Honor, the trendsetting, young smartphone e-brand, officially launched its latest quad-lens smartphone the Honor 9 Lite in December last year. The phone received high praise from a range of global technology media publications, who raved about its stylish design, powerful quad-lens and superb user experience. The Honor 9 Lite is distinguished by its ultra-thin, sleek and stylish look, and brought to life by an exquisitely designed 2.5D glass back that shimmers like a diamond. Beautiful both inside out, the Honor 9 Lite features two dual-lens 13MP + 2MP cameras on both the front and rear. These are complemented by an upgraded, customizable and in-depth beautification feature that is perfect for capturing your individuality. Powered by the latest EMUI 8.0 update, the Face Unlock function is also available on the Honor 9 Lite for an all-new and improved user experience. Praise received for the Honor 9 Lite: Android Authority, a US-based international top-tier technology news blog, gave the Honor 9 Lite an impressive score of 8.3 out of 10, saying it is "four lenses on a budget". Android Authority commended the stunning design of the Honor 9 Lite, saying it "feels more premium than any other metal unibody phone in its price segment and stands out in a crowd". ZDNet, an international business technology news publication, gave the Honor 9 Lite an outstanding and excellent score of 8.5 out of 10, awarding the phone the title of "Leader of the affordable Android pack" on February 20, 2018. Honor prides itself on being accessible for a younger generation and in recognition of the Honor 9 Lite's accessibility ZDNet said it "sets a new high bar for the GBP200 price point, making it the affordable Android handset to beat". Top UK-based technology publication Tech Advisor recommended Honor 9 Lite, giving an expert rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars. In view of the price, of just GBP199, the 18:9 screen, Android Oreo and no less than four cameras, Tech Advisor said, "(the Honor 9 Lite is) one of the cheapest phones around to offer an 18:9 screen with a bezel-free design". Stuff, one of the world's best-selling technology gadget magazine, offered a perfect score of 5 stars for the Honor 9 Lite on March 9, 2018. Citing its quad cameras, an 18:9 screen and a glass back, Stuff named the Honor 9 Lite "a total steal for under GBP200" and "one of the best budget phones to buy". As an innovative and trend-setting brand loved by the young generation, Honor unveiled its first-ever fashion partnership with a fashion designer brand KOCHE during Paris Fall/Winter Fashion Week in February. Designated for Honor 9 Lite, they co-created a one-of-a-kind and all-round integration between technology and fashion and reinforced their trendy statement for the latest stylish quad-lens smartphone. Honor overseas sales doubled in January to April 2018 compared with the same period of 2017. Followed by its overwhelming support across the world, the Honor 9 Lite has set a number of sales records on Flipkart, becoming the site's best-selling product in India. The Honor 9 Lite also sold out within minutes during its first flash sale, winning the Top 10 Best Seller on Tiki within one month in Vietnam. Consumers can purchase Honor 9 Lite online at: www.hihonor.com. About Honor Honor is a leading smartphone e-brand. In line with its slogan, "For the Brave", the brand was created to meet the needs of digital natives through internet-optimized products that offer superior user experiences, inspire action, foster creativity and empower the young to achieve their dreams. In doing this, Honor has set itself apart by showcasing its own bravery to do things differently and to take the steps needed to usher in the latest technologies and innovations for its customers. For more information, please visit Honor online at www.hihonor.com or follow us on: https://www.facebook.com/honorglobal/ https://twitter.com/Honorglobal https://www.instagram.com/honorglobal/ https://www.youtube.com/honorglobal Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/688289/Honor.jpg Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - May 8, 2018) - TerraX Minerals Inc. (TSXV: TXR) (FSE: TX0) (OTC Pink: TRXXF) is pleased to announce assay results from the remaining 11 holes drilled at the Yellowknife City Gold project this winter. Four of these holes (1,170 m) were drilled on the high-grade Crestaurum gold bearing structure to test whether gold mineralization continued to depth. All four holes hit mineralized structure, with two holes containing visible gold. All holes intersected significant gold with selected intervals of: 8.84 g/t Au over 2.49 m and 5.38 g/t Au over 0.63 m in hole TCR18-076 3.08 g/t Au over 2.80m, and 5.57 g/t Au over 2.06 m, in hole TCR18-078 13.30 g/t Au over 1.24 m, and 4.41 g/t Au over 0.80 m, in hole TCR18-079 3.86 g/t Au over 0.56 m in hole TCR18-077 The upper portion of the Crestaurum structure has been previously drilled with 187 drill holes over 1.4 kilometers of strike length, from surface down to a depth of approximately 100-150 meters depth, outlining a lode style shear and vein deposit (including 5.00 m @ 62.90 g/t Au, news release October 2, 2013). Although the structure is very continuous the high grade lodes are more discrete and these initial widespread deeper holes were designed to intersect structure to determine whether there was probability of high grade lodes continuing at depth potentially doubling the size of the mineralized zones. A drill hole location map can be found here and a long section of the Crestaurum main shear are available here. Joe Campbell, CEO of TerraX, states "This small program of four holes successfully demonstrated that the Crestaurum zone continues at depth on multiple surfaces, potentially doubling the size of the zone. The 300 meter vertical depth tested with these holes is still considered very shallow for Archean lode gold deposits and mineralization remains open for further expansion, both along strike and at depth." TerraX also tested the Sam Otto west zone, another lode style shear and vein deposit near TerraX's Sam Otto Main zone (1.90 m @ 13 96 g/t Au, news release May 2, 2017). This drilling included 5 holes totaling 2,081 m testing strike and depth potential (down to 250 meters vertical) on this zone. All holes hit gold mineralized structure with best results of 3.00 g/t Au over 2.69 m in hole TSO18-038, 1.06 g/t Au over 4.00 m in hole TSO18-041, and 1.32 g/t Au over 2.70 m in hole TSO18-036. All holes included intersections of 2.0 to 5.6 meters of 0.71 to 0.81 g/t Au. The continuous presence of the gold mineralized structures that now extend over more than a kilometer of strike and 250 meters of depth, with alteration and mineralization styles like the high grade zones from the nearby Con and Giant mines, makes this a good target for continued exploration. A single hole (TSO18-039, 430 meters) was drilled approximately 500 m south along strike from the Sam Otto Main zone, and 600 meters north of TSO18-037 (1.92 g/t Au over 11.52 meters, news release Mach 9, 2018). This hole confirmed the continuity of the Sam Otto structure between the known extents of the Sam Otto Main and Sam Otto South zones, intersecting a broad zone of deformation and alteration (0.10 g/t Au over 157.75 m) consistent with the Sam Otto style of mineralization, including multiple 2.50 m - 9.10 m wide zones of 0.35 g/t Au - 0.82 g/t Au. All holes were drilled approximately normal to projected strike and dip of the zones of mineralization and are interpreted to be approximately 80-95% of true thickness Crestaurum Drill Hole Dip Azimuth UTM Location From (m) To (m) Interval (m) Au g/t Easting Northing TCR18-076 -60 302 636205 6941766 223.70 226.19 2.49 8.84 326.73 327.36 0.63 5.38 TCR18-077 -60 303 636101 6941776 167.68 168.24 0.56 3.86 263.30 269.61 6.31 0.27 TCR18-078 -77 299 636058 6941875 57.00 57.50 0.50 1.75 94.50 98.30 3.80 2.29 incl. 94.50 97.30 2.80 3.08 218.00 229.15 11.15 1.15 incl. 227.09 229.15 2.06 5.57 TSO18-079 -83 298 636177 6941968 102.88 104.12 1.24 13.30 116.15 118.15 2.00 1.66 178.15 178.65 0.50 2.73 280.56 281.36 0.80 4.41 Sam Otto - West Drill Hole Dip Azimuth UTM Location From (m) To (m) Interval (m) Au g/t Easting Northing TSO18-036 -51 286 639529 6944767 169.30 173.00 3.70 0.57 incl. 171.35 173.00 1.65 1.06 234.74 240.37 5.63 0.81 incl. 236.50 239.20 2.70 1.31 TSO18-038 -52 286 639619 6944944 186.70 200.27 13.57 0.67 incl. 197.58 200.27 2.69 3.00 TSO18-040 -53 283 639649 6941766 24.30 25.00 0.70 0.71 181.00 183.00 2.00 0.74 264.50 266.00 1.50 0.63 TCR18-041 -54 286 639663 6945223 99.00 101.00 2.00 0.71 113.00 115.00 2.00 0.40 126.00 130.00 4.00 1.06 144.40 145.40 1.00 0.89 TCR18-042 -55 272 639844 6945172 119.00 120.00 1.00 0.99 133.00 136.50 3.50 0.47 148.00 149.00 1.00 1.59 212.50 214.00 1.50 1.54 311.00 313.00 2.00 0.54 335.18 336.00 0.82 0.56 356.00 357.50 1.50 1.63 Sam Otto Main - Sam Otto South Connection Drill Hole Dip Azimuth UTM Location From (m) To (m) Interval (m) Au g/t Easting Northing TSO18-039 -50 271 369852 6944057 Deformation and alteration 121.75-279.50 (157.75m) 121.75 139.00 17.25 0.20 incl. 121.75 127.00 5.25 0.44 207.40 216.50 9.10 0.35 incl. 207.40 211.50 4.10 0.56 242.85 248.00 5.15 0.56 277.00 279.50 2.50 0.82 The 2018 winter drill program at the Yellowknife City Gold project is now complete. TerraX drilled 3,681 meters and collected 2,331 samples for assay from the drilling reported here. Results ranged from below detection to 21.8 g/t Au. Drill hole collar locations were surveyed to sub-meter accuracy. Down hole surveying was completed on all holes. TerraX inserts certified standards and blanks into the sample stream as a check on laboratory QC. Drill core samples are cut by diamond saw at TerraX's core facilities in Yellowknife. A halved core sample is left in the core box. The other half core is sampled and transported by TerraX personnel in securely sealed bags to ALS Chemex's (ALS) preparation laboratory in Yellowknife. After sample preparation, samples are shipped to ALS's Vancouver facility for gold and ICP analysis. Gold assays of >3 g/t are re-assayed on a 30 gm split by fire assay with a gravimetric finish. ALS is a certified and accredited laboratory service. ALS routinely inserts certified gold standards, blanks and pulp duplicates, and results of all QC samples are reported. The technical information contained in this news release has been approved by Joseph Campbell, the Chief Executive Officer of TerraX, who is a Qualified Person as defined in "National Instrument 43-101, Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects." About the Yellowknife City Gold Project The Yellowknife City Gold ("YCG") project encompasses 772 sq km of contiguous land immediately north, south and east of the City of Yellowknife in the Northwest Territories. Through a series of acquisitions, TerraX controls one of the six major high-grade gold camps in Canada. Being within 10 km of the City of Yellowknife, the YCG is close to vital infrastructure, including all-season roads, air transportation, service providers, hydro-electric power and skilled tradespeople. The YCG lies on the prolific Yellowknife greenstone belt, covering 70 km of strike length along the main mineralized break in the Yellowknife gold district, including the southern and northern extensions of the shear system that hosted the high-grade Con and Giant gold mines. The project area contains multiple shears that are the recognized hosts for gold deposits in the Yellowknife gold district, with innumerable gold showings and recent high-grade drill results that serve to indicate the project's potential as a world-class gold district. For more information on the YCG project, please visit our web site at www.terraxminerals.com. On behalf of the Board of Directors "JOSEPH CAMPBELL" Joe Campbell CEO For more information, please contact: Samuel Vella Manager of Corporate Communications Phone: 604-689-1749 Toll-Free: 1-855-737-2684 svella@terraxminerals.com Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. This news release contains forward-looking information, which involves known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual events to differ materially from current expectation. Important factors - including the availability of funds, the results of financing efforts, the completion of due diligence and the results of exploration activities - that could cause actual results to differ materially from the Company's expectations are disclosed in the Company's documents filed from time to time on SEDAR (see www.sedar.com). Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this press release. The company disclaims any intention or obligation, except to the extent required by law, to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, events or otherwise. LONDON, May 8, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- PremFina (the "Company") is proud to announce the recent go-live of insurance brokers: Reactive Insurance, Larsen Howie, The Auto Group (TAG), and Motor Products Online (MPO), amongst 20 brokers that signed on to PremFina's financing or software platform in the first quarter of 2018. (Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/677292/PremFina_Logo.jpg ) The new brokers represent significant traction for PremFina, the newest entrant in the 30-year-old UK premium finance market. It has already captured 6% of the top 50 UK brokers with its award winning software and market competitive funding. The Company's tailored, flexible financing solutions, broker branded software and documentation, together with dedicated broker support - dubbed the 'PremFina Trifecta' - has caught the interest of brokers looking to make a change in their existing business models. Some brokers choose to use PremFina's Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) only and deploy their own funds instead to finance customer credit agreements. "It's premium finance designed with the broker in mind," said Mia Constable, Head of Sales at PremFina. "At PremFina, we put our brokers first and in doing so, have received a great response from the broker community." In an industry that is becoming increasingly customer-centric, PremFina tailors to brokers needs, as well as their customers. The uptake of PremFina's offering by the UK broker community is proof there is demand for such flexibility in the industry. PremFina is proving itself to be an innovator within the UK premium finance industry. "It has been an incredible journey for us," said PremFina's Managing Director, Mark Foley. "We are looking forward to a very exciting year ahead." PremFina entered the UK premium finance with a better model for insurance brokers to serve their customers needs. It received 27 million in equity and debt financing in 2017 from six of the world's top fintech investors from Toronto to Tokyo. PremFina will be present at the British Insurance Broker Association's (BIBA) flagship event in Manchester, May 16 and 17, where it will demo its industry leading software. It will also discuss the possible impact of BlockChain technologies on the insurance industry in a dedicated fringe session. To learn more about PremFina, come visit stand D77 or register for the Company's fringe session. Send an e-mail to Natalia.Zurowski@premfina.com to secure your place today! About PremFina PremFina Ltd is a UK-based premium finance company that promotes financial inclusion by enabling the payment of insurance premiums via instalments. It supplies insurance brokers with funding lines and also enables broker-funded and branded credit agreements via its Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) affiliate IXL PremFina Ltd. With PremFina, brokers receive higher profit, greater autonomy and the opportunity to increase the lifetime value of their customers as well as cross-sell and up-sell additional products. PremFina's shareholders include global investors Rakuten Capital, Draper Esprit Plc, Thomvest Ventures, Emery Capital, Rubicon Venture Capital, Talis Capital and the company's founder. Website: http://www.premfina.com For Marketing & PR Enquiries: Natalia Zurowski Strategic Marketing Associate Natalia.Zurowski@PremFina.com +44(0)-203-500-3462 http://www.premfina.com For Sales Enquiries: Mia Constable Head of Sales Mia.Constable@PremFina.com +44(0)-203-500-3462 http://www.premfina.com Malaysian man among two held with banned Indian currency Police raided the Kings Casino in Dhangadhi, Kailali, on Sunday and arrested a Malaysian man and the casino manager in possession of banned Indian currency.Malaysian national whom police identified just as Azauujin and the casino manager, Sujan Dahal, were arrested along with demonetised Indian currency of denominations 500 and 2,000 with a face value of IRs 200,000 and NRs 1.2 million. JONA (dpa-AFX) - Shares of LafargeHolcim (HCMLY.PK, HCMLF.PK) were losing around 3 percent in the morning trading after the Cement giant on Tuesday reported weak earnings in its first quarter and nearly flat net sales with lower cement volume. The company further said it is on track to achieve full year targets. Jan Jenisch, Group Chief Executive Officer of LafargeHolcim said, 'The continued growth in the top line is encouraging and confirms the positive outlook for our businesses. Though the quarter was affected by several headwinds, we expect the strength of our portfolio and the benefits of our new strategy to become increasingly visible over the full year. That makes us confident we will deliver on our 2018 targets.....We are executing our Strategy 2022.' For fiscal 2018, the company continues to expect net sales growth of 3 to 5 percent and an over-proportional increase in recurring EBITDA of at least 5 percent on a like-for-like basis. Market demand in Latin America is expected to be up in most countries, while further market growth is anticipated in North America driven by residential and non-residential demand. Further, the company expects sustained market demand supported by infrastructure and residential growth in India, while in China favorable market conditions would remain. The Board of Directors will submit a proposal for shareholder approval at AGM on May 8 for a dividend of 2 Swiss francs per share, stable compared to the prior year. For the first quarter, recurring EBITDA, a key earnings metric, declined 13.4 percent to 700 million Swiss francs from 808 million francs in the prior year. Recurring EBITDA was down 7.7 percent on a like-for-like basis, affected by the especially harsh winter in North America and Europe. Net sales were 5.830 billion francs, compared to 5.833 billion francs in the prior year. Like-for-like net sales were up 3.1 percent driven by growth in cement volumes in the first-quarter, despite impact of adverse weather and fewer working days in Q1. Sales of cement edged down 0.7 percent to 47.7 million tonnes, and sales of aggregates dropped 3.7 percent to 49.8 million tonnes. Asia Pacific earnings and sales increased with strong performance in China and India, while Latin America posts slight earnings growth with weak sales. In North America, earnings increased, but sales dropped. The company is well positioned to take advantage of good market conditions despite the effect of a particularly harsh winter. Middle East Africa Recurring EBITDA fell 36 percent and sales dropped 14.2 percent as it underperformed with challenging conditions in some markets. In Europe, earnings fell 22 percent, while sales grew 5.1 percent. Underlying demand in the region was good, while first quarter performance reflected adverse weather, fewer working days and higher maintenance activity in preparation for high season growth, the company said. LafargeHolcim shares were trading at 54.50 francs, down 3.27%. Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX Kostenloser Wertpapierhandel auf Smartbroker.de LONDON, May 8, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Telehouse, a leading global provider of data centre services, today announced further expansion of its North Two data centre, located at its London Docklands campus. Telehouse North Two opened its doors in 2016 with two floors of colocation space and two additional floors are now open. The build-out of these floors has been brought forward in response to the increased customer demand for high density, scalable space in London resulting from the acceleration in the adoption of hybrid cloud strategies by enterprises, digitalisation and the evolution of technologies such as Artificial Intelligence (AI), Virtual Reality (VR) and the Internet of Things (IoT). (Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/635970/Telehouse_UK_Logo.jpg ) (Photo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/688350/Telehouse_Data_Centre.jpg ) Enterprise IT priorities have shifted with applications being distributed over a number of different cloud services and platforms. Optimisation of these platforms both on and off -premise in addition to managing costs within a secure and reliable environment, are key concerns for enterprises undertaking digital transformation according to Penny Jones from 451 Research at a recent Telehouse event. Immersive technologies like VR have become more mainstream, particularly in the gaming sector. The increase in the number of connected, data intensive gadgets entering the market and consumer trends such as visual networking - streaming and sharing video content; require high speed networks, efficiency and connectivity. The expansion of Telehouse North Two will provide vast data storage, high density compute power and networking facilities for enterprises using and developing these new technologies, in addition to private and secure access to leading cloud service providers. North Two offers a highly connected environment with access to over 530 businesses flowing into the Docklands campus including the London Internet Exchange (LINX), a global leader of internet exchange points that has been driving traffic internet traffic through Telehouse for more than 20 years. Ken Sakai, Managing Director of Telehouse Europe said 'We are pleased to announce this development for our latest addition to our data centre campus, Telehouse North Two. With digital transformation and multi-cloud architectures shaping the IT landscape and the evolution of technologies like AI and VR, North Two is well positioned to meet the intense data storage and computational power requirements of enterprises and to provide access to our highly connected eco-system of leading cloud service providers, carriers, mobile and content providers and internet service providers that comprise the Telehouse Interconnect. About Telehouse Telehouse is the pioneering data centre colocation provider established in 1989. It is an owner operator of global data centres, connectivity and managed ICT solutions to over 3000 corporations around the world. Telehouse is the data centre subsidiary of Japanese corporation KDDI, a leading Japanese mobile and fixed-line telecommunications and ICT solution provider with 106 offices in 28 countries around the world and a Global Fortune company. Further Telehouse press information:marketing@uk.telehouse.net Contact: Antoinette de la Motta, marketing@uk.telehouse.net, tel: +44(0)207-512-0550 GOTHENBURG, Sweden, May 8, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Just three weeks after the unveiling of Volvo Trucks' first all-electric truck, the Volvo FL Electric, the company is expanding its product range with yet another electric truck. The Volvo FE Electric is designed for heavier city distribution and refuse transport operations with gross weights of up to 27 tonnes. Sales will commence in Europe in 2019 . To view the Multimedia News Release, please click: https://www.multivu.com/players/uk/8321751-volvo-trucks-second-electric-truck-model/ "With the introduction of the Volvo FE Electric we have a comprehensive range of electrically powered trucks for city operations and are taking yet another strategic step forward in the development of our total offer in electrified transport solutions. This opens the door to new forms of cooperation with cities that target to improve air quality, reduce traffic noise, and cut congestion during peak hours since commercial operations can instead be carried out quietly and without tale-pipe exhaust emissions early in the morning or late at night," says Claes Nilsson, President Volvo Trucks. The first Volvo FE Electric, a refuse truck with a superstructure developed together with Europe's leading refuse collection bodybuilder, Faun, will start operating in late 2018 in Germany's second-largest city, Hamburg. "Hamburg, which in 2011 was named European Green Capital of the EU, has worked long and successfully on a broad front to enhance green and sustainable urban development. This applies not least in the transport sector, where electrified buses from Volvo are already being used in the public transport network. The experiences and ambitions from this venture make Hamburg a highly interesting partner for us," says Jonas Odermalm, Product Line Vice President for the Volvo FL and Volvo FE at Volvo Trucks. Prof. Dr. Rudiger Siechau, CEO of Stadtreinigung Hamburg, sees large potential for environmental benefits with electric trucks in the city. "Today, each of our 300 conventional refuse vehicles emits approximately 31.300 kg carbon dioxide every year. An electrically powered refuse truck with battery that stands a full shift of eight to ten hours is a breakthrough in technology. Another benefit is the fact that Stadtreinigung Hamburg generates climate-neutral electricity that can be used to charge the batteries." The new Volvo FE Electric will be offered in several variants for different types of transport assignment. For instance with Volvo's low-entry cab, which makes it easier to enter and exit the cab and gives the driver a commanding view of surrounding traffic. The working environment improves too as a result of the low noise level and vibration-free operation. Battery capacity can be optimised to suit individual needs, and charging takes place either via the mains or via quick-charge stations. "Our solutions for electrified transport are designed to suit the specific needs of each customer and each city. In addition to the vehicles, we will offer everything from route analysis to services and financing via our network of dealers and workshops throughout Europe. We also have close partnerships with suppliers of charging infrastructure," says Jonas Odermalm. Facts, Volvo Trucks' electrically powered trucks Volvo FE Electric - Fully electrically-powered truck for distribution, refuse collection and other applications in urban conditions, GVW 27 tonnes. - Driveline: Two electric motors with 370 kW max power (260 kW cont. power) with a Volvo 2-speed transmission. Max torque electric motors 850 Nm. Max torque rear axle 28 kNm. - Energy storage: Lithium-ion batteries, 200-300 kWh. - Range: Up to 200 km. - Charging: Two different charging systems are available. CCS2: Maximum charge power 150 kW DC. Low Power Charging: Maximum charge power 22 kW AC. - Charging time: From empty to fully charged batteries (300 kWh): CCS2 150 kW appr. 1.5 hours, Low power charging appr.10 hours. Volvo FL Electric - Fully electrically-powered truck for distribution, refuse collection and other applications in urban conditions, GVW 16 tonnes. - Driveline: Electric motor with 185 kW max power (130 kW cont. power) with a Volvo 2-speed transmission. Max torque electric motor 425 Nm. Max torque rear axle 16 kNm. - Energy storage: Lithium-ion batteries, totalling 100-300 kWh. - Range: Up to 300 km. - Charging: Two different charging systems are available. CCS2: Maximum charge power 150 kW DC. Low Power Charging: Maximum charge power 22 kW AC. - Charging time: From empty to fully charged batteries: fast charge 1-2 hours (DC charging), night charge up to 10 hours (AC charging) with maximum battery capacity of 300 kWh. Read more about electromobility: http://www.volvotrucks.com/electromobility May 8, 2018 For broadcast-quality videos supporting this press release and more, please visit http://www.thenewsmarket.com/volvotrucks Press images are available in the Volvo Trucks image and film gallery at https://bit.ly/2r34OsL Volvo Trucks provides complete transport solutions for professional and demanding customers, offering a full range of medium to heavy duty trucks. Customer support is secured via a global network of 2,100 dealers and workshops in more than 130 countries. Volvo trucks are assembled in 16 countries across the globe. In 2017, more than 112,000 Volvo trucks were delivered worldwide. Volvo Trucks is part of Volvo Group, one of the world's leading manufacturers of trucks, buses and construction equipment and marine and industrial engines. The Group also provides solutions for financing and service. Volvo Trucks' work is based on the core values of quality, safety and environmental care. For further information, please contact: Fredrik Klevenfeldt Director Public Relations and Social Media Volvo Trucks Tel: +46-31- 322-1106; email: fredrik.klevenfeldt@volvo.com (Photo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/687032/Volvo_FE_Electric.jpg ) https://www.multivu.com/players/uk/8321751-volvo-trucks-second-electric-truck-model/ ) WASHINGTON (dpa-AFX) - Gold prices were flat Tuesday despite tensions that may result in heavy sanctions on Iran. President Trump may have hinted he is going to pull out of the Iran nuclear deal. 'The United States does not need John Kerry's possibly illegal Shadow Diplomacy on the very badly negotiated Iran Deal. He was the one that created this MESS in the first place!' Trump tweeted. Gold was down $3 at $1311 an ounce, staying near 5-week lows. On the economic front, the Labor Department's Job Openings and Labor Turnover Survey or JOLTS report that tracks monthly change in job openings and offers rates on hiring and quits will be released at 10.00 am ET. The consensus is for 6.100 million, while it stood at 6.052 million in February. Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell will discuss 'Monetary Policy Influences on Global Financial Conditions and International Capital Flows' at the Swiss National Bank and International Monetary Fund High Level Conference on the International Monetary System, in Zurich, with moderator Q&A at 3.15 pm ET. Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX Werbehinweise: Die Billigung des Basisprospekts durch die BaFin ist nicht als ihre Befurwortung der angebotenen Wertpapiere zu verstehen. Wir empfehlen Interessenten und potenziellen Anlegern den Basisprospekt und die Endgultigen Bedingungen zu lesen, bevor sie eine Anlageentscheidung treffen, um sich moglichst umfassend zu informieren, insbesondere uber die potenziellen Risiken und Chancen des Wertpapiers. Sie sind im Begriff, ein Produkt zu erwerben, das nicht einfach ist und schwer zu verstehen sein kann. PHILADELPHIA, May 8, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- FlexDev (www.flexdevgroup.com) Executive Vice President for North America and Asia Pacific, Graham Fell today announced that FlexDev are seeing a sharp increase in demand with European companies who want to use a nearshore/onshore model and leverage their nearshore next generation delivery center based in Poland (NGDC+), as opposed to outsourcing to Indian Technology Firms. (Photo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/688334/Flex.jpg ) FLexDev Inc - A Global Software Development and Services company that provides on-demand, flexible technology solutions and services enabling companies with their digital IT transformation initiatives to future-proof enterprises. Executive Vice President for North America and Asia Pacific, Graham Fell explained: "FlexDev provides a commercially viable alternative to outsourcing software development to Indian companies, but we do not want to position ourselves as attacking them as for some companies this is still a viable option. Having said that, we are seeing a sharp increase in numbers from UK companies across major verticals that want to move to a nearshore/onshore distributed agile model due to the time differences between India and the UK. Outsourcing to India can be cheap but not always cheerful." FlexDev has developed a Next Generation Delivery Center (NGDC+) in Poznan, Poland, and focuses on 3 main areas around Digital Transformation to future-proof Enterprises.. "Companies use our services in real time and we provide managed teams, extended teams, leverage distributed agile methodologies and use the best talent in the marketplace to do this," continued Mr. Fell. Using a nearshore model ultimately enables companies to speed up time to market, increase quality and drive down costs. In addition to the nearshore model for European companies, FlexDev will soon be supporting North America with a Next Generation Delivery Center (NGDC) in Costa Rica. About FlexDev FlexDev is a Global Software Development and Services company that provides on-demand, flexible technology solutions and services that enables companies with their digital IT transformation initiatives to future-proof their enterprises. By leveraging FlexDev's Next Generation Delivery Center+ (NGDC) Head Quartered in Poznan, Poland, FlexDev helps companies ensure they are receiving the highest quality of services, ensure they control costs, and hit their business objectives. FlexDev enables digital transformation services and offers 3 areas of expertise to future-proof organizations: - IT Modernization - Scalable Enterprise Solutions - AI and BI Digital Journey Mapping FlexDev has extensive highly skilled software consultants and IT experts that have unrivaled experience in terms of quality of service. FlexDev offers several engagement models: Nearshore/Onshore, Managed Teams, Managed Services, and Managed Projects. All of our services are delivered from our Next Generation Delivery Center (NGDC) in Poland. By leveraging FlexDev's delivery center (NGDC) we enable companies to: - Speed up time-to-market - Increase quality - Drive down costs For more information, please contact contact@flexdevgroup.com For Press Enquiries please contact pr@flexdevgroup.com For more information about FlexDev please visit www.flexdevgroup.com WASHINGTON (dpa-AFX) - Crude oil futures were lower Tuesday morning, easing from 4-year highs despite ongoing tensions between Iran and the U.S. Profit-taking ensued after a strong rally in the previous few sessions. President Donald Trump is considering whether to pull out of an Obama-era deal with Iran that removed sanctions on Tehran. Trump yesterday hinted he was leaning towards backing out of the deal. 'The United States does not need John Kerry's possibly illegal Shadow Diplomacy on the very badly negotiated Iran Deal. He was the one that created this MESS in the first place!' Trump tweeted. WTI light sweet oil was down 74 cents at $69.98 a barrel. U.S. energy inventories data are due out over the next two days. On the economic front, the Labor Department's Job Openings and Labor Turnover Survey or JOLTS report that tracks monthly change in job openings and offers rates on hiring and quits will be released at 10.00 am ET. The consensus is for 6.100 million, while it stood at 6.052 million in February. 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. Sunbelt Business Brokers provides buyers and sellers with professional and confidential valuations, business listings and marketing services INDEPENDENCE, OH / ACCESSWIRE / May 8, 2018 / Sunbelt Business Brokers, the world's largest business brokerage franchise, is excited to announce the opening of a new office in Marlborough, Massachusetts with plans to soon expand to Rhode Island. The network congratulates new owner Sanjay Ahuja and welcomes him to the franchise. For more information about Sunbelt Brokers of Boston and Providence, please visit: https://www.sunbeltnetwork.com/boston-ma/. Brian Knoderer, President of Sunbelt Business Brokers, says of this recent Sunbelt office opening, "We are delighted to welcome Sanjay to our network of brokers. His years of experience working with Fortune 500 companies, as well as his involvement in the International Business Brokers Association, will set him up for tremendous success." Sanjay's Sunbelt office will be serving the Boston, Massachusetts and Providence, Rhode Island areas. Both cities have vibrant economies with over 700,000 small businesses, which employ over 1.6 million people. These vibrant, growing economies makes Boston and Providence ideal environments for business buyers and sellers alike. "Opening a Sunbelt office allows me to use my skills and experience to benefit entrepreneurs in my community," says Sanjay Ahuja of his recent decision to join Sunbelt Business Brokers. "My team of intermediaries looks forward to providing business owners with business brokerage, exit planning, consulting, and franchising services." Sanjay has spent nearly three decades leading global businesses, which has given him invaluable experience assessing businesses, as well as building plans to grow, turnaround, merge, acquire, and exit businesses. After graduating from the University of Hull with an MBA in Finance and Investments, Sanjay founded and ran a small computer reseller and systems integration firm. In addition to an MBA, he received a certificate in Strategy Consulting from Harvard University's Extension School. When he's not negotiating and closing deals, Sanjay enjoys reading, playing chess and spending time with his family. Sunbelt Business Brokers of Boston, MA is located at: 225 Cedar Hill St Ste. 200 Marlborough, MA 01752 Please contact the office at 857-400-8420 or via email at sahuja@sunbeltnetwork.com. Please visit the website: https://www.sunbeltnetwork.com/boston-ma/. About Sunbelt: Sunbelt Business Brokers sells more privately held businesses than any other brokerage franchise network in the world. The expansive experience and knowledge of the Sunbelt network encompasses primarily the Main Street and Middle Market segments, with select offices also specializing in Mergers and Acquisitions. Headquartered in Cleveland, Ohio, each office is individually owned and operated by highly qualified franchise owners. To learn more, visit: https://www.sunbeltnetwork.com/. Contact: Mark Sweeterman msweeterman@merrymtg.com 216.674.0645 x617 SOURCE: Sunbelt Business Brokers Formalizes Zambian Subsidiary "MMZL" Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - May 8, 2018) - Maxtech Ventures Inc. (CSE: MVT) (FSE: M1N) (OTC Pink: MTEHF), ("Maxtech" or the "Company") through its subsidiary, Maxtech Mining Zambia Limited ("Maxtech Zambia or MMZL"), is pleased to announce that it is filing for two large scale exploration licenses in Zambia. Maxtech Zambia is preparing the final documentation and filing of two large scale exploration licenses in the Central Province of Zambia. The two specific license areas have shown the potential for high-grade manganese mineralization with grades up to 70% Mn as well as vanadium from initial research prepared by the Company's Zambian-based geology team, GeoQuest. The exploration licenses have detailed exploration and production outlines up to 4 years covering cobalt, vanadium, nickel and copper mining rights on the areas. Maxtech Zambia will continue to utilize the services of Lusaka-based geological and exploration consultants GeoQuest Limited to conduct exploration activities and manage all MMZL operations on the ground in Zambia. Their work will initially concentrate on the search for and evaluation of commercially viable quantities and grades of manganese ore with a view to applying for mining licenses as quickly as possible if warranted. GeoQuest will also serve as the authorized agent to the Zambia Chamber of Mines (ZCM) for Maxtech Zambia. On April 23, 2018, the Company received final approval for the formation of its subsidiary Maxtech Zambia Mining Limited ("Maxtech Zambia") from the Patents & Companies Registration Agency (PACRA) in Zambia. Maxtech Zambia is located in Lusaka and registered as an exploration and quarrying company and has commenced operations. Jonathan Ambali of BDO Zambia Limited as well as Peter Wilson CEO of Maxtech will hold Directorships in the subsidiary. "Zambia is a world class mining jurisdiction. Applying for our first wholly owned license areas is in step with creating a larger manganese footprint utilizing our global strategic relationships and potential offtake partners in foreign markets," noted Peter Wilson, CEO of Maxtech. About GeoQuest GeoQuest is a fully independent Geological (Geotechnical), Environmental, GIS and Hydrogeological Consultancy and Contract Services Group based in Southern / Central Africa. The company has offices in Zambia, The Democratic Republic of Congo and Zimbabwe but has also worked in Botswana, Gabon, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Republic of Congo, Rwanda, Uganda and Tanzania. http://www.geoquest.co.zm About Maxtech Ventures Inc. Maxtech Ventures Inc. is a Canadian based diversified industries corporation focused primarily on manganese mineral properties. For additional information see the Company's web site at http://www.maxtech-ventures.com Email to info@maxtech-ventures.com Phone: 604-484-8989 Further information about the Company is available on www.SEDAR.com under the Company's profile. Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the Canadian Securities Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. Certain statements contained in this release may constitute "forward-looking statements" or "forward-looking information" (collectively "forward-looking information") as those terms are used in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and similar Canadian laws. These statements relate to future events or future performance. The use of any of the words "could", "intend", "expect", "believe", "will", "projected", "estimated", "anticipates" and similar expressions and statements relating to matters that are not historical facts are intended to identify forward-looking information and are based on the Company's current belief or assumptions as to the outcome and timing of such future events. Actual future results may differ materially. In particular, this release contains forward-looking information relating to the business of the Company, the Property, financing and certain corporate changes. The forward-looking information contained in this release is made as of the date hereof and the Company is not obligated to update or revise any forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by applicable securities laws. Because of the risks, uncertainties and assumptions contained herein, investors should not place undue reliance on forward-looking information. The foregoing statements expressly qualify any forward-looking information contained herein. Corporate Communications Contact: NetworkNewsWire (NNW) New York, New York www.NetworkNewsWire.com 212.418.1217 Office Editor@NetworkNewsWire.com Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - May 8, 2018) - Iconic Minerals Ltd. (TSXV: ICM) (OTC Pink: BVTEF) (FSE: YQGB) has signed a contract to drill a deep drill hole at the Bonnie Claire Project, located in southern Nevada. This hole will be the third deep hole and allow the Company to do a resource analysis of the sediment hosted lithium discovered in 2016. Drilling will commence on May 15th, 2018. A contract has been signed with Harris Exploration Drilling of San Diego, California. Using a mud-rotary rig the hole will be drilled vertically 610 meters (2,000 feet) if conditions allow. It will test the grade and thickness of lithium bearing sediments and also sample brines intersected by the drill hole. Sediment samples will be analyzed by ALS Chemex of Reno, Nevada. Brine samples will be analyzed by Western Environmental Testing Laboratory of Reno. Bulk sediment samples will also be collected and shipped to St-Georges Eco-Mining Corp. of Montreal for further metallurgical testing. Matt Vitale of South Lake Tahoe, California will be the consulting hydrologist for the drilling. The Bonnie Claire Lithium Property Characteristics: The Property is located within Sarcobatus Valley that is approximately 30 km (19 miles) long and 20 km (12 miles) wide, the associated drainage basin covers an area of 57 square km (22 sq mi). Quartz-rich volcanic rocks, that contain anomalous amounts of lithium, occur within and adjacent to the drainage basin. Geochemical analysis of the local salt flats has yielded lithium values up to 340 ppm. The gravity low within the valley is 20 km (12 miles) long, the current estimates of the depth to bedrock range from 600 to 900 meters (2,000 to 3,000 feet). The current claim block covers the brine bearing potion of the gravity low as defined by geophysics. Richard Kern, Certified Professional Geologist (#11494) and CEO of Iconic is the Qualified Person who has prepared and reviewed this press release in accordance with NI 43-101 reporting standards. On behalf of the Board of Directors SIGNED: "Richard Kern" Richard Kern, President and CEO Contact: Keturah Nathe, VP Corporate Development (604) 336-8614 For further information on ICM, please visit our website at www.iconicmineralsltd.com. The Company's public documents may be accessed at www.sedar.com Forward Statement: This news release includes certain forward-looking statements or information. All statements other than statements of historical fact included in this release are forward-looking statements that involve various risks and uncertainties. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate and actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Iconic expressly disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise except as otherwise required by applicable securities legislation. Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. Mobile minutes represent one-fifth to one-third of travel-related minutes, yet reaching mass-market appeal with mobile apps is proving to be a challenge LONDON, May 8, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- comScore today announced it has published its 2018 " EU Travel Report, " which uses multi-platform data from five European countries (France, Germany, Italy, Spain and the UK) to highlight online trends impacting the travel sector, outlining key differences in consumers' behavioural patterns. The UK leads the pack with 94 percent of its digital population visiting travel sites - the highest proportion in Europe. In contrast, that figure is 65 percent in Germany. The numbers are 67 percent, 69 percent and 86 percent for France, Italy and Spain, respectively. Compared with desktop, fewer mobile apps have reached mass-market appeal, as defined by audiences with more than one million unique visitors: 12 mobile apps reached that threshold, while 51 desktop sites did so. "'The EU Travel Report' shows that reaching mass-market appeal on mobile apps is a challenge," said Guido Fambach, senior vice president, EMEA at comScore. "Marketers in the travel sector still have to work with different roles of different platforms: information gathering on mobile, transactions on desktop." Insights included in the Report include: In January 2018 , travel spending on desktop computers averaged 350 to 460 euros -per-buyer, depending on the country. , travel spending on desktop computers averaged 350 to -per-buyer, depending on the country. Some site categories perform better in terms of attracting heavy travel site users than others. For example, in the UK and in Germany , weather information sites are 2.7 and 2.4 times, respectively, more likely to attract heavy travel site users. To download a copy of the comScore 2018 "EU Travel Report," please visit www.comscore.com/eu-travel-report About comScore comScore is a leading cross-platform measurement company that measures audiences, brands and consumer behaviour everywhere. Built on precision and innovation, comScore's data footprint combines proprietary digital, TV and movie intelligence with vast demographic details to quantify consumers' multiscreen behaviour at massive scale. This approach helps media companies monetize their complete audiences and allows marketers to reach these audiences more effectively. With more than 3,200 clients and a global footprint in 70 countries, comScore is delivering the future of measurement. Shares of comScore stock are currently traded on the OTC Market (OTC:SCOR). For more information on comScore, please visit comscore.com. Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/327730/comScore_Logo.jpg Shakya is the founder CEO of beed, an international management consulting and advisory firm. He is the author of Unleashing Nepal and Unleashing The Vajra. Users of market leading IoT eco system can now start a secure remote support session from within the platform TeamViewer, a leading global software provider for IoT, connectivity, monitoring, support, and team collaboration, announced today that its remote access solution is now integrated into PTC's ThingWorx Industrial Innovation Platform, the market leading IoT partner ecosystem. "ThingWorx significantly accelerates industrial IoT innovation," said Raffi Kassarjian, General Manager Internet of Things at TeamViewer. "The platform provides the technologies and the tools that let organizations quickly develop, extend and supply IoT applications that make a difference in today's market. Therefore, this integration is a significant leap forward for our IoT program." TeamViewer's integration into ThingWorx extends the platform's reach to allow for embedded remote access functionalities. With one click, service technicians can securely access and control the affected device. This will drastically improve and facilitate incident management as operational teams can immediately react and intervene to operational issues to reduce downtime, mean time to repair, and service expenses. "Setting up or joining TeamViewers secure remote support session directly from within our platform is a great add-on to ThingWorx," said Kurt Bager, Vice President IoT EMEA, PTC. "TeamViewer has set the global remote control standard and stands out from the competition because of its unique platform support, which includes Windows, Linux, macOS, iOS, Android, BlackBerry, and other industry specialized operating systems. This is the very fabric that enhances the value of ThingWorx for our users." TeamViewer will demonstrate its IoT product portfolio at LiveWorx (June 18-20, 2018, in Boston, MA) and at IoT Tech Expo Europe (June 27-28, 2018, in Amsterdam, NL). About TeamViewer TeamViewer is a leading global software provider for IoT, connectivity, monitoring, support, and team collaboration. The solution portfolio of TeamViewer covers the entire business lifecycle, and addresses specific needs including screen sharing, remote desktop, remote access, instant business chat, web and video conferencing, backup, anti-malware, online whiteboards and much more. TeamViewer's flagship product has been activated on more than 1.5 billion devices, of which at least 30 million are connected to TeamViewer at any point in time. Founded in 2005 in Goppingen, Germany, the company employs more than 700 people from 60 countries around the world. For more information, go to www.teamviewer.us. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20180508005125/en/ Contacts: TeamViewer Americas Jon Stotts, 646-961-3497 jon.stotts@teamviewer.com or TeamViewer GmbH Axel Schmidt, +49 (0) 7161 60692 395 press@teamviewer.com DALLAS, TX / ACCESSWIRE / May 8, 2018 / Puration, Inc. (OTC PINK: PURA) today issued a reminder about the company's schedule shareholder update on Thursday this week, May 10th to provide details on the Canadian business acquisition expected to close today. The acquisition is the cornerstone of the company's plan to establish a cannabis cultivation operation for the recreational marijuana market expected to be legalized nationwide in Canada this summer. Puration's plan's for Canada also include an expansion of the company's cannabis infused beverage business with the introduction THCSavor, a THC infused beverage. A link to the on-demand presentation will be published on Thursday. For more information on Puration, visit http://www.aciconglomerated.com. Disclaimer/Safe Harbor: 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. Puration, Inc. Brian Shibley, info@aciconglomerated.com +1-800-861-1350 SOURCE: Puration, Inc. VANCOUVER, British Columbia, May 08, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- BIG Blockchain Intelligence Group Inc. ("BIG" or "the Company") (CSE:BIGG) (WKN:A2JSKG) (OTC:BBKCF), a leading developer of Blockchain technology search, risk-scoring and data analytics solutions, is pleased to announce the official launch of its Forensic Services Division. This division fills a significant gap in the efforts of law enforcement and the finance sector to investigate, track, and monitor illicit activity involving cryptocurrencies, such as Bitcoin, by bringing BIG's team of investigative experts into action. Certain investigations require in-depth expertise and experience, which the Forensic Services Division provides, either in conjunction with or supplemental to BIG's user-friendly search, risk-scoring and data analytics tools: BitRank VerifiedTM and QLUETM. The Forensic Services Division is headed by BIG's Director of Forensics and Investigations, Robert Whitaker, a former Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Supervisory Special Agent with over 23 years of experience in law enforcement, including serving as a Municipal Police Officer in El Paso, Texas for 8 years, and being assigned to Homeland Security Investigations Headquarters Illicit Finance and Proceeds of Crime Unit (IFPCU) and its Illicit Digital Economy Program (IDEP). The IDEP is responsible for overseeing cryptocurrency investigations undertaken by HSI -- providing training, equipment, analytical support and investigative methodologies used in the unique skills needed by HSI special agents engaged in investigations involving cryptocurrencies. Mr. Whitaker commented, "I'm very honoured to be heading up BIG's Forensic Services Division and to have a real opportunity to shape how the cryptocurrency market emerges. It's still not entirely clear to what degree Bitcoin is being used for illicit activities such as money laundering or terrorist financing, which is understandable since Bitcoin is designed to have a high degree of anonymity compared to traditional currencies. But, as our team has explained before, Bitcoin is only pseudo-anonymous, meaning it can be tracked. So, in the same way that crime scene investigators use UV light as a tool that reveals evidence that was previously hidden, our Forensic Services Division uses our in-house tool, QLUETM, to investigate and uncover what is really going on behind cryptocurrency transactions." BIG developed its proprietary flagship product, QLUETM (Qualitative Law Enforcement Unified Edge), as the solution to the problem of bringing security, confidence and transparency to the world of cryptocurrency transactions. QLUETM provides the ability to trace, track and monitor digital currency transactions, enabling law enforcement and financial institutions to level the playing field and catch the people that make up the quickly adapting criminal element hoping to use cryptocurrencies to hide illegal activities. Mr. Whitaker and the Forensic Services Division use QLUETM to investigate several categories of criminal activity presently associated with cryptocurrency use, including: terrorist financing human trafficking drug trafficking weapons trafficking child pornography corruption and bribery money laundering The Forensic Services Division creates a "paper trail" or cyber trail by gathering evidence, tracking the movement of funds, engaging in transaction risk assessment, and ultimately connecting criminals with their crimes. Mr. Whitaker's knowledge and expertise in cryptocurrency and cyber/financial investigative fields is of tremendous significance in guiding this process, as are the relationships he has cultivated within U.S. government agencies and around the world during his time in law enforcement The Forensic Services Division dovetails with BIG's strategy for bringing security, confidence and transparency to the cryptocurrency market, which involves: (1) working with law enforcement and the financial sector to fully expose the scope of the global Bitcoin laundering problem, and (2) providing a suite of proprietary tools and services needed to reduce the risk of illicit activities while also finding and rooting out the people and criminal activities behind the problem. On behalf of the Board, Lance Morginn Chief Executive Officer About BIG Blockchain Intelligence Group Inc. BIG Blockchain Intelligence Group Inc. (BIG) brings security and accountability to the new era of cryptocurrency. BIG has developed from the ground up a Blockchain-agnostic search and analytics engine, QLUETM, enabling RegTech, Law Enforcement and Government Agencies to visually trace, track and monitor cryptocurrency transactions at a forensic level. Our commercial product, BitRank VerifiedTM, offers a "risk score" for Bitcoin wallets, enabling RegTech, banks, ATMs, exchanges and retailers to meet traditional regulatory/compliance requirements. About BitRank VerifiedTM BIG developed BitRank VerifiedTM to be the industry gold standard in ranking and verifying cryptocurrency transactions. BitRank VerifiedTM offers the financial world a simplified front-end results page, enabling consumer-facing bank tellers, exchanges, eCommerce sites and retailers to know whether a proposed transaction is safe to accept, questionable, or should be denied. BitRank VerifiedTM and its API are custom tailored to provide the RegTech sector with a reliable tool for meeting their regulatory requirements while mitigating exposure to risk of money laundering or other criminal activities. About QLUETM QLUE (Qualitative Law Enforcement Unified Edge) enables Law Enforcement and RegTech investigators to literally "follow the virtual money". QLUE incorporates advanced techniques and unique search algorithms to detect suspicious activity within bitcoin and cryptocurrency transactions, enabling investigators to quickly and visually trace, track and monitor transactions in their fight against terrorist financing, human trafficking, drug trafficking, weapons trafficking, child pornography, corruption, bribery, money laundering, and other cyber crimes. Investor Relations - USA KCSA Strategic Communications Valter Pinto, Managing Director Scott Eckstein, VP of Market Intelligence email: BlockChainGroup@KCSA.com D: +1-212-896-1254 Investor Relations - Canada Skanderbeg Capital Advisors Adam Ross email: adam@skanderbegcapital.com (mailto:adam@skanderbegcapital.com) P: +1-604-687-7130 BIG Investor Relations Anthony Zelen D: +1-778-819-8705 email: anthony@blockchaingroup.io (mailto:anthony@blockchaingroup.io) For more information and to register to BIG's mailing list, please visit our website at https://www.blockchaingroup.io/ (https://www.blockchaingroup.io/). Follow @blocksearch on Twitter. Or visit SEDAR at www.sedar.com (http://www.sedar.com/). 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. 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: Big Blockchain Intelligence Group Inc. via Globenewswire Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - May 8, 2018) - Therma Bright Inc. (TSXV: THRM), ("Therma Bright", "Therma", or the "Company"- formerly The Jenex Corporation), a progressive medical device technology company, today is pleased to announce that it intends to conduct research into the use of its thermal therapy technology with CBD and THC. Therma Bright will conduct research in conjunction with well-known pain relief research labs and clinics. Therma proposes to collaborate with pain relief research groups to develop a trademarked/patented thermal therapy device or devices for relief of; back pain, arthritis pain and other orthopedic based pain utilizing CBD and THC. All research and handling of any medical CBD or THC will be dealt with through authorized and licensed research facilities. Therma will provide further updates when formal arrangements have been made in regards to this research. On February 1, 2018, Therma Bright announced it had entered into a letter of intent with Quinsam Captial Corp. ("Quinsam") to develop a thermal therapy device for pain relief. After further consultation with Quinsam, the parties agreed to terminate the LOI and Quinsam instead agreed to support Therma Bright through a financing of $250,000 by way of a convertible debenture, which it funded last week (see news releases dated April 19 and 27, 2018). Management intends to utilize some of the proceeds received from the debenture financing and a concurrent equity private placement financing, to fast track testing of the thermal therapy device for pain relief. Therma Bright has a wide range of experts at its disposal, including Advisory Board members, that will advise on developing THC and CBD products to be combined with Therma Bright's thermal therapy technology. In addition, Therma Bright has experts that can be referred to that have established relationships with research and development/scientific experts specializing in the advancement of THC and CBD health care products and treatments. Therma Adds Advisory Board Member Steven Prescott Bennett, PH.D. Dr. Steven Bennett has over 20 years of research experience in multiple central nervous system ("CNS") disorders, pain, and cancer. Dr. Bennett has developed expertise in molecular biology, cell biology, animal models, project leadership and research strategy. Dr. Bennett, a bench-to-clinic researcher, has trained at top academic institutes with reputed leaders in the field of Alzheimer's disease, opiate receptors and melanoma. Over the past 5 years, Dr. Bennett has shifted towards the cannabis industry and cannabis research. The development of an effective transdermal cannabinoid patch in 2014 lead to the launch of Prescott Logic, LLC., a private research laboratory owned by Dr. Bennett. Dr. Bennett became the Scientific Director of Evolab in Denver, Colorado, focusing on cannabis processing, namely extraction, distillation, and preparative chromatography of the plant. At Evolab total revenues climbed over 10 times during Dr. Bennett's tenure. In 2017 Dr. Bennett joined the Maricann Group out of Toronto as Chief Scientific Officer to further the processing capacity and continue the development of medical cannabis products. Recently, Dr. Bennett incorporated Prescott Logic Technologies, Ltd. in British Columbia and soon to incorporate in Germany. Dr. Bennett will focus on product, equipment, and scientific research and development in order to advance of scientific knowledge of cannabis and cannabinoid/terpene based therapies. Dr. Bennett's role with Therma Bright will be to focus on the development of advanced pain relief formulations to be incorporated with Therma Bright's thermal therapy technology and advise on how best to test Therma Bright's thermal technology with cannabinoids and to advise on optimal research protocols and methodologies for Therma Bright's technology platform. Therma Adds Advisory Board Member Bruno Maruzzo Bruno Maruzzo has over 25 years' experience in working with small to medium size technology companies in the computer, electronics and medical device fields as well as working in venture capital investing in technology-oriented companies. Through his consulting company, TechnoVenture Inc., he has provided general management, financing, business development and technical services to a variety of publicly traded and private technology and medical companies. Mr. Maruzzo has served as senior management, director and advisor to a number of publicly traded medical technology companies. Mr. Maruzzo holds a BASc in Electrical Engineering from the University of Waterloo, a MASC in Biomedical Engineering from the University of Toronto and an MBA from the University of Toronto. Rob Fia, CEO, Therma Bright Inc. comments: "Therma is pleased to add both Dr. Bennett and Mr. Maruzzo to our advisory board. Dr. Steven Bennett will assist Therma on collaborating with researchers on this unique pain relief device that incorporates CBD and THC and our thermal therapy technology. Mr. Maruzzo will add invaluable expertise through an extensive contact base and know-how as we enhance our existing medical devices and develop new devices and technologies. We believe the device that Therma will develop through our R&D and the value-added advice from Dr. Bennett and Mr. Maruzzo will be rewarding for all parties involved. This is an exciting development for Therma and we will have more to report." Status of Asset Purchase Agreement Therma Bright announces that further to its news releases of March 14, 2018, April 3, 2018, and April 19th, 2018 that the Company could not come to an agreement on amended terms on the asset purchase agreement relating to the Company's proposed acquisition of the ClearTouch nail phototherapy device (the "Nail Product") and the no!no! skin phototherapy acne device (the "Acne Product", and together with the Nail Product, the ("Purchased Products"). The Company may revisit negotiations for the Purchased Products in the future. Therma Bright also announces that it has granted incentive stock options to certain directors, officers and consultants of the Company to purchase up to an aggregate of 3,200,000 common shares of the Company pursuant to the Company's share option plan. The options will vest after 6 months, and are exercisable for a period of five years at a price of $0.05/share. ABOUT THERMA: Therma is a progressive medical device technology company focused on providing consumers with quality medical devices that address their dermatological needs. Clear and healthy skin for all is at the core of Therma's philosophy as is the belief that such outcomes should not be a privilege for only those who can afford costly procedures and treatments. The Company's breakthrough proprietary technology delivers effective, cost-effective, non-invasive and pain free skin care. Therma received a Class II medical device status from the FDA for its platform technology that is indicated for the relief of the pain, itch, and inflammation from over 20,000 different insect stings and bites, (including bees, wasps, hornets, mosquitoes, black flies and jellyfish). Therma received approval for the above claims from FDA (United States) in 1997. Therma Bright Inc. (formerly, The Jenex Corporation) trades on the TSXV: THRM. For more information visit: www.thejenexcorporation.com or www.therozap.com. ABOUT QUINSAM CAPITAL CORP. Quinsam is a merchant bank based in Canada that is focusing on cannabis-related investments. Our merchant banking business may encompass a range of activities including acquisitions, advisory services, lending activities and portfolio investments. Quinsam invests its capital for its own account in assets, companies or projects which we believe are undervalued and where we see a viable plan for unlocking such value. We do not invest on behalf of any third party and we do not offer investment advice. Generally, Quinsam does not believe that individual investments are material reportable events. Quinsam chooses to announce certain investments once the company is certain that it has finished buying its position because the Company feels that this information helps Quinsam's investors understand its investment decision making process. Generally, Quinsam does not announce the sale of investments. For further information please contact: Roger Dent, CEO (647) 993-5475 roger@quinsamcapital.com FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS Certain statements in this news release constitute "forward-looking" statements. These statements relate to future events or the Company's future performance and include the Proposed Acquisitions, conducting research utilizing THC or CBD and the Company's thermal therapy technology, developing new devices and technology, all as described in the news release. All such statements involve substantial known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results to vary from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. In addition to other risks, the Company may not complete the purchase of or commercialization or marketing of the Proposed Acquisitions or research and development of new devices or technology as described in this news on the timelines described and the Company may not attract a financing in the future. Forward-looking statements involve significant risks and uncertainties, they should not be read as guarantees of future performance or results, and they will not necessarily be accurate indications of whether or not such results will be achieved. Actual results could differ materially from those anticipated due to a number of factors and risks. Although the forward-looking statements contained in this news release are based upon what management of the Company believes are reasonable assumptions on the date of this news release, the Company cannot assure investors that actual results will be consistent with these forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements contained in this press release are made as of the date hereof and 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, except as required under applicable securities regulations. 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. For further information please contact: Therma Bright Inc. Rob Fia CEO rfia@thejenexcorporation.com NOT FOR DISSEMINATION OR DISTRIBUTION IN THE UNITED STATES DALLAS, TX / ACCESSWIRE / May 8, 2018 / North American Cannabis Holdings, Inc. (OTC PINK: USMJ) today released a shareholder update from the Company's CEO, Steven Rash: Dear Shareholders- North American Cannabis Holdings has been a little quiet on the news front since announcing that we have been approached by a party interested in acquiring the company. We're still engaged with the interested party, but it's also still premature to release any news regarding the potential of such a transaction. Accordingly, we'll probably be quiet on the news front a little longer. Here's what I will say: North American Cannabis Holdings has amassed a number of cannabis sector assets and experiences since entering the space in 2013. Even more valuable, the company has built a substantial following and it is the company's shareholders that are the most valuable asset. The party interested in potentially acquiring North American Cannabis Holdings has specific interests in a number of the company's assets and experiences, but the company's shareholder base stands out among the most prominent interests. I believe there is a potential transaction here that can substantially improve North American Cannabis Holdings current capital position and access to future capital. I am confident such a transaction would stand to dramatically enhance shareholder value. The acquisition transaction under consideration has the company continuing as a publicly traded business. North American Cannabis Holdings' sister company, Puration, Inc. (OTC PINK: PURA) is not part of the transaction under consideration. Thank you, Steven Rash CEO North American Cannabis Holdings For more information on North American Cannabis Holdings and Puration, visit http://www.aciconglomerated.com/. Disclaimer/Safe Harbor: 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. For More Information, Contact: Steven Rash info@aciconglomerated.com 1-800-861-1350 SOURCE: North American Cannabis Holdings, Inc. Wolters Kluwer's ELM Solutions announced today its LegalVIEW BillAnalyzer solution is a 2018 SIIA CODiE Award finalist in the Best Legal Solution category. The CODiEs are the premier awards for the software and information industries and have been recognizing product excellence for over 30 years. LegalVIEW BillAnalyzer was honored as a finalist in one of 52 business technology categories. LegalVIEW BillAnalyzer combines artificial intelligence, machine learning and Wolters Kluwer's human experts to help corporate legal departments and insurance claims organizations more efficiently manage legal invoices from their outside counsel partners. This enables them to control and reduce legal spend for cost savings, and ensure compliance with billing guidelines. Research conducted by Gartner and Wolters Kluwer's ELM Solutions shows corporate legal departments are processing millions of dollars of legal invoices from outside counsel monthly. Errors and oversights in the time-consuming task of reviewing each invoice against detailed billing guidelines can result in compliance violations, excess spend, and poor matter management. Corporate legal departments using LegalVIEW BillAnalyzer have realized an average cost savings in legal fees ranging from 7 to 15%. "LegalVIEW BillAnalyzer offers a very compelling model to use in addressing billing compliance issues," said Tom Orrison, Director of Legal Procurement at Microsoft. "Augmenting human expertise with AI creates a virtuous circle of more effective matter management, enhanced compliance and reduced legal spend." "We are honored the SIIA and CODiE Award judges have recognized our LegalVIEW BillAnalyzer solution as a finalist in the Best Legal Solution category," said Jonah Paransky, Executive Vice President and General Manager for Wolters Kluwer's ELM Solutions. "Earning finalist status reflects the focus and commitment we have on driving innovation that improves the overall customer experience and provides world-class business outcomes for our clients through investments in technology and people." The SIIA CODiE Awards are the industry's only peer-recognized awards program. Business technology leaders including senior executives, analysts, media, consultants and investors evaluate assigned products during the first-round review which determines the finalists. SIIA members then vote on the finalist products and the scores from both rounds are tabulated to select the winners. Winners will be announced during the Business Technology CODiE Award Celebration at the SIIA Annual Conference CODiE Awards, June 12 in San Francisco. 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 2017 annual revenues of 4.4 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: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20180508006043/en/ Contacts: Wolters Kluwer Chuck Miller, +1 320-240-5457 Director, External Communications Brand charles.miller@wolterskluwer.com VALLEY COTTAGE, New York, May 8, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Linerless labels are the new generation labels, witnessing growing preference over the conventional labels since the past few years. A new research report focuses on the study of global linerless labels market, which has been published by Future Market Insights and offers the market forecast for the upcoming decade. (Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/677274/Future_Market_Insights_Logo.jpg ) The comprehensive research report is titled 'Linerless Labels Market Global Industry Analysis 2013 - 2017 and Opportunity Assessment, 2018 - 2028' and it projects an anticipated CAGR of 4.9% for the market during the forecast period. According to the market analysis, the growth is driven by a gradual shift of manufacturers from conventional labels such as scale labels, inventory labels, butt cut labels, blank labels, and tire labels, to the new age linerless technology. The shift is attributed to benefits in cost saving, time, and the environmental edge that linerless labels have over conventional linered labels. The report indicates that the leading end-use industries in the market include retail and logistics. Request a Sample Report with Table of Contents and Figures: https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/reports/sample/rep-gb-1822 Global Linerless Labels Market: Overview Manufacturers are gradually shifting their preference to the variable imaged and thermal printed linerless labels. Certain trends are responsible for this shift of the market, including the innovative nature of this labeling type as an ideal marketing solution. Many companies print useful information on product labels so as to communicate with consumers, eventually boosting the sales of linerless labels. A large number of companies are experimenting with the use of linerless labels in an effort to achieve attractive product labeling. There are different types of printing technologies used such as digital printing, flexo printing, offset printing, screen printing, and more. Among these technologies, the research report suggests that flexo printing will lead the market with the highest value by the end of 2028. Whereas, offset printing is expected to witness the highest CAGR of over 5.4% during the forecast period. The regional forecast provides a clear picture of the market's presence in different regions. It predicts APAC to provide the most favorable conditions for the linerless labels market growth. The region is projected to hold a market value of over US$ 870 Mn by the end of 2028. APAC is also expected to witness a significant growth rate of over 6.5% during the forecast period. Emerging economies such as India and China have been witnessing meteoric growth in food retail industry, as well as in the adoption of the on-the-go food consumption trend. Key manufacturers of linerless labels are thus prioritizing expansion in untapped regional markets through joint ventures or by mergers/acquisitions. Preview Linerless Labels Market Segmentation by Product type - Variable Imaged and Direct Thermal; printing technology - Digital Printing, Flexo Printing, Offset Printing, Gravure Printing, Screen Printing, Others; by Adhesion - Permanent, Removable, Repositionable; by end-use industry - Retail, Food & Beverage, Logistics, Pharmaceuticals, Others: https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/reports/linerless-labels-market Global Linerless Labels Market: Competitive Landscape Linerless labels are used in companies involved in manufacturing of products like beer bottles and soft drink bottles. Some of the leading companies operating in the linerless labels industry are Innovia Films, Coveris Holdings SA, Constantia Flexibles Group, CCL Industries, and RR Donnelley & Sons Company etc. These companies are anticipated to play a crucial role in pushing the entire market scenario up over the next 10 years. Our advisory services are aimed at helping you with specific, customized insights that are relevant to your specific challenges. Let us know about your challenges and our trusted advisors will connect with you: https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/askus/rep-gb-1822 More from FMI's Packaging: Healthcare & Laboratory Labels Market Segmentation by Product type-Pharmaceutical, Nutraceutical, Medical Devices, Blood Bank, Hospital Services, Laboratory Labels; Material- Nylon, Polyester, Polyolefin, Vinyl, Paper and Others; Region- North America , Latin America , Western Europe , Eastern Europe , SEA & Pacific, India , China , Japan , Middle East , and Africa : https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/reports/healthcare-laboratory-labels-market Segmentation by Product type-Pharmaceutical, Nutraceutical, Medical Devices, Blood Bank, Hospital Services, Laboratory Labels; Material- Nylon, Polyester, Polyolefin, Vinyl, Paper and Others; Region- , , , , SEA & Pacific, , , , , and : https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/reports/healthcare-laboratory-labels-market Retail E-Commerce Packaging Market Segmentation Product Type - Protective Packaging, Boxes, Mailers, Labels, Tape, Others (Shrink & Stretch Films, Bags & Pouches, etc.); Merchandise Type - Consumer Electronics, Fashion (Clothing, Footwear, etc.), Home Furnishings, Health, Personal Care & Beauty, Recreation Goods, Multimedia & Software, Food & Beverages, Home Care, Others (Books, Automotive Products, Gifts; Market Type - Third Party Fulfilment & Logistic Companies, Brick & Mortar Retailers, Specialty Retailer, Others: https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/reports/retail-e-commerce-packaging-market Segmentation Product Type - Protective Packaging, Boxes, Mailers, Labels, Tape, Others (Shrink & Stretch Films, Bags & Pouches, etc.); Merchandise Type - Consumer Electronics, Fashion (Clothing, Footwear, etc.), Home Furnishings, Health, Personal Care & Beauty, Recreation Goods, Multimedia & Software, Food & Beverages, Home Care, Others (Books, Automotive Products, Gifts; Market Type - Third Party Fulfilment & Logistic Companies, Brick & Mortar Retailers, Specialty Retailer, Others: https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/reports/retail-e-commerce-packaging-market Labels Market segmentation by Product Type- Glue Applied, In-mould Labels, Sleeve Labels, Self-adhesive Labels, Other Labels; Material Type- Paper, Foil, Plastic Films; End Use- Food, Beverage, Cosmetic & Personal Care, Pharmaceuticals, Automotive & Mechanical Parts Packaging, Chemicals, Others (Logistic, Transportation, Entertainment, Security etc.): https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/reports/labels-market About Us Future Market Insights (FMI) is a leading market intelligence and consulting firm. We deliver syndicated research reports, custom research reports and consulting services which are personalized in nature. FMI delivers a complete packaged solution, which combines current market intelligence, statistical anecdotes, technology inputs, valuable growth insights and an aerial view of the competitive framework and future market trends. Browse More:Packaging Contact Us 616 Corporate Way, Suite 2-9018, Valley Cottage, NY 10989, United States T: +1-347-918-3531 F: +1-845-579-5705 T (UK): +44(0)20-7692-8790 Sales:sales@futuremarketinsights.com Press Office: Press@futuremrketinsights.com FMI Blog: http://www.fmiblog.com/ Website: http://www.futuremarketinsights.com WEST PALM BEACH, FL / ACCESSWIRE / May 8, 2018 / Alliance BioEnergy Plus, Inc. (OTCQB: ALLM) (the "Company") announced today that Dr. Anthony Santelli II (53) has been formally elected to fill an open seat on the Board of Directors by unanimous vote. In the same Board meeting Chairman and CEO Daniel de Liege nominated Board Member Gerry to take over the Chairmanship of the Company's Board. The motion passed by unanimous vote and Mr. David accepted the appointment. Mr. de Liege said, "Dr. Santelli brings much needed expertise in small cap funding and finance to our Board and with Gerry David at the helm of the Board we are in a much better position to grow and attract the right mix of individuals and institutions." Dr. Santelli has managed money for 18 years and is the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of AES Capital, a hybrid venture capital-hedge fund management company. Dr. Santelli is an entrepreneur who has started or helped finance various private companies and micro-cap publicly traded companies concentrating in the mining and energy fields. Previously, he was on the Board of Directors of American Manganese (AMY.V), and was the CFO of Haber, Inc. From 1987-1990, he was a Senior Management Systems Consultant at Andersen Consulting, now called Accenture. Dr. Santelli received his Ph.D. in economics from George Mason University (1998) and has a B.S. in Industrial Engineering from Cornell University (1987). He had taught economics and finance at Union College prior to creating AES Capital. For the first time in its young history the Company has an active Board with a solid mix of outside Board members that possess the skills and experience to assist in bringing this Company to the next level. At the most recent Board meeting additional controls and procedures were implemented in order to assist management in the day to day operations and to give the Board real oversight and control. About Alliance Bio-Products, Inc. Alliance BioEnergy +, Inc. ("ALLM") is a publicly traded company focusing on the commercialization and licensing of a patented cellulose conversion technology that it controls through a master license agreement with the University of Central Florida, via its affiliate Carbolosic, LLC. Carbolosic holds the exclusive, worldwide license to four (4) issued patents and sixteen (16) filed and pending patents revolving around the core CTS (cellulose to sugar) technology. ALLM also holds the exclusive CTS rights to North America (Canada, US, and Mexico) and Africa. The CTS process is the only known patented, dry mechanical process that can convert virtually any cellulose material into sugars and other products in a matter of minutes with no liquid acids, no applied heat, pressure or hazardous materials of any kind. The CTS process when used in the production of Ethanol is clean, less expensive to build and operate than traditional ethanol plants or other cellulose ethanol technologies and is completely environmentally friendly. Information in this document constitute forward-looking statements or statements which may be deemed or construed to be forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. The risks, uncertainties and other factors are more fully discussed in the Company's filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. All forward-looking statements attributable to Alliance BioEnergy Plus, Inc herein are expressly qualified in their entirety by the above-mentioned cautionary statement. Alliance BioEnergy Plus, Inc. disclaims any obligation to update forward-looking statements contained in this estimate, except as may be required by law. IR Contact: Michael Porter Matthew Abenante Porter LeVay & Rose Inc 7 Penn Plaza New York, NY 10001 mike@plrinvest.com 212-564-4700 SOURCE: Alliance BioEnergy Plus, Inc. OTTAWA (dpa-AFX) - The euro declined against its major counterparts in the European session on Tuesday, as investors weighed the possibility of a snap election in Italy after the third round of talks aimed to form a coalition government ended in failure. President Mattarella on Monday urged party leaders to put a 'neutral government' until new elections can be held. The gridlock came after the two main winners of the March 4 election, the anti-establishment 5-Star-Movement and the anti-immigrant and anti-European Union League, failed to agree on a coalition following weeks of negotiations. 'Let the parties decide of their own free will if they should give full powers to a government... or else new elections in the month of July or the autumn,' Mattarella said. Caution prevailed ahead of President Donald Trump's announcement of his decision on the Iran nuclear deal. Trump is widely expected to withdraw from the agreement, which lifted sanctions on Iran in exchange for limits on the country's nuclear program. In economic news, data from Destatis showed that Germany's industrial production recovered in March. Industrial production grew by more-than-expected 1 percent month-on-month in March, reversing a 1.7 percent fall in February. Output was forecast to grow 0.8 percent. Separate data showed that Germany's exports increased for the first time in four months in March, while imports continued to drop. Exports climbed 1.7 percent on month, in contrast to a 3.1 percent fall in February. Shipments were expected to grow 1.8 percent. This was the first increase since November 2017. The currency showed mixed trading against its major counterparts in the Asian session. While it fell against the pound and the yen, it held steady against the franc. Against the greenback, it rose. The euro declined to 1.1883 against the Swiss franc, its weakest since April 17. The euro is likely to find support around the 1.17 mark. Data from the State Secretariat for Economic Affairs showed that Switzerland's unemployment rate dropped marginally in April. The jobless rate fell to a seasonally adjusted 2.7 percent in April from revised 2.8 percent in March. The rate was expected to remain unchanged at March's originally estimated 2.9 percent. The single currency dipped to 1.1838 against the greenback, a level unseen since December 22, 2017. The next possible support for the euro is seen around the 1.17 area. The euro fell to a weekly low of 0.8772 against the pound and a 1-1/2-month low of 129.24 against the yen, from its early highs of 0.8810 and 130.12, respectively. The euro is poised to challenge support around 0.86 against the pound and 128.00 against the yen. The euro eased to 1.5356 against the loonie, reversing from an early weekly high of 1.5444. On the downside, 1.51 is likely seen as the next support for the euro. Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX Kostenloser Wertpapierhandel auf Smartbroker.de But Outside Assistance Remains Vital to Navigate the Chargeback Process NEW YORK, May 8, 2018 /PRNewswire/ --MyChargeBack, a leading international facilitator of chargeback requests, reports that the new Visa Claims Resolution (VCR) policy that is now going into effect worldwide is already speeding up the processing of consumer disputes. VCR was designed to resolve disputes between consumers and vendors more efficiently by standardizing procedures and timetables. "Based on a preliminary roll-out in Hong Kong and New Zealand in October of last year, Visa predicted that the streamlined processes and automation that are built into VCR would reduce the number of credit card disputes," notes Alan Tepfer, Director of Client Strategies and Fund Recovery at MyChargeBack, "and that is exactly what is now happening in Britain, the U.S. and the rest of the world now that the changes are going global." "The most significant improvement in the system is that Visa is taking every possible precaution to avoid disputes before they begin and speed them up once they do," he continues. "Card holders now receive more detailed monthly statements, improved attention to customer service, an extra layer of security checks, and quicker approval of chargebacks when they are entitled to them." Chargeback Categories Streamlined Tepfer claims that the improved service is due to streamlined dispute categories down from 22 to four and reducing the time limit that merchants have to respond from 45 to 30 days, which is scheduled to drop even more to just 20 days. "A major benefit for consumers is that merchants are now required to disprove customer evidence up front," Tepfer says. "Since no additional information is allowed be added afterwards, the merchant now has just a single opportunity to deny the consumer's allegations before Visa reaches its decision regarding the case," he explains. "But, in exchange, Visa customers now have just a single opportunity to present all of their evidence and arguments when they open their dispute file," Tepfer cautions. "This enhances the added value consumers have by working with a fund recovery service like MyChargeBack, which has the experience to make sure that the one chance they have to win their case is handled correctly, professionally and successfully." About MyChargeBack MyChargeBack.com is owned and operated by Cactil LLC, an American dispute resolution consultancy firm headquartered in New York with a global focus and an international client base throughout North and South America, Europe, Africa, Asia, and Oceania. The MyChargeBack team, which has recovered more than $4 million in funds for its clients to date, is comprised of professionals with extensive financial, legal and regulatory backgrounds who assist victims of online scams retrieve their money. MyChargeBack is able to accomplish that because it knows how chargebacks work and how to ensure that each client's case will be presented effectively to the bank. Contact Reuben Eliaz USA +1-888-350-8030 UK +44-20-806-80493 Canada +1-647-946-8583 Australia +61-2-8015-5645 Extension 1602 news@mychargeback.com Nepal showcases local cuisines to lure tourists Nepals hospitality industry on Monday launched a cook book and videos of 30 Nepali food items prepared by expert chefs in a bid to bid to publicize gastronomy tourism in the country. WASHINGTON (dpa-AFX) - New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman announced his resignation Monday night after a report from the New Yorker revealed accusations that he physically abused four women. In a statement, Schneiderman said he strongly contested the allegations but indicated they would prevent him from doing his job. 'While these allegations are unrelated to my professional conduct or the operations of the office, they will effectively prevent me from leading the office's work at this critical time,' Schneiderman said. 'I therefore resign my office, effective at the close of business on May 8, 2018.' Schneiderman's resignation comes after the New Yorker detailed accusations that he subjected four women with whom he has had romantic relationships or encounters to non-consensual physical violence. Before announcing his resignation, Schneiderman said he engaged in role-playing and other consensual sexual activity but denied assaulting anyone or engaging in non-consensual sex. New York Governor Andrew Cuomo, Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, D-N.Y., and the National Organization for Women had all called on Schneiderman to resign. 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. OcNOS running on Edgecore Networks switches, powered by Broadcom Tomahawk, enables migration to 100G services for one of the world's largest Internet exchanges IP Infusion, a leading provider of disaggregated networking solutions and intelligent network software, today announced that London Internet Exchange (LINX) deployed IP Infusion's OcNOS network operating system in their secondary London interconnect platform (LON2). LINX, one of the largest operators of Internet Exchange Point (IXP) services connecting over 820 networks in over 75 countries, is the first IXP in the world to adopt a disaggregated model that employs EVPN over VXLAN, leaf-spine topology, full automation and is 100G ready to deliver reduced total cost of ownership and bring greater levels of service quality to their customers. LINX is confirming that they have deployed the OcNOS network operating software on open network switches from Edgecore Networks AS7712-32X 100 GbE and AS5812-54X 10 GbE based on Broadcom Tomahawk and Trident II+ silicon respectively to build the disaggregated model for their LON2 network. The member migrations to LON2 are in progress and are expected to be completed in June. "As a result of our extensive testing, we are moving forward with the OcNOS network operating system for our disaggregated platform to allow LINX to deliver the latest technologies of OcNOS from IP Infusion and open network switches from Edgecore Networks," said Richard Petrie, LINX CTO. OcNOS now supports a highly scalable 100G interconnection fabric for connecting multiple distributed locations. The solution uses control plane learning using EVPN, network segmentation and virtualization using VXLAN, multihoming for redundancy, ACL/QoS policies for fine grained control of member traffic, support for sFlow and management automation. "The OcNOS and Edgecore switch solution helped LINX to migrate their LON2 network and provided a key validation of the disaggregated model for mission-critical applications," said Atsushi Ogata, CEO and president of IP Infusion. "This validated solution can be adopted by other internet exchange providers who are looking to upgrade their existing networks as well as for data center interconnect use cases to adopt acceleration of disaggregated networks." "Edgecore Networks continues to be a dedicated partner with LINX as they deploy their new open disaggregated networking solution," said George Tchaparian, CEO, Edgecore Networks. "With Edgecore's open network switches and IP Infusion's robust, high function NOS, LINX will now be delivering more services, at lower costs, with the flexibility of an open network architecture at 100G." About London Internet Exchange The London Internet Exchange (LINX) is a mutual membership association for operators of IP networks. It provides peering services and public policy representation to over 780 members from in excess of 75 countries. LINX has a presence at 10 London sites and operates three UK local exchanges (LINX Manchester, LINX Scotland and LINX Cardiff) plus LINX NoVA in Northern Virginia, USA. The six LINX LANs currently handle around 8Tb/sec of peak traffic over private interconnect and its public peering network. http://www.linx.net. About Edgecore Networks Edgecore Networks Corporation is a wholly owned subsidiary of Accton Technology Corporation, the leading network ODM. Edgecore Networks delivers wired and wireless networking products and solutions through channel partners and system integrators worldwide for the Data Center, Service Provider, Enterprise and SMB customers. Edgecore Networks is the leader in open networking providing a full line of open WiFi access points, packet transponders, virtual PON OLTs, and 1G, 10G, 25G, 40G, and 100G OCP-ACCEPTEDTM switches that offer choice of commercial and open source NOS and SDN software. For more information, visit www.edge-core.com. About IP Infusion IP Infusion, the leader in disaggregated networking solutions, delivers enterprise and carrier-grade software solutions allowing network operators to reduce network costs, increase flexibility, and to deploy new features and services quickly. IP Infusion's OcNOS, the industry's first enterprise and carrier-grade network operating system for Open Compute hardware, allows for easier implementation of large-scale IT networks, and offers customers white box solutions to deploy more quickly. VirNOS, a NFV-based software platform, provides a carriers and enterprises with a cost-effective network OS approach to implement and manage their networking services. With the OcNOS and VirNOS network operating systems, both powered by ZebOS, IP Infusion offers network operators, carriers, and enterprises with the physical and virtual software solutions they need to achieve the disaggregated networking modelOver 300 customers worldwide, including major networking equipment manufacturers, use IP Infusion's respected ZebOS platform to build networks to address the evolving needs of cloud, carrier and mobile networking. IP Infusion is headquartered in Santa Clara, Calif., and is a wholly owned and independently operated subsidiary of ACCESS CO., LTD. Additional information can be found at http://www.ipinfusion.com. IP Infusion, ZebOS, VirNOS and OcNOS are trademarks or registered trademarks of IP Infusion. All other trademarks, service marks, registered trademarks, or registered service marks mentioned are the property of their respective owners. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20180508005121/en/ Contacts: Herrick Media Ursula Herrick, 408-202-0865 ursula@herrickmedia.com CHICAGO, IL / ACCESSWIRE / May 8, 2018 / Legal & General Investment Management America, Inc. (LGIMA), a registered investment advisor specializing in designing and managing investment solutions across active fixed income, index, multi-asset and liability driven investment for the US market, today announced two appointments to the Distribution team. Greg Fedorinchik joins LGIMA as head of distribution, and will focus on overseeing and driving the strategic direction for marketing and sales, reporting to Jodan Ledford - head of client solutions and multi-asset. Greg comes most recently from Mesirow Advanced Strategies, where he held multiple roles over his ten years there, most recently as president. Prior, he served as head of the portfolio management team, and previously, was head of the global client relationship team. Prior to Mesirow, Greg was with Brinson Partners, the predecessor to UBS Global Asset Management, for 14 years. His last role there was executive director and senior strategist for global investment solutions. Shauna Lambright Conza joins LGIMA as a senior investment director, reporting to Greg. Shauna will be focused on public and Taft-Hartley institutions, broadening LGIMA's presence within that investor channel. Shauna brings over 25 years of experience and comes to us from Pavilion Global Markets in Chicago, where she was a managing director. Prior, she founded Lambright Financial Solutions which was later acquired by Knight Capital Americas. Shauna serves on various boards and committees of community outreach organizations in Chicago. "We continue to focus on driving meaningful investment outcomes for our clients," said Jodan Ledford, head of client solutions and multi-asset. "Greg and Shauna bring vast industry knowledge and experience to LGIMA, and we are thrilled to welcome them to our team." For more information, please visit http://www.lgima.com/. Media Contact Name: Kristina Pereira Tully Company: Caliber Email:kristina@calibercorporateadvisers.com Tel: 888-550-6385 ext. # 5 ABOUT LGIMA: Legal & General Investment Management America, Inc. (LGIMA) is a Chicago-based registered investment advisor specializing in designing and managing investment solutions across active fixed income, index strategies, multi-asset and liability driven investment (LDI) for the US institutional market. With over $174.8 billion in assets under management , LGIMA is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Legal & General Investment Management (Holdings) Ltd. (LGIM(H)), which also owns its affiliates Legal & General Investment Management Ltd. and LGIM International Ltd. Legal & General's worldwide assets under management are approximately $1.3 trillion as of December 31, 2017. In May 2014, LGIMA became a wholly owned subsidiary of Legal & General Investment Management US (Holdings), Inc. (LGIMUS(H)) which is wholly owned by LGIM(H). SOURCE: Legal & General America HEREDIA, Costa Rica, May 8, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Advant Medical, a global leader in Medical Device contract services and manufacturing solutions, recently announced a significant investment for its expansion into Costa Rica. The Costa Rican expansion saw the opening of a 13,000 square foot facility with a 2,200 square foot, Class 8, cleanroom with capacity to manufacture Class I, II, III Medical Devices. Advant has also invested heavily in new state-of-the-art equipment and machinery to support its manufacturing capability in the region. Advant is a high-performance solution provider of packaging and subcontract manufacturing for the Medical Device industry. The company is widely regarded for its expertise in Medical Devices in leading neuro-revascularization device assembly, catheter assembly incorporating electro-mechanical drive systems and high-end, specialty dispenser manufacturing. Full service manufacturing is expected to commence at the new facility in April 2018 and recruitment of 30 new personnel is underway in areas such as Quality, Engineering, Production Operatives, and Administration. If interested, please email infocr@advantmedical.com. Speaking about the new Costa Rican venture, Bob DiPetrillo, CEO, Advant Medical said, "With a positive foundation from our initial experience in the country through a contract manufacturing partnership, we have a great appreciation for the excellent business and political environment that operates within Costa Rica." "Costa Rica positions Advant Medical at the epicentre of our Medical Device customers. We operate on the premise of 'Local Sourcing, Globally' and Costa Rica better enables us to serve our growing international customer base in a more cost efficient and timely manner, effectively allowing our customers to better optimize their supply chains," DiPetrillo added. With manufacturing operations in Ireland for 25 years, Mexico and now increased capability in Costa Rica, Advant can further enhance its global footprint providing scalable manufacturing solutions and supporting its customers throughout their product development journey from prototype to pilot production and high-volume manufacture. Headquartered in Galway, Ireland, Advant Medical is a global partner and tier one supplier to multi-nationals, SMEs and start-up companies across the globe. "With the support of CINDE along with our other strategic partners, this investment in Costa Rica provides a tremendous growth opportunity and a platform from which Advant will continue to provide world class Medical Device contract and manufacturing services," explained DiPetrillo. About Advant Medical Since 1993 Advant Medical has delivered for 25 years quality assured products and services to the Medical Device industry globally. Specialists in the Manufacturing and Packaging of Minimally Invasive and Implantable Devices, Advant is a tier one supplier and global partner for Class I, II, III Medical Device development and manufacturing solutions. With an all-encompassing experienced team in various disciplines of 3D Printing, Injection Moulding, Product Development, Contract Manufacturing and Packaging services, Advant provides a turnkey approach in the development of innovative solutions that are based on real industry experience, regulatory knowledge, and extensive qualifications. For more information please visit www.advantmedical.com JERUSALEM (dpa-AFX) - In an unprecedented gesture, US President Donald Trump is sending a high-level delegation from his administration, including his daughter and Cabinet members, to attend the Opening of the new United States Embassy in Israel. John J. Sullivan, Deputy Secretary of State, will lead the six-member delegation. The other delegates are Steven T. Mnuchin, Secretary of the Treasury; Jared Kushner, the President's Senior Advisor; Ivanka Trump, Advisor to the President; Jason D. Greenblatt, Special Representative for International Negotiations, and David M. Friedman, US Ambassador to Israel. The new embassy will be located in Jerusalem, and is to be inaugurated on May 14. In a decision that evoked worldwide condemnation, Trump in December recognized Jerusalem as Israel's capital, and announced that the U.S. Embassy will move from Tel Aviv to the Holy City. The far reaching decision, which distanced the Palestinians further away from the Middle East peace process, triggered violence in the region. Meanwhile, the U.S. Consulate General in Jerusalem and the U.S. Embassy in Tel Aviv said in a joint message that in preparation for the opening of the U.S. Embassy in Jerusalem, the Consular Section of the U.S. Consulate General in Jerusalem is temporarily suspending all public non-emergency consular appointments from Wednesday, through May 15. This includes appointments for American Citizen Services (passports, Consular Reports of Birth Abroad, and notarial services), Visas (immigrant and nonimmigrant), and Federal Benefits. During this period, the Consular Section will continue to assist U.S. citizens in emergency cases such as deaths, arrests, detentions, missing persons, repatriations, hospitalizations, or victims of crime. Emergency passport services will also be available, with the exception of May 14. Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX Kostenloser Wertpapierhandel auf Smartbroker.de WASHINGTON (dpa-AFX) - Gold futures were flat Tuesday as traders looked ahead to President Donald Trump's press conference on the Iran situation. The president will reported announce that the U.S. will back out of a nuclear deal with Iran that removed some sanctions in exchange for transparency from Tehran. Israel intelligence says Iran is harborig aspirations to re-start its nuclear program in circumvention of the deal. Stocks edged lower in nervous trade, but gold failed to get much of a safe haven boost. June gold lost 40 cents to settle at $1,313.70/oz. In economic news, the rate of job openings in the U.S. labor market climbed to a record high 4.2 percent in March, according to the latest JOLTS report. 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. WASHINGTON (dpa-AFX) - In a controversial but widely anticipated move, President Donald Trump announced Tuesday that the U.S. will withdraw from an international agreement intended to limit Iran's nuclear program. Trump harshly criticized the nuclear agreement with Iran in remarks from the White House and signed a memorandum re-imposing sanctions on Iran. 'I am announcing today that the United States will withdraw from the Iran nuclear deal,' Trump said. 'We will be instituting the highest level of economic sanctions.' 'The United States no longer makes empty threats,' added Trump, who criticized the deal throughout his presidential campaign. 'When I make promises, I keep them.' The agreement negotiated under former President Barack Obama involved the U.S. and Iran as well as China, France, Russia, the U.K., Germany and the European Union. Trump made the decision to withdraw from the nuclear deal with Iran despite a letter from leading Senate Democrats urging the president to remain in the agreement. In a letter sent to Trump on Monday, a group of Democrats led by Senator Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif., noted the U.S. intelligence community and allies have determined that Iran has upheld its commitments under the agreement. 'As long as Iran continues to abide by these restrictions, we strongly urge you uphold U.S. obligations as well,' the senators wrote. They added, 'Failing to do so would not only profoundly undercut our relationship with key partners and allies, but would severely damage global nonproliferation efforts.' The Democrats said that if the U.S. withdraws from the deal, Iran could either remain in the agreement and seek to isolate the U.S. from its closest partners or resume its nuclear activities. 'Either scenario would be detrimental to our national security interests,' the senators wrote. The senators said they continue to support strong measures to counter destabilizing and troubling actions by Iran but argued withdrawing from the agreement would be a 'major strategic mistake.' Instead, the Democrats urged Trump to work with partners and allies to address Iran's malign activities while preserving and building upon the strict nuclear limitations of the deal. (Photo: Gage Skidmore) Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX Kostenloser Wertpapierhandel auf Smartbroker.de DEARBORN (dpa-AFX) - The U.S. auto safety regulator has again issued warning to owners of certain older pickups made by Ford to stop driving those vehicles until dangerous air bags that can explode in a crash are replaced. The U.S. Department of Transportation's National Highway Traffic Safety Administration in a statement said it is deeply concerned that certain higher-risk MY 2006 Ford Rangers and Mazda B-Series trucks with defective Takata airbags are not being repaired fast enough. 'These vehicles are under a 'do not drive' warning and the air bags must be replaced immediately,' the regulator said. This is the second public plea that NHTSA has issued to owners. 'NHTSA's number one priority is making sure that everyone is safe on our roads. I cannot stress strongly enough the urgency of this recall - these airbags are dangerous,' said NHTSA Deputy Administrator Heidi King. 'Every vehicle must be accounted for now.' According to the manufacturers, 49.2 percent of the 33,320 impacted MY 2006 Ford Rangers have been mitigated, and 58 percent of the 2,205 impacted Mazda B-Series trucks have been mitigated. 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. WASHINGTON (dpa-AFX) - Crude oil futures were lower Tuesday as President Donald Trump announced the US would formally withdraw from Iran's nuclear deal. 'It is clear to me that we cannot prevent an Iranian nuclear bomb under the decaying and rotten structure of the current agreement,' Trump said. 'The Iran deal is defective at its core. If we do nothing we know exactly what will happen.' Trump will initiate 'the highest level' of new sanctions. 'The so-called Iran deal was supposed to protect the United States and our allies from the lunacy of an Iranian nuclear bomb, a weapon that will only endanger the survival of the Iranian regime,' the President said. 'In fact, the deal allowed Iran to continue enriching uranium and over time reach the brink of a nuclear breakout.' Oil trimmed some of its early losses after the 2 pm ET annoucement, but was still lower for the day. WTI light sweet oil was down $1.51 at $69.22 a barrel. 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. CHICAGO, May 8, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Cision Ltd. (NYSE: CISN), a leading global provider of software and services to public relations and marketing communications professionals, today reported financial results for the quarter ended March 31, 2018. All data presented below is compared to the first quarter of 2017, unless otherwise noted. First Quarter 2018 Financial Highlights Revenue increased 23.0% to $179.3 million Revenue, excluding the impact from purchase accounting, increased 23.6% to $180.2 million Operating income increased 79.8% to $12.2 million Net loss decreased 98.2% to $0.4 million Adjusted EBITDA increased 19.3% to $58.3 million Adjusted net income increased 285% to $23.1 million Adjusted net income per share increased 171% to $0.19 "We are pleased to have delivered another solid quarter of financial results," said Kevin Akeroyd, Cision's Chief Executive Officer. "We continue to focus our efforts on delivering best-in-class products and services to our customers, executing our strategic and operational plans, and driving toward our long-term financial goals. This focus resulted in first quarter pro forma organic revenue growth of 2.0% after adjusting for non-core revenues and the impact of currency." First Quarter Business Statistics and Operational Highlights Americas revenues increased 8.9% to $121.8 million ; ; EMEA revenues increased 75.7% to $50.6 million ; ; APAC revenues increased 32.6% to $7.0 million ; ; Non-core revenues declined 43.6% to $1.3 million ; ; Average pro forma subscription customers, excluding PRIME Research, increased 1.2% to approximately 40,100; Average annualized pro forma revenue per subscription customer, excluding PRIME Research and the impact of currency, increased 2.0% to approximately $10,200 ; ; Customers that purchased services from us on a transaction basis, excluding PRIME Research, decreased 5.6% to approximately 40,200; Average pro forma revenue per customer that purchased services from us on a transaction basis, excluding PRIME Research and the impact of currency, increased 5.9% to approximately $1,400 ; ; Cross-sell bookings of software, distribution and insights in the United States increased 21.2% to $2.4 million ; and increased 21.2% to ; and Cision Communications Cloud platform customers at March 31, 2018 were approximately 7,500. Long-Term Debt As of March 31, 2018, we had approximately $1,029.8 million of outstanding dollar-denominated term loans and approximately 248.8 million of outstanding Euro-denominated term loans. On April 30, 2018, we reduced our outstanding dollar-denominated term loan by making a $30.0 million voluntary prepayment pursuant to the terms of our 2017 First Lien Credit Facility. Subscription and Transaction Customers Our average pro forma subscription customers, average annualized pro forma revenue per subscription customer, number of customers that purchased services from us on a transaction basis, and average pro forma revenue per customer that purchased services from us on a transaction basis appear below for the most recent five fiscal quarters. All of the figures below exclude PRIME Research and all dollar figures have been adjusted to exclude the impact of currency. Q1 2017 Q2 2017 Q3 2017 Q4 2017 Q1 2018 Q1 2018 compared to Q1 2017 Average pro forma subscription customers 39,643 40,699 40,393 40,478 40,134 1.2% Average annualized pro forma revenue per subscription customer $10,004 $9,962 $10,056 $10,137 $10,206 2.0% Pro forma transaction customers 42,588 44,131 40,829 41,670 40,216 (5.6%) Average pro forma revenue per transaction customer $1,314 $1,380 $1,296 $1,416 $1,392 5.9% Updated Full Year 2018 Outlook Our updated outlook for the full year ending December 31, 2018 appears below (all figures in millions, except per share amounts). These estimates are based on a number of assumptions that management believes to be reasonable and reflect the Company's expectations as of the date of this release. Actual results may differ materially from these estimates as a result of various factors, and the Company refers you to the cautionary language regarding "Forward Looking Statements" included in this press release when considering this information. Previous Updated Revenue $720 - $730 $722 - $732 Revenue, excluding the impact from purchase accounting $724 - $734 $724 - $734 Net income ($1) - $2 $8 - $10 Adjusted EBITDA $250 - $256 $250 - $256 Adjusted net income $106 - $111 $107 - $111 Adjusted net income per diluted share $0.87 - $0.89 $0.87 - $0.89 Pro-forma fully diluted weighted average shares outstanding - 124.3 Additionally, for the full fiscal year ending December 31, 2018, we expect (all figures in millions): Previous Updated Depreciation expense $31 - $33 $31 - $33 Amortization expense $112 - $115 $106 - $110 Amortization expense included in cost of revenue $22 - $24 $23 - $25 Interest expense $80 - $83 $79 - $82 Debt extinguishment costs $6 - $7 $2 - $3 Interest expense, net of debt extinguishment costs $74 - $76 $77 - $79 Cash interest expense $62 - $65 $64 - $66 Stock-based compensation $5 - $6 $5 - $6 Capital expenditures inclusive of capitalized software development $30 - $35 $32 - $36 The updated outlook above assumes LIBOR of approximately 2.3% and EURIBOR of approximately 0.0%, the inclusion of a full year of results from our acquisition of CEDROM, and the inclusion of 11 months of results from our acquisition of PRIME Research. CEDROM's pro forma revenues for the 12 months ended December 31, 2017 were approximately $15 million, and PRIME Research's pro forma revenues for the 12 months ended December 31, 2017 were approximately $44 million. The above outlook also assumes the following exchange rates with respect to the British Pound, the Euro and the Canadian Dollar for fiscal year 2018: GBP to USD 1.35 EUR to USD 1.20 CAD to USD 0.79 Additionally, our outlook for 2018 excludes the impact of any additional share issuances in connection with our exchange offer and consent solicitation relating to certain outstanding warrants, future acquisitions, divestitures, or other unanticipated events. See discussion of non-GAAP financial measures below in this release. First Quarter 2018 Conference Call Details As previously announced, we will hold a conference call to review our first quarter 2018 financial results via conference call on Tuesday, May 8th at 5:00 pm EDT. To hear the live event, visit the Cision investor website at http://investors.cision.com, or by dialing 1-877-443-4809 (participant dial in toll free) or 1-412-317-5235 (participant dial in International). The conference call will be simultaneously webcast on the Investor Relations section of our website: http://investors.cision.com Forward-Looking Statements This communication contains "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the safe harbor provisions of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. In this context, forward-looking statements often address expected future business and financial performance and financial condition, and often contain words such as "anticipate," "intend," "plan," "goal," "seek," "aim," "strive," "believe," "see," "project," "predict," "estimate," "expect," "continue," "strategy," "future," "likely," "may," "might," "should," "will," "would," "target," similar expressions, and variations or negatives of these words. Forward-looking statements are neither historical facts nor assurances of future performance. Instead, they are based only on our current beliefs, expectations, and assumptions regarding the future of our business, future plans and strategies, projections, anticipated events and trends, the economy, and other future conditions. Because forward-looking statements relate to the future, they are subject to inherent uncertainties, risks, and changes in circumstances that are difficult to predict and many of which are outside of our control. Accordingly, you should not place undue reliance on these statements, as actual results may vary materially. A detailed discussion of some of the risks and uncertainties that could cause our actual results and financial condition to differ materially from the forward-looking statements is described under the caption "Risk Factors" in our most recent annual report on Form 10-K filed on March 13, 2018, along with our other filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. Any forward-looking statement made by us in this communication is based only on information currently available to us and speaks only as of the date of this release. We do not assume any obligation to publicly provide revisions or updates to any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future developments or otherwise, should circumstances change, except as otherwise required by securities and other applicable laws. Please consult our public filings at www.sec.gov or www.cision.com. About Cision Cision Ltd. (NYSE: CISN) is a leading global provider of earned media software and services to public relations and marketing communications professionals. Cision's software allows users to identify key influencers, craft and distribute strategic content, and measure meaningful impact. Cision has over 4,000 employees with offices in 15 countries throughout the Americas, EMEA, and APAC. For more information about its award-winning products and services, including the Cision Communications Cloud, visit www.cision.com and follow Cision on Twitter @Cision. Cision Ltd. and its Subsidiaries Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets As of March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017 (in thousands, except per share and share amounts) (Unaudited) 2018 2017 Assets Current assets: Cash and cash equivalents $ 107,848 $ 148,654 Accounts receivable, net 127,433 113,008 Prepaid expenses and other current assets 24,026 19,896 Total current assets 259,307 281,558 Property and equipment, net 55,351 53,578 Other intangible assets, net 462,378 456,291 Goodwill 1,198,360 1,136,403 Other assets 5,656 7,528 Total assets $ 1,981,052 $ 1,935,358 Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity Current liabilities: Current portion of long-term debt $ 13,430 $ 13,349 Accounts payable 14,123 13,327 Accrued compensation and benefits 26,885 25,873 Other accrued expenses 80,302 73,483 Current portion of deferred revenue 162,938 140,351 Total current liabilities 297,678 266,383 Long-term debt, net of current portion 1,273,747 1,266,121 Deferred revenue, net of current portion 1,340 1,412 Deferred tax liability 42,840 62,617 Other liabilities 21,991 22,456 Total liabilities 1,637,596 1,618,989 Stockholders' equity: Preferred stock, $0.0001 par value, 20,000,000 shares authorized; no shares issued and outstanding at March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017 - - Common stock, $0.0001 par value, 480,000,000 shares authorized; 124,370,566 and 122,634,922 shares issued and outstanding at March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, respectively 12 12 Additional paid-in capital 793,298 771,813 Accumulated other comprehensive loss (28,036) (35,111) Accumulated deficit (421,818) (420,345) Total stockholders' equity 343,456 316,369 Total liabilities and stockholders' equity $ 1,981,052 $ 1,935,358 Cision Ltd. and its Subsidiaries Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income (Loss) For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2018 and March 31, 2017 (in thousands, except per share and share amounts) (Unaudited) 2018 % of Revenue 2017 % of Revenue Revenue $ 179,293 100.0% $ 145,818 100.0% Cost of revenue 64,278 35.9% 45,066 30.9% Gross profit 115,015 64.1% 100,752 69.1% Operating costs and expenses: Sales and marketing 29,679 16.6% 27,290 18.7% Research and development 6,700 3.7% 5,452 3.7% General and administrative 46,222 25.8% 40,232 27.6% Amortization of intangible assets 20,250 11.3% 21,011 14.4% Total operating costs and expenses 102,851 57.4% 93,985 64.5% Operating income 12,164 6.8% 6,767 4.6% Non operating income (expense): Foreign exchange losses (7,883) (4.4%) (1,948) (1.3%) Interest and other income (loss), net (256) (0.1%) 2,049 1.4% Interest expense (19,688) (11.0%) (36,915) (25.3%) Loss on extinguishment of debt (2,432) (1.4%) - 0.0% Total non operating loss (30,259) (16.9%) (36,814) (25.2%) Loss before income taxes (18,095) (10.1%) (30,047) (20.6%) Benefit from income taxes (17,682) (9.9%) (7,054) (4.8%) Net loss $ (413) (0.2%) $ (22,993) (15.8%) Other comprehensive income - foreign currency translation adjustments 7,075 5,894 Comprehensive income (loss) $ 6,662 $ (17,099) Net loss per share: Basic and diluted $ (0.00) $ (0.81) Weighted average shares outstanding used in computing per share amounts: Basic and diluted 123,946,264 28,369,644 Cision Ltd. and its Subsidiaries Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2018 and March 31, 2017 (in thousands) (Unaudited) 2018 2017 Cash flows from operating activities Net loss $ (413) $ (22,993) Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash provided by operating activities: Depreciation and amortization 33,277 32,592 Non-cash interest charges and amortization of debt discount and deferred financing costs 3,198 7,149 Equity-based compensation expense 1,341 993 Provision for doubtful accounts 1,572 368 Deferred income taxes (18,791) (7,858) Unrealized currency translation losses 7,864 1,775 Gain on sale of business - (1,785) Other 60 (164) Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net of effects of acquisitions and disposal: Accounts receivable (6,812) 1,637 Prepaid expenses and other current assets (2,979) 423 Other assets 48 64 Accounts payable (443) (625) Accrued compensation and benefits (17) (8,597) Other accrued expenses (3,330) 1,932 Deferred revenue 20,853 9,656 Other liabilities (875) (1,729) Net cash provided by operating activities 36,303 12,838 Cash flows from investing activities Purchases of property and equipment (3,739) (3,513) Software development costs (5,033) (4,074) Acquisitions of businesses, net of cash acquired of $2,711 and $11,457 (62,713) (49,081) Proceeds from disposal of business - 23,675 Net cash used in investing activities (71,485) (32,993) Cash flows from financing activities Proceeds from term credit facility, net of debt discount of $1,108 - 28,892 Repayments of term credit facility (3,362) (2,825) Payments on capital lease obligations - (58) Payments of deferred financing costs (131) - Payment of contingent consideration (2,873) - Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities (6,366) 26,009 Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents 742 341 Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents (40,806) 6,195 Cash and cash equivalents Beginning of period 148,654 35,135 End of the period $ 107,848 $ 41,330 Supplemental non-cash information Issuance of securities by Cision Owner in Connection with acquisition $ - $ 7,000 Issuance of shares for acquisition 20,143 - Use of Non-GAAP Financial Measures Non-GAAP results are presented only as a supplement to our financial statements based on U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP). Non-GAAP financial information is provided to enhance the reader's understanding of our financial performance, but none of these non-GAAP financial measures are recognized terms under GAAP, and non-GAAP measures should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for financial measures calculated in accordance with GAAP. Reconciliations of the most directly comparable GAAP measures to non-GAAP measures, such as Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted net income per share, are provided within the schedules attached to this release. We use non-GAAP measures in our operational and financial decision-making, believing that it is useful to exclude certain items in order to focus on what we deem to be a more reliable indicator of ongoing operating performance and our ability to generate cash flow from operations. As a result, internal management reports used during monthly operating reviews include Adjusted EBITDA, Adjusted net income per diluted share and organic revenue growth. We define organic revenue growth as the change in our total revenue excluding non-core revenues, calculated on a constant currency basis after giving pro forma effect to all acquisitions as though they occurred at the beginning of the applicable period. Additionally, we believe that the presentation of non-GAAP measures provides information that is useful to investors, research analysts, investment banks and lenders under our 2017 First Lien Credit Facility as it indicates, for example, our ability to meet capital expenditures and working capital requirements and otherwise meet our obligations as they become due. Investors are cautioned that non-GAAP financial measures are not a substitute for GAAP disclosures. This communication also includes certain forward-looking non-GAAP financial measures. We are unable to present without unreasonable efforts a reconciliation of forward-looking non-GAAP financial information to the corresponding GAAP financial information because management cannot reliably predict all of the necessary information. Forward-looking non-GAAP financial information is based on numerous assumptions, including assumptions with respect to general business, economic, market, regulatory and financial conditions and various other factors, all of which are difficult to predict and many of which are beyond our control. Accordingly, investors are cautioned not to place undue reliance on this information. Non-GAAP measures are frequently used by securities analysts, investors, and other interested parties in their evaluation of companies comparable to Cision, many of which present non-GAAP measures when reporting their results. These measures can be useful in evaluating our performance against our peer companies because we believe the measures provide users with valuable insight into key components of GAAP financial disclosures. However, non-GAAP measures have limitations as an analytical tool. Non-GAAP measures are not necessarily comparable to similarly titled measures used by other companies. They are not presentations made in accordance with GAAP, are not measures of financial condition or liquidity, and should not be considered as an alternative to profit or loss for the period determined in accordance with GAAP or operating cash flows determined in accordance with GAAP. As a result, you should not consider such performance measures in isolation from, or as a substitute analysis for, results of operations as determined in accordance with GAAP. Cision Ltd. and its Subsidiaries Reconciliation of Net Loss to EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2018 and March 31, 2017 (in millions) (Unaudited) 2018 2017 Change Net loss $ (0.4) $ (23.0) $ 22.6 Depreciation and amortization 33.3 32.6 0.7 Interest expense and loss on extinguishment of debt 22.1 36.9 (14.8) Benefit from income taxes (17.7) (7.0) (10.7) EBITDA (1) 37.3 39.5 (2.2) Acquisition and offering related costs 10.9 8.2 2.7 Gain on sale of business - (1.8) 1.8 Stock-based compensation 1.3 1.0 0.3 Deferred revenue reduction from purchase accounting 0.9 - 0.9 Sponsor fees and expenses - 0.1 (0.1) Unrealized translation loss 7.9 1.8 6.1 Adjusted EBITDA (2) $ 58.3 $ 48.8 $ 9.5 Cision Ltd. and its Subsidiaries Reconciliation of Net Loss to Adjusted Net Income and Adjusted Net Income per Diluted Share For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2018 and March 31, 2017 (in millions, except for per share amounts) (Unaudited) 2018 2017 Change Net loss $ (0.4) $ (23.0) $ 22.6 Benefit from income taxes (17.7) (7.1) (10.6) Acquisition and offering related costs 10.9 8.2 2.6 Gain on sale of business - (1.8) 1.8 Stock-based compensation 1.3 1.0 0.3 Deferred revenue reduction from purchase accounting 0.9 - 0.9 Amortization related to acquired intangible assets 25.9 26.7 (0.8) Non-recurring interest and loss on extinguishment of debt 2.4 2.9 (0.5) Sponsor fees and expenses - 0.1 (0.1) Unrealized translation loss 7.9 1.8 6.1 Adjusted Income before income taxes 31.3 8.9 22.4 Less: Income tax at a 26% rate for 2018, and a 33% rate for 2017 (8.1) (2.9) (5.2) Adjusted net income (3) $ 23.1 $ 6.0 $ 17.2 Pro forma fully-diluted weighted average shares outstanding 123.9 82.1 41.9 Adjusted net income per diluted share (4) $0.19 $0.07 $0.12 Cision Ltd. and its Subsidiaries Reconciliation of Net Cash Provided by Operating Activities to Adjusted Net Cash Provided by Operating Activities For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2018 and March 31, 2017 (in millions) (Unaudited) 2018 2017 Change Net cash provided by operating activities $ 36.3 $ 12.8 $ 23.5 Acquisition and offering related costs 10.9 8.2 2.7 Adjusted net cash provided by operating activities (5) $ 47.2 $ 21.0 $ 26.2 (1) Cision defines EBITDA as net income (loss), plus depreciation and amortization expense, plus interest expense and loss on extinguishment of debt, plus provision for (or minus benefit from) income taxes. (2) Cision defines Adjusted EBITDA as EBITDA, further adjusted for acquisition and offering related costs, stock-based compensation, deferred revenue reduction from purchase accounting, (gains) losses related to divested businesses or assets, sponsor fees and expenses, and unrealized translation losses (gains). All of the items included in the reconciliation from net income to Adjusted EBITDA are either non-cash items or are items that we consider to be less useful in assessing our operating performance. In the case of the non-cash items, we believe that investors can better assess our operating performance if the measures are presented without such items because, unlike cash expenses, these adjustments do not affect our ability to generate free cash flow or invest in our business. For example, by excluding depreciation and amortization from EBITDA, users can compare operating performance without regard to different accounting determinations such as useful life. In the case of the other items, we believe that investors can better assess operating performance if the measures are presented without these items because their financial impact does not reflect ongoing operating performance. (3) Cision defines Adjusted net income as net income (loss) plus provision for (or minus benefit from) income taxes, further adjusted for acquisition and offering related costs, (gains) losses related to divested businesses or assets, stock-based compensation, deferred revenue reduction from purchase accounting, amortization related to acquired intangibles, non-recurring interest and losses on extinguishment of debt, sponsor fees and expenses, and unrealized translation losses (gains), which together, sum to Adjusted net income (loss) before income taxes. Adjusted net income (loss) before income taxes is then taxed at an assumed long term corporate tax rate of 33% for 2017 and periods prior, and 26% for 2018 and beyond, pursuant to our preliminary analysis with respect to recent U.S. tax law changes, to determine Adjusted net income. All of the items included in the reconciliation from net income to Adjusted net income are either non-cash items or are items that we consider to be less useful in assessing our operating performance. In the case of the non-cash items, we believe that investors can better assess our operating performance if the measures are presented without such items because, unlike cash expenses, these adjustments do not affect our ability to generate free cash flow or invest in our business. For example, by excluding the amortization related to acquired intangibles, users can compare operating performance without regard to highly variable amortization expenses related to our acquisitions. In the case of the other items, we believe that investors can better assess operating performance if the measures are presented without these items because their financial impact does not reflect ongoing operating performance. (4) Cision defines Adjusted net income per diluted share as Adjusted net income, as defined above, divided by the fully-diluted pro forma weighted average shares outstanding for the period. The fully-diluted pro forma weighted average shares outstanding for the respective period assume that the exchange of shares pursuant to our merger with Capitol Acquisition III had taken effect as of the beginning of such period. Additionally, for purposes of calculating the number of fully diluted shares outstanding, we have excluded the potential impact of dilution from outstanding warrants to purchase shares of our common stock, and stock options and restricted units issued and outstanding pursuant to our 2017 Omnibus Incentive Plan. Using our average share price of $11.89 for the three months ended March 31, 2018, our fully-diluted pro forma weighted average shares outstanding for the three months ended March 31, 2018 would have been approximately 124.8 million had we incorporated the dilutive effects of the warrants, stock options and restricted units. (5) Cision defines Adjusted net cash provided by operating activities as net cash provided by operating activities adjusted for acquisition and offering related costs. Investor Contact: Jack Pearlstein Chief Financial Officer Jack.Pearlstein@Cision.com Media Contact: Nick Bell Vice President, Marketing Communications and Content CisionPR@cision.com Logo- https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/467136/cision_logo.jpg Oli, Modi to land in Janakpur same time Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli will land in Janakpur the same time as his Indian counterpart Narendra Modi on Friday, Foreign Minister Pradeep Gyawali has said. LIMASSOL, Cyprus and MONTREAL, May 8, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- SMT Shipping ("SMT") and The CSL Group ("CSL") today announced they have entered into an agreement for CSL to acquire 50% of Eureka Shipping Ltd. ("Eureka"), SMT's pneumatic cement vessel business. The new joint venture will allow Eureka and CSL to combine expertise, resources and innovative technologies to expand services to customers in the seaborne cement powder and fly ash transportation markets around the world. CSL's Australian cement shipping business is not included in the joint venture. "The joint venture represents an important step in CSL's strategy to increase its presence in the global construction material sector," said Louis Martel, President and CEO of The CSL Group. "We are confident that the synergies between CSL and the Eureka team, along with our common values and complementary skills will further strengthen our ability to provide significant value to our customers and an effective platform for growth." "SMT Shipping is honored to partner with CSL in Eureka," said Mark Voorham, CEO of SMT Shipping. "We feel the new joint venture will harness the strengths of both respected companies, which will work together seamlessly to serve our clients with the highest levels of service and professionalism." "For Eureka Shipping, the partnership with CSL provides a strong, collaborative platform to further invest in innovative logistics solutions to the benefit of our customers in the cement and building materials industries," added Kai Grotterud, CEO, Eureka Shipping Ltd. The partnership is a strong strategic fit, leveraging the companies' respective strengths in the shipping and handling of dry bulk cargos. There will be no change in the day-to-day management and operation of vessels in the Eureka fleet. The transaction is subject to certain regulatory conditions and is expected to close by end of June. Eureka Shipping Ltd. operates a fleet of self-unloading cement carriers in the Baltic Sea, the Atlantic Ocean, the Mediterranean Sea, the Caribbean and Asia. The SMT Shipping Group has, over the past 30 years, built a fleet of about 45 vessels through a number of joint venture companies operating in various bulk commodities markets, focusing on highly efficient geared bulk carriers, floating storage/transhipment terminals and belt-unloaders. The CSL Group is the largest owner and operator of self-unloading ships in the world. Headquartered in Montreal with divisions operating throughout the Americas, Australia, Europe and Asia, CSL delivers more than 70 million tonnes of cargo annually for customers in the construction, steel, energy and agri-food sectors. Media Contacts: THE CSL GROUP INC., Brigitte Hebert, Director, Communications, 514-653-8854, brigitte.hebert@cslships.com; SMT SHIPPING LTD., Marcel Heijnsbroek, Chief Financial Officer, +31652368430, m.heijnsbroek@smtshipping.com SAN ANTONIO, TX / ACCESSWIRE / May 8, 2018 / The US government expects 2018 to be a record year for domestic crude oil production: with an estimated average of 10.7 million barrels a day (b/d), this would break the 1970 record of 9.6 million b/d. A new high is anticipated in 2019 when the US Energy Information Administration sees the number rising to 11.4 million b/d. Any conversation on US hydrocarbon output inevitably links to the Permian Basin, which has been the pumping heart of the industry since the 1940s and is likely to remain so for decades. According to research by IHS Markit, the area contains between 60 billion and 70 billion barrels of recoverable oil, which puts it on a par with the world's largest oil field - Saudi Arabia's Ghawar. But while the Permian Basin is essential for US energy independence and exports, history has shown that reserves and output alone cannot ensure steadily rising profitability for exploration companies as oil & gas prices and demand are notoriously difficult to predict. The tough times of 2014 and 2015 clearly demonstrated this is one industry that definitely needs to bet on innovation, especially digital technologies, to improve operational efficiencies and contain costs, according to Brian Alfaro, founder, and CEO of Texas-based Silver Star Resources. As participants in a highly capital-intensive industry, oil & gas companies need to ensure their investments deliver maximum returns. Permian Basin players may not have to worry about their reserves, but they still have to consider expenditure, efficiencies, safety, and environmental impact. In an age of tremendous technological progress, legacy industries have the opportunity to transform themselves and remain competitive, as Brian Alfaro notes. Numerous studies indicate that digital technologies can deliver substantial benefits to oil & gas companies. According to analysts at McKinsey, the implementation of artificial intelligence (AI), robotics, virtual reality (VR), cloud computing and other innovative technologies could reduce capital expenditures by as much as 20% and generate up to $1 billion in cost savings or production increases. AI is arguably the technology with the greatest transformative potential for oil & gas players. Research group MarketsandMarkets estimates that the industry invested $1.42 billion in AI solutions in 2016, and the amount will rise to $2.85 billion by 2022, growing at a compound annual rate of 12.7%. "Improving operational efficiency in the oil and gas industry and predictive maintenance to avoid costly downtime will drive the artificial intelligence in oil and gas in the coming future," the research report says. The adoption of robotics is a relatively new trend in the industry, but it is already proving extremely helpful in automating dangerous or repetitive tasks. VR is another technology with an enormous potential to improve efficiency, safety, and productivity. It can be leveraged in training, both of field workers to enhance safety and of maintenance personnel to improve first-time fix rates. In an industry that can still afford equipment failures and prolonged downtimes, VR can be an excellent tool for conducting first-level diagnostics. Cloud computing can also become a powerful ally of oil & gas operators. "To take effective action, the entire production chain, from COO right down to on-site good engineers, need to see the very detailed cost and production data, narrowed down to the invoice level. By leveraging cloud computing capabilities, accuracy and transparency are achieved in the shortest amount of time to drastically improve well-cost management," says Shiva Rajagopalan, CEO of enterprise software provider Seven Lakes Technologies. Texas native Brian Alfaro grew up in the oil & gas heart of the United States to become a distinguished entrepreneur and a passionate supporter of his community through various charitable activities. Currently based in San Antonio, he serves as the president and CEO of Silver Star Resources, a company that specializes in shale, limestone, unconventional horizontal drilling, and conventional drilling. His philanthropic work includes support for organizations such as the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, The Miracle League, First Book San Antonio, Family Violence Prevention Services, The Kristine Meza Foundation, Junior Achievement of South Texas, and the Special Olympics. Brian Alfaro - Oil and Gas Industry Mogul and Dedicated Philanthropist: http://brianalfaronews.com Brian Alfaro - On the Positive Investment Outlook for Permian Basin: https://finance.yahoo.com/news/brian-alfaro-positive-investment-outlook-025200987.html Brian Alfaro Discusses the Strong M&A Interest in Permian Basin: https://finance.yahoo.com/news/brian-alfaro-discusses-strong-m-041500382.html Contact Information: BrianAlfaroNews.om www.brianalfaronews.com contact@brianalfaronews.com SOURCE: Brian Alfaro TOKYO (dpa-AFX) - Japan will on Wednesday release preliminary March figures for its leading and coincident indexes, highlighting a modest day for Asia-Pacific economic activity. The leading index is expected to see a score of 105.1, down from 106.0 in February. The coincident is pegged at 116.4, up from 116.1 a month earlier. Japan also will see March figures for real and labor cash earnings. Real cash earnings are expected to sink 0.4 percent on year after falling 0.5 percent in February. Labor cash earnings are tipped to rise an annual 1.0 percent, slowing from 1.3 percent a month earlier. New Zealand will provide April numbers for credit card spending. In March, overall spending was up 0.7 percent on month and retail spending climbed 1.0 percent. 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. BEIJING (Reuters) - China will sign a bilateral currency swap agreement with Japan, the Chinese government said on Tuesday, citing an article written by Premier Li Keqiang that was published by Japan's Asahi newspaper. China will also grant a quota of Renminbi Qualified Foreign Institutional Investors (RQFII) to Japanese investors, Li said in the article BEIJING (Reuters) - China will sign a bilateral currency swap agreement with Japan, the Chinese government said on Tuesday, citing an article written by Premier Li Keqiang that was published by Japan's Asahi newspaper. China will also grant a quota of Renminbi Qualified Foreign Institutional Investors (RQFII) to Japanese investors, Li said in the article. The Chinese government published a translation into Chinese of the premier's article. (Reporting by Beijing Monitoring Desk; Editing by Richard Borsuk) This story has not been edited by Firstpost staff and is generated by auto-feed. DSP Group owns 60 percent stake in the JV while the remaining 40 percent is with BlackRock Inc. New Delhi: In another exit by a foreign player from the Indian mutual fund space, financial services firm DSP Group on Monday announced buyout of leading global asset manager BlackRock's 40 percent stake in DSP BlackRock Investment Managers, which manages over Rs 1 lakh crore worth assets. DSP BlackRock is a joint venture (JV) between DSP Group and BlackRock and is one of the leading asset management companies (AMCs) in the country. DSP Group owns 60 percent stake in the JV while the remaining 40 percent is with BlackRock Inc. "The JV partners have entered an agreement whereby DSP Group will acquire the entire 40 percent stake of BlackRock, to become the sole owner," the Group said in a statement. The DSP group was set up by veteran investment banker Hemendra Kothari in 1975 and it partnered with erstwhile foreign financial services giant Merrill Lynch in 1995 for a mutual fund joint venture. Subsequently, DSL Group and Merrill Lynch parted ways and BlackRock acquired Merrill Lynch's 40 percent stake in the Indian fund house in 2008. This followed BlackRock's takeover of Merrill Lynch's investment management division across the world. In recent years, a number of foreign players have sold their stakes in Indian mutual fund ventures. These include Goldman Sachs, StanChart, Fidelity, Morgan Stanley, Daiwa AMC, ING Mutual Fund, PineBridge, Deutsche Bank and JP Morgan. However, some foreign players went on to re-enter Indian market, after selling their earlier ventures. Currently, there are over 40 active mutual funds in India with a collective asset under management of more than Rs 23 lakh crore. Following the buyout announced on Monday, the new firm will be known as DSP Investment Managers Pvt Ltd and DSP BlackRock Mutual Fund is proposed to become DSP Mutual Fund, subject to regulatory approvals. "The next decade will see the asset management industry in India grow manifold and DSP Group is very well poised to capture a significant portion of that growth," said Hemendra Kothari, chairman at DSP BlackRock Investment Managers. "We will continue investing in our people, our technology platforms and our relationships with clients and distribution partners, to maintain steadfast focus on delivering long-term investment excellence," he added. Ryan Stork, chairman of BlackRock Asia Pacific said the company is "committed to the Indian market for the long term and continues to be a fast-growing employer there, where we have over 1,400 employees in offices across Gurgaon, Mumbai and Bengaluru." As of April this year, DSP BlackRock manages assets in excess of Rs 1.1 lakh crore ($16.5 billion) across equity, fixed income and alternatives with over 2 million individual investors. Walmart is likely to buy stakes of multiple Flipkart investors, including that of Tiger Global and Japanese conglomerate Softbank, to end up with a 60-80 percent holding for roughly $12 billion. New Delhi: Flipkart founders Sachin and Binny Bansal may have to pay a 20 percent capital gains tax if they sell their shares in the company as part of the proposed deal with US retail giant Walmart, said tax experts. The Indian e-commerce major is in discussions to sell a majority holding to Walmart and an announcement to this effect is likely to be made soon, sources close to the development said. Walmart is likely to buy stakes of multiple Flipkart investors, including that of Tiger Global and Japanese conglomerate Softbank, to end up with a 60-80 percent holding for roughly $12 billion. According to experts, there would be two taxation angles to the deal once it goes through. The first will be the taxation of capital gains earned by the sellers (Flipkart investors). Secondly, whether Flipkart India is allowed to carry forward the losses for the adjustment against income tax payable by the company. Nangia & Co Director Chirag Nangia said the taxability of the foreign investors in Flipkart will depend on the country through which the money is routed and whether India has a tax treaty with those nations. "However, if the Indian promoters of Flipkart India intend to sell their shareholding, being Indian residents, they would be liable to pay income tax in India on capital gains arising from such transaction," Nangia said. Transaction Square Founder Girish Vanvari said the I-T law provides that taxes have to be withheld by the buyer if the share purchase agreement is being entered into with a non-resident entity. "With regard to share purchase agreement entered into with India resident entity, Sachin Bansal and Binny Bansal in this case, capital gain would be charged in their hands and they have to pay 20 percent income tax," Vanvari said. The deal would be taxable in India since a substantial value of Flipkart's shares is being derived from India, the experts noted. Singapore-registered Flipkart Pvt Ltd holds a majority stake in Flipkart India. As per the proposed deal, Walmart is expected to acquire shares of the Singapore entity. This will effectively result in transfer of ultimate ownership in Flipkart India. Nangia said if the seller of such shares in Flipkart Singapore is a tax resident of Singapore / Mauritius or any other country, which has a tax treaty with India that exempts capital gains from income tax in India, then the seller may claim treaty benefits. The tax treaties between India and Singapore, and India and Mauritius have been amended and exemption from capital gains tax in India were provided till 31 March, 2017. Experts say if Softbank's investment in Singapore-registered Flipkart has been routed through these countries and came in after 1 April, 2017, the Japanese group could be liable to pay capital gains tax in India. SoftBank's Vision Fund had pumped in an estimated $2.5 billion in Flipkart in August last year. While short-term capital gains tax in the hands of foreign investors is 40 percent, long-term capital gains tax is levied at 20 percent for shares sold after 24 months of purchase. "However, such applicable long-term capital gains tax rate in India could be reduced by half, if such shares acquired after March 31, 2017, are sold before April 1, 2019," Nangia said. He added that Tiger Global would be exempt from taxes in India after the proposed Walmart deal if the funds were routed through Mauritius or Singapore and if the money was invested before March 31, 2017. As per indirect transfer provisions of I-T laws, value of shares of a foreign company is deemed to be substantially derived from India if the value of the Indian assets is greater than 50 percent of its worldwide assets, a criteria that is apparently met in Flipkart's case. "Despite the fact that shares of Flipkart Singapore (a company registered outside India) will be transferred to Walmart, gains arising from such transfer could be subject to tax in India considering that substantial value of such shares is being derived from India," Nangia said. With regard to carry forward of losses, Section 79 of the I-T Act says that carry forward and set-off of losses cannot happen when more than 51 percent of shareholding change hands. "However, Section 72A of the Act provides that if there is demerger and merger, the company can carry forward the losses. It remains to be seen how the Flipkart-Walmart deal would be finally structured," Vanvari said. Nangia, however, said since even after the proposed transaction, the immediate majority shareholding of Flipkart India would remain with Flipkart Singapore, Flipkart India may be allowed to carry forward such tax losses to future years. "Proposed transaction may open up tax litigations for Flipkart India/its shareholders, be it the issue of taxability of capital gains arising to shareholders from such transaction or the issue of carry forward of existing tax losses of Flipkart India," Nangia said. ICICI Bank on Monday reported a steep 45 percent drop in March quarter net at Rs 1,142 crore, driven down by fresh slippages of around Rs 10,000 crore due to changes in asset classification norms Mumbai: Private sector lender ICICI Bank on Monday reported a steep 45 percent drop in March quarter net at Rs 1,142 crore, driven down by fresh slippages of around Rs 10,000 crore due to changes in asset classification norms. On a standalone basis, the bank, currently grappling with allegations of conflicts of interest involving chief executive Chanda Kochhar, saw its net profit halving to Rs 1,020 crore. Asset quality worsened for the bank with the gross NPA ratio rising marginally to 8.84 percent but net NPA moved down marginally to 4.77 percent from from 4.89 percent in the year-ago period. The bank had to set aside almost three times more in provisions at Rs 6,625 crore as slippages soared as against a low Rs 2,898 crore. But that helped the bank improve its provision coverage ratio to 60.5 percent from 53 percent. Kochhar cited the 28 March board statement rallying behind her, a day before the news on the allegations against her began to appear in the media and further reports that led to multi-agency probes, and said she has nothing to add on to the board statement. "The board did not discuss the issue," she said, termed the board meeting slated for tomorrow [today] as a "routine one" to discuss the growth strategy for the new fiscal year. Kochhar also announced a new strategy revolving around "preserve, change and grow" with targets for March 2020 on various parameters. For the reporting quarter, the bank added Rs 15,737 crore to the gross non-performing assets list, including Rs 9,968 crore coming in by way of an end to various regulatory dispensations on 12 February. On 12 February, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) issued a revised framework for resolution of stressed asset superseding its earlier guidelines, leading to accretion of NPAs. The bank's overall exposure to the 40 select accounts referred by the Reserve Bank to be resolved under bankruptcy laws is Rs 15,229 crore and it has provided 50 percent against it, Kochhar said. The drilldown list of assets in challenging sectors now stands at Rs 4,728 crore, down from an opening balance of over Rs 19,000 crore two years ago, Kochhar said. The gross NPA ratio shot up to 8.84 percent at March-end from 7.89 percent a year ago. Kochhar said much of the stress from the changes in regulations is behind the bank and hinted at business as usual on NPA accretion front from here onwards. The bank is targeting to bring down net NPA to 1.5 percent and take the provision coverage ratio to 70 percent by March 2020. "The focus will be on recoveries and resolutions", she said. The surge in bad assets restricted core income growth and net interest income was up marginally at Rs 6,022 crore despite a widening of margins to 3.24 percent and a 15 percent domestic loan growth. It was other income, which grew to Rs 5,678 crore from Rs 3,017 crore last year, thanks to the Rs 3,300- crore it netted from stake sale in the broking arm, that helped the bank's bottomline. While retail book, which now contributes 57 percent of the loan book, grew 20 percent, corporate book was subdued at 5 percent. The bank is targeting to continue with similar growth even under the new plan, which also focuses on increasing unsecured loans of low base by nearly 40 percent. Share of overseas loans declined to 12.6 percent and the bank is planning to trim it further down to 10 percent as it sees more domestic opportunities, Kochhar said. The share of low-cost current and saving account deposits grew to 51 percent and the bank is targeting to maintain it at over 45 percent by March 2020. Without naming the borrowers, she said the bank classified three accounts with an exposure of Rs 794 crore in the gems & jewellery sector as fraud during the quarter and Rs 289 crore has been provided against those. The bank board recommended a dividend of Rs 1.50 per equity share. The bank counter gained 2.30 percent at Rs 289.40 on the BSE, as against a 0.84 percent rally on the benchmark Sensex. The earnings were announced after the market hours. The total income on consolidated basis rose to Rs 33,760 crore during the March quarter as against Rs 28,603 crore. However, standalone total income of the bank rose to Rs 19,943 crore in March quarter, from Rs 16,585.76 crore in preceding fiscal's last quarter. For the full fiscal 2017-18, the bank's standalone net profit slipped by 31 per cent to Rs 6,777 crore as against Rs 9,801.09 crore in the previous fiscal. Its total income during the fiscal also declined to Rs 72,386 crore as against Rs 73,661 crore crore in 2016-17. Government on Tuesday opened for bidding the biggest city gas distribution licensing round, offering 86 permits for selling CNG and piped cooking gas in 174 districts in 22 states and union territories New Delhi: Government on Tuesday opened for bidding the biggest city gas distribution licensing round, offering 86 permits for selling CNG and piped cooking gas in 174 districts in 22 states and union territories. As many as 86 geographical areas (GAs), made by clubbing adjacent districts, are on offer in the 9th city gas distribution (CGD) bidding round, according to oil regulator Petroleum and Natural Gas Regulatory Board (PNGRB). The GAs cover 24 percent of the country's area and 29 percent of its population, Oil Minister Dharmendra Pradhan said at a roadshow organised here to promote the round. The round is likely to attract an investment of Rs 70,000 crore, a PNGRB presentation made at the roadshow said. The last day for bidding is 10 July. Pradhan said the government is targeting to raise share of natural gas in the primary energy basket to 15 percent from current 6 percent, in next few years. The bid round is also aimed at meeting Prime Minister Narendra Modi's target of giving piped cooking gas connection to 1 crore households, roughly triple the current size, by 2020. CGD licences for Bhopal in Madhya Pradesh, Ahmednagar in Maharashtra, Ludhiana and Jalandhar in Punjab, Barmer, Alwar and Kota in Rajasthan, Coimbatore and Salem in Tamil Nadu, Allahabad, Faizabad, Amethi and Rai Bareli in Uttar Pradesh, Dehradun in Uttarakhand and Burdwan in West Bengal are on offer. Prior to the 9th round, 91 GAs were awarded to firms like Indraprastha Gas Ltd and GAIL Gas Ltd, which are serving 240 million population, 42 lakh domestic consumers and 31 lakh CNG vehicles. Of these, 56 GAs were awarded through bidding rounds and the rest on government nomination. The bid round is being held on changed parameters after 'one paisa' bids spoilt the initial auction rounds. Bidders have been asked to quote the number of CNG stations to be set up and number of domestic cooking gas connections to be given in the first eight years of operation. In the previous eight bid rounds, bidders were asked to quote only the tariff for the pipeline that carries gas within the city limits. These bidding criteria did not include the rate at which an entity would sell CNG to automobiles or piped natural gas to households using the same pipeline network, leading to companies offering one paisa as the tariff to win licences. In the new guidelines, maximum weightage of 50 percent has been given to the number of piped gas connections proposed in eight years from the date of authorisation, as compared to 30 percent earlier. The number of CNG dispensing stations proposed to be set up has been assigned 20 percent weightage. Length of the pipeline to be laid in the GA and the tariff proposed for city gas and Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) have been assigned 10 percent weightage each. Also, a floor tariff of Rs 30 for city gas and Rs 2 per kg for CNG has been put in order to deter bidders from quoting unviable tariff of 1 paisa per unit. Companies having a net worth of not less than Rs 150 crore can bid for cities with a population of 50 lakh and more while the same for cities with population of 20 lakh to 50 lakh has been proposed at Rs 100 crore. The net worth eligibility goes down with population, with a Rs 5 crore net worth firm being eligible to bid for cities that have less than 10 lakh population. PNGRB said any entity security CGD licence would have to enter into a firm natural gas supply agreement with a natural gas producer or marketer in a transparent manner on the principle of 'at an arm's length' within 180 days of winning a licence. The authorised entity has to achieve financial closure within 270 days from date of grant of licence. The winning company would have 8 years of marketing exclusivity in the given city. Current licences provide for 5 years of exclusivity. Last few rounds of CGD have evoked a lukewarm response. The fourth round was altogether cancelled, while the fifth saw a sparse response. The sixth round of bidding for 34 cities in 2015 got bids for only 20. The seventh round of bidding done to set up CGD infrastructure in 11 smart cities under smart city mission received only 1 bid. Seven cities were offered in the 8th round last year but not all cities have been awarded so far. In 2017-18, the country's pharma exports stood at about $17 billion New Delhi: Commerce and Industry Minister Suresh Prabhu on Tuesday asked pharma firms to increase R&D investments and develop new markets to boost the exports. He also called for finding ways to make healthcare more affordable to people by reducing costs. Regions like Latin America and Africa hold huge export potential for Indian pharmaceutical products, Prabhu said here while inaugurating the international exhibition of pharma and healthcare (iPHEX) here. "Make more investments in R&D activities so that the pipeline (for new medicines) do not get dry," he said, adding that research and development investments will domestic growth. The government is taking steps to boost pharma exports such as seeking greater market access for India's products in countries like China. "China has agreed to organise a round table meet with our regulators. This will help in addressing market penetration issues," he added. In 2017-18, the country's pharma exports stood at about $17 billion. He further said that increasing cost of healthcare is a global concern and the Indian industry needs to work on this area to overcome the challenge. Commerce Secretary Rita Teaotia said the market size of the global pharma industry is over $1 trillion and it holds huge potential for countries like India. "We have to make healthcare affordable," she said. S Eswara Reddy, Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI), said that they are taking steps to promote ease of doing business in the sector. He informed that it has been decided to increase the validity of WHO (World Health Organisation) GMP (Good Manufacturing Practice) certification to three years for two years currently. The move would help reduce delay in the registration process and promote exports, he said, adding that applications are now processed and approved online. A thumbs up from the FT on an expanding tax base serves as a solid weapon for Modi and the BJP against their critics, ahead of the crucial Karnataka elections. It couldn't have come at a better time for Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his party. Just ahead of the approaching poll date in Karnataka, there seems to be a clear endorsement, coming from foreign media, on two of his most controversial and disruptive economic moves demonetisation and the roll out of the Goods and Services Tax (GST). In an article published on Monday (India shows neighbours the way out of tax trap), the UK-based Financial Times, quoting data from Indias latest economic survey, said Modis demonetisation has significantly pushed up the number of new taxpayers. About 10.1 million new taxpayers between November 2016 (when the demonetisation of Rs 500 and Rs1000 notes were announced) and November 2017, compared with an average of 6.2 million in the preceding six years. To be sure, this isnt new information. When the economic survey was released in January this year, the government cited the abovementioned data to highlight the so-called positive outcome of the note ban. This is what the survey said. Taking seasonality into account, it is found that there is a 0.8 percent monthly trend increase in new tax filers (annual growth of nearly 10 percent). The level of tax filers by November 2017 was 31 percent greater than what this trend would suggest, a statistically significant difference." Further, this translates roughly into about 18 lakh (1.8 million) additional taxpayers due to demonetisation-cum-GST, representing 33 percent of existing taxpayers, it added. Modis political rivals, including those in poll bound Karnataka, have thus far celebrated the fact that demonetisation and GST dealt twin blows to the economy -- they were quick to point out that the two decisions were an outcome of the Modi governments economic mismanagement. Demonetisation, they argue, broke the back of Indias informal economy, hit GDP growth for several quarters, failed to achieve its primary objectives i.e. recovering of black money, terminating fake currency and ending cash-based corruption. There is no evidence as yet to prove that demonetisation succeeded and that it achieved any of these stated objectives. Here, one needs to see the tax payer addition figures in the backdrop of historical data. When one looks at the growth in direct tax collection numbers, the growth in fiscal year 2016 (the year of demonetisation) was 7.9 percent. In FY17, this figure improved to 14.3 percent. But the interesting aspect is that even before demonetisation, direct tax collections had seen similar levels of growth. For instance, growth in FY14 was 14.4 percent, in FY 11 it was 19.2 percent and in FY08 and FY 07 the growth figures were 34.7 percent and 39.5 percent respectively. Similarly even if one looks at the tax-to-GDP ratio, we dont see any unusual jump in FY 17 and FY16. As a percent of GDP, tax revenue stood at 11.3 percent in FY17 and at 10.73 percent in FY16. But, here too, even before demonetization, we have seen similar growth figures. Now, if one looks at the number of people who filed tax returns, there is certainly an increase but not all of them could be net tax payers. The point here is that a sharp surge in a number of new taxpayers has not necessarily translated into a corresponding, unusual jump in tax collection. Nevertheless, the increase in the number of new taxpayers is good news since tax evasion is a big problem in India. As the FT report highlights, Indias tax to GDP ratio is the lowest among the BRICS nations. In this backdrop, the increase in the number of new taxpayers is encouraging. This is probably, or is, the first time since demonetisation that the foreign press is taking a positive stand on Modis big disruptive move. The Modi government has been trying hard to defend its economic moves in front of political rivals. A thumbs up from foreign media on an expanding tax base may have finally come as a solid weapon for Modi and the BJP against their critics and comes just at the right time, ahead of a crucial state election. (Data contribution by Kishor Kadam) One dead, 19 hurt in Rajbiraj tractor accident A boy was killed and 19 others were injured in a tractor accident at Bhardaha of Saptari along the east-west highway on Monday evening. Automobile major Maruti Suzuki on Tuesday said that it will carry out a 'Service Campaign' for its new Swift and Baleno models to inspect for a possible fault in their 'brake vacuum hose' New Delhi: Automobile major Maruti Suzuki on Tuesday said that it will carry out a "Service Campaign" for its new Swift and Baleno models to inspect for a possible fault in their "brake vacuum hose". According to the company, around 52,686 new Swift and Baleno vehicles manufactured between 1 December, 2017 and 16 March, 2018 will be covered in this campaign. "Starting 14th May 2018 owners of the vehicles included in this service campaign will be contacted by dealers for inspection and replacement of the faulty part," the company said in a notice on its website. "Service campaigns are undertaken globally by automobile companies to rectify faults that may potentially cause inconvenience to customers. The inspection and replacement will be done free of cost for the customer." Congress leader P. Chidambaram on Tuesday urged the Finance Ministers of all states across the country to sign a memorandum against the terms of reference (ToR) of the 15th Finance Commission New Delhi: Congress leader P. Chidambaram on Tuesday urged the Finance Ministers of all states across the country to sign a memorandum against the terms of reference (ToR) of the 15th Finance Commission. The former Union Minister also welcomed the statement of the Finance Ministers of six states/Union Territories -- Andhra Pradesh, Puducherry, Delhi, West Bengal, Punjab and Kerala -- demanding changes in the 15th Finance Commission's (FFC's) ToR. Finance Ministers from these states on Monday drafted a memorandum to this effect. "Welcome statement of FMs of 6 state governments criticising ToR of XV Finance Commission. I appeal to other states' FMs to sign the memorandum," Chidambaram tweeted. The All India Railwaymens Federation said despite several meetings with leaders of the central government organisations and Home Minister, Finance Minister, Railway Minister and Minister of State for Railways, no decision has been taken yet New Delhi: Railway employees union has called for a 72-hour relay hunger strike across the country from today against non-implementation of the provisions of the Seventh Pay Commission and the attempted privatisation of the national transporter. A statement from the All India Railwaymens Federation (AIRF) said on Monday that despite several meetings of the AIRF with leaders of the central government organisations and Home Minister, Finance Minister, Railway Minister and Minister of State for Railways, no decision has been taken yet. Despite requests to the government of India to consider the demands of the Central Government Employees improvement in minimum wage and fitment factor after implementation of 7th CPC recommendations, provision of guaranteed pension and family pension to all the NPS (National Pension Scheme) covered employees, irrespective of their date of appointmentcontractorisation leading towards wholesale privatisation, no fruitful outcome has emerged as yet despite lapse of around two years precious time, the statement said. AIRF in its meetings of the General Council and Working Committee held on March 13-14, 2018, here decided to stage a Mass Relay Hunger Strike for 24 hours for three consecutive days at all the branches of the affiliated unions of the federation all over India. All the branches of AIRF affiliates are, therefore, going to stage the aforesaid Relay Hunger Strike from the morning of 8 May, all over the Indian Railways, wherein large number of railwaymen would sit on the relay hunger strike to press on their above-mentioned major demands, the statement said. DUBAI (Reuters) - Saudi Arabia will work with OPEC and non-OPEC producers to lessen the impact of any shortage in oil supplies, after U.S. President Trump said Washington is withdrawing from the Iran nuclear deal, a Saudi energy official said on Wednesday. Oil prices had been supported by expectations that Trump would pull out of the deal, which could hit Iranian crude exports and feed geopolitical tensions in the Middle East, home to one-third of the world's daily oil supply DUBAI (Reuters) - Saudi Arabia will work with OPEC and non-OPEC producers to lessen the impact of any shortage in oil supplies, after U.S. President Trump said Washington is withdrawing from the Iran nuclear deal, a Saudi energy official said on Wednesday. Oil prices had been supported by expectations that Trump would pull out of the deal, which could hit Iranian crude exports and feed geopolitical tensions in the Middle East, home to one-third of the world's daily oil supply. [O/R] Saudi Arabia "will work with major producers and consumers within and outside OPEC to limit the impact of any supply shortages," the Saudi official said, according to state news agency SPA. "Following the U.S. decision to withdraw from the nuclear agreement with Iran, Saudi Arabia is committed to supporting the stability of oil markets for the benefit of producers and consumers and the sustainability of the global economic growth," the official said. (Reporting by Rania El Gamal; Editing by Hugh Lawson) This story has not been edited by Firstpost staff and is generated by auto-feed. As part of cost-cutting measures, banks are closing ATMs, resulting in the decrease of over 2000 ATMs across the country between May 2017 and February 2018 As part of a cost-cutting drive, banks are shuttering ATMs, resulting in a decrease of over 2000 ATMs countrywide between May 2017 and February 2018, according to Reserve Bank of India (RBI) data. The Business Standard, citing RBI data, said that as on May 2017, the total number of onsite ATMs was close to 1,10,116, which came down to 1,07,630 as on February 2018, a reduction of 2,486 ATMs. ATMs located at branch premises are called on-site ATMs while ATMs located away from the branch are called off-site ATMs. Now banks are not going for ultra-low-cost ATMs. So it is just [some] space and a machine..., and they are doing away with facilities like air-conditioning, a bank executive was quoted as saying by the newspaper. The State Bank of India (SBI) reduced the number of onsite ATMs from 29,150 to 26,505 between May 2017 and February 2018, while the number of offsite ATMs increased from 29,917 to 32,680 during the same period, according to The Financial Express. Other public sector banks like the Bank of India (BoI) shut 108 onsite and 100 offsite ATMs. Canara Bank closed 189 onsite and 808 offsite ATMs while the Central Bank of India shut 27 onsite and 317 offsite ATMs. Meanwhile, fraud-hit Punjab National Bank (PNB) saw a reduction of 655 onsite and 467 offsite ATMs, the DNA reported. By David Shepardson WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The White House on Saturday sharply criticized China's efforts to force foreign airlines to change how they refer to Taiwan, Hong Kong and Macau, labeling China's latest effort to police language describing the politically sensitive territories as "Orwellian nonsense." Amid an escalating fight over China's trade surplus with the United States, the White House said China's Civil Aviation Administration sent a letter to 36 foreign air carriers, including a number of U.S. carriers, demanding changes. The carriers were told to remove references on their websites or in other material that suggests Taiwan, Hong Kong and Macau are part of countries independent from China, U.S. and airline officials said. The White House said in a statement that President Donald Trump "will stand up for Americans resisting efforts by the Chinese Communist Party to impose Chinese political correctness on American companies and citizens." "This is Orwellian nonsense and part of a growing trend by the Chinese Communist Party to impose its political views on American citizens and private companies. ... We call on China to stop threatening and coercing American carriers and citizens." Taiwan is China's most sensitive territorial issue. Beijing considers the self-ruled, democratic island a wayward province. Hong Kong and Macau are former European colonies that are now part of China but run largely autonomously. On Sunday, China's foreign ministry responded to the White House comments, saying that overseas companies operating in China should respect its sovereignty and territorial integrity, follow Chinese law and "respect the national feelings of the Chinese people". "No matter what the United States says, it cannot change the objective fact that there is only one China in the world and that Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan are indivisible parts of Chinese territory," spokesman Geng Shuang said in a statement on the ministry website. The White House's sharp criticism follows contentious trade talks between senior U.S. and Chinese officials last week. The Trump administration demanded a $200 billion cut in China's trade surplus with the United States by 2020, sharply lower tariffs and a halt to subsidies for advanced technology, people familiar with the talks said. My group just got back from China. Were going to have to rework China because thats been a one-way street for decades, Trump said at an event in Cleveland on Saturday. We cant go on that way, he said, although he also said he has a lot respect for Chinese President Xi Jinping. Trump earlier this week praised his relationship with Xi but there were no signs of significant progress at the talks on Thursday and Friday, raising fears of a trade war between the worlds two largest economies. China's top diplomat, Yang Jiechi, and U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on Saturday discussed bilateral ties by phone, with Yang saying relations were at "an important stage", according to the Chinese foreign ministry. It was unclear if the call came after, or was a response to, the White House statement - or if the two had even discussed the issue of how Taiwan, Hong Kong and Macau are referred to by U.S. companies. According to a Chinese foreign ministry statement late on Saturday, Yang told Pompeo the two countries should strengthen exchanges, maintain close communication over economic and trade issues and respect each other's "core interests and major concerns". China and the United States should "properly settle disputes and sensitive issues", keep up communication and coordination on major international and regional issues and "push bilateral relations forward along the right track", Yang said. TARIFF THREATS Trump has already proposed tariffs on $50 billion of Chinese goods which could go into effect next month. China has said its own retaliatory tariffs on U.S. goods, including soybeans and aircraft, will go into effect if the U.S. duties are imposed. It has also requested that Washington treat Chinese investment equally under national security reviews and stop issuing new restrictions on Chinese investment. The dispute over how airlines refer to Hong Kong, Taiwan and Macau is another area of tension in U.S.-China relations. A spokesman for Airlines for America, a trade group representing United Airlines, American Airlines and other major carriers, said on Saturday it was working with the U.S. government to determine "next steps" in the dispute. In January, Delta Air Lines, following a demand from China over listing Taiwan and Tibet as countries on its website, apologized for making "an inadvertent error with no business or political intention," and said it had taken steps to resolve the issue. Also in January, China suspended Marriott International Incs Chinese website for a week to punish the worlds biggest hotel chain for listing Tibet, Taiwan, Hong Kong and Macau as separate countries in a customer questionnaire. The apparent intensification of efforts to police how foreign businesses refer to Chinese-claimed territories - even if only in pull-down web menus - underscores how sensitive the issue of sovereignty has become in China. China's aviation authority said in January it would require all foreign airlines operating routes to China to conduct comprehensive investigations of their websites, apps and customer-related information and strictly comply with Chinas laws and regulations to prevent a similar thing from happening." Australias Qantas Airways said in January it had amended its website to no longer refer to Taiwan and Hong Kong as countries rather than Chinese territories after China issued a similar warning. (Reporting by David Shepardson; Additional reporting by John Ruwitch in SHANGHAI; Editing by Leslie Adler, Jonathan Oatis and Richard Borsuk) This story has not been edited by Firstpost staff and is generated by auto-feed. Despite all these promises, as many as 3,515 farmers in Karnataka committed suicide between April 2013 and November 2017. Mandya: In November 2013, barely six months after the Congress formed its government in Karnataka, a sugarcane farmer committed suicide in front of Suvarna Vidhana Soudha, Belagavi during the Assemblys winter session. He was demanding a remunerative price and regular payment for his produce. That was an ominous portent. In its election manifesto, Congress had promised to make agriculture the backbone of the states economy. It proposed a comprehensive plan including timely supply of fertilizers, pesticides, seeds and other inputs; remunerative and competitive prices for sugarcane, coffee, cotton and sericulture; provision of storage facilities, electricity, irrigation, subsidies for buying modern equipment and, lastly, compensation during drought situations. Despite all these promises, as many as 3,515 farmers in Karnataka committed suicide between April 2013 and November 2017. Seventy percent of them were on account of drought and farm failure, according to State Agriculture Department. By comparison, 1,077 farmers took their lives in the previous five-year period. Mandya lost most farmers in 3 years According to a report by Bengaluru-based Institute for Social and Economic Change (ISEC), crop failure caused by poor monsoon rains, lack of irrigation facilities and pests was the principal reason why farmers couldnt repay crop loans. The percent of indebted farm households to total farm households was highest at 89% in Telangana followed by 77% in Karnataka, says the report. The suicides went up due to the terrible drought, says Karnatakas agriculture minister Krishna Byre Gowda. Thats why we have done loan waiver and many other relief measures. While the government increased suicide compensation from Rs 1 lakh to Rs 5 lakh, farmers say what they want is better irrigation and a fair price for their produce. Mandya, a district in the Cauvery basin, has witnessed highest rate of farmer suicides in the past 3 years owing to crop loss and indebtedness. Puttaswamy, a sericulturist from Dhangur village in Mandya district, had taken a loan by mortgaging his wifes jewelry. He couldnt repay the loan, so he drank poison, says his brother Doddaswamy. Nagaraju committed suicide in November 2017 after multiple crop failures that burdened his family with unsustainable levels of debt. We have not received any help from the government, complains his mother Devamma. At this age, I go to work as a daily wage labourer and support myself. Devanand Gaikwad, a farmer-union leader from Bidar, complains that sugarcane farming is becoming non-viable as growers often dont get paid. Poor prices for farm produce has also been a major cause of indebtedness. 'Want water, not compensation' In March this year, Karnataka Agricultural Prices Commission (KAPC) chairman TN Prakash Kammardi recommended making the minimum support price (MSP) of crops fixed by the government legally binding. Even though the state government has fixed MSP for most crops, they are traded at significantly lower prices in markets, including those run by the Agricultural Produce Marketing Cooperatives across Karnataka, he said. The KAPC is inefficient, says Shankar Ambali, state general secretary of Raita Sene, a farmers association. Onion growing farmers are struggling to sell their goods, he says. During the last five years, many crops like maize, tur dal, tomatoes and onions have seen steep falls in their prices, impacting farmers income. The government neither fixed a proper market price for the produce nor gave us any compensation; it has thus failed to stop farmer suicides, says Appasaheb Desai, a farmer from Belagavi district in North Karnataka, which recorded one of the highest suicide rates. Also read State of urban Bengaluru: Lakhs in slums, burning lakes, incessant traffic; lack of govt support compounds city's infrastructure woes AL Sivakumar, a farmer from Ankanahalli, says he does not want compensation but water for cultivating ragi and rice. "Five years ago, we used to get water from Iglur dam. People used to grow ragi and rice. But after the canal broke, there is no water in this area and its become dry land, he says. Looming threat of drought About 72 percent of the cropped area in Karnataka depends on the monsoons, leaving most parts of state exposed to the threat of drought. Despite governments promises to expand irrigation networks, the irrigated area in the state is actually declining. According to the Karnataka Economic Survey report published this February, while 34.40 lakh hectares were under irrigation in 2011-12, the figure dropped to 32.20 lakh hectares in 2015-16. Says AV Manjunatha, assistant professor at ISEC, The farmers, especially in Chikkaballapur, have to dig bore wells up to 1,300 feet to get water, which vastly increases the cost of fetching water. In its 2013 Economic Survey, the Congress government listed the problems afflicting agriculture in Karnataka. They included over dependency on the monsoon, fragmentation of land, deteriorating soil health, lack of market information and low penetration of technology. Four years later, in its February survey, the government has just added to the list: Low level of public investment, inefficient use of water resources, environmental degradation and rising cost of production. Agriculture minister Byre Gowda admits there is much more to be done but defends his government saying, We have given a stable and scandal-free government for five years. Karnatakas growth rate is 8.5 percent compared to the national average of 6.6 percent. But that is little consolation to the states farmers, who have been waiting for a long time to share in that growth. As Mallikarjun Satyampet, state secretary of Karnataka Rajya Raitha Sangha in Yadgir, says, There has been no improvement in the economic condition of farmers in the past 10 years. We hope the new government will do something for us. (With inputs from Gangadhar S Patil) (Prince Singhal and Elizabeth Mani are freelance writers. All contributors are members of 101Reporters.com, a pan-India network of grassroots reporters.) The Chhattisgarh Board Of Secondary Education (CGBSE) has said it will declare results for Class 10 and Class 12 tomorrow. A report on The Times of India said results will be displayed on the official board website, cgbse.nic.in. The Chhattisgarh Board Of Secondary Education (CGBSE) has declared the results for Class 10 and Class 12 today. Go to results.cg.nic.in to check your score. The Times of India report mentioned that the CGBSE board exams for Class 10 were conducted between 5 March and 28 March, while exams for Class 12 were held between 7 March and 2 April. A total of 4,42,060 students had registered for Class 10 and 2,79,906 students registered for Class 12 examinations. Steps to check the CGBSE Result 2018: 1) Log on to results.cgbse.nic.in 2) Click on the link for CGBSE 10th Result 2018 or CGBSE 12th Result 2018 3) In the newly opened window, enter your roll number and hit submit. 4) The result will be displayed on the screen. 5) Take a print for immediate future reference. As has been observed over the course of the past few weeks, the dates and times of result announcements have been frequently changed around. The information above has not been independently verified by Firstpost. However, this article will continue to be updated to reflect official updates as and when they come in. Advocates Gautam Bhatia and Nikhil Mehra had quite a spat on Twitter, on Tuesday afternoon, following the Supreme Court's dismissal of Congress MPs' impeachment petition against Chief Justice of India (CJI) Dipak Misra. Advocates Gautam Bhatia and Nikhil Mehra had quite a spat on Twitter, on Tuesday afternoon, following the Supreme Court's dismissal of Congress MPs' impeachment petition against Chief Justice of India (CJI) Dipak Misra. The social media argument happened soon after the Congress on Tuesday questioned the setting up of a five-judge bench to hear the petition and dismissed allegations that the plea, filed by two party MPs, was "political". At 10.30 am when the matter was taken up in the apex court, Sibal, appearing for the petitioners, said, the matter was listed before 5-judge bench through an administrative order and the CJI can't pass such orders in this matter. He also asked who passed the order for setting up the 5-judge bench. When the bench said they would not like to go into this question or provide a copy of the order, Sibal said if they are not given a copy of the order, then they should be allowed to withdraw the petition. Earlier, Justice Chelameswar (JC), before whom the petition of the two Congress MPs was mentioned, had expressed reservation in attending the hearing of the matter. The Twitter thread began when Mehra tweeted on Tuesday afternoon, "Every time Sibal and the like have gone bench shopping, the CJI has had a riposte. Today's was perfectly executed by the CJI. Past actions much more questionable. Gone are the times, people used to wait for retirements and roster changes to file matters. Now they want an excuse." To this, Bhatia replied, "Wait. Are you actually defending the CJI constituting a bench to hear this case, and then the bench refusing to provide a copy of the order that set it up? That's not "perfect execution", it's just a trampling of principles of natural justice." Mehra said, "You have a right to the administrative order setting up the bench? And wouldn't JC's presence on any bench even determining the setting up of an appropriate CB also suffer the sake natural justice problem? This is what ill-advised press conferences do. Compromise everyone." Bhatia: You do in this case, because if the authority that passes the admin order is the CJI, there is an immediate ground for challenge. And an unanswerable challenge at that. This is the third time that CJI is throwing PNJ to the winds, and institutionally, there's nothing more + Mehra: Who gets to decide this bench, Gautam? In whose hands is natural justice safe? Bhatia: In my view, the case has to be placed before No. 6, and No. 6 has to send it to a division bench for admission. Mehra: For admission? You're joking, right? Can this be dismissed in limine? Even the issue of justiciability is a CB issue. Bhatia: Then let a division bench make that referral order. Mehra: Based on what rule? Or are rules and conventions being created as we go along? You had 5 of the next senior most judges. This entire petition is as legally flawed as the impeachment motion. Just more abuse of the court through more politics. Bhatia: Huh? Article 145(3) clearly contemplates that constitution benches are created through referral orders. Admission hearings are always before DBs (Division Benches). The CJI can't select the bench to hear a case pertaining to his own impeachment, even if he selects Solomon. Chanting "master of the roster" doesn't change that fact. It's a foundational principle of the rule of law. Mehra: It is quite obvious he made no selection. He and the others in the Collegium look coloured. He went to the next 5. Petitioners don't get to cherry pick. This isn't so much an exercise of Master of the Roster as the only logical way out. Bhatia: His selection consists in (a) The decision to set up a constitution bench (b) The decision to list it for admission before a constitution bench (c) The decision to list it today He can't take any of those decisions, regardless of how substantively justified they may be. Mehra: Which of these are substantive decisions? Why don't petitioners just cherry pick their benches? If anything JC did the right thing yesterday. He knew he can't pick the bench. This is a matter of urgency, no? Would the petitioners' be happy were this decided post-retirement? Bhatia: The size of the bench and the composition of the bench are both substantive questions. And I'm not on the conduct of the petitioners. I'm on the conduct of the CJI, and I'm not even going to the merits of his conduct. I'm on the simple issue of disqualification to take the call. Mehra: The composition of the bench is never a substantive question. He set up a CB for a constitutional question. A CB of the next 5 senior most. There's no actual selection. Bhatia: Composition of a bench in a Court of 20+ members is always a substantive question. My point is that the moment the petition involved his impeachment, he lost the authority to take any decision on it. Natural justice requires it. Mehra: I disagree. Actually, you do too but you're not seeing it. Who would have appointed the beloved DB that was needed to pass a referral order. Also the Petitioners should have argued 145(3) before this bench - that they're establishment bypasses known constitutional process. Bhatia: No. 6 should have. By all accounts, KS began with arguing that - but to argue that you need to first have the order constituting the bench, which the bench refused to give him. So. Mehra: Why does he need the order for they argument? His point simply had to be referral is only by a judicial order under 145(3). Can't be by an administrative order. All he needed was acknowledgment of the fact that the appointment was by administrative order. Bhatia: There are two separate points. The first is on whether judicial or administrative. The second is that if administrative, which authority. Mehra: If administrative there can only be one authority. Already clarified sometime last month Bhatia: Anyway, closing with my view on what the (only) correct process was here. (1) Mentioning before No. 6 as the senior-most non-conflicted judge. (2) No. 6 lists before a DB of his choosing for admission. (3) Said DB hears it and passes a referral order if 145(3) is satisfied. (4) Papers placed before No. 6 who decides composition of bench. Finis. In another extension of the conversation, Chartered Accountant Rishabh Agarwal made the following tweet after Bhatia said "Admission hearings are always before DBs." Agarwal: Wrong interpretation. What you are talking about is a proviso which allows referral of a matter to a Constitution bench while an appeal is being heard. It's an option provided for appeals already being heard. Prior hearing before a bench is not a compulsory condition. Bhatia: Okay no, I was wrong. The power, in this case, seems to flow from Ch. V(3)(III) -- That was my interpretation also. Prior hearing before a bench is not a mandatory requirement. CJI may constitute a CB directly. pic.twitter.com/ulxyKOmToS Rishabh Agarwal (@agarwalrishabh) May 8, 2018 The Twitter thread has been taken exactly as posted by Bhatia and Mehra through their respective Twitter handles @gautambhatia88 and @Tweetinderkaul. Gautam Bhatia is known to have worked closely with Senior Counsel Arvind Datar in a significant role in getting the right to privacy declared as a Fundamental Right. Advocate Mehra primarily practises in Supreme Court and Delhi High Court. US president Donald Trump will announce a decision about the future of an international nuclear agreement with Iran on Tuesday. Washington: US president Donald Trump will announce a decision about the future of an international nuclear agreement with Iran on Tuesday. Here are four possible avenues Trump could take on the fate of the 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, or JCPOA, under which Iran accepted restraints on its nuclear programme in return for the lifting of UN, European and US sanctions. Trump could claim that Iran is not living up to the deal by pointing to last weeks revelation by Israel of what it said was evidence of a secret Iranian nuclear weapons programme, most of which was already known to the international community and UN nuclear inspectors. The International Atomic Energy Agency says Iran is in compliance with the agreement. While senior US officials acknowledge that Iran has complied with the letter of the deal, Trump points to Irans ballistic missile activity and regional conduct as evidence of the deals shortcomings. SCENARIO 1 - TRUMP RE-ISSUES SANCTIONS WAIVERS Trump could waive US sanctions on Irans central bank and oil exports as he has done every four months while continuing talks with Germany, France and Britain on a side agreement that addresses what he sees as the deals flaws. SCENARIO 2 - TRUMP DOES NOT WAIVE SANCTIONS Trump could decide not to waive the US sanctions, under which the penalties would take effect 180 days later, and leave it to European allies who favour preserving the deal - to decide on their own course of action. In this scenario, Iran would have to decide whether it will continue to abide by the accords restrictions on its nuclear programme. SCENARIO 3 - TRUMP DOESNT WAIVE SANCTIONS, BUT COULD RECONSIDER Trump could decide not to waive sanctions, but announce that he could restore the waivers before the penalties for violating the sanctions go back into effect if European allies reach a side agreement with the United States. Again, it would be Irans choice whether to continue abiding by the deal in the meantime. SCENARIO 4 - TRUMP DOESNT WAIVE SANCTIONS AND SAYS IRAN VIOLATING THE DEAL Trump could announce that he will not waive the sanctions, and, citing the purported evidence revealed by Israel, claim that Iran is violating the deal. The United States could then use a dispute resolution mechanism laid out in the JCPOA to seek a snap-back of UN sanctions on Iran. Revolution sweeps Armenian opposition leader into power Revolutionary opposition leader Nikol Pashinyan was elected Armenias prime minister on Tuesday, capping a peaceful revolution driven by weeks of mass protests against corruption and cronyism in the ex-Soviet republic. The severe thunderstorms last week caused the most devastation by any single-day storm event in India in the past six years, as per data procured by IMD. Nearly 124 people were killed when several regions of north India were hit by severe weather conditions last week, according to the home ministry. Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan were hit by a massive dust storm, followed by thundershowers, on Wednesday night. The storm barrelled through a swathe of the two states, killing at least 109 people and injuring nearly 200 others in a trail of destruction that brought down mud houses, uprooted trees and flattened crops. Thunderstorms and lightning also hit the states of Telangana, Uttarakhand and Punjab, killing sixteen. Seventy-three people were killed in Uttar Pradesh and 91 injured, officials said. In Rajasthan, 36 died and another 100 were injured as winds over 100 km/h hit the region. Prime Minister Narendra Modi had expressed sorrow over the deaths and directed officials to coordinate with the states to ensure speedy relief and rehabilitation. Uttar Pradesh chief minister Yogi Adityanath, who was in poll-bound Karnataka at the time of the incident, had directed officials to personally monitor relief operations, warning against any laxity. Rajasthan chief minister Vasundhara Raje also expressed grief over the calamity and said district authorities had been directed to ensure all possible help to victims. According to The Times of India, the severe thunderstorms last week caused the most devastation by any single-day storm event in India in the past six years, for which data was compiled by the India Meteorological Department (IMD). Here is a look at other deadly dust storms and thunderstorms that have affected India in recent times: Dust Storm in Uttar Pradesh in April 2014 At least 18 people were killed and property worth several million rupees damaged in a dust storm that hit Lucknow and other parts of Uttar Pradesh in April 2014. Three people died in the state capital and Barabanki, 11 were killed in Jalaun, two in Kasganj and two in Faizabad after hutments were uprooted and houses collapsed in gutsy winds that reached up to 75 km/h. A two-year-old was buried alive in Dubagga area of the state capital when the wall of a school caved in. More than 500 hoardings across the state collapsed and half a dozen trains, including the Farakka Express, Avadh-Assam Express, Gonda Passenger, Amrapali Express and Lucknow-Gorakhpur Express, were halted after many trees uprooted due to the storm landed on rail tracks. In Lucknow alone, more than 100 big and small trees were uprooted and 60 electric poles came down in the storm. As a result, the power went off in over 15 lakh households. Dust storm in Rajasthan in May 2015 In May 2015, a severe dust storm, coupled with light rain, which swept vast swathes of north India, played havoc in Rajasthan. PTI had reported that the storm resulted in the death of at least seven persons five in Bharatpur and two in Bikaner and injured many others. The seven dead including a woman and a minor girl. Many houses were damaged and several trees were uprooted in rural areas due to the storm. Traffic was also badly affected by the storm. According to the report, the Met Department in Jaipur had attributed the occurrence of the storm with high-velocity winds to a pressure gradient force over Bikaner region that soon advanced to Jodhpur, Nagaur, Jaipur, Alwar, Bharatpur and nearby areas as well. "Traffic was affected in those areas and there were reports of some trees being uprooted in Bikaner, Jaipur and Bharatpur," the state police control room was quoted as saying. Three of the five persons who were killed in Bharatpur died as a result of walls collapsing on them. Thunderstorm in Bihar in April 2015 At least 42 people were killed and more than 100 others were injured in Bihar as a nor'wester rampaged through the state in April 2015, Scroll had reported. A sudden thunderstorm, accompanied by bursts of winds blowing at speeds of around 100 km/h damaged thousands of homes and crops. Several persons were killed after houses caved in. Road communication was also affected as uprooted trees obstructed many stretches. The storm hit Purnia, Madhepura, Saharsa, Madhubani, Samastipur, Darbhanga and Samastipur uprooting several thousand trees, destroying power lines and thousands of huts and standing crops of maize, wheat and pulses, India Today had reported. The state government had announced a compensation of Rs four lakh to the families of each of the deceased. Scroll had reported that the metrological department was caught off guard by the storm as it had not registered on the department's radar. Thunderstorm in Bihar in June 2016 Heavy rains and thunderstorm claimed 57 lives in Bihar in June 2016. The event also left around 24 others injured. While six persons were killed in Patna district, five others died in Buxar district, Principal Secretary (Disaster Management) Vyasji told PTI, according to The Indian Express. Nalanda, Bhojpur, Rohtas, Kaimur, Aurangabad, Purnea registered four deaths each, while Katihar, Saharsa and Saran districts recorded three deaths each, Vyasji said. Bhagalpur, Munger, Samastipur districts witnessed two deaths each, while Banka, Madhepura, Muzaffarpur and West Champaran districts registered one death each, he said, adding three more deaths were reported from other areas. In a separate incident, 24 others suffered injuries due to lightning in various districts, he said, adding that 13 cattle also perished. Storm in eastern India in April 2010 CNN had reported that a short-lived but violent storm killed 122 people in eastern India in April 2010. The storm hit parts of West Bengal and Bihar, damaging around 300,000 homes. The report quoted a North Dinajpur official as saying that 41 people died and 200,000 homes were damaged owing to the storm. North Dinajpur is a district in West Bengal. The same storm left 81 persons dead in Bihar, the report said, quoting the state's disaster-management official Vyasji. Around 100,000 homes were affected in Bihar. With inputs from agencies Kerala-based 'radical' outfit PFI has been booked under criminal charges of money laundering by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) for its alleged links with terror activities and funding, officials said New Delhi: Kerala-based "radical" outfit PFI has been booked under criminal charges of money laundering by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) for its alleged links with terror activities and funding, officials said on Tuesday. The move has come days after BJP president Amit Shah had said that if the party forms government in Karnataka, it would recommend a ban against the outfit which allegedly also operates in some parts of the poll-bound state. The central probe agency has filed a case under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), based on a 2013 FIR of the NIA and a subsequent chargesheet. Officials said the agency will look into the alleged role of the "radical" outfit Popular Front of India (PFI) with respect to suspected terror funding and possible creation of assets by using "tainted" funds. The anti-terror probe organisation, National Investigation Agency (NIA), had submitted a report on the PFI to the Union home ministry a few months back claiming that the group has been involved in terror activities, including running terror camps and making bombs, and it was a fit case to be banned under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA). The cases which the NIA cited to claim PFI's alleged involvement in terror acts are: chopping of a professors palm in Kerala's Idukki district, organising a training camp in Kannur from where the NIA allegedly seized swords, country- made bombs and ingredients for making IEDs, murder of RSS leader Rudresh in Bengaluru and the plans to carry out terror attacks in South India by involving another outfit, Islamic State Al-Hindi. The NIA had filed its case against the PFI in 2013, after taking it from the state police, for allegedly organising a terror camp in Kannur in that year. It had also filed a chargesheet against 22 accused in the case relating to alleged seizure of weapons from an arms training centre of the PFI in Kerala. PFI's national executive council member P Koya had earlier told PTI that the NIA never approached the outfit to know about its activities and had refuted NIA's allegations. The outfit reportedly has presence in 23 states and is strongest in Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Karnataka. The Gujarat State Education Board (GSEB) declared the Class 10 SSC result today at 8 am on gseb.org, more than two weeks after the GSEB Class 12 HSC result for Science Stream were declared on 10 May. The Gujarat State Education Board (GSEB) declared the Class 10 SSC result today at 8 am on gseb.org, more than two weeks after the GSEB Class 12 HSC result for Science Stream were declared on 10 May. Apart from the Class 12 Board exam, the board had also declared the result for the Gujarat CET on 10 May. Students who appeared for the Gujarat Board Class 10 (matric) exam an visit their respective district examination centres between 11 am to 2 pm today to obtain their mark sheets, the board said in a notification. The pass percentage in the Gujarat Board SSC exam results was really low this year with just 5,68,192 (51.47 percent) of the 11,03,854 students, who appeared for the exam, managing to qualify. A total of 5,28,689 failed the exams which were conducted from 12 to 23 March.. Girls performed better than boys with 60.63 percent female of them clearing the exams as against to boys where the pass percentage was well below the half mark at 45.88 percent, according to The Indian Express. Here is how you can check GSEB Class 10 SSC result: - Keep your roll number and other credentials ready for login - Visit the Gujarat board official website gseb.org - Click on class 10 SSC results link given on the homepage - Enter your seat number as mentioned on your admit card and hit the submit button - Download the result and keep a printed copy safe for future reference Around 1.34 lakh students took the Class 12 Science exam in March, of which, 98,067 passed, taking the pass percentage to 73 percent, reported The Indian Express. According to the report, girls outshined boys with a pass percentage of 74.9 percent as compared to boys (71 percent). "The top-scoring district was Rajkot while the sixth highest scoring district is Chota Udaipur," the report added. Gujarat SSC exams were conducted from 12 to 23 March 2018 and HSC exams for general stream were held from 12 to 28 March while for science stream the exams were conducted from 12 to 22 March 2018. This year, around 6.9 lakh students have appeared for the HSC Science and General Stream examination. The Indian Army has reacted strongly to the news magazine India Today for a cover story about the dismal state of the armed forces' finances, saying it has 'deeply hurt' the sentiments of serving and veteran soldiers. The Indian Army has reacted strongly to the news magazine India Today for a cover story about the dismal state of the armed forces' finances, saying it has "deeply hurt" the sentiments of serving and veteran soldiers. The cover story for the magazine's issue ending 14 May, 2018, featured the headline 'The Army is Broke', and showed a photograph of a soldier in army uniform with his pockets turned inside out, to show there was no money in it. The army, according to a statement it released on Twitter, said it took strong objection to the image, saying it was morphed. "Morphed photograph as cover photo in India Today for the week ending 14 May, 2018, has deeply hurt sentiments of veterans and serving soldiers. Concerns have been conveyed and response of India Today has been requested," the army said on its official Twitter handle. Morphed photograph as cover photo in #IndiaToday for the week ending 14 May 2018 has deeply hurt sentiments of veterans and serving soldiers. Concerns have been conveyed and response of #IndiaToday has been requested. pic.twitter.com/f28u1Zchva ADG PI - INDIAN ARMY (@adgpi) May 8, 2018 India Today's cover story details the budget squeeze being felt by the Indian Army, saying its preparedness for a possible two-front war is under threat because of the cash crunch. Technology professionals from India accounted for 74.2 percent of the total number of H-1B visas issued by the US in 2016 and the next year the figure rose to 75.6 percent, a government report said Washington: Technology professionals from India accounted for 74.2 percent of the total number of H-1B visas issued by the US in 2016 and the next year the figure rose to 75.6 percent, a government report said on Tuesday. However, there has been a drop in the number of new H-1B beneficiaries from India, the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services report said. China with 9.3 and 9.4 percent respectively for 2016 and 2017, comes a distant second after India in terms of the number of H-1B visas issued. The number of beneficiaries from India approved for initial employment decreased by 4.1 percent in fiscal 2017, while the number of beneficiaries approved for continuing employment increased by 12.5 percent in fiscal 2017, the USCIS said in its latest report titled 'Characteristics of H-1B Specialty Occupation Workers'. The H-1B visa is a non-immigrant visa that allows US companies to employ foreign workers in speciality occupations that require theoretical or technical expertise. The technology companies depend on it to hire tens of thousands of employees each year. The USCIS said petitions for initial employment are filed for first-time H-1B employment with an employer, only some of which are applied to the annual cap. Examples of petitions for initial employment that are exempt from the cap include petitions submitted by nonprofit research organisations or governmental research organisations. Continuing employment petitions refer to extensions, sequential employment and concurrent employment, which are filed for foreigners already in the US. Extensions generally are filed for H-1B workers intending to work beyond the initial three-year period up to a total of 6 years, the maximum period generally permissible under law. In 2016, as many as 70,737 Indians received initial H-1B visas, which dropped to 67,815. During the same period, Indians accounted for 185,489 visas for continuing employment, which increased to 2,08,608 in 2017. In all, there were 2,56,226 Indians on H-1B visas in 2016 and 2,76,423 in 2017. A copy of the report, sent to US lawmakers on 10 April, became public this week. Dismantling several myths about H-1B, the USCIS said the median salary of beneficiaries of approved petitions increased from $ 82,000 for the fiscal year 2016 to $ 85,000 for fiscal 2017. While the number of H-1B petitions filed increased 1.24 percent from 3,98,718 in 2016 to 4,03,675 in 2017, the number of H-1B petitions approved increased 5.9 percent from 3,45,262 in 2016 to 3,65,682 in 2017. According to the report, the number of H-1B petitions approved in 2017 for workers between the ages of 25 and 34 was 66.2 percent, the number of H-1B petitions approved in 2017 for workers with a bachelor's degree was 45.2 percent. In addition, 44.5 percent of approved petitions were for workers with a master's degree, 6.8 percent had a doctorate, and 3.3 percent were for workers with a professional degree. The number of H-1B petitions approved in 2017 for workers in computer-related occupations was 69.8 percent, it said. The number of H-1B petitions approved for workers in computer-related occupations increased by 6.6 percent from 2,37,837 in 2016 to 2,54,592 in 2017. The number of H-1B petitions for all other occupation groups increased by 3.4 percent from 1,06,418 in 2016 to 1,10,009 in 2017, the report said. Amid the ongoing controversy over portrait of Jinnah in AMU, the University's vice-chancellor issued a statement on Tuesday requesting students not to fall into trap of 'some forces' Amid the ongoing controversy over the portrait of Muhammad Ali Jinnah in Aligarh Muslim University (AMU), the institute's vice-chancellor issued a statement on Tuesday requesting students not to "fall into trap of some forces", according to several media reports. Aligarh Muslim University VC issues a statement to university students and holds a section of media/channels responsible for spreading lies. The VC also requested students to not fall for such information and focus on examinations. pic.twitter.com/HJkxpGJnms ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) May 8, 2018 In the statement, vice-chancellor Tariq Mansoor said, "Our beloved university is passing through a difficult phase. Taking advantage of the crisis, a section of media, especially TV channels, are trying to portray negative image of the university". Mansoor also denounced the use of force on the students by police last week and expressed his "anguish" over the incident. Students and right-wing protesters clashed at the university's Baab-e-Syed gate, following which police had to resort to lathicharge in which several students were injured He also said, "We should not fall into the trap of some forces, which are bent on destroying the image of our alma mater". The vice-chanellor also appealed to students to maintain calm and focus on studies. Controversy erupted after a BJP MP wrote a letter to Mansoor objecting to a portrait of Jinnah, Pakistan's founder, on the walls of the AMU student union office. The university responded by stating that the portrait has been hanging there for decades, since Jinnah was a founder of the university and was granted life membership of the student union. Reacting to the issue, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath said Pakistan's national leader cannot be given respect in India. "Jinnah divided this country. How can we celebrate his achievements?", Adityanath asked. The Joint Resistance Leadership (JRL), headed by separatist leaders Syed Ali Geelani, Mirwaiz Umer Farooq and Muhammad Yasin Malik, appealed to people of the Kashmir Valley to resume normal activities of life Srinagar: The Joint Resistance Leadership (JRL), headed by separatist leaders Syed Ali Geelani, Mirwaiz Umer Farooq and Muhammad Yasin Malik, appealed to people of the Kashmir Valley to resume normal activities of life from Wednesday. In a statement in Srinagar on Tuesday, the JRL, however, appealed people to wear black badges on their arms and hoist black flags on shops, vehicles and homes on Wednesday to express anger and protest against killings in Kashmir. The Valley observed a complete protest shutdown for the last three days against killings of five militants and six civilians during a gunfight and subsequent civilian clashes with the security forces in south Kashmir areas. Meanwhile, Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti has convened an all-party meeting here on Wednesday to discuss the spiralling violence in the Valley. During the last four days, eight militants and eight civilians including a tourist from Chennai have been killed during violence in the Valley. Alleging 'irregularities' in the conduct of the NEET national medical entrance examination in West Bengal, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has sought 'immediate action'. Kolkata: Alleging "irregularities" in the conduct of the NEET national medical entrance examination in West Bengal, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has sought "immediate action" against those responsible for the wrongdoings and suggested re-examinations. The National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET), conducted by the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE), is the entrance examination for students who wish to study any graduate medical course or dental course. The examination was held on 6 May. In a letter to Union human resources development minister Prakash Javadekar, Banerjee suggested a "coordination mechanism" at the institutional level, with the participation of the state government and the examination conducting authority CBSE for ensuring foolproof arrangements in the conduct of the examination in future. "It is reported that in many examination centres, the students were not provided with Bengali question papers in time. Many were provided photocopies of question papers which bore the same candidate code for multiple students and in many cases, the photocopies of question papers were illegible. "It is also reported that many students were forced to write answers using English or Hindi question papers," the chief minister said. "I strongly urge you to take immediate action against persons responsible for such irregularities, and also take suitable measures so that the candidates are not adversely affected, due to non-availability of appropriate question papers. "And if need be, re-examination be scheduled to give a fair opportunity to all such candidates," she said. Banerjee said such concerns were expressed after the preceding year's NEET under graduate examination. "Subsequently we were assured that such irregularities would not be repeated. "It appears that the examination conducting authorities have not been careful enough to ensure that the examination is meticulously held and the career of prospective candidates not jeopardised," she added. In several parts of Assam, where child marriage continues to plague society, a group of young people have come together and rescued over 1,000 children with the help of social media. In several parts of Assam, where child marriage continues to plague society, a group of young people have come together and rescued over 1,000 children with the help of social media. The group, working under the umbrella of the All Assam Minority Students Union (AAMSU), created a network of activists on Facebook and WhatsApp, spread across all districts in the region. The network helps locate incidents of child marriage and, with the aid of local NGOs and police, prevents such weddings from occurring. Its been one year (since the initiative) and our boys have been successful in curbing child marriage to a great extent. We have been able to stop over 1,000 marriages, mostly in districts in western Assam, said Ainuddin Ahmed, vice president of AAMSU. Ahmed, who started the initiative in February 2017, with help from a few other members of the student body, said poverty and societal prejudices are behind families wanting to marry off their daughters at an early age. Concerned about increasing child marriages in Assam, particularly among minority communities, Ahmed came together with a few others to create the group: Forum Against Child Marriage. The group has over 100 members, including student activists, journalists, teachers and government officials. AAMSU members claim child marriages have decreased by almost 50 percent in several rural areas since they created the online forum. Rafiqul Islam, Barpeta district coordinator for Childline India, a non-government organisation (NGO) which functions under the Ministry of Women and Child Development, said that incidents of child marriages in her district have reduced by 90 percent. In Barpeta, Childline received over 150 reports of child marriages in 2017. In April 2018, they received reports of 19 such incidents, of which, over 80 percent were stopped, said Islam. This was made possible after we collaborated with all government agencies and activists, including AAMSU and the All Adivasi Students Association, he added. Shiladitya Chetia, Superintendent of Police (SP), Nalbari district, who was previously posted in Barpeta, said cases of child marriage have reduced by at least 50 percent in the past year. AAMSU members are hopeful they will be able to eradicate the practice completely. Apart from being against the law, child marriage is somewhere deeply rooted in a chauvinistic perception where women are born only to be married off and serve men. Hasina Ahmed, one of the few women activists working for AAMSU, said parents still consider a girl child a burden. This is a tragedy. Several parents from economically weaker communities are of the view that the only purpose of a daughter is to get married into another family; there is no point in spending money to educate them. We need to involve more women in this movement, she said. Kalamuddin of Barpeta, whose daughters marriage was stopped by AAMSU activists with help from Childline and local police, said he realised his mistake and will now arrange his daughters wedding only with her consent. As my daughter was growing up, I faced constant pressure from family members to find a suitable boy for her and get her married. So, we decided to arrange her wedding. But activists and Childline members arrived and stopped me from proceeding. I now understand the gravity of the situation, he said. I will not pressure her anymore. When she thinks its time to get married, we will make the necessary arrangements, he added. After being rescued, Kalamuddins 17-year-old daughter has resumed her studies at a nearby madrasa. While there are several other success stories where AAMSU has been able to save lives and give daughters a second chance, the group said the task has not been easy. Every now and then we face obstacles; there have been several instances where our members have been threatened and even physically abused; but on the other hand, we have also gotten support from several organisations and individuals, Ahmed told Firstpost. Ahmed recalled an incident where a youth activist named Ashraful Hussain was beaten and threatened by a groom's family in Bhoiraguri, Barpeta district. Ahmed said several AAMSU activists had faced physical abuse. A mob from the grooms family attacked Ashraful and another activist when they tried to intervene in a wedding involving a minor. Ashraful was held captive till midnight; finally, he was rescued by police, an AAMSU member said, adding that this is not an isolated incident, and AAMSU activists have faced similar situations in several other districts like Darrang. But despite all obstacles, Ahmed said that their group members continue to strengthen their drive. Our boys are marching ahead, he said, adding that they are optimistic as they can see their efforts yielding results. Wasim Mustak, an AAMSU member who handles the groups social media pages, said, It feels great to witness the change. It will take some time before the evil is wiped out completely, but we can see the change happening. But Islam said several challenges still need to be overcome. After they created the network in all rural areas, some people have started to conduct such marriages in secret, he explained. I think laws should be strictly implemented. If exemplary punishment is given to culprits, it will be very helpful, he added. Chetia feels the only way to completely eradicate the social evil is by creating mass awareness. If we can involve more people and create awareness among all sections of society, we would be more successful in curbing the practice. We are trying our best. Instant action was taken on several occasions. In that way, we can say we're witnessing a change, said Chetia. The author is a member of The NewsCart, a Bengaluru based-media startup. A reality check in some remote rural and tribal districts in Odisha gave a lie to Centre's 28 April announcement of having achieved 100% electrification. Bhubaneswar: It has turned out to be a tall claim by the Narendra Modi government that it had brought electricity to the remotest villages in the country through its rural electrification programme. But a reality check by this correspondent in some of the remote rural and tribal districts in Odisha gave a lie to that 28 April announcement of having achieved 100 percent electrification. Odisha had 3,474 unelectrified villages as on 1 April, 2015, as per the Rural Electrification Corporation (REC) monthly report of 28 February, 2018 (of these 571 were uninhabited). And the Grameen Vidyutikaran (GARV) portal, managed by the power ministry, claimed that all the remaining 2,093 villages had been electrified on 28 April, 2018. A visit to Bankisole village in the Mayurbhanj (Baripada) district, just 12 kilometres from the district headquarters on the Baripada-Deuli road, however, told a different story. Villagers here said they have never had electricity in their lives. Under the rural electrification programme, electric wires, transformers and meters were connected to the village households. But even six months after installation, electricity is yet to reach the village or to use a technical term, it is yet to be energised. Donations being collected to provide power "I have a small ration shop which I run without any light or fan," said Chandra Mallick. "We still rely on oil-based lanterns for electricity." The villagers pay Rs five per day to recharge their mobiles and LED lights from nearby urban areas. Many villagers have bought solar chargers by taking loans from moneylenders. Villagers told this correspondent that the local administration, instead of taking their complaints to higher authorities, has asked them to collect donations to ensure electricity to each household. They are mulling to collect Rs 50 from each household for electricity, the villagers said. Other villagers said the same. Like in Jampada village in Jharsuguda district, just 15 kilometres from Jharsuguda town. These tribal villages have no water supply either. Said 22-year-old Sunil Hadia, "Electric wires pass close to our villages but we were not given electricity." Officials working on the rural electrification project also say there are more villages than the 2,903 they electrified to claim 100 percent rural electrification in the state. The Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Gram Jyoti Yojana (DDUGJY) was based on the 2011 socioeconomic census data, but "during our field surveys, we found many more villages which were unelectrified," said Satya Ranjan Swain, rural electrification engineer. "We are now focusing on these villages. Their progress will be marked in the GARV portal." Now, even the state admits that the data released on 28 April was incorrect (or might be half-baked). As per the GARV data accessed by this correspondent, between 28 April and 6 May, 378 more villages were electrified, proving wrong the earlier claims of 100 percent rural electrification. Real picture quite dark The reality in the "electrified" villages is also quite different, as power is available for only a few hours every day. Kholibithar is one such remote tribal village in Nuapada. Situated in a hilly area, the village is still not connected with a pucca road, and is almost inaccessible in the rainy season. The village was "electrified" two months back through a solar mini-grid not connected to the main power grid. Villagers said that electricity is made available for just six hours, from 6 pm to midnight. Though it is a solar grid and the days are sunny, there is no power for the rest of the day. Under the scheme, the government has given three LED lights to each household and also installed street lights in the village. But the electricity people get has limited advantages. "We are happy with the rural electrification," said villager Kulug Singh. "With the street lights, kids are now free to roam and play till late evening. But it gets automatically cut at midnight, engulfing the village in darkness." Using fans remains a utopian dream for the villagers as no electricity is available during daytime. Also, the limited supply means villagers cannot use it to start a small business or service in the village. The reason for only a six-hour power supply has never been made clear as it could have been a 24-hour supply had it been planned accordingly, said officials of the Odisha Power Transmission Corporation Limited (OPTCL). The Odisha Renewable Energy Development Agency (OREDA), the agency in charge of installing these solar grids, says these mini-grids were designed for use mainly in remote and hilly areas while in some villages standalone systems (solar operated lights) are also given. However, OREDA officials said that many villages protested against installing solar grids in their villages and asked for the main power grids, hence remained unelectrified. The next step is to bring electricity to each household under the Soubhagya scheme. As per latest data till 6 May, Odisha, which claims 100 percent rural electrification, has 30.63 lakh unelectrified households. The author is a Bhubaneswar-based freelance writer and a member of 101Reporters.com, a pan-India network of grassroots reporters. Shree Niwas staged attack on himself to stoke violence Police have arrested Hindu leader Acharya Shree Niwas from the Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu for trying to incite communal violence by staging an attack on himself to make it appear like an attempted religious assassination. Defence minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Tuesday said the armed forces should not be blamed for Kashmiri youths joining militants. New Delhi: Defence minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Tuesday said the armed forces should not be blamed for Kashmiri youths joining militants, indicating that there will be no relaxation in the government's tough policy on dealing with violent extremism. "I think we need to understand the issue, which is very sensitive, with a great deal of nuance. You cannot hold the armed forces responsible for being firm with terrorists. We need to be firm," Sitharaman told reporters. She was replying to a question if a spike in the number of local youths, particularly the educated, taking to arms in Kashmir was a direct consequence of the government's tough policy in dealing with militancy in the state. Sitharaman, on the sidelines of the biannual Naval Commanders' conference, said the death of a tourist from Chennai in a stone-pelting incident on Monday in the Kashmir Valley only proved how the armed forces "need to be firm with terrorists and ensure safe movement of tourists". Without mentioning Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti's recent appeal to the Centre for "compassion and empathy... by engaging in a meaningful dialogue", the defence minister recalled how the PDP leader had herself been making passionate invites to tourists to visit the state. "I am sure the chief minister has said and has been keen on getting more tourists to Kashmir because that will also help in restoring normalcy. So if that has been the stated desire, for a stone-pelting incident to have hurt and killed the tourist, certainly is not very conducive to that very rightful suggestion of the chief minister that we need to have more tourists." She said everything could not be "put at the doorstep of the armed forces". "The army has to be firm as regards terrorists. But at the same time, I appreciate that we need to have a lot more free moment of tourists, safe moment of tourists so that normalcy can be restored. And what happened on Monday is absolutely unfortunate. "It cannot be accommodative for a tourist to be killed. And I don't know if it was inadvertent or knowingly (done). But it is completely condemnable." The BJP government, since it came to power in May 2014, has said it would deal firmly with who engage in violence and support militants. In the last four years, some 680 militants have been killed in counter-terror operations in the Kashmir Valley, including 72 in the first four months of 2018, according to data compiled by the South Asia Terrorism Portal (SATP), run by New Delhi-based Institute for Conflict Management. Militancy-related violence has also killed 291 security personnel. Some analysts blame the government's iron fist policy vis-a-vis the militants in Kashmir, saying it further radicalises and isolates the youths caught in a vicious cycle of violence. As the gruesome killings dominate the street conversations, rumours are flying thick and fast that the fallen are mukhbirs or collaboratorsthe tag which makes the slain nobodys martyr in a politically charged valley. Havran, Kashmir: Amid the rampant run of death across the valley, a deadly pattern is emerging from north Kashmir. The unknown gunners show up at twilight or during the dead of night to knock their targets dead. These killings are different from the escalating encounter deaths in Kashmir. No one is sure, even as the death toll mounts to six in five days, why men are falling to the bullets of unidentified gunmen in north Kashmir? But as the gruesome killings dominate the street conversations, rumours are flying thick and fast that the fallen are mukhbirs or collaboratorsthe tag which makes the slain nobodys martyr in a politically charged valley. Perhaps, this was the reason why only a few turn up at their funerals. Otherwise, funerals are a big social gathering in Kashmir. Grief unites, so does suspicion. Thats why many choose to even stay away from offering condolences at their homes. But families and relatives of these tagged men maintain they are innocent, have nothing to do with either a security agency or a militant group. But in a war-torn place like Kashmir, not many become receptive to such pleas, largely seen as clarifications, issued in a bid to give a clean chit to the tagged slain. Amid all this, one question remains unanswered: Whos killing these men, and why? On Friday, around 9 pm, armed gunmen appeared in a small hamlet of about 200 houses on the foothills of Yamberzal mountains in north Kashmirs Sopore town. Mohammad Ashraf Mir asked his wife to serve food. When she went inside to wash her hands, someone fired few shots. Three peopleMirs second wife, Saima Mir, two children, and a neighbourwere watching the news on TV. Mirs first wife, Mubeena Mir thought it was a cracker. Then as more shuddering shots were fired, she ran towards the room where her husband was watching the news. She screamed upon seeing Mir lying in a pool of blood. Nearby, Saima hit in her legs multiple times was crying, like the two children in the room. "He was not breathing," Mubeena Mir, told Firstpost, inside her home in Havran village, at least 65 kilometres north of Srinagar. "His second wife was crying in pain, she was hit in legs. We shouted out loud but no one heard our cries. No one, but God! We shouted: God! Is there no one who can save us?" Behind Harvan standing in the backdrop of towering, lush green peaks, a road leads to Lolab valley, where security forces say many foreign militants are hiding and active. The only thing that separates Harvan and Lolab is an Army camp that sits atop mountains. Mir, the villagers said, had no record of working with security forces, neither with militants. He was simply a Sumo passenger driver. Why was he killed then? No one seems to have a definite answer. The bloodstains had not been cleared till Saturday morning and only a few from the village had visited Mirs house. His two childrenfrom his second wounded widow Saima (referred to a hospital in Srinagar)and one daughter from another had no idea about the tragedy that had struck lives. They are possibly going to lead a life of an orphan and probably be forgotten like other thousands of children of conflict. At least 30 kilometres east of Havran in Gulshan Mohallaha of Hajin town, the erstwhile citadel of the dreaded government militia called Ikhwan, the gunmen opened half of the kitchen door and asked Bashir Ahmad Dar, at 10:00 pm, to come out. Dar, 26, a carpenter, was having dinner when a masked man took him away from his home. After 15 minutes he called his uncle, Ghulam Hassan Dar, saying he was taken by "Homo",which if translated into English doesnt point to any specific persons or groupand taken to the next hamlet called Bagat Mohallah. "We were just doing rounds of one room to another when at 2:30 am, the same three people came back along with my nephew. My nephew asked for the door to be opened. One of the persons said he wanted to talk to Ghulam Hassan," Abdul Rahim Dar, Hassans brother told Firstpost. "Then Ghulam Hassan also went with them. We just could not sleep. At 3:05 am, there was a firing. At that moment I knew that our people have been killed." Rahim was right. In the morning, the dead bodies of the uncle and nephew were found few hundred meters from their house. When this correspondent arrived on the crime scene on Saturday, the blacktop was matted with the blood of the two men. In their modest house, Bashirs two unmarried sisters were in the middle of a heartbreaking mourning. Their wailing cries rented the air in the locality: Hoa sani bayo Asie has tche maniez raues lagnai, meanu baya Hata ase khat tryathas, bayo! (Oh, our brother! We are yet to apply henna on our hands! In whose care, you left us for, our brother!) There is fear in the air wherever you go in north Kashmir these days. The main town of Baramulla which had largely remained peaceful and violence-free witnessed the gruesome murder of three boys lately. Shot in their head in an execution-style, the pictures of their dead body shook the entire town. The dead bodies of three victimsAsif Sheikh, Asghar Sheikh and Haseeb Khanall in their early twenties, was found on Tuesday evening in Kakar Hamam, few hundred meters from the place where three people were killed, again by unknown gunmen, in 2007. The common funeral of these three boys was also attended by hundreds of people from the area. Though there were no protests or visible anger at the funeral, fear was palpable in the neighbourhoods of the fallen. "I have no idea who killed them and why," Ali Mohammad, father of a slain youth Asif Sheikh, said at his home in Baramulla's Syed Karim area. "As if my son was not even born at all." The lukewarm response that these killings drew might be the regular feature of the overwhelming situation gripping Kashmir ever since it erupted in massive upheaval against the Indian state. But many believe the killings have only exposed the long-drawn fault-lines in Kashmir where label depends upon ones loyalty. Amid all this, many wish that the recently surfaced dark pattern shouldnt run amok for if it does, then Kashmir is likely to get many more nobodys martyrs. Former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Omar Abdullah has condemned the killing of a tourist hailing from Tamil Nadu in stone-pelting incident in Narbal area on Srinagar-Gulmarg road in Srinagar Srinagar: Former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Omar Abdullah has condemned the killing of a tourist hailing from Tamil Nadu in stone-pelting incident in Narbal area on Srinagar-Gulmarg road in Srinagar. Omar also lashed out at the state government saying the PDP-BJP ruling alliance was a failure. "We've killed a tourist by throwing stones at the vehicle he was travelling in. Let's try and wrap our heads around the fact that we stoned a tourist, a guest, to death while we glorify these stone-pelters & their methods," Omar said in a series of tweets. A 22-year-old tourist, R Thirumani, from Chennai was critically injured in a stone-pelting incident at Narbal on Monday morning. He was shifted to a hospital in Srinagar for treatment but succumbed to his injuries, police said. "This young man from Chennai died in my constituency & while I don't support these goons, their methods or their ideology, I'm deeply, deeply sorry that this happened at all & that too in an area I've been proud to represent since 2014," Omar said. The National Conference working president also wished speedy recovery to a girl from Handwara who was also injured due to stone-pelting. "I'm also pained to know that among the injured from the stone pelting in Narbal is a young woman from Handwara in North Kashmir. I pray she & the others injured make a quick recovery," he said. Omar lashed out at the state government saying the PDP-BJP ruling alliance was a failure. "The J&K Govt has failed, the CM (Mehbooba Mufti) has failed, the BJP-PDP alliance has failed. How much blood will have to be shed in Kashmir before the Hon PM (Narendra Modi) realises the gravity of the situation in J&K? When will enough finally be enough?" he asked. Faceless trolls revel in the apathetic policing on the online space, where the focus area is on cyber-terrorism, and online abuse of women takes a backseat. Misogyny has found a new platform. The barrage of trolls subjecting women to online abuse is a new menace which has reared its head in the aftermath of the social media explosion. An incident of online abuse is never a single incident. It is a form of violence against women which is recurring in nature. Not only that, the faceless trolls revel in the apathetic policing on the online space, where the focus area is on cyber-terrorism, and online abuse takes a backseat. The provisions of the Information Technology Act, 2000 (IT Act) and the Indian Penal Code, 1860 (IPC) notwithstanding, the solution is not purely legal but requires a closer look. For this, I decided to talk to some of the prominent women intellectuals and political activists on social media who have faced online abuse. "The solution here should be a political solution and not just a purely legal one. When women are tagged on sexual posts online, the abusers intend to discredit their character. The violence against women are in the forms of sexual harassment and of a sexual nature done by organised right-wing groups," said Kavita Krishnan, member of All India Progressive Women's Association (AIPWA) and an academic who has endured a fair share of online abuse on Twitter and other platforms. Prominent women like Rana Ayyub, Kavita Krishnan and Kiruba Munusamy have also been targeted by trolls for airing their own personal or political views on social media. The appalling rap sheet includes circulating fake news about the individual to defame them, morphing pictures, circulation of pornographic photographs, the creation of fake websites, sexually abusive language etc. By the book, Section 67 of the IT Act provides for the punishment of persons who publish or transmit any material which is lascivious in nature or appeals to the prurient interest and tends to deprave and corrupt the character and nature of the targeted persons. Yet, the question remains, how far are these legal provisions being implemented today? An individual subjected to online abuse and trolling has legal recourse under the provisions of the IT Act such as Identity Theft (Section 66C), Impersonation (Section 66D) and Voyeurism (Section 66E). After the 2013 Amendments to the Indian Penal Code, 1860, several provisions have been brought in which seek to address the problem of Violence Against Women(VAW) post-Nirbhaya. A raft of changes was made especially under Section 354, where Section 354A was inserted which protects a woman from sexual harassment and anyone outraging the same though sexually coloured remarks, lewd comments and comments and abusive language can be punished with imprisonment and a fine. Not only this, the provisions for online stalking (Section 354D) and acts of voyeurism (Section 354C) were also brought about. As was existing before the 2013 amendment, Section 509 IPC also makes a person liable if he insults the modesty of a woman through words, sounds, gestures and Section 499 of the IPC protects a woman's reputation from being defamed online. Any form of criminal intimidation online is also covered under the IPC under Section 503 and 507. Such is the theoretical protection afforded by the law. But what is the ground reality? Munusamy, a practicing lawyer in the Supreme Court, has been especially targeted online by right-wing groups for being a Dalit. Terms thrown at Dalit activists such as "black", which are specifically targeting the Dalit community are the order of the day on Facebook and Twitter. There is also a movement where there is a normalisation of jokes being made on Dalits in the post-Ambedkar era and in the undercurrent of resentment against reservations. Munuswamy had stated in the recent panel discussion on online abuse conducted by Amnesty India in New Delhi on 24 April that, her complaint against the online abusers were not taken seriously and registered by the police. The same was ignored by Twitter with the defence that the abusive incident did not violate "community standards" as per their company's policy. Therefore, it can be seen that there is a distinct lack of commitment to stop online abuse on the part of social media platforms. Incidentally, it can be seen that abusers have a way of targeting women by circumventing the 'community standards' on social media, which are the legal minimum requirements in relation to acceptable conduct or mannerisms within the community. In the age of the 'meme-culture' usage of words such as 'vegana' for vagina and 'bobs' for breasts against women in a "joking" way perpetuates misogyny, and this is exactly why online abuse is not being taken seriously. The first recourse for a person facing such abuse is to report the abuse on the social media platforms Facebook, Facebook Messenger, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, WhatsApp and Reddit. Thereafter, if the abuse persists then one should file a FIR at a police station or approach the State Cyber Cell Units. Yet, when women like Munusamy and Krishnan approached the police station to file the complaint, no action was taken. One can only imagine how haranguing it must be for a woman to be taken seriously and get a complaint lodged. In fact, this kind of police attitude is the reason for re-victimisation. The bias in police service is well known, as with every other report of VAW, they would either register the complaint, then do nothing about it, or they would turn the victim away and not even take cognizance of the same. When Krishnan approached Facebook administrators for help regarding abuse she faced, they did take down the pages and posts, but the original link of the fake news had already been widely circulated across multiple mediums on the internet and had already caused massive loss to her reputation. The damage caused to a person online is unquantifiable. The element of political violence on a woman is highly prevalent in India as you have a shadow army of right-wing trollers, ready to take down a woman through sexual posts and abusive content. This stems from resentment and patriarchal mindsets where women voicing political opinions that are not in tune with the dispensation of the day are to be shut down and maligned. In one such instance, a Twitter handle, posted an image of Ayyub with the following tweet: "Minor child rapists are also human, do they have no human rights? This Hindutva government is bringing an ordinance for death to child rapists just to hang Muslims in larger numbers. Muslims aren't safe in India anymore". For outspoken women like Ayyub, the courage it takes to live with fake tweets and fake posts online is enormous as they must be allowed to exercise their free speech right which has the status of a fundamental right in the precincts of our Constitution. "The change required is for human beings to take responsibility regarding the way they are responding and to start recognising the politically organised phenomenon. New laws will not help, the only solution is a political fix. The second people stop having tolerance for this sort of culture, is the first step for online abuse to be tackled," said Krishnan. Apart from women being wrongfully targeted online for the colour of their skin, their political opinions and their religion, there are numerous unreported incidents of online abuse in India. Many are unaware that 'online abuse' exists or even recognise the same as a problem requiring sensitisation and media coverage. A leading Pakistani newspaper urged the Indian and Jammu and Kashmir governments to revisit their Kashmir policy in a bid to restore peace in the troubled state Islamabad: A leading Pakistani newspaper on Tuesday urged the Indian and Jammu and Kashmir governments to revisit their Kashmir policy in a bid to restore peace in the troubled state. "Instead of using more violence to quell protests and fuelling a cycle of further bloodshed, both the administration in Srinagar and those who call the shots in Delhi need to revisit their approach," the Dawn said in an editorial. It said that militarised response to the unrest in the Kashmir Valley had been "an abject failure" and warned that if this did not change, the whole region may be engulfed by a renewed wave of protests. "India must deal with Kashmir with respect and respond to the legitimate grievances of the people." But it added that it did not see it happening. The editorial came two days after a sudden spurt in violence left five militants and six civilians dead in Jammu and Kashmir's Shopian district. The results for Class 10 or Matric examination has been released by the Punjab School Education Board (PSEB). Aspirants can check their grades on the board's official website pseb.ac.in The results for Class 10 or Matric examination has been released by the Punjab School Education Board (PSEB). Aspirants can check their grades on the board's official website pseb.ac.in. Students must take note that the board will upload the marks for the same on Wednesday. Students might also face issues as the website might hang due to too much traffic, but refreshing the page a few times should allow access to the site. According to The Indian Express, 40 percent of the students who had appeared for the Class 10 exams failed, while 18 percent failed in one subject. These students will be required to appear for the compartment exams. The report adds that Nearly 4.6 lakh students have appeared for the exams this year. Here is how students can check their results: - Visit Punjab School Education Board's website pseb.ac.in - Click on the 'Results' section in the menu bar of the site - Enter your details in the "Info About: Matriculation Examination Result March 2018" section of the page - Press 'Go' after adding your name, roll number, email id, mobile number and code to be directed to the page with the results - Take a printout of the results for future reference India Today reports that Gurpreet Singh from Ludhiana bagged the first position with 98 percent marks. The report adds that there has been a slight improvement of 2 percent in the Punjab Board Results 2018, with 59.57 percent students passing the exams. According to NDTV, a total of 3,68,295 students had appeared for the exam out of which 2,19,034 cleared it. This year 1,04,828 girls have cleared the exam while the number of boys who passed the exam is 1,04,126. According to the Hindustan Times, the announcement of the results for PSEB Class 10 and Class 12 examinations had been delayed due to retests. The report adds that the process of re-evaluation of the PSEB Class 10 answer sheets is likely to start soon. Aspirants can apply on the official website for the process until 11 May for a fee of Rs 500 per subject. The Supreme Court on Tuesday directed the Secretary of the Union Water Resources Ministry to personally appear before it on 14 May with a draft of the Cauvery management scheme for implementation of its verdict on water sharing between four states including Tamil Nadu and Karnataka. New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Tuesday directed the Secretary of the Union Water Resources Ministry to personally appear before it on 14 May with a draft of the Cauvery management scheme for implementation of its verdict on water sharing between four states including Tamil Nadu and Karnataka. The court also told the Centre that it was in "sheer contempt" of its direction on Cauvery water sharing for failing to frame a scheme for distribution of water between the southern riparian states of Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Kerala and Union Territory of Puducherry. A bench headed by Chief Justice Dipak Misra told the Centre that once the judgment has been delivered on the issue, it has to be implemented. "We do not want to come back to square one. Once the judgment has been delivered, it has to be implemented," the bench also comprising Justices A M Khanwilkar and D Y Chandrachud said. Attorney General K K Venugopal said the Centre was seeking time in view of the fact that the Union Cabinet has not met due to the ongoing campaigning for the assembly polls in Karnataka. Senior advocate Shekhar Naphade, appearing for Tamil Nadu, opposed the plea and said "this is the fit case for contempt. Somebody has to be sent to jail". The bench then fixed the matter for further hearing in 14 May. The apex court had earlier asked the Centre to formulate a scheme to ensure compliance with its judgement on the decades-old Cauvery dispute. It had modified the Cauvery Water Disputes Tribunal (CWDT) award of 2007 and made it clear that it will not be extending the time for this on any ground. The top court had on 16 February raised the 270 tmcft share of Cauvery water for Karnataka by 14.75 tmcft and reduced Tamil Nadu's share, while compensating it by allowing extraction of 10 tmcft groundwater from the river basin, saying the issue of drinking water has to be placed on a "higher pedestal". Teenager injured in clashes with security personnel in Jammu and Kashmir's Shopian district on Sunday succumbed to his injuries in a hospital Srinagar: A teenager injured in clashes with security personnel in Jammu and Kashmir's Shopian district on Sunday succumbed to his injuries in a hospital in Srinagar on Tuesday. Hospital sources said 17-year-old Suhail Ahmad was admitted to the SMHS Hospital in Srinagar. The teenager was injured during clashes between protesters and security forces near Badigam village during a gunfight between security forces and militants on Sunday. With this, the number of civilians killed in the clashes with the security forces in south Kashmir areas on Sunday has risen to six. Five civilians and five militants were killed that day. The dead militants included a Hizbul commander, Sadam Paddar, and a Kashmir University assistant professor, Muhammad Rafi Bhat. Kannur district in Kerala witnessed a shutdown on Tuesday against renewed political violence that left a CPM cadre and an RSS member dead on Monday. Kannur: Kannur district in Kerala witnessed a shutdown on Tuesday against renewed political violence that left a CPM cadre and an RSS member dead on Monday. All shops and business establishments remained closed. Vehicles, however, were allowed to ply. Extra police force was deployed. On Monday, Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPM) member K Babu (47) was slashed with swords by suspected Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) activists in Mahe, a three sq km area which is part of Puducherry and borders Kannur. Less than an hour later, Shanoj (36) and a Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) activist, was attacked with knives here and died in a hospital. Police said CPM workers could be behind the attack. Speaking in Thiruvananthapuram, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Tuesday called the killings unfortunate. "The first murder took place in Mahe and hence the Puducherry Police is probing it while the second one is in our area. I have asked the police chief to see that nothing is left to chance and to also give all support to the police in Mahe," he said. Senior CPM legislator EP Jayarajan said the RSS was behaving like the Taliban and "eliminating political rivals in the most horrendous manner". CPM Kannur Lok Sabha member PK Sreemathi, who arrived from Delhi on Tuesday, said this was a planned attack unleashed by the RSS who were out to destroy peace in the district. State BJP president Kummanam Rajasekharan blamed the murders on the Home Department headed by Vijayan whose police, he said, were "unable to do anything to avoid such incidents". Former chief minister Oommen Chandy blamed both the BJP and the CPM for the situation while state police chief Loknath Behra said he had spoken to Puducherry police chief. He said all the culprits would be booked irrespective of political affiliations. After Monday's twin murders, 13 political killings have taken place in Kannur, Vijayan's home district, since the chief minister assumed office in 2016. Of these, in eight cases CPM workers have been named as accused while in four the BJP-RSS combine is in the dock. In one case, workers of the Social Democratic Party of India are the accused. The Supreme Court on Tuesday said it may ask the Kerala government to re-investigate the role of the then SIT officers who had framed former scientist S Nambi Narayanan in the ISRO espionage case, but ruled out the possibility of any departmental action against them due to the passage of time New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Tuesday said it may ask the Kerala government to re-investigate the role of the then SIT officers who had framed former scientist S Nambi Narayanan in the ISRO espionage case, but ruled out the possibility of any departmental action against them due to the passage of time. A bench headed by Chief Justice Dipak Misra was hearing the plea of the former ISRO scientist seeking action against former DGP Siby Mathews and others who were part of the Special Investigation Team in Kerala in 1994 which had probed the case in which he was framed. The bench, also comprising Justices A M Khanwilkar and D Y Chandrachud, asked the counsel for Kerala whether any probe had been conducted to ascertain the role of these police officers. "We have investigated and found no role of the police officers," the counsel for the state government replied. "Then why was he (scientist) arrested," the bench asked. Senior advocate V Giri, appearing for Narayanan, told the court that the entire probe in the ISRO case was found to be "malicious". "Entire probe has been found to be malicious. The CBI filed a closure report which was accepted by the magistrate," Giri said while pressing for action against the errant officers for falsely implicating Narayanan in the case. "For 12 years, the state government refused to take any action and they are now claiming that nothing was found," Giri added. "Now the departmental action is not possible due to efflux of time,"the bench said. The apex court, however, said it may enhance the compensation for Narayanan after granting him liberty to pursue the civil suit of Rs one crore filed by him earlier. The court had on 3 May said it may consider granting Rs 25 lakh as compensation to the former scientist. Narayanan has so far received Rs 10 lakh as compensation. It had said that the compensation amount would be deducted from the salary or the pensionary benefits of the errant officers. The CBI counsel had also said that the agency had found the case to be fake and filed the closure report which has already been accepted by the court. The bench then asked the agency whether it had conducted any investigation to find out and fix the responsibility of the errant officer. The CBI replied in negative. 76-year-old Nambi Narayanan, while functioning as a scientist at the Indian Space Research Organisation, was arrested on 30 November, 1994, alleging espionage. The former ISRO scientist had filed an appeal against the judgement of division bench of the Kerala High Court which had said no action needed to be taken against the former DGP and two retired Superintendents of Police, K K Joshua and S Vijayan, who were held allegedly responsible by the CBI for his illegal arrest. He has said the division bench had "failed to appreciate the real undercurrent that passed through the mind of the apex court, the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) and the single judge of high court in their verdict and on untenable reasons, quashed the order of the single judge". The apex court had in 1998 granted compensation of Rs one lakh to Narayanan and the others who were discharged in the case and directed the state government to pay the amount. Later, Narayanan had approached NHRC claiming compensation against the state government for mental agony and torture suffered by him. The NHRC, after hearing both sides and taking into account the apex court judgement of 29 April, 1998, awarded an interim compensation of Rs 10 lakh on 14 March, 2001. South Asia needs to boost primary education Around thirty million students from South Asia between 5 to 14 years of age who should attend school and avail education are out-of-school, according to United Nations Childrens Fund (UNICEF). In a highly-anticipated ruling, the Supreme Court, on Monday, transferred the trial in the Kathua rape-and-murder case from Jammu and Kashmir to Pathankot in Punjab. The decision evoked mixed responses In a highly-anticipated ruling, the Supreme Court on Monday transferred the trial in the Kathua rape and murder case from Jammu and Kashmir to Pathankot in Punjab. The apex court, however, refrained from handing over the probe to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), saying there was no need to do so, as the investigation had been conducted and the chargesheet was filed. The decision evoked mixed reactions. While Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Mehbooba Mufti welcomed the court's decision, noting that it would go a "long way" in boosting the morale of the state police, the Jammu and Kashmir Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) said that shifting the trial to Pathankot "gives a wrong impression about Jammu and Kashmir". Have full faith in the judiciary: Victim's father The father of the eight-year-old girl who was raped and killed in Kathua welcomed the court's decision to transfer the case to Pathankot, and said he had full faith in the judiciary. "We only want justice I have full faith in the judiciary and the government," he told PTI over the phone from Ramban district where he is camping with other members of his family. "We don't favour a CBI probe either. We do not know the CBI, and our only desire is that justice is done...," he said. The victim's father had earlier said he devoted his life to ensure justice for his daughter. "I am satisfied with the police investigation and will not rest till justice is done in the case. I want the accused to be given exemplary punishment for their brutality," he had said. Reacting to the apex court's decision, Deepika Rajawat, who is representing the victim, said, "We are hoping for a fair trial now." Decision will boost morale of police: Mehbooba Mufti Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Mehbooba Mufti noted the decision to hand the case over to the CBI "will go a long way" in boosting the morale of the state police. She also lauded the police for leaving "no stone unturned" to ensure justice for the victim's family. I welcome todays decision by the Honble Supreme Court in the Kathua case. This will go a long way to boost the morale of our @JmuKmrPolice force who in the face of great adversity have left no stone unturned to ensure that the deceaseds family gets justice. Mehbooba Mufti (@MehboobaMufti) May 7, 2018 Earlier, the chief minister had said that there was "absolutely no need for a CBI inquiry" into the case, and added that "if you don't trust Jammu and Kashmir Police, there is no one left to be trusted in the state". Sanji Ram's family dismayed According to The Indian Express, family members and relatives of Sanji Ram, the prime accused in the case, who have been on a hunger strike at Kootah Morh on the Jammu-Kathua National Highway, were dismayed by the Supreme Court's decision. "On whom shall we have faith," was the first reaction of the accused's wife and daughters when they heard the court's order. Advocate Ankur Sharma, who is defending the eight accused arrested by the Crime Branch, said, "We will file a fresh writ petition in the Supreme Court for a CBI probe in a few days. The CBI demand has not been rejected by Supreme Court. Only the case has been fast-tracked (to be heard on a day-to-day basis) and transferred to Pathankot." Decision gives wrong impression about J&K: State BJP The Jammu and Kashmir BJP expressed disappointment over the Supreme Court's decision and noted that it was a setback to the state government as well as the civil society. The Indian Express report quoted state BJP chief spokesperson Sunil Sethi as saying that shifting the trial to Pathankot "gives a wrong impression about Jammu and Kashmir". "It is not only a setback to the state government, which had assured all security for a free and fair trial in the state itself, but also the civil society here, as shifting the case to Pathankot means there was no confidence even in them," Sethi was quoted as saying. With inputs from PTI Top Maoist leaders are aware that Naxalism is just a clarion call, just a brand name they are extorting large amounts by taxing iron and coal mining contractors in order to increase personal wealth. New Delhi: As Mao Zedong said, the guerrilla must take to people like fish to water. Most Naxals in India haven't even seen a photograph of Chairman Mao. His ideology too is no more important. Naxal leaders aren't dreaming of a successful red revolution anymore, but are focusing on making money and indoctrinating gullible people in order to continue with their dubious activities. Top Maoist leaders are aware that Naxalism is just a clarion call, just a brand name they are extorting large amounts by taxing iron and coal mining contractors in order to increase personal wealth. The Ministry of Home Affairs in order to choke the financial lifeline of the Left Wing Extremist (LWE) movement, to eliminate red terror, and to ensure the confiscation of properties amassed by Naxal leaders has constituted multi-disciplinary groups comprising the Enforcement Directorate (ED), National Investigation Agency (NIA), Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), Central Board of Direct Taxes, Intelligence Bureau (IB) and state police. The process has also been initiated for the creation of a separate vertical within the NIA for investigating important cases pertaining LWE. The Naxal movement is reportedly being financed through a network of dubious activities undertaken by its leaders. These activities include levy from private contractors, including those involved in execution of government schemes, mining contractors, transporters and owners of small and medium industries. Similarly, funds are also generated through collections from illegal activities, such as mining in non-specified areas, illegal stone crushing and collection of "tendu pasta". Interestingly, a large part of the money collected is also channeled towards the personal wealth of its leaders, whose children get the best of education, and whose families lead a life of comfort. This while the misled cadre toil away in the jungles in the cause of of a twisted ideology. A top MHA official said the central agencies have been coordinating and holding regular meetings, and actionable intelligence gathered so far reveals the true face of red terror. Naxal leaders' finances Pradyuman Sharma, member of the Bihar-Jharkhand Special Area Committee (BJSAC), paid Rs 22 lakh in fees for getting his niece admitted to a private medical college, investigation has revealed. Another BJSAC member Sandeep Yadav exchanged Rs 15 lakh during the demonetisation drive by the government. This was disclosed by the trader who exchanged the demonetised currency notes. "Several stories of this kind reveal the real face of the LWE leadership. Sandeep Yadav's daughter studied at a reputed private institute and his son is studying in a private engineering college. Similarly, another senior Naxal leader Arvind Yadav paid Rs 12 lakh in fees for his brother to study in a private engineering college," investigation has unearthed. "It may not out of place to say that the Communist Party of India (Maoist) is known to force young children to join their squads, and strongly resist all kinds of development activities be it road construction, mobile tower erection, etc. However, their double standards are exposed by the kind of education and other facilities they provide to their own children and families," an MHA official said. Since the multi-agencies' crackdown, the ED has registered four cases under Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) against Sandeep Yadav, Pradyuman Sharma, Vinay Yadav and Musafir Sahni of CPI(Maoist), who are all members of BJSAC. The ED attached properties of Sandeep Yadav and Pradyuman Sharma valued at approximately Rs 1.5 crore. The central agencies have also seized Rs 1.45 crore in cash and properties including approximately 32 acres land, several buildings, two buses, 11 cars/jeeps, two tractors and one JCB in Bihar and Jharkhand under Section 25 of Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act. It has also been revealed that the central agencies also seized Rs 1 crore in cash during demonetisation from the Naxal leadership. A senior officer in the security establishment said the Naxals are also extorting money from small businessmen running rice and flour mills, grocery stores, clinics and liquor shops, calling it "protection money". "They are also involved in looting in certain areas they are operating. They must be raising more than Rs 150 crore annually," the MHA official said. According to a research paper by the Institute for Defence Studies and Analysis (IDSA), the Maoists have been collecting not less than Rs 140 crore annually from a variety of sources. It said the Maoists have conceived ingenious ways of storing money to ensure its safety, have issued guidelines for the collection of funds, and have also circulated guidelines on expenditure and fiscal discipline. "It has been learnt that money is also being given to real estate agents. Perhaps these are trustworthy former radicals or cadres, who would invest it in their business and return the money to the leadership as and when demanded. Also, in some cases, the Maoists are said to have purchased vehicles and given them to their supporters. These can be used for ferrying logistics, cadres and leaders as and when required. Besides, those allotted vehicles would also also pay a fixed amount to the outfit every month from their earnings. In some cases, the money has also been converted into gold biscuits. Large amounts are also being packed neatly in multiple layers of polythene, kept inside a metal box and then dropped into syntax tanks. Thereafter, these tanks are stacked away in dumps in forests," said a research paper authored by IDSA's PV Ramana. PARIS (Reuters) - Emmanuel Macron's office said U.S. President Donald Trump had given the French leader no indication of what he planned to say about the Iran nuclear deal later on Tuesday PARIS (Reuters) - Emmanuel Macron's office said U.S. President Donald Trump had given the French leader no indication of what he planned to say about the Iran nuclear deal later on Tuesday. In answer to a Reuters question, Macron's office denied a story by the New York Times which said Trump had told Macron the United States was going to pull out of the agreement. Trump was due to announce his final decision at 1800 GMT. (Reporting by Marine Pennetier, writing by Sybille de La Hamaide; Editing by Gareth Jones) This story has not been edited by Firstpost staff and is generated by auto-feed. By Steve Holland and John Irish WASHINGTON/PARIS (Reuters) - U.S. President Donald Trump is expected to announce on Tuesday that he is pulling out of the Iran nuclear deal, European officials said, in a move that would raise the risk of conflict in the Middle East, upset America's European allies and disrupt global oil supplies. The New York Times reported that Trump had told French President Emmanuel Macron on Tuesday that he was going to pull out of the international agreement but the French presidency said the U.S. By Steve Holland and John Irish WASHINGTON/PARIS (Reuters) - U.S. President Donald Trump is expected to announce on Tuesday that he is pulling out of the Iran nuclear deal, European officials said, in a move that would raise the risk of conflict in the Middle East, upset America's European allies and disrupt global oil supplies. The New York Times reported that Trump had told French President Emmanuel Macron on Tuesday that he was going to pull out of the international agreement but the French presidency said the U.S. leader gave no indication of a decision on Iran. In answer to a Reuters question, Macron's office denied the Times story. Trump is to make an announcement on the future of the Iran deal at 2 p.m. (1800 GMT) on Tuesday. One senior European official closely involved in Iran diplomacy told Reuters that U.S. officials had indicated late on Monday that Trump would withdraw from the agreement but it remained unclear on what terms and whether sanctions would be reimposed. The 2015 deal, the signature foreign policy achievement of Trump's predecessor Barack Obama, eased sanctions on Iran in exchange for Tehran limiting its nuclear program to prevent it from being able to make an atomic bomb. Trump has frequently criticized the accord because it does not address Iran's ballistic missile program, its nuclear activities beyond 2025, nor its role in conflicts in Yemen and Syria. Iran has ruled out renegotiating the agreement and threatened to retaliate, although it has not said exactly how, if Washington pulled out. Abandoning the Iran pact would be the most high-stakes move yet in Trump's "America First" foreign policy, which has seen the United States come close to a trade war with China and announce its withdrawal last year from the Paris climate accord. Renewing sanctions would make it much harder for Iran to sell its oil abroad or use the international banking system. Oil prices initially slumped on Tuesday on conflicting headlines about Trump's intentions about Iran, before rebounding after the New York Times report. U.S. stocks were volatile but only modestly lower. "We're getting conflicting reports about the Iran deal," said Michael Antonelli, managing director, institutional sales trading at Robert W. Baird in Milwaukee. "The market will struggle until we get clarity on this," he said. The Iran deal may remain partially intact, even without the United States. Iranian President Hassan Rouhani suggested on Monday that Iran could remain in the accord with the other signatories that remain committed to it. "Iran is monitoring U.S. and European stance closely and will react to U.S. decision based on its own national interests," Iran's deputy foreign minister, Abbas Araqchi, was quoted as saying by Iranian news agency IRNA. Trump's move is a snub to European allies such as France, Britain and Germany, who are also part of the Iran deal and tried hard to convince him to preserve it. The Europeans must now scramble to decide their own course of action with Tehran. China and Russia are also signatories to the Iran pact. Iran's growing military and political power in Yemen, Syria, Lebanon and Iraq worries the United States, Israel and U.S. Arab allies such as Saudi Arabia. Israel has traded blows with Iranian forces in Syria since February, stirring concern that major escalation could be looming. (Additional reporting by Tim Ahmann, Makini Brice and Arshad Mohammed in Washington, Sybille de La Hamaide, John Irish and Tim Hepher in Paris, Parisa Hafezi in Ankara, Bozorgmehr Sharafedin in London, Andrew Torchia in Dubai; Writing by William Maclean and Alistair Bell; Editing by Peter Graff and Bill Trott) This story has not been edited by Firstpost staff and is generated by auto-feed. Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) legislator from Uttar Pradesh, Kuldeep Singh Sengar, who is an accused in the Unnao gang rape case and the subsequent death of the victim's father in police custody, was on Tuesday shifted to Sitapur Jail, an official said Lucknow: Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) legislator from Uttar Pradesh, Kuldeep Singh Sengar, who is an accused in the Unnao gang rape case and the subsequent death of the survivor's father in police custody, was on Tuesday shifted to Sitapur Jail, an official said. The rape survivor had petitioned before the Allahabad High Court to shift the ruling party MLA out of Unnao as she was feeling threatened. Shashi Singh, who is a co-accused in the rape case that took place in Bangarmau in 2017 and allegedly took the victim to Sengar, has also been sent to Sitapur jail. Atul Singh, the Bharatiya Janata Party legislator's brother, and four other co-accused are still lodged in Unnao jail. A team of the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), which is probing the high-profile case, took the accused legislator to Sitapur jail. Last week, the rape victim and her uncle presented their side of the story before the high court, which is hearing the matter. The survivor told the court that she was satisfied with the CBI probe so far, but she voiced doubts about the role of the police. She alleged that the jailed legislator was having a free run inside the prison and she feared for her life and the safety and security of her family. Following this, the court directed the state government to shift Sengar out of Unnao jail to some other place. The panic over the carcass meat racket in West Bengal has prompted the state government to form a high-powered committee for keeping a check on such malpractices, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee said on Tuesday. Kolkata: The panic over the carcass meat racket in West Bengal has prompted the state government to form a high-powered committee for keeping a check on such malpractices, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee said on Tuesday. The police had recently busted a racket involved in supplying decomposed meat from dumping grounds to restaurants in and around the city. A nine-member committee, headed by Chief Secretary Malay De, would devise a mechanism to deal with the issue, the chief minister said. "People have stopped eating meat after reports of the carcass racket scam surfaced. We have formed a high-powered committee, under the chief secretary, to chalk out a foolproof mechanism to stop such practices in the future," Banerjee today told reporters at the state secretariat. The other committee members include state home secretary, director general of police, Kolkata police commissioner and principal secretaries of health, municipality affairs and urban department. "We want the people to eat what they like and enjoy. Once the mechanism is devised, we will tell people that they can have their meat items without any fear," she said. Praising the role of the police in unearthing the scam, Banerjee said, "The racket is not limited to West Bengal, but was operated from other states too. The police have done a very good job." Over the past few days, 11 people, including a leader of a political outfit, have been arrested in connection with the scam. A SIT was formed by the government to probe the matter after sleuths seized 20 tonnes of rotten meat, meant to be supplied to eateries and departmental stores of West Bengal and its neighbouring states, from a cold storage in central Kolkata. The West Bengal government has directed all police stations in the metropolis and the surrounding districts to keep a watch on the sale of meat in their areas, officials said. A woman was gangraped in a moving car allegedly by two men after throwing her three-year-old child from the vehicle on the Delhi-Dehradun national highway. Muzaffarnagar: A woman was gangraped in a moving car allegedly by two men after throwing her three-year-old child from the vehicle on Monday evening on the Delhi-Dehradun national highway in Uttar Pradesh's Muzaffarnagar, police said. The child was rushed to a hospital by the villagers. He is out of danger. Later, the 26-year-old victim was also dropped from the car in Chapar area on the highway in the district, said SP (city), Ombir Singh on Tuesday. A case has been registered against the absconding accused, and the woman has been sent for medical examination, he said. According to a complaint lodged by the victim, she was called by one of the accused, RK Mehta, on the pretext of giving her a job. She was raped by Mehata and his friend after giving her some alcoholic drink laced with sedatives. She lodged the complaint after regaining consciousness, the SP said. Unlike the Bengali bhadralok intellectuals who have done a stellar job of celebrating Rabindranath Tagore and taking him to the larger world, the Tamil middle class failed Subramania Bharati | #FirstCulture In the early 1980s, the playwright and public intellectual Gnani Sankaran plastered the walls of Chennai with a poster. All it had was an up-twirled moustache and a piercing pair of eyes on a plain white background. But even a child could identify it as Subramania Bharati. The poster was a teaser for his newly launched journal, Theemtharikida: an onomatopoeic word suggesting apocalyptic fury, drawn from a poem by Bharati. Bharati is the icon of modern Tamil culture. Now, nearly a hundred years after his death, the turban, the gaze and the moustache are easily recognised by people across the Tamil world. Looking for a nom de plume? Suffix Bharati to your name. Want a name for your new journal? You could do no better than pull out a phrase from one of his poems. A slogan for a cause? A line from one of his poems will do. Even M Karunanidhi, whose sympathies may lie more with the Dravidian movements poet laureate, Bharatidasan (a pen name that means the disciple of Bharati) drew the title, Nenjukku Needhi, for his multi-volume autobiography from Bharati. How did this come to happen? When modernity was ushered into India under colonial rule, there were huge social transformations and all Indian languages experienced profound changes. These changes threw up fascinating literary figures in every language. Few of them, however, have contemporary relevance. Subramania Bharati (18821921) is exceptional, an abiding influence on modern writing in Tamil. The poet began his career as a journalist. First as sub-editor of Tamils then only daily, and later as the editor of a womens magazine. For his writings as the editor of a nationalist weekly, the India, he had to flee British India. His journals and some of his books were proscribed by a repressive government that tried to crush the rising wave of nationalism. The first to publish political cartoons in the vernacular, Bharatis journalistic prose was both informed and incisive. But Bharati was essentially a literary man a poet, its hard not to use the cliche, of inspired genius. Tamil has a long literary history with great poetical riches that could weigh down poetasters. Bharatis achievement lay in forging an old language steeped in tradition to voice contemporary concerns. His early poems were written from the swadeshi barricades. Bharati was the earliest to write of land and language, and the pain of their subjugation to an alien power. He employed popular tunes from older songs and filled them with new content for a larger public. The songs dealt with patriotic themes: the glory of the motherland and its current fallen state, colonial exploitation, tributes to nationalist leaders. Bharati was among the first to write rousing poems in Tamil, and these became more and more popular through the decades leading up to independence. More than a century later lines and phrases from these poems have passed into common language, and many of them will live as long as a quest for freedom remains. Even as he wrote patriotic verse, the grave social inequalities of caste, class and gender were very much in the forefront of his mind. Without social reform, he remarked in one of his early writings, our political reform is a dream, a myth, for social slaves can never really understand political liberty. Pudmai pen (the new woman) was his coinage, as are such terms as puratchi (revolution) and poduvudamai (communism). Bharatis imprint on the Tamil language is palpable. Of an all-too brief life of less than 39 years, Bharati spent more than 10 in exile in Pondicherry, then under French rule. In the poems written in exile, we find a more reflective poet extending the possibilities of language and confronting the larger questions of life. And for all his complaints about the poetic muse deserting him often, when in its embrace, his verse was unfailingly superb. Bharati was aware of Whitman and the haiku, and experimented with free verse, thus becoming the founding father of New Poetry in Tamil. Bharati had a wide range. He wrote stories, though they do not conform to the grammar of the short story or the novel. He introduced column writing to Tamil journalism and commented extensively if fitfully on contemporary affairs. Humour was his forte his prose brims with satire, sarcasm, irony and parody. He was also the forerunner of the autobiographical form in Tamil. In short, Bharati touched nothing that he did not elevate. Why then is Bharati little known outside Tamil Nadu? Comparison with Rabindranath Tagore is inevitable. Bharati was born more than 20 years after Tagore and predeceased him by another 20. Even factoring in the Nobel prize, the comparative neglect of Bharati is difficult to explain. It can be argued that the national elite turned a blind eye to the south, uncomfortable as they were with Tamil identity politics. Bharati paid a heavy price for this. And unlike the Bengali bhadralok intellectuals who have done a stellar job of celebrating Tagore and taking him to the larger world, the Tamil middle class failed Bharati. One would be hard put to locate a good introduction to Bharati in English. This unhappy situation is compounded by the fact that Bharatis poems do not travel well in English. As Bharatis death centenary approaches, let us hope that this situation is redressed, and the poet will get his due. AR Venkatachalapathy is author of Who Owns That Song? The Battle for Subramania Bharatis Copyright (Juggernaut Books) The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) manifesto for the Karnataka Assembly elections 2018 released on 4 May, 2018, declared that farm loans upto Rs 1,00,000 in nationalised banks and cooperative societies would be waived. -Shreehari Paliath Mandya and Yadgir, Karnataka: The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) manifesto for the Karnataka Assembly elections 2018 released on 4 May, 2018, declared that farm loans upto Rs 1,00,000 in nationalised banks and cooperative societies would be waived. A few days earlier, the BJPs chief ministerial candidate and party state president BS Yeddyurappa promised a waiver of agriculture loans in both nationalised banks and cooperative societies if his party came to power, hoping, as a consequence, he said, for a 3-4 percent rise in vote share for his party. As Karnataka chief minister Siddaramaiah, running the only Congress government in southern India, tries to remain in favour of the electorate ahead of the 12 May elections to the state Assembly, he has his task cut out. Among other steps, the government waived Rs 8,165 crore of farm loans from cooperative banks in 2017, claiming this would benefit more than 2.2 million farmers. BJP has consistently acted against Karnataka's interests. This is a Chargesheet with the 10 most prominent betrayals by the BJP. 1. Rajya Sabha BJP has repeatedly nominated non-Kannadigas to the RS, latest being Rajeev Chandrasekhar.#KarnatakaVirodhiBJP #NamageMosa pic.twitter.com/SoPv0ud9u2 Karnataka Congress (@INCKarnataka) March 12, 2018 Rural Karnataka, which accounts for 154 (69 percent) of the states 224 legislative constituencies, has to remain the primary focus. Karnatakas farmers, battling drought and water shortage, have been under dire financial duress, and how well the Siddaramaiah government is seen to handle this challenge will be among the factors that will determine a positive outcome for his government. While the government is implementing the farm loan waiver, experts believe that the such a move will help in the short-run to win elections, but will not help in the welfare of farmers in the long term till agriculture is made more remunerative. IndiaSpend travelled to Yadgir district in the arid, impoverished northeast of Karnataka, as well as Mandya district in the states sugar bowl, to feel the pulse of these regions. In both districts, families in which farmers had killed themselves said the ex-gratia compensation of Rs 500,000 had not diminished their loan burden, primarily because erratic rainfall and unremunerative prices have squeezed incomes, perpetuating dependence on moneylenders. Nevertheless, the farmers and their families said they appreciated the support provided by the government in the form of loan waivers and ex-gratia compensation, despite delays in paying out monthly pensions. Farmers we spoke to in Yadgir said that they would vote for the present government, while in Mandya which has strong Vokkaliga (sect) presence and is a Janata Dal (Secular) stronghold, they are undecided, although they were not unhappy with the government. The Congress won a majority of seats (122) in the 2013 assembly elections, compared to 80 in 2008 when the BJP was the single largest party. Although without a clear majority, the BJP formed the government with help of independent candidates in 2008. Farming at the mercy of rains I never thought he would do something like this when he left the house that evening, said Chennamma, 55, leaning against a pillar in her small house in Nadihal village in Yadgir district of northeastern Karnataka. Her husband Chandrashekar Hanumanthappa, 60, had hanged himself from a tree on 24 March, 2018, near his four-acre farm. He could not bear the financial loss of four failed borewells, Yellapa Maharaj, his 27-year-old nephew, said. Like farmers across Karnataka, Hanumanthappa was driven to desperation after successive years of drought and acute indebtedness. Agriculture in Karnataka supports 13.74 million workers, of which 23.61 percent are cultivators and 25.67 percent agricultural workers, according to this 2013 study by the Institute for Social and Economic Change (ISEC), a Bengaluru-based research institute. The sector supported 60 percent of Karnatakas workforce of 28 million, the study added. With so many people dependent on farming, the focus on farmers issues at election time is obvious. Although the number of farmer suicides in India declined 21 percent in 2016 compared to 2015, Karnataka recorded the second-highest number after Maharashtra, IndiaSpend reported on 21 March, 2018. Between 2000 and 2014, 30,604 farmers in Karnataka took their lives2,040 every yearaccording to this 2017 report by the ISEC. <a href='#'><img alt='Dashboard 1 ' src='https:&#47;&#47;public.tableau.com&#47;static&#47;images&#47;ka&#47;karnatakaweb1&#47;Dashboard1&#47;1_rss.png' style='border: none' /></a> Source: Farmer Suicides in Karnataka, Institute for Social and Economic Change (2017) Thirty-one farmers committed suicide in Shahpur taluk, where Nadihal falls, in 2017-18, according to information accessed by IndiaSpend from the district agriculture department. Yagdir, carved out of Gulbarga district in 2009, lies in one of the states most underdeveloped regions. Two major peninsular rivers, the Krishna and the Bhima, meander through the district, yet no more than 14 percent of its farmland (net sown area) is irrigated, compared with the state average of 24 percent. Nearly 70 percent of Karnatakas agriculture is rainfed, and Yadgir is no different. In 2016, 160 of the 176 taluks in Karnataka were declared drought-hit during the rabi or winter crop season, and 139 during in kharif or monsoon crop season, according to this 2016 Karnataka State Disaster Management Monitoring Centre (KSNDMC) document. In the 15 years from 2001 to 2015, only three years2005, 2007 and 2010witnessed no drought, as per a 2017 KSNDMC drought vulnerability assessment report. Mandya, 700 kiometre southwest, is ground-zero for the farmer agitation in Karnataka, especially regarding the Cauvery water dispute. The irrigated regions of the district are dominated by sugarcane and paddy. Small landholdings and unremunerative prices Small and marginal farmers have limited access to credit from banks. For banks, the scale of finance depends on the cost of production, said T Sudheer, district development manager of National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development in Mandya. It will change based on factors like irrigation in case of paddy or sugarcane. Unirrigated land will find lower finance. Commercial banks generally will not fund digging borewells, as there are regulations and permissions required, which farmers may not have applied for. Another challenge is the lack of clear land titles, without which banks cannot approve loans, Sudheer said. In Karnataka, the average size of landholding is just four acresup to five acres being classified as small and marginal landholdingand difficulty in accessing institutional credit leaves farmers at the mercy of moneylenders, as in the case of Hanumanthappa. Over half a decade, Hanumanthappa had borrowed nearly Rs 500,000, much of it from moneylenders, and close to Rs 50,000 from a nationalised bank. He had recently borrowed close to Rs 400,000 for the four unsuccessful borewells, said Maharaj. After a cropping season, every 6-8 months, he would have earned Rs 45,000-50,000 at most, Maharaj added. At the same time, a prolonged period of erratic rainfall has made farming difficult, and unremunerative prices have worsened farmers condition. Much of rural lending is by moneylenderswho account for 44 percent of rural debt in India, as IndiaSpend reported on 4 January, 2018. But the loan waiver by the present government applies to loans from cooperative societies of up to Rs 50,000 only. Loans issued by moneylenders were not covered, nor were larger loans from cooperatives. Farmers commit suicide when they know that there is no way to generate money to pay back loans, said R Balasubramaniam, development activist and founder and chairman of Grassroots Research & Advocacy Movement (GRAAM). Due to the cycle of loans, even when they take a loan it is for consumption, not always directly for production in farming. Many farmers in Nadihal grow tur (pigeon pea) or cotton. The government used to buy tur at Rs 6,000 per quintal. Now it has fallen to Rs 3,500 per quintal, Maharaj said. An acre of land produces approximately four quintals, according to local farmers. At these prices, an investment of Rs 14,000 gets them an income of Rs 25,000 over an agriculture season, a meagre profit of Rs 11,000 spread over months and required to support an entire family. Moneylenders can exert tremendous pressure on farmers to pay up. Nearly 700 kilometres away in Mandya, Karnatakas sugar bowl, 50-year-old Jayaram of Holalu village committed suicide in February last year. He was upset that a moneylender had asked him to repay the loan on an auspicious day during a local village festival, his wife, Gowramma, said. Jayaram had 4.5 acres of land on which he grew paddy and sugarcane. He had accumulated debt of Rs 15 lakh. He took to drinking as the loans increased, she said, I told him to not stress as there could be help from the government. Loans [were known to] have been waived. Gowramma was undecided about the party she would vote for, but said that she would vote for a party that she believes support farmers. Between July 2015 and June 2016, 118 farmers committed suicide in the district, according to the ISEC report. In Mandya and Belagavi the sugar companies unduly delay the payment for several months. As a result, the interest amount payable to money lenders pile-up and reach debt-trap situation, the ISEC report said. Another farmer in Gogi in Yadgir district, Mallina Rathore, commited suicide in March 2017. The 30-year-old owned 1.5 acres of land, on which he grew tomato, brinjal and onion. He had more than Rs 10 lakh as loan over the last seven years, said his brother Laxman Rathore. The farm produce was not enough. He had mortgaged the land for more money to invest in farming. The state government gave a compensation of Rs 5 lakh to the Mallinas wife, who has gone back to her home village, he said. Despite the tragedy, Rathores and Hanumanthappas families in Yadgir expressed their support for the present government. Farms, a battleground for competitive populism The BJP highlighted farm distress, with prime minister Narendra Modi tweeting that Karnataka had neglected its agriculture sector on May 1, 2018.In response, chief minister Siddaramaiah listed the steps his government has taken for farmers in a retaliatory tweet on 2 May, 2018: The Congress Government in Karnataka has completely ignored the states agriculture sector. They have been insensitive towards the aspirations of the farmers. The farmers of Karnataka deserve better. Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) May 2, 2018 The JD(S) too jumped into the fray with a similar announcement. HD Kumaraswamy, the partys state president, announced that his party would waive farmers loans upto Rs 51,000 crore within 24 hours of coming to power, the Deccan Herald reported on 1 May, 2018. Siddaramaiah said that the government, in addition to providing the debt waiver, has been providing seven hours of free power costing the government Rs 8,000 crore. While the Rs 8,165 crore farm loan waiver is expected to help 2.2 million farmers, it will not cover people dependent on farming in the state. Really! This is rich coming from the you Mr. Prime Minister. I have spoken a lot about what we have done for the farmers. But I will repeat it in this thread. I will also talk about your insensitivity to farmers. 1/6 https://t.co/C1B1KSOa1D Siddaramaiah (@siddaramaiah) May 2, 2018 Although the money has helped us in reducing the financial burden by repaying part of the loan, there is more to be repaid, Laxman said. A Rs 50,000 loan from the Vyavasaya Seva Sahakara Bank Niyamitha, a cooperative society, has not been waived, he claimed. Despite that, he appreciated the governments support. How can we forget people who have helped? Laxman said. He said he would vote for the Congress party for the support. Neelkanth Loku, a 45-year-old farmer, committed suicide in October 2017 by consuming pesticide. He and his five brothers each worked on a small parcel of their combined six acres of land. He had unpaid loans of nearly Rs 8 lakh. The local moneylenders generally accept part of the harvest as interest and principal, as the case may be, and return the balance, if any, said Devaraj Chennarathore, Lokus brother-in-law. The small farmers do not benefit from the waiver as much as the others, he said, explaining that many small farmers have loans from moneylenders, not cooperatives. Often, their loans from cooperatives are in excess of the Rs 50,000 that have been waived. In 2015, the government increased the ex-gratia payment to families from Rs 2 lakh to Rs 5 lakh, the Hindu reported on 17 November, 2015. Monthly pensions for widows of farmers who committed suicide were increased to Rs 2,000 from Rs 500, and families of women who committed suicide were made eligible for a monthly pension of Rs 2,000, the Hindu reportedon 24 March, 2016. Compensation paid, or delayed Lokus family have not received the ex-gratia payment of Rs 5 lakh yet. We have been told that it would be transferred once the election is over, Chennarathore said. An agriculture department official, requesting anonymity, confirmed this. Similarly, Hanumanthappas family is also awaiting compensation. We received support to complete formalities when my brother-in-law died, Chennarathore said, adding that his vote would go to the present government. Nagamma, 50, of Panakanahalli village in Mandya does not immediately recollect which bank her son, Mahesh PP, owed money to. After a brief search, her daughter returned with a passbook of a nationalised bank. The 28-year-old killed himself in June 2015. Mahesh had taken up the mantle of looking after the family after his fathers early death. He had to borrow money for both his sisters weddings, said Nagamma. Of our four acres, he sold two for the wedding. His mothers health problems forced him to borrow an additional Rs 1 lakh over and and above the Rs 5 lakh he had borrowed for farming, from the bank and from moneylenders. We also pawned some gold, she said. Nagamma was given a cheque of Rs 1 lakh immediately after her sons suicide, and the remainder was transferred subsequently, enabling her to repay the loan. However, she said, she is not getting the enhanced pension of Rs 2,000 promised when chief minister Siddaramaiah and Congress president Rahul Gandhi visited her. Im getting Rs 500 monthly, she said. She is undecided on the party that she would be voting for in the upcoming state elections. Experts do not believe waivers will help farmers in the long run Due to non-remunerative returns on production, and structural problems in agricultural sector, experts believe that waivers are not going to be beneficial, and will be an election ploy to garner votes. The farm loan waiver is not meant to waive off all loans. The cooperative banks are often controlled by locally powerful individuals or groups, said Narendar Pani, an economist and professor at the National Institute Of Advanced Studies. Many farmers continue to depend on money-lenders for loans which wont be waived off. The pressure on repayment of loans in cooperative societies is high. The factors for a favorable vote will be the bhagya schemes, like anna (free rice for below poverty line households) and krishi (includes rainwater conservation in farm ponds, subsidies for diesel pumps etc) bhagya, in addition to the waiver for those who have benefited, he added. Debt waiver is a short-term move that will help to get some votes electorally and provide temporary relief for farmers. But in the long term the farmers will suffer, said R. Balasubramaniam of GRAAM. There is a need for an ecosystem approach to ensure that farmers are a part of the wealth creation process and not see them as mere recipients of government doles, he said. Politicians will need more than the five-year term they get to fix the issues in agriculture, but another term is something that is not guaranteed in politics. The waivers are a way of gaining quick electoral advantage, he added. Karnatakas farmers need much more than that. (Paliath is an analyst with IndiaSpend.) Modi, who addressed rallies at Vijayapura, Koppal and Bengaluru, accused the Congress of pursuing the policy of 'divide and rule'. Vijayapura/Bengaluru: With just two days left before the adrenaline-charged campaign for the Karnataka Assembly elections comes to an end, the BJP and Congress, the two major contenders for power, fielded their top commanders, who attacked each other over corruption and hardline Hindutva. Leading the charge for the BJP, Prime Minister Narendra Modi claimed people of Karnataka had decided to "uproot" the Congress and "punish" it for its wrongdoings, and that the party was already trying to find excuses like faulty EVMs for its "impending" defeat. Taking on the Siddaramaiah government over alleged corruption at the three rallies he addressed today, Modi said there was not even a single minister who was not facing accusations of financial irregularities. Campaigning in the Lingayat stronghold of Vijayapura, he alleged the state's ruling Congress was trying to divide the society and spread the "poison of casteism". Congress president Rahul Gandhi attacked the BJP and RSS, likening them to the Islamist organisation Muslim Brotherhood, and saying their agenda was to come topower, and capture institutions. "The BJP and RSS will repeat one more cycle of getting elected democratically and then discard democracy," he alleged in Bengaluru. "The RSS over here and the Muslim Brotherhood in Egypt,Pakistan, Tunisia, Turkey....they are doing the same thing. The RSS and Muslim Brotherhood do not see elections the way we seethem. We win an election and we are okay with losing anelection," he said. Rahul, who earlier in the day said he was ready to occupy the post of the prime minister if the Congress emerged as the "biggest" party after the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, claimed the saffron outfits were trying to disrupt open-mindedatmosphere, peace and the brotherhood that existed in India. He said the BJP praised Mahatma Gandhi, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel and B R Ambekdar upfront but destroyed their legacy. "Their method is to praise the leader, praise the icon,worship the icon and destroy every single thing he used todo," Rahul said. After a hiatus of two years, UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi addressed an election rally in Vijayapura, hours after Modi's public meeting, and claimed the prime minister was "possessed by the devil" of Congress-mukt Bharat. His only accomplishment in the last four years was to have undone the good work of the previous Congress governments, she said. "Modi ji is proud that he can make speeches well. I agree he is a good orator. He speaks like an actor. If speeches could fill the country's stomach, I wish he gave more speeches," she said, taking a swipe at the prime minister. Sonia Gandhi's rally in Vijayapura in north Karnataka, where Lingayats wield considerable electoral influence, was seen as an attempt to reach out to the community, which has traditionally backed the BJP. "Modi ji has junoon (passion) of Congress mukt bharat. He is possessed by the devil of Congress mukt bharat (Congress mukht bharat ka bhoot laga hai), Sonia told the audience, as she attacked the prime minister for doing nothing for the middle class, women, girls, dalits and backward classes. Taking on the prime minister over steps to tackle corruption, she wanted to know why the Lokpal, the proposed anti-graft ombudsman, had not been constituted. Sonia claimed Congress-ruled Karnataka was discriminated against as it got "too little" by way of central assistance for drought relief. "Modi ji, is this your sab ka saath, sab ka vikas? (together will all, development of all)," she asked. Modi, who addressed rallies at Vijayapura, Koppal and Bengaluru, accused the Congress of pursuing the policy of "divide and rule". "Congress believes in the policy of divide and rule... divide on the basis of caste and religion....make brother fight brother. But people of this land of Basaveshwara will not allow it to happen," he told the rally at Vijayapura. The state's ruling Congress has recommended religious minority status for the Lingayats, a traditional vote base of the BJP, a move many feel was aimed at splitting their votes. BJP's chief ministerial candidate Yeddyurappa belongs to the the Lingayat community. Modi said with defeat staring the Congress in the face, it was busy trying to find excuses like blaming the EVMs for the loss. He also said attempts were being made to confuse the voters with the claim that the elections will throw up a hung Assembly. "Can you tell me the name of a single minister who is not facing allegations of corruption," he said targeting the Congress government, a day after Siddaramaiah sent legal notices to Modi and BJP chief Amit Shah, threatening to file civil and criminal defamation suit against them for making unsubstantiated allegations. BJP president Amit Shah, who held a road show in Mangaluru and also addressed a rally, said the Congress government led by Siddaramaiah would be "sent home" on 15 May, the day the results would be declared. Shah claimed many Hindus were "murdered" in Dakshina Kannada district but nobody was even arrested. State, local govts seek more funds Chief ministers and finance ministers of provinces and representatives of local governments have complained that the central government has sought to keep most of the resources with itself even as provincial and local governments shoulder most of the responsibilities on the ground. Dining with Dalits is no longer the prerogative of Rahul Gandhi. The trend has been picked up with some enthusiasm by ministers of other parties too, namely, the ruling BJP. Editor's note: The BJP, its ideological lodestar RSS, and even the BSP, a party with moorings in Dalit identity, have, in recent months, outdone themselves to court the Dalit constituency. The community itself has found new ways to assert its leverage over Indian political parties and reinforce its place in society. Firstpost will travel across UP, the test bed of India's Dalit politics, to record how these changes have altered life in its villages, towns and cities. This segment of the series is by special arrangement with Khabar Lahariya, a women-only network of rural reporters. Dining with Dalits is no longer the prerogative of Rahul Gandhi. The trend has been picked up with some enthusiasm by ministers of other parties too, namely, the ruling BJP. Earlier this month, with the heat of the elections building up in the country, and within a party whose reign in the centre has seen increasing incidents of violence against Dalits, and fierce protests around the dilution of the SC/ST Act, a Dalit outreach strategy involving spending quality time in Dalit majority villages has been adopted by the BJP. The latest in the series of meals-with-Dalits was in Aligarh, by UP Cabinet Minister (from Shamli) with a dubious track record Suresh Rana, who on his mandatory Dalit home and bhojan visit, was served food fresh from a halwai palak paneer, chole and all and bottled water. Khabar Lahariya decided to ask Dalit families of Chitrakoot (a district with a substantial 27% Scheduled Caste population) what they thought of this politics of meal sharing picking areas and households with Dalit populations and then ordering in. Sukhram Verma, a Chamar who runs a dhaba in Chitrakoot, whose samosas are often trashed at the end of the day, because nobody from the upper castes buys them, scoffed at this practice, and likened it to turning the knife in a voters back, without their knowledge. Our livelihood depends on people coming and eating with us. Whats the point if they come and order food from somewhere else? We strongly disagree with this kind of practice, its against the very core of our nation. Rahul, a student, said he thought this demonstrated an appallingly poor connection with the Dalits of UP. Going to someones house and then not eating with them clearly reflects this VIP kind of attitude, he said. Another local opined that this behavior was unacceptable, and at least in the eyes of political leaders, everyone should be equal. Ram Avatar responded from the perspective of a voter with the responsibility of putting these leaders into power. Obviously we will only support those who sit with us, eat with us, drink water with us. How can we feel solidarity with anyone who does differently? Meera, a young advocate in the district court in Chitrakoot, and a recent entrant to the BSP youth leadership in the district, strongly objected to Ranas behavior. This is a clear indication of the fact that they are still discriminating against us, and if this is what they do while they are doing their outreach, then what hope can we have when they are in their seat of power? For a nation which often buries its head as regards to the caste question, the Rana incident nonetheless sparked furious debate within the ruling right-wing BJP. The partys own renegade MP from Bahraich, Savitribai Phula, summarily dismissed Ranas move as mere pretence and an insult to Dalits. Uma Bharti, MP from Jhansi and the current Cabinet Minister for Drinking Water and Sanitation, made the strange admission that she wasnt Lord Ram, who could purify Dalits by eating with them, but she did feel like she could be purified if she fed them at her home. Other MPs had competitively bizarre things to say, like it was a thing to be noted that their leaders were eating at Dalit households, despite the discomfort of being attacked by mosquitoes. Closer home, leaders from our own Chitrakoot like the charming RK Patel, MLA from Mau Manikpur peremptorily distanced themselves from the whole episode. Manoj Pande, a party member from Chitrakoot, said that it was not just Rana, but many other such leaders who were guilty of formality, or a superficial show of demolishing caste-based discrimination. Shakti Singh, the representative of the BJP MP from Banda-Chitrakoot, said he didnt know much about this specific case, but that often people preferred to eat their own food or drink their own water because of medical recommendations, and so not much should be made of that. In a state where more than 25% of the nations cases of atrocities against Dalits are recorded to occur, this kind of callous and fairly ludicrous strategizing for Dalit support in election season is fairly surprising, from an otherwise savvy political power like the BJP. This article is the third part of a series on Dalit identity in Uttar Pradesh. You can read the first and second part here and here. Watch the Khabar lahariya report here. With a lawyer like Kapil Sibal in its ranks, why does the Congress need enemies? Sibal is single-handedly capable of putting his foot in mouth, then stomping the same foot on an axe. With a lawyer like Kapil Sibal in its ranks, why does the Congress need enemies? Sibal is single-handedly capable of putting his foot in mouth, then stomping the same foot on an axe. Consider his latest misadventure to impeach the Chief Justice of India, an act so amateurish that it embodied phrases like "when pigs could fly", and "if wishes were horses". If Navjot Singh Sidhu were not a Congress legislator, even he might have laughed at it with his famous riff: "Agar meri chaachi ke moochen hoti toh main unko chacha ne kehta? (If my aunt had a moustache, wouldn't I have called her uncle?)" Yes, the idea was an absurdity from the very beginning. It was his flight of fancy masquerading as legalese. Sibal's move was neither smart politics nor mature jurisprudence. It was just hara-kiri. To begin with, the Congress never had the numbers to get the CJI impeached. Though it had the support of a faction of the Opposition, the Congress knew it would never be able to take the case to a logical conclusion. A removal motion needs to be signed by 100 members of the Lok Sabha or 50 members of Rajya Sabha. And since Congress wasn't sure of the numbers in Lok Sabha, it tried to get the motion routed through Rajya Sabha. For a moment, let's assume that the Rajya Sabha chairperson allowed the move. Let us also fancy for a moment that the motion was scrutinised by a three-member committee and put to vote in both Houses of Parliament. Did the Congress and the Opposition have the numbers to get a special majority? No. Yet, it went ahead and persisted with the idea like a petulant child adamant on cracking open a wall with his forehead, even when former prime minister Manmohan Singh acted as its moral and legal compass by not signing the petition. If the Congress was intent on making a statement about the judiciary after the revolt by four senior-most judges, it should have sat quietly after the motion was rejected by the Rajya Sabha chairperson, who was well within his rights to accept or reject it. But for reasons that could best be compared with a death-wish, Sibal persisted and challenged the order in the Supreme Court, only to later chicken out and take the exit with his tail tucked between the legs. Why did Sibal have to withdraw the petition after making so much noise? He could have argued the case, as the five-member Constitution Bench said, on its merits. But instead, like a team denied its own ground, referees, spectators and rules, he refused to argue the case on a mere technicality. Obviously, he was looking for an egress. Sibal was adamant about knowing how the bench hearing the petition was constituted. He may have had a point about the Chief Justice of India deciding the bench in a case challenging the latter's very rights as master of the roster. But instead of walking out in a huff because he didn't get the bench of his choice, he could have at least presented his case. After all, the bench hearing the case comprised the next five senior-most judges of India's apex court. But he preferred to withdraw the petition, showing utter disregard for one of India's finest institutions. This flip-flop by Sibal and the Congress gives rise to the suspicion that there was some ulterior motive behind the move. It wasn't just about the independence and integrity of the Supreme Court, as argued by the Congress. Perhaps the only motive was to embarrass the CJI and get him benched till his retirement. Unfortunately, the Congress has only ended up embarrassing itself. It needs to not only bench Sibal now, but also compulsorily retire him from politics. This is not the first time Sibal has proven his lack of political and legal acumen. During the Gujarat elections, he handed the BJP a weapon to slay the Congress by arguing that the hearing on the Ayodhya dispute be deferred till the next elections, implying that the judiciary set its timetable to the political clock. Before that, he mishandled the 2G spectrum narrative by coming up with the absurd zero-loss theory. And somewhere around the same time, he even made the UPA government look silly by genuflecting to Baba Ramdev, dashing to the airport to dissuade him from starting a fast against the government. Sibal, as his track record shows, is the master of blowing his bombs up on the Congress. The Congress, too, should learn its lessons from the misadventure. Because of its machinations during the Emergency, it is hardly seen as a crusader for independence of the judiciary. Even those who have no memory of its history of manipulation and subversion would have noticed how it mounted an attack on the Supreme Court without the necessary arsenal and strategy. The damage to its own image and integrity is, obviously, self-inflicted. The Congress on Tuesday questioned the setting up of a five-judge bench to hear a petition challenging rejection of the impeachment notice against Chief Justice of India New Delhi: The Congress on Tuesday questioned the setting up of a five-judge bench to hear a petition challenging rejection of the impeachment notice against Chief Justice of India Dipak Misra and dismissed allegations that the plea, filed by two party MPs, was "political". The party was for protecting "dignity and independence" of the courts, senior Congress leader and advocate Kapil Sibal said while pitching for transparency in the judicial process. The Congress MPs, for whom Sibal appeared before the Supreme Court, earlier in the day withdrew their plea in the apex court challenging rejection of the impeachment notice against Misra by Rajya Sabha chairman M Venkaiah Naidu. During the hearing, Sibal raised questions on the setting up of the constitution bench, including who passed the order for setting up the five-judge bench to hear the matter. Sibal had also sought of a copy of the order on setting up of the bench. It was not a judicial order, but an administrative onethe petitioners have the right to know who passed the orderwe wanted a copy of the orderthey (the SC) did not pass any order saying that they will give us the copy of the order or not, Sibal told reporters at the AICC headquarters in New Delhi. He added that the petitioners intended to challenge the order of setting up of the bench. The former Union minister also said the Congress had no "personal complaint" against anyone and dismissed the government's allegation that the petition was a political matter. Which order in India cannot be challengedWe just want to say that we want to protect the dignity, independence of courtstransparency in the judicial processso, the issue we have raised is not political, but one relating to the (developments in) courts, Sibal said. Congress leaders in Manipur demanded a clarification from Narendra Modi on reports that there will some autonomy for Nagas in Manipur after a final agreement on the Naga problem is signed Imphal: Congress leaders in Manipur on Tuesday demanded a clarification from Prime Minister Narendra Modi on reports that there will some autonomy for Nagas in Manipur after a final agreement on the vexed Naga problem is signed. RN Ravi, the Centre's interlocutor, told a newspaper recently that the government was pretty close to finalising the Naga Peace accord. One report said that there will be an autonomous Naga territorial council in Naga-majority areas of Manipur and Arunachal Pradesh. The news sparked protests in Manipur. Former Congress MLA N Bijoy told the media on Tuesday that Modi should not do anything that may affect the social and political scenario in Manipur. Laisom Ibomcha, another former legislator, said: "What was published based on the disclosure of the central interlocutor is against the well-known stand of the Congress. "The merger agreement signed between the Centre and Manipur should be remembered while signing an agreement that will affect Manipur." RK Anand of Congress said that the proposed agreement should not be finalised on communal lines. "What had transpired is a mockery of the people of Manipur. Manipur had been granted a Part C status and a territorial council was constituted. "Manipur could demand a Kashmir-like status under the provisions of the merger agreement." He also demanded a categorical clarification by Modi, calling it a very serious issue. Talks have been going on for years between the Central government and Naga outfit NSCN-IM, which wants the unification of the "land of the Nagas" by slicing off Naga-inhabited areas of Assam, Arunachal Pradesh and Manipur to form a Greater Nagaland. The CPM's Tripura chapter will move the high court against the drive to demolish offices of political parties built on government or forest land initiated by the newly-elected ruling dispensation, party leader Jitendra Choudhury told Firstpost. The Tripura chapter of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) will move the high court against the drive to demolish offices of political parties built on government or forest land initiated by the newly-elected ruling dispensation, party leader Jitendra Choudhury told Firstpost. The decision comes at a time when the Tripura government has decided to raze offices of political parties and organisations affiliated to political parties, constructed illegally on government or forest land. The drive is primarily directed against the CPM because being a party working in the state for a long time, we have a good number of offices on government and forest land. We will be hurt the most by this drive, said Choudhury. A source in the government of Tripura told Firstpost there are 104 such structures in west Tripura alone and 99 of them belong to the CPM or its affiliates. Choudhury admitted the CPM and its affiliates have nearly 100 such offices but said that if all parties are taken into account, there'd be more than 300 such structures. Even the BJP has offices in government and forest land, though they are few in number given the short span of time the party has been active in the state, said Choudhury. But government sources said that all illegal political offices regardless of affiliation would be demolished. On Monday, Sanjay Mishra, Officer on Special Duty in the Chief Minister's Office tweeted: Demolition of unauthorised political party offices as per the decision of government of Tripura started today in old Motorstand area of Agartala. These offices are not legally constructed.They are illegally made on Govt. And forest land. #TransformingTripura pic.twitter.com/o3b3HBYnJw Sanjay Mishra (@sanjayswadesh) May 7, 2018 The source in the Tripura government said, The state cabinet decided to demolish the illegal constructions as part of its election promise to transform Tripura. The illegal constructions are not only causing public inconvenience but also are threat to conservation of forests. The Tripura government razed 12 such premises in two days, according to the source. The BJP, in its election campaign, vowed to transform Tripura if it came to power. Soon after the party was voted in, it resorted to rather disruptive moves in a bid to steer away from the policies of the Left Front government, which ruled Tripura for three decades. Soon after the March results, a statue of legendary communist icon Vladimir Lenin was toppled in the state's Belonia town, allegedly by BJP workers. But Choudhury is unwilling to accept the reason given by the government for the move: Public inconvenience. Markets and hospitals are also built on government and forest land. Tripura has vast tracts of such land, which is very difficult to convert into private or unreserved category because of legal reasons. So, over the decades, such constructions have cropped up on government and forest land. Targeting the offices of political parties is only a manifestation of a political vendetta, he claimed. According to a source, the Indian National Congress also has 35 such offices across the state. The party is also protesting the drive. Choudhury also accuses the Tripura government of violating state law while carrying out this exercise. As per state revenue law, if an encroacher has been on government land for more than 20 years, he attains rights over that land. But the government has also demolished 50-year-old structures, he added. Choudhury said the government is also is defying injunctions from the lower court. We have no option left other than approaching the high court, he added. Ahead of UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi's visit to poll-bound Karnataka, the BJP raked up the issue of her Italian origin by referring to her maiden name Antonio Maino Bengaluru: Ahead of UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi's visit to poll-bound Karnataka on Tuesday, the BJP raked up the issue of her Italian origin by referring to her maiden name Antonio Maino. "Today, Ms Antonio Maino is here in Karnataka to save her last citadel from falling! Madam Maino, Karnataka needs no lessons from the person who was solely responsible for wasting India's 10 precious years." "And to Congress, need to remind you of your 'import' jibe?" Karnataka BJP said in a tweet. Today, Ms. Antonio Maino is here in K'taka to save her last citadel from falling! Madam Maino, K'taka needs no lessons from the person who was solely responsible for wasting India's 10 precious years. And to Congress, need to remind you of your 'import' jibe? https://t.co/7NmhjuoMOM BJP Karnataka (@BJP4Karnataka) May 8, 2018 The BJP was responding to Chief Minister Siddaramaiah's recent remarks calling Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his own Uttar Pradesh counterpart Yogi Adityanath "North Indian imports". "@BJP4Karnataka by waiting for North Indian imports like PM Modi, UP CM Adityanath is admitting they have no leaders in the state. They have reduced their CM face @BSYBJP to a dummy," Siddaramaiah had tweeted. . @BJP4Karnataka by waiting for North Indian imports like PM Modi, UPCM Adityanath is admiting they have no leaders in the state. They have reduced their CM face @BSYBJP to a dummy. PM may come & go. Here it is Siddaramaiah vs BSY & you know who is winning.#CongressMathomme https://t.co/IatRRstyAe Siddaramaiah (@siddaramaiah) April 25, 2018 Hitting back, BJP had then said in a tweet, "Imports? How much low can you stoop Mr. CM? Your attempt at North-South divide is disgusting." It is not the first time that the issue of Sonia Gandhi's foreign origin has been raked up during the Karnataka polls. At an election rally on 1 May Modi had dared Rahul Gandhi to talk for 15 minutes about the achievements of the Karnataka government in any language, including his "mother's mother tongue". Modi was responding to Rahul Gandhi's dare to allow him to speak for 15 minutes in Parliament on various issues, including corruption, and that the prime minister will not be able to sit for 15 minutes. "I dare the Congress president to speak in Hindi, English or the mother tongue of his mother to deliver a speech in Karnataka for 15 minutes, without reading out from a piece of paper, on the achievements of the party government... people of Karnataka will draw their own conclusion," he said. The BJP's tweet on Tuesday was also in response to an earlier tweet by Congress party calling Yogi Adityanath by his birth name Ajay Bisht. "We are glad that Mr Ajay Bisht was able to take some lessons of good governance from CM @siddaramaiah and is headed back to be with the people of Uttar Pradesh in their time of need." The Congress party had referred to Adityanath cutting short his election campaign in Karnataka and returning home following deaths in his state that was ravaged by storm. Almost two years after abandoning a roadshow in Varanasi ahead of the Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections, Sonia would address a poll rally in Vijayapura on Tuesday. The then Congress chief Sonia had not campaigned for Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat, Punjab, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Meghalaya, Tripura, and Nagaland Assembly elections. Sonia Gandhi son and successor Rahul Gandhi is currently touring Karnataka extensively. He will visit Chikkaballapuraand Tumakuru districts on the hustings on Tuesday. Follow all the buildup and LIVE updates ahead of the Karnataka election here Scaling down his expectations, HD Kumaraswamy now maintains that he would ally with another party on one condition that it must implement the election manifesto of JD(S). Every good novel or a film has a subplot. This adds depth to the main story and helps character development. But writers know that the main story goes awry if the subplot gets more focus than it should. In screenwriting, a subplot is called a B-story because thats what it is: a secondary story. If this weekends Karnataka Assembly election is the main story about Congress and BJP, its subplot centres round Janata Dal (Secular). Both are cliffhangers. Nobody knows whether Congress or BJP will win the election. If neither does, nobody knows which side JD(S) will help form a government. If there is no clear winner, the subplot even becomes the main story in this case. Thats when the election will go catawampus like a bad movie. If that isnt bad enough, JD(S) wants to make it worse. The latest twist unfolded on Monday when HD Kumaraswamy, the partys leader and former prime minister HD Deve Gowdas son, said at last that he would be ready to "speak" to parties if the situation demanded. All along he had been singing a different tune. He was stubbornly maintaining that his party, not Congress or BJP, would win the majority, that he and he alone would be the chief minister and that there was no question of joining hands with any party. At one point he even talked of fresh elections in the absence of a clear verdict. But now, apparently finding that his party would fall short of his expectations, he says he would ally with another party on one condition: The party must implement the election manifesto of JD(S). Those who are imagining that Narendra Modi and Rahul Gandhi are rushing to acquire copies of the JD(S) manifesto dont know how to spell politics. Modi and Rahul know what Kumaraswamy means. Kumaraswamy knows that they know. They know that Kumaraswamy knows that they know. He means he wants a deal with a party whose chief minister would hand over all lucrative portfolios to the ministers of JD(S) in a coalition government. Better still, of course, he would want to be the chief minister himself if his seat tally isnt too low and that of the alliance-partner isnt too high. The subplot thickens So the king is ready to become a kingmaker who would make him a king? Confusing? No, the plotthe subplot actuallyis thickening. Like the King said in Alice in Wonderland, lets begin at the beginning. The B-story began something like this. During the 2014 campaign, Gowda said he would take political sanyas if Modi became the prime minister. Then Modi said Gowda could stay either with him or in an old age home in Gujarat. Gowda breathed fire. But the chemistry quickly changed soon after Modi became the prime minister and called Gowda for tea. Then Gowda said: "Modi gives respect to former prime ministers ... even though I was prime minister for only 10 months. It feels good." In a 2016 interview too, Gowda thanked Modi for saying only nice things about him. Last week in Karnataka, Modi revived this mutual admiration society, in which he and Gowda are members. A red-eyed Modi lamented that Gowda deserved humongous respect and blasted Rahul Gandhi for not showing it. Gowdas cheeks turned a ravishing shade of pinkwell, almostlike a teenagers on her first date. In an emotion-choked, sing-song voice, Gowda cooed that if he hadnt quit his Lok Sabha seat it was only because of Modi. But soon afterwards, Modi said that people shouldnt waste their votes on a loser like JD(S) and accused that party of having struck a secret deal with Congress. Modi made a U-turn? All hell broke loose? Only for the media. Modi attacked JD(S) but not Gowda. Rebuking the lover and the lovers family, pet dog and furniture arent the same, right? Modi said what he had to. He didnt want his party cadres to think that he was playing some underhand pranks with Gowda. It was also politically the right noise to make in a constituency dominated by Gowdas Vokkaliga community in the interests of the BJP candidate. So the Modi-Gowda romance is on. Congress doesnt want a repeat of Goa The Congress doesnt want a repeat in Karnataka of its historic goof-up in missing the chance to form the government in Goa, despite emerging as the single-largest party in the Assembly elections last year. The party realised this only after Modi began to woo Gowda last week. Rahul appeared on the scene like a Johny-come-latelyas he always doeson Monday. With come-hither looks that couldnt be hidden by pretensions of anger, Rahul said Gowda must make it clear whether he was on this side or that side. Rahul also repeated what he had said earlier that the S in JD(S) stood for Sangh Parivar and that Gowdas party was BJPs B-Team. Rahul said what he had to. He was trying to ensure that Muslims wont ditch the Congress and drift away to JD(S). In recent days, many leaders said many things. -- Modi fumed at JD(S) for joining hands with All India Majlis-e-Ittehad-ul Muslimeen (AIMIM) led by Asaduddin Owaisi, making it look as if BJP didnt want to have anything to do with such a party. -- Owaisi quoted Kumaraswamy as saying he would never ally with BJP. -- Gowda said he would disown his son if he went the BJP way. -- The son said his alliances with the Congress and BJP in the past had been bad experiences. -- Amit Shah said any alliance was the last thing the BJP needed because his party would win enough seats of its own. And in the Karnataka election, JD(S) is sharing seats with the BSP of Mayawati who is talking of a non-BJP, non-Congress hotchpotch for the 2019 Lok Sabha poll. But there is another thing that would weigh heavily on Kumaraswamys mind: Having BJP as a partner would make better sense for him than tying up with Congress. Thats because JD(S) and BJP are not competing for the same voters in the same region of Karnataka. All these, along with secularism and farmers, would go out of the window and into historys political dustbin, once the results on 15 May throw upif they doa hung assembly. Then something else will take precedence over everything else. Some call it political exigency. Some call it personal greed. Take your pick. Political observers believe that the cycle of violence going on in the district for the past four decades can be brought to an end only if the conspirators behind the killings are brought to book. The brutal murder of two personsone a CPM worker and another an RSS activistwithin a span of one hour on 7 May night has stirred Keralas political killing field after three months of relative peace. The strong sentiments evoked by the murder of the Youth Congress leader SP Suhaib at Mattannur in Kannur district on 12 February had raised hopes among the people that the parties involved in the violence will give peace a chance. The hopes were shattered when unidentified gangs hacked to death 45-year-old K Babu, an active CPM member, at Pallur in Mahe at 9.15 pm and RSS activists Shinoj Parambath at New Mahe an hour later in what is believed to be a retaliatory attack. The CPM and the RSS have blamed each other for the murders and organised a shutdown in protest at Mahe and Kannur on 8 May. Though Mahe falls under the Union Territory of Pondicherry, the CPM and RSS units there are controlled by their Kannur district committees. Police have confirmed that the two murders are part of the political violence raging in Kannur district. The first information report (FIR) filed by the police said the murders were a continuation of political clashes between the CPM and the RSS cadres going on in the area for the past few months. Police sources said the house of Babu, who is a former member of the Mahe municipal council, had come under attack nine months ago. In fact, the current attack on him came soon after an RSS camp at Kuthuparampu in Kannur district. Kannur has for long been a hotbed of political violence between CPM and Sangh Parivar. The district witnessed a spurt in political murders since the current government led by the CPM came to power in May 2016. The tally touched 12 with the latest two murders. Of these seven belonged to the BJP-RSS combine, four to the CPM and one to the Congress. Each murder followed peace meets at various levels but they have failed to end the cycle of violence in the politically tumultuous district. On the contrary, the culture of political violence has been spreading to other areas and bringing more players into the killing field. Political observers believe that the cycle of violence going on in the district for the past four decades can be brought to an end only if the conspirators behind the killings are brought to book. Political analysts like NP Chekutty doubts whether the state police will be able to do this. The widow of TP Chandrashekharan has been waging a political and legal battle for more than five years for bringing to light the conspirators behind the murder of her husband. Though the then Congress-led United Democratic Front government was successful in bringing to book the killers, who included some middle-level leaders of the CPM, the conspirators were spared. K Rema, the wife of Chandrashekharan, believes that the conspiracy to eliminate her husband was hatched at the highest level in the party after he floated a parallel organisation following his expulsion from the CPM. She suspects that the order to kill her husband may have come from current Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and executed by Kannur district secretary P Jayarajan. Chekutty believes that the CPM is able to continue the political killings in Kannur with the active support of a section of the police. The party has developed a perfect system to shield the party workers involved in criminal cases in the district by harbouring the actual culprits and producing dummies in their place in collusion with the police. It came to light when Kannur district superintendent of police Shiv Vikram alleged that his subordinate officers, including a deputy superintendent of police, had tried to sabotage the probe into the Suhaib murder case by leaking vital investigation details to the culprits. Though he ensured the arrest of the real culprits by personally questioning all those brought by his subordinates, the Congress party does not believe that the current investigation by the state police will unravel the conspiracy. The party was relieved when the state high court ordered a CBI inquiry into the brutal murder of Suhaib at Mattannur in Kannur district on 12 February. However, the state government got the order reversed in the Supreme Court by fielding top advocates in the country. Families of victims of political murders have been seeking CBI probe as the national investigation agency has been to book real culprits and conspirators in most cases they have investigated in the state. The agency arraigned Jayarajan in two cases of political murders they have investigated. In the Payyoli Manoj murder case, the CBI even found that 13 of the 15 people chargesheeted by the state police were dummies. Since then there has been a huge clamour for CBI probe into political murder cases. The BJP has already moved the state high court for the national agencys probe into the murders of eight party activists in the district in the recent past. A senior police officer at Kannur agrees that political murders could be brought to an end if the senior leaders who ordered the killings were made accountable. The officer, who did not want to be identified, told Firstpost that political murders in Kannur were less during the previous UDG regime as a top officer in the district showed the courage to book the conspirators. However, Chekutty believes that this was not easy under the CPM regime since the party has been following a give and take policy. He said that a large section of the policemen was ready to oblige the party as they will get rewards from the party-led government in the form of promotions and postings in key places. The party and the government also offer protection to the police if they do wrong things. This was evident in the Varappuzha custodial death case, in which the party helped the cops to fabricate evidence against Sreejith, who was wrongly arrested and killed in police custody. Chekutty even suspects the hand of the party behind the custodial death. "There is every reason to believe that the CPM had a game plan at Varappuzha, where many had deserted the party and embraced the Sangh Parivar in the last few years. Sreejith was one such former comrade. He may have become an eyesore to the CPM after he switched sides to the BJP," said Chekutty. Though a special investigation team has arraigned five police officials, including a circle inspector, following strong protests, AV George, Aluva rural superintendent of police, who ordered the arrest of Sreejith has not even been questioned despite evidence coming to light that he was in constant touch with a local CPM leader before the arrest of Sreejith. Information rights activist advocate DB Binu said that the unholy alliance between the police and the political class has been leading to the politicisation of the force and ruining it. Binu said the two unions of police officers and the constabulary were already working on strict political lines now. Though the policemen were allowed to form unions for their welfare, the unions in Kerala have even started displaying their political affiliation openly. This was seen when some 15 officers attended the Kerala Police Officers' Association annual meet addressed by Vijayan at Kottayam last month in red attires, symbolising the partys colour. The Kerala Police Association went a step further and offered salutes to communist martyrs before the commencement of their Ernakulam district conference last week. Former chief minister Oommen Chandy described this as a dangerous trend and warned the government that it will have to pay a big price for this serious aberration. Binu told Firstpost said that the politicisation of the police was also leading to the criminalisation of the law enforcement agency. He pointed out the rising number of policemen with criminal cases pending against them as a glaring example. Data made available in response to an RTI query revealed that there were about 1,130 policemen facing major criminal cases, including an attempt to murder, sexual abuse and forgery, in the state as on December 2017. The number was 533 in 2011. Binu said that majority of these officials were continuing in service, many even in active policing positions, with the criminal tag. Some of them have even received promotions even though their cases are sub-judice. Binu fears that Kerala will plunge into total chaos and lawlessness if the trend is not nipped in the bud. The BJP on Tuesday took potshots at Rahul Gandhi over his remarks that he was ready to be the prime minister. New Delhi: The BJP on Tuesday took potshots at Rahul Gandhi over his remarks that he was ready to be the prime minister, saying the Congress president, who is harbouring "lofty dreams" despite his party's losing spree, should first try to win state elections. BJP spokesperson Shahnawaz Hussain said while it is Gandhi's right to "dream" about becoming the prime minister, even Congress' allies were not accepting him as their leader. He reminded Gandhi that after he became Congress vice president, "his party lost 13 states and after he took over as party president, it has lost five states and Karnataka will be the sixth one". "Look at the irony, Congress is losing state after state ever since Gandhi took over as party's vice president and then party chief. But he is dreaming to become the prime minister. Even Congress' allies are not accepting him as their leader," Hussain told reporters. The BJP leader emphasised that the country will once again elect Narendra Modi as their prime minister. "Aakhir dil ki baat zubaan par aa hi gayi (Finally what was in his heart has come out)," Hussain said on Gandhi's remarks. "It is good to see that he has such lofty dreams. It is his right. But, to become the prime minister, he has to win some, at least some state elections and make chief ministers of his choice. Under his leadership, the party is not winning any state election and he is dreaming of becoming the prime minister," he said. The BJP leader claimed that Congress was facing defeat in Karnataka. "Rahul Gandhi will hit a sixer after losing Karnataka," he said, adding the Congress has already lost "five states" after he became party president. Hussain was responding to Gandhi's remarks in Bangalore on Tuesday that he is ready to become the prime minister if his party emerges as the "biggest" party after the 2019 Lok Sabha polls. Gandhi said he is "pretty confident" that Narendra Modi would not be the next prime minister. If the Congress acts as a "platform" (with other parties in a coalition), the BJP does not stand a chance of winning the elections, he said at a function where he launched the 'Samruddha Bharat Foundation'. Union minister Smriti Irani also reacted to Gandhi's statement and said that the Congress chief "thinks about himself" while Modi and BJP chief Amit Shah thought about the country. Modi Ji & Amit Shah are worried about future of people of this country while Rahul ji thinks about himself. He said if his party comes to power he'll be the PM in 2019. A person who doesn't trust his own leadership & ability, how can he expect people to trust him?: Smriti Irani pic.twitter.com/4DFUu6SRA6 ANI (@ANI) May 8, 2018 Amit Malviya, BJP's IT cell chief, also reacted to Gandhi's statements with a tweet. Rahul Gandhi is dreaming of 2019. Has Congress given up on Karnataka? Is he anticipating that knives would be out for him on 15th as under his leadership the Congress would have lost yet another state (I seem to have lost the count)... Amit Malviya (@amitmalviya) May 8, 2018 It was not just BJP members who lashed out at Gandhi for his remark. Rebel Congress leader Shehzad Poonawalla also hit out at Gandhi, saying, "Rahul hasn't performed". In 2013 Power was poison for Rahul Gandhi In 2018 Power is necessary for Rahul Is PM's post reserved only for 1 family? Manish Tewari rightly told me "it's a family run proprietorship" hence neither party nor allies consulted! Rahul hasn't performed why should he be a PM choice? pic.twitter.com/XhMNl7htmu Shehzad Jai Hind (@Shehzad_Ind) May 8, 2018 However, former Bihar chief minister and Hindustani Awam Morcha president Jitam Ram Manjhi said he will support Gandhi for the post of prime minister. "I will support Rahul Gandhi for PM in 2019 if Congress emerges (as the) single largest party, but before that, a broader consensus within the anti-BJP alliance needs to be formed," India Today quoted Manjhi as saying. With inputs from PTI Manohar Lal Khattar doesnt know that the Friday prayer is to be performed in a congregation, no doubt to build a sense of community that, theoretically, recognises equality of all. When the Babri Masjid in Ayodhya was pulled down on 6 December, 1992, a Delhi politician contemplated the Muslim communitys response. He was Hindu. Yet, his proximity to the citys Muslim elite often had him play a significant role in backroom negotiations over the Ayodhya issue. Typical of those whom no catastrophe can shake, the politician, rather cryptically, cited a proverb, When you kick even your pet dog 20 times in a row, it is likely to bite you on the 21st kick. The word bite, in the context of the Babri Masjid demolition, symbolised violence, an act aimed to hurt the perpetrators of injustice. This is exactly what the Muslims should not do, the politician said. The Hindutva brigade wants Muslims to retaliate so that a chain of action-reaction can be created. They want the Hindu-Muslim chasm to widen. He paused, then added thoughtfully, But silence is not an option either. It encourages the assailants. What therefore should they do? Certainly, the disruption of congregational prayers of Muslims on two successive Fridays in Gurugram, often cited as a shining example of Indias growth story, certainly seems like the proverbial 21st kick that the Delhi politician spoke of. Too many kicks have been delivered to Muslims over the last four years, but the lumpen Hindutva brigades concerted attempts to prevent Muslims from offering prayers in public places smacks of majoritarianism that is on the verge of going berserk. Ever since Narendra Modi became prime minister in May 2014, a segment of Indian citizens has come to believe that Hindu rule must leave its bloody marks all around. Muslims have been lynched on the suspicion of carrying or consuming beef, as have transporters ferrying cattle. Interfaith marriages have become a pretext to torment families and couples. Markers of Muslim identity invite taunts and even stabbings, as was the fate of teenager Hafiz Junaid who died during an assault in a train last year. National leaders, including the prime minister, have spawned the myth that past regimes have pampered Muslims to the detriment of Hindus in India, oblivious to the fact that the community lags behind most social groups on development indices. The presence of Muslim candidates in the election has triggered communal polarisation. Which led quite a few to suggest that Muslims should not contest elections to preempt Hindu consolidation. The backdrop of past four years, indeed, helps to distinguish the nature of 20 kicks from the 21st: The one at which the dog bites. Essentially, the bite follows from the instinctive realisation that the master has become pathological and would not tire of kicking. The hope of mercy dissipates; inaction does not end the trauma. If it is the portrait of Jinnah in one place, then it has to be namaz in another. Indeed, the 21st kick provides no guarantee that the 22nd will not follow, for no less than Haryana chief minister Manohar Lal Khattar decreed that namaz should be offered at mosques, idgahs and designated places. On the face of it, it seems like a rational decision. Yet, his remark is designed to create a Catch-22 situation: Designate few public places for prayers, dont permit mosques to be built which can serve a growing population in a city that attracts migrants looking for jobs, dont free waqf properties from illegal occupation, and Muslims will have no option but to pray in private places. In fact, this is what Muslims do on days other than Friday and on Eid and Bakri Eid, their religious festivals. Khattar doesnt know that the Friday prayer is to be performed in a congregation, no doubt to build a sense of community that, theoretically, recognises equality of all. In spiffy parts of Gurugram, MNC executives and retired government officials stand shoulder-to-shoulder with Muslim migrant labourers from Bihar and Uttar Pradesh. It is something the savarna Hindus, with their ideas of segregation based on the principle of purity and pollution, ought to imbibe. Khattars remark echoes the intent of a Hindu group, Sanyukt Hindu Sangharsh Samiti. Its demands have been incorporated in a memorandum that Gurugrams citizens have been circulating for endorsement before submitting it to the district authorities to allow Friday prayers. Two of its four demands listed in the memorandum are: Permission should not be given for namaz in Hindu colonies, sectors and neighbourhoods; permission should only be given in those places where the strength of this population [Muslims] is more than 50 percent. The ideas underlying these demands are easy to parse. One, majoritarianism should manifest in neighbourhoods where the majoritys decision, right or wrong, has to be implemented. It is altogether a different matter that no colonies have reportedly taken such a collective decision. Two, those Muslims living in Hindu-dominated colonies must migrate out in case they are keen to adhere to their faith. Three, the only place for them is to reside in a Muslim ghetto, away from the sight of Hindus. The bar on practicing religious rituals at public places would have been acceptable had it been applied uniformly. Quite hypocritically, it isnt. For instance, in the monsoon months, the National Capital Region, of which Gurugram is a part, witnesses Kanwariyas trek from Haridwar to their homes. They walk down highways; makeshift resting places spring up by roadsides. According to the Hindustan Times, an estimated 20 million of these Shiv devotees walked to or through Delhi over weeks. Traffic snarls are notoriously frequent during those days. People burst firecrackers on roads on Diwali; pandals spring up in parks and vacant government plots during the Durga Puja all around India. Gurugram is no exception. Why wouldnt they be granted permission and the public bear traffic jams? Walk around government offices in Delhi and Haryana, a good many will have idols. Coconuts are broken at public functions; sacred hymns are read regardless of the diversity of the audience at a function. Many neighbourhoods in Delhi and Gurugram have seen small temples spring up on the commons or government plots overnight. Undoubtedly, it is a method of appropriation of prime real estate, a technique Hindutva groups endorse. No wonder they fear that sites of Friday prayers could eventually lead to construction of mosques. They dont know that Islam is a monotheistic religion and does not require a structure to house a deity. It seems traffic snarls for secular reasons do not agitate people. Gurugram should be the last place to crib about jams, a daily feature in the city during peak-hour traffic. A shower lasting 30 minutes leads to water-logging of roads and vehicles crawling. A downpour brings the city to a standstill, as it did in July 2016, when people spent a night in cars or simply abandoned them to return home. Schools in residential areas are another source of irritating jams. For all these reasons, the objection of Hindutva groups to Muslims offering Friday prayers at public places, and their tacit endorsement by Khattar is the 21th kick. Regardless of their forbearance and silence, born either out of civility, political maturity or fear, Muslims will receive the 22nd kick. It returns us to the question the Delhi politician asked 25 years ago: What should be the response of Muslims? The other day, the academician Kancha Ilaiah Shepherd called to wonder at the absence of protest among Muslims against the flagrant injustices done to them. Look at the Dalits, he said, They have been protesting all over India. The Bharat Bandh they called turned the dilution of Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities Act) into a national issue. Why dont Muslim organise a protect march on Parliament Street? Muslims believe a State over which the Sangh has control will have no qualm in beating, even firing on them to make them disperse. They also think Hindutva groups will use the protest as a pretext to indulge in violence. Let the State open fire. How many will the State kill? Ilaiah responded. What Ilaiah is implying is that when Muslims themselves start to believe that they are unequal citizens, nobody is likely to treat them otherwise. Dissent and protest are the hallmarks of democracy. From this perspective, Muslims need to adopt the Gandhian philosophy of ahimsa or non-violence to demand the rights guaranteed to them under the Constitution; to also express their opposition to the Indian State which crushes secessionism and terrorism, as it must, but condones the inherently provocative and violent majoritarian communalism, which it also should. That the Khattar government should turn Gururgam into a site where citizens are treated unequally should not surprise. His government renamed Gurgaon as Gurugram, which was supposedly the village where Dronacharya resided in the mythical past. Dronacharya is said to have infamously asked as a gift the thumb of the lower-caste Eklavya to ensure Arjunas dominance in archery. It is through these foul methods that Khattar seeks to turn the public sphere into a site of inequality, which, in the 21st Century, must be opposed democratically and peacefully, not just by Muslims alone, but by all those who believe in liberty, equality and fraternity. US envoy prods youth to build a better world US Ambassador to Nepal Alaina B. Teplitz has urged South and Central Asia youth to play constructive role to achieve Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) that promise inclusive and equitable access to security, combating extremisim, peace, education, and economic opportunities for all. Narendra Modi took a dig at the Congress, claiming that its leaders were now saying that if former party chief Sonia Gandhi canvasses in the state, it can at least save the security deposits of Congress candidates Vijayapura (Karnataka): Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday took a dig at the Congress, claiming that its leaders were now saying that if former party chief Sonia Gandhi canvasses in the state, it can at least save the security deposits of Congress candidates. Modi said he had on Monday watched an interview of a Congress leader who said that the son (Congress president Rahul Gandhi) "will not be able to do anything". "If you bring the mother (Sonia) to Karnataka and she does something, then maybe the deposits can be saved. This is what Congress leaders have started speaking," Modi said at a rally in Vijayapura. His remarks came on a day Sonia Gandhi is scheduled to address a rally at Vijayapura, her first election rally in nearly two years. Modi also accused the state's Congress government of trying to gain votes by seeking to divide communities. He claimed the Congress was spreading lies on the issue of women's security and said that a daughter is a daughter irrespective of the community she belongs to. The prime minister also accused the Congress of not supporting the triple talaq bill in the Rajya Sabha. Modi said the Bharatiya Janata Party was seeking votes in the name of development but the Congress was in such a position that their leaders did not have faith in their 'naamdar' (dynast) leader. Modi referred to Vijayapura as the birthplace of Lord Basaveshwara, a 12th-century social reformer and philosopher who founded the Lingayat religious tradition, and targeted Karnataka's Siddaramaiah government over its move to recommend minority community status for the Lingayats in the southern state. He said Lord Basaveshwara's message was against divisions of caste and community but the state government had got into a habit of working against his message and of forgetting his words. "Bhagwan Basaveshwara conveyed that everyone should be taken along. This Congress government is dividing communities, castes, voters... divide and rule, pit one against the other. They want to save their chair. But Congress leaders do not know this is the land of Bhagwan Basaveshwara. It is not going to be divided into communities and will not accept division among brothers. They will remove the Congress but will not allow poison of casteism," Modi said. Follow all the buildup and LIVE updates ahead of the Karnataka election here Moreoer, it should worry Congress that soon after Rahul pitched himself as an alternate to Modi, one of the party's allies NCP was quick to question the premature announcement. After years of indecision and/or coyness in expressing political ambitions, Rahul Gandhi has finally bared his prime ministerial ambitions. By consequence, he gave voice to what thousands of Congress workers and leaders believe: that a member of Gandhi-Nehru dynasty is born to become the Prime Minister of India and nothing less. It is important to note that he spoke of his readiness to be prime minister of the country in 2019 in the thick of electioneering in Karnataka, where ruling Congress is locked in a tough fight with the BJP and JD(S) to reclaim power for a consecutive five-year term. Now consider why Rahul thinks that Narendra Modi will not return to power and he (Rahul) will be the obvious alternative. It is not because he revamped the organisational structure of Congress party in a way that it would vanquish the BJP, nor is it because Rahul thinks he has managed to shift the popular mood in favour of himself through his visits to temples, mutts, mosques and through his public rallies. As Congress president suggested, he could make the prediction as he has acquired a new skill: he can read faces and, perhaps, predict one's future. Rahul said this at his party's closed-group program 'Samruddha Bharat Foundation' held in Karnataka. "I am pretty convinced that Mr Modi is not going to be prime minister (again). I can see that on his face. He knows that," Rahul prophesied. To a pointed query from a party worker asking if he would be the prime minister, Rahul said, "Well that depends how well Congress party does." Then to a supplementary question on his prospects in an alliance situation, Rahul said "I mean if the Congress is the biggest party then yes, why not." One is not sure what Rahul meant when he said "..if the Congress is biggest party." Whether he meant that he is ready to take the mantle if Congress emerges as the single largest party in the 2019 elections, or he was pointing to a scenario when his party gets the most seats in UPA coalition (provided NDA fails to win a majority) is unclear. In last parliamentary elections, Congress was the second biggest party, and the largest in UPA, but the gap between BJP and Congress in Lok Sabha was huge. It was 44 vs a whopping 282. It is ironical here that a person, who after reading the prime minister's face knows that Modi will not get the top job a second time, is pitching himself for the prime ministerial post with so many riders. He is not aiming high. He is only aspiring to be the biggest party from within the rank of current Opposition, and not a full majority like what Modi fought to get in the run up to 2014 elections. Moreoer, it should worry Congress that soon after Rahul pitched himself as an alternate to Modi, one of the party's allies NCP was quick to question the premature announcement. Another prospective ally TRS had its own set of questions over Rahul's competence. Recently, Mamata Banerjee whose current strength in Lok Sabha (34) is only slightly less than Congress, had expressed her reservation in accepting Rahul as the leader of anti-BJP coalition. Moreover, Rahul himself seemed to be gripped by self doubts even as claimed that he could be the next Prime Minister. Only few days ago, he appeared much more convinced when he had claimed at a public rally that Congress party will win Karnataka on 15 May, and follow it up with consecutive wins in Madhya Pradesh, Chhatisgarh and Rajasthan Assembly elections, finally topping it up with parliamentary elections in 2019. But today while talking to Congress workers in a closed hall, he appeared tentative about the future prospects of his party. This is the case when Congress president himself predicted that Modi will lose the election in his own Varanasi parliamentary seat and the BJP would not get more than five seats in UP (as against 73 in the last elections). What was interesting that Rahul told the audience comprising his party workers and sympathisers that he wanted to see at least ten women chief ministers in the country from the Congress in the next ten years, when in Karnataka, out of 244 constituencies his party has fielded women only on 15 seats. As for his optimism to have at least 10 women chief ministers, the Congress president might do well to remember that Sheila Dikhit in Delhi (a Union Territory not a state) was the only woman chief minister in decades and the number of states Congress rules is currently down to three, which includes the poll-bound Karnataka. Sonia, who has handed over the reigns of the party to her son Rahul, made a strong attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday, accusing him of being intolerant and spreading lies about India's history. The heat of electioneering in Karnataka soared higher with some of the tallest national leaders campaigning in the state. But the news point of the day was Congress leader and UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi's rally, who addressed an election campaign after a gap of two years. Sonia, who has handed over the reins of the party to her son Rahul, made a strong attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday, accusing him of being intolerant and spreading lies about India's history. "Modiji is besotted with Congress-free India. Leave Congress-free India, he cannot even tolerate anyone in front of him," Sonia said in her first rally in about two years. Addressing a rally in Vijayapura, hours after Modi spoke, she lashed out at his government, saying it had discriminated against Karnataka. "You must know that the central government is working in a biased manner when it comes to Karnataka. Farmers of Karnataka have been suffering due to drought, your Chief Minister Siddaramaiah wanted to meet PM over this issues but he refused. By doing this he has insulted not only the farmers but also the state of Karnataka. I want to ask him, is this his 'sabka sath sabka vikas'," Sonia said. She also asked why was it that the Centre gave the least amount of money to Karnataka, whereas the other BJP-ruled states were helped out with farm loan waivers. "All states that suffered drought were given compensation (by Centre), Karnataka was provided with the least, this was like rubbing salting into the wounds of farmers," she said. She said Modi may be a good speaker but speeches alone cannot solve problems of the people. "He (Modi) is proud of his oratory skills. If his oratory can fill hungry stomachs, he must speak more often. Speeches cannot fill the stomach of the hungry. Speeches cannot empower women, cure those suffering from diseases, it cannot create employment. For all this you need strong commitment, determination and good intention," she said. Lauding the Siddaramaiah government for its initiatives concerning the poor and the farmers, she urged people to defeat the BJP over its "jumlas". "BJP people come, make false promises, create hatred and return. I know that you will unmask each of their jumlas and form a Congress government with clear majority," Sonia said in her brief speech. She said that ending corruption was among tall promises of Modi but he had failed to appoint a Lokpal. Sonia also targeted Modi over allegations concerning Reddy brothers and about spurt in turnover of a company linked to BJP chief Amit Shah's son Jay Shah. "What is his model of ending corruption. Wherever he addresses rallies in Karnataka, there are people around him. Will you adopt their model or you will adopt model of your closest associate," she said. She said Siddaramaiah had sought time to meet Modi but an appointment was not given. "He (Modi) has insulted the people of Karnataka. It is surprising that states which faced drought were given crores of rupees but Karnataka was given the least. This was like adding salt to the injury of farmers of Karnataka. Is this your 'Sabka saath, sabka vikas'?" she asked. Claiming that the Modi government over the past four years had carried out only one task of ending the good works of the UPA government, she accused him of speaking lies and distorting historical facts. "The country is shocked at Modi's wrongful statements and at his attempts at using the legacy of our freedom fighters for political gains," she said. Meanwhile, the BJP raked up her foreign origin to attacked the Congress leader ahead of her rally by referring to her maiden name Antonio Maino. "Today, Ms Antonio Maino is here in Karnataka to save her last citadel from falling! Madam Maino, K'taka needs no lessons from the person who was solely responsible for wastingIndia's 10 precious years. "And to Congress, need to remind you of your 'import' jibe?" Karnataka BJP said in a tweet. The BJP was responding to Siddaramaiah's recent remarks calling Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his own Uttar Pradesh counterpart Yogi Adityanath "North Indian imports". Modi too, in his speech, hit out at Sonia saying that the Congress leaders are hopeful that with her canvassing in the state, at least the deposits of Congress candidates will be safe. Modi said he had on Monday watched an interview of a Congress leader who said that the son (Congress President Rahul Gandhi) "will not be able to do anything". "If you bring the mother (Sonia) to Karnataka and she does something, then maybe the deposits can be saved. This is what Congress leaders have started speaking," Modi said at a rally. With inputs from agencies Emotional connect and electoral arithmetic are the two major factors that made Congress zero in on Bijapur in Karnataka. Emotional connect and electoral arithmetic are the two major factors that made Congress zero in on Bijapur in Karnataka as the most favoured destination for the UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhis election campaign rally on Tuesday. In a bid to counter the onslaught of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and BJP president Amit Shah, who have been on an aggressive campaigning mode in Karnataka, Sonia, who didnt campaign for almost two years, appeared before a large crowd on Tuesday. Her last campaign appearance was in Varanasi on 2 August 2016, when she had fallen ill during a road show. Thereafter, she remained inactive during Assembly election campaigning in Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat, Punjab, Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, Tripura, Nagaland and Meghalaya. With less than a week left before Karnataka goes to polls, the seriousness of the high-decibel state election can be judged from the urgency in Congress camp. Besides Sonia, it was former prime minister Manmohan Singh who addressed a press conference in Bengaluru on 7 May, to attack Modi governments policies. Emotional connect Nehru-Gandhi family has a strong connect with Bijapur, as Indias first Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru was the first from this family to visit this place to attend the centenary celebration on Bijapur municipality in 1956. Thereafter, Indira Gandhi visited Bijapur for election campaigning. Former prime minister Rajiv Gandhi had campaigned in Bijapur too for the Congress candidate during the Assembly polls in 1984. Senior citizens of Bijapur, also known as Vijayapura, recall that Indira Gandhi helped the Congress a lot when she had visited Bijapur along with the then chief minister S Nijalingappa in late 1960s. As far as I remember, Indira Gandhi had visited Bijapur thrice. She was very popular and a PM whom people loved and accepted. Her last visit to the city was in 1977 after the Emergency. It was one of the largest rallies that Bijapur had witnessed, as people from long distances had come all the way to see her. During her first visit, she was weighed in gold and it made big news those days. People got frenzied to have a look at her (sic), reminisced 76-year old Sadanand H Patil, a retired government employee. Bijapur has always been close to the hearts of Nehru-Gandhi family. Besides Rajiv Gandhi, who came here to campaign for the Congress candidate during Assembly election, Sonia Gandhi as Congress president visited twice, Patil added. Electoral arithmetic Besides Sonias emotional connect with Bijapur, the electoral arithmetic also made All India Congress Committee (AICC) select this destination for her public rally. She is very popular in north Karnataka and highly acceptable amongst voters in this belt. Despites BJPs influence in this region, the Congress party is more popular, senior Congress leader and Rajya Sabha member from Karnataka BK Hariprasad told Firstpost. Traditionally, Bijapur had been a Congress bastion as the party won the only Lok Sabha seat eight times. In between, Swatantra Party, Janata Party and Janata Dal each had won once. The BJP has won the Lok Sabha seat four times in a row since 1999. At present, Jigajinagi R Chandappa is the BJP MP from this Lok Sabha constituency. Out of eight Assembly seats in the constituency, seven belong to Congress and one to BJP. Bijapur is also a belt with a considerable number of Muslim voters. Its the decision of the Congress high command and Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee of holding Soniajis rally in Bijapur, which is a Congress stronghold. The people of Bijapur love Congress, and the party has a large base of followers in this region. Almost all AICC presidents had visited Bijapur from time to time, including former PMs Indira Gandhi and Rajiv Gandhi, which makes it a favourable destination, Congress MLA from Bijapur City, Dr Makbul Bagawan told Firstpost. Sonia attacks Modi While addressing the gathering at Vijayapura, the UPA chairperson greeted people by invoking 12th-century Lingayat philosopher, social reformer, statesman and Kannada poet, Basavanna by saying, This is the land of Basavanna. I bow to this land. Bijapur is the cradle of culture, which has given message of brotherhood. Im not only happy but proud to be here. Not mincing words, Sonia attacked Prime Minister Modi and his policies. While praising Karnataka chief minister Siddaramaiah and his government for bringing about development in Karnataka, she targeted the prime minister for discriminating against the state. Modiji is obsessed with Congress-mukt Bharat. Hes a big orator and speaks like an actor. But do his speeches provide food to people, help in women empowerment, solve farmer distress, provide jobs to unemployed, solve the problems of the middle class and establish Lokpal to root out corruption? questioned Sonia Gandhi. The Supreme Court struck down an amendment to an Uttar Pradesh state government legislation that allowed former chief ministers of the state to retain government accommodation even after demiting office. The Supreme Court struck down an amendment to an Uttar Pradesh state government legislation that allowed former chief ministers of the state to retain government accommodation even after demiting office. In its verdict on Monday, the apex court said the amendment to the legislation was ultra vires to the Constitution since it transgresses the concept of equality under the Constitution. The bench said the amendment was "arbitrary, discriminatory" and violates the concept of equality. While the state government later said it will study the order in detail before responding, the verdict will impact six former chief ministers in particular: Kalyan Singh, Mulayam Singh Yadav, ND Tiwari, Mayawati, Akhilesh Yadav and Rajnath Singth, all of whom are currently occupying government properties in Lucknow. What makes the order particularly difficult for the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government in the politically crucial state is the fact that three out of the six are party leaders. A report on Financial Express quoted Rajnath Singh's office as saying they would go by the state government's decision since allocation of official bungalows is done as per the state government's scheme. Rajnath's apartment is of particular importance because of its strategic location. The Union home minister lives on 4, Kalidas Marg, right next door to Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, who occupies 5, Kalidas Marg. The report on Financial Times said that occupants of the two households are frequent visitors to each other's houses. Meanwhile, it further added that Mulayam and Akhilesh Yadav, both former chief ministers of the state, used to occupy the 5, Vikramaditya Marg residence and have been doing so for the last 27 years. However, ever since Akhilesh had a public falling out with his father last year, he moved out and occupied the house next door 4, Vikramaditya Marg. In fact, a report on The Times of India said that several of the bungalows have undergone expansions since their current occupants moved in. It said that Mayawati's bungalow in the city's posh Mall Avenue locality increased from 790 sq.metres to over 2,100 sq.metres since 2007, when the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) stormed to power. Mayawati then ordered the annexation of a cane commissioner's office next door, the report said. Similarly, Mulayam's bungalow too swelled from just over 400 sq.metres in 1990 to well over 2,400 sq.metres today. The monthly rent for Mulayam and Mayawati's palatial bungalows is only Rs 4,212 a month, the report added. With inputs from PTI Asheeta Regidi Aadhaar and its alleged surveillance capabilities has been a major subject of dispute among those for and against Aadhaar. In yesterdays Twitter Q&A session, the UIDAI yet against insisted that Aadhaar is nothing but a tool for identification. Technical experts, on the other hand, have long since been asserting the surveillance capabilities of Aadhaar, and this has now taken the form of affidavits before the Supreme Court in the ongoing Aadhaar case. The Bench, however, expressed some apprehensions as to the extent to which they could go into highly technical details of the Aadhaar system. Moreover, as per the Bench, every technology is capable of misuse, so shouldnt the real solution lie in suitable laws. However, looking at even express surveillance technologies, their very installation is subject to multiple procedural safeguards. Privacy violations through surveillance have never been taken lightly, by the law or the Courts. Aadhaar, if it is a surveillance technology, in effect negates all of these safeguards developed over the years, and creates a nation-wide, pre-built surveillance system, which is capable of privacy violations way beyond what the boundaries of a law can protect. The real dangers of Aadhaar are defined by what it actually is, and not solely by the purpose for which the law has established it. It is thus essential that the Supreme Court thoroughly evaluates the technology behind the Aadhaar system. If Aadhaar is indeed fundamentally a surveillance technology, as alleged, then its potential for privacy violations is much larger. The psychological impact of surveillance Consider the case of US vs Jones, where a GPS device installed in a suspects car was ruled to be a violation of his privacy. In Kharak Singh vs State of UP, Justice Subba Rao spoke of the psychological impact of surveillance on a person. The US vs Jones judgment, Justice Sotomayor, similarly describes the precise, comprehensive nature of a persons profile that could be derived from GPS monitoring in general and the data derived from it. This includes, for example, trips to the psychiatrist, the plastic surgeon, the abortion clinic, the AIDS treatment center, the strip club, the criminal defense attorney, the by-the-hour motel, the union meeting, the mosque, synagogue or church, the gay bar and on and on. Looking at the Indian context, with issues like racism, political associations, sexual orientation, medical conditions, all being highly sensitive issues, brings to light the effect as noted in this case, that awareness that the government may be watching chills associational and expressive freedoms. Assuming that Aadhaar is a surveillance technology, as alleged, an analogy may be drawn with the installation of a GPS device. Aadhaar, then, would be a case where the GPS is being installed in the name of, say, identifying the owner of the car, instead of expressly stating that it is for the purpose of surveillance. Just because the law, on paper, installs the GPS for the purpose of identification, doesnt stop GPS data from creating a data trail that allows the tracking of a person, and there is nothing to stop the GPS data from being used as a surveillance technology in the future. The technical affidavits presented in the Aadhaar case, for instance, argue that each electronic device has a unique ID, and when it is linked with the CIDR, it is assigned another unique ID. Together, these create a unique digital path allowing real and non-real time tracking of transactions, time and location of Indian residents. Looking at the impact of the surveillance potential of Aadhaar, the petitioners further argue that the Aadhaar system ties every citizen to an electronic leash, designed to track transactions across the digital life of a citizen. They argue that the profiling of citizens, their movements and their habits will allow the State to silently influence their behavior, and also stifle dissent and influence political decision making. They also argue that several state governments have already started building such profiles of residents. Having a state installed surveillance system The impact of state surveillance of a person, however, is not in issue in this case. The issue is whether an identification technology, which the law prohibits from using as a surveillance device, can have the same limiting impact. It again comes down to the technology behind Aadhaar, and the extent of the surveillance capabilities of that technology. Going back to the Aadhaar GPS analogy, the fact is, the psychological impact of a GPS device in your car, does not change based on whether or not the device is actually being used as a surveillance device. If it is a surveillance device, its very presence in your car, the fact that it is a state installed device, and the fact that it could be collecting your data at any and all points of time, can have the same chilling effect on a persons freedom. This can lead to people avoiding places that they would normally freely visit. People may even choose to opt out of driving and walk instead. Except that id a system like Aadhaar is a surveillance system, you wouldnt even have such a choice. For example, the petitioners in the Aadhaar case argue that every basic facility, like bank accounts, ration, pension, school admissions, and so on, are linked to the Aadhaar system. If an Aadhaar number is deactivated, they argue, it would make access to all these basic facilities impossible, thus making living in society very difficult. Opting out of the Aadhaar system to avoid surveillance, would also have the same effect. Legal limitations cannot prevent violations Even limitations imposed under the law would not prevent the violations that could be possible with such a system. Misuse of a limited surveillance capability like that through telephone tapping was evident in the PUCL case. To allow the installation of a nation-wide surveillance system would make its misuse that much easier, despite any applicable laws. Consider the controversial executive order which enables surveillance by the NSA in the US, which requires full consideration to be given to the rights of US persons. Based on Snowdens revelations, clearly, no consideration was given to these rights. A new law can easily permit NSA like surveillance Moreover, if Aadhaar is fundamentally a surveillance technology, then to use it as such, all it would take is for a new law permitting the surveillance. In the Aadhaar-PAN judgment, for instance, the Supreme Court clarified that there was nothing to prevent Aadhaar, an identification technology, to be used voluntarily for the purpose of receiving subsidies under the Aadhaar Act, and mandatorily for a different purpose like preventing black money under the Income Tax Act. It is equally possible, thus, that a new law allows the mandatory use of Aadhaar technology, to conduct surveillance for the purpose of preventing terrorism. Consider, again, the executive order enabling NSA surveillance. This, for instance, allows all means to be used to develop intelligence information. A similar law could easily permit the use of the pre-built surveillance system to be used expressly for surveillance. (Do note here that the Supreme Court is yet to hear the Aadhaar PAN case with respect to whether the linkage violates the fundamental right to privacy). Circumventing procedural safeguards The U.S. v. Jones case, dealt with a known surveillance device, established expressly for the purpose of surveillance, and under a surveillance law. The fact that procedures established such as place and time of installation, time for which the surveillance is conducted were not strictly followed, were all major issues, despite there being a search warrant. The PUCL case, similarly, prescribed several procedural safeguards to prevent the misuse of telephone tapping laws. An important difference is that these cases dealt with surveillance technology that was installed without the persons knowledge. The issue of the impact of surveillance, in general, was raised in the U.S. v. Jones case but left unaddressed. The issue of whether a surveillance technology installed with the persons knowledge but for a purpose other than surveillance, has the same impact on privacy is also unaddressed. Nevertheless, the cautious nature with which surveillance technologies are been treated, whether through laws or the courts, is a recognition of the inherently violative nature of a surveillance technology. In some places, like the US and Australia, the law punishes the installation or use of a surveillance device, indicating that the very installation of such a device is punishable. Establishing a nation-wide surveillance technology, under the pretext of an authentication technology, does not change the fact that it is the same inherently violative technology. The only effect is that this method effectively circumvents every one of the several safeguards prescribed over the years for the installation of a surveillance technology. The least invasive violation of privacy Whether or not Aadhaar is a surveillance technology will have a major impact in assessing the extent to which it violates, and in future could violate, the right to privacy. It is true that even a fundamental right is subject to restrictions, and it can be legally invaded within the boundaries of the law. But even in such a case, surely the least invasive violation must be preferred. A need for an identification technology does not justify the set up of a nation wide surveillance system. Something as inherently violative as surveillance technology calls for the Courts intervention at its very establishment. It is thus crucial that the Supreme Court go into the technicalities of the technology behind the Aadhaar system and assess the extent of its surveillance potential. Read our past coverage of the on-going Aadhaar Supreme court hearing: Lack of governmental ownership of CIDRs source code can have serious consequences Will State give citizens rights only if they agree to be tracked forever, asks lawyer Shyam Divan Coalition for Aadhaar: A collective of private companies wants to ensure that Aadhaar ID and related services continue to be offered The author is lawyer and author specializing in technology laws. She is also a certified information privacy professional. IANS Google on 8 May announced that it has appointed Nitin Bawankule as the Country Head for Google Cloud India and will report to Rick Harshman, Managing Director, Asia Pacific, Google Cloud. Bawankule has been with Google India for over six years as the Head of Sales for multiple verticals including e-commerce, retail, classifieds, and education. "By 2020, the Public Cloud services market in India is poised to reach $4.10 billion," Bawankule, Director at Google Cloud India, said in a statement. "Business leaders are increasingly adopting Cloud technology because they understand it helps solve real challenges, makes smart decisions and creates new value to stay competitive in a changing economy. I am very excited to be part of Google Cloud at this pivotal point," he added. An IIM Bangalore and VNIT Nagpur alumnus, Bawankule brings with him over 20 years of experience and understanding of the digital, technology and consumer industry. He worked at Dell, Motorola Mobility, Whirlpool, and Godrej GE Appliances before joining Google six years ago. "Nitin brings with him an excellent mix of digital, technical and consumer products sales experience. We are very excited to have him join our team and take our India story to the next level," Harshman added. Google has been investing in developing the ecosystem in India, spanning learning, and certification for technical audiences, local and global partners and new customers building their business on Google Cloud. tech2 News Staff Chinese smartphone company Huawei is ready to launch the Honor 10 in India. The smartphone is expected to be sold exclusively on Indian online retail website Flipkart from 15 May as listed on the retail website. Honor 10 was recently launched in China with a price tag of CNY 2,599 (approx Rs 27,000). The smartphone comes with an 5.84-inch FHD+ LCD display with 19:9 aspect ratio and an iPhone X-like notch at the top of the display. Honor 10 comes with Kirin 970 chipset and runs on Huawei's custom EMUI 8.1 skin overlayed on Android 8.1 Oreo. It is powered by a 3,400 mAh battery and comes in two variants, a 6 GB RAM + 64 GB storage model and a 6 GB RAM + 128 GB internal storage model in China. The dual-camera setup on the rear side of the smartphone features 24 MP and 16 MP sensors with an LED flash. The camera on the device comes with AI capabilities which is expected to enhance the photo quality on the smartphone. The Honor 10 features a 24 MP sensor on the front that offers similar light effects seen on iPhone X. The fingerprint sensor on the devices is placed at the bottom of the display and can also be used for navigation like swiping up and down while using the smartphone. Connectivity option on the smartphone includes USB Type-C port, a 3.5 mm headphone jack, Bluetooth 5.0, Wi-Fi and GPS. The device comes with the supports for two SIM cards that support 4G VoLTE. It is expected to be launched in India with mid-range pricing and is expected to take on the yet to be announced, OnePlus 6. tech2 News Staff A man was arrested by the customs at the Delhi airport for allegedly trying to smuggle in 100 iPhone X handsets, an official said on 6 May. The 53-year-old accused was intercepted by the customs after his arrival from Dubai on 4 May. "Hundred iPhone X handsets worth a total of Rs 85.61 lakh were seized from his baggage after a thorough search," Additional Commissioner of customs at the airport, Amandeep Singh, said. Earlier in November, after the launch of iPhone X in 2017, a man in Mumbai airport was detained for carrying 11 units of the smartphone which were worth Rs 10,57,388. The person was travelling from Hong Kong to India. A case was registered under his name. Two variants of the iPhone X launched were of 64GB and 128 GB. It was Apple's tenth-anniversary special edition phone. With inputs from PTI tech2 News Staff HMD Global has done a fine job of rebuilding the Nokia brand into a formidable player of the smartphone industry. The recently launched Nokia 7 Plus and Nokia 8 Sirocco, along with the Nokia 6, Nokia 5 and Nokia 3 last year are trademarks of Nokia's resurgence. However, in the budget and also the mid-range segment in India, Xiaomi is still the king. Now reports are coming in that Nokia is in the process of launching a smartphone which is believed to challenge Xiaomi's market space. As per the report by IBT, the phone will be the 2018 version of the Nokia 5. The information comes after HMD Global CPO Juho Sarvikas was asked on Twitter about the launch of the Nokia 5 (2018) and he replied by saying 'Stay tuned'. Now, this isn't much of confirmation of anything, but it is also not a denial. stay tuned Juho Sarvikas (@sarvikas) May 3, 2018 While Nokia has launched the revamped version of the Nokia 6 this year, the Nokia 3 and Nokia 5 have been left out. So there is a possibility that Nokia will launch the Nokia 5 (2018) and quite possibly the Nokia 3 (2018) as well. Nokia 5 from 2017 was launched at a price of Rs 13,499 and we can expect the Nokia 5 (2018) to be launched around the same price segment. Here the phone will face stiff competition from the likes Redmi Note 5 Pro, Honor 9 Lite and Asus ZenFone Max Pro M1. The Nokia 5 came with a 5.2-inch HD display, Snapdragon 430 chipset, 3,000 mAh battery, 3 GB RAM + 32 GB storage and a 13 MP rear camera. tech2 News Staff OnePlus is scheduled to officially bring its flagship the OnePlus 6 to India on 17 May, which will be following the global launch that will take place in London. Curling in its fans for the India event, which will be hosted in Mumbai, OnePlus announced tickets for the launch event. Starting 10 am on 8 May, the passes for the event went live. In order to purchase, you could head to OnePlus Indias website. The passes priced at Rs 999 are inclusive of all taxes. All you need to do to purchase is give your pincode, and it will show if the delivery to your address is possible. Unfortunately, at the time of writing the story, the passes were already out of stock. However, a 'notify me' button is still active on the website. Which means, if you register with your email address, you may be notified if in case passes go on sale again. OnePlus though has said that the passes are officially sold out. We're officially SOLD OUT! Huge thanks to everyone. See you on May 17 pic.twitter.com/0zm0WmNhUZ OnePlus India (@OnePlus_IN) May 8, 2018 For the ones who have already purchased the tickets, will get a OnePlus voucher worth Rs 999, and a gift hamper with Marvel merchandise like Marvel Avengers Cap, Marvel Avengers t-shirt, OnePlus Notebook, OnePlus Tote Bag, and Cash Cannon. And for fans who would rather be notified on their phones regarding the launch, you can subscribe for the OnePlus 6 launch details on the company's official website. All youd need to do is share your phone number. OnePlus 6 has also been listed on Amazon India, which is also allowing users to add notification for when the smartphone goes up on its first sale. Do note, there will be an early sale held for Amazon Prime members on 21 May. T 2798 - Always a pleasure meeting @petelau2007. Looking forward to attending the #OnePlus6 launch event on May 17 Launch Invites go live today on https://t.co/4u02gqa5nb at 10am sharp! Head to @OnePlus_IN for real time updates on the launch and the invites! pic.twitter.com/GrwBkvI4s4 Amitabh Bachchan (@SrBachchan) May 8, 2018 From what we know so far, the OnePlus 6 is expected to feature a 19:9 display with an iPhone X-like notch on top. Under the hood, the smartphone has been confirmed to be powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 845 processor, which will be accompanied by 8 GB of RAM and up to 256 GB of inbuilt storage. Rumours also suggest that the OnePlus 6 will sport a vertically-placed dual-camera setup on the rear, which will be a combination of a 20 MP + 16 MP sensor, and a 16 MP camera up front. A rear-mounted fingerprint sensor, a 3.5mm port, and wireless charging support have also been speculated. The OnePlus 6 could run OxygenOS on top of Android 8.1 Oreo out-of-the-box. For the uninitiated, OnePlus will also be launching an Avengers variant of the OnePlus, as part of its partnership with Marvel. Special edition variants are sort of a trademark for OnePlus now. In 2016, OnePlus released the special Colette edition of the OnePlus 3T, which was basically a matte black colouring with the Colette logo on the back. Next was a Midnight Black limited run of the OnePlus 3T, which became extremely popular, so much so that the Midnight Black colour also made its way to the OnePlus 5 as one of the standard, non-limited versions. The OnePlus 5 itself also received a special, rather extravagant Castelbajac edition, which was also sold through Colette. Then the OnePlus 5T had a limited Lava Red version for the Chinese market, and a special Star Wars edition, which was sold globally. IANS In a bid to disrupt the mid-segment smartphone market, Samsung is said to be planning to launch four new Galaxy J-Series smartphones with Infinity Displays in India in May. All of them will be made at its Noida facility. Targeted at millennials, all the Galaxy J series devices will bear Infinity Displays - a bezel-less screen design that is meant to create an immersive viewing experience, and now at affordable prices - industry sources told IANS on Monday. Notably, Samsung's flagship smartphones such as Galaxy Note 8 and Galaxy S9 series feature the Infinity Display and now, with the upcoming devices, the display feature would be introduced at lower price points in the Indian market. The South Korean giant first introduced the Infinity Display in the Galaxy S8 series in 2017. Meanwhile, in continuation with its Make for India initiative, the new Galaxy J smartphones would come with features such as S bike mode, Ultra Data Saving (UDS) mode, and Turbo Speed technology. The company launched Galaxy J7 Duo with a dual camera - once again in the popular J series - at Rs 16,990 in India in April. The Samsung Galaxy J7 Duo comes with dual rear camera setup comprising one 13 MP and a 5 MP camera. On the front, it bears an 8 MP camera. KABUL (Reuters) - Rockets and heavy machines guns fired from Afghan government helicopters killed and wounded at least 107 boys and men attending a religious ceremony near the northern city of Kunduz last month, according to a United Nations report on Monday. KABUL (Reuters) - Rockets and heavy machines guns fired from Afghan government helicopters killed and wounded at least 107 boys and men attending a religious ceremony near the northern city of Kunduz last month, according to a United Nations report on Monday. Last month, villagers in Dasht-i Archi district of Kunduz said dozens of people including many children had been killed in an attack on a religious ceremony, prompting the UN to launch an investigation. The UN report underlined the risks of a new strategy, developed with U.S. advisers, which has seen a big build up in Afghan air power, with rocket-equipped helicopters and attack aircraft deployed to try to break a stalemate with the Taliban. "A key finding of this report is that the government used rockets and heavy machinegun fire on a religious gathering, resulting in high numbers of child casualties," the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) said. It said at least 36 people, including 30 children, were killed and 71 wounded and there were questions "as to the government's respect of the rules of precaution and proportionality under international humanitarian law". Investigators verified 107 victims but had received victims' lists from various sources indicating over 200 casualties, the report said. It said there were serious concerns about the incident that required further investigation but said it was not in a position to determine whether the attack amounted to a violation of international law. (Reporting by James Mackenzie; Editing by Matthew Mpoke Bigg) This story has not been edited by Firstpost staff and is generated by auto-feed. ROME (Reuters) - Former Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi on Tuesday denied he may be willing to step aside to allow a government to be formed by the League and the anti-establishment 5-Star Movement. Senior sources in Berlusconi's Forza Italia party earlier told Reuters their leader was considering such a move, as urged by his electoral ally the far-right League. Berlusconi said in a statement that he 'firmly denied' this, adding that Forza Italia 'cannot accept any veto' against it having a role in government. ROME (Reuters) - Former Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi on Tuesday denied he may be willing to step aside to allow a government to be formed by the League and the anti-establishment 5-Star Movement. Senior sources in Berlusconi's Forza Italia party earlier told Reuters their leader was considering such a move, as urged by his electoral ally the far-right League. Berlusconi said in a statement that he "firmly denied" this, adding that Forza Italia "cannot accept any veto" against it having a role in government. (Reporting By Gavin Jones; Editing by Hugh Lawson) This story has not been edited by Firstpost staff and is generated by auto-feed. China's ruling Communist party is using a unique virtual reality test to check the loyalty of its members and determine whether they possess qualities required for the party membership Beijing: China's ruling Communist party is using a unique virtual reality test to check the loyalty of its members and determine whether they possess qualities required for the party membership, the official media in Beijing reported on Tuesday. Members of the CPC in Qingyang town, Binzhou city, in East China's Shandong Province appear to be the first to be required to take loyalty tests using VR gear, state-run Global Times quoted a report by the news website, Binzhouw. The test of dangxing, literally meaning party spirit, refers to the qualifications a party member must have, including loyalty to the CPC, willingness to contribute to the people and the Party, and being a role model. Party members in Qingyang were required to wear VR headsets, hold a remote control and enter a virtual room to conduct the test of almost 30 questions, the report said. The test included questions on party theory, members' daily life and their understanding of the party's "pioneering role." Party members were asked questions like "Do you agree that if you are not corrupt you will be marginalised?" The test results were said to determine party members' weak point, and they could then receive a consultation from experts of the party schools of Binzhou and Qingyang, who provided face-to-face or remote counselling and guidance, the report said. Such VR testing needs a more scientific basis to affirm the reliability of the test results, Cai Zhiqiang, a professor at the Party School of the CPC Central Committee in Beijing, told the Global Times on Sunday. Dangxing tests should be used to find out how to enhance CPC members' political quality and their capabilities to serve the people, and also how to promote local development, Cai said. The VR testing facility was installed in a local Party service centre. The center cost 7,00,000 yuan ($110,082) and came into operation in April 2018. (Reuters) - Police searched a former farm outside Detroit on Tuesday for the remains of up to six teenage girls missing for decades, believing they may have been killed by a now 68-year-old man serving a life sentence for the murder of another girl, police said. Investigators were digging in a wooded area where the man, Arthur Ream, led officials 10 years ago to the body of a girl that he was found guilty of murdering, said William Dwyer, commissioner of the Warren Police Department. Dwyer said information from several people, including Ream, led them to believe that the bodies of four to six teenage girls may be buried there. (Reuters) - Police searched a former farm outside Detroit on Tuesday for the remains of up to six teenage girls missing for decades, believing they may have been killed by a now 68-year-old man serving a life sentence for the murder of another girl, police said. Investigators were digging in a wooded area where the man, Arthur Ream, led officials 10 years ago to the body of a girl that he was found guilty of murdering, said William Dwyer, commissioner of the Warren Police Department. Dwyer said information from several people, including Ream, led them to believe that the bodies of four to six teenage girls may be buried there. It might take "two or three days" to determine if bodies were there, Dwyer said in a Tuesday phone interview. If their remains are located, Ream could face charges related to their disappearances, Dwyer said. The girls were aged 12 to 17 when they disappeared in the late 1970s and early 1980s. Ream is already serving a sentence of life in prison without the possibility of parole, Michigan Department of Corrections spokesman Chris Gautz said on Tuesday. (Reporting by Bernie Woodall in Fort Lauderdale, Florida; editing by Scott Malone and Rosalba O'Brien) This story has not been edited by Firstpost staff and is generated by auto-feed. President Donald Trump on Monday accused the team of investigators headed by Special Counsel Robert Mueller of having 'conflicts of interest' in their probe of Russian interference in the 2016 presidential election. Washington: President Donald Trump on Monday accused the team of investigators headed by Special Counsel Robert Mueller of having "conflicts of interest" in their probe of Russian interference in the 2016 presidential election. "The 13 Angry Democrats in charge of the Russian Witch Hunt are starting to find out that there is a Court System in place that actually protects people from injustice... and just wait 'till the Courts get to see your unrevealed Conflicts of Interest!" Trump wrote on Twitter. The President regularly uses the term "witch hunt" when referring to the investigation and says that the investigators handling it are Democrats, despite the fact that Mueller himself is a registered Republican, Efe reported. Trump also said in his series of Monday morning tweets that the investigation "is rapidly losing credibility" after the Republican-controlled House Intelligence Committee in April concluded - prematurely, according to Democratic lawmakers - that there was no collusion between the mogul's presidential campaign and the Kremlin. "So now the Probe says OK, what else is there? How about Obstruction for a made up, phony crime. There is no O, it's called Fighting Back," the president tweeted. The Democratic opposition has warned about the consequences if Trump were to fire Mueller, a move that could open the door to an accusation of obstruction of justice. Last week, The New York Times reported that it had obtained an unofficial and non-verbatim list of 49 questions that Mueller wants to ask Trump, who - in turn - complained that the list had been "leaked" to the media, although it appears that it was someone closely associated with his own legal team who did so. The team pursuing the Russia probe had provided the questions to Trump's attorneys, headed at the time by John Dowd, with the aim of convincing them to allow Mueller to question the president, something that the two sides have been discussing for months. Last Friday, Trump said during his address to the National Rifle Association that he "would love" to speak with Mueller because he and his campaign team did "nothing wrong." BRUSSELS (Reuters) - Israel praised President Donald Trump's decision to pull the United States out of the Iran nuclear deal, while Washington's allies in Europe expressed regret over the decision and said they would to try keep the pact alive. 'The European Union is determined to preserve it,' EU foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini said of the world powers' 2015 agreement with Tehran BRUSSELS (Reuters) - Israel praised President Donald Trump's decision to pull the United States out of the Iran nuclear deal, while Washington's allies in Europe expressed regret over the decision and said they would to try keep the pact alive. "The European Union is determined to preserve it," EU foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini said of the world powers' 2015 agreement with Tehran. "Together with the rest of the international community, we will preserve this nuclear deal." "I am particularly worried by the announcement tonight of new sanctions," she added. French President Emmanuel Macron said he regretted the decision and would work on a broader agreement covering Iran's nuclear activity, ballistics programme and regional activities. However, Trump's announcement was hailed by Washington's principle allies in the Middle East: Israel and Saudi Arabia. The deal was "a recipe for disaster, a disaster for our region, a disaster for the peace of the world," Israeli Prime Minister Benajmin Netanyahu, who has long opposed the deal vocally, said in praising Trump's decision to quit. Saudi Arabia, a Sunni Muslim power that considers Shi'ite Iran to be its main regional foe, also hailed Trump's decision: "Iran used economic gains from the lifting of sanctions to continue its activities to destabilise the region, particularly by developing ballistic missiles and supporting terrorist groups in the region," said a statement carried on Saudi-owned Al Arabiya television. Belgian Prime Minister Charles Michel said scrapping the Iran deal meant more instability in the Middle East and said he "deeply regrets" the announcement by Trump: "EU and its international partners must remain committed and Iran must continue to fulfil its obligations." The chairman of EU leaders' talks, Donald Tusk, said Trump's stance on Iran and international trade "will meet a united European approach" and that all 28 EU leaders will discuss the matter when they meet in the Bulgarian capital next Wednesday. A prominent European Parliament member, Manfred Weber, deputy leader of German Chancellor Angela Merkel's sister party in Bavaria, called Trump's move a "strategic mistake". "We will continue our balanced approach with Iran without turning a blind eye to the issues that remain problematic," he said. (Editing by Hugh Lawson and Peter Graff) This story has not been edited by Firstpost staff and is generated by auto-feed. Gina Haspel is the right person to lead the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), the White House said on Tuesday ahead of her potentially stormy confirmation hearing as the country's top spymaster. Washington: Gina Haspel is the right person to lead the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), the White House said on Tuesday ahead of her potentially stormy confirmation hearing as the country's top spymaster. "Her commitment to the agency is one of the reasons she is the right person to lead it," White House Press Secretary Sarah Sanders said throwing her weight behind the nomination of Haspel as CIA director. Haspel, 62, is currently the acting director of CIA. If confirmed by the Senate, she will be the first female head of the CIA. Several lawmakers have opposed her nomination citing her alleged role in torture and anti-terrorist programmes. Early in the day, the CIA sent a classified box of information related to Haspel to the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence which is holding her confirmation hearing on Wednesday. Over the weekend, Sanders was sent to CIA headquarters in Langley to convince Haspel not to withdraw her nomination. "If she thought there was a problem, she wanted to do everything she could to protect the agency. She is 100 percent committed to going through this confirmation process," Sanders said. "We think that acting director Haspel is a highly qualified, uniquely positioned individual to lead the CIA and we're very confident in her ability to answer the questions that may come...We want her to get a fair hearing, a thorough hearing," Sanders said. She said the White House is "fully confident" that Haspel can answer all questions raised about her record at the CIA at the confirmation hearing. (This May 8 story corrects who is spending $20 million in paragraph 14 to groups backed by Charles and David Koch, not just the Koch brothers and corrects 'Republic' to 'Republican' in paragraph 24.) By David Morgan WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Right after Republicans in the U.S. Senate passed their income tax overhaul in December, delivering tax cuts to businesses and most American taxpayers, Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell was buoyant (This May 8 story corrects who is spending $20 million in paragraph 14 to groups backed by Charles and David Koch, not just the Koch brothers and corrects "Republic" to "Republican" in paragraph 24.) By David Morgan WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Right after Republicans in the U.S. Senate passed their income tax overhaul in December, delivering tax cuts to businesses and most American taxpayers, Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell was buoyant. Surrounded by jubilant fellow Republicans, he told reporters, "If we can't sell this to the American people, we ought to go into another line of work." Four months later, McConnell's attempt at levity could prove prophetic. The most vulnerable Republican incumbents in the tightest congressional races in the November elections are talking less and less about the tax cuts on Twitter and Facebook, on their campaign and congressional websites and in digital ads, the vital tools of a modern election campaign, a Reuters analysis of their online utterances shows. All told, the number of tax messages has fallen by 44 percent since January. For several congressmen in tough reelection fights, Steve Knight in California, Jason Lewis in Minnesota, and Don Bacon in Nebraska, messaging is down much more - as much as 72 percent. (Graphic: https://tmsnrt.rs/2r436Yj) Right after the tax law passed, lawmakers piggybacked on a surge of corporate announcements of tax-cut fuelled bonuses to employees, wage hikes and job creation plans to tout the benefits of the bill to voters. As those corporate announcements trailed off in March and April, so did Republican politicians' messages about tax relief, the Reuters review found. With the exception of a flurry of news releases on or around April 17, when federal tax returns were due, few incumbents kept up the pace. The Reuters review did not capture candidates' email, direct mail or private conversations with donors or voters or stump speeches. Most of the 13 Republican incumbents in the most competitive reelection bids, and their aides, declined to answer Reuters' questions on why they were communicating less online about the tax cuts. But a Reuters/Ipsos poll conducted from March 14 to 29 found that just 3 percent of American adults were aware of receiving a material benefit from the Republican legislation. Ford O'Connell, a Republican strategist, said that is why his party's candidates need to energize voters by talking about other issues, too, like restricting immigration and stopping Democrats from taking control of the House of Representatives so that they cannot impeach President Donald Trump. Jesse Hunt, a spokesman for the National Republican Congressional Committee, acknowledged there "has been a downtick in what voters are hearing from members and businesses on the tax reform front. He said it was because lawmakers had moved on to other issues. Candidates and members need to make sure that they stay focused on what is our signature achievement in this Congress," Hunt said. Five of the 13 candidates who did respond to Reuters said they do talk regularly to voters at events. The Republican tax law sharply cut the corporate tax rate, encouraged corporations to repatriate overseas income at lower rates, and at least temporarily, cut taxes for the wealthy and most other Americans. Many of the benefits to individuals won't become obvious until they file their tax returns in early 2019, and that is long after the congressional elections. KOCH SPENDING The election cycle is still in its early stage, so the volume of talk on the tax overhaul could always increase. And even if politicians are reluctant to tout it, conservative financial supporters are showing an eagerness to fill the gap. Americans for Prosperity and other nonprofit groups backed by billionaires Charles and David Koch are spending $20 million to promote the benefits of the tax cuts in battleground states with digital ads and even door-to-door canvassing. Some polling results suggest that taxes are not the burning issue for voters that Republicans hoped they would be. A Quinnipiac University poll https://poll.qu.edu/search-releases/search-results/release-detail?ReleaseID=2529&What=&strArea=;&strTime=3 released in March said only 8 percent of voters thought taxes was the most important issue in deciding how to vote in the congressional elections. It was fifth, behind healthcare, the economy, gun policy and immigration. It is also harder for Republicans to talk about lower taxes in states with high local taxes like New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania and Virginia. That also happens to be where 10 of the 17 most competitive congressional races are. Many taxpayers in those states will pay more in federal taxes because the new law reduces the deduction for state and local tax payments. About one in four Americans expect their state and local income taxes to rise because of the Republican tax law, while only 11 percent expect them to fall, according to a recent Reuters/Ipsos poll. (Graphic: https://tmsnrt.rs/2JU7AHY) WHAT THEY DO SAY Barbara Comstock, locked in a tight race for reelection in Virginia's 10th Congressional District, says she talks about the tax overhaul at campaign events. The Reuters analysis shows that though she mentioned the benefits of the tax cuts 36 times in January in social media, she did so only 13 times in March and then 22 times in April. She said in an interview that she is reacting to constituents, whose interests have moved on to other issues. Don Bacon, of Nebraska's 2nd district, sees economic growth, and the threats posed by North Korea and Islamic State as the election-winning issues for Republicans. Taxes will be one of the pillars of our campaign, but more indirectly. In the end, its going to be about an economy thats growing." Republican Mike Coffman, whose reelection prospects are rated a toss-up in his Denver-area congressional district, has not been visible at all on taxes via social media. But his campaign spokesman, Tyler Sandberg, said Coffman talks about tax cuts regularly with supporters via email and with small business owners. When they do talk about taxes, Republican candidates prefer to talk about the tax law in the context of how it is really a form of financial assistance to help families cope with college tuition, buy new cars, make mortgage payments, or even pay for summer camp. Democrats, meanwhile, are attacking the new tax law as a boon for corporations and the wealthy that will add $1.5 trillion to the federal debt over the next decade. They received some unexpected help from Republican Senator Marco Rubio last week. Rubio, who is not facing re-election this cycle, told the Economist magazine that benefits are going to corporations instead of employees. "They bought back shares, a few gave out bonuses; there's no evidence whatsoever that the money's been massively poured back into the American worker, he said. Despite that criticism, some Republican incumbents are still making a determined effort to sell voters on the merits of the new tax law. Dean Heller, 2018's most vulnerable Republican senator, has been far and away the most aggressive on tax messaging. He has sent out 380 messages in the first four months of the year, or almost one-third of a total 1,287 messages. But even his communications have dropped by 44 percent since the end of January. Let me be very clear, our campaign moving forward will be based on lower taxes and less regulation," Heller said in an interview. "The trend youve seen in the first quarter of this year, I assure you, is not going to be the trend over the next six months." (Reporting by David Morgan; Additional reporting by Chris Kahn; Editing by Damon Darlin and Ross Colvin) This story has not been edited by Firstpost staff and is generated by auto-feed. Reactions to US President Donald Trump's decision on the Iran nuclear deal are flowing thick and fast as the world holds its breath for the Tuesday 2 pm announcement from the White House. Trump is set to announce whether the U.S. will exit the 2015 agreement between Iran and world powers, in which Iran agreed to curb nuclear enrichment in exchange for the lifting of economic sanctions. Trump's announcement will come after nightfall in Iran. Reactions to US President Donald Trump's decision on the Iran nuclear deal are flowing thick and fast as the world holds its breath for the Tuesday 2 pm announcement from the White House. Former secretary of state John Kerry says withdrawing from the Iran nuclear deal "doesn't make sense." Trump is set to announce whether the U.S. will exit the 2015 agreement between Iran and world powers, in which Iran agreed to curb nuclear enrichment in exchange for the lifting of economic sanctions. Trump's announcement will come after nightfall in Iran. Kerry says he challenges anyone to find an agreement tougher than the one in place now. President Donald Trump is set to announce Tuesday whether the U.S. will exit the 2015 agreement between Iran and world powers, in which Iran agreed to curb nuclear enrichment in exchange for the lifting of economic sanctions. Kerry says Iran cannot physically make nuclear weapons right now because it only has the 300 kilograms (661 pounds) of low-enrichment uranium allowed under the agreement. Meanwhile, French president Emmanuel Macron is making a last ditch attempt to swing Trump away from a possible pull out. Macron vigorously supports the 2015 nuclear deal and tried to persuade Trump to stay committed to it during a visit to Washington last month. Macron suggested there could be a way to move toward a new agreement that would address Trump's concerns as well as Iran's ballistic missile program and involvement in Middle East conflicts. France played an important role in negotiating the deal, holding an especially tough line against Iran's nuclear activities. Here's all the latest on the looming decision: Least bad option? Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is an outspoken opponent of the Iran nuclear deal, but many in Israel's security establishment see it as a least-bad option that should be preserved. Netanyahu says the deal won't prevent Iran from developing nuclear weapons in the future, when certain restrictions expire. But Amos Gilad, a retired senior Israeli defense official, told Israel's Haaretz daily this week that if the U.S. withdraws "they have to prepare for alternatives, and I don't see this being done." He also said the deal allows Israel to "focus on more urgent threats." European countries underline support European countries involved in the Iran nuclear agreement have met to underline their support for the pact hours before U.S. President Donald Trump announces whether he will continue to abide by it. Senior officials from Britain, France and Germany met in Brussels on Tuesday with Iran's Deputy Foreign Minister for Political Affairs, Abbas Araghchi. In a statement, the Europeans said they "used this opportunity to reiterate their support to the continued full and effective implementation of the (agreement) by all sides." They are not expected to meet again after Trump's announcement, but EU foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini, who helps supervise the deal's application, is likely to hold talks with many involved. European Commission spokeswoman Maja Kocijancic said Tuesday that "the agreement is working and our commitment to continue with implementation remains." She said the International Atomic Energy Agency has certified 10 times that Iran is complying with its obligations. Trump slams Kerry Donald Trump says former U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry "can't get over the fact that he had his chance and blew it" with Iran. Trump was reacting on Tuesday to reports that Kerry quietly has been promoting the Iran nuclear deal. Kerry was the lead negotiator on the deal for the Obama administration. On Twitter, Trump added: "Stay away from negotiations John, you are hurting your country!" Only the "naive" would negotiate with US Iran's first vice president is saying now only the "naive" would negotiate with the United States. Iran's semi-official ISNA news agency reported the comments on Tuesday from Eshaq Jahangiri, a popular reformist politician who has been suggested as a possible presidential contender in Iran's 2021 election. ISNA quoted Jahangiri as saying: "Today, the biggest power in the world is yelling that it does not accept it, it's up to them what to do with the deal, but (from now on) naive individuals would accept to enter talks with such a country." He added: "We are ready and have plan for managing the country under any circumstance." Jahangiri's comments suggest a coming political turn against any rapprochement with the West if Trump pulls out of the deal, especially as he is a reformist a politician who advocates for change to Iran's theocratic government Kremlin warns of serious situation The Kremlin is warning that a "very serious situation" will emerge if President Donald Trump pulls the United States out of the Iran nuclear deal. Russian President Vladimir Putin's spokesman Dmitry Peskov said "it goes without saying that there will emerge a very serious situation" should America pull out of the landmark 2015 nuclear deal between Tehran and world powers. Russia was one of the powers involved in the pact, which saw Iran agree to limit its atomic program in exchange for economic sanctions being lifted. "More unity among Iranians" Iran's parliamentary speaker says a possible U.S. pullout from the nuclear deal by President Donald Trump will lead to more unity among Iranians. Tuesday's report by parliament's news website, icana.ir, quotes Ali Larijani as saying: "Mr. Trump: ... Rest assured that this loyalty in nuclear issue will (encourage) the great Iranian nation to continue on the path of the Islamic Revolution firmly behind the leadership of its supreme leader." Donald Trump is growing increasingly irritated with lawyer Rudy Giuliani's frequently off-message media blitz, which has included muddying the waters on hush money paid to porn actress Stormy Daniels US President Donald Trump has been flustered by the onslaught of negative coverage generated by his new personal lawyer Rudy Giuliani, with his recent statement on hush money paid to porn actress Stormy Daniels and the ongoing Russian probe . Trump also expressed annoyance over the fact that Giuliani's theatrics have breathed new life into the Daniels story. It's a concern shared by Trump allies who think Giuliani is only generating more legal and political trouble for the White House. Giuliani's perplexing and sometimes conflicting remarks have increasingly become a cause of consternation for Trump's aides. Giuliani, the newest addition to the president's legal team, first rattled the White House last week when he sat for interviews on Fox News and seemed to contradict Trump by saying the president was aware of the $130,000 payout to Daniels from his personal attorney, Michael Cohen. He also suggested the October 2016 settlement had been made because Trump was in the stretch run of his presidential campaign. After Trump chided Giuliani on Friday, saying the lawyer needed to "get his facts straight," Giuliani put out a statement trying to clarify his remarks. Giulani in an interview to CNN said,"I am focused on the law more than on the facts right now." But in weekend interviews, Giuliani appeared to dig himself a deeper hole by acknowledging that "Cohen takes care of situations like this, then gets paid for them sometimes." He did not rule out the possibility that Cohen had paid off other women. Trump, who has denied the affair with Daniels, was angry that Giuliani had given the impression that other women may have made similar charges of infidelity, according to the people familiar with his views. Additionally, Trump has grown agitated in recent days by replays of Giuliani's interview with Sean Hannity, in which he said that Trump knew about the payment but that it wasn't a campaign violation. A clearly surprised Hannity then asked, "Because they funneled it through the law firm?" To which Giuliani responded, "Funneled it through the law firm, and the president repaid him." As for Giuliani, the president has not yet signaled to him to stop appearing on television but told a confidant recently that perhaps Giuliani should "be benched" at least temporarily if he can't improve his performance. Many in the White House have begun evoking comparisons between Giuliani and Anthony Scaramucci, another hard-charging New Yorker with a knack for getting TV airtime. Scaramucci lasted 11 days before being fired. The former White House communications director himself drew parallels between his own burn-bright-burn-fast tenure and Giuliani's performance. "I am enjoying all of the comparisons between me and the mayor Rudy Giuliani," Scaramucci tweeted on Sunday. "He is loyal, tough and a fierce competitor. He fights and will win for Donald Trump. Big compliment thank you!" Giuliani did not respond to requests for comment. His behavior grew more unpredictable during the stretch run of the 2016 presidential campaign, when Trump chided him for falling asleep on the campaign plane, according to two former campaign officials who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss internal matters. Giuliani also alienated a number of people in Trump's inner circle by insisting that the only Cabinet position he would consider would be secretary of state. He did not get the post. Giuliani's remarks have been watched with equal concern at the State Department, the Pentagon and other national security agencies, starting last week when he said on television that North Korea would release three Americans detained in the country. "We got Kim Jong Un impressed enough to be releasing three prisoners today," Giuliani told Fox News. Although Trump has hinted that such a move could be coming, there has been no formal announcement by the US government, which is in detailed talks with North Korea at the moment to plan a historic summit between Kim and Trump. The detainees have not yet been released as predicted by Giuliani. Then on Saturday, Giuliani caused another stir when he spoke to a group that supports the overthrow of Iran's government and said that the president was "committed" to regime change in Iran. Although Trump is sharply critical of Iran and preparing for a decision by week's end about whether to withdraw from the 2015 nuclear deal, his administration has not called for overthrowing Iran's government. US officials said they were taken aback by Giuliani's comments and did not consider them to be consistent with current Trump administration policy. With inputs from agencies JERUSALEM (Reuters) - Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Tuesday hailed U.S. President Donald Trump's decision to withdraw from an international nuclear agreement with Iran, saying it had been a 'recipe for disaster'. The Israeli leader, who long called for the deal between Western powers and Iran to be fixed or cancelled, spoke moments after Trump announced his decision in a speech at the White House. JERUSALEM (Reuters) - Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Tuesday hailed U.S. President Donald Trump's decision to withdraw from an international nuclear agreement with Iran, saying it had been a "recipe for disaster". The Israeli leader, who long called for the deal between Western powers and Iran to be fixed or cancelled, spoke moments after Trump announced his decision in a speech at the White House. "... Israel thinks that President Trump made an historic move, and this is why Israel thanks President Trump for his courageous leadership, his commitment to confront the terrorist regime in Tehran, and his commitment to ensure that Iran never gets nuclear weapons, not today, not in a decade, not ever," Netanyahu said in a brief televised address. Trump said he was reimposing economic sanctions on Iran and pulling the U.S. out of the 2015 international agreement aimed at stopping Tehran from obtaining a nuclear bomb. The decision is likely to raise the risk of conflict in the Middle East. In his announcement, Trump cited Israel's publication last week of what it said was a trove of seized, secret Iranian documents showing Tehran had a past nuclear weapons programme. Most of that purported evidence dated to the period before the 2015 accord was signed, although Netanyahu said Iran had also kept important files on nuclear technology since then and continued adding to its "nuclear weapons knowledge". Iran dismissed the Israeli allegations as Netanyahu "crying wolf". (Writing by Ori Lewis; Editing by Stephen Farrell and Gareth Jones) This story has not been edited by Firstpost staff and is generated by auto-feed. MAIDUGURI, Nigeria (Reuters) - Nigeria's military said on Monday it had helped to rescue more than 1,000 people held by Islamist militant group Boko Haram in the northeast of the country. MAIDUGURI, Nigeria (Reuters) - Nigeria's military said on Monday it had helped to rescue more than 1,000 people held by Islamist militant group Boko Haram in the northeast of the country. It said the hostages consisted mainly of women and children, as well as some young men who had forced to fight for the group. Reuters was unable to independently verify the details contained in the military statement. The military, in an emailed statement, said troops rescued hostages from Malamkari, Amchaka, Walasa and Gora villages of Bama Local Government Area in the northeastern state of Borno. It said the operation was conducted in conjunction with troops from neighbouring countries who make up the Multinational Joint Task Force. The government has been saying since December 2015 that the militants had been defeated. But the group, which has kidnapped thousands since it began an insurgency in 2009 aimed at creating an Islamic state in the northeast, has carried out high-profile attacks in the last few months. President Muhammadu Buhari, who took office in May 2015 vowing to end Boko Haram's insurgency, has made it a priority to improve security in Africa's most populous country but insurgents have continued to carry out suicide bombings, gun raids and kidnappings. (Reporting by Ahmed Kingimi and Tife Owolabi in Yenagoa; Writing by Alexis Akwagyiram; Editing by James Dalgleish) This story has not been edited by Firstpost staff and is generated by auto-feed. The Norwegian police said they had closed an investigation into Donald Trump's fake Nobel Peace Prize nomination after failing to identify the person behind it Oslo: The Norwegian police said Tuesday they had closed an investigation into Donald Trump's fake Nobel Peace Prize nomination after failing to identify the person behind it. The Norwegian Nobel Institute filed a police report earlier this year after receiving a seemingly fraudulent nomination of the US president for the prestigious prize. Suspicion mounted that the nomination was submitted by a person suspected of committing identity fraud to appear legitimate, as only a select group of individuals including members of parliament and government, former laureates and some university professors are entitled to propose names. "The case was closed because the police lack information about the culprit," Tone Bysting, an Oslo police official, told AFP. "We haven't been able to find the (real) identity" of the person behind this "openly fraudulent" nomination, she added. While the US president's nomination is dropped this year, Trump still has a chance next year as a group of 18 House Republicans have nominated him to the Norwegian Nobel Committee "in recognition of his work to end the Korean War, denuclearise the Korean peninsula and bring peace to the region". South Korea's President Moon Jae-in, after his historic summit with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, also said in late April that Trump deserved the award for his denuclearisation efforts. A Nobel nomination does not necessarily constitute a nod from the Norwegian Nobel Institute since it accepts all applications as long as they are valid. It said it had received 329 valid nominations for the 2018 prize, which is to be awarded in early October. By Sarah N. Lynch WASHINGTON (Reuters) - A Maryland man has pleaded guilty to charges that he failed to register as a foreign agent in connection with lobbying work he did for the Pakistani government in an effort to shape U.S. foreign policy, the Justice Department said on Monday. By Sarah N. Lynch WASHINGTON (Reuters) - A Maryland man has pleaded guilty to charges that he failed to register as a foreign agent in connection with lobbying work he did for the Pakistani government in an effort to shape U.S. foreign policy, the Justice Department said on Monday. The newly unsealed case against Nisar Ahmed Chaudhry, a Pakistani national and U.S. permanent resident, marks a rare instance in which the Justice Department has pursued a prosecution under the Foreign Agents Registration Act, which requires people who lobby on behalf of foreign governments or political parties to register with the United States. A critical 2016 report by the Justice Department's inspector general found that the department lacked a comprehensive enforcement strategy to penalize people who failed to file FARA statements. That report found that between 1966 and 2015, the department only brought seven prosecutions for FARA violations. Violations of FARA have gained greater attention since 2016, when U.S. intelligence agencies concluded that Russia interfered in the presidential election. Russian has denied those findings. The often unenforced FARA law was thrust into the spotlight by Special Counsel Robert Mueller, who last October charged President Donald Trump's former campaign manager, Paul Manafort, with failing to register as a foreign agent for Ukraine's pro-Russia government. Manafort has pleaded not guilty to the charges. Less than a month later, the Justice Department also pressured the Kremlin-backed television station RT America to register as a foreign agent. The television station obliged, saying it would rather register with the U.S. government and disclose certain financial information than face possible criminal prosecution. In Chaudhry's case, filed April 19 and unsealed on Monday, the government said he worked to influence U.S. officials on foreign policies towards Pakistan from 2012 through 2018 without disclosing it. The Justice Department said he represented that his activities were merely educational and not affiliated with Pakistan's government when he met with think tank scholars and current and former U.S. government officials, including U.S. Customs and Border Patrol agents who interviewed Chaudhry when he returned to the United States from travels to Pakistan. The Justice Department said he cultivated relationships to gather insights on the government's policies towards Pakistan, and then sought to "neutralise unfavourable views of Pakistan" during roundtable discussions and other interactions by trying to manipulate the discussion. Federal public defenders representing Chaudhry could not be immediately reached for comment. Sentencing is scheduled for July 30. He faces a maximum five years in prison, a $10,000 fine and three years of supervised release upon completion of the prison term. (Reporting by Sarah N. Lynch; Editing by Dan Grebler) This story has not been edited by Firstpost staff and is generated by auto-feed. The chef at the Israel PM Benjamin Netanyahu's residence reportedly stepped out of line last week when he served dessert in a shoe to visiting Shinzo Abe Placing a shoe on the dining table would irk people of most cultures around the world, but the Japanese are particularly repulsed by such an act, as was revealed after Japanese prime minister Shinzo Abe's second official visit to Israel. Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his wife Sara hosted the Abe and his wife Aki for dinner at their residence in Jerusalem on 2 May. After the meal, celebrity chef Segev Moshe who often cooks for the Netanyahus when they are entertaining visiting dignitaries dished up a gourmet spread which was rounded off with chocolate pralines served in two pairs of mens black brogues, The Times of Israel reported. The dessert did not go down well with both Israeli and Japanese officials. "There is nothing more despicable in Japanese culture than a shoe," senior Israel diplomat was quoted by the report as saying. "Not only do they not enter their homes in shoes, you wont find any shoes in their bureaus. Even the prime minister, ministers, and members of Parliament, host in their bureaus without shoes. This is a failure and a diplomatic mockery. A disrespect of the highest order." "It is like giving a Jewish guest chocolate inside a vessel in the shape of a pig, he said. A Japanese official said the point of the presentation of the dish was lost. "No culture puts shoes on the table," he said, according to The Jerusalem Post. "What precisely was this illustrious chef Segev thinking? If this is meant to be humor, we do not find it funny. I can tell you that we are offended for our prime minister," the diplomat said. The award-winning chef is a prominent restaurateur, author and television personality, the report added. He is also the head chef for El Al Airlines. On Sunday, Moshe posted a close-up image of the dessert on his Instagram account, writing: "Chocolate selection from the world by #SegevArt / A metal shoe by @tomdixonstudio" The chef's Instagram account reveals that he also served US president Donald Trump and his wife Melania during their Israel visit. Taiwan accused the World Health Organisation (WHO) of succumbing to political pressure from Beijing on Tuesday after the island failed to receive an invitation to a major international meeting. Taipei: Taiwan accused the World Health Organisation (WHO) of succumbing to political pressure from Beijing on Tuesday after the island failed to receive an invitation to a major international meeting. China sees self-governing democratic Taiwan as part of its territory awaiting reunification and has used its clout to diminish the island's presence on the world stage since Beijing-sceptic President Tsai Ing-wen took power in May 2016. Last year was the first time in eight years that Taiwan was not granted access to the World Health Assembly (WHA) WHO's main meeting. This year's WHA is to be held in Geneva from 21- 26 May and the online registration deadline lapsed on Monday without Taipei receiving an invite. "We believe the WHO is a non-political organisation pursuing the highest health standards for humanity and should not solely serve Beijing's political will," the Mainland Affairs Council (MAC) Taiwan's agency that handles official dealings with China said in a statement. Taiwan's foreign ministry said on Tuesday it "regretted" that it had not been invited to the WHA. "Health is a basic human right, as well as a universal value regardless of differences in race, religion, political beliefs, economic or social situations," the ministry said in a statement. It added that under the WHO charter, Taiwan should be allowed "equal participation" in all WHO events. WHO has not yet responded to AFP's request for confirmation it will not invite Taipei to this year's WHA. China's foreign ministry spokesman Geng Shuang said Monday that the island was only able to attend the WHA from 2009-2016 because the previous Taiwan government had a consensus with Beijing that there is only "one China". While the former administration touted the agreement as enabling cross-strait relations to flourish without compromising Taiwan's sovereignty, Beijing saw it as meaning that Taiwan and the mainland are part of a single China. President Tsai and her independence-leaning Democratic Progressive Party have refused to acknowledge the principle which Beijing sees as the bedrock for relations. "This damaged the political foundation for Taiwan's participation," Geng told reporters. China has also been attempting to exert pressure on international companies to list Taiwan as a Chinese province on their websites, rather than as a separate entity. The White House said on Saturday that China's aviation authorities had sent letters to 36 foreign airlines including United States firms demanding they refer to Taiwan, Hong Kong, and Macau as Chinese territories. "This is Orwellian nonsense and part of a growing trend by the Chinese Communist Party to impose its political views on American citizens and private companies," it said WASHINGTON (Reuters) - President Donald Trump said on Tuesday that U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo was on his way to Pyongyang to prepare for Trumps summit with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and that it would be a great thing if three American detainees were also released. WASHINGTON (Reuters) - President Donald Trump said on Tuesday that U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo was on his way to Pyongyang to prepare for Trumps summit with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and that it would be a great thing if three American detainees were also released. Trump said Pompeo, making his second visit to North Korea in less than six weeks, was expected to arrive very shortly and that the two countries have already agreed on a date and location for the unprecedented summit. "At this very moment, Secretary Pompeo is on his way to North Korea in preparation for my upcoming meeting with Kim Jong Un, Trump said during remarks that were otherwise focused on his decision to pull the United States out of the 2015 Iran nuclear deal. Plans are being made, relationships are building," Trump said. Hopefully, a deal will happen. And with the help of China, South Korea and Japan, a future of great prosperity and security can be achieved for everyone." Pompeo made a secret visit to North Korea over the Easter weekend, becoming the first U.S. official known to have met Kim, to lay the groundwork for the planned summit. The meeting occurred before Pompeo's nomination as secretary of state had been confirmed. Asked whether the three Americans held in North Korea would be freed, Trump told reporters: Well all soon be finding out. Well soon be finding out. It would be a great thing if they are. Pompeos visit raised the prospects that the three Korean-American detainees - Kim Hak-song, Tony Kim and Kim Dong-chul could be turned over to him. Their release could signal an effort by Kim to set a more positive tone for the summit following his recent pledge to suspend missile tests and shut Pyongyangs nuclear bomb test site. While Kim would be giving up the last of his remaining American prisoners, whom North Korea has often used in the past as bargaining chips with the United States, a release could also be aimed at pressuring Trump to make concessions of his own in his bid to get Pyongyang to abandon its nuclear arsenal. (Reporting by Matt Spetalnick, David Brunnstrom and David Alexander; Editing by Tim Ahmann and Leslie Adler) This story has not been edited by Firstpost staff and is generated by auto-feed. By Matt Spetalnick and Lesley Wroughton WASHINGTON (Reuters) - President Donald Trump revealed on Tuesday that U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo was on his way to Pyongyang to prepare for Trumps summit with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and expressed hope that three Americans held there would soon be released. Trump said Pompeo, making his second visit to North Korea in less than six weeks, was expected to arrive very shortly and that the two countries had already agreed on a date and location for the unprecedented summit, though he stopped short of providing details. By Matt Spetalnick and Lesley Wroughton WASHINGTON (Reuters) - President Donald Trump revealed on Tuesday that U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo was on his way to Pyongyang to prepare for Trumps summit with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and expressed hope that three Americans held there would soon be released. Trump said Pompeo, making his second visit to North Korea in less than six weeks, was expected to arrive very shortly and that the two countries had already agreed on a date and location for the unprecedented summit, though he stopped short of providing details. While Trump said it would be a "great thing" if the three American detainees were freed, Pompeo, speaking to reporters en route to Pyongyang, said he had not received a commitment for their release but hoped North Korea would "do the right thing." Their release could signal an effort by Kim to set a more positive tone for the summit following his recent pledge to suspend missile tests and shut Pyongyangs nuclear bomb test site. While Kim would be giving up the last of his remaining American prisoners, whom North Korea has often used in the past as bargaining chips with the United States, a release could also be aimed at pressuring Trump to make concessions of his own in his bid to get Pyongyang to abandon its nuclear arsenal, something it has not signalled a willingness to do. "Plans are being made, relationships are building," Trump said of the planned summit during remarks at the White House that were otherwise focused on his decision to pull the United States out of the 2015 Iran nuclear deal. "Hopefully, a deal will happen. And with the help of China, South Korea and Japan, a future of great prosperity and security can be achieved for everyone," Trump added. Pompeo made a secret visit to North Korea over the Easter weekend, becoming the first U.S. official known to have met Kim, to lay the groundwork for the planned summit. The meeting occurred before Pompeo's nomination as secretary of state had been confirmed. Trump suggested that dropping out of the Iran nuclear accord, which he has frequently denounced as a bad deal for the United States, would send a "critical message" not just to Tehran but also to Pyongyang. He has demanded that North Korea agree to give up its nuclear arsenal. "The United States no longer makes empty threats. When I make promises, I keep them," Trump said. FATE OF THREE DETAINEES IN PLAY Pompeos latest trip raised the prospects that the three Korean-American detainees - Kim Hak-song, Tony Kim and Kim Dong-chul - could be turned over to him. Asked whether that could happen, Trump told reporters: Well all soon be finding out. Well soon be finding out. It would be a great thing if they are. "We've been asking for the release of these detainees for 17 months," Pompeo said. "We'll talk about it again. It'd be a great gesture if they'd agree to do so." Pompeo said he was hoping to finalise the agenda for the summit. He met Kim on this last trip but said he did not know exactly who he would meet this time. Pompeo said he hoped to be able to outline a set of conditions that would create the opportunity for a historic change in the security relationship with North Korea and added that sanctions would not be lifted until U.S. objectives were met. "We are not going to head down the path we headed down before," he said. "We will not relieve sanctions until such time as we have achieved our objectives." Pompeo's latest visit followed talks between Kim and South Korean President Moon Jae-in met on April 27 at the heavily fortified demilitarized zone between the countries, the first summit for the two Koreas in over a decade. The North-South summit produced dramatic images and a declaration of goodwill. But it was short on specific commitments and failed to clear up the question of whether Pyongyang is really willing to give up nuclear missiles that now threaten the United States. U.S. officials have been pressing Kim to free the three remaining American detainees as a gesture of sincerity before the summit, the first-ever meeting of sitting U.S. and North Korean leaders. Trump and Kim have exchanged insults and threats over the past year but tensions have eased in recent months. Until now, the only American released by North Korea during Trumps presidency was Otto Warmbier, a 22-year-old university student who returned to the United States in a coma last summer after 17 months of captivity and died days later. Warmbier's death escalated U.S.-North Korea tensions, already running high at the time over Pyongyang's stepped-up missile tests. The three still being held are Korean-American missionary Kim Dong Chul; Kim Sang-duk, who spent a month teaching at the foreign-funded Pyongyang University of Science and Technology (PUST) before he was arrested in 2017, and Kim Hak Song, who also taught at PUST. (Reporting by Matt Spetalnick, David Brunnstrom, David Alexander and John Walcott; Editing by Leslie Adler and James Dalgleish) This story has not been edited by Firstpost staff and is generated by auto-feed. By Jonathan Landay WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. President Donald Trump will announce a decision about the future of an international nuclear agreement with Iran on Tuesday. By Jonathan Landay WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. President Donald Trump will announce a decision about the future of an international nuclear agreement with Iran on Tuesday. Here are four possible avenues Trump could take on the fate of the 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, or JCPOA, under which Iran accepted restraints on its nuclear programme in return for the lifting of U.N., European and U.S. sanctions. Trump could claim that Iran is not living up to the deal by pointing to last weeks revelation by Israel of what it said was evidence of a secret Iranian nuclear weapons programme, most of which was already known to the international community and U.N. nuclear inspectors. The International Atomic Energy Agency says Iran is in compliance with the agreement. While senior U.S. officials acknowledge that Iran has complied with the letter of the deal, Trump points to Iran's ballistic missile activity and regional conduct as evidence of the deal's shortcomings. SCENARIO 1 - TRUMP RE-ISSUES SANCTIONS WAIVERS Trump could waive U.S. sanctions on Irans central bank and oil exports as he has done every four months while continuing talks with Germany, France and Britain on a side agreement that addresses what he sees as the deal's flaws. SCENARIO 2 - TRUMP DOES NOT WAIVE SANCTIONS Trump could decide not to waive the U.S. sanctions, under which the penalties would take effect 180 days later, and leave it to European allies who favour preserving the deal - to decide on their own course of action. In this scenario, Iran would have to decide whether it will continue to abide by the accord's restrictions on its nuclear programme. SCENARIO 3 - TRUMP DOESN'T WAIVE SANCTIONS, BUT COULD RECONSIDER Trump could decide not to waive sanctions, but announce that he could restore the waivers before the penalties for violating the sanctions go back into effect if European allies reach a side agreement with the United States. Again, it would be Irans choice whether to continue abiding by the deal in the meantime. SCENARIO 4 - TRUMP DOESN'T WAIVE SANCTIONS AND SAYS IRAN VIOLATING THE DEAL Trump could announce that he will not waive the sanctions, and, citing the purported evidence revealed by Israel, claim that Iran is violating the deal. The United States could then use a dispute resolution mechanism laid out in the JCPOA to seek a snap-back of U.N. sanctions on Iran. (Reporting by Jonathan Landay; Editing by Leslie Adler) This story has not been edited by Firstpost staff and is generated by auto-feed. By Jennifer McEntee and Mica Rosenberg SAN DIEGO/NEW YORK (Reuters) - The Trump administration will increase criminal prosecutions of parents entering the United States illegally and place their children in protective custody, stepping up efforts to tighten immigration enforcement, U.S. officials said on Monday. By Jennifer McEntee and Mica Rosenberg SAN DIEGO/NEW YORK (Reuters) - The Trump administration will increase criminal prosecutions of parents entering the United States illegally and place their children in protective custody, stepping up efforts to tighten immigration enforcement, U.S. officials said on Monday. Attorney General Jeff Sessions and Thomas Homan, acting director of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, said the policy was not new and that the government was expanding procedures already in place. They were speaking at Friendship Park, San Diego, at the U.S.-Mexico border. "We have always separated families under two situations, one when we can't establish them as a parent and that child is being trafficked," Homan said, adding that migrant smugglers sometimes pose as parents to children that are not theirs. "The second situation when we separate is when we prosecute." "People are dying trying to enter this country. There is a right way to do and a wrong way to do it," Homan said, who has announced that he would retire this year. In April, Sessions announced a "zero tolerance" policy in which illegal entrants to the United States would be prosecuted in federal court. Previously, people apprehended crossing the border illegally were often deported without being criminally charged. A person stopped by the border patrol and referred to a federal court to face charges is taken to jail by the U.S. Marshals Service and any of their children travelling with them are placed in government custody, with the Office of Refugee Resettlement, Sessions said. "If we do our duty to prosecute most cases, then children inevitably for a period of time might be held," Sessions said, speaking over shouts from a protestor with a bull-horn and mariachi music played by a band on the Mexico side. Reuters first reported the government's idea to separate parents and children apprehended at the border in March 2017. In April, the administration said it was no longer considering such action because of a decline in apprehensions of families at the U.S. border with Mexico. Apprehensions have now risen to levels seen during the administration of former President Barack Obama, frustrating President Donald Trump, who has made illegal immigration a focal point of his administration. "Illegal immigration must end!" Trump tweeted on Friday. Immigration advocates have said that separations of children from parents have been happening for months. The American Civil Liberties Union filed a lawsuit in February to challenge the practice. An official with the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), speaking on condition of anonymity, said on Monday that the agency had signed onto the policy on Friday. Families seeking asylum should turn themselves into authorities so their petitions can be processed instead of attempting to cross illegally, the official said. The DHS said on Monday that there had been about 30,000 prosecution referrals since the start of the 2018 fiscal year in October, up from 18,642 prosecutions for the entire 2017 fiscal year. Sessions was scheduled to speak earlier on Monday in Arizona. In prepared remarks, he said the United States would also prosecute immigrants who pay smugglers to bring children across the border. (Reporting by Jennifer McEntee in San Diego and Mica Rosenberg in New York; additional reporting David Shepardson in Washington; Editing by Sue Horton and Rosalba O'Brien) This story has not been edited by Firstpost staff and is generated by auto-feed. What happened Seadrill Partners LLC (OTC:SDLP) rallied in April, ending the month up 19.6%. While higher oil prices played a role, the main fuel was news that its parent company received court approval on a restructuring deal with bondholders. So what Crude oil continued rebounding in April, with the global benchmark price, Brent, jumping 7.7% to nearly $75 per barrel. Driving that rally was the continued improvement in market fundamentals as demand growth remained strong while supplies tightened. Those stronger oil prices make it increasingly likely that oil companies will approve additional offshore drilling projects, which should boost rig demand and dayrates, setting Seadrill Partners up to earn more money in the future. While those improving market conditions provided a boost to Seadrill Partners' valuation, the main driver of last month's surge was the news that its parent company's plan to exit bankruptcy received court approval. That agreement will extend the maturity of $5 billion in bank loans and convert $2.3 billion of bond debt into new equity. Further, several major investors will inject another $1 billion of equity into the company. While Seadrill Partners severed its financial ties to its parent last year, the bankruptcy deal is good news for the company. That's because the deal didn't result in its parent dumping the 46.6% stake in the offshore driller it currently holds to repay debt, which lifted some of the weight of uncertainty that had been holding down Seadrill Partners' valuation. Now what With oil prices higher, offshore drilling activity levels should start improving in the coming months, which would be good for Seadrill Partners. Add in the improving financial situation of its parent, and things are starting to look up for the offshore driller. However, that doesn't mean volatility is in the rearview mirror, which is why investors need to keep risk in mind before diving into this stock. I think the 992 would be a great camper for what you have described. It has a reasonable overhang that could use a 21"-24" (or so) supertruss extension to tow, but still is short enough that you can explore the wilderness without dragging the rear bumper or jacks in the dirt. A 24" extension actually still carries a decent rating on the Tongue/Trailer weights - Dead Weight Rating: 750 / 7,500, Weight Distributing: 1,400 / 14,000lb. I think it'll be about 5000 lbs once its fully loaded with gear and water. Not a problem for the 450, but will be over the sticker cargo weight, and darn near the sticker GVWR. I'm not a member of the political weight police, though I am certainly concerned with safety and stability, and the 450 can handle that all day long and twice on Sunday. I like the dry bath of the 992- we are used to our wet bath in the 811, but every trip wish we had a dry bath. Also, one sleeper has to crawl over the other to get out of bed in the 992, so choose the side of the bed wisely. If you are really concerned on the rear overhang, look at the 811. My departure angle is actually limited by my hitch and not the camper bumper or jacks. I've towed my 20' enclosed trailer directly from the receiver (no extension), though I couldn't turn past about 70 degrees (truck to trailer) before the camper jacks contacted the trailer (hence the short extension now). We off-road/fire road quite a bit, and 3 (or 20) point turns on narrow dead ended fire roads are hairy but doable. I think a 992 would also be fine, but the 1100+ size campers may leave you stuck perpendicular to the road. A rear camera on the TC really helps (I have Ford's trailer camera and it works great). Have fun! Its been nine days since an electrifying and incident-packed Grand Prix in Azerbaijan, but the shockwaves are still being dealt with. On Tuesday morning F1 stewards and the FIAs F1 race director Charlie Whiting reconvened via teleconference after Williams asked for Sergey Sirotkins Spanish grid penalty to be reviewed in the context of other incidents from the Baku race. The incidents in question were: However, the stewards decided, unanimously, not to review the decisions on the basis that Williams were unable to provide new significant and relevant evidence. In relation to the Sirotkin/Perez incident, the stewards said this was a case where one car crashed into the rear of another, and was not similar to other first lap incidents where cars were side-by-side. The penalty was similar to other penalties for similar collisions and was consistent with the minimum grid penalties given previously. They also noted that the team didnt appeal the decision at the time. In relation to the Magnussen/Gasly incident, the stewards noted that the penalty applied was entirely consistent with previous practice and with the penalty guidelines, noting that since 2013 the consequences of an incident are not taken into account. On the first lap clash between Sirotkin, Alonso and Hulkenberg, the stewards said Williams could have exercised their right to protest the no further action decision within the allotted time period, but chose not to do so. And on the matter of Alonso driving his damaged car back to the pits, the stewards noted that firstly, the Safety Car was present, and secondly that the driver took care to avoid the racing line, avoid following traffic and minimised risk. The stewards also argued that given the team had seen the incident in question at the time, this couldnt be seen as a new element. The race results from Azerbaijan, where Lance Stroll finished eighth for Williams, thus stand. Wayback Burgers Announces New Master Franchise Agreement, Expands Reach to Ireland Area Businessmen Leading Americas Favorite Hometown Burger Joint into Ireland May 08, 2018 // Franchising.com // Cheshire, CT - Wayback Burgers, Americas favorite hometown burger joint and one of the nations fastest growing burger franchises, has announced a new master franchise agreement that paves the way for expansion into Ireland. Zubair Najm is the entrepreneur bringing Wayback Burgers to Ireland. Zubair has extensive background in the food service industry, including 4 Apache Pizzas and 1 Subway store he currently owns and operates in Dublin City. We were looking for a new challenge in franchising and a new brand to add to our diverse food service portfolio, when we attended the franchise show last September in Dublin, said Zubair. We were about to leave when, suddenly, the Wayback Burgers sign caught our eye and we met with Bill Chemero, Wayback Burgers Executive Vice President who told us they were interested in seeking the right partner to become the master franchisee for Ireland and we saw a perfect opportunity to bring a well-known American brand to Ireland. After researching the Irish Market, looking at feedback from other masters, and reviewing the history and corporate structure of Wayback Burgers, we knew we were on to something big. After attending discovery day in the US, meeting with the full executive team, visiting a few Wayback Burgers restaurants, and trying their food, we were sold! With the combination of Wayback Burgers fresh food and fantastic people, not to mention the need for these products in the Irish market, it was an easy decision for us to go ahead and start negotiations. Wayback Burgers Director of International Development, Jason Murawski, is excited about the growth in Ireland. He says Zubair and his team are working hard to open new restaurants via single and multi-unit agreements in areas throughout Ireland. We are excited to work with Zubair and his team, said Murawski. With their experience in the food industry, we know they have what it takes to manage Wayback Burgers expansion in Ireland. Plus, we know they are committed to bring the best food and deliver excellent experiences to the Irish people. For more information about Wayback Burgers, please visit https://waybackburgers.com/. For more information about Wayback Burgers franchise opportunities, please visit https://franchise.waybackburgers.com/. About Wayback Burgers Founded in 1991 in Newark, DE, Wayback Burgers is a Connecticut-based fast-casual franchise with a reputation for fresh, never frozen, cooked to order burgers and thick, hand-dipped milkshakes, served in an environment that hearkens back to a simpler place and time - when customer service meant something and everyone felt the warmth of the community. Wayback Burgers currently operates in 29 states with over 152 restaurants nationally and internationally in Argentina, Brunei, Sudan, Morocco, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Pakistan and Malaysia. Through its executed master franchise agreements, Wayback Burgers plans to open in 37 provinces/countries in the Middle East, Northern Africa, South Africa, Argentina, Brunei, Bangladesh, Ireland; Alberta, Ontario, Manitoba and Saskatchewan, Canada; and the Netherlands, with pending letters of intent sent out to Western Germany and the UK. For more information about Wayback Burgers, please go to https://waybackburgers.com/. For franchising information about Wayback Burgers, please go to https://franchise.waybackburgers.com/. Media Contacts: Graham Chapman 919-459-8157 gchapman@919marketing.com Jason Murawski 203-649-3402 jmurawski@waybackburgers.com SOURCE Wayback Burgers ### Add to Request List Added Request Information Comments: Please enable JavaScript to view the comments powered by Disqus. Disqus Since it is the final chapter in the young Lara saga, it was almost a given that Shadow of the Tomb Raider would be featuring the iconic dual pistols that have made the original franchise this popular for ages. Anyway, according to game director Dan Bisson, it looks like this wont be the case the PC, PS4 and Xbox One title wont be featuring dual pistols, as the signature weapon for Lara will still be the bow. No. I dont want that. For us, this is her defining moment. Were not going to put her in shorts with double-pistols, wearing a bikini; thats not what this is, Bisson told the latest issue of the Official Xbox Magazine. For this trilogy not saying anything about, later on, I dont know about the future titles but for this trilogy, the bow is still her signature weapon, he concluded, hinting at something obvious such as Tomb Raider not ending as a series with this game. Shadow of the Tomb Raider is releasing as early as this September and will be the first game in the franchise to be developed at Eidos Montreal, the Deus Ex studio, rather than the usual Crystal Dynamics since theyve been employed on the upcoming Avengers game. Source Microsoft empowers developers to build intelligent apps News oi-Vishal Kawadkar Microsoft announced new opportunities that help developers create smarter ways for people to work. Microsoft at its Build 2018 annual developer conference, called on developers to embrace Microsoft 365 as a rich development platform. Microsoft 365 brings together Office 365, Windows 10 and Enterprise Mobility + Security, delivering a complete, intelligent and secure solution to empower employees. As the largest productivity platform in the world, it's a vital part of the intelligent edge - enabling developers to reach Microsoft customers in a multisense, multidevice way. "Microsoft 365 is where the world gets its best work done," said Joe Belfiore, corporate vice president, Microsoft. "With 135 million commercial monthly active users of Office 365 and nearly 700 million Windows 10 connected devices, Microsoft 365 helps developers reach people how and where they work." New developer opportunities with Microsoft 365 At Microsoft Build, Microsoft announced new opportunities that help developers create smarter ways for people to work, including new tools that give them the flexibility to design experiences in the languages and frameworks of their choice. Microsoft 365, combined with insights from the Microsoft Graph, empowers developers to build intelligent applications. New tools include the following: New and updated Microsoft Teams APIs in the Microsoft Graph and support for organization-specific applications in Teams allows developers to create tailored, intelligent experiences based on the unique needs of a business or industry. Companies can also publish custom apps to the Teams app store. Deeper SharePoint integration into Microsoft Teams enables people to pin a SharePoint page directly into channels to enable deeper collaboration. Developers can use modern script-based frameworks like React within their projects to add more pieces that can be organized within SharePoint pages. New support for Power BI Visualizations in Excel makes it possible for developers to extend the custom visuals created for Power BI to Excel, giving them an opportunity to reach more users. Updates to the Fluent Design System that help developers create immersive, deeply engaging experiences with Microsoft's updated design language. Now every organization can make beautiful solutions that empower their customers to do more. With UWP XAML Islands, developers can access more capable, flexible, powerful XAML controls regardless of which UI stack they use - whether it's Windows Forms, WPF or native Win32. .NET Core 3.0, which allows developers to use the latest version of .NET and have their application run in a stand-alone .NET environment so they can build amazing app experiences that don't impact their broader organizational infrastructure. MSIX, a complete containerization solution providing a simple way to convert large catalogs of applications. It inherits all the great features from UWP including reliable, robust installation and updating, as well as a managed security model and support for both enterprise management and the Microsoft Store. New Azure Machine Learning and JavaScript custom functions that let developers and organizations create their own powerful additions to the Excel catalog of formulas. Windows Machine Learning, a new platform that enables developers to easily develop machine learning models in the intelligent cloud and then deploy them offline and in high performance to the PC platform. Microsoft introduced a set of technology experiences that address a more mobile workforce, including streamlining mobile Windows experiences across a variety of devices and platforms, as well as better blending web and app experiences. These new experiences include: A new way to connect your phone to your PC with Windows 10 that enables instant access to text messages, photos and notifications. Imagine being able to quickly drag and drop your phone's photos into a document on your PC in one swift movement - without having to take your phone out of your pocket. This new experience will begin to roll out in the Windows Insider Program soon. The Microsoft Launcher app on Android will support enterprise customers including line-of-business app discovery and IT advisement on configuration. The Microsoft Launcher app will also support Timeline for cross-device app launching. On an iPhone or iPad, Microsoft Edge browsing sessions are included in the Timeline experience on a Windows 10 PC. Now customers will be able to access Timeline on an iPhone with Microsoft Edge. Microsoft is enabling any developer to reach and engage new audiences with Sets, an easier way to organize your information and get back to what you were doing. With Sets, what belongs together stays together, making it easier and faster to create and be productive. For developers, UWP will work with Sets from the start, helping to keep customers engaged. Adaptive Cards now supported within Microsoft 365 enable developers to create rich, interactive content in messages coming from their apps, bots or services into Teams and Outlook. As a result, people can approve expense reports or comment on an issue in GitHub directly within a Teams chat, or even pay bills directly in an email. Windows 10 Fall Creators Update - GIZBOT Microsoft 365 is a comprehensive development platform - with pen, ink, mobile, devices, cloud and developer tools - all with infused intelligence, bringing simplicity to customers and streamlining development. Best Mobiles in India Smartphones with Notch Display to buy in India: Huawei P20 Pro, Vivo V9 Youth, iPhone X and more Features oi-Harish Kumar Ever since the iPhone X saw the light of day, the notch display suddenly became a trend. Following the launch, many OEMs started copying the iPhone X design blatantly. Major Chinese brands started building smartphones with notch display but sans the FaceID technology. Recently LG claimed that they thought of the notch way before Apple did. At an event for the phone in Seoul, LG mobile division chief Hwang Jeong-hwan said, "We planned the notch design before Apple." He also added that instead of calling it a notch, LG prefers to think of the added screen space as a 'second display.' SEE ALSO: Flipkart Big Shopping Days: Best Offers on smartphones laptops and other gadgets By far, there are a good number of smartphones in the market that have a similar design as the iPhone X. However, in this article, we have listed the smartphones that have a notch on the display. The list includes Huawei P20 Pro, Vivo V9 Youth, Oppo F7 and more. So check out the list and compare the devices before you make a purchase decision. Vivo V9 Youth Best Price of Vivo V9 Youth Key Specs 6.3-inch (2280 x 1080 pixels) Full HD+ 19:9 IPS display with Corning Gorilla Glass 3 protection 1.8GHz Octa-Core Snapdragon 450 14nm Mobile Platform with Adreno 506 GPU 4GB RAM 32GB internal memory expandable memory up to 256GB with microSD Dual SIM (nano + nano + microSD) Funtouch OS 4.0 based on Android 8.1 (Oreo) 16MP rear camera with LED flash, secondary 2MP camera 16MP front-facing camera with soft LED flash Fingerprint sensor 4G VoLTE 3260mAh battery Apple iPhone X Best Price of Apple iPhone X Key Specs 5.8-inch (2436 x 1125 pixels) OLED 458ppi Super Retina HD display display, 1,000,000:1 contrast ratio (typical), 625 cd/m2 max brightness, 3D Touch Six-core A11 Bionic 64-bit processor with three-core GPU, M11 motion co-processor 64GB and 256GB storage options iOS 11 Water and dust resistant (IP67) 12MP wide-angle (f/1.8) and telephoto (f/2.4) cameras 7MP front camera 4G VoLTE Built-in rechargeable lithium-ion batter Oppo F7 128GB Best Price of Oppo F7 Key Specs 6.23-inch (2280 x 1080 pixels) Full HD+ 19:9 IPS display Octa Core MediaTek Helio P60 12nm processor (Quad 2GHz Cortex A73 + Quad 2GHz Cortex A53 CPUs) with 800MHz ARM Mali-G72 MP3 GPU 4GB RAM with 64GB internal memory 6GB RAM with 128GB storage expandable memory up to 256GB with microSD Dual SIM (nano + nano + microSD) ColorOS 5.0 based on Android 8.1 (Oreo) 16MP rear camera with LED flash, f/1.8 aperture 25MP front-facing camera Dual 4G VoLTE 3400mAh (typical) / 3300mAh (minimum) battery Best Price of Rs Key Specs 6.23-inch (2280 x 1080 pixels) Full HD+ 19:9 IPS display Octa Core MediaTek Helio P60 12nm processor (Quad 2GHz Cortex A73 + Quad 2GHz Cortex A53 CPUs) with 800MHz ARM Mali-G72 MP3 GPU 4GB RAM with 64GB internal memory 6GB RAM with 128GB storage expandable memory up to 256GB with microSD Dual SIM (nano + nano + microSD) ColorOS 5.0 based on Android 8.1 (Oreo) 16MP rear camera with LED flash, f/1.8 aperture 25MP front-facing camera Dual 4G VoLTE 3400mAh (typical) / 3300mAh (minimum) battery Huawei P20 Pro 16MP rear camera with LED flash, f/1.8 aperture25MP front-facing cameraDual 4G VoLTE3400mAh (typical) / 3300mAh (minimum) batteryBest Price of RsKey Specs6.23-inch (2280 x 1080 pixels) Full HD+ 19:9 IPS displayOcta Core MediaTek Helio P60 12nm processor (Quad 2GHz Cortex A73 + Quad 2GHz Cortex A53 CPUs) with 800MHz ARM Mali-G72 MP3 GPU4GB RAM with 64GB internal memory6GB RAM with 128GB storageexpandable memory up to 256GB with microSDDual SIM (nano + nano + microSD)ColorOS 5.0 based on Android 8.1 (Oreo)16MP rear camera with LED flash, f/1.8 aperture25MP front-facing cameraDual 4G VoLTE3400mAh (typical) / 3300mAh (minimum) battery Best Price of Huawei P20 Pro Key Specs 6.1-inch ( 2240 x 1080 pixels) Full HD+ OLED 2.5D curved glass display Octa-Core Huawei Kirin 970 (4 x 2.4 GHz A73+ 4 x 1.8 GHz A53) 10nm processor + i7 co-processor,Mali-G72 MP12 GPU, NPU 6GB RAM, 128GB internal storage Android 8.1 (Oreo) with EMUI 8.1 Single / Dual SIM 40 MP (RGB, f/1.8 aperture) + 20 MP (Monochrome, f/1.6 aperture) + 8 MP (Telephoto, f/2.4 aperture) camera 24MP front-facing camera with Sony IMX576 sensor, f/2.0 aperture Dual 4G VoLTE 4000mAh battery with fast charging Huawei P20 Lite Best Price of Huawei P20 Lite Key Specs 5.84-inch (1080 x 2280 pixels) Full HD+ 19: 9 2.5D curved glass display with toughened glass protection Octa-Core Kirin 659 processor (4 xA53 at 2.36GHz + 4 x A53 at 1.7GHz) with MaliT830-MP2 GPU 4GB RAM, 64GB storage expandable memory up to 256GB with microSD Android 8.0 (Oreo) with EMUI 8.0 Single / Dual SIM 16MP rear camera with LED flash, secondary 2MP camera 16MP front-facing camera 4G VoLTE 3000mAh (typical) / 2900mAh (Minimum) battery with fast charging Best Mobiles in India Bharti Airtel to add over 8,000 new sites in Maharashtra & Goa News oi-Priyanka The company has also announced its plans to add more than 6,000 new sites in Gujarat in this financial year. As part of its network expansion programme Project LEAP, India's largest telecom operator Bharti Airtel today announced its plans to add more than 8,000 new sites in 2018-19 along with the deployment of an additional 4200 KMs of optic fiber, in Maharashtra & Goa. Rohit Marwha, Chief Executive Officer - Maharashtra & Goa, Bharti Airtel Ltd, adds, "We are committed to offering our customers in Maharashtra & Goa a seamless experience on the best smartphone network. We will continue to invest aggressively in the region and expand our network capabilities with over 38,000 sites by the end of this financial year." He said: "With our enhanced speeds, reach and coverage, we also aim to contribute towards the Government's vision of Digital India." The massive roll-out would mean an addition of 1 new site per hour to Airtel's future-ready network in the states of Maharashtra & Goa, the telco said. The expansion plan for FY 2018-19 follows a fruitful FY 2017-18 which saw more than 7000 new sites being deployed and more than 2600 KMs of optic fiber being rolled out in Maharashtra & Goa, extending its mobile broadband footprint to 27000 towns and villages. With this planned roll-out, then the number of Airtel's mobile sites in Maharashtra & Goa would go up by 25 percent to 38,000, further enhancing the speeds and voice qualities. The addition of fresh optic fiber would extend its fiber backbone to 21,600 KMs, supporting the growth of high-speed data services in the region. Network highlights of Airtel Maharashtra & Goa: 1) 4G services on 2300 MHz launched in Apr 2012 2) 4G services on 1800 MHz added in Feb 2017 3) VoLTE services launched in Oct 2017 4) Fiber backbone - 17400 KMs 5) Total number of sites at the end of FY 17-18 - 31,000 6) Towns and villages covered by Airtel network- 40,000 To recall the company has also announced its plans to add more than 6,000 new sites in Gujarat in this financial year. Furthermore, with this roll-out, the number of Airtel's mobile sites in Gujarat would go up by 25 percent to 29,000, further enhancing the network speeds and voice quality. Amazon Echo Spot First Impressions The addition of fresh optic fiber would extend Airtel's fiber backbone to 13,800 KMs, supporting the growth of high-speed data services in the region. Best Mobiles in India Good luck finding an office in downtown Greenwich theres not much room. Available office space in Greenwichs central business district has reached its lowest point in nearly a decade, according to a recent real estate report published by CBRE. Since early 2017, the percentage of unleased office real estate has halved, dropping from 21 percent to almost 10 percent. This is probably as tight as Greenwich has ever been, and I expect to see (availability) go lower by the end of this quarter, said CBRE senior vice president Steven Greenbush. Its a good sign for Greenwich and for Connecticut. Contributing to the drop were several large leases signed in 2017 by companies including A&M Capital Partners, AQR Capital Management, Interactive Brokers and JP Morgan Private Banking. Interactive Brokers 162,000-square-foot lease renewal and expansion at the top of Greenwich Avenue in Pickwick Plaza ranked as the biggest in town since 2011, according to a Newmark Knight Frank report. Such leases compensated for two companies, First Reserve and PartnerRe, vacating a combined 131,000 square feet in downtown Greenwich last year. Both firms moved to Stamford, a decision thats becoming increasingly common, Greenbush said. Greenwichs central business district, which provides access to Greenwich Avenue and the Greenwich Metro-North Train station, encompasses roughly 2 million square feet of office space in a handful of trophy assets, Greenbush said. Supply is definitely limited, he said. When these large blocks get taken up, tenants have to scramble for empty spaces. Thats pushing some businesses to opt for Stamford, where the supply is dramatically higher and rents are lower. The lack of space, combined with Stamfords considerable availability and comparatively affordable rents, should only accelerate the relocation trend and Stamford may expect a jump in leasing activity over the next 12 months, CBREs report states. Greenbush believes Greenwichs tightening downtown office market can only be good for business. It cant be a disadvantage because financial firms want to be where others are, so theyll find a way to satisfy their needs in Greenwich, he said. Not much has changed in the type of tenants vying for what office availability is left, Greenbush said. Most are financial firms, but he is noticing more private equity firms and a fresh batch of hedge funds opening shop. Were now seeing what we havent in the last few years hedge funds, he said. That means theyre able to raise money. Its not clear why the office market has picked up over the last year, Greenbush said, but its likely a mix of upward trending financial markets and New York City office rent prices. Contact the writer at mbennett@greenwichtime.com; Twitter @Macaela_ The best way to understand where the casino expansion bill stands just two days before the end of the state legislative session is to go back a few days, when a crucial meeting of local executives happened at the site of the MGM proposal in Bridgeport. That meeting involving executives from Fairfield County companies says a lot about whether the expansion bill which would allow the state to seek bids and bring a recommendation back to the General Assembly will even come to a vote in the Senate. It passed the House narrowly on Friday. And just like last year at the Capitol, when lawmakers approved the tribes East Windsor casino, expanded gambling is again the subject of fierce back-room battles that could advance MGMs $675 million plan or delay it yet another year. This ought to be easy: Seek bids now and see what comes back. It doesnt cost anything. In fact, it makes a little money for the state as bidders ante up. But sticky questions vex the bill, making the Senate vote dicey. On April 30, a week before the House vote, the Business Council of Fairfield County took 22 executives to meet with zealous backers of the expansion bill: MGM representatives; city officials led by Mayor Joe Ganim; and Mickey Herbert, head of the largest business group in the Bridgeport area. Joe McGee, vice president for policy at the Stamford-based business council, ticked off the questions: Can this midsize casino generate the kind of revenue thats going to be required to satisfy both the state and the municipalities? And what about traffic congestion? Thats easily the countys most vexing economic problem. And the biggest issue, as the Mashantucket Pequot and Mohegan tribes fight against the bill in the hope of extending their duopoly on gaming in Connecticut: Why, McGee asked, would you beggar one part of the state in favor of another? Thats the tribes position. Simply by seeking bids, they argue, the state would hurt the Mohegan Sun and Foxwoods Resort casinos efforts to keep jobs and would jeopardize the tribes annual payments to the state, which will drop to about $200 million this year, down from a high of $420 million in 2007. The analysis and facts should have been done before we even got to this stage, said McGee, a former state economic development commissioner. Hes right, of course. We should have done the work before now. But thats not where we are today. The choice is between starting a process that might lead to a better solution and sticking our heads in a big pile of poker chips. Late Monday, Republican opponents added an amendment that would require bidders to post bonds of $250 million, an absurdly high barrier. MGM claims its proposal, part of a broader, painfully slow redevelopment at Bridgeport Harbor, would generate more than the $200 million that the tribes could stop paying, even though the casino is not a $1 billion-plus project. Its not about the size of the casino, its about the size of the market, said Uri Clinton, the MGM senior vice president and lawyer who is the face of the company in this state. What were saying is, you have a chance for a free look. By that he means we can do all the studies we want, but seeking bids will tell us what the market is saying about the future of casino gambling in Connecticut. As he said those words outside the Capitol late Monday, Sen. Beth Bye, D-West Hartford, walked by on a breathtakingly beautiful day literally, for anyone with spring allergies. I asked whether shed vote for the casino bill. No way, Bye said, giving the thumbs down. That was telling. MGM and its supporters face tough odds lining up votes in the Senate, even though the bill would not commit the state to anything, and even though, according to Attorney General George Jepsen, it would not undo the compact under which the tribes pay the state 25 percent of slot machine revenue. There are so many factions against it that I cant see it passing, said Sen. Paul Formica, R-East Lyme, an opponent. True, but it looked that way last year for the East Windsor casino, until a massive horse trade arose that made the Louisiana Purchase look simple. Now their horses are lining up again and despite the questions or because of them the casino bid bill ought to pass so Connecticut can at least examine the future if not actually go there. dhaar@hearstmediact.com GREENWICH Four Greenwich High School seniors who will be heading to Maryland in June to take part in an annual national history competition had to delve into the science of genetics to complete their award-winning project. The quartet, who also win the regional and state historical champion competitions, will be giving a dramatic presentation, and then answering questions, on the life of Barbara McClintock, a Connecticut native who won a Nobel Prize in 1983 for her pioneering work in genetics. The four seniors, Katherine Hurst, Flora Dievenich Braes, Nicole Wood and Sofia Dodaro, are heading to the National History Day competition for the third year in a row. The students spent hundreds of hours researching the life of McClintock, who reshaped the understanding of genetic mutations and variability before her death in 1992. They found remarkable science and the human story behind it, something of a lonely struggle. The group settled on McClintock in part because the students share a strong interest in science. We have a passion for history, and we all love science, so we wanted to combine that history with science, and womens rights. And we liked her story, shes a Hartford native, Wood said. Dievenich Braes said they found a compelling biography. She is a role model, but she is human. She wasnt good with words, but her scientific method and her research were impeccable. ... But people really questioned her, her findings were challenged. The fact that she was very isolated, and focused on her research, it allowed her to persevere through the adversity she faced, she said. What was important to us was to highlight the personal history, the things that shaped her a human, not just as a scientist, Hurst said. The group had to make their research and presentation understandable to an audience that would be unfamiliar with the arcane study of meiosis and genetic recombination. They interviewed an expert in the field, talked with McClintocks biographer and pored through hundreds of pages of books and studies. A trip to the Cold Spring Harbor laboratory on Long Island, N.Y., where they studied her lab notes, gave them insight into the woman and the complex scientist discoveries she made. I never thought Id be writing about this topic in a family-friendly publication, but here we go. Adult film star Stormy Daniels is suing the president of the United States for permission to talk about an affair they allegedly had several years ago. In the court of public opinion, the porn star seems to be winning. Daniels is suing President Trump, asking to be released from the obligations of a Non-Disclosure Agreement (NDA) that she signed, where she agreed not to talk about her involvement in a sexual relationship with Trump, allegedly for $130,000 in hush money paid by Trumps attorney. However, Trump apparently did not sign the NDA, and Daniels is arguing that this means that she is released from the contract since both parties did not sign it. All the convoluted legal issues are still being hammered out by the courts, but the point is, an adult film star is suing the president -- and so far, she seems to be winning. The firestorm has been a persistent, unwanted distraction for the Trump administration. But whatever your politics, its clear that there are a few big marketing lessons from the ongoing saga of Daniels vs. Trump. Related: The 2 Men Wrongfully Arrested at Starbucks Negotiate for a $200,000 Program to Support Young Entrepreneurs Be courageous. Daniels has been outspoken and has taken big risks to get her story out there, despite harsh criticism and even apparent threats and intimidation. Shes one person from an often-maligned industry whos taking on the most powerful man in the U.S. Compared to that, launching your new marketing campaign should seem easy, right? Dont be afraid to take some risks with your marketing. Dont be afraid to try new things. Whats the worst that can happen? You might get some mean messages on Twitter? Daniels is doing a great job of handling those, too. Related: 3 High-Risk Marketing Campaigns That Amazed Everybody by Working Have a sense of mission. Daniels is on a mission. She feels that she was mistreated and disrespected, and she's out for revenge. (While, of course, becoming more famous and making a profit). In the same way, your brand should have a sense of purpose and mission. What difference are you trying to make in the world? What brave stands are you willing to take? Sure, every business needs to make money, but hopefully we also have principles and values that we want to support. Today more than ever, people tend to rally around brands that stand for something positive -- whether its environmental sustainability or fair labor practices or other elements of corporate social responsibility that speak to you. Find a way to use your company and your platform to share your mission with the world. You might even end up making more money along the way. Related: My Company Realized We Had No Idea How to Explain Our Product. So We Learned to Tell a Story. Stay disciplined and on-message. Daniels has proven to be a surprisingly effective media spokesperson. She comes across as being likable, credible and eloquent. We know what she stands for, her message is succinct and crisply delivered, and shes managed to stay in the headlines even though the most powerful office in the U.S. would love for her to go away. Can your brand communications say the same? Maybe your story isnt as salacious as Daniels', but no matter what youre selling, make sure your marketing message is focused, concise and credible. Write a script for your sales calls, and stick to it, without sounding overly rehearsed or mechanical. Be honest and authentic. Daniels makes no apologies for what she does for a living or for who she is. She has been criticized for just wanting attention and money, and she basically has said, "Yep!" In her own way, she's being authentic and honest and disarming her critics. Somehow we've ended up in this situation where a porn star is more credible and trustworthy than the president. In fact, according to recent polls, more voters believe Daniels story than believe Trump. Remember; whatever you're selling and marketing, whether it's a new product launch or a salacious story about Trump, you need to build and maintain trust with your audience. And dont apologize for what you are. Youre a salesperson, a business owner and a representative of a great company that has something worth buying and believing in. Related: 32 Powerful Women Share Their Hopes and Dreams for the Leaders of the Future Time will tell whether Daniels joins the ranks of historys forgotten political mistresses, or whether her allegations of the legal coverups and questionable financial shenanigans related to her apparent affair with Trump could create a further political scandal that brings down a presidency. But either way, she deserves credit for handling her time in the political media spotlight with savvy, eloquence, adaptability and a smart marketing strategy. Maybe more businesses should try to market their products like a porn star. Related: Marketing Lessons From Stormy Daniels The Data Reveals These 3 Fundamentals for Crowdfunding Success El comercio movil crece: Esta tu empresa lista para dar el salto? Copyright 2018 Entrepreneur.com Inc., All rights reserved HARTFORD The General Assembly has passed a bill that sets the 10 essential Obamacare health benefits into state law protecting the coverage for state residents if the federal Affordable Care Act is eliminated. "This is critical regulation that says no matter happens in Washington, the residents of Connecticut will continue to enjoy protections afforded under the Affordable Care Act," said state Sen. Mae Flexer, D-Killingly. The Senate early Tuesday morning voted 34-2 to pass the bill, with two Republicans voting against. The House had already adopted the bill so it now goes to Gov. Dannel P. Malloy for an expected signature. Obamacare and its basic coverage has been under attack by Congressional Republicans for years. President Donald Trump recently removed the mandate that Americans buy health insurance, either through state exchanges or on the private market. The provisions of Obamacare required in Connecticut under the new law includes ambulatory patient services, emergency services, hospitalization, maternity and newborn health care, mental health and substance use services, prescription drugs, rehabilitative care and devices, laboratory services, preventive and wellness services, chronic disease management and pediatric services, including oral and vision care. Sarah Croucher, executive director of NARAL Pro-Choice Connecticut, said the bill also has a provision to allow for a 12-month supply of birth control to be dispensed at one time, if a physician approves. As the federal government continues to try to roll back protections of the Affordable Care Act, we are relieved that legislators in Connecticut recognize the value of protecting coverage, Croucher said. This bill provides robust protections for womens reproductive healthcare, along with that of everyone else in the state, and will help provide economic stability for women across our state through supporting their own health and that of their families, Croucher said. State Sens. Joe Markley, R-Southingon, and John Kissel, R-Enfield, voted against the bill. Markley said he cant support the bill because it supports Obamacare. "Im not ready to support a bill that would tie us to the federal level," Markley said. bcummings@ctpost.com Huawei shocked the mobile world by slapping not one, not two, but three cameras on the back of its latest flagship, the P20 Pro. Such a move is clearly not one to be ignored by the competition, and apparently even Apple was taking notes. According to a research note from Yuanta Securities analyst Jeff Pu, Apple is likely to launch at least one new iPhone with a triple-lens rear camera setup in the second half of next year. Triple-lens iPhone concepts There are sadly no additional details in the report, but last month a Chinese publication suggested the camera system would enable up to 5x zoom. At least one of the lenses was said to have 12 MP resolution. Obviously, if any of this pans out, you should expect to see such a rear camera array only on the most expensive iPhone of 2019. This year there are allegedly going to be no significant changes to the setup employed by the iPhone X, which boasts two lenses on the back. Source | Via | Image source Next week well see the long-awaited OnePlus 6 with a notch on the display at its official unveiling. A unit of the phone was just tested on Geekbench and this gives us some new information, as well as confirming older rumors. OnePlus 6 will come with model number A6003, backing the trend of OnePlus 3 being A300X and OnePlus 5 being A500X. It will also come with Qualcomm Snapdragon 845, but thats no surprise since the company already confirmed the chipset. The OnePlus 6 will arrive with the latest Android Oreo 8.1. Back in December, a staff member said it was too risky to switch to the program for faster updates, so hopefully, the company fixed the issue in the past six months. The OnePlus A6003 has 8 GB RAM, but most likely there will be a cheaper 6 GB version. We compared the Geekbench results with other Snapdragon 845 phones we already tested (along with the predecessor OnePlus 5T), and we have to say the scores look promising. We will be at the official event in London, so stay around for latest info and hands-on impressions when the time comes. GeekBench 4.1 (multi-core) Higher is better Xiaomi Mi MIx 2S 9158 OnePlus 6 8931 Sony Xperia XZ2 8466 Samsung Galaxy S9+ (Snapdragon) 8349 OnePlus 5T 6701 GeekBench 4.1 (single-core) Higher is better Xiaomi Mi MIx 2S 2468 Sony Xperia XZ2 2454 OnePlus 6 2402 Samsung Galaxy S9+ (Snapdragon) 2199 OnePlus 5T 1960 Source | Via (in Dutch) Darrold Hutchinson hopes to be on the November ballot in the race for the House District 27 seat in the Montana House of Representatives, but he will first need to win the Republican primary. District 27 stretches from the Canadian border in Liberty and most of Hill counties west of Havre down to just outside Great Falls. A farmer and aviator from north of Hingham, Hutchinson faces Joshua Kassmier, a crop adjuster and former Fort Benton mayoral candidate, in the June 5 Republican primary. The winner will face Democrat Dan Nelsen, a retired school administrator who lives in Fort Benton, in November's general election. Incumbent Jim O'Hara, R-Fort Benton, decided not to run for re-election but instead run in the Republican primary in a bid to unseat Chouteau County Commissioner Robert Pasha. Hutchinson unsuccessfully ran for the Legislature in 2014 and 2016 and was an applicant for the Senate seat vacated by Kris Hansen of Havre when she left to become the chief legal counsel for Auditor Matt Rosendale. The commissioners appointed Russ Tempel of Chester to that seat. Hutchinson said he decided late last year to run for the House after O'Hara told him that he was not going to seek re-election. Hutchinson said he does not know of any big issues he wants to tackle if elected, but does want to look at overhauling the state's business equipment tax. As a pilot in the aeriel spray industry, Hutchinson said, he had to learn about and abide by local, state and federal regulations. The ability to research and understand government regulations is experience Hutchinson said will be useful in the Legislature. Less-than-expected tax revenue and a historically bad fire season led to a budget shortfall that was the top issue during the 2017 legislative session. Lawmakers made cuts to state agencies to balance the state budget, first during the regular legislative session and then again during a special session in October. Hutchinson said the state should look toward agriculture and more development of natural resources as a means to generate additional state revenue. Montana's Medicaid expansion is set to sunset next year unless the Legislature votes in the next legislative session to keep continue it. Hutchinson said he would not support renewing the expansion because he does not see how the state can afford it. Bonding to pay for infrastructure projects is something Hutchinson said he would likely not support. Lawmakers have fallen short of the two-thirds of votes in favor of bonding needed in each house of the Legislature to move forward with an infrastructure bill that includes bonding. Hutchinson said he does not know if bonding is the best way to finance infrastructure projects. The state should pay for infrastructure when it has the money, he said. Transfers of federal land within Montana to state or private ownership is something Hutchinson said he opposes. He said the state does not have the revenue or people with expertise needed to manage large swaths of federal land. Hutchinson said he does not support the continuation of the 6 mill levy that helps fund the Montana University system. Before he could support the levy, Hutchinson said he would want to know what the university system's needs are and how they plan to spend the money. -- Darrold Hutchinson Born: Oct. 10, 1951; Gary, Indiana, Education: Burns High School in Burns, Wyoming, 1971; Bachelor of Science in vocational agriculture education from the University of Wyoming, 1976 Family: Mary Hutchinson, wife; three grown sons Work history: Farmer, works for the U.S. Forest Service dropping flame retardant at wildfires; former aerial applicator, former teacher at Albin High School in Albin, Wyoming Political experience: Was considered by the Cascade, Chouteau, Hill and Liberty County Commissions to finish out the term of Kris Hansen, R-Havre, in 2016. Republican primary candidate for the House District 27 in 2014 and 2016. Candidate for the Hill County Commission in the 1980s. Six months after he fell three votes short of winning the Fort Benton mayoral election, Joshua Kassmier is running to represent House District 27 in the Montana House of Representatives. House District 27 stretches from the Canadian border in Liberty and Hill counties west of Havre down to just outside of Great Falls. A farmer and crop adjuster from Fort Benton, Kassmier will go up against Darrold Hutchinson, a farmer and aviator from North Hingham, in the June 5 Republican primary. The winner will face Democrat Dan Nelsen, a retired school administrator who lives in Fort Benton. in November's general election. Incumbent Jim O'Hara, R-Fort Benton, decided not to run for re-election. He instead has made a bid to unseat Chouteau County Commissioner Robert Pasha in the Republican primary. Kassmier said he decided to run for the seat in January because he wants to reverse the trend of small towns shrinking and young people leaving the state because of a lack of jobs. He said that, if elected, he wants to work to help create a better climate for businesses to attract more good jobs to Montana. Kassmier also said he wants to help address the issues of crime, the opioid crisis and improving education. The state government needs to be operated more like a business, he said. Kassmier said his work in agriculture and business and study of politics and policy will all be useful to him in the Montana Legislature. He said that, if elected, he will take the time to research the issues and the bills that come before him. Less-than-expected tax revenue and a historically bad fire season led to a budget shortfall that was the top issue during the 2017 legislative session. Lawmakers made cuts to state agencies to balance the state budget, first during the regular legislative session and then again during a special session in October. Kassmier said that to generate more revenue, Montana must become a more business-friendly state, attracting and expanding businesses by easing the burden of regulations, high worker's compensation costs and high property taxes. Montana's Medicaid expansion is set to sunset next year unless the Legislature votes in the next session to keep the expansion in place. Kassmier said it will be difficult to continue the expansion given the state's current fiscal condition, but he would vote for a bill that does so if it includes provisions that require able-bodied Medicaid recipients to have a job if they want to keep receiving benefits. Bonding to pay for infrastructure projects is something Kassmier said he does not outright oppose, but he would have to see the details of an infrastructure bill and how much could be bonded before he knows how he would vote. Transfers of federal land within in Montana to state or private ownership is something that Kassmier said he opposes because the state does not have the money to effectively manage it. However, Kassmier said, the state needs to be able to have more of a say in how that land is managed. Voters will decide this November whether to continue a 6 mill levy that helps fund the Montana University System. Kassmier said he will vote to continue the levy because the state needs to fund its higher education system. Joshua Kassmier Born: Jan. 22,1981; Fort Benton Education: Fort Benton High School, 2000; Bachelor of Science in political science and public administration from Carroll College, 2004 Family: Chelsey Kassmier, wife; two daughters, one son Work history: Crop adjuster; farmer Political experience: Fort Benton mayoral candidate in 2017, volunteered on the 2006 re-election campaign and paid intern and aide to Sen. Conrad Burns, R-Mont. Bord raises haying rates, dissusses use of and work on Beaver Creek Park Editor's note: This version corrects several items were misreported in the original edition including about the reorganization of the board, bids to replace fences, that cabins were repaired due to snow damage and that the Beaver Creek Park assistant to the superintendent had reported the board Planning and Finance Committee had tabled several items which they had not. Monday night the Hill County Park Board voted to keep Steve Mariani as chair and Larry Kinsella as vice chair, while both missed the meeting in approved absences, well discussed old and new business including the East Fork Fire update, fee recommendations from the Finance and Planning Committee and a new Emergency Notification Policy. The board also heard from representatives from the Finance and Planning Committee, the Cabin Owners Association and Friends of Beaver Creek Park. The board heard from Hill County resident Lou Hagener as he read a complaint about the re-appointment and restructuring of the board. The complaint said that some members are not eligible because of a conflict of interest because they or their companies had entered into contracts with the park. The board declined to comment on that issue and sent it to the commissioners and county attorney for action. Hagener also showed a PowerPoint presentation on Economic Consideration for Beaver Creek Park of Discontinuing Haying the Park. In the presentation, Hagener said that research has said that nutrients are lost by haying and it costs money to put these nutrients back into the environment. Hagener added that haying impacts bird habitats. Discontinuing haying will also give cattle more grazing area, he said. Beaver Creek Superintendent Chad Edgar then gave an update on the East Fork Fire grant and damage. We were given a grant for anything pertaining to the East Fork Fire, he said. Edgar said that they would like to use the grant to repair the fence that burned down. He received estimates from two contractors on the price of replacing and fixing the fence. There is a big difference between the two bids, he said. To totally replace, one contractor bid $106,765, and another bid $49,368. To repair as needed, the first contractor bid $85,220, and the second bid $22,100. The Board voted to approve Contractor Bs bid of $22,100 to repair the fence The board discussed full replacement of the fence, at a significantly higher price, but Edgar said some parts and locations of the fence were not completely destroyed and repairing it should work without full replacement. After sharing the bids, the board unanimously approved a lower bid of $22,100 to repair the fence. Edgar said that park usage has increased since the snow melted and there have been some campers and hikers. Cleanup is almost done, he said, the outhouses are almost cleaned and repairs have been completed on snow damaged poles and work continues to replace siding on the Kiwanis cabins. At this point, four of the seven cabins that will be resided are completed and the park hopes to budget to reside the last six cabins next fiscal year. Edgar also presented the board members with the budget draft and request that the Finance and Planning Committee had drafted and asked them to look over it so it could be voted on at the June meeting. A community member pointed out that the proposed budget, $250,900, was larger than the estimated revenue of $225,298. Edgar said that only 70 to 90 percent of the yearly budget is usually used and the park cash is above what it is required to retain so the money is there if the park needs it. Edgar reported the Planning and Finance Committee decided it would not re-examine fees at Camp Kiwanis and reserved campgrounds until its next meeting, likely in August. The board examined haying fees on the park, discussing that the proposal to use rates set by the Montana Department of Natural Resources is $20 a ton this year, $5 more than the current Beaver Creek fee of $15 a ton. Board member Tony Reum, who acted as chair in the absence of Mariani and Kinsella, said that he wasnt sure the park board should follow the DNRC proposed rate. I think $20 is a little high, he added. Reum made a motion to increase the rate by $2, instead, to make it $17. The motion was passed by the board. County Commissioner Mark Peterson updated the board about the new emergency notification system, CodeRED. Peterson said that this is a very important tool as the county can draw boundaries on who gets the alert based on where the emergency is. He added that when they last tested the notification system, they found that not many area residents had registered. We need to encourage people to sign up, he said. Only the police department and sheriffs office can send the alert, and residents can sign up by going to the website of the Havre Police Department. The Cabin Owners Association representative said that they have talked to owners about signing up to get their weeds sprayed and they will also be having a road cleanup today. Board member Ursula Brese, who is also with of Friends of Beaver Creek Park, said the group that was formed to help support the park is not having any fundraisers this year, but its members would like to do a barbecue and afternoon of activities with a free-will donation. The meeting ended with the monthly claims being approved by the board. The National Passenger Rail Corp. is continuing in its plans to eliminate ticket agents from its stations in Havre and Shelby but is meeting some opposition in Congress. Montana's U.S. Sen. Jon Tester, a Democrat from Big Sandy, sent a letter to Amtrak President and CEO Richard Anderson today urging him to "review and reverse a plan to eliminate staffed ticket offices at Amtrak stations in Havre and Shelby, Montana, effective June 1, 2018. "Passenger rail is a vital part of Montana's transportation network," Tester added in the letter. "The Amtrak stations in Havre and Shelby play a critical role in these communities." Montana's other senator, Republican Steve Daines, is also pushing back on Amtrak's decision. A spokesperson for Daines said Monday that Daines considers the Empire Builder that passes along Montana's Hi-Line en route from Chicago to Seattle and Portland, Oregon, critical to the Hi-Line and is pressing Amtrak on the changes to the ticketing offices and the impact to service. Rep. Greg Gianforte, R-Mont., said he is committed to ensuring Montanans have reliable rail service. "Amtrak serves a significant role in keeping our communities connected, particularly those along the Hi-Line who rely on the Empire Builder," Gianforte said today. Three Amtrak administrators, regional Director of Government Affairs Rob Eaton, District Station Manager Greg Bannish and Senior Operations Compliance Analyst Patrick Forrey, were at the Havre station Monday but referred all questions to Amtrak spokesman Mark Magliari. Magliari said Monday that administrators regularly visit Amtrak stations in their region. He said the company, in an effort to be good stewards of public money, has been destaffing many Amtrak stations, and only about 200 of the service's 525 stations are staffed. Amtrak is in the process of destaffing 15 stations around the country including Havre and Shelby. He said the Havre office now has two ticket agents and the Shelby station has three. The agents have been given the option of transferring to other stations that are staffed, with their requests considered based on seniority in the union for the employees. Shelby has other Amtrak employees such as engineers and conductors, he said. Magliari said no decision has been made about baggage at the Havre station at this point. He said April 28 that a trial is being conducted at two unstaffed stations where people can ticket their own luggage and check it in at the train, and that was a possibility for Havre. He said again that Amtrak encourages people who don't have debit or credit cards to buy prepaid cards they can use online or via phone to guarantee they get the best prices and service. He again said that, with 93 percent of Amtrak tickets being sold online or by telephone, keeping low volume offices staffed doesn't make fiscal sense. "Customers have voted with their keyboards and phones how to do this," he said. Havre Mayor Tim Solomon said he spoke with an Amtrak representative April 27 about the closure, and that he would look into having someone work at the station, volunteers or possibly having a Havre Area Chamber of Commerce location at the site where Chamber representatives could help passengers. He said he understand's Amtrak's desire to save money in low-volume locations. "It's progress," Solomon said. "It might not be good progress, but it's progress." Bear Paw Development Corp. Executive Director Paul Tuss also said he understands the desire to save expenses, but actions have to be weighed carefully. "The loss of even one job is concerning," Tuss said. "Amtrak is an important part of the Hi-Line and a lot of folks rely on passenger rail service for their transportation needs. "I also understand that more than 90 percent of people using Amtrak reserve their tickets online, however, my worry is that a disproportionate number of those that still rely on a staffed ticket office are senior citizens or perhaps those without Internet access," he added. "It would be a shame to disadvantage those populations and have fewer people riding Amtrak. I am hopeful Amtrak will work to make sure these folks can still buy their tickets and travel as they have in the past." In his letter, Tester said he has many concerns including that many Montanans do not have access to reliable internet and that the changes will mean people will face uncertainty and higher fares, possibly not even being able to find a seat on the train if they cannot buy online or by phone. Sen. Steve Daines, R-Mont. It also will mean 450 miles of Montana will not have people working at the stations with the only two - all year at Whitefish and seasonal at East Glacier - on the borders of Glacier National Park. He added that the trips often involve issues that go beyond boarding procedures, and the lack of people to provide information and baggage support undermines Amtrak's stated vision of "delivering intercity transportation with ... superior customer service." "Finally, I am deeply troubled to hear about possible reductions in the number of days that long-distance trains will run," Tester wrote. "While I applaud Amtrak's eye towards fiscal responsibility, I am concerned that the proposals put forward would place an undue burden on rural Montana and undermine our economy and way of life." President Donald Trump speaks May 8 during a roundtable discussion on tax reform at Cleveland Public Auditorium and Conference Center in Cleveland, Ohio. Trump announced today the U.S. will pull out of the landmark nuclear accord with Iran. WASHINGTON (AP) - President Donald Trump announced today the U.S. will pull out of the landmark nuclear accord with Iran, declaring he's making the world safer but dealing a profound blow to allies and deepening the president's isolation on the world stage. "The United States does not make empty threats," he said in a televised address from the White House Diplomatic Room. His administration says it will reimpose nuclear sanctions on Iran immediately but allow grace periods for businesses to wind down activity so they don't violate the sanctions. The Treasury Department says there will be "certain 90-day and 180-day wind-down periods" but isn't specifying which sanctions will fall under which timelines. Treasury says at the end of those periods, the sanctions will be in "full effect." The Treasury Department says that includes secondary sanctions, which punish even non-Americans if they do business with Iran. National security adviser John Bolton says effective immediately, nobody should sign contracts for new business with Iran Trump said the 2015 agreement, which included Germany, France and Britain, was a "horrible one-sided deal that should never ever have been made." He added that the United States "will be instituting the highest level of economic sanction." Trump's decision means Iran's government must now decide whether to follow the U.S. and withdraw or try to salvage what's left of the deal. Iran has offered conflicting statements about what it may do - and the answer may depend on exactly how Trump exits the agreement. Supporters of trying to fix the agreement had hoped Trump would choose a piecemeal approach that could leave more room for him to reverse himself and stay in if he could secure the additional restrictions on Iran that European nations have tried unsuccessfully to negotiate with Trump. As administration officials briefed congressional leaders about Trump's plans today, they emphasized that just as with a major Asia trade deal and the Paris climate pact that Trump has abandoned, he remains open to renegotiating a better deal, one person briefed on the talks said. The Iran agreement, struck in 2015 by the United States, other world powers and Iran, lifted most U.S. and international sanctions against the country. In return, Iran agreed to restrictions on its nuclear program making it impossible to produce a bomb, along with rigorous inspections. In a burst of last-minute diplomacy, punctuated by a visit by Britain's top diplomat, the deal's European members gave in to many of Trump's demands, according to officials, diplomats and others briefed on the negotiations. Yet they still left convinced he was likely to re-impose sanctions. Trump spoke with French President Emmanuel Macron and Chinese leader Xi Jinping about his decision today. The British foreign secretary traveled to Washington this week to make a last-minute pitch to the U.S. to remain in the deal, according to a senior British diplomat. The diplomat, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the British objective will remain to uphold and maintain the deal. Hours before the announcement, European countries met to underline their support for the agreement. Senior officials from Britain, France and Germany met in Brussels with Iran's Deputy Foreign Minister for Political Affairs, Abbas Araghchi. If the deal collapses, Iran would be free to resume prohibited enrichment activities, while businesses and banks doing business with Iran would have to scramble to extricate themselves or run afoul of the U.S. American officials were dusting off plans for how to sell a pullout to the public and explain its complex financial ramifications. In Iran, many were deeply concerned about how Trump's decision could affect the already struggling economy. In Tehran, President Hassan Rouhani sought to calm nerves, smiling as he appeared at a petroleum expo. He didn't name Trump directly, but emphasized that Iran continued to seek "engagement with the world." "It is possible that we will face some problems for two or three months, but we will pass through this," Rouhani said. Under the most likely scenario, Trump would allow sanctions on Iran's central bank - intended to target oil exports - to kick back in, rather than waiving them once again on Saturday, the next deadline for renewal, said individuals briefed on Trump's deliberations. Then the administration would give those who are doing business with Iran a six-month period to wind down business and avoid breaching those sanctions. Depending on how Trump sells it - either as an irreversible U.S. pullout, or one final chance to save it - the deal could be strengthened during those six months in a last-ditch effort to persuade Trump to change his mind. The first 15 months of Trump's presidency have been filled with many such "last chances" for the Iran deal in which he's punted the decision for another few months, and then another. Even Trump's secretary of state and the U.N. agency that monitors nuclear compliance agree that Iran, so far, has lived up to its side of the deal. But the deal's critics, such as Israel, the Gulf Arab states and many Republicans, say it's a giveaway to Tehran that ultimately paves the path to a nuclear-armed Iran several years in the future. Iran, for its part, has been coy in predicting its response to a Trump withdrawal. For weeks, Iran's foreign minister had been saying that a re-imposition of U.S. sanctions would render the deal null and void, leaving Tehran little choice but to abandon it as well. But on Monday, Rouhani said Iran could stick with it if the European Union, whose economies do far more business with Iran than the U.S., offers guarantees that Iran would keep benefiting. For the Europeans, Trump's withdrawal constitutes dispiriting proof that trying to appease him is futile. Although the U.S. and Europeans made progress on ballistic missiles and inspections, there were disagreements over extending the life of the deal and how to trigger additional penalties if Iran were found violating the new restrictions, U.S. officials and European diplomats have said. The Europeans agreed to yet more concessions in the final days of negotiating ahead of Trump's decision, the officials added. Theodore "Teddy" Bruce Burfield was born July 25, 1939, in Havre, Montana, to Peggy (Hazel) Brown Burfield and Theodore S. Burfield, the youngest of their five children. May 4, 2018, at the age of 78, Ted passed away at home from COPD, surrounded by his family, a special day as it was his son Mitch's birthday and we knew he met dad to take him to his eternal resting place. A graveside service will be held Thursday, May 10, 2018, at the Highland Cemetery in Havre, Montana, at 2 p.m., officiated by Duane Johnson. All are welcome to attend. A celebration of Ted's life will be held after the service in the Antique Room of the Mediterranean Restaurant. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Dog is My Co-Pilot, RezQ Dogs, or a memorial of your choice. Holland & Bonine Funeral Home has been entrusted with services and arrangements. Please visit Ted's online memorial page and leave a message of condolence for his family at http://www.hollandbonine.com/. Ted grew up in Gildford, Montana, spending his time riding his horse, Smokey, with his beloved dogs by his side. This began a life-long love of horses and blue heelers. You could find Ted riding all over the Gildford area with his best friend, Pat Conway. They developed a strong bond. Pat would sneak over and rescue him from the clothesline his mother would attach him to, in order to keep him from running wild all over town, which included climbing the Gildford water tower. In his youth he also enjoyed spotlighting rabbits, hunting and fishing. Ted discovered his love of farming while working with his dad on their family farm where he learned to build, repair and meticulously care for their machinery. In eighth grade Ted met the love of his life, Diana Lee Johnson, at a Kremlin school dance, and, after four years of courting, they were married at the Kremlin Lutheran Church March 22, 1958. They recently celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary with their family. Ted and Diana began their farm/ranch business when they purchased their own land and home in Gildford. Here they welcomed their first daughter, Darcel, soon followed by Mitch, Perian, Teddi Jo and Caron. Ted and Diana farmed and ranched for over 40 years. Ted enjoyed researching and planting new varieties of wheat, his cattle and working in his shop. Ted was a talented welder. There was very little that he could not fix or build. He designed and fabricated a cab for his new Case tractor and turned an old farm truck into a field service truck he named "Old Smokey." Ted shared his love of farming and ranching by employing many young people over the years to help with the work load. Many became lifelong friends, especially Rene and Ardis Hofstad and Sam Bird. Ted had a love of airplanes that developed at an early age. He earned his private pilot license while in high school. With the help of his brother-in-law Duane "Peter Airplane" Johnson, Ted acquired his instrumentation license. He flew for many years in his Cessna 172. In 1978, Ted became a realtor specializing in farm/ranch, and commercial property. He continued this profession through 2017. Purchasing the Mountain Holiday Motel in 1982 helped Ted to re-discover his passion for cultivating and he grew beautiful flowers. Ted later built his own greenhouse in Missoula and provided flowers and vegetables to his family and friends. He was especially known for his hanging fuschia and begonia baskets. Ted was a talker, visiting with family and friends was one of his favorite past times. You could find him drinking Folgers, playing cribbage or pinochle, and BS-ing. He looked forward to vacationing every year in Glacier National Park to camp, boat and fish. Ted was an avid reader and loved books about Montana history, horses, Alaska and western fiction. He was always looking for new interests and new adventures. Ted is survived by his wife of 60 years, Diana; his children, Darcel (Curt) Wesen of Glasgow, Perian (Chris) Smith of Missoula, Teddi (Paul) Johannsen of Whitefish, and Caron (Joe) Lavoie of Missoula, MT; grandchildren, Jeron (Sarah), Cole and Kara (Noah) Wesen, Andria (Rowdy) Weiss, Nene and Bobby Cutts, Jordan and Cassi Johannsen, Nicholas Salois, Christopher (Taylor) Lavoie, Taylor Jordan, Aeriel Lavoie, and Cody Weaver; great-grandchildren Austin and Sophia Weiss, Harper Wesen, Alexys Wittmayer and Dallas and Kinley Wesen. Ted was preceded in death by his son Mitchell William Burfield; parents, Hazel (Peggy) and Theodore S. Burfield; his brother, William Burfield; sisters, Marilyn Welsh, Rita Dees and Patsy Burfield; and brothers-in-law Chet Welsh and Don Dees. Editor, As a former resident, Ive tried to keep abreast of the local events and happenings, especially when it comes to the functioning of local government and its officials. From what Ive seen lately, Im disappointed in the functioning of the city, especially as it comes to its relationships within the Havre Fire Department. Over the past three years, since Mel Paulson moved up in rank and eventually took over as chief, the fire department has had an unusually high turnover rate. At least 11 firefighters have left for different reasons. Recently, a local firefighter was fired, a... Technology is a part of all of our lives and HR functions now have far greater access to technology which can help develop people and culture, said Ramasundara. The use of data will be key here. Learning more about the people who work in an organisation will enable businesses to tailor roles and opportunities to attract and retain the best talent. Ramasundara added that the consequences of not promoting digital diversity can be disastrous. The biggest consequence will be the failure of a business, he said. However, this has flow-on effects to the entire economy. If businesses do not embrace diversity, they will find it increasingly difficult to build a workforce for the long term. Cotton On have introduced a variety of wellness initiatives, such as an onsite osteopath to treat executives after travelling, standing desks, walking meetings and in-store yoga classes at retail outlets. The importance of movement for productivity is the driver behind these. Getting people walking through the day is what were about, McLean says. A 15-minute walk will give more productivity back than 15 minutes at your desk. While physical health is important, Cotton On havent forgotten the crucial role of mental health either. Given that figures from the Australian Bureau of Statistics show that almost 45 per cent of Australians over age 16 will experience a mental health condition, its likely many fashion industry workers will be dealing with a mental health challenge at any given time. Cotton On have recognised the value of helping their workforce reduce stress, have fun, and develop healthy workplace relationships. They encourage a culture of compassion, caring and honest communication, McLean says, with a focus on managing their teams energy rather than their time. Its the quality of what you do, not the time you spend at your desk, he says. In turn, this fosters worker engagement and energy. Their programs include providing free buses from Melbourne to the Geelong head office, meaning cash saved on fuel and a more relaxed commute as 50% of head office staff come from Melbourne each day. They also have an onsite beautician, cafe and car wash. If they can get their car washed at work, that frees up an hour on the weekendand thats wellness, McLean says. While they want workers to enjoy weekends, McLean believes that the term work/life balance is inaccurate, because work plays such a big part of most peoples lives. Its trying to find the right fit between work and life but not trying to find the balance, McLean says, because the balance will come when the fit is right. Have you ever considered that working night shifts may, in the long run, have an impact on your health? A team of researchers from the McGill University affiliated Douglas Mental Health University Institute (DMHUI) has discovered that genes regulating important biological processes are incapable of adapting to new sleeping and eating patterns and that most of them stay tuned to their daytime biological clock rhythms. In a study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, Laura Kervezee, Marc Cuesta, Nicolas Cermakian and Diane B. Boivin, researchers at the DMHUI (CIUSSS de lOuest-de-lIle-de-Montreal), were able to show the impact that a four-day simulation of night shift work had on the expression of 20,000 genes. We now better understand the molecular changes that take place inside the human body when sleeping and eating behaviours are in sync with our biological clock. For example, we found that the expression of genes related to the immune system and metabolic processes did not adapt to the new behaviours, says Dr. Boivin, Director of the Centre for Study and Treatment of Circadian Rhythms and a full professor at McGill Universitys Department of Psychiatry. It is known that the expression of many of these genes varies over the course of the day and night. Their repetitive rhythms are important for the regulation of many physiological and behavioural processes. Almost 25% of the rhythmic genes lost their biological rhythm after our volunteers were exposed to our night shift simulation. 73% did not adapt to the night shift and stayed tuned to their daytime rhythm. And less than 3% partly adapted to the night shift schedule, adds Dr. Cermakian, Director of the Laboratory of Molecular Chronobiology at the DMHUI and a full professor at McGill Universitys Department of Psychiatry. Health problems ahead? For this study, eight healthy volunteers were artificially subjected to a five-day schedule simulating night shift work. In a time-isolation room, they were deprived of any light or sound cues characteristic of the time of day, and were not allowed to use their phones or laptops. The first day the participants slept during their normal bedtimes. The four following days were night shifts: the volunteers remained awake during the night and slept during the day. On the first day and after the last night shift, the team collected blood samples at different times for a period of 24 hours. Laura Kervezee, a postdoctoral fellow on Boivins team, then measured the expression of more than 20,000 genes using a technique called transcriptomic analysis, and assessed which of these genes presented a variation over the day-night cycle. We think the molecular changes we observed potentially contribute to the development of health problems like diabetes, obesity, cardiovascular diseases more frequently seen in night-shift workers on the long term, explains Dr. Boivin. However, she adds this will require further investigations. As the study was conducted under highly controlled conditions in the laboratory, future research should extend these findings by studying the gene expression of actual night shift workers whose physical activity, food intake and timing of sleep might differ from one another. This could also be applied to other people that are at risk of experiencing biological clock misalignment such as travellers crossing time zones on a frequent basis. Around 20% of the workforce in Canada, the United States and Europe is involved in shift work. This research was supported by operating grants from the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) and postdoctoral fellowships from the Fonds de la recherche du QuebecSante (FRQ-S). The article Simulated night shift work induces circadian misalignment of the human peripheral blood mononuclear cell transcriptome was published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the U.S.A. on May 7, 2018. McGill University The discovery of a new mechanism involved in depression and a way to target it with a drug as effective as classical antidepressants provides new understanding of this illness and could pave the way for treatments with fewer side effects. In a study published in Nature Medicine, a team of scientists at McGill University and Frances Institut national de la sante et de la recherche medicale (INSERM) examined the biological and molecular mechanisms at play in neurons during treatment with a classical antidepressant. Conducted simultaneously in humans and mice, the research by Bruno Giros, professor in McGills Department of Psychiatry, and Eleni Tzavara, Director of Research at INSERM, was designed to show how antidepressants act on two neurotransmitters known to influence mood: serotonin and norepinephrine. When these neurotransmitters come in contact with receptors located on the surface of neurons, they trigger a series of signalling cascades inside the cell. Thus, much as in a relay race, various molecules pass on instructions, to be delivered to the nucleus, telling it to activate or inactivate the expression of genes involved in various biological functions. Because antidepressants act directly on two multifunctional neurotransmitters, they are accompanied by a number of adverse effects. In their study, the researchers show that in mice, one can target a single runner in this relay race, Elk-1, a molecule that steps in for the last lap of the race and that appears to be directly involved in depressive disorders. Whats interesting and rather new is that we have shown the advantage of targeting signalling modules (a runner) rather than the entire pathway, explains Giros, who is also a researcher at the Douglas Mental Health University Institute (CIUSSS de lOuest-de-lIle-de-Montreal). This surgical approach should enable us to avoid the adverse effects of classical antidepressants. Towards better and faster treatment? For about a third of patients suffering from major depressive disorder, the path to healing can prove long because physicians have to find, by trial and error, the appropriate drug and dosage to treat them. Worse still, in approximately 33% of patients, none of the existing drugs have any effect. The drug weve tested could also constitute a treatment with fewer failures, says Giros. Classic antidepressants take up to three weeks to have an effect and this new approach could give quicker response times. This potential new drug, which is protected by a patent, was developed by Melkin Pharmaceuticals, a biotech co-founded by Giros. Giross research has further indicated that Elk-1 shows promise as a therapeutic biomarker for determining which patients are more likely to respond to treatments. This research was funded by ERA-NET-Neuron, LABEX-Biopsy, the Fondation pour la Recherche sur le Cerveau, Assistance Publique-Hopitaux de Marseille, the Conseil Regional dAquitaine, and the Canadian Institutes of Health Research. Antidepressive effects of targeting Elk-1 signal transduction, by K. Apazoglou et al., Nature Medicine McGill University Carriers will collect food donations at mailbox Saturday Saturday is the day to fill a bag and help feed needy families. Residents are asked to bad healthy nonperishable food and place it by their mailbox for pickup by mail carriers. Examples of items to donate include pasta, cereal, canola oil, peanut butter and canned goods including beans, fruit, vegetable, soup, tuna in water, meat and sauce. Avoid glass containers. Donations stay in the community. The Merchants Arch refused to accept medical certificate, the Labour Court was told. Photo: A popular Temple Bar pub has been ordered to pay 5,000 to a Brazilian-born 'sandwich board man' for racially discriminating against him. Felix Guerrero alleged at the Labour Court that after he handed in a medical certificate from Mater Hospital ED registrar Dr Andrew Ngaditiono, his boss at the Merchants Arch refused to let him return to work "until he got a cert from a proper doctor stating that he was fit to return to work". This was disputed by the Merchants Arch Restaurants Company. However, the court found the firm racially discriminated against Mr Guerrero in refusing to accept his certificate that he was fit to return to work. Odious Awarding him 5,000, the court stated: "Discrimination on the grounds of race is a very serious infringement of the law and cannot be treated lightly. "Treatment at work cannot vary with the nationality of the person involved. "Such discriminatory treatment is odious, unacceptable and cannot be tolerated." Represented by lawyer Richard Grogan in the case, Mr Guerrero made a number of claims under workplace legislation against the Merchants Arch, which is located opposite the Ha'Penny Bridge, and has been awarded 10,650 in total. His main duty was holding an advertising sign on the street inviting passers-by into the bar. On April 13, 2016, Mr Guerrero collapsed at his home and was brought to the ED at Mater Misericordiae Hospital. On April 20, he presented a medical certificate from Dr Ngaditiono, a senior registrar doctor in emergency medicine at the Mater, to his boss. However, according to Mr Guerrero's evidence, his boss "refused to allow him to return to work until he got a certificate from a proper doctor". Mr Guerrero returned to the Mater seeking a different certificate but said the hospital told him it had already provided him with one and could do no more. The boss denied telling Mr Guerrero to get a note "from a proper doctor" and denied receiving the medical certificate dated April 19. He told the court that had he received the cert, he would have returned Mr Guerrero to work but could not say why he did not keep a copy of the April 19 certificate and admitted that he would normally file such notes. Mr Guerrero did not return to his Merchants Arch job and has since got other work. The court ruled that the evidence put forward by the employer "lacks credibility and is not consistent with the documents adduced in evidence". Compelling It added that it found Mr Guerrero's evidence more compelling than the employer's and that Mr Guerrero's evidence was consistent with the text messages on which both sides relied. The court also stated that the employer's case "stretches credibility". Mr Guerrero said that he was treated in this way because he was a foreign national and that an Irish person would not have been treated in such a manner. After the ruling yesterday, Mr Grogan said: "Racial discrimination undermines the dignity of workers. "It has no place in a modern progressive country. Racial discrimination sends out the wrong message. "The message from this case is clear. Discrimination has no place in any modern workplace. "This case, however, exhibits a worrying attitude of this employer, and unfortunately they are not alone." A spokesman for the Merchants Arch said yesterday that the business would not be making a comment on the Labour Court ruling at this time. The house at the centre of the investigation. Photo: Gerry Mooney A man has been charged with growing cannabis at his home in Dublin after the plants were found by firefighters tackling a blaze. Lithuanian Edjardas Stankus (23) appeared before Judge Alan Mitchell at Dublin District Court yesterday. It is estimated that the value of the plants seized in a "sophisticated grow house" could be up to 110,000. Gda John Doyle, based at Clontarf Garda Station, gave evidence that he arrested Mr Stankus after firefighters at the scene of the blaze in Brian Road, Marino, Dublin 3, alerted gardai. The fire broke out at the house at about 7am on Saturday. Alarm Locals raised the alarm and units from Dublin Fire Brigade dealt with the call. They got in touch with gardai after a number of suspected cannabis plants were discovered at the property. Following further investigation, gardai found a grow house and seized more than 130 plants. Mr Stankus was arrested at the scene and questioned at Clontarf Garda Station. He is charged with the cultivation of cannabis plants without licence . The court heard that he had made no reply to the charge. Mr Stankus' solicitor, Michael French, did not apply for bail for his client but was successful in an application for legal aid. Mr Stankus was remanded in custody to Cloverhill Prison, to appear in court again on Friday. He remained silent throughout the short hearing. Kian Judge was told 150 donation was not enough A teenager told a hospital security officer to "f**k off" before spitting at him and running away. Kian Judge (19) was stopped a short distance away and had to be restrained as he was "kicking off". Judge Miriam Walsh ordered Judge to donate 600 to two charities and she would strike out the charges. The defendant, of no fixed abode in Drogheda, admitted to public intoxication and using threatening and abusive behaviour at Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital last April 15. Drogheda District Court heard that when gardai arrived, Judge was on the ground and "appeared to be under the influence of drugs". He was examined by a doctor and did not need further medical attention. Embarrassed "He was free to leave but kicked off at the security guard and at members of the public who were in the hospital," a garda witness said. "He told a security guard to 'f**k off' and started spitting. He was acting in an aggressive manner." The court heard Judge had no previous convictions. Defence solicitor Patrick Goodwin said this was the teenager's first time in front of the court. "He is embarrassed to be here and his behaviour on the day was no laughing matter," said Mr Goodwin. He said the defendant worked two days a week in a factory and had 150 in court for a charitable contribution. Judge Walsh ordered the defendant to donate 450 to the Society of St Vincent de Paul and 150 to the Gary Kelly Cancer Support Centre. "If paid by June 22 the case will be struck out," said Judge Walsh, adding that the defendant "will have to increase his working hours". Provo Temple may again reflect sister temple in Ogden after renovations It was no surprise to members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints that President Russell M. Nelson announced on Sunday that several new temples would be built. What was a surprise was the announcement of the reconstruction of the Provo Utah Temple, which will begin when the Orem Utah Temple is completed. The Orem Utah Temple is expected to be finished in the fall of 2023. We recognize the interest this generates for people and communities in locations that will receive such a temple. At this point, limited information is available beyond the intent to build a temple ... Week 6 football: 'Game of the year' is big for different reasons now The appointment of Sajid Javid, the son of an immigrant, as Home Secretary, gives me hope that we can now move towards sensible immigration policies which recognise the benefits that migration brings to this country. We need a fundamental change of attitude to immigration and I recommend the new Home Secretary implement 10 changes in policy. These policies should take the place of the ill-informed, hostile and economically illiterate attitude that this government has shown to date on immigration. 1. Reintroduce exit checks: Since 1998, Britain has not had physical, visible exit checks at our borders. Passports are checked when people enter the country, but not when they leave. The e-borders system we have in place is not good enough particularly given the serious security and terrorism threats we face. We need to make sure that every passport, EU and non-EU, is scanned on entry and also when people leave the country. And only by having exit check data will we have a truly accurate picture of net migration. We currently rely on the International Passenger Survey (IPS) for net migration data and, last summer, the Government admitted that IPS figures were experimental in other words, completely unreliable. 2. Abolish net-migration targets: The Conservatives imposed a target to reduce net migration to the tens of thousands. In my view, the net migration target is completely arbitrary and should be scrapped. Immigration needs to be controlled, but not in such a crude manner. 3. Be compliant, not hostile, towards immigration: The Home Offices recently retired Head of Immigration Enforcement, David Wood, believes there may be as many as one million undocumented illegal immigrants in this country. We simply dont know the true figure but sending vans around the country telling illegal immigrants to go home is not the right way to tackle the problem. Neither is the practice of imposing hostile deportation targets. Instead, the government should have a compliant approach as suggested by Javid. 4. Build Free Trade Deals around movement of people: One mantra at the heart of Brexit is Britain going global and forging trade deals around the world, including with India. Yet as Prime Minister Narendra Modi alluded to during Theresa Mays visit in 2016, trade deals are not just about goods and tariffs; they are about the movement of people. Prime Minister May, on her first visit to India in 2016, even brought up the issue of Indian migrants overstaying their visas. This was no way to win friends or use our global influence. We must ensure that every imbalance is redressed for example, where Chinese business visitors and tourists may acquire two-year multiple entry visas at a reduced price of 85, for Indians, the price is still 388. This means British business is losing out on tourism and business from Indian visitors. 5. Meet the demand for skills: Good immigration policies allow immigration to fill the gaps in the British economy, filling vacancies, whether it is doctors or nurses required by the NHS or chefs for the multibillion pound curry industry which generates millions of pounds for the exchequer annually. Across the board, with a 4.2% rate of unemployment in the UK, we would have an acute labour shortage without workers from overseas, skilled and unskilled, including the 3.7 million EU citizens in the UK. Yet, while she was Home Secretary, Amber Rudd suggested that foreign workers should be listed by British companies, provoking an immediate reaction from British business which prompted the government to immediately back off. Such hostility to workers from overseas has resulted in proposals that would make Britains businesses suffer and Britains economy suffer, let alone the British consumer it is economically illiterate. 6. Welcome international students: In my role as president of the UK Council for International Student Affairs, which looks after the interests of the 438,000 international students in the UK who contribute 25 billion to the economy, I know that there is cross-party support in both Houses of Parliament and, to my knowledge, from most members of the Cabinet, not to mention the public to remove international students from net migration calculations. This government must also reintroduce the two-year post-study work visa, which existed from 2008 to 2012. 7. Have a target to increase international students: We are in a global race where international students are concerned. Their numbers globally are increasing, with demand from Indian international students increasing by 8% annually. We should have a target to increase the number of international students to the UK. 8. Look ahead to Brexit: If we do leave the EU and the single market, we need to ensure that there is free movement of people that exists today be it for our citizens as tourists overseas, be it for the over 3.7 million EU citizens who work in the UK or for the 20% of our academics at our leading universities who are from the EU. Far from being a burden on this country, EU citizens in this country contribute six times more than they take out in public services, and operate at every level from low skilled to high skilled, in both the public and private sectors. In todays globalised world, we need access to the best talent which has been easily available in the EU thanks to the single market; we mustnt lose this advantage. 9. Be fair and reasonable: The Home Offices hostile attitude to immigration needs to be completely eradicated, be it students up to 7,000 international students have reportedly been asked to leave without a chance to appeal because they allegedly failed English language tests. 10. Use existing EU regulations that already give control of EU migration: It is ironic that one of the main reasons for Brexit was to take back control of borders and immigration. Yet we have been able to control our borders without leaving EU since 2004, when a directive allowed EU countries to repatriate EU nationals if they cannot support themselves after three months. Britain has never implemented this regulation whereas several other European countries, including Belgium, deport thousands of EU nationals ever year. Who says we do not have controls? We have, but we have never used this EU directive: why? Karan Bilimoria is the founder and chairman of Cobra Beer, president of the UK Council for International Student Affairs and founding chairman of the UK-India Business Council. The views expressed are personal Every summer, the contentious Cauvery water dispute comes to a boil. Tamil Nadu as the lower riparian state demands that Karnataka, which is the upstream beneficiary, release its share of water. Karnataka retorts that it doesnt have enough water for drinking and irrigation. The river is the lifeline for the southern districts of Karnataka and is an emotive issue on both sides of the border. This year has been no different. Tamil Nadu has requested the Supreme Court to direct Karnataka to release four tmcft (thousand million cubic feet) due this month. Karnatakas minister for water resources MB Patil says the state has a mere nine tmcft in its dams and thus cannot accede to the neighbours request. The pot has been stirred further this year as Karnataka is set for polls on May 12. The Karnataka government has filed an affidavit saying it cannot release any water. Things would not have come to this pass if the Centre had implemented the Supreme Courts February 16 order in full. The SC had passed an order allotting 404.25 tmcft (thousand million cubic feet) to Tamil Nadu. Karnatakas share was increased by 14.75 tmcft to 270 tmcft, with Puducherry and Keralas shares at 30 and 7 tmcft respectively remaining unchanged. Karnatakas share had been increased keeping in mind the growth of Bengalurus population, as the apex court noted. Karnataka was also told that it has to release 177.25 tmcft every year from the inter-state Biligundulu dam. Keeping in mind that disputes arose in distress years when there wasnt enough water in the river and to ensure equitable distribution, the SC had asked the Centre to set up a regulatory body the Cauvery Management to monitor the release by March 29. The CMB was supposed to be a permanent body under the Union ministry of water resources. The Centre has been postponing setting up the board as the BJP apprehends that the opposition parties might use it as a stick to beat it with during the Karnataka polls. Except for Kodagu and Bengaluru Urban, the BJP has been struggling to make a mark in the Cauvery belt of Karnataka, comprising Mysuru, Mandya, Chamrajnagara, Hassana and Bengaluru Rural districts. The 60 seats in the Cauvery belt might decide who rules Karnataka for the next five years. The BJP is hoping that it can delay the constitution of the CMB until the polls are over. Electoral considerations should not stymie the SCs intention to end this recurring problem. The Centre should quit playing politics and constitute the CMB so that a fair, just and equitable sharing between all states can happen. Sonam Kapoor tied the knot with Anand Ahuja in Mumbai on Tuesday in the presence of her friends, family and colleagues from Bollywood. Of course, everyone around her wanted to make her feel special on her big day, including Ranveer Singh and Arjun Kapoor. The Gunday stars took to the stage after the wedding and sang Masakali from Delhi 6 for the bride. The two did quite a good job of it but Arjun had to take help of his phone to remember the lyrics. Ranveer also added a bit of rap in the mix, inspired by his upcoming movie, Gully Boy. Watch the video: Arjun, who is also Sonams cousin, ushered her to the wedding venue under the traditional red veil with his brothers. He clicked pictures with the wedding guests and also gave a big kiss to his uncle and Sonams father Anil Kapoor in a light and funny moment. After the wedding, the newlyweds will be joined by their friends and family at the reception party in the evening at The Leela in Mumbai. The guests are expected to arrive in either Indian or Western Formal. Sonam will be heading to Cannes after the nuptials where she will walk the red carpet for the eighth time. She will be seen at Cannes on May 14 and 15, representing make-up major LOreal. She also has to promote her film with Kareena Kapoor, Veere Di Wedding. Sonam and Anand have postponed their honeymoon keeping her schedule in mind. Follow @htshowbiz for more Wouldnt it be amazing to see the world through the eyes of Aamir Khan, or Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, or Sonakshi Sinha? While Aamir has pledged to donate all his organs, Ash and Sonakshi have pledged their eyes. Their support, along with that of other Bollywood personalities, have bolstered efforts to increase organ donation pledges in India. For ages, it has been a herculean task for doctors and social activists to make people understand the significance of organ donation simply put, it can transform lives. So, the recent report by the National Organ and Tissue Transplant Organisation (NOTTO) stating that pledges had increased from 9,000 to 15,00,000 in the past two years an incredible 16500% rise is bound to be received with applause. And Bollywood deserves a big hand, too. Just the fact that they endorse such a campaign means a lot Weve received the support of several Bollywood personalities, including actors Shabana Azmi and Nana Patekar, and writer-lyricist Javed Akhtar Some have pledged their organs, and some are extending their support to the campaign. Even if Bollywood celebrities dont pledge their organs, just the fact that they endorse such a campaign means a lot, says Sunayana Singh, CEO, ORGAN India, an initiative by the Delhi-based NGO, The Parashar Foundation. Singh explains that the decision of organ donation in India isnt made by the donor alone. We need to understand that in India, the decision is made by the donors family, too. So, if one has been saying throughout ones lifetime that one wants to donate ones organs, then the family would also think of doing so after the individuals death, says Singh. For Aishwarya to be the brand ambassador for an eye donation campaign was an absolute fit It was in the Nineties that Aishwarya pledged to donate her eyes; the striking campaign brought the pledges pouring in. In the ad, for the initial few seconds, only her eyes were visible, yet people recognised her stunning slate grey eyes. For Aishwarya to be the brand ambassador for an eye donation campaign was an absolute fit! says adman Prahlad Kakar, adding that any such campaigns created today would need to go into more details. Kakar adds that the increase in pledges is not only because of celebrity endorsement, but also because of better general awareness. Its a combination of Bollywood people promoting the whole thing, and then people reading about it and feeling compassionate saying, Why should you burn my body if people can use parts of it, and that It will be of some use after Im gone. Even parents, whose young children have died in an accident, are willing to donate a childs organs, which inspires a whole lot of others to do the same. You cant use your voice just to sell chips, and cola and movie tickets While the organ donation campaigns have gained momentum, to keep public interest alive, celebrity support is invaluable. Celebrity manager Anirban Blah says that Bollywood names or any names with similar clout need to engage more with campaigns that affect Indian society in a meaningful way. He names Dia Mirza (for the environment) and Deepika Padukone (in the area of mental health) as two celebs whove shown consistent commitment. I think, he says, that more celebrities need to do this. You cant use your voice just to sell chips, and cola and movie tickets. Organ donation is just one of the things they should talk about. Celebrity pledges Aamir Khan, reportedly after watching The Ship of Theseus (2012), which had a story around organ donation, pledged all his organs. Priyanka Chopra pledged all her organs. Its said that she took the decision after the death of her father, and was quoted as saying so at an armed forces event. Salman Khan is the first Bollywood celeb who pledged the donation of his bone marrow. Following him, his brother, filmmaker Arbaaz Khan, also joined the cause. Sonakshi Sinha is probably the first among the younger brigade in Bollywood to pledge her eyes. R Madhavan has reportedly decided to donate almost his entire body to the cause. Interact with the author at Twitter/@HennaRakheja Bollywood actor Tiger Shroff is still taking a bow several bows, indeed following the success of his action-packed movie Baaghi 2, even as he shoots for the Karan Johar-produced Student of the Year 2, a film in a very different genre. Next, hell start working on a film alongside Hrithik Roshan, and the fanboy in Tiger cant keep calm. Asked if hes more excited or nervous about teaming up with Hrithik for a film, Tiger says, Im very excited, but at the same time, nervous too. My hero and I would be standing in the same frame. Its just a blessing being around him. Year 2000. Kaho na pyaar hai released and an inspired 9 year old me doing nonsense in his school talent show. 18 yrs later still inspired and still trying to make sense out of your crazy skill! @iHrithik https://t.co/IZ2EY2ABkg Tiger Shroff (@iTIGERSHROFF) April 29, 2018 Tiger has mentioned on various occasions that he looks up to Hrithik, so would it be tough to match steps with him? Incidentally, ever since the two stars casting was announced, fans have been guessing if its going to be an action flick or a dance movie. Whether wed be fighting back to back or dancing together or against each other, I actually dont know [yet]. But one thing is for sure, Ill get to learn so much and well get to sort of create magic together. Theres a lot to come, says the actor. Although there has been no in-depth discussion about the script, Tiger recalls having a brief interaction with Hrithik when they signed the film. Its going to be nothing short of a fanboy moment for Tiger to be working together with Hrithik, and he says beaming, Ive grown up watching him act and dance and, I think, this fanboy moment will continue when Im doing [the film] and even after Im done with shooting. I have the highest regard for Hrithik Roshan. He is my idol. What is it about Hrithik that inspires Tiger so much? Hes such a complete package. Hes like a real-life superhero. The way he walks, the way he stands, the way he looks at you, the way he says something theres grace in everything he does, replies the actor, who has done a dance film, Munna Michael (2017), and like Hrithik, is known for his prowess in this area. Besides this co-starring with Hrithik, fans are eager to watch Tiger work in a film with his father, the veteran actor Jackie Shroff. Is that happening any time soon? Lets see when we get the right script. But I know that nobody will look at me when my father is standing in the same frame. Hes too big a presence, too much of a legend, and so cool. He has got an inborn star appeal about him, quips Tiger. Asked if his father is the most honest critic in the family, Tiger says, Well, I am my own, back home! Professionally, Ive kept my family away, so that I can keep surprising them every Friday. Interact with Monika Rawal Kukreja at Twitter/@monikarawal The wait for investors to acquire some of the $210 billion of stressed assets up for grabs in India is likely to get longer. Thats because creditors are afraid to take decisions. Current and former top bankers from at least four state-run lenders are under investigation for alleged impropriety over their lending decisions, while the Central Bureau of Investigation has started a preliminary inquiry into an alleged nexus between Videocon Chairman Venugopal Dhoot and the spouse of ICICI Bank Ltd. CEO Chanda Kochhar after ICICI extended credit to the conglomerate. Indecisiveness among bankers is pushing insolvent companies toward liquidation, which erodes the value of the assets, said Hemant Kanoria, chairman of SREI Infrastructure Finance Ltd. Prime Minister Narendra Modis attempt to slash bad loans and accelerate the pace of lending is being stymied by his fight on corruption. Creditors are concerned that the nations investigative agencies will second-guess their decisions to conclude bankruptcy sales. Alok Industries Ltd. and Lanco Infratech Ltd. are among the large stressed borrowers that are heading for liquidation after the bids to buy these firms didnt receive required approval from the so-called lenders committee, exchange filings show. Despite receiving bids from willing buyers, some of the companies are going into liquidation as there is a fear psychosis among lenders, Kanoria, whose firm is a creditor to several companies that have been referred to the bankruptcy court, said in an interview at the Bloomberg office in Mumbai last week. Bankers want the decision off their back as they can be probed later and they could just end up behind bars. Dithering bankers Meanwhile investors from Blackstone Group LP to Oaktree Capital Group LLC wait in the sidelines. Oaktree under the right circumstances, may open a physical office in India at some point, according to Jay Wintrob, chief executive officer at the Los Angeles-based firm. Federal investigators are probing allegations of impropriety against bankers including Kishor Kharat -- the chief executive officer of Indian Bank, Melwyn Rego -- CEO of Syndicate Bank, M S Raghavan -- former chairman of IDBI Bank and Arun Kaul -- former head of UCO Bank, regarding loan-approvals they were part of in their current or former roles. Bankers are dithering about taking some decisions as they fear that if the decision goes wrong, even five-to-seven years down the line, it could be subject to probes the way some of their peers are undergoing now, Rajnish Kumar, chairman of State Bank of India, the countrys largest lender, said in an interview to Bloomberg TV in Manila. But on the other side, while taking decisions, people will be more careful and would take effort to properly document their rationale. Doubt & fear Bankers would prefer liquidation if they believe they wont be able to recover at least a quarter of their dues, Kumar said. Even under a wind down, investors can bid for the companies and some of them might be revived too, Uday Kotak, managing director of Kotak Mahindra Bank Ltd., told reporters last week. However, each of these liquidations is destroying valuable assets, wrecking supply chains, and razing eco-systems, which will take money and time to recreate, said Kanoria, whose finance company has assets worth Rs 46700 crore ($7 billion) under management. Steps have to be taken to make sure that this environment of doubt and fear is put to an end and decision-making is encouraged, he said. Oil retreated from the highest level since 2014 before President Donald Trump announces whether hell scrap an accord with Iran, a move that could significantly affect the OPEC nations crude exports. New York futures slid as much as 1.5 percent, with Trump set to make a call on whether hell pull out of the 2015 deal between Iran and world powers that eased sanctions on the oil producer in return for curbs on its nuclear program. In the previous session, prices briefly slid below $70 after breaching the level for the first time in 3 1/2 years following news that an announcement would be made at 2 p.m. Tuesday in Washington. The most important event of the week is today, said Naeem Aslam, chief market analyst at brokers Think Markets UK in London. Investors will be watching Donald Trumps decision on Iran very closely. The price volatility has been spurred by swirling speculation over the impending decision. While foreign officials and analysts say Trump is likely to remove the US from the pact, the president may also surprise allies by agreeing to stay in the accord a while longer as American and European diplomats forge side deals aimed at addressing his concerns. The potential fallout in the oil market is unclear. While consultant FGE is among industry watchers that have said renewed US measures may cut production from OPECs third-largest member, Barclays Plc sees Irans output little changed in 2018. How European and Asian oil buyers deal with possible American action, as well as the effect on OPECs output curbs aimed at shrinking a global glut, will also be watched. West Texas Intermediate oil for June delivery dropped as much as $1.06 to $69.67 a barrel on the New York Mercantile Exchange and traded at $70.07 as of 12.49 pm London time. The contract climbed $1.01 to $70.73 on Monday. Total volume traded Tuesday was about 10 percent above the 100-day average. Brent for July settlement fell 64 cents to $75.53 a barrel on the London-based ICE Futures Europe exchange. Prices on Monday climbed 1.7 percent to $76.17. The global benchmark crude traded at a $5.54 premium to July WTI. Futures for September delivery on the Shanghai International Energy Exchange rose 0.2 percent to 459.1 yuan a barrel. The contract climbed 2.6 percent Monday. While oil has rallied this year on everything from heightened geopolitical risks in the Middle East to persistent output curbs by the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries and turmoil in Venezuela, its been driven by speculation over Iran in recent days. Its helped overshadow booming US production that risks undermining OPECs production cuts. As a major importer of Iranian crude and products, India was closely watching US President Donald Trumps announcement on Tuesday about his decision on the Iran deal. Trump said on Tuesday the United States will withdraw from a 2015 international agreement designed to deny Tehran the ability to build nuclear weapons. I am announcing today that the United States will withdraw from the Iran nuclear deal, Trump said ahead of the May 12 deadline for him to certify that Iran was in compliance of the deal. Trumps pulling the US out of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), which it signed with Iran in 2015, would re-impose oil sanctions --- leading to India being forced to re-review its list of oil suppliers as well as Plan-B options, according to officials who demanded anonymity. Iran used to be Indias second largest oil supplier before the first round of sanctions, and since 2015, it has been the third largest. State-owned refiners in India, who are big importers of Iran oil, have been sympathetic clients drawn to the prospects of a batter deal by deeper freight discounts. But that could all change. Signing the previous certification in January, Trump had said it would be the last time he would approve the deal, something he has been critical about from the very start. A string of leaders from allied countries that signed the agreement recently visited Washington to personally lobby Trump to stay in the deal and work towards bolstering it with additional measures. French president Emmanuel Macro went as far as to propose a new deal with Ira, based on four pillars: the JCPOA, a freeze in perpetuity on Irans nuclear weapons programme, ending work on ballistic missiles and punishing it for malign activity in the Middle East. Trump heard him, but gave no assurances. German Chancellor Angel Merkel went back with no guarantees either, and British foreign secretary Boris Johnson left for home on Monday after a similar meeting his counterpart secretary of state Mike Pompeo and NSA John Bolton. Two men were charred to death and another sustained critical injuries after an ambulance they were sleeping in caught fire early on Tuesday in south Delhis Sheikh Sarai area, police and fire department officials said. Chief fire officer of Delhi Fire Service Atul Garg said a call reporting the incident was received at 12.55am. The cause of the fire is suspected to be a coil or a cigarette but it is yet to be ascertained. The engine of the ambulance wasnt on at the time of fire, preliminary probe suggests, Garg said. The dead men have been identified as Rahul, 24, a resident of Moradabad in Uttar Pradesh, and 25-year-old Guddu from Delhis Khanpur. Deputy commissioner of police (south) Romil Baaniya said the call regarding the fire was received at Malviya Nagar police station. A police team that arrived on the spot found two person, namely Rahul and Guddu, dead in a burnt condition inside the ambulance. The third identified as Subodh Kumar (40) was admitted to Safdarjung Hospitals burn unit. He has sustained critical burns and is unfit for statement, Baaniya said. He added that all the three men were employees of Rana Ambulance Services. Baaniya said forensics teams have been requested to inspect the spot and find the cause of fire, he said. A case of causing death due to negligence has been registered at Malviya Nagar police station and the matter is being probed, he added. There were procedural lapses, but no medical negligence at the Shalimar Bagh unit of Max Hospital where one of the twins prematurely born had been wrongly declared dead, a committee of the Delhi Medical Council (DMC) said in its order on May 2. The DMC, a statutory body that governs the practice of modern medicine in the state and takes action against erring doctors in case of medical negligence, had taken up the probe in the case suo motu. Last year on November 30, a 20-year-old woman delivered twin foetuses in the hospital in the 23rd week (or five months) of her pregnancy. It was a girl and a boy; the girl was born around 7.35 am, followed by the boy at 7.42 am. The hospital declared the girl dead immediately after birth while the boy was said to be critical. At 12:30 pm the duty doctor could not find a heartbeat and had asked a senior to take a look. However, by the time the senior came, the bodies had been handed over to the family. The babies had been wrapped in clean white sheets, as per protocol. The family requested for the poly-bags for the ease of carrying. On their way to perform last rites, the family noticed movement in one of the packets. On opening it, they found that the boy was breathing and took him to hospital. The family also registered a case of medical negligence against the hospital. The committee investigating the case found that although a doctor had declared one of the twins dead, one hour later the nurse on duty had handed over both the bodies to the parents. There have been procedural lapses and inadequate documentation which is probably due to absence of standard operating guidelines when managing such cases (cases of birth before 24 weeks of gestation), the order said. The babies were not admitted to the hospital neonatal intensive care unit, as per the directions of the family. At 23 weeks or five months, the babies were considered non-viable. In fact, the proposed amendments to the Medical Termination of Pregnancy act allows abortion up to 24 weeks. The DMC found that there was no formal declaration of death for one of the twins as there was some heartbeat for nearly four to five hours. In the present instance, the decision for management of the baby was as per the existing guidelines by the treating doctors. In light of the observations made, the decision of the disciplinary committee is that no medical negligence can be attributed on part of the doctors, the DMC said in its order. The Delhi government in December last year had cancelled the licence of the hospital following this case, after terming the hospital to be a habitual offender. An inspection by the health department earlier had found that the hospital made separate, discriminatory arrangements for free treatment to the poor. The inspection also found that the hospital admitted less than half of the number of poor patients than it should have. The order was disputed by the hospital in the Court of the Financial Commissioner, where the matter is pending. Ghaziabad police on Sunday arrested four people for allegedly murdering a 38-year-old woman and burying the body in a vacant plot in Loni last August over a property dispute. Those arrested were identified as Jaan Mohammad, a former pradhan of Pooja Colony, Irfan, Mursaleen, and 30-year-old Rekha, the younger sister of the deceased. Police said Rekha had plotted the murder to kill her sister, Baby, with the help of her live-in partner Jaan Mohammad. Baby, a resident of Johri Enclave in Loni, had visited the house of Jaan Mohammad in Pooja Colony on August 29, 2017, but did not return. The womans family believed that she had eloped with someone until her body was dug out from a plot belonging to Mohammad, the police said. Baby was murdered and the body buried by the accused eight months ago. Her husband had lodged an FIR for abduction and had named an acquaintance of the woman as a suspect. However, the involvement of the man was ruled out and the case was pending, said superintendent of police (rural) AK Maurya. During a review meeting on April 29, the senior superintendent of police asked his teams to investigate the case. An inquiry against the case investigating officer has also been ordered for laxity and delay, Maurya said. The investigation in the last week led to the arrest of the four accused. Two other accused, Aaiya, Mohammads brother and Danish are absconding. Baby and Rekha hailed from Khatta in Baghpat. While Baby was staying in Loni after her marriage, Rekha came to Loni around five years ago after she was deserted by her husband, to take up a job with Mohammad, a water supplier. The police said Rekha and Mohammad later got into a live-in relationship. Rekha wanted to sell her ancestral property at Khatta but Baby did not agree. Rekha asked Mohammed to get rid of her sister, and believed Baby was the reason for her husband deserting her. Nearly 20 days before her murder, Baby had sought help from Mohammad to get a Tabeez for her son as he was not concentrating on his studies. Rekha thought it as an opportunity for her sisters murder, Maurya said. PSEB Class 10th Result: Gurpreet Singh, a student of Shri Harikrishan Sahib Senior Secondary School in Ludhiana, topped the Punjab Board Class 10 examination with a score of 637 (98%). The pass percentage this year was 59.47%. Of the 3,68,295 students who appeared for the exam, 2,19,034 cleared it. While 1,04,828 girls cleared the exam, 1,04,126 boys passed the board exam. Mansa district tops in pass percentage tally with 73.76%, followed by Sri Muktsar Sahib (72.39%), Hoshiyarpur (67.14%) And Ludhiana (67.27%). The Punjab Board released the merit list for the Class 10th board exam on the official website pseb.ac. on May 8. The complete result will be announced at 12pm on May 9. Due to heavy traffic, the official website may take some time to load. Read more | PSEB Class 10 result 2018: Merit list announced, 59.47% students pass Students will be able to check the complete result on the Boards official website: pseb.ac.in on May 9. There were rumours regarding declaration of results for the past one week. Students as well as parents have been continuously calling the Board for clarity but now its final that the merit list will be declared today (May 8), said a Board spokesperson. You can click here to receive alerts on your mobile and email as soon as the results are announced. Over 4.5 lakh students appeared for the PSEB class 10 examination which was held between March 12 to March 31. While the merit list for the Punjab Board Class 10th result will be declared at 3pm today at the official website www.pseb.ac.in, the Board has released the complete result of the Class 12 vocational stream students. The merit list for the same was released on May 7. Students can directly check the result on India Results website here. Students can check their result on the official website using their exam roll no or name. Due to heavy traffic, the website may take some time to load. Heres how to check: * Log on to www.pseb.ac.in. * Click on the results tab. * Click on the link for Class 12 vocational result. * Key in your roll number or name. * Click submit and view your result. * Take a print out. The Punjab Board will release the complete results with scores for the Class 10th Board exam on its official website on May 9. There were rumours regarding declaration of results for the past one week. Students as well as parents have been continuously calling the Board for clarity but now its final that the merit list will be declared today (May 8), said a Board spokesperson. You can click here to receive alerts on your mobile and email as soon as the results are announced. Over 4.5 lakh students appeared for the PSEB Class 10 examination which was held between March 12 to March 31. Kangana Ranaut knows never to let go of a good thing and a Vivien Westwood dress is definitely a good thing. On Saturday, the Queen actor gave us summer dress inspo, when she showed off her playful side in a cute pink sheath dress in Mumbai. Kangana gave her Vivien Westwood look a bit of edge with oversized brown sunglasses, which matched her signature highlighted curls. A post shared by Kangana Ranaut (@team_kangana_ranaut) on May 4, 2018 at 5:43am PDT The polka-dot mini dress hugged Kanganas svelte frame and was held up by a broad halter neckline. The outfit was surprisingly simple, but cute. And who wouldnt want to have the added comfort of pockets in a dress? But when we found out Kangana had recycled her printed ensemble, well, we loved it even more. Regular people do it all the time, and nobody makes a fuss about it. But with her latest look, Kangana proved she has no problem wearing the same look twice, and couldnt be bothered with what anyone thinks. A post shared by Kangana Ranaut FC (@kangsranaut) on May 7, 2018 at 4:17am PDT Kangana had worn this Vivien Westwood in 2011, when she arrived at the premier of Shahid Kapoors Mausam in Mumbai. However, what made us do a double take is how different Kanganas dress appeared with the mere change of hairstyle and the addition of different accessories. In an instant, Kanganas 2011 look was transformed into a 2018 knockout. Unlike her recent outing, seven years ago, when Kangana wore this dress, she chose drop earrings and carried an ornate clutch bag. Her embellished heels were a noticeable shade of off-white and finished off the pretty and polished look. By wearing the dress again, Kangana basically showed theres never been a better time to be an outfit repeater. And also how a simple polka-dot dress is something you can take from day to night with a switch of the accessories and styling. Follow @htlifeandstyle for more Seven Indians abducted in Afghanistan on Sunday are believed to be in an area near the capital of northern Baghlan province and efforts are underway to secure their release, two persons familiar with the latest developments said Monday. The Indians, all electrical engineers working for KEC International Limited, the flagship company of RPG Group, were taken away along with their Afghan driver by gunmen in the provincial capital of Pul-e-Khumri while on their way to a government-run power station. Afghan officials have blamed the Taliban. The Indians are now believed to be in Dand-e-Shahabuddin area of Pul-e-Khumri, according to an official. We are doing whatever we can to secure their release. We have an idea of about where they might be, and who might be able to help the local administration to get their release, said the Indian official, asking not to be named. The Taliban is suspected to be behind the kidnappings, with an official calling this a type of soft abduction, usually done for extortion. Local authorities suspect Qari Bakhtiar, a key Taliban commander in the area, could have played a role in the abductions. Bakhtiars son Tariq was arrested by Afghan security forces in March. During a meeting with Indias ambassador Vinay Kumar in Kabul on Monday, Afghan foreign minister Salahuddin Rabbani expressed grief and sorrow at the abduction of the Indians and said Afghan security forces will not spare any efforts to protect the physical safety and secure the release of these engineers. Rabbani said efforts had been initiated through community elders to secure the release of the Indians, according to a statement from the Afghan foreign ministry. He made a similar assurance to his Indian counterpart Sushma Swaraj during a phone conversation on Sunday. Officials are looking at whether there was any lapse in the protocol for Indian nationals travelling in an area with a strong Taliban presence without security guards. Baghlan governor Abdul Nemati said security forces and local officials are trying to trace the Indians and their driver. He said local tribal elders too have stepped up efforts for the release of the Indians and gave an assurance that they would be released soon. The seven Indians and their Afghan driver were kidnapped in Bagh-e-Shamal area of Pul-e-Khumri early on Sunday while on their way to a power substation. Pajhwok Afghan News reported, citing witnesses, that a group of armed men stopped the white car the Indians were travelling in on the Pul-e-Khumri-Mazar-e-Sharif highway. The witnesses saw them being taken away in a mini bus by the armed men. Baghlan has witnessed significant fighting over the past two years with the Taliban establishing a strong presence in the area. In recent months, the Taliban have targeted facilities for supplying electricity, angered because power is not being supplied to villages under their control. The abductions also came days after India and China unveiled plans to jointly implement a development project in Afghanistan. Pakistans military establishment has for long opposed a larger role for India in Afghanistan. Indian and US officials have accused elements in the Pakistani military of using militants to target Indian interests. During his meeting with the Indian envoy, foreign minister Rabbani appreciated Indias significant role in the reconstruction of Afghanistan and expressed his contentment at the strong bilateral relations and cooperation among the two sides. Rabbani said the foreign ministry would cooperate with India to further expand these relations and cooperation. The two sides discussed the political priorities of Afghanistan, such as the peace process, elections, bilateral economic and trade cooperation and projects being implemented with Indian support. The Uttar Pradesh forest departments firm and unambiguous stand on not allowing feral dogs to be relocated to the Pilibhit Tiger Reserve (PTR) has forced the Sitapur district administration to drop the idea. The Sitapur district administration had told the media last week that feral dogs would be relocated in PTR forests following rampant canine attacks in the district in which at least six children were killed and several others injured. But the forest department simply put its foot down. We cannot permit anyone to shift animals which live near human settlements, to forest reserves because it will disturb the natural ecosystem of the reserve, said Rupak Dey, UP principal chief conservator of forest (PCCF) on Monday. The forest department will be forced to take action against anybody who attempts such a thing, the officer added. After the refusal by the forest department, the feral dogs caught in Sitapur are now being sent to Kanha Upvan in Lucknow. A total of 33 dogs, which were caught from the areas where these attacks took place, have been shifted to Kanha Upvan, said Rakesh Patel, city magistrate of Sitapur. These dogs will be sterilised at the veterinary hospital at the upvan before being released back in Sitapur district. However, experts say that though sterilisation will prevent increase in dog population, it will have not end dog attacks. The Sitapur district administration is also relying on creating awareness among people to prevent dog attacks. It is targeting school going children and their parents for the awareness campaign. Sitapur district magistrate Sheetal Varma held a meeting with Basic Shiksha Adhikari (BSA) and district inspector of schools (DIoS) and directed them to make children and their parents aware about the dos and donts to avoid dog attacks. I have asked the BSA and DIoS to ensure that a note is written in students diaries for their parents, requesting them to keep their children away from dogs and not to leave them be unattended, said Verma. We will also shut down school in affected areas, if needed, she added. Apart from the students, the administration is also planning to form groups of local volunteers who can educate villagers about ways to save children from dog attacks. According to experts, while immediate attacks can be prevented by creating awareness, mass sterilisation of the dogs was the only long-term solution to curb dog attacks. Sterilisation and vaccination of dogs is a slow process but is the most humane way to counter this problem, said Shilpa Mahbubani, spokesperson of Compassion Unlimited Plus Action (CUPA), a Bengaluru-based NGO, which works to control dog population in residential areas. The World Health Organisation also suggests sterilisation and vaccination of stray dogs as an effective means to check dog population and spread of zoonotic disease like rabies. In India, a draft formulated under prevention of cruelty to animals (Animal Birth Control Rules-2001) also prescribes sterilisation as the only method to check dog population, linked directly to attacks. On Monday, the UP police started deploying drones and using night vision devices to track and trap feral dogs in villages around Sitapur. Nepal has granted an Indian government-owned subsidiary the power generation licence from a 900-megawatt hydropower project, days ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modis two-day visit to the country from May 11. Investment Board Nepal (IBN) recently granted the licence to Satluj Jala Vodyut Nigam Power Development Company, a subsidiary of Indian government-owned Satluj Jal Vidyut Nigam Ltd, to generate power from the Arun-3 Hydropower Project located in eastern Nepal. The permit was granted in line with the decision of the 30th meeting of IBNs board of directors chaired by Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli on April 28, according to an IBN official. The company has paid the board Nepali Rupees 5 million as licence fee. Modi and Oli are expected to jointly lay the foundation stone for the hydropower plant. Arun-3 is the largest capacity project in the history of hydroelectricity that is scheduled to be constructed within the next five years. The Indian government has so far approved investment of Rs 57.24 billion proposed by SJVN in Arun-3. Arun-3 is an export-oriented project and it will sell the electricity to India, a Nepalese media report said. However, it has to sign an agreement with power utilities in India to sell the power in a bid to achieve the financial closure, it said. The project was supposed to be constructed under the assistance of the World Bank Group some two decades back. However, protests against reservoir projects back then forced the World Bank to drop the project, it said. The project was later awarded to the Indian company through competitive bidding some 10 years ago. IBN has granted several extensions for financial closure of the project. Apart from the local share and free energy to the residents of the affected area, the Nepal government will receive benefits worth Nepali Rupees 348 billion from the project as royalty, income tax, customs tariff and free energy in the concession period of 25 years. The project will also provide 21.9 per cent or 197 megawatts of the generated energy free of cost to Nepal. The Calcutta high court on Tuesday directed the West Bengal State Election Commission (SEC) to accept nominations filed through e-mail by people who are eager to contest the coming panchayat elections but have not been able to submit papers. The division bench of justice Biswanath Somadder and justice Arindam Mukherjee passed the order after hearing a petition filed by the CPI(M). The party appealed that nominations filed through e-mail should be officially accepted since its candidates were being threatened and prevented from contesting. The division bench directed the commission to accept nominations of candidates who sent it through e-mail or similar means to panchayat returning officers or the SEC before 3pm on April 23. Lawyer and CPI(M) leader Bikash Ranjan Bhattacharya said the judgment made it clear that all nominations filed through e- mail within the deadline fixed by the division bench should be accepted by the commission. On April 24, the single bench of justice Subrata Talukdar upheld nominations filed through WhatsApp by nine land agitators of Bhangar, who were allegedly prevented by ruling party supporters from reaching government offices for submission of nomination papers. Tuesdays verdict is historic. Certificates of victory have already been issued to ruling party candidates who won without contest. It is time to see if SEC withdraws those certificates if it is found that nominations for those seats were filed through e-mail, said CPI(M) central committee member Rabin Deb. We will also appeal to the court to allow nominations mailed by BJP candidates to be accepted. There are around 2,000 applications from our candidates, said party Bengal unit general secretary Pratap Banerjee. In a parallel development, the SEC filed a report on security arrangements before the division bench of chief justice Jyotirmay Bhattacharya and justice Arijit Banerjee. In the report, the commission said 1,54,500 people will be deployed during the rural polls. Of these, 71,500 will be from state police forces, 2,000 from police forces sent by other states and 81,000 civic volunteers. The bench, however, said the numbers meant only one policeman with firearm and one unarmed policeman or civic volunteer would be deployed at each of the 47,100 poling booths. CPI(M)-BJP join hands at grassroots level Arch-rivals BJP and the CPI(M) have joined hands at the grassroots level in Nadia district to defeat the Trinamool Congress in the upcoming polls. Describing it as a formal seat sharing adjustment, a district-level CPI(M) leader said the party had to opt for seat adjustment as several villagers wanted a one-to-one fight against the TMC. Congress president Rahul Gandhi kick-started a special public donation drive for a party candidate on Tuesday ahead of the Karnataka elections. Dubbing it a fight between Congresss clean versus the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)s dirty politics in the southern state, Gandhi sought financial contributions for 33-year-old PhD scholar Dr Yogesh Babu, who is pitted against B Sreeramulu, a close confidant of the tainted Reddy brothers, in an unprecedented move by a Congress chief. Its a clear fight in Karnataka. Clean Politics vs Dirty Politics. Mafia vs People. With the BJP fielding the corrupt Reddy gang, we are trying a novel approach to fund our candidate. Support our candidate by making a contribution, Gandhi tweeted. It's a clear fight in Karnataka. Clean Politics vs Dirty Politics. Mafia vs People. With the BJP fielding the corrupt Reddy gang, we are trying a novel approach to fund our candidate. Support our candidate by making a contribution.#CleanPoliticswithINChttps://t.co/D6zkzjxAgH Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) May 8, 2018 The Congress set a target of raising Rs 2.8 million that will be spent for Yogesh Babus campaign. Till Tuesday evening, it mopped up Rs 0.56 million from 216 supporters. The campaign will run till Thursday. The rare donation drive comes amid a shrill campaign and the Congresss charges of corruption against some BJP candidates, including its CM face BS Yeddyurappa. The drive will also have a political undertone that while the BJP has taken corrupt financial powers under its wings, we want clean money for our campaign, said a senior leader. The fundraiser comes close on the heels of Opposition parties reservation over the new electoral bonds rolled out by the government. The parties had maintained that it would not help curb the use of black money in politics. Arch-rivals BJP and the CPI(M) have joined hands in Nadia district to defeat the Trinamool Congress in the upcoming panchayat polls in West Bengal. Describing it as a formal seat sharing adjustment, a district level CPI(M) leader said that the party had to opt for seat adjustment in many seats as several villagers wanted a one-to-one fight against the TMC. The CPI(M), which follows an ideology opposite to that of the BJP, has described the saffron party as a divisive force. The BJPs north Nadia district unit president termed the development as an isolated incident. The bonhomie first came to light in the last week of April when both the parties organised a joint protest rally in Karimpur-Ranaghat area of Nadia district against the alleged violence of the TMC during the panchayat poll process. Cadre of both parties carried their respective flags during the protest programme. CPI(M) Nadia district secretary and state committee member Sumit De agreed that there have been adjustments at the grassroot levels in many seats as several villagers were in favour of a one-to-one fight. It has nothing to do with the partys policy, he added. Yes, there have been adjustments at the grassroot level. In many seats as the villagers had wanted one-to-one fight, we had to respect it and act accordingly. But it is not that there have been several rounds of discussions between parties and it is a formal seat sharing adjustment, De told PTI. Senior CPI(M) leader and state committee member Rama Biswas, who was present at the joint rally of the BJP and CPI(M), admitted that a rally had been taken out by villagers against the violence of the TMC. West Bengal BJP president Dilip Ghosh too admitted that supporters of the BJP and the CPI(M) were present at the rally I have received information that we had called a rally against the violence of the TMC. CPI(M) workers also came and joined our protest rally as they too were attacked, Ghosh told PTI. A senior state BJP leader who did not wish to be named, said in areas where the BJP could not field a candidate it has given enough hints to the voters and party cadres to counter the TMC which has unleashed violence. Agreeing that such isolated incidents had taken place, the BJP north Nadia district president Mahadeb Sarkar told PTI, In some seats where we could not field candidates, our workers at the grassroot level have extended support to independent candidates. In most cases, these independent candidates are actually CPI(M) workers, he said. In several gram panchayat seats of Nadia-Karimpur area, BJP candidates were asked to withdraw their nominations so that the CPI(M) could fight against the TMC and vice-versa, a district BJP leader said. In those seats, the party (either CPI(M) or BJP) which has not fielded any candidate is campaigning for the other one to defeat the TMC, the BJP leader of Nadias Karimpur area, who did not wish to be named, said. CPI(M) central committee leader Sujan Chakraborty said few isolated incidents should not to used to judge the CPI(M)s political line against BJP. We are the only party in India which has the most clear approach against BJP and its communal policies. We are not like the TMC which is not serious about fighting BJP. Our policies should not be judged based on isolated incidents. In panchayat poll such isolated incidents do happen. You will find it in other parties also, Chakraborty said. The TMC claimed that the political development in Nadia only proves that the BJP and the CPI(M) are having a tacit understanding in Bengal. We are not surprised at this development as we were aware of such developments in various districts. Only the TMC is serious about fighting the BJP and its anti-people policies, TMC secretary general Partha Chatterjee said. According to West Bengal SEC (State Election Commission) sources, of the 48,650 seats in 3,358 gram panchayats, 16,814 were uncontested and of the 9,217 seats in 341 panchayat samitis, 3,059 were uncontested. In the 20 zilla parishads, 203 of the 825 seats were uncontested, they said. The Union ministry of social justice and empowerment has written to the department of personnel and training (DOPT) to ensure that the reservation policy for Scheduled Castes (SCs), Scheduled Tribes (STs) and Other Backward Class (OBCs) are followed for appointments made on contractual basis or a limited time basis in government ministries and departments. A letter submitted by MSJE minister Thawar Chand Gehlot to his colleague Jitendra Singh, who holds the charge of DoPT, states that all appointments of consultants and contract employees, for time-bound assignments and for outsourced work, should also have provisions for quota-based appointments as per constitutional provisions. Gehlot said the reservation policy should be applied to all state and central government jobs that are non-permanent in nature. The move is a part of the governments initiatives to reach out to the marginalised communities at a time when the Opposition has accused it of not doing enough to secure the rights of Dalits and tribals. According to an official aware of the developments, the letter comes in the wake of demands from SC/ST and OBC groups underlining that since most of the recruitment in government departments and ministries are done on contractual basis, the rules of quota should apply there. Salaries to employees who are employed on contract, or for time-bound period, or even work that is outsourced is paid for by the government, so it is appropriate that constitutional provisions of reservation are ensured for these appointments also. It has come to the governments notice that the percentage of SC/ST and OBCs in such jobs is minimal, the official quoted above said. Former University Grants Commission (UGC) chairman and academic Professor Sukhdeo Thorat said the government must hire on a regular basis but if that is not possible, it must enforce reservation in jobs even if the appointments are made on a contractual basis. According to my estimate, one-third of the government jobs are contractual and if we calculate the percentage of jobs that are lost because reservation is not applied, it comes to roughly 30%, he said. Thorat said that by not enforcing reservation in contractual jobs that are with the government or government-aided institutions, the base of reservation is shrinking. Even in the private sector, the government must ensure affirmative action, he said. Violence continued in Mahe (part of Puducherry) and neighbouring Kannur district for the second consecutive day triggered by twin political murders. A CPI(M) leader was stabbed to death allegedly by RSS men in Palloor on Monday night and a RSS worker was killed in retaliatory attack in New Mahe. A BJP office and a police jeep were set on fire allegedly by CPI(M) workers after the cremation of deceased leader Babu Kannipoyyil. Later, two shops and a house of CPI(M) worker were attacked by BJP-RSS workers. Police fired grenades at a couple of places to control angry workers. Stray incidents of violence were reported from many areas. Kannur district and neighbouring Mahe had observed a shutdown to protest the latest bout of killings. After a lull, political violence reared its head again in the north Kerala area notorious for red-saffron clashes. In the first incident, CPI(M) local leader and former municipal councillor of Mahe, Babu Kannipoyyil, was waylaid and hacked to death by an alleged group of RSS workers. Within an hour, RSS activist Shamej, 34, was fatally stabbed in retaliation and later succumbed to injuries in a hospital. Police said that in both cases, criminal gangs reared by political outfits carried out the crime. Chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan, also hailing from Kannur, condemned the incidents. These killings are unfortunate. I have given instructions to the state police to carry out a thorough investigation and book the culprits, he said. However, BJP state president Kummanam Rajasekharan blamed police for the recurring violence. Police failed to act to avoid such incidents and they have to carry out investigations impartially, he said. With Mondays twin murders, 13 political killings have taken place in Kannur and its surrounding areas since the CPI(M)-led government came to power two years ago. Puducherry: CPI-M call for bandh in Mahe near Kerala's Kannur after Babu, a CPI-M local committee member was hacked to death in the area yesterday. pic.twitter.com/9PERZtzQ1b ANI (@ANI) May 8, 2018 Of these, in eight cases CPI(M) workers are accused while in four RSS-BJP leaders are in the dock. In one case, workers of the Social Democratic Party of India, the political wing of Popular Front, are the accused. After the latest round of violence, the strike-ready killer gangs are exposed again in trouble-torn Kannur. After the first murder, the second was committed in less than 45 minutes, shocking even police authorities. In samurai country (north Kerala is famous for its ancient martial art Kalaripayattu), it is an open secret that party chieftains believe in retaliation and administration-sponsored peace meets are mere interludes to the next bout of bloodshed, say political observers. Ahead of UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhis visit to poll-bound Karnataka on Tuesday, the BJP raked up the issue of her Italian origin by referring to her maiden name Antonio Maino. Today, Ms. Antonio Maino is here in Ktaka to save her last citadel from falling! Madam Maino, Ktaka needs no lessons from the person who was solely responsible for wastingIndias 10 precious years. And to Congress, need to remind you of your import jibe? Karnataka BJP said in a tweet. The BJP was responding to Chief Minister Siddaramaiahs recent remarks calling Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his own Uttar Pradesh counterpart Yogi Adityanath North Indian imports. @BJP4Karnataka by waiting for North Indian imports like PM Modi, UPCM Adityanath is admitting they have no leaders in the state. They have reduced their CM face @BSYBJP to a dummy, Siddaramaiah had tweeted. Hitting back, BJP had then said in a tweet, Imports? How much low can you stoop Mr. CM? Your attempt at North-South divide is disgusting. It is not the first time that the issue of Sonia Gandhis foreign origin has been raked up during the Karnataka polls. At an election rally on May 1 Modi had dared Rahul Gandhi to talk for 15 minutes about the achievements of the Karnataka government in any language, including his mothers mother tongue. Modi was responding to Rahul Gandhis dare to allow him to speak for 15 minutes in Parliament on various issues, including corruption, and that the prime minister will not be able to sit for 15 minutes. I dare the Congress president to speak in Hindi, English or the mother tongue of his mother to deliver a speech in Karnataka for 15 minutes, without reading out from a piece of paper, on the achievements of the party government... people of Karnataka will draw their own conclusion, he said. The BJPs tweet was also in response to an earlier tweet by Congress party calling Yogi Adityanath by his birth name Ajay Bisht. We are glad that Mr Ajay Bisht was able to take some lessons of good governance from CM @siddaramaiah and is headedback to be with the people of Uttar Pradesh in their time of need. The Congress party had referred to Adityanath cutting short his election campaign in Karnataka and returning home following deaths in his state that was ravaged by storm. Almost two years after abandoning a road show in Varanasi ahead of the Uttar Pradesh assembly elections, Sonia would address a poll rally in Vijayapura Tuesday. The then Congress chief Sonia had not campaigned for Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat, Punjab, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Meghalaya, Tripura, andNagaland Assembly elections. Sonia Gandhis son and successor, Rahul Gandhi, is currently touring Karnataka extensively. He will visit Chikkaballapuraand Tumakuru districts on the hustings on Tuesday. With just two days left before the adrenaline-charged campaign for the Karnataka Assembly elections comes to an end, the BJP and Congress fielded their top commanders, who attacked each other over corruption and hardline Hindutva. United Progressive Alliance (UPA) chairperson and former Congress president Sonia Gandhi addressed her first election rally in nearly two years, criticising Prime Minister Narendra Modis policies and alleged intolerance while campaigning in Karnataka. Addressing back-to-back rallies in Vijayapura and Koppala in north Karnataka and in Bengaluru, Modi brought the Congress in the line of fire over its dynasty politics and attempts to divide the society Here are the highlights: 12.10am: On preliminary investigation these 9746 EPIC cards are of actual electors and appear to be prima facie genuine. However, the significance of the counterfoils can only be verified after due investigation, says Election Commission. 12.05am: At a press conference, the Election Commission says, This is certainly a serious matter, we cant decide it here.We dont understand the significance of this. Counterfoils are there. Whether they really are the electors or not, it is yet to be seen. 11.55pm: In a series of tweets, BJPs Sadanand Gowda said that a large number of voter ID cards were found at an apartment in Jalahalli area of Bengaluru. Gowda alleged that 20,000 voter IDs were under the control of the Congress candidate from Rajarajeshwari Nagara, Munirathna Naidu, and demanded an investigation into the matter. Ruling party MLAs misuse their position, & pressurise officers to enroll false names in voter list, This MLA Munirathna Naidu is a 'gunda'. Nearly 60,000 voter ID cards have been manipulated, we caught hold of some & complained: Sadanand Gowda,BJP on his tweet #KarnatakaElections pic.twitter.com/GKJQJPmEyf ANI (@ANI) May 8, 2018 Gowda said he would meet the Election Commission on Wednesday morning to file complaint on withholding the election in the Rajarajeshwari Nagara constituency till the investigation was complete. 10.03pm: Congress president Rahul Gandhi interacted with members of the Church at the Bishops house in Bengaluru. Congress president Rahul Gandhi with the Archbishop of Bengaluru Rev. Dr Bernard Moras. (Congress/Twitter) 8.05pm: Modi asks the crowd to turn on the flashlights on their phone and call for a swacch, sundar Karnataka. 8.02pm: The progress experienced by the rest of the country must come to Karnataka. For this, the state must have a receptive government. Bring Yeddyurappa to power, says Modi 7.58pm: PM iterates that he is fighting corruption and will not spare those who have looted the poor. 7.55pm: Modi says his government is committed to welfare of disabled people. In last four years, we have organised over 5000 camps for them, he says. 7.47pm: The previous governments did not care. We decided we would bring electricity to 18,000 houses within 1000 days and we made it happen, says Modi. 7.45pm: There are more Indians flying as compared to those using AC trains. This is an example to show our efforts in the aviation sector are bringing results. We are doing everything possible to improve connectivity, says PM. 7.41pm: Congress lacks a forward looking vision for the development of Karnataka, says Modi. 7.35pm: Modi says his government has accorded top priority to next-generation infrastructure and was the first to formulate and aviation policy. 7.31pm: When an economist PM remote-controlled by Sonia Gandhi ran the country, India was counted among the fragile five. But in the last three-four years, India has strengthened its economy and contributed to stabilising world economy too, Modi says. 7.27pm: Modi says Bengaluru Metropolitan Area will be expanded to more places and that resources will be allocated for the re-development of the citys lakes. 7.26pm: Modi says BJP promises greater prosperity for farmers, better education, skill development, better opportunities for youth, more industrial development, a positive eco-system for industrial growth, end to politics of dividing society and a safer state for women. 7.24pm: Karnataka Congress is lost in land of dreams. BJP is grounded and tied to the lives of the common man, PM says. 7.20pm: Modi says that the five aspects of Congress rule are dynasty politics, corruption , rampant lawlessness, agrarian distress and division of society. But the Congress is waxing eloquent about its performance in the past 5 years, he says. 7.16pm: Karnataka CM carries his character certificate in his briefcase and as soon as charges are levelled, he issues a character certificate, Modi says. 7.14pm: Modi criticises the state of womens safety, roads and infrastructure in Bengaluru. 7.12pm: The second leader, involved in land grabbing, we all know who he is. What is his link with Gulf Countries and money laundering? The third leader, he has no Shanti is his value systems. His son goes around beating people, PM says. 7.10pm: Modi says, The people of Bengaluru must know whose name came up in the unfortunate death of a police officer here. People who should be in jail are sitting in Karnataka government. 7.08pm: Modi asks why CM Siddaramaiah dislikes Bengaluru. He has handed the city to an infamous trio- and we all know this trio- we also know they have been given charge of this city due to vote bank politics. This trio excels in all the wrong things, he says. 7.03pm: Modi thanks the people of the state for their affection. Karnataka has given me love and blessings beyond my dreams. Even language could not become a barrier between us, he says. 6.59pm: PM Modi begins his address in Bengaluru. 6.27pm: At the event, Prakash Javadekar says, Congress won only 44 seats in the Lok Sabha election. In Karnataka too they will be reduced to 44. He refers to Rahul Gandhis PM remarks from earlier in the day. 6.25pm: PM Modi is due to address a public meeting in Bengaluru. 6.01pm: Modi ji and Amit Shah are worried about future of people of this country while Rahul ji thinks about himself. He said if his party comes to power, hell be the Prime Minister in 2019. A person who doesnt trust his own leadership and ability, how can he expect people to trust him? ANI quotes Smriti Irani as saying. 4.51pm: Sonia ends her speech with chants of Jai hind, Jai Karnataka. 4.47pm: During elections, Modi ji comes with hollow promises and spreads hatred. But I am confident that you will see through this and re-elect Congress for inclusive governance, says Sonia. Sonia slams Modi for using the names of heroes from history for his political motives. 4.46pm: Sonia questions PM Modi on his promise of ending corruption and asks what happened to Lokpal. 4.45pm: Sonia Gandhi says, Modi ji is proud of how well he speaks. I agree, he speaks well, like an actor. Sonia says that if the country could progress on Modis speeches, she would be happy. Ill be happy if his speeches can end hunger of the country but speeches cannot fill empty stomachs, food is needed for that. We need dal chawal, we need hospitals, she says. 4.39pm: Sonia says, All states that suffered drought were given compensation but Karnataka was provided with the least. Modi ji has insulted the farmers and people of Karnataka. Is this your Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas? 4.37pm: It is sad that when we introduced MNREGA, BJP and Modi ji mocked the scheme, she says. 4.34pm: Sonia hails the Siddaramaiah government for starting Indira canteens in the state. Food is the right of every poor person, she says. Congress has worked for development of Karnataka and you must know that the central government is working in a biased manner when it comes to Karnataka. Congress made Karnataka countrys number one state and started numerous scheme for people. she says. 4.33pm: UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi addresses a rally in Vijayapura district. Gandhi is back on the campaign trail for the party after a two-year absence. 4.24pm: Rahul Gandhi says the Congress government in Karnataka has delivered what it promised. 4.19pm: Gandhi says Modi broke his promise of generating employment. Karnataka is ahead of other states in terms of job creation. In the next five years, one crore youth in Karnataka will gets jobs, he promises. 4.17pm: The Congress president says that Modis government has not contributed a single rupee towards the farm loan waiver in Karnataka. 4.14pm: Gandhi says, On one hand they (BJP) garland Ambedkars statue and on the other hand they visit Dalit homes and eat restaurant food. Gandhi says Dalits are attacked in all the BJP-ruled states and the Prime Minister doesnt say a word. 4.10pm: Gandhi accuses the Prime Minister and the BJP of working for the rich and troubling the weaker sections of the society with Gabbar Singh Tax and notebandi. Money goes from your pocket to Nirav Modis and out of the country, he says. 4.05pm: Rahul Gandhi says, Five years ago we had promised that if you voted for us, no one would go hungry. Our government has given each person of every house seven kilos of rice. In the cities of Karnataka, the poor can eat good food at the Indira canteens. 3.59pm: Congress president Rahul Gandhi addresses a gathering in Tiptur. 3.52pm: We have brought the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana. Farmers in Karnataka have hugely benefited from the scheme, says PM. 3.48pm: The government will set up Gramin Haats so that farmers dont have to go faraway to sell their produces, says Modi. 3.46pm: The Congress only thinks about its own welfare. They do not care about farmers. We are committed to welfare of farmers. We have decided to increase MSP of notified crops by 1.5 times, says Modi. 3.44pm: I urge the people of Karnataka to ask a question to the Karnataka CM. What happened to the irrigation project they promised? Where did the money for the project go, asks Modi. 3.42pm: Why is it that farmers of Karnataka face shortage of water? The Congress government, being in sleep mode, is doing nothing to address their problems. In five years, they ruined the farmers of Karnataka: PM 3.40pm: Saints and seers from Karnataka have inspired generations. Their initiatives towards water conservation is laudable, says the PM. 3.32pm: Protecting the girl child is our commitment. We believe in the mantra of Beta Beti Ek Samaan, says the PM, highlighting the BJPs manifesto that promises schemes for womens welfare. 3.25pm: When I had spoken about Swachh Bharat and building toilets from the Red Fort, the naamdaars mocked me. Sadly, those who are born with a golden spoon, never understand the difficulties of poor. We are committed to serve people and would continue to do so, asks Modi at the rally. 3.20pm: Two years ago, I had talked about how a young girl Mallamma from Koppal during Mann Ki Baat. Am glad she took the Swachhata drive with great zeal and today several women are leading the cleanliness drive across the country, says PM. 3.18pm: Congress did nothing to promote tourism and rich history of Karnataka. We are promoting tourism in Karnataka. We are connecting distant places through airways, says PM Modi. 3.13pm: Modi says after coming to power in Karnataka, the shameful Congress even did not spare schoolchildren. They selected students on the grounds of caste for trips and excursions, says the PM. 3.10pm: Prime Minister Narendra Modi addresses a rally in Koppal, says the BJP believes in Rashtra Bhakti and serving the society. Our only mantra is Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikaas. But for the Congress party, only one family means everything, he says. 2.50pm: One hand, you have Siddaramaiah, who has served the people of Karnataka honestly, while on the other, you have corruption-tainted Yeddyurappa. Do you want an honest government working for you, or a corrupt government, asks the Congress president. 2.49pm: Does the S in the JD(S) stand for secular or Sangh Parivar? asks Gandhi. 2.48pm: Even PM Modi has acknowledged that Karnatakas employment record is better. Our government in Karnataka has done what Modi government couldnt, says the Congress president. 2.47pm: I am happy that our government in Karnataka has worked tirelessly for the people, says Gandhi. 2.46pm: Basavanna preached equality. The Congress follows Basavannas principles, says party chief Rahul Gandhi in Karnataka. 1.44pm: The Congress is talking about women empowerment, but it didnt allow the Parliament to pass the Triple Talaq Bill. 1.43pm: The Congress has never been serious about the safety of women. Here in Vijayapura there was a case but what did the Congress government do? Nothing. It is the NDA government that has got a death penalty for child rapists, says the PM. 1.40pm: 10 lakh families got free gas connection after we came to power at the centre, says Modi. 1.38pm: The central government has made it possible to provide electricity to 70,000 of six lakh families in Karnataka in just four months. 1.35pm: The central government has brought social security schemes that are benefitting the poor. It is our government that worked on electrification of villages that had no power for 70 long years, claims the prime minister. 1.31pm: Modi says saints, seers and mutts have played a key role in making the society of Karnataka progressive and harmonious. They have worked to remove human suffering, he says. 1.30pm: Meanwhile at a rally in Karnataka, Congress president Rahul Gandhi says the BJP talks of honesty and decency, and yet, it has a person who has been accused of murder as its party president. 1.25pm: Is there any minister in the Congress government who is not facing corruption charge, asks Modi. 1.20pm: What has the Congress done for the farmers of Karnataka? When the state was suffering due to droughts, ministers handling key portfolios were busy in Delhi doing politics, says the PM. 1.17pm: When Bhagwan Basaveshwara stands for unity, but the Congress is busy dividing people, alleges Modi at Vijayapura rally. 1.16pm: I am here in a land that has close association with Bhagwan Basaveshwara. His philosophy called for taking all sections of society together. Sadly, the Congress government has not followed his principles. All they are bothered about is their votes, says Modi. 1.15pm: Congress leaders are thinking about what excuses they will make after the defeat in the state -- faulty EVMs or other such reasons, says the PM. 1.13pm: Modi says the people of Karnataka have decided to punish the Congress in the elections. 1.11pm: Prime Minister Narendra Modi addresses a rally in Vijayapura. 1.05pm: At Chikkaballapur in Karnataka, Congress president Rahul Gandhi alleges that PM Modi didnt speak over the alleged rape of a woman by BJP legislator from Uttar Pradeshs Unnao. 11.42am: #Karnataka: Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath offered prayers at Murudeshwar Temple in Uttara Kannada district's Murdeshwar. pic.twitter.com/uoQg7yZ9gv ANI (@ANI) May 8, 2018 11.40am: Amit Shah has been accused of murder. Dont think he has lot of credibility. People in India forget that BJP president is a murder accused. The party that talks about honesty, decency has a person whos been accused of murder as president, ANI reports Rahul Gandhi saying in Bengaluru. 11.30am: Rahul Gandhi says yes, why not on being asked if he can be the prime minister in 2019 if the Congress emerges as the single largest party, ANI reports. 11.10am: Congress president Rahul Gandhi says the party is repeatedly asking the Prime Minister why has he chosen a corrupt person, who has been in jail as his partys CM candidate. 10.50am: Ahead of Sonia Gandhis visit, the Karnataka BJP refers to her with her birth name Antonio Maino, which she gave up after marrying Rajiv Gandhi. Today, Ms. Antonio Maino is here in K'taka to save her last citadel from falling! Madam Maino, K'taka needs no lessons from the person who was solely responsible for wasting India's 10 precious years. And to Congress, need to remind you of your 'import' jibe? https://t.co/7NmhjuoMOM BJP Karnataka (@BJP4Karnataka) May 8, 2018 9.50am: Congress leader in the Lok Sabha, M Mallikarjuna Kharge, says the Karnataka election results will teach a lesson to the BJP to mend its ways and send a larger message that people will not accept what the NDA-led party is doing on the advice of RSS. 9.15am: Chief minister Siddaramaiah will address a gathering in Mysuru, the city whose former ruler Tipu Sultan has become a political agenda for both the BJP and the Congress. Siddaramaiah ran into controversy when his government celebrated Tipus birth anniversary last year. During a rally on Sunday, PM Modi criticised Siddaramaiah for celebrating sultan jayanti to get votes but ignoring other leaders. 9.11am: Uttar Pradesh chief minister Adityanath, who returned to Karnataka after Siddaramaiahs tweet critical of his campaigning in the election-bound state when a deadly thunderstorm hit Uttar Pradesh, will address public meetings in Bhatkal, Byndoor, Mudabidre, Virajpet and Sullia. 9.10am: Former Congress president Sonia Gandhi will address a public meeting at Vijayapura at 3pm. This will be the first rally by Gandhi since she was forced to call off a road show in Varanasi midway due to ill health on August 2, 2016. The event was to launch the Congress poll campaign in the 2017 Uttar Pradesh elections. 9.05am: Congress president Rahul Gandhi will begin his second day of the last leg of campaign with an interaction with citizens. Chief minister Siddaramaiah on Monday served a Rs 100-crore legal notice on Prime Minister Narendra Modi, BJP president Amit Shah and partys state unit chief BS Yeddyurappa for alleged defamatory speeches and advertisements against him in the media. The death of a tourist from Chennai in a stone pelting incident in Kashmir on Monday has evoked outrage in the Valley. Chief minister Mehbooba Mufti and opposition leaders as well as separatists have reacted with contempt and anger against the perpetrators while social media, despite suspension of mobile internet since Saturday, was awash with regret. R. Thirumani, a 21-year-old tourist from Chennai, was hit by a stone on his head during a stone pelting incident on the Srinagar-Gulmarg road in Narbal area of central Kashmir on Monday when Kashmir was observing a shutdown. He was taken to the Sher-i-Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences where he succumbed. A girl from northern district of Kupwara was also injured in the incident. Its truly heartbreaking when a family saves for years to realise their dream of visiting Kashmir & while they are here they face their worst nightmare. I have no words strong enough to condemn this tragic incident or even begin to condole the family, Mufti wrote on Twitter. She had gone to meet the family at SKIMS on Monday night and expressed her regret. This happened on a day when she inaugurated the opening of civil secretariat after working six months in Jammu but was greeted with deserted roads and markets against deaths of five militants and as many civilians who were killed in south Kashmirs Shopian on Sunday. Without a sustained, meaningful dialogue & outreach, not just from the govt [sic] but from the entire country, J&K will get pushed deeper into this vortex of gloom. My deepest condolences to the deceaseds family & my prayers go out to the girl who was injured in the same incident, she said. Moderate separatist leader Mirwaiz Umar Farooq who was placed under house detention after calling for protests against the Shopian deaths, termed the incident as hooliganism. Deeply saddened by the news of death of a tourist due to stone pelting. Condemn such hooliganism and rowdiness. It is totally against our ethos of treating tourists as respected guests and brings a bad name to the peoples movement, Mirwaiz wrote on Twitter. Opposition leader Omar Abdullah also took to Twitter to express regret. This young man from Chennai died in my constituency & while I dont support these goons, their methods or their ideology Im deeply, deeply sorry that this happened at all & that too in an area Ive been proud to represent since 2014, he wrote. In New Delhi, defence minister Nirmala Sitharaman condemned that stone pelting that lead to Thirumanis death. Absolutely unfortunate. For a tourist to be killed is absolutely condemnable, she said. Defence minister Nirmala Sitharaman in Delhi said the incident was completely condemnable. I am sure the chief minister (Mehbooba Mufti) herself is keen on getting more tourists to Kashmir because that will also help in restoring normalcy. So, if that has been a stated desire, for a stone pelting incident to have hurt and killed a tourist, its certainly not very conducive to that, she said. On May 2, three children were injured, one seriously, after a group of stone-pelters attacked their school bus in Shopian district. That incident too triggered an outrage across the Kashmir valley. In February, the Jammu and Kashmir government approved withdrawal of cases against 9,730 stone pelters. The decision to grant amnesty to stone pelters has been criticised by many outside Kashmir who say that such a decision would only encourage such elements. On Saturday, the states deputy chief minister Kavinder Gupta said amnesty was granted to prevent them from going astray. They are our youth, our children and we dont want them to go astray. So, the government made an attempt to bring them back, which is a positive step. If they are found involved again, then they really need to worry for themselves....The step has borne some results, but a lot remains to be done, Gupta had said. (With ANI input) A teenager injured during the recent protests in south Kashmirs Shopian died on Tuesday, taking the total number of civilians killed in the district over the last few days to six. Seventeen-year-old Mohammad Iqbal was hit by a bullet in Nagbal on Sunday, during protests against the death of five Hizbul Mujahideen militants in an encounter at nearby Badigam village that morning. The youngster was admitted to the Shri Maharaja Hari Singh (SMHS) hospital at Srinagar with a severe abdominal injury. He died today, said an official at the police control room in Shopian. Violent protests erupted soon after news of Iqbals death reached Shopian, and security personnel found themselves being attacked by stone-pelters. Clashes between youngsters and security forces are still on, the official said. Meanwhile, a statewide shutdown called by separatists to condemn the death of several militants and civilians at the hands of security personnel since Saturday entered its third day. Shops and other commercial establishments remained closed while roads witnessed thin traffic. The government also ordered the closure of educational institutes to prevent students from hitting the streets in protest. An official with the police control room said restrictions have been imposed on the movement of people in areas falling under the jurisdiction of seven police stations in Srinagar, besides Pulwama and Shopian towns. The situation in most places with the exception of Nagbal and Dacho in Shopian is under control, he added. While Hurriyat leaders Syed Ali Shah Geelani and Mirwaiz Umar Farooq continue to be under house arrest, Jammu Kashmir Liberation Front chairman Yasin Malik has been placed under preventive detention in view of the ongoing violence. They have now urged the people to resume normal activities from Wednesday, and express their condemnation of the killings by hoisting black flags. We will consult people from all walks of life to come up with a strategy in the context of the ongoing bloodshed and atrocities on the people, a statement issued by the separatists said. Mohammad Rafi Bhat, an academic-turned-militant, and Saddam Padder, a top Hizbul commander, were among five militants killed on Sunday. As many as 41 people including militants, civilians and security personnel were killed in various instances of violence across Kashmir in April. Twenty people, including a Tamil tourist who was fatally hit by a stone, have died so far this month. Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Mehbooba Mufti on Monday said that 15 or 18 was no age for children to die, and there was a need for a middle path to stop the killings in the Valley. Incarcerated Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) chief Lalu Prasad on Tuesday moved an application before jail authorities seeking parole to attend his sons wedding on May 12 in Patna. Prasads son Tej Pratap Yadav is set to tie the knot with Ashwariya Rai, the granddaughter of former Bihar chief minister Daroga Rai and daughter of senior RJD leader and legislator Chandrika Rai, in Patna. The RJD chief, convicted in three fodder scam cases, has been imprisoned at Birsa Munda Central Jail since December 23 last year. He is currently undergoing treatment at the Rajendra Institute of Medical Sciences (RIMS), Ranchi. We submitted an application seeking Prasads temporary release from jail on parole for five days from May 10 to May 14. Prasad wanted to attend his sons marriage ceremony to full fill his religious duty, said RJD legislator Bhola Yadav, a close associate of Prasad who is looking after the RJD leaders legal issues. We are anticipating authorities approval by Wednesday (May 9). A prisoner has a right to seek parole on valid grounds as per Bihar Prisoners (Parole) Rules, 1973, duly adopted by the Jharkhand government after creation of the state. Rule 6 (c) says that marriage of son or daughter is a valid ground for seeking parole. Bhola Yadav said. Earlier, Prasad had applied for provisional bail on health grounds before the Jharkhand high court. His petition is likely to come up for hearing on May 11, a day before his sons wedding. The Birsa Munda Central Jail authorities, on March 17, had shifted Prasad to RIMS after he complained of discomfort and chest pain. Later, the RIMS authorities referred him to AIIMS, New Delhi, for specialized treatment. Om May 1, Prasad was referred back to RIMS after being treated for nearly a month. Prasad had been diagnosed with 15 different diseases, including Type 2 diabetes, hypertension, and chronic kidney disease. Eighteen days after the West Bengal police made its first arrest in the carcass meat racket, chief minister Mamata Banerjee on Tuesday formed a committee of top government and police officials and said the racket has been operating not only in Bengal but in other states as well. The police have done a good job. Today, we have formed a committee to be headed by the chief secretary. It will formulate a foolproof mechanism to ensure carcass meat cannot be retrieved by anyone, said Banerjee. This operation was not confined to Bengal. It had spread to other states also. The discovery has spread panic and many people have stopped having meat. The government will deal with this, said Banerjee . The committees members comprise the director general of state police, the commissioner of Kolkata police, and the principal secretaries of health, animal husbandry, panchayat, and urban development departments. Officials said Banerjee wants the committee to formulate a scientific mechanism for disposal of animal carcass and draft policies to ensure quality of food sold in markets and eateries. On Tuesday, around a thousand kilos of stale casein was recovered from a sweetmeat factory at Katwa in East Burdwan district. The civilian death toll in Sundays clashes between protestors and security forces in Shopian district of Jammu and Kashmir climbed to six after a youth succumbed to injuries at a hospital in Srinagar on Tuesday. Iqbal Bhat, who sustained a bullet injury in the abdomen, succumbed to injuries at SHMS Hospital in Srinagar this morning, a police official said. He said the body of the deceased youth was taken by his relatives to his native Nagbal area of Shopian for last rites. Five civilians died on Sunday during clashes between protestors and security forces near an encounter site in Shopian while several others were injured. Five militants including top Hibzul Mujahideen commander Saddam Padder and Kashmir University professor Mohammad Rafi Bhat were killed in a gunbattle with security forces on Sunday. It was a forgettable birthday. Celebrations were muted when Bahujan Samaj Party cadre gathered on January 15 for chief Mayawatis birthday, an annual event when supporters send donations a fair measure of loyalty and party support. Usually the party would raise a few crores of rupees if not more, but this year only a few lakhs were collected, a party insider said on condition of anonymity, as the BSP doesnt share the data. The mood soured further when the party didnt find many takers for its tickets for the 2019 Lok Sabha election. At a party gathering, Mayawati was told aspirants were not too hopeful of the BSPs prospects, party leaders privy to the meeting said. A string of defeats that started with the party losing power in 2012 to the Samajwadi Party in Uttar Pradesh had pushed the BSP to the margins. It couldnt even send a single representative to the Lok Sabha in 2014 and last year, it got only 19 seats in the 403-member UP assembly that was swept by the BJP, which aggressively wooed Dalits, the BSPs support base. The writing was on the wall: Change or perish. Change is good Mayawati has stayed away from poll alliances but the BJPs growing clout has forced a rethink. The 62-year-old took everyone by surprise by backing bitter rival, the Samajwadi Party, in the Gorakhpur and Phulpur Lok Sabha bypolls in March. Mayawati of the past would have stayed away from a by-election but she wanted to test the alliance and wasnt disappointed. The ruling BJP lost the seats held by chief minister Yogi Adityanath and his deputy Keshav Prasad Maurya, who are now members of the legislative council. The BSP-SP alliance had changed the electoral scenario in the state and dealt a blow to the BJP which was counting on a split in anti-BJP votes for a victory in the 2019 election, BSPs Uttar Pradesh chief Ramachal Rajbhar said. The alliance has consolidated its hold over the Dalit-Muslim-backward caste voters, making it tough for the BJP to repeat the 2014 performance, he said, referring to 71 seats the BJP won out of 80 in Uttar Pradesh. And that is the formula Mayawati is working on to take on the BJP in 2019. If it works, it is a formidable combination. Muslims account for 19% of UPs population, Dalits 21%, Yadavs 7%, and non-Yadav OBCs 32%. UP, which has the highest number of Lok Sabha segments in country, has 17 seats reserved for scheduled castes and the BJP won all of them in 2014. A BSP leader who didnt wish to be named said it was Behenji, as Mayawati is known to her supporters, who took the initiative to join hands with the SP. The decision came after she analysed the partys performance in the assembly elections. In 200 seats, BSP-SP candidates were neck and neck with the BJP. To prevent a split of votes, she decided to go with the SP, the leader said. Her social engineering (upper caste-Dalit combination) won Uttar Pradesh for her in 2007, now it was time for alliance building. In the 2014 and 2017 polls, upper caste voters Brahmins and Thakurs shifted allegiance to the BJP. Consolidating the core was vital. Mayawati appointed Dalit leaders such as Ashok Siddharth, Vir Singh, Bhimrao Ambedkar, Akilesh Ambedkar, Raja Ram, Atar Singh and Sunil Kumar Chittor as zonal coordinators. The move was not only aimed at countering the BJP, which has accused her of sidelining the community, but also sending a message that Dalits would get top position in the organisation. The message is clear for the BJP leadership that Mayawati will fight for each Dalit vote, SK Dewedi, a teacher with Lucknow University. Her playbook The BSP plans to counter the BJPs Dalit outreach by organising camps and reviving bhaichara (brotherhood) committees in Dalit-dominated villages. Zonal coordinators have been asked to hold meetings to caution the Dalit community against BJPs designs, BSP leader Sukhdev Rajbhar said. The BJPs only concern was Dalit votes and not their welfare, he said, adding the BSP was working for the weaker sections since its inception in 1984. The BSP was seen as a Dalit party and the bhaichara committees had done well to widen the partys base among the backward as well as the upper castes, political observer Sanjay Singh said. Mayawati had activated bhaichara committees to wean the backward communities away from the BJP, he said. The BJPs booth-level committees played an important role in its 2014 and 2017 wins. The BSP is trying to do something similar for grassroots support. Zonal coordinators have been directed to set up booth committees in all the 403 assembly segments and submit a list to Mayawati, a BSP leader said. Aware of the challenge posed by Dalit outfits such as the Bhim Army led by young leader Chandrashekhar, Mayawati has decided to promote young people. She has appointed her nephew, Aakash, an MBA from London, for organisational activities. After a string of desertions, she is packing the party with loyalists. Her brother, Anand Kumar, is the national vice president. She also purged people considered close to BSP leaders who switched side to the BJP. Beyond UP Uttar Pradesh will always be central to Mayawatis plans but she is looking to position the BSP as a challenger to the BJP in 2019. She has tied up with the Janata Dal (Secular) and is campaigning in Karnataka, which votes for a new assembly on May 12. She is also finalising names for Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh assembly elections due this year end. The party will contest next years election in Haryana in alliance with Indian National Lok Dal. The party has small pockets of influence in these states but Mayawati wants to send a message that the BSP is the only regional outfit with a pan-India presence, a senior party leader said. It is not going to be easy to take on the BJP, which has a well-oiled election machine that has been set in motion for the 2019 battle. The BJP is holding Dalit Yatras across UP, its leaders are camping in villages and highlighting the welfare and development schemes launched by the state government for weaker sections. The BSP is yet to get started. The BJP is big on public connect but the BSP leader is not much of a peoples person. Her interactions are limited to public meetings that she holds occasionally. Her last public appearance was in Saharanpur in May 2017 during a clash between upper castes and Dalits. The BJP had a battery of leaders to campaign but in the BSP, Mayawati was the lone star campaigner, Dalit scholar RK Gautam said. The influence of national general secretary, SC Mishra, was limited to Brahmins. Naseemuddin Siddiqui, once the Muslim face of the BSP, is now with the Congress. Mayawati was counting on the SP to help her plug the gaps and take on the might of the BJP, Gautam said. Speaking at her first election rally in two years, UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi on Tuesday accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi of intolerance and discriminating against Congress-ruled Karnataka, questioning his promise of sabka saath, sabka vikas. With two days left for campaigning, the former Congress president targeted Modi, who is leading the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)s charge in the southern state that votes for a new assembly on May 12. Modiji is obsessed with Congress-free India. Leave Congress-free India, he cannot tolerate anyone, Gandhi said. The two squared off at separate rallies in Vijayapura in north Karnataka as Modi criss-crossed the state to address three public meetings during the day. Modi might be a good speaker but speeches cant fight hunger, she said. If his oratory can fill hungry stomachs, he must speak more often. Speeches cannot fill the stomach of the hungry. Speeches cannot empower women, cure those suffering from diseases, it cannot create employment, she said. Karnataka is the biggest of the four states the Congress is in power. It is also the only southern state where the BJP has had a government and the party is keen to replicate the success of 2008 ahead of the 2019 Lok Sabha election. Gandhi accused the Modi government of discriminating against our government in Karnataka. Is this your sabka saath, sabka vikas (together with all, development for all)?, urging people to defeat the BJP. She said the Modi government had failed farmers, youth and the middle class. Modiji what did you do for the security of women, children, backward classes, Dalits and minorities, Gandhi said. Modi kept up the offensive, hitting out at irrigation minister MB Patil, medical education minister Sharan Prakash Patil and mining minister Vinay Kulkarni for trying to divide a sect and divert attention from the states drought, farm crisis and alleged mining mafia. The three leaders were at the forefront of the demand for a separate religion for Lingayats, which the state government approved weeks before the election was called. The BJP has opposed the decision as an attempt to divide Hindus. These three ministers werent doing their work. But to save their seats they were hatching a conspiracy to divide the people, Modi said. He repeatedly referred to Basaveshwara, the 12th century reformer whose teachings are followed by Lingayats who have a significant presence in north Karnataka. At a rally in Koppal in central Karnataka, PM said the Congress was pitting brother against brother to win elections. He ended the day with a public meeting in Bengaluru, targeting the Congress over corruption and what he said was dynastic politics. Responding to the PMs remarks, SM Jamdar of Jagatika Lingayat Mahasabha, who was part of the Lingayat stir, said it was not the Congress but Modi who was politicising the move. State BJP spokesperson S Prakash said Gandhi had no right to speak about farmer distress. If there is agrarian distress this is because it was not addressed during the 10 years of the UPA government, he said. Gandhi should direct her questions at CM Siddaramaiah as Karnataka was the state with the most acute farm distress, he said. She must demand from him why over 3,000 farmers committed suicide over the past five years, Prakash said. (With agency inputs) Top naval commanders in a four-day conference that began on Tuesday will discuss aspects concerning the countrys maritime security, analyse mission-based deployments and larger issues of the geo-strategic Indian Ocean, a region witnessing increasing Chinese presence. Defence minister Nirmala Sitharaman, who inaugurated the conference, told reporters that there has been a very pointed discussion on issues raised by naval commanders and Navy chief Admiral Sunil Lanba. The defence secretary, the financial advisor in the defence ministry and the Navy have been having talks with an open mind and several issues of concern have seen a meaningful discussion, she said. The conference will culminate on May 11. Admiral Lanba said during the conference, We are going to analyse our mission-based deployments, maintenance to operational transitional cycle and larger issues of geo-strategic Indian Ocean. The Indian Ocean, considered the backyard of the Indian Navy, is critical to Indias strategic interests. Over the years, the region has witnessed increasing Chinese presence. China increased its presence in the Indian Ocean Region by constructing the deep-sea Gwadar Port in southern Pakistan and a naval base in Djibouti in the Horn of Africa. The region also has Chinese ships deployed for anti-piracy operations. The commanders would also deliberate on improving the Teeth-to-Tail ratio and explore niche fields such as Artificial Intelligence and Big Data Analytics. Harnessing cutting-edge technologies, specifically those Made in India would be a key focus during the conference. The Indian Navys focus over the past year has been on combat efficiency and material readiness, and upkeep of its fleet of 131 ships and submarines. Measures to ensure safety, continued training, and checks and balances on crew proficiency aboard its front-line warships will also be reviewed. The commanders will also discuss the optimal utilisation of the Navys share of the defence budget by prioritising capital acquisitions and modernisation plans to bridge critical capability gaps. Sitharaman said the Navys requests for major acquisition projects for 2018-19 will go through smoothly and there is nothing to worry in that regard. She said a large part of the Navys requests between 2017-18 has been taken to a logical conclusion and many of them are almost on the verge of getting tied up. The CNC (Commercial Negotiation Committee) are over and so on well beyond over Rs 30,000 crore in 2017-18 with a fair deal of Navys requests taken care of. 2018-19 requests are very well received and they will go through smoothly so there is nothing to worry, she said. Three students, including two girls, allegedly committed suicide over their poor performance in matriculation or Class 10 board examination conducted by Odishas Board of Secondary Education (BSE) within 24 hours after the results were declared on Monday, police said. Two suicides were reported from Jajpur district and the third from Ganjam in a string of deaths and reports of mounting stress among students. Lakshmipriya Mohanta of Kanijira village in Jajpur district hanged herself in her home soon after the results were declared. Her family members rushed her to a hospital where doctors pronounced her brought dead. Police have registered a case and sent her body for a post-mortem examination. Padmalochan Mallik of Ratalanga village, also in Jajpur district, consumed poison after he got poor grades in the exam. Mallik was expecting A1 (91%+) or A2 (81%+) but secured D Grade (41%+). His family members rushed him to the district headquarters hospital, where he was declared brought dead. Lily Swain of Narendrapur village in Ganjam district died in a hospital on Tuesday, a day after she drank poison after scoring poor marks in the matric exam. Experts say youngsters find it difficult to cope with failure in exams and careers and neither families nor other social institutions offer adequate support. The National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) 2015 data shows that one student commits suicide every hour in India. In 2015, 8,934 students committed suicide and in the five years before that 39,775 killed themselves. India has one of the worlds highest suicide rates for youth aged 15 to 29, according to a 2012 Lancet report, which illustrated the need for urgent intervention. The Class 10 exams were written by 590,363 students and 428,000 candidates or 76.23%, including 222,000 girls and 216,000 boys, managed to clear the exam this year. There was a decline of 10% from last year when 86.37% students passed the exam. Odisha school and mass education secretary PK Mohapatra warned of departmental action against teachers and headmasters of the schools where the results were not up to the mark. Children who have been sexually abused experience a range of psychosocial problems and are affected in devastating and often irreversible ways, a study by the Kailash Satyarthi Childrens Foundation has found. Out of the 96 victims and their families contacted by Nobel Laureate Kailash Satyarthis foundation, only 14 or 15% agreed to participate in the pilot study to assess the psychological impact of child sexual abuse. And out of the 14 families of victims from eight years to 16 years old approached for final interaction and interview, two refused to sign the informed consent form. Sexual abuse puts the child in perpetual trauma and shock affecting her/his physical, mental, psychological as well as social well-being and placing her/his overall growth and development in jeopardy, it says. Such acts can have devastating and often irreversible impact on young children, and recent trends in India have revealed an urgent need to improve and strengthen the response (at societal, government, legal and judicial levels) to check such crime and offer effective support for survivors, it adds. Survivors of child sexual abuse lack confidence, feel alienated, fear going out alone, sense a change in the behaviour of family members and in case of children above 15, there is a tendency of self-blame and self-harm, the study says. New facets could include losing contact with all friends, finding the social network limited to a minimum and getting handicapped by limited movement in the vicinity of the home, the report said. The study found that sexually abused children feel unloved, which points how the family itself can trigger long-term adverse impact on the survivors self-esteem and confidence. The report also pointed out that in cases where family support was available to the child survivor, they turned out to be confident. Even if they (family members) see me crying they do not stop me nor try to console me. I used to be loved so much before but now things have changed, a 17-year-old survivor said when about the love and affection received by them from their families before and after the incident. It also talks about the experience of the victims and their families with legal and other support systems and says that case pendency and delays are found to be one of the major hurdles in bringing them back to the mainstream. None of the respondents were found to be happy with this. This is a serious barrier to the nations ability to curb such crime, and most of the cases recorded here have been pending in courts as complaints for over two years, even though POCSO (Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act, 2012,) stipulates fast-track justice, the report points out. Satyarthi said while speaking to the Hindustan Times that a National Child Tribunal (NCT) must be constituted to fast-track the cases of sexual offences against children. The current criminal law system we have, we focus so much on the punishment to the offender. But what about the victim who has lost childhood? There is a gap in actual incidents and FIR registration because of stigma. Its time to focus on the rehabilitation and apart from the survivor the family also needs counselling as their support is very important, Satyarthi said. The child right activist called for all political parties to unite for the cause with 90,000 cases of the POCSO act pending in courts across the country and only 30% conviction. There could be hundreds of reasons to divide but there is at least one reason to unite and that is how we can save our children, Satyarthi said. Child sexual abuse has been in focus after the gang-rape and murder of the eight-year-old girl in Jammu and Kashmirs Kathua district hit the headlines and sparked nationwide outrage and criticism of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party. Since then, there has been an overwhelming rise in the number crime against children forcing the Union cabinet to approve the death penalty to those convicted of raping children below 12 years. According to government figures, a child is sexually abused every 15 minutes in India. The National Crime Records Bureau report for 2016 shows a sharp spike in cases of rape against children with an increase of such incidents by over 82% as compared to 2015. Amidst the controversy over a portrait of Pakistan founder Mohammad Ali Jinnah at Aligarh Muslim University (AMU), a photograph of the universitys founder Sir Syed Ahmed Khan has been replaced with prime minister Narendra Modis picture at the Public Works Department guest house in Khair town of Aligarh. Aligarh district magistrate Chandra Bhushan Singh has ordered a probe into the alleged removal of Sir Syeds portrait. As PWD guest house is a state-owned property, there is nothing unusual in putting up the photograph of Prime Minister Narendra Modi but the allegations of the removal of AMU founders portrait are being looked into, Singh said. It seems that the issue has been raised mischievously to add fuel to the existing controversy. A probe has already been ordered to find out the truth. The probe report is yet to be submitted, the DM said. People familiar with the matter said Sir Syeds portrait was reportedly removed last week. The DM ordered a probe when the matter was reported in the local media, they added. BJP MP from Aligarh Satish Gautam wrote a letter to the AMU vice-chancellor earlier this month asking why a portrait of the founder of Pakistan was being kept on the campus. AMU students are holding protests on campus but have clarified that their agitation is against the entry of the RSS and VHP activists to the campus and a subsequent lathi charge by the police on students trying to lodge a complaint last Wednesday. Students formed a human chain on the AMU campus on Tuesday after addressing a press conference claiming that their protest had nothing to do with the Jinnah controversy. With violence and unrest continuing in Jammu and Kashmir, Congress leader P Chidambaram on Tuesday asked chief minister Mehbooba Mufti to quit the PDP-BJP coalition government saying the unholy alliance was the gravest provocation to the people of the Valley. In a series of tweets, the former home and finance minister claimed the muscular and militaristic approach of the central government has driven the state towards the present catastrophic situation. Mehbooba Mufti should break her partys unholy and opportunistic coalition with the BJP. And go back to the philosophy of her father. The PDP-BJP coalition is the gravest provocation to the people of the Kashmir valley. Mehboobaji, quit the coalition immediately and go back to the people, he said. Chidambaram said he shared the Jammu and Kashmir chief ministers concern that statesmanship required to get the state out of the vicious cycle of killings but it was sad that she does not see that her coalition government is the core of the problem. The central governments muscular, militaristic approach to the J&K issue has driven the state towards the present catastrophic situation, he said. Mehbooba on Monday had urged the national leadership to show the element of compassion and display the statesmanship to get Jammu and Kashmir out of this vicious cycle of killings. A tourist from Chennai died on Monday after he was hit on the head by a stone during a protest on the outskirts of Srinagar. Five Hizbul Mujahideen militants, including an assistant professor of the Kashmir University, were killed in an encounter in the Valley on Sunday. Five civilians, who were staging protests near the encounter site, were also killed in clashes with security forces. A woman was gangraped in a moving car allegedly by two men after throwing her child (3) from the vehicle on Monday evening on Delhi-Dehradun national highway in Muzaffarnagar, police said. The child was rushed to a hospital by the villagers. He is out of danger. Later, the 26-year-old victim was also dropped from the car in Chapar area on the highway in the district, said SP (city) Ombir Singh on Tuesday. A case has been registered against the absconding accused, and the woman has been sent for medical examination, he said. According to a complaint lodged by the victim, she was called by one of the accused RK Mehata on the pretext of giving her a job. She was raped by Mehata and his friend after giving her some alcoholic drink laced with sedatives. She lodged the complaint after getting consciousness, the SP said. The central government has told the Supreme Court that the armed forces have embarked on proposing a series of measures to usher a more liberal regime to grant permanent commission (PC) to women officers and open new streams of induction for them. In an affidavit filed in the top court, the Union ministry of defence said it requires six months to formulate modalities and enforce the changes and alterations in the three forces. All three wings of the armed forces (army, navy and air force) and the ministry of defence are actively considering the issue of parity between male and female officers in securing PC in the armed forces, read the affidavit. This is the first time that the government has given a statement in writing before the court in the matter related to permanent commission for women officers. The case relates to the Centre opposing the Delhi high courts 2010 order granting permanent commission to women officers recruited in army on short service commission (SSC). Although the army allows permanent commission to women officers in two branches judge advocate general (JAG) and education it has refused to extend the same to other branches. The Indian air force and the Indian navy, too, grant permanent commission to women officers but only in selective streams. (All) three wings are conscious of and sensitive to the grievances of the female officers/ personnel in their fold and the need to provide them with reasonable avenues and ample opportunities to further their career prospects. Parity to women in grant of permanent commission has acquired sharper focus so as to mitigate discriminatory treatment, the affidavit said. The formal stand of the government was filed on the directions issued by the top court on April 28. A bench led by Justice N V Ramana described the oral submissions of the government as wishy-washy. On April 13 the bench pulled up the government for harassing SSC women officers by opposing their plea for PC. The judge also questioned the hesitation on the Centres part to give PC to women in combat roles. Restriction of employability of women in army is inescapable due to the peculiar operational compulsions of the army, the ministry said. Therefore, the classification of streams for making PC available to women officers only in selective streams will be based on the service conditions of the various streams. Measures to eradicate the divide between male and female officers in as many streams as possible are being adopted in a gradual process, having regard to the peculiar characteristics and operational constraints of each stream, the Centre said. The central government said it will begin with by allowing women officers to serve for 20 years without any screening after completing the 14-year tenure under the short service commission. This will entitle them pensionary benefits. Rahul Gandhi said on Tuesday that he is ready to be Indias prime minister if the Congress emerges as the largest party in the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, acknowledging for the first time that he would be willing to take the countrys top job at a time when several Opposition parties are trying to cobble together a federal front against the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). At a town hall with the citys prominent citizens, when Gandhi was asked if he would become the PM, he replied: Well it depends... it depends on how well the Congress does. If the Congress is the biggest party, yes. Gandhi also emphasised he was pretty convinced Narendra Modi would not return to power in 2019. Mr. Modi is not going to be prime minister. I can see it in his face. He knows it, he said. During the 10-year rule of the United Progressive Alliance government, Gandhi had repeatedly rejected offers to join the Cabinet. The newly appointed Congress presidents statement, in the middle of the election campaign in Karnataka, is expected to boost the party cadre and escalate a personality clash with prime minister Modi. The state will vote on May 12, and results will be announced on May 15. Gandhis comment sends a message that the Congress sees itself as a front-runner to lead a coalition government to keep the BJP out of power. The comment assumes greater significance after West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee, seen one of the key architects of a proposed federal front, had said last week that the Congress should be prepared to play a supportive role in an anti-BJP formation, a statement that perhaps hinted at her own prime ministerial aspirations. Trinamool Congress spokespersons in Delhi and Kolkata declined to comment on Rahuls statement on Tuesday. But Nawab Malik, spokesperson of the Sharad Pawar-led Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) -- one of the more consistent partners of the Congress and also in the forefront of the federal front negotiations -- said that nobody can oppose Rahul Gandhi if people gave him mandate. In Uttar Pradesh, Samajwadi Party (SP) spokesperson and former minister Rajendra Chaudhary said: It is his statement. What can we say about it. It may happen or might not. Too early to say anything. The SP, led by Akhilesh Yadav, is taking on the BJP in the state along with once bitter rival, the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) led by Mayawati. Both parties are considered key to a combined anti-BJP front. The Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS), too, declined to comment on Gandhis remark. It is their issue. For us, it is a non-issue, said TRS Rajya Sabha member K Kesava Rao. TRS leader K Chandrashekhar Rao has also been working on putting together an alternative front to take on the BJP. Meanwhile, BJP spokesperson Shahnawaz Hussain quipped that Gandhi has a right to dream but even allies of the Congress would not accept his leadership. Look at the irony, Congress is losing state after state ever since Gandhi took over as partys vice president and then party chief. But he is dreaming to become the prime minister, Hussain told reporters. Congress leader Abhishek Manu Singhvi, however, backed Gandhis statement, describing him as a natural choice. Remember, he is not hankering for the post and in fact he had been most self-denying earlier. His dignified response came after he has led from the front as Congress president and is in stark contrast to the prime minister and the ruling party presidents obsessive hunger for pelf, power, post and politics, Singhvi said. Speaking about Gandhis comment, Sanjay Kumar of the Centre for the Study of Developing Societies said: I think he wants to dispel the notion that he is a reluctant politician, that his heart is not in politics. He is signalling that he is deeply invested in politics and harbours the ambition for the top job. Kumar added that Gandhi was also asserting within the party, where there remain whispers that he is not serious. He is saying I am PM material. Dont think otherwise, he said. The police are investigating if Dikshant Kamra (20), Priya Seths boyfriend and an accomplice in the alleged murder of a Jaipur businessman last week, had any criminal history. Priya, Dikshant, and his friend Lakshya Walia are in police custody since May 4 for the murder of 27-year-old Dushyant Sharma after Priya befriended him on mobile dating application Tinder. Priya had three other cases against her for blackmailing, prostitution and trying to loot an ATM before the latest one of murder. Dikshant lived in Mumbai for 2-2.5 years and I think he is not telling us clearly what he used to do there. He says he used to work in films and television serials but considering his pricey clothes and accessories, we suspect he was involved in some illegal business, said Gur Bhupendra Singh, station house officer, Jhotwara police station. Jhotwara police have requested their counterparts in Mumbai to furnish information about Dikshants background and if he has any criminal history. Police also enquired about Dikshant at the Padampur police station in Sri Ganganagar from where he hails, but found no criminal record against him. In the recent case, Dikshant claimed that Priya stabbed the businessman in Jaipur, but the police say it was he who carried out the attack. Dushyant was stabbed 11 times at his throat, bundled up in a suitcase trolley and left at a secluded place in Amer on May 3. The police also suspect that Dushyant might not have reached the apartment on his own but was rather picked up by the trio on way through coaxing. We think so because the victim left his house saying that one of his vehicles carrying river sand has been seized by the police. He was engaged in the mining business, said the Jhotwara SHO. Priya and Dikshant used to consume cocaine, marijuana, and alcohol, police said. Priya was also a chain smoker and squandered all the money she got from duping people on pursuing a lavish lifestyle. The police said Lakshya was at the spot when the crime occurred, and also went with Priya and Dikshant to dump the body, but his role in the murder seems to be peripheral. The police have the trio in custody till May 11, but will probably seek custody of Priya and Dikshant for a few more days for interrogation. Mulayam Singh Yadav, Akhilesh Yadav and Mayawati are among the six former chief ministers who will have to vacate their sprawling bungalows after the Supreme Court on Monday quashed a 2016 amendment passed by the Samajwadi Party government in Uttar Pradesh allowing them to retain government accommodation for life. Bharatiya Janata Partys Rajnath Singh and Kalyan Singh and Narayan Dutt Tiwari of the Congress party will also have to move out of their government bungalows. Former chief minister late Ram Naresh Yadavs bungalow has been already vacated, a senior officer of the states estate department said. The top court on Monday struck down the amendment brought by then Akhilesh Yadav-led government, saying it was unconstitutional, arbitrary and discriminatory and violated the concept of equality. It was hearing a public interest litigation filed by Lucknow-based non-profit organisation Lokprahari which challenged the amendment to the Uttar Pradesh Ministers (Salaries, Allowances and Miscellaneous Provisions) Act, 1981. The Samajwadi Party government amended the act to provide former chief ministers government residence at his/her request, for his/her lifetime, on payment of such rent as may be determined from time to time by the estate department of the state government. Mayawatis government residence. (HT Photo) The governments decision came after the Supreme Court on August 1, 2016, ordered the cancellation of allotment of such bungalows to former chief ministers. The top court sought the state governments response in November 2016 after Lokpraharis plea claimed that the amendment was an attempt to skirt its August verdict that year. It had then held that the practice of allocating government bungalows to former chief ministers was bad in law and they should vacate the bungalows occupied by them in two months. A senior officer said the state government would take a view on the issue only after getting the SC order. The state government will study the order and a view will be taken once chief minister Yogi Adityanath is back from campaigning in Karnataka, said the officer. Meanwhile, Uttar Pradesh Congress Committee (UPCC) has welcomed the SC decision. UPCC spokesperson Virendra Madan said: The party will make any further comments only after studying the SC verdict. ND Tiwaris government bungalow. (Deepak Gupta/HT Photo) While the spokesperson of Samajwadi Party (SP) and the former minister Rajendra Chaudhary said: We will get a copy of SC order, study it and only after that we will decide if it warrants our reaction or not?. A solidarity march in support of doctors jailed in BRD tragedy, wherein over 30 children had died due to alleged disruption in oxygen supply in August last year, was taken out at the medical college by junior doctors in Gorakhpur on Monday. They demanded early release of ex-BRD principal Dr Rajeev Mishra and former HoD anaesthesia Dr Sateesh, both lodged in Gorakhpur jail since last eight months along with five others. Dr Rajeev Mishra, was admitted to Lohia hospital in Lucknow on Sunday, following complain of breathlessness, growing infection in liver and swollen feet. Meanwhile, Dr Sateesh, who is suffering from diabetes and high blood pressure, is also not feeling well since last few months. The march led by Dr Sateeshs wife Anita Singh and daughter Pallavi Singh came almost a week after bail was granted to another accused Dr Kafeel. Earlier, the court had also granted bail to Maneesh Bhandari, owner of liquid oxygen supplying firm Pushpa Sales, who had stopped the supply owing to non-payment of bills worth Rs 69 lakhs by BRD medical college management. During the march, the doctors raised slogans demanding release of jailed colleagues. They also held placards with Justice delayed, justice denied slogan. My husband is innocent, said Anita, whose husband was charged with tampering records and uninformed leave on the day the tragedy took place. She was addressing a press conference. Referring to deteriorating health of Dr Sateesh, she expressed concern over delay in granting of bail to him. Without proven guilt he has been kept behind bars for 8 months and is being denied bail even when he is suffering from severe diseases. The charge of uniformed leave before the tragedy is wrong as my husband had taken permission from the then BRD principal to attend a convocation ceremony of my son scheduled at IIT-Bombay on August 12. Moreover, the moment he was informed about the tragedy he returned back and resumed duty on August 13 without attending the programme, she said. Anita also refuted charges of corruption against her husband claiming as maintenance officer he was not involved in any purchase procurement or payments of oxygen bills. He had been serving BRD medical college and hospital since 27 years and joined as an anaesthesia professor in 2011, she said. The Allahabad high court on Monday rejected the bail application of Dr Purnima Shukla, wife of former principal of Gorakhpurs BRD medical college Dr Rajiv Kumar Mishra, in connection with the deaths of children allegedly due to disruption in oxygen supply in August last year. Dr Purnima Shukla has been accused of interfering in the functioning of the college. Declining bail to Dr Purnima, justice Yashwant Varma said the court could not order the petitioners release at this stage keeping in view the facts and circumstances of the case. Earlier on April 30, the court had turned down the bail plea of her husband Dr Rajiv Kumar Mishra in the same case. Dr Purnima contended that she was languishing in jail for the last seven months while other co-accused had been released on bail. However, opposing the bail application, the state counsel pleaded that the case was serious in nature and alleged that Dr Purnima played a role in disruption of oxygen supply. He alleged that the petitioner played an important role in the functioning of the college and at her alleged instance the college authorities had stopped payment to the company which used to supply oxygen. The company stopped oxygen supply which resulted into the death of several children in the hospital. Hence, she should not be released on bail, he said. An FIR was lodged against nine people, including Dr Rajeev Mishra and her wife Dr Purnima Shukla, on August 23 last year in connection with the death of over 30 children in the hospital. Of the nine accused, director of oxygen supplying company Pushpa Sales Manish Bhandari and a doctor at BRD medical college Dr Kafeel Khan have been released on bail. A 16-year-old Dalit girl was allegedly set afire at her house in Azamgarh district on Monday evening, after she refused to share her mobile phone number with a neighbour. Police said the girl, a resident of Fariha village, has been admitted to the divisional hospital at Varanasi in a critical condition. She suffered 80% burns in the incident, said Dr Prabhat Kumar, a staffer at the hospital. A complaint filed by the girl stated that the accused, identified as Mohammad Shafi, entered the house and asked for her mobile phone number. When she refused, he allegedly molested her before setting her afire. The girls neighbours rushed to the scene and caught hold of Shafi, treating him to a thrashing. He was later handed over the police, who registered a case under sections 307 (attempt to murder), 342 (wrongful confinement) and 354 (assaulting a woman with intent to outrage her modesty) of the Indian Penal Code, besides the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences and SC/ST Acts. Police said Shafi has also been hospitalised with injuries suffered at the hands of the neighbours. A large number of police personnel have been deployed in the village to prevent any untoward incident. The case is being investigated, said superintendent of police Ravi Shankar Chhavi. A 28-year-old woman from Shahjahanpur has accused a BJP legislator and his son of raping her in 2011, drawing parallels with the Unnao case and putting the ruling party on the defensive yet again. The woman staged a protest in front of the Shahjahanpur collectorate on Monday to demand the immediate arrest of Roshanlal Verma, the BJP MLA from Tilhar, and his son, Manoj Verma. She called off the protest only after superintendent of police (Shahjahanpur) KB Singh assured her of action. Singh said the rape case had been transferred to the CB-CID on a directive issued by the state government. The woman has been informed about this. I assured her that I will forward her demands to CB-CID officials, he added. The MLA denied the charges, alleging that rival parties were raking up the issue for political gain. I havent tried to sidestep any investigation in the case. Rival political parties are using the woman, and I hope she understands that, Roshanlal, who was a member of the Bahujan Samaj Party at the time of the alleged incident, told reporters on Monday. Meanwhile, the local unit of the Samajwadi Party (SP) came out in support of the woman. The present government is protecting rapists and those accused of crimes against women, said SP district president Tanvir Khan, who was with the victim at the time. The woman could not be reached for comment. The Unnao case pertains to the alleged rape of a 17-year-old girl by BJP MLA Kuldeep Singh Sengar in June 2017. The incident had spurred several protests across the country last month. The crime branch on Monday arrested Irfan Ahmed Gulam Ahmed Qureshi, 47, wanted in connection with a blast in a BEST bus in Ghatkopar in 2002 that left two people dead and 49 injured. Qureshi was produced in court on Monday and has been remanded in police custody till May 14. The Aurangabad resident left for Muscat in September 30, 2002. The police are now checking if the alleged member of the banned Students Islamic Movement of India (SIMI) was involved in any terrorist activity abroad. KK Patel, assistant commissioner of police, Gujarat anti-terrorism squad (ATS), and his team had visited Aurangabad in search of Sayyed Jabbiuddin Jakhiuddin Ansari, a Beed resident who is wanted in the 2006 Gujarat blasts case. There, the team found Qureshi and brought him to Usmanapura police station on May 5. On realising that Qureshi was wanted in the 2002 case, they handed him over to unit 10 of the Mumbai police crime branch. The Mumbai crime branch produced him before a special Prevention of Terrorism Act (POTA) court. Chief public prosecutor Lata Chheda sought Qureshis custody on the grounds that the confession of one of the accused, Mohmad Altaf, brought his role in the case to light. Chheda claimed records show Qureshi was a part of SIMI. The prosecution said the accused had opened a firm, which was used as front to carry out SIMI-related work. Qureshis lawyers Tahira Shaikh and Yakub Shaikh said the accused was not in India when the blast took place. The firm was shut much before the blast. Qureshi, a teacher, left India in September 2002, while the blast took place in December 2002, they said. The lawyers said after Qureshis name cropped up in the investigation, the family approached the POTA review committee, which gave him a clean chit. The court, however, observed the order was passed before the investigation was complete. The Mumbai police had originally listed 29 accused in the case, but could arrest only 19. Of the 19, court discharged nine for lack of evidence, one died in Hyderabad and another, Khwaja Yunus, died in police custody. Remaining eight arrested accused were acquitted by a special court in 2005 owing to lack of evidence. The city police have arrested seven people in connection with the murder of Shiv Sena leader Sachin Sawant, 46, outside his suburban Kandivli home on April 22. The seven accused were produced in a local court on Tuesday and have been remanded in the custody of the Kurar police till May 14. The accused have been identified as Lokesh Singh, Abhay Salunkhe Patil alias Barkya, Satyendra Ramji alias Sonu, Nilesh Sharma, Brijesh Patil alias Brija, Amit Singh and Brijesh Singh. Police officials said one more accused, Umesh Sahani, is still wanted in the case. Police sources said apart from Brijesh Singh, who was arrested from Malad, all the accused were arrested from the same region in Uttar Pradesh, where they all hail from. On April 22, Sachin Sawant and his family went to Lokhandwala circle in Kandivli for a snack. Soon after they got back home, and sat down to watch the IPL, around 7pm, Sawant got a phone call that Vishnu Sawant, husband of sitting local Sena corporator Vinaya Sawant, had called for a meeting at the Sena shakha, which is just 200 metres away from his house. The meeting was called to discuss issues regarding a slum rehabilitation project and contract. After the meeting, Sawant left with Jagannath Verma, a real estate contractor he was acquainted with, on his bike. As Verma drove towards Sawants building, through a crowded lane, two people called out to Sawant saying bhau (brother). At this, he asked Verma to stop the bike, and still on the bike, he turned around. The two men came close to him and fired one round from a 9mm pistol point-blank into his chest. The assailants emptied the remaining five live rounds at the spot and fled on foot. Minutes later, Verma rushed to Sawants home shouting about the shootout. His family ran to the spot, and found him lying in a pool of blood. He was rushed to Bhagwati hospital, where he was declared brought dead. Earlier, police officials have said that it appears to be a contract killing, after differences cropped up over a slum rehabilitation project in the locality. Sawant is survived by his parents, wife and two children. The couple arrested by the Mumbai crime branch for the murder of 28-year-old chartered accountant Kirti Vyas, were confident that her body would get carried away to the sea by the water of the drain where they dumped it after they killed her, said the police. A search operation has been undertaken by the crime branch and divers since the past two days, at the drain near Wadala-Mahul Port Trust Road, to trace Vyass body. However, they have not been able to locate it yet. Crime branch officers said the accused Siddhesh Tamhankar, 28, and Khushi Sahjwani,42, who were reportedly in a relationship, knew that the drain near Wadala Imax theatre would be the perfect spot to dump Vyass body. The couple had planned to dispose Kirtis body in Bandra but did not do so when they saw a crowd there. They knew at the Wadala drain, the body would be carried away by the drain water to the sea, making it impossible to trace it. During interrogation, the two allegedly confessed to killing Vyas, said officers. According to the police, after killing Vyas in their car, Siddhesh and Khushi apparently waited for nightfall to reach Wadala TT. This was reflected from their mobile tower locations which showed the two at the spot, at 9.15pm on March 16. It is possible that the body dumped at the spot almost 52 days ago would have flowed to some other part of the city or may have decomposed, said an officer. He said they are in touch with the coastal police and other police stations to ascertain if they found any unidentified body in their jurisdictions. Vyas worked with a popular salon in Andheri as an accounts manager. She went missing on March 16 after she left for work in the morning. She had met the accused duo outside her building and sat in their car. As she did not return till midnight, her family lodged a missing persons complaint on March 17. Police arrested the couple as the DNA samples of the bloodstains found inside their car boot matched with that of Vyass mother. Vyas was reportedly strangled in the car and sources said after pushing the body in the boot, Siddhesh switched off Vyass two phones near Worli. After office, they drove to Wadala, where they are suspected to have dumped the body in a drain. Before the monsoon hits Mumbai this year, the civic body is planning to install sensors in five rivers and two lakes across the city to monitor their levels and warn residents if there are chances of floods in their areas. Called flow level transmitters, these sensors will give the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation real-time updates of water levels in the Mithi, Dahisar, Vakola, Oshiwara and Poisar rivers, and the Powai and Vihar lakes. The data will be sent to the disaster management department, and used to give early warnings to low-lying areas, said VH Khankar, chief engineer, storm water drains department. Khankar said the transmitters were procured from Germany. We are hoping to install and make use of all seven this monsoon, said . At present, the Mithi river has an instrument installed in 2007 according to the Chitale committee report suggestions but this does not transmit data to the disaster management department. The BMC hopes that with sensors giving it real-time updates on the water levels, it can prevent flooding and destruction to homes, as had taken place in August last year, when an overflowing Dahisar river affected the homes of people living nearby. We currently do not have a mechanism to check if river levels are rising and if evacuation warnings are necessary. With these transmitters, the data will be directly communicated to the disaster management department, which can then warn and clear areas, said a senior civic official. A month after Nepal Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli visited India, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit Nepal on Friday . Next month may see Modi in Nepal again for the long-overdue Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC) summit. Fridays visit, however, comes after a gap of 41 months. Modi last visited Nepal in August and November of 2014. Among other irritants, Nepals 2015 constitution was to become their bone of contention pushing Kathmandu towards Chinas Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). This has since become the most important challenge for Indias engagement with Nepal. Then, what sets this visit part? Modis foreign policy today increasingly underlines a clear understanding of Indias asymmetry with China and seeks to calibrate Indias strengths. Modis Nepal visit will see him underline Indias deep socio-cultural links with Nepal as also their economic inter-dependence. This is how India seeks to address its anxieties about Chinas aggressive pursuit of high-speed mega infrastructure projects. Second, Modi will also seek to repair the damage in his personal equations. Oli had been strong in his critique of India interfering in Nepals internal affairs, of that infamous 135-day-long blockade and for toppling his government in August 2016. Now, back with a bigger Left-alliance that received a 2/3rd majority in national elections last November-December, Oli talks of national pride and for recasting the historic 1950 Indo-Nepal Treaty of Peace and Friendship that binds Nepal to consult India before entering any security relationship with any other nation. China also adds to his strength. Last May, Nepal signed a memorandum of understanding for cooperation under BRI. In April, Nepals foreign minister, Pradeep Kumar Gyawali, announced in Beijing Kathmandus decision to expedite work on building trans-Himalayan multi-dimensional connectivity incorporating projects on rail, road, dry ports, electricity, communications and air transport. China has initiated the extension of their Xining-Lhasa rail to Nepals border, in addition to three roads connecting Nepal to China. Beijing has also promised to deliver the international airport at Pokhara by 2021. Of imminent concern to India remains their feasibility studies on rail link connecting Kerung (on the Nepal-China border) to Kathmandu and Lumbini (on Nepal-India border). China has played its cards well. Only a week before Gyawali made that announcement in Beijing, Modi had offered Oli to connect the border town of Raxaul in Bihar to Kathmandu by rail. And three days after Gyawalis announcement, Chinese foreign minister Wang Yi was to formally propose the China-Nepal-India Economic Corridor to external affairs minister Sushma Swaraj, who was visiting for a foreign ministers meet of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation. Potentially, such free access to China in Nepal raises questions regarding various special arrangements in India-Nepal relations, especially their porous borders. This explains the why and how of Modis visit, during which he will offer a puja at the Janaki temple in Janakpur, and pray at the Muktinath temple in Pokhara. Modi will address a civil reception at Baarhabigha, as well as at the Indian embassys pension camp in Pokhara. In Kathmandu, he will have multiple receptions and call on President Bidhya Devi Bhandari and Vice-President Nanda Bahadur Pun, and hold talks with Oli. None of these are expected to clinch any agreements but focus on building trust by expediting implementation of existing commitments. As his special presents, Modi will announce, along with Oli, Janakpur joining the Ramayana Circuit, construction of two temple dharmshalas and asphalting the citys ring road that were promised during President Pranab Mukherjees visit in November 2016. Modis presents could include high-tech equipment for the Kathmandu city hospital, plus city urbanisation or infrastructure projects. At Muktinath, Modi may announce another temple dharamshala and restoration projects. For economic integration, Modi and Oli will remotely lay the foundation of the 900-megawatt Arun III hydro-electricity project, further expand inland waterways to facilitate Nepals ocean-connect and join the ground-breaking ceremony of South Asias first pipeline to bring relief for energy starved Nepal. Finally, as election campaign ends in Karnataka on May 10, the prime ministers Nepal visit will be widely covered by the media, which makes Modis Nepal visit of great significance for his politics at home. Swaran Singh is professor of international relations, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi The views expressed are personal Indias higher education sector has become a busy playground over the past six months. Indeed, more seems to be happening over these past few months than in the first three years of this government. Among other things, the government has announced at least three major initiatives. First, last September, the University Grants Commission (UGC) set in motion the Institutions of Eminence (IoE) initiative to identify 10 public and 10 private universities which will enjoy unprecedented autonomy from the government on a wide range of matters. The expectation is that these 20 institutions will emerge as world-ranked universities. An Empowered Expert Committee (EEC) will be selecting the top 20 institutions in the next three-four months. Recently, the government unveiled a scheme for graded autonomy and granted greater degrees of freedom to 60 institutions. It is expected that many more colleges and universities will be granted various degrees of autonomy in the coming months and in the process become even better institutions than they are now. Third, the government launched the Study in India programme with the goal of increasing four-fold the numbers of foreign students at Indian universities from under 50,000 to 200,000 over the next five years. The larger presence of foreign students is expected to enhance Indias soft power. In addition to these big bang initiatives, other smaller reforms have been announced or are on the way. The UGC is said to be close to announcing a revised set of rules for faculty hiring, assessment and related matters. One important issue that these reforms aim to address is the deficit of good quality research at Indian universities. As Hindustan Times reported, UGC is making a PhD compulsory for applicants to faculty positions. However, applicants must also have cleared the National Eligibility Test (NET) or similar state-level eligibility tests. Exceptions are made for those who obtained their PhDs before 2009 or those with PhDs from one of the top 500 institutions in the world as per any major rankings organisation. NET remains compulsory because UGC is unable to devise a good working method to ensure that doctoral degrees awarded by universities are of reasonable quality. Plagiarism and research irregularities of other kinds are commonplace at Indian universities and usually go unpunished. For example, recent high-profile cases of plagiarism by newly-hired and older faculty members at Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) both at the level of doctoral research and beyond appear to have been ignored by university officials. In April, UGC introduced a tiered system to punish plagiarism, which its critics have described as unsatisfactory and difficult to implement. Overall, it is fair to assert that UGC regulations have not been particularly successful at deterring research fraud and improving the quality of research. Consider the much-hyped UGC list of legitimate journals. Though supposedly comprehensive, the list has not been prepared with due diligence. Thus, it includes several fake journals and excludes large numbers of legitimate journals. As a result, those who publish in dubious journals can continue to get rewarded while those choosing to publish in legitimate journals will remain unrewarded. One of the welcome changes that UGC is bringing about is junking the Academic Performance Indicator (API). API has been a complete disaster by its insistence on research output even from faculty at teaching-focused colleges most of whom neither have the skills nor the benefits of the necessary physical infrastructure or environment that is necessary for carrying out research. All that API achieved was provide good business to fake journals, many more of which emerged in response to research output requirements from faculty across Indias higher education sector. API will be replaced by a simplified appraisal system for teaching-focused faculty. If past experience is any indication, these and other changes that UGC is bringing about are unlikely to have much impact on prevailing research practices or in making a dent in the existing academic culture of Indian universities. Faculty hiring practices which favour academic inbreeding or the hiring of fellow ethnics will not change overnight. Neither will the widespread use of research fraud to advance ones career. The success of reforms is more than about rewriting the rules. Pushkar is director, The International Centre Goa (ICG), Dona Paula, Goa The views expressed are personal Filmmaker Mani Ratnam is shooting for his upcoming Tamil multi-starrer Chekka Chivantha Vaanam at breakneck speed. The film was one of the few projects to have resumed shooting in April after the 48-day Kollywood strike. The films latest schedule was wrapped up in Chennai and the team is now off to Dubai for the next and final schedule of the film. Eka Lakhani, the costume designer of the movie, on Tuesday took to Twitter to inform that the team is set for Dubai. Team CCV all set for Dubai, wrote Eka on her Twitter page and shared a picture from what appears to be the airport. On Tuesday, Arun Vijay also tweeted a picture and wrote: Off to Dubai. My final schedule for CCV. Featuring an ensemble cast of Arvind Swami, Vijay Sethupathi, Aishwarya Rajesh, Jyothika and Aditi Rao Hydari among others, the film will be dubbed and released in Telugu as Nawab. If the industry grapevine is anything to go by, the film features the male protagonists Arvind, Vijay, Simbu and Arun as brothers while Prakash Raj and Jayasudha play their parents. To be bankrolled by Madras Talkies, double Oscar-winning AR Rahman has been roped in compose the music. Various industry sources have confirmed that the film will be an action-thriller and will be a departure from the filmmakers usual style of films. Ratnam has pinned high hopes on this project following the debacle of Kaatru Veliyidai, which sank without a trace at the box-office last year. Follow @htshowbiz for more ott:10:ht-entertainment_listing-desktop Actor Vivian Dsena makes one thing clear to the makers before he signs a new show, and the clause is non-negotiable. Im not comfortable kissing on screen. I have never done it and I never intend to [do it in future]. But, if at all the situation arises, I will still refuse to do the same, says the actor, who has been a part of popular fictions such as Kasamh Se, Pyaar Kii Ye Ek Kahaani, Madhubala Ek Ishq Ek Junoon, as well as reality shows such as Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa 8 and Fear Factor: Khatron Ke Khiladi. Read| Vivian Dsena: Being active on social media doesnt make you a star, your work does I make it clear on the day I sign the contract [for any new show] itself that I will not do intimate scenes. And I clearly point it out [to the makers of the show] that I am not comfortable doing such scenes on screen, adds the actor, who was married to Pyaar Kii Ye Ek Kahaani co-actor Vahbiz Dorabjee for four years before they divorced in 2017. Currently starring in Shakti Astitva Ke Ehsaas Ki, Vivian feels a show does not require such scenes to draw audience. I dont think its mandatory that an actor has to kiss to make a show work, he says, adding that content, presentation, and performance are what make a show popular. Interact with Shreya Mukherjee on Twitter/ @Shreya_MJ A Communist Party of China (CPC) official tipped until last year for a top leadership post in the party has been jailed for life on corruption charges, state media reported on Tuesday. Sun Zhengcai, former secretary of the Chongqing Municipal Committee of the CPC and member of the powerful party, was handed life sentence taking bribes of over 170 million yuan (26.7 million US dollars). Sun, 54, is the latest senior CPC leader to be indicted under graft charges under the ongoing anti-corruption campaign launched by President Xi Jinping. The sentence was announced Tuesday by the First Intermediate Peoples Court of Tianjin Municipality. Sun had confessed to his crimes during a court hearing in April. Official news agency Xinhua said Suns illegal gains would be confiscated. He was deprived of his political rights for life, and all his personal property was confiscated. His illegal gains and relevant yields they generated will be retrieved, the court was quoted as saying by state media. Giving details of the investigation launched against Sun, the court said between 2002 and 2017, Sun had taken advantage of various posts to provide help for certain units and individuals in project bidding, project approval, enterprise operation and personnel promotion and arrangement, and accepted money and property worth over 170 million yuan, either by himself or with certain affiliated persons. Sun had occupied several high positions during his political tenure. Suns posts included CPC chief of Shunyi District in Beijing, standing committee member and secretary general of the CPC Beijing municipal committee, agriculture minister, secretary of the CPC Jilin provincial committee, political bureau member of the CPC Central Committee and Party chief of Chongqing Municipality. It was his elevation as CPC chief of Chongqing city, a sprawling municipality of more than 30 million people, that catapulted Sun to his most politically high profile. The court said that Sun, as a senior official, should have set an example in observing the law. However, by accepting extremely huge amounts of bribes, Sun had seriously undermined the work of state organs, violated integrity rules for state officials and tarnished the reputation of state officials. Last October, another top CPC official had claimed that Sun was among party leaders who had plotted a coup against President Xi Jinping. In September, the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection (CCDI) then CPCs top discipline body had announced the expulsion of a rising Sun who was then chief of the Chongqing Municipal Committee. In the fight against all corruption from the low-level flies to the high-ranking tigers, Sun joins several other senior Party officials who have been punished for discipline violation including Zhou Yongkang, Bo Xilai, Guo Boxiong, Xu Caihou and Ling Jihua, the Xinhua report had then said. Xis critics claim that the anti-graft crackdown was used as a pretext to purge the powerful presidents opponents and to consolidate power more than one million officials have been jailed or arrested in the crackdown which began soon after he took over in 2012. President Donald Trump is preparing to tell the world whether he plans to follow through on his threat to pull out of the landmark nuclear accord with Iran and almost surely ensure its collapse. There are no signs that European allies enlisted to fix the deal had persuaded him to preserve it. In a burst of last-minute diplomacy, punctuated by a visit by Britains top diplomat, the deals European members gave in to many of Trumps demands, according to officials, diplomats and others briefed on the negotiations. Yet they still left convinced he is likely to re-impose sanctions and walk away from the deal he has lambasted since his days as a presidential candidate. As they braced for an expected withdrawal Tuesday, US officials were dusting off plans for how to sell a pull out to the public and explain its complex ramifications to the global financial world, said the officials and others, who werent authorised to speak ahead of an announcement and requested anonymity. Building up anticipation for the big reveal, Trump announced on Twitter he would disclose his decision at 2pm, with an announcement set for the Diplomatic Room of the White House. With uncharacteristic discipline, he kept the decision confined to a small group within the White House National Security Council, leaving even many his aides guessing what he had decided. I will be announcing my decision on the Iran Deal tomorrow from the White House at 2:00pm. Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) May 7, 2018 An immense web of sanctions, written agreements and staggered deadlines make up the 2015 nuclear deal struck by the US, Iran and world powers. So Trump effectively has several pathways to pull the United States out of the deal by reneging on its commitments. Under the most likely scenario, Trump will allow sanctions on Irans central bank intended to target its oil exports to kick back in, rather than waiving them once again on Saturday, the next deadline for renewal, said the individuals briefed on Trumps deliberations. Then the Trump administration would give those who are doing business with Iran a six-month grace period to wind down business and avoid running afoul of those sanctions. Depending on how Trump sells it either as an irreversible US pull out, or one final chance to save it the deal could ostensibly be strengthened during those six months in a last-ditch effort to persuade Trump to change his mind. The first 15 months of Trumps presidency have been filled with many such last chances for the Iran deal in which hes punted the decision for another few months, and then another. Other US sanctions dont require a decision until later, including those on specific Iranian businesses, sectors and individuals that will snap back into place in July unless Trump signs another waiver. A move on Tuesday to restore those penalties ahead of the deadline would be the most aggressive move Trump could take to close the door to staying in the deal. Even Trumps secretary of state and the UN agency that monitors nuclear compliance agree that Iran, so far, has lived up to its side of the deal. But the deals critics, such as Israel, the Gulf Arab states and many Republicans, say its a giveaway to Tehran that ultimately paves the path to a nuclear-armed Iran several years in the future. Iran, for its part, has been coy in predicting its response to a Trump withdrawal. For weeks, Irans foreign minister had been saying that a re-imposition of US sanctions would render the deal null and void, leaving Tehran little choice but to abandon it as well. But on Monday, President Hassan Rouhani said Iran could stick with it if the European Union, whose economies do far more business with Iran than the US, offers guarantees that Iran would keep benefiting. In this photo released by an official website of the office of the Iranian Presidency, President Hassan Rouhani speaks in the northeastern city of Sabzevar. (AP File Photo) It is far from clear that Europe can credibly provide that assurance. Even with the deal in place, Iran complained constantly that European banks and businesses were staying away out of fear theyd be punished by the United States. The global financial system is so interconnected and so dependent on New York that its nearly impossible to conduct business that doesnt touch the US financial system. That gives Trump incredible leverage if he threatens that anyone doing business with Iran will be cut off from the United States. For the Europeans, a Trump withdrawal would also constitute dispiriting proof that trying to appease the mercurial American President is an exercise for naught. The three EU members of the deal Britain, France and Germany were insistent from the start that the deal could not be re-opened. After all, it was the US that brokered the agreement in 2015 and rallied the world behind it. But all that was under President Barack Obama, whose global legacy Trump has worked to chip away at since taking office. So the Europeans reluctantly backed down, only slightly at first, agreeing to discuss an add-on agreement that wouldnt change the underlying nuclear deal, but would add new restrictions on Iran to address what Trump had identified as its shortcomings. Trump wanted to deter Irans ballistic missile program and other destabilising actions in the region. He also wanted more rigorous nuclear inspections and to extend the deals restrictions on Iranian enrichment and reprocessing, rather than let them phase out after about a decade. Trump is attacking John Kerry after reports that the former secretary of state has been quietly promoting the Iran nuclear deal. (AP File Photo) Negotiating an add-on agreement, rather than revising the existing deal, had the added benefit of not requiring the formal consent of Iran or the other remaining members: Russia and China. The idea was that even if they balked at the Wests impositions, Iran would be likely to comply anyway so as to keep enjoying lucrative sanctions relief. Although the US and the Europeans made progress on ballistic missiles and inspections, there were disagreements over extending the life of the deal and over how to trigger additional penalties if Iran were found violating the new restrictions, US officials and European diplomats have said. The Europeans agreed to yet more concessions in the final days of negotiating ahead of Trumps decision, the officials added. It was not clear what led Trump, whose aides hadnt expected him to make a decision until weeks end, to declare Monday he was ready to render judgment on the deals fate. But on Twitter, he targeted former secretary of state John Kerry, who led Obamas efforts to broker the deal and has been making the case publicly and privately for its survival. The United States does not need John Kerrys possibly illegal Shadow Diplomacy on the very badly negotiated Iran Deal, Trump said. He was the one that created this MESS in the first place! Japanese and South Korean media are speculating that a high-ranking North Korean official, possibly even leader Kim Jong Un, is visiting China after an airliner from the North landed in the Chinese port city of Dalian. The Souths official Yonhap News Agency said the plane arrived on Monday amid tight security. Japanese broadcaster NHK ran a picture of the Air Koryo plane that it said had been taken today afternoon at Dalian airport. There are no regularly scheduled flights between North Korea and Dalian, although North Koreans are frequent visitors and its port has been instrumental in two-way trade. Kim visited China in March for the first time since taking power six years ago, a trip that was publicly confirmed by the sides only after he had returned to North Korea. Almost two years after Pakistans central bank dismissed a report that estimated remittances from Pakistan to India at $4.9 billion, the countrys anti-graft watchdog ordered an inquiry against former premier Nawaz Sharif on the basis of a media report that cited the old study. The National Accountability Bureau (NAB) ordered the inquiry against Sharif and other officials for the alleged laundering of $4.9 billion to India. A NAB statement said the bureaus chairman had taken notice of a media report that made this claim. NAB did not name the publication that carried the report but the statement claimed the amount was laundered to Indias finance ministry, leading to a rise in Indias foreign exchange reserves and affecting Pakistan. The report further alleged the money laundering was reflected in the Migration and Remittances Factbook of 2016. However, the State Bank of Pakistan had in September 2016 rejected the factbooks claim about remittances of $4.9 billion from Pakistan to India. The factbook, published by the Global Knowledge Partnership on Migration and Development that is backed by the World Bank, Germany, Sweden and Switzerland, had used a model that mistakenly included all people who moved from India to Pakistan during Partition as migrants and came up with an estimate of $4.9 billion as their remittances. The State Bank of Pakistan had said in an official statement the study was clearly flawed as the people who moved during Partition in 1947 had become citizens of Pakistan. It also rejected such estimates as these are contrary to facts and do not make sense. However, that didnt prevent NAB from going ahead with an inquiry on alleged money laundering. Sharif is also facing three corruption cases in an anti-graft court that were registered following the Supreme Courts verdict in the Panama Papers case that also resulted in his disqualification as a lawmaker and ouster from the post of prime minister. Another NAB inquiry is also underway against him for the alleged illegal expansion of a road leading to his estate in Lahores Jati Umra neighbourhood. Pakistans Supreme Court on Tuesday wrapped up the hearing of a suo moto case regarding a drastic fall in the level of the sacred pond at Katas Raj temple after cement factories located near the shrine agreed to find an alternative water source and to pay for water they use until then. In November 2017, the Supreme Court had taken notice of media reports that said the pond at the Katas Raj temple complex was drying up because the cement factories were drawing a large amount of water through a number of bore wells. A three-judge bench, headed by Chief Justice Saqib Nisar, had been hearing the case. During earlier proceedings, the court had ordered the federal and Punjab governments to form a special committee of experts to save the fabled prehistoric Hindu temple. On Tuesday, Bestway Cement and DG Khan Cement proposed they would submit Rs 2 billion as a bank guarantee until they are able to find an alternative source of water. They also made a commitment to build a small dam in the area, the outflow of which will be maintained in a way that the pond at Katas Raj is not adversely affected. They also proposed to pay the government of Punjab province for the water they use until then. The Chief Justice said the pond should be filled through natural means while Justice Ijazul Ahsan noted that the water level in the area would rise once water pumps at the factories are shut down. Additional advocate general Asma Hamid informed the court that until alternative arrangements for water are made, the Punjab government will charge the factories for water usage, the tariff for which is yet to be decided. The factories currently use water from a nearby river and underground sources. According to Hindu mythology, the sacred pond at Katas Raj was formed by a tear that fell from the eyes of Lord Shiva after the death of his wife Sati. It is believed the Pandavas spent several years at Katas Raj during their 14 years in exile. Senior BJP leader LK Advani inaugurated renovation works at the temple complex believed to be more than 2,300 years old and linked to the epic Mahabharat during a visit to Pakistan in June 2005. Despite the allocation of several crores of Pakistani rupees by successive governments, the work was never completed. US President Donald Trumps new lawyer, Rudolph Giuliani, continues to offer suggestions and opinion that could complicate matters for his client. On Sunday, he suggested that apart from porn star Stormy Daniels, other women may have been paid hush money to get them to stay silent about allegations against Trump. Speaking to ABCs This Week, Giuliani was asked if Trumps lawyer Michael Cohen had made other payments of the kind to Daniels, who has claimed to have had an affair with Trump in 2006. He said: I have no knowledge of that but I...I would think if it was necessary, yes. The Daniels hush-money payment is the subject of a criminal investigation of Cohen for alleged bank fraud and violation of election campaign finance laws. Giuliani also indicated Trump may refuse a subpoena to appear before special counsel Robert Mueller, who is investigating Russian interference in the 2016 elections, and that Trump could invoke his right to remain silent. When pressed, Giuliani said he would prefer the Hillary Clinton model, referring to the former secretary of states interview in connection to her use of a personal email server, in which she was not under oath when questioned and was responding to queries provided to her in advance. The interviewer then asked Giuliani if he was confident that Trump would not invoke the Fifth Amendment, which accords Americans the right to remain silent in order to not incriminate themselves. He said: How can I ever be confident of that? When Im facing a situation with the president and all the other lawyers are, in which every lawyer in America thinks he would be a fool to testify, Ive got a client who wants to testify, please, dont... he said it yesterday. As Britain marks the 100th anniversary of the end of World War 1, a unique memorial in Brighton will be the site of a service on June 10 to honour Indian soldiers who died in the Great War. The Chattri, designed by Mumbai architect EC Henriques and built in the Indo-Saracenic style of architecture, is one of the most visible symbols of Indian participation in the war during 1914-18. Brighton, 85 km south of London, is where many of the injured Indians were brought for treatment at the Royal Pavilion, also built in the same style. Many of them recovered, but some died. Twenty-one Muslim soldiers who passed away were taken to Shah Jahan mosque in Woking, Surrey, for burial, while the bodies of 53 Hindu and Sikh soldiers were taken to the Downs in Brighton for cremation. The Chattri was built at the site where the Hindu and Sikh soldiers were cremated. Designed by Henriques, who was then studying in England, its construction was overseen by Samuel Swinton Jacob, known for his various buildings in India, such as the Albert Hall Museum in Jaipur. Over the years, members of Britains Indian community and the Royal British Legion have organised services at the memorial. The June 10 event will include an exhibition tracing the role of Indian soldiers on the western front in World War 1. According to the Chattri Memorial Group, local Sikh teacher Davinder Dhillon has led a pilgrimage to the memorial in June every year since 2000. The memorials dome and eight pillars are built from white Sicilian marble. Three large granite slabs lie over the original concrete crematory bases and the design symbolises the protection offered to the memory of the dead. The memorial, unveiled by the Prince of Wales on February 21, 1921, fell into disrepair, particularly after World War 2. Its upkeep was later taken over by local authorities in coordination with the then India Office and the Imperial War Graves Commission, while the War Office paid for its restoration. The Chattri bears the following inscription in Urdu, Hindi and English: To the memory of all Indian soldiers who gave their lives for their King-Emperor in the Great War, this monument, erected on the site of the funeral pyre where the Hindus and Sikhs who died in hospital at Brighton passed through the fire, is in grateful admiration and brotherly affection dedicated. According to records, the idea of the memorial is attributed to Lieutenant Das Gupta of the Indian Medical Service, who approached the then mayor of Brighton, John Otter, in 1915 for permission to build it at the cremation sites. Otter welcomed it and became its driving force. President Donald Trump on Tuesday pulled the US out of the Iran nuclear deal, saying it had inadequate mechanisms to prevent cheating and would never bring peace. He described the deal forged by his predecessor Barack Obama as a horrible, one-sided arrangement and said he would sign a presidential order to reimpose sanctions on Tehran. Earlier, Trump informed his French counterpart Emmanuel Macron of his plans to pull out of the deal. The Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, struck in 2015 by the US, other world powers and Iran, lifted most US and international sanctions against Tehran. In return, Iran agreed to restrictions on its nuclear programme along with rigorous inspections. Pulling out of the deal could raise the risk of conflict in the Middle East, upset US allies and disrupt global oil supplies. The move could also deepen the isolation of the US on the world stage. Irans government would also have to decide whether to withdraw from the deal or try to salvage what is left of it. The New York Times, citing an unnamed official briefed on the conversation between Trump and Macron, reported the US is preparing to reinstate all sanctions on Iran it had waived as part of the nuclear accord and impose additional economic penalties. The report, quoting a second official, said the talks collapsed over Trumps insistence that sharp limits be kept on Irans nuclear fuel production after 2030. AP reported Trump also spoke to Chinese President Xi Jinping about his decision. NBC News , citing two sources, said Congress leaders were briefed about the move by senior administration officials. Earlier on Tuesday, senior officials from Britain, France and Germany met in Brussels with Irans deputy foreign minister for political affairs, Abbas Araghchi, to show their support for the deal. It was unclear what would be the immediate repercussions of Trumps withdrawal and whether the deal would still exist after the US quits it. Russias ambassador to the International Atomic Energy Agency, Mikhail Ulyanov, said the deal wouldnt end as a result of Trumps action and we will have a certain amount of time for diplomatic efforts, according to Interfax news service. Trump has long criticised the deal and had pledged to withdraw from it during his campaign. Chinas President Xi Jinping and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un held talks over two days in the northeastern Chinese coastal city of Dalian, the state media reported on Tuesday. This was the second summit between the two leaders in about 40 days, with Kim having travelled to Beijing for a secret meeting in March ahead of a summit between the leaders of North and South Korea. The meeting on May 7 and 8 was unannounced as well, with confirmation coming only when Chinas state media announced it and published a photo of Xi and Kim taking a stroll on a beach. The meeting was held days after Kim and South Korean President Moon Jae-in met for a historic summit in Panmunjom in April and ahead of the much anticipated meeting between Kim and US President Donald Trump, expected in the coming weeks. Kims visit to Beijing in March was his first international trip after he assumed power in 2011, sending out a signal that China remained a crucial player in the Korean peninsula. Beijing remained Pyongyangs key ally and economic benefactor as sanctions by Western powers battered the economy of North Korea. The second meeting cements that notion further. Though it wasnt described as such, the reports in the state media suggested the meeting between Kim and Xi was apparently informal in nature. This is only the third time that Xi has travelled outside Beijing to meet a leader. The only two one-on-one meetings with a leader outside the national capital were with Prime Minister Narendra Modi in the cities of Xian and Wuhan. The official Xinhua news agency described the meeting in uncharacteristic and descriptive language: Dalian sees lush mountains, blue seas and drifting clouds in May. Xi held talks with Kim and hosted a welcome banquet for him. Together, they also took a stroll and attended a luncheon. It added: In a cordial and friendly atmosphere, the top leaders of the two parties and the two countries had an all-round and in-depth exchange of views on China-DPRK relations and major issues of common concern. Xi was quoted as having said: Comrade Chairman made a special trip to China to meet me again just after 40-odd days at a crucial time when the Korean Peninsula situation is undergoing profound and complex changes. I speak highly of it, Xi said. After the first meeting between me and Comrade Chairman, both China-DPRK relations and the Korean Peninsula situation have made positive progress. I feel happy about it. Kim was quoted as saying that bilateral ties and the situation on the Korean Peninsula had undergone meaningful progress since March. These are the positive outcomes of the historic meeting between me and Comrade General Secretary, he said. A flurry of diplomatic activities has taken place lately on the denuclearisation of the Korean Peninsula, with Pyongyang announcing it will dismantle its nuclear test site. Kim crossed the border between North and South Korean on April 27 and met President Moon in the demilitarised zone of Panmunjom. The two leaders pledged to finally end the Korean War and reaffirmed their commitment to the complete denuclearisation of the Korean Peninsula in the Panmunjom Declaration. Last week, Chinas foreign minister Wang Yi visited Pyongyang and said China supports an end to the state of war on the peninsula. He backed North Koreas decision to shift its strategic focus to economic development and the resolution of its legitimate security concerns during the process of denuclearisation. As it turns out, Wangs visit was a precursor to this weeks meeting between Xi and Kim. B uying a house is probably the biggest purchase youll ever make. The average first-time buyer home in London cost 362,500 last year up 52 per cent in five years and thats before stamp duty, legal fees, moving costs and kitting the place out. The process is daunting and the sums seem unreal: since 2012 the typical deposit needed to buy a first London home has snowballed from 59,399 to 96,100, according to Savills. Yet despite this huge cash hurdle, first-time buyers are now the major player in the capitals property market. Last year nearly half of all London transactions involved first timers the most dominant this buyer tribe has been since 2001. The Government played a part here. After it whacked an extra three per cent stamp duty on second homes the number of small landlords rivalling first-time buyers fell away, leaving more stock and calming house price growth in the bottom bracket. Novice buyers are also benefiting from an increase in local authority-driven affordability schemes and a focus by developers who have turned their attention away from the muted luxury market on building around Londons cheaper periphery. But with the average deposit now 145 per cent of the average first-time buyer income, how are hoards of young people managing to get on to the ladder in one of the worlds most expensive cities. Mortgage wars From high street banks to online mortgage brokers, lenders are targeting the first-time buyer and as a result there is now a plethora of cheap products. The lending landscape is almost unrecognisable from the one left after the global financial crisis. Before 2008 only specialists lent to first-time buyers. Finance then ground to a halt after the crash as the banks felt their way through new regulations [such as the stringent Mortgage Market Review imposed by the Bank of England in 2013], says mortgage broker Jonathan Harris of Anderson Harris. Weve now grown accustomed to the new systems and stress testing and got to a sensible place, and its a good time to be a first-time buyer if you can raise the deposit. Best mortgage deals The current best deals for first-time buyers based on 25-year repayment terms and a 250,000 purchase price include: Barclays: two-year fixed at 95 per cent of loan to value = 2.49 per cent (no fee), monthly repayment of 1,064; two-year deal fixed at 60 per cent of loan to value = 1.33 per cent (999 bank arrangement fee), monthly repayment of 591.91 two-year fixed at 95 per cent of loan to value = 2.49 per cent (no fee), monthly repayment of 1,064; two-year deal fixed at 60 per cent of loan to value = 1.33 per cent (999 bank arrangement fee), monthly repayment of 591.91 HSBC: two-year fixed mortgage at 90 per cent of loan to value = 1.84 per cent (999 bank arrangement fee), monthly repayment of 939.30 two-year fixed mortgage at 90 per cent of loan to value = 1.84 per cent (999 bank arrangement fee), monthly repayment of 939.30 Monmouthshire: two-year fixed mortgage at 75 per cent of loan to value = 1.35 per cent (999 bank arrangement fee), monthly repayment of 740.66 Supplier News 8 May 2018 New research from EyeforTravel and SAP, which surveyed nearly 300 travel industry professionals on the topic of mobile has found that search and social have a stranglehold over mobile marketing, likely reflecting the dominance of Google and Facebook in the digital marketing sphere. When respondents were asked what is the largest component of their mobile marketing budgets, 35% selected search and 32% social, according to EyeforTravel's new Driving Intelligent, Interconnected Mobile Engagement Throughout the Travel Journey report, which is free to download now. Search spending was even higher among hospitality and accommodation brands, where it was the most important category for 45.3% of brands. This preponderance is a result of the way in which consumers search for hotels, with mobile still a last-minute channel when it comes to booking and at that stage consumers are looking mainly for specific locations, largely through search engines. However, it may also indicate an over-focus on the latter stages of consumers booking journey and an acquisition-driven strategy that doesn't fully take into account the role of mobile in inspiration and initial research phases. One area where travel brands might look to expand spending and make the most of mobile's role at the inspiration stage is video marketing, which was rated as most important in just 4.4% of budgets. The small role of video marketing currently would seem to be a major missed opportunity for travel brands given the growth of mobile video consumption in recent years. A multi-country study by AOL estimated that 57% of consumers watch videos through their mobile every day and Zenith estimated that there was 20% growth in global video consumption in 2017. Get ahead of the competition now and download this completely free mobile market report to access: Press Release 8 May 2018 At Magnuson Worldwide, America's fastest growing hotel brand, we are proud to announce the addition of the Sunrise Inn Williamstown to the new By Magnuson Worldwide Collection. Sunrise Inn Williamstown is located 2 miles from downtown Williamstown, Kentucky, right off Interstate 75 and across the street from The Ark Encounter. Just 40 miles from downtown Cincinnati, a stay in Williamstown lets guests experience true Southern Hospitality. Guests can enjoy the outdoors with a stroll in one of the many state parks, or fishing at the area lakes. For history buffs, the William Arnold Log House is a true find. Thomas Magnuson, CEO of Magnuson Worldwide says: "We are delighted to be welcoming the team at Sunrise Inn Williamstown to the Magnuson family." Press Release 7 May 2018 STATE COLLEGE, Pa. -- Officials of Shaner Italia, S.R.L, a division of The Shaner Hotel Group focused on owning and operating hotels in Europe, today announced the formation of a joint venture with Athens, Greece-based CS Hospitality to expand their hotel operations in Greece and Cyprus. By combining both operators' expertise and sophisticated operational procedures, the partnership will offer global and professional operating support to high-end hotels and resorts in the region. Advertisements Andreas Contos, CEO of CS Hospitality, and Stella Sarantidou, COO heading operations, bring with them over 30 years of international experience with Hilton, Hyatt and Marriott hotels to a fast-growing Greek tourism market. "Focusing on a much-needed, high-end global hospitality experience is very timely. Greece is expecting over 30 million visitors this year," Contos said. The joint venture with CS Hospitality allows Shaner Italia to expand its footprint in the Mediterranean region, following its landmark transformation of the Renaissance Tuscany Il Ciocco Hotel. Shaner Italia has since stabilized the hotel among the top ten resorts in Europe. The company also recently announced the acquisition of the Grand Universe, in the center of Lucca, which will open in 2019 under the Marriott brand, Autograph. "Greece and Cyprus are a natural expansion of our global efforts, following our footprints in Italy since 2011. Tourism as an industry is expanding, and hospitality will be the major economic force in Southern Europe" said Lance Shaner, chief executive officer, The Shaner Hotel Group. "Shaner's reputation, infrastructure and more than 35 years' of experience will bring a much-needed level of operating excellence to the marketplace," said Plato Ghinos, Shaner president. "This new joint venture is currently finalizing several agreements, and we are working close with some global investment funds that are active in the region. We expect to announce our first transaction in the coming months." About CS Hospitality CS Hospitality is a long-experienced hotel management and consulting company operating properties throughout Greece. With hands-on-management and refreshing style of hotel operations, the company's scope is to establish and rebuild hotel profitability, solve hotel management system inefficiencies, re-engineer hotel staff policies and guest programs, and manage new developments from start to the first guest registration and beyond. As an approved Operator of Marriott International, in 2018 will operate the newly introduced Moxy Hotel Patras. For more information about the company visit www.cs-hospitality.gr. If you haven't caught on social media by now, the annual & prestigious Met Gala event was held Monday night at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City. Donned as the Oscars of the fashion industry, Met Gala is one of fashion's biggest nights, with worlds hottest celebrities & artists all coming together to show out and stunt in some over-the-top designer outfits. Presented by Vogue editor-in-chief Anna Wintour, the 2018 gala is co-hosted by Rihanna, Amal Clooney (wife of George Clooney) and iconic designer Donatella Versace. The theme for this years event is Heavenly Bodies: Fashion and the Catholic Imagination, which saw many A-list celebrities dressing in some religious-themed outfits. As you would expect, hip-hop came out strong and represented themselves well Monday night. The likes of Rihanna, Migos, Childish Gambino, SZA, Cardi B, Nicki Minaj, ASAP Ferg and more all came out looking extra dapper. We went ahead and rounded up some of the best photos from the red carpet in the gallery (above). Check them out and let us know who looked the best in the comments (below). In addition to the fashion, Nicki Minaj used the red carpet to spill the news on her newly-announced album Queen, saying it will be dropping June 15th (see details here). While Michael B. Jordan has been a big name in Hollywood for a while, his career has truly exploded after his role as the revolutionary villain, Killmonger, in Disney's mega-hit superhero flick, Black Panther. The film became one of the highest grossing movies of all time, and Michael's performance was definitely one of the standouts of the film. In a promotional run for his new HBO original film, Fahrenheit 451, Michael stopped by Power 105.1's The Breakfast Club, to speak about his life after playing Killmonger, and also to receive some light roasting at the hands of Charlamagne Tha God. When asked about how he prepared to play the Black Panther villain, Michael begins an interesting and well thought-out explanation about how he had to isolate himself from his friends and family in order to relate to the loneliness of his character, to which Charlamagne asks him if he gave up white women as well. Michael, laughing him off, explains that all women are on the table and he isn't counting anyone out. Charlamagne also ribs him for living with his mom, meeting up with a University student who successfully slid into his DM's, and whether or not the Hollywood movie star is currently in a relationship. Michael's new movie, Fahrenheit 451, will in part be produced by his own production company, Outlier Society Productions, and stars Michael as Guy Montag, a book-burner in a totalitarian society who begins to rebel against the system. The film premieres on HBO, May 19th. Check out Michael B. Jordan's interview on The Breakfast Club below. The U.S. immigration officer interviewing visa applicants wanted to know why Kim Soo was seeking permanent residency after being here for just a month on tourist status from Korea. The exchange unnerved him so much he forgot his prepared reply. Cavalierly, he improvised, America needs me. That won the exchange, and Kims petition was approved shortly afterward. It was 1968, and Kims conviction endured through the half-century that followed. I came to the United States with $100 in my pocket only with burning desire, he said recently. The reason I came to the United States is to share my knowledge. His knowledge is martial arts, which Kim has been teaching here for 50 years now. His Kim Soo Karate, formerly Kim Soo College of Taekwon-Karate, dubs itself as Houstons oldest continuously operated martial arts school. The 77-year-old grandmaster has promoted more than 600 students to black belt. His journey began as a 12-year-old in his native country, where training in the martial arts helped instill in him a sense of worth and belonging. Many students were years behind in their education, disrupted by the Korean War. Kim, who had skipped ahead a year, was even younger and smaller than his classmates. He was bullied, he recalls, and kept to himself. More Information On the web kimsookarate.com See More Collapse As Kims skills advanced, his classmates came to respect and embrace him. He went on to organize martial arts clubs in high school, college and the army. His desire to impart his knowledge to others made him look to the U.S. He flew to Houston on the invitation of Sonny Thompson, who operated a taekwondo and karate studio in north Pasadena. Unlike Los Angeles and New York, the Bayou City was largely ignored by martial arts masters who feared its wild and rugged reputation. This is the place I have to go because nobody wants to go there, he told himself in Korea, looking at Houston on a map. I challenge it. The first few months in Houston were difficult, especially before his wife and son were able to join him from Korea. He was homeless for a time, and then lived in a commercial building on Clay Street. That building eventually became his first dojang, or training studio. The school operated there until 2001, when it was torn down to make way for Toyota Center. Kim now teaches alongside his son, Sean Kim, also a master, in a larger dojang he built in Spring Branch in 1973. Nine schools in Arizona, California, North Carolina and Texas bear or have born the Kim Soo Karate name. Though popular movies from Bruce Lee films to The Karate Kid have emphasized the combative elements of the martial arts, Kim says he has never used his skills to fight anyone. The school he founded focuses on other, long-held traditions. We focus on the artistry and not the sport, Sean Kim said. Its not about a winning-or-losing mentality. To Kim, approaching martial arts from solely a competitive angle is akin to eating the outside of a watermelon and missing the fruit altogether. Underscoring this is ChaYon-Ryu. Meaning the natural way in Korean, it requires proficiency in a variety of styles, including karate, kung-fu and taekwondo. Instruction stresses human instinct. ChaYon-Rhu highlights the balance between mind and body while incorporating lessons on virtue and character. KIm considers helping others his main duty and he wants his students to apply his lessons to their lives. Kim Soo Karate students before and after every class recite the dojang hun, or training oath, which includes respect and rejecting violence. Among those students is Larry Lawyer, a financial investor, who has been training under Kim for 25 years. In 2013, the 50-year-old was promoted to ChaYon-Ryu master status, which consists of achieving a black belt promotion five times and requires a 15- to 20-year commitment. The ChaYon-Ryu black belt promotion alone takes about five years. He is very focused on helping the students be the best that they can be, Lawyer said. Its a system set up to teach teachers. Kim acknowledges that he could have made more money by running his business differently, but he says the single-minded pursuit of profit would not be as fulfilling. I dont know how to make a business successful, he said. I know how to teach. jose.gonzalez@chron.com twitter.com/jrgzztx U.S. oil prices settled above $70 a barrel on Monday for the first time since 2014, passing yet another milestone in a recovery that could fatten profits for Houstons oil companies, lift the local economy and raise prices at the pump. Its the latest piece of good news for the local energy industry, which is still recuperating from the worst downturn in a generation, one that cost thousands of jobs and put scores of companies in bankruptcy court. With oil prices climbing higher, oil producers and scores of companies that provide them equipment, rigs and crews could rebound faster than expected by the U.S. Energy Department and other forecasters, who earlier predicted that the average price this year would stay below $60 a barrel. But whether the oil rally lasts depends heavily on what President Donald Trump decides to do about Iran on Tuesday. Traders bid up U.S. crude to more than $70 a barrel on the day before the Trump administration announces whether it will scuttle the Iranian nuclear pact and reimpose sanctions that could take hundreds of thousands of barrels of oil off global markets at time when demand is growing and supplies are tightening. U.S. oil prices jumped more than $1 a barrel Monday to settle at $70.73 in in New York. Oil companies have treated the rally with some measure of skepticism, recognizing that some of the gains are driven by speculation connected to increased tensions in the Middle East, rather than supply and demand fundamentals. So far, energy companies are still spending and hiring cautiously, leaving many geologists, geophysicists and engineers who once worked in Houstons skyscrapers still looking for jobs more than two years after oil prices hit bottom in early 2016. The majority of the increase has been due to the fundamentals of the oil market, said Andy Lipow, president of the consultancy Lipow Oil Associates in Houston. But over the last couple of weeks, the geopolitical risks with Iran have taken center stage. Analysts estimate that the uncertainty over Iran and oil production declines in Venezuela have added $5 to $7 a barrel in recent weeks. To get a sense of the influence of the Iranian situation on oil prices, consider this: After Trump announced that an Iran decision would come Tuesday, oil gave back most of its gains to fall below $70 a barrel in after-market electronic trading. The Iran deal, which lifted international sanctions in exchange for Iran abandoning a nuclear weapons program, was negotiated under former President Barack Obama. The agreement requires the president to periodically review Irans compliance and decide whether to keep the deal in place. Trump has called the Iran agreement the worst deal ever and in April said it was insane and ridiculous. In January, he gave Congress and European allies an ultimatum: Fix the deal or its over. Analysts said European political leaders Frances Emmanuel Macron, Germanys Angela Merkel and the United Kingdoms Theresa May have over the past few months made progress on coming to a consensus on addressing concerns about Irans hostility in the region. By Trumps own measure, theyve gotten a lot done in the last five months, said Matt Reed, a vice president at Foreign Reports in Washington, D.C. If Trump doesnt renew the deal by the May 12 deadline, European oil buyers would probably slow purchases of Irans crude and hamper the Islamic republics efforts to attract foreign investors, likely leaving its oil production flat over at least the next seven years, analysts with the British bank Barclays said in a note on Monday. Analysts note that other factors have supported the rise in oil prices from the recent low of $43 a barrel in June. OPEC has largely stuck to its agreement of cutting production by 1.8 million barrels through the rest of this year. In Venezuela, battered by an economic and political crisis, crude production has dropped to 1.43 million barrels a day last month, down from around 2 million barrels a day in July, analysts at French bank Societe Generale estimate. U.S. officials are also considering imposing oil sanctions on Venezuela after its elections this month, but oil production is already slipping by 60,000 barrels a day per month. This is quite bullish, the analysts said. Texas oil companies are grappling with their own production constraints and that could keep prices higher, too. In the Permian Basin in West Texas, companies are running low on pipeline capacity as oil output surges, and the next major pipelines in the region arent expected to be finished until next year. That could lead companies to slow production, which could support higher prices, analysts said. For drivers, all this could mean higher gasoline prices. The price of gasoline in Houston is averaging $2.55 cents a gallon, up nearly 35 cents from a year ago. collin.eaton@chron.com twitter.com/collineatonhc Crude oil prices are rising, but the crowds at Houstons Offshore Technology Conference fell for the fourth consecutive year, dipping to the lowest level in more than a decade as the deep-water energy sector continues to wait for a recovery. The annual conference, which marked its 50th showing this week, opened with a sense of optimism as oil prices climbed toward $70 a barrel and activity seemed to be picking up in the Gulf of Mexico and other offshore oil fields around the world. But the good feelings didnt translate to bigger crowds at NRG Park. Attendance fell 5 percent from last year to 61,300, the lowest since 2006. Attendance has plunged more than 40 percent from the record 108,300 reached in 2014, when oil prices hovered around $100 a barrel. Joe Griffin, who offers shoeshines at OTC each year, counted singles and $5 bills as he sat next to his workstation Thursday in a corner of the NRG Center. Four years ago, you didnt have to ask, people would just jump up there, Griffin said, signaling to the shoe-shine stand behind him. Now you have to almost beg them to get on the chair. OTC remains one of the worlds biggest energy expositions and symbols of the importance of the offshore sector to Houstons energy driven economy. Houston is home to hundreds of companies that do the engineering, construction, equipment manufacturing, drilling, exploration and production, and employ thousands of people working in the Gulf of Mexico, the North Sea and waters around the world. U.S. oil prices now are hovering above $68 a barrel, up more than $20 per barrel from a year ago and more $40 from the bottom of the oil bust in early 2016. That rebound has revved up shale drilling in the West Texas and other U.S. oil and gas fields, but the offshore sector, where projects are costlier and take longer to develop, is just beginning to figure out ways to profit in a lower price environment. Analysts estimate that offshore energy is at least a year away from a noticeable recovery, but even then, some analysts say, the sector faces a diminished future. For example, DNV GL, a a Norwegian research and consulting firm that works with energy companies, estimates that by 2050, the offshore drilling industry will produce only about half the oil it did in 2010, in part because of a projected global decline in crude oil consumption. OTC attendance is considered an indicator of the offshore sectors health, but it tends to lag industry trends by about a year, since OTC exhibit and travel decisions are typically made many months in advance. And certainly, activity has increased offshore. The worlds biggest companies are exploring for new offshore fields and some have authorized new projects, including Royal Dutch Shell, which recently approved the multibillion-dollar Vito project in the deep Gulf But the offshore industrys difficulties were clearly on display. Many exhibitors. for example, focused on promoting products and services for onshore shale drilling. Meryl Lee, a 22-year OTC attendee and vice president of Californias Kepner Plastic Fabricators, said she still loves the annual show, but ranked this year among slowest in her experience. She noticed a lot less foot traffic as companies sent fewer people or decided not to send anyone at all. Theres just not extra money to throw at sending your people to something you either cant afford or maybe isnt relevant, said Lee said., On the other hand, many exhibitors remained positive. David Moseley, a vice president with Houstons Bishop Lifting Products, said from the vantage point of his companys booth, it seemed that attendance might be higher than last years. Certainly, he said, the outlook seemed brighter. Theres been a sense this week that things are improving offshore, Moseley said. It slowed way down in the Gulf, but were a part of the offshore community, and we feel like we need to be here. Joeny Holdings, a Nigerian energy engineering and construction firm, also had that sense. The company hadnt sent people to OTC the last two years, but executives saw signs that the worst was over, said Moses Unuavboroh, Joenys group technical director. Case in point: the Joeny contingent will stay in Houston into next week to meet potential customers and equipment suppliers. The attendance volume is still a bit low, said Moses, but it looks like things are picking up and we wanted to make our international presence known. Not only was attendance down, so was another measure of the conferences scale the weight of the equipment and exhibits hauled to the conference. The weight slipped to just under 8 million pounds, down about 4 percent from last year down and 25 percent from the 2015 record of 10.7 million pounds, said Kevin O'Brien, general manager of Freeman, the event production company that leads the setup and breakdown of OTC. Apart from the industrys struggles, some companies have switched from displaying heavy equipment to digital and software showcases that dont weigh as much. Also, mergers have cut the number exhibitors. GE Oil & Gas, which was one of the biggest exhibitors, merged with Baker Hughes, while another one, Houstons FMC Technologies, combined with the French company Technip. After a miserable two years, the OTC shoeshiners said this years attendees were at least cheerier than in 2016 and 2017. They just wished that their customers tipped like they did in 2014. The last couple of years we almost had to rope them and tie them down, said Wilbert Fleming, of Joes Shoe Shine Services. Theyre at least getting in the chair easier this year. jordan.blum@chron.com jose.gonzalez@chron.com WASHINGTON - While governor of Texas, Rick Perry was approached by a group of power executives who warned that unless state regulators took steps to raise electricity rates, power plants across the state would close and regular blackouts could follow. But Perry, a fierce advocate of keeping government out of the marketplace, turned them down. He was heavily lobbied, recalled Ken Anderson, a former Texas Public Utility Commissioner appointed by Perry. Ultimately, he said, Were going to rely on the market, and thats what we did. But since taking over as secretary of the U.S. Department of Energy, Perrys devotion to the magic of markets has waned as he advocates for the same sort of government intervention he avoided in Austin to prop up the struggling nuclear and coal power plants. That has put him on the opposite side of longtime allies in politics and business, who fear Perry is betraying his free market principles to win a victory for President Donald Trump, who unequivocally pledged to revive the fortunes of coal. TOMLINSON: Even with Perry's help, coal is doomed Rick Perry knows about the chain of command and his commander-in-chief has made some promises on the campaign trail, said Rep. Pete Olson, R-Sugar Land. Secretary Perry is being the good cabinet member he is. I imagine he said, Try another way, but hes been over ruled. Perrys office did not respond to requests for comment. In the weeks ahead, the Energy Department is expected to decide whether to grant a request by the Ohio power company FirstEnergy Solutions that the agency use emergency powers designed to prevent blackouts to increase power rates for coal and nuclear plants. Perry last year made a similar proposal, asking federal regulators to adopt rules that would have paid coal and nuclear plants more for their power than other generators. Pressure to bail out the coal and nuclear industries recently increased when Sen. Joe Manchin, a Democrat representing coal-rich West Virginia, asked Perry and Defense Secretary James Mattis to consider invoking national security powers to keep the plants up and running, which could require taxpayer money. Coal and nuclear interests argue the plants are needed to avoid power outages that could damage the U.S. economy, since wind and solar generation is subject to the weather and gas-fired plants, which dont store fuel on site, are vulnerable to supply interruptions. The security of our homeland is inextricably tied to the security of our energy supply, Manchin said. More than 200 coal plants have closed since 2010 and few would question the dire situation for coal and nuclear in a power market dominated by cheap natural gas and increasingly efficient forms of renewable energy. But the notion that the situation represents an emergency, requiring federal intervention, goes too far for many Republicans and business leaders. A study by the New York consulting firm Rhodium Group last year found that storms accounted for the vast majority of U.S. power outages over the past five years, with only 0.00007 percent were due to fuel supply problems. NEXT-GEN PLANTS: Rick Perry seeks new path to save coal Among the groups opposing FirstEnergys request is the American Petroleum Institute, whose members stand to profit from increasing demand for natural gas. The oil and gas trade group is joined by renewable energy companies, environmentalists and large power consumers, such as General Electric and Walmart, which stand to see electricity rates and costs increased. Ultimately, its going to be very expensive, whether it puts the cost on ratepayers or taxpayers, all under this alleged emergency that doesnt exist, said Maria Robinson, director of wholesale markets at Advanced Energy Economy, a trade group whose membership includes large power buyers like Apple and Honda. Many analysts believed the question of subsidizing coal and nuclear was put to rest last year, when the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission rejected Perrys proposal to allow higher power rates for coal and nuclear generators. But then FirstEnergy requested emergency intervention in March through section 202 of the Federal Power Act reigniting the interest of the administration. At an event in West Virginia last month, Trump said, Well be looking at that 202, you know what a 202 is, well be looking at that, were trying. FirstEnergy is a major customer of Murray Energy, the Ohio coal company led by Robert Murray, a Trump supporter and campaign donor. For coal companies, an emergency order would provide a life line at a time many financial analysts are forecasting the continued decline of the industry. In addition to the competition from natural gas and renewable energy, climate change regulations are expected to stifle global demand for fossil fuels particularly coal, considered one of the dirtiest. PERRY ON POLITICS: Former governor endorses Dan Crenshaw in congressional race There have been some announcements about coal plants closing. A lot of those have come on the basis of the impacts of prior regulation, said Betsy Monsue, spokeswoman for American Coal Council. The steps the administration has taken to address regulatory reform at the federal level have been very important. But were administration officials to impose an emergency order, they would likely face a backlash not only from business leaders, but also members of their own party, analysts said. Opposition within Congress is said to be strong. I dont know what [Perry] is going to do, but I have faith in the administration to be creative, Robinson said. They are feeling compelled to do something to support an ally of the president. james.osborne@chron.com Twitter: @osborneja WASHINGTON - Democrats are trying to take back an issue Donald Trump effectively stole from them during the 2016 presidential campaign: the high cost of prescription drugs. Trump repeatedly railed against pharmaceutical companies during the campaign and after taking office, promising prices would drop and accusing drug companies of "getting away with murder." But more than a year into his tenure, Trump has taken only limited action, and drug prices continue to climb. While Trump this week is again slated to deliver a delayed speech on drug prices, Democrats are pushing proposals they hope will compare favorably with Trump's and give them the upper hand on an issue polls consistently rank as among voters' top concerns. Democrats focused on drug prices in their "Better Deal" agenda for if they take control of Congress, including a proposal to let Medicare use its buying power to bargain down the cost of medications. Drug price negotiation is a longtime plank of the Democratic platform, but Trump embraced the proposal during his 2016 campaign. He told an enthusiastic crowd in New Hampshire that it could unlock huge savings. "We don't do it. Why? Because of the drug companies," he said then. So far, he hasn't followed through. A year ago, Democratic Reps. Elijah Cummings of Maryland and Peter Welch of Vermont said Trump had promised to back their push for price negotiation in a White House meeting. But when the two Democrats introduced legislation to authorize price negotiation in October, Trump didn't offer an endorsement or feedback. Democrats are also promising to appoint a "price gouging" enforcer who would fine drug companies if their price increases surpass certain thresholds - another piece they believe will show voters that Democrats are prepared to tackle the issue in a way Trump hasn't. "There's no question that it provides an opening for us," said Rep. Richard Neal, D-Mass., the top Democrat on the Ways and Means Committee. "Well I don't know what he's done. I mean, prices continue to go up," said Sen. Debbie Stabenow, D-Mich., one of 10 Democratic senators up for reelection in November in states Trump won. "I think the president should keep his promises." Trump had been scheduled to deliver his speech on prescription drug prices on April 26, but it was delayed and is now expected in coming days. White House officials had signaled Trump would use the speech to build on a series of technical proposals the administration had already advanced, but Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar hinted recently that the president may surprise people. "We'll be building on the proposals in the president's budget, but he wants to go further," Azar said at the World Health Care Congress on Wednesday. "I believe we can help lower the cost of medicine while still promoting research that will transform the future of care. Doing both is the only way forward." It remains uncertain what proposals the president will lay out, and Trump has in the past made large-scale proposals with little warning - even at times contradicting his administration's other efforts. But there's been little evidence from his actions so far that he will go all-in on a major new initiative. Voters consistently cite health care costs, including high prescription drug prices, as one of their top concerns, and lawmakers of both parties say it's one of the issues raised most frequently by their constituents back home. A Kaiser Health Tracking Poll in March found that 52 percent of Americans said passing legislation to lower prescription drug prices should be a top priority for Trump and Congress. Nearly three-quarters of Americans said pharmaceutical companies have too much influence in Washington, a view shared by both Democrats and Republicans. In risky timing for the GOP, voters are likely to see their health care premiums jump again when new rates are rolled out this fall, just ahead of the midterm elections. And after years where the GOP blamed President Barack Obama and the Affordable Care Act for all the problems consumers encountered in health care, Republicans who now control the White House and both chambers of Congress may no longer be able to deflect the blame. "Simply put, there is no issue where there is greater vulnerability for Republicans or greater opportunity for Democrats than the issue of health care," said Geoff Garin, a longtime Democratic pollster who's been conducting focus groups on the issue. Some Republicans acknowledge political concerns that their party will take the blame for rising costs that Trump and the GOP Congress have failed to tame. "Absolutely, I do. It does concern me," said Rep. Phil Roe, R-Tenn., a practicing obstetrician. "What concerns me the most are my patients at home. Not the political price, but the actual price that folks have to pay, or they don't get the care if it's too expensive." Prices on the top 20 most-prescribed brand name drugs increased an average of 11 percent each year for the last five years, according to a Wells Fargo research note that looked at the medications that were prescribed most often in 2017. Prices have continued to rise this year, Wells Fargo said. The true cost of drugs are difficult to measure, as different patients and insurers pay a wide range of prices. Still, actuaries at the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Service projected in February that spending on prescription drugs would grow at 6.3 percent per year over the next decade, faster than spending on any other health care service. And for those whose insurance plans have high deductibles, that means expensive out-of-pocket payments that climb year after year. The issue is far easier to campaign on than to actually solve, both because of the power of the drug lobby and the complexity of the byzantine system in place today, which Democrats themselves failed to get a grip on during passage of the Affordable Care Act. Health policy experts who have been analyzing the proposals advanced by the Trump administration so far argued that the measures would leave the high prices of drugs basically untouched, while providing needed relief for some seniors' out-of-pocket costs. An analysis by a team at Johns Hopkins Drug Access and Affordability Initiative of some of the proposals in the president's budget found that there could be short-term benefits for some Medicare beneficiaries. The analysis found the proposal with the biggest impact for individuals would be passing rebates negotiated on drugs directly to Medicare beneficiaries at the pharmacy counter. Half of enrollees in stand-alone prescription drug plans would benefit from this change, saving on average $264. But most of those savings would be concentrated among the small fraction of people taking high-priced specialty drugs. "They're doing some modest, really marginal things that would be positive," said Steven Knievel, an advocate at Public Citizen, a health watchdog group. "Small potatoes is too generous a term." Indeed, industry insiders have gained confidence under the Trump presidency, as early rhetoric blaming drug makers for prices has transformed into a tangled debate over the role of middleman industries - such as insurers and pharmacy benefit managers - in drug prices. As they seize on the issue anew, Democrats have begun linking high drug prices to the new GOP tax law, accusing drug companies of reaping a windfall from the legislation but failing to pass those profits down to consumers. At a recent Senate Finance Committee hearing, Sen. Claire McCaskill, D-Mo.,, one of the most endangered Democrats in November, railed against drug companies and proclaimed that the industry has a "vise grip" on the Republican Congress. Sen. Tammy Baldwin, D-Wis., who also faces reelection in a Trump state in November, devoted an early television ad to the issue, showcasing her partnership with Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., on a bill requiring drug companies to notify the federal government before raising the prices of certain drugs higher than 10 percent. Republicans are just as willing as Democrats to acknowledge voters' concerns about prescription drug prices and health care costs in general, but many continue to argue that Trump will deliver on the issue. Rep. James Comer, R-Ky., said prescription drug costs are the top health care issue raised by voters in his rural district. He said he hopes to see Trump address the issue of the availability of generic drugs, adding that he's even open to allowing reimportation of cheaper drugs from Canada for American consumers. And if the president doesn't deliver? "The voters of my district are pretty solidly behind the president. I think Congress will get more of the blame than the president. That's usually the way it works. He's pretty good at that," Comer said. "But I want to work with president. I think he's committed to trying to do something to improve health care in America." Recently, I was part of a clergy discussion about baptism and the proper, acceptable way to baptize. At which age should one be baptized as an infant, an adolescent or whenever that individual repents, accepts the faith and can be held accountable for his or her actions? At this meeting in Houston, we four clergymen each had our own responses, each of us defending our own denominations method of baptism. Then we discussed the proper method for baptizing: sprinkling, pouring or full immersion into a baptistry or lake. Again, each of us retreated to our own comfortable corner of churchiness, though two of us were quite comfortable with accepting any form of baptism performed at any point in life. Could or should you be re-baptized if you request it? Does it have to be an ordained member of the clergy performing the rite of baptism? Though these questions have been asked for 20 centuries (Jesus himself was baptized), there is no consensus, and arguments still rage to this day. Using baptism as just one example, herein is a perplexing problem for believers: the shifting variations of Christian practice and the many interpretations of the ages-old rites of the Christian faith. I dont want to conflate these topics, but consider these issues that were once major but have little currency today. Witches battling these lovelies was routine for church authorities in the 14th to 17th centuries. Where did they go? Why is no one concerned with them now or even trying to determine if they actually exist? Prohibition of alcohol this was an important religious issue and frequent sermon topic for American preachers in the 19th and into the 20th centuries. Due in large part to the religious uproar, the 18th Amendment was established, ushering in Prohibition. Then, seeing the unintended consequences of the 18th Amendment, it was repealed by the 21st Amendment. Lips that touch liquor shall never touch mine was the battle cry of the Womens Christian Temperance Union. Their intent was good and pervasive, but well into the 20th century alcoholism was still seen as a moral failing. Today we see it for what it really is: a serious medical condition. Homosexuality If youre an older-than-millennial, you were likely taught as a youngsters that this was sinful, perverted, unnatural and against Gods will. For most of American history, if this topic was discussed at all in churches, it was discussed with disgust. Even today, some preachers are all too quick to tell you what Gods will is and its not homosexuality. However, the Supreme Court has ruled that the Constitution guarantees the right of marriage to same-sex couples. Seems that Gods will and the U.S. Supreme Court are at odds. The upshot is that you are the one who must decide what Gods will is for you and what your sexual orientation is, and how you will present yourself to the world. Its Gods will that you undergo conversion therapy, one old fundamentalist preacher told a congregant. The young man who listened to this preacher later remarked about how much Gods will usually was identical to that preachers. Lets put it this way: If you sing Gimme that Ol Time Religion on Sunday morning, your outlook is probably one we cant afford today. And then theres the issue of supermarket Catholics. Years ago, two Roman Catholic priests lamented to me that church doctrines arent various breakfast cereals, which you can choose among to purchase and consume. Given all our choices in America, theres always the strong temptation to take what you like and leave the rest. The church has its rules and doctrines you should just learn them and obey them, the clergymen declared. The priests didnt like this pick-and-choose practice, but felt they had to accept it as the norm these days. Ah, but what to throw out, what to keep in? I responded that some secularizing of our faith can be good; we must stay in touch with the people and society we serve. Today, thoughtful religious people ask, Was I taught wrong? Well, yes and no. This is a large question but dont despair and dont settle for quick, simple answers. Youre not the first to pose this important query. Its obvious that American Christians dont all believe the same things. Remember, the loving, forgiving God we preach nowadays utilizes the same Bible that Jonathan Edwards used when he preached Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God. So, is this just a matter of emphasis, of choosing different passages from the Bible, or does it smack of what each culture needed or wanted to hear? Many wonder if they should update their thinking to accommodate new societal norms, often the outlooks of the younger generations. But is this actually a battle with younger, more progressive believers or a breakneck race to determine who will control the narrative in our culture, a culture now changing at a faster pace than ever before? You tell me. I feel quite sure that we can agree on this: Things change and theyre not going to stop changing. James Russell Lowells lyrics from his great hymn of 1845, Once To Every Man and Nation, are spot on: New occasions teach new duties, time makes ancient good uncouth, they must upward still and onward, who would keep abreast of truth. Not just uncouth, but wrong. As with alcoholism, more knowledge and understanding leads to a more accurate, healthier outlook. And minus the shaming, a greater number of recovering alcoholics. Are you ready to examine and re-examine your positions on the issues of today? Recall that former President Barack Obama was against gay marriage but later said his understanding evolved and after that he endorsed the Marriage Equality Act. This is not hypocrisy its a willingness to learn, change and upgrade as necessary on a crucial issue. Fine but how much bending and changing should we be expected to do? Most of us like that comforting bedrock, the ecclesiastical backbone of the creeds which we recite on Sundays. They represent the unchanging core beliefs of our faith compact and time-proof, so some believe. Lets remember, however, that there is not just one but several viable credal statements in both Protestantism and Catholicism. And while appearing similar, several crucial differences (all open to interpretation) are found therein. So when parents, priests or ministers taught us as youths in the church, they werent teaching us wrongly; they were simply handing down to us what they had been taught, answerable to the times and society in which they lived. Our elders likely taught us the best they could within the confines of the ancient faith handed down to them. And even that varied from the faith their parents and grandparents had taught them. Heres a tip: Stay flexible, be ready to adapt. Theres not just one correct interpretation of our faith, not just one Christian lifestyle or one Christian personality there are several. This is the vital task of theologians! To re-examine, to carve out space for new interpretations of ancient credal statements and kerygma show how our faith informs our culture and how our culture helps to revamp and modernize our faith. The Rev. David V. Mason is a professor of philosophy and literature in Houston. He can be reached at davidvmason.com or davidvmason@yahoo.com A 31-year-old Houston man has been charged with capital murder in the 2011 death of Natalie Ochoa, whose murder case went cold under disgraced HPD detective Ryan Chandler. Joseph Richard Reyes was charged Monday after DNA taken during a previous arrest was traced back to Ochoa, 31, according to court records. Ochoa was found barely breathing on the street early on December 16, 2011. She was taken to the hospital were she pronounced dead. She had been strangled. CASE GOES COLD: Victim's life was more than just the sum of a rap sheet Ochoa's family has maintained that her death was overlooked because of her checkered past with drugs, and that she had worked hard to turn earlier troubles in her life around. Now Playing: James Fulton brings attention to the unsolved 1991 murder of his daughter, Kathy Page with billboards along Interstate-10 westbound in Rose City, Texas. Video: Yi-Chin Lee, Houston Chronicle They said when she was last released from state jail on Sept. 30, 2011, her plan was to finish up her training to be a medical technician, which she had started the previous year. Less than two months later, she was dead. Reyes was arrested in 2014, accused of choking and kicking a former girlfriend and again in 2015 for violating the protective order a judge imposed in that case. He pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor and was sentenced to almost 6 months in jail. But because of those arrests, his DNA was in a law enforcement database and earlier this year, the computer matched it with DNA evidence found on Ochoa. After police investigated, Reyes said he had no idea why his DNA was under the dead woman's fingernails, according to court records. He remains in the Harris County Jail without bail. Ochoa's case was featured in the Houston Chronicle's Dead and Buried series as one of the two dozen cases that former HPD detective Raymond Chandler was cited for failing to investigate while he was assigned as a homicide detective. Chandler was fired, and other homicides detectives were assigned to follow up on cases he did little or nothing to investigate. FORGOTTEN HOMICIDES: Almost two dozen cases lost Former HPD Chief Charles McClelland, after announcing his firing of the detective, famously said that Chandler "was lazy, he was a liar, he was not forthright with his supervisors and he misled his other co-workers." Ochoa's older brother, Carlos Garcia, spoke out in 2014 about what he saw as Chandler's deliberate decision to discount the importance of a victim who at one time lived on society's margins. "You can't devalue someone's life because of what you see or think you know," Garcia said. "My sister could have been the worst person in the world, and she doesn't deserve to die this way." ROSHARON Kenny Calliham sat alone in the dark of a prison cubicle when it finally hit him: He couldnt live like that anymore. He needed something different, something better. Years of drugging and fighting had gotten the Greenspoint man where he was, in the middle of a 45-year prison sentence for aggravated robbery. Hed squandered a shot at probation, destroyed relationships with those around him and gotten into all the worst that prison had to offer. I just looked at myself and saw that everything Id started on my own had crumbled, he said. But on Monday, he started the process of rebuilding. The 36-year-old was one of 35 prisoners graduating from the four-year seminary at Darrington Unit, a milestone marked by a jailhouse commencement attended by inmates families, high-ranking prison officials and state Sen. John Whitmire, D-Houston. PASTOR MATT'S DOUBT: To find his faith, this Houston man had to rebuild his belief system Each and every one of us today is witnessing a miracle, Whitmire told the new graduates, black graduation robes hiding their prison whites. With the addition of the 2018 class, there are now 180 seminary graduates whove been sent out to do Gods work as field ministers at 26 prisons across the state, according to prison spokesman Jeremy Desel. By 2024, there will be field ministers on hand in all 104 Texas Department of Criminal Justice prisons. Putting religion behind bars Darrington was once known as a bad unit, plagued by violence and unrest. It was a place you didnt want to be sent. Now, men are vying to get into the maximum-security Brazoria County prison, competing for a few dozen coveted slots in the program funded by the nonprofit Heart of Texas Foundation and run by the Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, based in Fort Worth. To qualify, would-be students need to have high school diplomas or GEDs, clean disciplinary records for the past year and at least 10 years left until their earliest possible release dates. That last caveat is one that makes the seminary program stand out from many other prison offerings. While vocational programs and education typically aim to help inmates lead productive lives after their release, the seminary program is aimed at those who have long stretches of time left and an interest in doing good works behind bars. For four years they study rhetoric, Western civilization, health science and the Bible. They hole up in the library and take full-time classes instead of holding prison jobs, and they learn together in the groupings theyll stay in when theyre eventually sent out to prisons across the state as graduates of the nondenominational program. There is a sense of community that develops among the students, said Ben Phillips, the seminary professor who serves as the Darrington Units program director. For a great many of them, they really want to seize this opportunity and wring every ounce of value out of it. COOLING CELL BLOCKS: Landmark suit could extend heat protections to thousands of inmates The Class of 2018 will fan out to units across the state in the coming weeks, walking in as the first field ministers newly dispatched to seven prisons from Huntsville to Rosharon to outside San Antonio. Prison officials say the program has been transformative and become a model for other states, which have sent high-ranking corrections officials to look in on the Lone Star States success. Were doing it, and were doing it in ways that no other country or state in the world has done it, said Grove Norwood, founder and CEO of the Heart of Texas Foundation, a nonprofit that works to provide Christian teachings to long-term inmates. Something miraculous had happened It was over dinner that seminary president Paige Pattersons brother-in-law told him about Angola. The notorious Louisiana State Penitentiary had been a hotbed of violence, but officials there were crediting a forward-thinking program with changing the culture behind bars. And Pattersons in-law, Charles Kelley, had a hand in that. As head of the New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary, Kelley had overseen the four-year program there and watched it work. He said I didnt deserve to go to heaven if I didnt do the same thing in Texas, Patterson said with a smile. The high-stakes urging was all in jest, but Patterson took it to heart. What happened next may have been coincidence or divine intervention, but as Patterson mulled his next steps he bumped into Norwood at a convention. Theyd never met before, but once they started talking they realized they had a common interest in bringing God behind bars. So Norwood introduced Patterson to Whitmire, and soon theyd organized a three-day trip to Louisiana to see the program in person. Everyone came away impressed. I knew what kind of prison Angola had been, and it was like moving from the center of a storm to a peaceful haven, Patterson said. You knew something miraculous had happened. After holding hands and praying about it, Whitmire recalled, they made a decision: Lets go to Texas. At the time, the seminary didnt even have a four-year program; its academic offerings focused on master's degrees and doctoral programs. They made one just for this, Norwood said. With legislators, prison officials and the seminary all on board, it didnt take long to cut through the red tape. By 2011, the first class of future ministers started their studies. And on Monday, the Darrington Unit saw its fourth graduating class walk across the stage. They sang, tossed their caps and flipped their tassles. It had all the elements of a traditional graduation, mixed in with a little rapping and a very Texas sermon involving a mishap with a bear along the border. Graduations happen throughout our state, said Oscar Mendoza, TDCJ's deputy executive director. But graduations like this only happen at the Darrington Unit. keri.blakinger@chron.com twitter.com/keribla WASHINGTON Texas lawmakers split sharply Tuesday on President Trump's plan to claw back more than $15 billion in congressionally-approved spending, nearly half of which would come from a children's health program that provides coverage for 400,000 kids and pregnant women in the state. The Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP), which Congress recently extended for six years, has become a flashpoint in an effort by the administration to calm conservative budget hawks who were angered by a $1.3 trillion spending bill that Trump signed in March. Texas received more than $1.2 billion in federal funding for the CHIP program in the 2016 budget year, according to the Medicaid and CHIP Payment and Access Commission, a non-partisan legislative branch agency that provides policy and data analysis for the government. Administration officials said the CHIP funds in Trump's proposed budget "rescission" represent unspent moneys from the previous year and would not affect current benefits. But many Democrats sounded a skeptical note. "These proposed rescissions reflect the same Republican indifference as last year when their repeated delays in renewing CHIP resulted in both damaging uncertainties for our local health providers and many alarmed families," said U.S. Rep. Lloyd Doggett, a Democrat from Austin. "Republicans are already breaking their word on our agreement reached a mere two months ago. They are wrongfully demanding that we eliminate federal resources that would otherwise go to meet children's needs." Some also cast it as a political gesture. "There's no logical reason for the Trump administration to cut spending from the Children's Health Insurance Program when Congress passed a bipartisan CHIP package in January to authorize the program for six more years and save the government hundreds of billions of dollars," said Houston Democrat Gene Green. "This gesture is solely symbolic to save face with Republican voters." Republicans, meanwhile, welcomed the savings. "There is no denying it, Washington has a spending problem," said U.S. Rep. Kevin Brady of The Woodlands, in a statement on Twitter. "I support President @realDonaldTrump's decision to cut wasteful government programs and roll back over $15 billion in spending." Budget analysts say the savings, if passed by Congress, would reduce government spending by less than 0.5 percent. But the rescission debate has been fueled by friction over the nation's growing budget deficits, which Democrats blame on the $1.5 trillion Republican tax cut in December. Brady and other Republicans pushed back Tuesday, cheered by a Congressional Budget Office report showing that the federal government took in a record tax haul in April, producing a monthly surplus of $218 billion. April, a month when many taxpayers settle up with the IRS, is generally a strong month for government revenue, though this year's receipts were 13 percent higher than in April 2017. Trump's rescission plan is subject to approval by Congress. Though its prospects are good in the House, they are less certain in the closely-divided Senate. WASHINGTON A Houston fundraiser featuring President Donald Trump scheduled for Monday has been moved to May 31. According an invitation obtained by Houston Chronicle, Trump will headline a $5,000 per person luncheon to benefit the National Republican Senatorial Committee. Trump also is scheduled to appear at a fundraising dinner in Dallas on the same day. That event is being sponsored by Trump's 2020 re-election campaign and the Republican National Committee. The president originally had been scheduled to make his Texas fundraising swing on May 14. The White House gave no immediate explanation for the change. Trump was in Dallas Friday for the National Rifle Association Convention, where he helped raise money for the NRA's Institute of Legislative Action. The Founding Fathers wanted to make it difficult to start a war, so they prescribed that Congress has the sole right to authorize it. But for many years, that hasnt been the case. The executive branch, under both parties, has claimed that the 2001 Authorization for Use of Military Force gives the president essentially unlimited powers to involve the United States in military conflicts in a vast geographic area that ranges from the Philippines to Niger and Kenya to Georgia. For years, observers from across the ideological spectrum have urged Congress to restrict the presidents warmaking powers and create a new legal framework for overseas conflicts. Recently U.S. Sen. Bob Corker, a Republican from Tennesee, and U.S. Sen. Tim Kaine, a Democrat from Virginia, have joined that debate with their proposal for a new AUMF. EDITORIAL: Congress must rein in our "infinite war" Their bill would explicitly legalize conflict with eight named terrorist groups, but it also sets forth a puzzling mechanism for accountability. If a future president were to engage our country with a new, unlisted enemy, those conflicts could be retroactively debated by Congress, which could disallow further participation in them by a two-thirds vote. It is better for Congress to openly consider the AUMF then to pretend it does not exist, so some credit is due to Kaine and Corker. But the bill would represent an expansion of executive war power, rather than a constraint. For one thing, the bill permits conflict with the named terror groups anywhere they operate, which is to say an area that stretches some five thousand miles, from Mauritania to Pakistan. KRAUTHAMMER: Declaring war on terror over is wishful thinking OPINION: Congress again throws in towel on Trump's war powers But more important, the framers made clear their belief that congressional approval should be a pre-condition to military conflict. In recent years Congress, beset by gridlock, has preferred when possible to act by its own inaction, by setting up a mechanism that it cannot stop. Remember the budget sequester? This is always unfortunate, but when applied to war it is also ridiculous. War is unpredictable once begun, and the idea that Congress should only have the power to halt a misconceived war after it has begun, and only with a supermajority vote, is patently absurd. Texas U.S. Sen. John Cornyn, as the No. 2 Senate Republican, has the opportunity to play a key role in crafting a better bill. We are approaching the day when an American soldier dies in a war that was already underway before he or she was born. That will most likely happen during the administration of a president who regularly makes rash threats of unilateral military conflict. In the coming months, Congress ought to scrap Kaine and Corkers bill and write a new one in which lawmakers truly shoulder the responsibilities entrusted to them by the Constitution. A fundraising email staked a claim to uniqueness about Texans in the U.S. Capitol that made us wonder. Jonathan Saenz, who heads Texas Values, a group that says its dedicated to faith, family and freedom, wrote March 28, 2018, that during a recent walk through the U.S. Capitol, "I gazed up at the carvings and paintings that tell Americas glorious story smiling that Stephen F. Austins and Sam Houstons statues were the only ones holding a rifle or a sword. I was reminded about the truth of all thats exceptional about America and Texas." That kind of historical trivia seems tailor-made for our Texas Truth-O-Meter. Tourists visiting Washington, D.C., learn that the Capitol houses 100 statues, two donated by each state. According to the Architect of the Capitol, which is the steward of the landmark buildings and grounds of Capitol Hill, such statues were confined to the buildings National Statuary Hall until Congress in 1933 reacted to overcrowding--at the time, 65 statues were wedged three-deep into the hall--by authorizing the statues to be spread throughout the building, which extends to the Capitol Visitor Center. We scrolled online through the architect offices posted photos of the 100 statues. Could it be that only Austin and Houston were carved holding a gun or sword? Austins statue has a long gun front and center, it looked to us, while Houstons statue just barely appeared to have a sword to its left rear side. But our click-through of photos of the Capitol statues showed that Houston wasnt the only one holding a sword. (A fair number of others, we saw, hold books.) List of statues holding weapons When we sought expert help, a curator from the Capitol architects office, Jennifer Blancato, emailed us a list of Capitol statues holding weapons with a notation that the Austin statue alone holds a firearm, which she listed as a rifle. Blancato listed 12 Capitol statues--including the one of Houston--of men holding swords. Similarly, William C. diGiacomantonio, chief historian of the U.S. Capitol Historical Society, which was chartered by Congress in the 1960s to educate the public on the Capitols history and heritage, responded by email that the Capitol statue of Austin is the only one brandishing a musket or rifle while, he said, many Capitol statues hold swords. Blancato specified as the sword-holding statues: Houston; Gen. Joseph Wheeler of Alabama; Gen. Edmund Kirby Smith of Florida; Gen. James Shield of Illinois; John Stark of New Hampshire; Philip Kearney of New Jersey; John Peter Gabriel Muhlenberg of Pennsylvania; Nathanael Greene of Rhode Island; John Sevier of Tennessee; Ethan Allen of Vermont; Robert E. Lee of Virginia; and Gen. Ulysses S. Grant. (Blancato otherwise said the statues of King Kamehameha I of Hawaii and Chief Washakie of Wyoming hold spears.) We shared Blancatos break-out with Saenz who said in an emailed statement that he based his claim about the Texas statues on what he noticed while at the Capitol, perhaps "because my focus is always primarily on Texas." Our ruling Saenz said the Capitol statues of Austin and Houston are "the only ones holding a rifle or a sword." This proud Texan's claim has an element of truth in that Austins rifle-bearing statue alone holds a rifle. However, a dozen statues donated by states, including the one of Houston, hold swords. We rate this statement Mostly False. MOSTLY FALSE The statement contains an element of truth but ignores critical facts that would give a different impression. Click here for more on the six PolitiFact ratings and how we select facts to check. See Figure 1 on PolitiFact.com Page Content The Secretary General of ICAO, Dr. Fang Liu, has completed an intensive series of high-level bilateral and multilateral meetings in the United Kingdom, where she encouraged the momentum on the long-term sustainability of all aspects of the international civil aviation network. Dr. Liu undertook bilateral meetings with Baroness Sugg, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Transport, Mr. Dan Micklethwaite, the UKs Director General for Civil Aviation, and Messrs Andrew Haines and Richard Moriarty, Chief Executive and Deputy Chief Executive, respectively, of the UK Civil Aviation Authority. The Secretary General was accompanied by the Representative of the UK on the Council, Mr. David Lloyd, and ICAOs Deputy Regional Director for Europe and the North Atlantic, Mr. Elkhan Nahmadov. Highlighting the pivotal contributions of air connectivity to sustainable development throughout these bilateral meetings, the Secretary General encouraged the UK continue to demonstrate leadership in aviation security and enhance the positioning of aviation issues within its global assistance strategy. The UK is commended for its significant role in the adoption and implementation of the United Nations Security Council Resolution 2309 as well as related ICAO Standards and Recommended Practices (SARPs) and the ICAO Global Aviation Security Plan (GASeP). It is stressed that the UK is particularly well placed to contribute to the holistic sustainability of global aviation in light of its leadership on assistance, being one of the few Development Assistance Committee (DAC) members to have met UN targets, and its widely recognized leadership on key aviation issues. Dr. Liu highlighted in her bilateral meetings that the elimination of barriers to womens participation in the workforce is of crucial importance to the aviation sector, given the tremendous traffic growth that is forecasted and the human resources that this will demand. She appreciated the UKs exemplary approach to gender equity and committed herself to work with the UK and other ICAO Member States on their aspirations. During her mission to London, which took place from 2 to 4 May 2018, the Secretary General also participated in the First Regular Session of 2018 of the UN System Chief Executives Board (CEB) , a United Nations Sustainable Development Group (UNSDG) Principals Meeting, a meeting of the Inter-Agency Coordination Group against Trafficking in Persons (ICAT), and an individual meeting with the Executive Director of the UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), Mr. Yury Fedotov. At these meetings, Dr. Liu contributed to discussions towards enhancing the efficacy of the UN systems efforts towards the achievement of the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals and highlighted the unique and crucial contributions of the aviation sector. The ICAT and UNODC meetings furthermore resulted in agreements to strengthen the UNs involvement in the prevention of trafficking in persons through the international civil aviation network. Ghanas fishing industry docked in poor labour practices May 08,2018 | Source: Ghana News Agency Some fishing companies in Ghana pay as low as 80 Ghana Cedis a month to employees on their vessels. Poor labour practices including low wages, poor or non-existent compensation for injuries and death, and the haphazard recruitment process in Ghanas fishing industry which had remained a rumour for some time was brought to the fore during a meeting between the security agencies and owners, managers of fishing companies in Tema. How do you pay someone 6 Ghana Cedis a day at sea? And you do not have his telephone number. You do not have his address and even the contract by which he is working was not signed by him, a marine police officer who wanted to be anonymous, told the meeting. Confirming the facts to the Ghana News Agency, Flight Lieutenant M Tachie, President, National Fisheries Association of Ghana (NAFAC), said these are the bare facts but we are working on it. 2012 Ghana News Agency Theme(s): Post Harvest Technology and Trade, Communities and Organisations, Fisheries Resources. Malawi: Zomba district council approves bylaws on fisheries management by Synd Kalimbuka May 08,2018 | Source: All Africa The Zomba district council Friday approved bylaws on participatory fisheries management that are expected to improve the conservation and management fish in Lake Chilwa. The council made the approval during a quarterly full council meeting held at its chambers. Speaking soon after the passing of the bylaws, Zomba District Fisheries Officer Lapken Chikoko said these local guidelines would empower communities to look after the lake effectively. "These bylaws intend to instill the spirit of community ownership of fisheries resources for their effective management and conservation," Chikoko said. He added that enforcement of the by-laws would improve the relationship between the department of fisheries and communities in management of the lake. Chikoko took an opportunity to announce the annual closure of Lake Chilwa for fishing until next year. "We have suspended fishing in the lake from March this year to February 2019. We want to give chance to the fish to breed as one way of improving fish production from the lake," he said. Making his presentation on the new bylaws, chairperson for Zomba district council agriculture service committee, councilor Imedi Issa said extensive consultations were made during formulation of the by-laws. "All the concerned parties such as communities, police and the judiciary were involved in the process. We wanted to avoid challenges that may arise during enforcement of the laws," Issa said. Key to these bylaws is the ban on the use of Mkacha, a fishing net with tiny mesh and sweeps all sizes of fish including fingerlings. Punishment for the use of such nets include confiscation of the fishing gear, a fine of K40, 000 or in default handed over to court for further legal redress. FISH project with funding from the United States Agency for International Development through PACT Malawi and Christian Aid facilitated the formulation of bylaws in Zomba, Machinga and Phalombe, the three districts surrounding Lake Chilwa. 2018 AllAfrica Theme(s): Fisheries Resources. Imperial Valley News Center Joint Statements to the Press With Mexican Foreign Secretary Luis Videgaray Washington, DC - Secretary of State Mike Pompeo Joint Statements to the Press With Mexican Foreign Secretary Luis Videgaray: SECRETARY POMPEO: Good afternoon. Today it is my pleasure and a great honor to welcome the Mexican Foreign Secretary Luis Videgaray to the State Department. Welcome. We had a great discussion and we had so because Mexico is one of the United States closest partners. Together we are working to build a more secure, prosperous, and democratic hemisphere. We are neighbors, allies, and friends. The conversation, as I said, was forthright. We talked about a range of issues. In particular, we spoke of four vital areas in which we work with Mexico every day: trade; management of our shared border; security; and the shared regional and global priorities of our two countries. First, it comes as a surprise to no one that our economic interests are deeply intertwined. Mexico is our second largest export market, third largest trading partner. The importance of modernizing NAFTA cannot be overstated, and we will continue to work towards an agreement with Mexico and with Canada. Second, we manage a couple-thousand-mile border. Every day more than $1.7 billion in trade crosses that border back and forth, supporting thousands of jobs on both sides of that border. We seek to improve efficiency at our ports of entry to support the legitimate flow of commerce between our two countries. Third, we work together to enhance our shared security by disrupting transnational criminal organizations. We recognize the demand of for drugs is principally on the American side of the border, and that this problem is destroying communities and tearing families apart. That is why the President has renewed efforts to prevent and treat addiction here at home and to combat the flow of drugs coming into our country from abroad. Our security is linked to one anothers. It will take our shared resources and commitment to disrupt criminal groups that illegally traffic drugs, weapons, and human beings. Continued cooperation under the Merida Initiative advances our mutual security objectives. Weve made some progress through the U.S.-Mexico Strategic Dialogue to disrupt these transnational criminal organizations. We should be proud of that. This will continue to be a priority for the administration. Fourth, and finally, we work together with Mexico on regional and global challenges. For example, we are working with our partners in Honduras, Guatemala, and El Salvador to reduce insecurity and violence, enhance economic opportunity, and fight corruption. These shared efforts address the underlying conditions driving illegal immigration. We also cooperate with Mexico to build regional consensus on the crisis in Venezuela. Thank you for your leadership, Secretary, on this issue in particular. I echo the message of Vice President Pence from earlier today at the OAS meeting: We urge our entire hemisphere to impose strict accountability on the corrupt and brutal Maduro regime. We are always looking for new ways to deepen our partnership with Mexico. Today, good news: the signing of the U.S.-Mexico Civil Nuclear Cooperation Agreement further expands our relationship and will benefit the North American and U.S. suppliers in the nuclear energy industry. Again, Foreign Secretary, I want to thank you for coming here today to discuss the many pressing issues facing our two countries. Im deeply appreciative of having my first press conference here at the State Department with you. Thank you, Foreign Minister. FOREIGN SECRETARY VIDEGARAY: Thank you very much, Secretary. Although Ill be speaking in Spanish in a moment, I just want to say that I am very, very proud and very honored to have this first conversation with you as Secretary of State, because weve met before, but not in your role as Secretary of State, so I am very, very, very honored. And we had, as you said, a very productive, very frank first conversation as such. Let me switch to Spanish. (Via interpreter) Since the beginning of the administration of President Trump, the Mexican Government, the government of President Pena Nieto, has promoted and offered an institutional relationship of mutual benefit and mutual respect. We acknowledge that we share threats, that we have opportunities that we can take advantage of together; and we also need to say we also have some differences, some of which are public and well known, but we cannot allow those differences to define this relationship. We need to be able to work for the interest of two neighboring countries and two neighboring peoples who are brothers so as to overcome our differences. Mexico, Mr. Secretary Pompeo, is a large country, a proud country, proud of its history, enthused about its future, and we are a sovereign state. And as a sovereign state, we offer the United States our friendship, the will to work together on the issues that join us to do good things good things for the people of the United States and of course for the people of Mexico. The relationship between Mexico and the United States finds itself at a turning point of the decisions made between our governments in the next few months, even in the next few days. Well, this will determine the relationship between our two countries for the next years and even the next few decades. We find ourselves at that crucial moment in the renegotiation and modernization of NAFTA, a renegotiation that Mexico faces in good faith with constructive spirit, convinced that North America can be the most competitive region in the world, and with the belief that we have huge, concrete opportunities for prosperity and well-paid jobs for all of our inhabitants. We have shared challenges on the issue of security, and moments ago Secretary Pompeo was mentioning the work weve done throughout a new high-level group to fight transnational criminal organizations. We will continue along that path. This is what we have agreed upon on the understanding that the problem does not have to do with supply or demand; the problem is a market at the regional level that needs to be disarticulated so as to be able to fight successfully this phenomenon. With regards to migration, we face common challenges. Mexico has stopped become being simply an origin country; we are also becoming a country that receives migrants. We need to continue to think about priority to the fundamental dignity of migrants, whatever their migratory condition. Of course, we will continue to work on the regional issues where we share values and a vision. This is the case with regards to Central America. In particular with the countries of the so-called Northern Triangle Guatemala, El Salvador, and Honduras we will continue to promote development and security. We have agreed upon the fact that in the next few weeks we will have in the city of Washington the second conference that puts together Mexico and the United States as cohosts with the three governments of Guatemala, Honduras, and El Salvador, and other regional partners that will continue to be part of this effort. With regards to Venezuela, we share to a very large extent the concern given the situation of systematic disruption of democracy. We will continue to call for a solution arising from Venezuelans themselves who can find a peaceful solution to re-establish democracy in their country. Of course, we will continue to work on different causes at multilateral organizations where we share values and purposes. Id like to take advantage of this opportunity to underscore the fact that the Government of Mexico is very pleased with the progress made to achieve the denuclearization of the North Korean Peninsula. We recognize the work of Secretary Pompeo in this regards. This is an issue that affects us all around the world. Finally, Id like to thank the Department of State, the Department of Energy, and the entirety of the Trump administration who was part of this for the signature of the Cooperation Agreement for the Peaceful Use of Nuclear Energy. This agreement, which will be presented throughout a newsletter in the next few minutes, will allow us to continue strengthening cooperation, specifically in the area of technological transfers so that Mexico can continue to develop its nuclear energy so that the next governments in Mexico can continue to develop the use of nuclear technology for medical purposes, for example, or for the generation of electricity if that is decided in the future. Thank you, Secretary, for the signature of this agreement which I believe it is important to highlight; beyond everything we see on the media and the differences we might have, this shows we continue to work together, we continue to address specific issues that are useful for our peoples and creating a better future for our region. I wish you the greatest of success. It is an honor for me to be back at the Department of State and to be here with you at your first message to the media in this hall. Thank you, Secretary Pompeo. We are ready to continue working together. SECRETARY POMPEO: Thank you very much. This is wonderful. Thank you so much Imperial Valley News Center Gina Haspel is the Best Choice for CIA Director Washington, DC - Gina Haspel is strongly qualified to lead the CIA and has the support of the dedicated career civil servants at the CIA, Republican and Democrat intelligence experts, and foreign allies in the intelligence community. THE WALL STREET JOURNAL EDITORIAL BOARD: Gina Haspels CIA Crucible Ms. Haspel started as a case officer in Africa and after assignments around the world in its operations directorate became deputy director in 2017. Ms. Haspel is the first CIA officer in more than five decades to reach the top position. She won the confidence of former director Mike Pompeo as his deputy, so the agencys leadership transition would be straightforward The people misrepresenting the CIA nominee were in the cheap seats during the worst days of the war on terror. Ms. Haspel didnt have that luxury. NEW YORK POST EDITORIAL BOARD: The Pathetic Push to Torpedo Gina Haspel Haspel would be not only the first woman to head the CIA, but also the first career officer in 52 years to rise through the ranks directly to the directors chair. Little wonder that shes won the enthusiastic support of past CIA directors from both parties She has headed four CIA stations across the globe, been a senior official in the CIAs Russia operation, held several top roles in the division responsible for covert operations and, post-9/11, was a senior-level supervisor in counterterrorism. Her integrity and, significantly, her political impartiality are unchallenged Gina Haspel, quite simply, is one of Trumps most capable and distinguished appointments. She deserves quick confirmation without partisan theatrics. THE WEEKLY STANDARD EDITORIAL BOARD: If Not Haspel, Who? [T]he [P]resident chose an accomplished and well-liked intelligence professional to head the CIA. The choice was made at the behest of former CIA director Mike Pompeo. Michael Hayden, former head of both the CIA and the National Security Agency under George W. Bush, applauds the choice. So does James Clapper, former director of national intelligence under Barack Obama. So does John Brennan, CIA director under Obama and a fierce critic of the current president. COMMENTARY WRITER TOM ROGAN IN WASHINGTON EXAMINER: The Intelligence Community, Here and Abroad, Has Gina Haspels Back. Heres Why. Gina Haspel, President Trumps pick to lead the CIA, is good at her job because she cultivates alliances and counters adversaries. Thats the story of Haspels 33-year career as [a] CIA operations officer, which has seen her serve as the agencys chief of station (the U.S. intelligence communitys top officer in embassies abroad) on four separate occasions. This includes two stints as the CIAs station chief in London; once from 2008-2011 and again from 2014-2017. FORMER CIA OFFICER MARK SPARKMAN IN THE HILL: In the CIA, Gina Haspel Found Her Calling: Protecting Our Country and Freedoms I am confident Gina Haspel will be an excellent leader for the agency and a great addition to the upper ranks of our intelligence community and foreign affairs team. She has the requisite experience and is respected throughout the national security establishment. Notably, she is unafraid to speak the truth, regardless of the setting or audience. She is a consummate professional who always puts mission and the interests of the republic first. FORMER OBAMA ADMINISTRATION DEFENSE DEPARTMENT AND CIA CHIEF OF STAFF JEREMY BASH AT NBC NEWS: Gina Haspel is the Rare CIA Director Nominee that Both Parties Should Love We need more people like Gina Haspel. Democrats and progressive organizations should be encouraged that a nonpartisan, professional woman has been nominated to be CIA director Confirming Gina Haspel would send exactly the right signal to the intelligence community and the rest of the country about the importance of professional intelligence and service over self. 9/11 FAMILY MEMBER DEBRA BURLINGAME IN THE WALL STREET JOURNAL: Obamas Prosecutor Vouches for Haspels CIA Ms. Haspel has accumulated an exemplary record of achievement in her 33 years with the agency. She answered the call on 9/11. How can Congress expect dedicated CIA officers to protect the country from future attacks, then seek to destroy them politically for doing just that? Senators must show that they respect, support and understand the mission of our defenders by voting to confirm Gina Haspel. COLUMNIST DEBRA SAUNDERS IN LAS VEGAS REVIEW-JOURNAL: Senate Faces Clear Choice in Vote on Nominee for CIA Chief The U.S. Senate faces a clear choice as it prepares to confirm or reject Acting CIA Director Gina Haspel as the permanent head spook. Confirm Haspel and get a chief who will encourage staff to do their utmost to uncover what they need to know to protect this country The Haspel resistance is all about scoring points and it ignores the input of a long list of national-security luminaries from both parties who urged the Senate to confirm Haspel. The list includes former Sen. Bob Kerrey, D-Neb., and Obama CIA director Leon Panetta. Vice President Pence During a Protocolary Meeting at the Organization of American States Washington, DC - Remarks by Vice President Pence During a Protocolary Meeting at the Organization of American States: THE VICE PRESIDENT: Ambassador Gonzalez, Secretary General Almagro, Ambassador Trujillo, permanent representatives, distinguished members of Congress, ambassadors, all of our honored guests, it is my great honor to be here in the House of the Americas to address this session of the Organization of American States. Thank you for the honor of being with you today. (Applause.) And I bring greetings first and foremost from a great champion of security, prosperity, and freedom in the Western Hemisphere. I bring greetings from the 45th President of the United States of America, President Donald Trump. (Applause.) Im here today because the Western Hemisphere is a key priority of our administration and our country. Under President Trump, the United States will always put the security and prosperity of America first. But America first does not mean America alone. Our nation has always cared deeply about our neighbors across the Western Hemisphere. This region is filled with diverse cultures, distinctive traditions, and unique identities beyond number, but we are all bound together by geography, by history, and by the enduring aspiration for freedom. Ours was always meant to be a hemisphere of freedom, and that vision is why the Organization of American States exists. One week ago today, this body celebrated the 70th anniversary of its founding, when 21 nations from across the Western Hemisphere declared to the world, and I quote, that the historic mission of America is to offer a land of liberty. And that vision endures to this very day. Today, this institution essentially represents our entire Western Hemisphere. And the United States is proud proud to stand with the OAS. And were especially grateful for the principled leadership of Secretary General Almagro. Thank you for your outstanding words today. As President Trump has said, the United States seeks a future [in our hemisphere] where, in his words, the people of each country can live out their dreams. And since the first day of our administration, we have worked with our allies and partners across the region in pursuit of our shared goals. Last year, the United States and Mexico co-hosted the inaugural Conference on Prosperity and Security in Central America, and it was my privilege to address that gathering. I also had the privilege to travel to Colombia, Argentina, Chile, and Panama, to forge stronger ties across the region. And just last month, it was my honor to represent the United States at the 8th Summit of the Americas in Peru - where, on President Trumps behalf, I called on the free nations of the Western Hemisphere to confront our shared challenges, seize our shared opportunities, and embrace our shared future of prosperity and freedom together. The United States has already taken crucial steps to achieve this vision. When it comes to prosperity, President Trump has taken decisive action to unleash our economy as never before. As I stand before you today, over the last 15 months, weve been rolling back burdensome regulations in record numbers, weve been unleashing our boundless natural resources, and we enacted the largest tax cuts and tax reform in American history. The results have been a more prosperous America. Businesses large and small have created more than 3.1 million new jobs already. Unemployment in our country is at a 17-year low. And for Hispanics, Im pleased to report that unemployment has never been lower in the United States. And companies are announcing hundreds of billions of dollars in investments in our economy and in our workers. Weve made extraordinary progress in reviving the American economy, which benefits all the nations across the Americas. The OAS charter says, and I quote, Economic cooperation is essential to [our] common welfare, and it is. And Im pleased to report that the United States is the number one trading partner in the Western Hemisphere, and we are by far the single largest source of foreign direct investment in the region as a whole. In fact, this nation trades nearly three times as much with our neighbors in the Western Hemisphere as we do with China. Today, we have a tremendous opportunity to forge even stronger trade relationships that are, in President Trumps words, free, fair, and reciprocal. And after years of talk, our administration is focused on action and results in improving our economic relationships across the Americas. Over the past year, we have successfully expanded access for vital agricultural products in Colombia and in Argentina. We are also strengthening our energy and infrastructure partnerships in Chile, Brazil, and across the region. And as we speak, the United States is working with Canada and Mexico very closely to modernize the North American Free Trade Agreement and ensure that it holds to that deals original spirit. Let me thank the many countries that have demonstrated courage to pursue economic reforms to empower job creators, innovators, and citizens alike - from Argentina to Jamaica to many others. President Trump and I welcome your bold actions, and we look forward to expanding our ties of commerce and exchange for generations to come. But as we strive to expand opportunity for our citizens, we all never will forget that security is the foundation of our prosperity. And under President Donald Trump, the United States has remained committed to work with our allies and partners to ensure the safety and security of our people across our hemisphere. Since its inception, the OAS has played a central role in strengthening security partnerships across the wider region, and thats still true today. At this very hour, there are many dangers spread across our region, and our citizens see them, in one form or another, every single day. We see the gangs and syndicates that plague our cities and towns, bringing crime and sowing fear in our communities. We see the illegal drugs that poison our children, tear apart our families, and cut short too many lives of promise. And at our borders, we see the threat of hardened criminals, human traffickers, drug traffickers, and even radical terrorists. The United States, with the strong partnership of many of your nations, refuses entry to seven known or suspected terrorists every single day. Think about that. We disrupt the attempted transit of 50 known or suspected terrorists attempting to enter our country every week. Thats more than 2,500 every year. Now more than ever, for all these reasons, our security cooperation is vital to the security of our hemisphere. And President Trump has no higher priority than the safety and security of the American people. Under his leadership, we have brought new resources, tools, and the right people at every level of American security. And thats why its crucial, as I gather before you today, to note that its crucial that the United States Senate confirm President Trumps nominee to be Director of the Central Intelligence Agency, Gina Haspel. Gina Haspel who Ive come to know personally is a leader of unparalleled experience in the Central Intelligence Agency. Shes dedicated her life to protecting our nation. And when confirmed, Gina Haspel will be the first director to have spent her career serving in the CIA, and shes be the first woman to fill that critical position. She has the confidence of the President and our entire team. And as the President said earlier today, shes not only a highly respected nominee but she is among the most qualified that will ever serve in that role. Sadly, some are still playing politics with her nomination, even though her bipartisan support has been overwhelming. As I speak to you today, Gina Haspel enjoys the support of former CIA directors from past administrations representing both political parties, including Leon Panetta, John Brennan, and Michael Hayden. And today, we call on the United States Senate to put the safety and security of the American people first and confirm Gina Haspel as Director of the Central Intelligence Agency as soon as possible. In addition to our strong leadership and strong collaboration with other nations, Im pleased to report the United States has also been taking action to advance our security and to support the security across this region. Weve been securing our borders, enforcing our laws, removing dangerous gang members, and drug dealers, and violent criminals from our streets at a rate never seen before. Last year alone, our administration, through the Justice Department, arrested nearly twice as many members of the vicious MS-13 gang as the year before. And as we speak, our law enforcement at every level are working to stamp out that menace once and for all. Weve also taken significant steps to strengthen our partnerships with nations like yours all across the wider region. Our efforts include the Caribbean Basin Security Initiative, working to stop the flow of drugs, expanded security collaboration with Mexico, and security partnerships with a wide array of Central American countries to fight organized crime. Well also continue to deepen our security relationships across South America, especially to stop the cultivation and commerce of illegal drugs. But of all the security threats facing our region, one is more insidious than all the rest and thats, ultimately, the cancer of corruption. The nations represented here know all too well: Corruption emboldens vicious criminals; endangers public safety. Corruption corrodes the foundations of democracy; it undermines trust in government. And as corruption grows, freedom and prosperity wither. Last month, in an act of undivided consensus not seen in more than a decade, every nation at the Summit of the Americas endorsed the Lima Commitment on Democratic Governance Against Corruption. We believe this was an important statement and sent a powerful message that the free nations of the Western Hemisphere are united in our commitment to cut out corruption from our midst. And I can assure you the United States will continue to work with our allies and partners to advance this critical cause. And so too will we work in new and renewed ways to promote democracy across the Hemisphere, for the greatest corruption of all is when the people lose their voice, their vote, and their God-given freedom, and when representative government gives way to dictatorship and despotism. The Charter of the OAS declares that and I quote: Representative democracy is an indispensable condition for stability, peace and development. And every day, the free nations of our hemisphere prove the truth in this statement anew. This year, citizens across the wider region will vote to choose their leaders and chart their future, from Colombia to Brazil to the United States and other nations. Yet even as we celebrate this exercise in freedom, the dark cloud of tyranny still hangs heavy over too many of our neighbors in this hemisphere. In Cuba, the longest-surviving dictatorship in the Western Hemisphere still clings to power. For nearly 60 years, the Castro family systematically sapped the wealth of a great nation and of the Cuban people. While the Castro name is now fading, the oppression and police state they imposed is as powerful as ever. Today, the United States once again stands with the Cuban people in their stand for freedom. No longer will our dollars fund Cubas military, security, and intelligence services the core of that regime. And in this administration, we will stand and we will always say, Que Viva Cuba Libre. (Applause.) But Cubas leaders have never been content to stifle just their own peoples freedom. For generations, that communist regime has sought to export its failed ideology across the wider region. And today, the seeds of Cuban tyranny are bearing fruit in Nicaragua and Venezuela. In Nicaragua, hundreds of thousands have taken to the streets to show their anger at their aging socialist leader, and their demand to return to democratic order. But the repressive Ortega government has responded with deadly force, killing dozens of peaceful protestors and closing down independent media outlets that dared to cover their deadly actions. The United States condemns these brutal actions in the strongest possible terms. We call on the Ortega government to allow the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights into Nicaragua. And we join with nations around the world in demanding that the Ortega government respond to the Nicaraguan peoples demands for democratic reform and hold accountable those responsible for violence. The people of Nicaragua deserve better than the worsening repression of Daniel Ortegas government. (Applause.) Yet more than any other nation in our hemisphere, in Venezuela, the tragedy of tyranny is on full display. And the blame can be laid squarely at the feet of one man: Nicolas Maduro. Maduro promised his people he would restore prosperity, but delivered only deeper poverty. He promised them safety and security, but Venezuela is now riven with chaos and rampant crime. Maduro promised the people of Venezuela renewed greatness, but he has only brought that nation suffering. As this body knows well, Venezuela was once one of our hemispheres richest nations. It is now astoundingly one of the poorest. At this very moment, nearly 9 out of 10 Venezuelans live in crushing poverty. Opportunity has evaporated, with an economy thats already shrunk by half, and is still growing smaller with every passing day. Venezuelas grocery stores are all but empty, with food and daily necessities nearly impossible to find. Hospitals lack the most basic medical supplies. And in the last year alone, the infant mortality rate in Venezuela jumped 30 percent, and maternal mortality rates skyrocketed by 66 percent. And every day, some 5,000 Venezuelans flee from their homeland. Its the largest cross-border mass exodus in the history of the Western Hemisphere. Ive actually had the opportunity to meet some of the families impacted by this exodus and swept up in it. Last summer, in Cartagena, Colombia, a Venezuelan grandmother told my wife and I about how Venezuelan children would have to rise at four in the morning in her village to get a ticket that they could exchange late in the afternoon for a single piece of bread. She had rescued her grandchildren only the week before we had met. But most havent been so fortunate. In the last month, in Lima, I met four courageous leaders of the Venezuelan opposition two of whom Im told are actually here today Julio Borges, Carlos Vecchio, David Smolansky, and Antonio Ledezma. These four men are great defenders of democracy in their homeland, and they have our respect. (Applause.) Having taken a stand for freedom in their homeland, they were forced to flee the regimes wrath, but they described to me they described to me, in painstaking detail, how Maduro has systematically corrupted the upcoming election and how hes replaced that nations once-great democracy with dictatorship. The truth is, the Venezuelan people would choose a better path if they could. But under Nicolas Maduro, they will never have that chance. The so-called elections in Venezuela, scheduled for May the 20th, will be nothing more than a fraud and a sham. The Maduro regime has already stacked the Venezuelan courts and Electoral Council with its cronies. Its banned major parties. Its barred opposition leaders from standing for office, and stifled a free press, and jailed its political enemies, including more than 12,000 politically motivated detentions. On Election Day itself, the Maduro regime has already given every indication that it will resort to its standard authoritarian playbook: manipulate voting data, change polling places at the last possible minute, and engage in widespread intimidation, and even violence. In short, there will be no real election in Venezuela on May 20th, and the world knows it. It will be a fake election, with a fake outcome. Maduro and his acolytes have already ensured that their reign of corruption, crime, narco-trafficking, and terror will continue. And thats why today we call on Maduro and regime: Suspend this sham election. Hold real elections. Give the people of Venezuela real choices because the Venezuelan people deserve to live in democracy once again. (Applause.) With every day, Venezuela becomes even more of a failed state. And we do well to remember, failed states know no borders. Venezuelas collapse is already affecting economies across the region. Its spreading infectious diseases that were once eradicated in our hemisphere. Its giving drug traffickers and transnational criminal organizations new opportunities to endanger our people. And as Venezuela continues to collapse, the consequences will radiate across the wider hemisphere, affecting all of our countries. President Trump has made it clear: The United States will not idly stand by as Venezuela crumbles. (Applause.) We have already imposed strict financial sanctions on more than 50 current and former senior Venezuelan officials, and we cut off the so-called Petro from the United States financial system. And today, I am pleased to announce that the United States is designating three Venezuelans with direct ties to the Maduro regime as narcotics kingpins. We have frozen their assets, blocked their access to our nation, so they can no longer poison our people with their deadly drugs. (Applause.) Weve also been demonstrating the heart of the American people. The United States is also providing $2.5 million to help meet the needs of vulnerable Venezuelans now living in Colombia. And last month, in Lima, it was my privilege to announce that our nation will devote nearly $16 million across the wider region to support Venezuelans who have fled the tyranny of their homeland. To be clear, the United States, along with so many of you, stands ready to do more - much more - to directly support the Venezuelan people. But once again, as in the case of democracy, when it comes to humanitarian aid to the suffering people of Venezuela, one man stands in the way. For months, Nicolas Maduro has refused to allow humanitarian assistance into Venezuela. He actually claims that theres no humanitarian crisis, even as his country collapses into poverty all around him. So today, we say to Nicolas Maduro and his entire regime: The time has come to open Venezuela to international aid, and do it now. (Applause.) Every day you dont every day your dont is another day innocent people starve and die - men, women, and children and millions flee your country for a better life. Allow me to take a moment to thank the many nations here that have already taken action to shelter and assist the Venezuelan people. Let me also thank all those who have stepped up to rebuke and isolate the dictator Maduro and all the members of his regime. Over the past year, many of your nations have already taken a variety of praiseworthy steps to send a message to Maduro. Last month, at the Summit of the Americas, we were pleased to see 15 nations join with the United States to declare that Venezuelas upcoming elections lack credibility and legitimacy, and to demand that Maduro hold a real election that is free, fair, and transparent. This declaration in Lima, Peru was in keeping with the best traditions of this hemisphere of freedom, and I commend every nation that signed on. And on the world stage, just last week, the International Monetary Fund censured Venezuela for its repeated failure to meet treaty obligations and its lack of economic transparency. This is one more sign of a growing international consensus that the Maduro regime must be held accountable, and well continue to bring more pressure in the future. But all these steps are not enough. We believe it is time to do more - much more. Every free nation gathered here must take stronger action to stand with the Venezuelan people and stand up to their oppressors. Today, on behalf of President Trump and the people of the United States, I call on all of our freedom-loving neighbors in this hemisphere to take three concrete actions: The time has come first and foremost to cut off Venezuelas corrupt leaders from laundering money through your financial systems. Secondly, the time has come to enact visa restrictions that prevent Venezuelas leaders from entering your nations. And finally, we call on all freedom-loving nations across our hemisphere to hold Maduro accountable for destroying Venezuelas democracy. This leadership, exemplified by the Secretary General and by so many of the leaders gathered here is essential to achieving the objective of restoring democracy for the good people of Venezuela, and we encourage you, with great respect, to consider these actions and to do them quickly. Weve all signed the Inter-American Democratic Charter, which declares, and I quote, the peoples of the Americas have a right to democracy and their governments have an obligation to promote and defend [democracy]. Venezuela has repudiated this promise, men and women. And the proof is playing out before our very eyes. So today, on behalf of the United States of America, we call on the members of this institution to uphold our long-standing commitment to democracy and freedom. We call on members of the OAS to suspend Venezuela from the Organization of American States. (Applause.) This is an institution dedicated to democracy. We must do this because, as President Trump has said, a stable and peaceful Venezuela is in the best interest of our entire hemisphere. But most importantly, we must do this just because its right. The people of Venezuela deserve democracy. They deserve this institution all of their neighbors to live up to our word a word we gave one another some 70 years ago. The people of Venezuela deserve to regain their libertad. And as I close, let me thank you all for the honor of addressing you. And also to close with confidence because I believe the day will come, as Simon Bolivar declared, the day will come when A people that loves freedom will in the end be free. Venezuela will be a free and democratic nation once again. (Applause.) Men and women of the OAS, all the nations gathered here, we live in the New World. And the New World was always destined to be a hemisphere of freedom. Freedom has always given our nations purpose. Its always bound our peoples together in common cause. And freedom will always be our source of strength in this New World and the surest foundation for the brighter future. Thats always been true before. And in this New World, it will always be true in the future. You know, moments ago, I stood within the Hall of Heroes. I marveled at the great leaders of liberty who are immortalized there. In the long annals of our shared history, names like Bolivar, San Martin, Marti, stand shoulder-to-shoulder with Washington, Jefferson, and Lincoln. And we gather here today, inspired by their courage and their sacrifice. And we also gather here today, I hope, determined to live up to their example; to be willing to do in our time, for freedom, what they were prepared to do in theirs; and prove ourselves worthy of the freedom they secured. Today, let us rededicate ourselves to our most cherished ideal. And let us have faith faith that as we undergo this journey, we never go alone. The truth is, liberty is not our cause alone. I truly believe with all my heart, as the Bible says, where the spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty. And so when we fight for freedom, we make His cause on this Earth our own. And with the courage of our citizens, with the conviction of our leaders, with the strong leadership of President Donald Trump, and the partnership represented here at the OAS, and with Gods help, I know this New World will someday soon finally and fully become the hemisphere of freedom it was always destined to be. So thank you. God bless you. God bless all the nations represented here. And God bless the United States of America. This story ends with a $9 million fortune, but it's not a "get rich quick" story. And although its protagonist wound up quite wealthy, I hope you won't be inspired to imitate her--even though a lot of misguided people are saying she's an inspiration. Her name was Sylvia Bloom, and she worked for 67 years as a secretary at a Wall Street law firm, riding the subway each morning, and going home each night to the modest apartment that she shared with her husband. During that time, it's now been revealed, she accumulated $9 million before she died in 2016, at age 96. She lived such a quiet, parsimonious life that nobody had any idea of her wealth. Nobody, including apparently the husband with whom she shared that modest apartment all those years (rent-controlled, by the way, which is kind of a big deal in New York). He was city firefighter who later became a teacher and worked a side job as a pharmacist, and who died in 2002. Bloom's niece, Jane Lockshin, said she learned of her aunt's wealth only shortly before her death, explained the strategy to the New York Times: "She was a secretary in an era when they ran their boss's lives, including their personal investments," she said. "So when the boss would buy a stock, she would make the purchase for him, and then buy the same stock for herself, but in a smaller amount because she was on a secretary's salary." Now, in death, the bulk of Bloom's fortune is now going to a worthy cause, funding college scholarships for New York kids. Lockshin is the treasurer of the largest beneficiary. Okay. So, now you have the facts. What to make of the story? Let's start briefly with a question that's a bit uncomfortable to raise: was Bloom's strategy 100 percent legitimate? As Ira Stoll noted in Reason, at least one lawyer at Bloom's firm pleaded guilty to "insider trading for misusing confidential information about one of the firm's clients." Stoll doesn't want to go so far as to call this illegal, so I'll repeat use his phrase: the strategy of drafting off her bosses' trades "poses potential legal and moral complexities." Set that aside. As the Times points out, these kinds of stories make news from time to time: the unassuming, almost painfully frugal person, usually living on a salary, who leaves behind a fortune that nobody imagined they could possibly have had. Among them: Donald and Mildred Othmer, who left $750 million when they died in 1995 and 1998 respectively. (They'd entrusted their investments to an old family friend whom they'd first met in the 1960s, named Warren Buffet). There was also Grace Groner, a Chicago-area secretary woman who left $7 million (mostly the result of a single $180 investment she'd made in 1935 and never touched), and a Milwaukee bachelor and corner grocer named Leonard Gigowski who left $13 million to a scholarship program. There are similarities: unmarried more often than not; almost universally childless. Not that everyone has to get married or have kids to find happiness, of course, but it's striking. The news often breaks not with their death, but with a later story of an outsized and unexpected charitable gift--much appreciated by the beneficiary. And, the stories include at least one anecdote of almost comic frugality. In Bloom's case, the Times says she refused to pay for taxicabs in New York to the point that on 9/11 she insisted on walking across the Brooklyn bridge and then waiting for the subway. All of which leads me--and frankly, I hope more people, including you--to ask a single question: Why? Why live so frugally? Why work so hard to accumulate the money? Why not give it away during your lifetime, if charity and good works are the ultimate goal? In Bloom's case, if Stoll is onto anything with his insider trading conjecture: Can you imagine anything sadder than potentially taking legal risks for which people go to prison--only to squirrel the money away and never do anything with it? (An aside to my wife: If you're reading this, and you've squirreled away millions but you think you're doing us both a favor somehow by keeping it a secret--No. Stop. We need to talk.) I keep thinking of an alternative rock song from 1988 by the band, The Godfathers: Birth, School, Work Death. So, read about people like Bloom and the Othmers and Groner and Gigowski. Study their investment strategies. Take the lessons. But don't become them. If you do make money, spend it. Invest it. Give it away to charities--heck, to random people whose lives you might change in a meaningful way. And most importantly, do so while you're still around to see what happens. Otherwise, what's the point? The billionaire Warren Buffett and his Berkshire Hathaway investing partner Charlie Munger have been dispensing financial wisdom and life lessons for 24 years at their annual shareholders meetings. CNBC has recently archived about 120 hours of videos from meetings dating back to 1994. I've gone through those epic question-and-answer sessions to find these five tips from Buffett, which will make you a better entrepreneur and leader: 1. Develop your public speaking skills. Buffett tells young people that their most valuable asset isn't a stock--its investing in themselves. And no investment will pay off more than improving your public speaking skills. In 2008, he talked about overcoming the fear of speaking. He acknowledged that he was once terrified of speaking in public. "I would get physically ill if I even thought about having to do it," he said. Buffett conquered his fear by investing in a Dale Carnegie course and volunteering to teach investing at a local college. "I think the ability to communicate, both in writing and orally, is of enormous importance," he said. At the 2011 shareholders meeting, Buffett told the audience that he displays just one diploma in his office--the one he received from taking the public-speaking course, which cost him $100 at the time. "It's incalculable how much value I got from that hundred dollars.If you can't talk to people, you've got a real problem." 2. Read Buffett's favorite book. Buffett and Munger are both voracious readers. In 2007, Buffett told shareholders that he had read every book on investing in the Omaha public library--at the age of 10. In nearly every meeting, Buffett refers to one book that changed his life--Benjamin's Graham's The Intelligent Investor. "All of the important ideas are in that book," he told shareholders. Specifically, he tells the audience to read chapter eight on short term market fluctuations, which underpins on one of Buffett's most successful investing philosophies: Sell when others are greedy and buy when others are fearful. 3. Wear your passion on your sleeve. Don't sleepwalk through life, Buffett is fond of saying. "There's nothing like following your passion," he told shareholders in 2010. "I love what I do and I've loved it the whole time I've done it. Charlie is the same way...Some people are very lucky in finding it [passion] very early. And if you haven't found it yet, you've got to keep looking." Buffett says they look for passion in the leaders of the 60 or so companies Berkshire owns. He specially focuses on CEOs who "tap dance to the office every day." 4. Always take the optimistic viewpoint. Melinda Gates once said that Warren Buffett's wealth didn't make him an optimist; Buffett's optimism made him wealthy. Buffett's optimistic outlook shines through each and every year. At this year's meeting, Buffett was asked if he's concerned about the current political division in America. Buffett responded optimistically because he has a longer, historical perspective on world events. Buffett started investing in 1942. He picked up a copy of The New York Times from that year and showed it to the audience. Buffett said he's invested through fourteen U.S. presidents (seven Democrats and seven Republicans). He's invested through the Cuban Missile Crisis, civil rights conflicts, recessions, wars, and bank failures. Yet, $10,000 invested in stocks in 1942 would be worth $50 million today. Despite the disagreements, "This country really, really works...This is a remarkable country. We have found something very special," he reminded the audience. 5. Pick someone you admire and adopt their qualities. Buffett believes that you can become--to a large extent--the person you want to become. You can accelerate your success by emulating winners. In 2000, Buffett said, "Just pick out the person you admire the most and sit down and write out the reasons why you admire them." And then, he suggested, take on those qualities. Buffett said to look at things like personality, character and temperament. "It's not complicated," he said. In 2004, Buffett added, "Hang out with people better than you. Pick people whose behavior is somewhat better than yours and you'll drift in that direction." It seems like every day we see or hear about a breakthrough new discovery that will change everything. Some, like perovskites in solar cells and CRISPR are improvements on existing technologies. Others, like quantum computing and graphene promise to open up new horizons encompassing many applications. Nevertheless, we are still waiting for a true market impact. Quantum computing and graphene have been around for decades and still haven't hit on their "killer app." Perovskite solar cells and CRISPR are newer, but haven't really impacted their industries yet. And those are just the most prominent examples. The problem isn't necessarily with the discoveries themselves, many of which are truly pathbreaking, but that there's a fundamental difference between discovering an important new phenomenon in the lab and creating value in the marketplace. We need to get a lot better at bridging that gap. To do so, we need to create a new innovation ecosystem for commercializing science. The Valley Of Death And The Human Problem The gap between discovery and commercialization is so notorious and fraught with danger that it's been unaffectionately called the "Valley of Death." Part of the problem is that you can't really commercialize a discovery, you can only commercialize a product and those are two very different things. The truth is that innovation is never a single event, but a process of discovery, engineering and transformation. After something like graphene is discovered in the lab, it needs to be engineered into a useful product and then it has to gain adoption by winning customers in the marketplace. Those three things almost never happen in the same place. So to bring an important discovery to market, you first need to identify a real world problem it can solve and connect to engineers who can transform it into a viable product or service. Then you need to find customers who are willing to drop whatever else they've been doing and adopt it on a large scale. That takes time, usually about 30 years. The reason it takes so long is that there is a long list of problems to solve. To create a successful business based on a scientific discovery, you need to get scientists to collaborate effectively with engineers and a host of specialists in other areas, such as manufacturing, distribution and marketing. Those aren't just technology problems, those are human problems. Being able to collaborate effectively is often the most important competitive advantage. Wrong Industry, Wrong Application One of the most effective programs for helping to bring discoveries out of the lab is I-Corps. First established by the National Science Foundation (NSF) to help recipients of SBIR grants identify business models for scientific discoveries, it has been such an extraordinary success that the US Congress has mandated its expansion across the federal government. Based on Steve Blank's lean startup methodology, the program aims to transform scientists into entrepreneurs. It begins with a presentation session, in which each team explains the nature of their discovery and its commercial potential. It's exciting stuff, pathbreaking science with real potential to truly change the world. The thing is, they invariably get it wrong. Despite their years of work to discover something of significance and their further efforts to apply and receive commercialization grants from the federal government, they fail to come up with a viable application in an industry that wants what they have to offer. Ironically, much of the success of the I-Corps program is due to these early sessions. Once they realize that they are on the wrong track, they embark on a crash course of customer discovery, interviewing dozens -- and sometimes hundreds -- of customers in search of a business model that actually has a chance of succeeding. What's startling about the program is that, without it, scientists with important discoveries often wasted years trying to make a business work that never really had a chance in the first place. The Silicon Valley Myth Much of the success of Silicon Valley has been based on venture-funded entrepreneurship. Startups with an idea to change the world create an early stage version of the product they want to launch, show it to investors and get funding to bring it to market. Just about every significant tech company was started this way. Yet most of the success of Silicon Valley has been based on companies that sell either software or consumer gadgets, which are relatively cheap and easy to rapidly prototype. Many scientific startups, however, do not fit into this category. Often, they need millions of dollars to build a prototype and then have to sell to industrial companies with long lead times. The myth of Silicon Valley is that venture-funded entrepreneurship is a generalizable model that can be applied to every type of business. It is not. In fact, it is a specific model that was conceived in a specific place at a specific time to fund mature technologies for specific markets. It's not a solution that fits every problem. The truth is that venture funds are very adept with assessing market risk, but not so good at taking on technology risk, especially in hard sciences. That simply isn't what they were set up to do. We Need A New Innovation Ecosystem For Science Entrepreneurship In 1945, Vannevar Bush delivered a report, Science, The Endless Frontier, to President Truman, in which he made the persuasive argument that expanding the nation's scientific capacity will expand its economic capacity and well being. His call led, ultimately, to building America's scientific infrastructure, including programs like the NSF and the National Institutes of Health (NIH). It was Bush's vision that made America a technological superpower. Grants from federal agencies to scientists enabled them to discover new knowledge. Then established businesses and, later, venture backed entrepreneurs would then take those discoveries to bring new products and services to market. Look at any industry today and its most important technologies were largely shaped by investment from the federal government. Today, however, the challenges are evolving. We're entering a new era of innovation in which technologies like genomics, nanotechnology and robotics are going to reshape traditional industries like energy, healthcare and manufacturing. That's exciting, but also poses new challenges, because these technologies are ill-suited to the Silicon Valley model of venture-funded entrepreneurship and need help to them get past the Valley of Death. So we need to build a new innovation ecosystem on top of the scientific architecture Bush created for the post-war world. I was recently a judge in a business plan competition called UPitchNJ, held this year at New Jersey's Montclair State University. I wish I'd had a conversation with Dana Kanze beforehand. Kanze, now a doctoral fellow at Columbia Business School, was once an entrepreneur. When she and her male co-founder tried to raise money for their mobile tech company at TechCrunch Disrupt, they got very different questions from potential investors. Even though the two had similar titles, went to the same school, and both had 10 years of experience in finance. Kanze was mainly asked questions about what could possibly go wrong. (She now terms these "prevention" questions.) Her male co-founder, she says, was more likely to get the questions about how fabulous everything could possibly be--a category Kanze now refers to as "promotion" questions. Kanze's current research, recently published in the Academy of Management Journal, digs into the relationships between the questions entrepreneurs are asked and the funding they get. Kanze says her findings indicate that if women were asked the same questions as men, they'd be equally successful in raising money. "It's not conscious," Kanze says. "No one is sitting there saying, 'Hey, you asked him different questions.' This is the cycle of bias we are trying to break." A Better Way to Ask--and Answer--Questions Kanze and her team, which includes Laura Huang of Harvard Business School and Mark Conley and E. Tory Higgins of Columbia, dissected the video of 189 company presentations at TechCrunch Disrupt from 2010 to 2016. They found that 67 percent of the questions posed to male entrepreneurs were so-called promotion questions, on subjects such as the total addressable market. By contrast, some 66 percent of the questions asked of female entrepreneurs were prevention-focused: How to defend market share or protect intellectual property, for instance. The entrepreneurs, not surprisingly, reacted in kind. Ask a guy how big his market is, and, not surprisingly, he'll tell you. Ask a woman how she'll defend her market share, and she'll answer. But the net result is that the women end up looking like they're playing defense, while the men end up looking like the ones with the big visions who are going to change the world. "You're going to walk away from that conversation thinking the women just care about not losing money," Kanze says. Her research found that for every additional prevention question an entrepreneur is asked, he or she raised $3.8 million less in aggregate funding. Kanze says there are at least two ways to fix the situation. The first is to get investors to ask similar questions of both men and women. Kanze was recently presenting at the Angel Capital Association's annual conference, and says the investors there could see the business case for changing their lines of questioning. By not asking male entrepreneurs prevention-focused questions, they're exposing their portfolios to unnecessary downside risk. They're not seeing the weak points in the companies they're backing. And if angels don't ask women promotion questions, they're missing out on many companies with high upsides. The second fix is up to entrepreneurs to carry out. Kanze says entrepreneurs should reframe prevention-focused questions so that they can deliver a promotion-focused answer. So, for example, when entrepreneurs are asked how they are going to defend their market share, they'd be wise to frame their answer in terms of the size and growth potential of the market. They might point out that they're in a large and growing market, and point out that they plan to win an increasing share of it by leveraging their unique assets. Then they can move on from that to talk about their unique ability to compete in that space. This approach will sound familiar to anyone who's ever had media training, which often teaches people to "bridge" from a question they don't want to answer to one that they like better. Such "bridges" often irritate reporters, but Kanze says that during TechCrunch Disrupt, at least, there was little sign that anyone minded. More important, the entrepreneurs who reframed their questions to be more promotion-focused were able to raise more money overall. In his new column and video series, Inc. columnist and legendary entrepreneur Norm Brodsky visits with founders and helps them solve challenges. Here, he and Shlomo Birnbaum, founder of Newark, New Jersey-based Single Serve Beverage Distribution--an Inc. 500 company that this year will sell 100 million pods of ground coffee that pop into coffee machines--wrestle with expansion and rising labor costs. Norm: You pack, you sell, you collect. How can you have a problem? Shlomo: With all the new products that we're bringing in, we want to be as efficient as possible. The question we have is where we should move our factory to allow us to do that. How many employees do you have? About 35. Have you talked to them? Would they move with you? I've spoken with a few key employees. Some of them would be interested in going. Others, we'd probably need to incur some expense to entice them to move. So what's holding you up? With labor costs going up, the question is whether staying in New Jersey is the best option. Labor costs? So you're going to ask your employees to move so they can get less money? The key employees I'm not concerned about. It's the lower-skilled employees. I understand that. I own fast-casual restaurants, and we have the same type of problem. We try to keep our current employees as we grow without bringing in new ones. One method we use to keep our labor costs down is to put in different pieces of equipment and outsource a lot of things. Have you thought about doing that? Like robotics? Exactly. Automating is going to save you a lot of money. You're going to lose some employees, because some of them are not going to move anyway. So it's a perfect time. You don't have to let the employees go; they'll leave on their own. It'll help you get to twice your current size, which I'm guessing is what you want to do. At least. I've never met an entrepreneur who wants to do less business. Because we're growing so fast, we need more space. Right now, we have 25,000 square feet between two floors. And what do you think you need? Probably around 60,000. The funny part is that, most times, entrepreneurs overestimate their growth. They think they're going to do quicker, better, more. At the same time, they always take less space than they need. Because it's expensive. I don't understand why. But I see moving as an opportunity for you to overcome the problem that you have. You know what that problem is? Tell me. You're really good at doing stuff online, and promoting stuff. That's the 21st century. But your operation is in the 19th century. What do you know about automation? Not much. Let me ask you something: How much did you know about coffee when you started this business? Nothing. Most entrepreneurs really don't know a lot about their chosen businesses beforehand. They learn through trial and error. You have two choices. One, you can learn it yourself. Or two, you can meet with an expert. People are more than glad to help you, especially if they think there may be something in it for them. Call up some people who sell automation equipment. They're going to give you an education. They don't charge for this help? No. Why would they charge? They think you're going to buy equipment--and you are going to buy equipment. At the same time, you should get input from key employees, which might help you figure out how far away you're going to move. Think about what incentives and other help you're going to offer them. Sounds fair. As startup incubators and technology-based businesses abound, cities nationwide -- and across the border -- are divvying up the map and claiming their geographies as specialized sites for innovation. When Amazon announced its search for a location for its new headquarters, 238 cities and regions stepped up to woo the online giant, according to The New York Times, claiming that they would make the best hub. One Inc.com writer cited Chicago as the best startup city, and another listed Pittsburgh as first. VentureBeat also suggests you keep an eye on Indianapolis, Ann Arbor, Michigan, and Raleigh, North Carolina. Toronto has even built its own "planet" -- a fully integrated 1.5 million-square-foot innovation center aptly named MaRS -- that offers everything from office and lab space to workshops to funding sources. Attracting a global population, Toronto was recently chosen as the site for the next Collision conference, which attracts close to 30,000 international attendees. However, as technology becomes more pervasive and specialized, cities and regions have taken on a new strategy -- focusing on specific types of technologies and companies and establishing themselves as hubs for innovation in a particular category. They promote themselves at tech conferences like Collision and SXSW and travel to other geographies for structured sessions to attract growing businesses. They give away swag and glitzy promotional brochures and compete for big brands and tech talent. Just a few of the specialties that cities are claiming: Arlington, Virginia, wants to be known as the cybersecurity "capital" of the U.S. Its proximity to Washington, D.C., and its having the highest Millennial growth rate (according to RealtyTrac) are among its claims to fame. The Arlington Economic Development website says cyber is predicted to be a $1 trillion industry by 2025, and by 2022, there will be 1.8 million more cybersecurity jobs than people to fill them. Orlando, previously known just as the home to Mickey and Minnie, now wants to own training and simulation technology. KPMG is building a $400 million global training facility there, composed of 800,000 square feet over 55 acres. The National Center for Simulation is already based there, as is EA Sports. Sheena Fowler, senior director of marketing communications for the Orlando Economic Partnership, says that the city is working hard to overcome its just-for-fun reputation. Its tagline is, "You don't know the half of it." GoDaddy, Yelp, MindBody, and Carvana all selected the Phoenix area for their back offices because of "the nexus between great talent coming out of the education system and the availability of unique and affordable living environments that appeal to that talent," according to Chris Camacho, president and CEO of the Greater Phoenix Economic Council (GPEC). The council has a site called the Connected Place, where the focus is on IoT (internet of things) as being the future of the Phoenix area. Open land is ideal for testing driverless vehicles and for facilities to test wearable technologies. Intel has 11,000 employees and has been in Arizona since the 1980s, so Phoenix is building on legacy businesses that are looking to innovate, as well as welcoming newcomers. The International Economic Development Council (IEDC) has 5,000 members and offers training and conferences for regions that need to hone their marketing and growth skills. But more than a great tagline and colorful booths at trade shows are required to build and sustain a technology hub. According to Austin, Texas (whose tech boom began around 1999), a geography needs to have a solid financial foundation first. Before startups proliferated in the area, the city had a base of established and profitable companies. If you're contemplating a move or expansion, how do you look beyond the marketing hype and find a place that fits your skills and your lifestyle? If the human race ever makes it to Mars, the rigors of staying alive on a hostile planet with a poisonous atmosphere should keep astronauts pretty busy. But if Anheuser-Busch has its way, astronauts will be able to kill the little free time they have by drinking Budweiser. On Friday, Anheuser-Busch, part of global brewing conglomerate ABInBev, released an un-ironic commercial declaring Budweiser's intent to colonize the next frontier: becoming the official beer of Mars. To get there, the beer brand has partnered with Elon Musk's SpaceX to supply the rocket and Space Tango, a Kentucky-based startup that makes "CubeLabs" that run automated experiments inside the International Space Station (ISS) laboratory. The commercial is part of the ongoing "commitment" Anheuser-Busch made last Thanksgiving to develop the very first "micro-gravity" beer to drink on Mars. In December, the brand sent 3,500 barley seeds inside one of Space Tango's CubeLabs aboard a SpaceX re-supply rocket. Once it arrived at the ISS, the goal was to figure out how barley grows in a microgravity environment. In April, Anheuser-Busch sent a second batch to collect more data on seed germination in space. In the ad, set to nostalgic footage of space missions past, retired NASA astronaut Clayton Anderson asks: "How is beer essential to the mission [to Mars]?" He responds, in earnest, with another, more seemingly existential question: "Well, what's the point in going to space if we don't bring ourselves?". (Ourselves, of course, being beer.) "They [Anheuser-Busch] are balancing the line of doing unique scientific research to study the biology of germination while pushing the boundaries of leisure and recreation during space exploration," says Gentry Barnett, Space Tango's lab program manager. According to Space Tango co-founder Kris Kimel, the germinated barley seeds from the April experiment are currently on their way back to Earth, and will eventually land in the ocean 200 miles off California, before being sent to Anheuser-Busch's agricultural headquarters in Fort Collins, Colorado. NASA did not respond to a request for comment about whether or not any astronauts have drunk beer, or any alcohol, in space. Everyone has bad days at work. For Jeff Raider, his worst day just happened to be his wedding anniversary. Only two months after launching Harry's in 2013, Raider recalls, razor maker Gillette slammed the company with a lawsuit, alleging it had stolen Gillette's patent. "It was the Saturday of my wedding anniversary, and I was driving to get away with my wife for the weekend, when I got a call from my co-founder that we'd received this letter from Gillette," Raider told me, onstage at the Collision Conference in New Orleans last week. "More than just upsetting me on my anniversary, we were such a young company," Raider continued. "Even though we knew these allegations were baseless, we were worried that it could disrupt the growth that we were having or put the entire company at risk." Instead of letting it derail him, however, Raider fought back. He and co-founder Andy Katz- Mayfield were able to demonstrate that Harry's--which makes artfully designed, more inexpensive razor blades that it sells online via subscription--did not actually copy the Gillette patent, he says. In less than a week, Gillette dismissed the lawsuit, despite having demanded a jury trial per the initial letter. In the time since, Harry's has even swiped back at Gillette; in January of last year, the brand's lawyer sent Gillette owner Procter & Gamble a letter of its own, accusing the company of using false data to imply in an ad campaign that Harry's customers ultimately drop off and return to Gillette razors. (A Gillette spokesperson told Fast Company that its data was accurate and independently verified, though it's worth noting that an August 2016 report from Slice Intelligence found that Harry's first-time online buyer retention was 14 percent greater than Gillette's.) "We stood up to them, and have continued to do so," said Raider, noting that the gulf between Harry's and Gillette is vast. "We feel like we're offering something different, and we have lots of loyal customers." A Formative Moment Perhaps ironically, Raider says that the cease and desist letter was a real turning point for the company. "We realized that the fact that it happened meant that we were having an impact on our market," he said onstage. What's more, he added that would-be customers actually seemed to empathize with the company's David-versus-Goliath attitude, especially as it played out publicly. "I think people identify with the entrepreneurial journey of us trying to go and change this industry for the better," he said. Rather than seeing the brand's reputation tarnished, the lawsuit, Raider noted, led to an outpouring of support and customer growth. The company claims it quintupled revenue between 2013 and 2014, attracting more than one million customers by 2015. Today, it counts more than three million subscribers. To be sure, Harry's is still nowhere near Gillette when it comes to scale. The incumbent counted 54 percent of the market as of 2016, though that was down from as much as 70 percent in 2010, according to 2017 data from the research firm Euromonitor. Last year, Gillette began across-the-board price cuts averaging 12 percent, in response to competition from Harry's as well as from Dollar Shave Club, which sold to Unilever for $1 billion in 2016. Still, the startup seems to be growing substantially. In January of this year, Harry's closed a $112 million funding deal, and said it would be expanding into new products in the months to come. Raider also confirmed that the company is on track to become profitable sometime in 2018. The story goes that, when Jean-Luc Godard heard that there was a film of his life being made, he declared: I dont like it stupid, stupid idea. The one-time rebel of French cinema is now 87 years old, and doubtless has little interest in seeing a story about his marriage to actress and muse Anne Wiazemsky brought to the screen some 50 years after the fact. But at least its in the safe hands of Michel Hazanavicius, the Oscar-winning director behind The Artist. Im sitting in a Mayfair hotel room with the bearded French director and Stacy Martin, the Anglo-French actress who got her big break in Lars von Triers Nymphomaniac. In Redoubtable, she plays Wiazemsky, opposite Louis Garrel (who shot to fame in The Dreamers) as Godard. The period is 1967-68, when student demonstrations littered Paris. Godard was then revered as a key intellectual figure after his time as the figurehead of the French New Wave movement, directing films like Breathless and Vivre Sa Vie. Director Michel Hazanavicius (Les Compagnons du Cinema Philippe Aubry) (Les Compagnons du Cinema - Philippe Aubry) Hes constantly requestioning what hes doing and whats happening around him, says Martin, dutifully. In France, hes almost a messiah. This year Godard returns to Cannes the festival he managed to help shut down in 1968 in sympathy with demonstrators with his latest experimental effort, The Image Book, which plays in competition. But Hazanavicius is unlikely to be queueing up to see the directors work these days. I wouldnt say hes one our best directors, he shrugs. Hes one of the most free. Hes taken a very interesting path. But I do not consider him as one of the best. Sacre bleu! Such sacrilege, no? Hazanavicius thinks France is divided over Godard. Some people want to protect him. Hes like a totem for a certain part of society in France, which I think is ridiculous, he says. But a lot of people hate him because they dont understand him, because they are afraid of him, because hes always an opponent hes anti a lot of things. A lot of people hate him for it, because they think hes an intellectual and part of the elite. Stacy Martin and Louis Garrel as Anne Wiazemsky and Jean-Luc Godard in Redoubtable (Soda) Godard has lived away from France in Rolle, in Switzerland with his partner Anne-Marie Mieville since 1978. Did Hazanavicius make the pilgrimage? No. You have to go to Switzerland, you have to knock on his door, and then he wont open so you have to come back! Access unlimited streaming of movies and TV shows with Amazon Prime Video Sign up now for a 30-day free trial Sign up For him, researching Godard through books, articles and his own movies was enough. When you do research on a director and you rewatch their movies, its amazing how much it tells about them. Hazanavicius had an even greater resource in Anne Wiazemsky, whose 2015 book Un an apres (One Year After) a memoir of her time with Godard became the basis for Redoubtable. I respected the point of view of the book, and I thought it was a very smart way to tell the story. And also she respected the young lady she was at that time. She didnt [write] with a lot of distance. In the book, I thought there was a right balance between her lucidity, and the fact she was in love with him. Wiazemsky died last year in October of cancer, aged 70, and one of her last public appearances was at the Cannes premiere of Hazanavicius movie. Martin met her at that event, but not before. I thought if I meet her [during the shoot], Im going try and do something that isnt the film, she says. Were making a film that is totally in the world of Michels cinema. Were not making a Godard movie. I wanted to keep that distance and freshness as well. According to Hazanavicius, Wiazemsky initially declined to grant him the film rights to her book. But when she realised he intended to find the humour in her relationship with Godard, she changed her mind. After five minutes, she said, OK, I trust you, do whatever you want. Then she said something funny: You come from another planet, so I accept. Hazanavicius was good to his word too, creating a playful film that pokes fun at the petulant and self-absorbed Godard. Particularly comical are the scenes of Martin and Garrel in frequent states of undress, as Godard parades naked around the bedroom after lamenting the way directors frequently resort to gratuitous nudity in their films. I always have concerns about nudity but these scenes I thought it was so genius, says Martin, who adds that it was especially apt given she made her breakthrough in Nymphomaniac. The comedy of it and the situation of it is really funny. So how do you prepare for a film with copious nude scenes like this? You just do it, says Martin, with a laugh. You just wash yourself. Make sure youre clean. Do a bit of exercise. Make sure everything is in place! As an actor, your body is an instrument. Stacy Martin in Redoubtable (Soda) You lose all your inhibitions? I wouldnt say that. Its a closed set most of the time. So youre not just walking around naked like a crazy person. Its very different for Louis. Hazanavicius interrupts. He had to do push-ups! For all the humour, the portrait of Godards time with Wiazemsky engages emotionally. Following the end of his first marriage to Anna Karina, the star of many of his early movies, Godard wed Wiazemsky in 1967 (they stayed married for 12 years, although as the film shows, they broke up after 18 months). As Godard made 1967s La Chinoise with Wiazemsky, he became increasingly radical in his political and artistic ideals. Specifically embracing Maoism, he rejected the old which inevitably included Wiazemsky in favour of the new. Its not because of age. Its not because of sex. Its not because of a lack of love. Its that one of them Godard conscientiously decided to change because of a [Maoist] revolutionary concept, explains Hazanavicius. He wants to change, he changes, and in doing this he kills everything that was behind him before he was revolutionary. Actor Louis Garrel and Director Michel Hazanavicius attend the Redoubtable (Le Redoutable) photocall during the 70th annual Cannes Film Festival (Getty) (Getty Images) At the end, he destroys himself. So she can do nothing, but look at him, killing himself she cant love him. I think this love story touched me. The films recreations of the May 1968 demonstrations, as student protests against capitalism and consumerism turn ugly, are also particularly effective. We had 500 extras and none of them had been there in 1968, but they had this energy it connected for them with what was going on today, says Martin, referring to recent demonstrations in France about labour reform. I loved shooting those; its an energy I find less in England. English youth is less politicised than French youth. As for Godard and his comments that Redoubtable was a stupid idea, Hazanavicius doesnt take offence. He thinks it was a humble thing for Godard to say: that he doesnt want to be the centre of attention anymore. I dont think hes a megalomaniac. How would Hazanavicius react if someone ever made a film about his life? Its such a different period now. I really dont think its interesting, he says. Then he grins. I think its a stupid idea! Redoubtable opens on 11 May. Jean-Luc Godards The Image Book screens in competition at the 71st Cannes Film Festival This years Cannes Film Festival starts today (8 May), multiple award-winning directors showcasing their potentially award-winning movies to journalists and studio executives. According to Variety, Everybody Knows the festival's opening movie, starring Javier Bardem and Penelope Cruz already has some potential buyers lined up: Netflix. While their potential purchase should be unremarkable (Netflix has become a prolific purchaser of film festival features) the news comes just weeks after the streaming service pulled all their features from the line-up after Cannes organiser made an unfavourable rule change. The saga began when French cinema owners put pressure on Cannes to make Netflix movies unable to screen in-competition. Due to government rules, movies that are screened in French cinemas cannot be placed on streaming services until three years after their initial run. 27 films to look out for in the first half of 2018 Show all 27 1 /27 27 films to look out for in the first half of 2018 27 films to look out for in the first half of 2018 Black Panther Released: 12 February 12 February Director: Ryan Coogler Cast: Chadwick Boseman, Michael B. Jordan, Lupita Nyong'o, Forest Whitaker, Danai Gurira, Martin Freeman 27 films to look out for in the first half of 2018 The Greatest Showman Released: 1 January 1 January Director: Michael Gracey Cast: Hugh Jackman, Zac Efron, Michelle Williams, Rebecca Ferguson, Zendaya, 27 films to look out for in the first half of 2018 Darkest Hour Released: 12 January 12 January Director: Joe Wright Cast: Gary Oldman, Kristin Scott Thomas, Ben Mendelsohn 27 films to look out for in the first half of 2018 Three Billboards Outside Ebbing Missouri Released: 12 January Director: Martin McDonagh 12 JanuaryMartin McDonagh Cast: Frances McDormand, Woody Harrelson, Sam Rockwell, Caleb Landry Jones > Twentieth Century Fox 27 films to look out for in the first half of 2018 Coco Released: 19 January 19 January Director: Lee Unkrich ,p>Cast: Anthony Gonzalez, Gael Garcia Bernal, Benjamin Bratt, Renee Victor 27 films to look out for in the first half of 2018 Downsizing Released: 19 January 19 January Director: Alexander Payne Cast: Matt Damon, Christopher Waltz, Jong Chau, Kristen Wiig, Jason Sudeikis 27 films to look out for in the first half of 2018 Early Man Released: 26 January 26 January Director: Nick Park Cast: Eddie Redmayne, Tom Hiddleston, Maisie Williams, Timothy Spall 27 films to look out for in the first half of 2018 Fifty Shades Freed Released: 9 February 9 February Director: James Foley Cast: Dakota Johnson, Jamie Dornan, Kim Basinger 27 films to look out for in the first half of 2018 Maze Runner: The Death Cure Released: 9 February 9 February Director: Wes Ball Cast: Dylan O'Brien, Thomas Brodie Sangster, Kaya Scodelario, Giancarlo Esposito, Aidan Gillen 27 films to look out for in the first half of 2018 The Shape of Water Released: 16 February 16 February Director: Guillermo del Toro Cast: Sally Hawkins, Octavia Spencer, Michael Shannon, Michael Stuhlbarg, Doug Jones 27 films to look out for in the first half of 2018 Annihilation Released: 23 February 23 February Director: Alex Garland Cast: Natalie Portman, Jennifer Jason Lee, Gina Rodriguez, Tessa Thompson, Oscar Isaac 27 films to look out for in the first half of 2018 Dark River Released: 23 February 23 February Director: Clio Barnard Cast: Ruth Wilson, Mark Stanley, Sean Bean 27 films to look out for in the first half of 2018 Red Sparrow Released: 2 March 2 March Director: Francis Lawrence Cast: Jennifer Lawrence, Joel Edgerton, Jeremy Irons 27 films to look out for in the first half of 2018 Tomb Raider Released: 16 March 16 March Director: Roar Uthaug Cast: Alicia Vikander, Walton Goggins, Daniel Wu, Dominic West, 27 films to look out for in the first half of 2018 A Wrinkle in Time Released: 23 March 23 March Director: Ava DuVernay Cast: Oprah Winfrey, Reese Witherspoon, Mindy Kaling, Zach Galifianakis 27 films to look out for in the first half of 2018 Pacific Rim: Uprising Released: 23 March 23 March Director: Steven S. DeKnight Cast: John Boyega, Scott Eastwood, Charlie Day, Burn Gorman 27 films to look out for in the first half of 2018 Roman J Israel, Esq Released: 23 March 23 March Director: Dan Gilroy Cast: Denzel Washington, Colin Farrell, Carmen Ejogo Columbia Pictures 27 films to look out for in the first half of 2018 Isle of Dogs Released: 30 March 30 March Director: Wes Anderson Cast: Bill Murray, Bryan Cranston, Edward Norton, Tilda Swinton, Scarlett Johansson 27 films to look out for in the first half of 2018 Ready Player One Released: 30 March 30 March Director: Steven Spielberg Cast: Tye Sheridan, Olivia Cooke, Ben Mendelsohn, Mark Rylance, Simon Pegg 27 films to look out for in the first half of 2018 Avengers: Infinity War Released: 27 April 27 April Director: The Russo Brothers Cast: Robert Downey, Jr, Chris Hemsworth, Scarlett Johansson, Josh Brolin 27 films to look out for in the first half of 2018 Untitled Han Solo Film Released: 25 May 25 May Director: Ron Howard Cast: Alden Ehrenreich, Emilia Clarke, Woody Harrelson, Donald Glover 27 films to look out for in the first half of 2018 Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom Released: 8 June 8 June Director: J.A. Bayona Cast: Bryce Dallas Howard, Chris Pine, B.D. Wong, Toby Jones 27 films to look out for in the first half of 2018 Deadpool 2 Released: 1 June Director: David Leitch 1 JuneDavid Leitch Cast: Ryan Reynolds, Morena Baccarin, T.J. Miller, Zazie Beetz, Josh Brolin 27 films to look out for in the first half of 2018 Ocean's 8 Released: 22 June 22 June Director: Gary Ross Cast: Sandra Bullock, Cate Blanchett, Mindy Kaling, Sarah Paulson, Anne Hathaway, Olivia Munn, Helena Bonham Carter, Rihanna, Matt Damon 27 films to look out for in the first half of 2018 Ant-Man and the Wasp Released: 29 June 29 June Director: Peyton Reed Cast: Paul Rudd, Evangeline Lilly, Michael Douglas, Michelle Pfeiffer 27 films to look out for in the first half of 2018 Soldado Released: 29 June 29 June Director: Stefano Sollima Cast: Benicio del Toro, Josh Brolin, Jeffrey Donovan, Catherine Keener, Matthew Modine 27 films to look out for in the first half of 2018 The Incredibles 2 Released: 13 July 13 July Director: Brad Bird Cast: Craig T. Nelson, Holly Hunter, Sarah Vowell, Samuel L. Jackson Cannes soon caved to the demands, announcing new criteria that would make Netflix movies unable to screen in-competition due to French that, to compete, movies must have a theatrical run. Despite having success with Okja and The Meyerowitiz Stories last year, Netflix quickly responded by pulling all their potential movies from the line-up, including out-of-comptetition movies. Recommended Every new TV show and movie coming to Netflix in May However, as has now become abundantly clear, Netflix will still have a presence at the festival, hoping to scoop features that have yet to find distributors. We will have people there who are in the business of acquiring films, because many films will be there without distribution, Netflix's chief content officer Ted Sarandos said. Whether they will purchase Everybody Knows remains unknown, but the news would surely be a not-so-subtle jibe at the festival. Dir Jose Padilha, 107 mins, starring: Rosamund Pike, Daniel Bruhl, Eddie Marsan, Nonso Anozie, Ben Schnetzer In recreating the story of Operation Entebbe, Brazilian director Jose Padilha risks sinking into a political quagmire. This was the counter-terrorism operation in the summer of 1976 which saw Israeli special forces fly thousands of miles to Uganda to rescue passengers (many of them Israelis) who had been aboard an Air France flight hijacked by militants fighting for the liberation of Palestine. It was a daring and extremely risky mission. The challenge for Padilha and his collaborators is how to tell this story without lapsing into mindless, propagandistic action-movie cliche. To their credit, they try not just to celebrate the derring-do of the Israeli rescuers but to give the point of view of the two hapless, idealistic German militants who orchestrated the hijacking. This is a thoughtful and well-acted film but one strangely lacking in the tension that might have been expected in a thriller in which the clock is running. The screenplay by Gregory Burke (who also wrote the brilliant Northern Ireland-set drama 71) is generally even-handed in its portrayal of the politicians, soldiers, and civilians caught up in the hijacking. It has omissions, though. The title is Entebbe and the film is largely set in the airport in the Ugandan town where the hostages are in captivity but this is an Arab-Israeli story. The filmmakers pay next to no attention to the Ugandans themselves other than to show the vainglorious Ugandan dictator Idi Amin strutting across the screen from time to time. He supports the hijackers. Intertitles over the end credits reveal that dozens of Ugandans died during the operation but their stories are ignored entirely. Rosamund Pike is cast as Brigitte Kuhlmann, one of those radicalised, middle-class young German revolutionaries who emerged in the 1970s. Anybody who tries to resist me will be shot, she yells at one stage but Pike plays her as someone struggling to convince herself that she knows how to shoot a gun and really is ready to die for the cause. With her long hair and big round spectacles, she looks more like an Open University lecturer than a freedom fighter. She is the type who will preach world revolution one moment but fret about her hostages getting proper bathroom breaks the next. Access unlimited streaming of movies and TV shows with Amazon Prime Video Sign up now for a 30-day free trial Sign up Late in the film, when she becomes increasingly strung out and starts popping pills, she develops a bit of a Lady Macbeth syndrome. Her sanity wavers. In one bizarre sequence, she wanders away from the terminal where the hostages are in captivity to make a private telephone call, seemingly oblivious to the fact that she is in the middle of a terrorist standoff. The other German hijacker, Daniel Bruhls Wilfried Bose, is equally impractical. He talks in Marxist-Leninist abstractions about throwing bombs into the consciousness of the masses and seems startled when the ruggedly practical Air France engineer (Denis Menochet) suggests that the best way to free the people is to give them decent plumbing. Bruhl plays him as a naive idealist, desperate to make it clear to the hostages, even as they are put right in the eye of the storm, that he is no Nazi. The two German terrorists protest, a little absurdly, that they dont want to hurt anyone and that they are humanitarians. Its easy to understand why their battle-hardened Palestinian colleagues regard them with such incredulity. Some of the most enjoyable scenes here are those back in Israel, where Yitzhak Rabin (Lior Ashkenazi), Shimon Peres (Eddie Marsan) and the rest of the countrys cabinet are deliberating about how to how to deal with the hijacking. The situation may be fraught but Ashkenazi and Marsan still chatter and bicker away as if they are Walter Matthau and Jack Lemmon in some Odd Couple-style comedy. In his TV work, notably Narcos (about drugs baron Pablo Escobar) and The Mechanism (about political corruption in Brazil), Padilha excels at delving into the private lives of his characters. The best moments tend not to be the shootouts or police busts but the scenes which show the larger-than-life protagonists at their most exposed and vulnerable. At feature length, Entebbe doesnt give him the time to focus on character in the same way. A strange framing story involving a young Israeli soldier and his dancer girlfriend doesnt help. For no particular reason, the film cuts back and forth between the raid on Entebbe (Operation Thunderbolt) and the Pina Bausch-style performance piece she and her troupe are preparing. The Entebbe story has been told on screen several times before, generally in a very simple-minded, high-testosterone fashion. Padilhas version is easily the most complex. That is part of its problem. Its a thriller movie that spends too much time looking inward. Like the two naive German revolutionaries, the filmmakers are always trying to justify and explain their approach. The film is absorbing enough in its own terms but ends up caught in a no mans land between character-based political drama and explosive action-adventure. Entebbe hits UK cinemas 11 May. The final of the 2021 Eurovision Song Contest will take place in Rotterdam on Saturday 22 May. One of the joys of the competition over the years has been the many gaffes and blunders to strike the show, a major peril of live broadcasting. From performers falling over to quite literal mic drops, technical hitches, blackouts and backing track fails, the Grand Final in particular is fraught with potential embarrassment, much of which leaves the presenters badly exposed. In 1981, Irish host Doireann Ni Bhriain was unable to reach Yugosalvias spokeswoman, Helga Vlahovic, when contacting her for their scorecard and was left to pick up the pieces when Ms Vlahovic suddenly appeared on the line to admit: I dont have it! Swedens Lill Lindfors famously snagged her dress on the set in 1985, dropping jaws across the continent as she stood there in her underwear before apparently improvising a solution and carrying gamely on to the podium. In pictures: 10 years of Eurovision winners Show all 10 1 /10 In pictures: 10 years of Eurovision winners In pictures: 10 years of Eurovision winners Jamala wins 2016 Eurovision Song Contest at Ericsson Globe Arena in Stockholm, Sweden Getty Images In pictures: 10 years of Eurovision winners Sweden's Mans Zelmerlow reacts after winning the 2015 Eurovision Song Contest in Vienna Getty Images In pictures: 10 years of Eurovision winners Conchita Wurst representing Austria holds the trophy after winning the 2014 Eurovision Song Contest in Copenhagen, Denmark Getty Images In pictures: 10 years of Eurovision winners Emmelie de Forest of Denmark wins the 2013 Eurovision Song Contest at Malmo Arena in Malmo, Sweden Getty Images In pictures: 10 years of Eurovision winners Singer Loreen of Sweden wins the grand final of the 2012 Eurovision Song Contest at Crystal Hall in Baku, Azerbaijan Getty Images In pictures: 10 years of Eurovision winners Ell and Nikki from Azerbaijan celebrate with their co-performers after winning the 2011 Eurovision Song Contest in Dusseldorf, Germany Getty Images In pictures: 10 years of Eurovision winners Lena from Germany celebrates after winning the 2010 Eurovision Song Contest at the Telenor Arena in Baerum, Norway Getty Images In pictures: 10 years of Eurovision winners Norwegian Alexander Rybak wins the 2009 Eurovision Song Contest in Moscow, Russia re In pictures: 10 years of Eurovision winners Dima Bilan of Russia celebrates after winning the 2008 Eurovision Song Contest at the Belgrade Arena, Serbia Getty Images In pictures: 10 years of Eurovision winners Marija Serifovic of Serbia celebrates with her group after winning the 2007 Eurovision Song Contest in Helsinki, Finland Getty Images Scoring errors struck again in 2003, when Spanish spokeswoman Anne Igartiburu awarded an ineligible nine points to Romania and in 2013 when Germanys Lena Meyer-Landrut, calling from a rainy Hamburg, gave 10 to Norway rather than Denmark, shielding her blushes behind an umbrella when she realised the mistake and apologising frantically by saying: Im so nervous! Russias Natalia Vodianova and Andrey Malahov were not invited back to host the 2009 final in Moscow after an uproarious display of tipsy, innuendo-laden flirting in the semis, nor was the German commentator who shouted F***ing hell! when surprised by an unexpected firework display in Copenhagen in 2014. Of course Eurovisions true master of ceremonies remains the late Sir Terry Wogan, never better than when slaying Estonian hosts Annely Peebo and Marko Matvere in 2002 after a syrupy duet: You know, at the end of the day, theres a lot to be said for the commercial break...You got off lightly! Marko also plays the accordion you know! Known for his devastatingly droll work on commentary duties, Sir Terry hosted the 1998 contest in Birmingham alongside TV personality Ulrika Jonsson. Ulrika Jonsson and Terry Wogan warming up for the 1998 Eurovision Song Contest (Tony Larkin/Rex) She proved the perfect foil for the veteran, gently mocking the old smoothy for his questionable spoken French and taking compliments from a lovestruck Hungarian with good grace only to then drop the ball spectacularly. Interviewing Dutch spokeswoman Conny van den Bos, the latter reminded the presenter that she knew how the contestants felt having entered Eurovision herself in the past. A long time ago, was it? Ulrika replied, to audible gasps. The Netherlands were also involved in one of the most excruciating moments in the contests history in 2006 when spokesperson Paul de Leeuw, speaking with hosts Maria Menounos and Sakis Rouvas in Athens to deliver his scores, remarked that they resembled the American sitcom characters Will and Grace to a deathly silence. He then offered to give his mobile number to Mr Rouvas who guessed that it must be 696969. Danish presenter Soren Pilmark, who dropped the trophy and smashed it in 2001 as his stunned co-host Natasja Crone Back looked on, making matters worse by muttering Sh*t! loudly into his microphone. The hosts these days are, for the most part, much slicker. Support free-thinking journalism and attend Independent events Finns Jaana Pelkonen and Mikko Leppilampi memorably picked comedian Krisse Salminen in the guise of a starstruck fan out of the audience to serve as their green room reporter and invited Father Christmas in to hand over the trophy to Serbian winner Marija Serifovic. The segway skits are often as awkward as the performances they appear between but Swedish hosts Petra Mede and Mans Zelmerlow managed the near-impossible feat of being genuinely funny in Stockholm in 2016. The pair opened their arms and shouted Welcome Europe! only for the Swedish rock band Europe to appear behind them launching into their famous hit The Final Countdown, a joke they inevitably called back to later when the time came to look at the scoreboard. They were risque and self-aware, joked about the pressure to avoid carbohydrates and stay thin, hung out with Justin Timberlake and even joined a River Dance chorus line. One of the weirdest events from 2017 was Macedonian entrant Jana Burceska receiving a proposal from her boyfriend Alexander. Lets hope presenters Chantal Janzen, Edsilia Rombley, Jan Smit and Nikkie de Jager dont have to deal with anything as nauseating as that this time around. Facebook has announced it is to stop accepting ads relating to the Irish abortion referendum that come from foreign-based advertisers. It has made the decision, with immediate effect, after concerns were raised about organisations and individuals attempting to influence the campaign from outside Ireland. The electorate is going to the polls on 25 May to decide whether or not it wants to repeal the eighth amendment of the constitution, which effectively bans abortion, and while the issue has sparked passions on both sides at home, it is also drawing much attention from abroad. In a lengthy statement, Facebook explained the measures it had already taken to ensure transparency in this referendum campaign, including the view ads feature which it launched in Ireland on 25 April, so users could see where funding for an ad originated. Clearly, it now feels a need to take things further. We understand the sensitivity of this campaign and will be working hard to ensure neutrality at all stages. We are an open platform for people to express ideas and views on both sides of a debate. Our goal is simple: to help ensure a free, fair and transparent vote on this important issue, Facebook said in a statement on Tuesday. Repeal the Eighth: Ireland's abortion referendum explained Facebook is under increased pressure around its role in elections, following the Cambridge Analytica scandal, and a widespread view that fake news was allowed to slip through the net in crucial recent polls such as the 2016 EU referendum, and the 2016 US presidential election. With an issue as politically sensitive as abortion, it was widely expected Ireland would become a target for international pro-life and pro-choice groups, and that this could well be the first Irish election to be fought in earnest on social media. Todays move from the tech giant comes just under three weeks before the referendum day. Currently the Yes side, which hopes to repeal the abortion ban, is maintaining the lead, but its core support has sunk below 50 per cent, and recent polls have shown gains made by the No campaign. This largely appears to be over concerns about how liberal the government would allow its legislation to be if the constitutional ban is removed. You can follow all the latest updates on Irelands historic vote on the Independents live blog. Google is launching a new version of Android. And it hopes you won't want to use it too much. The operating system is packed with "digital wellbeing" features that it hopes will make people have a more healthy relationship with their phone. Mostly, that means not using it. The software includes a range of tools that tell people when they've been using their phone too much, and helps them to avoid doing so in the first place. 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 The new version of Android, known for now as P, is also packed with machine learning capabilities. It can use the data it collects about its users to make sure that their screen's brightness is always where they will want it to be, for instance, and can stop apps from using battery if you are unlikely to open them any time soon. But it was the features aimed to stop people using the phone that dominated the announcement at Google's I/O event in California. And the company suggested that it was only the beginning, calling it a "long term theme" and suggesting that there will be "much more to come in the future". The company said that it had heard "so many stories from people who are trying to find the right balance with technology", and worried about the time they spent using their phone that they wished they had spent doing something else instead. More than 70 per cent of people want more help striking that balance, it said. Google is far from the first company to worry about the impact of the tech products that it makes. Experts have warned that such products could be damaging and mental health, and earlier this year, Apple shareholders warned the company it needed to more about the impact of phone addiction on children. So now Android P will show a dashboard of how people are spending time on their devices. That will include information on how much time they have spent in each app, how many times they have unlocked their phone, and how many notifications they have received. But it also adds new controls to help if they are worried about the amount of time showed on those screens. You can set time limits for particular apps, for instance, which will turn them grey when the timer runs out; other apps like YouTube will nudge people if they seem to be spending too long, and tell them they might want to take a break. If people are getting too many notifications, they can simply turn their phone over to push it into "shush" mode. That will switch on do not disturb, so that notifications won't come up unless they come from particular people or are repeated calls. It will also stop people checking their phone before bed and losing time when they had intended to go to sleep. Google has added a "wind down" mode, which lets people's phones gradually turn off and encourage them to go to bed by turning the screen grey so that it is less engaging, for instance. Uber is partnering with the US Army on developing rotor technology, the ride-hailing giants latest effort to work with the US government on flying vehicles. The company and the US Army Research, Development and Engineering Command announced that they had signed on to a development and testing partnership in an effort to hone next-generation rotor technology that would be quieter and more efficient. They intend to spend a combined $1 million on the push, the US Army said, and will work to develop and test vehicles used in Uber's proposed urban aviation rideshare network. In addition to helping Uber advance its plans for an urban aerial transportation network, the Army said the sophisticated rotor technology would help craft a new generation of unmanned aerial vehicles, a term used to refer to drones. This supports the Army modernization priorities for future vertical lift aircraft, Dr Jaret Riddick, head of the army research labs vehicle technology directorate, said in a statement. Plans to launch a fleet of airborne vehicles known as UberAir have been in the works for some time, and Uber executives reiterated their intention to get the service up and running during the companys Uber Elevate summit. Uber controversies Show all 4 1 /4 Uber controversies Uber controversies June 2017 Travis Kalanick resigned from his position as CEO of Uber in July of this year, after a tumultous period for the company. A sexist workplace culture was exposed by a damning internal report, leading to heightened pressure on the CEO and consequently to him taking a leave of absence in June. A week later he was forced to resign after losing the confidence of the board of investors AFP/Getty Uber controversies June 2017 Indian police escort Uber taxi driver and convicted rapist Shiv Kumar Yadav following his court appearance in New Delhi on 8 December, 2014. An Uber executive, Eric Alexander, was fired in June of this year after reportedly obtaining the records of the rapist's victim, with the intent to cast doubt on her account of the incident. She later sued the company for defamation and violating her privacy rights Chandan Khanna/AFP Uber controversies May 2017 The company were ordered to pay up to $45 million dollars back to New York based drivers, after taking too much in commission over a two and a half year period. We made a mistake and we are committed to making it right by paying every driver every penny they are owed, plus interest, as quickly as possible, said Rachel Holt, Ubers regional general manager in the US and Canada, to the Wall Street Journal Getty Uber controversies December 2016 Uber's self-driving cars were ordered to be removed from the roads by a Californian car regulator, after being spotted skipping traffic lights. Uber insist that the incidents were "human error" rather than a design flaw. The New York Times later refuted this in an article claiming the autonomous technology had in fact failed Youtube/KTVU We think cities are going to go vertical in terms of transportation and we want to make that a reality. So we think that you can actually build these vehicles that are going to carry four people, CEO Dara Khosrowshahi told CBS. As it works towards that goal, Uber has enlisted the governments help. It announced last year that it had reached an agreement with Nasa to develop traffic systems for low-flying flights, and hired away multiple agency veterans. Uber gets stuck on stairs in San Francisco Nasa emphasised at the time that it was not explicitly working on developing flying cars or software for Uber, with a spokesman saying the agency could marshal its expertise to open this new market safety and efficiently. Cancer has always been thought of as something that grows rapidly and uncontrollably, but this view may be wrong. New evidence suggests that cancer alternatively uses the accelerator and the brake in order to survive. If you plot the growth of prostate cancer tumour progression over years, you get a graph that looks something like this: Figure 1. An example of prostate cancer progression The graph shows that prostate cancer cells alternate periods of rapid growth with periods of dormancy. In the above example, the tumour will grow to the point where it starts to produce symptoms and the patient seeks treatment which usually involves cutting the tumour out. Surgery is often effective but, for some unfortunate patients, their cancer will return. At this point it is often treated with hormone therapy and chemotherapy. But even these treatments dont always spell the end of the cancer. For some patients, the cancer will recur after a period of dormancy. During the periods of dormancy, which could last several years, the patient will often have no symptoms and the tumour will be undetectable using the usual diagnostic tools. Until recently, we knew very little about these periods. However, research conducted by my group and by other scientists suggests that cancer dormancy is a crucial time for tumour progression. Dangers of cancer dormancy To understand why dormancy is useful to cancer cells, we need to examine the factors that can stop tumour progression. Cancer cells face three main challenges to their survival and growth. First, they need to deceive the immune system, which is able to eliminate most tumours. Second, they need to survive anti-cancer therapies, and, third, they need to invade distant organs and generate metastases. Cancer dormancy is essential to meet all these challenges. During the periods of dormancy, cancer cells reshape their genetic make-up and get ready for the next stage of progression. Without dormancy, cancer cells would not be able to survive in a new environment or become resistant to the attacks of the immune system. So it is important to learn how to detect dormant cancer cells, and how to kill them. Detecting dormant cells is not easy, though. Dormant tumours are often small and dont produce symptoms, so patients are often unaware of them and conventional diagnostic tools are unable to see them. Also, dormant cancer cells are often in slow-metabolism mode, like hibernating animals. So even some sophisticated diagnostic techniques, such as PET scans, often overlook dormant tumours. Dormant cancer cells share some similarities with hibernating animals (Shutterstock) Detection and treatment So how do we detect these dangerous sleeping cells? Fortunately, new studies are shedding light on the characteristics of dormant cancer cells. For example, our research, in collaboration with the BC Cancer Agency in Canada, has looked at the RNA produced by dormant and proliferating cancer cells. RNA is a very important molecule that carries the genetic information from DNA (the blueprint) to proteins (the cells workhorses). We have shown that some small RNAs are specifically expressed by dormant cancer cells. Since these RNAs can be measured in urine and blood samples, we, and others, are trying to develop new diagnostic tools to detect these molecules. If we are successful, we will be able to develop blood or urine-based diagnostic kits that will help doctors identify dormant tumours before they become too big to effectively treat. Once dormant cancer cells have been identified, they need to be eliminated. Unfortunately, since these cancer cells are metabolically inactive, they are less likely to be killed by conventional chemotherapy, so targeting them is difficult. Difficult, but hopefully not impossible. A number of new studies show that dormant cells might have weak spots. For example, experiments have shown that some nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs could stop dormant cancer cells that generate metastasis from waking up. If these results are confirmed by clinical trials, we will soon be able to offer the patients treatments that specifically target dormant cancer cells. Francesco Crea is a lecturer in life sciences at The Open University. This article was first published in The Conversation (theconversation.com) From the ridiculous to the absurd. Whatever side of the Brexit debate youre on, presumably we can agree the UKs exit from the EU is a big deal and should be taken seriously? In which case, the current debate about customs arrangements is simply not fit for purpose. Neither of the alternatives that were discussed in the Brexit cabinet committee last Wednesday is practical. Take the customs partnership that the Prime Minister proposed in her Mansion House speech. This would involve the UK acting on the EUs behalf when handling goods from the rest of the world. Essentially, the UK would apply EU duties at its borders on those goods destined for the 27, while applying its own rates for products intended to remain within the UK. Quite apart from the fact that both Brexit minister David Davis and the EUs lead negotiator Michel Barnier have both rejected this option, it would be nothing short of a bureaucratic nightmare. More specifically, it would create endless opportunities to undermine the tariff systems of both the UK and the EU. There would be little to stop importers who wanted to avoid high tariffs on either side from sending them to the other first and passing them back over the border. The only way to prevent this would be to track the movement of every good imported into the UK, which at last count amounted to some 280 million tonnes. The EU, understandably, would never sign up to an arrangement that so thoroughly undermined its tariff system. Apart from which, it would impose significant costs on its own member states. Some 40 million tonnes of the UKs trade passes through Rotterdam each year. Does our government seriously think Brussels (let alone the Hague) would welcome the administrative and fiscal costs of dealing with our customs arrangements being dumped onto the Dutch? If the facts were not clear enough, consider the politics. Any initiative that manages to unite Jacob Rees-Mogg and Michel Barnier in opposition must, wed suggest, have something wrong with it. Mr Rees-Mogg is quite right to argue that if the EU is to rely on the UK for managing some of its imports, the two will have to be fully aligned on product regulation. This makes the customs partnership incompatible with the long-held government ambition of leaving the single market. The second option, maximum facilitation, or max fac in Whitehall speak, is equally, if not more, unworkable. At its most basic, it involves the use of technology global best practice, to use the jargon to ease the movement of goods across borders through things like pre-approval and trusted trader schemes. But, very simply, this would require some infrastructure on the Irish bordersomething the government has ruled out in the draft Withdrawal Agreement and which the EU is insisting on. Any proposal that breaks this principle would probably mean the negotiations fail. And let us be clear. Brexiters referencing Norway-Sweden or Canada-US or Switzerland-EU as examples of frictionless crossings are simply wrong. The simple fact is that much of the technology needed to make this kind of system work has simply not been developed yet. As significant as EU disquiet about the proposals is the fact that the government itself does not know what it wants. Cabinet Brexiters believe in max fac. They also oppose the customs partnership, increasingly seeing it as a back door way of remaining within a customs union. Meanwhile, many of their Cabinet colleagues see things very differently. Nor is the EU blind to the fact that what the Prime Minister says may not be what she ends up presenting in Brussels. The Cabinet is divided. And no one can say with any certainty how parliament will vote when it comes to the crucial votes on amendments to the trade bill insisting on the negotiating of a customs union. But all this is academic (in the pejorative sense of the term) anyway. Cabinet ministers have reportedly been told that neither option will be ready by the time the transition period ends in December 2020. So, quite apart from deciding which of the two unworkable solutions the government wants to waste its time pursuing, it would also need to figure out a way to extend the transition period to avoid a customs cliff-edge. Finally, and perhaps the ultimate irony, the kinds of arrangement being mooted by the Government, regardless of their technical, temporal or political practicality, depend on a significant amount of trust between the parties. This, to say the least, is in short supply. It undermines the UKs credibility to continue promoting obviously unworkable solutions and damages good will in the negotiations. The governments continued insistence that a trade deal will be completed by Octoberan absolute impossibilityis another instance of it insulting the intelligence of anyone taking the negotiations seriously. The Irish government in particular is not going to take a punt on the UK figuring out the details later. Dont worry, well use technology is not something any trade partner might be expected to take at face value. And the EU is even less likely to do so as the British Government is currently up in front of the European Court of Justice charged with failing to crack down on customs fraud by Chinese clothing importers. The Commission statement that preceded the launch of formal proceedings was hardly a vote of confidence in Britains willingness or ability to keep its side of even the exiting customs union arrangement: Despite having been informed of the risks of fraud and despite having been asked to take appropriate risk control measures, the United Kingdom failed to take action to prevent the fraud. Almost two years after the referendum, we do not know what we want, the ideas we have suggested are unacceptable not only to the EU but to half the Cabinet and a large number of MPs, and we still are not even talking about potential outcomes that are practically possible. This is a farce, but could easily turn into a tragedy. Matthew Bevington is a researcher at The UK in a Changing Europe and Professor Anand Menon is its director The government must announce and implement a credible solution to address the long-term underfunding of adult social care by the end of 2018, MPs have said. A green paper from the Department of Health and Social Care, expected in summer, also risks underestimating the challenges in resolving the crisis, particularly in retaining underpaid, poorly motivated staff after Brexit. In a report released today, the Commons Public Accounts Committee (PAC) found little evidence that the existing, lightly regulated private care market is helping to deliver care in an affordable manner. The PAC found worrying evidence that care is being prioritised to people needing the most support and care packages for people with moderate needs, such as an older person at risk of falls or becoming malnourished, is taking longer. This could become more costly in the long run if patients are hospitalised and need a hip operation from a bad fall, or develop more serious infections or disease because theyre not looking after their health. Age UK has warned that 1.2 million older people in the UK have unmet social care needs. The British Medical Association (BMA) said it was astonishing that the government still has no plan in place, adding that the underfunding of social care directly contributed to the crisis in the health service each winter. One solution, proposed in a separate report also published today by the Nuffield Trust health policy think tank, is for the UK to implement a dedicated social care tax that is already used in Japan. A third of the Japanese population is expected to be over the age of 65 by 2040 part of these care needs is funded through a form of national insurance paid by all people over 40. Health news in pictures Show all 40 1 /40 Health news in pictures Health news in pictures Coronavirus outbreak The coronavirus Covid-19 has hit the UK leading to the deaths of two people so far and prompting warnings from the Department of Health AFP via Getty Health news in pictures Thousands of emergency patients told to take taxi to hospital Thousands of 999 patients in England are being told to get a taxi to hospital, figures have showed. The number of patients outside London who were refused an ambulance rose by 83 per cent in the past year as demand for services grows Getty Health news in pictures Vape related deaths spike A vaping-related lung disease has claimed the lives of 11 people in the US in recent weeks. The US Centre for Disease Control and Prevention has more than 100 officials investigating the cause of the mystery illness, and has warned citizens against smoking e-cigarette products until more is known, particularly if modified or bought off the street Getty Health news in pictures Baldness cure looks to be a step closer Researchers in the US claim to have overcome one of the major hurdles to cultivating human follicles from stem cells. The new system allows cells to grow in a structured tuft and emerge from the skin Sanford Burnham Preybs Health news in pictures Two hours a week spent in nature can improve health A study in the journal Scientific Reports suggests that a dose of nature of just two hours a week is associated with better health and psychological wellbeing Shutterstock Health news in pictures Air pollution linked to fertility issues in women Exposure to air from traffic-clogged streets could leave women with fewer years to have children, a study has found. Italian researchers found women living in the most polluted areas were three times more likely to show signs they were running low on eggs than those who lived in cleaner surroundings, potentially triggering an earlier menopause Getty/iStock Health news in pictures Junk food ads could be banned before watershed Junk food adverts on TV and online could be banned before 9pm as part of Government plans to fight the "epidemic" of childhood obesity. Plans for the new watershed have been put out for public consultation in a bid to combat the growing crisis, the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) said PA Health news in pictures Breeding with neanderthals helped humans fight diseases On migrating from Africa around 70,000 years ago, humans bumped into the neanderthals of Eurasia. While humans were weak to the diseases of the new lands, breeding with the resident neanderthals made for a better equipped immune system PA Health news in pictures Cancer breath test to be trialled in Britain The breath biopsy device is designed to detect cancer hallmarks in molecules exhaled by patients Getty Health news in pictures Average 10 year old has consumed the recommended amount of sugar for an adult By their 10th birthdy, children have on average already eaten more sugar than the recommended amount for an 18 year old. The average 10 year old consumes the equivalent to 13 sugar cubes a day, 8 more than is recommended PA Health news in pictures Child health experts advise switching off screens an hour before bed While there is not enough evidence of harm to recommend UK-wide limits on screen use, the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health have advised that children should avoid screens for an hour before bed time to avoid disrupting their sleep Getty Health news in pictures Daily aspirin is unnecessary for older people in good health, study finds A study published in the New England Journal of Medicine has found that many elderly people are taking daily aspirin to little or no avail Getty Health news in pictures Vaping could lead to cancer, US study finds A study by the University of Minnesota's Masonic Cancer Centre has found that the carcinogenic chemicals formaldehyde, acrolein, and methylglyoxal are present in the saliva of E-cigarette users Reuters Health news in pictures More children are obese and diabetic There has been a 41% increase in children with type 2 diabetes since 2014, the National Paediatric Diabetes Audit has found. Obesity is a leading cause Reuters Health news in pictures Most child antidepressants are ineffective and can lead to suicidal thoughts The majority of antidepressants are ineffective and may be unsafe, for children and teenager with major depression, experts have warned. In what is the most comprehensive comparison of 14 commonly prescribed antidepressant drugs to date, researchers found that only one brand was more effective at relieving symptoms of depression than a placebo. Another popular drug, venlafaxine, was shown increase the risk users engaging in suicidal thoughts and attempts at suicide Getty Health news in pictures Gay, lesbian and bisexual adults at higher risk of heart disease, study claims Researchers at the Baptist Health South Florida Clinic in Miami focused on seven areas of controllable heart health and found these minority groups were particularly likely to be smokers and to have poorly controlled blood sugar iStock Health news in pictures Breakfast cereals targeted at children contain 'steadily high' sugar levels since 1992 despite producer claims A major pressure group has issued a fresh warning about perilously high amounts of sugar in breakfast cereals, specifically those designed for children, and has said that levels have barely been cut at all in the last two and a half decades Getty Health news in pictures Potholes are making us fat, NHS watchdog warns New guidance by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE), the body which determines what treatment the NHS should fund, said lax road repairs and car-dominated streets were contributing to the obesity epidemic by preventing members of the public from keeping active PA Health news in pictures New menopause drugs offer women relief from 'debilitating' hot flushes A new class of treatments for women going through the menopause is able to reduce numbers of debilitating hot flushes by as much as three quarters in a matter of days, a trial has found. The drug used in the trial belongs to a group known as NKB antagonists (blockers), which were developed as a treatment for schizophrenia but have been sitting on a shelf unused, according to Professor Waljit Dhillo, a professor of endocrinology and metabolism REX Health news in pictures Doctors should prescribe more antidepressants for people with mental health problems, study finds Research from Oxford University found that more than one million extra people suffering from mental health problems would benefit from being prescribed drugs and criticised ideological reasons doctors use to avoid doing so. Getty Health news in pictures Student dies of flu after NHS advice to stay at home and avoid A&E The family of a teenager who died from flu has urged people not to delay going to A&E if they are worried about their symptoms. Melissa Whiteley, an 18-year-old engineering student from Hanford in Stoke-on-Trent, fell ill at Christmas and died in hospital a month later. Just Giving Health news in pictures Government to review thousands of harmful vaginal mesh implants The Government has pledged to review tens of thousands of cases where women have been given harmful vaginal mesh implants. Getty Health news in pictures Jeremy Hunt announces 'zero suicides ambition' for the NHS The NHS will be asked to go further to prevent the deaths of patients in its care as part of a zero suicide ambition being launched today Getty Health news in pictures Human trials start with cancer treatment that primes immune system to kill off tumours Human trials have begun with a new cancer therapy that can prime the immune system to eradicate tumours. The treatment, that works similarly to a vaccine, is a combination of two existing drugs, of which tiny amounts are injected into the solid bulk of a tumour. Nephron Health news in pictures Babies' health suffers from being born near fracking sites, finds major study Mothers living within a kilometre of a fracking site were 25 per cent more likely to have a child born at low birth weight, which increase their chances of asthma, ADHD and other issues Getty Health news in pictures NHS reviewing thousands of cervical cancer smear tests after women wrongly given all-clear Thousands of cervical cancer screening results are under review after failings at a laboratory meant some women were incorrectly given the all-clear. A number of women have already been told to contact their doctors following the identification of procedural issues in the service provided by Pathology First Laboratory. Rex Health news in pictures Potential key to halting breast cancer's spread discovered by scientists Most breast cancer patients do not die from their initial tumour, but from secondary malignant growths (metastases), where cancer cells are able to enter the blood and survive to invade new sites. Asparagine, a molecule named after asparagus where it was first identified in high quantities, has now been shown to be an essential ingredient for tumour cells to gain these migratory properties. Getty Health news in pictures NHS nursing vacancies at record high with more than 34,000 roles advertised A record number of nursing and midwifery positions are currently being advertised by the NHS, with more than 34,000 positions currently vacant, according to the latest data. Demand for nurses was 19 per cent higher between July and September 2017 than the same period two years ago. REX Health news in pictures Cannabis extract could provide new class of treatment for psychosis CBD has a broadly opposite effect to delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the main active component in cannabis and the substance that causes paranoia and anxiety. Getty Health news in pictures Over 75,000 sign petition calling for Richard Branson's Virgin Care to hand settlement money back to NHS Mr Bransons company sued the NHS last year after it lost out on an 82m contract to provide childrens health services across Surrey, citing concerns over serious flaws in the way the contract was awarded PA Health news in pictures More than 700 fewer nurses training in England in first year after NHS bursary scrapped The numbers of people accepted to study nursing in England fell 3 per cent in 2017, while the numbers accepted in Wales and Scotland, where the bursaries were kept, increased 8.4 per cent and 8 per cent respectively Getty Health news in pictures Landmark study links Tory austerity to 120,000 deaths The paper found that there were 45,000 more deaths in the first four years of Tory-led efficiencies than would have been expected if funding had stayed at pre-election levels. On this trajectory that could rise to nearly 200,000 excess deaths by the end of 2020, even with the extra funding that has been earmarked for public sector services this year. Reuters Health news in pictures Long commutes carry health risks Hours of commuting may be mind-numbingly dull, but new research shows that it might also be having an adverse effect on both your health and performance at work. Longer commutes also appear to have a significant impact on mental wellbeing, with those commuting longer 33 per cent more likely to suffer from depression Shutterstock Health news in pictures You cannot be fit and fat It is not possible to be overweight and healthy, a major new study has concluded. The study of 3.5 million Britons found that even metabolically healthy obese people are still at a higher risk of heart disease or a stroke than those with a normal weight range Getty Health news in pictures Sleep deprivation When you feel particularly exhausted, it can definitely feel like you are also lacking in brain capacity. Now, a new study has suggested this could be because chronic sleep deprivation can actually cause the brain to eat itself Shutterstock Health news in pictures Exercise classes offering 45 minute naps launch David Lloyd Gyms have launched a new health and fitness class which is essentially a bunch of people taking a nap for 45 minutes. The fitness group was spurred to launch the napercise class after research revealed 86 per cent of parents said they were fatigued. The class is therefore predominantly aimed at parents but you actually do not have to have children to take part Getty Health news in pictures 'Fundamental right to health' to be axed after Brexit, lawyers warn Tobacco and alcohol companies could win more easily in court cases such as the recent battle over plain cigarette packaging if the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights is abandoned, a barrister and public health professor have said Getty Health news in pictures 'Thousands dying' due to fear over non-existent statin side-effects A major new study into the side effects of the cholesterol-lowering medicine suggests common symptoms such as muscle pain and weakness are not caused by the drugs themselves Getty Health news in pictures Babies born to fathers aged under 25 have higher risk of autism New research has found that babies born to fathers under the age of 25 or over 51 are at higher risk of developing autism and other social disorders. The study, conducted by the Seaver Autism Center for Research and Treatment at Mount Sinai, found that these children are actually more advanced than their peers as infants, but then fall behind by the time they hit their teenage years Getty Health news in pictures Cycling to work could halve risk of cancer and heart disease Commuters who swap their car or bus pass for a bike could cut their risk of developing heart disease and cancer by almost half, new research suggests but campaigners have warned there is still an urgent need to improve road conditions for cyclists. Cycling to work is linked to a lower risk of developing cancer by 45 per cent and cardiovascular disease by 46 per cent, according to a study of a quarter of a million people. Walking to work also brought health benefits, the University of Glasgow researchers found, but not to the same degree as cycling. Getty It makes use of care navigators to help those in need of care and their families develop their care plan and coordinate carers, and ensure services including exercise classes are available to all older people regardless of their need. The report said the system, which aims to promote long-term good health, was in stark contrast to the short-term, budget driven approach in the UK. As well as the need for swift action on future funding, the PAC report recommends that the government launches a major review of the care workforce, particularly how it will find suitable staff after Britain leaves the European Union and calling for a national campaign to promote the role. PAC chair Meg Hillier said the low regard for care work in the UK was a source of national shame, adding: The sector is scraping by and without an explicit, long-term plan backed by government it could soon be on its knees. Levels of unmet need are high and rising; short-term funding fixes are a road to nowhere and the ingrained issues that lead to high turnover in the workforce could be compounded by Brexit. We urge government to publish this year, and then implement, a credible long-term funding plan for care. BMA chair Dr Chaand Nagpaul said: The significant pressures facing social care are a direct result of inadequate funding. This is having a knock-on effect in an already overstretched and underfunded NHS when social care isnt available, patients end up being unnecessarily sent to hospital and can experience delays in being discharged to appropriate social care settings. A Department of Health and Social Care spokesperson said: We know the social care system is under pressure thats why weve provided an extra 2bn funding to the sector and a further 150m for the next year, and will shortly outline the governments plans to reform social care to ensure it is sustainable for the future. We are also working on a joint health and social care workforce strategy to ensure the system is able to meet the demands of our growing ageing population as well as looking at ways to promote social care as a career of choice and attract staff to the profession. Donald Trump will announce his decision on the Iran today with all the indications that it will begin the process of sabotaging an agreement which had a vital role in curbing nuclear proliferation and made the world a safer place. The end will not take place at once. There are various permutations which may prolong the agreement for a while longer limping along under the threat of punitive American action banks and companies which will face swingeing sanctions if they engage in trade with Iran. At the end, the broad consensus is that this landmark deal will suffer death by a thousand cuts. A succession of leaders and ministers from Western allied states have been visiting Washington over the last weeks in an attempt to change Mr Trumps mind, without success. Frances Emmanuel Macron, whom the US president apparently likes, failed, as did Germanys Angela Merkel, with whom he does not get on so well with. Theresa May did not succeed with a phone call. Boris Johnson flew to Washington but could not even get access to the president, sending a plea for restraint through Mr Trumps favourite TV channel, Fox News. What they were saying echoed the long held view of all other signatories to the JCPOA (Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action) Britain, France, Germany, Russia and China that it is working. This is also the view of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), the secretary-general of the UN and Western military and intelligence chiefs. Israels prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, however, wants the agreement scrapped and put on a show last week of documents to expose Tehrans bad intent. But what was produced was widely dismissed internationally as old material, issues examined by the IAEA three years ago. Mr Netanyahus claims are contradicted by the Israeli militarys Chief of Staff, Lieutenant General Gadi Eisenkot who has stressed: Right now the agreement, with all its faults, is working and is putting off realisation of the Iranian nuclear vision by 10 to 15 years. Twenty-six former senior former officials from Israels military, intelligence services, and the head of the countrys Atomic Energy Authority have sent an urgent message to Washington stating: The consensus among the military and intelligence services around the world including Israels own defence community is that the pact is working... In the US, the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, General Joseph Dunford, has come out publicly to point out that Iran is fulfilling its obligation, as did the Defence Secretary General James Mattis who has praised the rigorous UN inspection regime of Tehrans nuclear programme. Gen. Mattis had been one of the voices for caution on Iran along with Secretary of State Rex Tillerson and National Security Advisor, Lieutenant General HR McMaster. But now Mr Tillerson and Lt Gen McMaster have gone in the extraordinary churn of the Trump administration to be replaced by two men who are particularly hawkish on Iran, Mike Pompeo and John Bolton. Mr Bolton, like Mr Trump a Vietnam draft dodger, has, in the past advocated bombing Iran. Shaul Mofatz, a former Israeli Defence Minister and Chief of Staff, revealed that Mr Bolton, while US ambassador to the UN, pressurised Israel to bomb Iran. Mr Mofatz declined, saying I dont think it is a smart move. Hassan Rouhani refuses to negotiate about Iran's missile programme (AFP) Mr Bolton has been noticeably quiet publicly about Iran, but Mr Pompeo was in Israel just ahead of Mr Netanyahus presentation, and declared that it was proof beyond any reasonable doubt that the Iranian regime was not telling the truth. Mr Trump, in his tweet storm saying he will today announce his decision on the nuclear deal, days earlier than the expected date of 12 May, berated John Kerry, one of the architects of the agreement, for speaking to international statesmen about ways to save it. The former Secretary of State, Mr Trump said, is guilty of possibly illegal Shadow Diplomacy on the very badly negotiated Iran deal. Mr Kerry was not, of course, doing anything illegal, but the tweet appears to show which way Mr Trump is heading. He has a variety of options he can take to show his displeasure with the deal. He can refuse to sign a waiver to sanctions and withdraw the US from the JCPOA. He can sign it once again with a host of new demands on Tehran which are unlikely to be met. He can sign, including the demands, and ask the other signatories to come up with a new agreement in six months. He could also refuse to sign a waiver, but exempt banks and companies from signatory states from the sanctions this is a highly unlikely scenario. Some Iranian officials have warned that Mr Trump jettisoning the JCPOA would lead to cutting down access by UN inspectors to what is stipulated for member states of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, and raise uranium enrichment to 20 per cent. But in the most recent pronouncement from Tehran, President Hassan Rouhani stated his country will remain committed to the deal if the US reneges, as long as the other signatories also abide by it. But the pessimism about what is unfolding was summed up by Aaron David Miller, a senior US diplomat now with the Wilson International Centre for Scholars: It cant be saved, whatever Trump decides, its the beginning of the end of the accord, either death by one or a thousand cuts. The UK is among the biggest global purchasers of drugs on the dark web as the illicit online trade grows, new research has found. The Global Drug Survey 2018 showed that more than a quarter of British drug users who responded, bought substances on websites where they seek to remain anonymous by disguising their location and paying with cryptocurrency. Dealers then send drugs by post to evade checks at air and sea ports in the UK, where authorities are attempting to crack down on the practice. Higher rates of dark web buying were only found in Finland (46 per cent) and Norway (30 per cent) and researchers said a variety of factors are driving the trend. Professor Adam R Winstock, a consultant psychiatrist and founder of the survey, said the method tended to be more popular in countries with tight drug laws and an online shopping habit. We have one of the highest rates of CCTV cameras in the world in Britain and so people want to keep themselves away from prying eyes, he told The Independent. People are looking at getting the best bang for their buck - this is the expansions of online consumption. They look for convenience, product range, quality vendor ratings - its exactly the same reasons you would buy stuff of Amazon. Ecstasy, followed by cannabis, LSD and novel (unapproved) drugs are the most commonly purchased on the dark web, according to the survey, which found the popularity of former legal highs has declined. (Global Drug Survey) (Global Drugs Survey) Prof Winstock said the product tended to be higher quality than that sold by street dealers, raising fears that users could accidentally overdose because they do not know the purity of a drug. It could increase problems because of a sudden people are able to get drugs really easily and theyre better quality, he added. But on the flip side, theyre not meeting dodgy street dealers and there is less risk of arrest and criminality. Data from 65,000 dark net buyers who responded to the Global Drug Survey 2018 showed they tend to be younger than other users, with a median age of just 21 years old, male and less likely to be in paid employment. Around 43 per cent of respondents said they had either taken drugs for the first time via the dark web, a different class or wider range of drugs, suggesting many are trying new substances. Prof Winstock said that there was no concrete evidence that it allowed people to access drugs at an earlier age because of the knowledge required to access the websites themselves and the need for a bank account. But he raised concern over the growing ability for people to introduce themselves to drug-taking without being minded by close friends, which is how the vast majority are still introduced to illegal substances. It might well allow isolated individuals to go off and take drugs without any guidance, Prof Winstock said. People think that if they are getting the best quality drug its safer but its not, you need to know the purity. Vince OBrien, head of drugs operations at the National Crime Agency (NCA), said that people just dont know what theyre buying. When you go to these marketplaces its not like buying cannabis from a local dealer, you go on to an eBay-like site to get everything from class C and A drugs alongside illegal weaponry, he told The Independent. It is concerning in terms of how the barrier to people getting involved in both buying and selling drugs could be lowered. As street dealers rely on word of mouth and connections, dark web vendors rely on reviews and ratings from customers. Two thirds of survey respondents said positive feedback was the main reason for them choosing to buy from a particular site, followed by the ability to ship drugs to their country. Two of the biggest dark net marketplaces Silk Road and AlphaBay have been shut down by international law enforcement but new sellers continue to pop up and Mr OBrien said there was evidence of resilient demand. The government awarded the NCA 9m extra funding to tackle cybercrime including drug dealing on the dark web last month. It came after a prolific network of former Manchester University students were jailed for a total of 56 years in March. Basil Assaf, Elliot Hyams, Jaikishen Patel and James Roden started selling drugs on Silk Road in 2011 and became one of its most successful businesses. Under the brand-name Ivory they sent drugs including LSD, ecstasy, ketamine and valium to buyers around the world in thousands of transactions that made at least $1.14m (812,000). NCA drug lead explains how fentanyl supplier Kyle Enos was caught Their luxurious lifestyle gave way to vicious infighting that culminated in one member telling anothers mother that he was a drug dealer, although they were not caught until the FBI seized Silk Roads servers in 2013. In another case, a man was found to be offering buy-one-get-one-free offers on deadly fentanyl and posting the drug around the world from his flat in Wales. Four of Kyle Enos customers died from overdoses of the synthetic opioid, which the 25-year-old imported from China, before he was arrested. Mr OBrien said that the dark net still constitutes a very, very small proportion of drugs sales in the Britain as street dealing continues to dominate. People have the perception of it being a safe space, but its not and we will track criminals down, he added. This does not afford complete anonymity - this is ultimately things people are having delivered to themselves. Mr OBrien said buyers are potentially revealing their personal details to both criminals and law enforcement, while marketplaces are frequently operating exit scams by taking payments and disappearing in the knowledge consumers are unlikely to alert authorities. Other key findings of the Global Drug Survey 2018, which gathered data from 130,000 people across 44 countries, showed that British drinkers do not believe alcohol warnings on packaging and remain ignorant of many health risks. UK news in pictures Show all 50 1 /50 UK news in pictures UK news in pictures 30 September 2021 The centrepiece One Thousand Springs by Japanese artist Chiharu Shiota is seen ahead of the beginning of the Japan Festival, a celebration of the countrys plants, art and culture running from 2-31 October, at Kew Gardens in London PA UK news in pictures 29 September 2021 The family of Betty Campbell unveil the bronze sculpture of her during the unveiling of the statue in Central Square, Cardiff, of Betty Campbell, Wales' first black headteacher PA UK news in pictures 28 September 2021 A sign referring to the lack of fuel is placed at the entrance to a petrol station in London AP UK news in pictures 27 September 2021 Police officers detain a protester from Insulate Britain occupying a roundabout leading from the M25 motorway to Heathrow Airport in London PA UK news in pictures 26 September 2021 Labour Party leader Sir Keir Starmer watches the Arsenal v Tottenham Hotspur match at The Font pub in Brighton PA UK news in pictures 25 September 2021 Scottish pro-independence supporters hold a march and rally outside the Scottish Parliament in Edinburgh, Scotland Getty Images UK news in pictures 24 September 2021 Police officers remove two protesters from the top of a tanker, as Insulate Britain block the A20 in Kent, which provides access to the Port of Dover in Kent. The environmental activists have moved location after been banned from campaigning on the M25 motorway in London PA UK news in pictures 23 September 2021 Gabriella, the seven year old daughter of imprisoned British-Iranian Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe, joins in a game on a giant snakes and ladders board in Parliament Square, to show the ups and downs of her mothers case to mark the 2,000 days she has been detained in Iran AP UK news in pictures 22 September 2021 A new sign hangs on the Millicent Fawcett statue after it was altered by CrackTheCrises coalition activists to highlight the climate crisis as a feminist struggle in Parliament Square in London EPA UK news in pictures 21 September 2021 Gabriella Diment prepares a monumental bronze patinated fibreglass wall sculpture depicting household cavalry soldiers on horseback which is expected to be sold for 12,000-18,000 when it goes up for auction at Summers Place Auctions in Billinghurst, Kent PA UK news in pictures 20 September 2021 Florist Judith Blacklock puts the finishing touches to a floral carousel installation in Halkin Arcade, which she has designed with Neill Strain for the Belgravia in Bloom festival, running from September 20-26, in London PA UK news in pictures 19 September 2021 Bubbles surround Manchester Uniteds Cristiano Ronaldo before the match against West Ham at London Stadium Action Images/Reuters UK news in pictures 18 September 2021 Children take part in the Settrington Cup Pedal Car Race as motoring enthusiasts attend the Goodwood Revival, a three-day historic car racing festival in Goodwood, Chichester, Reuters UK news in pictures 17 September 2021 Hugo, 7, from London rides past a 4x7 metre rainbow arch, made entirely of recycled aluminium cans, which has been installed by recycling initiative 'Every Can Counts', in partnership with The City of London Corporation in front of St Paul's Cathedral in London, to encourage members of the public to recycle their drinks cans ahead of recycling week, which starts on 20 September PA UK news in pictures 16 September 2021 Sheikeh MOhammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, leader of Abu Dhabi, leaves Downing Street after meeting with Boris Johnson PA UK news in pictures 15 September 2021 Children pose by ice sculptures depicting people collecting water by charity Water Aid to show the fragility of water and the threat posed by climate change in London AFP/Getty UK news in pictures 14 September 2021 Heavy rain covers the A149 near Kings Lynn in Norfolk PA UK news in pictures 13 September 2021 Luke Jerram's 'Museum of the Moon' at Durham Cathedral PA UK news in pictures 12 September 2021 Inspirational young fundraiser Tobias Weller crosses the finish line, near his home in Sheffield, as he completes his latest epic feat where he swam and triked his way to the end of his awesome year-long Ironman Challenge. This is the third challenge Tobias, who has cerebral palsy and autism, has completed, raising more than 150,000 for his school and Sheffield Children Hospitals charity PA UK news in pictures 11 September 2021 British player Emma Raducanu, holds up the US Open championship trophy winning the women's singles final of the US Open in New York AP UK news in pictures 10 September 2021 People paddle board during a misty morning in Ullswater, the second largest lake in the Lake District, Cumbria PA UK news in pictures 9 September 2021 Troops from Wiltshire based 4 Armoured Close Support Battalion Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers during final inspection at Wellington Barracks in London, ahead of providing troops for the Queens Guard PA UK news in pictures 8 September 2021 Workers cross London Bridge during the morning rush hour in London Reuters UK news in pictures Mixing it up: Painting it up press view in London A gallery employee poses for photographers next to a painting entitled Prairie by British artist, Louise Giovanelli during the exhibition 'Mixing it up: Painting it up' at the Hayward Gallery in London EPA UK news in pictures 6 September 2021 Traders in the Ring at the London Metal Exchange, in the City of London, after open-outcry trading returned for the first time since March 2020, when the Ring was temporarily closed due to the pandemic PA UK news in pictures 5 September 2021 People enjoy the warm weather on Sandbanks beach, Poole PA UK news in pictures 4 September 2021 Demonstrators from Animal Rebellion and Nature Rebellion protest in Trafalgar Square in London. PA UK news in pictures 3 September 2021 South Africa's Ntando Mahlangu (centre) wins the Men's 200 metres T61 Final ahead of second placed Great Britain's Richard Whitehead at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games PA UK news in pictures 2 September 2021 A young common seal on the beach at Horsey Gap in Norfolk, as hundreds of pregnant grey seals come ashore ready for the start of the pupping season. PA UK news in pictures 1 September 2021 Goldfinches fighting over food in a garden in Strensham, Worcestershire PA UK news in pictures 31 August 2021 Gold Medallist Sarah Storey of Britain celebrates on the podium Reuters UK news in pictures 30 August 2021 Extinction Rebellion protesters hold a a tea party on Tower Bridge in London EPA UK news in pictures 29 August 2021 A police office tussles with a demonstrator on Cromwell Road outside the Natural History Museum during a protest by members of Extinction Rebellion in London PA UK news in pictures 28 August 2021 Members of the British armed forces 16 Air Assault Brigade walk to the air terminal after disembarking a Royal Airforce Voyager aircraft at Brize Norton, Oxfordshire POOL/AFP/Getty UK news in pictures 27 August 2021 Fabio Quartararo crashes during a MotoGP practice session at the British Grand Prix, Silverstone Circuit Action Images via Reuters UK news in pictures 26 August 2021 An Extinction Rebellion activist holds a placard in a fountain surrounded by police officers, during a protest next to Buckingham Palace in London Reuters UK news in pictures 25 August 2021 Gold Medallist Great Britains cyclist, Sarah Storey, celebrates after winning the Womens C5 3000m Individual Pursuit Final at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games. It was her 15th Paralympic gold Reuters UK news in pictures 24 August 2021 A demonstrator dressed as bee during a protest by members of Extinction Rebellion on Whitehall, in central London PA UK news in pictures 23 August 2021 Former interpreters for the British forces in Afghanistan demonstrate outside the Home Office in central London AFP/Getty UK news in pictures 22 August 2021 Police officers form a line in front of the entrance to the Guildhall, London, where protesters have climbed onto a ledge above the entrance during an Extinction Rebellion stage a protest PA UK news in pictures 21 August 2021 People take part in a demonstration in solidarity with people of Afghanistan, in London Reuters UK news in pictures 20 August 2021 People zip wire across the sea from Bournemouth pier towards the beach. PA UK news in pictures 19 August 2021 Supporters of Geronimo the alpaca gather outside Shepherds Close Farm in Wooton Under Edge, Gloucestershire PA UK news in pictures 18 August 2021 Former Afghan interpreters and veterans hold a demonstration outside Downing Street, calling for support and protection for Afghan interpreters and their families PA UK news in pictures 17 August 2021 Military personnel board the RAF Airbus A400M at RAF Brize Norton in Oxfordshire, where evacuation flights from Afghanistan have been landing Reuters UK news in pictures 16 August 2021 Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer takes part in a minute's silence at Wolverhampton police station for the victims of the Plymouth mass shooting last week PA UK news in pictures 15 August 2021 2Storm, a ten-metre tall puppet of a mythical goddess of the sea created by Edinburgh-based visual theatre company Vision Mechanics, makes its way alongside the seafront at North Berwick, East Lothian, during a performance at the Fringe By The Sea festival PA UK news in pictures 14 August 2021 A woman and two young girls look at floral tributes in Plymouth where six people, including the offender, died of gunshot wounds in a firearms incident PA UK news in pictures 13 August 2021 Forensic officers in the Keyham area of Plymouth where six people, including the shooter, died of gunshot wounds in a firearms incident on Thursday evening PA UK news in pictures 12 August 2021 Children ride horses in the River Eden in Appleby, Cumbria, during the annual gathering of travellers for the Appleby Horse Fair PA It found that cocaine can now be delivered more quickly than a pizza in both London and Glasgow, and that both men and women are using the dangerous chemsex-linked drug GHB. The proportion of drug takers in England seeking emergency medical treatment is above the global average, with an increase partly put down to higher purity cocaine placing users at greater risk, and there was concern over findings suggesting that synthetic cannabis products like Spice are as addictive as crystal meth. Overall our findings suggest there is a need to engage people who use drugs in honest conversations about drug use, Prof Winstock said. As technologies such as the dark net, vaping and drug checking increase, we need to become smarter in how we communicate the right information to the right people at the right time. This week marks 50 years since the arrest of the notorious East End gangsters Reggie and Ronnie Kray. The twins were deeply embedded within the post-war London underworld, and were kingpins of organised crime feared for their enforcement of protection rackets, armed robberies, arson attacks and murders, notably the famous dispatching of George Cornell and Jack The Hat McVitie. They were also celebrities, Swinging Sixties nightclub owners who courted Hollywood stars like Judy Garland, Frank Sinatra and George Raft and British pin-ups such as Diana Dors and Barbara Windsor. They were even photographed by David Bailey. In Ronnies own words: We were f***ing untouchable. This gangland Tweedledee and Tweedledum who loved their dear old mum were convicted for their crimes in 1969 and spent the rest of their lives in prison, Ronnie dying of a heart attack in Broadmoor in 1995, Reggie five years later of bladder cancer. They have been played twice notably on film: by Spandau Ballet siblings Gary and Martin Kemp in The Krays (1990) and more recently by Tom Hardy, in both roles, in Legend (2015). James Fox and Richard Burton meanwhile visited Ronnie in jail to press him for details ahead of their portrayals of loosely similar gangsters in Performance (1970) and Villain (1971) respectively. Morrissey made them the subject of his 1989 single The Last of the Famous International Playboys, singing from the perspective of a starstruck criminal writing a letter of adulation to the brothers from his cell: Reggie Kray do you know my name? Oh dont say you dont, please say you do... This last directly addresses one of the most troubling aspects of the Krays and their legacy: our habit of venerating these brutal men and our complicity in their myth-making. We were untouchable: David Baileys photograph of Reggie and Ronnie (Creative Commons) Tours to their preferred boozer, The Blind Beggar in Whitechapel, continue to do a roaring trade and they have long since entered the folklore of the capital, a process they were only too happy to encourage. Always image-conscious, the Krays understood the publicity value of paying for old ladies teas at Pelliccis greasy spoon cafe on Bethnal Green Road and donating funds to Repton Boys Club, where they started out as juvenile boxers. Word gets around. The Bailey photograph was part of the ploy but that same vanity and hubris that saw them pursue it undoubtedly ensured their downfall. As the artist himself observed in 2014: If youre a real gangster, nobody knows who you are. The appeal of the Krays is the same as all outlaws. They were very male fantasy figures, men who lived out our darkest dreams of transgressing the social rules that restrict us and who enjoyed the spoils of their own daring, wearing sharp tailored suits and swilling champagne in attractive company with money to burn. We still covet the bling and glamour that come with their degree of notoriety. The Krays also perfectly embodied a very specific moment in Londons cultural history, swaggering down Carnaby Street in the public imagination alongside Michael Caine, The Kinks and Marianne Faithfull. Looking even further back, they are also sons of the capitals murky criminal past, belonging in the pantheon of metropolitan ghouls beside Macheath (Mack the Knife), Sweeney Todd, Bill Sykes and Jack the Ripper. In death, they exist in the same mythological gas-lit realm that entices us with visions of gin-fuelled sing-alongs in smokey pubs, pickpockets, wharf rats and prostitutes gathering around the old Joanna to belt out Knees Up Mother Brown. The Krays rose from the same London chronicled by authors Arthur Morrison in A Child of the Jago (1896), and Clarence Rook in The Hooligan Nights (1899). They outgrew the poverty and deprivation they were born into and bent a corner of the city to their will with ruthless violence, two mocking perversions of the social ideal of the self-made man. Characters like Tommy Shelby in the BBCs Peaky Blinders occupy the same territory, a creature of Britains recent past resorting to desperate measures to claw his way out of the pit. A Robin Hood who cant be relied upon to give to the poor. Ronnie and Reggie as juvenile boxers (PA) One of the Krays role models was gangster Billy Hill who dominated 1950s Soho and owned a nightclub in Morocco, modelling himself on Humphrey Bogart. The influence of the American tough guy personified on cinema screens by Bogart and other gangster specialists like James Cagney, Paul Muni, Edward G Robinson and the aforementioned Raft should not be understated. Back in the day we looked up to gangsters like [John] Dillinger, Al Capone, Legs Diamond, Bonnie and Clyde that was what they fed us on, the American films, and I think the British press wanted something like that in this country, says former Kray henchman Chris Lambrianou, speaking to The Guardian in 2015. Hollywood began romanticising the gangster in the liberal Pre-Code 1930s, when Warner Brothers produced The Public Enemy and Little Caesar in 1931 and United Artists premiered the original Scarface a year later. Cagney actually a very talented song-and-dance man in particular became associated with the genre, appearing in such crime classics as Angels with Dirty Faces (1938), The Roaring Twenties (1939) and White Heat (1949), his popularity as a bad guy a cause of such concern to the government that he was pressured into appearing in G Men in 1935, in which he turns his brand of hard-boiled pugnaciousness over to work for the FBI. Americas love of the gangster was a product of the Jazz Age and subsequent Great Depression, when bootleggers defied Prohibition to to bring black market hooch to the people, as documented in HBOs underrated series Boardwalk Empire (2010-14). The likes of Al Capone were immigrants who became wealthy, powerful men when others had nothing. Recommended Hell or High Water director David Mackenzie on embracing genre Like the Krays, Chicago crime lord Capone was a shrewd self-publicist, setting up free soup kitchens to feed the downtrodden after the Wall Street Crash, a form of social outreach the system had failed to provide at a time when mass unemployment was rife and many were reduced to living in tent cities known as Hoovervilles (after hapless president Herbert Hoover) in public parks. Depression bank robbers like Dillinger, Pretty Boy Floyd, Baby Face Nelson and Bonnie and Clyde were free when the working man was left with nothing. They had get-up-and-go, fast cars and six-shooters. They seized the day, they took destiny by the horns. Their methods may have been immoral but their escapades and getaways provided a gutsier example than a beaten public had become accustomed to, and the sensational press coverage was lapped up. David Mackenzies recent neo-Western Hell or High Water (2016) provided a brilliant update on this sentiment, capitalising on the latest round of recession-inspired anger at the banks to present two brothers raiding vaults in the post-industrial ghost towns of west Texas, something many in its audience might have felt like doing themselves. Men like the Krays or the characters played by Cagney or Robert De Niro later speak to our frustration about how powerless we feel in our daily lives, constrained by responsibilities and expectations, financial troubles and disappointment. They are sinister projections of our worst instincts. But the fact that mobsters always come to a bad end ensures the morality tale remains a vicarious fantasy, nothing more. An urgent review of criminal cases including rape and sexual assault has been launched by London's Metropolitan Police over suspected mishandling of evidence in its forensics laboratory. Scotland Yards Directorate of Professional Standards has opened a probe into 33 separate investigations to understand whether there is any risk to the criminal justice process and to take remedial action where necessary. The cases span between 2012 and 2017 and include 21 rapes and sexual assaults, and 12 violent crimes, burglaries and drugs offences. If vital evidence was not handled properly it could enable anyone jailed for the crimes to challenge their convictions, or mistakes could have let perpetrators walk free. All investigations under review were worked on by a scientist in the Metropolitan Polices forensic services unit, which investigates evidence from crime scenes including fingerprints, DNA, blood analysis, toxicology and ballistics. The unnamed employee, who was suspended in March, allegedly failed to complete the requisite forensic examinations and in some cases wrongly informed investigators about their progress. All victims in the affected cases have been contacted, where it has been deemed appropriate to do so, a spokesperson for Scotland Yard said. "In the case of the investigations into rape and sexual assaults, victims have been contacted by a Sexual Offences Investigative Techniques officer. In order to be reassured that this issue is not more far-reaching, we have completed a full audit of scientists workloads within the department, and are satisfied that there are no other instances of undeclared casework. It comes amid a national crisis in forensics, following the closure of the publicly owned Forensic Science Service in 2012. Techniques including analysis of DNA, fingerprints and digital evidence play a major role in a range of criminal investigations and the move forced police forces to either bring the services in-house like Scotland Yard - or use private providers. UK news in pictures Show all 50 1 /50 UK news in pictures UK news in pictures 3 October 2021 Margaret Thatcher-themed mugs for sale at the annual Conservative Party conference in Manchester EPA UK news in pictures 2 October 2021 A couple make their way through a flooded underpass in Bristol as a yellow weather warning for rain and wind is issued for parts of the UK Tom Wren/SWNS UK news in pictures 1 October 2021 A driver talks to members of the media after passing his HGV (Heavy Goods Vehicle) driving test at National Driving Centre in Croydon, south London AFP via Getty Images UK news in pictures 30 September 2021 The centrepiece One Thousand Springs by Japanese artist Chiharu Shiota is seen ahead of the beginning of the Japan Festival, a celebration of the countrys plants, art and culture running from 2-31 October, at Kew Gardens in London PA UK news in pictures 29 September 2021 The family of Betty Campbell unveil the bronze sculpture of her during the unveiling of the statue in Central Square, Cardiff, of Betty Campbell, Wales' first black headteacher PA UK news in pictures 28 September 2021 A sign referring to the lack of fuel is placed at the entrance to a petrol station in London AP UK news in pictures 27 September 2021 Police officers detain a protester from Insulate Britain occupying a roundabout leading from the M25 motorway to Heathrow Airport in London PA UK news in pictures 26 September 2021 Labour Party leader Sir Keir Starmer watches the Arsenal v Tottenham Hotspur match at The Font pub in Brighton PA UK news in pictures 25 September 2021 Scottish pro-independence supporters hold a march and rally outside the Scottish Parliament in Edinburgh, Scotland Getty Images UK news in pictures 24 September 2021 Police officers remove two protesters from the top of a tanker, as Insulate Britain block the A20 in Kent, which provides access to the Port of Dover in Kent. The environmental activists have moved location after been banned from campaigning on the M25 motorway in London PA UK news in pictures 23 September 2021 Gabriella, the seven year old daughter of imprisoned British-Iranian Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe, joins in a game on a giant snakes and ladders board in Parliament Square, to show the ups and downs of her mothers case to mark the 2,000 days she has been detained in Iran AP UK news in pictures 22 September 2021 A new sign hangs on the Millicent Fawcett statue after it was altered by CrackTheCrises coalition activists to highlight the climate crisis as a feminist struggle in Parliament Square in London EPA UK news in pictures 21 September 2021 Gabriella Diment prepares a monumental bronze patinated fibreglass wall sculpture depicting household cavalry soldiers on horseback which is expected to be sold for 12,000-18,000 when it goes up for auction at Summers Place Auctions in Billinghurst, Kent PA UK news in pictures 20 September 2021 Florist Judith Blacklock puts the finishing touches to a floral carousel installation in Halkin Arcade, which she has designed with Neill Strain for the Belgravia in Bloom festival, running from September 20-26, in London PA UK news in pictures 19 September 2021 Bubbles surround Manchester Uniteds Cristiano Ronaldo before the match against West Ham at London Stadium Action Images/Reuters UK news in pictures 18 September 2021 Children take part in the Settrington Cup Pedal Car Race as motoring enthusiasts attend the Goodwood Revival, a three-day historic car racing festival in Goodwood, Chichester, Reuters UK news in pictures 17 September 2021 Hugo, 7, from London rides past a 4x7 metre rainbow arch, made entirely of recycled aluminium cans, which has been installed by recycling initiative 'Every Can Counts', in partnership with The City of London Corporation in front of St Paul's Cathedral in London, to encourage members of the public to recycle their drinks cans ahead of recycling week, which starts on 20 September PA UK news in pictures 16 September 2021 Sheikeh MOhammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, leader of Abu Dhabi, leaves Downing Street after meeting with Boris Johnson PA UK news in pictures 15 September 2021 Children pose by ice sculptures depicting people collecting water by charity Water Aid to show the fragility of water and the threat posed by climate change in London AFP/Getty UK news in pictures 14 September 2021 Heavy rain covers the A149 near Kings Lynn in Norfolk PA UK news in pictures 13 September 2021 Luke Jerram's 'Museum of the Moon' at Durham Cathedral PA UK news in pictures 12 September 2021 Inspirational young fundraiser Tobias Weller crosses the finish line, near his home in Sheffield, as he completes his latest epic feat where he swam and triked his way to the end of his awesome year-long Ironman Challenge. This is the third challenge Tobias, who has cerebral palsy and autism, has completed, raising more than 150,000 for his school and Sheffield Children Hospitals charity PA UK news in pictures 11 September 2021 British player Emma Raducanu, holds up the US Open championship trophy winning the women's singles final of the US Open in New York AP UK news in pictures 10 September 2021 People paddle board during a misty morning in Ullswater, the second largest lake in the Lake District, Cumbria PA UK news in pictures 9 September 2021 Troops from Wiltshire based 4 Armoured Close Support Battalion Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers during final inspection at Wellington Barracks in London, ahead of providing troops for the Queens Guard PA UK news in pictures 8 September 2021 Workers cross London Bridge during the morning rush hour in London Reuters UK news in pictures Mixing it up: Painting it up press view in London A gallery employee poses for photographers next to a painting entitled Prairie by British artist, Louise Giovanelli during the exhibition 'Mixing it up: Painting it up' at the Hayward Gallery in London EPA UK news in pictures 6 September 2021 Traders in the Ring at the London Metal Exchange, in the City of London, after open-outcry trading returned for the first time since March 2020, when the Ring was temporarily closed due to the pandemic PA UK news in pictures 5 September 2021 People enjoy the warm weather on Sandbanks beach, Poole PA UK news in pictures 4 September 2021 Demonstrators from Animal Rebellion and Nature Rebellion protest in Trafalgar Square in London. PA UK news in pictures 3 September 2021 South Africa's Ntando Mahlangu (centre) wins the Men's 200 metres T61 Final ahead of second placed Great Britain's Richard Whitehead at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games PA UK news in pictures 2 September 2021 A young common seal on the beach at Horsey Gap in Norfolk, as hundreds of pregnant grey seals come ashore ready for the start of the pupping season. PA UK news in pictures 1 September 2021 Goldfinches fighting over food in a garden in Strensham, Worcestershire PA UK news in pictures 31 August 2021 Gold Medallist Sarah Storey of Britain celebrates on the podium Reuters UK news in pictures 30 August 2021 Extinction Rebellion protesters hold a a tea party on Tower Bridge in London EPA UK news in pictures 29 August 2021 A police office tussles with a demonstrator on Cromwell Road outside the Natural History Museum during a protest by members of Extinction Rebellion in London PA UK news in pictures 28 August 2021 Members of the British armed forces 16 Air Assault Brigade walk to the air terminal after disembarking a Royal Airforce Voyager aircraft at Brize Norton, Oxfordshire POOL/AFP/Getty UK news in pictures 27 August 2021 Fabio Quartararo crashes during a MotoGP practice session at the British Grand Prix, Silverstone Circuit Action Images via Reuters UK news in pictures 26 August 2021 An Extinction Rebellion activist holds a placard in a fountain surrounded by police officers, during a protest next to Buckingham Palace in London Reuters UK news in pictures 25 August 2021 Gold Medallist Great Britains cyclist, Sarah Storey, celebrates after winning the Womens C5 3000m Individual Pursuit Final at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games. It was her 15th Paralympic gold Reuters UK news in pictures 24 August 2021 A demonstrator dressed as bee during a protest by members of Extinction Rebellion on Whitehall, in central London PA UK news in pictures 23 August 2021 Former interpreters for the British forces in Afghanistan demonstrate outside the Home Office in central London AFP/Getty UK news in pictures 22 August 2021 Police officers form a line in front of the entrance to the Guildhall, London, where protesters have climbed onto a ledge above the entrance during an Extinction Rebellion stage a protest PA UK news in pictures 21 August 2021 People take part in a demonstration in solidarity with people of Afghanistan, in London Reuters UK news in pictures 20 August 2021 People zip wire across the sea from Bournemouth pier towards the beach. PA UK news in pictures 19 August 2021 Supporters of Geronimo the alpaca gather outside Shepherds Close Farm in Wooton Under Edge, Gloucestershire PA UK news in pictures 18 August 2021 Former Afghan interpreters and veterans hold a demonstration outside Downing Street, calling for support and protection for Afghan interpreters and their families PA UK news in pictures 17 August 2021 Military personnel board the RAF Airbus A400M at RAF Brize Norton in Oxfordshire, where evacuation flights from Afghanistan have been landing Reuters UK news in pictures 16 August 2021 Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer takes part in a minute's silence at Wolverhampton police station for the victims of the Plymouth mass shooting last week PA UK news in pictures 15 August 2021 2Storm, a ten-metre tall puppet of a mythical goddess of the sea created by Edinburgh-based visual theatre company Vision Mechanics, makes its way alongside the seafront at North Berwick, East Lothian, during a performance at the Fringe By The Sea festival PA One firm, Key Forensic Services, collapsed in January, potentially affecting thousands of cases and another was hit by claims of manipulation of results. Around 10,000 cases handled by Randox Testing Services - three-quarters of which were drug-driving and the rest violent crime, sexual offences and unexplained deaths - were affected across 42 police forces. The Metropolitan Police case has been referred to the Forensic Science Regulator, which monitors standards across the criminal justice system. Earlier this year, the watchdog warned that financial cuts to the sector caused by strained police budgets were having serious consequences. Regulator Dr Gillian Tully called for statutory powers to force private companies carrying out forensic investigations under outsourcing agreements up to standard. A year ago I warned that funding was too tight, and now even more money has been taken out of the system, she said in January. We cannot continue on this path. A newlywed has spoken of his admiration for his wife's bravery upon marrying her just five days after she lost her arm to a crocodile. Jamie Fox was canoeing along the Zambezi, one of Africa's longest rivers, with then fiancee Zanele Ndlovu when the animal attacked. Ms Ndlovu was reportedly dragged into the water but managed to escape with her life although surgeons were forced to amputate her arm. Despite the life-changing attack, the couple stuck to their planned wedding date, and tied the knot in a hospital chapel. Speaking to the Daily Mirror, Mr Fox, from Bromley, Kent, said his new wife was smiling despite the ordeal. The 27-year-old, who reportedly works for the National Citizen Service youth programme, told the paper: "She's been so brave and to be able to get married just five days after this happened is unbelievable. "Despite her pain and what she had gone through, she was smiling and laughing. 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 "Even in the ambulance she was chatting to the doctors." The pair had been dating for about 18 months before making things official. I proposed in February. We are hoping to settle in the UK, so we are sorting out her visa and then we will think of the honeymoon, Mr Fox said. Ms Ndlovu was discharged from the hospital on Monday. Agencies contributed to this report Pensioners who continue to work should pay national insurance to fund a 2.3 billion windfall for the NHS, an influential commission has recommended. Straining social care services should receive the same amount but funded through a property tax, according to the group of peers, business leaders and policy experts. Inheritance tax should be abolished and replaced with a lifetime limit for recipients of 125,000 before levies kick in and the money raised would fund a 10,000 payment for 25-year-olds to help them get on the property ladder, pay for education, set up a business and invest in pensions, the Resolution Foundation Intergenerational Commission said. Executive chairman Lord Willetts, a Conservative former minister, admitted the recommendations in the report were "not easy or comfortable" but said many no longer believe Britain's young and old are being treated fairly. Recommended Majority of millennials stay in same career amid fears of fresh start He said: "Britain's contract between generations lies at the heart of society. As families we provide for our children and parents at different times. We expect the state to support these natural instincts - but too often it is tilted in the opposite direction. "Many people no longer believe that Britain is delivering on its obligations to young and old. But our commission shows how Britain can rise to this challenge. "From an NHS levy to put healthcare on a firmer financial footing, to building more homes and a Citizen's Inheritance to boost young people's career and housing aspirations, our report shows how a new contract between generations can build a better and more unified Britain." The commission, which was chaired by the peer alongside Frances O'Grady, TUC general secretary, and Carolyn Fairbairn, CBI director-general, called for an "NHS levy" funded by national insurance on the earnings of workers over the state pension age as well as on some occupational pension income. It comes after reports that Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt is considering putting forward proposals echoing the recommendation, a measure that would be "deeply unfair", according to a Tory former pensions minister. Council tax should be abolished and a property tax introduced in its place that would include surcharges on second and empty homes but stamp duty would be halved to encourage people to move, under the report's plan. Instead of inheritance tax, benefactors would have a 125,000 lifetime allowance, with anything above that taxed at 20% up to 500,000 and 30% after that. The commission estimated that despite lower rates, the move would raise an extra 5 billion initially by curbing avoidance. UK news in pictures Show all 50 1 /50 UK news in pictures UK news in pictures 4 October 2021 A delegate passes a street cleaner on the second day of the annual Conservative Party Conference being held at the Manchester Central convention centre AFP via Getty UK news in pictures 3 October 2021 Margaret Thatcher-themed mugs for sale at the annual Conservative Party conference in Manchester EPA UK news in pictures 2 October 2021 A couple make their way through a flooded underpass in Bristol as a yellow weather warning for rain and wind is issued for parts of the UK Tom Wren/SWNS UK news in pictures 1 October 2021 A driver talks to members of the media after passing his HGV (Heavy Goods Vehicle) driving test at National Driving Centre in Croydon, south London AFP via Getty Images UK news in pictures 30 September 2021 The centrepiece One Thousand Springs by Japanese artist Chiharu Shiota is seen ahead of the beginning of the Japan Festival, a celebration of the countrys plants, art and culture running from 2-31 October, at Kew Gardens in London PA UK news in pictures 29 September 2021 The family of Betty Campbell unveil the bronze sculpture of her during the unveiling of the statue in Central Square, Cardiff, of Betty Campbell, Wales' first black headteacher PA UK news in pictures 28 September 2021 A sign referring to the lack of fuel is placed at the entrance to a petrol station in London AP UK news in pictures 27 September 2021 Police officers detain a protester from Insulate Britain occupying a roundabout leading from the M25 motorway to Heathrow Airport in London PA UK news in pictures 26 September 2021 Labour Party leader Sir Keir Starmer watches the Arsenal v Tottenham Hotspur match at The Font pub in Brighton PA UK news in pictures 25 September 2021 Scottish pro-independence supporters hold a march and rally outside the Scottish Parliament in Edinburgh, Scotland Getty Images UK news in pictures 24 September 2021 Police officers remove two protesters from the top of a tanker, as Insulate Britain block the A20 in Kent, which provides access to the Port of Dover in Kent. The environmental activists have moved location after been banned from campaigning on the M25 motorway in London PA UK news in pictures 23 September 2021 Gabriella, the seven year old daughter of imprisoned British-Iranian Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe, joins in a game on a giant snakes and ladders board in Parliament Square, to show the ups and downs of her mothers case to mark the 2,000 days she has been detained in Iran AP UK news in pictures 22 September 2021 A new sign hangs on the Millicent Fawcett statue after it was altered by CrackTheCrises coalition activists to highlight the climate crisis as a feminist struggle in Parliament Square in London EPA UK news in pictures 21 September 2021 Gabriella Diment prepares a monumental bronze patinated fibreglass wall sculpture depicting household cavalry soldiers on horseback which is expected to be sold for 12,000-18,000 when it goes up for auction at Summers Place Auctions in Billinghurst, Kent PA UK news in pictures 20 September 2021 Florist Judith Blacklock puts the finishing touches to a floral carousel installation in Halkin Arcade, which she has designed with Neill Strain for the Belgravia in Bloom festival, running from September 20-26, in London PA UK news in pictures 19 September 2021 Bubbles surround Manchester Uniteds Cristiano Ronaldo before the match against West Ham at London Stadium Action Images/Reuters UK news in pictures 18 September 2021 Children take part in the Settrington Cup Pedal Car Race as motoring enthusiasts attend the Goodwood Revival, a three-day historic car racing festival in Goodwood, Chichester, Reuters UK news in pictures 17 September 2021 Hugo, 7, from London rides past a 4x7 metre rainbow arch, made entirely of recycled aluminium cans, which has been installed by recycling initiative 'Every Can Counts', in partnership with The City of London Corporation in front of St Paul's Cathedral in London, to encourage members of the public to recycle their drinks cans ahead of recycling week, which starts on 20 September PA UK news in pictures 16 September 2021 Sheikeh MOhammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, leader of Abu Dhabi, leaves Downing Street after meeting with Boris Johnson PA UK news in pictures 15 September 2021 Children pose by ice sculptures depicting people collecting water by charity Water Aid to show the fragility of water and the threat posed by climate change in London AFP/Getty UK news in pictures 14 September 2021 Heavy rain covers the A149 near Kings Lynn in Norfolk PA UK news in pictures 13 September 2021 Luke Jerram's 'Museum of the Moon' at Durham Cathedral PA UK news in pictures 12 September 2021 Inspirational young fundraiser Tobias Weller crosses the finish line, near his home in Sheffield, as he completes his latest epic feat where he swam and triked his way to the end of his awesome year-long Ironman Challenge. This is the third challenge Tobias, who has cerebral palsy and autism, has completed, raising more than 150,000 for his school and Sheffield Children Hospitals charity PA UK news in pictures 11 September 2021 British player Emma Raducanu, holds up the US Open championship trophy winning the women's singles final of the US Open in New York AP UK news in pictures 10 September 2021 People paddle board during a misty morning in Ullswater, the second largest lake in the Lake District, Cumbria PA UK news in pictures 9 September 2021 Troops from Wiltshire based 4 Armoured Close Support Battalion Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers during final inspection at Wellington Barracks in London, ahead of providing troops for the Queens Guard PA UK news in pictures 8 September 2021 Workers cross London Bridge during the morning rush hour in London Reuters UK news in pictures Mixing it up: Painting it up press view in London A gallery employee poses for photographers next to a painting entitled Prairie by British artist, Louise Giovanelli during the exhibition 'Mixing it up: Painting it up' at the Hayward Gallery in London EPA UK news in pictures 6 September 2021 Traders in the Ring at the London Metal Exchange, in the City of London, after open-outcry trading returned for the first time since March 2020, when the Ring was temporarily closed due to the pandemic PA UK news in pictures 5 September 2021 People enjoy the warm weather on Sandbanks beach, Poole PA UK news in pictures 4 September 2021 Demonstrators from Animal Rebellion and Nature Rebellion protest in Trafalgar Square in London. PA UK news in pictures 3 September 2021 South Africa's Ntando Mahlangu (centre) wins the Men's 200 metres T61 Final ahead of second placed Great Britain's Richard Whitehead at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games PA UK news in pictures 2 September 2021 A young common seal on the beach at Horsey Gap in Norfolk, as hundreds of pregnant grey seals come ashore ready for the start of the pupping season. PA UK news in pictures 1 September 2021 Goldfinches fighting over food in a garden in Strensham, Worcestershire PA UK news in pictures 31 August 2021 Gold Medallist Sarah Storey of Britain celebrates on the podium Reuters UK news in pictures 30 August 2021 Extinction Rebellion protesters hold a a tea party on Tower Bridge in London EPA UK news in pictures 29 August 2021 A police office tussles with a demonstrator on Cromwell Road outside the Natural History Museum during a protest by members of Extinction Rebellion in London PA UK news in pictures 28 August 2021 Members of the British armed forces 16 Air Assault Brigade walk to the air terminal after disembarking a Royal Airforce Voyager aircraft at Brize Norton, Oxfordshire POOL/AFP/Getty UK news in pictures 27 August 2021 Fabio Quartararo crashes during a MotoGP practice session at the British Grand Prix, Silverstone Circuit Action Images via Reuters UK news in pictures 26 August 2021 An Extinction Rebellion activist holds a placard in a fountain surrounded by police officers, during a protest next to Buckingham Palace in London Reuters UK news in pictures 25 August 2021 Gold Medallist Great Britains cyclist, Sarah Storey, celebrates after winning the Womens C5 3000m Individual Pursuit Final at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games. It was her 15th Paralympic gold Reuters UK news in pictures 24 August 2021 A demonstrator dressed as bee during a protest by members of Extinction Rebellion on Whitehall, in central London PA UK news in pictures 23 August 2021 Former interpreters for the British forces in Afghanistan demonstrate outside the Home Office in central London AFP/Getty UK news in pictures 22 August 2021 Police officers form a line in front of the entrance to the Guildhall, London, where protesters have climbed onto a ledge above the entrance during an Extinction Rebellion stage a protest PA UK news in pictures 21 August 2021 People take part in a demonstration in solidarity with people of Afghanistan, in London Reuters UK news in pictures 20 August 2021 People zip wire across the sea from Bournemouth pier towards the beach. PA UK news in pictures 19 August 2021 Supporters of Geronimo the alpaca gather outside Shepherds Close Farm in Wooton Under Edge, Gloucestershire PA UK news in pictures 18 August 2021 Former Afghan interpreters and veterans hold a demonstration outside Downing Street, calling for support and protection for Afghan interpreters and their families PA UK news in pictures 17 August 2021 Military personnel board the RAF Airbus A400M at RAF Brize Norton in Oxfordshire, where evacuation flights from Afghanistan have been landing Reuters UK news in pictures 16 August 2021 Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer takes part in a minute's silence at Wolverhampton police station for the victims of the Plymouth mass shooting last week PA Ms Fairbairn said: "The idea that each generation should have a better life than the previous one is central to the pursuit of economic growth. The fact that it has broken down for young people should therefore concern us all. "We need individuals, businesses and the state to pull together to address this challenge, and lift the living standards of young and future generations." The commission also makes a series of other recommendations, including improving employment security, a 1 billion "better jobs deal" to help struggling young people get into work and bolstered rights for renters. It found millennials, people born between 1981 and 2000, are earning the same as those born 15 years before them were at the same age and are only half as likely to own their home by age 30 as baby boomers, born between 1946 and 1965, were. Ms O'Grady said: "Today's young workers shoulder huge risks. They're bearing the brunt of the rise in insecure work. And many have little prospect of a decent home or a decent pension. "To fix these problems we need an economy that works for all people - millennials and baby boomers alike. That means building more houses, giving everyone a decent retirement, and crucially stronger unions and rights at work." Baroness Altmann, Tory former pensions minister, warned Theresa May that the national insurance recommendations would be as unpopular with voters as the abandoned election plans for a so-called dementia tax. She said: "Only about one in 10 pensioners continues working past state pension age and are not all well-off. Many older workers keep working because they do not have good pensions and are trying to make ends meet. "It is wrong to see them as an answer to the care funding shortfall. Why should they be targeted to pay for other people's care while non-working pensioners, many of whom have generous, often taxpayer-funded, pensions would pay nothing? "I hope the Prime Minister will heed the lessons of the last election manifesto, which proved how politically toxic the issue of care funding can be. The aim should be to share the burden of care funding, not single out one group to find funding for everyone else." PA Boris Johnson has attacked Theresa Mays plan for post-Brexit customs rules as crazy, blowing open the bitter split that threatens Cabinet walk-outs over the controversy. The customs partnership idea - under which the UK would collect tariffs on behalf the EU - would prevent the country taking back control as voters were promised, the Foreign Secretary said. The extraordinary open challenge to the prime ministers authority suggests Mr Johnson will resign unless Ms May abandons the plan, in crucial talks over the next few weeks. She has signalled she will press ahead, hoping to win the support of some softer Brexiteers in her inner Cabinet after asking Britain's top civil servants to craft amended proposals. But Mr Johnson, speaking on a trip to Washington, said: If you have the new customs partnership, you have a crazy system whereby you end up collecting the tariffs on behalf of the EU at the UK frontier. If the EU decides to impose punitive tariffs on something the UK wants to bring in cheaply, theres nothing you can do. Thats not taking back control of your trade policy, its not taking back control of your laws, its not taking back control of your borders and its actually not taking back control of your money either, because tariffs would get paid centrally back to Brussels. Mr Johnson, speaking to the Daily Mail, added: Its totally untried and would make it very, very difficult to do free trade deals. It is the first time the Foreign Secretary has gone public with his criticism, putting out in the open a divide that saw the inner Cabinet split 6-5 against the customs partnership in a meeting last week. The biggest issues facing UK on leaving EU Show all 8 1 /8 The biggest issues facing UK on leaving EU The biggest issues facing UK on leaving EU Post-Brexit immigration workers sorting radishes on a production line at a farm in Norfolk. One possible post-Brexit immigration scheme could struggle to channel workers towards less attractive roles - while another may heighten the risk of labour exploitation, a new report warns. PA The biggest issues facing UK on leaving EU Customs union A key point in the negotiations remains Britain's access to, or withdrawal from, the EU customs union. Since the referendum there has been hot debate over the meaning of Brexit: would it entail a full withdrawal from the existing agreement, known as hard Brexit, or the soft version in which we would remain part of a common customs area for most goods, as Turkey does? No 10 has so far insisted that Brexit means Brexit and that Britain will be leaving the customs union, but may be inclined to change its position once the potential risks to the UKs economic outlook become clearer. Alamy The biggest issues facing UK on leaving EU Northern Ireland-Irish border Though progress was made last year, there has still been no solid agreement on whether there should be a hard border between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland. To ensure borderless travel on the island, the countries must be in regulatory alignment and therefore adhere to the same rules as the customs union. In December, the Conservative Partys coalition partners, the DUP, refused a draft agreement that would place the UK/EU border in the Irish Sea due to its potential to undermine the union. May has promised that would not be the case and has suggested that a specific solution would need to be found. Getty The biggest issues facing UK on leaving EU Transition period Despite protests from a small number of Conservative MPs, the Government and the EU are largely in agreement that a transitional period is needed after Brexit. The talks, however, have reached an impasse. Though May has agreed that the UK will continue to contribute to the EU budget until 2021, the PM wants to be able to select which laws made during this time the UK will have to adhere to. Chief negotiator Michel Barnier has said the UK must adopt all of the laws passed during the transition, without any input from British ministers or MEPs. EPA The biggest issues facing UK on leaving EU Rights of EU citizens living the UK The Prime Minister has promised EU citizens already living in the UK the right to live and work here after Brexit, but the rights of those who arrive after Brexit day remains unclear. May insists that those who arrive during the transition period should not be allowed to stay, whereas the EU believe the cut-off point should be later. Getty The biggest issues facing UK on leaving EU Future trade agreement (with the EU) Despite this being a key issue in negotiations, the Government has yet to lay out exactly what it wants from a trade deal with the EU. Infighting within the Cabinet has prevented a solid position from being reached, with some MPs content that "no deal is better than a bad deal" while others rally behind single market access. The EU has already confirmed that access to the single market would be impossible without the UK remaining in the customs union. Getty The biggest issues facing UK on leaving EU Future trade agreements (internationally) The Government has already begun trying to woo foreign leaders into prospective trade agreements, with various high profile state visits to China, India and Canada for May, and the now infamous invitation to US President Donald Trump to visit London. However the UK cannot make trade agreements with another country while it is still a member of the EU, and the potential loss of trade with the world's major powers is a source of anxiety for the PM. The EU has said the UK cannot secure trade deals during the transition period. EPA The biggest issues facing UK on leaving EU Financial services Banks in the UK will be hit hard regardless of the Brexit outcome. The EU has refused to give British banks passporting rights to trade within the EU, dashing hopes of a special City deal. However according to new reports Germany has suggested allowing trade on the condition that the UK continues paying into the EU budget even after the transition period. Getty The outburst reflects anger that the plan remains alive, despite being opposed by a majority of the sub-committee meant to settle the issue. Mr Johnsons interview comes ahead of the full Cabinet meeting this morning, although talks on customs arrangements after Brexit have been shelved until next week. The government has been accused of negotiating with itself, because both the customs partnership and an alternative plan based on advanced tracking technology have already been rejected by Brussels. The EU believes neither would prevent the return of a hard border in Ireland and has set a deadline of a summit at the end of next month for the UK to come up with a solution. If it fails, the prime minister will be required to sign up to the backstop of keeping Northern Ireland in the EU customs union and the single market for goods. Meanwhile, the government is braced for further defeats in the House of Lords today on the EU (Withdrawal) Bill including one that would kill off the government plan to write the exact time and date of Brexit into law. Most attention will centre on a cross-party bid to keep Britain in the European Economic Area (EEA) and therefore the single market. To the fury of pro-EU Labour MPs, Jeremy Corbyn is whipping his peers to vote against the amendment guaranteeing a significant Labour rebellion. Support for Ireland remaining in the European Union has reached near-unanimous levels in the Republic, with a solution to the Brexit border problem looking further off than ever. A full 92 per cent of the Irish population now support staying in the EU, according to a new survey by pollsters Red C, with just 7 per cent supporting a theoretical Irexit and 1 per cent saying they dont know. The findings are likely to disappoint Brexiteers, some of whom have suggested Ireland might follow Britains march towards the exit door and that Irish departure could be a way of solving the border question currently plaguing Brexit talks. Recommended Brexit loss of EHIC to stop thousands of Brits taking holidays abroad On the contrary, findings appear to show the experience of the Brexit process has further strengthened pro-EU sentiment in Ireland. Though the country has long been overwhelmingly pro-EU, as recently as 2013, when Ireland faced deep austerity cuts, only 81 per cent of the country supported remaining. At the start of Brexit negotiations in 2017, the figure supporting remain was 88 per cent, according to a comparable poll by the same firm. This years poll however shows that support is now over 90 per cent in most age groups, with only those aged between 45 and 64 just below average at 88 per cent. Among those aged 18-24 a full 97 per cent support EU membership, the highest figure of any cohort, while Dubliners are 96 per cent in favour. The lowest regional support is in the Connaught/Ulster statistical region, at 89 per cent still an overwhelming figure. Maybe the Irish should leave the EU Nigel Farage, August 2017 87 per cent of those polled believed Ireland had on balance benefited from EU membership, with just 10 per cent disagreeing. Unemployed people were less likely to agree, however, at 70 per cent. Smaller majorities of people supported Ireland contributing more to the EU budget and joining in a future EU defence and security union. Noelle OConnell, executive director of European Movement Ireland, which commissioned the poll, said: People are very clear that leaving the EU would not be in Irelands interests. However, there is understandable uncertainty about what changes Brexit will bring to Ireland, the border and the Ireland-UK trade relationship in the long term. Contrary to recent claims, at 92 per cent support for Irelands membership of the EU remains strong; in fact it is at an all-time high since we first undertook this poll in 2013. In August 2017 Nigel Farage urged Ireland to leave the EU. Maybe the best thing for Ireland given that shes stuck in the wrong currency, given that nearly all of her overseas business is denominated in dollars or sterling, maybe the Irish should leave the EU and then we could then work out our own terms between us, he said. Brexit threatens life on the Irish border: in pictures Show all 15 1 /15 Brexit threatens life on the Irish border: in pictures Brexit threatens life on the Irish border: in pictures An abandoned shop is seen in Mullan, Co Monaghan. The building was home to four families who left during the Troubles. The town was largely abandoned after the hard border was put in place during the conflict. Mullan has seen some regeneration in recent years, but faces an uncertain future with Brexit on the horizon Reuters Brexit threatens life on the Irish border: in pictures A defaced Welcome to Northern Ireland sign stands on the border in Middletown, Co Armagh Reuters Brexit threatens life on the Irish border: in pictures Mervyn Johnson owns a garage in the border town of Pettigo, which straddles the counties of Donegal and Fermanagh. Ive been here since 1956, it was a bit of a problem for a few years. My premises has been blown up about six or seven times, we just kept building and starting again, Johnson said laughing. We just got used to it [the hard border] really but now that its gone, we wouldn't like it back again Reuters Brexit threatens life on the Irish border: in pictures Farmer Gordon Crocketts Coshquin farm straddles both Derry/Londonderry in the North and Donegal in the Republic. At the minute there is no real problem, you can cross the border as free as you want. We could cross it six or eight times a day, said Crockett. If there was any sort of obstruction it would slow down our work every day Reuters Brexit threatens life on the Irish border: in pictures John Murphy flies the European flag outside his home near the border village of Forkhill, Co Armagh Reuters Brexit threatens life on the Irish border: in pictures Potter Brenda McGinn stands outside her Mullan, Co Monaghan, studio the former Jas Boylan shoe factory which was the main employer in the area until it shut down due to the Troubles. When I came back, this would have been somewhere you would have driven through and have been quite sad. It was a decrepit looking village, said McGinn, whose Busy Bee Ceramics is one of a handful of enterprises restoring life to the community. Now this is a revitalised, old hidden village Reuters Brexit threatens life on the Irish border: in pictures Union Flag colours painted on kerbstones and bus-stops along the border village of Newbuildings, Co Derry/Londonderry Reuters Brexit threatens life on the Irish border: in pictures Grass reflected in Lattone Lough, which is split by the border between Cavan and Fermanagh, seen from near Ballinacor, Northern Ireland Reuters Brexit threatens life on the Irish border: in pictures Donegalman David McClintock sits in the Border Cafe in the village of Muff, which straddles Donegal and Derry/Londonderry Reuters Brexit threatens life on the Irish border: in pictures An old Irish phone box stands alongside a bus stop in the border town of Glaslough, Co Monaghan Reuters Brexit threatens life on the Irish border: in pictures Billboards are viewed from inside a disused customs hut in Carrickcarnon, Co Down, on the border with Co Louth in the Republic Reuters Brexit threatens life on the Irish border: in pictures Seamus McQuaid takes packages that locals on the Irish side of the border have delivered to his business, McQuaid Auto-Parts, to save money on postal fees, near the Co Fermanagh village of Newtownbutler. I live in the south but the business is in the North, said McQaid. "I wholesale into the Republic of Ireland so if theres duty, Ill have to set up a company 200 yards up the road to sell to my customers. Ill have to bring the same product in through Dublin instead of Belfast Reuters Brexit threatens life on the Irish border: in pictures A disused Great Northern Railway line and station that was for customs and excise on the border town of Glenfarne, Co Leitrim Reuters Brexit threatens life on the Irish border: in pictures Alice Mullen, from Monaghan in the Republic of Ireland, does her shopping at a former customs post on the border in Middletown, Co Armagh. Id be very worried if it was a hard border, I remember when people were divided. I would be very afraid of the threat to the peace process, it was a dreadful time to live through. Even to go to mass on a Sunday, youd have to go through checkpoints. It is terribly stressful, said Mullen. All those barricades and boundaries were pulled down. I see it as a huge big exercise of trust and I do believe everyone breathed a sigh of relief Reuters Brexit threatens life on the Irish border: in pictures A bus stop and red post box stand in the border town of Jonesborough, Co Armagh Reuters He added that such a solution was one that Irish politicians and bureaucrats and media types and experts couldnt possibly contemplate. Ireland has been at the centre of Brexit talks in recent months while negotiations take place on how to solve a hard border between Northern Ireland and the Republic. The EU says Theresa Mays decision to leave the customs union and single market will necessitate a hard border, which both sides say they want to avoid because of the Good Friday Agreement. Peers have dealt a major blow to Theresa Mays Brexit strategy by backing a bid to force the government to effectively keep the UK in the single market. Rebels in both Labour and Tory ranks defied the leadership to inflict the defeat on the government in the Lords, where they supported a cross-party amendment calling for continued participation in the European Economic Area (EEA). The news will come as a blow to Jeremy Corbyn, as 83 Labour peers rebelled against a frontbench edict to abstain on the vote. Some 17 Tories also defied Ms May to back the bid. The vote comes as the government suffered two other losses when peers backed plans to remove references to an official Brexit date from the face of the bill as well as plans to keep the UK in EU agencies after Brexit. Later, there was a fourth defeat over calls to strengthen scrutiny of secondary legislation made by ministers following Brexit - taking the total number of government defeats to 14. Labours Lord Alli, moving the amendment, said: It is the EEA that deals with services, services like retail, tourism, transport, communications, financial services and aerospace where we have a 14bn trade surplus in these services. The customs union will benefit our European neighbours in their imports, and without an EEA equivalent it will damage our profitable export business and therefore the jobs and livelihoods of many thousands of people. Its for that reason that we need to ensure that any continuation of the customs union must include a continuation in the EEA or its equivalent. Responding for the government, Brexit minister Lord Callanan warned that remaining in the EEA would not deliver control of our borders or our laws. He said: On borders it would mean that we would have to continue to accept all four freedoms of the single market, including freedom of movement. On laws it would mean the UK having to implement new EU legislation over which in future we will have little influence and, of course, we will have no vote. This will not deliver on the British peoples desire, as expressed in the referendum, to have more direct control over decisions that affect their daily lives. Labour rebels backing the amendment included former party leader Lord Kinnock, Lord Mandelson and ex-cabinet minister Lord Hain. The Tory rebels included former cabinet minister Lord Patten of Barnes and former deputy prime minister Lord Heseltine. Earlier, peers backed a bid to remove the official exit date, 29 March 2019, from the bill, which is likely to infuriate Eurosceptics who see the bid as an attempt to thwart Brexit. Labour peer Baroness Hayter said stripping the date from the bill would remove the straitjacket and make the task easier for negotiators. She told peers: If this amendment is successful it will remove the straitjacket that the government are in I have to say not at the behest of negotiators but at the behest of certain ardent Brexiteers. The efforts were spearheaded by the Conservative politician Charles Wellesley, Duke of Wellington, who insisted he was not trying to thwart the process of leaving the EU. We know beyond any doubt that for the purposes of this bill we leave the EU on 29 March 2019, he said. Brexit threatens life on the Irish border: in pictures Show all 15 1 /15 Brexit threatens life on the Irish border: in pictures Brexit threatens life on the Irish border: in pictures An abandoned shop is seen in Mullan, Co Monaghan. The building was home to four families who left during the Troubles. The town was largely abandoned after the hard border was put in place during the conflict. Mullan has seen some regeneration in recent years, but faces an uncertain future with Brexit on the horizon Reuters Brexit threatens life on the Irish border: in pictures A defaced Welcome to Northern Ireland sign stands on the border in Middletown, Co Armagh Reuters Brexit threatens life on the Irish border: in pictures Mervyn Johnson owns a garage in the border town of Pettigo, which straddles the counties of Donegal and Fermanagh. Ive been here since 1956, it was a bit of a problem for a few years. My premises has been blown up about six or seven times, we just kept building and starting again, Johnson said laughing. We just got used to it [the hard border] really but now that its gone, we wouldn't like it back again Reuters Brexit threatens life on the Irish border: in pictures Farmer Gordon Crocketts Coshquin farm straddles both Derry/Londonderry in the North and Donegal in the Republic. At the minute there is no real problem, you can cross the border as free as you want. We could cross it six or eight times a day, said Crockett. If there was any sort of obstruction it would slow down our work every day Reuters Brexit threatens life on the Irish border: in pictures John Murphy flies the European flag outside his home near the border village of Forkhill, Co Armagh Reuters Brexit threatens life on the Irish border: in pictures Potter Brenda McGinn stands outside her Mullan, Co Monaghan, studio the former Jas Boylan shoe factory which was the main employer in the area until it shut down due to the Troubles. When I came back, this would have been somewhere you would have driven through and have been quite sad. It was a decrepit looking village, said McGinn, whose Busy Bee Ceramics is one of a handful of enterprises restoring life to the community. Now this is a revitalised, old hidden village Reuters Brexit threatens life on the Irish border: in pictures Union Flag colours painted on kerbstones and bus-stops along the border village of Newbuildings, Co Derry/Londonderry Reuters Brexit threatens life on the Irish border: in pictures Grass reflected in Lattone Lough, which is split by the border between Cavan and Fermanagh, seen from near Ballinacor, Northern Ireland Reuters Brexit threatens life on the Irish border: in pictures Donegalman David McClintock sits in the Border Cafe in the village of Muff, which straddles Donegal and Derry/Londonderry Reuters Brexit threatens life on the Irish border: in pictures An old Irish phone box stands alongside a bus stop in the border town of Glaslough, Co Monaghan Reuters Brexit threatens life on the Irish border: in pictures Billboards are viewed from inside a disused customs hut in Carrickcarnon, Co Down, on the border with Co Louth in the Republic Reuters Brexit threatens life on the Irish border: in pictures Seamus McQuaid takes packages that locals on the Irish side of the border have delivered to his business, McQuaid Auto-Parts, to save money on postal fees, near the Co Fermanagh village of Newtownbutler. I live in the south but the business is in the North, said McQaid. "I wholesale into the Republic of Ireland so if theres duty, Ill have to set up a company 200 yards up the road to sell to my customers. Ill have to bring the same product in through Dublin instead of Belfast Reuters Brexit threatens life on the Irish border: in pictures A disused Great Northern Railway line and station that was for customs and excise on the border town of Glenfarne, Co Leitrim Reuters Brexit threatens life on the Irish border: in pictures Alice Mullen, from Monaghan in the Republic of Ireland, does her shopping at a former customs post on the border in Middletown, Co Armagh. Id be very worried if it was a hard border, I remember when people were divided. I would be very afraid of the threat to the peace process, it was a dreadful time to live through. Even to go to mass on a Sunday, youd have to go through checkpoints. It is terribly stressful, said Mullen. All those barricades and boundaries were pulled down. I see it as a huge big exercise of trust and I do believe everyone breathed a sigh of relief Reuters Brexit threatens life on the Irish border: in pictures A bus stop and red post box stand in the border town of Jonesborough, Co Armagh Reuters But this date should not be defined and specified ... in case it becomes necessary and in the national interest to agree an extension as provided in Article 50. Lord Callanan told peers that he saw no reason to amend the bill, adding: I would reiterate that exit day within the bill does not effect our departure from the EU, which is a matter of international law under the Article 50 process. There were 14 Tory rebels on the EU agencies amendment and 10 on the second, including former deputy prime minister Lord Heseltine and former cabinet minister Lord Patten of Barnes. A row has broken out over the removal of a portrait of Theresa May from the walls of Oxford University, which she attended. The photograph of the Prime Minister, who read Geography at St Hughs College and achieved a second class degree, featured in a display about alumnae. But the image was taken down following a Twitter campaign called Not All Geographers, which criticised Ms Mays policies. Students raised concerns about the Windrush scandal and the Conservatives hostile environment policies. Messages were stuck to the wall around the picture saying: Let in every refugee. Throw the Tories in the sea." Another suggested the department itself was a hostile environment. Oxford University said the portrait would be put back on display in a way that would prevent messages distracting from it. It insisted it was not removed in solidarity with the protests. The Not All Geographers account said its demand was not about making others think in the right way but raised concerns about having a sitting Prime Minister celebrated in such a way. In a Twitter post, it said: How can you challenge Windrush as an academic but institutionally celebrate Theresa May?! Universities minister Sam Gyimah also took to the social media site to claim the campaign was utterly ridiculous. He said even portraits are being no-platformed. He added: Politics aside @theresa_may is only our second female PM & an inspiration to many. The faculty should get a grip & put the portrait back in a more prominent place Ill be happy to unveil it! Tory MP Nadine Dorries also pitched in. How childish, intolerant and stupid you look," she wrote. "God forbid that people who banish others because they do not hold their own beliefs should ever hold positions of power. The images in the display, which decorate the walls of a stairwell and the images were nominated by current and former members of the department. UK news in pictures Show all 50 1 /50 UK news in pictures UK news in pictures 7 October 2021 British comedian Jo Brand poses with cut-out silhouettes representing women outside the Metropolitan Police headquarters New Scotland Yard in London AFP via Getty UK news in pictures 6 October 2021 A protester, wearing a mask of Johnson, holds a sign reading Question it all on the final day of the Tory conference Getty UK news in pictures 5 October 2021 Members of Insulate Britain outside the Royal Courts of Justice in London, before a hearing over the injunction banning the environmental activists from blocking the M25 PA UK news in pictures 4 October 2021 A delegate passes a street cleaner on the second day of the annual Conservative Party Conference being held at the Manchester Central convention centre AFP via Getty UK news in pictures 3 October 2021 Margaret Thatcher-themed mugs for sale at the annual Conservative Party conference in Manchester EPA UK news in pictures 2 October 2021 A couple make their way through a flooded underpass in Bristol as a yellow weather warning for rain and wind is issued for parts of the UK Tom Wren/SWNS UK news in pictures 1 October 2021 A driver talks to members of the media after passing his HGV (Heavy Goods Vehicle) driving test at National Driving Centre in Croydon, south London AFP via Getty Images UK news in pictures 30 September 2021 The centrepiece One Thousand Springs by Japanese artist Chiharu Shiota is seen ahead of the beginning of the Japan Festival, a celebration of the countrys plants, art and culture running from 2-31 October, at Kew Gardens in London PA UK news in pictures 29 September 2021 The family of Betty Campbell unveil the bronze sculpture of her during the unveiling of the statue in Central Square, Cardiff, of Betty Campbell, Wales' first black headteacher PA UK news in pictures 28 September 2021 A sign referring to the lack of fuel is placed at the entrance to a petrol station in London AP UK news in pictures 27 September 2021 Police officers detain a protester from Insulate Britain occupying a roundabout leading from the M25 motorway to Heathrow Airport in London PA UK news in pictures 26 September 2021 Labour Party leader Sir Keir Starmer watches the Arsenal v Tottenham Hotspur match at The Font pub in Brighton PA UK news in pictures 25 September 2021 Scottish pro-independence supporters hold a march and rally outside the Scottish Parliament in Edinburgh, Scotland Getty Images UK news in pictures 24 September 2021 Police officers remove two protesters from the top of a tanker, as Insulate Britain block the A20 in Kent, which provides access to the Port of Dover in Kent. The environmental activists have moved location after been banned from campaigning on the M25 motorway in London PA UK news in pictures 23 September 2021 Gabriella, the seven year old daughter of imprisoned British-Iranian Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe, joins in a game on a giant snakes and ladders board in Parliament Square, to show the ups and downs of her mothers case to mark the 2,000 days she has been detained in Iran AP UK news in pictures 22 September 2021 A new sign hangs on the Millicent Fawcett statue after it was altered by CrackTheCrises coalition activists to highlight the climate crisis as a feminist struggle in Parliament Square in London EPA UK news in pictures 21 September 2021 Gabriella Diment prepares a monumental bronze patinated fibreglass wall sculpture depicting household cavalry soldiers on horseback which is expected to be sold for 12,000-18,000 when it goes up for auction at Summers Place Auctions in Billinghurst, Kent PA UK news in pictures 20 September 2021 Florist Judith Blacklock puts the finishing touches to a floral carousel installation in Halkin Arcade, which she has designed with Neill Strain for the Belgravia in Bloom festival, running from September 20-26, in London PA UK news in pictures 19 September 2021 Bubbles surround Manchester Uniteds Cristiano Ronaldo before the match against West Ham at London Stadium Action Images/Reuters UK news in pictures 18 September 2021 Children take part in the Settrington Cup Pedal Car Race as motoring enthusiasts attend the Goodwood Revival, a three-day historic car racing festival in Goodwood, Chichester, Reuters UK news in pictures 17 September 2021 Hugo, 7, from London rides past a 4x7 metre rainbow arch, made entirely of recycled aluminium cans, which has been installed by recycling initiative 'Every Can Counts', in partnership with The City of London Corporation in front of St Paul's Cathedral in London, to encourage members of the public to recycle their drinks cans ahead of recycling week, which starts on 20 September PA UK news in pictures 16 September 2021 Sheikeh MOhammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, leader of Abu Dhabi, leaves Downing Street after meeting with Boris Johnson PA UK news in pictures 15 September 2021 Children pose by ice sculptures depicting people collecting water by charity Water Aid to show the fragility of water and the threat posed by climate change in London AFP/Getty UK news in pictures 14 September 2021 Heavy rain covers the A149 near Kings Lynn in Norfolk PA UK news in pictures 13 September 2021 Luke Jerram's 'Museum of the Moon' at Durham Cathedral PA UK news in pictures 12 September 2021 Inspirational young fundraiser Tobias Weller crosses the finish line, near his home in Sheffield, as he completes his latest epic feat where he swam and triked his way to the end of his awesome year-long Ironman Challenge. This is the third challenge Tobias, who has cerebral palsy and autism, has completed, raising more than 150,000 for his school and Sheffield Children Hospitals charity PA UK news in pictures 11 September 2021 British player Emma Raducanu, holds up the US Open championship trophy winning the women's singles final of the US Open in New York AP UK news in pictures 10 September 2021 People paddle board during a misty morning in Ullswater, the second largest lake in the Lake District, Cumbria PA UK news in pictures 9 September 2021 Troops from Wiltshire based 4 Armoured Close Support Battalion Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers during final inspection at Wellington Barracks in London, ahead of providing troops for the Queens Guard PA UK news in pictures 8 September 2021 Workers cross London Bridge during the morning rush hour in London Reuters UK news in pictures Mixing it up: Painting it up press view in London A gallery employee poses for photographers next to a painting entitled Prairie by British artist, Louise Giovanelli during the exhibition 'Mixing it up: Painting it up' at the Hayward Gallery in London EPA UK news in pictures 6 September 2021 Traders in the Ring at the London Metal Exchange, in the City of London, after open-outcry trading returned for the first time since March 2020, when the Ring was temporarily closed due to the pandemic PA UK news in pictures 5 September 2021 People enjoy the warm weather on Sandbanks beach, Poole PA UK news in pictures 4 September 2021 Demonstrators from Animal Rebellion and Nature Rebellion protest in Trafalgar Square in London. PA UK news in pictures 3 September 2021 South Africa's Ntando Mahlangu (centre) wins the Men's 200 metres T61 Final ahead of second placed Great Britain's Richard Whitehead at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games PA UK news in pictures 2 September 2021 A young common seal on the beach at Horsey Gap in Norfolk, as hundreds of pregnant grey seals come ashore ready for the start of the pupping season. PA UK news in pictures 1 September 2021 Goldfinches fighting over food in a garden in Strensham, Worcestershire PA UK news in pictures 31 August 2021 Gold Medallist Sarah Storey of Britain celebrates on the podium Reuters UK news in pictures 30 August 2021 Extinction Rebellion protesters hold a a tea party on Tower Bridge in London EPA UK news in pictures 29 August 2021 A police office tussles with a demonstrator on Cromwell Road outside the Natural History Museum during a protest by members of Extinction Rebellion in London PA UK news in pictures 28 August 2021 Members of the British armed forces 16 Air Assault Brigade walk to the air terminal after disembarking a Royal Airforce Voyager aircraft at Brize Norton, Oxfordshire POOL/AFP/Getty UK news in pictures 27 August 2021 Fabio Quartararo crashes during a MotoGP practice session at the British Grand Prix, Silverstone Circuit Action Images via Reuters UK news in pictures 26 August 2021 An Extinction Rebellion activist holds a placard in a fountain surrounded by police officers, during a protest next to Buckingham Palace in London Reuters UK news in pictures 25 August 2021 Gold Medallist Great Britains cyclist, Sarah Storey, celebrates after winning the Womens C5 3000m Individual Pursuit Final at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games. It was her 15th Paralympic gold Reuters UK news in pictures 24 August 2021 A demonstrator dressed as bee during a protest by members of Extinction Rebellion on Whitehall, in central London PA UK news in pictures 23 August 2021 Former interpreters for the British forces in Afghanistan demonstrate outside the Home Office in central London AFP/Getty UK news in pictures 22 August 2021 Police officers form a line in front of the entrance to the Guildhall, London, where protesters have climbed onto a ledge above the entrance during an Extinction Rebellion stage a protest PA UK news in pictures 21 August 2021 People take part in a demonstration in solidarity with people of Afghanistan, in London Reuters UK news in pictures 20 August 2021 People zip wire across the sea from Bournemouth pier towards the beach. PA UK news in pictures 19 August 2021 Supporters of Geronimo the alpaca gather outside Shepherds Close Farm in Wooton Under Edge, Gloucestershire PA Claire Hann, the schools equality and diversity officer, said the aim had been to celebrate the successes of our women students and inspire our current students. A spokesman for the Prime Minister said it was a matter for the university. An Oxford University spokesman said: The portrait was being increasingly obscured by posters bearing mainly humorous satirical messages. It has now been taken down and will be re-displayed so it can be seen as intended. Ms May was included in a series of portraits to celebrate outstanding female graduates of the School of Geography and the Environment. We remain proud of her success and that of all the graduates celebrated in the display. Press Association contributed to this report Theresa May is urging MPs to reject a bid to further tighten press regulation ahead of a knife-edge vote on new proposals in the Commons. The prime minister told senior ministers at cabinet that plans put forward by opposition MPs would undermine the free press and unjustly see papers forking out crippling sums of money even if they do not lose legal cases. But government insiders have suggested there is a serious chance of the proposals passing, with questions over how the DUP may vote and some Tories planning on abstaining. It comes after local newspapers warned many of their number will be forced to close if the plans are passed. Ms Mays spokesman said: We have set out the importance of these votes and of the government resisting those amendments and we would hope that when MPs come to consider these amendments, they will look at the strength of the case that weve put forward. When David Cameron announced the Leveson Inquiry into the ethics and practices of the press following the phone-hacking scandal in 2011, he said a second phase would be launched once police investigations and court cases were concluded. But there was fury from some celebrities and privacy campaigners when Culture Secretary Matt Hancock announced in March this year that the second phase was being ditched. Government announces it will not be pursuing a Leveson 2 inquiry In response, former Labour leader Ed Miliband tabled an amendment to the Data Protection Bill to establish a new statutory inquiry into the media. A second amendment, tabled by Labours deputy leader Tom Watson, would see publishers not signed up to a state-supported regulator pay their own and their opponents legal costs in data protection cases, even if they win. Ms Mays spokesman said: Almost 50m of public money has already been spent on investigating phone-hacking, and establishing a further public inquiry requiring great time and expense is not a proportionate solution to allegations which have already been the subject of several extensive police investigations or ongoing investigations by the Information Commissioners Office. The prime minister said [at cabinet] the government remains committed to a voluntary system of independent press self-regulation. He added: The prime minister said many would consider it against natural justice that, even if a newspaper was found not to be at fault, it could still end up having to pay costs. Explosive evidence on first day of Leveson Show all 4 1 /4 Explosive evidence on first day of Leveson Explosive evidence on first day of Leveson Pg-2-leveson-2-.jpg Explosive evidence on first day of Leveson Pg-2-levesonbrooks-jpg.jpg AFP Explosive evidence on first day of Leveson Pg-2-leveson4-rex.jpg Rex Features Explosive evidence on first day of Leveson Pg-2-leveson1-ap.jpg AP Local newspaper editors have warned fresh attempts to tighten press regulation would cause irreparable damage to the industry. In a survey of carried out by the News Media Association, 92 per cent of local editors said they did not think another Leveson-style inquiry into the media should take place, with the remaining 8 per cent saying they were unsure. Meanwhile, 69 per cent said they thought some local newspapers would be forced to close if the amendment on costs became law, while 99 per cent said it would make it harder to publish. George Zimmerman, the man cleared of murdering unarmed teenager Trayvon Martin, has been charged with stalking. The 34-year-old is accused of harassing and threatening Dennis Warren, a private investigator hired to work on a Jay-Z-produced documentary series about Trayvons life. Police said Mr Zimmerman called Mr Warren 55 times, left 36 voicemails, sent 67 texts and 27 emails over a period of nine days in December. He also allegedly threatened the investigator with being on his way to the inside of a gator. Texts sent to Mr Warren included messages such as Answer your phone (expletive)" and Text me again. I'll show up at your home you (expletive), according to Floridas Seminole County Sheriffs Office. Voicemails left by Mr Zimmerman featured ticking sounds that would slowly increase in frequency and speed, WKMG-TV reported. Rest in Power: The Trayvon Martin Story, which is set to air this summer, delves into Trayvons death in 2012, and the impact it had on US society. George Zimmerman: I bear a grudge against Obama Mr Zimmerman, who was a neighbourhood watch captain in a gated community in Sanford, Florida, shot dead the 17-year-old after telling a 911 dispatcher he looked like a real suspicious guy. Police initially failed to arrest Mr Zimmerman after he said he acted in self-defence, but he was later charged with murder following a public outcry. A jury found him not guilty. Mr Zimmerman was also arrested on suspicion of domestic violence in 2015, but was not charged after the alleged victim withdrew her claims. In pictures: Protests over the verdict in the trial of George Zimmerman Show all 7 1 /7 In pictures: Protests over the verdict in the trial of George Zimmerman In pictures: Protests over the verdict in the trial of George Zimmerman Martin1.jpg In pictures: Protests over the verdict in the trial of George Zimmerman Martin2.jpg In pictures: Protests over the verdict in the trial of George Zimmerman Martin3.jpg In pictures: Protests over the verdict in the trial of George Zimmerman Martin6.jpg In pictures: Protests over the verdict in the trial of George Zimmerman Martin7.jpg In pictures: Protests over the verdict in the trial of George Zimmerman Martin4.jpg In pictures: Protests over the verdict in the trial of George Zimmerman Martin5.jpg He triggered further outrage in 2016 when he auctioned the gun he claimed was used to kill Trayvon for $250,000 (184,000). Court records show Mr Zimmerman was issued a summons last week and will appear in court on 30 May on a charge of misdemeanour stalking. Religious conservatives are accusing the Met Gala of religious appropriation over the annual fashion events Catholic theme. The event officially titled heavenly bodies should not have happened because it involved celebrities sexualising, commodifying and undermining the Catholic religion and church, according to critics. Each year, the opening of the Costume Institutes exhibit at New Yorks Met Museum is celebrated with a huge grand opening, attended by the worlds biggest celebrities and marking one of the high points of the fashion calendar. The event and the exhibition are always organised around a theme which sometimes celebrates individual designers, but occasionally looks at entire subcultures or countries. Met Gala 2018: Heavenly Bodies Show all 50 1 /50 Met Gala 2018: Heavenly Bodies Met Gala 2018: Heavenly Bodies Rihanna went all in on the Catholicism theme wearing custom Maison Margiela AFP/Getty Met Gala 2018: Heavenly Bodies Madonna poses alongside Jean Paul Gaultier, the designer of her gothic Met Gala gown AFP/Getty Images Met Gala 2018: Heavenly Bodies Supermodel Bella Hadid wears a glossy latex corset by Chrome Hearts Official x Gareth Pugh, topped with a sculptural cape Getty Met Gala 2018: Heavenly Bodies Katy Perry incorporated the theme with oversized wings, a Versace chainmail dress and thigh high boots Getty Met Gala 2018: Heavenly Bodies Black Panther's Chadwick Bosemanan wears an all-white Versace outfit with religiously inspired embellishments, gold shoes, and a cape Getty Images Met Gala 2018: Heavenly Bodies Priyanka Chopra wears Ralph Lauren Getty Met Gala 2018: Heavenly Bodies Solange Knowles opted for a structural black Iris van Herpen dress and a halo headpiece with a black du-rag Met Gala 2018: Heavenly Bodies Lily Collins wears a black Givenchy gown and coordinating gothic makeup Getty Met Gala 2018: Heavenly Bodies Kate Bosworth wears an ethereal Oscar de la Renta gown topped with a mantilla veil Getty Met Gala 2018: Heavenly Bodies Vogue editor Anna Wintour wears a custom Chanel gown featuring a halter neck and intricate beading Getty Met Gala 2018: Heavenly Bodies Frances McDormand wearing a Versace gown and Philip Treacy headpiece, Pierpaolo Piccioli, and Anne Hathaway sporting a Valentino Couture red ballgown AFP/Getty Met Gala 2018: Heavenly Bodies Ariana Grande poses alongside Vera Wang, the designer of the singer's debut Met Gala gown Rex Features Met Gala 2018: Heavenly Bodies Nicki Minaj wears a red Oscar de la Renta gown and bejeweled headpiece PA Met Gala 2018: Heavenly Bodies Blake Lively wears Versace to the Met Gala PA Met Gala 2018: Heavenly Bodies Sarah Jessica Parker and Andy Cohen wear Dolce & Gabbana Getty Met Gala 2018: Heavenly Bodies Kim Kardashian stunned in a liquid gold Versace dress with cross embroidery Reuters Met Gala 2018: Heavenly Bodies Jennifer Lopez wears a bejewelled Balmain gown with cross detailing while Alex Rodriguez opted for a polished black suit PA Met Gala 2018: Heavenly Bodies Tracee Ellis Ross wears a bright pink gown with a matching jacket by Michael Kors Rex Features Met Gala 2018: Heavenly Bodies Amal Clooney wears a Richard Quinn corset dress and navy trousers while husband George Clooney opted for a traditional black tuxedo REUTERS Met Gala 2018: Heavenly Bodies Lana Del Rey wears an elaborate Gucci gown and bird halo headpiece REUTERS Met Gala 2018: Heavenly Bodies Sean 'Diddy' Combs wears a Musika Frere suit while Cassie opted for Thom Browne with Chopard earrings Getty Met Gala 2018: Heavenly Bodies Miley Cyrus wears plunging black dress by Stella McCartney and Sydney Evan custom hoops with a large cross Getty Met Gala 2018: Heavenly Bodies Cynthia Erivo opted for a Valentino gown, Sophia Webster shoes and bejewelled brows Getty Met Gala 2018: Heavenly Bodies Power couple Helen Lasichanh and Pharrell Williams both dressed in Chanel for the annual gala PA Met Gala 2018: Heavenly Bodies Winnie Harlow wears an all-white Tommy Hilfiger dress with a dramatic train PA Met Gala 2018: Heavenly Bodies Donatella Versace, who was co-host for the event, opted for an ornate navy and gold dress of her own design AFP/Getty Met Gala 2018: Heavenly Bodies Elon Musk wears a white tuxedo and Tesla pin, while Grimes opted for a black dress and Tesla choker AFP/Getty Met Gala 2018: Heavenly Bodies Lily Aldridge and Rosie Huntington-Whiteley walked the red carpet together, both wearing Ralph Lauren Collection gowns AFP/Getty Images Met Gala 2018: Heavenly Bodies Atlanta-based trio, Migos, wear sequinned Versace suits EPA Met Gala 2018: Heavenly Bodies Contributing Editor of Vogue Thailand, Nichapat Suphap, wears custom Peter Dundas AFP/Getty Met Gala 2018: Heavenly Bodies Anya Taylor-Joy wears a gold tapestry Dolce & Gabbana dress PA Met Gala 2018: Heavenly Bodies Janelle Monae wears a monochrome Marc Jacobs gown with a crystallised head wrap and Stephen Jones hat PA Met Gala 2018: Heavenly Bodies Rapper Cardi B opted for a custom Moschino gown alongside designer Jeremy Scott REUTERS Met Gala 2018: Heavenly Bodies Eiza Gonzalez wears a black Prabal Gurung gown with a white cape AFP/Getty Met Gala 2018: Heavenly Bodies Cara Delevingne wears a dramatic all-black Dior Haute Couture dress and beaded veil REUTERS Met Gala 2018: Heavenly Bodies Lewis Hamilton wears an all-white ensemble designed by Tommy Hilfiger AFP/Getty Images Met Gala 2018: Heavenly Bodies Rita Ora wears an all-black embellished ensemble by Prada EPA Met Gala 2018: Heavenly Bodies Amanda Seyfried wears a romantic Renaissance-style gown by Prada AFP/Getty Met Gala 2018: Heavenly Bodies Amber Heard paired a Carolina Herrera scarlet gown with a gold halo headpiece REUTERS Met Gala 2018: Heavenly Bodies Lena Waithe made a powerful pride statement with a sparkly rainbow cape worn over a sleek black suit PA Met Gala 2018: Heavenly Bodies Kylie Jenner wears a black Alexander Wang gown with semi-sheer heels and micro sunglasses PA Met Gala 2018: Heavenly Bodies 2 Chainz (kneeling) proposed to Kesha Ward on the red carpet, both wearing custom Versace AP Met Gala 2018: Heavenly Bodies Doutzen Kroes wears a colourful Sies Marjan dress AFP/Getty Met Gala 2018: Heavenly Bodies Supermodel Gigi Hadid wears a Versace gown with stain glass window-inspired detail PA Met Gala 2018: Heavenly Bodies SZA wears a frothy Atelier Versace gown and a headpiece by Chrishabana AFP/Getty Met Gala 2018: Heavenly Bodies Diane Kruger accessorised her Prabal Gurung gown with a custom Philip Treacy head piece REUTERS Met Gala 2018: Heavenly Bodies Andrew Garfield wears a velvety pink tuxedo jacket by Tom Ford PA Met Gala 2018: Heavenly Bodies Paris Jackson and Miley Cyrus both opted for gowns by designer Stella McCartney PA Met Gala 2018: Heavenly Bodies Vanity Fairs contributing editor, Amy Fine Collins, wears a custom design by Alice + Olivias Stacey Bendet Eisner AFP/Getty Met Gala 2018: Heavenly Bodies Emilia Clarke wearing a Dolce & Gabbana gown Getty This years event saw celebrities draw from the vast history of Catholic art and channel into outfits that included Nativity headpieces and a huge pair of angel wings. One of the most-discussed looks was Rihannas Margiela pope dress. But many online commentators argued those outfits appeared to be examples of cultural appropriation. The accusation comes in the wake of a high-profile argument that erupted after a teenager wore a traditional Chinese dress to her schools prom. One response on Twitter which read: My culture is NOT your goddamn prom dress has been retweeted more than 40,000 times. Many commentators used that same format to criticise the Met Gala theme. My religion is not your costume, wrote one. Among the worst things Ive ever seen in my life, tweeted another. Heresy at its finest. Others suggested there would be a much bigger outcry if other religions had been chosen as the events de facto theme. Surprised people arent calling out the #MetGala #MetHeavenlyBodies for being offensive to Catholics, wrote one Twitter user. But if it was another religion everyone would be up in arms. The Vatican not only gave permission for the theme, but also provided a whole host of clothes and other items for the accompanying exhibition. The Met and the Vatican worked together for more than a year to procure more than 40 items for the event, and curator Andrew Bolton was even given access to the hidden chambers where nuns look after the popes clothes. It is far from the first time the event has been accused of cultural appropriation. In 2015, the theme was China: Through the Looking Glass. For that event, some were accused of sexualising traditional Chinese clothes, while some wore kimonos, traditionally associated not with China but with Japan. But the event was also praised for the respect and care most of its attendees were perceived to have afforded the theme. The accompanying exhibition which was explicit about the fact it was exploring Chinas influence on the West, rather than Chinese fashion itself was even praised as surprisingly respectful by fashion website Racked. The Independent has contacted the Met Museum for comment. New Yorks top law enforcement officer has been accused by multiple women of sexual assault, leading him to resign his post with almost immediate effect. State Attorney General Eric Schneiderman is accused by four women who say they were in relationships with him at the time. They say he hit them, multiple times and without their consent, and threatened violence on several occasions if they were to report him to police or leave him. The allegations were brought in interviews with the New Yorker, and two of the four women agreed to let the magazine disclose their names publicly. Mr Schneiderman has strongly denied the claims, but said he would be unable to continue his work as attorney general while they are being investigated. He said in a statement: In the privacy of intimate relationships, I have engaged in role-playing and other consensual sexual activity. I have not assaulted anyone. I have never engaged in nonconsensual sex, which is a line I would not cross. Recommended New York attorney general files lawsuit against the Weinstein company In its reporting of the claims, the New Yorker alleged that: Over the past year, [two of his accusers] watched with admiration as other women spoke out about sexual misconduct. But, as [Mr] Schneiderman used the authority of his office to assume a major role in the #MeToo movement, their anguish and anger grew. Two of the women are Democrats who live in New York City and another is reported to be a high-profile lawyer. She has declined to be identified but claimed that when she rebuffed Mr Schneidermans advances he slapped her so hard she was left with a bruise across her face. He allegedly hit another accuser with enough force to cause serious damage to her ear. Rose McGowan: 'everybody knew' in Hollywood of Harvey Weinstein allegations The new allegations come after Mr Schneiderman took on a leading role at the centre of the expanding investigation against Mr Weinstein. In February, Mr Scheiderman filed a civil rights suit against Mr Weinstein after more than 60 women - including actresses Ashley Judd, Lupita Nyongo, Salma Hayek and Anabella Sciorra - accused him of varying forms of sexual harassment and misconduct. The attorney general said at a news conference then: We have never seen anything as despicable as what weve seen right here. Mr Weinstein has denied all the allegations of wrongdoing. It was only last week that Mr Schneiderman began investigating how previous complaints against the movie mogul may have been mishandled by Manhattan District Attorney Cyrus Vance, Jr and the New York City Police Department for possibly favouring Mr Weinstein instead of allowing victims to be taken seriously. Jane Fonda says people pay attention to Harvey Weinstein abusers because they are famous and white On 1 May, Mr Schneiderman was given an award by the National Institute for Reproductive Health charity for his commitment to furthering womens rights in reproductive health and access to abortion services. If a woman cannot control her body, she is not truly equal, he said at an awards luncheon. One of the accusers said she wanted to make it absolutely clear. This was under no circumstances a sex game gone wrong. This did not happen while we were having sex. I was fully dressed and remained that way. It was completely unexpected and shocking. I did not consent to physical assault. More than 100,000 years of life were lost to police violence between 2015 and 2016, according to a new study. Researchers took an original approach to studying the effects of police violence including shootings, use of tasers, and physical force by estimating how many years of life were lost at the hands of law enforcement. Using a public database of police killings, the researchers subtracted the age of the victims from their standard life expectancy to find out how many years of their life were taken. The findings, the researchers wrote, were "substantial". There were 1,146 police killings in 2015 and 1,092 in 2016, according to the researchers, resulting in more than 112,129 hours of life lost over the two years. The number of years lost were comparable to those from meningitis or maternal mortality, and higher than those from unintentional firearm injuries, the researchers wrote. The study from researchers at Harvard, the University of California at Berkeley, and the University of California, Los Angeles also found that non-white people and young people were disproportionately affected by police violence. Body cam video released from police shooting that killed 6-year-old People of colour comprise 38.5 per cent of the US population, but 51.5 per cent of years of life lost to police violence, according to the study. People aged 25 to 34 years suffered the most deaths at the hands of police, and lost the most years of life on average. Framing police violence as an important cause of deaths among young adults (which implicitly also means people of colour) provides another valuable lens to motivate prevention efforts, the researchers wrote, adding that they hoped the numbers could serve as a tool for public health, legal, and political leaders. The numbers were compiled from the Guardians The Counted database, which tracks police killings using police reports, stories from news outlets, and other independent reporting systems. Previous studies have found the database to be more reliable than the National Vital Statistics System. Black Lives Matter organises march to Trump Tower Show all 15 1 /15 Black Lives Matter organises march to Trump Tower Black Lives Matter organises march to Trump Tower Kandy Freeman participates in a Black Lives Matter protest in front of Trump Tower in New York City, U.S. January 14, 2017. Stephanie Keith/Reuters Black Lives Matter organises march to Trump Tower People participate in a Black Lives Matter protest in front of Trump Tower in New York City, U.S. January 14, 2017. Stephanie Keith/Reuters Black Lives Matter organises march to Trump Tower Hawk Newsome, a Black Lives Matter activist, leads a protest outside Trump Tower in New York City on January 14, 2017. Dominick Reuter/AFP/Getty Images Black Lives Matter organises march to Trump Tower Hawk Newsome (C) leads a chant during a Black Lives Matter protest in front of Trump Tower in New York City, US. January 14, 2017. Dominick Reuter/AFP/Getty Images Black Lives Matter organises march to Trump Tower People participate in a Black Lives Matter protest in front of Trump Tower in New York City, U.S. January 14, 2017. Stephanie Keith/Reuters Black Lives Matter organises march to Trump Tower An NYPD officer speaks with a Black Lives Matter leaders during a protest in the snow outside Trump Tower in New York City on January 14, 2017. Dominick Reuter/AFP/Getty Images Black Lives Matter organises march to Trump Tower Kandy Freeman participates in a Black Lives Matter protest in front of Trump Tower in New York City, U.S. January 14, 2017. Stephanie Keith/Reuters Black Lives Matter organises march to Trump Tower An NYPD officer speaks with a Black Lives Matter leaders during a protest in the snow outside Trump Tower in New York City on January 14, 2017. Dominick Reuter/AFP/Getty Images Black Lives Matter organises march to Trump Tower Carol Garza, a Black Lives Matter supporter, protests outside Trump Tower in New York City on January 14, 2017. Dominick Reuter/AFP/Getty Images Black Lives Matter organises march to Trump Tower People participate in a Black Lives Matter protest in front of Trump Tower in New York City, U.S. January 14, 2017. Stephanie Keith/Reuters Black Lives Matter organises march to Trump Tower A Black Lives Matter supporter protests in the snow outside Trump Tower in New York City on January 14, 2017. Dominick Reuter/AFP/Getty Images Black Lives Matter organises march to Trump Tower Black Lives Matter activists march in front of Trump Tower on January 14, 2017 in New York City. Kevin Hagen/Getty Black Lives Matter organises march to Trump Tower Black Lives Matter activists march in front of Trump Tower on January 14, 2017 in New York City. Kevin Hagen/Getty Black Lives Matter organises march to Trump Tower Black Lives Matter supporters protest in the snow outside Trump Tower in New York City on January 14, 2017. Dominick Reuter/AFP/Getty Images Black Lives Matter organises march to Trump Tower Black Lives Matter Kandy Freeman marches in front of Trump Tower on January 14, 2017 in New York City. Kevin Hagen/Getty The Counted only provides data as recently as 2016. But a similar project, Mapping Police Violence, found that 1,147 people were killed by police last year. Nearly 150 were unarmed. Movements like Black Lives Matter have brought attention to police shootings of unarmed, black men in recent years. Most recently, demonstrators took to the streets in honour of Stephon Clark, a 22-year-old black man from Sacramento, California, whose family says he was facing away from police when he was gunned down on 18 March. Shootings of unarmed people such as Mr Clark have declined since 2015, according to the Washington Post. Criminologists who reviewed the data said the level of racial bias in these shootings also appeared to have declined, but not disappeared. These trends mark significant changes, Geoff Alpert, a professor in the Department of Criminology and Criminal Justice at the University of South Carolina, told the Post. What we dont understand yet is whats causing these numbers to move downward. Melania Trump recycled an Obama-era pamphlet about cyberbullying and online security as part of her new Be Best child wellbeing initiative. Her Talking With Kids About Being Online leaflet is largely identical to one released in 2014 by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), titled Net Cetera, which offered advice to parents and guardians. The re-branded version features an introduction from the first lady and a tweaked front cover with a more modern-looking mobile phone but also some updated sections. Advice on multi-factor authentication for online accounts, and strong password creation, now appear under the Making Computer Security A Habit pages. Paragraphs about peer-to-peer file sharing were replaced with information on backing up files and securing a home network, and a section called Sexting was re-named Sexting: Dont Do It. The FTC tweeted: Were excited that at the @FLOTUS initiative launch today, the First Lady distributed copies of the @FTCs guide that encourages parents to discuss the importance of being safe & responsible online with their kids. A spokeswoman for the first lady said the agency had asked her to include the booklet in her materials. Ms Trumps campaign focuses on childrens physical and mental security, and staying safe online. A particular aim is countering the opioid drug addiction crisis. Launching the Be Best campaign on Monday, Ms Trump said: As a mother and as first lady, it concerns me that in todays fast-paced and ever-connected world, children can be less prepared to express or manage their emotions and oftentimes turn to forms of destructive or addictive behaviour such as bullying, drug addiction or even suicide. I feel strongly that as adults, we can and should be best at educating our children about the importance of a healthy and balanced life. During nearly 16 months as first lady, Ms Trump has visited young hospital patients in the US and during overseas trips with her husband Donald Trump, often reading to them and encouraging them. Her interest in the opioid drug crisis has taken her to care centres and hospitals in West Virginia and Ohio to learn about the epidemics effect on babies born to mothers addicted to the powerful painkillers. She held a White House roundtable on the issue last autumn. The first lady invited representatives of major technology and social media companies to Washington in March to discuss internet safety, more than a year after she had promised to use her platform to discourage cyberbullying. 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 Observers and critics pointed out that her choice of campaign issue appeared to be at odds with her husbands use of Twitter to single out and criticise opponents, but Ms Trump said at the meeting she would not be discouraged from doing what she thought was right. Sarah Huckabee Sanders, the White House press secretary, also denied the president had worsened online bullying on Monday. When it comes to kids, this is something that has been problematic, and something that we have seen over the last decade, Ms Sanders said. And the first lady sees it to be an important issue, and something that she wants to address. In 2016, Ms Trump gave a speech to the Republican National Convention containing several lines first spoken by Michelle Obama several years earlier. The speech was put together by a team of writers, the Trump campaign said at the time. Additional reporting by agencies New Yorks attorney general has resigned after four women accused him of sexual assault. Eric Schneiderman issued a statement on Monday evening denying his accusers claims and said that while these allegations are unrelated to my professional conduct or the operations of the office, they will effectively prevent me from leading the offices work at this critical time. Regarding the allegations of the women, he said in a separate statement: In the privacy of intimate relationships, I have engaged in role-playing and other consensual sexual activity. I have not assaulted anyone. I have never engaged in nonconsensual sex, which is a line I would not cross. At least three of his accusers had been in a romantic relationship of some kind with Mr Schneiderman, The New Yorker magazine reported. Recommended New York attorney general files lawsuit against the Weinstein company The 63-year-old lawyer has become known for taking on high profile roles as an advocate for womens issues and an antagonist to the policies of President Donald Trump, as well as supporting the #MeToo movement and prosecuting now-infamous Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein. In light of the allegations, which involved claims of physical violence leading to medical problems, Andrew Cuomo, the New York governor, said in a statement: No one is above the law, including New Yorks top legal officer. I will be asking an appropriate New York district attorney(s) to commence an immediate investigation, and proceed as the facts merits. It was just in February that Mr Schneiderman filed a civil rights suit against Weinstein after more than 60 women including actresses Ashley Judd, Lupita Nyongo, Salma Hayek, Annabella Sciorra accused him of varying forms of sexual harassment and misconduct. Rose McGowan: 'everybody knew' in Hollywood of Harvey Weinstein allegations Weinstein has denied all the allegations of wrongdoing. The attorney general said at a news conference: We have never seen anything as despicable as what weve seen right here. It was only last week that Mr Schneiderman began investigating how previous complaints against the movie mogul may have been mishandled by the Manhattan district attorney, Cyrus Vance Jr, and the New York City Police Department for possibly favouring Weinstein instead of allowing victims to be taken seriously. On 1 May, Mr Schneiderman had been given an award by the National Institute for Reproductive Health charity for his commitment to furthering womens rights in reproductive health and access to abortion services. If a woman cannot control her body, she is not truly equal, he said at an awards luncheon. World news in pictures Show all 50 1 /50 World news in pictures World news in pictures 30 September 2020 Pope Francis prays with priests at the end of a limited public audience at the San Damaso courtyard in The Vatican AFP via Getty World news in pictures 29 September 2020 A girl's silhouette is seen from behind a fabric in a tent along a beach by Beit Lahia in the northern Gaza Strip AFP via Getty World news in pictures 28 September 2020 A Chinese woman takes a photo of herself in front of a flower display dedicated to frontline health care workers during the COVID-19 pandemic in Beijing, China. China will celebrate national day marking the founding of the People's Republic of China on October 1st Getty World news in pictures 27 September 2020 The Glass Mountain Inn burns as the Glass Fire moves through the area in St. Helena, California. The fast moving Glass fire has burned over 1,000 acres and has destroyed homes Getty World news in pictures 26 September 2020 A villager along with a child offers prayers next to a carcass of a wild elephant that officials say was electrocuted in Rani Reserve Forest on the outskirts of Guwahati, India AFP via Getty World news in pictures 25 September 2020 The casket of late Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg is seen in Statuary Hall in the US Capitol to lie in state in Washington, DC AFP via Getty World news in pictures 24 September 2020 An anti-government protester holds up an image of a pro-democracy commemorative plaque at a rally outside Thailand's parliament in Bangkok, as activists gathered to demand a new constitution AFP via Getty World news in pictures 23 September 2020 A whale stranded on a beach in Macquarie Harbour on the rugged west coast of Tasmania, as hundreds of pilot whales have died in a mass stranding in southern Australia despite efforts to save them, with rescuers racing to free a few dozen survivors The Mercury/AFP via Getty World news in pictures 22 September 2020 State civil employee candidates wearing face masks and shields take a test in Surabaya AFP via Getty World news in pictures 21 September 2020 A man sweeps at the Taj Mahal monument on the day of its reopening after being closed for more than six months due to the coronavirus pandemic AP World news in pictures 20 September 2020 A deer looks for food in a burnt area, caused by the Bobcat fire, in Pearblossom, California EPA World news in pictures 19 September 2020 Anti-government protesters hold their mobile phones aloft as they take part in a pro-democracy rally in Bangkok. Tens of thousands of pro-democracy protesters massed close to Thailand's royal palace, in a huge rally calling for PM Prayut Chan-O-Cha to step down and demanding reforms to the monarchy AFP via Getty World news in pictures 18 September 2020 Supporters of Iraqi Shi'ite cleric Moqtada al-Sadr maintain social distancing as they attend Friday prayers after the coronavirus disease restrictions were eased, in Kufa mosque, near Najaf, Iraq Reuters World news in pictures 17 September 2020 A protester climbs on The Triumph of the Republic at 'the Place de la Nation' as thousands of protesters take part in a demonstration during a national day strike called by labor unions asking for better salary and against jobs cut in Paris, France EPA World news in pictures 16 September 2020 A fire raging near the Lazzaretto of Ancona in Italy. The huge blaze broke out overnight at the port of Ancona. Firefighters have brought the fire under control but they expected to keep working through the day EPA World news in pictures 15 September 2020 Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny posing for a selfie with his family at Berlin's Charite hospital. In an Instagram post he said he could now breathe independently following his suspected poisoning last month Alexei Navalny/Instagram/AFP World news in pictures 14 September 2020 Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga, former Defense Minister Shigeru Ishiba and former Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida celebrate after Suga was elected as new head of the ruling party at the Liberal Democratic Party's leadership election in Tokyo Reuters World news in pictures 13 September 2020 A man stands behind a burning barricade during the fifth straight day of protests against police brutality in Bogota AFP via Getty World news in pictures 12 September 2020 Police officers block and detain protesters during an opposition rally to protest the official presidential election results in Minsk, Belarus. Daily protests calling for the authoritarian president's resignation are now in their second month AP World news in pictures 11 September 2020 Members of 'Omnium Cultural' celebrate the 20th 'Festa per la llibertat' ('Fiesta for the freedom') to mark the Day of Catalonia in Barcelona. Omnion Cultural fights for the independence of Catalonia EPA World news in pictures 10 September 2020 The Moria refugee camp, two days after Greece's biggest migrant camp, was destroyed by fire. Thousands of asylum seekers on the island of Lesbos are now homeless AFP via Getty World news in pictures 9 September 2020 Pope Francis takes off his face mask as he arrives by car to hold a limited public audience at the San Damaso courtyard in The Vatican AFP via Getty World news in pictures 8 September 2020 A home is engulfed in flames during the "Creek Fire" in the Tollhouse area of California AFP via Getty World news in pictures 7 September 2020 A couple take photos along a sea wall of the waves brought by Typhoon Haishen in the eastern port city of Sokcho AFP via Getty World news in pictures 6 September 2020 Novak Djokovic and a tournament official tends to a linesperson who was struck with a ball by Djokovic during his match against Pablo Carreno Busta at the US Open USA Today Sports/Reuters World news in pictures 5 September 2020 Protesters confront police at the Shrine of Remembrance in Melbourne, Australia, during an anti-lockdown rally AFP via Getty World news in pictures 4 September 2020 A woman looks on from a rooftop as rescue workers dig through the rubble of a damaged building in Beirut. A search began for possible survivors after a scanner detected a pulse one month after the mega-blast at the adjacent port AFP via Getty World news in pictures 3 September 2020 A full moon next to the Virgen del Panecillo statue in Quito, Ecuador EPA World news in pictures 2 September 2020 A Palestinian woman reacts as Israeli forces demolish her animal shed near Hebron in the Israeli-occupied West Bank Reuters World news in pictures 1 September 2020 Students protest against presidential elections results in Minsk TUT.BY/AFP via Getty World news in pictures 31 August 2020 The pack rides during the 3rd stage of the Tour de France between Nice and Sisteron AFP via Getty World news in pictures 30 August 2020 Law enforcement officers block a street during a rally of opposition supporters protesting against presidential election results in Minsk, Belarus Reuters World news in pictures 29 August 2020 A woman holding a placard reading "Stop Censorship - Yes to the Freedom of Expression" shouts in a megaphone during a protest against the mandatory wearing of face masks in Paris. Masks, which were already compulsory on public transport, in enclosed public spaces, and outdoors in Paris in certain high-congestion areas around tourist sites, were made mandatory outdoors citywide on August 28 to fight the rising coronavirus infections AFP via Getty World news in pictures 28 August 2020 Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe bows to the national flag at the start of a press conference at the prime minister official residence in Tokyo. Abe announced he will resign over health problems, in a bombshell development that kicks off a leadership contest in the world's third-largest economy AFP via Getty World news in pictures 27 August 2020 Residents take cover behind a tree trunk from rubber bullets fired by South African Police Service (SAPS) in Eldorado Park, near Johannesburg, during a protest by community members after a 16-year old boy was reported dead AFP via Getty World news in pictures 26 August 2020 People scatter rose petals on a statue of Mother Teresa marking her 110th birth anniversary in Ahmedabad AFP via Getty World news in pictures 25 August 2020 An aerial view shows beach-goers standing on salt formations in the Dead Sea near Ein Bokeq, Israel Reuters World news in pictures 24 August 2020 Health workers use a fingertip pulse oximeter and check the body temperature of a fisherwoman inside the Dharavi slum during a door-to-door Covid-19 coronavirus screening in Mumbai AFP via Getty World news in pictures 23 August 2020 People carry an idol of the Hindu god Ganesh, the deity of prosperity, to immerse it off the coast of the Arabian sea during the Ganesh Chaturthi festival in Mumbai, India Reuters World news in pictures 22 August 2020 Firefighters watch as flames from the LNU Lightning Complex fires approach a home in Napa County, California AP World news in pictures 21 August 2020 Members of the Israeli security forces arrest a Palestinian demonstrator during a rally to protest against Israel's plan to annex parts of the occupied West Bank AFP via Getty World news in pictures 20 August 2020 A man pushes his bicycle through a deserted road after prohibitory orders were imposed by district officials for a week to contain the spread of the Covid-19 in Kathmandu AFP via Getty World news in pictures 19 August 2020 A car burns while parked at a residence in Vacaville, California. Dozens of fires are burning out of control throughout Northern California as fire resources are spread thin AFP via Getty World news in pictures 18 August 2020 Students use their mobile phones as flashlights at an anti-government rally at Mahidol University in Nakhon Pathom. Thailand has seen near-daily protests in recent weeks by students demanding the resignation of Prime Minister Prayut Chan-O-Cha AFP via Getty World news in pictures 17 August 2020 Members of the Kayapo tribe block the BR163 highway during a protest outside Novo Progresso in Para state, Brazil. Indigenous protesters blocked a major transamazonian highway to protest against the lack of governmental support during the COVID-19 novel coronavirus pandemic and illegal deforestation in and around their territories AFP via Getty World news in pictures 16 August 2020 Lightning forks over the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge as a storm passes over Oakland AP World news in pictures 15 August 2020 Belarus opposition supporters gather near the Pushkinskaya metro station where Alexander Taraikovsky, a 34-year-old protester died on August 10, during their protest rally in central Minsk AFP via Getty World news in pictures 14 August 2020 AlphaTauri's driver Daniil Kvyat takes part in the second practice session at the Circuit de Catalunya in Montmelo near Barcelona ahead of the Spanish F1 Grand Prix AFP via Getty World news in pictures 13 August 2020 Soldiers of the Brazilian Armed Forces during a disinfection of the Christ The Redeemer statue at the Corcovado mountain prior to the opening of the touristic attraction in Rio AFP via Getty World news in pictures 12 August 2020 Young elephant bulls tussle playfully on World Elephant Day at the Amboseli National Park in Kenya AFP via Getty Mr Schneiderman, who won a state Senate seat representing a Manhattan district in 1998, became attorney general in 2010 and had been running for re-election this year. Under state constitution, a vacancy in the office is filled by the state legislature. There has been no word yet as to who his replacement could be. The outspoken lawyer also has been a long-time critic of Mr Trump and has been part of several efforts to push back against some of his actions in the White House, like the rescinding of protection for immigrants brought to the US illegally as children or the Deferred Action on Childhood Arrivals (Daca) programme for so-called Dreamers. Last month, he urged state lawmakers to close a loophole that he said could be used to fight state charges by anyone who has received a presidential pardon from Mr Trump for similar federal charges. On Twitter, the presidents son, Donald Trump Jr, offered pointed commentary. He showcased one of Mr Schneidermans tweets from last year stating that he would remind Mr Trump that no one was above the law, with Trump Jr adding: You were saying??? Donald Trumps European allies are on tenterhooks awaiting his decision on whether he will pull out of the Iran nuclear deal, having spent weeks lobbying him to stay in. The US president tweeted that he would announce the decision at 2pm Washington time on Tuesday. He has long threatened to withdraw from the agreement, signed during Barack Obamas presidency, and has called it the worst deal ever negotiated because it does not address Irans ballistic missile programme or its role in the wars in Syria and Yemen, nor permanently block Tehran from developing atomic weapons. European leaders have warned that a US withdrawal would undo years of work that led to and sustained a landmark deal that has kept nuclear weapons out of Irans hands. On Tuesday morning Frances defence minister said weakening the agreement would aggravate tensions in the Middle East. Florence Parly added in an interview with RTL that it had successfully halted Irans military nuclear programme, calling the agreement a factor of peace and stabilisation in a very eruptive region. Keeping the US in the deal was a key aim of Emmanuel Macrons state visit to Washington last month, proposing a new accord that maintained the signatories common objective, we want to make sure theres no escalation and no nuclear proliferation in the region. Boris Johnson also visited Washington on Monday, conducting talks with vice president Mike Pence and the new secretary of state Mike Pompeo. A senior US official close to the decision-making process said France, Germany and the UK had shifted significantly to address Mr Trumps concerns about ballistic missiles, the terms governing international inspectors visits to Iranian sites, and sunset clauses under which some terms of the deal expire. In the past few weeks, Mr Trump has consulted either in person or by telephone with leaders of all three countries. The EU has said the deal is working and it needs to be preserved, but European diplomats privately said they expected Trump to withdraw from the agreement despite the frantic lobbying. And Iran has said it will not renegotiate, threatening to retaliate if Mr Trump pulls the US out and re-imposes sanctions, but has not said how. Diplomats and military experts said Tehran could seek to resume its nuclear arms programme or step up its military involvement in Iraq, Syria, Yemen and Lebanon. World news in pictures Show all 50 1 /50 World news in pictures World news in pictures 30 September 2020 Pope Francis prays with priests at the end of a limited public audience at the San Damaso courtyard in The Vatican AFP via Getty World news in pictures 29 September 2020 A girl's silhouette is seen from behind a fabric in a tent along a beach by Beit Lahia in the northern Gaza Strip AFP via Getty World news in pictures 28 September 2020 A Chinese woman takes a photo of herself in front of a flower display dedicated to frontline health care workers during the COVID-19 pandemic in Beijing, China. China will celebrate national day marking the founding of the People's Republic of China on October 1st Getty World news in pictures 27 September 2020 The Glass Mountain Inn burns as the Glass Fire moves through the area in St. Helena, California. The fast moving Glass fire has burned over 1,000 acres and has destroyed homes Getty World news in pictures 26 September 2020 A villager along with a child offers prayers next to a carcass of a wild elephant that officials say was electrocuted in Rani Reserve Forest on the outskirts of Guwahati, India AFP via Getty World news in pictures 25 September 2020 The casket of late Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg is seen in Statuary Hall in the US Capitol to lie in state in Washington, DC AFP via Getty World news in pictures 24 September 2020 An anti-government protester holds up an image of a pro-democracy commemorative plaque at a rally outside Thailand's parliament in Bangkok, as activists gathered to demand a new constitution AFP via Getty World news in pictures 23 September 2020 A whale stranded on a beach in Macquarie Harbour on the rugged west coast of Tasmania, as hundreds of pilot whales have died in a mass stranding in southern Australia despite efforts to save them, with rescuers racing to free a few dozen survivors The Mercury/AFP via Getty World news in pictures 22 September 2020 State civil employee candidates wearing face masks and shields take a test in Surabaya AFP via Getty World news in pictures 21 September 2020 A man sweeps at the Taj Mahal monument on the day of its reopening after being closed for more than six months due to the coronavirus pandemic AP World news in pictures 20 September 2020 A deer looks for food in a burnt area, caused by the Bobcat fire, in Pearblossom, California EPA World news in pictures 19 September 2020 Anti-government protesters hold their mobile phones aloft as they take part in a pro-democracy rally in Bangkok. Tens of thousands of pro-democracy protesters massed close to Thailand's royal palace, in a huge rally calling for PM Prayut Chan-O-Cha to step down and demanding reforms to the monarchy AFP via Getty World news in pictures 18 September 2020 Supporters of Iraqi Shi'ite cleric Moqtada al-Sadr maintain social distancing as they attend Friday prayers after the coronavirus disease restrictions were eased, in Kufa mosque, near Najaf, Iraq Reuters World news in pictures 17 September 2020 A protester climbs on The Triumph of the Republic at 'the Place de la Nation' as thousands of protesters take part in a demonstration during a national day strike called by labor unions asking for better salary and against jobs cut in Paris, France EPA World news in pictures 16 September 2020 A fire raging near the Lazzaretto of Ancona in Italy. The huge blaze broke out overnight at the port of Ancona. Firefighters have brought the fire under control but they expected to keep working through the day EPA World news in pictures 15 September 2020 Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny posing for a selfie with his family at Berlin's Charite hospital. In an Instagram post he said he could now breathe independently following his suspected poisoning last month Alexei Navalny/Instagram/AFP World news in pictures 14 September 2020 Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga, former Defense Minister Shigeru Ishiba and former Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida celebrate after Suga was elected as new head of the ruling party at the Liberal Democratic Party's leadership election in Tokyo Reuters World news in pictures 13 September 2020 A man stands behind a burning barricade during the fifth straight day of protests against police brutality in Bogota AFP via Getty World news in pictures 12 September 2020 Police officers block and detain protesters during an opposition rally to protest the official presidential election results in Minsk, Belarus. Daily protests calling for the authoritarian president's resignation are now in their second month AP World news in pictures 11 September 2020 Members of 'Omnium Cultural' celebrate the 20th 'Festa per la llibertat' ('Fiesta for the freedom') to mark the Day of Catalonia in Barcelona. Omnion Cultural fights for the independence of Catalonia EPA World news in pictures 10 September 2020 The Moria refugee camp, two days after Greece's biggest migrant camp, was destroyed by fire. Thousands of asylum seekers on the island of Lesbos are now homeless AFP via Getty World news in pictures 9 September 2020 Pope Francis takes off his face mask as he arrives by car to hold a limited public audience at the San Damaso courtyard in The Vatican AFP via Getty World news in pictures 8 September 2020 A home is engulfed in flames during the "Creek Fire" in the Tollhouse area of California AFP via Getty World news in pictures 7 September 2020 A couple take photos along a sea wall of the waves brought by Typhoon Haishen in the eastern port city of Sokcho AFP via Getty World news in pictures 6 September 2020 Novak Djokovic and a tournament official tends to a linesperson who was struck with a ball by Djokovic during his match against Pablo Carreno Busta at the US Open USA Today Sports/Reuters World news in pictures 5 September 2020 Protesters confront police at the Shrine of Remembrance in Melbourne, Australia, during an anti-lockdown rally AFP via Getty World news in pictures 4 September 2020 A woman looks on from a rooftop as rescue workers dig through the rubble of a damaged building in Beirut. A search began for possible survivors after a scanner detected a pulse one month after the mega-blast at the adjacent port AFP via Getty World news in pictures 3 September 2020 A full moon next to the Virgen del Panecillo statue in Quito, Ecuador EPA World news in pictures 2 September 2020 A Palestinian woman reacts as Israeli forces demolish her animal shed near Hebron in the Israeli-occupied West Bank Reuters World news in pictures 1 September 2020 Students protest against presidential elections results in Minsk TUT.BY/AFP via Getty World news in pictures 31 August 2020 The pack rides during the 3rd stage of the Tour de France between Nice and Sisteron AFP via Getty World news in pictures 30 August 2020 Law enforcement officers block a street during a rally of opposition supporters protesting against presidential election results in Minsk, Belarus Reuters World news in pictures 29 August 2020 A woman holding a placard reading "Stop Censorship - Yes to the Freedom of Expression" shouts in a megaphone during a protest against the mandatory wearing of face masks in Paris. Masks, which were already compulsory on public transport, in enclosed public spaces, and outdoors in Paris in certain high-congestion areas around tourist sites, were made mandatory outdoors citywide on August 28 to fight the rising coronavirus infections AFP via Getty World news in pictures 28 August 2020 Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe bows to the national flag at the start of a press conference at the prime minister official residence in Tokyo. Abe announced he will resign over health problems, in a bombshell development that kicks off a leadership contest in the world's third-largest economy AFP via Getty World news in pictures 27 August 2020 Residents take cover behind a tree trunk from rubber bullets fired by South African Police Service (SAPS) in Eldorado Park, near Johannesburg, during a protest by community members after a 16-year old boy was reported dead AFP via Getty World news in pictures 26 August 2020 People scatter rose petals on a statue of Mother Teresa marking her 110th birth anniversary in Ahmedabad AFP via Getty World news in pictures 25 August 2020 An aerial view shows beach-goers standing on salt formations in the Dead Sea near Ein Bokeq, Israel Reuters World news in pictures 24 August 2020 Health workers use a fingertip pulse oximeter and check the body temperature of a fisherwoman inside the Dharavi slum during a door-to-door Covid-19 coronavirus screening in Mumbai AFP via Getty World news in pictures 23 August 2020 People carry an idol of the Hindu god Ganesh, the deity of prosperity, to immerse it off the coast of the Arabian sea during the Ganesh Chaturthi festival in Mumbai, India Reuters World news in pictures 22 August 2020 Firefighters watch as flames from the LNU Lightning Complex fires approach a home in Napa County, California AP World news in pictures 21 August 2020 Members of the Israeli security forces arrest a Palestinian demonstrator during a rally to protest against Israel's plan to annex parts of the occupied West Bank AFP via Getty World news in pictures 20 August 2020 A man pushes his bicycle through a deserted road after prohibitory orders were imposed by district officials for a week to contain the spread of the Covid-19 in Kathmandu AFP via Getty World news in pictures 19 August 2020 A car burns while parked at a residence in Vacaville, California. Dozens of fires are burning out of control throughout Northern California as fire resources are spread thin AFP via Getty World news in pictures 18 August 2020 Students use their mobile phones as flashlights at an anti-government rally at Mahidol University in Nakhon Pathom. Thailand has seen near-daily protests in recent weeks by students demanding the resignation of Prime Minister Prayut Chan-O-Cha AFP via Getty World news in pictures 17 August 2020 Members of the Kayapo tribe block the BR163 highway during a protest outside Novo Progresso in Para state, Brazil. Indigenous protesters blocked a major transamazonian highway to protest against the lack of governmental support during the COVID-19 novel coronavirus pandemic and illegal deforestation in and around their territories AFP via Getty World news in pictures 16 August 2020 Lightning forks over the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge as a storm passes over Oakland AP World news in pictures 15 August 2020 Belarus opposition supporters gather near the Pushkinskaya metro station where Alexander Taraikovsky, a 34-year-old protester died on August 10, during their protest rally in central Minsk AFP via Getty World news in pictures 14 August 2020 AlphaTauri's driver Daniil Kvyat takes part in the second practice session at the Circuit de Catalunya in Montmelo near Barcelona ahead of the Spanish F1 Grand Prix AFP via Getty World news in pictures 13 August 2020 Soldiers of the Brazilian Armed Forces during a disinfection of the Christ The Redeemer statue at the Corcovado mountain prior to the opening of the touristic attraction in Rio AFP via Getty World news in pictures 12 August 2020 Young elephant bulls tussle playfully on World Elephant Day at the Amboseli National Park in Kenya AFP via Getty However, Iranian president Hassan Rouhani suggested on Monday that Iran might remain in the nuclear deal even if Trump abandons it and imposes sanctions. But he also warned that Tehran would resist US efforts to limit its influence in the Middle East. The European countries will try to keep the deal alive even if Mr Trump pulls out, they have indicated, to attempt to protect and foster trade with Iran that has soared since the EU lifted most of its economic sanctions on Iran. Irans exports mainly fuel and other energy products to the EU in 2016 jumped 344 per cent to 5.5bn (4.8bn) compared to the previous year, while investment in Iran jumped to more than 20bn. Additional reporting by agencies President Donald Trump has pulled the United States from the Iran nuclear deal and is set to reimpose severe sanctions on Tehran, in a decisive break with European allies that could also bring a new crisis in the Gulf. Mr Trump said the sanctions, which will violate the international nuclear agreement, would penalise Iran for what he described as state-sponsored terror in the Middle East, which works against the United States and its allies. The president said that any nation that helps Iran in its quest for nuclear weapons could be strongly sanctioned, as he signed an order that would reimpose sanctions on foreign countries that continue to do business with Iran. In a speech at the White House, Mr Trump said the Iran deal was decaying and rotten and defective at its core. He cited the Iranian development of ballistic missiles an issue not addressed in the deal as a breach of the spirit of the deal by Iran, which he said has murdered hundreds of American service members, and kidnapped, imprisoned and tortured American citizens. I am announcing today that the United States will withdraw from the Iran nuclear deal, Mr Trump said, undermining what had been one of the biggest foreign policy successes for his predecessor, Barack Obama. Mr Obama called the decision misguided and a serious mistake. Recommended Follow live as Trump prepares to make decision on Iran nuclear deal During the announcement, Mr Trump cited Israeli claims that they had acquired documents showing Iran had not ended its nuclear enrichment programme, and he said that Iran had been using money from relaxed sanctions to develop its ballistic missile capabilities and to fund terrorism in the Middle East. Experts have questioned whether the Israeli claims present any new information, and have said they do not show that Iran is currently enriching military-grade uranium. Iran has not been found by the International Atomic Energy Agency to be breaching the agreement signed in 2015, known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action or JCPOA. The fact is this was a horrible, one-sided deal that should have never ever been made, Mr Trump said. It didnt bring calm, it didnt bring peace, and it never will. The decision follows weeks of speculation about what Mr Trump would do, as officials from France, the UK and Germany the three European signatories on the Iranian deal worked to try to convince Mr Trump to keep the agreement intact ahead of a 12 May deadline. Mr Trumps decision means Irans government must now decide whether to follow the US and withdraw, or try to salvage whats left of the deal. Berlin, London and Paris have all urged the US not to take any actions that could prevent them and Iran from continuing to implement the agreement. However, in Washington, the Trump administration said it would reimpose sanctions on Iran immediately but allow grace periods for businesses to wind down activity. The US Treasury Department said there would be certain 90-day and 180-day wind-down periods but didnt specify which sanctions would fall under which timelines. The department said that at the end of those periods the sanctions will be in full effect. National Security Adviser John Bolton said nobody should sign contracts for new business with Iran. Donald Trump's first year: in pictures Show all 29 1 /29 Donald Trump's first year: in pictures Donald Trump's first year: in pictures Inauguration - 20 January 2017 US President Donald Trump acknowledges the audience after taking the oath of office as his wife Melania (L) and daughter Tiffany watch during inauguration ceremonies swearing in Trump as the 45th president of the United States on the West Front of the US capital in Washington on 20 January, 2017. Photographer Jim Bourg: "This photo was shot with one of two remote cameras. The cameras were monitored and triggered remotely and the pictures were transmitted to clients worldwide within minutes of being taken." Reuters/Jim Bourg Donald Trump's first year: in pictures Obama farewell address - 10 January 2017 US President Barack Obama wipes away tears as he delivers his farewell address in Chicago on 10 January, 2017. Photographer Jonathan Ernst: "In his final days in office, Obama made a visit home to Chicago. As he spoke from the stage to his wife and daughter in the audience, he became emotional when he talked about what they had sacrificed during his time in office. I turned from photographing the Obama women embracing to find him onstage wiping away tears." Reuters/Jonathan Ernst Donald Trump's first year: in pictures Inauguration - 20 January 2017 A combination of photos shows the crowds attending the inauguration ceremonies to swear in U.S. President Donald Trump at 12:01pm (left) on January 20, 2017 and President Barack Obama sometime between 12:07pm and 12:26pm on January 20, 2009. Reuters/ Lucas Jackson/Stelios Varias Donald Trump's first year: in pictures Liberty Ball - 20 January 2017 US President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump attend the Liberty Ball in honour of his inauguration in Washington on 20 January, 2017. Photographer Jonathan Ernst: "What I see when I look at this picture is the end of a very long day, not to mention weeks and months of preparation by many photographers, editors and network experts and the beginning of everything since." Reuters/Jonathan Ernst Donald Trump's first year: in pictures Inaugural Law Enforcement Officers and First Responders Reception - 22 January 2017 US President Donald Trump greets Director of the FBI James Comey as Director of the Secret Service Joseph Clancy (L), watches during the Inaugural Law Enforcement Officers and First Responders Reception in the Blue Room of the White House on 22 January, 2017. Photographer Joshua Roberts: "I have covered the White House for 16 years and normally either the President or the pool is in position when an event starts. In this case the President was not where anyone expected him to be. In fact, he was almost blocking the door when the pool came in. We had to scramble to find a position without bumping him or the furniture as he greeted and thanked members of law enforcement for their security efforts during the inauguration. Luckily, he greeted FBI Director James Comey a few seconds after the pool had made its way into the room." Reuters/Joshua Roberts Donald Trump's first year: in pictures Private phone calls to world leaders - 28 January 2017 US President Donald Trump, is joined by his staff, as he speaks by phone with Russia's President Vladimir Putin in the Oval Office on 28 January, 2017. Photographer Jonathan Ernst: "Very early in the Trump administration, weekends were as busy as weekdays. On Trump's second Saturday the official schedule said he would be making private phone calls to a number of world leaders including Russia's Vladimir Putin. I arrived early and, before sitting down at my desk walked up to Press Secretary Sean Spicer's office. He, too, was just taking his coat off. I gingerly made the suggestion that previous administrations had sometimes allowed photos of such phone calls through the Oval Office windows on the colonnade. To my mild shock, he didn't even think about it twice. "We'll do it!" he said. In truth, I really only expected the Putin call, but we were outside the windows multiple times throughout the day as the calls went on." Reuters/Jonathan Ernst Donald Trump's first year: in pictures Senior advisor Kellyanne Conway - 27 February 2017 Senior advisor Kellyanne Conway (L) attends as US President Donald Trump welcomes the leaders of dozens of historically black colleges and universities (HBCU) in the Oval Office on 27 February, 2017. Photographer Jonathan Ernst: "We're often asked how much access we have to the Trump administration, and the answer is we have an awful lot. President Trump himself is very comfortable in the spotlight, and his aides are similarly unfazed by cameras. In this instance, senior advisor Kellyanne Conway was so comfortable in our presence she seemed not to consider the optics of kneeling on a Oval Office sofa to take pictures with her phone." Reuters/Jonathan Ernst Donald Trump's first year: in pictures Angela Merkel heads to Washington - 17 March 2017 Germany's Chancellor Angela Merkel and US President Donald Trump hold a joint news conference in the East Room of the White House on 17 March, 2017. Photographer Jonathan Ernst: "Chancellor Merkel made one of the earliest important visits of any US allies to meet Trump in his first months in office. When world leaders give joint news conferences they don't always tend to give each other their full attention - but Merkel watched Trump intently at several key moments, and here seemed particularly rapt." Reuters/Jonathan Ernst Donald Trump's first year: in pictures Trump welcomes truckers to the White House - 23 March 2017 President Trump reacts as he sits on a truck while he welcomes truckers and CEOs to attend a meeting regarding healthcare at the White House on 23 March, 2017. Photographer Carlos Barria: "The White House organised a listening session with truckers and CEO's of major American companies, regarding healthcare reform. An 18-wheeler tow truck was parked on the South Lawn of the White House and as Trump welcomed the truckers someone invited the him to come and sit in the driver's seat. Trump jumped into the cab and started yelling and pretending to drive - creating one of the most memorable pictures of the year. A lesson learned, always be prepared for the unexpected." Reuters/Carlos Barria Donald Trump's first year: in pictures Air Force One - 6 April 2017 US President Donald Trump talks to journalists members of the travel pool on board the Air Force One during his trip to Palm Beach, Florida on 6 April, 2017. Carlos Barria: "During the many trips to President Trump's residence in Florida it is usual to see the president coming to the back of the plane to chat with journalists. During one of the trips to the so called 'Winter White House', Trump had a long talk with reporters while the Air Force One entertainment system was playing one of the latest Star Wars movies. As I was listening to Trump talk I was also looking at the movie waiting for a part of the movie to frame the mood of the day. Of the many scenes, I choose the one with Darth Vader." Reuters/Carlos Barria Donald Trump's first year: in pictures 100 Days - 27 April 2017 US President Donald Trump speaks during an interview with Reuters in the Oval Office of the White House on 27 April, 2017. Photographer Carlos Barria: "A day before President Trump's hundred days in office I was part of the team that interviewed the commander-in-chief in the Oval Office. I was only allowed to photograph Trump during the last five minutes of the interview. The time was very tight so I had to move fast as I had pictures in mind that I wanted to shoot. I walked into the Oval Office and saw that the President had printed maps of the country showing areas in red where he won. I raised my hands holding my camera as high as possible to get the best view of the scene using a 16mm wide angle lens." Reuters/Carlos Barria Donald Trump's first year: in pictures 100 Days - 27 April 2017 US President Donald Trump reacts as he arrives at Harrisburg international airport, before attending a rally marking his first 100 days in office in Pennsylvania on 29 April, 2017. Photographer Carlos Barria: "President Trump travelled to Harrisburg, Pennsylvania to celebrate his hundred days in office with a victory rally. He was in friendly territory as he won with a big difference over his opponent Hillary Clinton in Pennsylvania, during the November elections. As usual when the commander-in-chief arrives local residents gather to greet him. This time a small group of military personnel attended the arrival. Surrounded by secret service agents Trump walked from the Air Force One and raised his hand in a sign of victory as the crowd cheered him on." Reuters/Carlos Barria Donald Trump's first year: in pictures White House staffers - 2 May 2017 White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer (L) and White House Chief of Staff Reince Priebus watch as US President Donald Trump presents the U.S. Air Force Academy football team with the Commander-in-Chief trophy in the Rose Garden of the White House in Washington on 2 May, 2017. Photographer Joshua Roberts: "Covering the White House does not just mean covering the President. White House staffers are an important part of the story and their relationship with the President and each other is an indicator of how things are going in the West Wing. The tendency is to focus exclusively on the President once an event starts but I always try to look around to see how people are reacting as things unfold." Reuters/Joshua Roberts Donald Trump's first year: in pictures Secret Service - 4 May 2017 Secret Service agents use a presidential limousine as cover from spraying water as US President Donald Trump lands via Marine One helicopter in New York on 4 May, 2017. Photographer Jonathan Ernst: "The best part of any trip to New York City with the sitting US President is the helicopter ride into Manhattan. The ride out at night can be stunning. Here, Secret Service agents protect themselves from the spray from the East River as Trump lands on the helipad." Reuters/Jonathan Ernst Donald Trump's first year: in pictures NATO Summit - 25 May 2017 US President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump wait the arrival of French President Emmanuel Macron (unseen) before a lunch ahead of a NATO Summit in Brussels on 25 May, 2017. Photographer Jonathan Ernst: "One of the best parts of travelling overseas for White House coverage is the chance to see the U.S. president in different environments and (literally) a different light. Here, Trump and his wife came out of the shadows to greet France's President Macron." Reuters/Jonathan Ernst Donald Trump's first year: in pictures Trump meets Putin at G20 summit - 7 July 2017 US President Donald Trump meets with Russian President Vladimir Putin during their bilateral meeting at the G20 summit in Hamburg, Germany on 7 July, 2017. Photographer Carlos Barria: "On July 7, I witnessed one of the most important meetings of President Trump's first year in office. Trump met Russian President Vladimir Putin during a bilateral meeting at the G20 summit in Germany. The world's eyes were on these two leaders after speculation about Russian interference during the 2016 US elections. We entered the room for less than two minutes, where I took dozens of pictures. But there was this very interesting moment when Trump extended his hand to Putin for a handshake. Putin paused for a second and looked at Trump's hand. That was the picture that I was looking for, a little moment that seemed to say a lot." Reuters/Carlos Barria Donald Trump's first year: in pictures First lady - 8 July 2017 First lady Melania Trump chats with US President Donald Trump during their return from Germany at Joint Base Andrews, Maryland on 8 July, 2017. Photographer Carlos Barria: "After President Trump's trip to Germany he arrived back at Joint Base Andrews, Maryland. First Lady Melania Trump said goodbye to Trump as she was heading off in a different direction that day. While chatting a breeze blew Melania's hair up in the air." Reuters/Carlos Barria Donald Trump's first year: in pictures Made in America product showcase - 17 July 2017 Vice President Mike Pence laughs as President Donald Trump holds a baseball bat as they attend a Made in America product showcase event at the White House on 17 July, 2017. Photographer Carlos Barria: "This summer the White House organized an event to showcase 'Made in America' products. All kinds of exhibitors brought their products as the President and Vice President toured the event. One of the companies was Marucci Sport, a manufacturer of baseball bats based in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. As Trump approached a table full of baseball bats, photographers at the event, including me, rushed to get a good angle hoping that he would pick up a bat. As we predicted, he did. He took one and joked around as though he was hitting something hard. The only thing closer to him right there, was the media." Reuters Donald Trump's first year: in pictures White House staffers - 25 July 2017 Former campaign manager Corey Lewandowski says hello to reporters as he and White House advisors including Communications Director Anthony Scaramucci accompany President Trump for an event celebrating veterans at AMVETS Post 44 in Ohio, July 25, 2017. Jonathan Ernst: "The most visible person in any White House is naturally the President, followed by the press secretary. But there are also the staff who support them. For those of us covering the Trump administration, there seem to be more compelling figures in the West Wing than ever before. It's crucial to know who's who and why they're important. When I raised my camera and back-pedalled ahead of the group to take this image Lewandowski gave me a hello. I liked the photo, but had no idea it would go a little bit viral, especially since Scaramucci, who was the biggest mover and shaker that week, was hidden back in the pack. But I guess the image catches a glimpse of what it's like to be a West Wing staffer on the road." Reuters/Jonathan Ernst Donald Trump's first year: in pictures Campaign rally - 3 August 2017 US President Donald Trump arrives at a rally in West Virginia on 3 August, 2017. Photographer Carlos Barria: "President Trump travelled to Huntington for one of his usual campaign rallies. While members of his family spoke to the crowd he was waiting under a black curtain to be introduced. Suddenly he walked onto the stage, one of the first frames that I took was of his hand. I set my exposure for the light on the stage hoping to create this dark background and it worked." Reuters/Carlos Barria Donald Trump's first year: in pictures Staring into the solar eclipse - 21 August 2017 Without his protective glasses on, US President Donald Trump looks up towards the solar eclipse while viewing with his wife Melania and son Barron at the White House on 21 August, 2017. Photographer Kevin Lamarque: "On a day when everyone, and I mean everyone, was told not to look at the eclipse without protective glasses, Trump, President of the United States, couldn't help himself." Reuters/Kevin Lamarque Donald Trump's first year: in pictures Hurricane Harvey - 2 September 2017 US President Donald Trump poses for a photo as he and first lady Melania Trump help volunteers hand out meals during a visit with flood survivors of Hurricane Harvey at a relief centre in Houston, Texas on 2 September, 2017. Photohrapher Kevin Lamarque: "Trump, eager to deliver the image of a hands-on response to Hurricane Harvey, made this visit to a relief centre and obliged this woman with a selfie as Melania continued to work." Reuters/Kevin Lamarque Donald Trump's first year: in pictures White House - 15 September 2017 Donald Trump welcomes 11-year-old Frank Giaccio as he cuts the Rose Garden grass at the White House on 15 September. Frank, who wrote a letter to Trump offering to mow the lawn, was invited to work for a day at the White House along the National Park Service staff. Frank was so focused on his task that he did not notice the President arrive to surprise him. He took his father jumping in to grab his attention and point Trump out. Photographer Carlos Barria said: The image of Trump shouting at a kid who is mowing his lawn might have many interpretations in today's politically polarized United States. But for me it was just a kid who loved what he was doing, to the point he almost appeared to ignore the President." Reuters/Carlos Barria Donald Trump's first year: in pictures Take a knee - 27 September 2017 A man kneels with a folded U.S. flag as the motorcade of U.S. President Donald Trump passes him after an event at the state fairgrounds in Indianapolis, Indiana, U.S., September 27, 2017. In September, soon after Trump had made comments condemning NFL players who kneel during the national anthem, he made a day trip to a rally in Indianapolis. Jonathan Ernst managed to capture a man on one knee with a tri-folded flag and was able to use a portion of the sign on the building he was kneeling in front of to track the man down and tell his story in full. US Army veteran Marvin Boatright wanted to send a message against social injustice. Reuters/Jonathan Ernst Donald Trump's first year: in pictures Hurricane Maria - 3 October 2017 President Donald Trump throws rolls of paper towels into a crowd of local residents affected by Hurricane Maria as he visits Calgary Chapel in San Juan, Puerto Rico on 3 October, 2017. Photographer Jonathan Ernst: "During an afternoon visit to Puerto Rico for President Trump to survey damage from Hurricane Maria and greet some of its victims, Trump made a stop at a church where food and supplies were being distributed. Among the items were paper towels and Trump, apparently caught up in the moment, decided to distribute some of the rolls." Reuters Donald Trump's first year: in pictures Jared Kushner - 1 November 2017 White House Senior adviser Jared Kushner sits behind President Trump during a cabinet meeting in Washington on 1 November, 2017. Photographer Kevin Lamarque: "The role of Jared Kushner has gone through a series of changes. He began front and centre as a high profile adviser, but as time has passed and issues surrounding him have surfaced, he has become more of a background figure." Reuters/Kevin Lamarque Donald Trump's first year: in pictures Trump in China - 9 November 2017 Donald Trump and China's President Xi Jinping shake hands after making joint statements at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on 9 November, 2017. Photographer Damir Sagolj: "It's one of those "how to make a better or at least different shot when two presidents shake hands several times a day, several days in row". If I'm not mistaken in calculation, presidents Xi Jinping and Donald Trump shook their hands at least six times in events I covered during Trump's recent visit to China. I would imagine there were some more handshakes I haven't seen but other photographers did. And they all look similar - two big men, smiling and heartily greeting each other until everyone gets their shot. But then there is always something that can make it special - in this case the background made of US and Chinese flags. The first time it didn't work for me. The second time I positioned myself lower and centrally, and used the longest lens I have to capture only hands reaching for a handshake." Reuters/Damir Sagolj Donald Trump's first year: in pictures Air Force One - 10 November 2017 US President Donald Trump boards Air Force One to depart for Vietnam from Beijing Airport in Beijing, China, November 10, 2017. Photographer Jonathan Ernst: "There is a Reuters photographer in the tight pool covering the US president for every appearance he makes 365 days a year. This was just one of 32 images of mine that were transmitted on the Reuters wire of President Trump visiting China and Vietnam that day. You never know when a sudden interaction, a gust of wind or a unique facial expression will lead to a striking image that grabs peoples' attention." Reuters/Jonathan Ernst Donald Trump's first year: in pictures ASEAN handshake - 13 November 2017 Donald Trump registers his surprise as he realises other leaders, including Russia's Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev, Vietnam's Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc, President of the Philippines Rodrigo Duterte and Australia's Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull, are crossing their arms for the traditional "ASEAN handshake" as he participates in the opening ceremony of the summit in Manila on 13 November, 2017. Photographer Jonathan Ernst: "Having covered a few ASEAN summits, I knew to expect the ASEAN handshake. Not everyone in the room knew to expect the ASEAN handshake. A lot was written about this unscripted moment, and what deeper meaning it might have. The simple truth is that sometimes in life there are unscripted moments." Reuters/Jonathan Ernst It is not clear exactly what will happen to the Iran deal now that the United States is no longer a party, as those other countries and Iran may find a way to keep some semblance of the deal together. Irans main regional rivals, Israel and Saudi Arabia, both praised Mr Trumps decision. Iranian president Hassan Rouhani said on Monday that the deal could survive if Mr Trump pulls away, a statement that is buoyed by the fact that the thawed relations between Iran and Europe have allowed European entities to start doing business within Iran. But while he appears willing to try to keep the agreement in place, Mr Rouhani said in the wake of Mr trumps address that he has ordered the Atomic Energy Organisation of Iran to be ready to start the enrichment of uranium at industrial levels, but added that he would wait a few weeks to start that enrichment so that Iran can speak to allies and the other countries in the deal. All depends on our national interests, Mr Rouhani said of whether he will restart the enrichment. US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, in a statement emailed to reporters following Mr Trumps decision, said that the US will continue to work with its international allies to find a solution to the Iranian threat described by the president. As we exit the Iran deal, we will be working with our allies to find a real, comprehensive and lasting solution to the Iranian threat, Mr Pompeo said in the statement. We have a shared interest with our allies in Europe and around the world to prevent Iran from ever developing a nuclear weapon. But our effort is broader than just the nuclear threat, and we will be working together with partners to eliminate the threat of Irans ballistic missile programme; to stop its terrorist activities worldwide; and to block its menacing activity across the Middle East and beyond. As we build this global effort, sanctions will go into full effect and will remind the Iranian regime of the diplomatic and economic isolation that results from its reckless and malign activity, he continued. There have been concerns from some in the US Congress and beyond that a decision to violate the Iran agreement would impact on the upcoming summit between Mr Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un over Pyongyangs nuclear and ballistic programmes. Perhaps mindful of this, Mr Trump said during his announcement that Mr Pompeo was on his way to the North Korean capital and that he would arrive very shortly. Mr Trump said that the two countries had already agreed on a date and location for the unprecedented summit, though he stopped short of providing details. Mr Bolton said the Iran decision would not derail a parallel effort to dismantle North Koreas nuclear programme, arguing that the abandonment of the Iran pact would strengthen Americas position by telegraphing that the US would rebuff unsatisfactory offers. I think the message to North Korea is the president wants a real deal, Mr Bolton told reporters. It sends a very clear signal that the United States will not accept inadequate deals. Any nation reserves the right to correct a past mistake, Mr Bolton added in reference to the Iran deal. The hawkish national security adviser who was a staunch advocate of the invasion of Iraq and has urged preemptive strikes on North Korea and Iran played down worries of a military confrontation with Iran, dismissing fears of American boots on the ground as badly mistaken. As for the US sanctions on Iran, they are primarily aimed at Irans oil sector, according to the Treasury Department, and will also affect the countrys central bank. Aircraft exports to Iran, the countrys metals trade and any efforts by Iran to obtain US currency are also subject to sanctions. Benjamin Netanyahu supports US rejection of Iran nuclear deal: 'Israel has opposed Iran's nuclear deal from the start' Mr Trump had made clear previously that he did not like the 2015 agreement. The deal limited the number of centrifuges Iran could keep using, required Iran to destroy or export the core of its plutonium plant at Arak and replace it with a new core that cannot produce weapons-grade plutonium, and required Iran to give up 97 per cent of its enriched uranium. Still, Mr Trump pulled back from reimposing the sanctions during the first 16 months of his presidency, leaving some hope for proponents of the deal that he could leave it alone, even as he claimed the deal was the worst deal ever. Before his announcement on Tuesday, Mr Trump had appeared open to the idea of negotiating a new deal with Iran or one that builds upon the 2015 agreement to fix perceived flaws in the accord. He signalled as much during the first state visit of his presidency, when French president Emmanuel Macron was honoured at the White House. Still, although Mr Macron was said to have focused on the benefits of the deal during that trip, Mr Trump made clear he views Iran as a threat to the United States and its allies, and said that he would punish the country for any threats. If Iran threatens us in any way, they will pay a price like few countries have ever paid, Mr Trump said. We will have a great show doing a much bigger, maybe deal, maybe not deal. Mr Trumps announcement on Tuesday was met with mixed reaction from Republicans and Democrats in Washington. Republican Kevin McCarthy, the House majority leader, noted that Mr Trump had campaigned on the issue in 2016, and said he believes Mr Trump knows how to keep nuclear weapons out of Iranian hands. I think President Trump understands foreign policy ... If our goal here is not to have Iran have a nuclear weapon, I would trust this president to actually get it done, Mr McCarthy said. Democrats, on the other hand, have criticised the Iran decision. With this decision President Trump is risking US national security, recklessly upending foundational partnerships with key US allies in Europe, and gambling with Israels security, said Senator Bob Menendez, the top Democrat on the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations. The new US ambassador to the World Trade Organisation says that something has gone terribly wrong with the international judging body and that arguments coming from China show that the country is living in a fantasy land. Dennis Shea, during his first address to the WTOs General Council, said something has gone terribly wrong in this system when the charged with adjudicating the rules are so consistently disregarding those very rules, according to prepared remarks. Mr Shea then said that the WTO bus confront the havoc of Chinas state capitalism before blasting Chinas response to US trade policy, saying: We have now entered the realm of Alice in Wonderland. It is amazing to watch a country that is the worlds most protectionist, mercantilist economy position itself as the self-proclaimed defender of free trade and the global trading system, Mr Shea said. White is black. Up is down. The comments came after Chinese officials lashed out during the WTOs regulatory meeting in Geneva, criticising President Donald Trumps proposed tariffs on $150 billion of Chinese goods. Washington has defended itself against criticism, and criticised Chinas promise to retaliate against the tariffs. Mr Trumps threat to impose tariffs against allies and adversaries across the globe has sparked criticism from all over, with major allies in the European Union saying that Americas justification that it needs to raise the tax on steel and aluminium imports for national security reasons is false, and that it poses great risks to international order. 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 measures may trigger systemic risks undermining the multilateral trading system, Marc Vanheukelen, the European Union ambassador to the WTO, said. The EU and its member states are very concerned by the direct and indirect impact that the measures could have on the US market, the EU market and on third country markets. But international representatives have also taken issue with the USs refusal to appoint new members to the WTOs appellate body that oversees trade disagreements, which could leave the decision-making body powerless by next year because there wont be enough judges to sign off on rulings. Speaking to the WTO Tuesday, the Chinese ambassador to the WTO accused the United States of taking the international organisation hostage by blocking judicial appointments that are necessary to resolve trade disputes between countries. The ambassador said that American steel tariffs, intellectual property tariffs and the American veto of WTO judges amounts to three hard blows that could severely undermine the global trading system. Without such system, the WTOs trade rules will no longer be effectively enforced, and the trust and credibility of the multilateral trading system will be deeply undermined, Zhang Xiangchen, the ambassador, said, according to the Chinese state-owned news organisation Xinhua News Agency. Mr Shea rejected that notion, and sought to paint China as the disruptive force in international trade. The truth is, it is China that is the unilateralist, consistently acting in ways that undermine the global system of open and fair trade, Mr Shea said. The WTO must avoid falling down this rabbit hole into a fantasy world, lest it lose all credibility. An Indian tourist has been killed by stone-throwing protesters in Kashmir. The tourist, from Tamil Nadu state in India, was travelling back from a tourist resort near western Narbal village when protesters pelted stones at the minibus he was travelling in, police said. The 22-year-old was taken to a hospital in the regions main city, Srinagar, but succumbed to his injuries. His mother and another family member were also wounded, the Times of India reports. Around six vehicles were attacked by the stone-throwers, who were protesting against the killing of five militants on Sunday, the paper added. People are seen through a bullet hole in a window of a damaged house after a gun battle between suspected militants and Indian security forces at Turkewangam village in Kashmirs Shopian district (Reuters) Both separatists challenging Indias sovereignty over Kashmir and pro-India Kashmiri politicians condemned the attack. The regions top elected official, Mehbooba Mufti, called the tourists death sad and heartbreaking. A top separatist leader, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, said in a tweet he was deeply saddened. A local teenager has also been injured in the attacks, the BBC reports. Kashmiri Muslims grieve as they watch the funeral procession of a local rebel Fayaz Ahmad Hamal, in Srinagar, Indian controlled Kashmir (AP) Last week, five civilians were killed and more than 50 wounded when Indian troops opened fire on hundreds of protesters who pelted them with stones. On Sunday, five militants were killed in a gun battle police said lasted several hours. Among them was Saddam Padder, a Hizbul Mujahideen commander, and Mohammad Rafi Bhat, a Kashmiri professor with alleged ties to militant groups, the director general of police in Kashmir, SP Vaid, said. World news in pictures Show all 50 1 /50 World news in pictures World news in pictures 30 September 2020 Pope Francis prays with priests at the end of a limited public audience at the San Damaso courtyard in The Vatican AFP via Getty World news in pictures 29 September 2020 A girl's silhouette is seen from behind a fabric in a tent along a beach by Beit Lahia in the northern Gaza Strip AFP via Getty World news in pictures 28 September 2020 A Chinese woman takes a photo of herself in front of a flower display dedicated to frontline health care workers during the COVID-19 pandemic in Beijing, China. China will celebrate national day marking the founding of the People's Republic of China on October 1st Getty World news in pictures 27 September 2020 The Glass Mountain Inn burns as the Glass Fire moves through the area in St. Helena, California. The fast moving Glass fire has burned over 1,000 acres and has destroyed homes Getty World news in pictures 26 September 2020 A villager along with a child offers prayers next to a carcass of a wild elephant that officials say was electrocuted in Rani Reserve Forest on the outskirts of Guwahati, India AFP via Getty World news in pictures 25 September 2020 The casket of late Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg is seen in Statuary Hall in the US Capitol to lie in state in Washington, DC AFP via Getty World news in pictures 24 September 2020 An anti-government protester holds up an image of a pro-democracy commemorative plaque at a rally outside Thailand's parliament in Bangkok, as activists gathered to demand a new constitution AFP via Getty World news in pictures 23 September 2020 A whale stranded on a beach in Macquarie Harbour on the rugged west coast of Tasmania, as hundreds of pilot whales have died in a mass stranding in southern Australia despite efforts to save them, with rescuers racing to free a few dozen survivors The Mercury/AFP via Getty World news in pictures 22 September 2020 State civil employee candidates wearing face masks and shields take a test in Surabaya AFP via Getty World news in pictures 21 September 2020 A man sweeps at the Taj Mahal monument on the day of its reopening after being closed for more than six months due to the coronavirus pandemic AP World news in pictures 20 September 2020 A deer looks for food in a burnt area, caused by the Bobcat fire, in Pearblossom, California EPA World news in pictures 19 September 2020 Anti-government protesters hold their mobile phones aloft as they take part in a pro-democracy rally in Bangkok. Tens of thousands of pro-democracy protesters massed close to Thailand's royal palace, in a huge rally calling for PM Prayut Chan-O-Cha to step down and demanding reforms to the monarchy AFP via Getty World news in pictures 18 September 2020 Supporters of Iraqi Shi'ite cleric Moqtada al-Sadr maintain social distancing as they attend Friday prayers after the coronavirus disease restrictions were eased, in Kufa mosque, near Najaf, Iraq Reuters World news in pictures 17 September 2020 A protester climbs on The Triumph of the Republic at 'the Place de la Nation' as thousands of protesters take part in a demonstration during a national day strike called by labor unions asking for better salary and against jobs cut in Paris, France EPA World news in pictures 16 September 2020 A fire raging near the Lazzaretto of Ancona in Italy. The huge blaze broke out overnight at the port of Ancona. Firefighters have brought the fire under control but they expected to keep working through the day EPA World news in pictures 15 September 2020 Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny posing for a selfie with his family at Berlin's Charite hospital. In an Instagram post he said he could now breathe independently following his suspected poisoning last month Alexei Navalny/Instagram/AFP World news in pictures 14 September 2020 Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga, former Defense Minister Shigeru Ishiba and former Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida celebrate after Suga was elected as new head of the ruling party at the Liberal Democratic Party's leadership election in Tokyo Reuters World news in pictures 13 September 2020 A man stands behind a burning barricade during the fifth straight day of protests against police brutality in Bogota AFP via Getty World news in pictures 12 September 2020 Police officers block and detain protesters during an opposition rally to protest the official presidential election results in Minsk, Belarus. Daily protests calling for the authoritarian president's resignation are now in their second month AP World news in pictures 11 September 2020 Members of 'Omnium Cultural' celebrate the 20th 'Festa per la llibertat' ('Fiesta for the freedom') to mark the Day of Catalonia in Barcelona. Omnion Cultural fights for the independence of Catalonia EPA World news in pictures 10 September 2020 The Moria refugee camp, two days after Greece's biggest migrant camp, was destroyed by fire. Thousands of asylum seekers on the island of Lesbos are now homeless AFP via Getty World news in pictures 9 September 2020 Pope Francis takes off his face mask as he arrives by car to hold a limited public audience at the San Damaso courtyard in The Vatican AFP via Getty World news in pictures 8 September 2020 A home is engulfed in flames during the "Creek Fire" in the Tollhouse area of California AFP via Getty World news in pictures 7 September 2020 A couple take photos along a sea wall of the waves brought by Typhoon Haishen in the eastern port city of Sokcho AFP via Getty World news in pictures 6 September 2020 Novak Djokovic and a tournament official tends to a linesperson who was struck with a ball by Djokovic during his match against Pablo Carreno Busta at the US Open USA Today Sports/Reuters World news in pictures 5 September 2020 Protesters confront police at the Shrine of Remembrance in Melbourne, Australia, during an anti-lockdown rally AFP via Getty World news in pictures 4 September 2020 A woman looks on from a rooftop as rescue workers dig through the rubble of a damaged building in Beirut. A search began for possible survivors after a scanner detected a pulse one month after the mega-blast at the adjacent port AFP via Getty World news in pictures 3 September 2020 A full moon next to the Virgen del Panecillo statue in Quito, Ecuador EPA World news in pictures 2 September 2020 A Palestinian woman reacts as Israeli forces demolish her animal shed near Hebron in the Israeli-occupied West Bank Reuters World news in pictures 1 September 2020 Students protest against presidential elections results in Minsk TUT.BY/AFP via Getty World news in pictures 31 August 2020 The pack rides during the 3rd stage of the Tour de France between Nice and Sisteron AFP via Getty World news in pictures 30 August 2020 Law enforcement officers block a street during a rally of opposition supporters protesting against presidential election results in Minsk, Belarus Reuters World news in pictures 29 August 2020 A woman holding a placard reading "Stop Censorship - Yes to the Freedom of Expression" shouts in a megaphone during a protest against the mandatory wearing of face masks in Paris. Masks, which were already compulsory on public transport, in enclosed public spaces, and outdoors in Paris in certain high-congestion areas around tourist sites, were made mandatory outdoors citywide on August 28 to fight the rising coronavirus infections AFP via Getty World news in pictures 28 August 2020 Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe bows to the national flag at the start of a press conference at the prime minister official residence in Tokyo. Abe announced he will resign over health problems, in a bombshell development that kicks off a leadership contest in the world's third-largest economy AFP via Getty World news in pictures 27 August 2020 Residents take cover behind a tree trunk from rubber bullets fired by South African Police Service (SAPS) in Eldorado Park, near Johannesburg, during a protest by community members after a 16-year old boy was reported dead AFP via Getty World news in pictures 26 August 2020 People scatter rose petals on a statue of Mother Teresa marking her 110th birth anniversary in Ahmedabad AFP via Getty World news in pictures 25 August 2020 An aerial view shows beach-goers standing on salt formations in the Dead Sea near Ein Bokeq, Israel Reuters World news in pictures 24 August 2020 Health workers use a fingertip pulse oximeter and check the body temperature of a fisherwoman inside the Dharavi slum during a door-to-door Covid-19 coronavirus screening in Mumbai AFP via Getty World news in pictures 23 August 2020 People carry an idol of the Hindu god Ganesh, the deity of prosperity, to immerse it off the coast of the Arabian sea during the Ganesh Chaturthi festival in Mumbai, India Reuters World news in pictures 22 August 2020 Firefighters watch as flames from the LNU Lightning Complex fires approach a home in Napa County, California AP World news in pictures 21 August 2020 Members of the Israeli security forces arrest a Palestinian demonstrator during a rally to protest against Israel's plan to annex parts of the occupied West Bank AFP via Getty World news in pictures 20 August 2020 A man pushes his bicycle through a deserted road after prohibitory orders were imposed by district officials for a week to contain the spread of the Covid-19 in Kathmandu AFP via Getty World news in pictures 19 August 2020 A car burns while parked at a residence in Vacaville, California. Dozens of fires are burning out of control throughout Northern California as fire resources are spread thin AFP via Getty World news in pictures 18 August 2020 Students use their mobile phones as flashlights at an anti-government rally at Mahidol University in Nakhon Pathom. Thailand has seen near-daily protests in recent weeks by students demanding the resignation of Prime Minister Prayut Chan-O-Cha AFP via Getty World news in pictures 17 August 2020 Members of the Kayapo tribe block the BR163 highway during a protest outside Novo Progresso in Para state, Brazil. Indigenous protesters blocked a major transamazonian highway to protest against the lack of governmental support during the COVID-19 novel coronavirus pandemic and illegal deforestation in and around their territories AFP via Getty World news in pictures 16 August 2020 Lightning forks over the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge as a storm passes over Oakland AP World news in pictures 15 August 2020 Belarus opposition supporters gather near the Pushkinskaya metro station where Alexander Taraikovsky, a 34-year-old protester died on August 10, during their protest rally in central Minsk AFP via Getty World news in pictures 14 August 2020 AlphaTauri's driver Daniil Kvyat takes part in the second practice session at the Circuit de Catalunya in Montmelo near Barcelona ahead of the Spanish F1 Grand Prix AFP via Getty World news in pictures 13 August 2020 Soldiers of the Brazilian Armed Forces during a disinfection of the Christ The Redeemer statue at the Corcovado mountain prior to the opening of the touristic attraction in Rio AFP via Getty World news in pictures 12 August 2020 Young elephant bulls tussle playfully on World Elephant Day at the Amboseli National Park in Kenya AFP via Getty India and Pakistan each administer part of Kashmir, but both claim it in its entirety. Rebels have been fighting Indian rule since 1989, demanding Indian-controlled Kashmir be made part of Pakistan or become an independent country. In recent years, Kashmir has seen renewed rebel attacks and repeated public protests against Indian rule as a new generation of Kashmiri rebels has revived the militancy and challenged New Delhis rule with guns and the effective use of social media. India accuses Pakistan of arming and training the rebels, a charge Pakistan denies. Most Kashmiris support the rebel cause, while also participating in civilian street protests against Indian control, marked by youths hurling stones at government forces. Nearly 70,000 people have been killed in the uprising and the ensuing Indian military crackdown. Additional reporting by Associated Press North Korean leader Kim Jong-un visited China and met President Xi Jinping in a secret trip this week revealed by the state media of both countries; their second encounter in two months amid warming ties between the Cold War allies. Talks in the northeastern coastal city of Dalian come as tension on the Korean peninsula over North Korea's development of nuclear weapons eases ahead of what would be a historic meeting between Mr Kim and US President Donald Trump, as soon as this month, according to the White House. China has been keen to show it has an indispensable role to play in seeking a lasting solution to tension over North Korea, concerned that its interests may be ignored, especially as North Korea and the United States establish contacts. Mr Kim, during his visit on Monday and Tuesday, told Mr Xi he hoped relevant parties would take "phased" and "synchronised" measures to realise de-nuclearisation and lasting peace on the Korean peninsula. "So long as relevant parties eliminate hostile policies and security threats towards North Korea, North Korea has no need for nuclear (capacity), and de-nuclearisation can be realised," China's official Xinhua news agency cited Mr Kim as saying. He told his Chinese counterpart that the de-nuclearisation of the peninsula was North Korea's "constant and clear position", and that dialogue between North Korea and the United States could build mutual trust. Chinese state media showed pictures of Mr Kim smiling in an outdoors meeting with Mr Xi, and the two leaders strolling along a waterfront. Mr Xi hosted a banquet and told Mr Kim of his backing of North Korea's "strategic shift towards economic development", Xinhua added. "China supports North Korea's upholding of de-nuclearisation on the peninsula, and supports North Korea and the United States resolving the peninsula issue through dialogue and consultation," Mr Xi said. North Korean state media said Mr Kim was "very pleased" that the relationship with China was reaching a high point, and North Korea would cooperate with China more actively as the situation on the Korean peninsula changed. The visit, part of a flurry of diplomatic engagement that has dramatically eased tension, follows Mr Kim's recent historic summit with South Korean counterpart Moon Jae-in. It also followed Mr Kim's dramatic train journey to Beijing in March, his first known trip abroad since assuming power in 2011. Mr Trump said on Twitter that he would speak with Mr Xi by telephone on Tuesday morning in Washington, calling the Chinese leader "my friend". "The primary topics will be trade, where good things will happen, and North Korea, where relationships and trust are building," Mr Trump said. Mr Kim used his official aircraft to make the short flight to Dalian, in what was his first international flight since assuming power. A passenger plane reportedly used for North Korean high-ranking officials takes off from an airport in Dalian after Mr Kim's meeting with his Chinese counterpart (Kyodo News via AP) His father, Kim Jong Il, feared flying, fuelling speculation that the younger Kim may not be willing to travel far to meet Mr Trump. The venue for their summit has not been announced. The demilitarised zone, or DMZ, between North and South Korea, and Singapore are believed to be the most likely contenders for the venue. South Korea's presidential office said the Chinese government notified Seoul about the Xi-Kim meeting in advance. "The Chinese government informed that Kim had arrived in Dalian on Monday and returned to Pyongyang today. It was a one-night-two-days stay," the office said. Intense secrecy typically surrounds high-level North Korean visits to China, and this week's unannounced trip was no different. 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 Throughout the day on Tuesday there was speculation on Chinese websites that a North Korean leader was in China, though China's foreign ministry said earlier it had no information and Chinese state media did not carry any reports. Japanese public broadcaster NHK had shown images of two North Korean aircraft taxiing at Dalian's airport, one an Air Koryo plane and another carrying a North Korean emblem, although the North's state airline does not have regular flights to the Chinese city. Posts about unusual traffic jams and security in Dalian popped up on Chinese social media. China is North Korea's most important economic and diplomatic backer, despite its anger over its repeated nuclear and missile tests. China has supported tough UN sanctions against the North. But the two sides have stepped up engagement since Trump surprised the world in March by saying he would be willing to meet Mr Kim, signalling the possibility of a major breakthrough in nuclear tensions with North Korea. Reuters Armenias popular uprising passed a major hurdle on Tuesday, with the election of its leader Nikol Pashinyan as prime minister. The undisputed king of the streets was voted in by 59 to 42, pushed over the line by the reluctant support of the ruling Republican Party. It completed an unlikely victory lap for people power. For three weeks, the tiny former Soviet republic has seen unprecedented levels of protest, directed against its former president, Serzh Sargsyan. The long-time leader had tried to trick the constitution and stay on as prime minister despite promises he would not do so. Former journalist and opposition politician Mr Pashinyan led passionate demonstrations against this development. And on 23 April, Mr Sargsyan dramatically resigned. You were right, and I was wrong, the former president told Mr Pashinyan. But this was not the end of the story, and Mr Sargysans Republican Party made clear they would resist Mr Pashinyans entry to the corridors of power. In a vote last Tuesday, their parliamentarians blocked his candidacy in a controversial 55-45 division. The protest leader responded by organising a nationwide lockdown: one that quickly seemed to provoke a rethink. Footage from the scene of a major protest in Armenia following transport shutdown This time, there were no extended speeches or questions in parliament. Instead, the head of the Republican Partys faction, Vahram Baghdasaryan, said that 10 deputies would be switching their vote in the name of national unity. But the party was still unconvinced of the revolutionary leaders abilities. Dont consider these votes yours, he said. In a short speech addressed to the hundreds of thousands of Armenians assembled outside he had earlier declared the day a national holiday Mr Pashinyan said Armenia had turned a page. Political prisoners would now be released, people would be valued and elections would be free. With snap parliamentary elections on the horizon, the viability of that last promise is likely to be quickly tested. The old guard still holds most of the levers of economic and political power, not least Armenias corrupt electoral machine. Mr Pashinyan has vowed to reform that system, but the task is likely to prove very complex. Without violence and obvious geopolitical dimensions, Armenias love and tolerance revolution departs from the usual post-Soviet script. Mr Pashinyan has vowed to keep it this way. He has promised to preserve all present arrangements with Russia and the West. And he has emphasised Armenia will remain within Russians orbit in the customs union and the Eurasian Economic Union. Our relations need to be based on friendship, equal rights, and a mutual desire to solve problems, he said. We see military cooperation with Russia as the main way of ensuring Armenias security. Vladimir Putin, the Russian president, was one of the first leaders to congratulate Armenias new prime minister, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on Tuesday. The two leaders are expected to meet as early as next week, at the summit of the Eurasian Economic Union in Sochi. Survivors of a boat that sank in the Mediterranean are suing Italy over its collaboration with the Libyan coastguard. At least 20 migrants died when a dinghy carrying 130 people sank on 6 November 2017. The parents of two children who drowned in the incident are among the 17 people to file the application in the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR). Recommended At least 90 refugees feared dead after boat capsizes off Libyan coast According to the Global Legal Action Network (GLAN) and the Association for Juridical Studies on Immigration, which made the application, the migrants died after the Libyan coast guard interfered in rescue efforts by humanitarian ship Sea-Watch 3. The filing states Italy supplied the dinghy to the Libyan coast guard months before the mass drowning. The country struck a deal with Libya in February 2017 to stop migrants from reaching Europe by training, equipping and funding their coastguard. European leaders endorsed the agreement, praising it for significantly reducing the number of migrants travelling onto the continent from Libya. But humanitarian groups warned the coast guard was forcing thousands of people to return to detention in inhumane conditions, beatings, extortion, starvation, and rape. Two of the survivors of the boat which sank in November were subsequently sold and tortured with electricity, GLAN said. The Italian authorities are outsourcing to Libya what they are prohibited from doing themselves, flouting their human rights obligations, said GLAN legal advisor Violeta Moreno-Lax. They are putting lives at risk and exposing migrants to extreme forms of ill-treatment by proxy, supporting and directing the action of the so-called Libyan coast guard. 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 Doctors Without Borders said last week it was highly concerned about around 800 migrants and refugees held in a overcrowded detention centre in the port city of Zuwara, Libya, around 80 miles west of the countrys capital, Tripoli. Men, women and children had been detained without adequate food or water for more than five months and the situation was critical it warned. In 2012 the ECHR concluded that Italys previous push back campaign breached international law, specifically the prohibition of torture and inhuman or degrading treatment. The court said it understood the pressures European nations were experiencing as a result of a large influx of migrants, but it did not mean they could shirk their obligation to protect individuals at risk of torture and death. Britain has also been supporting Libyas coastguard with training and equipment, despite the heavily documented evidence of refugee abuse. Recommended Footage of migrants sold in slave auction prompts outrage Last year, The Independent reported on allegations that the Libyan coastguard was extorting money from migrants. Guards were stopping smuggler vessels offshore and detaining those onboard, before taking bribes to release them, according to a number of witness accounts gathered by Human Rights Watch. Around 20,000 people were intercepted by the Libyan coastguard in 2017 and taken back to Libya, according to Amnesty International. The submission to the European Court supported by the Italian non-profit ARCI and Yale law schools Lowenstein International Human Rights Clinic. The application includes findings by Forensic Oceanography, part of the Forensic Architecture agency at Goldsmiths, University of London, which reconstructed and analysed the deadly incident. A Nazi grandma who apparently went on the run rather than serve a jail sentence for Holocaust denial has been caught and put in a German prison. Ursula Haverbeck, 89, had been due to report to prison to start a two-year sentence on May 2, but instead the authorities discovered she had vanished from her home in Vlotho, central Germany. Prosecutors ordered police to find her, and the International Auschwitz Committee expressed its hope that hunt for the alleged fugitive was being conducted with high pressure. The German authorities, however, have now stated that Ms Haverbeck has returned home, and been apprehended and put in jail. She will now serve the sentence handed down to her in August 2017 for writing in a far-right German magazine that Auschwitz had been a work camp, rather than the place where Hitlers Nazis killed more than a million people. Although this is the first time Haverbeck has seen the inside of a jail cell, she had racked up a string of convictions related to Holocaust denial, which is a criminal offence in Germany. Her persistent denial of the Holocaust, which claimed the lives of six million Jews, has led the German media to call her "Nazi-Oma (Nazi grandma). A Day That Shook The World: Hitler elected German Chancellor Show all 3 1 /3 A Day That Shook The World: Hitler elected German Chancellor A Day That Shook The World: Hitler elected German Chancellor 541841.bin Getty Images A Day That Shook The World: Hitler elected German Chancellor 541843.bin Getty Images A Day That Shook The World: Hitler elected German Chancellor 541842.bin Getty Images As well as offering vocal support for former SS concentration camp guards, Haverbeck co-founded a now-banned right-wing education centre with her late husband Werner Georg Haverbeck, who was an enthusiastic Nazi party member before and during the Second World War. In November 2014 she went as far as lodging a police complaint against the Central Council of Jews in Germany, accusing them of persecution of innocent people who had denied the Holocaust. Until now, however, lengthy appeals and suspended sentences have kept Haverbeck out of prison, despite one despairing magistrate describing the serial Holocaust denier as a lost cause. That was in November 2015 when she was sentenced to 10 months for Holocaust denial, which is normally prosecuted in Germany under a 1985 law banning incitement to hatred. While demonstrating outside the trial of former SS guard Oskar Groening, the bookkeeper of Auschwitz, in April 2015, Haverbeck had been seen on television declaring that the Holocaust is the biggest and most sustainable lie in history." At the resulting trial she claimed that Auschwitzs status as a death camp was only a belief, and challenged the Hamburg court to prove otherwise. The exasperated magistrate Bjoern Joensson replied: "It is pointless holding a debate with someone who can't accept any facts. "Neither do I have to prove to you that the world is round." It was, the magistrate added, Deplorable that this woman, who is still so active given her age, uses her energy to spread such hair-raising nonsense. But Haverbecks far-right supporters still packed the court to applaud her. 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 On websites where absurdly anti-Semitic users seriously suggest that Jews worship Satan, Haverbeck is revered as a courageous fighter for truth and German culture. Despite her November 2015 conviction, she again denied the Holocaust in January 2016 when she told an event in Berlin that the Holocaust never happened and there were no gas chambers at Auschwitz. This resulted in a court giving her a six-month prison sentence in October 2017. Meanwhile, in September 2016 another court sentenced Haverbeck to eight months in jail for writing a letter to the mayor of Detmold saying that it was clearly recognisable that Auschwitz was nothing more than a labour camp. She did so as a Detmold court was hearing the trial of former Auschwitz guard Reinhold Hanning, who was found guilty of being an accessory to the murder of 170,000 people. Immediately after her September 2016 sentencing hearing, Haverbeck handed out pamphlets to the judge, prosecutor and journalists. The leaflets denied the Holocaust, under the title Only the truth will set you free. It meant that at the ensuing November 2017 appeal, she had four months shaved off her original eight-month sentence, but 10 months were added because of the post-trial stunt, leaving her facing an increased sentence of 14 months. In February of this year she lost her appeal against her August 2017 sentence. A regional court in Celle in the state of Lower Saxony ruled that the judgement by the state court in Verden had been legally sound and should be implemented. But when the time came to go to prison, Haverbeck was found to have gone missing, while her post reportedly starting to pile up outside her front door. On 25 May 2018, Ireland will hold a referendum on the eighth amendment of the countrys constitution, which effectively bans abortion. If the electorate repeals the eighth it would allow for the government to legislate on terminations. What is the eighth amendment? Abortion was already illegal in Ireland under the Offences against the Person Act of 1861. In 1983, pro-life activists who feared that this could be changed set about securing protection for the unborn in the constitution, by lobbying the government for a referendum. A vote was then held on 7 September 1983 which proposed adding an eighth amendment to the constitution of Ireland. It read as follows: The state acknowledges the right to life of the unborn and, with due regard to the equal right to life of the mother, guarantees in its laws to respect, and, as far as practicable, by its laws to defend and vindicate that right. The referendum was passed, with 66.9 per cent voting Yes, and 33.1 per cent voting No. The turnout was 53 per cent, amounting to around 1.2 million people. Only five constituencies returned No votes, including four in Dublin. This effectively gave equal rights to the mother and the unborn, all but banning abortion. Case X and the referendums of 1992 and 2002 In 1992, Case X marked a landmark moment in Irelands abortion journey. A 14-year-old girl who became pregnant as a result of rape claimed to be suicidal after she was prevented from travelling to Britain for an abortion. The Supreme Court then decided that the girl had the right to an abortion, with the eighth amendment considered, since there was a real and substantial risk to her life and that of the unborn. This sparked great debate around the country, and highlighted problems with the eighth amendment. As a result, three referendums were held simultaneously on the same day in November 1992. Recommended Abortion law in Ireland might soon be changed The 12th amendment attempted to remove suicide as grounds for an abortion, but was defeated. The 13th and 14th amendments acknowledged that women could travel abroad for terminations, and that information about services in other countries could be made available to them. These were both passed and added to the constitution, effectively acknowledging that despite the ban, many women simply went abroad for terminations. In 2002, another referendum again attempted to remove suicide as grounds for an abortion in Ireland, but it was rejected, with 50.42 per cent voting No. The road to reform In 2010, the European Court of Human Rights ruled that Ireland was violating the European Convention on Human Rights, citing the lack of clarity available to women on what circumstances would constitute grounds for a legal abortion. In 2012, the case of Savita Halappanavar caused shock waves around Ireland and the world after the dentist died in a Galway hospital due to complications from a septic miscarriage, which took days to unfold. Despite her requests during the ordeal, she was denied an abortion. Finally, in 2013, the Protection of Life During Pregnancy Act was passed into law, defining the circumstances in which abortion could be carried out legally. This consisted of three scenarios: risk of loss of life from physical illness, risk of loss of life from physical illness in emergency, or risk of loss of life from suicide. What happens if Ireland repeals the eighth? Ireland still has one of the most restrictive abortion laws in Europe, and the campaign to repeal the eighth amendment which effectively has its roots as far back as 1983 has picked up speed in recent years, buoyed by a new generation of feminists, a growing appreciation of the wider need for equality and rights, and the success of the same sex marriage referendum in 2015. On 25 May, Ireland has a historic opportunity to change the countrys abortion law. Voters will be asked if they want to repeal the eighth amendment, and allow the government to legislate on terminations. If Ireland votes Yes, the existing article of the constitution which was inserted in 1983 and the 1992 additions will be replaced with this text: Provision may be made by law for the regulation of termination of pregnancy. For its part, the government is proposing that it would legislate to permit abortion in cases where there is a risk to the life of the woman, a medical emergency or a fatal foetal abnormality, or up to 12 weeks without justification. The two main parties of Ireland, Fine Gael and Fianna Fail, are not taking official positions on the referendum, but politicians are permitted to campaign on a personal basis, including Taoiseach Leo Varadkar, who supports a Yes vote. Both Sinn Fein and the Labour party are supporting Yes as party policy. If Ireland votes No, the eighth amendment will remain in place. You can follow all the developments in the debate, as well as the latest polls, on The Independents live blog The UK, France and Germany have issued a joint statement assailing President Donald Trumps decision to withdraw the US from the nuclear deal with Iran. Moments after Mr Trump said he would abandon the pact, resisting overtures from European nations which had urged him to preserve the agreement, Prime Minister Theresa May, Chancellor Angela Merkel and President Emmanuel Macron said the decision to pull out of the Iran nuclear deal was a matter of regret and concern. However, they said they remained committed to the accord. They said: It is with regret and concern that we, the leaders of France, Germany and the United Kingdom, take note of President Trumps decision to withdraw the United States of America from the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action [JCPOA]. Together, we emphasise our continuing commitment to the JCPOA. This agreement remains important for our shared security. We recall that the JCPOA was unanimously endorsed by the UN Security Council in resolution 2231. This resolution remains the binding international legal framework for the resolution of the dispute about the Iranian nuclear programme. We urge all sides to remain committed to its full implementation and to act in a spirit of responsibility. With the US reimposing sanctions on Iran, Mr Macron said in a separate tweet of his own that the nuclear non-proliferation regime is at stake. Iran protests in pictures Show all 11 1 /11 Iran protests in pictures Iran protests in pictures University students at an anti-government protest inside Tehran University, 30 December 2017 AP Iran protests in pictures A university student at a protest inside Tehran University while a smoke grenade is thrown by anti-riot Iranian police, 30 December 2017 AP Iran protests in pictures University students at a protest inside Tehran University, 30 December 2017 AP Iran protests in pictures University students run away from the police during an anti-government protest inside Tehran University, 30 December 2017 AP Iran protests in pictures An image grab taken from a handout video released by Iran's Mehr News agency reportedly shows a group of men pulling at a fence in a street in Tehran, 30 December 2017 AFP/Getty Iran protests in pictures Demonstrators gather to protest in Tehran, 30 December 2017 AP Iran protests in pictures Iranians chant slogans as they march in support of the government near the Imam Khomeini grand mosque in Tehran, 30 December 2017 AFP/Getty Iran protests in pictures Iranians chant slogans as they march in support of the government near the Imam Khomeini grand mosque in Tehran, December 30 2017 Iran protests in pictures Iranian clerics take part during a state-organized rally against anti-government protests in the country, in the holy city of Qom, south west Iran, 3 January 2018 EPA Iran protests in pictures In this photo provided by the Iranian Students' News Agency, a clergyman takes a picture of a pro-government demonstration in the southwestern city of Ahvaz, Iran, 3 January 2018 ISNA via AP Iran protests in pictures Pro-government demonstrators gather at the Massoumeh shrine in Iran's holy city of Qom, some 130 kilometres south of Tehran, 3 January 2018 AFP/Getty Mr Macron had used a recent White House visit to try to persuade Mr Trump to abide by the agreement. But he acknowledged at the time that the president was unlikely to change his view of the agreement. Noting that withdrawing from the deal was a campaign pledge he made long ago, Mr Macron told reporters last week that Mr Trump had no serious desire to maintain or defend the deal. He separately noted that the president was poised to withdraw for his own domestic reasons. Rational analysis does not lead me to think he will stay in the deal, Mr Macron told reporters. Other European leaders sought to project a unified front in favour of preserving the pact. European Council president Donald Tusk said Mr Trumps policies on Iran and trade will meet a united European approach. Russia also said it would seek to keep the deal functioning. Donald Trump withdraws from nuclear deal with Iran Federica Mogherini, the European Unions top diplomat, said she believed the deal was successfully deterring Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons and predicted that the rest of the international community would stand by the pact. The European Union is determined to act in accordance with its security interests and to protect its economic investments, Ms Mogherini said. The nuclear deal with Iran is the culmination of 12 years of diplomacy. It belongs to the entire international community. Addressing Iran, Ms Mogherini urged its citizens and leaders to not let anyone dismantle this agreement. European leaders are concerned that Washington could use its influence over the worlds financial system to prevent businesses in other countries that have not reimposed sanctions on Iran from doing business there. That view was not helped by Mr Trumps new ambassador to Germany, who presented his credentials in Berlin earlier on Tuesday, tweeting that German businesses should halt their activities in Iran immediately. US sanctions will target critical sectors of Irans economy, Richard Grenell said. German companies doing business in Iran should wind down operations immediately. Meanwhile, one of Irans regional rivals, Israel, celebrated Mr Trumps decision. Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu, speaking moments after Mr Trump had finished his address in Washington, said the current Iran deal was a recipe for disaster, a disaster for our region, a disaster for the peace of the world. He added: Israel has opposed the nuclear deal from the start because we said that rather than blocking Irans path to a bomb, the deal actually paves Irans path to an entire arsenal of nuclear bombs and this within a few years time. The removal of sanctions under the current deal has already produced disastrous results. The deal didnt push war further away. It actually brought it closer. The deal didnt reduce Irans aggression. It dramatically increased it. Last week, Mr Netanyahu delivered a presentation in front of the media to unveil what he described as a half tonne of Iranian nuclear documents he said had been seized by Israeli intelligence forces. Though he stopped short of accusing Iran of violating the terms of the 2015 nuclear deal, Mr Netanyahu said the documents proved Iran had previously tried to develop a nuclear bomb before 2003, that the country had lied in the past and therefore could not be trusted. Mr Trump mentioned that intelligence in his address. Saudi Arabia, which considers Iran its main regional foe, also praised Mr Trumps decision. Iran used economic gains from the lifting of sanctions to continue its activities to destablise the region, particularly by developing ballistic missiles and supporting terrorist groups in the region, said a Saudi Foreign Ministry statement. There aren't that many cultures where putting a shoe on the dining room table is acceptable behaviour, but for the Japanese there is clear etiquette against allowing outdoor shoes inside. That might explain the furore following a visit by Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and his wife, Akie Abe, to Israel last week. After a day of high-level meetings on May 2, the Japanese leader was treated to a festive meal at the official residence of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his wife, Sara Netanyahu. It was their second time in Israel, and the visiting couple were served a top-notch meal by celebrity Israeli chef Segev Moshe. But then came dessert. A selection of delectable chocolate pralines - artistically arranged inside a shiny leather shoe. Israel's popular daily newspaper Yediot Aharonot wrote Monday that "Japanese diplomats, Israeli Foreign Ministry officials and high-ranking Israeli diplomats who previously served in Japan were shocked by the idea." "This was an insensitive decision," the article quoted one unidentified senior Israeli official as saying. "There is nothing lowlier than a shoe in Japanese culture. Not only do they not wear shoes at home, you also won't find shoes in their offices. This is disrespect of the first order." A Japanese diplomat, also not named by the paper, said: "There's no culture in the world in which you put shoes on the table. What was the distinguished chef thinking? If it was humour, we don't think it is funny; we were offended on behalf of our prime minister." Israel's Foreign Ministry said in a statement that it was not involved in approving the dishes for the meal. "We respect and appreciate the chef. He is very creative," the ministry said. Recommended Trump and Shinzo Abe fail to agree on US tariff exemption for Japan Mr Segev's creative side was displayed last May when President Trump visited Israel. Then, the celebrity chef served up a dessert in the shape of a double-headed Trump and Netanyahu. On Sunday, Mr Segev proudly posted a close-up photo of the offending shoe-filled dessert on his Instagram account, writing: "Chocolate selection from the world by #SegevArt - - - A metal shoe by @tomdixonstudio" "The dessert was served inside a sculpture by international artist Tom Dixon, whose works are displayed in major museums around the world and for the first time was displayed in Israel at a meal. This is a high-quality piece of art made of cast metal in the shape of a shoe; it is not a real shoe," Segev's publicist said in a statement, according to Yediot Aharonot. On Instagram, however, some of his 72,000 followers offered a different opinion: "When you cook at a diplomatic meal, the minimum you can do is enquire about the guest. In Japan, shoes are considered contemptible, they always take off their shoes at the entrance to every home, both for themselves and for others," wrote one person. Another person wrote: "you don't need to know any culture to know that serving shoes at a dinner is WRONG!" 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 Serving dessert in a shoe was not the only controversy caused by the visit. On Friday, Mr Netanyahu uploaded a short video clip to his Facebook account complaining about a lack of media coverage of the visit. "I want to tell you something, Japan's prime minister visited here. He leads the world's third-largest economy. He brought with him an enormous delegation of businessmen, the heads of the largest corporations. You know the names: Mitsubishi, Mitsui, and many others. Did you hear anything about this in the media? Nothing! So open my Facebook and learn about this," said Mr Netanyahu in Hebrew. Israeli journalists responded by pointing out that the Hebrew media ran more than 50 items about various aspects of the trip, the Times of Israel news website reported. They also highlighted that the two leaders did not hold a news conference. "Prime minister perhaps it's time to stop with the fake news!!! Not only did you not allow the journalists into your meetings with the Japanese prime minister, except for pool photographers, the media did actually report on this visit. So maybe you should delete this embarrassing post?" wrote Itamar Eichner, Yediot Aharonot's longtime diplomatic correspondent. The Washington Post An Israeli soldier convicted of killing a wounded Palestinian has been released after serving nine months in prison. Elor Azaria will walk free after serving two-thirds of his 14-month sentence. When he was 19 Azaria killed Abdel Fattah al-Sharif in an act captured on video by an Israeli human rights group. Israeli soldier Elor Azaria is lifted by friends near his family home in Ramla, near Tel Aviv, as they celebrate his release from prison (AFP/Getty) In the footage the 21-year-old Palestinian could be seen lying wounded on the ground in the occupied West Bank city of Hebron, having been shot after he had stabbed an Israeli soldier. Azaria shot the immobile assailant in the head at point-blank range. The former Israel Defence Forces (IDF) combat medic was initially sentenced to 18 months in August after he was convicted of manslaughter. Israels military chief, Gadi Eisenkot, later reduced the sentence by four months. His release was brought forward by two days after he requested to attend his brothers wedding, Haaretz reported. Palestinians clash with Israeli troops during mass demonstrations Show all 10 1 /10 Palestinians clash with Israeli troops during mass demonstrations Palestinians clash with Israeli troops during mass demonstrations Palestinian protesters flee from teargas AFP/Getty Palestinians clash with Israeli troops during mass demonstrations Israeli soldiers stand as Palestinian protesters gather on the Israel Gaza border AP Palestinians clash with Israeli troops during mass demonstrations A Palestinian is carried on a stretcher after being injured during the demonstration AFP/Getty Palestinians clash with Israeli troops during mass demonstrations Israeli soldiers take aim as they lie prone over an earth barrier along the border with the Gaza strip in the southern Israeli kibbutz of Nahal Oz as Palestinians demonstrate on the other side commemorating Land Day AFP/Getty Palestinians clash with Israeli troops during mass demonstrations Palestinian paramedics evacuate an injured man on the Gaza side of the Israel-Gaza border Reuters Palestinians clash with Israeli troops during mass demonstrations Palestinians demonstrate with crossed-out posters depicting Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and US President Donald Trump, during a tent city protest near Khan Yunis in the southern Gaza Strip AFP/Getty Images Palestinians clash with Israeli troops during mass demonstrations Palestinian protesters flee from teargas AFP/Getty Palestinians clash with Israeli troops during mass demonstrations Israeli soldiers shoot tear gas grenades towards the Palestinian tent city protest commemorating Land Day AFP/Getty Palestinians clash with Israeli troops during mass demonstrations Palestinian protesters take cover from Israeli troops AP Palestinians clash with Israeli troops during mass demonstrations Palestinians chant slogans as they attend a demonstration near the Gaza Strip border AP Azaria was greeted by supporters and banners welcoming his release, which read: Welcome home, Elor the hero. Benjamin Netanyahu, Israels prime minister, told reporters he was glad its done with. Azarias case sharply divided the nation. While Israels military pushed for his prosecution, saying he violated its code of ethics, many Israelis, particularly those on the nationalist right, defended his actions. Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu has thrown his support behind Donald Trump after he pulled the US out of the Iran nuclear deal. Mr Netanyahu, who has been a leading critic of the deal between the West and Iran, had earlier said it must be fixed or nixed. Speaking moments after Mr Trump had finished his address in Washington, the Israeli leader said the current deal was a recipe for disaster, a disaster for our region, a disaster for the peace of the world. He said: Israel has opposed the nuclear deal from the start because we said that rather than blocking Irans path to a bomb, the deal actually paves Irans path to an entire arsenal of nuclear bombs, and this within a few years time. The removal of sanctions under the current deal has already produced disastrous results. The deal didnt push war further away. It actually brought it closer. The deal didnt reduce Irans aggression. It dramatically increased it. Last week, Mr Netanyahu delivered a presentation in front of the media to unveil what he described as a half tonne of Iranian nuclear documents he said had been seized by Israeli intelligence forces. Though he stopped short of accusing Iran of violating the terms of the 2015 nuclear deal, he said the documents proved Iran had previously tried to develop a nuclear bomb before 2003, that the country had lied in the past, and therefore couldnt be trusted. 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 Iran has denied ever having tried to build nuclear weapons. Israel thinks that President Trump made an historic move, and this is why Israel thanks President Trump for his courageous leadership, his commitment to confront the terrorist regime in Tehran, and his commitment to ensure that Iran never gets nuclear weapons not today, not in a decade, not ever," Mr Netanyahu said in a brief televised address. However, his views were not echoed by his European counterparts. Prime Minister Theresa May, German Chancellor Angela Merkel and French President Emmanuel Macron said was a matter of "regret and concern". They added: We urge all sides to remain committed to the Iran nuclear deal's full implementation and to act in a spirit of responsibility." Iranian President Hassan Rouhani has ordered the country's atomic agency to prepare to enrich uranium to "industrial levels" and warned Donald Trump that he will not be able allowed to win the "psychological war" with his country. Speaking on the state-run television station, Mr Rouhani said he had ordered his foreign ministers to negotiate with governments besides the US. He said there is a "short time" for the deal to survive without Washington involved and said should those negotiations fail, there will be "industrial level" uranium enrichment for use in nuclear weapons. Recommended Follow live as Trump prepares to make decision on Iran nuclear deal Mr Trump has long criticised the six-party nuclear deal signed in 2015, signed under his predecessor Barack Obama, and has repeatedly promised to withdraw the US from it. Announcing his decision to do so, he said that Iran was a "regime of great terror" and that "no action taken by the regime has been more dangerous than its pursuit of nuclear weapons and the means of delivering them". Prime Minister Theresa May, French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Angela Merkel issued a joint statement saying they regretted his decision, calling it a threat to global efforts to contain nuclear weapons. Mr Macron tweeted that the "nuclear non-proliferation regime is at stake" because of the announcement. The other two parties to the deal - China and Russia - have not weighed in as yet to this historic shift. However, last month Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said that his country vowed to stop any attempts by the US to "sabotage" the deal. UN High Representative Federica Mogherini: UN is 'particularly worried' about US withdrawal from Iran nuclear deal European Union foreign policy chief Frederica Mogherini said the Iran nuclear agreement is a pillar of international security and called on the remaining parties to continue to honour the terms. She said in a statement, directed towards Mr Rouhani: "Do not let anyone dismantle this agreement." Donald Trump withdraws from nuclear deal with Iran Although the Trump administration agreed Irans nuclear programme is a major threat, the president announced in October 2017 he would not re-certify a nuclear deal signed by Iran and six world powers. Despite the evidence provided by the United Nations on Tehran's compliance with the deal, Mr Trump said it was too lenient on Iran and has maintained the idea that the country has violated portions of it. Not re-certifying the deal or abandoning it will open the door for harsher economic sanctions to be placed on the country, the mitigation of which was a key inducement for Iran to comply with the historic deal. What concerned many Washington insiders - and today's announcement may have proven them right - is that Mr Trump's newest hire as National Security Adviser John Bolton has been quite hawkish on pulling out of the deal as is new Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, who has called the agreement "disastrous". The Trump administration said it will reimpose nuclear sanctions on Iran immediately, but allow grace periods for businesses to wind down activity so they do not violate the sanctions. The Treasury Department said there will be "certain 90-day and 180-day wind-down periods" but has not specified which sanctions will fall under which timelines but indicated that at the end of those periods, the sanctions would be in "full effect". Former US President Barack Obama has said President Donald Trump's decision to withdraw the US from the historic Iran nuclear deal signed during Mr Obama's time in office is "so misguided" and a "serious mistake". In a lengthy Facebook post: "There are few issues more important to the security of the US than the potential spread of nuclear weapons, or the potential for even more destructive war in the Middle East. Thats why the US negotiated the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) in the first place". Mr Trump has long criticised the deal and said earlier today that the deal did not go far enough in ensuring Tehran's compliance and said the US would be withdrawing from it. Iran is a "regime of great terror" and that "no action taken by the regime has been more dangerous than its pursuit of nuclear weapons and the means of delivering them," Mr Trump said. "The reality is clear. The JCPOA is working that is a view shared by our European allies, independent experts, and the current U.S. Secretary of Defense. The JCPOA is in Americas interest it has significantly rolled back Irans nuclear program," Mr Obama wrote. Though the Trump administration agreed Irans nuclear programme is a major threat, the president announced in October 2017 he would not re-certify a nuclear deal signed by Iran and six world powers. Despite the evidence provided by the United Nations on Tehran's compliance with the deal, Mr Trump said it was too lenient on Iran and has maintained the idea that the country has violated portions of it. UN High Representative Federica Mogherini: UN is 'particularly worried' about US withdrawal from Iran nuclear deal Not re-certifying the deal or abandoning it will open the door for harsher economic sanctions to be placed on the country, the mitigation of which was a key inducement for Iran to comply with the historic deal. What concerned many Washington insiders - and today's announcement may have proven them right - is that Mr Trump's newest hire as National Security Adviser John Bolton has been quite hawkish on pulling out of the deal as is new Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, who has called the agreement "disastrous". Mr Obama countered that the agreement is a "model" for what this kind of diplomacy should look like, citing the verification and testing procedures in place within the accord as proof. Though the former president encouraged debate on the Iran nuclear deal, he said it "should be informed by facts" and went on to outline several key points of the agreement including that it has worked in rolling back Tehran's nuclear programme. "Iran has destroyed the core of a reactor that could have produced weapons-grade plutonium; removed two-thirds of its centrifuges (over 13,000) and placed them under international monitoring; and eliminated 97 percent of its stockpile of enriched uranium the raw materials necessary for a bomb," Mr Obama said. "Walking away from the [Iran deal] turns our back on Americas closest allies, and an agreement that our countrys leading diplomats, scientists, and intelligence professionals negotiated," he wrote in a rare directly political message in his post-term time. He noted that there will always be some changes from one administration to the next in a democracy, but he said "the consistent flouting" of multilateral agreements by Mr Trump "risks eroding Americas credibility, and puts us at odds with the worlds major powers". He was likely referring to the Paris Agreement on climate change, which the US also signed under Mr Obama's second term in 2015. The global accord was signed by nearly 200 countries in an effort to curb greenhouse gas emissions and contain global warming to 2 C. Mr Trump announced in June 2017 that the US had begun the withdrawal process from the deal because it put American workers at an "economic disadvantage". Mr Obama also tied the deal to US relations with North Korea and attempting to stem the hermit kingdom's nuclear ambitions. "At a time when we are all rooting for diplomacy with North Korea to succeed, walking away from the JCPOA risks losing a deal that accomplishes with Iran the very outcome that we are pursuing with the North Koreans," he wrote. Mr Trump is expected to meet with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un at a time and date yet to be publicly announced. The meeting will come just weeks after Mr Kim and South Korean President Moon Jae-in signed a peace agreement in an elaborate ceremony in the Demilitarised Zone on the border in the divided peninsula. Iran's leader Hassan Rouhani has instructed the country's atomic agency to prepare to enrich uranium and said Mr Trump's announcement constituted "a psychological war, we wont allow [him] to win". Donald Trumps national security adviser said Mr Trump pulling the US from a nuclear arms deal with Iran would not derail a parallel effort to dismantle North Koreas nuclear programme. Critics had warned that a decision by Mr Trump to nix the Iran nuclear deal just over two years after the American-brokered pact took effect would undermine Americas credibility heading into a crucial summit between Mr Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un. Iranian president Hassan Rousani reacted to Mr Trumpa decision by warning the president was not loyal to international commitments. But national security adviser John Bolton argued that the abandonment of the Iran pact would strengthen Americas position by telegraphing that the US would rebuff unsatisfactory offers. I think the message to North Korea is the president wants a real deal, Mr Bolton told reporters. It sends a very clear signal that the United States will not accept inadequate deals. Any nation reserves the right to correct a past mistake, Mr Bolton added in reference to the Iran deal. The hawkish national security adviser - who was a staunch advocate of the invasion of Iraq and has urged preemptive strikes on North Korea and Iran - tamped down worries of a military confrontation with Iran, dismissing fears of American boots on the ground as badly mistaken. Russian legislator Yevgeny Serebrennikov saw things differently, telling the RIA news agency that the US renunciation of the Iran deal cast doubt on the Korean peace process. Russia's envoy to the EU, Vladimir Chizhov, said Russia would work to sustain the Iran pact. Offering evidence that the North Korea effort was proceeding despite the Iran announcement, Mr Trump said secretary of state Mike Pompeo was again en route to North Korea to smooth the path towards a meeting. Escape from North Korea Show all 16 1 /16 Escape from North Korea Escape from North Korea Jeong Min-woo A hat belonging to Jeong Min-woo in Seoul. Min-woo is from Hyesan, on the border with China. He was a commissioned officer in the Korean People's Army, and left in his uniform. South Korean intelligence confiscated it, but he persuaded his North Korean military contacts to send him a new one. Reuters Escape from North Korea Jeong Min-woo Jeong Min-woo, 29, poses for a photograph in Seoul Reuters Escape from North Korea Kang Kang, 28, who wanted to be identified only by her surname, poses for a photograph in Seoul. The parents of Kang sent out a coat across the Chinese border after she reached the South in 2010. "I didn't ask my mother to send me this coat," said Kang. "But she knew I feel the cold easily and sent it to me. She sent some honey too, but it went missing on the way. The coat is made of dog fur. I don't know what kind of dog. In 2010, it cost about 700,000 North Korean won ($88 at the unofficial rate). It was really expensive. A North Korean friend went to China to pick it up for me. I liked this coat when I got it. I thought my mother must've spent quite a lot of money on it. Reuters Escape from North Korea Kang The dog fur coat belonging to Kang, "My father was a party officer. Our family had a car and we lived in a special apartment. Ordinary people couldn't afford to wear this kind of coat, not even soldiers. Commissioned officers could afford them. Border guards would wear them. It wasn't easy to buy this kind of coat, but as time went on, fake ones began to appear. The state often clamped down on this item. It's technically military supplies so the state monitored people who altered the design of the coat. I know just from looking at this coat that it's a counterfeit one, not the official version. The counterfeit ones look quite different from the original ones. Military officials preferred the fakes to the original because the design looked much better. The children of rich families would wear them. I look too chubby in this, so don't wear it here. I thought I could probably wear it if I altered it." Reuters Escape from North Korea Lee Oui-ryuk Lee Oui-ryuk is from Onsong, near the border with China. He defected in 2010, and brought his ID card with him. "I brought my ID with me when I left North Korea. Juche 95.11.7 (the date in the North Korean calendar, which equates to Nov. 7, 2006) is the date I was issued with my ID. It says here my blood type is "A", but I'm actually an "O." For the 23 years I lived in North Korea, I thought my blood type was "A." They wrote down my blood type without even doing a test. They just wrote whatever they wanted to. I was caught trying to defect to South Korea around Kim Jong Il's birthday. They strengthen border security just before and after that date." Reuters Escape from North Korea Lee Oui-ryuk "The bottom of the lamp is dark," as the saying goes, and I thought I'd be able to cross right under their noses. The soldiers shot at me as I tried to run away from the Tumen River. I managed to get away and hid, but someone reported me and I was caught. That's when I was taken to the bowibu (North Korean secret police) for three months of interrogation. The state ruled that I had tried to defect to South Korea, and I was sent to a camp for political prisoners. I escaped when they were transferring me to the camp. I hid and managed to make it to my big sister's house - that's when I grabbed these photos. I couldn't go home easily, so decided I had to hide in the mountains or somewhere remote. I needed my ID to move around without getting caught. and I took these 12 photos with me in case I wanted to look back and reminisce. I wrote on the back of them so as not to forget." Reuters Escape from North Korea Ji Sung-ho Ji Sung-ho, 35, from Hoeryong, near the border with China. He left North Korea in 2006 with a pair of wooden crutches. "I lived as a child beggar in North Korea. I was stealing coals from a train when I fell off and lost my leg and my hand. I had to bring the crutches with me. If I didn't have them, I wouldn't have made it here. The state doesn't help you in North Korea, and people who need crutches make their own. Mine are therefore not factory-made, so they're not perfect and break easily. I had several pairs of crutches but they all broke, and this was the last pair. I used these crutches for 10 years, until I was 25, when I arrived in South Korea. I would steal coal from moving trains and fall off, destroying my crutches. Or I would get beaten up by the police and they'd take and then break my crutches. When they broke, I would make new ones. When I had new ones, I could go back outside." Reuters Escape from North Korea Ji Sung-ho "When I first arrived in South Korea I thought about throwing them out. South Korea's intelligence agency gave me a prosthetic leg. My friends said I should throw the crutches out and not think about North Korea. They said I should show Kim Jong Il I was living a new life in South Korea and throw out everything I had from the North. Some asked if I got upset when I saw my crutches. But I couldn't just throw them out. To make my crutches, my friends had given me some wood that they had bought, and someone I knew in North Korea who had carpentry skills had made them. It was my father who added the final touches. There is a lot of love from my North Korean friends and family in these crutches. So I didn't throw them out. The South Korean government gave me some new crutches because the wood from my North Korean ones is hard and painful. But I still keep them, so as not to forget those memories." REUTERS Escape from North Korea Kim Ryen Hui Kim Ryen Hui, 48, is from Pyongyang. She says she never wanted to defect. In 2011, she says, a broker helped her go to China for treatment on her liver. But the broker tricked her, she said, and she ended up in South Korea. She is campaigning to return, which Seoul says would be against the law. "I miss my parents even more than I miss my daughter. They're everything to me. For the first few years, I couldn't even breathe properly when I thought of them. My little brother lives with them in Pyongyang now. My mother can't see out of one eye. The thing I fear the most is finding out they've passed away before I have the chance to go back. Reuters Escape from North Korea Kim Ryen Hui "My daughter and I have been writing letters and sending photos to each other. My cousin lives in China, so she's been sending them on. My daughter's name is Ri Ryon Gum. She was born on February 15, 1993. I don't want her to live out her life with me here. When she was young, she did taekwondo. She wanted to get involved in espionage operations against South Korea. She was so fearless. That's why she was doing taekwondo - to get involved in anti-South espionage. So I was really surprised to hear she became a chef. In a video of her I received, she explained why. She said that after I had left, she moved in with her father in Pyongyang and had been cooking for him. She said she decided to become a chef so she could fulfill my role at home. I was sad when I heard that." Reuters Escape from North Korea Lee Min-bok Lee Min-bok, 60, was a researcher at North Korea's Academy of Agricultural Science. He first tried to defect, unsuccessfully, in 1990. He eventually left North Korea in June 1991 and came to South Korea in 1995. His family sent him these diaries. "I have a bit of an academic side. According to Kim Il Sung's teachings, people are supposed to keep diaries. Everyone in North Korea should strictly follow Kim Il Sung's teachings, so I did as I was supposed to and kept a diary. Even though Kim Il Sung is a villain here, in North Korea he's above everything. We learned that he studied well and gave our lives purpose. I lived according to those teachings. I wrote these out of loyalty to the Leader. That was our ideology, and I lived my life in strict adherence to it. No one could think differently." Reuters Escape from North Korea Lee Min-bok "I got hold of these diaries 10 years after I arrived in South Korea. I had been sending money to my family in the North and they sent them to me. I didn't write any complaints in diaries. I would've been in big trouble if I did. My diaries are a record of my history in North Korea. I am thinking about turning these diaries into a book. I'd like to publish a book about how to change North Koreans' thinking when unification happens. These diaries show how North Koreans think and how their minds are constructed. People need to make these into a textbook, because they need proof. Talking is not as effective." Reuters Escape from North Korea Song Byeok Song Byeok was a propaganda artist. His father drowned trying to cross the Tumen river, in 2000. When the artist finally left North Korea in 2001, he brought photos of his family with him. "We left that August to find food," Byeok recalled, describing the first attempt. "We were from a town further inland, and we weren't sure where the river was high and where it was low. I didn't know at the time but the river was swollen because of the rainy season. I thought we had to cross it anyway. All I could think about was getting to China to buy food. I took off my clothes and tied them into a rope to strap us together. I told my father not to let go. As we approached the middle of the river, the strap felt lighter. I looked back and saw my father drifting away. I was devastated." Reuters Escape from North Korea Song Byeok "He was going under the water and couldn't get out. I rushed up to the (North Korean) border guards and asked them to save him but they just said why did I come out, why didn't I die too. They handcuffed me and took me away. It was Aug. 28. I was tortured by the "bowibu" (North Korean secret police) in Hoeryong, then jailed for four months in Chongjin prison camp. But after I was released from the camp I felt like I needed to survive and carry on living. Right before I tried to defect again, I went back home and grabbed my family photos. Even if I died trying, I thought, at least I would have this picture with me. I never found my father. After I came to South Korea, I went back to China in 2004 and held a memorial service for him by the river. My heart still aches." Reuters Escape from North Korea Baek Hwa-sung Baek Hwa-sung, 33, left Sinuiju, on the border with China, in 2003 and resettled in South Korea in 2008. He kept a diary as he defected. "In 2004, I started to write down all my thoughts in a diary. I didn't know if I'd get caught. I just wanted to let it be known where I was from, and where I wanted to go. After I left the North, I became very depressed, hiding in the mountains alone for a while. The people who were watching over me told me not to come down to the village and left me by myself in a mountain shelter. Alone, with no one to engage with or talk to, I felt like I would go insane. So I wanted to leave something behind in case I died there or got caught - that's why I started to write. Reuters Escape from North Korea Baek Hwa-sung "Alone in the mountains, I desperately sought something to talk to. That was my diary. My diaries are proof of my life's journey. I read them when I want to remember home. I can't return home, and I already have no memories of my hometown. But when I go through my diaries, there are notes which detail the vivid memories of that time. Sometimes I might forget my father's birthday, but when I go back to my diary, his birthday and my mother's birthday are there. My diaries are a record of my life. They prove I'm alive." Reuters Plans are being made. Relationships are building. Hopefully, a deal will happen and, with the help of China, South Korea, and Japan, a future of great prosperity and security can be achieved for everyone, Mr Trump said. Mr Pompeo had already made a clandestine trip to Pyongyang over Easter weekend, when he was still directing the CIA, to try and build a foundation for US-Korea talks. Mr Bolton declined to tell reporters if Mr Pompeo's visit was intended in part to bring home a trio of American citizens being held in North Korea, although he noted Mr Trump has said on any number of occasions he wants the hostages released. Trump on North Korea meeting: 'we have a date and location' Just as Mr Trump has publicly denounced the Iranian regime, he spent months mocking and threatening North Korean leadership as Pyongyang tested a series of increasingly sophisticated ballistic missiles. But Mr Kim pivoted to diplomacy earlier this year, using the Winter Olympics in South Korea to establish a dialogue with Seoul and then convey to the White House, via South Korean intermediaries, the offer for an unprecedented meeting. Ahead of the planned summit, North Korea has conveyed a commitment to denuclearising and has said it will not demand the exit of American troops from the Korean Peninsula. It had also urged a formal end to the Korean War, which ended in an armistice that fractured the peninsula - a goal South Korean leadership has embraced. Before Mr Kims overture, the United Nations had clamped multiple iterations of punishing sanctions on North Korea. While Mr Trump has expressed hopefulness about striking a deal to halt Pyongyangs weapons programme, he has emphasised that diplomacy must be paired with an unwavering maximum pressure campaign. British Airways is adding another long-haul destination to its network, with a new route to South Africas beach city, Durban. BA will launch a three-times-a-week nonstop link from Heathrow at the start of the winter season on 29 October. It will be the only direct flight between Europe and Durban, The 5,935-mile flight will take just under 12 hours, saving three hours on current connections via Johannesburg or other African gateways such as Addis Ababa or Nairobi. Many travellers between the UK and Durban use routes via Istanbul, Dubai and Doha. Recommended Why this BA A380 pilot shared the view as he landed at Vancouver The new link makes access easier to the eastern province of KwaZulu-Natal, which extends along the Indian Ocean coast to the southern frontiers of Swaziland and Mozambique. The province is very popular for domestic tourism, especially from the Johannesburg and Pretoria region. It also attracts European tourists keen on discovering more about the independent Zulu kingdom. The Rough Guide to South Africa says: KwaZulu-Natal, South Africas most African province, has everything the continent is known for beaches, wildlife, mountains and accessible ethnic culture. BA says economy fares will start at 599, though it appears the flights are not yet open for booking and The Independent has not been able to verify prices. The airlines holiday operation is offering return flights and five nights at the five-star Oyster Box beachside hotel for 1,199 per person. The price is based on two travelling together in November, when the average high is 25C. As elsewhere in South Africa, though, the Foreign Office warns of a very high level of crime, and adds: Be particularly vigilant in Durbans city centre and beach front area. Talks about the route between British Airways and the KwaZulu-Natal government took place in February. Imperial Airways flew a flying boat to Durban from Southampton, beginning in 1937 and ending shortly after the Second World War. BA previously operated to Durban via Johannesburg from 1981 until 1999. The airline hopes the efficient Boeing 787 Dreamliner will make it viable. The southbound departure will be overnight, with a daytime flight northbound. The timings are designed to appeal to travellers from Germany, France and Scandinavia who prefer not to connect at Johannesburg. Alex Cruz, BAs chairman and CEO, said: It is a gateway to many nature reserves, parks and historic sites, and has a thriving food, drink and art scene. Durban is also home to the busiest port in South Africa and is a large manufacturing hub. The new route will secure another important link between the UK and the region that will be a welcome addition for business travellers. The airlines network to southern Africa has shrunk over the years, with links to Harare, Lusaka, Lilongwe and Gaborone disappearing from the schedules. Emirates, the giant Dubai-based airline, is seeking to extend its dominance of the aviation market between the UK and the Gulf with a new route from Edinburgh to Dubai. Flights, using a Boeing 777, begin on 1 October. Emirates existing twice-daily service from Glasgow to Dubai will continue as will the service from Newcastle. The Dubai carrier is adding another London departure point, Stansted, in June. It also flies from Gatwick, Heathrow, Birmingham and Manchester. Qatar Airways, based in Doha, launched a new route from Cardiff on 1 May. Recommended British Airways to launch flights from Heathrow to Durban Etihad, based in Abu Dhabi, is shrinking its UK operations to combat heavy losses after a series of disastrous investments in failing European airlines. It recently revealed a loss of 80 per passenger carried. Services between Abu Dhabi and Edinburgh will end in October, along with services from the Etihad hub to Perth, Dallas and San Francisco. Edinburgh Airport will be relieved to retain a connection to the Gulf. The chief executive, Gordon Dewar, called the news a clear statement that Edinburgh Airport is the gateway to Scotland. The route enhances our connectivity to the Middle East and further afield as we access that long-haul network, giving us greater access and choice than ever before. It also back-fills the departure of Etihad even before that service ceases. Scotlands transport minister, Humza Yousaf, said the new route will give Scottish businesses even better access to global markets. Marc Crothall, chief executive of the Scottish Tourism Alliance said: This is a very welcome announcement and great news for Scottish tourism; the link between Edinburgh and the worlds busiest airport presents a whole new wave of market opportunities for Scotlands tourism industry. The link may cause gloom among European carriers such as Air France-KLM, British Airways and Lufthansa, who are likely to lose some business to Asia which currently goes through their hubs. Edinburgh Airport will also get a nonstop flight to Beijing on Hainan Airlines from June 2018. One of the principal complaints against Donald Trumps foreign policy is its incoherence. He quits a Pacific trade deal then ponders rejoining it. He abandons the Paris climate train before teasing about barging back on board. Steel tariffs for all! Well, unless you are exempted. Trump has said its not chaos hes presiding over but a conscious strategy. We must as a nation be more unpredictable, he said during the 2016 campaign. That way, he reasons everyone is kept on their toes. Vladimir Putin could read Barack Obama like a book. Not so him. Thats one way to make sense of his actions, including his latest shocker the decision to exit the nuclear deal negotiated with Iran by the permanent five of the UN Security Council plus Germany. He saw where the boundaries of accepted diplomacy lay and skipped right across them. The other way is precisely to look back to the campaign. Trump is fixated on fulfilling promises made to his base. Some have proved beyond his reach. Like the wall. But where he can deliver he has, and the last of the very big ones was this: to kibosh the insane Iran deal that never, ever should have been made. Look at it that way and what hes doing was entirely predictable. As they say of cheating husbands, Trump has done it because he could. Almost certainly he did it also because the deal was something President Obama delivered. Undoing the Obama legacy is another of his main compass points. Perhaps, also, he was emboldened by progress on North Korea. Trump the Reckless has been attracting Peace Prize talk. The two freshly installed, and entirely hawkish, members of his national security team, secretary of state Mike Pompeo and national security adviser John Bolton, surely nudged him forward. It was Bolton hovering by the door as Trump did his thing. Iran parliament reacts after Trump's withdrawal from nuclear deal Show all 10 1 /10 Iran parliament reacts after Trump's withdrawal from nuclear deal Iran parliament reacts after Trump's withdrawal from nuclear deal Iranian MPs burnt a US flag in parliament after Donald Trump announced America's withdrawal from the nuclear deal. AFP/Islamic Consultative Assembly News Agency Iran parliament reacts after Trump's withdrawal from nuclear deal US President Donald Trump displays a presidential memorandum after announcing his intent to withdraw from the JCPOA Iran nuclear agreement in the Diplomatic Room at the White House. Reuters Iran parliament reacts after Trump's withdrawal from nuclear deal Some Iranian MPs reacted after Trumps decision by shouting 'death to America'. AFP/Islamic Consultative Assembly News Agency Iran parliament reacts after Trump's withdrawal from nuclear deal Iranian lawmakers prepare to burn two pieces of papers representing the US flag and the nuclear deal. AP Iran parliament reacts after Trump's withdrawal from nuclear deal Iran said it will hold talks with signatories to the nuclear deal after Trump's decision to withdraw from the accord, which it branded "psychological warfare". AFP/Islamic Consultative Assembly News Agency Iran parliament reacts after Trump's withdrawal from nuclear deal Several Iranian MPs stood chanting in the Tehran parliament. AFP/Islamic Consultative Assembly News Agency Iran parliament reacts after Trump's withdrawal from nuclear deal Iranian MPs burning a US flag AFP/Islamic Consultative Assembly News Agency Iran parliament reacts after Trump's withdrawal from nuclear deal President Hassan Rouhani addressed the nation in a televised speech in Tehran. He said he'd send his foreign minister to negotiate with countries remaining in the nuclear deal after Trump's decision to pull America from the deal, warning he otherwise would restart enriching uranium "in the next weeks." Iranian Presidency Office via AP Iran parliament reacts after Trump's withdrawal from nuclear deal Iran's press condemned Trump's withdrawal from a multi-party nuclear deal but was divided over whether Tehran should react with patience or withdraw itself. AFP Iran parliament reacts after Trump's withdrawal from nuclear deal Trump announced the US withdrawal from what he called the "defective" multinational nuclear deal with Iran, and said Washington would reinstate sanctions against the Islamic republic. AFP/Getty The United States no longer makes empty threats, Mr Trump declared in the Diplomatic Room of the White House. Theres that promises thing again. When I make promises I keep them. As alleged proof, he revealed that Pompeo was within minutes of departing to Pyongyang for a second round of talks to set the terms of a summit between himself and Kim Jong-un. Of course the biggest promise of all in 2016 was the one about putting America first. After signing his exit decree, he was forced by questions shouted by reporters to offer a variation on the theme. This will make American safer! How so, exactly? No sooner had he finished speaking than the Pentagon was plunged into high alert about the possibility of imminent Iranian strikes against Israel, which was instrumental in pushing the president to his position. As never before, he has alienated European allies, notably France, Britain and Germany, which did all they could to pull him back from the brink. So far emphasis on that so good on North Korea. But Tehran and Pyongyang are not the same. Trump has created a whole new nuclear crisis unnecessarily. He now faces two at once. And this is an additional crisis in a region already riven by military and diplomatic tensions. Hopes of stabilising Syria and Yemen seem suddenly further out of reach. Nor is it clear that this action wont render the task of finalising a lasting deal with North Korea more difficult. Trump, meanwhile, has sold this action on serial false premises. It is not just that he failed to spell out the enormous risks involved. Its also that every utterance he has ever made on Iran has been laced with lies and mistruths. He said in his announcement that Iran is engaged right now in building a nuclear arsenal. Not true. Who is saying that? No one. There is no evidence. He has repeatedly, and again in the Diplomatic Room, accused Obama of delivering $1.7bn to Iran the day the deal entered into force, as if it were some secret pay-off or bribe. In cash, in barrels, he said last week. There were never any barrels, a preposterous notion. He does it to stir up popular support for clobbering Tehran. Never does he acknowledge the truth that this was money owed to Iran for money paid to the US for military hardware that was never delivered. And Trump again cited the case laid out by Benjamin Netanyahu, the prime minister of Israel, that Iran had spirited out a ton of secret documents that would have given the lie to its claim that it never pursued a nuclear military capacity. That too is a red herring, or rather a crock. Netanyahu, followed up by Trump, claimed this was evidence Iran was contravening the agreement. Not so said one nuclear proliferation expert after another. Nothing new there. Trump said that a better deal was there to be had in 2015. No there wasnt, not by any stretch. A new survey by Pew Research suggests that Americans, to whom Trump believes he is delivering on his promises, are not as dumb as he thinks they are. True, more Americans say they disapprove (40 per cent) than approve (32 per cent) of the agreement. But that doesnt mean they think exiting is a sensible step. Fewer than half of those surveyed (42 per cent) said they are very or somewhat confident in Trumps handling of the situation with Iran; 52 per cent say they are not. Trump may have retired to the Oval Office congratulating himself on his boldness. One more promise delivered. One more step towards America First, now America Safer. But if so he has bought the same crock that he has been selling to the American people ever since he started running. And unlike the Paris Agreement or steel tariffs, there will be no walking back on this one. Parts of the UK should brace for thunderstorms following the scorching bank holiday weekend, forecasters have warned. After Tuesday the country will no longer bask in high-20s temperatures, with potential thundery downpours heralding a return to seasonal average figures, the Met Office said. In the Southeast residents can expect temperatures up to 28C on the first day back from the bank holiday, which later may prompt rain showers. Recommended Scorching bank holiday weather smashes multiple temperature records The odd one could turn heavy or perhaps even thundery, meteorologist Sophie Yeomans told The Independent. It does look as though there is a risk, she said, but added: I think you would be very unlucky to catch one. Regarding temperatures, as we go through the rest of the week they will gradually start to drop off, stabilising in the mid-teens, she said, or 18C at a push. Weather fronts moving in from the west are expected to bring some rain for western areas later in the week. UK news in pictures Show all 50 1 /50 UK news in pictures UK news in pictures 7 October 2021 British comedian Jo Brand poses with cut-out silhouettes representing women outside the Metropolitan Police headquarters New Scotland Yard, to highlight violence against women by male police officers or former police officers AFP via Getty UK news in pictures 6 October 2021 A protester, wearing a mask of Johnson, holds a sign reading Question it all on the final day of the Tory conference Getty UK news in pictures 5 October 2021 Members of Insulate Britain outside the Royal Courts of Justice in London, before a hearing over the injunction banning the environmental activists from blocking the M25 PA UK news in pictures 4 October 2021 A delegate passes a street cleaner on the second day of the annual Conservative Party Conference being held at the Manchester Central convention centre AFP via Getty UK news in pictures 3 October 2021 Margaret Thatcher-themed mugs for sale at the annual Conservative Party conference in Manchester EPA UK news in pictures 2 October 2021 A couple make their way through a flooded underpass in Bristol as a yellow weather warning for rain and wind is issued for parts of the UK Tom Wren/SWNS UK news in pictures 1 October 2021 A driver talks to members of the media after passing his HGV (Heavy Goods Vehicle) driving test at National Driving Centre in Croydon, south London AFP via Getty Images UK news in pictures 30 September 2021 The centrepiece One Thousand Springs by Japanese artist Chiharu Shiota is seen ahead of the beginning of the Japan Festival, a celebration of the countrys plants, art and culture running from 2-31 October, at Kew Gardens in London PA UK news in pictures 29 September 2021 The family of Betty Campbell unveil the bronze sculpture of her during the unveiling of the statue in Central Square, Cardiff, of Betty Campbell, Wales' first black headteacher PA UK news in pictures 28 September 2021 A sign referring to the lack of fuel is placed at the entrance to a petrol station in London AP UK news in pictures 27 September 2021 Police officers detain a protester from Insulate Britain occupying a roundabout leading from the M25 motorway to Heathrow Airport in London PA UK news in pictures 26 September 2021 Labour Party leader Sir Keir Starmer watches the Arsenal v Tottenham Hotspur match at The Font pub in Brighton PA UK news in pictures 25 September 2021 Scottish pro-independence supporters hold a march and rally outside the Scottish Parliament in Edinburgh, Scotland Getty Images UK news in pictures 24 September 2021 Police officers remove two protesters from the top of a tanker, as Insulate Britain block the A20 in Kent, which provides access to the Port of Dover in Kent. The environmental activists have moved location after been banned from campaigning on the M25 motorway in London PA UK news in pictures 23 September 2021 Gabriella, the seven year old daughter of imprisoned British-Iranian Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe, joins in a game on a giant snakes and ladders board in Parliament Square, to show the ups and downs of her mothers case to mark the 2,000 days she has been detained in Iran AP UK news in pictures 22 September 2021 A new sign hangs on the Millicent Fawcett statue after it was altered by CrackTheCrises coalition activists to highlight the climate crisis as a feminist struggle in Parliament Square in London EPA UK news in pictures 21 September 2021 Gabriella Diment prepares a monumental bronze patinated fibreglass wall sculpture depicting household cavalry soldiers on horseback which is expected to be sold for 12,000-18,000 when it goes up for auction at Summers Place Auctions in Billinghurst, Kent PA UK news in pictures 20 September 2021 Florist Judith Blacklock puts the finishing touches to a floral carousel installation in Halkin Arcade, which she has designed with Neill Strain for the Belgravia in Bloom festival, running from September 20-26, in London PA UK news in pictures 19 September 2021 Bubbles surround Manchester Uniteds Cristiano Ronaldo before the match against West Ham at London Stadium Action Images/Reuters UK news in pictures 18 September 2021 Children take part in the Settrington Cup Pedal Car Race as motoring enthusiasts attend the Goodwood Revival, a three-day historic car racing festival in Goodwood, Chichester, Reuters UK news in pictures 17 September 2021 Hugo, 7, from London rides past a 4x7 metre rainbow arch, made entirely of recycled aluminium cans, which has been installed by recycling initiative 'Every Can Counts', in partnership with The City of London Corporation in front of St Paul's Cathedral in London, to encourage members of the public to recycle their drinks cans ahead of recycling week, which starts on 20 September PA UK news in pictures 16 September 2021 Sheikeh MOhammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, leader of Abu Dhabi, leaves Downing Street after meeting with Boris Johnson PA UK news in pictures 15 September 2021 Children pose by ice sculptures depicting people collecting water by charity Water Aid to show the fragility of water and the threat posed by climate change in London AFP/Getty UK news in pictures 14 September 2021 Heavy rain covers the A149 near Kings Lynn in Norfolk PA UK news in pictures 13 September 2021 Luke Jerram's 'Museum of the Moon' at Durham Cathedral PA UK news in pictures 12 September 2021 Inspirational young fundraiser Tobias Weller crosses the finish line, near his home in Sheffield, as he completes his latest epic feat where he swam and triked his way to the end of his awesome year-long Ironman Challenge. This is the third challenge Tobias, who has cerebral palsy and autism, has completed, raising more than 150,000 for his school and Sheffield Children Hospitals charity PA UK news in pictures 11 September 2021 British player Emma Raducanu, holds up the US Open championship trophy winning the women's singles final of the US Open in New York AP UK news in pictures 10 September 2021 People paddle board during a misty morning in Ullswater, the second largest lake in the Lake District, Cumbria PA UK news in pictures 9 September 2021 Troops from Wiltshire based 4 Armoured Close Support Battalion Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers during final inspection at Wellington Barracks in London, ahead of providing troops for the Queens Guard PA UK news in pictures 8 September 2021 Workers cross London Bridge during the morning rush hour in London Reuters UK news in pictures Mixing it up: Painting it up press view in London A gallery employee poses for photographers next to a painting entitled Prairie by British artist, Louise Giovanelli during the exhibition 'Mixing it up: Painting it up' at the Hayward Gallery in London EPA UK news in pictures 6 September 2021 Traders in the Ring at the London Metal Exchange, in the City of London, after open-outcry trading returned for the first time since March 2020, when the Ring was temporarily closed due to the pandemic PA UK news in pictures 5 September 2021 People enjoy the warm weather on Sandbanks beach, Poole PA UK news in pictures 4 September 2021 Demonstrators from Animal Rebellion and Nature Rebellion protest in Trafalgar Square in London. PA UK news in pictures 3 September 2021 South Africa's Ntando Mahlangu (centre) wins the Men's 200 metres T61 Final ahead of second placed Great Britain's Richard Whitehead at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games PA UK news in pictures 2 September 2021 A young common seal on the beach at Horsey Gap in Norfolk, as hundreds of pregnant grey seals come ashore ready for the start of the pupping season. PA UK news in pictures 1 September 2021 Goldfinches fighting over food in a garden in Strensham, Worcestershire PA UK news in pictures 31 August 2021 Gold Medallist Sarah Storey of Britain celebrates on the podium Reuters UK news in pictures 30 August 2021 Extinction Rebellion protesters hold a a tea party on Tower Bridge in London EPA UK news in pictures 29 August 2021 A police office tussles with a demonstrator on Cromwell Road outside the Natural History Museum during a protest by members of Extinction Rebellion in London PA UK news in pictures 28 August 2021 Members of the British armed forces 16 Air Assault Brigade walk to the air terminal after disembarking a Royal Airforce Voyager aircraft at Brize Norton, Oxfordshire POOL/AFP/Getty UK news in pictures 27 August 2021 Fabio Quartararo crashes during a MotoGP practice session at the British Grand Prix, Silverstone Circuit Action Images via Reuters UK news in pictures 26 August 2021 An Extinction Rebellion activist holds a placard in a fountain surrounded by police officers, during a protest next to Buckingham Palace in London Reuters UK news in pictures 25 August 2021 Gold Medallist Great Britains cyclist, Sarah Storey, celebrates after winning the Womens C5 3000m Individual Pursuit Final at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games. It was her 15th Paralympic gold Reuters UK news in pictures 24 August 2021 A demonstrator dressed as bee during a protest by members of Extinction Rebellion on Whitehall, in central London PA UK news in pictures 23 August 2021 Former interpreters for the British forces in Afghanistan demonstrate outside the Home Office in central London AFP/Getty UK news in pictures 22 August 2021 Police officers form a line in front of the entrance to the Guildhall, London, where protesters have climbed onto a ledge above the entrance during an Extinction Rebellion stage a protest PA UK news in pictures 21 August 2021 People take part in a demonstration in solidarity with people of Afghanistan, in London Reuters UK news in pictures 20 August 2021 People zip wire across the sea from Bournemouth pier towards the beach. PA UK news in pictures 19 August 2021 Supporters of Geronimo the alpaca gather outside Shepherds Close Farm in Wooton Under Edge, Gloucestershire PA It will be an unwelcome return to normal for many who had enjoyed temperatures as high as 28C on the hottest early May bank holiday on record. Conditions over the weekend meant parts of the country enjoyed weather hotter than that in Madrid or Athens, with most of the UK seeing figures of 23C or higher. The hot weather was caused by a mix of low pressure, light winds and consistent sunshine. Additional reporting by PA Just under half of Northern Ireland companies are already feeling a negative impact from Brexit and only 30pc can identify opportunities from it, according to a survey. Belfast-based corporate law firm Carson McDowell said its research into company bosses' Brexit attitudes showed that around 70pc could not yet identify any opportunities arising from it. But the remainder (31pc) said they were optimistic over the prospects for "reduced red tape, access to new markets and greater input to legislative processes". However, just under half (49pc) of the 101 business leaders surveyed said their firms had been negatively impacted by the Brexit decision already. Only 12pc said they had experienced a positive change while one-third of respondents said there had been no noticeable difference. More than half said they would be hit by any change to the present border arrangements on the island - and just under half said they would be harmed by the arrival of a trade border between Northern Ireland and Great Britain. But the majority were also already contingency planning for the effect of Brexit after March next year - around one-third had sought professional advice before doing so. Michael Johnston, managing partner at Carson McDowell, said: "Whilst it is encouraging to see that most businesses have started to prepare for Brexit, the lack of clarity is hampering how businesses are able to do so in a constructive and meaningful way. In the next 11 months the government will need to provide a level of detail and support that will allow local businesses to manage the risks and actively identify opportunities that may come in the post-Brexit environment." The main UK farming body, the National Farmers' Union, is leading calls for British farmers to become the number one supplier of choice to the UK market in light of Brexit. The NFU is releasing its vision for the UK agriculture sector, and says it wants British people to be able to enjoy more sustainable, quality British food at a range of different prices that suit all incomes. However, current production levels in the UK mean it imports more than 50pc of the food it needs to feed its population - and much of that comes from Ireland. As the UK leaves the EU's Common Agricultural Policy, the NFU has said food production should be recognised as in the national interest by the British government. The call comes amid fears the Sainsbury's-Asda merger could create a retailing giant that will squeeze Irish suppliers hard. However, the farming body has said it does not want tariffs on Irish beef. NFU president Minette Batters said that recent comments by British MP Jacob Rees-Mogg calling for tariffs on Irish beef are "fanciful". "We want to retain a free and frictionless trading arrangement with the EU. We don't want a race to the bottom when it comes to standards. "We don't want tariffs on Irish beef, we want to be able to carry on trading with Europe. "We value short supply chains, where we can produce it here or in Ireland. Why would we bring it in from farther afield? It would be very bad for farmers and growers if we opened the doors to lesser standards." Speaking to the Irish Independent, the NFU president said she hopes Brexit will present the UK with an opportunity to grow its international exports abroad. However, she added that the main threat to British beef supplies is not Irish, but South American beef. "(UK) farmers have raised their game and there is a strong will from consumers to buy and support British farmers. The threat for us and you is that we sign a Mercosur [a South American trade bloc] deal and we have South American beef or US beef here." However, she said there is a worrying lack of reference to food and food production in relation to the UK government supporting its farmers and the majority of support reference was in relation to providing public goods. She also said it was worrying that agriculture does not appear to be featuring in the wider trade package being negotiated with Europe. "A no-deal situation is very bad for British agriculture - we need to agree a deal, " she said. Last year, 50pc of Irish beef produce was exported to the UK, and Irish Farmers' Association president Joe Healy said the reality is that the UK is not self-sufficient in food and is unlikely to be in future. "There is a long history of trade between the two countries and the best outcome for all is the closest possible trading relationship to be maintained," he said. He said a real concern for Irish farmers would be if the UK is free to pursue trade deals with non-EU countries with lower production standards than those countries that are in the EU. A Limerick councillor said the mooted closure of the Dairygold Co-op store in Cappamore will be fought tooth and nail. Cllr Noel Gleeson brought up the issue under any other business at a Cappamore-Kilmallock municipal district meeting. Cllr Gleeson praised Dairygold for being first out of the blocks when they began importing fodder from the UK. The Fianna Fail man also commended staff in the Cappamore co-op store for ensuring farmers in the most difficulty got hay or haylage. Only for that store being open farmers would have been in even more difficulty. A co-op to me is about giving service to local farmers. The co-op movement grew from that, said Cllr Gleeson. Dairygolds profits are enormous yet they still want to take away this service in Cappamore. That will be fought tooth and nail. They will be fought hard before they close Cappamore. It is profit making in Cappamore and farmers cant be driving miles for small stuff, he continued. Last month, Dairygold, Irelands largest farmer owned dairy co-operative, announced an operating profit of 32.4m generated from a turnover of 965.5m (up 28pc on prior year) when it published its annual results for the year ended December 31, 2017. They invested a further 13.4m in the business, bringing the total investments over the past five years to 162.1m. Following a media query on the co-op store in Cappamore, a spokesperson said in October 2017, Dairygold launched a three-year plan to establish a modern fit for purpose retail network. The plan will include store development and enhancements, establishing new purpose-built stores at certain existing locations, the upgrade of some older stores and finally the integration of other stores. Following a comprehensive root and branch review, 13 stores, including Cappamore, were identified for integration into neighbouring stores between now and 2020. We have been engaged in ongoing consultation with our local committees, customers and stakeholders in relation to these plans, said the spokesperson. Speaking about the 11.5m store investment plan, John OCarroll, head of retail, said: The ultimate objective of the retail review and store investment plan will be to provide a revitalised and more focused customer centric store network that is fit for purpose in serving farming and customer needs in a changing retail landscape. Caroline Foxe from Foulksmills and Eamon ORourke from Horetown with Peter Kavanagh from Highfield Solar (centre) The Wexford developers behind a 390 acre solar farm planned for the Clongeen area have said a 180,000 annual payment will be made to the local community if the project goes ahead. Highfield Solar Ltd are about to submit a planning application to Wexford County Council to erect solar panels on up 390 acres of land at Coolciffe, Raheenduff, Haresmead and Rospile for a 35-year period. In a submission to Wexford County Council the company stated that the proposed site would be developed over a number of landholdings. The company proposal states: "The solar panels will be mounted on long racks to form arrays which will be laid out running east to west across the site, facing towards the south. Each array will be a maximum height of 3.2m, with the solar panels tilted at an angle of 22 degrees to 35 degrees in order to maximise sun gain." The arrays would be fixed into the ground and do not require concrete foundations, leaving the land around and beneath the modules as grassland. An electrical substation compound would be erected on site also, along with security fencing and transformer units. Local residents were notified in early February about the company's intention to create the solar energy farm and since that time some farmers are understood to have given permission for their land to be used. The project is being developed by Peter Kavanagh from Kilanerin and John O'Connor from Rathnure, backed by investors fom the UK and Germany. The company held an information meeting on Wednesday in St Aidan's Hall in Clongeen which was attended by around 30 people over a three hour period. Due to an error the wrong date was published in this newspaper for the event. Peter said: "We are not obliged to do community engagement but feel it is best practice and ran a meeting on February 5 which around 50 people attended and we had an information evening again last Wednesday. We had six staff present to answer queries and had a lot of information on display, as well as sample solar panels. "We offered to bring people to an existing solar farm in UK or Northern Ireland, but there were no takers. We hope to submit planning in the coming weeks." Peter said the majority of people expressed concern about the development at last week's meeting. He said solar energy companies are waiting the final decision by Government on the Renewable Energy Support Scheme (RESS). A consultation was completed last September and the plan proposes minimum levels of 2/MWh. "If this is confirmed (and industry expects it shall be) then this would equate to an annual payment of 180,000 to the local community if the project qualified for RESS." Peter said the German and UK partners bring with them a wealth of knowledge about technology. He said everyone will have the opportunity to make submissions once planning is sought, adding that suggestions that there could be chemical leakages from the solar panels made at a recent public meeting in the village are ludicrous. It will take up to three months for the local authority to either grant or refuse planning permission, following which there will be a one month window for the company or residents to appeal the decision to An Bord Pleanala. "We have a similar situation in Meath and the application has been with An Bord Pleanala for 13 months. We are looking at going into construction in Clongeen in 2020. We would build it tomorrow if we could." Describing solar power as the most benign form of renewable energy, Peter said the EU plans to have all countries fully decarbonised by 2050. He said there are no plans to develop a wind farm on site, as suggested at the previous meeting chaired by Kieran Hartley. Gardai investigating the sudden death of an elderly woman on her farm are probing why her walking aid was discovered in the house and not near where they were told she was fatally hit by a teleporter. Tragic Chrissie Treacy (75), is understood to have always used her aid when getting around her farm in Portumna. She suffered horrendous injuries after she was run over by the farm machine. Gardai have spoken to a witness to her death and questioned him about a number of aspects that they are trying to clear up. Expand Close Garda forensic at the scene where an elderly woman lost her life on a farm in Boula outside Portumna. Photo: Hany Marzouk / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Garda forensic at the scene where an elderly woman lost her life on a farm in Boula outside Portumna. Photo: Hany Marzouk The State Pathologist and the Garda Technical Bureau conducted an investigation at the scene last Saturday week after the accident happened at 4pm the previous Friday. It is understood that the elderly woman was being assisted on the farm where she lived alone. Expand Close The scene where Gardai are investigating the death of an elderly woman on a farm in Boula outside Portumna Photo: Hany Marzouk / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp The scene where Gardai are investigating the death of an elderly woman on a farm in Boula outside Portumna Photo: Hany Marzouk Gardai say theyve spoken to witnesses, and are pursuing a number of lines of inquiry in relation to the death. They are also looking into her relationships with a number of individuals close to her and her communication with them in recent months. Chrissie was a single lady with no children and lived on the farm in the Boula area for her entire life. She worked on the dairy farm before she left the running of it to a younger relative and retired. Chrissies body was kept at the scene overnight after the incident was reported as gardai awaited the arrival of the State Pathologist. A Garda forensic team also examined the scene. Her funeral took place this week at St Brigids Church in Portumna and she was buried at Calvary Cemetery. Fr Michael Byrnes, parish priest, was reported as saying: This is a terrible tragedy. To say this small community was stunned would be an understatement. People are genuinely saddened at the death of this warm, hard-working lady who was well known. Former parish priest Fr Brendan Lawless said: It was a very tragic accident. She was the last of her generation on the farm. Her late brothers won cups and prizes for their cattle. She was very kind and generous to everybody and regularly attended day care in the area. Wind farms have boosted local tax bases and generated new revenue as they expand across the United States, especially for rural areas, Moodys Investors Service said in a report this week. What were seeing is wind farms generate new operating revenues, lower the tax burden for local residents, Moodys analyst Frank Mamo told Reuters. In many cases, local governments are using this new money to address what was a growing backlog of deferred capital expenditures. In Adair County, Iowa, construction of 10 new wind farms has grown the tax base nearly 30 percent over the last decade, giving it money to fix bridges and streets. Wind farm taxes are also paying over 40pc of debt service for Webb Consolidated Independent School District in Texas, Moodys noted. In Jackson County, Minnesota, a wind production tax generates nearly 20pc of the countys annual operating revenues and helped fund construction of a new public works facility. Nearly half of the countrys installed wind power capacity is located in Texas, Iowa, Oklahoma and California, the report showed. Yet wind power is growing elsewhere. At least 400 counties in 41 states had wind farms as of January, more than double the number that had them 10 years ago, Moodys found. The developments have expanded rapidly in Kansas and Minnesota, for instance. The primary factor for placing wind farms is an abundance of wind, but government tax incentives and mandated clean energy requirements can also drive their location. The tax boost is especially strong in counties that are allowed to apply their locally determined property tax rate to the valuation of wind turbines, as they do in Iowa. There, the state lets wind farms be phased into a countys tax base, starting at 5pc of a turbines assessed valuation annually until it hits a maximum of 30pc. Iowas booming wind energy sector also prompted tech companies, including Apple, Alphabet, Microsoft and Facebook, to invest a total of nearly $10 billion on data centers, Moodys said. Counties can also tax annual kilowatt hours of wind energy produced, as is the case in Minnesota. Moodys expects demand for wind energy to remain strong despite the phase-out of a federal production tax credit, talk of tariffs on imported steel and waning political support for state incentives. The routes in the 19 counties set to benefit from a new, dedicated rural transport link can be revealed by Independent.ie Transport Minister Shane Ross will today unveil details of the plan he hopes will get more TDs on side with his clampdown on drink-driving. Details of the 50 routes across 19 counties show that Co Wexford and Co Kerry top the list of 19 counties set to benefit from the initiative, which will cost 450,000 for six months. If it is deemed a success, Mr Ross is likely to seek extra funding in next October's Budget to expand the scheme. Passengers will pay a nominal fee while travel pass holders and pensioners will travel for free. Wexford has a total of 12 routes - the most in any county, while there are eight different routes in Kerry. Other counties to benefit are: Carlow/Kilkenny/Wicklow (six routes), Cavan/Monaghan (5), Donegal (4), Laois/Offaly (3), Cork (3), Waterford (3), Louth/Meath/Fingal (2), Tipperary (2) and Kildare (1). However, a number of counties have no routes planned as part of the 50 new service routes that will be run on a 12-month trial basis. In response to complaints from Fine Gael TDs about the effect tougher drink laws will have on rural Ireland, the minister tasked the National Transport Authority (NTA) with reviewing the Local Link service which is run under the Rural Transport Programme. It subsequently drew up a list of suitable towns and villages for late night bus routes. "The NTA has now approved funding for all 50 new services on a six-month trial basis," Mr Ross confirmed. "The services comprise 20 extensions to existing regular public transport routes and 30 demand responsive services, across 19 counties. "They will add 188 new trips per week to the network of rural transport services nationally, and will run on average from 6pm to 11pm, typically on Friday and Saturday evenings." Read More Fine Gael party chairman Martin Heydon, who was central to the proposal, told the Irish Independent it is now up to the communities to prove the service is needed. "It's up to people now to use it or lose it," Mr Heydon said, adding that it should help alleviate rural isolation. The Kildare TD said that while people will focus on the initiative as a 'drink link', it's not just for taking people to the pub. "It has the potential to be a lot more than that. It'll be community-led and local business will have to put on activities now to bring people in," he added. The minister is in a battle with a number of rural TDs to get stricter laws through the Dail. He wants to introduce a three-month mandatory ban for drivers found to have reached an alcohol limit of between 50-80mg per 100ml. Following a funding call for applications to all 17 Local Link offices to deliver a range of trial evening and night time services, the NTA received 50 proposals from 12 of the Local Link offices. Although the plan is being formally launched today, the NTA will consider any further proposed services from the remaining five Local Link offices. In a statement, Mr Ross said all 50 services will be operational by the end of June and will run on a trial basis until December. "The results of the trial will be assessed and the continuation of these services will be considered in the light of those results and the availability of funding in 2019," he said. The plan would cost in the region of 1m to operate for a full year. Grange Castle Business Park, home to some of the world's largest companies including Google, Microsoft and Pfizer, could double in size as Ireland intensifies its battle for Foreign Direct Investment. A key vote will take place next week at South Dublin County Council (SDCD) to decide if almost 500 acres adjacent to the park can be rezoned from agricultural to industrial use. SDCD, which has also commissioned a feasibility study to deliver new innovation spaces in the area, owns some 400 acres of the land, with another 100 acres in private ownership. Over 4,400 people work at Grange Castle, which is more than half occupied at present. SDCC says that, fully developed - and based on the campus's existing footprint - the enlarged site could generate 7,000 new jobs in the coming years. "This is a strategic investment decision for next 20 years, "said Danny McLoughlin, chief executive of SDCC. "In terms of securing employment in the region, Grange Castle could in time be potentially home to an extra 7,000 jobs."Wholly owned and developed by SDCC, the campus - within 30 minutes of Dublin Airport and Port, is also home to firms such as Takeda, Aryzta, Interxion and Grifols. SDCC refused to be drawn on potential land values, but expects to invest an additional 5m on up-front infrastructural works if the proposal is approved by councillors. A feasibility study by SQW Ltd and Oxford Innovation has identified Grange Castle as one of two options to develop a new innovation factory for the area which SDCC says could "transform the innovation landscape agenda for South Dublin". Two specific recommendations include a three-storey 3,000 sq m innovation centre at a waterfront location focused on life science and digital/IT firms. The second is a new build or refurbishment of existing facilities comprising a similar sized building within the ITT-Tallaght Hospital Corridor which could benefit from proximity to IT Tallaght, Tallaght Hospital, TCD's Medical School, the Local Enterprise Office in South Dublin and Tallaght Town Centre. The contract will also see Gardline providing data suitable for input to an application for the permitting of an offshore exploration well. Irish oil and exploration company Providence Resources has announced that a new high resolution 2D seismic survey of its Newgrange licence has been contracted to marine survey company Gardline. The contract will also see Gardline providing data suitable for input to an application for the permitting of an offshore exploration well. Gardline plan to mobilise the M/V Kommandor vessel, which is expected to carry out the data acquisition during third quarter of 2018, subject to regulatory consent. Situated in around 1,000 metres of water depth, and located about 260 km off the south-west coast of Ireland, the Newgrange Prospect FEL 6/14 is operated by Providence on behalf of its partner Sosina Exploration, which has a 20pc share, together referred to as the Newgrange Partners. At the same time, Providence said that potential farm-out discussions continue with respect to this licence. "We are pleased to announce the award of the 2018 Newgrange data acquisition programme to Gardline and look forward to commencing operations during the summer months. The Newgrange prospect provides significant stacked exploration potential at both Jurassic and Cretaceous levels with proven source, reservoir and seal demonstrated in the previous off-structure 62/7-1 exploration well," Dr John O'Sullivan, technical director of Providence said. "The relatively shallow nature of the reservoir intervals also means that this data acquisition programme may provide even further insight to de-risk the potential presence of hydrocarbons within the subsurface prior to drilling." Monaghan entrepreneur Gerry McCaughey's US construction firm Entekra has raised $55m and plans to create 100 new jobs at its headquarters in Monaghan, which will be supported by the IDA. Entekra, which is currently focused on the California market, raised the money from New York-listed Louisiana-Pacific Corporation, a manufacturer of engineered wood building materials firm, as well as a number of private investors. Regarding expansion, Mr McCaughey said "the home construction market is the largest and most inefficient industry in the US. "Entekra's technology allows us to manufacture energy efficient homes at speed and scale. It will reduce waste and improve quality of the home construction process. "Our aim now is to deliver 100 new jobs at our Monaghan facility between now and the end of the year. We are hiring skilled professionals in design, engineering, estimating, administration and purchasing. "The creation of 100 highly skilled jobs by Entekra is a significant vote of confidence in the county and the border region as a great place to do business," said Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation Heather Humphreys. "Gerry McCaughey, a local entrepreneur... has spearheaded this $55m investment in partnership with Louisiana Pacific Corporation. This is a testament to Gerry's strong commitment to his home county. Monaghan has a long and proud tradition in the engineering sector." McCaughey, a former EY industry entrepreneur of the year, was the co-founder of timber-frame construction firm Century Homes here in Ireland. He sold it to the building materials giant Kingspan for about 98m in 2005. Though so-called offsite construction methods are now widely used in Europe, the US has been relatively slow to adopt them. However, it is the world's largest market for timber-framed homes, and projected to grow to 350bn by 2022, requiring more than a million new homes every year. It's understood the business is aiming to deliver annual sales of 200m within five years. Entekra owns a factory in Ripon, 80 miles from San Francisco, in which it invested about $10m last year. The firm is believed to have looked at building additional factories elsewhere in the US and is likely to expand further in the near future. Locations McCaughey previously looked at including North Carolina, Florida and Texas. "Entekra streamlines the construction process by leveraging the integration and application of software, engineering, technology and modern methods of construction to consolidate a multitude of tasks that are normally done on-site by architects, engineers, building materials suppliers and contractors," the company said. Tubs & Tiles owner Heat Merchants - the heating and plumbing supplies group that emerged from the liquidation of the BHT Group in 2012 - is to invest 4m in its branch network and create 75 jobs over the next three years. It plans to open an additional nine Heat Merchants branches and four Tubs & Tiles showrooms as part of the investment programme. It will see the number of Heat Merchants and Tubs & Tiles outlets increase to 56 across the country and its bring its total workforce to 358. It currently operates from 31 Heat Merchants branches and 12 Tubs & Tiles showrooms. Heat Merchants is also adding 20,000 sq ft of warehousing space at its central distribution and support centre in Athlone, it said. BHT Group initially entered examinership in February 2012, before entering liquidation soon after. At the time, the group had more than 31m of debts, including almost 22m that was owed to unsecured creditors. The firm was owned by a private equity firm, which in turn had bought the business from UK group Wolseley in 2010. At the time, BHT also owned the Brooks timber distribution business. The Heat Merchants and Tubs & Tiles businesses were bought by Irish firm Harleston, while Brooks was sold to a Welsh timber importer. Heat Merchants Group has now benefited from a 3.5m capital and restructuring programme. Turnover at the parts of the business acquired from the liquidation increased from 43m to 79m last year, it's understood. Heat Merchants Group managing director Alan Hogan said in the last five years the company has added 82 employees, opened a number of branches and rebranded its network. Mr Hogan said the latest investment creates the platform for the company's "next phase of growth". Influencer marketing, whilst not a new term remains a grey area for consumers. Whilst the Advertising Standards Authority (ASAI) and other industry bodies implement guidelines and provide resources to ensure influencers are adhering to rules and regulations, the Irish consumer wants to know more about the responsibility influencers have when working with brands and sharing content day-to-day. Companies shell out thousands of euros every day to see their brand featured on the social media pages of Irelands most-followed. But how can the consumer remain in control over what and who influences them? Here's a five-step checklist for ensuring the consumer takes control and ensuring brands become more responsible. 1. Know the hashtags Expand Close Eimear McManus / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Eimear McManus If youre a brand or a consumer looking to learn more about how influencers and brands work together, the simplest place start is with the hashtags. Hashtags generally indicate the level of partnership and inform a consumer if a social media post is an advertisement, rather than the opinion of the influencer. The most frequent hashtags are #ad meaning advertisement or #sp meaning sponsored. Both are the social media equivalent of the everyday advertising were familiar with in print, on television or on billboard. Just like a brand paying for a spot in a national paper or on prime-time TV, these hashtags indicate that a brand has paid for a social media post. Consumers should always look closely at social media posts for these hashtags to ensure they are totally informed and in control over how they are influenced. Often-times these hashtags can be missed at first glance or found muddled between other hashtags so its worth having that second look. Instagram has recently introduced a paid partnership tag, allowing influencers to highlight more clearly if a post is an advertisement. This is an excellent step-forward in transparency as it is much more obvious to the consumer than a hashtag. Another common hashtag is #af, meaning affiliated. This hashtag also belongs in the advertising category as it can lead to an income for a social influencer. This one will most regularly be found on an influencers Instagram stories accompanied by a call to action to swipe up to shop or on a blog post accompanied by a link back to an item on an e-commerce website. Its a fair warning to the consumer that the influencer in question will earn a commission when a purchase is made through the trackable link. Lastly, its the online discount code. These are great for brands as they can monitor the real influence an influencer has through the frequency at which a unique code is used. However, influencers regularly disguise these posts as gifts for their followers and in the excitement of it all forget to declare that they are earning a commission each time it is used. 2. Recognise an undeclared partnership Any influencer who is paid by a brand is probably established enough to know the guidelines and use the appropriate hashtags. However, its not just the influencers responsibility, the brand or its acting agent should also ensure the influencer complies. When we work with brands on influencer marketing, a big part of what we do is monitor an active partnership to ensure the influencer includes the correct advertising indicators and represents a partnership correctly. We also feel strongly about educating the brands we work with so they too understand the guidelines and expectations. Unfortunately in the never-ending stream of content on social media, some influencers get away with not declaring partnerships, making it difficult for even the savviest of social media users to make informed decisions. There are a few things consumers can do to stay sharp If your favourite influencer uses the hashtag #brandambassador or #ambassador #work in a post, dont be fooled they are not sharing a certain product or proudly snapping at an event for the good of their health. Whilst they may not have received payment for the post in question, they likely have been paid by the brand for other activity. Similarly, if an influencer is sharing quite a lot of information on behalf of a brand, for instance deals from an airline or snaps from inside a hotel room, this is likely the equivalent of the benefits-in-kind we are all familiar with in our own work. Whilst no money may have exchanged hands, the influencer may have been gifted an experience. This should be declared as a partnership as the opinions shared by the influencer on the experience may not be totally honest and lead the consumer to believe something untrue. The closest traditional example of this is when a consumer reads a restaurant review in their favourite magazine however, the journalist in question will have paid for their own meal leaving them open to share their honest thoughts. Were all familiar with one-star restaurant reviews after all. By the same rule, weve all grown to recognise the sponsored content tag on Irelands leading news outlets, carefully and respectfully letting visitors know that they are reading a paid for feature. Read More 3. Know your macros from your micros In the industry, we refer to an influencer with a large, global following as a macro-influencer whilst an influencer with a smaller, local following is considered a micro-influencer. You may think that a micro-influencers content isnt paid for by a brand because they have a small following but this set of social media gurus have massive influence within their local communities and are more regularly being identified by brands as a mechanic to get a product noticed. However, consumer trust should remain high amongst locally-focused influencers as from our experience working with them, we find their content honest and authentic. More often than not, it is this set of influencers who will work exclusively with brands they truly rate themselves. 4. Be wary of product placement Product placement is becoming the next red flag and an area where a lot more transparency and control is expected in the coming months. A consumer might see a car brand in a music video or beer brand in a movie and recognise it as paid for product placement. However, this is still a huge grey area on social media. Whilst influencers, just like anyone, have the right to choose what content they share, it can be unclear whether images or video that subtly feature a brand in the background are in partnership with that brand. Whilst Irish influencers are generally quite transparent and declare partnerships, consumers can rest their own minds by monitoring previous and future posts. If the same brand seems to be appearing subtly time and again, the influencer may be working with the brand in some form or trying to get its attention to work with them in the future. 5. Look beyond the influencer To be sure the consumer makes informed purchasing decisions, I would firstly suggest that if an influencer sparks an interest in a particular product, seek it out in-store to try yourself rather than buying online based only on the influencers review. Alternatively, give it a google search, its likely youll find a trust-worthy review from a journalist who didnt benefit from the brand to share their thoughts. Second to that, if a consumer is not keen on an influencer earning a commission from a discount code or an affiliate link for a dress recommendation, they shouldnt use the code and shouldnt swipe up. If it doesnt bother you then absolutely go ahead and enjoy the discount provided to you its saving you money after all. 6. Respect the work involved Whilst there is some work to be done educating consumers on identifying influencer marketing, the content influencers provide is highly-creative and much harder to turn out than you might think. Not only is there the conceptualisation stage of a project, there is also the production stage, the scheduling stage, the replying to every comment stage and all of the admin that goes along with being self-employed. The content should absolutely be enjoyed for what it is and if it makes you smile or gives you the tip or advice you need, engage and let the influencer know. They have worked hard to provide it for you and are most definitely deserving of the rewards they receive for both the time invested and the unique skill-set required to what they do. Limerick-born Eimear McManus is the founder of Digital Works Agency which operates in both Ireland and the UK. INSURERS have blamed big pay-outs for the high cost of insurance. It comes as an AA Ireland survey found that the majority of motorists believe that insurance reform has fallen off the Government agenda. Representative group for the sector, Insurance Ireland, told an Oireachtas committee the cost of settling insurance claims is rising. In its submission to the Committee on Business, Enterprise and Innovation, Insurance Ireland said it was determined to bring sorely needed reform to Irish claims costs. It said the average award in the circuit courts rose from almost 12,000 to 17,700 between 2013 and 2016, a 48pc rise. There has been a rise in the number of new personal injuries cases submitted to the courts. And legal series here were 10pc higher than at the start of 2016 than in the first quarter of 2013. Insurance Ireland said an award for an ankle injury here and in the UK. In Ireland, an award of up to 54,000 could be gained from a minor ankle injury while in the UK that would be up to 12,554. Chief executive of Insurance Ireland Kevin Thompson told the committee: It is our belief that there is a significant opportunity to bring about structural reform in 2018 and all stakeholders should redouble their efforts to ensure this occurs. This is not a victimless crime. When people take these cases it does drive up the cost of insurance. "Equally, if people perjure themselves on a stand in front of a judge there should be consequences for that action. Meanwhile, a majority of motorists believe that the issue of tackling rising motor insurance prices has fallen off the Governments radar. In response to a survey of over 4,000 motorists undertaken by AA Car Insurance, 42pc of respondents said that they strongly believe the issue of insurance prices is no longer as important to Government as it was 12 months ago. AA director of consumer affairs Conor Faughnan said: For consumers the issue of motor insurance prices is still a hot button issue, but it feels like the political interest in finding a solution has declined as a result of other issues coming to the fore. He said dealing with Brexit and the housing crisis obviously require a great deal of attention. But that does not mean the Government can take its eye of the ball in tackling this issue and simply hope people will forget, he said. He said that in recent months we have seen the Central Statistics Office reporting minor declines in insurance premiums. But the overwhelming majority of motorists are still paying far more for cover than they were in previous years and some are struggling to cope, Mr Faughnan said. Business sentiment is slipping in euro-area economies in the backdrop of soured relations between Trump and China. Photo: Reuters The European Central Bank (ECB) has warned that a rise in trade protectionism would undermine the global economy, and said the US would be among the worst-affected. The comments coincide with data showing factory orders in Germany unexpectedly slid for a third month in March, another sign of the weakness that's dogged the euro-area this year. Separate reports showed investor confidence in the currency bloc fell for a fourth month and a retail gauge suggested that sales contracted for the first time in more than a year. The ECB has cited tariffs as one of its chief concerns as policymakers edge toward the end of their stimulus programmes. President Mario Draghi has warned that while the impact of already-adopted protectionist measures is limited, the prospect alone of trade war between the US and China, as Donald Trump rails against a trade deficit, could damage confidence and reduce consumption and investment. "In a scenario in which the US increases tariffs markedly on imported goods from all trading partners that retaliate symmetrically against it, the outcome for the world economy would be clearly negative," ECB researcher Lucia Quaglietti wrote yesterday. "The impact could be particularly severe in the US." In the eurozone, an investor confidence index by Sentix fell to 19.2 - the lowest since February 2017 - from 19.6. A gauge of expectations is at its weakest since October 2014. IHS Markit's retail purchasing managers index dropped to a 17-month low of 48.6. A number below 50 signals that sales shrank. Meanwhile, German factory orders slid 0.9pc in March, compared with a median estimate for a 0.5pc increase. They've now dropped for three straight months for the first time since 2015. Export orders slid 2.6pc. (Bloomberg) Once revered in Germany for building Volkswagen into the world's biggest carmaker, former CEO Martin Winterkorn is now facing a growing backlash in his home country, with calls for him to be held accountable for the diesel cheating scandal following his US indictment. Politicians from Chancellor Angela Merkel's governing coalition, as well as opposition politicians, said Winterkorn should face punitive actions in Germany for creating a culture in the company that allowed such a scandal to take place. "I cannot imagine that the accusations would only lead to an indictment in the US but not in Germany," Georg Nuesslein, from Merkel's Christian Democratic-led bloc, told 'Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung'. He said he found it puzzling that an executive can steer "such a global company and still claim he didn't know about all of this". A US federal indictment of Winterkorn, who has maintained his innocence throughout, was unsealed on Thursday, accusing him of conspiring to defraud the US and violate the country's clean air laws. He's also under investigation in Germany. Winterkorn is also facing possible action by his former employer. VW said that it was looking into pursuing possible clawbacks from current and former executives. Winterkorn has repeatedly claimed he wasn't aware of the diesel cheating software that engulfed the company, most notably when he stepped down in 2015 and again last year at a hearing with German politicians. (Bloomberg) Japanese pharmaceutical firm Takeda has confirmed that it has reached a takeover agreement with Shire, valuing the business at 46bn (52bn). The boards of both firms have finally agreed on the terms of the deal, settling on an offer of 49.01 per Shire share. Takeda said it represents a premium of around 64pc compared to the price of its shares in late March, when rumours of Takeda's interest began to swirl. It ends weeks of wrangling, with a string of previous offers having been rejected by the Irish firm that is listed in London. Shire chairman Susan Kilsby said: "We firmly believe that this combination recognises the strong growth potential of our leading products and innovative pipeline and is in the best interests of our shareholders, our patients and the communities we serve." Takeda has agreed that up to three Shire directors will join the company's board once the acquisition is completed. The takeover is set to come into effect in the first half of 2019. Air France-KLM Group shares tumbled in Paris trading as Europe's biggest airline battles turbulence triggered by CEO Jean-Marc Janaillac's resignation and a deepening labour conflict. The stock dropped as much as 14pc, the most since 2002. Even before yesterday, the shares had lost 40pc in value this year, making it the worst performer on the 26-member Bloomberg World Airlines Index. The carrier was thrown into disarray on Friday when Mr Janaillac said he planned to submit his resignation to the board on May 9 after workers rejected his final wage offer - an outcome that even caught some unions by surprise. Yet their defiance continued yesterday as another two-day strike got underway and the airline scrapped about 15pc of services. Air France-KLM has already warned the labour action that started in February will wipe out at least 300m in operating profit this year. While the airline maintained almost all long-haul flights during the latest walkout, it was forced to cancel one in five medium-haul services yesterday from Charles de Gaulle airport in Paris and short-haul trips from Orly were also affected. Further disruptions are predicted today as the industrial action is scheduled to continue. Mr Janaillac, who has been at his post less than two years, used a less confrontational approach than his predecessor Alexandre de Juniac. Analysts have compared a rejection of management's pay proposal by workers to "pressing the self destruct button". Shares fell as much as 14pc, the most since September 30, 2002, and were trading down 10.5pc to 7.24 at 11.51am in Paris, giving a market value of 3.1bn. Mr Janaillac has the backing of the French government as President Emmanuel Macron tries to overhaul his country's economy by liberalising labour laws and cutting taxes on capital. Future projects also include changes to jobless benefits. He's also in a tug-of-war with unions over a plan to overhaul the SNCF national railway, which has triggered a series of strikes. French Finance Minister Bruno Le Maire said on Sunday the Air France workers' demands were unjustified, urging them to show "responsibility" and saying taxpayers won't bail the company out. While airlines from Lufthansa to British Airways - and lately even Ryanair have all had their share of corporate woes brought on by strikes, none has suffered to the extent as Air France. A simmering conflict exploded into open carnage in late 2015, when two of the airline's executives were physically assaulted by enraged workers, forcing them to flee and scale an industrial fence, their business suits and shirts ripped to shreds. Mr Janaillac had put his job on the line, holding an online consultation on the pay offer. He lost his gamble when 55pc of staff unexpectedly rejected the proposal, which was for a 7pc increase over four years. Air France has had 13 days of labour action by pilots, cabin crew and ground staff since February. (Bloomberg) Roman Polanski has threatened to launch legal action after being kicked out of the Academy (Anthony Harvey/PA) Roman Polanski has threatened to sue the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences after he was expelled from its membership. Polanski, along with disgraced comedian Bill Cosby, was kicked out last week. Cosby has been convicted of sexual assault and Polanski remains a fugitive after fleeing the US in 1978 after pleading guilty to unlawful sex with a teenager. Expand Close Roman Polanski has threatened to sue the Academy (Joel Ryan/PA) / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Roman Polanski has threatened to sue the Academy (Joel Ryan/PA) Now, in a letter to AMPAS president John Bailey, Polanskis lawyer Harland Braun has threatened legal action over the illegal expulsion. Mr Braun alleges the Academy broke its own Standards of Conduct rules when its board of governors voted to eject Polanski and Cosby for misconduct. The letter reads: Mr Polanski has a right to go to court and require your organisation to follow its own procedures, as well as California law. It also asks that Polanski is given a fair hearing to present his position with respect to any proposed expulsion. Expand Close Bill Cosby was last week found guilty of sex crimes and was also booted out of the Academy (PA) / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Bill Cosby was last week found guilty of sex crimes and was also booted out of the Academy (PA) The Academy had expelled film producer Harvey Weinstein in October, following numerous allegations of sexual misconduct. Video of the Day Polanski, who won a best director Oscar for The Pianist, has been in self-imposed exile since he fled the US 40 years ago, fearing a judge would extend his sentence after he served 42 days in jail. He pleaded guilty to having unlawful sex with Samantha Geimer in 1977 after allegedly plying her with champagne and a sedative at the Hollywood Hills home of Jack Nicholson, who was not there at the time. Polanski, 84, is currently living in France. Cosby, 80, is awaiting sentencing following his conviction for drugging and molesting a woman at his mansion in Philadelphia in January 2004. Scarlett Johansson attending the Metropolitan Museum of Art Costume Institute Benefit Gala 2018 in New York (Ian West/PA) Scarlett Johansson walked Mondays Met Gala carpet in Marchesa the fashion brand owned by the estranged wife of Harvey Weinstein. Georgina Chapmans womenswear brand was a red carpet staple prior to the sexual misconduct scandal that enveloped Weinstein, with dozens of women saying he sexually assaulted them. The company has been a mainstay for decades. Expand Close The MET Gala 2018 New York / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp The MET Gala 2018 New York That all ended after the accusations against Weinstein began piling up, including revelations that the movie mogul once bullied stars into wearing his wifes designs. The brand had been absent from red carpets at the Academy Awards and other high-profile events. Marchesa also cancelled its Fashion Week show in New York in February. Johansson has long been a fan of the brand but also pledged her support for the #TimesUp movement. She offered no comment on why she chose to wear Marchesa to the Met Gala. 1. Yes. There should be absolute certainty that the election was free and fair. 2. Yes. The audit could and should lead to stronger laws governing elections in the state. 3. No. Former President Trump wants the audit to further cast doubt on the 2020 vote. 4. No. Its a waste of money, an attempt by Abbott to gain favor among Trump backers. 5. Unsure. It seems unnecessary but it may provide some worthwhile findings. Vote View Results Will Ferrell (centre) with Ireland's dancer Kevin O'Dwyer, and backing singers Janet Grogan and Remy Anna on Eurovision blue carpet Eurovision hopeful Ryan O'Shaughnessy has said the "mammoth task" ahead has only just dawned on him as he prepares to perform in front of millions of viewers across Europe tonight. The Skerries musician (25) will represent Ireland with his song, Together, and believes that after a string of losses it's our time to shine again. "I'm feeling really good. There's a big Irish flag on the wall and I have my friends around me," he said from Lisbon. "I'll be representing my country, and it's only just dawned on me the mammoth task I'm facing and how important it is for Ireland to succeed this year in the contest. I think we're on the right path." Expand Close Ryan OShaughnessy rehearsing yesterday. Photo: Andres Poveda Photography / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Ryan OShaughnessy rehearsing yesterday. Photo: Andres Poveda Photography Eurovision commentator Marty Whelan recently joined the Irish delegation in the Portuguese capital and has been imparting words of wisdom to Ryan after his years of experience. "It's great having Marty here," said Ryan. Expand Close Ryan OShaughnessy with RTEs Eurovision commentator Marty Whelan. Photo: Andres Poveda Photography / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Ryan OShaughnessy with RTEs Eurovision commentator Marty Whelan. Photo: Andres Poveda Photography "It's his 20th year of Eurovision and he knows a lot of people, so he's been introducing me and he's been giving me a few tips as well on how to cope with the nerves. But to be honest, I don't really feel too nervous because I've got great people around me and I think we're feeling confident in our performance." If Ryan qualifies for Saturday's final, he will be the first Irish act to get that far since Ryan Dolan in 2013. "It's an honour to be asked to perform for my country," he said. Video of the Day "It's not something I take lightly and hopefully I'll go out with the energy and support of my Irish brothers and sisters and do us proud." Eurovision has attracted A-list celebrities in recent years, including Justin Timberlake in 2016. Hollywood actor Will Ferrell is in Lisbon to enjoy the show, amid rumours that he is working on a Eurovision documentary for Netflix. Ryan is joined in Lisbon by his family, including his uncle Gary O'Shaughnessy, who represented Ireland in the contest in 2001 with the song Without Your Love. His girlfriend Ailbhe has also jetted in to support Ryan and will be sitting with his friends and family for the performance tonight. She said it was "surreal" watching him perform during the dress rehearsal. "I was so happy for him," she said. "His voice sounded amazing through the arena. The overall performance was so beautiful and really showed the story he was telling." She added, "Everybody has landed now and are so excited to see his performance. We have all our Irish flags at the ready!". The Eurovision semi-final airs tonight on RTE2 at 8pm Daniel O'Donnell supefan Molly-Kate Sloan finally met her idol. Do you remember Molly-Kate Sloyan? The girl whose disappointed face launched a thousand memes back in February. When Ryan Tubridy introduced Rosenstock as O'Donnell on the Late Late Show Valentine's Special, Molly-Kate leapt from her seat in the audience with excitement. Expand Close The real Daniel O'Donnell will join this week's Late Late Show line-up / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp The real Daniel O'Donnell will join this week's Late Late Show line-up However, when she realised it wasn't her idol, she was overcome with disappointment and could be seen frowning at the imposter. Her reaction was captured on camera and the 23-year-old became an internet sensation overnight. Expand Close Molly-Kate Sloan and Daniel O'Donnell / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Molly-Kate Sloan and Daniel O'Donnell But she finally got to meet the real deal when Daniel O'Donnell invited her to his sold out gig in the INEC, Killarney today. The Donegal crooner kept good on a promise he made to her back in February when he reached out to Moilly-Kate with an invite to his sold-out concert. Expand Close Molly-Kate Sloan and Daniel O'Donnell / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Molly-Kate Sloan and Daniel O'Donnell "I hope you'll be able to come to Killarney to one of the shows in August and it will be lovely to meet you. Good on you. You have great taste," he told his overjoyed fan. The events worker, who had been holidaying in Spain, flew home especially for tonight's gig. Expand Close Molly-Kate Sloan and Daniel O'Donnell / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Molly-Kate Sloan and Daniel O'Donnell A COUNTY councillor has defended claims that the abolition of the Eighth Amendment will lead to sex slavery becoming normalised. Leitrim Independent Councillor, Des Guckian, said in an email to constituents that Hitler would be very happy with the proposal to abolish the Eighth. He also said repeal of the Eighth would lead to girls being forced to have sex on demand. Speaking to Ocean FM today he said he was glad to stand over the claims. Im glad to stand over whatever I've put into that email - it's time people stood up. What we're facing in Ireland is abortion on demand, he said. What weve got is the Eighth Amendment which over the years has protected the lives of thousands and thousands of the unborn. Mr Guckian also said Ireland should turn to a culture of life and to a proper use of sex. When asked what he meant by his concern that the introduction of abortion in Ireland would lead to the normalisation of sex slavery he said: What I mean by it is this that the values that people always have held will be totally devalued and youngsters - I mean very young - will be asked and will be expected to indulge themselves in sex at an age when theyre just not able for that kind of thing. The councillor said that euthanasia will likely follow if abortion is introduced. In the lengthy email he said: If abortion sweeps in, is euthanasia and the killing of political opponents etc very far behind? They are creating a Culture of Death. This is a holocaust in the same way, he said of his references to Hitler in the email. Mr Guickan denied that the email was designed to create controversy. In less than three weeks, voters across Ireland will take to the polls to vote on repealing the Eighth Amendment. Today, May 8, is the final day to register so here's everything you need to know about making sure your voice is heard: When is the referendum? The referendum on the Eighth Amendment will take place on Friday, May 25 2018. Who can vote in a referendum? Any Irish citizen over the age of 18 can vote in the referendum if they are registered to vote. If you are resident in Ireland but not an Irish citizen, you also have the right to vote in some of the elections. Can Irish citizens living abroad vote in the referendum? If you are an Irish citizen living abroad you cannot be entered on the Register of Electors. This means that you cannot vote in an election or referendum here in Ireland. The only exception to this is Irish diplomats and their spouses, who are on duty abroad and may cast their vote by post. How do I know if I'm registered to vote? If you're unsure if you are registered to vote, you can check here on the Referendum Commission's website. It's as simple as checking the Register of Electors and putting in your details. How do I register to vote? Application forms for inclusion on the Electoral Register, Special Voters List, Postal Voters List and Correction of the draft electoral register are available from all local authorities, post offices and public libraries. Forms are also available here. Completed forms must be returned to your local authority before May 8. Can you vote by post? Normally, you must vote in person at an official voting centre. However, you may be able to vote by post if you are: a full-time member of the Defence Force a member of An Garda Siochana an Irish diplomat or his/her spouse posted abroad You may also be eligible for a postal vote if you cannot go to a polling station because: You have a physical illness or disability You are studying full time at an educational institution in Ireland, which is away from your home address where you are registered. You are unable to vote at your polling station because of your occupation You are unable to vote at your polling station because you are in prison as a result of an order of a court You must register to vote 22 days (excluding Sundays and public holidays) before polling day for other elections or referenda. Applications for a postal vote had to be submitted by April 28, according to Dublin City Council. Where is my local polling station? This information is available on your polling card which will be sent out closer to the referendum. A spokesperson for the Referendum Commission urged people to register as soon as possible. The Referendum Commission urges everyone to check the register to ensure they are on it, so as they can vote on May 25th. You can do so by visiting checktheregister.ie, and if you are not on the register you can download the forms there to register. "There is not much time left. The completed forms have to be brought to your local Garda station with proof of identity, certified, and then submitted to your local authority by Tuesday May 8th. Bearing in mind that there is a Bank Holiday weekend just before that date we would urge people to act as soon as possible. The Catholic Bishop of Ossory has admonished men who abandon their child's mother during pregnancy - saying their actions encourage a woman to seek an abortion. With less than three weeks to the referendum, Bishop Dermot Farrell was one of seven of the country's bishops to call for a No vote over the bank holiday weekend. The leadership of the Catholic Church has stepped up its campaign against repeal, as polls indicate a large cohort of undecided voters. Tens of thousands of the faithful heard strongly worded arguments from their bishops in favour of a retention of the Eighth Amendment. In his pastoral letter, Dr Farrell stressed to Ossory's nearly 85,000 faithful that the Church was contributing to the debate "conscious of its own wrongs and shortcomings". Highlighting that a man is equally responsible for a pregnancy, he asked: "How often is the woman abandoned with her pregnancy, when the man, the child's father, is unwilling to accept responsibility for it?" Quoting Pope John Paul II, he said that by leaving a woman alone to face the problems of pregnancy, a man indirectly encourages a woman's decision to abort. Dr Farrell also claimed that abortion laws would likely become more permissive over time. "Laws do not remain static. Moreover, abortion becomes normalised. For example, in England about 40pc are repeat abortions. What was once proposed as a resolution to a tragedy has, over time, become a matter of lifestyle and choice," he said. His views were echoed by Bishop William Crean of Cloyne, who said in his pastoral letter: "Are women and men well served by the suggestion that the Eighth Amendment is solely a women's issue? Surely it is also a men's issue, a family issue, and a societal issue? "Let there be no doubt that this is a watershed moment in Irish society. The right to life, from its beginning to its natural end, is the cornerstone of a civilised society. It is a great struggle between light and dark, between life and death." DETECTIVES trawled through a total of 160 individual pieces of CCTV footage as they attempted to track the movements of the men allegedly involved in the murder of David Douglas, a trial has heard. Freddie Thompson (37) is alleged to have been the driver of one of the four vehicles central to the garda investigation. A forensic scientist told the Special Criminal Court that DNA matching Mr Thompsons DNA was found on an inhaler in a Mitsubishi car. DNA matching Mr Thompsons was also found on an air freshener and on hand sanitiser found in a Ford Fiesta. Gardai have alleged that four vehicles were used in the murder of Mr Douglas - a silver Mercedes, which was the murder vehicle, a silver Suzuki Swift, a blue Mitsubishi Mirage and a silver Ford Fiesta. The Mercedes was found burnt out at Spitalfields shortly after the killing, and it is alleged that the Suzuki was the ultimate getaway vehicle. Mr Thompson, with an address at Loreto Road, Maryland, Dublin 8, has denied the murder of David Douglas (55), who was shot six times in his partners shop at Bridgefoot Street, Dublin 8 on July 1, 2016. It is the States case that Mr Thompson provided logistical support in the planning and execution of a murder and was the driver of one of two spotter vehicles. This morning, Garda Ciaran Byrne led the judges through CCTV footage, taken on the morning of July 1, 2016. He said CCTV footage showed a silver Ford Fiesta followed by a silver Suzuki Swift travel along Fortfield Road, Dublin 6 at 9.45am. Gda Byrne said the same Ford Fiesta travelled along Terenure Road West, Kimmage Road Lower, Parnell Road and on to Lullymore Terrace, again followed by the Suzuki. The CCTV footage was taken from numerous garages as well as apartment complexes, a post office and an industrial estate, the court heard. At 9.59am, the Fiesta is shown heading along Donore Avenue, Dublin 8. The Suzuki is no longer following the Fiesta, and gardai believe it was parked up on St Annes Road. At 10.41am, CCTV footage taken from the Whiteswan Industrial Estate showed the Fiesta driving along Merton Avenue and turning into Sandford Avenue, Dublin 8. A male, wearing a red top and light tracksuit bottoms, and later identified as Mr C, gets into the passenger seat of the Fiesta. The silver Fiesta then stops at the Timgad shop on South Circular Road and Mr C gets out of the passenger seat and goes into the shop. Gda Byrne said Mr C is wearing a man bag. He comes out of the shop and walks in the direction of Dolphins Barn. A man matching Mr Cs description is later seen walking along Merton Avenue, where he stops at a pay and display machine. Gda Byrne will continue to give his evidence this afternoon. Earlier, forensic scientist, Sarah Fleming, said she conducted a DNA analysis of items taken from the scene of the shooting as well as from four cars, which were part of the garda investigation. Ms Fleming said that Mr Thompsons DNA was found on an inhaler in a Mitsubishi vehicle. She said there was less than one in a hundred million chance that the DNA came from someone unrelated to Mr Thompson. A second mans DNA, known as Mr F, was also found on the dashboard of the Mitsubishi, Ms Fleming told the court. Mr Thompsons DNA was also matched the DNA found on an air freshener and on hand sanitiser in the Mitsubishi. In her evidence, State Pathologist Professor Marie Cassidy said that she conducted a post-mortem on David Douglas on July 2, 2016. Prof Cassidy said Mr Douglas was fatally injured after he received gunshot wounds to the head, neck and trunk. Prof Cassidy said that one or both parties were moving during the incident. She said that Mr Douglas received six gunshot injuries, to the right side of the face, the left side of the chin, the left side of the neck, the right upper chest, the left side of the back and the right elbow. Five of the bullets exited Mr Douglas body. A sixth bullet, which entered Mr Douglas on the left side of his back and went through his spine, was found resting in his trunk, and was removed during the post-mortem. Prof Cassidy said that the injuries to Mr Douglas face would have caused concussion and his rapid collapse. He would also have had trouble breathing, as his airways were obstructed by blood and inhaled vomit. The trial continues before Mr Justice Tony Hunt, presiding, with Judge Gerard Griffin and Judge Flann Brennan. A FOOLISH general operative, who suffered what was described as a horrific injury to the little finger of his right hand, has been awarded 57,000 damages in the Circuit Civil Court against his employer. Noel Cosgrove, counsel for Robert Whelan, of Rowlagh Green, Clondalkin, Dublin, said his client had been loading the frozen section of a trailer when an insulated curtain jammed. In a bid to release it he had pulled it and in the process suffered a significant crush injury to his finger. Mr Cosgrove, who appeared with Maguire McClafferty Solicitors, said Mr Whelan (41) had been working with Musgrave Retail Partners Ireland Limited at their factory premises at Fonthill, Clondalkin, when the incident occurred on September 5 2014. He said the defendant had entered a full defence in which it claimed Mr Whelan had been fully trained for his work but had not complied with this training on the day. He had allegedly attempted to yank the curtain closed while leaving his hand between the curtain and the wall of the trailer. The court heard that following the accident Mr Whelans finger was markedly swollen but following an application of Coldfreeze and first aid he had returned to work on the day. When he had attended the casualty department of Hermitage Hospital 12 days later x-ray examination revealed his finger had been broken. Two days later he had been operated on by a consultant orthopaedic surgeon who had fixed the fracture with wires. However two months later he complained of being unable to bend the tip of the finger fully and had undergone surgery a second time. Mr Whelan had sued his employer on the basis of negligence and breach of statutory duty in that he had been directed to carry out an unsafe system of work. Judge Terence OSullivan, awarding Whelan damages for personal injuries of 50,000 and 7,000 for loss of earnings, said he faced a risk of developing arthritis within the next 10 years. He now worked as a wood machinist and his injury affected his daily work. Judge OSullivan said there was a clear breach of statutory duty on the part of the defendant. What Mr Whelan had done was an act of foolishness on his part but he could not be held responsible for contributory negligence as he would have had to show a blatant disregard for his own safety which he had not done. Former Garda press officer Dave Taylor had 11,000 contacts with journalists during a four-month period after he left the role, the Disclosures Tribunal has heard. The extent of his contact with members of the media was discovered by gardai investigating whether information about the taking into care of a Roma child in October 2013 had been unlawfully disclosed by a garda to a journalist. That inquiry broadened out to include 12 distinctive disclosures of sensitive information to journalists. Chief Supt Frank Clerkin, who led the investigation, said a file was sent to the DPP in August 2015 recommending that Supt Taylor be prosecuted for unlawful disclosure of information. However, in February 2017, the DPP issued a final direction that there should be no prosecution and Supt Taylor, who was suspended for a period, was reinstated to his job in the Garda traffic bureau. Chief Supt Clerkin gave evidence of checks the inquiry team did on communications involving Supt Taylor between 2013 and 2015. Expand Close Garda Sergeant Maurice McCabe (Niall Carson/PA) / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Garda Sergeant Maurice McCabe (Niall Carson/PA) Supt Taylor was transferred out of the Garda Press Office to the traffic bureau in June 2014, but the investigation found he maintained contact with members of the media. In a period from September to December 2014, there were over 11,000 such contacts. The tribunal heard 24.7pc of these contacts were with Eavan Murray, a crime journalist with The Sun. Some 1.6pc were with John Mooney, a crime journalist with the Sunday Times, while 0.1pc of the contacts were with Irish Examiner political journalist Juno McEnroe. All three are journalists Supt Taylor claims he briefed negatively about Garda whistleblower Sgt Maurice McCabe. Chief Supt Clerkin told the tribunal he was asked to conduct the investigation by Assistant Commissioner John Twomey in 2014. It followed a report from then Ombudsman for Children Emily Logan, who concluded a member of An Garda Siochana disclosed details of the Roma incident and the child involved into the public domain, contrary to Garda policy and legislation. The inquiry team included Detective Supt Jim McGowan, the husband of then Garda Commissioner Noirin OSullivan. Chief Supt Clerkin said he had personally picked the investigation team and that Det Supt McGowan was not included at the behest of anyone else. Earlier, the tribunal heard from a number of current and former staff at the Garda Press Office. One civilian member, Chrissie Fitzpatrick, said Supt Taylor felt he had been shafted when he was transferred out of the press office and blamed Ms OSullivan and Garda director of communications Andrew McLindon. Former solicitor Michael Lynn who is accused of multi-million euro thefts will stand trial in January 2020. Mr Lynn (49) with an address in St Alban's Park, Sandymount, Dublin, is facing 21 charges relating to the alleged theft of almost 30 million from seven financial institutions. In one of the sample charges before the court, Mr Lynn is accused of stealing 4.1 million from Irish Nationwide on April 4, 2007. In another sample count, he is charged with stealing 3.6 million from Ulster Bank on October 20, 2006. Last March Mr Lynn was extradited to Ireland from Brazil, where he has been living for several years. Karl Monahan BL, defending, told Judge Martin Nolan at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court that his client has been in custody for some time. He said he was seeking the earliest possible trial date. Cathleen Noctor BL, prosecuting, told the court that the trial is expected to last six to eight weeks. A trial date of January 13, 2020 was set with and a pre-trial date of November 28, 2019. Mr Lynn was remanded in continuing custody. A jury has been shown "real-time" Central Bank records of allegedly fraudulent multi-billion euro deals carried out between Anglo Irish Bank and Irish Life and Permanent during the 2008 global financial crisis. The statements, recorded at the time of the transfers that September, showed Anglos balance going from black to red and back again several times as cash went out of and into its account. They were seen by the jurors in the trial of Anglos former CEO, David Drumm, which resumed evidence this afternoon after several days of proceedings in the absence of the jury. Mr Drumm (51) is pleading not guilty to conspiring to defraud by dishonestly creating the impression that Anglo's customer deposits were 7.2bn larger than they were in September 2008. He is alleged to have conspired with Anglos former Finance Director Willie McAteer and head of Capital Markets John Bowe, as well as ILPs then-CEO, Denis Casey, and others. The case centres on a series of interbank deposits which circulated between Anglo and ILP. The transfers were routed through Irish Life Assurance (ILA), returning to Anglo where they were then treated as customer deposits, which are a better indicator of a banks health. Mr Drumm also denies false accounting, by providing misleading information to the market. Giving evidence today was former Central Bank senior executive officer, Pamela Lennon. She told Mary Rose Gearty SC, prosecuting, she was now retired but had been head of the Central Banks section dealing with Target 2 - an electronic web-based system for recording transactions, which she managed and monitored. It provided real time gross settlements for payments. The service was provided by the central banks of Germany, Italy and France for the benefit of everyone in the euro system. The jury heard at the end of each day, all information was transferred to a data warehouse in France but also retained on the Customer Related Services System (CRSS.) Ms Lennon explained that intra-day credit was available to banks that had eligible assets, or collateral, with the Central Bank. She agreed with Ms Gearty this was like an overdraft facility. The jury was shown a series of statements retrieved from the CRSS for September 29 and 30, 2008. Anglo and ILP were participating banks and transactions were recorded in real time each day. The jury was shown the entry on each statement in which tranches of 1bn went from Anglos account to ILPs, and vice versa. The corresponding balances moved from black to red and back as this happened. Ms Lennon explained that the red balances meant the bank was going into its intra day credit. Each transaction had a time stamp that was accurate to the millisecond because of the huge number of transactions happening each day. Anglos opening balance on September 29 was over 538m, and its closing balance was over 147m. This was its opening balance on September 30 and its closing balance that day was over 1.7bn. The jury was also shown statements for ILP showing money entering and leaving its account. In cross-examination Tessa White BL, defending, said the Central Bank's overall role was to facilitate the movement of monies. "You could say that," Ms Lennon said, before explaining that Target recorded transactions in real time as they settled. It showed funds moving from one account to another and the transactions were "final." The jury also heard brief evidence from another Central Bank official, Michael Lee. The trial continues before a jury and Judge Karen O'Connor. Gardai at the scene at the HellFire Club Photo: Arthur Carron A 28-year-old man has pleaded guilty to the attempted murder of a teenager at a popular hiking spot in Dublin. Michael Corbett, with an address in Raheny, Dublin 5, was charged with the teen's attempted murder on June 27, 2016 at the Hellfire Club on Dublin's Montpelier Hill. He was arraigned this morning and pleaded guilty to the charge. His barrister Michael Bowman SC asked for a sentence hearing on July 2 and Justice Patrick McCarthy remanded Mr Corbett in custody until that date. More to follow A POPULAR Temple Bar pub has been ordered to pay 5,000 to a Brazilian-born sandwich board man for racially discriminating against him. Felix Guerrero alleged at the Labour Court that after he handed in a medical certificate from Mater Hospital ED registrar Dr Andrew Ngaditiono, his boss at the Merchants Arch refused to let him return to work until he got a cert from a proper doctor stating that he was fit to return to work. This was disputed by the Merchants Arch Restaurants Company. However, the court found the firm racially discriminated against Mr Guerrero in refusing to accept his certificate that he was fit to return to work. Awarding him 5,000, the court stated: Discrimination on the grounds of race is a very serious infringement of the law and cannot be treated lightly. Treatment at work cannot vary with the nationality of the person involved. Such discriminatory treatment is odious, unacceptable and cannot be tolerated. Represented by lawyer Richard Grogan in the case, Mr Guerrero made a number of claims under workplace legislation against the Merchants Arch, which is located opposite the HaPenny Bridge, and has been awarded 10,650 in total. His main duty was holding an advertising sign on the street inviting passers-by into the bar. On April 13, 2016, Mr Guerrero collapsed at his home and was brought to the ED at Mater Misericordiae Hospital. On April 20, he presented a medical certificate from Dr Ngaditiono, a senior registrar doctor in emergency medicine at the Mater, to his boss. However, according to Mr Guerreros evidence, his boss refused to allow him to return to work until he got a certificate from a proper doctor. Mr Guerrero returned to the Mater seeking a different certificate but said the hospital told him it had already provided him with one and could do no more. The boss denied telling Mr Guerrero to get a note from a proper doctor and denied receiving the medical certificate dated April 19. He told the court that had he received the cert, he would have returned Mr Guerrero to work but could not say why he did not keep a copy of the April 19 certificate and admitted that he would normally file such notes. Mr Guerrero did not return to his Merchants Arch job and has since got other work. The court ruled that the evidence put forward by the employer lacks credibility and is not consistent with the documents adduced in evidence. It added that it found Mr Guerreros evidence more compelling than the employers and that Mr Guerreros evidence was consistent with the text messages on which both sides relied. The court also stated that the employers case stretches credibility. Mr Guerrero said that he was treated in this way because he was a foreign national and that an Irish person would not have been treated in such a manner. After the ruling yesterday, Mr Grogan said: Racial discrimination undermines the dignity of workers. It has no place in a modern progressive country. Racial discrimination sends out the wrong message. The message from this case is clear. Discrimination has no place in any modern workplace. This case, however, exhibits a worrying attitude of this employer, and unfortunately they are not alone. A spokesman for the Merchants Arch said yesterday that the business would not be making a comment on the Labour Court ruling at this time. The Court of Appeal has upheld serial killer Mark Nash's conviction for the cold-case killing of two women in Dublin, known as the 'Grangegorman murders'. Nash was found guilty in 2015 of murdering the two women, whose mutilated bodies were found in sheltered accommodation in Grangegorman twenty years ago. The 44-year-old, who is originally from England but has last addresses at Prussia Street and Clonliffe Road in Dublin, had pleaded not guilty at the Central Criminal Court to the murder of Sylvia Sheils (59) and Mary Callanan (61) between March 6 and March 7, 1997. A Central Criminal Court jury found Nash unanimously guilty after deliberating for four hours following a 48-day trial and he was accordingly given the mandatory life sentence by Mr Justice Carroll Moran on April 20, 2015. Nash had already been serving life since October 1998 for murdering two people in Ballintober, Castlerea in Roscommon and leaving a woman seriously injured in mid-August 1997. The four murders were committed within the space of five months. Opening an appeal against his conviction for the Grangegorman murders, Nash's lead senior counsel, Hugh Hartnett SC, told the Court of Appeal that it was an extraordinary and unusual case because another man, the late Dean Lyons, had confessed. A short time later, while Nash was in detention on foot of the Roscommon double killing, he admitted to having carried out the Grangegorman murders five months earlier. This sent a tremor through Garda Headquarters, the court heard, and various senior officers were tasked with examining how two people were confessing to the same double murder. Dean Lyons died in 2000 and a jacket, which had been seized from Nash's home during the investigation in the 1990s, was tested and nothing of probative value was found. Nearly ten years later, and with advances in science, DNA was found around the button threads of Nash's jacket and the DPP decided to prosecute. Mr Hartnett said the two main planks to the prosecution's case were the admissions made by Nash and the DNA evidence. Dismissing Nashs appeal against conviction today, Mr Justice Alan Mahon said it had been a lengthy and complex trial, stretching over four months in 2015. The gruesome murder of two vulnerable and defenceless middle aged women had attracted enormous attention at the time and understandably so. It was not just the cruelty of the murder which attracted such attention but also the fact, as is so clear from the evidence, that the two women were brutally murdered and mutilated in circumstances where they presented absolutely no risk or threat to the killer or killers. The level of violence perpetrated on them was senseless, and perhaps thankfully, was so fierce that the victims own appreciation of their fate was short lived. Mr Justice Mahon, who sat with Mr Justice John Edwards and Mr Justice Michael White, said the various appeal grounds had been considered in detail particularly issues relating to the admissions of Nash and the scientific/forensic evidence. However, he said no grounds of appeal were upheld by the court and accordingly we must dismiss the appeal Nash was not in court for the delivery of the judgment. Image released by gardai following the operation over the weekend and (inset) Robert Strzelczyk Two men have been charged with drug possession with intent to supply after an alleged pill-making factory was discovered in a residential house in Celbridge, Co Kildare. Robert Strzelczyk (34) and Gregoritz Staltynski (41) were arrested at a house in St Raphaels Manor on Sunday following an operation conducted by officers from the Garda National Drugs and Organised Crime Bureau supported by the Special Crime Task Force. Equipment including blenders and an industrial pill making machine, along with suspected controlled drugs in powder and pill form with a provisional estimated street value of 500,000, were seized. Gardai state that the process of making tablets had commenced when they forced entry into the premises. The suspects were detained under Section 2 of the Criminal Justice (Drug Trafficking) Act at Leixlip and Lucan Garda Stations. They were brought before Blanchardstown District Court this morning charged in connection with the discovery. A third man who had been detained was released without charge and a file will be prepared for the Director of Public Prosecutions. All are originally from Eastern Europe. The two men who were charged are from Poland. Robert Strzelczyk appeared first before judge David McHugh. Detective Garda Glen Somers of the Drugs and Organised Crime Bureau told the court that Strzelczyk, with an address at The Paddocks, Brownhills Road, Carlow, was charged with possession of MDMA, commonly known as ecstasy, with intent to supply, in both powder and tablet form. He made no reply when cautioned. Detective Garda David Charles, also of the Drugs and Organised Crime Bureau, gave evidence of arresting Gregoritz Staltynski of Priory Green, St Raphael's Manor in Celbridge. He was charged with possession of MDMA, commonly known as ecstasy, with intent to supply, in both powder and tablet form. He was also charged with having cocaine and heroin for sale or supply. All charges for both men were under Section 15 of the Misuse of Drugs Act. Neither of the accused applied for bail, and both were remanded in custody to Cloverhill to appear in court again on Friday May 11. Four young people have suffered injuries, including one 20-year-old man who suffered suspected spinal injuries, in two separate car crashes overnight. Cork City Fire Brigade crews shared a dramatic photograph of one of the incidents which occurred in Douglas, Cork. Crews attended a crash in the early hours of the morning after a car with two occupants hit a number of poles. They used hydraulic cutting equipment to free the occupants. Crews attend a road traffic collision overnight and used hydraulic cutting equipment to free the occupants. Crumple zones help to absorb the force of the collision, ensuring the passenger compartment remained intact. Occupants brought to hospital by @AmbulanceNAS for treatment. pic.twitter.com/BzNN6iFenO Cork City Fire Brigade (@CorkCityFire) May 8, 2018 Writing on Twitter, the fire crews said that "crumple zones" helped to absorb the force of the collision, ensuring the passenger compartment remained intact. Both occupants were rushed to Cork University Hospital for treatment. Meanwhile, on the outskirts of Clonakilty, Co Cork, a young man (20) was rushed to Cork University Hospital following the single vehicle crash which occurred at 3.20am. A young woman (19) who was also in the vehicle was treated at the scene for minor injuries and shock. The N71 Cork Road between Shannonvale and Clonakilty was closed this morning as gardai attended the scene. It is understood the young man did not suffer life-threatening injuries, but does have suspected spinal injuries. Gardai confirmed they are currently investigating the single-vehicle collision. A toddler with an eye-tracker that measures changes in pupil size. Picture: PA Babies whose pupils react more strongly to sudden changes in light intensity are more likely to later be diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), a study has shown. Researchers from Birkbeck, University of London, said their findings provide support for the view that sensory processing plays an important role in the development of the disorder. The study, published in the journal 'Nature Communications', saw them investigate the pupillary light reflex - a basic mechanism controlling the amount of light that reaches the retina in which the pupil contracts when the eye is exposed to sudden increases in brightness. The participants, from the UK and Sweden, were 10 months old when their pupillary responses to light were first examined with an eye-tracker that measured these changes in pupil size. They were followed until they were three years of age, at which point they took part in a diagnostic evaluation. Those infants who eventually fulfilled criteria for ASD showed a stronger pupillary response than infants who did not later fulfil ASD criteria. The amount of pupil constriction in infancy was also associated with the strength of autism symptoms at three years old. Across the two countries, the study looked at 147 infants with an older sibling with ASD. Of these, 29 met the criteria for ASD at the follow-up. The study also included a control group of 40 typically developing infants. Dr Teodora Gliga, research fellow at Birkbeck's Centre for Brain and Cognitive Development, who led the UK branch of the study, said: "For a long time, autism has been defined by atypical social interaction and communication. "However, researchers are increasingly embracing the view that the earliest signs of the condition may lie in more basic processes of brain development. "Understanding the developmental mechanisms behind autism will help improve early detection as well as the design of early interventions." The research was carried out in conjunction with Sweden's Uppsala University. Dr Gabriel Scally, the Belfast-born, former NHS doctor who is to carry out a scoping inquiry into CervicalCheck arrived in Ireland today and has started work. The inquiry will examine key elements of the scandal including why so many of the 209 women who developed cancer after getting an incorrect smear test result were not informed an internal review was carried out on their case. It will also examine the quality of testing, the out-sourcing of analysing smear tests to a laboratory in the United States as well as the role of the HSE and Department of Children. Vicky Phelan, the Limerick mother of two who has terminal cervical cancer, and whose case lifted the lid on the scandal, is to have a key role in steering the terms of reference of the scoping inquiry. Here is everything you need to know: Who is the doctor leading the scoping inquiry into the cervical cancer screening scandal? A scoping inquiry into the smear test scandal gets underway today. It is due to look at a number of issues including tendering process and the withholding of audit results from affected women. Other screening programmes will also be examined as part of the process. Dr Gabriel Scally - a Belfast trained specialist in public health - will lead the preliminary investigation into the cervical smear test scandal. What is Dr Scally's experience? Gabriel Scally trained first in general practice and then in public health. He has held senior roles at both the UK's Department of Health and the NHS. He also holds a number of academic roles including as Professor of Public Health and Planning in the University of the West of England. This is a major scandal concerning a national screening programme, does he have any experience of something like this? Dr Scally has widespread experience in conducting reviews of this type, Health Minister Simon Harris said today. These investigations include a review into clinical failures in pathology in a Swindon hospital and an NHS review of the commission of care and treatment for patients at the Winterbourne View private hospital in the UK, which found patients suffered abuse. What will happen next? Dr Scally is to meet with Minister Harris today and he will also reach out to Vicky Phelan, the woman whose case shone a light on the issues with the screening programme. Other women affected by the scandal are also invited to participate in the scoping inquiry. When will we find out the results of the investigation? Dr Scally will report back to the Minister for Health by the end of next month setting out his findings but he has also been instructed to report any significant information immediately, which will be released to the public. A progress report is due to be published by Dr Scally in the first week of June. It is expected that a full inquiry will follow later this year. Have other experts been drafted in? Dr Scally has also asked an international expert in women's health, Dr Karin Denton, Consultant in Cellular Pathology North Bristol NHS Trust and previously Regional Head of Screening Quality Assurance Public Health England, to provide assistance in the review. An Irish man who spent 17 years in prison before his rape conviction was overturned is now seeking compensation in the UK Supreme Court. Victor Nealon, 54, who is originally from Dublin, was found guilty of attempted rape and was given a life sentence after his trial at Hereford Crown Court. He served 17 years in jail - 10 more than the seven-year minimum term - after he persisted in asserting he was innocent. He suffered a defeat at the High Court and then lost his case in the Court of Appeal. Expand Close Victor Nealon (34) / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Victor Nealon (34) Now, former postman Mr Nealon is appealing the decision in the Supreme Court in London. Speaking on RTE Radio One's Morning Ireland, Mr Nealon's lawyer Mr Mark Newby of QS Jordans said it is a "very difficult time" for his client. "What happened in 2013 was the law changed in Britain so someone who wants to claim compensation [in this instance] has to prove beyond reasonable doubt that they're innocent," Mr Newby said. "It is an impossible burden on anybody wrongfully convicted. It is effectively asking them to prove their innocence twice." Mr Newby said Mr Nealon proved his innocence in the rape case with DNA testing. "We arranged DNA testing with the original exhibits, we showed it wasn't Victor's DNA, it was an unknown male and it was consistent on most of the clothing. "As a result, Victor's conviction was quashed in 2013 on the basis that it looked very likely that someone else was responsible and that's what the jury may well have concluded if they'd heard this evidence." Mr Newby explained that, as a result of the change in law, just one or two people have taken cases in the past 24 months for compensation for wrongful convictions. "You would have expected eight, 10, 11 in a year before," Mr Newby said. He continued; "Victor is in a poor condition, as you would be if you've spent that time in prison protesting your innocence. He also has mental health difficulties, he's had a very difficult time and continues to do so. "We hope at the end of this process, although judgment is likely to be reserved, they will say that the law isn't compatible with the European right to have a fair trial. Background Mr Nealon was set free after appeal judges ruled that fresh evidence made their convictions unsafe, but he had applications for compensation rejected by the Ministry of Justice. Former postman Mr Nealon, who was convicted in 1997 of the attempted rape of a woman in Redditch, Worcestershire, won his appeal in December 2013. The road to the West Cork town of Eyeries (Photo: Google Maps) A convicted murderer from the UK was living among a small rural community in one of Ireland's most picturesque villages for months before being picked up by gardai for breaking his parole. Officers from the Garda extradition section arrested the 65-year-old convicted murderer who went missing after breaking the conditions of his parole. He had been convicted of a murder in the early 1970s. The man was nearing the end of his sentence when he was granted parole by the UK authorities. Under the terms of his early release he was required not to leave the UK and to liaise with probation services. However, it is understood he left the UK a number of years ago. UK police sent out an international appeal for help in tracking down the missing murderer. Gardai were alerted last week to his whereabouts here and sought an extradition warrant from the UK authorities. Two officers from the force's extradition section at Garda headquarters in the Phoenix Park were sent from Dublin to the Beara Peninsula in west Cork. Backed up by officers from the Cork West division, the officers swooped on a caravan where the man had been holed up outside Eyeries and served the warrant. It is understood that the man had been living in the caravan for several months. He had been living in a tent in the area prior to this, according to locals. Officers escorted the man back to Dublin and he appeared on the extradition warrant before Dublin District Court last Thursday. If the man does not object to being returned to the UK, he could leave Ireland within days. Gardai declined to confirm the man's identity, although it is believed he was wanted by Yorkshire police in relation to the parole breach. "There was a European Arrest Warrant (EAW) executed in west Cork for a murder that occurred outside our jurisdiction," a spokesperson said. Locals had simply regarded the man as a recluse given his preference for keeping to himself, wearing black clothing and only associating with locals when he went for a few drinks to a local pub. He was also known to visit the Fisherman's Co-op in Castletownbere from time to time to buy fresh produce. He is understood to have been considered an eccentric and the west Cork area is traditionally popular with people who want to "get away from it all", said locals. Residents of Eyeries admitted they were deeply shocked by the dramatic turn of events last week. "I just thought that he was only an odd sort of fella," one local said. "He kept to himself and you'd only see him out at the shops of maybe going for a drink locally. "You'd see a few foreign people around here who seem to want to get away from it all. "But we were shocked over the weekend when the word spread that this fella was a convicted English murderer." Eyeries is a small village on the ring of the Beara Peninsula and one of the most picturesque and colourful parts of west Cork. It overlooks Coulagh Bay on the Cork coastline. The village is famous for being the location for the Fred Astaire movie, 'The Purple Taxi'. The film was shot in the village in 1977. BRITISH freelance journalist Ian Bailey (60) has claimed DNA was found at the murder scene of Sophie Toscan du Plantier (39) in 1996 which did not belong to either him or the French film executive. Mr Bailey made the startling claim as he revealed he had to learn about the so called "alien DNA" from the case file prepared by a French magistrate against him for a Paris-based murder prosecution. That Paris trial is now expected to take place either later this year or in early 2019. The Manchester-born journalist and poet has now demanded answers as to whether the DNA found at the murder scene was ever tested or compared against Irish or international data bases. Mr Bailey said he had volunteered various samples to Gardai at the time - assured they would fully underline his innocence to the authorities. These even included hair samples. "My hope - or my prayer, if you will - is that the identity of the real murderer is revealed," he told 96FM. Mr Bailey said he does not have any idea as to the true identity of the killer. "There are various stories doing the round that I won't get into." But he said he was startled by one element of the French investigation file. "I received the entire French prosecution file and I went through it. Quite clearly the prosecution is based on statements that are false or have been withdrawn." He said he was taken aback reading, for the first time, the forensic report from the crime scene. "I got all of the forensic details. There were over 100 different blood samples collected at the scene. The vast majority of those were from Ms du Plantier." "(But) there was, apparently, according to the file what was known as alien DNA - not her DNA." "Quite clearly that did not match my DNA because I had given samples and they could check it against it." Mr Bailey said he was astounded by the revelation - and the fact the French were also relying so heavily on material already discredited in Ireland. He said he has endured "a nightmare and torture" through being wrongly associated for 22 years with the brutal killing of the French mother of one at her isolated holiday home at Toormore outside Schull on December 23 1996. He said the first 10 years were horrific to endure - but the last 12 have been made less painful by his legal studies at University College Cork (UCC) and the support shown to him within the west Cork community. Mr Bailey said he now writes poetry - his latest volume was published last year - as he finds it "cathartic." He has also confirmed a challenge to the European Court of Human Rights after he lost an appeal to the French Supreme Court against a Paris-based murder prosecution. Mr Bailey had just a single avenue of appeal left to block French plans to stage an historic Paris trial over the murder of Ms Toscan du Plantier. He had repeatedly warned that the French would attempt to try and convict him absentia for the brutal killing, having successfully fought an extradition bid by the French six years ago. The French film executive and mother of one was found battered to death on a laneway leading to her isolated holiday home at Toormore outside Schull on December 23 1996. No one was ever charged with her killing in Ireland. A French-based investigation was launched 10 years ago when the Irish authorities admitted it was highly unlikely anyone would ever be charged here for the crime. Mr Bailey confirmed he is now to take a European Court of Human Rights challenge to the French-based prosecution which, he said, was aimed at wrongly convicting an innocent man of the crime. "I have been informed by my French lawyer, Dominique Tricaud, that I have failed in the French Supreme Court in my challenge of the decision to charge me with the murder of Sophie Toscan du Plantier 22 years ago," he said. "Mr Tricaud said he was very surprised at that decision." "I am less surprised although clearly disappointed that a prosecution repeatedly rejected by the Irish authorities could make muster in France." "I am also angry that as part of the French investigation somebody here in Ireland in authority made the decision to not inform me that I had the right to participate in the French investigation." "Where do I go from here?" "My French lawyers will in due course take my challenge to the false allegation that I am somehow unexplainedly connected with the murder of Sophie Toscan du Plantier to the European Court of Human Rights." "Even if I am tried for murder in France and found guilty under their Napoleonic Code of law all they will have done is convict an innocent person and merely managed in France what the members of An Garda Siochana tried to and failed," Mr Bailey said. No-one was ever been charged with Ms du Plantier's death in Ireland despite one of the biggest Garda murder investigations in history. Mr Bailey, who moved to Ireland in 1991, was twice arrested by Gardai for questioning. He was released without charge on both occasions in 1997 and 1998. Since then, Mr Bailey has insisted that "sinister attempts" were made to frame him for the crime. The French failed in a 2012 bid to have Mr Bailey extradited with the Irish Supreme Court rejecting the application. A fresh European Arrest Warrant (EAW) was issued two years ago but has never been triggered. Mr Bailey's Irish solicitor, Frank Buttimer, said it was "farcical" what was happening in Paris. He pointed out that the French authorities intend pursuing the prosecution despite the fact they are believed to have precisely the same information which the late Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) in Ireland, Eamon Barnes, rejected as grounds for any prosecution here. Mr Buttimer described such evidence as "totally discredited." "It will effectively be a show trial, if it ever happens." "The evidence on which I believe it (the prosecution) intends to rely is no more than the evidence which was rejected 20 years ago by the late Mr Barnes," Mr Buttimer said. "It also subsequently rejected repeatedly by the other two DPPs in this jurisdiction. Mr Barnes described it as "the thoroughly flawed and prejudiced" evidence gathered by the Irish police." French authorities launched an investigation under Paris-based Magistrate Patrick Gachon into Ms du Plantiers death ten years ago when the Irish authorities confirmed there was now little prospect of a prosecution here. The French are confident that the majority of 40 Irish witnesses, the bulk of whom were interviewed as part of the original Garda murder probe, will agree to travel to Paris for the planned trial. However, they cannot be compelled to attend. Under France's Napoleonic Code, Mr Bailey can be tried in absentia. The only requirement for such a homicide trial to be staged is that the deceased involved was a French national - it does not matter under French law where the alleged incident occurred. Furthermore, French law allows for sworn witness statements to be entered into evidence even if the witness is not present in court. A French judge is also allowed to permit sworn statements from witnesses who are now deceased. Several of those interviewed in west Cork as part of the original Garda murder investigation have since died. If Irish witnesses decline to travel to Paris for the hearing, their statements can still be offered in evidence. The French received special permission from Ireland to allow an elite team of Paris detectives to visit west Cork and re-interview the original Garda murder file witnesses. Those interviews were also video-recorded. Full access was also given by Ireland to the forensic data obtained by Gardai in west Cork. The French investigation involved the exhumation of Sophie's body, a battery of fresh forensic tests and re-interviewing all the original Garda witnesses. Sophie's killing now ranks as arguably Ireland's highest profile unsolved murder. Sophie's son, Pierre-Louis Bauday Vignaud, has paid tribute to the French authorities for their commitment to the investigation - and he vowed that his family will never cease their campaign for justice for Sophie. "It (the prosecution) is very good news - it is news that we have waited a long time for. It is news that we have waited more than 20 years for." For almost two decades, Sophie's elderly parents, Georges and Marguerite Bouniol, travelled each year to west Cork to attend a Mass for their daughter and to appeal for public help to track down her killer. Their family admitted their biggest fear was that they would not live to see someone held accountable for Sophie's brutal death. Scene of the shooting of a male in the leg at 32 Fortlawn Park, Blanchardstown. A man has been injured following a shooting in west Dublin on Tuesday night. The victim, a male in his early 40s, was shot in the Fortlawn estate, Blanchardstown shortly after 10pm on Tuesday. It is understood that the casualty suffered gun shot wounds to his leg, and his injuries have been described as non-life threatening. Sources say a man in the house answered a knock at the door at around 10pm and there was a disagreement between him and a man in dark clothing. A number of shots were then discharged from a handgun, and the man who had answered the door was shot in the ankle. The gunman then escaped on the back of a motorbike that was waiting on the road outside the house. At the scene of the shooting on Fortlawn Park bloodstains could be seen on the doorstep of the house and a bullet hole could be seen in the porch door. The front windows of the house are broken and covered over with plastic, but it is not know if this is related to last nights incident. Dublin Fire Brigade warned sun-seekers to take their rubbish home in an effort to prevent further fires. Firefighters from Finglas station attended a blaze in Tolka Valley Park in Finglas South on Tuesday afternoon. Expand Close Credit: Dublin Fire Brigade / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Credit: Dublin Fire Brigade According to the DFB, the fire was prevented from spreading through dry vegetation in the area. "Waste & litter can be a target for arson, take yours home," a spokesperson said. The statement follows calls for a crackdown on drinking at popular Dublin meeting spot after area left covered in litter. Labour Party Councillor Mary Freehil is calling for increased garda presence along Dublin's canals, saying the amount of rubbish strewn there over the bank holiday weekend was "huge." AN Irish town has vowed to be the first to eradicate plastic straws, saying, "we want to preserve the wildlife and nature." The scenic tourist hotspot of Westport in Co Mayo unveiled their ambitious plan during a meeting of their SuperValu Tidy Towns committee. Cutting down on plastic has become an increasingly important issue in recent times - Ireland is the top producer of plastic waster in the EU, according to Eurostat figures. Previously we have exported 95 per cent of our plastic waste to China but they have now banned that practice. Westport has pledged to become more environmentally friendly and the committee is urging local businesses to get involved. Liam Campion, manager at SuperValu Westport, said: We encourage young people to get involved in the TidyTowns committee because they are the future of our town, and the idea to get rid of straws came from the transition year students on the junior committee. Expand Close Plastic Drinking Straws / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Plastic Drinking Straws We were coming up with different ideas and the teenagers said that all the pubs around have plastic straws if we could get them all to get rid of them in one go, that would be something. We thought that getting rid of plastic straws would be a first and looked into it further. Some of the businesses on the committee are vintners and we now have a commitment from all vintners in Westport that they will only use biodegradable straws from June 1st. Westport has previously been crowned Ireland's tidiest town three times and they intend to be at the forefront on sustainability initiatives, local TidyTowns Committee member Rhona Chambers said. We are a coastal town and want to preserve the wildlife and nature in Westport, so getting rid of plastic straws helps us to do that. The town's population is set to swell from 5,000 to 25,000 during the tourist season and Ms Chambers said they hope that local businesses will be willing to replace plastic straws with biodegradable alternatives. The SuperValu TidyTowns competition is all about businesses and communities working together to make a difference and we hope that by eliminating plastic straws we can make a difference to Westport, Ms Chambers added. The European Commission has warned Health Minister Simon Harris that curbs on alcohol advertising appear to break EU laws. The commission has also challenged plans for a warning linking cancer and alcohol on drink bottles and cans, taking up a third of the space. The Brussels move has been welcomed by the Irish drinks industry but raises more questions about the controversial Public Health (Alcohol) Bill, which Taoiseach Leo Varadkar published when he was health minister in 2015. The draft law is currently before the Dail, having taken two years to make its way through the Seanad. This and other EU interventions, from the Italian and Portuguese governments, mean it is likely to be put back until at least next autumn. The commission has pointed out that publications which currently circulate throughout the EU, including Ireland, would have to print special Irish editions to comply with the planned alcohol ban contained in the current draft law. This breaches the EU single market laws. Similarly, wines and other drinks would need special labels for the Irish market only. It also questions restricting television advertising of alcohol to between 9pm and 3am. They note that broadcasters serving Ireland from outside this jurisdiction are to be regulated by their "home country rules". The EU says it supports Irish efforts to curb alcohol abuse. SACKING Tony OBrien as the boss of the national health service is a very attractive prospect. But would it help us as a nation trying to find our way out of the dreadful miasma of despair that continues to hang over the cancer-screening debacle? Anyone who is not emotional about this issue really has missed the essential point. But we must also channel those emotional responses and take a more dispassionate view of many elements of this mess including whether Mr OBrien should stay or go. So, lets do a quick stock-take. At time of writing, Mr OBrien is still director general of the Health Service Executive, though it emerged yesterday that he will leave his role four weeks earlier than expected at the start of July due to accrued annual leave entitlements. The Government is not exactly passing itself out with expressions of confidence but it has not asked for his resignation. Taoiseach Leo Varadkar and Health Minister Simon Harris have pointed out that the best use of Mr OBriens final 12 weeks in the job, before his contract runs out at the end of July, will be to help establish the facts of what has happened and point a way forward. Many on the Opposition side want him out but even that is unclear. Sinn Fein was first to the barricades here, with leader Mary Lou McDonald castigating him and demanding his immediate sacking. Sinn Fein is trying to table a motion of no-confidence in Mr OBrien this week which could increase pressure but that of itself is complicated. Roisin Shortall of the Social Democrats said it was inevitable that Mr OBrien should go but not before that preliminary scoping examination of the controversy. Ms Shortall felt that scoping examination could be done before the end of this month. Many of the rest of us would see Mr OBriens term being near-enough timed out before we get that preliminary report. On the other side of the spectrum, Independent Tipperary TD Mattie McGrath, an unabashed conservative on social policy issues, insisted Mr OBrien should be out. He also cited Mr OBriens earlier work as chief executive of the Irish Family Planning Association. Fianna Fail came much later to this viewpoint. As early as last Wednesday morning, its Kildare South TD Fiona OLoughlin told her local radio station KFM Mr OBrien should go as what happened was a national scandal. It took until Friday afternoon for that to become Fianna Fail policy via its health spokesman, Stephen Donnelly. He said Mr OBrien should step aside immediately but without prejudice offering a sort of no-fault early exit. However, Mr Donnelly signalled that his party was unlikely to back Sinn Feins no-confidence motion in Mr OBrien. We have been over very similar ground before, in the case of former Garda commissioner Noirin OSullivan. But, at all events, it is unclear whether the Sinn Fein motion will get to the starting gate at all for procedural reasons. The Ceann Comhairle, Sean O Fearghail, is expected to rule on that tomorrow. That is a summary of political pressure which is considerable, if a little diffuse. A Dail motion would not of itself force him out but in practice it would be hard to defy. Things have been compounded by Mr OBrien getting Government permission last year to take up a lucrative board position with a US pharmaceuticals firm while still heading the HSE. The Taoiseach had defended allowing Mr OBrien to take up the US board seat for three reasons. He said Mr OBrien will stand down as HSE head in a few weeks, there is no danger of conflict because the US firm does not operate in Ireland, and Mr OBrien would undertake his US board duties in his own time. But on Thursday the Government announced with some relief that Mr OBrien had decided to temporarily stand aside from his US role. Tanaiste Simon Coveney, while studiously avoiding an expression of confidence, said it was appropriate that Mr OBrien could now focus fully on helping inquiries into the cervical testing problems. Mr OBrien several times last week said he was staying put. He deemed the CervicalCheck scandal a personal blow to him, and vowed to work until the end of his contract. It still appears extraordinary that he learned of Vicky Phelans High Court case via the media. Lets recall the organisation he heads was a joint defendant for a time in this case, which was settled for 2.5m. For many people, that would of itself raise questions about his continuing in office. But galling though it may be for many people not least Ms Phelan and others badly hit by this debacle removing Mr OBrien summarily risks being unjust and counterproductive. Do we know what Mr OBrien did wrong and what he neglected to do? Right now we have only vague accusations which make acting in anger tempting. Sacking Mr OBrien would surely involve sidebar litigation entailing more expense and loss of focus on the main issue. Better far to put the focus on more accountability and responsibility on whoever succeeds him and other senior managers. HEALTH Minister Simon Harris has declined three opportunities to express confidence in HSE Director General Tony OBrien. As he revealed details of an independent scoping inquiry into the CervicalCheck scandal, the minister insisted the embattled health chief should remain in position until the end of June. But he repeatedly refused to express confidence in Mr OBrien. Independent.ie understands three ministers, Katherine Zappone, Michael Ring and Finian McGrath, questioned the merits of standing by Mr OBrien at todays Cabinet meeting. And when questioned by the media this afternoon, Mr Harris repeatedly avoided giving a direct answer. He said there will be a new interim director of the HSE in place by the start of July. I havent done any such thing in terms of expressing or not expressing [confidence], he said. What Ive stated is a fact that in about eight or nine weeks time there will be a new person holding the office of Director General of the HSE. Ive heard from people like the Irish Cancer Society, who have publicly said in your presence that they believe there is benefit in him remaining in post to help for those weeks. I know that the overriding determination and effort of all my colleagues in Cabinet is getting answers. Pressed again, Mr Harris replied: Ive made my position very clear in relation Tony OBrien. He has eight or so weeks left to serve in his post. I expect him to do everything he can to assist in that time. Ive been consistent in my view. Asked a third time if he has confidence in Mr OBrien as DG of the HSE, he responded: Ive said what Ive said and its a very factual statement. Aside from debating Mr OBriens future, the Cabinet did sign off on the terms of reference for an inquiry into why some women were not told that opportunities to spot the early stages of their cancer were missed. It will be headed by Dr Gabriel Scally, a UK professor of public health. The role played by management at CervicalCheck, the HSE and the Department of Health will come under scrutiny. Vicky Phelans, whose case brought the scandal to national attention, is to be contacted by Dr Scally today. The scope of the inquiry will be wider than previously believed with Mr Harris now also seeking answers around the tendering process that saw US laboratories win contracts from CervicalCheck. On Saturday, the Irish Independent revealed how tender documents suggest the contract to carry out all smear tests on behalf of the State was awarded in 2012 based on the cheapest price available. A notification published after a procurement process says that Quest Diagnostics and MedLab Pathology were awarded the contract based on the lowest price, with no details of the other criteria involved. MedLab Pathology is a sister company of Clinical Pathology Laboratories Ltd (CPL), the company that settled a lawsuit with Ms Phelan for 2.5m. It is intended the inquiry will report back before the end of June. Mr Harris said he has also begun work on legislating for mandatory disclosure in a bit to show that the Government response is more than platitudes. He told reporters he is furious at the way the scandal has developed and hopes the inquiry will bring quick answers. INDEPENDENT TD Sean Canney has resigned as assistant government whip saying he doesn't want speculation over his future in the role to be a "distraction". The move comes after his decision to leave the Independent Alliance and means he will lose out on the allowance of 15,000 that comes with the job. His departure from the group of independent TDs cast doubt on whether or not he could continue as assistant government whip. Mr Canney told Independent.ie that he informed Taoiseach Leo Varadkar of his decision to step down from the job today. He is to continue to support the government on confidence and budgetary matters, despite his departure from the Independent Alliance. The Galway East TD said last week that his continued support of the government is "not about a position or money". This afternoon he said his resignation as assistant government whip was "my decision and my decision alone". He added: "I made the decision so that there'd be no distraction for government" saying it is dealing with "serious matters" at a national and local level and "They're the things we need to concentrate on". Mr Canney parted ways with the Independent Alliance after a row with its other four TDs. When the government was formed it was agreed that the position of OPW minister would be shared by Mr Canney and current office holder Kevin Boxer Moran. They flipped a coin to decide who would take the job for the first year, with Mr Canney winning. The office was handed over to Mr Moran last summer, but there then a dispute over who will be the minister for the year ahead. The Independent Alliance last week put out a brief statement noting Mr Canneys departure from the group and saying: we wish him well in the future. State-funded buses to bring drinkers home from rural pubs will run until 11pm on Fridays and Saturdays. Transport Minister Shane Ross will today unveil details of the plan he hopes will get more TDs on side with his clampdown on drink-driving. Co Wexford and Co Kerry top the list of 19 counties set to benefit from the initiative, which will cost 450,000 for six months. If it is deemed a success, Mr Ross is likely to seek extra funding in next October's Budget to expand the scheme. Passengers will pay a nominal fee while travel pass holders and pensioners will travel for free. In response to complaints from Fine Gael TDs about the effect tougher drink laws will have on rural Ireland, the minister tasked the National Transport Authority (NTA) with reviewing the Local Link service which is run under the Rural Transport Programme. It subsequently drew up a list of suitable towns and villages for late night bus routes. "The NTA has now approved funding for all 50 new services on a six-month trial basis," Mr Ross confirmed. "The services comprise 20 extensions to existing regular public transport routes and 30 demand responsive services, across 19 counties. "They will add 188 new trips per week to the network of rural transport services nationally, and will run on average from 6pm to 11pm, typically on Friday and Saturday evenings." Read More Fine Gael party chairman Martin Heydon, who was central to the proposal, told the Irish Independent it is now up to the communities to prove the service is needed. One-fifth of the budget is to be used to highlight the new timetables. "It's up to people now to use it or lose it," Mr Heydon said, adding that it should help alleviate rural isolation. The Kildare TD said that while people will focus on the initiative as a 'drink link', it's not just for taking people to the pub. "It has the potential to be a lot more than that. It'll be community-led and local business will have to put on activities now to bring people in," he added. Co Wexford tops the list with late night buses set to run along 12 routes in the county. Co Kerry, whose TDs Michael and Danny Healy-Rae have been among the most ferocious critics of Mr Ross's drink-driving legislation, will get eight routes. The minister is in a battle with a number of rural TDs to get stricter laws through the Dail. He wants to introduce a three-month mandatory ban for drivers found to have reached an alcohol limit of between 50-80mg per 100ml. Other counties to benefit are: Carlow/Kilkenny/Wicklow (six routes), Cavan/Monaghan (5), Donegal (4), Laois/Offaly (3), Cork (3), Waterford (3), Louth/Meath/Fingal (2), Tipperary (2) and Kildare (1). Following a funding call for applications to all 17 Local Link offices to deliver a range of trial evening and night time services, the NTA received 50 proposals from 12 of the Local Link offices. Although the plan is being formally launched today, the NTA will consider any further proposed services from the remaining five Local Link offices. In a statement, Mr Ross said all 50 services will be operational by the end of June and will run on a trial basis until December. "The results of the trial will be assessed and the continuation of these services will be considered in the light of those results and the availability of funding in 2019," he said. The plan would cost in the region of 1m to operate for a full year. The wrecked hull of a fishing boat that capsized off the Irish coast last month leaving one man dead has been found washed up on a Scottish island. The wreckage of the catamaran crab boat Aisling Patrick drifted over 300km north of the scene of the April 10 tragedy off the Mayo coast, which claimed the life of John Healy (57). Two other men survived. The three had been crab fishing 30km northwest of Eagle Island when their vessel suddenly capsized. It is understood the fishermen managed to launch a liferaft and scramble aboard after transmitting a broken Mayday radio distress call. The liferaft was later found by the crew of the Sligo-based Irish Coast Guard helicopter after the men set off distress flares. All three were airlifted from the scene. However, father-of-three Mr Healy, from Gorthmellia, Barnatra, was later pronounced dead in hospital. About two weeks after the tragedy, the UK Coast Guard was alerted to a capsized boat in the water some distance north of Ireland and west of the Outer Hebrides in Scotland. A Dutch warship on manoeuvres off the Western Isles spotted the upturned boat and alerted the UK authorities. A UK Coast Guard helicopter was dispatched from Stornoway and flew over the scene in an effort to find the wreckage. It was later confirmed that the upturned hull was similar to that of the Aisling Patrick. The wreckage has since washed ashore near Drimsdale on South Uist, the second largest of the Outer Hebrides islands. The local Coast Guard team secured the wreck to ensure it doesn't drift back out to sea and become a danger to shipping. The Marine Casualty Investigation Board here has also been informed of the find. It has yet to be confirmed if the wreckage will be returned to Ireland for examination. A young man has suffered suspected spinal injuries in a car crash in Cork overnight. The man, understood to be in his early twenties, was rushed to Cork University Hospital following the single vehicle crash which occurred on the outskirts of Clonakilty. The incident occurred in the early hours of this morning at 3.20am. A young woman (19) who was also in the vehicle was treated at the scene for minor injuries and shock. The N71 Cork Road between Shannonvale and Clonakilty remains closed this morning as gardai attend the scene. It is understood the young man did not suffer life-threatening injuries, but does have suspected spinal injuries. Gardai confirmed they are currently investigating the single-vehicle collision. Chrissy Teigen once again proved she has one of the best senses of humour in showbiz by poking fun at the Met Gala. The pregnant model chose to stay at home for this years star-studded event, but could not resist poking fun at her fellow celebrities. While other A-listers had spent hours if not days getting ready for the New York City event, Teigen was at home and gave fans a tongue-in-cheek insight into how she put her look together. Alongside a picture of her messy hair, Teigen wrote: This years #metgala GLAM was #SUPER important to me as I wanted it to really embody the heavenly bodies theme!!! I think we nailed it!! Swipe for for #creds!!! First I shampooed my #hairyesterday with #shampoo then I let it sit for 4 minutes while i #shaved the areas I could see on my #body. But the model and mother to Luna did not stop there, giving fans even more information on her look. She added: Next, I used a #towel to dry my hair from roots to ends!! Then, I used a #rubberbandto secure my hair into a pony that i was careful not to pull out all the way! Lastly, I pulled out pieces around my #earsand #neck ! Full tutorial coming up tomorrow !!!!!!!! Like and subscribe!!!!! Earlier in the evening, Teigan posted a picture of herself lounging on the couch watching TV, along with the caption: Waiting for my turn on the carpet at #metgala!!!! always an honor!!! Video of the Day This is not the first time Teigen has poked fun at the Met Gala. Last year, she memorably posted a picture from her bedroom of her and husband John Legend kicking back in bed before the big event. It was captioned: Readddddy. #metball. A giraffe at a wildlife park in South Africa. We didnt feel threatened because he just seemed to be inquisitive, said a member of the film crew (Photo: Getty Images) An award-wining film director was headbutted to death by a giraffe while shooting footage at a safari lodge in South Africa. Carlos Carvalho, 47, was taking closeups of the animal named Gerald when it suddenly swung its neck and knocked him flying through the air. Mr Carvalho died of his injuries that night after being flown to a Johannesburg hospital, said filming agency CallaCrew. He had been shooting scenes at the Glen Afric farm in Broederstroom, which is famous for featuring in the British TV series Wild at Heart. Richard Brooker, whose family owns the lodge, said the bull giraffe would not be put down as he was not considered dangerous. When Carlos was standing in front of the giraffe, the animal spread its legs, bent its neck and swung its head at Carlos, he said. Gerald will remain at the lodge. He did nothing wrong, Mr Brooker told The Telegraph. A spokesperson for Glen Afric also suggested that Carvalho had gone off on his own and ignored safety instructions not to approach the animals. Drikus Van Der Merwe, a member of the film crew, was standing next to Mr Carvalho when the incident occurred on 2 May. The giraffe started chasing the boom swinger who joined our unit, he told the Sun. We didnt feel threatened because he just seemed to be inquisitive. We started shooting closeups of its body and its feet. Then while Carlos was looking through the camera eyepiece Gerald swung his neck and hit him against his head. It came out of nowhere and Carlos didnt even see it coming. He wasnt aware of the danger. I knew he had a severe head trauma. But I never thought he would die. Mr Carvalho won a Cannes Lion award for a South African Childline public service announcement in 2003 and was the director of photography for The Forgotten Kingdom, the first feature film produced in Lesotho. Tributes were paid on Facebook to the father-of-two from Johannesburg as a wonderful human being. Chris Roland said: Deeply saddened to hear about the passing of Carlos Carvalho, a very nice guy and talented DOP [director of photography] I had the honour of working with twice. A great loss to the industry. Farewell Carlos! Props master Thabiso Mohapi said: RIP my brother! Meeting and greeting you that morning at breakfast shooting the first scenes of the morning didnt know it was our last time together. Donald Trump might have had his lawyer pay other women who came forward claiming affairs with the president "if necessary", his lawyer, Rudy Giuliani, said on Sunday. The former New York mayor was speaking in response to the furore surrounding a payment of $130,000 (110,000) to porn star Stormy Daniels made by Michael Cohen, Mr Trump's personal lawyer. The sum was paid along with a non-disclosure agreement intended to prevent her talking about an alleged tryst with the president. Ms Daniels, whose real name is Stephanie Clifford, sued Mr Trump in March to get out of the "hush agreement". When asked on the ABC current affairs show, 'This Week', whether Mr Giuliani had knowledge of any other women being paid, he said: "I have no knowledge of that. But I would think if it was necessary, yes." His comments came days after a report in the 'Wall Street Journal' detailed the existence of a possible "slush fund" used by Mr Cohen to settle problems during Mr Trump's 2016 election campaign. According to the report, Mr Cohen had access to as much as $774,000 (650,000) from credit lines tied to his family properties. The White House has sought unsuccessfully to quell the growing scandal around they payments. Last week Mr Giuliani claimed that Mr Trump had reimbursed Mr Cohen for the money, contradicting the president's earlier comments that he knew nothing about the payments. A lawyer for Ms Daniels called Mr Giuliani's remarks "an absolute unmitigated disaster". In a cameo appearance on 'Saturday Night Live', Ms Daniels called on the president to resign, and warned: "A storm's a-coming, baby." Mr Giuliani also offered further evidence of a toughened approach to the investigation into Russian election meddling led by Robert Mueller, suggesting the president may ignore any subpoena and instead plead the Fifth Amendment so as not to incriminate himself. When asked if Mr Trump would comply, he said: "He's the president of the United States. "He can assert the same privileges other presidents have. We don't have to." ( Daily Telegraph London) Telegraph Media Group Limited [2021] As primary season kicks into high gear, Republicans are engaged in nomination fights that are pulling the party to the right, leaving some leaders worried their candidates will be out of step with the broader electorate in November. Stock picture As primary season kicks into high gear, Republicans are engaged in nomination fights that are pulling the party to the right, leaving some leaders worried their candidates will be out of step with the broader electorate in November. Primaries in four states today, all in places Donald Trump carried in 2016, showcase races in which GOP candidates are jockeying to be seen as the most conservative, most anti-Washington and most loyal to the president. It's evidence of the one-time outsider's deepening imprint on the Republican Party he commandeered less than two years ago. In Indiana, Republicans will pick from three Senate candidates who have spent much of the race praising Mr Trump and bashing each other. In West Virginia, a former federal convict and coal baron has taken aim at Senate majority leader Mitch McConnell with racially charged accusations of corruption. In Ohio, Republicans are certain to nominate someone more conservative than outgoing GOP Governor John Kasich, a 2016 presidential candidate, moderate and frequent Trump critic. Even Kasich's former running mate, Lieutenant Governor Mary Taylor, has pledged to unwind some of Kasich's centrist policies, including the expansion of the Medicaid government insurance programme following Democrats' 2010 health insurance overhaul. With Mr Trump's job approval hanging around 40pc and the GOP-run Congress less than half that, the abandonment of the middle has some Republicans raising alarms. "The far left and the far right always think they are going to dominate these elections," said John Weaver, a Trump critic and top strategist to Kasich, who has been become a near-pariah in the primary to succeed him. "You may think it's wise in a primary to handcuff yourself to the president," he said. "But when the ship goes down, you may not be able to get the cuffs off." North Carolina Republicans will weigh in on the fate of Republican Representative Robert Pittenger, facing a primary challenger who almost upset him two years ago. Pittenger features Mr Trump prominently in his campaign. Challenger Mark Harris, a prominent pastor, has tried to turn the table, saying Pittenger is a creature of Washington who refuses to help Trump "drain that swamp". Tough primaries certainly don't have to be disastrous. They often gin up voter attention and engagement, and can signal strong turnout in the general election. Dallas Woodhouse, who runs the North Carolina Republican Party, said candidates benefit because they must "make their arguments and voters become more aware of the election." Mr Trump and his Democratic opponent Hillary Clinton each survived internal party battles in 2016. Ms Clinton won the national popular vote that year, but in the states that mattered most - Ohio and North Carolina, among them - wary Republicans gravitated back to Mr Trump while Clinton struggled to hit the usual Democratic targets. Few Republicans look at West Virginia and see helpful enthusiasm. Former coal executive Don Blankenship has accused McConnell of creating jobs for "China people" and charges that the senator's "China family" has given him millions of dollars. McConnell's wife is Trump's transportation secretary, Elaine Chao, who was born in Taiwan. In several primaries, Democrats are watching with delight, and having less trouble aligning behind nominees. The chief beneficiaries would be Democratic Senators Joe Manchin of West Virginia and Joe Donnelly of Indiana, both sitting on healthy campaign accounts after avoiding their own primary fights. Democrats must flip about two dozen seats to reclaim a House majority, and they must do it with Republican-run legislatures having drawn many districts to the GOP's advantage. Senate Democrats are just two seats shy of a majority, but must defend 26 incumbents, 10 in states where Trump won, including Ohio, Indiana and West Virginia. Dalis Hitchcock with the kitten rescued from a storm drain (Dalis Hitchcock/Dalis To The Rescue) This was the polite notice which let people know that a cat rescue was under way after miaows could be heard coming from a storm drain. Dog and cat groomer Dalis Hitchcock was inundated with calls about the stranded cat because she also doubles up as an animal rescuer in Saint Louis, Michigan. Expand Close Note placed on a storm drain which reads #we are aware of the trapped kitten. there is an active live trap in the sewer to rescue the trapped kitten. do not disturb! you will scare the kitten away, back down the sewer'. / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Note placed on a storm drain which reads #we are aware of the trapped kitten. there is an active live trap in the sewer to rescue the trapped kitten. do not disturb! you will scare the kitten away, back down the sewer'. She shared details of the cats story on her Facebook page, Dalis To The Rescue, where it received hundreds of likes and shares. I started getting Facebook messages with people pleading for me to help get the kitten out of the drain, she told the Press Association. Dalis had to go back and forth to the drain in nearby Alma and put up a sign to let people know what was happening and that she was on the case. My truck had just broke down that day so I had to call my mom to come pick me up. It took us three attempts but I finally put a little live trap down in the sewer with some canned cat food and I caught it. Expand Close Dalis Hitchcock with the kitten rescued from a storm drain / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Dalis Hitchcock with the kitten rescued from a storm drain Dalis was super-excited and relieved to get the grey-and-white kitten out of the drain. It was supposed to rain that night so I was a little panicky that he wouldnt survive down there if it did rain. He was so small hes around four weeks old that he wouldve just washed away and drowned. The rescue came hot on the heels of a coyote rescue, as Dalis explained in her Facebook post. Well yesterday was a whirlwind of events...it's SPRINGTIME and that means babies, babies, babies EVERYWHERE!!!! And that... Posted by Dalis to the Rescue on Wednesday, May 2, 2018 Saving the kitten is not the first time Dalis has completed a sewer rescue. She had a similar incident involving a different kitten last year. And last autumn she rescued some ducklings. I received a message that a mama duck was squawking over top of a sewer drain because her little ducklings fell in. My husband and I jumped in the sewer, grabbed around eight to 10 little ducklings and reunited them with their mom. Ive also done a 9ft snake rescue in someones basement, rescued geese that were in the middle of a busy road and many, MANY other crazy rescues too. There has been some speculation that Xi Jinping may have met North Korean leader Kim Jong Un (AP) Chinese president Xi Jinping may have met with a high-ranking North Korean official in the Chinese port city of Dalian amid tight security, according to media reports after a North Korean airliner was spotted at the citys airport. South Koreas Yonhap News Agency said North Korean leader Kim Jong Un may have been aboard the plane, although it cited no direct evidence. Japans Kyodo News service said the plane had departed on Tuesday. Hong Kongs South China Morning Post newspaper cited two unidentified sources as saying that Xi had flown to Dalian on the coast east of Beijing to meet with the official as well as to preside over the official launch of sea trials for Chinas first entirely self-built aircraft carrier. Chinese internet users posting on social media described heavy security in the city and extensive flight delays on Monday. Others said they spotted a set of Red Flag limousines used by state leaders. Expand Close The Air Koryo plane lands in an airport in Dalian, China (AP) / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp The Air Koryo plane lands in an airport in Dalian, China (AP) Mr Kim visited China in March for the first time since taking power six years ago, a trip that was not publicly confirmed by the two sides until after he had returned to North Korea by armoured train. He is expected to meet US president Donald Trump for a historic summit, possibly by the end of this month. Yonhap said a North Korea plane arrived on Monday amid tight security. Japanese broadcaster NHK ran a picture of an Air Koryo plane that it said had been taken on Tuesday afternoon at Dalians airport. There are no regularly scheduled flights between North Korea and Dalian. China is North Koreas only major ally, although trade has plummeted in recent months as Beijing enforces United Nations economic sanctions in response to the Norths nuclear bomb and ballistic missile tests. Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Geng Shuang told reporters Tuesday that he had no information to offer at this moment. China and North Korea are close neighbors and always maintain normal communication and exchanges with each other, Mr Geng said. Chinese president Xi Jinping has met North Korean leader Kim Jong Un in a northern Chinese port city, officials said. The meeting, held over Monday and Tuesday in Dalian, is the second between the two men in recent weeks following Mr Kims visit to Beijing in March, his first since taking power six years ago. China is North Koreas only major ally, although trade between them has plummeted in recent months as Beijing enforces United Nations economic sanctions in response to the Norths nuclear and ballistic missile tests. Mr Xi hosted a welcome banquet for Mr Kim and the two leaders strolled along the coastline at a government guesthouse and had lunch together on Tuesday, the official Xinhua News Agency reported. In a cordial and friendly atmosphere, the top leaders of the two parties and the two countries had an all-round and in-depth exchange of views on China-DPRK relations and major issues of common concern, Xinhua said. Chinese state media have quoted Mr Kim telling Mr Xi that his country remains committed to denuclearisation and has no need to possess nuclear weapons if a relevant party drops its hostile policy and security threats against it, in a clear reference to the United States. I hope to build mutual trust with the US through dialogue, Mr Kim was quoted as saying. He said a political resolution of tensions on the Korean Peninsula and denuclearisation should proceed in stages, with all sides moving in concert. Expand Close Mr Kim in an earlier meeting with Chinese foreign minister Wang Yi (AP) / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Mr Kim in an earlier meeting with Chinese foreign minister Wang Yi (AP) US president Donald Trump later tweeted to say he will speak with Mr Xi. He said the two will discuss trade, an area where he says good things will happen. Mr Trump added they will also discuss North Korea, where he said relationships and trust are building. The meeting between the Chinese and North Korean leaders comes as Mr Kim prepares to hold a historic summit with the US president. China has been eager to assert its importance in the process of lowering tensions on the Korean Peninsula. Expand Close Mr Xi will speak to Donald Trump about the meeting later (AP) / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Mr Xi will speak to Donald Trump about the meeting later (AP) On May 22, Mr Trump will meet South Korean president Moon Jae-in at the White House. It is not known how long the Xi-Kim meeting had been planned or why Dalian was chosen. Hong Kongs South China Morning Post newspaper cited two unidentified sources as saying that Mr Xi had flown to Dalian on the coast east of Beijing to preside over the official launch of sea trials for Chinas first entirely self-built aircraft carrier. Chinese internet users posting on social media described heavy security in the city and extensive flight delays on Monday. Others said they spotted a set of Red Flag limousines used by state leaders. As with Mr Kims March visit to Beijing, his presence in Dalian was not officially confirmed until he had left China. Reports said his jet flew out of Dalian airport on Tuesday afternoon. Congos government has declared a new outbreak of Ebola in the countrys rural north-west, after two cases of the deadly virus were confirmed. Congos health ministry said that, of the five samples sent to the National Institute of Biological Research in Kinshasa, two came back positive for the Zaire strain of Ebola in Bikoro in Equateur Province. New #Ebola outbreak declared in Democratic Republic of the Congo The #DRC MoH informed WHO that two out of five samples collected from five patients tested positive for #Ebola Virus Disease. More specimens are being collected for testing. https://t.co/L7BKAdRYT2 pic.twitter.com/aNCq4MIxyt WHO African Region (@WHOAFRO) May 8, 2018 The samples were gathered after the Equateur Province Health Ministry notified Kinshasa on May 3 of some 21 cases of a heamorrhagic fever in the Ikoko Impenge area, including 17 deaths, according to the World Health Organisation and Congos government. The haemorrhagic fever could be different from Ebola. A team was sent by the World Health Organisation and Doctors Without Borders over the weekend to investigate and strengthen coordination. The five new cases were then identified and sent to the laboratory, Congos government said. Since that time, no deaths have been reported among those hospitalised or among health workers treating the ill, it said. Press release: New #Ebola outbreak declared in the Democratic Republic of the Congo #DRC https://t.co/pZyGxYFpjg pic.twitter.com/90vvaVjCaQ World Health Organization (WHO) (@WHO) May 8, 2018 A team of experts will go to Bikoro on Wednesday to implement measures to avoid further spread of the disease, said the ministry statement. The team will also investigate how the outbreak first started, it said. This is the ninth Ebola outbreak in Congo since 1976, when the deadly disease was first identified. The most recent outbreak was in May 2017 that killed four of the eight people infected in Congos Bas-Uele province in the north-east. That outbreak was declared over in July 2017. The bride walks down the aisle on her wedding day at a hospital chapel in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe (AP) A couple attacked by a crocodile wedded days later in a Zimbabwean hospital, where the bride was recovering after losing an arm. Jamie Fox, reportedly from Britain, said: In one week we went from shock and agony to a truly amazing experience. Mr Fox, 27, and his then fiancee, Zanele Ndlovu, were canoeing on the Zambezi, one of Africas longest rivers when a crocodile attacked them on April 30. Ms Ndlovu lost her right arm and suffered injuries to her left hand. Five days later, they married in a hospital chapel. We were glad we still had our lives and managed to keep our wedding date, although we had to do with a much smaller venue. The celebrations went ahead at the original venue but Zenele and I had to remain at the hospital, Mr Fox told The Associated Press. He described the wedding as incredible. Expand Close The couple on their wedding day in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe (AP) / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp The couple on their wedding day in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe (AP) Victoria Falls Guide, a travel website, describes canoeing on the Zambezi above the Victoria Falls the perfect activity for those who not only want to see the abundant bird and animal life but also want to experience the peace, tranquillity and beauty of the Zambezi River. For the couple, the experience turned into a terrifying incident. I was shouting, trying to save her. She was not complaining of pain when we managed to pull her out of the water, maybe because of the shock. We were hoping the doctors would save her arm but that was not to be, said Mr Fox, adding that the couple had dated for about 18 months. I proposed in February. We are hoping to settle in the UK, so we are sorting out her visa and then we will think of the honeymoon, he said. Ms Ndlovu was discharged from the hospital on Monday. President Donald Trump has announced the US is pulling out of the landmark international nuclear accord with Iran. The United States does not make empty threats, he said in a televised address from the White House. Mr Trump said the 2015 agreement, which included Germany, France and Britain, was a horrible one-sided deal that should never ever have been made. He added that the United States will be instituting the highest level of economic sanction. Mr Trumps decision means Irans government must now decide whether to follow the US and withdraw or try to salvage what remains of the deal. Iranian President Hassan Rouhani said he was sending his foreign minister to the countries remaining in the accord but warned there was only a short time to negotiate with them and his country could soon start enriching uranium more than before. The leaders of Britain, Germany and France immediately urged the US not to take any actions that could prevent them and Iran from continuing to implement the agreement. The statement from Prime Minister Theresa May, Chancellor Angela Merkel and President Emmanuel Macron also urged Iran to show restraint and continue fulfilling its own obligations such as cooperating with inspections. Expand Close An anti-US mural painted on the wall of the former US Embassy in Tehran (Vahid Salemi/AP) / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp An anti-US mural painted on the wall of the former US Embassy in Tehran (Vahid Salemi/AP) In Washington, the Trump administration said it would re-impose sanctions on Iran immediately but allow grace periods for businesses to wind down activity. The Treasury Department said there will be certain 90-day and 180-day wind-down periods but did not specify which sanctions would fall under which timelines. The Treasury said at the end of those periods, the sanctions will be in full effect. National Security Adviser John Bolton said nobody should sign contracts for new business with Iran. Former US president Barack Obama called the US pullout a serious mistake, and warned it will erode Americas global credibility. There are few issues more important to the security of the US than the potential spread of nuclear weapons or the potential for even more destructive war in the Middle East. Todays decision to put the JCPOA at risk is a serious mistake. My full statement: https://t.co/4oTdXESbxe Barack Obama (@BarackObama) May 8, 2018 In his remarks, Mr Trump blasted the deal as defective at its core. As evidence, he cited documents recently released by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, a leading critic of the deal. Mr Netanyahu unveiled documents seized by Israeli intelligence showing Iran had attempted to develop a nuclear bomb in the previous decade, especially before 2003. Although he gave no explicit evidence that Iran violated the deal, he said Iran had clearly lied in the past and could not be trusted. Iran has denied ever pursuing nuclear arms. Mr Trumps announcement drew mixed reaction from Congress. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, a Kentucky Republican, said the Iran deal was flawed from the beginning, and he looked forward to working with Mr Trump on next steps. House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, a California Democrat, slammed Mr Trump in a statement, saying this rash decision isolates America, not Iran. The JCPOA was a flawed agreement which @POTUS determined is not in America's nat'l security interests. I share his commitment that Iran must never acquire/develop a nuclear weapon. My statement --> https://t.co/qtRdxzgygC Leader McConnell (@LeaderMcConnell) May 8, 2018 The agreement had lifted most US and international sanctions against Iran. In return, Iran agreed to restrictions on its nuclear programme, making it impossible to produce a bomb, along with rigorous inspections. In a burst of last-minute diplomacy, punctuated by a visit by UK Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson, the deals European members gave in to many of Mr Trumps demands, according to officials, diplomats and others briefed on the negotiations. Yet they still left convinced he was likely to re-impose sanctions. Hours before the announcement, European countries met to underline their support for the agreement. Senior officials from Britain, France and Germany met in Brussels with Irans Deputy Foreign Minister for Political Affairs, Abbas Araghchi. Senator Dick Durbin of Illinois, the number-two Democrat in the Senate, branded the US withdrawal from the Iran nuclear deal a mistake of historic proportions. He said that breaking the Iran deal increases the danger that Iran will restart its nuclear weapons programme, which threatens Israel and destabilises the entire Middle East. Mr Durbin said Mr Trumps action isolates the United States from the world at a time when we need our allies to come together to address nuclear threats elsewhere, particularly in Korea. President Donald Trump has confirmed the withdrawal of the US from the Iran nuclear accord. Mr Trump spoke out against the arrangement as a horrible, one-sided deal based on a lie. He said that if he allowed the deal to stand, there would soon be a nuclear arms race, and called Iran a regime of great terror. He said that no action taken by the regime has been more dangerous than its pursuit of nuclear weapons and the means of delivering them. Mr Trump signed a presidential memorandum withdrawing from the 2015 agreement and said he is planning to reinstall sanctions on the Iranian regime. He said in an address to the nation that he will be reinstating the highest level of sanctions and warned other countries not to help the Iranian government. Expand Close An anti-US mural painted on the wall of the former US Embassy in Tehran (Vahid Salemi/AP) / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp An anti-US mural painted on the wall of the former US Embassy in Tehran (Vahid Salemi/AP) Mr Trump said America will not be held hostage to nuclear blackmail and will not allow a regime that chants Death to America' to get access to nuclear weapons. The president said he made the decision after consulting with US allies. Mr Trump said great things can happen for the Iranian people following his announcement. He predicted that Iranians would someday want to make a new and lasting deal and that when they do, I am ready, willing and able. He added that a new deal could lead to the peace and stability we all want in the Middle East. Mr Trump was speaking from the White House when he denounced the previous Iran deal as defective at its core. Despite lobbying from European allies, Mr Trump moved forward with his campaign promise to pull out of the Obama-era agreement. The Iranians have been sharply critical of the Republican presidents plan to withdraw. Expand Close Protests outside the White House (Carolyn Kaster/AP) / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Protests outside the White House (Carolyn Kaster/AP) Senator Dick Durbin of Illinois, the number-two Democrat in the Senate, branded the US withdrawal from the Iran nuclear deal a mistake of historic proportions. He said that breaking the Iran deal increases the danger that Iran will restart its nuclear weapons programme, which threatens Israel and destabilises the entire Middle East. Mr Durbin said Mr Trumps action isolates the United States from the world at a time when we need our allies to come together to address nuclear threats elsewhere, particularly in Korea. The wreck of an bus of Rome's public transport company Atac, is seen Via del Tritone after being destroyed by an accidental fire on May 8, 2018. / AFP PHOTO / Tiziana FABITIZIANA FABI/AFP/Getty Images A passenger bus caught fire and exploded in the heart of Rome on Tuesday, witnesses said, sending a plume of black smoke over the city centre in the ninth such blaze this year. Local transport authority Atac said the driver and passengers all managed to evacuate the bus, which came to a halt near the popular Trevi Fountain, before the flames took hold. No-one was injured and there was no suggestion of foul play. In 2017, some 20 Rome buses were destroyed or damaged by fires. Italian media have blamed the succession of blazes on Rome's ageing bus fleet and on poor maintenance. Atac, which is struggling under a mountain of debts, says it has upped its repair work and is tackling the problem. A former head of Atac said last year the company was suffocating under some 1.3billion of debts and should declare bankruptcy. According to an internal Atac report, 36pc of all the company's buses are in garages because they have broken down or are undergoing maintenance, with the figure rising to 50pc for the city's creaking fleet of trams. President Vladimir Putin, already the longest-serving leader of Russia since Stalin, launched a fourth presidential term yesterday in which he has promised to improve Russian lives at home while showing no sign of backing down in his confrontation with the West. Russian state television showed the 65-year-old leader arise from his office, don a suit jacket and walk down the long red-lined Kremlin halls to a waiting car. In a lavish ceremony of pomp and splendour, Mr Putin then took the oath of office in the resplendent pink marble Andreyevsky Hall of the Grand Kremlin Palace, the throne room of Russia's tzars. In an apparent bid to show the breadth of Mr Putin's popularity, activists and volunteers from his re-election campaign joined official dignitaries among about 6,000 guests. So did action star Steven Seagal, whom Mr Putin presented with a Russian passport in 2016, and the leather-clad leader of a pro-Kremlin motorcycle club who is known as 'The Surgeon'. The six-year term is supposed to be Mr Putin's last under the constitution. But speculation has mounted in Moscow that he will seek to hold on to power in some way after 2024, perhaps by taking on a new, leader-of-the-nation role. For now, Mr Putin's dominance of the nation's political system seems ironclad. His popularity surged after he annexed the territory of Crimea from Ukraine in 2014, and many Russians have accepted his call to unite around the Kremlin amid the confrontation with the West. To his supporters, Western sanctions and accusations of Mr Putin's complicity in US election interference or Olympic doping are simply means of keeping their country down. But while Mr Putin's foreign-policy legacy after nearly two decades in power reflects a rise in Russia's geopolitical ambitions that many Russians support, his accomplishments at home are less clear cut. Mr Putin benefited from rising oil prices early in his tenure, but since 2008, Russia's stagnant economy has grown at an average of just over 1pc a year. Thanking his outgoing ministers for their service on Sunday evening, he described the government's "key task" for the coming years as delivering an "assured increase in citizens' real incomes". In his state-of-the-nation address in March, Mr Putin promised to halve the poverty rate over the next six years and to double government spending on roads, health care and regional development. "We don't have the right to allow the stability we have attained to lead to complacency," Mr Putin said then. Whether he intends significant economic reform could become clearer as he forms his government in the coming weeks. Relatively liberal former finance minister Alexei Kudrin could rejoin the government, analysts say, but hard liners within the Kremlin prepared to keep up the confrontation with the West are unlikely to lose their influence. For now, however, Mr Putin's promises to improve Russian lives at home have been overshadowed by conflict with the West - with everything from nuclear sabre-rattling to the poisoning of a former Russian spy in England for which Britain blames the Kremlin. There are some signs that Russians are growing impatient with slow economic growth and public corruption. Protests in the aftermath of a Siberian mall fire that killed 60 led to the resignation of a regional governor in April. Anti-Putin rallies organised by opposition leader Alexei Navalny across the vast country on Sunday brought tens of thousands of people onto the streets, and more than 1,500 of them were arrested. Signalling he has no plans to tone down his confrontational approach, Mr Putin lauded his government's actions over the last six-year term. He described it as a time full of "new challenges and unusual events". ( The Washington Post) Irans president has warned the country could start enriching uranium more than ever in the coming weeks, if negotiations fail with countries remaining in the nuclear deal. President Hassan Rouhani made the statement immediately after Donald Trump said he was pulling the US out of the deal. Mr Rouhani spoke live on Iranian state television. He said he would send Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif to countries remaining in the accord. "Therefore, I am announcing today that the United States will withdraw from the Iran nuclear deal." pic.twitter.com/hvnlrkJAQD The White House 45 Archived (@WhiteHouse45) May 8, 2018 He said: I have ordered Irans atomic organisation that whenever it is needed, we will start enriching uranium more than before. He said Iran would start this in the next weeks. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called Mr Trumps decision a historic move. He said leaving the Iran deal unchanged would be a recipe for disaster, a disaster for our region, a disaster for the peace of the world. Mr Netanyahu is a leading critic of the deal, saying it did not contain sufficient safeguards to prevent Iran from reaching nuclear-weapons capability or address Irans other activities across the region. Expand Close Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu welcomed Donald Trump's move (Petros Karadjias/AP) / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu welcomed Donald Trump's move (Petros Karadjias/AP) He said Irans aggression has grown since the deal, especially in Syria, where he says it is trying to establish military bases to attack Israel. Earlier, Israels military said forces were on high alert and ordered bomb shelters open in the Golan Heights after spotting irregular activity of Iranian forces in Syria. Meanwhile, former US president Barack Obama called Mr Trumps decision a serious mistake that will erode Americas global credibility. Mr Obamas administration brokered the deal. He said Mr Trumps decision to withdraw is misguided, especially because Iran has been complying. There are few issues more important to the security of the US than the potential spread of nuclear weapons or the potential for even more destructive war in the Middle East. Todays decision to put the JCPOA at risk is a serious mistake. My full statement: https://t.co/4oTdXESbxe Barack Obama (@BarackObama) May 8, 2018 UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said he was deeply disappointed at the US decision and called on the five other signatories to abide fully by their commitments. The UN chief also called on all other UN member states to support the 2015 agreement. Mr Guterres reiterated that the deal represents a major achievement in nuclear non-proliferation and diplomacy and has contributed to regional and international peace and security. He said it is essential that all concerns about implementing the agreement be addressed through the mechanisms in the deal. A family show their ink-stained fingers after casting their vote at a polling station in Aley, Lebanon, on Sunday. Photo: Reuters The Iran-backed Shia group Hezbollah and its political allies are on course to win more than half the seats in Lebanon's first parliamentary election in nine years, according to preliminary results cited by politicians and Lebanese media. The result, if confirmed by the final count, would boost Hezbollah politically, with parties and individuals aligned with the heavily armed group securing a simple majority in parliament in Sunday's election. Hezbollah is classified as a terrorist group by the United States and an enemy of neighbouring Israel which has fought numerous wars with the group since it was founded in 1982. The unofficial results also indicated that Western-backed Prime Minister Saad al-Hariri would emerge as the Sunni leader with the biggest bloc in the 128-seat parliament, making him the frontrunner to form the next government, though he lost seats. Lebanon's prime minister must be a Sunni according to the country's sectarian power-sharing system. The election was held under a complex new law that redrew constituency boundaries and changed the electoral system from winner-takes-all to a proportional one. The interior minister said official results would be declared. The staunchly anti-Hezbollah Lebanese Forces, a Christian party, appears to have emerged as a big winner, nearly doubling its MPs to 15 from eight, according to the unofficial indications. Hezbollah and groups and individuals affiliated to it secured at least 67 seats, according to a Reuters calculation based on preliminary results for nearly all the seats that were obtained from politicians and campaigns and reported in Lebanese media. Hezbollah's allies include the Shia Amal Movement led by Nabih Berri, the Christian Free Patriotic Movement established by President Michel Aoun, and other groups and individuals that view its weapons as an asset to Lebanon. Hezbollah-backed Sunnis did well in the cities of Beirut, Tripoli and Sidon, strongholds of Hariri's Future Movement, the unofficial results showed. But Hezbollah lost ground in one of its strongholds, the Baalbek-Hermel constituency, where it lost two of 10 seats, one of them to Lebanese Forces. Hezbollah-backed winners include Jamil al-Sayyed, a retired general and former Lebanese intelligence chief who is a close friend of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, according to the unofficial results. The woman claiming to be Princess Latifa bin Mohammad al-Maktoum, daughter of the Emirate's ruler. YouTube: Escape from Dubai The lawyers representing an Emirati princess believed to be detained in the UAE have asked the UN to urgently intervene to help secure her release. Sheikha Latifa bint Mohammad al-Maktoum the daughter of Dubai ruler Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid al-Maktoum tried to escape the UAE in February before the boat she was on was allegedly intercepted off the coast of India and she was forcibly returned home. The whereabouts of Sheikha Latifa is currently unknown. However, given the circumstances and reports in the media, it is believed that she is in the custody of the UAE authorities, detained against her will, Toby Cadman, of law firm Guernica 37 International Justice Chambers, told The Independent. As such, he added: She is subject to enforced or involuntary disappearance and further, if it is confirmed that she is in the custody of the UAE authorities, she is being arbitrarily detained. Tiina Jauhiainen, a Finnish friend of Ms Maktoums, told Human Rights Watch she was also involved in the escape attempt, and that the two of them left the UAE in late February, boarding a boat belonging to French-American dual citizen, Herve Jaubert. Guernica 37 is also representing Mr Jaubert and Ms Jauhiainen. On 4 March the boat was intercepted by armed men, said Ms Jauhiainen, off the coast of India and they were forcibly returned to the UAE. Upon Ms Maktoums disappearance, a video was released in which she said: Im making this video because it could be the last video I make. Guernica 37 has now lodged an appeal with the UN Working Group on Enforced and Involuntary Disappearances, the UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detention and the UN Special Rapporteur on Torture. We alleged that both [the UAE and India] are responsible for the enforced disappearance of Sheikha Latifa, said Toby Cadman. The UN working groups now have to decide whether to pass on the communication to those two countries, Mr Cadman said. Once communicated to the concerned states they will be invited to respond as a matter of urgency. They can refuse or decline to respond or they can respond to the substance of the allegations. We would encourage both states to respond and to clearly set out where she is being detained, why, and to release her forthwith. We will then urge the UN to take greater action in securing her immediate release. An Indian English-language newspaper reported that the Indian Coast Guard intercepted the boat, at the behest of Emirati authorities something denied by both India and the UAE. A source close to the Dubai government said in April that the princess was brought back to the Gulf country. But while Ms Jauhiainen was later released, after being forced to sign a confession in Arabic, Ms Maktoum has not been let go, according to the source. UAE authorities should immediately reveal the whereabouts of Sheikha Latifa, confirm her status, and allow her contact with the outside world, said Sarah Leah Whitson, Human Rights Watchs Middle East director. If she is detained she needs to be given the rights all detainees should have, including being taken before an independent judge. Radha Stirling, the founder of Detained in Dubai, an international authority on UEA law, told The Independent that she last spoke to Ms Maktoum as the yacht was allegedly being raided off the coast of India, and she has not been heard from since. All their communications were then severed, and we believe there was electronic warfare aircraft above the boat, blocking contact with the outside world. And while Ms Jauhiainen and the crew members were held in the UAE for three weeks, and threatened not to speak out about the case, they are now doing so as they believe it is the only way to help Ms Maktoum be freed. At first they were very nervous, of course, said Ms Stirling. But they thought it was the only way for Latifa to have a chance at freedom. Ms Maktoum had previously tried to escape in 2002, she said in the video released in March, but UAE authorities stopped her at the border, returned her to Dubai and held her in a detention facility, where she was tortured, for three years. At this weekends Kentucky Derby, friends in the US skydiving community flew a banner saying: DUBAI, WHERE IS PRINCESS LATIFA? Ms Stirling is quietly optimistic the renewed focus on her case will mean she might soon be released. We are hopeful. It becomes very difficult for them when you have the UN involved and Human Rights Watch, and the whole world talking about it it looks extremely bad for them to keep her locked up. She has faced torture and abuse and detention, and forced medication for years. An assurance from the government of the UAE isnt enough people arent going to stop campaigning for her absolute freedom. The Emirati authorities have not responded to a request for comment. An Air Koryo plane lands in an airport in Dalian (AP) A high-ranking North Korean official is believed to have visited China after an airliner from the North landed in the Chinese port city of Dalian. South Koreas Yonhap News Agency reported that North Korean leader Kim Jong Un may have been aboard the plane. Mr Kim visited China in March for the first time since taking power six years ago, a trip that was not publicly confirmed by the sides until after he had returned to North Korea by armoured train. Yonhap said the plane arrived on Monday amid tight security. Japanese broadcaster NHK ran a picture of the Air Koryo plane that it said had been taken on Tuesday afternoon at Dalians airport. Expand Close Chinese foreign minister Wang Yi poses with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un for a photo in Pyongyang last week (Korean Central News Agency/Korea News Service via AP) / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Chinese foreign minister Wang Yi poses with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un for a photo in Pyongyang last week (Korean Central News Agency/Korea News Service via AP) Japans Kyodo News agency reported that the plane departed from Dalian later on Tuesday. While there are no regularly scheduled flights between North Korea and Dalian, North Koreans are frequent visitors to the city and its port has been instrumental in two-way trade. China is North Koreas only major ally, although trade between the countries has fallen off by around 90% as Beijing enforces United Nations economic sanctions in response to the Norths nuclear bomb and ballistic missile tests. Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Geng Shuang told reporters that he had no information to offer at this moment. China and North Korea are close neighbours and always maintain normal communication and exchanges with each other, Mr Geng said. President Donald Trump is due to announce his decision on Iran (Manuel Balce Ceneta/AP) US President Donald Trump has followed through on his campaign threat to pull out of the landmark nuclear accord with Iran. Trump made the announcement that he is pulling the United States out of the Iran nuclear deal in a White House address on Tuesday at 2pm (7pm Irish time). "As we exit the Iran deal we will be working with our allies to find a real, comprehensive and lasting solution to the Iran nuclear threat," he said. Mr Trump spoke out against the arrangement as "a horrible, one-sided deal" based on a lie. He said that if he allowed the deal to stand, there would soon be a nuclear arms race, and called Iran a "regime of great terror". He said that "no action taken by the regime has been more dangerous than its pursuit of nuclear weapons and the means of delivering them". The move deals a profound blow to US allies and potentially deepens the presidents isolation on the world stage. The agreement, struck in 2015 by the United States, other world powers and Iran, lifted most US and international sanctions against the country. In return, Iran agreed to restrictions on its nuclear programme making it impossible to produce a bomb, along with rigorous inspections. Expand Close Protesters rally in support of Irans nuclear deal with world powers in front of the White House (AP) / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Protesters rally in support of Irans nuclear deal with world powers in front of the White House (AP) Iranian state television said on Tuesday that President Donald Trump's decision to withdraw the United States from the Iran nuclear deal was "illegal, illegitimate and undermines international agreements". Iran's president has warned the country could start enriching uranium more than ever in the coming weeks, if negotiations fail with countries remaining in the nuclear deal. President Hassan Rouhani made the statement immediately after Donald Trump said he was pulling the US out of the deal. Mr Rouhani spoke live on Iranian state television. He said he would send Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif to countries remaining in the accord. He said: "I have ordered Iran's atomic organisation that whenever it is needed, we will start enriching uranium more than before." He said Iran would start this "in the next weeks". President Rouhani said that Iran will remain committed to a multinational nuclear deal despite U.S. President Donald Trump's decision to withdraw from the 2015 agreemen. "If we achieve the deal's goals in cooperation with other members of the deal, it will remain in place... By exiting the deal, America has officially undermined its commitment to an international treaty," Rouhani said in a televised speech. "I have ordered the foreign ministry to negotiate with the European countries, China and Russia in coming weeks. If at the end of this short period we conclude that we can fully benefit from the JCPOA with the cooperation of all countries, the deal would remain," he added. Trump said he was reimposing economic sanctions on Iran and pulling the United States out of an international agreement aimed at stopping Tehran from obtaining a nuclear bomb. Tanaiste Simon Coveney has said that he is "greatly disappointed" by President Trump's decision and said he hopes that other parties will continue to implement the agreement. Thee Foreign Affairs Minister said in a statement this evening: "We share many of the concerns which the US has expressed about other aspects of Iranian policy, but the way to address these is not to move away from the one area where significant positive progress has been made. "That remains our view, and I hope that the United States will reconsider this decision. "I hope that all other parties to the agreement, including Iran but also the EU and others, will continue to implement the agreement. The Middle East, and the world, are safer and more stable with this agreement in operation." Former US president Barack Obama has called the US pullout from the Iran nuclear deal a serious mistake, and warned it will erode Americas global credibility. In a joint statement, British Prime Minister Theresa May, German Chancellor Angela Merkel and French President Emmanuel Macron said Donald Trumps decision to pull out of the Iran nuclear deal was a matter of regret and concern. "France, Germany and the UK regret the U.S. decision to leave the JCPOA. The nuclear non-proliferation regime is at stake," Macron said on Twitter moments after Trump spoke. Germany will try to keep the 2015 Iran nuclear deal alive despite President Donald Trump's announcement that he was pulling the United States out of the agreement, Foreign Minister Heiko Maas said on Tuesday. "We will try to keep alive this important agreement, which ensures the Middle East and the world as a whole are safer," Maas told broadcaster ARD. A spokesman for Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan said on Tuesday that the decision by the United States to unilaterally withdraw from the 2015 Iran nuclear deal will cause instability and new conflicts. In a tweet, Ibrahim Kalin also said the multilateral agreement would continue with the other nations, and added that Turkey would continue to oppose all forms of nuclear weapons. Mr Trump spoke with French President Emmanuel Macron and Chinese leader Xi Jinping about his decision on Tuesday. Mr Macrons office said the two spoke about peace and stability in the Mideast, without elaborating. Mr Macron vigorously supports the deal and tried to persuade Mr Trump to stay committed to it during a visit to Washington last month. Hours before the announcement, European countries involved in the agreement met to underline their support for it. Senior officials from Britain, France and Germany met in Brussels with Irans Deputy Foreign Minister for Political Affairs, Abbas Araghchi. Building up anticipation, Mr Trump announced on Twitter he would disclose his decision at 2pm (7pm UK time) at the White House. With uncharacteristic discipline, he kept the decision confined to a small group within his National Security Council. Expand Close An anti-US mural painted on the wall of the former US Embassy in Tehran (Vahid Salemi/AP) / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp An anti-US mural painted on the wall of the former US Embassy in Tehran (Vahid Salemi/AP) In Iran, many were deeply concerned about how Mr Trumps decision could affect the already struggling economy. In Tehran, President Hassan Rouhani sought to calm nerves, smiling as he appeared at a petroleum expo. He did not name Mr Trump directly, but emphasised that Iran continued to seek engagement with the world. It is possible that we will face some problems for two or three months, but we will pass through this, Mr Rouhani said. Here we look at the background to the controversial decision: What is the Iran nuclear deal? Iran agreed to rein in its nuclear programme in a 2015 deal struck with the US, UK, Russia, China, France and Germany. Under the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) Tehran agreed to significantly cut its stores of centrifuges, enriched uranium and heavy-water, all key components for nuclear weapons. Why did Iran agree to the deal? It had been hit with devastating economic sanctions by the United Nations, United States and the European Union that are estimated to have cost it tens of billions of pounds a year in lost oil export revenues. Billions in overseas assets had also been frozen. Why is it under threat? The deal was the key foreign policy achievement of Barack Obama's presidency, making it an immediate target for successor Donald Trump. On the presidential campaign trail Mr Trump made his opposition clear and then continued to make threats about pulling out of the "worst" deal the US has "ever" signed up to because of its "disastrous flaws". The next deadline in the US for waiving sanctions is May 12 but Mr Trump announced on Monday that he would reveal his decision today. What is Britain's position? The Government does admit the deal is not perfect as it fails to cover areas such as ballistic missiles and is time-limited, but insists it is the option with the "fewest disadvantages". Germany, France and the United Nations all urged the US not to withdraw, with Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson making a last-ditch attempt to preserve the deal during a trip to Washington on Monday. What happens now the United States has pulled out? Iran has warned the move effectively amounts to "killing the deal". The US president will soon announce his decision regarding the Iranian nuclear deal (Matt Cardy/PA) Oil prices plunged on Tuesday as traders awaited news on whether the US would remain in the Iranian nuclear deal. US President Donald Trump has openly criticised the agreement, which was pushed through by his predecessor Barack Obama, and he is due to announce his decision on the deal at 7pm UK time. Uncertainty over Mr Trumps intentions hit Brent crude, with prices falling 1.3% to 74.537 US dollars per barrel. Fiona Cincotta, senior market analyst at City Index, said: Oil is the big story. Trump is widely expected to scrap the deal, and reimpose sanctions, including sanctions targeting Irans oil. However, confusion from a report earlier in the day has ensured oil traders have had a roller coaster ride across the session ahead of the announcement. The FTSE 100 closed the day flat at 7565.75, while the pound fell against the US dollar by 0.18% to 1.353. Against the euro, the pound rose 0.27% to 1.140. In Germany, the Dax dropped 0.28% to 12912.21, and the Cac 40 in France was also down, falling by 0.17% to 5521. Shires shares rose to the top of the FTSE 100 when it emerged Takeda had reached a takeover deal for the firm, valuing it at 46 billion. The boards of both firms finalised the terms of the deal, settling on an offer of 49.01 per Shire share. Takeda said it represents a premium of around 64% compared with the price of its shares in late March, when rumours of Takedas interest began to swirl. Shires shares jumped 4.63% by the market close. Shareholders will now need to approve the deal. David Madden, market analyst at CMC Markets, said: Takedas share price has dropped by 30% from the high in January, and given the downward trend, some Shire shareholders might not be enticed by the offer due to Takedas shares underperforming recently. Shares in rail and bus firm FirstGroup tumbled after its private equity suitor Apollo Management walked away from making a bid for the transport giant. Shares in FirstGroup were down as much as 12.16% or 13.5p to 97.5p after Apollo said it did not intend to make an offer. Apollos approach for an undisclosed amount was rejected last month by FirstGroup, which said it fundamentally undervalues the company and is opportunistic in nature. The competition watchdog has referred the potential merger between Npower and SSEs retail operations for a full investigation after the two energy giants failed to address concerns. The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) said the deal would now face a so-called stage two in-depth inquiry after its initial probe found the tie-up could reduce competition, potentially leading to higher prices for households. SSEs shares closed the day down 8.5p at 1,387p. Standard Life Aberdeen (SLA) has launched a challenge against Lloyds Banking Groups decision to end a mammoth 109 billion contract with the asset manager, claiming it does not have the right to do so. SLA said it does not agree it should lose the lucrative Scottish Widows contract and is disputing claims that competition issues were created by the merger of Aberdeen and Standard Life last year. SLAs shares ended the session up 4.2p at 366.5p, while Lloyds Banking Groups closed 0.5p higher at 65.88p. Meanwhile, William Hill shareholders vented their anger over excessive executive salaries, with a significant number rejecting a pay rise for the bookmakers chief executive. Over 30% of voting investors cast ballots against the firms remuneration report at its annual meeting on Tuesday. Shares rose 1.7p over the day to 280.6p. The biggest risers on the FTSE 100 were Shire up 178.5p to 4,034.5p, Ashtead Group up 71p to 2,158p, International Airlines Group up 22.2p to 700.2p, and Hargreaves Lansdown up 45p to 1,841p. The biggest fallers on the FTSE 100 were Fresnillo down 32p to 1,277p, British American Tobacco down 79p to 3,809p, Sainsbury down 5.9p to 295.4p and WPP down 21.5p to 1,259.5p. US President Donald Trump plans to follow through on his campaign threat to pull out of the landmark nuclear accord with Iran, sources said. The move would deal a profound blow to US allies and potentially deepen the presidents isolation on the world stage. It was not immediately clear which sanctions that were lifted under the deal might be quickly reimposed, said the sources, who were not authorised to speak publicly. In a burst of last-minute diplomacy, punctuated by a visit by UK Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson, the deals European members gave in to many of Mr Trumps demands, according to officials, diplomats and others briefed on the negotiations. Yet they still left convinced he was likely to re-impose sanctions and walk away from the deal he has lambasted since his days as a presidential candidate. The agreement, struck in 2015 by the United States, other world powers and Iran, lifted most US and international sanctions against the country. In return, Iran agreed to restrictions on its nuclear programme making it impossible to produce a bomb, along with rigorous inspections. Expand Close Protesters rally in support of Irans nuclear deal with world powers in front of the White House (AP) / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Protesters rally in support of Irans nuclear deal with world powers in front of the White House (AP) Mr Trump spoke with French President Emmanuel Macron and Chinese leader Xi Jinping about his decision on Tuesday. Mr Macrons office said the two spoke about peace and stability in the Mideast, without elaborating. Mr Macron vigorously supports the deal and tried to persuade Mr Trump to stay committed to it during a visit to Washington last month. Hours before the announcement, European countries involved in the agreement met to underline their support for it. Senior officials from Britain, France and Germany met in Brussels with Irans Deputy Foreign Minister for Political Affairs, Abbas Araghchi. Building up anticipation, Mr Trump announced on Twitter he would disclose his decision at 2pm (7pm UK time) at the White House. With uncharacteristic discipline, he kept the decision confined to a small group within his National Security Council. Expand Close An anti-US mural painted on the wall of the former US Embassy in Tehran (Vahid Salemi/AP) / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp An anti-US mural painted on the wall of the former US Embassy in Tehran (Vahid Salemi/AP) In Iran, many were deeply concerned about how Mr Trumps decision could affect the already struggling economy. In Tehran, President Hassan Rouhani sought to calm nerves, smiling as he appeared at a petroleum expo. He did not name Mr Trump directly, but emphasised that Iran continued to seek engagement with the world. It is possible that we will face some problems for two or three months, but we will pass through this, Mr Rouhani said. US President Donald Trump stands with First Lady Melania Trump after announcing her Be Best childrens initiative in the Rose Garden of the White House in Washington, DC. Photo: Getty US President Donald Trump is striking an increasingly combative tone against the Russia investigation. Last night, he was talking about "fighting back" and telling Democrats on the special counsel's team "wait 'till the Courts get to see your unrevealed Conflicts of Interest!" Mr Trump tweeted about Robert Mueller's investigation into possible collusion between the Trump campaign and Russia. He said: "The 13 Angry Democrats in charge of the Russian Witch Hunt are starting to find out that there is a Court System in place that actually protects people from injustice...and just wait 'till the Courts get to see your unrevealed Conflicts of Interest!" President Trump applauded when a federal judge questioned Mr Mueller's authority in a case against former Trump campaign chairman Paul Manafort. Mr Mueller is a Republican. Some members of his team contributed to Democrats. Separately yesterday, Mr Trump defended his nominee to head the CIA, Gina Haspel, dismissing debate over her involvement in a harsh interrogation programme and arguing Democrats want her out because she "is too tough on terror". Mr Trump said on Twitter that Ms Haspel has "come under fire because she was too tough on Terrorists". He added that "in these very dangerous times, we have the most qualified person, a woman, who Democrats want OUT because she is too tough on terror. Win Gina!" Expand Close CIA nominee Gina Haspel. Photo: Reuters / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp CIA nominee Gina Haspel. Photo: Reuters Ms Haspel offered to withdraw her nomination, two senior administration officials said, amid concerns a debate over a harsh interrogation programme would tarnish her reputation and that of the CIA. White House aides sought additional details about Ms Haspel's involvement in the CIA's now-defunct programme of detaining and brutally interrogating terror suspects after 9/11 as they prepared her for tomorrow's confirmation hearing. This is when she offered to withdraw, the officials said. They said Ms Haspel, who is the acting director of the CIA, was reassured her nomination was still on track and will not withdraw. The officials spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss internal deliberations. Ms Haspel, who would be the first woman to lead the CIA, is the first career operations officer to be nominated to lead the agency in decades. She served almost entirely undercover and much of her record is classified. Democrats say she should be disqualified because she was the chief of base at a covert detention site in Thailand where two terrorism suspects were subjected to waterboarding, a technique that simulates drowning. She has told lawmakers in recent weeks that she would stand firm against any effort to restart the brutal detention and interrogation programme, administration officials told the Associated Press on Friday. She is expected to reiterate that publicly this week. Ms Haspel, one official said, was wary of suffering the same fate as failed veterans' affairs nominee Ronny Jackson and of dredging up the CIA's troubled past. She took over last month as the acting CIA director after the previous director, Mike Pompeo, was sworn in as secretary of state. After Ms Haspel's offer to withdraw, White House aides worked to reassure her that she had the president's support. As with other nominations, this one hit a roadblock but is back on track, said a third administration official familiar with the effort to get her confirmed. Ms Haspel's conversations with senators continue ahead of tomorrow's confirmation hearing at the Senate Intelligence Committee and a later full vote in the Senate. In addition, the CIA has sent materials to the Senate, some classified, that lawmakers can read to better understand not only her work in the Counter-terrorism Centre, which oversaw the harsh interrogation programme, but also other aspects of her 33-year career, including more than 30 years undercover. She has received robust backing from former intelligence, diplomatic, military and national security officials, who praise her extensive intelligence career. On the opposing side are groups such as the American Civil Liberties Union, which says she should have stood up against the interrogation practices at the time. Raj Shah, a White House spokesman, called Ms Haspel a highly qualified nominee. "Her nomination will not be derailed by partisan critics who side with the ACLU over the CIA on how to keep the American people safe," he said. US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo is on his way to North Korea (Evan Vucci/AP) US President Donald Trump has announced Secretary of State Mike Pompeo is en route to North Korea ahead of Mr Trumps planned meeting with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un. Mr Trump said on Tuesday afternoon that Mr Pompeo will be arriving in the country shortly and has meetings scheduled. It will be Mr Pompeos second known visit to the country. Mr Trump revealed last month that Mr Pompeo also met with Mr Kim over the Easter weekend. Expand Close Donald Trump made the announcement at the White House (Evan Vucci/AP) / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Donald Trump made the announcement at the White House (Evan Vucci/AP) Mr Trump said the time and date of his planned meeting with Mr Kim have now been agreed, but he has yet to reveal where or when it will happen. Mr Trump broke the news while announcing his plans to withdraw from the Iran nuclear agreement. US officials said Mr Pompeo will on Wednesday press North Korea for the release of three detained American citizens, whose imminent release Mr Trump has been hinting at. His trip comes just days after North Korea expressed displeasure with Washington for comments suggesting that massive US pressure had pushed Mr Kim to the negotiating table. Mr Pompeo, who first travelled to North Korea as CIA chief in early April, is only the second sitting secretary of state to visit the reclusive nation with which it is still technically at war. The first was Madeleine Albright in 2000 who went as part of an unsuccessful bid to arrange a meeting between then-President Bill Clinton and Kims father Kim Jong Il. At this very moment, Secretary Pompeo is on his way to North Korea in preparation for my upcoming meeting with Kim Jong Un, Mr Trump said at the White House. Plans are being made, relationships are building, hopefully a deal will happen and with the help of China, South Korea and Japan a future of great prosperity and security can be achieved for everyone, he said. William Hill shareholders have vented their anger over executive salaries, with a significant number rejecting a pay rise for the bookmakers chief executive. Over 30% of voting investors cast ballots against the firms remuneration report at its annual meeting on Tuesday. Consternation centres on a 9.1% increase in base salary for boss Philip Bowcock, which will see him take home a total of 1.3 million. It comes after Institutional Shareholder Services advised investors to vote against the remuneration report. The result will see William Hill placed on a public register of firms in which over 20% of shareholders have revolted over a resolution. William Hill said in a statement following the AGM: The board understands that this opposition is attributable in large part to concerns regarding the salary increase awarded to Philip Bowcock, CEO, on his acceptance of that position permanently in March 2017. The board has considered those concerns carefully, and remains of the view that the processes followed and the decision taken in 2017 was appropriate and can be justified in the context of the key events and industry challenges of last year, many of which are ongoing. The bookmaker added that it remains committed to maintaining an open dialogue with shareholders. Separately, William Hill announced first quarter figures in which it pointed to an unprecedented run of bookie-friendly results boosting its performance, as the firm also ditched its underperforming Australian business. The groups net revenue grew 3%, boosted by a 12% rise in online sales. Sportsbook and gaming revenues were up by 17% and 8% respectively in this part of the business. However, retail sales dropped as weakness on the UK high street continued to drag on the business. Retail sales fell 4% in the quarter, with sportsbook revenue down by 9% and gaming sales flat. US president Donald Trump is preparing to tell the world whether he plans to follow through on his threat to pull out of the landmark nuclear accord with Iran. Mr Trump announced on Twitter he would disclose his decision at 2pm (7pm BST) from the Diplomatic Room of the White House. Mr Trump has kept the decision confined to a small group within the White House National Security Council, leaving many of his closest aides guessing what he had decided. In Iran, many are deeply concerned about how Mr Trumps decision could affect an already struggling economy. Expand Close Protesters rally in support of Irans nuclear deal with world powers in front of the White House (AP) / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Protesters rally in support of Irans nuclear deal with world powers in front of the White House (AP) In Tehran, President Hassan Rouhani sought to calm nerves, smiling as he appeared at a petroleum conference. He did not name Mr Trump directly, but emphasised that Iran continues to seek engagement with the world. He said: It is possible that we will face some problems for two or three months, but we will pass through this. An immense web of sanctions, written agreements and staggered deadlines make up the 2015 nuclear deal struck by the US, Iran and other world powers. So Mr Trump effectively has several pathways to pull the United States out of the deal by reneging on its commitments. Under the most likely scenario, the US president will allow sanctions on Irans central bank intended to target its oil exports to kick back in, rather than waiving them once again on Saturday, the next deadline for renewal. Then the Trump administration would give those who are doing business with Iran a six-month grace period to wind down business and avoid running afoul of those sanctions. Depending on how Mr Trump sells it either as an irreversible US pullout, or one final chance to save it the deal could ostensibly be strengthened during those six months in a last-ditch effort to persuade Mr Trump to change his mind. The first 15 months of his presidency have been filled with many such last chances for the Iran deal in which he has delayed the decision for another few months, and then another few. Expand Close Mr Trump's move could determine the fate of 2015 agreement that froze Irans nuclear programme (AP) / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Mr Trump's move could determine the fate of 2015 agreement that froze Irans nuclear programme (AP) Even Mr Trumps secretary of state and the UN agency that monitors nuclear compliance agree that Iran, so far, has lived up to its side of the deal. But the deals critics, such as Israel, the Gulf Arab states and many Republicans, say it is a giveaway to Tehran that ultimately paves the path to a nuclear-armed Iran several years in the future. For the Europeans, a Trump withdrawal would also constitute dispiriting proof that trying to appease the mercurial American president is a futile exercise. The three EU members of the deal the UK, France and Germany were insistent from the start that the deal could not be re-opened. After all, it was the US that brokered the agreement in 2015 and rallied the world behind it. But all that was under President Barack Obama, whose global legacy Mr Trump has worked to chip away since taking office. The Europeans reluctantly backed down, agreeing to discuss an add-on agreement that would not change the underlying nuclear deal, but would add new restrictions on Iran to address what Mr Trump had identified as its shortcomings. Mr Trump wants to deter Irans ballistic missile scheme and other destabilising actions in the region. He also wants more rigorous nuclear inspections and to extend the deals restrictions on Iranian enrichment and reprocessing, rather than let them phase out after about a decade. Negotiating an add-on agreement, rather than revising the existing deal, has the added benefit of not requiring the formal consent of Iran or the other remaining members: Russia and China. The idea was that even if they baulked at the Wests impositions, Iran would be likely to comply anyway so as to keep enjoying lucrative sanctions relief. Although the US and the Europeans made progress on ballistic missiles and inspections, there were disagreements over extending the life of the deal and over how to trigger additional penalties if Iran were found to be violating the new restrictions, US officials and European diplomats have said. The Europeans agreed to yet more concessions in the final days of negotiating ahead of Mr Trumps decision. It was not clear what led Mr Trump to declare he was ready to render judgment on the deals fate. But on Twitter, he targeted former secretary of state John Kerry, who led Mr Obamas efforts to broker the deal and has been making the case publicly and privately for its survival. The United States does not need John Kerrys possibly illegal Shadow Diplomacy on the very badly negotiated Iran Deal, Mr Trump said. He was the one that created this MESS in the first place! Later, the president tweeted: John Kerry cant get over the fact that he had his chance and blew it! Stay away from negotiations John, you are hurting your country! Companies in India with a net profit of more than US$750,000 (Rs 5 crores) in a single financial year are mandated by the government to spend a minimum of two percent of their average net profits of the last three years (before tax) on social causes in the country. This spending is called the corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiative, and can apply to small and medium-sized (SMEs) companies as well if they meet the profit-linked criteria. A company with CSR projects does not receive any additional tax exemptions. Exemptions may be granted for agricultural, health, rural, and skill development projects, among others, but only under the Income-tax Act, 1961. Since SMEs are sensitive to changing market patterns, with sales performances tying into market fluctuations, they can experience variations in their net incomes. Given this scenario, SMEs must maintain the balance between complying with CSR recommendations while keeping operational costs low. Firms may also choose to employ a CSR consultant to manage their CSR portfolio. Monitoring CSR spending Currently, there is no official mechanism to monitor or regulate CSR spending in India. However, the board of a company must report its CSR expenditure, based on the recommendations of its own CSR committee, on its website and annual report. Any failure to spend the amount allocated must be explained through the same. The unutilized CSR funds in the current year are to be added to the CSR expenditure of the following year. CSR expenditure cannot be claimed as business expenditure. On average, in India, 70 percent of CSR contributions originate from private companies. Making the best use of limited resources SMEs are permitted to collaborate with other SMEs to create an efficient CSR program by pooling their limited resources. They can also outsource their responsibility to an NGO and monitor all activity through periodic impact assessment reports. However, several SMEs, with limited and fluctuating profits, avoid collaborating with other companies to circumvent potential management issues. They may simply choose to make financial contributions to any federal or state fund, like the Prime Ministers National Relief Fund. This allows the SME to avoid diverting valuable human resources in maintaining extensive records of CSR initiatives. Sarfaraz Syed, Advisor, CSR and Sustainability, acknowledges these sensitivities, and states that companies must converge on their core competencies when setting up CSR programs. Syed says, CSR programs addressing social challenges are slow, tedious, and complex. So, companies need to build in-house capacities and make suitable long-term commitments. The process is more to do with internal preparedness than finding external vehicles for delivery of CSR. He adds, The motivation to initiate CSR programs for SMEs can range from enhancing business benefits, improving stakeholder engagement or merely complying with legal obligations. However, strategic CSR will only pay off if it is mainstreamed with the business. SMEs possess the advantage of quick decision making, and can pool resources with like-minded companies to address local social issues of common interest as against big corporations and multinationals. For instance, companies may align their CSR investments along resource and energy efficiency strategies, for example, along the lines of the United Nations sustainable development goals. These programs require limited funding, provide companies with the space to adopt green practices themselves, and present the company with a clear marketing strategy within the local community. CSR Cell The CSR Cell operates under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Corporate Affairs. The Cell collates and maintains data related specifically to CSR in India. Their office is located in New Delhi. We provide the details below. CSR Cell, Shastri Bhawan, New Delhi, India 110001 Phone: +91 011 123 4567 Fax: +91 011 123 4567 Email: contactus.csr@gov.in Website: http://www.csr.gov.in/CSR/about-us.php Pune/Kolkata May 8 (IBNS): Air Products, an industrial gases company, on Tuesday announced the inauguration of its world-class Engineering Centre at Pune in Maharashtra, India to bridge the companys increasing capabilities for Engineering, Procurement, Construction (EPC) activity across the industry. The Pune Centre will provide technology and equipment for air separation, hydrogen generation and associated technologies for industrial gases applications. It will act as an EPC innovation hub for the companys operations in India and throughout the world. This new centre enhances and supports the development of solutions for the local market, where Air Products has had a presence for nearly two decades, said Dr. Samir Serhan, Executive Vice President, Air Products. We are very proud to nurture local talent and offer opportunities for local people; and in doing so support the governments Skill India campaign. At full capacity, we expect the centre will employ 300 skilled engineers. India is one of the fastest growing economies in the world, and Air Products is keen to be part of unlocking and harnessing this market potential as part of its global growth strategy, said Richard Boocock, President, Industrial Gases Middle East, India, Egypt and Turkey at Air Products. We will continue to expand our presence in the country by maintaining strong relationships with existing business and joint venture partners; and by forging strong relationships with key stakeholders to achieve our goal of becoming the safest and best performing industrial gas company in the world providing excellent service to our customers. Air Products has strategic plans to expand its operations in India. The opening of the Pune Centre is a significant step forward in meeting our business goal, said Sadhan Banerjee, Managing Director, Air Products India. We are here to stay and grow in India. It is our commitment to this relationship. New Delhi/Rourkela, May 8 (IBNS): Steel Authority of India Ltd. (SAIL) first blast furnace Parvati situated at SAILs Rourkela Steel Plant (RSP) has been rebuilt under companys modernization and expansion program and is successfully blown in on Wednesday. SAIL-RSPs Blast Furnace No.1 Parvati is rebuilt with state-of-the-art features and additional capacity. The useful volume of this rebuilt furnace, in its new avatar, has increased from 1139 cubic meter to 1710 cubic metre, as a result of which theannual production capacity of the furnace will go up from 0.438 MT per annum to 1.015 MT per annum. The rebuilt blast furnance was blown-in by Ashwini Kumar, CEO, RSP. This technologically advanced blast furnace has advanced features which include new skip system, closed loop cooling system with soft water,twin flat cast houses at 90 degree apart with cast house defuming system, new turbo blower for high top pressure, new hot blast system for higher blast temperature, new coal dust injection system, new gas cleaning plant and a new dust catcher. Apart from boosting production these features will help reduce the dependence on coal which will, in turn, improve the carbon footprint making the new furnace more environment friendly. Blast Furnace Parvati was first blown in on 24th January 1959 and soon after it was dedicated to the nation on 3rd February 1959 by the then President of India Dr. Rajendra Prasad. Since then, the blastfurnace was taken down five times for relining and major repair before it was put down on 5th August 2013 for total rebuilding. The furnace was completely dismantled and a brand new furnace was installed on the same foundation with available space and resources. The furnace in its modernised incarnation would surely go a long way in further strengthening the productivity and profitability of the Plant. Also present during the blowing in were PK Pradhan, ED(P&A), Subhendra Das, ED(Works) and many other senior officers of SAIL-RSP. New York, May 7 (IBNS): With extreme weather costing hundreds of billions a year and fears that by 2050, one in four people will be living in a country affected by severe water shortages, a global conference got underway on Monday convened by the United Nations meteorological agency to manage the precious resource more sustainably. The problem has been further complicated by a lack of comprehensive water supply data and monitoring systems which is making it harder to respond to the growing crisis. We cannot manage what we do not measure, said Harry Lins, the President of the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) Commission for Hydrology. And yet the systems and data collection which underpin these vital services to society are under real pressure, he added, underscoring that informed decision-making must be based on comprehensive facts and figures. This sums up the key challenge underlying the agencys HydroConference, taking place in Geneva from 7-9 May, is seeking to address. It brings together the full gamut of so-called water stakeholders decision makers, meteorological and hydrological services; the private and academic sector; non-governmental organizations, and UN entities around the same table to coordinate efforts as well as leverage individual knowledge and collective expertise to maximum effect. WMO Secretary-General Petteri Taalas said it was important for all actors to cope with the scale of the challenges that lie ahead, citing the two extremes of droughts and floods. Effective flood and drought policies can be implemented only with data and models for assessing the frequency and magnitude of extreme events, he said, adding that the same also holds for other goals related to water and its efficient use; including those in the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Sustainable Development Goal 6 (SDG 6) explicitly calls for sustainable management of water and sanitation for all. Water is also a key component for other Goals including those on eliminating extreme poverty (SDG 1); as wells as Goal 2, to eradicate hunger and malnutrition, as well as Goal 13 on mitigating climate change. WMO/Luke Romick New Delhi, May 8 (IBNS): A five-judge constitution bench of the Supreme Court will hear two Congress lawmakers' petition challenging Vice President Venkaiah Naidu's rejection of the impeachment motion brought against Chief Justice of India, Dipak Misra, by the opposition, media reports said. A K Sikri-headed bench comprises Justices S A Bobde, N V Ramana, Arun Mishra and A K Goel as the members. Naidu had rejected the motion, which was brought by seven opposition parties, including the Congress. Naidu earlier consulted legal experts on whether the opposition's notice for impeachment of Misra will be accepted or rejected. As the Chairman of the Rajya Sabha, he is the only person to decide on the issue. Leaders of seven opposition parties had submitted a notice for the impeachment of Misra to Naidu, reports said. The move by the opposition came in the wake of the Supreme Court (SC) judgment, which dismissed the demand for an investigation into the death of CBI judge BH Loya. As many as 64 members of the Rajya Sabha, belonging to seven political parties, signed the notice for impeachment proceedings against the CJI. The MPs were from Congress, NCP, CPM, CPI, SP, BSP and Muslim League. The notice mentioned five grounds of misbehaviour for the CJI's impeachment. The impeachment move has its genesis in the public complaint made by four senior judges of the top court- Justices Jasti Chelameswar, Ranjan Gogoi, Madan B Lokur and Kurian Joseph- that cases with far reaching consequences were assigned to selective judges. Justice Chelameswar, who represented the four judges in an unprecedented press conference, said they had approached the CJI with a letter but failed to convince him. New Delhi, May 8 (IBNS) : The 15th Asia Media Summit (AMS) 2018 is being hosted by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Government of India, jointly with the Indian Institute of Mass Communication (IIMC), New Delhi and Broadcast Engineering Consultants India Limited (BECIL), from May 10 to 12 in New Delhi. Union Minister for Information & Broadcasting and Textiles, Smriti Zubin Irani would be presiding as the Chief Guest over the Inaugural ceremony of the Summit. The AMS 2018, an annual summit of the Asia-Pacific Institute for Broadcasting Development (AIBD) Kuala Lumpur, is a prestigious summit in the Asia Pacific Region and India is hosting the event for the first time. The Summit, with the theme `Telling Our Stories Asia and More, would be organized in two parts Pre-summit workshop (8th-9th) and Summit (10th-12th).Participants would represent organizations like Ministries responsible for Information and Broadcasting in the Asian region, International Organizations UNESCO, FAO, UN; Regulators; Radio and Television broadcasting companies both national/ public and private broadcasters; Television channels and networks, Institutes/Academies of Communication, Media Research; Community Radio groups; Press and Media, and broadcast equipment manufacturers. The Summit would encourage regional and bilateral dialogue and cooperation to respond to challenges to the broadcasting sector in the region. It would provide a unique opportunity for broadcasters in the Asian region to share their thoughts on software and hardware aspects of Broadcasting. There are also opportunities for networking, facilities for business to business meetings and prospective translation of these meetings into trade and economic relations after the summit. Dignitaries attending the Summit include Minister of Information from Bangladesh, H.E. Mr. Hasanul Haq Inu, Minister of Information from Cambodia,. Khieu Kanharith,. Sam Seog Ko, Standing Commissioner Korea Communications Commission and Abbas Naseri Taheri, Director General, International Department and Advisor to President, IRIB, Iran. . Shigeru Aoyagi Director, UNESCO New Delhi Office would also be present at the inaugural function. Further, participation in the summit includes over 200 foreign delegates representing 39 countries of SAARC (Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka); ASEAN (Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam) East Asia (Korea, Hong Kong, Japan); Africa (Mauritius, Nigeria, Seychelles, South Africa, Sudan, Tunisia); Oceania (Australia, Fiji, New Zealand, Fiji, Papua New Guinea) Europe(France, Germany, Netherlands, Sweden, United Kingdom) Syria, Uzbekistan, USA, China. There are over 100 Indian delegates also. The Agenda of the summit would include Plenary Sessions on Media regulation policies: Ethics, rules and laws and Our Exciting Stories. Parallel Sessions would be held on Asian values as broadcasting themes; Should all good stories be commercially successful?; New technologies in the Broadcasting and Film Industry to Enhance Story-Telling; Media business models in the new era; Telling compelling stories: Challenges and Opportunities - Radio and Community Radio; Sustainable development Stories Special Focus; CEO Roundtable Story-telling and the success of media. In the concluding session, World Television Awards 2018 would be presented by Minister of State for Information & Broadcasting, Youth Affairs & Sports, Col. Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore The Closing Ceremony would witness the handing over of the baton for hosting the next AMS to Philippines. Vijayspura, Karnataka, May 8 (IBNS) : Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday said that the Congress will use excuses like rigged EVMs after it suffers defeat in the Karnataka Assembly elections. Addressing an election rally on the last leg of his campaign for Karnataka Assembly polls, he alleged that ministers of the Siddaramaiah government in the state were busy in Delhi doing politics when the state was suffering due to droughts. "After they are defeated in Karnataka. The Congress will use excuses like rigged EVMs. I want to ask them, what have they done for the farmers of Karnataka?" media reports quoted him as saying. "When the state was suffering due to droughts, Ministers handling key portfolios were busy in Delhi doing politics. Can you name a single minister of Karnataka who has not been alleged of corruption? Everyone knows about the nexus between the contractors and the irrigation Minister. I want to add that it is the Saints, Seers and Mutts who have played a key role in making the society of Karnataka progressive and harmonious. They have worked to remove human suffering," he said. Continuing with his attack on the Congress on the corruption issue, Modi said : Can you name a single minister of Karnataka who has not been alleged of corruption? Everyone knows about the nexus between the contractors and the irrigation Minister." " I want to add that it is the saints, seers and mutts who have played a key role in making the society of Karnataka progressive and harmonious. They have worked to remove human suffering," Modi said. The PM will round off his election campaign in the state on Tuesday by addressing three rallies. Election in Karnataka will be held on May 12. Kolkata, May 8 (IBNS): In a significant judgement, a division bench of the Calcutta High Court on Tuesday directed West Bengal State Election Commission to accept and validate all Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M) candidates' nominations, which were filed through electronic messaging (email), for upcoming Panchayat polls. While hearing a petition filed by the CPI-M to validate nominations submitted through email, a division bench of Justice Biswanath Samaddar and Justice Arindam Mukherjee ordered the Election Commission to accept the applications of CPI-M candidates, who emailed their nominations properly before 3 pm on Apr 23. The division bench also observed that practice of e-nomination filing could avoid violence, loss of lives and allegations, which were witnessed across the state during nomination filing for Panchayat election. The court also observed that if candidates were not able to file nomination to take part in the election, it was contrary to democratic rights. The two-judge division bench also said that people should get options to choose from. Earlier, the Calcutta High Court had directed the election commission to accept the nominations of a few independent candidates from Bhangar in South 24 Parganas district of West Bengal, who filed their nominations for Panchayat polls through Whatsapp. Meanwhile, another petition filed by opposition parties questioning state's security arrangements for Panchayat election is likely to be heard in the division bench of Calcutta High Court's Chief Justice on Tuesday while the court will also decide the final date(s) to conduct Panchayat polls in the state. (Reporting by Deepayan Sinha) Vijayapura, May 8 (IBNS): Congress chairperson Sonia Gandhi, who joined her party's campaign trail in Karnataka on Tuesday, targeted Prime Minister Narendra Modi while appealing people of Karnataka to vote against the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in the upcoming state polls. Addressing a rally in Vijayapura, Sonia said: "Narendra Modi speaks so much but remains silent on real issues. Have you seen such a PM before?" Raising questions on Modi-led central government's performance in last four years, the senior Congress leader said: "What promise has been fulfilled by Modi in last fours years? In which sector did he fulfill his promises?.....What have you (Modi) done?" She also questioned the PM as to why the BJP government failed to implement the Jan Lokpal Bill in four years' time. Highlighting the discrepancy between the two largest political parties of the nation, Sonia said: "Congress believes in brotherhood.....Modi makes false promises and goes. I am sure you won't believe him this time and expose the false promises on May 12 (poll date)." Sonia has returned to poll campaigning after two years. Last time, she addressed a crowd in Uttar Pradesh in 2016. The poll fever in Karnataka are high on Tuesday with several political heavyweights campaigning across the southern state. Apart from Sonia, Congress president Rahul Gandhi, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and BJP president Amit Shah are addressing several rallies in the state. The poll is scheduled to be held on May 12. The poll results will be out three days later on May 15. Karnataka is one of the last few states which are ruled by the Congress. BJP, under the leadership of former Karnataka Chief Minister B.S. Yeddyurappa, is eyeing on to return to power. Guwahati, May 8 (IBNS): The troops of Assam Rifles have apprehended four NSCN militants, including two militants from Myanmar, in Arunachal Pradesh. Kohima based Defence PRO Chiranjeet Konwer said that based on specific inputs regarding presence of militants of banned NSCN (K) at Mulong village of Changlang district, the Changlang battalion of Assam Rifles, under aegis of Dao Division, along with police, launched special operation at the area. During cordoning and searching of the suspected area, two Myanmarese militants of NSCN(K), Kumsai Munwa, aged 29 years and resident of Jokob village (Myanmar) and Khemoth Ketnga, aged 25 years and resident of Kakhuve village, Pangsong district (Myanmar), along with an active over ground worker of NSCN (K) named Noksham Tuche, aged 40 years and resident of Nalim Village of Changlang district, were apprehended, Colonel Konwer said. During further search of the area, security personnel recovered one Improvised Explosive Device (IED), IED Activator with controller, four IED detonators, one mobile along with one SIM card and Memory card containing Under Grounds videos. On the other hand, the Khonsa battalion under the aegis of DAO division, conducted an operation at Longbu village of Tirap district on Tuesday morning and nabbed a NSCN (IM) militant. The nabbed militant was identified as KIjen Thiaktey Wangsu. Security personnel had recovered a pistol and live ammunition in possession from him. Post spot interrogation he admitted allegiance to NSCN(IM), he further divulged that he joined NSCN(K) in May 1999 as a Self Styled Private, defected to NSCN(U) in June 2015 and continued in the group till October 2016 as Self Styled Lieutenant. He defected from NSCN(U) in December 2017 and joined NSCN(IM) as Rajapio, he had been carrying out extortion and other illegal activities for the group in villages of the area ever since. (Reporting by Hemanta Kumar Nath) Mumbai, May 8 (IBNS): The makers of Bioscopewala have released the new poster of the film a day after Rabindranath Tagore's Birth Anniversary. The movie is an adaptation of #RabindranathTagore's -Kabuliwala through a new lens. Fox Star Studios presents, in association with Star India and a Handmade Films production, Bioscopewala is directed by Deb Medhekar, produced by Sunil Doshi. The film is slated to release on May 25. Mumbai, May 8 (IBNS): Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom will hit Indian silver screen two weeks before the US. The movie is a sequel to the 2015 hit film Jurassic World. Film critic Taran Adarsh tweeted: " While #AvengersInfinityWar continues to set NEW BENCHMARKS in India, the next keenly-awaited Hollywood film - #JurassicWorld: #FallenKingdom - will hit the Indian screens on 8 June 2018, two weeks *before* its US release... 2300+ screens in English, Hindi, Tamil and Telugu." The movie is a fifth installment in the Jurassic Park film series. Derek Connolly and Jurassic World director Colin Trevorrow both returned as writers, with J. A. Bayona as the director. It is be produced by Frank Marshall, Patrick Crowley, and Belen Atienza. Trevorrow and original Jurassic Park director Steven Spielberg are executive producers. Filming took place from February to July of 2017. Image: Taran Adarsh Twitter page Kolkata, May 8 (IBNS): Emirates, the largest international airline in the world, on Tuesday announced it will start a daily service between Scotlands capital city, Edinburgh, and Dubai, from Oct 1, 2018. Edinburgh will become Emirates second destination in Scotland after Glasgow and its 8th in the United Kingdom after the airline starts its daily service to London Stansted in June. The new service will be operated by an Emirates Boeing 777-300ER in a three class cabin configuration, with 8 private suites in First Class, 42 lie flat seats in Business Class and 304 spacious seats in Economy Class. The Scottish capital, with its Old Town and New Town both being UNESCO World Heritage Sites, is the second most visited city in the UK by tourists. It is famed for its rich history, cultural and architectural attractions, gourmet food scene, as well as international festivals and cultural events. It was also the first city in the world to be designated a UNESCO City of Literature, while last year it was named by the European Union as the top city of its size in Europe for culture and creativity. Were increasing our capacity to Scotland to meet growing demand, and by introducing a daily flight to Edinburgh, it will complement our current double daily flights between Dubai and Glasgow. Edinburgh is a very popular leisure and business destination, and the new service will offer our customers from across our global network, particularly from key inbound markets such as Asia and Australia, a direct option to the city via our Dubai hub, said Hubert Frach, Emirates Divisional Senior Vice President, Commercial Operations, West. It will also be a more convenient point for travellers from the greater Edinburgh area, and beyond, such as Aberdeen and Dundee, to travel with Emirates to Dubai and onward to destinations across our network, he added. Gordon Dewar, Chief Executive of Edinburgh Airport, commented, "This is a fantastic announcement for Edinburgh Airport as we welcome another world renowned airline to Scotland's busiest airport, which will enhance our connectivity with the Middle East and further afield. We're delighted to welcome Emirates on board and further expand our international choice for the 13.4 million passengers who use Edinburgh Airport every year. This service will cater for leisure and business passengers, providing daily links for international tourism and trade opportunities both inbound and outbound. We look forward to working with Emirates to provide a top class service for passengers and ensure the success of this Edinburgh to Dubai route. " UN Photo New York, May 8 (IBNS): The international community must present a united front against gun violence which kills nearly 250,000 each year and injures many more, said a senior United Nations official on Monday, marking the start of a Global Week of Action Against the scourge. Every day, hundreds of lives are lost due to gun violence worldwide, the UN Disarmament Affairs chief, Izumi Nakamitsu, said in her message at the start of the Global Week of Action Against Gun Violence. Guns are responsible for about half of all violent deaths nearly a quarter-million each year. The High Representative said that for every death, there were many more injured, maimed and forced to flee their home and community and those who just live with the threat of being shot. The pandemic of gun violence has many roots, such as a lack of adequate legislation and regulation on gun control; an insufficient ability to enforce existing laws; youth unemployment and a lack of job opportunities for former gang members and ex-combatants. Nakamitsu also singled out a culture in some places that glorifies violence and equates guns with masculinity. Such complex problems require multi-faceted, sustainable solutions that address root causes, Nakamitsu said. The Global Week is a conduit for fostering cooperation on this critical issue among all stakeholders, including government, international and regional organizations, businesses, and civil society, and for them to pool their experience, strength and expertise, she said. Nakamitsu also highlighted the explicit link to sustainable development and security, stating that without tackling this scourge head-on, the ambitious goals set out in the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development would not be achieved. From 18-29 June, States will gather at the UN Headquarters in New York, for the Third Review Conference on the Programme of Action on small arms the key global instrument that has guided international action against the illicit trade in small arms over the past two decades. The Conference will provide an important opportunity for the international community to renew its commitment to silence the guns that affect so many innocent lives, and to continue its work towards achieving our common goal of peace, security and development for all, she said. UN Photo/Eskinder Debebe New York, May 8 (IBNS): United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has strongly condemned an attack this weekend on a village in the Nigerian province of Kaduna and underscored the need to hold the perpetrators to account. Those responsible must be swiftly brought to justice, said the Secretary-General in a statement released by his Spokespersons office. Guterres also expressed his continued concern over the persisting violence in the region and urged all actors to work together to bring peace and stability to the country. The UN chief extended his condolences to the families of the victims as well as to the Government and people of Nigeria, and wished a speedy recovery to those injured. According to media reports, at least 51 people including children were killed in Saturday's attack on Gwaska village, located about 230 kilometres (140 miles) north-west of the capital, Abuja. Last month, 14 miners were reportedly killed in an attack by gunmen in the same area. The countrys north-east, meanwhile, has been facing a long-running Boko Haram insurgency that has claimed tens of thousands of lives and driven over two million people from their homes Beijing, May 8 (IBNS): A former Chinese Communist Party top brass has been given lifer for taking bribes. Sun Zhengcai, who was once touted as the next big leader in China, was caught accepting bribes of more than USD 26.7 million, the BBC reported. The 54-year-old is the latest to succumb in Chinese President Xi Jinping's anti-corruption drive. Zhengcai, the former party chief of Chongqing, pleaded guilty. The government said that it will seize Zhengcai illegal gains. One of the most powerful men in all of China presently, Jinping rose to fame due to his anti-corruption stance. He has punished over a million officials after assuming office. However, political commentators and Jinping's critics have accused him of using the drive as a pretext to silence anyone who dares to challenge the President. Sun's Image: Partidul Social Democrat /Wikipedia Xi's Image: Screengrab from YouTube Abuja, May 8 (IBNS): Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari will arrive in London on Tuesday for a health checkup, officials said. Buhari himself tweeted to inform his nation that he will travel to London for a health checkup on Tuesday. The President tweeted: "I will be traveling to the United Kingdom tomorrow, to see my doctor, at his request. Will be away for four days; back in Abuja on Saturday, May 12." The official Twitter page of the Nigerian Presidency also confirmed the matter and posted: "Pres @MBuhari will tomorrow, Tuesday undertake a four-day trip to the United Kingdom, to see how doctor. He will return Sat, May 12th. On his return, the Presidents 2-day State Visit to Jigawa, postponed because of the APC Ward Congresses, will now take place 14th & 15th May." Image: Muhammadu Buhari Twitter page Washington, May 8 (IBNS): US President Donald Trump is all set to announce his decision on the Iran nuclear deal on Tuesday. The decision will reveal that whether US will pull out of the Iran nuclear accord. Donald Trump made the announcement on Twitter. He said the announcement will be made at 2 pm. He tweeted: " I will be announcing my decision on the Iran Deal tomorrow from the White House at 2:00pm.." I will be announcing my decision on the Iran Deal tomorrow from the White House at 2:00pm. Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) May 7, 2018 "Trump is weighing whether to continue waiving sanctions on Iran's energy and banking sector that were lifted as part of the 2015 agreement in exchange for curbs on Tehran's nuclear program," CNN reported. Meanwhile, as the deadline for US' severance from the Iran deal is coming nearer, British Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, Boris Johnson, has urged his good friend Donald Trump to stay. According to the said deal, Iran agreed to limit its nuclear activities, in return for lenient sanctions. However, Trump has called it insane and has threatened to pull back. The other members apart from the US and Iran are the UK, Germany and France. Russia and China were also present as signatories, when it was signed three years ago. In his piece in The New York Times, Johnson has said that if the US moves away from the pact, it will only benefit Iran, who has played down any chance of renegotiation. Boris wrote: "Of all the options we have for ensuring that Iran never gets a nuclear weapon, this pact offers the fewest disadvantages." "It has weaknesses, certainly, but I am convinced they can be remedied. "Indeed at this moment Britain is working alongside the Trump administration and our French and German allies to ensure that they are," he added. On Saturday France's President Emmanuel Macron told German newspaper Der Speigel that if Trump moves away from the accord, it could start a war. "That would mean opening Pandoras box, it could mean war, he said. However he added, I dont believe that Donald Trump wants war. Macron has also urged Trump to stay in the pact during his the former's state visit to Washington. Earlier this month, Iran's Foreign Minister Javad Zarif said that his nation will not 'renegotiate or add on to a deal' that it has 'already implemented in good faith'. "Let me make it absolutely clear once and for all: We will neither outsource our security nor will we renegotiate or add on to a deal we have already implemented in good faith," he said in a televised speech. Zarif also trolled the US President. "To put it in real-estate terms, when you buy a house and move your family in it or demolish it to build a skyscraper, you cannot come back two years later and renegotiate the price," the Iranian Foreign Minister said. Last week, in an interview with the BBC, United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres urged Trump to not leave the deal. "We should not scrap it unless we have a good alternative," he said. "We face dangerous times." Image: Donald Trump Twitter page Image: Youtube/Creative Commons Ottawa, May 8 (IBNS): Canada has announced new measures to deal the influx of asylum seekers, who are crossing the US borders to enter Canada, media reports said. At the same time, Canada has sought an outreach mission in Nigeria. Approximately 25,000 people have crossed in April with majority of them from Nigeria. Public Safety Minister Ralph Goodale has been quoted by CTV News, "Coming across the border in a way that seeks to circumvent our procedures is no free ticket to Canada." "All Canadian laws are and will continue to be enforced and all of our international obligations are and will continue to be respected" he added. Quebec's immigration minister said around 6,000 people entered Canada between January and mid-April this year. Last year, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau expressed his concern for the border issue. "Our team is working hard to address the situation at the border thread from Minister," the PM had tweeted. Countering Trudeau's comment, Conservative MP Michelle Rempel tweeted to say: "No, you've broken our system. Check out this thread from me." Blaming the government's approach towards the whole situation, Conservative MP Michelle Rempel said the government's sought solution is not a long term. She told the Star that such step will only encourage more people to migrate into the country. (Reporting by Suman Das) "Prevent Unauthorized Transactions in your demat / trading account Update your Mobile Number/ email Id with your stock broker / Depository Participant. 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The site provides comprehensive and real time information on Indian corporates, sectors, financial markets and economy. On the site we feature industry and political leaders, entrepreneurs, and trend setters. The research, personal finance and market tutorial sections are widely followed by students, academia, corporates and investors among others. The effort to clean India, particularly the tourist sites, is revealing stark realities about waste management in the country. A place like Goa, known for its beautiful beaches is covered with lakhs of tonnes of garbage and both people as well as the authorities, have let it happen over the years. A cleanliness drive went full-throttle in the beach state 16 months ago and the authorities have collected close to 20 lakh kilograms of garbage. Drishti Marine, an agency tasked with cleaning states beaches, began its work on December 17, 2016. It also provides manpower and equipment for clearing garbage from the beaches, which are frequented by tourists in large numbers. "From December 17, 2016, to April 15, 2018, the agency has collected and transported 19,90,250 kg of garbage from along the state's coast and cleaned the beaches," Ravi Shankar, CEO of Drishti Marine, told PTI. The last three-and-a-half months (from January 1 to April 15) witnessed 7,89,968 kg of garbage being collected from the coastal areas of the state. In February this year, state town and country planning minister Vijai Sardesai said that the domestic tourists visiting the state were scum of the earth. Today, we have almost six times the population coming into Goa. Those tourists are not the top-end tourists, but the scum of the earth, Sardesai said. Also read: Goa Not For Indians? Minister Wants To Make It So Expensive So That Only Foreigners Can Visit He said that the heavy influx of north Indian tourists was making it difficult for the state to address the issue of garbage. We cannot make Goa another Gurugram. The north Indian states are responsible for the problems that Goa has today. The people coming from those states actually want to recreate Haryana in Goa, he said. Shack owners in Goa have been given proper education on segregating and disposing of garbage. drishti marine "Over time we have seen that almost all shack owners have been following the correct method of segregating garbage and ensuring they do not miss the waste collection pick-up time. "Another factor (for rising in waste quantum) could be the waste and debris washed ashore during high tide. This amount increases during rough weather," the CEO added. The Indian Army is planning to grant permanent commission (PC) to women in a number of areas by creating a special cadre for their induction. Official sources said the permanent commission to women is being considered for a number of segments including cyber and IT, corps of military police and various posts in service selection board. At present, the Army offers permanent commission to women in the Army Education Corps (AEC) and the Judge Advocate General (JAG) Department. Majority of women recruits in the Army are short-service commission (SSC) officers and they have a maximum tenure of 14 years. The sources said the Army was seriously working on extending the areas where women can be recruited. "The Army is considering creating a special cadre for recruitment of women officers under permanent commission category," said an army officer. Last month, the Centre had told the Supreme Court that it was considering granting permanent commission to short service commission women army officers. A group of women army officers recruited under SSC scheme had approached courts seeking PC status. In September last year, the Army had announced that it was inducting women in the military police, seen as a major move towards inducting them for combat roles. The role of the military police includes policing cantonments and Army establishments, preventing breach of rules and regulations by soldiers and maintaining movement of soldiers as well as logistics during peace and war. The Indian Army is yet to open doors for combat roles for women. Very few countries have allowed women in combat roles which include include Germany, Australia, Canada, USA, Britain, Denmark, Finland, France, Norway, Sweden and Israel. The controversy around H-1B visas and Donald Trump have no end. The Indian IT companies who usually prefer to apply for the H-1B have dramatically reduced their visa filings. Foreign nationals are exhibiting reluctance to make the jump to a US company due to the Trump administration's hard-line anti-immigration stance, a top Silicon Valley newspaper has said. representational / reuters What is the H-1B visa The H1B visa is a non-immigrant visa that allows US companies to employ foreign workers in speciality occupations that require theoretical or technical expertise. The technology companies depend on it to hire tens of thousands of employees each year from countries like India and China. What has affected applicants San Francisco Chronicle's editorial board has said applicants for the H-1B visa programme are anticipating the hardest process in many years. "That's affected both the applicants and the companies that employ them," it said. "Indian consulting firms, which have been accused of flooding the system with applications, have dramatically reduced their filings. Foreign nationals are exhibiting new reluctance to make the jump to a US company," the paper said as the process for filing H-1B visa application for the 2019 fiscal beginning October 1, kicked off. The Trump administration's hard-line anti-immigration stance is taking its toll. representational Decrease in applicants online According to The wall Street Journal, evidence suggests market demand for H-1B visas is receding. Daniel Culbertson, economist at Indeed Hiring Lab, says "searches related to the H-1B visa, as a share of all searches on Indeed.com, have consistently declined through 2017 and into 2018. In February 2018, searches for H-1B as a share of all searches on our site are down nine percent from the 2017. The decreased interest in H-1B related work from job seekers is a trend, not a temporary shift in preferences. The Wall Street Journal said corporations continue to struggle with a paradoxical labour market where 548,000 tech jobs remain open while unemployment in the technology sector hovers below full employment levels. This image was seen as the representative of a section of Kashmiri youth's mind. The youngsters who choose violence over peace still see the members of Hizbul Mujahideen groups as their heroes. These eleven men led by Burhan Wani were primarily responsible for brainwashing and recruiting the Kashmiri boys and girls to take up arms and involve in anti-India activities. The India army, on the other hand, had vowed to neutralise all these militants and restore peace in the valley. The image was the beginning of a new style of militancy in Kashmir, where groups like Hizbul and Lashkar used the popularity of the likes of Burhan Wani to attract more youths to their ranks. It also started the trend youths joining militancy posting their pictures online often holding automatic rifles. But, ever since, one by one the image has been shrinking. On Sunday, when Saddam Paddar was killed in an encounter in Shopian, the last of the active Burhans boys group, was eliminated, leaving Tariq Pandit who surrendered in 2016 as the lone survivor. Here is the list of those featured in the photo and a timeline on how they fell, one by one. Adil Khanday Adil Khanday was the first militant from the viral image to be eliminated when he and his associate were killed in a gunfight with security forces in south Kashmirs Shopian on October 22, 2015. Afaq Bhat The son of a policeman, Afaq Bhat was the next to be eliminated. He was killed in an encounter in Drabgam, Pulwama on October 26, days after Khanday was killed. Naseer Pandit and Waseem Malla were killed in an encounter in Shopian on April 7, 2016. Ishfaq was killed along with two others in Pulwama on May 7. Burhan Wani Arguably the most famous of them all. Wani the 22-year-old Hizbul Mujahideen commander, was killed along with two other associates on July 8, 2016, in Anantnag. Sabzar Bhat Sabzar Bhat was the successor of Burhan Wani and was killed in an encounter on May 27, 2017, in south Kashmirs Tral. Wasim Shah Wasim Shah who left Hizbul to join LeT was killed in a gun battle with security forces in Pulwama on October 14, 2017. Saddam Hussain Paddar Saddam Hussain Paddar was killed along with five other militants in an encounter in Shopian on Sunday. Anees Not much is known but the 26-year-old, but police say he has also been killed. Tariq Pandit Tariq Pandit is the only surviving member of the group. He surrendered to police in Pulwama on May 28, 2016. While everything already so bad in West Asia, US President Donald Trump is surely looking to make it even worse. His plans of putting fresh sanctions on Iran is surely going to end the carefully signed nuclear deal between the two countries. This according to experts will show its effect on Syria where the two parties are already at the loggerheads. According to reports, Trump will confirm on Tuesday whether he will make good on a threat to re-impose US sanctions on Tehran and thereby throw the entire Iran nuclear deal into question. Trump's announcement that a decision was imminent cut short a last-ditch European diplomatic drive to save the accord ahead of what had been a May 12 deadline. AP Trump had until Saturday to decide whether to renew a waiver on one package of US sanctions targeting Iran's oil sector that had been lifted as part of Washington's commitment under the 2015 deal. "I will be announcing my decision on the Iran Deal tomorrow from the White House at 2:00 pm (1800 GMT)," the president said in a tweet. The president may now also decide to announce the fate of the rest of Washington's nuclear-related sanctions, which are covered by different waivers, and effectively undermine the entire accord, reached between Tehran and six world powers. I will be announcing my decision on the Iran Deal tomorrow from the White House at 2:00pm. Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) May 7, 2018 European leaders and diplomats -- including Britain's Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson, who was in Washington on Monday -- have been pleading with the United States to retain the core of what Trump called the "flawed" accord. And even if, as now seems inevitable, Trump pulls Washington out of the agreement, Britain, France, Germany, Russia and China may decide to stay in and to urge Tehran to maintain its own commitments. But if Trump's decision raises the prospect of renewed US sanctions on European firms and banks doing business with Iran, the accord itself will be in peril -- amid mixed signals from Tehran. Some Iranian leaders have signalled they might seek to rapidly restore the enrichment capabilities they surrendered under the deal, and European capitals fear Tehran may resume the hunt for a bomb. Tehran has long insisted it has no ambition to build nuclear weapons, but the signatories to the deal never believed them, and supporters of the accord have warned of a Middle East arms race if it fails. AP And they are skeptical that Trump's administration has a back-up plan to restrain Iranian ambitions once he has made good on his campaign promise to tear up a deal endorsed by his predecessor Barack Obama. Britain's Johnson, who was in Washington to lobby Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and Vice President Mike Pence, told Fox News: "Plan B does not seem to be, to me, particularly well-developed at this stage." Given the multinational nature of the deal, nothing the so-called EU three -- Britain, France and Germany -- can do would allow them to rewrite it, but they have promised to work on a powerful supplemental agreement. US diplomats have been working furiously with their partners in the three countries to make this a reality, with measures to limit Iran's ballistic missile program and regional subversion. But so far, all signs point to Trump making good on his threat. German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas warned the accord's collapse could spark "an escalation" in the region and stressed that Washington's European allies think the deal "makes the world a safer place." His French counterpart Jean-Yves Le Drian, on a visit to Berlin, said the agreement is "the right way to stop Iran from getting access to nuclear weapons" and "will save us from nuclear proliferation." AP Under the landmark nuclear pact, Iran agreed to scale back nuclear enrichment and put its program under international supervision in return for international sanctions relief. Trump has consistently complained about the agreement, reached under Obama, citing as its shortcomings certain clauses such as the "sunset" provisions lifting some nuclear restrictions on Tehran from 2025. In an attempt to salvage the deal, French President Emmanuel Macron has pushed to extend its scope to address this issue, as well as Iran's missile capabilities and its role in the region. Iran's support for Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, the Lebanese armed group Hezbollah in Syria's civil war and Shiite Huthi rebels in Yemen have added to tension between Tehran and Western powers. Iran's President Hassan Rouhani on Sunday issued a strong warning to the United States not to quit the pact. "If the United States leaves the nuclear agreement, you will soon see that they will regret it like never before in history," Rouhani said. He also vehemently reiterated his country's opposition to curtailing its non-nuclear missile capabilities, insisting Tehran "will build as many missiles and weapons as needed." Related Categories: Austro-Hungarian heritage in current European Union by speculumverum Tuesday May 8th, 2018 12:07 AM It is no secret that for some inhabitants of the European House it is not the first experience of coexistence within one State or supra-State structure. A lot of them are not yet free from grudges against their EU partners and other neighbors for violating their countrys sovereignty. Ireland and Great Britain, the Balkan States and Turkey, Poland and Germany, Romania and Hungary, countries of the former socialist camp and Russia are guided only by counting real and imagined sins in their mutual relations to the detriment of current policy interest. It is hard to say that peoples of Austria, Hungary, Czechia and Slovakia are totally free from exchanging accusations. They have more things than lots of other offendees and insultees to remember, which is rooted in the distant and recent past. But demonstrated standards on inter-State relations, economic ties and cultural contacts are such that these Central European countries together with a group of Scandinavian States can be considered an example of the most successful advancing the study and practice of the united Europe. It is the case when the different pace of European integration in various regions does not make local separatism more widespread as we can see in Spain, Italy, Belgium and former Yugoslavia, but allows all participants to play their unique role through being integrated in a harmonious whole. The opposition between old and new members, the West and East, Franco-German union and countries of the defeated socialism, where Poland tries to be something of a leader, is traditionally considered to be a demarcation line within the EU. Attitudes towards migrants and the US partners create basic conflicts between them. However, countries maintaining the tradition of coexistence among the peoples of Austria-Hungary cannot be attributed to one or the other camp according to these criteria. These countries are against uncontrolled migration. But moderately conservative politics has not the effect of limiting democratic institutions activity, as in the case of Warsaw. On the contrary, firm commitment to constitutional norms and strict selection of authorized persons allow not only to declare migrants rights, but also to guarantee them for all those, who are residing legally in the country, as well as, rights of indigenous people, who are often excluded from this process by missionaries of populist versions of multiculturalism. It is not by chance that France, Italy and Germany are increasingly being faced with the need to use the same methods of migration management as their eastern neighbors. This indicates that the Czech and Austrian measured response to the challenge facing Europe (this is less the case in Hungary) may be the best solution to the current situation. Turning to relations with the USA, here Austria, Czechia, Slovakia and Hungary with some reservations do not follow the way of Poland, Romania and the Baltic States that put their contacts with Washington too much ahead of their obligations under the EU agreements and often support a viewpoint of their overseas patrons whenever differences between Europe and America arise. In other respects, States located on the Middle Danube more consistently decouple the European interests from the needs of NATO and the West in general than even the European locomotives that deeply care about their bilateral relations with the USA in the military, economic, and political fields. Obviously, the US is a key partner for the EU as a whole and individual states in particular. But we cannot build the united Europe, conscious of its specific interests, only by accepting any Washingtons initiatives. The ability of states built on the ruins of Austria-Hungary to work collaboratively and effectively not only for their own benefit, but also for the common good is further confirmed by their participation in the Visegrad Group and in the Three Seas Initiative that is promoted by Poland. On the same playing field with Poland they form a necessary counter-balance to dreams of restoring the Most Serene Commonwealth of Poland, which are characteristic of an influential part of Polish establishment. At a time when Euroscepticism is rising in many states of the European Union and when a number of prophecies about the EU imminent collapse increase, community of Austria, Czechia, Hungary and Slovakia can inject new blood into the idea of the united Europe, realizing it not in the form of the too much ideological and bureaucratized project of Brussels, but as a logical continuation of the tradition of successful day-to-day working relationship of various peoples with common historical destiny. Brenna Norton, senior organizer with Food & Water Watch, commented, This is a bad idea no matter what but transparency is ultimately what allows people to hold their government accountable. Metropolitan Water District staff and directors, working with Governor Brown, colluded to round up votes to use SoCal ratepayer and taxpayer money to subsidize Central Valley farmers. On the eve of today's vote on the Delta Tunnels by the Santa Clara Valley Water District, two groups yesterday accused the Metropolitan Water District (MWD) of Southern Californias Board of Directors of blatantly violating the Brown Act, the states landmark open government law, by making decisions behind closed doors before a public vote on the multi-billion dollar tunnels project.In a letter, Food & Water Watch and The First Amendment Coalition called on the Metropolitan Water District to formally withdraw its commitment to finance the tunnels, or risk a lawsuit to nullify the vote.MWD is one of the key financial backers of the California WaterFix, a project that proposes the construction of two massive 35-mile long tunnels under the Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta, the largest and most significant estuary on the West Coast of the Americas.This letter serves as a demand to cure and correct and cease and desist the practices constituting such violations, and as a request for public records pursuant to the California Public Records Act, Government Code section 6250 et seq, the letter states.The groups accuse Governor Brown of colluding with Metropolitan Water District staff and directors to round up votes to assume the majority funding stake to build the twin tunnels and subsidize San Joaquin Valley agribusiness interests.They say the April 10 vote violated the Brown Act because key decisions followed back-channel conversations between board members, with Governor Brown as an intermediary, circumventing public scrutiny of the decision-making process.In its meeting, the District took action via a formal vote of approval to implement the California WaterFix; authorize the General Manager to execute certain agreements and agreement amendments related to financing, pre-construction and construction activities for California WaterFix; and authorize General Manager to negotiate draft terms and conditions for one or more multi-year transfers of State Water Project water supplies, according to the letter.However, this vote was nothing more than a rubber stamp, and was a result of multiple serial communications between members of the Metropolitan Water District Board of Directors, both directly and with intermediaries, including Governor Brown. These communications were intended to lead to and actually resulted in a collective concurrence among a majority of the board members to approve the actions ultimately rubber stamped at the April 10th Board Meeting, the letter stated.Brenna Norton, senior organizer with Food & Water Watch, commented, This is a bad idea no matter what but transparency is ultimately what allows people to hold their government accountable. Metropolitan Water District staff and directors, working with Governor Brown, colluded to round up votes to use SoCal ratepayer and taxpayer money to subsidize Central Valley farmers.Norton said these secret communications have been widely reported and even bragged about by Municipal Water District of Orange County (MWDOC) directors.For example, the letter cites MWDOC Director Larry Dicks comment at their April 5th Municipal Water District of Orange County meeting that: April 10th is Tuesday, we should be voting on this. I happen to know from the best bookmaker at MWD, that says we have a guaranteed win on the two tunnels at 51.67%Norton said public records show multiple meetings and phone calls, including some directly from Governor Jerry Brown, to round up votes for a two-tunnel deal.For example, an article in the Voice of San Diego on April 19, stated: Brett Barbre, a Metropolitan board member from Orange County who whipped votes in favor of the project, said it had support from about 52 percent of the board going into the weekend. That was enough to pass, but barely. What we were lacking was cushion and the elusive 60 percent, he said in an email. The governor made calls before Tuesdays vote and helped get that number up to 61 percent.The letter also cites MWDOCs April 19th Water Policy Dinner with Karla Nemeth where Brett Barbre explained how Nemeth worked very closely with MWD and Governor Brown to make phone calls prior to the vote. One of the phone calls he recounts is about the Glendale representative on the MWD board, Zareh Sinanyan, who never shows up at the MWD board anyway for meetings... I had tried calling him, no response. Blois tried calling him, no response. Kightlinger, no response. The only person that was able to get a hold of him was the Governor. And Im not going to tell you what he did to get a hold of him.In the same meeting, Barbre also introduced Director Stephen J. Faessel from Anaheim as the MWD director that put them over 50% for the twin tunnels.The Brown Act prohibits serial communications to prevent government from circumventing the requirement for open and public deliberation, Norton noted.The Brown Act requires legislative bodies like the Metropolitan Water District to conduct their meetings, their deliberations and their decision-making in public, said First Amendment Coalition Executive Director David Snyder. It is clear that MWD did not do that here, and on an issue of paramount importance to both the future of California, and to MWDs use of taxpayer funds. As a result, the public has been unlawfully shut out of a process they are entitled under California law to take part in.The groups letter comes in the wake of questions whether the Santa Clara Valley Water District (SCVWD) made a deal with Governor Brown to back the tunnels project in exchange for state funding for a new $485 million dam, Pacheco Dam on Pacheco Creek, a tributary of the Pajaro River.The Santa Clara Valley Water District Board is expect to vote on its support for the tunnels project at its meeting at the District offices tomorrow in San Jose at 9:30 a.m.Governor Brown would like to guarantee funding for the $17 billion dollar tunnels before he leaves office, and having to correct Brown Act violations would jeopardize that commitment, Norton concluded.MWD has 30 days to formally respond to the letter by the two organizations. I have not yet received a response to my call to the MWD press office for a comment on the letter.To read the full letter, go here: https://bit.ly/2wlt9z5 Chart of the Day: TransGlobe Energy Skyrockets Barchart - 1 hour ago The Barchart Chart of the Day belongs to the gas and oil exploration company TransGlobe Energy (NASDAQ: TGA ). I found the stock by sorting Barchart's Top 100 Stocks list first by the most frequent... TGA : 3.06 (+5.15%) Soy Futures Mixed Again Barchart - 1 hour ago Soymeal prices continue trading opposite of the beans and oil. Midday quotes show beans are 5 3/4 to 7 cents in the black with triple digit gains for the soy oil. Soymeal futures are $1.20 in the red.... ZSX21 : 1247-2s (+0.42%) ZSPAUS.CM : 12.0183 (+0.47%) ZSF22 : 1258-2s (+0.46%) ZSX21 : 1247-2s (+0.42%) Wheat Complex Trading Mixed Barchart - 1 hour ago Spring wheat prices are up at midday with gains of 3 to 5 1/4 cents. The winter wheat markets are pulling back through midday, as SRW quotes are fractionally to 3 cents in the red. KC HRW futures are firm... ZWZ21 : 741-2s (-0.64%) ZWPAES.CM : 6.8801 (-0.66%) KEZ21 : 741-2s (-0.50%) KEPAWS.CM : 7.1622 (-0.50%) MWZ21 : 940-6 (+0.19%) Live Cattle - December 2021 Chicago Quant Technologies - Thu Oct 7, 10:43AM CDT Is December Live Cattle about to breakout to the upside? Arabica Coffee Prices Jump after ICO Cuts its Global Surplus Estimate Barchart - Thu Oct 7, 10:29AM CDT Dec arabica coffee (KCZ21 ) this morning is up +5.30 (+2.74%), and Nov ICE Robusta coffee (RMX21 ) is up +2 (+0.09%). Arabica coffee prices jumped this morning after the International Coffee Organization... KCZ21 : 197.90s (+2.30%) RMX21 : 2,119s (+0.14%) Volatility Is The Game Right Now. The Corn & Ethanol Report 10/07/2021 The PRICE Futures Group - Thu Oct 7, 9:45AM CDT We start off the day with Challenger Job Cuts (Sep) at 6:30 A.M., Fed Williams Speech, Initial Jobless Claims (02/Oct). Jobless Claims 4-Week Average (02/Oct), and Continuing Jobless Claims (25/Sep) at... Baxter has more than three decades of financial services experience, and has held a number of senior leadership roles in Australia, the UK, Hong Kong, and South Africa. Baxter has also provided leadership and support to the LGBTI community as one of the early mentors for the Pinnacle Foundation, which supports gay and lesbian students, as director of the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras and the Sydney Gay & Lesbian Business Association, and as an active member of QBEs pride committee. To be acknowledged among such a high calibre of Australian leaders, is truly humbling, Baxter said. Initiatives like this are important to shine a light on the diverse roles people in the LGBTI community play. Ive endeavoured to provide support to others who are facing some of the challenges Ive had to overcome as Ive progressed through my career. Inclusion in the workplace is something Im passionate about being your whole self is empowering and we know it creates a happier, healthier, productive, and ultimately more successful culture. Vivek Bhatia, QBE Australia and Zealand CEO, said that he was very proud that another QBE leader was acknowledged on the list. Id like to extend my congratulations to Mark on this achievement and his leadership, not only in his professional life, but in the community, Bhatia said. QBE is committed to a culture of inclusiveness and Mark, in particular, has been a huge supporter in leading that change. The 2018 list features 24 women and 26 men and also includes two transgender business leaders and an intersex leader, from across Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Canberra, Perth, Darwin, and Adelaide. Related stories: QBE: Australia leads charge as rates continue to rise QBE boss announces further simplifications Since the London market and Peterborough operations were placed under one leadership, our combined network has grown to some 1,200 brokers, noted THB UK Risk Solutions chief executive Darren Nightingale. Its our goal to give the best possible service to these brokers. Im always looking to strengthen our offering to make sure we are the number one choice of wholesale broker. The 700-strong THB is part of global specialty insurance distributor AmWINS Group, Inc., which employs about 4,000 people across more than 100 office locations. THBs motor fleet team is renowned for being one of the largest and most successful in the London market, and now with a new focus on expanding UK broking even further its a really exciting time to be part of THB, commented senior broker Searle. Related stories: THB boosts marine division Is telematics for fleets set to take off? Last year, he completed the longest recorded swim across Lake Murray to raise funds for the hospital. For this year, Yarborough is looking to raise $100,000 for the Leukemia Lymphoma Society. WISTV reported that he has scheduled his long run to take place on May 12, starting in the Harbison Forest and running the same three-mile loop 21 times to hit a 100k. "I see the kids up there and I see them going through cancer, fighting leukemia, and I see how hard it is and I always think, 'what else can I do to help?'" he said. "There's time I think about stopping when I'm training to do something like this, but then I think about my motivation. My motivation are [sic] the kids on my bracelet. Brayden Sox and kids who are battling cancer and they don't have a quit in them so how can I possibly stop?" WISTV additionally reported that Yarborough will undertake the challenge with a friend, Jon. Related stories: Combined Insurance co-sponsors fundraising run for cancer research Arbella Insurance raises over a million in a decade to fund hunger relief programs For $600 a month (or $700, for additional services), customers subscribed to the Care by Volvo service will not only get a brand-new Volvo XC40, but basic maintenance and even insurance for their new vehicle as well; Liberty Mutual has partnered with Volvo to provide insurance to subscribers. However, some customers have complained they are still yet to receive their XC40. We ordered in early Feb and they gave us a delivery date of April 13, then April 26, and now nothing, customer Cameron Balch told Jalopnik. The cars are built and waiting to be delivered, but the holdup is apparently with the paperwork and contracts. Although Liberty Mutual reserves the right to reject a driver for the Care by Volvo program, that does not appear to be the case. Jalopnik reported that some of the cars are being indefinitely held at port due to paperwork. Some peoples orders have been delayed by two months (mine has been a month), and Volvo is not giving answers to consumers or giving us ETAs, explained another customer, who wished to remain anonymous. Our cars are being indefinitely held at a port in New Jersey because of legality issues with the Care by Volvo subscription service. Volvo has since issued a statement, explaining it was still working to get cars to subscribers. The company also said it would support those subscribers in dire need of transportation. Care by Volvo has been very popular and Volvo Concierge is in constant 1-1 contact with each customer regarding their delivery program, the automaker said in an email statement. When we announced Care by Volvo in November we shared our goal of delivering the first cars in Spring 2018 and that goal remains. We are offering personal assistance to customers transitioning from a traditional lease to a subscription, including temporary transportation. The statement also maintained that the holdup has nothing to do with Liberty Mutual. Related stories: Volvo and Liberty Mutual in one-size-fits-all insurance subscription package Insurers to enter a chaotic middle in push for autonomous vehicles: KPMG Bermuda-based specialty insurer and reinsurer Sompo International Holdings Ltd. said that the integration of Sompo Japan Nipponkoa Insurance Company of Europe Limited (SJNKE) into Sompo International reached a significant milestone on May 1, 2018 as SJNKE became a wholly-owned subsidiary of Sompo International. Sompo International previously announced that its new subsidiary, SI Insurance (Europe), SA (SIIE), received regulatory approval from Luxembourg on March 27, 2018. SIIE is expanding beyond its headquarters in Luxembourg to include operations in Belgium, France, Germany, Italy and Spain, subject to required regulatory approvals. Once SIIE becomes operational later in 2018, SJNKEs Continental European business will transfer to SIIE. Sompo International said it will maintain its presence in the Lloyds market with Endurance at Lloyds and the London company market with Endurance Worldwide Insurance Limited. Topics Europe Theres no other company on Earth quite like Ant Financial. Spanning online payments, insurance, lending, credit scores, asset management and more, Jack Mas Chinese behemoth resembles a mashup of PayPal, Geico, Wells Fargo and Equifax with a bit of BlackRock thrown in for good measure. Thanks to clever mobile apps and a burgeoning Chinese middle class, Ant oversees the worlds biggest money-market fund and handles more than $2.4 trillion of mobile payments every three months. Many of the companys 870 million customers rely on it for nearly every aspect of their financial lives. But Ants extraordinary reach may soon expose the company to a major challenge: Chinese policy makers, worried that Ant and other financial holding companies pose systemic risks to the nations $12.7 trillion economy, are drafting new regulations that could make it much harder for the companies to grow. The rules will force Ant and some of its peers that straddle at least two financial industries to obtain licenses from Chinas central bank and meet minimum capital requirements for the first time, according to people familiar with the matter, who asked not to be identified discussing private information. The companies ownership structures and inter-group transactions will also be restricted, the people said, adding that the rules need approval from Chinas State Council and are subject to change. Ant was among the biggest beneficiaries of a freewheeling era in Chinese financial regulation that saw tech-savvy startups transform how the nations 1.4 billion people spend, borrow and save. But Chinas government is now shifting into risk-control mode as it tries to prevent a record buildup of corporate and consumer debt from sinking the economy. Ants growing role in the countrys financial plumbing makes it an obvious target for authorities whove already shackled spendthrift acquirers and reined in the nations sprawling shadow-banking system. Current Consensus Regulators have been a bit slow in reacting to Ants meteoric rise, but the consensus now is that something must be done, said Dong Ximiao, a senior researcher at Renmin University of China in Beijing. Ant has become too big to fail. Any mishap could lead to market or even social disorder. The prospect of stricter oversight comes at a particularly sensitive time for Ant. The company is in the process of finalizing a $10 billion funding round and may soon embark on one of the most eagerly anticipated stock-market listings since Ma took his e-commerce giant, Alibaba Group Holding Ltd., public in New York four years ago. Ant is also grappling with growing competition from Tencent Holdings Ltd. the social media behemoth thats branching into financial services and a more uncertain outlook for its international expansion after the collapse of a deal for Americas MoneyGram International Inc. in January. Ant, which was spun off from Alibaba in 2011 and is formally known as Zhejiang Ant Small & Micro Financial Services Group, said in response to questions from Bloomberg News that its principle has always been to work closely with regulators and support the healthy development of Chinas financial sector. China Investment Corp., the $930 billion sovereign wealth fund that owns a stake in Ant, responded to questions by saying its not involved in the companys management. Alibaba, which is entitled to a portion of Ants earnings, rose 3.4 percent in New York trading on Monday. The Peoples Bank of China didnt respond to a faxed request for comment. While the central bank has never publicly detailed which businesses it considers financial holding companies, former PBOC Governor Zhou Xiaochuan said in March that regulators were considering new rules for the companies that may include minimum capital requirements. When asked by Bloomberg News in March how the government plans to regulate Ant, Yi Gang, who succeeded Zhou as PBOC governor seven weeks ago, said: You will find out very soon. To be clear, theres no indication that Ma or Ant have broken any rules or landed on Beijings blacklist. While policy makers are right to consider tougher restrictions on the company, Ant didnt run afoul of the government, said Oliver Rui, a finance professor at the China Europe International Business School in Shanghai. Judging by the $150 billion valuation under discussion in its upcoming funding round, Ants investors dont seem particularly spooked. In fact, they have a fresh reason to be bullish after it emerged on Friday that Ants pretax profit jumped by an estimated 65 percent in the year ended March. But that doesnt mean the company will go unscathed. In China the government tends to take a laissez-faire attitude, until you are big enough, said Chen Shujin, chief financial analyst at Huatai Securities Co. in Hong Kong. While some of Ants units already fall under the purview of authorities including the central bank, the company isnt regulated at a group level and discloses little about its finances to the public. The worry is that problems at Ant could go undetected and, in a worst-case scenario, put the stability of Chinas financial system at risk. The companys outsized presence in the lives of ordinary Chinese adds to the argument for stricter oversight. Zeng Jinping, a college student in Shanghai, is a case in point: The 23-year-old pharmaceuticals major uses Ants payment platform for most of his big online purchases, puts his savings in the companys funds and borrows money from its consumer-lending arm. Its very convenient, said Zeng, whose high credit score (also provided by Ant) entitles him to zero interest short-term cash advances, similar to those offered by credit-card companies. Some of Ants business lines have already faced tighter restrictions in recent months. The companys YuE Bao money-market fund, which has more customers than the U.S. has people, put a cap on daily subscriptions in February after coming under pressure from the central bank to limit inflows. Two of Ants consumer lending units tripled their capital buffers in December after the PBOC rolled out tough new requirements for the industry. If Chinas leaders sign off on the financial holding company regulations, the likely upshot for Ant is lower leverage and slower growth. The companys most important consumer loan business has a razor-thin capital adequacy ratio of around 2 percent, according to an estimate from Orient Capital Research. That compares with the 10.5 percent year-end regulatory minimum for Chinas smaller banks and the 11.5 percent minimum for systemically important lenders. Still, quantifying the impact on Ant and its competitors will be tough until details of the finalized regulations come to light. The people familiar with the draft rules didnt provide specifics on capital adequacy requirements or a complete list of companies that will face oversight, though they did say companies subject to the rules also include Citic Group and China Everbright Group (both conglomerates didnt immediately reply to requests for comment). Whats clear is that regulatory scrutiny of Ant is intensifying, said Armstrong Chen, director for banking law and practices at the Shanghai Law Society. While that may ultimately put the company on a healthier growth path, its likely to weigh on Ants near-term results, Chen said. Regulatory restrictions will likely cause some short-term pain, he said. Unchecked expansion will no longer be possible. With assistance from Heng Xie, Samuel Dodge, Adrian Leung and Steven Yang Copyright 2021 Bloomberg. Topics Legislation China Trusted Choice has awarded the annual Dan Fulwider Award for Community Involvement to Alliance Financial & Insurance in Lowell, Michigan. In recognition of Fulwiders community involvement, Trusted Choice established an annual $2,500 award for a selected agency to donate to a charity of its choice. This year, the money will go to Kids Food Basket, an organization in Grand Rapids, Michigan, that provides meals to children in need. When Phaelesha Kyes was young, Kids Food Basket provided a sack supper every day for her and her sisters so that they didnt have to go to bed hungry. Kyes and her sisters were later adopted by Ryan Kyes, the owner of Alliance Financial & Insurance. Today, she works side by side with her father and the company provides both monetary and volunteer support for Kids Food Basket. Safeco Insurance, a Trusted Choice company partner, encouraged Alliance to put forth an application for the award. Dan Fulwider was a beloved member of the Big I family, a huge proponent of Trusted Choice and served as the Independent Insurance Agents of Iowa (IIAI) government affairs coordinator and membership liaison at the time of his passing. His family, IIAI and Trusted Choice established this award in his memory. The award was presented during the recent Big I Legislative Conference in Washington D.C. Source: Trusted Choice Topics Agencies Michigan Marsh & McLennan Companies announced that Erick R. Gustafson has been appointed as the companys first chief public affairs officer. Gustafson has led the companys Government Relations Department since 2008. In this expanded role, Gustafson will lead global corporate strategy for external communications and government relations. He will report to Peter J. Beshar, executive vice president and general counsel, and work in the companys New York headquarters and Washington, D.C. offices. Over the past decade, Erick has demonstrated deft skills in creating a first-rate Government Relations department, Mr. Beshar said. He is strategic in nature and collaborative in style. In addition to knowing our businesses well, Erick has developed strong relationships with our senior leaders, our communications experts across the enterprise and an array of external stakeholders. Gustafsons career started on Capitol Hill as a senior aide specializing in banking and insurance policy. He joined Marsh in 2008 from the Mortgage Bankers Association, a financial trade group, where he was for five years after working five years at the nonprofit think tank Citizens for a Sound Economy. Michigan has three and Florida two in a list of the top 10 most dangerous cities in the U.S. produced by a security industry group using FBI crime data. Based on average rate of violent crime per 100,000 population, the top 10 most dangerous cities are: East St. Louis, Illinois Darby Borough, Pennsylvania Opa Locka, Florida Florida City, Florida Flint, Michigan Detroit, Michigan Saginaw City, Michigan College Park, Georgia Prichard, Alabama West Memphis, Arkansas The National Council for Home Safety and Security released the top 10 ranking, which is a subset of its larger report, Top 100 Most Dangerous Cities in America ranking. The group is a Washington, D.C.-based national trade association of licensed alarm installers and contractors. No membership list is currently available. The groups goal is to further industry education and public knowledge about home safety and security. Zeroing-in on larger cities, the NCHSS report identifies the top 10 most dangerous cities with populations of more than 100,000: Flint, MI Detroit, MI Oakland, CA St. Louis, MO Memphis, TN Birmingham, AL Little Rock, AR Baltimore City, MD Stockton, CA Cleveland, OH Despite the high violent crime rates in some cities, the report cites evidence in the FBI data that, overall, the violence has been lessening, and that trend is likely to continue. For 71 percent of the top 100 list, violent crime has dropped in recent years, often by double digits. Similarly, 7 of the top 10 most dangerous cities have seen double digit percentage drops in violent crime. The report notes that a high population does not mean that a city will have a high violent crime rate. Many of the top 100 most dangerous cities are relatively small, with 68 of the top 100 having populations under 50,000, and 37 possessing populations under 20,000. However, the authors write, many of these smaller communities are adjacent to larger metropolitan areas, such as #2 Darby Borough, Penn. (population: 11,000), which is located five miles outside of Philadelphia, and Florida City, Fla., which lies just outside of Miami. Many of these smaller communities have violent crime rates similar to the most dangerous neighborhoods of the larger cities they are adjacent to, and in many cases, they border these neighborhoods. The difference is that the larger cities also have more affluent, low crime areas that lower their overall violent crime rates, while their smaller satellite cities do not, the report says. The analysis is based on the FBIs Uniform Crime Reporting database for the years 2010-2014 (the most recent years available) for multiple jurisdictions. This database is restricted to law enforcement agencies that serve at least 10,000 people. After eliminating data for any jurisdiction that was purely regional (not a municipality), not present at least 3 of the 5 years, or with multiple missing entries, the analysts focused on the remaining 3,482 towns and cities, according to the stated methodology. Safest Cities What about the safest communities? Another organization NeighborhoodScout, a web-based platform from geographic data science firm Location, in February issued its annual list of the Top 100 Safest U.S. Cities for 2018 that uses somewhat different criteria. This list compares cities with 25,000 or more people nationwide, based on the number of crimes reported and the population of each city. NeighborhoodScouts analysis factors in all reported crimes not only violent crimes from all 18,000 local law enforcement agencies across the country. Neighborhood Scouts Top 10 Safest Communities (cities with 25,000 or more people) Ridgefield, CT Bergenfield, NJ Franklin, MA Lexington, MA Shrewsbury, MA Zionsville, TN Buffalo Grove, IL Weston, FL Lake in the Hills, IL Billerica, MA NeighborhoodScouts complete list of 100 safest cities. NeighborhoodScout identifies the states with the most communities in the top 100 safest list: Massachusetts (19), Illinois (18), California (10), Connecticut and Texas (tied with 6) and New Jersey (5). We continue to see bedroom communities, which are within large metro areas and near major urban centers like Boston, Chicago, and New York, make the top of our list, said Dr. Andrew Schiller, CEO and founder of Location, Inc. and NeighborhoodScout. These safe communities within the urban/suburban fabric of Americas largest metropolitan areas often combine access to high-paying jobs in the urban center, decent schools, and a high quality of life. This access to opportunity increases home values, with the result often being lower crime. Schiller cited, for example, Ridgefield, Conn., the city ranked the safest, which is in close proximity to New York, Stamford, Danbury and other business and financial hubs, making it appealing to professionals. Families also appreciate Ridgefields combination of top public schools, low crime rates, and owner-occupied single-family homes, said this report. These location qualities top schools, low crime, single family homes appear repeatedly among states with the largest number of cities making the list, including Massachusetts and Illinois, NeighborhoodScout said. Topics USA Florida Michigan Illinois Austin-based workers compensation insurer, Texas Mutual Insurance Co., is awarding $1 million in grants to 10 colleges across Texas to fund workplace safety courses for employers, workers and the general public. Since 1999, Texas Mutual has awarded $6.6 million in safety education grants, and more than 30,000 students have attended free safety institutes offered at various colleges. These grants support risk management programs at Amarillo College, Angelina College in Lufkin, College of the Mainland in Texas City, Del Mar College in Corpus Christi, El Paso Community College, Lamar Institute of Technology in Beaumont, Lee College in Baytown, Midland College, Kilgore College and Texarkana College. Courses at these safety institutes include general topics, such as driver safety, ergonomic safety and OSHA standards, as well as courses tailored to the dominant industries in each colleges region. Source: Texas Mutual Topics Texas Education Training Development Universities A judge in central California has ordered Stanislaus County to pay nearly $1.4 million in fees to attorneys of a deputy who sued the Sherriffs Department for discrimination. The Modesto Bee reports an attorney for the county, John Doering, says he will discuss filing an appeal with county supervisors next week. Dennis Wallace in 2012 sued the Sheriffs Department for idling him for two years without pay, saying he was too injured to work while he said he wasnt. The 52-year-old Wallace was killed in 2016 by a suspect who shot him as he checked on a report of a suspicious van. His lawsuit was resolved last year when the county agreed to pay his widow $253,000 in a settlement without admitting wrongdoing. Copyright 2021 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Topics California Legislation EPIC Insurance Brokers and Consultants has named Sean Conrad a principal in its Southern California operations. Conrad will be based in EPICs Irvine, Calif., office. He will be responsible for new business development as well as the design and oversight of property/casualty insurance programs, risk management strategies, and employee benefit brokerage and consulting services. Conrad was previously a senior vice president and business development officer for Wells Fargo Insurance Services, which was acquired by USI Insurance Services in December 2017. Conrad began his insurance career in 1999 as a claims director at Allied Insurance, a Nationwide Company. Five years later, he moved to the brokerage side of the business, joining Willis as a vice president of sales and business development. Conrad is a founding member of the International Executive Council of the Internet Marketing Association, a diverse group of business leaders and entrepreneurs with a passion for technology innovation that will serve as an important resource for building relationships in the regions business community. EPIC is a retail property/casualty and employee benefits insurance brokerage and consulting firm. Topics California By Natasha Reid The 'Freddie' Thompson murder trial has heard that his DNA was found on a hand sanitiser and air freshener found in one of the 'spotter' cars used in the shooting of a Dublin shoe shop manager. David Douglas was shot six times as he took a meal break at the shop counter, and died after suffering concussion, hemorrhage on the brain and obstructed breathing due to facial injuries and inhaled blood. A forensic scientist and the State Pathologist gave the evidence in the trial at the Special Criminal Court today. The 37-year-old, with an address at Loreto Road, Maryland in Dublin, has pleaded not guilty to the murder of Mr Douglas on July 1, 2016 on Bridgefoot Street in the city. The 55-year-old was shot dead shortly after 4pm, as he ate a curry in his partners shoe shop, Shoestown. A semi-automatic pistol with its serial number removed was found next to his head. The prosecution does not argue that Mr Thompson carried out the physical act of killing, but that he was in one of a number of spotter cars used in the shooting. Professor Marie Cassidy testified that the 55-year-old sustained six gunshot injuries to his face, chin, neck, chest, trunk and elbow. She told Sean Gillane SC, prosecuting, that five of the bullets had exited the body, while one damaged bullet was recovered from the left side of his trunk when she conducted the post-mortem exam. She said that the head injuries had caused hemorrhage on the surface of brain and would have caused concussion and rapid collapse. She also explained that the injury to his face would have obstructed his breathing and that his airways were also obstructed by blood and inhaled vomit. She noted that half of the shots had come from a different direction from the other half, and said that this confirmed movement by one or both parties. She gave his cause of death as gunshot injuries to his head, neck and trunk. The court also heard from forensic scientist Sarah Fleming, who testified that a DNA profile she obtained from items in two of the alleged spotter cars matched that of Mr Thompson. She said that the profile obtained from an inhaler found in a Mitsubishi and from an air freshener and hand sanitiser found in a Ford Fiesta matched that of the accused. I estimate the chance of finding this profile, if the DNA had come from someone unrelated to Frederick Thompson, is considerably less than one in 1000 million, she said. No DNA profile could be obtained from the gun or cartridges found at the scene. Mr Gillane has explained that the prosecution case is that four vehicles and their occupants, including Mr Thompson, were operating in concert that day. He told the three judges in his opening speech that they would be asked to infer that one of the many fingers on the trigger was that of the accused. Mr Justice Tony Hunt, presiding with Judge Flannan Brennan and Judge Gerard Griffin have now begun hearing a legal issue on the admissibility of evidence that the prosecution plans to adduce. They spent the afternoon viewing CCTV footage of the movements of the two spotter cars and two other cars. The two other cars, a stolen Mercedes CLA and a stolen Suzuki Swift, have been described as the ultimate murder vehicle and the ultimate getaway car respectively. Both were later abandoned, having been set alight. However, the Mitsubishi had been seen ramming the Suzuki before its attempted burning. The trial continues. By Sarah-Jane Murphy The jury at David Drumm's conspiracy to defraud trial heard evidence from a former manager at the Central Bank, on day 70 of the hearing at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court. Pamela Lennon, the first prosecution witness from the Central Bank, said she oversaw a shared network of computers, accessed by all Central Banks across Europe, in 2008. She said this network captured the real-time balances of individual banks in each member state. These records gave a read out of how much money a particular bank had on a given day, she said. David Drumm (51) of Skerries, Co Dublin, has pleaded not guilty to conspiring with former bank officials Denis Casey, William McAteer, John Bowe and others to defraud depositors and investors at Anglo by dishonestly creating the impression that deposits in 2008 were 7.2 billion larger than they were. The former Anglo Irish CEO has also pleaded not guilty to false accounting on December 3, 2008, by furnishing information to the market that Anglo's 2008 deposits were 7.2 billion larger than they were. Today, Ms Lennon told Mary Rose Gearty SC, prosecuting, that the data was transferred to warehouses in Germany, France and Italy for storage at the end of each banking day. She said this data could be extracted from the system at a later time, but could not be changed by her or any of her staff. The jury viewed Central Bank account statements for September 29 and 30, 2008, which showed details of the 7.2bn payments made between Anglo and Irish Life and Permanent. Ms Lennon agreed with Ms Gearty that there was a huge number of transactions on Anglo's account on September 29, 583 in total. She said the statement of September 29 also showed a deposit of 1bn paid to Anglo by the Central Bank, which was an overnight facility which incurred a fee. During cross-examination, Ms Lennon agreed with Tessa White BL, defending, that the importance of a timestamp on each transaction was to show that monies settled in real time. She further agreed that Anglo was eligible to receive funding from the European Central Bank, and did receive 1bn on September 29, 2008. Mr Drumm accepts that the multi-million euro transactions took place between Anglo and ILP in 2008 but disputes that they were fraudulent or dishonest. The trial is now in its fourteenth week, and continues before Judge Karen O'Connor and a jury of ten men and four women. By Louise Roseingrave Feud victim Derek Coakley Hutch (27) died of a gunshot wound to the head, an inquest has heard. His mother Noeleen Coakley also gave evidence at the opening of an inquest into his death at Dublin Coroners Court. In her deposition his mother said she identified her sons body at Dublin City Morgue in Whitehall to Garda Sergeant Damian Gannon hours after the fatal shooting. Mr Hutch from Liberty House in Dublin 1 was shot as he sat in a car parked at the Bridgeview halting site beside Cloverhill Prison at around 3pm on January 20 last. He was the fourth member of the Hutch family to be killed over a two year period and the 14th victim of the Hutch/ Kinahan feud. Sgt Gannon in turn formally identified the remains to pathology staff for a post-mortem examination. The autopsy was conducted by Deputy State Pathologist Dr Linda Mulligan the day after his death. The cause of death was given as a gunshot wound to the head. Coakley Hutch was a nephew of Gerry Hutch, also known as The Monk. Another uncle, Eddie Hutch and two cousins, Gary and Gareth have all been shot dead as part of the Hutch Kinahan feud. The father of two was spared a jail sentence two months before his death. Coakley Hutch had gone to Cloverhill Prison earlier on the day of his death to visit his brother Nathan. He had returned to the area later that day in a car with two other men. Coroner Dr Myra Cullinane was told the the matter was still under Garda investigation and a six month adjournment of the inquest was sought as criminal proceedings were possible. The coroner adjourned the case for further mention on October 4 2018. By Ruaidhri Giblin The Court of Appeal has upheld serial killer Mark Nash's conviction for the cold-case killing of two women in Dublin known as the 'Grangegorman murders'. Nash was found guilty in 2015 of murdering the two women, whose mutilated bodies were found in sheltered accommodation in Grangegorman twenty one years ago. The 44-year-old, who is originally from England but has last addresses at Prussia Street and Clonliffe Road in Dublin, had pleaded not guilty at the Central Criminal Court to the murder of Sylvia Sheils (59) and Mary Callanan (61) between March 6 and March 7, 1997. A Central Criminal Court jury unanimously found Nash guilty after four hours of deliberations following a 48-day trial and he was accordingly given the mandatory life sentence by Mr Justice Carroll Moran on April 20, 2015. Nash had already been serving life since October 1998 for murdering two people in Ballintober, Castlerea, Roscommon in mid-August 1997. The four murders were committed within the space of five months. Dismissing Nashs appeal on all grounds today Mr Justice Alan Mahon said it was the strong view of the three-judge court that Nashs trial for the Grangegorman murders was entirely fair and it produced a verdict well justified by the evidence". Mr Justice Mahon, who sat with Mr Justice John Edwards and Mr Justice Michael White, said none of the various grounds of appeal had been upheld by the court and accordingly we must dismiss the appeal Nash was not in court for the delivery of the judgement. Giving judgement in the three-judge court, Mr Justice Mahon said the gruesome murder of two vulnerable and defenceless middle aged women had attracted enormous attention at the time and understandably so. It was not just the cruelty of the murder which attracted such attention but also the fact that the two women were brutally murdered and mutilated in circumstances where they presented absolutely no risk or threat to the killer. The level of violence perpetrated on them was senseless and was so fierce that perhaps the victims own appreciation of their fate was short lived, the judge said. Mr Justice Mahon said the murders were horrific and brutal. Post mortem examinations established that they had received multiple stab wounds and that their bodies had been gratuitously mutilated. Dr John Harbison, the then State Pathologist, stated in his report that "these injuries were outside my experience in twenty six years of pathology practice. Opening his four-day appeal hearing last November, Nash's lead senior counsel, Hugh Hartnett SC, told the Court of Appeal that it was an extraordinary and unusual case because another man, the late Dean Lyons, had confessed. A short time later, while Nash was in detention on foot of the Roscommon double killing, he admitted to having carried out the Grangegorman murders five months earlier. This sent a tremor through Garda Headquarters, the court heard, and various senior officers were tasked with examining how two people were confessing to the same double murder. Dean Lyons died in 2000 and a jacket, which had been seized from Nash's home during the investigation in the 1990s, was tested and nothing of probative value was found. Nearly ten years later, and with advances in science, DNA was found around the button threads of Nash's jacket and the DPP decided to prosecute. Giving background, Mr Justice Mahon said Ms Shiels and Ms Callinan lived in the house under the general care of St Brendan's Hospital, Grangegorman, with a Ms Mernagh who is since deceased. They were all middle aged and had a history of psychiatric illness. Following his arrest for the Roscommon murders in August 1997, Nash made a voluntary, "entirely unprompted" and cautioned admission of his involvement in the Grangegorman murders five months earlier. He maintained that he had attacked the two women on his way home from Dublin city centre to Stoneybatter. He volunteered a lengthy and detailed statement and prepared a number of sketches of the location, of the knife used and the footwear worn by him that night. Also on the same day, when being ferried by Gardai from Galway to Mountjoy Prison, Nash pointed out the house where the he had murdered the two women. Nash would subsequently retract all of the admissions that he had made. Around three weeks earlier, in July 1997, Dean Lyons was arrested and questioned at the Bridewell Garda station in Dublin in relation to the Grangegorman murders and made admissions. "His confession had been volunteered by him to Gardai and subsequently repeated to numerous other persons. His first confession was videotaped but his second and third confessions were not; they were recorded in writing by Gardai instead". Mr Lyons had a history of drug addiction and homelessness. His information displayed "a certain familiarity with details of the murder ... including the nature of the wounds inflicted, the number and type of weapons used and the movements of the killer in the house". Consideration was given to charging Nash with the Grangegorman murders in August 1997, but a decision was taken not to do so due to lack of evidence. A jacket and a pair of Caterpillar brand boots belonging to Nash were taken and analysed by the State Forensic Science Laboratory. However nothing of evidential value was revealed. Mark Nash pictured in 2015 In 2009, with the help of advancements in DNA forensic science, two DNA profiles were found on Nash's jacket, "one relating to each of the Grangegorman victims". Nash's lawyers tried to prohibit his trial but both the High Court and Supreme Court refused to do so. The core aspects of the Prosecution's case against Nash were his admissions (the defence contended they were obtained while Nash was in unlawful custody), the forensic evidence (the defence contended the jacket and boots were unlawfully seized and that testing undertaken by the FSL was "entirely unreliable" due to the risks of contamination) and a Caterpillar brand boot print said to match a boot owned by Nash left in blood at the scene. Mr Hartnett SC, for Nash, had said the two main planks to the prosecution's case were his clients admissions and the DNA evidence. Mr Hartnett said scientists from the State's Forensic Science Laboratory agreed that there was a risk of contamination but that it was low. Their opinion that the risk was low was based on the absence of other profiles or mixed profiles on the jacket. But we established that there were other profiles, Mr Hartnett said. He said precautions taken by the State's Forensic Science Laboratory in 1997 were not as acute as they were today and it emerged during cross examination that the victims' bed clothing had been brushed down in the same room the jacket was forensically examined six weeks later. Mr Justice Mahon said the grounds of appeal were "many and relate to almost all aspects of the trial". He said the extensive scientific evidence did not conclusively prove or disprove contamination. In the Court of Appeals view, there were "certainly conflicts in the evidence" between scientists called on behalf of the State and scientists called on behalf of the defence in relation to the issue of contamination. Mr Justice Mahon said the extensive scientific evidence did not conclusively prove or disprove contamination and was not so weak as to justify the withdrawal of the case or the granting of a direction to the jury. Mr Justice Mahon said there was clear justification for the jury to determine that the DNA profiles on Nash's jacket were present on the jacket from the time of the double murder. Such a determination, assuming it was made, could not be said to be perverse or against the evidence. The complexities of the trial were not limited to the manner of how Nash became involved in the investigation (his admissions, later retracted). A further complicating factor was the involvement of the original suspect Dean Lyons, who himself made "what transpired to be false admissions to the Grangegorman murders and who died in the year 2000". Mr Justice Mahon said the trial itself saw many issues which required legal arguments and rulings by the trial judge. Many of those in turn became the subject of grounds of appeal, detailed over four days of hearing last November. He said the various grounds of appeal had been considered in detail, particularly issues related to Nash's admissions and the scientific evidence. "Neither those grounds, nor indeed any of the other grounds of appeal, have been upheld by this court and accordingly we must dismiss the appeal." Mr Justice Mahon said it should be noted that in general terms, the lengthy and complex trial was conducted by a very experienced criminal trial judge in a careful, indeed exemplary, fashion and was, "in the strong view of this court, an entirely fair trial which produced a verdict well justified by the evidence". Holidaymakers as Portugal's Faro Airport have described the "disgraceful" scenes as delays at passport control caused travel chaos. People at the airport reported on social media that there were only one or two people checking passports as huge crowds queued in their hundreds last night. In advance of his appearance at West Cork literary festival, novelist Joseph ONeill tells Ellie OByrne about his new book of short stories, and the democratic emergency in the US. Joseph ONeills latest novel is on hold: hes been writing it for four years. The writer is best known for his critically acclaimed post-9/11 novel Netherland, and 2014s Man Booker longlisted The Dog. Yet his latest work-in-progress is slow going, he says. Hes sitting in a hotel lobby in Cork, the city of his birth. Unfortunately, I keep writing short stories, he says, sighing. I keep deferring the novel Ive been writing, because Ive been trying to figure out how to make it responsive to the experience of people now Short stories hes about to publish a collection of 11, called Good Trouble may be a more fitting way of capturing the current climate in a world where attention spans and leisure time have been eroded in favour of on-demand TV and social media scrolling. Has the novels heyday been and gone? The novel isnt dead, he says, its still alive and people are still reading novels, but the cultural capital of the novelist is lessening. You cant have that water-cooler type influence on the culture anymore. There are writers who are responsive to their childhood, or the 1870s, and those sorts of writers can continue to work even in these days, when the news is so amazing and all-consuming, ONeill says. But Im very interested in modernity, and I suppose thats why Ive been writing short stories, because I feel like Ive been able to hang on to my subject matter which is 2018. Fertility treatments, artisan cheese production, modern facial hair trends: his characters preoccupations, in their 21st-century New York setting, are indeed thoroughly modern and observed with the authors distinctively subversive, sideways-on humour. ONeill writes for The Atlantic and The New Yorker, where some of the stories in Good Trouble first made their appearance. Born in Cork to an Irish father and a Turkish mother, ONeill, 54, had a peripatetic upbringing, living in Mozambique, Turkey, Iran and the Netherlands as a child. Having studied law at Cambridge, he put in a stint as a barrister in London. He has lived in New York for the past 20 years, where he writes, teaches at Bard College and raises his family: teenage sons and a four-year-old daughter. Having left Cork as a toddler, he says, he doesnt have formative connections to Irelands second city: he sees its changes, though. Cork does seem to be flourishing and changing a lot. Its much more sophisticated than it used be. But Im always slightly euphoric when Im here, so Im not very good at criticising it; I have no traumas associated with it. He looks out the window of the riverside hotel lobby: I like it here, though, because I can see the neighbourhood where my father grew up, near St Vincents and Gurranabraher, the red city. ONeills novels have been hailed for the broad sweep of their vision, their setting in a post-colonial geopolitical landscape. Its the world we live in: globalisation, the mass movement of people and ideas and now, ONeill believes, a democratic emergency on a grand scale. Good Trouble is, he says, as much as any of his novels have been, a body of work reflective of the political climate ONeill finds himself living in in the US. Hes been a contributor to several anthologies of Irish short stories but is no fan of adhering to a notion of nationality. Now having lived in the States for longer than anywhere else, though, the stories, if they have a nationality, are American. Emotionally, its a direct response to the current sense of agitation in America and the sense of jitteriness and anxiety that the country has gone through, and that Ive certainly gone through too. I have a US passport; I feel quite agitated and shaken up by things that are going on. What things? Syria, climate change, collapsing democracy, he says, his brow furrowed, his hand gripping his mobile phone. Will elections work? Will democracy survive? On a local level, probably it will, but anything could happen in the November midterm. We have a Russian roulette system in play, The Republican party now is moving towards a sort of corrupt, degraded, semi-authoritarian version of democracy, like those you see in Eastern Europe. Its not an exclusively American phenomenon: there are things happening all over the world that are related to whats happening in the States. Theres a transformation in the world: globalisation, movement of people and movement of information, especially. Changes in culture. On his annual visits to Turkey, ONeill has become involved in fundraising for a school for Syrian refugee children near his mothers home town of Mersin. There are currently an estimated 3 million Syrian refugees in Turkey, and ONeills own maternal grandfather was a refugee to Turkey from Aleppo. Perhaps its this background that makes ONeill so keenly aware of the scalability of the human condition, from the macrocosms of large-scale historical upheavals to the microcosms of human response. Maybe its also responsible for his lack of desire to see the world in terms of nations. When Barack Obama said, while president, that he was reading and enjoying Netherland, ONeill later expressed discomfort at the endorsement, in light of Obamas policy of drone strikes in the Middle East. When you think in terms of nations or communities, you basically take care of your own, and then you live life as though youve discharged your responsibilities as a human being, he says. But the actual horizons have changed so dramatically. What do you do about the boy whos washed up on the beach? "Part of the xenophobic backlash that were having is, I think, a sort of traumatised response to erosion of our duty of care. Our empathy is being challenged. Our sense of agency is under threat. Look at the financial collapse in Ireland: even the government doesnt seem to have a sense of agency. The outcome is not in the hands of Irish people, its somewhere else, in the hands of someone unaccountable, in some boardroom somewhere. The bigger picture can often seem bleak, but ONeill describes himself as neither an optimist nor a pessimist. Im an in-denialist, he says. I do feel very pessimistic about environmental issues and the physical planet, the biophysical-geo-thing that we inhabit. Pessimism and optimism are varieties of confusion, arent they? The confusion of despair or hope with probability. You just have to look at whats probable. So against this vast backdrop, where does ONeill see a continuing role for the novelist, then? He smiles. Making sentences. Making sentences is still the basic work of a novelist, but of course, thats easier said than done. Joseph ONeill appears at two events at West Cork Literary Festival in July. www.westcorkmusic.ie Instead of trapping asylum-seekers in years of residency appeals, people from obviously dangerous places should be allowed stay. Others should be judged on integration, says Leonid Bershidsky. Germany has a problem with migants who have been denied asylum. Getting them to leave is far from easy. Last week, police in Ellwangen, in the southwestern state of Baden-Wuerttemberg, attempted to pick up a 23-year-old Togolese man at a refugee hostel to deport him to Italy, the country where he first crossed the border into the EU. About 150 other Africans at the hostel wouldnt allow it. They heavily outnumbered the 24 officers, and forced them to hand over the keys of the mans handcuffs. The police had to retreat. They returned in force three days later and took the Togolese man away. Some 27 of the hostel residents are being held for rioting. The story made national headlines, and right-wing opposition parties latched onto the initial retreat of the police as evidence of the weakness of the German state in the face of the immigrant threat. Joerg Meuthen, of the far-right Alternative for Germany party, talked of a capitulation. and Christian Lindner, leader of the pro-business Free Democrats, spoke of law-free zones. It doesnt much matter that the police didnt actually give up and that the riot was put down. Interior minister Horst Seehofer , whose views on immigrants are far to the right of the chancellor, Angela Merkels, called the incident a slap in the face of law-abiding people and accused the Togolese mans defenders of trampling on German hospitality. The governments idea of a response, pushed eagerly by Seehofer, is to set up anchor centres, in which all newly arriving asylum applicants would be housed, while their applications are processed. Those denied would be deported. Seehofer claims the centres would even be good for the asylum-seekers, because the programme would somehow accelerate the processing. Its clear why some sort of solution is needed. For 2016 and 2017, 406,153 people were denied asylum in Germany. In the same two years, only 49,300 people were deported, or left voluntarily under pressure from authorities. Many of the unsuccessful asylum seekers appeal the denials in the courts, and remain in Germany while the legal wheels grind. One famous case involves a former bodyguard to Osama bin Laden, whom Germany has been trying to deport to Tunisia since 2006. The courts have refused to allow the deportation, because there is no guarantee he wont be tortured in Tunisia. Meanwhile, the man is watched by domestic intelligence as a potential terrorist and has been receiving social aid. The system isnt working. This puts pressure on the government to assert its power. But anchor camps arent the answer. Everywhere the refugee detention centres exist in Europe, from Hungary (where all asylum seekers are channeled into them) to Britain (where about half of potential refugees are placed in them), they are a spot on the governments human rights record. Even where living conditions are adequate, immigrants spend months with nothing to do, unsure whether they should prepare to stay or go, isolated from the receiving society, and unable to adapt. These are breeding grounds for hostility, and, given Europes transparent internal borders, thats a threat. Last year, Germany deported 7,102 people to the EU countries where the asylum-seekers had entered the union. Sometimes, they come back. Anis Amri, who drove a truck into a Christmas market in Berlin in 2016, had spent time in such a facility in Italy and then served time for crimes committed there. After the attack, he travelled by train to Italy, where, more or less by accident, he was shot by a police officer. Detention centres might easily become breeding grounds for incidents like the one in Ellwangen. The huge difference between the number of asylum denials and the number of deportations requires out-of-the-box thinking. The system might need radical simplification, with the citizens of a shortlist of war-torn nations and dictatorships automatically getting protection. Everyone without papers or from countries not on the list should see a clear path to residency, with a number of checkpoints: Language proficiency exams, tests on cultural norms, the recognition of professional qualifications, a deadline for getting a job, and a cut-off date for social assistance. Failure at any of these stages should terminate temporary residency and result in either a voluntary departure or deportation. Any immigrant on this programme (but not a qualified refugee) should know that being convicted of a crime means automatic deportation to the country of origin. Germany shouldnt waste time on checking asylum seekers stories and then on years of appeals. It should unconditionally help people from clearly dangerous countries, such as Syria, and demand integration efforts from the rest, while providing the means for that integration. I wish Germany could be the first to do this and give up trying to get tougher in implementing dysfunctional rules. Leonid Bershidsky is a Bloomberg Opinion columnist, covering European politics and business. Whether its ESB connections, planning permissions, BER certificates, or commencement notices, there is no accurate system to count the number of homes being built, writes Michael Clifford. Eoghan Murphy is king of the stats. As minister for housing, he is regularly heard across the media trotting out the last statistics in the housing and homelessness emergency. He deploys stats to show just how many homes are being provided to alleviate the emergency. Frequently, he references Rebuilding Ireland, the Governments strategic plan to provide 50,000 social homes by 2021, and the building of 25,000 private homes annually in the same time frame. Targets, policies, speeches, are all concerned with how many homes can be built by 2021, in order to declare Rebuilding Ireland a success. The only problem, as it is now emerging, is that the ministers stats may be all over the place. Dr Lorcan Sirr, from the Dublin Institute of Technology, has conducted research that unravels some of the spin around the construction of homes. He wrote to every local authority in the State, under the Freedom of Information Act, requesting figures for the number of homes built last year. The replies were inconsistent, incomplete and often contradictory of official figures given out by the Department of Housing. It seems that nobody has legislative or administrative responsibility to calculate how many homes are actually being built each year, Lorcan Sirr says. When that is the case how can we know with any certainty how many homes are being constructed? Without that kind of fundamental information, in the middle of a housing crisis, there is an element of flying blind about the whole thing. And dont forget many industries and companies rely on that basic information for their strategic planning. For instance, until last year, ESB connections were being used as the figure that indicated how many houses were built. This method neglected the fact that included in the ESB figures were existing houses that required reconnection after more than two years out of commission. Sirrs research uncovered that the figures for ESB connections around the State were on average nearly twice the actual number of homes built. In Cork City in 2017, there were, according to Cork City Council, a total of 120 homes built. Yet the ESB connections for the city were 212. Therefore until last year, there was, for many years, a wildly overestimated figure for the number of homes built in the city. On the housing statistics section of the departments website, ESB connections are highlighted, although there is acknowledgment that the figures include both connections after two years out of service and homes in unfinished estates left over from the 2000-2008 building boom. The department is collaborating with ESB networks and the Central Statistics Office to obtain additional, more grandular data from their datasets to get a further and deeper understanding of the various components of the overall connections data, the website states. Cork City was by no means an outlier in respect of how inaccurate ESB connection data is as far as new builds are concerned. For instance, Cork county recorded a total of 645 homes built in its area last year, but the number of ESB connections was 1,836, nearly three times the number of homes built. Kerrys discrepancy between the two was nearly as bad. There were 201 homes built and 519 connections. On average, the discrepancy was around 50%. ESB connections were one of three methods cited by Eoghan Murphy last January as feeding into the departments computation of how many homes were being built. The other two were planning permissions and commencement notices. Both of these are also problematic when it comes to counting homes. Commencement notices are required by law to be lodged within two to three weeks of beginning construction on homes. Lorcan Sirr says that noises from government and the department are now hinting that commencement notices will be used a primary source for computing homes built. There is a danger that they will start to use this other known inaccurate measure, he says. Commencement notices are future looking, an indication of something in the pipeline. All the methods they use are like that and show little willingness or desire to find out what is actually happening in real time. Theres a total lack of rigour around all this. There are two specific problems with the use of commencement notices. In the first instance, they signal the beginning of construction rather than the completion. In the case of a housing estate or apartment block, this means that using commencement notices as a signal for homes built in a particular year can be wildly inaccurate if the estate or block is not completed by the end of the year. Do the same homes then get counted also the following year when they are connected up by electricity, or when a completion cert is presented? The other problem with the use of commencement notices also pertains to estates and apartment blocks. Typically, a large estate may be constructed in phases. But when phase one is started, the commencement notice is lodged for the whole estate, even though most of the homes will not be completed that year. Simon Coveney, Rebuilding Ireland. The Department of Housing appears to be unsure of the exact status of commencement notices. Under its statistics section on the departmental website it cites commencement notices and has this to say about phased developments. In the case of large developments it is practical to submit a CN for each phase. The number of units scheduled to commence under a specific phase should be recorded in the CN. So the phase notices should be recorded, but there is apparently no obligation, statutory or otherwise, to actually do so. The result is that commencement notices are well and good, but hardly a reliable indicator of how many homes are built in particular year. Take commencement notices in Cork county, as issued to Lorcan Sirr under the Freedom Of Information Act. In 2017, 645 homes were completed yet the number of commencement notices were 794. Yet in Limerick city and county, 305 homes were completed even though there were only 211 commencement notices. The latter case illustrates how it is possible that homes get counted twice in the issuing of commencement notices. Lorcan Sirr. Once more the figures can be wildly inaccurate in not just overestimating construction, but in other ways actually underestimating it. Instead of Commencement Notices, the obvious method to compute the number of homes built would be to reference the completion certs, which are statutorily required under building control rules brought in in 2012. Unfortunately, there are problems as one-off houses were exempt from having to furnish completion certs in 2015, after some strong lobbying against the new regulations. Another method used to compute the number of homes built is planning permissions. This is again entirely flawed. The number of planning permissions registered also varies wildly from the number of homes built. There are a number of reasons for these discrepancies, but one of the main ones is that planning permission is obtained, thereby increasing the value of the land on which building is proposed. That land can then be held for years in some instances, until such time as the developer believes that the maximum return possible has been achieved. The research conducted by Lorcan Sirr also sought to determine the number of Building Energy Rating (BER) certs issued in each local authority area. A BER cert is now compulsory for all new buildings, with a few exceptions, none of which are for dwelling homes. Again, the figures suggest that something is not being done properly in this regard. For instance in Clare, where 155 homes were built in 2017, only 47 BER certs were issued. In Waterford city and county only 104 BER certs were issued despite the completion of 192 homes. Nobody has responsibility to collate the real data and find out how many homes are actually being built, Lorcan Sirr says. When that is the case how can we know whether or not the targets set out in Rebuilding Ireland are being met? How can we know exactly how many homes are being built? Without that kind of information, in the middle of a housing crisis, there is an element of flying blind about the whole thing. One obvious location in which to base a statutory register of homes built would be the Building Control Management System (BCMS) agency in the department, which collates all the paperwork associated with construction from commencement notices to fire certs and all other statutory requirements. However, the BCMS does not appear to have a cast iron registry on actual units built, despite its access to information through the local authorities. Many of the local authorities are simply unsure of how exactly they are supposed to collate and lodge the numbers, Sirr says. Thats apart altogether from a completely inconsistent approach to answering Freedom of Information requests about these matters. Some of them were very efficient, others simply not fit for purpose. Many of the local authorities are simply unsure of how exactly they are supposed to record housebuilding activity. He added: Thats apart altogether from a completely inconsistent approach to answering Freedom of Information requests about these matters. Some of them were very efficient and responded within 48 hours with the numbers of houses built in their area. Others looked for time extensions for this most basic of information. And some councils refused FoI requests on the same basis as other councils granted them. Put together the whole thing could not inspire any confidence about the collection of data to show whether or not enough homes are being built. Without that, its difficult to see how policy can be properly formulated. Departments figures dont add up The complete inability of state agencies or Government to record exactly how many homes are being built at a time of crisis was evident again recently. The Department of Housing released statistics about the number of social homes built in the State in 2017. Housing Minister Eoghan Murphy. According to the statistics, a total of 780 social homes were built. This is less than one fifth of what was promised in the 2016 Rebuilding Ireland action plan. Even at that the reliability of the statistics is questionable. For instance, the figures make no mention of social homes that were taken out of commission in order to rebuild or refurbish. In Dublins Charlemont St, there was such a rebuild but it is unclear whether the decommissioned units were taken into consideration in calculating the total number of builds in the city. The figure for Cork City is in complete conflict with the figure given to Dr Lorcan Sirr under a Freedom of Information request. The departments statistics point to 123 social homes being built in Cork last year. The figures supplied to Sirr were of 120 homes in total, public and private, being constructed. The discrepancies were highlighted by housing analysts and opposition politicians. These figures show just how far off the mark the Government is when it makes claims about the number of social and affordable homes being built, said Social Democrats TD Catherine Murphy. The Department of Housings own figures for last year show that local authorities built a total of 780 houses. Thats a long way off the 1,014 which Minister Eoghan Murphy said last week that the local authorities had built in 2017. It beggars belief that the minister does not appear to even be in command of the facts on the ground. In reality, Eoghan Murphy is in command of some of the facts, but never has the phrase lies, lies, and damn statistics been more apt than in the computation of homes built. In response to questions from this newspaper, the department stated there is as yet no definitive measurement of homes built. There is not a single source of data which lists all dwellings and which records precisely when they were built, although there are systems such as Geodirectory which lists all buildings including those built for residential use. Geodirectory is a system primarily used to determine location and is not used by the department to compute definitive domestic buildings. The department does recognise the problem in computing accurate figures and, to that end, last year set up the Housing Data Analytics group, which is attempting to come up with a definitive method. The group is made up of representatives from across the construction and statistics areas to devise a way forward. It has not yet delivered any output. The issue is technically complex, but good progress has been made and we expect to see improved analysis on foot of this work by the end of this quarter, said a department spokesperson. Surprisingly, the ESB is not represented on the body, but the spokesperson said the ESB is working with the CSO to attempt to improve its capacity to compute new builds. The news comes amid a stormy Cabinet meeting yesterday at which ministers called for HSE director general Tony OBrien to be sacked, only to be told it would cost too much. Finian McGrath, Michael Ring, and Katherine Zappone said Mr OBrien should depart from his post as he no longer commands public confidence. The Irish Examiner has learnt Mr McGrath pushed for the cabinet to be more supportive of Ms Phelan and victims, but was told that forcing Mr OBrien from his post could risk a costly legal action. The Government has approved the terms of reference for a scoping exercise into the cervical cancer scandal which is to be headed by British medical expert Gabriel Scally. It is to be completed by the end of June. However, the news that three women who were mistreated like Ms Phelan have died was disclosed at the Oireachtas Finance Committee by the director of the State Claims Agency. Ciaran Breen said Ms Phelan, who is terminally ill, should never have been dragged through the courts adding that none of the women involved in pending cases should go through the same ordeal. He confirmed that all of the pending legal cases are against US labs, with no Irish labs involved. As well as Ms Phelan, who was awarded 2.5m by a US lab, the State Claims Agency is now managing nine other similar cases and Mr Breen said they are aware of another potential case. I understand that some of the women have died between the original smear and now, he said. None of these cases should go to trial, thats the reality, and in three of the cases the US laboratory have already indemnified the agency. Mr Breen also told the Oireachtas Finance Committee the agency did not know that the smear test scandal was far wider than Ms Phelans case before her situation was made public. We did not understand the wider implications which we only learned of later, he said. Our understanding based on discussions with CervicalCheck was that all of the women had been informed, we didnt even know the number at the time. At the time we certainly were of the view that all of the other women had been informed and then we heard it in the media. Mr Breen said the US laboratory had admitted liability and had offered the State an indemnity, and said they were going to deal with Ms Phelans settlement. Fianna Fails finance spokesman Michael Mc-Grath said it is wrong that women are left to fight an adversarial legal battle with a laboratory and he asked if there is any plan in place to provide redress and compensation to women who were diagnosed with cancer. Health Minister Simon Harris briefed his colleagues about the terms of the scoping exercise and the pending commission of inquiry. Speaking to the Irish Examiner, several ministers confirmed the high drama around the Cabinet table. Mr McGrath raised concerns that a commission of inquiry will take a year or two and in the end no one will be held accountable. Several sources said he and Ms Zappone said if Mr OBrien did not step down voluntary then he should be told to go. However, in response, Taoiseach Leo Varadkar and Mr Harris said there could be legal ramifications and could cost a lot of money if they did that. If we do it before the scoping inquiry is complete and he is exonerated then it could cost more, Mr Varadkar is reported to have said. An audit by the national screening programme, CervicalCheck, of 1,482 women diagnosed with cervical cancer since 2008 had found potential errors in 208 cases. The majority, 162, were not initially told of the outcome of the audit. Of the 208, 17 have since died. European Ombudsman Emily OReilly has said there may yet be more revelations in the tragic story of Ann Lovett, following a dramatic interview with Anns boyfriend which sheds new light on the case. Ann Lovett died aged 15 shortly after giving birth at the grotto in Granard, Co Longford, on January 31, 1984. Her baby boy was stillborn. Ms OReilly was the first to report on the case at the time. Last weekend the Irish Times published an interview with Ricky McDonnell, who was Anns boyfriend in 1984. Mr McDonnell revealed that Ann had visited him in a distressed state the previous April, with bruising to her thighs. He asked her if she had been raped She just cried. And she begged me not to tell anybody, not to say anything. The interview also features claims from Mr McDonnell regarding what happened in the aftermath of Anns tragic death, including the discovery of two letters written by Ann, one addressed to Ricky, of which he said: The gist of the letter was how much that Ann had loved me and how sorry she was for doing what she was going to do. She had never meant to hurt me. He said the local parish priest asked him to burn the letter, which he did. Ms OReilly said the story had now unpicked a thread and who knew where that thread was going to unravel. Asked on RTEs News At One if she agreed with a call by journalist Nell McCafferty for Anns baby to be exhumed for a DNA test, Ms OReilly said: That would be a very big step... I dont know if that can be done. She said the interview had given Ann a public face and turned attention to the involvement of the Church and the gardai, and on whether the reports into the case by gardai and politician Nuala Fennell were ever completed, as they were never published. Following publication of the interview, Vicky Langan, a Cork-based artist and Mr McDonnells daughter, took to social media to outline how proud she was of her father for discussing the case and how the silence surrounding this horrific tragedy has been an enormous burden on so many people. Grotto in Granard, Longford. In a Facebook post, Ms Langan said she knew nothing of her father growing up but she had chanced across private correspondence belonging to her mother that referred to her estranged fathers relationship with Ann Lovett. As she grew older, she said that I saw references to the three separate inquiries carried out after Anns death and couldnt understand why, in spite of these, there were still few solid facts to be found. I struggled with the weight of knowing who Anns babys father might be but was paralysed by it. Of her father, she said: I am so proud of him for having the courage to come forward like this. It cant have been easy. So many lives were ruined because of the way this was handled back in 1984. I cant even begin to go into it. All I ever wanted to see was accountability. The Irish Examiner has learned the tendering and outsourcing controversy will be central to the reviews terms of reference when they are brought to Cabinet today amid claims officials prioritised getting the service for the cheapest price. In plans to be agreed today, as it emerged that thousands who phoned the HSEs emergency cervical check helpline will have to wait until the weekend to be contacted, Health Minister Simon Harris will seek cabinet approval for the scoping review which will ultimately recommend if a commission of investigation is needed. And while its proposed terms will be wide-reaching and the initial investigation will begin immediately, they have also left room to delay any findings until the end of June, instead of early June as planned risking fresh opposition party outcry. According to the terms of reference due to be signed off on today, almost two weeks after the crisis publicly emerged, the scoping review will: Be led by a UK-based oncologist who will be appointed today; Examine the tendering, contracting and operation of the outsourced US labs; Establish why at least 209 women who were given incorrect smear test all-clears were not told what happened; Uncover what Cervical Check, HSE, the State Claims Agency and Department of Health managers knew about the scandal; Meet with cervical cancer victim Vicky Phelan and any other woman affected as a matter of urgency. The scoping review memo will be discussed at a Cabinet meeting today which will be dominated by the cervical cancer tests scandal, during which the scale of any potential redress scheme and new mandatory open disclosure laws for medics which will force them to tell patients about all care errors will be discussed. Meanwhile, beleaguered HSE director general Tony OBrien is continuing to face calls to resign or be sacked, despite Taoiseach Leo Varadkar and Mr Harris formally saying they still believe he should see out his contract which ends in July. Tony OBrien. However, while it is expected Mr OBrien will be the subject of a Sinn Fein tabled Dail no confidence motion tonight, there are growing concerns that Ceann Comhairle Sean OFearghail may rule the motion out of order. This is because of claims the motion put down as an amendment to an already tabled Rural Independents Group motion on health may substantially change the meaning of the initial motion. The HSEs national director for emergency management, Damien McCallion, who has been drafted in to take over Cervical Check in the short term, separately told RTE Radios News at One programme the service may not be able to call back all women who have phoned the emergency Cervical Check helpline until the weekend. In a further sign of the scale of the scandal, Tanaiste and Foreign Affairs Minister Simon Coveney told the Irish Examiner his children go to the same creche as the sons of Irene Teap, one of the women who died without knowing she was given two incorrect smear test results. Stephen Teap and his wife Irene who passed away last year. Mr Coveney, who spoke to Ms Teaps widower, Stephen, for an hour on Saturday, said: He is demanding we learn lessons from his tragedy so that it doesnt happen again. Ive given him a commitment that Ill do that. In a blog which emerged last night titled Fierce and Fighting about her cancer battle, the late Ms Teap wrote about her sons, saying: I cant count the number of times my eyes filled up with tears just watching the boys beaming and laughing and having fun. Their smiling faces are the very best medicine. The women, from the midwest, were being treated at the colposcopy clinic at University Maternity Hospital Limerick (UMHL). Their charts were forwarded to Grainne Flannelly, then clinical director of CervicalCheck, by Kevin Hickey, consultant obstetrician and gynaecologist at UMHL. Dr Flannelly subsequently wrote to Dr Hickey to say she had attached the review of 10 cases and highlighted those suitable for a communication of the results (if they wish, and there are no other circumstances which make this inappropriate). He replied that there were other women where the review process called into question the outcome of their original smear report and he questioned whether they should also be told of the review and its outcome. On June 20, 2017, Dr Hickey wrote: You have highlighted three ladies... there were other ladies where the review process had altered their original smear report and it looks from your notes that you have felt that these should be filed in the patients notes and that no review is necessary. I just wanted to confirm that you are happy with this whole process centrally from the Cervical Screening Unit given that it looks that some of the review smears were different from the original. Dr Flannelly replied: Yes a balance needs to be struck in deciding who needs a formal communication of the outcome of the audit. The possibility of resultant harm is crucial. Dr Hickey wrote again on July 11, 2017, saying he felt more than three cases merited open disclosure: There are a number of others that look as though there are significant discrepancies and we are somewhat uncomfortable about just recalling the three that you have highlighted. Out of concern for these other women, Dr Hickey said his unit had taken it upon ourselves to discuss the findings with these patients of their audit smear results. This action was not something Dr Hickey was keen to pursue, as highlighted in repeated correspondence with Dr Flannelly. He felt CervicalCheck should be responsible for passing on the outcomes of audits it conducted to the women who took part in its national screening programme. Vicky Phelan ended up developing cervical cancer after a smear test failed to detect cancer warning signs. The exchanges between Dr Hickey and Dr Flannelly are contained in discovery documents obtained by the legal team representing Vicky Phelan, who ended up developing cervical cancer after a smear test failed to detect cancer warning signs. Ms Phelan, 43, from Co Limerick, took a case against CervicalCheck and the US lab that analysed her smear tests and it emerged, during her case, that at least 209 other women with cervical cancer also had information withheld from them in relation to false negative smear test results. The 35-year-old from Carrigaline in Cork was diagnosed with stage-two cancer in 2015 and died last July after two false negative tests in 2010 and 2013. Writing in her blog Fierce and Fighting in May 2017, Ms Teap wrote of her joy at being able to take her two boys, Oscar, 5, and Noah, 3, on a family trip of a lifetime to Disneyland Paris. It was her last blog entry. She died just two months later, on July 26, 2017. Titled When you wish upon a star... the blog entry described how the holiday was a break from her gruelling cancer treatment. The trip to Disneyland gave me so much more than just a few days away, Ms Teap write. It was a complete break from real life everything was colourful, everyone was smiling and happy and the world just seemed like a better place there. It gave me a mental recharge thatll hopefully get me through the next few months of chemo. And more than that, it gave me memories. I cant count the number of times my eyes filled up with tears just watching the boys beaming and laughing and having fun. Their smiling faces are the very best medicine. It was a magic trip from start to finish. And it just goes to show that sometimes, when you wish upon a star, your dreams really do come true. Ms Teap described how the previous few months had been a hectic mess of hospital admissions, unpleasant medical procedures and more antibiotics than can be good for any one person and how she and her husband Stephen decided to take a holiday. I was feeling totally burnt out from it all and was really struggling with how to keep going, she wrote. So Steve and I decided we needed a trip away. We initially planned on a city break but the more I thought about it, the more I thought I wanted to go somewhere fun. Somewhere completely divorced from reality. And so we decided to go to Disneyland Paris. Stephen Teap and his wife Irene with their two kids. Ms Teap said she needed to rent a wheelchair because I cant stand or walk for long periods but said once she arrived, the joy of her sons made her feel better. I dont know if it was adrenaline, dumb luck or Disney magic (Im going with the pixie dust personally) but once we were actually there I started to feel so much better. We had the most amazing four days. Once Oscar figured out where he was he was gobsmacked and Noah pretty much spent the whole time with his eyes popping out saying wow. Speaking to the Irish Examiner earlier this week, Stephen Teap said he has consulted a medical negligence legal firm since learning last week that his wife was twice given false negatives in 2010, and 2013, in relation to smears conducted by CervicalCheck. When Garda gang units raided the suburban semi-detached house they found a man clad in Breaking Bad-type gear. Gardai seized an automatic press pill-making machine and enough MDMA (pure ecstasy) powder to manufacture around 40,000 tablets, with a street valuation in the region of 200,000. While ecstasy manufacturing plants have been found before in Ireland, they are unusual. They also recovered two kilogrammes of heroin, estimated street value 280,000, and around one kilo of cocaine, worth around 70,000. The find is the latest in a series of successful Garda operations against the Kinahan cartel. The Garda Drugs and Organised Crime Bureau (DOCN) together with its sister unit the Special Crime Task Force searched a house in St Raphaels Manor, Celbridge, Co Kildare on Sunday afternoon. The DOCB believe the house, which was being rented, had only just been set up as a drugs factory. They found an automatic single-punch tablet press pill making machine, which are sold online for up to 2,500, and can make between 4,000 and 7,000 tablets per hour. An estimated 9kg of high purity MDMA powder was recovered, along with other mixing agents, which officers believe could make in the region 40,000 tablets. The tablets being produced were yellow in colour with a smiley face embossed on them. Three Polish men were arrested at the scene, including one wearing a forensic suit, gloves and goggles. Sources said the man was like something out of Breaking Bad, the hit US series, but added that the facilities were not that sophisticated. This is a backyard laboratory with no hygienic considerations, said one source, who pointed out that the tablets were being made on the floor of a room in the house. Members of the DOCB are probing why Polish nationals were running the Kinahan-linked operation. Sources said it could be because they had some experience in the manufacturing process. While ecstasy production is traditionally associated with the Netherlands and Belgium, manufacturing is also carried out in Eastern Europe and the Baltic States. That is just one of 10 recommendations by senior officers to the Department of Defence, who say retention needs to be seriously addressed in the army, naval service, and air corps. They want a similar body set up to the British Armed Forces Pay Review Body. It provides independent advice to the British prime minister and minister for defence on pay and conditions, with particular emphasis that these are at least broadly comparable with civilian jobs. The Australians have the Defence Force Remuneration Tribunal, also an independent body, which determines the level of salaries and allowances for military personnel. A delegation from the British Armed Forces Pay Review Body had been invited to address a conference hosted by RACO (the organisation which represents Irish Defence Forces officers), held in Naas, Co Kildare, last October. The British delegation was forced to pull out at the last minute after the Department of Defence intervened to block their attendance at the conference. The Department of Defence told the British that any talks about pay should be on a government-to-government basis a move criticised by senior RACO officials at the conference. The recommendation to set up an independent pay review body is contained in a report issued by Irish military top brass, which has been seen by the Irish Examiner. The report states that a review should also be carried out on current remuneration packages in the Defence Forces, to include pay and allowances. A number of allowances were slashed during the recession. Top brass want weekend security duty allowances restored to 2010 levels. They have also suggested that the same be done with Naval Service patrol allowances and overseas peace support allowances, which were also decreased eight years ago. During the Public Pay Service Stability Agreement, it emerged that side deals were done whereby gardai, prison officers, and firefighters got rent allowance increases, but the Defence Forces were overlooked. In an effort to address the exodus of highly trained specialists in particular, Defence Forces leaders have called for special payments to be introduced. In particular, senior military staff are anxious to have these introduced to retain pilots, air traffic controllers, IT specialists, bomb disposal personnel, and army and naval service engineers. Justice Minister Charlie Flanagan is expected to bring the proposal to Cabinet today as part of a new crackdown on betting firms which will also see fresh restrictions on online and TV adverts and potential moves to regulate casinos. In response to a recent Fianna Fail bill on the same issue by childrens spokeswoman Anne Rabbitte and backbench TD Jack Chambers, the Fine Gael- Independents coalition has agreed to impose new laws on the gambling sector. And with a clear focus on the damage out-of-control gambling can cause on households, Mr Flanagan will this morning ask for Cabinet approval for new measures to tackle the controversial industry. It is understood the new plans will include the creation of an independent gambling regulator which will have the right to impose significant fines on gambling firms which do not comply with new laws. These new laws will include demands to freeze or shut down the accounts of compulsive gamblers if it can be proven they are losing large quantities of money they may not be able to repay with the regulator allowed to secretly pose as a compulsive gambler to check if the rules are being implemented. In addition, the bill will seek to regulate the casino sector with a new licensing system and outlawing fixed-odd betting terminals. The new rules are intended to help compulsive gamblers who are losing thousands of euro every month due to their addiction. However, despite the positive intentions of the plans, they are likely to be criticised by gamblers and some betting firms as a nanny-state tactic that is putting strict limitations on a persons private rights. Shane Ross. Meanwhile, it is expected todays Cabinet meeting which is certain to be dominated by the ongoing fallout from the cervical cancer tests scandal will also see Transport Minister Shane Ross put forward widely leaked plans to put in place new home-to-pub buses in rural areas this summer to combat drink-driving. Up to 50 isolated regions are set to benefit from the move, which is intended to placate critics of Mr Rosss recent clampdown on drink-driving in Ireland. Tanaiste and Foreign Affairs Minister Simon Coveney is also due to give ministers an update on Brexit amid fresh division within British prime minister Theresa Mays minority Conservative government. Agriculture Minister Michael Creed will also bring forward an update on his departments TB eradication plans for farm animals, while Mr Flanagan is to ask permission to make the parole board an independent body. Meanwhile, the Cabinet is likely to sign off on plans to hold a second ministerial meeting later this week outside of Dublin to mark the two year anniversary of the formation of the Fine Gael-Independents minority Government coalition. The extra Cabinet meeting is expected to take place on Friday. The de facto referendum referee issued the last-minute call, warning that anyone who is not on the register by close of office hours this afternoon that they will not be able to vote. Anyone who is not registered to vote in their local authority will not receive a polling card. A Referendum Commission spokesman said anyone who is unsure if they are registered should look up checktheregister.ie. He said those who are not registered should download a county council RFA2 form today, bring it to their local Garda station with a passport or photo ID, and hand deliver it to their local authority office, as it will be too late at that stage to post the documents. Anyone who has changed their address on the register will need to download an RFA3 form, while recent Irish citizens will need an RFA5 form. The rival Together For Yes and Love Both campaigns have urged supporters to register, saying every vote will count on Friday, May 25. Undecided voters need reassurance Eoin English Targeting undecided voters and providing them with reassurance about what may come after a yes vote in the Eighth Amendment referendum will be crucial over the next two weeks. That was the message from all the major political parties to the Cork branch of pro-choice campaign group Together for Yes at a breakfast briefing in the city yesterday. Tanaiste and Fine Gael TD Simon Coveney, Fianna Fail TD Billy Kelleher, Sinn Fein TDs Jonathan OBrien and Donnchadh O Laoghaire, senators Jerry Buttimer and Colette Kelleher, and Sinn Fein city councillor Mick Nugent and Fine Gael county councillor Susan McCarthy attended the event. Mr Coveney said the focus needs to be on undecided voters, which he estimated account for around 30% of the electorate. The work thats needed is to reassure people who I would regard as a very similar category to myself, who accept that there needs to be change, but arent quite sure how far that should go, said Mr Coveney. I think people need reassurance as to why change is needed, why the status quo is not OK for the next 10 years, and they are willing to listen. Up to 30% are still undecided. They know the law and Constitution is causing harm, and they recognise they need to change that, but there is a fear that taking it out of the Constitution will lead to something they cant control in the future. Mr Coveney said people need to be told that a no vote means nothing will change, and those in the middle ground need reassurance that if they vote for change they wont regret it. Mr Kelleher said the campaign was all about the middle ground from now on. They are the people who accept that the status quo cannot prevail, that there has to be change, but its what comes after that change. Thats where we have to reassure, he said. Gianna Jessen (left) who survived an abortion speaking to a crowd on St Patrick street in Cork city on Monday. If abortion is about womans rights, then where were mine. Picture: Cillian Kelly Mr OBrien said his time on the Joint Oireachtas Committee, considering all the available information, led him to the realisation that people can disagree with abortion while still being able to speak up for womens rights to access the healthcare they need. Cork Together for Yes chairwoman Kathy DArcy said it was powerful to see members of so many political parties attending the briefing. Nobody wants to have an abortion; but sometimes a woman needs to. We need to show compassion and not judgement to these women, said Ms DArcy. Meanwhile, the LoveBoth campaign expressed disappointment that a number of Irish actors announced their support for the yes campaign over the weekend. Several stars, including Saoirse Ronan, Liam Cunningham, Tom Vaughan Lawlor, and Cillian Murphy, appeared in a video urging a yes vote. Liam Neeson also wrote at the weekend in support of a yes vote. LoveBoth spokeswoman Cora Sherlock said: Its very disappointing that Irish celebrities have chosen to use their voice, not in defence of the weak but in defence of a Government proposal to take the right to life out of the Constitution. Fianna Fail senator Mark Daly made the claim before a Seanad debate with Justice Minister Charlie Flanagan on the repeatedly delayed corporate manslaughter bill. Speaking to the Irish Examiner, Mr Daly said despite a bill which would see managers responsible for scandals potentially jailed for 12 years being suggested by the Law Reform Commission in 2013, progress on the legislation has been frozen. He said while the commission said the law change is needed to cover gaps in the system which mean managers are often not held accountable, the Department of Justice has parked it in committee stage for months by not proposing any amendments. The cervical cancer issue in terms of the lack of action by management when they should have acted would have been prevented by the corporate manslaughter bill if it was passed in 2013 or in 2016 when it was discussed again, said Mr Daly. "Section three of that bill specifically covers a manager facing jail if they are found to have contributed to what happened. Yet all the Government want to talk about is inquiries. Its clear there are people for what happened with the cervical cancer smear tests and the fallout, and this is a carbon copy in my view of the national blood transfusion scandal in 2002. But the system is just protecting and looking after itself. Asked if the bill could be used to tackle the cervical cancer crisis, Mr Daly said the reality is the legislation needs to be used to ensure prosecutions not inquiries if we have scandals in our public service. Mr Daly and other senators are expected to raise the matter with Mr Flanagan during a Seanad debate this evening. Mr Ross was seeking to introduce a dictatorship aimed at destroying rural Ireland in the bill tightening drink-driving laws, which was branded as rushed, ill-judged, and doomed to failure. You are picking your nose and not listening to us rural TDs, minister. You are refusing to engage with us, with the ordinary people, said Tipperary Independent TD Mattie McGrath. A small number of rural TDs have consistently opposed the bill, and were vocal in their criticism last night. Mr McGrath called on Mr Ross to withdraw comments in which he accused him and his colleagues of behaving like road traffic terrorists. I call on the minister calmly, coolly, and collectively to reflect on that and have the dignity and good grace to withdraw it, he said. We are annoyed at your ill-tempered language. I heard you on Morning Ireland using disparaging language about us. Shane Ross Earlier, some members of the Rural Alliance called a vote on the passage of a separate bill, the Radiological Bill, in what was seen as a means of delaying the debate of the Road Traffic Bill. When the vote was ordered, there were less than 10 TDs opposing the bills passage and therefore the bill passed. Currently, anyone with a full licence caught driving with an alcohol level between 50mg and 80mg can receive three penalty points on their licence and a 200 fine. However, the bill will see an automatic disqualification for drivers on their first offence of driving while over the permitted 50mg of alcohol per 100ml of blood. Last week, Mr Ross lashed out at the group of rural TDs for attempting to block the bills passage. Id take this opportunity to appeal to Danny Healy-Rae and his gang to stop the filibuster, he said. Theyre behaving like road traffic terrorists theres a kind of guerilla warfare going on and its costing lives. I appeal to those very, very few people left opposing this legislation in the Dail to pass the bill. As the Sheeran juggernaut rolls on to Belfast tomorrow, Corks lord mayor, Councillor Tony Fitzgerald, led tributes to all involved in the staging and organising of the concerts, including Aiken Promotions, Pairc Ui Chaoimh, Bus Eireann, gardai, support services, and council staff. Michael ODonovan, chairman of the Cork branch of the VFI, said: The atmosphere from lunch until the small hours each day was great and people walked, ate, and drank all around the city but respected the city also. Imagine what we could achieve with this venue plus another. Tanaiste Simon Coveney, who attended Saturdays gig, said the success of the concerts, attended by some 130,000 people, proves Cork needs to have big events on a weekly basis in an indoor arena. The clean up starts after the three Ed Sheeran concerts at Pairc Ui Chaoimh, Cork. Picture Dan Linehan Despite a funding deal being agreed in principal in January, which would see the State investing 30m to secure delivery of the venue, and BAM and Live Nation coughing up another 5m each, there is still no sign of construction starting on the proposed 73m venue on the former Beamish and Crawford site. The clean up starts after the three Ed Sheeran concerts at Pairc Ui Chaoimh, Cork. Picture Dan Linehan Mr Coveney said the funding deal is still in place but that several government departments are still finalising complex legal issues around individual funding streams. The clean up starts after the three Ed Sheeran concerts at Pairc Ui Chaoimh, Cork. Picture Dan Linehan I take the criticism that weve created the expectation and havent got it across the line in the timeline that was predicted, he said. That doesnt mean that its not being done. It means that theres a lot of due diligence within government departments to make sure that decisions are being made that they can stand over in the future if they are tested and challenged. That caution is not unusual in government departments and its not a bad thing either. The clean up starts after the three Ed Sheeran concerts at Pairc Ui Chaoimh, Cork. Picture Dan Linehan Mr Coveney pointed out the Government injected 30m into the revamp of Pairc Ui Chaoimh. Government, I think in taking that risk, helped facilitate the success story weve seen over the last three nights. And were going to do the same for an indoor area which is a more complex financial ask. Cynics and critics dont get things built. They tend to actually pull things down. The people who get things built are those who stick with projects even when theyre difficult and even when its complex to get finality which is where we are now. Meanwhile, Ed Sheeran met Amelia, the daughter of Vicky Phelan, the woman who exposed the smear test scandal, before his final Cork gig on Sunday night. Vicky tweeted a photograph of Amelia and Ed yesterday, saying: We are keeping this love in a photograph. Molly Sloyan, aged 25, from Abbey Court, Kinsale, Co Cork, made headlines of a more innocent kind previously a clip of the Daniel ODonnell fan who was a Late Late Show audience member went viral. Yesterday, she appeared at Cork Circuit Criminal Court where she was sentenced to 10 years with the last three suspended. Her boyfriend, Sean McManus, aged 36, from Burrowfield Road, Baldoyle, got 15 years with the last three suspended. He had a previous conviction for another serious drug dealing offence. William Gilsenan, aged 51, and his son Dean Gilsenan, aged 27, both of Kilmahuddrick Green, Clondalkin, got respective sentences of seven years with two suspended and 10 years with three suspended. All four pleaded guilty to possession of cocaine for sale or supply at Seascape, Dromleigh, Bantry, Co Cork, on November 26, 2017, at a time when its street value exceeded 13,000. Gardai described a process of using a solvent to extract cocaine from fabric which was posted to Ireland. Judge Sean O Donnabhain said: In effect, what is alleged in this case is that people were involved in a factory. This is a very significant case. I have never come across anything like it before. It does not compare with standard selling or supplying or cannabis grow-house cases. The level of sophistication and organisation is particular in itself. The level of organisation, sophistication, methodology to think of organising a system where cocaine could be extracted from material and the knowledge that was required, the organisation of various factors the material, housing, movement extraction. Sean McManus had significant help from Ms Sloyan in the hiring, renting and general organisation. She was fully involved at a material level from early on. Without her, it could not have succeeded To say she was the girlfriend does not do justice to the criminality involved. Detective Sergeant Joanne OBrien said the investigation was an intelligence-led operation between customs and An Garda Siochana. Molly Sloyan rented the holiday home at Bantry and bought a BMW with money given to her for that purpose in November 2017. Local gardai, divisional drugs unit gardai and armed officers from the Regional Support Unit participated in the investigation and in the forced entry to the house as Seascape, Bantry, to execute the search warrant. They found evidence of drug use on the kitchen table and a large quantity of cocaine and a solvent used to extract the drug from fabric. Det Sgt OBrien testified that the fabric containing cocaine was posted from Sao Paulo in Brazil to Portlaoise and was later moved to an address in Clondalkin before being driven to Bantry where the cocaine was being extracted using the solvent. Sloyan had purchased the solvent sometimes used in industrial cleaning in Dublin. The value of the seized high purity cocaine was more than 52,000. If mixed it could have made a multiple of that street value. From the Archive Constitutional Conundrum Activists stage a demonstration in Yangon in 2014 calling on the government to amend the 2008 Constitution. / The Irrawaddy It has been 10 years since the military-drafted 2008 Constitution entered into force. Constitutional reform remains elusive, and the military retains a powerful influence under the charter. The Irrawaddy revisits this cover story from the magazines April 2008 issue, published one month before the constitutional referendum was held. FOR the generals who rule Burma, it is a step closer to the coveted goal of permanent military control of the countrys politics. For its detractors, it is a potential lightning rod for decades of pent-up discontent. But for most, it is still a mystery, as they wonder if this is really a distant light at the end of the tunnel or the headlights of an impending disaster. The Burmese regimes draft constitution, which Burmese voters will be asked to endorse or reject in a referendum in May, has drawn many reactions from people both inside and outside the country. Although there is little consensus on the constitution, which was 14 years in the making, few doubt that the referendum, if it actually goes ahead, will be the juntas most significant political move since elections in 1990, when voters unequivocally signaled a desire for an end to military rule. For dissidents in Burma, that desire has only grown stronger over the past 18 years. They see the referendum as an opportunity to let the junta and the world know that that it is time for the generals to go. This is not a referendum, said Tun Myint Aung, a leader of the 88 Generation Students group. This is a chance to vote against military rule. The regime has given us two choicesyes or no. But the only real choice is, should we vote no or just boycott? he added. Calls for a referendum boycott have been growing, but Tun Myint Aung, who spoke to The Irrawaddy by phone from a hiding place in Burma, insisted that only a vote No would send a clear message. It doesnt matter what people think of the constitution, the prominent activist said. They will just be voting to express the anger that has been accumulating over the past 20 years. The Tatmadaw Chapter Of all the people The Irrawaddy has spoken to about the referendum since it was announced on February 9, few have expressed any interest in the actual contents of the constitution, which was released by the junta in March. In the absence of public debate on the constitution, most discussion among exiles and dissidents has focused on ways to effectively turn the referendum against the junta. The draft constitution does not fundamentally differ from a version of the principles of the constitution released by the Ministry of Information in August 2007, one month before the National Convention formally completed its work on the charter. The draft contains an entire chapter spelling out the precise powers of the military. This chapter, entitled Tatmadaw(Burmese for armed forces), is something new in Burmas constitutional history and represents the first explicit attempt to enable the armed forces to participate in the national political leadership role of the Stateone of the stated goals of the first chapter of constitutional principles. In concrete terms, this means that 25 percent of the seats in both the upper and lower houses of parliament would be filled with military appointees selected by the Tatmadaw commander in chief. That is, 110 members of the 440-seat lower house, or Peoples Parliament, and 56 members of the 224-seat upper house, or National Parliament, would be selected from within the ranks of the armed forces. The powers of the commander in chief also extend to the selection of the president and two vice presidents. Each of these positions would be filled by individuals selected by the Peoples Parliament, the National Parliament and a committee of military officials appointed by the commander in chief, ensuring that a member of the armed forces would occupy at least one of these top government positionsmost likely the presidency, since the Tatmadaw exercises considerable influence over both houses of parliament. The commander in chief, meanwhile, would possess powers equal to those of the two vice presidents. While all of these measures are intended to give the military considerable power over the government, there would also be guarantees that this influence doesnt go in both directions. Parliament would not be permitted to discuss or interfere in military affairs, including defense spending. Under the new constitution, The Tatmadaw has the right to independently administer all affairs concerning the armed forces. No Room to Maneuver Critics of the constitution say that it will only serve to legitimize military rule, while reducing parliament to a toothless institution with no more power than the hand-picked National Convention which drafted it. Parliament will become a rubber stamp to endorse the commander in chiefs proposals, said Aung Din, the executive director of the Washington, DC-based US Campaign for Burma, in an open letter calling on the Burmese people to reject the military regimes sham constitution. Others say that giving the ruling generals the powers they want will only embolden them to step up their oppression. Right now, they are ruling the country without any legal authority, and yet they treat citizens and religious leaders brutally, said Ashin Pyinnya Jota, a leading member of the All Burma Monks Alliance. If the constitution comes into force, it will only make them worse. But others ask what the alternatives are. Some argue that it would be better to accept the constitution and use it as a basis for future democratic changes. This is a position taken both by apologists for the junta and by pragmatists who point out that 20 years of resistance to the regime have yielded little in the way of progress. One outspoken advocate of the constitution is Dr Nay Win Maung, a member of the so-called Third Force group founded during an international Burma conference in Singapore in 2006. This group, which claims to be neither pro-junta nor pro-opposition, has called for more engagement with the regime and an end to sanctions. In an open letter obtained by The Irrawaddy, Nay Win Maung called on National League for Democracy (NLD) leader Aung San Suu Kyi to endorse the constitution and focus on elections to be held in 2010. This is the only way to ensure that the party is not disenfranchised, he said. This time, Burmese people should be smart enough and set their emotions aside, so as not to [create] another deadlock, he wrote, adding that whatever the outcome of the referendum, it was certain that the constitution would ultimately be rectified at a later day. In response to the letter, Aung Naing Oo, a Burmese political commentator based in Thailand, agreed that it was time to take a more forward-looking approach. We have to stop living in the past. It only prolongs the deadlock and conflict, he said. However, others say it is naive to believe that the regime is offering the country a way forward. The junta just wants to be old wine in a new bottle, said Win Min, a Thailand-based Burmese political analyst. If the junta wants the opposition to endorse their rule, they must compromise for national reconciliation. Win Min points to clauses in the constitution that effectively block future changes as the greatest hurdle to acceptance. If we cannot modify the constitution, democratization in Burma cannot grow, he said. Under Section 4 (a) of Chapter 12, Amendment of the Constitution, any suggested change would need to be sponsored by at least 20 percent of parliament members. This would be followed by a parliamentary vote, which would require over 75 percent support before the proposed amendment could be put to a national referendum. More than fifty percent of voters would have to approve of the amendment before it could come into effect. With 25 percent of seats going to the military, it would be effectively impossible to pass any amendments that the commander in chief did not approve of. Moreover, in the chapter on the powers of the Tatmadaw, the armed forces bear responsibility for safeguarding the State Constitution. This principle can be invoked at any time to prevent amendments that the military sees as inimical to its interests. At this stage, debate about how the constitution can be reconfigured to make it more democratic is still largely academic. It is also, in the view of some exiled opposition activists, irrelevant. Some experts think endorsing the constitution is better than nothing. But people will not see it like this, said Aung Moe Zaw, a secretary of the exiled oppositions umbrella group, the National Council of the Union of Burma. People want to see a long-term guarantee for their futurereal democracy and freedom. If the NLD endorses this unjust constitution, people in Burma will object. People will go their own way, he added. Even setting aside the question of whether the opposition would be able to alter the constitution to meet the democratic needs of the people, it remains unclear how civilians would function within a military-dominated parliament. Even the normal functions of a parliamentary opposition party could be regarded as hostile to national unity and thus subject to draconian restrictions. Another concern of the opposition is that the constitution effectively bars Aung San Suu Kyi from occupying a leadership position. As the widow of British scholar Michael Aris and mother of two sons who are British citizens, Suu Kyi would have no right to lead Burma, according to the draft constitution, which states that the President of the Union himself [and his] parents, spouse [and] children shall not owe allegiance to a foreign power, shall not be a subject of a foreign power or citizen of a foreign country. Ethnic opposition groups also have cause for concern, as their claims to autonomy would also be severely constrained. As Aung Din of the US Campaign for Burma noted, ethnic state legislatures would also have military appointees occupying 25 percent of seats. The expectations of ethnic nationalities to obtain the right of self-determination will never be realized, as unelected military officials will effectively intervene in their State affairs, said Aung Din. This sham constitution systematically denies equality among all ethnic nationalities and self-determination, demanded by all ethnic groups for a long time. World Opinion Divided As Burmese debate the pros and cons of the constitution, the international community also remains divided over the juntas latest attempt to set the terms of political change in Burma. While neighboring countries broadly support the constitutional referendum as a step forward, Western critics of the regime, particularly the United States, have dismissed it out of hand. It has to begin somewhere and now it has a clear, definite beginning, said the chief of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean), Surin Pitsuwan, soon after the referendum was announced. I think it is a development in the right direction. The United Nations, which has attempted to mediate between the regime and the democratic opposition, was more guarded in its assessment. In a statement, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon urged the Burmese junta to make the constitution-making process inclusive, participatory and transparent in order to ensure that any draft constitution is broadly representative of the views of all the people of Myanmar [Burma]. The US, which has long been the regimes most outspoken critic, was more explicit about the shortcomings of the constitution-making process, drawing attention to the ongoing suppression of democratic rights in Burma. In a statement released after the regime declared its intention to hold a referendum, Sean McCormack, a US State Department spokesperson, said, No referendum held under these conditionsa pervasive climate of fear in which virtually the entire population, including Aung San Suu Kyi, is under detention, and the Burmese people not being allowed to participate in or even discuss the drafting of a constitutioncan be free, fair or credible. In late February, in a move that confirmed suspicions that the junta intended to stage manage the referendum, its top leader, Snr-Gen Than Shwe, signed into effect a law that threatens dissenters with heavy penalties for opposing the referendum. Under the Referendum Law for the Approval of the Draft Constitution, anybody who publicly criticizes the referendum faces a fine and a three-year prison sentence. Thein Nyunt, a lawyer in Rangoon, remarked that the current law is even more severe than similar legislation enacted ahead of a referendum in 1973. Under the previous law, anyone who was against the referendum could be sentenced to one years imprisonment. But now people can receive three years imprisonment under the terms of the present law. A Final Showdown? Against this backdrop of deepening repression and a mixed international response, many activists suspect that the real referendum will take place not in the polling booths, but on the streets. We dont see it as a final battle, but it will reach that point, said student activist Tun Myint Aung, who noted that the last constitution drafted under military rule was ultimately scrapped under pressure from the popular uprising in 1988. In a sign of growing frustration in Burma, in late March a 26-year-old man set himself on fire at Rangoons famed Shwedagon Pagoda, a religious site that has often served as a focal point of political protests. Reports suggested that he was acting out of desperation over economic hardships and political frustration. Observers of Burmas economy have noted that conditions have only gotten worse since a drastic hike in fuel prices triggered protests last year. Although the regime has put a lid on dissent since its crackdown on monk-led demonstrations in September, it remains vulnerable to economically inspired unrest, which could easily assume a more political nature amid the push to strong-arm the population into endorsing an unpopular constitution. The lack of leadership from the NLD and disappointment with the international response to the juntas brutal crackdown, have led many to the conclusion that people power is the only remaining option. In the entire history of the world, there has never been a dictator who willingly gave up power once he had it firmly in his hands, said respected Burmese journalist Ludu Sein Win in a recorded message released in March. And there are no countries in the world which have gained liberation through the help of the United Nations. Dont waste your time dreaming about dialogue and considering help from the UN Security Council, the 68-year-old journalist and former political prisoner added. We already have the power to force out the military dictatorship. That power is the force and strength of every Burmese citizen. Whether the regimes exercise in manipulating public opinion succeeds or seriously backfires may prove more important than its efforts to enshrine its control through a new constitution. In the end, the junta may find that its efforts to control the will of the people could unleash a political firestorm. Burma 93 Refugees Repatriated from Thailand-Myanmar Border Camps Myanmar refugees were seen at Myawaddy before returning home through the UNHCR facilitated repatriation process on May 7, 2018. / U Aung Kyaw Oo / BBC Burmese CHIANG MAI, Thailand Ninety-three Myanmar refugees from five camps along the Thailand-Myanmar border returned to their homes on Monday through a voluntary repatriation program facilitated by the UNHCR, and the Thai and Myanmar governments. This is the second phase of repatriation for refugees who fled clashes between Tatmadaw troops and the ethnic Karen and Karenni armed groups in southeastern Myanmar decades ago. In October 2016, 71 people were repatriated through official channels to pilot the return program. There were nearly 150,000 refugees along the Thailand-Myanmar border in 2012 and nearly 100,000 refugees still remain in nine camps, according to the UNHCR. The 93 returnees were from the Mae La, Umpiem and Nu Po refugee camps in Tak Province; Ban Mai Nai Soi camp in Mae Hong Song; and Ban Don Yang camp in Kanchanaburi Township, according to the UNHCR Thailand. Twenty of the refugees were repatriated through Mae Hong Song to Karenni State, while the others returned through Myawaddy, Karen State. They were welcomed by Myanmar government officials led by Karen State Chief Minister Daw Nan Khin Htwe Myint in Myawaddy on Monday. Some will proceed to Yangon, Bago and Sagaing regions. According to Hannah Macdonald, the associate external relations officer of the UNHCR in Bangkok, the UNHCR and partner organizations provided the returnees with assistance packages, which included food, mosquito nets and sanitary kits for women, travel bags, hygiene kits, transportation, as well as cash for integration in their initial months of return. Macdonald said the current repatriation process only takes place at the request of refugees and that the UNHCR then supports their voluntary return. The UNHCR provides counseling to families to ensure their decision is voluntary and that information on available services upon their return is provided. The UN agency opened voluntary repatriation centers and began collecting registration information in 2016. After repatriation, the UNHCR in Myanmar monitors the returnees closely and maintains contact with them, said the UNHCR spokesperson. Of course, the number in each return will be driven by the wishes of the refugees and also the environment and whether we can support a safe and dignified voluntary return. Camp leaders suggested that around 10,000 refugees are currently interested in facilitated returns, she told The Irrawaddy on Tuesday. Refugees are fully capable of making their own decisions, she said, with the UNHCR providing support for each of these people who have the right to return to their country of citizenship. The UNHCR also said in a press release on Tuesday: In south-eastern Myanmar, conditions allow for the UNHCR to facilitate the voluntary return of refugees from Thailand to that area. In Myanmars Rakhine State, however, UNHCR believes that the situation is not yet conducive for the return of Rohingya refugees. More Voluntary Returnees Without UN Support However, many refugees have chosen to return to their homes through processes not supported by the government or UNHCR. From 2012 until today, some 18,000 refugees returned without government assistance to their homes in southeastern Myanmar, according to The Border Consortium (TBC), an INGO supporting nutrition, shelter and livelihood support programs in the camps. TBC provides support to some 93,000 people in nine camps, as well as to internally displaced people in southeastern Myanmar. In 2017 alone, 4,095 people from nine refugee camps went back to their home villages on their own, said Sally Thompson, the executive director of TBC. She said, While we encourage people to go through the system through the UNHCR facilitated return process, we also recognize that there are many people who at the moment choose not to go back, largely because they dont want to be identified and when they are ready to go back, they want to leave and move forward and not wait for a long time to be approved by the government. Furthermore, ongoing security concerns including no sign of demining and no agreement between the Tatmadaw and ethnic armed groups to stop planting landmines contributes to the hesitancy surrounding refugee returns. Thompson said it is sometimes difficult to get refugees to go through official channels, but that the official return procedures include awareness education on landmines. Despite efforts by the Thailand and Myanmar governments to bring the refugees home, recent Tatmadaw troop deployment in Karen States Papun district over the rebuilding of old road resulted in fighting between the Karen National Liberation Army (KNLA) and Tatmadaw troops in early March and displaced more than 2,000 locals into the jungle. Likewise, Thompson said, refugees from Karenni State also fear for their security after reports of Tatmadaw troops killing Karenni National Progressive Party soldiers at KNPP checkpoints in Loikaw in December 2017. This ongoing militarization in the southeast does not bring any confidence to the refugees for their return, she added. The UNHCR hopes for more voluntary returns through its facilitated process, said Hannah Macdonald, adding that it is working together and advocating with both governments so that facilitated returns can be carried out in a more efficient and flexible manner. During a bilateral meeting between Myanmar and Thailand in late March, the two governments agreed to facilitate returns twice a year. But the governments have not yet set a date for the third repatriation. The government-led facilitated process is very new and very evolving, so we still are trying to work out the best way to do it. We hope as the process is improved [when it will become simpler, faster and more frequent], more refugees will return through the official process, added Ms. Hannah. Burma Activist Jailed for Streaming Anti-Conflict Drama on Facebook U Htun Htun Oo. / Salai Thant Zin PATHEIN, Irrawaddy Region A local court in Pathein on Monday sentenced a human rights activist to three months in prison for broadcasting live on Facebook a drama deemed to be critical of the Myanmar Army (or Tatmadaw). The Tatmadaws Southwestern Command sued nine students for defamation in January last year after they staged a performance at the Pathein Hotel in Pathein, the capital of Irrawaddy Region, depicting Tatmadaw clashes with ethnic armed groups. The performance was staged amid peace discussions. U Htun Htun Oo, leader of the Human Rights Activists Associationa Pathein-based civil society organizationwas also sued the by the command under Article 66 (d) of the 2013 Myanmar Telecommunications Law for broadcasting the drama live on the social media platform. The judicial sector is under pressure. Article 66 (d) directly bars the rights and freedoms of citizens enshrined in the Constitution. So as long as there are laws that restrict freedom of expression, there will still be defendants like me, U Htun Htun Oo told The Irrawaddy after the trial. In April, Pathein Township Court fined eight of nine students who staged the drama. Two students were fined 50,000 kyats each, and six others were fined 30,000 kyats each. Pathein Township Court issued an arrest warrant for the ninth student, Myo Ko Ko, after he failed to appear in court. The students performed a satirical comedy in which a news agency called Oxygen interviews supporters of conflict in Myanmar. During the play, one character, a soldiers wife, claims to support war because wives can have affairs while their soldier husbands are away fighting. The Tatmadaw was not amused by that part of the play and filed the lawsuit in response. They were accused of performing dialogue that defamed soldiers and their wives. When I examined them, [I found that] they did perform that dialogue and U Htun Htun Oo broadcast it live on Facebook. So, I decided he also bears responsibility and I delivered this verdict. I was not pressured to make this verdict, Pathein Township Judge U Win Aung told The Irrawaddy. The judge said he limited the punishment to a fine, and intended it as a warning, saying they are still young and only intended for the play to be viewed by the people in the hall of the Pathein Hotel, where its impact would be limited. However, the judge said, U Htun Htun Oo is an adult and his live stream was viewed by people around the world. Therefore, he sentenced him to prison so that he will consider the consequences of his actions on other people before he acts next time, said the judge. The controversial Article 66 (d) of the Telecommunications Law carries a maximum three years imprisonment. Burma Emotional Memorial for Karen Environmentalist Shot by Soldiers Saw Lwe Soe (front left) and Saw Maw Chit Nue (front right) attend a memorial service for their father, Saw O Moo, in Mae Sot, Thailand, on Saturday. / KESAN MAE SOT, Thailand Ethnic Karen gathered for an emotional memorial service in Mae Sot, Thailand, on Saturday, a month after the fatal shooting of environmentalist Saw O Moo, described by colleagues as one of their most committed land protectors, peace advocates and indigenous rights defenders. He was a visionary in regards to the peace process and working for his people and community, said Doe Doh of the Karen Environmental and Social Action Network (KESAN). Doe Doh said he and Saw O Moo had grown close over the past five years and described his friend as genuine in his role as a member of Lu Thaw Paw Day, a community-based organization that works with KESAN. He tried to protect the natural resources and worked tirelessly to do so after the government and military signed a bilateral ceasefire deal and later, in 2015, the Nationwide Ceasefire Agreement with the Karen National Liberation Army (KNLA). Saw O Moo was shot and killed by soldiers of the Myanmar army, or Tatmadaw, while driving home on the evening of April 5 from a community meeting on how to support displaced villagers in Mutraw (also known as Papun) District. A KNLA fighter whom Saw O Moo was giving a lift to managed to escape but recalled hearing a hail of gunfire. More than six Tatmadaw battalions have been deployed to Lu Thaw Township since early March to seize an area controlled by the KNLA in order to expand a military road abandoned in 2012 and connect two mountain bases. Since then, fighting between the Tatmadaw and KNLA has been ongoing. As an indigenous wildlife researcher, Saw O Moo worked to preserve old-growth forest inside a 5,400-square km area in northern Karen State in hopes of turning it into a peace park in partnership with KESAN and the Forestry Department of the Karen National Union. The area along the Salween River Basin is home to several endangered and vulnerable animals including tigers, clouded leopards, sun bears and gibbons and many other species of flora and fauna. As an animist and ethnic Karen from the area, Saw O Moo was indispensable in helping to bridge the many communities living in the proposed parks boundaries, and in sorting out disagreements over the direction of the park, explained Doe Doh. In a tribute posted to KESANs website, Saw O Moo is quoted as saying at a public meeting in December: For us as indigenous people, the Salween Peace Park represents our deepest desires and needs. A month after Saw O Moos death, the Tatmadaw has yet to return his body, which it claims to have buried. Even so, family and friends attempted to hold a three-day funeral in his home village of Ler Mu Plaw according to their animist traditions. But they fled in fear on the second day when a large group of Tatmadaw soldiers was spotted nearby. Saw O Moos wife, Naw Paw Tha, is angry the army is refusing to return her husbands body. In a documentary video screened at the memorial, she said: What I want to know is why we still havent been allowed to see his body. Im extremely distressed about this. He was the head of our household; we have to perform a proper funeral ritual according to our animist traditions. We want the Burma Army to tell us exactly where his body and grave is. We will then collect his hair, nails, teeth, or any part of his body in order to perform our ritual ceremony so we can be at peace. With her husband gone, Naw Paw Tha wonders how she and their seven children will survive. They are currently living in a camp for displaced families, after having to flee from the Tatmadaws offensives. Seated at the front of the memorial service in Mae Sot, their sons Saw Maw Chit Nue, 10, and Saw Lwe Soe, 9, cried at times over the loss of their father. Although Saw O Moo could never be replaced, the movement, the struggle will continue, said Doe Doh. Even though he is no longer with us, we have to make sure that the work he has contributed will continue. Burma Myanmar Court Convicts Farmers of Trespass in Blow to Land Rights A man works in a rice field near the Thilawa economic zone outside Yangon October 1, 2012. / Reuters BANGKOK A Myanmar court has found 33 farmers living next to a Special Economic Zone guilty of criminal trespass, a ruling seen by activists as a blow to land rights in a country with a rising demand for property for industrial use. The farmers said the government did not follow the legal process when it tried to acquire their land adjacent to the Thilawa SEZ in 1996, and that they continued to farm the land and pay taxes on it. They were charged with criminal trespass in 2014. Lawyers for the farmers argued that the charges had no basis, as the government did not begin the formal legal process to acquire the land until 2015, a year after the trespassing complaint was made. Todays ruling represents a blow to the land rights of farmers across Myanmar, said Ben Hardman, a deputy legal director at advocacy group EarthRights International. The farmers have 60 days to file an appeal, and are considering whether to do so, he said. About 70 percent of Myanmars population lives in rural areas and depends on agriculture for a living. Few farmers in Myanmar have formal documents for their land. But even titles do not provide adequate protection, and people are frequently forced off of their farms without proper legal process or compensation, activists say. Disputes over land have increased significantly since the easing of political and economic restrictions began in 2011. The reforms led to a rush of foreign investments and greater demand for land for industrial use. Government officials say projects including mining, hydropower and large-scale agriculture are essential for development in one of the worlds poorest countries. The Thilawa SEZ, in the countrys south, is the first SEZ project developed by the Myanmar government, and covers about 600 hectares. The government recently introduced a national land-use policy to give farmers more rights, and has adopted dispute resolution mechanisms. But transactions are often characterized by a lack of consultation and consent from affected communities, inadequate compensation, the absence of a resettlement policy and a lack of judicial remedies, activists say. Alongside, arrests and prosecution of protesters and land activists have risen. The reforms offer little or no protections to tenant farmers and do not protect customary land use, Hardman said. Worryingly, a series of proposed amendments actually increases both the scope of criminal offenses and the length of sentences that farmers could be given, he told the Thomson Reuters Foundation. We organized the campaign in sympathy with our brothers who are in trouble. We have nothing to say if [authorities] call it unlawful and take action against us, said a demonstrator who spoke on condition of anonymity. More than 40 political activists and civil society members protested in Chanayethazan in blue shirts reading May peace prevail in Myanmar and holding placards reading No War, Free IDPs and Stop attacks in ethnic areas along with photos of displaced children. Weve filed a lawsuit against three people, including Aung Hmine San, for unlawful procession, Mandalay District Police Lieutenant Colonel Myo Aung told The Irrawaddy. The No. 8 police station in Mandalays Chanayethazan Township also filed a lawsuit against three activists under Article 19 of the Peaceful Assembly and Procession Law following the protesters motorbike ride on Sunday. The next day, police in Yangons Kyauktada Township filed a lawsuit against the organizers Kaung Htet Kyaw, Zeya, Ye Aung Aye and Myo Saw for holding the march without official approval. On Sunday, activists in Yangon and Mandalay took to the streets calling for an end to the fighting in ethnic areas and the rescue of trapped families displaced by the attacks. MANDALAY Police in Mandalay and Yangon have sued the organizers of weekend protests calling on authorities to immediately rescue villagers in Kachin State who have been trapped for weeks by fighting between the Myanmar military and the Kachin Independence Army (KIA). People in Mandalay on Sunday join a protest calling on authorities to rescue villagers trapped by fighting between the Myanmar military and KIA in Kachin State. / Zaw Zaw / The Irrawaddy People in Mandalay on Sunday join a protest calling on authorities to rescue villagers trapped by fighting between the Myanmar military and KIA in Kachin State. / Zaw Zaw / The Irrawaddy Getting the News Out by Bicycle, under Cover of Darkness New Government, New Fears for Journalists in Myanmar Yangon High Court to Weigh Changes to Charges in U Ko Ni Murder Case in Late May Fifth Food and Hospitality Trade Exhibition to Be Held Next Month More than 3,000 People Now Trapped by Fighting in Kachin State US Treasury Secretary Says Having Good Trade Talks in China Upgrades to Yangon-Mandalay Rail Line to Start in July, Operator Says More Than A Dozen Killed as Debris Mound Collapses at Mine in Hpakant Fighting Between Two Allied Ethnic Armies Injures Two in Northern Shan UNSC Should Understand the Complexity and Multitude of Issues Facing Myanmar The Sule Shangri-La Turns on the Style for Mango Season Ten Things to Do in Yangon This Week We do not encourage viewing this site in this width. Please increase the size of your window. Burma A Tale of 3 Constitutions A copy of The Constitution of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar (2008). / Myo Min Soe / The Irrawaddy YANGON Since the countrys independence from the British 70 years ago, Myanmar has had three constitutions. The current charter, The Constitution of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar, was promulgated in 2008. The two others were abolished when the military took control in 1962 and 1988, respectively. Here is a brief history of the countrys three constitutions. The Constitution of the Union of Burma (1947) Myanmars first Constitution was drafted in May 1947, shortly before the countrys independence, at Jubilee Hall in Yangon. General Aung San, the father of current State Counselor Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, led the 75-member drafting committee. He also briefed Parliament about the charter. The Constitution was ratified on Sept. 24, 1947, and remained in force from 1948 to 1962, when a military coup led by General Ne Win toppled the government. The Constitution of the Socialist Republic of the Union of Burma (1974) Drafted by the Burma Socialist Program Party and ratified by referendum on Jan. 3, 1974, the charter was designed to build a socialist democratic social order and a socialist economic system via the Burmese Way to Socialism. The drafting committee was led by then-President U San Yu and had 97 members. Fourteen years later, Myanmar was among the poorest countries in Southeast Asia and among the least developed nations in the world, leading to a nationwide popular uprising in 1988 that toppled the military-backed socialist leadership in August of that year. The charter came to an end when the military seized power in September. The Constitution of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar (2008) Probably the most controversial of Myanmars three constitutions, it expressly enshrines the militarys involvement in national politics. After a 13-year discussion, from 1993 to 2006, the military organized a national convention in 2007 to draft a Constitution. According to a government announcement at the time, the convention was joined by more than 1,000 representatives, including delegates from various political parties and ethnic regions. But the NLD decided to boycott the pre-convention discussions in 1995, saying it was undemocratic. In October 2007, a 54-member drafting commission was formed under the leadership of Chief Justice U Aung Toe. A nationwide referendum to ratify the charter was held on May 10, 2008. But voting was postponed to May 24 in seven townships in Irrawaddy Region and 40 townships in Yangon due to Cyclone Nargis, which killed more than 100,000 people a week before the scheduled referendum. The then-military regime promulgated the charter on May 29, claiming that more than 92 percent of 26 million-plus voters supported it. Critics complain that the charter encourages the militarys involvement in politics by guaranteeing 25 percent of parliamentary seats to men in uniform. The charter also states that it can only be amended with support from more than 75 percent of lawmakers, ensuring that changes can only be made with the militarys consent. The charter describes the military as a guardian of the Constitution. Attempts by the NLD and other organizations to amend the Constitution have yet to succeed. News Locals Flee Fresh Clashes in Shan State The SSPP and TNLA conducted joint military operations in 2013 in northern Shan State. / Kyaw Kha / The Irrawaddy YANGON Nearly 600 locals from Namtu Township, northern Shan State, have been displaced by clashes between the Shan State Army-North (SSA-N) and the Taang National Liberation Army (TNLA). Clashes broke out between the SSA-N and the TNLA on May 4 near Man Sa Awng village in Namtu and have since then forced more than 500 residents from several nearby villages, said administrator of Mong Yin village U Tun Hline. Villagers from two more villages fled to us [on Sunday]. And we accommodated them at monasteries, said U Tun Hline. A total of 583 villagers are taking shelter at monasteries in Mong Yin and Weik Nan villages. Displaced persons are in need of clothing, food and healthcare. Locals from Na Pein and Lauk Long have fled out of fear following the clashes in Man Sa Awng, said U San Thein, the administrator of Weik Nan village. Two locals from Man Sa Awng village were injured and sent to Lashio Hospital on May 4 after artillery shells fell on the village, he said. Clashes continued on Sunday in Man Sa Awng village and military tensions remain high in the area, said locals of Mong Yin. The situation is not good. We could hear gunfire from Man Sa Awng, as our village is only five furlongs from there, said U Tun Hline. Locals claimed that Light Infantry Battalion No. 324 of the Tatmadaw stationed just one and a half miles from Man Sa Awng village brought in reinforcements. The Irrawaddy was unable to obtain comments from either of the ethnic armed organizations regarding the clashes. The fighting followed a meeting between the Shan State Progressive Party (SSPP), the political wing of the SSA-N, and the government Peace Commission from May 1 to 2 regarding the nationwide ceasefire agreement. The SSPP and TNLA are the members of the ethnic alliance the Federal Political Negotiation and Consultative Committee led by the United Wa State Army (UWSA). Translated from Burmese by Thet Ko Ko. News Three Chin State Ministers Slated for Removal Members of the Chin State government in a meeting in March 2018. / Salai Isaac Khen / Facebook MANDALAY Chin State is seeking approval from the Presidents Office to reshuffle the state cabinet, the state Parliaments speaker said. U Zo Bwe told The Irrawaddy on Tuesday that three state ministers would be transferred to different ministries due to their poor performance. Their performances are poor; we have received complaints from locals. They have shown poor management and slow progress at state development projects for which they are responsible, U Zo Bwe said. Parliament decided to reassign them to other ministries and will replace them with other ministers who can do the job, he said. According to the speaker, the state Parliament sent a letter to the Presidents Office in Naypyitaw last week seeking approval for the reshuffle. The three are Salai Isaac Khen, state minister for municipal works, electricity and industry; Pao Lwin Min Htan, minister for social affairs; and Pu Shwe Thio, minister for transportation. However, the state parliament did not disclose what the new cabinet lineup would look like once the transfers were complete. We will announce the reorganized positions once we receive approval from the president, hopefully in two weeks, the speaker said. In Chin State, there are a total of six ministers, including the chief minister. The chief minister and two other ministers are members of the National League for Democracy (NLD). The cabinet also includes a minister from the Zomi Congress for Democracy party. Two others are experts selected from among non-politicians. News Trapped: Many Hurdles to Repatriate Foreign Nationals Sex Trafficked to India An 18-year-old girl rescued from child trafficking poses in Proshanti, a shelter run by the Bangladesh National Women Lawyers Association in Dhaka, June 17, 2008. The girl was trafficked by her aunt and then was forced to work in a brothel in Mumbai for one and a half years. / Reuters MUMBAI Women are increasingly being trafficked into Indias sex industry from countries outside South Asia that do not have repatriation agreements, which leaves victims trapped in limbo for months after being rescued, officials said. India has long been a destination for traffickers bringing women from neighboring Bangladesh, which has a repatriation treaty, and Nepal, which works closely with Indian authorities on the issue. But nations beyond South Asia Uzbekistan and Thailand in particular have emerged as source countries over the past three years, according to police, campaigners and government data. The (repatriation) process is streamlined for Bangladesh and Nepal. But now people are coming from other parts and we have no treaties with them, said Mahesh Bhagwat, police chief of Rachakonda district in the southern state of Telangana. In 2016, there were 33 recorded cases of women trafficked from Bangladesh and 16 from Nepal, according to the governments annual Crime in India report. In contrast, authorities in 2016 recorded 70 trafficking cases from Thailand and Uzbekistan, which were combined in the report. Previous reports did not mention victims nationalities. An official at the National Crime Records Bureau said Thailand and Uzbekistan were named because most of the recorded trafficking cases in 2016 originated in those two countries. The number of trafficked foreign nationals recorded by authorities was lower in previous years, varying from 36 in 2010 to 13 in 2014. Data is not yet available for 2017, but authorities said 40 Thai women were rescued from massage parlors acting as fronts for prostitution in Mumbai and Pune in the first half of last year alone. Another 34 Thai women were rescued later in 2017 from massage parlors and spas in the Telangana state capital of Hyderabad, Bhagwat told the Thomson Reuters Foundation on Monday. Bhagwats team also rescued an Uzbek woman last year from the sex trade in Hyderabad, the state capital of Telangana. She committed suicide late last month, four months after her repatriation process began, he said. The embassies of Uzbekistan and Thailand did not respond to phone calls and emails seeking comment. After being informed that a victim of trafficking from their country has been rescued, embassy officials need to verify the persons identity and home address. Campaigners say this can be difficult as victims sometimes provide false information, because they are afraid that traffickers may hurt them or their families. These girls are controlled by traffickers and they are coerced into saying many things. They are deeply indoctrinated, said Sunitha Krishan, co-founder of the anti-trafficking charity Prajwala. Krishnan said the Uzbek woman who had been sheltering in one of Prajwalas facilities had been carrying forged Indian identity documents when she was rescued, and at first refused to say which country she was really from. Krishnan urged more countries to make agreements with India to quickly repatriate those rescued from sex trafficking. Her call may take on more urgency if traffickers continue to cast their nets wider than South Asia which campaigners say is likely. The massage parlor industry is booming and many customers prefer fair-skinned women from countries like Thailand and Uzbekistan, said Hasina Kharbhih, founder of the anti-trafficking group Impulse NGO Network. The demand for foreign girls is growing in India, she said. Tuesday, May 8th, 2018 (7:53 am) - Score 6,046 Smaller alternative network ISPs like Ecom are facing a new barrier to expanding the rural reach of ultrafast Fibre-to-the-Premises (FTTP/H) based broadband networks in Buckinghamshire (England), which follows the councils expansion of rules that make it harder to get a Streetworks license. Last year we reported that Ecom had been quietly building their Gigabit capable full fibre broadband network to several rural villages in the Aylesbury Vale district of Buckinghamshire, such as Dunton, through Creslow and on to Whitchurch (here). Previously the ISP had only focused on business connectivity and in 2014 they helped to build a pure fibre optic network to serve a business park in Newport Pagnell. However the Managing Director of Ecom, Chris Wilkie, has claimed that his ISP now faces a new challenge, which appears to have been introduced after last years failure of the Aylesbury Vale District Council (AVDC) supported Aylesbury Vale Broadband project (here). AVB was eventually sold (assets / network) to Gigaclear for an undisclosed sum and a related inquiry is due to report soon. Local reports claim that Buckinghamshire council now requires a bond to be established before work can begin on a highway. The money is held in security for no less than 2 years to cover against any potential problems that might occur with the civil engineering, which is on top of the expensive 3 per metre the county already charges to complete their paperwork. Councillor Mark Shaw said (here): The requirement for a bond for work on the highway is a long standing practice that has been extended to cover the increasing amount of work undertaken across the county by private providers. The application of the bond is relatively new and reflects the number of relatively small companies now seeking to install ducts and the like to provide broadband services to those settlements that BT Openreach have determined unsustainable. The bond was not introduced as a direct consequence of working with AVB. Unfortunately the bond is already having a negative impact, not least in respect to Ecoms earlier pledge to provide a free connection to the Whitchurch Combined School, where slow connectivity has been a big problem. At present the operators fibre is on the other side of the road and Chris warns that the new rule essentially doubles the cost of installing the fibre. Chris says that the rule is hamstringing small businesses, which also occurs at a time when the government is trying to encourage more FTTP/H networks across the UK and is in the process of considering how best to further boost this. Clearly adding yet more red tape and charges at local level may not help that ambition. Nevertheless the council notes that Ecoms deployment is still part of the companys overall commercial business and the requirements would be the same for any business in a similar situation. On the other hand if local authorities make it too expensive to conduct such work commercially then they may end up needing to pay more later when further state aid is required to do the same job. Cloud-based ERP NetSuite states it is fulfilling the promise made during its acquisition by Oracle and has invested more that US$1 billion in research and development, making the product now available in 199 countries and dependent territories. Speaking recently at its SuiteWorld 2018 conference in Las Vegas, Mark Hurd, Oracle chief executive, said, We bought NetSuite to invest in it. We're giving it more features, more micro-verticals. All the things NetSuite wanted to do as a public company but couldn't, we can now do." Oracle used the SuiteWorld conference to announce the vast globalisation enhancements embedded into the product. Craig Sullivan, global vice-president, Product Management, explained NetSuite is now available in 199 countries and dependent territories - and one NetSuite customer operates in 57 countries alone - and now supports 24 languages. NetSuite's globalisation focus operates under the mantra "act global, be local", servicing region-specific compliance, reach, and last-mile, while also providing agility, automation and scale for multi-nationals. NetSuite's new global functionality, Sullivan says, includes two-stage payments, inter-company frameworks, AutoCash (reconciling bank payments), period end journal automation, GL matching, and a revised SuiteTax engine that the company states supports any tax rule anywhere in the world while being easy to use for non-accountants. Evan Goldberg, the founder of NetSuite and executive vice-president of Development, spoke exclusively to iTWire, stating out of all the new things in NetSuite analytics, artificial intelligence, and others its the globalisation which is his number one ticket item. Im really gratified about all the international capabilities. Thats the biggest focus. Oracle said at the time of the acquisition this is what we can add, heres where we can add value and Im seeing that. Its way beyond what we could have done as an independent company," he said. "Oracle has brought new powerful capabilities to address the European market, theyve brought two-stage payments which you really need when you go into Germany theyve definitely invested into these internationalisation capabilities with a lot of research. When we actually deliver to customers thats what I get most excited about. Hardly a week goes by without there being some news about the American Government's continued harassment yes, that is the only word that fits of the Chinese telecommunications giant Huawei as Uncle Sam pursues its goal of trying to get the firm to stop doing business in the country. For all the talk, including a 2012 investigative report undertaken by Congress, Washington is yet to provide a single thread of evidence to show that Huawei has been involved in spying on US interests. (I have written about the NSA angle to the Huawei issue here.) There is, of course, much innuendo and numerous references to "classified evidence" but as far as the public goes, or you and I, it is all mud thrown in the hope that some will stick. That is an easy task for the country where public relations was born. The latest move against Huawei came last week when a ban was imposed on the sale of its handsets at retail outlets at US military bases in the country and abroad. Meanwhile, the Justice Department is carrying out an investigation to find out if Huawei has violated an embargo on sales to Iran. Throughout this entire exercise, the reason that has been advanced is "national security". Here it is right at the start of: "The threat posed to US national-security interests by vulnerabilities in the telecommunications supply chain is an increasing priority given the countrys reliance on interdependent critical infrastructure systems..." And it goes on and on and on in a similar vein. The report, all 60 pages, contains not an iota of evidence that will stand up in court. Yet, we are expected to believe in the old mantra: American accusations valid, Chinese denials suspicious. There is more than just a touch of old-school racism about it. Washington has been throwing mud at Huawei for a long time. Let's recall that the same "national security" excuse was advanced as the reason why the US overthrew President Salvador Allende of Chile, Mohammed Mossadegh of Iran and Hugo Chavez of Venezuela (Chavez later returned to his position after a people power protest). Not to mention the invasion of Iraq in 2003 and countless other military adventures (hello, Vietnam!) all of which were due to the insecurity apparently felt in Washington. And let's not forget an exercise closer to home for us Australians, when certain events that transpired in 1975 led to the dismissal of the sitting prime minister. In other words, this excuse can be used to justify just about anything. Exactly why a country which has something like 800 military bases around the world should be feeling so scared is difficult to comprehend. But then it is equally difficult to figure out why a country that has bases surrounding China should get so agitated every time Beijing makes a move either in the financial or political realms. Adding to the pressure on Huawei is the ongoing trade row between the US and China. But make no mistake, targeting Huawei began much earlier and is evidence of the level of fear that exists in the US that China will overtake it in fields where it longs to dominate, mostly through proxies, as it has no means of doing so on its own. Huawei is one of four companies that has the technical nous and the staffing resources to build the telco networks of the next generation, the much-hyped 5G networks. The others are ZTE (also Chinese, also in Washington's bad books), Ericsson and Nokia. Not an American company in sight. But then neither Huawei nor China is to blame for that. Britain has taken a pragmatic route to dealing with Huawei by working with the Chinese behemoth so that any suspicions can be dealt with immediately. Australia, which only asks "how high?" when the US asks it to jump, has adopted US instructions with glee, keeping Huawei from being involved in the national broadband network and more recently pushing the Solomon Islands to drop Huawei from a contract for an undersea cable. The contract was given to local firm, Vocus and the Australian taxpayer will foot the bill. Huawei is part of a working group drawn up by the Australian Department of Communications which includes other suppliers and carriers that will help to roll out 5G technology. The crossroads will be reached, no doubt, if and when Australia tries to keep the company out of participating in 5G networks locally. Both Vodafone and Optus are working with Huawei and new mobile entrant, TPG, is also expected to do so. That moment of truth is likely to come in September when Australia adopts what some have dubbed the "anti-Huawei law" which has provisions to address any concerns about companies that are involved in future projects in the country. Until then, one should expect the US to continue to cast aspersions on Huawei as often as it can drum up some cock-and-bull story about "national security". Enterprise open source provider Red Hat has announced its plans for integrating CoreOS with Red Hat Enterprise Linux, both in a new RHEL variant, and integration with OpenShift. Red Hat acquired CoreOS in January 2018, including Tectonic, CoreOS enterprise Kubernetes solution. Red Hat has an existing container platform, OpenShift, which it says offers chief information officers a powerful, open standards-based solution to fuel digital transformation efforts, helping enterprises more quickly adopt emerging technologies without sacrificing investing applications or IT investments. However, Red Hat Enterprise Linux is known for its stability and long-term support, while Tectonic offers a way to manage large Kubernetes footprints through automated over-the-air updates. This means systems administrators can roll out upgrades to entire Tectonic clusters and underlying Container Linux hosts via automated processes. Today, at the annual Red Hat Summit conference in San Francisco, the company announced two plans for CoreOS. The first is a new variant of RHEL, named Red Hat CoreOS, which will bring the consistency of RHEL with the consumption of over-the-air updates from the kernel to Kubernetes, said Paul Cormier, executive vice-president and president, Products and Technologies, Red Hat. Secondly, Red Hat will integrate CoreOS capabilities with Red Hat OpenShift Container Platform. The addition of the CoreOS automation technologies will advance Red Hats existing offerings and make hybrid cloud environments a strong choice for deploying modern and traditional applications, said Ashesh Badani vice-president and general manager, OpenShift. These enhancements will help drive automation at each layer of the cloud-native stack and come with the backing of Red Hats commitment to enterprise-grade stability and support. Practically speaking, this means Kubernetes deployments can be managed at scale easier, with the bulk of rote maintenance tasks performed automatically. In turn, this lessens the need for administrator action and cluster oversight. Red Hat says it will extend the automation to its independent software vendor ecosystem, enabling easy delivery and maintenance of applications and services on top of Red Hat OpenShift Container Platform. Red Hat also said no customer will be left behind, and all Tectonic customers will become OpenShift customers. The next edition of Red Hat OpenShift will be released in July. Previously, enterprises had to choose between public cloud lock-in for ease-of-use or managing the complexity of a hybrid IT environment to retain full control over workloads and data. Now, Red Hat OpenShift Container Platform will be positioned to settle this argument, delivering automation across the entire container stack, from the underlying operating system to the application services, to make hybrid IT easier to consume while retaining enhanced security, driving a new model for how enterprises perceive the open hybrid cloud, Badanivice said. The writer is attending Red Hat Summit 2018 in San Francisco as a guest of the company Malicious attackers are taking advantage of critical flaws in the Drupal content management system, used in many of the worlds largest websites, to spread a script that mines for the monero cryptocurrency, a researcher has warned. Troy Mursch, who works with Bad Packets Report, said in a blog post that he was alerted on 4 May to the fact that sites of the San Diego Zoo and the government of the Mexican state of Chihuahua were both compromised. About 450 Australian Government sites run a customised version of Drupal known as govCMS which has been built by the Boston-based open source firm Acquia. Mursch said both sites were running an outdated and vulnerable version of Drupal and after he had analysed the indicators of compromise, he was able to locate about 300 other sites that had been affected. The vulnerabilities that are being exploited were announced by the Drupal project on 28 March and 25 April. Both were rated highly critical and both have been exploited in the wild for a while. Mursch said he had found that the mining script was that which was created by Coinhive and appeared to come from the domain vuuwd.com. He then ran a scan to locate additional infected sites and found 348 infected websites. The majority of these sites were in the US and were hosted by Amazon, he noted. "This is yet another case of miscreants compromising outdated and vulnerable Drupal installations on a large scale," Mursch wrote. "If youre a website operator using Drupals content management system, you need to update to the latest available version ASAP. "The Drupal security team has prepared a FAQ which documents the risk level and mitigation steps. Note that installing the update wont retroactively 'unhack' your website and you may need to take further remediation steps." Graphic: courtesy Bad Packets Report New Zealands largest telco Spark is claiming first mover rights in its home market with the launch of Googles Android One program through Nokias newest additions of Android smartphones. Spark, in partnership with HMD Global, says it will be the first to bring the phones to the New Zealand market, with the initial launch of the new Nokia 6.1 which is available from today, followed by the Nokia 7 plus from 22 May. And to spice up the offer, Spark says both devices come with a free set of Jaybird Headphones when a customer purchases 24-month interest-free on eligible Spark pay monthly plans. According to Sparks general manager of Customer and Marketing, Richard Sandford, the Nokia 7 plus and Nokia 6.1 offer something that even phones twice their price dont have a redeveloped software that delivers an uncluttered operating system, giving customers an easy personalised experience, set and delivered directly from Google. We know fans have been holding out for Android One to arrive after Google announced their partnership with Nokia at the World Mobile Congress last month. Through our exclusive partnership, we can give Kiwis access to the best Android experience possible, Sandford says. He says Android powers 85% of phones around the world and most manufacturers customise their Android experience to their own brands needs, meaning a users experience on Android varies greatly from device to device. What this also means is that software updates and security patches are delivered to the customer at different times, depending on the manufacturer. The speed and frequency of software updates are probably one of the unique features the Nokia 7 plus and Nokia 6.1 offers to our customers. The Android One program provides the most consistent, clutter-free and up-to-date version of Android available to date, meaning customers can rest assured knowing that their device is secure and running as efficient as it can. New Zealand and Australia country manager for HMD Global, Mark Trundle, says: Nokia 7 plus is a true hero in our smartphone range. We know our fans are capturing, watching, exploring, working and gaming on their mobile phones more than ever before. Thats why we've designed the Nokia 7 plus to be your stylish companion that goes wherever you go. It also is the first Nokia smartphone to have artificial intelligence led imaging features, making your already great selfie even better. Spark is offering Nokia 7 plus and the new Nokia 6.1 in black copper and they are available exclusively from www.spark.co.nz, or in-store from Spark and retail channel partners. Ive been a lot of things in my professional career including paramedic, accountant, computer trainer, PC/network technician, VP of IT, consultant and writer. The most enjoyable job I ever had was penetration tester. You get paid to break into places, work with cool people, and learn a lot. Best of all, if you couldnt break into a place, the customer would be delighted and brag about how their computer security defenses didnt fall to a sustained hacking test. [ How much does a cyber attack really cost? Take a look at the numbers. | Get the latest from CSO by signing up for our newsletters. ] Over the last few years, an even more elite group of whitehat hackers have emerged: the threat hunters. Threat hunters are part proactive hacker, part forensic investigator, part intrusion detector, and part incident responder (IR), with emphasis on the last role. I interviewed Rob Lee about what it takes to be a threat hunter. Lee is a Boston-area author, consultant, and SANS Faculty Fellow with more than 18 years of experience in digital forensics, vulnerability and exploit discovery, intrusion detection/prevention, and incident response. He began his career chasing bad guys in the Air Force Office of Special Investigations, the U.S. Department of Defense, and was a director for Mandiant, focusing on advanced persistent threats (APTs). Lee co-authored the second edition of Know Your Enemy, one of my favorite honeypot books, and he co-authored the Mandiant threat intelligence report, M-Trends: The Advanced Persistent Threat. Hes also one of the original threat hunters, before threat hunting was a term. When did you become a threat hunter? Lee: As part of the response team to what became known as the Moonlight Maze Russian hacking offensive in 1998. It was the first time a known nation-state actor, in this case Russia, started to actively compromise multiple government sites for nation-state reasons. Before this, most hacking was defacing websites and things like that, but these were real professional adversaries. They didnt run. Rob Lee Threat hunter Rob Lee Back in the day, when you caught hackers, they used to get out of the system or network and never come back. These hackers, the Russians, didnt run. They did go silent, for a month or two, but they never left. Today this is the norm, but at the time it was a brand new [reaction]. They learned what we were doing, watching us, even going so far as to keystroke log what we did, and then started up their activities again. We learned from watching them. They were extremely patient. They watched us. We watched them. We learned a lot about nation-state adversary groups. We had to change how we did incident response. What is a threat hunter? Lee: A threat hunter is a proactive incident responder. An incident responder waits until they get notified of an incident to get involved. A threat hunter hunts for bad guys before you know there is an incident. They have some information about the bad guy, where they are likely to attack and how, and then go looking for them. Threat hunters are incident responders and forensic investigators actively looking for new threats before traditional intrusion detection methods can find them. Threat hunters are an early warning system. They shorten the threats dwell time, which is the time from the initial breach until they are detected. In the past, threats were often inside of networks for months without detection. [RG: often years] A threat hunting team is trying to shorten the time to discovery. How long has the term threat hunter been around? Is it an actual job title? Lee: Its been around six years. Working at Mandiant around all the nation-state attacks led to proactive threat hunting. We were proactively looking for adversaries. Were going hunting for bad guys. Its become a more popular buzzword over the last three years. I see it everywhere, including in job listings and at security conferences, including SANS' own Threat Hunting and Incident Response summits. How does someone become a threat hunter? Lee: To become a threat hunter, one must first work as a security analyst and likely graduate into IR and cyber threat intelligence fields. Combined with a bit of knowledge of attacker methodology and tactics, threat hunting becomes a very coveted skill. Threat hunting is one of the most advanced skillsets one could obtain in information security today. The core skills of a threat hunter include security operations and analytics, IR and remediation, attacker methodology, and cyber threat intelligence capabilities. Combined, a hunter is the special operations team of an organizations defensive and detection capabilities. A threat hunter is taking the traditional indicators of compromise (IoC) and instead of passively waiting to detect them, is aggressively going out looking for them. Traditional intrusion detection doesnt do a great job on the crafty adversary. They will avoid tripping the normal intrusion detection defenses. It takes a threat hunter to find them. Should every company have a threat hunter? Lee: Not every company can have one. It takes a certain size and sophistication. First, you need a real, dedicated security operations center (SOC) not a little or part-time one, but one that can create, consume, and utilize threat intelligence, and that understands the likely adversary, not just indicators of compromise. Threat hunting teams need threat intelligence plus a network person, an endpoint person, a malware analyzer, and a scalable bunch of tools. A threat hunting team is like special operation forces. A threat hunter has to know where to look and what to look for first. It takes a real, dedicated SOC to get that information. If youre hunting for ducks, you need to know where the ducks are likely to be and what to look for. The same with nation states. If the Russians or Chinese are spying on us, where are they likely to be? What are they looking for? What are their indicators of compromise? Then you send out the special operations force to find them. How many threat hunters are there? Lee: Its hard to assess. Lots of people call themselves that, but for sure the large companies with large-scale security operations do [have them]. A lot of the Fortune 200 companies have them, along with DoD and other government agencies. Most of these entities have multiple threat hunting teams. Many of the big companies like Target and Microsoft, who were victims of large attacks, now have multiple, elite threat hunting teams, each focusing on different business units. They went from not having the best security to having multiple proactive special operation teams. Its pretty great to see the turnaround. They have some of the worlds best threat hunting people. Anything else to share about threat hunters? Lee: Both the companies that employ them and the people that work on threat hunting teams need to understand that they are likely to fail. They are performing a very tough role, looking for a crafty adversary that does not want to be discovered. They might not find the bad guy in time. Its a very needed role, but quantifying success in a traditional sense can be harder. If they are proactively looking for threats they are doing their job. More on cyber attacks: The Wilson Atrium Dedicated in Honor of Former IWU President and First Lady May 7, 2018 Former Illinois Wesleyan President Richard Wilson and his wife, former First Lady, Patricia Wilson address the crowd during The Wilson Atrium dedication ceremony. BLOOMINGTON, Ill. The Center for Natural Science Learning and Research (CNS) atrium has been named The Wilson Atrium in honor of former Illinois Wesleyan University President Richard F. Wilson and his wife, former First Lady, Patricia L. Wilson. The Wilson Atrium was dedicated and formally named during a ceremony hosted by the Illinois Wesleyan Board of Trustees (BOT) on Monday, May 7, which featured remarks by President Eric Jensen, BOT member Jim Shirk, BOT President George Vinyard 71, and the evenings guests of honor, Richard and Patricia Wilson. This space typifies the characteristics that I think we associate with Dick and Pat as a tangible reminder of their contributions, Vinyard told the crowd of more than 90 guests. Its a welcoming space that reflects intelligence, excellence, grace and unpretentious elegance. At Mondays ceremony, Richard and Patricia Wilson were invited to unveil a large inscription of the University seal set into the atrium floor and encompassed by The Wilson Atrium along with the years of Wilsons presidency: 2004-2015. Two bronze plaques and lettering commemorating the space were also unveiled. Pat and I are absolutely ecstatic to have this space named in our honor and in recognition of our work here, Richard Wilson said. Nothing means more to us than the people we have met while working here at Illinois Wesleyan. Wilson told the crowd that he likes having his last name associated with the CNS atrium for a number of reasons, including the fact that the building has two front doors which connect the north side of campus with the south side of campus. Former Illinois Wesleyan President Richard Wilson and his wife, former First Lady, Patricia Wilson unveil the University seal encompassed by The Wilson Atrium along with the years of Wilsons presidency: 2004-2015. Literally hundreds of students, faculty and staff meet here informally every day, Wilson said. I like the feeling that evokes in my mind. This is an active space. One of the bronze plaques unveiled Monday was inscribed with the message: With gratitude for their passionate and inspiring leadership and years of selfless service to the lasting betterment of Illinois Wesleyan University and the greater Titan Community. The other plaque featured a quote by Wilson, which was his traditional closing to annual Commencement ceremonies: Search for what is true. Stand for what is just. Strive to make a difference. Along with financing The Wilson Atrium seal, plaques and lettering, members of the BOT furnished the atrium with new chairs and couches to make the space more comfortable and functional in honor of Richard and Patricia Wilson. Many people work very hard in their jobs, but the lucky ones are those who feel the work they do makes a difference in other peoples lives, said Patricia Wilson. Dick and I felt from the beginning that what we were doing at Illinois Wesleyan did matter that it really could enhance and change lives. To be recognized for our work is a special privilege. Richard Wilson served as the President of Illinois Wesleyan University from 2004-2015. Wilson gave special attention to developing a strategic plan for Illinois Wesleyan, strengthening the Universitys financial position, and conducting the largest fund-raising campaign in the schools history. By John Twork Summerville, SC (29483) Today Overcast. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. High 83F. Winds light and variable.. Tonight Partly cloudy early followed by cloudy skies overnight. Slight chance of a rain shower. Low 69F. Winds light and variable. Reddit Email 33 Shares Trump believes he can simultaneously capture a Nobel Peace Prize for North Korea while leaping toward war with Iran. The president giveth and he taketh away. Donald Trump is a stern and wrathful leader. He thinks nothing of raining down fire and fury upon the enemies of his chosen people. Indeed, he even flirts with ending the world if he doesnt receive due respect and the requisite number of burnt offerings. But he can also reward his followers, and those who curry his favor, with positions of power and untold riches. This month, Trump will appear as both of these avatars. By meeting with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, Trump promises to wave his hand and create peace where before there was nothing but strife and dissension. At the same time, Trump the Destroyer has pledged to take the United States out of the Iran nuclear deal and bring the world that much closer to apocalypse. Its a peculiarly hypocritical position to take, but strangely consistent for a two-faced leader. The deal with Iran closed off all possibility of the country going nuclear for a decade or more. A rich country, Iran could create quite a nuclear arsenal if it so wanted. Iran has abided by the terms of the current Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) and yet Trump has called the deal horrible. Indeed, the president believes that he can fix the JCPOA. Thats quite a delusion. Meanwhile, nuclear North Korea has indicated that it would get rid of its weapons only in exchange for a peace treaty to formally end the Korean War and a pledge from the United States not to attack. A pledge from the United States? From the Trump administration? In light of Trumps attitude toward previous U.S. pledges to Iran and the presence of John Bolton as the new national security advisor, any promises from Washington are worth less than the 140 characters theyre tweeted in. Its hard to imagine North Korea falling for such a canard. So, to recap, Donald Trump will attempt this month to persuade a country to give up the nuclear weapons that serve as the deterrence of last resort while giving a green light to a non-nuclear country to restart its program. Trump believes that he can simultaneously capture a Nobel Peace Prize for his approach to North Korea and take a giant leap toward war with Iran by deep-sixing the nuclear agreement. Thats about as plausible as a duplicitous, managerially inept, barnyard bully of a sexual harasser becoming president of the United Oh, never mind. Scott Fitzgerald once wrote that the test of a first-rate intelligence is the ability to hold two opposed ideas in the mind at the same time, and still retain the ability to function. I used to believe that was true. And then along came Trump and his two-faced approach to Iran and North Korea. War and Peace The Roman god Janus had two faces. One looked to the past, while the other gazed upon the future. Janus was the deity of transitions, which also meant that he was responsible for war and peace. Plutarch writes that Janus has a temple at Rome with double doors, which they call the gates of war; for the temple always stands open in time of war, but is closed when peace has come. The latter was a difficult matter, and it rarely happened, since the realm was always engaged in some war, as its increasing size brought it into collision with the barbarous nations which encompassed it round about. Peace is indeed a difficult matter, particularly when it comes to the United States. As former president Jimmy Carter recently told The New York Times: I dont think that we adhere to a just approach to war, where we are supposed to make armed conflict a last resort and limit our damage to other people to a minimum. I think our country is known around the world as perhaps the most warlike major country there is. The temple doors in the imperial capital also known as the Pentagon are, alas, always open. Donald Trump was certainly Janus-faced during the 2016 presidential campaign, denouncing the wars of the past while, at the same time, hurling rhetorical lightening bolts at a variety of enemies: the Islamic State, Iran, North Korea, China, Mexico. His occasional sallies against U.S. adventurism overseas won him plaudits from a few befuddled anti-imperialists and criticism from some disappointed neo-cons. As president, however, Trump has hewed to a more traditional security policy of large military budgets, stepped-up drone warfare, and full-spectrum dominance. North Korea is the curious exception to Trumps general rule of belligerence. Its not that he didnt initially subscribe to the same approach as his predecessors when he took office. He upped sanctions against Pyongyang, tried to persuade China to twist the arm of its erstwhile ally, and used intemperate language to describe North Korean leader Kim Jong Un. Then, like the rooster who believes that his crowing has caused the sun to rise, Trump took full credit for North Koreas turnabout at the beginning of 2018. In fact, when he offered to participate in the 2018 Winter Olympics, Kim Jong Un was responding not to U.S. actions so much as his own domestic situation (progress in his nuclear program, political consolidation of power) and the overtures coming from South Korean President Moon Jae-in, whod taken office in 2017. Im not sure which is more depressing: Trumps self-delusion or the delusion of those who believe that they can influence Trump. Take, for instance, the anti-interventionist Rand Paul (R-KY), who agreed to support Mike Pompeo as secretary of state after Trump made some vague noises about ending the war in Afghanistan. (Actually, Trump has delegated tremendous powers to the Pentagon to prosecute the war in Afghanistan). Paul is just the latest in a series of Trump whisperers who believe that they can make the president roll over and play dead. That includes all those who believe that Trump should win a Nobel Prize for his efforts which so far have consisted of a single, impulsive decision to meet Kim Jong Un in the misguided belief that such a prize will buy Trumps everlasting support for Korean reunification. The only thing that Trump supports without qualification is Trump. Those who believe in appeasing the false god occupying the Oval Office in this way should pay more attention to whats going on with Iran. Listening to Unreason The list of those who have tried to persuade Donald Trump of the value of the deal to close off Irans path to a nuclear weapon is a long one. At the top of the list was Rex Tillerson, the now dearly departed secretary of state. Then there was the letter from 52 leading national security professionals, including former NSA and CIA head Michael Hayden and former Republican chair of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee Richard Lugar. More recently, French President Emmanuel Macron came to Washington to see whether his legendary charisma could have an effect on Trump. It was part of an ill-advised European appeasement strategy to coax Trump into fixing the deal in a way that Russia, China, and Iran might find palatable. Earlier, Tillerson had pressured France, Germany, and the UK to set up working groups to identify concerns in the existing treaty and how Iran might address them. Macron, on his visit to Washington, broached the possibility of a new treaty, a departure from the European script that left some of his colleagues back home scratching their heads. But then, two days ago, the UK released a statement that Prime Minister Teresa May, German Chancellor Angela Merkel, and Macron are committed to working closely with the U.S. on those issues that a new deal might cover. Dream on, Europeans. Havent you learned anything from Munich, 1938? Much more congenial to Trumps way of non-thinking is Benjamin Netanyahu, who has been pounding the drums for war with Iran for the better part of his political tenure as Israeli prime minister. This week, Netanyahu took to the airwaves to unveil the revelation that Iran indeed tried to build a nuclear weapons program. Well, thats headline newscirca 2007. Maybe Netanyahu will host a follow-up program with all the evidence of North Koreas nuclear weapons program. He can call his program Last Decade Tonight with Benjamin Netanyahu. The timing of Netanyahus revelations was critical, however. The French and Germans had their turn, and now Israel was following up with the knockout punch that Trump wants to use to get rid of the nuclear deal once and for all. When will people realize that appeasing Trump is a very bad idea? Jeez, just look at all the administration officials who have been burned to a crisp flying so close to the sun. At the very least, such a flight patter does bizarre things to ones moral compass. The Coming Confrontation The best outcome from the Korea discussions is Trump deciding to let the Koreans work out their problems by themselves. North Korea is far away, and its hard to find anyone in the Pentagon who likes the odds of a regime-change military strategy. Maybe the vengeful Trump, after a modestly successful meeting with Kim Jong Un, will forget about North Korea when its no longer in his field of vision. The same cant be said about Iran. Netanyahu is chafing at the bit to escalate Israeli attacks on Iran, which so far have been confined to Iranian forces in Syria. Pompeo and the new National Security Advisor John Bolton are big fans of regime change in Iran. Trump seems to believe that the only way of fixing the Iran nuclear deal is by fixing Iran itself. Im really good at war, Trump the Destroyer said in 2015. I love war in a certain way. But only when we win. In fact, a war with Iran would be catastrophic. And it probably wouldnt be confined to Iran itself. Russia and China could come to their allys aid. Saudi Arabia would side with Israel and the United States. At minimum, the conflict would set the Middle East ablaze. But it could easily spread from there. Frankly, compared to the prospect of world war, a much better outcome of the collapse of the Iran nuclear deal would be if Iran quickly acquired nuclear weapons. Then it could deter an Israeli and U.S. attack. And then, as with North Korea, Donald Trump might realize the importance of striking a denuclearization treaty with a nuclear Iran. Does that sound absurd? Of course its absurd. Welcome to the impossible world of Americas two-faced president. Via Foreign Policy in Focus - Bonus video added by Informed Comment: PBS NewsHour: Moniz: U.S. leaving Iran nuclear deal would be tragic Reddit Email 110 Shares Lebanon held the first parliamentary elections since 2009 (they are supposed to be every 4 years but the Syrian civil war and political gridlock made it difficult to meet that schedule until now).* Given all the talk of Trump pulling out of the Iran deal in part because of Tehrans supposed regional dominance, the results of the Lebanese elections will likely be entangled with this policy. The big divide in Lebanon back in the first decade of the 21st century was over the Syrian military presence in the country. Most Maronite Catholics and the Sunni Arabs and Druze and some other groups wanted the Syrians out, and staged huge demonstrations to that effect, the biggest on March 14. They were outraged by the assassination of Prime Minister Rafiq al-Hariri in February of 2005. Demonstrations almost as big were staged by Shiites, Orthodox Christians and some others in favor of Syrian troops remaining, the biggest on March 8. March 14, spearheaded by the Sunni Arab Future Party of Rafiq al-Hariris son Saad, appeared to win, with Syrian troops going home late that spring. March 8 (including Hizbullah) seemed a bit in the political wilderness, though even the US ambassador urged they be given representation in the cabinet. In the 2009 parliamentary elections, Hariri and Future and its allies won a majority in parliament. Hariri is a dual Lebanese-Saudi citizen and his dominance meant hegemony for Riyadh in Lebanon. But over time, the political tides turned against Hariri, the Future Party, and therefore Saudi Arabia and the United States. The erratic Walid Jumblatt, the warlord leader of the Druze, an esoteric offshoot of Ismaili Shiism, broke with Hariri though he never made up with the Syrian regime. Then the Syrian Civil War broke out from 2011 and changed everything. Most Sunnis in Lebanon hated the Syrian government, a semi-Stalinist one-party state disproportionately dominated by the Alawite Shiite minority. But Christians in Syria and in Lebanon were frightened by the turn of the rebel opposition in Syria to Salafism and Sunni extremism and calls for sectarian ethnic cleansing by rebels such as Zahran Alloush, leader of the Saudi-backed Army of Islam. Most Christians were therefore at least neutral and in some instances actively positive toward the Bashar al-Assad government as a secular bulwark against Saudi-style extremism. The ground was laid for a big shift in Lebanese politics, especially now that Syrian troops were long gone from Lebanon. The Shiites and Aoun Christians more or less allied (formally but more recently less formally), and the Druze peeled off from the Sunni Arabs. Shiites, Maronites and Sunnis are roughly 30% each of the electorate and Druze are 6 percent. Basically the Sunnis ended up being isolated in their support for the neighboring rebel opposition in Syria. Their case was not helped by the rise of a small radical Salafi movement in Sidon or by al-Qaeda-linked attacks from Syria on Lebanese villages. So by 2016 the Shiite Hizbullah and its allies came to dominate the cabinet. They nevertheless persuaded Saad Hariri to join as prime minister in a national unity government. Hariris de facto cooperation with Hizbullah grated on his Saudi patrons, and last fall the slightly unhinged crown prince of Saudi Arabia, Mohammed Bin Salman, kidnapped Hariri and forced him to resign. The resignation from abroad while in captivity was not accepted back in Beirut, and Frances Emmanuel Macron intervened to broker Hariris release. Although Hariri got a big bump in the polls temporarily, the episode seems to have hurt him badly with his own Sunni constituency. So the result was that the Future Party saw a big decline from 36 deputies in parliament to only 21 in the 128-member parliament. In contrast, Hizbullah, representing lower middle and working class Shiites in the South and many in East Beirut and Biqa, and its ally Amal, representing Shiite middle classes and big businessmen, gained the 29 seats allotted to the Shiites, maintaining their strength. (In the past, Hizbullah and Amal were not on good terms, but they have patched things up for now. Amal is widely disliked as corrupt and needs the alliance with Hizbullah). Small allies of Hizbullah got another 11 seats. Although the Shiite bloc lost its formal ally, the Free Patriotic Movement (Christian supporters of president Michel Aoun), because of political differences, the two did ally in some local constituencies and will probably continue to cooperate politically. Aouns deputies won 17 seats. The outcome is to some extent a reversal of 2009, inasmuch as the Sunni Futurists are now small and isolated, whereas the old March 8 coalition partners dominate. But some nuance is needed here. March 8, 2005 was a long time ago. Hizbullah and Amal are not always on the same page. Hizbullah is generally strongly pro-Iran while Amal mostly follows Grand Ayatollah Sistani of Iraq and rejects the Iranian system. The Free Patriotic Movement Christians are not exactly in the back pocket of Hizbullah, though they have made pragmatic alliances of convenience in the past. The Druze, who have coreligionists in Israel and Syria, are also pragmatic. Some Druze support al-Assad, and even the Jumblatt faction is willing to cooperate with Hezbollah in a national unity government, declining to try to fight Damascus and Tehran from little Beirut. The announcement by an Israeli spokesman that his country would henceforth consider the government of Lebanon to be identical with Hizbullah is just belligerent propaganda and sour grapes. Hizbullah per se typically has 13 or so members in the 128-member Lebanese parliament. Configuring middle class Shiites of Amal, Maronite FPM voters of Jounieh etc. as Hizbullah or ayatollahs is typical Israeli political analysis as deadly lethal silliness. We may as well say we will consider Israel a fascist state because it is governed by a Likud Party coalition. One big takeaway, it seems to me, is that Saudi Arabia shot itself in the foot three times with regard to Lebanon. It supported Salafi jihadis like the Army of Islam around Damascus, who thundered about killing members of ethnic minorities. Then MBS kidnapped Hariri, underlining that he was literally captive to Riyadh. Then MBS kissed up to the Israel lobbies and threw the Palestinians under the bus. Israel is not popular with Lebanese Sunni Arabs, who stayed home in droves during the polls. With this kind of regional policy, no wonder Saudi Arabia is losing to a much cannier Iran. Not able to compete because of horrible policy, MBS has to run to Trump to plead with him to hit out at Iran on Riyadhs behalf. - Bonus video: Euronews: Hezbollah and its allies make electoral gains in Lebanon *This essay was slightly revised after publication to clarify the shifting stances of Walid Jumblatt and to correct an assertion that he made up with Syria; it was Hizbullah with whom he made up. TORONTO, May 08, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Teranga Gold Corporation (Teranga or the Company) (TSX:TGZ) (OTCQX:TGCDF) announces that all nominee directors listed in the Management Proxy Circular dated April 3, 2018 were elected as directors of the Company at its Annual General Meeting of Shareholders (the Meeting) held earlier today in Toronto, Ontario. At this Meeting, 69,914,888 shares were voted, representing 65.13% of the Companys issued and outstanding common shares. The voting results for all matters brought forth at the Meeting are set out below: Election of Directors Name Votes For % Votes For Votes Withheld % Votes Withheld Alan R. Hill 62,439,619 97.39 % 1,671,170 2.61 % Richard S. Young 63,425,831 98.93 % 684,958 1.07 % Christopher R. Lattanzi 64,039,399 99.89 % 71,390 0.11 % Jendayi E. Frazer 64,031,278 99.88 % 79,511 0.12 % Edward Goldenberg 62,678,387 97.77 % 1,432,402 2.23 % David J. Mimran 62,695,567 97.79 % 1,415,222 2.21 % Alan R. Thomas 62,562,402 97.58 % 1,548,387 2.42 % Frank D. Wheatley 62,353,237 97.26 % 1,757,552 2.74 % William J. Biggar 62,586,042 97.62 % 1,524,747 2.38 % Appointment of Auditor Name Votes For % Votes For Votes Withheld % Votes Withheld Ernst & Young LLP 69,791,923 99.82 % 122,965 0.18 % About Teranga Teranga is a multi-jurisdictional West African gold company focused on production and development as well as the exploration of more than 6,400 km2 of land located on prospective gold belts. Since its initial public offering in 2010, Teranga has produced more than 1.4 million ounces of gold from its operations in Senegal, which as of June 30, 2017 had a reserve base of 2.7 million ounces of gold. Focused on diversification and growth, the Company is advancing its Wahgnion Gold Project, with a recently released positive feasibility study, and conducting extensive exploration programs in three countries: Burkina Faso, Senegal and Cote dIvoire. Teranga has a strong balance sheet and the financial flexibility to execute on its growth strategy. The Company has nearly 4.0 million ounces of gold reserves from its combined Sabodala Gold operations and Wahgnion Gold Project. Steadfast in its commitment to set the benchmark for responsible mining, Teranga operates in accordance with the highest international standards and aims to act as a catalyst for sustainable economic, environmental, and community development as it strives to create value for all of its stakeholders. Teranga is a member of the United Nations Global Compact and a leading member of the multi-stakeholder group responsible for the submission of the first Senegalese Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative revenue report. The Company's responsibility report is available at www.terangagold.com/responsibilityreport and is prepared in accordance with its commitments under the United Nations Global Compact and in alignment with the Global Reporting Initiative guidelines. VANCOUVER, May 8, 2018 /CNW/ - Entree Resources Ltd. (TSX:ETG; NYSE American:EGI the "Company" or "Entree") has today filed its interim financial results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2018. All numbers are in U.S. dollars unless otherwise noted. Q1 2018 HIGHLIGHTS Entree/Oyu Tolgoi JV Property On January 15, 2018 , the Company reported the results of an updated Technical Report titled "Entree/Oyu Tolgoi Joint Venture Project, Mongolia , NI 43-101 Technical Report" (the " 2018 Technical Report ") that was completed by Amec Foster Wheeler Americas Limited on the Company's carried 20% interest in the Entree/Oyu Tolgoi joint venture property in Mongolia (the " Entree/Oyu Tolgoi JV Property "). Oyu Tolgoi LLC (" OTLLC ") holds the remaining 80% interest. The Entree/Oyu Tolgoi JV Property comprises a significant portion of the long-life, high-grade Oyu Tolgoi copper-gold mining project in Mongolia . The 2018 Technical Report discusses two development scenarios, an updated reserve case for Lift 1 of the joint venture's Hugo North Extension deposit and a Life-of-Mine Preliminary Economic Assessment (" 2018 PEA ") that includes mineralization from Lift 2 and Heruga. On February 28, 2018 , the Company filed the 2018 Technical Report on SEDAR and on the Company's website. , the Company reported the results of an updated Technical Report titled "Entree/Oyu Tolgoi Joint Venture Project, , NI 43-101 Technical Report" (the " ") that was completed by Amec Foster Wheeler Americas Limited on the Company's carried 20% interest in the Entree/Oyu Tolgoi joint venture property in (the " "). Oyu Tolgoi LLC (" ") holds the remaining 80% interest. The Entree/Oyu Tolgoi JV Property comprises a significant portion of the long-life, high-grade Oyu Tolgoi copper-gold mining project in . The 2018 Technical Report discusses two development scenarios, an updated reserve case for Lift 1 of the joint venture's Hugo North Extension deposit and a Life-of-Mine Preliminary Economic Assessment (" ") that includes mineralization from Lift 2 and Heruga. Lift 1 underground development highlights (as reported by Turquoise Hill Resources Ltd. (" Turquoise Hill ")) include: The main focus of underground development programs at the Oyu Tolgoi project during 2017 was underground lateral development, sinking of Shafts 2 and 5, support infrastructure and the convey-to-surface system. Sinking of Shaft 5 was completed in March 2018 at a final depth of 1,178 metres. During the fourth quarter of 2017, installation of the shaft exhaust fan commenced and is on target to be finished in early second quarter 2018. Shaft 5 is 6.7 metres in diameter and will be dedicated to ventilation thereby increasing the capacity for underground activities. The sinking of Shaft 2 was completed in January 2018 with fit out expected to occur over 2018. Shaft 2 will be used for access, production and ventilation. During the fourth quarter of 2017 project operator Rio Tinto undertook a schedule and cost review and reported there were no material changes in project scope, cost or schedule. OTLLC continues to plan for first draw bell on its 100% owned Oyu Tolgoi mining licence in mid-2020 and sustainable first production from the Oyu Tolgoi mining licence in 2021. ")) include: Corporate On February 5, 2018 , Mark Bailey was appointed to the role of Non-Executive Chair of the Board. Mr. Bailey succeeded The Rt. Honourable Lord Howard of Lympne, who retired from his position as a director and Non-Executive Chair of the Board. Dr. Michael Price was also appointed to the Board of Directors to fill the vacancy created by Lord Howard's retirement. , was appointed to the role of Non-Executive Chair of the Board. Mr. Bailey succeeded The Rt. Honourable Lord Howard of Lympne, who retired from his position as a director and Non-Executive Chair of the Board. Dr. was also appointed to the Board of Directors to fill the vacancy created by Lord Howard's retirement. Q1 2018 net loss was $0.7 million as compared to Q1 2017 ( $1.3 million ) which was a reduction of 46% from the comparative period of 2017. as compared to Q1 2017 ( ) which was a reduction of 46% from the comparative period of 2017. Q1 2018 operating cash outflow after working capital was $0.2 million (Q1 2017 - $1.2 million ) and as at March 31, 2018 , cash on hand was $6.6 million . OUTLOOK AND STRATEGY Entree/Oyu Tolgoi JV Property With the completion and filing of the 2018 Technical Report, the Company is now focused on: Assessing opportunities to crystallize value ahead of production from the Entree/Oyu Tolgoi JV Property. Streamlining Entree's joint venture interest. Educating the market about the risk profile associated with Entree's interest in the Entree/Oyu Tolgoi JV Property. Working with Entree's joint venture partner to advance any exploration opportunities on the Entree/Oyu Tolgoi JV Property that may exist, including several near surface targets that have been identified. Corporate Throughout 2018, the Company's focus will be to maximize investor awareness of the results of the 2018 Technical Report and what this report means to the Company and all stakeholders, both current and potential. Corporate costs, which include Mongolian site management, marketing and compliance costs, continue to be estimated between $1.2 million and $1.5 million for the full 2018 year. SUMMARY OF FINANCIAL OPERATING RESULTS For the three-months ended March 31, 2018, the Company's net loss from continuing operations was $0.7 million compared to $1.1 million and $1.3 million for the comparative periods of 2017 and 2016, respectively. The reduction from 2016 to 2018 was due to both a reduction in exploration related expenditures and foreign exchange fluctuations primarily related to the USD:CAD exchange rate. Exploration costs were lower in both 2018 and 2017 compared to 2016 due to a reduction in staffing and general administrative costs in Mongolia. General and administration expenditures in 2018 were lower than the same period in 2017 due to one-time strategic reorganization costs in 2017. The expenditures in 2018 were similar to the same period in 2016. The total assets as at March 31, 2018 are substantially lower than the comparative periods due to the completion of the restructuring and resulting roll out of the Company's U.S. assets and $8,843,232 in cash and cash equivalents into Mason Resources Corp. in Q2 2017. The non-current liabilities as at March 31, 2018 is comparable to the balance at March 31, 2017 and at March 31, 2016. The Company's Interim Financial Statements and Management's Discussion and Analysis ("MD&A") are available on the Company website at www.EntreeResourcesLtd.com, on SEDAR at www.sedar.com and on EDGAR at www.sec.gov. QUALIFIED PERSON Robert Cinits, P.Geo., Entree's Vice President, Corporate Development, a Qualified Person as defined by National Instrument 43-101 Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects, has approved the technical information in this release. For further information on the Entree/Oyu Tolgoi JV Property, see the Company's Technical Report, titled "Entree/Oyu Tolgoi Joint Venture Project, Mongolia, NI 43-101 Technical Report", with an effective date of January 15, 2018, available on SEDAR at www.sedar.com. ABOUT ENTREE RESOURCES LTD. Entree Resources Ltd. is a well-funded Canadian mining company with a unique carried joint venture interest on a significant portion of one of the world's largest copper-gold projects the Oyu Tolgoi project in Mongolia. Entree has a 20% carried participating interest in the Entree/Oyu Tolgoi joint venture, with a 30% interest in all mineralization identified above 560 metres elevation on the Entree/Oyu Tolgoi JV Property. Sandstorm Gold Ltd., Rio Tinto and Turquoise Hill are major shareholders of Entree, holding approximately 14%, 10% and 8% of the shares of the Company, respectively. More information about Entree can be found at www.EntreeResourcesLtd.com. This News Release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities laws with respect to corporate strategies and plans; uses of funds; the value and potential value of assets and the ability of Entree to maximize returns to shareholders; construction and continued development of the Oyu Tolgoi underground mine; plans for future exploration and/or development programs and budgets; anticipated business activities; proposed acquisitions and dispositions of assets; and future financial performance. In certain cases, forward-looking statements and information can be identified by the use of words such as "plans", "expects" or "does not expect", "is expected", "budgeted", "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", "will be taken", "occur" or "be achieved". While the Company has based these forward-looking statements on its expectations about future events as at the date that such statements were prepared, the statements are not a guarantee of Entree's future performance and are based on numerous assumptions regarding present and future business strategies, local and global economic conditions, and the environment in which Entree will operate in the future, including the price of copper, gold and silver, anticipated capital and operating costs, anticipated future production and cash flows and the status of Entree's relationship and interaction with the Government of Mongolia, Oyu Tolgoi LLC ("OTLLC"), Rio Tinto and Turquoise Hill on the Entree/Oyu Tolgoi joint venture and the continued development of the Entree/Oyu Tolgoi JV Property. With respect to the construction and continued development of the Oyu Tolgoi underground mine, important risks, uncertainties and factors which could cause actual results to differ materially from future results expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements and information include, amongst others, the timing and cost of the construction and expansion of mining and processing facilities; the timing and availability of a long term domestic power source for the Oyu Tolgoi underground mine (or the availability of financing for OTLLC to construct such a source); the ability of OTLLC to secure and draw down on the supplemental debt under the Oyu Tolgoi project finance facility and the availability of additional financing on terms reasonably acceptable to OTLLC, Turquoise Hill and Rio Tinto to further develop Oyu Tolgoi; delays, and the costs which would result from delays, in the development of the underground mine; projected copper, gold and silver prices and demand; and production estimates and the anticipated yearly production of copper, gold and silver at the Oyu Tolgoi underground mine. The 2018 PEA is based on a conceptual mine plan that includes Inferred resources. Numerous assumptions were made in the preparation of the 2018 PEA, including with respect to mineability, capital and operating costs, production schedules, the timing of construction and expansion of mining and processing facilities, and recoveries, that may change materially once production commences at Hugo North Extension Lift 1 and additional development and capital decisions are required. Any changes to the assumptions underlying the 2018 PEA could cause actual results to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by forward-looking statements and information relating to the 2018 PEA. Other uncertainties and factors which could cause actual results to differ materially from future results expressed or implied by forward-looking statements and information include, amongst others, unanticipated costs, expenses or liabilities; discrepancies between actual and estimated production, mineral reserves and resources and metallurgical recoveries; the size, grade and continuity of deposits not being interpreted correctly from exploration results; the results of preliminary test work not being indicative of the results of future test work; fluctuations in commodity prices and demand; changing foreign exchange rates; actions by Rio Tinto, Turquoise Hill and OTLLC and by government authorities including the Government of Mongolia; the availability of funding on reasonable terms; the impact of changes in interpretation to or changes in enforcement of laws, regulations and government practices, including laws, regulations and government practices with respect to mining, foreign investment, royalties and taxation; the terms and timing of obtaining necessary environmental and other government approvals, consents and permits; the availability and cost of necessary items such as water, skilled labour, transportation and appropriate smelting and refining arrangements; unanticipated reclamation expenses; geotechnical or hydrogeological considerations during mining being different from what was assumed; changes to assumptions as to the availability of electrical power, and the power rates used in operating cost estimates and financial analyses; changes to assumptions as to salvage values; ability to maintain the social licence to operate; and misjudgements in the course of preparing forward-looking statements. In addition, there are also known and unknown risk factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of Entree to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements and information. Such factors include, among others, risks related to international operations, including legal and political risk in Mongolia; risks associated with changes in the attitudes of governments to foreign investment; risks associated with the conduct of joint ventures; global financial conditions; changes in project parameters as plans continue to be refined; inability to upgrade Inferred mineral resources to Indicated or Measured mineral resources; inability to convert mineral resources to mineral reserves; conclusions of economic evaluations; future prices of copper, gold, silver and molybdenum; failure of plant, equipment or processes to operate as anticipated; accidents, labour disputes and other risks of the mining industry; delays in obtaining government approvals, permits or licences or financing or in the completion of development or construction activities; environmental risks; title disputes; limitations on insurance coverage; as well as those factors discussed in the Company's most recently filed MD&A and in the Company's Annual Information Form for the financial year ended December 31, 2017, dated March 8, 2018 filed with the Canadian Securities Administrators and available at www.sedar.com. Although the Company has 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. The Company is under no obligation to update or alter any forward-looking statements except as required under applicable securities laws. Vancouver, British Columbia (FSCwire) - Maxtech Ventures Inc. (CSE: MVT) (Frankfurt: M1N) (OTC: MTEHF), (Maxtech or the Company) through its subsidiary, Maxtech Mining Zambia Limited ( Maxtech Zambia or MMZL), is pleased to announce that it is filing for two large scale exploration licenses in Zambia. Maxtech Zambia is preparing the final documentation and filing of two large scale exploration licenses in the Central Province of Zambia. The two specific license areas have shown the potential for high-grade manganese mineralization with grades up to 70% Mn as well as vanadium from initial research prepared by the Companys Zambian-based geology team, GeoQuest. The exploration licenses have detailed exploration and production outlines up to 4 years covering cobalt, vanadium, nickel and copper mining rights on the areas. Maxtech Zambia will continue to utilize the services of Lusaka-based geological and exploration consultants GeoQuest Limited to conduct exploration activities and manage all MMZL operations on the ground in Zambia. Their work will initially concentrate on the search for and evaluation of commercially viable quantities and grades of manganese ore with a view to applying for mining licenses as quickly as possible if warranted. GeoQuest will also serve as the authorized agent to the Zambia Chamber of Mines (ZCM) for Maxtech Zambia. On April 23, 2018, the Company received final approval for the formation of its subsidiary Maxtech Zambia Mining Limited (Maxtech Zambia) from the Patents & Companies Registration Agency (PACRA) in Zambia. Maxtech Zambia is located in Lusaka and registered as an exploration and quarrying company and has commenced operations. Jonathan Ambali of BDO Zambia Limited as well as Peter Wilson CEO of Maxtech will hold Directorships in the subsidiary. Zambia is a world class mining jurisdiction. Applying for our first wholly owned license areas is in step with creating a larger manganese footprint utilizing our global strategic relationships and potential offtake partners in foreign markets, noted Peter Wilson, CEO of Maxtech. About GeoQuest GeoQuest is a fully independent Geological (Geotechnical), Environmental, GIS and Hydrogeological Consultancy and Contract Services Group based in Southern / Central Africa. The company has offices in Zambia, The Democratic Republic of Congo and Zimbabwe but has also worked in Botswana, Gabon, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Republic of Congo, Rwanda, Uganda and Tanzania. http://www.geoquest.co.zm About Maxtech Ventures Inc. Maxtech Ventures Inc. is a Canadian based diversified industries corporation focused primarily on manganese mineral properties. For additional information see the Companys web site at http://www.maxtech-ventures.com Email to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. Phone: 604-484-8989 Further information about the Company is available on www.SEDAR.com under the Companys profile. Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the Canadian Securities Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. Certain statements contained in this release may constitute forwardlooking statements or forward-looking information (collectively forward-looking information) as those terms are used in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and similar Canadian laws. These statements relate to future events or future performance. The use of any of the words could, intend, expect, believe, will, projected, estimated, anticipates and similar expressions and statements relating to matters that are not historical facts are intended to identify forward-looking information and are based on the Companys current belief or assumptions as to the outcome and timing of such future events. Actual future results may differ materially. In particular, this release contains forward-looking information relating to the business of the Company, the Property, financing and certain corporate changes. The forward-looking information contained in this release is made as of the date hereof and the Company is not obligated to update or revise any forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by applicable securities laws. Because of the risks, uncertainties and assumptions contained herein, investors should not place undue reliance on forward-looking information. The foregoing statements expressly qualify any forward-looking information contained herein. MONTREAL, May 08, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Auxico Resources Canada Inc. (CSE:AUAG) is pleased to announce that it has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the government of the Department of Bolivar to produce gold in this area of Colombia. Under the terms of the MOU, both parties agree to work together to set up gold production operations in Bolivar, which will be managed by Auxico. For its part, the Bolivar government agrees to contribute the following: Property on which the gold production will take place; Physical security of the gold production operations; Help with the permitting process, including specifically any required environmental permits; and Liaison with local miners who will supply ore to the Auxico gold production operations. For its part, Auxico agrees to contribute the following: Environmentally friendly technology that will not rely upon mercury or arsenic for gold production; Financing and construction of gold producing operations in Bolivar; and Management of the export and sale of gold and/or gold concentrates. At present, there are two issues of importance to the Government of Bolivar that Auxico will address in this partnership. First, a lot of the current gold production is unlicensed and outside of any regulatory framework. Auxico does not intend to mine gold in Bolivar. Rather, it intends to form partnerships with local gold miners who will bring their ore to Auxicos facilities to be processed. In this way, the Government of Bolivar, through the operations of Auxico, will set up a legal and regulated framework for gold production in this Department of Colombia. Second, the current unlicensed gold production in Bolivar is often occurring with the use of mercury, which is having a significant negative impact on the environment. By professionalizing the production of gold, and by eliminating the use of mercury in gold production, as outlined in the 2013 United Nations Minamata Convention on Mercury, Auxico will be conducting its operations in an environmentally responsible manner. Auxico and the Government of Bolivar agree to work together in partnership in this regard and to share the profits of Auxicos gold production operations in Bolivar, with 75% of net profits going to Auxico and 25% going to the Government of Bolivar. Both parties agree to negotiate and conclude definitive agreements as quickly as possible. Mark Billings, President of Auxico commented, Auxico is pleased to move forward with the Government of Bolivar to produce gold in this area of Colombia. Our team recently met with the Governor of Bolivar, Dumek Turbay, and other government officials in Cartagena, the capital of the Department of Bolivar. We were pleased with the amount of support this concept has. The board and management of Auxico are eager to work with our colleagues in Bolivar to set up gold operations that will not have a negative impact on the environment and that will provide benefits to our stakeholders. About the Department of Bolivar, Colombia The Department of Bolivar is located in the northwestern part of Colombia and resembles a tongue that extends from the Caribbean Sea in the northeast section, to the jungles of Carare on the dividing line with the Department of Antioquia. The capital of the department is Cartagena, which is the first city in the Americas to be colonized by the Spanish. About Auxico Resources Canada Inc. Auxico Resources Canada Inc. (Auxico) in a Canadian company that was founded in 2014 and based in Montreal. Auxico is engaged in the acquisition, exploration and development of mineral properties in Colombia and Mexico. Vancouver, BC / TheNewswire / May 8, 2018 - Surge Exploration Inc. (the "Company" or "Surge") (TSX-V: SUR, OTCQB:CKVLF) announces that it has entered into an option agreement with LiCo Energy Metals Inc. ("LiCo") dated May 7, 2018 (the Agreement"), whereby the Company may earn an undivided 60% interest in the Glencore Buck Property and the Teledyne Cobalt Property, located in Cobalt, Ontario. The transaction is subject to TSX Venture Exchange (Exchange) approval. Terms of the Option: Purchase Price - The Company will pay LiCo the sum of $240,000 and issue 1,000,000 fully paid and non-assessable common shares in the capital of Surge upon Exchange Approval. In addition, Surge shall incur an aggregate of $1,536,000 in Exploration Expenditures on the Property on or before two years from the date of the Agreement. Joint Venture - Upon the Company having exercised the Option, Surge will have earned an undivided 60% interest in the Property, and the parties will enter into a Commercially Reasonable and Definitive Joint Venture Agreement. Finder's fees will be paid on behalf of the transaction in accordance with Exchange policies. Pursuant to TSXV Policy 5.9 and Multilateral Instrument 61-101 -- Protection of Minority Security Holders in Special Transactions ("MI 61-101"), the Option Agreement constitutes a "related party transaction" due to the fact that one of the directors of the Company is also President and CEO of LiCo. The Company relied on Section 5.5(a) of MI 61-101 for an exemption from the formal valuation requirement and Section 5.7(1)(a) of MI 61-101 for an exemption from the minority shareholder approval requirement of MI 61-101 as the fair market value of the transaction did not exceed 25% of the Company's market capitalization. The disinterested members of the board of directors have unanimously approved the transaction and have determined that the purchase price of the transaction is fair to the Company and its shareholders based on LiCo's previous positive drilling programs on the properties, two unsolicited expressions of interest from arm's length parties, combined with the purchase price that LiCo previously paid to acquire the properties. About the Ontario Cobalt Properties: Glencore Bucke Cobalt Project (Cobalt, Ontario): LiCo Energy Metals Inc. purchased a 100% interest from Glencore Canada Corporation (subsidiary of Glencore plc) in the Glencore Bucke Property, situated in Bucke Township, 6 km east-northeast of Cobalt, Ontario, subject to a back-in provision, production royalty and off-take agreement. Strategically, the Glencore Bucke Property consists of 16.2 hectares and sits along the west boundary of LiCo's Teledyne Cobalt Project. The Property covers the southern extension of the #3 vein that was historically mined on the neighbouring Cobalt Contact Property located to the north of the Glencore Bucke Property. Diamond drilling in 1981 on the Glencore Bucke Property delineated two zones of mineralization measuring 150 m and 70 m in length. During the fall of 2017, LiCo completed 21 diamond drill holes totaling 1,900 m. This drill program, along with the Phase 1 diamond drilling program completed on the Teledyne Cobalt Property, satisfied LiCo's flow-through financing obligations. The exploration program at the Glencore Bucke Property also satisfied our contractual obligations to Glencore plc. whereby LiCo was to incur $250,000 of exploration expenditures on the Property within six months of the approval date (see News Release dated September 5th, 2017). Teledyne Cobalt Project (Cobalt, Ontario): LiCo Energy Metals Inc. has recently exercised its option to earn 100% ownership, subject to a royalty, in the Teledyne Project located near Cobalt. Ontario. The Property adjoins the south and west boundaries of claims that hosted the Agaunico Mine. From 1905 through to 1961, the Agaunico Mine produced a total of 4,350,000 lbs. of cobalt and 980,000 oz. of silver. A significant portion of the cobalt that was produced at the Agaunico Mine located along structures that extended southward onto the Teledyne property. LiCo recently completed a total of 11 diamond drill holes totaling 2,200 m in the fall of 2017. The drilling has confirmed cobalt mineralization present on the Property which is consistent with historical grades as reported historically by Cunningham-Dunlop (1979) and Bressee (1981), disclosed in earlier news releases. These reports are available in the public domain through MNDM's AFRI database. NI 43-101 Reports for both the Teledyne and Glencore Bucke Properties, are publicly available on www.SEDAR.com under LiCo's profile as well as LiCo's website. LiCo's recently completed diamond drilling program (September to December 2017) consisted of both twinning and infill drilling of the historical drill holes located on both the Teledyne Cobalt and Glencore Bucke Properties. Qualified Person The technical content of this news release has been reviewed and approved Joerg Kleinboeck, P.Geo., an independent consulting geologist and a qualified person as defined in NI 43-101. About Surge Exploration Inc. https://surgeexploration.com/ The Company is a Canadian-based mineral exploration company which has been active in the resource sector in British Columbia and elsewhere in Canada. The Company has an exploration office in Santiago, Chile to review mineral exploration opportunities in Chile and elsewhere in South America. Hedge Hog Property, British Columbia The Company has an option to earn an undivided 60% interest seven mineral tenure covering 2,418 hectares (5,972 acres) located approximately 80 km northeast of the town of Quesnel, BC and 20 km north of the historic gold mining towns of Wells and Barkerville. On Behalf of the Board of Directors "Gordon Jung" Gordon Jung CEO Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. This news release may contain forward-looking statements which include, but are not limited to, comments that involve future events and conditions, which are subject to various risks and uncertainties. Except for statements of historical facts, comments that address resource potential, upcoming work programs, geological interpretations, receipt and security of mineral property titles, availability of funds, and others are forward-looking. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and actual results may vary materially from those statements. General business conditions are factors that could cause actual results to vary materially from forward-looking statements. VANCOUVER, British Columbia, May 08, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Turquoise Hill Resources (NYSE:TRQ) (TSX:TRQ) today announced its financial results for the quarter ended March 31, 2018. All figures are in U.S. dollars unless otherwise stated. HIGHLIGHTS Oyu Tolgoi achieved a strong All Injury Frequency Rate of 0.21 per 200,000 hours worked for the three months ended March 31, 2018. Underground development achieved record-level monthly progress during Q118, with 2.6 equivalent kilometres completed during the quarter. In March 2018, the underground team experienced their highest development month to date. Since the restart of development, a total of 10.3 equivalent kilometres of lateral development has been completed. Sinking of Shaft 2 was completed in January 2018 and sinking of Shaft 5 was completed in March 2018. During Q118, underground expansion spend was $270.5 million, resulting in total project spend since January 1, 2016 of approximately $1.4 billion. Production from first draw bell remains planned for mid-2020 and sustainable first production in 2021. During Q118, Oyu Tolgoi produced 38,800 tonnes of copper and 42,000 ounces of gold. Revenue of $245.6 million in Q118 increased 3.4% over Q117 reflecting higher copper and gold prices partly offset by lower concentrate sales volumes. For Q118, the Company recorded income of $79.7 million and net income attributable to owners of Turquoise Hill of $85.7 million or $0.04 per share. Turquoise Hill generated cash flow from operating activities before interest and taxes of $14.7 million in Q118. For Q118, Oyu Tolgois cost of sales was $2.23 per pound of copper sold, C1 cash costs were $1.76 per pound of copper produced and all-in sustaining costs were $2.07 per pound of copper produced 1 . . Operating cash costs1 of $176.6 million in Q118 increased 4.9% over Q117 reflecting higher open pit and concentrator maintenance costs. 1 Please refer to the NON-GAAP MEASURES section of this press release for further information. FINANCIAL RESULTS Income in Q118 was $79.7 million compared with $29.7 million in Q117. The increase mainly reflects the impact of higher copper prices, reduced depreciation and depletion and lower finance costs due to higher amounts of interest capitalized to property, plant and equipment, partially offset by reduced sales volumes. Cash generated from operating activities in Q118 was $19.4 million compared with $86.3 million in Q117. This reduction was primarily driven by significant movements in working capital, partly offset by higher copper prices. Capital expenditure on property, plant and equipment was $285.7 million on a cash basis in Q118 compared to $147.9 million in Q117, attributed principally to underground ($270.5 million) with the remainder related to open-pit capital activities. Turquoise Hills cash and cash equivalents at March 31, 2018 were approximately $1.5 billion. OYU TOLGOI The Oyu Tolgoi mine is approximately 550 kilometres south of Ulaanbaatar, Mongolias capital city, and 80 kilometres north of the Mongolia-China border. Mineralization on the property consists of porphyry-style copper, gold, silver and molybdenum contained in a linear structural trend (the Oyu Tolgoi Trend) of deposits throughout this trend. They include, from south to north, the Heruga Deposit, the Oyut deposit and the Hugo Dummett deposits (Hugo South, Hugo North and Hugo North Extension). The Oyu Tolgoi mine was initially developed as an open-pit operation. The copper concentrator plant, with related facilities and necessary infrastructure, was originally designed to process approximately 100,000 tonnes of ore per day from the Oyut open pit. However, since 2014, the concentrator has improved operating practices and gained experience, which has helped achieve a consistent throughput of over 110,000 tonnes per day. This continued through 2017 with softer ores from the Central zone. Due to increased processing of harder ore from Phase 4, concentrator throughput for 2018 is expected to be approximately 102,000 tonnes per day. In August 2013, development of the underground mine was suspended pending resolution of matters with the Government of Mongolia. Following signing of the Oyu Tolgoi Underground Mine Development and Financing Plan (Underground Plan) in May 2015 and the signing of a $4.4 billion project finance facility in December 2015, Oyu Tolgoi received formal notice to proceed approval by the boards of Turquoise Hill, Rio Tinto and Oyu Tolgoi LLC in May 2016, which was the final requirement for the re-start of underground development. Underground construction recommenced in May 2016. Oyu Tolgoi is expected to be the worlds third-largest copper mine at peak metal production in 2025. Copper and gold production is expected to increase by more than 340% and 150% respectively between 2018 and 2025. Average copper and gold production from 2025 to 2030 is expected to be more than 550,000 tonnes of copper and over 450,000 ounces of gold per year. At the end of Q118, Oyu Tolgoi had a total workforce, including underground project construction, of more than 14,000, of which 94% were Mongolian. Underground development progress The main focus of underground development for 2018 will be underground lateral development, the fit out of Shaft 2, completion and commissioning of Shaft 5, support infrastructure and the convey-to-surface decline. In January 2018, the Company announced the sinking of Shaft 2 was complete. Additionally, earthworks for Shafts 3 and 4 commenced during Q118 and the sinking award package is expected to occur in Q218. The Company continues to expect the first draw bell in mid-2020 and sustainable first production in 2021. During Q417, Rio Tinto undertook a schedule and cost review. Rio Tinto has provided Turquoise Hill with a high-level overview of the reviews outcomes, in which Rio Tinto concluded there were no material changes in project scope, cost or schedule. Oyu Tolgoi spent $270.5 million on underground expansion during Q118. Total underground project spend from January 1, 2016 to March 31, 2018 was approximately $1.4 billion. In addition, Oyu Tolgoi had further capital commitments2 of $1.2 billion as of March 31, 2018. At the end of Q118, the underground project had committed 62% of direct project contracts and procurement packages, of which 71% were to Mongolian companies. Since the restart of project development, Oyu Tolgoi has committed almost $1.6 billion to Mongolian vendors and contractors. 2 Please refer to the NON-GAAP MEASURES section of this press release for further information. Underground lateral development achieved record-level monthly progress during Q118, with 2.6 equivalent kilometres completed during the quarter. The underground team experienced their highest development month to date in March. Since the re-start of development, a total of 10.3 equivalent kilometres of lateral development has been completed. During 2018, underground development is expected to advance approximately 10.0 kilometres. The following table provides a breakdown of the various components of completed lateral development since project restart: Year Total Equivalent Kilometres Lateral Development (kilometres) Mass Excavation (000 metres3) 2016 1.6 1.5 3.0 Q117 1.0 0.8 5.2 Q217 1.4 0.9 9.2 Q317 1.4 1.2 8.3 Q417 2.2 1.9 8.9 2017 6.1 4.8 31.6 Q118 2.6 2.1 11.6 Total 10.3 8.4 46.2 Shaft 2 sinking was completed in January 2018. Structural steel installation commenced during Q118 at the 1,202 metre level and equipping of the shaft is ongoing. Fit out of Shaft 2 is expected to occur throughout 2018. Shaft 2 is a key part of future increases in lateral development activity. Sinking of Shaft 5 was completed in March 2018. During Q118, installation of the shafts three exhaust fans was mechanically complete and commissioning underway. Shaft 5 will be dedicated to ventilation thereby increasing the capacity for underground activities. The following table outlines the status of shafts for underground development as of March 31, 2018. Shaft 1 (early development and ventilation) Shaft 2 (production and ventilation) Shaft 5 (ventilation) Shaft 3 (ventilation) Shaft 4 (ventilation) Total Depth 1,385 metres 1,284 metres 1,178 metres 1,148 metres 1,149 metres Diameter 6.7 metres 10 metres 6.7 metres 10 metres 11 metres Completion 2008 Q118 Q118 Expected 2021 Expected 2021 Remaining Complete Complete Complete Not started Not started During Q118, advancement of the convey-to-surface decline continued to progress. The convey-to-surface system is the eventual route of the full 95,000 tonne per day underground ore delivery system to the concentrator; however, it is not a critical path item for first draw bell planned in mid-2020. Expected completion of the convey-to-surface system is 2022, which will facilitate the ramp up to full production by 2027. Supporting infrastructure continued to progress during Q118. Construction of the new camp was more than 75% complete at the end of Q118, including completion and occupancy of eight buildings. Two additional buildings were approved for occupancy by the state commissioning authorities at the end of the quarter. Safety performance Safety is a major focus throughout Oyu Tolgois operations and the mines management is committed to reducing risk and injury. Oyu Tolgoi achieved a strong All Injury Frequency Rate of 0.21 per 200,000 hours worked for the three months ended March 31, 2018. Q118 open-pit operations performance Key financial metrics for Q118 are as follows: Oyu Tolgoi Key Financial Metrics(1) ($ in millions, unless otherwise noted) 1Q 2017 2Q 2017 3Q 2017 4Q 2017 1Q 2018 Full Year 2017 Revenue 237.5 203.7 246.9 251.7 245.6 939.8 Revenue by metals in concentrates Copper 196.6 173.7 209.2 216.1 202.1 795.6 Gold 37.5 26.6 34.2 32.5 40.3 130.8 Silver 3.4 3.3 3.5 3.2 3.2 13.4 Cost of sales 194.4 188.9 197.8 182.7 168.9 763.8 Production and delivery costs 120.7 117.7 123.4 106.6 114.6 468.4 Depreciation and depletion 78.3 75.0 77.4 73.4 55.6 304.1 Capital expenditure on cash basis 147.9 205.2 234.0 330.4 285.7 917.5 Underground 136.4 184.7 205.6 309.0 270.5 835.7 Open pit(2) 11.5 20.5 28.4 21.4 15.2 81.8 Royalties 14.3 12.5 14.5 15.8 14.9 57.1 Operating cash costs(3) 168.4 163.6 161.9 217.7 176.6 711.6 Unit costs ($) Cost of sales (per pound of copper sold) 2.23 2.30 2.43 2.32 2.23 2.32 C1 (per pound of copper produced)(3) 1.85 1.92 1.83 2.05 1.76 1.92 All-in sustaining (per pound of copper produced)(3) 2.15 2.27 2.76 2.40 2.07 2.39 (1) Any financial information in this press release should be reviewed in conjunction with the Companys consolidated financial statements or condensed interim consolidated financial statements for the reporting periods indicated. (2) Open-pit capital expenditure includes both sustaining and non-underground development activities. (3) Please refer to the NON-GAAP MEASURES section of this press release for further information. Revenue of $245.6 million in Q118 increased 3.4% over Q117 reflecting higher copper and gold prices partly offset by lower concentrate sales volumes. Cost of sales for Q118 was $168.9 million compared to $194.4 million in Q117 reflecting lower volumes of concentrates sold and reduced depreciation and depletion due to certain long-lived assets reaching the end of their depreciable lives. Capital expenditure on a cash basis for Q118 was $285.7 million compared to $147.9 million in Q117, comprising amounts attributed to the underground project and open-pit activities of $270.5 million and $15.2 million respectively. Total operating cash costs3 at Oyu Tolgoi was $176.6 million in Q118 compared to $168.4 million in Q117 mainly due to higher open pit and concentrator maintenance costs. Operating cash costs include the 5% royalty payable to the Government of Mongolia and exclude deferred stripping costs. Cost of sales was $2.23 per pound of copper sold in Q118 consistent with $2.23 per pound of copper sold in Q117. Oyu Tolgois C1 cash costs3 in Q118 were $1.76 per pound of copper produced, a decrease from $1.85 per pound of copper produced in Q117, due primarily to lower realization costs and higher gold sales. All-in sustaining costs3 in Q118 were $2.07 per pound of copper produced, compared with $2.15 per pound of copper produced in Q117, with key drivers being the same as for C1 cash costs per pound of copper produced. 3 Please refer to the NON-GAAP MEASURES section of this press release for further information. Key operational metrics for Q118 are as follows: Oyu Tolgoi Production Data All data represents full production and sales on a 100% basis 1Q 2017 2Q 2017 3Q 2017 4Q 2017 1Q 2018 Full Year 2017 Open pit material mined (000 tonnes) 24,333 25,193 27,466 28,929 23,131 105,921 Ore treated (000 tonnes) 10,087 9,637 10,615 10,838 9,561 41,177 Average mill head grades: Copper (%) 0.51 0.51 0.48 0.53 0.51 0.51 Gold (g/t) 0.15 0.16 0.18 0.20 0.25 0.17 Silver (g/t) 1.30 1.38 1.34 1.54 1.32 1.39 Concentrates produced (000 tonnes) 176.0 171.0 170.0 205.4 177.3 722.5 Average concentrate grade (% Cu) 21.6 21.8 21.7 22.0 21.9 21.8 Production of metals in concentrates: Copper (000 tonnes) 38.1 37.2 36.9 45.3 38.8 157.4 Gold (000 ounces) 25 24 31 35 42 114 Silver (000 ounces) 215 236 239 285 221 974 Concentrates sold (000 tonnes) 190.2 182.0 176.6 175.5 163.1 724.3 Sales of metals in concentrates: Copper (000 tonnes) 39.5 37.3 36.9 35.7 34.3 149.3 Gold (000 ounces) 32 23 29 27 31 111 Silver (000 ounces) 205 222 229 205 206 860 Metal recovery (%) Copper 74.9 74.6 73.5 78.0 79.5 75.4 Gold 48.8 47.7 51.2 50.5 55.0 49.7 Silver 51.8 53.9 52.8 53.0 54.6 52.9 Oyu Tolgois first quarter production was in line with expectations. Material mined decreased 20.0% over Q417 due to winter weather effects in January as well as dig-unit maintenance work during the quarter. Mill throughput decreased 11.8% over Q417 due to the January planned maintenance. Copper production in Q118 decreased 14.3% over Q417 mainly due to lower throughput and slightly lower grades. Gold production increased 20.0% over Q417 due to higher gold grades from Phase 4A and an increase in recovery. Operational outlook Oyu Tolgoi is expected to produce 125,000 to 155,000 tonnes of copper and 240,000 to 280,000 ounces of gold in concentrates for 2018. Open-pit operations are expected to mine in Phase 6 in early 2018 and Phase 4 throughout the year. In addition, stockpiled ore will be processed during 2018. The increased gold production relative to the 2016 technical report is due to splitting Phase 4 into two parts (4A and 4B) and bringing production forward from future years. Oyu Tolgoi tax assessment On January 16, 2018, Turquoise Hill announced that Oyu Tolgoi had received and was evaluating a tax assessment for approximately $155 million from the Mongolian Tax Authority (the MTA) relating to an audit on taxes imposed and paid by Oyu Tolgoi LLC between 2013 and 2015. In January 2018, Oyu Tolgoi paid an amount of approximately $5.0 million to settle unpaid taxes, fines and penalties for accepted items. Following engagement with the MTA, Oyu Tolgoi was advised that the MTA could not resolve Oyu Tolgois objections to the tax assessment. Accordingly, on March 15, 2018, Oyu Tolgoi issued a notice of dispute to the Government of Mongolia under the 2009 Oyu Tolgoi Investment Agreement (Investment Agreement) and on April 13, 2018, Oyu Tolgoi submitted a claim to the Mongolian Administrative Court. Chapter 14 of the Investment Agreement sets out a dispute resolution process. The issuance of a notice of dispute is the first step in the dispute resolution process and includes a 60-working-day negotiation period. If the parties are unable to reach a resolution during the 60-working-day period, the dispute can be referred to international arbitration. Turquoise Hill is of the opinion that Oyu Tolgoi has now paid all taxes and charges required under the Investment Agreement, the Amended and Restated Shareholders Agreement (ARSHA), the Underground Plan and Mongolian law. Force majeure declaration On January 17, 2018, Oyu Tolgoi declared force majeure in connection to customer contracts for concentrate due to protestors using a large number of vehicles to obstruct the main access road within China at the Ganqimaodu Border Zone. The border crossing for goods and supplies remained open. The placement of protestors vehicles prevented any traffic from safely traversing the border, both inbound and outbound. On January 18, 2018, the blockade was lifted and the border reopened and on January 19, 2018, Oyu Tolgoi concentrate convoys recommenced crossing the border. Due to ongoing border congestion, a waiting period was required for border traffic to return to pre-blockade levels. In order to lift force majeure, a period of consistent convoy crossings was required reconfirming a stable concentrate supply chain. Effective March 1, 2018, Oyu Tolgoi lifted force majeure notice to customers. Safe and normal operations, including underground development, were maintained during the force majeure period, and no production impact is expected. Turquoise Hill expects any force majeure-related sales impact to be made up over the next few quarters. Oyu Tolgoi power supply On May 12, 2017, Oyu Tolgoi LLC signed a new power purchase agreement (PPA) with the National Power Transmission Grid (NPTG) of Mongolia. The PPA was executed in connection with the power import arrangement between NPTG and the Inner Mongolia Power International Corporation (IMPIC). The new arrangement took effect on July 4, 2017, subsequent to the expiry of the existing IMPIC agreement, for a term of up to six years, with possibility of early cancellation after the fourth year, if a domestic power plant is commissioned earlier. The extension is essential for Oyu Tolgoi to have secure access to power while it works with the Government of Mongolia on establishing a permanent domestic power source. On February 15, 2018, Oyu Tolgoi received notification that the Government of Mongolia (Government) had cancelled the Power Sector Cooperation Agreement (PSCA), which was signed in August 2014. The Governments cancellation, under Section 1.3 of the PSCA, indicated the Tavan Tolgoi power project was no longer a viable option. As a result of the Governments cancellation, effective February 15, 2018, long-term power for Oyu Tolgoi must be domestically sourced within four years, in accordance with the Investment Agreement. Oyu Tolgoi, Turquoise Hill and Rio Tinto are committed to fulfilling all requirements under the Investment Agreement and are continuing to evaluate all viable power options, including construction of an Oyu Tolgoi based power plant. A final decision on the outcome, cost and financing of a domestic power supply has not been concluded. Funding of Oyu Tolgoi by Turquoise Hill In accordance with the ARSHA dated June 8, 2011, Turquoise Hill has funded Oyu Tolgois cash requirements beyond internally generated cash flows by a combination of equity investment and shareholder debt. For amounts funded by debt, Oyu Tolgoi must repay such amounts, including accrued interest, before it can pay common share dividends. As of March 31, 2018, the aggregate outstanding balance of shareholder loans extended by subsidiaries of the Company to Oyu Tolgoi was $4.1 billion, including accrued interest of $0.4 billion. These loans bear interest at an effective annual rate of LIBOR plus 6.5%. In accordance with the ARSHA, a subsidiary of the Company has funded the common share investments in Oyu Tolgoi on behalf of Erdenes. These funded amounts earn interest at an effective annual rate of LIBOR plus 6.5% and are repayable, by Erdenes to a subsidiary of the Company, via a pledge over Erdenes share of Oyu Tolgoi common share dividends. Erdenes also has the right to reduce the outstanding balance by making cash payments at any time. As of March 31, 2018, the cumulative amount of such funding was $0.9 billion, representing 34% of invested common share equity; unrecognized interest on the funding amounted to $0.4 billion. Anti-Corruption Authority Information Requests Oyu Tolgoi LLC has received information requests from the Mongolian Anti-Corruption Authority (ACA) for information relating to Oyu Tolgoi. Turquoise Hill has inquired as to the status of the investigation and Oyu Tolgoi has confirmed that it is complying with the requests, which Turquoise Hill believes relates to an ACA investigation into possible abuses of power by certain Government of Mongolia officials in relation to the Oyu Tolgoi project. To date, neither Turquoise Hill nor Oyu Tolgoi have received notice from the ACA, or indeed from any regulator, that they are subjects of any investigation involving the Oyu Tolgoi project. The Investment Agreement was authorized by the Mongolian Parliament, concluded after 16 months of negotiations and reviewed by numerous constituencies within the Mongolian Government. Turquoise Hill has been operating in good faith under the terms of the Investment Agreement since 2009, and we believe not only that it is a valid and binding agreement, but that it has proven to be beneficial for all parties. Adherence to the principles of the Investment Agreement has allowed for the development of Oyu Tolgoi in a manner that has given rise to significant long-term benefits to Mongolia. Benefits from Oyu Tolgois open-pit operations and underground development include, but are not limited to, employment, royalties and taxes, local procurement, economic development and sustainability investments. CORPORATE ACTIVITIES Letter to shareholders On March 14, 2018, the Board of Directors of Turquoise Hill Resources issued a letter to shareholders regarding a meeting between members of Turquoise Hills board of directors and representatives of SailingStone Capital Partners (SailingStone). The meeting followed a publicly-filed letter by SailingStone on February 1, 2018 in which it raised corporate governance concerns. NON-GAAP MEASURES The Company presents and refers to the following non-GAAP measures, which are not defined in IFRS. A description and calculation of each measure is given below and may differ from similarly named measures provided by other issuers. These measures are presented in order to provide investors and other stakeholders with additional understanding of performance and operations at Oyu Tolgoi and are not intended to be used in isolation from, or as a replacement for, measures prepared in accordance with IFRS. Operating cash costs The measure of operating cash costs excludes: depreciation and depletion; exploration and evaluation; charges for asset write-down (including write-down of materials and supplies inventory) and includes management services payments to Rio Tinto and management services payments to Turquoise Hill which are eliminated in the consolidated financial statements of the Company. C1 cash costs C1 cash costs is a metric representing the cash cost per unit of extracting and processing the Companys principal metal product, copper, to a condition in which it may be delivered to customers net of gold and silver credits from concentrates sold. It is provided in order to support peer group comparability and to provide investors and other stakeholders with additional information about the underlying cash costs of Oyu Tolgoi and the impact of gold and silver credits on the operations cost structure. C1 cash costs are relevant to understanding the Companys operating profitability and ability to generate cash flow. When calculating costs associated with producing a pound of copper, the Company deducts gold and silver revenue credits as the production cost is reduced as a result of selling these products. All-in sustaining costs All-in sustaining costs (AISC) is an extended cash-based cost metric providing further information on the aggregate cash, capital and overhead outlay per unit and is intended to reflect the costs of producing the Companys principal metal product, copper, in both the short term and over the life-cycle of its operations; as a result, sustaining capital expenditure on a cash basis is included rather than depreciation. As the measure seeks to present a full cost of copper production associated with sustaining current operations, development project capital is not included. AISC allows Turquoise Hill to assess the ability of Oyu Tolgoi to support sustaining capital expenditures for future production from the generation of operating cash flows. A reconciliation of total operating cash costs, C1 cash costs and all-in sustaining costs is provided below. Operating and unit costs (Three Months Ended) (Year Ended) C1 costs (Stated in $000's of dollars) March 31, 2018 December 31, 2017 March 31, 2017 December 31, 2017 Cost of sales 168,869 182,788 194,379 763,798 Cost of sales: $/lb of copper sold 2.23 2.32 2.23 2.32 Depreciation and depletion (55,610 ) (73,491 ) (78,288 ) (304,144 ) Provision against carrying value of copper-gold concentrate 1,366 (2,711 ) 4,655 8,718 Change in inventory 15,386 44,029 (4,168 ) 13,885 Other operating expenses 30,285 50,701 40,657 201,461 Less: - Inventory (write-down) reversal 9,994 11,812 6,154 6,834 - Depreciation (719 ) (804 ) (1,030 ) (3,460 ) Management services payment to Turquoise Hill 7,049 5,348 6,083 24,554 Operating cash costs 176,620 217,672 168,442 711,646 Operating cash costs: $/lb of copper produced 2.06 2.18 2.01 2.05 Adjustments to operating cash costs(1) 17,246 22,966 27,970 100,018 Less: Gold and silver revenues (43,671 ) (35,615 ) (40,937 ) (144,218 ) C1 costs ($'000) 150,195 205,023 155,475 667,446 C1 costs: $/lb of copper produced 1.76 2.05 1.85 1.92 All-in sustaining costs (Stated in $000's of dollars) Corporate administration 4,893 7,746 4,492 21,999 Asset retirement expense 1,695 1,669 1,676 6,583 Royalty expenses 14,913 15,654 14,349 57,082 Ore stockpile and stores reversal (9,994 ) (11,812 ) (6,154 ) (6,834 ) Other expenses (38 ) 274 (627 ) 3,056 Sustaining cash capital including deferred stripping 15,417 21,108 11,675 81,450 All-in sustaining costs ($'000) 177,081 239,662 180,886 830,782 All-in sustaining costs: $/lb of copper produced 2.07 2.40 2.15 2.39 (1) Adjustments to operating cash costs include: treatment, refining and freight differential charges less the 5% Government of Mongolia royalty and other expenses not applicable to the definition of C1 cost. Working capital Consolidated working capital comprises those components of current assets and liabilities which support and result from the Companys ongoing running of its current operations. It is provided in order to give a quantifiable indication of the Companys short-term cash generation ability and business efficiency. As a measure linked to current operations and the sustainability of the business, working capital excludes: non-trade receivables and payables; financing items; cash and cash equivalents; deferred revenue and non-current inventory. A reconciliation of consolidated working capital to the financial statements and notes is provided below. Working capital March 31, December 31, (Stated in $000's of dollars) 2018 2017 Inventories (current) $ 301,679 $ 274,142 Trade and other receivables 35,114 29,089 Trade and other payables: - trade payables and accrued liabilities (362,834 ) (360,697 ) - payable to related parties (46,464 ) (52,308 ) Consolidated working capital $ (72,505 ) $ (109,774 ) Contractual obligations Section 9 of the Companys MD&A discloses contractual obligations in relation to the Companys lease, purchase and asset retirement obligations. Amounts relating to these obligations are calculated on the basis of the Company carrying out its future business activities and operations as planned at the period end. As such, contractual obligations presented in the MD&A will differ from amounts presented in the financial statements, which are prepared on the basis of minimum uncancellable commitments to pay in the event of contract termination. The MD&A presentation of contractual obligations is provided in order to give an indication of future expenditure, for the disclosed categories, arising from the Companys continuing operations and development projects. A reconciliation of contractual obligations at March 31, 2018 to the financial statements and notes is provided below. (Stated in $000's of dollars) Purchase obligations Power commitments Operating leases Finance leases Decommissioning obligations Commitments (MD&A) $ 1,239,152 $ 613,515 $ 46,932 $ 12,405 $ 268,010 Cancellable obligations (1,003,445 ) (174,210 ) - - - (net of exit costs) Accrued capital expenditure (185,764 ) - - - - Discounting and other adjustments - - - - (141,101 ) Financial statement amount $ 49,943 $ 439,305 $ 46,932 $ 12,405 $ 126,909 QUALIFIED PERSON Disclosure of a scientific or technical nature in this MD&A in respect of the Oyu Tolgoi mine was prepared under the supervision of Bernard Peters, Technical Director Mining, OreWin Pty Ltd., B. Eng. (Mining), FAusIMM (201743), and Sharron Sylvester, Technical Director Geology, OreWin Pty Ltd., BSc (Geol.), RPGeo AIG (10125). Each of these individuals is a qualified person as that term is defined in National Instrument Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects (NI 43-101). SELECTED QUARTERLY DATA ($ in millions, except per share information) Quarter Ended Mar-31 Dec-31 Sep-30 Jun-30 2018 2017 2017 2017 Revenue $ 245.6 $ 251.7 $ 246.9 $ 203.7 Income (loss) for the period $ 79.7 $ 33.9 $ 47.7 $ (0.4 ) Income attributable to owners of Turquoise Hill $ 85.7 $ 51.1 $ 65.3 $ 23.8 Basic and diluted income per share attributable to owners of Turquoise Hill $ 0.04 $ 0.03 $ 0.03 $ 0.01 Quarter Ended Mar-31 Dec-31 Sep-30 Jun-30 2017 2016 2016 2016 Revenue $ 237.5 $ 224.6 $ 226.3 $ 329.7 Income (loss) for the period $ 29.7 $ 86.8 $ (77.8 ) $ (24.0 ) Income (loss) attributable to owners of Turquoise Hill $ 41.0 $ 93.3 $ (31.4 ) $ 29.8 Basic and diluted income (loss) per share attributable to owners of Turquoise Hill $ 0.02 $ 0.05 $ (0.02 ) $ 0.01 KEY STATISTICS1 1Q 2017 2Q 2017 3Q 2017 4Q 2017 1Q 2018 Full Year 2017 Operating results Open pit material mined (000 tonnes) 24,333 25,193 27,466 28,929 23,131 105,921 Ore treated (000 tonnes) 10,087 9,637 10,615 10,838 9,561 41,177 Average mill head grades: Copper (%) 0.51 0.51 0.48 0.53 0.51 0.51 Gold (g/t) 0.15 0.16 0.18 0.20 0.25 0.17 Silver (g/t) 1.30 1.38 1.34 1.54 1.32 1.39 Concentrates produced (000 tonnes) 176.0 171.0 170.0 205.4 177.3 722.5 Average concentrate grade (% Cu) 21.6 21.8 21.7 22.0 21.9 21.8 Production of metals in concentrates: Copper (000 tonnes) 38.1 37.2 36.9 45.3 38.8 157.4 Gold (000 ounces) 25 24 31 35 42 114 Silver (000 ounces) 215 236 239 285 221 974 Concentrates sold (000 tonnes) 190.2 182.0 176.6 175.5 163.1 724.3 Sales of metals in concentrates: Copper (000 tonnes) 39.5 37.3 36.9 35.7 34.3 149.3 Gold (000 ounces) 32 23 29 27 31 111 Silver (000 ounces) 205 222 229 205 206 860 Metal recovery (%) Copper 74.9 74.6 73.5 78.0 79.5 75.4 Gold 48.8 47.7 51.2 50.5 55.0 49.7 Silver 51.8 53.9 52.8 53.0 54.6 52.9 Financial results ($ in millions, unless otherwise noted) Revenue 237.5 203.7 246.9 251.7 245.6 939.8 Revenue by metals in concentrates Copper 196.6 173.7 209.2 216.1 202.1 795.6 Gold 37.5 26.6 34.2 32.5 40.3 130.8 Silver 3.4 3.3 3.5 3.2 3.2 13.4 Operating cash flow 88.5 51.5 94.7 91.1 14.7 325.8 Cost of sales 194.4 188.9 197.8 182.7 168.9 763.8 Production and delivery costs 120.7 117.7 123.4 106.6 114.6 468.4 Depreciation and depletion 78.3 75.0 77.4 73.4 55.6 304.1 Capital expenditure on cash basis 147.9 205.2 234.0 330.4 285.7 917.5 Underground 136.4 184.7 205.6 309.0 270.5 835.7 Open pit (2) 11.5 20.5 28.4 21.4 15.2 81.8 Royalties 14.3 12.5 14.5 15.8 14.9 57.1 Operating cash costs(3) 168.4 163.6 161.9 217.7 176.6 711.6 Unit costs ($) Cost of sales (per pound of copper sold) 2.23 2.30 2.43 2.32 2.23 2.32 C1 (per pound of copper produced) (3) 1.85 1.92 1.83 2.05 1.76 1.92 All-in sustaining (per pound of copper produced) (3) 2.15 2.27 2.76 2.40 2.07 2.39 Financial position Cash and cash equivalents ($000,000) 1,386.3 1,378.5 1,485.5 1,444.8 1,498.4 1,444.8 (1) Any financial information in this press release should be reviewed in conjunction with the Companys consolidated financial statements or condensed interim consolidated financial statements for the reporting periods indicated. (2) Open-pit capital expenditure includes both sustaining and non-underground development activities. (3) Please refer to the NON-GAAP MEASURES section of this press release for further information. TURQUOISE HILL RESOURCES LTD. Consolidated Statements of Income (Stated in thousands of U.S. dollars) (Unaudited) Three Months Ended March 31, Note 2018 2017 Revenue 4 $ 245,592 $ 237,466 Cost of sales 5 (168,869 ) (194,379 ) Gross margin 76,723 43,087 Operating expenses 6 (30,285 ) (40,657 ) Corporate administration expenses (4,893 ) (4,492 ) Other expenses (2,678 ) (737 ) Income (loss) before finance items and taxes 38,867 (2,799 ) Finance items Finance income 7 38,895 37,906 Finance costs 7 (23,986 ) (43,808 ) 14,909 (5,902 ) Income (loss) from operations before taxes $ 53,776 $ (8,701 ) Income and other taxes 25,928 38,417 Income for the period $ 79,704 $ 29,716 Attributable to owners of Turquoise Hill Resources Ltd. 85,692 40,968 Attributable to owner of non-controlling interest (5,988 ) (11,252 ) Income for the period $ 79,704 $ 29,716 Basic and diluted earnings per share attributable to Turquoise Hill Resources Ltd. 18 $ 0.04 $ 0.02 Basic weighted average number of shares outstanding (000's) 2,012,314 2,012,314 The notes to these financial statements, which are available on our website, are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements. TURQUOISE HILL RESOURCES LTD. Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Stated in thousands of U.S. dollars) (Unaudited) Three Months Ended March 31, 2018 2017 Income for the period $ 79,704 $ 29,716 Other comprehensive income (loss): Items that will not be reclassified to income: Changes in the fair value of marketable securities at FVOCI (3,200 ) 2,674 Items that have been reclassified to income: Gain on revaluation of marketable securities transferred to the statement of income - (39 ) Other comprehensive income (loss) for the period (a) $ (3,200 ) $ 2,635 Total comprehensive income for the period $ 76,504 $ 32,351 Attributable to owners of Turquoise Hill 82,492 43,603 Attributable to owner of non-controlling interest (5,988 ) (11,252 ) Total comprehensive income for the period $ 76,504 $ 32,351 (a) No tax charges and credits arose on items recognized as other comprehensive income or loss in 2018 (2017: nil). The notes to these financial statements, which are available on our website, are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements. TURQUOISE HILL RESOURCES LTD. Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Stated in thousands of U.S. dollars) (Unaudited) Three Months Ended March 31, Note 2018 2017 Cash generated from operating activities before interest and tax 17 $ 14,680 $ 88,480 Interest received 19,019 12,338 Interest paid (12,221 ) (12,644 ) Income and other taxes paid (2,068 ) (1,886 ) Net cash generated from operating activities 19,410 86,288 Cash flows from investing activities Receivable from related party: amounts withdrawn 19 320,000 30,000 Expenditures on property, plant and equipment (285,716 ) (147,876 ) Proceeds from sale and redemption of financial assets - 63 Cash generated from (used in) investing activities $ 34,284 $ (117,813 ) Cash flows from financing activities Cash generated from financing activities $ - $ - Effects of exchange rates on cash and cash equivalents (44 ) 56 Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents $ 53,650 $ (31,469 ) Cash and cash equivalents - beginning of period $ 1,444,783 $ 1,417,754 Cash and cash equivalents - end of period 1,498,433 1,386,285 Cash and cash equivalents as presented on the balance sheets $ 1,498,433 $ 1,386,285 The notes to these financial statements, which are available on our website, are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements. TURQUOISE HILL RESOURCES LTD. Consolidated Balance Sheets (Stated in thousands of U.S. dollars) (Unaudited) March 31, December 31, Note 2018 2017 Current assets Cash and cash equivalents 8 $ 1,498,433 $ 1,444,783 Inventories 9 301,679 274,142 Trade and other receivables 35,114 29,089 Prepaid expenses and other assets 58,137 49,552 Receivable from related party 10 1,099,633 1,367,586 2,992,996 3,165,152 Non-current assets Property, plant and equipment 11 7,661,759 7,346,972 Inventories 9 40,640 43,379 Deferred income tax assets 14 506,142 473,742 Receivable from related party and other financial assets 10 1,748,915 1,804,074 9,957,456 9,668,167 Total assets $ 12,950,452 $ 12,833,319 Current liabilities Trade and other payables 12 $ 474,008 $ 435,869 Deferred revenue 60,231 67,598 534,239 503,467 Non-current liabilities Borrowings and other financial liabilities 13 4,162,871 4,159,119 Deferred income tax liabilities 14 30,613 25,788 Decommissioning obligations 15 126,909 125,721 4,320,393 4,310,628 Total liabilities $ 4,854,632 $ 4,814,095 Equity Share capital $ 11,432,122 $ 11,432,122 Contributed surplus 1,558,194 1,558,102 Accumulated other comprehensive income 519 3,719 Deficit (3,995,816 ) (4,081,508 ) Equity attributable to owners of Turquoise Hill 8,995,019 8,912,435 Attributable to non-controlling interest 16 (899,199 ) (893,211 ) Total equity $ 8,095,820 $ 8,019,224 Total liabilities and equity $ 12,950,452 $ 12,833,319 Commitments and contingencies (Note 20) The notes to these financial statements, which are available on our website, are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements. TURQUOISE HILL RESOURCES LTD. Consolidated Statements of Equity (Stated in thousands of U.S. dollars) (Unaudited) Three Months Ended March 31, 2018 Attributable to owners of Turquoise Hill Accumulated other Non-controlling Contributed comprehensive Interest Share capital surplus income (loss) Deficit Total (Note 16) Total equity Opening balance $ 11,432,122 $ 1,558,102 $ 3,719 $ (4,081,508 ) $ 8,912,435 $ (893,211 ) $ 8,019,224 Income for the period - - - 85,692 85,692 (5,988 ) 79,704 Other comprehensive loss for the period - - (3,200 ) - (3,200 ) - (3,200 ) Employee share plans - 92 - - 92 - 92 Closing balance $ 11,432,122 $ 1,558,194 $ 519 $ (3,995,816 ) $ 8,995,019 $ (899,199 ) $ 8,095,820 Three Months Ended March 31, 2017 Attributable to owners of Turquoise Hill Accumulated other Non-controlling Contributed comprehensive Interest Share capital surplus income (loss) Deficit Total (Note 16) Total equity Opening balance $ 11,432,122 $ 1,557,913 $ (402 ) $ (4,262,755 ) $ 8,726,878 $ (822,892 ) $ 7,903,986 Income for the period - - - 40,968 40,968 (11,252 ) 29,716 Other comprehensive income for the period - - 2,635 - 2,635 - 2,635 Employee share plans - 100 - - 100 - 100 Closing balance $ 11,432,122 $ 1,558,013 $ 2,233 $ (4,221,787 ) $ 8,770,581 $ (834,144 ) $ 7,936,437 The notes to these financial statements, which are available on our website, are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements. Contact Investors and Media Tony Shaffer + 604 648 3934 This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. Follow us on Twitter @TurquoiseHillRe Forward-looking statements Certain statements made herein, including statements relating to matters that are not historical facts and statements of the Companys beliefs, intentions and expectations about developments, results and events which will or may occur in the future, constitute forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation and forward-looking statements within the meaning of the safe harbor provisions of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements and information relate to future events or future performance, reflect current expectations or beliefs regarding future events and are typically identified by words such as anticipate, could, should, expect, seek, may, intend, likely, plan, estimate, will, believe and similar expressions suggesting future outcomes or statements regarding an outlook. These include, but are not limited to, statements about anticipated business activities, planned expenditures, corporate strategies, and other statements that are not historical facts. Forward-looking statements and information are made based upon certain assumptions and other important factors that, if untrue, could cause the actual results, performance or achievements of the Company to be materially different from future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such statements or information. There can be no assurance that such statements or information will prove to be accurate. Such statements and information are based on numerous assumptions regarding present and future business strategies, local and global economic conditions, and the environment in which the Company will operate in the future, including the price of copper, gold and silver, anticipated capital and operating costs, anticipated future production and cash flows, and the status of the Companys relationship and interaction with the Government of Mongolia on the continued development of Oyu Tolgoi and Oyu Tolgoi LLC internal governance. Certain important factors that could cause actual results, performance or achievements to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements and information include, among others, copper; gold and silver price volatility; discrepancies between actual and estimated production, mineral reserves and resources and metallurgical recoveries; development plans for processing resources; matters relating to proposed exploration or expansion; mining operational and development risks; litigation risks; regulatory restrictions (including environmental regulatory restrictions and liability); Oyu Tolgoi LLCs ability to deliver a domestic power source for the Oyu Tolgoi project within the required contractual time frame; communications with local stakeholders and community relations; activities, actions or assessments, including tax assessments, by governmental authorities; events or circumstances (including strikes, blockages or similar events outside of the Companys control) that may affect the Companys ability to deliver its products in a timely manner; currency fluctuations; the speculative nature of mineral exploration; the global economic climate; dilution; share price volatility; competition; loss of key employees; cyber security incidents; additional funding requirements, including in respect of the development or construction of a long-term domestic power supply for the Oyu Tolgoi project; capital and operating costs, including with respect to the development of additional deposits and processing facilities; and defective title to mineral claims or property. Although the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual actions, events or results to differ materially from those described in forward-looking statements and information, there may be other factors that cause actions, events or results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. All such forward-looking statements and information are based on certain assumptions and analyses made by the Companys management in light of their experience and perception of historical trends, current conditions and expected future developments, as well as other factors management believes are appropriate in the circumstances. These statements, however, are 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 statements or information. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking information or statements. By their nature, forward-looking statements involve numerous assumptions, inherent risks and uncertainties, both general and specific, which contribute to the possibility that the predicted outcomes will not occur. Events or circumstances could cause the Companys actual results to differ materially from those estimated or projected and expressed in, or implied by, these forward-looking statements. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ from these forward-looking statements are included in the Risk Factors section in the Companys Annual Information Form dated as of March 15, 2018 in respect of the year ended December 31, 2017 (the AIF). Readers are further cautioned that the list of factors enumerated in the Risk Factors section of the AIF that may affect future results is not exhaustive. When relying on the Companys forward-looking statements and information to make decisions with respect to the Company, investors and others should carefully consider the foregoing factors and other uncertainties and potential events. RC drilling underway at the new Jasperoid Wash deposit VANCOUVER, British Columbia, May 08, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Gold Standard Ventures Corp. (TSX:GSV) (NYSE AMERICAN:GSV) (Gold Standard or the Company) today reported on the status of the 2018 infill drilling program at the Pinion oxide gold deposit on its 100%-owned/controlled Railroad-Pinion Project in Nevadas Carlin Trend. To date, two reverse-circulation (RC) and two core rigs have completed 11,402m of infill and geotechnical drilling in 111 holes at Pinion (refer to Pinion plan map at the following link Click Here). Results from another 35 Pinion holes are summarized below. Key Highlights from Pinion: On the southwest side of Pinion, PR18-52 intersected 22.9m of 1.17 g Au/t, including 12.2m of 1.73 g Au/t ; PR18-29 intersected 32.0m of 0.68 g Au/t, including 10.7m of 1.38 g Au/t ; and PR18-42 intersected 22.9m of 0.53 g Au/t. These intercepts are near-surface, higher-grade than predicted by the resource model, and are outside of the west highwall of the resource pit. Collectively, these drill intercepts suggest near-surface, oxide resource expansion potential exists to the southwest of the deposit. ; PR18-29 intersected 32.0m of 0.68 g Au/t, ; and PR18-42 intersected 22.9m of 0.53 g Au/t. These intercepts are near-surface, higher-grade than predicted by the resource model, and are outside of the west highwall of the resource pit. Collectively, these drill intercepts suggest near-surface, oxide resource expansion potential exists to the southwest of the deposit. Also, on the southwest side of Pinion, PR18-47 intersected 12.2m of 1.62 g Au/t, including 6.1m of 2.74 g Au/t ; PR18-60 intersected 18.3m of 1.20 g Au/t, including 6.1m of 2.62 g Au/t ; PR18-27 intersected 10.7m of 2.96 g Au/t; PR18-22 intersected 16.8m of 1.35 g Au/t; and PR18-48 intersected 15.2m of 0.91 g Au/t, including 4.6m of 1.95 g Au/t . These intercepts are near-surface, higher-grade than predicted by the resource model, and have higher AuCN ratios (73-87%) than currently modeled. AuCN ratios are a first-pass estimate of the potential gold recovery and ratios >70% are indicative of an oxide deposit. ; PR18-60 intersected 18.3m of 1.20 g Au/t, ; PR18-27 intersected 10.7m of 2.96 g Au/t; PR18-22 intersected 16.8m of 1.35 g Au/t; and PR18-48 intersected 15.2m of 0.91 g Au/t, . These intercepts are near-surface, higher-grade than predicted by the resource model, and have higher AuCN ratios (73-87%) than currently modeled. AuCN ratios are a first-pass estimate of the potential gold recovery and ratios >70% are indicative of an oxide deposit. Along strike to the southeast of the Main Zone, PR18-26 intersected 77.7m of 0.77 g Au/t, including 19.8m of 1.49 g Au/t . The intercept is thicker and higher-grade than predicted by the resource block model. . The intercept is thicker and higher-grade than predicted by the resource block model. Along strike to the northwest of the Main Zone, PR18-45 returned 50.3m of 0.60 g Au/t, including 18.3m of 1.10 g Au/t. Mineralization begins at the topographic surface, and is thicker and higher-grade than predicted by the resource block model. Jonathan Awde, CEO and Director of Gold Standard commented: This years very ambitious drill program remains on time and within budget thanks to good planning and execution by our team. At every step of the way, we see confirmation of the size and strength of the mineralizing system on our claims in south Carlin. The results from infill drilling are more than meeting expectations but we believe the best upside surprises are likely to come from the exploration drilling which is now getting underway. This years US$25.8 million program includes an estimated 74,800m of RC and core drilling in 381 holes (see February 26, 2018 news release). Of this amount, Dark Star and Pinion infill drilling is expected to account for approximately 40,800m in 296 holes while exploration should add another 34,000m of drilling in 85 holes. The current status of this work is as follows: A 25 to 30-hole Phase 1 exploration program is underway at Jasperoid Wash where a new oxide gold deposit was discovered in 2017. Drilling this year with two RC rigs will reduce spacings and provide the requisite data for a maiden resource estimate by the end of 2018. Drilling will follow-up last years results of 103.7m of 0.56 g including 30.5m of 0.93 g Au/t in JW17-01 (see October 5, 2017 news release); 54.9 m of 0.89 g Au/t including 12.2m of 1.66 g Au/t in JW17-04, 30.5m of 0.73 g Au/t in JW17-08 and 77.7m of 0.48 g Au/t in JW17-10 (see January 11, 2018 news release). in JW17-01 (see October 5, 2017 news release); 54.9 m of 0.89 g Au/t including in JW17-04, 30.5m of 0.73 g Au/t in JW17-08 and 77.7m of 0.48 g Au/t in JW17-10 (see January 11, 2018 news release). 139 infill and development drill holes, totaling 15,736m, have been completed at the Dark Star and Pinion oxide gold deposits. With this news release, results have now been reported for 81 of the 139 holes that have been completed. Approximately 157 drill holes remain as part of the Dark Star and Pinion development program. Infill drilling will resume at Dark Star in mid-May. Geotechnical characterization studies are underway at Pinion and Dark Star to determine the pit slope angle appropriate for the project. Also on the exploration front, 19.4 line-km of CSAMT have been completed at the new Ski Track target, which is along the northwestern extension of the Jasperoid Wash structural corridor. CSAMT is a geophysical tool that has proved to be very useful in locating drill targets at Railroad-Pinion. Three RC scout holes, totaling 1,358m, have been completed on new exploration targets west of Dixie, for which assays results are awaited. Pinion drill results are as follows: Drill Hole Method Azimuth Incl. TD (m) Intercept (m) Thickness (m) Grade (g Au/t) PR18-17 RC 90 -78 135.6 89.9-134.1 44.2 0.44 PR18-18 RC 90 -78 170.7 88.4-129.6 41.2 0.43 137.2-141.8 4.6 0.34 PR18-19 RC -90 85.3 50.3-64.0 13.7 0.65 Including 54.9-59.5 4.6 1.60 PR18-20 RC 90 -79 157.0 18.3-19.8 1.5 0.32 108.2-131.1 22.9 0.52 141.8-143.3 1.5 0.20 PR18-22 RC -90 59.4 0-16.8 16.8 1.35 29.0-36.6 7.6 0.32 PR18-26 RC 90 -75 146.3 68.6-146.3 77.7 0.77 Including 111.3-131.1 19.8 1.49 PR18-27 RC -90 61.0 24.4-35.1 10.7 2.96 45.7-60.9 15.2 0.26 PR18-29 RC -90 89.9 57.9-89.9 32.0 0.68 Including 59.4-70.1 10.7 1.38 PR18-31 RC -90 36.6 Assays pending PR18-32 RC -90 79.2 Assays pending PR18-33 RC -90 73.2 Assays pending PR18-34 RC 270 -81 79.2 Assays pending PR18-35 RC -90 54.9 Assays pending PR18-36 RC -90 39.6 Assays pending PR18-37 RC -90 48.8 Assays pending PR18-38 RC -90 67.1 Assays pending PR18-39 RC -90 42.7 Assays pending PR18-40 RC 90 -71 114.3 61.0-96.0 35.0 0.56 99.1-100.6 1.5 0.26 PR18-41 RC -90 76.2 54.9-65.6 10.7 0.87 PR18-42 RC -90 96.0 68.6-91.5 22.9 0.53 PR18-43 RC -90 45.7 22.8-28.9 6.1 0.31 PR18-44 RC -90 30.5 0-10.7 10.7 0.28 PR18-45 RC -90 65.5 0-50.3 50.3 0.60 Including 1.5-19.8 18.3 1.10 PR18-46 RC 90 -86 230.1 123.5-125.0 1.5 0.38 PR18-47 RC -90 54.9 22.9-35.1 12.2 1.62 Including 22.9-29.0 6.1 2.74 41.2-42.7 1.5 0.30 PR18-48 RC -90 45.7 10.7-25.9 15.2 0.91 Including 13.7-18.3 4.6 1.95 PR18-49 RC 90 -85 190.5 128.0-160.0 32.0 0.54 Including 134.1-138.7 4.6 1.33 PR18-50 RC 90 -83 210.3 91.4-170.7 79.3 0.60 Including 128.0-138.7 10.7 1.76 PR18-51 RC -90 103.6 68.6-73.2 4.6 0.29 89.9-103.6 13.7 0.21 PR18-52 RC -90 79.2 0-3.1 3.1 0.28 Including 56.4-79.3 22.9 1.17 57.9-70.1 12.2 1.73 PR18-53 RC -90 85.3 0-3.1 3.1 0.92 61.0-73.2 12.2 0.43 PR18-54 RC -90 57.9 19.8-27.4 7.6 0.67 PR18-55 RC -90 85.3 50.3-57.9 7.6 0.81 PR18-56 RC -90 71.6 38.1-56.4 18.3 0.38 60.9-64.0 3.1 0.37 PR18-57 RC -90 61.0 0-4.6 4.6 0.33 24.4-32.0 7.6 0.62 PR18-58 RC 90 -62 65.5 56.4-65.5 9.1 0.82 PR18-59 RC 90 -62 91.4 53.4-62.5 9.1 0.45 71.6-73.1 1.5 0.41 77.7-88.4 10.7 0.24 PR18-60 RC -90 39.6 1.5-19.8 18.3 1.20 Including 4.6-10.7 6.1 2.62 PR18-61 RC -90 73.2 0-10.7 10.7 1.08 15.2-28.9 13.7 0.27 PR18-62 RC -90 76.2 67.0-70.1 3.1 0.29 PR18-63 RC -90 79.2 1.5-33.5 32.0 0.44 PR18-64 RC -90 51.8 3.1-15.2 12.1 0.27 PR18-65 RC -90 53.3 50.3-53.4 3.1 0.22 PR18-66 RC -90 30.5 4.6-30.5 25.9 0.35 Gold intervals reported in this table were calculated using a 0.14 g Au/t cutoff. Weighted averaging has been used to calculate all reported intervals. True widths are estimated at 70-90% of drilled thicknesses. Don Harris, Gold Standards Senior Development Geologist stated: The Pinion project has been explored for the past 35 years by a number of companies. The 2018 Gold Standard program is the first concentrated effort to bring the deposit forward to a production decision. This years drill program along with ongoing metallurgy and engineering studies will provide the necessary data for gold recovery, processing options, and operating costs in the PEA now in progress. Additionally, drilling results indicate the opportunity to grow the potentially minable portion of the deposit to the west, and that a higher grade (> 1gpt Au) core to the deposit has better lateral continuity then currently modeled. These, combined with the higher gold ratios in key areas could enhance the project economics. Sampling Methodology, Chain of Custody, Quality Control and Quality Assurance All sampling was conducted under the supervision of the Companys project geologists and the chain of custody from the project to the sample preparation facility was continuously monitored. A blank, certified reference material, or rig duplicate was inserted approximately every tenth sample. The samples were delivered to Bureau Veritas Mineral Laboratories preparation facility in Elko, NV or American Assay Laboratories Inc. in Sparks, NV where they were crushed and pulverized. Resulting sample pulps were shipped to Bureau Veritas certified laboratory in Sparks, NV or Vancouver, BC, or remained with American Assay Laboratories Inc. in Sparks, NV. Pulps were digested and analyzed for gold using fire assay fusion and an atomic absorption spectroscopy (AAS) finish on a 30-gram split. Over limit gold assays were determined using a fire assay fusion with a gravimetric finish on a 30-gram split. All other elements were determined by ICP analysis. Data verification of the analytical results included a statistical analysis of the standards and blanks that must pass certain parameters for acceptance to insure accurate and verifiable results. Final drill collar locations are surveyed by differential GPS by Apex Surveying, LLC of Spring Creek, Nevada. The scientific and technical content contained in this news release have been reviewed, verified and approved by Steven R. Koehler, Gold Standards Manager of Projects, BSc. Geology and CPG-10216, a Qualified Person as defined by NI 43-101, Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects. ABOUT GOLD STANDARD VENTURES Gold Standard is an advanced stage gold exploration company focused on district scale discoveries on its Railroad-Pinion Project, located within the prolific Carlin Trend. The 2014 Pinion and Dark Star gold deposit acquisitions offer Gold Standard a potential near-term development option and further consolidates the Companys premier land package on the Carlin Trend. The Pinion deposit has a resource estimate prepared in accordance with NI 43-101 consisting of an Indicated Mineral Resource of 31.61 million tonnes grading 0.62 g/t Au, totaling 630,300 ounces of gold and an Inferred Resource of 61.08 million tonnes grading 0.55 g/t Au, totaling 1,081,300 ounces of gold, using a cut-off grade of 0.14 g/t Au. The Dark Star deposit, 2.1 km to the east of Pinion, has a resource estimate prepared in accordance with NI 43-101 consisting of an Indicated Mineral Resource of 15.38 million tonnes grading 0.54 g/t Au, totaling 265,100 ounces of gold and an Inferred Resource of 17.05 million tonnes grading 1.31 g/t Au, totaling 715,800 ounces of gold, using a cut-off grade of 0.2 g Au/t. The North Bullion deposit, 7 km to the north of Pinion, has a resource estimate prepared in accordance with NI 43-101 consisting of an Indicated Mineral Resource of 2.92 million tonnes grading 0.96 g/t Au, totaling 90,100 ounces of gold and an Inferred Resource of 10.97 million tonnes grading 2.28 g/t Au, totaling 805,800 ounces of gold, using a cut-off grade of 0.14 g Au/t for near surface oxide and 1.25 to 2.25 g Au/t for near surface sulfide and underground sulfide respectively. Neither the TSX nor its regulation services provider nor the NYSE AMERICAN Exchange accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this news release. CAUTIONARY NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS This news release contains forward-looking statements, which relate to future events or future performance and reflect managements current expectations and assumptions. Such forward-looking statements reflect managements current beliefs and are based on assumptions made by and information currently available to the Company. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, included herein including, without limitation, statements about our potential near term development option are forward looking statements. 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. Risk factors affecting the Company include, among others: the results from our exploration programs, global financial conditions and volatility of capital markets, uncertainty regarding the availability of additional capital, fluctuations in commodity prices; title matters; and the additional risks identified in our filings with Canadian securities regulators on SEDAR in Canada (available at www.sedar.com) and with the SEC on EDGAR (available at www.sec.gov/edgar.shtml). These forward-looking statements are made as of the date hereof and, except as required under applicable securities legislation, the Company does not assume any obligation to update or revise them to reflect new events or circumstances. CAUTIONARY NOTE FOR U.S. INVESTORS REGARDING RESERVE AND RESOURCE ESTIMATES All resource estimates reported by the Company were calculated in accordance with the Canadian National Instrument 43-101 and the Canadian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy Classification system. These standards differ significantly from the requirements of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission for descriptions of mineral properties in SEC Industry Guide 7 under Regulation S-K of the U. S. Securities Act of 1933. In particular, under U. S. standards, mineral resources may not be classified as a reserve unless the determination has been made that mineralization could be economically and legally produced or extracted at the time the reserve determination is made. Accordingly, information in this press release containing descriptions of the Companys mineral properties may not be comparable to similar information made public by US public reporting companies. On behalf of the Board of Directors of Gold Standard, Jonathan Awde Jonathan Awde, President and Director FOR FURTHER INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT: Jonathan Awde President Tel: 604-669-5702 Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. Website: www.goldstandardv.com At least four people were hurt in new protests flaring in Nicaragua, where students have led weeks of anti-government demonstrations demanding that President Daniel Ortega leave power, according to rights groups. The latest violence erupted Sunday between pro- and anti-government demonstrators in the southern region of Masaya. Riot police fired tear gas to try to quell the protest. The Nicaraguan Center for Human Rights (CENIDH) said it had confirmation of four people being injured so far, but was looking into other reports. Students who took part in the anti-government protest said they had a far higher count of those hurt. In the medical post alone, there were 45 injured in the town of Catarina, one student told reporters. The students blamed police and pro-government sympathizers for the clashes. The protests that broke out against Ortega in mid-April were initially deadly, with the CENIDH saying 47 people were killed as riot police used rough tactics to try to suppress the street movement. US condemnation The level of violence has subsided in the past week, after Ortega ordered the release of dozens of arrested protesters and held out the promise of talks. But tensions persist, with students and other Nicaraguans saying they are fed up with the perceived autocracy of Ortega and his vice president and wife Rosario Murillo. US Vice President Mike Pence, speaking at the Washington-based Organization of American States, on Friday condemned worsening repression of Ortegas government against protesters who in hundreds of thousands have taken to the streets to show their anger at their aging socialist leader, and their demand to return to democratic order. Nicaraguas legislature has created a truth commission to investigate the deaths, but students and rights groups have questioned its impartiality and demanded an outside probe. On Friday, prosecutors said they had arrested two youths suspected of killing a journalist who was shot in the head while doing a live video broadcast on Facebook in the Caribbean coastal city of Bluefields on April 21. Chief national prosecutor Ines Miranda said the journalist, Angel Gahona, was killed with a homemade pistol wielded by one of the two male suspects, 18-year-old Brandon Lovo, while the other, Glen Slate, was considered a material accessory. Lovos mother told the newspaper La Prensa that her son was hit by pellets fired into his shoulder on the day Gahona died and complained police had not investigated that wounding. Challenge to Ortegas rule Ortega, a 72-year-old leftist leader who has ruled Nicaragua for the past 11 years, has yet to engage in dialogue, despite increasing pleas from the Roman Catholic Church, which has offered to mediate. The wave of anti-Ortega unrest was triggered by an aborted attempt to reform the near-bankrupt social security system, but quickly expanded to include a wave of grievances against the president, including claims of corruption and repression. The protests pose a serious challenge to Ortegas authority, though thus far no figure has emerged to front the anti-government movement. Nicaraguas powerful private business lobby initially sided with the protesters but then said they believed Ortega who also ruled the country for six years in the 1980s had made sufficient gestures to allow for talks to happen. When Moon Jae-in heads to Japan on Wednesday he will be the first South Korean leader to do so in more than six years, but while the neighbours are both market democracies and US allies facing similar threats, analysts say their relationship is mired in the past. Moon will attend a trilateral meeting in Tokyo with Japanese and Chinese leaders and hold a separate summit with Prime Minister Shinzo Abe. Seoul and Tokyo face a common threat from nuclear-armed North Korea, and have both been on the receiving end of Beijings economic muscle-flexing in recent years. But despite their shared interests and outlooks, similar difficulties and extensive economic connections, their relations are marred by disputes over history and territory. Koreans maintain a deep resentment over Japans colonial rule of the peninsula from 1910 to 1945 and its abuses, including the wartime sex slaves euphemistically known as comfort women, and say Tokyo has not expressed sufficient remorse. South Korean national identity is rooted in the struggle for independence from Tokyo, and the history is prominent in education, monuments and culture. Sporting contests between the two are tense affairs, and aside from North Korea, Japan almost always ranks as South Koreans most disliked country in opinion polls. For its part Tokyo believes that all such issues were resolved through a treaty to normalise relations in 1965, which included massive economic aid to develop the South, at the time still recovering from the ravages of the Korean War. Moon himself told Japans Yomiuri Shimbun newspaper in an interview published Tuesday that he supported future-oriented cooperation, separate from the issues of history. But at the same time, he said that true reconciliation was not possible unless a sincere self-reflection and an apology from the bottom of the heart must be conveyed to and received by the victims. Analysts say the two countries should try to draw a line under the past in favour of more diplomatic options. That was then, this is now Korea and Japan both face a lot of shared challenges North Korea, an unpredictable United States, an aggressive China, and the difficulty of sustaining economic growth, Mintaro Oba, a former US State Department official, told AFP. Cooperation between the two governments is both possible and critically important. Daniel Pinkston, a lecturer in international relations at Troy University, added: It is in the interest (of) both countries to resolve the issues. Koreans suffered immensely under Japans colonial rule, Pinkston said, but Seoul now had a shared responsibility to resolve the issue with some maturity and strength. Japan today is not the Japan in the 1930s, he said. That was then and this is now. But Seoul and Tokyo Japan still bicker over statues representing a comfort woman installed by activists in front of the Japanese embassy in the South Korean capital and elsewhere. Most of the up to 200,000 Asian women historians say were forced into sex slavery for Japanese troops were Korean, and 28 are still alive in the South, eight of them living at the House of Sharing rest home outside Seoul. We suffer unfairness and it makes us angry, survivor Lee Ok-sun told AFP. Why are they not apologising? We must receive a formal apology and legal compensation. Only then will we be able to let it go. Yasukuni shrine Japan has repeatedly addressed its wartime atrocities, notably the 1993 Kono Statement on the comfort women issue and a landmark apology by prime minister Tomiichi Murayama in 1995. But remarks and actions by its own government and politicians have fuelled South Korean distrust of Japans sincerity, notably the regular appearances by MPs at Tokyos controversial Yasukuni Shrine, which honours millions of Japanese war dead but also senior convicted war criminals. The nationalist Abes own grandfather was arrested as a war crimes suspect but never charged, and a recent poll by Seouls Asan Institute showed he was South Koreans least liked leader. Tokyos apologies have been perceived as too little, too late, writes Jennifer Lind of Dartmouth College in her book Sorry States: Apologies in International Politics. Even worse, its politicians repeatedly shock survivors and the global community by denying past atrocities; its history textbooks whitewash its wartime crimes, Lind added. Park Geun-hye, Moons ousted predecessor, struck a deal in December 2015 with Tokyo under which Seoul promised not to raise the sex slaves issue again and Japan paid one billion yen ($8.9 million) to a foundation dedicated to supporting the victims. But Tokyo fell short of taking legal responsibility under the agreement, which angered some survivors. Moon has not formally torn up the deal, but has called it a wrongful solution and said the South would return the money. Seoul needed to find a deal with Tokyo that was acceptable to its own public, said Ha Jong-moon, professor of Japanese Studies at Hanshin University. But he added: The gap is too huge between what South Korea needs and what Japan is willing to do. 554 Shares Share A baby acutely ill with leukemia seems like the polar opposite of a woman with Alzheimers disease (AD), with her slow, insidious deterioration. Yet each disease can be progressive and fatal. Ive cared for both, in different ways. Can a childhood cancer doctor like me have insights about that other end of medicine, older adults with dementia? As a husband and caregiver, confronting my wifes Alzheimers disease, I am appalled by the lack of effective therapy for her. As a clinical investigator myself, Im appalled by what I see as a lack of direction in clinical dementia research, a lack of structure, and a lack of ambitious leadership. Every Minute Counts, the PBS TV documentary that aired recently, showed the heart-rending personal devastation of Alzheimers Disease (AD) and dementia, and the enormous cost of care for those affected. It ended with a plea for more funding and research. But after decades of research and billions already spent, why arent we further? Alzheimers is now the 6th leading cause of death in the U.S.; it was only 13th two decades ago. Many AD experts acknowledge the lack of progress. Recently, two researchers even wrote that seeking an AD cure is a notion many believe unrealistic, and that advocating for curative therapy verges on the promotion of false hope. Since my wife was diagnosed, just one new drug, really a combination of two older drugs, has been approved for Alzheimers. As a cancer doctor, Ive watched more than 70 cancer treatments get approved during those same five years. Even the Alzheimers Association plainly states there is no cure for Alzheimers. Not so plainly stated is that we dont know what causes it, how it happens, or how to prevent it. Of course, we dont really know what causes childhood leukemia either, how it happens, or how to prevent it, even with our current sophisticated molecular descriptions and theories. But the survival rate for the most common childhood leukemia has gone from less than 10% in the 1960s to over 90% now, with incremental progress every five years. Most kids are cured with combination chemotherapy that was developed decades ago, before molecular testing. Most AD funding goes for molecular or non-therapeutic research, at the expense of clinical work. Sickle cell anemia was called the first molecular disease over sixty years ago; we still dont have a cure, even though just this year we might have a gene therapy for it. In AD, the molecular genetics seems more complicated. AD patients have waited years for ANY therapy, much less one from precision medicine. Is this the right strategy? Its not all bad news. Recently, three commercial drug trials announced results, and they showed glimmers of hope. Two were reported as failures by the media, but company press releases (TauRx,Lilly) reported modest positive effects. The third drug, from Biogen, seemed better at slowing the decline in some patients, but evidently did not stop the disease. AIDS therapy, like cancer, is an area of medicine that seemed hopeless at first. The leadership of Dr. William Paul, an AIDS Czar, is credited with accelerating clinical progress in that condition. Still incurable, nevertheless AIDS patients lives are now extended from months to years. Nothing has really changed for Alzheimer patients over the past five years. Brilliant scientists are working, but in the usual atmosphere of creative academic chaos. There are a few AD clinical trial groups, much like cancer trials groups, but the comparison of their activity is stark. In the state of Washington, there are over 600 cancer studies recruiting patients; in AD there are about a dozen such studies. Much foundational AD work still needs to be done at the bedside, in overall strategy, trial coordination, informed consents, vigorous subject recruitment, and consensus development, so appointing an accountable, identifiable, directive clinical research leader seems like an important way to accelerate progress (although czar or emperor may not be the right titles these days). Ron Louie is a pediatric oncologist. This article originally appeared in the Baltimore Sun. Image credit: Shutterstock.com 103 Shares Share Im an ED physician, so Im used to patients screaming at me sometimes with earsplitting demands for heavy-duty painkillers, morphine drips and similar remedies that will numb or fix them. I can deal with this. What I cant deal with is a health system that incentivizes physicians like me to medicate adult patients, especially those at high risk for substance abuse, with little thought given to their long-term wellbeing. As I write this, a recent incident comes to mind: Earlier this year, a regular heroin user experiencing a medical crisis entered my ED. After going over his medical history, I tried to express how worried I was about him and how we needed to treat him, but he said all he wanted was IV opioids. I talked at length about non-opioid alternatives, but he said opioids were the only thing that would help. At one point he actually screamed, I know theres a sign on this wall that says you need to do everything for my pain! I explained to him as politely as possible that the law only requires me to medically screen and stabilize him, not medicate his pain, although I was happy to address his pain. He was furious and ended up threatening all of us, pulling out his IV (and covering the room with blood) and storming out of the ED. That kind of reaction isnt uncommon, and quite frankly, I was glad none of the staff were injured. The opioid epidemic is so out of hand that physicians and nurses are sometimes attacked by patients who are enraged when they cant get the drugs they think they need. We are seeing very good doctors, exasperated by their inability to do anything meaningful, completely burn out (no surprise that surveys like this one reveal emergency medicine docs are the most burned-out physicians). I wonder how many doctors out there would have given this man a prescription for OxyContin or an IV of Dilaudid? It would have certainly been easier than having a conversation about his drug dependency. Also, even if we are willing to have these conversations, we are frequently tasked with treating these patients blind, often times without verified information about their opioid use or other recent hospital visits or care plans information that can be totally game-changing. But the larger concern at play here is that health systems are actually fueling and incentivizing opioid addiction through their policies. How did we arrive at this moment where patients believe they are entitled to be pain-free at all times? Our modern-day metrics and value-based purchasing were derived with noble intentions but have had profound unintended consequences. Patient-satisfaction surveys put out by non-physician administrators that are filled with questions like, Whats your door-to-doc time? Whats your satisfaction with services rendered? Its like restaurant-satisfaction surveys translated to healthcare. Although weve made progress CMS Hospital Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems (HCAHPS) Survey removed questions relating to pain in late 2016 the damage has already been done. Healthcare systems follow government agency precedent, and many are still using satisfaction surveys tied to incentives, and many surveys still include questions regarding pain treatment. This creates a system that gets you in and out, but not one that gets you healthy. In order to truly help patients, we need to question such metrics and think more deeply about whether they are truly giving rise to the kind of outcomes the health system is supposed to foster. In our debates over health care, its all too easy to forget that the ultimate the goal is healthy people so we can have a healthy society full of people that can go make things, explore mountains and raise healthy kids. So where does all of this leave physicians who truly want to move forward and help patients embroiled in the opioid epidemic? Can we move past the narrative of happy patients equals good hospitals? I wholeheartedly believe we can. First, we must get rid of tie-in between satisfaction questions and pain. Hospitals should use other metrics to gauge satisfaction and quality of care. Second, every state should publish opioid guidelines like these. These should be drafted by clinicians, not legislators; it is helpful to have the hospital logos embedded in the document, so patients know we are all on the same page. This makes the conversation with patients much easier because physicians can say, we are all trying to help you, and to help I need to follow these guidelines. We should also do our best to take stock of a patients whole medical history, including past ED visits. At Mat-Su ED in Alaska, we rely on a software network solution that pulls together essential patient medical data, including frequency of ED visits in our facility and outside hospitals, and pushes this data into a one-page document ready at the point of care. In reading this, I can quickly see if a patient has been frequenting other EDs or has had issues with opioids or other drugs in the past. This network system recently helped care teams in Washington State reduce ED use among frequent utilizers by 10.7 percent, and reduce narcotic prescriptions from the ED by 24 percent. Finally, physicians should question the healthcare system with every single decision they make by asking themselves, what is right for the patient? Sometimes this means telling a patient, I care about you, and I dont want your life to end because of addiction. Lets look at our options. Remember that heroin user I saw who stormed out of the ED? Three days later that patient came back, profusely apologized and asked for help. We admitted him, and he is doing well today. We are less likely to burn out if we know were doing the right thing for our patients in the fight to make a better system even when they scream at you as a proxy for the health system that has failed them. Anne Zink is an emergency physician. She is on the clinical advisory board, Collective Medical. Image credit: Shutterstock.com A university campus accommodating 1,000 students is technically feasible on the former brewery site, the Abbey Quarter, according to the Chief Executive of Kilkenny County Council. Colette Byrne was speaking last week at the launch of the report on Third Level provision, which recommends that any Third Level facility developed in Kilkenny should be based on niche areas that reflect the countys economic activities and strengths, across disciplines such as design, crafts, animation, heritage, tourism and precision agri-tech. Ms Byrne said that while the report outlines a number of viable options, the councils perspective was that the campus should be part of the Technological University of the South East. That is our first and preferred option, she said. However, said Ms Byrne, should this Plan A not find agreement, the council would move quickly to explore the other options. The council will now formally submit the report to the chairs of both governing bodies of both Institutes of Technology Carlow and Waterford, for their consideration as part of their deliberations in preparing the submission for the TUSE. The report itself refers to the possibility for a synergistic relationship between Higher Education provision and the plans for urban renewal of the Abbey Quarter. This could enhance the Abbey Quarter by including a vibrant academic community as a key element of the development, it says. The report also finds that the inclusion of Kilkenny in a Technological University would broaden its appeal and its impact in/on the region, while the provision of custom-built infrastructure in the Abbey Quarter would offer a substantial asset. Cathaoirleach of Kilkenny County Council David Fitzgerald said there now existed an opportunity to take advantage of the decision made in 2012 to take the brewery site into public ownership. Minister of State Mary Mitchell O Connor said she looked forward to going through the report in some detail, and that Technological Universities would be a gamechanger regionally and nationally. She said that she would be delighted to listen to proposals coming forward. Jami-Lee Ross writes: The regional fuel tax is intended to raise $150m a year, or about $1.5 billion over 10 years. But its not necessary. Aucklands transport needs can be funded without it. So how do we find this money if not through a tax? National has always said that Auckland Council should find the money through savings within its own spending, rather than through a raid on the wallets of hard-working Aucklanders. That would allow the council to still accrue all the benefits Wilson has argued can only come via a fuel tax, but will spare hard-working families in Auckland from the burden of new taxes. But Simon Wilson and Phil Goff refuse to look seriously at finding savings as an alternative, and instead claim that the only other option would be to raise the money through a 14 per cent increase in rates. This is incorrect and misleading. To fully replace the funding for the regional fuel tax, Auckland Council would need to find 4 per cent of savings in its budget. During the last mayoral election Phil Goff pledged to find 3 to 6 per cent of savings across Auckland Councils expenditure. When he won that election and became mayor he instructed the council to go about and find those savings. Instead, council expenditure has risen by about $800m over the past four years. Boingboing reports: In the decade since the UK rolled out its Great Firewall, the project of somehow dividing the entire internet into good and bad (or even all-ages and adult) has run into a series of embarrassing gaffes, blocking rape crisis sites while letting through all sorts of ghastly porn and at every turn, the Conservative governments response has been to double down on internet censorship, expanding it from a parental filter to an opt-out porn filter, whose biggest backers have repeatedly demonstrated their technical incompetence. Unsurprisingly, the list is full of embarrassing false positives, including disney.co.uk (the official UK site of the Walt Disney Company), as well as Disneys disneymoviesanywhere.com. More awkward: the UKs largest ISPs are blocking internetsafetyday.org, a website that teaches kids to use the internet safely; also blocked is kidsandcode.org, which teaches children to write software. The list goes on and on: playkidsgames.com (games for kids), vikingsword.com (a website about Viking swords), and a raft of VPN providers, whose tools allow users to evade privacy-violating trackers and filters. Donald Trump's popularity may be slipping in the United States, but it appears to be improving in South Korea. / AFP By Jung Min-ho By Park Ji-won A community center helping North Korean refugees has opened in the United Kingdom, according to Connect North Korea, an organization operating the center, and a Voice of America (VOA) report, Tuesday. It is known to be the first support organization dedicated to North Korean escapees outside of South Korea. The center, located in New Malden, a suburb of southwest London, opened to improve the livelihoods of North Korean refugees. New Malden has one of the largest Korean communities in Europe. "Connect North Korea will provide basic life support for North Korean refugees in the U.K.," Park Ji-hyun, a staff member of the organization, was quoted as saying by the VOA. The center was designed as a hub for refugees to share information about living in the country. "As there is currently no dedicated space for North Koreans in the U.K., a center will be a useful place for support for North Koreans for integration," Michael Glendinning, founder and director of the organization, was quoted as saying by Radio Free Asia. The organization plans to put a high priority on English education for the refugees. "Connect North Korea will conduct our programs at the center, consisting of small group English classes, one-on-one tutoring, a new mentoring program, as well as asylum support and some other programs," the founder said. "The center will also be available for use by North Korean refugees for free for social and educational purposes. Finally, it will also be available for organizations providing support to the North Korean community but administrative support will be needed from them." The number of North Korean refugees in Britain is estimated to be around 650, according to official statistics. But the organization says nearly 1,000 North Korean refugees have arrived in the U.K. Guatemala City [Guatemala], May 8 (ANI): India and Guatemala on Monday signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for expanding cooperation in the area of diplomatic training. Vice President M. Venkaiah Naidu and his Guatemalan counterpart Dr. Jafeth Ernesto Cabrera Franco witnessed the signing of the MoU after the delegation-level talks. Later, the Guatemalan Vice President hosted a lunch in honour of Vice President Naidu. The latter was seen trying his hands in playing Guatemala's traditional musical instrument, 'Miramba' at the Presidential Palace in Guatemala City. Earlier, the two leaders participated in bilateral discussions where agreements in areas like culture, agriculture and wildlife protection were under consideration between both the countries. He added that Guatemala was one of India's important trading partners in Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) region. Vice President Naidu further underscored that there was a tremendous scope for intensifying bilateral trade and investment partnership in pharmaceutical, automobile, textile and apparel, education, Information Technology (IT), infrastructural-building and port development sectors. Earlier, he met Guatemalan President Jimmy Morales, while stressing on his agenda of maintaining strong bilateral ties with the country. He also met the President of the Congress of Guatemala Alvaro Arzu Escobar. Guatemala is the first country that Vice President Naidu is visiting in his present capacity and it is the highest level visit between the two countries since the establishment of diplomatic relations in 1972. Vice President Naidu is on a five-day visit to Latin America's Guatemala, Peru and Panama commencing from May 6. This is the Vice President's first overseas visit after assuming office last year. (ANI) (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Guatemala City [Guatemala], May 8 (ANI): Vice President M. Venkaiah Naidu on Monday met his Guatemalan counterpart, Dr. Jafeth Ernesto Cabrera Franco and discussed ways of strengthening bilateral relations in various fields. The leaders of the two countries participated in bilateral discussions where agreements in areas like culture, agriculture and wildlife protection were under consideration between both the countries. "We would like to conclude these as soon as possible so that mutually beneficial cooperation activities can be undertaken," Vice President Naidu said. He added that Guatemala was one of India's important trading partners in Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) region. Vice President Naidu further underscored that there was a tremendous scope for intensifying bilateral trade and investment partnership in pharmaceutical, automobile, textile and apparel, education, Information Technology (IT), infrastructural-building and port development sectors. "We (India) encourage Guatemalan businessmen to take advantage of sponsorship that India extend to interested buyers and importers, and to have a first-hand experience of the range of products and services available in India," Vice President Naidu said. He further said that India had contributed to the world health system through its affordable, high-quality generic medicines and desires to promote its export of such medicines to Guatemala. "India is the largest provider of generic drugs globally and can assist Guatemala in the healthcare system," Vice President Naidu added. The Vice President expressed satisfaction on the increase of exchanges at the ministerial level, which has helped in bringing India and Guatemala closer. "India has made renewed efforts to strengthen the relationship with Latin America, a region with huge potential for mutually beneficial cooperation," Vice President Naidu said. Earlier, the Vice President met Guatemalan President Jimmy Morales, while stressing on his agenda of maintaining strong bilateral ties with the country. The Vice President told the Guatemalan President, "India is keen on strengthening the relationship with Central America and Guatemala in particular, as we consider Guatemala as an able and valuable partner. I am happy over the momentum gained in the overall bilateral relationship since the opening of our resident Embassies and the steady increase in the exchange of visits at ministerial and vice-ministerial level." Guatemala is the first country that Vice President Naidu is visiting in his present capacity and it is the highest level visit between the two countries since the establishment of diplomatic relations in 1972. Vice President Naidu is on a five-day visit to Latin America's Guatemala, Peru and Panama commencing from May 6. This is the Vice President's first overseas visit after assuming office last year. (ANI) (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) The abduction was carried out near the provincial capital, Pul-e-Khumri | Representational Image | (Photo Credits: Getty) Kabul, May 7: Security officials in Afghanistan are working with local tribal elders to trace the seven Indian engineers abducted by the Taliban gunmen in the restive northern Baghlan province, media reports said today. Provincial police spokesman Zabiullah Shuja said the Indian engineers of KEC International, an RPG group company, were working on a project for the construction of a power sub-station. They were abducted by the militants from the vicinity of Cheshma-e-Sher area yesterday while they were travelling to inspect the work progress. Shuja said the Afghan driver of the engineers is also missing and an operation is underway for their release, according to media reports. The security officials in the province said efforts are underway by the Afghan forces and the government officials as well as the local tribal elders for the release of the Indian engineers. Provincial governor Abdul Nemati said the security forces and the local officials are busy tracking the missing engineers and their driver. He said apart from the security forces and the government officials, the local tribal elders have also stepped up efforts for the release of the Indian nationals. Nemati assured that the missing Indian engineers and their driver will be released soon. Baghlan Governor had yesterday said the terror group had abducted the Indian engineers and their driver, believing they were government employees. No group has, however, claimed responsibility for the abduction. The External Affairs Ministry had said in New Delhi it is in touch with authorities in Afghanistan. Many of the earlier abductions in the war-torn country have been linked to Taliban. In 2016, 40-year-old Indian aid worker Judith D'Souza was kidnapped in Kabul. She was released after 40 days. India has provided at least USD 2 billion aid to Afghanistan for the economic development of the war-torn nation. Afghanistan government said it is working at the highest level to ensure the release of seven kidnapped Indian engineers in the country. Afghan Foreign Minister Salahuddin Rabbani, who met Indian envoy Vinay Kumar in his office, spoke about efforts initiated through community elders to help secure their release. The Afghan foreign ministry said in a statement, At the outset, Foreign minister Rabbani expressed grief and sorrow over the abduction of Indian engineers in Baghlan province and said that the Afghan security forces will not spare any efforts to protect the physical safety and secure the release of these engineers. He also mentioned that efforts have been initiated through the community elders to help secure their release. The statement came a day after Rabbani spoke over telephone with India's External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj about the abduction. Rabbani in the conversation assured the Indian External Affairs Minister that the Afghan security forces would not spare any efforts in rescuing and ensuring the security and safety of the engineers, the Afghan statement said. The seven Indians, employed with Indian power company KEC International, were abducted on Sunday, May 5 by suspected Taliban gunmen in northern Afghanistan. The Indian workers were working on a project to build an energy substation in the country. No group has publicly claimed responsibility for the abduction. But Baghlan Governor Abdulhai Nemati was quoted by local media as saying that a Taliban group has communicated to authorities through local residents that the Indians had been mistaken for Afghan government staff. The Pajhwok Afghan News quoted provincial police spokesman Zabiullah Shuja as saying that the abductees were in good health, citing initial information. India is Afghanistans sixth largest donor, providing the country with some $2 billion in effective aid since 2001. An estimated 3,000 Indian nationals in Afghanistan work for reconstruction companies, international aid agencies or are Indian government employees working at the consulates and embassies. India has targeted its aid to the country in the form of aid and infrastructure programs which include infrastructure development like building power stations and dams, institutional capacity building, small development projects, as well as food security assistance in the form of ongoing deliveries of wheat to Afghanistan. Due to their work in infrastructure, Indians are largely seen as a neutral party and also have historic goodwill in Afghanistan. However, the Indian Embassy in Kabul has been targeted by Taliban supported by Pakistans ISI. (The above story first appeared on LatestLY on May 08, 2018 08:26 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com). A project with big jobs potential for Laois is now achievable because Laois County Council owns prime land earmarked for the extensive business development, according to the local authority's Chief Executive. Mr John Mullholland was speaking to the Leinster Express after county councillors gave the green light to roads and other infrastructure to be developed to service 250 acres alongside Portlaoise's Junction 17 of the M7 motorway. The council now intends start to build roads and prepare the site for electricity, water, gas and broadband. Developing the land for business has been in the works for nearly 20 years but this has failed to materialise, not helped by the recession. Mr Mulholland told the Leinster Express public ownership will now make a big difference. "The difference is now that we have control of the land. We didnt 20 years ago. So thats a big change, and we also got good value I believe, so now we are the masters of our own destiny, and able to open it to various people as regards it future use. "What we want is an exceptionally high standard of business park, industrial park, enterprise park, whatever it turns out as. And we want to maintain that high standard and attract investment that would have a good deal of employment," he said after the meeting. The council are open to selling parcels of developed land for many sorts of industry, from one acre to 20 he said. "We have had some interest, and this is even before marketing, so Id be fairly optimistic about it. Even whats happening in the last couple of months with pressures of Brexit, and the pressure on the Dublin market with very high commercial rates, I continue to question why people wouldnt invest in Laois," Mr Mulholland said. A new Togher masterplan is now being drawn up by consultants, in consultation with Transport Infrastructure Ireland. Supermacs chief Pat McDonagh has lodged planing permission with the council to build a motorway service at Togher. The council bought 76 acres of the land from McDonagh last year. READ MORE ABOUT WHAT THE COUNCILLORS VOTED ON HERE A number of Laois towns are set to benefit from a new evening bus pilot scheme designed to connect communities and combat rural isolation. Laois TD and Minister for Justice and Equality, Charlie Flanagan, said this is an important link for rural communities. The National Transport Authority has now agreed that a series of 50 routes in 19 counties will have extended evening/weekend runs in a pilot scheme to operate from July to December. The buses will typically be available on Friday and Saturday evenings, between 6 and 11pm. In Laois the extended hours will be on the Mountrath, Castletown, Emo and surrounds," he said. Local Link Laois Offaly under funding from the National Transport Authority has released three tenders for the provision of evening rural services. The first three services will cover Emo, taking in Vicarstown, Courtwood, Fisherstown, Ballybrittas, Killenard, Old Pound, Kilbride, Limetree and Woodbrook. The Mountrath/Casteltown service will take in Derrough, Clonenagh, Ringstown, Iry Ballyfin, Knockanina, Golf Links, Kilbricken, Clonard, Trumera, Rushin and Derrycanton. In Offaly, the service will be extended in Kinnity, Clareen, Longford, Roscomore, Lackaroe, Cadamstown and Rath. The initiative will cost 450,000 to run for six months. If it is deemed a success, Minister Shane Ross is likely to seek extra funding in next October's Budget to expand the scheme. The services are described as Demand Responsive Transport which means passenger intending to travel must pre-book their seat as the bus operates a door to door service. Minister Flanagan said that this will increase safety on roads. In light of the new drink driving rules coming into force to increase safety on our roads, we in Fine Gael felt it important to provide practical solutions to help combat potential isolation in our rural communities. The 188 additional weekly bus runs will bring people into their local towns and villages in the evening times, driving economic activity in those areas. "We are very clear this is not just about the pub. The new bus service will facilitate people to gather for whatever activity they wish be it a local event, a regular card game, a trip to watch a match, or a visit to the cinema, restaurant or pub. Communities and local businesses in Laois will be able to organise new activities and events to attract residents in the evening, now that they know those residents will have this evening bus service available to them. "The Government will continue to work with Minister Ross to ensure that we develop a public transport service all over rural Ireland that empowers communities, local business and rural dwellers," Minister Flanagan said. New Laois Rose 2018 announced! Very few women who attend Portlaoise hospital to have babies have birth plans while the number of spontaneous births is higher in Portlaoise than its sister hospital the Coombe. Consultant obstetrician and gynaecologist Dr Aoife Mullally also said that an increasing number of over anxious, middle-class mothers have unrealistic expectations of having perfect births. Dr Mullally practises at the Coombe Womens and Infants Hospital in Dublin and the Midland Regional Hospital Portlaoise Hospital. She spoke at a Medico Legal healthcare conference in Dublin last week which was chaired by Laois native Claire Byrne. The conference was supported by La Touche Training, Irish Times and the Association for Improvements in Maternity Services Ireland AIMS Ireland. The doctor, who specialises in labour ward services, noted the difference between the Dublin and Laois hospitals which were made part of a network after the deaths of babies in Portlaoise. "Most women in the Coombe have a birth plan. Very few in Portlaoise have birth plans, and the spontaneous births are higher in Portlaoise. Their expectations are very different and yet their normal outcomes are better. It may have something to do with the age differences, she said an Irish Times report. Dr Mullally also said the average age of women attending Portlaoise maternity services was younger. She contrasted the approach of women coming to both hospitals. Despite Portlaoise's problems she indicated that women are presenting with less preconceptions of what should happen than women who attended the large Coombe hospital. She said there is anxiety among many women about not having epidurals, C-sections or being induced. She claimed women were disappointed if they had any of these while going home with a healthy baby and healthy themselves. As feminists we need to change the narrative around maternity care in Ireland, around fighting for equal access to all services for all women, around improving morale, recruitment and retention, and supporting healthcare professionals in the aftermath of adverse events, she said. Dr Mullally claimed the idealistic not intervention view of birth was an elitist view. She said it was as valid a birth whether the mother chose an epidural, a C-section, or a birthing pool. Women put huge pressure on each other and themselves. There is a mismatch in expectation...Natural birth is a philosophy that assumes economic security, ready access to medical technology and the leisure to construct an identity. It is about the mother and how she would like to see herself, not about childbirth and not about babies, she said. Dr Mullally said everyone would know the women because weve all had them who think they are the only woman whos ever given birth and they certainly think they are the only woman giving birth in the labour ward that day. She quoted American obstetrician Amy Teuter, she said: For many women the birth experience has acquired a similar status to ones wedding day over privileged, over-anxious middle-class birthzillas harassing well-meaning hospital staff with unrealistic birth plans, all the while egged on by ill-informed, overpaid midwives and doulas. She said feminists should be fighting for safe, affordable maternity services for all women. You can only refuse an epidural when an epidural is available, she said. Dr Mullally's biog for the conference said her special interest is the managment of high risk labour and birth, early pregnancy complications and adolescent gynaecology. It also said she is a advocate for improvement of maternity services and woman-centred healthcare. The viability of Naas racecourse could be threatened if one of the three routes proposed for the inner relief road proceeds. Route 6, which runs on the Tipper side of the facility, will have an impact of the course used for four races including a prestigious jumps race, sponsored by Lawlors Hotel in the town. However Naas, unlike Punchestown and the Curragh, hosts races on the flat as well as national hunt events. And according to manager Tom Ryan the route will also impact on the running of mile long races - and the mile route at Naas is acknowledged as the second best test at any racecourse in Ireland. Route 6 would be a dagger through the heart of the track in terms of viability. It would be out of the question, said Mr. Ryan. Racecourse management attended a recent public consultation day and have made a submission about the possible damage caused by the inner relief road. The two other options - opposed by local residents - would eat up at least some of the car park within the racecourse and this would also have an adverse effect. Mr. Ryan said that because the detail of the routes are not fully clear he is awaiting a meeting with Kildare County Council officials. The impact of the route chosen has been a matter of concern and is an issue which goes back some years. We have had many visits to the council offices and we are now waiting for Kildare Council Council to come and talk to us and we hope this happens before a preferred route is presented to the councillors for a decision, added Mr. Ryan. LifeStyle The best Lifestyle shows are right here, from Australia and around the world. Catch up with the experts on home design and interiors, food and cooking, the property market, and get fresh ideas with the savviest of renovators. Whether you need inspiration for cooking up a storm, to refresh a tired room, or tips to sell your property, Foxtel Lifestyle will always something new for you to watch. Enjoy your favourite experts like Andrew Winter and Neale Whitaker, or Shaynna Blaze and Jamie Oliver live or On Demand. A NEW five-year plan aims to see Limerick Institute of Technology become a leading Technological University while growing student numbers and maintaining its autonomy. LIT has unveiled a new strategic plan which aims to position the institute to the forefront of the Irish Higher Education system. The Strategic Plan 2018-2022 includes a capital investment worth 150 million on infrastructure over the next five years. The plan is a the bridge between LITs Institute of Technology status and the declared aim to become a Technological University after this plan is completed, according to President of LIT Professor Vincent Cunnane. It is an expression of our values as an institution, and its implementation will see us retain our autonomy as we move towards a different designation, he said. The Technological Universities Act, which was passed into law in March, will see a number of third level institutions around the country merge to form Technological Universities. Dublin Institute of Technology, Institute of Technology Blanchardstown and Tallaght Institute of Technology have submitted an application to be brought together under the consortium of TU4Dublin. In Munster, Cork Institute of Technology and the Institute of Technology Tralee are due to submit an application proposing to become the Munster Technological University. LITs Strategic Plan seeks to retain the insititutes autonomy during this five year period, while growing student numbers by 20% to 7,500. This includes a 200% increase in international student numbers, a 30% increase in flexible students, a 120% increase in postgraduate research students and a 27% increase in taught postgrad numbers. LIT is at a very exciting stage on its journey of transformation, Prof Cunnane said. The institution has been through many guises in its history. The implementation of this plan will see LIT transformed once more, at a time when Higher Education itself is being radically transformed. The trajectory this strategy sets us upon is one where we protect and build our ethos of inclusivity, while engaging closely with our partners in industry, business, education, community and government. It reinforces the strength of the unique Higher Education infrastructure that we have here in Limerick, building on our partnership with UL and Mary Immaculate in the Shannon Consortium. THERE has been a call for a concert task force to be established to determine why Limerick is being passed over by big-name performers. The claim comes amid a cancellation of the first concert for Thomond Park in five years and no Limerick date for Ed Sheeran, currently playing an Irish tour with concerts in Cork, Galway, Dublin and Belfast. Councillor James Collins claims Limerick businesses are losing out on up to 20m in revenue because the city isnt attracting big name performers like Sheeran. The Fianna Fail general election candidate has called for Limerick City and County Council to establish a task force to examine why the city is failing to attract large scale concerts, despite being home to the Gaelic Grounds and Thomond Park. Bruce Springsteens 2013 show was the last major concert to take place at Thomond Park. Cork estimates that the three Ed Sheeran concerts were worth 60m to the local economy. Cork County Board is set to pocket more than 1.4m from the three nights of Ed Sheeran concerts at Pairc Ui Chaoimh. Why is Limerick constantly passed over by big-name performers, said Cllr Collins. Ed Sheerans song Galway Girl is based on a Limerick girl, and features the Limerick band, Beoga, but he didnt come here to play. We have to ask why? The Gaelic Grounds has a capacity of almost 50,000. Thomond Park can sell 33,000 tickets for concerts, when you include fans on the pitch. Pairc Ui Chaoimh has a 45,000 capacity, less than the Gaelic Grounds. Why is an act like Ed Sheeran playing in Dublin, Galway, Belfast and Cork and yet hes not playing in Limerick? We have seen acts like Bruce Springsteen and Elton John play gigs in Thomond Park, but surely we have the capacity now to host someone like Ed Sheeran. If not, why not? We need cross-party support for a task force to examine what are the obstacles to such big concerts being held in Limerick. Cllr Collins is calling for representatives from Limerick GAA, Munster Rugby, local hoteliers, vintners and restaurateurs, Limerick Chamber and Limerick City and County Council together on to a task force to examine once and for all why we are losing out on millions in potential revenue. We need this task force to engage with Aiken Promotions, who organised Ed Sheerans concerts, and ask what we need to do as a city to attract big-name acts. Do we need to offer financial incentives to promoters to host their gigs in Limerick? Weve just had 100,000 people enjoy the most successful Riverfest yet, so wouldnt it be marvellous to double that figure by having a star of Sheerans size play our city for two nights? There is a trend here of Cork winning out over Limerick and we have to examine why. Cork is getting 30m towards a 73m events centre. Limerick is not getting that kind of State support. We have some amazing facilities and a proven track record when it comes to hosting 100,000 visitors for events like Riverfest, so lets get together and explore how we can go to the next step. "We are Irelands third biggest city but we are behind the likes of Galway when it comes to big events. It's related to HIV, yet you've probably never heard of it: a virus called human T-cell leukemia virus type 1, or HTLV-1. But now, high rates of HTLV-1 in parts of Australia are prompting some scientists to call for increased efforts to prevent the spread of the disease, according to news reports. In remote regions of central Australia, rates of HTLV-1 infection exceed 40 percent among adults, with indigenous communities most affected, according to CNN. "The prevalence is off the charts" in Australia, Dr. Robert Gallo, co-founder and director of the Institute of Human Virology at the University of Maryland School of Medicine, who helped discover HTLV-1 in 1979, told CNN. Yet there's been little research to develop treatments or a vaccine for the disease, Gallo said. [27 Devastating Infectious Diseases] HIV vs. HTLV-1 But what exactly is HTLV-1, and how is it different from HIV? HTLV-1 is a "distant cousin" of HIV that's found primarily in parts of sub-Saharan Africa, Latin America, the Caribbean, Japan and central Australia, according to Imperial College London. The virus infects white blood cells known as T cells, and in rare cases, it can cause aggressive leukemia, a cancer of white blood cells, according to the National Institutes of Health's Genetic and Rare Diseases Information Center (GARD). People infected with HTLV-1 can also develop a neurological condition that often results in losing the ability to walk, GARD said. HTLV-1 shares some similarities with HIV, but there are also some key differences between the viruses. Like HIV, HTLV-1 can be spread through sexual activity, blood transfusions and the sharing of needles, and it can also pass from mother to child during birth or breastfeeding, according to GARD. However, HTLV-1 is not as easily transmitted as HIV, and only a small proportion of people who get HTLV-1 will ever get sick, said Dr. William Schaffner, an infectious-disease specialist at Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville, Tennessee. "Unlike HIV, which almost invariably makes you ill, only 2 to 6 percent of [people infected with HTLV-1] will ever develop an illness," Schaffner told Live Science. This means that although an estimated 20 million people worldwide are infected with HTLV-1, the vast majority of those people will remain asymptomatic for their entire lives, according to a 2010 review paper on HTLV-1. (These infections are centered in certain parts of the world, meaning the infection is not very common outside of those areas. In the United States, a 2014 study of HTLV-1 and the related HTLV-2 among blood donors found that the rates of these infections were about 22 per 100,000 people, or 0.02 percent.) In addition, people who do get sick from HTLV-1 usually don't show symptoms until about 20 to 30 years after they were infected, Schaffner said. For comparison, the median time from HIV infection to the development of AIDS is about 10 years, although it can be sooner for certain populations, according to the University of California, San Francisco. These differences between HIV and HLTV-1 likely played a role in why the latter is less well-known, and less studied, Schaffner said. But now "we have to make up for what we didn't do before," said Gallo, who also helped discover HIV after his work on HTLV. "We have to get attention to HTLV-1 quick," Gallo told CNN. Schaffner noted that work done by Gallo and colleagues on HTLV was beneficial to studying HIV, and now the "work in HIV could cycle back and help research in HTLV." In particular, the development of an HIV vaccine may help accelerate research into an HTLV vaccine. "If we could solve the HIV vaccine puzzle, I think the results of that research" could perhaps be translated to help with the development of an HTLV vaccine, Schaffner said. Original article on Live Science. A new species of shrew has been discovered living high on a single peak in the Philippines, and no one knows how it got there. The shrew, a tiny gray creature with big front feet and an unusually fuzzy tail, probably split evolutionarily from its last relative about 10 million years ago. The mountain it lives on, Mount Mantalingahan on Palawan Island, is no more than 5 million years old. That means the shrew traveled far to land in its current location, but wait the new species' closet relatives (which aren't all that close) are found in Africa. [The World's 6 Smallest Mammals] "The one mountain is the only place that we know of them occurring," said Lawrence Heaney, one of the authors of a new paper describing the shrew and the Negaunee Curator of Mammals at The Field Museum in Chicago. "So one of the questions is, 'Well, how did it get there?'" A weird little shrew Scientists first discovered the shrew in 2007 on an expedition to survey Mount Mantalingahan for biological diversity. Researchers caught multiple specimens of the animals in traps baited with earthworms or fried coconut coated in peanut butter. The newfound Palawan moss shrew has strong front feet and a fuzzy tail. (Image credit: copyright Velizar Simeonovski/TheField Museum) The shrew, now dubbed Palawanosorex muscorum, or the Palawan moss shrew, immediately piqued the interest of Danilo Balete, the leader of field surveys for the Philippine Mammal Project and a research associate at The Field Museum. "I started getting messages saying, 'Oh, we're getting this weird little shrew. We don't know what it is,'" Heaney said. The researchers found the shrew living in forests between 5,085 feet and 6,398 feet (1,550 to 1,950 meters) up on the 6,844-foot-tall (2,086 m) mountain. It dwells in the leaf litter among low trees studded with orchids and ferns, and it's active entirely at night, Heaney said. The animal measures about 3.5 inches (90 millimeters) long on average and weighs about 0.7 ounces (20 grams) when fully grown. Mysterious origins What makes the shrew weird are its strong front feet and the dark fur covering its tail. Most shrews have tails covered with scaly skin, Heaney said. The shrew is one of three mammal species endemic to Mount Mantalingahan, meaning they live exclusively in that small geographic region. The other two are the Palawan montane squirrel (Sundasciurus rabori) and the Palawan soft-furred mountain rat (Palawanomys furvus). "The Philippines, we have gradually come to realize, has the greatest concentration of unique mammalian diversity the technical term we use is 'endemic diversity' of any country," Heaney said. [Image Gallery: Colorful Creatures of the Philippines] The Palawan moss shrew's existence is like a piece to a puzzle that researchers didn't know existed. Because the species predates its habitat (the Philippines are very geologically active, and Mount Mantalingahan didn't rise above the sea until at least 5 million years ago, and possibly only 2 million or 3 million years ago), the creature must not have evolved on the mountain's slopes. So where did it come from? "Best guess is that they came in from Borneo," Heaney said. Many of Palawan Island's animals hail from Borneo, the nearest large island. Researchers think there might have once been a land bridge between the two islands when sea levels were lower. The shrew probably needs to live at high elevations to survive in today's climate, but perhaps at some earlier time, climatic conditions were such that the little animal had more leeway to roam, Heaney said. The only problem is that no one has ever found any close relatives of the shrew on Borneo. If one is there, though, the world may know soon. One of the co-authors of the study, Louisiana State University biologist Jacob Esselstyn, is doing fieldwork in Borneo, searching for shrews. "They're out there looking for possible relatives of this animal," Heaney said. "So maybe something will turn up." The research appears today (May 8) in the Journal of Mammalogy. Original article on Live Science. This story was updated Sept. 5 at 6:20 p.m. EDT. Now that President Donald Trump has pulled the United States out of the nuclear deal with Iran, people across the world are wondering if the Middle Eastern country will invest its energies in building a nuclear weapon. But if Iran's leadership does decide to pursue an atomic bomb, how would researchers get enough uranium, the key ingredient? Uranium enrichment is one of the key steps in building nuclear weapons. Only a certain type of uranium works in nuclear reactors and bombs. Separating that type of uranium from the more common variety requires a great deal of engineering skill, despite the fact that the technology needed to do it is decades old. The challenge lies not in figuring out how to separate uranium, but in constructing and running the equipment needed for the task. [Doomsday: 9 Real Ways Earth Could End] Uranium atoms, like the atoms of every element, occur in nature in varieties called isotopes. (Each isotope has a different number of neutrons in its nucleus.) Uranium-235, an isotope that makes up less than 1 percent of all-natural uranium, provides the fuel for nuclear reactors and nuclear bombs, while uranium-238, an isotope that makes up 99 percent of natural uranium, has no nuclear use, said Russell Nietert, an associate laboratory director for nuclear science and engineering at Argonne National Laboratory in Argonne, Illinois. The key to their separation is that atoms of uranium-235 weigh slightly less than atoms of uranium-238. To separate the tiny quantity of uranium-235 that is present in every natural sample of uranium ore, engineers first use a chemical reaction to turn the uranium into a gas, said Jeff Binder, the isotope production program manager at Oak Ridge National Laboratory in Oak Ridge, Tennessee. Then, the gas is put into centrifuge tubes cylindrical tubes the size of a person or larger. Each tube is spun on its axis at incredibly high speeds, pulling the heavier uranium-238 gas molecules toward the wall of the tube, leaving the lighter uranium-235 gas molecules closer to the axis, or center of the tube, where they can be pumped out, Binder told Live Science. Each time the gas is spun in a centrifuge, only a small amount of uranium-238 gas is removed from the mixture, so the tubes are used in series. Each centrifuge pulls out a little bit of uranium-238, and then passes the slightly refined gas mixture onto the next tube, and so on, until many hundreds of thousands of spins later, the gas remaining in the tube is almost entirely composed of uranium-235, Binder said. "You know the end of Indiana Jones [Raiders of the Lost Ark] where they are storing things and you can't see the end of it? That's what these buildings look like," said Jerry Klein, who was a business manager of the isotope production program at Oak Ridge National Laboratory at the time Live Science first reported on the story. "Just row after row of centrifuges. Just hundreds and thousands of them." After separating the gaseous uranium-235 through many centrifuge steps, engineers use another chemical reaction to convert the gas uranium back into a solid metal, Klein said. That metal can then be shaped for use in either reactors or bombs. [Top 10 Ways to Destroy Earth] Because each step only purifies the uranium gas mixture by a small amount, nations can only afford to run centrifuges that are engineered to the highest levels of efficiency, said Nietert. Otherwise, producing even a small amount of pure uranium-235 becomes prohibitively expensive. And designing and making those centrifuge tubes requires a level of investment and technical know-how beyond the reach of many countries, said Nietert. The tubes require special types of steel or composites to withstand the extreme pressures of rotation, must be perfectly cylindrical to maximize efficiency, and are manufactured by specialized machines almost as difficult to build as the tubes themselves, Nietert said. To put the endeavor of separating uranium into perspective, take the example of the building of the bomb that the United States dropped on Hiroshima. The United States needed 137 pounds (62 kilograms) of uranium-235 to make the bomb, according to "The Making of the Atomic Bomb" (Simon & Schuster, 1995). Separating those 137 pounds from almost 4 tons of uranium ore took place in worlds largest building and used 10 percent of the entire countrys electricity, Nietert said. It took 20,000 people to build the structure, 12,000 people to operate the facility, and cost more than $500 million, in 1944, to equip it, according to "The Making of the Atomic Bomb." Thats around $7.2 billion in 2018 dollars, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Editor's Note: This story was updated to clarify how the centrifuge process works. This story was originally published on May 18, 2010 and updated on May 8. 2018. Original article on Live Science. The Philadelphia Museum of Art gets a bit of a black eye when it comes to the modern art of a century ago, in part because of the Barnes Foundation, its formidable neighbor on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway. Popular lore casts the founder of that institution, the occasionally progressive plutocrat Albert C. Barnes, as the great champion of everything new in Philadelphia, and the Philadelphia Museum of Art as one of his perennial foils among the establishment institutions of a conservative city. None of that is entirely fair. First of all, that was a long time ago, and the Philadelphia Museum of Art has long since taken up the exhibition of contemporary art as an essential institutional duty. Second, for all his prescience, Barnes pursued an idiosyncratic and selective contemporary art agenda. Individual collectors who can operate with deep pockets, a personal vision and no guardrails when it comes to taking risks on art are not the benchmark against which large, institutional museums should be measured. Still, a new exhibition called "Modern Times: American Art 1910-1950" at the Philadelphia Museum of Art feels like evidence that the city's major art institution remained decidedly behind the times during a critical moment in the establishment of American art. It is billed as the largest exhibition of the museum's American art collection since a 1944 display of art amassed by Alfred Stieglitz, whose role as an artist, collector and sage helped define the institutional aesthetics of several large city museums, including Philadelphia, during much of the last century. But even though "Modern Times: American Art 1910-1950" is an amply sized show, it is not comprehensive. Not surprisingly, it is strong on the artists most closely associated with Stieglitz, the photographer, husband of Georgia O'Keefe and indefatigable exponent of one strain of American modernism. There are fine works by Marsden Hartley, John Marin, Arthur Dove, Charles Sheeler, Max Weber and, of course, Stieglitz and O'Keefe. But the show is only glancingly aware of the regionalists working at the same time, with a small painting on panel by Thomas Hart Benton as part of a larger ensemble of works focused on urban life of the 1920s and '30s and the era of Prohibition. Check the acquisition dates on the works included: A great many came in with collections acquired in the 1940s and '50s, including key works from the Stieglitz collection gifted to the museum by O'Keefe. But much of what is on view entered the museum's collection only in the second half of the 20th century, and some of it quite recently. One has the sense of an institution trying to fill in the gaps, especially when it comes to the work of female artists and artist of color. A delightful impressionist winter scene by the African-American artist William Henry Johnson entered the collection in 2008; Horace Pippin's spooky 1946 vignette "The Park Bench" and winter-gray mood study "The Getaway" were both 2016 bequests. There's a lot missing. No paintings by Rockwell Kent or Elsie Driggs, who would make a nice contrast to the many works by Charles Sheeler. Painters born outside the United States who nonetheless had significant impact here, including Rufino Tamayo and Yasuo Kuniyoshi, are absent, too. Meanwhile, Philadelphia painters whose works don't really measure up, including Arthur Beecher Carles and Henry McCarter - both of whom represented Philly in a 1933 exhibition at the Museum of Modern Art called "Painting and Sculpture from 16 American Cities" - are given unnecessary exposure. Although the exclusions based on hierarchies of taste and prejudice are lamentable, some of the curious inclusions that now seem odd, including second-rate post-impressionist work, are often charming. McCarter and Carles might make your teeth hurt with their post-Fauvist frenzies of color, but it's rare to see even this much of a remnant of local taste survive in a major 21st-century museum. Nothing is more canonical than the supposedly anti-canonical idea of a modern American sensibility. So the rare works that fall outside these parameters are a welcome relief. Of course, the power of the canon is inexorable, and this often scattered show only really takes on force when it juxtaposes powerful, established work by the great anti-establishment masters. A pairing of Duchamp's 1916 "Nude Descending a Staircase (No. 3)" with Man Ray's ominous march to war, "A.D. 1914," is a highlight, as is the proximity of Dorothy Norman's powerfully concentrated geometries of urban architecture (barely larger than a calling card) to Bernice Abbott's classic "New York at Night." Another trio of works - Charles Burchfield's "Stormy November Day," Pippin's "The Getaway" and Andrew Wyeth's 1953 "Cooling Shed" - uses a similar palette, but vastly different means, to convey something spectral and chilling about landscape and place. Like other exhibitions that focus on nationality or identity, this one resists conclusions. Perhaps the best way to experience it is as an archaeology of institutional thinking, and happenstance, that led to the peculiarities of what is on view. When the Philadelphia Museum, which is now undergoing a potentially transformative renovation and expansion designed by architect Frank Gehry, moved into its current building in 1928, it was still a work in progress. The director at the time, Fisk Kimball, noted that the American art represented tended to be dominated by Philadelphians. "The rest must follow," he said. They did, for the most part, with a number of salient exceptions. Finding those lacunas is part of the fun of this show. --- "Modern Times: American Art 1910-1950" is on view at the Philadelphia Museum of Art through Sept. 3. For more information visit philamuseum.org. J. Cole is coming to San Antonio this summer. The rapper is bringing his 34-date KOD Tour to the AT&T Center on Aug. 17. Tickets go on sale May 12 at 10 a.m. via the Dreamville, Ticketmaster and the AT&T Center websites, according to a Live Nation news release. RELATED: Brand new camping, music festival announced for Central Texas Pre-sales for American Express Card Members begins on May 8 at 10 a.m. and Spotify pre-sale starts on May 11 at 10 p.m. If you're looking for a smaller rap concert, Chief Keef is performing in San Antonio non May 24 at Alamo City Music Hall. Tickets are already on sale. Fresh off a searing performance at Jmblya, J. Cole has announced his 34-date KOD Tour. He performs Aug. 15 at Toyota Center. Tickets go on sale at 10 a.m. Saturday at livenation.com. Mother's Day is among the biggest times for Sunday brunch, but with so many options how do you know where to go? The online restaurant reservation service OpenTable announced its picks for the "100 Best Brunch Restaurants in America for 2018," and three Texas locations made the cut. Drinks are always $4 and views of the Alamo are always free at the 1909 Taproom well, unless you stay overnight, that is. The bar is located in the Hotel Gibbs at the corner of East Houston and North Alamo streets. It was formerly the full-service 1909 Bar & Bistro, but the restaurant portion has since been eliminated. Now it exclusively serves eight Texas beers and 10 Texas wines, 16- and 6-ounce pours, respectively, all priced at $4. The space has received a facelift as well, now sporting sleek gray walls, dark tables and just enough Texas-themed tchotchkes to remind you to remember the neighboring historical landmark. In February 2014, Ana was in the process of moving to Laredo from the Valley. She was also considering an abortion. She had heard she wouldn't be able to find abortion services in Laredo, but she looked up a clinic on San Bernardo just in case. It had closed. So that meant that Ana, whose name has been changed to protect her privacy, was going to have to go to San Antonio. She made her decision that week, and scheduled the procedure for Feb. 15. She was 24 years old at the time. READ ALSO: Here is what the $1.7B in funding for border security includes Texas law requires women seeking an abortion to receive a sonogram and state-mandated paperwork 24 hours before their procedure. However, because Ana lives more than 100 miles from the facility in San Antonio, she only had to participate in a conference call. Then the next day, the father of the baby, Ana's ex, drove her to the abortion clinic, where she underwent the procedure. And afterwards, they drove straight back to Laredo. "(The clinic) highly encouraged me to come back, but it was hard enough for me to go one time. So I just kind of didn't," she said. Ana has a son who was 2 years old at the time, and had to find child care for him while they made the trip. There was a lot of secrecy and lying in trying to hide what was going on from her family, she said. "I come from a very conservative, Catholic background. I thought, if I'm going to bring this up, it's going to be on my own terms. Because I think it should be up to me right now. I need to be able to face myself before I get their input," Ana said. "As good as their intentions are, I kind of have to make this decision on my own." READ ALSO: Campaign begins to raise $10 million for north Laredo health clinic But her family did find out about the abortion, and not through Ana. She said this caused a huge rift in her family that still exists today. Ana feels ostracized. "I always think that if I had been in Laredo for it, it could have been as simple as an outpatient procedure go back and chalk it up to a doctor's appointment," Ana said. "There was so much stigma around this, and unnecessary lying. "There were so many decisions having to be made on top of already making this life-altering decision." Ana tries to keep up her relationship with her father, who was very upset when he heard she had had an abortion. She wishes she could have told him on her own terms. Still, Ana recognizes that she was fortunate to have help from her ex when she needed it, and his car. "Not a lot of women seeking them out have that," she said. No local abortion providers since 2003 In 2001, 1,044 abortion procedures were reportedly performed at facilities in Webb County. In 2004, that number dropped to zero, where it has stayed ever since. The city's last abortion provider stopped visiting from San Antonio in 2003. And according to the Texas Department of State Health Services, no private doctors, clinics or hospitals in Webb County now perform the procedure. At one time Laredo had three women's clinics that performed abortions, City Health Director Dr. Hector Gonzalez said. "I'm sorry they left. All the politics aside, and the criticism, they provide comprehensive women's preventive care," Gonzalez said. So for the past 14 years, local women seeking to terminate their pregnancies would need to travel to San Antonio or the Valley for the procedure; or cross into Mexico for the "abortion pill," misoprostol. Texas Department of State Health Services data, which spans 2001 to 2015, show that the number of Webb County women who received abortions nose-dived about 74 percent over this time period from 865 in 2001 to 221 in 2015 the most dramatic decrease of any metro area on the Texas-Mexico border. Across the state, the number of women who received abortions in this time frame dropped only 27 percent. Dr. Gonzalez conceded that this decrease likely correlates with the women's clinics closing, but also with better preventative care. "I'd like to say that family planning, preventative medicine, comprehensive care, has made the difference. Because we definitely have seen, just in birth ... a 20 percent decrease. So people are waiting," he said. This decrease is reflected in the overall pregnancy rate too. In Webb County, pregnancies per 1,000 women (aged 15 to 44) has decreased 36 percent since 2001. In Texas, the pregnancy rate decreased 13 percent in that time. "Women have to have accessible health care, accessible contraceptive care, and at a place where it has licensed professional staff that know what they're doing and are going to do it professionally," Gonzalez said. As a Title X provider, the city's Health Department is prohibited from conducting abortions. If a woman comes in asking for one, staff will counsel her on other options. If she is adamant, Gonzalez said, staff is obligated to refer her to a private provider. However, they do not know of any local private doctors that will perform an abortion. "We just give them a list of the 26 (local) OB-GYNs and they have to go through and find out," Gonzalez said. "We don't have a direct referral because we don't know." Of course, if history is a guide, none of these private providers will agree to perform an abortion. In 2015, only 45 abortions across the state were conducted in physicians' offices, and only 139 in hospitals. The vast majority are performed in abortion facilities or same-day surgery centers. The Health Department will, however, provide emergency contraceptive pills, more commonly known as Plan B One-Step, when they have it. This can be used to stop a pregnancy up to five days after having sex. "Our Title X mandates that we provide every family planning contraceptive method it includes (Plan B). But many people in Laredo adamantly say that the one-step emergency pill is the same as the abortion pill, and they're not. They're totally different," Gonzalez said. "I respect those beliefs from persons who say, 'But you're still stopping the continuation of the fertilization.' But that's birth control. That's a woman's decision. We inform, we educate, they decide." The abortion pill, misoprostol in conjunction with mifepristone, is recommended to end a pregnancy of up to 12 weeks, according to the World Health Organization. In 2015, only 6,029 Texas women opted for a medical abortion, or about 11 percent. But the number of women taking the abortion pill is likely higher than is reflected in Health and Human Services data. Often Texas women will turn to Mexico for a medical abortion, where they can obtain the pills without a prescription even though this is illegal. In 2016, NPR reported that misoprostol is easy to obtain in Mexico without a prescription and far cheaper than it runs in the U.S. Dr. Gonzalez said that Mexico generally has an excellent health care system. "But are there pharmacies who still might sell (misoprostol) to you?" He gives a knowing look. "Probably. Is it legal? No. Not even in Mexico. You still need a prescription." In his 16 years at the Health Department, Gonzalez said he has never seen a patient who has attempted an at-home abortion. But they have emergency protocol in place if that were to happen, he said. In a 2015 study published by the University of Texas called "Knowledge, opinion and experience related to abortion self-induction in Texas," researchers concluded that self-induced abortions appear to be more common among Latinas near the U.S.-Mexico border and among women who report barriers accessing reproductive health services. Seven percent of abortion patients in Texas in 2012 tried to end a pregnancy on their own, the study found. Julia Wallace may be reached at 956-728-2543 or jwallace@lmtonline.com Laredo police are searching for a woman they say was seen leaving a store without paying for several televisions. The unidentified woman selected four TVs, loaded them into her shopping cart and walked out of the store without paying, according to the Laredo Police Department. The incident was caught on surveillance video at the store, located on 5600 San Bernardo, around 3 a.m. on May 1. Border Patrol agents along with the Laredo Police Department responded to a request for assistance from Homeland Security Investigations on Sunday regarding suspicious activity at a residence in East Fremont Street. A total of 36 undocumented immigrants were found inside the residence. They were determined to be from Guatemala, Mexico, El Salvador and Honduras. Homeland Security Investigations is the lead investigative agency in this case. 1 Water resources: The outlook for the most important river in the southwestern U.S. remains grim after April storms failed to produce much snow to feed the waterway, forecasters said Monday. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration said the Colorado River is expected to carry only 43 percent of the average amount of water into Lake Powell, one of two huge reservoirs that store and distribute the river. Its the fifth-lowest forecast in 54 years. But officials have said that Powell and its companion, Lake Mead, will be high enough to avoid cutbacks for water users this year. 2 Restaurant shooting: A man accused of killing four people at a Waffle House in Nashville will undergo a mental health evaluation before going to court. A judge on Monday granted a request by the defendants lawyer that he receive an outpatient evaluation before moving forward with proceedings. Travis Reinking faces multiple charges in the April 22 shooting, including four counts of homicide. Police said the 29-year-old was wearing only a green jacket when he opened fire outside the Waffle House and then stormed the restaurant with an AR-15 rifle. ALTON Residents of Alton Manor public housing complex soon will get sparkling new kitchens. At the Alton Housing Authoritys Board of Commissioners regular monthly meeting May 1, the panel approved a construction contract with Schemel-Tarrillion Inc., of Perryville, Missouri, for the work. Vote was 4-0, with Commissioner Valorie Harris absent. Schemel-Tarrillion submitted the lower of two bids for the project, totaling $140,860. That bid includes alternate bids adding painting and installation of light fixtures to the package. Morrissey Construction of Godfrey submitted the only other bid, of $265,000, officials said. The 44-unit complex, at East Elm Street and Dooley Drive, has aging kitchens with old appliances, cabinets and countertops. The construction contract requires the firm to complete the work within 120 calendar days of the starting date on the notice to proceed, which is not specified in the contract. The AHA used architects Morse, Leonatti Parker Ltd., of Springfield, Illinois. The AHA previously reserved the complex for older residents and people with disabilities, but changed admissions to allow those of all ages to occupy the units. Some of the apartments are efficiencies, with one main room, a kitchenette and bathroom. In the only other vote at the meeting, commissioners approved a resolution 3-0 that allows AHA Executive Director Greg Denton to sign another contract with the city for the Alton Police Department to provide supplemental patrols and other related services. Police also enforce parking rules, the AHA ban list for trespassing and respond to disturbances, vandalism or other problems. Officers are required to complete a daily log after each shift that details events, observations of properties such as presence of graffiti and any broken sidewalks, arrests, contacts with people and hours worked. The contract requires two patrol officers to work four hours per day on assigned days, between one and four days per week. The officers may conduct the patrols on foot, bicycle or vehicles. The one-year contract, not to exceed $35,000, is retroactive to April 1. The additional police work is for Alton Acres and Oakwood Estates housing complexes, with the deputy police chief and Denton to work out when and where the extra patrols will take place. The AHA has paid for the supplemental patrols at the two complexes since 2010; at times boosting the number of hours, and cost, as they deemed necessary. Contracts for the extra patrols were $40,000 per year in 2011-12 and in 2012-13, but most years the amounts have been $35,000. Last fiscal year, which ended March 31, Alton police conducted 81 such special patrols. Besides the supplemental patrols, officials are hoping the new, 32 digital, 5-megapixel surveillance cameras that Vision Link Technologies LLC installed at Oakwood and Alton Acres will serve as a deterrent to crime and disorderliness. The new cameras replaced 23, old analog cameras at the two complexes that were more than 12 years old. They feed live images onto split screens at the Alton police Command Center. Commissioner Greg Caffey abstained from voting because he is an employee of the city, serving as Altons director of development and housing. Reach Linda N. Weller at 618-208-6450 or on Twitter @Linda_Weller The first thing most West Virginians think of when they hear the name Don Blankenship is the explosion. The former coal executive served a one-year prison sentence after he was convicted of conspiring to violate federal mine safety and health standards following the 2010 disaster at Massey Energy's Upper Big Branch coal mine. The accident left 29 workers dead. Such a corporate scandal would cause many chief executives to resign from public life forever. But Blankenship is trying to rewrite his own plot with a new line: U.S. senator from West Virginia. Blankenship has a shot at winning Tuesday's Republican primary for the U.S. Senate, if internal GOP polling reported by the Weekly Standard is any indication. Despite (or maybe because of) opposition from the GOP establishment, Blankenship is garnering 28 percent of the primary vote in that poll, with his nearest opponent barely behind with 27 percent. But the Upper Big Branch explosion is not Blankenship's first run-in with critics. Neither is his Senate run - featuring a recent incendiary television spot about Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell helping "China people." In fact, as he rose through the ranks of Massey Energy, Blankenship again and again attracted harsh rebuke - and even a few bullets. Here's a run down: - "We don't have any love for the union": In the mid-1980s, the United Mine Workers went on strike against Massey, which at the time employed about 1,100 workers in eastern Kentucky and southern West Virginia. Blankenship, then a manager at a Massey subsidiary, was tasked with dealing with the miners. Massey broke with the rest of the coal industry by refusing to sign a 1984 deal with the union to end the strike. Miners believed the company was trying to break up the union by insisting on separate contracts for each of its many offshoot companies. A year after the start of the strike, nonunion coal trucks drove through a union blockade, damaging the cars of striking miners. Blankenship said the drivers smashed the blockade because they "feared for their lives." Blankenship eventually "brought in replacement workers [and] armed security," union president Cecil Roberts told The Washington Post in 2010. It was during this strike, according to Blankenship, that an unknown gunman shot 11 bullets into his office, including one into a TV set he would later come to display as a kind of trophy. "I'm ready to be killed for this reason," Blankenship told The Washington Post in the 1980s, seeing the fight not as one between a corporation and its workers but as one between nationwide union and local managers. "The UMW is trying to take away our freedom," Blankenship said at the time. "We don't have any love for the union. I firmly believe they tried to kill us on several occasions." - Bigger than Exxon Valdez: In 2000, Blankenship's first year as Massey's chief executive, the bottom of one of the company's coal slurry impoundments broke into the mines below it, allowing the gooey waste to ooze into waterways in Kentucky and West Virginia. The sludge, laden with arsenic and mercury, "killed everything in the streams, all the way to the Ohio River," Jack Spadaro, a Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) engineer, told "60 Minutes" in 2004. Spadaro had become a whistleblower by then when, as he describes it, the George W. Bush administration prematurely closed its investigation into Massey following the spill. MSHA is a division of the Labor Department, which at the time was headed by Elaine Chao - who, in a bit of irony, is President Donald Trump's transportation secretary as well as Mitch McConnell's wife. The spill was "vastly larger in scale than the oil spill from the Exxon Valdez," according to ProPublica reporter and McConnell biographer Alec MacGillis. - Other deadly accidents: Even before the deadly 2010 disaster, "Upper Big Branch miners lost more time on the job through worksite accidents than did other miners nationally" in seven of the eight years before that accident, The Post reported in 2010. The statistics were stark: Between 2005 and 2010, the MSHA cited the mine for 1,342 safety violations and $1.89 million in proposed fines. Before the explosion, three miners had died there after 1998. And at another mine, more workers died because of criminal safety violations. In 2006, a conveyer belt fire suffocated two miners at the Aracoma Alma Mine in West Virginia's Logan County. The Massey subsidiary that owned the mine eventually pleaded guilty to 10 criminal charges. According to the Charleston Gazette-Mail, the crimes included "not providing a proper escape tunnel out of the underground mine, to not conducting required evacuation drills, and to faking a record book so it appeared the drills had been done." Blankenship's baggage has prompted Republican Party leaders, including Trump, to beg West Virginians to not put him on the general-election ticket, fearing that such a compromised candidate will lose in the deep-red state just as Republican Roy Moore lost to Democrat Doug Jones in Alabama. The West Virginia race represents one of the GOP's best chances of keeping its thin 51-to-49 majority in the Senate with a possible Democratic wave election. The victor of Tuesday's three-way Republican primary will take on Sen. Joe Manchin III, one of the most vulnerable Democratic incumbents up for reelection in November. Yet fewer elected Republicans - outgoing Sen. Jeff Flake of Arizona being an exception - are making the case against Blankenship not because he will lose against Manchin, but because he simply ought not be a U.S. senator. New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman resigned Monday night, stepping down from office hours after he was accused of physically abusing four women in an article published by the New Yorker. The women had said Schneiderman, the top law enforcement official in New York state and a prominent opponent of President Trump, choked and repeatedly slapped them. In announcing his resignation, Schneiderman said he continued to "strongly contest" the allegations but felt he had to leave office. "In the last several hours, serious allegations, which I strongly contest, have been made against me," Schneiderman said in a statement. "While these allegations are unrelated to my professional conduct or the operations of the office, they will effectively prevent me from leading the office's work at this critical time." He said his resignation would be effective "at the close of business" on Tuesday, marking a sudden, stunning fall for a politician expected to one day run for governor in New York. They also showed again the power of allegations of physical and sexual misconduct in the #MeToo era, adding Schneiderman - who had advocated for women - to the lengthy list of high-profile men who have fallen from power after women came forward to make painful accusations. Two women, Michelle Manning Barish and Tanya Selvaratnam, told the New Yorker on the record that they had been in romantic relationships with Schneiderman when he choked and slapped them, leading them to seek medical treatment. They described patterns of emotional as well as physical abuse. Selvaratnam said Schneiderman warned her he could have her followed and her phones tapped. Both women said he threatened to kill them if they ended their relationships with him, according to the magazine's story. Schneiderman's spokesperson told the magazine that he "never made any of these threats." The New Yorker also said a third woman made similar accusations of nonconsensual physical violence, while a fourth - described as an attorney who has held high positions in the New York legal sphere - told the magazine that when she rejected one of Schneiderman's advances, he "slapped her across the face with such force that it left a mark that lingered the next day." All four women said their physical abuse was not consensual. Schneiderman had denied assaulting the women, saying in a statement: "In the privacy of intimate relationships, I have engaged in role-playing and other consensual sexual activity. I have not assaulted anyone. I have never engaged in nonconsensual sex, which is a line I would not cross." The New York Police Department said in a statement Monday night that it did not have any complaints on file regarding Schneiderman. A spokesman said if any such complaints are received, the department would "investigate them thoroughly." The allegations against Schneiderman came after he had taken on an increased national profile due to his repeated legal challenges to the Trump administration. He also pushed recently for the state to change its laws so that he and his office could prosecute people connected to Trump if the president winds up pardoning them. Schneiderman, a Democrat who was first elected in 2010 and was up for a potential third term later this year, has been an outspoken advocate for women. His office filed a civil rights lawsuit in February against the movie producer Harvey Weinstein, who has been accused of repeated assaults and attacks on women, as well as against his brother and the Weinstein Company. In March, New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo, D, directed Schneiderman to review how the Manhattan district attorney handled a sexual assault allegation against Weinstein. "We are deeply familiar with Harvey Weinstein's years of egregious sexual abuse, and recently filed a civil rights lawsuit against him alleging severe and persistent abuse of employees at [the Weinstein Company]," Schneiderman said in a statement at the time. "We are committed to pursuing a full, fair, and independent review of this matter." The New Yorker story was written by Jane Mayer, an acclaimed veteran of the magazine, and Ronan Farrow, who recently shared in a Pulitzer Prize for his reporting in the magazine on the allegations against Weinstein. Manning Barish told the New Yorker that about four weeks after their physical relationship began, Schneiderman became violent. She recalled to the magazine how Schneiderman slapped her one night after they had both been drinking: "All of a sudden, he just slapped me, openhanded and with great force, across the face, landing the blow directly onto my ear," Manning Barish says. "It was horrendous. It just came out of nowhere. My ear was ringing. I lost my balance and fell backward onto the bed. I sprang up, but at this point there was very little room between the bed and him. I got up to try to shove him back, or take a swing, and he pushed me back down. He then used his body weight to hold me down, and he began to choke me. The choking was very hard. It was really bad. I kicked. In every fibre, I felt I was being beaten by a man." On Monday, shortly after the article's publication, Manning Barish tweeted a link to it, adding, "After the most difficult month of my life-I spoke up. For my daughter and for all women. I could not remain silent and encourage other women to be brave for me. I could not." Jennifer Cunningham, Schneiderman's ex-wife and a political strategist, released a statement Monday saying she was surprised by the accusations against her ex-husband. "I've known Eric for nearly thirty-five years as a husband, father, and friend," she said. "These allegations are completely inconsistent with the man I know, who has always been someone of the highest character, outstanding values, and a loving father. I find it impossible to believe these allegations are true." In the New Yorker story, Selvaratnam said many of the attacks occurred after Schneiderman drank alcohol. He often drank heavily, she said, consuming a bottle and half of wine or more - and then berated her the next morning for "not having kept him away from the alcohol," the magazine reported. Selvaratnam described how, on the morning of Jan. 19, 2017 - the day before Trump's inauguration - Schneiderman called her from a hospital emergency room: "He told me that he'd been drinking the night before he fell down. He didn't realize he'd cut himself, and got into bed, and when he woke up he was in a pool of blood." Selvaratnam rushed to the hospital. Schneiderman had several stitches above his left eye; his face was puffy and bruised. He had her send his press secretary a photograph of the injury, and they agreed to cancel a public appearance. In the image, which was shared with The New Yorker, Schneiderman has a black eye and a bandage across the left side of his forehead. Schneiderman then called Cunningham, his ex-wife and political consultant, and they agreed that he and Selvaratnam should tell anyone who asked about the injury that he had fallen "while running." After the allegations were published on the New Yorker's site, numerous officials began to call on Schneiderman to leave office, including Cuomo, the New York governor. "My personal opinion is that, given the damning pattern of facts and corroboration laid out in the article, I do not believe it is possible for Eric Schneiderman to continue to serve as Attorney General, and for the good of the office, he should resign," Cuomo said in a statement. Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, D-N.Y., in a statement Monday called the accusations of violence "abhorrent." "Based on this extensive and serious reporting, I do not believe that Eric Schneiderman should continue to serve as Attorney General," she said. "There should be a full and immediate investigation into these credible allegations." Calls for Schneiderman's resignation were echoed by Republican leaders as well. The New York GOP called for Schneiderman to step down and said the accusations were "dark and disturbing." "It's clear Eric has no place holding any public office, let alone as the state's #1 law enforcement officer," the party said in a statement on Twitter. "He must resign immediately." Schneiderman has been a longtime opponent of Trump, an antagonistic history that predated his wave of legal actions against the president's policies in office. In 2013, Schneiderman filed a suit against Trump's now-defunct real estate seminar program, Trump University, which later settled for $25 million. Schneiderman also launched an investigation into Trump's charitable foundation, and when Trump announced before taking office that he would shut down his foundation, Schneiderman's office said it could not dissolve until that probe concluded. On Monday, one of Trump's sons responded to the article by digging up one of Schneiderman's old tweets in which he said, "No one is above the law." Donald Trump Jr. tweeted at Schneiderman: "You were saying???" Rep. Lee Zeldin, R-N.Y., tweeted that an attorney general knows "he can't consent on behalf of the woman he's assaulting." He called for a resignation and an apology from Schneiderman. "As [Schneiderman] would say, kudos to 'the brave women and men who spoke up about the sexual harassment they had endured at the hands of powerful men,'" Zeldin said. --- Video Link Video: New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman announced on Nov. 28, 2017, an agreement with a hospital to prevent sexual assault victims from being billed. (Attorney General Eric Schneiderman) https://wapo.st/2rqtuej TOKYO - North Korean leader Kim Jong Un wants to talk to President Donald Trump about "phased and synchronous measures" to deal with their nuclear standoff, Chinese state media reported Tuesday after Kim made his second visit to China in as many months. This wording, coupled with Kim's desire to "eventually achieve denuclearization and lasting peace on the peninsula," will ring alarm bells in Washington as it reinforces suspicions that the North Korean leader will ask Trump to take simultaneous steps to reduce tensions. Kim is expected to meet Trump some time in the next month for what would be the first meeting between a sitting American president and a North Korean leader. There is a considerable amount of skepticism among analysts that Kim, having tried so hard to get a credible nuclear weapons program, is about to give it all up - certainly not without extracting major concessions from the United States. That could include lessening the American military footprint in South Korea. Kim made the remarks during a two-day visit to the Chinese port city of Dalian, not far from the North Korean border, where he met with President Xi Jinping, Xinhua reported Tuesday night. His younger sister and close aide, Kim Yo Jong, could be seen at the meetings with him. "Xi held talks with Kim and hosted a welcome banquet for him. Together, they also took a stroll and attended a luncheon," the state news agency reported, noting that the meeting took place in a "cordial and friendly atmosphere." During their talks, Xi noted that Kim has recently made active efforts to promote dialogue and that current diplomatic efforts were "conducive to a political solution," Xinhua reported. Xi was reportedly in the northeastern city to attend a ceremony marking the test launch of China's first entirely domestically-produced aircraft carrier. Shortly afterward, North Korea's most authoritative news anchor, Ri Chun Hee, took to the country's airwaves to announce the visit. Her appearance - she delivers only the most important news - underscores the emphasis that the Kim regime is putting on the current efforts at detente. The news of another visit, complete with photos of Kim and Xi walking in the sunshine and looking relaxed on an outdoor deck, highlights the Chinese desire to be right in the middle of the current burst of diplomacy surrounding North Korea. For his part, Kim could be trying to improve ties with Xi - which have been frosty, to put it mildly - in case his outreach to Trump falls flat, analysts say. Trump tweeted Tuesday morning Washington time that he would soon be talking to his "friend" Xi. "The primary topics will be Trade, where good things will happen, and North Korea, where relationships and trust are building," he tweeted. As with his train trip to Beijing in March, speculation had been rife ahead of the announcement that Kim had traveled to Dalian, not far from the border between China and North Korea after citizens reported tightened security and traffic controls. Then Kim's personal jet and another plane belonging to North Korea's state airline were spotted at an airport near the city. This latest visit is part of a remarkable series of events over the past few months. On Jan. 1, Kim was threatening to send nuclear-tipped missiles to the United States and Trump was warning of military options for dealing with the North Korean leader. Then, precipitated by talks held during the Winter Olympics in South Korea in February, North Korea has started responding to the outside world. Kim traveled to Beijing in March, his first journey outside the country since becoming leader at the end of 2011, for a red-carpet visit accompanied by his wife and top members of his regime. Then, late last month, Kim crossed the Demilitarized Zone into South Korea to meet President Moon Jae-in for a summit during which they signed a statement agreeing to the "complete denuclearization" of the Korean Peninsula. That is considered a warm-up act for a meeting with Trump, likely to be held later this month or in early June. Trump said Friday the date and location will be announced soon. The second meeting with Xi and the lack of details on the Trump-Kim summit have raised speculation among analysts that the summit preparations may have hit a snag. South Korean Foreign Minister Kang Kyung-wha tried to dismiss the concerns, saying it was "diplomatically unthinkable" to delay the summit given both leaders' "strong" will to hold it. "From a broad perspective, I think it would not be a big problem that the summit [plan] is announced one or two days late," Kang, who attended the inter-Korean summit, said in an interview with local broadcaster KBS. "This meeting is one that carries the will of President Trump and State Affairs Commission Chairman Kim Jong Un," she said, using one of Kim's formal titles. Trump has said that Kim's sudden interest in talking is the direct result of the United States' "maximum pressure" policy on the North Korean regime. Many analysts agree that this as least part of the reason for Kim's sudden about-face. But they say it is also because the 34-year-old North Korean leader, having achieved his goal of developing a credible nuclear weapons program, is now turning his attention to the economy. Kim announced a "simultaneous push" policy in 2013 of developing the nuclear program and the economy at the same time. Last year he demonstrated he had missiles that could technically reach the entire United States mainland and that he had a huge nuclear bomb. But the international sanctions imposed as punishment for those efforts are severely hurting the North Korean economy, in no small part because China has been aggressively enforcing them. Beijing has long prioritized North Korean regime stability over nuclear punishments, but the specter of American military strikes appears to have convinced Xi that possible instability was preferable to war on its border. News of a second meeting between the two leaders so soon after the first one surprised analysts. Yanmei Xie, a senior China policy analyst at Gavekal Dragonomics in Beijing, noted that Xinhua reported Kim came to China to "brief" Xi on what it called the rapid development of the regional situation. "This is Kim demonstrating to Xi and the rest of the world that despite warming relations with the South and prospect for mending ties with Washington, China-North Korea relations take precedence over all else," she said. Lu Chao, a Korea specialist at the Liaoning Academy of Social Sciences in Shenyang, not far from Dalian, said this latest meeting disproved contentions that China was not playing a central role in diplomatic developments related to North Korea. "It's impossible to exclude China from things happening on the Korean Peninsula," he said. "It's been a consensus among U.S. presidents that without China, it's very tough to solve the Korean Peninsula issue." Others said it could be a sign of real discussions about denuclearization. "If Kim Jong Un is in China again, there might be some real substantive negotiations going on," said Zhao Tong, a nuclear policy expert at the Carnegie-Tsinghua Center for Global Policy in Beijing. "Maybe North Korea and the U.S. are thinking about making some radical concessions." South Korea has repeatedly said that the North is willing to discuss its nuclear program in talks with the United States, although "denuclearization" has not been defined. The language in the April 27 agreement has many American analysts worried that Kim will insist on U.S. military drawdowns from South Korea as part of any deal. Although there is considerable skepticism in the United States and Japan about whether North Korea is genuine, analysts point out that Kim appears to want to move on from nuclear to economic development. "I do think North Korea would have a very strong interest to pivot to economic development," Zhao said. "In this regard it would have a strong motivation to build much stronger economic ties with China, South Korea and Russia." The South Korean government is exploring ways to increase economic cooperation with North Korea without breaching international sanctions or earning the ire of Trump. Reports from the Chinese-North Korean border suggest that Chinese authorities have already lost much of their enthusiasm for enforcing existing sanctions. But Xie of Gavekal Dragonomics said that, deep down, Kim knows Washington and Seoul are unlikely to lift sanctions anytime soon and that he has to rely on China to provide economic relief. "By receiving Kim twice in such a short span of time and flaunting the bilateral 'traditional friendship,' Beijing is demonstrating that the two countries' positions are now fully aligned and discord is a thing of the past," she said. --- Denyer reported from Beijing. The Washington Post's Shirley Feng in Beijing contributed to this report. --- Video Embed Code Video: On May 9, Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe will host China's Premiere Li Keqiang and South Korean President Moon Jae-in.(Jason Aldag/The Washington Post) Embed code: The hotly anticipated testimony came during the peak of summer, a swell of 90-degree days in the capital. The networks cleared their normal broadcast lineups to air it live; television crews flocked to the hometown of the witness, a high-ranking national security official; people all around the country crammed toward the nearest televisions sets, drawn, perhaps by the weighty questions hanging over the scandal, which was drawing comparisons to Watergate. Was the president above the law? What did he approve, and when? And would any evidence of misconduct emerge that would allow Democrats and other allies to muster votes for the president's impeachment? It was 1987. Ronald Reagan was president and Oliver North, a staffer on the National Security Council, was taking the stand in a congressional inquiry into the Iran-contra affair, a multifaceted covert scheme in which profits from weapons sales to Iran were funnel under the table to right-wing rebels in Nicaragua who were fighting the country's socialist government. One of the biggest political scandals of its day - and one that cast a negative pall over the Reagan administration - the scheme represented sharp violations of American law and policy. The news on Monday that North, the lightning rod former Marine Corps lieutenant colonel, would take over as the president of the National Rifle Association drew a cascade of commentary and heated jabs from many left-leaning commentators. North, a staunch conservative who has found a rebirth as a commentator on Fox News, is perhaps best known for his central role in the illicit arms deals. North was fired from his post as an aide on the National Security Council by Reagan shortly after the scandal spilled into public view in the news media in 1986 and began to widen. An amendment passed in Congress earlier in the decade had prohibited most government funds or military support from being given to the contra rebels. North, who had helped carry out the schemes, was the most anticipated witness called to the Hill for a hearing hosted by a congressional inquiry into the affair. Tens of millions of people tuned into the proceedings, a national news event that occupied The Washington Post's front page for days, and one whose aura stage-worthy drama - "Olliemania," the Post called it - earned it lighter coverage in newspaper's style section as well. "The day-long show proved again that Washington can still outdo Hollywood in the production of high-yield dramatic blockbusters," the Post reported. Reporters talked to people listening to North's hearing all around the country: on a plane, where travelers were asking flight attendants to tune in on the aircraft; at a liberal radio station in North Hollywood, at a bar in Cape Cod. Another Post report related an anecdote about an investment banker listening on a portable television on the D.C. subway. "Not since former White House counsel John W. Dean III testified during the Watergate hearings 13 summers ago have so many people gone to such lengths to watch a congressional witness," reporter T.R. Reid wrote. "Those who weren't interested in his testimony had to go to nearly equal lengths to avoid it." Dressed in a forest green Marine Corps uniform adorned with six rows of ribbon and, at least some days, lightly tinted glasses, North, then 43, captivated audiences with his testimony, for which he was given immunity. The hearings spanned for six days. "I came here to tell you - the truth, the good, the bad, and the ugly," he said at the outset on July 7, 1987. "And I am here to accept responsibility for that which I did. I will not accept responsibility for that which I did not do." He admitted that he had shredded key documents about the initiatives, but said he was doing what his superiors wanted, and disclosed that CIA Director William Casey had been aware of some of his activities. And he "openly admitted that he had lied to 'unwitting' Reagan administration officials, misled Congress and the public, falsified and destroyed official documents as part of a preconceived coverup plan designed to protect his superiors, and specifically the president. But he also implicated higher-ups with his repeated assertions that all of his actions had been approved by higher authority," the Post reported. But though North said he believed that Reagan had tasked him keeping "the body and soul," of the contras together, he gave no evidence that Reagan had directly authorized or been informed of the specifics of the plans. "Throughout the conduct of my entire tenure at the National Security Council, I assumed that the president was aware of what I was doing and had, through my superiors, approved it," North testified. "To my recollection, Admiral Poindexter never told me that he met with the president on the issue of using residuals from the Iranian sales to support the Nicaraguan resistance. Or that he discussed the residuals or profits for use by the contras with the president. Or that he got the president's specific approval. Nor did he tell me that the president had approved such a transaction. But again, I wish to reiterate throughout I believed that the president had indeed authorized such activity." After North had been fired, Reagan called him and told him, "I just didn't know," North said. North's appearances apparently resonated. An ABC News Poll cited by the Post at the time found that 92 percent of the public thought that North did well in defending his actions; 64 percent came to see him as a victim and not a villain in the scandal. North had argued that he had lied in order to save lives if the operations, which were covert, had been disclosed, and portrayed himself "as a loyal subordinate following what he believed to be the lawful instructions of his superiors," the Post wrote. "Indeed, day after day, Lt. Col. Oliver North gained an increasingly strong emotional stranglehold on many Americans as he cleverly projected himself as a brave, America-loving Marine who put the nation's interest above that of even his family," Post columnist Dorothy Butler Gilliam wrote. North was later convicted in 1989 of abetting the obstruction of Congress, destroying documents and receiving an illegal gratuity, but the conviction was later dismissed due to complications stemming from the immunity he was given for his congressional testimony. Facing an appeal from North, prosecutors concluded that they could not prove that all of the trial witnesses had been unaffected by the televised testimony from 1987. "When I teach the Iran Contra Affair and Oliver North to intro IR students, they stare at me in total disbelief," Colby College political scientist Laura Seay wrote on Twitter. "Like, they literally don't believe a story that crazy could be true. In real life. Under Reagan." ---- Part of a continuing series about events of the past that remain relevant. --- Video Link National Security Council staffer Lt. Col. Oliver North was convicted in 1989 of charges related to the Iran-contra affair. (C-SPAN) https://wapo.st/2rrKjoV WASHINGTON - President Donald Trump is expected to announce Tuesday that he will not continue a waiver of sanctions against Iran, according to current and former U.S. and foreign officials, a major step toward ending the nuclear agreement he has called an "insane" deal that "never, ever should have been made." The decision follows the failure of last-ditch efforts by the three European signatories to the agreement to convince Trump that his concerns about "flaws" in the 2015 accord could be addressed without violating its terms or ending it altogether. While the deal itself contains no provisions for withdrawal, Iran has threatened to reactivate its nuclear program if the United States reneges on any of its obligations under the pact's terms. France and Germany, whose leaders visited Washington, D.C., in recent weeks to appeal to Trump, have warned that nullification of the agreement could lead to all-out war in the Middle East. British Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson, in Washington on Monday, said that as far as he knows, the administration has no clear "Plan B" for what to do next. Trump tweeted Monday that he would announce his decision at 2 p.m. Tuesday. He is free to reimpose all U.S. sanctions, and even announce new ones. But he is expected to stop short of reneging on the deal altogether. Instead, he will address a portion of the wide range of sanctions that were waived when the deal was first implemented, while leaving in limbo other waivers that are due in July. The affected sanctions, imposed by Congress in 2012, require other countries to reduce Iranian oil imports or risk U.S. sanctions on their banks and their ability to conduct Iran-related financial transactions. Waivers on those sanctions must be signed every 120 days, and the next deadline is Saturday. Trump is unlikely to specify how the United States will treat the complex set of legal designations on banks, companies and people affected by the import waiver, officials said. The Treasury Department has been drawing contingency plans, and it could take months for the measures to be fully reimposed. But "you could immediately see countries start to reduce their purchases of Iranian oil," said Richard Nephew, a former State Department official who headed the sanctions team during negotiations on the agreement. Countries, and the companies that actually buy and sell oil, could say, "Let's not bank on this all turning out OK," he said. The Iranian economy has been in crisis mode for much of this year, with the currency, the rial, losing more than a third of its value, despite an increase in oil production and sales. Iran has long alleged that the United States has violated the deal by continuing to make it difficult for U.S. and international companies to invest there, despite the removal of sanctions. Under the terms of the nuclear deal, negotiated under President Barack Obama, along with the three European allies, Russia and China, Tehran agreed to sharply curtail the quantity and the quality of enriched uranium it produced for the next 15 years. It shut down most of its nuclear production facilities and shipped most of its stored fuel out of the country. In return, nuclear-related international economic sanctions were lifted, and the United States agreed to activate waiver provisions for its unilateral sanctions. Officials, who spoke about the upcoming announcement on the condition of anonymity, suggested that Trump will use the threat of further measures as leverage on both the Europeans and Iran itself. Trump, who criticized the Iran deal throughout his presidential campaign, said in January that the United States would "withdraw" unless the agreement was rewritten to address his concerns. They included its sunset and verification provisions; Iran's separate ballistic missile development and testing programs; and Iranian support for terrorism and interference in regional conflicts, such as in Syria and Yemen. U.S. regional allies, led by Israel and Saudi Arabia, strongly supported his position. They said Iran threatened their own national security. Britain, France and Germany, while saying they shared Trump's concerns, noted that Iran had not violated the nuclear accord and said the world was better off keeping the deal in place while other worries were separately addressed. Over the past several months, the three have agreed to take new measures, including sanctions, to crack down on Iran's regional activities and its missile program. But despite their promises and appeals - and statements of support by Trump's own military advisers and a number of U.S. lawmakers who previously had objected to the deal - the Europeans were unable to persuade the president. His tough stand has been bolstered by new members of his national security team, including national security adviser John Bolton and Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, both long-standing opponents of the agreement. In his announcement, Trump is expected to describe the action as one element of a tougher position on Iran, although it remained unclear whether he will propose any additional policy elements to deal with Iran's regional activities and ballistic missiles. He will cite Iranian documents about a 1990s-era covert nuclear weapons project as proof that Iran lied about the extent of its program, two people familiar with discussions about the decision said. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu unveiled the documents last week. The Israeli presentation was widely criticized as a publicity stunt designed to influence U.S. public opinion with information that was widely known and had provided the impetus for the negotiations in the first place. The U.S. intelligence community has said the weapons program ended in 2003. In a tweet Monday, Trump alleged that John Kerry, who led Obama's negotiating team while serving as secretary of state, was engaging in "possibly illegal Shadow Diplomacy," referring to a Boston Globe report that Kerry was consulting with the European allies. Ian Bremmer, president of Eurasia Group, a global risk-analysis firm, said a withdrawal from the Iran deal would be the "biggest slap in the face to date to U.S. allies," more significant than withdrawing from the 12-nation Trans-Pacific Partnership trade negotiations and the Paris climate accord, recognizing Jerusalem as Israel's capital, and imposing steel and aluminum tariffs on Japan and other nations. Trump's decision comes weeks before he is expected to meet with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un in a bid to curb that nation's nuclear weapons program. Some foreign policy experts said that canceling the Iran deal could send a message to Kim's regime that the United States is an unreliable negotiating partner. But Victor Cha, a Korea expert at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, said at a conference Monday that the Trump White House would use a withdrawal to "send the signal that an Iran deal is not good enough for North Korea - that they need to do better than an Iran deal." "In terms of how the North Koreans would take it, I don't think they'd take it one way or the other," Cha said. "I don't think they'd see it as negative or positive, because they think they're different from everybody else, anyway." --- Video Embed Code: The Post's Alan Sipress and Karen DeYoung explain how President Trump's decision might affect an already tense Middle East. (Sarah Parnass, Joyce Lee/The Washington Post) Embed: --- Video Embed Code Video: President Trump says he will announce May 8 whether the United States will re-impose sanctions on Iran. The Post's Alan Sipress and Karen DeYoung explain how his decision might affect an already tense Middle East. (Sarah Parnass, Joyce Lee/The Washington Post)(Sarah Parnass, Joyce Lee/The Washington Post) Embed code: Washington President Donald Trump defended Gina Haspel, his nominee to head the Central Intelligence Agency, on Monday, dismissing criticism of her involvement in a harsh interrogation program and arguing that Democrats want her out because she "is too tough on terror." Haspel had offered to withdraw her nomination, administration officials said, amid concern that a debate over interrogation practices that some call torture was attracting unfavorable attention and could hurt the CIA. She would not want to stay in "if she felt her nomination would be a problem" for the CIA, but the White House has complete confidence in her, press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders said Monday. Haspel was meeting at the Capitol Monday with senators whose support could be key to her confirmation. Asked if there was any chance she would withdraw, Haspel told reporters, "Looking forward to Wednesday," when she will be questioned by the Senate Intelligence Committee. Trump said earlier on Twitter that Haspel has "come under fire because she was too tough on Terrorists." White House aides on Friday sought out additional details about Haspel's involvement in the CIA's now-defunct program of detaining and brutally interrogating terror suspects after the Sept. 11 attacks as they prepared her for the confirmation hearing. This is when she offered to withdraw, officials said. They said Haspel, who is the acting director of the CIA, was reassured that her nomination was still on track. The officials spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss internal deliberations. The news was first reported Sunday by The Washington Post. Haspel, who would be the first woman to lead the CIA, is the first career operations officer to be nominated to lead the agency in decades. She served almost entirely undercover, and much of her record is classified. Democrats say she should be disqualified because she was the chief of base at a covert detention site in Thailand where two terrorism suspects were subjected to waterboarding, a technique that simulates drowning. She has told lawmakers in recent weeks that she would stand firm against any effort to restart the brutal detention and interrogation program, administration officials told The Associated Press on Friday. She is expected to reiterate that publicly this week. Haspel, one official said, was wary of suffering the same fate as failed Veterans Affairs nominee Ronny Jackson and of dredging up the CIA's troubled past. She took over last month as the acting CIA director after the previous director, Mike Pompeo, was sworn in as secretary of state. Haspel's conversations with senators will continue ahead of Wednesday's confirmation hearing at the Senate Intelligence Committee and a later full vote in the Senate. Odessa Police Department An Odessa woman was arrested Monday after allegedly endangering a child, according to a press release from the Odessa Police Department. Betzabel Valerio, 30, was arrested on a second-degree felony charge of possession of methamphetamine, a state jail felony charge of endangering a child and a Class B misdemeanor. A mother duck in the Dallas-area chose a Whataburger parking lot to make a nest for her eggs, so the restaurant staff adopted the single mom. According WFAA-TV the duck arrived at the location near Love Field Airport a few weeks back. Ducks are a normal sight in Texas as they are some of the prominent wildlife in the state, able to acclimate to any area with a pond or ditch nearby. The former national vice president of the Bandidos Motorycle Club decided not to testify Tuesday in his own defense, drawing the nearly three-month racketeering trial for him and the groups ex-top leader closer to an end. Robbie Ward and Mark Stevens, lawyers for the ex-VP, John Xavier Portillo, called five character witnesses on Portillos behalf to support their claim that he is a hard working family man before resting his case. Portillos co-defendant, former national Bandidos president Jeffrey Fay Pike, rested his case on Monday after a number of defense witnesses that included Pike testifying for three days. RELATED: Grisly details revealed after TX exec, husband found dead The pair is named in a 13-count federal indictment accusing them of leading the Bandidos criminal enterprise by ordering, authorizing or sanctioning killings, beatings or intimidation of rivals or wayward Bandidos and drug-dealing. The pair deny the club is a criminal enterprise and that they were crime bosses. They could face up to life in prison if convicted. For much of the trial, most of the direct evidence has been on Portillo, who was captured by wiretaps or informants body recordings making statements that prosecutors say back up their claims that he ordered attacks or passed down Pikes orders. In turn, prosecutors called as a rebuttal witness U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration agent Chad Lloyd. Pike testified last week that he could not have issued any orders or authorized criminal activity in one relevant time frame because he was suffering from medical issues between fall 2014 and fall 2015, and he took medical leave during much of that period. But Lloyd said a May 21, 2015, recording of an intercepted phone call between Portillo and Justin Forster, who was a national sergeant-at-arms, showed Portillo took over that month from Pike while he recovered from his medical issues. The call, played for jurors, shows Forster saying he told other Bandidos that Portillo had taken the wheel temporarily while Pike healed. Portillo was upset because Bandidos were starting rumors that Pike had taken over on a more permanent basis. RELATED: Expert: Alleged S.A. killer's shoes tied to slain brother's DNA Lloyd also explained international border crossings by former Bandidos national sergeant at arms Johnny Downtown Johnny Romo, a key government witness. Romo testified in March during the trial that Pike had him go to Cancun or Central America at least three times to discipline other members, and he also planned an assault on the national president of the Bandidos chapter in Australia for being disrespectful to Pike. Romo said they went to Cancun to put a deposit for an international meeting where they could conduct the beating, but it never materialized. The chapters from Europe and Australia refused to meet, Romo testified. Prosecutor Eric Fuchs showed jurors U.S. customs records showing Romos travels to Cancun and Nicaragua, which Lloyd said supports Romos testimony that he traveled there. But Pikes lead lawyer, Dick DeGuerin, pointed Lloyd to an earlier recorded call, in March 2015 in which Portillo tells other Bandidos, I am the boss until Jeff... That recorded call, DeGuerin argues, shows Pike was on medical leave at least at that time. After a lengthy back-and-forth in which Fuchs and Lloyd disagreed with DeGuerin, the judge said the phone call doesnt say anthing about medical leave, but left it to jurors to decide. Lloyds time on the stand closed out testimony, and Ezra scheduled closing arguments for Monday. Portillos witnesses included San Antonio homebuilder Tony Rendon; Bandidos member and Harley Davidson motorcycle racer Rickey House of Humble; Portillos friend Marion J. Skip Viator; real estate broker and friend Gerald Lee Bennett; and Portillos neighbor, Harry V. Schneider. They said Portillo worked hard installing air conditioning systems through his own company for more than 30 years, that he appeared to be law-abiding, and that he is a good person, neighor and an important part of Houses motorcycle racing crew. Pike did not watch Tuesdays proceedings. The judge excused him early Tuesday from the trial because Pike fell ill with what appeared to be the flu, and Ezra did not want to risk exposing others. Guillermo Contreras is a San Antonio Express-News staff writer. Read more of his stories here. | gcontreras@express-news.net | @gmaninfedland An FBI forensics expert testified Tuesday that DNA from a pair of sandy shoes found in the home of a San Antonio man matches that of his brother, who is accused of killing and burying him in the dunes on Padre Island National Seashore. Gregorio Barrera, 50, is accused of killing his brother, Andres Barrera, 46, whose remains were found Sept. 25, 2016, buried in 3 feet of sand on the north shore in Kleberg County. Prosecutors have alleged the men argued over the family home. The shoes and shovel, which both contained sand, were taken from the home in the 8700 block of Sage Brush during an investigation into the disappearance of Andres Barrera. His brother, Gregorio Barrera, lived there while Andres Barrera paid the mortgage. Erica Ames confirmed DNA taken from the inside of the sneakers were a match for Gregorio Barrera. San Antonio police crime scene investigators turned over several samples of blood taken from the walls of several rooms, doors and ceiling fans from the home the brothers were remodeling and were able to match the blood to Andres Barrera. Robert Sailors, a forensic scientist with the Bexar County Crime Lab, testified that the blood taken from the swabs obtained from inside the home matched the DNA of the victim. The sand on the shovel and shoes were found to have come from a beach, but FBI geologist scientist Maureen Bottrell told the court that she could not identify which beach it came from. Andres Barrera was said to have been missing for weeks when his remains were found in the dunes. Gregorio Barrera was in police custody Sept. 22, 2016, on a criminal trespassing charge when he was charged with killing his brother. After the experts testified Tuesday, the state rested its case. Defense attorney Cornelius Cox rested his case after state District Judge Jefferson Moore denied his request for a directed verdict of acquittal. The state failed in terms of establishing a murder occurred, and second that the murder occurred in Bexar County, Cox told Moore. Moore denied the motion almost immediately, pointing to video taken of the house on Sage Brush. Blood spatter everywhere, its pretty clear where the murder took place Sage Brush and its in Bexar County, Moore told the court. Closing arguments are expected to begin Wednesday morning in the 186th state District Court. If convicted, Gregorio Barrera faces up to life in prison. Elizabeth Zavala is a San Antonio Express-News staff writer. Read more of her stories here. | ezavala@express-news.net | @elizabeth2863 Criminal charges against the majority of a group of people accused of animal cruelty for sacrificing animals during a Santeria ritual have been dropped, according to online records. The eleven people were arrested in March after Bexar County sheriff's deputies interrupted a religious ritual at a home in the 11400 block of Bronze Sand Road and found several dead and dismembered goats, chickens and other animals. A coalition of Texas and national civil rights groups filed a lawsuit Tuesday against the Trump administration, hoping to restore an Obama-era rule that forces state and local governments to crack down on segregated housing practices to get funding. The lawsuit, filed on behalf of Texas Appleseed and other fair housing groups, claims that U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Secretary Ben Carson was in violation of the Fair Housing Act when he suspended the 2015 rule earlier this year. After the move, local and state governments are able to continue receiving HUD grants without fully complying with federal law, the lawsuit claims. "The 2015 (rule) is a critical part of ongoing work to address structural racism and inequality today," said Kristen Clarke, executive director of the Lawyers' Committee for Civil Rights Under Law, whose firm is involved in the suit. "Through this lawsuit, we are taking action to hold HUD accountable and ensure that HUD fulfills its mission of addressing ongoing racial segregation and housing discrimination which persist across the country today." For nearly 50 years, the Fair Housing Act of 1968 has directed federal housing officials to reduce barriers to housing integration, but that mandate to "affirmatively further" fair and equal housing went largely unfulfilled. That is, until 2015, when HUD, directed by President Barack Obama, established its Affirmatively Furthering Fair Housing final rule, which gave teeth to federal law and provided guidance for the first time. "We have spent over a decade working with state and local governments to provide understanding that segregation is not an accident it is the product of decades of intentional government policy," said Madison Sloan, director of Texas Appleseed's Disaster Recovery & Fair Housing Project. Under the 2015 rule, jurisdictions receiving federal grants and funding must conduct fair housing assessments on a regular schedule by using a HUD-approved tool. The department would then review the assessments and either approve or reject them. "The Assessment of Fair Housing tool for local governments wasn't working well," the agency said in a statement announcing its decision earlier this year. "HUD stands by the Fair Housing Act's requirement to affirmatively (further) fair housing, but we must make certain that the tools we provide to our grantees work in the real world." The HUD move didn't repeal the Obama-era rule; it just pushed back the deadline that requires local and state governments to analyze their housing segregation and submit plans to reverse it, until after 2020. About 1,200 jurisdictions won't have to submit their plans until 2024, which leaves "the lives and opportunities of millions of people" in jeopardy, according to the lawsuit. As of now, only five Texas jurisdictions including the cities of Lewisville and Fort Worth -- have submitted an assessment, three of them just the day before the rule was suspended, Sloan said. There are three ongoing regional assessments in the Dallas, Austin and Harris County regions that have chosen to continue with the process despite the rule suspension. The city of Houston's assessment is not due until October 2019, so fair housing advocates said they are unsure what the city plans to do. Nonetheless, plaintiffs in the lawsuit hope they can win a court order that will require federal housing officials to resume putting the rule in place, effective immediately. "It took HUD almost 50 years to create an effective way to 'affirmatively further' fair housing one that would actually eliminate the barriers that keep people of color trapped in segregated, low-opportunity neighborhoods," said Sherrilyn Ifill, NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund president. "For Secretary Ben Carson and HUD to wipe away the rule just as it was beginning to take effect is shameful and contradicts what has been a fundamental principle of HUD's mission." forrest.milburn@chron.com twitter.com/forrestmilburn Currently Reading Scenes from cartel violence and the drug war in Mexico in 2018 1 China-North Korea talks: North Korean leader Kim Jong Un met with Chinese President Xi Jinping in a northern Chinese port city and pledged his continuing commitment to denuclearization ahead of his expected summit with President Trump, state media said Tuesday. The meeting Monday and Tuesday in Dalian is the second between Xi and Kim in recent weeks, following Kims March visit to Beijing his first since taking power six years ago. State broadcaster CCTV quoted Xi as saying China supports North Korea to stick to denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula and supports North Korea and the U.S. in solving the peninsula issue through dialogue and consultation. 2 Russian premier: Russias house of parliament overwhelmingly approved Dmitry Medvedev for a new term as prime minister. Medvedev was nominated a day earlier by President Vladimir Putin, who was inaugurated for a fourth term as Russias president. Medvedev has been prime minister since 2012, after four years serving as Russias president while Putin switched to the premiership due to term limits. Local News, Crime, Community, Charity & Cause, Politics By Long Island News & PR Published: May 08 2018 Annual Police Officers' Memorial Remembrance Ceremony Recognizes Fallen Officers. Albany, NY - May 8, 2018 - Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today honored 51 police officers who made the ultimate sacrifice in service to communities across New York. The officers from nine local and state law enforcement agencies were recognized at the annual Police Officers' Memorial Remembrance Ceremony. The names of the 48 men and three womenthe most added in a single year since 2002join others chiseled into the polished black granite memorial at the Empire State Plaza in Albany. The memorial includes 1,504 names of officers from 145 police agencies across the state and six federal agencies. "This ceremony honors the law enforcement officers throughout New York who made the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty," Governor Cuomo said. "These brave men and women sadly reached the end-of-watch while protecting their communities and upholding the law. Together, we remain eternally grateful for their service and ever mindful of the sacrifices their families have endured." Coordinated annually by the state Division of Criminal Justice Services, the ceremony was attended by roughly 400 people, including local, state and federal law enforcement professionals; elected officials; and family members of the deceased officers, in addition to other friends and colleagues of the fallen. Lieutenant Governor Kathy Hochul attended the solemn services and spoke of the sacrifices made by the fallen officers, as well as the gratitude that is owed to their families. "The names on this wall stand testament to the selfless commitment these officers made to keep our communities safe and the gratitude we owe their families," Lieutenant Governor Hochul said. "We must never forget the legacy of these brave men and women who died in the line of duty or the peril countless other law enforcement officers face each time they wear their badge." The following officers were recognized at today's ceremony: Line of Duty Deaths Trooper Joel R. Davis of the New York State Police was struck in the chest with a rifle round while responding to a report of a man firing a weapon and persons screaming in the Jefferson County town of Theresa. Trooper Davis retreated toward his patrol vehicle, but died as a result of his wound soon after. (July 9, 2017) Detective Miosotis P. Familia of the New York City Police Department was sitting in the front passenger seat of a marked mobile command post, when a gunman fired a .38-caliber revolver at her, striking the left side of her head. She died a short time later. (July 5, 2017) Deputy Sheriff Kevin M. Haverly of the Greene County Sheriff's Office was nearing the end of his shift when his patrol vehicle left the roadway and struck a telephone pole in the town of Ashland. He died at the scene. (Feb. 28, 2017) Sgt. Robert J. Johnson of the Northville Village Police Department was on his way home after his shift and stopped to assist with a motor vehicle accident. He was fatally struck by a passing motorist. (July 4, 2017) Police Officer Craig E. Lehner of the Buffalo City Police Department was taking part in a routine diving training mission in the Niagara River when he failed to surface. His body was recovered up river following an intensive search and rescue effort. (Oct. 17, 2017) Detective Steven D. McDonald of the New York City Police Department was questioning a robbery suspect in Central Park on July 12, 1986, when he was shot three times. He survived the shooting, but was left a quadriplegic and dependent upon a ventilator. He died of complications from the shooting 31 years later. (Jan. 10, 2017) Ground Zero-related Illness The names of 24 officers who died from illnesses due to time spent doing search and recovery work in the wake of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attack on the World Trade Center were also added to the memorial. The names of officers who died of Ground Zero-related illnesses were first added to the memorial in 2008 and now total 168 individuals. An additional 60 men and women who served with the NYPD and Port Authority Police Department died on the day of the attack. Police Officer Brian R. Abbondandelo, Nassau County Police Department (July 28, 2016) Police Officer Gerard A. Ahearn, New York City Police Department (Oct. 24, 2016) Sgt. Patrick J. Boyle, New York City Police Department (Sept. 15, 2016) Trooper Darryl J. Burroughs Sr., New York State Police (May 25, 2016) Sgt. Patrick T. Coyne, New York City Police Department (March 12, 2017) Trooper Brian S. Falb, New York State Police (March 13, 2017) Police Officer Judy A. Ghandy-Barounis, New York City Police Department (Sept.13, 2016) Detective James T. Giery, New York City Police Department (Sept. 20, 2016) Detective William D. Kinane, New York City Police Department (June 13, 2017) Police Officer William J. King, New York City Police Department (Oct. 25, 2016) Detective Stephen T. Kubinski, Yonkers Police Department (Jan. 6, 2017) Detective Christian R. Lindsay, New York City Police Department (Feb.12, 2017) Deputy Chief James G. Molloy, New York State Police (Jan. 30, 2017) Sgt. Terrence S. O'Hara, New York City Police Department (March 10, 2017) Police Officer Christine A. Reilly, New York City Police Department (Jan. 3, 2017) Detective George C. Remouns, New York City Police Department (April 21, 2017) Lt. John C. Rowland, New York City Police Department (Jan. 26, 2017) Police Officer Wayne J. Sblano, New York City Police Department (June 22, 2016) Police Officer Peter M. Sheridan, New York City Police Department (July 31, 2016) Police Officer Richard E. Taylor, New York City Police Department (March 6, 2016) Police Officer Reginald Umpthery, New York City Police Department (Sept. 19, 2015) Police Officer John F. Vierling Jr. New York City Police Department (Feb. 22, 2016) Sgt. Michael B. Wagner, New York City Police Department (April 27, 2007) Detective Thomas P. Ward, New York City Police Department (July 8, 2016) Historical Deaths The memorial also recognizes "historical" deaths, officers who died in service to their communities in prior years, but the agencies for which they worked had not previously submitted applications for their inclusion. The large number of historical deaths being added this year resulted from a New York City Police Department research project that identified additional officers who died in the line of duty from years' past who had not been previously recognized. Patrolman Gerard P. Apuzzi Jr., New York City Police Department (May 4, 1968) Patrolman Charles A. Berberich, New York City Police Department (Nov.15, 1908) Patrolman Gustave A. Boettger Jr., New York City Police Department (July 13, 1922) Patrolman John Branagan, New York City Police Department (Aug. 10, 1869) Detective Charles J. Cameron, New York City Police Department (July 17, 1904) Constable Anson J. Casler, Little Falls Police Department (Sept.17, 1865) Senior Criminal Investigator Stuart C. Cohen, Westchester County District Attorney's Office (April 8, 2007) Sgt. Donald S. Conniff, New York City Police Department (Dec. 12, 2015) Patrolman George Dapping, New York City Police Department (Sept. 24, 1915) Patrolman William H. Galbraith, New York City Police Department (Nov. 8, 1911) Patrolman Thomas F. Gallagher, New York City Police Department (Feb. 8, 1907) Patrolman John E. Hoey, New York City Police Department (Oct. 4, 1901) Patrolman Martin Maloney, New York City Police Department (Sept. 18, 1921) Police Officer William T. Martin, New York City Police Department (April 9, 2011) Patrolman John W. McCormick, New York City Police Department (July 9, 1910) Lt. Daniel C. O'Connor, New York City Police Department (March 14, 1974) Patrolman Bryan L. O'Donnell, New York City Police Department (June 11, 1916) Sgt. Thomas F.J. O'Grady, New York City Police Department (Aug. 24, 1916) Patrolman Dennis Shea, New York City Police Department (Nov. 4, 1902) Game Protector Clarence J. Webster, New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (Nov. 16, 1944) Patrolman George M. Yeager, New York City Police Department (July 3, 1905) The memorial was expanded last year with 10 new panels and space for 630 additional names. Renovations continued this year, resulting in new landscaping, additional seating, new steps and a new walkway to bolster handicapped accessibility. Additional work, including a new reflecting pond, is planned before next year's ceremony. The total project will cost approximately $1 million and represents the second expansion of the memorial originally dedicated in 1991. Division of Criminal Justice Services Commissioner Michael Green said, "The names we add to the wall every year serve as a solemn reminder of the dangers New York law enforcement officers face every day. We must never forget the bravery and courage of these officers, and the sacrifices they and their families have made to keep our communities safe." Office of General Services Commissioner RoAnn Destito said, "I am very proud of the role OGS has as caretaker of this memorial, which was created to ensure the sacrifices made by the courageous and dedicated police officers in New York State will always be remembered. In recent years we have expanded the memorial and spent time improving the landscaping, increasing the space available for seating, and enhancing accessibility to the site. These efforts will continue as we endeavor to improve the experience for the friends and families of the 1,504 police officers now memorialized at the Empire State Plaza." The memorial was based on a design concept suggested by Colleen Dillon Bergman, the daughter of Emerson J. Dillon Jr., a 16-year veteran of the New York State Police killed in the line of duty in 1974. Bergman also suggested the names of fallen law enforcement be placed on the memorial without regard to rank. In a letter to the committee established to oversee the memorial's creation, she explained: "It doesn't matter from which department they came, the feeling of loss is experienced the same." Those words are engraved on the memorial. To be included on the memorial, an individual must have been a police officer as defined in the state's Criminal Procedure Law or employed as a federal law enforcement officer and performed the same or essentially similar duties as defined in that law. Applications for inclusion on the memorial must be made by the agency that employed the fallen officer. A 17 year-old male student in his junior year at Copiague High School communicated messages through Instagram to a female classmate on May 6th, at approximately 9 p.m. The messages consisted of several threats against the students in the Copiague High School class of 2019, as well as suicidal statements. After a thorough investigation by the First Precinct Crime Section, officers arrested the 17-year-old male student on May 6 at approximately 7 p.m. Local News, Crime By Long Island News & PR Published: May 08 2018 Mark Trebendis of Hewlett, 51, was arrested for DWI, Leaving the Scene, and drugs, officials say. Hempstead, NY - May 8, 2018 - On Monday May 7, 2018, at approximately 11:50 PM, New York State Troopers were on a traffic stop on the On Monday May 7, 2018, at approximately 11:50 PM, New York State Troopers were on a traffic stop on the Southern State Parkway , eastbound west of exit 22, in the Town of Hempstead , Nassau County, when a black Dodge Ram pickup truck side-swiped the drivers side of the marked New York State Police patrol car and then fled the scene. The pickup was located shortly thereafter unoccupied by the Nassau County Police Department at the intersection of Underhill Boulevard and Babylon Turnpike with severe collision damage. The tow truck operator, responding the scene of the initial incident, saw a subject walking in the vacinity of the pickup truck. The subject then asked the tow truck operator for a ride. The tow truck operator, having knowledge of the situation, drove the subject to the scene of the accident and advised the Troopers. Investigation determined that the subject was the same person who was operating the pickup truck that struck the police car and fled the scene. The driver of the pickup truck, Mark Trebendis, age 51 of Hewlett , N.Y., was taken into custody and was charged with Driving While Intoxicated, Leaving the Scene of an Accident, and Unlawful Possession of Marihuana. The defendant refused the breath test and was held for arraignment. Local News, Crime By Long Island News & PR Published: May 08 2018 Both Suffolk and Nassau Counties rank in the top ten counties for the greatest number of pending cases before the Immigration Court. Long Island, NY - May 8, 2018 - Representatives Lee Zeldin (R, NY-1) and Peter King (R, NY-2) sent a letter to the Director of the Executive Office for Immigration Review James McHenry, requesting he open on Long Island one of the 75 new immigration courts to reduce case backlog and address gang violence. Both Suffolk and Nassau Counties rank in the top ten counties for the greatest number of pending cases before the Immigration Court. Full text of the letter is as follows: Director James McHenry Executive Office for Immigration Review U.S. Department of Justice 5107 Leesburg Pike, Suite 2600 Falls Church, Virginia 22041 Dear Director McHenry, On April 12, 2018, the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) presented the Fiscal Year (FY) 2019 Presidents budget request. The testimony included a commitment to open 75 new immigration courtrooms in FY 2018 to reduce the backlog of pending immigration cases. As the Executive Office for Immigration Review (EOIR) identifies locations for new immigration courts, I respectfully request you place at least one of these new locations on Long Island. According to the Transactional Records Access Clearinghouse (TRAC), Suffolk and Nassau County rank in the top 10 among all counties in the nation for pending cases before the Immigration Court, with 23,178 cases as of December 31, 2017. Furthermore, Suffolk and Nassau County have absorbed a significant number of Unaccompanied Alien Children (UAC) with 1,219 being relocated in Nassau County and 1,472 going to sponsors in Suffolk County in 2017. Pending cases contribute to associated gang violence on Long Island as gang members target youth like UACs. While Serving as Suffolk Countys Police Commissioner, now Suffolk County District Attorney Timothy D. Sini stated in his testimony to the Committee on Homeland Security, of a sampling of 143 active gang members, 89 entered the United States illegally and currently do not have legal status (39 of whom are UACs), 48 are of unknown immigration status, and 17 have legal status (temporary or otherwise). An adequate expansion of EOIR resources to Long Island would assist local law enforcements relationship with ICE to implement enacted immigration laws. The backlog in immigration courts is a result of years of policy failures under prior administrations. Effective immigration judge teams are necessary to carry out the U.S. Department of Justices (DOJ) statutory responsibility to prosecute administrative immigration cases. Suffolk and Nassau County could efficiently use these resources to address the backlog as well as prioritize incoming cases related to gang violence. Tech & Science, School & Education, Local News By Long Island News & PR Published: May 08 2018 The students had the opportunity to attempt to solve the unknown structure of a protein. Mastic Beach, NY - May 8, 2018 - Four William Floyd High School students Farihah Chowdhury, Asma Asghar, Noah Brandi and Mariam Sheikh have had the opportunity to work at various beamlines at the Four William Floyd High School students Farihah Chowdhury, Asma Asghar, Noah Brandi and Mariam Sheikh have had the opportunity to work at various beamlines at the Brookhaven National Laboratory (BNL) National Synchrotron Light Source (NSLS) in an attempt to solve the unknown structure of a protein. Working with Dr. Aleida Perez, Dr. Vivian Stojanoff, Dr. Alex Soares and other scientists at the AMX, FMX and LIX beamlines, students and mentors are hypothesizing that this protein is involved in the red meat allergy that is associated with the lone star tick bite. The combination of these beamlines will allow for the possibility of the protein to be analyzed in its crystalline form and to analyze the protein in a solution form, said Victoria Hernandez, science research teacher, William Floyd High School. Since this protein is incredibly complicated and has never been resolved, doing both forms increases the chance of student success. If all goes accordingly, the ultimate goal of the students is to publish this protein in the protein data base which will aid in future medicinal research related to immune responses. William Floyd High School students have also been analyzing light elements within the sediments of the Forge River at BNLs NSLS II using samples from various sites throughout the community including by Watami restaurant, the Riviera Docks and Barnes Road/Montauk Highway junction. They have been collaborating with BNL scientists and students from Eastport South Manor in data collection. The Forge River is a staple to the William Floyd community which is why it is really important that students participate in citizen science right in their own backyards, said Anya Swiss, William Floyd High School science teacher. Breast imaging technique is used to detect cancer cells in breasts of women. This imaging technology helps in e early detection of breast cancer in women. The breast imaging techniques provides screening, diagnostic, surgical, and support services to a woman with breast cancer. Mammography, breast ultrasound, MRI and image-guided breast biopsy are some of the most common techniques for breast imaging. The increasing incidences of breast cancer in women, rising awareness about early detection of breast cancer and technological advancements in breast imaging modalities are the major factors that are fuelling the market for global breast imaging market. Introduction of advanced features with advanced technology and launch of novel devices in the market are anticipated to add novel opportunities for global breast imaging market in the forecast period. FREE | Request Sample Copy is Available at http://www.theinsightpartners.com/sample/TIPHE100000986 The Global Breast Imaging Market Analysis to 2025 is a specialized and in-depth study of the healthcare industry with a focused global market trend. The report aims to provide an overview of global breast imaging market with detailed market segmentation by type, end user, and geography. The global breast imaging 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 breast imaging market is classified by type which comprises ionizing technologies and non-ionizing technologies. The ionizing technologies segment is further segmented into mammography, molecular, breast imaging, PET-CT and cone-beam CT. The non-ionizing technologies is further segmented into breast MRI, breast ultrasound, breast thermography and optical imaging. The market based on the end user is segmented as hospitals, diagnostic imaging centres and others. The report provides a detailed overview on the industry including both qualitative and quantitative information. It provides overview and forecast of the global breast imaging market based on type and end user. It also provides market size and forecast till 2025 for overall breast imaging market with respect to five major regions, namely; North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Middle East and Africa (MEA) and South & Central America. The market by each region is later sub-segmented by respective countries and segments. The report covers analysis and forecast of 13 countries globally along with current trend and opportunities prevailing in the region. Inquire about this report at http://www.theinsightpartners.com/inquiry/TIPHE100000986 North America is the most lucrative market for breast imaging, due to the speedily increasing number of breast cancer cases in region, followed by Europe. In Asia Pacific region, the developing medical tourism and growing health care infrastructure is participating to drive the growth of breast imaging market and anticipated to have the nascent growth in the forecast period. 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 & Central America after evaluating political, economic, social and technological factors effecting the market in these regions. The report also includes the profiles of key patient access solutions manufacturing companies along with their SWOT analysis and market strategies. In addition, the report 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 Hologic Inc., General Electric Company, Siemens Healthcare GmbH, Koninklijke Philips N.V., FUJIFILM Corporation, CMR Naviscan, TOSHIBA CORPORATION, SonoCine, Dilon Technologies, Inc., Aurora Imaging Technology, Inc. and others. Complete Report is Available at http://www.theinsightpartners.com/reports/breast-imaging-market About 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. Contact Us: Call: +1-646-491-9876 Email: sales@theinsightpartners.com by Wendy Davis @wendyndavis, May 7, 2018 Senate Democrats are urging regulators to scrutinize whether T-Mobile's proposed $26 billion acquisition of Sprint will harm consumers, including ones who primarily connect to the internet through their phones. "We urge you to closely review this transaction to ensure that it does not threaten to harm consumers or competition in the wireless market," Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-Minnesota) and others write in a letter to the Department of Justice and Federal Communications Commission. The lawmakers' letter comes one week after T-Mobile and Sprint said they had agreed to merge, leaving the country with three major wireless carriers. Klobuchar and the other lawmakers -- Senators Richard Blumenthal (D-Connecticut), Mazie Hirono (D-Hawaii), Tina Smith (D-Minnesota), Tom Udall (D-New Mexico), Ed Markey (D-Massachusetts), Elizabeth Warren (D-Massachusetts) and Bernie Sanders (I-Vermont) -- say the deal raises concerns. advertisement advertisement The senators raise specific questions about how the proposed consolidation may affect the growing number of people who rely on smartphones to go online. One in five Americans are currently "smartphone only" web users -- meaning that they own smartphones and don't subscribe to wireline service at home, according to a report released last week by the Pew Research Center. "As more than three-quarters of American adults now own smartphones, including many who depend on these devices for their primary connection to the internet, an anticompetitive acquisition in the wireless market could result in higher prices for American consumers or force some people to forego their internet connection altogether," the lawmakers write. They also are asking regulators to examine how the deal will affect lower-cost options for service, service in rural areas, and innovation. "T-Mobile and Sprint have led the way in offering wireless products and service options that are more appealing to lower-income consumers, including no contract plans, prepaid and no credit check plans, and unlimited text, voice, and data plans," the lawmakers write. "These lower-cost options are especially important for Americans who rely on mobile broadband as their primary or only internet connection." by Tanya Gazdik , May 8, 2018 Netflix climbed from third place to the top position in perception research firm YouGov BrandIndex's annual mothers ranking of brand health. The brand, which debuted in the top 10 only last year, swapped places with Amazon, with second place Band-Aid remaining just where it was last year. Netflix is known for its female-centric original programming, including Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt, Jessica Jones, Grace and Frankie, and GLOW. Rounding out the top 10 are Nike, Dove personal care, Dawn, Hersheys, Google, M&Ms and Dove skin care. Two of Doves product lines -- personal care (deodorants, shampoo) and skin care -- appear on the chart for the first time in the fifth and tenth positions. Dove has been an award-winning marketing powerhouse based on its long-running real beauty campaign. What makes this victory even more impressive is that Dove overcame its fall 2017 racial controversy involving an ad that showed a black woman turning into a white one. advertisement advertisement "There are a small handful of brands which we consider 'Teflon' -- they are so well regarded that bumps in the road and crises have a lesser effect, YouGov BrandIndex CEO Ted Marzilli tells Marketing Daily. The debut of two Dove lines into the top 10 seems to signal that they have taken on Teflon qualities -- they were able to overcome releasing an ad last fall that many people deemed racist." The improvers ranking is a way to check which way the wind is blowing, he notes. Uber getting on stronger footing with mothers, the ubiquitous of classic brands such as Johnson's Baby products and Country Time lemonade, and the early growth of German discount grocery chain Aldi all caught my eye about what is to come, Marzilli says, M&Ms jumped from number 14 last year to number 9. Other brands with the biggest health gains by mothers since one year ago include Uber, Johnsons Baby products, Amazon Alexa, Aveeno, Aldi, Country Trim, Neutrodgena, Folgers, Copperton and Google Home. Chocolate has a bigger presence in 2018: last year, M&Ms replaced Hersheys on the Top 10 chart; now they are both on it, in the numbers seven and nine spots. Of the new entries, Uber made the biggest jump with mothers, perhaps based on the convenience factor shuttling back and forth to activities. Also of note is the appearance of German-owned grocery store chain Aldi, which has been aggressively opening up stores across the U.S. YouGov BrandIndex filtered its entire 1,600+ brand universe for women with children under 18 years old. The brands were then ranked using its flagship Index score, which measures brand health by averaging sub-scores on Quality, Satisfaction, Impression, Value, Reputation and willingness to Recommend. The Index score can range from 100 to -100 with a zero score equaling a neutral position. Orlando Sentinel, Tuesday, May 8, 2018 7:55 AM Norwegian Bliss is one of several ships that debut this spring from the shipyards. The 168,028-ton, 4,004-passenger ship from Norwegian Cruise Line arrived in New York last week. Royal Caribbean Symphony of the Seas and Carnival Vista are spending the summer in Europe before making their way to Florida in the fall while Celebrity Edge and Holland America ms Nieuw Statendam will also sail to Florida for the winter. Read the whole story at Orlando Sentinel by Steve McClellan @mp_mcclellan, May 8, 2018 Pharma giant GlaxoSmithKline has launched a global media agency review, according to sources. According to its 2017 annual report, the company spent a total of more than 1.35 billion British pounds (about $1.8 billion) on advertising last year. The firms last global media review was in 2015. when it divided the assignment between incumbents Mediacom and Mindshare (both parts of WPPs GroupM) and Omnicom Media Groups PHD. It reviews its media account every three years. Last year the firm struck two major deals with tech giants Google and Alibaba to improve the efficiency of its digital ad spending. advertisement advertisement Per its annual report: In 2017, we signed a partnership with Google, to bring our digital advertising data platform in-house, enabling us to better target relevant content to consumers and drive efficiency in our marketing campaigns. We formed another partnership in 2017 with Alimama, the marketing and media arm of Chinese technology group Alibaba. This partnership helps us identify more potential consumers and gain deeper understanding of their online shopping behaviour so we can reach them with the right advertising at the appropriate time. GSK did not respond to a query for comment by deadline. ID Comms has been retained by the client to help manage the review process. A new study suggests that the pupillary light reflex or how the eyes pupil responds to light in infants might be an early sign of autism. Share on Pinterest Your babys eyes may hold the key to diagnosing autism. Autism now affects about 1 in 59 children in the United States, which represents a significant increase from 6 years ago. Since autism can be quite difficult to diagnose in the first years of a childs life, researchers have been looking for new ways to spot it. A recently developed blood test, for instance, may be able to detect the condition with up to 92 percent accuracy, while other researchers have turned to the sensory symptoms of the condition to aid diagnosis. It is known that autism is sometimes accompanied by either over- or under-sensitiveness to certain stimuli, be they smells, lights, or sounds. This led some researchers to believe that looking into the more basic blocks of brain development and sensory processing might hold the key to an earlier and more accurate diagnosis of autism. Terje Falck-Ytter, an associate professor at the Department of Psychology at Uppsala University in Sweden, is one such researcher. He and his team set out to examine if the pupillary light reflex of infants which controls how much light gets to their retinas is a valid marker of autism. Falck-Ytter explains the motivation behind the study, saying, Earlier studies on older children with autism has suggested a weak pupillary light reflex in this group. These findings motivated us to assess the reflex in infant siblings of children with autism. The findings were published in the journal Nature Communications. In this article, we describe why a person may wake up gasping for air, tools and medicines that can help, and when to see a doctor. Some causes, such as post-nasal drip, are easily treated. Others may require medical attention and a long-term treatment plan. While waking up gasping for air is not uncommon, it can be extremely frightening. An individual may wake up gasping for air for a variety of reasons, including: Obstructive sleep apnea Share on Pinterest Sleep apnea may be treated using a CPAP machine. Sleep apnea refers to involuntary pauses in breathing during sleep. The two main types are: Central sleep apnea , which is caused by signaling problems in the brain. , which is caused by signaling problems in the brain. Obstructive sleep apnea, which occurs when a blockage in the airway stops airflow. According to the National Sleep Foundation, around 18 million adults in the United States have obstructive sleep apnea. A person may be unaware that they have the condition until someone informs them that they snore and gasp for air while asleep. When the person gasping catches their breath, they may not fully awaken. Additional symptoms of sleep apnea include: morning headaches daytime tiredness memory problems fatigue irritability Anxiety Anxiety can lead to panic attacks, and when they occur at night, a person may wake up gasping for air. According to the Anxiety and Depression Association of America, around 70 percent of people with anxiety disorders report difficulty sleeping. Other symptoms of anxiety include: restlessness feelings of dread or worry a fast heart rate panic difficulty concentrating Asthma Asthma is a chronic condition that causes inflammation in the airways. Nocturnal asthma is the medical term for having symptoms while sleeping. When the condition is poorly controlled, nocturnal asthma is common. Additional symptoms of asthma include: coughing wheezing feeling unable to catch a breath tightness in the chest Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) COPD occurs when small air sacs in the lungs are damaged. These sacs, called alveoli, become floppy, making it difficult to push air out of the lungs. Symptoms can occur while a person is sleeping. They may wake up gasping or feel as if they are suffocating. Other symptoms of COPD include: wheezing excess mucus coughing fatigue tightness in the chest Heart failure Share on Pinterest Though waking up gasping for air is often due to respiratory problems, heart failure may also be a cause. When the heart is not pumping blood as efficiently as it should, this is called heart failure. Abnormal heart valves, a history of a heart attack, and coronary artery disease can all lead to heart failure. Shortness of breath is one of the most common symptoms. At first, a person may only notice it during physical activity. As the condition progresses, a person may develop shortness of breath while resting or sleeping. A person with heart failure may also experience: fatigue swelling of the feet and legs chest pain abdominal swelling Post-nasal drip Mucus and saliva produced throughout the day typically flow to the back of the nose and throat and are swallowed. A person may be unaware of this process. Post-nasal drip occurs when this mucus accumulates and trickles down the back of the throat. As the mucus builds up, a person may feel like they cannot breathe. If they are asleep, they may wake up gasping for air. Gastric reflux disease, sinus infections, and allergies are all common causes of post-nasal drip. Additional symptoms include: New study analyzed the patterns of social media posting describing depressive symptoms among an at-risk cohort of adolescents at two time points and found at-risk adolescents are less likely to post about depressive symptoms on social media as they age. The research suggests that The research will be presented during the Pediatric Academic Societies (PAS) 2018 Meeting in Toronto. Social media use can provide important information on the mental health of adolescents, including their own descriptions of their experiences. The study measured Facebook posts by participants at two time periods, labeled Time 1 as adolescents and Time 2 as young adults. Content analysis applied the Diagnoses and Statistical Manual (DSM) criteria for depression to identify displayed depression symptoms on Facebook. The study found that the average number of references to depression among displayers was 9.30 at Time 1 and 4.94 at Time 2, showing a dramatic decrease in posts between adolescents and young adults. Adolescents with a diagnosis of depression may feel less stigmatized describing depressed mood on social media than previously hypothesized. Examples of posts referencing depression included "Basically at the point of giving up" and "Feeling the worst right now, just wanting to cry." The average number of references to suicide or self-harm was .34 at Time 1 and .08 at Time 2. Dr. Miller will present the abstract, "Social Media Posting in At-Risk Adolescents: Content Analysis of Facebook Posts Describing Symptoms of Depression," during the PAS 2018 Meeting on Sunday, May 6 at 5:45 p.m. EDT. Reporters interested in an interview with Dr. Miller should contact PAS2018@piercom.com. Source: Eurekalert Advertisement "Considering differences between posts in Time 1 and Time 2, it is suggested that as teens develop, the likelihood to express depressive symptoms is lowered," said Dr. Kathleen Miller, one of the authors of the study. "This may be related to the development of the prefrontal cortex which plays a role in inhibiting impulsive decisions." One of the biggest Kapoor weddings in the recent times has finally happened in Mumbai today. Sonam Kapoor just tied the knot with Anand Ahuja (her recently-acquired boyfriend) at a sea-facing venue in Bandstand, Mumbai. Of course, the closest ones to the families, including most of Bollywood's Kapoors, were present on the couple's big day. Most, as we said. To be honest, not every single Kapoor who's known to the family decided to attend the wedding. While it's known whether they were invited or not (they should have been), all we know is: a few Kapoors were completely MIA on Sonam Kapoor's wedding day. Though, we hope to spot them at the wedding reception tonight, here's a list of the Kapoors that gave the past three days a miss: 1. Ranbir Kapoor Viral Bhayani While it's completely unknown why Ranbir took a miss on Sonam's wedding day, what we know is: he was definitely in town. On occasion #1 of Sonam's mehendi at home, the actor was spotted attending the Raazi premiere alongside his rumored girlfriend, Alia Bhatt. Following the same pattern, last night, during Sonam's Mehendi/Sangeet ceremony for one and all, Ranbir was amiss. And well, there he was: attending Isha Ambani's engagement ceremony. LOL. 2. Shraddha Kapoor Viral Bhayani Shraddha may not be directly related to Sonam's family, but she has been seen hanging around with Bollywood's in-house fashionista. Though, in the past, the two have been at logger-heads, they both confirmed that they have nothing against each other. But while Shraddha's brother Siddhant Kapoor was present for a few festivities for Sonam's wedding, Shraddha was nowhere to be found. Hmm? 3. Rishi Kapoor Viral Bhayani Much like his son, daddy Rishi Kapoor, too, preferred giving Sonam Kapoor's wedding a big ignorance letter. Though, let's admit: he wasn't seen around anywhere in Mumbai during this time, we're wondering whether he wasn't invited or was just not interested in attending it. Whatever said and done, we hope to spot him at the reception tonight. 4. Ekta Kapoor Viral Bhayani Ekta Kapoor is the co-producer of Sonam Kapoor's upcoming movie 'Veere Di Wedding'. But while that's factual knowledge, what's to discuss is the fact that she wasn't seen anywhere at the wedding festivities. Was this a conscious decision of not letting work mix with personal relations? Or did they have a fall-out during the promotions? We're not quite sure. Well, Ranveer Singh was supposed to perform for Sonam's mehendi/sangeet last night. But unfortunately he couldn't make it and the whole world wanted to know where Ranveer Singh was. Alright we admit, we were asking the same question as well. The entire B-town was there but we cared more about Ranveer (it is kind of obvious). After all, who would not have wanted to see him grooving on the dance floor? We almost gave up our hopes of seeing 'Padmaavat' actor when Sonam and Anand were all set to take their vows. One by one, Bollywood's A-listers arrived, dressed in their wedding fineries, looking bright and desi for the summer wedding. But there was no sign of Ranveer. And then he arrived like a boss taking away all the limelight, making the paparazzi go crazy for his picture. And we couldn't help but just talk about him. Despite arriving late, Ranveer within no time was all over the Internet for his cool casual look to his pictures with other celebrities at his cousin's wedding. Instagram But this one is our favourite from all his pictures While we saw Sonam and Anand's wedding picture, we were waiting to see if Ranveer would be seen doing anything else. And it seems like he indeed was listening! We got our hands on a video where we saw him singing Masakali from Sonam's movie 'Delhi 6' along with Arjun Kapoor. And saying it was amazing would be an understatement. We saw Ranveer being his best and introducing us to his Hip-Hop version of the song and slay it like he was born to sing. Check out the video now: Isn't this just uber cool? Thank you for subscribing! By signing up to this free newsletter you agree to receive occasional emails from us informing you about our products and services. You can opt out of these emails at any time. Swiss gun-rights activists, whose logo is a muscular William Tell clutching a crossbow, are taking aim at European Union firearm reform, just as Donald Trump says armed Parisians could have stopped terror attacks in 2015. Seven hundred years after Switzerland's defiant hero was forced by Habsburg oppressors to shoot an apple off his son's head, a gun-advocacy group plans to trigger a referendum to block the implementation of tighter EU restrictions on semi-automatic firearms like the AR-15 assault rifle used by Nikolas Cruz in February to kill 17 classmates at his Florida high school. Protell and its supporters in the nationalist Swiss People's Party bridle at Brussels laying down laws they say are unnecessary in Switzerland, where gun crime is rare. Backers of the EU proposal say that ignores concessions to Switzerland's tradition of military service. Snubbing the EU also risks Swiss membership of Schengen, according to Pierre-Alain Fridez, councillor with the Social Democratic Party. Being ejected from Schengen - which allows passport-free movement for more than 400 million people across 26 European countries - would cost the Swiss economy as much as 10.7 billion francs ($10.8 billion) a year, according to official estimates. "We'd be out of Schengen," said Fridez. "We'd lose the freedom of movement." Switzerland is legally obliged to implement the directive and a failure to do so "would drive a wedge between the EU and Switzerland and could lead to sanction measures," said Bodil Valero, a member of European Parliament who advised on the new law. The law is aimed at preventing a repeat of the 2015 Charlie Hebdo attacks in Paris in which al-Qaida-affiliated terrorists killed 12 people using weapons that hadn't been correctly deactivated and were then legally repurchased, said Valero. "If one country at the heart of Europe refuses to follow the rules, it could undermine the purpose and effect of these new rules," she said. U.S. President Donald Trump said the terror attacks 10 months later that killed 130 people at the Bataclan concert hall and on the streets of Paris could have been stopped if Parisians had been armed. The comments by Trump at the National Rifle Association's annual meeting were labeled "shameful" by former French President Francois Hollande. MEANWHILE: Trump declares US leaving 'horrible' Iran nuclear accord The Swiss variant of the law "upholds Switzerland's shooting tradition," while improving "the traceability of arms ownership," said Thomas Dayer, a spokesman for the Federal Police, which will oversee implementation of the new regulations. The Swiss government supports the tougher EU rules, highlighting concessions that mean ex-soldiers can still get permits to own and use their semi-automatic rifles, which are already converted to eliminate rapid-fire shooting. Gun-rights activists Protell said the new directive will make it more expensive and complicated to retain an army issue semi-automatic rifle, which is insulting for those who have served their country, according to General Secretary Robin Udry. "It would mean that the day you leave the army, you're no longer trusted with your SIG 550 and treated like a potential terrorist or criminal," he said, referring to the semi-automatic assault rifle issued to Swiss army conscripts. GUNS IN AMERICA: Oliver North named president of the NRA Protell, based in the capital Bern, is ready to gather the 50,000 signatures required to trigger a referendum should the EU proposal become law. The issue will be debated next month in Parliament. Udry points to a 50 percent increase in Protell's membership to 12,500 over the past eight months as evidence of public concern. "It's a clear sign people don't want their rights taken away and are ready to fight," said Udry, a former chief of police training for the canton of Valais, who is also a major in the Swiss Army reserves. "In Switzerland, these kind of guns are all very well-controlled, so why should we now accept legislation from the EU when we don't have this problem?" David Zuberbuehler, a councillor in the Swiss People's Party, the largest in the lower house of Parliament, dismissed the EU directive as "more bureaucracy for less security." CHARLOTTESVILLE: Ku Klux Klan leader found guilty for firing gun at rally In February 2014, the far-right party sponsored a referendum against mass immigration, which passed with a 50.3 percent majority. With that vote threatening economically vital Swiss-EU treaties, Parliament sidestepped implementing any substantive measures to block migration. With guns an emotive issue in Switzerland, another crisis with Brussels looms. In 2011, Swiss voters rejected a plan requiring the registration of all firearms as well as a motion to change the nation's tradition of letting citizens keep army-issue weapons at home. While it's commonplace to see off-duty conscripts passing through the country's main train stations with SIG rifles strapped to their duffel bags, gun massacres in Switzerland are rare. The last mass shooting was in 2001 when a man armed with a Swiss Army SIG assault rifle killed 14 people in Zug's parliament building. Two Swiss shootings in two months in 2013 also claimed seven lives. Switzerland has at least one gun for every four people, but the country's gun homicide rate is about a 15th of that in the U.S., according to the Geneva-based Small Arms Survey. Should opinion polls show the gun activists gaining traction, then backers of the EU proposals are likely to highlight the risks of leaving Schengen, according to Rene Schwok, director of the Global Studies Institute at the University of Geneva. If Protell wins, the Swiss government is likely to activate a plan B, he said. "The Federal Council and the parliaments will ultimately not automatically abandon Schengen just because of this vote," said Schwok. "They will try to negotiate an arrangement with Brussels." - With assistance from Bloomberg's Dylan Griffiths. WASHINGTON -- The officer of the deck for the USS Fitzgerald when it collided with a commercial vessel pleaded guilty Tuesday in a special court-martial proceeding. Lt. j.g. Sarah Coppock's job was to ensure safe navigation of the USS Fitzgerald. On June 17, 2017, she was "derelict in the performance of those duties," resulting in the deaths of seven sailors, according to the single charge she faced Tuesday. The Fitzgerald's commanding officer, Cmdr. Bryce Benson, was not on deck at the time of the collision. It fell to Coppock to navigate through the heavily trafficked waters off the coast of Japan. She was charged for failing to "communicate and coordinate with the Combat Information Center, report ship specified contacts to the commanding officer, operate safely in a high density traffic condition and alert crew of imminent collision." As of press time, the court-martial at the Navy Yard in Washington had not ended. Sentencing details were not available. Coppock was charged along with two unnamed junior officers on board the Fitzgerald. Those sailors, a tactical action officer and a surface warfare coordinator whose jobs focused on overseeing the gathering and communicating of vital information to the bridge, each face three charges: dereliction in the performance of duties through neglect resulting in death, negligent hazarding of a vessel and negligent homicide. They face a joint Article 32 hearing Wednesday to see whether they will face court-martial. The tactical information officer is accused of failing in her job to "communicate with the bridge vital contact information and safe speed and maneuvering recommendations, enforce watch-standing principles in the combat information center and support the officer of the deck." The surface warfare officer is charged with "effectively failing in his duties to supervise those on watch in the USS Fitzgerald Combat Information Center," which monitors the operations of the ships and maintains contact with the bridge and the tactical action officer. Both lieutenants are charged with negligent homicide for causing the deaths of the seven seamen in their flooded berthing section by "negligently failing to comply with the USS Fitzgerald commanding officer's standing orders" and to effectively ensure the sailors under their oversight carried out their jobs watch-standing for the tactical information officer. For the surface warfare officer, the job was "to maintain surface contact situational awareness; provide operational recommendations to the tactical action officer and the bridge, ensure proper watch-standing practices were carried out; and properly stand his assigned station." The Fitzgerald was navigating out to sea near Yokosuka Port in Japan when it failed to recognize the dangers of three ships heading across its path. They were close enough to present risk of collision, according to a U.S. Navy report. Two of the ships maneuvered to avoid a collision -- one coming particularly close. The report said Coppock was responsible to alert the commanding officer after that close call. The third, called the ACX Crystal, did not. Tuesday's court-martial proceeding is the first of several in the coming weeks that will put five officers on the stand for two Japan-based ship collisions in the summer of 2017. Two months after the deadly Fitzgerald incident, the USS John S. McCain collided with a tanker near the Singapore Straits on Aug. 21. Ten McCain sailors were killed. The collisions were separate, but both involved Japan-based Navy destroyers; the Navy found that both involved poor seamanship and were the result of compounded errors in which crews lost situational awareness. Benson is slated for an Article 32 preliminary hearing May 21. He faces charges that include negligent homicide, hazarding a ship and dereliction of duty. A date has not been finalized for an Article 32 for the relieved commanding officer of the McCain, Cmdr. Alfredo Sanchez, who is facing similar charges. Navy reports found that both collisions were "avoidable," caused by poor seamanship and compounded errors. The Navy has acknowledged that its forward-deployed 7th Fleet in Japan was stretched too thin undermanned, overworked and exhausted under an intense operational schedule. To meet the high operational demand, training and ship maintenance were deferred, according to a Navy review. Eighteen sailors faced nonjudicial punishment -- 10 on the Fitzgerald and eight on the McCain. That includes the executive officers of both ships and the command master chief of the Fitzgerald, who were found guilty of dereliction in the performance of duties. Each received a letter of punitive reprimand. Vice Adm. Joseph Aucoin, who commanded the 7th Fleet, and the two top leaders below him were fired, while the Pacific Fleet commander and the commander of Naval Surface Forces in San Diego retired early -- the most senior naval officers to step down in the wake of the tragedies. James C. Roberts is president of the American Veterans Center. In the course of heading the American Veterans Center for the last 20 years, it has been my privilege to get to know a multitude of our country's military heroes. As we commemorate V-E Day (Victory in Europe Day, May 8, 1945), one of these heroes stands out: Army 2nd Lt. Leonard "Bud" Lomell. Then-1st Sgt. Lomell is indelibly connected to a second famous date: June 6, 1944 -- D-Day, the day American, British, Canadian and other Allied forces landed at Normandy on the French coast to begin the Liberation of Europe. Without the success of the Normandy landings, there would likely never have been a V-E Day. The D-Day landings were a massive undertaking -- possibly the largest the world will ever know -- comprising 7,000 ships and landing craft, 50,000 vehicles, 11,500 airplanes, and 156,000 troops. It was accomplished against great odds, including difficult weather and heavy seas. Looking back on this near-miracle, historian Stephen Ambrose wrote that if he had to select one man most responsible for the success of D-Day, besides Gen. Dwight D. Eisenhower, the supreme allied commander of the operation, it would be Leonard Lomell. Lomell, the adopted son of Scandinavian immigrants, was raised in New Jersey and was a stand-out scholar-athlete in college before volunteering for Army service in World War II. He was selected for Ranger duty and shipped to England with tens of thousands of other green Army troops to prepare for the invasion of Europe. On D-Day, as acting commanding officer of D Company, 2nd Ranger Battalion, Lomell's orders were to lead his men in scaling the cliffs of Pointe du Hoc between Omaha and Utah beaches in Normandy. He was tasked with taking out five 155mm guns that the Germans had emplaced at the top of the cliff in a location from which they could have inflicted catastrophic damage on allied ships, and on men landing on Omaha and Utah beaches. The landing craft carrying Lomell and his men arrived more than a half hour late, far from its designated position, and 20 feet off shore. Loaded down with heavy equipment, the men had to swim to the beach. Lomell was hit on the side by a machine-gun bullet but continued on to the beach. Under withering time, Lomell and his men somehow scaled the cliffs at Pointe du Hoc and, after hand-to-hand fighting, ran to the gun emplacement only to discover that the Germans had removed the massive guns and replaced them with telephone poles. After stationing his men along the roadway to attack German reinforcements, Lomell and Staff Sgt. Jack E. Kuhn went in search of the guns. They discovered them about one mile inland, camouflaged, in an orchard and pointed toward Utah Beach, but capable of being re-sighted on Omaha Beach. With the Germans well off to the side getting a briefing from their commanding officer, Lomell placed silent thermite grenades in the gear mechanisms of the four guns and smashed a fifth's gunsite, thus putting the guns out of action. The 2nd Ranger Battalion became the first American unit to accomplish its mission although, when they were relieved several days later, only 90 Rangers out of 225 had survived. Lomell went on to further heroic action, leading the capture of Hill 400, a key German Command post in the Hurtgen Forest, where he was badly wounded, and in the Battle of the Bulge -- where he was wounded again. In December 1945, seven months after V-E Day, a heavily battered but highly decorated 2nd Lt. Leonard Lomell was honorably discharged, having done more to make V-E Day possible than almost any other veteran of World War II. -- The opinions expressed in this op-ed are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of Military.com. If you would like to submit your own commentary, please send your article to opinions@military.com for consideration. When an Associated Press reporter told me in late 2017 that I was among those targeted in a hacking campaign executed by Russian operatives, I was amused. Little old me? Was I really worth targeting? But as I scrolled through my email messages from around the time of the 2015 hacking attempts, I saw something much bigger in play with astounding security implications for the U.S. Army. When Russia targeted my Gmail account and me, it wasn't just my personal information that was compromised. If foreign agents gained access to my data, they also gained access to the personal information of our Army Family Readiness Group (FRG) and everyone in it. In just one month during which an attack took place, dozens of spreadsheets with the names, physical addresses, phone numbers, birth dates and even details about children for at least 500 individual Army family members had been delivered by Army unit officials to my personal email address. If I was compromised, so were they. And they likely have no idea. The U.S. government knew this happened and did virtually nothing. Instead they warned only a handful of the targets, according to an AP investigation. I was not among those. It wasn't until an AP reporter called me late last year that I had any idea this had occurred. An installment of the ongoing investigative story released by the AP today details what happened. According to data obtained by the Associated Press, I and at least four other military spouses were targeted by Russia-based foreign operatives in 2015 as part of a large-scale cyber hacking attack known as Fancy Bear. Like the hundreds of other volunteers that fuel the Army family support group machine, I am expected to use my personal email to communicate with our FRG and unit leaders. Generalized troop movement info, homecoming dates, deployment dates, family support group training manuals and other information about unit functions have also regularly been emailed to me. And because I rarely delete anything, all of that data and information still sits in my inbox today. The military spouses AP reporters identified from among thousands of other targets had one thing in common: We were all quoted in a CNN story on a related hacking also ultimately linked to Russia. We were possibly selected as targets of convenience; the CNN article gave the hackers a handy list of names. Although it is not clear whether foreign operatives ever did actually gain access to my email account, the personal security implications of the attempt are sweeping and should be a shock to everyone in the Army community. The Army has a responsibility to tell families that their data may have been compromised through access to my inbox or the inboxes of other targeted individuals. According to the AP, the FBI knew who was on this list. However, I was never notified by any U.S. official that I had been targeted. To the best of my recollection, I never received any notification or correspondence from Google, either. Thanks to the Army's support system and its reliance on a network of unit family member volunteers instead of paid employees, a foreign state can quickly and easily gain access to the personal data of families of deploying troops, including their physical locations, simply by targeting the unsecured email accounts of unit spouses. It's not hard to see how the troop and family security situation unravels once that access is gained. If a U.S. soldier was to be captured and interrogated, how could information on his or her family be used? How could it be leveraged through social media? How could it be utilized through a targeted misinformation campaign? At the root of this security problem is the Army's volunteer-run Family Readiness Group, the service's solution to the moving target of family support in an era of budget cuts and disengagement. Army officials know families need information on important dates, like deployment homecomings, as well as other resources. They also know that -- thanks to geography, busy schedules or simple disinterest -- getting families physically in a room to hear that information is basically impossible. Ten years ago, when the Army was flush with funding, units had paid family support positions held by employees using secure email servers in on-base offices. But budget cuts eliminated those positions, pushing the jobs instead to junior officers within the units and a parade of ever-changing volunteers working from home. For that volunteer-based system to function, contact rosters are shared, often by unsecured email. When information needs to be shared, the volunteers contact each person on the list they've been assigned. Family members are strongly encouraged to allow their details to be included on the call sheets under threat of missing information they really do want to have, like the date of their soldier's homecoming. Some brigades still employ a Family Readiness Officer (FRO), but often only during deployment. Others rely exclusively on the volunteer system. While units across the services may follow their own individual procedures, it appears that only the Army allows widespread, unsecured email sharing of their rosters. I also can't say that every Army unit functions this way, but it has been standard practice in each of the five Army units with which I have volunteered. The emailing of rosters does not seem to be directly against any specific Army policy. And if it is, the standard is largely ignored. Although a 2015 Army FRG handbook, for example, notes that "obsolete [roster] copies must be collected and destroyed," and that "when a key leader leaves the job or moves, that leader's copies should be turned in to the supervisor," it never states that the roster should be shared only by hard copy. I found that handbook in my Gmail inbox this month, attached to the same March 2015 email message as six individual rosters containing the personal details of more than 300 family members. I do not remember ever being told to delete a roster. The hacking attempts I'm told were from Russia appeared in my inbox as emails that looked like they were from Google but were actually phishing attempts. If I clicked through and entered my existing password, I would have handed the hackers total access to my account, likely without ever noticing they were using it. As a result of that infiltration, they would have had access to the rosters I was receiving at the time, as well as those I had received in the past and any I received thereafter. Did Russian hackers actually access my inbox? According to the AP, the unique link in at least one of the multiple hacking attempts sent to me was clicked at some point. Whether it was by me is impossible to tell, the reporter told me, since the AP has found that sometimes the hackers clicked through their own links to make sure they were working. To the best of my recollection, I did not click it. But maybe I did. Do you remember what you clicked any given day three years ago? No matter how you shake it out, the hacking attempts on my account and the information that was potentially compromised must spark some hard conversations at the Pentagon about how we treat military family information and protect the people who handle it. Should we be emailing it out? Is it fair to rely on volunteers to keep it secure? If family information and security is valuable to the Army -- and it should be -- putting cash behind staffing a family support job is not just appropriate, it's a necessary security investment. Leaders must also update and enforce FRG standards to eliminate the unsecured sharing of personal family information. This Sikh Marine Is Ready to Sue the Service to Wear a Beard and Turban at All Times First Lt. Sukhbir Toor applied in March for a religious accommodation to wear a beard and turban and to not cut his hair. A coalition commander expressed confidence Tuesday that U.S. and partnered forces in the Mideast are prepared for any provocations stemming from President Donald Trump's scrapping of the Iran nuclear deal. The estimated 2,000 U.S. troops in Syria and 5,000 in Iraq have already been bolstered by the arrival in the eastern Mediterranean of the aircraft carrier Harry S. Truman, which began airstrikes May 3 against Islamic State targets in Syria. In a video briefing from Baghdad to the Pentagon on Tuesday, British Army Maj. Gen. Felix Gedney said, "We've seen no change" in the dispositions of Syrian regime forces, or Iranian and Russian proxies, in the lead-up to Trump's announcement, but "we closely monitor all threats to our forces." "We retain our right to self-defense," he said, and "we're confident that we'll retain the security of our forces operating in Iraq and Syria" against ISIS. Gedney, deputy commander of strategy and support for Combined Joint Task Force-Operation Inherent Resolve, spoke hours before Trump announced at the White House that the U.S. was withdrawing from the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), which had been aimed primarily at reining in Iran's nuclear programs. "This was a horrible, one-sided deal that should have never, ever been made," the president said. "It didn't bring calm, it didn't bring peace, and it never will." Trump said it was impossible for the U.S. and its allies to prevent Iran from eventually developing nuclear weapons and the means to deliver them "under the decaying and rotten structure of the current deal. The Iran deal is defective at its core." Just before Trump spoke, French President Emmanuel Macron warned of upheaval in the region that could lead to war. "We would open the Pandora's box. There could be war," Macron told German weekly magazine Der Spiegel, adding that "I don't think that Donald Trump wants war." In its deterrent role, the Truman and its strike group, consisting of the guided-missile cruiser Normandy and the guided-missile destroyers Arleigh Burke, Bulkeley, Forrest Sherman and Farragut, are expected to be joined later in the deployment by the guided missile destroyers Jason Dunham and The Sullivans, which were already in the region. From its current station in the eastern Mediterranean, the carrier is serving two combatant commands. Its warplanes are striking from the 6th Fleet's area of operations and hitting targets in the area of operations of the 5th Fleet, which is headquartered in Bahrain, the Navy said in a statement. It is unclear whether the Truman and its strike group will move later in the deployment closer to Iran in the 5th Fleet's area of operations. Rear Adm. Gene Black, commander of the Truman's strike group, said the carrier is focused on combating ISIS but is prepared for other missions. "We will continue to provide commanders the ability to respond and support national security priorities, and we remain prepared to deliver precision strike capabilities, as directed," Black said in a Navy release. At a White House briefing after Trump spoke, National Security Adviser John Bolton said that lifting sanctions against Iran under the 2015 JCPOA helped "fuel the activity that Iran is undertaking now in Syria, its support for terrorist groups all around the region and the world like Hezbollah and Hamas." "To really deal with this threat and try to bring peace and stability to the Middle East, and to relieve the world of the nuclear threat, you have to go after the whole thing," Bolton said. "This is what [Trump] talked about with the European leaders and what we're going to try to pursue." One of the immediate concerns for the U.S. is that the Iranian-backed Hezbollah militias in Lebanon might respond by launching rockets into Israel. To guard against the threat, the State Department issued a security warning Tuesday to American citizens in Israel to "consider carefully" their safety before traveling to the Golan Heights bordering Syria "until the situation stabilizes." Israel also opened up bomb shelters on the Golan Heights after the Israeli Defense Forces reported detecting "irregular activity of Iranian forces in Syria." The reaction in Congress to Trump's announcement broke down along partisan lines, with Republicans generally supporting the president and Democrats lining up against him. However, Rep. Mac Thornberry, R-Texas, chairman of the House Armed Services Committee, had misgivings about the swiftness of Trump's action. "I have no doubt that the JCPOA was flawed and that for years Iran has been deceptive about its nuclear and other programs," Thornberry said, but "my preference would have been to give our European allies a few more months to strengthen the deal." The U.S. has no choice now but to "further enhance our own military capabilities" and "strengthen our alliances," he said. Former President Barack Obama said that withdrawing from the deal, which was the major foreign policy achievement of his administration, was "a serious mistake." "Without the JCPOA, the United States could eventually be left with a losing choice between a nuclear-armed Iran or another war in the Middle East," Obama said in a statement. -- Richard Sisk can be reached at Richard.Sisk@Military.com. U.S. and coalition forces have increased airstrikes and artillery fire against Islamic State fighters in support of Operation Roundup, a new offensive aimed at defeating the terrorist group in eastern Syria. Syrian Democratic Forces have resumed offensive ground operations against the remaining concentrations of terrorist fighters from the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria on the eastern side of the Euphrates River, British Army Maj. Gen. Felix Gedney, deputy commander of strategy and support for Combined Joint Task Force-Operation Inherent Resolve, told reporters at the Pentagon on Tuesday. In the first phase of the operation, the SDF is securing the southeast portion of the Syrian-Iraqi border, "eliminating ISIS resistance and establishing defensive positions" in coordination with the Iraqi Security Forces, operating on Iraq's side of the border, Gedney said. Since May 1, U.S. and coalition forces have carried out 40 strikes against ISIS targets, he said. "Coalition forces are supporting the Syrian Democratic Forces maneuver by conducting air, artillery and mortar strikes against ISIS targets," Gedney said, describing how the increase in strikes have destroyed "eight ISIS-held buildings, six logistical assets, two explosive factories and two weapons caches." Gedney said it is difficult to estimate how many ISIS fighters hold ground in eastern Syria, but said it is "too many." He also could not estimate how long Operation Roundup would take to complete. "It is absolutely clear that those final areas are going to be a difficult fight," he said, adding that "we are going to continue our aggressive pace of operations in our own strikes" until the areas are cleared. There are signs that the new offensive is already having a "devastating effect on ISIS," Gedney said. "Observations from eastern Syria suggest that morale among ISIS fighters is sinking," he said. "Frictions are mounting between native and foreign-born ISIS fighters as ISIS' privileged leadership continues to flee the area, leaving fighters with dwindling resources and low morale." Despite the progress that has been made east of the Euphrates, coalition officials are concerned that ISIS fighters seem to have more freedom of movement on the western side of the river, which is under the control of pro-Syrian regime forces, Gedney said. "We remained concerned about ISIS' freedom west of the river Euphrates; it seems they have some freedom of action still because they have not been properly defeated by the pro-regime forces," he said. Gedney stressed, however, that the "coalition will relentlessly pursue ISIS, wherever they are, until they are defeated." -- Matthew Cox can be reached at matthew.cox@military.com. EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. -- One of the busiest F-35 Joint Strike Fighter training units is hoping the U.S. Air Force can help relieve some of the pressures of training student pilots with ineffective resources. The 33rd Fighter Wing, the leading training wing for F-35 student pilots, hopes it will receive additional F-35A aircraft, along with considerable upgrades to its existing fleet, to keep up with training demands, said Col. Paul Moga, commander of the 33rd Fighter Wing here. "Right now, production is king. We've got to find ways to solve this aircrew crisis, and our contribution to that is getting our students through the training program as quickly as possible," Moga said, referring to the service's ongoing pilot shortage. Military.com sat down with Moga, head of the F-35A Lightning II flying program, during a trip accompanying Air Force Secretary Heather Wilson to the base. Related content: Moga said the unit has found smarter ways inside the existing structure of the 33rd to get more quality sorties into the curriculum despite limitations. "We're the first Air Force wing to start doing what we call 'hot swaps,'" Moga said. The term refers to different student/instructor pairs swapping out for back-to-back flights in a single aircraft in order to save time and execute more sorties. But lately it's not enough. "We are at the end of our rope as far as finding creative ways to generate more sorties in the same amount of daylight with the same aircraft, because you run the risk [of overunning the fleet and breaking it]," Moga said. The 33rd maintains 25 F-35As. The U.S. Navy, which also has a presence on the base and sends pilots through the training pipeline here, keeps 8 F-35Cs on station. The wing is authorized to have 59 aircraft. "It stresses the system. Every single day we are maximum-performing in regards to the amount of student training that we do," Moga said. The sustainment of F-35s at Eglin is crucial to that training mission. Although the F-35 is the Pentagon's newest and most advanced aircraft to date, the oldest of the fleet resides at the Florida base. Moga said the planes, part of Lockheed Martin Corp.'s earliest low rate initial production batches, need the additional work. "Everybody's aware that that fleet is on life support right now, and they need to kind of crank up the machine a little bit if they plan on extending the utility of this fleet another five or 10 years," said Moga, who also oversees the maintenance training units here. The fifth-generation stealth plane arrived here in 2011 and made the 33rd Fighter Wing the first U.S. F-35 training unit. The first class of student pilots started training in 2013. While Luke Air Force Base, Arizona, trains pilots in its "B course" program and flies more sorties, prospective pilots come to Eglin for its academic training center program. Luke's curriculum requires students to train for 8 months, more than double the time of pilots coming through training at Eglin. As a result, Eglin's throughput outpaces Luke's program even though it too only trains about six pilots at a time. Moga said officials are trying to find ways to get more sorties out of the planes they have, but they are hopeful that additional F-35As can come to the base in the future to bulk up training for their students. "Right now, just based on our availability and our mission capable rates, it's just not possible," Moga said. More spare parts maintenance, better software The sustainment issues lie in the mission systems. Eglin's aircraft are "in dire need" of more mission system spare parts, the commander said. The planes prospective pilots fly also have some of the oldest Block 2B software. "They are the oldest software configuration outside some of the test aircraft out there," Moga said. Moga said it could create a gap in training, as pilots who then head to Luke or Hill Air Force Base, Utah, would see newer software models. "We can't produce a 3F graduate because we don't have any 3F aircraft," Moga said, referring to Block 3F software. The Defense Department's F-35 Joint Program Office is currently overseeing efforts to move to the even more advanced Block 4 software, which would give the F-35 a full range and larger weapons suite in combat operations sometime in the early 2020s. The fleet here has only just now begun catching up with needed integration upgrades, Moga said. And even if the wing received all the spare parts, a handful of aircraft are always down because they're receiving modifications or are getting depot maintenance, he added. 'Untapped resources' Originally, Eglin was supposed to receive 107 aircraft. But in 2009, Valparaiso Mayor Bruce Arnold sued the Air Force over concerns that noise levels and increased activity would disrupt citizens living near the base. Yet even if the wing is authorized to keep less than half of the originally planned 107, it still remains more than 20 fighters shy of what it needs. Moga said the capacity at Eglin is there for more aircraft, with hangar space, accompanying maintenance units, and a wide range to train on. "I just want people to be aware there are untapped resources here at Eglin and we need to start taking advantage of it," Moga said. For example, he said, because of how the unit falls under Air Education and Training Command, there's an entire maintenance squadron that could support two units. The base's infrastructure is only one piece of the puzzle. If the base was in a position to get more jets, the production rate for F-35A pilots could increase. But that's only if the Air Force needs it to. Air Combat Command, which oversees all the combat-coded squadrons in the service, would need to be ready to task and absorb those pilots if production ramps up. "If we got 12 more jets, we could increase our training by about 60 percent," Moga said. "If we got another squadron of 24 aircraft, we could [more than] double our production." -- Oriana Pawlyk can be reached at oriana.pawlyk@military.com. Follow her on Twitter at @oriana0214. The U.S. Air Force on Monday directed its active-duty wing commanders to hold a one-day pause to conduct a safety review with airmen, assessing trends and criteria that may have led to a recent bout of crashes. At the direction of Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. David Goldfein, commanders have until May 21 to hold the review at their discretion "to identify gaps and seams that exist or are developing that may lead to future mishaps or unsafe conditions for our airmen," said Air Force Maj. Gen. John T. Rauch, chief of safety for the service and commander of the Air Force Safety Center. The order was sent to wing commanders Monday but made public Tuesday at a briefing with reporters. "The rationale behind that is an increase in recent 'Class A' mishaps for manned aircraft, as well as the fatality rates this [fiscal] year," Rauch said at the briefing. Class A mishaps involve fatalities, severe damage totaling $2 million or more, or a complete loss of the aircraft. "The [accident] numbers were definitely the one piece that were increasing," he added. As of May 2, manned aviation Class A mishaps have increased 48 percent in fiscal 2018, the Air Force said. Related content: Guard and Reserve units have until June 25 to conduct the review based on drill time and schedules, Rauch said. He said the decision was made to "be proactive" on the incidents but added that it was difficult to identify trends at this point in terms of root causes. The Air Force is looking at the issue realistically, he said, noting this will not be an end-all, be-all solution to the mishaps but rather an honest discussion about aircrew safety. "The day in itself probably won't solve the problem," Rauch said. "It gives [the units] the chance to identify issues that they can work and elevate up to the [major command level] and the Air Staff if necessary." Overall, when counting manned and unmanned aviation accidents combined, the Air Force's Class A mishaps have declined eight percent per 100,000 flying hours since fiscal 2017, he said. But in the last few months, the Air Force has lost 18 service members, including nine WC-130 aircrew in a fatal crash outside Savannah, Georgia. Rauch said the WC-130 crash played into Goldfein and Air Force Secretary Heather Wilson's decision to conduct the review, but explained that the ongoing investigation into its cause remains separate. "Whenever there is a flight incident, what we do is stand up a safety investigation board and find out what happened and why. And then we take action," Wilson told Military.com in an interview Friday. Military.com accompanied Wilson on a trip to Hurlburt Field and Eglin Air Force Base, Florida, last week. "We have not seen heretofore a pattern among accidents that causes us to believe there is a maintenance [issue] that's part of a pattern. If we do find that, we're going to take action," she said. Wilson said the service prioritizes aircrew safety once a pattern has been established. For example, the Air Force stood down a portion of its training fleet after a rash of unexplained physiological incidents, known as UPEs, in its T-6 Texan II trainers. "When we had unexplained physiological incidents, we made the decision to stand down the entire Air Force training pipeline in the T-6. That was a major decision," she said. Air Education and Training Command on Feb. 1 ordered an indefinite operational pause for all T-6 aircraft at Columbus Air Force Base, Mississippi; Vance Air Force Base, Oklahoma; and Sheppard Air Force Base, Texas, after a number of pilots experienced unexplained physiological events [UPEs] while in flight. Wilson said the Air Force made the appropriate decision to ensure aircrew safety. The priority "is the safety of the aircrews and the safety of the country. So we take it very seriously," she said. Rauch said commander-led forums will gather feedback from aircrew, pilots and maintenance personnel associated with flying operations and ask them to identify concerns. Units operating overseas may not completely stand down because of ongoing missions, but will still hold discussions and tasks as commanders see fit, he said. The upcoming review will not produce a report because airmen will use "safety channels" in their chain of command to remain anonymous if they wish for fear of reprisal, Rauch said. He downplayed the idea that inadequate funding brought on by sequestration, older aircraft, maintenance gaps and fewer pilots in the force might have led to recent crashes. "The issues that exist in the Air Force are well known," Rauch said. "How that's manifesting itself into a potential hazard is something that may or may not be understood." The review comes after lawmakers laid the groundwork for separate reviews of military aviation safety following a series of deadly accidents in recent weeks. Rep. Adam Smith, D-Wash., a ranking member of the House Armed Services Committee, introduced an amendment to the fiscal 2019 defense authorization bill Monday to establish a "National Commission on Military Aviation Safety," an independent legislative body to oversee and assess the spike in accidents between 2013 and 2018. "It is essential for our aviators and their families -- as well as for our military's ability to recruit, retain, and perform its mission -- that Congress have an authoritative, objective, apolitical look at the causes of this problem so that we can figure out what is going wrong and what actions need to be taken," he said in a statement. Smith's action comes after Military Times published an in-depth report showing that military aviation accidents have increased over the last five years. It reported that 133 service members across all the services have been killed in aircraft mishaps since fiscal 2013. Rauch said the congressional actions did not prompt the service's most recent review. "No, that has not been part of the conversation," he said. -- Oriana Pawlyk can be reached at oriana.pawlyk@military.com. Follow her on Twitter at @Oriana0214. Negotiating a Veteran Job Offer in 8 Steps You've applied for jobs, and you're finally getting an offer what next? The truth is, companies will expect you to negotiate their offer, but they do have an established salary range that they will not violate. With preparation, you can better assess any offer against your needs and your personal value. This will help you find a win-win scenario where both you and the company are satisfied the ultimate objective of the negotiation process. For tips on how to negotiate the best salary, see this Military.com Veteran Jobs article. The consumer durables industry is likely to see a growth of 6.5 percent to 8.5 percent on the back of an improvement in domestic consumption. A report by CARE Ratings said the governments focus on Housing for All, rural electrification and Power For All is expected to be one of the key drivers for the growth in the consumer durables industry. The production of white goods over the last five years has shown inconsistent growth rates. The report said that while the demand for refrigerators and air-conditioners depend mainly on the weather, demand for washing and laundry machines depends on the level of disposable income in the households. In FY18, with near normal monsoon in the country, the demand for refrigerators and air-conditioners remained subdued. In the air-conditioners space, the report said that of the total consumption, imports stand at about 45-50 percent annually while exports remain negligible. For refrigerators, imports form a marginal 1-2 percent share of the total consumption of the country and the exports form a small share of about 4-6 percent. The demand for durables like refrigerators and other consumer electronic goods are likely to witness growing demand in the coming years in the rural markets with the government planning to invest significantly in rural electrification. In January 2018, consumer durables and home appliance makers have sought upward revision (to 20 percent from current 10 percent) in custom duty of major durables such as air-conditioners, washing machines and refrigerators to encourage local manufacturing. Also, the Consumer Electronics and Appliances Manufacturers Association (CEAMA) has asked the government to levy custom duty on the printed circuit board (PCB) so as to encourage domestic manufacturing of smartphones. The consumer durables market, has in the past registered strong growth of about 16.3 percent compounded annual growth rate (CAGR) between FY12 and FY17 to cross Rs 1 trillion in FY17 . The report said that in FY17 alone, the industry registered a growth of about 24 percent on a year-on-year basis. In FY18, consumer electronics exports from India reached Rs 2,334 crore compared to Rs 3,913 crore in the year ago period, seeing a 40 percent drop. live bse live nse live Volume Todays L/H More In the last couple of weeks, amid market volatility, stellar earnings from midcap companies may have missed investor attention. Here is list of all such companies which should be on investors radar. The first company on the list is Prakash Industries, one of the largest integrated steel manufacturers in India, with an integrated steel capacity of 1.2 million tonne per annum and captive power plant of 230MW. Riding the upturn in the steel cycle, the company posted a strong set of Q4 FY18 earnings on the back of highest sales realisation, with domestic steel and ferro alloy prices witnessing a steep rise of over 30 percent on a year-on-year (YoY) basis. Growth in sales volume and higher capacity utilisation also aided performance. Net sales in Q4 FY18 grew 45 percent YoY and earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) margin expanded 849.5 basis points YoY. Profit after tax (PAT) witnessed a YoY growth of 343.7 percent. The management now plans to expand its integrated steel plant capacity to 3 mtpa in a phased manner over the next five years. It also plans to add 0.4mtpa sponge iron capacity and 30MW power co-generation capacity in FY19. The next company on the list is also from the steel sector: Vardhman Special Steels (VSSL). It is Indias leading steel bar producer, catering to sectors such as engineering, automotive, tractor, bearing and allied industries. The company posted a strong 33.7 percent YoY growth in Q4 FY18 net revenue. However, EBITDA margin witnessed a 85bps YoY contraction on the back of rising raw material prices and operating and manufacturing expenses. This was partially offset by a fall in electricity expenses and employee costs. PAT grew 52.4 percent YoY, led by a fall in the interest cost. With marquee clientele, plans for increasing melting and rolling capacities and strong outlook on automobile sector, the company beckons investor attention. The least known about on the list is Sadhana Nitro Chem (SNCL). The company manufactures and markets nitrobenzene, its downstream derivatives and other intermediates for various applications in the aerospace, pharmaceutical and agro space. It also produces optical brightening agents, plastic additives, special fibres, epoxy resin hardeners, dyes and performance chemicals. The company posted a significant 166.8 percent YoY growth in topline and an EBITDA margin expansion of 2,577.9 bps YoY. PAT grew a whopping 1,648.8 percent YoY. For the last two quarters, the company has been posting a strong set of numbers indicating turnaround in the business. Fourth on the list is Atul which is one of the largest integrated chemical company in India. It manufactures 920 products and 460 formulations across six business divisions: aromatics, dyes, bulk chemicals and intermediaries, colours, pharmaceutical chemicals, crop protection bulk actives, polymers performance materials and floras. The company recorded net sales growth of 20.4 percent YoY and EBITDA margin expansion of 268.5 bps YoY, driven by reduction in operating and employee cost as a percentage of net sales. It also managed to reduce interest cost by 39 percent YoY which led to 56.5 percent YoY growth in PAT. In terms of segmental performance, life science chemicals and other chemical businesses witnessed a revenue growth of 18 percent and 15 percent YoY, respectively. Earnings before interest and tax (EBIT) margin witnessed a 73bps and 19bps YoY expansion, respectively. Recent capacity addition, positive outlook on the Indian chemical industry and steady performance make it worth pick. The last on our list is India Glycols which is one of the leading manufacturers of glycols, ethoxylates and polyethylene glycols (PEGs), performance chemicals, glycol ethers and acetates, natural gums and potable alcohol. In Q4 FY18, the company posted a strong 21.3 percent YoY growth in net revenue and 240.6bps expansion in EBITDA margin. PAT grew 157.5 percent YoY on the back of a rise in other income and fall in interest cost. With an increase in anti-dumping duty by China on glycol ethers imported from the US, India Glycol, being the largest player in bio-mono ethylene glycol in the world, is well-placed to capture this uptrend. Follow @NitinAgrawal65 Ethereum | Loss: $60 billion | ETH or ethereum started the year with a market cap over $74 billion. It touched a high of $135 billion in January. However, market-wide slump caused its value to reduce to slightly over $14 billion at the end of December. Delhi Police Cyber Cell raided a cryptocurrency mining unit in Dehradun and seized hundreds of high-powered computer processors, graphics cards and servers. The police led the raid after the unit came under the radar for an alleged cheating and fraud case. The 4,000 sq ft complex in Dehradun employed about 100 mining rigs minting Ethereum, Times of India reported. The police said that the owners of the rig were also involved in a Ponzi scheme involving Bitcoins through their website bits2btc.com and cheated people of over Rs 100 crore. Owners of the complex Kamal Singh, a DU graduate, and Vijay Kumar, an engineer, were arrested on April 25 for duping. They along with another person, SS Alagh who is absconding ran the mining operations. They told their neighbours that it was a computer processor unit with servers of a big company. While questioning the apprehended accused, the police discovered that they had invested the cheated amount in the mining equipment. The accused not just ran the bts2btc.com but also came up with their own currency HBX and Mcap. They also ran another website, gainbitcoin.com. Both websites are now inaccessible as their domain names have expired. As per the police, in last three months, the accused made about Rs 70 lakh from the unit selling cryptocurrencies in the international market. Lately, a number cryptocurrency scams have surfaced which have kept the authorities busy. In early April, the Enforcement Directorate registered an enforcement case investigation report (ECIR) against Amit Bharadwaj, a bitcoin entrepreneur who duped thousands of Indians worth over Rs 2,000 crore. In March, a Delhi woman lost Rs 41 lakh after her bitcoin wallet was hacked. The surprise Rs 10,000 crore OMO announcement by the Reserve Bank yesterday is small low for a meaningful recovery in yields, says a report. Yesterday, RBI surprised the market by announcing purchase of government bonds worth Rs 10,000 crore under open market operations. After the OMO announcement, the benchmark yields fell to 7.62 percent from 7.73 percent last Friday. Today it opened at 7.62 percent and closed at 7.58 percent. Since last November, the bond yields were on northward-ho gaining almost 70 bps. The core liquidity in the system is currently at Rs 23,000 crore, lowest since November 2016. In June 2017, it was hovering around Rs 4,00,000 crore. "The market is expecting more aggressive OMO /liquidity support on a more sustained basis to address any meaningful recovery in yields. An elevated yield is also inimical to policy transmission," an SBI Research said. The RBI offered to purchase five securities-- 8.12 per cent-2020, 6.84 per cent-2022, 7.72 per cent -2025, 6.79 per cent -2027 and 8.24 per cent -2033 later this week. It said OMO purchase was inevitable as there has been a spate of devolvement in the last few auctions. During FY18 total devolvement on primary dealers was around Rs 10,000 crore which was almost double the amount of FY17 devolvement. In FY19 (till May), only five auctions had done and out of that Rs 5,000 crore has already devolved on PDs. "This is a disturbing sign and that need to be correct," it said. The report listed out three main reasons for decline in liquidity in the system. First, OMO sales in FY18 of Rs 90,000 crore perhaps spooked the market as the threshold OMO which the market could have absorbed given the demand supply of government papers was at Rs 40000 crore to Rs 50,000 crore at most. Secondly, deposit growth at 6.7 per cent in FY18 is a 54-year low, which was due to the base effect post demonetisation and significant spurt in currency withdrawal. Currency withdrawal by the public in April was at Rs 75,000 crore, 31 per cent higher than the trend growth before demonetization. "We expect, a currency leakage of close to Rs 3 trillion or more in FY19, with flurry of state elections around the corner, culminating with the general elections," the report said. The report further said, with rupee under pressure, RBI intervening in foreign exchange markets could also have an impact on liquidity, if there is a direct dollar sale. "The decline in liquidity is a matter of concern, as it comes despite a redemption of government papers in April of Rs 71,400 crore. Meaningful redemption are now due only in February of Rs 53,000 crore," the report said. live bse live nse live Volume Todays L/H More Godrej Consumer Products' volume growth during the quarter was broadly in line with our expectation partially aided by better performance in rural areas and in the soaps category. Weak traction in the Indonesian operation and the insecticides business was a drag on the results. But the companys guidance for double-digit volume growth (10-12 percent) in India and market share gain in Indonesia were clear positives. Godrej consumer: Quarterly update Godrej consumer reported consolidated Q4FY18 sales growth of 6 percent year-on-year on a like-for-like basis (adjusting for GST). This was mainly aided by volume growth of 6 percent in the domestic business (versus 5 percent YoY in Q4FY17). International business was up 6 percent, on like-for-like basis, driven by Latin America and Europe, partially offset by weak sales in Indonesia operations. Topline of the domestic business grew 7 percent YoY on traction in the soaps business (up 19 percent YoY). This was partially offset by the five percent decline in household insecticides and weak growth (-3 percent) in the hair colours segments. The earnings before interest, tax, depreciation, and amortisation (EBITDA) margins expanded 93 bps YoY aided by improved gross margins (better product mix), which was partially offset by a higher ad spend. Net profits, adjusting for one-time gains, was up 12 percent. Source: company New product launches expected to revive household insecticides There was 5 percent YoY de-growth in sales of household insecticides reflecting the adverse seasonal impact (Jan-Feb18). According to the company the sales offtake has improved in the last couple of months to a double digit. But, growth in this category needs to be watched as it was weak in Q3FY18 as well. Also, Dabur -- another company with presence in this category with the 'Odomos' brand -- also reported weak numbers in this segment. Godrej expects new product launches like Goodknight PowerChip (Up-trading for coil users) and higher efficacy liquid vapouriser to revive growth. The other categories in which the company is eyeing new launches -- it has 10 products in the pipeline -- are the personal wash and hair colour. The hair colour category posted moderate growth in Q4. This was apparently on account of stocking up in Q3FY18 due to GST-led price cuts, leading to 33 percent growth in that quarter. In the Soaps category (both Cinthol and Godrej at no.1), the company continued to post a robust set of numbers (19 percent vs. 24 percent in Q3 FY18) and consequently gained market share. International business: Indonesia a drag but worst seems over While the topline numbers contracted for the Indonesian operations, the company reported margin improvement and market share gain in the household insecticides business to 50 percent, making it clear the worst is behind for business there. In case of other international regions, Kenya remained sluggish with drop in margins mainly due to higher upfront investments and promotion expenses. Raw material risk While crude oil price remains a concern, Godrej Consumer has no plan to revise product prices over the next two quarters. Outlook Excluding the insecticides business, Godrej consumer posted decent volume-led performance on the domestic front and a market share gain in the Indonesian operations. Key aspects to monitor in the near term include crude oil-linked input prices and the return on incremental investment from the international operations. Overall, the stock is priced in line with the sector mean of 40x FY19e (estimated) earnings. But the consistent volume growth trajectory offers comfort. Follow @anubhavsays For more research articles, visit our Moneycontrol Research page People gather near the retro train named Pobeda (Victory) during the Victory Day celebrations in the far eastern city of Vladivostok, Russia. (Reuters) StarLux Airlines founder and former EVA Airways chairman Chang Kuo-wei attends a launching news conference in Taipei, Taiwan. (Reuters) Protesters burn a mock of the U.S. flag to denounce the Philippines and United States 'Balikatan' (shoulder-to-shoulder) military field exercises during a protest in front of the US Embassy in Metro Manila, Philippines. (Reuters) Senior Congress leader Kapil Sibal addresses a press conference in New Delhi on Tuesday. (PTI) A vies of vehicles set on fire by political workers during a clash in Karachi, Pakistan. Workers of the Pakistan Peoples Party and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf had resorted to violence over a venue dispute for their election rallies, leaving many injured. (AP/PTI) Members of parliament stand during the ceremony of taking the oath of office at the opening session after the recent election in Budapest, Hungary. (Reuters) Bollywood actress Sonam Kapoor dressed in a bridal red lehenga poses for a photograph during her wedding in Mumbai on Tuesday. (PTI) View of the Suquet, old city area of Cannes, before the start of the 71st Cannes Film Festival. (Reuters) Cypriot President Nicos Anastasiades and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu shake hands during a meeting at the Presidential Palace in Nicosia, Cyprus. (Reuters) live bse live nse live Volume Todays L/H More Jaiprakash Associates and its promoter family led by Manoj Gaur on Monday made creditors a revised offer of over Rs 10,000 crore to save subsidiary Jaypee Infratech from slipping out of their hands, according to two sources. The creditors will decide between the Jaiprakash offer and a Rs 7000-crore rival bid by Lakshadweep Pvt Ltd on Tuesday. The latter's bid will most likely be rejected on the grounds of grossly undervaluing Jaypee Infra, while the fate of the formers bid may be left to the Supreme Court to adjudicate. The Jaypee offer includes a mix of upfront payment of Rs 1,255 crore, swap of land in Noida against bulk of its Rs 9,000-crore debt, and sale of assets, according to a source. Hopes of Noida-based Jaiprakash group have been rekindled after several creditors and minority shareholders wrote to the insolvency professional managing Jaypee Infratech for the last nine months that Lakshadweep's offer undervalued the company. Lakshadweeps offer also ascribed zero value to the companys equity shares but there was no such fait accompli in Jaiprakash Associates' offer. Jaypee Infra is one of the 12 companies the Reserve Bank of India referred to the National Company Law Tribunal last year as case of insolvency, whose day-to-day running needed to be put in the hands of a professional for resolution of its debt problem. According to a note prepared by IDBI Bank, Jaypee Infra's largest lender, the company's actual value stands at Rs 17,111 crore, while its distress value is pegged at Rs 14,548 crore. Lakshadweep's Rs 7,000 crore bid pegs Jaypee Infra's value at less than half of IDBI's distress scenario number. Also read | Can Jaiprakash retain Jaypee Infra? Let consumer be king, bankruptcy code richer According to a third party who claims his estimate to be conservative, the value of the company's assets should not be less than Rs 20,277 crore. This is derived from the hospital being worth Rs 500 crore, the 167-km Yamuna Expressway being worth Rs 3,500 crore, the 900-acre land parcel near the Formula-1 track at a circle rate of Rs 7 crore per acre, 1,225 acres in Jewar at a circle rate of Rs 3.34 crore per acre, 1,185 acres near Agra at a circle rate of Rs 3.28 crore per acre, and 10 million square feet FSI at Noida at Rs 2,000 per square feet. Another 858 acres is under dispute. So, in all likelihood, the creditors will reject Lakshadweep's offer for Jaypee Infra. Even if the creditors accept Jaiprakash's offer, the story isnt over yet as once a company is registered under the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code, existing promoters can't be allowed to bid for the company. The Allahabad bench of the NCLT, which is hearing the case, could then ask all parties to approach the Supreme Court. Again, it won't be smooth sailing for Jaiprakash Associates at the apex court, where home buyers awaiting delivery of their flats for well over five years are likely to protest against Jaypee Infra continuing in the hands of the Jaiprakash Group. As on March 15, the company had completed 13,915 flats with around as many awaiting construction. Home buyers would like the construction of flats to be undertaken by a new party. There is not much time left now. May 12 is when the 270-day deadline for the insolvency professional to arrive at a resolution of the debt expires. The Supreme Court meets on May 11 before it breaks for a two-month-long vacation. The creditors' decision, which is expected later in the day, will still provide some clarity on whether Gaur will be able to retain his company for at least two months. Minister of Housing & Urban Affairs Hardeep Singh Puri on Tuesday inaugurated the first of its kind conference of the CEOs of the 'Smart Cities' that aims at cross-sharing of knowledge among the cities. Apart from the Smart City CEOs, the participants include representatives from municipal, state and central government and various other stakeholders in the Smart City Mission from the civil society, academia, industry etc. The two-day conference titled First Apex Conference for the CEOs of Smart Cities is being held in Bhopal. Its objective to provide momentum to the cities and a platform for cross-learning, sharing and disseminating the experience gained over the past two and a half years. Other participants include principal secretaries/state mission directors, municipal commissioners, ambassadors of several countries, UN representatives, heads of multilateral/bilateral agencies, civil societies, and capacity building institutes, CEOs, heads of major master system indicator vendors. Puri also launched the country's first integrated control and command centre for seven cities of Madhya Pradesh set up in Bhopal. There are a number of functions and systems that shall be managed out of the Command Center Application. Systems and functions can be monitored from one place and it will also have the option of sharing a feed to another agency as required via the platform. The command and control centre will be a common platform where all the information from various sources like city operation centres and applications will be stored. All the information collected will be analysed for better planning of smart cities. The convergence of all the best practices in Smart city missions across the country on a single platform will help the city leaders to not waste time in 'reinventing the wheel' but use the collective learning to accelerate the progress of work. In its manifesto, the BJP has promised that if it is elected to power in Karnataka polls which are due next week, it would safeguard the rights of homebuyers by repealing the diluted RERA rules, provide for a multi-point airport Metro link and expand the road network in Bengaluru. In its manifesto called Namma Bengalurige Namma Vachana released on Tuesday, it has promised to work towards preserving the environment. The document promises creation of a Rs 2,500 crore fund to revive the complete ecosystem and network of lakes. It has promised to turn Bengaluru into a walking city and to install air quality monitors in every ward of the city and release a weekly/monthly air quality report to the public. Safeguard the rights of homebuyers It promises to repeal the diluted RERA rules and announce new strong RERA rules and create RERA Regulatory Authority and the Appellate Tribunal. Promises enacting the Bangalore Metropolitan Regional Governance Act The document promises a new legislation for New Bengaluru called Bangalore Metropolitan Regional Governance Act (BMRGA) to be enacted to further strengthen the spirit of 74th Amendment to the Constitution of India. The features of this legislation will include constituting a new Metropolitan Planning Committee (MPC) as per the provisions of the Constitution and integrating all agencies including intermodality of all transport agencies and an annual Bengaluru City Report card. A 15-year development plan for Bengaluru to be finalised A Development Plan (CDP) 2033 with the focus on sustainability, livability, urban poor, Swachha Bengaluru, public transport, growth etc, the partys manifesto says. Digital platform to connect citizens and government It seeks to improve citizen-government communication for which it has promised a new digital platform www.bengaluru.gov will be launched. It also promises to bring back citizen control over neighbourhoods and strict implementation of zoning regulations to minimise commercial activities in residential areas (except small traders and ancillary units) to control noise, garbage, packing etc. Institute an inclusive zoning process in the model of Japanese Zoning to reduce housing prices, ensure better city planning and prevent residential areas from becoming areas of commercial activity, says the document. Bangalore Development Authority reform It promises to reform and transform Bangalore Development Authority (BDA) to make it a corruption free and effective infrastructure agency. Citizen Service Centers will be established in every ward a single point window to avail all city agency services. Housing for urban poor Under the Kempegowda Vasati Yojane, the manifesto has promised a House for All Urban Poor. It has promised planning and implementation of housing schemes under Slum Rehabilitation Schemes including clearance and redevelopment of Slums and providing shelter needs of the Economically Weaker Section (EWS) and Low-Income Group (LIG) For apartment dwellers, the manifesto says that policies will be framed to ensure that there will be no discrimination in tariffs and charges for water, power and solid waste management between domestic households and apartment complexes. Airport Metro link The document promises to provide a multi-point airport Metro link and says that the Purple line of Namma Metro will be extended up to Hosakote Bus Terminus through Kadugodi on one side and Bidadi Bus Terminus through Kengeri on the other side after conducting feasibility analysis. It promises a new RV Road Metro line to Bommasandra line will be extended until Attibele after conducting feasibility analysis. As for road network expansion, it has promised development of Outer Ring Road (ORR) starting from Puttenahalli Cross to RV Road via Mysuru Road, Summanahalli, Yeshwantpur, Nagawara, KR Puram and Central Silk Board. The remaining portion of the Peripheral Ring Road (PRR) would be taken up on priority so that the whole city is covered to reduce traffic congestion within the city, it says. Lake conservation It promises Namma Bengaluru Namma Jala Ensuring Water Security for Namma Bengaluru through a comprehensive framework of policies and laws including rejuvenating Rivers and Lakes, Rain Water Harvesting and Water Conservation. A new Bengaluru Lake Conservation and Development Authority (BLCDA) will be a single regulatory body for protecting lakes and network of Rajakaluves/Storm Water Drains (SWDs) as part of the largest Water Security for Bengaluru. The government will create a Rs 2500 crore fund to revive the complete ecosystem and network of lakes including catchment area and flood proofing in all flood-prone areas of Bengaluru. Green Bengaluru The document says that an initiative to bring back the Tree-to-Person ratio to at least one in Bengaluru will be taken up. A tree census will also be conducted. It promises to develop the city into a walking city. The city administration will place equal focus on pedestrian infrastructure as road carriage-ways. The city administration will aim to develop 5000 km of scientifically designed footpath/pavements in the city. These footpaths will be optimized for space utilization and will also be made differently-abled friendly BBMP will also install air quality monitors in every ward of the city and a weekly/monthly air quality report will be released to the public. Rainwater harvesting will be incentivised in urban areas and public spaces to recharge groundwater and a separate pipeline network for recycled water will be laid to encourage its use everywhere in the city. Solar power usage among public and private sector in the city will also be encouraged, the document says. The Congress manifesto released last month had promised to build 3 lakh houses in urban areas in Karnataka and a million in rural areas annually in the next five years. It said the government had got constructed 1.17 mn houses in five years. With Karnataka having faced successive droughts, the manifesto had promised to spend substantially on irrigation. The value of projects under implementation under the Smart Cities Mission has increased almost four times from about Rs 8,000 crore to over Rs 30,000 crore involving 936 projects, housing and urban affairs minister Hardeep S Puri said on Tuesday at the first of its kind conference of the CEOs of the Smart Cities that aims for cross-sharing of knowledge among the cities. We should expect an exponential growth in the number of works started in the Smart Cities Mission over the coming six months as more and more cities are getting into the mission mode, Puri said at the conference, held in Bhopal. IN PICS: Hardeep Puri at Smart Cities CEO conference: More cities getting into mission mode The two-day conference titled First Apex Conference for the CEOs of Smart Cities is being held in Bhopal. This is the first such conference after the launch of Smart Cities Mission on June 25, 2015. The two-day conference is being organised for providing a platform for cross learning and knowledge sharing among the Smart City CEOs on May 8 and 9, 2018. The conference seeks to enable the CEOs to learn from the experiences of all city leaders to understand in greater details both successes and failures. Till date as many as 99 cities have been announced as smart cities so far under the mission. Each city would get Rs 500 crore as central assistance for implementation of the projects. Puri said that about 400 projects valued at Rs 20,000 crore are in tendering stage, which would be settled over two to three months. He said that 98 projects valued at Rs 6000 crore are under implementation under the Public Private Partnership model. These had received a positive response from both big and small towns. In the last eight months, 26 more Special Purpose Vehicles have been established, taking the total SPVs to 91 and total number of project management consultants to 67. The minister also launched an integrated control and command centre for seven cities of Madhya Pradesh in Bhopal. The command and control centre will be a common platform where all the information from various sources like city operation centres and applications will be stored. All the information collected will be analysed for better planning of smart cities. Addressing the conference, he said as many as nine such Centres have become operational in Bhopal and work is in progress to develop Smart City Centers in another 14 cities. Tenders have been issued in 32 more cities. Smart City Centers are presently operational in nine cities Pune, Surat, Vadodara, Ahmedabad, Vishakhapatnam, Rajkot, Nagpur and Kakinada. Five of these became operational in the last six months, he said. Addressing the event, Madhya Pradesh chief minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan assured that Integrated Command and Control Centres in all the 7 smart cities in Madhya Pradesh would be established in the next two months. The Integrated Control and Command Center of Bhopal Smart City in Govindpura is the ninth Smart city centre to be operational in the country, a ministry release said. An exhibition showcasing the different projects being undertaken by cities under Smart Cities Mission was also inaugurated. Apart from the Smart City CEOs, the participants include representatives from municipal, State and Central Government and various other stakeholders in the Smart City Mission from the civil society, academia, industry etc. The list of invitees includes Principal Secretaries (UD)/State Mission Directors, Municipal Commissioners, Ambassadors of several countries, UN representatives, heads of multilateral/bilateral agencies, civil societies, and capacity building institutes. CEOs/heads of major Master System Indicator vendors are also invited. The market regulator SEBI is planning to make trading even more secure by adopting a process of calculating an investor's financial strength based on his income tax return, a report by Times of India said. TK Vishwanathan-headed Sebi committee is expected to recommend this, the daily said quoting sources. Moneycontrol could not independently confirm the information. Currently, individual investors are required to disclose only their net worth to their brokers periodically, without submitting any document. If this suggestion is taken forward, SEBI will consult with market intermediaries in detail about the ITR-based income declaration for traders. The market regulator aims to curb risks while trading in stock and derivative markets with this move and if it goes through, its implementation should take a few months, it said. Presently, an investor opening a demat account has to provide his net worth by ticking one box against levels of income given starting with below Rs 1 lakh and going up to above Rs 25 lakh. The estimate of the investors net worth should be given on a date not more than a year before the date of opening the account. An individual investor can trade freely and engage in the stock and derivative markets based on his financial strength, due to a recently approved provision by the regulator. If one wishes to trade beyond that limit, their broker will need to check their financial position before entering trade in higher limits. Experts from the fields said that brokers let their clients declare their net worth that is much higher than the actual levels to get higher commissions. Such higher trading volumes are funded by the same brokers who take commissions as well as interest income from such funding. Such practices increase risk in the markets, which is why Sebi will ask investors to provide their ITR while opening trading accounts with brokers. live bse live nse live Volume Todays L/H More Co-founders of cab aggregator Ola, Bhavish Aggarwal and Ankit Bhati, have together invested Rs 45 lakh in Pune-based electric vehicle making startup Tork Motorcycles. According to the documents in possession of Moneycontrol, sourced from Paper.vc, the Ola co-founders invested in Tork in January this year, which was closely followed by a deal worth Rs 30 crore with Bharat Forge for a 45% stake in the Pune-based company. The latest investment by Aggarwal and Bhati is in addition to the undisclosed seed funding they have put in the startup. Bhavish has invested nearly Rs 30 lakh while Bhati contributed about Rs 15 lakh, in lieu of shares. Aggarwal and Bhati declined to comment, while Tork Motorcycles founder Kapil Shelke said, We do not intend to comment on this, in response to an e-mail query sent to both the companies. Tork, which makes electric motorcycles, had raised angel funding led by Ola founders in April 2016 along with other angel investors such as CoCubes co-founder and chief executive officer Harpreet Grover. The SoftBank-backed ride-hailing companys investment in Tork is seen as an extension of its ambitious plans of putting together a fleet of electric vehicles. The company had launched a pilot project for electric vehicles in Nagpur, last year, which included electric cabs, electric auto rickshaws, electric buses, rooftop solar installations, charging stations, and battery swapping experiments. In April this year, the company formally launched its Mission Electric programme, wherein it plans to add 10,000 electric vehicles, a majority being e-rickshaws, to its platform in 12 months. The Bangalore-based company plans to have one million electric vehicles on its platform by 2021, and has carmaker Mahindra & Mahindra as a partner for electric four-wheelers. Tork Motorcycles, on the other hand, has developed a motorcycle, code-named the T6X, which is capable of operating for 100 km on a single charge. The company showcased the vehicle a year ago, but has been unable to monetise it commercially as yet. During the showcase of its vehicle prototype, the company had said it is developing a battery management system, control systems, motor tuning, drive train, and overall product integration for the T6X. It has built five motorcycle prototypes so far. Bangalore-based Ather Energy is also building an electric scooter, which is also a smart device with Bluetooth connectivity and monitoring capabilities. The company counts Tiger Global, promoters of Flipkart Sachin and Binny Bansal as investors. It concluded the last funding round in October 2016 of about USD 27 million from Hero MotoCorp, against 26%-30% stake. Athers scooter is not launched for retail consumption either. Another Bangalore-based electric vehicle startup Emflux Motors recently secured fresh funding of Rs 2 crore from existing and new investors. The company plans to launch its first prototype by October this year. Electric vehicle makers are quickly gaining steam, after the launch of Governments National Electric Mobility Mission Plan (NEMMP) 2020 that aims to put seven million electric and hybrid vehicles on Indian roads by 2020. A Faster Adoption and Manufacturing of (Hybrid) and Electric Vehicles (FAME) scheme is also a major boost to the sector, which seeks to provide Rs 795 crore to electronic vehicle makers till 2020. May 08, 2018 / 09:18 AM IST live bse live nse live Volume Todays L/H More Results Today: Jubilant Foodworks, Godrej Consumer Products, ABB, GTL Infra, Sintex Industries, Sun Pharma Advanced Ex-Bonus: Raghav Productivity Enhancers 2:5 ICICI Bank: Q4 net profit falls 50 percent on jump in NPAs, in line with expectation Tata Coffee Q4 net profit at Rs 22.4 crore and revenue at Rs 440.4 crore Pfizer: Company posts Q4 net profit at Rs 104.51 crore Firstsource: Q4 net profit rises to Rs 92.8 crore Axis Bank: The lender has allotted 28,260 shares of Rs 2 each under the ESOP scheme. Granules India gets approval for ANDA filed by for Methocarbamol tablet 500 mg and 750 mg Allahabad Bank to consider fund raising via FPO/Rights Issue/QIP on May 11 Balrampur Chini: The Board will meet on May 19, 2018 to discuss the financial results. Lupin Receives FDA Approval For Generic Temovate Ointment, 0.05% Unichem Labs Receives ANDA Approval From US FDA For Valsartan Tablets, USP. These are used to treat high blood pressure and congestive heart failure. Veto Switchgears gets order worth Rs 25 crore Bharti Infratel, Indus likely to invest Rs 3,500 cr capex for FY'19 ahead of merger SAT asks One Life Capital to make fresh application with Sebi by May 10 to buy Sahara MF Hero MotoCorp sacks around 30 employees for ethics code violation INOX Leisure revenue from operations grows 10% at Rs 1348 crore Mahindra Holidays' step down subsidiary disinvested its entire stake in Are Villa 4 AB, Sweden IL&FS raise USD 55 m in rupee loan from Mashreq Bank Majesco launches Majesco Digital1 insurance Cigniti Technologies to open representative office / branch office in Dubai Tata Metaliks says no production at Kharagpur plant since yesterday due to disruption of work by contractors' and service providers Tata AIG Life Insurance Company bought 2,90,079 shares of BEML at Rs 1,061.76. Polaris Consulting will complete sale of its investments in Optimus Global Services by August 31, 2018 Ascension Health Master Pension Trust sold 4,10,637 shares of NIIT Technologies at Rs 1,028.54. Muthoot Finance board meeting on May 16 to consider fund raising by way of public issue of redeemable non-convertible debentures Procter & Gamble Overseas India BV makes an open offer to acquire 43.15 lakh shares of Merck Date: September 25 | Extent of loss: 504 points (1.29 percent)| Reason: Concerns over the health of the economy, news of impeachment inquiry against US President Donald Trump, tension in the Middle East and uncertainty over the US-China trade deal kept the market under pressure. (Image: Reuters) Making money in any stock market is hard, especially in one rife with volatility. If you are an expert at picking stocks, you can use the volatility to your advantage and pick quality stocks whenever they correct. But if you belong to the other camp, a sneak peek into what mutual fund managers are doing could give you some stock-specific ideas that have already returned spectacularly in the last year or so. The Sensex might have gained around 15 percent in that period, but there are 10 stocks that fund managers kept steadily buying, which have returned 100-200 percent, according to data compiled from AceEquity. Stocks on which fund managers are betting heavily include names like Jindal Steel & Power, which has shot up 248 percent, Escorts, which has gained 227 percent, and Nocil, which has risen 220 percent since December 30, 2016, the data showed. Other stocks that rose over 100 percent include names like Jamna Auto, Tata Metaliks, Tata Global Beverages, Jaiprakash Associates, Bajaj Finance, and Hatsun Agro. Shoppers Stop, which pared its gains recently, had risen nearly 100 percent in the period under review. What should investors do? According to the Association of Mutual Funds in India (AMFI), the assets under management (AUM) of the Indian mutual fund industry declined to Rs 21.36 lakh crore in March from Rs 22.20 lakh crore in February. So, should investors stick to stocks on which fund managers are betting? Well, experts feel they should look at stocks that are market leaders and have a potential to grow, and not blindly follow what fund managers are buying or selling. "Looking at the current market scenario more weightage has to be given to market leaders stocks which possess high quality in small and midcap," Chirag Singhvi, Fundamental Analyst at KIFS Trade Capital. "Undoubtedly, timing the market would be inappropriate at any moment, but considering recent price wise correction, better ROE, Valuations, and opportunity backed by the strong data analysis, the better prices are to be gauged and accumulated in the portfolio for making it a value bet," he said. Singhvi added that sectors like IT, consumption, pharma & FMCG have shown good strength. Investors with a long-term perspective should look forward to accumulating more and strengthening their portfolio. Ajay Srivastava, CEO, Dimensions Consulting, feels the consumption sector should form at least a fifth of an investor's portfolio. In an interview to CNBC TV18, he said the sector is likely to outperform in the prevalent market environment and that smart money could well move from other sectors to high-quality consumption plays. "Consumption might look overpriced with a high P/E but it is a wonderful space because there is no competition. Even at 5-7 percent growth rate, some 30-40 million new consumers are going to enter this space," Srivastava explained. "Consumers who are looking to set up their portfolio should be in this space with a minimum allocation of 20 percent in the current market environment." live bse live nse live Volume Todays L/H More Ashish Chaturmohta The Nifty got off to a positive start on Monday, gaining 0.92 percent to close at 10,716 levels. The index witnessed buying throughout the day to close at the days highs and formed a bullish candlestick on the daily chart. In the last three sessions, the Nifty took support at 10,600 levels on declines and bounced back from those levels. The Relative Strength Index (RSI) has given a positive crossover, suggesting resumption of the uptrend. On the upside, immediate resistance is seen at 10,785 levels which was its recent high. If the index manages to sustain above 10,785 levels, it is likely to rally towards 10,910-10,950 levels. On the downside, immediate support is seen at 10,600 levels. If the Nifty breaks below 10,600, its next support is seen at 10,500 levels. On the options front, maximum put open interest is seen at 10,500, followed by 10,600, suggesting a support zone for the market. In calls, 11,000 has seen the highest open interest followed by the 10,800 strike price. India VIX after a small consolidation around 12 levels has seen a steady rise to 13.76. It is likely to rise further ahead of the Karnataka state elections on May 12. Here is a list of top five stocks that could deliver up to 16% return in the short-term: Bombay Dyeing & Manufacturing Company Limited: Buy| CMP: Rs 310| Stop loss: Rs 294: Target: Rs 360| Return 16% The stock touched a high of Rs 305 in the month of January this year and then corrected down to Rs 177 levels. Since then the price has formed a basing pattern and witnessed breakout from same. The stock has seen good volumes on every up move indicating buying participation in the stock. Post the breakout, the price has seen throwback i.e., it has tested the breakout level and again hit a new all-time high of Rs 319 on Monday. The weekly MACD has given positive crossover with its average after 14-weeks above neutral level of zero suggesting consolidation phase is over and the stock has resumed its uptrend. Thus, the stock can be bought at current levels and on dips to Rs 305 with a stop loss below Rs 294 for a target of Rs 360 levels. Indian Hotels Company Limited: Buy| CMP: Rs 145| Stop loss: Rs 137| Target: Rs 170| Return On the long-term monthly charts, the stock has W-shaped bottoming pattern between Rs 135 and 30 odd levels over a period of the last ten years. In the month of January, price breakout was seen from the pattern to touch all-time of Rs 161 levels. The stock then corrected down to Rs 124 and has rallied to current levels. Recent, rally and breakout from the long-term pattern were on high volumes suggesting buying participation in the stock. Also, the last couple of weeks of correction was on below-average volumes. Thus, the stock can be bought at current levels and on dips to Rs 142 with a stop loss below Rs 137 for a target of Rs 170 levels. Pfizer Limited: Buy| CMP: Rs 2,500| Stop loss: Rs 2,370| Target: Rs 2,800| Return 12% The stock witnessed a sharp decline from Rs 2,724 levels in September 2015 to low of Rs 1,610 in March 2016. The stock formed a long-term rectangle base between Rs 1,610 and Rs 2,035 odd levels. In January, it witnessed a breakout from the base on high volumes to touch an all-time high of Rs 2,370 levels. The price then corrected to test breakout and rallied back to hit a high of Rs 2,535 on Monday. The stock has given a breakout from the short-term rounding base formation of the last three months with strong price momentum and high volumes. The price has also given a breakout from the Bollinger bands with the expansion of bands suggesting that the trend is likely to continue in the direction of the breakout. Thus, the stock can be bought at current levels and on dips to Rs 2,450 with a stop loss below Rs 2,370 and a target of Rs 2,800 levels. Crompton Greaves Consumer Electricals Limited: Buy| CMP: Rs 250| Stop loss: Rs 235| Target Rs 280-290| Return 16% The stock touched an all-time high of Rs 295 in the month of January and then corrected down to Rs 217 levels. For the last three months, the price has been moving in a sideways range of Rs 245 to Rs 217 levels. Volumes have been above average during this consolidation which suggests accumulation at lower levels. The stock has given a breakout from this short-term base on above average volumes. The stock has closed above its long-term 200-day moving average on Monday. The price has also given a breakout from Bollinger bands with the expansion of bands suggesting that the trend is likely to continue in the direction of the breakout. Thus, the stock can be bought at current levels and on dips to Rs 800 with a stop loss below Rs 780 for a target of Rs 280-290 levels. Divis Laboratories Limited: Buy| CMP: Rs 1,208| Stop loss: Rs 1,160| Target: Rs 1,350| Return 11% The stock touched an all-time high of Rs 1,382 in the month of August 2016 and then witnessed a sharp fall towards Rs 533 levels. Since then, the stock has seen a U-shaped recovery forming higher tops and higher bottoms on the weekly charts. The price has crossed 78.6% retracement of the whole fall from Rs 1,382 to Rs 533 and closed above it. For the last couple of weeks, the price has been consolidating at higher levels and likely to see a breakout on the upside. Thus, the stock can be bought at current levels and on dips to Rs 1,190 with a stop loss below Rs 1,160 and a target of Rs 1,350 levels. The author is Head Technical and Derivatives, Sanctum Wealth Management. The views and investment tips expressed by investment expert on Moneycontrol.com are his own and not that of the website or its management. Moneycontrol.com advises users to check with certified experts before taking any investment decisions. Tata Steel Tata Steel said on May 8 that its European unit has begun to look for buyers for its non-core units after a review of all its businesses. "Europe Tata Steel Europe has recently conducted a detailed portfolio review of all its businesses to assess the strategic fit and the future potential," the company said in a statement. "Based on the above review, Tata Steel Europe has begun a process of seeking buyers for business units which supply products to niche markets, allowing the company to continue to strengthen its focus on strategic strip products and markets," added the company. Cogent, a manufacturer and processor of electrical steels based in Newport, South Wales (UK), Burlington, Canada and Surahammar in Sweden. Kalzip, an aluminium roofing and cladding business based primarily in Koblenz, Germany. Firsteel which coats steel for kitchen bakeware based in Walsall, West Midlands, UK. Tata Steel Istanbul Metals, a coil coating company using steel bought on the open market, based in Adapazari, Turkey. Engineering Steels Service Centre (Wolverhampton) which is a stockholder and processes engineering steels, based in Wolverhampton, West Midlands, UK. These units employ 1,100 people. "These potential sales follow the successful sale of other non-core businesses in recent years, such as Long Products Europe and Speciality Steels," said Hans Fischer, CEO of Tata Steel's European operations. "Under new ownership these former Tata Steel businesses have found the focus to secure a more sustainable future. In turn, these divestments have allowed us to focus resources on making significant improvements to the core strip business," he added. Flipkart Walmart Walmart has signed a definitive agreement to acquire about 75 percent of online retailer Flipkart and a formal announcement is expected in less than three hours time. Sources told Moneycontrol that the two companies have signed a term sheet an agreeement defining the contours of the transaction today. Under the deal, Walmart will likely buy 70-75 percent of online retailer Flipkart for about USD 15 billion. It will also rope in internet search giant Google as a new investor in which the company is expected to invest about USD 1.5 billion for about 7 percent stake. The deal will likely value Flipkart at USD 20 billion. Walmart will also likely invest USD 2 billion directly by infusing fresh equity in the Bengaluru-based company founded by Sachin Bansal and Binny Bansal (unrelated) in October 2007. As part of the deal, co-founder and executive chairman Sachin Bansal will likely exit completely, selling his 5.55 percent stake. Flipkarts existing shareholders Chinas Tencent Holdings, and US-based Tiger Global Management, will exit partially and retain small stakes. South Africa-based Naspers Ltd. And Microsoft Corp will also keep small holdings in the new company. Sources indicated that these investors will likely have the option of selling their stake to the Bentonville-based retailer at a later date at the same valuation at which Walmart bought a majority stake in Flipkart. SoftBank, which owns 20.8 percent stake in the company will exit completely. The Masayoshi Son-controlled Japanese company will make a neat profit by selling its stake in Flipkart, with its investment of USD 2.5 billion set to fetch about USD 4 billion, a gain of 60 percent. Tencent Holdings and Tiger Global Management will continue to be represented on the board. It was not immediately known how much of stake group CEO and co-founder Binny Bansalwill retain. He currently holds 5.25 percent stake in Flipkart. Flipkart will be listed on Indian stock exchanges in the subsequent years, as a fully-owned Walmart subsidiary, a corporate strategy similar to what it has adopted in Mexico. Walmart India and Flipkart will continue to maintain distinct brands after the deal. New investors can pick stake in Flipkart in a fresh round, which could bring down Walmart's holding slightly, even though it will continue to retain a significant majority holding. Walmart will likely use a mix of fresh debt and cash to finance the deal. After the deal's closure, Flipkarts financials will be reported as part of Walmart International. In the fiscal year ended March 31, Flipkart recorded a gross merchandise value (GMV) of USD 7.5 billion, effectively meaning that goods worth USD 7.5 billion were traded through its site involving thousands of sellers and millions of buyers. It recorded net sales of USD 4.6 billion during the year, representing more than 50 percent growth in both cases. LOCAL RETAILERS OPPOSE The transaction may make Flipkart co-founders and software geeks-turned-e-commerce entrepreneurs awesomely rich, but left nagging questions on an Indian dream to build a world beater technology company. The deal, however, raised questions on regulation and nationalism in an election year, with local tradersa core constituency of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)sparing no punches in opposing the Walmart-Flipkart embrace, arguing that such mega online supermarkets that offer deep discounts will endanger the livelihood of millions of neighbourhood mom-and-pop stores and street vendors. The Confederation of All India Traders (CAIT), an umbrella association representing millions of traders, has demanded government scrutiny of the Walmart-Flipkart deal, which it says will only encourage predatory pricing. It wanted the unholy nexus to be scanned and stopped and wondered why the government was keeping its eyes and ears shut despite knowing the intent and hidden agenda of companies like Walmart. WALMART INDIA 2.0 This will be the second time when Walmart and Google will join hands to get a toehold into the online retail space dominated by Jeff Bezos-controlled Amazon. Last year, both the companies had struck a partnership through Walmart products are sold on Google Express, the internet search giants online mall. Indian consumers can also look forward to personalised voice shopping of Walmart and Flipkart products by simply speaking out the orders to Google Home devices. This will be Walmarts largest acquisition in the e-commerce space. It had acquired Jet.com for USD 3.3 billion in 2016. Last month, Walmart gave up control of its UK grocery chain Asda, merging it with British retailer J Sainsbury Plc. Walmart will retain a 42 percent stake in the combined company. The decision to cede control of Asda is seen as part of Walmarts global strategy to focus more attention and resources on faster-expanding markets such as India where consumer spending capacity has been rising significantly. According to India Brand Equity Foundation, a government-supported research agency, the Indian e-commerce market is expected to reach USD 64 billion by 2020 and USD 200 billion by 2026 from USD 38.5 billion as of 2017. With growing internet penetration, internet users in India are expected to increase from 481 million as of December 2017 to 829 million by 2021. This will be Walmarts second coming of sorts for Indias retail market. In 2013, it pulled out of its wholesale joint venture with Bharti Group. Walmarts investment in Bharti had come under a scanner amid allegations that the global retail chain may have entered Indias front-end multi-brand retail business two-and-a-half years before the government actually lifted the ban on foreign investors in the sector. Bharti Walmart, an equal partnership joint venture between Bharti Group and Walmart, which jointly ran wholesale stores under the `Best Price ModernWholesale brand. Walmart India currently operates 21 B2B Best Price cash-and-carry stores and one fulfilment centre in 19 cities across nine states in India. The retail giant intends to scale up with plans to create millions of jobs through supply chains, commercial opportunity and direct employment. It also plans to support small businesses and `Make in India through direct procurement as well as exports. Walmart will partner `kirana (neighbourhood grocery stores) owners and members to help modernize their retail practices and adopt digital payment technologies. Walmart also intends to scale up its sourcing of Indian merchandise and farm products, which, according to the company could result in an increase of an estimated USD 7 billion in farmer incomes, comparable to a doubling of the incomes of an estimated 6-6.5 million rural households. The company will also invest in supply chains and cold storage infrastructure, helping reduce food wastage. Afghanistan | With a score of 15, Afghanistan follows Yemen to be ranked among the most corrupt countries. Efforts to establish a democratic government. A UN report said that in 2009 the citizens paid USD 2.5 billion in bribes that is equivalent to 23% of the countrys GDP. (Pictured: A man walks on a hilltop overlooking Kabul. Image: Reuters) Afghanistan Foreign Minister Salahuddin Rabbani has met new Indian envoy to the country Vinay Kumar and assured him that Afghan security forces will not spare any effort to ensure the safety and release of seven Indian engineers abducted by the Taliban gunmen in the restive northern Baghlan province. During the meeting with the Indian ambassador yesterday, Rabbani expressed grief and sorrow over the abduction of the Indian engineers and said that the Afghan security forces will not spare any effort to protect the safety and secure the release of the Indians. He said that efforts have been initiated through the community elders to help secure their release. Rabbani also had a telephone conversation with External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj regarding the abduction of the seven Indian engineers of KEC International, an RPG group company. Swaraj had conveyed India's concerns about the abducted Indians and requested him for help in tracing and freeing them. The abducted Indian engineers were working on a project for the construction of a power sub-station. They were abducted by the militants from the vicinity of Cheshma-e-Sher area on Sunday while they were going to inspect the work on the project. An eyewitness, who wished anonymity, told Pajhwok Afghan News that he saw a number of armed men stopping a white coloured car on the Pul-i-Khumri-Mazar-i-Sharif highway. The eyewitness did not know how many people were in the car, but said the militants took the Indian nationals to their mini bus type vehicle and sped towards areas under their control. Many of the earlier abductions in Afghanistan have been linked to Taliban. In 2016, 40-year-old Indian aid worker Judith D'Souza was kidnapped in Kabul. She was released after 40 days. India has provided at least USD 2 billion aid to Afghanistan for the economic development of the war-torn nation. Appreciating the significant role of India in reconstruction of Afghanistan and expressing his contentment of the strong bilateral relations and cooperation among the two countries, Rabbani assured the Indian ambassador that the relevant departments of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs shall extensively cooperate with him with the aim of further expanding these relations and cooperation. Both sides discussed and exchanged views on political priorities of Afghanistan such as the peace process, elections, economic and trade cooperation between the two countries and the projects being implemented through Indian support in Afghanistan. The government may soon make it mandatory to provide Aadhaar details for booking rail tickets online after railway officials recently busted a ticket racket, seizing over 6,000 e-tickets (PNR numbers) worth Rs 1.5 crore, Mumbai Mirror reported. To enhance the security of ticketing systems, Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) and Central for Railways Information System (CRIS) have suggested linking Aadhaar numbers of passengers to their respective user ID for IRCTC. Currently, the linking of Aadhaar and PAN to one's IRCTC account is optional. Also read COMMENT-How Aadhaar and NPCI together open the door to major frauds and impersonations The report also stated that a question or OTP could be introduced after the Book Now button is pressed in order to break the sequence of automation and make the process more secure. Other suggestions include verification of the user ID through one's mobile number and inspection of the IP address through which the ticket was booked. "Study on allowing booking of only two tickets on one IP address is also being done. This would also help in preventing touts who book multiple tickets at the same time. However, companies wishing to book more than two tickets for their employees will have to register with either IRCTC or CRIS," a CRIS official told the Hindustan Times. Also read COMMENT- Aadhaar does not identify; it merely authenticates. That's an important difference The accused had allegedly sold the illegal software to nearly 5,000 agents across India and charged Rs 700 from each user to use his platform, railway officials told the paper. "The accused has knowledge about the working of the IRCTC website as he had been operating his business for six years," a railway official was quoted as saying. The incident has pushed Indian Railways to step up its security for online booking and prevent such frauds. LocalBitcoins | This peer-to-peer exchange allows people from different countries to exchange their local currencies to bitcoins. Users post advertisements on the exchange stating their exchange rate and preferred payment method for buying or selling bitcoins. By replying to these advertisements, a trade is opened and escrow protection is automatically activated. Escrow protects both buyer and seller, by keeping the bitcoins safe until the payment is done and the seller releases bitcoins to the buyer. Bitcoins are placed in LocalBitcoins web wallet from where one can pay for their bitcoin purchases directly. However, investors need to be aware of scams as they are dealing directly with other people unlike other stock-like exchanges or centralized bitcoin trading sites. Cash worth Rs 25 lakh was today recovered from former BJP MLA Nalin Kotadia's aide by Gujarat CID (crime) officials probing the case of alleged "looting" of 176 bitcoins worth over Rs 9 crore from a builder in apparent connivance with policemen, a senior officer said. The recovery of the cash "clearly establishes" Kotadia's role in the case, he said. The cash was recovered from one Nankubhai, a resident of Rajkot, said Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIG), CID, Crime, Deepankar Trivedi. He said the cash was "delivered" to Nankubhai at the behest of Kotadia, who is yet to record his statement in the case. "This recovery of cash is a hard evidence in the case. With this, Nalin Kotadia's role is clearly established now. We are looking for him and we are confident that he will be arrested soon," Trivedi told reporters in Gandhinagar today. The DIG said that Kotadia has not presented himself before the CID for recording his statement despite two summons issued to him. Kotadia had served as the MLA of Dhari in Amreli district during 2012 to 2017. In his complaint filed with the CID (Crime) three months back, Surat-based builder Shailesh Bhatt had alleged that Amreli policemen had kidnapped him and his business partner Kirit Paladia from Gandhinagar and extorted bitcoins (virtual currency), which was in the possession of Paladia. Bhatt had also alleged that Kotadia was also involved in this conspiracy of extorting bitcoins worth over Rs 9 crore. The CID had arrested Kirit Paladia on May 4 as it turned out during the probe that he was the mastermind behind the entire conspiracy to 'loot' 176 bitcoins and distribute money generated from selling them amongst himself, policemen, and a middleman. Trivedi said Paladia had sold 34 bitcoins and gave a portion of cash to Kotadia's aide Nankubhai as well as to Kotadia's brother-in-law, Navneet. "Paladia sent a total of Rs 35 lakh to Kotadia's men through the Angadia service. While Rs 25 lakh was sent to Nankubhai, Rs 10 lakh was sent to Kotadia's brother-in-law, Navneet, in Amreli. Now, Navneet is also absconding and his mobile is switched off," said Trivedi. The CID has so far arrested Bhatt's business partner Paladia, Amreli Superintendent of Police Jagdish Patel, Amreli local Crime Branch inspector Anant Patel, two constables, and a middleman. Seven constables of Amreli district police, allegedly involved in the case, are on still the run. amit shah BJP President Amit Shah today alleged that fearing defeat, the Congress has colluded with "anti-national" SDPI and PFI in the Karnatkaa assembly polls. He said the BJP and RSS lost their 24 workers in the last four years but the Siddaramaiah government "did not arrest the murderers." Shah said once the BJP comes to power, it will send every culprit behind the bar even if they were hiding in the remotest corner of the world. "Fearing defeat, the Congress government is sitting with the anti-national forces. They aren't ashamed to take the support of PFI and SDPI. JD-S has taken the support of (AIMIM chief Asaduddin) Owaisi," said Shah at an election rally in Nargund. TheSocial Democratic Party of India (SDPI) is the political wing of Islamic outfit Popular Front of India (PFI). Referring to the Mahadayi river water issue involving Karnataka and Goa, Shah said the river water would flow into the taps of every house and every field in North Karnataka within six months of his party coming to power. Calling the Congress government 'anti-farmer', he said the 'ego' of chief minister Siddaramaiah was responsible for blocking the Mahadayi river from flowing in the Mumbai-Karnataka region. "Congress is anti-farmer.I am asking you to form the BJP government here. Within six months we will bring the Mahadayi river water to entire Karnataka. Mahadayi river will flow intoyour taps and agriculture fields," he said. He accused the Siddaramaiah government of remaining unperturbed even in the face of farmers committing suicide. "The ego of Siddaramaiah government has bereaved the people of Mumbai-Karnataka region of Mahadayi river water. The chief minister of a state is in slumber where 3,500 farmers have committed suicide," Shah charged. The BJP president told the crowd that the BJP will waive loan up to Rs 1 lakh either of cooperative bank or the nationalised bank once it comes to power. He added that every field inKarnataka will get water as Rs 1.5 lakh would be invested on building irrigation infrastructure in the State. Taking a dig at Congress president Rahul Gandhi, Shah said those who had no respect for 'Vande Mataram' and cannot stand for the national song will never do any good to the nation. He said Siddaramaiah has run away from Chamundeshwari to contest from Badami and cannot bail out Congress from the impending defeat, a reference to the chief minister contesting from two constituencies. The BJP chief said Gandhi knew his party's fate in the election. "Rahul Baba has accepted his defeat. That's why he has decided to go to Mansarovar after the election," said Shah. In the evening, Shah participated in a road show at Rajarajeshwari Nagar in Bengaluru where he sought public support for the party's nominee. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Congress are on the last leg of their campaigns, with the Karnataka elections just around the corner. In an attempt to woo voters, both parties are going all out and attacking each other on social media, just as much as they are doing in rallies and roadshows. Social media played an important part in the 2014 Lok Sabha elections that saw Narendra Modi and the BJP win big. With increased internet connectivity and smartphone usage, social media is being leveraged to the maximum during campaigning. Here's a break down of how both the parties are using the platform to emerge victorious. Social media teams behind the scene Behind the elaborate tweets, catchy hashtags, minute-to-minute updates of rallies, there are teams working all day long. The Congress' social media team is headed by the President of the Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC), Dinesh Gundu Rao, who has close to a 30-member team, an Economic Times report claimed. Moneycontrol cannot independently verify the report. The main objective of the team is digital penetration in every corner of the state, not just for the party, but CM Siddaramaiah and party President Rahul Gandhi as well. This team develops media strategies, content and structure of the partys social media behaviour during a campaign. Rahul Gandhi joined Twitter only in 2015 and now the micro-blogging site is an indispensable part of his campaign. There are two social media teams for the BJP, one is for the party, while the other is for BS Yeddyurappa. BJP Karnataka social media handles are managed by a group of 30 people, headed by Balaji Srinivas. The chief ministerial candidates social media is handled by a political consultancy firm called Rajneethi, which also gives inputs about offline campaigning. The entire team consists of volunteers below 30 years of age. Battle of the followers BJP was one of the first parties to tap into the social media base during the 2014 general elections, therefore, it leads by a wide margin in terms of followers. BJP Karnataka has almost four times as many followers (178,860) as Congress Karnataka (45,771). There is little competition in followers on Facebook as BJP Karnataka has over 6 lakh followers, while Congress Karnataka has a little under 3 lakh. Hashtags that stick A trending hashtag is one of the markers of a successful social media campaign, which is what both the parties are trying to achieve. Congress has used hashtags like #INC4Karnataka, #KarnatakaDefeatsBJP and the one for all of Rahul Gandhis speeches and rallies in the state, #JanaAashirwadaYatre. BJP used recurring hashtags like #CongressMuktKarnataka, #BJPWaveInKarnataka and #KarnatakaTrustsModi. Generic hashtags like #KarnatakaElections2018, #KarnatakaPolls were used by both parties in their posts to increase their Twitter engagement. Content in social media The BJP and Congress have not shied away from criticising or insulting the other. They have been quick in defending themselves against the insults, with response time of less than 5 minutes in most cases. Their language on social media is termed aggressive, since the teams are made of young volunteers. Twitter has been used to share pictures from successful rallies and roadshows. Every speech and show is being live streamed. Big leaders of the party also retweeted posts from state party handles to boost engagement. The Facebook account of both the parties carry content that is mostly in Kannada. Further, messaging app WhatsApp has played an important role for both BJP and Congress in these campaigns. WhatsApp groups are usually used for microtargeting voters and give information to specific groups of voters. The ET report suggests that BJP has created over 23,000 WhatsApp groups with 80-100 members. The only drawback of WhatsApp is that once the message is forwarded, the sender cannot control it, while other networks give control to the party. While both parties seem confident of a win in the state, it will only be known whose hashtags were more successful when results are announced on May 15. Here are five banks that offer up to 7.30% interest on 3-year FDs for senior citizens Churu was today recorded as the hottest place in Rajasthan with a maximum temperature of 42.8 degrees Celsius followed by Kota which registered a maximum of 42 degrees Celsius. Bikaner, Jaisalmer and Barmer recorded maximums of 41.2, 41 and 40.7 degrees respectively while the day temperature at other places was below 40 degrees, according to the MeT department. A dust storm occurred at Sriganganagar where winds at the speed of 28 km/hr affected normal life, officials said. The Met department has issued warnings about dust storm with light rains at several districts including Alwar, Bundi, Chittorgarh, Dausa, Dholpur and Jaipur. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to commission the strategically important Pakyong airport in Sikkim, sources in the Civil Aviation Ministry have said. The greenfield airport, close to the capital city of Gangtok, received the aerodrome license from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation last Friday for commercial operations. The formal announcement was made by Civil Aviation Minister Suresh Prabhu through his twitter feed. "The Ministry is in talks with the PMO and hopefully the PM will inaugurate the airport given its strategic importance and significance," sources in the Ministry said, adding the dates are yet to the finalised. The airport was approved by the Centre in 2008 and was constructed at an estimated cost of Rs 350 crore. The project is being billed as an engineering marvel -- it has been built at an height of 4,500 feet in an inhospitable terrain. Once commissioned, it will the 100th functional airport in the country. As on date, Sikkim is the only state in the country without a functional airport. Low-cost airline SpiceJet has been granted permission to fly to Pakyong from Kolkata under the Civil Aviation Ministry's regional connectivity scheme. SpiceJet has already conducted a dry run at the airport with one its Bombardier Dash 8-Q400 aircraft successfully landing there on March 5. Also in March, A Dornier 228 of the Indian Air Force landed at the airport. The tourism sector, in particular, is expected to benefit immensely with the opening of the airport other than the economic boon it will bring to the Himalayan state. The nearest Bagdogra airport in West Bengal is about 150 km from Gangtok and air passengers have to take the road after alighting there. Lucknow: **COMBO** Official accommodations of former Uttar Pradesh chief ministers, from left in the top row, Mayawati, Kalyan Singh and Rajnath Singh; left to right in the bottom row, Akhilesh Yadav, ND Tiwari and Mulayam Singh Yadav, in Lucknow on Monday. The Supreme Court on Monday struck down the amendment to a Uttar Pradesh legislation which allowed former chief ministers of the state to retain government accommodation even after demitting office. PTI Photo by Nand Kumar (PTI5_7_2018_000095B) The Supreme Courts decision to quash a 2016 amendment, passed by the erstwhile Samajwadi Party (SP) government, allowing former chief ministers to retain government accommodation for life will reportedly force six ex-CMs from BJP, Congress and Samajwadi Party to vacate their sprawling bungalows. On Monday, a bench headed by Justice Ranjan Gogoi said the amendment in the legislation was ultra vires to the Constitution since it transgresses the concept of equality under the Constitution. It later struck down the amendments by calling it "arbitrary, discriminatory" and violating the concept of equality. Akhilesh Yadav, who amended the 'UP Ministers (Salaries, Allowances and Miscellaneous Provisions) Act, 1981' while serving as the CM of the state, will now have to vacate the house. Mayawati, who was UP CM before Akhilesh, continues to have government accommodation in her name even after vacating office. Mulayam Singh Yadav, the SP patron and former CM of the state, also has a separate bungalow allotted in his name. BJP leader and current Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh, who was appointed as UP CM in 2000, also has a government house allotted in his name in the state. Another BJP leader Kalyan Singh, erstwhile UP CM, will also feel the heat of the decision. Narayan Dutt Tiwari, three-time CM of the state, too has a government house in his name. The decision will affect the top leaders of three major political parties that has ruled the state in the past as CMs. Here are the names of six former CMs who have government houses on their names, as per news agency PTI: The petition was filed by NGO Lok Prahari. It had also challenged another UP law of 2016 called 'The Allotment of Houses under Control of the Estate Department Bill-2016' to regulate the allotment of government accommodation to trusts, journalists, political parties, speaker and deputy speaker of legislative assembly, judicial officers and government officials. (With inputs from PTI) Sonia Gandhi Ahead of UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi's visit to poll-bound Karnataka today, the BJP raked up the issue of her Italian origin by referring to her maiden name Antonio Maino. "Today, Ms. Antonio Maino is here in K'taka to save her last citadel from falling! Madam Maino, K'taka needs no lessons from the person who was solely responsible for wastingIndia's 10 precious years. "And to Congress, need to remind you of your 'import' jibe?" Karnataka BJP said in a tweet. The BJP was responding to Chief Minister Siddaramaiah's recent remarks calling Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his own Uttar Pradesh counterpart Yogi Adityanath "North Indian imports". "@BJP4Karnataka by waiting for North Indian imports like PM Modi, UPCM Adityanath is admitting they have no leaders in the state. They have reduced their CM face @BSYBJP to a dummy," Siddaramaiah had tweeted. Hitting back, BJP had then said in a tweet, "Imports? How much low can you stoop Mr. CM? Your attempt at North-South divide is disgusting." It is not the first time that the issue of Sonia Gandhi's foreign origin has been raked up during the Karnataka polls. At an election rally on May 1 Modi had dared Rahul Gandhi to talk for 15 minutes about the achievements of the Karnataka government in any language, including his "mother's mother tongue". Modi was responding to Rahul Gandhi's dare to allow him to speak for 15 minutes in Parliament on various issues, including corruption, and that the prime minister will not be able to sit for 15 minutes. "I dare the Congress president to speak in Hindi, English or the mother tongue of his mother to deliver a speech in Karnataka for 15 minutes, without reading out from a piece of paper, on the achievements of the party government... people of Karnataka will draw their own conclusion," he said. The BJP's tweet today was also in response to an earlier tweet by Congress party calling Yogi Adityanath by his birth name Ajay Bisht. "We are glad that Mr Ajay Bisht was able to take some lessons of good governance from CM @siddaramaiah and is headedback to be with the people of Uttar Pradesh in their time of need." The Congress party had referred to Adityanath cutting short his election campaign in Karnataka and returning home following deaths in his state that was ravaged by storm. Almost two years after abandoning a road show in Varanasi ahead of the Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections, Sonia would address a poll rally in Vijayapura today. The then Congress chief Sonia had not campaigned for Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat, Punjab, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Meghalaya, Tripura, andNagaland Assembly elections. Sonia Gandhi son and successor Rahul Gandhi is currently touring Karnataka extensively. He will visit Chikkaballapuraand Tumakuru districts on the hustings today. Former prime minister Manmohan Singh, the man who is known for his golden silence, opened up at a press conference in Karnataka and launched a scathing attack on prime minister Narendra Modi and the ruling government. Singh, a noted economist, has accused the NDA government of systematically dismantling Indian economy, the third largest in the world. Heres a look at some of the scathing comments directed at the Modi government by Singh -It was shocking that he (Narendra Modi) was stooping so low and using language that was unbecoming of a prime minister. -No prime minister had used the office to say things about his opponents that Mr Modi has been doing day in and day out....It is not good for the country. -Singh attacked the government over a series of banking frauds, saying the money swindled almost quadrupled from Rs 28,416 crore in September 2013 to Rs 1.11 lakh crore in September 2017. -The economic mismanagement of the Modi government, and I say this with great care and responsibility, is slowly eroding the trust of the general public in the banking sector." -"Our nation today is experiencing difficult times. Our farmers are facing an acute crisis, our aspirational youth are not finding opportunities, and the economy is growing below its potential." He said the "unfortunate truth" was that each of these crises was "entirely avoidable". -"It pains me to see how rather than standing up to all these challenges, the government's response has been to stifle dissent when deficiencies are pointed out. Noting that economic policy has a significant impact on the lives of people, he said it was essential that those tasked with decision making pay careful attention to policies and programmes and not act on mere whims and fancies. -"India is a complex and diverse country and no one person can be the repository of all wisdom. He said every time an answer was sought for any of the "disastrous policies" of the BJP government, "all we hear is that the intentions are virtuous". "Its lack of reasoning and analysis is costing India and our collective future." -Inadequate investment, he said, was the "single biggest weak point" in the management of the economy under Modi. -The Modi government, he alleged, was making deliberate efforts to paint a "rosy" picture of the economy that was not backed by hard facts. -Singh known for turning around the Indian economy from its lowest point said, It took years to make Indian economy the third largest economy now it is being systematically dismantled. live bse live nse live Volume Todays L/H More Alliance Tire Group (ATG), an off-highway tyre specialist owned by Japans Yokohama, will set up a new facility by the end of the year as it looks to grow its market share in the niche segment. The Mumbai-based company said it will take a call on the location of its fourth plant later this year. It typically entails an investment of around $300-400 million for a new tyre plant depending on the tonnage and production capacity. ATG already has two plants in India (one each in Gujarat and Tamil Nadu) and one in Israel. We are continuously working on adding more and more capacity. At the same time we are looking at new sites in India and outside as we see demand coming up in the coming years," ATG's chief executive officer Nitin Mantri told Moneycontrol. "We are doing a due diligence on where should our new factory be optimally be located. It should be done by end of this calendar year, he added. The privately held company, which clocked a turnover of $650 million last financial year, exports around 95 percent of its annual production of about 130,000-140,000 tonne tyre from India serving 120 countries across six continents. These include sales operations in US and Europe. ATG offers 3,000 different variety of tyres sold under three brands, Alliance (for agriculture), Galaxy (for construction and industrial) and Primex (for forestry and mining). The off-highway tyre segment has witnessed a growth of 3-4 percent globally with ATG recording a growth of 15-20 percent. Mantri said that the market for such tyres in India is growing and ATG is focusing for further expansion in the country. Domestic market We had not spent too much time in our home market which is India and we are working on changing that. We entered India (retail market) two years ago and it is a highly competitive market with competition from MRF and others," Mantri said. ATG is sandwiched between a premium manufacturer like Frances Michelin and a group of Chinese manufacturers who are in the budget segment. ATG is now looking to move up the vale chain to position itself closer to the premium brands. We are a value brand. Now that we have been acquired by Yokohama we are about to make a leap in terms of technology, portfolio and branding. We are working on how we can offer higher quality products than we have offered in the past and start commanding a bit more premium. Typically a value brand is 20-25 percent lower than a premium brand so we are trying to figure out a way how we can narrow that down, added Mantri. ATG has a global market share of four percent in this segment while Mumbai-based Balkrishna Industries (BKT), one of its biggest competitors, has a six percent share of the off-highway segment. Montreals rebirth is showing in ways big and small. Devimco Immobilier Inc., a developer that sold a record 1,180 condos downtown last year, is moving up two towers because of high demand, with calls coming in from as far away as China, special adviser Marco Fontaine told Bloomberg in a phone interview. Theres an incredible buzz, Fontaine said. Were much cheaper than Toronto and Vancouver and thats attracting a lot of interest. Read more: Unlike rest of country, Quebec brokers lobbying for more regulation The biggest drive is economics. According to think tank Institut du Quebec, Montreal added more jobs in 2016-17 than in the previous eight years, with companies including Amazon.com Inc. and International Business Machines Corp. opening new data and tech centers. The city, where both French and English can be heard on the street, is also growing into an artificial intelligence hub thats home to Thales SA and Facebook Inc. research labs. Analysts dont see signs of overheating yet. Houses in the city, which is known for a vibrant food and cultural scene and universities such as McGill and Universite de Montreal, are still a bargain compared with the countrys most expensive markets. At $317,000, the median detached house price for the greater Montreal region compares favourably against the $870,000 in Toronto and the $1.4 million in Vancouver. He says that the Motto business model is revolutionary with its network of mortgage brokers operating in close collaboration with local real estate agents. Brokers are not tied to one lender but have access to various loan products from several lenders. Were the first national mortgage brokerage franchise in the country and we knew from the early beginning that our unique brokerage model was needed in the industry. Its a very exciting time for all of us at Motto Mortgage. Motto Mortgage franchises operate in Arkansas, California, Colorado, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, Maryland, Michigan, Missouri, Montana, Nevada, New Jersey, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Washington, D.C. and Washington State. By simplifying the process for both borrowers and lenders, we are able to enhance the user and broker experience and drive more complete and accurate applications, Blend Head of Field Operations Brian Kneafsey said. This will lead to faster closing times and help brokers exceed borrowers expectations and grow their business with a more streamlined process. The partnership with Blend is a perfect fit for our ongoing technology-driven corporate strategy, AFR COO Laura Brandao said. Offering the latest technology platforms to our broker partners allows them to conduct business from anywhere, on any device, with ease and efficiency. Related stories: HSBC Holdings has disclosed that it recorded $897 million in settlements and provisions in connection with legal and regulatory matters during the first quarter. The company said that the item relates to its active discussions with the Department of Justice with a view toward potential resolution of civil claims. The discussions, which developed further during the first quarter, relate to an investigation by the DOJ into HSBCs legacy residential mortgage-backed securities securitization activities. HSBC said there can be no assurances as to how or when the matter will be resolved, or whether this matter will be resolved prior to the commencement of formal legal proceedings by the DOJ or whether the ultimate loss will exceed the provision. Wells Fargo is unlimbering its checkbook yet again. The embattled bank has agreed to pay $480 million to settle a class-action lawsuit related to its fake-account scandal. The lawsuit was brought by investors who bought Wells Fargo stock between February 2014 and September of 2016, when the scandal broke. The investors accused the banking giant of securities fraud related to the scandal, according to The Philadelphia Business Journal. The scandal broke when it was revealed that Wells Fargo employees had opened as many as 3.5 million customer accounts without those customers knowledge or approval. The ensuing fallout included a $185 million regulatory penalty, a $142 million settlement with the affected customers, and the ouster of then-CEO John Stumpf. A major Jacksonville street project is among 54 projects Gov. Bruce Rauner announced Monday as part of the Illinois Department of Transportations Illinois Transportation Enhancement Program, or ITEP. The Historic East State Street Reconstruction project was approved through the federally funded ITEP, which will cover $824,900 of the projects $1.03 million cost. The projects approval, made possible through the efforts of many city officials, is great news for the city, Jacksonville Mayor Andy Ezard said. We are extremely thrilled that we were once again able to receive an ITEP grant, Ezard said. My hat goes off to Hutchison Engineering and (engineer) Jim Burke for preparing an excellent application for a very competitive process. Also, I appreciate our city councils efforts in keeping the throttle down as we continue to do enhancement projects that will help our city and region. The projects remaining cost will be covered by a 20 percent match that Ezard said most likely will be funded through the Motor Fuel Tax Capital Improvement fund. ITEP grants are statewide competitive grants that focus on improving bike and pedestrian traffic and making other transportation improvements that promote alternative options for getting around. The project will improve East State Street from the downtown square to Clay Street, utilizing historic amenities in a manner similar to those of improvements to North and South Main streets and the square itself. This means East State Street will see historic period lighting, a new curb and gutter, sidewalks, plantings, brick outlined sidewalks and crosswalks. An arch spanning the street, similar to one there in the 1900s, has been proposed. The project also will meet Americans with Disabilities Act requirements. Hutchison Engineering is around 90 percent done with planning and the project will be let sometime during the winter, Ezard said. This summer we will hold a public informational meeting to complete those plans, Ezard said. We feel this will blend in well with the initiatives that MacMurray (College) has been undertaking with their building projects. If everything goes well, the project will be let this winter for start of construction in 2019. Nick Draper can be reached at 217-245-6121, ext. 1223, or on Twitter @nick_draper. Woman accused of aiming at victims A Jacksonville woman has been arrested in a series of accidents on Nov. 18 in the 500 and 600 blocks of North Clay Avenue. Mercedes T. Murray, 27, of 722 N. Clay Ave. was booked into the Morgan County jail at 7:57 p.m. Sunday on charges that came from two accidents in which police say she intentionally aimed for the vehicles and a third in which authorities say she aimed for a pedestrian crossing the street. Police Sgt. Olivia Mefford said there were several fights occurring and the incidents took place afterward. Murray is accused of aiming for people with whom she was in a disagreement. Police say they have been looking for her since November. Murray was charged with aggravated battery, criminal damage to property, reckless driving, leaving the scene of an accident, following too closely, improper lane use and operating an uninsured motor vehicle. Morgan County Sheriff Arrests, Citations Patrick W. Seward, 50, of 297 N. Prairie St., Franklin, was booked into the Morgan County jail at 1:10 p.m. Sunday on a disorderly conduct charge. Jordan T. Gallup, 27, of 1402 W. Lafayette St. was booked into the Morgan County jail at 11:44 a.m. Monday on a charge of violation of sex offender registration. Jacksonville Police Arrests, Citations Marcus J. Lynch, 40, of 1 N. Crescent Drive was booked into the Morgan County jail at 8:55 a.m. Monday on a domestic battery charge. Fire One person was taken to Passavant Area Hospital after smoke was reported Saturday in an apartment at 301 W. Beecher Ave. Jacksonville firefighters were called about 6:09 p.m. and remained on scene for about 80 minutes to ventilate the area after finding a cellphone melting on a stove. Firefighters, citing medical privacy laws, declined to identify the injured person. South Jacksonville Police Arrests, Citations Timothy L. Lindsey, 31, of 1512 S. East St. was booked into the Morgan County jail at 4:54 a.m. Sunday on a domestic battery charge. Cass County Beardstown Police Arrests, Citations Kenneth J. Montero Rosado, 25, of 1420 E. Sixth St. was booked into the Morgan County jail at 11:18 p.m. Sunday on charges of theft and driving while license is revoked or suspended. Pike County Sheriff Arrests, Citations Leah R. Westemeyer, 31, of Nebo was arrested at 4:14 p.m. Friday on charges of possession of methamphetamine and possession of drug paraphernalia and on an Illinois Department of Corrections warrant. Anthony W. Waters, 38, of Pittsfield was arrested at 5:20 p.m. Friday on an Illinois Department of Corrections warrant. Mark. T. Westemeyer, 60, of Nebo was arrested at 4:14 p.m. Friday on a possession of methamphetamine charge. Cody F. Leavell, 39, of Champaign was arrested at 4:14 p.m. Friday on charges of possession of methamphetamine and possession of drug paraphernalia and on a Calhoun County warrant accusing him of failing to appear in court. Kim T. Elam, 57, of Rochelle was arrested at 9:53 p.m. Wednesday on a driving under the influence charge. Compiled by David C.L. Bauer, Nick Draper, Samantha McDaniel-Ogletree Two people are facing criminal charges for their alleged involvement in stashing an arsenal in separate operations in Nuevo Laredo, Mexico's attorney general said recently. Last week, soldiers with the Secretariat of the National Defense, or SEDENA, freed five people held against their will at a home in Colonia Madero in east Nuevo Laredo, Mexico. Benchmark prices for U.S. crude oil cracked $70 a barrel Monday, the first time they have climbed that high since 2014, as investors factored in the prospect of President Donald Trump pulling the United States out of an international agreement that eased sanctions on Iran in exchange for restrictions on its nuclear program. Trump said he will announce whether he plans to withdraw the U.S. from the Iran deal on Tuesday. Hes threatened to do so unless Britain, France and Germany agree to make wholesale changes to the agreement. The market is watching nervously, Ann-Louise Hittle, an oil analyst at the market research firm Wood Mackenzie, said of the deadline. West Texas Intermediate, the benchmark used for U.S. crude prices, closed at $70 a barrel Monday after reaching an intraday high of $70.84. The fear among investors is that a U.S. withdrawal from the deal would lead to new sanctions on Iran, the worlds fifth-largest producer of crude oil last year, further curtailing a global supply that is already relatively tight. Analysts estimate that reimposing sanctions on Iran could reduce the countrys oil sales by 300,000 to 600,000 barrels a day, or perhaps as much as 1 million barrels a day. But imposing new sanctions would most likely take time. And if prices stay high, Iran could increase its earnings from oil sales in the short run. Our base case is the rollout of sanctions will be quite slow and messy, said Ben Cahill, an analyst at the market research firm Energy Intelligence. In the very short term, he added, the price run-up could benefit Iran. That threat of a reduction in supply coincides with production cuts by OPEC, which is led by Saudi Arabia, and Russia, one of the worlds largest oil producers, that have helped drain a glut that was depressing prices. Their deal was reached in 2016 and began to take effect last year. OPEC has a spotty track record of carrying out production cuts, but compliance has been strong this time. I think we are where we are because OPEC got their groove back, said Helima Croft, an analyst at RBC Capital Markets. The flow of oil to the global market has been further constricted as a result of the political and economic crisis plaguing Venezuela, another major producer of crude, in recent years. The reduced global supply combined with the solid global economy have helped push oil prices higher since they fell below $30 a barrel in early 2016. The rising tide has lifted the price of the international benchmark, Brent crude, above $76. It is mostly a fundamentals-driven market but the icing on the cake is the worry about Iran, said Michael Lynch, president of Strategic Energy and Economic Research, a consulting firm. A boom in production in the United States has helped offset some of the tightening in supply in recent months. But higher prices elsewhere have prompted U.S. producers to sell on the global market, driving oil exports to record highs and pulling domestic oil prices higher. The price of a gallon of gasoline in the United States has followed suit, with the national average for unleaded regular climbing above $2.80 in recent days. Energy companies seem poised to benefit from the surge. The energy sector led the broader S&P 500 higher Monday, rising by more than 2 percent, compared with the broader index, which was up less than 1 percent. The husband of Alicia Henderson, the woman accused of embezzling $291,000 from the public-private nonprofit Centro San Antonio, has filed for divorce and accused her of also defrauding him. Nathan Henderson and his wife stopped living together around December 1, just days after Centro announced that it had discovered her alleged embezzlement, leading to the resignation of its president and CEO Pat DiGiovanni, court records show. He filed for divorce on January 3. San Antonios Vantage Bank Texas is poised to merge with McAllens Inter National Bank. Vantages controlling shareholder, the James W. Collins family of Texas, has acquired the remaining shares in the bank it didnt already own. The family already owns all of Inter National Bank, or INB. In an email from a spokesman, Collins confirmed his familys purchase of the minority-owned shares in Vantage but declined additional comment. Last year, however, Collins told the San Antonio Express-News of eventual plans to combine INB and Vantage after his family bought INB from Grupo Financiero of Mexico for an undisclosed price. Our intention now is to really combine, long-term, Vantage with INB at the appropriate time period, Collins said in an interview 13 months ago. Asked when that might happen, he replied, Were hoping sooner rather than later. The combined institutions would have ranked as the 41st largest bank operating in Texas with $1.9 billion in assets at the end of last year. That would have been larger than San Antonios Jefferson Bank, which ranked as the states 43rd largest bank with $1.7 billion in assets. INB ranked 57th on the list with $1.3 billion in assets, according to the Texas Department of Banking. Vantage Bank had $546,262 in assets at year-end, too small to rank on the agencys list of the states 100 largest banks. More Information Ranking San Antonio-based banks (based on assets as of March 31) 1. USAA Federal Savings Bank, $83.5 billion 2. Frost Bank, $31.5 billion 3. Broadway Bank, $3.6 billion 4. Jefferson Bank, $1.8 billion 5. The Bank of San Antonio, $747.5 million 6. Crockett National Bank, $644.4 million 7. Vantage Bank Texas, $550.5 million 8. Lone Star Capital Bank, $242.1 million Source: Federal Deposit Insurance Corp., Express-News research See More Collapse The Collins family acquired the minority shares in Vantage for less than $1 a share, according to a minority shareholder who didnt want to be identified. Original shareholders of Vantages predecessor had purchased shares for $7.50 apiece. Guy Bodine, chairman, CEO and president and the bank and its holding company, Vantage Bancorp Inc., in a March 6 letter to shareholders addressed how some would lose money on the deal. While many of our shareholders will not recoup their original investment, based upon the opinion of our financial advisers we believe the transaction represents a fair price to the minority shareholders, Bodine said. Bodine and INB CEO and President Samuel Munafo didnt immediately respond to requests for comment. Read more about the banks histories by clicking here on ExpressNews.com. Patrick Danner is a San Antonio Express-News staff writer. Read more of his stories here. | pdanner@express-news.net | @AlamoPD Teen pop star Shawn Mendes will return to San Antonio next year as part of his upcoming world tour, "Shawn Mendes: The Tour." He will play the AT&T Center on July 23, 2019. Tickets go on sale 10 a.m. May 19 at attcenter.com and ticketmaster.com. If watching millionaires saunter up The Met steps in New York City reminded you of sitting in a pew in a San Antonio Catholic church, you weren't the only one. As social media buzzed about the "Heavenly Bodies: Fashion and the Catholic Imagination" theme of the red carpet event, Jeremy Zipple, the executive director of America Magazine, described as a "Jesuit review of faith and culture," drew a parallel between "fashion's biggest night out" and a quaint San Antonio confirmation. Zipple, a Jesuit priest living in New York City, chimed in on the trending story by tweeting a photo of a confirmation at Our Lady of Guadalupe on San Antonio's West Side. The photo shows clergy members wearing their traditional garb, which many high-fashion designers modeled the Met Gala looks after. RELATED: A glorious red carpet at the Met Gala 2018: Best and worst dressed celebrities "No, it's not the #MetGala. It's Confirmation at Our Lady of Guadalupe Shrine in San Antonio," Zipple tweeted. "Bishop Michael Boulette said, 'But if you want to pay us $1000 for a ticket, we'll take it!'" The Met Gala is a fundraising event that marks the grand opening of the museum's annual fashion exhibit. Tickets cost $30,000 each and tables go for $275,000, though many celebrities are invited by brands. This year's exhibit focuses on the influence of Catholicism on fashion designers like Versace and Dolce & Gabbana, according to The New York Times. The Catholic Church seems to have given the event and installation its backing, because along with 150 designer garments, the sprawling exhibit also displays about 50 garments and accessories on loan from the Vatican. The New York Times noted a juxtaposition of a humble lifestyle many Catholic clergy members, like the ones in the San Antonio photo, lead with the flashy, exuberant ensembles on display. Andrew Bolton, the curator in charge, told the publication the museum consulted with representatives of the Catholic Church and said he knew the exhibit could be "controversial." Bolton told the New York Times he had no communication with the pope and did not know if he was involved with the Vatican garment loans. However, Greg Burke, director of the Holy See press office, told the New York Times that allowing The Met to display the item vestments is a way of "sharing" artistry of the church that might otherwise be shrouded. "The Roman Catholic Church has been producing and promoting beautiful works of art for centuries," he told the publication. "Most people have experienced that through religious paintings and architecture. This is another way of sharing some of that beauty that rarely gets seen." Families who plan on spending the summer at a national park may want to consider buying their passes now before the prices go up. The National Park Service announced fees will increase at a number of parks, including Padre Island and Big Bend, beginning June 1. The increases are necessary because national parks have $11.6 billion in deferred maintenance that needs to be addressed, officials said. Fees for seven-day vehicle passes are going up $5, while an individual will increase anywhere from $3-$5 depending on the park, according to the release. RELATED: San Pedro Creek not an ugly duckling anymore Park-specific annual passes will also increase by $5-$10, depending on the park. For Big Bend National Park, a park-specific annual pass will go from $50 to $55, a vehicle pass will increase from $25 to $30 and an individual pass will increase from $12 to $15. At Padre Island National Seashore, a park-specific annual pass will increase from $20 to $40, a vehicle pass will go from $10 to $20 and an individual pass will increase from $5 to $10. Officials said it will be the first increase at the park in 20 years, though another is expected in 2020. "Every dollar spent to rebuild our parks will help bolster the gateway communities that rely on park visitation for economic vitality," U.S. Secretary of the Interior Ryan Zinke said. Despite the price increase, prices for the annual America the Beautiful National Parks, Federal Recreational Lands Annual Pass and Lifetime Senior Pass will remain $80, according to the release. The increases are expected to bring an additional $60 million to the National Park Service. A full list of park price changes can be found here. Fares Sabawi covers crime in San Antonio and Bexar County for mySA.com. Read more of his stories here. | fsabawi@mysa.com | Twitter: @FaresInSA BRIDGEPORT The owners of a cutting edge power generator a micro-grid recently installed in City Hall for that and other key municipal buildings say their equipment is tax exempt. But, because of a paperwork issue, they need to convince a Superior Court judge or pay a hefty tax bill. It is an odd twist to what has been a positive story about Bridgeports efforts under two mayors to become more environmentally sustainable. A micro-grid is a the wonky term for a power system in this case natural gas fired that provides continuous energy to buildings, even during severe weather when the electricity goes out. Bridgeports grid was initiated about five years ago under then-Mayor Bill Finch, a Democrat focused on making Connecticuts largest city more environmentally sustainable and drawing green industries to town. The project was continued by current Mayor Joe Ganim after his election in 2015 and turned on this past March at a special ceremony. The micro-grid includes City Hall on Lyon Terrace and the nearby police headquarters and senior center. Bridgeport Micro-Grid, the Branford-based limited liability company which owns the micro grid, has filed a lawsuit over being assessed $2,079,640 by the city for the generator system. The firm in its legal paperwork called that figure grossly excessive, disproportionate and unlawful. It will also lead to a not-so-micro tax bill which Bridgeport Micro-Grid maintained it should be exempted from under state and local statutes. An attorney for the LLC could not be reached for comment. Russell Liskov, who handles tax cases for City Hall, said the Bridgeport Micro-Grid missed filing deadlines for paperwork to ensure their equipment was tax exempt. As a result the generation system was not only assessed, but that assessment included a penalty as well. They did file (but) they were late. The assessor has no choice, Liskov said. The tax assessor did what the tax assessors mandated to do. Bridgeport Micro-Grid unsuccessfully plead its case to the citys Board of Assessment Appeals. So Bridgeport Micro-Grid had to go forward and file its lawsuit seeking to have the assessment and resultant taxes waived. A judge can say whether it is fair or not fair to charge the LLC taxes because it missed the paperwork deadline, Liskov said. 1 VA care: A House committee approved a wide-ranging plan Tuesday to give veterans more freedom to see doctors outside the Veterans Affairs health system and fix a budget crisis in its troubled Choice private-sector program, a major step toward fulfilling President Trumps promise to expand private care options. The $51 billion plan includes $5.2 billion to avert a catastrophic shutdown of Choice. The program is slated to run out of money as early as May 31, causing disruptions in medical care to tens of thousands of patients. 2 CIA nominee: President Trump says the Central Intelligence Agency needs Gina Haspel, his pick to head the agency, to lead them into Americas bright and glorious future! On Twitter Tuesday, Trump reiterated his defense of Haspel as tough on terror. Her nomination has been met with resistance in Congress over her involvement in detaining and brutally interrogating terror suspects after 9/11. Her Senate confirmation hearing is scheduled for Wednesday. She would be the first woman to lead the CIA, if confirmed by the full Senate. This is a woman who has been a leader wherever she has gone. The CIA wants her to lead them into Americas bright and glorious future! Trump tweeted. MOSCOW - After weeks of rallies and unrest, Armenia's bloodless revolution secured victory on Tuesday when parliament selected protest leader Nikol Pashinyan as prime minister, making a dramatic break with the ruling elite in the former Soviet country. Upon hearing the news, a huge crowd of around 100,000 in the main square of the capital, Yerevan, burst into cheers, Armenian news outlet CivilNet showed on its live feed. A large truck carrying ice joined in, dumping a frozen mound among the revellers, who turned it into flying snowballs. Rock musicians took to a central stage, where they played to jubilant crowds of mostly young people waving the tricolor Armenian flag and photos of Pashinyan. The 42-year-old secured the vote after his pro-democracy movement ousted former prime minister Serzh Sargsyan after more than a decade in power. A previous vote on May 1 failed to elect Pashinyan. Capping weeks of nationwide strikes, protests and carnivalesque street parties, parliament voted 59 to 42 in favor of Pashinyan. Charismatic and fiery, Pashinyan had convinced some lawmakers from the ruling Republican Party to cross party lines and vote for him - something unthinkable just a short while ago. Pashinyan's rise from a fringe opposition lawmaker to prime minister has been meteoric: Six weeks ago, he was walking through the Armenian countryside, Gandhi-style, protesting what he said was cronyism in the small country of 3 million amid accusations that Sargsyan had altered the constitution to stay in power. Attempting to drum up support in villages, Pashinyan camped in tents along the way, attracting followers and growing a salt and pepper beard that he still sports. At first, his quest to overthrow the government whose leaders have ruled Armenia since the 1990s felt quixotic. But then he garnered an enormous amount of support from the streets, surprising just about everyone, including, initially, his own people. Russian President Vladimir Putin - who was inaugurated a day earlier for his fourth term as president - rushed to congratulate Pashinyan, in what felt like part approval, part caution. "I hope that your work as head of government will promote stronger friendly and allied relations between our countries," Putin wrote in a telegram, saying this should take place within the framework of various security and trade agreements Armenia has already established with Russia. Honoring Armenia's bond to the Kremlin, Russian media said Pashinyan will visit the Black Sea resort of Sochi next week for a meeting of the Eurasian Economic Union, a Russian-backed alternative to the European Union comprising a small group of former Soviet states. Impoverished and landlocked, Armenia relies on Moscow for economic backing and keeping a simmering conflict with neighboring Azerbaijan at bay. Moscow operates two military bases in the country, which also borders Turkey and Iran. Pashinyan has insisted he wants to maintain relations with both Russia and the West, in particular the European Union, and balancing the two will be key to his tenure going forward. Temptation exists on both sides. "For the new Armenian leadership, there is a unique opportunity to pursue a greater degree of strategic significance for the EU," said Richard Giragosian, director of the Regional Studies Center in Yerevan, an independent think tank. "The victory of the opposition in Armenia is also a victory of the EU, in terms of ideals and ideas." Armenia's bloodless revolution has so far avoided the aggressive response from Moscow that met the overthrow of authority in other formerly Soviet republics, notably Ukraine and Georgia, though that could change. Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny has praised the Armenian protest movement. But being one of the few democratic countries in the neighborhood will not go unnoticed. "The Armenian revolution's tool kit is something that many opposition groups in former Soviet states will be studying," said Lilit Gevorgyan, senior economist for Russia and the former Soviet Union for IHS Markit. "Ideally, many former Soviet ruling elites, including those in Armenia, would like to see the revolution fail." The uprising sent a clear message that nepotism and corruption cannot prevail indefinitely, Gevorgyan said. An even larger battle may lay ahead for Pashinyan: dismantling a ruling class that still holds enormous economic and political sway. Not one to do things by halves, on Wednesday Pashinyan will visit the separatist region of Nagorno-Karabakh, an ethnically Armenian territory that broke away from Azerbaijan as the Soviet Union crumbled a quarter of a century ago. While Armenian leaders in the past have sought to placate Moscow by recognizing the enclave as an independent state, Pashinyan wants it part of Armenia. WASHINGTON - The head of a major pharmaceutical distributor apologized before Congress on Tuesday for not doing more to stop the shipment of millions of powerful prescription opioids to pharmacies in two small West Virginia towns, while another industry leader admitted that his company contributed to the nation's opioid crisis. Cardinal Health Executive Chairman George Barrett said he is sorry that the company did not act faster to halt millions of hydrocodone and oxycodone pills to the pharmacies in West Virginia, which has the nation's highest rate of opioid overdose death. "With the benefit of hindsight, I wish we had moved faster and asked a different set of questions," Barrett said. "I am deeply sorry we did not. Today, I am confident we would reach different conclusions about those two pharmacies." Moments later, Joseph Mastandrea said that he believes his company, Miami-Luken, contributed to the opioid crisis. Barrett and four current and former executives with pharmaceutical distributors that are accused of flooding small U.S. towns with prescription painkillers testified Tuesday morning before a House Energy and Commerce Committee oversight panel that has spent the past year investigating pill dumping in West Virginia. In addition to Cardinal and Miami-Luken, executives from AmerisourceBergen, McKesson Corp., and H.D. Smith testified. All of the companies, aside from Miami-Luken, said they do not believe their companies contributed to the opioid crisis. "I am so frustrated for the people in West Virginia and across this country that you all have not . . . stepped up and took more responsibility for this," said Rep. David B. McKinley, R-W. Va., his voice rising. "The fury inside me right now is bubbling over." In February, the panel revealed in letters sent to the firms that McKesson and Cardinal Health shipped 12.3 million doses of powerful prescription opioids to the Family Discount Pharmacy in Mount Gay-Shamrock, West Virginia, from 2006 to 2014. The panel also is probing deliveries Cardinal made to the Hurley Drug Company in Williamson, West Virginia, which received more than 10.5 million pills during that same time period. Cardinal said it has not distributed hydrocodone or oxycodone to the pharmacy in Mt. Gay-Shamrock since 2012 and has not sent the drugs to Williamson since 2014. McKesson chief executive John Hammergren said the company distributed about 151 million doses of oxycodone and hydrocodone in West Virginia between 2007 and 2012, a fraction of the nearly 2 billion doses of all prescription medicines McKesson distributed in the state during that time frame. "Put another way, West Virginia pharmacies overall were, and continue to be, very high volume customers for prescription drugs generally," he said. A single pharmacy in Kermit, West Virgina, a town of about 400 people, received nearly 9 million hydrocodone pills over two years. "There is no logical explanation we can find for why a town of approximately 400 people would receive nearly 9 million opioid pills in two years," said Rep. Greg Walden, R-Ore., chair of the Energy and Commerce Committee. The subcommittee has spent the past year investigating the sale of pills in West Virginia by wholesale drug distributors, which are required by law to submit suspicious orders to the Drug Enforcement Administration. If the orders and sales are not correctly reported, it can facilitate the diversion of the drugs to the black market, where they are often sold at a premium, fueling addiction. "We want to know what these companies knew about the rise of the opioid epidemic, when they knew it, and if it informed their distribution practices," said Rep. Diana DeGette, D-Colo. The hearing room was packed attorneys, lobbyists and staffers for the pharmaceutical industry and lawyers for counties, towns and cities suing the companies in a massive case that has been consolidated into a massive legal case in Cleveland. Many of the distributors are defendants. Each executive said their companies have taken steps to prevent the diversion of drugs and to help fight the opioid crisis. They argued that their companies do not manufacture or prescribe drugs; they fulfill orders from pharmacies. Distributors, they argue, are not responsible for overprescribing medications. The companies also say that opioid painkillers account for a small portion of their overall business. "As an intermediary in the pharmaceutical supply chain, Cardinal Health does not ultimately control either the supply of or the demand for opioids," Barrett said. Cardinal Health, AmerisourceBergen and McKesson are the nation's three biggest pharmaceutical distributors, responsible for shipping nearly 85 percent of all prescription drugs in the United States. McKesson is the fifth-largest company in the country, with revenue of more than $192 billion, according to the Fortune 500 list. Cardinal ranked 15th, with $121 billion in revenue. Committee members are hoping Tuesday's hearing might shed light on data the companies reported to the DEA about pill orders. That information is kept in a confidential DEA database known as the Automation of Reports and Consolidated Orders System. The database tracks the flow of prescription painkillers from manufacturers to distributors to pharmacies. Cardinal Health was fined $44 million in 2016 to resolve allegations that it failed to report suspicious orders of narcotics. In 2008, Cardinal paid a $34 million fine to settle similar allegations. McKesson agreed to pay $150 million in fines in January to resolve allegations that it failed to report suspicious orders of narcotics. In 2008, the company paid a $13 million fine for similar allegations. Rep. Kathy Castor, D-Fla., asked Hammergren why McKesson kept shipping massive quantities of opioids to small towns despite having agreed to the terms of the settlements. "You saw paying the penalties on the settlement agreements was a cost worth paying because you were making so much money?" she asked. "Any settlement with a regulator, we take very seriously," Hammergren said. "I think this was the opposite of due diligence," said Castor, who also noted that Hammergren personally made hundreds of millions of dollars from 2007 to 2017. The companies also have come under fresh scrutiny from Attorney General Jeff Sessions, who said in an interview with The Washington Post that he would have tough questions for the executives if he were still in Congress. "This has been a colossal detriment to America, and you have profited enormously by it," Sessions said he would tell them. "And I'm not shedding any tears if you're no longer making profits." Three years ago Tuesday, the Illinois Supreme Court struck down the state's attempt to cut its employees' pension benefits to chip away at a retirement-system debt that's swelled to almost $11,000 for every man, woman and child. Since then, Illinois's credit rating was downgraded to the verge of junk, its bonds have tumbled and its largest city, Chicago, was stripped of its investment-grade status by Moody's Investors Service. And Gov. Bruce Rauner, R, and the Democrat-led legislature have made no real progress toward a new plan that doesn't violate the state constitution's ban on reducing benefits. "Illinois failure to address its pension crisis has resulted in further deterioration of the state and cities' financial condition, exorbitantly high borrowing costs, and an inability to address other critical needs at the state and local level," said Laurence Msall, president of the Civic Federation, a Chicago nonprofit that tracks state and municipal finances. "Time is not your friend when your liabilities are compounding and your revenues are not." The funding shortfall across Illinois's five retirement systems climbed to $137 billion by last June, a jump of about $17.8 billion since 2015, after the government for years failed to made adequate contributions. That pension deficit -- more than four times larger that its debt to general-obligation bondholders -- is adding hundreds of millions of dollars in costs to Illinois's budget each year as the government plows more money in to catch up. Illinois has been contending with the issue for decades. In 1994, Illinois passed a law that was supposed to ensure that the state had enough assets to cover 90 percent of its liabilities by 2045, though it went on to skip annual payments or fail to contribute enough. At the same time, investment returns were hammered by last decade's stock-market busts. "There hasn't been any progress made," Dick Ingram, executive director of the Illinois Teachers' Retirement System, the state's largest pension. "It's a case of the numbers have gotten so big that nobody honestly really knows what to do." Even as the state is set to pay $8.5 billion to the five retirement systems in 2019, it's still not enough. Unfunded liabilities keep growing. And the 2019 contribution is more than three times the state's payment a decade earlier: Illinois paid $2.8 billion to pensions in 2009. By 2045, the projected contribution will be $19.6 billion, according to a March report, based on actuarial valuations. Illinois has actually made the problem worse since its highest court's ruling in 2015. In the past, if a pension fund's assumed rate of investment return got lowered, the state would step up its contribution. But last year lawmakers approved so-called smoothing, allowing the state to phase in hundreds of millions of dollars of those increased contributions. It helped the state ease its budget shortfall temporarily but will be costly over the longer term. The longer the state doesn't address the pension crisis, the closer Illinois gets to taxes that are overly burdensome, to credit downgrades, to not paying pensions or even bond defaults, said Richard Ciccarone, president of Merritt Research Services. Everyone wants to find a "silver bullet," said state Rep. Robert Martwick, D, chair of the personnel and pensions committee. But he's exploring any way to save money. He's held hearings on everything from reducing the debt by selling more than $100 billion of pension-obligation bonds to consolidating downstate police and fire pension funds to save money. The state cannot grow its way out of this problem, Martwick said. "We're in some really, really difficult financial times here," Martwick said in a phone interview. "We're still digging a hole for ourselves." Rauner supports the so-called consideration model, which in part allows state employees to choose lower, delayed cost-of-living adjustments in return for ensuring their future raises count toward pensions. Opponents argue this still violates the ban on lowering benefits. "We need more pressure on the General Assembly," Rachel Bold, a spokeswoman for Rauner, said in an email. In 2013, lawmakers tried to enact a solution, approving cuts to cost-of living adjustments and a higher retirement age for some workers. The measure was estimated to save more than $100 billion over 30 years. But the court struck down the law unanimously, saying it violated the state constitution's ban on reducing retirement benefits. In the wake of the court ruling, unions have been emboldened, according to Jeff Johnson, president of the Municipal Employees' Annuity and Benefit Fund of Chicago. He says members even quote the court decision to him, noting their benefits are protected. Johnson's own Twitter page includes a screenshot of one of the most famous lines. "Crisis is not an excuse to abandon the rule of law," the May 8, 2015 state supreme court decision reads. Teleporting DNA, transplanting organs from a pig into a human to overcome organ shortage, and flying from New York to Shanghai in 39 minutes were just a handful of the mind-blowing ideas I saw at TED2018. Attending TED is like standing in front of a hose turned on at full pelt and being hit hard with ideas. Inevitably, some ideas are stickier than others. Here are five that stuck with me. Polymath and computer scientist Jaron Lanier argued that social networks are actually behavioral modification empires. This caught my attention because I am deep in research on the effect such digital distractions are having on our working lives. Indeed, social networks train us and arguably trick us into spending more and more time on them. That is, they modify our behavior. Related: The Top TED Talks of 2018 So Far -- and What You Can Learn From Them Lanier suggested that these companies that make a living by spying on us need to rethink their business model. Similar to the Netflix model, where people pay for content and by doing so they receive better content, could the Facebooks of the world move to a paid user model? And if they don't shift, then surely there is room for a new player to enter and do just that. Artificial intelligence could make our world fantastic or horrific. There were many talks about AI this year. Most were presented in a "look at this, isn't this amazing" tone, but there were definitely some very creeped out audience members. MIT Physicist Cesar Hidalgo spoke about using AI to automate democracy. He raised the issue of poor voter turnout and participation in voting in countries such as the U.S. and U.K. Hidalgo suggested we could make government more representative of people's thoughts and preferences through automating the whole process. Hidalgo spoke of creating software that would learn our preferences and personality and use this knowledge to cast votes. When he said that small-scale pilot programs would obviously be necessary, I think the audience breathed a collective sigh of relief. Related: 7 Powerful Public Speaking Tips From One of the Most-Watched TED Talks Speakers Pierre Barreau, CEO of AIVA, played us a piece of music that he has specifically composed for TED2018 called "The Age of Amazement" (the theme of the conference). When I say "he" composed it, I actually mean that artificial intelligence AIVA composed it. We all closed our eyes and listened to a beautiful and moving classical piece of music that could easily have been written by a famous composer. But, it was not. I'm not sure I am a fan of software being able to manipulate my emotions by music, but I guess this is the world we are heading in to. If you are in a job requiring empathy, you are probably safe from AI. While much is said about creative and strategic jobs being safe from AI, Kai-Fu Lee (ex-head of Google China, turned venture capitalist), also spoke about how those in jobs requiring empathy, love and compassion will also be protected. Teachers, nurses, social workers and other roles where empathy is central will survive through the job transformation that will be happening over the next decade or two. Harvard Business School professor Frances Frei pointed out that empathy is one of the three key ingredients of building trust (the other two are logic and authenticity). This made me wonder how we will ever trust robots, who are unable to demonstrate the same empathy as humans. Related: 10 Must-See TED Talks for Entrepreneurs The best leaders are humble narcissists. While Wharton Professor Adam Grant's talk was only a short one, it stuck with me. Grant presented research that showed when comparing "narcissistic leaders" versus "humble leaders," those who possessed both qualities were the most effective. These are essentially people that believe they are special yet are also humble, in that they believe they don't know it all and recognize their limitations. It occurred to me that the TED audience was full of what Grant termed "humble narcissists." TED brings together people with an insatiable curiosity about the world, about how things work and about how to be better. Yet, the TED audience that I hung out with in Vancouver is also full of people who have such faith in themselves and their abilities and have in many cases, changed the world. Related: 5 TED Talks That Will Inspire You to Be a Better Entrepreneur The other side of the world is going to get a whole lot closer. In an interview with Chris Anderson, Gwynne Shotwell (president and COO of SpaceX) spoke not just about Mars, but also about work SpaceX is doing around improving transportation on Earth. Shotwell described a rocket they are working on that can fly from New York to Shanghai in 39 minutes. Getting a boat to the rocket take-off pad takes longer than the actual flight. While Shotwell was hesitant to put a timeframe on this, she suggested that it would happen within a decade and would be around $2,000 for a ticket. After having traveled 20 long hours from Melbourne, Australia to attend TED in Vancouver, Canada, this was one of the personal highlights I heard at TED2018. Related: From AI-Composed Music to a New York-to-Shanghai SpaceX Rocket, Here Are 5 Amazing Ideas From TED2018 The Top TED Talks of 2018 So Far -- and What You Can Learn From Them 5 Public Speaking Secrets That Will Help You Make Your Company Grow Copyright 2018 Entrepreneur.com Inc., All rights reserved Republican primary voters in West Virginia and Indiana are set to shape the future of Donald Trump's anti-establishment political revolt on Tuesday, while testing the president's own ability to steer the passions he helped unleash. Don Blankenship, a former West Virginia coal baron who was convicted of conspiring to violate mine safety regulations, has been surging in several recent polls, despite unified resistance from elected Republican leaders in Washington, including Trump. The president told West Virginia voters to reject Blankenship in a tweet on Monday. "Tomorrow, West Virginia will send the swamp a message - no one, and I mean no one, will tell us how to vote," Blankenship responded, in a clear echo of the president's rhetoric. "I am Trumpier than Trump, and this morning proves it." Blankenship is one of two wealthy self-funding businessman, like Trump, who have emerged with unexpected strength in a primary season that has played out like a televised game show with the singular goal of demonstrating fealty to Trump and fury at the nation's political elites. "That dynamic that elected Donald Trump that I thought was going to dissipate after 2016 elections is still there," said Republican pollster Jim McLaughlin, who is working on other 2018 races. In Indiana, the ascendant candidate is Mike Braun, the founder of a warehouse and distribution company who voted in the state's Democratic primaries until 2012. Just like Blankenship, he is running against two more well-established GOP incumbents, who have spent much of the campaign attacking each other, as they calculated the outsider would face a traditional ceiling of support. The outcome of the contests could help shape not just the future of the Republican Party but the odds of Democratic control of the Senate. Both of Tuesday's contests are in states where Trump won by wide margins and Democratic senators are seeking reelection. Democratic incumbents, meanwhile, are facing no serious primary challenges and few potential upsets in swing seats. The closest thing to a left-flank attack will play out Tuesday in Ohio's gubernatorial primary, where former U.S. Rep. Dennis Kucinich, D, is running against Richard Cordray, the former head of the Consumer Financial Protection Agency. Polls suggest a Cordray win. Republicans, meanwhile, remain concerned that a Blankenship victory will spell disaster in November. On Sunday, Trump spoke with Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., who urged the president to warn that Blankenship would not be able to beat Democratic Sen. Joe Manchin, D-W.Va., in the general election, according to two people familiar with the discussions who spoke on the condition of anonymity to share private conversations. Blankenship was convicted of conspiring to violate mine safety regulations after an explosion at one of his company's mines killed 29 people in 2010. Privately, Republican leaders have discussed cutting ties with Blankenship should he win the primary, in an effort to protect other GOP candidates from the controversy that surrounds him. "No way!" Trump tweeted about Blankenship beating Manchin, before referencing the failed 2017 Alabama Senate campaign of Roy Moore. "Remember Alabama." Blankenship also referred to Moore's loss on Monday. After the president's tweet, Blankenship said that he was probably more conservative than Trump and would not have backed the $1.3 trillion spending bill because it added to the deficit. "We all really like President Trump's policies, but we know that he doesn't get things right," Blankenship said in a paid appearance on a local community-access television station. "He recommended that people vote for a guy that was basically accused of pedophilia in Alabama." Blankenship is no stranger to such rhetorical combat. He has called McConnell "Cocaine Mitch" in campaign ads, a reference to a drug-smuggling bust on a ship owned by his father-in-law's family, and attacked the "China family" of his wife, Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao. He has also used the words "Negro" and "China people," while also arguing that he was not making racially motivated appeals. Sen. Jeff Flake, R-Ariz., said he hopes Blankenship doesn't prevail, "but if he does, I think you'll see a lot of Republicans giving a contribution to Joe Manchin. I certainly will." "Let's just hope and pray that doesn't happen," said Sen. John Thune, R-S.D. Many Republicans cut ties to Alabama Senate candidate Moore, after The Washington Post reported on accusations that he had inappropriate sexual contact with teenage girls when he was in his 30s. McConnell, who prides himself on being unruffled by crises, has been making light of the Blankenship predicament in private. With a few friends, according to two people, he has begun answering his phone with the moniker "Cocaine Mitch." The Indiana Senate contest has similarly hinged on the ability of candidates to channel Trump's unconventional style. Rep. Todd Rokita, R-Ind., a former Indiana secretary of state, has been campaigning in a military surplus Humvee painted with the stripes of the American flag. Rep. Luke Messer, R-Ind., a former lobbyist and state GOP executive director, runs a clip of Trump's inauguration in his campaign ads. But the standout has been Braun, who has campaigned as a non-politician, forgoing the traditional sport coat and tie during debates while embracing Trump's populist rhetoric. "Politicians put Mexico before Muncie, Beijing before Bloomington," the narrator says in one of his ads, referencing two Indiana cities. Unlike in West Virginia, Republican leaders have not expressed concerns over Braun facing Sen. Joe Donnelly, D-Ind., in November. In both states, the Republican candidates have almost no policy disagreements. They all support the Trump agenda, including stricter immigration enforcement, a southern border wall, the recent tax-cut bill, and they vow to fight new gun regulations and limit access to abortion. They all describe themselves as conservatives, and have called for an end to Special Counsel Robert Mueller's investigation of Russian interference in the 2016 election. In some races, Republicans have tried with little success to encourage Democratic cannibalism. A super PAC has taken a similar tack in the state's gubernatorial primary, running a TV ad that warns Democrats that Democratic front-runner Cordray once had an "A" rating from the National Rifle Association. By contrast, Republicans have grown increasingly concerned about the primary for the open House seat outside Columbus, which was vacated by a moderate Republican who left for the private sector. It has turned into a proxy war between the House Freedom Caucus, which backs business executive Melanie Leneghan, and the moderate Main Street Partnership, which backs state Sen. Troy Balderson. Both candidates are tacking hard to the right. "President Obama nearly destroyed the America we love," Leneghan says in one ad. "With God's grace, we elected President Trump, and he needs our help." In his own TV spots, Balderson offers the same agenda. "I'll end sanctuary cities to stop illegals from taking our jobs, fight alongside Trump to implement his agenda and use conservative grit to build the darn wall," he says. In 2016, Trump won 53 percent of the vote in the district - less than he won in the Pennsylvania district seized by Rep. Conor Lamb, D-Pa., this year. Republicans are nervous about Leneghan making it to the Aug. 7 general election, worried that she will be seen as too extreme for the district. Democrats, meanwhile, have had more success interfering with Republican primaries. In West Virginia, a Democratic super PAC called Duty and Country has spent more than $1.8 million attacking Blankenship's rivals, state Attorney General Patrick Morrisey and Rep. Evan Jenkins, R, with most of the money directed at Jenkins, according to a person tracking the spending. Another group, Mountain Families PAC, which was founded by a Republican lawyer with ties to McConnell, launched a separate television campaign against Blankenship. Until this weekend, Blankenship's two rivals had focused on criticizing each other, with large television campaigns of negative ads. Blankenship also benefited from his recent debate performances and unconventional campaign ads. Blankenship's grumbling, deadpan delivery and defiant pose marked a sharp departure from typical Senate candidates. Blankenship's wealth has also proved an advantage. In the final week before the primary, Blankenship spent more in television advertising than the Jenkins and Morrisey campaigns combined, according to the person tracking the spending. During a brief press availability on Monday in Charleston, West Virginia, a reporter asked Blankenship if he really believed McConnell was connected to the drug trade. "No," Blankenship answered, "But I believe that if you're going to hold me responsible for 7,000 people in 119 coal mines, that hauling cocaine on the high seas when you only have eight or 10 ships is something he should be focused on avoiding. And I think it's something the public should be aware of." With warmer weather comes more frequently sighted wild animals, as one farmer realized nearly two weeks ago when he had an audience of two coyotes while he planted soybeans. Matt Fromme was planting soybeans as two coyotes watched him from 16 rows over, he said. I see them in the field all the time, but they were really close and they just sat there for close to an hour, he said. Fromme usually will see them from a distance and, while they may be curious about the farm equipment, they usually only stay in the area for five to 10 minutes, he said. They become used to the farm equipment, but still usually leave, he said. He just sat there, not alert, just relaxed. Fromme went about his business, leaving the coyotes to themselves, which is what the Illinois Department of Natural Resources recommends, especially during spring, when young animals begin making an appearance. The department encourages people to view animals from afar, but to leave them be, said Ed Cross, an IDNR spokesperson. It isnt uncommon for people to bring wildlife into their homes because they believe an animal has been abandoned by its parent, Cross said, noting that an animal that appears to be abandoned often isnt. Instead, parents often will find a safe place to leave their babies while they go in search of food. Or, the babies will appear to have been separated from their parents. One of the most common occurrences is birds that have fallen from the nest. Birds often will fall out of the nest as they attempt to fly and fail because they have not fully grown their flight feathers, Cross said. Usually, within a couple days, those feathers will grow in and the parents will continue to feed them while they are on the ground, he said. It doesnt mean they are abandoned. The best thing to do if an animal actually is abandoned or injured is to call IDNR, which will have a conservation officer or biologist come out and evaluate the situation, Cross said. If needed, they can help the animal by taking it to a licensed wildlife rehabilitator. It is possible to move animals that truly are in harms way, Cross said, but it is important to wear rubber or latex, non-scented gloves to avoid transferring any scent to an animal. If your scent gets on an animal, the parents will likely abandon it, Cross said. Folks have good intentions, but many times, they are doing more harm than good. Samantha McDaniel-Ogletree can be reached at 217-245-6121, ext. 1233, or on Twitter @JCNews_samantha. HARWINTON Humor and art make good companions, particularly when artists custom design their work with a pun or two in mind. There were plenty of chuckles as guests viewed the artwork at the Meet the Mutts kick-off party for the region-wide project called The Tails of NWCT on Monday night at Edison Grill. A crowd favorite was the clever design of a dog called News Hound by local artist Laura Marek. She plans to decorate a fiberglass form of a dog with a collage of newsprint. Another fun pun came from artist Susan Lerner. Her Watch Dog design will be designed with hundreds of watches cut from vintage, photographed and contemporary sources, she wrote in her submission statement. Marek said the person or company that fosters her dog design can select a newspaper of their choice to be used to decorate the artwork. I want to appeal to businesses, she said. More than 100 artists submitted designs for the project, said Amy Wynn, the executive director of Northwest Connecticut Arts Council. The designs can be viewed on the projects website, where supporters can choose to foster or sponsor a dog. Once selected, the design will then be created by the artist whose work was chosen by the donor. Prices range from $750 for one of two styles of Playful Pup to $1,000 for one of two larger Labrador forms. Donors will receive a number of benefits, according to the website, which include a public display of the custom-designed dog, a variety of advertising opportunities and tickets to the Oct. 20 auction party. At the gala event, the remaining dogs which havent been purchased will be up for bid. Puns are half the fun, Wynn said. One of her favorite dog names is WOOFgang Amadeus Mozart. The project will raise funds for three nonprofit organizations based in Torrington; the arts council, The Northwest Connecticut Chamber of Commerce Education Foundation and Prime Time House. This will help make the region healthy and thriving, said Wynn. The tails project is similar to the 2007 Bear Affair design program, which was very successful, she said. The education foundation supports college student scholarships, said Lauren Zordan, the chambersvice president of programs and events. We love to partner with the art council. Zordan thinks the public art display of the dog designs will bring people to different business and learn what they offer. The chamber has 600 members from 21 towns in the region. The Prime Time House supports 300 people in Litchfield County who are struggling with mental illness, said Executive Director Christina Emery. We rely on the community to help us do what we do, she said. Beginning in August, the dogs will be on public display in towns throughout the region. The project brochure invites Art and dog lovers alike, as well as tourists, (to) pick up a map leading them through the rolling hills of Northwest Connecticut. SAN DIEGO - Reliever Shawn Kelley said he thought he would be activated from the disabled list Monday if all went well in his rehab assignment Sunday, but players often assign themselves more optimistic timelines than do the Washington Nationals' training staff. But in Kelley's case, he was right. He threw a scoreless inning in his first and only rehab appearance for Class A Potomac on Sunday. Now he is active for Monday night's series opener in San Diego. The Nationals activated Kelley a few hours before Monday's game and optioned outfielder Rafael Bautista to Class AAA Syracuse to make room. In so doing, the Nationals shorten their bench from the usual five to a difference-making four. They also increase their bullpen from the usual seven to eight, a much-needed boost in depth for a group that has been overworked from top to bottom. Barbara Underwood's career has been one of firsts: She was first in her law school class and the first woman to serve as U.S. solicitor general, and she is now the first woman to be New York's attorney general. Underwood, the state's solicitor general, takes over Tuesday as acting New York attorney general replacing Eric Schneiderman, who announced his resignation Monday following allegations from four women that he physically abused them. Underwood, 73, who is next in line for the attorney general job, brings to the office top legal credentials and years of experience as a prosecutor. She'll stay in place until the state legislature selects a replacement for Schneiderman, and that person must prevail in November's election to retain the post. A Radcliffe College graduate who was first in her law school class at Georgetown University in 1969, Underwood served as a law clerk for David Bazelon, then chief judge of the federal appeals court in Washington, and went on to clerk for Supreme Court Justice Thurgood Marshall, a liberal icon. She taught for 10 years at Yale Law School. While there, she made the unusual decision to work as a trial and appellate attorney in New York state prosecutors' offices. She eventually became chief of the appeals bureau and counsel to Elizabeth Holtzman, then the Brooklyn DA. She also served as deputy to former U.S. Attorney Zachary Carter, where she supervised 150 lawyers in Brooklyn and Long Island. "Barbara Underwood is a brilliant lawyer who has devoted her professional life to serving the criminal justice system," Carter said on Tuesday. Former U.S. Attorney General Janet Reno in 1998 named Underwood as the principal deputy solicitor general, and she was acting solicitor general -- the first woman to hold that position -- during the last six months of her tenure, which ran until June 2001. Underwood was named New York solicitor general in 2007 -- the state's top appeals lawyer -- a job she held until Tuesday. "The work of this office is critically important," she said in a statement. "Our office has never been stronger, and this extraordinarily talented, dedicated, and tireless team of public servants will ensure that our work continues without interruption." Underwood has argued 20 times for the federal and state governments before the U.S. Supreme Court. Some of the cases include: - A key dispute over greenhouse gas emissions and climate change: In American Electric Power Co. v. Connecticut, Underwood argued that electric power utilities violated state tort and public nuisance laws by contributing to global warming. The high court in 2011 rejected the argument, finding that states couldn't invoke federal laws to force utilities to cut their emissions. - A battle to hold national banks accountable for violations of state fair-lending laws: Underwood got a win for former state Attorney General Andrew Cuomo -- now the governor. The U.S. Supreme Court, in a 2009 decision authored by Justice Antonin Scalia, partially reversed lower court decisions against New York and found that Cuomo acted properly by issuing subpoenas. - A fight to limit lawsuits by prisoners: Underwood lost when she fought on behalf of the state to uphold a law barring prisoners from suing state corrections' officers for money damages. Although upheld by the state's highest court, the law was found by the U.S. Supreme Court in 2009 to violate the Supremacy Clause of the Constitution. - An effort to keep campaign finance restrictions: She successfully argued to uphold campaign finance reforms that limited "coordinated" spending. The Supreme Court in 2001 rejected a lower-court decision for the Colorado Republican Federal Campaign Committee. NORWALK Using a smartphone while driving is very dangerous, but it appears a lot of people missed that memo. Last month in Norwalk, some 355 of them got tickets instead. Nearly 400 infractions were issued to drivers during the month of April during a distracted driving enforcement campaign throughout the city. The Norwalk Police Department participated in the national U Text. U Drive. U Pay. campaign. Officers issued 355 infractions to motorists in Norwalk for cell phone violations, in addition to 32 infractions for other violations. Three suspended operators were issued summonses. Drivers are continuously ignoring their responsibilities behind the wheel, and distracted driving is a growing and deadly threat on our roadways, Norwalk police spokesman Lt. Terry Blake said. The fines in Connecticut for distracted driving violations are $150 for a first violation, $300 for a second violation, and $500 for a third or subsequent violation. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 3,450 people were killed in motor vehicle crashes involving distracted drivers in 2016. That was a 2 percent decrease in fatalities compared to the year before. An analysis by the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety of 2009-2012 data found that while more than 80 percent of drivers believed it was completely unacceptable for a motorist to text behind the wheel, more than a third of those same drivers admitted to reading text messages while operating a motor vehicle themselves. WASHINGTON - A federal judge is demanding District of Columbia officials appear in court this week to explain a spate of unauthorized early releases of inmates also facing federal charges. The hearing set for Friday involves an inmate awaiting federal trial who was about to be set free despite a court order stating he posed a public safety threat. The court order also noted he had a pending charge for attempted murder in Prince George's County. Jarrell Harris, 23, remained behind bars despite the District's release plans, court records indicate, but only because Prince George's County police had placed a separate hold on him. Harris' unauthorized release order was not an isolated event. Since June 1, at least five other inmates that courts ordered held in pending federal criminal cases in the District have been mistakenly released by the District jail, returning only after they were rearrested or surrendered, court records show. On Monday, a man accused in the fatal shooting of his 16-year-old girlfriend in the District was rearrested, four days after he was released from custody. District officials said they were working to sort out what missteps led to that 18-year-old suspect's transfer and release. The releases come amid a new buildup of frustration among court and law enforcement officials over jail operations, a decade after high-profile mistakes led to lawsuits that cost taxpayers millions to settle. U.S. District Judge Emmet Sullivan of the District called on city officials to explain why his order to hold Harris was not followed and how the near miss release occurred. Sullivan had ordered Harris detained at the jail after he had walked away in November from a Washington halfway house, where he was finishing a sentence for a 2015 conviction for pulling a gun and threatening to kill a co-worker. Harris was at large for months before he was spotted by police, who recaptured him after a high-speed chase that injured an officer. That is when Sullivan declared him a public safety threat and ordered him to remain jailed until trial. The releases have provoked finger-pointing between the District jail - which holds prisoners - and the U.S. Marshals Service, which transports prisoners between the jail and the District's Superior and U.S. District courts. Errors appear to occur when the District jail has custody of inmates with cases before both the federal and local court, including when inmates have returned to one or both courts for violating terms of supervision after prior convictions. Those overlapping responsibilities add complexity to the jail's work. However, judges, lawyers and District lawmakers say that does not excuse failures to keep straight court orders that affect public safety and individuals' constitutional rights. In other recent cases, Byron Sneed was freed days after pleading guilty April 3 to walking out of a halfway house, despite cautioning officials he believed he still was supposed to be held pending sentencing. He arranged to turn himself in four days later to U.S. marshals. Michael Medley, indicted on a charge of illegal possession of firearms, was released in error on Dec. 1, before getting in touch with a federal defender and voluntarily returning to court five days later. Others released prematurely include a suspect facing a potential third conviction on alleged drug and gun charges. The suspect was released in August and appears to have missed a March 6 plea hearing, according to available court records. Also, a man under indictment for illegal possession of a firearm and intent to distribute PCP was free for 39 days before his rearrest, the records show. Another defendant was inadvertently freed in July and out of jail for two months after he was indicted on a charge of possessing a stolen firearm, court files show. The Harris County medical examiner's office has released autopsy reports offering more details in the shooting of two divorcing men who died in a murder-suicide last Thursday. Makeup company executive Benjamin Ruiz shot and killed his husband, Rene Ruiz, before turning the gun on himself, according to the autopsy reports. When a Northeast Side resident found a pair of striped kittens Saturday, she learned later that afternoon through a fierce attitude and more thana few scratches that it was a serious case of misidentified breed. Following meows from the back alley of Good Hue Avenue, she found what she believed were Bengal kittens. Not seeing their mother, she carried them in her home to feed them. She and friends visiting from Austin, avowed animal advocates, fed the kittens from pet feeding bottles, filled with kitten milk replacement bought at a nearby store. RELATED: Mountain lion roaming Texas neighborhood captured The first clue something wasnt right was the kittens aggressive feeding style. It was so aggressive that the duo ripped apart the plastic casings in their frenzy to drink the milk. And thats when each one of the three humans helping them were bitten several times on the hand as the kittens devoured the milk and destroyed the feeding bottles in the process. This is when the people decided the kittens might not be Bengal kittens. They researched details about the kittens look, such as the distinct pattern of their fur, the tufts of hair coming out of their ears and snubbed tails that were much shorter than traditional domestic cats. Sunday, the resident called Animal Care Services to report the bite incident. When an ACS officer arrived at the home, she recommended that the trio get medical attention and confirmed that the kittens were in fact baby bobcats. ACS spokeswoman Lisa Norwood said it behooves residents to educate themselves about wildlife companions that were living in areas before humans moved in. RELATED: How to protect yourself from wild animal attacks Just like there are pockets of activity for roaming dogs, so are there too for roaming wildlife, Norwood said. This particular area is close to the Salado Creek area and wild areas that would make nice homes for bobcats. We still dont know why the bobcats were in the area. I think their hearts were in the right place, but we have to use our eyes and minds and make educated decisions, she said. If you dont know something, ask somebody. There are so many resources out there. Norwood said ACS veterinarians worked with the Department of State Health Services to determine a quarantine period and consulted with Wildlife Rescue & Rehabilitation in Kendalia, where the kittens were taken. Lynn Cuny, the wildlife organizations founder and president, said that, sadly, the rescue receives bobcat kittens too often. She said people should know that wild animals belong in the wild and the bobcats should have been left with their mother. Something went wrong in their world and whether it was caused by humans or fate, the tragedy here is wild animal babies are taken from the wild, Cuny said. The fact of the matter is that San Antonio has grown up around green spaces over the years into the huge city it is now. And every time a city grows then wildlife is displaced, killed and harmed, and green spaces are destroyed. She said bobcats are not common in San Antonio neighborhoods, so she doesnt want people to panic. Cuny said all wild animals are going to want to stay away from humans because thats in their genetic makeup and helps keep them safe. Cuny said the goal for their newest rescues is to to keep the bobcats wild and only handle them when absolutely necessary so that they can be returned to their natural habitat. Theyre being housed outside, because they need to be outside so theyre hearing the sounds of nature all of the time, Cuny said. Thats extremely important to their survival when theyre sent back to the wild. So our focus is to keep them wild, healthy and be able to set them free when theyre ready to go back. Cuny said a longtime volunteer will go out to the area where the bobcats were found to determine whether theres an adult bobcat in the area. If there is, the kittens will be taken back in a safe container and a volunteer will watch from a distance to see whether their mother shows up. She said such reunification efforts dont always work; it depends on the breed of animal. Bobcat kittens stay with their mother from 18 months to two years. vtdavis@express-news.net A lesson that asked students at a San Antonio middle school to find the "positives" of slavery has spread outside the city it ended up on Trevor Noah's desk at The Daily Show. Noah connected the worksheet titled "The Life of Slaves: A Balanced View," which was assigned to an 8th-grade class at Great Hearts Monte Vista, to the controversial take Kanye West offered on TMZ last week when he said slavery was a "choice." "He's not the only one that doesn't seem to understand slavery in America," Noah said in a May 2 episode of his Comedy Central show. MySA.com was the first to break the news of the assignment on April 19, after a parent blasted the worksheet on social media. The post was shared by others, including U.S. Rep. Joaquin Castro. The worksheet asked students to fill in two columns, one asking for the 'positive aspects' and another the 'negatives aspects' of the lives of slaves. RELATED: San Antonio school responds to assignment asking students to list 'positives' of slavery Noah said the student who filled in the assignment that was shared "gets an A for life" for marking the side of the table that asked for "positives" of slavery with "N/A." He continued, calling the assignment "horrible." "It almost seems like a trap to find the racist kids in class," he said. "Trick question, go to detention, you little grand wizard." When the worksheet was initially made public Great Hearts Texas Superintendent Aaron Kindel said the assignment, which was only used at the school's Monte Vista North campus, "was very inappropriate and entirely inconsistent" with the school's "philosophy and culture." The San Antonio school was not alone in Noah's coverage of "insane lessons on slavery." He included real classroom scenarios of teachers across the country implementing slavery into math questions and others taping students mouths during a screening of Roots. "What the f--k people," Noah said, questioning why teachers "seem to get creative" with subjects like slavery. "All I'm saying is, if you're going to teach slavery that way, teach it all the way," he said. "Or at the very least, if you're going to teach slavery this way, end the lesson on a positive not, if you tie the kids up and make them watch Roots, then afterwards they get to watch Django Unchained and whoop the teacher's a--." In their original statement, Great Hearts said administration would collect "all the facts" surrounding the assignment and conduct an audit of "Prentice Hall Classics: A History of the United States," the textbook used for the course Pearson, the book's publishing company, responded the following day. "The worksheet in question was not created by, endorsed, or encouraged in any way by Pearson," Director of Media Relations Scott Overland told mySA.com in an email. "We do not support this point of view and strongly condemn the implication that there was any positive aspect to slavery." Yvette Reyna, director of communications for Great Hearts Texas, told mySA.com in an email on Monday that there are no updates on the school's investigation into the incident yet, but follow-up communication will be available on Wednesday. Madalyn Mendoza is a digital reporter for mySA.com. Read more of her stories here.| mmendoza@mysa.com | Twitter: @MaddySkye The offices of ATKG, an accounting firm on the Northeast Side, seem to have been designed with the goal of showing that happiness can be found in the world of invoices and spreadsheets, 1040s and... Police on Tuesday arrested a man after he allegedly stabbed another man during a fight in the middle of a West Side street. The suspect pulled out a knife and stabbed the victim during a fight in the 700 block of North Colorado that began around 12:30 p.m., police said. Councilman Greg Brockhouse has requested that District Attorney Nico LaHood investigate whether the City Council violated the Texas Open Meetings Act last week when the body concluded that San Antonio should not submit a bid for the 2020 Republican National Convention. After an executive session meeting on Thursday, Mayor Ron Nirenberg announced to the local press corps that San Antonio would not seek the convention, saying that the majority of the council agreed that the cost of pursuing the event an international spectacle that could draw 40,000 visitors, including 15,000 members of the media outweighed the potential economic impact that has been estimated to be as much as $200 million. After the meeting, Brockhouse and Councilman Clayton Perry both lambasted the decision. Besides attacking Nirenberg for failed leadership, Brockhouse also suggested that the closed-door meeting was a violation of the Texas Open Meetings Act. READ MORE from our subscriber site: Closed RNC meeting at "blatant mistake" Late Tuesday, he sent a one-page letter to LaHood alleging that the meeting violated the act and seeking an investigation into the matter. Nirenberg said in a statement that the closed session was conducted within the scope of the law. City Councils conversation about the Republican National Convention was conducted in the standard manner for economic development and other matters that are covered by the exceptions in the Open Meetings Act. We conducted the meeting as advised by legal counsel, who was present, he said. We are confident that the discussion was compliant with state law. Brockhouse notes in his letter that hed asked City Attorney Andrew Andy Segovia before the meeting to issue an opinion on whether the council could discuss the bid in a private session. Brockhouse had called for the discussion to take place in a public meeting. It was my belief the meeting did not qualify for Closed Session protections due to the topic for discussion, he wrote. The City Attorney opined the meeting qualified for Closed Session and as a result, the meeting was held on May 3, 2018. The city had posted the meeting according to the states Open Meetings Act requirement, citing a portion of the law that allows bodies to deliberate economic development issues in private. But the law also requires that no vote be taken, or decision be made, in private. I am requesting an investigation into the privileged discussions of the Closed Session itself. It is my opinion there were clear violations within the discussions that warrant investigation, Brockhouse continued. However, as the violations were committed in the confines of the Closed Session, I am prohibited from disclosing the facts, unless compelled to do so through investigation. Brockhouse concludes his letter by saying that he believes the very fabric of open government is being threatened by the councils systemic use of closed-session meetings. The letter was copied to Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton and the Texas Rangers. Segovia said in a text message to the newspaper that he would be happy to talk to the DA if he has any questions. After last weeks closed session, Brockhouse told reporters that the council steered clear of any political discussions, per guidance from Segovia, and that the discussion indeed centered on issues of economic development. But he alleged then that there were no privileged issues discussed behind closed doors, necessitating the executive session, and that the positions his colleagues took were smoke screens for what theyd said publicly prior to the private meeting. Some council members had voiced concerns about hosting a national political convention that they say could bring riots and violence to San Antonios streets. Brockhouse participated in the meeting hes alleging was a violation. He said Tuesday that he stated during the closed session that he believed the meeting was a violation of the open-meetings act. When Nirenberg disclosed to the press that San Antonio wouldnt pursue the convention an announcement that surprised no one whod been monitoring the issue he steered clear of such flashpoint issues and stated that the event would be a burden on residents because of street closures, stress on city departments from Solid Waste to Police and other concerns. At the time, Brockhouse proclaimed that San Antonio is a welcoming city as long as youre not Republican. The mayor refuted that, pointing to the fact that the Texas GOP is hosting its convention here this summer. AUSTIN Lupe Valdez and Andrew White will debate at an Episcopal church here at 7 p.m. Friday in their battle for the Democratic nomination for governor. The people asked for a debate and grassroots groups delivered, said James Lee, leader of the coalition of Democratic groups hosting the debate. White, a Houston businessman, has been pressing for a debate after coming in second to Valdez, the former Dallas County sheriff, in the nine-candidate Democratic primary battle for governor. The May 22 runoff election is needed to determine who will face Republican Gov. Greg Abbott in November because none of the Democratic candidates got a majority of votes. Debate organizers initially suggested the debate would occur at the University of Texas at Austin, but the school said outside groups cannot have such events on campus. The debate now is set for St. James Episcopal Church at 1941 Webberville Road in Austin. Doors will open at 6 p.m., and the one-hour debate is set to start at 7 p.m. Free tickets were available via a link on Facebook for people who wanted to attend. Seating capacity is 250. A livestream will be provided by KXAN.com, organizers said. There were no plans announced Tuesday for the event to be televised. The debate is hosted by several groups including the State Tejano Democrats, Texas Coalition of Black Democrats, Texas College Democrats, Texas Young Democrats, Texas Stonewall Democrats and the Travis County Democratic Party. The moderator will be Dallas Morning News political writer Gromer Jeffers. Peggy Fikac is a San Antonio Express-News staff writer. Read more of her stories here. | pfikac@express-news.net | @pfikac The prospect of winning the Nobel Peace Prize is understandably tantalizing for President Donald Trump. After all the contempt he has faced from the political establishment, watching liberal heads explode at the suggestion by South Korean President Moon Jae-in that he deserves the award must be gratifying. It would be even more gratifying to watch the collective meltdown as he delivered his Nobel acceptance speech. Moon understands this, which precisely is why he dangled the prospect of a Nobel Prize in front of Trump. He is flattering Trump in the hopes that this will make him more flexible in his negotiations with North Korean dictator Kim Jong Un. Trump should refuse to take the bait. To his credit, Trump seems to not be taking the Nobel talk too seriously. At a rally in Michigan, Trump smiled while the crowd chanted No-bel! No-bel! No-bel! and said Thats very nice, thank you before adding, I just want to get the job done. Getting the job done could very well mean walking away from the negotiating table, just as Ronald Reagan walked away at his 1986 Reykjavik summit with Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev a move that was derided by foreign policy elites but proved pivotal to the collapse of the Soviet Union five short years later. Trump has made clear that he, like Reagan, is willing to walk away. If we dont think its going to be successful, we wont have it, the president said of a summit with Kim. If the meeting when Im there isnt fruitful, I will respectfully leave the meeting. This is exactly the right approach. Trump needs to go into his summit not with visions of Nobel prizes, but with eyes wide open. As Daniel Coats, director of national intelligence, pointed out last May, Pyongyangs enshrinement of the possession of nuclear weapons in its constitution, while repeatedly stating that nuclear weapons are the basis for its survival, suggests that Kim does not intend to negotiate them away at any price. Just last year, an American college student, Otto Warmbier, died after being detained by North Korea, and Kim was promising to fire missiles at Guam. Now he is on a charm offensive designed to buy him breathing room, lift sanctions, extort money from the West and decouple the United States from its ally South Korea. To get these things, Kim will lie to Trump just as his father lied in 1994 when he promised the Clinton administration that he would abandon his nuclear program in exchange for light-water reactors and fuel oil. If Trump wants to succeed, he must want a deal less than Kim does. He must be willing to walk away and to make Kim understand that he is serious about a military option if negotiations fail. He cant do so if he is even remotely thinking about a Nobel. Winning a Nobel Prize is irrelevant. Reagan never got a Nobel, but he is remembered as the president who brought about the peaceful collapse of the Soviet Union and won the Cold War. Barack Obama, by contrast, won a Nobel Prize just nine months after taking office for doing nothing (except not being George W. Bush). Simply by forcing North Korea to the negotiating table, Trump has already done more to deserve the prize than Obama did. History will judge Trump not by whether he won a Nobel but by whether he was able to stop North Korea from deploying the capability to destroy an American city with a nuclear intercontinental ballistic missile. If he fails, no prize will make up for the fact that millions of Americans will now be hostages to one of the worlds cruelest tyrants. If he succeeds, he will be remembered as one of the greatest foreign policy presidents in American history. And then the accolades will take care of themselves. Marc A. Thiessen writes a column for the Washington Post. A scandal of biblical proportions has been unfolding at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary of Fort Worth. As a 2014 graduate of that venerable institution that has meant so much to the Lone Star State, I am heartbroken over the matter. But for conscience sake and for the safety of women across the country, I cannot remain silent and am now calling for the resignation of Paige Patterson, the president of Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. Recently the Washington Post and other news agencies have reported that a 2000 audiotape of an interview Patterson conducted while serving as president of the Southern Baptist Convention has surfaced. They maintain Patterson said that female victims of spousal abuse should not seek a divorce but should be submissive in every way you can. OPINION: In a #Metoo moment, will Southern Baptists hold powerful men accountable? In this controversial audiotape, Patterson is advising women who have been undergoing genuine physical abuse from their husbands, and the husband says they should submit. He argues that women who are being savagely battered by their husbands should submit to their abusive husbands without question. Patterson, when questioned by an interviewer, answers on what an abused woman should do under these harmful circumstances. It depends on the level of abuse to some degree, he says. Patterson also said, I have never in my ministry counseled anyone to seek a divorce, and thats always wrong counsel. Only on an occasion or two in his long career when the abuse was serious enough, dangerous enough, immoral enough, he says has he advised temporal separation between a battered women and her violent and abusive husband. RELATED: Evangelical gays finding their way The Washington Post reports that Patterson is then recorded saying that once an abused woman came to him, and Patterson advised her to remain in the unsafe home and pray at night beside her bed quietly, for God to intervene. The woman, he said, came to him with two black eyes. She said: I hope youre happy. And I said, Yes Im very happy, because it turned out her husband had heard her quiet prayers and come for the first time to church the next day, according to the Washington Post. I am an alumnus of Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary where Pattersons very image is imprinted on the stained-glass window of the new chapel building and where he reigns unquestioned as supreme over every aspect of life, ministry and education. So, I know some of my fellow alumni and former professors will be utterly shocked that I would dare to question a living Southern Baptist patriarch. I am aware that many of my Southern Baptist peers will severely chasten me for speaking out against one of the most powerful men in Americas largest Protestant denomination. MORE: Trump evangelicals have lost their gag reflex However, as someone who applauds the recent Times Up movement and #MeToo movement, I can no longer remain silent about Pattersons imprudent and ill-advised comments, which could endanger the very lives of women. For the sake of women everywhere, I must now take a stand and say that it is absolutely deplorable that a leader of one of Americas largest Southern Baptist seminaries has advocated that women remain in their abusive and unsafe circumstances. The great tragedy of this whole ordeal is that the revelation of this audiotape is not new. I and many of my fellow alumni have known about Pattersons comments on abused women for years, but have lived in fear of questioning one of the most powerful leaders in the history of the Southern Baptist Convention. The truth is that Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary and many other Southern Baptist schools do not allow their students to exercise their First Amendment right of free speech but censor any dissent or deviation from their agenda. Yet, because I care about the safety of women throughout America, I cannot remain silent and am now calling for Patterson to resign immediately. Lee Enochs is a 2014 graduate of Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary and is currently a graduate student in Princeton, New Jersey. Re: S.A. wont try to get the GOPs national convention, front page, May 4: It is interesting how city and county leaders are so vocal in opposing Republicans holding the national convention here, saying they are not welcome in our community. They claim to be worried about violence and rioting if Republicans and conservatives come here. It must be they are worried that Democrats and liberals will resort to violence and riots to interfere with the political process. What happened to Democrats being about tolerance and inclusion? They are more worried about illegals being offended than the huge economic boost a convention of this size would bring to our area. What happened to showcasing San Antonio to the nation and the world as a first-class city where everyone is welcome? I guess they would rather San Antonio be known as the city that opposes Republicans, conservatives and the American political process. Sure, that will be good for tourism and corporations considering coming here in the future. Carthel Williams, Spring Branch Dont be suckers Re: This dynamic city should pursue GOP convention, Editorial, Thursday: I think we should have pursued the Republican convention, but only if it made economic sense. From what I have read, these conventions are money losers. The assumed $200 million economic impact is not the same as revenue or profit. I doubt the enormous investment of taxpayer resources (both time and money) would be returned. I suspect the real reason they wanted San Antonio to bid is to play us off other cities to get a better deal. Charlotte, North Carolina, is apparently the only bidder, and the Republican National Committee is getting desperate. If San Antonio is so desirous as a convention location, perhaps they should pay us to hold it here. Our leadership should not be played for suckers. Scott Robertson No inclusion here Re: GOP convention bid blasted as a bad idea, front page, Thursday: Commissioner Tommy Calvert needs to remember the advice his parents surely gave him: Dont look a gift horse in the mouth. Does he want only the donkey without even considering an elephant? Remember, this man is elected to forward the interests of Bexar County, not the Democratic Party. Terry OConnor State vs. national Re: Hosting GOP convention about democracy, Kevin Wolff, Other Views, May 2: I have a great deal of respect for Commissioner Kevin Wolff. I have always felt like his decisions for Bexar County have put local interests over politics on issues such as light rail and others. I also admire the way he admitted to making a mistake and taking the consequences of his DWI a couple of years ago. So I choose to believe that hes truly sincere in wanting to bring the GOP National Convention to San Antonio for democratic reasons. Still, I find it interesting that the notion of having a Republican Party convention here didnt trigger any references to our fearless or should I say fearful? state GOP officials. While I understand the difference between a state and national convention, wouldnt it surely offer a platform for the (state) host party that wanted to poison our convention business with its homophobic bathroom bill? Craig Cuny Alzheimers crisis The Alzheimers Associations 2018 Facts and Figures report reveals a steep increase in the strain on people living with the disease, their families and caregivers, and society at large. In 2018, Alzheimers and other dementias will cost the nation $277 billion. Almost 6 million Americans are living with Alzheimers. Every 65 seconds, someone in the U.S. develops the disease. These statistics require our immediate attention, and Congress can take the lead in bringing us toward a world without Alzheimers. The Building Our Largest Dementia Infrastructure for Alzheimers Act (HR 4256) frames Alzheimers disease as the public health crisis that it is. This bill will create an Alzheimers public health infrastructure across the country to implement effective interventions. Rep. Lloyd Doggett has co-sponsored the BOLD Infrastructure for Alzheimers Act (HR 4256), and we call on Rep. Joaquin Castro to add his support. We are confident that with their backing, one day we will have a treatment or a cure, and no more families in the 20th and 35th congressional districts will have to face the burdens of this devastating disease. Cacie Waters, public policy specialist, San Antonio & South Texas Chapter Alzheimers Association Dont impeach Re: Vows to impeach are risky for Dems, Gilbert Garcia, April 29: Please dont impeach this guy. I want the satisfaction of going to the polls and voting him out of office. Hes made life vaguely depressing and dispiriting for months with his ugly, abusive comments and nicknames that he applies to so many people in such a casual, offhand manner and with such deadening and persistent scorn. If the House impeaches him, I wont get the personal satisfaction of having done my job the way our founders intended or being able to express my views on leadership and behavior by voting him out. Bobby Riley Truth MIA Not only has the truth stopped mattering in the Russia probe, the truth has stopped mattering in America. Steven Ochoa Reports are coming through that the military Junta is incubating the establishment of a copy-cat to the National Patriotic Front (NPF) to be called the ZNPF in an effort to derail the real NPF. The reports indicate that this copy-cat ZNPF junta project will seek to hijack the membership of the real NPF and subsume them under the leadership of Saviour Kasukuwere. Kasukuwere has been reported at some meetings of the real NPF as either having arrived in Zimbabwe or as being on the verge of landing in Zimbabwe in an effort to tie his supposed leadership of the copy-cat ZNPF junta project with the real NPF. This ZBR is being written for the express purpose of putting on the record that I, as Patrick Zhuwao, am not part of Kasukuweres current political shenanigans and manoeuvring. The Zhuwao Brief Reloaded Article 16 (ZBR16) be more specific, I do not support nor subscribe to the notion that Kasukuwere should lead the real NPF. Having politically interacted with Kasukuwere since joining the ZANU PF Youth Leagues National Executive over one and a half decades ago, I am not convinced that he is an appropriate person to lead the real NPF. Furthermore, the founders of the NPF, of which Kasukuwere is not one, have categorically stated that Professor Jonathan Moyo, Honourable Saviour Kasukuwere and Honourable Patrick Zhuwao should not form part of the founding leadership of NPF. As a co-founder of NPF, I fully associate myself with that position and have indicated as much in previous instalments of the ZBR and privately to Kasukuwere himself. Some of the reasons for my taking such a position include the fact that Kasukuwere has been actively discouraging efforts towards the establishment of the real NPF up to a point where I stopped engaging him on the progress of that endeavour. Kasukuweres interactions with the military junta at its highest levels have also made it inconceivable for him to play a significant role in the real NPF, let alone lead it, since the real NPF was established to dismantle the junta. Kasukuweres dogged determination to return to a Zimbabwe that is under the yoke of the military junta has also left me questioning his motives. The only way in which someone walks into a dangerously fatally situation is if they have been given assurances for their safety. Given the threat that the real NPF poses to the military junta, it is conceivable that such a guarantee can only have been secured by way of a commitment to derail the real NPF. This is why I am taking seriously the reports of a copy-cat ZNPF under the leadership of Kasukuwere as a junta project to derail the real NPF. As a co-founder of the real NPF, it is important that I articulate my position publicly to all Zimbabweans so that it is abundantly clear that the real NPF can NEVER be a junta project. I will never support the copy-cat ZNPF junta project because its principle objective is to derail the efforts of the real NPF towards dismantling the military junta in control of Zimbabwe. The real NPF was formed, partly, to provide a political home for those orphaned by the military takeover of ZANU PF and not as a means for the selfaggrandisement of those with unbridled political ambitions. The real NPF stands for the broad based socio-economic transformation of all Zimbabweans in an inclusive and collective manner in accordance to the maxim encapsulated in the slogan: Iwe neni tine basa. Umsebenzi loUmkhulu. Asante Sana. Patrick Zhuwao Breaking News via Email Loading... Related Zimbabwe Latest News One of Zambias top universities has urged female students to stop visiting the library half-nak_ed because it distracts male colleagues. The University of Zambia, located in the capital, Lusaka has stuck notices around its library urging female students to dress modestly. It has come to our attention that some female students dress half-n_aked as they use the library, a situation which is disturbing the male students, reads the notice. We therefore advise the female students to dress modestly as you use university facilities. Modesty is the way to go! Some female students disagreed. If your mission of going to the library is to study, why should you start looking at other things like a females legs? third-year student Dikina Muzeya told the BBC. Just concentrate on your books, thats all. But Killion Phiri, a male student, agreed with the decision of the authorities. You know how attractive women bodies are. How can you concentrate on studying when someone walks in a mini skirt or a tight dress. Youll start thinking about other things and you wont concentrate. BBC Breaking News via Email Loading... Related Zimbabwe Latest News The man who stood against former President Robert Mugabe and was imprisoned for it, Pastor Patrick Mugadza has been listed for the post of Vice President of an opposition party. Mugadza is set to be named for the prestigious post of VP for the United Democracy Movement (UDM) at a function slated for tomorrow at 1030hrs. Pastor Mugadza was jailed after prophesying Robert Mugabes demise by October 17th last year, a prediction of which he later said Mugabes death was postponed. In the latest development he is to be filed up with politicians. Mugadza told this reporter he wants to see a free Zimbabwe and will be contesting for the Kariba constituency. The new party is led by Violet Mariyacha. The formerlyKariba based pastor, has been listed together with the UDM publicity officer Gerber Ngwere and party chairperson Eddington Mugova. Zimbabwe Eye Breaking News via Email Loading... Related Zimbabwe Latest News Former Zanu PF national political commissar Saviour Kasukuwere is expected in the country any time soon amid speculation that he may take-over leadership of the National Patriotic Front (NPF), currently headed in the interim by retired brigadier-general Ambrose Mutinhiri. Impeccable sources told the Daily News yesterday that the former Local Government minister will this month end almost five months in exile, having fled the country in the early stages of a soft coup that catapulted Emmerson Mnangagwa to the presidency at the expense of former president Robert Mugabe, who was forced to resign after 37 years of high-handed rule. Affectionately known as Tyson for his demeanour which matches that of former heavy-weight American boxer, Michael Gerard Tyson, Kasukuweres return has already rattled feathers, particularly in the ruling Zanu PF party. Zanu PF has previously made it clear that it will not forgive the garrulous politician and his closest associate, former Higher and Tertiary Education minister Jonathan Moyo, for aiding and abetting Mugabes persecution of former liberation war fighters, including Mnangagwa. Moyo and Kasukuwere, both of whom stand accused of influencing Mnangagwas expulsion from government as well as the axing of hundreds of his supporters, were classified among criminals around Mugabe during a month-long military operation that ended the 94-year-old despots rule. Kasukuwere is returning to Zimbabwe at a time when knives have been drawn out against NPF leader, Mutinhiri, who is accused of incompetence and dereliction of duty. Mutinhiri is due to address the media in Marondera today when a dark cloud is hovering over his leadership of the NPF. The Daily News can reveal that Kasukuweres impending arrival has split the NPF, with two groups emerging one in support of Mutinhiris leadership of the party and the other one which is putting faith in Kasukuwere to lead the party into the forthcoming elections. https://twitter.com/Hon_Kasukuwere/status/993857528831279105 NPF interim secretary-general Shadreck Mashayamombe yesterday told the Daily News that Kasukuwere would return this week. He is coming back and coming to lead us this week, he said. Mashayamombe was part of NPF officials who addressed a rally in the mining town of Bindura, in Mashonaland Central last Sunday. He was in the company of interim political commissar Jeppy Jaboon and caretaker womens league boss, Sarah Mahoka. At the rally, Mahoka hinted at Kasukuweres return and his ascendancy to the post of NPF leader. Kasukuwere is going to arrive today (Sunday). The noise I heard from the crowd tells me that you are going to welcome your son. Mashonaland West and Masvingo have been beaten by Mashonaland Central, chigaro chaenda naTyson ichi (Kasukuwere is a clear favourite for the post), Mahoka said, adding: As Mashonaland West, we have our own candidate but with what I saw today we have accepted defeat. We are now supporting Mashonaland Central. Masvingo and Mashonaland West must accept defeat and we are not going to say anything. Mashonaland Central must not forget us when you are elected into power. As for me, I dont want to be a president but dont forget us as Mashonaland West because we are working hard for the party Mutinhiri is going to be removed by your votes. Mugabe never chose anyone to be the president of this party; he said the leader of the party is going to be elected by the people; Mugabe is not a dictator. Kasukuwere hails from Mashonaland Central province, a Zanu PF stronghold, which has been the bastion for support for the Mugabe regime. After his dramatic fall, Mugabe retreated to a quiet private life only to emerge about two months later to declare his disapproval of the new dispensation saying it seized power illegally. Thereafter, he has been fraternising with former Zanu PF officials linked to the vanquished Generation 40 (G40) faction, among them Mutinhiri, giving rise to speculation that he was the brains behind NPF. Dickson Mafios, Kasukuweres brother and former Zanu PF chairperson for Mashonaland Central, also addressed the meeting in Bindura at the weekend, pleading with the authorities to let democracy and pluralism flourish, and letting bygones be bygones. Just like his brother, Mafios had also gone into self-imposed exile after the November coup. Jaboon indicated during the meeting that they would go for the partys inaugural convention in 10 days time with the position for presidency up for grabs. Contacted for comment, Mutinhiri said he was in the dark on the latest political developments in the party. I am not in a position to comment about that, this is certainly not the right time, said Mutinhiri. Divisions have emerged in the political outfit specifically on who should lead the party that is hard-pressed to enter into the MDC Alliance led by Nelson Chamisa. With T-Shirts emblazoned with the faces of Mugabe and the late vice president Joshua Nkomo, NPF makes it no secret that their godfather is the former president whose 37-year rule ended after the army stepped in to side with the then Mnangagwa-led Team Lacoste faction. Speaking in South Africa after assuming power last year, Mnangagwa said although they had forgiven most of the G40 elements they were still to pardon the trio of Moyo, Kasukuwere and Mugabes nephew Patrick Zhuwao. Whatever wrong we might have done to you, we need to forgive I have forgiven the cabal and they are in the country except for only three who remain outside and still saying funny things but all that will soon come to an end, Mnangagwa said. Moyo, in the sanctuary of self-imposed exile, has repeatedly lashed out at Mnangagwa on microblogging site Twitter, claiming the incumbent had assumed power illegally. Recently, Moyo ruled out working with Mnangagwa. I am where God wants me to be and for good reasons. The easiest and evilest thing to do would have been to be with Mnangagwa and (Vice President Constantino) Chiwenga: Zims two all-time Judas Iscariots whose betrayal of Mugabes trust has destroyed Zanu PF and will destroy Zimbabwe if theyre not stopped, said Moyo. Mnangagwas government has been spinning a web around Kasukuwere and Moyo and early this year froze the duos accounts. In an advertisement to all financial institutions, the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe directed banks to identify and immediately freeze all accounts in the name of Kasukuwere and Moyo and any accounts in which they are directors or have a known beneficial interest. You are further directed to submit, in writing, a written to the unit, by no later than the 8th of December, 2017, listing and giving particulars (including balances) of all the accounts that you would have identified and frozen in terms of this directive. Where you have not identified any relevant account, you shall nevertheless submit nil return. The effect of the freeze is that, (except any inflows into the account, which shall be processed normally and immediately notified to the Unit) no other transaction shall be processed from a frozen account, until further the Unit directs otherwise, reads part of the notice issued by the central bank. In an interview with American business satellite TV channel Bloomberg, minister of Foreign Affairs and International Trade Sibusiso Moyo said Mnangagwas government did not chase anyone from Zimbabwe and exiled Zimbabwean politicians had to return and account to the people of Zimbabwe. We did not chase anyone out of Zimbabwe. If you have anything to account for, then you have to come and account to the people of Zimbabwe, said the Foreign Affairs and International Trade minister. DailyNews Breaking News via Email Loading... Related Zimbabwe Latest News - Bukola Saraki and Yakubu Dogara met with President Buhari in Aso Rock - They said the budget would be passed this week - They, however, asked the president to compel the police chief to follow the country's laws The leadership of the National Assembly on Monday, May 7, reported Inspector-General of Police Ibrahim Idris to President Muhammadu Buhari for his failure to appear before the Senate for the second time over the issue of Senator Dino Melaye. Senate president Bukola Saraki and the speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara, confirmed this development to State House correspondents on Monday after a closed door meeting with the president in the Presidential Villa, Abuja. Saraki said they raised the issue of Senator Melaye to the president because of the refusal of the IGP to honour Senates invitations. Just talking about the issue of the police, we also of course raised the non-appearance of the Inspector-General of Police at the Senate and felt that we must continue to ensure there is adherence to constitutional authority. He is a great concern, this is the first time it happened and that matter needs to be addressed considering the importance of the constitution that gives investigative power to us. And that there is need for the police to accept that they too are under that constitution and they must obey that; we raised that concern, he said. READ ALSO: Drama in court as Evans refuses to come down from Black Maria The Senate president, who stated that they were in the Villa on the invitation of the president, reassured that the appropriation bill when laid this week would be passed by the NASS, next week. Saraki said they briefed the president on the recent invasion of the Senate by hoodlums, saying the president in his response pledged to do something about the incident. He said: Well, we came on the invitation of Mr President. He wanted to brief us on his trip to the United States and also the issue of the budget. We also talked on the issue of concerns to us, the invasion of the National Assembly, which he showed great concern and said action will be taken to investigate that. Well, hopefully it should be laid this. If it can be laid this week and passed early next week but we are hoping it will be laid this week." Dogara, who also spoke on the outcome of the meeting, said they did not discuss the issue of impeachment process which was raised at the National Assembly two weeks ago. He, however, frowned at the way and manner the police handled the case of Melaye. He said: Of course anything that happens to one of our members or any member of the National Assembly is of concern to us. And there is no way we can have this kind of meeting without raising that. This is a civilian administration, it is democracy and it is imperative and very very important that all institutions of democracy operate within the ambit of the rule of law. There is nowhere, I have said it before, that police will behave in a democracy like a clan of tribesmen, like an upgraded barbarians sort of. So there is need for us to act with civility. We are not saying that anybody should be protected and defended. Once you have committed an offense, our law said you should answer it but you just have to utilize the provision of the constitution. The speaker also condemned the situation where Melaye was wheeled to court by the police, saying that the rule of law must be observed to safeguard the image of the Buhari administration A situation where people are wheeled to court, that doesnt give good image of our democracy. I have not seen a democracy where people are wheeled to court, they are not in the proper frame of mind and they are forced to undergo trial. PAY ATTENTION: Get the Latest Nigerian News Anywhere 24/7. Spend less on the Internet! Whatever it is, even if Dino is pretending as some have said it in some section of the media, he cannot pretend forever. He is there, he will not run away, he is a senator and he can be tried any time he is in proper frame of mind. As a lawyer, I can tell you, any judge that assesses an accused person not to be in a proper frame of mind, even if the accused person pleads guilty, he is duty bound by law to record a plea of not guilty if he is not satisfied as to the soundness of the mind of the accused person. So the emphasis is there and I believe the president, being a listening president, will definitely take steps and do something about it, he added Melaye is currently facing two separate court trials in Lokoja and Abuja over alleged criminal activity with other arrested suspects and attempted suicide. Meanwhile, the Kogi state high court in Lokoja on, Monday, May 7, adjourned the hearing of the bail application of Senator Dino Melaye (Kogi West), to Thursday, May 10. This came as a result of the inability of parties to tender their counter affidavit and better affidavit to the written bail application by Melayes counsel, when Justice Nasir Ajanah, on Friday, May 4, ordered that the lawmaker be taken to the National Hospital in Abuja, The Nation reports. Kogi West senatorial district to recall senator Dino Melaye from the Nigerian Senate - On Legit.ng TV Source: Legit Editor's note: YIAGA Africa's communication officer, Moshood Isah, in this piece, raises an alarm over the delay of the #NotTooYoungToRun bill by the National Assembly, alleging that the situation is deliberate and a bid to prevent Nigerian youths from running for political office in 2019. Read below: Strong indications have emerged that the National Assembly may be tactically delaying the transmission of the age reduction bill popularly known as the #NotTooYoungToRun bill alongside other constitutional amendments to the presidency in a bid to prevent Nigerian youths from running for political office in 2019. The bill which seeks to reduce the constitutionally required age of running for political office has been with the National Assembly and awaiting transmission to the presidency since March 2018, having been passed by at least 34 state Houses of Assembly in Nigeria. With the 2019 elections fast approaching, it is expected that, the National Assembly; an arm of government which has continuously reiterated its commitment to the enactment of youth friendly legislations would immediately transmit the bill to the presidency for assent. It is increasingly becoming an issue of serious concern that, since over three months after the National Assembly had received the consolidated constitution amendment bills, including the #NotTooYoungToRun bill from the state Houses of Assembly, it is yet to transmit to the president for assent. Various youth-led and political organizations have continued to register their displeasure as the delay portends danger for aspiring young people ready to leverage on the #NotTooYoungToRun bill in the forthcoming 2019 general elections. Despite series of calls to the National Assembly via letters, press statement and social media campaign to transmit the bill to the president by over 50 youth-led/youth-focused organizations, the age reduction bill continue to suffer what can now be described as a tactical delay by the National Assembly. READ ALSO: PMBs 3-year performance has surpassed PDPs 16-year achievements - Adebayo Shittu According to a press statement released by the movement, Nigerian youths are ready to resist any attempt by any arm of government to prevent the passage of the #NotTooYoungToRun bill into law. The urgency of the need to transmit the Bill to the presidency cannot be overemphasized. Nigerian youths are ready to run and must be part of the 2019 elections not just as voters but as candidates themselves. It is pertinent to remind the 8th National Assembly that history is on their side having passed the bill in the first try. Thus, it is only logical that they transmit the bill without further delay except if there are hidden motives as Nigerian youths are currently made to believe and ready to resist. There is also the need to stress that, governance best practices as encapsulated in the African Union and Economic Commission of West African States (ECOWAS) normative instruments dictate that all amendments to the constitution must be concluded at least 12 months before the elections. The delay in the passage of these constitutional amendment bills raises challenges to the integrity of the electoral process. In a press statement released few days ago, Deputy Senate President; Senator Ike Ekweremadu charged Nigerian youths to step out and take their rightful place in governance and national development as well as to remain focused in realizing their goals and never lose self-confidence. He reiterated that, the National Assembly passed the age reduction bill to pave the way for Nigerian youths to participate in the decision-making process of the country. The deputy Senate presidents call is ironic, because being a principal officer of the National Assembly, he should know that delay in transmitting the bill to the president for assent pose a danger to Nigerian youths participation in the forthcoming 2019 general elections as candidates and ultimately from taking their rightful place in the decision-making process of the country. Nigerian youths have continually shown determination, resilience and readiness to be part of the decision-making process by taking proactive actions even as the age reduction bill awaits presidential assent. Recall that, young people across Nigeria on March 15, 2018 converged at the Unity Fountain, Abuja for a peaceful march to the Presidential Villa to demand assent to the #NotTooYoungToRun bill by the president as soon as it is being transmitted. This was no doubt done with the belief that the National Assembly will be equally proactive by also transmitting the bill as soon as it arrived from the state Houses of Assembly. Additionally, the leadership of the movement paid a courtesy visit to Vice President Professor Yemi Osinbajo to further press for assent to the #NotTooYoungToRun Bill on April 19, 2018. During the visit, Osinbajo challenged Nigerian youths to brace up for political leadership of the country in the years ahead. He stated that, youths need to build their capacity and be ready for political offices they intend to occupy while pointing out that leadership positions were not automatic. Similarly, the vice president during an engagement with young Nigerians at the One-on-One Mentorship Series 1.0 program held in April stated that he is yet to see anyone in the Muhammadu Buhari administration that is opposed to the age reduction bill. PAY ATTENTION: Install our latest app for Android, read best news on Nigerias #1 news app This is no doubt an indication that the presidency is ready to fulfill their promise of youth inclusion in politics albeit IF and only IF the National Assembly transmit the bill along with other constitutional amendment to the presidency for assent. Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed here are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of Legit.ng. Your own opinion articles are welcome at info@corp.legit.ng drop an email telling us what you want to write about and why. More details in Legit.ngs step-by-step guide for guest contributors. Were ready to trade your news for our money: submit news and photo reports from your area using our Citizen Journalism App. Contact us if you have any feedback, suggestions, complaints or compliments. We are also available on Twitter. Not Too Young to Run Bill: Nigerian youths march to Aso Rock in support (Nigeria News) on Legit.ng TV Source: Legit - A human trafficker has been sentenced to four years in jail by a court in Yobe state - The convict, Shuaibu Salihu, allegedly trafficked nine underage children to Sudan The Federal High Court, Damaturu, Yobe state, has on Monday, May 7, sentenced a 57-year-old convicted human trafficker, Shuaibu Salihu, to four years in jail for reportedly transporting underage children to Sudan. The Nation reports that Salihu was arraigned by the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) on two counts of procuring underage children for trafficking to Sudan. He was arrested by officials of the Nigeria Immigration Service, Yobe state command, in Damaturu in 2017, while he and the children were trying to cross the Geidam/Niger Republic border. READ ALSO: What Saraki, Dogara told President Buhari about Dino Melaye The judge, Justice Hamma Dashi, sentenced him to four years imprisonment without an option of fine. Shuaibu Salihu. Photo source: Punch The suspect, a native of Farantama village in Kano state, was arraigned on two counts of procuring nine underage victims with the intention of taking them to Sudan for possible exploitation, an act contrary to Section 26 (2) of the Trafficking in Person (Prohibition) Enforcement and Administration Act 2015. He was arrested by officers of the Nigeria Immigration Service and handed over to us for proper investigation and prosecution. Justice Hamma Dashi, having listened to the counsel and their witnesses, found the suspect guilty and sentenced him to four years imprisonment without an option of fine," a release by the head, press and public relations, Stella Nezan read. PAY ATTENTION: Read the news on Nigerias #1 news app Legit.ng earlier reported that the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons on Friday, May 4, sealed up Amazonia Guest House at Dagri in Gwagwalada, FCT, and rescued 13 women suspected to be victims of human trafficking. NAPTIPs assistant director of intelligence, investigation and monitoring, Tina Ugwu told the press after the operation that that two suspects including the Manager of the lodge have been arrested. Suspected cannabis traffickers reject Police accusations - on Legit.ng TV Source: Legit - NAFDAC has sealed up three companies linked with the epidemic of codeine syrup abuse in Nigeria - The affected companies reportedly failed to provide NAFDAC with required documents - The reopening of the companies will depend on the level of cooperation that is shown during investigation National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has shut down the Peace Standard Pharmaceutical ltd., BIORAJ Pharmaceutical ltd. both in Ilorin, Kwara state, and the Emzor Pharmaceuticals Industry, Lagos, as it probed the codeine-based syrup epidemic. Codeine-based syrup is used in treatment of cough, but when abused could lead to harmful and deadly addiction. In a statement by NAFDAC on Monday, director general of the agency, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, said that the clampdown was due to the companies inability to provide required documents for NAFDAC officials during the inspection of the facilities at Ilorin and Lagos. READ ALSO: Nigerian man jailed four years for human trafficking Due to insufficient evidence gathered and apparent resistance to provide needed documents during inspection on May 2, 2018 at the respective companies in Ilorin and Lagos, respectively, it has become necessary to shut down all product lines of the three companies. The companies are the Peace Standard Pharmaceutical ltd. at Plots 3 & 8, Adewole Industrial Estate, Lubcon Avenue, Ilorin, Kwara State and Bioraj Pharmaceutical Limited. No 405 Kaima Road, Ilorin, Kwara state. Also shut down was the Emzor Pharmaceuticals Ind. Ltd., Ajao Estate, Lagos. This is to allow for a full and comprehensive investigation; the three companies therefore remain closed," the statement said. On May 2 and 3, a team of nine NAFDAC officers were sent to carry out investigational inspection at the companies that are licensed to manufacture codeine-containing syrup, and which were implicated in a BBC documentary. The team comprised of two from Drug and Evaluation Research DER and seven from Investigation & Enforcement I&E) and ten mobile police officers. The focus of the assignment was to access and monitor from records the utilization, sales and effective distribution of the codeine containing cough syrups to the end users. Meanwhile, meeting of the stakeholders mentioned above is being planned while the shut down and full investigations continue. The reopening of the manufacturing companies will depend on the level of cooperation that is shown during the comprehensive investigation, the statement said. PAY ATTENTION: Read the news on Nigerias #1 news app The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the Federal Health Ministry announced a ban on the production and import of cough syrup containing codeine last week . This was in the wake of a BBC documentary on how codeine based cough syrups were fuelling an addiction epidemic in northern Nigeria. Legit.ng earlier reported that a students' advocacy group has condemned the ban of codeine drug by the federal government of Nigeria. The advocacy group, Students for Sensible Drug Policy (SSDP), said the ban of codeine by the federal government could breed negative consequences for the country. In a statement signed by its national coordinator, Moronfolu Adeniyi, the SSDP said monitoring the supply chain and mopping up the product would have served as a better action to ending the illicit use of codeine cough syrup. Suspected cannabis traffickers reject Police accusations | on Legit.ng TV Source: Legit.ng - The EFCC is set to arraign former governor of Plateau state, Jonah Jang - Jang has been served a trial notice by the anti-graft agency - He would be facing a 12 count charge over an alleged N6.3 billion fraud The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Monday, May 7, served the former governor of Plateau state, Jonah Jang, a trial notice to notify him of his impending trial over an alleged fraud of N6.3 billion. Jang allegedly embezzled some special funds released to the state by the Central Bank of Nigeria during his tenure as governor, according to a fact sheet obtained by The Nation. The fact-sheet read: In one of the counts, the former governor, among other things, allegedly pocketed N2 billion released by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) for disbursement to small and medium enterprises in the state under the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises Development Funds (MSMEDF) just a month before the expiration of his tenure in April 2015. Jang was also said to have abused his office as the governor by collecting money to the tune of N4.3 billion from the state coffers through the cashier of the Office of the Secretary to the State Government, Yusuf Gyang Pam. READ ALSO: Senator Ucha accuses Oyegun of creating crisis in APC "Pam, who is also being charged along with Jang, allegedly embezzled N11.5 million. The charge has been served on the former governor on Monday but no date has been fixed yet for arraignment. Jang is already being investigated over an alleged N5.6 billion fraud while in office by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC). The ICPC fact-sheet stated that: Evidence before the commission so far indicates that Senator Jang allegedly committed the offences in March 2015. He allegedly received N2 billion in cash illegally out of the money which was allocated to micro, small and medium enterprises, under the pretext of a loan to be spent on classified expenditure. Jang again allegedly received N400 million illegally of funds meant for Plateau State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB). He also allegedly caused a former commissioner of finance in the state to illegally transfer the sum of N3.2 billion of SUBEB funds to the project account of the Ministry of Finance. PAY ATTENTION: Read the news on Nigerias #1 news app Legit.ng earlier reported that Nanle Dariye, son of former Plateau governor, Senator Joshua Dariye, was on Tuesday, April 10, re-arraigned before the Abuja division of the Federal High Court by Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). Nanle is being arraigned on a six-count amended charge of money laundering to the tune of about N1.5 billion. Dariye who was re-arraigned before Justice Ijeoma Ojukwu at the Federal High Court, Abuja, entered a not guilty plea to all six-counts. The EFCC stage a walk against corruption on Legit.ng TV Source: Legit Nigeria - The Nigerian Army and the NSCDC in Bayelsa clashed over the seizure of two petrol tankers - The trucks were impounded by the NSCDC when soldiers of the 16 Brigade intercepted them and took the trucks to their base in Yenagoa - However, NSCDC officials maintained that it was their mandate under the law to handle oil theft and check diversion of petroleum products The Bayelsa state command of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) and 16 Brigade of the Nigerian Army, Yenagoa, have clashed over seizure of two tankers conveying Premium Motor Spirit popularly known as petrol, The Punch reports. Legit.ng gathered that NSCDC had on Friday, May 4, impounded the trucks along the Ogbia-Nembe Road and was taking them to its commands headquarters when soldiers of the 16 Brigade intercepted them and took the trucks to their base in Yenagoa, the state capital. The soldiers, who outnumbered the NSCDC personnel, took possession of the trucks and forced the civil defence operatives to take to their heels during a clash that ensued. While officials of the NSCDC maintained that it was their mandate under the law to handle oil theft and check diversion of petroleum products, the soldiers claimed that the NSCDCs operation was suspicious. Major Danjuma Danjuma, the spokesman for the 16 Brigade of the Nigerian Army, on Monday, May 7, said that the Army intercepted the trucks under suspicious circumstances" as the community members and the NSCDC were engaged in bitter arguments when the soldiers arrived. READ ALSO: Senator Ucha accuses Oyegun of creating crisis in APC He said samples of the products were undergoing laboratory tests to ascertain whether the products were illegally refined or duly sourced from the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) as claimed by owners of the products. He said until the suspicions were cleared, the trucks would remain with the Army. Godwin Nwachukwu, the state Commandant, NSCDC, in reaction to the development said the two security agencies were resolving the face-off. He said: Our personnel and some soldiers had an encounter on the field, but the leadership of the sister security agencies have stepped in and maturity has come to play; we are jointly handling the case. Our mandate is very clear when it comes to protecting oil and gas facilities, curbing oil theft and checking diversion of petroleum products. What happened was unfortunate, but due to the excellent relations we have, it is being resolved. We are working with the army and investigation is underway. In a previous report by Legit.ng, Okpare, Otor-Edo and Iwhrekreka communities in the Ughelli South local government area of Delta state were invaded by soldiers attached to the 222 Battalion, Agbarha-Otor, Ughelli North local government area on Operation Delta Safe searching for oil pipeline vandals, The Punch reports. PAY ATTENTION: Read the news on Nigerias #1 news app The soldiers who laid siege to the three communities for about three days, also grounded commercial activities in the communities, disrupting among others, the weekly Okpare market day on Saturday. Sources from the three affected communities said that the soldiers stormed the communities under the guise of searching for suspected pipeline vandals using the communities for cover. Is Operation "Crocodile smile II" necessary? on Legit.ng TV. Source: Legit.ng News - The crisis that emanated from the APC governorship primary election in Ekiti state is still ongoing - 22 aspirants from the inconclusive election have written to President Muhammadu Buhari and Asiwaju Bola Tinubu over the issue - They accused the National Working Committee of the party of bias in the exercise Twenty-two APC governorship aspirants have written to President Muhammadu Buhari and Asiwaju Bola Tinubu over the party's inconclusive primary election held on Saturday, May 5. The aspirants also signed a petition addressed to the National Working Committee of the ruling party, requesting for a repeat of the primaries.Vice President Yemi Osinbajo was also copied in the petition, Premium Times reports. The petitioners alleged that some members of the NWC who were part of the organising committee of the primaries, were glaringly biased and contributed to the violence that disrupted the primaries. They described the incident of violence at the primary election as embarrassing and unfortunate, and condemned the conduct of the exercise, which they said was laden with electoral manipulation and corruption. Those who signed the petition include former governor and chieftain of the party, Segun Oni; presidential adviser on political matters, Babafemi Ojudu; former Ekiti Assembly speaker, Femi Bamisile; former senators, Gbenga Aluko and Ayo Arise, as well as Kayode Ojo. READ ALSO: One killed as irate youths vandalise APC secretariat in Rivers Others are Mojisola Yaya-Kolade, Wole Oluyede, Bayo Oriire, Kayode Ojo, Sunday Adebomi, Diran Adesua, Bodunde Adeyanju, Bimbo Daramola, Bamidele Faparusi, Sesan Fatoba, Bisi Aloba, Ajayi Olatunji Olowo, Wole Oluleye, Debo Ranti Ajayi, Kolawole Alabi, Olumuyiwa Olumilua and Victor Kolade. Part of the petition read: We condemn the electoral manipulation/corruption, which was manifested in various forms in the course of the exercise - sequestration of delegates, inducement and illegal monetization of the voting process, among others. Furthermore, we register our disappointment with the unsatisfactory level of preparedness for and conduct of the primary election. The aspirants demanded that a fresh election be conducted within 72 hours to determine the candidate of the party in the July 14 governorship election in Ekiti state. The petition further stated: That a new elections committee be constituted to address the issue of conflict of interest of at least three (3) key members of the Governor Al-Makura- led committee which was discovered in the course of the election to favour one of the aspirants (a business associate, a friend and a landlord), at the expense of the remaining thirty-two. That security agencies be unbiased in ensuring a free, fair and credible election since it was obvious they had sympathy for one of the aspirants, which resulted in the security lapses recorded in the course of the exercise, such as the unrestricted invasion of the election venue by friends and associates of one of the aspirants who expectedly interfered with the voting process. That the quality of the ballot paper be improved because the photographs of the aspirants on the ballot papers used for the cancelled poll were blurred, small, and the names of aspirants were muddled. All these made it difficult for delegates to identify their preferred candidates. That the NWC appeals to executive governors in the neighbouring states to please support the process in the interest of the party instead of showing bias to one of the aspirants. That aspirants and delegates should respect the secrecy of the ballot. No aspirant should demand evidence from delegates." The aspirants also alleged that some members of the party's NWC were partial, stating that their roles at the botched primaries was a clear evidence of their bias. They decried the action of the party's national publicity secretary, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, for taking a position contrary to what was agreed after the Saturday event by all aspirants with the Al Makura committee. READ ALSO: 2019: Governor Ortom has no plan to dump APC - Aide Meanwhile, the APC has congratulated all its members for the conduct of the party's ward congresses which took place across the country over the weekend. The party described the exercise as peaceful, while commending members who served in the congress committees for their dedication and impartiality. The party however acknowledged that there were some issues arising from the conduct of the elections in some states. Nigeria is practicing Oligarchy (Nigerian Street Interview) on Legit.ng TV Source: Legit - A 35-year-old pastor identified as Chris Mordi has been arrested by police for allegedly spreading hate speech in Lagos state - The commissioner of police in the state, Edgal Imohimi, said the suspect was arrested on May 5 - Imohimi said the propagation of hate speech contravenes Sections 124 and 168 of the criminal laws of the state 2015 Police in Lagos have arrested a 35-year-old pastor, Chris Mordi, of the miracle of fires ministry, Langbasa, Ajah, Lagos, for allegedly propagating hate speech in the state. News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the commissioner of police in the state, Edgal Imohimi, disclosed this to newsmen, stressing that the suspect was arrested on May 5 at Ado Road, Langbasa area of Ajah in Lagos. Edgal said that the Pastor was arrested allegedly while in possession of an inciting publication titled: Beware of Catholic Women Organisation (CWO) and Knights of the Catholic for they are occultic. READ ALSO: Nigerian man jailed four years for human trafficking He said the pastor had invited his church members for a programme where he was to make a public pronouncement on the issue before the publications were intercepted on May 5. According to him, This is a case of insult to religion and propagation of hate speech which contravene Sections 124 and 168 of the Criminal Laws of Lagos state 2015. This should be a lesson to be imbibed by all religious leaders. We must encourage and preach religious tolerance. He said that the clergyman would be charged to court for alleged hate speech and religious intolerance. PAY ATTENTION: Read the news on Nigerias #1 news app Meanwhile, 10 traffic robbers who specialise in dispossessing motorists of their valuables at Charity Bus-Stop, Oshodi, were also rounded up by policemen and presented to newsmen. According to the commissioner, the hoodlums were traced to their hideouts where they were arrested with a toy gun. He added that the police was working toward arresting other members of the gang and urged victims of traffic robbers to visit the Command and identify the suspects. He assured that all the suspects would be charged to court. Meanwhile, Legit.ng had reported that Suspected cannabis traffickers reject Police accusations - on Legit.ng TV: Source: Legit - Nigerias ambassador to the UN, Samson Itegboje, has told the global body that Boko Haram no longer holds any territory in the country - The envoy pointed out that though the insurgents had annexed 14 local governments in Borno prior to 2015, the Buhari administration had reversed their gains - He also added that Nigeria believed that ensuring the meaningful participation of women and girls in all areas of society was vital; especially to peacebuilding - Itegboje stressed that Nigeria will continue to support international efforts aimed at peace building and sustaining peace across the world Nigerias ambassador and deputy permanent representative to the UN, Samson Itegboje, told the United Nations General Assembly in New York that the Boko Haram terrorists no longer held any territory in the country, NAN reports. He stated this while presenting Nigerias message at the High-Level Meeting of the General Assembly on Peacebuilding and Sustaining Peace at the UN headquarters. Legit.ng gathers that Itegboje said the meeting was being convened at a time when the global community was facing unprecedented threats, geo-political tensions, social dislocation, cyber attacks, threat of climate change and terrorism. Nigeria has had her fair share of these crises when, amongst other vices, Boko Haram insurgents annexed 14 local governments in Borno in the north-east of Nigeria. However, on assumption of office in 2015, President Muhammadu Buhari ensured the recovery of the annexed territories. Today, Boko Haram insurgents no longer hold any territory in Nigeria, he said. READ ALSO: APC to disqualify Ekiti governorship aspirants guilty of violence during primary He noted that Resolutions 70/262 of the General Assembly and 2282 (2016) of the Security Council on the Review of the UN Peacebuilding Architecture addressed the UN approach to peace, focusing on prevention. The resolutions also call for a broader concept, which encompasses peace building, that links peace and security with development, human rights and humanitarian action. Itegboje said: Nigeria is of the opinion that, while sustaining peace should not be seen as an infringement on sovereignty, it should also not be used as a guise for the infringement on sovereignty of member states as the centrality of national and inclusive ownership of sustaining peace cannot be over-emphasised. The emphasis on prevention is commendable and we recommend that the Peacebuilding Architecture should have, as a component, an Early Warning System that should be accompanied by an Early Action System. Itegboje said Nigeria had consistently been in the vanguard of supporting and participating in international efforts at conflict-prevention, peacekeeping, peacebuilding and sustaining peace both sub-regionally, regionally and globally. He said since 1960, Nigeria had been an active participant in UN peacekeeping missions, deploying military contingents, unarmed military observers, military staff officers, formed police units, police advisors and civilian experts to over 25 UN Missions. The Nigerian envoy also noted that Nigeria was the worlds 14th largest troops-contributing nation to the UN peacekeeping operations. READ ALSO: PMBs 3-year performance has surpassed PDPs 16-year achievements - Adebayo Shittu According to him, Nigeria shares the view that the maintenance of human rights is critical to sustaining peace and has embarked on mainstreaming human rights into its security architecture. In this context, progress has been made in enhancing civil-military relations, establishing legislative oversight on the security sector in relation to defence spending, procurement and general budgetary matters. Efforts have also been stepped up to create a better partnership between civilians and armed forces," the Nigerian envoy said. He said Nigeria believed that ensuring the meaningful participation of women and girls in all areas of society was vital, adding gender equality yields greater economic growth and higher standards of living. He added that womens participation in peacebuilding helped prevent relapse into conflict and Nigeria was addressing emerging security issues, social gaps and ensuring substantial women contributions to peacebuilding and peace maintenance in the country. Itegboje said the Nigerian government was tackling youth unemployment through interventionist programmes like N-Power and an ambitious three-year medium term economic development strategy Economic Recovery and Growth Plan. The Nigerian envoy added: More importantly, corruption is being tackled headlong as it is seen as a big obstacle to the economic growth of the country. Nigeria will continue to support international efforts aimed at peace building and sustaining peace across the world. In order to save succeeding generations from the scourge of war, we call on the rest of the world to emulate and join Africa in its ambitious program to silence the guns in the year 2020. PAY ATTENTION: Install our latest app for Android, read best news on Nigerias #1 news app Meanwhile, Legit.ng previously reported that the deputy secretary-general of the United Nations, Amina Mohammed, declared that it is critical to shore-up areas of the Lake Chad Basin that had been freed from the grip of Boko Haram terrorists by Nigeria and its neighbours. Mohammed, in a video address to the Security Council from Liberia where she participated in celebrations to mark the end of the UN peacekeeping mission, also called for efforts to rebuild the lives of women and girls that had suffered at the hands of the terrorist group. According to her, the recent joint efforts by the four affected countries in the country including Nigeria, Chad, Cameroon and Niger resulted in considerable progress in the fight against the extremists. Nigerian Air Force operations against Boko Haram - on Legit.ng TV: Source: Legit Newspaper - The police in Lagos state has arrested one Gift Mike after her South African lover was found hanged in a hotel - The deceased, Daniel Grant, was found hanged at the Emerald Cove Hotel in Victoria Island - The State Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Department, Yaba, is investigating the case The Lagos state police command has arrested one Gift Mike in connection with the death of her 50-year-old lover, Daniel Grant, a South African national Grant was reportedly found dead in the early hours of Sunday, May 6, at the Emerald Cove Hotel on Sinari Daranijo street, Victoria Island, Lagos, Punch reports. Legit.ng notes that the deceased was found hanged in the toilet of the facility with his legs on the floor. READ ALSO: Lawyer stabbed husband to death after buying new set of knives - Police The Lagos state commissioner of police, Edgal Imohimi, said that the posture of the deceased and other evidence at the scene suggested that he was murdered, adding that the case had been transferred from the Maroko police division, where it was initially reported, to the State Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Department (SCIID), Yaba, for further investigations. He said: The complainant, one Abu Ismail, the manager of the Emerald Cove Hotel, reported that one of their guests was found hanged in his room. He stated that on Saturday, May 5, the deceased, a South African national, and his girlfriend, Gift Mike, checked into the hotel. On the same day, the two lovebirds left the hotel to Pat Bar, Victoria Island, on a drinking spree and returned to the hotel around 1.30pm before they retired to bed. Around 1.30am, the girlfriend, Gift Mike, woke up and found the deceased missing on the bed. She later found him in the toilet hanged in a vertical position and raised the alarm, which attracted the attention of the deceaseds friend, Piyush Srivatsatav, an Indian national, and some staff members of the hotel. The investigation team, led by the deputy commissioner of police, SCIID, Yaba, and forensic experts from the Lagos state ministry of justice, visited the scene of crime and took samples for scientific analysis. The girlfriend has been arrested. It was reported that the corpse had been deposited in the Lagos Island General Hospitals morgue for autopsy. PAY ATTENTION: Install our latest app for Android, read best news on Nigerias #1 news app Meanwhile, Legit.ng previously reported that an unidentified young man hung himself to death in Abuja. The unfortunate incident reportedly took place at Lokogoma district within the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). According to eyewitnesses, they claimed that the young man killed himself because he was frustrated. In the picture which went viral on social media, the deceased was seen hanging on the tree with just his underwear on as people gathered round to look at him. What does Nigeria need right now? (Nigerian Street Interview) | on Legit.ng TV Source: Legit.ng - Ex-governor Peter Obi has called on Nigerians to elect leaders based on the Chinese model which looks at past performances - He said leadership is the fundamental problem of Nigeria, and urged all citizens to be involved in devising better ways to elect leaders - The former governor also noted that the level of investment in education will determine a nations Human Development Index Peter Obi, former governor of Anambra state, has advocated for public officials at lower levels of government to be elected based on an aspect of the Chinese model of electing their leaders, which is based on their past performances. He made the comment during an international conference at the Claretian Institute of Philosophy, CIP, Maryland, Nekede, which took place over the weekend, Vanguard reports. READ ALSO: Boko Haram no longer holds any territory in Nigeria - Envoy tells UN Legit.ng gathers that the former governor said all hands must be on deck in the efforts to devise better ways of electing the leaders of the country; as he pointed out that leadership is the fundamental problem of Nigeria. Speaking on Human Development Index: Nigeria and the World, Obi stated that improvement in HDI is directly proportional to the level of investment in education by countries. Obi singled out Norway, which has the highest HDI ranking in the world; pointing out that the Scandinavian country invests heavily in education and has achieved a literacy level of virtually 100 percent. PAY ATTENTION: Install our latest app for Android, read best news on Nigerias #1 news app Recall that Legit.ng previously reported that former governor Peter Obi described Nigeria under President Muhammadu Buhari as a failed country. He lamented that Nigeria was still operating in the past, with no qualified leadership to revitalize the economy; and blamed the recent rise in agitation of youth across the country to the poor leadership of the present administration of the federal government. What does Nigeria need right now? - on Legit.ng TV: Source: Legit - Senator Dino Melaye has revealed why he jumped out from police vehicle - Police had last week said that Melaye jumped off of the vehicle in an attempt to evade prosecution - The lawmaker, however, said he jumped when the police also reneged on their promise of arraigning him before an FCT high court The senator representing Kogi west senatorial district, Dino Melaye, on Monday, May 7, said he jumped out of police vehicle conveying him to Lokoja because the tear gas canisters were used on him twice in the vehicle. Nigerian Tribune reports that the lawmaker in a counter affidavit filed by his counsel, Mike Ozekhome, before a Lokoja high court, said he jumped when the police also reneged on their promise of arraigning him before an FCT high court. READ ALSO: Senator Ucha accuses Oyegun of creating crisis in APC Legit.ng gathered that the court presided over by the chief judge of Kogi state, Justice Nasir Ajana, however, adjourned hearing on the bail application filed by the senator till Thursday, May 10. The judge said he had to adjourn the hearing to enable him to study the documents that were filed by parties on Monday, May 7. Counsel to the Inspector General of Police, Alex Izinyon, had in an affidavit supporting his objection to the bail application raised new and fundamental issues that warranted the defendants to file a better and further affidavit. The prosecution in the affidavit had objected to the bail application, claiming the Melaye might jump bail if he was eventually granted. He argued that the objection was based on the action of the senator, who attempted to escape from lawful custody when he jumped from a police vehicle conveying him to Lokoja. But Ozekhome, who filed a fresh affidavit while the court was sitting, said there was the need to address the new issues raised in the prosecutions affidavit. He, however, pleaded with the trial judge to stand down the case for 30 minutes to enable him to complete the filing processes. But Izinyon, while reacting to the oral application to stand down the case, said he was just served with the affidavit and he needed time to study it properly. Justice Ajana in his ruling said in view of the fact that counsels had filed a fresh affidavit which he had not seen, the bail application would be taken on Thursday, May 10. Legit.ng reported that the senator representing the Bayelsa east constituency, Ben Murray-Bruce, had confirmed that the lawmaker representing Kogi west in the Senate, Dino Melaye, actually jumped from a police vehicle. Speaking with newsmen over the matter Ozekhome said: The truth is that the case was adjourned to today for arguments on our bail application and the prosecution led by Alex Iziyon filed their counter affidavit which they served us in the court today. We had to quickly start preparing a better and further affidavit because of the issues they raised in their counter affidavit that is what we are allowed to do in law In their counter affidavit, they were raising this issue that Melaye is a kind of person that had jumped out of a moving bus when they were taking to Lokoja. What we have done is to counter that to say that the Police had told him he was being taken to an FCT high court to be arraigned only for them to suddenly veer off going to Lokoja According to Melaye, while they were in the vehicle going to Lokoja at the Area1 intersection round about the police tear gassed him two times when he protested as to why they were now taking him to Lokoja instead of Abuja FCT they tear gassed him twice and as soon as the car came to a stand still at the roundabout he forced open the bus door and jumped down because he was now gasping for breadth so that he would not suffocate and the video went viral that they want to kill him by taking to Lokoja. Because of that his sympathisers and boys who gathered including his lawyers took him to Zankli Hospital and it was from the hospital that the police again came and bundled him to the National Hospital Abuja where they chained him to the bed like a common criminal. So the question is if someone were to escape from justice would he be in the hospital. So we have to counter this false allegation. "The national hospital that the chief judge said he should be taken to make two recommendations that this man is an asthmatic patient and has serious spinal cord injury. And that he needs to come back on the 9th for further examination, his national passport has already been deposited. PAY ATTENTION: Read the news on Nigerias #1 news app Meanwhile, Legit.ng had previously reported that the Kogi state high court in Lokoja on, Monday, May 7, adjourned the hearing of the bail application of Senator Dino Melaye (Kogi West), to Thursday, May 10. Dino Melaye and 2019 Criminal Conspiracy | - on Legit.ng TV Source: Legit.ng - President Buhari has finally reacted to the invasion of the National Assembly by thugs - The president views the incident as an embarrassment to Nigeria - He stated this during a meeting with Bukola Saraki and Yakubu Dogara Senate president, Bukola Saraki, says President Muhammadu Buhari sees the invasion of the National Assembly and theft of the mace by suspected thugs as an embarrassment to the country. Quoting the president after a meeting with him at the Presidential Villa, Saraki said Buhari assured that the incident will be investigated. The Senate president made this known while briefing state house correspondents after meeting with Buhari alongside Yakubu Dogara, Speaker of the House of Representatives. Saraki met President Buhari alongside the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara. Photo credit: Tope Brown READ ALSO: OPINION: The president versus democracy and Nigerian youth by Segun Awosanya His words: We came on the invitation of Mr. President. He wanted to brief us on his trip to the United States and also the issue of the budget. We also talked on the issues of concern to us - the invasion of the National Assembly, which he showed great concern about and said action would be taken to investigate that. Of course, he sees it as an embarrassment to the country and that there will be a proper investigation because it is something that is not just about the National Assembly, it is about the country. Saraki said himself and Dogara also expressed concern over the failure of the Inspector-General of Police, Ibrahim Idris, to appear before the Senate. We also raised the issue of the non-appearance of the IG at the Senate and felt that they must continue to ensure that he continues to apply obedience to the issue of constituted authority. We are of great concern that this is not the first time this is happening and that matter needs to be addressed considering the importance of the powers of the constitution that gives investigative powers to us and that there is the need for police to accept that they too are under the constitution and they must obey that, he added. The federal government has since ordered the probe of the invasion of the Senate by thugs. READ ALSO: Buharis best not good enough for Nigeria - Sheik Gumi Meanwhile, the names of five persons who reportedly entered the Senate to steal the mace which is the symbol of authority of the Red Chamber have emerged. The names emerged on Wednesday, April 18, hours after they were arrested by the FCT Police Command. EXCLUSIVE: Be patient with President Buhari, Femi Adesina tells Nigerians - on Legit.ng TV Source: Legit.ng Editor's note: Nigerian criminologist, Obileye Abolaji, writes on the growing abuse of young girls going on in Ijebu Ode area of Ogun state. Abolaji calls for preventive measures to end the abuse cases against mostly underage children in the area. Sexual abuse as we used to have it from earliest time is an act peculiar to two able adult at a specific period of time usually engineered by the man as against the womans reality. This is not to say women do not engineer the action but it is alien to traditional history until recent time for revenge purpose and all sorts in university campuses. It is however highly disheartening to hear cases of abuse against an underage children in towns and cities of today. As early as my National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) experience in 2013, I was privileged to hear a young girl of four (4) years of age in my area said: Mummy when you are not around, Brother Taju fi kokoro won similabe This is literally meaning Brother Taju inserts his manhood underneath her. What a smart little girl utterances without knowing the gravity of what she just uttered. Immediately, the entire house started ranting and panting to Brother Tajus house for serious warning against such further actions. READ ALSO: Presidency lists corruption cases under Jonathan Presidency lists corruption cases under Jonathan As expected, Brother Taju denied such acts.Little did I know that the same reality will still manifest in my neighbourhood after a very long time. I got the inspiration to pen down this piece when I went to see crop of friends at an hospital in Ijebu-Ode. After a while, a medical practitioner came in to narrate the ordeal of abuse cases against underage children in Ijebu-Ode. According to the medical practitioner, the least of the statistics of underage abuse cases recorded in a week is five as at today. This is statistically implying over 20 underage were assaulted sexualy in a month. This therefore calls for urgent attention to any reasonable and sensible being. In that same gathering, a lot of causes were linked to such act based on their earlier experiences and all sorts. They relayed the causes to: sexual gratification, ritual purposes, parental negligence, nature of parental profession The causes of this heinous act though quite worthy of discussing further but certain preventive measures can be put in place to prevent the occurrence. READ ALSO: Dino Melaye finally reveals why he jumped off police vehicle Prevention they say is better than cure. In this case, if prevention is not considered as early as practicable by appropriate authorities (parents/guardians/neighbours), the cure cannot seal back the broken hymen. Basically, the most important preventive mechanism is centred on the parent/guardian. As a parent/guardian, your sole responsibility is to nurture your child in a way and manner that shields them from societal mess. As for the male child, their natural safety is still guaranteed with little or nothing to worry about but their counterpart are worth the painstaking effort of the two parent regarding nurturing. For the sake of your underage daughters hymen; you must not send them errands at odd hours,you must teach the habit of sitting appropriately, you must tell them not to sit on any boys lap, you must ensure they do not form unnecessary bond with an older/elderly man in the neighbourhood. Beware of people calling your daughters their wife, as it is too dangerous for you to condole because it goes beyond what you can tell. Left to this form of orientation, there is little or nothing that can be done to prevent the occurrence of the heinous act abuse against underage girls in Ijebu-Ode. PAY ATTENTION: Read best news on Nigerias #1 news app The views and opinions expressed here are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of Legit.ng. Your own opinion articles are welcome at info@corp.legit.ng drop an email telling us what you want to write about and why. More details in Legit.ngs step-by-step guide for guest contributors. Were ready to trade your news for our money: submit news and photo reports from your area using our Citizen Journalism App. Contact us if you have any feedback, suggestions, complaints or compliments. We are also available on Twitter. Busted: Over 300 suspected hoodlums, criminals and prostitutes paraded in Lagos | Legit.ng TV Source: Legit.ng - A coalition of some militant groups in the Niger Delta have spoken on the state of the region - The groups are of the opinion that the region is witnessing a new lease of life - According to the group, no project was completed in Niger Delta during former president Jonathans era A coalition of nine militant groups in Niger Delta under the aegis of the Reformed Niger Delta Avengers (RNDA), has lashed out at the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for creating poverty in Niger Delta despite being in power for 16 years. In a statement by it leader, Johnmark Ezonebi, RNDA lamented that the PDP was busy looting the treasury instead of developing the region. The RNDA regretted the wasted years of ex-president Goodluck Jonathan, accusing the Jonathan administration of corruption, looting, favouritism and non-supervision of his appointees. The group said no project was completed in Niger Delta during Jonathans era adding that the poor performance of Jonathan, who hails from Niger Delta, took the region back. The group, however, hailed the Muhammadu Buhari-led All Progressives Congress (APC) for the development of the region. READ ALSO: President Buhari sees NASS invasion as an embarrassment to Nigeria, says Saraki The militants said they carried out an appraisal of President Buharis performance and concluded that the president deserved commendation. Part of the statement read: We accepted the Federal Governments ceasefire agreement in 2016 for dialogue. That acceptance has led to the sustained peace in the region following renewed destruction and bombings of oil installations and facilities that crippled the nations crude oil output. Most worrisome and painful is the fact that Buharis predecessor goofed on development of the region as he was unable to complete the road to his Otuoke community in Bayelsa state. We praise Buharis commitment to Niger Delta since 2015 depite the recession as crude output hit as low as 900 barrels daily, with price as low as between $35 and $45 per barrel due to agitation in the creek. Buharis fight against corruption has defined his stand on development of the region. We want to commend him for the take off of academic activities of the Nigerian Maritime University, Okerenkoko, Delta State. We want to also commend the minister of transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, for the approval for the dredging of the Escravos Warri river at the cost of N13bn to enable them to use cargo vessels to access Warri seaport which will in turn boost economic activities in the Niger Delta and to create employment for the teaming youths in the creeks." The militants coalition, however, appealed to President Buhari to complete the East-West road, a major gateway to other parts of the country. READ ALSO: Looters' list: PDP chairman, Secondus sues Lai Mohammed Meanwhile, Governor Seriake Dickson of Bayelsa state, has condemned what he called the constant demonization of the PDP by the APC, describing it as childish and uncalled for. While noting that the recent looters lists released by the federal government was a distraction on the polity, the governor advised the government to deliver on their promise to Nigerians. The EFCC stage a walk against corruption - on Legit.ng TV Source: Legit.ng - A Nigerian lady has shared the story of a family that was allegedly brainwashed by their church - The lady revealed that the family that was doing well financially went broke after te church brainwashed them Legit.ng came across the story of a family that became financially unstable after they were allegedly brainwashed by their church. A Nigerian lady has taken to social media to share the story of a family that was allegedly brainwashed. The lady identified as Amy George shared the story on her Facebook page after she visited the family. According to her, she had known the family while she was growing up and she remembers them as a wealthy family. She revealed that she was disappointed to see that the family was no longer doing well after she visited them with her mom. READ ALSO: Meet 18-year-old lady who emerged as the best student at US college George stated that the family members were brainwashed in their church. She revealed that they were advised to let go of materials things and donate their properties to the needy. She also revealed that the church had told them not to relate with non-members of the church. According to her, they were also told to stop chasing wealth and vanity which lead them to being unemployed for 10 years. Read story below: "Im not sharing this story to disparage the church nor any relationship but if you think otherwise, its irrelevant anyway... Last week, my mum and I visited an old family friend whom I have known since childhood. I felt awkward or rather regretted ever obliging to such request (visiting them). As I was growing up, I used to know this family to be well off, Tom tom (not his real name) was a wealthy businessman who made a fortune with a very simple business. They were one of those families that promised me some goodies after my tertiary education. Walking into their sitting room, i what I saw saddened me. There was No television, no curtain, everywhere was virtually empty! I felt bad thinking maybe the obvious (grace to grass) had happened. I sat down on the bench in the sitting room and a lot was going through my head. Maybe Mr Tom tom had some setback , what if he was duped? Or he lost everything to the bank. My mind turns to the random thoughts but thats neither here nor there as my brain cells turn the pages of the past like a funeral dirge. I cant help but wonder why Something felt like it was constantly missing. This was a family I looked up to. The son was my best during bible classes. The children had the best primary and secondary education. Like what happened? Uncle and aunty changed to Jesus must come kind of churches. They were told to stop chasing wealth as it is vanity. They were advised to share all they have acquired from the vanity kingdom to the less privileged. They were called to bring souls to church (I used that because we know what winning souls for Christ tastes like). Uncle and aunty left their business (the vanity), shared what they made from the vanity kingdom to those vanity children that needs help. Uncle and aunty stopped work, invested their time to winning souls and increasing the members. These, they did for over 10years!!! 10years until they realised they are left with nothing. How can you be brainwashed to tasting poverty. The seven children were looking thin and tacky. I saw my best boy, called his name- tears couldnt stop flowing. They lost everything - money, friends and family because they deserted from everyone. Their church made them believe anyone who isnt a member of their church is a sinner and cursed. And until they give their lives to Christ by attending the jesus must come church, they must not associate. Its hard to believe. I read stories, I watch clips and never imagined Id witness it in lifetime. It cant be them. They are educated, they were RICH! Super RICH! So how did this happen? My mum asked my aforementioned best to come home with us so he could take anything for dinner, Aunty shouted in igbo (I translate); Mama junior, dont worry. God sees and he knows the best. Job suffered more than this. We got to the car, I asked my mum why we visited, because obviously- a part of them didnt welcome us. She explained; Her Husband called on phone few days ago and narrated their ordeal. He asked I come over, so I came with you. Uncle has seen the light, aunty is yet to see the reflection. Prior to our visit, the family only had 200naria okpa for the day. The church isnt helping, the church isnt paying the fees, the church advised you stop chasing vanity. You are bringing members to the church yet theres no benefit to your family. Its over 10years ma. My uncle is tired! Cant you feel your husband? Unlike my mum, I dont want to believe its ignorance though we know the obvious. Im here hoping God remembers such faith. How would it happen when the couple are jobless and now phlegmatic about chasing vanity. Certainly, God might send a Good Samaritan to share his vanity with them. He works in a Mysterious way. Oh I remember; Job indeed suffered more! Im waiting to update my version of the bible with their testimony; Surly, The destiny changer knows the best. Amen!" PAY ATTENTION: Get the Latest Nigerian News on Legit.ng News App Who is the most influential Nigerian pastor? - on Legit.ng TV Get the hottest gist on Naija Uncensored Facebook Group Source: Legit Things keep getting better for Davido and his girl Chioma Rowland even as she just grabbed a multi-million naira endorsement deal From winning the heart of one of Nigeria's richest musicians to becoming a proud owner of a brand new Porsche ride and now, bagging a multi-million endorsement deal, things only seem to keep getting better. Just like blessings upon blessings, Davido recently took to social media to announce that Chioma snagged a multi-million endorsement deal for a cooking show. He shared a photo of himself sealing the deal as her manager, alongside Ubi Franklin and Chioma at Dunes, Abuja. He captioned the photo:"Whos ready for @thechefchi cooking show???!!! #NewdealAlert powered by Dunes ... coming to a screen near you !!! I don turn manager oo for sponsorship Email : thechefchishow@gmail.com" READ ALSO: Commotion in Cross River state as wild gorilla follows farmer home from the bush in broad daylight He wrote: READ ALSO: Nigerian lady shares her chat with man who is offering to sleep with her for a job Recall a while back, Legit.ng reported the news of how Davido took to social media to announce that he turned down a N60m endorsement deal for his boo, Chioma, requesting that they make it N100m before she could take it. While we still can't get over how cute the two of them look together, Chioma getting that money in her name is simply amazing. PAY ATTENTION: Get the Latest Nigerian News on Legit.ng News App What do you think will happen if women rule the world? (Nigerian Street Interview) | Legit.ng TV Source: Legit.ng - The nationwide ward congresses of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) is still generating reactions across the country - A chieftain of the party, Comrade Timi Frank, has mocked those who have expressed dissatisfaction at the outcome of the congresses - Comrade Frank also bared his thoughts on the inconclusive Ekiti state governorship primary of the party A chieftain of the APC, Comrade Timi Frank, has mocked those who have expressed dissatisfaction at the outcome of ward congresses of the party nationwide and the botched governorship primary in Ekiti, asking them to accept the result of their silence in the face of impunity. Comrade Frank, however, said that the outcome of the congresses and Ekiti governorship primary has, once again vindicated him. In a statement sent to Legit.ng on Tuesday, May 8, the APC national deputy publicity secretary, expressed regret that ward congresses could record 80 percent crisis across the country. READ ALSO: Thugs allegedly hijack materials meant for Enugu APC ward congress Practically, in almost 80% of APC states there were crisis during the last Saturday's congresses. Some members even lost their lives while some others critically injured. So, if common ward congresses could end up this way, we don't know how the local government, state and the national convention will end up," Comrade Frank said. He continued: Once again I have been vindicated about my party, the APC. I have been speaking against injustice in the party all this while that the leadership under Chief John Oyegun as national chairman has nothing to offer. I said his leadership will lead APC to destruction which the party is very close to now. But I'm surprised today that all the people crying and running up and down today about the congresses and Ekiti governorship primary election were keeping quiet when I was a lone voice. I want to beg them not to cry but joyfully accept what has happened to them because their silence brought the party to this level. As far as I'm concerned, this is the best ward congress that Chief Oyegun-led leadership can conduct. Had it been all of those crying fowl now could reason with me when I was lamenting about injustice, oppression, impunity in APC by today things would have been done right. I know that one by one all the party leaders and members that kept quiet when I was the only voice speaking against impunity in our party will pay the price I paid. Somebody like Engineer. Segun Oni was lamenting in Ekiti governorship primary that Chief Oyegun's name was 'at stake' because the impunity I spoke about is now affecting him. The likes of Governor Rochas Okorocha of Imo state was running from Imo to Daura because he is now a victim. The national vice chairman south-south, Hilliard Eta, who was ignorantly used against me is also lamenting. This is just the beginning." READ ALSO: 2019: Governor Ortom has no plan to dump APC - Aide Meanwhile, the APC has congratulated all its members for the conduct of the party's ward congresses which took place across the country over the weekend. The party described the exercise as peaceful, while commending members who served in the congress committees for their dedication and impartiality. The party however acknowledged that there were some issues arising from the conduct of the elections in some states. Nigeria is practicing Oligarchy (Nigerian Street Interview) on Legit.ng TV Source: Legit.ng - A Nigerian national based in the United States, Anthonia Nwaorie, has recounted her ordeal in the hands of the United States Customs and Border Protection officials - The officials of the agency were said to have seized $41,377 from her - According to her, she intended to use the money to build a medical clinic in Southern Nigeria After nursing the dream of opening a medical clinic in Southern Nigeria for a decade, Anthonia Nwaorie, a Texas nurse, couldn't see it come to fruition as the United States Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officials seized $41,377 from her. Nwaorie, a 59-year-old Nigerian national based in the US, was said to be on her way from Houston, Texas, to her hometown in Southern Nigeria in October 2017 when she was stopped by a CBP officer, Newsweek reports. Legit.ng notes that she said: The officer started asking me questions: How much money do you have? How long have you been in the United States? I felt like a criminal that had just run the red light. READ ALSO: 26 out of 26,637 LASU students graduate with first class The nurse, who immigrated to the US in 1982, said she told the officer that she was carrying $41,377 she had spent years saving up to open her clinic. It was reported that Nwaorie failed to declare that she was leaving the country with more than $10,000, a technical requirement she said she was never aware of. The US government has refused to return the money unless Nwaorie signs "hold harmless" agreement" promising she will not sue CBP over the incident and will pay back to the government the money spent while enforcing the agreement. According to the nurse, if she refuses to sign, the agency has said it will claim that she "abandoned" her money and keep it without giving her a hearing. Teeming up with the Institute of Justice, Nwaorie has decided to file a federal class action lawsuit against the government. Nwaorie said in a statement: The government took my money for no good reason and kept me from building a medical clinic that can provide healthcare to vulnerable women and children. Now theyre demanding that I sign away my rights to get back what has rightly belonged to me all along. I am an American, and I will not surrender my rights." PAY ATTENTION: Install our latest app for Android, read best news on Nigerias #1 news app Meanwhile, Legit.ng previously reported that the United States government said it would only engage the federal government in the repatriation of $500 million Abacha loot to Nigeria in a discussion based on government-to-government level. A senior presidency sources said officials of the US Department of Justice (DOJ) told President Muhammadu Buhari during his visit to the country that they would not deal with any third party in the restitution of the funds. Which country would you leave Nigeria for? - on Legit.ng TV Source: Legit - A Nigerian man shared the result of an exam he recently took on social media to celebrate his success - The young man in his post made grammatical blunders - It was gathered that the result he shared is for the Nigeria Certificate in Education exam Legit.ng has come across the story of a Nigerian man who made grammatical errors on social media after he shared a post showing his result. The man identified as Aliyu Sada made grammatical errors on Facebook after he shared a post celebrating his graduation. He stated that he wanted to share the celebration with his family and friends. He said: "It's with deeps sence nd humility to told public, friends and family that... I had been collected my N. C. E result yesterday 30/04/2018 around 2.00pm with the overall of 3.44 C G P A. ALHMDLH AS I'M NOW GRADUATE." Nigerian man 'diminishes' English language as he announces he's now a graduate Photo source: Facebook user Aliyu Sada READ ALSO: Nigerian lady shares her chat with man who is offering to sleep with her for a job According to the result, Sada graduated from the Isa Kaita College of Education in Katsina state, with a 3.44 Cummulative Grade Point Average. The post sparked conversation on social media due to the fact that the exam result the young man was celebrating was the Nigeria Certificate in Education (NCE) which is a minimum qualification for teachers. PAY ATTENTION: Get the Latest Nigerian News on Legit.ng News App It was gathered that the NCE is a minimum qualification for certified teachers in Nigeria, a policy imposed by the National Policy on Education. On a related incident, last year there had been a trending topic on the performance of teachers in some parts of Nigeria and Legit.ng had reported that Governor Nasir El-Rufai had sacked 21,780 teachers in Kaduna state after they failed a primary four test that was given to determine their level of performance. Is it really difficult to get a job in Nigeria? - on Legit.ng TV Get the hottest gist on Naija Uncensored Facebook Group Source: Legit - BBNaija's finalist Cee C has been making her fans proud of her - When she's not dishing style goals, she's making major money moves - Just recently, the lawyer shared a photo as she jetted out of Abuja with Davido and his girlfriend, Chioma Legit.ng earlier shared details of how Davido resumed duties as his girlfriend's manager as they cupped a major endorsement deal in Abuja. Well, it appears, BBNaija's Cee C was also invited to the party and made sure to show off her time the 30 billion gang members. In a recent post, the lawyer shared photo of herself with Davido and his girlfriend as they private jetted out of Abuja together. It is unknown whether Cee played any role in the endorsement deal but the former housemate was spotted in Abuja, days before the signing. Sending a strong message to her fans, she shared the photo and captioned it: "Surround yourself with people whose definition of you is not based on your history but your destiny." READ ALSO: Dbanj shows off his massive television worth millions (photos) READ ALSO: Dbanj shows off his massive television worth millions (photos) Her new found friend, Che Chioma also shared a photo of them together on her page, affirming that the BBNaija finalist is rolling with the 30 billion gang. If truly she's making money moves, many of her fans are excited for their queen. PAY ATTENTION: Read best news on Nigeria's #1 news app Davido Gifts Girlfriend, Chioma N45 Million Present on Legit.ng TV Source: Legit The police in Benue state has arrested some rifle dealers allegedly supplying weapons to killers. The suspects were paraded on Tuesday, May 8. The AK47 rifles dealers were paraded by the deputy commissioner of police, Abba Kyari, who was in Benue state. READ ALSO: Cult member kills man over N20,000 politicians gift It will be recalled that President Muhammadu Buhari condemned the killings in the country particularly those committed by bandits saying they are being perpetrated by people with sinister plot and selfish reasons. The presidents position was contained in a statement issued by Garba Shehu, the senior special assistant to the president on media and publicity, on Monday, May 7. In tackling the issue of insecurity, the president approved the establishment of a new battalion of the army and a new police command in Kaduna state. President Buhari said security remains a priority in his administration and that he would do everything to tackle its problems. He also extended his condolences to the families of victims promising that his government would not abandon them. PAY ATTENTION: Get the Latest Nigerian News Anywhere 24/7. Spend less on the Internet! Meanwhile, a group hailed the Nigeria military for the effort and success in arresting the alleged mastermind of Benue killings. he Good Governance and Transparency Imitative on Wednesday, May 2, said the arrest of Aminu Yaminu is an evidence that the Nigerian military has swung into full action to restore peace in Benue and its environs. Speaking during a rally in Abuja, the executive director of GGTI, Jaiyeola Mohammed, said the group understands that Yaminu's gang were focused on diverting attention from the true situation in Benue state. Southern Kaduna killings: part 1 - On Legit.ng TV Source: Legit.ng - Shortlisted applicants for recruitment into the police force have been told not to give bribe to any of its officials - The police force also appealed to members of the public to desist from giving money to officials to facilitate the recruitment of their relations - Police Service Commission (PSC) had announced that 133,324 applicants were shortlisted for screening which commenced across the country Nigeria Police Force (NPF) on Tuesday, May 8, warned applicants shortlisted for recruitment into the force against giving bribe to officials. The Deputy Inspector-General of Police (DIG) in charge of Administration and Finance, Mr Gambo Shuaibu, gave the warning while monitoring the exercise at the police command in the FCT. President Muhammadu Buhari had recently given approval for the recruitment of 6,000 police constables to address the nations security challenges. The Police Service Commission (PSC) had announced that 133,324 applicants were shortlisted for screening which commenced on Monday across the country. Gambo is also in charge of the exercise in zone 7, comprising FCT, Niger and Kaduna. He said that in the past there were cases of corruption where applicants used local government areas other than the ones they claimed. This time around, we have put in place measures to ensure that nothing of such happens, as you can see the process is very thorough. The inspector-general of police gave us (DIGs) a marching order to go to the geo-political zones to make sure that the exercise is smooth and hitch-free, he said. He also appealed to members of the public to desist from giving money to officials to facilitate the recruitment of their relations. Gambo also warned applicants using certificates that did not belong to them to return them to their owners or risk being arrested and prosecuted. If you have anybody`s certificate, you better return it or you will be arrested, the process is transparent, if you are qualified you will be taken, he said. I want to appeal to members of the public to please not to give anybody one dime for this recruitment, it will not help you, it`s going to be very competitive, he said. Kaduna state has the highest number of applicants with 6,962, while Lagos has the least with 1,013. Katsina was second with 6,676, followed by Benue and Niger with 6,474 and 6,409, while Bayelsa has 1,097, Anambra has 1,117 and Ebonyi has 1,303 applicants. Legit.ng had reported that President Muhammadu Buhari approved the recruitment of 6,000 additional policemen as part of fresh measures to address the nations security challenges including the farmers/herdsmen clashes across the country. Are Nigerian Policemen the worst in the world? - on Legit.ng TV: Source: Legit - The Nigerian Army arrested six suspected armed militia in Benue - One of the suspects reportedly died in the process of the arrest - However, One of the suspects claimed their village was invaded by suspected herdsmen and they were looking for their dead colleague when the soldiers arrested them The Nigerian Army on Tuesday, May 8, arrested six suspected armed militia at Tse-Dum village in Mbawar council ward of Guma local government area of Benue state. The commanding officer of 72 Battalion, Lt. Col. Suleiman Muhammad, who paraded the suspects, said the troops of 707 Special Forces Brigade in Makurdi, apprehended the suspects in continuation of the offensive launched against those troubling the area, Daily Trust reports. Legit.ng gathered that Muhammad said that one of the suspects died in the process of their arrest while the remaining five paraded with the weapons in their possession would be made to face the law. READ ALSO: Police arrest AK47 rifles dealers selling arms to killers in Benue (photo) He gave the names of the suspects as; John Yobeh, Terso Nyaku, Agboh Ukume, Thomas Adum and Faaga Uereyev. However, one of the suspects, Ukume, alleged that suspected herders had early hours of Tuesday invaded their community and took away one of them, stressing that those of them arrested had traced the invaders' footsteps to recover the missing man. Ukume explained further that after a thorough search in the bush, they recovered the corpse of the paraded dead man and while on their way back home with the body, they were intercepted by the soldiers. The suspect said he narrated what happened to the soldiers who went around their houses and arrested five of them with weapons which they kept to defend their community. PAY ATTENTION: Get the Latest Nigerian News Anywhere 24/7. Spend less on the Internet! Legit.ng previously reported that in a bid to curb the growing trend of rampant killings especially in the riverine areas of Benue by armed herdsmen, the Defence Headquarters of the Nigerian Army concluded plans to deploy boats on Benue waterways to check the activities of the marauders. Lieutenant General Tukur Buratai, the chief of Army staff, who made this known in the Logo local government area of the state at the end of his tour of some communities plagued by herdsmen crisis in the state, said the army was already deploying and positioning sufficient soldiers to closely watch over the communities. Herdsmen attacks: Benue's Attorney-General explains anti-grazing law | Legit.ng TV Source: Legit Nigeria The speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara, on Tuesday, May 8, led other leaders and members of the House to visit embattled senator, Dino Melaye, at the National Hospital Abuja. Dogara accompanied by his deputy, Yusuf Lasun; Deputy Minority Leader, Binta Bello; and other members were received by the former speaker of the House, Patricia Etteh, and the Chief Medical Director of the hospital, Jaf Momoh. Speaker of the House, Hon Yakubu Dogara, consoling senator Dino Melaye at the National hospital while deputy speaker Yusuff Lasun and former House Speaker Patricia Etteh look on. Credit: Premium Times READ ALSO: Police arrest AK47 rifles dealers selling arms to killers in Benue (photo) Melaye, who is reportedly asthmatic, is receiving treatment at the Intensive Care Unit, Trauma Centre of the National hospital. The lawmaker developed complications after he was allegedly teargassed by police officers conveying him to Lokoja, Kogi state to stand trial on criminal allegations last week. Meanwhile, the Speaker prayed God to grant Melaye quick recovery . Legit.ng previously reported that the leadership of the National Assembly on Monday, May 7, reported Inspector-General of Police Ibrahim Idris to President Muhammadu Buhari for his failure to appear before the Senate for the second time over the issue of Senator Melaye. Senate president Bukola Saraki and Dogara confirmed this development to State House correspondents on Monday, May 7, after a closed door meeting with the president in the Presidential Villa, Abuja. Saraki said they raised the issue of Senator Melaye to the president because of the refusal of the IGP to honour Senates invitations. Kogi West senatorial district to recall senator Dino Melaye from the Nigerian Senate - On Legit.ng TV Source: Legit.ng By Cevat Giray Aksoy, Principal Economist, European Bank for Reconstruction and Development; Research; Sergei Guriev. Chief Economist, European Bank for Reconstruction and Development; Professor of Economics (on leave), Sciences Po Paris; and Daniel Treisman, Professor of Political Science, UCLA. Originally published at VoxEU Attitudes toward globalisation have emerged as a new dimension of political alignment, alongside or even instead of the traditional left-right cleavage. This column uses data covering nearly 450,000 individuals in 188 countries over the last ten years to show that highly skilled individuals approve of their government more when high skill-intensive exports increase, but approve of it less when high skill-intensive imports rise. More generally and contrary to the conventional wisdom unskilled workers do not oppose imports and blame their leaders for failing to protect markets. The politics of trade has recently dominated headlines. A US presidential election turned in large part on one candidates promise to get tough against imports from China and Mexico. Across Eastern Europe, populist leaders have taken stands against EU integration, and in the UK a majority recently voted to leave. Although anxiety about immigration and weakened sovereignty are common themes in the discontent, anger at the perceived loss of jobs to international competition is also highly salient. Trade Flows and Politics The attitudes toward globalisation have emerged as a new dimension of political alignment, alongside or instead of the traditional left-right redistribution axis. Yet, although some scholars have explored implications of classic trade theories for preferences on trade policy (Scheve and Slaughter 2001, ORourke and Sinnott 2001, Mayda and Rodrik 2005) until very recently, there has been little systematic empirical analysis of the links between global trade and mass politics. Three recent papers evaluate the impact of international trade on voting in the US. Margalit (2011) shows that job losses from import competition depressed the vote share of the incumbent president in 2004 and 2008. Jensen et al. (2017) also find that trade-related losses of manufacturing jobs cost incumbents votes. They show, in addition, that rising employment in high-skill export industries led to higher incumbent support. Autor et al. (2016) examine the polarisation of US politics and find that congressional districts exposed to greater increases in import penetration (due to the China import shock following Chinas accession to the WTO) disproportionately removed moderate politicians from office in the 2000s. Fewer papers have looked for political consequences of trade in a cross-national context (e.g. Colantone and Stanig, 2017 for Europe, and Margalit 2017 for 16 countries covered by two rounds of the ISSP survey). Does the Skill Profile Matter? In a recent paper we hypothesise following the Heckscher-Ohlin-inspired studies of policy preferences that attitudes will depend on the interaction between an individuals skill level and the skill-intensity of the countrys imports and exports (Aksoy et al. 2017). Empirically, we disaggregate individuals and trade flows on the basis of skill intensity. Reaching beyond self-reported attitudes towards trade, we study support for incumbent officials, which has a more direct connection to voting. At the same time, rather than assuming a particular pattern of trade flows based on countries factor endowments a pattern known to be at best only partly accurate we use a direct measure of actual flows. Our main hypothesis is that highly skilled workers are more likely to support the incumbent national leadership if skill-intensive imports are falling and skill-intensive exports are growing. Based on a unique data set from the Gallup World Poll including 118 countries and nearly 450,000 individuals over the last ten years, our results reveal a causal impact of trade patterns on approval of political leaders. (In order to identify causality, we use sea-to-air-distance instruments conventional in the recent trade literature). What the Data Say As expected, we find that the interaction between individuals characteristics and their countrys trade structure matters. Highly skilled individuals approve of their government more when high-skill intensive exports increase, but approve of it less when high-skill intensive imports rise. High-skill intensive trade does not affect political approval among the unskilled. More generally, we find contrary to the conventional wisdom that unskilled workers do not oppose imports and blame their leaders for failing to protect markets, rather the reverse. The effects do not appear to vary with age or gender. They are stronger for rural residents, who often have fewer alternatives when local firms are forced to close. We also find that outsourcing of jobs to the developing world may blunt the impact of openness on attitudes of the highly educated in recipient countries. The size of the effects is significant: each 10% increase in skill-intensive exports boosts political approval among skilled individuals by 1.2 percentage points. The respective number for skill-intensive imports is 1.7 percentage points. To illustrate, we estimate the total effects for countries with large changes in skill-intensive trade flows. Where skill intensive exports rose sharply (Bulgaria, Lithuania, Nigeria, and Slovakia), trade explains a quarter of the increase in political approval among highly skilled individuals. In countries with large increases in skill intensive imports (Chile, Paraguay, South Korea, and Turkey), trade explains from one half to two thirds of the fall in approval among the highly skilled. Implications Our results have different implications for countries with different skill-intensity profiles of trade. By definition, not all countries can export more skill-intensive products than they import. As education levels rise, political approval should tend to increase in countries with faster growth of skill-intensive exports than imports but to trend lower in other countries. However, the downside effects will generally be more than offset by the direct impact of education: highly skilled individuals tend to approve more of incumbent leaders and governments. See original post for references Of course, screwing over homeowners isnt a crime with wealthy progressives, theyll only get him on sexual assault. Reader reaction to Schneiderman resignation I must confess to a bit of schadenfreude in seeing Eric Schneiderman quit. Hes finally getting the level of press coverage he always wanted. You can read the underlying allegations that led to his world-record speedy resignation in the New Yorker. Four women accused him of sexual violence, such as being hit and choked by him. Two were willing to have their names published. One had a photo of the alleged damage done by him. Schneiderman tried the story that the women had been willing participants to the abuses. From the New Yorker: All have been reluctant to speak out, fearing reprisal. But two of the women, Michelle Manning Barish and Tanya Selvaratnam, have talked to The New Yorker on the record, because they feel that doing so could protect other women. They allege that he repeatedly hit them, often after drinking, frequently in bed and never with their consent. Manning Barish and Selvaratnam categorize the abuse he inflicted on them as assault. They did not report their allegations to the police at the time, but both say that they eventually sought medical attention after having been slapped hard across the ear and face, and also choked In a statement, Schneiderman said, In the privacy of intimate relationships, I have engaged in role-playing and other consensual sexual activity. I have not assaulted anyone. I have never engaged in nonconsensual sex, which is a line I would not cross. As one wag said via e-mail, when the resignation was announced, So much for role playing, it only took as long as someone reading through the article. Schneiderman was singularly responsible for the Obama Administrations success in executing what has not been sufficiently well recognized as a second bailout to banks, in the form of the 2012 National Mortgage Settlement in which 49 states also participated. We called the get out of liability for almost free card for banks otherwise known as the National Mortgage Settlement. Federal and state officials had massive leverage over bank servicers to force them to do mortgage modifications for borrowers who still had some level of income. It would not only have been better for homeowners and communities, but it would have greatly reduced investor losses. Schneiderman threatened me through Democratic party intermediaries as I wrote about how terrible the National Mortgage Settlement was and how the Administration had played him for a fool: Im going to get her. I didnt feel concerned because Schneiderman had been so ineffective as a prosecutor. But as for many in the large group activists who had been collaborating to document and publicize foreclosure abuses and failures to convey mortgages to securitization trust (this was the liability bomb that could have brought the US banking system to its knees), Schneidermans betrayal felt like a punch in the gut. My personal therapy was to take a beaten-up cat toy, a small stuffed black spider, tape Schneidermans photo to it, and stick pins in it when I got upset about how Schneiderman had sold out homeowners on a mass basis. The Administration had been kinda-sorta working on a settlement in 2011. 14 state attorneys general had been working on their own, tougher settlement, and more Democratic attorneys general were considering joining. Schneiderman not only sold out the effort by abandoning it, he didnt even secure a good deal for himself. The Administration seemed to go out of its way to humiliate him. Schneiderman announced that there would be hundreds of people working on it. The Department of Justices Lanny Breuer contradicted him and said it would be only 55. That was the number of people already deployed on existing going-nowhere Federal mortgage fraud efforts that would be consolidated into the new task force. And the piece de resistance? Schneiderman wasnt even given an office or working phone for months. Moreover, it should have been obvious that one motive for Schneiderman to join this task force was as a cover for not manning up and prosecuting. As we wrote when the scheme was announced: Its clear what the Administration is getting from getting Schneiderman aligned with them. It is much less clear why Schneiderman is signing up. He can investigate and prosecute NOW. He has subpoena powers, staff, and the Martin Act. He doesnt need to join a Federal committee to get permission to do his job. And this is true for ALL the others agencies represented on this committee. They have investigative and enforcement powers they have chosen not to use. So we are supposed to believe that a group, ex Schneiderman, that has been remarkably complacent, will suddenly get religion on the mortgage front because they are all in a room and Schneiderman is a co-chair? Even though Schneiderman had amassed solid progressive credentials as a state senator, beating party efforts to squash him by redistricting him so that his formerly Jewish, well educated Upper West Side voter base was Hispanic (Schneiderman learned Spanish) and getting a strong anti-corruption bill passed despite considerable obstacles, he managed to get himself promoted to his level of incompetence by winning the attorney general seat. Going from state senator to state attorney general is a big jump in responsibility. Schneiderman had never been a prosecutor, never even been a litigator. Reports from his office were that hed dither on case development and was hesitant to pull the trigger. By contrast, consider how much a real former prosecutor, Benjamin Lawsky, accomplished from the far less powerful office of the newly-formed New York State Department of Financial Services. He showed up the Treasury and other Federal bank regulators on money laundering by Standard Chartered, taking the unheard-of step of threatening to remove its New York banking license. That would have shut down its critically important as well as lucrative dollar clearing operations. For that case alone, he extracted a $340 million settlement for New York taxpayers. And imitation being the highest form of flattery, Lawsky can deservedly pat himself on the back for Federal regulators emulating his bloody-minded approach on later money-laundering settlements and extracting vastly larger penalties than they had previously sought. After his initial successes, he also sought and got resignations of senior bank officials. He also pursued mortgage services, and among other things, got the CEO of Ocwen to step down, and even fined supposedly too blue chip to touch bank fixer shadow regulator Promontory Group and extracted a settlement from top white shoe law firm Sullivan & Cromwell for providing bogus information to his office. Even Eric Schneidermans downfall is lamer than Eliot Spitzers. https://t.co/fMZ1GV0wGp Yves Smith (@yvessmith) May 8, 2018 Hopefully, New York will get a tough-minded attorney general who is willing to pursue important cases and knows how to use the Martin Act. Were sorely in need of someone like that. Yves here. This story, from last week, hasnt gotten the attention it deserves. By Aaron Glantz, the author of two upcoming books on Iraq: The War Comes Home: Washingtons Battle Against Americas Veterans(UC Press) and Winter Soldier Iraq and Afghanistan: Eyewitness Accounts of the Occupations(Haymarket) and Emmanuel Martinez, data reporter. Originally published at The Center for Investigative Reportings Reveal; cross posted from Alternet Trident Mortgage Co. helps more families buy homes in Philadelphia and neighboring Camden, New Jersey, than any other company, but it primarily serves one demographic: white people. That is no coincidence: Trident employs a nearly all-white team of mortgage consultants, and all of Tridents offices are in white neighborhoods, where it makes the overwhelming majority of its loans to white homebuyers. Its a division of Berkshire Hathaway Inc., the giant holding company led by Warren Buffett, which has dramatically expanded its mortgage brokerage portfolio in recent years,reporting nearly 28,000 loans worth $7.3 billion last year. I originally paid little attention to HomeServices, Buffett wrote in his most recent shareholder letter, referring to Berkshire Hathaways real estate brokerage operation, HomeServices of America Inc., which controls Trident and two other mortgage companies. Then, he said, its growth exploded. The potential for more growth clearly caught the eye of the octogenarian investor, who ranks third on Forbes 2018 billionaires list. Despite its recent acquisitions, HomeServices is on track to do only about 3% of the countrys home-brokerage business in 2018, he added. That leaves 97% to go. But as theyve become major players in cities across America, Berkshire Hathaways affiliated mortgage companies have followed a consistent pattern. Government lending data reviewed by Reveal from The Center for Investigative Reporting shows the companies direct their lending toward white borrowers and white neighborhoods, even in population centers such as Philadelphia where a majority of residents are people of color. The analysis is part of Reveals ongoing coverage of modern-day redlining in America,which found 61 metro areas, from Jacksonville, Florida, to Tacoma, Washington, where people of color were significantly more likely to be denied a conventional home loan than their white counterparts. This was true even when people of color earned the same amount of money as white loan applicants, wanted to take on the same size loan or buy in the same neighborhood. Reveals analysis found people of color were far more likely to be turned down for a loan in many of Berkshire Hathaways largest markets, including Philadelphia, Atlanta and Washington, D.C. It makes loans through three firms, Trident Mortgage, HomeServices Lending LLC and Prosperity Home Mortgage LLC. Heres a breakdown: In Philadelphia, Trident Mortgage made 1,721 conventional home purchase loans in 2015 and 2016, 47 of them to African Americans and 42 to Latinos. In Atlanta, HomeServices Lending made 1,358 conventional home purchase loans, 63 to African Americans and 46 to Latinos. In Washington, Prosperity Home Mortgage made 2,650 conventional home purchase loans, including 167 to African Americans and 144 to Latinos. Legal experts said Berkshire Hathaways mortgage companies were carrying out the very practices outlawed by the Fair Housing Act, a 50-year-old law that banned racial discrimination in lending, by locating their branches in white neighborhoods, employing mortgage consultants who from their websites appearto be overwhelmingly whiteand lending mostly to white borrowers. It sounds to me like they are intentionally avoiding doing business with people of color, said Allison Bethel, director of the fair housing clinic at the John Marshall Law School in Chicago. Representatives of Berkshire Hathaway and its affiliated mortgage companies declined to give interviews for this story. In a statement, HomeServices of America, which oversees Berkshires mortgage businesses, said it was categorically false to imply its lenders are trying to ensure that they dont get applications from people of color. Berkshire Hathaways lenders have constantly focused on improving access to mortgage loans in minority communities, the statement said, adding that the companies actively recruit diverse candidates and are committed to cultivating a diverse workforce. Respectfully, a mortgage officer is not the only relevant employee to consider, the company said in a follow-up email. Tridents entire staff is 82 percent white, it said, as is HomeServices Lendings. Prosperity Home Mortgages staff is 70 percent white. Reveal conducted a market share analysiscovering millions of loan records, made available under the Home Mortgage Disclosure Act, employing techniques the Federal Reserve and the Department of Justice use to spotlight lending disparities. The analysis compared the racial breakdown of mortgage lending for every lender in every city in America. It showed Berkshire Hathaways mortgage companies took in a far greater proportion of their conventional loan applications from white homebuyers than their competitors in its largest markets in 2015 and 2016. The figures were especially stark for Trident, which placed all of its 55 loan centers across Delaware, New Jersey and Pennsylvania in majority-white neighborhoods, Reveals analysis found. The analysis also showed 92 percent of the companys conventional home loan applications came from borrowers in majority-white neighborhoods. When Trident did lend in neighborhoods where the majority of residents were people of color, most of the loans still went to whites. Berkshire Hathaways mortgage business has the hallmarks of one that could be prosecuted for failure to serve under the Fair Housing Act, according to Eric Halperin, a former federal prosecutor who oversaw fair lending cases during President Barack Obamas first term. Thats when you take a series of actions that ensure you dont get applications from people of color, he said. In deciding whether to bring such a case, Halperin said prosecutors typically would examine the location of a companys offices, diversity of its staff, race of its applicants and geographic footprint of its lending. The lack of diversity in Tridents staffing and lending disturbed Taylor Caputo, an artist and product designer who last year bought a two-bedroom brick row house in a primarily African American neighborhood of South Philadelphia. I certainly dont feel good about it, said Caputo, 27. Caputo is white. She works two jobs and received a conventional loan for her Point Breeze home from Trident, putting 5 percent down. She worked with a white real estate agent and a white loan officer. Beth Warshaw had the same experience with Trident when she bought her home a short walk away. It struck me how white everything was, she said. It makes me angry, Warshaw, 38, said of the small number of loans the company made to African Americans in Philadelphia. Warshaw, who also is white, said companies and homebuyers alike should pause when they do business in an all-white world in a city mostly made up of people of color. Somebody is not asking themselves the right questions, including me, she said. Industry analysts said the lack of diversity among the companys lending staff and the locations of its offices were particularly significant, given the way most consumers are connected with the company. As part of Berkshire Hathaway, Trident mortgage consultants receive many of their clients through referrals from Berkshires real estate agents, with whom they often share office space or who work in adjacent offices. Although it was Philadelphias biggest lender, Trident received no conventional home purchase applications in about half of Philadelphias neighborhoods. In most of those neighborhoods, a majority of residents were people of color. On the other hand, in most of the neighborhoods where it got loan applications, a majority of residents were white. The government lending data analyzed by Reveal also showed Trident served a much smaller and whiter section of the Philadelphia area than the regions No. 2 lender, Wells Fargo, which overall took in a slightly smaller number of conventional home purchase applications. Trident made 26 times as many conventional loans to white homebuyers as black homebuyers in Philadelphia in 2015 and 2016, the data shows. For Wells Fargo, that ratio was 7 to 1. In its statement, HomeServices of America said Trident plans to launch a campaign in many Philadelphia majority-minority areas as well as in Camden, New Jersey and Allentown, Pennsylvania to attract minority applicants. We share the view of many in the lending industry that, although progress has been made in this area, more needs to be done, the statement said, adding that Berkshire Hathaways lenders have an unwavering commitment to integrity and fairness. The company also faulted Reveal for excluding loans backed by the Federal Housing Administration and Department of Veterans Affairs from its analysis. Reveal focused on conventional mortgages because they tend to offer the best terms and show how a lender conducts business when the government is not directly involved. In Philadelphia, however, even when including those loan products, Trident still took in a much larger proportion of applications from whites than Wells Fargo, its market peer. Leaders in Philadelphias African American community including those who work to promote homeownership said they had never heard of the company. In Nicetown, a section of North Philadelphia where vacant, boarded-up row homes dot the landscape, the chief operating officer of the local community development corporation said she would love it if Tridents loan officers would attend one of her homebuyers clubs. It would help us a lot, said Majeedah Rashid. This community needs help. It needs investment. Im telling you, Im in the dark. I cant believe theyre the biggest lender in Philadelphia, she said. Rashid said she was distressed to hear that such an important company in her city had no offices in majority-minority neighborhoods and an overwhelmingly white staff. This thing gets uglier and uglier the more you study it, she said. Another Berkshire Hathaway company is under fire for potential civil rights violations. The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development is currently probing the companys mobile-home subsidiary, Clayton Homes, for exploiting black, Latino and Native American borrowers. That federal investigation was sparked by a 2015 report from The Seattle Times and BuzzFeed Newsthat found minorities were exploited by Warren Buffetts mobile-home empire. The company, the report said, was driving people of color into subprime loans they could not afford and harming communities by repossessing homes after borrowers defaulted. Buffett has dismissed the report, denying all allegations of discrimination. The terms borrowers would get from Clayton Homes has nothing to with your religion or color or anything of the sort, he told CNBC. Theres a range of rates depending on your creditworthiness. Six candidates jockeying to become the next governor of California took the stage in San Jose Tuesday night to participate in a debate less than one month before the June primary. Part 2 of Decision 2018: The Race for Governor debate hosted by Silicon Valley Community Foundation and NBC Bay Area discuss immigration focuses on statewide issues and topics. The Silicon Valley Community Foundation and NBC Bay Area hosted the "Decision 2018: The Race for Governor" debate, moderated by Chuck Todd, NBC News' Political Director and Moderator of "Meet the Press." Decision 2018: Highlights From the California Gubernatorial Debate The six candidates who participated in the debate were Travis Allen (R), John Chiang (D), John Cox (R), Delaine Eastin (D), Gavin Newsom (D) and Antonio Villaraigosa (D). Six candidates jockeying to become the next governor of California took the stage in San Jose Tuesday night to participate in a debate less than one month before the June primary. The debate focused on a myriad of issues impacting Californians, including housing, transportation, the environment, education, and issues affecting children. If you missed the debate, we've got you covered in 90 seconds. The debate focused on a myriad of issues impacting Californians, including housing, transportation, the environment, education, and issues affecting children. The first 30 minutes focused exclusively on issues facing Northern California, followed by an hour of discussion on issues facing the whole state. Six candidates jockeying to become the next governor of California took the stage in San Jose Tuesday night to participate in a debate less than one month before the June primary. Anoushah Rasta, Terry McSweeney and Sam Brock report. The debate began with the topic of homelessness, the state's transportation and gas tax, the economy and education. Then the candidates dived into immigration. Candidates in the "Decision 2018: The Race for Governor" debate hosted by Silicon Valley Community Foundation and NBC Bay Area discuss immigration. Immigration As expected, immigration was a by far the hottest-button issue between the liberals and conservatives on opposite sides: Eastin: Central Americans fleeing violence should be welcomed into the border - we have all descended from immigrants. Allen, who brought up the Kate Steinle killing to talk about tighter immigration laws: We must secure our borders; we must end sanctuary cities. Newsom: We celebrate diversity - we are an asylum state. Thats what makes California great. Villaraigosa, on caravan immigrants whore stuck at the border: If theyre fleeing violence they should be able to seek asylum. Cox: We have wonderful legal immigrants - the issue is illegal immigration - people whore cutting in line." Candidates in the Decision 2018: The Race for Governor debate hosted by Silicon Valley Community Foundation and NBC Bay Area discuss housing and homelessness in the Bay Area and across the state. Housing, homelessness On the issue of homelessness, the candidates were in agreement that it needed to be addressed aggressively. Chiang: I will bring back redevelopment agencies to create more housing. Newsom: I will create a cabinet to look into the homelessness issue. Villaraigosa: We must end homelessness - we need housing for the homeless. Eastin: The next government should call for an emergency declaration - weve to get women and children off the streets. Allen: This is unacceptable - we must enforce the laws. Candidates in the Decision 2018: The Race for Governor debate hosted by Silicon Valley Community Foundation and NBC Bay Area discuss transportation. Transportation, gas tax The subject of California's gas tax to support the state's transportation infrastructure and repair its roads was a somewhat contentious one: Eastin: We need a gas tax. Our infrastructure is in need of repair. Cox: We dont need a gas tax." Villaraigosa: We havent passed a gas tax in this state in 25 years - our bridges and highways need repairs..I support the gas tax. Newsom: We need to extend that gas tax. Allen: California does not need a high-speed rail. If you want to go anywhere in California, you can take Southwest Airlines. Candidates in the Decision 2018: The Race for Governor debate hosted by Silicon Valley Community Foundation and NBC Bay Area discuss education. Education On education, the candidates agreed on bolstering funds for schools: Chiang: Weve got to invest in early education - in entrepreneurship. Eastin, a former state superintendent of public instruction: Weve got to invest in education - theres a lot of work left to be done. President Trump Villaraigosa: Talking and tweeting about Trump is not going to make our health care better, our streets safer. Eastin: The president of the United States leaves me jaw-dropping all the time. Cox: "I didn't vote for Donald Trump." Meet the California Gubernatorial Debate Candidates Candidates in the Decision 2018: The Race for Governor debate hosted by Silicon Valley Community Foundation and NBC Bay Area discuss if character matters in this race? Candidates in the Decision 2018: The Race for Governor debate hosted by Silicon Valley Community Foundation and NBC Bay Area discuss privacy in the wake of the Facebook data scandal. Candidates in the Decision 2018: The Race for Governor debate hosted by Silicon Valley Community Foundation and NBC Bay Area discuss the DACA program. Candidates in the Decision 2018: The Race for Governor debate hosted by Silicon Valley Community Foundation and NBC Bay Area discuss sanctuary state. Candidates in the Decision 2018: The Race for Governor debate hosted by Silicon Valley Community Foundation and NBC Bay Area discuss the High-Speed Rail project. Candidates in the Decision 2018: The Race for Governor debate hosted by Silicon Valley Community Foundation and NBC Bay Area discuss pensions and how to fund public education. Candidates in the Decision 2018: The Race for Governor debate hosted by Silicon Valley Community Foundation and NBC Bay Area discuss the states relationship with the Trump administration. Candidates in the Decision 2018: The Race for Governor debate hosted by Silicon Valley Community Foundation and NBC Bay Area examine the current field. What are some of the big issues California is facing in 2018? Immigration, jobs, environment and housing are just some of the topics the gubernatorial candidates will face off on in Tuesday's debate. Sam Brock reports. To join the conversation online about the debate, use #CAGovDebate on Twitter, and follow @nbcbayarea and @siliconvalleycf. A former Contra Costa County sheriff's deputy accused of unlawfully having sex with two jail inmates while working as a guard in Richmond pleaded not guilty to four felonies, according to a district attorney's spokesman. Patrick Morseman, 27, was charged with four felony counts of sexual activity with a confined consenting adult for allegedly having sex with two inmates at the West County Detention Facility on March 31. However, an attorney for the two victims has disputed that the sex was consensual, saying that Morseman assaulted the two inmates. Morseman pleaded not guilty during a hearing in Richmond, Contra Costa County district attorney's spokesman Scott Alonso said. All sexual relations and sexual contact between prison staff and inmates violate federal law, according to the Department of Justice. Various abuse cases investigated by the Department of Justice's Office of the Inspector General showed that guards often took advantage of vulnerable inmates to have sex with them. Prosecutors had sought to raise his bail to $200,000 but it remains at $100,000. Morseman bailed out shortly after he was arrested on April 4. The district attorney's office filed charges on Thursday. If convicted, Morseman could face a maximum sentence of five years in prison. In announcing his arrest last month, sheriff's officials said that the investigation lasted less than a day before Morseman's arrest. But even then the sheriff's office described the sex as consensual, which Neama Rahmani, an attorney for the women, continues to say is inaccurate. Rahmani said that he has not seen evidence in the case yet, but said he was disappointed in the district attorney's charging decision. "Our position remains that this was a non-consensual sexual encounter," Rahmani said. Sheriff's spokesman Jimmy Lee declined to elaborate on the sheriff's office's description of the sex as consensual, referring questions to the district attorney's office. Alonso said that after reviewing the evidence, prosecutors charged Morseman with the offense that they thought they could prove beyond a reasonable doubt and pointed out that consent is not a defense for the charges against Morseman. "Mr. Morseman will probably be prohibited at least in California from working for any law enforcement agency if the charges are proven," Alonso said. "It's a very serious offense, it's certainly an imbalance of power." Morseman's next court date is a setting for June 13 at 1:30 p.m. in Richmond. The judge who sentenced a former Stanford University swimmer to a short stint in jail for sexual assault in a case that sparked national outrage broke his silence Tuesday morning. "I have remained silent because judges should take criticism. But the recall goes one step too far, and it demands a response," Santa Clara County Judge Aaron Persky, the subject of a recall effort that has been placed on the upcoming June ballot in Santa Clara County, told reporters Tuesday. "I believe this recall will do collateral damage to our judicial system," Persky said. The effort to recall Persky is being closely watched for its national political implications. If it's successful, Persky would be the first California judge recalled from office in 86 years. He sentenced then-sophomore Brock Turner to six months in jail in June 2016 for sexually assaulting a young woman. Judge Aaron Persky breaks his silence on the recall against him.@nbcbayarea pic.twitter.com/PtN1aNXWKr Roz Plater (@roznewz) May 8, 2018 "This vote is a harbinger," said Barbara O'Connor, a professor emeritus of political science at California State University, Sacramento. "It's one of the first tests of whether the Me Too movement will turn out to vote." The case garnered national attention when BuzzFeed published the victim's emotional account of the attack and its aftermath, which she read in court before Persky sentenced Turner. A jury had found Turner guilty of assaulting the woman while she was incapacitated by alcohol outside an on-campus fraternity house in January 2015. "My independence, natural joy, gentleness, and steady lifestyle I had been enjoying became distorted beyond recognition. I became closed off, angry, self-deprecating, tired, irritable, empty," wrote the woman identified by the psuedonym Emily Doe in court. The Associated Press typically doesn't identify sexual assault victims. Stanford law professor Michele Dauber launched the recall campaign soon after Persky's ruling. She and other recall organizers argue that Persky treated the victim's sexual assault too lightly and appeared overly concerned with the effect of the case on Turner, an athlete on scholarship who had a promising swimming career ahead. They argued that Perksy exemplifies the criminal justice system's mistreatment of sexual assault victims. Dozens of elected officials across the country have endorsed the recall effort, including New York Democratic Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand. "No one should be subjected to sexual assault or harassment. And when it occurs and victims come forward, the justice system must treat them fairly and with respect and dignity," Gillibrand said in a statement. "Judge Persky did not do that and should be held accountable." When asked Tuesday whether he would make a different sentence for Turner, Persky said he can't comment on the pending case. Persky's supporters note that the judge adopted a recommendation from the county's probation department in the sentencing and say the recall threatens judicial independence. Turner was also ordered to register as a sex offender for life. He left Stanford and now lives near Dayton, Ohio. The state's Commission on Judicial Performance, which disciplines state judges, found Persky handled the sentencing appropriately. The recall campaign has raised money from donors nationwide since launching nearly two years ago. It took that long to collect the necessary voter signatures and clear bureaucratic and legal hurdles. That delay, once viewed as a hindrance to the recall campaign, may have worked in its favor because of the recent attention given to unreported sexual abuse and harassment of women. And it remains to be seen whether Persky's academic argument that the recall threatens judicial independence will resonate as deeply as the message against Persky. "That doesn't have the same 'oomph' that the other argument has," said University of Southern California political science professor Sherry Bebitch Jeffe. Persky did not respond to requests for interviews from The Associated Press placed with his court and with the court's spokesman. He told the San Jose Mercury News editorial board that he agrees the criminal justice system needs to treat sexual assault victims better. "There is an underlying deep frustration among actual victims of sexual assault and women in general about the criminal justice system not taking sexual assault and domestic violence seriously. It's a very genuine and important problem," Persky said. "The passion is authentic, the end is justified, let's increase sexual assault reporting. Let's do criminal justice reform where it's smart to do so." But he also stood by the sentence he gave Turner, saying he's been unfairly targeted as the "face of rape" by recall supporters. "When the case came out and there's the social media outrage, my personal opinion was that I can take the heat, I signed on to this job, I promised to essentially ignore public opinion," he said. "That's the promise we make every juror make when they walk into the courtroom." Persky is backed by dozens of law school professors, retired judges and the Santa Clara Bar Association. Santa Clara County residents will also be asked to vote for one of two lawyers on the ballot vying to replace Persky if he's recalled. Joshua Spivak, an elections scholar who studies recalls, said the "recall of judges almost never happen." He said the last judge recalled by voters in the United States was in 1977. A San Jose police officer has filed a claim against the department and the city, alleging discrimination and harassment at the workplace and in public. Officer Nabil Haidar, who is Muslim, said he endured years of insults, such as being labeled a terrorist by his fellow officers. The 21-year veteran said the insults started after 9/11. "It started with 'El Taliban.' Are you wearing a suicide vest?'" Haidar said about the labels. The Muslim immigrant from Lebanon said he complained to the command staff, but nothing happened. So he filed a claim against the city and the department, the precursor to a lawsuit alleging racism, discrimination and harassment. "When somebody chips at your soul day in and day out, thats torture," Haidar said. His wife, Sheila, said shes watched her husband endure the harassment every day. "We are angry and in shock," she said. The couple believes there's systemic Islamaphobia in the department. San Jose Police Chief Eddie Garcia defended the SJPD and touted his departments diversity up and down the ranks. "I think that's an unfair label for the police department," Garcia said. "When allegations such as these and incidents such as these occur in this department, theyre taken extremely serious and dealt with seriously as well." Police sources told NBC Bay Area that Haidar has dished out some of the same insults he's now accusing others of making and was disciplined for those. Haidar denied those allegations. "What did I say?" Haidar said. "Let them come forward and say what I said." NBC Bay Area obtained a part of the report by the San Jose's Independent Police Auditor that said a 2016 bodycam video showed "Officer H," who three sources said was Haidar, using "several unflattering racial stereotypes related to Asians." Haidar's lawyer did not deny the report and said the complaint, made by a citizen, was investigated and Haidar received a one-week suspension. "This is the only sustained complaint against Officer Haidar in his 21-year career with the San Jose Police Department. In contrast, he has received many, many commendations during his successful career. The incident in question is wholly unrelated to Officer Haidars claim against the City of San Jose and the San Jose Police Department," attorney Randall Strauss said in a statement to NBC Bay Area. Strauss said the details of the Haidar's disciplinary action could only have come from inside the SJPD because the details are confidential and can only be released by a judge. "Leaking these details appears to be a cynical ploy on the part of someone inside the San Jose Police Department to deflect attention away from the serious racial and religious harassment and discrimination suffered by Officer Haidar," Strauss continued. The Haidars said they fear retaliation from the officers after going public with the discrimination claim, saying that other officers may not want to respond to to an emergency call with him. Sgt. Paul Kelly of the San Jose Police Officers Association said, "There is no doubt in my mind a San Jose police officer would respond as fast as he or she could" if Haidar were to call for backup on the radio. An off-duty Massachusetts State Police trooper was arrested on drunken driving charges over the weekend. Alfred G. Burgos, 35, is charged with operating under the influence of liquor, negligent operation of a motor vehicle and committing a marked lanes violation, according to state police. He was released on bail and is scheduled to be arraigned later this week. He was stopped by state troopers around 11:40 p.m. Saturday at the Goodwin Circle Rotary in Lynnfield after police received calls from motorists reporting a white SUV operating erratically on Route 28 and Interstate 95. Burgos, who is assigned to the Division of Investigative Services, has been temporarily relieved of duty pending a departmental status hearing, which is expected to be scheduled in the coming days. The incident is just the latest in a series of black eyes for state police, including an overtime pay scandal at Troop E where about 30 state troopers received overtime pay for shifts they never worked. Reforms are also underway at Troop F, where payroll records weren't filed for years. The state police payroll director is also accused of stealing more than $23,000 from the agency. And last year, state police superintendent Col. Richard McKeon abruptly retired after reports surfaced that he had ordered troopers to revise an arrest report that included embarrassing information about the daughter of a judge. McKeon's second-in-command also retired soon after. Students and faculty at the University of Massachusetts Boston held a walkout Tuesday afternoon to protest the school system's purchase of Mount Ida College. UMass Amherst is purchasing the Newton campus when the college closes at the end of the semester. School officials said they plan to use the campus for "career preparation programs" in science and technology fields. UMass Boston feels like the move would make their campus take more of a backseat as their school faces construction problems, possible educational cuts, and an expected $30-million dollar budget shortfall. "Students have been forgotten, students have been taken advantage of, and they have been let down by grownups," said UMass Boston undergrad student president Katelyn Mitrano last month. The Massachusetts Department of Higher Education doesn't have jurisdiction over the deal, but Chairman Chris Gabrieli said last month it was working to find solutions. "We could only start when this hot mess was handed to us," said Gabrieli. "I think we're doing everything we can, but there are real limits." Tuesday's walkout began at noon on the UMass Boston campus plaza. Republican voters rejected ex-convict Don Blankenship in a West Virginia Senate primary in which he sold himself as "Trumpier than Trump" but was vigorously opposed by the president. GOP voters in Indiana, meanwhile, chose wealthy businessman Mike Braun over two sitting congressmen to lead the party's charge against a vulnerable Democratic senator in the fall. President Donald Trump and his allies cheered the West Virginia result Tuesday night, which helped avert a potential political disaster for a GOP already bracing for major losses in the November midterm elections. In both cases, Trump's party appears to have avoided the missteps that doomed candidates in high-profile Senate races in the past. Clinging to a 2-seat Senate majority, Republicans are well positioned to challenge at least two Senate Democrats this fall West Virginia's Joe Manchin and Indiana's Joe Donnelly who are facing re-election in the heart of Trump country. "The Republican Party had a great night. Tremendous voter energy and excitement, and all candidates are those who have a great chance of winning in November," Trump tweeted Wednesday. The day's slate of early season elections tested the limits of the anti-establishment fervor that has defined the Trump era. Hopelessly behind in West Virginia, Blankenship conceded defeat in the contest to determine Democratic Sen. Joe Manchin's general election challenger. The Republican president fought in the campaign's final days to defeat Blankenship, a retired coal executive, who remained popular among some West Virginia Republicans despite having served a year in prison for his role in a deadly mine disaster and attacked the Asian heritage of the top Senate Republican's wife. State Attorney General Patrick Morrisey claimed the nomination instead, promoting his record of challenging policies of the administration of former President Barack Obama and deflecting criticism of his roots in New Jersey, where he lost a 2000 congressional race. "Mr. President, if you're watching right now, let me tell you, your tweet was huge," Morrisey said in his nomination address, referring to Trump's election eve call for voters to shun Blankenship's candidacy. "You've been to the state now four times. I'd like you to come back as many times as you can between now and November." Vice President Mike Pence congratulated Morrisey on Twitter, saying, "The great people of WV need a senator who supports the #MAGA agenda." The key Senate contests headlined primary elections across four states on Tuesday that will help shape the political landscape in this fall's midterm elections. Control of Congress is at stake in addition to state governments across the nation. In a possible sign of party unrest, however, Rep. Robert Pittenger lost in North Carolina to the Rev. Mark Harris, a Baptist pastor he narrowly beat two years ago. Pittinger is the first incumbent to lose his seat this primary season. In most cases, the Republican candidates on the ballot had competed to be seen as the most conservative, the most anti-Washington and the most loyal to the Republican president. In Indiana, Democratic Sen. Joe Donnelly will face off in November against Braun, a multimillionaire owner of a national auto parts distribution business who loaned more than $5.4 million of his own money to his campaign. Braun credited his victory to voter disenchantment with "business as usual" and said he hoped to join other Republican senators who came from outside politics. Another Indiana contest was less contentious: Greg Pence won the primary for the congressional seat his younger brother, Vice President Mike Pence, once held. Greg Pence is a Marine veteran and owner of two antique malls who once ran the now-bankrupt chain of Tobacco Road convenience stores. He'll be the favorite to win the seat in November. In Ohio's high-profile governor's race, Democrats nominated Obama-era consumer watchdog Richard Cordray while Republicans selected state Attorney General Mike DeWine. An Ohio state senator won the Republican primary to succeed retiring Rep. Pat Tiberi. The race had become a proxy fight between Tiberi, a GOP moderate, and conservative Republican Rep. Jim Jordan. Tiberi's candidate, Troy Balderson of Zanesville pulled out a win. And on the local level, a woman who accused Trump of sexually harassing her more than a decade ago claimed the Democratic nomination in a race to represent an area southeast of Toledo in the state House of Representatives. Democrat Rachel Crooks, a 35-year-old university administrator, ran unopposed, but must next win a November general election to become the first Trump accuser to hold elected office. A bright spot for Republicans in swing-state Ohio: GOP turnout was considerably stronger than Democratic voting in the open governor's race. With nearly two-thirds of the vote counted, 567, 000 Republicans cast votes, to 412,000 Democrats. U.S. Rep. Jim Renacci, with Trump's support, won the Republican primary to challenge Democratic Sen. Sherrod Brown in November. Yet none of Tuesday's other contests was expected to have more impact on the midterm landscape than West Virginia, where Blankenship had embraced Trump's tactics casting himself as a victim of government persecution and seizing on xenophobia, if not racism to stand out in a crowded Republican field that included Attorney General Morrisey and Congressman Evan Jenkins. Before his loss was official, Blankenship promised to explore his options in the general election including whether state election law might allow him to launch a third-party bid that could undermine Morrisey's candidacy. State officials noted that West Virginia's "sore loser" law leaves Blankenship with virtually no option to run in the general election. No matter Tuesday's winner, Trump's team was keeping pressure on Manchin. A pro-Trump political action committee America First was airing ads promoting Gina Haspel, Trump's nominee to be CIA director, and urging residents to call Manchin to support her confirmation. Manchin coasted to the Democratic nomination, but he remains a top Republican target this fall. Speaking Tuesday night at his Charleston headquarters, he said he expects Trump to get involved in the contest, despite Manchin's "good relationship" with the president. The Democrat said he would campaign as he always has: a bipartisan problem solver who works "for West Virginians." Trump and his party invested significant time and resources to attack Blankenship in recent weeks. The head of the Senate Republican campaign arm highlighted Blankenship's criminal history. And a group allied with the national GOP, known as Mountain Families PAC, spent more than $1.2 million in attack ads against Blankenship. The retired businessman was released less than a year ago from a prison term for a 2010 mine explosion that left 29 men dead. Blankenship led the company that owned the mine and was sentenced to a year in prison for conspiring to break safety laws, a misdemeanor. He repeatedly blamed government regulators for the disaster, casting himself as the victim of an overzealous Obama-era Justice Department an argument Trump regularly uses to dismiss federal agents investigating his campaign's ties to Russia. Even as Blankenship rebuffed Trump's criticism this week, he described himself as "Trumpier than Trump" and played up his outsider credentials. "We just started from so far behind with the hangover of the explosion we couldn't make it up," Blankenship said late Tuesday, noting that the probation stemming from his prison term would formally end in a matter of minutes. "I haven't really thought about what I'm going to do tomorrow," he continued. "Probation ends at 12:01 a.m. tonight. Tomorrow, I may be in Aruba before sunset. I don't know." Associated Press writers Bill Barrow and John Seewer contributed to this report. A woman involved in an extramarital affair with Missouri Gov. Eric Greitens will be allowed to testify at his felony invasion of privacy trial next week, a St. Louis judge ruled Monday. Circuit Judge Rex Burlison rejected claims from Greitens' attorneys that the woman's testimony was tainted because of missteps by the prosecution's investigator, William Tisaby. They've accused Tisaby of lying and withholding evidence. The married Republican governor is accused of taking an unauthorized photo of the woman while she was partially nude during a sexual encounter in 2015, before he was elected. Her testimony is crucial because prosecutors haven't obtained the photo she says Greitens took. The alleged incident came to light when the woman's ex-husband in January released an audio recording of her discussing it. Authorities have not released the woman's name. The circuit attorney's office acknowledges missteps by Tisaby but has denied that his actions tainted the case. Tisaby has repeatedly declined to reply to phone messages and emails from The Associated Press seeking comment. Greitens also faces another criminal charge, multiple investigations, two criminal charges and the prospect of impeachment during a special legislative session later this month. He is charged with felony computer data tampering for allegedly using a donor list from the veterans' charity he founded, The Mission Continues, to raise money for his 2016 gubernatorial campaign without the charity's permission. A trial date in that case has not been set. Republican state House and Senate leaders announced last week that they had enough signatures from each chamber for a special session beginning May 18. It marks the first time in Missouri history that lawmakers have called a special session, which are typically called by the governor. If the House votes to impeach Greitens, the Senate would appoint a panel of seven judges to conduct a trial on whether to remove him from office. No Missouri governor has ever been forced out of office. Greitens, once considered a rising star in GOP politics, admitted in January that he had an affair with his St. Louis hairdresser. He was indicted by a St. Louis grand jury on invasion of privacy in February. His problems escalated in April when a special House committee released a report on the relationship. The woman told the committee that Greitens had restrained, slapped, shoved, threatened and belittled her during a series of sexual encounters in 2015 that at times left her crying and afraid. Last week, the same committee released a report on Greitens' alleged misuse of the charity donor list. The report included testimony from a former Greitens aide indicating the campaign also falsely identified the source of the donor list in a settlement with the Missouri Ethics Commission. CORRECTION (Monday, May 7, 2018, 2:29 p.m. ET): An earlier version of this story misstated when the special session to consider impeachment will be held. It is slated for later this month. What to Know Trump's decision means Iran's government must now decide whether to follow the U.S. and withdraw or try to salvage what's left of the deal The 2015 pact itself does not contain any provisions for leaving, but Trump said he "will be instituting the highest level" of sanctions Many in Iran are deeply concerned about how Trump's decision could affect the already struggling economy President Donald Trump withdrew the U.S. from the landmark nuclear accord with Iran, abruptly restoring harsh sanctions in the most consequential foreign policy action of his presidency. He declared he was making the world safer, but he also deepened his isolation on the world stage and revived doubts about American credibility. The 2015 agreement, which was negotiated by the Obama administration and included Germany, France and Britain, had lifted most U.S. and international economic sanctions against Iran. In exchange, Iran agreed to restrictions on its nuclear program, making it impossible to produce a bomb and establishing rigorous inspections. But Trump, a severe critic of the deal dating back to his presidential campaign, said Tuesday in a televised address from the White House that it was "defective at its core." U.S. allies in Europe had tried to keep him in and lamented his move to abandon it. Iran's leader ominously warned his country might "start enriching uranium more than before." The sanctions seek to punish Iran for its nuclear program by limiting its ability to sell oil or do business overseas, affecting a wide range of Iranian economic sectors and individuals. Major companies in the U.S. and Europe could be hurt, too. Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said that licenses held by Boeing and its European competitor Airbus to sell billions of dollars in commercial jetliners to Iran will be revoked. Certain exemptions are to be negotiated, but Mnuchin refused to discuss what products might qualify. He said the sanctions will sharply curtail sales of oil by Iran, which is currently the world's fifth largest oil producer. Mnuchin said he didn't expect oil prices to rise sharply, forecasting that other producers will step up production. Iran's government must now decide whether to follow the U.S. and withdraw or try to salvage what's left with the Europeans. Iranian President Hassan Rouhani said he was sending his foreign minister to the remaining countries but warned there was only a short time to negotiate with them. Laying out his case, Trump contended, "If we do nothing, we know exactly what will happen. In just a short period of time, the world's leading state sponsor of terror will be on the cusp of acquiring the world's most dangerous weapons." The administration said it would re-impose sanctions on Iran immediately but allow grace periods for businesses to wind down activity. Companies and banks doing business with Iran will have to scramble to extricate themselves or run afoul of the U.S. government. Meanwhile, for nations contemplating striking their own sensitive deals with Trump, such as North Korea, the withdrawal will increase suspicions that they cannot expect lasting U.S. fidelity to international agreements it signs. Former President Barack Obama, whose administration negotiated the deal, called Trump's action "misguided" and said, "The consistent flouting of agreements that our country is a party to risks eroding America's credibility and puts us at odds with the world's major powers." Yet nations like Israel and Saudi Arabia that loathed the deal saw the action as a sign the United States is returning to a more skeptical, less trusting approach to dealing with adversaries. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu welcomed Trump's announcement as a "historic move." Trump, who repeatedly criticized the accord during his presidential campaign, said Tuesday that documents recently released by Netanyahu showed Iran had attempted to develop a nuclear bomb in the previous decade, especially before 2003. Although Trump gave no explicit evidence that Iran violated the deal, he said Iran had clearly lied in the past and could not be trusted. Iran has denied ever pursuing nuclear arms. There was a predictably mixed reaction from Congress. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, a Kentucky Republican, said the Iran deal "was flawed from the beginning," and he looked forward to working with Trump on next steps. House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, a California Democrat, slammed Trump in a statement, saying this "rash decision isolates America, not Iran." In a burst of last-minute diplomacy, punctuated by a visit by Britain's top diplomat, the deal's European members had given ground on many of Trump's demands for reworking the accord, according to officials, diplomats and others briefed on the negotiations. Yet the Europeans realized he was unpersuaded. Trump spoke with French President Emmanuel Macron and Chinese leader Xi Jinping about his decision Tuesday. Hours before the announcement, European countries met in Brussels with Iran's deputy foreign minister for political affairs, Abbas Araghchi. In Iran, many are deeply concerned about how Trump's decision could affect the already struggling economy. In Tehran, Rouhani sought to calm nerves, smiling as he appeared at a petroleum expo. He didn't name Trump directly, but emphasized that Iran continued to seek "engagement with the world." The first 15 months of Trump's presidency have been filled with many "last chances" for the Iran deal in which he's punted the decision for another few months, and then another. As he left his announcement Tuesday, he predicted that Iranians would someday "want to make a new and lasting deal" and that "when they do, I am ready, willing and able." Even Trump's secretary of state and the U.N. agency that monitors nuclear compliance agree that Iran, so far, has lived up to its side of the deal. But the deal's critics, such as Israel, the Gulf Arab states and many Republicans, say it's a giveaway to Tehran that ultimately would pave the way to a nuclear-armed Iran. For the Europeans, Trump's withdrawal constitutes dispiriting proof that trying to appease him is futile. Although the U.S. and Europeans made progress on ballistic missiles and inspections, there were disagreements over extending the life of the deal and how to trigger additional penalties if Iran were found in violation, U.S. officials and European diplomats have said. Associated Press writers Matthew Lee, Jill Colvin, Zeke Miller, Ken Thomas, Amir Vahdat and Nasser Karimi contributed to this report. Information on foodborne illness cases, school staffing records and problems with your public services should be readily accessible to the public. The 169 towns and cities in Connecticut are required by law to provide this kind of information when its requested, but getting access to it is a challenge. State and federal Freedom of Information laws are there to ensure the publics access to their government. Everything from attending public meetings, such as school board meetings, to obtaining copies of your police record are rights protected by these laws. In Connecticut, theres no central clearinghouse for public records and, without regional government its up to each of the states municipalities, school districts and public safety agencies to provide information. Thats hundreds of public agencies. If you want to know whats happening on a state-wide level, you need to ask each individual local agency for what you want. Many of these agencies struggle with small staffs and outdated technology, making simple public records requests a time-consuming and challenging process for both the public and their public employees. The NBC Connecticut Troubleshooters wanted to see what would happen if we asked all of Connecticuts public school districts for the same information. We sent Freedom of Information, or FOI, requests to the states more than 190 public school districts and charter schools, asking which school employees were on leave and why, for one random date in April. Two weeks later, the responses we received were all over the board. Less than half of the districts gave us what we asked for, and those records came in formats ranging from Board of Education meeting minutes approving an employees leave to printouts of that days attendance log. Bloomfield and North Haven public schools each cited a court decision saying they are not obligated to create records for our request. Neither district responded to our question of whether they maintain attendance records. Three asked the Troubleshooters to first mail them a check for labor costs. Under state law, agencies can charge 50 cents per page to copy records. More than 40 districts did not respond in any way within two weeks. Some school districts redacted their employees names from the records. One charter school director suggested The Troubleshooters send the request to the states Department of Education. And we received many calls and emails asking what our story is and who else we requested information from. Thats not alright, according to Colleen Murphy, the executive director and general counsel of the states Freedom of Information Commission. That is not appropriate to ask somebody why they want the government information, or to provide more context or background, Murphy said. The FOI Commission conducts numerous outreach and education programs for public employees, but Murphy explained the sheer number of government agencies spread out all over the state can make it difficult to keep up. Theres a real varied level of knowledge about what the law is. You can get different results in different towns, unfortunately, Murphy added. The Troubleshooters wanted to find out why it was so difficult to get the information we requested, so we asked to speak with Fran Rabinowitz, executive director of the Connecticut Association of Public School Superintendents. Rabinowitz said superintendents know the FOI law well. She told us she received calls and emails from superintendents who felt our request was not clear, and she said some expressed concern about our motives. Whats going on here? I rather think that was another question, Rabinowitz explained. Our motivation for requesting records shouldnt matter, according to the states Freedom of Information Commission. Rabinowitz said she understood our request and agreed it is disclosable information, but said some superintendents might have hesitated to comply because they lack the time and staff needed to track down information. The records might belong to the public, but getting them comes at a price. See below for a full list of the school districts and charter schools we contacted, and the response we received within two full weeks of making our request. if("undefined"==typeof window.datawrapper)window.datawrapper={};window.datawrapper["tRdfq"]={},window.datawrapper["tRdfq"].embedDeltas={"100":1901,"200":1231,"300":1077,"400":952,"500":910,"700":854,"800":854,"900":840,"1000":812},window.datawrapper["tRdfq"].iframe=document.getElementById("datawrapper-chart-tRdfq"),window.datawrapper["tRdfq"].iframe.style.height=window.datawrapper["tRdfq"].embedDeltas[Math.min(1e3,Math.max(100*Math.floor(window.datawrapper["tRdfq"].iframe.offsetWidth/100),100))]+"px",window.addEventListener("message",function(a){if("undefined"!=typeof a.data["datawrapper-height"])for(var b in a.data["datawrapper-height"])if("tRdfq"==b)window.datawrapper["tRdfq"].iframe.style.height=a.data["datawrapper-height"][b]+"px"}); A motor vehicle examiner specialist at Bridgeport DMV branch has been charged with title fraud and has been placed on administrative leave. Connecticut Department of Motor Vehicles inspectors investigated for several months after the Consumer Complaint Unit learned in December of the suspected title fraud and they arrested Aarron Soares on Monday, according to the state Department of Motor Vehicles. Officials from the Department of Motor Vehicles said Soares was charged Monday with nine counts of second-degree forgery, nine counts of third-degree larceny, nine counts of motor vehicle title fraud and nine counts of third-degree computer crime. Soares, a motor vehicle examiner specialist at Bridgeport DMV branch, was placed on administrative leave from the DMV, effective May 4 and the matter remains under investigation. We have taken strong and quick action to address this alleged misconduct and hold our employees to the highest standard, DMV Commissioner Michael Bzdyra said in a statement. While I am extremely disappointed in this incident, the vast majority of our employees are hardworking and strive to serve the public every day. The matter is still under investigation and the DMV has not released any additional information. Soares was released after posting a $100,000 court-set bond and is scheduled to appear in Bridgeport Superior Court on May 14. A man faces negligent homicide charges in a fatal crash on Route 20 in East Granby last June. According to Connecticut State Police, 59-year-old John Newman was driving down Metacomet Drive in East Granby on June 10, 2017 around 9 p.m. Police said that when Newman reached the intersection with Route 20, he slowed for a stop sign, but did not stop, according to data from his vehicle. He then accelerated hard and turned onto Route 20, crossing in front of a motorcycle traveling down the road. The motorcycle collided with Newmans vehicle. The motorcycle operator, identified as 37-year-old Christopher Litchfield, suffered fatal injuries and a passenger suffered serious injuries, according to police. On May 4, 2018, Newman turned himself into Troop H on an active arrest warrant. He is charged with negligent homicide with a motor vehicle and failure to obey a stop sign. He was released on a $50,000 bond and is due in court on May 15. The Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection is looking for developers to bring new life to the Seaside State Park project in Waterford. DEEP is looking for a partner to help restore and reuse the historic structures already on site. Monday they got a look inside the former Seaside Sanatorium that has sat vacant for at least two decades. The Seaside property was originally a sanitarium for tuberculosis patients, then served as senior housing and a group home before closing in 1996. In 2014 Gov. Dannel Malloy made the property a state park, the first new one along the Long Island Sound in more than 50 years. The buildings are on the National Register of Historic Places. The original architect, Cass Gilbert, also designed national landmarks such as the Woolworth building in New York City. Weve had interest in this property for a long time, said Chris Walker, president of Resort Realty in Madison. Walker said hes had is eye on the site for 10 to 15 years. He plans include restoring the site to become tourism-driven property that would be hotel and other use and bring in local, national and international demographics. When you have residential development, like you do mostly in Connecticut on the shoreline, it really cuts off all the public access and we just feel like something thats resort-use is the best use for the state, Walker said. DEEP Commissioner Robert Klee told NBC Connecticut in March that the plan is to increase public access to the Long Island Sound. The agency is looking to create lodging, dining, a spa and other amenities using the more than 107,000 gross square feet of buildings available. DEEP said the master plan for the property envisions a public-private partnership resulting a 60 to 100 room boutique hotel. The buildings are incredible. Obviously they need some TLC, Michael Baker International Senior Architect Steven Iovanna. The firm is based in Rocky Hill. Along with coming to scope out the property, Iovanna came to meet the players. He wants to team up with a developer and/or contractor and other design professionals to design the site. He already knows theres some challenges. Theres environmental issues, and deterioration and historic restoration is a science sometimes, Iovanna said. The Connecticut Trust for Historic Preservation has been working to get the word out about the project. Staff wants to be able to work with possible developers and assist them with historic preservation tax credits and any grants or resources that could be available to them, said Co-Director Jane Montanaro. Our main goal is to see (the buildings) maintained, used and people appreciate them, said Deputy Director Christopher Wigren. The deadline for proposal submissions is Friday, July 27. For more information, visit the DEEP website by clicking here. Construction of a luxury home development is causing headaches for neighbors in South Windsor. Residents say theyre fed up with their days and nights being wrecked by noise from workers. On Monday they fought back as the town considered whether to loosen the rules even more for construction crews. Theyre trying to be good neighbors. Its kind of late for that, said Carol Brown of South Windsor. Fired-up neighbors filled a Town Council meeting in South Windsor and blasted a plan to allow contractors to work until 7 p.m. at the Estates at South Windsor on Graham Road. I had been very optimistic about this development going in. It has not gone well, said Robin Shaw of South Windsor. According to the website of the developer, Toll Brothers, there are more than 40 properties, with future homes starting at more than $500,000. Neighbors say the past months have been filled with contractors already working well beyond the required 4:45 p.m. cutoff. I look forward to this beautiful weather we have, to be able to sit outside with family and friends without listening to the beeps, the construction sounds, the trucks and the extra dust in the air, said Lynsey Desmond of South Windsor. Last Friday night at 3:30 in the morning there was a lumber delivery. And its nice out so our windows are open. So I heard that idling for 35 minutes, said Sheila Strong of South Windsor. Some are concerned that if the cutoff was pushed until 7 p.m., work would go even later than that based on the issues happening right now. In a brief conversation with NBC Connecticut, a representative of Toll Brothers said they were not aware of the problem but declined further comment. Those who will eventually live in the homes argued the extra work hours could mean the project could finish more quickly. Im very sorry our houses our causing you this distress. But I think in the interest of a timeline lets get these houses done so it can be over with, said Caralynn Della Ripa of South Windsor. On Monday, the town council denied the proposal to extend the hours. Theyre going to spend the next month looking into the issue and have encouraged neighbors to report potential problems to police. Police in South Burlington, Vermont issued a plea for information to people on Cape Cod Monday, saying its possible a murder suspect could be hiding there. Our search is broad, Chief Trevor Whipple of the South Burlington Police Department said, describing the search for Leroy Headley, 36. Headley is the only suspect in the shooting death last week of his girlfriend, 33-year-old Anako Anette Lumumba, a mother and nurse. Investigators believe Headley, who has faced previous criminal charges of violence and sexual abuse, killed Lumumba in a home on Southview Drive, then sped off in a blue Nissan Pathfinder with Vermont plates HBR 281. South Burlington Police Department An arrest warrant has been issued for Headley, who stopped at an ATM to withdraw $5,000 before vanishing, police said. Whipple said Headley might have headed for Massachusetts, where he has a lot of family on Cape Cod. We do not have any reason to believe that theyre cooperating with him or that theyre hiding him, but we do have reason to believe that when people are in crisis, they retreat to family; they retreat to known areas, Whipple explained. Headley is considered armed and dangerous, so police urged anyone who may see him to simply call 911 instead of approaching him. Anyone with non-emergency information that could still assist police can call the South Burlington Police Tip Line at 802-598-3528. During a media briefing, the police chief also addressed the murder suspect directly. And if Mr. Headley is watching this, its a matter of time, Chief Whipple said. And I think its almost never that someone goes unfound. We will find you eventually. Its a terrible tragedy, Kelly Dougherty, the executive director of Steps to End Domestic Violence, said of Lumumba's death. Steps to End Domestic Violence is a group in Chittenden County helping turn the tide on unhealthy relationships, whether its physical, sexual, emotional, or economic harm. Dougherty said many of Vermonts homicides are linked to domestic violence, but services are availableincluding emotional support, safety planning, and crisis intervention. With continued work of organizations like Steps to End Domestic Violence, we can work to ensure that violence is just not acceptable, and that people are not only held accountable but also get the help that they need, Dougherty said. Steps to End Domestic Violence operates a 24/7 domestic violence hotline for people in Chittenden County, at 802-658-1996. The National Network to End Domestic Violence also operates a hotline for people anywhere. That number is 1-800-799-7233. Police are also asking people on the Cape and across New England to keep an eye out for Headleys 2017 blue Pathfinder, especially if the vehicle appears parked in a location that seems like it was hidden or abandoned. Even though they believe Headley could be on the Cape, Chief Whipple noted that he could be elsewhere, since there have been no confirmed sightings as of Monday afternoon. When it comes to prescription drugs, an error at the pharmacy can put a patient's health at risk. The Troubleshooters have uncovered hundreds of prescription error complaints filed with the Department of Consumer Protection over the last two years. Some mistakes were so severe that the patients received the wrong drug or an incorrect dose. Lauren Kagan, of Avon, was prescribed a medication that was supposed to help calm her nerves during a medical procedure, but she says what she received from the pharmacy put her life in danger. "A trip to the ER would have been definite, for sure," Kagan said. "But it was not definite that I would have survived." Kagan was scheduled to have an MRI, but she can become claustrophobic. She was nervous about getting body scans in such a confined space, so she says her doctor prescribed an anti-anxiety medicine. The recommendation was to take one to two of the pills. Shortly after she had the MRI, Kagan says the medical staffers became concerned about why she was suddenly becoming so groggy and confused. "They were just curious to know how many of the pills I had ended up taking," Kagan said. She said she took the minimum dose -- one pill. That decision may have saved her life. "The doctor had meant for it to be a quarter of a milligram pill, but the pharmacist prescribed a two-milligram dosage," Kagan said. Kagan says her husband had to keep her from falling asleep. Taking the recommended two pills would've been sixteen times stronger than the dosage she was supposed to be getting. "I feel like there should be no such thing as a mistake with prescriptions because life or death is on the line," she said. Between 200 and 300 prescription error complaints are filed with the Department of Consumer Protection per year, according to state data obtained by the Troubleshooters. In cases where people complained about getting the wrong medications, DCP data shows that nearly 78 percent of complaints were found to be valid. These patients were indeed given an incorrect prescription. "It could be really simple but it could also be something very severe," said Lora Rae Anderson, Director of Communications for the Department of Consumer Protection. Searching through two years of data from the Drug Control Division of DCP, the NBC Connecticut Troubleshooters identified several complaints including: A woman in Enfield who had foot surgery who said she was prescribed 10-milligram opioid pills for pain, but received 80-milligram pills instead. A West Hartford patient who was supposed to get a prescription for an over-active thyroid, but said she received a medication for Alzheimer's. An elderly man in New Haven who said he was prescribed what was supposed to be an anti-depressant but found out that, for two weeks, he was really taking a blood thinner. A man in Hartford who said he was prescribed an antibiotic but ended up with medication to treat seizures. "If you're talking about 50 milligram instead of 15 in say, an infant, that can be really very serious," Anderson said. In most cases, when a prescription error complaint is substantiated, the pharmacist will pay a civil penalty to the state to avoid potentially having his or her license revoked. Those fines could be hundreds or even thousands of dollars. "If there is a routine problem, if the issue is really severe, the long and short is that the fine gets bigger and their license could be at stake," Anderson said. Since her medication scare, Kagan said she has learned to follow up by taking a number of steps, including to report a problem not just to the pharmacy, but also to DCP. She said she now double-checks prescriptions - both the labels and the pills. "We take for granted what's written on the label because we assume that's what the doctor has wanted for us," Kagan said. The Department of Consumer Protection offers tips to protect yourself against medication errors: Open the bag at the counter. Check to be sure that you've been given is what youve actually been prescribed. Don't sign too quickly. The agreement you sign acknowledges that you've gotten the information you need. Don't sign it without checking first. Read the label carefully. Read every word. Check the name of the drug and directions for use. If the directions are unclear, ask the pharmacist to explain them. If the name on the label isn't the name of your doctor, notify the pharmacist. Look at the drug itself. If it's a refill, does it look the same as the previous prescription? Is it the same shape and color? If not, ask the pharmacist. Ask for printed information sheets. Ask the pharmacist if you need any additional counseling on the medication. If you have issues with your prescription, complaints can be sent to DCP.DrugControl@ct.gov. Another federal agency has joined the FBI in investigating the financial disaster at Dallas County Schools, with the focus being on whether investors were misled into believing they could profit from buying DCS bonds. NBC 5 Investigates has obtained a copy of a subpoena, issued by the Securities and Exchange Commission, asking for DCS records that, among other things, details the agencys purchase of millions of dollars worth of surveillance cameras for North Texas School buses. Those camera deals caused the financial collapse of DCS and triggered an FBI investigation that has so far secured a guilty plea from the agencys former superintendent, Rick Sorrells, on bribery charges. In addition, a New Orleans businessman has pleaded guilty to money laundering for his part in funneling bribe money to the ex-superintendent. The SECs role in the investigation is different, looking instead into whether investors were tricked into believing DCS was financially secure when they bought bonds offered by the agency. The SEC will come at it with that investor protection focus, said Shawn Cleveland, a Dallas attorney with years of experience in financial investigations. Everything they do will be tied to the real value of these bonds and whether there were misrepresentations about that, said Cleveland, who defended Enron CEO and Chairman Kenneth Lay for fraud and conspiracy in Enrons collapse. Sorrells, the former DCS superintendent, pleaded guilty to taking $3 million in bribes in exchange for the agency buying the surveillance cameras. Many of the cameras were purchased with money from bonds issued by DCS. Those bonds plummeted to junk-bond status, leaving investors to wonder if they will ever be paid back, after the camera program nearly put DCS in bankruptcy. The agency is in the process of being shuttered after voters in Dallas County elected last November to close DCS permanently, transferring to school districts the responsibility of busing kids to class. The subpoena asks for detailed information about the agencys camera contracts, and about a questionable sale of DCS bus lots that were exposed last year by NBC 5 Investigates. It also asks for all financial statements for DCS, and the complete offering file for each DCS (bond) offering. While the SEC cannot bring criminal charges, it does have the ability to recover money for victims if it determines that investors have been defrauded a process that could take years to complete. Nothing moves at light speed, but they can move pretty quickly, particularly when youre dealing with a criminal case, said Cleveland. An SEC spokeswoman declined comment when asked about its interest in DCS. The Federal Aviation Administration is investigating after a small plane made an emergency landing late Monday night in a restaurant parking lot right off of the Dallas North Tollway. The Piper PA-28 aircraft was en route from Tupelo, Mississippi to Weatherford when the pilot reported he was losing fuel. He made the decision to land the plane as he approached the Dallas/Addison border -- and brought it down in the parking lot of an old restaurant that has sat vacant for years. First responders noted the area, which is near where the DNT crosses the President George Bush Turnpike, is highly populated and highly traveled. They said it's "remarkable" the pilot was able to land without hitting any buildings or vehicles and that no one was hurt. The plane did hit a light pole after it touched down, but the pilot walked away unharmed. The FAA says he was able to extinguish a small fire that broke out in the plane before first responders arrived. The plane is registered to an address in Fort Worth. Prosecutors have dismissed another 42 cases relating to the 2015 shooting in Waco involving rival biker gangs that left nine dead and 20 others injured. McLennan County prosecutors said Tuesday they're dismissing the cases while focusing on "more culpable" defendants. Some 130 cases have been dismissed or refused for prosecution since February and officials said in late April that only about 25 cases will be prosecuted out of the more than 150 people indicted on felony charges of engaging in organized criminal activity. Police arrested 177 bikers following the mayhem at a Twin Peaks restaurant involving members of the Bandidos and Cossacks motorcycle clubs. Waco police officers monitoring the gathering also fired on the bikers, killing two. Only one biker has ever been tried and it ended in a mistrial. The clock is ticking for organizers working to ensure every employee within the city of Dallas receives paid sick leave. There are an estimated 300,000 workers in Dallas, 41% of the workforce, that don't get sick pay. "Here we only have five employees, so when somebody calls in sick, it really effects everybody," said Linda Woodbridge, manager at The Local Oak in Bishop Arts. Woodbridge said she has never worked anywhere that she's had paid sick time. "When I had the flu, I was out for about a week," she explained. "My family and I almost didn't make our rent." Before residents can vote on the referendum, a petition has to be turned into city leaders. Gathering thousands of signatures is not the only obstacle. Recently, a similar paid sick leave ordinance was passed in Austin, but it is now receiving a lot of pushback. Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton joined several organizations in a lawsuit challenging the paid sick leave ordinance. He stated the ordinance is an attempt to unlawfully and inappropriately usurp the authority of the state lawmakers chosen by Texas voters. "We want to make sure that they understand that they're really violating the will of the people if they choose to take away local control on the issue of sick pay," said Dallas City Councilman Philip Kingston, who supports a ballot measure rather than a city ordinance. Kingston said it would cost employers an estimated $300 per employee per year. "So you're talking about a pretty cheap benefit that goes a long way to improving the lives of some of the lowest wage workers in our economy," Kingston said. Advocates for the ordinance are pushing to protect men and women in the construction, hospitality, and food and service industries. This is not going to deter us, said Diana Ramirez who is a member of Working Texans For Paid Sick Time. Ramirez and dozens of other volunteers have been going to door to door, talking to business owners and residents of Dallas talking to them about the proposed ordinance. Immediately theyre like, yes this is something that I want. This is something that I need. This should be a standard," Ramirez said. "Paxton is fighting basically telling Texan workers that they cannot stay home if they get sick, and that they have to go to work sick. It makes me want to do this even more and show them that this is actually what voters want." Some small business owners, like Ruibal's Plants of Texas worry mandatory sick pay could be a hardship. "It sounds good in practice, but it might be difficult," said owner Mark Ruibal. Ruibal said he tries to help employees when they need sick time by giving pay advances. "If we have a thing where everybody gets the flu for instance some week and we basically are gonna have to shut down and still have to pay everybody," Ruibal said for instance. "It would make it really tough for small or medium size businesses to continue during those times." All signatures have to be collected and turned in by June 11. Edwin Montoya's family carved their farm on the slopes of the Kilauea volcano out of "raw jungle," transforming it into a fertile collection of gardens, animal pens and fruit trees. Now the property is imperiled by the very land it stands upon. A couple of miles up the hill, lava has destroyed dozens of homes, and his daughter's farm is in an evacuation zone. Despite the nearby danger, Montoya plans to stay unless he is forced to leave. "I'm going to go ahead and stick it out," he said. "If it happens, if it blows its top and I'm there at the time, I'm 76 years old. I've lived a good life." Because there's no indication when the eruption might stop, or how far the lava might spread, the volcano has forced people living in and around the Leilana Estates subdivision to make tough decisions. Some residents insist on staying to watch over their property. Others have abandoned their homes without knowing when they will be able to return, or if they will come back to find their houses turned to ash and buried under solid rock. Andrew Nisbet evacuated last week and has no idea what has happened since. "My home is right in the line of the major breakouts so maybe, maybe not." he said Monday during a community meeting. Authorities urged Scott Wiggers to evacuate, but he refused. "I'm in the safest part in the subdivision. There's no threat to my house whatsoever," said Wiggers, a tour guide. Wiggers said he wasn't leaving his home on the outskirts of the evacuation zone because he worried that if he did, he wouldn't be able to get back in. But he's prepared in case the situation takes a turn. "I am packed. My truck is loaded. I'm not a dumb-dumb. If I see a threat, I'm out of here," he said. Hawaii Gov. David Ige told evacuees he has called the White House and the Federal Emergency Management Authority to tell officials that he believes the state will need help to deal with the volcano on the Big Island. Authorities are allowing some evacuees to return briefly each day to gather medicine, pets and other necessities. Montoya, who moved to Hawaii to be with his family about six years ago, said he saw most of the United States as a truck driver for 25 years on the mainland. He prefers life on Mystic Forest Farm, in a purple octagonal house his family built nearly 20 years ago. The farm is at the end of a long, single-lane gravel road, with large volcanic rocks scattered about and large pools of water to drive through. Montoya is tending to the farm's animals sheep, chickens, rabbits and several cats and dogs and watching over the property to prevent looting. Officials warn that lava could flow downhill and burn areas that are not currently in danger, and toxic volcanic gas could kill people, especially the elderly and those with breathing problems. Events remain unpredictable. On Sunday, the first day residents were allowed back in, a cellphone alert went out urging people to leave after a vent opened up and began spewing sulfur dioxide. Officials were worried that some residents could become trapped. The fumes wafted down on the farm from the open fissures above. "It was really cloudy with a lot of sulfur in the air," Montoya said. "It hurt my throat. It was pretty miserable." Residents of Lanipuna Gardens, a subdivision directly to the east of Leilana Estates, still cannot return because of danger from volcanic gases. Montoya's 45-year-old daughter, Tesha "Mirah" Montoya, wasn't especially worried about the gases. The tipping point for her to evacuate, she said, was the earthquakes that preceded the eruption. "I felt like the whole side of our hill was going to explode," she said after a magnitude-6.9 quake rocked her land. "My heart and soul's there," she said in a phone interview from a cabin on the north side of the Big Island, where the family had hunkered down. "I'm nothing without the land. It's part of my being." The family's property on Kilauea (pronounced kill-ah-WAY'-ah) has several buildings and cabins, gardens and animal coops. The land also has about 130 kinds of exotic fruit trees. There's a pineapple patch and enough food stored away to last a long time, she said. There are 12 lava-producing fissures in Leilani Estates, but the flow of lava is not constant. No lava was flowing as of late Monday, said Janet Snyder, a spokeswoman for Hawaii County. A total of 35 structures, including 26 confirmed homes, have been destroyed. Aerial surveys cannot make out whether some of the structures are homes or some other building. Edwin Montoya is happy staying on the farm, tending to animals and eating from the trees. He's living the life he wants, just like many in this rural landscape in the shadow of one of the world's most active volcanoes. "It's where I want to rest my bones," Montoya said. "But nevertheless, I will survive. I'm sure I will survive." ___ Associated Press video journalist Haven Daley in Pahoa and writer Alina Hartounian in Phoenix contributed to this report. The leader of protests that gripped Armenia for weeks was named the country's new prime minister on Tuesday, overcoming the immediate political turmoil but raising uncertainty about the longer term. The parliament's approval of Nikol Pashinian by a 59-42 vote capped a fast-moving month of massive protests, the surprise resignation of the prime minister and political maneuvering. Many Armenians have stewed for years about the country's poverty and widespread corruption, but Pashinian was able to galvanize the discontent into a mass movement that was occasionally raucous but largely peaceful. The protests focused on former leader Serzh Sargsyan's transition from president to prime minister, a move that opponents saw as effectively allowing him to remain the ccountry's leader indefinitely. Sargsyan was president for a decade, but stepped down this year because of term limits. However, Armenia has changed its government structure, giving the prime minister more power at the expense of the presidency. Soon after Sargsyan stopped being president, he was named prime minister by the parliament, where his Republican Party has the majority of seats. Faced with the mass protests, Sargsyan left the premiership on April 23, six days after his election. In a concession last week, the Republicans agreed to support any prime minister candidate nominated by a third of the parliament members, paving the way for Pashinian's election. On the capital's central square, supporters were ecstatic on Tuesday after the vote. "We chose a new road in Armenia where the driver will be the people and not clans. Jobs will appear, people will return, corruption will disappear," said demonstrator Tigran Azizian, a 42-year-old worker in the city's subway. But for all the delight, Pashinian faces significant challenges, not least that the Republicans remain a sizeable majority in parliament. The intense hopes that Pashinian's supporters invested in him could fade fast if he does not move decisively to implement changes and call snap elections that could drive the Republicans from the majority. Pashinian also suggested that he will push for recognition of the sovereignty of the Nagorno-Karabakh region -- one of Armenia's most difficult and volatile problems. The Nagorno-Karabakh region in Azerbaijan has been under the control of ethnic Armenian forces backed by Armenia since the end of a separatist war in 1994. Fighting periodically breaks out between those forces and Azerbaijani troops stationed on the other side of a demilitarized zone. In a speech to parliament preceding his election, Pashinian said that his "revolution will lead to the de-jure recognition of realizing the rights of Karabakh to self-determination." He later announced he would visit the region on Wednesday, a move certain to anger Azerbaijan. The family of woman who was arrested in connection with the death of her 9-month-old daughter have come to her defense and say the infant's death was an accident. Ivette Gonzalez, 27, was arrested in South Los Angeles by the Los Angeles Police Department for alleged child abuse of her daughter Selena, according to officials. A court appearance was scheduled for Wednesday morning. "It was a natural death," Gonzalez's husband, Francisco Galvez, said. "Terrible news. I was working when that happened. My wife called me around 9:30 p.m., 10 p.m." Police first began investigating the incident on Saturday after they were called to a local hospital on a report of an injured baby. Galvez's sister, Aimee Garcia, was with Gonzalez and the baby at the time of the death. "Mom did CPR and couldn't get her to start breathing and she panicked and started screaming for help," Garcia said. "She didn't know what to do." According to Garcia, Gonzalez ran to a nearby laundromat to call for help when the infant stopped breathing. Selena was rushed to California Hospital Medical Center, where she died. There were three other children present at the time of the incident, and Gonzalez was arrested early Sunday morning. "She did not kill her daughter," Garcia said. "It was an accident. I was an accident! Her kids were there." What to Know The Manhattan DA's office asked for the exoneration of two men wrongfully imprisoned for decades for a rape they didn't commit Gregory Counts and VanDyke Perry were accused of raping a woman in January 1991 In April, the woman who accused the two men recanted her story. Retested DNA evidence matched the profile of a man who died in 2011 Two men wrongfully imprisoned for decades for a rape they did not commit have been exonerated, the Manhattan district attorney's office said Monday. Cy Vance had tweeted earlier in the day he planned to ask the State Supreme Court to vacate the convictions of Gregory Counts and VanDyke Perry, who had been accused of raping a woman in January 1991 after kidnapping her at knifepoint. Counts was 19 years old at the time; Perry was 21. By early afternoon, Vance tweeted, "The motions to vacate and dismiss have been granted." "This case is a tragedy for all involved," he added. "It is every prosecutor's nightmare to convict the innocent." In April, the woman who accused Counts, Perry and a third man of rape recanted her story, the New York Times first reported. DNA evidence in the case, meanwhile, was retested in 2015 and matched the profile of a man who died in 2011, according to the Times. Counts and Perry were convicted in 1992, despite a lack of physical evidence and inconsistent testimony, the Times reported. During the trial, the woman accusing Perry and Counts testified that her boyfriend had worked with the two of them and a third man to sell drugs. When her boyfriend didnt pay back a debt, the men attacked him, she said. The woman also testified that the three men had burglarized her home. Her boyfriend later shot Perry after Perry confronted him, she said. Defense attorneys claimed the woman had a motive to retaliate against the men, and that the boyfriend had good reason to help her out because it meant charges for shooting Mr. Perry could be dropped, according to the Times. Perry spent 11 years in prison before he was released in 2001, the Times reported. While Counts was still in solitary confinement, meanwhile, he reached out to the Innocence Project, the Times reported. The Innocence Project, along with the Manhattan District Attorneys Conviction Integrity Program and the Office of the Appellate Defenders Reinvestigation Project, started reinvestigating the case in 2017, according to the Times. Counts was released last August after 26 years in prison, the Times reported. Just when his parents signed papers allowing his organs to be donated to other children, 13-year-old Trenton McKinley began to stir from his coma, "Today" reported. The Alabama boy was injured in a go-carting accident two months ago, rushed to a hospital with seven skull fractures. "They told me I'd be a vegetable," Trenton told "Today" after he had regained consciousness hours before his family was prepared to take him off life support. Now the teenager is able to talk and walk: "I don't really seem like a vegetable, do I?" A 66-year-old psychology professor was found dead in his Brooklyn home during an apparent home invasion, and the suspect was found hiding inside a closet, police said. Officers were responding to a 911 call for a burglary in progress on Stratford Road in Prospect Park South at around 6 p.m. Monday when they found the victim unconscious and unresponsive inside the basement, police said. The man, identified as Jeremy D. Safran, had trauma to the head and body, according to police. As the officers continued to search the basement, they found a 28-year-old man inside a closet. The suspect, Mirzo Atadzhanov of Brooklyn, was arrested on murder and burglary charges, police said Tuesday. Attorney information for him wasn't immediately clear but he told reporters as he was led from a police station Tuesday that he was defending himself. He didn't elaborate. Neighbors described Safran as a long-time resident of the Stratford Road home. "It's appalling," one witness said at the scene. "It's a lovely looking neighborhood and it's a great place to live. But this is New York City and you just can't drop your guard." Safran was a professor of psychology and former co-chair of the Department of Psychology at The New School, according to a spokeswoman. "An internationally renowned psychotherapist, Jeremy was deeply respected and admired by The New School community and his colleagues throughout the psychology profession for his work on psychoanalytic theory and practice, as well as research on psychotherapy processes and outcomes," The New School communications director Amy Malsin said in a statement, noting he earned "countless distinctions: for his work. "We offer our deepest condolences to his family and will be offering support to his many friends and colleagues throughout the university community in the days ahead," she said. What to Know Proposed removal of a statue in New Jersey honoring victims of a 1940 Soviet massacre of Poles has sparked a cross-Atlantic war of words. The memorial commemorates the Katyn massacre of tens of thousands of Polish officers with shots to the back of the head. Stanislaw Karczewski, the speaker of the Polish senate, said removing the memorial would be unacceptable. The proposed removal of a statue in New Jersey honoring victims of a 1940 Soviet massacre of Poles has sparked a cross-Atlantic war of words, with a Polish senator decrying the move and Jersey City's mayor calling that man an anti-Semite with no moral authority. The memorial commemorates the Katyn massacre of tens of thousands of Polish officers with shots to the back of the head. The bronze statue depicts a Polish soldier gagged, bound and impaled in the back with a bayonet. It stands on a granite base containing soil from the Katyn Forest, where many victims were buried on the western edge of Russia. Created by Polish-American monument sculptor Andrzej Pitynski, the statue has been a fixture since 1991 at Exchange Place in Jersey City just across the Hudson River from New York City. The memorial will be moved for a renovation of the plaza where it stands, The Jersey Journal reported. The head of the group organizing the renovation has called the statue "gruesome" and has said he prefers that it get a new home. "I don't think the statue's appropriate for a major metropolitan area," Mike DeMarco, chair of the Exchange Place Special Improvement District, told the newspaper. "It's a little gruesome. ... I can't imagine how many mothers go by and have to explain it to their children." But Stanislaw Karczewski, the speaker of the Polish senate, said removing the memorial would be unacceptable. "It is a really scandalous and very unpleasant situation for us," Karczewski told Polish radio this week. He said the memorial "speaks of Polish heroism, Polish heroes, and also speaks of tragic events." Jersey City Mayor Steve Fulop scoffed at the criticism, saying Karczewski is a "known anti-Semite" and alleging the Polish government has no moral authority to criticize his city. He pointed to a new Polish law that makes it a crime to blame Poland for any of the Holocaust crimes of Nazi Germany. The law has sparked criticism in the U.S. and particularly in Israel, where some fear its aim is to quash discussions about Polish anti-Semitic violence during the German occupation in World War II. Karczewski belongs to the ruling party that pushed through the law. "The fact that he's engaging and trying to dictate the high moral ground to me and trying to dictate to me what I should be doing with a park is kind of laughable," Fulop said. "Poland can pass laws and pretend they weren't complicit, but no matter how many laws they pass they can't rewrite history." Fulop's maternal grandparents were Holocaust survivors. His grandmother was deported to the Auschwitz concentration camp in Nazi-occupied Poland, where more than 1 million people were murdered, mostly Jews. His grandfather spent time in a labor camp. The mayor said there will be a discussion with the community on when, where and if the statue would be re-installed after the work on the park is complete. Krzysztof Szczerski, an adviser to Polish President Andrzej Duda, said the president believes the Katyn monument "is an important testimony to homage and remembrance of the victims of genocide" and hopes for a resolution. He added that the president believes that a country that "treats heroes with such respect, especially those killed for their homeland," would respect such a monument, according to a report by the state news agency PAP. The Katyn massacre came after the Soviet Red Army invaded eastern Poland in September 1939 took the Polish officers prisoner. The secret police killed 22,000 Poles, aiming to eliminate a military and intellectual elite that might have put up stiff resistance to Soviet control. For decades, Moscow blamed the Nazis for the massacre, but then in 1990 admitted that Soviet leader Josef Stalin had ordered it. What to Know Some Trump allies think Giuliani is generating more legal and political trouble for the White House by going on TV He's seemed to contradict Trump on a $130,000 payout his lawyer made to porn actress Stormy Daniels Trump chided Giuliani on Friday, saying the lawyer needed to "get his facts straight," President Donald Trump is growing increasingly irritated with lawyer Rudy Giuliani's frequently off-message media blitz, which has included muddying the waters on hush money paid to porn actress Stormy Daniels and making claims that could complicate the president's standing in the special counsel's Russia probe. Trump has begun questioning whether Giuliani, an old friend and former New York City mayor, should be sidelined from television interviews, according to two people familiar with the president's thinking but not authorized to speak publicly about private discussions. Trump also expressed annoyance that Giuliani's theatrics have breathed new life into the Daniels story. It's a concern shared by Trump allies who think Giuliani is only generating more legal and political trouble for the White House. Giuliani, the newest addition to the president's legal team, first rattled the White House last week when he sat for interviews on Fox News and seemed to contradict Trump by saying the president was aware of the $130,000 payout to Daniels from his personal attorney, Michael Cohen. He also suggested the October 2016 settlement had been made because Trump was in the stretch run of his presidential campaign. After Trump chided Giuliani on Friday, saying the lawyer needed to "get his facts straight," Giuliani put out a statement trying to clarify his remarks. But in weekend interviews, Giuliani appeared to dig himself a deeper hole by acknowledging that "Cohen takes care of situations like this, then gets paid for them sometimes." He did not rule out the possibility that Cohen had paid off other women. Trump, who has denied the affair with Daniels, was angry that Giuliani had given the impression that other women may have made similar charges of infidelity, according to the people familiar with his views. Additionally, Trump has grown agitated in recent days by replays of Giuliani's interview with Sean Hannity, in which he said that Trump knew about the payment but that it wasn't a campaign violation. A clearly surprised Hannity then asked, "Because they funneled it through the law firm?" To which Giuliani responded, "Funneled it through the law firm, and the president repaid him." Trump snapped at both men in recent days, chiding Hannity for using the word "funneled," which he believes had illegal connotations, according to the people who spoke to The Associated Press. As for Giuliani, the president has not yet signaled to him to stop appearing on television but told a confidant recently that perhaps Giuliani should "be benched" at least temporarily if he can't improve his performance. The president has not publicly discussed dismissing Giuliani and has appreciated his sharp attacks on the Russia investigation and his forceful battles with the press, according to three White House aides and outside allies. The two men have spoken frequently, according to officials familiar with their interactions but not authorized to discuss private conversations. But many Trump allies both inside and outside the White House have grown anxious in recent days about Giuliani's whirlwind and unpredictable interviews. "They're admitting to enough that warrants scrutiny. It shouldn't be put on television shows off the cuff," said Alan Dershowitz, the emeritus Harvard law professor who has been informally advising Trump on the Russia collusion probe. "This is not the way to handle a complicated case." Many in the White House have begun evoking comparisons between Giuliani and Anthony Scaramucci, another hard-charging New Yorker with a knack for getting TV airtime. Scaramucci lasted 11 days before being fired. The former White House communications director himself drew parallels between his own burn-bright-burn-fast tenure and Giuliani's performance. "I am enjoying all of the comparisons between me and the mayor #RudyGiuliani," Scaramucci tweeted Sunday. "He is loyal, tough and a fierce competitor. He fights and will win for @realDonaldTrump @POTUS. Big compliment thank you!" Giuliani did not respond to requests for comment. West Wing aides were blindsided by Giuliani's TV appearances last week, and many senior advisers and members of the president's legal team have been cut out of the decision-making process. But some aides have been reluctant to broach the subject with Trump because it only increases their liability, according to officials. Press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders, who was among those surprised by Giuliani's string of TV appearances, said Monday that Trump felt the former mayor "added value" to his outside legal team. On Friday, Trump said Giuliani was "a great guy but he just started a day ago." He made clear Giuliani was still "learning the subject matter." Some West Wing aides have complained that Giuliani, who ran for president in 2008, was acting like a "principal" and not a member of a team. And some in Trump's inner circle raised their eyebrows at Giuliani's declaration that Jared Kushner, the president's son-in-law and senior adviser, was "disposable." He also declined to rule out Trump invoking the Fifth Amendment in special counsel Robert Mueller's ongoing Russia probe. The episode revived worries in Trump's inner circle about Giuliani, who enjoys the media limelight and has a tendency to go off-script. His behavior grew more unpredictable during the stretch run of the 2016 presidential campaign, when Trump chided him for falling asleep on the campaign plane, according to two former campaign officials who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss internal matters. Giuliani also alienated a number of people in Trump's inner circle by insisting that the only Cabinet position he would consider would be secretary of state. He did not get the post. Giuliani's remarks have also been watched with concern at the State Department and Pentagon after he weighed in recently on international affairs. He declared last week that North Korea would be releasing three Americans being held captive, which has not yet happened, and said the administration was committed to regime change in Iran, a stance Trump has not taken. "He speaks for himself and not on behalf of the administration on foreign policy," State Department spokeswoman Heather Nauert said Monday. Associated Press writers Zeke Miller and Josh Lederman contributed to this report. Planning to vote in Tuesdays Pennsylvania primary? The deadline to apply for an absentee ballot is today at 5 p.m. You can register online by clicking here. This year's primary is especially crowded after the Pennsylvania Supreme Court threw out the 2011 congressional district map and replaced it with a new one. All told, 84 candidates are seeking Democratic or Republican party nominations for 18 seats in Pennsylvania's May 15 primary election. That's the most since 1984, when there were 23 seats. For a quick breakdown of who's running where, check out the NBC10 election guide. And don't forget to visit Pennsylvanias Department of State website with information about key dates, candidates, updated district maps and a list of candidates. Other important dates to remember: First day to apply for absentee ballot for general election: Sept. 17 Last day to register to vote in general election: Oct. 9 Last day to apply for absentee ballot for general election: Oct. 30 General election: Nov. 6 Dont be alarmed if you hear tires screeching and engines revving around Philadelphia Tuesday. NASCAR and XFINITY have teamed up again for the annual NASCAR XFINITY Philadelphia Takeover as some of the top drivers in the racing world take to the streets of Center City, South Philadelphia and beyond. You can get an up close look at some of the fastest cars around as pro drivers including Christopher Bell, Spencer Boyd, Chase Briscoe, Ross Chastain, Austin Cindric, Cole Custer, Jeffrey Earnhardt and others ride around town. "It's so cool..to reach some fans," Chastain told NBC10 after coming to Philly following this weekend's races at Dover. "We're gonna do some burnouts, it's going to be loud." Keep your eyes peeled and your ears open and you just might get an up close encounter with the horsepower of a race car. Chastain looks forward to meeting fans and potential fans. The big kickoff started around 11:15 a.m. outside the Comcast Center on JFK Boulevard in Center City. Around noon, the cars pulled onto streets for laps around City Hall. The NASCAR parade also includes pit stops at Pats and Genos in South Philly, the Rocky Steps in front of the Philadelphia Museum of Art, the Franklin Institute on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway, the Reading Terminal Market and Citizens Bank Park for the Phillies/Giants game. The drivers will also meet with STEM students along the way. XFINITY is part of Comcast, the parent company of NBC10. The Pennsylvania midterm elections are among the most closely watched in the nation. Nearly 20 seats are open, giving Democrats the opportunity to win back power in Washington, D.C., or Republicans the chance to solidify their current hold on Congress. The biggest step ahead of November's general election is Tuesday's primary. NBC10 broke down the nitty gritty of exercising your right to vote. Check out our election guide below: How do I vote? You can vote either in person or via absentee ballot. Unfortunately, the deadlines to register to vote in the primaries have ended. If you missed those deadlines, its not too late to register for the November general election. The first day to apply for absentee ballot for the general election is Sept. 17. The last day to register to vote in person in the general election is Oct. 9 Meanwhile, the last day to apply for absentee ballot for general election is Oct. 30. To find your voting precinct, visit the Pennsylvania Department of State website and enter your address. How do I register to vote? Save time and money by registering online for the November general election. You dont need a stamp or gas to do so. Just log on and click here to register. If youre not sure whether or not you already registered, click here to check your status. I am registered to vote in the primary election. Can I vote in both the Democratic and Republican primaries? No. Tuesday's primary is closed, which means you can only vote in the primary for your declared party. If you are a registered Independent, then you must wait until the general election in November. Otherwise, Republicans must vote in the GOP primary and Democrats must do the same for their party. Whos running where? All told, 84 people are running for 18 seats in the Pennsylvania primary, making our election one of the most crowded in the nation. Three primary races are so crowded that a candidate could win with far below 20 percent of the vote. In the solidly conservative 13th District stretching along 120 miles of southern Pennsylvania's border, Stephen Bloom and seven other Republicans are competing for the party nomination that will all but determine the successor to retiring Rep. Bill Shuster, who with his father before him has held the seat a combined 46 years. In southeastern Pennsylvania, 10 Democrats are vying to win the new heavily Democratic 5th District and succeed the now-resigned Republican Rep. Patrick Meehan in what had been viewed as one of the most gerrymandered districts in the country. In the Allentown area's new 7th District, six Democrats are competing for the nomination in a seat being vacated by seven-term Rep. Charlie Dent. In the district, viewed as a tossup in the general election, candidates diverge on core Democratic Party issues, and it is driving the race. To see a complete list of who is running, click here. Why are so many people running? Thank the Pennsylvania Supreme Court for the chaotic cluster that has become the midterm elections. In February, just one month before the deadline for candidates to declare their intention to run, the states highest court threw out the old congressional map and replaced it with a new one. The remedial map dramatically changed the shape and size of congressional districts, and forced many candidates to rethink their campaigns. Some decided to run in a completely district. Other simply dropped out. And many more saw wide open seats in districts that never existed before. To understand the whole saga, read our explainer here. Do I need any identification to vote? If you have voted at your polling location before, you do not need to bring ID to vote. Only voters who are voting for the first time in their election district need to show ID. Acceptable IDs for first-time voters: Drivers license U.S. passport Military, student, or employee ID Voter registration card Firearm permit Current utility bill, bank statement, paycheck or government check Any ID issued by the commonwealth or federal government Note: An ID without your photo must have your address on it. My vote doesnt count. Whats the point? Oh yes it does! Remember the special election in March? If you dont, it was close. Very, very close. So close, in fact, that Republican candidate Rick Saccone waited several days to concede to Democrat Conor Lamb in the southwestern Pennsylvania contest. Lamb, 33, claimed the seat by just 750 votes in a Republican-held district that President Donald Trump won by almost 20 percentage points just 16 months ago. That special election was largely seen as a bellwether for the November midterms. Democrats are convinced voters unhappy with the Trump administration will come out in droves, while Republicans say the president is polling better and better as the months go by. Usually, the truth is somewhere in the middle, which means the 2018 midterms will likely be just as close as that special election. And with 18 seats up for grabs in the state, the power dynamic in Washington, D.C., could very well depend on who you chose. What if I see something strange at the polls? The Philadelphia District Attorney's Office and Philadelphia-based Committee of Seventy are tracking elections to make sure there are no irregularities. More than one year has passed since 43-year-old Anna Bronislawa Maciejewska went missing. And friends and family of the Malvern woman wont stop hunting for answers, despite slowly losing hope of finding her alive. She always had a great smile, friend and former coworker Sharon Grant said. She took pride in anything she did -- from her new home she built to her son. Everything was hope and happiness. A native of Poland, Maciejewska created a full life for herself a world away from her relatives. She was a successful actuary for Voya Financial and mother to a young child who was just 3 years old when his mother disappeared. She was last seen alive by her husband, Allen Jay Gould, who reported her missing on April 10, 2017, police said. Since then, what started as a missing persons search has turned into a murder investigation, Pennsylvania State Police told NBC10. We are out there looking for her body, Cpl. Robert Kirby said. We havent ruled out any suspects. As officials continue to search for answers, Maciejewska's loved ones have many more questions. She mysteriously canceled a visit to her native Poland in days leading to her disappearance. Then, her father received a happy birthday text in jumbled Polish filled with mistakes she never would have made. It wasnt from her, Maciejewska's mother, Janina Maciejewska, said via Facetime. By all accounts, Maciejewska was a meticulous person. She worked in the financial sector for most of her career, and regularly kept in touch with family in Poland and friends in Pennsylvania. She drove her son two hours every week to a Polish school. She also found time to remain active in her book and movie clubs, plus have regular weekly dinners with nearby pals. So when coworker Sharon Rouse visited Maciejewskas house after hearing about the disappearance, she was shocked to find her friends phone on the table. She would not have left her phone, Rouse told NBC10, adding that Maciejewska stayed in constant touch with her elderly parents and young son. In the days following her disappearance, officials found Maciejewskas Audi about two miles from her home. This, combined with the strange text and canceled trip, led investigators to focus on the two weeks before Maciejewska was reported missing. As the investigation continues to unfold, police want to hear more from her husband. We last spoke to [him] two months ago, Kirby said. Allen would not provide any useful information. NBC10 approached Gould and asked him for comment, but he refused. "Please turn the camera off," Gould said, adding that he wants privacy. A call to his lawyer was not returned. Police have not named Gould or anyone else as a suspect. Maciejewska's family in Poland and friends in Pennsylvania have teamed up to keep the search alive. Her brother-in-law Leszek Wronski helped create a $30,000 reward fund for anyone with information that could lead to finding the missing woman. He also acts as the unofficial emissary between the U.S. and Poland, staying in touch with investigators in Chester County and relaying any news to his in-laws in Poland. As leads slowly fades, the family remains devastated, he told NBC10. Especially for mother and father, its not getting better. Its rather worse and worse, Wronski said. Time does not help. Part of the familys pain is their strained relationship with Gould. He does not allow the now 5-year-old boy to Skype with his grandparents and canceled a trip to see them, Wronski said. "We have no contact with Allen, who does not talk to us," Wronski said. Its very strange for us. I have no idea why he behaves like this, Wronski said. The future looked quite bright, but not anymore. But her loved ones aren't giving up. A Facebook page has been created to finding Maciejewska. There, they share information and remember the woman they dearly miss. My heart broke into pieces, Deb Streeter-Davitt said. Its really hard to make sense of everything. I see a lot of anguish. A Philadelphia animal rescue traveled more than 16,000 miles last week to save a dozen dogs from a festival in China where the canines were set to be killed for their meat. Wet Nose Rescue is a Philadelphia center that helps abandoned dogs and puppies that have been euthanized or subject to a life in poor conditions. Last week, a volunteer flew to Yulin in southeastern China to rescue the dogs from being slaughtered in the annual Yulin Dog Meat Festival. The annual festival started in 2009 celebrates the summer solstice and Chinese folklore suggests that eating dog meat during the summer months brings luck and good health, according to a feature by The Independent, a British newspaper. The volunteer escorted the canines back to John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York City where they were met by other rescue volunteers who helped transport the dogs back to Philadelphia. Wet Nose's adoption center in Northeast Philly matched the dogs with foster families so that each dog can become familiar with typical interaction with humans before being adopted. Jess Mayo, a volunteer at Wet Nose Rescue, put together a video that introduces the dogs saved from the cruelty of the festival. You can watch that above. If you or anyone you know are interested in adopting, click here for more information. Wet Nose Rescue is one of dozens of local pet shelters and rescues that participate in NBC10 & Telemundo62's annual Clear the Shelters event. Learn more about the pet adoption drive happening August 18 by visiting our special section. Law enforcement officers are getting new cameras to help fight domestic violence in San Diego County. Dozens of high-quality Nikon cameras will be in the hands of officers and first responders. Officers who respond to a domestic violence call either dont have a high-quality camera or rely on using an iPhone to document injuries, according to the San Diego County District Attorneys Office. iPhone images can have low resolution or be blurry, officials said. Rather than pulling out the iPhone and working on the iPhone, youre able to call out a forensic tech who might have this camera who can take a more clear photograph that can be used in court, Escondido Police Chief Craig Carter said. The cameras are expected to them better document domestic violence injuries that will lead to more effective prosecutions. Especially in cases that involve strangulation where visible signs of injury can be difficult to capture in an image. "In law enforcement, were looking for any way we can close that gap of an individual not getting prosecuted to the fullest degree and if a photo is not good enough for that initial court case, we feel bad about that and we want to make sure that we correct that," Carter said. Using $30,000 in funds from the California Office of Emergency services, the District Attorney's Office will be distributing 35 cameras by the end of June. By Benjamin Jumbe. The NRM Electoral Commission chairman, Dr. Tanga Odoi has scoffed at a group of party members calling for his resignation. The group led by Yasin Omar the Muyenga LC 1 chairman on Sunday accused Tanga of disrespect to other leaders and failing to secure wins for the party in a number of by elections. Tanga has called on party members not to be duped by the group he describes as self-seekers being used by some top party officials who donot want to be held accountable for their actions. He vows to continue serving and performing his duties as spelt out in his appointment letter. There has been a long standing battle between Tanga Odoi and Kasule Lumumba the NRM secretary general which has not been solved despite the interventions of the national party chairman, President YoweriMuseveni. European allies expressed "regret" over President Donald Trump's decision to withdraw from the Iran nuclear deal, and said they were committed to upholding the accord even in the U.S.'s absence. "This agreement remains important for our shared security," said the joint statement from U.K. Prime Minister Theresa May, German Chancellor Angela Merkel and French President Emmanuel Macron. They noted that the agreement continued to be the legal framework to resolve disputes about the Iran nuclear program and urged Iran to show restraint in response to Trump's actions. According to the International Atomic Energy Agency, Iran has been abiding by the restrictions set out by the accord. "The world is a safer place as a result," they said. Their reaction was as expected as Trumps statement to bail on the deal, which fulfilled a presidential campaign pledge but also promised to alienate many U.S. allies. Tehran had agreed to halt its quest for nuclear weapons in 2015 under President Barack Obama in exchange for a roll back of sanctions that were crippling its economy. During the 2016 campaign, Trump railed against the accord, arguing the United States had given away too much in exchange for too few concessions from Tehran. On Tuesday, he repeated his disdain for the deal, calling it decaying and rotten. He also said the United States was imposing the highest level of economic sanctions on Iran. The United States no longer makes empty threats, Trump said. When I make promises, I keep them. Trump is withdrawing from the agreement though UN nuclear inspectors have said that Iran is in compliance. Last week, as Trump announcement neared, Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that Israel had documents showing that Iran had had a secret nuclear-weapons plan for years that it lied about and that could activate at any time. The United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said he was "deeply concerned" about Trump's decision and called on the remaining parties to abide by their commitments, according to Reuters. The Trump administration is hoping to force Iran and the participants in the deal, Britain, France, Germany, Russia, China and the European Union, to negotiate a new agreement that goes further, curbing Tehrans ballistic missile program and its funding of groups such as Hezbollah. Macron also tweeted: We will work collectively on a broader framework, covering nuclear activity, the post-2025 period, ballistic activity, and stability in the Middle-East, notably Syria, Yemen, and Iraq. Former U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry, a chief architect of the deal, said withdrawing from it was not in the U.S.'s interest. Trump had broken America's word, isolated the U.S. from its European allies, put Israel at risk while empowering hardliners in Iran and damaged the ability of future administration's to make international agreements, he said. "The extent of the damage will depend on what Europe can do to hold the nuclear agreement together, and it will depend on Iran's reaction," he said. Former President Barack Obama said in a lengthy statement that the decision to walk away was "so misguided." "In a democracy, there will always be changes in policies and priorities from one Administration to the next," he said. "But the consistent flouting of agreements that our country is a party to risks eroding Americas credibility, and puts us at odds with the worlds major powers." Meanwhile, Netanyahu thanked the U.S. president for his courageous leadership and his commitment to ensuring that Iran never gets nuclear weapons, not today, not in a decade, not ever. He said Israel fully supported Trumps bold decision to reject a disastrous agreement. Irans president, Hassan Rouhani, said the Iranian foreign ministry would continue to work with the countries remaining in the deal and with the EU. I want to emphasize that people should not have any worries about the future of this country, Rouhani said. The people are more united than ever, and there will be peace and stability in Iran. A man wanted in connection with his wife's murder has been arrested in Mexico, according to Montgomery County police. Police say they were notified Sunday that Mexican authorities arrested 30-year-old Ruel Francis Dempster II. He was found in Nuevo Laredo, across the Rio Grande from Laredo, Texas. Dempster was wanted on a first-degree murder charge in the death of 34-year-old Alice Mino Dennis. She was found dead on the kitchen floor of their Washington-area apartment with trauma to the upper body on April 18. Police had conducted a welfare check after a family member couldn't get in touch with Dempster and Dennis. Police said many of Dempster's belongings were gone from the home. It's unclear how long he was in Mexico. He has been extradited to the United States and will return to Montgomery County when the extradition process is complete, police say. It's unclear whether he has a lawyer. Three months after a young Marine from Maryland died in a car accident involving a guardrail end piece thats been the focus of a News4 consumer investigation for months, his mother still waits for the results of an investigation and campaigns for the removal of the guardrail from all roads. Sandra Johnson-Carters son, Pfc. Michael Carter Jr., 18, died after crashing into an X-LITE end terminal Feb. 7 on Marylands Eastern Shore. I just never thought that I would be going through this ever in my life, Johnson-Carter said. A number of lawsuits have been filed against the manufacturer, Lindsay Transportation Solutions, of the guardrail end cap claiming it is defective. Maryland is still investigating Carter's crash and hasn't determined what role the guardrail played in his death, but his mother has already started her fight to have the product removed from Maryland's roads. She carries her son's photo and military boots everywhere a reminder of the battle she's now fighting. State highway officials will determine whether the guardrail functioned properly once they receive the final report from Maryland State Police. A preliminary report said that would take 30 to 45 days to complete. Later, News4 learned it could be 90 days. News4 asked Gov. Larry Hogan about it after not getting answers from Maryland State Police I know that's still under investigation so we're not really able to talk about it, Hogan said. I don't have any more details than you do. News4 let the governor know Carter's family had never been contacted by his office nor the State Highway Administration about the investigation. Later that day, his mother received a phone call from the SHA. He offered his condolences to the death of Michael and again repeated the fact that Maryland would not knowingly have products out there that would cause the loss of life, she said. Then she got a letter from Hogan, saying in part, It was recently brought to my attention that you have not been satisfied with the state's response to your inquiries regarding Maryland's use of X-LITE guardrails. For that, I apologize. We should have done better." Then state police told News4 the final report is expected in the near future, and Johnson-Carter received a phone call from the investigator, saying he hoped it would be complete this week. I definitely feel that if News4 was not on top of this that this would have been a problem that would have been swept under the rug and just went away, Johnson-Carter said. News4 found at least seven other people died after hitting the same type of guardrail. Steve Eimers 17-year-old daughter, Hannah, died in 2016 after hitting an X-LITE in Tennessee. "A guardrail pierced her car and she was killed instantly," he said. There's a new push for a national recall, and Johnson-Carter is on the front lines of the fight. I'm not going to stop, Johnson-Carter said. I'm not going to give up this fight. I'm going to write letters to everyone who I think could have a role in having this product removed. Johnson-Carter recently joined Eimers in Tennessee to testify in front of the state legislature. Lawmakers ultimately passed a joint resolution calling for a national recall of the X-LITE, and Tennessees governor signed it last week. "I want Maryland to act like the state of Tennessee," Johnson-Carter said. She is pushing the state to remove the hundreds of X-LITES already in place in the state and she's found support in one lawmaker. "I have gotten a positive response from Del. Charles Otto," she said. Otto serves on the Environment and Transportation Committee in Maryland's House of Delegates. "If there's alternative barriers, we need to put them in place," he said. "I think it's not just helping their family nothing's going to bring back their loss but certainly we can keep other families from suffering the same thing." The X-LITE does not meet the new, updated crash test standards, so it's not being used on new projects, but there are still hundreds on Maryland and Virginia roads. "Our research, and repeated calls for information from the states, do not support claims that this specific type of guardrail performs differently than others," the Federal Highway Administration said in a statement. Lindsay Transportation Solutions says, "It is concerning that Tennessee legislators have used their position to spread fear about a road safety product that has reduced the number and severity of injuries sustained in automobile accidents. Lindsay Transportation Solutions would have welcomed the opportunity to share the facts with the Tennessee General Assembly, but we were never invited or contacted." Statement From Maryland State Police: A detailed investigation into the single-vehicle crash that killed Michael Carter on February 7, 2018 on Rt. 13 near Rt. 529 is continuing. The investigation involves a thorough crash reconstruction that is being conducted by the Maryland State Police Crash Team. Detailed crash reconstructions usually take months to compile to ensure accuracy and completeness. The length of each investigation varies and a specific time frame for completion cannot be identified. Since this crash occurred, Maryland State Police crash investigators have been in contact with and available to members of Mr. Carters family. The lead investigator has provided Mr. Carters mother with information about the crash investigation. Family members were provided contact information to reach the lead investigator with any questions they had. At this time, the investigation indicates Mr. Carter was possibly falling asleep when his car veered onto the left shoulder of the highway. He then overcorrected and the vehicle went into a spin as it crossed the highway. Evidence indicates this was a side impact crash with initial impact with the guardrail occurring on the left side of the vehicle. The vehicle then counter-rotated off the guardrail and into the ditch off the right side of the highway. Alcohol and drugs were not a factor in this crash. Mr. Carter was wearing a seatbelt. The Maryland State Police is aware of and sympathetic to the grief the family of Michael Carter is experiencing as a result of this tragic loss of life. He was obviously a young man full of promise who was committed to serving his country. We remain committed to completing a thorough investigation that documents evidence of how this crash occurred. Statement From Gov. Larry Hogan's Office: "First and most importantly, Governor Hogan offers his sincerest condolences to Ms. Johnson-Carter on the loss of her son. Private First Class Michael Anthony Carter Jr. is a fallen hero and his sacrifice for our state and our nation will not be forgotten. "The tragic accident that led to Michael Carters death is currently under investigation by the Maryland State Police. The Maryland State Police investigator assigned to the case contacted Ms. Johnson-Carter and provided his direct contact information. "The governors office attempted to contact Ms. Johnson-Carter via phone after she left a voicemail message last month, but was unable to reach her at the phone number provided. Our office apologizes for being unable to connect with her at that time. "Governor Hogan has directed the Maryland State Police to continue to keep Ms. Johnson-Carter updated on the progress of the investigation, and the governor will be contacting Ms. Johnson-Carter directly as well." Statement From Lindsay Transportation Solutions: "It is concerning that Tennessee legislators have used their position to spread fear about a road safety product that has reduced the number and severity of injuries sustained in automobile accidents. Further, it is unacceptable that they have acted without consulting publicly available performance data of the X-LITE, the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), or even road safety experts. Lindsay Transportation Solutions would have welcomed the opportunity to share the facts with the Tennessee General Assembly, but we were never invited or contacted." Statement From Federal Highway Administration: The FHWA encourages states to perform in-service performance evaluations and make data-driven decisions about their roadside safety hardware. Through the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO), state departments of transportation develop crash-test criteria for guardrails. States decide which safety hardware to install on their roads and are responsible for maintaining that hardware. Our research, and repeated calls for information from the states, do not support claims that this specific type of guardrail performs differently than others. States nationwide are adopting new standards for guardrail W-beam terminals created by AASHTO which will fully be in place by June 30. After that date, FHWA will only reimburse states for guardrail W-beam terminals that meet the new standards. Letters of eligibility for guardrail W-beam terminals meeting older crash-test criteria will no longer be valid for reimbursement purposes. A man held his wife captive for days in Brookeville, Maryland, and then killed three people inside a neighbor's home on Monday when she ran for help, police say. Montgomery County police say three people were shot and killed in a house on Brown Farm Way: one person who lived there, another person who worked there and a third person who was visiting from out of town. Police did not immediately identify them. Christopher Wilson Snyder, 41, killed himself after an hourslong standoff with police. Three people, including his wife, were able to escape the chaos. Officials did not release her name. Snyder held his wife captive over the weekend, she told police, police chief Tom Manger said at a news conference. She was able to escape on Monday. But Snyder chased her to a neighbor's house across the street. Snyder opened fire at the neighbor's house, which had at least six people inside. Three were shot and killed, and another three were able to flee. Multiple people called 911. Neighbors said they heard gunfire and knew something was wrong. Police responded about 3:45 p.m. Monday and discovered Snyder had run back to his own home and barricaded himself inside. Police set up a perimeter stretching about a mile around Snyder's home and others on the cul-de-sac. Residents were advised to shelter in place. Snyder began talking to police negotiators by phone, but he refused to surrender. After several hours, at about 11 p.m., a SWAT team vehicle rammed the front door and officers set off what appeared to be a flash-bang grenade at the rear of the home, Chopper4 video showed. Snyder was on the phone with police negotiators when police breached the home, Manger said. "Did they just break in the front door?" Snyder asked. Then, he hung up the phone and shot himself once, police say. He died of his injuries. Snyder spoke of explosives during his conversation with a police negotiator, so officials carefully inspected the home, Manger said. Officers had contact with Snyder a number of times previously, Manger said. Officers with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives were on the scene. An extensive police presence was evident throughout the area, slowing and rerouting some traffic near Sunshine. Before sunrise Tuesday, investigators hauled off two vehicles from the area: a Cadillac Escalade SUV and a Dodge Dart sedan. North Korean leader Kim Jong Un met with Chinese President Xi Jinping in a northern Chinese port city and pledged his continuing commitment to denuclearization ahead of his expected summit with U.S. President Donald Trump, state media said Tuesday. The meeting Monday and Tuesday in Dalian is the second between Xi and Kim in recent weeks, following Kim's March visit to Beijing his first since taking power six years ago. In comments carried Tuesday night by Chinese state media, neither leader was quoted as directly referring to either the planned Trump meeting or Kim's summit with South Korean President Moon Jae-in late last month. However, state broadcaster CCTV quoted Xi as saying China "supports North Korea to stick to denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula and supports North Korea and the U.S. in solving the peninsula issue through dialogue and consultation." Trump tweeted Tuesday that he planned to speak with Xi later in the day to discuss trade and North Korea, where he said "relationships and trust are building." Kim was quoted as telling Xi that North Korea remains committed to denuclearization and has no need to possess nuclear weapons if a "relevant party" drops its "hostile policy and security threats" against it, a clear reference to the United States. "I hope to build mutual trust with the U.S. through dialogue," Kim was quoted as saying. A political resolution of tensions on the peninsula and denuclearization should proceed in stages, with all sides moving in concert, he said. The Trump administration has demanded that North Korea immediately commit to denuclearization. The Kim-Xi meeting was the top news story in North Korea, with its most famous television announcer, Ri Chun Hui, again called out of her semi-retirement to report the event, underscoring its importance. Ri, wearing a traditional Korean-style dress, often smiled as she reported the news. The report, which lasted about 20 minutes, did not show any photos or video of the visit. Kim was accompanied by his younger sister, who has taken on an increasingly public role as the North Korean leader has tried to present a "softer" face to the outside world. North Korea's official Korean Central News Agency said there was a "deep exchange of opinions" between Kim and Xi on the changes around the Korean Peninsula that are "drawing the world's eyes and ears." Kim offered his views on how North Korea and China would "firmly grasp the strategic opportunity," it said. Though rumors are likely widespread, North Korea's media still have not explicitly confirmed the expected summit with Trump. The recent South Korean summit and the potential U.S. talks have received more attention internationally, but China's role as an economic lifeline for North Korea makes the talks between Xi and Kim all the more crucial. Kim needs to make sure that whatever negotiations he has with Trump align to some degree with Beijing's positions, which could certainly complicate his task ahead. China's official Xinhua News Agency said Xi hosted a welcome banquet for Kim on Monday and the two leaders strolled along the coastline at a government guesthouse and had lunch together on Tuesday. "At a crucial time when the regional situation is developing rapidly, Kim said he came to China again to meet with (Xi) and inform him of the situation," Xinhua said. CCTV showed Xi wearing a western business suit and Kim in his standard high-collared Mao suit. They stood on a beach, sat under an awning on an outdoor deck, strolled through lush gardens and sat at a conference table. "In a cordial and friendly atmosphere, the top leaders of the two parties and the two countries had an all-round and in-depth exchange of views on China-DPRK relations and major issues of common concern," Xinhua said, using the initials for North Korea's official name, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea. China is North Korea's only major ally, although trade has plummeted in recent months as Beijing enforces United Nations economic sanctions in response to the North's nuclear bomb and ballistic missile tests. China has also been eager to assert its importance in the process of lowering tensions on the Korean Peninsula. It has called for a halt to weapons tests and large-scale military exercises and a return to six-nation denuclearization talks it previously hosted in Beijing. It was not known how long the Xi-Kim meeting had been planned or why Dalian was chosen. Hong Kong's South China Morning Post newspaper cited two unidentified sources as saying that Xi had flown to Dalian on the coast east of Beijing to preside over the official launch of sea trials for China's first entirely self-built aircraft carrier. Chinese internet users posting on social media described heavy security in the city and extensive flight delays on Monday. Others said they spotted a set of Red Flag limousines used by state leaders. As with Kim's March visit to Beijing, his presence in Dalian was not officially confirmed until he had left China. Reports said his jet flew out of Dalian airport on Tuesday afternoon. Associated Press writers Eric Talmadge and Hyung-jin Kim contributed to this report. What to Know The brazen false flag is a case study in the difficulty of assigning blame in a world where hackers routinely borrow other' 'identities Proof that the military wives were targeted by Russian hackers is laid out in a digital hit list provided to the AP by a cybersecurity firm "Never in a million years did I think that it was the Russians," said a targeted author and advocate for vets and military families Army wife Angela Ricketts was soaking in a bubble bath in her Colorado home, leafing through a memoir, when a message appeared on her iPhone from hackers threatening to slaughter her family. "Dear Angela!" the Facebook message read. "Bloody Valentine's Day!" "We know everything about you, your husband and your children," the message continued, claiming that the hackers operating under the flag of Islamic State militants had penetrated her computer and her phone. "We're much closer than you can even imagine." Ricketts was one of five military wives who received death threats from the self-styled CyberCaliphate on the morning of Feb. 10, 2015. The warnings led to days of anguished media coverage of Islamic State militants' online reach. Except it wasn't ISIS. The Associated Press has found evidence that the women were targeted not by jihadists but by the same Russian hacking group that intervened in the American election and exposed the emails of Hillary Clinton's presidential campaign chairman, John Podesta. The brazen false flag is a case study in the difficulty of assigning blame in a world where hackers routinely borrow one another's identities to throw investigators off track. The operation's attempt to hype the threat of radical Islam also presaged the inflammatory messages pushed by internet trolls during the U.S. presidential race. Links between CyberCaliphate and the Russian hackers typically nicknamed Fancy Bear or APT28 have been documented previously. On both sides of the Atlantic, the consensus is that the two groups are closely related. But that consensus never filtered through to the women involved, many of whom were convinced they had been targeted by Islamic State sympathizers right up until the AP contacted them. "Never in a million years did I think that it was the Russians," said Ricketts, an author and advocate for veterans and military families. She called the revelation "mind blowing." "It feels so hilarious and insidious at the same time." 'COMPLETELY NEW GROUND' As Ricketts scrambled out of the tub to show the threat to her husband, nearly identical messages reached Lori Volkman, a deputy prosecutor based in Oregon who had won fame as a blogger after her husband deployed to the Middle East; Ashley Broadway-Mack, based in the Washington, D.C., area and head of an association for gay and lesbian military family members; and Amy Bushatz, an Alaska-based journalist who covers spouse and family issues for Military.com. Liz Snell, the wife of a U.S. Marine, was at her husband's retirement ceremony in California when her phone rang. The Twitter account of her charity, Military Spouses of Strength, had been hacked. It was broadcasting public threats not only to herself and the other spouses, but also to their families and then-first lady Michelle Obama. Snell flew home to Michigan from the ceremony, took her children and checked into a Comfort Inn for two nights. "Any time somebody threatens your family, Mama Bear comes out," she said. The women determined they had all received the same threats. They were also all quoted in a CNN piece about the hacking of a military Twitter feed by CyberCaliphate only a few weeks earlier. In it, they had struck a defiant tone and suspected that CyberCaliphate decided to single them out for retaliation. "Fear is exactly what at the time we perceived ISIS wanted from military families," Volkman said. Volkman was quoted in half a dozen media outlets; Bushatz wrote an article describing what happened; Ricketts, interviewed as part of a Fox News segment devoted to the menace of radical Islam, told TV host Greta Van Susteren that the nature of the threat was changing. "Military families are prepared to deal with violence that's directed toward our soldiers," she said. "But having it directed toward us is just complete new ground." 'WE MIGHT BE SURPRISED' A few weeks after the spouses were threatened, on April 9, 2015, the signal of French broadcaster TV5 Monde went dead. The station's network of routers and switches had been knocked out and its internal messaging system disabled. Pasted across the station's website and Facebook page was the keffiyeh-clad logo of CyberCaliphate. The cyberattack shocked France, coming on the heels of jihadist massacres at the satirical magazine Charlie Hebdo and a kosher supermarket that left 17 dead. French leaders decried what they saw as another blow to the country's media. Interior Minister Bernard Cazeneuve said evidence suggested the broadcaster was the victim of an act of terror. But Guillaume Poupard, the chief of France's cybersecurity agency, pointedly declined to endorse the minister's comments when quizzed about them the day after the hack. "We should be very prudent about the origin of the attack," he told French radio. "We might be surprised." Government experts poring over the station's stricken servers eventually vindicated Poupard's caution, finding evidence they said pointed not to the Middle East but to Moscow. Speaking to the AP last year, Poupard said the attack "resembles a lot what we call collectively APT28." Russian officials in Washington and in Moscow did not respond to questions seeking comment. The Kremlin has repeatedly denied masterminding hacks against Western targets. 'THE MEDIA PLAYED RIGHT INTO IT' Proof that the military wives were targeted by Russian hackers is laid out in a digital hit list provided to the AP by the cybersecurity company Secureworks last year. The AP has previously used the list of 4,700 Gmail addresses to outline the group's espionage campaign against journalists , defense contractors and U.S. officials . More recent AP research has found that Fancy Bear, which Secureworks dubs "Iron Twilight," was actively trying to break into the military wives' mailboxes around the time that CyberCaliphate struck. Lee Foster, a manager with cybersecurity company FireEye, said the repeated overlap between Russian hackers and CyberCaliphate made it all but certain that the groups were linked. "Just think of your basic probabilities," he said. CyberCaliphate faded from view after the TV5 Monde hack, but the over-the-top threats issued by the gang of make-believe militants found an echo in the anti-Muslim sentiment whipped up by a St. Petersburg troll farm an organization whose operations were laid bare by a U.S. special prosecutor's indictment earlier this year. The trolls Russian employees paid to seed American social media with disinformation often hyped the threat of Islamic State militants to the United States. A few months before CyberCaliphate first won attention by hijacking various media organizations' Twitter accounts, for example, the trolls were spreading false rumors about an Islamic State attack in Louisiana and a counterfeit video appearing to show an American soldier firing into a Quran . The AP has found no link between CyberCaliphate and the St. Petersburg trolls, but their aims appeared to be the same: keep tension at a boil and radical Islam in the headlines. By that measure, CyberCaliphate's targeting of media outlets like TV5 Monde and the military spouses succeeded handily. Ricketts, the author, said that by planting threats with some of the most vocal members of the military community, CyberCaliphate guaranteed maximum press coverage. "Not only did we play right into their hands by freaking out, but the media played right into it," she said. "We reacted in a way that was probably exactly what they were hoping for." Associated Press writers Michael Conroy, Jeff Donn and Desmond Butler contributed to this report. The attorney for a Vermont woman charged with killing her former live-in boyfriend and keeping his corpse in a trash bin for months asked a Vermont Superior Court judge for another day to review the case. Thirty-one-year-old Erika Guttilla was being held without bail Tuesday. She and 28-year-old Corey Cassani, both of Highgate, Vermont, were arrested without incident during a traffic stop around 1:30 a.m. on Route 7 in South Burlington in connection with the shooting death of 35-year-old Troy Ford, of Brooklyn, New York. Police say Erika shot Ford in the head last fall at her family's home in Highgate, where Ford was living with her at the time. Investigators allege Erika then, along with her mother, 60-year-old Carmen Guttilla, rolled Ford's body in a rug and left it in a garbage can on the porch for weeks, possibly a few months. The mother and daughter duo allegedly moved the body this winter, a quarter mile down the road to the woods where two dog-walkers found Ford's remains on May 6. Detectives said no one had reported Ford missing since he had a strained relationship with his family in New York and hadnt talked to his sister since going to prison in Vermont. Relatives told police Ford had been staying with them while supplying some of the household members with drugs, including heroin and crack. But the Guttillas claimed Ford over time essentially took the family hostage: sexually abusing Erika and becoming physically violent with several others. Police said Carmen told them she was at a breaking point and couldnt take it anymore or watch her loved ones suffer. Monday, Carmen pleaded not guilty to aiding in the commission of a felony. Cassani, Erika's current boyfriend, pleaded not guilty Tuesday to being an accessory after the fact and unauthorized burial or removal of a dead body. He's being held on $50,000 bail. Some of Fords loved ones at court in St. Albans on Tuesday told necn they do not believe the stories being told about him by the Guttilla family. They said those are lies to try to get out of a violent crime. They called him a nice guy whod give you the shirt off his back. They plan to be back at court Wednesday to hear Erika's plea. Yarmouth Police Chief Frank Frederickson said it in an almost offhand way. "Thats my son. Thats on Barnstable police," he said. "He was there. Thats another piece of the story." Officer Corey Frederickson, a patrolman with the Barnstable Police Department, responded to reports of shots fired and an officer down on Blueberry Lane on April 12. As the police chief in neighboring Yarmouth, his father heard the call, too. "Oh my God, there were a lot of things going through my mind," Chief Frederickson said. The tragedy of that call on April 12 has reverberated through the two neighboring departments. Yarmouth police Sgt. Sean Gannon was killed serving a warrant in Barnstable. Two other officers backed Gannon up on the call. Numerous others responded after Gannon was shot. As the media noise fades, the radio calls from that day can still whisper like a ghost in the deafening silence that remains for the officers involved. The calm and professional police radio traffic belied the danger of the unfolding situation. "Officer down," said one radio report. "Gunshot wound to an officer," said another. "You realize your brother has been shot," Chief Frederickson said. "You not only have to defend yourself, but render care for your brother." The officers who accompanied Gannon into the house and up to the attic space where he and his K9 partner, Nero, were shot had no idea where the shooter was. And per their training and department policy, they could not return fire. "(Its) complicated, not knowing where the suspect actually is. So put yourself in that dilemma," Frederickson said. The officers pulled Gannon from the house, but had to leave Nero in the attic. Gannon was rushed to Cape Cod Hospital, but died shortly after. "The dog was at the scene and had to be left there because they were rescuing Officer Gannon," Frederickson said. "There was an attempt to retrieve him, but it couldnt be done." Three hours would pass before they could rescue Nero and take the suspect, Thomas Latanowich, into custody. A peer support officer typically meets with officers who survive traumatic encounters within eight hours. Within 72 hours, or after the funeral, there is a formal debriefing. "We want to make sure theyre OK. We know this is going to be hard for them, Frederickson said. "Thats a case where immediately we want them with a peer supporter." Frederickson appreciates the role peer supporters play. His son is a peer supporter for Barnstable. "Everybody wants to help each other. Were police officers. We help everybody," he said. But getting help for the officers is not always easy. "And thats just it," he said. "So weve instituted a culture were supposed to help each other." But many officers in other departments may hesitate to ask for help. "With cops, if we come forward, we lose our gun, we lose our job," said retired Boston Police Sgt. Brian Fleming, who runs the peer support program for the Massachusetts Association of Coalition of Police. "Were perceived as being weak." Fleming has dedicated himself to opening paths for police to ask for help and get treatment. "We need cops to be able to go get help without any fear of reprisal," he said. At the State House, a bill that would allow officers to ask for help confidentially is stuck in committee for a third year in a row. "Well, its an interesting state, because we shouldnt have to even go there. But we have to get some legislation that will help promote officers to get help," Frederickson said. The Yarmouth chief said his officers who responded to the shooting that day are doing "fairly well." "Were going to give them all the time they need to get better," he said. Officers are now helping each other when silence replaces the chaos. "Even in policing, you never really see the impact of what one loss of a police officer does to a department - to a community that depends on them, Frederickson said. When asked how he is doing, the chief said he's doing OK. "Im doing my job," he said. "I have a good support mechanism, talking to my peers, who have been extremely helpful." Police in New Hampshire are looking for a person who shot at an ambulance crew last month. Jaffrey police announced Tuesday that on Sunday, April 8, an ambulance crew was returning to the Jaffrey-Rindge Memorial Ambulance facility on Main Street early in the morning, when paramedics noticed a red Ford pickup truck drive by the building, and then heard the sound of a gunshot. Investigators ultimately found evidence of a single gunshot being fired at the building. No one was hurt in the incident. Police said the incident hasn't been repeated, and there's no indication the public is in danger. Anyone with information on the shooting is asked to call Jaffrey Police Det. Christopher Anderson at 603-532-7865. New Hampshire state police say a driver has been accused of driving 134 miles an hour on Interstate 93. Police say the radar reading was taken early Sunday in Bow and a trooper was able to stop the vehicle. The driver, 25-year-old Cody Lang, of Concord, was arrested on charges of speeding and aggravated driving under the influence. He was released and is scheduled to be arraigned on Friday. It wasn't immediately known if Lang had a lawyer and a number couldn't be found for him. Two people were killed Tuesday when the vehicle they were in crashed into a tree in Stoughton, Massachusetts. The black pick-up truck was unrecognizable after crashing into a tree on Plain Street in Stoughton around 5:15 p.m. SkyRanger footage showed multiple parts of the vehicle strewn across the scene. Wednesday, police identified the truck's driver, 48-year-old Michael Luddington of Kingston, and 38-year-old passenger Angela Goodrich of Stoughton as the victims killed in the crash "It's awful, especially down the street because it's a quiet neighborhood," Courtney Wagner said. Emily Hoffman was nearby when the accident happened. She said it was scary seeing it. "I was going for a walk," Hoffman said. "When I was walking down, I heard a big bang, and I saw the pole shaking. So I walked up to see what it was and I saw the truck on its side." Stoughton Police Chief Donna McNamara said the accident is under investigation. "I do not want to speculate on anything at this time," she said. "It is a serious tragedy and a serious crash scene as you can see from the debris and the scene itself." People who live in the area say it's a dangerous stretch of road, and they've seen a number of crashes in the area in the past. "People speed down here," Wagner said. "They even have police monitors and stuff down here. Coming over that hill there, it's kind of like a straight shot into the tree almost." Police and the Norfolk County District Attorney's Office are continuing to investigate the cause of the crash. Sandy Millar to speak at Broadland worship meeting 2018: Sandy Millar who, with Nicky Gumble, developed the Alpha course, will speak at the Norfolk Broads Filling Station meeting on Monday May 14. Sandy is best known for his time as Rector of Holy Trinity, Brompton, the home of the Alpha course. It was during his time there that he transformed HTB from being very formal to, arguably, the leading Evangelical church in the UK. With his then curate, Nicky Gumble, they took on and developed the Alpha course which continues to spread Christianity across the globe. Earlier this year, the Alpha website described the course as running in over 100 countries in over 100 different languages with over 24 million people having taken the course. Stephen Pitkethly from Norfolk Broads Filling Station said We are very privileged and excited to welcome Sandy Miller to NBFS. He delivers very profound teaching in an amazingly simple way. Do try and join us for this very special visit. You will find the atmosphere friendly and relaxed. The meeting on May 14 will start at 7pm with refreshments. The venue is Hickling Barn, Tate Loke (off Mallard Way), Hickling, Norwich, NR12 0YU. For more information go to http://thefillingstation.org.uk/station/norfolk-broads Or phone David Osborne on 01692 581418 or 07786 261473. Do you have a news story or forthcoming event relating to Christians or a church in East Norfolk? For more than 25 years structured cabling systems for voice and data applications have been standardized as 4-pair, balanced UTP, ScTP or Sc/FTP cable that now supports up to 40 Gb/s on 30 meters of category 8. The driving force has been requirements for ever more bandwidth to meet a variety of customer needs. Suddenly, interest in building automation, smart systems and the Internet of Things (IoT) is changing the scope of the next generation of cabling systems. Sensors for lighting, HVAC, occupancy, access control and other smart systems require very little bandwidth compared to typical data applications. A sensor transmits just a few bytes of data when polled by a controller or triggered by an external event. The lack of bandwidth required for this wave of network enabled devices has led the IEEE to develop a new ethernet protocol that is designed to operate over a single pair of UTP/STP cable. 100Base-T1 and 1000Base-T1 have been available for a few years, though the intended application was to increase total bandwidth available through existing four-pair cables in primarily industrial installations. A new ethernet option In March 2018 the IEEE 802.3cg Single Pair ethernet Task Force met near Chicago to continue defining the electrical requirements for 10Base-T1 (the presumed name). The Task Force expects the standard to be approved in June 2019. 802.3cg objectives: 10Base-T1s 15m link segment with up to 4 in-line connectors operating from 0.3-200MHz 10Base-T1L 1,000m link segment with up to 10 in-line connectors operating from 0.1-20MHz. 25m mixing segment with 8 or more nodes (network devices) Support for 802.3bu 1-Pair Power over Data Lines in point-to-point and powered trunk applications. Support for both automotive and industrial installations A big change from the installation requirements that LAN installers are familiar with is the number of connectors allowed in a link. The industrial environment is a key target market for 100Base-T1 and cables in those installations penetrate sealed enclosures and cable pathways to access the equipment protected within. With electronics that are low cost, small and consume very little power, 10Base-T1 provides numerous advantages over existing single-pair ethernet options and is expected to be the preferred choice when cabling for sensors, actuators and other low data consumption devices in the near future. As networks become increasingly ubiquitous, the applications for this new system will also extend far beyond just building cabling. Vehicles, for example, are also becoming smart, presenting future automotive applications. Cable considerations Cables supporting 10Base-T1 applications will be either very small and compact or large and rugged. In commercial installations, designers will need to deal with hundreds or thousands of devices and sensors. With so many cables to manage and route smaller is definitely better. Here we can expect to see 24 AWG conductors sheathed in thin jackets that reduce the cross-sectional size of the cable. At a maximum frequency of just 200MHz there are no alien crosstalk concerns, so cables can be bundled tighter without fear of signal interference. Cat 6A UTP cable is often constructed with thick jackets to increase the spacing between the conductors of cables in a bundle to reduce the effects of alien crosstalk at 500MHz. For industrial installations where 1,000-meter links are allowed the considerations are quite different. The long links suffer increased insertion loss (attenuation) which is being solved in two ways. First is that the 1,000m link topology of 10Base-T1 will utilize a PHY (ethernet transceiver) that operates at 20MHz compared to 200MHz for the 15m PHY. Attenuation is proportional to length and frequency. Therefore, the longer cables will increase attenuation and limiting the frequency to 20MHz will reduce it. But this is not enough. Cabling conductors for 1,000m link segments can be up to 18AWG in diameter, further reducing attenuation. The ANSI/TIA and ISO/IEC standards groups are now entering the picture to define cabling and connectors for 802.3cg/10Base-T1. Single-pair cabling standards in development Both the ANSI/TIA and ISO/IEC structured cabling standards groups are developing specifications for single-pair cabling in commercial and industrial installations with a range of supported data rates and distances. TIA has started work on a new single-pair cabling standard that will be published as the TIA-568.5. The standard will define single-pair cabling to support 10 Mb/s to 100 meters, 100 Mb/s to 15 meters and 1 Gb/s to 15 and 40 meters. The cable will also support an alternative to PoE called Power over Data Line (PoDL pronounced poodle). PoDL will provide up to 50 watts of power over a single 24 AWG pair. The TIA is also starting work on an amendment to the TIA-1005 Industrial Cabling standard that will define cabling to support 10 Mb/s to 1,000 meters. To counteract the signal loss on such long cables, the conductor size will be increased to 18 AWG for this application. ISO has similar works in progress. ISO 11801-9906 Ed. 1 and 11801-6 Ed.1/Amd.1 standards will cover the commercial cabling specifications for 10/100/1,000 Mb/s single-pair cabling, and the 11801-3 Ed.1/Amd.1 will define the cabling for industrial applications. The end of the RJ45? Both TIA and ISO are in the process of selecting a new single-pair connector that will be used to support these applications. The desire is to have a connector that has one-half to one-third the frontal area size of an RJ45, supports conductor sizes from 18-26 AWG, supports 1 amp of current and can be shielded or unshielded. Five manufacturers presented their first proposals at the most recent TIA TR-42.7 meeting in February 2018 and ISO SC25/WG3 meeting the following month. The form factors range from an LC-style connector with metal contacts in place of the fiber optic ferrules, to single-pair variants of existing 4-pair cat 7 connectors. Both committees expect to select a connector through a series of votes by October 2018. The companies presenting their proposed connectors stated that they will waive any intellectual property rights on the interface between the plug and jack portions, allowing any company to make connectors that are compatible with the selected design. Intellectual rights are expected to be preserved on the interface between the cable and the connector. This is where companies can innovate on the speed, integrity and simplicity of field-terminating the new connector. Field testing specifications for single-pair cabling are still a long way off. We do know that the cable for the 1 Gb/s applications will be tested at up to 600MHz and most existing cable certifiers can test up to 1 GHz. What is known at this time are which tests will be required and what the pass/fail criterion will be, and that at frequencies above 400MHz, alien crosstalk becomes an issue. While the applications are expected to allow UTP cable, wise integrators may decide to opt for STP to eliminate any concerns over alien crosstalk. NEWTOWN A judge has dismissed a wrongful death lawsuit against the town and the school district brought by two families that lost children in the Sandy Hook massacre. The families suit claimed educators failed to follow their own safety protocol when a 20-year-old man shot his way into the locked school. The judge on Monday sided with Newtown, which argued that educators exercised reasonable discretion in responding to the 2012 slaying of 26 first-graders and educators at Sandy Hook School. To say that the faculty and staff of the school were to act in a prescribed manner in responding to an emergency situation would ... be illogical and in direct contradiction to the very purpose of governmental immunity: allowing for the exercise of judgment without the fear of second-guessing, state Superior Court Judge Robin Wilson wrote in a 29-page ruling. The families plan to appeal. We will continue to fight for this cause so that, someday, we can live in a world where we know our children are going to come home at the end of the school day, read a statement released by attorney Donald Papcsy, who represents parents Scarlett Lewis, Neil Heslin and Leonard Pozner. Hopefully, on appeal, the Supreme Court will hold the same belief. The families negligence suit against Newtown is separate from a higher-profile wrongful death lawsuit brought by 10 Sandy Hook families against the maker of the AR-15-style rifle used in the massacre. That lawsuit against Remington was thrown out of Superior Court and is being appealed in state Supreme Court. Newtown First Selectman Dan Rosenthal declined to comment on the court victory Tuesday, saying he has yet to speak with Monte Frank, one of two attorneys who represent the town and the school district. Frank, the founder of Team 26, was on the final leg of a 400-mile bicycle ride from Newtown to Washington, D.C., to call for gun control. Frank and Team 26 organize annual rides to the U.S. Capitol in memory of the 20 first-graders and six educators who were slain at Sandy Hook School. Frank declined to comment from Washington on Tuesday. The two families filed a negligence lawsuit against Newtown in 2015..Specifically, the parents charged that the school did not provide certain teachers with keys to lock classroom doors. In August, the parents received a court order to inspect a classroom folder for a key that would have allowed a substitute teacher to lock her door during the shooting. The parents attorneys argued in court that the key in question was missing from the classroom folder and a look inside the folder showed this was true. Newtown asked the judge to dismiss the case, arguing that shooter Adam Lanza and no one else was responsible for the parents terrible loss. Newtown also argued that it was entitled to governmental immunity, because its employees had discretion to use their best judgment. The judge agreed. The court ... cannot discount the realities of an emergency and the necessity of discretion in responding to one, Wilson wrote. This is precisely why we afford police broad protection. rryser@newstimes.com 203-731-3342 Candidates for statewide office are stalking delegates to Connecticuts political conventions, sending them fliers, crafting personal emails and wooing them with phone calls, all in an attempt to win their votes and qualify for the most competitive primaries in years. James Millington, Republican town chairman in Fairfield, said the sheer number of GOP hopefuls for governor has meant a lot of attention for delegates. It has a big impact when the candidates themselves sit and take the time to call because its personal, one-on-one contract, said Millington, whose first convention was in 1998. I have never seen it like this, but there was never a need for personal outreach like this year, with the crowded field. These objects of political affection, 1,998 Democrats and 1,159 Republicans, hold the futures of five Democrats and as many as 12 Republican gubernatorial wannabes, plus those running for attorney general, lieutenant governor, comptroller, treasurer and secretary of the state. So the courting of these traditional political bases has been intense and will continue through the Republican convention at Foxwoods this weekend and the Democratic convention in Hartford next weekend. Then the jockeying for primary support will begin. While the calling for support is sometime tedious for the hopefuls, when they can connect it can make a world of difference, especially in the attempt to get the votes of 174 Republicans or 300 Democrats necessary to reach the 15-percent thresholds for attaining the August 14 primary ballot. Dominic Cotton, a Democratic district leader in Milford, will attend his first statewide-nominating weekend at the Connecticut Convention Center starting May 18. Ive gotten some mail, Ive gotten some email, Ive gotten a couple of phone calls from people, Cotton, 49, said. Some people I know personally, some people I dont. Its really a matter of whos shown up and talked to us that has probably made a bigger difference than anything else. In particular, Harps support of Lamont, 64, has affected Cotton the most, he said. Cotton, an advocate for people with brain injuries, spoke on the sunny veranda of the Stonebridge restaurant in Milford Saturday, following a two-hour meet-and-greet sponsored by Ned Lamont, the Greenwich cable TV executive and party upstart who has gained momentum in recent weeks with the endorsement and departure from the gubernatorial race of Jonathan Harris of West Hartford; and New Haven Mayor Toni Harp. When your opponents drop out of the race and they endorse you that makes a big difference to me, Cotton said. When you get big-city endorsements thats a big deal, especially over Joe Ganim, who Mayor Harp might have an aligned interest with, as far as casinos and other things go. When youre talking about big cities and youre talking Republicans against Democrats, I think that makes a big difference. But for all the fuss, Millington, a 44-year-old real estate agent, said he understands its all part of the process. The candidates have worked very hard and many have come to the town committee to give their pitches and answer questions, he said. For the candidates, its a necessary job with the possibility of no payoff. First, they are getting overwhelmed with phone calls and direct mail, then theres about 10 percent you call who you can actually get, Walker said. Tim Herbst, the former Trumbull first selectman, said his campaign for governor is benefiting from his previous unsuccessful run for treasurer in 2014, because he made a lot of contacts throughout the state and especially in eastern Connecticut. Just being able to talk with delegates has been difficult, said Shelton Mayor Mark Lauretti. Its been easier to lower taxes in Shelton than to catch up and get a consensus from delegates. When they do get through, candidates need a fast pitch, said Danbury Mayor Mark Boughton. Its a little harder to get a hold of people because of spam calling, Boughton. When you get them, you have about 45 seconds to make an impression. A lot of delegates are going to be happy on May 12, even if their candidates didnt win, because theyre not getting phone calls. kdixon@ctpost.com Twitter: @KenDixonCT The act of coughing may seem annoying, but for those who can no longer cough on their own because of a medical condition, it's a matter of life and death. Today, more people are surviving brain/spinal cord injuries caused by stroke and automobile accidents. Many of these individuals are unable to cough on their own, leaving them susceptible to infection and a collapsed lung. Defense against germs, viruses Coughing is a critical defense mechanism which keeps our respiratory system clear of germs, allergens, viruses, mold and mucus. For those in good health, a contraction of muscles in the chest and abdomen results in a cough: a burst of about 1.5 liters of air shot out of our lungs at a high rate of speed nearly 50 mph. If patients, like those with a neuromuscular disease, can't clear their lungs naturally with a cough, devices are available to assist. However, many of the cough assist devices on the market today are large, costly and require electricity. Beaumont doctor has an idea Bassel Salman, M.D., knows a thing or two about the importance of a cough. A pediatrician with Beaumont Children's specializing in critical care, he had an idea he would create an affordable, economical, portable device to help people unable to cough. He envisioned a simple cough assist device that required no power meaning it could be used in both developed and underdeveloped countries. A device that could improve the quality of life for patients with a neuromuscular weakness. "I'm a clinician, teacher and mentor, I didn't really think of myself as an inventor, but I saw a need," said Dr. Salman, a native of Syria. "Life takes you in different directions." From concept to prototype Dr. Salman took his cough assist device idea to the Beaumont Commercialization Center. The center, part of Beaumont Health's Research Institute, assists employees with the development of new medical products, devices and processes. Explained, Jaideep Rajput, director, Beaumont Commercialization Center, "We oversee the development and patenting of new technologies created by our employees with the goal of bringing medical technology from idea to market to improve patient lives as quickly and effectively as possible." The role of the Commercialization Center, housed within Beaumont Research Institute in Royal Oak, is to identify, protect, commercialize and manage intellectual property across all eight hospitals at Beaumont Health. Examples of medical innovations developed and patented by Beaumont inventors include cone beam technology and automatic breathing control technology, both used in treating cancer. GVSU engineering students collaborate Rajput assisted Dr. Salman with product development, the patent process and marketing his technology. Thanks to a relationship with engineering students at Grand Valley State University in West Michigan, they collaborated to produce a prototype of a cough assist device that was affordable and portable. With input from Dr. Salman and the guidance of John Farris, Ph.D., professor of Engineering at GVSU, four undergraduate students produced a prototype that was mechanical, economical, effective and easy to use. "The students all juniors, in our Product Design class learned the importance of starting with ideas. They worked as a team to problem-solve and did extensive research," explained Dr. Farris. "Working with Dr. Salman, the group was able to apply what they learned from materials and books from a wide range of courses." The students studied cough assist devices currently on the market most cost between $6,000 and $12,000 and require a power source. They succeeded in creating a device that was low cost, powered by a foot pump with the equivalent therapy to current devices. Foot pressure replicated inhaling and exhaling. The entire project, including 3-D printing, cost just under $800. The prototype cost under $300. How does it work? After the tubing and mask are fitted to the patient and connected to the device, the caregiver places their foot on the top of the machine and like a bellows foot pump steps or pushes down to generate positive pressure. This is done while watching the pressure manometer to assure a safe pressure. The caregiver then releases their foot, creating negative pressure which dislodges and removes secretions from the respiratory tract much like a cough. Said Dr. Farris. "The collaboration with Beaumont is a big deal both for Grand Valley State University and our students." Patent, licensing agreement The Beaumont Commercialization Center's Rajput worked with a market research company to identify potential commercialization routes and a patent analysis followed. Rajput then filed for a patent on Dr. Salman's device in August 2017. Rajput also helped negotiate and execute a license with TechBank Medical, a Shanghai-based medical commercialization organization. "This device is especially attractive to us, as it falls precisely into our strategy," said Brad Yang, founder and CEO of TechBank Medical. "We think the market potential for COPD is huge along with the opportunity to dramatically improve the quality of life for those with COPD. For developed markets, like the U.S., this technology will provide a truly portable device that is small, lightweight and does not require electrical power. For developing markets, like China and India, the design allows for those previously unable to afford a cough assist device to finally get relief from their disease, as the technology has a simple and low-cost design." Yang said TechBank Medical recently completed their first prototype of the device in China. Next, they will work on product refinements, then conduct clinical research to study the effectiveness of the device. "If everything works well, we look to get CFDA approval by the end of 2019 and introduce the product throughout China," explained Yang. "We will move quickly to secure CE and Food and Drug Administration approval and bring the device to the global market." Potential to improve patient care Rajput emphasized there is always an element of risk in developing new medical devices. The Beaumont/GVSU device has the potential to improve patient care, advance innovation, impact patient lives and address clinical needs. Now seniors, three students Jake Stephens, Jordan Vanderham and Sam Oostendorp shared their thoughts about developing the prototype. Jake: "It's incredibly gratifying to see your hard work turn into something that has the potential to change the lives of people fighting a broad range of diseases around the world." Jordan: "This project makes me look forward to a long career of solving problems that make a positive difference. The experience was a 10 out of 10." Sam: I was thrilled to have the opportunity to work with such a talented team in solving this problem. It is very rare for a student's project to receive a patent, let alone seeing it go onto becoming licensed." Thinking globally and inventing locally The cough assist device has the potential to improve patient care an example of Beaumont innovators thinking globally and inventing locally. Said Dr. Salman, "I am hopeful this device will impact patient care by offering patients worldwide a better quality of life by decreasing the cost of more intensive therapy." In 1995, two University of Chicago-based cancer specialists suggested there was an intermediate state -; somewhere between curable localized cancers and lethal widespread disease -; for patients with metastatic cancer. Those physicians, Samuel Hellman and Ralph Weichselbaum, both still at the University of Chicago, labeled that clinically significant intermediate state "oligometastasis," Greek for "a few that spread." They focused on tumors that had migrated from an initial cancer in the colon or rectum to one or a few distant sites. They also made the controversial suggestion that many of these patients, depending on the extent of disease burden, could be cured with surgery or targeted radiation therapy. Twenty-three years later, Weichselbaum, Hellman, the Pritzker Distinguished Service Professor Emeritus and former dean of the biological sciences at the University of Chicago, and colleagues, working with patients in treatment for colorectal cancer, have confirmed their oligometastasis hypothesis and for the first time have identified molecular patterns that can be used to predict which patients are most likely to benefit from surgery, leading to long-term survival. "This is a paradigm shift in the treatment of metastatic disease," said Weichselbaum, MD, the Daniel K. Ludwig Distinguished Service Professor, chair of radiation and cellular oncology at UChicago and director of the Ludwig Center for Metastasis Research. "Our results point to a molecular basis for oligometastasis that can pretty reliably predict clinical outcomes. In a series of colorectal cancer patients with limited spread of disease to the liver, we were often able to achieve prolonged survival. We think this approach could be applied to many types of cancer." In the May 4, 2018, issue of the journal Nature Communications, the researchers describe results from 134 patients (median age 61) with cancer of the colon (72 percent) or rectum (28 percent) that had spread to the liver. These patients were treated with perioperative chemotherapy (5-flourouracil based) followed by surgical removal of all detectable signs of cancer that had spread to the liver. "We performed DNA sequencing, RNA sequencing for gene expression, microRNAs and microsatellite instability for each patient," Weichselbaum said. The data sort patients into three distinct groups -; subtypes 1, 2 and 3 -; with about a third in each group. "This is a separation, primarily based on molecular analysis," Weichselbaum said. Group 2 had the highest 10-year survival rates, followed by Group 1 and Group 3 with just 20 percent. When the team took a closer look at the tumor microenvironment around cancers that had spread to the liver, however, they found that subtype-2 tumors seemed to trigger an immune response that helped rein in new tumor growth. So they selected those subtype 2 tumors and reclassified them, based on their molecular determinants combined with clinical data. This predicted a robust difference in survival for the low-risk group. They had a 94 percent chance of 10-year overall survival. In this revised classification system, Groups 1 and 3 had 10-year overall survivals of 45 percent and 19 percent, respectively. Our results "open the door to look at broader sets of metastasis," Weichselbaum said. "Oligo is just a subset, a lower bound of metastasis. We want to know what happens when a patient has a little more than oligo. We arbitrarily started thinking of treating one to five metastases. Now we want to see if maybe, combined with other therapies, we could treat 10 or 20." The findings provide a "framework for integrated classification and treatment of metastasis," the authors wrote. This study, the first to combine clinical and molecular data to treat limited metastatic disease, was able to amplify predicted differences. The results should improve treatment of patients with potentially curable colorectal liver metastases. An increasing number of women are treated with antipsychotic drugs during pregnancy even though safety questions remain unanswered. Certain antipsychotic drugs used to treat bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, and other severe mental health disorders have previously been shown to have metabolic side effects, including weight gain and diabetes, in the general population. Whether the continued use of such antipsychotic medications during pregnancy may lead to an increased risk of gestational diabetes was not known. Researchers from Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Harvard School of Public Health and Massachusetts General Hospital addressed the link between antipsychotic treatment during pregnancy and gestational diabetes in a new research paper published online today by the American Journal of Psychiatry. Quantifying this risk was important, as approximately 50 percent of women who have gestational diabetes will develop type 2 diabetes in the years following pregnancy. Gestational diabetes is also associated with adverse pregnancy outcomes, including preeclampsia, cesarean delivery, neonatal hypoglycemia, and macrosomia. The study examined the risk of developing gestational diabetes associated with continued use of several antipsychotic medications during pregnancy. The researchers focused on five atypical antipsychotics: aripiprazole, ziprasidone, quetiapine, risperidone, and olanzapine. Continuation of olanzapine and quetiapine showed an increased risk for gestational diabetes compared with women who discontinued these medications. Aripiprazole, ziprasidone, and risperidone during pregnancy was not associated with an increased risk of gestational diabetes. The study included women without pre-existing diabetes who received antipsychotic drugs during the three months before pregnancy, and compared women who continued to take medication during the first half of pregnancy to those who stopped during pregnancy. "The risks of gestational diabetes observed during pregnancy are in line with expectations based on the metabolic side effects observed in the general population," said senior author Krista F. Huybrechts, MS, PhD, an epidemiologist in the Division of Pharmacoepidemiology and Pharmacoeconomics at BWH. "Certain antipsychotics have different levels of risk of metabolic side effects." Continuation of quetiapine led to a 28 percent increased risk, corresponding to 1.6 extra cases of gestational diabetes per 100 women treated. Continuation of olanzapine led to a 61 percent increased risk, corresponding to 4.4 extra cases of gestational diabetes per 100 women treated. The study accounted for a broad range of proxy variables. Researchers are confident that increased risks are not due to confounding by incomplete overweight or obesity measurements at the start of pregnancy. "Clinicians must weigh the benefits of staying on a stable regimen against the risks of continuing treatment with a higher-risk atypical antipsychotic during pregnancy to make an informed decision about the best course of treatment for the patient in question," said Huybrechts. TISSUE DIAGNOSTICS SUCCESSFULLY TESTED Today physicians are still severely hampered by the lack of precision of the needle tip location during a biopsy. Looking at lung cancers, 25% of the diagnoses suffer a false negative outcome through traditional biopsy methods. In the future, this can be avoided: for the first time, the European project InSPECT developed miniature spectrometers with integrated light sources enabling guided sensing. By integrating an optical fiber inside a biopsy needle, cancerous and non-cancerous tissue can be illuminated and differentiated by spectral analysis. Backscattered light is collected and led to a spectrometer that identifies spectral fingerprints like water, fat and hemoglobin. The different concentrations, collected by a second optical fiber, give real-time feedback to the physician during the medical intervention. This method for tissue detection allows a fast and accurate diagnoses that can significantly accelerate the start of the cancer treatment, vital to increase the survival rate and recovery of each patient. The photonics spectrometers pave the way for ultimate miniaturization of biophotonic and medical applications. Prof. dr. Theo Ruers, Professor of Surgical Oncology at the Netherlands Cancer Institute comments: There is possibility to use those technologies in smart surgical devices so the surgeon knows exactly if he/she is cutting into tumorous or into normal tissue. Another application could be to develop implantable tissue sensors. Miniaturized light sources and spectrometers at full spectrum The DRS (Diffuse Reflectance Spectroscopy) systems today use a commercial halogen-type light source and two spectrometer devices, one for the visible and near infrared region of the spectrum (using silicon based sensors) and one for the short wave infrared region above 1 um wavelength (using indium-gallium-arsenide sensors). Within the European Horizon 2020 project InSPECT, two new classes of spectrometer systems have been developed: a compact cubic-inch like broadband spectrometer based on diffractive optics, and a spectrometer system based on Si-based TriPleX waveguide technology integrating the spectrometer onto a photonic integrated circuit. Further, a new class of broadband light source has been developed based on solid state laser excitation of luminescent materials. For this, new luminescent materials have been developed covering the spectral range from 400 to 1700 nm and a prototype light source incorporating these materials has been realized. Eliminate delays in diagnose and treatment Physicians will be able to perform a precise and instant diagnoses, with the compact cubic-inch broadband spectrometers that can be developed at high volume and low-cost. The new generation of very compact and more cost-effective spectrometry solutions generate viable business models bringing spectral sensing inside the operating theatre, at general practitioners in their consultation rooms and to remote healthcare centers. The Federation of State Medical Boards (FSMB) has released a report recommending best practices for regulating the promotion, communication and practices of treatments received at stem cell clinics in the United States. The report was drafted by FSMB's Workgroup to Study Regenerative and Stem Cell Therapy Practices and aims to raise awareness about these practices generally, outline potential benefits and risks, as well as provide basic guidance for state medical boards and their licensees. The Workgroup was established in response to a request from Senator Lamar Alexander (TN-R), Chairman of the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee. Sen. Alexander asked the FSMB to lead efforts to develop recommendations for state medical boards in their pursuit to help protect patients from unproven or unethical stem cell treatments. "The field of stem cell therapies is rapidly evolving, and with that advancement comes the need for consistent regulation to ensure patients are not being exploited or harmed," said Humayun J. Chaudhry, DO, MACP, President and CEO of the FSMB. "We are hopeful that these recommendations will provide guidance in helping to achieve an appropriate balance between respecting patient autonomy and protecting patients from the risks of unproven and potentially dangerous interventions." Appointed by Greg Snyder, MD, former Chair of the FSMB Board of Directors, the Workgroup included members of state medical boards, subject matter experts, and a patient representative. The report and its recommendations were voted on and passed unanimously by the FSMB House of Delegates at FSMB's Annual Meeting in Charlotte, NC. Tradeshow talks with Braun Booth E23 Why are you here at Health GB? We found out about this exhibition through Arab Health in Dubai this year when we attended, we heard that the target audience was EBME, NHS Supply Chain, and HEP Healthcare. All these sectors are areas that we have been involved with for the past 60 years. We've got accounts with the NHS so, we thought it was a good way to connect with our customers and end users here and because it's an international exhibition, we are hoping to also find dealers and distributors for our products. With the event occurring over three days, you've got a wider variety of people today (Monday) is EBME. We can connect with them, because we actually manufacture our own equipment and we offer training on the maintenance of the equipment, so it's a good way to connect. We've recently got our anaesthetic machines on to the NHS Supply Chain through a Framework Agreement, so it would be good to meet the end users and market our anaesthetic machines direct, and say, "Did you know that we are listed on the supply chain now with this machine?" And, for private Healthcare, we do supply some of our machines to them as well and, we want to build our business in the UK. What product are you focusing on here at Health GB? We're not specifically focusing on one product, although we invented and manufacture our pneumatic self-compensating tourniquet machine, but as we've progressed into the export market over the years we are now involved with complete planning of hospital construction through to fully equipping. We also provide the after-sales service, we provide training and send our engineers out to do the installation etc. So, it's a vast range of products and services we offer. How do Braun stand out from other businesses in your fields? We are a family business, we're celebrating 170 years, this year, which not many SMEs can say that, so, the fact that we've been going that long, we pride ourselves on that. We offer an excellent service with our products, we don't just offer our product and forget about it, we follow up, and we keep communication going with the customer. If there's a repair that needs doing, or service they need doing, we go and send an engineer out to fix the problem, and just keep the communication going. So we offer a personalised service and proud to do so, some of the feedback I get from customers dealing with bigger companies they don't come back to us, and then we're sent through this number, and told to ring this number, whereas they can get in contact with us directly and we'll communicate with them on the same day a so it is a quick turnaround. New Delhi: Flipkart founders Sachin and Binny Bansal may have to pay 20 per cent capital gains tax if they sell their shares in the company as part of the proposed deal with US retail giant Walmart, say tax experts. The Indian e-commerce major is in discussions to sell majority holding to Walmart and an announcement to this effect is likely to be made soon, sources close to the development said. Walmart is likely to buy stakes of multiple Flipkart investors, including that of Tiger Global and Japanese conglomerate Softbank, to end up with 60-80 per cent holding for roughly USD 12 billion. According to experts, there would be two taxation angles to the deal once it goes through. The first will be taxation of capital gains earned by the sellers (Flipkart investors). Secondly, whether Flipkart India is allowed to carry forward the losses for the adjustment against income tax payable by the company. Nangia & Co Director Chirag Nangia said the taxability of the foreign investors in Flipkart will depend on the country through which the money is routed and whether India has a tax treaty with those nations. "However, if the Indian promoters of Flipkart India intend to sell their shareholding, being Indian residents, they would be liable to pay income tax in India on capital gains arising from such transaction," Nangia said. Transaction Square Founder Girish Vanvari said the I-T law provides that taxes have to be withheld by the buyer if the share purchase agreement is being entered into with a non-resident entity. "With regard to share purchase agreement entered into with India resident entity, Sachin Bansal and Binny Bansal in this case, capital gain would be charged in their hands and they have to pay 20 per cent income tax," Vanvari said. The deal would be taxable in India since a substantial value of Flipkart's shares is being derived from India, the experts noted. Singapore-registered Flipkart Pvt Ltd holds majority stake in Flipkart India. As per the proposed deal, Walmart is expected to acquire shares of the Singapore entity. This will effectively result in transfer of ultimate ownership in Flipkart India. Nangia said if the seller/transferor of such shares in Flipkart Singapore is a tax resident of Singapore/ Mauritius or any other country, which has a tax treaty with India that exempts capital gains from income tax in India, then the seller may claim treaty benefits. The tax treaties between India and Singapore and India and Mauritius have been amended and exemption from capital gains tax in India were provided till March 31, 2017. Experts say if Softbank's investment in Singapore-registered Flipkart has been routed through these countries and came in after April 1, 2017, the Japanese group could be liable to pay capital gains tax in India. SoftBank Vision Fund had pumped in an estimated USD 2.5 billion in Flipkart in August last year. While short-term capital gains tax in the hands of foreign investors is 40 per cent, long-term capital gains tax is levied at 20 per cent for shares sold after 24 months of purchase. "However, such applicable long-term capital gains tax rate in India could be reduced by half, if such shares acquired after March 31, 2017, are sold before April 1, 2019," Nangia said. He added that Tiger Global would be exempt from taxes in India after the proposed Walmart deal if the funds were routed through Mauritius or Singapore and if the money was invested before March 31, 2017. As per indirect transfer provisions of I-T laws, value of shares of a foreign company is deemed to be substantially derived from India if the value of the Indian assets is greater than 50 per cent of its worldwide assets, a criteria that is apparently met in Flipkart's case. "Despite the fact that shares of Flipkart Singapore (a company registered outside India) will be transferred to Walmart, gains arising from such transfer could be subject to tax in India considering that substantial value of such shares is being derived from India," Nangia said. With regard to carry forward of losses, Section 79 of the I-T Act says that carry forward and set-off of losses cannot happen when more than 51 per cent of shareholding change hands. "However, Section 72A of the Act provides that if there is demerger and merger, the company can carry forward the losses. It remains to be seen how the Flipkart-Walmart deal would be finally structured," Vanvari said. Nangia, however, said since even after the proposed transaction, the immediate majority shareholding of Flipkart India would remain with Flipkart Singapore, Flipkart India may be allowed to carry forward such tax losses to future years. "Proposed transaction may open up tax litigations for Flipkart India/its shareholders, be it the issue of taxability of capital gains arising to shareholders from such transaction or the issue of carry forward of existing tax losses of Flipkart India," Nangia said. New York: Billionaire investor Warren Buffett on Monday said buyers of bitcoin, which he has characterized as "rat poison squared," thrive on the hope they'll find other people who will pay more for it. Likening bitcoin demand to the tulip bulb mania in 17th century Holland, Buffett, the chairman and chief executive of Berkshire Hathaway Inc, said the mystique behind the cryptocurrency has caused its price to surge. "If you don't understand it, you get much more excited," Buffett said on CNBC television. "People like to speculate, they like to gamble." He said investors now are much better off owning U.S. stocks, whose prices are elevated but not in a "bubble," and it would take a "nanosecond" for him to choose stocks over 10- or 30-year U.S. government bonds now yielding around 3 percent. Charlie Munger, Buffett's longtime business partner and a Berkshire vice chairman, is also no bitcoin fan, describing it as "worthless artificial gold." He likened it to Oscar Wilde's definition of fox hunting, calling it "the pursuit of the uneatable by the unspeakable." Buffett, 87, and Munger, 94, spoke two days after they presided at Berkshire's annual shareholder meeting in Omaha, Nebraska, which was expected to have drawn more than 40,000 people. It was the first meeting since Berkshire elevated longtime executives Greg Abel and Ajit Jain to vice chairmen, making them top contenders to replace Buffett as chief executive. Buffett said their promotions have been "very, very good" for the company. Berkshire has said its board knows who would become chief executive if the need arose. One of its members, Microsoft Corp co-founder Bill Gates, said on CNBC "it's not a horse race" between Abel and Jain. Buffett renewed his desire to spend some of Berkshires low-yielding cash on a major acquisition. He said he would be happier if Berkshire had $30 billion of cash and equivalents, not the $108.6 billion it reported holding at the end of March. "If a $100 billion deal came along that Charlie and I really liked, wed get it done," he said. Buffett revealed last week Berkshire had bought about 75 million additional Apple Inc shares in the first quarter, adding to the 165.3 million it already owns. It now has a 5 percent stake in the iPhone maker, trailing only Vanguard Group and BlackRock Inc. Buffett said he would be happy to see the Apple share price fall if it would spur repurchases. Munger, meanwhile, said Berkshire may have been "a little too restrained" in buying Apple, saying "it's reasonably priced and strong." He added: "I wished we owned more of it." Buffett also said the list of CEO candidates has been "narrowed down" for the healthcare venture between Berkshire, Amazon.com and JPMorgan Chase. He said choosing the CEO will be "by far the most difficult decision we will make." Gorakhpur: On April 21, family of the Gorakhpur BRD Medical Colleges Dr Kafeel Khan held a press conference. Khans wife Dr Shabista could not hold back her tears as she recalled the last eight months of her life. "Eight months have passed since Dr Kafeel and three other doctors were arrested. It seems most people have forgotten that these people are in jail for no fault of theirs. All of this, despite police having filed the charge-sheet and the state admitting that the children did not die due to lack of oxygen," said Dr Shabista. Four days after their press conference Dr Kafeel Khan was granted bail, but seven others three doctors, one pharmacist and three clerks continue to remain behind bars. Bail hearings of some of them have been pending, while others have had their applications rejected. In one of the biggest tragedies of last year, more than 30 children died in Gorakhpurs BRD Medical College on August 10 night. Following a huge public outrage, a committee was formed to fix accountability it held nine people, including Dr Kafeel Khan, guilty. The oxygen supplier to the hospital was the first to secure bail in the case. Several investigations carried out by media outlets have since found out that non-payment of pending dues and limited supply of life-saving equipment and drugs, that have claimed thousands of lives in BRD College over the last decade, continue to plague the biggest medical facility in chief minister Yogi Adityanath's own constituency. Just days after the government-appointed committee delivered their findings, state health minister Siddharth Nath Singh, in a press conference said, "After the first level of investigation, we can claim that the deaths did not take place due to disruption of oxygen supply." News18 decided to revisit the case by taking stock of those who were found guilty: Dr Kafeel Khan Hundreds of people, including the medical practitioners wife, brother, other family members and friends, welcomed him as he walked out of jail on April 25. There is an atmosphere of jubilation at Basantpur Mohalla, where Dr Khan lives. Numerous visitors, including journalists, are still visiting the residence, weeks after his release. "I can never forget these seven months. It was a disaster for my entire family. All this did not just affect my wife and my child. The businesses of both my brothers were ruined after my arrest. They are still running around from Gorakhpur to Lucknow, Allahabad and Delhi to make ends meet," said Dr Khan. He added that his daughter Jarina was 11-months-old when he went to prison. "Now she's 18 months old. It was my dream to see her first steps but I missed it. What pained me most was that she could not recognise me when I returned home. It was as if I were a complete stranger to her," said Khan. Im still in trauma. Someday, when all this madness ends, I would like to work at BRD Medical College again, he said, adding that he spends all his time with the family now. Dr Rajiv Mishra and Dr Purnima Shukla Both husband and wife were arrested from Kanpur on August 29. Dr Rajiv Mishra was charged with attempt to conspiracy and culpable homicide, among other sections. His wife was charged under prevention of corruption act and with criminal conspiracy, among others. Both of them are about 60-years-old. Dr Mishra, who is originally from Bareilly, came to BRD medical college four decades ago to study. After completing his studies, he joined the college's Pathology department and went on to head it. In January 2016, he was appointed the Medical Colleges principal. Dr Purnima Shukla was posted in the Homeopathic Research Centre at BRD Medical College. Both of them are now suffering from various ailments. "It is not just Dr Kafeel. There is nobody to take care of Dr Purnima Shukla who is suffering from several ailments in her advanced age. She recently slipped in her ward in jail and injured herself badly. There was nobody who could hear her cries," Dr Kafeel Khans brother, Adeel, said in the press conference. Their only son Dr Purak Mishra, who also studied medicine and secured a job at Indraprastha Apollo hospital as a general surgeon, lost his job after having to make frequent trips between Lucknow and Gorakhpur, trying to get his parents out of jail. "I hope something works out. My parents are old and are suffering inside jail. If the police has filed its charge-sheet what is preventing courts from releasing them on bail?" the concerned son asks. Despite the failing health of his father, who suffers from liver cirrhosis, diabetes, spondylitis and cardiac ailments and his mother, who suffers from respiratory disorders, they continue to languish in jail. The reason for his parents' misery, Dr Purak Mishra thinks, is because they were made scapegoats just when the media was asking for immediate punishment of the guilty. "My parents weren't even in the hospital when this tragedy occurred. Besides, the administration did not clear the pending dues of the oxygen supplier. Why are they still suffering?" Dr Purak asks. Dr Satish Kumar Tushar Kumar Rain has for the last seven months blamed himself for the misery that his 56-year-old father Dr Satish Kumar has been through all this while. It was Tushars convocation at IIT-Mumbai in August last year, when he nagged his parents to attend. All hell broke loose as soon as his father, the head of Anaesthesia department at Gorakhpurs BRD medical college, took leave. As soon as Dr Kumar reached his sons college, he heard reports about the death of 34 children during the night of August 10 in the college. Dr Kumar rushed back to Gorakhpur with his wife and resumed work the very next day. The five-member team headed by the DM alleged that Dr Satish was in-charge of maintaining liquid oxygen supply, therefore he was to be blamed for not discharging his duties. At his house in Gorakhpurs Shahpur area, Dr Kumars two daughters Manjari Rain and Pallavi Rain and his wife Anita Rain have been waiting anxiously for his release. Dr Satish Kumar was born in Gorakhpurs Padaria village. He was associated as a MBBS student at BRD Medical College. After completing his studies he became a teacher in the Anaesthesia department and became its head in 2013. "I was living alone in the house for some time before my daughters joined me. Pallavi and her elder sister Manjari are helping me cope with this crisis. They go and visit my husband in jail regularly. He has, over these last seven months, begun suffering from low blood pressure and depression, said Anita Rain. Manjari, who recently visited Dr Kumar in jail, described how her distraught father kept appealing. Do something! Get me out of here soon, he kept telling his daughter. Anita added that Dr Kumar underwent a major intestinal surgery a few months ago and needed constant medical attention, which was being denied to him in jail. Dr Kumar has also written to the Indian Medical Association, looking for support and describing his pain. His wife feels that the medical practitioners and other fellow doctors have been targeted only to protect the real culprits. The state government has confined innocents in jail so that the real culprits are not exposed before the public. Gajanand Jaiswal Gajanand Jaiswal, the 58-year-old chief pharmacist of the hospital, is a local from Gorakhpur. He was charged by the police for conniving with Dr Purnima Shukla and indulging in financial misdemeanours. In their house, Jaiswal's wife and son talk about the recent months. Vaibhav (26) was working in an IT firm in New Delhi when he heard about his father being sent to jail. As his family received no financial or emotional support, Vaibhav had to leave his job and is now working towards getting his father out of jail. "My father was to retire in two years after having served the hospital with a flawless record. My father wasn't even supposed to take care of the oxygen supplies. They accused him of not keeping a logbook of supplies. This is grossly incorrect. My father kept account of every penny spent." Vaibhav last saw his father on April 14, talking about the meeting, the 26-year-old says his father looked very desperate. My father is suffering from diabetes and the levels have only shot up in jail. He isn't even being given medical attention. My father told me he didnt know how long he could survive like this" News18 also met with the families of other accused in the case the assistant clerks Sanjay Kumar Tripathi and Sudhir Kumar Pandey. Tripathi's family is finding it difficult to support the two young children while their sole breadwinner is in jail and the spirits of Pandey's three children, who are trying to make this work, are broken every time they meet their father in jail and see him breaking down. (The author is a freelance journalist) Kolkata: West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Tuesday formed an eight-member high powered committee to prevent racketeers from supplying carcass meat to various eateries across the state. Speaking to media persons at the state secretariat Nabanna, Banerjee said, There is panic among the people following the arrest of several people in connection with carcass meat racket. People are in a state of shock and therefore today I formed a high powered committee to look into the matter. She added that the committee's job will be to prevent such illegal activities and to ensure good quality food so that people don't hesitate while eating out. It is a matter of concern for us that a large number of people are now hesitant to eat out. Banerjee said. I am sure this committee which will be headed by the Chief Secretary will ensure a full proof mechanism to build a confidence among the people, she told the media. Meanwhile, Dum Dum and Bidhannagar municipal officials conducted surprise checks at several reputed restaurants at Chinarpark in New Town area (near Dum Dum Airport). They have collected meat samples and sent it to the state forensic science laboratory. Rotten meat in large quantities was seized by the district police from Howra as well as from East Burdwans Katwa area. Municipal authorities sealed several hotels and restaurant in Howrah, Hooghly, North 24-Parganas, South 24-Parganas, Kolkata after poor quality raw meat and fishes were found in their chest freezers. Several persons have also been arrested recently for selling carcass meat collected from the dumpyards at Budge Budge, Sonarpur and Kalyani areas. The racketeers used to supply the dead meat to various small food joints in and around Kolkata. More than 25 tonnes of rotten and carcass meat were seized from various illegal cold storages in and around Kolkata. The Hotel and Restaurants Association of Eastern India (HRAEI) urged people not to panic as their favourite and reputed restaurants in Park Street and other parts of the city follow strict food safety standards. There is nothing to panic in most of the reputed hotels and restaurants. Most of the restaurants in the city maintained a very high standard of food and its hygiene. We procure raw materials from reputed/licensed dealers where perishable items like meat, fishes, egg were carefully handpicked and supplied to restaurants. Therefore, I would like to request Kolkatans and the tourists not to panic as they can freely enjoy their food, HRAEI president Sudesh Poddar said. New Delhi: Don't take a bath, look out for standing hair on the back of the neck as an indicator of lightning. These are among a list of dos and donts that the Delhi government after a combined meeting with state administrators came up with. Ahead of the thunderstorm warning by the weather department, Delhi government held a joint meeting with the Public Works Department (PWD), Delhi fire department, traffic police and state revenue department to issue the advisory. "Avoid taking a bath or shower or running water for any purpose. This is because lightning can travel along pipes," said the advisory. Afternoon shifts of all schools in Delhi on Tuesday have been suspended as well. "Hairs standing up on the back of your neck could indicate that a lightning is imminent.," added the advisory. People have been asked to stay updated with the latest weather information and warnings through media outlets. Also, citizens have been asked to avoid using metallic objects, corded telephones, running water or anything that could conduct electricity. Unplug unnecessary electrical appliances and ensure that children and animals are inside, the advisory said. "Crouch down with feet together and head down to make yourself a smaller target if caught in a storm," the advisory said. The government caution asked people to keep a safe distance from trees, or unstable structures, especially ones with tin roofs or metallic sheeting. During the storm, if on a two-wheeler, seek safe shelter and avoid metal structures and or constructions with metal sheeting. The advisory cautions citizens to be prepared before, during, and after the thunderstorm. People have also been asked to stay indoors, and during lightning, close doors and windows. If caught in the storm outside, the government advises seeking a safe shelter until the storm passes. The advisory comes following an alert put out by the weather department, which predicts strong winds with a speed of 50-70 kmph. The advisory also asks people to be prepared with an emergency kit with essential items and secure their houses before the storm hits. It goes on to ask people to secure objects outside their houses and clear broken branches, which could cause possible damage or a flying hazard. However, those inside a car or bus may remain in the vehicle until the storm passes or help arrives, the advisory said. Also, park away from trees or power lines, it added. In case there's a tornado, evacuate the vehicle and seek shelter, the advisory said. The Delhi Traffic Police advised the public to avoid travelling during the storm and keep safe distance from trees. The Indian Meteorological Department said that while the impact of high-intensity winds and rain will be less tonight, the intensity is likely to increase tomorrow. The weather department, however, said the impact of the thunderstorm will be less than that of last week. Thunderstorm and dust storm severely hit parts of Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan last week, leaving over 100 people dead. Villages around Agra saw 48 people dying and Rajasthan's Bharatpur reported 19 deaths. The Bihar School Examination Board (BSEB) released the Bihar Board Class 10 Result 2018, Bihar Class 10 Matric Result 2018 on June 26 (Wednesday). The Bihar Board BSEB will declare the Bihar Class 10 Matric Result 2018 or BSEB Class 10 result on its official website biharboard.ac.in. According to the BSEB Bihar School Examination Board, the Bihar Board 2018 Examinations for class 10 commenced from 21 February and ended on 28 February. The students can also check their Bihar Class 10 Matric Result 2018, BSEB Bihar Class 10 Result or Bihar Board Class 10 Results on these websites as well bihar.indiaresults.com or examresults.net Steps to check Bihar BSEB Class 10 Matric Result 2018: * Log on to the Bihar School Examination Board BSEB website biharboard.ac.in * Click on the Bihar Class 10 Matric Result 2018 or BSEB Class 10 Matric Result 2018 * Enter your roll number and the Bihar board Class 10 matric results 2018 will appear * Download the Bihar Board Matric result and take a print out for further reference Total Number of students appeared: 17,58,797 Number of Centers: 1426 Number of students passed: 12,11,617 Prerna Raj scored 91.4% from Simultala Awasiya Vidyalaya in Jamui district, topped the Bihar 10th Result 2018 with 457 points. Toppers in Bihar 10th Result 2018 : 1. Prerna Raj 2. Shikha Kumari 3. Anupriya The Bihar School Examination Board (BSEB) have directed the students to wear slippers or flip-flops and not shoes along with socks during the Bihar Matric examinations this year. Nearly 17.70 lakhs students sat for the Class 10 exams at 1,426 centres across the state. Srinagar: The fragile tourism industry in Kashmir has taken another blow with the death of a tourist hit by stone-pelters, and the sector fears that the incident may further affect the already falling footfall in the troubled Valley. The killing of the Chennai youth could be the proverbial final nail in the coffin of tourism in Kashmir, Ashfaq Siddiq, president Travel Agents Association Kashmir (TAAK), said on Tuesday. The tourist, a 22-year-old R Thirumani, was critically injured in a stone pelting incident at Narbal yesterday(Monday) and died later in the day of head injuries, triggering outrage and concern. This is a sad incident which should not have happened. Unfortunately, we feel that it will have an impact on tourist arrivals to Kashmir. I think it will be the final nail in the coffin, Siddiq told PTI. Tourism in the state has already suffered because of prolonged periods of unrest in the Valley, hoteliers said. There has been a steep fall in the number of domestic tourists since 2016, when the killing of militant Burhan Muzaffar Wani by security forces in July that year led to a prolonged period of violence and stone pelting in the Valley. The number of tourists fell from 3,91,902 in the first four months of 2016 to 1,69,727 in the same period the next year. The number in the corresponding period this year was 1,54,062, officials said. The TAAK president said the association feared cancellation of bookings by tourists in the days to come. It is obvious that cancellations will happen and there might be some hardline elements who might even call for an absolute boycott of Kashmir, he said. There is already panic in some quarters. Tamil Nadu Chief Minister K Palaniswami on Tuesday asked his counterpart Mehbooba Mufti to ensure the safe return of the 130 tourists from his state who were in Kashmir. "I asked Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti to help officials of the Tamil Nadu government for the safe return of the tourists," he said in Chennai. Tourism Kashmir director Mehmood Shah, condemning the incident, said the department apprehended a fall in the number of visitors to the Valley. It is an unfortunate incident and we are deeply pained," Shah told PTI. Asked if the incident would have any impact on the number of tourist arrivals, he said cancellations were likely. It will have an impact. Cancellations may happen, he said. Last year, about 12 lakh tourists visited Kashmir. While the number of domestic tourists has halved in the last two years, the number of foreign tourists has, however, doubled. In the first four months of 2018, there were 21,631 foreign tourists, up from 10,767 in the same period last year, the officials said. The tourism trade in Kashmir condemned the killing, saying that those who had thrown stones at the vehicle in which the tourist was travelling were not well wishers of Kashmir but cold-blooded murders. We condemn every such killing whether it is of a Kashmiri or a tourist. Whosoever has committed this incident is not a well wisher of Kashmiris. He is a bloody, cold-blooded murderer," Siddiq said later at press conference with other stakeholders from travel, tourism and trade bodies. Siddiq said Kashmir is known for its hospitality and tourists should not be scared as they are our guests. Kashmir is known for its ethos and hospitality. Tourists are our guests and never has it happened before. These incidents should not have an overall impact. They still are our guests, he said, apologising for the incident. We will keep track of major news events in India and across the world through this live blog. Stay tuned as Puja Menon brings you latest updates. Big news right now: The Congress MPs plea challenging the rejection of the impeachment notice against Chief Justice of India Dipak Misra has been dismissed as withdrawn. Congress leader Kapil Sibal, appearing for the lawmakers, withdrew the petition after the Supreme Court refused to share the administrative order by which the five-judge Constitution Bench was formed. None of the senior-most judges Justices Jasti Chelameswar, Ranjan Gogoi, MB Lokur and Kurian Jospeh who had held the controversial January 12 press conference were part of the Bench. During Tuesdays proceedings, Sibal told the court that he needed to have a copy of the order on setting up of the Bench as the petitioners may consider challenging it. Sibal said the matter was listed before a 5-judge Bench through an administrative order and that the CJI can't pass such orders in this matter. After a 45-minute hearing, the Bench headed by Justice AK Sikri, number six in seniority, declared the petition as dismissed as withdrawn. Addressing a press conference, Sibal said the court refused to reveal who referred the case to the Constitution Bench. May 08, 2018 12:43 (IST) A copy of the writ petition filed by the two Congress MPs. May 08, 2018 12:34 (IST) We dont have any personal problem with the Chief Justice of India. We are just worried about the judiciary. We want to protect the dignity of the court. Its the government which is levelling allegations against us, says Kapil Sibal. May 08, 2018 12:24 (IST) Congress leader Kapil Sibal is addressing a press conference on the withdrawal of appeal over the CJIs impeachment. We were earlier told to come to the Supreme Court for the hearing. The time given was for today. Yesterday evening we were told that the hearing today will happen in front of a Constitution Bench. No judicial order was passed. The court refused to tell us who passed the order for our case to be referred to a Constitution Bench, says Sibal. May 08, 2018 11:35 (IST) Advocate Prashant Bhushan says its unfortunate that the court even refused to share a copy of the administrative order by which the five-judge Constitution Bench was formed to hear the matter. It has never happened that a writ petition has been brought to a Constitution Bench before a judicial order is passed." May 08, 2018 11:27 (IST) Attorney General KK Venugopal has questioned the maintainability of the petition. Why have only two Congress MPs come? I will presume only the Congress is aggrieved. Other six parties have accepted (Rajya Sabha Chairman) Venkaiah Naidu's decision, he says. May 08, 2018 11:27 (IST) Attorney General KK Venugopal has questioned the maintainability of the petition. Why have only two Congress MPs come? I will presume only the Congress is aggrieved. Other six parties have accepted (Rajya Sabha Chairman) Venkaiah Naidu's decision, he says. May 08, 2018 11:22 (IST) The Congress MPs plea challenging the rejection of the impeachment notice against Chief Justice of India Dipak Misra has been dismissed as withdrawn. Kapil Sibal, appearing for the lawmakers, withdrew the petition after the Supreme Court refused to share the administrative order by which the five-judge Constitution Bench was formed. None of the senior-most judges Justices Jasti Chelameswar, Ranjan Gogoi, MB Lokur and Kurian Jospeh who had held the controversial January 12 press conference were part of the Bench. May 08, 2018 10:29 (IST) Justice Chelameswar Says Law Has Changed Lately | In an intriguing comment, Justice J Chelameswar on Monday said the law that nobody will be a judge in his own cause has perhaps undergone changes "in last few months". The judges remarks came when he was told by senior advocate Kapil Sibal that Chief Justice of India Dipak Misra cannot assume the role of the master of roster when the petition seeks initiation of the impeachment proceedings against the CJI himself.When the petition is against the master of the roster himself, he cannot exercise the power to decide how this case will be heard and by which bench. Law in this country has been that nobody can be a judge in his own cause, said Sibal. But Justice Chelameswar retorted: I think the law you are talking about has undergone modification in the last few months. May 08, 2018 10:27 (IST) 'Who Made the Bench?' Question to Dominate SC Hearing on CJI's Impeachment Sources told CNN-News18 that it is upon the orders of CJI Dipak Misra that the five-judge bench has been set up. May 08, 2018 10:27 (IST) Attorney General K K Venugopal to attend impeachment hearing May 08, 2018 09:06 (IST) MeT Dept Issues 'Amber' Alert in 8 States | The MeT Department has issued an amber-coloured alert, which is reserved for severe weather, in Delhi, Chandigarh, Jammu and Kashmir, Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, Haryana, western Uttar Pradesh, Sikkim and West Bengal. The alert comes as dust storms were reported early on Tuesday in Rajasthans Jaipur and Jodhpur, and Uttar Pradeshs Baghpat and Saharanpur. The Delhi-NCR region was also hit by a dust storm with a wind speed of 70 km per hour late on Monday, followed by a squall. The high-velocity wind swept through Delhi around 11.15 pm, PTI quoted an official at the Safdarjung observatory as saying. In Baghpat, the storm cut off the power supply to several areas, while essential services like hospitals and rescue personnel were put on alert in Saharanpur. May 08, 2018 09:02 (IST) In the petition, the two MPs claimed that the reasons given were "wholly extraneous" and not legally tenable. While Justice Chelameswar had initially asked him to mention the matter before the CJI, the bench, also comprising Justice SK Kaul, later asked Sibal and Bhushan to "come back tomorrow". Justice Chelameswar also said he was on the verge of retirement. Making his submissions, Sibal said Naidu cannot summarily reject the notice bearing signatures of 64 MPs and seven former members who had recently retired, on the ground that there was "no proved misbehaviour".The bench asked Sibal and Bhushan to mention the matter before the Chief Justice of India for urgent listing, citing a Constitution Bench judgment on the powers of master of roster. However, BJP leaders and advocates Meenakshi Lekhi and Aman Sinha told the Press Trust of India that there was no merit in the challenge to the rejection of the impeachment notice as the Rajya Sabha Chairman's order was well-reasoned and completely dealt with each and every ground. May 08, 2018 09:00 (IST) The senior-most judges Justices Jasti Chelameswar, Ranjan Gogoi, MB Lokur and Kurian Jospeh who had held the controversial January 12 press conference in which they had virtually rebelled against the CJI by raising a litany of allegations against him, are not on the bench. The setting up of the Constitution Bench was mentioned in Tuesdays list of business for the Supreme Court. The development came hours after Justice Chelameswar, before whom the petition of the two Congress MPs was mentioned, expressed reservation in hearing the matter asking senior advocate Kapil Sibal and advocate Prashant Bhushan to "come back tomorrow". May 08, 2018 08:56 (IST) Congress MPs' Plea Up for Hearing, No 'Rebel' Judge on Constitution Bench | A five-judge Constitution Bench of the Supreme Court will Today hear a petition moved by two Congress MPs challenging rejection of the impeachment notice against Chief Justice of India Dipak Misra by Rajya Sabha Chairman M Venkaiah Naidu. The bench will be headed by Justice AK Sikri, number six in seniority. The other members are Justices SA Bobde, NV Ramana, Arun Mishra and AK Goel, who are next in the sequence of seniority. May 08, 2018 08:55 (IST) Good Morning! This blog will a keep track of all the important global and local developments throughout the day. Stay tuned with us for news, views, and insights. New Delhi: A five-judge Constitution Bench of the Supreme Court will on Tuesday hear a petition moved by two Congress MPs challenging rejection of the impeachment notice against Chief Justice of India Dipak Misra by Rajya Sabha Chairman M Venkaiah Naidu. The bench will be headed by Justice AK Sikri, number six in seniority. The other members are Justices SA Bobde, NV Ramana, Arun Mishra and AK Goel, who are next in the sequence of seniority. The senior-most judges Justices Jasti Chelameswar, Ranjan Gogoi, MB Lokur and Kurian Jospeh who had held the controversial January 12 press conference in which they had virtually rebelled against the CJI by raising litany of allegations against him, are not on the bench. The setting up of the Constitution Bench was mentioned in Tuesdays list of business for the Supreme Court. The development came hours after Justice Chelameswar, before whom the petition of the two Congress MPs was mentioned, expressed reservation in hearing the matter asking senior advocate Kapil Sibal and advocate Prashant Bhushan to "come back tomorrow". The issue was raised at the start of the court's work on Monday morning when Sibal, one of the signatories to the impeachment notice in the Rajya Sabha, mentioned the matter for urgent listing before a bench headed by Justice Chelameswar, the senior-most judge after CJI Misra. In the petition, the two MPs claimed that the reasons given were "wholly extraneous" and not legally tenable. While Justice Chelameswar had initially asked him to mention the matter before the CJI, the bench, also comprising Justice SK Kaul, later asked Sibal and Bhushan to "come back tomorrow". Justice Chelameswar also said he was on the verge of retirement. Making his submissions, Sibal said Naidu cannot summarily reject the notice bearing signatures of 64 MPs and seven former members who had recently retired, on the ground that there was "no proved misbehaviour". The bench asked Sibal and Bhushan to mention the matter before the Chief Justice of India for urgent listing, citing a Constitution Bench judgment on the powers of master of roster. However, BJP leaders and advocates Meenakshi Lekhi and Aman Sinha told the Press Trust of India that there was no merit in the challenge to the rejection of the impeachment notice as the Rajya Sabha Chairman's order was well-reasoned and completely dealt with each and every ground. While Lekhi termed the filing of plea in the apex court as a "deceptive methodology" of the Congress party to remain in the news, Sinha said there was no legal ground to challenge the decision of the Rajya Sabha Chairman. In the apex court, Justice Chelameswar, who was initially reluctant to order listing of the petition said "there was a five-judge constitution bench verdict on powers of master of roster. It would be appropriate if you mention the matter in court number-1 before the bench of Chief Justice". However after the submissions, Justice Chelameswar and Justice Kaul went into a huddle and asked Sibal and Bhushan to come on Tuesday so they could take a call on the issue. "You come back tomorrow. We will see, the bench said. The two leaders who have filed the petition are Rajya Sabha Congress MPs Partap Singh Bajwa from Punjab and Amee Harshadray Yajnik from Gujarat. A five-judge Constitution Bench of the apex court had on November 10 last year categorically stated that the Chief Justice of India was the "master of the roster". Advancing his arguments, Sibal said, "I am aware of the procedure but it can't be mentioned anywhere else. A person cannot be a judge in his own cause. I am just asking for urgent listing and not seeking any interim relief." He said the CJI cannot order for listing and hence the senior-most judge of the court must pass some orders as it was a matter of constitutional importance. Naidu had on April 23 rejected the impeachment notice given by seven opposition parties led by the Congress on five grounds of "misbehaviour". This was the first time that an impeachment notice was filed against a sitting CJI. The petition of the two Congress MPs filed through advocate Sunil Fernandes in the top court alleged that the charges contained in the notice of the motion were extremely serious and called for a full-fledged inquiry. It also said the reasons given by Naidu while rejecting the impeachment notice were "not legally tenable" and deserved to be set aside for being "wholly extraneous" and ultra vires the provisions of the Constitution and the Inquiry Act. It sought setting aside of the Chairman's order terming the charges contained in the notice of motion are "extremely serious" and merit "a full-fledged inquiry to test their veracity". (With PTI inputs) Lucknow: UP Police have roped in drones and night vision binoculars to keep a check on stray dogs in Uttar Pradeshs Sitapur district after feral, stray dogs claimed 12 innocent lives in the district in the past few months. Since May 1, six children have died after being attacked by stray dogs in different parts of Sitapur. The terror of these untamed canines has led to a sharp drop in children's attendance in schools in Sitapur and adjoining areas. The Director General of UP Police, OP Singh has said, We have formed multiple police teams and equipped them with drones, to cover larger areas, in a bid to trap the feral dogs. Night vision devices will also be used for patrolling during the night. The DGP also said that a survey by police teams suggested that the canine menace existed mainly in around 20 villages that exist in a radius of 20 kilometres. Also, DGP OP Singh said that he and Sitapur superintendent of police (SP) Anand Kulkarni had chalked out a plan to end the dog menace after consulting experts of the National Disaster Management Authority. As precautionary measures, extra police response vehicles have been deployed in the areas where dog menace is acute to intensify patrolling and avert any further casualties. Villagers have also been asked by the district administration to help in patrolling in the affected areas. According to official records, 12 children have been killed so far, including one death on Saturday when a nine-year-old boy was attacked and killed by hounds in Talgaon area when he went out to graze goats in a field. However, according to local residents, almost 18 children have been killed till now by around 100 dogs in the radius of 20 kilometres, ranging from Khairabad and Sitapur Kotwali. New Delhi: Highly placed sources in the Intelligence Bureau (IB) department have told News18 that the German assault rifle secured from an encounter site in Bastar was supplied to Maoists by North East insurgent groups. "Based on our humanint and techint sources, and on our past knowledge about collaboration between the two insurgent groups, we are 99.99 per cent sure that an anti-India group based in North East has supplied Maoists with some sophisticated weaponry including assault rifles made in Germany," the source told News18. It was on May 3 that security forces gunned down two Maoists in an encounter in Sukma's Kistaram area. In the search conducted at the end of the encounter, forces recovered a gun that they had never seen before. "It looked like some variant of our locally designed and produced INSAS series. But when we showed the gun to experts, we found it to be an H&K (Heckler and Koch) series G3 assault rifle," said a senior police officer posted in Sukma. In over three decades of armed conflict in the area, not once had a German made assault rifle been recovered from Bastar. "We are still carrying out investigations. We have submitted our detailed findings to several agencies including the IB and are now awaiting their response," said Sukma Superintendent of Police Abhishek Meena. The senior IB officer told News18 that it groups like ULFA (I) headed by Paresh Baruah and NDFB and NSCN (IM) and NSCN (K), have been known to have procured huge quantities of assault rifles made in Germany. This includes the HK series G3 and HK-33 assault rifles. Baruah is known to have been instrumental in introducing German weaponry illegally in the North East. Asked whether money exchanged hands between North East insurgent groups and Maoists in return for the guns, the IB officer said information available with them did not point towards any financial transactions. "There is a larger pattern of collaboration between various anti-India militias. The hand-over of guns is likely to be part of it. These groups work on the principle of enemy's-enemy-being-a-friend. We have information that the North East groups are using their camps to train Maoists as well." In an unrelated development, West Bengal police has also unearthed a gun-smuggling racket within the Ordnance Factory Board (OFB) in Barrackpore. Those arrested by police have admitted to supply 16 INSAS rifles and six Self Loading Rifles (SLRs) to the Maoists. Chhattisgarh's own intelligence department has also found, through their own sources, availability of rocket launchers with the Maoists. The state intelligence reports have mentioned presence of Maoists armed with sophisticated rocket launchers, ready and waiting in Bijapur district to storm paramilitary camps. Thiruvananthapuram: Security has been fortified in Mahe and adjacent regions in Keralas political hotbed of Kannur district on Tuesday following as tense situation prevailing in the area after the murder of two men in their forties, each belonging to CPM and RSS on Monday night. Blaming each other for the murders, both the organisations have called for a dawn-to-dusk hartal in Kannur and Mahe, a district under union territory of Puducherry, on Tuesday. Both the murders, which took place in a gap of merely an hour, were politically motivated according to an FIR. Two platoons of Police from neighbouring Kasargod have been deployed in the area bordering Mahe and Kannur. Kannipoyil Babu, 45, who was a member of the CPM local committee and a former councillor of Mahe municipality was hacked to death in Mahe, on Monday night. An hour after the killing, Parambathu Shamoj, 42, an auto driver and an RSS worker was murdered at New Mahe in Kannur district in a retaliatory attack. According to Pallur Police, Babu was hacked by an unidentified gang at 9.45 pm about 200 meters away from his house under Pallur station limits. He sustained fatal injuries on the neck. Barely an hour after the attack on Babu, Shamoj was hacked at Kallayi Market, a neighbouring place. According to Police, he was returning home by his autorickshaw when a gang waylaid the vehicle and hacked him. Shamoj, who sustained serious injuries, breathed his last while being taken to the Medical College hospital in Kozhikode, nearly 70 kilometres away from Thalassery. In a press statement, the Kannur unit of CPM said that the murder shows that RSS is not ready to abandon the killer knife in Kannur where peace has been prevailing for some time. "The brutal murder of K Babu, a former Councillor and an active member of the party, by the RSS activists, shows that they are in no mood to end the politics of violence that they have been carrying out. Babu had survived another attempt on his life last year. This murder was planned and executed by the RSS. The murder has happened after the arms training camp of RSS at Koothuparamba was over, said the statement. However, BJP which claimed innocence in the murder of Babu alleged that the murder of Shamoj was a planned one. Neither the BJP nor the Sangh Parivar has any knowledge about the murder of CPM worker Babu. Even then, Shamoj was killed in a planned and retaliatory attack," said BJP district president P Sathyaprakashan in a statement. Earlier in the day, Kannur police had recovered a number of crude bombs from Thillankery in the district. New Delhi: The MeT Department has issued an amber-coloured alert, which is reserved for severe weather, in Delhi, Chandigarh, Jammu and Kashmir, Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, Haryana, western Uttar Pradesh, Sikkim and West Bengal. The alert comes as dust storms were reported early on Tuesday in Rajasthans Jaipur and Jodhpur, and Uttar Pradeshs Baghpat and Saharanpur. The Delhi-NCR region was also hit by a dust storm with a wind speed of 70 km per hour late on Monday, followed by a squall. The high-velocity wind swept through Delhi around 11.15 pm, PTI quoted an official at the Safdarjung observatory as saying. In Baghpat, the storm cut off the power supply to several areas, while essential services like hospitals and rescue personnel were put on alert in Saharanpur. The local weather department in Jaipur issued an alert for 10 districts, warning of heavy winds and rain. The districts include Jhunjhunu, Sikar, Ajmer, Jodhpur, Nagaur, Jaipur, Dausa, Alwar, Tonk and Churu. (Illustration by Mir Suhail/News18.com) The MeT department has forecast rains and gusty winds in Delhi on Tuesday as well. Monday nights showers brought down the temperature in Delhi, which had recorded a maximum temperature of 39.6 degree Celsius during the day. The Delhi government has decided to close all evening schools on Tuesday and put search and rescue teams on standby in the wake of the IMD warning of heavy rain and thunderstorm. The government has also asked other schools to not hold outdoor activities and extracurricular activities between 3 pm to 7 pm during which winds speed is expected to remain high. The Traffic Police, too, have alerted their field formations to be ready to remove obstacles such as fallen trees and asked commuters to check weather conditions before travelling. The Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC), which operates trains in the national capital and NCR, said it would exercise extreme caution in running of trains. "If wind speed is reported in the range of 70-90 kmph then train movement will remain normal, but trains will enter with a restricted speed of 40 kmph or less at the platforms on elevated section. If wind speed is reported more than 90 kmph then trains will be put on hold at platforms and no train will enter platform with a speed of more than 15 kmph," a senior DMRC official told PTI. Weather Forecast & Warning during next 5 days issued on 07.05.2018 pic.twitter.com/GkuqQoR45W India Met. Dept. (@Indiametdept) May 7, 2018 In this case, normal movement of trains will be restored once the wind speed is reported less than 85kmph for continuous five minutes. Appropriate announcements will be made at stations during this period, he said. The IMD has issued an alert forecasting that several parts of north India, including Delhi, could witness thunderstorm and squall on Tuesday, with winds gusting up to 50-70 km per hour. Officials of fire services, Revenue, Traffic Police, Home, Public Works Department and others were present in a meeting chaired by the Chief Secretary. In the list of dos and don'ts, the government has advised citizens to try to stay indoors and keep a watch on local weather updates and warnings. The government also asked people to ensure that children and animals are inside and to unplug unnecessary electrical appliances. The advisory also asked citizens to avoid taking a bath or shower or running water for any purpose. "This is because lightning can travel along pipes. Keep away from doors, windows, fire places, stoves, bath-tubs or any other electrical charge conductors," the advisory stated. At least 124 people were killed and more than 300 others injured in five states due to dust storms, thunderstorms and lightning last week. (With PTI inputs) RTU Results 2018 for B.Tech III Semester have been declared by the Rajasthan Technical University, Kota, Rajasthan, on its official website - rtu.ac.in. The results of B.Tech 3rd Semester Main, Back, Reback and Mercy Back Exams 2018 are available on the official website. Candidates who had appeared for the same can follow the instructions below and check their result now: How to check RTU Results 2018? Step 1 Visit the official website of Rajasthan Technical University - http://www.rtu.ac.in Step 2 Under Examinations tab, click on Results Step 3 Select your Class, Enter Roll Number, Name, Mothers Name, captcha code and click on Show Result Step 4 Download your result and take a printout for further reference Direct Link - http://www.esuvidha.info/ The results of B.Arch IX Semester Exams 2018 after revaluation have also been declared along with results of B.Arch V Semester Main and Back Exam 2018. The B.Tech & B.Arch IV Semester (Main / Back / Mercy Back-2009 Regular & LEEP 2010 Batch) are scheduled to begin tomorrow i.e. 9th May 2018 for the students of Rajasthan Technical University. New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Tuesday warned the Centre that it was in "sheer contempt" of its February 16 verdict by not framing the Cauvery management scheme on river water sharing between four southern riparian states till now. It directed the Secretary of the Union Water Resources Ministry to appear before it on May 14 with the draft scheme. The harsh comments of the top court came after Attorney General K K Venugopal said the Union Cabinet has not been able to meet to approve the draft scheme as the leaders, including the Prime Minister, were busy in the ongoing poll campaign in Karnataka. He also said the Cauvery issue would be placed before the cabinet soon. The Union Cabinet had last met on May 2. The apex court had in its February verdict asked the Centre to frame the Cauvery management scheme, which also included creating the Cauvery Managament Board, within six weeks for the release of water from Karnataka to Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Puducherry with a caveat that the deadline cannot be extended. "You (Centre) are in sheer contempt," a bench headed by Chief Justice Dipak Misra said when the Tamil Nadu Government alleged that the non-framing of the policy was a blatant violation of the crucial judgement in the Cauvery case. "We do not want to come back to square one. Once the judgment has been delivered, it has to be implemented," the bench, also comprising Justices A M Khanwilkar and D Y Chandrachud, said. The bench directed the Secretary of the Union Water Resources Ministry to personally appear before it on May 14 with the draft of the Cauvery management scheme to implement its verdict on water sharing between four riparian states. At outset, senior advocate Shekhar Naphade, appearing for Tamil Nadu government, said the state, which was facing acute water shortage, was not getting its due share. "We are being taken for a ride by the central government ... Are we waiting for the votes to be cast on May 12 (in Karnataka polls)," the lawyer asked. He vehmently opposed Venugopal's plea that the case be adjourned till May 14 as the Union Cabinet has not been able to meet to approve the draft Cauvery scheme due to the campaigning in Karnataka. "This is the fit case for contempt. Somebody has to be sent to jail," Naphade said. Venugopal referred to the sensitive nature of the Cauvery water dispute and said Tamil Nadu and Karnataka have witnessed violent protests over it in the past. The top law officer referred to previous orders, including the one passed on May 3, and said "the cabinet was not available on that day and this is why we are seeking 6-8 days time till May 14". Venugopal also referred to the violent protests across the country after the apex court judgement in the SC/ST matter and said the Cauvery draft scheme would be put before the cabinet as soon as possible. Taking exception to the submissions, the counsel for Tamil Nadu said, "Now, the cat is out of the bag.. we will not be getting the water". The bench intervened by saying, "We must understand the purspose behind framing the (Cauvery management) scheme. It is for implementation of the order". It then referred to the adjustments to be made in the shares of stakeholder states in water deficient years. The bench said Cauvery Management Scheme, once finalised, would deal with the issue of water share of four states in different circumstances like normal and deficient water years in the Cauvery river basin. Venugopal said last time, the court had asked Karnataka to release 2.5 tmcft Cauvery water to Tamil Nadu. Tamil Nadu opposed the submission and said it wanted final resolution of the dispute over water sharing which can be resolved by framing the Cauvery management scheme. The Attorney General again sought time till May 14 and said by that time, the Cabinet would be able to meet to approve the draft scheme. The counsel for Tamil Nadu then took a dig at the Centre and said the government boasted that it worked 24X7 including on Saturdays and Sundays. The apex court had on February 16 asked the Centre to formulate a scheme to ensure compliance of its judgement on the decades-old Cauvery dispute. It had modified the Cauvery Water Disputes Tribunal (CWDT) award of 2007 and made it clear that it will not be extending time for this on any ground. The top court had then raised the 270 tmcft share of Cauvery water for Karnataka by 14.75 tmcft and reduced Tamil Nadu's share, while compensating it by allowing extraction of 10 tmcft groundwater from the river basin, saying the issue of drinking water has to be placed on a "higher pedestal". New Delhi: Thousands of students from three campuses of BITS have launched a "Change for a Change" protest against fee hike by the administration. Students have resorted to collecting and dropping coins of Re 1, 2, 5 and 10 in boxes and bowls outside the administration's office every hour as a mark of protest. Claiming that the fee hike is not a one-off and the increase puts extreme financial pressure on them, Suryansh Tiwari, a student, told CNN-News18: This is not something that has happened all of a sudden. It has been building over the years and was fought by our seniors too." Students claimed they have the support of some professors and assured that their protests are and will remain peaceful. "No one is boycotting any classes or exams, and everyone is both studying peacefully and protesting. Some of the professors are with us and some have not really come forward," he said. However, the administration, he said, has not offered a solution yet. "We have spoken to both the director and the Vice-Chancellor, but a proper solution has not yet been offered by the administration." Explaining the idea behind Change for a Change, Sidhartha Namburi posted in a BITS students' group on Facebook that a symbol was needed in such a time that would last beyond the immediate protest. "The administration has stated that it has run out of ways to make money, and hence must resort to charging students everyone they run out of cash. If our only value in this education ecosystem is as annual cash cows who spit up 15 per cent more money every year to have them run us on their hamster wheel, then so it shall be, he wrote. We will do what they expect us to. Give them money. Peacefully. We will collect every Re 1, 2, 5, 10 coin that we have and will deposit it in collection boxes and bowls outside their offices," he added. Mumbai: Veteran actor Anupam Kher says whenever he takes up an international film or series, he feels a sense of responsibility about representing India. So while he says he focuses on "good work" in India, he wants to do "better" outside. The actor, 65, on Sunday had tweeted that he was travelling to Belfast, Ireland for the shoot of "Mrs Wilson". In an accompanying video, he said: "Have reached London and from here I got to Belfast for a series for BBC titled 'Mrs Wilson'. It is a good role. Whenever I work for an international series or movie, then from within I feel I am representing India and I have to give my best. Whenever I am doing an International film or series, In my mind I feel I am officially representing my country and I have to give my bestest. I get a sense of extra responsibility. !! Looking forward to a great experience. #515ThProject pic.twitter.com/pkumSIhcQn Anupam Kher (@AnupamPKher) May 7, 2018 "I have to do good work in India but outside, I want to do better." Anupam further wrote: "Whenever I am doing an international film or series, in my mind I feel I am officially representing my country and I have to give my bestest. I get a sense of extra responsibility. Desh ki bhi izzat ka sawaal hota hai (it's a matter of my country's prestige too)! Looking forward to a great experience. 515th project." The Indian actor, who has earlier featured in a slew of foreign projects, will also be seen in an upcoming series titled "New Amsterdam", a medical drama. Besides this, he has been nominated for the Virgin TV British Academy Television Awards in 2018 for his work in the adaptation of Satnam Sanghera's memoir "The Boy with the Topknot", a TV movie. "I have been nominated for Bafta on May 13 for the film 'Boy With The Top Knot'. please pray for that. I will be happy if we win, but if not then I would be happy with the nominations only," Anupam urged his fans via his video. Priyanka Chopra never goes wrong with a Ralph Lauren design. The Quantico star looked stunning on the red carpet of the Catholic-inspired Met Gala on Monday night. Chopra, who had created waves with last years appearance in a long trench coat, opted for another Ralph Lauren creation this year strapless velvet crimson gown paired with an embellished gold chain covering her head and neck. The actor was in synch with the Met Gala theme of Heavenly Bodies: Fashion and the Catholic Imagination. She completed the look with a deep red shade on her lips. Katy Perry came as an archangel, Rihanna dressed like the pope, and Kim Kardashian was a golden goddess for Met Gala, headlining the most sought after invitation in the celebrity universe. Bejeweled crosses, veils and halo-inspired headdresses ruled on the red carpet, dubbed the Oscars of the east Coast for its celebrity guest list and stunning outfits. From saints to sinners, guests took the theme to heart. Although some commentators had feared the Catholic theme might yield the most controversial Met Gala ever, most of the actors, models and music stars stayed on the right side of propriety in colors of red, white, gold and black. Rihanna, one of the Met Gala co-hosts, dressed like a pope, sporting a head-turning, jewel-encrusted mitre with matching mini-dress and a priestly-style cape designed by Maison Margiela. Katy Perry wowed in enormous, feathered six foot high white wings teamed with a Versace gold mini-dress paired with thigh-high gold boots. The invitation-only Met Gala is a fundraising benefit for the Metropolitan Museum of Art, and also marks the opening of the Costume Institute's annual fashion exhibition. The 2018 exhibit shows how Catholicism has influenced fashion and designers through the decades and features more than 50 vestments and other religious items direct from the Vatican. Madonna, a key religious provocateur early in her pop career, turned demure in a black, long-sleeved gown, with a huge gold crown, and a full face veil. Kim Kardashian, appearing without husband Kanye West, kept it simple in a curve-hugging, gold metallic floor length dress with plunging neckline by Versace. "Sex and the City" actress Sarah Jessica Parker opted for a gold Dolce & Gabbana gown embroidered with sacred hearts and a towering nativity scene headpiece. Jennifer Lopez chose a Balmain dress, split to the hip, with a large cross across the breast and a black feathered train. Model Bella Hadid was among those opting for the darker side of religion, wearing a Chrome Hearts black latex and leather outfit with long black gloves, and a black veil trailing to the floor. Actors Olivia Munn, Zandaya and Priyanka Chopra went for Crusades-inspired chain-mail outfits, while "Black Panther" star Chadwick Boseman was among the few men going avant-garde in an ivory cape with gold beaded crosses, an embellished suit, and gold colored shoes. #Repost @sonamkapoorwedding with @get_repost #SonamKiShaadi - Brothers @harshvardhankapoor and @arjunkapoor take their dear sister @sonamkapoor to the Mandap for Anand Karaj. . . . #sonamkishaadi #sonamkapoorkishaadi #sonamkapoorwedding #sonamkapoor #anandahuja #weddingbells #marriage #sonamanand #weddingday #everydayphenomenal #bollywoodbubble #ootd #indianwear #traditionalwear #instagood @sonamkapoor @anilskapoor @anandahuja @rheakapoor #harshvardhankapoor #arjunkapoor A post shared by IndianWeddingJournal (@sonamkapoorwedding) on May 8, 2018 at 12:46am PDT Sonam Kapoor and Anand Ahuja have finally tied the knot. The traditional Punjabi wedding ceremony Anand Karaj took place at Sonam's aunt Kavita Singh's heritage bungalow Rockdale in Bandra. The couple took vows in the traditional Sikh ceremony. The actor looks beautiful in an all-red traditional ensemble designed by Anuradha Vakil who has also made Kapoor's pastel Mehendi outfit. While many were expecting Sonam to ditch the traditional wedding attire and opt for something unconventional, the actor surprised everyone by choosing just the conventional getup and managed to leave everyone spellbound. The groom, a Delhi-based businessman, too looked dapper in a Raghavendra Rathore creation, a beige sherwani. He paired his sherwani with a beige and cream 'saafa' along with pearl and ruby strings. Credit: @ Viral Bhayani Credit: @ Viral Bhayani The wedding proceedings were closely guarded as even Sonam arrived at the venue in a car with curtains hiding her look from the media. Later, an official photograph of the actress in her bridal avatar was released. However, curious fans of the actress were filled in with inside photographs and video snippets via social media. Sonam made her bridal entry with her brothers in typical traditional fashion. Credit: @ Voompla The morning wedding saw the attendance of Sonam's cousins where Arjun Kapoor, Janhvi, Khushi, Anshula, Shanaya and Arjun were dressed in ethnic designer wear for the special day. Later Harshvardhan took to his Insta to share an adorable message with her sister and brother-in-law Anand. He wrote, "Mush alert - Senior @sonamkapoor... there is no one quite like you and no one with a bigger heart. Youre a lucky man @anandahuja but remember I was here first! Wishing you both a lifetime of happiness and love #EverydayPhenomenal #SonamKiShaadi" Credit: @ Harshvardhan Kapoor Other family members Boney Kapoor, Sanjay Kapoor and Maheep Kapoor too were present for the occasion. From the film and fashion industry, Amitabh Bachchan, Abhishek Bachchan, Karan Johar, Jacqueline Fernandez, Rani Mukerji, Swara Bhaskar, Kareena Kapoor Khan, Saif Ali Khan, Karisma Kapoor, designer Masaba Gupta and stylist Pernia Qureshi were present. Here are all the inside photos from the grand morning wedding. Credit: @ Ministry of Bollywood Credit: @ Viral Bhayani Credit: @ Karan Johar Credit: @ Rhea Kapoor Credit: @ Viral Bhayani Credit: @ Harshvardhan Kapoor Credit: @ K A P O O R F A N S Credit: @ Abu Jani Sandeep Khosla Ranveer and Arjun took to stage to sing a 'hip-hop' version of Masakali. Credit: @ #POPxoDaily Celebrities also took to their Instagram accounts to share the inside pictures from the wedding. Sonam's sister Rhea Kapoor also shared an image of an elaborate and royal looking wedding venue. The wedding is to be followed by lunch and a grand reception at The Leela in the evening. Several photos from the lunch are also making rounds on social media where the couple is seeing cutting the wedding cake. Credit: @ Alisha Dave Rahul Gandhi truly set the cat among the pigeons. He did this at the peak of the campaign for the Karnataka assembly elections on Tuesday, May 8, 2018. It was a seemingly innocent, passing remark that he would like to be the Prime Minister if the Congress emerged as the single largest party in 2019. But it was anything but innocent. It was an intended remark, aimed at provoking responses. First, it simply stopped the verbal wagon of Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his rallies in Karnataka. He had to react to what Rahul said. Rahul had simply upped the campaign game. Modis by now routine speeches immediately took on a new sting aimed at dynasty politics of the Nehru-Gandhis. The BJP, simultaneously, erupted in a national reaction, ridiculing Rahul. Rahul's statement stung? Suddenly RaGa was more important than Basava or Lingayat or Karnataka. He set the agenda, at least for today. Two, Rahuls remark was the first, confident statement at power-grabbing by the Congress since its 2014 drubbing. How could a national party, reduced to a paltry 44 Lok Sabha seats, ever dream of returning to power? The rhetoric gathered momentum as the years passed and the Congress began to lose state after state. It was about Congress losing a state; it was immaterial if the loss was because the BJP managed to come to power even with two seats. A loss is a loss. A party reduced to handling four states in India Karnataka, Punjab, Mizoram (elections due this December) and Puducherry could not dream of beating the Modi juggernaut in 2019. That was the refrain in the BJP and its social media adherents. Rahul swept aside this assertion with his remark. As president of the Congress, he meant to convey that it is the creed of a national party to behave, and be seen to behave, as a national party. And so, the party has no option but to dream big like defeating the BJP and coming back to power to 2019. It can get defeated in the process, no doubt. But it cannot stop dreaming big because of the worry of defeat. That is the bane of being a national party. Perhaps that was Rahuls logic. Or something close to it. In this sense, it was aimed more at reviving the morale of the ordinary congressman than taking a swipe at Modi. Three, Rahul declared himself the leader to square-off against Narendra Modi in 2019. Mother Sonia was also in Karnataka when the son made that statement. Is the transfer of power in the Congress deemed to be complete by this statement? Would the mother, and Rahul's detractors within the old guard of the party, say that he has come of age? We wouldn't know, would we! Four, he did not wait for someone to anoint him the PM candidate. If that is over-confidence or a shrewd move, Rahul alone will know at this point of time. But the fact is, the equation for 2019 has simply undergone a change from today; Modi has a challenger. Till now, it was Modi who dictated the terms of challenge: He made Arvind Kejriwal a challenger by taking him on one-on-one; so what if the BJP was decimated in Delhi. He made Laloo his challenger by taking him on one-on-one; so what if the BJP was badly mauled in Bihar. This time, Rahul beat him to it by naming himself Modis challenger. Its a perception game. Five, he sought to show the Left parties their place in the current political spectrum; that is, nowhere. He was literally taunted for the last six or seven months, as CPM leader Sitaram Yechury grappled with his detractors inside the party on supporting the Congress against the BJP. Just imagine the temerity of this party. Wiped out from West Bengal and Tripura and the Lok Sabha except for Kerala, it still thinks it decides the politics of secularism versus fundamentalism. The CPM getting one or two seats in the 2019 is no solace for any non-BJP government. It simply does not matter. In the last couple of months, the CPM watched from the sidelines as the regional political parties began maneuvers for testing political/alliance waters. Mamata Banerjee, Chandrababu Naidu, Naveen Patnaik, Lalu Prasad, Sharad Pawar, MK Stalin, K Chandrashekhara Rao, Omar Abdullah, Akhilesh Yadav, Mayawati they were all meeting in Delhi and other state capitals, keeping the political columnists busy. What was the outcome, nobody knows. Yet, Rahuls remark seems incongruous, coming as it does at a time when the Congress ought to be begging for inclusion in the non-BJP front. Rahul also sent a message to the regional parties. He revealed to them the basic truth: It is near impossible for a non-Congress, non-BJP alliance of regional parties with or without the Left to form a government in Delhi. At least, in 2019. Rahul did not mean to say that the BJP is bound to lose in 2019 and that all parties would have to support the Congress under his leadership. No. He merely reminded them of their current limitations: One, All of them are too divided to unite. (BSP and SP in UP could transfer votes thanks to both castes having a common enemy. Can one imagine Naidu and Jagan of YSRCP coming together? Or DMK and TTV of Ammas ADMK? Laughable, isnt it?) Two, their own interests will determine their need for either the BJP or the Congress. Three, there cannot be a situation where one of them can become the PM with either of the national parties supporting them. Just see the reactions from the Left and the regional parties. All of them reacted along expected lines. Nobody really welcomed his statement. But nobody really flayed him either. Rahuls statement makes it clear to them that if they ignore him and the Congress, they will then have to throw up a third contender, apart from Modi and Rahul, for 2019? Yeah? The stakes in 2019 will be much higher than in 1977 or 1989. Neither the Congress nor the BJP if weakened at the 2019 Hustings - can afford to hand over the reins of power to an alliance and support it from outside. It is imperative for them to become the ruler. Period. With 274 seats the BJP cannot remain content. With 48, the Congress cannot withdraw from the race. Seats are needed to form the government. But perception is needed for facing the elections in the first place. It is a do or die situation. And Rahul today cast the die for the Congress. Good, bad, or otherwise. New Delhi: The BJPs latest dine with Dalits outreach doesnt seem to have gone down well with the saffron partys own lawmakers from the Dalit community. After a string of embarrassing incidents and statements, the BJPs Dalit MPs want the party to put an immediate end to such visits to Dalit homes. Bahraich MP Savitri Phule says the exercise is fuelling distrust among Dalits. When you need Dalit votes, mosquitoes are not a problem, she tells News18, taking a dig at UP minister Anupama Jaiswal who had complained of mosquito bites during her visit to a Dalit home. These visits do not serve any purpose. When you go to a Dalits home, the idea is to realise how a Dalit lives. Instead, you eat shahi paneer, dal makhni, pulao and gulab jamuns and then share the photo on Twitter, WhatsApp and Facebook, says Phule, this time referencing minister Suresh Ranas visit to a Dalit home. Rana had landed uninvited at a Dalit familys home in Aligarh's Lohagarh village with party supporters and had allegedly ordered the food and cutlery from outside. He has denied the allegations. Phule is not alone in her anger. Dr Sanjay Paswan, president of the partys Scheduled Caste wing, also wants the BJP to go slow on the visits to Dalit families. He says the BJP wont gain much from the outreach if the leaders who are part of it dont know whats needed to be done. "For example, not many non-Dalit leaders, who take part in Samrasta Bhog Abhiyan, know that most Dalits are non-vegetarians. In one day, they cannot teach the Dalits to be vegetarians." BJP MP Udit Raj, who is also a Dalit, says the party seems to have been caught in a time wrap as some leaders still feel they are doing the Dalits a favour by dining with them. Today's Dailt is not a Dailt from the 1960s or 70s. Today, Dalits know how to assert themselves and the party must realise this fact, says Raj in apparent reference to UP minister Thakur Rajendra Pratap Singhs controversial statement that BJP leaders visiting Dalit homes was akin to Lord Ram visiting Shabaris home. Ahead of general elections next year, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the BJP face the challenge of winning the trust of Dalits who have taken to protests against atrocities on minorities and the dilution of the SC/ST Protection Act. The saffron party also faces a similar challenge from within as Dalit voices in the BJP have also been vocal against atrocities on minorities. In political math, 1+1 is rarely 2. Had that been the case, the Samajwadi Party-Congress combination wouldnt have lost to the BJP in Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections. The party may have shed its traditional Brahmin-Baniya image to woo Dalits ahead of the 2014 elections and the same may have worked well for it in UP Assembly elections, but recent controversies may have eroded some of the trust the party had generated. Brahmin, Baniya, Thakur and other upper caste BJP leaders may be following the #DineOutWithDalit diktat, but mentally they still do not find themselves comfortable eating at a Dalits home, says a Dalit scholar from Uttar Pradesh. The Dalit vote is a factor in several seats in Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Bihar, Maharashtra, West Bengal, Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu. Mindful of the controversies, RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat, too, had warned the BJP over trips to Dalit homes, though it was followed by a quick denial. The Sangh perhaps forgot that a lot of damage has been caused by its leaders as well. RSS leader Manmohan Vaidya had triggered a furore last year when he pitched for reservation to be scrapped. He was, however, quick to issue a retraction. It is the official stance of the RSS that reservation should continue, which the Sangh has proved from time to time by passing resolutions about it in its Akhil Bharatiya Pratinidhi Sabhas. The Sangh is determined to remove social inequality and create social harmony in the society, he had said. Statements and controversies like these have snowballed into anger against a party which boasts of giving India a Dalit President. Savitri Phule has taken exception to this claim as well. I am a Member of Parliament from my constituency, not a Dalit MP. Similarly Ram Nath Kovind is the President of India and not the Dalit President of India. Dalit thinker and scholar Kancha Ilaiah says the BJP might have managed to woo Dalit votes to gain power in 2014, but Dalits within may be getting restless with the party increasing the Brahmins, Banias and other castes among its ranks. This is why so many Dalit MPs are openly coming out and speaking against the party, says Ilaiah. He adds that sending a Dalit to the Rashtrapati Bhavan is not enough and that the party needs to change its mindset towards Dalits. Its not just the BJPs #DineOutWithDalit program but the dilution of SC/ST Atrocities Act and the fear of losing reservation that the Dalits have developed cold feet, he says. Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has dismissed the controversies during his ministers visits as exceptions. In an interview to CNN-News18, he said, Few instances of MPs being caught on wrong the foot cannot be described as a rule, but an exception. Rule or exception, these visits have given fodder to the Congress. The manner in which BJP netas are speaking is not only an insult to Dalits but to our democracy. The BJP has taken this photo opportunity and reality TV to another level, says Congress spokesperson Sanjay Jha. The Dining With Dalits controversy is not new for the BJP. In May last year, its CM candidate BS Yeddyurappa was booked for practising untouchability after he refused to eat pulao prepared at a Dalit home in Tumkuru, but ordered idly and vada from a local hotel. According to Indudar Honnapura, a Bengaluru-based Dalit activist, All these leaders believe in symbolism. Even today, Dalits are not allowed inside temples. Discrimination happens at many places over drinking water. Many hotels in Bengaluru are reluctant to give entry to Dalits. Why this symbolism? Shamli: The BJP on Tuesday announced its candidates for the Lok Sabha and Assembly bypolls to be held in Uttar Pradesh on May 28. For both seats, which were held by the BJP till February, the ruling party has up banked on family members of the deceased lawmakers. Deceased MP Hukum Singhs daughter Mriganka Singh is the BJP candidate from Kairana while Avani Singh, the wife of deceased MLA Lokendra Chauhan, will fight from Noorpur. The Kairana Lok Sabha seat had fallen vacant after the death of sitting BJP MP Hukum Singh in February. Jats and Gujjars are the two of the largest chunks of voters in Kairana. While BJP leaders are confident that Gujjar voters will stick with the BJP out of sympathy for deceased MP Hukum Singh, a Gujjar, the Jat voter could prove to be the kingmakers. After losses in the Gorakhpur and Phulpur Lok Sabha bypolls, BJP leaders dont want to leave any stone unturned in Kairana. Mriganka will be up against the member of another prominent political family from Western UP. Tabassum Hassan, mother of Samajwadi Party MLA Nahid Hassan, who had defeated Mriganka in the 2017 UP Assembly Elections from Kairana, is the joint candidate of the opposition parties and is contesting on a Rashtriya Lok Dal (RLD) ticket. Even before an official announcement was made, Mriganka had started positioning herself as the heir to her fathers political legacy. In interviews and public appearances, she has claimed herself to be the inheritor of Hukum Singhs controversial legacy. In 2016, Hukum Singh alleged that 250 Hindu families had fled Kairana in a mass exodus over the last few years due to pressure from another community. Singh went as far as to claim that Kairana was becoming another Kashmir with Hindu families fleeing. She is the strongest candidate for us. There are several merits to giving her a ticket. She will not only rope in the sympathy factor, but will also ensure that Gujjar voters, a key voting bloc in Kairana, stick with the BJP, said a BJP leader on condition of anonymity. In Noorpur, where the BJPs Lokendra Singh Chauhan won in both 2012 and 2017, BJP is facing a tough challenge with the BSP sitting out and possibly transferring its vote to the SP. Here, too, the ruling party will apply the same strategy. The seat fell vacant in February after Chauhan died in a road accident in Sitapur. Here, the strongest candidate is Lokendra Chauhans wife Avani Singh. She is a winnable candidate and has support among Noorpurs dominant Rajput community, a BJP leader said. New Delhi: Finance minister Arun Jaitley on Tuesday slammed the Congress party for the impeachment fiasco and said the fringe position it had adopted with the latest attack on the judiciary will cost it dearly in Karnataka. Jaitley, who has previously accused Congress of using impeachment notice against the CJI as a political tool of dragging "intra court disputes into the parliamentary process", wrote another Facebook post, his third in the last few weeks, to say that the impeachment motion against the Chief Justice of India was wholly misconceived, poorly drafted and lacked in substance. If the motion for impeachment was unsustainable, the writ petition challenging the order of the Chairman, Rajya Sabha, was unarguable, Jaitley wrote. He said that Venkaiah Naidus order to reject the impeachment motion was well-reasoned and not subject to judicial review. Despite this, he said, the Congress decided to fish in troubled waters on finding the top court to be a divided house. He said that the party had deliberately filed its petition before a "receptive court" to make the "unarguable matter" arguable. The Congress conceived of a strategy to choose a court of its choice for mentioning for constitution of the bench to hear the matter so that an unarguable matter could be arguable before a more receptive court. The Congress Party was looking for a friendly pitch to bowl on, Jaitley added. The lawyer for the petitioners, two Rajya Sabha MPs, was Congress leader Kapil Sibal, who himself had signed the impeachment motion against CJI Dipak Misra. He had submitted the plea challenging the rejection of the motion by Naidu in front of Justice J Chelameswar, the most senior judge in the SC, and one of the four who had held an unprecedented press conference against the CJI in January this year. Jaitley alleged that the Congress had filed the plea in the SC as it wanted the sword to hang on the CJI and the apex court for its judgment in the Judge Loya death case. The judgment in the unfortunate death of Judge Loya has already exposed the false hallucination of the Congress Party where it concocted the unnatural death theory. Its efforts of a foreign shopping having failed, it refused to argue its unarguable case on merits, he wrote. The finance minister said that the leadership of Congress, which always occupied the centre stage of politics, has increasing started adopting fringe positions on issues after being ousted from state after state. It is not only electoral arithmetic that it occupies the fringe position but also the position that it adopts on several mainstream issues, he said. He listed issues like Rahul Gandhi visiting JNU when the anti-national debate was raging, the party opposing the use of technology like EVMs and demanding the use of paper ballots, preferring cash over digital modes of payment and questioning Aadhaar in courts and Parliament despite pioneering it. On economic reforms, the party takes a position hostile to any reform measure and wants to go back on the retrograde policies. The leader has no qualms of releasing his photographs with a convicted ally whom he had once opposed, Jaitley added, referring to Rahul Gandhi and RJD chief Lalu Prasad Yadav. He questioned if it behove a national party to deviate from the mainstream and take such fringe positions. Fringe organisations have no hope of ever coming to power. They can, therefore, afford to take positions which they will never have to implement. But can a party having ruled India for such a long tenure, push itself to take fringe position one after the other? This in reality is the price which each Congressman will pay because its leader has decided that fringe position are better than the mainstream one. The Congressmen in Karnataka will be the immediate victims, Jaitley said. Ramanagara and Channapatna: Unlike his arch-rival Siddaramaiah, who has a tough fight on his hands in both Chamundeshwari and Badami, Janata Dal (Secular) state chief HD Kumaraswamy is likely to easily win from both Ramanagara and Channapatna, the two seats he is contesting from. Both are neighbouring seats in the newly created Ramanagara district near Bengaluru. Kumaraswamy has won from Ramanagara thrice since 2004 but in a surprise move, chose to contest from neighbouring Channapatna as well. In his new constituency, Kumaraswamy is pitted against sitting BJP MLA CP Yogishwar and transport minister HM Revanna. Yogishwar who won on the SP ticket in 2013 had later joined the Congress. A few months ago, he shifted to BJP and sought re-nomination. HM Revanna, who is an MLC, was Congress last minute choice. The love-hate relationship between film star-turned-politician Yogishwar and Kumaraswamy is legendary. Party insiders, though, claim that it did not play a part in Kumaraswamy's decision to contest from Channapatna. They say he wants to keep the seat safe for wife Anitha Kumaraswamy as she could not contest this time due to a family feud. Kumar Anna wanted Anitha Akka to contest from Channapatna. But his nephew Prajwal Revanna also wanted to contest during this election. Kumaraswamy opposed it, leading to feud, which subsequently meant he could not field his wife. Once the election is over, he will retain Ramanagara seat and will vacate Channapatna for his wife, said a JD(S) worker. Taking no chances, Kumaraswamy has extensively campaigned in his new constituency and a team of dedicated party volunteers are working to ensure that the win is comfortable. The BJP has no presence here and Yogishwar is solely dependent on his personal charisma to retain the seat. Speaking to News18 he said, Kumaraswamy will quit even if he wins from here. There will be a by-election. Waste of money and time. I am the strongest here and I will win. The people are not fools to vote for him. Congress HM Revanna, a Kuruba by caste, is new to the constituency. Both Kumaraswamy and Yogishwar are Vokkaligas, who account for more than 50% of the population in Channapatna. According to JD(S) spokesman Gangadharamurthy, Revanna has no chance in this election and the actual fight was between Kumaraswamy and Yogishwar. On the other hand, in Ramanagara, Kumaraswamy does not seem to have any real competition from the Congress or BJP. The Congress has fielded a local Muslim candidate Iqbal Hussain, with an eye on the sizeable minority voters working in Asias largest silk market here. There are over 50,000 Muslim voters in Ramanagara. If the Muslims, OBCs, SC/STs back Congress, even Kumaraswamy can be defeated. It is not that all Vokkaligas vote for the Gowda family. We are making a serious effort to wrest the seat from him, said Hussain. Meanwhile, the BJP has fielded Leelavathi, an unknown face, which the Congress say has given credence to their claim of JD(S) being BJPs B-team. Tejaswini Gowda was a serious contender for the seat from BJP. She would have given a good fight to Kumaraswamy. Denying her the ticket proves that there is a secret deal between Gowda and Modi, said state Congress campaign committee general secretary Milind Dharmasena. The JD(S) chief though is unaffected by the allegations and has denied any pre-poll alliance. Speaking to News18, he said, All castes and religions love me. I dont need to campaign much. I will win from Ramanagara and Channapatna. As for an alliance, I am neither with BJP nor Congress. Bhopal: Tainted Dalit IAS officer Shashi Karnawat who was terminated from services last year over corruption charges, joined the Congress party on Tuesday. The BJP government in Madhya Pradesh had recommended her termination to the Centre, following which she was sacked. Karnawat was extended primary membership of the Congress after her meeting with the MP PCC president Kamal Nath on Tuesday morning. In the past, Karnawat had shared the stage with Congress leaders on several occasions after being kicked out of the civil services ranks. The former IAS officer had openly vowed to uproot the Bharatiya Janata Party from power in Madhya Pradesh. Expressing gratitude towards senior Congress leaders, including Kamal Nath, Karnawat mentioned former Union minister Suresh Pachauri saying, Pachauri Ji told me that being snatched of a livelihood does not mean the end of life and asked me to start life afresh. For one reason or the other, the 1999 batch IAS officer would always make the headlines during her days in service before she was finally dismissed in 2017. While she was posted in district Mandla district as the Zila Panchayat Chief Executive Officer from 1999 to 2000, her name surfaced in the Rs 32 lakh printing scam. She was also jailed in 2013 following orders from a court in Mandla. Soon after being released from jail, Karnawat started spewing venom against the BJP government while threatening self-immolation on occasions. She had even written to PM Narendra Modi alleging ill-treatment at the hands of the state government for being a Dalit officer. She had also announced that she would take sanyas. Meanwhile, Congress, which is going all out to woo Dalits, wasted no time in embracing Karnawat. Sources however claim that Karnawat who alongside another controversial Dalit IAS officer Ramesh Thete had polarized the MP bureaucracy in groups of Dalit and anti-Dalits, could prove to be a burden for the Congress. Besides, her graft tainted past could also offer BJP another salvo to attack the Congress. Bengaluru: "The power of money is what matters the most during elections," says 33-year-old Yogesh Babu, adding especially if you are pitted against a close aide from the Janardhan Reddy clan. But for Congress leader Yogesh Babu, who is contesting against BJPs B Sreeramalu from the Molkalmuru constituency, the money will come from the public. In a first-of-its-kind initiative, the SM & Digital Communications team of the Congress has decided to launch a crowd-funding campaign to support Babu's candidature with an aim to bring more transparency into electoral politics. Yogesh Babu, a PhD scholar in Sanskrit and native of Molkalmuru, is a debutante in electoral politics but has worked his way up from the grassroots level. He is known for his 'clean image' and is a popular youth icon in the region. The Congress leader believes that he would rather have the people choose between the dirty politics on offer or clean politics he has to offer. "These last 2-3 days are crucial for campaigning; my opponents are spoiling the voters with their money, which is why the money I get through this platform will be used towards the good works for the people of the area," said a confident Yogesh Babu. The party has set a target of Rs 28 lakhs for Babus crowd-funding, which is also the amount permitted by the Election Commission for a candidate to spend on campaign activities. At the time of publishing this article, Yogesh Babu had received Rs 4,19,340 from 184 donors with 2 more days to go before campaigning ends. Karnataka will go to polls on May 12 and results will be announced on May 15. New Delhi: In what is being seen as an attempt to lay claim over the leadership of the united opposition after 2019 General Elections, Congress chief Rahul Gandhi on Tuesday said he is willing to become the Prime Minister if his party emerges as the single-largest bloc in the Lok Sabha. Gandhi was responding to a question by journalists in Bengaluru on whether he was willing to become the Prime Minister if the anti-BJP parties garner numbers post 2019 elections. If the Congress wins with the single-largest majority, then why not, Gandhi said. The Congress president is on an election tour of Karnataka, which will vote on Saturday. His PM bid is a message to party cadre in the poll-bound state of the party's determination to wrest power back at the Centre next year. This is the first time that Gandhi has explicitly expressed interest in joining the political executive if elected to power. He was elected to the Lok Sabha from Amethi in UP in 2004, 2009 and 2014. Soon after Gandhis remark, the BJP took potshots, saying the Congress president, who is harbouring "lofty dreams" despite his party's losing spree, should first try to win state elections. BJP spokesperson Shahnawaz Hussain said while it is Gandhi's right to "dream" about becoming the prime minister, even Congress' allies were not accepting him as their leader. He reminded Gandhi that after he became Congress vice president, "his party lost 13 states and after he took over as party president, it has lost five states and Karnataka will be the sixth one". "Look at the irony, Congress is losing state after state ever since Gandhi took over as party's vice president and then party chief. But he is dreaming to become the prime minister. Even Congress' allies are not accepting him as their leader," Hussain told reporters. The BJP leader emphasised that the country will once again elect Narendra Modi as their prime minister. "Aakhir dil ki baat zubaan par aa hi gayi (Finally what was in his heart has come out," Hussain said on Gandhi's remarks "It is good to see that he has such lofty dreams. It is his right. But, to become the prime minister, he has to win some, at least some state elections and make chief ministers of his choice. Under his leadership, the party is not winning any state election and he is dreaming of becoming the prime minister," he said. He, however, did not join the Manmohan Singh Cabinet nor evinced interest in leading the government despite the Congress being in power for 10 years. In December, Gandhi officially took over as the Congress chief, taking the baton from mother Sonia Gandhi, who led the Congress for almost two decades. With a pan-India presence, the Congress has a greater possibility of emerging as the single-largest opposition party. The challenge, however, will be to resist pressure from smaller regional satraps, who may come together after elections and prod the Congress to support a consensus candidate from the regional bloc. Gandhis claim over the leadership of the alternative alliance is also aimed to pre-empt a redux of 1996 and 1998 when the onus of sustaining a non-BJP government fell on the Congress. The overwhelming response in the party is that he is a natural leader of the party. I am glad that people are thinking about a PM other than Narendra Modi. If there is a coalition of parties, we will consult everyone and the PM will be chosen, said senior Congress leader P Chidambaram. Google I/O 2018 will be held by the Alphabet owned company from May 8 to May 10 in the USA. The event will take place in Mountain View, California and in India it will start at 9:30 PM IST. Google's CEO Sundar Pichais keynote will be the one to look out for right at the start of this year's Google developers conference. The biggest announcement for this year will be the next Android Operating system and for which the developer's preview is already available. Named Android P it will take on a lead ahead of Apple's iOS 11 that are expected to be showcased at WWDC 2018 in June. Other announcements at the Google I/O 2018 that are expected on are on updates of WearOS, Google Assistant, ARCore, and more. This conference is an annual event and is focused on developers who develop apps for Google's Android platform and will affect the outcome of how you'll be using Google's services in the coming months. It will also give us a sneak peek into what kind of Google Pixel we'll see this year. Don't Forget to Subscribe to the 'Tech And Auto Show' YouTube Channel Also Watch: Nokia 7 Plus Review The venue for Google I/O 2018 at Mountain View, California is at the Shoreline Amphitheatre. The three-day conference will hold multiple sessions and presentations to highlight its apps and services that Google will roll out this year for developers to take advantage of to enhance the consumer experience. Google I/O 2018 usually will kick-off with a keynote at 9:30 pm in India. The keynote will be delivered by Sundar Pichai, CEO, Google and as usual Google has a dedicated I/O website where you'll be able to watch it live. For developers in India, you can watch the keynote live on Google Developers YouTube channel. You can watch the live stream here. Iranian President Hassan Rouhani is criticizing the blocking of the popular Telegram messaging app in the Islamic Republic, suggesting those at the highest level in the country shut off access. Rouhani, a relatively moderate cleric within Irans Shiite theocracy, did not elaborate in his online comments late Friday but they seem aimed at redirecting domestic anger over the blocking of the app, believed to be used by half of Irans 80 million people. The app was crucial in fanning nationwide protests in December and January. Also Read: New WhatsApp Domain Lets Users Chat Without Opening The App: Here is How it Works Authorities temporarily blocked the app to calm the demonstrations, but Irans judiciary on Monday ordered internet service providers to block access to the app. Since then, users largely havent been able to access it. Tehrans prosecutor also ordered Telegram be blocked in a way that would not allow users to bypass the restrictions using a virtual private network or other means. Computer-savvy Iranians routinely use such VPNs to get around online restrictions in the country to use Facebook, Twitter and other prohibited sites. In a post on photo-sharing app Instagram, which isnt blocked in Iran, Rouhani wrote: No social network or messenger was blocked by this government and wont be blocked. If at the highest level of the system a decision has been made to restrict or block the peoples communications, the real owners of this country, which are the people, should be aware of this, Rouhani added. Also Read: Honor 10 to Launch in India on May 15, Will be Flipkart Exclusive The semi-official ISNA news agency also reported his remarks. Telegram allows users to send text messages, pictures and video over the internet. The service touts itself as being highly encrypted and allows users to set their messages to self-destruct after a certain period, making it a favourite among activists and others concerned about their privacy. The head of Irans parliamentary committee on national security and foreign policy, Alaeddin Boroujerdi, said last month Telegram would be blocked. Iranian authorities have been trying to convince the country to use indigenously made messaging apps instead, though activists worry those program likely can be monitored by the government. Boroujerdi also said the decision to block the app was a response to what he called Telegrams destructive role in anti-government protests that began in late December. The protests saw at least 25 people killed and nearly 5,000 reportedly arrested. Also Watch: Huawei P20 Pro Review: Huawei Nails it With The Triple Camera Monday at Microsoft Build 2018, Microsoft Corps annual developer conference, Microsoft leaders showcased new technologies to help developers embrace AI on Microsoft Azure, Microsoft 365 and across any platform. As per Microsoft, building for AI is more important to developers than ever, as technology continues to change the way people live and work every day, across the cloud and across edge devices. The era of the intelligent cloud and intelligent edge is upon us, said Satya Nadella, CEO, Microsoft. These advancements create incredible developer opportunity and also come with a responsibility to ensure the technology we build is trusted and benefits all. Microsoft also announced AI for Accessibility, a new $25 million, five-year program aimed at harnessing the power of AI to amplify human capabilities for more than 1 billion people around the world with disabilities. The program comprises grants, technology investments and expertise, and will also incorporate AI for Accessibility innovations into Microsoft Cloud services. It builds on the success of the similar AI for Earth initiative. Also read: iPhone X Devices With FaceID Issue Will Get Replaced By Apple Advancements in the intelligent edge and intelligent cloud Smart devices are proliferating in homes and businesses across the globe, with more than 20 billion expected by 2020. These devices are so smart, in fact, they are powering advanced ways to see, listen, reason and predict, without constant connectivity to the cloud. That is the intelligent edge, and it is opening opportunities for consumers, businesses and entire industries, from the operating room to the factory floor. Today Microsoft is announcing new capabilities for developers to extend to the edge: Microsoft is open sourcing the Azure IoT Edge Runtime, allowing customers to modify, debug and have more transparency and control for edge applications. Custom Vision will now run on Azure IoT Edge, enabling devices such as drones and industrial equipment to take critical action quickly without requiring cloud connectivity. Microsoft says that this is the first Azure Cognitive Service to support edge deployment, with more coming to Azure IoT Edge over the next several months. DJI, the worlds biggest drone company, is partnering with Microsoft to create a new SDK for Windows 10 PCs, and it has also selected Azure as its preferred cloud provider to further its commercial drone and SaaS solutions. The SDK will bring full flight control and real-time data transfer capabilities to nearly 700M Windows 10 connected devices globally. As part of the commercial partnership, DJI and Microsoft will co-develop solutions leveraging Azure IoT Edge and Microsofts AI services to enable new scenarios across agriculture, construction, public safety and more. Microsoft announced a joint effort with Qualcomm Technologies, Inc. to create a vision AI developer kit running Azure IoT Edge. This solution makes available the key hardware and software required to develop camera-based IoT solutions. Developers can create solutions that use Azure Machine Learning services and take advantage of the hardware acceleration available via the Qualcomm Vision Intelligence Platform and Qualcomm AI Engine. The camera can also power advanced Azure services, such as machine learning, stream analytics and cognitive services, that can be downloaded from the cloud to run locally on the edge. Also read: Google I/O 2018: Here is What is Expected From Google at This Year's Developer Conference Data and AI development for a new era Using data, machine learning and cognitive intelligence, developers can build and manage AI-rich solutions that transform the ways people work, collaborate and live: Microsoft announced Project Kinect for Azure, a package of sensors, including our next-generation depth camera, with onboard computer designed for AI on the Edge. Building on Kinects legacy that has lived on through HoloLens, Project Kinect for Azure empowers new scenarios for developers working with ambient intelligence. Combining Microsofts Time of Flight sensor with additional sensors all in a small, power-efficient form factor, Project Kinect for Azure will leverage the richness of Azure AI to dramatically improve insights and operations. It can input fully articulated hand tracking and high-fidelity spatial mapping, enabling precise solutions. A Speech Devices SDK announced at the Microsoft Build 2018 delivers superior audio processing from multichannel sources for more accurate speech recognition, including noise cancellation, far-field voice and more. With this, developers can build a variety of voice-enabled scenarios like drive-thru ordering systems, in-car or in-home assistants, smart speakers, and other digital assistants. Azure Cosmos DB updates include new and differentiated multimaster at global scale capabilities, designed to support both the cloud and the edge, along with the VNET general availability for increased security. With these new updates, Cosmos DB delivers even greater cost-effectiveness and global scale, further cementing it as the fastest-growing database service in the world. A preview of Project Brainwave, an architecture for deep neural net processing, is now available on Azure and on the edge. Project Brainwave makes Azure the fastest cloud to run real-time AI and is now fully integrated with Azure Machine Learning. It also supports Intel FPGA hardware and ResNet50-based neural networks. New Azure Cognitive Services updates include a unified Speech service with improved speech recognition and text-to-speech, which support customized voice models and translation. Along with Custom Vision, these updates make it easier for any developer to add intelligence to their applications. New updates to Bot Framework and Cognitive Services will power the next generation of conversational bots enabling richer dialogs, and full personality and voice customization to match the companys brand identity. A preview of Azure Search with Cognitive Services integration. This new feature combines AI with indexing technologies so its possible to quickly find information and insights, whether via text or images. Watch: Smartron t.book Flex First Impressions Review: A Nifty Work-Play Companion Also read: Amitabh Bachchan Leaks Black And White Colour Variants of OnePlus 6 on Twitter Multisense and multidevice experiences Microsoft also demonstrated mixed-reality capabilities to enable richer experiences that understand the context surrounding people, the things they use, their activities and relationships: A new initiative, Project Kinect for Azure a package of sensors from Microsoft that contains time of flight depth camera, with onboard computer, in a small, power-efficient form factor designed for AI on the Edge. Project Kinect for Azure brings together this leading hardware technology with Azure AI to empower developers with new scenarios for working with ambient intelligence. With Microsoft Remote Assist, customers can collaborate remotely with heads-up, hands-free video calling, image sharing, and mixed-reality annotations. Firstline Workers can share what they see with any expert on Microsoft Teams, while staying hands on to solve problems and complete tasks together, faster. With Microsoft Layout, customers can design spaces in context with mixed reality. Import 3-D models to create room layouts in real-world scale, experience designs as high-quality holograms in physical space or in virtual reality, and share and edit with stakeholders in real time. Also read: Google I/O 2018 Sundar Pichai Keynote How To Watch It Live In India on May 8 Modern tooling and experiences for any platform in any language Microsoft is empowering developers to build for the new era of the intelligent edge, across Azure, Microsoft 365 and other platforms, using the languages and frameworks of their choice: With Azure Kubernetes Service (AKS), Microsoft claims that the developers can drastically simplify how they build and run container-based solutions without deep Kubernetes experience. Generally available in the coming weeks, AKS integrates with developer tools and workspaces, DevOps capabilities, networking, monitoring tools, and more in the Azure portal, so developers can write code, not stitch services together. In addition, Microsoft is now offering Kubernetes support for Azure IoT Edge devices. Visual Studio IntelliCode is a new capability that enhances everyday software development with the power of AI. IntelliCode provides intelligent suggestions to improve code quality and productivity and is available in preview today in Visual Studio. Visual Studio Live Share, now in preview, lets developers collaborate in real time with team members who can edit and debug directly from their existing tools like Visual Studio 2017 and VS Code. Developers can use Live Share with any language for any scenario, including serverless, cloud-native and IoT development. Microsoft announced a new partnership with GitHub that brings the power of Azure DevOps services to GitHub customers. Today, we released the integration of Visual Studio App Center and GitHub, which provides GitHub developers building apps for iOS and Android devices to seamlessly automate DevOps processes right from within the GitHub experience. Available today, the new Microsoft Azure Blockchain Workbench makes it easier to develop blockchain applications by stitching together an Azure-supported blockchain network with cloud services like Azure Active Directory, Key Vault and SQL Database, reducing proof-of-concept development time dramatically. Watch: Huawei P20 Pro Review: Huawei Nails it With The Triple Camera Microsoft is launching a $25 million initiative to use artificial intelligence to build better technology for people with disabilities. CEO Satya Nadella announced the new "AI for Accessibility" effort as he kicked off Microsoft's annual conference for software developers. The Build conference in Seattle is meant to foster enthusiasm for the company's latest ventures in cloud computing, artificial intelligence, internet-connected devices and virtual reality. Microsoft competes with Amazon and Google to offer Internet-connected services to businesses and organizations. Also Read: Microsoft Build 2018: How to Watch Live And What to Expect The conference and the new initiative offer Microsoft an opportunity to emphasize its philosophy of building AI for social good. The focus could help counter some of the privacy and ethical concerns that have risen over AI and other fast-developing technology, including the potential that software formulas can perpetuate or even amplify gender and racial biases. In unusually serious terms for a tech conference keynote, Nadella name-checked the dystopian fiction of George Orwell and Aldous Huxley, declared that "privacy is a human right" and warned of the dangers of building new technology without ethical principles in mind. "We should be asking not only what computers can do, but what computers should do," Nadella said. "That time has come." The five-year accessibility initiative will include seed grants for startups, nonprofit organizations and academic researchers, as well as deeper investments and expertise from Microsoft researchers. Also Read: Flipkart Big Shopping Days: Huge Price Cut on Google Pixel 2XL, Samsung Galaxy On Nxt And More Microsoft President Brad Smith said the company hopes to empower people by accelerating the development of AI tools that provide them with more opportunities for independence and employment. "It may be an accessibility need relating to vision or deafness or to something like autism or dyslexia," Smith said in an interview. "There are about a billion people on the planet who have some kind of disability, either permanent or temporary." Those people already have "huge potential," he said, but "technology can help them accomplish even more." Microsoft has already experimented with its own accessibility tools, such as a "Seeing AI" free smartphone app using computer vision and narration to help people navigate if they're blind or have low vision. Nadella introduced the app at a previous Build conference. Microsoft's translation tool also provides deaf users with real-time captioning of conversations. Also Read: After WhatsApp, Instagram Now Rolling Out Payments Feature to Allow In-App Purchases "People with disabilities are often overlooked when it comes to technology advances, but Microsoft sees this as a key area to address concerns over the technology and compete against Google, Amazon and IBM," said Nick McQuire, an analyst at CCS Insight. Smith acknowledged that other firms, especially Apple and Google, have also spent years doing important work on accessibility. He said Microsoft's accessibility fund builds on the model of the company's AI for Earth initiative, which launched last year to jumpstart projects combating climate change and other environmental problems. The idea, Smith said, is to get more startups excited about building tools for people with disabilities both for the social good and for their large market potential. Other announcements at the Build conference include partnerships with drone company DJI and chipmaker Qualcomm. More than 6,000 people are registered to attend, most of them developers who build apps for Microsoft's products. Facebook had its F8 developers' gathering last week. Google's I/O conference begins Tuesday. Apple's takes place in early June. This is the second consecutive year that Microsoft has held its conference in Seattle, not far from its Redmond, Washington, headquarters. Also Watch: Smartron t.book Flex First Impressions Review: A Nifty Work-Play Companion HMD Global is set to unveil its first smartphone in the X series of Nokia as the Nokia X on May 16. Much rumours have emerged around the smartphone till date and now the company has itself unveiled a new poster displaying both the front and the back of the smartphone in its full glory. Nokia had earlier confirmed the launch date for the Nokia X to be May 16 and that the device will sport an iPhone X like display. As per recent reports, Nokia has also unveiled the exact time and venue for the launch, with the Nokia X set to be unveiled at 2 pm (CST) in Beijing, China on May 16. Additionally, posters of the Nokia X have emerged on the Weibo accounts of one of the Chinese smartphone retailers. As can be seen in the poster, the Nokia X will come with a notch at the top of its display and will be the first smartphone by Nokia to carry the look. The poster also reveals a Glass and Aluminium body and a dual camera setup a the back. The device can also be seen sporting a fingerprint sensor at the back and a Nokia branding at the bottom chin at the front. As per other reports, the Nokia X might come along with some gaming features and is expected to be priced at CNY 1600 (~Rs 16,900). Nokia X Poster. (Image: Weibo) Nokia X Poster. (Image: Weibo) Also read: Xiaomi Redmi S2 to be The Best Selfie Camera Phone by Xiaomi as Per Teaser Nokia X Expected Specifications Nokia X6 is expected to sport a 5.8-inch Full-HD+ display with a 2280x1080 pixels resolution and a 19:9 aspect ratio. It is expected to be available in two different variants including one powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 636 SoC and another by a MediaTek P60 soc. The base variant of the Nokia smartphone will carry a 4GB RAM with 64GB of inbuilt storage. It will run the latest Android 8.1 Oreo operating system. Watch: Huawei P20 Pro Review: Huawei Nails it With The Triple Camera US President Donald Trump said on Tuesday he was reimposing economic sanctions on Iran and pulling the United States out of an international agreement aimed at stopping Tehran from obtaining a nuclear bomb. The decision is likely to raise the risk of conflict in the Middle East, upset America's European allies and disrupt global oil supplies. "I am announcing today that the United States will withdraw from the Iran nuclear deal," Trump said at the White House. "In a few moments, I will sign a presidential memorandum to begin reinstating U.S. nuclear sanctions on the Iranian regime. We will be instituting the highest level of economic sanctions." The 2015 deal, worked out by the United States, five other international powers and Iran, eased sanctions on Iran in exchange for Tehran limiting its nuclear program. Trump says the agreement, the signature foreign policy achievement of Trump's predecessor Barack Obama, does not address Iran's ballistic missile program, its nuclear activities beyond 2025 nor its role in conflicts in Yemen and Syria. Iran has ruled out renegotiating the agreement and threatened to retaliate, although it has not said exactly how, if Washington pulled out. Renewing sanctions would make it much harder for Iran to sell its oil abroad or use the international banking system. The 2015 pact itself does not contain any provisions for leaving, but re-imposition of harsh sanctions on Iran that that were eased under the deal erases the economic benefits promised under the deal and be tantamount to the United States walking away. It wasn't immediately clear which sanctions would be slapped back on Iran and how quickly. But grace periods of a few months to half a year are expected to be granted so that businesses and governments can wind down operations that would violate re-imposed U.S. sanctions, the individuals said. Trump spoke with French President Emmanuel Macron and Chinese leader Xi Jinping about his decision Tuesday. Macron vigorously supports the deal and tried to persuade Trump to stay committed to it during a visit to Washington last month. The British Foreign Secretary traveled to Washington this week to make a last-minute pitch to the U.S. to remain in the deal, according to a senior British diplomat. The diplomat, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the British objective will remain to uphold and maintain the deal. Hours before the announcement, European countries met to underline their support for the agreement. Senior officials from Britain, France and Germany met in Brussels with Iran's Deputy Foreign Minister for Political Affairs, Abbas Araghchi. If the deal collapses, Iran would be free to resume prohibited enrichment activities, while businesses and banks doing business with Iran would have to scramble to extricate themselves or run afoul of the U.S. American officials were dusting off plans for how to sell a pullout to the public and explain its complex financial ramifications, said U.S. officials and others, who weren't authorized to speak ahead of an announcement and requested anonymity. In Iran, many were deeply concerned about how Trump's decision could affect the already struggling economy. In Tehran, President Hassan Rouhani sought to calm nerves, smiling as he appeared at a petroleum expo. He didn't name Trump directly, but emphasized that Iran continued to seek "engagement with the world." "It is possible that we will face some problems for two or three months, but we will pass through this," Rouhani said. Islamabad: In further trouble to Nawaz Sharif, Pakistan's top anti-corruption body on Tuesday ordered a probe against the embattled former prime minister and others for allegedly laundering USD 4.9 billion to India, media reports said. The National Accountability Bureau (NAB) in a press release said its Chairman Justice (retd) Javed Iqbal took notice of reports making rounds on news channels claiming that Sharif allegedly laundered USD 4.9 billion to India, the Express Tribune reported. According to the media report, this incident is mentioned in the World Bank's Migration and Remittance Book 2016, the release said. The statement claims that the amount was laundered to the Indian finance ministry after which Indian foreign exchange reserves witnessed an increase and Pakistan suffered as a result. The World Bank, however, has described as incorrect media reports in Pakistan about allegations that former prime minister Nawaz Sharif laundered USD 4.9 billion to India. "The media reports in Pakistan had cited the World Bank's Remittances and Migration Report of 2016. These media reports were incorrect," the World Bank said in a statement. The World Bank's Remittances and Migration Report is an effort by the World Bank to estimate migration and remittances numbers across the world, it said. The report does not include any mention of money laundering nor does it name any individuals, said the World Bank, which was issued after media reports cited its annual report for allegations that Sharif laundered USD 4.9 billion from Pakistan to India. Sharif is facing three corruption cases at the accountability court following the Supreme Court's verdict in the Panama Papers case. A NAB inquiry is also under way against him for alleged illegal expansion of a road leading to his estate in Lahore's Jati Umra locality. Once formulated, this will be the fifth case against the ousted premier by the NAB. Earlier today, the accountability court sought more time from the top court to end the trial on references filed by the NAB against members of the Sharif family. Accountability court judge Muhammad Bashir, who presides over the hearings, has written a letter to the top court requesting for a second extension in the trial. Earlier in March, the Supreme Court had granted a two-month extension to the accountability court to wrap the proceedings. However, as the two-month deadline expires, the case is nowhere near its end, with the Al-Azizia Steel Mills and Flagship Investments still untouched, the country's top anti-graft body is running out of time. The Supreme Court of Pakistan had disqualified Sharif last year, forcing the three-time prime minister to resign. Sharif has dismissed the corruption charges as politically motivated. The political future of Sharif, who leads the country's most powerful political family and his party, has been hanging in the balance since then. If convicted, he can be jailed. New Delhi: In a recent gaffe, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu seems to have put his wrong foot forward after his chef served dessert at his house to Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe in a shoe. Abe, who was on a two-day visit to Israel, had been invited along with his wife Akie Abe to Netanyahus residence for a festive meal on May 2. According to reports, the Israeli PM and his wife Sara Netanyahu extended warm hospitality and great food made by the PMs special chef Moshe Sergey. However, the faux pas happened when the Israeli diplomacys star chef brought out the dessert a collection of chocolates, ornamentally arranged inside a shiny shoe. Needless to say, the incident caused an uproar among Japanese diplomats as well as Israeli foreign officials. In a report published in Israeli newspaper Yedioth Ahronoth, a senior Israeli diplomat called the move insensitive and extremely stupid, adding that there was nothing more detestable in Japanese culture than a shoe. He even compared the act to serving dessert to a Jew in a pig to drive home his point. A Japanese diplomat was also quoted by the local newspaper saying that this was disrespect to the Japanese premiere and not funny. Sergeys publicist has issued a statement on the incident, clarifying that the shoe was not a real one but a metal sculpture designed to look like a shoe. It was created by Tom Dixon, an international sculpture artist, and is part of a collection of articles displayed on the artistes website as door stops. A photo of the shoe along with other photos from the dinner was posted by the chef on his Instagram account but was met with mixed reactions. This is not the first time Segev Moshe drew criticism for his eclectic dinner table choices. In November last year, he served dessert to the visiting US President Donald Trump in a vessel that resembled the heads of Trump and Netanyahu, conjoined together. Washington: A powerful Congressional committee has placed conditions on the release of USD 350 million financial aid to Pakistan for counter-terrorism operations to push Islamabad into taking action against the Haqqani network. The Haqqani network has carried out a number of kidnappings and attacks against US interests in Afghanistan. The group linked to the Taliban is also blamed for several deadly attacks against Indian interests in Afghanistan including the 2008 bombing of the Indian mission in Kabul that killed 58 people. Releasing the text of its version of the national defence authorisation (NDAA) bill, the House Armed Services Committee on Monday said that USD 350 million of the USD 700 million proposed financial assistance to Pakistan may not be released till the defence secretary certifies to Congress that Islamabad has taken actions against the Haqqani network militants. According to the NDAA text running into more than 700 pages, it authorises USD 700 million in coalition support funds (CSF) to Pakistan. "Of that amount, not more than USD 350.0 million may be provided until the Secretary of Defence certified that Pakistan is taking demonstrable steps against the Haqqani network," it said. The committee also authorised the president's budget request of USD 900 million for fiscal year 2019 for CSF payments. In his new South Asia and Afghanistan policy in August, Trump had called for tougher measure against Pakistan if it fails to cooperate with the US in its fight against terrorism. Since January, the Trump administration has suspended its security assistance to Pakistan alleging that Islamabad has not been taking satisfactory actions against terrorist safe havens inside the country. The aid suspended has not be relocated yet but has been kept aside for Pakistan to be used later if and when it starts taking actions against terrorists. Pakistan has repeatedly denied that there are any terrorist safe havens inside its territory. Both its officials in Islamabad and inside the United Nations in New York assert that there are no terrorist safe havens. However, the top American leadership insists that there has been no change in Pakistani behaviour on this front that that it is fast running out of patience. The next DC Batman / Fortnite crossover brings in one of the game's most mysterious new characters Do you smell what Fortnite's Foundation could be cooking for DC and Batman? Life Cycles bikes are not stationary and neither is the business. After three years building up a clientele for her spin studio near the Merritt Parkway, owner Golnar Sharafsaleh last month relocated classes to a downtown studio at 135 Bedford St. Marked with a grand opening last Saturday, the move places Life Cycle closer to the bulk of its clients and also offers more training options. We had a little studio at 1100 High Ridge Road for three years, and it was cool, but when we figured out we had the opportunity, we came downtown, Sharafsaleh said in an interview last week at the new studio. We built a little community there, and they followed us down here. Life Cycle has moved into a subterranean setup on Bedford Streets restaurant row, accessed by a street-level entrance between the soon-to-open Bedford Hall restaurant and a vacant storefront awaiting its next retail tenant. Once a print shop, the approximately 3,000-square-foot space had stood empty for a number of years. I walked in and said This would be perfect for a studio, Sharafsaleh said. The 45-minute classes feature RealRyder bikes. Unlike traditional stationary bikes, the RealRyder models are flexible, allowing riders to tilt and turn the frames. We chose these specific bikes because they move, and that takes a lot of pressure off your joints and hips, Sharafsaleh said. We turn left, we turn right, we use our core and we use our back. All those connected muscles that people tend to ignore come into play with our bikes. The clientele ranges from those in their early 20s to those well into their 60s. We imagined Life Cycle as a place for people to come together and work out and be comfortable, Sharafsaleh said. We want it to be a little different than other studios. We just want to make it comfortable so that people can actually push themselves and give it a try. About 85 percent of the regulars at the High Ridge studio have started taking classes at 135 Bedford. In addition to the exercise, I get a sense of camaraderie and fun, said Bill Perkins, who takes classes several times a week. I love working out with the people here. Ive made a lot of friends. I enjoy the vibe. The instructors include Sharafsalehs husband, Igor Gorbachevskiy, and Virginia Hamilton Furnari, who started out as a Life Cycle client and previously taught similar classes in New York City. During an evening class last week, Furnari led a group of about a dozen through a spirited session, set to a soundtrack featuring the likes of Cardi B, Rihanna and Alice Merton. Periodically, she switched off the overhead fixtures for bursts of glow-in-the dark lighting to spur the riders. More Information For more information on Life Cycle, visit www.lifecyclect.com See More Collapse Quarter up, here we go youve got this! Furnari told the class, as the riders tightened the resistance knobs on their bikes. In addition to morning and evening classes, Life Cycle plans to add midday sessions and TRX suspension-training classes. The new studio can accommodate up to 25 bikes in a class, compared with 15 in Life Cycles former home. I need to be in a class being in a class is so much more motivating, said Andrea Burdette, who takes classes nearly every day. My legs have gotten so much stronger. My overall stamina has improved, and I have found my breathing is better, as well. Sharafsaleh is juggling the launch of the new location alongside another significant new venture: Her daughter, Alia, was born April 3. She joins older brother Ari, who is 2. The family lives in North Stamford. Before starting Life Cycle Sharafsaleh worked for four years at the Westport-based Bridgewater Associates. When I opened the studio, I was pregnant with Ari, and with this studio, I was pregnant with Alia, Sharafsaleh said, with a wry smile. After eight months of pregnancy, I like to open things. pschott@scni.com; 203-964-2236; Twitter: @paulschott We first noticed Andy Borowitz in Los Angeles at a press tour in 1990 when he created The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air with his then-wife Susan. The Will Smith series soared; his marriage eventually crashed and he remarried. Still aloft, however, is the writers ability to thrive in various venues, especially satire; Borowitz is a New York Times-bestselling author (The 50 Funniest American Writers,) who won the first National Press Club award for humor. He created the satirical column The Borowitz Report, which is now run by The New Yorker. He has acted, been a commentator on NPR and done standup comedy. NEW HAVEN A 34-year-old New Haven man has been indicted for a drug trafficking ring that he ran out of the city, along with 18 others. Duane Filyaw, 34, of New Haven, is facing federal narcotics offenses for allegedly running a heroin and cocaine operation throughout New Haven county, according to a release from the U.S. Attorneys Connecticut office. As alleged, this drug trafficking organization, which used multiple sources of supply, has been responsible for the distribution of significant quantities of heroin and cocaine in Connecticut, said John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut. Durham announced the arrests on Thursday after Filyaw and 18 others were formally indicted. The charges stem from a joint investigation headed by the DEA New Haven Task Force, FBI and New Haven Police Department that included the use of court-authorized wiretaps, controlled purchases of heroin and cocaine and seizures of bulk heroin and cocaine. According to the release, Filyaw conspired with the others to purchase narcotics from suppliers and then distribute the drugs to other suppliers of street-level dealers in and around New Haven. During the course of the investigation, law enforcement officers seized more than 200 grams of heroin and more than one kilogram of cocaine through supervised purchases and interdictions of ongoing transactions. In association with Wednesdays arrests and the execution of multiple search warrants, officers seized an additional three firearms, approximately 360 grams of fentanyl, approximately 340 grams of suspected heroin, approximately 80 grams of cocaine and more than $90,000 in cash, vehicles, jewelry and precious metals. The six-count indictment handed down from a grand jury on Thursday named Filyaw along with Neftali Fernandez, Nef, 31, of Meriden; Leon Greene, Gotti, 43, of Cheshire; Rafael Serrano, 43, of West Haven; Salvatore Orsini, 27, of West Haven; Christopher Serrano, Mancho, 34, of Milford; Norman Edgardo Perez, Rico, of Oakland, Calif.; Lorenzo Morales-Arambula, Viejo, 56, of Mexico; Natividad Diaz, Nat, 34, of Meriden; Johnathan Brito, 24, of Waterbury; Harrison Elba, 27, of Simsbury; Gabriel Romero Escalera, 27, of San Juan, P.R.; Birl Jackson, 36, of New Haven; Steven McCoy,S Dot, 25, of New Haven; Stephen Jones, EVX and Stevie D, 33, of New Haven; Hakeem Basir, Neil Ford, 54, of Waterbury; Carlos Ovalle, Carlos Tirado, 46, of East Hartford; Nigel Jones, 36, of New Haven; and Samuel Cruz, 40, of New Haven. Each of the defendants has been charged with conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute heroin and cocaine. If convicted of this charge, Filyaw, Fernandez, Greene, Perez, Morales-Arambula, Diaz, Escalera and Ovalle face a minimum term of imprisonment of 10 years and a maximum term of imprisonment of life based on the alleged type and quantity of narcotics. Rafael Serrano, Christopher Serrano, Orsini, Brito, Elba, Jackson, McCoy, Stephen Jones, Basir and Cruz face a minimum term of imprisonment of five years and a maximum term of imprisonment of 40 years, while Nigel Jones faces a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years. The indictment also charges Rafael and Christopher Serrano, Fernandez, Filyaw, Orsini, Elba and Brito counts of possession with intent to distribute, and distribution of, heroin or cocaine. DEA is committed to investigating and dismantling large scale poly drug trafficking organizations like this one operating in the New Haven area, said DEA Acting Special Agent in Charge Albert Angelucci. Let these arrests serve as an example to those who distribute heroin and cocaine in order to profit and destroy peoples lives, that DEA will aggressively pursue and hold you accountable. This investigation demonstrates the strength of collaborative law enforcement efforts in Connecticut and our strong partnership with the U. S. Attorneys Office. Morales-Arambula is being held in ICE custody in Michigan, while Jackson is still being held in state custody. The New Haven Police Department is proud of the hard work put in by our officers and our state and federal partners in bringing those involved in illegal drug trade to justice, said New Haven Police Chief Anthony Campbell. Those that poison our kids and endanger our citizens deserve to be behind bars. Were a safer city now that these arrests have been made. This investigation is being led by the DEA New Haven Task Force, Federal Bureau of Investigation and New Haven Police Department. The DEA New Haven Task Force includes participants from the New Haven, Hamden, West Haven, North Haven, East Haven, Branford, Ansonia, Meriden and Derby Police Departments, and the U.S. Marshals Service. The Connecticut Department of Correction, Milford Police Department and East Haven Police Department are also assisting the investigation. The U.S. Attorneys Office is committed to working closely with the DEA, FBI, and our state and local law enforcement partners to disrupt drug networks - especially those that distribute heroin, fentanyl and other dangerous opioids - and prosecute those responsible, Durham said. BETHEL The state is expected to approve by the end of the day Wednesday a grant that would cover part of the cost to renovate two elementary schools. State Sen. Toni Boucher, R-Wilton, said she expects the State House and Senate to approve the funding sometime before midnight Wednesday. It will get approved, she said. Im certain of it. Voters approved in October the $65.8 million project to renovate the aging Rockwell and Johnson elementary schools. This state grant would cover 45 percent of eligible costs of the work. Superintendent Christine Carver said she looks forward to getting the money. Ill be thrilled, she said. Carver said she had been expecting the grant to be approved before the Connecticut General Assemblys regular session ends on Wednesday. Boucher said Gov. Dannel P. Malloy still needs to sign off on the grant package, which includes $249 million for school construction projects across the state. Grants for the expansion of Ponus Ridge Middle School in Norwalk, a new South Norwalk school, a new Oxford Middle School, the expansion and renovation of Holland High School in Fairfield and the expansion of West Shore Middle School in Milford are also part of the package. When voters approved the project in the fall, they allowed the town to spend $3 million in pre-construction work until the state grant is available. Carver said architects have finished the design work and the town has hired a construction manager, Rizzo Corporation. We have been moving and progressing along with the project, so that we can ensure that, when this full construction grant did come in, that it would keep us on our timetable, Carver said. As long as the grant is approved, she said, crews will begin hazardous-waste testing in the next couple months. Portable classrooms would be installed in the fall and significant construction would begin in December or January. Carver plans to hold an information session on May 22 to explain to families what students can anticipate during the construction period. Work on Rockwell would be finished by November 2020, while Johnson would be complete by January 2021. Afterward, third-graders will be moved from Rockwell to Johnson. Rockwell was built in 1971 and Johnson in 1980. Both schools are too small, have outdated roofs and heating and cooling systems, and are not handicap-accessible, officials have said. The renovated buildings will include natural light, updated media centers, a safer traffic pattern and other improvements. NEW FAIRFIELD Four decades after she and her husband spent 27 days stranded in the Bolivian jungle, Holly FitzGerald will return to the Danbury area Wednesday to tell their story. Holly and her husband Gerald, who goes by the nickname Fitz, barely survived the ordeal in 1973, when a string of misfortunes including a plane crash turned what was to have been a delayed honeymoon into a harrowing journey by raft through the Amazon river system. When a storm hit, four days into the journey, the FitzGeralds were blown off course into a dead-end channel in 20 feet of floodwater. They spent the next 27 days battling quicksand, tangled vegetation, river currents and near-starvation while trying to regain the main channel. We were thinking death was right around the corner, Holly said. I kept hoping if we could just go around another bend, it will detour back to the main river but we realized we were really trapped. The tale of their eventual rescue is detailed in a book Holly published last year with Random House called Ruthless River, which she will discuss at the New Fairfield Library at 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday. The couple, who now live in Massachusetts, began planning the trip when they were living and working in Danbury. They decided on a yearlong journey through South America, Africa, Asia and Australia, during which Fitz, a News-Times reporter, would send columns back to Danbury describing a couple traveling the world on the cheap. On the first leg of the trip, the FitzGeralds took a plane to a remote spot in southern Peru to catch the last commercial boat leaving for their next destination, in Brazil, but the plane crashed in the Peruvian jungle. No one was seriously hurt, but by the time they could find another flight, their boat had already left. The harbormaster told them another boat wouldnt arrive for months, but that they could take a raft down the river. Holly said the harbormaster told them it would take around 10 days five if they kept moving at night and would require little maneuvering because the current would take them where they needed to go. There werent any more boats so we figured, I guess the raft is the answer, Holly said. Four days into the trip, a thunderstorm hit. A large log hit the FitzGeralds boat, tipping most of the food into the river and knocking them off-course. The current dragged them into a flooded area with no easy outlet back to the river. Realizing they were trapped, the FitzGeralds began rationing their food, but soon had to turn to bugs, plants and other highly unappetizing things to survive. They tried to paddle and swim back upstream, but the current, quicksand and dragging branches made it nearly impossible. We knew that we were either going to die right there, or we were going to die trying, Fitz said. They would eventually be rescued by natives but readers will have to read the book to find out exactly how, the FitzGeralds said. Holly said she and Fitz had considered writing their story when they returned, malnourished and traumatized, but the experience was still too fresh. We did still have a shock to be back from such an extreme situation, she said. We were trying to fathom it all and how fortunate we were. Years later, one of their children suggested they write it all down. Holly started a draft, using a journal she kept at the time. She signed up for a memoir-writing class, but it took 10 years to figure out the best way to tell the story, Holly said. I didnt know where it would lead, but then I got hooked, Holly said. It was an intriguing process like a puzzle. When it got hard, I would take breaks ... but I felt driven that I had to get it done. Its almost like that kind of drive to try and swim to get out of the jungle to get that book written. aquinn@newstimes.com BROOKFIELD Democrat Daniel Pearson announced Monday his candidacy for state representative. Pearson hopes to take State Rep. Steve Harding, R-Brookfields, seat in the 107th district, which covers Brookfield, Bethel and Danbury. Pearson said he plans to use his experiences working for several nonprofits to advocate for working- and middle-class families. In both my professional career, working at a non-profit that provides free after school and summer programs for underprivileged kids, and my personal time volunteering for different organizations, I have seen firsthand the negative impact of our states struggles on residents lives, Pearson said in a release. I want to be part of a new group of representatives that prioritize people over party, and I will go to Hartford with the goal of making our government work for us. Pearson, who was raised by a single mother, grew up in an impoverished neighborhood in Central Florida, according to a release. He graduated from the University of Central Florida with a degree in political science and earned a Master in Public Administration focused on social policy and urban development from American University. Brookfield Democrats said they supported Pearson. Daniel is very well-versed on the issues and would make an exceptional advocate for this district in the Capitol, First Selectman Dunn said in a release. The problems we are facing in Hartford are no secret, and we need to elect candidates like Daniel to help turn our state around. Pearson served two years with AmeriCorps, working on education and health inequities in low-income communities, as well as leadership development programs for federal employees in Washington, DC. He works at nonprofit in Norwalk that provides free summer and after-school programs for kids in need. Daniel is exactly the kind of thoughtful and intelligent candidate that this district needs and we know that he would deliver for us in Hartford, Laura Orban, chair of the Brookfield Democratic Town Committee, said in a release. He has dedicated his entire life to public service and helping others and we know that he will bring those same values to the job of State Representative. Warren Buffett has been in business for a long time. The 87 year old famously got his start with investing when he was just 11. And at Berkshire Hathaways annual shareholders meeting in Omaha, Neb., this weekend, he and business partner Charlie Munger -- the companys 94-year-old vice chairman -- shared their insights about making investments and a glance at where the company is headed. Read on for six things we learned from the meeting. Related: Apple Stock Soars to New Heights Thanks to Warren Buffett's $44 Billion Vote of Confidence 1. He still isnt a fan of cryptocurrency. Buffett described his feelings about it in no uncertain terms, describing bitcoin as "probably rat poison squared. He elaborated on his stance, noting, cryptocurrencies will come to bad endings. Munger took it a step further, describing the move to invest in cryptocurrency as just dementia. Its like somebody else is trading turds and you decide you cant be left out. 2. He doesnt hold a lot of stock in traditional career trajectories. At the start of his career, Buffett was rejected from Harvard Business School, but that opened the door to go to Columbia University. He got to the venerable university by writing cold letters to the professors whose work he admired. But Buffett said at the shareholders meeting that when it comes to hiring, he admires hustle more than a prestigious degree. Buffett: If I was given a choice btwn hiring some1 out of grad school that was brilliant or some1 that memorized chapter 8 of the Intelligent Investor, Id take the one who memorized chapter 8. What we do doesnt take a high IQ. It takes discipline and it takes time.#BRK2018 Steve Haberstroh (@stevehaberstroh) May 5, 2018 3. Friendship informs his investment choices. When asked about why he favored Apple stock over Microsoft, Buffett explained his reasoning pretty succinctly: In the earlier years, its very clear, the answer is stupidity," he said. But as he became close friends with fellow billionaire Bill Gates, he decided just to take it off the table entirely. "I try to stay away from a few things just totally because the inference would be drawn that we might have talked, I might have talked to somebody about something. Gates was in attendance at the meeting, and the billionaire pals, in lieu of their usual ping pong match, decided to play a game of bridge. 4. He shared his stance on guns and business. In conversation with New York Times reporter Andrew Ross Sorkin, Buffett shared that while he wasnt aware of any Berkshire Hathaway subsidiaries that had any holdings in companies that make firearms, I do not believe on imposing my political opinions on the activities of our businesses. If you get into which of our companies are pure and which ones arent pure, I think it will be very difficult. 5. He shed light on why he doesn't invest in Amazon. Apparently part of Buffetts investment strategy is to not put his money into something that seems to good to be true, and Amazon, even for all its success, falls into that category. Ive watched Amazon from the start, and I think what Jeff Bezos has done is something close to a miracle," he said. "The problem is that if I think something will be a miracle, I tend not to bet on it. 6. He reflected on what Berkshire Hathaway will be without Buffett and Munger. Though the octogenarian and nonagenarian arent leaving the company in the immediate future, when asked about what might happen when someone else has taken the reins of the company, Buffett said that he wasnt worried. "The reputation belongs to Berkshire now," he said. "For somebody that cares about a business we absolutely are the first call and will continue to be the first call." Related: 6 Things We Learned About Warren Buffett From His Recent Shareholder Meeting Why Elon Musk Should Take a Vacation Elon Musk and Warren Buffett Get in a Candy Fight! 3 Things to Know Today. Copyright 2018 Entrepreneur.com Inc., All rights reserved Good work habits don't happen overnight -- they take time to form. As a leader, you (hopefully) agree that it's important to support employees while they try to create more productive habits. To do this, leaders must first understand which tactics work best. Related: 7 Bad Workplace Habits Millennials Need to Stop Making This requires examining which factors help employees form habits and which ones hinder them. By being supportive, leaders can help prevent employees from heading down the wrong path and instead work to help create a stronger, more productive team. Let them know they've already "won the race." Bad habits are often a form of self-preservation. For example, David Maxfield, the vice president of research for leadership training company VitalSmarts, told me he once had an employee who had been through the competitive ringer. This employee, whom we'll call "Bill," had attended a prestigious college and constantly felt the need to prove himself the smartest person in the room. As a result, Bill was neither welcoming nor receptive to what other team members brought to the table. As a result, Maxfield wanted to help Bill form better collaborative habits. The first step? Showing Bill he had nothing left to prove. "He had won the race, and nobody was competing with him anymore," Maxfield said via email from his company in Salt Lake City. "He was a valued member with a secure position on the team." Helping Bill see this new perspective opened up the employee to changing and forming better habits. Do the same at your company by sitting down with staff and explaining why they're important to the team. Then, show how their current behavior is holding them back. This will help them let down their guard and embrace change. Related: The Work Habits That Will Make You Successful Set a good example. One of the most universally effective habits an employee can have is a positive attitude. But this doesn't come naturally to everyone. Employees need to see a model of such behavior, and that starts with leaders. "A positive leader makes a remarkable difference," said Don Rheem, CEO of Arlington, Va.-based management-consulting firm E3 Solutions. Set an example for employees by sporting a positive attitude. Find sincere ways to show confidence and optimism. The key here is for leaders to identify an aspect of the company they're passionate about, and then take the time to share this with employees. Seeing their boss's positive outlook will help them do the same. Break down their behavior. An employee who's working on autopilot doesn't stop to see if there's a better, more productive way to approach things. He or she just acts. To get employees to change, leaders need to walk them through their actions and show them where there are problems. For example, Jeb Ory, CEO of Washington, D.C.-based digital advocacy platform Phone2Action, had an employee who had trouble prioritizing tasks. Ory worked with this man to help him break down his tasks into four categories: urgent, important, urgent but unimportant and not urgent/not important. "He was spending unnecessary time on unimportant but urgent tasks -- which were basically preparing materials for other people," Ory said via email. "Important but not urgent tasks were not completed ahead of time, so they became urgent and important tasks when they didn't need to be." Have employees make a list of the various tasks they perform and how long each takes. Make sure they include frequent jobs that pop up unexpectedly. Then, have them talk through how each task affects their workflow. This will help them see how they might be wasting time and adjust accordingly. Make it a practice to revisit habits. Just because a process works today doesn't mean it will work in the future. As such, leaders need to remind employees to continually re-evaluate how they approach their jobs. Revisit employee habits during performance reviews. If there are any signs that individuals' performance levels are dropping, have them take a look at their habits. Encourage them to try something new and see if things improve. Related: Adopt These 12 Habits for a Better Work-Life Balance When trying out new behaviors and habits, have employees log how their days go. Make sure they pay attention to things like the time it takes to complete tasks, their end-of-day energy levels and their general happiness. This will help them see what new behaviors should become long-term habits. The good kind. Related: Good Work Habits Stick Only When Leaders Step up to the Plate and Help Do You Share Any Bad Habits with These Leaders? 3 Wonderfully Uncommon Reasons to Form Better Habits Copyright 2018 Entrepreneur.com Inc., All rights reserved Iowa Republicans this weekend passed a tax plan that they say can't go wrong. It has a huge tax cut - especially for wealthy Iowans - that's aimed at stimulating the economy, but Republicans say it also has safety-valve provisions that will protect the state from the type of budget catastrophes that have haunted other GOP-run states. Gov. Kim Reynolds, R, is expected to sign the approximately $2.2 billion tax cut into law, setting in motion a plan that phases in the cuts over several years and includes a backstop to ensure some tax cuts are only enacted if state revenue is high enough. The plan's backstops are being pitched as a defense against what happened in Kansas, where huge tax cuts failed to produce the economic growth Republicans promised. The result was a state budget crisis, steep cuts to education and other government services and, eventually, tax hikes to close the gap. "Kansas leaped almost overnight into their tax cuts," said state Sen. Jim Carlin, R, who backed the tax measure with all the other members of his caucus. "We're going to take an incremental approach to make sure our bills get paid." But Democrats and some independent tax experts think Republicans are deluding themselves into thinking they can have their tax cut now without having to enact big spending cuts later, and that the plan blows a hole in the state's budget even if the additional cuts do not take effect. "I'm telling my constituents, 'Click your heels, Toto, because tomorrow we're going to be in Kansas,' " said state Sen. Herman Quirmbach, D, who is also an economics professor at Iowa State University. "This is the most fiscally irresponsible piece of legislation in Iowa's history. It's a death warrant for public education in the state." In Iowa, GOP legislators say the measure designed to potentially prevent one-third of their cuts from taking effect - a "trigger" that stops certain cuts if state finances look bleak - puts them on firmer footing than Kansas, ensuring they do not face the same fate. The trigger specifies that the additional $200 million in annual tax cuts will take effect only if the state has at least $8.3 billion in tax receipts in 2022, a target that would require annual growth in tax receipts of 5 percent or more for the next four years, more than is expected For the first four years, the tax cuts - reducing income taxes and taxes on "pass-through" business entities - will cost about $400 million annually. That number goes up to $643 million annually in 2023 if the additional cuts go into effect. Overall, including the cuts that may not be implemented, the tax package will cost about $2.2 billion over six years. The state's annual budget is only slightly higher than $7 billion, and the state spends about $3 billion annually on K-12 education alone. Some independent tax experts warned lawmakers could use budget gimmicks to get around the trigger, by, for instance, temporarily passing a higher sales tax to meet the requirements that would ensure the additional cuts take effect. Others note that the trigger allows Republican lawmakers to tout bigger tax cuts than may really ever be enacted. The cut set to start only in 2023 is geared substantially more toward middle class taxpayers than the individual tax cuts that start immediately, which primarily benefit wealthy Iowans, said Peter Fisher, an analyst at the Iowa Fiscal Partnership. "The trigger is a politically expedient way for lawmakers to claim they've cut your taxes without having to do anything immediately to make up for the consequences of reducing revenue," said Meg Wiehe, of the Institute on Taxation and Economic Policy, a left-leaning think tank. About 75 percent of the cuts from the tax plan go to those earning more than $100,000 every year, according to Fisher, of the Iowa Fiscal Partnership. Even including the cuts that may not go into effect, Iowa's tax overhaul is significantly smaller than that of Kansas, said John Hicks, executive director of the National Association of State Budget Officers. But many of the goals are the same. As with the Kansas plan, Iowa is slashing rates on the businesses that operate as "pass-through" companies. The top tax rate in Iowa could fall from 8.98 percent to as low as 6.5 percent, mirroring the changes in Kansas, which cut its rate from 6.4 percent to 4.9 percent. Republican lawmakers in Iowa bristle at the comparison. "It's very fiscally responsible," said state Sen. Jack Whitver, R, of the Iowa revamp, before adding definitively: "This will not lead to education cuts." But some analysts are skeptical. "The trigger could be a backstop against total calamity because it means they don't cut taxes during a recession," said Richard Auxier, of the Tax Policy Center, a nonpartisan think tank. "But it's not a backstop against future budget problems." Alibaba acquired the entire share capital of South Asian eCommerce platform Daraz Group (Daraz) for an undisclosed amount. Daraz was founded in Pakistan in 2012 and has since grown into the most popular online shopping destination in the country. Today, Daraz also operates online marketplaces in Bangladesh, Myanmar, Sri Lanka and Nepal. The five South Asian markets in which Daraz is operating have a combined population of over 460 million, 60% of which are under the age of 35. Daraz will continue to operate under the same brand following the transaction. Alibaba initially focused on India where it has backed Paytm and Southeast Asia with Lazada, but this year it has spread its wings into lower profile but hugely populous countries in South Asia. Pakistan, for example, has a population of over 190 million. The acquisition of Daraz follows a fintech investment from Alibaba affiliate Ant Financial, which runs Alipay and other Alibaba financial services. U.S. oil firm ConocoPhillips has moved to take Caribbean assets of Venezuelas state-run PDVSA to enforce a $2 billion arbitration award over a decade-oil nationalization of its projects in the South American country, according to three sources familiar with its actions. The U.S. firm targeted facilities on the islands of Curacao, Bonaire and St. Eustatius that accounted for about a quarter of Venezuelas oil exports last year. The three play key roles in processing, storing and blending PDVSAs oil for export. Conocos claims against Venezuela and state-run PDVSA in international courts have totaled $33 billion, the largest by any company. PDVSA has significant assets in the Caribbean. On Bonaire, it owns the 10-million-barrel BOPEC terminal which handles logistics and fuel shipments to customers, particularly in Asia. In Aruba, PDVSA and its unit Citgo lease a refinery and a storage terminal. On the island of St. Eustatius, it rents storage tanks at the Statia terminal, owned by U.S. NuStar Energy, where over 4 million barrels of Venezuelan crude were retained by court order. This will further cripple Venezuelas ability to export oil. Conocos actions would affect about 400,000 barrels per day (bpd) typically shipped from the three locations, about a third of its exports. In the first quarter, PDVSA exported 1.19 million bpd of crude from its terminals in Venezuela and the Caribbean, a 29-percent decline versus the same period last year. U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude futures rose $1.01, or 1.5 percent, to settle at $70.73 a barrel. This was the first time since November 2014 that WTI had climbed above $70. Brent crude futures jumped $1.30, or 1.7 percent, to settle at $76.17 a barrel. DATA is a blockchain based digital data authentication protocol powered by AI and P2P mobile storage infrastructure, enabling a decentralized and trusted digital ecosystem. They have a blockchain based advertising protocol and technology stack to authenticate user and device data and resolve to prevent fraudulent data from populating in the entire supply and demand advertising ecosystem. Recent Developments with DATA April 23, 2018, DATA (Decentralized AI-powered Trust Alliance), blockchain-based data authentication protocol powered by AI along with P2P mobile storage infrastructure, announced today its participation in OnXCHNG, the partnership program for the open source blockchain framework for the digital advertising ecosystem, XCHNG. Created by Kochava Labs SEZC, a research and development subsidiary of Kochava Inc., XCHNG is an open and unified blockchain-based framework for the digital advertising ecosystem. As an OnXCHNG partner, DATA will join a select group of players in the digital advertising ecosystem that has an opportunity to be actively involved in the XCHNG roadmap development from the beginning. OnXCHNG partners have access to the code base so that they may be one of the first to build applications on the protocol. May 1, 2018, Blockchain DATA Foundation (DATA) recently announced strategic partnership with BlueFocus Communication Group Co. Ltd. (BlueFocus), SHE: 300058. Jointly, the Marketing Blockchain Research Lab shall be established at Kunluntang Research Institute. The primary focus is to deploy the first DATA anti-fraud stacks based application in digital marketing and advertising industry, whilst actively exploring wider use case scenarios. BlueFocus was established in 1996 and has grown to be the largest communication group in Asia. It is the first digital marketing company with an annual revenue of over 10 billion RMB. Since its listing on China A-Share exchange in 2010, BlueFocus has enriched its global portfolio banking on a series of merger & acquisitions and currently over 40% of its revenue now comes from overseas markets. Data Owner Pain Points now Lack of Incentives. Users rarely get rewarded from their data and attention contribution for ads, which drives 600 million devices to use ad blocking, hence decrease efficiency of the ecosystem. Lack of Monetization. Publishers generate less revenue due to click farms and other fake data producers that steal a huge cut from the advertiser budget. Data Consumer Pain Points now Limitation of Centralized Digital Ad Ecosystem. The middle layer grows in size, creating loopholes for bad players that manipulate the system for the gain. Severe Ad Fraud. More than 45% of online ads traffic is bot traffic, which costs advertisers 160 billion annually. DATA Architecture and Trust Flow Four layer DATA system DATA system is composed of four layers: 1. P2P mobile metadata management layer (M3), a off-chain storage that was inspired by IPFS but designed specially for mobile devices based on Distributed Hash Table (DHT) and Erasure Code; 2. Blockchain layer, a standalone public chain built from a fork of Ethereum on Tendermint, the Ethermint project; 3. SDK management layer, in which AI technologies are used to generate AI models for device level reputation modeling and transfer the reputation and activity logs into M3 for peer verification; 4. Application process layer, consists of protocols and smart contracts to perform fraud detection, micropayment and other services. In DATA, App developers are rewarded for integrating into the system while users are rewarded for their attention contribution under proof of attention (PoA) mining rules. Fraud Prevention Business Utilities Device level data quality control based on DATA chain AI based reputation modeling to evaluate device trustworthy Protocol based with decentralized infrastructure for digital ecosystem Unbiased, Authentic, Transparent Data Monetization Business Utilities Incentives for data owner and producer Highly encrypted and secured decentralized data storage solution Privacy protection with cutting edge technologies such as zero-knowledge proof Other Applications Micropayment for SaaS and In-app Purchase Data authentication in Ad Networks, DSPs, and Ad Exchanges 60 page white paper. Basic Attention Token vs DATA token BAT is developed by the Brave browser team and is the pioneer in blockchain based attention rewarding. Users are rewarded for their advertisement viewing time within the Brave browser with digital tokens; and these tokens can be used in user applications as well as a currency in the advertiser publisher user business flow. DATA Team Josh Burns Josh is an experienced consumer internet business leader focused on helping to drive revenue, reach and engagement for both early to mid-stage consumer internet companies developing compelling products for both mobile and desktop as well as businesses from traditional industry entering the mobile landscape. He has a specific focus on the video game industry and melds a data driven approach coupled with a creative eye to drive increased product engagement and revenue. He has deep experience with partnerships as well as international markets in the mobile gaming sector. Previously, he worked at 6waves, co-founding the US office and leading the US product management team for one of the largest publishers of games for Facebook, iOS & Android, where he managed & launched over 100 apps including those from top developers like Kabam, Nexon & Atari, as well as games based on IP from Eminem, Disney, Dungeons & Dragons, Starz & BBC. Prior to 6waves, he worked at Electronic Arts in EAs Pogo.com division, supporting one of the largest casual game websites, focusing on product management, customer insights, new platforms, market strategy & analytics. Prior to his work at Electronic Arts, Josh worked at various companies providing market research and strategy consulting to Fortune 100 companies in more traditional industries. Shirley Lin Ms. Lin is a serial entrepreneur, a seasoned executive in business development in the mobile AdTech sector serving mobile game/app industry, with extensive relations in Silicon Valley, Europe and China, and specializing in globalization for cross border operations. Ms. Lin was VP of Business Development at Nexway (French), Yeahmobi (one of the top Chinese mobile performance marketing networks) responsible for the global expansion in San Francisco and Berlin. She also served at iConsole.tv and Beintoo (Italian) in the executive rank. Ms. Lin has technical experiences in operating system level of programming and was an aerospace software engineer in Space Shuttle Program at NASA, Houston. Shirley holds a M.S. in Computer Science/Math/Statistic from Texas A&M University and a B.A. in History from National Taiwan University. Dr. Eric Li Dr. Li worked as principal data scientist and architect in Microsoft Azure, Capital One and MicroStrategy in U.S. focusing on artificial intelligent, machine learning, cloud computing, business intelligent and big data system design and implementations, FinTech, P2P system and etc. Dr. Li has published more than 50 peer reviewed papers in the fields of peer to peer networks, distributed systems, online reputation management, social networks and big data. Victor Ye Mr. Ye has worked for LinkedIn, Twitter and Snapchat in the U.S. as senior software engineer. Victor has technical expertise in multiple technical dimensions and years of cutting-edge R & D experiences. As academic experience, Mr. Ye contributed to the fields of data privacy, temporal-spatial data management and distributed database systems with more than 10 peer reviewed publications and multiple patents. During his time working in the industry, he worked on multiple cutting-edge open source distributed systems including Apache Kafka and project Manhattan in Twitter. Mr. Ye has received Master of Computer Science from Columbia University and Bachelor of Science from Tsinghua University. Franklin Song Mr. Song is a serial entrepreneur and cofounded several start-ups including a global mobile game developing and publishing company SOULGAME which earned the most Apple App Store global game features among all Chinese companies. Mr. Song has also worked for Microsoft Research Asia and Oracle in the U.S. Mr. Song joined Decentralized and Distributed Systems Research at Yale University advised by Prof. Bryan Ford and worked on Dissent Project (a Dining-cryptographers Shuffled Send Network, which is a protocol for accountable anonymous messaging, voting, and other interactions among members of a decentralized group). Mr. Song has received MS from Yale University and BS from Tsinghua University. Henry Zhao Mr. Zhao worked at Perfect World and Tencent. During that period, Mr. Zhao led the operating and marketing teams for several extreme successful mobile games with total revenue over $100 mil. Mr. Zhao has received both BS/MS of Engineering in Tsinghua University. Han Liao Mr. Han worked as supply lead of Vungle and drove tens of times revenue growth for Vungle in China. Han also served as Director of Global BD for WQ Mobile. Mr. Han received M.B.A. from University of La Verne, advanced in Marketing Planning and Financial Analyzing. Ashley Zhou Ms. Zhou worked as product marketer in LinkedIn and led the marketing & operation of LinkedIn career product and LinkedIn digital advertising sources. Ms. Zhou also served as digital data analyst in Goodby Silverstein & Partners and provided social media strategy & solution for Cisco. Ms. Zhou received Master of Integrated Marketing Communications from Northwestern University and Bachelor from Renmin University. One U.S. dollar is worth 68,915 Venezuelan bolivar and one US dollar is worth 10,152 World of Warcraft gold gaming pieces. If you factor in the black market rate of the bolivar the currencys current value is 636,771.03 per U.S. dollar. By that figure, WoW gold would be worth nearly 62 times as much as Venezuelas official currency. Military desertion and exodus Military officers are joining the exodus of Venezuelans to Colombia and Brazil, fleeing barracks and forcing President Nicolas Maduros government to call upon retirees and militia to fill the void. High desertion rates at bases in Caracas and the countryside are complicating security plans for the presidential election in 13 days, which by law require military custody of electoral materials and machinery at voting centers. Venezuelan soldiers are fleeing for the same reason citizens are: Wages are low, the quality of food and clothing isnt good. The level of desertion from the Fuerza Armada Nacional Bolivariana has grown exponentially in the last year, especially among troops at lower ranks. At least 10,000 soldiers have asked to retire, Control Ciudadanos San Miguel said in March. High-ranking members of the military are barred from much contact with the lower ranks. Lines of young military men asking for retirement are long, said the first retired officer. The officer tried to chat with one, but officers running the barracks forbade them from talking to each other. The retiree said top officers fear too much conversation will permit officers and enlisted solders to form alliances for a coup. HARTFORD A baby is on the way for two Connecticut lawmakers whose marriage drew attention for crossing party lines. State Rep. Caroline Simmons, D-Stamford, and Sen. Art Linares, R-Westbrook, are expecting their first child. The news was shared by legislative leadership on the floors of the House and Senate Monday night with Linaress permission. Simmons knew that Linares planned on sharing the news at the Capitol, but she was not sure when. So Simmons was completely surprised, she said, when she heard her pregnancy announced over loudspeaker in the House chamber Monday night. In an interview later that evening, Simmons beamed when discussing their new addition. We couldnt be more excited to be starting our family, she said. Simmons, 32, is due on November 19, just under two weeks after election day. She confirmed that she will be seeking a third term; in fact, she never considered not running for re-election when she learned she was having a baby, she said. I hear a lot of walking is good when you are pregnant, so that will be good for door-knocking, she joked. Simmons and Linares, 30, married in October. Linares is forgoing re-election to run for state treasurer this fall. He expects to move to Stamford from his home in Westbrook this summer, Simmons said. We are very excited to finally get the opportunity to live together, Simmons said. The couple met in 2014 at a bipartisan young legislators caucus. A Love Story feature documented their romance in a CNN special. Linares proposed to Simmons in 2016 with a full-page advertisement in the pages of the Stamford Advocate that said: Dear Caroline, Will you marry me? Love, Artie. I knew it was a sure thing that she would come downstairs and read The Advocate, Linares said at the time. I thought it would be a good way to propose, and also a sentimental way that would mean a lot to both of us. emunson@hearstmediact.com; Twitter: @emiliemunson There were 3,090 visits to hospital emergency rooms in the state for suspected drug overdoses between January and April. That broke down to an average of 180 visits a week. The state Department of Public Health released the numbers Tuesday. The data was collected through the departments new surveillance system, EpiCenter, which provides near real-time estimates of ER use for possible drug overdoses. The idea is to better understand the types of opioids, including fentanyl and associated substances, in combination with other emerging drugs, causing or contributing to unintentional overdoses and deaths, said state public health commissioner Raul Pino in a news release. At least one emergency physician said the numbers should be helpful in determining overdose trends and how to respond to them. Its nice planning purposes to have surveillance numbers and data, said Dr. Michael Werdmann, emergency physician at Bridgeport Hospital. Drug deaths and overdoses have been a growing problem in the state. Last year, there were 1,038 accidental drug intoxication deaths in Connecticut the first time the number of such deaths has topped a thousand in at least five years. In March, the state released the total of of ER visits for suspected overdoses for the first two months of the year. At that time ,the total was 1,317 visits for suspected overdoses. However, when compiling the latest statistics, the states surveillance system made changes to the definition of suspected drug overdose. Under the new standards, there were total of 1,495 visits for suspected overdoses in January and February. The latest batch of data showed that Hartford County had the most ER visits for suspected overdoses, a 1,021, followed by New Haven County at 907 and Fairfield County at 416. The rest of the counties all had fewer than 200 ER visits for possible overdoses, and Windham County had the least, at 113. However, Werdmann said, although the total number of suspected overdoses in Fairfield County is high, its overdose rate relative to its population is relatively low. For instance, in January, there were 117 visits to ERs in Fairfield County for suspected overdoses but its rate of visits per 100,000 population was 15.45. Compare that to Litchfield County, which had only 42 ER visits for overdoses that month, but had a rate of 25.82 visits per 100,000 population. Fairfield Countys rates relative to population were fairly low throughout the period studied. Thats good to see, Werdmann said. ANSONIA-The clock is winding down. And Thursday is only days away. Thats the deadline the Board of Education has given the city to resolve a dispute over $600,000 withheld from its 2017-18 budget and not included in the 2018-19 budget. Last week the school board voted 5-2 to file suit against the city if the matter is not resolved by the close of business Thursday. We are still negotiating, said William Nimons, who chairs the school board. Corporation Counsel John P. Marini said the threatened suit will be discussed in executive session during tonights Board of Aldermen meeting. He said the city believes it acted appropriately using state law (Public Act 17-2 Sections 265 and 266) to revise the Board of Education budget due to an unanticipated increase in state funding to the Board of Education, and decrease in funding to the city. Meanwhile a 2018-19 city budget came a step closer to reality Monday when the Board of Apportionment and Taxation unanimously approved and recommended a $60,008,104 budget with a 37.2747 mill rate. Their proposal is $48,957 less than Mayor David Cassettis proposed $60.057,065 budget. Cassettis budget leaves the mill rate flat at 37.32. It will be forwarded to the Board of Aldermen during their monthly meeting May 8. There are couple of things we will look at, said Lori Vaccaro, the Board of Aldermen president. But there will be no tax increase. This will be tax payer friendly and responsible budget. One of those things that Vaccaro said will be looked at is BOATs recommendation for the Ansonia Rescue and Medical Services. ARMS requested $1,053,693 which is $202,247 more than they received last year. ARMS sought the increase to adjust their pay scale and possibly hire additional staff. Cassetti recommended ARMS receive $820,750 while BOAT recommended they received $781,000 which is $39,750 less than what the mayor proposed. BOAT left Cassettis $31,260,484 recommendation for the school board alone. The board requested $32,590,951. Marini said the city cannot evaluate the Board of Education's claim about expenses without additional financial information. The BOE's budgetary documentation still lacks crucial details. Responsible budgeting is not done in the dark. The school board claims state law prohibits the city from withholding $600,000 from this years budget and then eliminating it from next year. Last week it received a letter of support from the state Board of Educations legal department.. The Board of Education does not want to go into litigation but will if a reasonable resolution is not reached, said Chris Phipps, a board member. He said the loss of $600,000 would bring us back to the 2016-17 funding. Not only do we believe that would violate the States Minimum Budget Requirement but it would be catastrophic to the school system. Last week Phipps said without the $600,000 the school board is unable to pay bills through the end of this fiscal year. We are going to be broke, plain and simple, he said. As of 1 p.m. Tuesday, Phipps said: I have not heard anything that would lead me to believe that litigation would be avoided but I remain hopeful. The Board of Education is always willing to meet and negotiate with the City, we just need a willing partner. And Marini said the city's finance department is always ready and willing to review additional budgetary information the second it is provided, regardless of the pending lawsuit HAMDEN As the new associate vice president and chief diversity officer at Quinnipiac University, Don Sawyer III is seeking to foster open, honest communication between people of disparate backgrounds and beliefs and help people grow comfortable in an inclusive environment. Hell be working from experience. Sawyer said he started on this line of thinking as a freshman at Hartwick College in Oneida, New York. He was raised in a housing project in Harlem, while his roommate was from Connecticut. His roommate was a conservative Republican; he was not. But the two were able to debate issues and learn about one another, despite the fraught history of race and politics in the United States. They made a compact to be open and talk without fear, he said, a purposeful, acknowledged effort to understand. We said we would just talk like two people in a room, learning, said Sawyer. If we didnt have those intentional discussions, nothing would be learned. And I think thats why it became easier there wasnt a fear of offending. Inquisitive from a young age, Sawyer said he learned to navigate culture shock during that time in his life, as he made the transition from the Abraham Lincoln Houses in Harlem during the crack-cocaine epidemic to upstate New York for college. He said his parents did not finish high school, but wanted to ensure that he would avoid the future many of his peers encountered, he said, of getting caught up in selling drugs and potentially going to prison or dying. He was acting out in elementary school, so they took him to a psychiatrist who told his parentsthat he was fine, but responding to the traumatic environment of the neighborhood around him. So he began to study martial arts, which provided the chance to focus his thoughts and energy, despite the challenges around him. And Sawyer got help from unlikely places. People who hung out on street corners supported him, even though they may have been skirting the edges of the law or stepping over the line, and prevented him from getting involved. A lot of the people in my community who supported me were the people who society would consider thugs. Where it got to a certain point where some of my friends would go and do things, they wouldnt let me go. Some people were selling drugs and different things like that I wasnt involved. Some people were doing other things, they wouldnt let me go, said Sawyer. And so they protected me from certain things. For them, they saw something in me at that point in time that I did not necessarily see in myself, said Sawyer. I owe a great debt and gratitude to the folks who shielded me, the people who are some of the most marginalized people in our society, those are the ones who protected me, who allowed me to get here. Sawyer is now tasked with helping students make their own transitions and have their own discussions as he takes on this new role at Quinnipiac, where has worked since 2012. He said he wanted to foster intentional interactions among students, like those he had with his roommate, and create brave spaces where people can ask difficult questions, unpack and consider moments of offense and grow as a result. People can be afraid to have these sort of conversations, especially in the age of social media, when opinions and thoughts can be shared and thrown into a larger conversation at a moments notice, he said. To help put people at ease, Sawyer said he aims to be transparent and vulnerable, sharing that he is imperfect, and does not have all the answers. Students want to talk about these things, he said; they just need to feel comfortable to do so. When you do the work of diversity, you can either have crystallizing experiences or paralyzing experiences, said Sawyer. I think its the skilled individual that can make sure that we can have crystallizing experiences, that people are willing to open up their minds, open up their hearts, and really to take a journey in understanding that we dont know everything that were going to make mistakes, but were trying to get from point A to point B. At Quinnipiac, he hopes that diversity and inclusion become innate, foundational aspects of life. Beyond fostering discussion, other aspects of the job include creating a vision of diversity and inclusion for the university with the help of departments and students and prompting more involvement with the surrounding communities, he said. He said he has dedicated his life to working with students and the surrounding communities, and is excited, albeit nervous, about continuing what he considers meaningful work. I want us to be a space where inclusive excellence is a part of our institutional fabric. In certain places, diversity and inclusion is an add-on. I want it to be a pillar of our existence, and also creating a community where everyone who comes here is part of the Quinnipiac University family feels that they belong, feels that they are valued, and feels that they are included, Sawyer said. william.lambert@hearstmediact.com A 46-year-old Wallingford man was arrested on a criminal complaint charging him with bankruptcy fraud and identity theft, according to a news release. Joel C. Riley also was charged Monday with conspiracy to commit bankruptcy fraud and identity theft, according to U.S. Attorney John H. Durham. Riley appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Robert M. Spector in New Haven and was released on $100,000 bail and electronic monitoring. As alleged in the complaint, on Dec. 15, 2016, Riley visited an attorney claiming that he had power of attorney for another person who was ill, and that he wanted to file a bankruptcy petition on the victims behalf. The attorney told Riley that the attorney needed to meet with the victim in person to confirm her identity. After several delays, on June 6, 2017, Riley and a woman claiming to be the victim met with the attorney at his office, according to the complaint. The woman presented a Connecticut drivers license in the name of the victim as identification. That same day, the parties reviewed and signed a Chapter 7 bankruptcy petition, which the attorney filed with the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of Connecticut. The petition listed unsecured debts of approximately $277,000. The complaint further alleges that, later in June 2017, the victim tried to use a department store credit card and learned that a bankruptcy petition had been filed in her name, without her knowledge and authorization. On June 28, 2017, the victim met with the attorney and said she did not file for bankruptcy. That same day, Riley allegedly sent an email to the attorney stating I clearly owe you more than an apology and clearly have not been in the right frame of mind. I need to make this right. And I know that exposes myself. You have done so much for me and I betrayed that. Please let me know what I can do to resolve this. The attorney then notified the bankruptcy court. It is further alleged that the victim testified in bankruptcy court that her identification had been missing from her wallet when the petition was filed. She further testified that other than a student loan, all of the other unsecured debt listed in the bankruptcy petition was not her debt and that Riley had impersonated her in the past in order to obtain credit. On July 21, 2017, the bankruptcy court dismissed the false bankruptcy petition in the victims name. Bankruptcy fraud, identity theft and conspiracy each carries a maximum term of imprisonment of five years. This matter is being investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Neeraj N. Patel. HARTFORD Following a recommendation from the Office of the Child Advocate to enact legislation to regulate homeschooling, approximately 75 people including state officials, homeschool advocates and homeschooled families gathered on the north steps of the state Capitol Tuesday in opposition. The OCAs call for appropriate modifications to existing state law regarding compulsory education, as OCA identified Connecticut as a state with no regulation of homeschooling, stems from the death of Matthew Tirado, a 17-year-old diagnosed with autism and intellectual disability who died Feb. 14, 2017, from prolonged abuse and neglect. OCA found Tirado , though enrolled in the Hartford Public Schools, had not been allowed by his mother to attend school for approximately one year prior to his death, despite numerous reports by the school district to the Department of Children and Families alleging abuse and neglect in the Tirado home. OCA in April published a supplemental report, as part of its fatality investigation into Tirados death, to see whether there were other children who were removed from school to be homeschooled and who lived in families that had a history of prior involvement with DCF due to reported concerns of abuse or neglect. OCA is concerned about children who are withdrawn from school and not provided any education at all and/or who may be living in conditions that are abusive and neglectful. Home-schooling is regulated by many states, though approaches to such oversight and regulation vary, the supplemental report states. OCA strongly recommends that Connecticut stakeholders consider the unintended consequences of having no clear regulation for homeschooling and the impact on the safety net for children. Deborah Stevenson, a lawyer, said she doesnt understand how Tirados death could lead to a call for the regulation of homeschooling, as Tirado was never officially homeschooled. It was well known by the district and DCF that Matthews mother wasnt sending Matthew to school. In other words, he was not homeschooled; he was truant, and for a very long time and periodically over a number of years, Stevenson said. Stevenson said the only homeschooling connection concerned Tirados younger sister. Tirados mother, Katiria, successfully withdrew her daughter from school by simply filing a notice with the district that she would homeschool the child in November 2017, but DCF found no evidence the girl was in fact being homeschooled. Yet, here we are, and Child Advocate (Sarah Egan) seeks to regulate homeschooling. This makes absolutely no sense, Stevenson said. The supplement report suggests a stakeholder group, which would include the state Department of Education and DCF, school district personnel and advocates for homeschooling families, should be convened to discuss the merits and components of a regulatory framework for homeschooling that will minimally ensure a child withdrawn from school for the purpose of homeschooling is receiving an education and is making progress in instructed areas. OCA reviewed information from six school districts and found 380 students were withdrawn to be homeschooled from 2013 to 2016. Of those students, 138 of them, or 36 percent, lived in families that were the subject of at least one prior accepted report to DCF for suspected abuse or neglect, according to the supplemental report. However, state Sen. Len Suzio, R-Meriden, who serves as co-chairman of the Committee of Children, said the supplemental report was totally, completely inaccurate, as Egan was looking for anecdotal evidence. It was not intended to be a statistical analysis of homeschooling at all, but it turned out that the group of students that she studied, 36 percent of them had a history of abuse and neglect with the Department of Children and Families, Suzio said. He said the supplemental report only looked at students who has been taken out of public school, but ignored those who never went to a public school. Therefore, Suzio said, the 36 percent doesnt accurately reflect the percentage of homeschoolers being monitored by DCF. Crystal Heft, vice president of the Connecticut Homeschool Network, said part of why parents choose to homeschool their children in the first place include their desire to seek greater opportunities to pass down their faith and cultural traditions, to keep their children safe and to leave the cookie cutter, test-driven classrooms behind. Amy Arroyl ,of New Britain, said she decided to homeschool her daughter because she loved the idea of pursuing her daughters interests and what shes really drawn to and learning in that way, instead of sending her to school and just being part of the masses and learning one size fits all. Amy Monticello, of West Hartford, said she homeschools her two children because after listening to some of the things her friends, as teachers, go through and what the school environment is like, she wanted to provide opportunities that her children needed more and teach them in a way that was better. We live in a time where society has convinced us that children cannot thrive under the instruction of their own parents, and we all need special experts or our children will be doomed to failure. That assumption is wrong, Heft said to applause and cheers from the crowd. jessica.lerner@hearstmediact.com; @jesslerner on Twitter NORWALK Orange, a 35-year-old harbor seal at the Maritime Aquarium beloved for her shark imitations and annual Super Bowl picks (she was usually wrong), died Sunday. Orange was the aquariums oldest seal and had been with the aquarium since 2005. Were always saddened by the loss of any animal at the aquarium, but seals in particular are hard, said Brian Davis, president of the aquarium. Orange was a very special part of the Maritime Aquarium family. She was full of life, said Ellen Riker, a senior aquarist who had worked with Orange for 13 years. She was really fun to work with. While life for Orange began in difficult circumstances she was found stranded as a pup in 1982, and had to be rescued and rehabilitated at the National Aquarium in Baltimore she flourished in her new setting, living 10 years beyond the median life span for seals in aquariums and 15 years beyond the life expectancy of harbor seals in the wild. During her time at the Maritime Aquarium, Orange made an impression on her trainers with her intelligence and engaging personality. She was always interested in showing off her teeth and sticking out her tongue for children during various programs, and she didnt mind dress up. She would wear Easter bunny ears, we would put reindeer antlers on her she seemed to really enjoy that, Riker said. She was goofy. She was also famous for her clairvoyance, or lack thereof. It kind of became a running joke that if you wanted the winning pick of the Super Bowl, bet against Orange, Riker said. However, Orange did correctly predict a number of film awards and eventually won the attention of a Stockholm ad agency. In April 2016, she starred in a Swedish commercial for the Samsung Galaxy S6. Orange is a North Atlantic harbor seal with a very special gift: the ability to predict the future, a narrator intones over footage of Orange swimming in her tank. Thats why were going all the way to Norwalk, Connecticut, for a chance to meet Orange and listen to what shes got to say about the new Samsung Galaxy. She predicted the phone would be fast charging and flat on both sides, but failed to note that the phones successor would have a predilection for overheating and catching on fire. Orange would make predictions by choosing a piece of paper with a message written on it from several thrown in the pool. In the case of the Super Bowl, images of competing team helmets were attached to the side of her tank, and she tapped her choice for the winner. Her predictions also improved over time over seven years, her only two correct Super Bowl picks were the New England Patriots in 2017 and the Philadelphia Eagles in 2018. Orange had been undergoing chemotherapy for squamous cell carcinoma, a common form of cancer in older seals, according to Director of Animal Husbandry Barrett Christie. Aquarium spokesman David Sigworth said it seemed likely that the cancer and chemotherapy were related to Oranges death, but more will be learned after the Connecticut Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory at the University of Connecticut in Storrs performs an autopsy. rschuetz@hearstmediact.com; @raschuetz A funny-looking fish was found on a New Jersey beach last week, so naturally tabloid headlines declared it monstrous. "Freakish sea creature washes up along Jersey Shore," Philly Voice announced. "Prehistoric SEA MONSTER washes up on beach: 'It's a unique creature'," gushed UK tabloid The Daily Star. The creature, discovered by a woman in Island Beach State Park during a jog Wednesday, was an Atlantic sturgeon, which is indeed a prehistoric fish species, with fossils appearing as early as the Triassic Period, between 251 million and 199 million years ago. MORE: Mysterious 'Nessie'-like sea creature washes up on beach This one, however, was not swimming while dinosaurs walked the Earth. Stephanie Hall discovered the body of the spiky, 6-foot-long fish while detouring around a sunbathing seal she encountered on the beach. "All of a sudden I saw the head of a fish but I thought it might have been an alligator or crocodile or something. It was quite scary," Hall told NJ.com. According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the Atlantic sturgeon can live up to 60 years. Like the salmon, it migrates up rivers to spawn. For a "sea monster," this sturgeon was kind of a runt, or at least a juvenile. Atlantic salmon can grow as long as 14 feet and weigh up to 800 pounds. Its most distinctive feature is the five rows of scutes bony spikes on its back. MORE: The best of the 1-star Yelp reviews of Calif. beaches While the bottom-feeding fish is rarely seen, dead or alive, NOAA says there are about 4,600 in the Hudson River in New York and 2,000 in South Carolina's Altamaha River. But there are also unknown numbers of Atlantic sturgeon in other estuaries all along the East Coast and Canada. The species is listed as endangered. Last week, the Taiwanese government announced that ZTE would have to take permission before embarking on any business partnerships with a Taiwanese company. That permission has been granted now, though, allow ZTE to do business with MediaTek. 4 Reviews , News , CPU , GPU , Articles , Columns , Other "or" search relation. 3D Printing , 5G , Accessory , AI , Alder Lake , AMD , Android , Apple , ARM , Audio , Business , Camera , Cannon Lake , Cezanne (Zen 3) , Charts , Chinese Tech , Chromebook , Coffee Lake , Comet Lake , Console , Convertible / 2-in-1 , Cryptocurrency , Cyberlaw , Deal , Desktop , E-Mobility , Exclusive , Fail , Foldable , Gadget , Galaxy Note , Galaxy S , Gamecheck , Gaming , Geforce , Google Pixel , GPU , How To , Human 2.0 , Ice Lake , Intel Evo / Project Athena , Internet of Things (IoT) , iOS , iPad Pro , iPhone , Jasper Lake , Lakefield , Laptop , Launch , Linux / Unix , Lucienne (Zen 2) , MacBook , Mini PC , Monitor , MSI , OnePlus , Opinion , Phablet , Radeon , Renoir , Review Snippet , Rocket Lake , Rumor , Ryzen (Zen) , Science , Security , Single-Board Computer (SBC) , Smart Home , Smartphone , Smartwatch , Software , Storage , Tablet , ThinkPad , Thunderbolt , Tiger Lake , Touchscreen , Ultrabook , Virtual Reality (VR) / Augmented Reality (AR) , Wearable , Windows , Workstation , XPS , Zen 3 (Vermeer) Ticker ZTE's battle with the US government is well-documented. The Chinese company was fined a massive US$1 billion back in 2016 and, just a few weeks ago, was banned from trading with US companies. This trade ban has ensured that ZTE will not be able to use Qualcomm's Snapdragon chips on its future devices. While the company will not be able to use Snapdragon SoCs, it still has the option of Samsung's Exynos and MediaTek's chipsHuawei announced its decision to keep its Kirin SoCs exclusive a while back. It's looking more likely that ZTE will turn towards MediaTek, though, as the semiconductor company has been given the go-ahead by the Taiwan government. This comes after the Taiwan government put ZTE on a watchlist of sorts that ensured the company had to seek verification before doing business with any Taiwanese company. That decision was likely political, in any case, and more of an attempt by the Taiwanese government to show its support for the US government. 1868 Treaty Commemoration Crowd NPS Photo / Sandra Snell - Dobert May 7, 2018 Contact: Eric Valencia, 307-837-2221 Fort Laramie National Historic Site - Two years of planning culminated in a historic gathering at Fort Laramie National Historic Site as thousands of people gathered to honor the spirit of the 1868 Treaty of Fort Laramie. Tribal representatives and descendants of the 13 original signatory tribes of the Treaty came together for a four-day event to remember their families, walking in their footsteps; to reflect on past struggles; and to build a common narrative for the future. Between April 28 and May 1, more than 2,000 Native people joined an encampment at Fort Laramie. Participants arrived from all over the country, some riding in on horseback, walking, or running. Nearly 100 tribes were represented throughout the event. Park visitors and attendees had opportunities to observe and participate in commemorative activities, traditional ceremonies, and listen in on a multitude of guest speakers including many Native American elders, spiritual leaders, tribal chiefs and council members, and treaty councils. Many were descendants of the original treaty signers from the Lakota/Dakota (Sioux), Arapaho, Cheyenne, and Crow nations. Senator John Barrasso (R-WY), Congressman Liz Cheney (R-WY), and Wyoming Governor Matt Mead were among elected officials that provided remarks for this historic event. In his opening remarks, Superintendent Tom Baker noted, We need to work together to ensure this (impacts of the Treaty) never happens again. In fact, we need to do morewe need to work together to improve life for indigenous nations and improve how we work together for the greater good of all people. Later, Baker remarked, The commemoration happened the way we hoped while collaboratively planning it for the past two years: honoring the signers, honoring the descendants, and educating tribal youth and non-natives of the importance and continued relevance of the Treaty. I am both humbled and honored to be part of it. National Park Service Tribal Liaisons Greg Philips, Dorothy FireCloud, Susan Johnson, Bill Tallbull, and Karen Wilde, along with the tireless work of Fort Laramie Park Superintendent Tom Baker and his staff, made this historic gathering a great success. This was the first time since the treaty signing, 150 years ago, that all of these tribes have come together. Tribal youth who participated these past four days will be the Elders speaking to the seventh generation for the next coming together - the 200-year commemoration, said Greg Phillips. Roseburg, OR (97470) Today Cloudy early, becoming mostly sunny this afternoon. High 63F. Winds N at 5 to 10 mph.. Tonight A few passing clouds. Low around 40F. Winds light and variable. The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts announced on Monday that it had rescinded the honors it awarded to Bill Cosby, the first time the center has taken such action. The announcement came nearly two weeks after Mr. Cosby was found guilty of three counts of aggravated indecent assault against Andrea Constand, a former Temple University employee. In a statement, the Kennedy Center said the awards are given to artists who, throughout their lifetime of work, have left an indelible impact on American culture. To a large degree, Mr. Musk is a living embodiment of a gleeful invader. With Tesla, he is trying to prove that what was long thought of as a substantial moat around the automobile industry could be overcome. He has gone direct to consumer with Tesla vehicles, bypassing the traditional car dealers that were once considered a barrier to entering the automotive business. He even had what seemed like his own moat: a network of Supercharger stations around the country that he recently opened up to competitors. (His initial panning of the moat idea followed a question about why he was willing to cede the advantage that the closed charging network provided.) But, in truth, Mr. Musks experience and challenges at Tesla may demonstrate just how much a moat remains a powerful deterrent to competitors. In the case of the automobile industry, perhaps the biggest barrier is the huge amount of capital needed Tesla has already raised more than $12 billion. But even with huge amounts of money, Teslas recent production struggles it has repeatedly missed its targets for making the new mass-market Model 3 show the immense value of manufacturing experience. Mr. Musks willingness to challenge convention has clearly pushed the automobile industry forward, but his progress has lately been bumpier than he initially expected. Thats not to say he wont succeed, but if he does, he may be the exception, not the rule. JuneBaby, a Seattle restaurant focused on the foods of the American South, was named Best New Restaurant on Monday night at the James Beard Foundations annual awards ceremony in Chicago. Its founding chef, Edouardo Jordan, is the first African-American to earn that prize. He also picked up an award for Best Chef in the Northwest for his first restaurant, Salare. With that rare double victory, he found himself in the center of a winners circle suddenly filled with women and people of color. The chef and writer Gabrielle Hamilton, who runs just one small restaurant Prune, in the East Village of Manhattan, with about 30 seats won the national award for Outstanding Chef, a recognition that her influence in the industry far exceeds her footprint. Times Insider delivers behind-the-scenes insights into how news, features and opinion come together at The New York Times. The front page of The New York Times has been home, in the past, to its fair share of articles for the wealthy and privileged reader. Among them, news of jewel thefts and jewel misplacements, inheritances, socialite misadventures, the more than occasional obituary of the eccentric and wealthy gentlewoman, and seemingly endless news about Harvard and Yale (including games, races, debates and, in 1908, a students elopement at the top of the page). When it comes to writing accessibly, some beats make it tougher than others. Though more than a century removed from any of the aforementioned articles, Times reporters still write about topics that range from the expensive and luxurious (see: $8,000 dresses) to the fanciful (see: royal wedding) to the blatantly impractical (see: tiaras). On one level, journalism means taking readers to rooms they may never have access to. On another level, an excess of such coverage can feel impenetrable, or even exclusionary what the former public editor Margaret Sullivan might have once included in her Monocle Meter. Many editors today grapple with that balance. As Choire Sicha, editor of the Styles desk, explained, Some of the things Styles historically covers perfume, expensive furniture, paintings, luxury clothing, tiaras and antiques were his examples are de facto exclusionary because of their price, and some are exclusionary because not everyone wears a tiara to work. At this early stage of his criminal prosecution, Joaquin Guzman Loera, the Mexican drug lord known as El Chapo, does not appear in court that often. But when he does, getting him there requires a remarkable rerouting of New York City traffic. Since last January, Mr. Guzman has been held in a high-security jail in Lower Manhattan, and every three months or so, when he is called to the Brooklyn courthouse where his case is being heard, the Brooklyn Bridge is closed and he is swept across the East River in a motorcade of armored cars, police cruisers and an ambulance or two most of them with their lights and sirens blaring. On Sunday, Mr. Guzmans lawyer, A. Eduardo Balarezo, sought to put an end to this vehicular parade. In court papers, he asked the judge who is handling the case to move it out of Brooklyn altogether, claiming that the spectacle of Mr. Guzmans transportation violated his right to a fair trial. The unprecedented, highly visible, and disruptive security measures taken by the government every time it transports Mr. Guzman are likely to be seen or heard about by innumerable potential and seated jurors, Mr. Balarezo wrote. The conspicuous process of getting his client to the courthouse was, Mr. Balarezo added, Akin to driving a sign that said dangerous man inside. It was horrendous, she said. It just came out of nowhere. My ear was ringing. I lost my balance and fell backward onto the bed. I sprang up, but at this point there was very little room between the bed and him. I got up to try to shove him back, or take a swing, and he pushed me back down. He then used his body weight to hold me down, and he began to choke me. The choking was very hard. It was really bad. I kicked. In every fiber, I felt I was being beaten by a man. Debra S. Katz, a lawyer for Ms. Manning Barish, said that it was Mr. Schneidermans fantasy and his fantasy alone that the behavior was welcome. Mr. Schneiderman, she continued, has made a career railing against this type of abuse. Yet apparently he intends to revictimize these courageous women who have come forward by pulling out that age old sexist trope that they wanted it. Ms. Selvaratnam told the magazine that Mr. Schneiderman routinely drank to excess during their relationship, and that the physical abuse in bed got worse the longer she was with him. We could rarely have sex without him beating me, she said. The abuse was also verbal and emotional, she said. He started calling me his brown slave and demanding that I repeat that I was his property. Both Ms. Manning Barish and Ms. Selvaratnam have in recent days repeatedly declined to comment when reporters for The New York Times asked them to address the allegations. After I found out that other women had been abused by Attorney General Schneiderman in a similar manner many years before me, I wondered, whos next, and knew something needed to be done, Ms. Selvaratnam said in a statement released Monday night. So I chose to come forward both to protect women who might enter into a relationship with him in the future but also to raise awareness around the issue of intimate partner violence. Where Washington D.C. has failed to lead on the issues that matter, Eric has made clear that New York will provide a road map for the rest of the country, his biography on the attorney generals office website says. He had also raised his profile nationally in the last year by repeatedly taking on President Trumps agenda in the courts. (Mr. Trump himself has been accused of sexual misconduct, though he has denied the allegations.) Even before Mr. Trump took office, Mr. Schneiderman had filed a lawsuit against Trump University. And more recently, he had been pushing to change state law so his office could prosecute Mr. Trumps aides if the president pardons them. We must ensure that if the president, or any president, issues such pardons, we can use the full force of New Yorks laws to bring such individuals to justice, Mr. Schneiderman said last month. Other actions Mr. Schneiderman has taken in opposition to Mr. Trump include a lawsuit filed to block the presidents travel ban and a vow to defend the rights of sanctuary cities in his state. Last June, Mr. Schneiderman helped introduce a bill last year in the State Legislature for cost-free contraception, similar to legislation he had called for in the previous year. But he said last year in an interview that he introduced it again because Mr. Trumps election increased his sense of urgency. What he has said about women Mr. Schneiderman had been outspoken about womens issues throughout his career. In 2010, while he was still a state senator from Manhattan, he introduced a bill to make intentional strangulation to the point of unconsciousness a violent felony. That same year, the National Organization for Womens New York branch endorsed him in his successful bid for attorney general, citing his unmatched work in protecting women who are victims of domestic abuse. On Saturday, the British newspaper The Observer published an article that, if true, should rocket into the top tier of Donald Trump scandals. Aides to the president, it said, hired an Israeli private intelligence agency to orchestrate a dirty ops campaign against key individuals from the Obama administration who helped negotiate the Iran nuclear deal. The Israeli agents, said The Observer, specifically targeted Ben Rhodes, who had been one of Barack Obamas national security advisers, and Colin Kahl, a deputy assistant to Obama and national security adviser to Joe Biden. The idea, apparently, was to smear them as corrupt in order to discredit the Iran deal as a whole. The Observer did not identify the Israeli intelligence firm. But on Twitter, Kahl described a strange overture made to his wife last year, when she was serving on the fund-raising committee for their daughters elementary school. A woman claiming to represent a British private equity firm interested in donating to the school emailed his wife and insisted that they meet. (Kahl and his wife were suspicious, and the meeting never happened.) Image Ben Rhodes, center, on Air Force One in 2016. Credit... Stephen Crowley/The New York Times As Laura Rozen, a foreign policy journalist, reported, the woman who emailed Kahls wife claimed to work for Reuben Capital Partners. Thats the same fake firm that a female operative for the Israeli intelligence firm Black Cube used as a cover when she spied on the actress Rose McGowan for Harvey Weinstein. Until Monday evening New Yorks Attorney General Eric Schneiderman was a public champion of the #MeToo movement. Now he appears to be the latest sickening example of the scale and insidiousness of the cruelty that movement is confronting. He resigned late Monday after The New Yorker magazine published an article in which four women accused him of abusing them physically and emotionally. Gov. Andrew Cuomo should appoint a responsible, independent prosecutor to investigate any possible criminal charges against Mr. Schneiderman and abuses of his office. Mr. Schneiderman admitted no wrongdoing. Instead, he said in a statement that the serious allegations, which I strongly contest, had made it impossible to do his job. But the allegations outlined by the women are consistent, detailed and bone-chilling. Two women who had been in relationships with Mr. Schneiderman Michelle Manning Barish, a liberal activist, and Tanya Selvaratnam, an author told the magazine that he choked and hit them, often during sex, and subjected them to verbal abuse. They said he slapped them so hard that Ms. Manning Barish bled from her ear long after the blow, while Ms. Selvaratnam suffered from episodes of vertigo. This column is about a man who changed the world, at least twice. I want to focus less on the impact of his work, which is all around us, and more on how he did it, because hes a model of how you do social change. Stewart Brand was born in Rockford, Ill., in 1938, the son of an advertising executive. By the early 1960s, he felt alienated from boring, bourgeois suburbia and concluded that Native Americans had a lot to teach the rest of us about how to lead a more authentic way of life. In 1965, he created a multimedia presentation called America Needs Indians, which he performed at the LSD-laced, proto-hippie gatherings he helped organize in California. Brand then had two epiphanies. First, there were no public photos of the entire earth. Second, if people like him were going to return to the land and lead natural lives, they would need tools. We need to talk about the nitty-gritty what these systems are really doing and where their weaknesses are, said Mr. Ziyaee, who also worked on autonomous systems at Apple. These companies are putting secrecy over safety. That has to change. The public deserves to know how things work. Mr. Ng said the Uber crash had not affected Drive.ais rollout plans. Were focused on the path forward, he said. Drive.ai was founded in 2015 by Mr. Ngs wife, Carol Reiley, a roboticist, and several students who worked in a Stanford University A.I. lab overseen by Mr. Ng. The start-up specializes in a rapidly progressing type of artificial intelligence called deep learning, which allows systems to learn tasks by analyzing vast amounts of data. Venture capital firms including New Enterprise Associates have since invested in the start-up. Based in Mountain View, Calif., Drive.ai has raised $77 million and has more than 100 employees. Waymo, the autonomous vehicle company that was spun out of Google, is already running a private taxi service outside Phoenix, in a state that is a popular destination for self-driving car experiments. Drive.ai chose to begin its trials in Frisco, where the streets are clean and wide, pedestrian traffic is light and the sun is out for 230 days a year, on average. A Texas law passed in the fall also lets companies operate self-driving services with no restrictions from municipal governments. When Drive.ais free, daytime-only service begins this summer, it will be open to 10,000 people who live or work in the area. The cars will travel along a few miles of road where the speed limit does not exceed 45 miles an hour, with passengers being picked up and dropped off at only a few specific locations. The fight centers on an affirmative fair housing rule put in place in 2015 after two years of study and public hearings. At the time, Julian Castro, Mr. Carsons predecessor as HUD secretary, said the regulation would provide all Americans with access to safe, affordable housing in communities that are rich with opportunity. But housing advocates say the administration has not followed through with ensuring equitable treatment in housing, and they are concerned that HUD may discriminate against vulnerable populations when awarding funds to reconstruct areas damaged by natural disasters. Lisa Rice, president of the National Fair Housing Alliance, one of the groups bringing the suit, said the litigation was intended to prevent racial bias in the reconstruction of housing, drainage systems and other infrastructure. The group wants to ensure that black, Hispanic and low-income residents of Houston and Corpus Christi are not put at risk in the event of another natural disaster. This is the fight Dr. King envisioned, even 50 years later, Ms. Rice said. Madison Sloan, director of Texas Appleseeds Disaster Recovery & Fair Housing Project, another plaintiff in the lawsuit, said the suit was about not leaving people behind. We know that disasters have a disparate impact on the most vulnerable populations, especially communities of color, she said. Historically, segregation has forced these communities into the areas most vulnerable to natural disasters. We have to make sure we are rebuilding in a way that remedies, rather than perpetuates, these inequalities. Critics, however, are focused on the period after the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks, when Ms. Haspel ran a secret black site C.I.A. prison in Thailand where detainees were subjected to brutal interrogation techniques. She was also involved in approving the destruction of videotapes of interrogation sessions at the Thailand prison. The agency has since closed such prisons and renounced the techniques, including waterboarding, sleep deprivation and confinement in boxes. Among the materials handed over to the Senate are logs of internal chats from a C.I.A. instant messaging system in which Ms. Haspel appeared to raise no objections to the interrogation program or the methods employed against Qaeda suspects, according to an American official, who like others declined to be identified discussing confidential matters. The official said Ms. Haspel seemed completely comfortable with what was being done to the prisoners. Her allies said she hardly relished the task but was carrying out a program approved by policymakers and lawyers. Although the Senate has had the chat logs for some time, the White House appeared to learn of them only late last week. Meeting with Ms. Haspel at the White House on Friday, some officials appeared unsatisfied with how she planned to address questions about the interrogation program and the destruction of videotapes, according to current and former officials. The officials asked pointed questions and appeared skeptical that Ms. Haspel would be able to rebut critics on the Intelligence Committee. Ms. Haspel left the meetings concerned that the administration might not vigorously defend her and that the C.I.A. as a whole was at risk of being abandoned by a president who has previously excoriated the nations intelligence agencies. She was acutely aware of what happened to Dr. Ronny L. Jackson, the White House physician who withdrew his nomination for secretary of veterans affairs amid allegations about his workplace conduct, the current and former officials said. Ms. Haspel did not want to be the next performer ushered onto the set of the Trump show, humiliated and then sent packing, they said. She agreed to the nomination out a sense of loyalty to the institution, they added, but would be just as happy to step back into her role as deputy. The reports appear to be aimed at undermining public support for the agreement by finding ways to discredit Mr. Rhodes and Mr. Kahl, who have been staunch advocates of the deal on social media and in television appearances. In an interview on Monday, Mr. Rhodes said he was surprised that ferocious criticism directed at him continued after he left government. I never imagined that upon leaving government, that not only would that information campaign continue, but that it would be supplemented by investigations into me and my family by shadowy international operations, involving foreign entities, Mr. Rhodes said. The deal to curtail Irans nuclear weapons program was signed by the United States, Iran and several European countries in 2015. Its critics, including Mr. Trump and Benjamin Netanyahu, the prime minister of Israel, have said it does nothing to curtail the danger posed by Iran and will not curtail Irans ability to develop nuclear weapons. The president said Monday that he will announce on Tuesday whether he will formally withdraw the United States from the deal, as he has repeatedly signaled he would. While there is no evidence directly linking Trump officials to the preparation of the reports, several current or former members of the Trump White House have repeatedly attacked Mr. Rhodes and Mr. Kahl for their support of the Iran agreement. Sebastian Gorka, a Trump supporter who served briefly in the White House as an adviser, has repeatedly attacked both men on social media and in conservative news outlets, accusing Mr. Rhodes and Mr. Kahl of working to undermine Mr. Trump and defend the Iran deal from its critics. Current and former Trump administration officials have also targeted John Kerry, the former secretary of state who negotiated the Iran deal for the United States. Even Mr. Trump himself said in a Twitter post on Monday that recent efforts by Mr. Kerry to save the deal amounted to possibly illegal Shadow Diplomacy. But Mr. Stone has insisted that he had no prior knowledge and that he was acting off what the WikiLeaks founder, Julian Assange, had said publicly that summer, as well as information from his longtime associate Randy Credico, who had contacts close to Mr. Assange. Did I want to know what WikiLeaks had? Of course I did, Mr. Stone said on Monday, adding, I still never had any advance knowledge of the content, or the form, or the exact timing of when the emails would be leaked. I never got any material including allegedly hacked emails from WikiLeaks or Assange and passed them on to Donald Trump, Mr. Stone said. I never got anything from the Russians, whoever that is. Mr. Caputo was among those who was questioned about Mr. Stones connection to the campaign, as well as text messages he and Mr. Stone exchanged, according to two people briefed on the questions. Mr. Stone said he never had any relationship with Mr. Assange. And he said that his lawyer had written to House Intelligence Committee officials asking for a correction to testimony he gave in the panels own investigation into Russias election interference. The testimony addressed one of Mr. Stones tweets about the hacked emails, which were stolen from the account of Hillary Clintons campaign chairman, John Podesta. Two months before the emails were released, Mr. Stone predicted on his since-suspended Twitter account that it would soon be Podestas time in the barrel. The tweet, his lawyer said, contained a grammatical error the apostrophe. Mr. Stone had meant that to write that it would soon be the Podestas time in the barrel and was attempting to refer to Mr. Podesta and his brother, Tony, a major lobbyist, his lawyer said. It was difficult to decide how to go about it, because you had to think, what type of figure, what type of woman am I going to choose for this Venus? she said. In the old paintings, she was mostly painted as these blonde, voluptuous women, and Shakespeare was writing about a kind of Mediterranean type. The resulting images are black ink wash on various types of paper reduced to essential elements of form. In one image, Venus is voluptuous with long, possibly blonde hair. In another, she might be an African woman with dark curly hair. In yet another, she appears like a vampire, with hollowed out eyes, inspired by an Edvard Munch drawing. Ms. Dumas felt that the Venus and Adonis book illustrations could be an entry point into a new series of paintings, though she was at first uncertain. Then my daughter said, You always make your best paintings of me. I said, Im not going to paint you, Im scared, and a pregnant lady doesnt fit into this exhibition. Ms. Dumas has painted her daughter numerous times a particularly famous image is her haunting The Painter (1994) in the Museum of Modern Arts collection, depicting Helena looking sinister at about 4 years old, with her small hands dipped in black and red paint. In one complaint, Dominique Machain said that in 2016, when she was a freshman, Roy Frumkes, her narrative writing professor, told her in graphic detail about a student he said had gone to his apartment and had sex with him. Then, she said, he added that if she wanted a recommendation she should visit him there. The implication, Ms. Machain said, was clear. I almost felt paralyzed, she said. Image Roy Frumkes was found to have violated the sexual misconduct policy at the School of Visual Arts by administrators. Credit... Lars Niki/Getty Images In recent weeks the school responded, saying Mr. Frumkes employment had been terminated after an investigation found that he had violated the schools sexual misconduct policy, according to a letter from an administrator. The letter did not detail the findings. Mr. Frumkes, who did not respond to requests for comment, is appealing. The schools letter said that until his right to appeal has lapsed or been exhausted his employment would be suspended. Another instructor in the department, Robert Haufrecht, was suspended in March and his contract was not renewed. The school said the suspension was in response to concerns raised by students but did not detail them. One student, Ashley Priessnitz, said she had complained last semester that Mr. Haufrecht, her acting teacher, had showed her unwanted attention, and had told her in class to rehearse suggestive scenarios, like washing herself. I started wearing baggy clothes to class because any time I wore normal clothing he would comment on my appearance, Ms. Priessnitz said. If I saw him in a hallway at school I would duck around a corner. Welcome to Best of Late Night, a rundown of the previous nights highlights that lets you sleep and lets us get paid to watch comedy. If youre interested in hearing from The Times regularly about great TV, sign up for our Watching newsletter and get recommendations straight to your inbox. Rumors Rudolph Giuliani has struggled over the past week to clarify the Trump administrations official narrative in the Stormy Daniels scandal and its turning him into the latest punching bag for late-night TV hosts. On Sunday, Giuliani walked back comments he made last week confirming that President Trump reimbursed his lawyer Michael Cohen for the hush money Cohen had sent to Stephanie Clifford, the pornographic film actress known as Stormy Daniels. Giuliani told George Stephanopolous of ABC that the facts he had outlined might actually be rumors. 8. Over the course of this book, the Westover family deals with a number of accidents: Westovers brother Tyler falling asleep and driving off the road, Westovers brother Luke catching on fire, and later, a very serious accident for their father. Early on, Westover writes about all the decisions that go into making a life the choices people make, together and on their own, that combine to produce any single event. What do you think she meant by this? How does this insight apply to your own life? 9. Throughout the book, Westover refers back to journals she kept while growing up. Sometimes, she recorded events as they really felt, but many times, she says she presented events as less traumatic than they really were, or used vague, shadowy language to obscure how shed been hurt. How do these journals inform the book? 10. By Chapter 22, Westover writes that her life was often narrated for me by others. Their voices were forceful, emphatic, absolute. It had never occurred to me that my voice might be as strong as theirs. What is the significance of this realization? Do you identify at all with this? 11. At Brigham Young, Tara recounts going to a professor for moral advice, and instead being encouraged to apply for a very competitive study abroad program at Cambridge University, which shed never imagined she could qualify to do. Hed seemed to say, First find out what you are capable of, then decide who you are, she writes. Has anyone ever given you advice to do something beyond what you thought you were capable? Did you follow it? 12. Westovers mother is a midwife and herbalist. How does her perception of these kinds of healing change over the course of her life? How does working change her? Part 3: 13. Westover writes that her father looked slumped when she left for Cambridge, an expression of love and fear and loss because when shes across the ocean he cant keep her safe. How did you view her relationship with her father, and did your perception of that relationship change throughout the book? 14. After Westover decides to continue her education, she finds it increasingly difficult to reconcile her life on the mountain with her new life as a student of history. She writes that she had a fractured mind. Does it seem to you that she must lose one life to gain another? Back then what hooked me in Morrisons Pulitzer Prize-winning novel was the inventive language, often heavy with grief The closer the roses got to death, the louder their scent, reads one early moment of synesthesia. To an adult reader, though, even the shroud of beautiful writing cant distract from the horror and tragedy of an intimately imagined family story of slavery. By contrast, Garcia Marquezs magical realist epic, which follows seven generations of the cursed Buendia clan through Colombian history, reveals more of its sly wit with each rereading. Out West Then there were the summer reading lists at my brothers Catholic high school; scouring them felt as tempting and illicit as snooping in the faculty members diary entries. One year, a social studies teacher exclusively recommended Hermann Hesse novels, and an English teacher who was also a priest suggested only books by Willa Cather. Nearly 20 years later, Im still with the priest. In particular, turn to Cathers wonderfully digressive novel Death Comes for the Archbishop, inspired by the true biography of a French clergyman who arrived in newly annexed New Mexico in the mid-19th century, committed to reforming the church there and to building a cathedral in Santa Fe. (Paul Horgans biography of the real Catholic bishop, Lamy of Santa Fe, makes an excellent companion volume.) On Cue My senior year English teacher introduced us to a lot of plays, including three by the 19th-century writer Henrik Ibsen. The prescient dramas, equally attuned to familial and societal relationships Ghosts, The Wild Duck and An Enemy of the People not only deepen in meaning with their readers maturity, but also have increased in contemporary relevance of late: Several revivals of An Enemy of the People the story of a doctor, a complex antihero, who is reviled by his community after he warns of a filthy poison in the waters of the profitable spas in their Norwegian town will be staged across the United States this year. Page Substitutions Ill leave you with one more assignment idea: Consider replacing the canonical books that disappointed you with related classics. Since Lord of the Flies no longer thrills you, pick up Joseph Conrads Heart of Darkness, another book with a grim view of human nature. If you (like me) were uninspired by the listless love triangle and broken pickle dish in Edith Whartons Ethan Frome, turn to one of her more nuanced stories, like The Reef. And if the romantic appeal of Jane Eyre, by Charlotte Bronte, diminished as your feminist consciousness rose, you could turn to Wide Sargasso Sea, Jean Rhyss ominous prequel. Think of it as extra credit. Yours truly, Match Book Do you need book recommendations? Write to matchbook@nytimes.com. Check out Match Books earlier recommendations here. Tuesday afternoon. Thats the deadline President Trump set for himself to announce the fate of the Iran nuclear agreement, one of the most consequential decisions of his presidency. The leaders of Iran and Israel have issued opposing warnings of increasing urgency, alternately pressuring the U.S. president to affirm or abandon the deal. But European officials have quietly indicated they failed to convince the Trump administration that walking away from the accord would be an enormous diplomatic error. Boris Johnson, the British foreign secretary, suggested that if Mr. Trump were able to fix North Korea and the Iran nuclear deal, he would be at least as deserving of a Nobel Peace Prize as former President Barack Obama. Peter Pan helps sick children. Not fictionally; financially. The author J.M. Barrie, who was born on this day in 1860, donated the rights to his most famous creation to the Great Ormond Street childrens hospital in London in 1929. In a front-page report at the time, The New York Times estimated their worth at roughly $10,000 a year, which it said was equivalent to a sixth of the hospitals income. It would have been clear that the gift was of lasting value: The boy who never grows up was introduced in 1902, becoming the subject of a hit play two years later, and then a novel. He had already inspired a statue in a London park, and even begun his long career in movies. But few would have guessed quite how long Peter Pan would pay. The copyright first expired in Britain at the end of 1987, 50 years after Barries death. Within months, however, Parliament passed a measure granting Great Ormond Street a permanent right to royalties from the stage play and adaptations of it. Peter Pans adventures in America are also still helping the hospital; according to its website, the U.S. copyright does not expire until 2023. Peter Robins wrote todays Back Story. _____ Your Morning Briefing is published weekday mornings and updated online. Sign up here to get it by email in the Australian, Asian, European or American morning. You can also receive an Evening Briefing on U.S. weeknights. Up until January, investors were willing to pay high valuations for stocks because they expected corporate earnings to accelerate this year. But the best may already be behind us. Lori Calvasina, head of United States equity strategy at RBC Capital Markets, on Monday wrote that analysts now believe that earnings growth for this year likely peaked in the first quarter (at 23 percent over last years first quarter.) After such peaks, the stock market tends to remain weak for a while, she added. Investors likely wont have a big new jump in profits to look forward to. Earnings are expected to grow 10 percent next year, according to estimates compiled by Standard & Poors. Without sustained support from corporate earnings, investors may be more willing to sell stocks in response to geopolitical events. And in the coming weeks, there will be plenty of potential trade war triggers. The Trump administration could decide to impose tariffs on steel and aluminum from a number of countries, including those in the European Union, when exemptions expire at the end of this month. Proposed tariffs on $50 billion of goods from China could also be imposed this month, and the White House could release details on a second batch of tariffs on $100 billion of Chinese products. Since neither the European Union nor China looks close to caving to Mr. Trumps threats, global trade tensions look set to escalate and a full-blown trade war is possible. Investors may continue to hang tight, of course. The stock market is flat for the year, not a bad performance for a period in which the underpinnings of the international economic order are under assault. Noelle Phillips, a reporter for The Denver Post, was among the journalists who took part in a protest against the newspapers hedge-fund owner in Midtown Manhattan on Tuesday. Along with a dozen other sign-wielding protesters from newspapers across the country, Ms. Phillips chanted slogans outside the Lipstick Building, where Alden Global Capital, the company behind the newspaper chain Digital First Media, has its headquarters. As a reporter, what do you do when someone wont answer your questions? she said. You go knock on their door. Journalists at The Post have taken the lead in making public their displeasure with Alden and Digital First Media, the owner of more than 90 publications nationwide, including The Orange County Register, The Pioneer Press of St. Paul and The Mercury News of San Jose, Calif. Alden runs the newspapers at a high profit margin while cutting costs significantly, often through layoffs, and the Denver crew has lost patience. In its April 8 issue, The Post published a six-page opinion section critical of management. I appreciate the opportunity to listen to their concerns and offer our sincere apologies on behalf of Nordstrom, Mr. Thomas said in a statement after the meeting. I also want to thank the young men for their poise in dealing with local law enforcement and the police themselves for handling the situation professionally. Adolphus M. Pruitt II, the president of the St. Louis chapter of the N.A.A.C.P. who met with the friends after the episode, said that both the police and the men handled the situation perfectly. Inside the store, as the two employees were following them, the friends debated leaving but decided they would buy some items to show that the employees had been wrong, that they were not stealing and that they had money to spend, he said. When the police arrived, the men cooperated with the officers, showed them their receipts and let them look inside their shopping bags and car, he said. The officers stressed that they were called out only because an employee had called 911. The police realized they were not thieves and let them go. They allowed them to tell their side of the story, and the police told their side of the story, Mr. Pruitt said on Tuesday. In todays day in time, it is remarkable. If we can get that to repeat itself as much as possible, boy, it would make my job easier. While Mr. Pruitt said he was disappointed by the employees at the store, he said he was encouraged by the companys response. It does demonstrate that they are reacting in the right way, he said, comparing its response to that of Starbucks after the arrest in Philadelphia. But he added that the recent cases underscored the need for employees to receive racial-bias training, which Starbucks will conduct on one day later this month for workers in more than 8,000 stores in the United States. Nordstrom has been reviewing its employee policies and considering changes to training at both its department stores and Nordstrom Rack, its discount shops. And speaking of halos: The accessories of choice were a headdress and an endless train. Nicki Minajs red sequined Oscar de la Renta was so long it took two people to carry. Katy Perrys archangel wings atop a Versace thigh-high boots were hard to imagine fitting through any door. By the time Rihanna, another co-host, made her entrance in a Pope-tastic bejeweled white Maison Margiela minidress with overskirt and miter, and the internet broke, there was really nothing to say but: oh my God. In the lead-up to the gala there is often a lot of head-scratching about why this night is such a big deal; why, of all the red carpet events during the year, this one gets so much attention. Its simple: Nowhere else would you see any of the above. No one would dare wear them to the Oscars, or the Emmys. Awards shows (MTVs Video Music Awards excepted, perhaps) have become play-it-safe zones when it comes to fashion, extensions of advertising contracts or auditions for them. Most recently, thanks to the Weinstein scandal, they became statement-making platforms of a non-style-kind. The Met Gala, by contrast, is an extension of the runway: the purest expression of fashion you will see on a real person (real being a relative term). Indeed, for many it is the only time some of the most exaggerated catwalk looks, the kind where designers just let their imaginations and their ateliers run wild, will ever appear in any context beyond a show. Theres an element of freedom to that of being unbound from these earthly constraints and delight. Ive traveled all over the country in recent years as a national correspondent and political reporter with the goal of hearing from people and vulnerable communities who feel abandoned or left behind. Along the way I have spoken to a lot of people about heroin and painkiller addictions. Distance, Ive learned, isnt the only barrier we have to cross in writing about this crisis. It can be even harder to cross conceptual ones, to think beyond stereotypes and the stories we have already written. I have agonized over the fear that my questions are too intrusive. But more often than I would expect, people arent just willing to talk about their struggles they seem to need to talk about their experiences, to hear that their stories matter and that someone cares enough to ask. Thats been true outside rural dollar stores, in urban laundromats, at suburban Walmarts. I recently moved to Los Angeles as a new California correspondent on the National desk, and I am still exploring the various ways California is like an entire country unto itself. The drive to Eureka for a recent story in Humboldt County reminded me more of driving through rural Appalachia or parts of Alaska, where I grew up. The drive was supposed to take about five hours from Sacramento, each way. It took me closer to six or seven hours. Whole stretches of the twisty State Route 299 through the Shasta-Trinity National Forest look over enormous gorges but lack guardrails. (And Im afraid of heights.) A wild March snowstorm on the way back slowed me down further. There was no cellphone reception, but on the radio I learned that sections of the road were being closed behind me because of dangerous conditions. It was beautiful, but terrifying. Going to Humboldt County took me in directions I didnt expect. I was there to talk about heroin, but every person in the community also wanted to talk about homelessness and needle litter. Methamphetamine abuse and the struggling economy were never far away from the conversation either. I had no idea, from the opioid death data I was viewing, that these public health crises had collided in such a way. What exactly is cultural appropriation? A 2017 Opinion piece, quoting Susan Scafidi, a law professor at Fordham University, defined it as: taking intellectual property, traditional knowledge, cultural expressions, or artifacts from someone elses culture without permission. This can include the unauthorized use of another cultures dance, dress, music, language, folklore, cuisine, traditional medicine, religious symbols, etc. Other Times articles have called it a sign of disrespect and exploitation and a word now associated with the white Western worlds co-opting of minority cultures. Can you recall any examples of cultural appropriation from the news or your own life? What were they and what made them disrespectful or exploitative? In Teenagers Prom Dress Stirs Furor in U.S. but Not in China, Amy Qin writes: When Keziah Daum wore a Chinese-style dress to her high school prom in Utah, it set off an uproar but not because of its tight fit or thigh-high slit. After Ms. Daum, 18, shared pictures on social media of her prom night, a Twitter user named Jeremy Lam hotly responded in a post that has been retweeted nearly 42,000 times. My culture is NOT your prom dress, he wrote, adding profanity for effect. Im proud of my culture, he wrote in another post. For it to simply be subject to American consumerism and cater to a white audience, is parallel to colonial ideology. Some Twitter users who described themselves as Asian-Americans seized on Ms. Daums dress a form-fitting red cheongsam (also known as a qipao) with black and gold ornamental designs as an example of cultural appropriation, a sign of disrespect and exploitation. Other Asian-Americans said the criticism was silly. This isnt ok, wrote someone with the user name Jeannie. I wouldnt wear traditional Korean, Japanese or any other traditional dress and Im Asian. I wouldnt wear traditional Irish or Swedish or Greek dress either. Theres a lot of history behind these clothes. Sad. When the furor reached Asia, though, many seemed to be scratching their heads. Far from being critical of Ms. Daum, who is not Chinese, many people in mainland China, Hong Kong and Taiwan proclaimed her choice of the traditional high-necked dress as a victory for Chinese culture. I am very proud to have our culture recognized by people in other countries, said someone called Snail Trail, commenting on a post of the Utah episode by a popular account on WeChat, the messaging and social media platform, that had been read more than 100,000 times. Students: Read the entire article, then tell us: After reading multiple perspectives, do you think Ms. Daums prom dress was an example of cultural appropriation? Or is it just another instance of American outrage culture? Why do you think so? In your opinion, when does something cross the line from cultural exchange into appropriation and why? With more access to other cultures and perspectives via the internet, do you think people today have a greater responsibility to seek out and attempt to understand how their use of cultural artifacts might offend others? Why or why not? What is your opinion on the increasingly complex, nuanced and sensitive conversations about race in the United States? Mojgan Ghanbari was assigned in 2017 to submit a photo essay on borders to the Joop Swart Masterclass, a workshop for up-and-coming young photographers. She had been documenting the lives of young women in Iran, her home country, for a series titled Zanan, or women in Persian. That project earned her a $10,000 grant from Getty Images and inspired her to explore another side of femininity: the relationship between mothers and daughters. I came to this realization that young women are influenced by their parents, Ms. Ghanbari said. And yet, she added, I felt like there might be a border, there might be something like a wall we create at a certain age between ourselves and our parents. That invisible barrier is a universal aspect of young adulthood, one that surfaces the moment we realize we inherit so much from our elders, yet lead completely different lives. For many young Iranian women today, that gap is widened by several factors, the most obvious being the Islamic Revolution. Art is infinitely adaptable; it accommodates activism naturally. When used to describe specific works today, however, necessary constrains more than it celebrates. If we can access only the essential, we may start to crave the extraneous which, through this increasingly distracting yearning, may feel essential, too. Next to stories of grave injustice, the movie Paddington 2, about a bear that wears a red hat, is still considered an an inviting, necessary bit of escapism by Vanity Fair. The suggestion that leisure is crucial calls to mind the concept of self-care, which has in recent years transcended its niche popularity among Tumblr users who are fond of a 1988 quote by the black lesbian writer Audre Lorde: Caring for myself is not self-indulgence, it is self-preservation, and that is an act of political warfare to ride into the mainstream on this rationale. Now you can reframe any innocuous pleasant activity as a requisite component of your political practice. Companies and Instagram influencers have quickly manipulated the term to sell more stuff, and guilty individuals have found an easy way to account for their weekly manicures, or the afternoons they spend reading novels. Never mind that no one asked. An art museum is not a nail salon, but codifying an exhibition, novel or film as necessary is a similar camouflaging maneuver that saddles an aesthetic pursuit with moral weight. Often it is burdensome to the audience, the work and the artist alike. When New York magazines Matt Zoller Seitz calls the mini-series Waco necessary and sometimes powerful, he separates the works role from its ability to stir emotion, and in turn protects the show from any qualitative assessment. In a short review of Mohsin Hamids Exit West, which tells the story of two refugees fleeing an unnamed country during a civil war, for the annual Tournament of Books published by The Morning News, Patrick Hoffman calls the novel a full-fledged masterpiece; its necessary, timely, wise and beautiful, and in doing so, makes it seem as if necessary is a precondition to masterpiece which in turn is downgraded, through the urgency of necessity, to second-string praise. Along with obligation and requirement, necessary can also suggest inevitability, even predestination, the sense that a work is both mandatory for the audiences political education and a foregone response to the world as it is. There are many noncomprehensive adjectives we can apply to good art: moving, clever, joyous, sad, innovative, boring, political. But good art doesnt have to be any of these things, necessarily; what we want out of it is possibility. To call a work necessary keeps the audience from that possibility and saps the artist of autonomy as well. That its frequently bestowed on artists from marginalized backgrounds pressures these artists to make work that represents those backgrounds. Worse, it subtly frames their output as an inevitability, something that would have happened regardless of creative agency, and thus suggests that these artists are less in control of their decisions and skills than their unnecessary counterparts. When applied to bad art with good politics, necessary allows the audience to avoid engaging with a work in aesthetic terms, which tend to be more ambiguous and difficult. When applied to good art with good, or even ambivalent, politics, it renders aesthetic achievement irrelevant. Not only is that depressing, it also nullifies the political argument in favor of art in the first place: Why write a novel when a manifesto will do? But well-run theaters are, as you say, still better; many of the best are independent or belong to smaller chains. Filmgoers should vote with their wallets. If you see a movie and the picture is bright, it sounds great and the staff kicks out smartphone users, go back. If the image is dim and text-messagers fiddle away with impunity, go somewhere else. Similarly, educate yourself on which extras are worthwhile. I made a point of seeing Blade Runner 2049 in a Dolby Cinema, knowing Id get some of the best digital projection around. By the way, my rapt viewing of A Quiet Place happened in an ordinary suburban multiplex. BAILEY Youre right that its on theaters and moviegoers to improve but these arent exactly new complaints, and there doesnt seem to be much urgency to course correct. And sure, there are exceptions, but all too often, those indie houses and small chains are only options for moviegoers in larger markets. (And the same goes for 35-millimeter vs. digital projection, though I agree that its more of a point of importance for cinephiles.) Honestly, the question of access is key to understanding the shift to streaming over the past several years. And not just access to theaters; I spent my first 30 years in Wichita, Kan., which is (to put it mildly) not among the first cities to get indies, documentaries or foreign films. So I would spend months hearing about those kinds of movies before they finally made their way to a theater where I could see them, if ever most, I would see on video, six-plus months later. Now, those movies are frequently available on demand or on Netflix at the same time as their limited theatrical release. Netflix movies may not get to play in competition at Cannes, but my movie-crazy cousin back home can see them the same day I can. Or he can go to his multiplex, where Avengers: Infinity War is on two-thirds of the screens. I know which he prefers. KENIGSBERG I hear the access argument often, but that access is at least partly a mirage. Of the 30 most acclaimed movies so far this year, according to the review aggregation site Metacritic, only three that have opened in theaters (Paddington 2, the Hungarian Oscar contender On Body and Soul and the Estonian folk tale November) are available to stream (as of this writing). If we add in movies that opened in 2017 or earlier, the appropriate point of comparison is not theaters but the video stores that the streaming services replaced. Netflixs classics movies section around 30 films might not have passed muster at a Blockbuster. A star from the original, Meryl Streep barely appears in the clip, which lays out the story of her pregnant daughter, Sophie (Amanda Seyfried). She learns what happened when her mom (played by Lily James in flashbacks) met the three men who could be Sophies father. Jeremy Irvine, Josh Dylan and Hugh Skinner are cast as the younger versions of Pierce Brosnan, Stellan Skarsgard and Colin Firth, respectively. The sequels biggest new name is Cher, as Sophies flamboyant grandmother, who arrives uninvited on the Greek island where the films are set to celebrate the impending birth of her great-grandchild. Im leaving that out of my bio, her character cracks. When four women accused Eric T. Schneiderman, the New York attorney general, of physical assault this week, he suggested that they were describing consensual sexual encounters. The allegations against him were new. That defense was not. Those accused of committing violence against their partners often seek to dismiss those claims, sometimes by arguing that the partners were willing participants in sexual role playing or rough sex. Heres a look at the legal and other issues raised by such claims. I have engaged in role-playing In a written statement to The New Yorker, included in the article revealing the choking and slapping allegations against him, Mr. Schneiderman denied committing any assault. In the privacy of intimate relationships, I have engaged in role-playing and other consensual sexual activity, he wrote. I have not assaulted anyone. I have never engaged in nonconsensual sex, which is a line I would not cross. Mr. Torres said that the bill was inspired by reporting on the administration of President Trump as well as Mayor Bill de Blasios legal battle to bar disclosure of emails between himself and certain advisers that he has described as agents of the city. Whether its entangling F.O.I.L. requests in litigation or calling out journalists for public criticism, the mayor has shown himself to be unusually hostile toward journalism, said Mr. Torres, who has also been critical of the mayors handling of the citys public housing developments. It demonstrates the need for greater priority and protection for journalists. When he was the public advocate, Mr. de Blasio issued a report criticizing the citys F.O.I.L. process and response time. The report suggested that legislation require the city to report monthly on the status of all information requests to the public advocate and City Council. But Jane Meyer, a spokeswoman for Mr. de Blasio, said he opposed Mr. Torress legislation. Members of the media shouldnt be able to skip ahead of New Yorkers seeking information on our government, Ms. Meyer said. The highest number of F.O.I.L. requests during Mr. de Blasios tenure came in 2016 when there were 512. In 2015, there were 429 requests, and in 2017 that number dropped to 342 requests. The city did not provide information about how long it took to respond to those requests. Susan Lerner, executive director of Common Cause New York, a good government group, said response times did seem to be in a bit of a slowdown. ALBANY To many in Albany, New Yorks attorney general, Eric T. Schneiderman, seemed staid and somewhat standoffish: a teetotaler who favored coffee shops over bars, liked yoga and health food and preferred high-minded intellectual and legal debate to the hand-to-hand combat of New Yorks political arena. But that carefully cultivated image of a caring, progressive Renaissance man came crashing down on Monday night after the publication of an expose by The New Yorker, detailing allegations of a sordid and stomach-turning double life, including Mr. Schneidermans physical and psychological abuse of four women with whom he had been romantically involved. The attorney generals behavior, the article said, had been exacerbated by alcohol abuse and punctuated by insults of the very liberal voters and activists who had held him up as a champion willing to deliver a fearless counterpunch to President Trump. The article ricocheted around the New York and national political scene at a quarks pace, leading to nearly immediate calls for Mr. Schneidermans resignation from Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo, a fellow Democrat, and other officials, and his almost-as-speedy, almost-grudging acceptance of his political fate. He gave himself one day to clear out his desk, his reign officially ending at 5 p.m. Tuesday. The resignation brought to an abrupt end his two terms in office and two decades in public service, marked with accomplishments that included successfully suing Mr. Trump over fraud involving Trump University winning $25 million shortly after the 2016 election and more recently targeting serial sexual abusers like Harvey Weinstein, suing the Hollywood mogul and firmly embracing the #MeToo movement. For the last 17 months, Eric T. Schneiderman, the attorney general of New York, had held himself up as the anti-Trump: a one-man legal wrecking ball, taking on the president and his agenda in both the courts and the court of public opinion. His sudden and spectacular downfall Mr. Schneiderman announced his resignation hours after four women emerged to describe in detail how he had physically assaulted them has raised questions of whether a powerful office at the heart of the Democratic legal resistance could be sidelined and besmirched by scandal. Some have even held up Mr. Schneiderman as a potential backstop to prosecute crimes should President Trump choose to pardon his associates in the continuing special counsel investigation led by Robert S. Mueller III. The presidents vast federal pardoning powers do not apply to violation of state laws. If you imagine a next attorney general in New York who is not as interested in being the big anti-Trump figure, thats a potentially significant difference, said Benjamin Wittes, a Brookings Institution senior fellow and the editor in chief of LawFare. As New Yorks state legislators huddle behind closed doors to select a temporary replacement for the disgraced former attorney general Eric T. Schneiderman, they will be choosing more than just a six-month placeholder for the states top legal job. They may also be deciding the future of the outsize responsibility Mr. Schneiderman seemed to envision for the position a responsibility he treated as not merely enforcing the states laws, but defying President Trump and safeguarding democratic ideals. In the wake of Mr. Schneidermans stunning resignation Monday night after four women accused him in The New Yorker of physical abuse, whoever replaces him will immediately step into a high-profile, almost celebrity role. As a result, the race to replace him has taken on a significance, and drawn a level of attention, usually reserved more for general elections than for a half-year holdover position, the kind that might normally be bestowed quietly as a resume ornament upon a longtime political loyalist. Already on Tuesday, elected officials were discussing the symbolism of the role, suggesting that they would like to see a woman, perhaps a woman of color, hold the office for the first time. Before his abrupt resignation Monday after four women accused him of physical assault, Attorney General Eric T. Schneiderman of New York cultivated an image as an advocate for women. Here are some of his own recent comments about gender equality, abortion rights, and sexual harassment and assault. Basic safety is not a privilege On the 20th anniversary of the Violence Against Women Act in 2014, Mr. Schneiderman said that despite legislation, threats to womens physical safety remained a problem across the country. He said in a written statement: Twenty years ago today, President Bill Clinton signed into law the Violence Against Women Act, a major milestone in our nations efforts to prevent violence against women and help the victims of such reprehensible acts. But two decades later, despite the significant protections established under VAWA, recent events have shone necessary light on the fact that violence against women remains a prevalent and dangerous problem across our nation. Basic safety is not a privilege: It is a fundamental right. Protecting all Americans from harm, regardless of their relationship to their abuser or their gender, is and will remain one of the most important aspects of our ongoing pursuit of equal justice under law. Domestic violence victims are among the most vulnerable Mr. Schneidermans office published a brochure to inform victims of domestic violence of their rights under state and federal law. Charles William Steger Jr., who was president of Virginia Tech during the 2007 mass shooting there, died on Sunday at his home in Blacksburg, Va. He was 70. His death was announced by the university, which did not specify the cause. Mr. Steger, a Virginia Tech graduate who spent most of his professional career there, was president of the university from 2000 to 2014. He drew praise as a steady hand after a gunman killed 32 faculty members and students on April 16, 2007. But he also faced blistering criticism from the parents of shooting victims and others for not warning the campus sooner that the shooter had killed two students in a residence hall. More than two hours after the residence hall shooting, when an alert was issued, the gunman, Seung-Hui Cho, killed 30 more students and faculty members in a classroom building before turning a gun on himself as police closed in. HONG KONG The immediate causes of the recent diplomatic breakthrough on the Korean Peninsula are well known: stronger international sanctions against North Korea, approved by even China and Russia, and President Trumps bellicose response to the recent intensification of nuclear and missile tests under Kim Jong-un, North Koreas leader since 2011. But a more fundamental driver is being overlooked: Chinas growing ambition to dominate East Asia. Mr. Kims apparent move to reconcile with his South Korean counterpart, President Moon Jae-in, is above all a gambit to get closer to America to keep China in check. He hopes to reduce North Koreas overarching economic dependence on China and curb Beijings aspirations to control the future of the Korean Peninsula. After another surprise meeting between Mr. Kim and President Xi Jinping of China on Tuesday, the second in two months, the Trump administration announced on Wednesday that North Korea would release three American prisoners. The regimes survival and security have long been the Kim familys top priority, with political independence not far behind; those are the prime reasons it has sought to develop North Koreas nuclear weapons and long-range missile capability. That purpose has also been served by political purges, notably the killing in late 2013 of Mr. Kims uncle Jang Song-thaek, who was suspected of entertaining especially close relations with China, and in early 2017 of Mr. Kims half brother Kim Jong-nam, another Beijing protege and once an heir apparent to Kim Jong-il, the countrys previous leader and Mr. Kims father. Now that these pressing existential objectives seem to have been satisfied, economic development has become the crux of the regimes long-term stability. It is no coincidence, for example, that last month the Workers Party of Korea abruptly decided to abandon its well-established policy of byungjin the simultaneous advancement of the countrys military, particularly its nuclear program, and its economy to refocus entirely on economic development. Four former presidents were in attendance: her husband and her son, obviously, along with Obama and Bill Clinton. They were joined by Hillary Clinton, Laura Bush, Michelle Obama and Melania Trump in that stirring photograph, which went viral only partly because their easy smiles suggested a comity and dignity still possible in this hyperpartisan era. It also captured the countrys attention because of who was conspicuously missing who wouldnt have fit and didnt belong. Comity, dignity and Trump cannot exist in the same frame. Skipping that funeral wasnt remarkable in the abstract. When Obama was president, he took a pass on both Betty Fords and Nancy Reagans; Michelle went in his stead. When George W. Bush was president, he didnt attend Lady Bird Johnsons Laura did. But Barbara Bush was a legendary figure in Trumps own party. And neither President Obama nor President Bush would have had to worry about the foul memories and ill will stirred up by his presence. Trump is a whole new, supersized kind of pariah: president non grata. He has made that many enemies, indulged in that much tactlessness and worked that diligently to consign apology and atonement to the dustbin of leadership. Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are to be married in a week and a half, and decided not to invite major political figures, but imagine if they had wanted to. Obama would have been a logical inclusion, given that he and Harry have partnered in philanthropic work. But Trump would have been unthinkable. In a past life, he repeatedly entertained questions from Howard Stern about whether he would have slept with Harrys mother, Princess Diana. Yes, he said, although he once qualified that answer by saying that he would have insisted first that she take an H.I.V. test. Its the gentlemanly thing. Other presidents had their feuds. Other presidents rose above them. George H. W. Bush eventually became close friends with Bill Clinton, whose 1992 victory denied him a second term. Obama campaigned passionately against George W. Bushs foreign debacle and fiscal recklessness, but theres no vestige of that in the body language between Bush and Michelle Obama whenever they meet. It communicates a fondness that transcends politics. And its possible because each can see in the other many moments of generosity and genuine warmth. In that image from Barbara Bushs funeral, George W. is sandwiched between two other former first ladies his wife, Laura, and Hillary Clinton with an arm draped gently around each. Michelle and Melania are side by side, as if joined in a common mission. They are. Its called decency. In the space of a few short hours on Monday evening, Eric Schneiderman went from being known as one of the nations most progressive and influential attorneys general to being cast as a drunken, abusive monster who terrorized women in his personal life even as he publicly advocated womens rights. The immediate question before New Yorkers is who takes over what has become one of the key law enforcement posts in the country. What cant happen is for lawmakers in Albany to concoct a back-room deal to install someone they think will further their political games rather than the cause of justice. Until voters have a chance to pick a new attorney general in the fall, the clear choice is Barbara Underwood, the states solicitor general, who becomes acting attorney general upon Mr. Schneidermans formal resignation Tuesday afternoon. Ms. Underwood has a stellar reputation and extensive experience as a litigator, and would carry on the work of the office until the election. There are other questions about Mr. Schneiderman himself, about domestic violence and law enforcement, about power and gender in general for us all to consider. Mr. Schneidermans fall was so fast, the allegations against him so appalling and the depth of his apparent hypocrisy so astounding that the lesson will take some time to sort out. But it is already clear that his betrayal operates on at least three levels. Fifty years ago, France seemed briefly to teeter on the edge of revolution. Student riots in Paris expanded into wider protest and a strike by almost 10 million workers (no one was sure of the exact number because the statistical services themselves broke down) paralyzed the country. This was the most spectacular example of a general upheaval, initially rooted in student discontent, that also shook Italy, West Germany, Britain and the United States. It is often said that 1968 was a failed revolution in political terms but a successful one so far as cultural change was concerned. There is an element of truth in this. Protesters did not destroy capitalism, or even bring down Charles de Gaulles regime in France. There is, though, a broader sense in which 68 itself eventually went with a realignment of politics so significant that it redefined notions of the right and the left. This realignment was rooted in the fact that 1968 had two faces. On one side, it entailed a social challenge to the existing order one that usually drew on Marxist thought, though not on that of the orthodox Communist parties. The working class was central to this challenge and, especially in France and Italy, workers and students often supported each other. Some students, inspired by Maoist ideas about the need for intellectuals to leave the ivory tower, took jobs in factories. On the other side, there was a cultural version of 1968. It emphasized a sharp break with formality and authority in everyday life and a transformation of personal, especially sexual, relations rather than the overthrow of a social order. A middle-aged man pulled into the parking lot and got out of his car. When he was young, he had been involved in violence. Now the man is a key source of intelligence for Cure Violence, said an outreach worker named Chrisse. He helps us stay on top of things, Chrisse said. He gives me a heads-up if its clear or there are guys lying in wait. Ill get a text: Not a good day, Chrisse. Cure Violence is working in a dozen cities in Latin America, and several in Africa and the Middle East. Iraqis are using the model to defuse sectarian conflicts, and Moroccans to try to reduce violent extremism. When the program began in San Pedro Sula, Honduras, the city was the most violent on earth, with a murder rate 31 times the global average. Thats no longer the case. In the first five Cure Violence zones, which had 89 shootings from January to May in 2014, there were only five in the same period of 2015, and several zones went more than a year without a single shooting. In the United States, many Cure Violence neighborhoods have similarly gone on long streaks without a shooting some a year or two. Other places dont manage a streak but do have remarkable drops in violence nevertheless. (There are also some mixed results: In Baltimore a decade ago, the program reduced violence over all, but in one neighborhood murders rose, because of an intense gang war.) Cure Violence operates in 21 United States cities, but it will always be most linked to its hometown, Chicago, which, sadly, in recent years has been Americas murder capital. The citys homicide rate has swung wildly: In 2003, homicides dropped by 25 percent. Between 2014 and 2016, they rose by 87 percent. And last year, they abruptly dropped again. Chicagos spike a couple years ago can be attributed to several factors: a breakdown of police-community relations after the shooting of Laquan McDonald by a policeman in 2014, increased access to already highly accessible guns, and Illinoiss multiyear inability to pass a budget, which has resulted in deep cuts to social programs such as summer jobs, after-school programs and drug treatment. Those cuts have also affected Cure Violence: At times its been in 15 Chicago neighborhoods, and at times virtually shut down. Chicagos conservative police department hasnt protected the program. The department has never been truly comfortable with the public health idea, or with ceding influence to former criminals. (The program is good for interrupters it keeps us from relapsing, said Mr. Whatley. But some do fall back into violence; about a dozen in the city have been charged with serious crimes in the past decade.) Of course, the whole notion of drawing lines to keep people out is exactly what inspired the Intellectual Dark Web folks in the first place. Theyre committed to the belief that setting up no-go zones and no-go people is inherently corrupting to free thought. You have to understand that the I.D.W. emerged as a response to a world where perfectly reasonable intellectuals were being regularly mislabeled by activists, institutions and mainstream journalists with every career-ending epithet from Islamophobe to Nazi, Eric Weinstein said. Once I.D.W. folks saw that people like Ben Shapiro were generally smart, highly informed and often princely in difficult conversations, its more understandable that occasionally a few frogs got kissed here and there as some I.D.W. members went in search of other maligned princes. But people who pride themselves on pursuing the truth and telling it plainly should be capable of applying these labels when theyre deserved. It seems to me that if you are willing to sit across from an Alex Jones or Mike Cernovich and take him seriously, theres a high probability that youre either cynical or stupid. If theres a reason for shorting the I.D.W., its the inability of certain members to see this as a fatal error. Whats more, this frog-kissing plays perfectly into the hands of those who want to discredit the individuals in this network. In recent days, for example, Mr. Harris has been labeled by the Southern Poverty Law Center as a bridge to the alt-right: Under the guise of scientific objectivity, Harris has presented deeply flawed data to perpetuate fear of Muslims and to argue that black people are genetically inferior to whites. That isnt true. The group excoriated Mr. Harris, a fierce critic of the treatment of women and gays under radical Islam, for saying that some percentage, however small of Muslim immigrants are radicalized. He has also estimated that some 20 percent of Muslims worldwide are Islamists or jihadis. But he has never said that this should make people fear all Muslims. He has defended the work of the social scientist Charles Murray, who argues that genetic differences may explain differences in average IQ across racial groups while insisting that this does not make one group inferior to another. But this kind of falsehood is much easier to spread when other figures in the I.D.W. are promiscuous about whom theyll associate with. When Mr. West tweeted his praise for Ms. Owens, the responses of the people in the network reflected each persons attitude toward this problem. Dave Rubin took to Twitter to defend Ms. Owens and called Mr. Wests tweet a game changer. Jordan Peterson went on Fox and Friends to discuss it. Bret Weinstein subtweeted his criticism of these choices: Smart, skeptical people are often surprisingly susceptible to being conned if a ruse is tailored to their prejudices. His brother was convinced that Mr. West was playing an elaborate game of chess. Ms. Heying and Mr. Harris ignored the whole thing. Ben Shapiro mostly laughed it off. By reneging on the Iran nuclear deal, President Trump has said, he will be able to get an even better deal, one that will also control Irans ballistic missiles and its regional influence. Sound familiar? It should. This is the same kind of gesture toward a better, smarter deal that Mr. Trump made when he pulled the United States out of the Paris climate agreement, the same sort of empty promise he made in saying he would supply plans for Middle East peace and better, cheaper, more accessible health care. So far, again and again, he has shown himself to be adept at destroying agreements a relatively easy task for a president and utterly lacking in the policy depth or strategic vision and patience to create new ones. When it comes to the danger of a nuclear arms race in the Middle East, there is no sign Iran or any of the other major powers in the existing and so far successful pact will simply fall in line with Mr. Trumps notional new plan. More likely, his decision, announced on Tuesday, will allow Iran to resume a robust nuclear program, sour relations with close European allies, erode Americas credibility, lay conditions for a possible wider war in the Middle East and make it harder to reach a sound agreement with North Korea on its nuclear weapons program. In other words, par for the course. This man who, apparently because of one book and a reality television show, has a reputation as a deal maker despite a skein of bankruptcies and lawsuits, has been piling up quite a record of scuttled agreements that he suggests never, ever should have been made and broken promises for a better deal. This idea was hardly absurd in theory; from Roman Empire days through missionary efforts, Christianity had often advanced through inculturation, importing a consistent religious message into varying cultural forms. But Catholicisms attempt to do the same with modern culture since the 1960s has largely seemed to fail. The secular culture welcomed the churchs Protestantization and demystification and even secularization, praised the bishops and theologians who pursued it, and then simply pocketed the concessions and ignored the religious ideas those concessions were supposed to advance. Meanwhile, that same secular world maintained a consistent fascination, from The Exorcist down to, well, the Met Gala, with all the weirder parts of Catholicism that were supposedly a stumbling block to modernitys conversion. This failure, and how exactly Catholics should interpret it, helps frame the debates roiling the church in the age of Pope Francis. One theory is that the evidence of the last 50 years suggests that modern culture is inherently anti-religious or anti-Catholic in some abiding way, which means the attempt to adopt its cultural forms and accompany its denizens will inevitably end in dissolution for the church itself. Thus the only plausible approach for Catholicism is to offer itself, not as a chaplaincy within modern liberalism, but as a full alternative culture in its own right one that reclaims the inheritance on display at the Met, glories in its own weirdness and supernaturalism, and spurns both accommodations and entangling alliances (including the ones that conservative Catholics have forged with libertarian-inflected right-wing political movements). The other view is that in fact inculturation has not gone far enough, that the church may have changed its liturgy and costumes, but its still held back by its abstract dogmas and arid legalisms, and that one final great leap into modernity, a renewed commitment to accompaniment and understanding and adaptation, is necessary for the church to gain what it sought when it began its great demystification project 50 years ago. As pontiff, Francis has been on both sides of these debates. The radicalism of his economic and ecological vision, often portrayed as simply liberal, actually represents a kind of left-leaning pessimism that arguably points backward to the strenuous critiques of modernity issued by 19th-century popes. And at times this radicalism has been matched by his willingness to join conservative members of his flock in culture war as recently in the Alfie Evans case in England, where the pope ended up in a public conflict with the more culturally accommodating sort of Catholic over whether to defer to medical professionals and deprive a brain-damaged toddler of oxygen because his life was judged no longer worth sustaining. For those who are too poor to afford health insurance, Medicaid is a lifeline. This joint federal and state program doesnt care whether youre white or black, Christian or Muslim, Republican or Democrat, a city dweller or a rural resident. In states that expanded their Medicaid programs under Obamacare, all you have to be is poor enough to qualify. But maybe not in Michigan. Last month, the State Senate passed a bill that would require Medicaid beneficiaries to find work or else lose their coverage. The bill, now under consideration in the Michigan House, has come under fire for harming the poor and disabled, as well as for burdening struggling families with needless paperwork. More than 100,000 people may lose health instance if it passes. Theres another flaw in the bill, however, one that exposes it to serious legal challenge: Its racially discriminatory. Many of the legislators supporting Michigans work requirements come from rural districts with high unemployment. Many of those districts are predominantly white. To protect their constituents, these legislators have included a safety valve in the bill: If you live in a county with a high unemployment rate (over 8.5 percent), youre exempt from the work requirements. The rationale? When there are no jobs to be had, it doesnt make sense to punish you for not working. For more than a dozen years, the Department of Justice has been secretly seizing drugs from drug dealers. When the ruse works, the dealers think a rival criminal stole the drugs, and the Justice Department continues its investigation. The problem is that the dealers may retaliate against the rival or others they wrongly think are responsible. This practice of covert drug seizures is putting innocent lives at risk, and its time for Congress to step in. Recently in Oregon a large stash of marijuana was taken from a storage unit. When targets of the investigation discovered the apparent theft, the police say, they kidnapped the storage warehouses manager and threatened him at gunpoint. A similar story unfolded in Ohio in March. About 80 pounds of methamphetamine, worth around $1 million, vanished from a house in the Cleveland area. Officials say that the meth cooks figured it must have been an inside job, and decided to kill the suspected thief. Both burglaries were actually conducted by joint federal-state law enforcement task forces using delayed-notice search warrants. These warrants allow investigators to conduct covert searches and seize evidence when the targets are not around. Investigators then often stage the scene to look like a burglary, hoping to keep the investigation a secret. The federal law governing these warrants does nothing to protect innocent third parties from the risk of violence. Federal judges who issue these warrants must determine that there is reasonable necessity for the covert seizure of evidence. But the government is not required to disclose the often-predictable risk of violence or give the judge any information to evaluate whether the risk is worth it. Aramco executives also invested heavily in research and technological innovation. The company now says it hopes to preserve Saudi Arabias natural resources and prolong its position in the energy industry past the 70 years its oil reserves are expected to last. Even without the pressure of politics or investors, and without meaningful regulation, Aramco has worked to protect the environment, for example through carbon-capture technology and solar power. Rather suddenly, in January 2016, an announcement upended this tradition of independence. In what seemed like an offhand remark during an interview with The Economist magazine, Prince Mohammad, then just 30 years old and the deputy crown prince, announced that Aramco would go public. The company seemed unprepared to answer basic questions and issued a statement saying that additional examination was needed. Ever since, Aramcos plans have looked uncharacteristically disorganized. A lot of money has been paid to banks and consultants to facilitate an initial public offering, but there has been little guidance or information about when, where and how it will happen. Indeed, different parties within the Saudi government have openly discussed conflicting priorities for Aramcos I.P.O. The Saudi finance minister has indicated that the company may sell stakes to Chinese interests in a private deal. There are reports that Prince Mohammed wants to list Aramco on the New York Stock Exchange, but that the oil minister believes the London Stock Exchange would be better. Just last week, the chief executive of the Saudi stock exchange said it is prepared to handle Aramcos listing on its own. When Aramcos current chief executive, Amin Nasser, is asked about the I.P.O., he simply says that its up to the shareholder. Therein lies the problem. The company has always made its own decisions about its next steps. It is now waiting for direction from the outside. Even the identity of this shareholder is unclear. Who really owns Aramco? The official company line is that it is owned by the Saudi government. But what does that mean? Mr. Naimi made sure that the finance ministry stayed far away from Aramcos revenue, and although the oil ministry represents Saudi Arabia in OPEC, it does not determine Aramcos strategy. When I asked Aramcos vice president of strategy and markets, Yasser Mufti, he said that the Saudi Aramco Supreme Council, headed by Prince Mohammed, acts as the shareholder representative. The councils traditional role is just to approve Aramcos spending plans and select new members for the companys board. In April, this council appointed new board members, including the first woman and two high-ranking government officials close to Prince Mohammad. The Saudi kings have always protected Aramcos independence because Aramcos profits made them strong. Now, the royal family and the state bureaucracy are exerting their control and the relationship is changing. Prince Mohammad explains that he is ridding the kingdom of its addiction to oil and is diversifying the economy. But right now, and for the foreseeable future, Saudi Arabia still depends on Aramco for its wealth, and the monarchy depends on that wealth for its power. Without a strong, independent Aramco, power could be precarious. Maybe, if the abuse allegations are true, Mr. Schneiderman had two separate lives, totally alienating his abusive self from his feminist one, and maybe he lives every day with the shame of that cognitive dissonance. Or maybe his feminist self is part of the bigger power play and he simply enjoys getting one over on all of us. He saw career gains as he worked with progressive womens groups over the years, and his prominence rose along with the current swell of a feminist-minded anti-Trump resistance, kicked off by the Womens March and seguing into #MeToo. He rode that wave, and the womens movements coattails, into much more fame than a state attorney general typically enjoys. His work in the realm of reproductive rights and the praise he garnered from it is a stark example. Feminists push for reproductive freedoms so that women can have basic bodily autonomy and economic stability, but also so that we can be free to enjoy sex for pleasures sake. Mr. Schneiderman promoted the rights of women to choose what we do with our own bodies, and then is accused of personally turning sexual interactions into violent, degrading acts done to his female partners. Mr. Schneiderman also seems to have used his feminist reputation as a tool to access the exact kind of women he apparently enjoyed breaking down, while his liberal bona fides made the women who say he mistreated them second-guess themselves, and stay quiet. According to one woman quoted in The New Yorker piece, Mr. Schneiderman told her that high-powered professional women want to be sexually dominated, and said: Yeah, you act a certain way and look a certain way, but I know that at heart you are a dirty little slut. You want to be my whore. Then, she says, he slapped her across the face, twice. She didnt report it because Hes a good attorney general, hes doing good things. I didnt want to jeopardize that. So what are strong women to do if even the men who seem like good feminists might be misogynists, too? With right-wing men who oppose womens rights, what you see is what you get. With these bogus male feminists, it can be crazy-making especially since women are so often taught to subsume our own doubts and even our own experiences if men tell us were interpreting things incorrectly. Of course we want men to champion womens rights, and we shouldnt look skeptically on the men who stand up for all of us. But we should pause when we sense that men are performing feminism for kudos or influence rather than simply doing the right thing. Harvey Weinstein attended a gala for Planned Parenthood, where Hillary Clinton was also present, bid $100,000 on a painting and then reportedly never sent the money. Louis C.K. wrote some great feminist jokes, but never seemed willing to fully give up the misogynist ones. OAKLAND Last week, members of the Congressional Black Caucus visited Silicon Valley, on a trip largely dedicated to pushing major tech companies to increase the racial diversity of their workforces. That is an important goal, but its not enough for the Apples, Twitters and PayPals of the world to employ a particular number of members of racial minority groups. If black lawmakers want to see real change when it comes to the interaction between tech companies and communities of color, they should ask and in some cases, require tech giants to do much more. Representative Maxine Waters, Democrat of California, said during a panel discussion that she was floored to find out that at some tech companies only 1 percent to 2 percent of employees are black, and that she would consider regulations to address the disappointing numbers, Recode reported. I hope Ms. Waters and her C.B.C. colleagues remember that its not just the raw numbers of people of color that matter. Its also important to examine which roles those people have in the company. Important decision-making power usually comes with leadership positions in my experience, usually director level and above but most black and Latino employees are entry level to mid-management. According to a 2017 report by Recode, the percentages of leadership roles held by black and Latino employees was only between 4 percent and 10 percent at seven major tech companies. With this in mind, when concerned lawmakers scrutinize diversity at tech companies, they should look beyond the raw numbers to ask questions like: Do minorities typically have to have more accomplishments than their peers to be promoted? Do the companies enforce consistent expectations for each role? Are metrics for success clear and communicated? Are all employees given equal opportunities to achieve the goals that are required for promotion to leadership roles? Is there a concrete plan to increase diversity in leadership? All of these things make it more likely that members of underrepresented groups will be treated and promoted fairly and that they will also be in positions to help shape its culture and its priorities. To the Editor: In New Schools Chief Hurtles Into Integration Wrangle (news article, May 2), a concern is expressed that grouping children of different abilities in the same school is too taxing for educators. As a public-school teacher, I am offended by this. Teaching multiple ability levels in a classroom is an integral part of any teachers education and training. Plain and simple, its our job. Ive taught in the suburbs and the city, in public schools and private, in the United States and abroad. All of my classrooms have had a broad range of abilities. Most have had a broader range than those in District 3 in Manhattan, where I teach, where students are being segregated not only by ability level but also by race and socioeconomics. I am tired of arguments that the proposed changes to middle-school admissions will be hard on teachers. It is a false concern and an excuse to keep things in our district exactly as they are: segregated. Iran remains a repressive and disruptive regime, with a hideous human rights record, that has jailed several Americans since the deal, pursuing interests opposed to the United States in Syria, and underwriting Hezbollah. The nuclear deal was concluded in full knowledge of the Islamic Republics character, perhaps with the hope of tempering Iranian behavior over time, but never with any illusion that Iran would suddenly reinvent itself. Yet this is what the Trump administration has demanded. America has made a mockery of the value of its signature on an international agreement. The world will take note. Nothing in Trumps speech was more scurrilous than this very Orwellian inversion of the truth: If I allowed this deal to stand, there would soon be a nuclear arms race in the Middle East. Everyone would want their weapons ready by the time Iran had theirs. In fact, Trump has single-handedly fast-forwarded that race by removing the constraints the deal imposed on Iran. What are the presidents alternatives now? Prodded by his hawkish national security adviser, John Bolton, Trump apparently believes he can bring Iran to its knees, perhaps even precipitate regime change, through new and restored sanctions. At the least he wants a broader, longer-term deal than the one hes ripping up. All thats a pipe dream. Iran is not North Korea. Braggadocio will get Trump nowhere with a proud nation used to working around the cost of confrontation with the United States. The diplomatic unity of purpose that led Iran to acquiesce to the deal in 2015 is now frayed. European allies are angered, Russia and China certain to push their own agendas. Irans economy is strained, and there are strong internal political tensions, but the 39-year-old Islamic Republic is resilient. Angered, it will not fold. In truth, Trump was led to this decision not by any serious calculus about the deal, but by his susceptibility to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Saudi fury at Iran, the pressure of conservative American Jews who support him and his iron principle that whatever Obama did must be bad. He succumbed to Iran derangement syndrome, a well-known American condition. In an interview in Riyadh, Adel al-Jubeir, the Saudi foreign minister, told me the deal was bad from the outset, and We want to make sure that there is something in place that prevents Iran from ever going nuclear. President Trumps attempt to blow up the Iranian nuclear deal isnt foreign policy. Its vandalism. Trump is abandoning the Iran deal, with nothing to replace it, even though his own secretary of state and chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff say that Iran appears to be in compliance; even though his own secretary of defense says that staying in the deal is in Americas interest; even though our allies are pleading to stick with it. The reason for Trumps decision seems obvious: The deal was President Barack Obamas. This petty retreat from diplomacy is the most significant national security move Trump has made. It means that Trump is isolating the United States, not Iran, and it increases the risk of military conflict down the road. If theres anything we should have learned, its to avoid unnecessary wars in the Middle East but Trump may be laying the groundwork for yet another. Many regard the invasion of Iraq as the worst foreign policy move in the history of the American republic, James Dobbins, a much respected retired diplomat, tweeted after Trumps speech. Now we have a competitor. The Iranian deal may not permanently solve the problem of Irans pursuit of nuclear weapons, but it delays any crisis for nearly 15 years or more. Trump doesnt want to risk a possible crisis then, so he chooses to have one now apparently, just for the satisfaction of kicking sand at Obama. To the Editor: Re Trump Pulls U.S. From One-Sided Iran Nuclear Deal (nytimes.com, May 8): I want to congratulate our bull-in-a-china-shop president for his latest brilliant idea, withdrawing from the nuclear agreement with Iran. It falls fully in line with his modus operandi of leaving chaos in his wake. President Trump has given the green light to Iran to return to its nuclear activities, has incensed our allies and has laid the foundation for higher oil prices, a cruel tax on the American people. We have also signaled to the world that any agreement we execute is not worth the paper it is written on, that it should read guaranteed to be in effect only through this presidency. The pullout places in jeopardy the prospect of reaching an agreement with North Korea for it to denuclearize. Why should North Korea come to terms with a president who has no regard for a commitment made by his country? If the world is still in one piece by the conclusion of the Trump presidency, it will be miraculous. It is impossible to visit China these days and not compare and contrast the drama playing out in Beijing politics with the drama playing out in Washington politics. While the differences are many, I am sorry to report that some of the parallels are getting too close for comfort. Lets start with the fact that the anti-corruption crackdown by President Xi Jinping has created a climate of fear in China these days whether about interacting with foreigners or saying the wrong thing or behaving too extravagantly so as to attract the state anti-corruption detectives. But because corruption has not been clearly defined and can be used to get rid of anyone for any reason people dont know where the line is, so theyre extra cautious. Thats why during a week in Beijing the most frequent expression I heard was, Youre not quoting me on this, right? But if the Chinese are afraid to talk to one another, in America weve forgotten how to talk to one another. Many have heard of Alan Turing, the mathematician and logician who invented modern computing in 1935. They know Turing, the cryptologist who cracked the Nazi Enigma code, helped win World War II. And they remember Turing as a martyr for gay rights who, after being prosecuted and sentenced to chemical castration, committed suicide by eating an apple laced with cyanide in 1954. But few have heard of Turing, the naturalist who explained patterns in nature with math. Nearly half a century after publishing his final paper in 1952, chemists and biological mathematicians came to appreciate the power of his late work to explain problems they were solving, like how zebrafish get their stripes or cheetahs get spots. And even now, scientists are finding new insights from Turings legacy. Most recently, in a paper published Thursday in Science, chemical engineers in China used pattern generation described by Turing to explain a more efficient process for water desalination, which is increasingly being used to provide freshwater for drinking and irrigation in arid places. Turings 1952 paper did not explicitly address the filtering of saltwater through membranes to produce freshwater. Instead, he used chemistry to explain how undifferentiated balls of cells generated form in organisms. The Honeybrains cafe in Manhattans NoHo neighborhood serves curry cauliflower bowls, turmeric omega juice shots and mood-boosting supplements all intended to enhance mind and body. If you sit at the communal table long enough and gaze up at the honeycomb-patterned ceiling, you just might notice the lights shifting between different shades of white. They, too, are meant to contribute to your well-being, by delivering optimal brightness and color temperature at different times of day. Honeybrains is an early adopter of a technology that is becoming the next frontier in LEDs: circadian lighting. Just a few years ago, manufacturers of LEDs were struggling to replicate the static warm glow of incandescent bulbs; now most are experimenting with products that offer a range of color temperatures, mimicking the brilliant midday sun, the gentle lapping of candlelight and all the shades and intensities in between. The benefits, lighting companies say, include interiors with happier vibes and improved sleep and overall health for the people who spend time in them. The churchs former occupants belonged to an African-American Baptist community dating from 1892. When the church was built for the congregation in the late 1920s, there was only a single floor. The church grew according to the designs of Waverly T. Thomas, a local African-American architect. It acquired a nave under a raised roof, and a pair of steeples, and was completed in 1945. By 2014, the members of Greenwoods aging congregation were finding it difficult to maneuver around their home, which lacked handicap accessibility and was showing signs of stress from an overweight roof. They sold it to a couple who intended to convert it into a private residence. Expecting a baby and feeling unequipped for the job, the couple approached Jamie Jeffries, a custom carpenter. Mr. Jeffries eventually bought the property for $110,000 and introduced his sometime collaborator and then-girlfriend, Ms. Honig, to it. SAN FRANCISCO Facebook overhauled its structure on Tuesday into three new divisions and shuffled the leadership of its key products, in one of its biggest reorganizations. The moves happened at the direction of Facebooks chief executive, Mark Zuckerberg, said a person with knowledge of the changes, who asked not to be identified because he was not authorized to discuss them. The reorganization was intended to streamline the company and clarify who oversees what after a long period of growth and numerous acquisitions, according to another person involved. But the changes were accelerated after Facebook faced criticism recently for its lack of protections around user data, following revelations that the information of millions of its members had been harvested by a political consulting firm with ties to the Trump campaign, said one of the people. Mr. Zuckerberg was adamant about not firing any senior executives, despite pressure to make prominent changes, this person said. Facebook told employees about the reorganization in an internal companywide memo on Tuesday. Recode earlier reported the changes, which were confirmed by a Facebook spokesman. The following are edited excerpts from a conversation with Mr. Blahnik about his work, the show and the museums he likes to visit. How has the exhibition been received so far? The show at the Hermitage in St. Petersburg was the first one theyve done focused on fashion and on shoes. I feel very proud of that, but was also nervous. An incredible amount of people came, old and young. They saw the shoes as objects, not as a shoe. I found them much more observant of the work than other Europeans. I was shocked, but also inspired to have a reaction like that. Russia really was the most interesting, as this kind of exhibition is unusual for them. They even wrote me poems in Cyrillic. Prague is a small, beautiful town, and I am also half-Czech. The show in Madrid was very successful. On the first day, we had 3,500 visitors lining up. After all, Madrid is my city. As for Milan I work there and people really admire me there. Do you enjoy meeting the public at these shows? I do think I owe people this moment of contact. I like to meet people. I like to see their reaction. This is the only way to share with people what I do. To give them some pleasure. Every day should be fun in your work. Tell us about some of the designs in the show. The idea for the thigh-high Rihanna boots came to me from a visit outside Paris. I saw some fishermen in the river with boots that high, so I did it in satin. I see something no one else does. Now everybody wants to focus on syringes instead of lives, said Ms. Wilson. [Were interested in hearing from people who live in rural communities in California. What are the main issues facing your area? What do you think has not received enough attention? Email our reporter Jose A. Del Real at jose.delreal@nytimes.com or join the discussion in California Today. Please include your name, town, and a phone number if you would like us to follow up.] Ms. Cobine said that the towns decision to clear the homeless encampment tore us down emotionally and psychologically. Ms. Cobine said she stopped taking her medications for bipolar disorder because she was afraid that a side effect, drowsiness, could leave her vulnerable to sexual assault when she did not have somewhere safe to sleep; she carries a hatchet around in her bag for protection. They shouldnt have closed the playground down if they didnt want homeless people all over town, Ms. Cobine said. They should have let them stay back there where they were, if they didnt want drug paraphernalia all over town, or give us somewhere else to go. She noted that just a fraction of the towns homeless who were living in the tent city found accommodations through support programs. Steve Shockley said he and other homeless people in the area do not just use meth recreationally: they often use it to stay awake at night. The homeless in town have fewer and fewer places where they can sleep without risking a ticket for loitering, or having their few possessions seized by the police. So they take meth to keep moving at night, and take heroin during the day to feed their cravings. Good morning. (Want to get California Today by email? Heres the sign-up.) Californias North Coast is known for its natural beauty and magnificent redwoods, but Eureka, the Humboldt County seat, is increasingly known for something else: the prevalence of dirty needles littering parks and public areas, crude remains of a heroin scourge that is afflicting the region. A sharp rise in heroin use has created intense fear among community members and public health officials in Humboldt County, even while California as a whole has one of the lowest overall opioid-related death rates in the country. In Humboldt County, opioid-related overdose rates are five times higher than in the rest of the state. Like rural areas around the country, the North Coast lacks sufficient treatment options to deal with opioid addiction. Today, it is increasingly difficult to find community members in Eureka who have not been touched by a surge of heroin use in the region. People have either lost loved ones, watched neighbors shrink into their addictions or come across the wave of needle litter left behind on sidewalks and in parks. Drug use in Humboldt County has many layers. Meth has been a scourge in rural California for many years, and because it is often shot intravenously, the transition to heroin has been too easy for many. Eurekas large homeless population has been especially vulnerable to addiction in recent years. Mr. Carson, skeptical that the department can prevail in the case, has authorized his staff to create an alternative plan, which might include a new round of hearings into how to improve the rule, according to one of the officials. The advocates filing the lawsuit argue that Mr. Carsons actions violated the 1968 Housing Act, a law that was pressed by the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. shortly before his assassination. The suit claims that Mr. Carson is leaving HUD without a system to prevent a pattern of discrimination in the allocation of $28 billion in disaster relief funding after a succession of natural disasters, including Hurricane Harvey, last year. The fight centers on an affirmative fair housing rule put in place in 2015 after two years of study and public hearings. At the time, Julian Castro, Mr. Carsons predecessor as HUD secretary, said the regulation would provide all Americans with access to safe, affordable housing in communities that are rich with opportunity. But housing advocates say the administration has not followed through with ensuring equitable treatment in housing, and they are concerned that HUD may discriminate against vulnerable populations when awarding funds to reconstruct areas damaged by natural disasters. Lisa Rice, the president of the National Fair Housing Alliance, one of the groups bringing the suit, said the litigation was intended to prevent racial bias in the reconstruction of housing, drainage systems and other infrastructure. The group wants to ensure that black, Hispanic and low-income residents of Houston and Corpus Christi are not put at risk in the event of another natural disaster. I personally apologize, he wrote, and am reaching out to the students involved. Mr. Telusma said he had received a voice mail message from Mr. Fuchs, who told him that 21 students were affected and invited Mr. Telusma to get in touch. So far, Mr. Telusma has not called back. He said he needed time to process what had happened. The universitys director of communications, Margot Winick, said in an email that trainings relating to the graduations are now under review. The discipline to the faculty member, she added, was pending a review of the appropriate administrative steps. That did not sit well with Chris Garcia-Wilde, 22, a graduate who walked onstage shortly before Mr. Telusma, a friend. We want him fired, Mr. Garcia-Wilde said on Twitter. Mr. Garcia-Wilde said by phone on Tuesday that he and his friends had watched as other students of color ahead of them were hustled along in a much more physical way than white students. They had only wanted to celebrate their accomplishments, he said not only were they receiving their bachelors degrees, but Mr. Garcia-Wilde had also been accepted to medical school, and Mr. Telusma was waiting to hear back from law schools. INDIANAPOLIS Greg Pence, the oldest brother of Vice President Mike Pence, won the Republican primary on Tuesday for the Indiana House seat once held by his more famous sibling, successfully leveraging his family name into prodigious fund-raising and ample votes that make him a heavy favorite to win the seat in November. In his first run for public office, Mr. Pence, 61, ran a largely hermetic race, declining to debate his opponents and refusing most requests for interviews. Instead he made the rounds of Lincoln Day dinners and met quietly with voters in a district that stretches from Muncie to the north to the Ohio River to the south. Im ready to serve again, Mr. Pence, who enlisted in the Marines after college, said to a cheering crowd in his hometown, Columbus. [Get full results from Indianas primary elections here.] His closest challenger was Jonathan Lamb, who owns several small businesses and was the only candidate close to being financially competitive with Mr. Pence. The victor ultimately used connections to his brother and President Trump to raise more than $1 million for his race, an unmatchable figure. Speaker Paul D. Ryan swore the Rev. Patrick J. Conroy back in as the chaplain of the House of Representatives on Tuesday, re-establishing the Roman Catholic priest in the post he had contentiously left just weeks earlier. Mr. Ryan had stirred a bipartisan tempest with his abrupt move to dismiss the chaplain last month, a decision Father Conroy publicly protested. Catholic lawmakers rallied behind the chaplain, who is a Jesuit priest, and last week Mr. Ryan agreed to reinstate Father Conroy after the chaplain rescinded his resignation, which he said had been forced. On Tuesday, Mr. Ryan, who is also Catholic, suggested the two men were working to reconcile, telling reporters that Father Pat and I had a good cup of coffee this morning. WASHINGTON President Trumps nomination of Gina Haspel to lead the C.I.A. has revived debate over the agencys post-Sept. 11 interrogation program and still-murky questions about her involvement. Now, on the eve of her Senate confirmation hearing, a striking voice is trying to join that fray: Khalid Shaikh Mohammed. Mr. Mohammed, the principal architect of the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks, was captured in March 2003 and tortured by the C.I.A. This week, he asked a military judge at Guantanamo Bay for permission to share six paragraphs of information about Ms. Haspel with the Senate Intelligence Committee. Ms. Haspel ran a black-site prison in Thailand where another high-level detainee was tortured in late 2002. But it is not known whether she was involved, directly or indirectly, in Mr. Mohammeds torture. Mr. Mohammed was held in secret C.I.A. prisons in Afghanistan and Poland. [Ms. Haspel testified at her confirmation hearing on Wednesday. Read our coverage.] In the weeks after his capture, an Intelligence Committee report said, Mr. Mohammed was subjected to the suffocation technique called waterboarding 183 times over 15 sessions, stripped naked, doused with water, slapped, slammed into a wall, given rectal rehydrations without medical need, shackled into painful stress positions and sleep-deprived for about a week by being forced to stand with his hands chained above his head. Mrs. Trumps staff plans to continue to solicit ideas for the initiative, which focuses on opioid abuse, social media pressures and mental health issues among young people, from places the first lady has visited. Those include a West Virginia clinic that treats infants born with opioid addiction and a Michigan school where students participate in a program to stress the importance of emotional intelligence and kindness. But critics did not buy the defense. Mrs. Trump enjoys higher popularity ratings than her husband, but she has been accused of plagiarism before. In 2016, a large part of a speech she delivered at the Republican convention appeared to be taken from remarks Michelle Obama, her immediate predecessor, delivered in 2008. On Monday, observers also noted that Mrs. Obama had delivered remarks in 2016 urging men to be better. Like her husband, Mrs. Trump is also viewed by many as having baggage related to the Obamas, stemming back to jabs she took at President Barack Obama while her husband was promoting the conspiracy theory that Mr. Obama was not an American citizen: Its not only Donald who wants to see Mr. Obamas birth certificate, Mrs. Trump said during a 2011 interview. Its American people who voted for him and who didnt vote for him. Mr. Obama eventually released his long-form birth certificate. The East Wing is known to lash out when faced with coverage the first lady views as unfair: In October, Mrs. Trump directed her office to release a scorching statement criticizing President Trumps first wife, Ivana, for jokingly referring to herself as the first lady. But East Wing aides who had worked to execute a tightly scripted and controlled kickoff and who are particularly sensitive when observers draw comparisons to the Obamas had not anticipated the negative reaction to the booklet. The department said this week that 17 states have gotten or soon will get so-called risk and vulnerability assessments of their election systems, a weekslong evaluation that is the governments most thorough cybersecurity check. Before November 2016, only one state had been assessed. The department conducts less intensive weekly cyberhygiene scans of election systems in 33 states. And it has granted federal security clearances to about 30 state election officials, removing at least some of the barriers to sharing information about future threats to election security. Lawmakers also succeeded in getting $380 million in a large spending bill in March for grants to states to improve their election infrastructure and bolster election security. The committee released a list of recommendations in late March to help secure American voting systems ahead of the midterm elections. Those recommendations included the adoption of voting machines with paper ballot backups to replace paperless or otherwise outdated ones, instituting routine vote audits and updating software systems. The senators also urged the Trump administration at the time to send a clearer message that it would not tolerate attacks on any election systems or the democratic process. In a public hearing the next day, senators pressed homeland security officials to move faster in enforcing key security measures such as the granting of security clearances to state election officials. The senators also sounded concerns on Tuesday about the shrinking number of voting-machine makers. The three largest vendors of voting equipment dominate the industry, and both the companies and their subcontractors that serve local election agencies are largely unregulated. That makes them and other vendors an enticing target for malicious cyberactors, the Intelligence Committee wrote. A National Security Agency analysis leaked last June concluded that Russian military intelligence launched a cyberattack on at least one maker of electronic voting equipment during the 2016 campaign, and sent so-called spear-phishing emails days before the general election to 122 local government officials, apparently customers of the manufacturer. The emails concealed a computer script that, when clicked on, very likely downloaded a program from an external server that gave the intruders prolonged access to election computers or allowed them to search for valuable data. WASHINGTON For President Trump and two of the allies he values most Israel and Saudi Arabia the problem of the Iranian nuclear accord was not, primarily, about nuclear weapons. It was that the deal legitimized and normalized Irans clerical government, reopening it to the world economy with oil revenue that financed its adventures in Syria and Iraq, its missile program and its support of terrorist groups. Now, by announcing on Tuesday that he is exiting the nuclear deal and will reimpose economic sanctions on Iran and companies around the world that do business with the country, Mr. Trump is engaged in a grand, highly risky experiment. [Read a full transcript of President Trumps remarks.] Mr. Trump and his Middle East allies are betting they can cut Irans economic lifeline and thus break the regime, as one senior European official described the effort. In theory, Americas withdrawal could free Iran to produce as much nuclear material as it wants as it was doing five years ago, when the world feared that it was headed toward a bomb. But Mr. Trumps team dismisses that risk: Iran does not have the economic strength to confront the United States, Israel and Saudi Arabia. And Iran knows that any move to produce a weapon would only provide Israel and the United States with a rationale for taking military action. Three months later, on January 12th, I repeated these conditions. I made clear that if the deal could not be fixed, the United States would no longer be a party to the agreement. Over the past few months, we have engaged extensively with our allies and partners around the world, including France, Germany, and the United Kingdom. We have also consulted with our friends from across the Middle East. We are unified in our understanding of the threat and in our conviction that Iran must never acquire a nuclear weapon. After these consultations, it is clear to me that we cannot prevent an Iranian nuclear bomb under the decaying and rotten structure of the current agreement. The Iran deal is defective at its core. If we do nothing, we know exactly what will happen. In just a short period of time, the worlds leading state sponsor of terror will be on the cusp of acquiring the worlds most dangerous weapons. Therefore, I am announcing today that the United States will withdraw from the Iran nuclear deal. In a few moments, I will sign a presidential memorandum to begin reinstating U.S. nuclear sanctions on the Iranian regime. We will be instituting the highest level of economic sanction. Any nation that helps Iran in its quest for nuclear weapons could also be strongly sanctioned by the United States. America will not be held hostage to nuclear blackmail. We will not allow American cities to be threatened with destruction. And we will not allow a regime that chants Death to America to gain access to the most deadly weapons on Earth. Todays action sends a critical message. The United States no longer makes empty threats. When I make promises, I keep them. In fact, at this very moment, Secretary Pompeo is on his way to North Korea in preparation for my upcoming meeting with Kim Jong-un. Plans are being made, relationships are building. Hopefully, a deal will happen, and with the help of China, South Korea, and Japan, a future of great prosperity and security can be achieved for everyone. As we exit the Iran deal, we will be working with our allies to find a real, comprehensive, and lasting solution to the Iranian nuclear threat. This will include efforts to eliminate the threat of Irans ballistic missile program, to stop its terrorist activities worldwide, and to block its menacing activity across the Middle East. The other tempting target for hackers, the statewide voter registration database, also is tightly guarded. In 2016, Russian hackers broke into one such database, in Illinois, by exploiting a flaw in a web page that allowed citizens to register or change registrations online. In West Virginia and many other states, the database is air gapped cut off from public access. Online registrations are hosted on a separate computer, and new data is hand-carried to the main database on a thumb drive. The database does have a vulnerability: Some 300 workers in the states 55 county clerks offices regularly log in to it to update local registrants information. Passwords pilfered from those offices could provide a hostile power with an avenue to change or destroy voters information. But there, too, security has been tightened. The county clerks regularly meet by phone for briefings on cybersecurity issues like password management. Last year Mr. Warner participated in cyberwar games a simulated attack on an American election by a hostile power staged by the Defending Digital Democracy project at the Harvard University Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs. Mr. Warner was so impressed, he said, that he asked the head of West Virginias county clerks association to attend a reprise of the exercise. The war games, he said, taught him that even the most secure election system will be attacked and perhaps even cracked and that speed of recovery is the key to keeping voters confidence in the results high. It gave me a comfort level as a new secretary of state that, yes, were going to be attacked, and when it happens, dont freak, he said. You have to have your detection capabilities up to know when it happens. And when it does, close it down. I thought there would be this bond that I wouldnt want to break because she was somehow my mom incarnate. It wasnt that at all. Throughout this experience, Susan, like most grieving new mothers, wondered, Is this normal? Pediatricians are on the front lines of spotting signs of postpartum depression in new mothers, since they see babies and mothers sooner and more frequently than obstetricians. Dr. Dafna Ahdoot, a Los Angeles pediatrician, has helped grieving new mothers who were anxious about their surviving babys health, concerned over whether they could take their newborn to an out-of-town funeral, or worried that their grief would negatively affect the baby. She advises grieving new mothers to prioritize their own eating and sleeping by securing help with night feedings and switching to formula feeding as needed if breast-feeding is too difficult. Many therapists specialize in postpartum depression or grief and can address both. Its so hard to tease those symptoms apart, says Juli Fraga, a San Francisco psychologist who specializes in postpartum depression. A woman may think: Why wouldnt I be crying? Im not sleeping. She helps her patients try meditation or breathing exercises to reduce levels of cortisol, the stress hormone, and then discuss, as needed, next steps like seeing a psychiatrist or integrative medical options. Not all women have access to or even desire professional support. With initiatives like Therapy for Black Girls, the mental health community is working to build a bridge to African-American women who may mistrust medical institutions. African-American women are at higher risk for premature birth, and so we are losing our babies, says Keisha Wells, a counselor in Columbus, Ga. If youre dealing with that and you dont have anybody to talk to and youre a person of color, thats added sorrow. Ms. Wells did not have access to this type of mental health care 11 years ago when her twin sons, born prematurely, both died. But she said she found comfort in faith-based support. In the first weeks after a birth paired with a death, close loved ones can lighten a new mothers load by making thoughtful executive decisions. Ms. Nelsons twins room was painted half pink and half blue, and set up with two cribs. Friends repainted it and removed Emilys crib. Nobody asked, Ms. Nelson said. I didnt know if I wanted to be asked. It had to happen, and friends and family had to take care of it. ABUJA, Nigeria President Muhammadu Buhari of Nigeria, who has urged politicians not to go abroad to seek medical care, has traveled to Britain on his fifth official trip to see a doctor there. Mr. Buhari, 75, left for London on Monday for a four-day visit, setting off renewed concerns about his health. His trip also comes after three weeks of strikes by health care professionals who are calling for better working conditions and more funding. For nearly two years, Mr. Buhari has been receiving treatment for an unspecified illness, which he has repeatedly refused to discuss. The president is scheduled to return to Nigeria on Saturday, at which point he will have spent more than 170 days in London on official medical leave since becoming president in 2015. CONCEPCION, Bolivia The aging musical score wasnt easy to read. It was a copy of a copy of a Latin Mass by the 18th-century composer Domenico Zipoli that had crossed the Atlantic and most of South America, only to be stuffed into a box for three centuries in a derelict jungle church where humidity had taken its toll. And then there were the termites. The insects had eaten large tracts of the Mass, including the 22nd and 23rd measures. But while much of the work of Zipoli has vanished in his native Europe, it has managed to survive in eastern Bolivia along with his vast Baroque musical tradition, which hums through the tropical lowlands. Here near the borders of Brazil and Paraguay, harpsichords and lutes can be found in the smallest villages. Luthiers have carved violins from local cedar for centuries. SAO PAULO, Brazil The man many Brazilians thought would shake up Octobers presidential election, Joaquim Barbosa, Brazils first black Supreme Court justice, announced on Tuesday that he would not run, upending the already unpredictable race. Mr. Barbosa, 63, had joined the Brazilian Socialist Party in April, raising the prospect of a presidential bid. Even without declaring his candidacy, he was the choice of 10 percent of the respondents in a nationwide poll, thanks to his image as an anti-corruption crusader at a time when all of the major parties and many top politicians have been tainted by a wide-ranging bribery scandal. But on Tuesday, in a message on Twitter, he said: Its decided. After many weeks of reflection, I have finally reached a conclusion. I do not intend to be a candidate for the president of the Republic. Decision strictly personal. KABUL, Afghanistan Of more than 100 people killed or wounded in an Afghan government airstrike last month, most were children at a religious gathering, United Nations officials have concluded, contradicting Afghan officials who have claimed that the target was a Taliban planning session. In a damning report issued on Monday, the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan, Unama, stopped short of calling the April 2 airstrike a war crime, but said it raised questions as to the governments respect of the rules of precaution and proportionality under international humanitarian law. At least 36 people were killed and 71 wounded, of whom 30 of the dead and 51 of the wounded were children, Unama found, but the toll may have been much higher. It counted only those casualties that could be confirmed by three independent sources, and said that many other people were reported killed or injured by one or two sources; some local officials put the death toll as high as 70. Rights workers described a disturbing pattern of behavior by a government that no longer complains about civilian casualties from airstrikes, now that its own forces are carrying out most of those attacks. American airstrikes, especially in the Kunduz area, once aroused a great deal of government criticism, and the United States has at times apologized. DALIAN, China The leaders of China and North Korea met for the second time in two months on Tuesday, staying overnight in this Chinese port city as China worked to regain control in the fast-moving diplomacy over the Norths nuclear program. The North Korean leader, Kim Jong-un, flew to Dalian on Monday, where he held long rounds of discussions with Chinese officials, attended a formal banquet, and took a stroll on a beachfront sidewalk with Chinas president, Xi Jinping. The pageantry was shown at length on Chinas state-run evening television news, with the two men looking like friends, if rather stiff ones. The Chinese leader appeared intent on showing that the frayed relationship with North Korea was now repaired, and that China was as important to resolving the problems of North Koreas nuclear weapons as the United States. President Trump has said he will meet with Mr. Kim in the coming weeks, and tweeted hours after the meeting in Dalian that he expected to talk shortly on the phone with Mr. Xi about North Korea, as well as trade. MELBOURNE, Australia A Sydney rape case that dragged out for almost five years through two trials, a conviction, two appeals and the suspects eventual acquittal has set off a flurry of debate in Australia on what constitutes sexual consent. The issue was reignited by a report by the Australian Broadcasting Corporations flagship news program, 4 Corners, highlighting the case of Saxon Mullins, who was 18 when she said she was raped in a nightclub alleyway. On Tuesday, the morning after the television report ran, the attorney general of New South Wales, which includes Sydney, announced a review of the states sexual consent laws. Mark Speakman, the attorney general, said that the state had a systemic problem with sexual assault reporting and convictions and that the conviction rate in such cases was around 55 percent. YEREVAN, Armenia Nikol Pashinyan, who led the nonviolent protest movement that improbably toppled the government of Armenia, had just ended a brief interview and headed into another room when he whirled around. Would you like to eat? he asked, beckoning to a table scattered with plastic cartons holding takeout pork kebabs wrapped in paperlike bread, as well as tomato and cucumber salad. This kind of lunch is the usual for us for the past month; we have not gotten back to civilized ways. If whirlwind events of the past month are any guide, Armenia might never get back to its old ways, civilized or not. On Tuesday, Mr. Pashinyan became Armenias interim prime minister, when a Parliament dominated by his political foes elected him by a 59-to-42 vote. After vowing to remake the countrys political and economic systems, Mr. Pashinyan told a cheering throng in the central Republic Square in Yerevan, the capital, that, Your victory is not that I was elected as prime minister of Armenia; your victory is that you decided who should be prime minister of Armenia. BERLIN DNA tests on three girls born between 2015 and last year and found abandoned on the outskirts of Berlin showed that they were sisters, the authorities confirmed on Tuesday. The police in Berlin are now appealing for information about the mother of Emma, Lilo and Hanna, who were all abandoned just hours after they were born around the citys Pankow neighborhood. Police named the girls, who are now in foster care, local media reported. Its certainly the same mother, said Michael Maass of the Berlin Police. And we are going on the assumption that it is probably the same father. All three girls, who were born about a year apart, were found around the Helios Clinic in Berlin-Buch, some 15 miles northeast of the capitals center. But the way the umbilical cords were cut indicated that the births had not taken place in a hospital. The babies were probably delivered without medical help, according to police experts. Here is a selection of recent in-depth New York Times articles about his time in office. Over the past eight years, Mr. Orban has undermined many of the institutional checks and balances that liberal democracies depend on, installing loyalists at most state watchdogs and tweaking the election system to favor Fidesz. His appointees now control the judiciary, the Constitutional Court, the prosecution service, the electoral authority and the central bank. In parallel, Mr. Orban has tightened his grip over Hungarian culture targeting its artistic sphere, civil society and education system. He has sought to penalize rights groups, particularly those backed by the Hungarian-American philanthropist and financier George Soros. His narratives dominate state media and parts of the national curriculum, and his allies control most private media outlets and many universities and cultural institutions. Mr. Orban began his political life in the late 1980s as a liberal dissident, a friend to civil society, and an academic whose research was funded by Mr. Soros. In the three decades since, he drifted first to the center ground, then to the center right, and finally to the far right, as he sought power above ideological consistency. Mr. Orban remains popular with many Hungarians partly because of how the economy has performed under his leadership. Wages have risen more than 10 percent while unemployment according to the official statistics has fallen nearly two-thirds. But employment economists have questioned claims of an economic miracle, since the figures include Hungarians who have found work abroad, or in government-run schemes that pay less than the minimum wage. Mr. Orban did not release a manifesto during the campaign, but he did promise to seek moral, political and legal amends against his critics. That could include rights groups that work with migrants, who would face sanctions under draft legislation known as the Stop Soros package. And it has already included a panel of critical judges, many of whom resigned under pressure from allies of the newly emboldened administration. JERUSALEM He offended the last United States president by trying to sink the Iran nuclear deal in Congress, antagonized the countries that had negotiated it, and helped make support for Israel a partisan issue in American politics. For Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel, President Trumps decision on Tuesday to abandon the 2015 agreement was such a wholesale vindication that he abruptly cut short a trip to Cyprus to be in Israel when it was announced. It would have been unseemly, after all, to gloat while on foreign soil. Israel fully supports President Trumps bold decision today to reject the disastrous nuclear deal with the terrorist regime in Iran, Mr. Netanyahu said moments after Mr. Trumps remarks. Israelis opposed the nuclear deal from the start because we said that, rather than blocking Irans path to the bomb, the deal actually paves Irans path to an entire arsenal of nuclear bombs, and this within a few years time. Even as Mr. Netanyahu spoke, Israel was bracing for the possibility that Mr. Trumps move could free Iran of constraints that may have held it back from retaliating against recent Israeli airstrikes in Syria. Those attacks have come amid a shadow war in which Iran has used the cover of the Syrian conflict to build a military infrastructure there to confront Israel. TEHRAN The sense of crisis in Iran runs deep and wide. The economy is in free fall. The currency is plummeting. Rising prices are squeezing city dwellers. A five-year drought is devastating the countryside. The pitched battle between political moderates and hard-liners is so perilous that there is even talk of a military takeover. Now, the lifeline offered by the 2015 nuclear deal, which was supposed to alleviate pressure on Irans economy and crack open the barriers to the West, is falling apart, too: President Trump announced Tuesday that he was withdrawing the United States from the agreement, which he called a disastrous deal. The chief loser will be the countrys moderate president, Hassan Rouhani, who now looks weakened, foolish and burned for the risk he took in dealing with the Americans. Addressing the nation on live television after Mr. Trumps announcement, Mr. Rouhani said Iran would take no immediate action to restart uranium enrichment and that it would negotiate with the other parties to the agreement, Britain, China, France, Germany and Russia. World leader and lawmakers from both sides of the aisle were quick to weigh in on Tuesday after President Trump announced his plan to withdraw the United States from the Iran nuclear accord. The following is a roundup of some of the reaction. For more coverage of Mr. Trumps decision to withdraw the United States from the Iran deal, read our main story or the full transcript of Mr. Trumps announcement. World Leaders Prime Minister Theresa May of Britain, Chancellor Angela Merkel of Germany and President Emmanuel Macron of France It is with regret and concern that we, the leaders of France, Germany and the United Kingdom, take note of President Trumps decision to withdraw the United States of America from the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action. Together, we emphasize our continuing commitment to the J.C.P.O.A. This agreement remains important for our shared security. They added, We urge the U.S. to ensure that the structures of the J.C.P.O.A. can remain intact, and to avoid taking action which obstructs its full implementation by all other parties to the deal. After engaging with the U.S. administration in a thorough manner over the past months, we call on the U.S. to do everything possible to preserve the gains for nuclear nonproliferation brought about by the J.C.P.O.A., by allowing for a continued enforcement of its main elements. We encourage Iran to show restraint in response to the decision by the U.S.; Iran must continue to meet its own obligations under the deal, cooperating fully and in a timely manner with IAEA inspection requirements. The IAEA must be able to continue to carry out its long-term verification and monitoring program without restriction or hindrance. In turn, Iran should continue to receive the sanctions relief it is entitled to whilst it remains in compliance with the terms of the deal. Months of intense negotiations with the Europeans to keep the accord in place collapsed over Mr. Trumps insistence that the limits placed by the agreement on Irans nuclear fuel production were inadequate. Under the provisions of the deal, those limits, or sunset clauses, were to expire in 2030 15 years after the deal was signed. As a result, the United States will reinstate all the sanctions it had waived as part of the nuclear accord, and it will impose additional economic penalties that are now being drawn up by the Treasury Department. Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin declined on Tuesday to specify what additional sanctions the United States might impose, but he expressed confidence that they would still be powerful even if other American allies did not follow suit. We do not want to let Iran use the U.S. financial markets and financial system and transact in dollars until they agree that not only will they not have a nuclear weapon now, but weve put in provisions that they will never have one, Mr. Mnuchin said. In his announcement, Mr. Trump recited familiar arguments against the deal: that it does not address the threat of Irans ballistic missiles or its malign behavior in the region, and that the expiration dates for the sunset clauses open the door to an Iranian nuclear bomb down the road. Even if Iran was in compliance, he said, it could still be on the verge of a nuclear breakout in just a short period of time. In fact, under the deal, the limits on Irans uranium enrichment and stockpiles of nuclear fuel mean that Iran would not be on the verge of a nuclear breakout until 2030. Still, Mr. Trump said, the United States and its allies could not stop Iran from building a nuclear weapon under the decaying and rotten structure of the current agreement. President Trump announced Tuesday that the U.S. was withdrawing from the nuclear agreement between Iran and world powers, and that it would reinstate the punitive sanctions suspended under the 2015 accord. The sanctions cover a range of of industries from transportation and petroleum to insurance and finance and will gradually come back into force over next six months. It is not clear whether Mr. Trumps decision will lead to a collapse of the agreement, which involves Iran and five other countries. U.S. sanctions Irans nuclear program Inspections E.U. sanctions After Trumps announcement Mr. Trump said he would restore nuclear-related sanctions. All restrictions remain in place. For now, inspections will continue. Sanctions remain suspended or terminated. Under the deal The United States unfroze billions of dollars of impounded Iranian funds held in foreign banks and ceased application of nuclear-related sanctions. Irans ability to surreptitiously make nuclear weapons was eliminated or severely compromised. International experts were allowed to monitor Irans uranium mines and mills and centrifuge production, helping provide what experts called verifiable assurances. United Nations sanctions tied to Irans nuclear work were terminated, and the European Union ended an oil embargo. Before the deal The U.S. banned the import of Iranian goods and services, and virtually all trade and investment by Americans in Iran was prohibited. Iran had the technical capability to become a nuclear-weapons state, experts say. By some reckonings, Iran needed only a few months to make the required bomb fuel. Some monitoring was done because Iran is a signer of the Non-Proliferation Treaty, but the monitoring was far less intrusive than under the nuclear agreement. Extensive international sanctions, including an oil embargo and limits on Iranian banking, helped isolate and weaken Irans economy. U.S. sanctions After Trumps announcement Mr. Trump said he would restore nuclear-related sanctions. Under the deal The United States unfroze billions of dollars of impounded Iranian funds held in foreign banks and ceased application of nuclear-related sanctions. Before the deal The U.S. banned the import of Iranian goods and services, and virtually all trade and investment by Americans in Iran was prohibited. Irans nuclear program After Trumps announcement All restrictions remain in place. Under the deal Irans ability to surreptitiously make nuclear weapons was eliminated or severely compromised. Before the deal Iran had the technical capability to become a nuclear-weapons state, experts say. By some reckonings, Iran needed only a few months to make the required bomb fuel. Inspections After Trumps announcement For now, inspections will continue. Under the deal International experts were allowed to monitor Irans uranium mines and mills and centrifuge production, helping provide what experts called verifiable assurances. Before the deal Some monitoring was done because Iran is a signer of the Non-Proliferation Treaty, but the monitoring was far less intrusive than under the nuclear agreement. E.U. sanctions After Trumps announcement Sanctions remain suspended or terminated. Under the deal United Nations sanctions tied to Irans nuclear work were terminated, and the European Union ended an oil embargo. Before the deal Extensive international sanctions, including an oil embargo and limits on Iranian banking, helped isolate and weaken Irans economy. Reimposing sanctions Mr. Trumps decision to restore sanctions was effective immediately, and will affect a range of industries that were able to engage with Iran under the nuclear agreement. But the Treasury Department said it would give businesses and individuals time either 90 days or 180 days for an orderly wind down of activities. In a 10-page guidance document, the Treasury said sanctions enforcement would begin Aug. 6 on activities that include Irans purchase of commercial aircraft and services, Irans exports of carpets and food to the United States, and Irans trade in dollars, precious metals, industrial software, sovereign debt and the automotive sector. On Nov. 4, sanctions enforcement would begin on industries that include shipping, oil, petrochemicals, insurance, energy and specialized banking and financial services. The sanctions effects will depend partly on how non-American businesses and foreign governments respond, and whether they decide to risk U.S. penalties. The most vulnerable Iranian industry may be oil, said Farhad Alavi, managing partner of Akrivis Law Group, a Washington law firm that specializes in international trade. The old U.S. sanctions, he said, caused a severe drop in Iran oil exports it was selling oil under the table at a discount. The deal could survive Making good on a campaign promise to exit the nuclear agreement, Mr. Trump described it as so weak and lopsided in Irans favor that it was a great embarrassment to me as a citizen and to all citizens of the United States. He faulted it for allowing Iran to eventually resume enrichment of nuclear fuel and for what he described as its failure to limit Irans missile development and other malign behavior, including its sinister activities in Syria, Yemen and other places all around the world. But the American withdrawal does not necessarily mean the Iran agreement collapses at least not immediately. Britain, China, France, Germany and Russia are still parties to the agreement. If they all agree to maintain it, the effect of restored American sanctions may be softened. Mr. Trump also held out the possibility of negotiating a new agreement with Iran, though its leaders have said that wont happen. If the deal collapses, Iran will presumably be free to restart thousands of centrifuges mothballed under the agreement. That would let it increase its uranium fuel supply without the close monitoring of the International Atomic Energy Agency. Iran has said it could restore its uranium-enriching capability quickly, which could put it closer to a weapons path. But that might put Iran at risk of economic isolation, at least by the European countries that agreed to the accord. What nuclear capabilities did Iran have before the deal? Iran had the technical capability to become a nuclear-weapons state, experts say. According to U.S. intelligence agency assessments, the Iranians once operated a covert nuclear weapons development program that they discontinued in 2003. While Iran has repeatedly asserted that its nuclear activities are for peaceful use only, it had amassed a stockpile of uranium that further refining could have turned into fuel for nuclear bombs. By some reckonings, Iran needed only a few months to make the required bomb fuel. It would have needed considerably more time to make a reliable warhead for a missile to deliver such a weapon. U Pu Uranium Plutonium Centrifuges Breakout time About 8,000 kilograms Production capable More than 19,000 Three months or less The heavy-water nuclear reactor under construction at Arak was meant to generate electricity, but its spent fuel could have also been mined for plutonium, a potent bomb fuel. Amount of time it would have taken Iran to produce enough bomb-grade material for a single nuclear weapon. If the 3.5 percent (low-enriched) uranium had been further enriched to weapons-grade (90 percent or more), the stockpile would have been sufficient to fuel more than seven nuclear warheads. The rapidly spinning machines were enriching uranium at two main facilities, Fordow and Natanz. Uranium U About 8,000 kilograms If the 3.5 percent (low-enriched) uranium had been further enriched to weapons-grade (90 percent or more), the stockpile would have been sufficient to fuel more than seven nuclear warheads. Plutonium Pu Production capable The heavy-water nuclear reactor under construction at Arak was meant to generate electricity, but its spent fuel could have also been mined for plutonium, a potent bomb fuel. Centrifuges More than 19,000 The rapidly spinning machines were enriching uranium at two main facilities, Fordow and Natanz. Breakout time Three months or less Amount of time it would have taken Iran to produce enough bomb-grade material for a single nuclear weapon. U Pu Uranium Plutonium Centrifuges Breakout time About 8,000 kilograms Production capable More than 19,000 Three months or less The heavy-water nuclear reactor under construction at Arak was meant to generate electricity, but its spent fuel could have also been mined for plutonium, a potent bomb fuel. Amount of time it would have taken Iran to produce enough bomb-grade material for a single nuclear weapon. If the 3.5 percent (low-enriched) uranium had been further enriched to weapons-grade (90 percent or more), the stockpile would have been sufficient to fuel more than seven nuclear warheads. The rapidly spinning machines were enriching uranium at two main facilities, Fordow and Natanz. Irans nuclear capabilities at the time the agreement was reached reflected a longstanding effort by the country to harness nuclear power. It began well before the revolution that overthrew the American-backed shah in 1979. Iran is a signer of the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons, requiring it to use nuclear energy exclusively for peaceful purposes. Despite Irans repeated denials, questions began to intensify more than 15 years ago about whether it had worked clandestinely to develop nuclear weapon capabilities. Led by the United States, Western powers sought to pressure Iran with economic sanctions to curb its steadily increasing capacity to enrich uranium and produce plutonium, the fuels of atomic weapons. After years of off-again-on-again negotiations, an agreement was reached in 2015 between Iran and the major world powers Britain, China, France, Germany, Russia and the United States. It was endorsed by the United Nations. Heres how the deal changed Irans nuclear program. Submitted photo. Reed to Speak at OBU Spring Commencement May 18 May 8, 2018 Oklahoma Baptist University will hold its 2018 Spring Commencement Friday, May 18, at 3 p.m. The event will take place in Raley Chapels Potter Auditorium on the OBU campus in Shawnee. Tickets are required for admission, but a video stream will be available at www.okbu.edu. The Rev. Dr. John A. Reed Jr., senior pastor of Fairview Missionary Baptist Church in Oklahoma City, will present the commencement address. Reed recently spoke at OBU during a chapel service in October 2017. In addition to presenting the commencement address, Reed will receive the Honorary Doctor of Divinity from the University. Reed was born in Kingfisher, Oklahoma, as the second of eight children, to the late Rev. John A. Reed Sr. and the late Mae Ella Reed. After graduating high school, he pursued education at Oklahoma State University before transferring to Langston University in Langston, Oklahoma. His higher education was put on hold in 1959, when Reed was inducted into the U.S. Army. Following an honorable discharge in 1961, Reed returned to the Oklahoma School of Religion at Langston University where he earned a bachelors degree in theology. He has completed further studies at the University of Central Oklahoma and Midwest Christian College. Two Doctor of Divinity degrees were conferred upon him, one by the University of Central America in June 1989, and the other by Jackson Theological Seminary of North Little Rock, Arkansas, in May 2000. The Tennessee School of Religion conferred upon him the Doctor of Humane Letters in August 1994, and in 2004, his alma mater, the Oklahoma School of Religion, also conferred upon him the Doctor of Humane Letters. Reed answered the call to ministry in August 1957 and was issued a license to the Gospel ministry from Mt. Zion Baptist Church in Stillwater, Oklahoma. He was ordained in 1961 and began service as an assistant to the pastor of Fairview Missionary Baptist Church in 1963. Reed became the senior pastor of Fairview in 1975, a role he has held ever since. In 1974, Reed was elected president of the Oklahoma Baptist State Congress of Christian Education, a position he held until 2000. During his time leading Fairview, Reed has seen tremendous growth resulting in the construction of a new sanctuary. In 1999, he led the church in the dedication of the Donald E. Burns Educational Center and Fellowship Hall. Reed has held several leadership positions within Baptist institutions. In 2000, he was elected president of the Oklahoma Baptist State Convention and as the fifth vice president of the National Baptist Congress of Christian Education, an affiliate of the National Baptist Convention, in 2008. In 2009, Reed was recommended by the parent body of the National Baptist Convention to serve as one of five vice presidents for the 7.5-million-member body. In that capacity, Reed oversees and provides leadership to the western region. During the annual session of the convention, a new president was elected, and Reed was affirmed by the parent body to serve another term as vice president. Due to his experience, he was chosen by the new president elect to serve as part of the transition team for the new administration. Reed has reached across the nation, conducting seminars, revivals and workshops. His aim in life is to serve God and mankind. He was married to the late Patricia Ruth Fisher, and together they have two daughters, LaShai Yvette and Johnneese Shree. LaShai is married to Reverend Anthony Rhone who pastors the Galillee Baptist Church in Shawnee. Shree, the youngest daughter, is married to Reverend Derrick Walter Sr., who is the assistant pastor at Fairview. Those backing Jinnah are the same people who stood by Afzal Guru: BJP's Sudhanshu Trivedi Jinnah's portrait there even at Sabarmanti Ashram, why no protest on that, asks AMU VC Bareillys Aala Hazrat Dargah issues Fatwa against Jinnah India oi-Vikas By Vikas Amid row over Mohammed Ali Jinnah's portrait in Aligarh Muslim University (AMU), Bareilly's Aala Hazrat Dargah has issued a fatwa against the Pakistan's founder, saying "no one should stand in support of him". Massive protests are being held at AMU and even in Delhi's Jamia Millia University for over a week now. The Jinnah row started after BJP's Aligarh MP Satish Gautam wrote to AMU raising objections to the portrait. The University said portraits of all life members of the student union hang there. "Jinnah was the one who divided the nation and no one should stand in support of him. Jinnah is a part of Pakistan and not us, his pictures should be removed from everywhere," News 18 quoted the Fatwa as saying. The administration suspended internet services in communally sensitive Aligarh district from 2 pm on May 4 to prevent "rumour mongering". AMU students staged a sit-in at the university's Baab-e-Syed gate, where they had clashed with the police on Wednesday (May 2). They had then boycotted classes for the next two days. The controversy over the portrait of Mohammed Ali Jinnah in AMU took a violent turn on May 2 as Hindu Yuva Vahini supporters staged a protest at the varsity campus. The police reportedly had to lob tear gas shells to disperse the agitators. Mohammad Ali Jinnah: Why is he such a controversial figure in India? Hitting back at those supporting Jinnah, BJP' Sudhanshu Trivedi on May 5 told ANI, "People who are standing with Jinnah today, are the same people who stood with terrorist like Afzal Guru. It is unfortunate that certain people are standing by the side of a person (Muhammad Ali Jinnah) who was responsible for the division of this country." For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Tuesday, May 8, 2018, 11:40 [IST] Came to India to strike at security forces, Lashkar terrorist tells NIA India oi-Vicky Nanjappa Lashkar-e-Taiba terrorist Zabiullah who was arrested by the National Investigation Agency has said that he entered India to carry out large scale attacks on security forces. He told the agency during the questioning that he had come into India fully armed in March this year, along with five other LeT cadres to target security forces but before he could indulge in an attack, they were confronted by the forces in which members of his team were killed, the NIA said. "He managed to escape from encounter site," it said. 20-year-old Zabiullah, a resident of Bosan Road, Mehmood Kote in Multan, Pakistan, said he came "fully armed" in March this year with 22-year-old Darda of Lahore, 26-year-old Shuram of Multan, 20-year-old Faidullah of Gujrawalan, 19-year-old Ummar of Sindh, 19-year-old Kari of Peshawar, Pakistan. On March 20, during a joint cordon and search operation by the Kupwara police, Army and paramilitary forces, terrorists hiding in the forest fired indiscriminately upon the security forces, the NIA said in a statement. "During the exchange of fire, five terrorists were killed, all unidentified foreign terrorists. Three Army personnel and two Police personnel were martyred and four security personnel were injured," it said. An FIR was registered in the matter on March 20 which was taken up by the NIA on April 17. On April 6, security forces arrested Zabiullah, who had managed to escape an anti-militancy operation, from Juggiyal village in Kupwara district of Jammu and Kashmir. The arrested militant was produced before the NIA Special Court, Jammu on May 5, and remanded for 10 days NIA custody. For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Tuesday, May 8, 2018, 6:19 [IST] I am the captain, will be CM again says Siddaramaiah India oi-Vicky Nanjappa Putting aside all speculations to rest, Siddaramaiah has said that he would be the chief minister again, if the Congress comes to power in Karnataka. He said that the Congress would come back to power and he would be the CM as he is the captain of the team. I am the captain, I am leading from the front. I have no fear, tension or worry and the Congress will return to power in Karnataka, Siddaramaiah also said. Reacting to the Hublot watch controversy, he said that those making allegations must furnish proof. I have already furnished records of where the watch came from. The BJP is bringing this issue up as they have nothing else to speak about, he also said. On the Prime Minister's attacks against him, Siddaramaiah said he is glad that he keeps taking his name. He is scared of me and hence keeps taking my name, he also added. The PM should tell us where he gets his suits from and who has paid for them, he also added. Karnataka Assembly Election dates Date of notification April 17 Last date to file nominations April 24 Last date to withdraw nominations April 27 Date of polling May 12 Date of counting May 15 Home Minister Amit Shah likely to visit Jammu and Kashmir, his first visit after Aug 2019 'It is heartbreaking', says Mehbooba on Chennai tourist's death; Omar calls stone pelters 'goons' India oi-Vikas By Vikas After meeting the family of a Chennai tourist, who was killed at Jammu and Kashmir's Narbal in a stone pelting incident, Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti condemned the act of stone pelters and termed it as "sad and heartbreaking". A tourist from Chennai became the latest victim of stone pelting in Jammu and Kashmir on Monday (May 7). The 22-year-old tourist was killed at Narbal after stone pelters hurled stones at a vehicle. R Thirumani was hit on his nose and forehead, following which he was shifted to the Sher-e-Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences. He succumbed to injuries at the hospital. "My head hangs in shame," HT reported Mehbooba Mufti as saying. "It is very sad and heartbreaking," she said after meeting the family of the deceased. Former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah also expressed grief over the incident and called stone pelters "goons". "We've killed a tourist by throwing stones at the vehicle he was travelling in. Let's try and wrap our heads around the fact that we stoned a tourist, a guest, to death while we glorify these stone pelters & their methods..This young man from Chennai died in my constituency & while I don't support these goons, their methods or their ideology I'm deeply, deeply sorry that this happened at all & that too in an area I've been proud to represent since 2014," Omar said in a series of tweets. This is the third such incident in which innocents have become a victim of stone pelting. Last week, stone pelters targeted a school bus. In April, stone pelters attacked a tourist bus in Anantnag district. The bus was carrying both locals and tourists. The incident triggered a series of reactions and the most prominent one was pertaining to the amnesty granted to stone pelters. Back in January, a decision was taken to grant at least 5.500 first time stone pelters amnesty. The decision was taken in a bid to bring the youth back to the mainstream amidst the outrage created by a section which felt that being harsh on the young would lead nowhere. Even more ironically, the Hurriyat leadership has been silent on this incident. In fact there was no condemnation from the Hurriyat leadership when stone pelters attacked a tourist bus on April 3- at Anantnag district. A group of youngsters pelted stones at a bus carrying both locals and tourists at around 8 pm. For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Tuesday, May 8, 2018, 12:06 [IST] Karnataka assembly election: EC to investigate alleged fake voter ID scam in Bengaluru India oi-Madhuri With just days to go for the Karnataka Assembly Election 2018, close to 20,000 fake voters IDs was allegedly recovered from Congress candidate Muniratna's constituency of Raja Rajeshwari Nagar in Bengaluru on Tuesday. Chief Election Officers (CEO) of Karnataka, Sanjeev Kumar while addressing an emergency press conference said that more than 9,000 genuine voter IDs were receovered from a flat belonging to a woman. He added that in the next 24 hours when more information is available firm action will be taken. Kumar says that they are unsure of how the voter ID cards reached the flat in the constituency and added that only after investigations appropriate action would be taken. Conflicting reports suggest that a few of the voter IDs were genuine, while the remaining were clearly fake. Kumar concluded by saying that after investigations, the Election Commission would take a decision on polling in Raja Rajeshwari Nagar. Meanwhile, the BJP has demanded that since the fake voter IDs were found in Raja Rajeshwari Nagar in Bengaluru, voting in the constituency should be postponed. "Democracy is being attacked," Union Minister Sadananda Gowda tweeted as he posted photographs of the trunk loads of fake photo ID cards. Raja Rajeshwari Nagar is one of the larger constituencies in Bengaluru and has about 4.35 lakh voters. In 2013, the seat had gone to the Congress's Munirathna who secured 37 per cent vote share. Munirathna, who is seeking re-election, is pitted against the BJP's Muniraju Gowda PM who put out a video of his search on Facebook. 'Its echo of national interest of the party', says Hariprasad reacting to Siddu's Dalit CM comment Karnataka: By-polls in Shimoga, Bellary and Mandya to be held on 3rd Nov, says CEC Karnataka election: 61 per cent Lingayats say they would back BJP India oi-Vicky Nanjappa The Lingayat card recommended by the Congress government in Karnataka is unlikely to work for the party in the Karnataka assembly elections says a new pre-poll survey by Lokniti-CSDS-ABP. The poll predicts a hung house, but says that the Congress would emerge as the single largest party. The Congress is ahead of the BJP and is likely to win 92-102 seats in the 224 seat Assembly though it will be still short of the half way mark by a few seats. The survey says that a factor that would help the Congress is the split in the anti-Congress vote between the BJP and JD(S). The Kuruba community to which Siddaramaiah belongs to is with the Congress, the survey says. The survey also says that the Dalit, tribal and minority votes are also with the Congress. Karnataka election: New opinion poll predicts BJP win with 90-94 seats; 85-89 for Congress The BJP is set to win 79-89 seats while the JD(S) will be a distant third with 34-42 seats, the survey further points out. In terms of percentage the survey says that the Congress would bag 38 per cent of the votes while the BJP would end up with 33 and JD(S), 22. The poll survey shows that the Lingayat issue has failed miserably for the Congress. 61 per cent of the Lingayats are likely to vote for the BJP despite the Congress government recommending religious minority status. Karnataka elections: BJP to get 115 seats, Congress-70, predicts survey Among the farmers the Congress remains a favourite according to the survey. Despite Karnataka witnessing a large number of farmer suicides, they are still backing Siddaramaiah, the survey says. 40 per cent of the farmers would opt for the Congress while 31 per cent are backing the BJP. Siddaramaiah with 33 per cent of the votes remains the top choice for the post of chief minister. B S Yeddyurappa of the BJP comes a close second with 27 while H D Kumaraswamy of the JD(S) got 22 per cent of the votes. The respondents say that they seem to be satisfied with the performance of the Siddaramaiah government. 29 per cent said that they are fully satisfied while 43 per cent said that they were somewhat satisfied. The major concern for the voter is development with 29 per cent of respondents highlighting the issue as their topmost concern. Karnataka Assembly Election dates Date of notification April 17 Last date to file nominations April 24 Last date to withdraw nominations April 27 Date of polling May 12 Date of counting May 15 For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Tuesday, May 8, 2018, 6:13 [IST] Karnataka polls: Rahul Gandhis cycle, bel gadi ki sawari to oppose Modis petrol price hike India oi-Oneindia Staff By Oneindia Staff Bengaluru, May 8: How do you protest against astronomical fuel price hike in the recent times? Ride a bicycle or a bullock cart if you are in a rural area like Congress president Rahul Gandhi was on Monday. As a mark of protest against the Narendra Modi government's decision to increase petrol and diesel prices, Rahul was seen riding a bicycle and afterwards hopping into a bullock cart in Karnataka's Kolar district where he was campaigning for the Congress. The election campaigning of top national leaders in Karnataka is full of photo ops and both Rahul and PM Modi are not only delivering impassionate speeches against their opponents but making sure every move they make is captured by shutterbugs. After his bicycle ride, Rahul stood on a bullock cart and addressed a massive gathering of people in Kolar's Malur. The Gandhi scion alleged that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led government at the Centre wanted to take money from the common man to give it to its "rich friends". He demanded an answer from the BJP and asked it to tell the people why they were not reducing the price of petrol in the country. "The petrol prices are decreasing across the world, but in India prices are still high," Rahul said. "Earlier in the international market, the price was USD 140 per barrel, now it is USD 70 per barrel. So lakhs of crores of money is being saved by the government. Where is the money going?" he asked. "Why are you not saying to people that you don't want to put GST (Goods and Services Tax) on petrol and diesel? You want to take away money from common man and want to give it to your five or ten industrialist friends," he said. "You want to take money from the pockets of those driving scooter, truck, bus and other vehicles in the country and want to give it your rich friends," the Congress chief added. As Rahul enjoyed his bicycle and bullock cart ride, the irony is not missed as he was flanked by a large number of party workers and security personnel giving him a protective shield, unlike any commoner. The polling for the 224-member Assembly in Karnataka will be held on Saturday (May 12). The results of the highly-contested elections will be declared next week on May 15. For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Tuesday, May 8, 2018, 8:51 [IST] Modi plays 'Basavanna' card, tries to woo Lingayats India oi-Vikas By Vikas In a bid to reach out to Lingayat community, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday (May 8) heaped praise on 'Bhagwan Basaveshwara', the founder of the Lingayat sect, and lambasted the Congress party for allegedly 'insulting' the 12th century social reformer. Addressing the first of his three rallies scheduled for today at Vijayapura, which is close to Basaveshwara's birthplace Basavana Bagewadi, Modi said that all Congress has been doing is to divide the society for political gains. "Karnataka was reeling under drought, but what were Congress ministers doing? They were in Delhi, they were scheming in Delhi to save their posts. They were in Delhi, planning to divide the society..These ministers have no link with Basavanna or Akka Mahadevi. They only know how to sit in Delhi and divide society," he said. Modi then quoted a famous preaching from Basavanna and said the 12th century social reformer had preached about rising above caste lines, but Congress is doing exactly opposite of that. "When the entire world wants to know about Basavanna's preaching. The Congress leaders in Karnataka are insulting him. Tell me (Modi asks crowd) should such leaders be allowed to remain in their posts.. Can you name a single Karnataka minister against whom there is no corruption allegation," he said. Modi said that in decades of rule after the independence, the Congress never thought of honouring Basaveshwara. He said that Basaveshwara's preaching were an inspiration to the entire world, but Congress never acknowledged it. "They (Congress) ruled the country for so many years but it never occurred to them to respect Bhagwan Basaveshwara. It was only after Atal Bihari Vajpayee came to power that Basavanna's statue was instituted... We have always believed in Bhagwan Basaveshwara's preachings," Modi said. "It was me who inaugurated Bhagwan Basaveshwara's statue in London.. Even this time when i went to London i paid homage to Basaveshwara's statue near Thames," he added. Lingayats are traditional vote bank of the BJP. Modi's attempt to woo the community assumes significance, especially at a time when Siddaramaiah-led government approved granting separate religion status to Lingayats. Siddaramaiah's move, as believed by many political experts, was aimed at splitting the BJP's traditional vote bank. Even BJP's chief ministerial candidate BS Yeddyurappa is seen a strong Lingayat leader. Modi also lashed out at the Congress for politicising the issue of safety of women. He said that Congress is speaking about the matter now, but did not do much about it when they were in power. "Congress speaks a lot about safety of women, but what did they do? We have brought in a new law which makes raping of minors an offence punishable by death... Women may be of any religion, we are committed to protect them all...Congress does politics even on that..Daughters are daughters, there cannot be politics over them. Congress practices politics even on such issues," he said. Modi said the Congress has no right to talk about women empowerment as it was them who opposed the law on Triple Talaq in Parliament. Karnataka Assembly Election dates Date of notification April 17 Last date to file nominations April 24 Last date to withdraw nominations April 27 Date of polling May 12 Date of counting May 15 For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Tuesday, May 8, 2018, 14:44 [IST] Now stone pelters in Kashmir kill a tourist from Chennai India oi-Vicky Nanjappa The stone pelters were at it again. A tourist from Chennai became the latest victim of stone pelting in Jammu and Kashmir. A 22 year old tourist was killed at Narbal after stone pelters hurled stones at a vehicle. R Thirumani was hit on his nose and forehead, following which he was shifted to the Sher-e-Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences. He succumbed to injuries at the hospital. The doctors tried to revive him, but he died. Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir, Mehbooba Mufti visited the family of the victim and offered all possible help. This is the third such incident in which innocents have become a victim of stone pelting. Last week, stone pelters targeted a school bus. In April stone pelters attacked a tourist bus in Anantnag district. The bus was carrying both locals and tourists. The incident triggered a series of reactions and the most prominent one was pertaining to the amnesty granted to stone pelters. Back in January, a decision was taken to grant at least 5.500 first time stone pelters amnesty. The decision was taken in a bid to bring the youth back to the mainstream amidst the outrage created by a section which felt that being harsh on the young would lead nowhere. Even more ironically, the Hurriyat leadership has been silent on this incident. In fact there was no condemnation from the Hurriyat leadership when stone pelters attacked a tourist bus on April 3- at Anantnag district. A group of youngsters pelted stones at a bus carrying both locals and tourists at around 8 pm. Security officials say that these are not stray incidents and are linked to the operations being carried out by the Army against terrorists. A few days back, a top terrorist Sameer Tiger was shot dead by the Army and this had triggered an outrage among the locals. Several thousand people had attended the funeral amidst condemnation by various terror groups including the Lashkar-e-Tayiba. For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Tuesday, May 8, 2018, 6:07 [IST] People forget that Amit Shah is a murder accused: Rahul Gandhi India oi-Vikas By Vikas Raking up almost a decade old Sohrabuddin Sheikh encounter case, Congress president Rahul Gandhi launched a scathing attack on Amit Shah and said that BJP has "a person who has been accused of murder as the president". Gandhi, who is in Bengaluru to campaign for his party ahead of Karnataka assembly elections, said that Shah does not have a "lot of credibility" as he is a murder accused. Gandhi was referring to Sohrabuddin Sheikh encounter case in which Shah was an accused. In 2010, Amit Shah was accused of having orchestrated the extrajudicial killings of Sohrabuddin Sheikh, his wife Kauser Bi and his criminal associate Tulsiram Prajapati. It was then alleged that the killing was orchestrated by senior police officers and at the behest of then Gujarat Home minister Amit Shah. A Special Court had later discharged Amit Shah from the case due to lack of evidence in December 2014. "Amit Shah has been accused of murder. Don't think he has lot of credibility. People in India forget that BJP President is a murder accused. Party that talks about honesty, decency has a person who's been accused of murder as President," Rahul Gandhi said in Bengaluru today (May 8). Gandhi also trained gun at Prime Minister Narendra Modi and asked as to why the BJP has chosen BS Yeddyurappa as the chief ministerial candidate when there were corruption cases against him in the past. "We are repeatedly asking the Prime Minister why has he chosen a corrupt person, who has been in jail as his party's CM candidate?" he asked. In five cases issued in 2011, Yeddyurappa was alleged to be responsible for Illegal de-notification of land. The Karnataka High-court in 2015 set aside this order, thereby quashing the cases against him. After the high court quashed former governor HR Bhardwaj's sanction to prosecute BS Yeddyurappa, a special Lokayukta court struck down four other FIRs against him. In a major relief to Yeddyurappa and BJP, Karnataka High Court had set aside the sanction given by then Governor HR Bhardwaj for his prosecution in several cases of alleged illegal de-notification of land, and asked the incumbent Vajubhai Vala to have a fresh look at it. Karnataka Assembly Election dates Date of notification April 17 Last date to file nominations April 24 Last date to withdraw nominations April 27 Date of polling May 12 Date of counting May 15 For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Tuesday, May 8, 2018, 13:04 [IST] Plea challenging rejection of impeachment motion against CJI dismissed as withdrawn India oi-Vicky Nanjappa The Supreme Court has dismissed the petitions that challenged the decision to reject the impeachment motion against Chief Justice of India, Venkaiah Naidu. The petitions were dismissed as withdrawn. The petition was filed after Rajya Sabha chairman, Venkaiah Naidu rejected the removal motion against Justice Misra which was signed by over 50 MPs. The petitioners Pratap Singh Bajwa from Punjab and Amee Harshadray Yajnik from Gujarat, in a joint petition, said that once a removal motion is signed by a requisite number of MPs, RS chairman has no option but to constitute Inquiry Committee to probe into charges against CJI. Rajya Sabha Chairman M Venkaiah Naidu had rejected the notice given by opposition parties led by the Congress to impeach the CJI. He had said that there was no substantial merit in it. Naidu held extensive consultations with top legal and constitutional experts, including former chief justices and judges, before taking the decision. When the matter came up for hearing, Kapil Sibal appearing for the petitioners withdrew the petitions. He sought to know how the CJI overnight passed an administrative order listing the petition before a five-judge bench. "Give me that order. I want to challenge it," Sibal said. But the 5-judge bench said it was up to Sibal to decide whether he should argue the case or not. Sibal's appearance for the two RS Congress MPs was objected by two advocates R P Luthra and Ashwini Upadhyay who said Bar Council of India prohibits those advocate politicians who have signed the notice of removal motion from arguing the same case before SC. The court repeatedly asked Sibal what purpose it would serve if he was given a copy of the administrative order passed by the CJI referring the matter to a five judge Bench. Sibal said that only after getting the order would he decide on whether to challenge it or not. The SC expressed its reluctance to part with the adminsitrative order following which Sibal decided to withdraw the petition. Attorney General K K Venugopal said the motion was signed by 64 MPs from seven political parties. How can only two MPs from one political party have a grievance against RS chairman's order rejecting the notice for removal motion when six other political parties appear to have accepted it, he also asked. Rahul Gandhi stunned by rape victim burnt alive in Jharkhand, says, another girl weve failed India oi-Oneindia Staff By Oneindia Staff New Delhi, May 8: First, the gory details of gang-rape and murder of an eight-year-old girl in Jammu and Kashmir's Kathua left the nation shocked a few weeks ago. Now, the recent brutal rape and murder of a teenager in Jharkhand where the victim was burnt alive by attackers had left us once again numbed. The incident, which took place in Raja Kendua village in the eastern state, took a devilish turn because the parents of the victim approached the panchayat for justice after the 17-year-old school-going teenager was raped by two men. The panchayat asked the accused to pay a fine of Rs 50,000 to the victim's family, which angered them and a group of around two dozen men burnt the girl alive. Reacting to the bone-chilling episode, Congress president Rahul Gandhi called the death a "tragedy" on Monday. He also blamed the police for not acting "quickly enough". "In Jharkhand, the rape and brutal murder of a young girl who was set afire by her rapist, has left me stunned and angry. Her death is a tragedy. The police were informed of the rape but didn't act quickly enough. As a nation, this is yet another girl we have failed," Rahul tweeted along with a detailed news report by NDTV. In Jharkhand, the rape and brutal murder of a young girl who was set afire by her rapist, has left me stunned and angry. Her death is a tragedy. The police were informed of the rape but didnt act quickly enough. As a nation, this is yet another girl we have failed. https://t.co/wkTedrOwz0 Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) May 7, 2018 The barbaric Jharkhand incident is one among a series of rapes and murders of minors in the country in the last few weeks. While the nation took to the streets to protest against the Kathua and Uttar Pradesh's Unnao rape cases, parents and guardians across the country are worried that their wards seem to be unsafe in their own motherland. According to reports, at least 40,000 rape cases were reported in India in 2016. Activists working for women rights say that most often cases of rape go unreported as the victims and their family members fear backlash from the accused. After its "studied silence" over crimes against women, especially minor girls, the Narendra Modi government approved the ordinance to allow courts to award death penalty to those convicted of raping girls under 12 recently. In spite of the protests and a new law, things remain the same as several cases of rapes and murders of minors have been reported from across the country. For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Tuesday, May 8, 2018, 10:17 [IST] Trump thumps Kerry once again over Iran Deal activism, this time on Twitter International oi-Shubham By Shubham He had criticised former US secretary of state John Kerry during his speech to the National Rifles Association (NRA) in Dallas, Texas, on May 4, over the report that the latter was conducting secret diplomacy to save the Iran nuclear deal of 2015 which is considered one of his biggest feats as the diplomat. On Monday, US President Donald Trump hit out at Kerry once again. While Trump called Kerry's efforts on Friday as "horrible", he took to Twitter on Monday, May 7, to say: "The United States does not need John Kerry's possibly illegal Shadow Diplomacy on the very badly negotiated Iran Deal. He was the one that created this MESS in the first place!" According to Boston Globe which carried the report on Friday that Kerry, 74, was in touch with European leaders and Iran's foreign minister in a private capacity to salvage the Iran deal which the Trump administration has called flawed and wanted to scuttle it. Kerry has also met members of the Congress towards this effect, the report added. May 12 is the deadline for Trump to decide whether to reinforce the sanctions on Iran, a move that could see tensions heightening in West Asia, fear the international community. The 2015 deal, which was entered by the US and other major powers and the European Union with Iran to prevent it from developing nuclear weapons against easing economic sanctions, has been criticised by the US and Israel who feel it has only given Tehran an undue advantage. The Boston Globe said on Monday that a spokesperson of Kerry made a statement defending him after Trump's attacking tweets. "I think every American would want every voice possible urging Iran to remain in compliance with the nuclear agreement that prevented a war," the Boston Globe report quoted Matt Summers, the spokesperson, as saying via the statement. "Secretary Kerry stays in touch with his former counterparts around the world just like every previous Secretary of State. Like America's closest allies, he believes it is important that the nuclear agreement, which took the world years to negotiate, remain effective as countries focus on stability in the region," it said. The White House had earlier refused to respond to the episode despite being asked a number of times, the Boston Globe report said, and on Monday it that it would not say anything more beyond the US president's tweet. Kerry has also been accused of violating the Logan Act of 1799 which deals with private citizens trying to negotiate with foreign governments with which the US has a dispute. However, none has been convicted under the law till date. Marco Rubio, the Republican senator of Florida said in a tweet that Kerry's working with foreign governments to "save the flawed #IranDeal" raised Logan Act questions. He also asked what would have the reaction been had former secretary of state Condoleezza Rice had done the same to Barack Obama when he was the president. Caliornia's Republican Representative and chairman of the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence Devin Nunes also considered Kerry's act to be a violation of the Logan Act. Rudy Giuliani, the former New York mayor and a member of Trump's legal team which is defending him in the investigations into the alleged collusion between Trump's campaign and Russia in the 2016 presidential election also said Kerry was violating the Logan Act and nobody seemed to care. Giuliani was in the headlines recently for revealing Trump's repaying money to his attorney Michael Cohen for adult film actress Stormy Daniels with whom he allegedly had a sexual encounter in the mid-2000s. Twin baby case: No medical negligence on part of Max Hospital, says DMC India pti-PTI New Delhi, May 8: The Delhi Medical Council (DMC), looking into the case in which a newborn was allegedly wrongly declared dead by the Max Hospital in Shalimar Bagh, has given a clean chit to the hospital, ruling out any medical negligence on its part. In its report to the Delhi Police's Crime Branch, which is probing the matter, the DMC said that "the hospital did not issue a death certificate for the boy who had some heart beat for about four-five hours", as the family had signed the 'Do Not Resuscitate (DNR)' document, even after being counselled by doctors about resuscitation. Resuscitation is a life-saving emergency procedure that involves breathing for the victim and application of external chest compression to make the heart pump. Joint Commissioner of Police (JCP), Crime, Alok Kumar confirmed that the police had received the report from the DMC and said they would study it. The DMC recorded the statements of the boy's family members and the hospital's doctors and staff, and concluded that there "have been procedural lapses and inadequate documentation, which is probably due to the absence of standard operating guidelines when managing such cases". "...No medical negligence can be attributed on the part of doctors of Max Super Specialty Hospital in the treatment administered to the complainant's new born baby," according to the medical council's report. The baby boy was wrongly declared dead by the upscale facility after his birth on November 30. The boy died during treatment a week later at a nursing home in Pitampura. His twin, a girl, was still-born. The twins were delivered at 23 weeks of pregnancy. In its report, the DMC said, "As per international medical literature, foetus less than 24 weeks, if born, is an abortus and is not considered-viable and is not likely to survive". The Delhi Registration of Birth and Death Rules, 1999, also prescribes that 28 weeks is the period of gestation for it to be viable, it said. The boy's family had also claimed that they were handed the twins in a polythene bag. However, the hospital staff in their statement said, "The twins with no sign of life were handed over to the relatives/attendant of the patient covered in clean white sheets." The patient's family on its own, for the ease of carrying, requested for and put the babies in the non-chlorinated yellow bag kept in the labour room, which was neither permitted nor sealed or packed by the doctors or staff of the hospital, the hospital staffer said in their statement. The hospital did not issue a death certificate for the boy since the baby was not admitted in the hospital, as the family did not want to admit him in the NICU for further management. "There has been procedural lapses and inadequate documentation which is probably due to absence of standard operating guidelines when managing such cases," the DMC report said. The case was transferred to the crime branch on December 6, the day the baby boy died at the nursing home in Pitampura, after battling for life for a week. PTI Arrest lucknow girl trends on Twitter after video of woman thrashing cab driver goes viral Justice BV Nagarathna in line to become Indias first woman Chief Justice of India in 2027 Gujarat: Woman forces 11-year-old girl to dip her hand in boiling oil to prove she was not lying UP: Woman gangraped by three men in moving car, her child thrown out on highway India oi-Madhuri In yet another horrifying incident, a woman was gangraped in a moving car allegedly by two men after they threw her three-year-old child from the moving vehicle. The incident took place on Delhi-Dehradun national highway on Monday. According to reports, the child was immediately rushed to a hospital by the villagers and he is out of danger. The victim was from the car in Chapar area on the highway in an unconscious state in Muzaffarnagar. After regaining consciousness, she approached the police and filed a complaint. According to the complaint filed by woman, she was called by one of the accused, R K Mehata, on the pretext of giving her a job. She was made to drink alcohol laced with sedatives before being raped by Mehata and his friend. Meanwhile, a case has been registered against the absconding accused, and the woman has been sent for medical examination. (with PTI inputs) For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Tuesday, May 8, 2018, 18:09 [IST] Vijayan assures firm action against political killings, says 'murder is always undesirable' India oi-Vikas By Vikas Asserting that "murder is always an undesirable event", Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Tuesday (May 8) assured Puducherry police that his government would provide full support to probe the killing of a CPI (M) and an RSS worker. A CPI (M) worker was hacked to death in Mahe, a district under union territory of Puducherry, adjacent to Kerala's politically-sensitive Kannur district on Monday night. An hour after the killing, an RSS worker was murdered in Mahe in a suspected retaliatory attack, said reports. "I have asked the DGP to take action to maintain law and order in that area. We will give necessary support to Puducherry police if needed. A murder is always an undesirable event," Vijayan said. The CPI(M) has accused the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) for the alleged murder. In a press statement, the Kannur unit of CPI(M) said, "The brutal murder of K Babu, a former councillor and an active member of the party, by the RSS activists shows that they [RSS] are in no mood to end the politics of violence that they have been carrying out." Mahe, is situated between Thalassery in the politically volatile Kannur district and Vatakara in Kozhikode district. It is an enclave of Union Territory Puducherry. In February, Youth Congress leader and Mattanoor party Block Secretary, Shuhaib, was hacked to death allegedly by CPI(M) workers at Mattanur in Kannur district. OneIndia News with PTI inputs For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Tuesday, May 8, 2018, 16:56 [IST] Karnataka: Will Congress not allow Kumaraswamy to be CM for full 5-year term? Is it chief minister Kumaraswamy or chief manager of Congress Ktaka ATM? BJP has an answer All is well between Congress, JD(S)? Kumaraswamy meets Rahul as Karnataka waits for full cabinet When Siddaramaiah praises Modi instead of party candidate Narendra Swamy India oi-Madhuri Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah had a slip-of-the-tongue during an election rally in the Malavalli constituency on Tuesday. Instead of praising MLA and party candidate PN Narendra Swamy, he ended asking people to vote for Narendra Modi. He highlighted all the work done by Swamy, who has been elected by the constituency in the 2013 and 2008 Assembly elections. While addrressing a rally, Siddaramaiah said,"In all the villages, work on roads, drinking water, building houses, all this is possible because of Narendra Modi and us...." However, Siddaramaiah immediately realised his mistake- and so did the crowd, who immediately raised a chorus to point out the mistake. Immediately correcting himself, Siddaramaiah said "The important word here is Narendra," he then joked. "This Swamy is here, the Modi is in Gujarat. Narendra Modi is fiction, Narendra Swamy is the truth," he went on to say. Siddaramaiah is not the first leader to mix up names to the great pleasure of the opposition during a public rally. Earlier, BJP national president Amit Shah called the BS Yeddyurappa government corrupt during a meeting in Davangere in March. Karnataka Assembly Election dates Date of notification April 17 Last date to file nominations April 24 Last date to withdraw nominations April 27 Date of polling May 12 Date of counting May 15 For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Tuesday, May 8, 2018, 18:29 [IST] Did Kim Jong-un meet Chinese President Xi Jinping in China again? Speculation is rife International oi-Shubham By Shubham While top leaders of China, South Korea and Japan prepared to meet over a triangular summit in Tokyo on Wednesday, May 9, reports said a high-ranking official from North Korea might have met Chinese President Xi Jinping in China's port city of Dalian (located around 530 kilometres from Pyongyang) on Tuesday, May 8, amid tight security, Associated Press reported. It said a North Korean plane was seen parked at the city's airport. South Korea's Yonhap News Agency even went to the extent of saying that the plane carried North Korean Supreme Leader Kim Jong-un to China although it did not produce any evidence, AP said. Japan's Kyodo News Service said the aircraft departed North Korea on Tuesday, AP added. Hong Kong-based South China Morning Post cited two unofficial sources to say that Jinping went to Dalian to meet the guest official and preside over the launch of sea trials for China's inaugural aircraft carrier, built entirely indigenously. Internet users in China said security was beefed up in Dalian and flight delays happened. Others claimed to have spotted Red Flag limousines used by the statesmen, AP said. Kim made a secret visit to China in an armoured train in March end in his first-ever foreign trip since taking over as North Korea's leader in December 2011. The event occurred after it was publicised that US President Donald Trump would meet Kim over a historic summit around May end of early June. North Korea and Dalian do not have direct scheduled flights, it was reported by AP. China has been making all sorts of engagements with North Korea and its neighbours to ensure that it doesn't lose out to the US-backed peace initiative in the Korean Peninsula in which Washington's ally South Korean has also played a big role. Kim met South Korean President Moon Jae-in at a historic Korean summit on April 27 where they both vowed to end the Korean War which is technically still on and also denuclearise the Korean Peninsula. China has been North Korea's only ally in the region though their relations took a nosedive of late over Pyongyang's reckless nuclear ambitions and also China's enforcing of the United Nation's sanctions imposed on the latter to curb its tests. China indispensable for North Korea peace, says its media China's Global Times also came up with a piece on Monday, May 7, explaining why China plays an indispensable role for peace in the Korean Peninsula. It said the West's viewpoint that China was afraid of getting sidelined in the diplomatic parleys that are being conducted between North Korea, South Korea and the US was "misleading" since China had a fundamentally indispensable role in achieving peace in the peninsula. It said in the short-term, China is an "indispensable stability guarantor for a possible unsuccessful US-North Korea summit". It said although the US has stressed time again on the direct talks between US President Donald Trump and Kim yet its unpredictability makes it necessary to be prepared for the worst scenario. It said the US was inconsistent in its approach two cases of nuclear proliferation in the world - one in Iran and other in North Korea and China feels its role could play big if the US's unpredictability fails to serve the real cause. It said as a mid-term benefit, China will serve as an "indispensable facilitator for a political and peaceful resolution of the peninsula issue". It said China was one of the signatories of the 1953 armistice that halted the Korean conflict and that makes an exclusion of China from the peace initiative in Korean Peninsula "unrealistic". And finally, in the long term, the Global Times piece said China would act as an "indispensable companion" in North Korea's smooth social and economic transition. It said long-term stability of the peninsula would depend on North Korea' economic growth and that China would "naturally" be the most important party to help Pyongyang overcome the economic transition and find itself linked with the outer world. For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Tuesday, May 8, 2018, 18:02 [IST] Collapse of Kabul will go down as one of the greatest defeats in American history: Donald Trump Donald Trump congratulates Putin yet again: There is a method in his madness International oi-Shubham By Shubham He was criticised earlier for congratulating Russian President Vladimir Putin on his one-sided victory in the March 18 elections. US President Donald Trump had disregarded the advice of his aides and went ahead to wish his Russian counterpart and even expressed hope of holding a summit with him in the US. On Monday, May 7, Trump congratulated Putin again on the day of the inauguration of his fourth term, PTI reported. Putin's latest term will make him the longest-serving Russian head of state since Joseph Stalin. White House Press Secretary Sarah Sanders Huckabee said in her daily news conference on Monday that Trump congratulated Putin and looked forward to the time when the US "could hopefully have a good relationship with Russia", PTI reported. "However, the United States believes that everyone has a right to be heard and assemble peacefully," the PTI report quoted him as saying. The press secretary also used the occasion to take a dig at the Democrats saying they were using the Russia investigation as an excuse for their defeat in the 2016 presidential poll. "I think he thinks that the idea that this narrative continues to be driven. The fact that, a year-and-a-half later, after spending most all of your time, every single day, looking into this and still finding nothing, the fact that we're still talking about it and has the potential to impact the 2018 election," Huckabee said, according to the PTI report. "The point he's making is how ridiculous it is that we're still having this conversation and the depths to which this research has gone on and investigation has been conducted and still produced nothing," she said, the report added. Trump's Russia policy: Insane or balanced? Trump's Russia policy has come under strong criticism with many saying he has been soft on the Kremlin, even to the extent of helplessness. Trump, on his part, has said he has been tougher on Putin more than anybody else and has rubbished the charges of him having a collusion with Moscow during the 2016 presidential election to ensure the defeat of Hillary Clinton, his Democratic opponent who Putin hates to the hilt. More issue-based than eternal enmity? Trump's policy on Russia has been more issue-based than a complete black or white and that makes him look more inconsistent. Trump personally wants a good relationship with Putin, who is now empowered for another six years, but Washington's foreign policy has of late found a threat in the Russian president more than a friend. US-Russia relations saw a low recently over Skripals' poisoning & Syria The US-Russia relations saw a low recently even after Trump congratulated Putin on his electoral victory, thanks to the poisoning of a former Russian spy and his daughter in the UK and the alleged use of chemical weapons by the dictatorial regime of Syria against its own people in early April in a quest to eliminate the rebels from their last remaining bastion. The two incidents saw major diplomatic and military retaliations on behalf of the West, including the US. While Washington gave marching orders to several Russian diplomats from the US and also the UN office in New York besides shutting down the Russian consulate in Seattle in tune with many European states, it joined France and the UK to conduct a missile strike on Syria's chemical weapons facilities to penalise the Bashar al-Assad regime. One of the targets of this aggression was also Russia who Trump had threatened against conniving with the Assad regime, its ally. But Trump did not go for fresh sanctions on Russia But it is also important to note that Trump refused to impose fresh sanctions on Russia over the Syria incident when asked, saying they were not required since Russia's response was not alarming. He even did not care for saving his administration's face in the UN where the American ambassador Nikki Haley warned of more attacks only to find herself deserted by her own administration which said she might have got momentarily confused. The US media plunged onto the anti-Trump bandwagon after this episode and sympathised with Haley. There were also allegations that Trump is more concerned with his business interests with Russia and hence hesitant to take on Putin head on. He has also been accused of not confronting Russia on issues like annexation of Crimea and the poisoning of the spy in the UK, which his critics said only exposed his weakness as the leader of the US. But if one reads Huckabee's latest statement, there was an indirect dig at the recent crackdown by the Russian police on protesters who disapproved of Putin's re-election. Trump's foreign policy is not an all-inclusive one Going by Trump's record in foreign policy so far, he has not really been into roaming around with a stick to push other nations, something that Washington has become synonymous with over the years. Trump has shown that he is not keen over protecting others, even if they are traditional allies of the US, and is more engaged in serving what is directly related to the US's own interests, for example, trade and immigration. This is not entirely a zero policy. Trump's unique measures in foreign affairs and the way he conducts them look unusual and hence bizarre but if he can keep the intensity of disputes low in bilateral relations with other powers, he is doing some service to world peace than many so-called liberals. For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Tuesday, May 8, 2018, 12:16 [IST] Collapse of Kabul will go down as one of the greatest defeats in American history: Donald Trump Will Trump pull out from Iran deal? The world will know today International oi-Shubham By Shubham All eyes will be set on Washington on Tuesday, May 8, as US President Donald Trump will spell out his take on the Iran nuclear deal of 2015 (formally known as Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action)which his administration has called flawed and wish to quit, a move that could lead to major repercussions in world politics. The US and other major powers of the world and the European Union had made the deal with Iran during the era of Barack Obama to contain Tehran's nuclear ambitions in exchange of lifting bans that have crippled Iran's economy over the years. Trump will make his announcement on the deal at 2 pm ET (11.30 pm IST) and the world will watch with bated breath how the American president goes about on the Iran deal. Will he really quash Obama's legacy by reinforcing the sanctions on Iran but at the expense of triggering a massive crisis or will he change his stance in yet another U-turn? Quitting the Iran deal will make Trump a hero in the eyes of his supporters and constituencies who he promised "America First" but it could also result in a military confrontation with Iran which has also threatened of massive consequences if the US went ahead and scrapped the deal. May 12 is the deadline for Trump to decide on Iran and the UK's European allies are also worried over the next steps of the American president. Recently, French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Angela Merkel visited the US where they took up the issue with Trump but nothing concrete came out about on whether the West would continue with the deal. Britain Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson has also urged Trump not to pull out from the deal. According to a report in CNN, Trump could also stop short of imposing new sanctions immediately, thereby keeping the door ajar for the European powers to continue to work on "a broader deal that could keep Trump on board". "It's pretty obvious to me that unless something changes in the next few days, I believe the President will not waive the sanctions," CNN quoted a European diplomat as saying. If Trump eventually withdrew from the deal, it would mean Washington dumping multilateral diplomacy yet again and stressing on its unilateral moves, something it had done in Iraq in 2003. Also, if the US dumps the Iran deal, it would be a contradiction of short for it is also around the same time that it is trying to make a nuclear deal with North Korea, another member of what former president George W Bush had called the "Axis of Evil" in 2002. The Iran deal issue has also made the headlines after a report carried by the Boston Globe said former US secretary of state John Kerry was carrying out a parallel diplomacy with European powers and Iran to save the 2015 deal, something Trump called "horrible" and "possibly illegal" recently. The current Trump administration has a hawkish national security adviser in John Bolton and secretary of state in Mike Pompeo who also have a strong reservation against the 2015 deal and that could give the president a freer hand to go ahead and scuttle it even though there are Republicans who feel that such a move could be worse than staying in the deal. For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Tuesday, May 8, 2018, 16:30 [IST] Two Sri Lankan women have been arrested at the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) in Katunayake for attempting to smuggle 1.1kg of gold worth Rs.10 million into the country. Police said that the suspects, who arrived from Singapore, were arrested by the Police Narcotics Bureau at the airport. The jewellery was found packed in their handbags in 836 grams and 264 grams separately. The customs officers found necklaces, bangles, earrings and several other jewellery items during the inspection, he said. They were taken into custody following a tip-off to the PNB officers. Later the women suspects and the gold jewellery were handed over to the airport customs officers to conduct the investigations. Username: Password: or Register Thread Rating: 0 Vote(s) - 0 Average 1 2 3 4 5 Page: 1 2 3 Trump "Committed To Regime Change" In Iran: Giuliani LoP Guest lop guest User ID: kaput 05-08-2018 02:26 AM Post: #1 Trump "Committed To Regime Change" In Iran: Giuliani Advertisement Quote: President Donald Trump is committed to regime change in Iran, said Rudy Giuliani, Trump's newest controversial attorney (although perhaps not for long) and longtime informal advisor. Speaking to reporters after a Saturday keynote to the Iran Freedom Convention for Democracy and Human Rights in Washington, Giuliani said "We got a president who is tough, who does not listen to the people who are naysayers, and a president who is as committed to regime change as we are." In other words, pulling out of the Iran nuclear deal is now being conflated with regime change in Iran. https://www.zerohedge.com/news/2018-05-0...n-giuliani And we all know "regime change" is a slang military term which means "long assed pointless war that we never win". Or FUBARWOAR. And we all know "regime change" is a slang military term which means "long assed pointless war that we never win". Or FUBARWOAR. TicklePickle Registered User User ID: 1337 05-08-2018 02:27 AM Posts: 1,352 Post: #2 RE: Trump "Committed To Regime Change" In Iran: Giuliani Maybe Trump is bluffing so he can get a better deal with Iran? Roddy's Creed Registered User User ID: 1337 05-08-2018 02:28 AM Posts: 5,430 Post: #3 RE: Trump "Committed To Regime Change" In Iran: Giuliani Murica POTUS doing what Murica POTUS does. I do not label myself. What I stand for is based on my own convictions, and I don't care which box - the left one or the right one - they happen to belong. LoP Guest lop guest User ID: 1337 05-08-2018 02:30 AM Post: #4 RE: Trump "Committed To Regime Change" In Iran: Giuliani TicklePickle Wrote: (05-08-2018 02:27 AM) Maybe Trump is bluffing so he can get a better deal with Iran? that is probably the best case scenario. The Israelis wanna Golly Gee Wilikers sh*t up and they want us in on the action. that is probably the best case scenario. The Israelis wanna Golly Gee Wilikers sh*t up and they want us in on the action. conspiracyparty Registered User User ID: 1337 05-08-2018 02:30 AM Posts: 1,025 Post: #5 RE: Trump "Committed To Regime Change" In Iran: Giuliani Quote: Maybe Trump is bluffing so he can get a better deal with Iran? 4d chess! nah hes very likely a Zio who will send Americans to war. hopefully im wrong. 4d chess!nah hes very likely a Zio who will send Americans to war.hopefully im wrong. Luvapottamus Registered User User ID: 1337 05-08-2018 02:31 AM Posts: 32,376 Post: #6 RE: Trump "Committed To Regime Change" In Iran: Giuliani Meuller must have something. Two neocons in there now; Bolton and Guiliani. Nothing I write is unlicensed medical or legal advice. Do your own research, and challenge me if something I write seems wrong. That makes the discussion better. Seek licensed professionals for professional advice. Be choosy. Vet them too. Ask them questions when they seem full of sh*t. LoP Guest lop guest User ID: 1337 05-08-2018 02:34 AM Post: #7 RE: Trump "Committed To Regime Change" In Iran: Giuliani Luvapottamus Wrote: (05-08-2018 02:31 AM) Meuller must have something. Two neocons in there now; Bolton and Guiliani. there are more than two. Bolton never saw a war he didn't love. And he's the new sec state. there are more than two. Bolton never saw a war he didn't love. And he's the new sec state. LoP Guest lop guest User ID: 1337 05-08-2018 02:36 AM Post: #8 RE: Trump "Committed To Regime Change" In Iran: Giuliani Luvapottamus Wrote: (05-08-2018 02:31 AM) Meuller must have something. Two neocons in there now; Bolton and Guiliani. Mueller is toast. Three judges have questioned his authority within the last week. Mueller is toast. Three judges have questioned his authority within the last week. Luvapottamus Registered User User ID: 1337 05-08-2018 02:36 AM Posts: 32,376 Post: #9 RE: Trump "Committed To Regime Change" In Iran: Giuliani LoP Guest Wrote: (05-08-2018 02:34 AM) Luvapottamus Wrote: (05-08-2018 02:31 AM) Meuller must have something. Two neocons in there now; Bolton and Guiliani. there are more than two. Bolton never saw a war he didn't love. And he's the new sec state. So when we invading Somalia? So when we invading Somalia? Nothing I write is unlicensed medical or legal advice. Do your own research, and challenge me if something I write seems wrong. That makes the discussion better. Seek licensed professionals for professional advice. Be choosy. Vet them too. Ask them questions when they seem full of sh*t. LoP Guest lop guest User ID: 1337 05-08-2018 02:50 AM Post: #10 RE: Trump "Committed To Regime Change" In Iran: Giuliani Luvapottamus Wrote: (05-08-2018 02:36 AM) LoP Guest Wrote: (05-08-2018 02:34 AM) there are more than two. Bolton never saw a war he didn't love. And he's the new sec state. So when we invading Somalia? neocons think big. neocons think big. LoP Guest lop guest User ID: 1337 05-08-2018 02:55 AM Post: #11 RE: Trump "Committed To Regime Change" In Iran: Giuliani LoP Guest Wrote: (05-08-2018 02:50 AM) Luvapottamus Wrote: (05-08-2018 02:36 AM) So when we invading Somalia? neocons think big. yea f communism and their supporters this is america you cant fn tell us how to live in your unfree country's that hurt women and everyone. yea f communism and their supporters this is america you cant fn tell us how to live in your unfree country's that hurt women and everyone. RiskyRob ( Lop V.I.P.) User ID: 1337 05-08-2018 02:59 AM Posts: 8,137 Post: #12 RE: Trump "Committed To Regime Change" In Iran: Giuliani The Iranian people hate that f*cking repressive government. Ascended Master LoP Guest lop guest User ID: 1337 05-08-2018 03:11 AM Post: #13 RE: Trump "Committed To Regime Change" In Iran: Giuliani RiskyRob Wrote: (05-08-2018 02:59 AM) The Iranian people hate that f*cking repressive government. you mean their own government? then yes you mean their own government? then yes LoP Guest lop guest User ID: 1337 05-08-2018 03:23 AM Post: #14 RE: This Trump "Committed To Regime Change" In Iran: Giuliani This isn't good. After two presidents that were regime change happy I was hoping we had learned better. LoP Guest lop guest User ID: 1337 05-08-2018 03:25 AM Post: #15 RE: Trump "Committed To Regime Change" In Iran: Giuliani War is coming. I predict Israel will attack on the 13th. Notice he was supposed to give an announcement on the 12th this month and he moved it up to tomorrow because Bibi is pressuring to step up and attack. Bibbis national conference last Sunday was all about the war. WWIII begins at the latest May 15th. I`ve warned you about this for a couple of months now. Advertisement Lunaticoutpost.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program , anaffiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.Amazon, the Amazon logo, MYHABIT, and the MYHABIT logo are trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc. or its affiliates.Don't be a pest to the forum.No profanity in thread-titles or usernamesNo excessive profanity in postsNo Racism, Antisemitism + HateNo calls for violence against anyone..This website exists for fun and discussion only. The reader is responsible for discerning the validity, factuality or implications of information posted here, be it fictional or based on real events. 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The material on this site is distributed without profit to those who have expressed a prior interest in receiving the included information for research and educational purposes.In accordance with industry accepted best practices we ask that users limit their copy / paste of copyrighted material to the relevant portions of the article you wish to discuss (no more than 50% of the source material) provide a link back to the original articleIf you are a legal copyright holder or a designated agent for such and you believe a post on this website falls outside the boundaries of "Fair Use" and legitimately infringes on yours or your clients copyright please contact [email protected] This website is owned by :Marco ZwaneveldDrijfriemstraat 522516 XR The HagueNetherlands.I will not rent, sell, share or otherwise disclose your personal information to any third party.We might contact you from time to time regarding your purchases or the services (like forums and announcement lists) you have subscribed to.Some of the 3rd party advertisers on lunaticoutpost.com may use cookiesto track peformance and/or to serve relevant ads.If you wish to read more and/or opt out of such cookies, please visit: http://www.networkadvertising.org/choices/ Username: Password: or Register Thread Rating: 0 Vote(s) - 0 Average 1 2 3 4 5 Constitutional Carry Passed Oklahoma Luvapottamus Registered User User ID: kaput 05-08-2018 10:27 PM Posts: 32,376 Post: #1 Constitutional Carry Passed Oklahoma Advertisement It would allow people 21 and older and military 18 and older to open or concealed carry without a permit. Here's what Republican Gubernatorial Candidate Gary Richardson has to say about it: Quote: Constitutional carry has been a key campaign issue for us since day one. Oklahomans should not need the governments permission to exercise any Constitutional right. It is the governments job to protect those rights, not to grant them. If Fallin vetoes this bill, I can assure you this we will pass constitutional carry when I am governor. http://www.tulsaworld.com/photovideo/sli...601.html#6 Let's break that down shall we? 1) Oklahomans should not need the governments permission to exercise any Constitutional right. 2)If Fallin vetoes this bill, I can assure you this we will pass constitutional carry when I am governor. I thought we didn't need the governor to tell us we can exercise our constitutional rights. Why did the legislature need to write a law? Sounds to me like you need to repeal one that's unconstitutional. Nothing I write is unlicensed medical or legal advice. Do your own research, and challenge me if something I write seems wrong. That makes the discussion better. Seek licensed professionals for professional advice. Be choosy. Vet them too. Ask them questions when they seem full of sh*t. But hasn't been signed by the Governor yet.It would allow people 21 and older and military 18 and older to open or concealed carry without a permit.Here's what Republican Gubernatorial Candidate Gary Richardson has to say about it:Let's break that down shall we?1) Oklahomans should not need the governments permission to exercise any Constitutional right.2)If Fallin vetoes this bill, I can assure you this I thought we didn't need the governor to tell us we can exercise our constitutional rights.Why did the legislature need to write a law?Sounds to me like you need to repeal one that's unconstitutional. (This post was last modified: 05-08-2018 10:28 PM by Luvapottamus .) Damrod lop guest User ID: 1337 05-08-2018 10:33 PM Post: #2 RE: Constitutional Carry Passed Oklahoma Good. The entire idea that you need to pay for a license and permit to exercise your constitutional rights is ridiculous. I'm also against having to pay for hunting and fishing licenses...it's a money grab by the mafia...erm....government... to extort money from you for something you should be able to do for free. LoP Guest lop guest User ID: 1337 05-08-2018 10:35 PM Post: #3 RE: Constitutional Carry Passed Oklahoma Luvapottamus Wrote: (05-08-2018 10:27 PM) 1) Oklahomans should not need the governments permission to exercise any Constitutional right. yah yah Spiddy Registered User User ID: 1337 05-08-2018 10:38 PM Posts: 18,164 Post: #4 RE: Constitutional Carry Passed Oklahoma Open carrying an expensive firearm is a dumb idea. Concealed is the way to go. If you are gonna CC you should at the very least be aware of local ordnances and have some basic knowledge of firearms use. I don't see why the taxpayer should be expected to pay for the education required for you to CC safely and effectively. As democracy is perfected, the office of president represents, more and more closely, the inner soul of the people. On some great and glorious day the plain folks of the land will reach their heart's desire at last and the White House will be adorned by a downright moron. H.L. Mencken 1920. HardTruth Get your wisdom on or GTFO of the way User ID: 1337 05-08-2018 10:38 PM Posts: 3,321 Post: #5 RE: Constitutional Carry Passed Oklahoma Damrod Wrote: (05-08-2018 10:33 PM) Good. The entire idea that you need to pay for a license and permit to exercise your constitutional rights is ridiculous. I'm also against having to pay for hunting and fishing licenses...it's a money grab by the mafia...erm....government... to extort money from you for something you should be able to do for free. Same with drivers license, we have the right to travel from point A to point B without government interference!! . Same with drivers license, we have the right to travel from point A to point B without government interference!! If it seeketh, expects, or demands worship, it is not divine!! Anyone that believes Earth has the only intelligent life in the whole of the cosmos, is a f*cking moron, and shouldn't be allowed an opinion about anything else!! Galaxy Luvapottamus Registered User User ID: 1337 05-08-2018 10:43 PM Posts: 32,376 Post: #6 RE: Constitutional Carry Passed Oklahoma Ten Commandments: 'Historical documents' bill gets legislative approval, goes to governor From Staff Reports May 3, 2018 Quote: Shortly before the House of Representatives adjourned the 2018 regular session Thursday, representatives passed a bill that would allow monuments or replicas of the Ten Commandments to be displayed along with other historical documents by cities, counties, schools or other political subdivisions. House Bill 2177, by Rep. John Bennett, R-Sallisaw, passed the Oklahoma Senate on April 26. http://www.tulsaworld.com/news/capitol_r...b9103.html The Oklahoma Supreme Court made them remove it last time. Before the ruling the Church of Satan planned to erect this one next to it: Not a satanist, but I'll throw them a bone: Publish the REST of Exodus next to your graven images. The bestiality verses. Here's another Okie Republican dumbass interpretation of the constitution(and bible for that matter):From Staff Reports May 3, 2018The Oklahoma Supreme Court made them remove it last time.Before the ruling the Church of Satan planned to erect this one next to it:Not a satanist, but I'll throw them a bone: Publish the REST of Exodus next to your graven images.The bestiality verses. Nothing I write is unlicensed medical or legal advice. Do your own research, and challenge me if something I write seems wrong. That makes the discussion better. Seek licensed professionals for professional advice. Be choosy. Vet them too. Ask them questions when they seem full of sh*t. (This post was last modified: 05-08-2018 10:46 PM by Luvapottamus .) Luvapottamus Registered User User ID: 1337 05-08-2018 10:45 PM Posts: 32,376 Post: #7 RE: Constitutional Carry Passed Oklahoma Spiddy Wrote: (05-08-2018 10:38 PM) Open carrying an expensive firearm is a dumb idea. Concealed is the way to go. If you are gonna CC you should at the very least be aware of local ordnances and have some basic knowledge of firearms use. I don't see why the taxpayer should be expected to pay for the education required for you to CC safely and effectively. This bill lets you choose how to carry, or choose not to carry. I was just making fun of Richardson's 2 liner self-contradiction. This bill lets you choose how to carry, or choose not to carry.I was just making fun of Richardson's 2 liner self-contradiction. Nothing I write is unlicensed medical or legal advice. Do your own research, and challenge me if something I write seems wrong. That makes the discussion better. Seek licensed professionals for professional advice. Be choosy. Vet them too. Ask them questions when they seem full of sh*t. (This post was last modified: 05-08-2018 10:46 PM by Luvapottamus .) Spiddy Registered User User ID: 1337 05-08-2018 10:46 PM Posts: 18,164 Post: #8 RE: Constitutional Carry Passed Oklahoma Luvapottamus Wrote: (05-08-2018 10:43 PM) Here's another Okie Republican dumbass interpretation of the constitution(and bible for that matter): Ten Commandments: 'Historical documents' bill gets legislative approval, goes to governor From Staff Reports May 3, 2018 Quote: Shortly before the House of Representatives adjourned the 2018 regular session Thursday, representatives passed a bill that would allow monuments or replicas of the Ten Commandments to be displayed along with other historical documents by cities, counties, schools or other political subdivisions. House Bill 2177, by Rep. John Bennett, R-Sallisaw, passed the Oklahoma Senate on April 26. http://www.tulsaworld.com/news/capitol_r...b9103.html The Oklahoma Supreme Court made them remove it last time. Before the ruling the Church of Satan planned to erect this one: Not a satanist, but I'll throw them a bone: Publish the REST of Exodus next to your graven images. The bestiality verses. How many of the ten has your current President violated? How many of the ten has your current President violated? As democracy is perfected, the office of president represents, more and more closely, the inner soul of the people. On some great and glorious day the plain folks of the land will reach their heart's desire at last and the White House will be adorned by a downright moron. H.L. Mencken 1920. Luvapottamus Registered User User ID: 1337 05-08-2018 10:54 PM Posts: 32,376 Post: #9 RE: Constitutional Carry Passed Oklahoma Spiddy Wrote: (05-08-2018 10:46 PM) Luvapottamus Wrote: (05-08-2018 10:43 PM) Here's another Okie Republican dumbass interpretation of the constitution(and bible for that matter): Ten Commandments: 'Historical documents' bill gets legislative approval, goes to governor From Staff Reports May 3, 2018 http://www.tulsaworld.com/news/capitol_r...b9103.html The Oklahoma Supreme Court made them remove it last time. Before the ruling the Church of Satan planned to erect this one: Not a satanist, but I'll throw them a bone: Publish the REST of Exodus next to your graven images. The bestiality verses. How many of the ten has your current President violated? Those in glass houses..... I'm not going there. Those in glass houses.....I'm not going there. Nothing I write is unlicensed medical or legal advice. Do your own research, and challenge me if something I write seems wrong. That makes the discussion better. Seek licensed professionals for professional advice. Be choosy. Vet them too. Ask them questions when they seem full of sh*t. Username: Password: or Register Thread Rating: 0 Vote(s) - 0 Average 1 2 3 4 5 Hezbollah Wins Election in Lebanon - Showdown With Israel Imminent? TicklePickle Registered User User ID: kaput 05-08-2018 11:16 PM Posts: 1,352 Post: #1 Hezbollah Wins Election in Lebanon - Showdown With Israel Imminent? Advertisement BEIRUT Lebanons Hezbollah paramilitary movement emerged Monday as the main victor in the countrys first election in almost a decade, securing veto power in the Lebanese parliament as the prime ministers fortunes fell. https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/mid...311d1c5994 With Hezbollah gaining more power in Lebanon, neighboring Israel definitely won't be too happy. This might be why the Israelis launched attacks on bases in Syria, in addition to Trump cancelling the Iran deal. I should also mention that the last time Israel came into conflict with Lebanon, Israel was defeated and had to withdraw. Here's a bit of important news most of us probably missed:With Hezbollah gaining more power in Lebanon, neighboring Israel definitely won't be too happy.This might be why the Israelis launched attacks on bases in Syria, in addition to Trump cancelling the Iran deal.I should also mention that the last time Israel came into conflict with Lebanon, Israel was defeated and had to withdraw. (This post was last modified: 05-08-2018 11:19 PM by TicklePickle .) Spiddy Registered User User ID: 1337 05-08-2018 11:21 PM Posts: 18,164 Post: #2 RE: Hezbollah Wins Election in Lebanon - Showdown With Israel Imminent? If Hezbollah want a piece of Israel they're gonna have to go through America and it's right wing christian zionist Muslim hating population first. You really think they're up for that? As democracy is perfected, the office of president represents, more and more closely, the inner soul of the people. On some great and glorious day the plain folks of the land will reach their heart's desire at last and the White House will be adorned by a downright moron. H.L. Mencken 1920. TicklePickle Registered User User ID: 1337 05-08-2018 11:27 PM Posts: 1,352 Post: #3 RE: Hezbollah Wins Election in Lebanon - Showdown With Israel Imminent? Spiddy Wrote: (05-08-2018 11:21 PM) If Hezbollah want a piece of Israel they're gonna have to go through America and it's right wing christian zionist Muslim hating population first. You really think they're up for that? It's always the other way around, e.g. Israel trying to start conflicts with neighboring countries. The last time Israel invaded Lebanon, dozens of their tanks got knocked out and they had to withdraw. It's always the other way around, e.g. Israel trying to start conflicts with neighboring countries.The last time Israel invaded Lebanon, dozens of their tanks got knocked out and they had to withdraw. LoP Guest lop guest User ID: 1337 05-08-2018 11:52 PM Post: #4 RE: Hezbollah Wins Election in Lebanon - Showdown With Israel Imminent? https://i.imgur.com/JtczWI4.jpg Israels treachery and skullduggery. LoP Guest lop guest User ID: 1337 05-09-2018 12:16 AM Post: #5 RE: Hezbollah Wins Election in Lebanon - Showdown With Israel Imminent? TicklePickle Wrote: (05-08-2018 11:16 PM) Here's a bit of important news most of us probably missed: BEIRUT Lebanons Hezbollah paramilitary movement emerged Monday as the main victor in the countrys first election in almost a decade, securing veto power in the Lebanese parliament as the prime ministers fortunes fell. https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/mid...311d1c5994 With Hezbollah gaining more power in Lebanon, neighboring Israel definitely won't be too happy. This might be why the Israelis launched attacks on bases in Syria, in addition to Trump cancelling the Iran deal. I should also mention that the last time Israel came into conflict with Lebanon, Israel was defeated and had to withdraw. it really was pathetic. Israel ran out of fuel and ammo after 2 days and had to appeal to the US for more welfare. They weren't able to invade on the ground and so they were limited to an air campaign targeting civilian infrastructure. it really was pathetic. Israel ran out of fuel and ammo after 2 days and had to appeal to the US for more welfare.They weren't able to invade on the ground and so they were limited to an air campaign targeting civilian infrastructure. LoP Guest lop guest User ID: 1337 05-09-2018 12:17 AM Post: #6 RE: Hezbollah Wins Election in Lebanon - Showdown With Israel Imminent? Spiddy Wrote: (05-08-2018 11:21 PM) If Hezbollah want a piece of Israel they're gonna have to go through America and it's right wing christian zionist Muslim hating population first. You really think they're up for that? NOBODY in the US wants this war. NOBODY. well ten neocons and Hillary. NOBODY in the US wants this war. NOBODY.well ten neocons and Hillary. Would you like to know how many people have read this article? Or how reputable the author is? Simply sign up for a Advocate premium membership and you'll automatically see this data on every article. Plus a lot more, too. From Paul Craig Roberts Website We can now dismiss all hope that Trump's campaign promises to pull out of Syria, normalize relations with Russia and stop the offshoring of American jobs will ever become US policies. By dishonoring the US government's word and pulling out of the Iran nuclear non-proliferation agreement, an agreement signed by the US, UK, France, Germany, Russia, China, and Iran, President Trump has revealed that his regime is totally in the hands of the Zionist warmongers. It was already evident, but America's renewal alone in the world of the fabricated conflict with Iran is proof that US foreign policy is in the hands of Israel. All you have to do is to watch Nikki Haley, US Ambassador to the UN, groveling at the feet of AIPEC, to watch US Secretary of State Pompeo groveling at the feet of Netanyahu, to see the glee all over the face of neoconservative Israeli agent John Bolton, the National Security Adviser to the President of the United States, from his realization that his conflict agenda with Iran has prevailed. Indeed the entire Trump regime are such dedicated grovelers at Israel's feet that the Trump regime comes across as a barbaric tribe groveling before the King of Kings. Washington's major European vassals said that they will stick to the agreement. We will see if they can withstand the pressures and the sums of money that will be thrown at them to change their minds. This means a new test for Russia. Can the Russian government stand the destabilization of Iran any more than it can the destabilization of Syria? Can Russia again muster the determination to protect her southern flank? One wonders if Trump's ill-considered decision has finally taught Putin, Lavrov and the Atlanticist Integrationists who have for so long resisted reality that the agreements that they so desperately want to make with Washington are completely worthless before they even make them. Will Russia finally wake up and stop inviting more dangerous situations by her extraordinary indecisiveness? If Putin doesn't put his foot down, he is going to get us all killed. Would you like to know how many people have read this article? Or how reputable the author is? Simply sign up for a Advocate premium membership and you'll automatically see this data on every article. Plus a lot more, too. From Alon Ben-Meir Website (Image by Artwork by Michael Anderson and Sam Ben-Meir) Details DMCA The decertification of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) by Trump is most unfortunate. It seems that Trump was not swayed by either France's President Macron or Germany's Chancellor Merkel to preserve the deal. Instead, he appears to have taken Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu's advice to decertify the deal, even though Iran continues to fully adhere to all of its provisions. It is dangerous that neither Trump nor Netanyahu appears to fully grasp the dire regional and international implications of the unilateral decertification of the deal by the US. In January, Trump gave Britain, France, and Germany an unrealistic deadline -- May 12 -- to fix what he considers the deal's defects, including the sunset clauses under which some of the terms expire, Iran's ballistic missiles program (which was not part of the deal), and the monitoring of suspected Iranian nuclear sites. This was mission impossible without the support of Russia and China, not to speak of the short period of time. Netanyahu's public stunt, displaying thousands of documents to provide further proof that Iran has been conducting a secret nuclear weapons program, is not new. His claim that the Iran deal was based on information that was not known before does not justify the decertification of the deal, especially because Iran has been fully adhering to all the provisions of the deal. The fact that Iran was pursuing a nuclear weapons program was the main reason behind President Obama's effort to strike the deal. As EU foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini said in Brussels, "the deal was put in place exactly because there was no trust between the parties..." Secretary of Defense Mattis echoed precisely the same sentiment, adding that "the verification [procedure]... is actually pretty robust as far as our intrusive ability to get in." The deal is certainly far from perfect, but withdrawing from it and starting from scratch may be impossible, especially in light of Iran's vehement refusal to modify the deal, as was expressed by Foreign Minister Zarif: "we will neither outsource our security nor will we renegotiate or add onto a deal we have already implemented in good faith." The decertification of the deal will force Iran to choose one of two options. The first is to exploit the division between the US and the other signatories. In this case, Tehran could continue to adhere to the provisions of the deal, even though Iran will still suffer from unilateral (but not as severe) American sanctions. Under US law, Trump must wait at least 180 days before imposing their most severe consequences, which includes targeting banks of countries that fail to appreciably cut their oil purchases from Iran. The second option for Iran is to withdraw from the deal altogether, restart its nuclear weapons program, and potentially even withdraw from the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) to prevent the monitoring of its nuclear program by the IAEA, which is the worst thing for Israel and other American allies in the region. The severe disadvantages of decertification First, most observers agree that Iran would resume its nuclear weapons program, which could quickly lead to the proliferation of nuclear weapons in the Middle East. This would also increase regional tension and a growing sense of insecurity by other countries in the area, which is a recipe for sparking new and further intensifying current violent conflicts. Second, given the intense enmity between Israel and Iran, the Israeli government might well decide to preemptively attack Iran's nuclear facilities before Tehran reaches the breakout point. This would more than likely lead to an Iranian-Israeli war and pull other countries, including the US, into the fray, which could have dreadful consequences throughout the Middle East. Third, such development would also deepen Iran's resolve to further entrench itself in Syria, which is precisely what Israel wants to avoid. This too will prompt Israel, as it has done in the past, to attack Iranian military installations in Syria, which could also escalate into a regional conflagration. Fourth, Iran will have every reason to accelerate its ballistic missile program, which poses a greater danger not only to Israel but to the US' allies throughout the region. In addition, Iran will have further incentive to increase its financial support of extremist groups to destabilize the region, which it has and will continue to exploit. Fifth, the unilateral withdrawal from the deal by the US will undoubtedly create a schism with the US' allies as well as Russia and China and could foreclose any opening to modify the deal, which Trump failed to consider. Finally, the US' credibility will be seriously tarnished with both friends and nemeses, especially at this juncture when the US is preparing to work out a deal on denuclearization with North Korea's Chairman Kim Jong Un, who would be given a legitimate reason to doubt any American commitment to adhere to future agreements. Next Page 1 | 2 (Note: You can view every article as one long page if you sign up as an Advocate Member, or higher). Would you like to know how many people have read this article? Or how reputable the author is? Simply sign up for a Advocate premium membership and you'll automatically see this data on every article. Plus a lot more, too. From Smirking Chimp By Kevin Zeese and Margaret Flowers Karl Marx (Image by pixabay.com) Details DMCA In 1888, Marx wrote, "philosophers have only interpreted the world, in various ways; the point, however, is to change it." On this 200th anniversary of the birth of Karl Marx we focus on Marx as a political activist, rather than what he is best known for, an economist and philosopher who wrote some of the most important analyses explaining capitalism and putting forward an alternative economic model. In the Communist Manifesto, Marx wrote, "The history of all previous societies has been the history of class struggles." He believed political change stems from the history of conflicts between people who are exploited against the people who are exploiting them. This exploitation leads to conflict and revolt. Marx posited revolution as "the driving force of history." The root of the political struggle for Marx was the economic system creating a struggle between classes. This conflict has varied throughout history; e.g., the serfs vs. the lords in the Feudal Era, the slaves vs. their owners in the era of slavery, and today between workers and their bosses or capitalists. Marx Was a Political Activist Working to Change the World In an interview with Immanuel Wallerstein, Marcello Musto described Marx's political activism, noting: "For all his life, Marx was not merely a scholar isolated among the books of London's British Museum, but always a militant revolutionary involved in the struggles of his epoch. Due to his activism, he was expelled from France, Belgium and Germany in his youth. He was also forced to go into exile in England when the revolutions of 1848 were defeated. He promoted newspapers and journals and always supported labor movements in all the ways he could. Later, from 1864 to 1872, he became the leader of the International Working Men's Association, the first transnational organization of the working class and, in 1871, defended the Paris Commune, the first socialist experiment in history." Wallerstein adds that Marx played a major role in organizing people on an international level and that "Marx's political activity also involved journalism". He worked as a journalist to get an income, but he saw his contributions as a political activity. He had not any sense of being a neutral. He was always a committed journalist." At 24 years of age, Marx was writing fiery articles opposing Prussian authoritarianism. The newspaper he edited was closed in 1842 by the government, he was exiled and moved to Paris from where he was expelled in 1844. In 1848, Marx and Engels published the Communist Manifesto. "The Manifesto" was written as a declaration of the principles of socialism for the Communist League in Brussels. It remains a statement of the core principles of socialism to this day. At 45 years of age, Marx was elected to the general council of the first International where he was active in organizing the International's annual congresses. Marx's vision of socialism had nothing in common with one-party dictatorships like the former Soviet Union that declared themselves to be socialist or communist. For Marx, the key question was not whether the economy was controlled by the state, but which class controlled the state. A society can only be socialist if power is in the hands of workers themselves. Our Tasks: Expose Inequality, Create New Economic Systems Marx's critique of capitalism focuses on how it inevitably leads to concentration of wealth. Marxism was seen as extinct after the Reagan-Thatcher eras and the end of the Soviet Union. But, now after nearly 40 years of neoliberalism, the inequality of deregulated global capitalism has made the occupy meme of the 99 percent versus the one percent a factual reality. Next Page 1 | 2 (Note: You can view every article as one long page if you sign up as an Advocate Member, or higher). Would you like to know how many people have read this article? Or how reputable the author is? Simply sign up for a Advocate premium membership and you'll automatically see this data on every article. Plus a lot more, too. From Consortium News Hallacy: 'Unlike any refugee camp I've ever seen.' (Image by (Equality Myanmar)) Details DMCA The English-language Bangkok Post reported on May 5 that the Rohingya will be safe in Myanmar, according to the military there, as long as they stay confined to the camps being set up for them. Myanmar's current commander-in-chief of the Armed Forces, Senior General Min Aung Hlaing, told a visiting delegation from the UN Security Council "there is no need to be worried about their security if they stay in the areas designated for them." But then General Min referred to the Rohingya as "Bengalis," perpetuating the belief -- and antagonism against them inside Myanmar -- that the Rohingya are foreigners to the country, who are lying and exaggerating their suffering to get sympathy from the rest of the world. "Bengalis will never say that they arrive there happily. They will get sympathy and rights only if they say that they face a lot of hardships and persecution," he said. For its part, the UN says the refugee camps in Myanmar, referred to by the general, are not fit or safe for the arrival of hundreds of thousands of Rohingya, who have already suffered from the worst kinds of brutality imaginable, including the burning down of entire villages, mass rape and murder. In fact, it is common knowledge that the suffering and outright persecution of the Rohingya and other minorities has gone non-stop for decades. On May 3, I caught up with noted filmmaker and human rights activist, Jeanne Hallacy, just back from Myanmar and the massive camps in neighboring Bangladesh. Hallacy has worked in the region for many years, and her films have documented the suffering of various minorities in Burma over several decades. She was on her way to a seminar on the situation in Myanmar, and to preview her new short film that documents how the military in Myanmar have been using rape as a tool of war. She was extremely concerned that the sprawling refugee camps now face the added dangers of a cholera epidemic and the yearly flooding that results from the monsoon rains. AP reported on May 2: "The Rohingya refugees have escaped soldiers and gunfire. They have escaped mobs that stormed through their villages, killing and raping and burning. They have fled Myanmar, their homeland, to find shelter in sprawling refugee camps in neighboring Bangladesh. Now there's a new danger: rain. The annual monsoon will soon sweep through the immense camps where some 700,000 Rohingya Muslims have lived since last year...The clusters of bamboo and plastic huts, built along endless waves of steep hills, are now facing a deluge that, in an average year, dumps anywhere from 40 to 60 centimeters (16 to 24 inches) of rain per month." Hallacy was joined in the interview by student human rights activist, Miu, who is working with human rights groups at UC Berkeley to demonstrate the role that social media -- Facebook in particular -- has been helping to facilitate the suffering and mass rape that has been a part of the ethnic cleansing of the Rohingya from Myanmar. Dennis Bernstein: Those who have fled Myanmar continue to face a horrific situation in exile. The folks back in Myanmar say they are welcome to come back but the actions do not support the words. Please give us an update, both in terms of what is happening in exile and what is happening in the country. Later we will talk about the consistent use of rape by the Burmese military as a tool of war. We are also going to talk about how Facebook is fueling these kinds of slaughters. But please take a moment to give us an update on the situation on the ground. Jeanne Hallacy: The situation of the Rohingya is one of the most serious refugee crises in the world. When we last met, I hadn't yet gone to the camps. This mass exodus has now seen a million Rohingya flee from Burma to the camps in Bangladesh. I have been doing this kind of work for many decades, but when I stood on the precipice of this camp and saw as far as the eye could see the incredible squalor of thousands and thousands of people crammed into this small place, it just took my breath away. It wasn't just the scale, it was the fact that when you walked around the camp, all of the adults had this deep sense of suffering and trauma because they had experienced such heinous human rights abuses before they fled. It was unlike any refugee camp I have ever seen in my work as a journalist. DB: Would you share with us some of the stories that stay with you, so we can keep a human face on this? JH: We have decided to focus on one of the human rights abuses that we know have been documented by the Burmese Army clearance operations that took place in August of last year after a group of self-described Rohingya militants attacked 30 Burmese border posts. The gravity of the response was completely out of proportion to the attacks. This is what led to this massive exodus which, according to UN officials, was one of the largest exoduses of people that they have ever seen. Human Rights Watch has satellite footage which shows the complete destruction of over 350 villages that were razed to the ground. Women were forced to stand in the river as their children were ripped from their arms and killed in front of them. Girls as young as seven years old were survivors of sexual violence, some of whom were killed afterwards. People were arbitrarily detained and killed. Unimaginable human rights abuses were carried out by the Burmese, leading to this exodus. Next Page 1 | 2 | 3 (Note: You can view every article as one long page if you sign up as an Advocate Member, or higher). Would you like to know how many people have read this article? Or how reputable the author is? Simply sign up for a Advocate premium membership and you'll automatically see this data on every article. Plus a lot more, too. The journey to redemption is long and often tempest-tossed. But the American Psychological Association (APA) took another noteworthy step last week when CEO Arthur Evans Jr. sent a letter to the Senate Intelligence Committee, expressing concern over President Trump's nomination of Gina Haspel as director of the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA). Amid heated debate over whether Haspel is qualified or appropriate for the position, the public record is clear on two points: She was directly involved in the CIA's black-site torture of war-on-terror detainees, as well as the subsequent destruction of videotaped evidence of that abuse. APA's opposition to Haspel is consistent with its stated mission of advancing psychology to benefit society, improve people's lives, and promote human rights. Dozens of other organizations with similar commitments--including the Center for Victims of Torture, the Coalition for an Ethical Psychology, Physicians for Human Rights, Psychologists for Social Responsibility, and Torture Abolition and Survivors Support International--have also weighed in strongly against the Haspel nomination. For health professionals, this stance reflects a shared understanding: Torture is a barbaric assault on human dignity, and it is therefore intrinsically and profoundly psychological. For survivors, the demons of deep psychic wounds continue without end. Overwhelming feelings of helplessness, brokenness, and disconnection from other people are the direct result of having been subjected to agonizing abuse and humiliation at the hands of another human being. Haunting flashbacks and nightmares are abiding reminders that safety and solace are exceedingly difficult if not impossible to attain. But the APA's rejection of Haspel as CIA director speaks even louder given the association's past failure to stand as a bulwark against the kind of abusive detainee treatment she oversaw. In the immediate aftermath of the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, Vice President Dick Cheney told the nation that the Bush Administration would work "the dark side," spend time "in the shadows," use "any means at our disposal," and make certain that "we have not tied the hands of our intelligence communities." APA's leaders responded by reaching out directly to the Department of Defense (DoD) and the CIA, explicitly "offering psychologists' expertise to decision-makers" in these and other related agencies. That began a years-long, ill-conceived odyssey for the APA. Those at the helm repeatedly steered the organization into perilous and turbulent waters, eschewing the safe harbor and terra firma of the profession's bedrock do-no-harm ethics. They did so to ensure that psychologists would always be essential participants in the government's burgeoning detention and interrogation operations. Despite facile, reassuring claims that these operations were "safe, legal, ethical, and effective," they were brutal and ruthless. One APA member, James Mitchell, designed and implemented the CIA's gruesome torture techniques. Other APA members were stationed at Guantanamo Bay, where DoD torture and abuse took place. The APA's misguided choices, over more than a decade, have been chronicled in numerous statements, articles, and detailed reviews--and most extensively in the 2015 Hoffman Report. Following that report, the association's governing council overwhelmingly approved a resolution that banned psychologists from involvement in national security interrogations and affirmed that psychologists present at Guantanamo and similar international sites are in violation of APA policy unless they are working directly on behalf of the detainees or providing treatment to military personnel. This redemptive course correction has been buffeted by headwinds from a faction of psychologists--including some members of the military intelligence establishment--who have aligned themselves with those implicated in the institutional betrayal that characterized APA's troubled past. Their efforts aimed at turning back the clock have included lawsuits, ethics complaints, and proposals to reverse the recent reforms and remove the Hoffman Report from the APA's website. Even more extreme, some of these critics argue that the APA has become "a willing co-conspirator to the likes of al Qaeda and ISIS." In key ways, then, the APA's opposition to Gina Haspel's nomination is important symbolically even if its immediate practical impact proves limited. It comes at a fraught time when forces both within and beyond the association are moving to advance regressive policy prescriptions that are likely to endanger the cause of human rights and respect for human dignity. That is more than reason enough to applaud this action, while at the same time remaining vigilant about darkening clouds that may yet again threaten APA in the months ahead. ### Roy Eidelson is a member of the Coalition for an Ethical Psychology and a past president of Psychologists for Social Responsibility. He is the author of the new book POLITICAL MIND GAMES: How the 1% Manipulate Our Understanding of What's Happening, What's Right, and What's Possible. Clowning Around With The Nobel Peace Prize (Image by Reverend Dan) Details DMCA These are indeed bizarre and confusing times: a president reacts to a foreign dictator's aggressive posturing with name-calling and trite "fire and fury" threats. The dictator makes overtures for peace with its neighboring country with which it's been embroiled in hostilities for decades. That country rejoices and calls for the "fire and fury" president to receive the Nobel Peace Prize, to which the "fire and fury" president's political party and supporters see a chance to bestow a dignity on him that he has never owned. Restraint. Dignity. Integrity. Diplomacy. These words seem never to have been in Donald Trump's lexicon. He has not the thinnest veneer of sophistication. It would be elevating his social status to call him a petty bourgeois. That this man is being linked to receiving a Nobel Prize for his bluster could be the most ironic insult to the memory of Alfred Nobel, the explosive and armaments inventor who sought to create a legacy of peace and learning: the braggart playing loose with the nuclear codes and quick to retaliate in a world crisis is now lauded as the world's peacemaker and penultimate diplomat. The mere mention of a Peace Prize created a WTF gasp throughout the world. What Trump's ardent supporters fail to realize is that true diplomacy takes time, effort and intelligence, specifically with knowledge of the cultural mindsets involved. President Donald Trump thinks such diplomacy is ridiculous when all you have to do is to rattle your saber louder. In other words, coarse, hyperbolic bullshit trumps diplomacy (pun intended). It's George Bush's "cowboy diplomacy" with even less finesse, if that's possible.* An Uphill Battle From the start of his presidency, people have had to twist themselves into knots explaining away Trump's lack of dignity. "Refreshing" was a word that was often used, but with little effect. Crude humor can be "refreshing" when countering tragedy, but only for a while, until reality comes back into play and people become more disgusted than amused. The nominating letter from congressmen was written in ridiculously glowing terms: " We can think of no one more deserving of the Committee's recognition in 2019 than President Trump for his tireless work to bring peace to our world." Yes, I really am working very very hard (Image by Reverend Dan) Details DMCA Much like Reince Priebus and the brazenly sycophantic televised cabinet meeting, congressmen hoping to survive the mid-term elections are heaping praise on a dubious personality. Overcoming the Onslaught of the Undignified Donald Trump's tenure as President has been plagued with more scandals, improprieties, crude gestures and irrational behavior than any other President in America's history: - In the first year of his Presidency, over 2000 lies and misleading statments have been revealed. - Over 2 million people in Great Britain signed a petition to keep Trump from a state visit because they felt he would embarrass the queen. - He constantly contradicts himself, changes course, and shows signs of being unstable in decision-making. So why are Trump supporters so eager to attach the Nobel Prize to him? Vindication. Trump's core supporters have been dropping, especially since the attack on Syria. Pundits like Ann Coulter and conspiracy theorist Alex Jones did not conceal their disappointment and rage against a man who, by putting "America First", promised to feed their xenophobia. What's left may be looked upon as a group that hangs on to Trump by a mere thread of loyalty for no other reason than they hope he will some day seem "presidential" to America and the rest of the world. They shouldn't hold their breath. "A very wise thing to simulate madness". That phrase was coined by Machiavelli. It could be a very apt strategy for Trump in North Korea - if he knew what he was doing. The strategy goes like this: Joe Hildebrand (News.com.au) " ...the 'madman theory', a geopolitical strategy that is literally so crazy it just might work. Basically, the idea is to let your enemies to think that you are so irrational, so unhinged, that you are capable of any act, no matter how destructive. The term was coined by Richard Nixon during the Vietnam War and the concept dates back to Machiavelli, who observed in 1517, it could be "a very wise thing to simulate madness". It's very possible, therefore, that Kim Jong-un was jolted by Trump simply because he is like Trump: erratic and capricious; capable of doing anything. "It's the sanctions, stupid!" So if Trump's cowboy diplomacy didn't shake Kim Jong-Un, who and what did? One strong theory is that the sanctions brought on North Korea have crippled its economy to the point of saying "uncle." South China Morning Post: And much of the credit for the delicate sanctions diplomacy that kept China and Russia on board goes to Nikki Haley, the American ambassador to the UN. Also, the much-derided former secretary of state Rex Tillerson had a key role to play. China especially was persuaded once Tillerson articulated "the four no's", meaning that the US was not seeking regime change in Pyongyang, no collapse of the North Korean state, no premature reunification with the South and no American military attack. There you have it: two people far more worthy than Trump to receive the Peace Prize by utilizing diplomacy rather than cheap bluster. The Task of Dignifying Trump Will Trump ever prove to be "presidential"? Will he ever exhibit restraint? Will he ever cease to be an embarrassment on the world stage? While his core doesn't mind his crude antics because they think that (with North Korea at least) he gets results, he's actually riding on the coattails of people like Haley and Tillerson. No, Donald Trump will not change simply because he sees no reason to change. He's perfect. And the world will continue to laugh at him and the supporters who try vainly to bestow dignity upon him. *It was maintained that Bush knew nothing about the countries he visited and thought that keeping "America! Freedom! Democracy!" as a public mantra was the only thing needed for diplomacy. He was, in fact, considered by some to be the world's greatest diplomatic dimwit. Trump, on the other hand, is a more dangerous buffoon. (Article changed on May 8, 2018 at 20:49) Would you like to know how many people have read this article? Or how reputable the author is? Simply sign up for a Advocate premium membership and you'll automatically see this data on every article. Plus a lot more, too. From youtube.com: Trump pulls out of Iran nuclear deal full speech U.S. President Donald Trump announces the U.S. withdrawal from Iran nuclear deal which he is called 'defective at its core.' Read more (Image by YouTube, Channel: CBC News) Details DMCA President Trump speech announcing US withdrawal from Iran nuclear deal, May 8,2018 A few minutes ago President Trump, in all his infinite wisdom-not-pulled the US out of the P5&1 multinational nuclear deal with Iran. Not that this was unexpected. He's been threatening to do it even before he was elected. Now there's no sense in listing all the reasons he gave for reneging on the deal because they're all bogus. And why is that so? Because the IAEA nuclear inspectors as an integral part of the agreement-the most stringent inspections ever placed on any nation-have certified multiple times since the deal was agreed to in 2015 Iran has been in full compliance with ALL terms of the agreement. Every complaint Trump spoke of falls outside the parameters of the deal the US agreed to. French President Emanuel Macron visiting the White House a couple of weeks ago tried to persuade the "Donald" to keep the US from reneging. German Chancellor Angela Merkel did the same. Even British Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson tried as well. All to no avail. Of course Russia and China fully support the deal with Iran. All the other signees to the deal with Iran particularly in Europe see it as an economic benefit to all concerned. With sanctions lifted on Iran European companies see trade as a boon to them and the economy of their countries. Not that the US was making things easier for European companies to have contracts with Iranian interests. The US has threatened European companies with sanctions if they pursued trade with Iran though some trade normalization has begun. Now with Trump reneging on the deal he is going to reinstate all the sanctions previously waived on Iran and impose new sanctions. Of course it's still possible all the other signees to the Iran deal could continue normal economic and trade relations with Iran. For the Europeans it would be to their economic detriment if they knuckle under US pressure and deal harshly with Iran. As for Iran it has said under no circumstances will it renegotiate a new deal. They are in full compliance. It is the US that is the obstacle and the rest of the world knows it. Only Israel and Saudi Arabia, both obsessive in their hatred of Iran wanted Trump to scuttle the nuclear deal. Interestingly Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is to meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow tomorrow. We'll have to wait and see the outcome of that meeting. Now is Bibi there to give assurances to Putin no Russian military personnel will come under fire in Syria? Just the Iranians and Hezbollah. But with Russia a close military ally of Iran and Hezbollah in Syria, all legally there at the request of Syrian President Bashar Assad, it's hard to imagine Putin giving a pass to Netanyahu's IDF- Israeli Defense Force-continuing to fire missiles into Syria killing Iranian military personnel or Hezbollah militia. Though Russia has supplied Assad with the S-300 ABM missile system it obviously doesn't protect every area of the country including where the Iranian military or Hezbollah is located. Now with Trump reneging on the Iran deal how will this affect his meeting with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un later this month or early June? Kim has made known he is ready to forego his nuclear arsenal as part of a final peace treaty ending the Korean war along with the US formally agreeing it will not attack North Korea. But if the US can't be trusted in its formal agreement with Iran why should Kim believe the US wouldn't renege on an agreement with him? Trump reneging on the Iran nuclear deal is going to bring unpredictable consequences to the world, none of which are positive. The American people need to be protesting and demonstrating in front of the White House demanding of Trump no war with Iran, North Korea and withdraw from Syria. If they don't show the gumption to reign in Trump and his neo-con crazies who will? Would you like to know how many people have read this article? Or how reputable the author is? Simply sign up for a Advocate premium membership and you'll automatically see this data on every article. Plus a lot more, too. According to the Military Times , on the 1st of April Romanian police had taken into custody seven US servicemen from US Naval Support Facility Deveselu after their violent street fight near a nightclub in the town of Craiova, where the group partied Saturday night. The US Marines consumed alcoholic drinks in the club and left without paying their bill. The club's guards reportedly caught up with them and a brawl ensued. Is that the US Marines' mission? Are they supposed to protect civilians in Europe or brawl? U.S. troops in the Baltic states The Baltic states have sounded alarms about Russia activity in Eastern Europe for several months. The Lithuanian president said she wanted an ongoing US troop presence in her country in light of increased Russian activity in the region. Raimundas Karoblis, Lithuania's defence minister, criticized NATO's reaction speed in the past and recently echoed the president's remarks. "The presence of Americans is a multiplying factor for deterrence," he told The Journal. "With Americans here it is a game changer." The Baltic states, Poland, Romania and Bulgaria are hosting soldiers from across NATO's 28 member states, with more than 7,000 troops deployed in countries bordering Russia. Russia has accused the U.S. of violating the "Founding Act on Mutual Relations, Cooperation and Security between NATO and the Russian Federation" after the Pentagon deployed a new force in the tense Baltic region. It's the latest of several Western moves seen as provocations by Russia, which has vowed to respond. Retired Lt. Gen. Ben Hodges, former commander of U.S. Army Europe (USAREUR), said in Vilnius that rotational American troops should be returned to the Baltic states. According to Hodges, following the stationing of NATO land forces battalions in Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania, the U.S. could contribute by sending logistics and air defense units to the Baltics. Foreign soldiers in Lithuania know what to do. In October 2017 drunken German soldiers from the NATO mission staged a brawl in the bar of the Lithuanian Rukla, after which one soldier required hospitalization. It was reported by Spiegel. Also in February in the Lithuanian Klaipeda five drunk and aggressive Czech soldiers was detained. According to the police report, police arrived on call to the night club where there were rowdy, drunken soldiers. To pacify foreign military police had to use stun guns. Lithuanian locals wait for US Marines deployment. Would you like to know how many people have read this article? Or how reputable the author is? Simply sign up for a Advocate premium membership and you'll automatically see this data on every article. Plus a lot more, too. From Counterpunch If Ida B. Wells had depended on Facebook, would we ever have had a National Lynching Memorial? Two stories collided in my head this week. One of which was the opening of the National Memorial for Peace and Justice in Montgomery, Alabama -- this country's first major effort to confront the vast scope of the racial-terror lynchings that ravaged the Black community under a pervasive, prevailing culture of white supremacy. It is the first because, until now, that same majority culture of white supremacy hasn't wanted to look. At the memorial, a special place is set aside for Ida B. Wells, the crusading journalist who forced Americans to pay attention to these murders. Over a lifetime made shorter by repeated attacks, she documented and publicized the killings, collecting names, dates and descriptions. She wrote editorials for various newspapers, but her longest running outlet was her own, the Memphis Free Speech and Headlight, which she edited and published until it was burned to the ground by her critics. And this is where the opening of the memorial intersects with another important story from this week. Would Wells's Free Speech ever have made it into my news feed on Facebook? I doubt it, because Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg announced May 1 in a meeting with media executives that his company had started ranking news organizations by trust. News sources that score higher will be promoted, while those with lower scores will be suppressed. As he put it, "You're not going to be able to bridge common ground in society if people don't have a common set of facts." To determine trustworthiness, the company plans to survey its two billion users about the sources with which they're most familiar and best recognize. However, by that standard, we'd never have had Tom Paine, Ida Tarbell or Ida B. Wells. We'd never have had a revolution, broken up the robber-baron monopoly corporations, or heard enough about the lynchings to have anything resembling a memorial -- or even, probably, to make them stop. We'd certainly have gone off misinformed into a misbegotten set of wars without end against nameless, nationless wrong-doers called terrorists... You get my point. From Paine to Wells, it has always been media at the margins -- not the center -- that has brought critical issues to a boil so that bigger, "recognized" media could inhale the steam. American democracy has not advanced thanks to the mainstream media, but rather thanks to reporters on a mission and with the means to tell the uncomfortable, unfamiliar, uncommon truth. After Ida B. Wells published a column on May 21, 1892 denouncing "the old threadbare lie" that lynching was used to "protect white womanhood," a white mob marched to her office in Memphis, destroyed her presses and left a warning that they would kill her if she tried to publish her newspaper again. That lie was the most heard, most accepted, most familiar, trusted, conventional, common fact. It has taken the nation a century to wise up. If we want to preserve American democracy, we should learn from the past. We don't have that long, and we have no reason to repeat history. Next Page 1 | 2 (Note: You can view every article as one long page if you sign up as an Advocate Member, or higher). Progressive Content Not Found Sometimes, authors delete their progressive content after publishing. To see if the progressive content was renamed or re-published, please click here. Would you like to know how many people have read this article? Or how reputable the author is? Simply sign up for a Advocate premium membership and you'll automatically see this data on every article. Plus a lot more, too. US president Donald Trump should never have nominated Gina Haspel to head the Central Intelligence Agency. When Haspel offered to withdraw her name from consideration, as the Washington Post reports she did during a White House meeting in early May, her offer should have been gratefully accepted. The US Senate should vote against confirming her appointment -- ideally, by a margin of 100-0. Each "yes" vote will darken the stain on America's honor represented by Haspel's career thus far. Gina Haspel doesn't belong at the head of the CIA. She doesn't belong in the CIA at all. Nor does she belong in any other position of government authority. Gina Haspel belongs in prison. As "Chief of Base" at a secret CIA prison in Thailand called "Cat's Eye," Haspel oversaw the torture, including "waterboarding," of Abd al-Rahim al-Nashiri, suspected mastermind of the October 2000 attack on the USS Cole in Yemen. Later, as Chief of Staff to Jose Rodriquez, head of the CIA's National Clandestine Service, Haspel drafted a cable ordering destruction of videotapes documenting the torture of al-Nashiri and of another prisoner, Abu Zubaydah. So far as I can tell, neither of the above claims is disputed by Haspel or by anyone else. Torture is a crime under both US law and international law. And in the form of "waterboarding," it is a crime for which the US executed six Japanese generals after World War 2. United States Code, Title 18 2340A provides for a fine and up to 20 years imprisonment for torture not resulting in death. As for the videotapes, US Code 18 1519 mandates similar punishment for one who "knowingly alters, destroys, mutilates, conceals, covers up, falsifies, or makes a false entry in any record, document, or tangible object with the intent to impede, obstruct, or influence the investigation or proper administration of any matter within the jurisdiction of any department or agency of the United States ..." I can't seem to find the parts of those code sections where the perpetrator is to be promoted to the top position in the Central Intelligence Agency. Maybe Haspel was "small fry." Perhaps she only oversaw torture of one person in one place. Perhaps drafting that cable ordering the evidence destroyed was just a coincidental assignment. But not having caught the bigger fish yet is no excuse for throwing this one back, let alone promoting her to head the very organization under whose auspices she committed her crimes. Would you like to know how many people have read this article? Or how reputable the author is? Simply sign up for a Advocate premium membership and you'll automatically see this data on every article. Plus a lot more, too. Previously published at the Black Commentator, May 3, 2018 Greed and fear exposed themselves without shame and suppressed all tender feeling. We all had to recognize during those weeks that the scales we had used for weighing were no longer accurate. Those nearest to us or those whom we called friends either kept complete silence or evaded their duty with a few shabby words about the hard times that made it impossible for them to help. Hans Erich Nossack, The End: Hamburg 1943 It wasn't whitefolks--that much she could tell--so it must be colored ones. And then she knew. Her friends and neighbors were angry at her because she had overstepped, given too much, offended them by excess. Toni Morrison, Beloved (Baby Suggs) Allied bombs have come and gone, and, in an instant, home in Hamburg disappears. Two people, a man and a woman, crawling from under their makeshift shelter, begin walking in disbelief, in search of their street, their home. Everywhere is the midst and the rubble. At some point, the two people stop and look up "spellbound." In the middle of total chaos, there's a woman cleaning a window of the only house intact. Maybe it's one incidence of "madness," the man thinks, as the couple continue walking. But soon, their nudging each other as they look on--rubble everywhere, but here are children raking the front yard of their home. And then, one afternoon, thinking they have seen it all, the two find themselves in a suburb that has been "completely undestroyed." When the two look up, they see people, on their balconies, drinking coffee! This image, described in the late German novelist Hans Erich Nossack's The End: Hamburg, 1943 of him and his wife coming upon people drinking coffee on their balconies, doesn't escape W.G. Sebald's attention 50 years later. In On the Natural History of Destruction, Sebald recognizes the necessity for a principled witness who, in turn, asks of contemporaries and future generations to imagine a world, visible, one second, and, in the next, all destroyed. Reduced to fragments. Unusable. "Close your eyes." Sebald does, we do, too, because this is what happens to people after we're made no longer able to recognize the rubble around us. We start in this moment, accessing the surroundings, acknowledging in the end, that we, too, have seen people sitting on balconies. And we have seen these people before. Next Page 1 | 2 | 3 (Note: You can view every article as one long page if you sign up as an Advocate Member, or higher). Would you like to know how many people have read this article? Or how reputable the author is? Simply sign up for a Advocate premium membership and you'll automatically see this data on every article. Plus a lot more, too. This past weekend actress and comedian Roseanne Barr was a guest at the Jerusalem Post convention in New York City. In an onstage interview she said, "I hate BDSers." She was referring to the people who work in the Boycott, Divest and Sanctions movement that is attempting to end Israel's illegal and cruel occupation of Palestinian land in the Palestinian West Bank and in Palestinian East Jerusalem. The BDS movement is working to bring this important change through peaceful means. During Barr's interview she made the root cause of the Israeli occupation and its brutal nature evident: Judaism. She did this when she was talking about the Jewish-American actress and producer Natalie Portman. Natalie Portman, who holds dual citizenship in the US and Israel, recently refused to go to Israel to accept the Genesis Prize. The Genesis Prize is considered the Israeli version of the Nobel Prize. The mission statement of genesisprize.org is: "The Genesis Prize honors individuals who have attained excellence and international renown in their chosen professional fields, and who inspire others through their dedication to the Jewish community and Jewish values. The Prize, in the amount of $1 million, is endowed by the Genesis Prize Foundation and awarded annually. Through a worldwide nomination process, the Genesis Prize inspires unity throughout the global Jewish community and the State of Israel by recognizing the many faces and forms of Jewish nationhood in the modern world." Natalie Portman said the reason she refused to go to Israel to accept the Genesis Prize was because she did not want to appear to be supporting Israeli PM Netanyahu, who was going to give a speech at the same event. Netanyahu is a notorious warmonger. When asked how she would convince Natalie Portman and other Jews not to be critical of the Jewish state of Israel, Barr said she would use "Jewish history and Torah." She also said, "I think Judaism is the way." Like Benjamin Netanyahu (Netanyahu holds Hebrew Bible studies), Roseanne Barr believes the Torah (the first five books of the Hebrew Bible/Old Testament) is a factual collection of ancient Jewish religious writings and the Word of God. The ancient Jewish clergymen who wrote the Torah claimed that God gave the Jews a gift of real estate in the Middle East for them to have for their Jewish state of Israel "for ever" (Genesis 13:15 among other places in the Hebrew Bible/Old Testament). Based on this article by Zionist Christian Pat Robertson, the allegedly divine gift of real estate that was to make up the Jewish state of Israel extends into parts of modern-day Iraq, parts of Syria, Lebanon and parts of Egypt. This belief in a Greater Israel based on the Hebrew Bible is a major objective of Israel. It is also openly embraced by US politicians from both parties who never tire of sacrificing American lives, limbs and tax dollars to the Jewish state of Israel for the benefit of their own personal political careers via the Israel lobby. Many US states actually have official resolutions endorsing the Hebrew Bible/Old Testament claim that God gave the Jews the real-estate gift. One example is the state of South Carolina. Its legislative resolution states: "TO COMMEND THE NATION OF ISRAEL FOR ITS RELATIONS WITH THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA AND WITH THE STATE OF SOUTH CAROLINA. Whereas, Israel has been granted her lands under and through the oldest recorded deed as reported in the Old Testament, a tome of scripture held sacred and reverenced by Jew and Christian, alike, as the acts and words of God; and Whereas, as the Grantor of said lands, God stated to the Jewish people in the Old Testament; in Leviticus, Chapter 20, Verse 24: "Ye shall inherit their land, and I will give it unto you to possess it, a land that floweth with milk and honey"; and Whereas, God has never rescinded his grant of said lands; ..." Barr simultaneously put her credulity and ignorance of history on display when she was complaining about how ignorant Jews who support BDS are regarding Judaism and its Torah. Barr said: "When I first started to fight BDS... I just wanted to talk about Jewish history, and Torah, and our connection to this land that we've had for thousands of years. I'm telling you the truth, they know very little about it. They think it's something that happened in the '40s. They are not really all that educated. And when I would tell them 'well, do you know it says this and that? Do you know you're looking at the greatest recorded rebellion of a slave class of people that's ever been written?' -- they don't know anything about that either." Barr must be referring to the Hebrew Bible/Old Testament Passover myth. According to this ungodly and foolish story, millions of Hebrews/Jews were being held as slaves in ancient Egypt. The Jewish god told Moses to do magic tricks before Pharaoh in order to frighten Pharaoh into freeing the Jewish slaves. HOWEVER, the Jewish god hardened Pharaoh's heart "that he shall not let the people go" (Exodus 4:21). There are a total of 11 times in the Hebrew Bible/Old Testament that it is claimed the Jewish god hardened Pharaoh's heart so he would not do what the Jewish god was demanding, freeing the Jewish slaves. Even South Park's Eric Cartman has a higher idea of God than that presented in the Bible and which is swallowed hook-line-and sinker by Roseanne Barr and anyone who believes the Bible's Passover horror story, as this video clip shows. The fact is the ancient Hebrews/Jews were never held captive in ancient Egypt, and God did not go house to house killing the first born of the Egyptians and their animals (Exodus 12:12). It's pure religious nonsense. It's great to see that younger Jews are breaking free of Judaism. Perhaps young Jews are recognizing the truth to these statements by the American rebel and Deist Thomas Paine found in The Age of Reason, The Complete Edition: "Is it because ye are sunk in the cruelty of superstition, or feel no interest in the honor of your Creator, that ye listen to the horrid tales of the Bible, or hear them with callous indifference?" Next Page 1 | 2 (Note: You can view every article as one long page if you sign up as an Advocate Member, or higher). Would you like to know how many people have read this article? Or how reputable the author is? Simply sign up for a Advocate premium membership and you'll automatically see this data on every article. Plus a lot more, too. This article originally appeared at TomDispatch.com.The Caliphate of Trump They are the extremists. If you need proof, look no further than the Afghan capital, Kabul, where the latest wave of suicide bombings has proven devastating. Recently, for instance, a fanatic set off his explosives among a group of citizens lining up outside a government office to register to vote in upcoming elections. At least 57 people died, including 22 women and eight children. ISIS's branch in Afghanistan proudly took responsibility for that callous act -- but one not perhaps quite as callous as the ISIS suicide bomber who, in August 2016, took out a Kurdish wedding in Turkey, missing the bride and groom but killing at least 54 people and wounding another 66. Twenty-two of the dead or injured were children and the bomber may even have been a child himself. Such acts are extreme, which by definition makes the people who commit them extremists. The same is true of those like the "caliph" of the now-decimated Islamic State, Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, who order, encourage, or provide the ideological framework for such acts -- a judgment few in this country (or most other places on the planet) would be likely to dispute. In this century, from Kabul to Baghdad, Paris to San Bernardino, such extreme acts of indiscriminate civilian slaughter have only multiplied. Though relatively commonplace, each time such a slaughter occurs, it remains an event of horror and is treated as such in the media. If committed by Islamists against Americans or Europeans, suicide attacks of this sort are given 24/7 coverage here, often for days at a time. And keep in mind that such extreme acts aren't just restricted to terror groups, their lone wolf followers, or even white nationalists and other crazed men in this country, armed to the teeth, who, in schools, workplaces, restaurants, and elsewhere, regularly wipe out groups of innocents. Take the recent charges that the Syrian government of Bashar al-Assad used outlawed chemical weapons in a rebel-held suburb of Damascus, that country's capital, killing families and causing havoc. Whether that specific act proves to have been as advertised or not, there can be no question that the Assad regime has regularly slaughtered its own citizens with chemical weapons, barrel bombs, artillery barrages, and (sometimes Russian) air strikes, destroying neighborhoods, hospitals, schools, markets, you name it. All of this adds up to a set of extreme acts of the grimmest kind. And such acts could be multiplied across significant parts of the planet, ranging from the Myanmar military's brutal ethnic-cleansing campaign against that country's Rohingya minority to acts of state horror in places like South Sudan and the Congo. In this sense, our world certainly doesn't lack either extreme thinking or the acts that go with it. We here in the United States are, of course, eternally shocked by their extremism, their willingness to kill the innocent without compunction, particularly in the case of Islamist groups, from the 9/11 attacks to ISIS's more recent slaughters. However, one thing is, almost by definition, obvious. We are not a nation of extreme acts or extreme killers. Quite the opposite. Yes, we make mistakes. Yes, we sometimes kill. Yes, we sometimes even kill the innocent, however mistakenly. Yes, we are also exceptional, indispensable, and great (again), as so many politicians and presidents have been telling us for so many years now. And yes, you might even say that in one area we are extreme -- in the value we put on American lives, especially military ones. The only thing this country and its leaders are not is extremist in the sense of an al-Qaeda or an ISIS, an Assad regime or a South Sudanese one. That goes without saying, which is why no one here ever thinks to say it. Brides and Grooms in an Extreme World Still, just for a moment, as a thought experiment, set aside that self-evident body of knowledge and briefly try to imagine our own particular, indispensable, exceptional version of extremity; that is, try to imagine ourselves as an extreme nation or even, to put it as extremely as possible, the ISIS of superpowers. This subject came to my mind recently thanks to a story I noticed about another extreme wedding slaughter -- this one not by ISIS but thanks to a Saudi "double-tap" airstrike on a wedding in Yemen, first on the groom's party, then on the bride's. The bride and possibly the groom died along with 31 other wedding goers (including children). And keep in mind that this wasn't the first or most devastating Saudi attack on a wedding in the course of its brutal air war in Yemen since 2015. To take out a wedding, even in wartime, is -- I think you could find general agreement on this -- an extreme act. Two weddings? More so. And nowhere near the war's battle lines? More so yet. Of course, given the nature of the Saudi regime, it could easily be counted as another of the extreme governments on this planet. But remember one thing when it comes to that recent wedding slaughter, another country has backed the Saudi royals to the hilt in their war in Yemen: the United States. Washington has supported the Saudi war effort in just about every way imaginable -- from refueling their planes in mid-air to providing targeting intelligence to selling them billions of dollars of weaponry and munitions of every sort (including cluster bombs) used in that war. This was true in the Obama years and is, if anything, doubly so at a moment when President Trump has put so much energy and attention into plying the Saudis with arms. So tell me, given that the staggering suffering of civilians in Yemen is common knowledge, shouldn't our support for the Saudi air war be considered an extreme policy? Keep in mind as well that, between December 29, 2001, when U.S. B-52 and B-1B bombers killed more than 100 revelers at a wedding in a village in eastern Afghanistan, and December 2013 when a CIA drone took out a... yep... Yemeni wedding party, U.S. air power wiped out all or parts of at least eight weddings, including brides, grooms, and even musicians, killing and wounding hundreds of participants in three countries (and only apologizing in a single case). The troops of present Secretary of Defense James Mattis, when he was commanding the 1st Marine Division in Iraq in 2004, were responsible for one of those slaughters. It took place in Western Iraq and was the incident in which those musicians died, as reportedly did 14 children. When asked about it at the time, Mattis responded: "How many people go to the middle of the desert... to hold a wedding 80 miles from the nearest civilization?" And that response was no more callous or extreme than the New York Daily News's front-page headline, so many years later, for that U.S. drone strike in Yemen: "Bride and Boom!" Imagine, for a moment, that a wedding party in some rural part of the United States had been wiped out by a foreign air strike and an Iraqi insurgent leader had responded as Mattis did or an Iraqi paper had used some version of the News's headline. I don't think it's hard to conjure up what the reaction might have been here. Add another little fact to this: to the best of my knowledge, TomDispatch was the only media outlet that tried to keep a record of those American wedding slaughters; otherwise they were quickly forgotten in this country. So tell me, doesn't that have a feeling of extremity and of remarkable callousness to it? Certainly, if those massacres had been the acts of al-Qaeda or ISIS and American brides, grooms, musicians, and children had been among the dead, there's no doubt what we would be saying about them 24/7. A New Kind of Death Cult? Now, for a moment, let's consider the possible extremism of Washington in a more organized way. Here, then, is my six-category rundown of what I would call American extremity on a global scale: Garrisoning the globe: The U.S. has an estimated 800 or so military bases or garrisons, ranging from the size of American small towns to tiny outposts, across the planet. They exist almost everywhere -- Europe, South Korea, Japan, Australia, Afghanistan, the Middle East, Africa, Latin America -- except in countries that are considered American foes (and given the infamous Guanta'namo Bay Detention Center in Cuba, there's even an exception to that). At the moment, Great Britain and France still have small numbers of bases, largely left over from their imperial pasts; that rising great power rival China officially has one global garrison, a naval base in Djibouti in the horn of Africa (near an American base there, one of its growing collection of outposts on that continent), which much worries American war planners, and a naval base, in the process of being built, in Gwadar, Pakistan; that other great power rival, Russia, still has several bases in countries that were once part of the Soviet Union, and a single naval base in Syria (which similarly disturbs American military planners). The United States, as I said, has at least 800 of them, a number that puts in the shade the global garrisons of any other great power in history, and to go with them, more than 450,000 military personnel stationed outside its borders. It shouldn't be surprising then that, like no other power in history, it has divided the world -- every bit of it -- as if slicing a pie, into six military commands; that's six commands for every inch of the globe (and another two for space and cyberspace). Might all of this not be considered just a tad extreme? Funding the military: The U.S. puts approximately a trillion dollars annually in taxpayer funds into its military, its 17 intelligence agencies, and what's now called "homeland security." Its national security budget is larger than those of the next eight countries combined and still rising yearly, though most politicians agree and many regularly insist that the U.S. military has been badly underfunded in these years, left in a state of disrepair, and needs to be "rebuilt." Now, honestly, don't you think that qualifies as both exceptional in the most literal sense and kind of extreme? Next Page 1 | 2 (Note: You can view every article as one long page if you sign up as an Advocate Member, or higher). Would you like to know how many people have read this article? Or how reputable the author is? Simply sign up for a Advocate premium membership and you'll automatically see this data on every article. Plus a lot more, too. Trump has shown again what a despicable fool he is, but it is the US and the people of the US who will pay. By announcing his re-institution of sanctions against Iran he is teaching a lesson to the world, showing North Korea, showing every current or potential partner in agreement with the US that the US is not to be trusted. Trump the malignant psychopath was able, with a team of sleazy lawyers, to get away with this kind of behavior as a businessman. When he told us he would apply his business experience to his presidency, this was what he was talking about. This episode also teaches leaders of nations another lesson. If they kiss up to Trump, like Israel's criminal leader Netanyahu, Trump will do almost anything they ask. It doesn't matter how disgusting they are, in terms of how they treat their own people or neighbors. The Saudis have also learned this lesson. What are the consequences of these lessons? Since Trump is basically abrogating an agreement struck with a previous president, he is teaching the world that it is not wise to do any deal with the US. That will make it much more difficult for an future president or Secretary of State to negotiate agreements. Trump is trashing the United States. It gets worse every day. How much defecation on the US must Trump produce before Trump supporters stop saying "give him a chance." Would you like to know how many people have read this article? Or how reputable the author is? Simply sign up for a Advocate premium membership and you'll automatically see this data on every article. Plus a lot more, too. Ayatollah Khomeini (Image by D-Stanley) Details DMCA A major war in the Middle East would be catastrophic, yet that is the direction we are heading. With President Trump withdrawing from the nuclear accord with Iran, we are left with a frightening scenario. Upon the end of the deal, Iran might fast-track a nuclear weapons program, which would give the Trump administration what they really want: a reason to attack Iran. That would set in motion a quick war led by the United States and Israel. Iran would lose the war, but untold thousands, if not millions, would die and leave the Middle East a smoldering, unstable mess. Is that what we really want? National Security Advisor Michael Bolton, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and President Trump have made it clear what they want. "The declared policy of the United States should be the overthrow of the mullahs' regime in Tehran," Bolton said last year. "The behavior and the objectives of the regime are not going to change and, therefore, the only solution is to change the regime itself." It should be noted that Bolton was a staunch advocate of the disastrous American invasion of Iraq in 2003. American policy, Bolton wrote in January, "should be ending Iran's 1979 Islamic Revolution before its fortieth anniversary (next February). Recognizing a new Iranian regime in 2019 would reverse the shame of once seeing our diplomats held hostage for four hundred and forty-four days. The former hostages can cut the ribbon to open the new U.S. Embassy in Tehran." Our new Secretary of State, too, is solidly on record as hostile to Iran. Pompeo served in the military before being elected to Congress in 2011, where he was known as an outspoken hawk and a supporter of pre-emptive war against Iran. In 2016, Pompeo circulated a letter written by 190 retired generals, admirals and other military officers calling the accord "dangerous" and likely to lead to war. "Congress must act to change Iranian behavior," he said, "and, ultimately, the Iranian regime." President Trump, of course, has long wanted the deal scrapped. During the election campaign, he declared it "the worst deal ever negotiated." He told an AIPAC convention in 2016:"I have been in business a long time. I know deal-making. And let me tell you, this deal is catastrophic for America, for Israel and for the whole of the Middle East." A year earlier, Trump said, "They [the Iranians] have so out-negotiated our people, because our people are babies.They have no idea what they're doing. They will find out that if I win, we're not babies. There's no more being babies anymore." I'm sure it's not lost on President Trump that an invasion of Iran would distract from his numerous scandals, and might even bump up his popularity. It's a recipe for disaster, and there may not be enough cooler heads left to slow down this out-of-control train wreck. 26th Annual Cardiology and Cardiovascular Nursing Congress | Cardiology Conferences | Heart Congress | Cardiologists Meetings | Cardiology Events | Cardiac Nursing | November 12-13, 2018 | Sydney | Australia. Conference Series.com invites to all the participants around the globe to International Conference on Cardiology & Cardiac Nursing Conference Series .Ltd is esteemed to invite you to join the 26th Annual Cardiology and Cardiovascular Nursing Congress(Cardiology Care Congress 2018)which will be held from at November 12-13, 2018 at Sydney, Australia. Cardiology care congress (conference) is to meet top & best cardiologists, doctors, Cardiology experts, cardiac surgeons, vascular medicine specialists, physicians, health care professionals at Cardiology, atherosclerosis , clinical Cardiology arrhythmia, cardiac surgery, echocardiography, cardiovascular medicine, arrhythmia, cardiac surgery conferences, events, annual meetings , program from clinics, hospitals from Asia, Americas, Europe, usa, middle east.Cardiology conference, usa cvd, usa in vitro fertilization, usa antibiotics resistance, usa fitness, usa. Europe & UK. Search national & international Cardiology & cardiovascular conferences & continuing medical education. Get coverage & interviews of past events cardiac surgery, cardiovascular diseases, valvular heart disease, arrhythmias and pacing, acute coronary syndromes, cardiac imaging, aneurysm with Cardiology experts, cardiac surgeons, physicians, and other health care professionals from Asia pacific, Europe, usa (America), middle east. Expert faculty will focus on challenging aspects of coronary artery disease, atrial fibrillation, congestive heart failure, valvular heart disease, congenital heart disease, heads, deans, professors, scientists, researchers, cardiologists, founders and employees of the related companies to meet the best and top cardiologists, physicians, researchers, professors at heart congress. This conference (symposium) is designed for general cardiologists, internists, hospitalists, family practitioners, cardiothoracic and vascular surgeons, electrophysiologists and interventional cardiologists, as well as nurses, technologists and other allied health care professionals who treat and manage heart disease.This two-day congress is designed to educate attendees on novel therapeutics and evidence-based management, across the spectrum of cardiovascular disease. Additionally, cutting edge therapies in interventional Cardiology, structural heart interventions, complex arrhythmia and lead management, advanced heart failure and cardiac transplantation, cardiac imaging, preventive and molecular Cardiology, and cardiac and vascular surgery will be discussed. The distinguished faculty for this event includes many of the foremost clinicians at the universities of Cardiology, heart, as well as internationally recognized faculty.Upon completion of this educational activity, participants will be better able to: outline current and emerging therapies for the treatment of valvular heart disease, with a focus on transcatheter, robotic, and complex surgical techniques. discuss new minimally invasive and percutaneous therapies for patients with complex coronary disease including patients with multivessel disease, chronic total occlusions and severely impaired lv systolic dysfunction review recent advances in the medical and mechanical management of heart failure patients across the progression of symptoms and stages with additional targeted discussion on the use of mechanical circulatory support and innovative defibrillation and pacing strategies such as cardiac resynchronization therapy (crt) and his-bundle pacing (hbp). describe the role echocardiography plays in diagnosis and guiding therapies across multiple disciplines within Cardiology, including emerging fields such as cardio-oncology. explain the management of acute cardiovascular syndromes such as pulmonary embolism, hospitalized heart failure, and myocardial infarction, and how processes and new technologies can help improve outcomes in these patients. distinguish between cardiovascular imaging modalities and their clinical application in disease assessment, risk stratification and treatment decisions summarize strategies and innovations designed to diagnose and treat heart failure subtypes such as amyloidosis and the stage d patient. interpret the role of new pharmacotherapies and guidelines for the management of hyperlipidemia and prevention of cardiovascular events. discuss strategies for streamlining cardiovascular healthcare delivery and additional opportunities to optimize cost efficiencies.Cardiology Conference 2018: With the success of Heart Congress 2017 in Osaka, Japan, Conference series Ltd is proud to host 26th Annual Cardiology and Cardiovascular Nursing Congress during November 12-13, 2018 at Sydney, Australia. The event will bring together world-class cardiologists, Academicians, Cardiac Nurses, Nurse practitioners, researchers and professors to discuss strategies for prevention of coronary disease, stroke and sudden death. It is focuses to share novel approaches related to Cardiology field and exploring the challenges concerning excellence in Cardio research and advancements. The motive of the event is to generate awareness that will keep medical professionals abreast of the problems affecting the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of Cardiovascular Disease. This congress melds brief Keynote presentations, Speaker talks, Exhibition, Symposia and Workshops. Cardiac Nursing Congress 2018 is one of the Cardiology meetings which will be visited by all the prestigious cardiologists, Cardiology educators, fiery inspectors, postgraduates, affiliations, business meanders under a solitary rooftop. This Cardiology Congress or rather all Cardiology meeting 2018, Cardiology events, Cardiology meetings will help in frameworks organization, B2B teaming up amidst specialists and academicians.Related Cardiology Care Congress | Cardiology Conferences | Nursing Meetings | Healthcare Symposium | Global Summit | Conference Series Ltd | Heart Conferences | Cardiac Events 2018:6th Annual Congress & Medicare Expo on Primary Healthcare May 14-16, 2018 Tokyo, Japan; 3rd World Heart Congress April 19-20, 2018 Amsterdam, Netherlands; 2nd International Conference On Cardiology & Cardiac Nursing June 18-19, 2018 Paris, France; 49th Annual Nursing Research and Evidence Based Practice Conference August 20-21, 2018 Tokyo, Japan; 5th Asia Pacific Gynecology and Obstetrics Congress, August 22-23, 2018 Tokyo, Japan; 4th World congress on Nursing Practice & Research November 16-17, 2018 San Antonio, USA; 29th International Conference on Family Nursing & Health Care October 22-23, 2018 Baltimore, USA; 38th Asia-Pacific Nursing and Medicare Summit October 15-16, 2018 Osaka, Japan; 23rd European Heart Disease and Heart Failure Congress February 19-21, 2018 Paris, France; 24th Annual Cardiologists Conference June 11-13, 2018 Barcelona, Spain; 4th International Conference on Hypertension & Healthcare September 10-12, 2018 Zurich, Switzerland; 25th Annual Cardiologists Conference September 17-19,2018 Tin Shui Wai, Hong Kong.Related Associations & SocietiesEuropean Society of Cardiology; Italian-Federation-of-Cardiology, Arezzo, Italy; Italian Society of Cardiology, Rome, Italy; Spanish Society of Cardiology, Madrid, Spain; International Council of Nurses; American Heart Association Dallas, USA, North America; American College of Cardiology; Cardiology Society Los Angeles, USA, North America; Japanese Circulation Society, Japan; British Junior Cardiologists Association London, UK; American Medical Association;American Association of Public Health Physicians; Cardiac Society of Australia and New Zealand, Sydney, Australia; World Society of Arrhythmias Beijing, China; Philippine Heart Association Manila, Philippines; Asian Society for Cardiovascular Surgery (ASCVS) Fukuoka, Japan, Asia; The Pan-African Society of Cardiology (PASCAR) Algeria, Africa; Saudi Hypertension Management Society; Taiwan Society of Cardiology, Taipei, Taiwan; Gulf Heart Association, Dubai, United Arab Emirates; American Association of Legal Nurse Consultants, American Association of Managed Care Nurses; Mexican Society of Cardiology, Mexico; Paraguayan Society of Cardiology, Paraguay; Brazilian Society of Cardiology, Brazil; Vietnam Heart Association, Hanoi, Vietnam; Turkish Society of Cardiology, Istanbul, Turkey.Contact:Cardiology care congress 2018 | Program manager | ConferenceseriesPhone: + 1-650-889-4686Address: One Commerce Center-1201| Wilmington Zip 19899|Delaware|USACardiacNursing@annualcongress.netCardiacNursing@conferencesworld.orgAddress: One Commerce Center-1201| Wilmington Zip 19899|Delaware|USACardiacNursing@annualcongress.net Mrs Anca Verma was felicitated as the Guest of Honour at Mrs.India World 2018 beauty pageant in Delhi New Delhi ~ 4th May 2018Former Supermodel and Miss Universe Romania Mrs Anca Verma wife of noted Industrialist and Philanthropist Mr.Abhishek Verma, was felicitated as the Guest of Honour at MRS INDIA WORLD 2018 beauty pageant in New Delhi, India on the 4th of May 2018, at Delhi's Ashoka Hotel.Mrs. Verma was accompanied at this event by her husband Mr.Abhishek Verma, and the former Health Minister of Maldives Dr.Mariyam Shakeela and a group of Maldivian journalists who were in India on a study-tour.The Chief Guest of the event Mr.Amar Singh, Member of Parliament inaugurated the prestigious ceremony which saw several beautiful ladies sashaying down the catwalk in designer clothes. Each contestant gave a short speech about herself and how her crowning as Mrs.India would benefit not just herself but also the society and her plans in regards Women's Empowerment.The event was followed by a champagne dinner and was attended by who's who of Delhi high society.=======================Olialia World is a $2 billion multinational corporation. It is a FMCG company with interests in hospitality, aviation, infrastructure, financial services and tourism.Olialia World is owned by India's Verma Family scion Billionaire Industrialist and Philanthropist Abhishek Verma and his wife Anca Verma Supermodel and former Miss Universe Romania.Switchboard:Tel# +911126653077Fax# +911166173277Press Office:Cell# +919899732277Vishal PathakOlialia India Private Limited60, Palm Road, Bhawani KunjNew Delhi 110070India WHR Group Receives Top Workplaces Honor for 5th Consecutive Year www.whrg.com WHR Group Inc., a leader in the global relocation industry, today announced it has been awarded a Top Workplaces 2018 honor by the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel for the fifth consecutive year. The annual Top Workplaces list recognizes companies with amazing culture and people, and is based solely on employee feedback, which is compiled and administered by Energage, LLC (formerly Workplace Dynamics). The anonymous, voluntary survey measures several aspects of workplace culture, including alignment, execution, and connection.WHR takes pride in delivering exceptional value and service to our clients, says Paul De Boer, President of WHR Group. However, its no secret that ensuring your employees are provided with an enriching environment to work and grow is fundamental to success. Having our employees recognize our efforts in providing such a workplace is extremely rewarding.The firms Pewaukee headquarters is home to 70 multi-talented, motivated employees who are passionate about providing exceptional end-to-end service to each partners transferring employees. All WHR Group employees model the core values by being empathetic, proactive, hardworking, and trustworthy.As a result of growth, WHR Group is currently hiring for multiple positions. Join the company trusted by numerous world-class organizations in being their chosen partner for advancing lives forward through global mobility. To learn more about WHR Groups current opportunities, visit whrg.com/careers.About WHR Group Inc.For more than 20 years, WHR Group has offered white-glove service for global, domestic, and government relocations, regardless of industry, size, or location. To find out more about WHR Group, visitAbout Energage, LLCHeadquartered in Exton, Pa., Energage (formerly known as Workplace Dynamics) is a leading provider of technology-based employee engagement tools that help leaders to unlock potential, inspire performance, and achieve amazing results within their organizations.WHR GroupN27 W23681 Paul RoadPewaukee, WI 53072 Innovative Report on Predictive Maintenance Market Growing at CAGR of 28.4% by 2023: Competition Status, Emerging Trends, Growth Factors, Value Chain, And Key Players http://qyreports.com/request-sample?report-id=80629 http://qyreports.com/ask-for-discount?report-id=80629 http://qyreports.com/enquiry-before-buying?report-id=80629 www.qyreports.com The predicted maintenance market is expected to grow from $ 1,404.3 million in 2017 to $ 4,904.0 million in 2022 to a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 28.4% over the forecast period. Market growth is driven by a number of factors, which focus on increased demand for Big Data and the Internet of Things (IoT) and on operating costs. Industries such as government, aerospace and defense, energy and utilities, manufacturing, medical and transportation and logistics have spurred the market.This statistical survey report on the Global Predictive Maintenance Market is a comprehensive study of the industry, up-to-date contours, industry development, drivers and remedies. It provides market forecasts over the next few years. This includes breakthrough breakthroughs, Porter's five force analysis analyzes, and a gradual profile analysis of evenly-selected industry competitors. The report also analyzes the trivial and authentic factors identified in the market as identities and potential candidates, along with systematic and valuable value chain exploration.Get Sample Copy Of this Report @Predictive maintenance (PdM) technology is designed to help you determine the status of your equipment in order to predict when maintenance should be done. This approach promises to reduce costs more than routine or time-based preventive maintenance. This is because operations are only performed when guaranteed.Companies Profiled in this report includes: IBM (U.S.), SAP SE (Germany), Software AG (Germany), General Electric (U.S.), Robert Bosch (Germany), Rockwell Automation (U.S.), PTC (U.S.), Warwick Analytics (U.K.), RapidMiner (U.S.), and SKF (Sweden).The initial section provides an industry overview of the Predictive Maintenance market. This part of the study includes market specifications and definitions. In addition, the type of machine is described in detail. Market applications are discussed in the next study. The dynamics that affect the development of the global market, such as drivers, challenges, opportunities and trends, are detailed in this Survey Report.The competitive landscape of the global Predictive Maintenance market is discussed in the report, including the player's market share. This report introduces leading companies in the global marketplace for in-depth research into market challenges and challenges. The report also considers approaches that major companies are implementing to maintain support for the industry. Business synopses and financial overview of each company were reviewed.Get Reasonable Discount on This Premium Report @The reports were collected using primary and secondary research methodologies. We gathered information from reliable sources such as market leaders, journals, publications, meetings, and interviews with white papers. The report analyzes historical data along with the market's current development to provide a map of the global Predictive Maintenance market fair trajectory over the next few years.Based on geographical areas, the world Predictive Maintenance markets are broadly divided into Latin America, Europe, the Middle East and Africa and Asia Pacific. The world market is still in exploration in most areas, but it has the promising potential to grow steadily over the next few years. The major players investing in this market are in Canada, the United Kingdom, the United States, India, China and some Asia Pacific countries. As a result, Asia Pacific, North America and Western Europe are expected to account for more than half of the total market share over the next few years.At the end of the report, a manufacturer is announced who is responsible for increasing sales in the Predictive Maintenance market. These manufacturers have been analyzed in terms of manufacturing base, basic information and competitors. In addition, the technology and product types introduced by each manufacturer are also an important part of this section of the report.To get more information, Ask for Sample PDF illustration with TOC, Tables, Figures and Charts @Table of Content:Global Predictive Maintenance Market Research Report 2018-2023Chapter 1 Predictive Maintenance Market OverviewChapter 2 Global Economic ImpactChapter 3 Competition by ManufacturerChapter 4 Production, Revenue (Value) by RegionChapter 5 Supply (Production), Consumption, Export, Import by RegionsChapter 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 ForecastChapter 13 AppendixAbout QYReports:We at, QYReports , a leading market research report publisher accommodate more than 4,000 celebrated clients worldwide putting them at advantage in todays competitive world with our understanding of research. Our list of customers include prestigious Chinese companies, multinational companies, SME's and private equity firms whom we have helped grow and sustain with our fact-based research. Our business study covers a market size of over 30 industries offering unfailing insights into analysis to reimagine your business. We specialize in forecasts needed for investing in a new project, to revolutionize your business, to become more customer centric and improve the quality of output.Contact:QYReportsJones John(Sales Manager)+91-9764607607sales@qyreports.com Walnut Travertine Industry Market Growth,Size,Status, Analysis & Forecast 2018-2023 https://www.researchbeam.com/global-walnut-travertine-industry-analysis-and-forecast-2018-2023-market/request-sample https://www.researchbeam.com/global-walnut-travertine-industry-analysis-and-forecast-2018-2023-market/purchase-enquiry https://www.researchbeam.com/global-walnut-travertine-industry-analysis-and-forecast-2018-2023-market Research Beam has added a report on Global Walnut Travertine Industry Market Analysis & Forecast 2018-2023Walnut Travertine Industry Market is provided in the report based on product scope and market status & outlook. The market is segmented on the basis of type, end-users/application, and geography. The report provides information about the production, price, revenue, market share, and growth rate of each type. Geographically, the market has been analyzed across North America, Europe, China, Japan, Southeast Asia, and India. The status and prospect through 2013-2023 for each of these regions are listed in the report.For More Info Get Sample@The report entails the qualitative and quantitative analysis of current and future market estimations. It also divulges details about the mode of research methodology used for the study. It includes data from primary as well as secondary resources. The report is a useful resource for industry players, new entrants in the marketplace, and investors as it helps them plan their business to gain fruitful and meaningful outcomes. It makes them aware of the production, capacity, revenue, supply, consumption, export, import, the challenges and risks associated with the industry, and much more. Factors that drive the growth of the market are detailed in the study. Key players are profiled in the report and their developments in recent years are mentioned, which helps in understanding the competitive outlook of the Global Walnut Travertine Industry MarketGet 15% discount on this report @The Global Walnut Travertine Industry Market This incorporates the overall industrial chain analysis, upstream raw materials sourcing, raw materials sources of the product major manufacturers in 2015, and downstream buyers.The report also throws light on the marketing strategy used for the study. It includes marketing channel (direct marketing, indirect marketing, and marketing channel development trend) and market positioning (pricing strategy, brand strategy, and target client).The Global Walnut Travertine Industry Market report also covers an analysis of the market effect factors. This includes the technology progress/risk (substitutes/threat and technology progress in the related industry), consumer needs/customer preference change, and economic/political environmentalThe Major players reported in the market include: Elliott Stone Company, Inc. Adelaide Brighton Ltd. Taiheiyo Cement Group Mississippi Lime Company Buechel Stone Corp. Todaka Mining Co. Ltd. Schaefer Kalk GmbH & Co KG Xella International GmbH Fels-Werke GmbHCheck Full Report With TOC@About Us:Research Beams uniqueness lies in its highly ethical reports at economical rates because we value your relationship and growth more than money. Your growth is our aim. With the arsenal of different search reports, we help you here to look and buy research reports that will be helpful to you and your organization. Our research reports have the capability and authenticity to support your organization for growth and consistency.Contact Us:Global Head Quarters5933 NE Win Sivers Drive,#205, Portland, OR 97220United Statesphone+1 (800) 910-6452help@researchbeam.com Trehalose Market Professional Survey Trends,Application and Forecast 2025 https://www.researchbeam.com/global-trehalose-professional-survey-report-2018-market/request-sample https://www.researchbeam.com/global-trehalose-professional-survey-report-2018-market/purchase-enquiry https://www.researchbeam.com/global-trehalose-professional-survey-report-2018-market Research Beam has added a report on Global Trehalose Market Professional Survey Report 2018Trehalose Market is provided in the report based on product scope and market status & outlook. The market is segmented on the basis of type, end-users/application, and geography. The report provides information about the production, price, revenue, market share, and growth rate of each type. Geographically, the market has been analyzed across North America, Europe, China, Japan, Southeast Asia, and India. The status and prospect through 2013-2025 for each of these regions are listed in the report.Get Sample@The report entails the qualitative and quantitative analysis of current and future market estimations. It also divulges details about the mode of research methodology used for the study. It includes data from primary as well as secondary resources. The report is a useful resource for industry players, new entrants in the marketplace, and investors as it helps them plan their business to gain fruitful and meaningful outcomes. It makes them aware of the production, capacity, revenue, supply, consumption, export, import, the challenges and risks associated with the industry, and much more.Factors that drive the growth of the market are detailed in the study. Key players are profiled in the report and their developments in recent years are mentioned, which helps in understanding the competitive outlook of the Global Trehalose MarketGet 15% discount on this report @The Global Trehalose Market This incorporates the overall industrial chain analysis, upstream raw materials sourcing, raw materials sources of the product major manufacturers in 2015, and downstream buyers.The report also throws light on the marketing strategy used for the study. It includes marketing channel (direct marketing, indirect marketing, and marketing channel development trend) and market positioning (pricing strategy, brand strategy, and target client).The Global Trehalose Market report also covers an analysis of the market effect factors. This includes the technology progress/risk (substitutes/threat and technology progress in the related industry), consumer needs/customer preference change, and economic/political environmentalThe key players which provide solutions in the Global Trehalose Market Meihua Group Hayashibara Lianmeng Chemical Visionbio Technology Sinozyme BiotechnologyCheck Full Report With TOC@About Us:Research Beams uniqueness lies in its highly ethical reports at economical rates because we value your relationship and growth more than money. Your growth is our aim. With the arsenal of different search reports, we help you here to look and buy research reports that will be helpful to you and your organization. Our research reports have the capability and authenticity to support your organization for growth and consistency.Contact Us:Global Head Quarters5933 NE Win Sivers Drive,#205, Portland, OR 97220United Statesphone+1 (800) 910-6452help@researchbeam.com Safety Goggles Market Growth,Size,Status ,Application and Forecast 2023 https://www.researchbeam.com/global-safety-goggles-research-report-2011-2023-market/request-sample https://www.researchbeam.com/global-safety-goggles-research-report-2011-2023-market/purchase-enquiry https://www.researchbeam.com/global-safety-goggles-research-report-2011-2023-market Research Beam has added a report on Global Safety Goggles Market Research Report 2011-2023Safety Goggles Market is provided in the report based on product scope and market status & outlook. The market is segmented on the basis of type, end-users/application, and geography. The report provides information about the production, price, revenue, market share, and growth rate of each type. Geographically, the market has been analyzed across North America, Europe, China, Japan, Southeast Asia, and India. The status and prospect through 2011-2023 for each of these regions are listed in the report.Get Sample@The report entails the qualitative and quantitative analysis of current and future market estimations. It also divulges details about the mode of research methodology used for the study. It includes data from primary as well as secondary resources. The report is a useful resource for industry players, new entrants in the marketplace, and investors as it helps them plan their business to gain fruitful and meaningful outcomes. It makes them aware of the production, capacity, revenue, supply, consumption, export, import, the challenges and risks associated with the industry, and much more.Factors that drive the growth of the market are detailed in the study. Key players are profiled in the report and their developments in recent years are mentioned, which helps in understanding the competitive outlook of the Global Safety Goggles MarketGet 15% discount on this report @The Global Safety Goggles Market This incorporates the overall industrial chain analysis, upstream raw materials sourcing, raw materials sources of the product major manufacturers in 2015, and downstream buyers.The report also throws light on the marketing strategy used for the study. It includes marketing channel (direct marketing, indirect marketing, and marketing channel development trend) and market positioning (pricing strategy, brand strategy, and target client).The Safety Goggles Market report also covers an analysis of the market effect factors. This includes the technology progress/risk (substitutes/threat and technology progress in the related industry), consumer needs/customer preference change, and economic/political environmentalLeading vendors in the market are included based on profile, business performance etc. Vendors mentioned as follows: Honeywell 3M Bolle Safety Kimberly-Clark Sellstrom Radians Protective Industrial Products MCR Safety Gateway Safety Ergodyne ERB Industries Encon Safety Products Infield SafetyCheck Full Report With TOC@About Us:Research Beams uniqueness lies in its highly ethical reports at economical rates because we value your relationship and growth more than money. Your growth is our aim. With the arsenal of different search reports, we help you here to look and buy research reports that will be helpful to you and your organization. Our research reports have the capability and authenticity to support your organization for growth and consistency.Contact Us:Global Head Quarters5933 NE Win Sivers Drive,#205, Portland, OR 97220United Statesphone+1 (800) 910-6452help@researchbeam.com Aerospace Overhead Stowage Bins Market Application and Forecast 2021 https://www.researchbeam.com/global-aerospace-overhead-stowage-bins-research-report-2016-market/request-sample https://www.researchbeam.com/global-aerospace-overhead-stowage-bins-research-report-2016-market/purchase-enquiry https://www.researchbeam.com/global-aerospace-overhead-stowage-bins-research-report-2016-market Research Beam has added a report on Global Aerospace Overhead Stowage Bins Market Research Report 2016Aerospace Overhead Stowage Bins Market is provided in the report based on product scope and market status & outlook. The market is segmented on the basis of type, end-users/application, and geography. The report provides information about the production, price, revenue, market share, and growth rate of each type. Geographically, the market has been analyzed across North America, Europe, China, Japan, Southeast Asia, and India. The status and prospect through 2011-2021 for each of these regions are listed in the report.Get Sample@The report entails the qualitative and quantitative analysis of current and future market estimations. It also divulges details about the mode of research methodology used for the study. It includes data from primary as well as secondary resources. The report is a useful resource for industry players, new entrants in the marketplace, and investors as it helps them plan their business to gain fruitful and meaningful outcomes. It makes them aware of the production, capacity, revenue, supply, consumption, export, import, the challenges and risks associated with the industry, and much more.Factors that drive the growth of the market are detailed in the study. Key players are profiled in the report and their developments in recent years are mentioned, which helps in understanding the competitive outlook of the Global Aerospace Overhead Stowage Bins MarketGet 15% discount on this report @The Global Aerospace Overhead Stowage Bins Market This incorporates the overall industrial chain analysis, upstream raw materials sourcing, raw materials sources of the product major manufacturers in 2015, and downstream buyers.The report also throws light on the marketing strategy used for the study. It includes marketing channel (direct marketing, indirect marketing, and marketing channel development trend) and market positioning (pricing strategy, brand strategy, and target client).The Global Aerospace Overhead Stowage Bins Market report also covers an analysis of the market effect factors. This includes the technology progress/risk (substitutes/threat and technology progress in the related industry), consumer needs/customer preference change, and economic/political environmentalThe key players which provide solutions in the Global Aerospace Overhead Stowage Bins Market Zodiac Aerospace AIM Aerospace FACC AG B/E Aerospace ITT Enidine Inc. TTF Aerospace Airbus JAMCO Corporation Bombardier COMAC Dassault Aviation Gulfstream Aerospace EmbraerCheck Full Report With TOC@About Us:Research Beams uniqueness lies in its highly ethical reports at economical rates because we value your relationship and growth more than money. Your growth is our aim. With the arsenal of different search reports, we help you here to look and buy research reports that will be helpful to you and your organization. Our research reports have the capability and authenticity to support your organization for growth and consistency.Contact Us:Global Head Quarters5933 NE Win Sivers Drive,#205, Portland, OR 97220United Statesphone+1 (800) 910-6452help@researchbeam.com Epic Research Daily Agri Commodity Report Of 8 May 2018 http://www.epicresearch.co/ The Potatoes arrived in markets till now were from farmer's storage, which has now exhausted. The crop have started to arrive from the cold storage which have caused the price rise by 25 percent in West Bengal. Potato prices have increased in most of the city market between Rs.18 and Rs.20 per kg as against Rs.14-15 since the beginning of the week. For every kilogram of Potato coming out of the cold storages, there will an additional price load of Rs.4-5 per kg due to the cost involved in storage. The price rise is not due to reduced production of Potato in Bengal which was at about 100 lakh tonnes, 10 percent lower than previous year's yield. Crisis in availability of labourers of cold storage has also led to the price rise.The Odisha government has directed procurement agencies Markfed and Nafed to complete the procurement of pulses and oil seeds by July 04 and to ensure that procurment is made from genuine farmers at the designated centres set up by the district administration concerned. The State has set a target to procure 12,520 tonne of Green Gram (Moong), 4,900 tonne of Black Gram (Urad), 13,480 tonne of Groundnut pods (Shelled Groundnut) and 1,500 tonne of Sunflower Seeds during the current rabi season besides 4,400 tonne of Arhar produced during kharif season. While the minimum support price (MSP) for Green Gram has been fixed at Rs 5,375 per quintal, Black Gram is Rs 5,200 per quintal, Red Gram Rs 5,250, Groundnut pods Rs 4,250 and Sunflower Seed Rs 4,000 per quintal.The Union government has extended the restriction on import of Urad and Moong dal across all varieties to cover split and other forms to stabilise domestic prices. Import policy of Urad and Moong in split and other forms..are also restricted in addition to Urad and Moong .with annual import quota of 3 lakh tonne for all, said a notification by the Directorate General of Foreign Trade. While the government had restricted import of raw or whole Moong and Urad in a notification dated August 21, 2017, no such restriction on splits or dal (milled) was specified.Economic NewsEvery summer, the stories are as seasonal as the fruit. As Alphonso mangoes flood Mumbai markets in May, so too do allegations of them being toxic due to artificial ripening with calcium carbide. This year, it was kicked off by a widely circulated video shot in the Vashi wholesale market. A man is shown packing a box with green mangoes and then spraying them. In an accompanying message, the person who shot the video writes that labourers say all mango brokers used carbide to ripen the fruit and earn money faster: All consumers are paying a premium price for purchasing the fruit and are buying Poison from fruit markets. Soon after, raids from the Food and Drug Administration seized 109 dozens of mangoes to test for chemicals. A media report quoted doctors warning about dizziness, headache, skin burning, allergy, vomiting and diarrhoea, to name a few which could result from eating mangoes ripened using chemicals. Sometimes, the actions go beyond warnings: last year, a magistrate in Wardha sentenced a fruit seller to a year in jail for chemically induced ripening.Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis today said that the state had maximum agricultural production during the kharif season of 2017-18, despite 30 per cent less rainfall, due to effective water conservation schemes of the state government. Fadnavis said that farm production during last year was "historically positive" and was similar to the record one in 2012-13 that was aided by the state receiving 110 per cent of its average rainfall. "Last year, there was 30 per cent less rain but we had maximum production like in 2012-13. This is because of effective water conservation schemes like Jalyukt Shivar which helped to improve soil moisture and also provide irrigation," Fadnavis said. "We have seen historically positive agriculture growth rate with our all round efforts. In spite of 30 per cent less rainfall last year, we could manage well due to our efforts for sustainable irrigation and an investment-based approach," he added. He said that the meteorological department had predicted a satisfactory monsoon this year with a forecast of 92-110 per cent of the average rainfall.Trading RecommendationsBUY CORIANDER MAY ABOVE 4800 TARGET 4830/4870/4920 SL 4750BUY TMC MAY ABOVE 7650 TARGET 7680/7720/7770 SL 7600BUY GUARGUM5 MAY ABOVE 8370 TARGET 8400/8440/8490 SL 8320Epic Research Limited is a supreme level financial advisory services provider firm. We have designed services for different investors as per their needs like commodity tips , equity tips, agri tips and many more to serve our clients. We offer regular services for investors with less capital and premium services for massive investors looking for higher returns on investments with bigger targets.Want to take a FREE TRIAL? Visit our site link below and become a part of our Epic family. Happy trading.ormail us @ info@epicresearch.coAlso you can Whatsapp us at :7049084664Our Office:411 Milinda Manor, 2 RNT Road, Indore 452001411 Milinda Manor, 2 RNT Road, Indore 452001 China Vinyl Acetate (VAC) Industry: Surge in Production of Adhesives and Coatings to Boost Growth Market Research Hub https://www.marketresearchhub.com/enquiry.php?type=S&repid=1698353 https://www.marketresearchhub.com/report/vinyl-acetate-vac-industry-forecasts-china-focus-report.html With the growing production of adhesives and coatings, leading manufacturers are utilizing Vinyl Acetate as an important ingredient. Increasing demand for photosensitive coatings and adhesives among manufacturers is expected to contribute towards growth of the Vinyl Acetate (VAC) Industry in China. In its newly added research report titled Vinyl Acetate (VAC) Industry Forecasts - China Focus, Market Research Hub (MRH) has offered valuable insights pertaining to the impact of technological developments on the Vinyl Acetate (VAC) industry in China over the coming years.Request here for Free Sample Report@Over the years, China has witnessed a stable and positive economic growth attributed to the robust growth in the manufacturing industry. Vast citizenship in China has emerged as an active consumer base for the multinational corporations across countries. With the increasing production of various products in the manufacturing industry, demand for coatings and adhesives will continue to remain high in China. Leading manufacturers are focusing on utilizing vinyl acetate for the production of low Volatile organic compound (VOC) coatings applications and adhesives in the country.Besides adhesives and coatings, major packaging manufacturers are also utilizing vinyl acetate in the production of water soluble packaging films. Major manufacturers in China are utilizing vinyl acetate for the production of chemicals such as ethylene vinyl acetate for developing effective packaging solutions. In addition, growing need for polyvinyl acetate for the production of coatings, paints, and adhesives has led manufacturers in China to opt for vinyl acetate as an important chemical building block.Perspectives encapsulated in the research report provides insights on the impact of technological advancements in the manufacturing industry and its impact on growth of the vinyl acetate industry in China. In addition, the valuable insights offered in the report will give the readers an extensive view on the impact of the government policies and market strategies adopted by the key players in the country. According to the insights offered in the report, demand for vinyl acetate will continue to remain high attributed to increasing production of various consumer products and packaging solutions. In addition, due to the thriving automotive manufacturing industry of China, demand for anti-corrosion coatings will continue to increase.Browse Full Report with TOC@The report states that vinyl acetate will witness diverse applications across industries in China. In order to improve their position in the competitive market, leading companies in China are focusing on consolidations. However, low investment in research and development has led to minimum scope of innovation and development of new products in the industry. Due to these drawbacks, domestic manufacturers lack financial resources to accentuate their brand name at a global level.Overall, bound to rapid growth of the manufacturing industry and large consumer base, the vinyl acetate industry in China is likely to witness significant growth. With the valuable insights compiled in the report, readers can get a better understanding on the vinyl acetate industry in China and formulate informed strategies. In addition, crucial information encapsulated in the report can benefit leading businesses in developing strategies and making important investment decisions.About Market Research HubMarket Research Hub (MRH) is a next-generation reseller of research reports of different sector like plastics industry reports and analysis. MRHs expansive collection of industry 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.com Home Care Packaging Market - Global Industry Analysis, Segments, Major Geographies and Current Market Forecasts 2023 https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/sample_request/5203 https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/enquiry/5203 https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/reports/home-care-packaging-market-5203 MarketResearchFuture.com added New Report Named Home Care Packaging Market 2018: Global Industry Analysis, Market Growth and Opportunity Assessment, Segmentation by Product (Dishwashing, Insecticides, Laundry Care, Toiletries, Polishes, Air Care and Others), By Material (Plastic, Paper, Metal and Glass), By Packaging Type (Bottles, Cans, Cartons, Jars, Pouches and Others) and By Region | Outlook to 2023 to its Database. The global home care packaging market is expected to grow at ~ 8.5% CAGR during the forecast period.Top Key PlayersThe key players of global home care packaging market are Amcor Limited (Australia), Mondi (South Africa), Bemis Company, Inc. (U.S.), Rexam plc (U.K), RPC Group (U.K.), Winpak Ltd. (Canada), AptarGroup, Inc. (U.S.), Sonoco Products Company (U.S.), Silgan Holdings (U.S.), and Tetra Laval (Switzerland).Click For Report Sample :Market ScenarioGlobal home care packaging market has witnessed gradual growth in recent years, and is expected to witness steady growth in the forecast period. Home care market is growing considerably as the number of people opting for home care services rather than medical care in hospitals is increasing day by day. Home care services are cost effective and hence mostly preferred by patients. The global market for home care products is growing, significantly, due to increasing adoption of these packages in developed economies. However, it is expected to witness an increase in demand in developing countries in near future due to the growing awareness about home care services. Growing health awareness, improving standards of living, and increase in per capita income of people are some of the reasons driving the growth of home care industry. Currently, there are number of players engaged in the business of home care product manufacturing. Wide range of product availability and variation in prices, also fuel the market growth. Packaging innovation, and technological developments for better results, are some other factors driving the market growth.In the recent years, home care products market has witnessed a lot of growth due to the increasing per capita income of individuals in the developing countries, and their preference to lead a healthier lifestyle. Improving standards of living, also act as a key factor for the growth of the market. Demand for home care products has been on an upward trend, especially, as the consumers, with growing health awareness, tend to avoid expensive medical care costs. To keep up with this demand, home care packaging industry has ramped up their offerings to differentiate between multiple packaging solutions, conveying useful information, without compromising on the safety standards. The packaging market for home care products is set to record high growth during the forecast period.Global home care packaging market has been segmented based on product, material, packaging type and region. Based on product the market is segmented as dishwashing, insecticides, laundry care, toiletries, polishes, air care and others. Among these, the toiletries products, is projected to dominate the home care packaging market through 2023. The dominant position of this segment can be attributed to the rising hygiene concern among all class of people, across the globe. Based on the material the market has been segmented as plastic, paper, metal and glass. Plastic dominated the market in 2016 and is projected to be the fastest-growing material type. The wide application of plastic across all major packaging type is creating a good market for plastic as a material for global home care packaging market. Based on the packaging market, the market is segmented as bottles, cans, cartons, jars, pouches and others. Bottles segment dominated the market in 2016 and is projected to be the fastest-growing packaging type, owing to the convenience in storage, transporting and flexibility to handle all kind of home care products.The market is expected to have a huge number of new entrants over the forecast period, owing to continuous developments in packaging industry with growing consumer preferences for high hygiene. The market is also expected to have high expansion activities by multinationals and well-established companies. Merger and acquisition activities are expected to be seen over the forecast period.Click To Send an Enquiry :Scope of the ReportThis study provides an overview of the global home care packaging market, tracking three market segments across four geographic regions. The report studies key players, providing a five-year annual trend analysis that highlights market size, volume and share for North America, Europe, Asia Pacific (APAC) and Rest of the World (ROW). The report also provides a forecast, focusing on the market opportunities for the next five years for each region. The scope of the study segments the home care packaging market by its product, by material, by packaging type and by region.By Product Dishwashing Insecticides Laundry Care Toiletries Polishes Air Care OthersBy Material Plastic Paper Metal GlassBy Packaging Type Bottles Cans Cartons Jars Pouches OthersBy Regions North America Asia Pacific Europe Rest of the WorldGlobal Home Care Packaging MarketThe global home care packaging market is expected to witness phenomenal growth during the forecast period. This is due to the considerable growth in the packaging industry with population boom along with rise in disposable income. The growth is primarily attributed to rising incomes from the economic growth with growing concern over proper hygiene maintenance in various countries, which is likely to continue during the forecast years. The Asia Pacific region accounted for the largest share of the home care packaging market in 2016, wherein China was the largest country-level market, followed by India and Japan. Rising population with tremendous economic growth has resulted into a prenominal growth for home care products in the region and subsequently resulted in the growth of the home care packaging market.Product Analysis Product matrix which gives a detailed comparison of the market for different recycled product typesAdditional Information Regulatory Landscape Pricing Analysis Macroeconomic IndicatorsGeographic Analysis Geographical analysis across 15 countriesCompany Information Profiling of 10 key market players In-depth analysis including SWOT analysis, and strategy information of related to report title Competitive landscape including emerging trends adopted by major companiesBrowse Report @Brief TOC :1. Executive Summary2. Research Methodology3. Market Dynamics4. Global Market, By Packaging Type5. Global Market, By Technology6. Global Market, By Application7. Global Market, By End-user8. Regional Market Analysis9. Competitive Analysis10. Conclusion11. List Of Tables12. List Of FiguresAsk for your specific company profile and country level customization on reports.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 Industrials.MRFR team have supreme objective to provide the optimum quality market research and intelligence Industrials to our clients. Our market research studies by Components, Application, Autoclave Indicator Tape 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 FutureMagarpatta Road, Hadapsar,Pune - 411028Maharashtra, India+1 646 845 9312Email: sales@marketresearchfuture.com Global DNA Vaccine Market Research and Forecast, 2018-2023 https://www.omrglobal.com/industry-reports/dna-vaccines-market/ https://www.omrglobal.com/reports-category/biotechnology/ https://www.omrglobal.com/reports-category/pharmaceuticals/ https://www.linkedin.com/company/7928317/ Global DNA vaccine Market, Size, Share, Market Intelligence, Company Profiles, Market Trends, Strategy, Analysis, Forecast 2018-2023DNA VACCINES MARKET INSIGHTS:DNA vaccines Market are the third generation vaccines that designed to overcome the undesirable properties of conventional vaccines. The increasing exposure of population to infectious diseases and increasing number of antibiotics resistant pathogens have created the need for effective and low-cost vaccination, which would provide long lasting immunity. DNA vaccines have low risk of infection, easy transportation and stability at room temperature and hence are advantageous over traditional vaccines. DNA vaccines target a wide range of traditional pharmaceutical markets, such as cancers and allergies, as well as infectious diseases.The global DNA vaccines market is experiencing rapid growth owing to the factors such adoption of DNA vaccines in healthcare, low costs of DNA vaccines, and increasing investments in DNA technology. The increase in the prevalence of chronic diseases such as cancer, hepatitis, HIV and others are augmenting the growth of the global DNA vaccine market. Moreover, relative ease of large-scale manufacturing compared to traditional approach and less storage requirement are some of the key market drivers. The other factors augmenting the growth of the market includes increasing clinical trials for DNA vaccines both animal based and human based. Several DNA vaccine clinical trials have been recently completed or are currently ongoing, such as ZYC101 (Eisai Pharmaceuticals) has completed phase I trial. HPV-16 and HPV-18 E6/E7 are being evaluated in a phase I clinical trial (Inovio Pharmaceuticals). DNA vaccines have already made significant progress to date. Nearly 100 clinical trials are on-going in humans for a wide range of diseases, and there is a deep pipeline of preclinical projects.For Full Reports Available at:However, uncertainty in regulatory policies and less penetration of DNA vaccine technology in the emerging economies is hindering the growth of the market. However, the increasing benefits offered by the DNA based vaccines and increasing awareness will have a positive impact on the growth of the market in the future.The DNA vaccine market is segmented on the basis type, technology and application. On the basis of type, the market is segmented into animal DNA vaccine and human DNA vaccine. On the basis of technology, the market is bifurcated into Plasmid DNA vaccine and plasmid DNA delivery technology. On the basis of application, the market is divided into oncology, infectious diseases and others. The market for oncology based DNA vaccines and Infectious diseases is one of the largest segment for the DNA based vaccines. Clinical trials for DNA vaccines to treat cancer including metastatic melanoma, prostate, and pancreatic cancer, and other solid tumors, are showing promising results. Inovio Pharmaceuticals has also been working on a DNA-based vaccine for Zika since December 2015.The global DNA vaccine market is analysed on the basis of the geographical regions that are contributing significantly towards the growth of the market. North America dominates the global DNA vaccine market due to the presence of all the major key pharmaceutical companies and increasing clinical trials. Europe is the second largest market followed by Asia pacific region. Asia pacific is the fastest growing segment due to increasing awareness about the benefits and flexibility offered by DNA vaccines.The companies contributing to the growth of global DNA vaccine market are Astellas Pharma, Bharat Biotech, Dendreon Corporation, Indian Immunologicals Limited, GE Healthcare Life Sciences, GlaxoSmithKline Inc., Green Cross Corporation, Innovio Biomedical Corporation, Pfizer Pharmaceuticals, Sanofi, The Serum Institute of India Pvt. Limited, Zoetis Inc. and so on. US AgriLabs in November 2017, announced the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) approval of the first DNA vaccine licensed for chickens. The approval also represents the first for AgriLabs ExactVacTM DNA technology with ENABL adjuvant, the first DNA vaccine approved for influenza for veterinary use, and among the first DNA vaccines approved in the US for food animals.Global DNA vaccines market by typeGlobal DNA vaccines market by technologyGlobal DNA vaccines market by applicationResearch MethodologyThe market study of DNA vaccine market is incorporated by extensive primary and secondary research conducted by research team at OMR. Secondary research has been conducted to refine the available data to breakdown the market in various segments, derive total market size, market forecast and growth rate. Different approaches have been worked on to derive the market value and market growth rate. Our team collects facts and data related to the market from different geography to provide a better regional outlook. In the report country level analysis is provided by analyzing various regional players, regional tax laws and policies, consumer behavior and macro-economic factors. Numbers extracted from Secondary research have been authenticated by conducting proper primary research. It includes tracking down key people from the industry and interviewing them to validate the data. This enables our analyst to derive the closest possible figures without any major deviations in the actual number. Our analysts try to contact as many executives, managers, key opinion leaders and industry experts. Primary research brings the authenticity in our reports.Secondary sources include:Financial reports of companies involved in the marketAuthentic Public DatabasesWhitepapers, research-papers and news blogsCompany websites and their product catalogue.Supplier Websites such as Alibaba, amazon for pricing analysis.The report provides in-depth analysis on pricing, market size, intended quality of the product preferred by consumers, initial norms and vehicle segment. The report will serve as a source for 360-degree analysis of the market thoroughly integrating different models such as PEST analysis, Porter five analysis delivering insights into the market for better business decisions.THE REPORT COVERS:Comprehensive research methodology of Global DNA Vaccine Market.This report also includes detailed and extensive market overview with Analyst insights & key market trends.Exhaustive analysis of macro and micro factors influencing the market guided by key recommendations.Analysis of regional regulations and other government policies impacting the Global DNA Vaccine Market.Insights about market determinants which are stimulating the Global DNA Vaccine Market.Detailed and extensive market segments with regional distribution of forecasted revenues.Extensive profiles and recent developments of market players.For Related Reports:For More Update Follow LinkedIn:Biotechnology market is witnessing exponential growth in healthcare, telemedicine, food and beverage industries. It has also given rise to the development of a whole new technology for industrial production of hormones, antibiotics and other chemicals, food and energy sources and processing of waste materials. Biotechnology tools have given rise to various interdisciplinary fields such as bioinformatics and pharmacy-genomics used for drug delivery, drug discovery, and personalized medicine. OMR provides the biotechnology market reports which include new and emerging fields of genomics, proteomics, bioinformatics, and biomarkers.The global pharmaceuticals revenue has reached over one trillion USD and expected to grow across the globe. North America is predicted to contribute more than 40 percent of the total market revenues followed by Europe. Product launch, partnership, Mergers & Acquisitions are the key strategies adopted by the pharmaceutical giants to stay competitive. The market is expected to grow significantly due to global rise in life style oriented diseases, huge investment in research and development and huge opportunity created by emerging economies.CORPORATE OFFICE:Orion Market Research Pvt Ltd116, Shagun ArcadeVijay Nagar SquareIndore, Madhya Pradesh India- 452010Email: info@omrglobal.com, support@omrglobal.comIndia: +91-780-304-0404, +91-917-982-8694Global: +1-646-755-7667 Smart Hospital Market 2018 Global Leaders: Qualcomm Life, Athenahealth, SAP SE, Microsoft, Cerner Corporation, Stanley Healthcare, SAMSUNG Group, GE Healthcare https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/sample_request/4505 https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/reports/smart-hospital-market-4505 Market Research Future published a research report on Smart Hospital Market Research Report- Global Forecast 2023 Market Analysis, Scope, Stake, Progress, Trends and Forecast to 2023.Market Scenario:The companies such as Siemens AG (Germany), Qualcomm Life Inc. (US), Athenahealth Inc. (U.S), SAP SE (Germany), Microsoft Corporation (U.S), are the leading providers of smart hospital solution in the market. In 2016, STANLEY Healthcare joins with Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society transforming Smart hospital to real time location systems based visibility and analytics solutions. With this visual analytics, it provides real-time data on the location, status of patients, staff and mobile equipment, and others.The smart hospital is next technological revolution in healthcare industry which requires to manage a large amounts of available data. The factors that drives the market growth are machine learning, artificial intelligence, cloud computing services, RFID and others. The radio-frequency identification allows to provide real-time information that supports in decision making and create a secure and reliable smart hospital management information system. The real time patient management system helps in automating and streamlining patient identification processes.Get Sample of Report @The global Smart Hospital Market are bifurcated on the basis of component, technology, connectivity and region. The components are segmented into hardware, software, service, and others. The technology are segmented into artificial intelligence, cloud computing, radio frequencies identification, wearable technologies, zigbee technologies, internet of things and others. The connectivity are segmented wired, wireless and others. The applications are segmented outpatient vigilance, remote medicine management, medical assistance, medical connected imaging, electronic health record & clinical workflow and others. The region includes North America, Europe, Asia Pacific and rest of the world.The regional analysis of smart hospital market is being studied for region such as Asia Pacific, North America, Europe and Rest of the World. North America is one of the leading region across the world in terms of market share in smart hospital market as the smart hospital room, are integrated with sensors that measure heart rate, temperature, light, humidity and others. The smart hospital market in Europe region is expected to witness rapid growth in the forthcoming period. Whereas, Asia-Pacific countries like China, Japan and India is an emerging market for smart hospital market and expected to be the highest CAGR in the coming years as the companies are taking interest in targeting the smart hospital in these market to meet the requirement of customers need.The global smart hospital market is expected to grow at USD ~62 Billion by 2023, at ~25% of CAGR between 2017 and 2023.Key PlayersThe prominent players in the global smart hospital market are Siemens AG (Germany), Qualcomm Life Inc. (US), Athenahealth Inc. (U.S), SAP SE (Germany), Microsoft Corporation (U.S), Cerner Corporation (U.S), Stanley Healthcare (US), Oracle Corporation (US), SAMSUNG Group (South Korea), Philips N.V (Netherlands), GE Healthcare (US) among others.Segments:The global smart hospital market has been segmented on the basis of component, technology, connectivity, applications and region.Global Smart hospital Market by Component:Hardware Sensor Others- Softwar- ServicesGlobal Smart hospital Market by Technology: Artificial Intelligence Cloud Computing RFID Wearable Technologies ZigBee technologies IoT OthersGlobal Smart hospital Market by Connectivity: Wired Wireless OthersGlobal Smart hospital Market by Applications: Outpatient Vigilance Remote Medicine Management Medical Assistance Medical Connected Imaging Electronic Health Record & Clinical Workflow OthersGlobal Smart hospital Market by Regions: North America Europe APAC Rest Of The WorldRegional AnalysisThe regional analysis of smart hospital market is being studied for region such as Asia Pacific, North America, Europe and Rest of the World. North America is one of the leading region across the world in terms of market share in smart hospital market as the smart hospital room, are integrated with sensors that measure heart rate, temperature, light, humidity and others. The smart hospital market in Europe region is expected to witness rapid growth in the forthcoming period. Whereas, Asia-Pacific countries like China, Japan and India is an emerging market for smart hospital market and expected to be the highest CAGR in the coming years as the companies are taking interest in targeting the smart hospital in these market to meet the requirement of customers need.Get complete Report @Intended Audience Professional service providers Research and development companies Market research and consulting firms Solution providers Technology standards organizations Technology investors System IntegratorsAbout Us:At Market Research Future (MRFR), we enable our customers to unravel the complexity of various industries through our Cooked Research Report (CRR), Half-Cooked Research Reports (HCRR), Raw Research Reports (3R), Continuous-Feed Research (CFR), and Market Research & Consulting Services.MRFR team have supreme objective to provide the optimum quality market research and intelligence services to our clients. Our market research studies by products, services, technologies, applications, end users, and market players for global, regional, and country level market segments, enable our clients to see more, know more, and do more, which help to answer all their most important questions.In order to stay updated with technology and work process of the industry, MRFR often plans & conducts meet with the industry experts and industrial visits for its research analyst members.Media Contact:Market Research FutureOffice No. 528, Amanora ChambersMagarpatta Road, Hadapsar,Pune - 411028Maharashtra, India+1 646 845 9312Email: sales@marketresearchfuture.com Rosemary Extract Market will reach at a CAGR of 4.8% from 2017 to 2027 https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/reports/sample/rep-gb-1579 https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/askus/rep-gb-1579 www.futuremarketinsights.com With differentiating strategies such as understanding the needs of customers, the global rosemary extract market products are gaining traction among consumers during the projected period, i.e. 2017 to 2027. Rosemary Extract Market: Global Industry Analysis (2012-2016) and Opportunity Assessment (20172027), is the newly published report by Future Market Insights which offers insights on the global rosemary extract market. The market is likely to reach to US$ 1,063.2 Mn by 2027 end, expanding at the CAGR of 4.8 % during the assessed period of 10 years.Increasing consumer inclination towards aromatherapy and preservatives boost the global rosemary market.Trending demand of herbal extract in European nutraceutical market contribute in the development in the global rosemary market.Growing personal care industry and increasing consumer awareness for rosemary.Growing demand for rosemary for pet food.Most importantly essential oil made of herb like rosemary and other spice extracts are used in cancer therapy that drives the global rosemary extract market.Advanced commercialization of herbs and spices by government create positive impact on the global rosemary extract marketBased on form, the segment is divided into powder, liquid and others. The powder form is expected to account for the largest share owing to its longer shelf life. By 2027 end, powder segment is expected to account for 48.6% value share, and to be valued at US$ 516.3 Mn by the end of 2027. On the other hand liquid segment is expected to account for 46.7% market share, and to be valued at US$ 496.9 Mn by 2027 end. Based on sales channel, the segment is fragmented into two categories, i.e. direct sales and indirect sales. Direct sales to account for the largest share as the ingredient is used by the manufacturers for furtherRequest For Report Sample@processing such as personal care products, beverages, food and many more. Direct Sales segment is expected to remain dominant in the global rosemary extract market throughout the forecast period with a revenue share of 54.7 % by 2027. By 2027 end, indirect sales is expected to account for 45.3% value share, and to be valued at US$ 481.9 Mn. Application segment include food and beverages, personal care, nutraceutical, pharmaceutical and others. Pharmaceuticals and personal care are two major segments and the market witnesses an exponential growth for these segments over the forecast period. By 2027 end, personal care segment is expected to account for 25.9% value share, and to be valued at US$ 275.3 Mn.North America and APEJ are estimated to emerge as the most lucrative markets over the forecast period 2016-2027. The U.S. has already started the agricultural cultivation of Rosemary in the Southwest region. With easy trade flows and investment opportunities APEJ region represents potential segment for the growth of the market. Mediterranean countries, including Turkey, Spain, and Morocco are rapidly growing, expected to become commercial production hubs for Rosemary extracts in the global market.Europe is the supply base, led by Spain and France in terms of supply and export, and production and consumption respectively.Request For Table Of Content @The key players operating in the global rosemary extract market are- Givaudan SA, Kerry Group Plc., Takasago International Corporation, Dohler GmbH Sensient Technologies Corporation, Archer Daniels Midland Company, Ajinomoto Co., Inc., Symrise AG, Firmenich S A, Naturex SA, Kalsec Inc., Olam International, Foodchem International Corporation, McCormick and Company, Inc, Frutarom Industries Ltd., Robertet SA, Synthite Industries Ltd., International Taste Solutions Ltd, Organic Herb Inc., British Pepper and spice Company.Future Market Insights (FMI) is a leading market intelligence and consulting firm. We deliver syndicated research reports, custom research reports and consulting services, which are personalized in nature. FMI delivers a complete packaged solution, which combines current market intelligence, statistical anecdotes, technology inputs, valuable growth insights, an aerial view of the competitive framework, and future market trends.Future Market Insights616 Corporate Way, Suite 2-9018,Valley Cottage, NY 10989,United StatesT: +1-347-918-3531F: +1-845-579-5705Email: sales@futuremarketinsights.comWebsite: Growth of Secure Web Gateway Market in Global Industry : Analysis and Status 2018-2025 https://www.researchmoz.us/enquiry.php?type=S&repid=1529120 https://www.researchmoz.us/secure-web-gateway-market-global-industry-analysis-size-share-growth-trends-and-forecast-2017-2025-report.html/toc https://www.researchmoz.us/secure-web-gateway-market-global-industry-analysis-size-share-growth-trends-and-forecast-2017-2025-report.html http://bit.ly/1TBmnVG https://marketinfo247.wordpress.com/ Albany, NY, 8th May : Recent research and the current scenario as well as future market potential of "Secure Web Gateway Market - Global Industry Analysis, Size, Share, Growth, Trends, and Forecast 2017 - 2025" globally.The Secure Web Gateway Market (Component Solution (Social Media Control, Email Gateway, Data Loss Prevention, Content Inspection Management and Others, Service (Training and Education, Consulting Services and Professional Services; Industry Vertical- BFSI, Telecom and IT, Healthcare, Retail, Government and Defense, Education and Others; Deployment Cloud and On-Premise; End User Large Enterprises, Small and Medium Enterprises) Global Industry Analysis, Size, Share, Growth, Trends and Forecast, 2017 2025, report provides analysis of the secure web gateway market for the period 20152025, wherein the years from 2017 to 2025 is the forecast period and 2016 is considered as the base year.Get PDF for more Professional and Technical insights @Data for 2015 has been included as historical information. The report covers all the trends and technologies playing a major role in the secure web gateway market growth over the forecast period. It highlights the drivers, restraints and opportunities expected to influence the market growth during this period. The study provides a holistic perspective on the markets growth in terms of revenue (in US$ Mn) across different geographical regions, namely North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Middle East & Africa and South America. Report highlights the key trends affecting the market on a global scale. Furthermore, region wise prominent countries/regions covered in the report includes - The U.S, Canada, Germany, France, the U.K., India, China, Japan, GCC, South Africa and Brazil.Global Secure Web Gateway Market: Drivers and RestraintsThe market overview section of the report demonstrates the market dynamics such as the drivers, restraints, opportunities, trends that is expected to influence the current nature and future status of this market. Key indicators mentioned in the report provides a robust view about the vital factors that led to the strong adoption of secure web gateway solutions around the globe. The key indicators also provide significance of the factors which are capable of changing the market scenario. These indicators are expected to define the market position during the forecast period. An attractiveness analysis has also been provided for every segment in the report, in order to provide a thorough understanding of the overall scenario of secure web gateway market. Moreover, the report provides an overview of various strategies adopted by the key players present in the market in company profile section. The report also includes key industry developments covering significant advances made by leading market players over the period of time.Global Secure Web Gateway Market: SegmentationThe report segments the market on the basis of component, industry vertical, deployment, end user and region. The component segment includes solutions and services. Solutions segment is further segmented into social media content, email gateway, data loss prevention, content inspection management and others. Services segment is further segmented into training and education, consulting services and professional services. Industry vertical segment includes BFSI, telecom and IT, healthcare, retail, government and defense, education and others.Global Secure Web Gateway Market: SegmentationThe report also highlights the competitive landscape of the global secure web gateway market, thereby positioning all the major players according to their presence in different regions of the world and recent key developments initiated by them in the secure web gateway market. The comprehensive secure web gateway market estimates are the result of our in-depth secondary research, primary interviews, and in-house expert panel reviews. These market estimates have been analyzed by taking into account the impact of different political, social, economic, technological, and legal factors along with the current market dynamics affecting secure web gateway market growth.View Complete TOC with tables & Figures @This report provides all the essential information required to understand the key developments in secure web gateway market, growth trend of each segment and strategy of each company that helps them to efficiently compete in the market. Also, the report provides insights related to trends and its impact on the market. Furthermore, Porters Five Forces analysis explains the factors which are currently affecting the secure web gateway market.Global Secure Web Gateway Market: Competitive LandscapeForcepoint, Symantec Corporation, Sophos Group Plc., IBM Corporation, Cisco Systems, Inc., iBoss Network Security, WatchGaurd Technologies Inc., Juniper Networks Inc., F5 Networks, Check Point Software Technologies Ltd. and Microsoft Corporation are some of the major players operating within the secure web gateway market profiled in this study. Details such as financials, SWOT analysis, business strategies, recent developments, and other such strategic information pertaining to these players have been duly provided as part of company profiling.Global Secure Web Gateway MarketBy ComponentSolutionSocial Media ControlEmail GatewayData Loss PreventionContent Inspection ManagementOthersServicesTraining and EducationConsulting ServicesProfessional ServicesBy Industry VerticalBFSITelecom and ITHealthcareRetailGovernment and DefenseEducationOthersBy DeploymentCloudOn-PremiseBy End UserLarge EnterprisesSmall and Medium EnterprisesBy RegionNorth AmericaThe U.S.CanadaRest of North AmericaEuropeU.K.GermanyFranceRest of EuropeAsia PacificChinaIndiaJapanRest of Asia PacificBrowse Report @Middle East and AfricaGCCSouth AfricaRest of MEASouth AmericaBrazilRest of South AmericaResearchMoz is the one stop online destination to find and buy market research reports & Industry Analysis. We fulfill all your research needs spanning across industry verticals with our huge collection of market research reports. We provide our services to all sizes of organizations and across all industry verticals and markets. Our Research Coordinators have in-depth knowledge of reports as well as publishers and will assist you in making an informed decision by giving you unbiased and deep insights on which reports will satisfy your needs at the best price.ResearchMozMr. Nachiket Ghumare,90 State Street, Albany NY, United States - 12207Tel: +1-518-621-2074USA-Canada Toll Free: 866-997-4948Email: sales@researchmoz.usFollow us on LinkedIn @Follow me on : Organic Milk Market to Receive overwhelming hike in Revenues by 2026 https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/reports/sample/rep-gb-2416 https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/toc/rep-gb-2416 https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/ The organic milk market encompasses all milk and milk products derived from animals that are fed organic feed that is devoid of any animal by-products, have access to fresh pastures, and are not treated with any synthetic hormones or antibiotics. The term organic only refers to the process in which the milk is prepared and has no relation to the end-product nutrient profile. The market for organic milk is expected to grow at a rapid pace with the mainstreaming of natural and organic foods.Market Dynamics of Organic Milk MarketSimilar to all organic foods, the demand for organic milk is closely tied to the increasing consumer preference for naturally and organically grown products. This positive view of organics is due to several factors such as the perception of anything organic as healthy and pure, increasing care for environment and concern for farm animals. All these factors are crucial for the acceptance of organic milk products, thereby leading to the popularity of labels such as grass-fed and pasture-raised.A sample of this report is available upon request @Price is an important constraining factor for organic milk market as organic milk is almost thrice as costly as regular milk. This high difference limits the scope of the market only to urban and high-aware consumers.The consumer shift towards organic dairy products is also influenced by the large scale food adulteration scandals that have occurred recently. For instance, the 2008 Chinese milk scandal wherein a large number of children were hospitalized due to an excessive amount of melamine in the milk and infant formulas, has led to a great number of regulations, import restrictions and price fluctuations in the market. Events such as these have increased consumer interest in what the animal is fed, how it is raised and processing methods.The regulatory aspects of the organic milk market are mostly centered on the use of the organic label. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) requires that apart from the use of organic feed, cows should have access to fresh grass and spend at least four months a year grazing in pastures. The crucial aspect of organic milk market is a lack of use of synthetic hormones such as rBGH, a growth hormone given to almost 30% of the dairy cows in the US. These ingredients are considered very negatively by most consumers.Market Segmentation of Organic Milk MarketThe organic milk market is segmented on the basis of application, packaging type, distribution channel, and geography.On the basis of application, the organic milk market is segmented as milk, dairy products and milk-based beverages and others. The majority of organic milk is consumed directly in the form of boiled milk, coffee, tea, and in cooking certain dishes at home. The use of organic milk is particularly increasing in households with kids due to extra concerns about food safety and health. The dairy products segment is further segmented into butter, cheese, desserts, and others. The dairy products segment is expected to gain market share with the growing consumer interest in healthy indulgent foods. Further these products are used in some bakery and confectionery good like milk toffies, bars and cakes and cookies.On the basis of packaging type, the market can be segmented into pouches, cartons, bottles, and cans. The use of any specific packaging type depends on the end-purpose and use. For instance, pouches offer a relatively cheap way and easy way to pack milk and are therefore very popular in emerging nations such as India. Cartons are an important packaging type in terms of the longer shelf life and convenience. Bottles can be of both glass and plastic and are heavily used for packing milk and beverages. Cans are mainly used to transport heavy loads of organic milk and in the case of many dairy products.On the basis of distribution channels, the market is segmented into hypermarkets/supermarkets, convenience and grocery stores, specialty stores, the internet and direct selling. The use of internet limited in the case of organic milk market as the products are easily perishable. Hypermarkets and supermarkets occupy the dominant market share mainly because a significant number of organic products are concentrated in large stores. Direct selling in the form of home deliveries is also an important and growing distribution channel because such delivery systems usually source the organic milk from local sources thereby ensuring freshness and quality.Regional Outlook of Organic Milk MarketThe United States occupies the dominant market share in the organic milk market. The increasing consumer awareness about natural consumer goods and increase in the incidence of lifestyle conditions such as obesity. Europe is another very important region in the organic milk market due to the high-income levels, easy product accessibility and strict regulations against synthetic food ingredients. U.K is a major consumer of organic milk and also houses many producers and suppliers. Despite occupying small market share at the current time period, the organic milk market is expected to grow at a significant level in emerging nations such as India and Brazil. This is due to the increasing awareness levels and fears of food adulteration among consumers.To view TOC of this report is available upon request @Key Market Players in Organic Milk MarketSome of the key players in the organic milk market include Danone (WhiteWave Foods Company), Fonterra Co-operative Group Limited, Organic Valley, OMSCo (Organic Milk Suppliers Cooperative), Dairy Farmers of America Inc., Agropur Dairy Cooperative, Arla Foods Amba, Donegal Investment Group plc. , etc. among the others.About UsFuture Market Insights is the premier provider of market intelligence and consulting services, serving clients in over 150 countries. FMI is headquartered in London, the global financial capital, and has delivery centres in the U.S. and India.FMIs research and consulting services help businesses around the globe navigate the challenges in a rapidly evolving marketplace with confidence and clarity. Our customised and syndicated market research reports deliver actionable insights that drive sustainable growth. We continuously track emerging trends and events in a broad range of end industries to ensure our clients prepare for the evolving needs of their consumers.Contact Us:Future Market Insights616 Corporate Way,Suite 2-9018,Valley Cottage,New York 10989,United StatesTel: +1-347-918-3531Fax: +1-845-579-5705Email: sales@futuremarketinsights.comWebsite: Global Music Production Software Market Will Grow At A CAGR Of 9.01% During The Period 2018-2021 https://www.researchmoz.us/enquiry.php?type=S&repid=1378269 https://www.researchmoz.us/global-music-production-software-market-2017-2021-report.html/toc https://www.researchmoz.us/global-music-production-software-market-2017-2021-report.html http://bit.ly/1TBmnVG https://marketinfo247.wordpress.com/ Albany, NY, 8th May : Recent research and the current scenario as well as future market potential of "Global Music Production Software Market 2017-2021" globally.Music refers to a sound that is arranged in a continuous form that expresses an idea or an emotion through rhythm, melody, and harmony. It is produced by singing or playing a musical instrument.Get PDF for more Professional and Technical insights @Music came into existence at least 55,000 years ago. There are different types of music, some of the most popular ones are classical, blues, hip-hop, electro dance music (EDM), jazz, instrumental, pop, opera, rock, vocal, and electronic music. Music production software, also known as a digital audio workshop (DAW), is a software used for digital recording, musical composition, and creating electronic music and other musical applications. During the forecast period, we expect the market to experience moderately high growth, owing to the release of a large number of movies and albums.Technavios analysts forecast the global music production software market to grow at a CAGR of 9.01% during the period 2017-2021.Covered in this reportThe report covers the present scenario and the growth prospects of the global music production software market for 2017-2021. To calculate the market size, the report considers the revenue generated from the software type such as editing, mixing, and recording.The market is divided into the following segments based on geography:AmericasAPACEMEAView Complete TOC with tables & Figures @Technavio's report, Global Music Production Software Market 2017-2021, has been prepared based on an in-depth market analysis with inputs from industry experts. The report covers the market landscape and its growth prospects over the coming years. The report also includes a discussion of the key vendors operating in this market.Key vendorsAbletonCakewalkPreSonus Audio ElectronicsSteinberg Media TechnologiesOther prominent vendorsAppleAvid TechnologyCockosFL StudioMOTUPropellerhead SoftwareMarket driverIncreasing adoption of software by DJs for song mixingFor a full, detailed list, view our reportMarket challengeDeclining interest in learning musicFor a full, detailed list, view our reportMarket trendAvailability of free learning materials on webFor a full, detailed list, view our reportBrowse Report @Key questions answered in this reportWhat will the market size be in 2021 and what will the growth rate be?What are the key market trends?What is driving this market?What are the challenges to market growth?Who are the key vendors in this market space?ResearchMoz is the one stop online destination to find and buy market research reports & Industry Analysis. We fulfill all your research needs spanning across industry verticals with our huge collection of market research reports. We provide our services to all sizes of organizations and across all industry verticals and markets. Our Research Coordinators have in-depth knowledge of reports as well as publishers and will assist you in making an informed decision by giving you unbiased and deep insights on which reports will satisfy your needs at the best price.ResearchMozMr. Nachiket Ghumare,90 State Street, Albany NY, United States - 12207Tel: +1-518-621-2074USA-Canada Toll Free: 866-997-4948Email: sales@researchmoz.usFollow us on LinkedIn @Follow me on : Vegetable Glycerin Market Set to Surge Significantly During 2016-2026 https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/reports/sample/rep-gb-2433 https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/toc/rep-gb-2433 https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/ Vegetable glycerin is natural product extracted from vegetable oil by heating oil at a very high temperature under water pressure. It is produced from palm oil, soy, coconut/ palm oil and others. In terms of taste and color, vegetable glycerin is odorless, colorless and has a sweet flavor. Primary demand for vegetable glycerin is in food and beverage, personal care products and medicines. In food and beverage industry, vegetable glycerin is used as a sugar substitute or sweetener and in personal care and cosmetic products, it is often used in skin care products to make skin moist and healthy. North America and Western Europe are expected to gain largest market share in terms of value and volume during the forecast period.A sample of this report is available upon request @Global Vegetable Glycerin Market: Market DriversSome of the key drivers which are influencing the demand for vegetable glycerin are from the food and beverage manufacturers as it helps to thicken and control the moisture level in food. The majority demand for vegetable glycerin is from processed food manufacturers in which it is added as a humectant and used for preservative purpose. It is also gaining its demand from dairy and confectionery manufacturers where it is primarily used as sweetener. Demand for vegetable glycerin in personal care manufacturers and pharmaceutical industry is also increasing as it often used in moisturizing skin care products. In the global market, demand for vegetable glycerin is also driving due to increasing number of health conscious consumers as in compare to sugar, vegetable glycerin is less sweetens than sugar. Moreover, it is also preferred by consumers seeking for food and beverages with the lower amount of carbohydrates.Global Vegetable Glycerin Market: Market segmentationVegetable glycerin market is segmented on the basis of by source, by grades and by application. Market segment as by source includes palm oil, soy, coconut/palm oil and others (grape seed). Vegetable glycerin market is segmented on the basis of grades such as food grade, pharm grade and industrial grade. Vegetable glycerin market segmentation on the basis of application, it includes food and beverages, personal care and cosmetics and medicines. On analyzing the demand for vegetable glycerin in the global level market, it assesses that majority of its application is from food and beverage industry followed by personal care and cosmetic products. Recently the demand for vegetable glycerin is increased in food industry as it is used as a thickener, wetting agent and as a sweetener. It is mostly used as a food additive in food industry such as in confectionery products, dairy products, prepared and processed food products and many other food products. On the other side, its demand is also expected to increase in personal care and cosmetic industry as it used as a humectant in skin care products, body lotions, shampoos, soaps etc. In pharmaceutical, vegetable glycerin is used as an ingredient in medicines and ointments.Global Vegetable Glycerin Market: Regional OutlookOn the basis of regional segment, vegetable glycerin market is segmented in seven regions including North America, Latin America, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, Asia-Pacific, Japan and the Middle East & Africa. On analyzing the market share on graph, it is expected that North America and Western Europe accounts to majority of share in terms of value in global vegetable glycerin market. Furthermore, increasing demand for confectionery, dairy and processed food products and personal care and cosmetic products among the urban population in developing regions shows that Asia-Pacific is expected to be one of the attractive market in near future.To view TOC of this report is available upon request @Global Vegetable Glycerin Market: Key playersSome of the key players operating in global vegetable glycerin market are Procter & Gamble, NOW Foods, VVF L.L.C., Cargill, Incorporated, Dutch Glycerin Refinery (DGR), The Dow Chemical Company, Parchem fine & specialty chemicals , Avril Group, Essential Depot, Inc. among others.About UsFuture Market Insights is the premier provider of market intelligence and consulting services, serving clients in over 150 countries. FMI is headquartered in London, the global financial capital, and has delivery centres in the U.S. and India.FMIs research and consulting services help businesses around the globe navigate the challenges in a rapidly evolving marketplace with confidence and clarity. Our customised and syndicated market research reports deliver actionable insights that drive sustainable growth. We continuously track emerging trends and events in a broad range of end industries to ensure our clients prepare for the evolving needs of their consumers.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: China DNA Sequencing Market Snapshot Analysis 2018-2022 http://orbisresearch.com/contacts/request-sample/2094114?utm_source=shreyas http://orbisresearch.com/contacts/request-sample/2094114?utm_source=shreyas http://orbisresearch.com/reports/index/the-chinese-market-for-dna-sequencing?utm_source=shreyas A new research study titled, Chinese DNA Sequencing Market 2018-2022 has been added to the comprehensive repository of Orbis Research.The scope of the report includes sequencing technologies, applications, industries, initiatives, markets and companies in China. The markets for sequencing products and services are given for the years 2015, 2016 and 2021.The report covers the Chinese sequencing market by workflow, including sample preparation products, sequencing instruments and consumables, informatics and sequencing services. It includes the Chinese sequencing instrument market by platform (i.e., Sanger and next generation technologies) and by instrument class (i.e., low throughput, high-throughput, benchtop and handheld).Get a PDF Sample of this Report @In this report, China is referred to Mainland China. It does not include Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan. Mainland China has a total of 31 province-level regions, including 22 provinces, four province-level municipalities (cities) and five province-level autonomous regions. Important geographic markets will be discussed, including Beijing, Shanghai, Guangdong and others.More than 100 Chinese companies in the sequencing industry are profiled in this report.Download a Free PDF Sample of this Report @Report Includes:- An in-depth analysis of the Chinese sequencing industry, an important industry in life sciences with enormous market potential.- Analyses of market trends, with data from 2015, estimates for 2016, and projections of CAGRs through 2021.- Quantification of the DNA sequencing markets by product type, platform, customer type, value chain position, analysis type and geography.- A look at substantial future growth opportunities for industry participants including consumer and diagnostic sequencing services, bioinformatics, sequence enrichment, benchtop NGS sequencers and consumables, and emerging sequencing instruments.- Comprehensive discussion covering sequencing technologies, market applications, industry structure, and important clinical sequencing initiatives.- Profiles of major players in the Chinese sequencing industry.Access the complete report with TOC & List of Tables @Companies Mentioned: ABLIFE INC. ACCURAGEN INC ADICON CLINICAL LABORATORIES ADICON CLINICAL LABORATORIES INC. AIC ALLWEGENE AnchorDx ANNOROAD GENE TECHNOLOGY BASETRA LTD. BENAGEN BENEGENE BERRY GENOMICS CO. LTD. BGI BIOGENIUS BIOLOGICAL COMPUTING DIVISION, BEIJING COMPUTING CENTER BIOMARKER BIOMARRY BIONOVOGENE BIOREFER BIOTECAN BIOTECHNOLOGY SHANGHAI BIOTREE BOHENG Burning Rock CAPITALBIO TECHNOLOGY CapitalGenomics CLOUDHEALTH MEDICAL GROUP LTD. CYAGEN Daan Gene DARUI BIOTECHNOLOGY CO. LTD. DATABRIDGE DIAN DIAGNOSTICS Direct Genomics DONGGUAN CITY EMEI TONGDE EZlife FENGHE TECHTable of ContentChapter 1 INTRODUCTIONChapter 2 SUMMARYChapter 3 CHINESE SEQUENCING MARKETChapter 4 GUANGDONG SEQUENCING MARKETChapter 5 BEIJING SEQUENCING MARKETChapter 6 SHANGHAI SEQUENCING MARKETChapter 7 SEQUENCING MARKET IN OTHER REGIONSChapter 8 INDUSTRY STRUCTURE AND MARKET STRATEGIESChapter 9 COMPANY PROFILESChapter 10 APPENDIX GLOSSARYAbout Us:Orbis Research (orbisresearch.com) is a single point aid for all your market research requirements. We have vast database of reports from the leading publishers and authors across the globe. We specialize in delivering customized reports as per the requirements of our clients. We have complete information about our publishers and hence are sure about the accuracy of the industries and verticals of their specialization. This helps our clients to map their needs and we produce the perfect required market research study for our clients.Contact Information:Hector CostelloSenior Manager Client Engagements4144N Central Expressway,Suite 600, Dallas,Texas 75204, U.S.A.Phone No.: +1 (214) 884-6817; +9164101019Email: sales@orbisresearch.com Healthcare Payer Solutions: Market 2018 Segmented by Manufacturers (Cerner Corp, IBM Corp, UnitedHealth Group, Aetna, Allscripts Healthcare Solutions) and Forecasts to 2025 Qy Research Groups https://www.qyresearchgroups.com/request-sample/905489 https://www.qyresearchgroups.com/send-an-enquiry/905489 https://www.qyresearchgroups.com/check-discount/905489 Healthcare Payer Solutions Market Analysis to 2025 is a specialized and in-depth study of the Healthcare Payer Solutions industry with a focus on the global market trend. The report aims to provide an overview of global Healthcare Payer Solutions market with detailed market segmentation by product/application and geography. The global Healthcare Payer Solutions market is expected to witness high growth during the forecast period. The report provides key statistics on the market status of the Healthcare Payer Solutions players and offers key trends and opportunities in the market.Healthcare Payer Solutions Market Players: Cerner Corporation (U.S.) IBM Corporation (U.S.) UnitedHealth Group (U.S.) Aetna, Inc. (U.S.) Allscripts Healthcare Solutions, Inc. (U.S.) Epic Systems Corporation (U.S.) Mckesson Corporation (U.S.) Verisk Health (U.S.) Zeomega, Inc. (U.S.) eClinicalWorks, Inc. (U.S.) NextGen Healthcare (U.S.)Request a Sample Report atMarket segment by Type, the product can be split into Claims Management Solutions Payment Management Solutions Provider Network Management Solutions OthersMarket segment by Application, Healthcare Payer Solutions can be split into Healthcare Provider Healthcare PayerMajor regions are as follows: United States Europe China Japan Southeast Asia IndiaThe report provides a detailed overview of the industry including both qualitative and quantitative information. It provides overview and forecast of the global Healthcare Payer Solutions market based on product and application. It also provides market size and forecast till 2025 for overall Healthcare Payer Solutions 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.Inquire before Buying atAlso, key Healthcare Payer Solutions 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 Healthcare Payer Solutions 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.Inquire for Discount atContact Us:Call: +1-888-236-2744Email: sales@qyresearchgroups.comAbout Us:QY Research Groups is a company that simplifies how analysts and decision makers get industry data for their business. Our unique colossal technology has been developed to offer refined search capabilities designed to exploit the long tail of free market research whilst eliminating irrelevant results. QY Research Groups is the collection of market intelligence products and services on the Web. We offer reports and update our collection daily to provide you with instant online access to the world's most complete and current database of expert insights on global industries, companies, products, and trends.Room B1510, Shiji Kemao Building,No.66 Zhongguancun East Road,Haidian District, Beijing,100190, China. Global Voice Recognition Market Major Growth Driving Factor Are Growing Advent of Smartphones https://www.psmarketresearch.com/market-analysis/voice-recognition-market https://www.psmarketresearch.com/market-analysis/voice-recognition-market/report-sample https://www.psmarketresearch.com One of the evolving trends in the global voice recognition market is the augmented demand for voice recognition, in the healthcare sector. Voice recognition helps in refining efficiency by reducing the time taken for filling out charts, and notes for patients. This helps in verbalizing notes faster and saves time while treating and diagnosing patients. Voice recognition market is the improved use of biometrics. Globally, the biometrics segment is experiencing an extraordinary demand for voice recognition applications, due to the growth in falsified activities. The vendors in the biometric segment are developing easy-to-deploy, and cost effective automatic speech recognition (ASR) applications, which are expected to influence the growth of the voice recognition market. Voice recognition is used for biometric safety resolutions, and by determining the voice of a specific person to allow or deny access. The biometric technology has become prevalent in mobile banking, which requires proof of identity of genuine users by their verbal commands to assist them in making transactions.Explore Full Report Description At:The introduction of voice recognition technology in vehicles and automotives sector has empowered passengers or users, for giving voice instructions to the speech recognition system in the vehicle. The speech recognition instructions in vehicles are processed through the infotainment systems in the cars. In addition to providing admittance to the automotive system through hands free speech commands, the infotainment system in the vehicle provides a user-friendly atmosphere to the user. Moreover, voice-assisted services and products contribute greatly in improving speed, accuracy, and efficiency of various consumer and personal electronic devices, which has given a major boost to the global voice recognition market.One of the major challenges in the global voice recognition market is the shortage of accuracy in the voice recognition systems. Voice recognition applications are extremely sound-sensitive, and therefore any surrounding noise reduces the accuracy level of the voice recognition system.Download Free Report Sample At:Major vendors in the voice recognition market are augmenting their focus on research & development inventions, which has resulted in the introduction of products with improved accuracy and high integration ability. Nuance Communications Inc, Microsoft, ValidSoft Ltd, AGNITO, Advanced Voice Recognition Systems Inc., Auraya Systems, LumenVox, LLC, Raytheon Company, Voice Biometrics Group, VoiceTrust and Aspect Software Inc. are some of the major competitors of the global voice recognition market.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 Research347, 5th Ave. #1402New York City, NY 10016Toll-free: +1-888-778-7886 (USA/Canada)Email: enquiry@psmarketresearch.comWeb: Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Agriculture Market : Global Industry Competitive Landscape & Technological Breakthroughs Analysis For 2018-2025 https://www.researchmoz.us/enquiry.php?type=S&repid=1711672 https://www.researchmoz.us/global-artificial-intelligence-ai-in-agriculture-sales-market-report-2018-report.html/toc https://www.researchmoz.us/global-artificial-intelligence-ai-in-agriculture-sales-market-report-2018-report.html http://bit.ly/1TBmnVG https://marketinfo247.wordpress.com/ Albany, NY, 8th May : Recent research and the current scenario as well as future market potential of "Global Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Agriculture Sales Market Report 2018" globally.In this report, the global Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Agriculture market is valued at USD XX million in 2017 and is expected to reach USD XX million by the end of 2025, growing at a CAGR of XX% between 2017 and 2025.Get PDF for more Professional and Technical insights @Geographically, this report split global into several key Regions, with sales (K Units), revenue (Million USD), market share and growth rate of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Agriculture for these regions, from 2013 to 2025 (forecast), coveringUnited StatesChinaEuropeJapanSoutheast AsiaIndiaGlobal Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Agriculture market competition by top manufacturers/players, with Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Agriculture sales volume, Price (USD/Unit), revenue (Million USD) and market share for each manufacturer/player; the top players includingIBMJohn DeereMicrosoftAgribotixThe Climate Corporationec2ceDescartes LabsSky Squirrel TechnologiesMavrxaWhereGamayaPrecision HawkGranularProsperaCainthusSpensa TechnologiesRessonFarmBotConnecterraVision RoboticsHarvest CrooAutonomous Tractor CorporationTrace GenomicsVine RangersCropXOn the basis of product, this report displays the production, revenue, price, market share and growth rate of each type, primarily split intoMachine LearningComputer VisionPredictive AnalyticsView Complete TOC with tables & Figures @On the basis on the end users/applications, this report focuses on the status and outlook for major applications/end users, sales volume, market share and growth rate for each application, includingPrecision FarmingDrone AnalyticsAgriculture RobotsLivestock MonitoringOtherTable of Contents1 Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Agriculture Market Overview1.1 Product Overview and Scope of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Agriculture1.2 Classification of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Agriculture by Product Category1.2.1 Global Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Agriculture Market Size (Sales) Comparison by Type (2013-2025)1.2.2 Global Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Agriculture Market Size (Sales) Market Share by Type (Product Category) in 20171.2.3 Machine Learning1.2.4 Computer Vision1.2.5 Predictive Analytics1.3 Global Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Agriculture Market by Application/End Users1.3.1 Global Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Agriculture Sales (Volume) and Market Share Comparison by Application (2013-2025)1.3.2 Precision Farming1.3.3 Drone Analytics1.3.4 Agriculture Robots1.3.5 Livestock Monitoring1.3.6 Other1.4 Global Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Agriculture Market by Region1.4.1 Global Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Agriculture Market Size (Value) Comparison by Region (2013-2025)1.4.2 United States Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Agriculture Status and Prospect (2013-2025)1.4.3 China Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Agriculture Status and Prospect (2013-2025)1.4.4 Europe Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Agriculture Status and Prospect (2013-2025)1.4.5 Japan Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Agriculture Status and Prospect (2013-2025)1.4.6 Southeast Asia Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Agriculture Status and Prospect (2013-2025)1.4.7 India Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Agriculture Status and Prospect (2013-2025)1.5 Global Market Size (Value and Volume) of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Agriculture (2013-2025)1.5.1 Global Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Agriculture Sales and Growth Rate (2013-2025)1.5.2 Global Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Agriculture Revenue and Growth Rate (2013-2025)Browse Report @2 Global Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Agriculture Competition by Players/Suppliers, Type and Application2.1 Global Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Agriculture Market Competition by Players/Suppliers2.1.1 Global Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Agriculture Sales and Market Share of Key Players/Suppliers (2013-2018)2.1.2 Global Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Agriculture Revenue and Share by Players/Suppliers (2013-2018)2.2 Global Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Agriculture (Volume and Value) by Type2.2.1 Global Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Agriculture Sales and Market Share by Type (2013-2018)2.2.2 Global Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Agriculture Revenue and Market Share by Type (2013-2018)2.3 Global Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Agriculture (Volume and Value) by Region2.3.1 Global Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Agriculture Sales and Market Share by Region (2013-2018)2.3.2 Global Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Agriculture Revenue and Market Share by Region (2013-2018)2.4 Global Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Agriculture (Volume) by ApplicationResearchMoz is the one stop online destination to find and buy market research reports & Industry Analysis. We fulfill all your research needs spanning across industry verticals with our huge collection of market research reports. We provide our services to all sizes of organizations and across all industry verticals and markets. Our Research Coordinators have in-depth knowledge of reports as well as publishers and will assist you in making an informed decision by giving you unbiased and deep insights on which reports will satisfy your needs at the best price.ResearchMozMr. Nachiket Ghumare,90 State Street, Albany NY, United States - 12207Tel: +1-518-621-2074USA-Canada Toll Free: 866-997-4948Email: sales@researchmoz.usFollow us on LinkedIn @Follow me on : Lichen Sclerosus Treatment Market Size Expected to Surpass USD 150 million at 7.8% CAGR by 2023 | Market Research Future Lichen Sclerosus Treatment Market https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/sample_request/4265 https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/check-discount/4265 https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/enquiry/4265 The Global Lichen Sclerosus Treatment Market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 7.8% during the forecast period and is estimated to reach USD 150 million by 2023.Lichen Sclerosus Treatment Market - Major PlayersSome of the key players in the global market are:AstraZeneca plcBristol-Myers Squibb CompanyGlaxoSmithKline plcJohnson & Johnson Services Inc.Merck & Co. Inc.Pfizer Inc.Sandoz AG (Novartis AG)Sanofi S.A.Valeant PharmaceuticalsZylera PharmaceuticalsTry Sample Report Here @Lichen Sclerosus Treatment Market - OverviewLichen Sclerosus is underdiagnosed condition of the anogenital region. It is often painful and itchy and may cause sexual and urinary dysfunction. Increasing prevalence of skin diseases worldwide is one of the major factors contributing to the growth of the market. Moreover, hormonal misbalance in females undergoing menopause are more susceptible to lichen sclerosus, which boosts the growth of market. On the other hand, availability of exact treatment, and unawareness about rare skin diseases among people may hamper the market growth.Prevalence of skin diseases is increasing across the globe. People are unaware of most of the rare skin diseases, which is one of the driving factors of the market. Moreover, lichen sclerosus treatment market is driven by growing prevalence of this disease in both developed and developing countries. Additionally, increasing geriatric population with skin disease, which remain untreated for a long period of time boost the market growth.Lichen Sclerosus Treatment Market - Intended AudienceMedical Device ManufacturersMedical Research LaboratoriesResearch and Development (R&D) CompaniesMarket Research and Consulting Service ProvidersPotential InvestorsLichen Sclerosus Treatment Market - Regional AnalysisThe global lichen sclerosus treatment market consists of four regions: the Americas, Europe, Asia Pacific, and the Middle East & Africa.The Americas dominates the global lichen sclerosus treatment market. It comprises of two regions namely North America and South America. North America is the largest market owing to rising prevalence of skin diseases in the American counties and increasing geriatric population with skin diseases. According to the American Academy of Dermatology, 50% of Americans over age 65 have skin disease.Get Discount on Report @In the Europe, extensive demand for skin care and topical products to treat skin diseases drives the market growth. Moreover, increasing investment in research & development in developing new treatment methods for skin related diseases add fuel to the growth of the market.Asia Pacific is the fastest growing and potential market for the lichen sclerosus treatment owing to increasing number of dermatology clinics and rising prevalence of lichen sclerosus in the developing countries. Rising prevalence of vulvas lichen sclerosus in women act as a risk factor for vulvar cancer also drives the growth of this market.The Middle East & Africa is expected witness steady growth due to rising demand for primary healthcare services such as diagnosis and medical devices.Lichen Sclerosus Treatment Market - SegmentationThe global sclerosus treatment market is segmented on the basis of type of treatment, which includes drug therapy, and surgery. His drug therapy is further segmented into corticosteroid, immune modulating drugs, retinoid like agents, and others. The surgery is further segmented into laser surgery, circumcision, and others. On the basis of mode of administration, the market is segmented into oral, topical, IV (Intravenous), and others. The oral administration is further segmented into tablets, capsule and others. The topical administration is further segmented into creams, ointment, and others. On the basis of end user, the market is segmented into hospitals, dermatology clinics, pharmacies, and others.Major Table of Contents1 Introduction1.1 Definition1.2 Scope of Study1.3 Research Objective1.4 Assumptions & Limitations1.5 Market Structure:2 Research Methodology2.1 Research Process2.2 Primary Research2.3 Secondary Research3 Market Dynamics3.1 Drivers3.2 Restraints3.3 Opportunities3.4 Challenges3.5 Macroeconomic Indicators4 Market Factor AnalysisContinuedTo Know More Enquire @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.In order to stay updated with technology and work process of the industry, MRFR often plans & conducts meet with the industry experts and industrial visits for its research analyst members.Contact:Market Research FutureOffice No. 528, Amanora ChambersMagarpatta Road, Hadapsar,Pune 411028Maharashtra, India+1 646 845 9312Email: salesteam@marketresearchfuture.com Deep Ocean Water Technology could save the Water Crisis in IRAN & SOUTH AFRICA "Every Drop Counts" WaterMicronWorld IRAN & SOUTH AFRICA:The Seawater is evaporated at the front of The DOW Water Production Greenhouse to create cool humid conditions inside. A proportion of the evaporated seawater is then condensed as fresh water that can be used to irrigate the crops. Excess freshwater created in the Greenhouse can be used to irrigate additional crops grown outside the greenhouse.The air going into The DOW Water Production Greenhouse is first cooled and humidified by seawater, which trickles over the first evaporator. This provides good climate conditions for the crops. As the air leaves the growing area, it passes through the second evaporator over which seawater is flowing. This seawater has been heated by the sun in a network of pipes above the growing area, making the air much hotter and more humid. It then meets a series of vertical pipes through which cool seawater passes. When the hot humid air meets the cool surfaces, fresh water will condense as droplets that run down to the base where they can be collected.Benefits:Freshwater production: The fresh water produced is pure and distilled from seawater, with no need for chemical treatment.No fossil-fuel requirements:Unlike traditional greenhouses, which often rely on gas or other fossil fuels for temperature control and CO2 enrichment, The DOW Water Production Greenhouse systems use only seawater and sunlight to control the growing environments, with equal effectiveness.Pesticide free:The DOW Water Production Greenhouse evaporators have a biocidal and scrubbing effect on the ventilation airflow. This greatly reduces or eliminates the need for pesticides.Land:The WMW technology enables the development of land normally considered unsuitable for agriculture.Cost-effective:Commercial grade crops yields, coupled with significantly lower capital and operating costs result in enhanced operator economics.Import Substitution and Jobs:On a country or regional level, there may be advantages linked to import substitution. Most arid regions of the world are net importers of horticultural produce. By employing The DOW Water Production Greenhouse systems on a large scale these regions could see rises in local green employment as well as reductions in costs by substituting expensive imports with high-quality, locally produced DOW Water Production Greenhouse crops.USD 0.0003c Per Liter over a period of 20 YearsThe economics of any greenhouse depend on a number of factors, including the local climate, growing methods and greenhouse styles. While The DOW Water Production Greenhouse system economics are influenced by these factors also, they benefit from several key advantages, regardless of crop, market or regionThe DOW Water Production Greenhouse systems operate most efficiently and achieve greatest profitability when they are located in arid regions, in proximity to the sea.Climate change, together with rising world populations and unsustainable farming practices, are causing the exhaustion of fresh drinking water and food resources. The necessity for both is expected to exceed availability in the foreseeable future. It is the simple reality of this situation which gave rise to the idea for The DOW Water Production Greenhouse.The DOW Water Production Greenhouse provides a low-cost solution by enabling year-round drinking water and crop production in some of the worlds hottest and driest regions. It does this using seawater and sunlight. The technology imitates natural processes, helping to restore the environment while significantly reducing the operating costs of greenhouse horticulture."Every Drop Counts"WaterMicronWorld is the leader in the manufacture, marketing and distribution of highly advanced atmospheric water generators that extract the moisture from the air and converts it into clean, pure drinking water. Water, essential for all aspects of life, is the world's most valuable commodity and is becoming increasingly scarce.We bring an ecologically friendly and new source of pure drinking water to industry, businesses and home users alike. We provide truly affordable, state-of-the-art technology that is easy to operate and maintain. Our technology taps into a water source that does not place more demands on Mother Earth--Pure water from the air we breathe!WaterMicronWorld.LtdRimklongchonprathan PrachuabkhirikhanThailand 7710Contact: Robert RainmanPhone: +66810167702 Expansion and growth of Temos International: From "Temos Certification to "Temos Internatoinal Healthcare Accreditation" www.temos-international.com Temos International Healthcare Accreditation Quality solutions. Thriving organizations.Cologne, 08 May 2018 After eight years of successful and continuous business growth, Temos management supported by the Temos Medical Board and Temos Assessors Advisory Board has changed its program from Temos International Certification to Temos International Healthcare Accreditation (TIHA).Since 2010, Temos International has been helping hospitals, clinics and medical travel coordinators to achieve their highest levels of performance and to deliver top quality for the international patients they serve. By working collaboratively with its clients, Temos encourages innovation and avoids the one size fits all approach to quality assessment which does not work across cultures for providers or patients.As a German based quality organization, we used to follow the German national definition for quality continuous quality improvement and assessments and founded Temos International in 2010 as a certification body. After submission of our standards to the International Society for Quality in Healthcare (ISQua) for accreditation this year we decided to adjust our scope and our name to accreditation as it is used internationally, stated Prof Dr Rupert Gerzer, chairman of the Temos Medical Board.The Temos Assessors Advisory Boards (TAAB) primary role is to advise Temos management on various operational processes. One of the latest recommendations is to change the name to Temos International Healthcare Accreditation (TIHA). This change highlights the focus on what we do and is consistent with the organizations development and expansion, added Dr Hashem Alfadel, chairman of the TAAB.For me personally, Temos International Healthcare Accreditation as well as the submission of our standards for ISQua accreditation are milestones in the Temos success story. The review of our standards is based on eight years of assessments in more than 150 hospitals and clinics worldwide, the feedback of our international assessors, our colleagues in 15 Temos regional offices worldwide, and our esteemed customers. Our certified partners and the Temos International Alliance can be reassured that we continue to support our partners to raise the quality of clinical standards, improve patient safety, and reduce costs for an overall superior client experience. stated Dr Claudia Mika, Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Temos International Healthcare Accreditation.Organizations interested in the Temos accreditation programs can make a request at info@temos-international.com or call +49 2204 426480Founded in 2010, Temos is the only worldwide independent accreditation body focused on the quality of international patient management from the medical and non-clinical perspectives. With 15 regional offices around the world, the German-based Temos serves providers and patients on six continents.Temos International GmbHFriedrich-Ebert-Str. 7551145 Bergisch GladbachGermany Automotive Engine Oil Market to Record an Exponential CAGR by 2020 https://www.persistencemarketresearch.com/samples/2838 https://www.persistencemarketresearch.com/methodology/2838 http://www.persistencemarketresearch.com The function of engine oil in automobiles is to reduce metal-to-metal contact in order to minimize overall friction and reduce damage. In automobile, friction is one of the major sources of engine heat, which produce more wear and deform moving engine parts. The oil in automobile engine develop a skinny, lubricating film on all metal parts that lets them move smoothly over each other thus minimizing friction. Engine oil also removes small particles of dust and other impurities present in automobiles fuels. Furthermore, it seals the gap between the pistons and the cylinder walls so that the fuel combustion is more efficient. It also coats all the moving parts of automobile engine to provide a layer of protection against rust.Engine oil are mostly differentiated on the basis of their viscosity index (resistance to thinning with increasing temperature), their engine size and volume. In general engine oil has a propensity to drop viscosity index, when it is used for longer duration. Thus it is important to protect viscosity loss to allow the engine oil to sustain the lubricating film between engine parts at least for thousands of miles. In order to improve viscosity index over longer period of use certain additive such as Dispersants, anti-wear agents, friction modifiers, pour-point depressants, antioxidants and foam inhibitors are used in engine oil.Request Report Sample@Based on the technology engine oils are broadly classified in four market variants: Premium Conventional engine Oil (used in two/three wheelers and medium sized cars), Full Synthetic engine Oil (for high-tech engines such as Chevy Corvette and Mercedes-Benz), Synthetic Blend engine Oil (these engine oil are a blend of synthetic engine oil mixed with organic engine oil used in LMVs and SUVs) and Higher Mileage engine Oil (oils with higher viscosity index and used in H.M.Vs and SUVs).North America is the largest market for automotive engine oil mainly attributed to large volume of motor vehicle in this region. It is followed by Europe and Asia Pacific. The market is witnessing an escalating growth in Asia Pacific region. China, in recent years, has become the global hub for the automobile industry. Some of the other region in Asia Pacific such as India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand and Philippines are growing into the largest markets for small car segment in the world.Growing middle class, rising disposable income, developing surface transportation infrastructure, growing aspiration of owning private vehicles, increasing mobility due to development of satellite township near megacities and increase demand of goods carriers from micro, small and medium size enterprises are fueling the market for automotive engine oil in Asia Pacific region. Growing automotive aftermarket and do it yourself (DIY) culture in North America and Europe is fueling the growth of automotive engine oil in retail sector in these two region.Request Report Methodology@Some of the major players operating in the automotive engine oil market include Saudi Arabian Oil Co., Total S.A, Gazprom, ROSNEFT, LUKOIL oil company, Royal Dutch Shell plc, Exxon Mobil Corporation, BP p.l.c, Statoil, Chevron Corporation., Sinopec Lubricant Company, JIANGSU LOPAL TECH. CO.,LTD. and Ashland Inc.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: Heart Valve Devices Market is Rising to a Valuation of US$ 16.2 bn in 2025 https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/heart-valve-devices-market.html https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=B&rep_id=486 https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=D&rep_id=486 https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com The world heart valves devices market is a fragmented one owing to the existence of various manufacturers. Whilst some of the companies have diverse product portfolio, there are other companies who are focused on specific products. In the years to come, the said market is poised to see the entry of more and more players who are jostling with each other thereby making the competition stiff, which in turn will result in strategic acquisitions and collaborations.View Report:A few of the leading market participants in the world market for heart valve devices are Sorin Group, Boston Scientific Corporation, Lepu Medical Technology Co., Ltd, Edward Lifesciences Corporation, JenaValve Technology, Inc., Micro Interventional Devices, Inc., CryoLife, Inc., Medtronic, Neovasc, Inc., TTK HealthCare, and Abbott. A few of the upcoming market players comprise Novostia SA, Auto Tissue Berlin GmbH, SYMETIS, and XELTIS amongst many others.In accordance with market intelligence study by Transparency Market Research forecasts that the international market for heart valve devices to progress impressively by clocking a CAGR of 12.4% over the forecast timeframe that extends from the year 2017 to the year 2025. Expanding at this pace, the said market is worth around US$ 5.8 bn in the year 2016 and is likely to attain a market valuation of around US$ 16.2 bn in the year 2025.North America to Register High Growth Due to Rapid Adoption of Advanced TechnologiesRequest a Brochure of the Report @From a geographical point of view, the region of North America to lead the international market for heart valve devices owing to increased adoption of technically superior products and comparatively greater ASP or average selling prices of heart valve devices in the region of North America. By rising at a growth rate of around 12.4% CAGR over the period that extends from the year 2017 to 2025, the North American region is likely to attain a market valuation of around US$ 6.92 bn in terms of market revenue.The region of Europe follows North America in the international market for heart valve devices vis-a-vis market share. The said regional segments growth has been mainly being brought about by several product launches, encouraging policies by the government, and a large base of elderly populace who are highly vulnerable to numerous heart ailments. In terms of rate of growth, however, the region of Asia Pacific is anticipated to surpass other geographies by clocking a growth rate of 13.3% CAGR over the timeframe of forecast. The growth of the said region is primarily to be influenced by the high occurrences of diseases of heart valve and a better healthcare infrastructure.Enquiry for Discount on this Report @Technological Advancement to Stimulate Market GrowthThe world market for heart valve devices is primarily driven by the rising occurrences of obesity and prevalence of unhealthy lifestyle of people across the globe, thereby resulting in pathological disorders and cardiac diseases. In addition to that, the soaring requirement for procedures that are minimally invasive reduces the need for infections, blood transfusions and it even leads to shorter hospital stays by accelerating the procedure of healing. Such factors are also helping in bolstering the demand for the said devices. Furthermore, constant modification of products brought about through incorporation of newest technologies result in more advanced heart valve devices and the same is also proving to be beneficial for the market.About UsTransparency Market Research (TMR) is a market intelligence company, providing global business information reports and services. Our exclusive blend of quantitative forecasting and trends analysis provides forward-looking insight for thousands of decision makers. TMRs experienced team of analysts, researchers, and consultants, use proprietary data sources and various tools and techniques to gather, and analyze information. Our business offerings represent the latest and the most reliable information indispensable for businesses to sustain a competitive edge.Contact UsTransparency Market Research90 State Street, Suite 700Albany, NY 12207Tel: +1-518-618-1030USA - Canada Toll Free: 866-552-3453Email: sales@transparencymarketresearch.comWebsite: Global Excitation System Sales Market Report 2025 ABB, Rolls Royce, Voith, Tenel, Basler Electric https://www.marketresearchreports.biz/sample/sample/1689776 https://www.marketresearchreports.biz/sample/enquiry/1689776 http://www.marketresearchreports.biz/ "The Latest Research Report Global Excitation System Sales Market Report 2018 provides information on pricing, market analysis, shares, forecast, and company profiles for key industry participants. - MarketResearchReports.biz"The main objective of this report is to aid the user in understanding the market as a whole, its definitions, segmentation, market potential, influential trends, and the barriers that it is facing. Meticulous research and analysis were an important part of the report preparation. Those reading the report will be able to get a detailed understanding about the market. Industry experts have verified and checked the data and information that have been taken from credible sources like websites, annual reports of companies, journals, and other resources. In order give the facts and data a pictorial form, diagrams, graphs, pie charts, and other representations have been used. That augments the visual appeal of the report and makes understanding it much easier.In this report, the global Excitation System market is valued at USD XX million in 2017 and is expected to reach USD XX million by the end of 2025, growing at a CAGR of XX% between 2017 and 2025.Geographically, this report split global into several key Regions, with sales (K Units), revenue (Million USD), market share and growth rate of Excitation System for these regions, from 2013 to 2025 (forecast), coveringUnited StatesChinaEuropeJapanSoutheast AsiaIndiaGlobal Excitation System market competition by top manufacturers/players, with Excitation System sales volume, Price (USD/Unit), revenue (Million USD) and market share for each manufacturer/player; the top players includingABBRolls RoyceVoithTenelBasler ElectricKonear InemAltex ElectricAutomation Electronics IndiaAmtech PowerAndritzSiemensGEVEO OYGet Sample Copy of this report @On the basis of product, this report displays the production, revenue, price, market share and growth rate of each type, primarily split intoBy TypeStaticBrushlessBy Controller TypeAnalogDigitalOn 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, includingSynchronous GeneratorsSynchronous MachinesTable of ContentsGlobal Excitation System Sales Market Report 20181 Excitation System Market Overview1.1 Product Overview and Scope of Excitation System1.2 Classification of Excitation System by Product Category1.2.1 Global Excitation System Market Size (Sales) Comparison by Type (2013-2025)1.2.2 Global Excitation System Market Size (Sales) Market Share by Type (Product Category) in 20171.2.3 Static1.2.4 Brushless1.3 Global Excitation System Market by Application/End Users1.3.1 Global Excitation System Sales (Volume) and Market Share Comparison by Application (2013-2025)1.3.2 Synchronous Generators1.3.3 Synchronous Machines1.4 Global Excitation System Market by Region1.4.1 Global Excitation System Market Size (Value) Comparison by Region (2013-2025)1.4.2 United States Excitation System Status and Prospect (2013-2025)1.4.3 China Excitation System Status and Prospect (2013-2025)1.4.4 Europe Excitation System Status and Prospect (2013-2025)1.4.5 Japan Excitation System Status and Prospect (2013-2025)1.4.6 Southeast Asia Excitation System Status and Prospect (2013-2025)1.4.7 India Excitation System Status and Prospect (2013-2025)1.5 Global Market Size (Value and Volume) of Excitation System (2013-2025)1.5.1 Global Excitation System Sales and Growth Rate (2013-2025)1.5.2 Global Excitation System Revenue and Growth Rate (2013-2025)2 Global Excitation System Competition by Players/Suppliers, Type and Application2.1 Global Excitation System Market Competition by Players/Suppliers2.1.1 Global Excitation System Sales and Market Share of Key Players/Suppliers (2013-2018)2.1.2 Global Excitation System Revenue and Share by Players/Suppliers (2013-2018)2.2 Global Excitation System (Volume and Value) by Type2.2.1 Global Excitation System Sales and Market Share by Type (2013-2018)2.2.2 Global Excitation System Revenue and Market Share by Type (2013-2018)2.3 Global Excitation System (Volume and Value) by Region2.3.1 Global Excitation System Sales and Market Share by Region (2013-2018)2.3.2 Global Excitation System Revenue and Market Share by Region (2013-2018)2.4 Global Excitation System (Volume) by Application3 United States Excitation System (Volume, Value and Sales Price)3.1 United States Excitation System Sales and Value (2013-2018)3.1.1 United States Excitation System Sales and Growth Rate (2013-2018)3.1.2 United States Excitation System Revenue and Growth Rate (2013-2018)3.1.3 United States Excitation System Sales Price Trend (2013-2018)3.2 United States Excitation System Sales Volume and Market Share by Players (2013-2018)3.3 United States Excitation System Sales Volume and Market Share by Type (2013-2018)3.4 United States Excitation System Sales Volume and Market Share by Application (2013-2018)Send An Enquiry Request @4 China Excitation System (Volume, Value and Sales Price)4.1 China Excitation System Sales and Value (2013-2018)4.1.1 China Excitation System Sales and Growth Rate (2013-2018)4.1.2 China Excitation System Revenue and Growth Rate (2013-2018)4.1.3 China Excitation System Sales Price Trend (2013-2018)4.2 China Excitation System Sales Volume and Market Share by Players (2013-2018)4.3 China Excitation System Sales Volume and Market Share by Type (2013-2018)4.4 China Excitation System Sales Volume and Market Share by Application (2013-2018)5 Europe Excitation System (Volume, Value and Sales Price)5.1 Europe Excitation System Sales and Value (2013-2018)5.1.1 Europe Excitation System Sales and Growth Rate (2013-2018)5.1.2 Europe Excitation System Revenue and Growth Rate (2013-2018)5.1.3 Europe Excitation System Sales Price Trend (2013-2018)5.2 Europe Excitation System Sales Volume and Market Share by Players (2013-2018)5.3 Europe Excitation System Sales Volume and Market Share by Type (2013-2018)5.4 Europe Excitation System Sales Volume and Market Share by Application (2013-2018)About usMarketResearchReports.biz is the most comprehensive collection of market research reports. MarketResearchReports.Biz services are specially designed to save time and money for our clients. We are a one stop solution for all your research needs, our main offerings are syndicated research reports, custom research, subscription access and consulting services. We serve all sizes and types of companies spanning across various industries.ContactMr. NachiketState Tower90 Sate Street, Suite 700Albany, NY 12207Tel: +1-518-621-2074Website:E: sales@marketresearchreports.biz EMEA (Europe, Middle East and Africa) Automotive Artificial Intelligence Market Report 2018 EMEA (Europe, Middle East and Africa) Automotive Artificial Intelligence Market Report 2018 http://www.qyresearchglobal.com/goods-1580791.html http://www.qyresearcheurope.com/ or http://www.qyresearch.com/ The EMEA (Europe, Middle East and Africa) Automotive Artificial Intelligence Market Report 2018 is in-depth study of overall Automotive Artificial Intelligence market including introduction of product, definition, scope, Automotive Artificial Intelligence global sale, and forecast up to 2025.The Automotive Artificial Intelligence industry report clarifies the past experience and trends, on the basis of these past experiences, it offers the future prediction considering other factors influencing the growth rate. This worldwide report offers the detailed analysis of the important factors such as market dynamics (DROT), PEST, and PORTER which assists the growth of the Automotive Artificial Intelligence Industry. These past experience and factors assist to build the strategy and future planning of Automotive Artificial Intelligence Market and hold a place in the competitive world.This report is the extensive analysis of the Automotive Artificial Intelligence industry based on the primary and secondary in-depth research. The scope of the report includes the global and regional sale, product consumption in terms of volume and value. The Automotive Artificial Intelligence market report offers a forecast of revenue, CAGR, and cumulative revenue. The gathered information about Automotive Artificial Intelligence global business is represented in the figures, tables, pie chart, and graphs.The Automotive Artificial Intelligence industry Market report offers the competitive scenario in the Automotive Artificial Intelligence industry based on the type of product, applications, and the companies that are present in the Automotive Artificial Intelligence market, and covers the company profiles, their development policies, lined up products and recent launched along with the SWOT analysis of companies.To get a complete report sample from this link:Geographically, this report split EMEA into Europe, the Middle East and Africa, With sales (K Units), revenue (Million USD), market share and growth rate of Automotive Artificial Intelligence for these regions, from 2013 to 2025 (forecast)Europe: Germany, France, UK, Russia, Italy and Benelux;Middle East: Saudi Arabia, Israel, UAE and Iran;Africa: South Africa, Nigeria, Egypt and Algeria.EMEA Automotive Artificial Intelligence market competition by top manufacturers/players, with Automotive Artificial Intelligence sales volume (K Units), price (USD/Unit), revenue (Million USD) and market share for each manufacturer/player; the top players includingNVIDIA Corporation (US)Alphabet Inc. (US)Intel Corporation (US)IBM Corporation (US)Microsoft Corporation (US)Harman International Industries Inc. (US)...On the basis of product, this report displays the sales volume, revenue, product price, market share and growth rate of each type, primarily split intoAutomatic DriveADASOn 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, includingPassanger CarsCommercial VehiclesThe study objectives of this report are:To study and analyze the global Automotive Artificial Intelligence market size (value & volume) by company, key regions/countries, products and application, history data from 2013 to 2017, and forecast to 2025.To understand the structure of Automotive Artificial Intelligence market by identifying its various subsegments.To share detailed information about the key factors influencing the growth of the market (growth potential, opportunities, drivers, industry-specific challenges and risks).Focuses on the key global Automotive Artificial Intelligence manufacturers, to define, describe and analyze the sales volume, value, market share, market competition landscape, SWOT analysis and development plans in next few years.To analyze the Automotive Artificial Intelligence with respect to individual growth trends, future prospects, and their contribution to the total market.To project the value and volume of Automotive Artificial Intelligence submarkets, with respect to key regions (along with their respective key countries).To analyze competitive developments such as expansions, agreements, new product launches, and acquisitions in the market.To strategically profile the key players and comprehensively analyze their growth strategies.This research study focuses to product specifications, Automotive Artificial Intelligence cost specifications, production capacity, distributors list, Automotive Artificial Intelligence marketing channel, and detail analysis of the export/import of the product. The Automotive Artificial Intelligence research document also offers raw material suppliers, cost, and downstream consumer list.All features mentioned above is included in the Automotive Artificial Intelligence Market Report 2018 which can offer solution to the difficulties to the prominent members of the Automotive Artificial Intelligence market.Additionally, the important terminologies, government policies, and regulations related to Automotive Artificial Intelligence market product are added.Contact Details:Company Name: QYResearch CO.,LIMITED | focus on Market Survey and ResearchTina| Sales ManagersTel: 0086-20-22093278(CN)Email: sales@qyresearchglobal.com or tinaning@qyresearch.comWeb:QYResearch, established in 2007, focuses on custom research, management consulting, IPO consulting, industry chain research, and data base &seminar services. The company owns large basic databases (such as National Bureau of Statistics Database, Customs Import and Export Database, Industry Association Database, etc.), expert resources (including industry experts who own more than 10 years experiences on marketing or R&D in industries of energy, automotive, chemicals, medical ICT consumer goods, etc.), professional survey team (the team members obtained more than 3 years market survey experience and more than 2 years deep expert interview experience), and excellent data analysis team (SPSS statistics and PPT graphics process team).Room 2901 VILI International Building No.167 Linhe West Road Home Rehabilitation Products and Services Market will register a CAGR of about 8.50% between 2015 and 2023 https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/home-rehabilitation-products-services-market.html https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=B&rep_id=6053 https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=D&rep_id=6053 https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com According to a research report recently published by Transparency Market Research, mergers and acquisitions are likely to be a core aspect of the expansion plans carried out by the leading players in the global home rehabilitation products and services market. Some of the leading players in the market for 2014 included RehabCare, Stryker Corporation, Medline Industries, Prism Medical, DJO Global, and AliMed, all who shared the commonly popular tendency of going through mergers and acquisitions. The report also states that a large number of key strategies employed by newer entrants to the market are focused on renting rehabilitation products rather than purchasing them, while players are also forming collaborative agreements with healthcare providers.View Report:According to the TMR report, the global home rehabilitation products and services market is slated to expand at a CAGR of 8.50% from 2015 to 2023. The market was calculated at US$84.2 bn in 2014 and is expected to reach US$176.1 bn by the end of 2023.APAC Demand for Home Rehabilitation Products and Services to SurgeNorth America took up the leading share in the held the largest share in the global home rehabilitation products and services market for 2014, driven by a large elderly population percentage suffering from chronic diseases and a growing number of available surgical procedures in a highly advanced healthcare industry. Over time, Asia Pacific will be showing a much higher growth rate in its demand for home rehabilitation products and services, owing to an increasing count of patients suffering from strokes, mobility-related conditions, neck and back pain-related conditions, and burn injuries.Request a Brochure of the Report @Wheelchairs led the global home rehabilitation products and services market in 2014 based on products, owing to the rising incidence of disabilities and rising global aging population. Based on services, the market was dominated by the demand for physical therapy due to factors such as the increasing financial ability of the elderly to treat conditions such as osteoporosis, arthritis, and hip and joint surgeries and replacements.Increasing Geriatric Patient Count Propels Market DemandThe global home rehabilitation products and services market is currently being driven by the growing prevalence of chronic diseases. The spike in chronic illness cases is directly proportional to the staggering rise in the geriatric population, as the baby boomer era comes to a close. This is creating a shift in core demographics for the healthcare industry and is expected to further fuel the need for home rehabilitation products and services over the coming years, states a TMR analyst. As stated before by the U.S. Census Bureau, 76.4 mn baby boomers were present in the U.S. in 2014. This is a massive consumer base for the healthcare industry and is creating the need for several specializations in healthcare, especially in home healthcare areas.Enquiry for Discount on this Report @The future of the global home rehabilitation products and services market is also likely to show a positive growth rate, owing to the advancements in the healthcare industry that are leading to a lower mortality rate among the elderly. Emerging economies are also expected to increase their demand for home rehabilitation products and services due to the swiftly expanding healthcare infrastructure in these regions and growing medical outreach towards remote areas.High Costs Continue to Hamper Market GrowthThe global home rehabilitation products and services market is highly unorganized, fragmented, and competitive, creating current market stagnation and paving way for future growth opportunities for existing players as well as new entrants. However high cost of the rehabilitation services, and lack of appropriate health insurance schemes in developing nations is anticipated to pull back the growth of home rehabilitation products and services market.About UsTransparency Market Research (TMR) is a market intelligence company, providing global business information reports and services. Our exclusive blend of quantitative forecasting and trends analysis provides forward-looking insight for thousands of decision makers. TMRs experienced team of analysts, researchers, and consultants, use proprietary data sources and various tools and techniques to gather, and analyze information. Our business offerings represent the latest and the most reliable information indispensable for businesses to sustain a competitive edge.Contact UsTransparency Market Research90 State Street, Suite 700Albany, NY 12207Tel: +1-518-618-1030USA - Canada Toll Free: 866-552-3453Email: sales@transparencymarketresearch.comWebsite: Global Frozen Ready Meal Market to Reach US$ 47 Bn by 2026 MRRSE https://www.mrrse.com/sample/4809 https://www.mrrse.com/frozen-ready-meal-market https://www.mrrse.com/ In order to study the various trends and patterns prevailing in the overall market for frozen ready meals, Market Research Reports Search Engine (MRRSE) has included a new report titled Global Frozen Ready Meal Market to its wide online database. This research assessment offers a clear insight about the influential factors that are expected to transform the global market in the near future. Readers can access the regional as well as segment-wise analysis for acquiring precise information about the global market structure.Ask for Sample Copy @Refrigeration plays a pivotal role in the operational workflow of global supply chain for food products and beverages. Freezing and frozen storage has also gained importance for being a key component in the global value chain of food & beverage products. Over the years, growing accessibility to refrigerated storage units has strengthened the global cold chain and created stable grounds for production and sales of frozen ready meals. In addition consumers are also growing inclined towards consumption of frozen ready meals, particularly due to easy preparation, low nutrition loss, and extended product life. From meat, poultry and fish to vegetables and fruits, frozen ready meals are gaining popularity across several consumer marketplaces in the world.According to Future Market Insights, the demand for frozen ready meals has witness a considerable traction in the recent past. Key findings from the forecast study reveal that during the forecast period, 2017-2026, a slew of factors are expected to influence the growth of the global frozen ready meals market. During this period, the global frozen ready meals market is assessed to expand at 4.3% CAGR, registering an estimated valuation of over US$ 47 Bn by the end of 2026.Factors Influencing the Demand for Frozen Ready MealsQuality and safety of meals are the two primary factors influencing the production of frozen ready meals. Companies partaking the global frozen ready meal competition landscape are employing advanced packaging solutions to cater to the effective distribution of frozen ready meals. The report has also addressed factors such as infrastructure irregularities, lack of proper standardization, and health concerns as the key impediments for the growth of the global frozen ready meals market. The overall demand for frozen ready meals is expected to witness moderate gains in the foreseeable future. Inaccessibility to utilities for thawing these meals is driving the consumers away, while companies are struggling to control the impact of refrigeration on food quality.Regulatory bodies have employed diverse standards and following them is becoming a challenge for market players. Growing awareness regarding risks of frozen ready meals have been curbing the overall sales, while logistics complexities are also downgrading the expected expansion of the global frozen ready meals market.For more information about this report visit:High Demand for Chicken Meals to Drive Market Growth through 2026The report projects that several impediments will curb the global frozen ready meals market from expanding vigorously. However, the demand for frozen ready chicken meals will continue to gain traction and translate into robust revenue growth. By the end of 2026, over one-third of global frozen ready meals market value will be attained by the sales of chicken meals. The report further reveals that food chain services will be the leading end-users of frozen ready meals. In 2017, nearly US$ 12 Bn worth of frozen ready meals will used by food chain services across the globe. The demand for frozen ready meals among modern trade outlets is also poised to gain traction.The report further reveals that Asia-Pacific excluding Japan (APEJ) region will be at the forefront of global frozen ready meals market expansion through 2026. Nearly half of the overall frozen ready meals produced in the world will be sold in the APEJ region. The report also reveals North America and Europe as lucrative marketplaces for frozen ready meals. Key companies in the global frozen ready meals market are pegged to increase their presence in these regions. These players include, General Mills, Nestle S.A., McCain Foods Ltd., Dr. Oetker GmbH, Daiya Foods Inc., Connies Pizza, Conagra Brands, Inc., Atkins Nutritionals, Inc., California Pizza Kitchen, H.J. Heinz, and FRoSTA AG.About MRRSEMarket Research Reports Search Engine (MRRSE) is an industry-leading database of market intelligence reports. MRRSE is driven by a stellar team of research experts and advisors trained to offer objective advice. Our sophisticated search algorithm returns results based on the report title, geographical region, publisher, or other keywords.MRRSE partners exclusively with leading global publishers to provide clients single-point access to top-of-the-line market research. MRRSEs repository is updated every day to keep its clients ahead of the next new trend in market research, be it competitive intelligence, product or service trends or strategic consulting.Contact UsState Tower90, State StreetSuite 700Albany, NY 12207United States Telephone: +1-518-730-0559Email: sales@mrrse.comWebsite: Thin Film Drug Manufacturing Market is likely to be worth US$15.984 bn by the end of 2024 https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/thin-film-drug-manufacturing-market.html https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=B&rep_id=11525 https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=D&rep_id=11525 https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com The global thin film drug manufacturing market has been witnessing healthy competition on account of a wave of consolidation among existing players. Some such prominent players operating in the market are MonoSol Rx, Indivior Plc., ZIM Laboratories Limited., and IntelGenx Corp.In a bid to stay ahead of competition in the global thin film drug manufacturing market, these players are investing heavily in research and development to come up with technologically superior products. They are also expanding their production facilities to cater to the increasing demand worldwide. Further, they are attempting to expand their geographical outreach by adopting sagacious expansion strategies.View Report:A report by Transparency Market Research predicts the global market for thin film manufacturing to rise at a healthy CAGR of 9.0%. At this rate, the market, which was worth US$7.338 bn in 2015 is expected to become worth US$15.984 bn by 2024.The different types of products available in the global thin film manufacturing market are transdermal thin film and oral thin film, among others, namely ocular thin film. Among them, the oral thin film segment will likely see maximum uptake on account of its many advantages such as the ability to deliver drugs through the oral mucosa, ease of transportation and ease of handling, negating the hepatic first pass effect, and quick onset of action. As a result, the segment is expected to register a robust CAGR of 18.3% from 2016 to 2024.Geographically, the key segments of the global thin film drug manufacturing market are North America, Asia Pacific, Europe, Latin America, and the Middle East and Africa. At present, North America is a market leader with a dominant share. The U.S. primarily drives the market in North America on the back of technological progress in pharmaceutical research and growing demand of novel drug delivery. In fact, the U.S. accounted for almost 85.3% share in 2016.Lack of Drawbacks of Conventional Medicine Makes Thin Film Drugs PopularRequest a Brochure of the Report @The thin film drugs are witnessing widespread sales, especially in European countries and the U.S., due to their ease of application and high effectiveness in achieving the required therapeutic results. They do not have the drawbacks of conventional forms of dosages such as difficulty of administration, lower bioavailability, and non-compliance of patients. Instead, they bring about exact dosages which helps to achieve the desired outcome. All these unique perceived benefits are predicted to have a positive impact on the market in the next couple of years.Demand for thin film drugs is also seeing an upswing worldwide on account of thrust on research and development, particularly of innovative polymeric thin films.Enquiry for Discount on this Report @A recent key trend noticeable in the market is the shifting of gaze by most savvy players to the lucrative Asia Pacific market which is expected to expand at a cracking pace in the foreseeable future, powered by countries of Japan, India, and China. The market in the region is expected to be driven by new product launches having wider applications, supportive regulations, and rising awareness.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 UsTransparency Market Research90 State Street, Suite 700Albany, NY 12207Tel: +1-518-618-1030USA - Canada Toll Free: 866-552-3453Email: sales@transparencymarketresearch.comWebsite: Global Aquafeed Market 2018 Analysis By Key Players: P. Group, Alltech, Nutreco, Cargill, DSM. Aquafeed Market https://www.wiseguyreports.com/sample-request/2720504-global-aquafeed-market-research-report-2018 https://www.wiseguyreports.com/reports/2720504-global-aquafeed-market-research-report-2018 Aquafeed Market:WiseGuyReports.com adds Aquafeed Market 2018 Global Analysis, Growth, Trends and Opportunities Research Report Forecasting to 2025reports to its database.Executive SummaryThis report studies the global Aquafeed market status and forecast, categorizes the global Aquafeed market size (value & volume) by key players, type, application, and region. This report focuses on the top players in North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, South America, and Middle East & Africa.In 2017, the global Aquafeed market size was xx million US$ and it is expected to reach xx million US$ by the end of 2025, with a CAGR of xx.x % between 2018 and 2025.The major manufacturers covered in this reportP. GroupAlltechNutrecoCargillDSMRidleyBiominAller AquaBioMarDibaq AquacultureGeographically, this report studies the key regions, focuses on product sales, value, market share and growth opportunity in these regions, coveringNorth AmericaEuropeAsia-PacificSouth AmericaMiddle East & AfricaOn the basis of product, this report displays the production, revenue, price, market share and growth rate of each type, primarily split intoChelatedNon-chelatedOn 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, includingFishesMollusksCrustaceanRequest Sample Report @The study objectives of this report are:To analyze and study the global Aquafeed sales, value, status (2013-2017) and forecast (2018-2025).Focuses on the key Aquafeed manufacturers, to study the sales, value, market share and development plans in future.Focuses on the global key manufacturers, to define, describe and analyze the market competition landscape, SWOT analysis.To define, describe and forecast the market by type, application and region.To analyze the global and key regions market potential and advantage, opportunity and challenge, restraints and risks.To identify significant trends and factors driving or inhibiting the market growth.To analyze the opportunities in the market for stakeholders by identifying the high growth segments.To strategically analyze each submarket with respect to individual growth trend and their contribution to the marketTo analyze competitive developments such as expansions, agreements, new product launches, and acquisitions in the marketTo strategically profile the key players and comprehensively analyze their growth strategies.In this study, the years considered to estimate the market size of Aquafeed are as follows:History Year: 2013-2017Base Year: 2017Estimated Year: 2018Forecast Year 2018 to 2025For the data information by region, company, type and application, 2017 is considered as the base year. Whenever data information was unavailable for the base year, the prior year has been considered.Key StakeholdersAquafeed ManufacturersAquafeed Distributors/Traders/WholesalersAquafeed Subcomponent ManufacturersIndustry AssociationDownstream VendorsAvailable CustomizationsWith the given market data, We offers customizations according to the company's specific needs. The following customization options are available for the report:Regional and country-level analysis of the Aquafeed market, by end-use.Detailed analysis and profiles of additional market players.Table of Content:1 Global Aquafeed Market Research Report 20182 Global Aquafeed Market Competition by Manufacturers3 Global Aquafeed Capacity, Production, Revenue (Value) by Region (2013-2018)4 Global Aquafeed Supply (Production), Consumption, Export, Import by Region (2013-2018)5 Global Aquafeed Production, Revenue (Value), Price Trend by Type6 Global Aquafeed Market Analysis by Application7 Global Aquafeed Manufacturers Profiles/Analysis8 Aquafeed Manufacturing Cost Analysis9 Industrial Chain, Sourcing Strategy and Downstream Buyers10 Marketing Strategy Analysis, Distributors/Traders11 Market Effect Factors Analysis12 Global Aquafeed Market Forecast (2018-2025)13 Research Findings and Conclusion14 AppendixContinuousFor further information on this report, visit 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 Zero-energy Building Market Industry Analysis, Leading Players, Competitive Landscape, Strategy, Development, and History Industry Estimated to Rise Profitably by Forecast 2023 https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/sample_request/5325 https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/reports/zero-energy-buildings-market-5325 https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/check-discount/5325 Market Research Future published a raw research report on Global Zero-energy Building Market that contains the information from 2015 to 2023. Global Zero-energy Building Market is expected to grow at CAGR ~10.12% from 2017 to 2023.Taste the market data and market information presented through more than 55 market data tables and 45 figures spread in 111 numbers of pages of the project report. Avail the in-depth table of content TOC & market synopsis on Global Zero-energy Building Market Information from 2017 to 2023"Get Sample Copy @Governments across regions are seen promoting and developing their construction & infrastructure sector as it has been contributing growth and development in several ways. Some of them are reduction in transaction costs, increase in durability of capital goods, fostering higher trade and investment, expanding the demand & supply diversification. The emerging nations are particularly bringing various reforms and regulations to boost their infrastructure growth.The Zero-energy industry has been projected to see high growth in the future, with its influence reaching across the economy with significant environmental and social benefits being generated to protect the people and the planet. Governments across all regions are seen promoting and developing their construction & infrastructure by providing tax incentives for zero-energy building. The industry is gaining momentum and is predicted to exhibit robust growth, creating opportunities for equipment producers, material suppliers, and service providers. The report segments the global zero-energy buildings market by application (residential and Non-Residential), by equipment (Lighting, walls & roofs, HVAC Systems and others), and by geography (the Americas, Europe, Asia Pacific and Others). HVAC systems are one of the most important and energy-consuming parts in the entire building structure. The HVAC systems segment accounted for the largest market share and is anticipated to continue dominating the market over the forecast period.Access Report Details @The benefits of zero-energy building are numerous; they can positively influence various environmental, economic, and social factors. As global warming becomes an increasingly pressing issue, Zero-energy buildings are becoming increasingly relevant, with its importance continuing to grow.Impact on Workplace Productivity and Health:Construction activities are increasing, across the globe, particularly in countries such as India and China. People have been focusing more on energy efficient construction due to its advantages such as reduction of overall impact on environment and human health. Sustainable development is the most vibrant and enigmatic global topic in the construction industry in more than a decade. According to Environmental Protection Agency, sustainable buildings can make their surroundings healthier and more sustainable by efficiently utilizing resources, creating a healthy and productive work flow that lower a company's waste production. One more reason for sustainable building construction concerns the resale value. Increasing awareness among architects & construction companies about environmental and social impacts of their buildings, has brought about a surge in sustainable building designs and construction.Sustainability, Emerging Economies & the Developing WorldSustainability in built environment is becoming a strong force in the construction industry to achieve social and environmental benefits and to lower negative environment impacts. Developing countries play an important role in achieving growth in two major ways. Firstly, the potential economic and social impacts of environmental degradation play a vital role in developing countries. They are the most vulnerable to climate change and tend to be more dependent than advanced economies on the exploitation of natural resources for economic growth.Ask for your specific company profile and country level customization on reports. Johnson Controls International Plc (U.S.) SunPower Corporation (U.S.) Kingspan Group (Ireland) General Electric (U.S.) Siemens AG (Germany) Schneider Electric SE (France) Solatube International, Inc. (U.S.) Saint-Gobain (France)This research report provides insights, on various levels of analysis such as industry analysis, and market share analysis for the leading players along with their profiles. It also helps in studying the target segments by providing views on emerging & high-growth segments. The market data comprises the basic assessment of the competitive scenarios & strategies in the global Zero-energy Building market, including high-growth regions and/or countries, and political, & economic environments. The project report, further, provides views on both the historical market values and pricing & cost analysis.Do Enquiry and Get a Discount @About Market Research Future:At Market Research Future (MRFR), we enable our customers to unravel the complexity of various industries through our Cooked Research Report (CRR), Half-Cooked Research Reports (HCRR), Raw Research Reports (3R), Continuous-Feed Research (CFR), and Market Research & Consulting Services.MRFR team have supreme objective to provide the optimum quality market research and intelligence services to our clients. Our market research studies by Components, Application, Logistics and market players for global, regional, and country level market segments, enable our clients to see more, know more, and do more, which help to answer all their most important questions.Contact:Market Research FutureOffice No. 524/528, Amanora ChambersMagarpatta Road, HadapsarPune - 411028Maharashtra, India+1 646 845 9312Email: sales@marketresearchfuture.com Unisecure Data Centers Boosts Bandwidth on Dedicated Web Servers www.unisecure.com Unisecure has boosted bandwidth allowance on all dedicated server for both new and existing customers without any additional cost.Philadelphia, US, 8th May 2018 | Unisecure, a leading cloud and dedicated hosting providers in US have increased the bandwidth allowance on all dedicated servers in order to increase the speed for certain upload needs for mass delivery of software updates and video live streaming. Apart from speed, the cross-connections accessible empower upgraded geographical delivery.Unisecure offers Linux and Windows dedicated server hosting solutions in the US with best features ensuring high availability and 99.995% guaranteed uptime with 24x7 Rapid Action support. The servers include either Intel Quad Core Xeon or Intel Dual Quad Core Xeon, processors. All servers are placed in US-based data centers. There are three different dedicated server packages available, offered on both Linux and Windows operating systems, priced from $69 per month."We are continually attempting to enhance our services and make our offerings much more appealing to our customers," said Benjamin, Vice President - Business Development at Unisecure. "We are amped up for expanding the data transmission allowance on our dedicated server at no extra charge. This will enable our customers to extend their business and decrease costs."About UnisecureUnisecure is one of the leading data centers and Top cloud hosting providers in the US established in 1996. Unisecure data centers guarantee 99.995% uptime, high-density redundant power, flexible configurations, carrier-neutral facilities, and 24x7x365 customer support. We have 5 data centers among which 2 are located in Philadelphia and Conshohocken, U.S embed with Information Security Management System (ISMS) to examine risks and develop better processes for security our data centers are most secure and reliable. Our data centers offer services from cloud services, co-location services, and dedicated hosting to the firewall and advanced backup solutions. We have 50000+ customers over 17 countries including brands such as Canon, DHL, HP, Microsoft, Pepsi, Mc Donalds and much more.For more information about their services, visitMedia ContactJennifer ThomasContact: +1 347 960 6628Email: jennifer@unisecure.comUnisecure Data Centers, US.(Philadelphia & Conshohocken)Unisecure Data Centers, US.70-26 Groton Street,Forest Hills, NY,New York,11375-5102, US EMEA (Europe, Middle East and Africa) Automatic Knife Gate Valves Market Report 2018 EMEA (Europe, Middle East and Africa) Automatic Knife Gate Valves Market Report 2018 http://www.qyresearchglobal.com/goods-1580783.html http://www.qyresearcheurope.com/ or http://www.qyresearch.com/ The EMEA (Europe, Middle East and Africa) Automatic Knife Gate Valves Market Report 2018 is in-depth study of overall Automatic Knife Gate Valves market including introduction of product, definition, scope, Automatic Knife Gate Valves global sale, and forecast up to 2025.The Automatic Knife Gate Valves industry report clarifies the past experience and trends, on the basis of these past experiences, it offers the future prediction considering other factors influencing the growth rate. This worldwide report offers the detailed analysis of the important factors such as market dynamics (DROT), PEST, and PORTER which assists the growth of the Automatic Knife Gate Valves Industry. These past experience and factors assist to build the strategy and future planning of Automatic Knife Gate Valves Market and hold a place in the competitive world.This report is the extensive analysis of the Automatic Knife Gate Valves industry based on the primary and secondary in-depth research. The scope of the report includes the global and regional sale, product consumption in terms of volume and value. The Automatic Knife Gate Valves market report offers a forecast of revenue, CAGR, and cumulative revenue. The gathered information about Automatic Knife Gate Valves global business is represented in the figures, tables, pie chart, and graphs.The Automatic Knife Gate Valves industry Market report offers the competitive scenario in the Automatic Knife Gate Valves industry based on the type of product, applications, and the companies that are present in the Automatic Knife Gate Valves market, and covers the company profiles, their development policies, lined up products and recent launched along with the SWOT analysis of companies.To get a complete report sample from this link:Geographically, this report split EMEA into Europe, the Middle East and Africa, With sales (K Units), revenue (Million USD), market share and growth rate of Automatic Knife Gate Valves for these regions, from 2013 to 2025 (forecast)Europe: Germany, France, UK, Russia, Italy and Benelux;Middle East: Saudi Arabia, Israel, UAE and Iran;Africa: South Africa, Nigeria, Egypt and Algeria.EMEA Automatic Knife Gate Valves market competition by top manufacturers/players, with Automatic Knife Gate Valves sales volume (K Units), price (USD/Unit), revenue (Million USD) and market share for each manufacturer/player; the top players includingDeZURIKOrbinoxSISTAGVAT VakuumventileVortexTalleres Mecanicos HerbeHighlight TechnologyJaudt Dosiertechnik MaschinenfabrikKempster EngineeringLined ValvePentair Valves & ControlsRed ValveGEFA ProcesstechnikEbro ArmaturenNor-Cal ProductsAsteknik Valve-Elmak MacValtorcWamgroupWeir MineralsZhejiang Linuo Flow Control TechnologyOn the basis of product, this report displays the sales volume, revenue, product price, market share and growth rate of each type, primarily split intoCast IronStainless SteelOn 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, includingPulp and PaperWastewater TreatmentOil and GasMiningPowerOtherThe study objectives of this report are:To study and analyze the global Automatic Knife Gate Valves market size (value & volume) by company, key regions/countries, products and application, history data from 2013 to 2017, and forecast to 2025.To understand the structure of Automatic Knife Gate Valves market by identifying its various subsegments.To share detailed information about the key factors influencing the growth of the market (growth potential, opportunities, drivers, industry-specific challenges and risks).Focuses on the key global Automatic Knife Gate Valves manufacturers, to define, describe and analyze the sales volume, value, market share, market competition landscape, SWOT analysis and development plans in next few years.To analyze the Automatic Knife Gate Valves with respect to individual growth trends, future prospects, and their contribution to the total market.To project the value and volume of Automatic Knife Gate Valves submarkets, with respect to key regions (along with their respective key countries).To analyze competitive developments such as expansions, agreements, new product launches, and acquisitions in the market.To strategically profile the key players and comprehensively analyze their growth strategies.This research study focuses to product specifications, Automatic Knife Gate Valves cost specifications, production capacity, distributors list, Automatic Knife Gate Valves marketing channel, and detail analysis of the export/import of the product. The Automatic Knife Gate Valves research document also offers raw material suppliers, cost, and downstream consumer list.All features mentioned above is included in the Automatic Knife Gate Valves Market Report 2018 which can offer solution to the difficulties to the prominent members of the Automatic Knife Gate Valves market.Additionally, the important terminologies, government policies, and regulations related to Automatic Knife Gate Valves market product are added.Contact Details:Company Name: QYResearch CO.,LIMITED | focus on Market Survey and ResearchTina| Sales ManagersTel: 0086-20-22093278(CN)Email: sales@qyresearchglobal.com or tinaning@qyresearch.comWeb:QYResearch, established in 2007, focuses on custom research, management consulting, IPO consulting, industry chain research, and data base &seminar services. The company owns large basic databases (such as National Bureau of Statistics Database, Customs Import and Export Database, Industry Association Database, etc.), expert resources (including industry experts who own more than 10 years experiences on marketing or R&D in industries of energy, automotive, chemicals, medical ICT consumer goods, etc.), professional survey team (the team members obtained more than 3 years market survey experience and more than 2 years deep expert interview experience), and excellent data analysis team (SPSS statistics and PPT graphics process team).Room 2901 VILI International Building No.167 Linhe West Road Worldwide Market Analysis: Cement Tiles Market - 2017 Analysis, Research, Share, Growth, Sales, Trends, Supply, Forecast to 2023 https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/sample_request/4754 https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/reports/cement-tiles-market-4754 https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/enquiry/4754 Market Research Future published a raw research report on Global Cement Tiles market that contains the information from 2015 to 2023. Global Cement Tiles Market is expected to grow at CAGR ~4.12% from 2017 to 2023.Taste the market data and market information presented through more than 55 market data tables and 45 figures spread in 111 numbers of pages of the project report. Avail the in-depth table of content TOC & market synopsis on Global Cement Tiles Market Information from 2017 to 2023"Ask Sample for this Report @Cement tiles, also known as encaustic tiles, are quickly becoming a trendy design option for homes and workplaces. They have been revered for their unmatched durability, waterproof finish, and incredible amount of designs and possibilities available for years. Moreover, features such durability in freezing temperatures, make them suitable for use in almost any climate, which pushes the cement tile market towards growth.The global cement tiles market has been segmented based on types, applications and regions. By type, it has been segmented as S Tile, Corrugated Tile and Flat Tile. On the basis of applications, it has been segmented as residential, commercial and industrial sector. Geographically, Asia-Pacific is expected to remain the largest and the highest growing region during the forecast period, due to a larger construction industry, changing lifestyle and growing end-use industries. Also, due to the presence of countries such as China and India, the region is witnessing a rise in urbanization. Cement Tiles market is expected to grow at CAGR of more than 4.12 %.Access Report Details @Flat TileConcrete tiles are the most economical and durable roofing material in the market. It gets stronger with age and continues to harden, especially with sun exposure. The benefits of concrete tiles are its color longevity, and flexibility. It come in the widest range of colors and profiles, as well as it has the ability to update the look with a simple re-coat. Cement tiles are segmented on the basis of type as S Tile, corrugated tile and flat tile. Flat Tiles are gaining popularity due to the crisp and clean appearance that perfectly complements both, traditional and modern architecture.Ask for your specific company profile and country level customization on reports. Lafarge (France) GranitiFiandre S.p.A. (Italy) Ultra Tile (India) Ross Roof Group (New Zealand) Harmouch (Egypt) Avente Tile (U.S.) Villa Lagoon Tile (U.S.) Vande Hey Raleigh Mfg., Inc. (U.S.) Boral (U.S.), and Uni-Group (U.S.).This research report provides insights, on various levels of analysis such as industry analysis, and market share analysis for the leading players along with their profiles. It also helps in studying the target segments by providing views on emerging & high-growth segments. The market data comprises the basic assessment of the competitive scenarios & strategies in the global Cement Tiles market, including high-growth regions and/or countries, and political, & economic environments. The project report, further, provides views on both the historical market values and pricing & cost analysis.Enquiry Before Buying @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.Contact:Market Research FutureOffice No. 524/528, Amanora ChambersMagarpatta Road, HadapsarPune - 411028Maharashtra, India+1 646 845 9312Email: sales@marketresearchfuture.com Anti-money Laundering Software Market Segmentation,Parameters and Prospects 2018 to 2023 Market Research Report Anti-money Laundering Software Market https://www.wiseguyreports.com/sample-request/3155939-global-anti-money-laundering-software-market-by-manufacturers https://www.wiseguyreports.com/reports/3155939-global-anti-money-laundering-software-market-by-manufacturers WiseGuyReports.Com Publish a New Market Research Report On Anti-money Laundering Software Market Segmentation,Parameters and Prospects 2018 to 2023 Market Research Report.Description:Anti-money laundering software is software used in the finance and legal industries to meet the legal requirements for financial institutions and other regulated entities to prevent or report money laundering activities. There are four basic types of software that address anti-money laundering: transaction monitoring systems, currency transaction reporting (CTR) systems, customer identity management systems and compliance management software.Get a Sample Report @For more information or any query mail at sales@wiseguyreports.comScope of the Report:This report focuses on the Anti-money Laundering Software in Global market, especially in North America, Europe and Asia-Pacific, South America, Middle East and Africa. This report categorizes the market based on manufacturers, regions, type and application.Market Segment by Manufacturers, this report coversOracleThomson ReutersFiservSASSunGardExperianACI WorldwideTonbellerBankers ToolboxNice ActimizeCS&SAscent Technology ConsultingCellent Finance SolutionsVerafinEastNetsAML360AquilanAML PartnersTruth TechnologiesSafe Banking SystemsMarket Segment by Regions, regional analysis coversNorth America (United States, Canada and Mexico)Europe (Germany, France, UK, Russia and Italy)Asia-Pacific (China, Japan, Korea, India and Southeast Asia)South America (Brazil, Argentina, Colombia)Middle East and Africa (Saudi Arabia, UAE, Egypt, Nigeria and South Africa)Market Segment by Type, coversTransaction Monitoring SoftwareCurrency Transaction Reporting (CTR) SoftwareCustomer Identity Management SoftwareCompliance Management SoftwareOthersMarket Segment by Applications, can be divided intoTier 1 Financial InstitutionTier 2 Financial InstitutionTier 3 Financial InstitutionTier 4 Financial InstitutionReport Details @Table Of Contents Major Key Points1 Anti-money Laundering Software Market Overview1.1 Product Overview and Scope of Anti-money Laundering Software1.2 Classification of Anti-money Laundering Software by Types1.2.1 Global Anti-money Laundering Software Revenue Comparison by Types (2017-2023)1.2.2 Global Anti-money Laundering Software Revenue Market Share by Types in 20171.2.1 Transaction Monitoring Software1.2.2 Currency Transaction Reporting (CTR) Software1.2.3 Customer Identity Management Software1.2.4 Compliance Management Software1.2.5 Others1.3 Global Anti-money Laundering Software Market by Application1.3.1 Global Anti-money Laundering Software Market Size and Market Share Comparison by Applications (2013-2023)1.3.1 Tier 1 Financial Institution1.3.2 Tier 2 Financial Institution1.3.3 Tier 3 Financial Institution1.3.4 Tier 4 Financial Institution1.4 Global Anti-money Laundering Software Market by Regions1.4.1 Global Anti-money Laundering Software Market Size (Million USD) Comparison by Regions (2013-2023)1.4.1 North America (USA, Canada and Mexico) Anti-money Laundering Software Status and Prospect (2013-2023)1.4.2 Europe (Germany, France, UK, Russia and Italy) Anti-money Laundering Software Status and Prospect (2013-2023)1.4.3 Asia-Pacific (China, Japan, Korea, India and Southeast Asia) Anti-money Laundering Software Status and Prospect (2013-2023)1.4.4 South America (Brazil, Argentina, Colombia) Anti-money Laundering Software Status and Prospect (2013-2023)1.4.5 Middle East and Africa (Saudi Arabia, UAE, Egypt, Nigeria and South Africa) Anti-money Laundering Software Status and Prospect (2013-2023)1.5 Global Market Size of Anti-money Laundering Software (2013-2023)2 Manufacturers Profiles2.1 Oracle2.1.1 Business Overview2.1.2 Anti-money Laundering Software Type and Applications2.1.2.1 Type 12.1.2.2 Type 22.1.3 Oracle Anti-money Laundering Software Sales, Price, Revenue, Gross Margin and Market Share (2016-2017)2.2 Thomson Reuters2.2.1 Business Overview2.2.2 Anti-money Laundering Software Type and Applications2.2.2.1 Type 12.2.2.2 Type 22.2.3 Thomson Reuters Anti-money Laundering Software Sales, Price, Revenue, Gross Margin and Market Share (2016-2017)2.3 Fiserv2.3.1 Business Overview2.3.2 Anti-money Laundering Software Type and Applications2.3.2.1 Type 12.3.2.2 Type 22.3.3 Fiserv Anti-money Laundering Software Sales, Price, Revenue, Gross Margin and Market Share (2016-2017)2.4 SAS2.4.1 Business Overview2.4.2 Anti-money Laundering Software Type and Applications2.4.2.1 Type 12.4.2.2 Type 22.4.3 SAS Anti-money Laundering Software Sales, Price, Revenue, Gross Margin and Market Share (2016-2017)2.5 SunGard2.5.1 Business Overview2.5.2 Anti-money Laundering Software Type and Applications2.5.2.1 Type 12.5.2.2 Type 22.5.3 SunGard Anti-money Laundering Software Sales, Price, Revenue, Gross Margin and Market Share (2016-2017)2.6 Experian2.6.1 Business Overview2.6.2 Anti-money Laundering Software Type and Applications2.6.2.1 Type 12.6.2.2 Type 22.6.3 Experian Anti-money Laundering Software Sales, Price, Revenue, Gross Margin and Market Share (2016-2017)2.7 ACI Worldwide2.7.1 Business Overview2.7.2 Anti-money Laundering Software Type and Applications2.7.2.1 Type 12.7.2.2 Type 22.7.3 ACI Worldwide Anti-money Laundering Software Sales, Price, Revenue, Gross Margin and Market Share (2016-2017)Continued..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. SWF Krantechnik Launches ProfileMaster PLUS ProfileMaster PLUS light crane system for loads up to 2 t. www.swfkrantechnik.com www.swfkrantechnik.com 8 May 2018. Mannheim, Germany SWF Krantechnik GmbH, a leading global player in components for crane and hoisting equipment, has launched ProfileMaster PLUS, the latest addition to its product portfolio of light crane systems for loads up to two tons. ProfileMaster PLUS offers a smart set of highly compatible components with aluminum and steel profiles that can be instantly combined with ease. The product is now available for general sale across Europe. In addition to ProfileMaster PLUS, SWF also offers LIGHTster and ProfileMaster in its portfolio for light crane systems. The new system can also be equipped with the electric chain hoists from SWF Krantechnik.In addition to LIGHTster and ProfileMaster, I am excited to offer our clients ProfileMaster PLUS, a flexible system for building custom light cranes with a Made in Germany quality seal, announced Christian Heid, Managing Director, SWF Krantechnik GmbH. Using the online configuration tool, Chain@Master, companies can easily calculate and order a tailor-made crane system with even more customizing options than ever before. The components are also presorted on delivery to ensure a fast, simple assembly.ProfileMaster PLUS features:Fast, simple assembly Large selection of profiles, optionally with internal conductor lines Precision-fit joint connections and high load-bearing connection systemsDurable, economical construction Low maintenance and long service life Solid construction that adapts to individual production processesSafe, comfortable operations Maximum quality and minimal production tolerances Smooth, quiet operationsModular, yet highly flexible designThe light crane system offers various installation options with an optimized selection of suspensions. Varying headroom enables space-saving solutions. Different power supply methods offer a custom solution in challenging structural conditions. Chain@Master, the online configuration tool from SWF, also provides helpful drawings, price information and alternative suggestions for designing a custom crane system.The SWF light crane system made of aluminum ProfileMaster PLUS ALProfileMaster PLUS AL offers six aluminum profiles in four sizes. Two of these profiles are additionally equipped with an internal conductor line. Bolted connection plates ensure a fast, easy assembly. Since its own weight is extremely low, the system is ideal for building structures that can only handle low static loads. It features an optimized number of suspension while the innovative connection system ensures ideal suspension distances and spans.Companies can use ProfileMaster PLUS AL to create single and double girder solutions with either a joint or static design. The systems can be operated either manually or with an electric motor. The trolleys ensure smooth, low-noise operation. Loads can be moved with precision.The SWF light crane system made of steel ProfileMaster PLUS STProfileMaster PLUS ST offers seven steel profiles in five sizes. Two of these profiles are additionally equipped with an internal conductor line. All profiles are cold-formed and powder-coated, which makes them very rigid. Upon leaving the production line, all profiles are checked for a flawless form using modern laser technology. This guarantees consistent, high quality profiles so the connections fit perfectly during assembly. A separate tool is also available to further simplify the installation on site.Companies can use ProfileMaster PLUS ST to create single and double girder solutions with standard and low headroom. The first-time assembly, as well as later extensions or modifications to the crane system, can all be completed quickly.About SWF Krantechnik Look ahead!Founded in 1921, SWF Krantechnik GmbH is one of the world's leading companies for components for industrial cranes and hoists. Its product portfolio includes chain hoists, electric wire rope hoists, crane components, electronic monitoring and controlling systems, light crane systems and solutions for various complex scenarios. More than 550 partners in over 68 countries worldwide already rely on the high-quality cranes and hoists as well as the engineering know-how of SWF Krantechnik. The company is headquartered in Mannheim. Further branches are in Singapore and Shanghai. Learn more atSimona Macikowski, Tel.: +(49) 621 78990-242, Email: simona.macikowski@swfkrantechnik.comSWF Krantechnik GmbH, Boehringerstr. 4, 68307 Mannheim Parasoft Revolutionizes API Testing with New SOAtest Smart API Test Generator www.parasoft.com, www.lorenzoni.de Parasoft, the global leader in automated software testing, announced today the release of the Parasoft SOAtest Smart API Test Generator. This innovative technology uses artificial intelligence to convert manual UI tests into automated API tests, lowering the technical skills required to adopt API testing. By leaning on smart technology to perform the heavy lifting, its easier for organizations build and scale a comprehensive API testing strategy, which until now has posed significant challenge to software teams. To learn more about the Parasoft SOAtest Smart API Test Generator, visit: parasoft.com/smartAs stated in Gartners February 2018 Critical Capabilities for Software Test Automation, Software test automation tools are evolving beyond core capabilities to support automated test-case generation, emerging AI-driven test-set optimization and intelligent test maintenance Application leaders that are responsible for modernizing application development should: Evaluate and map potential tools against their use cases and technologies - and the skill sets needed to support them - and prepare to acquire more than one test automation tool to address all of them.The Smart API Test Generator solves this core problem facing software development organizations today. In todays software projects, up to 80% of testing time is spent either executing manual UI tests or fixing automated UI tests that have broken as a result of application change. As a result, manual testing isn't keeping pace with development, and while organizations know that API tests can more precisely pinpoint the root cause of defects because they are closer to the code, easier to automate, and more resistant to application change, due to the higher learning curve and specialized skills required to adopt API testing, organizations tend to lean on UI testing and fail to realize the benefits of API testing.With the release of the Smart API Test Generator, Parasoft SOAtest is solving the API testing adoption problem by helping organizations bring this critical testing practice into their testing strategy as a simple extension of their existing manual testing efforts. Controlled by an easy-to-deploy browser extension, the Smart Generator monitors underlying API calls that are made while a user is manually testing an application, and then uses artificial intelligence to discover patterns and understand relationships between those API calls in order to create fully-automated, scriptless API test scenarios that users can interact with without knowing how to code an API test. Once built, those API tests are automatically imported into the industry-leading Parasoft SOAtest, which enables users to parlay their tests into a comprehensive API testing strategy, using SOAtests visual tooling, test flow logic, and data solutions to cover more application logic and build complete end-to-end tests, paving the way for more test maturity and automation.About Parasoft:Parasoft provides innovative tools that automate time-consuming testing tasks and provide management with intelligent analytics necessary to focus on what matters. Parasoft technologies reduce time, effort, and cost of delivering secure, reliable, and compliant software, by integrating static and runtime analysis; unit, functional and API testing; and service virtualization. Parasoft supports software organizations as they develop and deploy applications in the embedded, enterprise and IoT markets. With developer testing tools, manager reporting/analytics and executive dashboarding, Parasoft enables organizations to succeed in todays most strategic development initiatives agile, continuous testing, DevOps, and security.Parasoft Corp. Headquarters, 101 E. Huntington Drive, Monrovia, CA 91016, USA,info@parasoft.comPress Contacts:Parasoft Corp., Erika Barron, Tel. +1-626-275-2434; erika@parasoft.comAgentur Lorenzoni GmbH, Public Relations,Beate Lorenzoni, Tel: +49 8122 55917-22; beate@lorenzoni.de Concept Mining Special Report: Energy Metals Project Generator Model Creates Industry Buzz If lithium demand trends continue this upward momentum into the next decade, lithium companies may be worth more than just a quick glanceConcept Mining (ISIN: CN0045237426), a lithium exploration and development company with a focus on becoming a low-cost supplier for the lithium battery industry, is pleased to announce that as big a deal as Tesla Motors Gigafactory in Nevada is, tremendous growth in the energy metals sector is taking the world by storm on a global scale. Concept Mining reported that industry leaders Japan and South Korea experienced record high levels of lithium-ion battery exports in 2017. Shipments from Japan were up 15% in the first half and 29% in the second half while South Korea recorded its largest shipments to date, up 27% in 2017.And its not just the batteries whose demand is growing across the globe. At the beginning of 2018, global eclectic vehicle and plug-in hybrid electric vehicle sales reached 400,000, up 70.5% from the previous year with China alone increasing their sales by 189%, and for those of you who struggle with math, that means that in one year, sales have more than tripled. Outside of China its worth noting that both the Netherlands & Norway are looking to ban the sale of fossil-fuel vehicles by 2025. The trend is undeniable.It may have started with trailblazers like Tesla but we now find that nearly every car company is decisively moving into the electric transportation arena. What once was a niche market is quickly becoming a grueling competitive landscape that has only begun to unfold.Concept Mining is a well-funded, early-stage energy metals company, focused on lithium brine deposits. Despite diversified exploration risk through ownership or control of 7 properties (representing one of the largest lithium claims holdings in the area) the companys pure-play lithium brine exposure is a concentrated bet.For those believing that the future of Li-ion batteries is quite bright, a project generator business model makes utmost sense. A project generator strategically stakes high potential land and negotiates joint venture partnerships that cover the costs of all future exploration while still maintaining the ability to cherry pick select projects to develop 100% in house.About Concept MiningConcept Mining is a lithium exploration and development company with a focus on becoming a low-cost supplier for the lithium battery industry. The clear vision to focus on projects with simple operations with a lower cost structure has delivered rapid results and a strong company position. The firm is a multi-faceted miner with lithium exploration portfolio, and mining services that deliver drilling, geophysical and project development services. With a range of select projects in production and in development, the companys pipeline of sustainable and low capital mining operations ensures the company will continue to deliver shareholder value, profitability, liquidity and growth.Concept MiningAddress: Huarun Tower, 8 Shuangqing Road, Chengdu, Chenghua District, People`s Republic of Chinarogermedia@conceptmining.comJuan S Spooren Asian Synthetic Biology Market is Expected to Witness Fastest Growth in Coming Years https://www.psmarketresearch.com/market-analysis/synthetic-biology-market/report-sample https://www.psmarketresearch.com/market-analysis/synthetic-biology-market https://www.psmarketresearch.com The global synthetic biology market is growing, due to increasing support from government organizations, and growing geriatric population. In addition, the innovative and advanced applications of synthetic biology, increasing research activities, and increasing R&D investments in drug discovery and development are also supporting the growth of this market.Explore Report Sample at:On the basis of type of segment, the technology segment is expected to be the largest market and would witness fastest growth during the forecast period. Among the application segment, pharmaceutical and diagnostic had the largest market size in the global market in 2014.The increasing support from government organizations and growing geriatric population are playing a pivotal role in the growth of this market. Some of the major organizations include National Science Foundation (NSF), National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), Centre for Chemical and Synthetic Biology (CCSB), Synthetic Biology Engineering Research Center (SynBERC), and International Association Synthetic Biology (IASB). These organizations are providing support in form of funding, and initiatives implemented by them for basic and applied research with their respective goals.Explore Report at:The key companies operating in the global synthetic biology market include E. I. du PONT de Nemours and Company, Amyris Inc., GenScript USA Inc., Intrexon Corporation, Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc., Synthetic Genomics Inc., Royal DSM, Novozymes A/S, New England Biolabs Inc., and Integrated DNA Technologies Inc.About P&S Market ResearchP&S Market Research is a market research company, which offers market research and consulting services for various geographies around the globe. We provide market research reports, industry forecasting reports, business intelligence, and research based consulting services across different industry/business verticals.As one of the top growing market research agency, were keen upon providing market landscape and accurate forecasting. Our analysts and consultants are proficient with business intelligence and market analysis, through their interaction with leading companies of the concerned domain. We help our clients with B2B market research and assist them in identifying various windows of opportunity, and framing informed and customized business expansion strategies in different regions.Contact:P&S Market Research347, 5th Ave. #1402New York City, NY - 10016Toll-free: +1-888-778-7886 (USA/Canada)Email: enquiry@psmarketresearch.comWeb: Global Injector Nozzle Market Growth Driven by Increasing Demand for More Fuel-Efficient Vehicles https://www.psmarketresearch.com/market-analysis/injector-nozzle-market https://www.psmarketresearch.com/market-analysis/injector-nozzle-market/report-sample https://www.psmarketresearch.com The global injector nozzle market is majorly driven by increasing demand for more fuel-efficient vehicles, stringent fuel efficiency norms and significant growth in the passenger car segment. In Europe and North America, the emission norms and fuel economy are crucial factors, which have impelled automotive manufactures to increase the usage of lightweight materials to enhance fuel efficiency in vehicles; thus, driving the growth of the injector nozzle market. In North America, Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) introduced emission standards for cars and light trucks.Explore Full Report Description At:According to the government regulations in Europe, the average emission level of new cars reduced by 160 gram per kilometer (g/km) during 2006-2012. The regulation requires reducing the emission levels from new cars to 95 g/km till 2020. Such stringent regulations have resulted in extensive use of lightweight materials by automobile manufacturers. In addition, the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) imposed new regulations on its members and restricted the production and export of crude oil.In 2015, North America was the fastest growing market for injector nozzle, as the demand for domestic vehicles increased and witnessed a positive year-on-year growth during 2012 2015. Asia-Pacific is estimated to witness the fastest growth during the forecast period, as compared to other countries due to low production cost and availability of labor and emission norms, which is boosting the growth of the injector nozzle market.Download Free Report Sample At:Some of the major competitors in the global injector nozzle market include Continental AG, Denso Corporation, Delphi Automotive PLC, Magneti Marelli S.p.A., Robert Bosch GmbH, Keihin Corporation, and Infineon Technologies AG.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 Research347, 5th Ave. #1402New York City, NY 10016Toll-free: +1-888-778-7886 (USA/Canada)Email: enquiry@psmarketresearch.comWeb: Automotive Steering System Market to Showcase Healthy Expansion at 4.3% CAGR During 2017 - 2027 https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/reports/sample/rep-gb-1133 https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/askus/rep-gb-1133 www.futuremarketinsights.com A new report published by Future Market Insights titled Automotive Steering System Market: Global Industry Analysis (2012 2016) and Opportunity Assessment (2017 2027) studies the performance of the global automotive steering system market over a ten year assessment period from 2017 to 2027. The report presents the value and volume forecast of the global automotive steering system market and provides key insights into the factors driving market growth as well as the factors restricting market growth. The estimates point to a revenue growth from about US$ 33,700 Mn in 2017 to nearly US$ 51,270 Mn by 2027 end, resulting in a CAGR of 4.3% over the forecast period.Global Automotive Steering System Market: Segmentation and ForecastThe global automotive steering system market is segmented on the basis of technology (electronic steering (H-EPS, C-EPS, P-EPS, R-EPS), hydraulic steering) and on the basis of vehicle type (passenger car (compact, mid-size, premium, luxury, SUV), light commercial vehicle (LCV), heavy commercial vehicle (HCV)).Request For Report Sample@R-EPS sub-segment is estimated to account for a significant share, i.e. 21.4% in the overall market by 2017 end. The sub-segment is projected to gain 1050 BPS between 2017 & 2027.The sale of H-EPS segment was valued at US$ 3,216.5 Mn in 2016 end, which is estimated to reach about US$ 4,605 Mn by 2027 end. This segment is expected to create incremental dollar opportunity worth US$ 1,278 Mn between the forecast period.The sale of the C-EPS segment was valued at US$ 12,655.8 Mn in 2016 end and is estimated to reach US$ 13,236.5 Mn by 2017 end.The sale of the P-EPS segment was valued at US$ 3,052.5 Mn in 2016 end and is estimated to reach US$ 6162.3 Mn by 2027 end. This segment is expected to create incremental dollar opportunity worth US$ 2,914.8 Mn during the forecast period.SUV sub-segment is estimated to account for a significant share of 21.0% in the overall market by 2017 end. The sub-segment is projected to gain 580 BPS between 2017 & 2027.The sales of the compact vehicle segment was valued at US$ 7,934.5 Mn in 2016 end and is estimated to reach US$ 11,486.5 Mn by 2027 end. This segment is expected to create incremental dollar opportunity of US$ 3,258.6 Mn during the forecast period.The sale of the premium vehicle segment was valued at US$ 2,180.7 Mn in 2016 end and is estimated to reach US$ 3,689.2 Mn by 2027 end. This segment is expected to create incremental dollar opportunity worth US$ 1,415.0 Mn during the forecast period.The sales of the HCV vehicle segment was valued at US$ 1,383.1 Mn in 2016 end and is estimated to reach US$ 1,557.9 Mn by 2027 end. This segment is expected to create incremental dollar opportunity worth US$ 202.3 Mn during the forecast period.Global Automotive Steering System Market: Regional ForecastFuture Market Insights tracks the performance of the global automotive steering system market across the key geographies of North America, Latin America, Eastern Europe, Western Europe, Asia Pacific excluding Japan, Japan, and Middle East and Africa. As per the forecast of Future Market Insights, APEJ region is estimated to account for maximum share of 38.3% in the overall market by the end of 2017. The market is projected to gain 300 BPS between 2017 and 2027. The market in North America was valued at US$ 5,702.6 Mn by the end of 2016, and is estimated to reach US$ 8,762.7 Mn by the end of 2027. The market is expected to represent an incremental $ opportunity of US$ 2,850.9 Mn between the forecast period. The automotive steering system market in Western Europe is expected to represent incremental $ opportunity of US$ 3,041.0 Mn between the forecast period.Global Automotive Steering System Market: Vendor InsightsThe report has included some of the key players operating in the global automotive steering system market such as JTEKT Corporation, Nexteer Automotive Group Ltd., Showa Corp., ThyssenKrupp AG, Hitachi Automotive System Ltd., Sona Koyo Steering System Ltd., Robert Bosch GmbH, NSK Steering System Co. ltd., Mando Corp., ZF Friedrichshafen AG, Magal Engineering Limited, ATS Automation Tooling System Inc. and Hyundai Mobis. Tie-ups with vehicle manufacturers ahead of new model launch, attractive price offering & system upgrades through strategic partnerships and adopting market specific designs to gain competitive advantage remains key differentiating strategies of these key players.Request For Report Table of Content (TOC):Future Market Insights (FMI) is a leading market intelligence and consulting firm. We deliver syndicated research reports, custom research reports and consulting services, which are personalized in nature. FMI delivers a complete packaged solution, which combines current market intelligence, statistical anecdotes, technology inputs, valuable growth insights, an aerial view of the competitive framework, and future market trends.Future Market Insights616 Corporate Way, Suite 2-9018,Valley Cottage, NY 10989,United StatesT: +1-347-918-3531F: +1-845-579-5705Email: sales@futuremarketinsights.comWebsite: Predictive Analytics Market: Pin-Point Analysis for Changing Competitive Dynamics Predictive Analytics https://www.futuregenicreports.com/Request-Sample/100044 https://www.futuregenicreports.com/Request-Discount/100044 https://www.futuregenicreports.com/Reports/Predictive-Analytics-Market Market DynamicsThe global predictive analytics market is dominated by a few titans of the information technology sector such as IBM, SAS, Oracle, SAP, and Microsoft. Aided by their brand image, these companies are commanding high prices for their solutions despite subdued demand, thereby raking in substantial revenues. However, the soaring popularity of cloud and open source solutions and many new entrants with proper solutions at affordable rates is slated put a downward pressure on prices in the near future. While this would bring down the real-time revenue realized per user, it would also propel the overall revenue generation in the global predictive analytics market by increasing the number of customers substantially.The top five vendors in the global predictive analytics market together accounted for around 80% of the market in 2012. Among them, SAP AG led the market with maximum share owing to its continuous investment in the analytics sector, which has helped it enhance its existing portfolio of solutions. SAP AG was followed by SAS Institute Inc. in terms of market share in 2012.Request a Sample Report @Market Outlook:Among end users, the banking and financial services segment has dominated the global market for predictive analytics. This is because predictive analytics helps uncover valuable insights and make forecasts by scrutinizing large volumes of data related to cost and revenue. The banking and financial services sector accounted for US$0.96 bn in the global predictive analytics market in 2015. The sector is expected to hold on to its leading position in the years to come as well. The government, public administration, and utilities sector comes in second in terms of market share.Depending upon the kind of business or specific business applications, the customer intelligence segment has held the maximum share in the global predictive analytics market and is predicted to retain its stronghold in the near future too. Fraud and security intelligence is the second largest segment, followed by campaign management.Top Industry Players:This report studies the global Predictive Analytics market, analyzes and researches the Predictive Analytics 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: IBM, Oracle, SAP, SAS Institute, Accretive Technologies, Angoss Software, HP, Information Builders, Megaputer Intelligence, Microsoft, Microstrategy, Pegasystems.Key Benefits This report provides an extensive analysis of the current and emerging market trends and dynamics of the Predictive Analytics market. The market trend analysis for all the countries is conducted by constructing estimations for key segments between 2018 and 2023 to identify the prevailing opportunities. The report assists to understand the strategies adopted by the leading companies in the industry. Extensive analysis is conducted by key player positioning and monitoring the top competitors within the regional market.Request Discount on this repots @Market SegmentsMarket segment by Regions/Countries, this report covers United States EU Japan China India Southeast AsiaMarket segment by Type, Predictive Analytics can be split into Predictive Models Descriptive Models Decision ModelsMarket segment by Application, Predictive Analytics can be split into On Premise CloudBrowse Report @About Future Genic ReportsFuture Generic Reports is a market research and consulting organization, offering premium collection of market research reports, custom research and consulting services to corporations, no-profit organizations and government institutions across the globe.The wide range of information is presented by a team of well-trained researchers of specific sectors through exhaustive research. We deliver premier market research services that cover all industry verticals, including chemicals and material, automotive, healthcare, electronics & semiconductor, food and beverage, pharmaceuticals and technology and media.We believe in building an eternal bond with our clients through offering them inclusive research study meeting their specific requirements. Our services are tailored specifically to our clients by proposing them the potential outcome, based on our in-depth analysis and insights for exploring the growth strategies through providing the best possible decision for quality production.Contact us:Future Generic Reports244 , Madison AvenueNew York City, NY - 10016United StatesToll Free +1- 844-445-2861Email: sales@futuregenicreports.com LPWA (Low Power Wide Area) Networks Market: Growth and Sales Forecast 2018 - 2025 http://www.theinsightpartners.com/sample/TIPTE100000400 http://www.theinsightpartners.com/discount/TIPTE100000400 http://www.theinsightpartners.com/reports/low-power-wide-area-networks-market-research http://www.theinsightpartners.com/ Low-power Wide Area (LPWA) is a wireless Wide Area Network (WAN) technology that is designed for interconnecting devices with low-bandwidth connectivity, dedicated on power efficiency and range.The report aims to provide an overview of Global LPWA Market along with detailed segmentation of market by connectivity technology, end-user vertical, and five major geographical regions. Global LPWA market is expected to witness growth during the forecast period attributed to the increasing adoption of M2M or IoT devices.Request a Sample copy of Report:The objectives of this report are as follows:- To provide overview of the global LPWA market- To analyze and forecast the global LPWA market on the basis of connectivity technology and end-user vertical.- To provide market size and forecast till 2025 for overall LPWA market with respect to five major regions, namely; North America, Europe, Asia Pacific (APAC), Middle East and Africa (MEA), and South America (SAM), which are later sub-segmented across respective major countries.Inquire for Discount on this Report:- To evaluate market dynamics effecting the market during the forecast period i.e., drivers, restraints, opportunities, and future trend.- To provide exhaustive PEST analysis for all five regions.- To profiles key LPWA players influencing the market along with their SWOT analysis and market strategies.Some of the important players in LPWA market Semtech Corporation, Senet, Inc., Intel Corporation, Telensa Ltd., Link Labs, Inc., ZTE Corporation, Qualcomm, Inc., Vodafone Group plc, Nwave Technologies, and Sigfox S.A. among others.Browse Complete Report with TOC:About 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, Healthcare, Manufacturing, Automotive and Defense.Contact Us:The Insight partners,Phone: +1-646-491-9876Email: sales@theinsightpartners.comWebsite: GCC and Qatar Cooking Oil Market Assessment and Key Insights Analyzed till 2024 MRRSE https://www.mrrse.com/sample/2160 https://www.mrrse.com/cooking-oil-market https://www.mrrse.com/enquiry/2160 https://www.mrrse.com/ Market Research Reports Search Engine (MRRSE) has recently updated its massive research catalog by adding a new study, titled Cooking Oil Market. The study offers a clear insight about the prevailing trends and innovations happening in the Cooking Oil Market. Readers can further access details about research highlights and executive summary to gain a better idea about this assessment. The market overview covers key industry developments and market opportunity map during the mentioned forecast period. In addition, a holistic view of the entire global market scenario across all the prime regional segments, such as (Regions) has been delivered.Ask for Sample Report @The GCC and Qatar cooking oil market is characterized by a high degree of consolidation with key companies, namely Savola Group, United Foods Company, and Emirates Refining Company Ltd holding close to seventy five percent share in 2015. In this intensely competitive market, key companies are aggressively engaged in research and development to introduce new line of cooking oils loaded with nutritional value. Extensive promotional activities are carried out to extend knowledge about new products and to launch them with a bang. For example, in 2015, Savola Group launched a new line of canola oil products with high omega-3 content.Frequent mergers and acquisitions and joint ventures are some of the winning strategies of leading vendors in the GCC and Qatar cooking oil market.As per a market study by MRRSE, GCC cooking oil market is likely to expand at a CAGR of 6.6% between 2017 and 2024. At this rate, the market which stood at US$1103.0 mn in 2017 will become US$1736.1 mn by the end of 2024.On the other hand, Qatar cooking oil market is likely to proliferate at 7.4% CAGR in terms of revenue between 2017 and 2024. Proliferating at this rate, the demand in the market will translate into a revenue of US$122.2 mn by 2024 end.By product type, sunflower oil accounts for the leading demand in the GCC region. The segment is likely to display substantial demand in the upcoming years. In terms of product type, sunflower oil is likely to hold the leading 71.5% share by the end of 2024. Palm oil, on the other hand, is anticipated to display a declined share until 2024. By package type, retail package is anticipated to hold the leading share in terms of revenue through 2024.Primarily driving the cooking oil market in GCC is increasing demand for processed food. Widespread consumption of packaged foods that are oil based displays massive demand for cooking oil in the GCC region. To cater to this demand, product manufacturers are engaged in research and development to introduce high quality cooking oils that serve health requirements of consumers. Refined cooking oil are claimed to be good over non-refined oils as they help lower cholesterol in the body.Complete Report details with List of Tables and Figures @In addition, changing lifestyle coupled with rising purchasing power have led to changing eating habits in the GCC region. Increasing trend of eating out and high consumption of ready-to-eat meals is also fuelling the GCC cooking oil market.Rising tourism is a key factor behind the growth of Qatar cooking oil market. The influx of tourists bodes well for the hospitality sector as well as ancillary industries such as food industry. Increasing tourism has also aroused interest of international hotel chains to foray in the region. This in turn, has complemented the growth of cooking oils industry in this region.In the past decade, the cooking oil industry has witnessed increasing investments due to rising population and growing affluence among consumers. This has led to the increasing number of oil processing plants with high processing capacity along with surging labor population. These factors are greatly pushing the growth of cooking oil industry in the GCC and Qatar region.For the research report, analysts conducted extensive interviews with industry experts and opinion leaders. Primary research accounts for majority of the research effort, supplemented by extensive secondary research. Secondary research phase involved reviewing key players product literature, press releases, annual reports, and pertinent documents for competitive analysis and market understanding. Secondary research phase includes examining recent trade and technical writing websites, internet sources, along with statistical data from government websites, trade associations, and agencies. Tapping into several sources for data collection and scrutinizing the data has evinced to be the most reliable, effective, and successful approach to obtain precise market data, capture industry insights, and recognizing business opportunities.Secondary research sources reached out include but were not limited to company websites, annual reports, broker reports, SEC filings, investor presentations, and financial reports. Internal and external proprietary databases, relevant patents, regulatory databases, national government documents, statistical databases, and market reports are some other sources tapped into in the secondary research phase. In addition, industry trade journals, scientific journals, and other technical literature are some other sources reached out for secondary research.Send an Inquiry @Primary research phase comprised conducting interviews with industry experts and opinion leaders on an ongoing basis. This is to obtain insightful inputs regarding growth trends and to validate the analysis of the GCC and Qatar cooking oil market presented herein.Primary research phase helped to obtain first-hand information on market size, growth trends, competitive outlook, future prospects, etc.To validate and endorse secondary research findingsHelps develop research teams competency and market understandingPrimary research phase involved e-mail communication along with face-to-face and telephonic interviews with industry experts for key segment under different category spread across geographiesAbout MRRSEMarket Research Reports Search Engine (MRRSE) is an industry-leading database of Market Research Reports. MRRSE is driven by a stellar team of research experts and advisors trained to offer objective advice. Our sophisticated search algorithm returns results based on the report title, geographical region, publisher, or other keywords.MRRSE partners exclusively with leading global publishers to provide clients single-point access to top-of-the-line market research. MRRSEs repository is updated every day to keep its clients ahead of the next new trend in market research, be it competitive intelligence, product or service trends or strategic consulting.Contact UsState Tower90, State StreetSuite 700Albany, NY - 12207United States Telephone: +1-518-730-0559Email: sales@mrrse.comWebsite: Kosher Gelatin Market Volume Analysis, size, share and Key Trends 2017-2025 https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=B&rep_id=21131 https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/checkout.php?rep_id=21131>>Request Discount of this Report-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; thats 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: Motorcycle Lighting Market 2018 Global Key Players: Unitech, Koito, Varroc, Hella, Federal Mogul. Motorcycle Lighting Market https://www.wiseguyreports.com/sample-request/3160535-global-motorcycle-lighting-market-research-report-2018 https://www.wiseguyreports.com/reports/3160535-global-motorcycle-lighting-market-research-report-2018 Motorcycle Lighting Market:WiseGuyReports.com adds Motorcycle Lighting Market 2018 Global Analysis, Growth, Trends and Opportunities Research Report Forecasting to 2025reports to its database.Executive SummaryThis report studies the global Motorcycle Lighting market status and forecast, categorizes the global Motorcycle Lighting market size (value & volume) by manufacturers, type, application, and region. This report focuses on the top manufacturers in North America, Europe, Japan, China, and other regions (India, Southeast Asia, Central & South America, and Middle East & Africa).The global Motorcycle Lighting market is valued at xx million US$ in 2017 and is expected to reach xx million US$ by the end of 2025, growing at a CAGR of xx.x % between 2018 and 2025.The major manufacturers covered in this reportUnitechKoitoVarrocHellaFederal MogulStanleyBruno/Zadi GroupLumaxCoboRinderBoogeyMindaAmpas LightingIJLW. speakerZWK GroupMotolightLazer lightFiemGeographically, this report studies the top producers and consumers, focuses on product capacity, production, value, consumption, market share and growth opportunity in these key regions, coveringNorth AmericaEuropeChinaJapanOther RegionsOn the basis of product, this report displays the production, revenue, price, market share and growth rate of each type, primarily split intoHalogen LampLED LightsOtherOn 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, includingMotorcycle Headlight Parts and BulbsMotorcycle Rear Light Parts and BulbsIndicatorsOtherRequest Sample Report @The study objectives of this report are:To analyze and study the global Motorcycle Lighting capacity, production, value, consumption, status (2013-2017) and forecast (2018-2025);Focuses on the key Motorcycle Lighting manufacturers, to study the capacity, production, value, market share and development plans in future.Focuses on the global key manufacturers, to define, describe and analyze the market competition landscape, SWOT analysis.To define, describe and forecast the market by type, application and region.To analyze the global and key regions market potential and advantage, opportunity and challenge, restraints and risks.To identify significant trends and factors driving or inhibiting the market growth.To analyze the opportunities in the market for stakeholders by identifying the high growth segments.To strategically analyze each submarket with respect to individual growth trend and their contribution to the marketTo analyze competitive developments such as expansions, agreements, new product launches, and acquisitions in the marketTo strategically profile the key players and comprehensively analyze their growth strategies.In this study, the years considered to estimate the market size of Motorcycle Lighting are as follows:History Year: 2013-2017Base Year: 2017Estimated Year: 2018Forecast Year 2018 to 2025For the data information by region, company, type and application, 2017 is considered as the base year. Whenever data information was unavailable for the base year, the prior year has been considered.Key StakeholdersMotorcycle Lighting ManufacturersMotorcycle Lighting Distributors/Traders/WholesalersMotorcycle Lighting Subcomponent ManufacturersIndustry AssociationDownstream VendorsAvailable CustomizationsWith the given market data, We offers customizations according to the company's specific needs. The following customization options are available for the report:Regional and country-level analysis of the Motorcycle Lighting market, by end-use.Detailed analysis and profiles of additional market players.Table of Content:1 Global Motorcycle Lighting Market Research Report 20182 Global Motorcycle Lighting Market Competition by Manufacturers3 Global Motorcycle Lighting Capacity, Production, Revenue (Value) by Region (2013-2018)4 Global Motorcycle Lighting Supply (Production), Consumption, Export, Import by Region (2013-2018)5 Global Motorcycle Lighting Production, Revenue (Value), Price Trend by Type6 Global Motorcycle Lighting Market Analysis by Application7 Global Motorcycle Lighting Manufacturers Profiles/Analysis8 Motorcycle Lighting Manufacturing Cost Analysis9 Industrial Chain, Sourcing Strategy and Downstream Buyers10 Marketing Strategy Analysis, Distributors/Traders11 Market Effect Factors Analysis12 Global Motorcycle Lighting Market Forecast (2018-2025)13 Research Findings and Conclusion14 AppendixContinuousFor further information on this report, visit Contact Us:Norah Trentsales@wiseguyreports.comPh: +1-646-845-9349 (US); +44 208 133 9349 (UK)About Us:Wise Guy Reports Is Part Of The Wise Guy Consultants Pvt. Ltd. And Offers Premium Progressive Statistical Surveying, Market Research Reports, Analysis & Forecast Data For Industries And Governments Around The Globe. Wise Guy Reports Features An Exhaustive List Of Market Research Reports From Hundreds Of Publishers Worldwide. We Boast A Database Spanning Virtually Every Market Category And An Even More Comprehensive Collection Of Market Research Reports Under These Categories And Sub-Categories.Addres:WISEGUY RESEARCH CONSULTANTS PVT LTDOffice No. 528, Amanora ChambersPune - 411028Maharashtra, IndiaPhone :+91 841 198 5042 Global Master Recharge API Market Analysis Covering Size, Share, Growth, Trends and Upcoming Opportunities Market Research Reports Search Engine https://www.mrrse.com/sample/4762 https://www.mrrse.com/master-recharge-api-market https://www.mrrse.com/ https://www.industrynewsanalysis.com/ This comprehensive report by Market Research Reports Search Engine analyzes and provides growth forecast for the Master Recharge API Market at the global and regional level, covering Asia Pacific, South America, North America, Middle East & Africa (MEA), and Europe. The report provides analysis for the period 20162026, wherein 2018 to 2026 is the forecast period and the base year is 2017. An in-depth and unbiased market assessment has been made to offer readers insightful and accurate analysis. The report emphasizes on all the major trends and services playing a key role in the growth of the master recharge API market over the period 2018 - 2026. It also focuses on restraining factors, market drivers, and opportunities of the master recharge API market during the said period.Send Request For Free Sample Report @The report includes a detailed ecosystem analysis, offering a comprehensive view of the global master recharge API market. Porters Five Forces analysis is also provided to understand the competitive scenario in the market. The study incorporates a market attractiveness analysis, wherein the market segments, for instance prepaid mobile, DTH, and electricity, are benchmarked based on their size, growth rate, and attractiveness in terms of opportunity. In order to give a complete analysis of the overall competitive scenario in the master recharge API market, every geographic region mentioned in the report is provided with attractiveness analysis.An overview of the master recharge API market, detailing key market trends and dynamics has been included to provide a clear understanding of ecosystem forces. Dynamics includes impact analysis of market restraining factors, drivers, and opportunities of the master recharge API market. Additionally, the report also provides analysis of different business strategies being adopted by market leaders of the master recharge API market. Trends and services related to master recharge API technologies along with their applications have also been explained in the report.Global Master Recharge API Market: Scope of the ReportThe study provides a decisive view of the global master recharge API market, broadly segmented by service as prepaid mobile recharge, postpaid mobile recharge, data card, DTH, electricity, insurance, and others (Gas, other utility services). Further, the report provides a detailed breakdown of the master recharge API market across geographic regions, which include North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Middle East & Africa, and South America, thus providing valuable insights at micro and macro levels.The report highlights the competitive scenario within the master recharge API market, thus ranking all the major players according to the key recent developments and their geographic presence. The insights are the result of our extensive primary interviews, secondary research, and in-house expert panel reviews. Market estimates have been analyzed by considering the impact of different economic, political, social, legal, and technological factors.Need Complete Report with Table of Content, Click here @On the basis of country, the North America market is segmented into Canada, the U.S., and Mexico. The Europe market is analyzed across France, Germany, the U.K., and Rest of Europe. APAC master recharge API market is also segmented at country level which includes China, Japan, India, and Rest of Asia Pacific. Middle East & Africa region covers G.C.C. countries, South Africa, and Rest of Middle East & Africa. Similarly, South America region includes Brazil and Rest of South America. This report provides all the strategic information required to understand the master recharge API market along with its components and end-users.Global Master Recharge API Market: Research MethodologyThe research methodology is a perfect combination of primary research, secondary research, and expert panel reviews. Secondary sources such as annual reports, company websites, SEC filings and investor presentations, internal and external proprietary databases, statistical databases, relevant patent and regulatory databases, market reports, government publications, World Bank database, and industry white papers are usually referred to develop preliminary market understanding. Further, for this report we have specifically focused on data from various national telecom authorities and industry bodies.Primary research involves telephonic interviews, e-mail interactions, and face-to-face interviews for detailed and unbiased reviews on the master recharge API market across geographies. Primary interviews are usually conducted on an ongoing basis with industry experts and participants in order to get latest market insights and validate the existing data and analysis. Primary interviews offer new and fresh information on important factors such as market trends, market size, competitive landscape, growth trends, etc. These factors help to validate and strengthen secondary research findings. Moreover, the data collected and analyzed from secondary and primary research is again discussed and examined by our expert panel.Global Master Recharge API Market: Competitive DynamicsThe research study includes profiles of major companies operating in the global master recharge API market. Market players have been profiled in terms of attributes such as company overview, financial overview, business strategies, and recent developments. Parameters such as investment & spending and developments by major players of the market are tracked. Some of the key players in the master recharge API market are Ezetop, Cyberplat, Euronet Worldwid, Jolo, Crowdfinch, Axis Softech Private Limited, Recharge Handa (Handa Enterprises), Indian Web Technologies (P) Ltd. (IWT), Pixyrs Softech, Pointersoft Technologies Pvt. Ltd., MyRecharge, Xtracare IT Solution, LBS Software, and Cyrus Technoedge Solutions Pvt. Ltd. among others.The Master Recharge API Market has been segmented as follows:Global Master Recharge API MarketBy ServicePrepaid Mobile RechargePostpaid Mobile RechargeData CardDTHElectricityInsuranceOthers (Gas, Other Utilities, etc.)By GeographyNorth AmericaS.CanadaMexicoEuropeGermanyThe U.K.FranceRest of EuropeAsia PacificChinaJapanIndiaRest of Asia PacificMiddle East and Africa (MEA)GCC CountriesSouth AfricaRest of MEASouth AmericaBrazilRest of South AmericaAbout Market Research Reports Search EngineMarket 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: Liquefied Petroleum Gas (Lpg) 2018 Global Market Key Players Saudi Aramco(SA), ADGAS(AE), Petrobras(BR), Sinopec(CN), Chevron(US), Qatar Petroleum(QA).... Liquefied Petroleum Gas (Lpg) Market 2018 https://www.wiseguyreports.com/sample-request/3086879-global-liquefied-petroleum-gas-lpg-industry-market-research-report https://www.wiseguyreports.com/enquiry/3086879-global-liquefied-petroleum-gas-lpg-industry-market-research-report Liquefied Petroleum Gas (Lpg) Market 2018Wiseguyreports.Com Adds Liquefied Petroleum Gas (Lpg) Global Market Demand, Growth, Opportunities, Manufacturers, Analysis of Top Key Players and Forecast to 2023 To Its Research Database.Description:The Liquefied Petroleum Gas (Lpg) market revenue was xx.xx Million USD in 2013, grew to xx.xx Million USD in 2017, and will reach xx.xx Million USD in 2023, with a CAGR of x.x% during 2018-2023.Based on the Liquefied Petroleum Gas (Lpg) industrial chain, this report mainly elaborate the definition, types, applications and major players of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (Lpg) market in details. Deep analysis about market status (2013-2018), enterprise competition pattern, advantages and disadvantages of enterprise Products, industry development trends (2018-2023), regional industrial layout characteristics and macroeconomic policies, industrial policy has also be included. From raw materials to downstream buyers of this industry will be analyzed scientifically, the feature of product circulation and sales channel will be presented as well. In a word, this report will help you to establish a panorama of industrial development and characteristics of the Liquefied Petroleum Gas (Lpg) market.The Liquefied Petroleum Gas (Lpg) market can be split based on product types, major applications, and important regions.Major Players in Liquefied Petroleum Gas (Lpg) market are:Saudi Aramco(SA)ADGAS(AE)Petrobras(BR)Sinopec(CN)Chevron(US)Primagaz(FR)Statoil(NO)PDVSA(VE)ConocoPhillips Company(US)Qatar Petroleum(QA)KNPC(KW)Valero Energy(US)CNOOC(CN)SHV Energy(NL)NIOPDC(IR)CNPC(CN)ADNOC(AE)Gazprom(RU)Total(FR)BP(UK)Shell(NL)Exxon Mobil(US)Pemex(MX)Oman Oil Company(OM)Antargaz(FR)Phillips66(US)Request for Sample Report@Major Regions play vital role in Liquefied Petroleum Gas (Lpg) market are:North AmericaEuropeChinaJapanMiddle East & AfricaIndiaSouth AmericaOthersMost important types of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (Lpg) products covered in this report are:Refinement gas and SpecificationAssociated gas and SpecificationNon-Associated Gas and SpecificationMost widely used downstream fields of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (Lpg) market covered in this report are:ResidentialCommercialEnquiry before Buying @If you have any special requirements, please let us know and we will offer you the report as you want.Table of Contents:Global Liquefied Petroleum Gas (Lpg) Industry Market Research Report1 Liquefied Petroleum Gas (Lpg) Introduction and Market Overview1.1 Objectives of the Study1.2 Definition of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (Lpg)1.3 Liquefied Petroleum Gas (Lpg) Market Scope and Market Size Estimation1.3.1 Market Concentration Ratio and Market Maturity Analysis1.3.2 Global Liquefied Petroleum Gas (Lpg) Value ($) and Growth Rate from 2013-20231.4 Market Segmentation1.4.1 Types of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (Lpg)1.4.2 Applications of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (Lpg)1.4.3 Research Regions1.4.3.1 North America Liquefied Petroleum Gas (Lpg) Production Value ($) and Growth Rate (2013-2018)1.4.3.2 Europe Liquefied Petroleum Gas (Lpg) Production Value ($) and Growth Rate (2013-2018)1.4.3.3 China Liquefied Petroleum Gas (Lpg) Production Value ($) and Growth Rate (2013-2018)1.4.3.4 Japan Liquefied Petroleum Gas (Lpg) Production Value ($) and Growth Rate (2013-2018)1.4.3.5 Middle East & Africa Liquefied Petroleum Gas (Lpg) Production Value ($) and Growth Rate (2013-2018)1.4.3.6 India Liquefied Petroleum Gas (Lpg) Production Value ($) and Growth Rate (2013-2018)1.4.3.7 South America Liquefied Petroleum Gas (Lpg) Production Value ($) and Growth Rate (2013-2018)1.5 Market Dynamics1.5.1 Drivers1.5.1.1 Emerging Countries of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (Lpg)1.5.1.2 Growing Market of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (Lpg)1.5.2 Limitations1.5.3 Opportunities1.6 Industry News and Policies by Regions1.6.1 Industry News1.6.2 Industry Policies.8 Competitive Landscape8.1 Competitive Profile8.2 Saudi Aramco(SA)8.2.1 Company Profiles8.2.2 Liquefied Petroleum Gas (Lpg) Product Introduction8.2.3 Saudi Aramco(SA) Production, Value ($), Price, Gross Margin 2013-2018E8.2.4 Saudi Aramco(SA) Market Share of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (Lpg) Segmented by Region in 20178.3 ADGAS(AE)8.3.1 Company Profiles8.3.2 Liquefied Petroleum Gas (Lpg) Product Introduction8.3.3 ADGAS(AE) Production, Value ($), Price, Gross Margin 2013-2018E8.3.4 ADGAS(AE) Market Share of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (Lpg) Segmented by Region in 20178.4 Petrobras(BR)8.4.1 Company Profiles8.4.2 Liquefied Petroleum Gas (Lpg) Product Introduction8.4.3 Petrobras(BR) Production, Value ($), Price, Gross Margin 2013-2018E8.4.4 Petrobras(BR) Market Share of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (Lpg) Segmented by Region in 20178.5 Sinopec(CN)8.5.1 Company Profiles8.5.2 Liquefied Petroleum Gas (Lpg) Product Introduction8.5.3 Sinopec(CN) Production, Value ($), Price, Gross Margin 2013-2018E8.5.4 Sinopec(CN) Market Share of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (Lpg) Segmented by Region in 20178.6 Chevron(US)8.6.1 Company Profiles8.6.2 Liquefied Petroleum Gas (Lpg) Product Introduction8.6.3 Chevron(US) Production, Value ($), Price, Gross Margin 2013-2018E8.6.4 Chevron(US) Market Share of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (Lpg) Segmented by Region in 20178.7 Primagaz(FR)8.7.1 Company Profiles8.7.2 Liquefied Petroleum Gas (Lpg) Product Introduction8.7.3 Primagaz(FR) Production, Value ($), Price, Gross Margin 2013-2018E8.7.4 Primagaz(FR) Market Share of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (Lpg) Segmented by Region in 20178.8 Statoil(NO)8.8.1 Company Profiles8.8.2 Liquefied Petroleum Gas (Lpg) Product Introduction8.8.3 Statoil(NO) Production, Value ($), Price, Gross Margin 2013-2018E8.8.4 Statoil(NO) Market Share of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (Lpg) Segmented by Region in 20178.9 PDVSA(VE)8.9.1 Company Profiles8.9.2 Liquefied Petroleum Gas (Lpg) Product Introduction8.9.3 PDVSA(VE) Production, Value ($), Price, Gross Margin 2013-2018E8.9.4 PDVSA(VE) Market Share of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (Lpg) Segmented by Region in 20178.10 ConocoPhillips Company(US)8.10.1 Company Profiles8.10.2 Liquefied Petroleum Gas (Lpg) Product Introduction8.10.3 ConocoPhillips Company(US) Production, Value ($), Price, Gross Margin 2013-2018E8.10.4 ConocoPhillips Company(US) Market Share of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (Lpg) Segmented by Region in 20178.11 Qatar Petroleum(QA)8.11.1 Company Profiles8.11.2 Liquefied Petroleum Gas (Lpg) Product Introduction8.11.3 Qatar Petroleum(QA) Production, Value ($), Price, Gross Margin 2013-2018E8.11.4 Qatar Petroleum(QA) Market Share of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (Lpg) Segmented by Region in 20178.12 KNPC(KW)8.12.1 Company Profiles8.12.2 Liquefied Petroleum Gas (Lpg) Product Introduction8.12.3 KNPC(KW) Production, Value ($), Price, Gross Margin 2013-2018E8.12.4 KNPC(KW) Market Share of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (Lpg) Segmented by Region in 20178.13 Valero Energy(US)8.13.1 Company Profiles8.13.2 Liquefied Petroleum Gas (Lpg) Product Introduction8.13.3 Valero Energy(US) Production, Value ($), Price, Gross Margin 2013-2018E8.13.4 Valero Energy(US) Market Share of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (Lpg) Segmented by Region in 20178.14 CNOOC(CN)8.14.1 Company Profiles8.14.2 Liquefied Petroleum Gas (Lpg) Product Introduction8.14.3 CNOOC(CN) Production, Value ($), Price, Gross Margin 2013-2018E8.14.4 CNOOC(CN) Market Share of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (Lpg) Segmented by Region in 20178.15 SHV Energy(NL)8.15.1 Company Profiles8.15.2 Liquefied Petroleum Gas (Lpg) Product Introduction8.15.3 SHV Energy(NL) Production, Value ($), Price, Gross Margin 2013-2018E8.15.4 SHV Energy(NL) Market Share of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (Lpg) Segmented by Region in 20178.16 NIOPDC(IR)8.16.1 Company Profiles8.16.2 Liquefied Petroleum Gas (Lpg) Product Introduction8.16.3 NIOPDC(IR) Production, Value ($), Price, Gross Margin 2013-2018E8.16.4 NIOPDC(IR) Market Share of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (Lpg) Segmented by Region in 20178.17 CNPC(CN)8.18 ADNOC(AE)8.19 Gazprom(RU)8.20 Total(FR)8.21 BP(UK)8.22 Shell(NL)8.23 Exxon Mobil(US)8.24 Pemex(MX)8.25 Oman Oil Company(OM)8.26 Antargaz(FR)8.27 Phillips66(US)Continued..Contact US:NORAH TRENTPartner Relations & Marketing Managersales@wiseguyreports.comPh: +1-646-845-9349 (US)Ph: +44 208 133 9349 (UK)About Us:Wise Guy Reports Is Part Of The Wise Guy Consultants Pvt. Ltd. And Offers Premium Progressive Statistical Surveying, Market Research Reports, Analysis & Forecast Data For Industries And Governments Around The Globe. Wise Guy Reports Features An Exhaustive List Of Market Research Reports From Hundreds Of Publishers Worldwide. We Boast A Database Spanning Virtually Every Market Category And An Even More Comprehensive Collection Of Market Research Reports Under These Categories And Sub-Categories.Addres:: Wise Guy Research Consultants Pvt Ltd: Pune 411028: Maharashtra,: Ph: +91 841 198 5042 Global Nano-Enabled Packaging Market For Food and Beverages Industry Will Reach $15.0 billion in 2020 https://www.persistencemarketresearch.com/methodology/2809 https://www.persistencemarketresearch.com/market-research/nano-enabled-packaging-market.asp https://www.persistencemarketresearch.com/samples/2809 http://www.persistencemarketresearch.com According to a new market report published by Persistence Market Research Global Market Study on Nano-Enabled Packaging For Food and Beverages: Intelligent Packaging to Witness Highest Growth by 2020, the global nano enabled packaging market for food and beverages industry was worth USD 6.5 billion in 2013 and is expected to grow at a CAGR of 12.7% during 2014 to 2020, to reach an estimated value of USD 15.0 billion in 2020.The global progress in technologies is making lives simpler and safer. Nanotechnology is one such field which is dynamically progressing and is contributing to the development of several industries, including food and beverages packaging. Nano-enabled packaging gives longer shelf life to food and beverages as compared to traditional plastic packaging. Food and beverages packaging is done through two different technologies under nano-enabled packaging-active and intelligent packaging. Active packaging has a comparativelylarger market than intelligent packaging.Request Report for TOC @Intelligent packaging is growing at a faster rate as compared to the active packaging. Customers prefer traceable food and beverages packaging, since it offers information such as expiry date and best use period, present state of the consumables. The radio frequency identification (RFID) tags keep customers informed about the state of the food within the packaging. Intelligent packaging is mostly used for fruits and vegetables, meat products, and beverages. Stricter regulations associated with active packaging have been stimulating the use of intelligent packaging in Europe and North America.Intelligent packaging in the U.S. is growing mainly due to the increasing demand for fresh fruits and vegetables. Americans are shifting their breakfast preference from junk foods to fresh alternatives. The U.S. is one of the largest producers and exporters of cherries globally. With the ease in trade regulations, fruit exports of the U.S. have increased. In September 2011, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced that after ten years of negotiations, U.S. cherries can be exported to Western Australia, one of the most important markets for cherries. The increasing demand for intelligent packaging in international trade (especially in fruits) is laying out opportunities for this technology in food packaging.The Food Safety and Modernization Act (FSMA) proposed by FDA in 2011 is another growth indicator for intelligent packaging wherein the fresh produce, including fruits and vegetables, are required to be scientifically grown, harvested, packaged, and stored. The farm products that come in the acts domain are lettuce, spinach, cantaloupe, tomatoes, sprouts, mushrooms, onions, peppers, cabbage, citrus produce, strawberries, and walnuts.Nano-enabled packaging finds its application in several industries, including bakery, meat, beverages, fruit and vegetables, prepared foods, and others. The increasing demand for meat products, beverages, vegetables, and prepared foods is expected to drive their respective nano-enabled packaging markets, while the market share of bakery products is expected to decline on account of the rapid growth of other application segments.Nanotechnology is at a nascent stage and, therefore, usage of nano-enabled packaging is low in the food and beverages industry. Limited numbers of buyers have more leverage to negotiate with nanotechnology companies. On the other hand, there is a plethora of companies providing nano-enabled packaging solutions to the food and beverages industry.Nano-enabled packaging market for food and beverage is very competitive with a large number of players offering an array of patented products. The major players in this industry include Amcor Limited, Bemis Company, Inc., Chevron Phillips Chemical Company, L.L.C., Klockner Pentaplast, Sealed Air, and Tetra Pak International S.A.Browse the full Global Market Study on Nano-Enabled Packaging For Food and Beverages: Intelligent Packaging to Witness Highest Growth by 2020 report atBelow is the segmentation done by Persistence Market Research for global market study on nano enabled packaging for food and beverages:Market Size and Forecast by TechnologyMarket Size and Forecast (by value)Active PackagingIntelligent PackagingMarket Size and Forecast by ApplicationMarket Size and Forecast (by value)Bakery ProductsMeat ProductsBeveragesFruit and VegetablesPrepared FoodsOthersMarket Size and Forecast by RegionNorth AmericaMarket Size and Forecast by technology (by value)Market Size and Forecast by application (by value)EuropeFrance Market Size and Forecast by technology (by value)Market Size and Forecast by application (by value)Asia PacificMarket Size and Forecast by technology (by value)Market Size and Forecast by application (by value)Rest of the World (RoW)Request to Sample Report @About UsPersistence Market Research (PMR) is a third-platform research firm. Our research model is a unique collaboration of data analytics and market research methodology to help businesses achieve optimal performance.To support companies in overcoming complex business challenges, we follow a multi-disciplinary approach. At PMR, we unite various data streams from multi-dimensional sources. By deploying real-time data collection, big data, and customer experience analytics, we deliver business intelligence for organizations of all sizes.Contact UsPersistence Market Research305 Broadway7th Floor, New York City,NY 10007, United States,USA Canada Toll Free: 800-961-0353Email: sales@persistencemarketresearch.comWeb: Pleural Biopsy Market to Witness a Healthy Y-o-Y Growth during 2018-2028 https://www.persistencemarketresearch.com/toc/22678 https://www.persistencemarketresearch.com/samples/22678 http://www.persistencemarketresearch.com Use of novel monitoring techniquesHigher mortality from pulmonary disorders such as lung cancer, COPD, TB and others is increase global disease burden on healthcare providers. The primary reason behind the increased mortality rate is limited diagnostic yield of testing modalities available for lung cancer disorders. According to NIH, there were 155,870 deaths are due to lung and bronchus cancer which is ~26% of the total cancer deaths. Based on 2012-2014 data, there are around 6.4% of the total population is at risk of lung and bronchus cancer and survival statics for lung and bronchus cancer is around 18% of the total diagnosed patients.Pleural biopsy procedure are performed to diagnose malignancy and other indication. Pleural biopsy aims to determine different conditions particularly in the respiratory system. This is done with special biopsy needles. Pleural biopsy is done to detect infection, cancer and other conditions. Pleural biopsy is recommended for diagnosis of infectious etiologies such as malignant disease, tuberculosis and connective tissue disorder, such as rheumatoid disease and others. The pleural biopsy procedure involves creation of incision through the rib and introduction of the biopsy needle.Lower diagnostic yield of closed pleural biopsy TechniqueClosed pleural biopsy is widely performed as it provider large amount sample of pleural tissues than other biopsy technique. The collection large amount of sample increase the diagnostic yield of pleural biopsy. Closed pleural biopsy is a minimally invasive procedure which performed using Abrams or Cope needles. However, lower diagnostic yield of closed pleural biopsy techniques, and certain complication such as Site pain Vasovagal reaction, Hemothorax associated with these technique has curb the adoption of closed pleural biopsy technique. Lower yield diagnostic procedures failing to perform in the market. This has increased the opportunity for other biopsy procedures. As a result, other efficient biopsy techniques are rolling into the market with higher diagnostic yield.Request for Table of Contents @Use of novel monitoring techniques driving market growthFactors such as increasing prevalence of lung diseases and infection are driving the growth of the pleural biopsy market. Shift towards minimally invasive surgeries and increasing geriatric population are major factors that drive the growth of the pleural biopsy market. Rising public awareness and rapid technological advancements are other factors that drive the growth of the pleural biopsy market. Major restraint in the pleural biopsy market is the high-end cost of advanced biopsy procedures and devices. The lack public awareness and lack of knowledge with clinical issues in emerging markets also act as restraints in the pleural biopsy market. Availability of private & government funds for research and development to develop better diagnosis is anticipated to further fuel the market growth over the forecast period.Higher Diagnostic Yield of Plural Biopsy in MalignancyThoracoscopic biopsy procedures are getting popularity in the market owing to higher diagnostic yield over other techniques. Thoracoscopic biopsy is done with the help of an endoscope. An endoscope lets the healthcare provider see in pleura and take a piece of tissue. Open pleural biopsy method is used if a sample from needle biopsy is too small to perform diagnosis. An incision in the skin is made to access the lung and the piece of pleura is removed. Other image guided biopsy procedures such as Ultrasound-guided biopsy, CT-guided biopsy also have higher diagnostic yield of more than 80%. CT has been commercially used as gold standard for cross-sectional imaging of the pleura and pleural space.Popularity of Outpatient CentrePleural biopsies are gaining popularity as outpatient procedure as it is minimally invasive type of technique which requires lesser dose of general anesthesia. Image guided pleural biopsy techniques are anticipate to gain maximum revenue share due its rapid turnaround time and high diagnostic yield. Hospital associate outpatient centres are focusing on performing same day procedure. This has increased the total number of biopsy procedures performed and reduced the cost burden of hospital stay and other costs associated with inpatient procedures.Regional Market OutlookIn terms of geography, the pleural biopsy market has been divided into seven regions including North America, Eastern Europe, Western Europe, and Asia- Pacific excluding Japan (APEJ), Japan Middle-East & Africa and Latin America. North America is the most dominating market for pleural biopsy due to growing ageing population, increasing demand for non-invasive procedures, technological advancements, and research & developments. Western Europe is second large market for pleural biopsy, where Germany, France, and the U.K. are fast-growing countries in the region. The APEJ pleural biopsy market is expected to be the most promising market for players over the forecast period, owing to factors such as developing healthcare facilities, infrastructure and increasing awareness among physicians about new technologies.Request to View Sample of Research Report @Competition OutlookSome of the service providers identified in the global Pleural Biopsy Market are The University of Chicago Medical Center, Guys and St Thomas, Loyola University Medical Education Network, University of Rochester Medical Center Rochester, The Johns Hopkins University. Some of the manufacturers of pleural biopsy devices include, Olympus Corporation, Boston scientific corporation, B. Braun Melsungen AG, KARL STORZ GmbH & Co. KG, Medtronic plc, Fujifilm Holdings Corporation, and Cardinal Health, Inc., among others.ABOUT US:Persistence Market Research (PMR) is a third-platform research firm. Our research model is a unique collaboration of data analytics and market research methodology to help businesses achieve optimal performance. To support companies in overcoming complex business challenges, we follow a multi-disciplinary approach. At PMR, we unite various data streams from multi-dimensional sources. By deploying real-time data collection, big data, and customer experience analytics, we deliver business intelligence for organizations of all sizes.CONTACT:Persistence Market Research305 Broadway7th Floor, New York City,NY 10007, United States,USA Canada Toll Free: 800-961-0353Email: sales@persistencemarketresearch.comWeb: Networked Medical Devices Market is set to garner staggering revenues by 2026 https://www.persistencemarketresearch.com/toc/22681 https://www.persistencemarketresearch.com/samples/22681 http://www.persistencemarketresearch.com Advanced networked medical devices monitors/track a variety of different vital signs readings ranging from heart rate and core body temperatureNetworked medical devices are the medical devices integrated with networking systems that capture patient vital signs and helps in diagnosis of health conditions. The networked medical devices enable health professionals to offer patients with benefit of point of care diagnosis. The latest research and technological advancements in network solutions, has enabled physicians and patients to easily access the health status via connecting through the Internet without facing any cyber theft of data. Medical devices integrated with wireless connectivity are designed in a way that they can be used in variant configurations such as homecare settings, network connected hospitals, and could be embedded in a patients body.The networked medical devices enable improved monitoring and recording of vital signs as they are prone to less human errors. Such devices allows easy data handling and stores high volume of health data via an encrypted database for future reference, thereby increasing the privacy of data storage. Broad categories of networked medical devices include consumer health monitoring, wearable devices, embedded devices and stationary devices. The advanced state-of-the-art technology with the ability to make medical data safer is anticipated to generate large revenues in the networked medical devices market. Based on the end users, the networked medical devices market is categorized into hospital care, homecare settings and point of care settings.Rising data security measurements driving the overall market globaalyIncreased cyber securities for networked medical devices that minimizes potential expose to data breach have been the primary factors driving networked medical devices market. Ease in complex networking of devices with different class and configurations are some of the factors fueling growth of networked medical devices market. Additionally, introduction of state-of-art networked medical devices that compels investment for involved medical facilities, increase in government and private funding to develop upgraded networking solutions coupled with growing footprint of market players in untapped regions is further anticipated to spur the market growth during the forecast period of 2027.Request for Table of Contents @However, high possibilities of cybercriminal activities such as hacking medical data of a patient, misuse of the system is restraining the growth of networked medical devices market. Thus it is crucial for manufacturers to design secure networking solutions and advanced technology in order to avoid as much possibilities of data hacks.On the basis of device type, stationary devices are registering a significant revenue share in the networked medical devices market followed by embedded devices. As per the HHS data, approximately 78% of the physicians have electronic medical records (EMR/EHR) systems interconnected with large network of medical practitioners. Since the above mentioned devices are integrated within hospitals and healthcare facilities either using Ethernet or Wi-Fi services, thus they are highly exposed to events of medical device hacking.High capability of networked medical devices of being Internet-connected that enables high network connectivity among targeted groups is anticipated to propel the networked medical devices market over the forecast period. However, on the basis of end use segments, networked medical devices find large applications in hospital acre facilities followed by homecare settings. Both the end use segments hold significant revenue share in global networked medical devices market owing to its intuitive features such as ease to use, high accuracy, and portability.FDAs guidance for healthcare organizations, challenge for medical device manufacturersCenter for Devices and Radiological Health, FDA, has issued a direction report for makers on cyber security of organized medical devices that utilization OTS programming. Most IoT-empowered medical devices were made without understanding the full ramifications of digital security. Inside medical facilities, medical systems are genuinely complex with systems of all classes and capacities set up together in various arrangements. Still, some of the systems remain in the medicinal services supplier systems for 10 to 25 years, producers need to think about what innovations and programming will resemble in upcoming 10 years.Notwithstanding these difficulties, there are strict FDA controls on re-confirming certain classes of critical medical devices if any progressions are made to it. In specific cases, the most networked medical systems may not be fit for giving sufficient security in light of current or future norms. Networked medical device manufacturers are in charge of staying watchful about recognizing risks and threats related with their medical devices, including hazards identified with cyber security.Regional Market OutlookBased on geography, global networked medical devices market is segmented into five key regions viz. North America, Latin America, Europe, Asia Pacific, and Middle East & Africa. North America dominated the global networked medical devices market registering largest revenue shares and is anticipated to follow the same trend during the forecast period owing to increasing adoption of networked medical devices such as portable insulin pumps, embedded pacemakers, and integrated stationary device with an interconnected user interface in the region.Europe networked medical devices market accounted for a significant revenue shares after North America on the account of increasing footprint of local manufacturers for networked medical devices and software. However, Asia Pacific region is projected to grow at the highest CAGR during the forecast period in global networked medical devices market on the account of rise in number of local manufacturers, and increasing government investment and healthcare expenditure to develop technologically upgraded networked medical devices and network systems that are not vulnerable to security breaches.Request to View Sample of Research Report @Competition OutlookSome of the key players present in global networked medical devices market are Infinium Medical, Lantronix, Inc., Integra Systems, Inc., Phoenix Medical Systems (P) Ltd., Digi International Inc., Trivitron Healthcare, HCL Technologies Limited, Silex Technology America, Inc., and others.ABOUT US:Persistence Market Research (PMR) is a third-platform research firm. Our research model is a unique collaboration of data analytics and market research methodology to help businesses achieve optimal performance. To support companies in overcoming complex business challenges, we follow a multi-disciplinary approach. At PMR, we unite various data streams from multi-dimensional sources. By deploying real-time data collection, big data, and customer experience analytics, we deliver business intelligence for organizations of all sizes.CONTACT:Persistence Market Research305 Broadway7th Floor, New York City,NY 10007, United States,USA Canada Toll Free: 800-961-0353Email: sales@persistencemarketresearch.comWeb: Free-to-air (FTA) Service Market - Strategic Assessment, Trend Outlook and Business Opportunities https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=B&rep_id=17888 https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=CR&rep_id=17888 EMEA free-to-air services market: SnapshotThe EMEA free-to-air services market is currently being driven by the speedy rate of adoption of digital technologies. The popularity of digital broadcasting and video-on-demand services are creating an ample demand for FTA services across the world and especially in the EMEA region. The EMEA free-to-air services market is also specifically being driven by the increasing proliferation of IPTV. However, the EMEA free-to-air services market is currently being restricted by the growing scope of piracy that digitization brings with it. The high rate of piracy is denying revenue to multiple players within the market and several of them are taking precautions to protect themselves from this loss of revenue.Get Brochure For More Industry Insights@The EMEA free-to-air services market is expected to expand at a CAGR of 11.8% within a forecast period from 2016 to 2024, with regards to its value. At the end of 2015, the EMEA free-to-air services market was calculated at US$59.29 bn, and is expected to reach US$155.8 bn by the end of 2024.Europe Poses Leading Demand for Free-to-air ServicesAmong the key regions within the EMEA free-to-air services market, Europe had held the top spot in 2015. Europe is also highly likely to continue leading the EMEA free-to-air services market over the coming years, primarily due to the earlier adoption of key services in the market. As a result, Europe holds a much larger presence of the leading players especially digital broadcaster in the EMEA free-to-air services market. The heavy demand for FTA services in Europe has created a massive scope of entry for providers of FTA services in the EMEA region. Germany has especially been a key contributor to Europes lead in the EMEA free-to-air services market over the recent past. All in all Europe is expected to show a very optimistic CAGR of 12.1% in the EMEA free-to-air services market, between 2016 and 2024.Cable Television Takes up Lions Share in EMEA Free-to-air Services MarketThe EMEA free-to-air services market has been segmented on the basis of devices, into cable television, satellite television, mobile television, and radio. Of these, the market was dominated by cable television in 2015 by taking up close to three-fourths of the markets total value. It is also expected that cable television will remain the leading segment in the EMEA free-to-air services market for the immediate future, owing to cheaper and easier access and an already high user population. On the other hand, although satellite television held the second spot in the EMEA free-to-air services market in 2015 in terms of value, it is expected to expand at the leading CAGR between 2016 and 2024. A lot of nations in Europe have already taken to adopting digital TVs, further promoting the development and demand for satellite TV FTA services. The shift to digital TVs has allowed users to gain a better video quality and the highly demanded HD channel services.Get Customize Report@The list of leading players in the EMEA free-to-air services market in and at points till 2015, includes BT Group Plc., British Broadcasting Corporation, ITV Plc., Deutsche Telekom AG, RTL Group, ProSiebenSat.1 Media SE, Rai Pubblicita, Eutelsat S.A., Sky Plc., and Mediaset SpA.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 Automated Microtome Market to be at Forefront by 2026 https://www.persistencemarketresearch.com/toc/22693 https://www.persistencemarketresearch.com/samples/22693 http://www.persistencemarketresearch.com Market OutlookMicroscopic examination of tissue sample are often prescribed by physician these days to understand if the tissue is affected by any disease and also to diagnose and determine the severity and progression of the disease. A clear understanding of the normal structure of tissue sample is essential for interpret the changes that occur in the tissue sample during the course of disease. Some diseased tissues are very difficult to evaluate and requires a meticulous dissection. Hence, microtome instruments are used to cut biological specimens into uniformly thin sections for a detailed microscopic examination. With recent years, there has been a gradual shift towards automation in the histology. High demand of microtome in pathology, histopathology, textile and other industries will increase the demand of automation to reduce man power. Sectioning using an automatic microtome enables many faster features for study and analysis in light microscopy histology, spectroscopy, electron microscopy and botanical microtomy. Different cutting mode operation like single, interval, multi and continuous provided high throughput serial sectioning.Rotary Microtome is one of most the common microtome used in histologyAutomated Microtome on the basis of product segmented into rotary, vibrating blade, laser, saw and ultra-microtome and cryomicrotome. In which rotary microtome is commonly used as it is heavy and do not vibrate while cutting. Rotary microtome functions with staged rotary action where the cutting is part of rotary motion. The knife is fixed in automated rotary microtome. Automated rotatory microtome are available in automatic, semi-automatic and manual operative but automatic rotatory microtome are highly demandable in these days. Automated rotatory microtome greatly improves ergonomics by reducing repetitive stress on joints. It provide precise and consistent high-quality sectioning and preserve tissues. The rotary microtome segment has the large share in the automated microtome market due to the growing number of histopathology laboratories, rising awareness among digital pathological system and high growth in anatomical pathology labs in the emerging economics.Request for Table of Contents @Factor Driving Automated Microtome MarketIncreasing growth of histology procedures is a major factor which in turn is anticipated to accelerate automated microtome market. The growing awareness about early diagnosis of chronic diseases and increasing demand for technically advanced diagnostic equipment are the major factors that drive the growth of the automated microtome market globally. Rising number of geriatric population worldwide and growing healthcare expenditure also propel the growth of the automated microtome market. Increasing number of histopathology laboratories and increasing adoption of automated devices are expected to provide growth opportunity in emerging market. Hospital consolidation and reimbursement cuts are some of the factors that hamper the growth of the automated microtome market.Blade depends on Type of SpecimenDifferent blades are used to cut for different kind of specimen for detail examination of tissue samples. Automated microtome that cut extremely thin section use special glass, metal or diamond blades depending on the type of specimen and desired thickness. Glass blades used in sample preparation activity for light microscopy and electron microscopy applications. Diamond blades are available in two types industrial-grade blades and gem-quality blades. Diamond blades are used to slice hard material such as bone and teeth. Gem quality material is used mainly for electron microscopy application. Metal blades are used to slice the section of animal or plant tissues for light microscopy histology.Laser Microtome Used for All SamplesDifferent automated microtome are used for different sample cut. Laser microtomes are used to cut the all samples for examination of tissue in histopathology which provide benefits for precise testing. Laser microtome are basically used for all samples with >1 m thickness. Rotary microtome cuts 0.5 60 m thickness sample. Vibrating microtome are used to cut difficult/soft, fresh/fixed sample with thickness of 10 m (fixed) and 30 m (fresh). Cryomicrotomes are used for frozen samples and used for very specific thickness. Ultra-microtomes are used for extremely thin cuts for analysis with specialty microscopes.Regional Market OutlookOn the basis of geography, the automated microtome market is segmented into five key regions viz. North America, Asia Pacific, Latin America, Middle East & Africa, and Europe. North America is projected to hold a large share in the global automatic microtome market owing to increase in per capita healthcare income and significant growth in the spending on clinical laboratory. Asia Pacific is one of the fast-growing regions in the automated microtome market due to increasing technological advancements and growing awareness of various health aspects.Request to View Sample of Research Report @Competition OutlookSome of the players identified in the global automated microtome market are Leica Biosystems Nussloch GmbH, Sakura Finetek Europe B.V., Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc., Histo-Line Laboratories, Medite GmbH, Orion Medic, microTec Laborgerate GmbH, Amos Scientific Pty Ltd, Diapath S.p.A., SLEE medical GmbH, S.M. Scientific Instrument Pvt. Ltd., MICROS Produktions-u.Handelsg.m.b.H, Boeckeler Instruments, Medimeas Instruments etc. The automated microtome market will increase due to the growing number of histopathology laboratories, rising awareness among digital pathological system and high growth in anatomical pathology labs in the emerging economics. The adoption rate of the equipment is high due to increasing usage of technologically advanced methods.ABOUT US:Persistence Market Research (PMR) is a third-platform research firm. Our research model is a unique collaboration of data analytics and market research methodology to help businesses achieve optimal performance. To support companies in overcoming complex business challenges, we follow a multi-disciplinary approach. At PMR, we unite various data streams from multi-dimensional sources. By deploying real-time data collection, big data, and customer experience analytics, we deliver business intelligence for organizations of all sizes.CONTACT:Persistence Market Research305 Broadway7th Floor, New York City,NY 10007, United States,USA Canada Toll Free: 800-961-0353Email: sales@persistencemarketresearch.comWeb: Dengue Testing Market to Rise during 2017-2025 at 6.4% CAGR https://www.persistencemarketresearch.com/samples/22738 https://www.persistencemarketresearch.com/methodology/22738 https://www.persistencemarketresearch.com/checkout/22738 http://www.persistencemarketresearch.com Government tendering and partnerships between diagnostic kit manufacturers are expected to provide long-term opportunities to the manufacturers in the dengue testing market. Governments in countries of Latin America and Asia Pacific are laying emphasis to eradicate diseases that have a higher infection rate by providing free diagnosis tests and medication to the underprivileged with the help of various government-funded programs. However, in order to achieve these objectives, the local authorities need a constant supply of related diagnostic kits. Governments rely on tendering or partnerships with manufacturers for delivering the required kits.Request to View Sample of Research Report @Such kind of mechanisms also provide a stable financial flow to the manufacturers for a particular period. These are some of the important findings of the latest report released by Persistence Market Research which is titled as Dengue Testing Market: Global Industry Analysis 20122016 and Forecast 2017 2025. Besides the qualitative analysis on the market dynamics operating in the global dengue testing market, the report also features a comprehensive quantitative assessment of the various segments and regions that are prominent in this market. As per the numbers that are given in this report, the global dengue testing market was valued at US$ 451.6 Mn in 2017 and is forecasted to reach a valuation of US$ 739.4 Mn in 2025, displaying a CAGR of 6.4% during the period of assessment 2017-2025.Global Dengue Testing Market: DynamicsTo control the spread of dengue fever, reduce the number of deaths and prevent its reoccurrence in the future, governments across the world have adopted various comprehensive dengue control policies that basically focus on prevention and cure. The multi-pronged efforts for dengue control include provision of diagnosis and treatment facilities for dengue fever at all the health centers and adoption of preventive measures. Various countries have set up their own national programs such as the National Dengue Prevention and Control Program in countries such as Indonesia, Brazil, India and Philippines. The World Mosquito Program, formerly known as Eliminate Dengue is helping to protect the global population from mosquito-borne diseases. Such type of interventions are boosting the global dengue testing market all over the world.However, despite the high level of awareness for dengue prevention and cure, there are various challenges such as inadequate funding and resources and a lack of sound strategy to respond to the increasing problems related to dengue outbreaks in various regions of the world. Rapid urbanization, lack of sanitation, increase in international trade and mobility of population restraint the efforts to control dengue. In addition, lack of well-organized dengue control programs in collaboration with different sectors and agencies also restraints the market growth of dengue testing.Need more information about Report methodology ? @Global Dengue Testing Market: Segmentation and ForecastThe global dengue testing market is segmented on the basis of product type, end-user and region.ELISA based tests segment accounted for 46.6% share in 2016 and is projected to account for 46.5% share by 2025 end in the global dengue testing market.The hospitals segment was valued at US$ 196.9 Mn in 2017 and is projected to reach a valuation of US$ 334.4 Mn in 2025, registering a CAGR of 6.8% during the period of assessment.Middle East and Africa dengue testing market was valued at US$ 139.7 Mn in 2017.Global Dengue Testing Market: Competition LandscapeIn this report, the major companies that are functioning in the global dengue testing market have been featured in the competition landscape section. Some of the companies that have been featured in this section include Abbott Laboratories, NovaTec Immundiagnostica GmbH, Euroimmun AG (PerkinElmer), Quest Diagnostics, OriGene Technologies Inc., F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd., Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc., Certest Biotech S.L., Abnova Corporation and InBios International, Inc.Get Full Report Now @ABOUT US:Persistence Market Research (PMR) is a third-platform research firm. Our research model is a unique collaboration of data analytics and market research methodology to help businesses achieve optimal performance. To support companies in overcoming complex business challenges, we follow a multi-disciplinary approach. At PMR, we unite various data streams from multi-dimensional sources. By deploying real-time data collection, big data, and customer experience analytics, we deliver business intelligence for organizations of all sizes.CONTACT:Persistence Market Research305 Broadway7th Floor, New York City,NY 10007, United States,USA Canada Toll Free: 800-961-0353Email: sales@persistencemarketresearch.comWeb: Power Meters and Sensors Market to Undertake Strapping Growth by the End 2026 https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/power-meters-sensors-market.html https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=B&rep_id=43211 www.transparencymarketresearch.com/ Rise in economic development after the recession has led to the growth in power infrastructure development activities. Supportive nature of the government policies, concerns related to energy security, growth in population are some of the major factors which have fuelled the power generation requirement. Many developing countries are coming up with new thermal, hydro, solar and wind related power generation projects have to boost their generation capacities in order to fulfil their energy demand. Decline in per watt cost of generation coupled with the provision of the bonuses and subsidies for the use of renewable energy have played a significant role in power generation and the infrastructure development market. In order to increase the reliability of the electricity and determining the quality and measurement of the power delivered end consumer, power meters and sensors are the important devices.View Report Preview:The new plant additions and their types divided into either renewable energy based and nonrenewable energy based power projects. Renewable power projects utilize solar, wind, tidal, wave and geothermal energy to generate power. Power meters and sensors helps in analyzing the generation capacity, type of faults, consumption analysis. Increasing population and growing power demand, supportive government policies, concerns related to energy security are the major drivers for the electric power meters and sensors devices market.Power sensors and meters avoids the grid failures, high installation and operating risk and requirement of the new grid infrastructure. Increasing population along with the rapid industrialization act as the opportunity for the implementation of power sensors and meters. Some of the important factors for determining use and type of installations are sophistication and the customers expectations, budget setup requirement, cost allocation, power source, needs of the project and desires of the owner. Most of the meters now days monitor and display range of voltage, current, and power source. These are also able to display other parameters, which include a selection of min/max, line-to-line, line-to-neutral, demand and power factor values. The power sensors and meters are also designed for the advanced requirements such as power quality, sensors are also incorporated the memory and high speed monitoring capability to capture, sense and analyze unusual system irregularities such as harmonics and current values.Most of the meters are installed for the stand-alone applications for local access of the data only. There is a growing trend to monitor this information remotely. Analog inputs are used to monitor external parameters by the meter, such as a temperature and transducer. The high-end meters which communicate on an Ethernet network technology act as centers for other meters which transfer on the Modbus.Based on applications the power meters and sensors market can be classified into industrial, commercial and residential. There is a significant upsurge in the power and sensors demand in the industrial and residential segment due to implementation of smart grid infrastructures to reduce power demand at peak hours.Based on region, power meters and sensors market can be segmented into North America, Asia Pacific, Europe, Latin America, and Middle East & Africa. Asia Pacific is expected to lead the market in the forecast period due high demand of power from the industrial applications.Key companies operating in the power meters and sensors market include ABB, MHI, Siemens, General Electric, Honeywell International, Schneider Electric, Smart Sensors, Rohde & Schwarz GmbH, Sensata Technologies, Yokogawa Electric Corporation.Request to view Sample 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 UsTransparency Market Research (TMR) is a market intelligence company, providing global business information reports and services. Our exclusive blend of quantitative forecasting and trends analysis provides forward-looking insight for thousands of decision makers. TMRs experienced team of Analysts, Researchers, and Consultants, use proprietary data sources and various tools and techniques to gather and analyze information.Our data repository is continuously updated and revised by a team of research experts, so that it always reflects the latest trends and information. With a broad research and analysis capability, Transparency Market Research employs rigorous primary and secondary research techniques in developing distinctive data sets and research material for business reports.Contact UsTransparency Market Research90 State Street, Suite 700Albany, NY 12207Tel: +1-518-618-1030USA Canada Toll Free: 866-552-3453Email: sales@transparencymarketresearch.comWebsite: Pyridine Market to Perceive Substantial Growth by the End 2026 https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/pyridine-market.html https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=B&rep_id=43214 www.transparencymarketresearch.com/ Pyridine is a soluble, flammable liquid base with a distinct, strong odor and is toxic in nature. Pyridine is a basic heterocyclic organic compound having the chemical formula, C5H5N. It is often considered as the parent compound of several naturally occurring organic compounds. Pyridine is the preferred choice as a precursor to agrochemicals and pharmaceuticals. Initially, the synthesis of pyridine was done by extraction from coal tar and also it was obtained as a by-product of coal gasification. It is a useful chemical with a wide array of applications in various industries such as agrochemicals, pharmaceuticals, animal nutrition, food & beverage, oilfield, and others. Pyridine is a flexible building block and is considered as a good solvent in agrochemical, pharmaceuticals, and other industries. Furthermore, it has various applications such as solvent, intermediate, corrosion inhibition, pesticides, precursor, and others. It is completely soluble in ether, alcohol, water, and benzene. In earlier days, pyridines were isolated from coal tars by using coking operations; presently, synthetic procedures account for the majority of the global production of pyridines for application in various end-use industries.View Report Preview:Rise in demand for pyridine and its derivatives from pharmaceuticals and agrochemical applications owing to its multiple chemical functionalities is driving the growth of the pyridine market. Furthermore, upsurge in usage of pyridine as a denaturant for anti-freeze mixtures is propelling the growth of the pyridine market. Increase in demand for synthetic pyridine and rise in applications of pyridine in pesticides and herbicides are further augmenting the growth of the pyridine market. Additionally, recent developments in biocatalyst processes is driving the growth of the pyridine market. However, factors such as stringent governmental regulations regarding the usage of pyridine are hampering the growth of pyridine market.On the basis of product type, the pyridine market can be segmented into pyridine N-oxide, alpha picoline, beta picoline, gamma picoline, 2-amino pyridine, 4-phenylpropylpyridine, bispicolylamine, nicotinic acid, pyridine, and others (2--5-Bromo-4-Methyl Pyridine, 3-Acetyl Pyridine, 2-Bromo Pyridine, etc.). Among these, the pyridine N-oxide segment accounts for the largest share of the global pyridine market.Based on application, the pyridine market can be classified into agrochemicals, pharmaceuticals, chemical synthesis, food, and others. In terms of production methods, the pyridine market can be divided into coal synthesis and chemical synthesis.Based on geography, the pyridine market can be segmented into North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Latin America, and Middle East & Africa. Europe accounts for the leading share of the pyridine market, followed by Asia Pacific and North America. The pyridine market in Asia Pacific is expected to expand at a healthy CAGR in terms of volume during the forecast period.Key players operating in the pyridine market include Jubilant Life Sciences Limited, Vertellus Holdings LLC, Lonza Group AG, Nanjing Red Sun Company Limited, Resonance Specialties Limited., Shandong Luba Chemical Company Limited, Chang Chun Petrochemical Company Limited, Koei Chemical Company Limited, Mitsubishi Chemical Corporation, and Novasyn Organics Private Limited.Request to view Sample 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 UsTransparency Market Research (TMR) is a market intelligence company, providing global business information reports and services. Our exclusive blend of quantitative forecasting and trends analysis provides forward-looking insight for thousands of decision makers. TMRs experienced team of Analysts, Researchers, and Consultants, use proprietary data sources and various tools and techniques to gather and analyze information.Our data repository is continuously updated and revised by a team of research experts, so that it always reflects the latest trends and information. With a broad research and analysis capability, Transparency Market Research employs rigorous primary and secondary research techniques in developing distinctive data sets and research material for business reports.Contact UsTransparency Market Research90 State Street, Suite 700Albany, NY 12207Tel: +1-518-618-1030USA Canada Toll Free: 866-552-3453Email: sales@transparencymarketresearch.comWebsite: Global Neurointerventional Devices Market Precise Study on Factors, Drivers and Key Players Strategies Analyzed Till 2022 https://www.factmr.com/connectus/sample?flag=S&rep_id=134 https://www.factmr.com/report/134/neurointerventional-devices-market https://www.factmr.com/connectus/sample?flag=D&rep_id=134 https://www.factmr.com/ As per the current market trends and the promising nature of the global neurointerventional devices market, it can be estimated that the future holds positive outcomes. In order to provide a deep insight about the concerned market, Fact.MR would be publishing a resourceful analysis that will enclose knowledge about the regional market size, revenue and opportunity status. Readers will be offered the privilege to decode various facets of the market during the period 2017 to 2022, together with the active access to secondary and primary research methodology. Furthermore, various segments of the market associated to product, application, end-user etc., would also be present in this intelligent research report.Request for Free Sample Report-The global neurointerventional devices market is expected to register a healthy growth in terms of revenue in the healthcare industry. Healthcare professionals in the ambulatory surgical centers and hospitals prefer minimally invasive technology for neurointerventional treatment. Attributed to minimally invasive features, embolic coils will witness significant demand in the healthcare and pharmaceutical industry. Neurovascular thrombectomy is expected to register the second highest revenue growth in the global market. Adoption of coiling procedures and stenting for treatment of vascular disorders is predicted to generate high revenues during the predicted period. North America is expected to remain the largest market for neurointerventional devices globally.Neurointerventional devices are used for the treatment of aneurysm, and ischemic strokes. Attributed to minimally invasive features, healthcare professionals use coiling procedure, cerebral angiography, and stenting technologies for the treatment of vascular diseases in neck, spine and head. Neurointerventional devices witness significant demand in the pharmaceutical and healthcare industry. Growing prevalence of atherosclerosis will also rev up demand for these devices in the healthcare sector.A recently published report by Fact.MR reveals that the global neurointerventional devices market is expected to represent a value of over US$ 2,000 Mn, registering a robust CAGR growth over the forecast period, 2017 2022.Consumption in Healthcare IndustryAttributed to minimally invasive technology, the neurointerventional devices witness significant demand for treatment of various diseases across the healthcare industry. Treatment of ischemic strokes and brain aneurysm has led to an upsurge in demand for neurological treatment such as clipping and stenting. Healthcare professionals are increasingly adopting minimally invasive devices for neurological treatment. Bound to such factors, the neurointerventional devices is expected to witness significant adoption in the healthcare industry globally.Considerable Demand in the Pharmaceutical IndustryGrowing prevalence of vascular diseases and atherosclerosis has led to an upsurge in demand for neurointerventional treatment in the healthcare industry. This has led to an upsurge in demand for these devices in the pharmaceutical industry globally. Moreover, surge in demand for technologically enhanced neurointerventional devices will further witness significant demand in healthcare institutions. This has revved up demand for neurointerventional devices among neurosurgeons, which is expected to impact growth of the global neurointerventional devices market positively.Atherosclerosis to Fuel Demand for Neurointerventional DevicesApart from treatment of ischemic strokes and aneurysm, the neurological devices are also used for treatment of vascular diseases. Growing prevalence of atherosclerosis due to building fatty plaque leads to narrow vessels. This vascular disorders adversely affect the kidneys, legs, neck, and stomach arteries. As these arteries are connected with the brain, vascular disorder adversely affects the brain too. Due to such factors, the neurointerventional devices witness significant demand in the healthcare industry.Hospitals to Register Significant GrowthEmbolic coils will outsell other neurointerventional devices, and is expected to represent a value of over US$ 270 Mn by the end of 2017. North America is predicted to represent the largest market for neurointerventional devices globally. On the basis of products, balloon neurointerventional devices is expected to register the highest CAGR growth in the global neurointerventional devices market throughout 2022. Neurovascular thrombectomy is expected to register the second highest revenue growth in the global market.Browse Full Report with TOC-Market Players Operating in the Global MarketMajor market players operating in the global neurointerventional devices market include Boston Scientific Corporation, Medtronic plc, St. Jude Medical, Inc., Nevro Corp., Nuvectra Corporation, Stimwave Technologies, Inc., and Saluda Medical Pty Ltd.Table of ContentGlobal Neurointervention Devices Market - Executive SummaryGlobal Neurointervention Devices Market Overview2.1. Introduction2.1.1. Global Neurointervention Devices Market Taxonomy2.1.2. Global Neurointervention Devices Market Definition2.2. Global Neurointervention Devices Market Size (US$ Mn) and Forecast, 2012-20222.2.1. Global Neurointervention Devices Market Y-o-Y Growth2.3. Global Neurointervention Devices Market Dynamics2.3.1. Drivers2.3.2. Restraints2.3.3. Trends2.4. Supply Chain2.5. Installed Base By Region2.6. Product Mapping Behavior By Region2.7. Average Pricing Analysis2.8. Regulations2.9. Key Participants Market Presence (Intensity Map) By RegionRead More>>>Request Discount of this Report-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; thats 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: Endocrine Testing Market Is Expected to Rise to a Valuation of US$12.8 Bn by the End of 2023 https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=B&rep_id=1645 https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=S&rep_id=1645 https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=D&rep_id=1645 https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/gene-delivery-system-market-to-reach-value-of-nearly-us-42810-mn-by-2025tmr-678624243.html http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com Endocrine Testing Market: SnapshotEndocrine testing refers to a group of tests performed to assess the overall function of the patients endocrine system. The release of hormones is linked to a variety of diseases, which makes them a solid indicator to reveal the nature and extent of diseases. The rising awareness about the solid connection between hormones and diseases has led to steady growth of the global endocrine testing market in the recent past. The market is expected to rise to a valuation of US$12.8 bn by the end of 2023, exhibiting a robust 8.50% CAGR between 2015 and 2023.Download PDF Brochure of Report:Rising Incidence of Diabetes to Propel Demand for Endocrine TestingOne of the key drivers for the global endocrine testing market is the rising number of patients suffering from diabetes. The crucial role played by insulin in the development and post-diagnostic management of diabetes makes it the key segment of the global endocrine testing market. The prevalence of diabetes is driven by the rising consumption of sugary foods across the world, accompanied by the widespread adherence to a sedentary lifestyle, particularly in developed regions such as North America and Europe.The rising prevalence of obesity is another major factor contributing to the growth of the global endocrine testing market. Obesity can often be caused by hormonal imbalance, the treatment for which requires endocrine testing. Obesity is also a contributing factor to the rising incidence of diabetes, as it promotes a sedentary lifestyle and is usually accompanied by excessive consumption of high-sugar food.Request to View Sample of Report On the other hand, the high costs of some advanced endocrine testing technologies are a major restraint against the global endocrine testing market. Despite their utility in the diagnosis of a variety of diseases, endocrine testing remains unaffordable for a significant part of the population in developing regions, which is unlikely to change in the near future. The lack of general awareness about healthcare in underdeveloped regions has also held back the growth of the global endocrine testing market.Rapid Growth of Endocrine Testing Market Expected in Asia PacificGeographically, the global endocrine testing market is segmented into North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, and the Rest of the World. The presence of leading healthcare industry players in North America and Europe has resulted in steady dominance of these two regions in the global endocrine testing market. The rising awareness among the general population in countries such as the U.S., Canada, the U.K., Germany, etc. regarding the importance of endocrine testing is likely to keep these the two leading regional endocrine testing markets in the coming years.Nevertheless, the endocrine testing market is expected to exhibit rapid growth in Asia Pacific in the coming years. The rising prevalence of diabetes in Southeast Asia is a major driver for the endocrine testing market in Asia Pacific. In addition to this, the rising government support to the healthcare sector in countries such as India, Thailand, China, Australia, Japan, and South Korea is likely to be a key factor in the development of the Asia Pacific endocrine testing market.By end use, commercial laboratories are likely to remain the dominant segment of the global endocrine testing market in the coming years. Hospitals, physician offices, ambulatory care centers, and home-based testing are the other significant end uses of endocrine testing techniques. The convenience of outsourcing testing procedures to commercial laboratories is the key factor driving their demand in the global endocrine testing market.Request to View Discount Key players in the global endocrine testing market include Bio-Rad Laboratories Inc., Agilent Technologies, Biomedical Diagnostics, Abbott Laboratories, LabCorp, F. Hoffman-La Roche Ltd., Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc., and Siemens AG. Of these, Abbott Laboratories and F. Hoffman-La Roche are likely to continue as the dominant leaders in the global endocrine testing market through the forecast period.Popular Research Report by TMR:Gene Delivery System Market:About UsTransparency Market Research (TMR) is a market intelligence company, providing global business information reports and services. Our exclusive blend of quantitative forecasting and trends analysis provides forward-looking insight for thousands of decision makers. TMRs experienced team of analysts, researchers, and consultants, use proprietary data sources and various tools and techniques to gather, and analyze information. Our business offerings represent the latest and the most reliable information indispensable for businesses to sustain a competitive edge.US Office Contact90 State Street, Suite 700Albany, NY 12207Tel: +1-518-618-1030USA Canada Toll Free: 866-552-3453Email: sales@transparencymarketresearch.comWebsite: Canada Home Healthcare Market Is Expected to Reach USD 18,939.9 Million by 2020 https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=B&rep_id=4898 https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=S&rep_id=4898 https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=D&rep_id=4898 https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/endobronchial-ultrasound-biopsy-market-to-touch-us-7021-mn-by-2025-says-tmr-680109043.html http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com Canada Home Healthcare Market: OverviewCanada home healthcare market represents a wide range of home medical devices and services to support patients with chronic disease conditions. The risk and prevalence of chronic and lifestyle related diseases are constantly increasing in Canada which would drive the acceptance of home medical devices and services, consequently leading to the growth of the market. Moreover, changing demographics in Canada further supports the growth of Canada home healthcare market. Statistics Canada projected that around 5 million people in Canada were aged over 60 65 years in 2011 and the number is expected to double in the next 25 years (10.4 million). Such change in demographics will shift a substantial portion of population to the higher risk level for illnesses that demand continuous medical intervention. Thus, this factor would in turn increase the utilization of home healthcare devices and services hence driving the market growth. Moreover, advancement in technologies, increasing sedentary lifestyle and growing preference for alternatives to hospital based long-term care also supports the Canada home healthcare market growth. However, high costs coupled with strict regulatory environment restraints the market growth. The Canada home healthcare market is estimated to be USD 10,449.1 million in 2013 and is expected to reach USD 18,939.9 million by 2020, growing at a CAGR of 8.9% from 2014 to 2020.Download PDF Brochure of Report:The Canada home healthcare market has been studied from three perspectives: by device types, by services and by provinces. Based on device types, the market has been segmented into four categories: diagnostic and monitoring devices, therapeutic home healthcare devices, home mobility assist devices and medical supplies. Among these, diagnostics and monitoring devices are accounted for the largest market, capturing over 30% of the total Canada home medical devices market in 2013. Efforts of the Canadian government to increase awareness about hypertension, diabetes and sleep apnea management through home monitoring drives the growth of diagnostics and monitoring devices segment. Moreover, home mobility assist devices market segment recorded the lowest revenue in 2013 owing to the low cost of market constituents such as cranes and crutches, walkers and rollators and others.Based on services, the Canada home healthcare market is categorized into rehabilitation, telehealth and telemedicine, respiratory therapy, infusion therapy and unskilled home healthcare services. In 2013, unskilled home healthcare services market accounted for the largest market and is expected to dominate the market in future. Growing geriatric population coupled with increasing uptake of nonprofessional home care services in Canada helps this segment to grow consistently during the forecast period. Moreover, telehealth and telemedicine services only accounted for 2% revenue of the total home healthcare services market in 2013 but is expected to grow with the highest CAGR of around 11% during the forecast period from 2014 to 2020. Fundamental benefits availed from these services such as high cost-effectiveness, quality health care and access to health care services throughout rural and urban areas supports the growth of the market in Canada.Request to View Sample of Report In terms of geographic distribution, the Canada home healthcare market has been segmented into four provinces i.e. Ontario, Quebec, Alberta and Rest of Canada. The Ontario home healthcare market in 2013 accounted for the largest market share due to high demand for home healthcare devices and services. Moreover, consistent rise in geriatric population and favorable government policies propels the growth of home healthcare market in Ontario. Followed by Ontario, Rest of Canada turned out to be the second largest market due to increasing number of obese population over the last few years. The Canada home healthcare market in Quebec is expected to grow at the highest CAGR of 9.2% from 2014 to 2020. The growth of this province is mainly attributed to the large population base and increasing incidence rate of chronic diseases.Request to View Discount The Canada home healthcare market is fragmented in nature, having presence of large number of small scale and large scale home medical device and services providers. Some of the prominent home healthcare devices and service providers in the Canada home healthcare market are Johnson & Johnson, Omron Healthcare, 3M Healthcare, GM Healthcare, We Care Health Services, The Canadian Home Care Association, Home Care Ontario and others.Popular Research Report by TMR:Endobronchial Ultrasound Biopsy Market:About UsTransparency Market Research (TMR) is a market intelligence company, providing global business information reports and services. Our exclusive blend of quantitative forecasting and trends analysis provides forward-looking insight for thousands of decision makers. TMRs experienced team of analysts, researchers, and consultants, use proprietary data sources and various tools and techniques to gather, and analyze information. Our business offerings represent the latest and the most reliable information indispensable for businesses to sustain a competitive edge.US Office Contact90 State Street, Suite 700Albany, NY 12207Tel: +1-518-618-1030USA Canada Toll Free: 866-552-3453Email: sales@transparencymarketresearch.comWebsite: Endoscopy Devices Market Is Expected to Rise to US$14.8 Bn by 2024 https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=B&rep_id=488 https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=S&rep_id=488 https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=D&rep_id=488 https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/parkinsons-disease-therapeutics-market-to-exceed-the-us-524-bn-by-2025-says-tmr-680539801.html http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com Endoscopy Devices Market: OverviewCountries in Asia Pacific have witnessed a massive change in their respective healthcare infrastructures and number of resources trained in the use of technologically advanced medical devices in the past few years, leading to the vast rise in the usage of advanced endoscopy devices. The rising geriatric population, rising disposable incomes, increased healthcare infrastructure, and an increased awareness regarding the benefits of minimally invasive devices has also accelerated demand for endoscopy devices in Asia Pacific in the recent past.Transparency Market Research estimates that the market will tread along a healthy growth path and exhibit a 7.6% CAGR from 2016 through 2024. The market, which had a valuation of US$7.76 bn in 2015, is expected to rise to US$14.8 bn by 2024.Download PDF Brochure of Report:Endoscopy Visualization Systems to Remain Dominant Product VarietyA variety of endoscopes, endoscopic operating devices, and visualization systems required for endoscopy procedures come under the purview of the endoscopy devices market. Of these, the segment of visualization systems presently leads the Asia Pacific endoscopy devices market in terms of revenue, accounting for over 46% of the markets overall revenues in 2015. Factors such as strengthening economies, rising population of affluent patients, and rising expenditure on health and wellness have enabled the increased adoption of costly and technologically advanced endoscopy visualization products across healthcare settings in the region in the past few years. The segment is expected to expand at an excellent pace over the forecasting horizon as well, retaining its dominant stance across key product varieties.Of the key types of endoscopy visualization systems available in the Asia Pacific endoscopy devices market, the segment of high definition (HD) visualization systems is the leading product variety. The segment accounted for nearly 73% of the overall endoscopy visualization systems market in Asia Pacific in 2015.Request to View Sample of Report Laparoscopy Surgeries Lead to Highest Demand for Endoscopy DevicesCollectively, gastrointestinal, cardiovascular, and arthroscopy surgeries accounted for the leading share in the Asia Pacific endoscopy devices market in 2015. On an individual level, however, the segment of laparoscopy surgeries leads in terms of revenue in the Asia Pacific endoscopy devices market. The segment accounted for a 33% share in the overall market in 2015.The vast rise in the number of surgeries such as hernia repairs, antireflux, cholecystectomy, and appendectomy and the emphasis on noninvasive surgical procedures are key to the high contribution of laparoscopy surgeries to the markets revenues. Expanding at a 9.1% CAGR, the laparoscopy surgeries segment is expected to remain one of the leading individual contributors to the markets revenues from 2016 through 2024 as well.Despite Low Population, Japan Emerges as Most Lucrative Market for Endoscopy DevicesJapan was a key revenue contributor to the Asia Pacific endoscopy devices market in 2015, accounting for a more than 35% of revenue. High disposable incomes, rapidly rising geriatric population, and increased adoption of minimally invasive devices were the key forces driving the endoscopy devices market in Japan in the past few years. However, the mature market is expected to witness stagnant growth in the near future and lose its prominence to countries such as India and China.The market for endoscopy devices is expected to witness expansion at a strong pace in China, at an estimated CAGR of 9.9% over the period between 2016 and 2024, among the most prominent countrywide markets for endoscopy devices in Asia Pacific. The China endoscopy devices market is expected to rise to a valuation of US$5.58 bn by 2024.Request to View Discount Some of the leading vendors in the highly fragmented market are Boston Scientific Corporation, Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc., Arthrex, Inc., Fujifilm Holdings Corporation, Intuitive Surgical, Inc., Cook Medical, Inc., KARL STORZ GmbH & Co. KG, HOYA Corporation, Stryker Corporation, Olympus Corporation, Medtronic plc, and Smith & Nephew plc.Popular Research Report by TMR:Parkinsons Disease Therapeutics Market:About UsTransparency Market Research (TMR) is a market intelligence company, providing global business information reports and services. Our exclusive blend of quantitative forecasting and trends analysis provides forward-looking insight for thousands of decision makers. TMRs experienced team of analysts, researchers, and consultants, use proprietary data sources and various tools and techniques to gather, and analyze information. Our business offerings represent the latest and the most reliable information indispensable for businesses to sustain a competitive edge.US Office Contact90 State Street, Suite 700Albany, NY 12207Tel: +1-518-618-1030USA Canada Toll Free: 866-552-3453Email: sales@transparencymarketresearch.comWebsite: Insights on Global Car Fuel Filter Market Offering Trends, Share, Size, Growth Until the End of 2022 https://www.factmr.com/connectus/sample?flag=S&rep_id=136 https://www.factmr.com/report/136/car-fuel-filter-market https://www.factmr.com/connectus/sample?flag=D&rep_id=136 https://www.factmr.com/ As per the current market trends and the promising nature of the global car fuel filter market, it can be estimated that the future holds positive outcomes. In order to provide a deep insight about the concerned market, Fact.MR would be publishing a resourceful analysis that will enclose knowledge about the regional market size, revenue and opportunity status. Readers will be offered the privilege to decode various facets of the market during the period 2017 to 2022, together with the active access to secondary and primary research methodology. Furthermore, various segments of the market associated to product, application, end-user etc., would also be present in this intelligent research report.Request for Free Sample Report-Booming economic growth in emerging markets has culminated in nations committing big bucks towards self-sufficiency in all aspects, particularly the automotive industry that is one of the clearest signs of a nations economic development. As the desire of personal mobility increases, consumers may be concerned about the fuel quality that is used in their vehicles. In addition to this, increasing governmental regulations pertaining to stricter emission norms is predicted to benefit the car fuel filter market. The advantage for car fuel filter makers is that their product will be necessary irrespective of the fuel direction the market veers in be it petrol or diesel making the long-term prospects extremely bright in the car fuel filter market.A fuel filter is a fuel line filter that automatically screens out rust and dust particles from the fuel and it is usually in cartridges that contain a filter paper. Fuel filters are now in almost all types of combustion engines and they serve a critical role in tight-tolerance engines. Fuel filters need to be maintained regularly and they improve performance considerably, making them vital in a combustion engine.The Fact.MR report anticipates the car fuel filter market to grow with a modest CAGR of 2.8% to a value of almost US$ 440 million by the year 2022.Close Competition between Spin-on Filters and Inline Fuel FiltersThe market opportunity is likely to be similar in the spin-on filter and inline fuel filter segment as both have a revenue share of more than a fifth of the car fuel filter market. The spin-on filter segment is on track to be worth more than US$ 100 million by the end of the forecast period. Europe contributes more than a quarter of the revenue in the car fuel filter market for the spin-on filter segment and companies would be advised to focus their energy on this continent. While the continent is also a strong market for inline fuel filters, APEJ is projected to record a strong CAGR and it could even become larger than Europe in the long-term on account of a massive population that seeks out personal mobility coupled with strong economic growth.Nylon Fuel Filters Could be the Dark Horse in the Car Fuel Filter MarketAt present, nylon fuel filters comprise less than a sixth of the car fuel filter market in terms of revenue. However, there is a possibility that large investments into this promising material could make it much more important in the longer term. Europe and APEJ are the only two regions that are estimated to be worth more than US$ 15 million by the end of 2022 and companies are advised to take this into consideration while devising their business strategies.Browse Full Report with TOC-IAM Segment Considerably Larger than Either OEM or OES ChannelThe IAM segment is substantially larger than the OEM and OES channel combined and has more than half the revenue share in the car fuel filter market. The IAM segment is poised to grow to just under US$ 252 million in 2022 and it wouldnt be surprising if companies decide to target this segment over other sales channels in the car fuel filter market.Competition AnalysisThe car fuel filter market report has profiled some of the companies involved in the car fuel filter market and a few of them include Freudenberg & Co., Robert Bosch, Denso Corp., and Donaldson Company Inc.Table of ContentGlobal Car Fuel Filter Market - Executive SummaryGlobal Car Fuel Filter Market Overview2.1. Introduction2.1.1. Global Car Fuel Filter Market Taxonomy2.1.2. Global Car Fuel Filter Market Definition2.2. Global Car Fuel Filter Market Size (US$ Mn) and Forecast, 2012-20222.2.1. Global Car Fuel Filter Market Y-o-Y Growth2.3. Global Car Fuel Filter Market Dynamics2.3.1. Drivers2.3.2. Restraints2.3.3. Trends2.4. Supply Chain2.5. Cost Structure2.6. Pricing Analysis2.7. Raw Material Sourcing Strategy and Analysis2.8. List of Distributors2.9. Key Participants Market Presence (Intensity Map) By RegionRead More>>>Request Discount of this Report-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; thats 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: Recommendations to Companies to Substantiate their Foothold in the Market https://www.xpodenceresearch.com/Request-Sample/105772 https://www.xpodenceresearch.com/Reports/Liquefied-Natural-Gas-(LNG)-Carrier-Market Market Definition:Liquefied natural gas (LNG) is a natural gas that has been converted to liquid form for the ease and safety of non-pressurized storage or transport. It is odorless, colorless, non-toxic and non-corrosive in nature. The increase in population and improving standards of living is propagating the growth of this market. Also, the trading of natural gas along further expanded the expansion in transportation of LNG is also driving this market.Avail Sample Copy of report @Market Growth and Analysis:The cryogenic liquefactions of LNG reduces the volume of gas as compared to its original volume, making it easier for the transportation process in a specialized LNG carrier. The most appropriate way to transport natural gas is with the help of a pipeline that is subdivided into offshore and onshore pipelines. The onshore pipelines ensure the transportation of gas to a short distance, whereas the offshore pipelines are used for long distance. Other means of carrying LNG is through vessels. The oldest LNG carrying technology Moss-Rosenberg containment system (commonly known as Moss) is still in use for new vessel construction. The second type of large-scale LNG carrying technology is the membrane technology.In North America, United States is expected to dominate in export of shale gas, owing to the huge domestic production. In spite of having too many environmental issues in Japan, the pattern of increment in consumption of LNG in power sector is highlighted in recent years. Australia, the United States, and Russia are may lead this race of global LNG trade during the forecast years. However, the developing counties like China and India will also have a major shareholding for natural gas consumption growth, which will further boost the demand for LNG carriers.Market Segment:The global liquefied natural gas (LNG) carrier market can be segmented on the basis of technology and region. On the basis of technology, the global liquefied natural gas (LNG) carrier market can be segmented into moss type, prism type and membrane type. On the basis of region, the global liquefied natural gas (LNG) carrier market can be segmented into North America, Europe, Middle East & Africa, Asia-Pacific, and Latin America.Obtain report details with TOC @Market Key players:Some of the key players in the global liquefied natural gas (LNG) carrier market include China State Shipbuilding Corporation, Daewoo Shipbuilding and Marine Engineering (DSME), Dynagas Ltd., GasLog Ltd., Hyundai Heavy Industries Co., Kawasaki Heavy Industries, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, Ltd. (MOL), Samsung Heavy Industries and STX Offshore & Shipbuilding Co., Ltd.About Us:Xpodence Research is a U.S. based Market Research Company and offers the most extensive collection of progressive surveying syndicated and customized research reports of various categories for private and public industries across the globe.We offer the comprehensive market research solution for all the industries by performing the in-depth study of industry trends, verticals globally. We believe in building an eternal bond with our customers through providing them inclusive research study both customized and syndicated based on their specific requirements.The organizations in every industry such as Technology, Pharmaceuticals, Consumable Goods, Food & Beverage and others demands a market-based solutions for various significant decisions based on productivity and output globally. Our services are tailored specifically to our clients by proposing them the potential outcome, based on our in-depth analysis and insights for exploring the growth strategies through providing the best possible decision for quality production.Contact Us:Xpodence Research244, Madison AvenueNew York City, NY - 10016United StatesToll Free +1- 844-445-2861Email: sales@xpodenceresearch.com Prenatal Genetic Testing Market 2018-2024 Global Key Players Bio-Rad Laboratories Inc., Agilent Technologies Inc., Illumina, Inc., Natera Inc, Abbott, Cepheid Inc., ELITech Group "Prenatal Genetic Testing" http://databridgemarketresearch.com/request-a-sample/?dbmr=global-prenatal-genetic-testing-market http://databridgemarketresearch.com/toc/?dbmr=global-prenatal-genetic-testing-market http://databridgemarketresearch.com/reports/global-prenatal-genetic-testing-market/ http://databridgemarketresearch.com/reports/global-pen-needles-market/ Global Prenatal Genetic Testing Market is accounted for USD 7.2 billion in 2016 growing at a CAGR of 28.85% during the forecast period of 2017 to 2024. The upcoming market reports contain data for historic year 2015, the base year of calculation is 2016 and the forecast period is 2017 to 2024.Get Free Sample Report Visit @Global Prenatal Genetic Testing Market, By Technology {Diagnostics Methods (PCR, aCGH, FISH), Screening Techniques (Non-Invasive Prenatal Tests, Maternal Serum Screening)}; End User (Hospitals, Clinics, Diagnostic Centers); Geography (North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, South America, Middle East, Africa).Market Definition:Prenatal genetic testing is done to know the birth defects such as Down syndrome, Trisomy 13, Trisomy 18 and others that are associated with genetic disorder of an unborn child before birth or during pregnancy.Report Segmentation:On the basis of technology, global prenatal genetic testing market is segmented into diagnostic methods and screening. The diagnostic methods are further sub segmented into PCR, aCGH, FISH. The screening techniques are further sub segmented into non-invasive prenatal tests and maternal serum screening.On the basis of screening techniques, the global prenatal genetic testing market market is segmented into carrier screening, sequential screening, and maternal serum quad screening.On the basis of end users, global prenatal genetic testing market is segmented into hospitals, clinics, diagnostic centres.On the basis of geography, prenatal genetic testing market is segmented into key regions: North America South America Europe Asia Pacific Middle East & Africa (MEA)Some of the major countries covered in this report are U.S., Canada, Germany, France, U.K., Netherlands, Switzerland, Turkey, Russia, China, India, South Korea, Japan, Australia, Singapore, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, and Brazil among others. North America is the largest market for prenatal genetic testing and is expected to dominate the market throughout the forecast period. Asia Pacific is the fastest growing region in the forecast period.Inquiry for TOC about this Market Visit @Summary of Market Drivers and Restraints: Increasing prevalence of genetic diseases such as Down syndrome, Edward syndrome and Patau syndrome and rising awareness among population. Rising demand for prenatal testing for identifying genetic abnormalities. Increasing R&D activities related to genomics and proteomics Increasing approaches for novel diagnostic techniques and tools Increasing healthcare expenditure High test costsCompetitive Analysis of Global Prenatal Genetic Testing Market:The prenatal genetic testing market report is highly fragmented and is based on new product launches and clinical results of products. Governmental regulations and standards are playing a major role in sustaining the growth of the market. Hence the major players have used various strategies such as new product launches, clinical trials, market initiatives, high expense on research and development, agreements, joint ventures, partnerships, acquisitions, and others to increase their footprints in this market. The report includes market shares of prenatal genetic testing market for global, Europe, North America, Asia Pacific, and South America.Major Market Competitors:Global prenatal genetic testing market is dominated by: Bio-Rad Laboratories Inc. Agilent Technologies Inc. Illumina, Inc. Natera Inc. Abbott Cepheid Inc. ELITech Group Autogenomics Sequenom GeneDx 23andMe, Inc. Ambry Genetics Ariosa Diagnostics Inc. Counsyl, Inc. Invitae Corporation Pathway Genomics Progenity, Inc. Verinata Health, Inc., among others.View Full Report Visit @Related ReportGlobal Pen Needles Market Industry Trends and Forecast to 2024Global Pen Needles Market, By Product Type (Standard Pen Needles, Safety Pen Needles), By Product Length (Nano Length, Medium Length, Long length), By Usability (Reusable Pen Needles, Disposable Pen Needles), By Application (Diabetes, Growth Hormone Deficiency, Others), By Therapy (Insulin, Glucagon-like peptide-1, Growth Hormones), By End-User (Hospitals, Clinics, OTC, Home Healthcare, Others), By Geography (North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Latin America, Rest of the World) Industry Trends and Forecast to 2024Report Access:About Data Bridge Market Research:Data Bridge Market Research set forth itself as an unconventional and neoteric Market research and consulting firm with unparalleled level of resilience and integrated approaches. We are determined to unearth the best market opportunities and foster efficient information for your business to thrive in the market. Data Bridge endeavors to provide appropriate solutions to the complex business challenges and initiates an effortless decision-making process.Data Bridge adepts in creating satisfied clients who reckon upon our services and rely on our hard work with certitude. Get 10% Discount on Report by emailing sopan.gedam@databridgemarketresearch.com . We are content with our glorious 99.9 % client satisfying rate.Contact:Vishal DixitData Bridge Market ResearchTel: +1-888-387-2818Email: sopan.gedam@databridgemarketresearch.com How to Save VAT on Business Electricity https://smarterbusiness.co.uk/your-business-energy-saving-guide/ https://smarterbusiness.co.uk/ VAT on business electricity: The facts- All business energy is subject to VAT- VAT on business energy accounts is normally in the region of 20%- Unfortunately, this VAT cant be claimed back- However, your business may be eligible for a VAT discount on your business energyDo you qualify to save VAT on business electricity?Your business could be eligible for a reduced VAT rate of 5% on your energy bills if you meet one or more of the following criteria:A minimum of 60% of your energy consumption is used for non-commercial purposes.You are a non-profit or charitable organisation.Supplies of certain small quantities of fuel and power, known as de minimis, are always treated as being made for domestic use, even when the supply is to a business customer:You use less than 1,000kWh of electricity per month, or 33kWh per dayYou use less than 4,397kWh of gas per month, or 145kWh per dayYour business may also qualify for a reduction of VAT on business electricity through the Climate Change Levy (CCL), a policy that encourages businesses to use energy efficiently and reduce carbon footprints.Sign a Climate Change Agreement (CCA) to get a discount on the CCL tax. This is essentially a signed commitment to reducing your businesss emissions and energy consumption.Even if your business qualifies for a business energy VAT reduction, your supplier may not be applying it correctly or at all! Reduced VAT should be incorporated into your energy bill by default, but energy suppliers often neglect to do this.How to ensure you are getting the correct VAT on business electricityCheck your energy bill regularly to ensure you are paying the correct rate.Use the services of an energy consultant to ensure the accuracy of the tax associated with your bills.Dont qualify for any VAT discounts?Even if your business doesnt qualify for reduced VAT on business electricity, there are other ways to reduce your business energy bill.Read our Business Energy Saving Guide for simple solutions to help your business save money and use energy more efficiently:Smarter Business is one of the UKs leading independent consultancies, helping businesses secure the most comprehensive savings solutions from utilities contract management and procurement to business loans and facilities maintenance.John De Mierre HouseBridge RoadHaywards HeathWest SussexRH16 1UA Ceramic Wash Basin Market Growing Demand, Analysis by Key Players: Roca, HCG, Villeroy Boch Ceramic Wash Basin Market Growing Demand, Analysis to 3023 https://www.htfmarketreport.com/sample-report/1137031-2018-2025-ceramic-wash-basin-report-on-global-and-united-states-market https://www.htfmarketreport.com/buy-now?format=1&report=1137031 https://www.htfmarketreport.com/reports/1137031-2018-2025-ceramic-wash-basin-report-on-global-and-united-states-market https://www.htfmarketreport.com/enquiry-before-buy/1137031-2018-2025-ceramic-wash-basin-report-on-global-and-united-states-market A new research study from HTF MI with title 2018-2025 Ceramic Wash Basin Report on Global and United States Market, Status and Forecast, by Players, Types and Applications provides an in-depth assessment of the Ceramic Wash Basin including key market trends, upcoming technologies, industry drivers, challenges, regulatory policies, key players company profiles and strategies. The research study provides forecasts for Ceramic Wash Basin investments till 2022.Access Sample Copy @:If you are involved in the Ceramic Wash Basin industry or intend to be, then this study will provide you comprehensive outlook. Its vital you keep your market knowledge up to date segmented by Residental, Commercial, Industrial & Others, and major players. If you have a different set of players/manufacturers according to geography or needs regional or country segmented reports we can provide customization according to your requirement.Buy this research report @The Study is segmented by following Product Type:Major applications/end-users industry are as follows: Residental, Commercial, Industrial & OthersGeographically, this report is segmented into several key Regions such as United States, North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, South America & Middle East and Africa, with production, consumption, revenue (million USD), and market share and growth rate of Global and United States Ceramic Wash Basin in these regions, from 2012 to 2022 (forecast)Early buyers will receive 10% customization on reports. Read Detailed Index of full Research Study at @Major companies covered in the report: TOTO, AmericanStandard, Roca, HCG, Villeroy Boch, Gobo, Duravit, LAUFEN, Alape, Kaldewei, Kohler, Pozzi-Ginori, ZUCCHETTI, Keramag, Allia, FLAMINIA, KALLISTA, ARROW, Huida, HEGII, Joyou, Annwa, SSWW, Bolina, FAENZA, Swell, Counter Basin, Thin edge Basin & OthersThis study also contains company profiling, product picture and specifications, sales, market share and contact information of various international, regional, and local vendors of Global and United States Ceramic Wash Basin Market. 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.Some of the key questions answered in this report:- Detailed Overview of Global and United States Ceramic Wash Basin market helps deliver clients and businesses making strategies.- Influential factors that are thriving demand and constraints in the market.- What is the market concentration? Is it fragmented or highly concentrated?- What trends, challenges and barriers will impact the development and sizing of Ceramic Wash Basin market?- SWOT Analysis of each key players mentioned along with its company profile with the help of Porters five forces tool mechanism to compliment the same.- What growth momentum or acceleration market carries during the forecast period?- Which region is going to tap highest market share in future?- What Application/end-user category or Product Type may see incremental growth prospects?- What would be the market share of key countries like United States, France, UK, Germany, Italy, Canada, Australia, Japan, China or Brazil etc.?- What focused approach and constraints are holding the market tight?Make inquiry before purchase @There are 15 Chapters to display the Global and United States Ceramic Wash Basin market.Chapter 1, About Executive Summary to describe Definition, Specifications and Classification of Ceramic Wash Basin market, Applications [Residental, Commercial, Industrial & Others], Market Segment by Regions;Chapter 2, to analyze objective of the study.Chapter 3, to display Research methodology and techniques.Chapter 4 and 5 , to show the Overall Market Analysis, segmentation analysis, characteristics;Chapter 6 and 7, to show the Market size, share and forecast; Five forces analysis (bargaining Power of buyers/suppliers), Threats to new entrants and market condition;Chapter 8 and 9, to show analysis by regional segmentation[United States, North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, South America & Middle East and Africa ], comparison, leading countries and opportunities; Regional Marketing Type Analysis, Supply Chain AnalysisChapter 10, focus on identifying the key industry influencers, overview of decision framework accumulated through Industry experts and strategic decision makers;Chapter 11 and 12, Market Trend Analysis, Drivers, Challenges by consumer behavior, Marketing Channels and demand & supply.Chapter 13 and 14, describe about the vendor landscape (classification and Market Positioning)Chapter 15, deals with Global and United States Ceramic Wash Basin Market sales channel, distributors, traders, dealers, Research Findings and Conclusion, appendix and data source.Thanks for reading this article; you can also get individual chapter wise section or region wise report version like North America, Europe or Asia.HTF Market Report is a wholly owned brand of HTF market Intelligence Consulting Private Limited. HTF Market Report global research and market intelligence consulting organization is uniquely positioned to not only identify growth opportunities but to also empower and inspire you to create visionary growth strategies for futures, enabled by our extraordinary depth and breadth of thought leadership, research, tools, events and experience that assist you for making goals into a reality. Our understanding of the interplay between industry convergence, Mega Trends, technologies and market trends provides our clients with new business models and expansion opportunities. We are focused on identifying the Accurate Forecast in every industry we cover so our clients can reap the benefits of being early market entrants and can accomplish their Goals & Objectives.HTF Market Intelligence Consulting Private LimitedUnit No. 429, Parsonage Road, Edison, NJ USA - 08837sales@htfmarketreport.comPh: +1 (206) 317 1218 Medical Electrodes Market valued at US $ 619.2 Mn in 2017 Medical Electrodes Market https://www.precisionbusinessinsights.com/market-reports/medical-electrodes-market/#ulp-4H8Z4LpNMLEuOnnx https://www.precisionbusinessinsights.com/market-reports/medical-electrodes-market/#ulp-c654SbFYO64MsOhu https://www.precisionbusinessinsights.com/market-reports/medical-electrodes-market/#ulp-14mlyhjMGhVjZqa3 https://www.precisionbusinessinsights.com/market-reports/medical-electrodes-market/ https://www.precisionbusinessinsights.com Global Medical Electrodes Market: By Product Type (Needle Electrodes, Disposable Electrodes, Surface Electrodes, and Reusable Electrodes), By Modality (Electrocardiography (ECG), Electromyography (EMG), Electroencephalography (EEG), Brainstem Auditory Evoked Potentials (BAEPs), Motor Evoked Potentials (MEPs), and Others), By Application (Cardiology, Neurophysiology, Electrosurgical, and Others), By End User (Hospitals, Diagnostic Centers, Research Institutions), and Geography - Market Estimation, Dynamics, Regional Share, Trends, Competitor Analysis 2013-2017 and Forecast 2018-2024Global medical electrodes market valued at US $ 619.2 Mn in 2017 and expected to grow at XX% Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) over 2018 to 2024Market Outline: Global Medical Electrodes MarketMedical electrodes are the devices transfer the energy of ionic current to electrical energy in the body that can be used for the diagnosis of various diseases such as .nervous, cardiac, ocular, and muscular disorders among others. Medical electrode works in combination with electrical contact between the apparatus and monitoring system, which used in monitoring the patient activities.Market Dynamics: Global Medical Electrodes MarketIncrease in the prevalence of neurophysiological and cardiac disorders such as Alzheimers, Parkinson, fibromyalgia, and brain disorders are key drivers for the development of global medical electrode market. Moreover, sophisticated healthcare infrastructure, technological advancements in the medical electrodes, and rise in support from the government and private sectors for R&D activities are anticipated to upsurge the global medical electrodes market over the forecast years. However, stringent regulatory guidelines associated with the medical electrodes and low compatibility issues are expected to restrain the growth of global medical electrodes market.A sample of this report is available upon request @Market Scope: Global Medical Electrodes MarketGlobal medical electrodes market is segmented based on the product type, modality, application, and end userBased on the product type, the market is segmented into the following: Needle Electrodes Disposable Electrodes Surface Electrodes Reusable ElectrodesBased on the modality, the market is segmented into the following: Electrocardiography (ECG) Electromyography (EMG) Electroencephalography (EEG) Brainstem Auditory Evoked Potentials (BAEPs) Motor Evoked Potentials (MEPs) OthersBased on the application, the market is segmented into the following: Cardiology Neurophysiology Electrosurgical OthersBased on the end user, the market is segmented into the following: Hospitals Diagnostic Centers Research InstitutionsTo view TOC of this report is available upon request @Regional Analysis: Global Medical Electrodes MarketGeographically, global medical electrodes market is segmented into North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Latin America, and Middle East and Africa. North America medical electrodes market is growing due to increase in the prevalence of neurophysiological disorders such as Alzheimers disease (according to Alzheimers Association 2017, approximately 5 Mn Americans diagnosed with Alzheimers disease), sophisticated healthcare infrastructure, and rise in R&D for the development of advanced electrodes are anticipated to fuel the market. Europe medical electrodes market has a lucrative growth, which is attributed to rise in early stage disease diagnosis, increase in funding for life sciences and medical research, and increase in the prevalence of neurodegenerative disorders. However, a significant growth rate observed in Asia Pacific medical electrodes market owing to increase in the medical tourism in Asia Pacific region, rise in geriatric population, which in turn may increase the incidence of neurodegenerative and cardiac disorders in India, China, and Japan and upsurge the market revenue growth.Need more information about this report @Competition Assessment: Global Medical Electrodes MarketSome of the players in the global medical electrodes market include: Koninklijke Philips N.V. (Netherlands) CONMED Corporation (US) Medtronic plc (Ireland) Nihon Kohden Corporation (Japan) Rhythmlink International, LLC (US) 3M Company (US) General Electric Company (US) Cognionics, Inc. (US) Orbital Research Inc. (US) BIONEN sas (Italy)Notable Market Developments: Global Medical Electrodes Market In December 2017, Advanced Bionics (AB) received FDA approval for its HiFocus SlimJ electrode used in the cochlea surgery.Get access to full summary @About Precision Business InsightsPrecision Business Insights is one of the leading market research and business consulting firm, which follow a holistic approach to solve needs of the clients. We adopt and implement proven research methodologies to achieve better results. We help our clients by providing actionable insights and strategies to make better decisions. We provide consulting, syndicated and customised market research services based on our client needs.Contact to Precision Business Insights,Kemp House,152 160 City Road,London EC1V 2NXEmail: sales@precisionbusinessinsights.comToll Free (US):+1-866-598-1553Website @ Ceramic Wash Basin Market Analysis & New Technological Innovation by Leading Players- Lenovo, Xiaomi, ZTE, Apple Ceramic Wash Basin Market Analysis & New Technological Innovation to 2023 https://www.htfmarketreport.com/sample-report/1133959-global-4g-lte-devices-market-5 https://www.htfmarketreport.com/buy-now?format=1&report=1133959 https://www.htfmarketreport.com/reports/1133959-global-4g-lte-devices-market-5 https://www.htfmarketreport.com/enquiry-before-buy/1133959-global-4g-lte-devices-market-5 https://www.linkedin.com/company/13388569/ https://plus.google.com/u/0/+Htfmarketreportinsights https://www.facebook.com/htfmarketintelligence https://twitter.com/htfmarketreport A new research study from HTF MI with title Global 4G (LTE) Devices Market Professional Survey Report 2018 provides an in-depth assessment of the 4G (LTE) Devices including key market trends, upcoming technologies, industry drivers, challenges, regulatory policies, key players company profiles and strategies. The research study provides forecasts for 4G (LTE) Devices investments till 2022.Access Sample Copy @:If you are involved in the 4G (LTE) Devices industry or intend to be, then this study will provide you comprehensive outlook. Its vital you keep your market knowledge up to date segmented by Personal Use & Commercial, Smartphones & Tablets and major players. If you have a different set of players/manufacturers according to geography or needs regional or country segmented reports we can provide customization according to your requirement.Buy this research report @The Study is segmented by following Product Type: Smartphones & TabletsMajor applications/end-users industry are as follows: Personal Use & CommercialGeographically, this report is segmented into several key Regions such as North America, China, Europe, Southeast Asia, Japan & India, with production, consumption, revenue (million USD), and market share and growth rate of Global 4G (LTE) Devices in these regions, from 2012 to 2022 (forecast)Early buyers will receive 10% customization on reports. Read Detailed Index of full Research Study at @Major companies covered in the report: Apple, Samsung Electronics, Huawei Technologies, Lenovo, Xiaomi, ZTE, ASUSTeK Computer & LG ElectronicsThis study also contains company profiling, product picture and specifications, sales, market share and contact information of various international, regional, and local vendors of Global 4G (LTE) Devices Market. 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.Some of the key questions answered in this report:- Detailed Overview of Global 4G (LTE) Devices market helps deliver clients and businesses making strategies.- Influential factors that are thriving demand and constraints in the market.- What is the market concentration? Is it fragmented or highly concentrated?- What trends, challenges and barriers will impact the development and sizing of 4G (LTE) Devices market?- SWOT Analysis of each key players mentioned along with its company profile with the help of Porters five forces tool mechanism to compliment the same.- What growth momentum or acceleration market carries during the forecast period?- Which region is going to tap highest market share in future?- What Application/end-user category or Product Type may see incremental growth prospects?- What would be the market share of key countries like United States, France, UK, Germany, Italy, Canada, Australia, Japan, China or Brazil etc.?- What focused approach and constraints are holding the market tight?Make inquiry before purchase @There are 15 Chapters to display the Global 4G (LTE) Devices market.Chapter 1, About Executive Summary to describe Definition, Specifications and Classification of 4G (LTE) Devices market, Applications [Personal Use & Commercial], Market Segment by Regions;Chapter 2, to analyze objective of the study.Chapter 3, to display Research methodology and techniques.Chapter 4 and 5 , to show the Overall Market Analysis, segmentation analysis, characteristics;Chapter 6 and 7, to show the Market size, share and forecast; Five forces analysis (bargaining Power of buyers/suppliers), Threats to new entrants and market condition;Chapter 8 and 9, to show analysis by regional segmentation[North America, China, Europe, Southeast Asia, Japan & India ], comparison, leading countries and opportunities; Regional Marketing Type Analysis, Supply Chain AnalysisChapter 10, focus on identifying the key industry influencers, overview of decision framework accumulated through Industry experts and strategic decision makers;Chapter 11 and 12, Market Trend Analysis, Drivers, Challenges by consumer behavior, Marketing Channels and demand & supply.Chapter 13 and 14, describe about the vendor landscape (classification and Market Positioning)Chapter 15, deals with Global 4G (LTE) Devices Market sales channel, distributors, traders, dealers, Research Findings and Conclusion, appendix and data source.Thanks for reading this article; you can also get individual chapter wise section or region wise report version like North America, Europe or Asia.About Author:HTF Market Report is a wholly owned brand of HTF market Intelligence Consulting Private Limited. HTF Market Report global research and market intelligence consulting organization is uniquely positioned to not only identify growth opportunities but to also empower and inspire you to create visionary growth strategies for futures, enabled by our extraordinary depth and breadth of thought leadership, research, tools, events and experience that assist you for making goals into a reality. Our understanding of the interplay between industry convergence, Mega Trends, technologies and market trends provides our clients with new business models and expansion opportunities. We are focused on identifying the Accurate Forecast in every industry we cover so our clients can reap the benefits of being early market entrants and can accomplish their Goals & Objectives.Contact US :Craig Francis (PR & Marketing Manager)HTF Market Intelligence Consulting Private LimitedUnit No. 429, Parsonage Road Edison, NJNew Jersey USA 08837Phone: +1 (206) 317 1218sales@htfmarketreport.comConnect 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.HTF Market Intelligence Consulting Private LimitedUnit No. 429, Parsonage Road Edison, NJNew Jersey USA 08837sales@htfmarketreport.com+1 (206) 317 1218 Global Coal Needle Coke Sales Market 2018 | C-Chem, Mitsubishi Chemical, Shanxi Hongte Coal Chemical, Shanxi Jinzhou Group, Sinosteel and Others Coal Needle Coke Sales Market https://www.researchmoz.us/enquiry.php?type=S&repid=1711729 https://www.researchmoz.us/global-coal-needle-coke-sales-market-report-2018-report.html/toc https://www.researchmoz.us/ http://bit.ly/1TBmnVG Researchmoz added Most up-to-date research on "Global Coal Needle Coke Sales Market Report 2018" to its huge collection of research reports.In this report, the global Coal Needle Coke market is valued at USD XX million in 2017 and is expected to reach USD XX million by the end of 2025, growing at a CAGR of XX% between 2017 and 2025.Geographically, this report split global into several key Regions, with sales (K Units), revenue (Million USD), market share and growth rate of Coal Needle Coke for these regions, from 2013 to 2025 (forecast), coveringUnited StatesChinaEuropeJapanSoutheast AsiaIndiaTo Get Sample Copy of Report visit @Global Coal Needle Coke market competition by top manufacturers/players, with Coal Needle Coke sales volume, Price (USD/Unit), revenue (Million USD) and market share for each manufacturer/player; the top players includingC-ChemMitsubishi ChemicalShanxi Hongte Coal ChemicalShanxi Jinzhou GroupSinosteel...On the basis of product, this report displays the production, revenue, price, market share and growth rate of each type, primarily split intoType IType IIOn 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, includingGraphite ElectrodeSpecial Carbon MaterialOthersTable of ContentsGlobal Coal Needle Coke Sales Market Report 20181 Coal Needle Coke Market Overview1.1 Product Overview and Scope of Coal Needle Coke1.2 Classification of Coal Needle Coke by Product Category1.2.1 Global Coal Needle Coke Market Size (Sales) Comparison by Type (2013-2025)1.2.2 Global Coal Needle Coke Market Size (Sales) Market Share by Type (Product Category) in 20171.2.31.2.41.3 Global Coal Needle Coke Market by Application/End Users1.3.1 Global Coal Needle Coke Sales (Volume) and Market Share Comparison by Application (2013-2025)1.3.2 Graphite Electrode1.3.3 Special Carbon Material1.3.4 Others1.4 Global Coal Needle Coke Market by Region1.4.1 Global Coal Needle Coke Market Size (Value) Comparison by Region (2013-2025)1.4.2 United States Coal Needle Coke Status and Prospect (2013-2025)1.4.3 China Coal Needle Coke Status and Prospect (2013-2025)1.4.4 Europe Coal Needle Coke Status and Prospect (2013-2025)1.4.5 Japan Coal Needle Coke Status and Prospect (2013-2025)1.4.6 Southeast Asia Coal Needle Coke Status and Prospect (2013-2025)1.4.7 India Coal Needle Coke Status and Prospect (2013-2025)1.5 Global Market Size (Value and Volume) of Coal Needle Coke (2013-2025)1.5.1 Global Coal Needle Coke Sales and Growth Rate (2013-2025)1.5.2 Global Coal Needle Coke Revenue and Growth Rate (2013-2025)2 Global Coal Needle Coke Competition by Players/Suppliers, Type and Application2.1 Global Coal Needle Coke Market Competition by Players/Suppliers2.1.1 Global Coal Needle Coke Sales and Market Share of Key Players/Suppliers (2013-2018)2.1.2 Global Coal Needle Coke Revenue and Share by Players/Suppliers (2013-2018)2.2 Global Coal Needle Coke (Volume and Value) by Type2.2.1 Global Coal Needle Coke Sales and Market Share by Type (2013-2018)2.2.2 Global Coal Needle Coke Revenue and Market Share by Type (2013-2018)2.3 Global Coal Needle Coke (Volume and Value) by Region2.3.1 Global Coal Needle Coke Sales and Market Share by Region (2013-2018)2.3.2 Global Coal Needle Coke Revenue and Market Share by Region (2013-2018)2.4 Global Coal Needle Coke (Volume) by ApplicationGet Complete TOC With Tables and Figures @3 United States Coal Needle Coke (Volume, Value and Sales Price)3.1 United States Coal Needle Coke Sales and Value (2013-2018)3.1.1 United States Coal Needle Coke Sales and Growth Rate (2013-2018)3.1.2 United States Coal Needle Coke Revenue and Growth Rate (2013-2018)3.1.3 United States Coal Needle Coke Sales Price Trend (2013-2018)3.2 United States Coal Needle Coke Sales Volume and Market Share by Players (2013-2018)3.3 United States Coal Needle Coke Sales Volume and Market Share by Type (2013-2018)3.4 United States Coal Needle Coke Sales Volume and Market Share by Application (2013-2018)4 China Coal Needle Coke (Volume, Value and Sales Price)4.1 China Coal Needle Coke Sales and Value (2013-2018)4.1.1 China Coal Needle Coke Sales and Growth Rate (2013-2018)4.1.2 China Coal Needle Coke Revenue and Growth Rate (2013-2018)4.1.3 China Coal Needle Coke Sales Price Trend (2013-2018)4.2 China Coal Needle Coke Sales Volume and Market Share by Players (2013-2018)4.3 China Coal Needle Coke Sales Volume and Market Share by Type (2013-2018)4.4 China Coal Needle Coke Sales Volume and Market Share by Application (2013-2018)5 Europe Coal Needle Coke (Volume, Value and Sales Price)5.1 Europe Coal Needle Coke Sales and Value (2013-2018)5.1.1 Europe Coal Needle Coke Sales and Growth Rate (2013-2018)5.1.2 Europe Coal Needle Coke Revenue and Growth Rate (2013-2018)5.1.3 Europe Coal Needle Coke Sales Price Trend (2013-2018)5.2 Europe Coal Needle Coke Sales Volume and Market Share by Players (2013-2018)5.3 Europe Coal Needle Coke Sales Volume and Market Share by Type (2013-2018)5.4 Europe Coal Needle Coke Sales Volume and Market Share by Application (2013-2018)6 Japan Coal Needle Coke (Volume, Value and Sales Price)6.1 Japan Coal Needle Coke Sales and Value (2013-2018)6.1.1 Japan Coal Needle Coke Sales and Growth Rate (2013-2018)6.1.2 Japan Coal Needle Coke Revenue and Growth Rate (2013-2018)6.1.3 Japan Coal Needle Coke Sales Price Trend (2013-2018)6.2 Japan Coal Needle Coke Sales Volume and Market Share by Players (2013-2018)6.3 Japan Coal Needle Coke Sales Volume and Market Share by Type (2013-2018)6.4 Japan Coal Needle Coke Sales Volume and Market Share by Application (2013-2018)Continue...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 @ Philippines Skin Care Products Market 2018 | L'Oreal, P&G, Estee Lauder, Shiseido, Unilever, LVMH and Others Philippines Skin Care Products Market https://www.researchmoz.us/enquiry.php?type=S&repid=1707207 https://www.researchmoz.us/philippines-skin-care-products-market-research-report-2018-report.html/toc https://www.researchmoz.us/ http://bit.ly/1TBmnVG Researchmoz added Most up-to-date research on "Philippines Skin Care Products Market Research Report 2018" to its huge collection of research reports.The global Skin Care Products market is valued at XX million USD in 2017 and is expected to reach XX million USD by the end of 2025,growing at a CAGR of XX% between 2017 and 2025.Philippines plays an important role in global market,with market size of xx million USD in 2017 and will be xx million USD in 2025,with a CAGR of xx%.To Get Sample Copy of Report visit @This report studies the Skin Care Products development status and future trend in Philippines,focuses on top players in Philippines,also splits Skin Care Products by type and by Application,to fully and deeply research and reveal the market general situation and future forecast.The major players in Philippines market includeL'OrealP&GEstee LauderShiseidoUnileverLVMHChanelAmore Pacific GroupLG GroupKanaboOn the basis of product,this report displays the sales volume,revenue,product price,market share and growth rate of each type,primarily split intoAnti-Aging ProductsAnti-Pigmentation ProductsAnti-Dehydration ProductsSun Protection ProductsOn the basis of the end users/Application,this report coversSpas and SalonsMedical InstitutionsRetail StoresOthersTable of ContentsPhilippines Skin Care Products Market Research Report 20181 Skin Care Products Overview1.1 Product Overview and Scope of Skin Care Products1.2 Classification of Skin Care Products by Product Category1.2.1 Philippines Skin Care Products Sales (K Units) Comparison by Type (2013-2025)1.2.2 Philippines Skin Care Products Sales (K Units) Market Share by Type in 20171.2.3 Anti-Aging Products1.2.4 Anti-Pigmentation Products1.2.5 Anti-Dehydration Products1.2.6 Sun Protection Products1.3 Philippines Skin Care Products Market by Application/End Users1.3.1 Philippines Skin Care Products Sales (K Units) and Market Share Comparison by Application (2013-2025)1.3.2 Spas and Salons1.3.3 Medical Institutions1.3.4 Retail Stores1.3.5 Others1.4 Philippines Revenue and Sales of Skin Care Products (2013-2025)1.4.1 Philippines Skin Care Products Sales (K Units) and Growth Rate (%)(2013-2025)1.4.2 Philippines Skin Care Products Revenue (Million USD) and Growth Rate (%)(2013-2025)2 Philippines Skin Care Products Market Competition by Players/Manufacturers2.1 Philippines Skin Care Products Sales (K Units) and Market Share (%) of Key Players/Manufacturers (2013-2018)2.2 Philippines Skin Care Products Revenue and Share by Players/Manufacturers (2013-2018)2.3 Philippines Skin Care Products Average Price (USD/Unit) by Players/Manufacturers (2013-2018)2.4 Philippines Skin Care Products Market Competitive Situation and Trends2.4.1 Philippines Skin Care Products Market Concentration Rate2.4.2 Philippines Skin Care Products Market Share of Top 3 and Top 5 Players/Manufacturers2.4.3 Mergers & Acquisitions, Expansion in Philippines Market2.5 Philippines Players/Manufacturers Skin Care Products Manufacturing Base Distribution, Sales Area, Product TypeGet Complete TOC With Tables and Figures @3 Philippines Skin Care Products Sales and Revenue (Value) by Type (2013-2018)3.1 Philippines Skin Care Products Sales (K Units) and Market Share by Type/ Product Category (2013-2018)3.2 Philippines Skin Care Products Revenue (Million USD) and Market Share by Type (2013-2018)3.3 Philippines Skin Care Products Price (USD/Unit) by Type (2013-2018)3.4 Philippines Skin Care Products Sales Growth Rate (%) by Type (2013-2018)4 Philippines Skin Care Products Sales by Application (2013-2018)4.1 Philippines Skin Care Products Sales (K Units) and Market Share by Application (2013-2018)4.2 Philippines Skin Care Products Sales Growth Rate (%) by Application (2013-2018)4.3 Market Drivers and OpportunitiesContinue...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 @ The Goddard School Annual Teacher of the Year Awards Honor Six Remarkable Early Childhood Educators http://www.goddardschool.com/educators/teachers www.goddardschool.com KING OF PRUSSIA, PA (May 8, 2018) Goddard Systems, Inc. (GSI), franchisor of The Goddard School, the nations premier preschool system focusing on learning through play for children six weeks to six years old, has chosen the recipients of the twelfth annual Teacher of the Year awards. During National Teacher Appreciation Week, which takes place from May 1 to May 5, six leading preschool educators from four Goddard School locations across the U.S. will each be presented with a plaque to commemorate their passion for teaching, dedication to learning and love for their classrooms and local communities.The Goddard Schools Teacher of the Year award honors educators in its preschool system who have developed compelling programs and projects that benefit their classrooms, Schools or communities. Projects from this years selected teachers include a sign language initiative to enrich the learning and social life of students with hearing disabilities; Tigers Year of Giving, a project designed to foster a better sense of community and encourage giving to others; Wonders of Hershey, a local project designed to connect students with their community by helping them learn about an influential leader in their area; and a program that lets students explore a variety of different ways of learning while providing opportunities for children of all academic abilities.We are so proud to announce the outstanding recipients of this years award and acknowledge them for their passion and dedication. Through innovative programs and projects, their work inspires future generations, says Dr. Craig Bach, vice president of Education at GSI. At The Goddard School, educators have a unique and engaging approach to teaching that helps children gain pivotal skills to prepare them for a successful future.GSI is honoring the following teachers:Heather Lisbona Hendersonville, TNHeather Lisbona, a junior kindergarten teacher at The Goddard School located in Hendersonville, TN, integrated sign language into her teaching program and expanded the Schools current sign language curriculum to assist a new student in her class who is hard of hearing. As a result, the student was able to communicate effectively with his peers and acclimated to the classroom and curriculum, and the other students learned a new skill and gained an appreciation of various ways of learning. Additionally, Heather leads a school-wide charity program to support a local cause within the community each month. Past activities include food, clothing and book drives, 5K races and United Way penny wars.Mary Kirkwood and Alison Haller Urbana, MDMary Kirkwood and Alison Haller, teachers at The Goddard School located in Urbana, MD, introduced Tigers Year of Giving to help children develop a better sense of community and teach them the importance of giving to others. Each month, the teachers engage the children in discussions and brainstorming sessions what areas of giving they would like to focus on for the month. The children then work with their teachers to create boxes, posters and flyers outlining their plan for giving that month. At the end of each month, the children and teachers sort the items into boxes and prepare them for the chosen charity. The teachers and children then discuss their thoughts and feelings about the success of that months community project.Christin Campbell and Courtney Goodburlet - Hershey, PAChristin Campbell and Courtney Goodburlet, teachers at The Goddard School located in Hershey, PA, introduced the Wonders of Hershey program to build a better sense of community among the students and parents. The teachers created the program because they believed that by learning about Milton Hershey, who founded the Hershey chocolate company, the students would become interested in their local community. As part of the program, students supported a range of charities, such as the Ronald McDonald House, which assists families in need around the world, including families in the Hershey Medical Center. The students, parents and teachers at The Goddard School collected and donated items for those families during their time of need. The program taught the students what it means to be good citizens in their community and how to give back. The program also included field trips to Hersheys Chocolate World and Zoo America.Amanda Olenwine, Gaithersburg, MDAmanda Olenwine, a kindergarten teacher at The Goddard School located in Gaithersburg, MD, differentiated her lesson plans to cater to the diverse styles of learning her students have. She encourages students to explore different ways of learning with highly engaging, hands-on activities in small groups. For example, when they are practicing sight words, she will let them choose whether to write the words in sand, build them with yarn and glue or play a bean bag toss game. Her unique and effective lesson plans engage children in the learning process.For more information on The Goddard School, please visit# # #About The Goddard SchoolLearning for fun. Learning for life.Celebrating 30 years of continued growth in early childhood education, The Goddard School uses the most current, academically endorsed methods to ensure that children have fun while learning the skills they need for long-term success in school and in life. The Goddard Schools Educational Advisory Board, comprised of acknowledged experts in various fields of early childhood education, contributes to the development of The Goddard Schools F.L.EX. Learning Program (Fun Learning Experience), which helps children explore and discover their interests in a safe, nurturing environment. Goddard Systems, Inc., the franchisor of The Goddard School, earned AdvancED Corporation Accreditation and Middle States Corporate Accreditation for meeting high standards in early learning, child development and childcare. The Goddard School serves more than 65,000 students ages six weeks to six years in more than 480 Goddard Schools in 36 states and is poised to open its 500th School in 2018. To learn more about The Goddard School, please visitKonnect Agency54 W. 40th St.Suite 611New York, NY 10018Elizabeth Dugganeduggan@konnectagency.com Improving At A CAGR Of 9.90% Between 2017 And 2024, Global Ceramic Tiles Market Is Well Poised To Attain A Revenue Valuation Of US$178.1 Bn By The End Of 2024 Ceramic Tiles Market https://www.researchmoz.us/enquiry.php?type=S&repid=177962 https://www.researchmoz.us/ceramic-tiles-floor-wall-and-others-market-for-residential-replacement-commercial-new-residential-and-other-applications-global-industry-analysis-size-share-growth-trends-and-forecast-2012-2018-report.html/toc https://www.researchmoz.us/enquiry.php?type=E&repid=177962 https://www.researchmoz.us/ http://bit.ly/1TBmnVG Researchmoz added Most up-to-date research on "Ceramic Tiles Market - Global Industry Analysis, Size, Share, Growth, Trends, and Forecast 2017 - 2024" to its huge collection of research reports.Ceramic tiles are manufactured by using substances derived from mining operations such as minerals and clays. Floor tiles, wall tiles, and others are the major product segments of the global ceramic tiles market. Ceramic tiles are solely used in the building & construction industry. Residential replacement, commercial, and new residential are the major application segments of the ceramic tiles market. The residential replacement segment constituted the largest demand for ceramic tiles in 2017. However, new residential segment is expected to build substantial growth opportunities for the ceramic tiles market during the forecast period. GCC countries, Turkey, and Brazil are expected to offer lucrative opportunities in the ceramic tiles market during the forecast period, owing to rise in construction activities in these countries.To Get Sample Copy of Report visit @The report estimates and forecasts the ceramic tiles market on the global, regional, and country level. The study provides forecast from 2017 to 2024 based on volume (Million Square Meters) and revenue (US$ Mn).The study offers a comprehensive view of the ceramic tiles market by dividing it into product segments such as floor tiles, wall tiles, and others. In terms of application, the global ceramic tiles market has been segmented into residential replacement, new residential, commercial, and others. Application segments have been analyzed based on historic, present, and future trends, and the market has been estimated from 2017 to 2024 in terms of volume (Million Square Meters) and revenue (US$ Mn). Regional segmentation includes current and forecast demand for ceramic tiles in North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Latin America, and Middle East & Africa (MEA). Additionally, the report includes country-level analysis in terms of volume and revenue for product and application segments. Key countries such as the U.S., the U.K., France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Turkey, China, Japan, Brazil, South Africa, as well as ASEAN and GCC have been included in the study. Market segmentation includes demand for individual products and applications in all regions and countries.The report comprises an all-inclusive value chain analysis that provides an extensive view of the market. Value chain analysis also provides detailed information about value addition at each stage of the value chain. The report covers drivers and restraints of the ceramic tiles market along with their impact on demand during the forecast period. Additionally, it includes the study of opportunities in the ceramic tiles market at the global level.The report includes Porters Five Forces Model to gauge the degree of competition in the ceramic tiles market. The report encompasses a qualitative write-up on market attractiveness analysis, wherein applications have been analyzed based on their attractiveness, growth rate, market size, raw material availability, profit margin, impact strength, technology, competition, and other factors (such as environmental and legal) have been evaluated to derive general attractiveness of the market. The report also includes price trend analysis of ceramic tiles as well as their raw materials derived from the mining industry such as feldspar, bentonite clay, kaolin, and silica sand from 2017 to 2024.Get Complete TOC With Tables and Figures @Secondary research sources that were typically referred to include, but were not limited to company websites, financial reports, annual reports, investor presentations, broker reports, and SEC filings. Other sources such as internal and external proprietary databases, statistical databases and market reports, news articles, national government documents, and webcasts specific to companies operating in the market have also been referred for the report.In-depth interviews and discussions with a wide range of key opinion leaders and industry participants were conducted to compile this research report. Primary research represents the bulk of the research efforts, supplemented by extensive secondary research. Key players product literature, annual reports, press releases, and relevant documents were reviewed for competitive analysis and market understanding. This helped in validating and reinforcing our secondary research findings. Primary research further helped in developing the analysis teams expertise and market understanding.The report covers a detailed competitive outlook that includes market share and profiles of key players operating in the global market. Ras Al Khaimah Ceramics, Siam Cement Group, Grupo Lamosa SAB de CV, Kajaria Ceramics, Mohawk Industries Inc., China Ceramics Co., Ltd., and Ceramiche Atlas Concorde S.P.A, Crossville Inc., Florida Tile Inc., Porcelanosa Grupo, Saloni Ceramica, and Gruppo Ceramiche Ricchetti S.p.A. are the key players profiled in the report. Company profiles include attributes such as company overview, number of employees, brand overview, key competitors, business overview, business strategies, recent/key developments, acquisitions, and financial overview.This report segments the global ceramic tiles market as follows:Ceramic Tiles Market Product Analysis- Floor Tiles- Wall Tiles- Others (Including Ceiling Tiles, Roofing Tiles, etc.)Ceramic Tiles Market Application Analysis- Residential Replacement- Commercial- New Residential- Others (Including Industrial, etc.)Make an Enquiry of this report @Ceramic Tiles Market Regional AnalysisNorth America- U.S.- Rest of North AmericaEurope- Germany- France- U.K.- Italy- Spain- Turkey- Rest of EuropeAsia Pacific- China- Japan- ASEAN- Rest of Asia PacificLatin America- Brazil- Rest of Latin AmericaMiddle East & Africa (MEA)- GCC- South Africa- Rest of Middle East & AfricaAbout 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 @ Log Homes Market 2018 : Global Analysis By Key Players Honka Log Homes, Palmako, Pioneer Log Homes of BC, Rumax, Rovaniemi Log Homes Market 2018 https://www.wiseguyreports.com/sample-request/3155961-global-north-america-europe-and-asia-pacific-south https://www.wiseguyreports.com/reports/3155961-global-north-america-europe-and-asia-pacific-south WiseGuyReports.Com Publish a New Market Research Report On Log Homes Market 2018 : Global Analysis By Key Players Honka Log Homes, Palmako, Pioneer Log Homes of BC, Rumax, Rovaniemi.Description:Log home, or called log house, is a structure built with horizontal logs interlocked at the corners by notching. Logs may be round, squared or hewn to other shapes, either handcrafted or milled.Scope of the Report:This report focuses on the Log Homes 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.Get a Sample Report @For more information or any query mail at sales@wiseguyreports.comMarket Segment by Manufacturers, this report coversHonka Log HomesPalmakoPioneer Log Homes of BCArtisan Log HomesRumaxRovaniemiKuusamo Log HousesDie NaturstammbauerKuchler BlockhausArtifexKatahdin Cedar Log HomesChiemgauer HolzhausMarket Segment by Regions, regional analysis coversNorth America (United States, Canada and Mexico)Europe (Germany, France, UK, Russia and Italy)Asia-Pacific (China, Japan, Korea, India and Southeast Asia)South America (Brazil, Argentina, Colombia etc.)Middle East and Africa (Saudi Arabia, UAE, Egypt, Nigeria and South Africa)Market Segment by Type, coversHand-Crafted Log HomesManufactured or Milled Log HomesMarket Segment by Applications, can be divided intoHousehold MarketCommercial MarketReport Details @There are 15 Chapters to deeply display the global Log Homes market.Chapter 1, to describe Log Homes Introduction, product scope, market overview, market opportunities, market risk, market driving force;Chapter 2, to analyze the top manufacturers of Log Homes, with sales, revenue, and price of Log Homes, 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 Log Homes, for each region, from 2013 to 2018;Continued..Table Of Contents Major Key Points1 Market Overview1.1 Log Homes Introduction1.2 Market Analysis by Type1.2.1 Hand-Crafted Log Homes1.2.2 Manufactured or Milled Log Homes1.3 Market Analysis by Applications1.3.1 Household Market1.3.2 Commercial Market1.4 Market Analysis by Regions1.4.1 North America (United States, Canada and Mexico)1.4.1.1 United States Market States and Outlook (2013-2023)1.4.1.2 Canada Market States and Outlook (2013-2023)1.4.1.3 Mexico Market States and Outlook (2013-2023)1.4.2 Europe (Germany, France, UK, Russia and Italy)1.4.2.1 Germany Market States and Outlook (2013-2023)1.4.2.2 France Market States and Outlook (2013-2023)1.4.2.3 UK Market States and Outlook (2013-2023)1.4.2.4 Russia Market States and Outlook (2013-2023)1.4.2.5 Italy Market States and Outlook (2013-2023)1.4.3 Asia-Pacific (China, Japan, Korea, India and Southeast Asia)1.4.3.1 China Market States and Outlook (2013-2023)1.4.3.2 Japan Market States and Outlook (2013-2023)1.4.3.3 Korea Market States and Outlook (2013-2023)1.4.3.4 India Market States and Outlook (2013-2023)1.4.3.5 Southeast Asia Market States and Outlook (2013-2023)1.4.4 South America, Middle East and Africa1.4.4.1 Brazil Market States and Outlook (2013-2023)1.4.4.2 Egypt Market States and Outlook (2013-2023)1.4.4.3 Saudi Arabia Market States and Outlook (2013-2023)1.4.4.4 South Africa Market States and Outlook (2013-2023)1.4.4.5 Nigeria Market States and Outlook (2013-2023)1.5 Market Dynamics1.5.1 Market Opportunities1.5.2 Market Risk1.5.3 Market Driving Force2 Manufacturers Profiles2.1 Honka Log Homes2.1.1 Business Overview2.1.2 Log Homes Type and Applications2.1.2.1 Type 12.1.2.2 Type 22.1.3 Honka Log Homes Log Homes Sales, Price, Revenue, Gross Margin and Market Share (2016-2017)2.2 Palmako2.2.1 Business Overview2.2.2 Log Homes Type and Applications2.2.2.1 Type 12.2.2.2 Type 22.2.3 Palmako Log Homes Sales, Price, Revenue, Gross Margin and Market Share (2016-2017)2.3 Pioneer Log Homes of BC2.3.1 Business Overview2.3.2 Log Homes Type and Applications2.3.2.1 Type 12.3.2.2 Type 22.3.3 Pioneer Log Homes of BC Log Homes Sales, Price, Revenue, Gross Margin and Market Share (2016-2017)2.4 Artisan Log Homes2.4.1 Business Overview2.4.2 Log Homes Type and Applications2.4.2.1 Type 12.4.2.2 Type 22.4.3 Artisan Log Homes Log Homes Sales, Price, Revenue, Gross Margin and Market Share (2016-2017)2.5 Rumax2.5.1 Business Overview2.5.2 Log Homes Type and Applications2.5.2.1 Type 12.5.2.2 Type 22.5.3 Rumax Log Homes Sales, Price, Revenue, Gross Margin and Market Share (2016-2017)2.6 Rovaniemi2.6.1 Business Overview2.6.2 Log Homes Type and Applications2.6.2.1 Type 12.6.2.2 Type 22.6.3 Rovaniemi Log Homes Sales, Price, Revenue, Gross Margin and Market Share (2016-2017)2.7 Kuusamo Log Houses2.7.1 Business Overview2.7.2 Log Homes Type and Applications2.7.2.1 Type 12.7.2.2 Type 22.7.3 Kuusamo Log Houses Log Homes Sales, Price, Revenue, Gross Margin and Market Share (2016-2017)Continued..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. Counter Terror & Public Safety Technology Market: Emergence of Advanced Technologies and Global Industry Analysis https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=S&rep_id=34901 https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/report-toc/34901 https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/counter-terror-public-safety-technology-market.html http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com http://www.techyounme.com/ Technology used by nations for safeguarding their public and preventing any terror attacks is referred to as counter terror & public safety technology. These technologies help in detecting, tracking, and tackling any threat that could harm a nations economy and its people. Various counter terror & public safety technology have been developed across the globe, which include cyber security, electronic fencing, biometrics, intelligence services, video analytics, video surveillance, weapon detection systems, intrusion detection, and counter IED technologies.counter terror and public safety technology marketCounterfeit Electronics are Periodically Slipped into Federal Governments Technology OrdersModern day threats feature a dizzying muster of groups comprising deep technological and financial resources. Jihadists are recruiting & training new members using the internet. Organized criminals are defrauding institutions and victims with ever increasing sophistication. Global supply chains related to information technology equipment are being compromised with counterfeit knock-offs carrying time bombs, malware, Trojan horses, and trap doors set to activate even within the most trusted private and public networks. Sovereign states are wielding energy resources casually, while covertly funding subtle criminal activities.Get PDF Sample of the Report @Seemingly identical to versions of various brand names, counterfeit electronics are being slipped periodically into technology orders made by the federal government. In addition, blueprints of various equipment ranging from IEDs improvised explosive devices, to nuclear weapons are easily found online. All the aforementioned facts illustrate the nuanced & complex threats faced by the global environment currently, which has necessitated developments in technologies for detecting and preventing them.Employing Counter-Intelligence-Driven Mindset to be Imperative for GovernmentsThe current worlds threat environment has led toward demand for increased collaboration, along with the essentiality of shared situational awareness among all levels of government authorities. Technology holds potential in transforming data gathered regarding these threats into actionable intelligence by proper sorting and analysis. It is imperative for governments to employ a counter-intelligence-driven mindset for integrating analysis, investigations, and technology into a holistic & coherent system that will enable resolving challenges related to public and nations threats.Get TOC of This Report @The global market for counter-terror & public safety technology will ride on a CAGR of nearly 15% throughout the forecast period (2017-2022), as estimated by Transparency Market Researchs (TMR) new report. Global sales of counter terror & public safety technology are expected to reach roughly US$ 200,000 Mn in revenues by 2022-end.North America to Remain Most Attractive Market for Counter Terror & Public Safety TechnologyProjected to expand at the highest CAGR through 2022, North America will continue to be the most attractive market for counter terror & public safety, followed by Europe. The market in Asia-Pacific excluding Japan (APEJ) has been projected to register a comparatively faster expansion than in Europe through 2022. However, revenues from APEJs market will remain lower than those from Europes. Middle East and Africa is expected to account for the smallest revenue share of the global counter terror & public safety technology market during 2017 to 2022.View Report@Intelligence services will continue to be dominant among technologies available in the market, followed by video surveillance. Intelligence services and video surveillance are also projected to be the fastest expanding technologies in the market. Electronic fencing and intrusion detection are also anticipated to remain lucrative technologies in the market. However, weapon detection will account for the lowest revenue share of the market during the forecast period.On the basis of end-users, CBRN safety & security, and smart & secure border are expected to lead the global counter terror & public safety technology market, in terms of revenues. However, counter terror & public safety technology will witness the fastest sales expansion in critical infrastructure and public event security through 2022.Competitive LandscapeKey market players identified by the report include International Business Machines Corp., AT&T Inc., ABB Ltd., Accenture PLC, AeroVironment, Inc., 3xLOGIC, Inc., The ADT Corporation, ACTi Corporation, Avigilon Corporation, Airbus SE, and Alcatel-Lucent France, S.A.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:Research Blog: HVAC Centrifugal Compressors Market Development, Growth, Key Players and Demand Forecast to 2024 HVAC Centrifugal Compressors https://www.marketstudyreport.com/request-a-sample/859977//?utm_source=OPR&utm_medium=DC https://www.marketstudyreport.com/reports/hvac-centrifugal-compressors-market/?utm_source=emp&utm_medium=DC https://www.marketstudyreport.com/reports/rigid-spray-polyurethane-foam-market/,utm_source=rr&utm_medium=DC https://thefinancialconsulting.com/author/ashwin/ https://www.marketstudyreport.com https://www.marketstudyreport.com/category/news-releases/ http://reports.algosonline.com/ HVAC Centrifugal Compressors market analysis is offered for global market including development trends by regions, competitive analysis of the HVAC Centrifugal Compressors market. Document Readers Industry report concentrates on the main drivers and constraints for the key players.HVAC Centrifugal Compressors Market is estimated to exceed USD 1 billion by 2024; according to a new research report.The prime objective of this report is to help the user understand the market in terms of its definition, segmentation, market potential, influential trends, and the challenges that the market is facing.Get Sample Copy of this Report:Global industry share is fragmented in nature. Major players include Atlas Copco, Danfoss, Hitachi, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, and SKF. Other key industry participants are Howden Group, Celeroton, Ingersoll Rand, GFA Compressors, and Elliott Group.Scope of ReportIncreasing commercialization, improving government finances and public funding in economies including India, Mexico, and South Africa will provide strong business outlook for HVAC centrifugal compressors industry. Rise in consumer purchasing power and economic growth in these countries expected to propel construction of new shopping malls and hotel chains over the forecast period.Depleting natural energy resources and the constant global warming challenge putting pressure on manufacturers to launch products that meet the international standards as well as contribute towards environmental sustainability. Companies are expected to invest in new product developments to comply with stringent energy standards implemented by the regulatory bodies.Chillers application is expected to value over USD 700 million by 2024. Hotels, shopping malls, commercial offices and hospitals are major application areas. Strategic government initiatives to promote economic cooling solutions, coupled with rising environmental concerns, will stimulate HVAC centrifugal systems penetration rate. Implementation of certification programmes such as Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certified buildings will positively impact the industry expansion.Key Reasons to PurchaseTo gain insightful analyses of the market and have comprehensive understanding of the global market and its commercial landscape.Assess the production processes, major issues, and solutions to mitigate the development risk.To understand the most affecting driving and restraining forces in the market and its impact in the global market.Learn about the market strategies that are being adopted by leading respective organizations.To understand the future outlook and prospects for the market.Besides the standard structure reports, we also provide custom research according to specific requirements.For More Information:Data TablesTABLE 1 HVAC Centrifugal Compressors industry 360 synopsis, 2013 2024TABLE 2 Global HVAC Centrifugal Compressors market estimates and forecast, 2013 2024, (Kilo Tons) (USD Million)TABLE 3 Global HVAC Centrifugal Compressors market volume of product by end-user, (Kilo Tons), 2013 - 2024TABLE 4 Global HVAC Centrifugal Compressors market revenue of product by end-user, (USD Million), 2013 2024TABLE 5 Global HVAC Centrifugal Compressors market volume by thermoplastic polymers, (Kilo Tons), 2013 - 2024TABLE 6 Global HVAC Centrifugal Compressors market revenue by thermoplastic polymers, (USD Million), 2013 2024TABLE 7 Global HVAC Centrifugal Compressors market volume of thermoplastic polymers by end-user, (Kilo Tons), 2013 - 2024TABLE 8 Global HVAC Centrifugal Compressors market revenue of thermoplastic polymers by end-user, (USD Million), 2013 2024TABLE 9 Global HVAC Centrifugal Compressors market volume by thermosetting polymers, (Kilo Tons), 2013 - 2024TABLE 10 Global HVAC Centrifugal Compressors market revenue by thermosetting polymers, (USD Million), 2013 2024TABLE 11 Global HVAC Centrifugal Compressors market volume of thermosetting polymers by end-user, (Kilo Tons), 2013 - 2024TABLE 12 Global HVAC Centrifugal Compressors market revenue of thermosetting polymers by end-user, (USD Million), 2013 2024TABLE 13 Global HVAC Centrifugal Compressors market volume by thermoplastic elastomers, (Kilo Tons), 2013 - 2024TABLE 14 Global HVAC Centrifugal Compressors market revenue by thermoplastic elastomers, (USD Million), 2013 2024TABLE 15 Global HVAC Centrifugal Compressors market volume of thermoplastic elastomers by end-user, (Kilo Tons), 2013 - 2024TABLE 16 Global HVAC Centrifugal Compressors market revenue of thermoplastic elastomers by end-user, (USD Million), 2013 2024TABLE 17 Global HVAC Centrifugal Compressors market volume of others by end-user, (Kilo Tons), 2013 - 2024TABLE 18 Global HVAC Centrifugal Compressors market revenue of others by end-user, (USD Million), 2013 2024TABLE 19 Global HVAC Centrifugal Compressors market volume by end-user, (Kilo Tons), 2013 - 2024TABLE 20 Global HVAC Centrifugal Compressors market revenue by end-user, (USD Million), 2013 2024Related ReportRigid Spray Polyurethane Foam Market Size By Growth Potential, Price Trends, Competitive Market Share & Forecast, 2017 - 2024Market Study Report Add Rigid Spray Polyurethane Foam Market Size, Status and Forecast 2024 added to its database. The report provides key statistics on the current state of the industry and other analytical data to understand the market.More Reports: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:More Report at: Radiopharmaceuticals Market Analysis on Growth and Business Opportunities 2017-2024| Cardinal Health, MallinckrodtPlc., GE Healthcare, Lantheus Medical Imaging and Bayer AG Global Radiopharmaceuticals Market 2024 http://databridgemarketresearch.com/request-a-sample/?dbmr=global-radiopharmaceuticals-market http://databridgemarketresearch.com/inquire-before-buying/?dbmr=global-radiopharmaceuticals-market http://databridgemarketresearch.com/speak-to-analyst/?dbmr=global-radiopharmaceuticals-market http://databridgemarketresearch.com/toc/?dbmr=global-radiopharmaceuticals-market http://databridgemarketresearch.com/reports/global-radiopharmaceuticals-market/ http://databridgemarketresearch.com/reports/north-america-digital-health-monitoring-devices-market/ According to Data Bridge Market Research new report Radiopharmaceuticals Market gives rising open doors in the market and the future effect of significant drivers and difficulties and, bolster leaders in settling on practical business choices. Radiopharmaceuticals are a group of pharmaceuticals drug which have radioactivity."Global Radiopharmaceuticals Market" is predictable to reach USD 9.49 billion by 2024 from USD 4.87 billion in 2016, at a CAGR of 8.7% in the forecast period 2017 to 2024. The new market report contains data for historic years 2015, the base year of calculation is 2016 and the forecast period is 2017 to 2024.Click Here for Free Sample Report Visit @Recent Developments: Radiopharmaceuticals MarketRecent trends in the radiopharmaceuticals market such as growing disease which targeted cancer therapy, increasing awareness, expanding applications of molecular imaging, technological advancement, increasing trend of radio-labelled peptides and monoclonal antibodies for the diagnosis and treatment of cancer tumors and increasing use of SPECT & PET scans is expected to drive the market in the forecast period 2017 to 2024.Radiopharmaceuticals are mostly used for treatment of cancer, bone pain, and thyroid cancer. In the U.S. cancer is second fatal disease whereas in the UK it is the leading cause of death. In most of the third world countries cancer appears much lower. Cancer is the second leading cause of death globally and was responsible for 8.8 million deaths in 2015. Globally, nearly 1 in 6 deaths is due to cancer. In 2016, an estimated 1.6 million new cases of cancer was diagnosed in the United States and 0.5 million people died from the disease.On the other hand, shorter half-life of radiopharmaceuticals, stringent regulatory guidelines and competition from conventional diagnostic procedures are some of the factors which may hinder the growth of radiopharmaceuticals market.Any Specific Requirements? Questions? Ask to Our Industry Expert @Market Segmentation:The global market is segmented based on type, procedural volumes, application, sources, end-user, and geography.On the basis of type, the global radiopharmaceuticals market is sub-segmented into Diagnostic Therapeutic radiopharmaceuticals.In 2017, diagnostic radiopharmaceuticals segment dominate the market and is expected to grow at the highest in the forecast period. This is due to the production of MO-99 in the U.S., FDA approvals of radiopharmaceuticals, initiatives of International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), new irradiation facility in Germany, installation of PET scanners in India, andgovernment investments in Rest of Asia-Pacific.On the basis of procedural volumes, the global radiopharmaceuticals market is sub-segmented into1. Diagnostic procedure single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) radiopharmaceuticals positron emission tomography (PET) radiopharmaceuticals2. Therapeutic procedures beta emitters alpha emitters brachy therapyOn the basis of application, the global radiopharmaceuticals market is sub-segmented into1. diagnostic application single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) - positron emission tomography (PET)- oncology, cardiology, neurology and others2. therapeutic application thyroid, bone metastasis, lymphoma, endocrine tumours othersOn the basis of sources, the global radiopharmaceuticals market is sub-segmented into nuclear reactors cyclotronsOn the basis of end user, the global radiopharmaceuticals market is sub-segmented into hospitals, ambulatory surgical centers, diagnostic centers, cancer research institutes and othersIn 2017, hospital segment dominate the market with the highest market share due to accessibility of highly skilled medical practitioners in the radiology departments of hospitals.Questions? Well Put You On The Right Path Request Analyst Call @TABLE OF CONTENTS1 INTRODUCTION1.1. OVERVIEW OF THE GLOBAL RADIOPHARMACEUTICALS MARKET1.2. CURRENCY AND PRICING1.3. LIMITATION1.4. MARKETS COVERED2 MARKET SEGMENTATION2.1. KEY TAKEAWAYS2.2. ARRIVING AT THE GLOBAL RADIOPHARMACEUTICALS SIZE2.2.1 VENDOR POSITIONING GRID2.2.2 TECHNOLOGY LIFE LINE CURVE2.2.3 MARKET TIME LINE2.2.4 MARKET GUIDE2.2.5 COMPANY POSITIONING GRID2.2.6 COMAPANY MARKET SHARE ANALYSIS2.2.7 MULTIVARIATE MODELLING2.2.8 STANDARDS OF MEASUREMENT2.2.9 TOP TO BOTTOM ANALYSIS2.2.10 VENDOR SHARE ANALYSIS2.2.11 DATA POINTS FROM KEY PRIMARY INTERVIEWS2.2.12 DATA POINTS FROM KEY SECONDARY DATABASES2.3. GLOBAL RADIOPHARMACEUTICALS MARKET: RESEARCH SNAPSHOT2.4. ASSUMPTIONS3 MARKET OVERVIEW3.1. DRIVERS3.2. RESTRAINTS3.3. OPPORTUNITIES3.4. CHALLENGES4 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY5 PREMIUM INSIGHTS5.1. VENDOR POSITIONING GRID AND INVESTMENT OPPORTUNITIES5.2. TECHNOLOLGICAL ADVANCEMENTS5.3. INSIGHTS ON TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS IN THE GLOBAL RADIOPHARMACEUTICALSMARKET5.4. MARKET REGULATORY SCENARIO BY COUNTRY5.5. INTERVIEW KEY INSIGHTS6 GLOBAL RADIOPHARMACEUTICALS MARKET, BY TYPE7 GLOBAL RADIOPHARMACEUTICALS MARKET, BY PROCEDURAL VOLUMES8 GLOBAL RADIOPHARMACEUTICALS MARKET, BY APPLICATION9 GLOBAL RADIOPHARMACEUTICALS MARKET, BY SOURCES10 GLOBAL RADIOPHARMACEUTICALS MARKET, BY END-USER11 GLOBAL RADIOPHARMACEUTICALS MARKET, BY GEOGRAPHY12 GLOBAL RADIOPHARMACEUTICALS MARKET, COMPANY PROFILES12.1 CARDINAL HEALTH INC.,12.2 MALLINCKRODTPLC.,12.3 GE HEALTHCARE,12.4 LANTHEUS MEDICAL IMAGING INC.,12.5 BAYER AG,12.6 COMPANY A12.7 COMPANY B12.8 COMPANY C12.9 COMPANY D12.10 COMPANY E12.11 COMPANY F10.12 COMPANY G10.13 COMPANY H10.14 COMPANY I10.15 COMPANY J10.16 COMPANY K10.17 COMPANY M10.18 COMPANY N10.19 COMPANY O11 APPENDIX12 ABOUT DATA BRIDGE MARKET RESEARCHRequest for Table of Content of Full Report @Radiopharmaceuticals Market report give rising open doors in the market and the future effect of significant drivers and difficulties and, bolster leaders in settling on practical business choices. Radiopharmaceuticals are a group of pharmaceuticals drug which have radioactivity. It can be used as diagnostic and therapeutic agent. Radiopharmaceuticals are unique medicinal formulations containing radioisotopes which are used in major clinical area for diagnosis or therapy. The procedures and facilities for the production, use, and storage of radiopharmaceuticals are subject to licensing by national or regional authorities.Top Challengers: Cardinal Health Inc. MallinckrodtPlc. GE Healthcare Lantheus Medical Imaging Inc. Bayer AG Bracco Imaging SpA Eczacibasi-Monrol Nuclear Products Nordion Inc. Advanced Accelerator Applications S.A. IBA Molecular Imaging Actinium Pharmaceuticals Inc., Among others.Read more about Report Visit @Related ReportNorth America Digital Health Monitoring Market Industry Trends and Forecast to 2024North America Digital Health Monitoring Market By Product Type Devices (Blood Pressure Monitors, Blood Glucose Monitors, ECG, Oximeters, Peak Flow Monitors, Multi Parameter Monitors, Sleep Neap Monitors, Neurological Monitors, Others), Software (Healthcare Apps, Chronic Disease Apps, Personal Health Apps, Others), Services (Remote Monitoring, Consultancy Services, Treatment Services, Fitness and Wellness Services, Others), By Country (U.S., Canada, Mexico) Industry Trends and Forecast to 2024Report Access:About Data Bridge Market Research:Data Bridge Market Research set forth itself as an unconventional and neoteric Market research and consulting firm with unparalleled level of resilience and integrated approaches. We are determined to unearth the best market opportunities and foster efficient information for your business to thrive in the market. Data Bridge endeavors to provide appropriate solutions to the complex business challenges and initiates an effortless decision-making process.Contact:Vishal DixitData Bridge Market ResearchTel: +1-888-387-2818Email: sopan.gedam@databridgemarketresearch.com 32nd ESHO meeting focuses on hyperthermia in the multimodal treatment of cancer and abdominal tumors https://gallery.mailchimp.com/872d09033f420335504ad1a7e/files/4a930aa5-23eb-4796-8e51-1f3d0fd8e983/AZ_ESHO_B_R%C3%BCck148x210_4.pdf https://gallery.mailchimp.com/872d09033f420335504ad1a7e/files/de25f088-41cc-4dec-a345-14b234c425c5/Interview_Dr._Ghagjar_V2.02.pdf https://youtu.be/0ETZMAfAaDw www.sennewald.de Munich, May 9, 2018 The European Society for Hyperthermic Oncology (ESHO) and the Deutsche Gesellschaft fur Hyperthermie (DGHT) are holding their 32nd annual meeting in Berlin from May 16 to 19, 2018. As a long-standing Diamond Sponsor of ESHO and the official supplier of hyperthermia systems to Charite Universitatsmedizin Berlin for the past 30 years, Dr. Sennewald Medizintechnik GmbH is proud to once again be part of this important scientific congress.The focus of this years meeting will be on the multimodal treatment of abdominal tumors involving thermal therapy - potential and caveats. This topic has attracted a number of world class speakers who will join interdisciplinary congress sessions with clinicians from various areas of oncological expertise.In a recent interview (see below), Dr. Pirus Ghadjar, as a member of the ESHO 2018 congress organization, summarized the highlights of the program: First off is the abdominal tumor session on the latest treatment for pancreatic cancer and liver tumors and the use of hyperthermia to improve current treatment standards for these tumors. Another will be the session on immune effects of hyperthermia and novel drug combinations, where the combination of hyperthermia and checkpoint inhibitors will be discussed. Thirdly, the session on MR-guided thermal therapies and applications will summarize recent developments in MR thermometry as well as MR-based heat treatments.The 2018 ESHO program also includes a Patient Information Day, in German, including a get-together. Sponsored by Dr. Sennewald Medizintechnik GmbH, this event takes place on May 19 from 10:30 to 12:30, and will cover the following topics:Hyperthermias role in enhancing the efficacy of chemotherapy (Lars Lindner, Munich/DE)Hyperthermias role in enhancing the efficacy of radiotherapy (Stephan Bodis, Aarau/CH)Hyperthermia in the treatment of tumors in children and young adults (Georg Seifert, Berlin/DE)Hyperthermia in practice: Approaches to capacitive and full-body hyperthermia (Holger Wehner, Wilhelmshaven/DE).The Patient Information Day and the get-together will be held at Campus Charite Universitatsmedizin Berlin, Horsaal Innere Medizin, Virchowweg 9.Dr. Sennewald Medizintechnik GmbH would also like to point out that the company will be holding a lunch symposium on Pyrexar Innovations 2018. For further details please follow the link:____________________Interview with Dr. Pirus Ghadjar on the EORTC 62961-ESHO 95 trial recently published in JAMA:YouTube video on image-guided hyperthermia:Dr. Sennewald Medizintechnik was founded with the aim of discovering innovative and beneficial cancer therapies and has since amassed over 30 years of experience in regional and local hyperthermia. To achieve this goal, the company entered into a long-term partnership with the pioneers and world leaders, Pyrexar Medical, to further develop the manufacture of hyperthermia systems. The companies links to the scientific community have led to the acceptance of hyperthermia, the development of dedicated software, reimbursement of hyperthermia and its use in the treatment of children. Strategic partnerships with medical centers have resulted in phase III clinical studies demonstrating that Pyrexar systems offer a significant increase in cancer response rates and are the only ones to have received FDA approval.Dr. Sennewald Medizintechnik GmbH can draw on its many years of experience for the companys in-depth knowledge of customers clinical requirements and of the precise technical specifications for all the hyperthermia systems on offer. In addition, teams of engineers, technicians and software developers remain as close to customers as possible, offering support in the planning, installation and set-up of the systems, as well as after-sales service.Dr. Sennewald Medizintechnik GmbHSchatzbogen 8681829 Munchen / GermanyMonica Sennewald, Marketing DirectorT: +49 89 542143-25E: monica.sennewald@sennewald.de Growth Of Global Pharmaceutical Propellant Market Is Anticipated Due To Advancement In Pharmaceutical Industry During The Forecast Period By 2027, According To Research Nester Pharmaceutical Propellant Market https://www.researchnester.com/sample-request-1065 https://www.researchnester.com/request-toc-1065 https://www.researchnester.com/reports/pharmaceutical-propellants-market/1065 The Pharmaceutical Propellant is segmented by type into Liquid Gas Propellant and Compressed Gas Propellant. In this segment, Liquid Gas Propellant segment is projected to grow at remarkable pace over the forecast period. Further, Liquid Gas Propellant segment is sub-segmented into Hydrocarbons, Chlorofluro Carbons, Hydrofluro Carbons, and Hydro Chloro Fluro Carbons. Increasing research and development activities in pharmaceutical is expected to showcase a significant rise in the growth of pharmaceutical propellant market over the forecast period.Global Pharmaceutical Propellant market is expected to register a considerable CAGR over the forecast period. Moreover, propellant market is rising on the back of the advancement and expansion of the pharmaceutical industry. Increasing skin and nasal diseases among population is expected to garner the growth of pharmaceutical propellant marketIn term of region, North America captured maximum share of the pharmaceutical propellant market by 2017. Further Research activities in pharmaceutical industry are expected to drive the growth of the pharmaceutical propellant market over the forecast period. Europe is expected to contribute significantly towards the growth of the pharmaceutical propellant market. Apart from this increasing spending money and high awareness is anticipated to robust the growth of pharmaceutical propellant market.Increasing Various Type of Nasal & Skin DiseasesAs pollution increases different type of skin & nasal diseases are cause among the population. With the help of propellant drug can be deliver at the infected part of the human body directly which is more effective as to consume drug orally. This factor is expected to positively impact growth of the pharmaceutical propellant market over the forecast period.Request Free Sample Report @Increasing Research & Development Activities in PharmaceuticalIncreasing interest of researchers and investing companies towards pharmaceutical propellant is anticipated to be the dynamic factor behind the growth of pharmaceutical propellant market across the global. The market is mainly expanding on the back of the growth and expansion of pharmaceutical industry and high awareness related to health among population. High prevalence of the nasal disease and skin problem cause of the environment changes is expected to benefits the growth of pharmaceutical propellant market.The report titled Global Pharmaceutical Propellant Market: Global Historical Growth (2012-2017) & Future Outlook (2018-2027) Demand Analysis & Opportunity Evaluation delivers detailed overview of the global pharmaceutical propellant market in terms of market segmentation by Typ, by end user and by region.Further, for the in-depth analysis, the report encompasses the industry growth drivers, restraints, supply and demand risk, market attractiveness, BPS analysis and Porters five force model.Request Table Of Content @This report also provides the existing competitive scenario of some of the key players of the global data as a service market which includes company profiling of Cayman Chemical. Derex Labs Pvt Ltd, Shaanxi Yuanyu Biological, Toronto Research ChemicalS In, Hangzhou Meite ChemicalWilshire TechnologiesXAian Taicheng ChemCapot Chemical Manus Aktteva Biopharma, Aphios. The profiling enfolds key information of the companies which encompasses business overview, products and services, key financials and recent news and developments. On the whole, the report depicts detailed overview of the global data as a service market that will help industry consultants, equipment manufacturers, existing players searching for expansion opportunities, new players searching possibilities and other stakeholders to align their market centric strategies according to the ongoing and expected trends in the future.To Know More About This Report @About Us:-Research Nester is a leading service provider for strategic market research and consulting. We aim to provide unbiased, unparalleled market insights and industry analysis to help industries, conglomerates and executives to take wise decisions for their future marketing strategy, expansion and investment etc. We believe every business can expand to its new horizon, provided a right guidance at a right time is available through strategic minds. Our out of box thinking helps our clients to take wise decision so as to avoid future uncertainties.Contact for more Info:Ajay DanielEmail: ajay.daniel@researchnester.comU.S. Phone: +1 646 586 9123U.K. Phone: +44 203 608 5919 Explore Global HCS Software and Services Market 2022- Sales, Revenue, Gross Margin, Market Share by Top Companies https://www.itintelligencemarkets.com/request_sample.php?id=164 https://www.itintelligencemarkets.com/ask_for_discount.php?id=164 https://www.itintelligencemarkets.com/enquiry_before_buying.php?id=164 High content screening (HCS) software and services market is foreseen to invite a host of promising opportunities while riding on technological developments in HCS solutions, cost containment in pharma research and development, and cellular research funding. Developed regions such as North America could propel the demand for HCS software and services with high government support, swelling presence of large life sciences companies, and rising research and development expenditure.This report gives an in-depth research about the overall state of HCS Software and Services market and projects an overview of its growth market. It also gives the crucial elements of the market and across major global regions in detail. Number on primary and secondary research has been carried out in order to collect required data for completing this particular report. Sever industry based analytical techniques has been narrowed down for a better understanding of this market.Get Sample copy of this Report @:The report studies the different product segments and end-user applications segment of the HCS Software and Services market. Compiling important data from relevant sources, the report estimates the growth of individual segments of the market. Also, the market size and the growth rate of each of the market segments have been discussed in the report. The report pays very special attention to the growth exhibited by the HCS Software and Services market in key geographic segments and talks about all the favorable conditions propelling the market growth.Companies Profiled in this report includes, Thermo Fisher Scientific, Inc., General Electric Company, Becton, Dickinson & Company, PerkinElmer, Inc., Olympus Corporation, Merck & Co., Inc., Danaher Corporation, Thorlabs, Inc., Sysmex Corporation, Yokogawa Electric CorporationGet 20% Discount on this Report @:The report provides competitive landscape of the HCS Software and Services market, thereby listing out all the major players according to their geographic presence, market attractiveness and recent key developments. The competitive landscape section of the report gives an overview about the market share of several key players for the forecast year. Moreover, key takeaways section provided at the end of competitive landscape section would help the operating companies to make the best move in the market.The report analyzes the entire demand and supply chain in the global HCS Software and Services market and studies the various components. The effect of Porters five forces on the growth of the market has been also analyzed in the report. Referring to case studies, the report traces the historical development of the market. The demand for each of the product types has been assessed in the report.For More Inquiry @:Furthermore, the report profiles some of the most prominent enterprises in the global HCS Software and Services market to provide valuable recommendations. The product portfolio of the companies profiled are studied in detail. Besides this, information is obtained from their financial reports and strategies they adopted over the last couple of years.The stages of development of HCS Software and Services market with respect to many geographic regions have also been presented thoroughly. This information which is provided helps the emerging players gain up-to-date information which can help them take perfect business decisions. In similar way, many other segments and sub segments are mentioned in this market helping in conveying impeccable data to the users.Table of ContentsGlobal HCS Software and Services Market Research ReportChapter 1 HCS Software and Services Market OverviewChapter 2 Global Economic Impact on IndustryChapter 3 Global Market Competition by ManufacturersChapter 4 Global Production, Revenue (Value) by RegionChapter 5 Global Supply (Production), Consumption, Export, Import by RegionsChapter 6 Global Production, Revenue (Value), Price Trend by TypeChapter 7 Global Market 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 Global HCS Software and Services Market ForecastAbout IT Intelligence Markets:We at IT Intelligence Markets conduct intensive market research and generate detailed reports about the products and services offered in the IT domain. Our team is devoted to providing custom reports that are taylor-made to suit the customers requirements. We make sure to keep our customers updated with the latest market dynamics as IT industry is undergoing sea change intrinsically & extrinsically by forces such as regulatory fluctuations, rapidly evolving consumer preferences, and newer technologies. Not only do our market research analysts scrutinize market requirements but also track competitors relentlessly for obtaining the most updated scenario of the market.Contact:Vijay TannaIt Intelligence MarketsSurvey No-9/4, Flat# 6, Panchshil Park, Ganpati Marg, Nigidi, Pune 411044sales@itintelligencemarkets.comContact No: +91 976-460-7607 Joy Kwok Bachelor of Arts (Linguistics) A degree in Linguistics provided the perfect foundation for Otago graduate Joy Kwok to pursue a career in speech therapy. There is a misconception that people who study linguistics are walking dictionaries or that they speak a lot of languages. But linguistics is more about understanding how language is acquired, how it is structured, and how it influences our everyday interactions. While I was studying, I had discussions with my lecturers about career options. I did a lot of research about the role of a speech therapist and the more I learnt, the more interested I became. I felt that my linguistics background would be a big asset for me in this next area of study. Joy is currently working as a student support services officer for the Department of Education in Victoria, Australia. My role involves providing speech therapy assessments and intervention to students with a wide range of communication difficulties. I enjoy working collaboratively with students, their teachers, parents and other health professionals to best support the students development. During her time at Otago, Joy enjoyed a year in a residential college and also took up opportunities to volunteer in the local community. I made the move to Otago because I wanted to gain more than just a tertiary education. I wanted a change in environment so I could learn to be more independent, meet new people and fully embrace student life. Lack of a sustainable business model has forced New Hope Village to temporarily suspend operations for the remodel of the Hillside Elementary School. "In order to be the best stewards of your time, talent, and treasure, we suspended all activity at the shelter when we learned that our original business model was not sustainable," stated a letter from the NHV board to supporters. "Since that time, we have been pursuing a number of options that can keep the mission and vision of New Hope Village alive." The plan is to still finish remodeling the former Hillside Elementary School, 59 W. Baker Road in Hope, into a shelter for the homeless. The facility will contain 22 apartments with the ability to house up to 80 homeless residents. "We must finish the project. Construction activity has resumed. Heating is now installed, which will allow plumbing to be completed," the board stated. The need in Midland County for the homeless is formidable. "There are still homeless families and veterans in Midland County that can benefit from New Hope Village, and we still believe in the good this project will do," the board stated. Currently, at the shelter, the build-out of the kitchen is behind schedule since no one is currently looking for equipment. "We hope to re-open the building to volunteer activities soon, and our Adopt-A-Room groups will be invited to finish their projects at that time," the board stated. New Hope Village recently underwent a change in leadership as former executive director John Congleton stepped down on Feb. 1 due to differences with the board. For more information regarding NHV, visit www.newhopemidland.org For emergency resources for the homeless, visit https://bit.ly/2wmQGQ8 Midland residents and Tridge aficionados across Michigan are invited to celebrate the iconic landmarks 2017 renovation at a grand re-dedication ceremony at 11 a.m. on Saturday, May 12 at the foot of the Tridge near the Farmers Market in downtown Midland. The event will feature a formal ribbon cutting ceremony with remarks from local officials and dignitaries, including Rollin M. Gerstacker Foundation President Lisa Gerstacker, Michigan Attorney General Bill Schuette, and Midland Mayor Maureen Donker, as well as a performance by the Midland Concert Band and other activities. The Honorable Thomas L. Ludington will serve as the master of ceremonies. Midland Police have completed an investigation into the case of a photo posted on social media and brought to the attention of H.H. Dow High school officials Friday morning. "After a thorough investigation, we feel confident that the photo posted was not intended to be a threat toward the school," Lt. Mike Sokol said. Welcome to Meet a Competitive House Race, a new Paste feature in which we highlightyou guessed ita competitive 2018 House race from somewhere in America. Between now and election day, well hopefully hit them all. You can see a full list of other House races weve profiled at the bottom of this page. Whats the deal with todays district? Where is it? Today marks the official start of primary season, and were going to venture into one of the most contentious slivers of Americas heartland: Nebraskas 2nd district. In a state with only three districts, Nebraskas 2nd is the smallest, only covering parts of two counties. But its central hub is Omaha, the states largest city, making it the most likely in any given year to go blue. Who lives there? How do they vote? In what seems to be a developing pattern, a whole lot of white people live here. 81 percent of the districts population to be precise, with black and Hispanic populations comprising 20 percent. That wasnt always the casesome Dems have accused the states conservative legislature of gerrymandering both Bellevue and Offutt Air Force Base, which hold large minority populations, out of the district in 2011. Despite the criticism, the reworked district paid off for the GOP as the 2nd went for both Mitt Romney and Donald Trump in presidential elections following the boundary revision. The district voted for Barack Obama in 2008. Is Trump going to screw the Republican? Theres always a chance, though incumbent Don Bacon hasnt been as cozy with the president as others. Give me some more background Bacon was one of some established Republicans who called for Trump to withdraw from the presidential election following the release of the infamous grab them by the pussy tape in 2016, suggesting that he allow a strong conservative candidate, like Mike Pence, from the GOP to win in November. Despite this bout of condemnation, Bacon didnt rule out voting for Trump, making his stance substantially weaker in the process. While Bacon has kept Trump at a distance in the media, the narrative seems to change within the House chambers. Bacon has voted in unison with the presidents desires a whopping 97 percent of the time, more than anyone else weve covered in this series to this point. Whats up with the Republican(s)? Don Bacon is still in the infancy of his political career. His slim 2016 victory over Democratic incumbent Brad Ashford was viewed as an upset, and this is the first public office hes held. Until that victory, Bacons only political experience was as an aide to Rep. Jeff Fortenberry. Bacon has supplanted his lack of experience in office with a long, decorated career in the United States Air Force, part of which was served at Offutt Air Force Base. Bacon retired as a Brigadier General in 2015, and has since been an advocate for the advancement of electronic warfare. He worked heavily in the field during his service and sees it as imperative to combating future threats. He has also been vocal about combating Russian and Chinese threats in both outer space and cyberspace while calling for an increased U.S. military presence in the Balkans to counter Russian interests in the region. His 2016 campaign platform focused on the usual GOP talking points, such as lowering the national debt, decreasing regulations and further strengthening the military, but entering office at the same time as Trump led him to skew policy decisions toward more fringe positions. While Bacon audibly broke with the president over DACA protections, his support of other failed and unfavorable legislative decisions as led to increased anger within the district. At a town hall last month, Bacons defense of his support of the repeal of Obamacare, the tax reform bill and pro-gun legislation drew ire from attendees. In defense of the Trump administrations divisive immigration reform plan, Bacon told his audience that 15 terrorists attempt to enter the country each day, citing a briefing from the Department of Homeland Security. The remark drew dismissive laughter from the audience. That reaction is going completely unheard by Bacons campaign. Campaign ads supporting Bacon that mention the unpopular tax reform bill, the only substantial bit of legislation passed by Congress since Trump took office, have decreased by more than half since January, which is both smart and discouraging. Many conservative candidates have seen backlash as they try to promote their reelection bids based on the tax bill, but they havent been able to find a substantial enough replacement for such a pillar, leaving their campaigns markedly weaker by comparison to those of Democrats. Bacon has also been criticized for taken campaign contributions from Robert Mercer, an investor in Cambridge Analytica (and Steve Bannons erstwhile patron), the Koch Industries PAC and Mike Pences Great America Committee. Whats up with the Democrat(s)? Two candidates are locked in a tight struggle heading into the May 15 primary: former Rep. Brad Ashford and Omaha nonprofit director Kara Eastman. The battle between the two has been drawn along philosophical and regional lines. The more centrist Ashford has garnered more national support, including a donation from House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, while Eastmans more progressive platform has drummed up support within local and state political circles. In a debate last month, the two clashed over a Medicare-for-all initiative supported by Eastman. Ashford said any plan of that nature would never pass in a divided Congress, suggesting that focus be put more on restoring Obamacare protections removed by Republicans. Eastman has been critical of Ashfords political leanings, stating that she was the only true Democrat in the race. Ashford acknowledged his past in both the Republican and Democratic parties, but explained that his experience in both parties have informed his ability to effectively navigate the center. Ashford has also come under fire from Republicans for calling Bacon a carpetbagger in a tweet, referencing the fact that Bacon isnt a local product such as himself. While the comment is problematic, Bacons campaign manager Mary Jane Truempers claim that the comment was offensive to veterans was a bit overblown. Brad Ashford believes that veterans are qualified for his photo ops, but not fit to serve in public office, said Truemper. In another bout of drama, state Republicans later held a vote to condemn the statement. What do the polls say? Bacon has a clear path to the GOP nod for the general election, but the race between Ashford and Eastman remains close heading into next weeks primary. Ashford has the edge in campaign funds, holding a full $200,000 lead over Eastman in fundraising. Both pale in comparison to Bacon, who holds $1.5 million in his coffers. The disparity isnt a good sign for either Democrat, but Ashford also has the fact that he lost to Bacon in 2016 riding against him. Whats weird about the district? That loss by Ashford factors heavily into the messaging around the campaigns of both Dem candidates. Eastman has positioned herself as the new candidate, pushing for a new perspective in the House seat. Ashfords loss impacts the districts perception of his chances against Bacon, which could lead to a push for Eastman. It could also result in some viewing his centrist stance as the best chance at defeating Bacon, similarly to Conor Lambs victory in Pennsylvania. Ashford only lost by 1 point in 2016, which he could point to as an easily surmountable deficit as the country moves away from supporting Trumps new definition of the Republican party. Give me a prediction Ashford probably has the better chance of the two to take down Bacon, but the swing status of the district and narrow margin of victory for Bacon in 2016 mean that either Dem stands a good chance at defeating him. Well go with the Democrat, whoever it may be. Past races: California 48th: Dana Rohrabacher, vs. some Democrat, eventually Florida 26th: Carlos Curbelo vs. Debbie Mucarsel-Powell Colorado 6th: Mike Coffman vs. Jason Crow Washington 8th: Dino Rossi vs. too many infighting Dems Iowa 1st: Rod Blum vs. Probably Abby Finkenauer Machine learning can give you a version of the Internet tailored to fit your specific needs and wants. Googles been beating that drum for years, but the vision manifested itself in fresh, impressive ways in an overhauled Google Maps app revealed during the companys I/O keynote. And then Google knocked our socks off with a thrilling vision of how augmented reality and computer vision could radically transform walking directions in the future. A redesigned Explore tab and a new For You tab will make Maps more personal for each of its 1 billion-plus users in the coming months, as the interface will be populated with restaurants, businesses, and activities from your local haunts. The focus will be on interesting events (like new store openings) and personal recommendations to get you to try new things. Beyond mere physical proximity, the new Explore and For You tabs cull their recommendations by cross-referencing trending activities in the area as well as the vast treasure trove of information stored about you on Googles servers. If you prefer Greek restaurants, for example, For You will lean toward those, and conversely avoid culinary selections that you loathe. Google The cards for businesses that appear in your feeds will include a Your Match rating thats essentially Googles guess at whether youll like a given business, once again pulling information from your personal profile. If you like healthy food and Greek cuisine, a new healthy Greek eatery would appear in For You with a high Your Match score, whereas a greasy spoon might not rate so highly. Picking a restaurant to hang out at socially can be difficult even with the power of personalized recommendations. Google Maps is gaining a Shortlist feature that lets you select a handful of businesses to share with your friends to help narrow down the selection, eliminating the need to pass around links in a group text. Your pals can add recommendations of their own and vote for which place they want to visit. To make things even more personal, Google Assistant is bringing its AI smarts to Maps later this summer. You can read more in our Google Assistant wrap-up report. Google Finally, Google also teased a potential future feature that taps into your phones camera to drastically change how the walking directions function. Blending computer vision with machine learning from the cloud transforms Maps into a Street View-like augmented reality experience. Holding up your camera still show a tiny sliver of the map (as you can see in the screenshot above), but also the world around youand the world is overlaid with visual directions to your destination, as well as pop-up cards displaying info of any businesses you pass. You might even be able to add a virtual guide to your destination (a fox, in Googles demo). Think of the new on-foot interface for Google Maps like a supremely handy Frankensteinian mash-up of Google Lens and Google Daydream. The company didnt announce any firm plans for the AR revamps rollout, but we cant wait to get out hands on itassuming this augmented reality vision becomes actual reality one day, that is. Petoskey artist to open mobile art trailer, store A desire for a more functional and portable vending store has led one Petoskey artist to build a new one slated to open next week. Paul Michael Bloodgood Says Goodbye to Ballet Austin and Hello to His Next Career: Directing Films Paul Michael Bloodgood , a longtime leading man at Ballet Austin, ends his 19-year career with the company this weekend in Paul Vasterlings Peter Pan. But in between layoffs and after rehearsals, hes been steadily working towards his next phase: creating a full-length feature documentary called Trenches of Rock. The movie, which focuses on his fathers Christian heavy metal band and the challenges they faced in the music industry, has been enjoying screenings at film festivals around the worldand winning awards along the way. Pointe spoke with Bloodgood about how hes feeling as he ends his dance career and transitions into filmmaking. Whats on your mind as you wrap up your final performances at Ballet Austin? I just want to be in the moment as much as I can and savor the time onstage with my coworkers. Upon reflection of the past 20 years, the moments of honest emotion and connection with others are what I will cherish the most. There are so many aspects of humanity to explore, and I am so grateful to have had so much time to cogitate what dance has to offer to the human condition. Do you recall a threshold role, where you felt like you really arrived in your dance career? Performing a principal role in Balanchines Episodes when Ballet Austin partnered with the Suzanne Farrell Ballet was in many ways the penultimate achievement, after having studied in the Balanchine method for so many years. Albrecht in Giselle was also a highlight, in terms of how I felt physically throughout the experience. But Stephen Mills Light / The Holocaust & Humanity Project has been the pinnacle of my career. The universal themes concerning bigotry, hatred, and no longer being a bystander have as much meaning now as they did when the work was created in 2005. What role really fit your skill set? Stephen Mills Hamlet. Its a great mix of contemporary movement, floor work, partnering, martial arts, fencing and acting. I had the privilege of understudying Desmond Richardson in the title role my first time around and I rehearsed the ballet in full swing for weeks until he arrived. It was a great way for me to get my feet wet before jumping into the deep end years later. In Stephen Mills Hamlet. Photo by Anne-Marie Bloodgood, courtesy Ballet Austin. What will you miss most about dancing? Performing. The heightened sense of it all, the fact that youre just laying everything on the tabletheres nothing like it and nothing can take its place. I will miss it terribly, which is why Ill probably find myself onstage again in some capacity down the road. Youve acted in several movies, including Transformers. Can you talk about your transition into filmmaking? I caught the acting bug while dancing with Ballet Pacifica (now defunct) in California. My first time on television was actually a Bill Nye, the Science Guy episode titled Bones and Muscles while I was a student at Pacific Northwest Ballet School, so the film industry and I have been courting each other for some time. I love acting, but my attention of late has been focused on the creativity behind the camera versus in front. Bloodgood in Light / The Holocaust & Humanity Project. Photo by Amitava Sarkar, courtesy Ballet Austin. You recently made a documentary about your dads Christian heavy metal band called Trenches of Rock. How did it come about? Id read that for your first big film project, you should stick with a subject that you know. I didnt feel I could offer something unique enough on the subject of dance, so I shifted my focus to music. I came close to following a local Austin bands struggle to make it in the industry, and then it hit me: BLOODGOOD, my fathers band, had an incredible story and dealt with a bizarre combination of subject matter (a spiritual context and heavy metal) that hadnt really been told as a feature-length documentary. In their early years, BLOODGOOD had both Christian and Satanist protesters at the same shows. They had multiple death threats made on their lives. People like to laugh it off and dismiss their relevance, but bands like BLOODGOOD are some of the bravest musicians youll ever encounter. I didnt set out to make a Christian film. I made a music documentary that just happens to be about a band with faith-based lyrics. My goal was to make the film as entertaining as possible, whether youre a religious person or an atheist. My wonderful executive producer James Moll mentored me for years throughout the process, and words cant express my gratitude toward him. With the band BLOODGOOD and his wife Anne-Marie at the Hollywood INdependent Film Festival. Photo courtesy Paul Michael Bloodgood. What have the reactions been like? The reception has been overwhelmingly positivebut it wasnt easy! I spent 5 years creating this film, and when we began submitting to festivals, we were turned down everywhere for over a year. It made me question whether I had the goods to continue pursuing film as a secondary career. We finally received our big break with our official selection at the Atlanta Film Festival in 2017. I then emailed hundreds of festivals all over the worldand here we are! Trenches of Rock has been an official selection of 17 festivals and received 11 accolades, including multiple Best Feature Documentary, Best Director and Best Editing awards. I couldnt be more honored and thankful. Whats next for you? I hope for film to be a part of my future career path. I recently received a distribution offer for Trenches of Rock from a very reputable company, so who knows where that might lead. Im grateful that Ive already found another passion (in film) to replace the void that dance will leave when I retire. NV Productions is all about the millennial in society. Their mission statement proudly boasts a commitment to the telling of stories by, for, and about millennials, free of condescension, and empowering them as creators and decision-makers. The girl behind those green-eyed initials is Nicole Vukov, and her attitude to the work is enviable indeed. "We want to push boundaries and tell stories that are always kept behind closed doors. We want to bring to light arguments and themes that have been normalized in modern day society," she says with typical forthrightness, "We're ready to break down walls." Based on her track record, this isn't surprising at all. "In the last year I starred in two off-broadway shows. Conversations with an Average Joe written and directed by Senator Joe Carraro," she explains, "I starred alongside Emmy Award-winning producer Kevin Magee. We ran at the renowned Jerry Orbach Theater (Home of The Fantasticks, the longest running musical of all time), and at the Davenport theater." And that's just the tip of the iceberg. In the same year she also starred in an original production by the world-renowned Italian writer Dacia Maraini produced by the Italytime Cultural Center. "My next project with italytime will be starring as the lead in a one woman show. La Clausola by Aldo Nicolaj. Look out for it on May 25th. "I also recently came from performing a critical role in a T. Schreiber Studio Production of Love & Information at the Helen Mills Theater," she adds with a smile. Nicole Vukov In between all of that you'd hardly believe she has the time for anything else, but low and behold, she and her company, the afore mentioned NV Productions, have two new projects coming soon on a stage near you (Provided you live in New York City). Their titles are Highlights & Shadows and The Immigrant Story Of A Millennial Dream, and you definitely want to catch them. "I believe these are stories that haven't found their platform in the conventional theatre," she explains, "So it's up to people like us to give them one." With much of modern Broadway, and a lot of Off-Broadway, catering largely to their aging subscriber-base, there seems to be less of a chance for millennial stories to get a meaningful look in. "As a young woman in this industry and as a part of this generation I have felt so empowered by the acts of change in the last year. We need to keep emboldening people with those stories, and my way of doing that is through the arts," she describes passionately. The Immigrant Story of a Millenial Dream Highlights & Shadows is about three young Millennial girls navigating the ins and outs of muliebrity in the second millennium. "It explores the themes of mental burden, sex and consequence. It questions the term "It's fine, I'm fine" and highlights conversations that girls keep behind closed doors," continues Vukov, "It's lighthearted, but with a strong message at the core. We want it to start conversations." Nicole Vukov, Julia Fisk and Alessandra Edgar star in the production, and the play is co-written by the three of them. The play just finished its run at the Producer's Club to general praise. But the team is far from done The Immigrant Story Of A Millennial Dream is an original one-woman show that, as the title suggests, tells the story of a young immigrant girl trying to pursue her millennial dream. "The millennial dream is whatever you want it to be," Says Vukov, "It's an homage to the American Dream and how the millennial generation is redefining it. I won't say much, but it all starts with a key and there's a twist," she smiles coyly. The show will perform at The Producers Club, May 10th and 17th. "I'm very excited," Vukov says. Nicole Vukov NV, on top of it's already considerable workload, has also just announced an upcoming one-act play: Faded Apart, a thriller about two siblings trying to find their way back to each other. This will also be performed at The Producer's Club. Thomas Burns Scully is a PopDust contributor, and also an award-winning actor, playwright, and musician. In his spare time he writes and designs escape rooms. You can follow him on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. POPDUST | Read More 'Wonder Woman', 'Beauty and the Beast' and outrage film marketing Eddie Izzard: transgender, hilarious, and heartbreaking 'Pop Punk High', a pop punk musical comedy? Um... yes please! Charleston, SC (29403) Today Partly cloudy this evening, then becoming cloudy after midnight. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. Low 69F. Winds NNE at 5 to 10 mph.. Tonight Partly cloudy this evening, then becoming cloudy after midnight. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. Low 69F. Winds NNE at 5 to 10 mph. Charleston restaurants won two awards Monday night in Chicago at the James Beard Foundation's annual ceremony. FIG picked up the national award for Outstanding Wine Program and Rodney Scott of Rodney Scott's BBQ won for Best Chef: Southeast. Scott took three steps toward the winners podium before he was struck by what the award meant: The food has to be good tomorrow, he told himself. That nervousness kicked in, he said, adding that he figured he had at least two or three years of being nominated before hed take the prize. Mike Lata of FIG, who nine years ago claimed the same title, recalled that in the wake of receiving the honor, he was also concerned about meeting the expectations of the guests. But he quickly discovered he had no reason to worry: He feels he did the best cooking of his career immediately after winning. Lata felt FIG had a good shot at winning the Outstanding Wine Program award, partly because two weeks ago he ate at FIG, and was deeply impressed by general manager Morgan Colcotes recitation of the wine list. Still, he concurred with Scotts takeaway from the evening: Time to get to work, Scott said. It was Scott's first nomination for the award, somewhat unusual for a winner. He is the first African-American to receive the Southeast accolade and is only the second barbecue pitmaster to be recognized by the Beard awards. Scott opened his restaurant in downtown Charleston in 2017 and is known for smoking whole hogs in a barbecue pit fueled by fresh wood. Back in March, when his nomination was announced, Scott said he was speechless. Aaron Franklin of Franklin's Barbecue in Texas was the first pitmaster to win a Beard award in 2015 for Best Chef: Southwest. Since then, pitmasters have been gradually showing up on the JBFA long list, including Elliott Moss of Buxton Hall in Asheville and Sam Jones of Sam Jones BBQ in Winterville, N.C. A crew from FIG restaurant, including Lata and his business partner Adam Nemirow, traveled to the ceremony and received their award for Outstanding Wine Program after a fourth nomination. When accepting the award, Nemirow introduced Morgan Calcote, the restaurant's wine director. He also thanked Lata and chef Jason Stanhope along with several former managers including Brooks Reitz, David McCarus and Justin Coleman, who helped shepherd the wine list over the years. The category recognizes "a restaurant in operation five or more years that serves as a standard bearer for excellence in wine service through a well-presented wine list, knowledgeable staff, and efforts to educate customers about wine." Other nominees in the wine program category were a.o.c. of Los Angeles, Bacchanal of New Orleans, Benu of San Francisco and The Little Nell of Aspen, Colo. Overseen by Nemirow and guided by general manager Calcote, the FIG wine list is noted for being small but focused. The list mirrors the philosophy of chefs Mike Lata and Jason Stanhope who take a hyper-seasonal approach to food with an emphasis on quality farmers and purveyors. On its website, the restaurant puts it this way: "Our wine list is focused on relevance and quality rather than depth or quantity. Labels range from important newcomers to Old-World classics with a nod to small family wineries who put as much love and care into their wines as we do our food." In other words, the list is carefully curated with an eye toward value and undiscovered gems. Cult wines like a Timorasso from Vigneti Massa coexist alongside Old World varietals such as Cabernet Franc from Bernard Beaudry or a coveted bottle of 2015 Chardonnay from Francois Mikulski. FIG also won Best Chef: Southeast for Chefs Mike Lata in 2009 and Jason Stanhope in 2015. Authorities are asking for the public's help identifying four people they believe broke into a Charleston Fire Department station downtown and stole firefighting equipment. The burglary happened around 3:15 a.m. Saturday at 5 Cannon St., Station 6, according to the Charleston Police Department. The suspects, two white males and two white females, were seen on surveillance video footage carrying away firefighting equipment, police said. The two males appear to have beards and their hair pulled back in buns. Firefighters had left the station to respond to a call, according to a police incident report. When they got back at 3:37 a.m., they found the station's back door open. As they looked around, firefighters noticed two helmets, worth $250 each, and one firefighting coat, worth $1,500, were missing, the report stated. The items were later found discarded in an alley next to the station, the report stated. Anyone who believes they recognize the suspects should contact the on-duty Charleston Police Department central detective at 843-743-7200. The can also contact Detective Roberts at 843-720-2541 or robertsl@charleston-sc.gov. PR-Inside.com: 2018-05-08 07:57:02 Press Information My Cubby 1 Sparkes Street, Kippa-Ring, QLD 4021 Australia My Cubby 1800 12 15 13 email https://www.mycubby.com.au/ Published by Cam Wilkes 006499503888 e-mail https://www.pureseo.co.nz # 561 Words 1 Sparkes Street, Kippa-Ring, QLD 4021 Australia1800 12 15 13Cam Wilkes006499503888 Parents and early childhood educators have voiced their concerns about what they see as the decline of play-based learning in schools. They blame NAPLAN testing and the pressure to succeed for making modern-day school unnecessarily stressful for young children.Dr Sandra Hesterman, a senior lecturer in early childhood education at Perth's Murdoch University, said more was expected of children in kindergarten and pre-primary school than ever before. "Pre-primary has become like Year 1 would have been 20 years ago," Dr Hesterman told ABC Radio Perth. "For example, expectation in learning phonics; the phonics that children in Year 2 would have learned 25 years ago are now introduced into kindergarten and pre-primary." She said pressures to meet literacy and numeracy objectives meant the time spent doing free play and play-based learning was restricted in many schools."Free play is the cornerstone of early childhood education," she said. "The word 'play' has become problematic. That is the feedback that comes from teachers, early childhood teachers in particular, and definitely from the leading WA early childhood advocacy groups." She said the parents and teachers she spoke with would like to see play-based learning mandated across the state. We want universal access to quality play-based learning for every child in Western Australia," she said. "People don't think that it is satisfactory that it's an ad-hoc implementation across the state." Brisbane-based outdoor play specialist My Cubby is also pushing a similar message. The company is on a mission to get children outdoors. Their range of kids cubby houses allow children to take a break from technology and get them outdoors with fun-filled healthy play activities. The company believes outdoor play in the early years of life has a profound and lasting influence on a childs health, wellbeing, and long-term development.One of the best things about My Cubbys activities is that parents can be in the know about what their kids are doing unlike many online games and activities. These outdoor activities inspire them to use their imagination and develop their creativity in new ways. Moreover, the cubbies are designed in a way that makes them perfect for the Australian climate.My Cubby has made and installed over 1,000 cubby houses around Australia. My Cubby takes pride in the fact that not just these families that installed the cubby houses but also the children of their neighbours, relatives and friends have been positively impacted. Besides this they are also happy that they have introduced a lot of children of this generation to the joy of spending time outdoors and using their imagination in adventurous ways.Their range of wooden cubbies will help fill plays needs of all children. These include Duplex, Forts, Triplex, Classic Cubby Houses, Adventurer and Childcare Cubbies among others. My Cubby can customise the playhouse according to the space available in the backyard and the childs physical needs and abilities, like making it wheelchair accessible.My Cubby delivers nationwide. They have freight options depending on the delivery location in Australia.For more information about cubby houses, diy cubby house, cubby house decorating ideas, how to make a cubby house and more, call 1800 121513 or email info@ mycubby.com.au Get more ideas for play from My Cubby through their website http://www.mycubby.com.au Reference: PR-Inside.com: 2018-05-08 09:34:02 CHICAGO, May 08, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- iManage, the company dedicated to transforming how professionals work, today announced that Anthony Collins Solicitors-a Birmingham, UK-based specialist law firm with a purpose to improve lives, communities and society-chooses iManage Cloud for its Work Product Management. Anthony Collins Solicitors was frustrated by the limitations of its existing Envision document management system and sought a more robust solution. iManage's Work Product Management platform was selected to deliver their professionals a more intuitive user experience, enhanced search capabilities and better remote access to their documents and emails. Deploying the solution in iManage Cloud, rather than on-premises, offers several significant advantages. "We've known for quite some time that Envision wouldn't be able to deliver a robust document platform due to their limited future roadmap," said Paul Harker, Head of IT, Anthony Collins Solicitors. "We considered all the document management cloud offerings on the market and iManage gives us a secure and reliable system. In terms of availability, performance and security, iManage Cloud is far more advanced than anything we could try to build ourselves on-premises. We trust iManage fully, which makes our decision to move to iManage Cloud a no-brainer." Built on the latest technologies used by the largest cloud vendors, iManage Cloud delivers the industry's leading Work Product Management capabilities with scalable, reliable performance. iManage Cloud also provides a deep set of application and operational security features, to monitor and protect all data from malicious or unwanted access. iManage partner Phoenix Business Solutions is assisting with the firm's move to iManage Cloud. "Today's top firms don't want to be held back by legacy products that are no longer being updated by the vendor," said Geoff Hornsby, General Manager, EMEA, iManage. "Firms like Anthony Collins Solicitors are increasingly choosing iManage Cloud to provide their professionals the tools they need to work more efficiently. The secure, high availability environment of iManage Cloud means their professionals always have access to their critical work product, so they can stay productive and carry out the high-caliber work for which the firm is widely recognized." Follow iManage via: Twitter: https://twitter.com/imanageinc Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/iManageinc/ Blog: https://imanage.com/blog/ Vimeo: https://vimeo.com/imanage LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/imanage About iManage iManage transforms how professionals in legal, accounting and financial services get work done by combining the power of artificial intelligence with market leading document and email management. iManage automates routine cognitive tasks, provides powerful insights and streamlines how professionals work, while maintaining the highest level of security and governance over critical client and corporate data. Over one million professionals at over 3,000 organizations in over 65 countries - including more than 2,000 law firms and 500 corporate legal departments - rely on iManage to deliver great client work. Most recently it was translated only into English, but now we add new languages to the site and it becomes multilingual. The German version is already ready and soon the Spanish, Portuguese and Dutch versions will be released. Disclaimer: If you have any questions regarding information in this press release please contact the company added in the press release. Please do not contact pr-inside. We will not be able to assist you. PR-inside disclaims the content included in this release. PR-Inside.com: 2018-05-09 00:11:18 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 389 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 FSCwire / Press ReleaseThe following press release was disseminated by FSCwire for Erin Ventures Inc.--- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- ---Victoria, British Columbia (FSCWire) - Erin Ventures Inc. (TSX Venture:EV). has issued a press release with the following headline:Erin Ventures Announces Intention to Amend Convertible DebenturesTo 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 Erin Ventures 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/Erin Ventures Inc.Source: Erin Ventures Inc. (TSX Venture: EV, OTC Bulletin Board: ERVFF, WKN: A0CAFT, ISIN: CA29570H1010)Date: May 08, 2018Time: 6:11 PM EDT--- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- ---The story mentioned above was issued on behalf of Erin Ventures 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 2018 - FSCwire (a division of Filing Services Canada Inc.) PR-Inside.com: 2018-05-08 11:48:03 Feelunique and Indie Beauty Expo Announce Partnership to Bring More Indie Beauty Brands to UK and French Customers Vigo Communications Ben Simons/Antonia Pollock feelunique@vigocomms.com Feelunique, Europes leading online beauty retailer, and Indie Beauty Expo (IBE), the worlds largest exposition of independent beauty brands, are proud to announce a partnership to develop and exhibit the latest and emerging indie beauty collection for consumers in the UK and France. The IBE-Feelunique collaboration will showcase an assortment of products across a range of categories, from skincare to haircare and colour cosmetics. The goal is to provide millions of beauty devotees in the UK and France the opportunity to discover and shop an expertly curated collection of exceptional products to which they may not otherwise have access in these markets. For independent brands, this is a valuable opportunity to find new customers and drive incremental revenue in these major beauty markets. In the first phase of the partnership, IBE and Feelunique will jointly select approximately thirty indie brands from the hundreds who have exhibited or will be exhibiting at IBE. The initial curation will be launched on Feelunique in July 2018. IBE will guide and nurture the selected brands through the onboarding process and work closely with Feelunique to engage and open brands to a European platform. Feelunique will help grow these brands and develop localised storytelling curation, raising community awareness, underpinned by Feeluniques beauty philosophy, Beauty without Boundaries. Independent beauty is an important category for Feelunique, said Joel Palix, CEO of Feelunique. Over the years, we are proud to have supported many young up-and-coming brands. Moving forward, we would like to extend our platform to more brands that lack a presence in the UK and France, he added. That is also why we decided to partner with IBE. They are a pioneer and a recognised leader in independent beauty and their knowledge, network and capabilities in this space are unrivalled. As the leading online beauty retailer in Europe, Feelunique represents a significant opportunity for indie brands to gain exposure in the UK and France. IBEs role to is to help indie brands capitalise on opportunities such as this - to enable them to leverage their strength as a category while overcoming the obstacles they face individually as a small company, said Nader Naeymi-Rad, co-founder of IBE. Jillian Wright, co-founder of IBE added, IBE is here to support beauty entrepreneurs. That is why we want as many beauty shoppers in the UK and France to discover and have access to the amazing innovations that these entrepreneurs are bringing to the market. By working with Feelunique, we believe we can make this happen in a meaningful way. About Feelunique Founded in 2005, Feelunique has grown to become Europes largest online beauty retailer with more than 32,000 products available from 500 brands across makeup, skincare, haircare, fragrance and electricals. Feelunique is a cross-border retailer, shipping to over 120 countries with dedicated websites in the UK, France, the EU, Germany, Norway, China and the US. Feelunique carries major brands including Chanel, Dior, Tom Ford and Nars as well as indie brands such as Charlotte Tilbury, Anastasia, Caudalie and Morocannoil. About Indie Beauty Expo IBEs mission is to provide a platform to recognize and showcase independent beauty brands and to support the growth and success of the entrepreneurs behind them. Launched in 2015, IBE has rapidly grown to become the largest professionally-curated exposition of independent beauty brands. IBE has also launched a range of services to support indie brands including the Best in Show awards, Beauty X summits, Beauty Independent news and knowledge and Retail Advisory services. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20180508005 PR-Inside.com: 2018-05-08 16:05:01 WASHINGTON and ATLANTA, May 08, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- King & Spalding today announced that former Acting Attorney General and Deputy Attorney General Sally Yates has returned to the firm as a partner on the Special Matters & Government Investigations team. Her global practice will be based primarily in Washington, D.C. and Atlanta. Yates, a 27-year veteran of the Department of Justice, rose through the ranks of Assistant United States Attorneys to become U.S. Attorney in Atlanta, Deputy Attorney General, and Acting Attorney General. As Deputy AG from January 2015 through 2017, she served as the second-highest ranking official in the department and was responsible for managing the day-to-day operations of DOJ and its 113,000 employees. She oversaw all prosecutorial, litigation and national security components as well as all U.S. Attorneys' offices and DOJ law enforcement agencies, including the FBI, DEA, ATF, U.S. Marshals Service and the Bureau of Prisons. She is currently a Distinguished Lecturer at Georgetown University Law Center focused on public policy. "Sally Yates is a lawyer's lawyer," said Robert D. Hays, Jr. chairman of King & Spalding. "Her return continues a longstanding K&S tradition of launching young lawyers into public service and welcoming them back into private practice. Adding Sally is a remarkable development for our firm and our clients." While Deputy Attorney General, Yates was responsible for overseeing the Department's most significant matters and for crafting and implementing initiatives focused on many of DOJ's strategic priorities, including corporate fraud, cybercrime, gang violence, civil rights and financial crime. Additionally, she led DOJ's criminal justice reform initiatives during her tenure and implemented substantial prison reform measures. Prior to assuming her duties as Deputy Attorney General, Yates served for five years as the first female U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Georgia. She immediately became a leader in the Department, serving as the vice chair of the Attorney General's Advisory Committee. An accomplished trial lawyer, she prosecuted a wide variety of complex cases, specializing in white collar matters. She tried numerous high-profile public corruption cases, including one against the former mayor of Atlanta, and was lead prosecutor in the case against Olympic bomber Eric Rudolph. Yates said, "I'm excited to get back to practicing law with the firm where I started my career. Not only was K&S my first legal home, it has an unparalleled tradition of legal excellence, uncompromising ethics, and commitment to civic engagement and public service. I'm looking forward to building upon the firm's independent investigations practice for public and private organizations and boards, and helping organizational leadership navigate complex and sensitive challenges. And I'm excited to be practicing with such an exceptional group of lawyers and staff who truly work as a team to do the very best legal work." "We are very fortunate to have Sally join our team," said Special Matters practice Chair Wick Sollers. "As a legal strategist, independent investigator and trial lawyer, she is as talented and hardworking as any lawyer I know. She is also widely respected for her integrity and resolve. We are confident that general counsel, CEOs and boards of directors will welcome her insight, especially if they need an independent counsel who can navigate a matter with civil, criminal or reputational ramifications." "U.S. and multinational entities that need a trusted perspective from independent, credible counsel can rely on Sally and our team throughout the firm's 20 offices around the world. Whether supported by our long-established offices in Atlanta, D.C., New York and London, or our other offices, including the recently-established offices in L.A., Chicago and Tokyo, Sally has the resources of one of the most sophisticated Investigations practices in the world that can handle any matter, anywhere," said Mark Jensen, managing partner of the Washington, D.C. office. Before entering government service, Yates worked as a King & Spalding civil litigation associate from 1986 to 1989. She earned her BA from the University of Georgia and her JD, magna cum laude, from the University of Georgia School of Law. Yates is the sixth former federal prosecutor to join King & Spalding's Special Matters & Government Investigations team in the past year. About King & Spalding Celebrating more than 130 years of service, King & Spalding is an international law firm that represents a broad array of clients, including half of the Fortune Global 100, with 1,000 lawyers in 20 offices in the United States, Europe, the Middle East and Asia. The firm has handled matters in over 160 countries on six continents and is consistently recognized for the results it obtains, uncompromising commitment to quality, and dedication to understanding the business and culture of its clients. More information is available at www.kslaw.com. Media Contact: Micheline Tang 212-556-2301 mtang@kslaw.com Appendix - Select List of Awards for Sally Yates American College of Trial Lawyers, Fellow, State Chair Southern Center for Human Rights 2018 Luminary Award, 2018 University of Georgia School of Law Distinguished Service Scroll, 2018 Anti-Defamation League Elbert B. Tuttle Jurisprudence Award, 2018 John Holliman Jr. Lifetime Achievement Award, UGA Grady College of Journalism and Mass Communication, 2018 Bar Association of Washington D.C. Lawyer of the Year, 2017 American Constitution Society Legal Legend Award, 2017 Muslim Advocates Freedom Award, 2017 Islamic Speakers Bureau Courage Award, 2017 Detroit NAACP Freedom and Justice Award, 2017 Emory University Public Interest Inspiration Award, 2016 Urban League of Greater Atlanta Champion of Justice Award Atlanta Bar Association Leadership Award Attorney General's John Marshall Award Stonewall Bar Association Award University of Georgia Distinguished Alumni Award Common Cause of Georgia Democracy Award Georgia Asylum and Immigration Network Award Foundation for Improvement of Justice Award Department of Justice Director's Award FBI Director's Award ATF Director's Award A photo accompanying this announcement is available at http://resource.globenewswire.com/Resource/Download/a40c4240-4304-449b-8fb8-1a7c9694d1e8 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: King & Spalding LLC via Globenewswire PR-Inside.com: 2018-05-08 12:14:01 Network enhancement to meet growing connectivity demand between Europe and the emerging markets in the Middle East and Asia GCX, PrimeTel Strengthen Partnership with 100Gbps Upgrade to Subsea Cable System HAWK at Cyprus Hub Global Cloud Xchange Rajeev Narayan, +91 93 1041 4119 rnarayan@globalcloudxchange.com Global Cloud Xchange (GCX), a subsidiary of Reliance Communications Limited (RCOM), and Cyprus leading telecommunications provider PrimeTel today announced further enhancement of their partnership with a 100Gbps upgrade to GCXs HAWK subsea cable system branch into Cyprus. This network upgrade will offer robust connectivity solutions and drive new business opportunities across the strategic Europe-Cyprus-Middle East-Asia route. With the recent upgrade, we have now broadened our reach into PrimeTels Cyprus Hub in Yeroskipos, providing enhanced coverage to meet the growing demand for high-performance, low-latency connectivity across the emerging markets in the Middle East and Asia, said Wilfred Kwan, Chief Operating Officer, RCOM & GCX. The network enhancement has already started to attract interest across key growth markets and we are pleased that the first 100Gbps wavelength connection for a major carrier is already in the process of being activated. Businesses across the globe require new levels of support to facilitate the mass movement of Internet traffic, OTT content, enterprise data and Cloud computing services. Through our partnership with GCX, we will further establish Cyprus as a leading telecommunications hub in the Eastern Mediterranean and tap on its prime geographic location to accommodate exponentially growing bandwidth needs across the emerging markets, said Theodosis Theodosiou, Chief Commercial Officer, PrimeTel. Connectivity between the diverse geographic regions is facilitated through the integration of GCXs next-generation HAWK submarine cable system with PrimeTels Cyprus gateway and hub, activated in 2011, to enable ultra-high bandwidth services across the rapidly-evolving Emerging Markets corridor. HAWK, an express subsea cable between Marseille and Alexandria with a capacity of 20Tbps, is part of GCXs privately-owned Global Network, which consists of five subsea cable systems, spanning the globe and linking up established markets in Europe and North America to the Middle East, including all countries in the Gulf region, and key Asian markets such as India, Singapore, Hong Kong and Japan. With its strategic geographical position in the Eastern Mediterranean, PrimeTel is able to offer reliable and low-latency connections to neighboring countries, designed to meet business needs for scalability, flexibility, efficiency and security for the wider Eastern Europe and Middle East region. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20180508005 PR-Inside.com: 2018-05-08 13:00:17 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 389 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 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 to Dividend Shares in Ubique, Buchans Wileys, and GanderTo 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, FWB: 2TL, WKN: A1W8UJ, ISIN: CA3935762029)Date: May 08, 2018Time: 7:00 AM EDT--- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- ---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 2018 - FSCwire (a division of Filing Services Canada Inc.) PR-Inside.com: 2018-05-08 11:32:01 FOSTER CITY, Calif., May 08, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- GridGain Systems, provider of enterprise-grade in-memory computing solutions based on Apache Ignite(TM), today highlighted its ongoing commitment to helping businesses of all sizes understand how in-memory computing can help them address the speed and scalability and real-time performance requirements of modern, data-intensive applications developed for digital transformation and omnichannel customer experience initiatives. "In-memory computing is now a mainstream enterprise technology, but organizations still have many questions about which solutions will meet their requirements and how best to deploy them," said Terry Erisman, Vice President of Marketing at GridGain. "Our in-memory computing experts always enjoy the opportunity to share their practical knowledge about which distributed in-memory computing solutions and strategies are best suited to the range of data-intensive use cases that today's enterprises face." Over the coming months, GridGain will host or participate in the following conferences, webinars and meetups: Webinars Machine and Deep Learning with Apache Ignite - May 16, 2018 - GridGain Technology Evangelist Akmal Chaudhri will discuss the built-in machine learning and deep learning capabilities in Apache Ignite Release 2.4. How Apache Ignite Adds Speed and Scale to Existing Applications with No Rip and Replace - May 30, 2018 - GridGain Director of Product Management and Apache Ignite PMC Chairman Denis Magda will discuss how companies are innovating and improving the customer experience by adding hybrid transactional/analytical processing (HTAP) without ripping and replacing their existing applications. Conferences IoT World 2018 - May 14-17, 2018 - On Wednesday, May 16, GridGain Director of Product Management and Apache Ignite PMC Chairman Denis Magda will present "Apache Spark(TM) and Apache Ignite: Where Fast Data Meets the IoT." Phocuswright Europe 2018 - May 15-17, 2018 - GridGain will be exhibiting and will discuss how in-memory computing can power great, real-time user experiences for online booking platforms. Spark+AI Summit 2018 - June 4-6, 2018 - GridGain will be exhibiting and will discuss how to improve Apache Spark performance using Spark RDDs and DataFrames support in the GridGain and Apache Ignite in-memory computing platforms. Apache EU Roadshow - June 11-14, 2018 - GridGain Technology Evangelist Akmal Chaudhri will present "Apache Spark and Apache Ignite: Where Fast Data Meets the IoT." In-Memory Computing Summit Europe 2018 - June 25-26, 2018 - GridGain will host the second annual In-Memory Computing Summit Europe, the premier conference for individuals that are currently using or exploring using in-memory computing. Conference breakout sessions are in five tracks: Tales from the Trenches, New Capabilities, Architecture, Streaming Data, and Hardware. Speakers include representatives from companies such as Oracle, Intel, NEC Corporation of America, GridGain Systems, Hazelcast, iguazio, Neeve Research, ScaleOut Software, Software AG, Bouquet.ai, and VoltDB. Meetups London In-Memory Computing Meetup - May 9, 2018 - GridGain Technology Evangelist Akmal Chaudhri will present current best practices in HTAP in a talk titled "Comparing Apache Ignite and Apache Cassandra for Hybrid Transactional/Analytical Processing (HTAP)." Bay Area In-Memory Computing Meetup - May 17, 2018 - GridGain Lead Architect Valentin (Val) Kulichenko will explain how to leverage Spark RDDs and DataFrames support to share state across multiple Spark jobs using Apache Ignite. SQL NYC, The NoSQL & NewSQL Database Meetup - June 26, 2018 - GridGain Director of Product Management and Apache Ignite PMC Chairman Denis Magda will present "To Infinity and Beyond... That's the speed of your new in-memory SQL app!" NYC In-Memory Computing Meetup - June 27, 2018 - GridGain Director of Product Management and Apache Ignite PMC Chairman Denis Magda will present "How Apache Ignite Adds Speed and Scale to Existing Applications with No Rip and Replace." - June 27, 2018 - GridGain Director of Product Management and Apache Ignite PMC Chairman Denis Magda will present "How Apache Ignite Adds Speed and Scale to Existing Applications with No Rip and Replace." Docker New York City - June 28, 2018 - GridGain Director of Product Management and Apache Ignite PMC Chairman Denis Magda will present "How to Build an Event-Driven, Dynamically Re-Configurable Micro-Services Platform." About GridGain Systems GridGain Systems is revolutionizing real-time data access and processing by offering an in-memory computing platform built on Apache Ignite(TM). GridGain solutions are used by global enterprises in financial, software, e-commerce, retail, online business services, healthcare, telecom and other major sectors, with a client list that includes Barclays, ING, Sberbank, Finastra, IHS Markit, Workday, and Huawei. GridGain delivers unprecedented speed and massive scalability to both legacy and greenfield applications. Deployed on a distributed cluster of commodity servers, GridGain software can reside between the application and data layers (RDBMS, NoSQL and Apache Hadoop), requiring no rip-and-replace of the existing databases, or it can be deployed as an in-memory transactional SQL database. GridGain is the most comprehensive in-memory computing platform for high-volume ACID transactions, real-time analytics, web-scale applications, continuous learning and HTAP. For more information, visit gridgain.com. CONTACT: Terry Erisman GridGain Systems terisman@gridgain.com (650) 241-2281 GridGain is a trademark or registered trademark of GridGain Systems, Inc. Apache, Apache Hadoop, Hadoop, Apache Ignite, Ignite, Apache Spark, and Spark, are trademarks of The Apache Software Foundation. All other product and company names herein may be trademarks of their registered owners. PR-Inside.com: 2018-05-08 13:03:02 Worlds leading research firm, Moogsoft customers and partners, and AIOps experts to share insights on how artificial intelligence can transform enterprise IT operations London, September 6 San Francisco, August 30 Moogsoft Announces Open Registration for 2018 AIOps Symposium Moogsoft Chris Nguyen, +1 415-450-0908 chris.nguyen@moogsoft.com or BLASTmedia for Moogsoft Jake Doll, +1 317-806-1900 ext. 122 jake@blastmedia.com Moogsoft, a leader of artificial intelligence for IT operations (AIOps), today announced open registration for its second annual industry-leading AIOps Symposium. The exclusive event will feature special presentations and interactive sessions from guest Gartner analysts Colin Fletcher and Vivek Bhalla and Moogsoft customers and partners, including SAP SuccessFactors. AIOps industry leaders will share practical advice for how enterprises can use artificial intelligence to transform their IT operations and gain agility, lower operational costs, and deliver better customer experiences. Registration is now open and limited to 100 guests for London and 300 guests for San Francisco, with complimentary registration available through May 31. Reserve a spot today: AIOps Symposium London, September 6 at Sea Containers AIOps Symposium San Francisco, August 30 at W Hotel By 2022, 40% of all large enterprises will combine big data and machine learning functionality to support and partially replace monitoring, service desk and automation processes and tasks, according to the August 2017 Market Guide for AIOps Platforms by Gartner, authored by Gartner analysts Will Cappelli, Colin Fletcher, and Pankaj Prasad. For our second annual AIOps Symposium, Moogsoft is excited to bring together a distinguished array of industry leaders and experts from around the globe to celebrate genuine innovation in IT operations, said Phil Tee, CEO and Co-Founder of Moogsoft. We feel that the sheer popularity of this industry-leading event shows how real the wave of adoption of AIOps has become as our industry grapples with the challenge and opportunity of digital transformation. For more information, visit https://www.moogsoft.com/2018-aiops-symposium/. About Moogsoft Moogsoft builds AIOps solutions that help IT teams work faster and smarter to provide better customer experiences. With patented algorithms analysing billions of events daily across the worlds most complex IT environments, Moogsofts unique technology helps enterprise companies such as SAP SuccessFactors, Intuit, GoDaddy, and HCL Technologies avoid outages and increase their operational agility. To learn more, visit www.moogsoft.co.uk. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20180508005 Registration for @Moogsoft's 2018 #AIOps Symposium is open. https://www.moogsoft.com/2018-aiops-symposium/ PR-Inside.com: 2018-05-08 19:03:03 The Annual General Meeting of Odfjell SE was held on May 8th, 2018. All items according to the agenda dated April 13th, 2018 were approved. Election of the Board Pursuant to the Company's Articles of Association, four of the current seven members of the Board were up for election at the Annual General Meeting. The Annual General Meeting re-elected Laurence Ward Odfjell (Chairman), Christine Rdsther, Jannicke Nilsson and Hendricus N. J. Smits for a period of two years. The Board Member Klaus Nyborg resigned from the Board due to other commitments. The Board took the opportunity to thank Klaus Nyborg for his valuable contributions in the turnaround process of the Company over the last couple of years. Dividend payments The General Meeting unanimously approved dividend of NOK 1.50 per share, totaling NOK 117,975,582. The dividend will be paid by DNB Verdipapirservice on May 23rd 2018 to shareholders as of May 8th 2018. Consequently, as from May 9th 2018 the shares will be quoted on the Oslo Stock Exchange exclusive of dividend. Attached please find the minutes from the Annual General Meeting. For more information: Manager IR & Research, Bjrn Kristian Red Email: bkr@odfjell.com , Tel. +47 55 27 47 33 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: Odfjell SE via Globenewswire PR-Inside.com: 2018-05-09 00:31:15 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 387 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 FSCwire / Press ReleaseThe following press release was disseminated by FSCwire for Omineca Mining and Metals Ltd.--- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- ---Saskatoon, SK (FSCWire) - Omineca Mining and Metals Ltd. (TSX Venture:OMM). has issued a press release with the following headline:Omineca Announces Formation of Advisory BoardTo 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 Omineca Mining and Metals Ltd., or to see additional press releases issued by this company, please either click on the link below, or copy and paste the link into your browser: http://www.fscwire.com/public-company/Omineca Mining and Metals Ltd.Source: Omineca Mining and Metals Ltd. (TSX Venture: OMM, ISIN: CA68216T1030)Date: May 08, 2018Time: 6:30 PM EDT--- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- ---The story mentioned above was issued on behalf of Omineca Mining and Metals Ltd. and disseminated through FSCwire.About FSCwireFSCwire (a division of Filing Services Canada Inc.), is a global newswire dissemination, SEDAR, SEDI, and EDGAR / XBRL service provider.FSCwire is a full service global newswire dissemination company and is fully approved by all exchanges in Canada and the U.S. Press releases can be distributed for all sizes of public, private or not for profit companies and any other organization requiring news distribution. In addition to individual companies; public relations, communications and investor relations firms trust FSCwire to distribute press releases for their respective clients.In addition to newswire dissemination FSCwire also offers EDGAR, XBRL, SEDAR, SEDI, and additional services for publicly traded companies. For more information, please go to our website: http://www.fscwire.com Maximum News Dissemination by FSCwire. http://www.fscwire.com Copyright 2018 - FSCwire (a division of Filing Services Canada Inc.) PR-Inside.com: 2018-05-08 17:43:01 WASHINGTON, May 08, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Online News Association today opened the call for entries for the 2018 Online Journalism Awards (OJAs), honoring the best in digital journalism. The awards feature 37 categories and $58,500 in prize money, thanks to the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation, Gannett Foundation, the University of Florida College of Journalism and Communications, Journalism 360 and Democracy Fund. Each year the awards program evolves to reflect changes in industry. New to the 2018 OJAs are: The awards for Excellence in Audio Digital Storytelling and Excellence in Immersive Storytelling return for a second year as the techniques and platforms in both mediums continue to grow. Last year's finalists included FRONTLINE, STAT, NPR and Fusion Media Group. The OJAs recognize outstanding achievement by major media, independent outlets and individuals around the world who are driving innovation in digital journalism. In 2017, the awards received more than 1,100 entries from 32 countries. Winners this year will join the ranks of recent honorees such as The Globe and Mail (Explanatory Reporting; General Excellence), KNBA (Audio Digital Storytelling), Le Temps (General Excellence), The New York Times (Feature), Knoxville News Sentinel / USA TODAY NETWORK (Breaking News) and Emblematic Group (Immersive Storytelling). The 2018 OJAs are open to work published between June 2, 2017 and May 31, 2018. The deadline to enter is June 7, 2018, at 11:59 p.m. ET. Leading journalists and digital media professionals will screen all entries to select semi-finalists. Then a diverse panel of judges will convene to determine finalists and winners that will be announced at the 2018 Online News Association Conference and Awards Ceremony, Sept. 13-15, in Austin, Texas. Entries can be submitted at awards.journalists.org. Applicants are encouraged to review the full Rules and Eligibility before starting their submission. About Online News Association The Online News Association is the world's largest association of online journalists. ONA's mission is to inspire innovation and excellence among journalists to better serve the public. Membership includes journalists, technologists, executives, academics and students who produce news for and support digital delivery systems. ONA also hosts the annual Online News Association Conference and administers the Online Journalism Awards. Contact: Karolle Rabarison, karolle@journalists.org 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: Online News Association via Globenewswire Plasma Fractionation Market projected to grow with significant CAGR over the forecast period Plasma Fractionation Market PR-Inside.com: 2018-05-08 11:06:52 Press Information Precision Business Insights Kemp House, 152 160 City Road, London EC1V 2NX Satya Marketing Lead +1-866-598-1553 email https://www.precisionbusinessinsights.com # 897 Words Kemp House,152 160 City Road,London EC1V 2NXMarketing Lead+1-866-598-1553 Plasma fractionation involves the process of separation, extraction, and purification of plasma. Human plasma contains the large variety of proteins, yet, only a few of these proteins are help in producing therapeutic plasma products. Plasma is used in prevention and treatment of various life-threatening diseases caused by trauma, immunologic disorders, and infections. Plasma fractionation process is majorly used in treating protein deficiency condition in healthcare applications.The proteins extracted from the plasma are categorized into three main classes: Immunoglobulins which are useful in treatment of autoimmune disorders and increasing the immune response of the body, clotting factors which are help in treatment of blood disorders such as Hemophilia, and the albumins which are useful in conditions of decreased albumin levels or during fluid loss. Plasma fractionation process is carried by different methods such as solubility of the products, and their physical and chemical conditions such as ionic strengths, pH levels, and temperature, etc. The removal or inactivation of viruses and prions is an important function of plasma fractionation, and it can be carried by various mechanical and physical treatments for virus inactivation such as Nanofiltration, detergent/solvent treatment, heat treatment, chromatography, centrifugation, ultrafiltration, and sterile filtration in order to achieve homogeneity of plasma, and reduce the risks of viral transmissions.A sample of this report is available upon request @Plasma fractionation market expected to grow at a significant rate due to rise in the incidence of immune and bleeding disorders, increase in the use of alpha-1 antitrypsin and immunoglobulin, a rise in prevalence of Alpha-1 Antitrypsin Deficiency (AATD), emphysema, and Hemophilia. In addition, the development of plasma techniques and plasma utilization are the key factors expected to grow the plasma fractionation market. However, high cost for the plasma products, adverse effects associated with the plasma fractionation products, lack of reimbursement policies, stringent regulatory policies and increase in the recombinant coagulation factors might hamper the growth of plasma fractionation market.To view TOC of this report is available upon request @Global plasma fractionation market segmented based on the product type, application, and end users.1. Product type Albumin Immunoglobulino Intravenous immunoglobulino Subcutaneous immunoglobulino Others Coagulation Factor Concentrateso Factor viiio Factor ixo Factor xiiio Prothrombin complex concentrateso Von Willebrand factor (VWF) Protease Inhibitors Other Plasma Fractionation Products2. Applications Neurology Hematology Immunology Rheumatology Hemato-oncology Critical Care Pulmonology OthersNeed more information about this report @3. End-usersHospitals, clinics, academic institutes and clinical research laboratories.And geographically, global plasma fractionation market has been divided into following regions- North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Latin America, and Middle East & Africa. North America dominates the global plasma fractionation market followed by Europe and Asia-Pacific. North-America holds the largest share in global plasma fractionation market is due to increasing use of immunoglobulins in neurological diseases and increasing use of prophylaxis treatments for chronic diseases in this region. According to Centers of Disease Control (CDC), in 2012, chronic diseases were one of the leading causes of death and disability in the U.S., with an estimated 117 million adults suffering from some form of chronic diseases. Europe is the second largest region for global plasma fractionation market due to the rise in aging population and increase in the prevalence of chronic diseases. However, Asia-Pacific is expected to grow owing to the increasing aging population, growing albumin and immunoglobulin usage, and an increasing focus on better diagnosis, prophylactic treatments, medical research, and organ transplantations. Some of the key players in plasma fractionation market are Grifols S.A (Spain), CSL Ltd. (Australia), Shire (Ireland), Octapharma AG (Switzerland), China Biologic Products, Inc. (China), Biotest AG (OGEL GmbH) (Germany), LFB S.A (France), and Sanquin (Netherlands) to name a few. In 2017, Grifols opens new lines of research with the acquisition of a 44% stake in GigaGen for 35 million USD. In 2015, Baxalta receives CHMP positive opinion for Sanquin to begin production, purification and enhancing the global supply of plasma-based therapies.Several international players are actively involved in the development of global plasma fractionation products. In 2015, immunoglobulins headed for the largest share of the global plasma fractionation market due to rise in prevalence and high incidence autoimmune disorders. However, the protease inhibitors market is expected to grow, due to increasing use of proteases for respiratory diseases and growing applications in various diseases. Partnerships, collaborations, acquisitions and mergers, agreements, new products launch and joint ventures are being actively adopted by various key players in the global plasma fractionation market. For e.g. in 2003, Probitas Pharma obtained Alpha Therapeutic from Mitsubishi Pharma, similarly, Octapharma acquired Mexican fractionator Probifasa S.A. de C.V. for developing the plasma products.Get access to full summary @About Precision Business InsightsPrecision Business Insights is one of the leading market research and business consulting firm, which follow a holistic approach to solve needs of the clients. We adopt and implement proven research methodologies to achieve better results. We help our clients by providing actionable insights and strategies to make better decisions. We provide consulting, syndicated and customised market research services based on our client needs.Contact to Precision Business Insights,Kemp House,152 160 City Road,London EC1V 2NXEmail: sales@ precisionbusinessinsights.com Toll Free (US):+1-866-598-1553Website @ https://www.precisionbusinessinsights.com Preclinical Imaging Market projected to grow with significant CAGR over the forecast period Preclinical Imaging Market PR-Inside.com: 2018-05-08 08:43:26 Press Information Precision Business Insights Kemp House, 152 160 City Road, London EC1V 2NX Satya Marketing Lead +1-866-598-1553 email https://www.precisionbusinessinsights.com # 682 Words Kemp House,152 160 City Road,London EC1V 2NXMarketing Lead+1-866-598-1553 Global preclinical imaging market: The preclinical imaging process is used for monitoring the treatment responses helpful for obtaining the early indications of any disease. Preclinical imaging is used during drug discovery process on live animals. Technological improvements and advances in the in-vivo clinical study provides newer opportunities to understand it clearly on a molecular level. Major preclinical imaging is targeted for diseases such as autoimmune diseases, cancers, neurological and cardiovascular diseases, etc.An increase of drug trials due to rise in the incidence and prevalence of chronic diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, cancer, cardiovascular & neurological disorders, rise in the number of Contract Research Organizations (CRO), innovations in the devices used for small imaging technological advancements are some of factors boosting the market of preclinical imaging. However, the huge cost of equipment, lack of skilled personnel to handle the equipment and lack of proper infrastructure hampers the growth of the market. Furthermore, restrictions on animal drug testing by animal rights organizations are the major factors hampering the growth of the market.A sample of this report is available upon request @The Global preclinical imaging market is divided on the basis of -type of product, applications, and end-users.1. Product type Imaging Modalities Single Photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) Micro Computed Tomography (Micro-CT) Magnetic Particle Imaging Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) Optical Imaging X-Ray Imaging Positron Emission Tomography (PET) Ultrasound Others Reagents and Kits2. Applications Research and Development Drug DiscoveryTo view TOC of this report is available upon request @3. End-usersBiotech Companies, Pharmaceutical companies and research institutes.And lastly, geographically, global pre-clinical imaging market is categorized into Europe, North America, Latin America, Asia Pacific, and Middle East & Africa. North America continues to hold the largest share due to increase in adoption of new technologies for better clinical outputs, technological advancements, and growing prevalence rates chronic diseases such as cardiovascular disease, cancer. According to the National Cancer Institute, in 2017, about 1,685,210 new cancer cases have been reported and diagnosed. Europe is expected to be another major market for preclinical imaging owing to factors such as an increase in healthcare awareness among people and R &D activity for treating and preventing diseases. Asia-Pacific preclinical imaging market expected to show lucrative growth opportunity owing to cost-effective clinical and preclinical imaging services, coupled with favorable government policies. Some of the key players in the global Preclinical Imaging market include FUJIFILM Holdings Corporation (Japan), MR Solutions (U.K.), PerkinElmer Inc. (U.S.), Siemens Ltd (U.S.), Miltenyi Biotec (Germany), Aspect Imaging (Canada), MILabs B.V. (Netherlands), Bruker Corporation (U.S.), Mediso Ltd. (Hungary), TriFoil Imaging (U.S.), and Carestream Health (U.S.) to name a few. In 2016, Bruker Corporation signed an agreement to obtain the preclinical imaging business of Oncovision to increase their product portfolio. In 2017, MR solutions introduced 9.4 Tesla cryogen preclinical MRI imaging solution for the cardiovascular sector.Need more information about this report @Companies are adopting product innovations to increase their market share. Currently, the most used imaging modalities are optical (fluorescence and bioluminescence), PET, and MRI. In addition, multi-modalities such as PET+CT and SPECT+CT are the most used imaging combinations. In-vivo imaging is increased usage in target identification, compound optimization and pre-Phase I study, and in the drug development process. Thus, it bridges the gap between in-vitro exploratory and in-vivo clinical research.Get access to full summary @About Precision Business InsightsPrecision Business Insights is one of the leading market research and business consulting firm, which follow a holistic approach to solve needs of the clients. We adopt and implement proven research methodologies to achieve better results. We help our clients by providing actionable insights and strategies to make better decisions. We provide consulting, syndicated and customised market research services based on our client needs.Contact to Precision Business Insights,Kemp House,152 160 City Road,London EC1V 2NXEmail: sales@ precisionbusinessinsights.com Toll Free (US):+1-866-598-1553Website @ https://www.precisionbusinessinsights.com PR-Inside.com: 2018-05-08 10:34:01 QS Enrolment Solutions Research Reveals the Views of International Students on the Future of Higher Education and Brexit QS Enrolment Solutions Philippa Alway 07549277212 philippa.alway@lodestonecommunications.com Universities must harness the opportunities presented by international students expectations, according to a new report from QS Enrolment Solutions, the student recruitment and retention solutions company. The unique survey spoke to 67,172 prospective international students, 28,020 of whom were considering studying in the UK. The report recommends that now is the time for the UK Government to work with the Higher Education sector to develop a comprehensive programme of engagement in key target markets to help promote one of the UKs greatest exports, Higher Education. The Harnessing Opportunities in Global Higher [..] report by QS Enrolment Solutions launched today (8 May 2018) is the sixth annual International Student Survey (ISS) by QS Enrolment Solutions the largest of its kind surveyed students from 191 countries who plan to study abroad. Harnessing the opportunities presented by international students expectations of the future of Higher Education International students expect universities of the future to offer a very different experience to the universities of today where they envisage that the Higher Education sector will place far greater emphasis on digital delivery with most lectures being online. Those surveyed also said they see a positive future for the sector with more institutions and more people going to university. The top five characteristics selected when asked about how the sector could look in 10 years time were: Most lectures will be online Students will be able to get a qualification from any university regardless of which country they live in More people will go to university Universities will be part of continuous learning There will be more universities Andy Nicol, Managing Director of QS Enrolment Solutions, said: As the changing political and socio-economic dynamics influence the views of potential applicants, universities should continue to listen closely to international students. Institutions that listen, adapt and differentiate their offer, while developing strategic approaches to international student recruitment, will harness the opportunities available within the global Higher Education market. Promoting Higher Education as one of the UKs greatest exports While there is still uncertainty amongst international and EU students regarding the impact of the UKs exit from the European Union, there are significant opportunities for the UK Higher Education sector to grow the number of international students that study in the UK from key markets in Asia and Africa. This years research found that 39% of prospective students from within the EU said they were less interested in studying in the UK because of Brexit, while only 10% of prospective students from outside the EU have been put off from studying in the UK due to Brexit. of prospective students from within the EU said they were less interested in studying in the UK because of Brexit, while only of prospective students from outside the EU have been put off from studying in the UK due to Brexit. Nearly a third (32%) of respondents from the EU were not aware that students who start their course in 2018/2019 would continue to pay the same fees as domestic students for the duration of their course. of respondents from the EU were not aware that students who start their course in 2018/2019 would continue to pay the same fees as domestic students for the duration of their course. Students from countries outside the EU including Pakistan, Sudan, Ethiopia China and Hong Kong are significantly more likely to be interested in studying in the UK as a result of Brexit, largely due to the drop in the value of the pound making a UK education more affordable. Furthermore, the International Student Survey shows that giving international students a strong sense that they are welcome when they are choosing university is crucial to maintaining the UKs status as a top international study destination: The degree to which a place feels welcoming is one of the most important factors influencing prospective students choice of country to study in, with 69% of respondents citing as an important consideration. of respondents citing as an important consideration. Welcoming campaigns continue to be an effective strategy to combat against the negative perceptions around Brexit with 82% of respondents saying that campaigns like #WeAreInternational and #LondonIsOpen persuaded them that the UK is welcoming. of respondents saying that campaigns like #WeAreInternational and #LondonIsOpen persuaded them that the UK is welcoming. Welcoming campaigns are most effective with prospective international students from China (85%), India (85%) and Nigeria (83%). Patrick Whitfield, Director of UK & Europe at QS Enrolment Solutions, said: Now is the time for the UK Government to work together with universities and other stakeholders to do more to promote one of the UKs greatest exports. To enhance this, we believe that UK universities and sector stakeholders must continue to support welcoming campaigns that champion the UK as a study destination for international students. With the current uncertainty in the sector as the UK prepares to exit the EU, any future proposals which help to make the UK a more attractive place to study from a financial perspective should be more widely publicised. Financial concerns are one of the main reasons for the pessimism surrounding the issue of Brexit, especially from prospective students coming from the EU. By adopting the recommendations from this report, universities can achieve success and maintain the UKs global leadership in higher education. Professor Sir Keith Burnett, President and Vice-Chancellor of The University of Sheffield who co-founded the now nationwide campaign with the President of the Sheffield Students' Union, said: It is crucial to understand the importance that the shared message of #WeAreInternational has had to potential international students from around the world. The power of this campaign comes from its central truth, which is not restricted to any single university or even country - that education and knowledge at its best transcends borders and talent speaks to talent across the world. Yet for this to be the case, international students and scholars must know that they are welcome in their home-from-home. The #WeAreInternational campaign allows universities, students, businesses and partner organisations to say what must be heard - and amplified - around the world, with government policies backing these words with action." Paul Blomfield MP, Shadow Brexit Minister and Chair of the APPG on International Students, said: This years International Student Survey report is particularly timely. A sensible Government response to the challenges we face as a country would be to build on our strengths and we have few greater assets than our university sector. We need to change policies and send a clear message around the world, along the lines of the #WeAreInternational campaign, which was launched in Sheffield. This report highlights its impact and we should take every opportunity to repeat its message to international students you can be sure of a great welcome when you come to study in the UK. To download the full report visit http://www.internationalstudentsurvey.com/2018/ or follow QS Enrolment Solutions @QSEnrolmentS and #ISS2018 Note to Editors: With offices in Australia, Malaysia and the UK, QS Enrolment Solutions (formerly known as Hobsons Solutions) is a global market leader in research and understanding of international and domestic students. Each year we deal with hundreds of thousands of students globally, giving us a unique insight into the student recruitment market. Our research, strategy, enquiry, admissions and enrolment services mean we have hands-on experience of the obstacles and opportunities within specific countries and regions, helping clients mitigate risk, benefit from our existing relationships, and build sustainable recruitment strategies in an increasingly complex marketplace. The International Student Survey 2018 was conducted by QS Enrolment Solutions from November 2017 to March 2018. The International Student Survey is the worlds largest survey of pre-enrolment for international and EU students. This report focuses on the responses of 28,020 prospective international students who identified that they were considering studying in the UK. QS Enrolment Solutions partnered with 63 universities from around the world to survey their prospective student database. The survey sampled 67,172 prospective international students globally, with 191 nationalities represented. The size of the data set along with the number and quality of the responses has enabled very robust student segmentation and insight into the influences of international students decision-making processes, how they engage with universities, and what they expect from universities in the lead up to making their final decision. Additional regional reports have been produced as part of this series, including reports focusing on Europe, and Australia & New Zealand, as well as a global report. QS Enrolment Solutions formerly operated under the name Hobsons Solutions. On 6 October 2017, QS Quacquarelli Symonds Ltd announced the acquisition of the Hobsons Solutions business, the leading provider of international enrolment management solutions to universities worldwide. The acquisition will allow QS, a leading and trusted brand in higher education research and student information services, to build on its global product offering and realise data and service synergies with the Hobsons Solutions portfolio. For more on the acquisition, see here: http://www.qs.com/faq-items/qs-acquisition_2017/. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20180508005 Universities must harness the opportunities presented by international students expectations, according to a new report from @QSEnrolmentS PR-Inside.com: 2018-05-08 18:03:01 SAN MATEO, Calif., May 08, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Aryaka, the leading global SD-WAN provider, today unveiled new capabilities that enhance real-time quality of service over the WAN for mission-critical business applications at ONUG Spring 2018 in San Francisco, CA. Integrated with Aryaka's SmartCONNECT global SD-WAN services, Application-Driven Adaptive QoS enables enterprises to elastically share and optimize access resources between business applications. Feature Highlights: Aryaka's Application-Driven Adaptive QoS provides extra bandwidth on shared links to Internet-bound traffic when mission-critical business applications no longer need it. The feature prioritizes mission-critical applications and delivers best-in-class application performance through Aryaka's software-defined global private network. This feature also offers precision link control and improves overall utilization as customers can re-balance according to application bandwidth requirements. "Cloud service models have revolutionized how enterprises consume IT resources and applications globally," said Mouli Radhakrishnan, Aryaka's Senior Director of Product Management. "Businesses embarking on global expansion and cloud transformation journeys will access the world over an elastic network driven by application and business intent. Aryaka's Application-Driven Adaptive QoS feature has started to gain a lot of traction among our early pilot customers as they require the flexibility of on-demand, usage-based cloud deployment models applied to connectivity and optimization." Aryaka will also conduct a live demonstration of its industry-leading global SD-WAN solution for enterprises at ONUG and will be leading discussions with customers and partners on the benefits of using a private network-based SD-WAN as-a-Service versus Internet-based appliances. Radhakrishnan will lead a presentation showcasing how Aryaka's global SD-WAN can deliver significantly enhanced performance for on-premises and cloud/SaaS applications worldwide by giving a first-hand look at MyAryakaTM, the company's best-in-class, web-based network and application visibility portal. The Open Networking User Group (ONUG) is a leading IT user-driven community focused on leveraging the power of engineering and procurement to influence the pace and deployment of open networking solutions. Its semiannual conferences, including ONUG Spring 2018, function as an opportunity for IT leaders to take the stage and discuss the latest in IT trends with an emphasis on digital transformation. In addition to owning a speaking slot at ONUG Spring 2018, Aryaka is also an "Innovator" level sponsor and the company will have a presence on the exhibit floor. For more information about ONUG Spring 2018, visit: https://www.onug.net/onug-spring-2018/ Deployed by more than 800 global enterprises, Aryaka is the leading and fastest-growing global SD-WAN provider in the market today. It has quickly become the only viable MPLS replacement solution for global enterprises requiring alternatives to legacy WAN infrastructures for mission-critical application delivery. For more information about Aryaka's global SD-WAN, visit www.aryaka.com. To arrange a meeting at the event, email alesia.ramanenka@aryaka.com. About Aryaka Aryaka is transforming how global enterprises connect sites and users worldwide, and use mission-critical applications to support modern business execution demands. Aryaka's Global SD-WAN combines a purpose-built private network, SD-WAN, optimization and acceleration techniques, connectivity to cloud platforms, and network visibility in a single solution that is delivered as a service. To learn more, visit www.aryaka.com. Follow us on Twitter, Facebook, YouTube and LinkedIn. Aryaka Media Contact Shehzad Karkhanawala Director of Marketing Aryaka 408-273-8420 pr@aryaka.com 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: Aryaka via Globenewswire PR-Inside.com: 2018-05-08 23:34:14 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 390 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 FSCwire / Press ReleaseThe following press release was disseminated by FSCwire for Theralase Technologies Inc.--- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- ---Toronto, Ontario (FSCWire) - Theralase Technologies Inc. (TSX Venture:TLT). has issued a press release with the following headline:Theralase Announces Proposed Non-Brokered Private Placement of up to $1 MillionTo 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 Theralase Technologies 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/Theralase Technologies Inc.Source: Theralase Technologies Inc. (TSX Venture: TLT, OTCQX: TLTFF, FWB: TTX, WKN: A0DLB7, ISIN: CA88337V1004)Date: May 08, 2018Time: 5:34 PM EDT--- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- ---The story mentioned above was issued on behalf of Theralase Technologies 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 2018 - FSCwire (a division of Filing Services Canada Inc.) Thermoplastic Elastomer Market report categorizes the global market by Product type (Block Co-polymer, Thermoplastic/elastomer Blend, Reactor Made Thermoplastic Polyolefin Elastomer, others), End-Use Industry (Building & Construction, Automobile, Chemical, others), Thermoplastic Elastomer Market PR-Inside.com: 2018-05-08 12:34:45 Press Information Coherent Market Insights Contact Us: Mr. Shah Coherent Market Insights 1001 4th Ave, #3200 Seattle, WA 98154 Tel: +1-206-701-6702 Mr. Shah CEO +1-206-701-6702 email https://www.coherentmarketinsights.com/ongoing-insight/thermoplastic-elastomer-market-847 Published by Pareesh Phulkar 08087996871 e-mail https://www.coherentmarketinsights.com # 568 Words Contact Us:Mr. ShahCoherent Market Insights1001 4th Ave,#3200Seattle, WA 98154Tel: +1-206-701-6702CEO+1-206-701-6702Pareesh Phulkar08087996871 Thermoplastic Elastomers are the flexible materials, which can be stretched without permanently deforming the shape. Thermoplastic elastomers are a physical mix of polymers, which is usually plastic and rubber. Thermoplastic elastomers are manufactured by injection molding and extrusion.Various automobile parts, such as window handles, gaskets, body seals, wipers, filler panels, rocker panels, and damping pads are manufactured from thermoplastic elastomers. The rise in demand for automobiles and increase in consumer spending on automobiles is expected to drive the growth of thermoplastic elastomers market. Recyclability, waste reduction, and adaptability to modification are some of the properties of thermoplastic elastomers, which has applications in electronic and electrical industry. The rise in demand for safe, light weight, and inexpensive products are some of the drivers for the growth of thermoplastic elastomers market. Expensive raw materials and the high cost of crude oil are the restraint for the thermoplastic elastomer market.Request Sample Copy of this Report @ https://www.coherentmarketinsights.com/insight/request-sample/847 Thermoplastic Elastomer Market outlookNorth America is the major thermoplastic elastomer market. The U.S, Canada, and Mexico are the major economies contributing to the large revenue shares in the thermoplastic elastomer market. Rise in demand for automobiles is expected to drive the growth of this market, owing to the applications of the thermoplastic elastomers in manufacturing of automobile parts. According to International Trade Administration (ITA), an agency in the United States Department of Commerce that promotes United States exports of nonagricultural U.S. services and goods. Canada holds a dominant position in the exportation of automotive parts followed by Mexico. Advances in automobile and technology are the major factors boosting the growth of the thermoplastic elastomer market in North America over the forecast period.Asia Pacific is the fastest growing region in the thermoplastic elastomers market. China, Japan, and India are the leading economies in this region. China holds a dominant position in thermoplastic elastomers market. According to the China Association of Automobile Manufacturers (CAAM), China sales around 28 million units in 2016, making China the largest vehicle market globally. Automotive parts market of China is valued over US$ 21 billion with 30% annual growth rate. Increasing demand for automobile parts is expected to propel the growth of the thermoplastic elastomer market over the forecast period.Europe has the largest thermoplastic elastomer market. Germany, Italy, and France are the major economies in the production of thermoplastic elastomers in this region. The thermoplastic elastomer is an alternative for ethylene propylene rubber (EPR) and ethylene propylene diene monomer (EPDM), which has applications in end-use industries. Increasing demand for light weight and hybrid vehicles in Europe are fueling the growth of the thermoplastic elastomer market.View More Information @ https://www.coherentmarketinsights.com/ongoing-insight/thermoplastic-elastomer-market-847 In September 2017, SK Global Chemicals acquire Dows Chemical Companys ethylene acrylic acid (EAA) ionomers and copolymers business. By this acquisition, SK Global Chemical is expected to acquire Dow Chemical Companys facilities of production located in Texas, Freeport, and Tarragona. Also, it acquires trademark rights, production technology, and intellectual property.Key players in the Thermoplastic Elastomers MarketKey players operating the thermoplastic elastomer market include Covestro AG (Germany), Evonik Industries AG (Germany), Arkema SA (France), LyondellBasell Industries N.V. (Netherlands), Sinopec Group (China), Asahi Kasei Corporation (China), PolyOne Corporation (The U.S.), Teknor Apex Company (The U.S.), Lubrizol Corporation (The U.S.), Tosoh Corporation (Japan), Kraton Corporation (The U.S.) and The Dow Chemical Company (The U.S.). PR-Inside.com: 2018-05-08 16:03:01 PITTSBURGH, May 08, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- TrueCommerce, a global provider of trading partner connectivity and integration solutions, has announced a cloud-based Unified Commerce Suite that provides multichannel merchants with Product Information Management (PIM) functionality and next generation B2B/B2C e-Commerce capabilities in one offering. A component of the TrueCommerce Foundry platform, the suite enables organizations to convert visitors into buyers by delivering consistent content, in real time, while offering a versatile toolset to capture, consolidate and exchange transactional data. "To win in today's omni-channel retail environment, merchants must deliver compelling, consistent content that converts visitors into buyers," said TrueCommerce president Ross Elliott. "But the process doesn't stop there: to successfully complete the transaction and execute flawless delivery, retailers need full control over their transactional data. TrueCommerce addresses this issue with a solution that supports a whole commerce ecosystem by connecting the entire retailer network, digital marketplaces, online storefronts and internal business systems." The TrueCommerce Unified Commerce Suite core benefits include: Increases conversions by sourcing, validating, enriching and publishing syndicated content across all channels Enables Value Chain Collaboration: empowers brands and retailers to easily share product content, removing barriers for optimizing collaboration and value creation Allows customers to place orders anytime, from anywhere, using any device Quotes accurate shipping costs to customers during the order process Uses Artificial Intelligence to determine the best location from which to fulfill an order TrueCommerce Foundry is a broad set of unified commerce services and apps that connects customers, suppliers, channels, and systems. The new offering revolutionizes supply chain visibility and collaboration by helping organizations make the most of their omni-channel initiatives through business P2P connectivity, order management, collaborative replenishment, intelligent fulfillment, cross-functional analytics, and product information management. The platform leverages TrueCommerce's Global Commerce Network that includes over 92,000 pre-connected retailers, distributors and logistics service providers. A true managed services provider, TrueCommerce manages the onboarding process for new trading partners as well as the ongoing management of trading partner specific mapping and labeling changes. For more information, visit: https://www.truecommerce.com/foundry About TrueCommerce TrueCommerce revolutionizes trading partner connectivity, visibility, and collaboration by linking suppliers, retail hubs and end consumers in one global commerce network. With our flexible, integrated and fully managed service solutions, customers of any size can easily connect and collaborate with any trading partner while enjoying the peace of mind of a proven service platform that reliably handles hundreds of millions of transactions annually without the need for any customer interaction. From the factory to the warehouse, from distributor to retail storefront, achieve new levels of business connectivity and performance with the world's most complete commerce network. TrueCommerce: Connect. Integrate. Accelerate. For more information, visit https://www.truecommerce.com. Media Contact Yegor Kuznetsov, TrueCommerce 703-209-0167 yegor.kuznetsov@truecommerce.com The World Bank Mission is to carry out a comprehensive audit review of various ongoing projects in Nigeria to ensure compliance with their original approved objectives. The projects numbering about 20 and valued at about $3.872 billion were approved between April 2015 and February 2018. Two of the projects inherited from the previous administration have since been declared closed by the World Bank. The two closed projects include the $75 million project initiated on April 29, 2015 to support Edo State Fiscal Improvement and Service Delivery Operation. The other is the $200 million Third Lagos State Development Policy Operation aid which began on June 26, 2015. A team, comprising ten executive directors, is scheduled to hold a crucial meeting on Wednesday with the presidency and the governors of some of the benefiting states where the projects are located. The high-level discussions scheduled for Wednesday at the Presidential Villa, Abuja would be attended by the Vice President, Yemi Osinbajo, along with some key members of the Executive Council of the Federation, including Minister of Finance, Kemi Adeosun. A statement by the spokesperson to the Minister of Finance, Oluyinka Akintunde, sent to PREMIUM TIMES on Tuesday confirmed the arrival of the World Bank projects audit team In the country. Mr Akintunde said the team included the banks Executive Directors for Switzerland, France, Italy, Nordic, Peru, Germany, South Africa (representing Angola, Nigeria and South Africa). Other members of the team include the directors for Burkina Faso (representing Francophone Sub-Saharan Africa), Zimbabwe (representing Anglophone Sub-Saharan Africa), United Kingdom and Indonesia. The delegation will discuss ongoing World Bank projects and the countrys development priorities with the Vice President, Minister of Finance and the Governors, Mr Akintunde said. The officials will also meet the organised private sector in Lagos as well as undertake a tour of LAPO Microfinance project in Lagos and Azura Power Plant in Edo State. During the visit, Mr Akintunde said the team would undertake first-hand assessment of the challenges faced by both the federal and state governments in implementing the various development projects approved for the country to ensure good governance. In addition, he said the exercise would enhance the goal of the bank for member-countries and the effectiveness of the executive directors in providing the necessary support. World Bank records seen by PREMIUM TIMES showed 18 other projects have active implementation status. They include the $200 million additional financing for polio eradication support, which commenced on April 10, 2015; $500 million programme to support Saving One Million Lives started April 23, 2015 and the $100 million Nigeria Partnership for Education Project commenced on May 8, 2015. Others initiated June 7, 2016 included $500 million National Social Safety Nets Project; the $100 million State Education Programme Investment Project; the $75 million Community and Social Development project and the $100 million Nigeria Youth Employment and Social Support project. Additional $125 million financing for State Health Investment Project; the $50 million second additional financing to Third National Fadama Development Project and the $125 million additional financing for polio eradication support project were also approved by the Bank on June 7, 2016. Only the $320,000 for the Nigerian Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (NEITI) Reporting Compliance grant was approved on December 7, 2016. It was restructured on February 1, 2018, with a December 31, 2019 closing date. The other projects to be reviewed by the World Bank audit team include $200 million multi-sectoral crisis recovery project for the North-east approved on March 20, 2017; the $200 million agro-processing, productivity enhancement and livelihood improvement support project that took effect from March 23, 2017, and the $150 million mineral sector support for economic diversification project approved April 14, 2017. Also, the team would review the $350 million funding to Kaduna State in support of its economic transformation programme approved on June 20 last year, same date as $611 million approved for the better education service delivery for all. Apart from the Conflict Monitoring System initiative approved last October 27 valued at about $40,000, the other project the team would equally look at include the recent $486 million approved for the Federal Ministry of Power for the electricity transmission system rehabilitation approved last February 15. Ghana has opened its embassy in Qatars capital Doha after more than 30 years of progressive relations between the two countries, local media reported on Tuesday. The bilateral relations between Qatar and Ghana will be further expanded, strengthened and consolidated after the opening of the embassy, Qatar-based English newspaper Gulf Times cited Ghanaian Minister of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration, Shirley Botchwey, as saying at the inauguration of the embassy. Botchwey also expressed appreciation for Qatars efforts to facilitate the speedy opening of Ghanas embassy in Doha. In addition, she hailed the appointment of the Ghanaian Ambassador to Qatar in March as a significant milestone in the progressive developments in the relations between the two countries. In December 2017, Qatari Emir, Sheikh Tamim Al-Thani visited Ghana and signed several agreements with the African country in multiple sectors. Qatar and Ghana have maintained economic and investment cooperation since the two countries established diplomatic relations in 1982. On June 5, 2017, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and Egypt abruptly severed diplomatic, trade and transport links to Qatar. Unlike eight other African countries, Ghana did not follow the steps of the Arab quartet, and voiced its support for a Kuwait-backed dialogue to resolve the crisis. (Xinhua/NAN) Insane, ridiculous, worst deal ever are some of the descriptions used by U.S. President Donald Trump for the Iran nuclear agreement, which he has bitterly opposed since early in his campaign for the White House. The world will soon find out whether Mr Trumps rants about the 2015 deal will produce a concrete shift in U.S. diplomacy, regarding one of the most important foreign policy issues of his presidency. Mr Trump officially has until Saturday to decide whether to reintroduce U.S. sanctions on Iran, which among other things could spell an end to the accord. But he has said he will announce his decision at 2.00 p.m. (1800 GMT) on Tuesday. In January, Mr Trump renewed waivers for U.S. sanctions on Iran but warned that it was the last time he would do so unless several disastrous flaws in the agreement were addressed. His ultimatum triggered a 120-day period that ends this weekend. There is a growing consensus in the United States that his decision will effectively pull the U.S. out of the deal, and that prospect has been accompanied by a range of speculation over what comes next. French President, Emmanuel Macron, said he didnt know what Mr Trump would decide. But after several meetings with the president over a three-day state visit recently he said: My view is that he will get rid of this deal on his own for domestic reasons. The president campaigned on getting out of the deal and I think that hes going to do so, Lieut.-Gen. William G Boykin said on Thursday on Fox News. Iranian leaders already have pledged to abandon the deal if the U.S. withdraws. Iranian President Hassan Rouhani [File: Ebrahim Noroozi/AP Photo] But it could remain in the deal with Britain, France and Germany, along with China and Russia, which have expressed their continued support. Meanwhile, UN Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres, has warned that if Mr Trump withdraws, it could risk war. Since Mr Trump issued the ultimatum in January, U.S. and European negotiators have met a number of times to address U.S. concerns within and beyond the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), as the deal is formally known. The U.S. side has raised four main issues: Irans ballistic missile programme, its involvement in regional conflicts, inspection of Iranian nuclear sites and so-called sunset clauses. The sunset clauses, which let some restrictions on Irans nuclear programme expire, have proved the most difficult of these. The U.S. claims that the clauses provide Iran with a pathway to building nuclear weapons over time. Trump has pushed the European partners to search for possible compromises. Determined to stay in the deal, the bloc has argued that abandoning it would not help address the ballistic weapons issue or Irans role in the region. The JCPOA is a non-proliferation agreement. Other issues of concern are addressed separately, a senior EU official said on condition of anonymity. If the deal falls apart, you would not be in any better position to tackle these issues. Furthermore, the deal is doing what it is supposed to do, by curbing Irans nuclear activities, the official noted. If the agreement falls apart and theres no substitute, he said, it would probably trigger a nuclear arms race in the region. The dramatic developments on the Korean Peninsula may also influence Trumps thinking on the nuclear deal. Pulling out of the JCPOA could erode the trust hes tried to build in the effort to denuclearise the Korean Peninsula, ahead of a planned meeting with the North Korean leader, Kim Jong Un; or it could send a strong message to Pyongyang that Trump is prepared to deliver on his threats. Domestic politics could likewise have a role to play, as Trump could be thinking about fulfilling a campaign promise ahead of the November mid-term elections to boost his Republican Partys chances of maintaining its majority in Congress. In recent weeks, Trump has manoeuvred aggressively. He has changed his secretary of state, switching the moderate Rex Tillerson for the more hawkish Mike Pompeo, a fierce critic of the Iran deal. He has also brought in John Bolton, a foreign policy hawk, as his national security adviser. Mr Pompeo met Israeli President, Benjamin Netanyahu, on his first foreign trip after taking office, stressing that if the Iran nuclear deal cannot be fixed, Mr Trump will withdraw. The full array of threats, including Irans missile systems and support for militant groups in Syria, Lebanon and Yemen must be addressed as part of a revised agreement, he said. Mr Pompeo also said documents that Mr Netanyahu revealed April 30 show that Iran had a secret nuclear weapons programme for years and lied about it. What this means is the deal was not constructed on a foundation of good faith or transparency, Mr Pompeo said. (dpa/NAN) Police nabbed 23 suspects in coordinated raids targeting a gang of drug dealers in and around the western German cities of Bonn and Cologne on Tuesday. More than 300 officers were involved in the operation and 35 flats searched, police in Bonn said. Twelve people were formally arrested and 11 others detained. Two brothers from Bonn are suspected of running the narcotics gang. Police say they focused on dealing cocaine while other members sold marijuana. A helicopter circled over Bonn during the police operation in order to pinpoint suspects as they fled. Officers confiscated one kilogramme of marijuana and hash and 75 grammes of cocaine as well as anabolic agents, cash and several mobile phones. Earlier, police officers raided flats and offices in Northern and Central Germany in a major operation against suspected human traffickers, police said. The officers acted on 21 search warrants in Hamburg, Bremen and other parts of Northern and Central Germany from late Monday into Tuesday, a police spokesman said. Several suspects allegedly trafficked people mainly of Moldovan nationality into Germany for illegal labour. Many of those suspects are thought to have links to Germanys Reichsbuerger movement, which claims that the modern German federal republic is illegitimate. The spokesman said three men, aged between 30 and 43, were detained in the port city of Hamburg on Monday. Two of them were German and the other Russian. (dpa/NAN) Only one production site of pharmaceutical firm, Emzor, was shut contrary to the claim of the food and drug regulator, NAFDAC, the company said on Tuesday. In a series of tweets on its Twitter handle, Emzor said NAFDAC only sealed its liquid line. It said the rest of its manufacturing operation was going on normally. The firm said NAFDAC sealed the line five days after carrying out an inspection on the site. It added that the regulator raised no issues at the time of the inspection, only for it to return later to close the line without explanation. The tweet was in reaction to a press statement from NAFDAC that it has sealed off all the production lines of three pharmaceutical companies which were implicated in a BBC documentary on illegal codeine sale in Nigeria. Due to insufficient evidence gathered and apparent resistance to provide needed documents during our inspection on May 2, 2018, at the respective companies in Ilorin and Lagos, respectively, it has become necessary to shut down all the product lines of the three companies Peace Standard Pharmaceutical Limited, plots 3 & 8, Adewole Industrial Estate, Lubcon Avenue, Ilorin, Kwara State; Bioraj Pharmaceutical Limited, 405 Kaima Road, Ilorin, Kwara State and Emzor Pharmaceuticals Ind. Ltd., Ajao Estate, Lagos. This is to allow for a full and comprehensive investigation. The three companies, therefore, remain closed, the regulator said. Emzor, however, denies the claim. The companys statement reads: NAFDAC have only temporarily sealed one of Emzors production sites, the liquid line. The rest of Emzor is still operating as normal. On Wednesday the 2nd of May NAFDAC inspected one of our production sites where Emzolyn with Codeine was made. There were given full access and our complete cooperation, with no issues raised at the time. On Monday the 7th of May, NAFDAC sealed the inspected site without giving us a reason nor an explanation of what the violation of the Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) Code was and it will be wrong for us to speculate as to the reason why. Emzor continues to make good quality affordable medicines for the Nigerian public and the products are still available to buy. We believe in Emzor Wellocracy, unlimited wellness available to all and affordable by all. Over 100 houses and property worth millions of naira were destroyed by a windstorm which ravaged some communities in Dutse Local Government Area of Jigawa. Two village heads, Ado Musa and Baffa Shehu, told News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Dutse on Tuesday that the windstorm, which occurred on May 3, wreaked considerable havoc on the neighbourhoods. Mr Musa, who is the village head of Warwade community, said that the windstorm destroyed about 27 houses in Sayasaya, a village under Warwade, and blew off the roofs of some schools and mosques. He added that the windstorm had rendered about 30 families homeless, while destroying several local silos containing assorted foodstuff. Each year, we experience cyclone, windstorm or rainstorm at the beginning, middle or end of every rainy season but the storms have not been as damaging as the recent one. This time around, the windstorm is so heavy that it completely brought down some houses and blew up roofs of schools, mosques and clinics. Over 20 villages are affected by the disaster but the worst-hit is Sayasaya where between 30 and 35 households are affected. No death was recorded in the incident; however, seven persons were injured by roofing sheets that were blown off by the wind. Some of the victims had multiple fractures in different parts of their bodies and were taken to Dutse General Hospital for treatment. At least, the value of what the people lost in Sayasaya is about N5 million and some of the affected families are currently taking refuge in the village primary school, he said. Also speaking, Shehu, the village head of Jidawa community, said that the windstorm destroyed over 80 houses in his domain. He said that the windstorm which lasted for close to an hour, destroyed several fences and blew off the roofs of houses, schools, mosques and a clinic. The rainstorm began around 5.30 p.m. and lasted for about an hour. At least, 80 houses were affected and we thank God it did not injure or kill anyone here but it caused a lot of damage in Sayasaya and Warwade villages that are close to us. The windstorm could have destroyed the whole area if it continued for more than an hour; in fact we have never experienced such a severe windstorm before. It was accompanied by heavy rainfall and we started planting crops the following day because of the level of rainfall the previous day, Mr Shehu said. A NAN correspondent, who visited the two villages, reports that the storm pulled down the roofs of several houses, forcing many families to vacate their homes. Several fences were also affected, thereby exposing the belongings of the affected households. Some of the affected residents, who look visibly devastated, told NAN that they needed urgent assistance, in terms of shelter and food aid. In Jidawa village, Garba Adamu and Kawu Yakubu expressed concern about problems the residents would face following the impact of the rainstorm. They said that the entire area had been thrown into confusion as a result of the damage done to the residents properties. Most of the houses suffer from one dent or the other, no matter how little it was. As you can see, some roofs were blown off, while some fences were completely brought down, Adamu said. In Sayasaya village, Ali Beza, the head of a household, said: We slept outside that day, as the wind blew and pulled down the roof of our house. Up to this moment, we have never been able to sleep comfortably; this is a large family house as you can see. We are 19 in the house: my family and the families of three of my children. Ibrahim Danjuma, another resident of Sayasaya village, said: My two-year-old child was almost killed as the roof the building fell on him; three of my rooms as well as the silos containing foodstuff and one sheep were destroyed. Many people have vacated their homes due to the level of destruction caused by the windstorm because we cannot live in houses without roofs. In fact, we learnt that many households in neighbouring villages were similarly affected but we are happy no single death was recorded during the incident. Salisu Jigo, another resident, said that his wife and son were injured in the incident. As you can see, the roof was pulled down and the debris injured my wife and my son; I also got injured while trying to put out the fire caused by the windstorm and stop it from escalating and consuming the whole house. But we thank God, we only had minor injuries and cuts; we did not have fractures, he added. Mr Jigo said that the affected families and other residents were calling for assistance from relevant government agencies. Government and other relevant authorities should immediately come to our aid, particularly in the area of shelter and food. This is because most of us have no place to stay again; we also have no food to eat, as most of our silos containing foodstuff have been destroyed, he said. However, Musa, the village head of Warwade, said that he had compiled a comprehensive list of the victims of the windstorm and had submitted it to the District Head of Dutse. He added that the village head of Jidawa stated that he was still compiling the list of those affected in his domain. Due to the current economic situation, the government and other relevant authorities should expedite action to assist these villagers because they urgently need assistance, particularly food and shelter, Mr Musa said. When contacted, Sani Yusuf, the Executive Secretary, State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), confirmed the incident. I am sending my staff right now to conduct an assessment of the level of damage caused by the windstorm. We would have intervened since but there have been some delays but I assure you that within a couple of days, we will surely assist them, he said. President Donald Trump on Tuesday announced the withdrawal of the United States from the Iran nuclear deal signed in 2015. The withdrawal could potentially end in the re-imposition of sanctions and other economic penalties on the Gulf nation. European countries have been diligently prevailing on Mr Trump over the last several months in an attempt to convince him to remain in the nuclear deal which Iran signed with world powers in 2015. I am announcing today, that the United States will withdraw from the Iran nuclear deal, Mr Trump said. He also signed an executive order to that effect immediately. America will not be threatened by nuclear blackmail. Todays action send a critical message, the United States no longer makes empty threats. When I make a promise, I keep them, Mr Trump said. Mr Trump said the 2015 deal did nothing to constrain Iran from pursuing its alleged nefarious activities, especially its sponsor of terrorism. Other signatories to the agreement, including U.S. allies, France and UK, had all urged the U.S. not to withdraw. The U.S. president, however, said he carried along allies across the world before reaching his conclusion. Over the past few months, we have engaged with our allies across the world, including France, Germany and the United Kingdom, he said. If we do nothing, we know exactly what will happen. Iran has threatened that if the U.S. pulled out of the agreement, it would also abandon it. The agreement was entered into in 2015 under President Barrack Obama, but Mr Trump said the agreement was poorly hatched and he will need to dismantle it completely for all the parties to start afresh. Read Mr Trumps full speech below. My fellow Americans, Today, I want to update the world on our efforts to prevent Iran from acquiring a nuclear weapon. The Iranian regime is the leading state sponsor of terror. It exports dangerous missiles, fuels conflicts across the Middle East, and supports terrorist proxies and militias such as Hezbollah, Hamas, the Taliban and Al Qaeda. Over the years, Iran and its proxies have bombed American Embassies and military installations, murdered hundreds of American service members, and kidnapped, imprisoned, and tortured American citizens. The Iranian regime has funded its long reign of chaos and terror by plundering the wealth of its own people. No action taken by the regime has been more dangerous than its pursuit of nuclear weapons and the means of delivering them. In 2015, the previous administration joined with other nations in a deal regarding Irans nuclear program. This agreement was known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, or J.C.P.O.A. In theory, the so-called Iran deal was supposed to protect the United States and our allies from the lunacy of an Iranian nuclear bomb, a weapon that will only endanger the survival of the Iranian regime. In fact, the deal allowed Iran to continue enriching uranium and over time reach the brink of a nuclear breakout. The deal lifted crippling economic sanctions on Iran in exchange for very weak limits on the regimes nuclear activity and no limits at all on its other malign behavior, including its sinister activities in Syria, Yemen, and other places all around the world. In other words, at the point when the United States had maximum leverage, this disastrous deal gave this regime and its a regime of great terror many billions of dollars, some of it in actual cash a great embarrassment to me as a citizen and to all citizens of the United States. A constructive deal could easily have been struck at the time, but it wasnt. At the heart of the Iran deal was a giant fiction: that a murderous regime desired only a peaceful nuclear energy program. Today, we have definitive proof that this Iranian promise was a lie. Last week, Israel published intelligence documents long concealed by Iran conclusively showing the Iranian regime and its history of pursuing nuclear weapons. The fact is, this was a horrible, one-sided deal that should have never, ever been made. It didnt bring calm, it didnt bring peace, and it never will. In the years since the deal was reached, Irans military budget has grown by almost 40 percent while its economy is doing very badly. After the sanctions were lifted, the dictatorship used its new funds to build its nuclear-capable missiles, support terrorism, and cause havoc throughout the Middle East and beyond. The agreement was so poorly negotiated that even if Iran fully complies, the regime can still be on the verge of a nuclear breakout in just a short period of time. The deals sunset provisions are totally unacceptable. If I allowed this deal to stand, there would soon be a nuclear arms race in the Middle East. Everyone would want their weapons ready by the time Iran had theirs. Making matters worse, the deals inspection provisions lack adequate mechanisms to prevent, detect, and punish cheating and dont even have the unqualified right to inspect many important locations, including military facilities. Not only does the deal fail to halt Irans nuclear ambitions, but it also fails to address the regimes development of ballistic missiles that could deliver nuclear warheads. Finally, the deal does nothing to constrain Irans destabilizing activities, including its support for terrorism. Since the agreement, Irans bloody ambitions have grown only more brazen. In light of these glaring flaws, I announced last October that the Iran deal must either be renegotiated or terminated. Three months later, on January 12th, I repeated these conditions. I made clear that if the deal could not be fixed, the United States would no longer be a party to the agreement. Over the past few months, we have engaged extensively with our allies and partners around the world, including France, Germany, and the United Kingdom. We have also consulted with our friends from across the Middle East. We are unified in our understanding of the threat and in our conviction that Iran must never acquire a nuclear weapon. After these consultations, it is clear to me that we cannot prevent an Iranian nuclear bomb under the decaying and rotten structure of the current agreement. The Iran deal is defective at its core. If we do nothing, we know exactly what will happen. In just a short period of time, the worlds leading state sponsor of terror will be on the cusp of acquiring the worlds most dangerous weapons. Therefore, I am announcing today that the United States will withdraw from the Iran nuclear deal. In a few moments, I will sign a presidential memorandum to begin reinstating U.S. nuclear sanctions on the Iranian regime. We will be instituting the highest level of economic sanction. Any nation that helps Iran in its quest for nuclear weapons could also be strongly sanctioned by the United States. America will not be held hostage to nuclear blackmail. We will not allow American cities to be threatened with destruction. And we will not allow a regime that chants Death to America to gain access to the most deadly weapons on Earth. Todays action sends a critical message. The United States no longer makes empty threats. When I make promises, I keep them. In fact, at this very moment, Secretary Pompeo is on his way to North Korea in preparation for my upcoming meeting with Kim Jong-un. Plans are being made, relationships are building. Hopefully, a deal will happen, and with the help of China, South Korea, and Japan, a future of great prosperity and security can be achieved for everyone. As we exit the Iran deal, we will be working with our allies to find a real, comprehensive, and lasting solution to the Iranian nuclear threat. This will include efforts to eliminate the threat of Irans ballistic missile program, to stop its terrorist activities worldwide, and to block its menacing activity across the Middle East. In the meantime, powerful sanction also go into full effect. If the regime continues its its nuclear aspirations, it will have bigger problems than it has ever had before. Finally, I want to deliver a message to the long-suffering people of Iran. The people of America stand with you. It has now been almost 40 years since this dictatorship seized power and took a proud nation hostage. Most of Irans 80 million citizens have sadly never known an Iran that prospered in peace with its neighbors and commanded the admiration of the world. But the future of Iran belongs to its people. They are the rightful heirs to a rich culture and an ancient land, and they deserve a nation that does justice to their dreams, honor to their history and glory to God. Irans leaders will naturally say that they refuse to negotiate a new deal. They refuse, and thats fine. Id probably say the same thing if I was in their position. But the fact is, they are going to want to make a new and lasting deal, one that benefits all of Iran and the Iranian people. When they do, I am ready, willing, and able. Great things can happen for Iran. And great things can happen for the peace and stability that we all want in the Middle East. There has been enough suffering, death, and destruction. Let it end now. Thank you. God bless you. Thank you. REPORTER: Mr. President, how does this make America safer? How does this make America safer? TRUMP: Thank you very much. This will make America much safer. Thank you very much. REPORTER: Is Secretary Pompeo bringing the detainees home? TRUMP: Secretary Pompeo is right now going to North Korea. He will be there very shortly, in a matter of virtual probably an hour. Hes got meetings set up. We have our meeting scheduled. We have our meeting set. The location is picked. The time and date. Everything is picked. And we look forward to having a very great success. We think relationships are building with North Korea. Well see how it all works out. Maybe it will. Maybe it wont. But it can be a great thing for North Korea, South Korea, Japan, and the entire world. We hope it all works out. Thank you very much. REPORTER: Are the Americans being freed? TRUMP: Well all soon be finding out. We will soon be finding out. It would be a great thing if they are. Well soon be finding out. Thank you very much. President Muhammadu Buhari has written the Senate to seek confirmation of senior Nigerian lawyer, Festus Keyamo, and six others as chairman and members of Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation. Mr Buhari transmitted his intention via a letter read by the Senate President, Bukola Saraki, on Tuesday. The letter reads, In compliance with section 5 (4) of the Nigerian Deposit Insurance Act 2006, it is my pleasure to forward to distinguished senate the under listed nominees for confirmation as chairman and members of Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation. Their CVs are attached. The president listed the nominees as: Olabode Mustapha (Chairman, Ogun State) Garba Buba (Member, Bauchi State) Bello Garba (Member, Sokoto State) Joseph Okalogu (Member, Enugu State) Mustapha Mudashiru (Member, Kwara State) Festus Keyamo (Member, Delta) Adewale Adeleke (Member, Ondo State) It is my hope distinguished senate will consider and confirm the nominees in the usual expeditious manner. Please accept Mr Senate President, the assurances of my highest consideration, the president wrote. Mr Keyamo, a human rights lawyer, was last month appointed by the president as the head of communications and strategy for his 2019 re-election bid. In a separate letter, Mr Buhari sought the confirmation of Ateru Garba Madami as the Resident Electoral Commissioner representing Niger State at the electoral commission, INEC. Mr Madami is drafted to replace a nominee earlier rejected by the Senate. It would be recalled that the senate had earlier rejected the initial nominee on the ground that he hails from the same local government area and senatorial district with a serving national commissioner, the letter reads. The Senate has summoned all service chiefs; the Director General of the State Security Service, Lawan Daura; the Comptroller General of Customs, Hameed Ali; and the National security adviser, Babagana Monguno over the illegal possession of firearms by non-authorised Nigerians. The invitation was sequel to deliberations on a motion titled proliferation of dangerous firearms in Nigeria sponsored by Suleiman Hunkuyi (APC, Kaduna North). The senator had called for the invitation while lamenting the incessant killings in several parts of the country with reference to the most recent killings in Kaduna State on Saturday. The Saturday attack by bandits in Gwaska village of Birnin Gwari Local Government Area of Kaduna left at least 58 people dead. Among the victims was the Sarkin Fawa (head of local vigilante) who was on his way back to the village. Several houses in the village of about 3,000 inhabitants were also set ablaze. The attack came barely 48 hours after the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Ibrahim Idris, and Mohammed, General Officer Commanding, 1 Division, Nigerian Army, Kaduna, visited Birnin Gwari. Mr Idris shunned a Senate invitation to visit Birnin Gwari, but has been summoned, for the third time, to appear on Wednesday before the lawmakers. President Muhammadu Buhari on Monday condemned the Gwaska attack and rolled out measures his government was putting in place to prevent a reoccurrence. One of such measures is the deployment of a permanent army battalion to Birnin Gwari which has suffered similar attacks in the past year. In his motion, Mr Hunkuyi stressed that tribal, communal, religious, and other sectarian clashes, including the farmers/herders crises, are now more devastating due to wrongful and easy acquisition of firearms in violation of due process of such acquisition as laid down by the enabling laws and regulations. He said the trend has contributed to the colossal loss of lives and wanton destruction of property of Nigerian citizens. This is attributable to the inability to control the proliferation of firearms into this country; as well as negligence from the departments of government entrusted with the responsibility to control how individuals, corporate entities can acquire and maintain firearms in Nigeria, but particularly the free access by hoodlums to acquire firearms easily, he said. He expressed worry that despite the killings in Benue, Kaduna, Kogi, Zamfara and other parts of Nigeria, since the start of the year, meaningful efforts are not being embarked upon to curtail the proliferation of firearms in Nigeria. The situation has worsened to the extent that some opinion leaders are calling on Nigerians to stand up and protect themselves. These prodding at self-defence, if not checked through action by the government, would certainly get to the extent that firearm would be secured by every household either in the name of protection or for some other purposes. From the observation of the United States experience, such a scenario will not augur well for this country, he added. The lawmaker warned that if the situation is allowed to further deteriorate, unprecedented famine and diminishing economic output, as seen in nations plagued by war and crises will pervade Nigeria. As the most populous country on the African continent, the nations GDP would certainly be affected adversely, he said. He also expressed disappointment at the fact that the various departments of government entrusted with the responsibility of checking and regulating the influx of firearms in Nigeria have failed woefully in the discharge of this all important duty. Contributing to the motion, James Manager (PDP, Delta) described the proliferation of firearms as one that should not be ignored. He said it puts the lives of everyone (especially the unarmed) in danger. He expressed worry that worse could happen with the election year approaching and no one can tell what will happen. The Senate Leader, Ahmed Lawan (APC, Yobe North) said the motion gives the Senate an opportunity to look at one of the reasons why we are suffering today. The issue of proliferation of firearms is definitely a major reason why we have the killings going on. Our security officers are not even properly armed. The armed forces lose their firearms to these culprits and it has been established that most of the firearms in the hands of the criminals are from our armed forces and security agencies, he said. The Senate, thereafter, resolved to invite the security chiefs to discuss ways to put an end to this unfortunate situation. Nigeria is considering a major policy change to its tertiary education that would see graduates go for an extra year of studies. The Minister of State for Education, Anthony Anwukah, disclosed this on Tuesday at a two-day retreat for governing councils of federal universities in Abuja. The retreat, held under the theme Elements of Statutory Governance, Procurement and Financial Accounting in Nigerian Universities, is to address the challenges of the education sector. Mr Anwukah said this was being considered because many university graduates were not good enough to be employed by industries. He said the proposal was similar to the extra year currently being undertaken by law and medical students. Law students attend Law School for one year before going for NYSC and medical students go for one year Housemanship before they are allowed to practice fully, so it will be necessary for other courses to also go through this process, Mr Anwukah said. The Lagos Business School can also serve as a one year after-school training, he added. Mr Anwukah said the university system has let Nigeria down in the countrys quest for industrial development. He said the universities have failed to produce graduates that meet the needs of the industries. The universities are producing products that are not matching the needs of the industries. I urged the Committee of Pro-chancellors and Committee of Vice-Chancellor to end the decline in the standard of education, he said. He lamented that the Students Industrial Work Experience Scheme (SIWES) system has failed in the universities. SIWES, established in 1974 by the Nigerian government, is a programme of the Industrial Training Fund (ITF). It is designed to give Nigerian students studying occupationally related courses in higher institutions the experience that would supplement their theoretical learning. But according to the minister, the project is not working and remains a major problem for the university system. Ayo Banjo, the Chairman of the Governing Board of Nigerian Universities Commission (NUC), said the university system must be well-funded before it can achieve high ranking and fulfill its mandate. There must be inflow of internally-generated revenue. Pro-chancellors need to think of business that can generate income internally for the revenue of the universities. Unlike pure water and bread, universities should venture into agriculture and real estate, he said. He said the governing councils must ensure that best practices are followed in accountability of resources. According to him, the first university in Nigeria will be 70 years this year, so the university system in the country can still be regarded to be in its infancy. He said Nigerian universities, except the private ones, have no meaningful academic calendar, although he noted that there are strenuous effort by the universities to appear on global ranking. The Executive Secretary of NUC, Abubakar Rasheed, said the major problems in universities can be traced to bad governance. The retreat is coming at a time when NUC is embarking on reforming universities in Nigeria, he said. Ibrahim Njodi, the Vice-Chancellor of University of Maiduguri and representative of Committee of Vice-chancellors, said the retreat will examine a better way for policy implementation. We must say the education sector has been experiencing issues but this government means well for the sector, he said. The NUC was established to promote quality higher education in Nigeria. The police on Tuesday paraded persons accused of supplying arms to armed persons who have been attacking communities in Benue and Taraba states. Scores of people have been killed in both states since the start of the year. In a statement on Tuesday evening, police spokesperson, Jimoh Moshood, listed the names of the suspects and arms recovered from them. Read Mr Moshoods full statement below. Police Parade Major Gunrunners in Benue-Taraba Axis The renewed strategies adopted by the Nigeria Police Force to stop the incessant killings of innocent Nigerians and curtail the proliferation of firearms across the country, most especially in the North-Central States have been yielding positive results. The IGP Intelligence Response Team and the Police Special Forces mandated by the IGP to work with Benue, Nasarawa and Taraba State Commands, in the last two weeks arrested the Eleven (11) suspects mentioned above within Benue and Taraba States and recovered from them were Ten (10) AK47 Rifles and other assorted firearms and ammunition. 2. In the first two cases, the suspects confessed to have been responsible for the supply of AK47 rifles and other firearms and ammunition to armed bandits, militias, and criminal herdsmen/farmers in Benue and Taraba States. 3. The first suspect, Morris Ashwe 36yrs Native of Mbajima Village Katsina Ala LGA Benue State confessed and admitted to have been supplying firearms and ammunition to the notorious and most wanted vicious and notorious gang leader of militia, murderers and kidnappers Terwase Akwaza aka Ghana who was declared wanted by the Nigeria Police Force for the merciless killings of several innocent persons and wanton destruction of properties worth Millions of Naira, at ZakiBiam in Benue State on 20th March, 2017 and for other violent crimes such as Culpable Homicide, Mischief by Fire and Criminal Conspiracy and the killing of Mr. Deneen Igbana (late) the Special Adviser on Security to the Governor of Benue State. 4. In the second case, all the three (3) suspects namely Kabiru Idris, Miracle Emmanuel and Husseini Safiyanu were arrested in Taraba State and in their possession Five (5) AK47 rifles, Thirteen (13) AK47 Magazines, Eighty Three (83) Rounds of AK47 Ammunition were recovered. They confessed to have been supplying AK47 rifles and other firearms and ammunition to Militia groups, armed bandits and other criminals in Taraba and Benue States who they admitted have been attacking and killing innocent people in villages in Taraba and Benue States. 5. The third case involving Seven (7) suspected kidnappers. These suspected kidnappers were arrested in the act of movement to kidnap a prominent person in Makurdi Benue State. The arrest was made possible from intelligence gathered by the IGP Intelligence Response Team. Two (2) Beretta Pistols were recovered from them. They confessed to have been responsible for several kidnappings in Benue, Taraba and Some part of Nasarawa State in the recent past. 6. Investigation is being strengthened to arrest other suspects at large. All suspects will be arraigned in court on completion of investigation. 7. The deployment of additional fifteen (15) Police mobile Force units to augment the strength of the Benue State Police Command has beefed-up security in the State and help in sustaining the peace that have been restored to the state. 8. The Force hereby wishes to assure the people of Benue and other contiguous state of its commitment to sustain the peaces that have been restored in those states. SUSPECTS 1st Case: ILLEGAL FIREARMS DEALERS i. Morris Ashwe 36yrs Native of Mbajima Village Katsina Ala LGA Benue State (Working for Terwase Akwaza aka Ghana) Recovered from him were i. Five (5) AK47 Rifles, ii. Two Hundred and Thirty Eight (238) Rounds of AK47 Ammunition iii. Forty (40) Smoke Grenade Canisters iv. Seventy Nine (79) LAR Rifle Ammunition 2nd Case: ILLEGAL FIREARMS DEALERS i. Kabiru Idris 43yrs Principal Suspect Arrested in Takum Town, Taraba State ii. Miracle Emmanuel Principal Suspect and Gang Leader 27yrs Native of Anambra State iii. Husseini Safiyanu Native of Taraba State Principal Suspect Recovered from them were i. Five (5) AK47 Rifles ii. Thirteen (13) AK47 Magazines iii. Eighty Three (83) Rounds of AK47 Ammunition 3rd Case KIDNAPPERS/ARMED ROBBERS i. Emmanuel Ushehemba Kwembe 28yrs Native of Ushongo LGA Benue state, ii. Sekad Uver 28yrs Native of Koshisha LGA Benue State, iii. Ordure Fada 22yrs Native of Kwande LGA Benue State, iv. Stephen Jirgba 18yrs Native of Vande kya LGA Benue State v. Peter Lorham 24yrs Native of Kinshisha LGA Benue State vi. Achir Gabriel 30yrs Native of Ushongo LGA Benue State, vii. Lorhemen Akwambe 35yrs Native of Guma LGA Benue State. EXHIBITS i. Two (2) Beretta Pistols The much expected governorship primary of the Peoples Democratic Party came to an end on a peaceful note on Tuesday with the Deputy Governor of Ekiti State, Kolapo Olusola, emerging the candidate of the party. He defeated his closest rival and former minister of works, Dayo Adeyeye, after scoring 1,190 votes. Mr Adeyeye polled 771 votes, a performance considered by his admirers as a good outing considering the fact that the state governor, Ayo Fayose, deployed all his arsenal against him, in support of the winner of the primaries. Against all expectations, the election was rancour free and peacefully and transparently conducted, with both aspirants commending the process. The Senates deputy minority whip and the third aspirant, Biodun Olujimi, stepped down earlier for Mr Adeyeye, in order to brighten his chances of winning. That move, however, did not change the tide, as Mr Olusola still won with a margin of about 419 votes. In the primary election, 2,086 were accredited for the election but only 1,968 were eligible after others were disqualified. Seven votes were voided. Mr Olusola entered the race with a clear advantage with his endorsement by the state working committee of the PDP in the state at the instance of Mr Fayose. The chairman of the primary committee and Delta State Governor, Ifeanyi Okowa, shortly after voting ended, sought the views of both aspirants on the conduct of the primaries. Both of them agreed that the process was credible and expressed their support for its outcome. Mr Okowa in announcing the results, hailed the contestants and delegates for displaying maturity, pointing out that this had again confirmed that the PDP was truly a democratic party. By the power vested in me as the Returning Officer, I hereby return Professor Kolapo Olusola as the duly nominated gubernatorial candidate of the PDP for Ekiti State governorship election, having scored the highest number of votes cast in this election, he said. I want to congratulate Professor Kolapo Olusola for his victory, I wish him well. If you think this exercise was not peaceful, just look back and examine what happened in the past. He thanked Mr Fayose for his support, and commended the security officials and members of the panel for ensuring the success of the polls. Just before the commencement of voting, Senator Olujimi stepped down and this reduced the number of contestants to two, Mr Okowa said. It was a very tough contention and just before Adeyeye left the hall, he came to tell me he was satisfied with the conduct of the exercise. I thank the members of the panel and PDP NWC for reposing confidence in us. Reacting to the outcome of the primaries, Mr Olusola, a professor at the Obafemi Awolowo University, said he would continue to display loyalty to the party. He thanked those who facilitated his victory. I humbly thank all our party stalwarts who made this victory possible, particularly Governor Ayodele Fayose, he said. I want to thank the doggedness of my co-contestant, Prince Adeyeye. History will have it that he put in his best for a better Ekiti. I am determined to move Ekiti forward by sustaining those legacies that were started by our amiable governor. We are aware of the plans of the interlopers who wanted to grab power through the backdoor. Whether they like it or not, we shall give them another 16-0 again with the support of Ekiti people. I thank Governor Fayose for standing firm behind me despite all odds, I shall eternally be grateful to you for this love. Mr Fayose, in his remarks on the primaries, jokingly recommended Mr Okowa to the APC for the conduct of its rescheduled primaries. APC is worse than the PDP in every aspect, he added. He said he will reach out to Messrs Adeyeye and Olujimi to assure them of their relevance in the party. A senator, Shehu Sani (APC, Kaduna Central) has accused Nigerian politicians of being behind the proliferation of illegal firearms around the nation and the violence. He said this while contributing to a motion on the proliferation of firearms in Nigeria, sponsored by Suleiman Hunkuyi (APC, Kaduna North). Mr Hunkuyi had lamented the incessant killings in several parts of the country with reference to the most recent one in Kaduna State on Saturday. The Saturday attack by bandits left no fewer than 58 people dead in Gwaska village, Birnin Gwari Local Government Area of the state. The attack came barely 48 hours after the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Ibrahim Idris, and Mohammed Mohammed, General Officer Commanding (GOC), 1 Division, Nigerian Army, Kaduna, visited the local government. The gunmen also killed the Sarkin Fawa (Head of local vigilante) who was on his way back to the village and set several houses in the village of about 3,000 inhabitants ablaze. Following the latest attack, Governor Nasir El-Rufai, announced that the federal government had agreed to deploy a permanent army battalion in the troubled area. In his contribution, Mr Sani frowned at the constant invitation of security chiefs for briefing. He explained that the central issue is the political class which is complicit in the proliferation of arms in Nigeria. He explained that there are more firearms in the country than tractors and the proliferation of these is key to the destabilising the peace of Nigeria. It is not possible for our security agencies to bring an end to the violence, killings, bloodshed, and proliferation of arms in this country as long as the political class includes violence as part of their political strategy to retain political power or to assume political power. We are becoming an AK-47 nation. People are killed every day and our country is becoming a failed state. It is a concern to every Nigerian today that the state is failing. People in rural areas and isolated places are being killed and all we can do is condole, condemn, deliberate, discuss and offer one-minute-silence and the silence continues, he said. Urging his colleagues not to deceive themselves, he stated that the scale of arms in the country has the capability to bring an end to the nation as a Republic. The motion before us here brings to spotlight the reality of the Nigerian state. It should also touch our conscience that we must move fast. There is a limit to what the security agencies can do in a political atmosphere where the people in power are openly advocating and canvassing for violence. Hardly, in this country, will you find a politician who does not have a reserve of arms which he deploys during congresses, primary and general elections. Until we have a new national reorientation where people should not see politics as a do or die affair but as an opportunity to serve, this problem may not end. We have seen violence in the North-east, North-central and it is about the proliferation of arms. We have seen theories, conjectures, and hypotheses saying all these arms come from Libya. What happened to our border guards, military, customs, and immigration? What happened to the billions of naira spent on protecting our borders? It is unfortunate that we are moving towards the 2019 general elections and the handwriting on the wall is very clear. People are adopting the act of violence to retain their office and assume office, he said. The senator reminded his colleagues that Nigerias political orientation and culture is one that promotes, aides, and abates violence. He said political parties in Nigeria were not founded on any ideology but as a vehicle for assuming political offices. Violence is not simply about herdsmen and insurgents but we have seen an institutionalised adoption and adaptation of violence as a policy and strategy of people in the position of power. The political class teaches the people how to use guns. You bring them in. It is everywhere on the pages of the newspaper. We have even seen violence on this floor here and nothing was done about it. So, what are you inviting the security chiefs to come and do? There are more sophisticated arms in the hands of anonymous people than we have in stock as a state. We need to change our political orientation from the top to down. People were killed in Brinin-Gwari Local Government and even the Army has withdrawn from the area because they do not have enough firepower to confront the herdsmen and bandits, he said. The Senate thereafter, summoned all service chiefs; the Director-General of the State Security Service, Lawan Daura; the Comptroller-General of Customs, Hameed Ali; and the National Security Adviser, Babagana Monguno, to discuss ways to put an end to the security threats. The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara, Tuesday led other leaders and members of the House to visit embattled senator, Dino Melaye, at the National Hospital Abuja. Mr Dogara accompanied by his deputy, Yusuf Lasun; Deputy Minority Leader, Binta Bello; and other members were received by the former Speaker of the House, Patricia Etteh, and the Chief Medical Director of the hospital, Jaf Momoh. Mr Melaye, who is asthmatic, is receiving treatment at the Intensive Care Unit, Trauma Centre of the National hospital. The lawmaker developed complications after he was reportedly teargassed by police officers conveying him to Lokoja, Kogi State to stand trial on criminal allegations last week. Meanwhile, the Speaker prayed God to grant Mr Melaye quick recovery . The UK government has announced the approval of a 12 million new funding as support to Nigeria to help deepen its implementation of open government reform commitments. The UK Ambassador to Nigeria, Paul Arkwright, disclosed this in Abuja at the opening of the 2018 Open Government Partnership (OGP) Week. Mr Arkwright, who was the special guest speaker at the event said Nigerias progress since joining the 70-member countries OGP in 2016 has been commendable and deserved the continued support of the UK government. The ambassador, who described the UK as the proud global leader on transparency and accountability, identified the OGP as an important part of its agenda. Open government is the process of engaging with civil society and the citizens in a transparent and accountable partnership to promote democratic, equal, sustainable and prosperous society. Noting transparency as a principle that does not stop at national borders, Mr Arkwright commended five states of the federation that have so far signed up to the OGP, to deepen sub-national transparency in the country.. Urging more states to emulate these, the Ambassador assured that the UK government would continue to support Nigeria to engage, reform and learn. He said the government would also lend its facility to support the countrys effort to open up governance, legislature other institutions work for scrutiny work and allow citizens hold them accountable UK and Nigeria has a fledging partnership, Mr. Arkwright noted. Nigerias decision to join the OGP not only sends a strong signal about the way it sees the inherent value in openness in civil society and government working together, but also a strong national and global message and commitment to tackling corruption. Nigerias progress has been very commendable. The OGP self-assessment report indicates reforms in the countrys first national action plan are on track. Citizens engagement in the federal budget process has been strengthened by the timely release of budget information and consultations with civil society organisations. On 2019, the envoy said while the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has a job to do to bring about credible elections, the citizens have a role to play. On the other hand, he said the government has a responsibility to demonstrate leadership and maturity by bringing transparency in the process to bring a peaceful, free, fair and credible voting. We want to encourage transparency around the 2019 elections process so that Nigerians will accept the result as credible and reflect the will of the people, Mr Arkwright said. While secrecy enables corruption, injustice and negligence to go unchecked, he said transparency matters for sustainable development. He said when citizens see how government spends public funds and what that achieves for them, and have a say in how the government is run, trust and confidence would be built in political leadership. Besides, with open, accountable and responsive government, he said citizens are more likely to pay taxes, vote and get involved in decision making, shine the light on financial flows to ensure that transparency reduces opportunities for corruption. Sunshine is the best disinfectant. Open government is a better government, he said. The UK and Nigeria government will have to ensure that openness and accountability are embedded across institutions. Civil society must seize the opportunity and hold government to account for its progress. The OGP is a shared process, but leadership has to come from both sides. In his speech, U.S. Ambassador to Nigeria, Stuart Symington, acknowledged the significance of open government partnership with civil society, saying all over the world, people seek to have a government that realises its partnership with citizens is its present and future. Mr Symington commended plans by the Nigerian government to come up with independent mechanism on corruption indices, as he believes the score about corruption that mattered was the score marked by the citizens. The Attorney-General and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, said so far, five states, namely Kaduna, Kano, Anambra, Ebonyi and Niger have adopted the OGP principle, out of which Kaduna was nominated as one of the global sub-national pilot states. The Senate President has said the National Assembly will soon pass the Fiscal and Host Community Bill, a component of the Petroleum Industry Governance Bill (PIGB). He made this statement when the leadership of the International Oil Companies and Oil Producers Trade Section (IOC/OPTS) visited him in Abuja. He also urged members of the IOC/OPTS not to induce lawmakers during the consideration and passage of the bills which is now before the National Assembly. According to a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Sanni Onogu, Mr Saraki said the leadership of the 8th National Assembly has made it clear to all lawmakers involved in the process to live above board. He said that after the passage of the PIGB by the National Assembly which is now before now before the presidency for assent, the process for the passage of the Fiscal and Host Communities Bills will soon commence to pass a petroleum bill that will be a win-win for all stakeholders. This is where we are now and this is where it concerns those of you who are operators to see that we can pass a petroleum bill that is a win win for all. A petroleum bill that will be a win for Nigeria on the revenue side, investment side and jobs creation; and it is also a win for those who are investing in Nigeria. Because we appreciate that it is a very competitive world out there and we must make Nigeria competitive. The only way we can do that is through engagement. We cannot do it by just passing a bill and just putting it at your doorstep, because we are not the ones that will do the investment. So, it has to be a bill that we all believe is in the interest of all those who are involved, he said. He also called on the leadership of the OIC/OPTS to report any lawmaker who seeks any personal favour when the process of passing the bills commences this month. I am confident that for these other bills too, we will do the same. I want to assure you that it is in our own interest and the leadership has made it clear to all the members involved that this must be a transparent process. We are doing it in the interest of the country. Leadership is not going to tolerate any hanky-panky. No favours. No gifts. Nothing must be given to get this work done. And we want to mandate you that if you see any of these you should be able to bring it to the attention of the leadership. All we want to see is a Bill that is in the interest of Nigeria and we have read the riot act to all our members that nobody should approach anybody for any interest towards any benefit and I want to make this very clear. This is the position of leadership on this issue. We must ensure that everything is above board because this is not just a bill for today, but for future generations. We must make sure that in our time it is done properly, he stated. Earlier, the leader of the delegation of the IOC/OPTS and Managing Director of Shell Nigeria Limited, Osagie Okunbo, said the visit is essentially meant to assure the leadership of the National Assembly that the IOC/OPTS will make its memorandum on the bills available to the relevant committees of the National Assembly during the public hearing. He said that it is important to ensure that the bill that will be passed is one that will essentially promote investment. Our primary concern is that at the end of the day, we both lay the years of uncertainty to rest, but even more importantly, that a bill that is passed eventually is one that we can all be proud of and the one that we can say will encourage investments in all parts of the oil industry, Mr Okunbo stated. A report detailing the circumstances surrounding the incident of April 18 when thugs invaded the Senate chamber and made away with the mace is ready, Senate President Bukola Saraki announced on Tuesday. Distinguished colleagues, youll remember that following the incidence of invasion of the senate, one of the decisions that was taken then was that the management must do a report to find out the roles that were played by all the members and what led to the invasion. The report has been ready and submitted. I think that report should go to the committee on ethics for them to review it and make their recommendation to us, Mr Saraki said. The Senate President while commenting on a point of order raised by Tijjani Kaura (Zamfara-APC) made this announcement. Mr Kaura had called the attention of the senate to recent killings and kidnappings in his constituency urging the senate to look into the matter. Mr Saraki said the appearance of the Inspector-General of Police on Wednesday will suffice to address security issues in Zamfara and other parts of Nigeria. Again it is unfortunate of the incident in Samfara. Which is of a daily basis. It is of great concern to us. We at the National Assembly, we must play our role to see what we can do to tackle this insecurity issue. It is unfortunate as we said last time we expected the IG here, we have given him again till Wednesday to come here so that we can truly engage and address these problems we are facing today in the country. We saw what happened in Kaduna State some days ago and now it is Zamfara. We will do our best despite the level of lack of cooperation but we must play our role and I can assure you that we would do something to bring a change and make this country more secure. Mr Idris had snubbed the last two invitations by the Senate. The Senate on Tuesday urged the federal government to address all cases of xenophobic treatment allegedly suffered by Nigerian nationals in Gambia and other African countries. This decision follows a motion by David Umaru (Niger-APC) on the status of bilateral cooperation agreement between Nigeria and Gambia and alleged ill-treatment of Nigerian judicial officers seconded to Gambia under the agreement. Mr Umaru said there is a long standing bilateral cooperation agreement between Nigeria and The Gambia under which Nigeria as the donor country is required to provide suitably qualified personnel to fill cadre posts in the public service of Gambia, the receiving government. He noted that Nigerian lawyers have taken advantage of the agreement to apply and secure contract employment with the Ministry of Justice of Gambia as well as the judiciary of Gambia. He added that since 1965 when this agreement was signed, Nigeria has been honoring her obligations and has made great sacrifices for Gambia by providing her citizens to serve in the legal, health, education, and other sectors of the Gambian economy. Mr Umaru said that Nigerian judges and other legal personnel, who served in Gambian Judiciary and Ministry of Justice, have recently been complaining of ill- treatment, hatred and xenophobic attacks. He mentioned these ill-treatment to include: Refusal to provide working facilities to enable them discharge their official functions effectively, and underpayment of salaries and in some cases refusal to pay same as and when due; Refusal to provide accommodation to Judicial officers seconded to the Gambia from Nigeria, eviction of some with members of their families from their rented or hotel accommodation without alternative accommodation provided; Arbitrary removal or dismissal from office without reasonable cause and without recourse to the neither the bilateral agreement nor The Gambian Judicial Service Commission; Deliberate and unfair exclusion of Nigerian judicial officers seconded to The Gambia from foreign training programs; Constant harassment, threat of deportation and regular issuance of short notices to Nigerian judicial officers to leave The Gambia for delivering judgments against the government of The Gambia; and Official intimidation, taunting and labelling Nigerian judicial officers seconded to The Gambia as incompetent or mercenaries who are working against the interest of The Gambia etc. He said the complaints of the affected judicial officers are yet to receive the deserved attention by appropriate Nigerian authorities several months after written complaints have been forwarded to appropriate quarters. The Senate in adopting recommendations of the motion mandated its committees on Judiciary, Human Rights, Legal Matters and Foreign Affairs to investigate the status of the agreement and make appropriate recommendations. The Senate also mandated the committee to investigate allegation of ill-treatment and other xenophobic attacks on Nigerian judges and other legal personnel serving in Gambia, and make appropriate recommendations. The lawmakers also urged the federal government to urgently address all cases of xenophobic treatment allegedly suffered by Nigerian nationals in Gambia, South Africa and any other African country where similar agreements exist. Some police personnel have lamented the reduction in their salaries for the past few months saying the situation has worsened their economic plight. The police officcers, cutting across states, said they have had portions from their salaries deducted especially for the months of February, March and April. The officers who are not named to in order to protect their identities as requested said efforts to get explanations from the police authorities have not been fruitful. PREMIUM TIMES gathered that the Force Headquarters, FCT Police Command and the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation have been besieged by police officers across the country seeking explanations on why their salaries are being cut. A sergeant, who serves as a driver to one of the Assistant Commissioners of Police in Abuja, said N15,000 was being deducted from his salary monthly since the beginning of the year. He said this had adversely affected his spending power. He said despite formal complaints made by him to the authorities, he is yet to be given a reason for the deduction. Similarly, a female Inspector who is serving in the Lagos Command said she came to Abuja to complain about the monthly deduction of N27, 000 from her salary for the past few months. She said the salary she recieves is hardly enough to cater for her family and that the deduction had added to her financial plight. She appealed to the police authorities to look into the matter so as to bring reprieve to many of her colleagues who are also affected. It is not only me that is affected. I can count over 30 officers, mainly of junior rank who have been affected. Imagine someone earning a little over N40, 000 having N15, 000 deducted from his or her salary. I even know some senior officers who earn close to N100, 000 but are now recieving N40, 000 to N50, 000. We learnt that this new payment system (Integrated Personnel and Payment System) employed by the government is the reason for the anomaly. But we need explanations from our ogas. We also need to know if we will get the deductions paid back to us, the officer, who asked not to be named said. A female officer at the Force Headquarters also said her March salary was cut and even though she had laid a formal complaint, she is yet to get the funds back or any explanation. Another police officer, who did not give her rank said though she was not affected, she knew at least five Inspectors who are affected by the deductions. Nigeria Police on patrol I know at least five Inspectors who say that N27, 000 is being deducted from their salaries monthly. Of course we know there are some normal deductions like tax and pension which we are already used to and is known. But nobody seems to know what these new deductions are for. You need to to visit the pay office or Accountant General office to see police men and women with numerous complaints. The police officers also complained about the lateness in the payment of their monthly salaries, urging the authorities to look into the matter. Most times, we collect our salaries 10 to 15 days into a new month and this is not good enough. This is even worse when it there is a public holiday or festivities. The little we get paid needs to be given to us at least on time so as to dissuade us from engaging in corrupt acts, one of the officers said. Police spokesperson, Jimoh Moshood, has however explained the short payment of salaries as experienced by some of its personnel. In a statement sent to PREMIUM TIMES, he confirmed the development but added that the issue is being treated appropriately. He said the salaries for the months of February, March and April were particularly affected. He urged the officers affected to exercise patience as the matter would be resolved. The Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation has assured the Nigeria Police Force that salary short payment for police personnel for the month of April, 2018 was due to system error and is being promptly resolved. All other issues relating to payment of salary to Police personnel are being addressed. The affected personnel will according to OAGF get the salary differential paid on or before Monday, May 7th, 2018. Commissioners of Police and their supervising Assistant Inspectors General of Police in charge of State and Zonal Commands, and Heads of other formations and detachment in the Force have been directed by the Inspector General of Police to lecture and educate their personnel who have any complaint from payment of February, March and April 2018 Salary that their complaints are being rectified. Affected police personnel are enjoined not to panic as the Force is doing everything in conjunction with Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation to ensure that all the identified problems in the payment of salary of Police personnel across the country are permanently resolved. In February, an Assistant Commissioner of Police and head of the Nigerian Polices Intelligence Response Team (IRT), Abba Kyari, decried the poor funding of the force which he said had led to poor remuneration for its personnel. Mr Kyari, famous for leading the team that arrested the alleged notorious kidnapper, Chukwudi Onuamadike, aka Evans, also said in the piece published by the Guardian that Nigerian police officers are poorly paid and only have access to less than 20 per cent of what they need to operate properly. Google and read about the funding of Nigeria Police and salaries, we physically get less than 20 per cent of what we need to operate properly, Mr Kyari reportedly said in the comment section of a Facebook post he put up to mourn the death of a police sergeant who was killed by kidnappers. Justice Gabriel Kolawole of the Federal High Court, Abuja, has adjourned the case of a former Head of Service, HoS of the Federation, Stephen Oronsaye, who is standing trial for an alleged N2 billion pension fraud to May 14, 2018. Mr Oronsaye along with Osarenkhoe Afe, managing director, Fredrick Hamilton Global Services Limited, are alleged to be complicit in several contract awards during his tenure as HoS. At the resumed sitting on Tuesday, the first prosecution witness, Rouqayya Ibrahim, an EFCC operative, was cross-examined by Ade Okeaya-Inneh, lead counsel for Mr Oronsaye, after prosecution counsel, O.A. Atolagbe, informed the court that it was done with its evidence-in-chief. Under cross-examination by Mr Okeaya-Inneh, the witness who has been in the box since June 14, 2016, told the court that the Pension Fraud Team of the EFCC investigated the pension fraud in the Office of the Head of Service, OHSC. She said: We investigated payments to companies and individuals, and we observed that if we pick up the statement of account, what would be reflected would be payments for biometric enrolment contracts, consumables, and supplies for different types of narratives, but none of them existed except for Uptrack and Innovative Solutions. Ms Ibrahim further added that during investigations, it was observed that the powers of the Permanent Secretary who should be the Accounting Officer were taken over by the Head of Service, then Oronsaye, through his actions. She had during her examination-in-chief, also stated that a number of the contracts awarded were fictitious contracts. Many of the contracts did not exist, with the exception of one of the biometric contracts, specifically Uptrack and Innovative Solutions, and it was the one that was supposedly done, all other payments investigated, there were no contracts, there were no documentations for them, she said. She further added that: All the payments were made during the tenure of Oronsaye as Head of Service, and though the Permanent Secretary ought to have been the Accounting Officer, it was not the case from findings during investigations. According to Ms Ibrahim, no contracts were awarded to Frederick Hamilton who received about N119 million for biometric enrolment, stressing that Innovative Solutions was awarded the contract but brought in Frederick Hamilton and Uptrack, who were asked to do the contract verbally. Mr Okeaya-Inneh, made reference to 66 bank accounts investigated by the EFCC during the course of investigations, and asked how the anti-graft agency came about labelling them as illegal accounts. We wrote to the Accountant General of the Federation and he referred to them as illegal accounts, and in the reply stated that the accounts were opened without his approval, she said. Ms Ibrahim intimated the court that a Task Force set up at the Head of Service, had nothing to do with the EFCCs investigation of the pension fraud. Oluwole Aladedoye, counsel for Afe and Frederick Hamilton, rather than cross-examine the witness, however, sought for an adjournment, noting that he needed to bring some documents to court, which he wanted to confront the witness with. But, Mr Atolagbe objected to the application, arguing that the reason was not cogent, and he has been aware of todays proceedings and there had been four previous adjournments, so he had the opportunity to bring to court, the documents he needed. However, Justice Kolawole adjourned to May 14, 2018 as it serves the interest of justice, to allow time for Mr Aladedoye for cross-examination of PW1 and re-examination if need be. The Chairman, Bauchi State Network of Civil Society Organisations, Jinjiri Garba, said on Tuesday that the network intended distributing cards that contained promises made to communities by politicians during campaigns. Mr Garba told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Bauchi that the measure was part of efforts to make the electorate hold politicians accountable for pledges contained in their manifestos. He said that the pledge cards would also give the electorate, information needed to take informed decisions during elections. We will distribute pledge cards for campaign promises to all communities in Bauchi. Any aspirant that comes to campaign for a position will be given the card to sign on whatever he or she promises to do for the people in that area. After election, by about four to five months, the electorate will congratulate the successful candidate and remind him or her of the promises. Reminders will be done periodically till the politician fulfills the promise; if he or she fails, then such person will not have the gut to approach the community during future elections, he said. (NAN) Northern Governors Wives Forum (NGWF) on Tuesday stressed the need for collaboration by stakeholders to tackle increasing cases of drug abuse by youth in the country. Hadiza Abubakar, the Chairperson of the forum and wife of Bauchi State Governor, made the call at the forums quarterly meeting in Sokoto. Mrs Abubakar, who described the menace of drug abuse among youth in the north as worrisome, said the lives of future generation in the North was in serious jeopardy if left unchecked. She said the problem of drug addiction would ruin our youths and make them vulnerable, thereby jeopardising the future generation. She, however, noted that the forum had taken steps to tackle the menace by setting up drug community volunteer scheme, skill acquisition centres and rehabilitation centres, among others, in states. She added that the forum would continue to collaborate with partners and other stakeholders to bring an end to drug addiction in the region. Mrs Abubakar reaffirmed the commitment of the forum toward contributing positively to the welfare of the people and development of the region because it is a platform for collaboration between wives of governors in the North to bring about positive change and development in the region. According to the chairperson, the governors wives are at various stages of implementing a work plan in their various states following their training by UN Development Programme (UNDP). Governor Aminu Tambuwal of Sokoto State said the region was bedevilled with myriad of problems, especially drug abuse, which could be surmounted with concerted approach. Sokoto State Governor, Aminu Tambuwal Mr Tambuwal added that unity of purpose was critical in tackling the menace of drug abuse in the region. The Sokoto State Governors Wife, Mariya Tambuwal, described drug abuse as a serious issue affecting the North. She said it is traumatising to see our children engaged in drug abuse. We need to get these drug addicts back to their normal lives. The quarterly meeting was attended by wives of governors of Zamfara, Sokoto, Kebbi, Nasarawa, Taraba, Niger, Bauchi, among others. The federal government had on May 1, banned the production and importation of codeine syrup to check the abuse of the drug. (NAN) The Lagos State Lands Bureau on Tuesday said that over N11.85 billion had been approved as compensation for properties and owners affected by the alignment and right of way for construction, reconstruction and dualisation of roads. The Special Adviser to Governor Akinwunmi Ambode on Urban Development, Yetunde Onabule, disclosed this to journalists at the ongoing ministerial briefing to mark the governors third year in office in Alausa. Mrs Onabule, however, noted that payment of compensation would be with the presentation of all necessary documents as might be required, evidencing ownership of the property. We urge affected residents where these exercises are ongoing to speed up their verification processes. The government has begun payment within the last few weeks, she said. On revenue generation, she said that the bureau raked in N20.78 billion and N10.58 billion in 2016 and 2017 respectively. Responding to a question on the drop in revenue generated, Mrs Onabule said that the revenue of the Lands Bureau would definitely improve at the kick-off of new schemes, subsequent transactions on state land and payment by defaulters of capital development level, among others. On encroachment of government schemes, she advised the public to do proper charting and verification on properties before consummating transactions on land. She also admonished land speculators to desist from selling land that fall under government acquisition. Mrs Onabule appealed to allottees to move into the schemes and commence the development of their plots, as their continuous absence encourages the encroachment of the land by squatters who build illegal structures on them. She said that the government was ready to enforce its law over allottees who were in breach of the various clauses in their letters of allocation and certificates of occupancy. According to her, it is stated categorically that land must be fully developed within two years from the date of issuance of Certificate of Occupancy. Mrs Onabule also urged property owners to desist from patronising touts and third party in property registration. When you want to register your property, please do so yourself at our designated offices or engage the services of seasoned professionals. The Land Registry is now very conducive for all transactions; it is easy to access and display required documents for all kinds of registrations, Mrs Onabule said. (NAN) No fewer than eight people, who sustained various degrees of injuries in a road accident on the Gbongan-Ibadan Road on Tuesday, were rescued by the convoy of Governor Rauf Aregbesola. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the victims were market women coming from the popular Owode market in Ede. The accident, which occurred at about 1.30 pm, involved a mini commercial bus with registration number RLG 556 XA and a Honda car marked AKD 895 CJ. The commercial bus, it was learnt, had somersaulted after it collided with the car. Mr Aregbesola, whose convoy had arrived at the scene of the accident, alighted from his vehicle to join the rescue efforts. The governor, who was in company with his commissioner for health, immediately called for an ambulance to take the victims to the hospital. He also ensured that the two vehicles involved were removed from the road to ensure free flow of traffic before leaving the scene of the accident. An eyewitness said the driver of the Honda car was on top speed without foreknowledge of the speed breaker in front. The eyewitness said immediately the driver saw the speed breaker, he applied the brake, forcing his car to swerve off his lane and colliding with the commercial bus. While all the eight market women in the commercial bus sustained various degrees of injuries, the driver of the car came out unhurt. (NAN) One of the contenders for the ticket of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the July 14 governorship election in Ekiti State, Abiodun Olujimi, has withdrawn from the race. Announcing the withdrawal at 2.15 p.m., shortly before the commencement of the partys governorship primary election on Tuesday in Ado Ekiti, the state capital, she said that she had stepped down for another contender, Adedayo Adeyeye. Mrs Olujimi, who is Deputy Minority Whip at the Senate, said she had collapsed her structure in support of Mr Adeyeye for the progress of the party. She said for the benefit of our party, I offer myself as a sacrificial lamb to make our party great. I am collapsing my structure to brighten the chances of Dayo Adeyeye and make sure no single aspirant has undue advantage over others. The state governor once said his deputy was his anointed, and that nobody could stand against him; it was the two of us, me and Adeyeye, that had the courage that came out to challenge him. I dont want a situation whereby a single person will have an undue advantage over others, and that was why I took that decision. We will now wait and see what the result will be. Mrs Olujimi was deputy governor between December, 2005 and October, 2006 to Ayo Fayose during his first tenure as governor. (NAN) 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. DALLAS, May 8, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- 445 Media, a creative agency offering a wide range of digital marketing and web development services, is announcing a free ranking trial to new clients who are interested in improving their organic placement. A first in the industry, 445 Media will help improve potential clients natural search engine rankings for free. The agency is so confident in the quality of their work; they feel they can earn a customer's business in 30 days or less with the proof of work. There are a few terms of the trial: You must own or be employed by the owner of the site submitted The site must be live and completely functional The agency staff will review and determine if the site is a good fit for the trial and select a keyword relevant to your business The trial will run for 30 days, or until 445 Media feels they have shown their value A daily ranking report will be run for the entirety of the free trial The reason this is such a fantastic opportunity for site owners is it is a wonderful way to learn how to improve rankings and work with a respected SEO firm in the industry. "I signed up for the free trial not sure what to expect, and the next thing I knew, we had page one rankings," said Roger S., a roofing contractor. "We hired them on the spot and are happy we found a marketing company that works." 445 Media is accepting a limited number of customers at a time for this trial, act quickly and take advantage while you can. About 445 Media 445 Media, headquartered in Dallas, TX., is a premium design agency focused on marketing, design, branding and reputation management to allow our clients to obtain an overall better web presence. 445 Media has combined two agencies and merged them into a new brand company with extensive history and experience. SOURCE 445 Media Related Links https://445.media Four eye diseases age-related macular degeneration (AMD), diabetic retinopathy , glaucoma and cataracts account for most cases of adult blindness and low vision among people in developed countries. Because these eye diseases cause no pain and often have no early symptoms, they do not automatically prompt people to seek medical care. But a thorough checkup by an ophthalmologist a physician who specializes in medical and surgical eye care can detect them in their earliest stages. Early treatment is vital because it can slow or halt disease progression or, in the case of cataracts, restore normal vision. A thorough eye exam can also detect other health conditions, such as stroke, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, high blood pressure, autoimmune diseases, sexually transmitted diseases and some cancers. It's not uncommon for a trip to the ophthalmologist to actually save a life. The Academy's global community of 33,000 physicians urges you to follow these five simple steps to take control of your eye health today: Get a comprehensive medical eye exam at age 40. Early signs of disease or changes in vision may begin at this age. An exam by an ophthalmologist is an opportunity to carefully examine the eye for diseases and conditions that may have no symptoms in the early stages. For those concerned about the cost of an exam, the Academy's EyeCare America program may be able to help. More than 5,500 dedicated volunteer ophthalmologists provide eye exams and care, often at no out-of-pocket cost to eligible patients. Learn if you qualify at eyecareamerica.org. Know your family history. Certain eye diseases can be inherited. If you have a close relative with macular degeneration, you have a 50 percent chance of developing this condition. A family history of glaucoma increases your glaucoma risk by four to nine times. Talk to family members about their eye conditions. It can help you and your ophthalmologist evaluate your risk. Eat healthy foods. A diet low in fat and rich in fruits, vegetables, and whole grains, benefits the entire body, including the eyes. Eye-healthy food choices include citrus fruits, vegetable oils, nuts, whole grains, dark green leafy vegetables and cold water fish. Stop smoking. Smoking increases the risk for eye diseases such as cataract and age-related macular degeneration. Smoking also raises the risk for cardiovascular diseases which can indirectly influence your eye health. Tobacco smoke, including second-hand smoke, also worsens dry eye. Wear sunglasses. Exposure to ultraviolet UV light raises the risk of eye diseases, including cataract, fleshy growths on the eye and cancer. Always wear a hat and sunglasses with 100 percent UV protection while outdoors. "An eye exam doesn't just check how well you can see, it evaluates the overall health of your eyes," said Rebecca J. Taylor, M.D., clinical spokesperson for the American Academy of Ophthalmology. "The Academy encourages everyone, particularly if you're over age 40, to get regular eye care. By making vision a priority, we can help protect our sight as we age." To learn more ways to keep your eyes healthy, visit the American Academy of Ophthalmology's EyeSmart website. About the American Academy of Ophthalmology The American Academy of Ophthalmology is the world's largest association of eye physicians and surgeons. A global community of 32,000 medical doctors, we protect sight and empower lives by setting the standards for ophthalmic education and advocating for our patients and the public. We innovate to advance our profession and to ensure the delivery of the highest-quality eye care. Our EyeSmart program provides the public with the most trusted information about eye health. For more information, visit aao.org. About EyeCare America EyeCare America, one of largest public service programs in American medicine, is a program of the American Academy of Ophthalmology that provides eye care through a pool of nearly 5,000 volunteer ophthalmologists. Ninety percent of the care provided is at no out-of-pocket cost to the patient, through the generous support of the Knights Templar Eye Foundation, with additional support provided by Alcon and Regeneron. For more information, visit eyecareamerica.org. SOURCE American Academy of Ophthalmology Related Links http://www.aao.org The charity, Food for Kids, provides non-perishable food to Title One-eligible elementary school students in Carson, Compton, Long Beach, San Pedro, Torrance and Wilmington Schools. Hunger can have dramatic effects on educational progress and self-esteem, but poverty causes many students to arrive at school Monday morning without proper nourishment. While students eligible for the Free and Reduced Meal Program through Title One receive breakfast and lunch during the week, many families are not able to feed their children adequately on the weekends. That's where Yoshinoya and Food For Kids teamed up to donate literally a ton of food. Every Friday, volunteers assemble and deliver bags filled with two breakfasts, two lunches, two dinners and a nutrition flyer. "We provide local families food for the weekend, so the children can concentrate on their studies instead of what may be served for dinner," shared Trisha Smith, Volunteer Services Manager of The Volunteer Center: Food for Kids. "We are so thrilled with the outcome of this food drive," said Dar Vaseghi CEO of Yoshinoya. "Ensuring that families have nutritious food is important to us and we are grateful for Food for Kids and its commitment to supporting young students." For more information on how to get involved with Food for Kids, please visit https://www.volcenter.org/food-for-kids About Yoshinoya: Fresh, wholesome Japanese-style cuisine is the essence of the Yoshinoya Japanese Kitchen menu. Dating back to 1899 with the opening of its first restaurant in Tokyo, Japan, Yoshinoya is among the oldest quick-service restaurant chains in operation. Throughout its century of experience, Yoshinoya continues to grow aggressively while operating or franchising more than 1,833 restaurants in Japan, Mainland China, Shanghai, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Singapore, Philippines and the United States. The Yoshinoya Japanese Kitchen menu is based on fresh ingredients served in a variety of rice bowls, including the original Beef Bowl that started it all in 1899. Yoshinoya has more than 100+ restaurants in California with plans for expansion through additional company restaurants. For more information, visit http://www.YoshinoyaAmerica.com CONTACT: [email protected] SOURCE Yoshinoya America Related Links http://www.yoshinoyaamerica.com NEW YORK, May 8, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- "This is a non-linear race, and those who don't start now will fall further behind," says Artificial Intelligence company founder and serial entrepreneur Bruce Molloy. In a presentation intended for corporate board directors, managers and employees, Molloy, Chief AI Officer of SpringBoard.ai, will explain why AI is suddenly progressing so quickly after decades of false starts. Covered in the talk will be 9 practical imperatives that "Every Business Leader Should Know About AI." These include: Initial AI immersion; Taking a deep dive into one's industry; Getting the right talent; Connecting across the organization no silos; Finding trusted advisors; Implementing an AI data strategy; Thinking Innovatively; Thinking about the AI plus human collaboration; and Starting NOW! Molloy's Disrupt NNJ talk will be held on Thursday, May 10th from 5:30pm to 9:00pm EDT at The Atrium, 100 Campus Drive, Florham Park, NJ. You are invited to cover; to attend, please visit www.lds.com/disruptnnj. "We find business leaders often don't speak the same language as AI practitioners yet that is exactly what is needed experts who can bridge the gaps in understanding, and help demystify AI for corporate and board leaders. This competency will assure that as organizations and a society we make the very best use of the powerful capabilities artificial intelligence has to offer, now and in the future," says Molloy. For more information or to speak with Bruce Molloy, please contact Temin and Company at 212-588-8788 or [email protected]. About Disrupt NNJ The Northern New Jersey chapter of Disrupt is part of a non-profit international network of meet-ups designed to facilitate networking and knowledge sharing with a focus on innovative practices in talent, culture, and technology. About SpringBoard.ai SpringBoard.ai is a nimble team of world-class experts who bridge the gap between executive management and AI/Data Science. This new era of Data and AI threatens to create a divide between companies that use AI, and those that do not. To help companies succeed we provide business intelligence, strategy, training, planning, and implementation. In addition to deep knowledge of AI, our experts have real-world experience in their respective industries, in business and in corporate leadership. springboard.ai SOURCE SpringBoard.ai Related Links http://springboard.ai HONOLULU, May 8, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Alexander & Baldwin, Inc. (NYSE: ALEX) ("A&B" or "Company") today announced financial results for the first quarter of 2018. "Our core segmentCommercial Real Estatecontinued its strong financial and operating performance in the first quarter with 8.4% growth in operating profit, 2.8% growth in same-store net operating income1 and 10.2% re-leasing spreads. Strategically, we completed the successful migration of our mainland commercial real estate portfolio to Hawai`i with the acquisition of three premier Hawai`i neighborhood and community retail centers and the sale of our last six mainland properties. We also advanced our commercial development pipeline by turning over the first tenant spaces at our Lau Hala Shops project in Kailua and breaking ground on Ho`okele Shopping Center in March. The excellent financial, operational and strategic performance in Commercial Real Estate provided a positive start to 2018, and we expect to hit our earlier guidance for full-year same-store NOI growth," said Chris Benjamin, A&B president and chief executive officer. "The Land Operations segment's financial results for the quarter were challenged by construction- and remediation-related costs within a builder joint venture. On the positive side, we sold a Kahala property, and several units at Kamalani, Keala o Wailea, Ka Milo and Kukui`ula, which resulted in sales proceeds and cash distributions from our partners of $28 million. Meanwhile, Grace Pacific had a particularly challenging quarter, even as it advanced important operating initiatives that should produce improving results as the year progresses." Corporate Highlights Net income available to A&B shareholders for the first quarter of 2018 was $47.3 million or $0.66 per diluted share. The Company closed the sale of its last six mainland portfolio assets in the quarter, thus completing its mainland to Hawai`i migration. All of the Company's commercial real estate assets are now located in Hawai`i. or per diluted share. The Company closed the sale of its last six mainland portfolio assets in the quarter, thus completing its mainland to Hawai`i migration. All of the Company's commercial real estate assets are now located in Hawai`i. In connection with its conversion to a REIT, the Company distributed $783.0 million (approximately $15.92 per share) to its shareholders (the "Special Distribution") on January 23, 2018 , consisting of $156.6 million in cash and $626.4 million in shares. As of March 31, 2018, the Company had 72.0 million shares outstanding. Commercial Real Estate ("CRE") Highlights CRE operating profit was $15.5 million in the first quarter of 2018, as compared to $14.3 million in the prior year first quarter, an increase of 8.4%. in the first quarter of 2018, as compared to in the prior year first quarter, an increase of 8.4%. Same-store cash NOI 1 increased 2.8% in the first quarter of 2018, as compared to the prior year first quarter. All same-store assets are located in Hawai`i as of the end of the quarter. increased 2.8% in the first quarter of 2018, as compared to the prior year first quarter. All same-store assets are located in Hawai`i as of the end of the quarter. Signed 61 leases covering 306,000 square feet of gross leasable area ("GLA") in the first quarter. Leasing spreads for signed leases when compared to previously escalated rents on the same spaces were 10.2% higher for the first quarter of 2018. Leasing spreads on Hawai`i retail spaces were 7.5% higher for the first quarter of 2018. Occupancy decreased by 190 basis points to 91.8% as of March 31, 2018, as compared to March 31, 2017 , primarily due to the previously anticipated termination of one large tenant at Komohana Industrial Park. Occupancy in the Hawai`i retail portfolio was 93.1% at the end of the quarter, a decrease of 10 basis points. , primarily due to the previously anticipated termination of one large tenant at Komohana Industrial Park. Occupancy in the Hawai`i retail portfolio was 93.1% at the end of the quarter, a decrease of 10 basis points. Major strategic lease transactions this year-to-date included: A ground lease with Wendy's on a 24,000-square-foot, vacant parcel in Kailua . . Seven new leases at the recently acquired Honokohau Industrial property at an aggregate leasing spread of 22.5%. Year-to-date highlights in redevelopment and development for hold included: Groundbreaking and commencement of construction at the 94,000-square-foot Ho`okele Shopping Center adjacent to Maui Business Park in Kahului . . Began turning spaces over to tenants at the 50,500-square-foot Lau Hala Shops center, which was 88% pre-leased as of March 31, 2018, and is scheduled to open in late 2018. CRE Acquisition and Disposition Highlights In February 2018 , the Company closed on the purchase of a 415,200-square-foot portfolio of three, newly constructed, premier retail centers located in Hawai`i ("TRC Asset Acquisition"), for $256.7 million (consideration of $254.1 million paid to the seller, and construction and acquisition-related costs of $2.6 million paid to third parties). The acquisition was financed with sources from property sales including the sale of six mainland properties for an aggregate sales price of $159.2 million , which closed in the first quarter 2018, and from proceeds from the sale of one mainland property, which closed in the fourth quarter 2017. In addition, the Company assumed mortgage debt in the acquisition. , the Company closed on the purchase of a 415,200-square-foot portfolio of three, newly constructed, premier retail centers located in Hawai`i ("TRC Asset Acquisition"), for (consideration of paid to the seller, and construction and acquisition-related costs of paid to third parties). The acquisition was financed with sources from property sales including the sale of six mainland properties for an aggregate sales price of , which closed in the first quarter 2018, and from proceeds from the sale of one mainland property, which closed in the fourth quarter 2017. In addition, the Company assumed mortgage debt in the Sales of improved properties and a ground lease in the first quarter of 2018 amounted to $49.6 million , or $0.69 per diluted share. Land Operations Highlights Land Operations operating loss was $5.4 million for the first quarter of 2018, as compared to a $2.4 million loss in the prior year first quarter. The first quarter 2018 operating loss principally resulted from $4.2 million of construction- and remediation-related costs at a builder joint venture project in which the Company is a passive investor. for the first quarter of 2018, as compared to a loss in the prior year first quarter. The first quarter 2018 operating loss principally resulted from of construction- and remediation-related costs at a builder joint venture project in which the Company is a passive investor. Sold a Kahala property, and several units at Kamalani, Keala o Wailea, Ka Milo and Kukui`ula that generated $28 million of cash proceeds and joint venture distributions. and Kukui`ula that generated of cash proceeds and joint venture distributions. Advanced diversified agriculture lease discussions and plans for the sale and lease of lands for the expansion of the Kula Agricultural Park. Materials & Construction Highlights Materials & Construction operating profit was $0.2 million for the first quarter of 2018, as compared to $5.6 million profit in the prior year first quarter. Adjusted EBITDA 1 was $3.1 million for the three months ended March 31, 2018 , as compared to $7.9 million for the prior year. for the first quarter of 2018, as compared to profit in the prior year first quarter. Adjusted EBITDA was for the three months ended , as compared to for the prior year. Twenty-six percent of the available crew days in the first quarter were lost to weather, which reduced asphalt deliveries by 19.3% to 108.7 thousand tons during the three months ended March 31, 2018 , as compared to the prior year. Crew days lost to weather more than doubled in the quarter, increasing from 51 days in the first quarter of 2017 to 109.5 days in the first quarter of 2018. Backlog2 for the Company's Materials & Construction segment was $198.4 million as of March 31, 2018, as compared to $213.2 million for the comparable prior year period. Financing Highlights Recent financings in 2018 included the following: In February 2018 , assumed a $62.0 million mortgage secured by Laulani Village, which was acquired as part of the TRC Asset Acquisition. The loan carries a fixed interest rate of 3.93% and matures in 2024. , assumed a mortgage secured by Laulani Village, which was acquired as part of the TRC Asset Acquisition. The loan carries a fixed interest rate of 3.93% and matures in 2024. In February 2018 , closed a $50 million , bank term loan facility maturing in 2023, which carries interest at LIBOR plus a margin that is determined using a leverage-based pricing grid. , closed a , bank term loan facility maturing in 2023, which carries interest at LIBOR plus a margin that is determined using a leverage-based pricing grid. On April 18, 2018 , refinanced the 3.9% fixed rate $62.5 million Prudential Series E loan that matured in 2024, with three new Prudential financings: $10 million at a fixed interest rate of 4.66% maturing in 2025; $34.5 million at a fixed interest rate of 4.81% maturing in 2027; and $18 million at a fixed interest rate of 4.89% maturing in 2028. , refinanced the 3.9% fixed rate Prudential Series E loan that matured in 2024, with three new Prudential financings: at a fixed interest rate of 4.66% maturing in 2025; at a fixed interest rate of 4.81% maturing in 2027; and at a fixed interest rate of 4.89% maturing in 2028. At March 31, 2018, the Company's debt has a weighted-average maturity of 5.6 years with a weighted-average interest rate of 4.16%. Pro forma for the refinancing of Prudential Series E and Syndicated Term loan, the weighted-average maturity increased to 6.0 years. Seventy-two percent of debt was at a fixed rate. ALEXANDER & BALDWIN, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES SEGMENT DATA & OTHER FINANCIAL INFORMATION (In millions, except per share amounts; unaudited) Three Months Ended March 31, 2018 2017 Operating Revenue: Commercial Real Estate $ 35.2 $ 33.7 Land Operations 29.3 11.0 Materials & Construction 48.8 48.5 Total operating revenue 113.3 93.2 Operating Profit (Loss): Commercial Real Estate 15.5 14.3 Land Operations (5.4) (2.4) Materials & Construction 0.2 5.6 Total operating profit 10.3 17.5 Interest expense (8.4) (6.2) General corporate expenses (6.7) (5.7) REIT evaluation/conversion costs (4.8) Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations Before Income Taxes and Net Gain (Loss) on Sale of Improved Properties and Ground Leased Land (4.8) 0.8 Income tax benefit (expense) 2.7 0.8 Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations Before Net Gain (Loss) on Sale of Improved Properties and Ground Leased Land (2.1) 1.6 Net gain (loss) on the sale of improved properties and ground leased land 49.6 3.0 Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations 47.5 4.6 Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of income taxes (0.1) 2.4 Net Income (Loss) 47.4 7.0 Income attributable to noncontrolling interest (0.1) (0.7) Net Income (Loss) Attributable to A&B Shareholders $ 47.3 $ 6.3 Basic Earnings (Loss) Per Share of Common Stock: Continuing operations available to A&B shareholders $ 0.71 $ 0.09 Discontinued operations available to A&B shareholders 0.05 Net income (loss) available to A&B shareholders $ 0.71 $ 0.14 Diluted Earnings (Loss) Per Share of Common Stock: Continuing operations available to A&B shareholders $ 0.66 $ 0.09 Discontinued operations available to A&B shareholders 0.05 Net income (loss) available to A&B shareholders $ 0.66 $ 0.14 Weighted-Average Number of Shares Outstanding: Basic 66.4 49.1 Diluted 72.2 49.6 Amounts Available to A&B Shareholders: Continuing operations available to A&B shareholders, net of income taxes $ 47.4 $ 4.4 Discontinued operations available to A&B shareholders, net of income taxes (0.1) 2.4 Net income (loss) available to A&B shareholders $ 47.3 $ 6.8 ALEXANDER & BALDWIN, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (In millions, unaudited) March 31, 2018 December 31, 2017 ASSETS Current Assets $ 178.5 $ 274.8 Investments in Affiliates 397.0 401.7 Real Estate Developments 142.0 151.0 Property Net 1,317.6 1,147.5 Intangible Assets Net 80.5 46.9 Deferred Tax Asset 18.6 16.5 Goodwill 102.3 102.3 Restricted Cash 17.1 34.3 Other Assets 57.1 56.2 Total assets $ 2,310.7 $ 2,231.2 LIABILITIES AND EQUITY Current Liabilities $ 123.3 $ 926.8 Long-term Liabilities: Long-term debt 795.8 585.2 Accrued pension and post-retirement benefits 20.1 19.9 Other non-current liabilities 38.3 40.2 Redeemable Noncontrolling Interest 8.0 8.0 Equity 1,325.2 651.1 Total liabilities and equity $ 2,310.7 $ 2,231.2 ALEXANDER & BALDWIN, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED CASH FLOWS (In millions, unaudited) Three Months Ended March 31, 2018 2017 Cash Flows from Operating Activities: Net income (loss) $ 47.4 $ 7.0 Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by (used in) operations: Depreciation and amortization 10.2 10.5 Deferred income taxes (2.7) 0.8 Gains on asset transactions, net of asset write-downs (50.0) (7.9) Share-based compensation expense 1.3 1.1 Investments in affiliates, net of distributions 4.8 7.8 Changes in operating assets and liabilities: Trade, contracts retention, and other receivables (4.2) 4.2 Costs and estimated earnings in excess of billings on uncompleted contracts - net 2.1 (2.8) Inventories 2.3 15.2 Prepaid expenses, income tax receivable and other assets (1.4) (2.8) Accrued pension and post-retirement benefits 1.1 0.3 Accounts payable (8.7) (3.2) Accrued and other liabilities (8.6) (38.2) Real estate inventory sales (real estate developments held for sale) 22.1 2.3 Expenditures for real estate inventory (real estate developments held for sale) (7.2) (4.9) Net cash provided by (used in) operations 8.5 (10.6) Cash Flows from Investing Activities: Capital expenditures for acquisitions (194.7) Capital expenditures for property, plant and equipment (12.7) (6.1) Proceeds from disposal of property and other assets 155.4 8.0 Payments for purchases of investments in affiliates and other investments (9.2) (14.5) Proceeds from investments in affiliates and other investments 5.1 0.6 Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities (56.1) (12.0) Cash Flows from Financing Activities: Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt 504.1 57.0 Payments of long-term debt and deferred financing costs (355.7) (19.0) Borrowings (payments) on line-of-credit agreement, net (2.3) 6.9 Distribution to noncontrolling interests (0.2) Cash dividends paid (156.6) (3.4) Proceeds from issuance (repurchase) of capital stock and other, net (1.5) (4.0) Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities (12.0) 37.3 Cash, Cash Equivalents and Restricted Cash: Net increase (decrease) in cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash (59.6) 14.7 Balance, beginning of period 103.2 12.3 Balance, end of period $ 43.6 $ 27.0 USE OF NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES The Company uses non-GAAP measures when evaluating operating performance because management believes that they provide additional insight into the Company's and segments' core operating results, and/or the underlying business trends affecting performance on a consistent and comparable basis from period to period. These measures generally are provided to investors as an additional means of evaluating the performance of ongoing core operations. The non-GAAP financial information presented herein should be considered supplemental to, and not as a substitute for or superior to, financial measures calculated in accordance with GAAP. The Company's methods of calculating non-GAAP measures may differ from methods employed by other companies and thus may not be comparable to such other companies. Cash Net Operating Income ("Cash NOI") is a non-GAAP measure used by the Company in evaluating the CRE segment's operating performance as it is an indicator of the return on property investment, and provides a method of comparing performance of operations, on an unlevered basis, over time. Cash NOI should not be viewed as a substitute for, or superior to, financial measures calculated in accordance with GAAP. Cash NOI is calculated as total property revenues less direct property-related operating expenses. Cash NOI excludes straight-line rent adjustments, amortization of favorable/unfavorable leases, amortization of tenant incentives, general and administrative expenses, impairments of commercial real estate, lease termination income, and depreciation and amortization (including amortization of maintenance capital, tenant improvements and leasing commissions). The Company reports Cash NOI on a same store basis, which includes the results of properties that were owned and operated for the entirety of the prior calendar year. The same-store pool excludes properties under development or redevelopment and also excludes properties acquired or sold during the comparable reporting periods. While there is management judgment involved in classifications, new developments and redevelopments are moved into the same store pool upon one full calendar year of stabilized operation, which is typically upon attainment of market occupancy. A reconciliation of CRE operating profit to CRE Cash NOI and Same-Store Cash NOI is as follows: Three Months Ended March 31, (in millions, unaudited) 2018 2017 Change Commercial Real Estate Operating Profit (Loss) $ 15.5 $ 14.3 Plus: Depreciation and amortization 6.3 6.6 Less: Straight-line lease adjustments (0.1) (0.5) Less: Favorable/(unfavorable) lease amortization (0.6) (0.8) Less: Termination income (1.1) Plus: Other (income)/expense, net 0.1 Plus: Selling, general, administrative and other expenses 1.8 1.7 Commercial Real Estate Cash NOI 21.8 21.4 1.9% Acquisitions / dispositions and other adjustments (3.0) (3.1) Commercial Real Estate Same-Store Cash NOI $ 18.8 $ 18.3 2.8% Earnings Before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation and Amortization (EBITDA) and Adjusted EBITDA for the Materials & Construction segment are non-GAAP measures used by the Company in evaluating the Materials & Construction segment's operating performance on a consistent and comparable basis from period to period. The Company provides this information to investors as an additional means of evaluating the performance of the segment's ongoing core operations. EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA should not be viewed as a substitute for, or superior to, financial measures calculated in accordance with GAAP. EBITDA is calculated for the Materials & Construction segment by adjusting segment operating profit (which excludes interest and tax expenses), by adding back depreciation and amortization. Adjusted EBITDA is calculated for the Materials & Construction segment by adjusting for income attributable to noncontrolling interests from EBITDA. A reconciliation of Materials & Construction operating profit to Materials & Construction EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA is as follows: Three Months Ended March 31, (in millions, unaudited) 2018 2017 Operating Profit (Loss) $ 0.2 $ 5.6 Depreciation and amortization 3.0 3.0 EBITDA 3.2 8.6 Income attributable to noncontrolling interest (0.1) (0.7) Adjusted EBITDA $ 3.1 $ 7.9 1 See above for a discussion of management's use of non-GAAP financial measures and reconciliations from GAAP to non-GAAP measures. 2 Backlog represents the amount of revenue that Grace Pacific and Maui Paving, LLC, a 50-percent-owned unconsolidated affiliate, expect to realize on contracts awarded and government contracts in which Grace Pacific has been confirmed to be the lowest bidder and formal communication of the award is perfunctory. FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS Statements in this release that are not historical facts are forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 that involve a number of risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contemplated by the relevant forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements regarding possible or assumed future results of operations, business strategies, growth opportunities and competitive positions. Such forward-looking statements speak only as of the date the statements were made and are not guarantees of future performance. Forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks, uncertainties, assumptions and other factors that could cause actual results and the timing of certain events to differ materially from those expressed in or implied by the forward-looking statements. These factors include, but are not limited to, prevailing market conditions and other factors related to the Company's REIT status and the Company's business generally discussed in the Company's most recent Form 10-K, Form 10-Q and other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The information in this release should be evaluated in light of these important risk factors. We do not undertake any obligation to update the Company's forward-looking statements. ABOUT ALEXANDER & BALDWIN Alexander & Baldwin, Inc. is Hawai`i's premier commercial real estate company and the state's foremost owner of grocery-anchored retail centers. With a portfolio of approximately 87,000 acres in Hawai`i, A&B is the state's fourth largest private landowner. A&B is a fully integrated real estate investment trust and owns, operates and manages 3.3 million square feet of primarily retail and industrial space in Hawai`i. A&B's interests extend beyond commercial real estate into diversified agriculture, renewable energy, and land stewardship. A&B also is Hawai`i's largest construction materials company and paving contractor. Over its nearly 150-year history, A&B has evolved with the state's economy and played a lead role in the development of the agricultural, transportation, tourism, construction and real estate industries. Learn more about A&B at www.alexanderbaldwin.com. Contact: Suzy Hollinger (808) 525-8422 [email protected] SOURCE Alexander & Baldwin, Inc. Related Links http://www.alexanderbaldwin.com SAN FRANCISCO, May 8, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Alta Motors, the leader in performance electric motorcycles, will make two-wheel history as the first electric motorcycle factory race team to compete for the podium at the Erzberg Rodeo. Ty Tremaine and Lyndon Poskitt will ride the next generation of Alta's popular off-road Redshift to compete against gas-bike competitors. By entering the Erzberg Rodeo, Alta continues to prove that its electric motorcycles are capable of competing at the highest level. Part of the Red Bull Hard Enduro Series, Erzberg Rodeo is a 35 km race in the mountains of Austria where riders attempt to summit steep hillclimbs and daunting obstacles such as rock beds, boulder fields, and slick, wooded sections. Over 2,000 riders attempt to qualify for 500 starting slots in the main event. Only a small handful go on to finish the race within the four-hour time limit. In 2017, only 25 riders completed the race, and in 2016, only 9. Erzberg will be Ty's first time tackling Erzberg, but his experience as a two-time X Games Finals competitor signals he will be a force to be reckoned with on the "Iron Mountain." "Having the opportunity to make history by riding the first electric is an honor," commented Ty Tremaine. "After the past few months racing the Redshift, I am confident it will give me my best shot at conquering the Iron Mountain." Alta Motors also secured Lyndon Poskitt, a professional off-road racer, Dakar rally veteran, and producer of the popular off-road motorcycle travel series, Races to Places, to race the Redshift at Erzberg. His extensive experience as a professional rider and previous participation at Erzberg will make him a serious contender at this year's race. "After challenging Erzberg on a rally bike last year, I'm eager to see what I can accomplish on a premium bike that is designed specifically for this environment," said Lyndon Poskitt. "Partnering with Alta made sense because they've built a bike that delivers the control and power critical for this type of raceit just happens to be electric." "We built the Redshift to compete head-to-head with the best gas bikes in the most brutal environments in the world. The Erzberg extreme enduro is the place to demonstrate that," said Alta Motors Chief Technical Officer and co-founder, Derek Dorresteyn. "The race comes at a time when electric bikes are struggling for acceptance in international competition. We are grateful that the Erzberg organizers share our belief that competition should be about advancing technologynot restricting itand that they are providing a platform to demonstrate that electrics should have the right to compete." About Alta Motors Alta Motors is a global leader in lightweight electric vehicles with a proprietary mobility platform that offers new levels of power density and economics. It leads the industry with a complete portfolio of battery and drivetrain components, an existing fleet of lightweight vehicles manufactured at its world-class Brisbane, California, facility and a full customer backlog. Alta's award-winning Redshift platform is now available to riders at over 50 U.S. dealerships across the United States. Please visit us at: www.altamotors.co Media contact [email protected] SOURCE Alta Motors Related Links http://altamotors.co BRENTWOOD, Tenn., May 8, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- American Addiction Centers (AAC) is taking patient safety to a new level in the addiction industry as the first treatment provider to utilize EarlySense technology during detox. This potentially life-saving technology provides medical staff with real-time data to identify irregular vital signs which is crucial for patient safety in the detox phase of treatment. Over the next few months, American Addiction Centers, which owns and operates more than 30 treatment facilities in the U.S., will implement this cutting-edge technology as a standard of care at all of its facilities with detox services. To learn about AAC's treatment centers and the services they provide, visit: https://americanaddictioncenters.org/treatment-centers/ "As a leader in the industry, it was important for us to not only find a solution that would help us meet our long-term patient safety initiatives as a company, but also pave the way for addiction treatment providers at large," said American Addiction Centers' CEO, Michael Cartwright. "Detox is such a critical point in a patient's recovery journey, but it is often met with unforeseen clinical challenges. With EarlySense, our medical staff is alert and ready to intervene at all times giving our patients and their loved ones peace-of-mind." The FDA-cleared patient monitoring system uses a sensor placed beneath the mattress to continuously tracks the patient's heart rate, breathing patterns and movements without attaching any wires to the patient. Concerning changes, such as irregular heart beats or breathing patterns and sudden movements, will immediately distribute real-time alerts to a central nursing hub, tablets, and mobile devices, providing nurses with ample time to proactively respond. "Withdrawal is one of the most dangerous steps in the recovery process and can be deadly in some cases due to the severity of its symptoms," said Dr. Mark Calarco, national medical director of American Addiction Centers. "That said, it's imperative that patients in detox are under close supervision. EarlySense monitoring enables our clinicians to consistently monitor those in detox and identify early signs of patient deterioration, likely to happen during withdrawal, especially late at night, controlling these high-risk situations before they escalate." Nursing staff are also able to customize each patient's monitor and alerts allowing for completely personalized care and better response times, while also minimizing false alarms. "This partnership represents an expansion of the clinical utilization of the EarlySense system to assist clinicians in providing the highest level of care as patients begin the process of addiction recovery", said Tim O'Malley, president of EarlySense Inc. "In the United States we continue to see the toll that addiction has on patients and their families, and the staggering number of lives impacted each day. Partnering with American Addiction Centers, with their holistic approach to recovery, is a great fit with EarlySense and our desire to provide proactive, continuous monitoring in an effort to prevent adverse events. We continue to see the value of advanced monitoring solutions outside of the hospital environment. This is a great example where a new frontier of addiction centers under the leadership of American Addiction Centers becomes an area for advanced monitoring and analytics." The technology was first introduced at AAC's Southern California facility, Laguna Treatment Hospital which frequently treats patients in need of higher levels of care. "On multiple occasions, EarlySense has detected abnormal vital signs while the patient was resting in bed identifying various diagnosis such as pneumonia, respiratory distress, and countless others," said Mertis Shearry, director of nursing at Laguna Treatment Hospital. "Patients and loved ones can be certain that with the help of this technology, nursing staff are ready to provide early medical interventions if needed." EarlySense is also available at two other AAC facilities - River Oaks Treatment Center and Recovery First. "Ultimately, our goal is to revolutionize the treatment of addiction and transform lives in the process," said Cartwright. "By investing in the EarlySense technology company-wide, we are one step closer toward reaching that goal." About American Addiction Centers American Addiction Centers (NYSE: AAC) is a leading provider of inpatient and outpatient substance abuse treatment services. We treat clients who are struggling with drug addiction, alcohol addiction, and co-occurring mental/behavioral health issues. We currently operate substance abuse treatment facilities located throughout the United States. These facilities are focused on delivering effective clinical care and treatment solutions. For more information, please find us at www.AmericanAddictionCenters.org or follow us on Twitter @AAC_Tweet. About EarlySense EarlySense provides contact-free, continuous monitoring solutions for the medical and consumer digital health markets. EarlySense's FDA-cleared systems utilize Artificial Intelligence (AI) and big data analytics to provide actionable health insights and improve clinical outcomes. Used worldwide in hospitals, rehab and skilled nursing facilities, EarlySense assists clinicians in early detection of patient deterioration, helping to prevent adverse events, including code blues which are a result of cardiac or respiratory arrest, preventable ICU transfers, patient falls and pressure ulcers. EarlySense offers clinically-proven technology to consumers with EarlySense Live and Percept. EarlySense Live is the first at-home consumer health monitor powered by EarlySense's medically-proven sensor and AI analytics. EarlySense has partnered with leading global technology companies including Samsung, Welch Allyn, iFit and Beurer. The company is based in Ramat Gan, Israel and Woburn, Massachusetts. For more information, visit www.earlysense.com. Media Contacts Joy Sutton, PR Manager American Addiction Centers [email protected] 615-587-7728 Courtney Obecny, Product Marketing Manager EarlySense Inc [email protected] 401-573-5438 SOURCE American Addiction Centers Related Links http://www.AmericanAddictionCenters.org ROHNERT PARK, Calif., May 8, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Teachers are a necessary part of American society as every child is expected to complete grade school. While teachers are required to earn at least a bachelor's degree, they may accumulate a lot of debt in the process. With low starting salaries, teachers may have an especially difficult time paying down that debt. Ameritech Financial, a document preparation company that helps borrowers understand and apply for federal repayment plan applications, reminds those who may be struggling to repay their federal loans that they may find relief in income-driven repayment plans and other programs. Credit: Wavebreak Media Ltd/Bigstock "I can't imagine that teaching would be easy, but teachers often face challenges outside the classroom," said Tom Knickerbocker, executive vice president of Ameritech Financial. "Besides not having enough supplies for students, they often don't get paid enough to live comfortably without a secondary source of income. That shouldn't happen." The average starting salary for college graduates with a bachelor's degree is about $50,000, while the average starting salary for teachers is about $38,000. That difference can greatly affect teachers' ability to pay down their loans, especially if they received an advanced degree or certification on top of their bachelor's degree. Additionally, teachers who wish to progress in their careers are often encouraged to pursue more education. Many teachers have to work multiple jobs to keep up with their monthly payments. Those additional hours may get in the way of grading papers or being available for students or parents outside of class time. It can certainly get in the way of any advanced coursework intended to advance a teaching career. Teachers have a variety of options for dealing with their debt, but they might not know about them. Several programs, both federal and state-sponsored, will forgive student loans of eligible teachers. Federal income-driven repayment plans (IDRs) are available to any federal student loan borrower. Such plans may reduce payments by basing them on income and family size. Paired with Public Service Loan Forgiveness, teachers may see loan forgiveness after 10 years of eligible employment. Ameritech Financial is a private company that helps borrowers understand federal IDRs. The company helps with applications to enroll in such programs and also helps eligible borrowers remain aligned with PSLF loan type and repayment plan requirements. "It's hard being a teacher when you don't have the resources you need to devote your attention to your students," said Knickerbocker. "At Ameritech Financial, we help teachers and others who may be struggling with their student debt to apply for IDRs that might help them afford their payments better. We hope that being in such plans can let them focus on what's important: teaching the next generation." About Ameritech Financial Ameritech Financial is a private company located in Rohnert Park, California. Ameritech Financial has already helped thousands of consumers with financial analysis and student loan document preparation to apply for federal student loan repayment programs offered through the Department of Education. Each Ameritech Financial telephone representative has received the Certified Student Loan Professional certification through the International Association of Professional Debt Arbitrators (IAPDA). Ameritech Financial prides itself on its exceptional customer service. Contact To learn more about Ameritech Financial, please contact: Ameritech Financial 5789 State Farm Drive #265 Rohnert Park, CA 94928 1-800-792-8621 [email protected] Related Images teachers-may-benefit-from-federal.jpg Teachers May Benefit From Federal IDRs Credit: Wavebreak Media Ltd/Bigstock image2.png Related Links Ameritech Financial home page Related Video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WRza8MbLvuM SOURCE Ameritech Financial ATLANTA, May 8, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Animal Dermatology Group announces a new publication validating the ability of a wearable device to assess itching and scratching behaviors. Working with AGL, an Atlanta, GA technology company, Dr. Joel Griffies announces a scientific publication describing the validation of a wearable device to tell pet owners what their dogs can't how much they are scratching and shaking. To view this article go to BMC Veterinary Research: "Wearable sensor shown to specifically quantify pruritic behaviors in dogs." https://doi.org/10.1186/s12917-018-1428-x Dr. Joel Griffies, veterinary dermatologist at Animal Dermatology Clinic, Marietta, GA provided veterinary expertise and a population of itchy dogs to help engineers develop this technology. According to Dr. Griffies, the problem veterinarians face is a lack of truly objective information. "Since our patients can't talk, what we know about their symptoms is from owner reports and what we observe in the exam room," says Griffies. "The Vetrax system solves this problem by providing actual information about what a dog does each day, even when they can't be observed." Vetrax is a small wearable device attached to a collar that records specific movement characteristics in fractions of a second. Utilizing engineers at Georgia Tech, AGL has developed a system using computer algorithms to interpret movements and accurately report behaviors. "This publication details the accuracy of the Vetrax system," says Marcel Sarzen, CEO and founder of AGL. "The Vetrax system was developed for the veterinary community. It has proven beneficial for pet owners and their doctors and in research settings to help evaluate therapies and develop objective assessment tools." Sample monitoring applications include atopic dermatitis, mobility rehabilitation, weight loss, and general activity. About Animal Dermatology Group Animal Dermatology Group is the largest group of veterinary dermatologists across the globe with practices in the United States, Australia and New Zealand. The group is made up of 23 board certified dermatologists 11 associates and residents and is active in the American College of Veterinary Dermatology and in research in the field. For more information, please visit the website at http://www.animaldermatology.com. About AGL Based in Atlanta, Georgia, AGL develops systems to help owners and their veterinarians manage animal health and provide the best quality of life for pets. AGL works with strategic-development partners, including Georgia Tech Research Institute, to combine the latest technologies with exclusively licensed animal-behavior algorithms. The result is convenient, noninvasive monitoring systems that are extraordinary. For more information, please visit the website at http://www.vetrax.com. SOURCE Animal Dermatology Group DUBLIN, May 8, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- The "Annual Conference for Senior Patent Administrators" conference has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering. On the agenda this year: European Patent Formalities Update The Unified Patent and the Unified Patent Court US Patent Formalities PCT Update This annual must attend event is designed exclusively for you and your colleagues, not for attorneys. It is an ideal opportunity to learn from speakers who come directly from the EPO, WIPO and the USA about the latest developments that affect you as a Senior Patent Administrator. It will help you understand how recent changes at the EPO, WIPO, USPTO and the Unitary Patent Court will impact your role. This event provides plenty of time for questions and round table discussions with the experts, so you can get the answers and solutions you need to help you work more efficiently. At the end of day one you are invited to a drinks reception where you can network with other delegates, and share your experiences and views on important patent formalities issues. In one event you will hear about: the latest rule changes from the EPO, WIPO and USPTO recent developments projected changes for the next year latest developments of the UP and UPC The speakers come directly from the EPO, WIPO, UPC Prepartory Committee and the USA Agenda Programme - Day one 09.00 Registration and refreshments 09.30 Introduction from the Chair 09.45 European formalities update 10.45 Refreshments 11.00 European formalities update continued 12.00 European formalities round table 12.30 Lunch 13.45 PCT update and best practices 15.00 Refreshments 15.15 PCT update and best practices continued 16.30 PCT question and answer session 17.00 Drinks reception 18.00 Close of day one Programme - Day two 09.00 Refreshments 09.30 US patent formalities update 11.00 Refreshments and checkout 11.30 US patent formalities update continued 12.45 The Unified Patent Court 13.30 Lunch 14.30 Close of conference For more information about this conference visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/research/vrb2r5/annual_2_day?w=5 Media Contact: 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 CHICAGO, May 8, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- For the second year in a row, Arete Wealth Management has been featured in InvestmentNews' Top Independent Broker-Dealer 2018 rankings. Survey results were based on data collected from firms that participated in InvestmentNews' independent broker-dealer survey. Arete Wealth, founded in 2007 by CEO Josh Rogers, has experienced growth in the financial services market and compared favorably against 130 other reporting firms who submitted 2017 company data to InvestmentNews. Most notable was Arete Wealth's number three ranking in "10 Fastest-Growing IBDs," the publication's list of independent broker-dealers that saw the biggest percentage gains in their 2017 revenue. Compared to other survey participants in the category of under 250 reps, Arete Wealth ranked in the Top 10 across numerous lists, capturing the second spot for alternative investment revenue, a fifth spot in pre-tax earnings and a seventh spot for overall revenue. The firm was also named in the top 10 across all submitting firms in the alternative investment revenue category. "We're very pleased with our performance as shared in this survey," states Arete Wealth CEO Josh Rogers. "As an independent firm, we can bring investors exciting offerings in venture capital, renewable energy, sophisticated asset finance, real estate and more. When you couple that with our strong focus on due diligence, our alternative investment revenues speak for themselves." In addition to the results for InvestmentNews' survey, Arete Wealth reported 96% year-over-year growth in alternative products, recording $75M in alternative investments under management in 2015 to $147M at the close of 2017. More details on the survey and rankings can be accessed by subscription at www.investmentnews.com. About Arete Arete Wealth Management is the financial investment entity within the Arete family of companies. Arete Wealth is a full-service Broker-Dealer (BD), Registered Investment Advisor (RIA) and Insurance firm. The company offers wealth management for high-net worth individuals and institutions, alternative investment access, venture capital and private equity programs. Headquartered in Chicago, the firm's wealth investing products and services are offered through more than 25 offices and over 130 registered advisors nationwide. Media Contact Nate Moster, Chief Marketing Officer Arete Wealth Management 513.240.9241 [email protected] SOURCE Arete Wealth The research report " Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Retail Market Size By Component (Solution [Chatbot, Customer Behavior Tracking, Customer Relationship Management (CRM), Inventory Management, Price Optimization, Recommendation Engine, Supply Chain Management, Visual Search], Service [Professional Service, Managed Service]), By Technology (Machine Learning, Natural Language Processing (NLP), Computer Vision), By Application (Automated Merchandising, Programmatic Advertising, Market Forecasting, In-Store AI & Location Optimization, Data Science), Industry Analysis Report, Regional Outlook (U.S., Canada, UK, Germany, France, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Australia, China, India, Japan, South Korea, Singapore, Brazil, Mexico, UAE, Israel, South Africa), Growth Potential, Competitive Market Share & Forecast, 2018 - 2024 " by Global Market Insights, Inc. says Artificial Intelligence in Retail Market is expected to surpass USD 8 billion by 2024. (Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/661916/GMI.jpg ) The AI in retail market is driven by the increasing investments in it across the globe. The growing investment in the technology is attributed to the wide applications of the AI technology along with advanced analytics, machine learning. AI is set to unleash the next phase of the digital disruption and the market participants are preparing themselves for it. Request for a sample of this research report @ https://www.gminsights.com/request-sample/detail/2568 The investment in the technology is growing rapidly, dominated by the tech giants such as Google, Microsoft, IBM, AWS, and Baidu. In 2016, approximately USD 30 billion investment in the technology has been witnessed, with more than 90% on the R&D activities and remaining 10% on the merger & acquisition activities. Furthermore, private equity financing, seed investment, and venture capital investment also grew significantly amounting to a cumulative total of over USD 6 billion. The technological advancement and the development of the advanced machine learning & deep learning algorithms are also the major driving forces for the AI in retail market. Machine learning is estimated to grow prominently in AI in retail market at over 42% CAGR. The growth is driven by the increasing adoption of the technology by the retailers to provide enhanced customer experience and offer a personalized shopping experience to the customers. Browse key industry insights spread across 300 pages with 170 market data tables & 23 figures & charts from this 2018 report Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Retail Market in detail along with the table of contents: https://www.gminsights.com/industry-analysis/artificial-intelligence-ai-retail-market The visual search solution segment in AI in retail market is assessed to grow at a CAGR of over 45% during the forecast timeline due to the increasing trend of online shopping and mobile commerce. The solution allows customers to search products using images instead of text or speech. It leverages the image recognition technology to analyze the image and recommend relevant products to improve the shopping experience of the customers. The demand for the solutions is estimated to grow significantly in the future due to the increasing popularity among the online retailers and shoppers. Programmatic advertising is one of the most prominent applications of AI in retail market. As the competition among the retailers is increasing rapidly, companies are looking for new ways to gain customers by implementing advanced advertising strategies. The companies are focusing on "Precision Targeting" to deliver the right messages to the right audience to maximize the sales and reduce the advertising spend. Furthermore, the demand for the programmatic advertising is also driven by the increasing investments by the retailers on digital marketing. Make an Inquiry for purchasing this report @ https://www.gminsights.com/inquiry-before-buying/2568 APAC AI in retail market is anticipated to grow at a CAGR of over 45% during the forecast period. The growth of the market is attributed to the growing investments in AI technology and increasing digitalization in the region. China is leading the investments and accounting for 17% of the global external investments in AI. Increasing investments by Chinese players also drive the AI in retail market growth in the region. For instance, Baidu has invested more than USD 1.5 billion in the AI research in the past two years, in addition to the USD 200 million investment by the company for the development of a new R&D facility. Some of the prominent vendors of the AI in retail market are AWS, Baidu, BloomReach., CognitiveScale., Google, Inbenta Technologies, Intel, Interactions, Lexalytics., Microsoft, NEXT IT., Nvidia, Oracle, RetailNext, Salesforce.com., SAP, Sentient Technologies, and Visenze. Read Our Blog: https://www.gminsights.com/blogs/artificial-intelligence-in-healthcare-market About Global Market Insights Global Market Insights, Inc., headquartered in Delaware, U.S., is a global market research and consulting service provider; offering syndicated and custom research reports along with growth consulting services. Our business intelligence and industry research reports offer clients with penetrative insights and actionable market data specially designed and presented to aid strategic decision making. These exhaustive reports are designed via a proprietary research methodology and are available for key industries such as chemicals, advanced materials, technology, renewable energy and biotechnology. Contact Us: Arun Hegde Corporate Sales, USA Global Market Insights, Inc. Phone: +1-302-846-7766 Toll Free: 1-888-689-0688 Email: [email protected] Web: https://www.gminsights.com Blog: http://algosonline.com/ SOURCE Global Market Insights, Inc. BALTIMORE, May 8, 2018 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Today, the American Urological Association (AUA), a leading global urology association, released a new clinical guideline on the diagnosis and treatment of erectile dysfunction (ED). Defined as the consistent or recurrent inability to get or keep an erection firm enough for sex, ED affects as many as 30 million men in the U.S. and 150 million men worldwide. Although more common in older men, over half of all ED cases are the result of physical issues such as obesity, smoking and diabetes; emotional issues including stress, anxiety and depression; or a combination of both. However, compelling evidence suggests ED is also a warning sign of other underlying and more serious medical conditions, like cardiovascular disease, and may precede a cardiovascular event by up to five years. Once diagnosed, men are often presented with several treatment options. As such, the AUA guideline panel strongly suggests physicians and patients engage in a shared decision making process to select the best care option for each individual patient. Additionally, because of the complexity of sexuality and the impact of a sexual relationship on a man's life, the guideline panel also strongly advocates, whenever possible and clinically appropriate, the man's partner be invited to participate in this process. "Selecting optimal care for each patient can be an intricate process that requires physicians to help patients choose options consistent with the individual's own values or beliefs, and with the goal of restoring their sexual function," said Arthur L. Burnett, MD, chair of the guideline development panel and urologist at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. "This new clinical guideline offers a framework to facilitate such shared decision-making, while also providing guidance as to which treatments are appropriate for varying degrees of ED." The new guideline for the diagnosis and treatment of ED makes 25 recommendations in total, including the recommendation that testosterone levels be measured in men who present with symptoms of ED; men be counseled that ED is a risk marker for underlying cardiovascular disease; and the importance of discussing the risks and benefits associated with treatment therapies, including oral phoshodiesterase type 5 inhibitors, certain investigational therapies and surgical interventions. The guideline was developed by a panel with specific expertise in the guideline subject. It was then distributed to peer reviewers of varying backgrounds as part of the AUA's extensive peer review process before being finally approved by the AUA Board of Directors. The full guideline is available online at www.auanet.org/EDguideline. About the American Urological Association: Founded in 1902 and headquartered near Baltimore, Maryland, the American Urological Association is a leading advocate for the specialty of urology, and has more than 21,000 members throughout the world. The AUA is a premier urologic association, providing invaluable support to the urologic community as it pursues its mission of fostering the highest standards of urologic care through education, research and the formulation of health policy. Contact: Christine Frey, AUA 443-909-0839, [email protected] SOURCE American Urological Association Related Links http://www.AUAnet.org First Quarter Net Revenues were RMB1.3 Billion exceeding the high end of the guidance Net Income Attributable to Autohome Inc. Increased 47.5% Year-over-Year to RMB482.8 Million BEIJING, May 8, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Autohome Inc. (NYSE: ATHM) ("Autohome" or the "Company"), the leading online destination for automobile consumers in China, today announced its unaudited financial results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2018. First Quarter 2018 Financial Highlights [1] Net Revenues in the first quarter of 2018 were RMB1,288.1 million ( $205.3 million ), exceeding the high end of the Company's original guidance of RMB1,250.0 million ( $199.3 million ). in the first quarter of 2018 were ( ), exceeding the high end of the Company's original guidance of ( ). Net revenues excluding direct vehicle sales achieved 32.6% year-over-year growth. achieved 32.6% year-over-year growth. Net Income attributable to Autohome Inc. increased 47.5% year-over-year to RMB482.8 million ( $77.0 million ). Adoption of ASC 606, Revenue from Contracts with Customers In May 2014, the FASB issued a new standard related to revenue recognition and further issued several amendments and updates to the new revenue guidance. The Company has finalized its analysis and the most significant impact is the change from the presentation of value-added tax on a gross basis to net basis. The Company adopted this guidance effective January 1, 2018 using the modified retrospective method. The comparative information has not been restated and continues to be reported under the accounting standards in effect for those periods. To provide investors with meaningful year-over-year comparison, the Company has provided a reconciliation table for the impact of adopting this new revenue guidance for the first quarter of 2018 and corresponding period in 2017 as adjusted, which was related to the change in presentation of value-added tax from gross basis to net basis. [1] The reporting currency of the Company is Renminbi ("RMB"). For the convenience of the reader, certain amounts throughout the release are presented in US dollars ("$"). Unless otherwise noted, all conversions from RMB to US$ are translated at the noon buying rate of US$1.00 to RMB6.2726 on March 30, 2018 in the City of New York for cable transfers of RMB as certified for customs purposes by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York. No representation is made that the RMB amounts could have been, or could be, converted into US$ at such rate. For the three months ended March 31, 2018 Under ASC 605 Adjustments related to new revenue guidance Under ASC 606 Net revenues Media services 619,199 (35,049) 584,150 Leads generation services 703,218 (92,388) 610,830 Online marketplace and others 101,459 (8,385) 93,074 Total net revenues 1,423,876 (135,822) 1,288,054 Cost of revenues (214,169) 68,028 (146,141) Gross profit 1,209,707 (67,794) 1,141,913 Operating profit 523,207 - 523,207 Net income attributable to Autohome Inc. 482,783 - 482,783 For the three months ended March 31, 2017 Under ASC 605 Adjustments related to new revenue guidance Under ASC 606 Net revenues Media services 515,682 (30,048) 485,634 Leads generation services 537,987 (70,416) 467,571 Online marketplace and others 294,692 (41,117) 253,575 Total net revenues 1,348,361 (141,581) 1,206,780 Cost of revenues (444,593) 95,778 (348,815) Gross profit 903,768 (45,803) 857,965 Operating profit 357,449 - 357,449 Net income attributable to Autohome Inc. 327,417 - 327,417 For the ease of readers, the operational results are discussed and analyzed under the new revenue guidance, including those for the comparative period in 2017. First Quarter 2018 Operational Highlights Mobile Traffic Leadership Continues : According to Quest Mobile, during the first quarter of 2018, the number of average daily unique visitors who accessed the Company's primary "Autohome" application reached 10.1 million, representing an increase of 34.5% compared with the first quarter of 2017, further strengthening the Company's dominant position among auto vertical applications in China. : According to Quest Mobile, during the first quarter of 2018, the number of average daily unique visitors who accessed the Company's primary "Autohome" application reached 10.1 million, representing an increase of 34.5% compared with the first quarter of 2017, further strengthening the Company's dominant position among auto vertical applications in China. Nationwide SaaS Platform Expansion on Track : The Company's SaaS Platform for used car dealers now covers over 35,000 dealers as of March 2018. This one-stop total solution for used car dealers offers many innovative services, including reliable used car sourcing, inventory management, customer relations management ("CRM"), online marketing and channel management, as well as a wider array of financing options that enable used car dealers to strengthen leads generation, increase sales and improve inventory turnover. : The Company's SaaS Platform for used car dealers now covers over 35,000 dealers as of March 2018. This one-stop total solution for used car dealers offers many innovative services, including reliable used car sourcing, inventory management, customer relations management ("CRM"), online marketing and channel management, array of financing options that enable used car dealers to strengthen leads sales and improve inventory turnover. Successful Augmented Reality Automobile Show: The Company implemented the use of its Augmented Reality Automobile Show (the "AR Auto Show"), for the recent Beijing International Automobile Exhibition during April 25 to May 4, 2018 , in order to enhance user engagement and interaction. The AR Auto Show attracted 21 branded automakers with over 100 automobile styles on display. This resulted in over 41 million unique visitors with approximately 80% originating from tier 2 and below cities. In addition, the cumulative page view of the AR Auto Show was over 200 million. Mr. Min Lu, Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of Autohome, stated, "During the first quarter of 2018, we continued to experience strong growth in all aspects of our businesses and exceeded our top line guidance. Our solid operational and financial performance reflects the successful execution of our key growth strategies, including stimulating overall quality traffic, expanding consumer audiences of our targeted groups such as the young generation, broadening and customizing content, increasing user loyalty, advancing big data technology, which all bode well to drive the growth of our core media and lead generation businesses as well as our new initiatives for auto-financing and data product suites. With a solid start to the year, I am confident in our ability to continue optimizing these four pillars of our business by leveraging Autohome's preferred media channels, leading traffic generation, enhanced user engagement, and precise transaction matching, to further reinforce our strengths and competitive advantages as the leading online destination for automobile consumers in China." Mr. Jun Zou, Chief Financial Officer, added, "The increases in both net revenues and net income for the first quarter of 2018 demonstrate our ability to drive consistent revenue and profit growth by leveraging our solid expansion plan for both core and new businesses, as well as efficient cost control. Looking ahead to the remainder of the year, we will continue to strengthen the foundation of our business by focusing on planned strategic initiatives, prudent investment and value creation to capture the large and growing number of opportunities in the market." Overview of Key Financial Results for First Quarter 2018 Key Financial Results (In RMB Millions except for per share data) 1Q2017 1Q2018 % Change Net Revenues 1,206.8 1,288.1 6.7% Net Income attributable to Autohome Inc. 327.4 482.8 47.5% Adjusted Net Income attributable to Autohome Inc.[2] 367.2 520.0 41.6% Diluted Earnings Per Share[3] 2.80 4.05 44.6% [2] Adjusted net income attributable to Autohome Inc. is defined as net income attributable to Autohome Inc. excluding share-based compensation expenses and amortization expenses of intangible assets related to acquisitions. For more information on this and other non-GAAP financial measures, please see the section captioned "Use of Non-GAAP Financial Measures" and the tables captioned "Reconciliations of Non-GAAP and GAAP Results" set forth at the end of this release. [3] Each ordinary share equals one ADS. Unaudited First Quarter 2018 Financial Results Net Revenues Net revenues in the first quarter of 2018 were RMB1,288.1 million ($205.3 million) compared to RMB1,206.8 million in the corresponding period of 2017. Media services revenues increased 20.3% to RMB584 .2 million ( $93 .1 million) from RMB485 .6 million in the corresponding period of 2017. The increase was mainly attributable to an increase in average revenue per automaker advertiser as automakers continue to allocate a greater portion of their advertising budgets to Autohome, with increasingly diversified and optimized portfolio of products being offered. revenues increased 20.3% to .2 million ( .1 million) from .6 million in the corresponding period of 2017. The increase was mainly attributable to an increase in average revenue per automaker advertiser as automakers continue to allocate a greater portion of their advertising budgets to Autohome, with increasingly diversified and optimized portfolio of products being offered. Leads generation services revenues increased 30.6% to RMB610 .8 million ( $97 .4 million) from RMB467.6 million in the corresponding period of 2017. The increase was primarily attributable to a 17.6% year-over-year increase in average revenue per paying dealer as dealers continue to allocate a greater portion of their budgets to the Company's services, as well as an expanded dealer client base. revenues increased 30.6% to .8 million ( .4 million) from in the corresponding period of 2017. The increase was primarily attributable to a 17.6% year-over-year increase in average revenue per paying dealer as dealers continue to allocate a greater portion of their budgets to the Company's services, as well as an expanded dealer client base. Online marketplace and others revenues were RMB93 .1 million ( $14.8 million ) compared to RMB253 .6 million in the corresponding period of 2017. This was a result of the Company's strategy to de-emphasize direct vehicle sales and focus on facilitating transactions. Online marketplace and others revenues in the first quarter of 2018 consisted of revenues related to new car and used car marketplace, auto-financing business, data products and others. Excluding the revenues from direct vehicle sales, online marketplace and others would have increased substantially to RMB93.1 million ( $14.8 million ) from RMB18.5 million in the corresponding period of 2017. Cost of Revenues Cost of revenues decreased 58.1% to RMB146.1 million ($23.3 million) from RMB348.8 million in the corresponding period of 2017, primarily due to a decrease in cost of goods sold related to direct vehicle sales. Excluding the cost of direct vehicle sales, cost of revenues would have increased 24.3% to RMB146.1 million ($23.3 million) from RMB117.6 million in the corresponding period of 2017. In addition, cost of revenues included share-based compensation expenses of RMB1.1 million ($0.2 million) during the first quarter of 2018, compared to RMB4.1 million for the corresponding period of 2017. Operating Expenses Operating expenses increased 24.0% to RMB689.7 million ($110.0 million) from RMB556.4 million in the corresponding period of 2017. This increase was mainly due to increases in sales and marketing expenses and product development expenses as the Company continues to reinvest in future growth opportunities. Sales and marketing expenses increased 29.9% to RMB398.0 million ( $63.5 million ) in the first quarter of 2018, compared to RMB306.3 million in the corresponding period of 2017. The increase was primarily attributable to an increase in offline execution and branding expenses as well as salaries and benefits. Sales and marketing expenses for the first quarter of 2018 included share-based compensation expenses of RMB11.5 million ( $1.8 million ), compared with RMB10.7 million in the corresponding period of 2017. expenses increased 29.9% to ( ) in the first quarter of 2018, compared to in the corresponding period of 2017. The increase was primarily attributable to an increase in offline execution and branding expenses as well as salaries and benefits. Sales and marketing expenses for the first quarter of 2018 included share-based compensation expenses of ( ), compared with in the corresponding period of 2017. General and administrative expenses increased 4.1% to RMB62.9 million ( $10.0 million ) from RMB60.4 million in the corresponding period of 2017. The increase was primarily attributable to an increase in share-based compensation expenses. General and administrative expenses for the first quarter of 2018 included share-based compensation expenses of RMB12.2 million ( $1.9 million ), compared with RMB9.3 million in the corresponding period of 2017. expenses increased 4.1% to ( ) from in the corresponding period of 2017. The increase was primarily attributable to an increase in share-based compensation expenses. General and administrative expenses for the first quarter of 2018 included share-based compensation expenses of ( ), compared with in the corresponding period of 2017. Product development expenses increased 20.6% to RMB228.8 million ( $36.5 million ) from RMB189.7 million in the corresponding period of 2017. This increase was primarily attributable to an increase in salaries and benefits associated with growth in product development headcount, which is in line with the Company's strategy of strengthening its technology and big data analysis capabilities. Product development expenses for the first quarter of 2018 included share-based compensation expenses of RMB11.3 million ( $1.8 million ), compared with RMB14.5 million in the corresponding period of 2017. Operating Profit Operating profit increased 46.4% to RMB523.2 million ($83.4 million) from RMB357.4 million in the corresponding period of 2017. Income tax expense Income tax expense increased 51.1% to RMB103.9 million ($16.6 million) in the first quarter of 2018, from RMB68.8 million in the corresponding period of 2017, primarily attributable to an increase in taxable income. Net Income attributable to Autohome Inc. and EPS Net income attributable to Autohome Inc. increased 47.5% to RMB482.8 million ($77.0 million) from RMB327.4 million in the corresponding period of 2017. Basic and diluted earnings per share and per ADS ("EPS") were RMB4.11 ($0.66) and RMB4.05 ($0.65), respectively, compared with basic and diluted EPS in the corresponding period of 2017 of RMB2.83 and RMB2.80, respectively. Adjusted Net Income attributable to Autohome Inc. and Non-GAAP EPS Adjusted net income attributable to Autohome Inc., defined as net income attributable to Autohome Inc. excluding share-based compensation expenses and amortization expenses of intangible assets related to acquisitions, increased 41.6% to RMB520.0 million ($82.9 million) from RMB367.2 million in the corresponding period of 2017. Non-GAAP basic and diluted EPS were RMB4.43 ($0.71) and RMB4.36 ($0.70), respectively, compared with non-GAAP basic and diluted EPS in the corresponding period of 2017 of RMB3.18 and RMB3.13, respectively. Balance Sheet and Cash Flow As of March 31, 2018, the Company had cash and cash equivalents and short-term investments of RMB7,963.6 million ($1,269.6 million). Net cash provided by operating activities in the first quarter of 2018 was RMB421.4 million ($67.2 million), compared with RMB485.9 million in the corresponding period of 2017. Employees The Company had 3,977 employees as of March 31, 2018. Business Outlook Autohome currently expects to generate net revenues in the range of RMB1,780 million ($283.8 million) to RMB1,800 million ($287.0 million) in the second quarter of fiscal year 2018, representing a 25.2% to 26.6% year-over-year increase. If excluding direct vehicle sales, this represents a 29.6% to 31.1% year-over-year increase. This forecast reflects the Company's current and preliminary view on the market and its operating conditions, which are subject to change. Starting on January 1, 2018, Autohome adopted a new revenue recognition accounting standard ASC 606. Under ASC 606, the most significant impact on Autohome will be the change from presentation of value-added tax on gross basis to net basis. The above guidance reflects revenues net of value-added tax under the new revenue recognition standard. If presented on gross basis including value-added tax, the same basis as that for the year 2017, net revenues are expected to be between RMB1,950 million ($310.8 million) to RMB1,970 million ($314.1 million) in the second quarter of fiscal year 2018. Conference Call Information The Company will host an earnings conference call at 8:00 AM U.S. Eastern Time on Tuesday, May 8, 2018 (8:00 PM Beijing Time on the same day). Dial-in details for the earnings conference call are as follows: United States: +1-855-824-5644 Hong Kong: +852-3027-6500 China Domestic: 8009-880-563 United Kingdom: 0800-026-1542 International: +1 646-722-4977 Passcode: 84101341# Please dial in ten minutes before the call is scheduled to begin and provide the passcode to join the call. A replay of the conference call may be accessed by phone at the following numbers until May 14, 2018: United States: +1-646-982-0473 International: +61-2-8325-2405 Passcode: 319289894# Additionally, a live and archived webcast of the conference call will be available at http://ir.autohome.com.cn. About Autohome Inc. Autohome Inc. (NYSE: ATHM) is the leading online destination for automobile consumers in China. Its mission is to enhance the car-buying and ownership experience for auto consumers in China. Autohome provides professionally produced and user-generated content, a comprehensive automobile library, and extensive automobile listing information to automobile consumers, covering the entire car purchase and ownership cycle. The ability to reach a large and engaged user base of automobile consumers has made Autohome a preferred platform for automakers and dealers to conduct their advertising campaigns. Further, the Company's dealer subscription and advertising services allow dealers to market their inventory and services through Autohome's platform, extending the reach of their physical showrooms to potentially millions of internet users in China and generating sales leads for them. The Company offers sales leads, data analysis, and marketing services to assist automakers and dealers with improving their efficiency and facilitating transactions. As a transaction-centric company, Autohome operates its "Autohome Mall," a full-service online transaction platform, to facilitate transactions for automakers and dealers. Further, through its websites and mobile applications, it also provides other value-added services, including auto financing, auto insurance, used car transactions, and aftermarket services. For further information, please visit www.autohome.com.cn. Safe Harbor Statement This press release contains statements that may constitute "forward-looking" statements pursuant to the "safe harbor" provisions of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements can be identified by terminology such as "will", "expects", "anticipates", "future", "intends", "plans", "believes", "estimates" and similar statements. Among other things, Autohome's business outlook, Autohome's strategic and operational plans and quotations from management in this announcement contain forward-looking statements. Autohome may also make written or oral forward-looking statements in its periodic reports to the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC"), in its annual report to shareholders, in press releases and other written materials and in oral statements made by its officers, directors or employees to third parties. Statements that are not historical facts, including statements about Autohome's beliefs and expectations, are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements involve inherent risks and uncertainties. A number of factors could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statement, including but not limited to the following: Autohome's goals and strategies; Autohome's future business development, results of operations and financial condition; the expected growth of the online automobile advertising market in China; Autohome's ability to attract and retain users and advertisers and further enhance its brand recognition; Autohome's expectations regarding demand for and market acceptance of its products and services; competition in the online automobile advertising industry; fluctuations in general economic and business conditions in China and assumptions underlying or related to any of the foregoing. Further information regarding these and other risks is included in Autohome's filings with the SEC. All information provided in this press release is as of the date of this press release, and Autohome does not undertake any obligation to update any forward-looking statement, except as required under applicable law. Use of Non-GAAP Financial Measures To supplement net income presented in accordance with U.S. GAAP, we use Adjusted Net Income attributable to Autohome Inc., Non-GAAP basic and diluted EPS and Adjusted EBITDA as non-GAAP financial measures. We define Adjusted Net Income attributable to Autohome Inc. as net income attributable to Autohome Inc. excluding share-based compensation expenses and amortization expenses of intangible assets related to acquisitions. We define Non-GAAP basic and diluted EPS as Adjusted Net Income attributable to Autohome Inc. divided by the basic and diluted weighted average number of ordinary shares. We define Adjusted EBITDA as net income attributable to Autohome Inc. before income tax expense/(benefit), depreciation expenses of property and equipment and amortization expenses of intangible assets and share-based compensation expenses. We present these non-GAAP financial measures because they are used by our management to evaluate our operating performance, in addition to net income prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP. We believe these non-GAAP financial measures are important to help investors understand our operating and financial performance, compare business trends among different reporting periods on a consistent basis and assess our core operating results, as they exclude certain expenses that are not expected to result in cash payments. The use of the above non-GAAP financial measures has certain limitations. Share-based compensation expenses have been and will continue to be incurred in the future and are not reflected in the presentation of the non-GAAP financial measures, but should be considered in the overall evaluation of our results. These non-GAAP financial measures should be considered in addition to financial measures prepared in accordance with GAAP, but should not be considered a substitute for, or superior to, financial measures prepared in accordance with GAAP. For more information on these non-GAAP financial measures, please see the table captioned "Reconciliation of non-GAAP and GAAP Results" set forth at the end of this press release. For investor and media inquiries, please contact: In China: Autohome Inc. Investor Relations Fang Liu Tel: +86-10-5985-7482 Email: [email protected] The Piacente Group, Inc. Xi Zhang Tel: +86-10-5730-6200 E-mail: [email protected] In the United States: The Piacente Group, Inc. Alan Wang Tel: +1-212-481-2050 E-mail: [email protected] AUTOHOME INC. CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (Amount in thousands, except per share data) For three months ended March 31[4], 2017 2018 RMB RMB US$ (Unaudited) (Unaudited) (Unaudited) Net revenues Media services 515,682 584,150 93,127 Leads generation services 537,987 610,830 97,381 Online marketplace and others 294,692 93,074 14,838 Total net revenues 1,348,361 1,288,054 205,346 Cost of revenues (444,593) (146,141) (23,298) Gross profit 903,768 1,141,913 182,048 Operating expenses Sales and marketing expenses (306,328) (398,032) (63,456) General and administrative expenses (60,381) (62,880) (10,025) Product development expenses (189,726) (228,790) (36,475) Total operating expenses (556,435) (689,702) (109,956) Other income, net 10,116 70,996 11,318 Operating profit 357,449 523,207 83,410 Interest income 38,890 64,042 10,210 Loss from equity method investments (2,619) (1,890) (301) Income before income taxes 393,720 585,359 93,319 Income tax expense (68,785) (103,905) (16,565) Net income 324,935 481,454 76,754 Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interests 2,482 1,329 212 Net income attributable to Autohome Inc. 327,417 482,783 76,966 Earnings per share for ordinary shares Basic 2.83 4.11 0.66 Diluted 2.80 4.05 0.65 Weighted average shares used to compute earnings per share Basic 115,578,134 117,323,795 117,323,795 Diluted 117,132,322 119,164,166 119,164,166 Other comprehensive income attributable to Autohome Inc., net of tax of nil Foreign currency translation adjustments (5,488) (24,844) (3,961) Comprehensive income attributable to Autohome Inc. 321,929 457,939 73,005 [4] The operating results for the first quarter of 2017 has not been restated and were presented on a gross basis with the net revenues and cost of revenues including value-added tax, while those for the first quarter of 2018 were presented on net basis, with the net revenues and cost of revenues excluding value-added tax. AUTOHOME INC. RECONCILIATION OF NON-GAAP AND GAAP RESULTS (Amount in thousands, except per share data) For three months ended March 31, 2017 2018 RMB RMB US$ (Unaudited) (Unaudited) (Unaudited) Net income attributable to Autohome Inc. 327,417 482,783 76,966 Plus: income tax expense 68,785 103,905 16,565 Plus: depreciation of property and equipment 19,616 21,263 3,390 Plus: amortization of intangible assets 1,145 2,904 463 EBITDA 416,963 610,855 97,384 Plus: share-based compensation expenses 38,653 36,035 5,745 Adjusted EBITDA 455,616 646,890 103,129 Net income attributable to Autohome Inc. 327,417 482,783 76,966 Plus: amortization of acquired intangible assets of Cheerbright, China Topside and Norstar 1,138 1,138 181 Plus: share-based compensation expenses 38,653 36,035 5,745 Adjusted Net Income attributable to Autohome Inc. 367,208 519,956 82,892 Non-GAAP Earnings per share for ordinary shares Basic 3.18 4.43 0.71 Diluted 3.13 4.36 0.70 Weighted average shares used to compute earnings per share Basic 115,578,134 117,323,795 117,323,795 Diluted 117,132,322 119,164,166 119,164,166 AUTOHOME INC. CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Amount in thousands, except as noted) As of December 31, As of March 31, 2017 2018 RMB RMB US$ (Audited) (Unaudited) (Unaudited) ASSETS Current assets Cash and cash equivalents 911,588 833,897 132,943 Short-term investments 7,242,636 7,129,721 1,136,645 Accounts and notes receivable, net 1,893,737 1,726,995 275,324 Amounts due from related parties, current 24,502 45,956 7,326 Prepaid expenses and other current assets 186,123 360,132 57,414 Total current assets 10,258,586 10,096,701 1,609,652 Non-current assets Restricted cash, non-current - 5,000 797 Property and equipment, net 130,322 115,088 18,348 Goodwill and intangible assets, net 1,555,201 1,552,298 247,473 Long-term investments 147,929 146,046 23,283 Deferred tax assets 174,620 166,552 26,552 Other non-current assets 28,317 25,531 4,070 Total non-current assets 2,036,389 2,010,515 320,523 Total assets 12,294,975 12,107,216 1,930,175 LIABILITIES AND EQUITY Current liabilities Accrued expenses and other payables 1,658,934 1,527,341 243,494 Advance from customers 70,454 59,895 9,549 Deferred revenue 1,409,485 1,438,085 229,265 Income tax payable 144,379 155,687 24,820 Amounts due to related parties 10,285 10,400 1,658 Dividends payable 595,779 - - Total current liabilities 3,889,316 3,191,408 508,786 Non-current liabilities Other liabilities 32,122 32,122 5,121 Deferred tax liabilities 438,251 448,264 71,464 Total non-current liabilities 470,373 480,386 76,585 Total liabilities 4,359,689 3,671,794 585,371 Equity Total Autohome Inc. Shareholders' equity 7,951,637 8,453,102 1,347,623 Noncontrolling interests (16,351) (17,680) (2,819) Total equity 7,935,286 8,435,422 1,344,804 Total liabilities and equity 12,294,975 12,107,216 1,930,175 SOURCE Autohome Inc. DALLAS, May 8, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Compass Edge Solutions has expanded its leadership team today with the promotion of Luke Dalske to Vice President of BitBox Deployment & Integration and Dan Cernogorsky to Senior Director, BitBox Software Development. Both will report directly to Compass Edge Solutions head Jon Trout and play key roles in Compass Edge Solutions' success. The BitBox platform simplifies the deployment, integration, monitoring and maintenance of distributed infrastructure from the core to the edge. Dalske oversees deployment of the BitBox monitoring platform and integration. He comes with 15 years of power monitoring, generator control systems, PLC and SCADA experience. Prior to joining Compass Edge Solutions, Dalske spent nine years with Schneider Electric in its professional services division where he led sales engineering, data center systems design and implementation. Cernogorsky oversees BitBox software engineering and development efforts. He brings nearly 20 years of data center systems integration, systems engineering, DCIM and custom software development experience. Prior to joining Compass Edge Solutions, Cernogorsky held software infrastructure management roles at Facebook, Hoffman Building Technologies, Siemens and Bellsouth. "Deploying, integrating, monitoring and maintaining distributed infrastructure is growing more complex with edge computing. The BitBox platform reduces this complexity regardless of infrastructure's location, size or manufacturer. Luke and Dan have been key elements of our success and their promotion to senior leadership roles allows us to continue providing our industry leading solutions," said Trout. "When we acquired BitBox and Edgepoint in December, the edge grabbed the headlines, but infrastructure management is just as critical, with significant innovation opportunities," said Chris Crosby, Compass Datacenters CEO. "Anyone who has been in our industry for ten minutes knows how difficult it is to monitor and manage traditional core data centers. This task becomes even more complex when you bring the edge into the mix. Trout and the Compass Edge Solutions team have engineered a truly ingenious platform for deploying, integrating, monitoring and maintaining distributed infrastructure at scale." "In my experience of building and operating edge facilities, the single biggest mistake companies make is overlooking monitoring and management tools. Too often, distributed infrastructure becomes an unmanageable island," said Sharif Fotouh, Compass Edge Solutions leader. "Jon Trout has been ahead of the curve on this issue for years, and the BitBox platform allows companies to control distributed infrastructure no matter where it is and what it looks like." About Compass Datacenters Compass Datacenters provides enterprises, cloud providers, service providers, and hyperscale customers solutions from the core to the edge. Compass' investors, Ontario Teachers' Pension Plan and RedBird Capital Partners, bring a long-term perspective and significant financial resources. Compass' executive team has built more than $3 billion worth of data centers and edge computing facilities. They have also operated over six million square feet of raised floor worldwide. The Compass team delivers build-to-order data centers which are superior to competing alternatives. Compass enables customers to build what you want, where you want, when your business needs it. For more information, visit www.compassdatacenters.com. About Compass Edge Solutions Compass Edge Solutions is Compass Datacenters' edge computing software and service arm. Compass Edge Solutions' BitBox platform simplifies the deployment, integration, monitoring and maintenance of your distributed infrastructure from the core to the edge. For more information, visit www.bitboxusa.com. SOURCE Compass Datacenters Related Links http://www.compassdatacenters.com Renowned accelerator gener8tor and entrepreneur support organization Kinnektor will share the program with their networks in Wisconsin CHICAGO and MILWAUKEE, May 8, 2018 /PRNewswire/ - BMO Harris Bank today announced its second annual BMO Harris / 1871 Innovation Program, which is focused on engaging and mentoring early-stage technology startups that have innovative solutions in lending, financial planning, digital tools and data analytics. The program follows last year's BMO Harris/1871 FinTech Partnership program in Chicago, where six startups worked with BMO mentors. The winners were: All these firms continue to have ongoing discussions with BMO Harris to explore further opportunities. This year's BMO Harris/ 1871 Innovation Program has been expanded to Wisconsin, thanks to new partnerships with gener8tor and Kinnektor. This will enable startups in Wisconsin to learn about the program and be encouraged to apply. The program will once again provide winners with: A three-month mentorship program with access to mentors and resources from BMO Harris Bank; A working space at 1871, a 140,000 square-foot pure innovation space; and The potential opportunity to pilot their technology with BMO Harris Bank along with cash prizes. "Last year's program was a great success; we continue having discussions with all three winners to pilot their services because we find value in what they have to offer," said Ernie Johannson, Group Head, U.S. Personal and Business Banking, BMO Harris Bank. "This year we are excited not only to continue the partnership with 1871, but also to welcome new partners in Wisconsin to amplify our talent pool and create new synergies all around." Technology companies from across Chicagoland and Wisconsin area are encouraged to apply by May 29 for one of the six to eight placements. The program will follow closely last year's schedule, which includes a period of mentorship for the startups followed by a presentation in the fall where each startup will present their product or service to a panel of BMO Harris bank judges. The three winners will be awarded a total cash prize of $50,000, with the opportunity to continue discussions with BMO Harris at the conclusion of the mentorship program to pilot their product. "We're fortunate to have many major corporations right in our backyard, and connecting them with startups in order to share ideas, talent, and resources is an opportunity that benefits everyone," said Betsy Ziegler, Chief Executive Officer, 1871. "BMO Harris is an outstanding example of a corporation that is a deep part of Chicago's innovation story, and we are pleased to work closely with them again this year to help even more entrepreneurs achieve their full potential." Nationally ranked accelerator gener8tor along with Green Bay- based entrepreneur support organization Kinnektor, will bring the program to their communities, who will have the opportunity to apply to the program for the first time. BMO Harris will pair up startups based in Wisconsin with appropriate local mentors where possible for a seamless collaboration throughout the mentorship period. All participants, regardless of location, will have the opportunity to enjoy a membership to 1871 and BMO Harris resources across Wisconsin, Chicago and beyond. "We are excited to be partnering with BMO Harris Bank and 1871 on this opportunity," said gener8tor co-founder Troy Vosseller. "We believe collaborations like this highlight our region as a top ecosystem for entrepreneurs and innovation." "Midwest corporations play an important role in the startup world and tangible opportunities like the BMO Harris/ 1871 Innovation Program create opportunities for entrepreneurs and support organizations like Kinnektor," said John Ernst, Chief Executive Officer, Kinnektor. "Wisconsin startups are really hungry for these kinds of programs and we hope that others take notice and are encouraged to do the same in their industries." Applications to the BMO Harris/ 1871 Innovation Program are due by May 29, 2018 at 8:59 a.m. CT. For more information on the program, eligibility and how to apply, visit: https://1871.com/bmo-harris-1871-innovation-program-2018/ About BMO Harris Bank BMO Harris Bank provides a broad range of personal banking products and solutions through nearly 600 branches and fee-free access to over 40,000 ATMs across the United States. BMO Harris Bank's commercial banking team provides a combination of sector expertise, local knowledge and mid-market focus throughout the U.S. For more information about BMO Harris Bank, go to the company fact sheet. Banking products and services are subject to bank and credit approval. BMO Harris Bank N.A. Member FDIC. BMO Harris Bank is part of BMO Financial Group, a highly diversified financial services provider with total assets of CDN$728 billion (as of January 31, 2018), and a team of diverse and highly engaged employees. About 1871 1871 is the home of over 500 high-growth technology startups and more than 1,500 members supported by an entire ecosystem focused on accelerating their growth and creating jobs in the Chicagoland area. Visit www.1871.com for more information. Located in a 150,000 square-foot space over three floors in The Merchandise Mart, 1871 has more than 600 current mentors available to its members, as well as more than 100 partner corporations, universities, education programs, accelerators, venture funds and other organizations that make its extensive matrix of resources possible. For more on our partners, visit www.1871.com/about/partners, or become a partner by reaching out to [email protected]. About gener8tor gener8tor is a nationally ranked accelerator that invests in high-growth startups. Three times a year, they invest up to $140K in each of five startups who receive a concierge experience during their 12-week accelerator program. gener8tor supports the growth of these startups through their network of experienced mentors, technologists, corporate partners, angel investors and venture capitalists. About Kinnektor Kinnektor is a nonprofit entrepreneur support organization located in Oshkosh, WI. Kinnektor envisions a thriving entrepreneurial community in Northeast Wisconsin and throughout the state created by connecting various elements of the ecosystem through workshops, conferences, programs and other means to promote innovation. More information can be found at www.kinnektor.com. SOURCE BMO Harris Bank SUNNYVALE, Calif., May 8, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- BorderX Lab, Inc., a technology enabled, cross-border e-commerce company founded in 2014 by three former Google computer scientists, has raised $20m in a Series B financing round led by Kleiner Perkins . The company's platform allows consumers around the world to discover and purchase authentic consumer goods and lifestyle products from leading Western brands. Additional investors in the Series B round include Hillhouse Capital Group, CBC (China Broadband Capital), Welight Capital and iFly Venture Capital. The financing will be used to further drive international expansion, create new platform features to improve the customer experience and continue the hiring of world class team members in Sunnyvale and Shanghai. Beyond App, BorderX Lab's first product, is the leading cross-border e-commerce solution for global brands and merchants targeting the explosive Chinese consumer market. The company's mobile app and platform connects American and European brands in fashion, beauty, healthcare and lifestyle product categories with the rapidly emerging middle class in China (and soon in other regions of the world). BorderX Lab partners with more than 50 merchants, including Saks, Peter Thomas Roth, Finish Line, Forzieri and Everlane to bring a catalog of more than five million products to Chinese consumers, who have downloaded the company's iOS and Android apps more than three million times. The company has generated tens of million in new sales for its top merchant partners in 2017 and has been profitable since Q3 2017. Based on a technology infrastructure that combines big data with artificial intelligence, BorderX Lab provides Chinese consumers with the same online shopping experience enjoyed by consumers in the U.S. and Europe. Its advanced platform includes intelligent bots that help automate the complex end-to-end shopping experience from integrating merchant product catalogues, to processing consumer orders, to shipping route optimization, to customs and tax processing, and more. BorderX Lab manages all customer acquisition, authentication and purchase of goods, translation and localization of product information, and local customer support for its merchant partners to make it easy and risk-free for brands to enter the Chinese market. "Our team has delivered on our vision of bringing the American and European lifestyle to the worldwide middle class," said Dr. Albert Shen, CEO and co-founder, BorderX Lab. "We've removed the hassle of trying to buy authentic goods directly for millions of consumers and of having to deal with currency, language and cultural issues. Now, with the support of KPCB and our other major investment partners, we'll be able to grow our team and business and provide even better service for our merchants and users." "Kleiner Perkin's mission is to back the world's best entrepreneurs on their journey to help them achieve their ambitious goals. We are thrilled to support BorderX's bold vision of connecting the best brands with eager consumers around the world, and transform a $100 billion market," said Eric Feng, general partner at Kleiner Perkins. iFly Venture Capital led the Series A round and continued to invest and support BorderX Lab in the Series B. "As a young VC fund, iFly stays away from buzzword-centric investments and focuses on backing visionary entrepreneurs who seek to fundamentally transform industries through innovative approaches. The BorderX Lab team is highly creative and has built a great international team from the United States and China," said Han Shen, founding partner, iFly Venture Capital. "The team's technical background and commitment to excellence, coupled with a deep understanding of its initial markets, has allowed it to grow rapidly in a highly competitive market." About BorderX Lab, Inc. BorderX Lab, headquartered in Silicon Valley and with offices in Shanghai, China, is the leading cross-border e-commerce solution for Western brands and retailers targeting the Chinese market. The company's mission is to connect American and European merchants with the global middle class. BorderX Lab's advanced technologies includes machine learning and artificial intelligence bots to make global commerce automatic, intelligent and interactive. Investors include Kleiner Perkins, Hillhouse Capital Group, CBC (China Broadband Capital), Welight Capital and iFly Venture Capital. For more information, please visit www.borderxlab.com. About Kleiner Perkins Caufield & Byers Kleiner Perkins partners with the brightest entrepreneurs to turn disruptive ideas into world-changing businesses. With $10 billion raised through 20 venture funds and four growth funds, the firm has invested in over 850 companies including pioneers such as Google, App Dynamics, Amazon, Flexus Biosciences, Nest, Waze, Twitter, JD.com and Square. Kleiner Perkins offers entrepreneurs years of operating experience, puts them at the center of an influential network, and accelerates their companies from success to significance. For more information, visit http://www.kpcb.com and follow us @kpcb. SOURCE BorderX Lab, Inc. Related Links http://www.borderxlab.com "We are thrilled that Whole Foods Market is expanding the partnership with Bubbies by making our Mochi Ice Cream available in stores nationwide," said Bubbies CEO Rick Schaffer. "Bubbies has built its reputation by using only the highest quality ingredients to produce premium Mochi Ice Cream that is enjoyed around the world. Now, even more Whole Foods Market customers will be able to easily enjoy our delicious bite-sized treats." Bubbies Mochi Ice Cream will be in Whole Foods Market freezer cases nationwide this Spring as well as in "mochi bars" where available. The "mochi bar" (a self-serve freezer) allows consumers to mix and match flavors and experience mochi ice cream in a fun and convenient way. Bubbies has been an iconic Hawaiian brand name for more than 30 years and is one of the best-known Mochi Ice Cream brands in the world. For decades, Bubbies has been produced exclusively in its Aiea, Hawaii location. With ongoing success and high demand for mochi ice cream, Bubbies recently expanded its manufacturing operations with a second production facility in Phoenix, Arizona. Mochi Ice Cream is a premium ice cream treat wrapped in soft, sweetened rice flour coating. Bubbies Mochi Ice Cream is available in an array of unique flavors and combinations. From mango and green tea to passion fruit and guava, Bubbies mochi is sure to please even the most discerning of tastes. Bubbies Mochi Ice Cream, with less than 100 calories per serving, is more rich and flavorful than other mochi desserts, the result of its high-quality ingredients and proprietary recipe. Bubbies is gluten-free (certified by the Celiac Support Organization), kosher and is produced without ingredients genetically modified through the use of modern biotechnology. "Mochi ice cream has been an incredibly popular product with Whole Foods Market shoppers, which is why we're thrilled that Bubbies Mochi Ice Cream is now expanding into our frozen aisles in stores nationwide," said Andy Sasser, Sr. Category Leader of Prepared Foods and Bakery at Whole Foods Market. "We're excited to introduce even more customers to this delicious, high quality product by growing our partnership with the Bubbies team." About Bubbies Homemade Ice Cream & Desserts For more than 30 years, Bubbies has been an iconic Hawaiian brand best known for its premium Mochi Ice Cream. Starting with the highest quality ingredients, Bubbies delivers the creamiest ice cream experience using a secret family recipe that uses a proprietary cream base, giving Bubbies a superb premium texture and taste. Bubbies extends its passion for quality and flavor to give customers a deliciously unique way to experience frozen desserts. www.bubbiesicecream.com SOURCE Bubbies Homemade Ice Cream & Desserts, Inc. Related Links http://www.bubbiesicecream.com The new latch and spring assembly is designed for exceptional durability. The heavy-gauge, high-strength steel latch with reinforcing rib provides ultimate rigidity and bending resistance and has a yellow chromate finish for corrosion resistance. The double-strength spring ensures the latch is held against the hook to securely retain slings and other components. For added durability, the hooks are designed with dual forged support bosses, providing lateral support for precise latch/hook alignment and engagement. "These U.S.-made Sling Hooks are designed for extreme durability and long life," said Lyn Bethea, Campbell product manager. "The new heavy-duty latch is stronger than ever before, but is also easy to replace in case of damage." With a 4:1 design factor, the new Alloy Sling Hooks meet or exceed the requirements of ASME B30.9 and B30.10. The working load limit ranges from 5,700 lbs. to 35,300 lbs. Along with Rated Capacity and Made in USA markings, a Latch Code is forged into each hook for easy, accurate replacement ordering. For more information about Campbell Sling Hooks, visit www.campbellchainandfittings.com. About Campbell Campbell, a premier brand from Apex Tool Group, is a leading brand of chain and fittings. The brand is recognized the world over for its product quality and outstanding customer service programs. Campbell has strategically located distribution and service centers throughout the U.S. and Canada. Campbell pioneered the development of Grade 100 chain and fittings, providing chain users with lighter, more ergonomic, and less expensive chain assemblies. For more information, visit www.campbellchainandfittings.com. About Apex Tool Group Apex Tool Group, LLC, based in Sparks, MD, is one of the largest worldwide producers of industrial hand and power tools, tool storage, drill chucks, chain, and electronic soldering products. Apex serves a multitude of global markets, including automotive, aerospace, electronics, energy, hardware, industrial, and consumer retail. For more information, visit www.apextoolgroup.com. SOURCE Apex Tool Group Related Links http://www.apextoolgroup.com PALM BEACH, Florida, May 8, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- MarketNewsUpdates.com News Commentary The global cannabis market continues to forge forward as gradual legalization occurs, with recent developments in the United States headlining the current legislative news. Last week Minority Leader Chuck Schumer announced that he's signing on as a cosponsor of a hemp legalization bill introduced last month by Majority Leader Mitch McConnell. A recent study conducted by the Arcview Group projects the overall cannabis industry to generate $40 billion in the US alone by the year 2021. Along with advanced legalization efforts, other factors contributing to the growth include industry leaders acquiring new resources to increase production, as well as simple rising demand from consumers. Active companies in the markets include: PotNetwork Holdings Inc. (OTC:POTN), Aphria Inc. (OTC:APHQF) (TSX:APH.TO), Hemp Inc. (OTC:HEMP), Freedom Leaf Inc. (OTC:FRLF), Kush Bottles Inc. (OTC: KSHB). PotNetwork Holdings Inc. (OTC:POTN) BREAKING NEWS: PotNetwork Holdings is pleased to announce a debt retirement of $1.2 million. With less than $1.7 million in debt still outstanding in Q2, the Company is positioned to meet and exceed growth expectations for 2018. During the first quarter, the Company reached an agreement with a debt holder exchanging a $1.2 million convertible promissory note for common stock purchase warrants at $.25 per share, effectuating a shift in debt to equity. With now less than $1.7 million in overall notes payable, the Company has taken a significant step forward toward improving its ratio of assets to liabilities, reducing its debt service, and improving its overall financial metrics. The company recently announced record breaking sales performance results for March 2018. With over $2.2 million in sales revenue recorded across the month, the company has posted a 152% year over year increase when compared with March of 2017. With over $6.3 million in revenues recorded for Q1 of 2018, PotNetwork Holdings, Inc. is well on track to exceed its performance from 2017. The company recently announced the release of audited consolidated financial statements reporting 2017 sales of $14.5 million Read this and more news for POTN at: http://www.marketnewsupdates.com/news/potn.html In other industry developments and market performances of note: Aphria Inc. (OTCQB:APHQF) (TSX:APH.TO) recently announced the appointment of Jakob Ripshtein as the Company's first Chief Commercial Officer as of May 1, 2018 and Christelle Gedeon as Chief Legal Officer as of June 1, 2018 . The Company is also announcing several new management appointments as Aphria continues to add depth, experience and leadership across the organization, together with the adoption of a formal governance policy regarding investments and other opportunities. As Aphria's first Chief Commercial Officer, Mr. Ripshtein will oversee the Company's commercial, sales and marketing teams. Mr. Ripshtein most recently served as Chief Financial Officer of Diageo North America, a position he has held since 2016. In his 10 years with Diageo, he also served as President of Diageo Canada and also held a variety of Finance and Commercial roles in Canada , the United States and England . While serving as CFO and President of Diageo Canada concurrently, Mr. Ripshtein managed Diageo Canada's overall operations and resources and strove to continually improve Diageo's relationships with its critical stakeholders - brokers, Provincial Liquor Regulators, and Provincial and Federal authorities. Prior to Diageo, he oversaw business, sales and tax functions in the Canadian spirits, pharmaceutical and financial sectors. Hemp Inc. (OTC:HEMP) last week announced it applauds the Illinois Senate for unanimously passing legislation to legalize industrial hemp in The Prairie State. Senate Bill 2298 passed April 24, 2018, in a 50-0 vote and is now before the Illinois House. Senate Bill 2298 creates the Industrial Hemp Act and provides that "cannabis" does not include industrial hemp as defined by state law. Illinois passed legislation in 2014 allowing the state's Department of Agriculture and state universities to grow hemp for research purposes. The newly passed bill by the Illinois Senate would allow Illinois farmers to apply for permits to grow industrial hemp to make a variety of commercial and industrial products. Rebecca Osland, the Alliance's director of government relations, said "there could be a whole [new] set of industries that could grow up around this," according to Chicago Tonight. The cannabidiol (CBD) market is projected to grow to a $2.1 billion market in consumer sales by 2020, according to The Hemp Business Journal. Freedom Leaf Inc. (OTCQB:FRLF) recently announced that Las Vegas-based, Nevada State Senator, Richard S. Segerblom, who led the drive for the legalization of marijuana in Nevada, has agreed to join the Freedom Leaf Board of Directors. The other Directors include: Paul Pelosi Jr., Chairman, Freedom Leaf CEO Clifford J. Perry and Freedom Leaf EVP Raymond P. Medeiros. Senator "Tick" Segerblom commented: "Freedom Leaf shares my vision that Las Vegas is the perfect home for marijuana and hemp companies. Nevada's corporate laws and tax structure are second to none. Joining the Freedom Leaf Board enables me to take that message throughout the nation, Canada and the world." Kush Bottles, Inc. (OTCQB:KSHB), a leading provider of packaging, supplies, vaporizers, hydrocarbon gases, solvents, accessories and branding solutions for the regulated cannabis industry, recently announced it has completed its acquisition of Summit Innovations, LLC ("Summit Innovations"), a leading distributor of hydrocarbons to the legal cannabis industry based in Denver, Colorado. Summit Innovations was acquired in exchange for 1,280,000 shares of Kush Bottles common stock and approximately $3.2 million in cash, subject to certain adjustments and holdbacks, as further described in the Company's press release dated April 10, 2018. DISCLAIMER: MarketNewsUpdates.com (MNU) is a third party publisher and news dissemination service provider, which disseminates electronic information through multiple online media channels. MNU is NOT affiliated in any manner with any company mentioned herein. MNU and its affiliated companies are a news dissemination solutions provider and are NOT a registered broker/dealer/analyst/adviser, holds no investment licenses and may NOT sell, offer to sell or offer to buy any security. MNU's market updates, news alerts and corporate profiles are NOT a solicitation or recommendation to buy, sell or hold securities. The material in this release is intended to be strictly informational and is NEVER to be construed or interpreted as research material. All readers are strongly urged to perform research and due diligence on their own and consult a licensed financial professional before considering any level of investing in stocks. All material included herein is republished content and details which were previously disseminated by the companies mentioned in this release. MNU is not liable for any investment decisions by its readers or subscribers. Investors are cautioned that they may lose all or a portion of their investment when investing in stocks. For current services performed MNU has been compensated sixty-nine hundred dollars for news coverage of the current press release issued by PotNetwork Holding Inc by a non-affiliated third party. MNU HOLDS NO SHARES OF ANY COMPANY NAMED IN THIS RELEASE. This release contains "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended and such forward-looking statements are made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. "Forward-looking statements" describe future expectations, plans, results, or strategies and are generally preceded by words such as "may", "future", "plan" or "planned", "will" or "should", "expected," "anticipates", "draft", "eventually" or "projected". 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Contact Information: [email protected] +1(561)325-8757 SOURCE MarketNewsUpdates.com Represents $272.8 million transaction by CGI MONTREAL, May 8, 2018 /PRNewswire/ - CGI (TSX: GIB.A) (NYSE: GIB) announced today that it intends to enter into a private agreement with Caisse de depot et placement du Quebec ("la Caisse") for the purchase for cancellation of 3,634,729 of its Class A subordinate voting shares ("Class A Shares") held by la Caisse for a price of $75.06 per Class A Share, which represents a discount to today's closing price of the Class A Shares on the Toronto Stock Exchange ("TSX"). The transaction will be made in connection with the periodic portfolio rebalancing of la Caisse. Once completed, la Caisse will continue to hold approximately 42.6 million Class A Shares, representing approximately 15.1% of CGI's total outstanding shares. "CGI has delivered excellent results for its shareholders again this year. As we have done in the past, la Caisse wishes to monetize a portion of this performance to benefit its depositors while allowing CGI to optimize liquidity by redeeming shares," said Christian Dube, Executive Vice-President, Quebec, of la Caisse. Following this transaction, la Caisse will continue to be one of the main shareholders of CGI, and we intend to remain so to support the long-term growth of this information technology leader." "This transaction is immediately accretive and consistent with our value creation strategy," said George D. Schindler, President and Chief Executive Officer, CGI. "We remain very well positioned to continue executing our Build and Buy profitable growth strategy through our strong cash flow generation and access to our credit facility." A favourable decision was obtained from the Autorite des marches financiers to exempt CGI from the issuer bid requirements under securities legislation applicable to the transaction, which will be made at a discount in accordance with the decision and is expected to be entered into later today and settled on May 10, 2018. The share repurchase will be made under CGI's normal course issuer bid ("NCIB"), the renewal of which was announced on January 31, 2018. Under the NCIB, CGI is authorized to repurchase up to 20,595,539 Class A Shares by February 5, 2019. The NCIB allows for purchases outside the facilities of the TSX by private agreements pursuant to exemption orders issued by securities regulators. As at May 7, 2018, 3,230,450 shares had been repurchased under the NCIB. Information regarding the share repurchase, including the number of Class A Shares purchased for cancellation and aggregate price paid, will be available on the SEDAR website at sedar.com following the completion thereof. CGI will not issue any additional press release in respect of this share repurchase. About CGI Founded in 1976, CGI is among the largest independent IT and business consulting services firm in the world. With 73,000 professionals across the globe, CGI delivers an end-to-end portfolio of capabilities, from IT and business consulting to systems integration, outsourcing services and intellectual property solutions. CGI works with clients through a local relationship model complemented by a global delivery network that helps clients digitally transform their organizations and accelerate results. With annual revenue of C$10.8 billion, CGI shares are listed on the TSX (GIB.A) and the NYSE (GIB). Learn more at cgi.com. About Caisse de depot et placement du Quebec Caisse de depot et placement du Quebec (CDPQ) is a long-term institutional investor that manages funds primarily for public and parapublic pension and insurance plans. As at December 31, 2017, it held CAD 298.5 billion in net assets. As one of Canada's leading institutional fund managers, CDPQ invests globally in major financial markets, private equity, infrastructure, real estate and private debt. For more information, visit cdpq.com, follow us on Twitter @LaCDPQ or consult our Facebook or LinkedIn pages. Forward-looking information and statements This press release contains "forward-looking information" within the meaning of Canadian securities laws and "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and other applicable United States safe harbours. All such forward-looking information and statements are made and disclosed in reliance upon the safe harbour provisions of applicable Canadian and United States securities laws. Forward-looking information and statements include all information and statements regarding CGI's intentions, plans, expectations, beliefs, objectives, future performance, and strategy, as well as any other information or statements that relate to future events or circumstances and which do not directly and exclusively relate to historical facts. Forward-looking information and statements often but not always use words such as "believe", "estimate", "expect", "intend", "anticipate", "foresee", "plan", "predict", "project", "aim", "seek", "strive", "potential", "continue", "target", "may", "might", "could", "should", and similar expressions and variations thereof. These information and statements are based on our perception of historic trends, current conditions and expected future developments, as well as other assumptions, both general and specific, that we believe are appropriate in the circumstances. Such information and statements are, however, by their very nature, subject to inherent risks and uncertainties, of which many are beyond the control of CGI, and which give rise to the possibility that actual results could differ materially from our expectations expressed in, or implied by, such forward-looking information or forward-looking statements. These risks and uncertainties include but are not restricted to: risks related to the market such as the level of business activity of our clients, which is affected by economic conditions, and our ability to negotiate new contracts; risks related to our industry such as competition and our ability to attract and retain qualified employees, to develop and expand our services, to penetrate new markets, and to protect our intellectual property rights; risks related to our business such as risks associated with our growth strategy, including the integration of new operations, financial and operational risks inherent in worldwide operations, foreign exchange risks, income tax laws, our ability to negotiate favorable contractual terms, to deliver our services and to collect receivables, and the reputational and financial risks attendant to cybersecurity breaches and other incidents; as well as other risks identified or incorporated by reference in this press release, in CGI's annual and quarterly MD&A and in other documents that we make public, including our filings with the Canadian Securities Administrators (on SEDAR at sedar.com) and the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (on EDGAR at sec.gov). Unless otherwise stated, the forward-looking information and statements contained in this press release are made as of the date hereof and CGI disclaims any intention or obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking information or forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by applicable law. While we believe that our assumptions on which these forward-looking information and forward-looking statements are based were reasonable as at the date of this press release, readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking information or statements. Furthermore, readers are reminded that forward-looking information and statements are presented for the sole purpose of assisting investors and others in understanding our objectives, strategic priorities and business outlook as well as our anticipated operating environment. Readers are cautioned that such information may not be appropriate for other purposes. Further information on the risks that could cause our actual results to differ significantly from our current expectations may be found in the section titled "Risk Environment" of CGI's annual and quarterly MD&A, which is incorporated by reference in this cautionary statement. We also caution readers that the above-mentioned risks and the risks disclosed in CGI's annual and quarterly MD&A and other documents and filings are not the only ones that could affect us. Additional risks and uncertainties not currently known to us or that we currently deem to be immaterial could also have a material adverse effect on our financial position, financial performance, cash flows, business or reputation. SOURCE CGI Group Inc. Related Links http://www.cgi.com/ Depending on the pilot's experience, a signing bonus of $5,000 to $10,000 will be paid upon completion of Phenom 300 training and company onboarding. At the end of year one, pilots will receive another $5,000 and an additional $5,000 at the end of year two. GrandView Aviation has also launched a rentention bonus program that pays up to $60,000 after 5 years of service to the company. In addition to these retention programs, GrandView Aviation offers a positive working environment where teamwork and innovation are strongly encouraged. Other benefits include 100% coverage of employee health and dental premiums, 401K & company match, among others. GrandView Aviation GrandView Aviation operates a fleet of Phenom 300 charter jets in Maryland & Texas as well as a helicopter fleet in Baltimore, MD. The company has offices at Martin State Airport and Austin-Bergstom International Airport. GrandView Aviation is a FAA Part 135 certificated aircraft operator & carries the elite Wyvern Wingman safety rating. For more information about GrandView Aviation, please visit www.flygv.com. SOURCE GrandView Aviation Related Links http://www.flygv.com Mark Locke to retire at the end of 2018 WHITEHOUSE STATION, N.J., May 8, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Chubb has named Mike Williams Executive Vice President and Manufacturing Industry Practice Leader. In this role, Mr. Williams will lead strategic efforts around driving results for the mid-market business by continuing to leverage Chubb's portfolio of world-class underwriting, claims and risk engineering solutions throughout North America, and by further strengthening its relationships with key distribution partners. According to Bloomberg Markets, manufacturing is growing at the fastest pace since 2004. "The business environment is evolving at a rapid pace and creating enormous opportunities for manufacturers across the U.S.," said Jim West, Executive Vice President, North America Industry Practice Leader. "Mike is a talented and seasoned industry veteran with strong underwriting experience, and his background is an ideal fit for identifying key trends in this dynamic industry and aligning Chubb's capabilities with the needs of our clients to help them better manage risks in the midst of this manufacturing resurgence." Mr. Williams has more than three decades of insurance industry experience, with 27 of those years with Chubb. He joined Chubb in 1989 as a Commercial Lines Underwriter and has also served in a number of leadership roles within underwriting. Prior to this new position, Mr. Williams was the Western Zone Underwriting Officer for CNA Insurance. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration from Washington State University. Mark Locke to Retire After a 27 year career at Chubb, Mark Locke, previous Manufacturing Industry Practice Leader, has decided to retire at the end of 2018. "Mark and his team have built a solid franchise that has served Chubb well throughout the years," said Mr. West. "On behalf of the entire senior management team, we thank Mark for his leadership and all of his contributions, and wish him all the very best during retirement." For the remainder of 2018, Mark will serve the business as Deputy Industry Practice Leader, where he will help ensure a smooth transition for Mr. Williams. The Chubb Manufacturing Industry practice is represented throughout Chubb's 48 North American branch offices. To learn more, please click here. About Chubb Chubb is the world's largest publicly traded property and casualty insurance company, and the largest commercial insurer in the United States. With operations in 54 countries and territories, Chubb provides commercial and personal property and casualty insurance, personal accident and supplemental health insurance, reinsurance and life insurance to a diverse group of clients. As an underwriting company, we assess, assume and manage risk with insight and discipline. We service and pay our claims fairly and promptly. The company is also defined by its extensive product and service offerings, broad distribution capabilities, exceptional financial strength and local operations globally. Parent company Chubb Limited is listed on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE: CB) and is a component of the S&P 500 index. Chubb maintains executive offices in Zurich, New York, London and other locations, and employs approximately 31,000 people worldwide. Additional information can be found at chubb.com. Chubb Insurance Company of Canada has offices in Toronto, Calgary, Montreal and Vancouver and provides its products and services through licensed insurance brokers across Canada. For additional information, visit www.chubb.com/ca. SOURCE Chubb Related Links https://www2.chubb.com/us-en "I'm delighted to expand my role at PBS from interim to permanent along with this remarkable diversity of voices and views. Never has the time for exploring our world and America's place in it been so urgent. And I am also thrilled to be a female filling this role at this time!" said Christiane Amanpour. "For decades, a national audience has turned to PBS for smart conversations about the ideas of our time from diverse voices. That trusted tradition continues with Amanpour & Company," said Neal Shapiro, President and CEO of WNET. "Building on the enthusiastic response to Amanpour on PBS, Amanpour & Company will be a valuable addition to PBS' nightly public affairs lineup and give viewers a better understanding of our world," said PBS President and CEO Paula Kerger. CNN Chief International Correspondent Christiane Amanpour has earned every major television journalism award, including 11 News and Documentary Emmy Awards, four Peabody Awards, two George Polk Awards, three duPont-Columbia Awards and the Courage in Journalism Award. She has received nine honorary degrees, has been named CBE (a British honor awarded by the Queen of England, Commander of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire), and was this year inducted into the Cable Hall of Fame. She is an honorary citizen of Sarajevo and a UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador for Freedom of the Press and the Safety of Journalists. Author and journalist Walter Isaacson is a professor of history at Tulane University and the President and CEO of the Aspen Institute, a nonpartisan educational and policy studies institute based in Washington, DC. He has been the chairman and CEO of CNN and the editor of Time magazine. Emmy-winning veteran journalist Michel Martin is the weekend host of NPR's "All Things Considered" and former host of "Tell Me More." Her previous credits include ABC News, Nightline, covering politics for The Washington Post and The Wall Street Journal, serving as a regular panelist on Washington Week and This Week with George Stephanopoulos and a contributor to NOW with Bill Moyers. Martin has received numerous honors, including the Joan Barone Award for Excellence in Washington-based National Affairs/Public Policy Broadcasting from the Radio and Television Correspondents' Association. Alicia Menendez is contributing editor at Bustle, host of the podcast Latina to Latina and former anchor and special correspondent for Fusion, where she covered stories at the intersection of politics and pop culture. Named "Broadcast Journalism's New Gladiator" by Elle magazine, and "Ms. Millennial" by The Washington Post, Menendez has emerged as one of the most influential voices of her generation. Hari Sreenivasan is the anchor of PBS NewsHour Weekend, a senior correspondent for PBS NewsHour and host of the national public television series SciTech Now. Previously, the Emmy-winning journalist worked for CBS News, reporting regularly on the CBS Evening News, The Early Show and CBS Sunday Morning. Before that, he served as an anchor and correspondent for ABC News, reporting for ABC News Now, World News Tonight, Nightline and anchoring World News Now. Amanpour & Company is a collaboration between WLIW LLC for WNET, and CNN. For WNET: Neal Shapiro, Diane Masciale and Stephen Segaller are executives in charge. Major support for Amanpour & Company is provided by Uniworld River Cruises, a first-time supporter of public television, Bernard and Irene Schwartz and public television viewers. About WNET WNET is America's flagship PBS station and parent company of THIRTEEN and WLIW21 . WNET also operates NJTV, the statewide public media network in New Jersey. Through its broadcast channels, three cable services (THIRTEEN PBSKids, Create and World) and online streaming sites, WNET brings quality arts, education and public affairs programming to more than five million viewers each week. WNET produces and presents such acclaimed PBS series as Nature, Great Performances, American Masters, PBS NewsHour Weekend and a range of documentaries, children's programs, and local news and cultural offerings. WNET's groundbreaking series for children and young adults include Get the Math, Oh Noah! And Cyberchase as well as Mission US, the award-winning interactive history experience. WNET highlights the tri-state's unique culture and diverse communities through NYC-ARTS, Theater Close-Up, NJTV News with Mary Alice Williams and MetroFocus, the daily multi-platform news magazine focusing on the New York region. In addition, WNET produces online-only programming including the award-winning series about gender identity, First Person. Through multi-platform initiatives Chasing the Dream: Poverty and Opportunity in America and Peril and Promise: The Challenge of Climate Change, WNET showcases the human stories around these issues and promising solutions. In 2015, THIRTEEN launched Passport, an online streaming service which allows members to see new and archival THIRTEEN and PBS programming anytime, anywhere: www.thirteen.org/passport. About PBS PBS, with nearly 350 member stations, offers all Americans the opportunity to explore new ideas and new worlds through television and digital content. Each month, PBS reaches over 90 million people through television and 30 million people online, inviting them to experience the worlds of science, history, nature and public affairs; to hear diverse viewpoints; and to take front row seats to world-class drama and performances. PBS' broad array of programs has been consistently honored by the industry's most coveted award competitions. Teachers of children from pre-K through 12th grade turn to PBS for digital content and services that help bring classroom lessons to life. Decades of research confirms that PBS' premier children's media service, PBS KIDS, helps children build critical literacy, math and social-emotional skills, enabling them to find success in school and life. Delivered through member stations, PBS KIDS offers high-quality educational content on TV including a 24/7 channel, online at pbskids.org, via an array of mobile apps and in communities across America. More information about PBS is available at www.pbs.org, one of the leading dot-org websites on the internet, or by following PBS on Twitter, Facebook or through our apps for mobile and connected devices. Specific program information and updates for press are available at pbs.org/pressroom or by following PBS Pressroom on Twitter. About CNN CNN Worldwide is the most honored brand in cable news, reaching more individuals on television, the web and mobile devices than any other cable news organization in the United States. Globally, CNN International is the most widely distributed news channel, reaching over 354 million households. CNN Digital is the #1 online news destination across all platforms, with more unique visitors and video starts than any other competitor. CNN's award winning portfolio also includes CNN Original Series, which develops non-scripted programming for television via commissioned projects, acquisitions and in-house production. CNN Films produces, commissions and acquires documentary feature and short films for theatrical and festival exhibition, as well as for broadcast and other distribution across CNN's multiple platforms. Additionally, CNN Newsource is the world's most extensively utilized news service partnering with over 1,000 local and international news organizations around the world. CNN is a division of Turner, a Time Warner company. SOURCE WNET WESTMINSTER, Colo., May 8, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Coalfire, a trusted provider of cybersecurity advisory services, announced today that Coalfire was named one of The Denver Post's Top Workplaces for 2018. "We are honored to be named a Top Workplace in Colorado," said Leslie Jones, Chief Human Resources Officer at Coalfire. "I am proud to be part of an organization that embraces our culture, values, and collective success." The annual Top Workplaces list recognizes the best companies to work for in the Denver area and is based solely on employee feedback compiled by Energage, LLC., a leading provider of technology-based employee engagement tools. The survey focuses on various aspects of workplace culture, including alignment, execution and employee connection. "Cybersecurity is an exciting and high-growth industry. It is our priority to make Coalfire a great place to learn and work," added Jones. "People are the foundation of our business and we are passionate about empowering employees to have a positive impact on our industry, clients and our culture." About Coalfire Coalfire is the cybersecurity advisor that helps private and public-sector organizations avert threats, close gaps and effectively manage risk. By providing independent and tailored advice, assessments, technical testing and cyber engineering services, we help clients develop scalable programs that improve their security posture, achieve their business objectives, and fuel their continued success. Coalfire has been a cybersecurity thought leader for more than 16 years and has offices throughout the United States and Europe. For more information, visit Coalfire.com. Press Contact: Mike Gallo For Coalfire 212-239-8594 [email protected] SOURCE Coalfire Related Links http://Coalfire.com DETROIT, May 8, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Cornerstone Schools today announced the Cornerstone For Life Promise, a pledge to provide career and college support services and tools to all Cornerstone graduates to help them live fulfilling and sustainable lives, beginning with the Class of 2019. To deliver on this promise, Cornerstone will provide career counseling, career assessments, job placement, professional skills training, skills assessments, and assistance with alumni connections to school graduatesbeyond their time enrolled at Cornerstone Schools. There is no limit on the number of times a student will be able to seek resources from the program. The decision by Cornerstone to provide support for its students after graduation came after thoughtful evaluation of its mission to prepare students for life in the real world, and after reviewing national statistics regarding college graduation rates. "While we know that Cornerstone students have a wonderful life ahead of them after graduation, we also know nationally that 45 percent of college freshman do not graduate from college," said Reid Gough, CEO of the Cornerstone Education Group, the management company for Cornerstone Schools. "For those Cornerstone graduates who decide to pursue a different path or have challenges finding employment, we are now there for them for life and are truly living up to our mission." The Cornerstone For Life Promise is made possible through private donations, corporate sponsorships and grants. Additional funding is currently being sought to support the program as it continues to grow. Monies raised will support program development, technology, machinery and other equipment, transportation, labs, faculty, staff and administration. "We look forward to developing new partnerships with corporations, organizations and individuals to help us deliver the Cornerstone For Life Promise to our graduates," said Gough. "This promise is unique to Cornerstone." Parents and community members at large can learn more about the Cornerstone For Life Promise at an open house on May 19 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at all Cornerstone Schools. In addition to initiating the Cornerstone For Life Promise, Cornerstone launched five career pathway programs this past year: manufacturing, healthcare, technology, business and skilled trades. Before students graduate, they have an opportunity to earn career certifications and put the skills they have learned, and that the market values, into motion to support themselves and their families. Business partners supporting Cornerstone's Career Pathways Program include Beaumont Health, Deloitte, Ford Motor Company, Lear Corporation, Microsoft, Lawrence Technological University, University of Detroit Mercy, University of Michigan, Northwood University, Wayne County Community College and Wayne State University. Cornerstone Schools is comprised of five charter schools: four K-8 schools and one high school. Over the next three years, Cornerstone Schools will grow to serve more than 5,000 students, strengthening its position as a leader in urban education and providing a solution to the educational crisis in Detroit. For more information about the various Cornerstone Schools and the Cornerstone For Life Promise, visit CornerstonePromise.org. Media Contacts Jennifer Foster/586-212-3122 Natalie Stavale/248-417-8510 248-952-8091 [email protected] [email protected] SOURCE Cornerstone Schools SAN DIEGO, May 8, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Cubic Corporation (NYSE: CUB) today announced it has been listed again as one of "America's Best Midsize Employers 2018" by Forbes magazine. Cubic was ranked third in the Aerospace & Defense industry category and number 186 in the overall midsize employers list. "We're very proud to receive the honor of being one of America's Best Midsize Employers by Forbes for the second year," said Bradley H. Feldmann, chairman, president and chief executive officer of Cubic Corporation. "At Cubic, we strive to create a strong culture built upon collaboration, innovation and employee engagement. This recognition is truly a reflection of our employees who work hard to exemplify our company values each and every day." The 2018 list of America's Best Midsize Employers includes the top 500 midsize companies, universities and government agencies across 25 industries, employing more than 1,000 employees in the U.S. The list is compiled from independent surveys of more than 30,000 U.S. workers, in which the respondents were anonymously asked, on a scale of zero to 10, how likely they were to recommend their employer to others and another company within the same industry to others. The full list of America's Best Midsize Employers 2018 can be found on Forbes online. For more information on careers at Cubic, please visit cubic.com/careers. About Cubic Corporation Cubic is a market-leading, technology provider of integrated solutions that increase situational understanding for transportation, C4ISR and training customers worldwide to decrease urban congestion and improve the militaries' effectiveness and operational readiness. Cubic Transportation Systems is a leading integrator of payment and information technology and services to create intelligent travel solutions for transportation authorities and operators. Cubic Mission Solutions provides networked Command, Control, Communications, Computers, Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (C4ISR) capabilities for defense, intelligence, security and commercial missions. Cubic Global Defense is a leading provider of live, virtual, constructive and game-based training solutions for the U.S. and allied forces. For more information about Cubic, please visit the company's website at www.cubic.com or on Twitter @CubicCorp. SOURCE Cubic Corporation Related Links http://www.cubic.com TOKYO, MUNICH, and BASKING RIDGE, N.J., May 8, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Daiichi Sankyo Company, Limited (hereafter, Daiichi Sankyo) announces that the pivotal QuANTUM-R phase 3 study of single agent quizartinib met its primary endpoint of significantly prolonging overall survival compared to salvage chemotherapy in patients with relapsed/refractory acute myeloid leukemia (AML) with FLT3-ITD mutations after first-line treatment with or without hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). Safety appears consistent with that observed at similar doses in the quizartinib program. "Single agent quizartinib is the first FLT3 inhibitor to show a significant improvement in overall survival compared to cytotoxic chemotherapy in a randomized phase 3 study of patients with relapsed/refractory AML with FLT3-ITD mutations, a very aggressive form of the disease with limited treatment options," said Antoine Yver, MD, MSc, Executive Vice President and Global Head, Oncology Research and Development, Daiichi Sankyo. "We sincerely thank all of the investigators and patients who participated in this study and will share the results of the QuANTUM-R study at an upcoming medical meeting. We look forward to working with regulatory authorities worldwide to potentially bring quizartinib to patients as quickly as possible." QuANTUM-R is a pivotal, global, phase 3, open-label randomized study that enrolled 367 patients with FLT3-ITD-mutated AML who were refractory to or in relapse (with duration of remission of six months or less) following standard first-line AML therapy with or without HSCT. Patients were randomized in a 2:1 ratio to receive either single agent oral quizartinib or salvage chemotherapy. The primary objective of the study was to determine whether single agent quizartinib prolonged overall survival compared to salvage chemotherapy. Daiichi Sankyo intends to initiate regulatory submissions worldwide for quizartinib on the basis of the QuANTUM-R results. The topline results of QuANTUM-R will be presented at an upcoming scientific conference. About Quizartinib Quizartinib, the lead investigational agent in the AML Franchise of the Daiichi Sankyo Cancer Enterprise, is an oral selective FLT3 inhibitor currently in phase 3 development for relapsed/refractory (QuANTUM-R) and newly-diagnosed (QuANTUM-First) AML with FLT3-ITD mutations globally, and phase 2 development for relapsed/refractory AML with FLT3-ITD mutations in Japan. Quizartinib has been granted Fast Track designation by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the treatment of relapsed/refractory AML. Quizartinib also has been granted Orphan Drug designation by the FDA and European Medicines Agency (EMA) for the treatment of AML. Quizartinib is an investigational agent that is not approved for any indication in any country. Safety and efficacy have not been established. About Acute Myeloid Leukemia with FLT3-ITD Mutations AML is an aggressive blood and bone marrow cancer that causes uncontrolled growth and accumulation of malignant white blood cells that fail to function normally and interfere with the production of normal blood cells.1 The five-year survival rate of AML reported from 2005 to 2011 was approximately 26 percent, which was the lowest of all leukemias.1 FLT3 gene mutations are one of the most common genetic abnormalities in AML.2 The FLT3-ITD mutation is the most common FLT3 mutation, affecting approximately one in four patients with AML.3,4,5,6 Patients with FLT3-ITD-mutated AML have a worse overall prognosis, including an increased incidence of relapse, an increased risk of death following relapse, and a higher likelihood of relapse following HSCT as compared to those without this mutation.7,8 About Daiichi Sankyo Cancer Enterprise The mission of Daiichi Sankyo Cancer Enterprise is to leverage our world-class, innovative science and push beyond traditional thinking to create meaningful treatments for patients with cancer. We are dedicated to transforming science into value for patients, and this sense of obligation informs everything we do. Anchored by three pillars including our investigational Antibody Drug Conjugate Franchise, Acute Myeloid Leukemia Franchise and Breakthrough Science, we aim to deliver seven distinct new molecular entities over eight years during 2018 to 2025. Our powerful research engines include two laboratories for biologic/immuno-oncology and small molecules in Japan, and Plexxikon Inc., our small molecule structure-guided R&D center in Berkeley, CA. Compounds in pivotal stage development include: DS-8201, an antibody drug conjugate (ADC) for HER2-expressing breast, gastric and other cancers; quizartinib, an oral selective FLT3 inhibitor for newly-diagnosed and relapsed/refractory acute myeloid leukemia (AML) with FLT3-ITD mutations; and pexidartinib, an oral CSF-1R inhibitor for tenosynovial giant cell tumor (TGCT). For more information, please visit: www.DSCancerEnterprise.com. About Daiichi Sankyo Daiichi Sankyo Group is dedicated to the creation and supply of innovative pharmaceutical products to address diversified, unmet medical needs of patients in both mature and emerging markets. With over 100 years of scientific expertise and a presence in more than 20 countries, Daiichi Sankyo and its 15,000 employees around the world draw upon a rich legacy of innovation and a robust pipeline of promising new medicines to help people. In addition to a strong portfolio of medicines for hypertension and thrombotic disorders, under the Group's 2025 Vision to become a "Global Pharma Innovator with Competitive Advantage in Oncology," Daiichi Sankyo research and development is primarily focused on bringing forth novel therapies in oncology, including immuno-oncology, with additional focus on new horizon areas, such as pain management, neurodegenerative diseases, heart and kidney diseases, and other rare diseases. For more information, please visit: www.daiichisankyo.com. Daiichi Sankyo, Inc., headquartered in Basking Ridge, New Jersey, is a member of the Daiichi Sankyo Group. For more information on Daiichi Sankyo, Inc., please visit: www.dsi.com. Contact Jennifer Brennan Daiichi Sankyo, Inc. [email protected] +1 908 992 6631 (office) +1 201 709 9309 (mobile) References 1. Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. Facts 2015-2016. 2016. 2. Small D. Am Soc Hematol Educ Program. 2006;178-84. 3. Schneider F, et al., Ann Hematol. 2012;91:9-18. 4. Santos FPS, et al. Cancer. 2011;117(10):2145-2155. 5. Kainz B, et al. Hematol J. 2002;3:283-289. 6. Kottaridis PD, et al. Blood. 2001;98(6):1752-1759. 7. Wagner, et al. Haematol. 2011;96(5): 681-686. 8. Brunet, et al. J Clin Onc. 2012;30(7):735-741. SOURCE Daiichi Sankyo Company, Limited Related Links http://www.daiichisankyo.com DURHAM, N.C., May 8, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Spyryx Biosciences, Inc., a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company developing novel therapeutics for severe pulmonary diseases, will present data from the first cohort of its ongoing Phase 2 clinical trial, HOPE-1, in a late-breaking oral presentation at the 41st European Cystic Fibrosis Conference. The data will be presented by Isabelle Fajac, M.D., Ph.D., Principal Investigator, Vice President and President Elect of the European Cystic Fibrosis Society, on June 8 during the conference in Belgrade, Serbia. HOPE-1 (Hydration for Optimal Pulmonary Effectiveness) is a randomized, controlled, 28-day Phase 2 study of Spyryx's lead therapeutic candidate, SPX-101, for treatment of cystic fibrosis (CF). The study uses an adaptive design that, in the first completed cohort, tested two doses of SPX-101 against placebo. In total, the study is planned to enroll approximately 90 adult subjects with CF and is being conducted in Canada and Western Europe. The adaptive trial design allows for efficient testing of the efficacy, safety, and tolerability of SPX-101 across multiple dose levels. "We are grateful to the many patients who gave so much of their valuable time to participate in this landmark clinical trial," said Alistair Wheeler, M.D., Chief Medical Officer of Spyryx Biosciences. "Life with cystic fibrosis means many hours spent on treatments every day, and dedicating time to a clinical trial significantly increases that burden. We are also grateful to the clinical teams in our trial centers for their dedication to this program." "We are excited that the very encouraging data from 46 patients in Cohort 1 have been accepted as a late-breaking oral presentation at the upcoming ECFS meeting, and are poised to continue to advance the program in development with Cohort 2 in the coming weeks," said Tim Shannon, M.D., Chairman of the Board at Spyryx Biosciences and General Partner at Canaan. Added Robert Tarran, Ph.D., Spyryx Founder and University of North Carolina Faculty Member, "SPX-101 was designed as an inhaled peptide with a novel mechanism for internalizing epithelial sodium channels (ENaCs) from the mucosal surface of the airway. The drug is intended to promote airway hydration and mucociliary clearance, which are dysfunctional in CF. The mechanism of action of SPX-101 is independent of the genetic mutations that cause CF, which makes it a potential therapy for all those living with CF." About Spyryx Biosciences Spyryx Biosciences is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company developing innovative therapeutics to address severe pulmonary diseases. Spyryx's lead clinical candidate, SPX-101, is completing a multinational Phase 2 study as a novel treatment for cystic fibrosis. The product has demonstrated a robust ability to restore mucociliary clearance in animal models of the disease. SPX-101 has also been shown to be safe and well tolerated in a completed Phase 1b in adult patients with cystic fibrosis and has the potential to improve lung function in all people living with cystic fibrosis independent of their genotype. Spyryx is funded by a first-tier syndicate of life science investors, including Canaan Partners, 5AM Ventures and Hatteras Venture Partners. Further information regarding Spyryx Biosciences is available at www.spyryxbio.com. SOURCE Spyryx Biosciences, Inc. Related Links http://www.spyryxbio.com DALLAS, May 8, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Michael Lyons and Courtney Bowline of the Texas trial law firm Deans & Lyons, LLP have secured a confidential settlement on behalf of vocalist and musician Amy Boone, who sustained life-altering injuries when she was hit by a car in a parking lot near a popular Holly Street convenience store in Austin. The lawsuit alleged that Ms. Boone, formerly of The Damnations and now The Delines, was injured in April 2016 as she walked through a parking lot where wheel stops had been removed and replaced with picnic tables. A motorist in the parking lot mistakenly depressed the accelerator rather than the brake, causing the vehicle to crash through a picnic table and pin Ms. Boone against the side of the building. "What Amy has endured following this incident has been remarkably difficult," said Ms. Boone's attorney Michael Lyons, co-founder of Deans & Lyons. "It is nothing short of a miracle that Amy survived, but her life has been profoundly altered. Our hope is that this settlement will allow her to move forward to find a new normal for her life. She remains an incredibly thoughtful and talented woman and it was a pleasure to represent her." Ms. Boone endured eight surgeries during an initial month-long stay in the hospital. Despite extensive additional treatment, including surgery for placement of a large skin graft, the severity of her injuries resulted in an open wound on her leg more than 15 months after the incident. Following intensive therapy, she remains unable to walk without the assistance of a cane. Best known in Austin for her work with The Damnations, an alt-country band she formed with her sister Deborah Kelly in the 1990s, Ms. Boone had been touring and recording with The Delines at the time of the accident. The case is Amy Boone v. Century Club, LLC, et al., Cause No. D-1-GN-16-005557 in Travis County District Court. Deans & Lyons, LLP, has offices in Dallas and Houston and maintains a reputation as one of the state's premier trial boutique firms. Its lawyers routinely handle high-stakes litigation of all kinds, including matters involving personal injury, wrongful death, products liability, business disputes, professional liability, real estate, securities, and construction. To learn more, visit http://www.deanslyons.com. Media Contact: Rhonda Reddick 800-559-4534 [email protected] SOURCE Deans & Lyons, LLP Related Links https://www.deanslyons.com REXBURG, Idaho, May 7, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Home Care Pulse, the leader in quality management for the home care industry, has announced the upcoming relaunch of BestofHomeCare.com, its online directory of trusted and Best of Home Care award-winning home care agencies. The website is scheduled to be relaunched on Monday, May 14th, 2018. Originally launched in 2013, the site has been remade top-to-bottom with new features focused on helping individuals and families find award-winning home care providers and making it easier to compare the services and quality. The new website features agency profile pages that offer helpful information for families searching for home care. These profile pages also include client reviews sourced from live phone interviews with verified clients performed by Home Care Pulse. BestofHomeCare.com is designed specifically to highlight home care agencies whose commitment to excellence and consistency in quality goes above and beyond the typical level of care provided. New site updates and features include: 100% verified client reviews for each agency Detailed information about the services offered by each agency Present and historical Best of Home Care Award information allowing families to better see an agency's track record A more user-friendly design focused on simplicity An expanded directory of home care agencies featuring hundreds of home care agencies throughout North America "We want to make it easier for anyone who is seeking home care to find a home care provider they know they can trust," said Aaron Marcum, founder and CEO of Home Care Pulse. "The new BestofHomeCare.com not only provides the information needed to compare different agencies, but also highlights agencies with a proven track record of taking great care of their clients." About Home Care Pulse Home Care Pulse leads the industry in satisfaction research and quality assurance. On behalf of home care agencies across North America, Home Care Pulse conducts phone interviews gathering unbiased satisfaction ratings from clients and caregivers. The feedback and scoring collected in these interviews are used to help agencies better understand the needs of their clients, identify areas for improvement, and improve the quality of care they provide. SOURCE Home Care Pulse Dr. Charles specializes exclusively in the practice of hair transplant surgery and is renowned for giving his patients the most undetectable hair transplant results. Author and Editor of Hair Transplantation and Hair Transplant 360, the most widely recognized hair transplant textbooks, Dr. Charles is widely recognized as the foremost authority on the most innovative hair restoration techniques. "At Charles Medical Group we maintain the latest and most advanced technologies available," shares Dr. Charles. "This allows us the ability to customize the perfect procedure for each patient we treat. We are thrilled to add SmartGraft to our clinic and utilize it often. It is truly one of the best hair transplant devices I've seen." SmartGraft marks a revolution in hair restoration for both men and women. There is no scalpel incision, no stitches and no linear scar. SmartGraft makes hair replacement a more accessible, effective and realistic option than ever before for both men and women with hair loss, delivering natural-looking outcomes with little downtime. When expertly performed, the treatment is quick, comfortable and permanent. Most patients can resume work and normal physical activities within a day or two. SmartGraft uses state of the art Follicular Unit Extraction (FUE) technologies and techniques. During the procedure, using only local anesthesia, individual grafts are gently removed one by one from the donor area using an advanced (smart) handpiece. "SmartGraft is a minimally invasive procedure and leaves no linear donor scar using a new suction assisted, minimum penetration technique," continues Dr. Charles. "This suction technology allows the hair follicles to be gently suctioned into environmentally controlled holding canisters in a completely closed system, which prevents grafts from drying out. The lack of desiccation, the reduced treatment times and the reduced graft trauma all translates into higher graft survival." For more information about SmartGraft or to request a personal consultation, contact Charles Medical Group at 561-395-5544 or visit www.charlesmedicalgroup.com. Charles Medical Group 200 Glades Rd #2 Boca Raton, FL 33432 About Dr. Glenn Charles Dr. Glenn Charles was born in Buffalo, New York and raised in the suburbs of Detroit, Michigan. After receiving his undergraduate degree from Michigan State University he obtained his medical degree from Nova Southeastern University School of medicine in North Miami Beach, Fl. Dr. Charles then completed an internship and residency at Michigan State University affiliated hospitals before acting as the primary physician trainer in hair transplant surgery for a large hair transplant organization from 1997-1999. He opened his own boutique private practice, Charles Medical Group in 1999. Dr. Charles is the past President and a current Diplomat of the American Board of Hair Restoration Surgery and sat on their Surgery Examination Committee for eight years. Dr. Charles is active in several medical societies including The International Society of Hair Restoration Surgery (ISHRS) and The International Alliance of Hair Restoration Surgery (IAHRS). Author and Editor of Hair Transplantation and Hair Transplant 360, the most widely recognized hair transplant textbooks, Dr. Charles regularly has articles published in the Hair Transplant Forum International and is an annual faculty lecturer at the ISHRS annual conference and sits on their Core Curriculum Committee. He recently performed hair transplant surgery at the World Hair Society annual live surgery workshop. Dr. Charles specializes exclusively in the practice of hair transplant surgery and prides himself on giving his patients the most natural and undetectable hair transplant results. Limiting his practice to hair restoration for over 20 years has set him apart from the rest. Providing one-on-one consultations with his patients, he considers Charles Medical Group a medical art clinic and offers a custom treatment plan for each individual. About FUE or Follicular Unit Extraction FUE or Follicular Unit Extraction is the least invasive hair transplant graft harvesting technique that leaves absolutely NO telltale linear scar in the donor area and with a more comfortable and less restricted recovery than traditional "Strip Harvest" techniques. Grafts as small as a single hair can be harvested from the Donor Area and when implanted with artistry and precision by an expert surgeon, create an undetectably natural restoration of living and growing hair. About SmartGraft Vision Medical, Inc. is a leading USA manufacturer that develops and markets medical and aesthetic technology products for the medical and aesthetic markets for worldwide distribution. Vision Medical's first commercial product, the SmartGraft Hair Restoration System, uses minimally-invasive vacuum assisted FUE technology for men and women. SmartGraft keeps the newly harvested grafts chilled, hydrated & robust without any exposure to outside air for optimal graft preservation. To learn more about SmartGraft and its technology, visit www.SmartGraft.com. CONNECT WITH US Instagram: @SmartGraft Twitter: @SmartGraft Facebook: @SmartGraft SOURCE SmartGraft Related Links https://smartgraft.com VANCOUVER, British Columbia, May 8, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- NRG Metals Inc. ("NRG" or the "Company") (TSX-V: NGZ) (OTCQB: NRGMF) (Frankfurt: OGPN) is pleased to report that drilling at the Salar Escondido Lithium Project has progressed ahead of schedule, and an 8.5 inch rotary hole has been completed to the target depth of 400 meters. The hole will now be reamed to a diameter of 12.25 inches so that perforated casing can be installed in preparation for sampling. As expected, the hole intersected fine to coarse grained clastic sediments with occasional intercalated clay layers to a depth of 370 meters. The sediments are interpreted to represent alternating dunes, alluvial fans and valley sediments. From 370 to 400 meters the hole intersected an unaltered basalt that may be the bottom of the basin. After the casing is installed, the hole will be given time to stabilize before sampling by a ProHydro Inc. SNAP passive sampler and custom packer equipment Mr. William Feyerabend, a Qualified Person under NI 43-101, will be on site to provide senior supervision beginning in mid-May. Adrian Hobkirk, CEO of NRG Metals Inc. commented, "We are extremely enthusiastic about the progress of this drill hole and the results we are seeing. We were able to successfully complete the initial rotary hole to the target depth of 400 meters in only 12 days, and the sediments we intersected may represent a buried brine deposit. We look forward to initiating the sampling phase as soon as the hole is reamed out and the perforated casing is installed." During 2017, NRG's drilling confirmed the presence of a buried brine zone beneath the alluvial cover on the surface of the basin. Brine was intersected at a depth of 140 m, and as reported in the Company's press release dated December 7, 2017, sampling from 183 to 198 m returned an average grade of 229 mg Li/liter in a porous, weakly consolidated sandstone horizon. A Vertical Electrical Sounding ("VES") geophysical survey conducted by the Company suggests that the brine zone occurs at an even shallower depth where the current exploration is being conducted. The Salar Escondido project is located approximately 280 kilometers northwest of Catamarca, Argentina. Further details are available at the company website at http://www.nrgmetalsinc.com, and a National Instrument 43-101 Technical Report was filed on SEDAR in December 2016. About NRG NRG Metals Inc. is an exploration stage company focused on the advancement of lithium brine projects in Argentina. In addition to the Salar Escondido project, the Company is currently drilling at its 3,287 hectare (8,100 acre) Hombre Muerto Norte lithium project ("HMN") in Salta province as described in the Company's press release dated May 3, 2018. The HMN project is located at the northern end of the prolific Hombre Muerto Salar, adjacent to FMC's producing Fenix mine and Galaxy Resources' Sal de Vida development stage project. A NI 43-101 report for HMN was filed on SEDAR in October 2017. NRG Metals Inc. currently has approximately 132 million shares issued and outstanding, and trades on the TSX Venture Exchange under symbol NGZ, on the OTC QB Market under symbol NRGMF, and on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange under symbol OGPN. The Company currently has working capital of CAD$4.0 million. On behalf of the board of directors of NRG Metals Inc., Adrian F. C. Hobkirk, President and C.E.O. Technical Disclosure The preparation of this press release was supervised by Mr. William Feyerabend, a Certified Professional Geologist and a Qualified Person under NI 43-101. Mr. Feyerabend approves of the technical and scientific disclosure contained in this press release. The TSX Venture Exchange has not reviewed the content of this news release and therefore does not accept responsibility or liability for the adequacy or accuracy of the contents of this news release. This news release contains certain "forward- looking statements" within the meaning of Section 21E of the United States Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Except for statements of historical fact relating to the Company, certain information contained herein constitutes forward- looking statements. Forward-looking statements are based upon opinions and estimates of management at the date the statements are made, and are subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties and other factors which could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected in the forward looking statements. The reader is cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward- looking statements. The transaction described in this news release is subject to a variety of conditions and risks which include but are not limited to: regulatory approval, shareholder approval, market conditions, legal due diligence for claim validity, financing, political risk, security risks at the property locations and other risks. As such, the reader is cautioned that there can be no guarantee that this transaction will complete as described in this news release. We seek safe harbor. Investors / Shareholders Call 855-415-8100 Direct to Adrian Hobkirk 714-316-3272, [email protected] SOURCE NRG Metals Inc. RIVER Bank's unique modular design with interchangeable sub-modules (AC Module & Car Module) allows energy to flow through the units for combined power capacity and accommodates a variety of charging ports. For Qi-standard devices, the position free wireless charging delivers a 10W quick charge up to two times faster than wall charging. To comply with FAA regulations, EcoFlow created stackable battery pack modules, each containing between 40 and 100Wh (the FAA limits multiple carry-on battery packs to 100Wh capacity), though the modules can be stacked to transfer power between each other. Providing a combined total power of nearly 200Wh RIVER Bank can recharge a laptop 1-4 times, a tablet 3-6 times, a phone 9-30 times and a DSLR camera 10-25 times (depending on module configuration and device model). "After a successful launch of RIVER, EcoFlow's first portable power station, we are thrilled to bring the next generation of smart, clean portable power to the market," said Eli Harris, cofounder and CEO of EcoFlow. "RIVER Bank allows consumers to travel the world without having to worry about their power needs and furthers our long-term mission for widespread adoption of clean energy." Created to meet the on-the-go power needs of business travelers, proAV professionals, photographers, outdoor enthusiasts, everyday consumers, and more, RIVER Bank is versatile and can charge everything from smartphones and laptops to cameras and speakers, and can even jump-start a car. It can easily be recharged by plugging into a wall socket, connecting to a car lighter, EcoFlow's portable solar panels or by stacking the modules to charge each other. RIVER Bank's compact, flexible design allows consumers to charge all their devices everywhere they go, even in the most remote locations. Designed by several of the world's leading battery engineers, RIVER Bank follows the most stringent safety measures in the industry. Product specs include: Main Module Battery Chemistry: Lithium-Ion cylindrical Capacity: 94Wh, 25600mAh at 3.7V Weight: 2lbs Shelf-life: 6 months Qi-Standard and Position Free Wireless Charging: 10W (Compatible Apple and Samsung devices) 2x USB-C port (bidirectional): Max 60W per port input or output (120W total) 2x USB (QC 3.0): Max 24W per port input or output (48W total) USB Hub for Data Transfer: For hard disk and USB drive LED Screen Display Temperature of Operation: -4 degrees Fahrenheit to 140 degrees Fahrenheit Safety Protections: Thermal and overload management Environmental Adaptability: IP65 waterproof battery case Stackable Function: Main Module can be stacked with either the AC Module or Car Module for combined capacity Recharge from Sub Module: Main Module can be charged by either the AC Module or Car Module Pricing: $199 Car Module Battery chemistry: Lithium ion polymer Capacity: 44Wh USB-C port (bidirectional): Max 60W per port input or output Car jump start port: 10x in one charge Pricing: $99 AC Module Battery chemistry: Lithium ion cylindrical Capacity: 94Wh, 25600mAh at 3.7V USB-C port (bidirectional): Max 60W per port input or output AC port: 100W Pricing: $149 Optional accessories include: Solar Chargers The perfect companion for conveniently charging USB devices like tablets and phones on the go or off the grid, EcoFlow offers a range of solar products to complement its portable power stations and other devices. EcoFlow solar chargers are currently available in 50W and 21W capacities. Solar Capacity: 21W, 50W Power Output: Total 5V up to 2.4A (12W) regulated Weight: 1.04lb, 4.2lb Pricing: $159.99 , $299.99 EcoFlow's first product, RIVER, launched on Indiegogo raising over one million dollars and delivering product to 49 countries in less than one month of campaign close. To sign up for pre-order of this first-of-its kind portable power station, RIVER Bank, please visit Indiegogo shipping this summer/fall to Australia, Canada, Europe, Hong Kong, Japan, Taiwan and the United States. About EcoFlow EcoFlow is a revolutionary portable power company that is reinventing the way the world accesses energy. As makers of industry-first, smart and powerful portable power products, EcoFlow's mission is to harness powerful and new technologies to foster inclusion and help raise standards of living in areas of the world where power shortages stunt economic growth and development. A privately held multinational company, EcoFlow has offices in San Francisco, CA and Shenzhen, China. Visit www.ecoflow.com to learn more about its first two products, RIVER and RIVER Bank. Follow them on Twitter @EcoFlowTech, and Facebook. EcoFlow Public Relations [email protected] SOURCE EcoFlow SANTA CLARA, Calif., May 8, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Elastifile, the enterprise hybrid cloud data management company, today announced that it will exhibit at Bio-IT World 2018 in booth No. 618 and present strategies for accelerating bioscience workflows through integration with the public cloud. Elastifile delivers the compatibility, performance, scalability necessary to support the broad spectrum of bioscience workloads. Able to run seamlessly in the public cloud, on-premises, or spanning both, Elastifile's cross-cloud data fabric is well-suited to support scientific organizations pursuing a variety of cloud integration strategies. Also, by supporting existing bioscience applications with a familiar file system interface, Elastifile enables those applications to run in-cloud without refactoring, thus eliminating a major roadblock to cloud adoption. "Effective data management is crucial to effective Bio-IT, which then enables better, faster science," said Jerome McFarland, VP of Marketing at Elastifile. "Unfortunately, traditional storage architectures have proven painfully ineffective at supporting cloud-integrated workflows. That's where Elastifile comes in. We solve the data management challengesunleashing the power of cloud-integrated bioscience." To further illustrate the value of cloud-integrated bioscience, Elastifile company executives will also deliver presentations in the Google Cloud booth (No. 410) detailing how Elastifile and Google Cloud Platform combine to deliver a powerful, full-stack Bio-IT solution. Bio-IT World Conference & Expo, held May 15-17 at the Seaport World Trade Center in Boston, MA, is the premier event showcasing the myriad of IT and informatics applications and enabling technologies that drive biomedical research, drug discovery & development, and clinical and healthcare initiatives. More than 280 industry and academic colleagues will discuss themes of big data, smart data, cloud computing, trends in IT infrastructure, omics technologies, high-performance computing, data analytics, open source and precision medicine, from the research realm to the clinical arena. Interested parties seeking a demonstration or an appointment with company executives should email [email protected]. Follow Elastifile: https://twitter.com/elastifile https://www.linkedin.com/company/elastifile https://www.facebook.com/Elastifile/ About Elastifile Elastifile is redefining the way data is stored and managed in the cloud, on-premises, and spanning hybrid clouds. Powered by an elastically scalable, enterprise-grade, distributed file system with integrated object tiering, Elastifile's cross-cloud data fabric delivers high performance, unified access to global data. By freeing data from traditional storage silos, Elastifile enables frictionless movement of applications to the cloud, between clouds, and across hybrid environments. This allows enterprises to seamlessly leverage cloud infrastructure and services to enhance and accelerate a broad range of data-driven workflows, including: analytics, DevOps, high-performance computing, and many more. Elastifile is based in Santa Clara, California and Herzliya, Israel, with global Sales and Marketing offices in North America and Europe, and R&D in Israel. Founded in 2013, Elastifile is backed by Battery Ventures, Lightspeed Venture Partners, CE Ventures, and seven strategic investors from the cloud, data center, and storage industries, including Dell EMC, Cisco, and Western Digital. SOURCE Elastifile Related Links http://www.elastifile.com LOS ANGELES, May 8, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Embraer X, an Embraer organization dedicated to developing disruptive businesses, today unveiled its first electrical Vertical Take-Off and Landing (eVTOL) aircraft concept. The unveiling was made during Uber Elevate 2018, in Los Angeles, California. Embraer X is engaged in several projects, including the development of eVTOL concepts through a cooperation with Uber and other companies to explore business opportunities within the Uber Elevate ecosystem. "We have excelled in our near-50-year journey by introducing innovations into the aviation industry and delivering true value to customers," said Paulo Cesar de Souza e Silva, President and CEO of Embraer. "We are relentless in our quest for constant growth and through Embraer X we will drive disruptive innovation and accelerate the creation of new businesses with the potential for exponential growth. Urban mobility is ripe for transformation and we are committed to having a major role in this key market." The eVTOL concept presented at Uber Elevate 2018 represents an aircraft with a mission to serve passengers in an urban environment, based on the key design drivers of safety, passenger experience, affordability and a very low footprint for the community, in terms of noise and emissions. "We are developing solutions to bring on-demand air transportation to urban areas to improve quality of life for millions of people. Our collaboration with key stakeholders will accelerate the arrival of this new ecosystem," said Antonio Campello, President & CEO of Embraer X. "This is one example of how Embraer X is committed to exploring a range of disruptive products and services that could revolutionize the business of air transportation." Embraer X's first eVTOL concept unveiled today is the outcome of extensive interaction with potential urban air travelers about their desired experience, combined with the expertise of Embraer's teams and the collaboration with various companies and institutions. Embraer X will continue to engage with communities to expedite the development of desired solutions for this new market. Over the last five decades, Embraer has designed, developed and certified close to 50 aircraft models, delivering over 8,000 aircraft to 100 countries. Embraer's fleet has accumulated more than 50 million flight hours. Leveraging Embraer's experience and longstanding relationships with aircraft certification authorities around the globe, Embraer X will ensure that safety design drivers meet and exceed the highest industry standards. For images of Embraer X's first eVTOL concept, please visit https://embraer.bynder.com/share/7C267C68-4D7B-40C9-80463D74CB5A58D4/ About Embraer X Embraer X is an Embraer organization, dedicated to developing disruptive businesses that transform transportation. With an inherent startup mentality, Embraer X has three fundamental pillars, which are the shaping of the future user experience of air transportation, the application of Embraer know-how, and the generation of disruptive products, services and business models. Embraer X is based on Florida's Space Coast in Melbourne, Florida, with innovation teams established in Silicon Valley and Boston that are integrating and collaborating with innovation communities. Embraer X unveiled its first electrical Vertical Take-Off and Landing (eVTOL) aircraft concept during Uber Elevate 2018, in May 2018. Embraer X is engaged in several projects, including the development of eVTOL concepts through a cooperation with Uber and other companies to explore business opportunities within the Uber Elevate ecosystem. For more information, please visit EmbraerX.com About Embraer Embraer is a global company headquartered in Brazil with businesses in commercial and executive aviation, defense & security. The company designs, develops, manufactures and markets aircraft and systems, providing customer support and services. Since it was founded in 1969, Embraer has delivered more than 8,000 aircraft. About every 10 seconds an aircraft manufactured by Embraer takes off somewhere in the world, transporting over 145 million passengers a year. Embraer is the leading manufacturer of commercial jets up to 150 seats. The company maintains industrial units, offices, service and parts distribution centers, among other activities, across the Americas, Africa, Asia and Europe. PRESS OFFICES: Headquarters (Brazil) Corporate Communications [email protected] Cell: +55 12 98152 4845 Tel.: +55 11 3841 6085 North America Alyssa Ten Eyck [email protected] Cell: +1 954 383 0460 Tel.: +1 954 359 3847 Europe, Middle East and Africa Guy Douglas [email protected] Cell: +31 (0)657120121 Tell: +31 (0)202158109 China Mirage Zhong [email protected] Cell: +86 185 1378 5180 Tel.: +86 10 6598 9988 Asia Pacific Nilma Missir-Boissac [email protected] Cell: +65 9012 8428 Tel.: +65 6305 9955 SOURCE Embraer X Related Links http://www.embraerx.com BETHESDA, Md., May 8, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Wellness Corporate Solutions (WCS), the award-winning provider of employee wellness programs, is proud to announce that Emily Kolakowski Roberts, current Chief Operating Officer, will assume the role of President. Roberts will continue her role as COO, and Fiona Gathright, Co-Founder and former President, will continue in her role as Chief Executive Officer. Emily Kolakowski Roberts has been named President of Wellness Corporate Solutions, and will continue in her current role as Chief Operating Officer. Roberts has been a leader at WCS for over a decade, leveraging her expertise in health and high-level program strategy for over 500 businesses. Former President Fiona Gathright will continue in her role as Chief Executive Officer. "I couldn't be happier to expand Emily's leadership here at WCS," Gathright says. "She has been a key member of the WCS family since 2008, and her passion for our industry and commitment to our clients has already led the company to great growth and innovation in her tenure as COO." Roberts's experience in this sector runs deep. She has worked with over 500 businesses to shift health behavior change among their unique employee population, designing innovative strategies and operational achievements that make wellness programs successful. "I'm incredibly proud of our team's track record of empowering employees and helping organizations build a culture of wellbeing," Roberts says. "I'm thrilled to lead our team as we leverage new technology, expert program management, and big ideas for our clients." Roberts epitomizes WCS's core values. In 2015, Emily was chosen by The Washington Business Journal as one of the Top 40 under 40, honoring the region's young professionals who have displayed business excellence while also maintaining a commitment to the community. She is also on the Advisory Board for Back on My Feet, Washington DC Chapter, a nonprofit that combats homelessness with an empowering running-based model. She holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Exercise Science from Elon University a Master of Science Degree in Health and Exercise Science from Wake Forest University. SOURCE Wellness Corporate Solutions Related Links http://wellnesscorporatesolutions.com NEW YORK, May 8, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- US President Donald Trump's plan to leave the Iran nuclear deal and reimpose sanctions could have major impacts for global oil, natural gas, metals and petrochemical markets, according to a FACTBOX and infographic just released by S&P Global Platts. President Donald Trump said Tuesday the US will withdraw from the Iran nuclear deal and put "powerful" economic sanctions "into full effect." But he did not give any timing for when or how the US plans to restart the sanctions regime. The so-called secondary sanctions cut off any international companies that want to continue doing business with Iran from the US banking system. When the US enforced the measures in 2012-15, the Department of the Treasury allowed certain countries to continue importing Iranian oil, for example, as long as they demonstrated they were "significantly reducing" their dependence every 180 days. But the EU joined the US with its own import restrictions, something analysts do not expect this time. Oil impact Reimposing US oil sanctions on Iran will likely have an immediate impact of less than 200,000 b/d and will block less than 500,000 b/d after six months, according to most analysts surveyed by S&P Global Platts. But some analysts see the move eventually disrupting as much as 1 million b/d of oil supply. About 200,000 b/d of Iranian crude exports are at risk by the first half of 2019, because US allies including South Korea and Japan would likely reduce their purchases in response to sanctions, according to S&P Global Platts Analytics. "But compliance with unilateral US sanctions would be much more difficult to enforce than the multilateral measures implemented in 2012," said Paul Sheldon, Platts Analytics associate director. "This could test the Trump administration's appetite for sanctioning foreign companies, and the term 'significant' in the sanctions legislation potentially leaves some wiggle room which could be used to avoid a trade dispute." Iran produced 3.83 million b/d in April, according to the latest S&P Global Platts OPEC survey, up from 2.91 million b/d in January 2016, when the nuclear deal took effect. Iranian crude exports surged to 2.45 million b/d in April ahead of Trump's announcement, despite steady output, some 400,000 b/d higher than March's exports, as most analysts expected the US to exit the deal and reimpose sanctions. Iranian crude exports to Asia rose to 1.81 million b/d in April, making up 67% of its total exports, with China the largest single destination. Demand for Iranian crude in China and India is likely to remain very strong, though refiners in Europe, South Korea and Japan are likely to tread more carefully. Major Asian oil importers report being well-positioned to seek alternatives to Iranian crude if they need to. Refiners have increased US light crude imports since early 2017, aided by a widening WTI crude price discount to the Brent and Dubai benchmarks. Among recent supply diversification efforts, Japan imported its first Mozambican condensate, and Indian refiners have turned to Iraq. US crude production has grown, as has US Gulf Coast crude export capacity, which is estimated to be 3.7 million b/d by Platts Analytics. That capacity compares with record high weekly US crude exports of 2.33 million b/d, according to US Energy Information Administration data. European refiners said they were preparing for the possible return of secondary sanctions, but planned to continue to importing Iranian crude for May and June loading, for now. Europe takes around 700,000 b/d or one-third of Iran's crude exports. Natural gas impact Iran holds the world's second-biggest gas reserves (34 trillion cubic meters) after Russia and harbors ambitions of becoming a significant gas and LNG exporter in the coming years. Iran already exports small volumes of gas -- around 40 million cu m/d -- to Turkey, Iraq and Turkmenistan. Those supplies were not targeted under the previous US sanctions, but Tehran wants to accelerate development of its giant South Pars gas field to enable it to begin larger-scale exports. The vast majority of its production -- currently pegged at some 0.85 Bcm/d -- is consumed domestically. It aims to increase production to 1 Bcm/d by March 2019. French major Total in July 2017 signed a deal with Iran's National Iranian Oil Co. to develop South Pars phase 11, which will have a production capacity of 2 Bcf/d (57 million cu m/d). The gas will supply the Iranian domestic market starting in 2021. Petrochemicals impact About 4.4 million mt of polyethylene capacity that was scheduled to come online by 2025 could be in doubt from reimposed US sanctions. Fresh sanctions would interfere with the projects' $60 billion in financing and could block technology or other technical involvement needed from international companies. Iran's petrochemical ambitions have focused on the abundance of ethane feedstock at South Pars, which it shares with Qatar. The Middle East is currently the dominant global exporter of polyethylene. If Iranian projects get canceled, the region's net export polyethylene surplus will be closer to the North American surplus, which is expected to climb to 12.2 million mt by 2028. That means the Middle East could lose its position as the main global supplier of polyethylene to the US. Metals impact Reimposed US sanctions are more likely to slow Iran's steel capacity expansion program than to curb its steel and iron ore export levels. Since the 2015 nuclear deal, Iran set a target to expand its steel capacity to 55 million mt/year by 2025, from 32 million mt/year currently. The nuclear deal allowed European equipment manufacturers, including SMS, Danieli, Sarralle, Outotec and Voestalpine, to invest or increase their existing presence in Iran's steel sector. Sources said new projects or projects already underway may be seriously hit by financing difficulties. Some may have already ground to a halt amid uncertainties over US policy. Iran's steel and metals sector is expected to turn more to Chinese technology if new US measures restrict this European investment. Iran has become a significant steel exporter in recent years as the domestic market has been insufficient to absorb its output growth. Total exports of steel and direct reduced iron, a steelmaking raw material, exceeded a record 9 million mt in the Iranian year that ended March 20, the Iranian Steel Producers Association said this week. Exports of semi-finished steel products such as billets and slabs accounted for 6.87 million mt of that total, an 84% jump from the previous year. Iran aims to increase its total steel and DRI exports to 12 million-13 million mt in the current year, ending March 20, 2019, ISPA said. It aims to boost crude steel output to 26 million mt this year, from 21 million mt last year. Iran's steel exports mainly head to Asia, Europe and the Middle East. The trades are typically done without letters of credit and by traders without US links. Iranian steel exports are currently considered competitive due to the devaluation of the Iranian rial, which has lost around 50% of its value over the past year. Iran's iron ore exports have dwindled in recent years due to domestic demand from steel producers. China takes most of these exports, so additional US sanctions are not expected to have an impact. Agriculture impact Iran regularly bans agricultural imports to support its domestic market and farmers. While sugar is not targeted directly, the US sanctions can cause issues with financing and payment for cargoes. See Infographic at https://www.platts.com/IM.Platts.Content/InsightAnalysis/RSSFeed/Images/2018/PON_Iran_Infographic-full-size.jpg CONTACT Kathleen Tanzy, + 1 917 331 4607, [email protected] About S&P Global Platts At S&P Global Platts, we provide the insights; you make better informed trading and business decisions with confidence. We're the leading independent provider of information and benchmark prices for the commodities and energy markets. Customers in over 150 countries look to our expertise in news, pricing and analytics to deliver greater transparency and efficiency to markets. S&P Global Platts coverage includes oil and gas, power, petrochemicals, metals, agriculture and shipping. S&P Global Platts is a division of S&P Global (NYSE: SPGI), which provides essential intelligence for individuals, companies and governments to make decisions with confidence. For more information, visit www.platts.com. SOURCE S&P Global Platts Related Links http://www.platts.com IRVINE, Calif., May 8, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- EPIC Insurance Brokers and Consultants announced today that risk management and insurance professional Sean Conrad has joined the firm's operations in Southern California as a principal. Conrad will be based in EPIC's Irvine, Calif., office. He will partner collaboratively with Jim Gillette, president of the company's Pacific South Region, and Irvine Managing Principal and Branch Leader Tony D'Asaro. Conrad will be responsible for new business development as well as the design and oversight of property/casualty insurance programs, risk management strategies, and employee benefit brokerage and consulting services for mid-market and large clients across a range of industries. Additionally, Conrad will focus on recruitment and team building as the firm continues to add talent throughout the region. Prior to joining EPIC, Conrad was a senior vice president and business development officer for Wells Fargo Insurance Services, which was acquired by USI Insurance Services in December 2017. Conrad began his insurance career in 1999 as a claims director at Allied Insurance, a Nationwide Company. Five years later, he moved to the brokerage side of the business, joining Willis as a vice president of sales and business development. Conrad is a founding member of the International Executive Council of the Internet Marketing Association, a diverse group of business leaders and entrepreneurs with a passion for technology innovation that will serve as an important resource for building relationships in the region's business community. "We are excited to further expand and enhance EPIC's operations in Orange County and the greater Los Angeles area with Sean's addition," said Gillette. "He is well known, has a tremendous network throughout Southern California, and is highly respected for building strong relationships and providing exceptional service on behalf of his clients. We look forward to partnering with Sean as we continue to build out an exceptional team in Southern California." Conrad can be reached at [email protected] or 949-417-9171. About EPIC: EPIC is a unique and innovative retail property & casualty and employee benefits insurance brokerage and consulting firm. EPIC has created a values-based, client-focused culture that attracts and retains top talent, fosters employee satisfaction and loyalty and sustains a high level of customer service excellence. EPIC team members have consistently recognized their company as a "Best Place to Work" in multiple regions and as a "Best Place to Work in the Insurance Industry" nationally. EPIC now has more than 1,400 team members operating from 50 offices across the U.S., providing Property & Casualty, Employee Benefits, Specialty Programs and Private Client solutions to more than 20,000 clients. With run rate revenues greater than $400 million, EPIC ranks among the top 20 retail insurance brokers in the United States. Backed by Oak Hill Capital Partners, the company continues to expand organically and through strategic acquisitions across the country. Information: https://www.epicbrokers.com/. *PHOTO: Send2Press.com/300dpi/18-0508s2p-sean-conrad-300dpi.jpg This release was issued through Send2Press, a unit of Neotrope. For more information, visit Send2Press Newswire at https://www.Send2Press.com SOURCE EPIC Insurance Brokers and Consultants Related Links http://www.epicbrokers.com CHICAGO, May 8, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Epsilon, a privately owned global communications Service Provider, has partnered with Metro Optic, a leading provider of high-speed fibre optic networks and interconnection data centres, to deliver global on-demand connectivity to the Canadian market through its Points of Presence (PoPs) in Toronto and Montreal, Canada's largest cities and rapidly growing commercial hubs. The Infiny by Epsilon on-demand connectivity platform enables Canadian Enterprises, Carriers and Service Providers to rapidly order, activate and manage local, regional and global connectivity and communication services. Infiny gives users on-demand access to Epsilon's Global Interconnect Fabric, which includes more than 600 Service Providers, Cloud Service Providers (CSPs) and Internet Exchanges (IXs). The platform enables direct connectivity to world-leading Cloud Service Providers like Amazon Web Services (AWS), Google Cloud platform, Microsoft Azure and Alibaba Cloud as well as more than 90 PoPs globally. "Canada is an exciting and high-growth market for Cloud. It offers direct access to the US market while acting as a bridge to both Europe and Asia. Our presence in Montreal and Toronto creates a loop between these metro areas and New York and Chicago. That gives our partners direct access to more than 40 million users," said Jerzy Szlosarek, CEO at Epsilon. "Our partnership with Metro Optic shows that we are delivering on our promise to grow our presence across North America and bring on-demand connectivity to more Service Providers in more places. We are extremely pleased to be executing on our vision for Cloud-centric networking and bringing our platform to users in Canada." Montreal and Toronto are critical hubs for both business and creative industries in North America. Toronto and Montreal are the two largest cities in Canada by population and also rank fourth and eighth largest in North America, according to the US Census and Statistics Canada. The connectivity services delivered via this partnership will serve a diverse range of industry segments, including the Film and Television industry in Toronto and Digital Media in Montreal. The Interactive Media industry, which includes Gaming, Animation and Social Networking, employs over 50,000 people in Canada and generates some $7.5 billion in annual revenue, according to the Canadian government. The Film and TV production industry in Toronto alone is worth more than $2 billion to the local economy, according to John Tory the Mayor of Toronto. "Through our partnership with Epsilon, we are very pleased to offer our customers access to a truly global network of Interconnection Exchanges, leading Cloud platforms and PoPs in every major international business hub. All accessible in one place, online and on-demand," said Michael Bucheit, CEO at Metro Optic. "Epsilon partners can access Canada the same easy way and connect with Service Providers, Carriers and Enterprise customers directly in our interconnection hubs in Toronto and Montreal or in any other major data centre on our high-capacity fibre." Chadwick Kinlay [email protected] +65-6813-4095 SOURCE Epsilon RYE BROOK, N.Y., May 8, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Swagway, LLC, founded and owned by Jianqing "Johnny" Zhu, imported from China approximately 245,000 model X1 Hoverboards. From September 2015 through January 2016, the company sold its X1 model hoverboards across the United States with a counterfeit safety certification that falsely indicated that the hoverboard's electric systems had been certified by UL, the world's largest and best-known, independent body for safety testing. After these hoverboards began exploding and catching fire, the hoverboards were recalled at the direction of the United States Consumer Product Safety Commission because of the danger they posed. Purchasers were told not to use them. Swagway did not offer purchasers refunds. A class action was brought against Swagway seeking to recover the approximately $400 that consumers paid for these dangerous and now-unusable hoverboards. Facing the lawsuit filed in federal court in the Northern District of Indiana where his companies are based, Mr. Zhu ceased the operations of Swagway and created a new entity to do business as Swagtron. In addition, Zhu has transferred ownership of the Swagway and Swagtron trade names to a company he owns and controls. "Swagway was caught red-handed putting hundreds of thousands of Americans in danger, and to this day it and Zhu are trying to dodge any and all responsibility," said Jeffrey Klafter, attorney for the plaintiffs and partner of the law firm Klafter Olsen & Lesser LLP. "Zhu is playing a shell game, going to great lengths to avoid having to pay a dime, but we are confident that he won't be able to escape justice." In mid-June, the plaintiff in the suit will ask a federal judge to certify the action as a class action on behalf all of the purchasers of the recalled X1 Swagway Hoverboards. The plaintiff stepped forward after the hoverboard he bought for his daughter as a present exploded the first time it was being charged, causing a fire and damage to his house. The lawyers handling the case are hoping to hear from Swagway X1 purchasers who might be interested in seeing that Swagway and Zhu are held responsible for their fraud on the American people. Individuals who purchased a Swagway X1 Hoverboard and who would like more information about the lawsuit or who are interested in joining the lawsuit should contact Jeffrey Klafter of the law firm Klafter Olsen & Lesser LLP at (914) 934-9200 or www.klafterolsen.com The case is Brown v. Swagway, LLC, Case No. 3:15-cv-00588-JED-MGG (N.D. Indiana) About Klafter Olsen & Lesser LLP Klafter Olsen & Lesser LLP is a leading, national plaintiffs firm that engages in complex individual, class and collective actions nationwide. With offices in New York and Washington, D.C., the firm boasts experience in consumer, securities, employment, commercial, privacy, and mass torts litigation. More information about the firm is available at www.klafterolsen.com. CONTACT: Brian Levin: 646-200-5331 [email protected] SOURCE Klafter Olsen & Lesser LLP Related Links http://www.klafterolsen.com TOKYO, May 7, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Astellas Pharma Inc. (TSE: 4503, President and CEO: Kenji Yasukawa, Ph.D., "Astellas") announced today that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved a supplemental New Drug Application (sNDA) for the use of mirabegron in combination with the muscarinic antagonist solifenacin succinate for the treatment of overactive bladder (OAB) with symptoms of urge urinary incontinence, urgency and urinary frequency.1 In the United States, mirabegron and solifenacin succinate are marketed as Myrbetriq and VESIcare, respectively. Each is approved by the FDA as a monotherapy for OAB.1, 2 "OAB patients may have symptoms that are not fully managed with their current treatment," said Carol Schermer, M.D., M.P.H., senior medical director, urology, Astellas. "With the FDA approval of Myrbetriq in combination with solifenacin succinate, Astellas is able to offer an additional treatment option to individuals living with symptoms of OAB." The sNDA submission was based on data from the global Phase 3 SYNERGY I, SYNERGY II and BESIDE studies. These studies evaluated combination therapy with mirabegron and solifenacin succinate compared with each drug as monotherapy or placebo.3, 4, 5 About the SYNERGY I Trial The Phase 3 SYNERGY I trial enrolled 6,991 patients across 435 study locations in 42 countries.3 The trial evaluated the safety profile of combinations of mirabegron and solifenacin succinate compared with each drug as monotherapy and placebo in patients who had experienced symptoms of "wet" OAB (urinary frequency and urgency with incontinence) for at least 3 months. About the SYNERGY II Trial The 52-week, Phase 3 SYNERGY II trial enrolled 2,084 patients across 251 sites in 32 countries.4 The trial evaluated the long term safety profile of combination of mirabegron 50 mg and solifenacin succinate 5 mg compared with each drug as monotherapy in patients who had experienced symptoms of "wet" OAB (urinary frequency and urgency with incontinence) for at least 3 months. About the BESIDE Trial The Phase 3b BESIDE study enrolled 2,174 patients across 281 sites in 31 countries.5 The trial evaluated the efficacy, safety and tolerability of mirabegron 50 mg as an add-on therapy with solifenacin succinate 5 mg versus solifenacin succinate 5 mg and 10mg alone in OAB patients who had inadequate response to treatment with solifenacin succinate monotherapy. About Overactive Bladder (OAB) Overactive bladder is a urine storage problem of urgency, with or without urge urinary incontinence (leakage), often with urinary frequency and nocturia.6 It has been estimated by this year, 546 million people worldwide will be affected by OAB.7 For people with OAB, inappropriate signals are sent to the muscles in the bladder causing them to contract before the bladder is full.8 These bladder contractions may cause strong, sudden urges, and a frequent need to go to the bathroom. Indications and Usage Myrbetriq (mirabegron), a beta3 adrenergic agonist, is indicated as monotherapy or in combination with the muscarinic antagonist solifenacin succinate for the treatment of overactive bladder (OAB) with symptoms of urge urinary incontinence, urgency, and urinary frequency. Important Safety Information Do not use Myrbetriq in patients who have known hypersensitivity reactions to mirabegron or any component of the tablet. Solifenacin succinate is contraindicated in patients with urinary retention, gastric retention, uncontrolled narrow-angle glaucoma, and in patients with hypersensitivity to the product. Myrbetriq alone or in combination with solifenacin succinate can increase blood pressure. Periodic blood pressure determinations are recommended, especially in hypertensive patients. Myrbetriq is not recommended for use in severe uncontrolled hypertensive patients (defined as systolic blood pressure 180mm Hg and/or diastolic blood pressure 110mm Hg). Worsening of hypertension was reported infrequently in Myrbetriq clinical trial patients with OAB. In patients taking Myrbetriq, urinary retention has been reported in patients with bladder outlet obstruction (BOO) and in patients taking antimuscarinic medications for the treatment of OAB. A controlled clinical safety study in patients with BOO did not demonstrate increased urinary retention in Myrbetriq patients; however, Myrbetriq and solifenacin succinate should still be administered with caution to patients with clinically significant BOO. For example, monitor these patients for signs and symptoms of urinary retention. Myrbetriq should also be administered with caution to patients taking antimuscarinic medications for the treatment of OAB, including solifenacin succinate. Angioedema of the face, lips, tongue and/or larynx has been reported with Myrbetriq and with solifenacin succinate. Cases of angioedema have been reported to occur hours after the first dose or after multiple doses. Angioedema associated with upper airway swelling may be life threatening. If involvement of the tongue, hypopharynx, or larynx occurs, promptly discontinue Myrbetriq and/or solifenacin succinate and initiate appropriate therapy and/or measures necessary to ensure a patent airway. Solifenacin succinate should be administered with caution to patients with decreased gastrointestinal motility, controlled narrow-angle glaucoma or reduced renal or hepatic function. Doses of solifenacin succinate higher than 5mg are not recommended in patients with severe renal impairment, moderate hepatic impairment, or when administered with ketoconazole or other potent CYP3A4 inhibitors. Use of solifenacin succinate in patients with severe hepatic impairment is not recommended. Anticholinergic central nervous system (CNS) effects have been reported with solifenacin succinate use, including headache, confusion, hallucinations and somnolence. Patients should be monitored for signs of anticholinergic CNS effects, particularly after beginning treatment or increasing dose, and be advised not to drive or operate heavy machinery until they know how solifenacin succinate affects them. If a patient experiences these effects, dose reduction or drug discontinuation should be considered. Since Myrbetriq is a moderate CYP2D6 inhibitor, the systemic exposure to CYP2D6 substrates such as metoprolol and desipramine is increased when coadministered with Myrbetriq. Therefore, appropriate monitoring and dose adjustment may be necessary, especially with narrow therapeutic index drugs metabolized by CYP2D6, such as thioridazine, flecainide, and propafenone. In solifenacin succinate monotherapy studies, for the 5mg dose one serious adverse event (angioneurotic edema) was reported. For the 10mg dose, three intestinal serious adverse events were reported (one fecal impaction, one colonic obstruction and one intestinal obstruction). In clinical trials, the most commonly reported adverse reactions (> 2% and > placebo) for Myrbetriq 25mg and 50mg versus placebo, respectively, were hypertension (11.3%, 7.5% vs. 7.6%), nasopharyngitis (3.5%, 3.9% vs. 2.5%), urinary tract infection (4.2%, 2.9% vs. 1.8%), and headache (2.1%, 3.2% vs. 3.0%). In clinical trials, the most commonly reported adverse reactions (> 2% and > placebo and > comparator) for Myrbetriq in combination with solifenacin succinate 25mg + 5mg and 50mg + 5mg versus Myrbetriq 25mg, Myrbetriq 50mg, solifenacin succinate 5mg and placebo, respectively, were dry mouth (9.3%, 7.2% vs. 3.8%, 3.6%, 6.5%, 2.2%), urinary tract infection (7.0%, 4.0% vs. 4.0%, 4.2%, 3.6%, 5.3%), constipation (4.2%, 3.9% vs. 1.2%, 2.8%, 2.4%, 1.2%), and tachycardia (2.2%, 0.9% vs. 1.6%, 1.6%, 0.7%, 0.8%). In postmarketing experience with mirabegron, the following events have also occurred: atrial fibrillation, nausea, constipation, diarrhea, and dizziness. Please see accompanying complete Prescribing Information for Myrbetriq (mirabegron) and VESIcare (solifenacin succinate). About Astellas Astellas Pharma Inc., based in Tokyo, Japan, is a company dedicated to improving the health of people around the world through the provision of innovative and reliable pharmaceutical products. We focus on Urology, Oncology, Immunology, Nephrology and Neuroscience as prioritized therapeutic areas while advancing new therapeutic areas and discovery research leveraging new technologies/modalities. We are also creating new value by combining internal capabilities and external expertise in the medical/healthcare business. Astellas is on the forefront of healthcare change to turn innovative science into value for patients. For more information, please visit our website at https://www.astellas.com/en. Cautionary Notes In this press release, statements made with respect to current plans, estimates, strategies and beliefs and other statements that are not historical facts are forward-looking statements about the future performance of Astellas. These statements are based on management's current assumptions and beliefs in light of the information currently available to it and involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties. A number of factors could cause actual results to differ materially from those discussed in the forward-looking statements. Such factors include, but are not limited to: (i) changes in general economic conditions and in laws and regulations, relating to pharmaceutical markets, (ii) currency exchange rate fluctuations, (iii) delays in new product launches, (iv) the inability of Astellas to market existing and new products effectively, (v) the inability of Astellas to continue to effectively research and develop products accepted by customers in highly competitive markets, and (vi) infringements of Astellas' intellectual property rights by third parties. Information about pharmaceutical products (including products currently in development) which is included in this press release is not intended to constitute an advertisement or medical advice. References: Myrbetriq [package insert]. Northbrook, IL ; Astellas, Inc. VESIcare [package insert]. Northbrook, IL : Astellas, Inc. Herschorn S, Chapple CR, Abrams P, et al. Efficacy and safety of combinations of mirabegron and solifenacin compared with monotherapy and placebo in patients with overactive bladder (SYNERGY study). BJU Int 2017;120(4):562-75. ClinicalTrials.gov. A Randomized, Double-Blind, Parallel-Group, Active-Controlled, Multi-center Study to Evaluate the Long-Term Safety and Efficacy of Combination of Solifenacin Succinate With Mirabegron Compared to Solifenacin Succinate and Mirabegron Monotherapy in Subjects With Overactive Bladder (09-21-2017). https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/study/NCT02045862. Accessed 02-22-2018. Drake MJ, Chapple C, Esen AA, et al. Efficacy and safety of mirabegron add-on therapy to solifenacin in incontinent overactive bladder patients with an inadequate response to initial 4-week solifenacin monotherapy: a randomised double-blind multicentre phase 3B study (BESIDE). Eur Urol 2016;70(1):136-45. Abrams P, Cardozo L, Fall M, et al. The standardisation of terminology in lower urinary tract function: report from the standardisation sub-committee of the International Continence Society. Urology 2003;61(1):37-49. Irwin DE, Kopp ZS, Agatep B, Milsom I, Abrams P. Worldwide prevalence estimates of lower urinary tract symptoms, overactive bladder, urinary incontinence and bladder outlet obstruction. BJU Int. 2011;108(7):1132-8. Sadananda P, Drake MJ, Paton JFR, Pickering AE. A functional analysis of the influence of 3-adrenoceptors on the rat micturition cycle. J Pharmacol Exp Ther 2013;347(2):506-15. SOURCE Astellas Pharma Inc. Related Links https://www.astellas.com/en FORT WORTH, Texas, May 8, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Attorneys for Dallas-based Fears Nachawati Law Firm have secured a $166 million verdict against the daughter and son-in-law of a North Texas woman who was killed in 2014 for the proceeds of life insurance policies totaling $5 million. Jurors in Tarrant County's 141st Judicial District Court determined Mark and Virginia Buckland were central figures in the conspiracy that led to the stabbing death of Anita Fox that was carried out by two members of a nomadic ethnic clan known as Irish Travellers. The multimillion-dollar verdict is believed to be among the largest in Tarrant County this year. "The main concern from the start was to make sure the Bucklands would not profit from their actions," said Fears Nachawati partner Matthew McCarley, who represented Al Fox III, Ms. Fox's son and executor of her estate. "Thanks to the jury's understanding that they acted willfully in putting into motion the events that led to her death, we exceeded those objectives. There is no possible way they will ever be able to get a dime from the estate. We are exceptionally proud to be able to bring that closure to Al." Though the couple has never been charged criminally in the murder, the jury found that they had crafted an insurance scheme in which they would be the sole beneficiaries of a series of policies, in part without the knowledge of the 69-year-old Ms. Fox. Following the recommendation from an insurance agent, the two allowed Pat Gorman to become a third-party investor in the policies. Looking for immediate returns on his investment, Mr. Gorman and his son allegedly stalked and eventually murdered Ms. Fox inside a Colleyville, Texas, house where she worked as a housekeeper. The case is Al Fox III, Individually and as Personal Representative of the Estate of Anita Fox v. Mark and Virginia Buckland, Cause No. 348-277914-15. Also representing Mr. Fox at trial was Fears Nachawati lawyer Brice Burris. Dallas-based Fears Nachawati Law Firm represents individuals and businesses in cases involving personal injury and auto accidents, bad drug and medical device cases, wrongful death, business and family law, bankruptcy, and criminal defense matters. For more information on the firm, visit https://www.fnlawfirm.com. Media Contact: Rhonda Reddick 800-559-4534 [email protected] SOURCE Fears Nachawati Law Firm Related Links https://www.fnlawfirm.com CHICAGO, May 8, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- First Look Appraisals (First Look), a leading national appraisal management company (AMC), announces strategic additions to its Executive Leadership team and Board of Directors: Jim Anderson, Executive Vice President of Business Development and Strategy: Jim possesses over thirty years experience leading national wholesale lending platforms in addition to retail lending, secondary market and AMC experience. As leader of the First Look Sales and Marketing team, Jim oversees strategic growth initiatives. Jim stated he joined First Look because he is "convinced the people, processes and proprietary technology at First Look will positively disrupt the industry and provide lenders and appraisers a best-in-class solution." Aaron Shepler, Chief Technology Officer: Aaron is the chief architect of First Look's dynamic proprietary technology platform, Docent, that provides complete visibility, predictability and pro-active control over every appraisal order. Along with 15 years of experience leading development teams, Aaron previously served as CTO for the largest independent AMC in the US. Mike Floyd, Chief Corporate Appraiser: Mike has over 20 years of appraisal industry experience including ten years as Chief Corporate Appraiser for a large national AMC. Mike's reputation amongst lender and agency collateral risk managers is unparalleled. Mike directs First Look's appraisal quality control policy and procedure and focuses on cultivating the industry's best national appraiser panel. First Look has also appointed three accomplished executives to its Board of Directors. Steve Haslam, former CEO of StreetLinks National Appraisal Services, Tony Ebeyer, StreetLinks former Chief Strategy Officer and Brad Morehead, former CEO of Livewatch Security, will actively advise and assist with the strategic development and direction of the company. First Look's CEO, Craig Culbert, states, "Most lenders agree, their AMC relationships are mediocre despite being compelled to use them for compliance and cost reasons. First Look has assembled a leadership team of seasoned lending, appraisal, and AMC executives to build new processes and technology that overcome common frustrations between lenders and other AMCs. Simply stated, our leadership team knows the problems well because we have lived them from the lender and appraiser perspective; now, we've created the solution." About First Look Appraisals: First Look Appraisals is a national appraisal management company changing the industry through proprietary technology, success-focused relationships with appraisers, and a proactive customer service culture designed to revolutionize their client's experience with AMCs. To learn more about First Look Appraisals visit www.firstlookappraisals.com. SOURCE First Look Appraisals Related Links http://www.firstlookappraisals.com PHILADELPHIA, May 8, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- FMC Corporation (NYSE: FMC) today announced that Rasmus Gerdeman will lead Investor Relations and Corporate Strategy for FMC Lithium. He reports to Paul Graves, who previously was announced CEO of the Lithium business upon its planned IPO in October. Logo - http://mma.prnewswire.com/media/331912/fmc_corporation_logo.jpg Gerdeman will direct the IR function for the new Lithium company, as well as oversee Lithium's corporate strategy initiatives, including long-range planning, mergers and acquisitions and related enterprise priorities. He brings nearly 20 years of experience in finance and investment advisory services in the chemicals and mining sectors. Gerdeman was most recently the managing director of Strategic Communications and Corporate Finance, Office of the CFO, at FTI Consulting, where he advised clients on investor relations strategies and IPOs, and provided strategic M&A counsel for companies in the chemicals industry. Earlier in his career, he was a senior analyst in the basic materials sector for Zweig-Dimenna & Associates, Neuberger Berman and Northern Trust Global Investments. About FMC For more than a century, FMC Corporation has served the global agricultural, industrial and consumer markets with innovative solutions, applications and quality products. On November 1, 2017, FMC acquired a significant portion of DuPont's Crop Protection business. FMC employs approximately 7,000 people throughout the world and operates its businesses in two segments: FMC Agricultural Solutions and FMC Lithium. For more information, visit www.FMC.com. Safe Harbor Statement under the Private Securities Act of 1995: Statements in this news release that are forward-looking statements are subject to various risks and uncertainties concerning specific factors described in FMC Corporation's 2017 Form 10-K and other SEC filings. Such information contained herein represents management's best judgment as of the date hereof based on information currently available. FMC Corporation does not intend to update this information and disclaims any legal obligation to the contrary. Historical information is not necessarily indicative of future performance. SOURCE FMC Corporation Related Links http://www.fmc.com LONDON, May 8, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- France has overtaken Germany as the best nationality in the world, according to the third edition of the recently launched Henley & Partners Kochenov Quality of Nationality Index (QNI). The French nationality earned a score of 81.7 percent out of a possible 100 percent on this year's Index, fractionally ahead of Germany, which held the top spot for the past six years. Iceland and Denmark take third and fourth place, respectively, while the Netherlands holds fifth place on the Index the only representative tracking study of its kind that objectively measures and ranks the quality of all nationalities worldwide. The U.K. falls to 13th place, again failing to secure a spot in the top 10. The U.S., meanwhile, increases its position by two ranks but only claims 27th place. The country's relatively poor standing is primarily due to its low Settlement Freedom compared to EU member states. China climbs two places to rank 59th, and Russia maintains its position in 63rd place. This year, the UAE surpasses Israel for the first time, now ranking 46th globally and first in the Middle East. The Emirati nationality has climbed 13 positions over the past five years, thanks in part to its continually improving Travel Freedom. The QNI measures both the internal value of nationality, which refers to the quality of life and opportunities for personal growth within our country of origin, and the external value of nationality, which identifies the opportunities that our nationality allows us to pursue outside our country of origin. According to Prof. Dr. Dimitry Kochenov, a leading constitutional and citizenship law professor and co-creator of the Index, "The QNI proves that some nationalities and passports are radically better than others and that the quality of our nationality has a direct impact on our freedom to travel, do business and live longer, healthier and more rewarding lives." Dr. Christian H. Kalin, co-creator of the QNI and group chairman of Henley & Partners, explains that the appeal of residence and citizenship programs is growing rapidly, with more than 60 different programs in 57 countries to choose from. "For those who are not part of globally integrated citizenships such as France and Germany," he says, "investment migration can provide an alternative path to freedom, removing this highly irrational ceiling for our opportunities and aspirations." Media contact: Sarah Nicklin Group Head of Public Relations [email protected] SOURCE Henley & Partners MELVILLE, N.Y., May 8, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Canon Solutions America, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Canon U.S.A., Inc., today announced that Maryland-based Gasch Printing has added the Oce VarioPrint i300 inkjet press to its robust production print fleet and as such marked yet another chapter in its evolution from offset and digital toner to the inkjet space, where the company now resides as a forward-thinking leader. Founded over 30 years ago, Gasch Printing, along with seemingly every major offset print provider, underwent major transitions as the industry rapidly evolved in the early-mid 2000's. Understanding the need to adapt to these dramatic changes and recognizing the omnipresent shift to inkjet, the company's leadership team moved from its offset environment and what later became a digital toner operation to inkjet when it installed the Oce ColorStream 3900 monochrome press in 2016. That initial move helped stabilize the company's consistent growth, and ultimately ushered in a new era for the industry-leading book print provider. Fast-forward to the present and it's readily apparent that Gasch Printing has doubled down on its commitment to inkjet with its latest installation of Canon's flagship inkjet press: the Oce VarioPrint i300 color inkjet press. Known throughout the country for providing its vast customer base with exceptional quality and turnaround time, Gasch Printing provides its customers with offerings that include perfect bound books, case bound books, saddle stitched booklets, catalogs, and an array of other specialized digital book printing projects, all enhanced by its recent investment in the VarioPrint i300. "There's no doubt that Gasch Printing understands the critical role of inkjet and how it has brought and still brings us major advantages in terms of capacity and expansion," said Jeremy Hess, director of Sales and Marketing at Gasch Printing. "We invest in the future, and for us that future is inkjet and the Oce VarioPrint i300's ability to help us not only enhance our book publishing offerings, but eventually explore new markets outside of that industry." Every product investment Gasch Printing makes is centered on one key element quality. Critical both to the company itself and its customers, Gasch Printing asked the pivotal question of Canon Solutions America before installing the i300: what kind of impact will this new technology have on overall quality? Since installation in late March, Hess and his team quickly realized that the answer lies in the reliable color consistency and profound image quality on a variety of different papers that the i300 produces. "Historically, book printing has accounted for over 95 percent of our business, and with that comes the need for enduring quality and consistency," added Hess. "With the i300, we are taking our quality to new heights while at the same time utilizing the technology for application growth. In addition, in just a few short weeks we've seen how to augment our productivity as it relates to book printing by combining black-and-white and color jobs on one platform." The expansion does not stop there. Hess noted that more than ever Gasch Printing is now poised to compete in far more areas and can now focus on markets that were once exclusively dominated by offset as the i300 comes with the ability to increase flexibility, expand application mix, take on more digital work, and leverage inkjet versatility. Adding to that is Gasch Printing's ability to now enhance its offerings on the customization and variable data side of production print, again cementing its emergence into new market segments. As a testament to its commitment to customers, Gasch Printing has taken all of these different factors into account and worked one-on-one with its customers to ensure easy and seamless transitions to inkjet. "With any new technology comes the need for education," affirmed Hess. "Even before the installation we were having conversations with our customers on how the technology will positively affect turnaround times and quality. We've also had open houses to demonstrate these new capabilities and how the i300 will allow us to do things differently, and more cost-effectively." Key to the ultimate success of the VarioPrint i300 for Gasch Printing is its combination with Oce PRISMAsync. One of Canon's leading workflow tools helps customers like Gasch Printing handle their workflow from simple output management to complex multi-location, multi-vendor workflows. First using the workflow tool when it installed the Canon imagePRESS C10000, PRISMAsync has allowed Gasch Printing to boost productivity and control and automate production while increasing printer utilization. Further still, Gasch recently installed a BDT VX370+ Long Sheet Feeder on their imagePRESS C10000, enabling them to run production long sheet applications up to 30 inches in length. This extended capacity has resulted in Gasch's ability to print their dust jackets as part of their production process thus growing their revenue potential and eliminating the need for them to outsource this work. With the i300 that workflow optimization trend continues. Hess has called it a real "differentiator" and commented on its ability to simplify workflows and improve flexibility and turnaround time. "Gasch Printing exemplifies how Canon technology can enhance a print provider's operation from both a workflow and inkjet technology standpoint," said Francis McMahon, executive vice president, Production Print Solutions, Canon Solutions America. "For those interested in embracing inkjet, Gasch Printing is a shining testament of how to effectively balance machine and workflow to equal a full solution." To learn more about Gasch Printing's evolution with inkjet, visit here. Additionally, to discover how the VarioPrint i300 can transform your business starting today, visit Canon Solutions America's Production Print Solutions Resource Site. About Canon Solutions America, Inc. Canon Solutions America provides industry leading enterprise, production, and large format printing solutions, supported by exceptional professional service offerings. With the technology offerings of the Canon and Oce brands, Canon Solutions America helps companies of all sizes find ways to: improve sustainability, increase efficiency, and control costs in conjunction with high volume, continuous feed, digital and traditional printing, and document management solutions. A wholly owned subsidiary of Canon U.S.A., Inc., Canon Solutions America is headquartered in Melville, N.Y. and has sales and service locations across the U.S. For more information on Canon Solutions America, please visit csa.canon.com. Canon is a registered trademark of Canon Inc. in the United States and elsewhere. Oce is a registered trademark of Oce-Technologies B.V. in the United States and elsewhere. All other referenced product names and marks are trademarks of their respective owners and are hereby acknowledged. 2018 Canon Solutions America, Inc. All rights reserved. Canon Solutions America, Inc. Website: Editorial Contact: http://csa.canon.com Conor Febos For sales info/customer support: 631-330-4109 1-844-443-INFO (4636) [email protected] SOURCE Canon Solutions America, Inc. Related Links https://csa.canon.com LAKEWOOD, Colo., May 8, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- General Moly, Inc. (the "Company" or "General Moly") (NYSE AMERICAN and TSX: GMO) announced its financial results today for the first quarter ended March 31, 2018. The Company ended the quarter with an unrestricted cash balance of approximately $6.0 million and is poised to benefit as the only western-exchange listed, pure-play molybdenum ("moly") development company in the continued strengthening of the moly market. First quarter and year-to-date highlights: Results from a high-intensity, ground-based Induced Polarization ("IP") survey identified an apparent contiguous group of high chargeability anomalies aligned with the recently identified high-grade copper-silver mineral zone ("Cu-Ag Target"), at the Mt. Hope Project in central Nevada ; analysis of the geophysical and historical drilling results is ongoing to define an initial exploration plan; ; analysis of the geophysical and historical drilling results is ongoing to define an initial exploration plan; The Company's 80%-owned joint venture company, which owns and operates the Mt. Hope Project, Eureka Moly, LLC ("EMLLC"); ended the quarter with a balance of $9.0 million (100% basis) in a restricted cash reserve account, and remains self-funded through 2021 based on estimated care and maintenance expenses; (100% basis) in a restricted cash reserve account, and remains self-funded through 2021 based on estimated care and maintenance expenses; The moly oxide daily global spot price averaged $12.23 /lb during the quarter, up 40 percent over the average of $8.76 /lb in 4Q 2017, according to Platts; /lb during the quarter, up 40 percent over the average of /lb in 4Q 2017, according to Platts; A revamped www.generalmoly.com website with improved functionality and broader content, including moly market information was rolled out recently, as announced in the Company's news release on April 30, 2018 . The Company reported a net loss for the three months ending March 31, 2018 of $2.6 million ($0.02 per share), compared to a net loss of $1.9 million ($0.02 per share) for the same prior year period. During the quarter, total cash use of $2.1 million was the result of $0.4 million spent at the Mt. Hope Project related to EMLLC owners' costs, funded by the restricted cash reserve account, and $1.7 million cash spent for general and administrative expenses, inclusive of costs incurred at the Liberty Project, funded by $1.3 million in unrestricted cash and $0.4 million drawn from a restricted account for business development activities. The Company's cash balance of $6.0 million at the end of 1Q 2018 included $0.5 million in proceeds from the issuance of shares under an At-The-Market equity program. As described in its March 13, 2018 news release on full year 2017 results, the Company anticipates its quarterly unrestricted cash burn rate to average approximately $1.3 million per quarter for the full year 2018, excluding any drill program exploring for copper, silver and zinc at the Mt. Hope Project. The Company continues to evaluate joint business development opportunities in base metal and ferroalloys with its largest shareholder, AMER International Group ("AMER"). In 1Q 2018, the Company disbursed $0.4 million on M&A activities. This restricted cash account is designed to cover costs related to Mt. Hope Project financing and other jointly sourced business development opportunities and was funded by a portion of the AMER Tranche 1 and 2 private placements made in 2015 and 2017. Bruce D. Hansen, Chief Executive Officer, said, "We are continuing our exploration efforts with support of Dr. Mark Osterberg, Principal Consulting Geologist, and his team at Mine Mappers, LLC, in the evaluation of the Cu-Ag Target within a 17-acre zinc mineralized area covering historical underground mining of primarily zinc at the Mt. Hope Project. We continue to be excited about the exploration potential of this skarn area of interest, immediately adjacent to the moly deposit at Mt. Hope and expect to provide an update announcement later this quarter regarding our initial exploration plan. In regards to the moly price, we saw a brief downturn where the price retraced to $11.83/lb in mid-April before increasing to the current price of $12.40/lb, trailing the same general pattern as the oil price, which is now at the $70/barrel mark. As long as there is a sustainable oil industry with robust oil drilling activity and oil and gas infrastructure investment globally, there is strong demand for specialty steels using moly." Table 1: Financial Summary ($ and Shares in 000, Except Per Share and Molybdenum Price) 1Q 2018 1Q 2017 1Q YOY Variance Exploration & evaluation expenses $ 159 $ 137 16% General and administrative expenses, including non-cash stock compensation 2,472 1,508 64% Total Operating Expenses 2,631 1,645 60% Interest expense (162) (288) n.a. Net Loss $ (2,793) $ (1,933) 44% Net Loss Per Share $ (0.02) $ (0.02) 0% Avg. Weighted Shares Outstanding 126,757 111,087 14% Table 2: Balance Sheet Summary ($ in 000) March 31, 2018 Dec. 31, 2017 QOY Variance Cash and Cash Equivalents $ 5,971 $ 6,676 -10.6% Current Assets 6,093 6,790 -10.3% Current Liabilities 1,072 1,102 -2.7% Working Capital 5,021 5,688 -11.7% Restricted cash held at EMLLC 9,028 9,911 -8.9% Other restricted cash 1,400 1,787 -21.7% Total Assets 333,531 335,775 -0.7% Long term debt 1,340 1,340 0.0% Sr. convertible notes 5,722 5,745 -0.4% Return of contributions payable to POS-Minerals 33,641 33,641 0.0% Other liabilities 13,517 13,529 -0.1% Long term liabilities 54,220 54,255 -0.1% Contingently Redeemable Non-controlling Interest 172,449 172,633 -0.1% Total Shareholders' Equity $ 105,790 $ 107,785 -1.9% Water Permit & Supplemental EIS Update The Company is preparing to submit evidence of its ability to protect senior water right holders during the future operation of the Mt. Hope moly project at a hearing, with the Nevada State Engineer, beginning September 11, 2018. The hearing is scheduled for eight days in Carson City. A decision from the State Engineer is anticipated by early 2019. In regards to progress with the draft Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement ("SEIS") for the Mt. Hope Project, the Company and the Bureau of Land Management ("BLM") are in review of the draft in preparation of its notice of availability and publication in the Federal Register. After publication, pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act ("NEPA"), the public will have an opportunity to review the proposed SEIS and offer comments to the BLM. Following completion of the NEPA review and comments, the Company anticipates receipt of a Record of Decision ("ROD") approving the SEIS in early 2019. Mt. Hope Project Status Engineering remains approximately 65% complete at the Mt. Hope Project. Currently, there is no ongoing engineering and procurement effort. The Company anticipates it will re-initiate its engineering and procurement programs once market conditions allow for full Mt. Hope Project financing. Through March 31, 2018, EMLLC paid $88.0 million on equipment orders. Based on its current forecast, the Company does not anticipate taking delivery of the haul trucks, drills, and electric shovels in 2018 and continues to work with the respective vendors to extend these agreements until the Company obtains financing for construction of the Mt. Hope Project. Exploration of Copper-Silver Target and Zinc Mineralization at Mt. Hope The Company identified a potential high-grade Cu-Ag Target along with a significant zinc mineralized area at the Mt. Hope Project site based on a review of historical drill results and past exploration from the 1930s to 2008. The Company then tested the area with an IP survey in February 2018, including 2D and 3D inversions, which produced positive results reported by the Company in its news releases on March 1, 2018 and April 5, 2018. Refer to these news releases for further information and disclosure, including the review of technical information by a Qualified Person, as defined in Canadian National Instrument 43-101. The group of high chargeability anomalies spatially align with the Cu-Ag Target. These anomalies lie between 100 feet and 1,000-plus feet from the surface and extend northeastward for over 1,000 feet, where they appear to dip to the east. The Company and Mine Mappers have been evaluating the historical drill logs and core as well as the IP results to develop an initial exploration plan. A full exploration program, including drilling for 2018, may be subject to additional financing. To date the preliminary exploration work was undertaken solely by General Moly. Any mining operation to exploit economic mineralization will require the approval of its 20% joint venture partner at the Mt. Hope Project, POS-Minerals Corporation, a subsidiary of POSCO, which is a large South Korean steel company. Increasing Molybdenum Prices The current moly price is $12.40/lb, which is up from $10.25/lb at year end 2017 and $6.70/lb at yearend 2016, according to Platts. The moly price reached a high of $13.00/lb in early March 2018, which was a level last seen in 2014. Approximately 70% of molybdenum's first use is for steel production as moly is a premier alloy to strengthen steel and make it corrosion resistant. Demand has been strong for moly due to increased output of steel containing moly, driven by a continued robust recovery of the oil and gas industry. Rising oil and gas prices have driven higher drilling and capital investment by the industry which creates increased specialty steel and high strength tubular steel demand. In addition, global economic and infrastructure growth, particularly in China, India and emerging economies, remained strong through 2017 and has moderated slightly into the first quarter of 2018. The J.P. Morgan Global Manufacturing PMI moved up slightly to 53.5 in April 2018 from the six-month low of 53.3 in March 2018, marking 26 straight months of global expansion. Further information about the moly market is described in the Company's January 18, 2018 and March 2, 2018 news releases. Please watch for periodic moly market updates from the Company. 2018 Outlook and Priorities General Moly's ongoing priorities for 2018 are to: Leverage the Company's technical and financial skills and expertise to work jointly with AMER and others to identify value-accretive acquisition opportunities with a focus on base metal and ferroalloy prospects. Proceed with geologic assessment and further exploration of the potential copper-silver target and zinc mineralization at the Mt. Hope Project; Continue to progress towards obtaining a ROD approving the SEIS and the issuance of water permits for the Mt. Hope Project. Prudently manage financial liquidity and flexibility to sustain the Company over the medium term, excluding potential additional equity investments from AMER or other potential strategic sources. About General Moly General Moly is a U.S.-based molybdenum mineral development, exploration and mining company listed on the NYSE American and the Toronto Stock Exchange under the symbol GMO. The Company's primary asset, an 80% interest in the Mt. Hope Project located in central Nevada, is considered one of the world's largest and highest grade molybdenum deposits. Combined with the Company's wholly-owned Liberty Project, a molybdenum and copper property also located in central Nevada, General Moly's goal is to become the largest pure play primary molybdenum producer in the world. Contact: Scott Roswell (303) 928-8591 [email protected] Website: www.generalmoly.com Forward-Looking Statements Statements herein that are not historical facts are "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act, as amended and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended and are intended to be covered by the safe harbor created by such sections. Such forward-looking statements involve a number of risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected, anticipated, expected, or implied by the Company. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to metals price and production volatility, global economic conditions, currency fluctuations, increased production costs and variances in ore grade or recovery rates from those assumed in mining plans, exploration risks and results, political, operational and project development risks, including the Company's ability to obtain a re-grant of its water permits and Record of Decision, ability to maintain required federal and state permits to continue construction, and commence production of molybdenum, copper, silver, lead or zinc, ability to identify any economic mineral reserves of copper, silver, lead or zinc; ability of the Company to obtain approval of its joint venture partner at the Mt. Hope Project in order to mine for copper, silver, lead or zinc, ability to raise required project financing or funding to pursue an exploration program related to potential copper, silver, lead or zinc deposits at Mt. Hope, ability to respond to adverse governmental regulation and judicial outcomes, and ability to maintain and /or adjust estimates related to cost of production, capital, operating and exploration expenditures. For a detailed discussion of risks and other factors that may impact these forward looking statements, please refer to the Risk Factors and other discussion contained in the Company's quarterly and annual periodic reports on Forms 10-Q and 10-K, on file with the SEC. The Company undertakes no obligation to update forward-looking statements. SOURCE General Moly, Inc. Related Links http://www.generalmoly.com LONDON, May 8, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Report Description 3D Metrology is an emerging measurement solution among various industries, as it enables manufacturers to monitor the quality and efficiency of the components required to build the desired industrial products. These measuring systems are used for a wide range of measurement tasks, namely analyzing the surface, shape, and dimension of the machine parts and tools at every stage of the manufacturing process. Coordinate measuring machine (CMM), optical digitizers & scanners and 3D x-ray/ CT inspection systems are widely used products to measure dimensions, temperature and humidity of a component during manufacturing and assembling processes. Download the full report: https://www.reportbuyer.com/product/5387097 Major market players namely Hexagon AB, Carl Zeiss, Nikon 3D Metrology, Faro Technologies and others provide 3D Metrology services. Among them, Carl Zeiss, a leading 3D Metrology solution provider manufactures coordinate measuring machines (CMM) to serve the automotive market. The changing consumer demand for industrial products and the growing technological advancement in measurement techniques has developed the need for more precise and accurate industrial products. To provide products with assured quality and longer durability, automotive, aerospace, packaging, electronics and mechanical engineering industries are implementing 3D Metrology solutions widely. Automotive is the largest end-user segment in 3D Metrology market. High demand by industry manufacturers to introduce 3D techniques in robots configured with accuracy measuring program is supporting the 3D metrology measurement process. It also helps in reducing human errors during the process, in turn, adding to the future market growth of 3D metrology. Global 3D Metrology Market Analysis & Forecast, from 2016-2022 To provide a detailed analysis of the market structure, along with the forecast of the various segments and sub-segments of the 3D metrology market To provide insights into factors affecting the market growth To analyze the 3D metrology market based on Porter's five force analysis 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 Pacific, and Rest of the World To provide country-level analysis of the market concerning the current market size and future prospects To provide country-level analysis of the market for a segment on the basis of technology, product, and end-users 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 & acquisitions, new product developments, and research & developments in the 3D metrology market Key Findings The global 3D metrology market is expected to reach USD ~8 billion by 2022 By technology, the 3D profilometry segment has dominated the market in 2015 and is estimated to grow at a rate of 11.66% CAGR By product, coordinate measuring machine (CMM) segment has dominated the market in 2016 and is estimated to grow at a rate of 10.98% CAGR By end-user, automotive has dominated the market in 2016 and is estimated to grow at a rate of 10.56% CAGR Geographically, Europe region has been projected to hold the largest market share in global 3D metrology market, followed by North America and Asia Pacific, respectively Key Players The prominent players in the 3D metrology market are Hexagon AB, Mitutoyo Corporation, Carl Zeiss, Nikon Metrology, Bruker Corporation, Olympus Corporation, Keyence Corporation, KLA-Tencor Corporation, AMETEK, Cyber Optics, Wenzel, and others. Regional Analysis of 3D metrology Market Estimation and Forecast The global 3D metrology market is estimated to grow at a promising rate in the upcoming years. Europe is the leading region followed by North America, Asia Pacific, and Rest of the World. Growing adoption of robotics in automation, energy harvesting, and semiconductor wafer inspection is majorly responsible for driving the growth of 3D metrology market. . The reports cover regional analysis: North America U.S. Canada Mexico Europe Germany The U.K France Rest of Europe Asia Pacific China Japan South Korea India Rest of Asia Pacific Rest of the World Target Audience Technology investors Research institutes System Integrators Research/Consultancy firms 3D Metrology Product & Device Manufacturers Original Technology Designers & Suppliers Raw Material Suppliers Integrated Device Manufacturers (IDMS) Original Device Manufacturers (ODMS) Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) Download the full report: https://www.reportbuyer.com/product/5387097 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: +1 (718) 213 4904 Website: www.reportbuyer.com SOURCE ReportBuyer Related Links http://www.reportbuyer.com ROCKVILLE, Md., May 8, 2018 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- It's Goodwill Industries Week, a time during which Goodwill organizations celebrate the 116-year-old anniversary of the founding of Goodwill, and the impact of the mission on communities throughout the United States and Canada. This year, the commemoration takes places from May 7 13, and it highlights how community contributions help local Goodwill organizations provide skills training, employment and community-based opportunities such as financial education and mentoring to people with disabilities and disadvantages, veterans and military families, youth and young adults, older workers, people reintegrating into society, and others facing challenges to finding employment. Goodwill is made up of 162 autonomous, community-based nonprofit organizations that provide individuals and families with opportunities for economic self-sufficiency and improved quality of life. Last year, local Goodwill organizations collectively placed more than 288,000 people in employment in the United States and Canada. In addition, more than 69 million people used computers and mobile devices to access Goodwill education, training, mentoring and online learning services to strengthen their skills, and more than 1.7 million people received in person services. The annual Goodwill Industries Week has been observed by local Goodwill organizations for more than 65 years, and it serves as an opportunity to thank community members for their contributions to the Goodwill mission. This week, local organizations will host a variety of mission-related activities, including career fairs and hiring events, fundraisers and donation drives, galas, and even customer appreciation sales at retail stores. "We always look forward to Goodwill Industries Week as a way to celebrate our communities and the impact of our mission," said Jim Gibbons, president and CEO of Goodwill Industries International. "This week, we invite people to celebrate with us by donating items that they no longer use or need, and shop for new favorites, so that we can continue to improve quality of life for the millions of individuals and families served by their local Goodwill." Visit www.goodwill.org to find the nearest Goodwill location, job fair or event, and learn how you can help build a brighter future for someone in your community, visit www.goodwill.org/week and follow #GoodwillWeek and #GoodwillIndustriesWeek on social media. ABOUT GOODWILL INDUSTRIES INTERNATIONAL Goodwill Industries International (GII) is a network of 162 community-based, autonomous organizations in the United States and Canada with a presence in 12 other countries. GII is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that is recognized by GuideStar with its Platinum Seal of Approval, the organization's highest rating for charities. GII was also ranked by Enso as the #1 brand doing the most good in the world for two consecutive years, and was the only nonprofit brand rated in Forbes' 20 most inspiring companies for three consecutive years. Local Goodwill organizations are innovative and sustainable social enterprises that create job training programs, employment placement and other community-based programs by selling donated clothing and household items in more than 3,300 stores collectively and online at http://www.shopgoodwill.com. Local Goodwill organizations build revenues and create jobs by contracting with commercial, state, government and non-government organizations to provide a wide range of business services, including manufacturing, warehousing and distribution, packaging, assembly, food preparation, document management, groundskeeping and administrative. Last year, local Goodwill organizations collectively placed more than 288,000 people in employment in the United States and Canada. In addition, more than 69 million people used computers and mobile devices to access Goodwill education, training, mentoring and online learning services to strengthen their skills, and more than 1.7 million people received in person services. To learn more, visit goodwill.org SOURCE Goodwill Industries International Related Links http://www.goodwill.org KAWANISHI, Japan, May 8, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Metal organic frameworks (MOFs), also known as porous coordination polymers (PCPs), are materials composed of metal cations and polydentate ligands that bridge component metals. MOFs are synthesized as superporous materials by modifying their metal and organic ligand, as well as the shape and size of pores. Pore size ranges in 0.2-50 nm and MOF possess very large specific surface area (1000 10000 m2/g). Their chemical group can be tailored at the molecular level. One can obtain superporous highly crystallized chemical compounds with high periodicity by reacting an appropriate robust organic linker and a metal cluster at appropriate position and direction. With conventional porous materials such as activated carbon, zeolite, and mesoporous silica, it was difficult to create the exact porous structure with the desired shape and specific surface area. Although with MOF, one can artificially design the structure, surface area, and shape of the pores at the molecular level, as well as create high-dimensional functional materials with complex structure. MOFs are generally lighter than conventional porous materials and have larger specific surface area. Theoretically, MOFs can be prepared by combining numerous types of metals and organic ligands; more than 20,000 kinds of MOFs have been reported already. Because MOFs are completely new inorganicorganic hybrid self-organized porous materials, the chemical industry has recently been highly focused on them. MOF : Mil 100 (Fe) The conventional porous materials such as zeolite, activated carbon, and porous silica have been used as catalysts, separators, adsorbents, impurity removers for water, and deodorizing materials. Our human life highly depends on these porous materials. MOFs can greatly enhance possibilities for these industrial areas. Metal organic frameworks (MOF) also have the possibility to do following application for example Gas separation (H 2 , methane, CO 2 etc) Choose and storage of ion and molecule, separation (separation of isomer, p-xylene, m-xylene, ethyl benzene etc) Solid catalyst (oxidation, addition, hydrogenation reactions, esterification etc) Controlled gas release Separation and transportation Nano sized synthetic vessel Electrode, electrolyte for batteries Magnetic materials Optical materials Chemical Sensor Water, water vapour adsorption, desorption Green Science Alliance Co., Ltd. is a member of the Fuji Pigment Co., Ltd. group of companies. They have established a synthetic procedure for a few MOFs as below. GS MOF ZIF-8 GS MOF Mil 100 (Fe) GS MOF Cu-BTC GS MOF MOF-801 [Zr 6 O 4 (OH) 4 (fumarate) 6 In particular, Fe- and Zr-based MOFs can adsorb and desorb more water in the air than conventional porous materials can do. Hence, they can be utilized for machines with both humidifier and dehumidifier functions. The company also accepts custom synthesis of other types of MOFs as per customer request, and develops MOF materials for a variety of further applications and functions. Contact Information Green Science Alliance Co., Ltd. Dr. Ryohei Mori 2-22-11 Obana Kawanishi-city, Hyogo prefecture 666-0015 Japan TEL: +81-72-7598543 FAX: +81-72-7599008 Mail: [email protected] WEB: https://www.gsalliance.co.jp/en/ SOURCE Green Science Alliance Co., Ltd. SHANGHAI, May 8, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Recently, 2018 China's Top Investors JunDing Prize award ceremony, sponsored by Securities Times, was hosted in Xiamen, a city in Southeast China. Guotai Junan Securities investment banking team won the 2018 JunDing Prize for Comprehensive Investors in the second consecutive year. Guotai Junan Securities is also the winner of the 2018 JunDing Prize for Refinancing Investment Bank, the 2018 JunDing Prize for China's Best IPO Team and the 2018 JunDing Prize for Five-star Green Bonds Co-manager. Yang Xiaotao, the Vice President of Guotai Junan Securities Investment Committee, is appraised as the 2018 China's Top 10 Outstanding Investors. Statistics of Wind show that the sum of underwriting of Guotai Junan Securities investment banking team is almost up to 350 billion yuan in 2017, ranking as the 4th in the industry with 356 co-managers. As the second player within the industry, refinancing underwriting is over 83 billion yuan (Issuance of new shares, allotment, convertible bond and preference shares includes), taking about 10 percent of the market share. Issuance of new shares is over 58 billion yuan, with 17 percent growth. Additionally, 9 green bonds were issued last year, raising 45 billion yuan. Committed to innovation, Guotai Junan Securities investment banking team has pioneered in daily operations, such as being the first Book runner to sale "Bond Connect" products (yhj041776004), being the first private enterprise to issue "The Belt and Road" Perpetual ticket (yhj101775008), being the first to issue the mutual fund for innovative company bond (sh143206) approved by CSRC; joining the first batch of Securities to underwriting local government debt, etc.. SOURCE Guotai Junan Securities MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif., May 8, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- H2O.ai, the open leader in AI, today announced plans for H2O World 2018 in New York, London and San Francisco, a must-attend event focused on AI, machine learning (ML), and deep learning for data science and business leaders. This year's event series will kick off in New York on June 7, 2018 at The New York Academy of Sciences, and will feature industry-recognized speakers and trainings designed to teach attendees how to harness the full value of AI, ML, deep learning and data science across multiple industries from both a business and technical perspective. H2O World 2018 New York will feature presentations from H2O.ai CEO, Sri Ambati, as well as executives and data science experts from the industry, and panels on some of the hottest topics in AI right now, including "Entrepreneurship in AI" and "Women and Inclusion in Data Science." Speakers will present their unique experiences in AI and data science, the challenges organizations encounter in maximizing the value of AI and how to successfully leverage new tools in the field to improve business processes and, in some cases, make a lasting impact on the world. At H2O World 2018, attendees will also have the opportunity to: Listen to peer presentations highlighting real-world issues that AI, ML and deep learning can help solve Discuss the importance of open source AI and data science tools to the entire community Learn how to improve business processes by implementing an effective AI, ML and deep learning strategies Discuss some of the challenges facing the data science community as it grows and technology advances Learn about the latest advancements in H2O.ai's portfolio, including open source H2O and its flagship Driverless AI platform Hands on Driverless AI trainings H2O World 2018 New York When: Thursday, June 7, 2018, 8:00 AM - 7:00 PM ET Where: The New York Academy of Sciences 250 Greenwich Street, 7 World Trade Center (40th Floor), New York Cost: $249 for general admission, $99 for students Register using code "H2O100" to get $100 off tickets: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/h2o-world-new-york-2018-tickets-45361244704 Connect with H2O.ai Download Driverless AI for a free 21-day trial: https://www.h2o.ai/try-driverless-ai/ https://www.h2o.ai/try-driverless-ai/ Visit us to learn more: www.h2o.ai www.h2o.ai Follow us on Twitter: www.twitter.com/H2Oai www.twitter.com/H2Oai Connect with us on LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/2820918/ About H2O.ai H2O.ai is the leader in AI with its visionary open source platform, H2O. Its mission is to democratize AI for all. H2O.ai is transforming the use of AI within all software with its category-creating visionary open source machine learning movement. More than 12,600 companies use open-source H2O in mission-critical use cases for Finance, Insurance, Healthcare, Retail, Telco, Sales, and Marketing. H2O.ai recently launched Driverless AI that uses AI to do AI in order to provide an easier, faster and cheaper means of implementing data science. In February 2018, Gartner named H2O.ai, as a Leader in the 2018 Magic Quadrant for Data Science and Machine Learning Platforms. H2O.ai partners with leading technology companies such as NVIDIA, IBM, AWS, Azure and Google and is proud of its growing customer base which includes Capital One, Progressive Insurance, Comcast, Walgreens and Kaiser Permanente. For more information and to learn more about how H2O.ai is transforming business processes with intelligence, visit www.h2o.ai. Media Contact: Erika Kamholz [email protected] 949-282-8560 SOURCE H2O.ai